BusinessMirror December 08, 2023 by BusinessMirror

Amid slowing inflation, not yet time for easing

T DSAS 2023: Senators Mark Villar and Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, both avid gun enthusiasts, graced the opening of The 29th Defense and Sporting Arms Show (DSAS) 2023 Part 2 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The event hosted by the Association of Firearms and Ammunitions Dealers of the Philippines Inc., promises to unveil a diverse collection of world-class locally crafted and imported firearms, ammunition and related equipment, showcasing the latest advancements in defense and sporting arms technology. Beyond being a mere gun show, DSAS serves as a comprehensive platform for unveiling cutting-edge innovations and industry developments. NONIE REYES

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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) does not consider the recent slowdown in inflation as well as the expected continuation of the downtrend in December as enough reason to ease monetary policy. Inflation slowed to 4.1 percent in November while BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. expects inflation to settle within the target range in December. These are deemed welcome developments for the country. However, it may take some time before the BSP becomes dovish. Currently, Remolona said the BSP remains

hawkish and may remain that way until “early 2024” when inflation could hit below 3 percent. “To think about easing is premature. We wanna be sure we stay within the target range, comfortably within the target range. And then when we [are] comfortable about that, then we can start to think about easing,” Remolona said. “If inflation is within the target range, for one month, that’s not enough. It has to be there and it has to look like it’s going to stay there and then we can start to consider not being hawkish,” he also said.

Remolona said there are still risks that the BSP needs to watch out for. Monitoring these risks and preventing them from negating inflation gains is crucial, especially for the Philippines. He explained that normally, supply shocks easily dissipate and this makes most central banks gloss over them, knowing that they will not be enough to introduce second-round effects into the economy. However, Remolona said this is not the case in the Philippines. When the country experiences supply shocks, these can lead to expec-

tations, which could pave the way for second-round effects. “Actually, supply shocks often lead to expectations. If they’re large enough, if they’re frequent enough, they’ll lead to expectations of higher inflation and it leads to secondround effects,” Remolona said. “So that’s what we worry about. We’re monitoring inflation expectations, we’re trying to keep inflation expectations anchored and that's the way we hope to mitigate the second-round effects,” he added. See “Amid,” A2

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CLIMATE CRUSADERS UNITE In a global symphony of advocacy, climate justice activists raise their placards during the 28th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai, UAE. Simultaneously, a press conference (left photo) for the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice unfolded in Quezon City on December 7, 2023, amplifying their urgent calls for climate action. The activists planned simultaneous mass actions in over 55 locations across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao on December 9. Amid this global mobilization, Mitzi Jonelle Tan from the Philippines (right photo) stood firm at the COP28 Summit in Dubai, holding a sign that read "demilitarize for climate justice." Tan and her fellow activists challenged stringent speech regulations, highlighting the stark contrast between their limitations and the growing influence of the fossil fuel industry, with around 1,400 industry-linked individuals identified in an Associated Press analysis. This collective effort underscores the urgency and resilience of climate activism on both global and local fronts. AP/PETER DEJONG By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE country’s manufacturing output posted its slowest growth in 17 months, according to the latest Production Index and Net Sales Index report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The data showed the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) slowed to 1.7 percent in October 2023 from the 9.9 percent in September and the 6.7 percent posted in October 2022. The data also showed this was the slowest since the 0.6 contraction of the VoPI in May 2022. In 2023, the other month when the VoPI posted a growth of below 2 percent was in June, when it posted a growth of 1.8 percent. “ The slower annual growth of the VoPI in October 2023 was mainly brought about by annual decreases in the same top three industry divisions that contributed to the slower annual rate of VaPI [Value of Production Index] during the period,” PSA said. These three industry divisions were the manufacture of beverages, the VoPI of which declined 33.9 percent in October 2023 from the growth of 13 percent in September 2023. The list also included the manufacture of coke and refined pe-

troleum products at 46.8 percent, which slowed from 78.5 percent annual increment in September 2023; and the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, posting a 1.9-percent annual drop from a 4.2-percent annual increase in September 2023. “Of the remaining 19 industry divisions, 13 exhibited annual decelerations in their indices during the period. In contrast, there were six industry divisions that recorded annual increments in October 2023,” PSA said. Meanwhile, PSA said based on responding establishments, the average capacity utilization rate for the manufacturing section in October 2023 was reported at 74.3 percent from 74.4 percent in the previous month. All industry divisions reported capacity utilization rates of more than 50 percent during the month. The top three industry divisions in terms of reported capacity

SEAFARERS’ MAGNA CARTA HAS NO ESCROW, BUT BOND A MUST By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

HE Congressional Bicameral Conference Committee has approved the reconciled version of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, without the controversial escrow provision but requiring the filing of a bond by seafarers. House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairperson Ron P. Salo of Kabayan Partylist said the reconciled version approved on Wednesday has several measures addressing the nefarious practice of ambulance-chasing that has earned a deplorable reputation among Filipino seafarers. These include: institutionalization of a DOH-accredited physician in determining appropriate disability grading; inclusion of a specific short period of validation and payment of the seafarer’s claim; establishment of the seafarer’s “tambayan” with a full range of services to seafarers, including legal; provision of free legal assistance by the Public Attorney’s Office to seafarers having legal concerns; and clarifying the manner of execution that ensures full res-

titution of improper awards in cases of reversal or modification without the need for the seafarer to fork out money from his own pocket. Salo said the reconciled bill also addressed the issue of our maritime graduates' lack of shipboard training as well as Philippine compliance with the standards of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). “The bill mandates maritime higher educational institutions [MHEIs] to accommodate up to 150 percent of their carrying capacity for shipboard training and require them to employ their own training ship, simulators, or similar technologies, or, in the absence of a training ship, to enter into agreements with domestic or international shipping companies to accept their graduates for shipboard training. This will address the issue of the lack of opportunity for shipboard training for our maritime graduates,” Salo said. Salo said the reconciled version will be ratified by both chambers next week and will be submitted to the President for signature.

PHL in COP28: Climate crisis needs action now

HE Philippines is pushing to accelerate climate financing of gender-responsive and nature-based solutions to address cliamte change and biodiversity loss at the ongoing 28th Conference of Parties (COP) Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Climate finance is a key enabler

to advance the understanding and implementation of nature-based solutions in the Philippines, DENR Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems and Climate Change Analiza Rebuleta-Teh said in a statement. See “PHL,” A2

See “Seafarers’,” A2

See “Slowest,” A2

PESO exchange rates n US 55.3190 n japan 0.3755 n UK 69.4862 n HK 7.0821 n CHINA 7.7282 n singapore 41.2275 n australia 36.2284 n EU 59.5564 n KOREA 0.0420 n SAUDI arabia 14.7494 Source: BSP (December 7, 2023)

News

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A2 Friday, December 8, 2023

Digital platforms back new Internet Transactions Act By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

TAKEHOLDERS including major digital platforms in the Philippines said the signing of the the Internet Transactions Act (ITA) will help protect both online consumers and merchants and will propel the growth of digital economy. On Tuesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 11967 or “An Act Protecting Consumers and Merchants Engaged in Internet Transaction, creating for this purpose the Electronic Commerce Bureau” or the Internet Transactions Act (ITA) into law. In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) cited the stakeholders who have rallied behind the law. The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) said this law will “ensure the level playing field between traditional and online retailing to benefit Filipino consumers and merchants in the changing omnichannel environment.” Representing the Supply Chain Man-

Slowest… Continued from A1

agement Association of the Philippines, Pierre Carlo Curay, Vice President of SCMAP, called the Internet Transactions Act a “game changer,” noting that e-commerce has grown “dramatically” since the pandemic. With this, he said ITA will support that growth while securing the integrity of the ecosystem. Major e-commerce platforms such as Zalora, Foodpanda, Pickaroo, Lazada, Shopee and Lalamove said the signing of the law will ensure protection of both online consumers and merchants. Foodpanda, an online food and grocery delivery platform, said the ITA plays a “crucial role” in building trust in online platforms, as more Filipinos go digital. “It helps to create a balance between business and consumer interests while ensuring a fair landscape, particularly for MSMEs. We commend the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for championing the ITA's development, and we are committed to supporting the growth and success of the e-Commerce sector,” said Foodpanda CEO Daniel Marogy. Pick-a-roo, a delivery app, called the law an “additional cornerstone in its

mission of bridging the gap between businesses and Filipino households.” “As we welcome the implementation of such, Pick.A.Roo reaffirms its commitment of having safety and security stand as pillars in every digital transaction moving forward,” Eric Bataga, CEO of Pick-a-roo said. Lalamove Philippines Managing Director Djon Nacario said the same-day truck delivery firm sees the ITA law as a “major step from the government in solidifying the protection of online consumers and merchants.” Shopee, one of the leading e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia, said through its Philippine Head Vincent Lee the law promotes a “more trustworthy e-commerce landscape.” Lazada, another major e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, recognized the “pivotal role” of the law in shaping a “secure” e-commerce ecosystem in the country. “This Act will propel our continued efforts to create a safer online experience for sellers and buyers on our platform,” Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines.

Online shopping platform Zalora said the ITA will “surely play a transformative role in bolstering consumer confidence, propelling the growth of the digital economy, and ultimately empowering Filipino consumers.” Suzy Pronstroller, Regional Legal Counsel, Zalora said Zalora looks forward “to working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure compliance with the law and continuously enhance our practices to deliver an unparalleled and secure online shopping experience.” Through the government’s lens, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said the ITA is a “landmark” measure as it comest at a time when online selling and online buying is now a “way of life” in the country. He underscored the role that DTI will play under the law, which mandates it to create an e-commerce bureau. “Under the law, the regulatory framework is set, and powers are provided to DTI that will allow the Department to effectively protect consumers against unfair trade practices done online,” Pascual said in a statement on Thursday.

utilization rate were led by the manufacture of machinery and equipment except electrical at 83.3 percent.

The PSA also said the average capacity utilization rate of the manufacture of rubber and plastic products was at 81.2 percent and

the manufacture of tobacco products was at 80.5 percent. “The proportion of establishments that operated at full capacity (90 percent to 100 percent) was 27.1 percent of the total number of responding establishments. Meanwhile, 38.8 percent operated at 70 to 89 percent capacity, and 34.1 percent operated below 70 percent capacity,” PSA said.

Value of Production Index

Meanwhile, the Value of Production Index (VaPI) slowed to 1.3 percent in October from the 9.6 percent in September and 14.5 percent posted in October 2022. PSA said the slower growth in the annual growth of VaPI during the month was mainly caused by the double-digit annual drop in the manufacture of beverages industry division at 26.3 percent in September 2023, from a 23.1-percent annual increase in the previous month. "The manufacture of beverages contributed 46.5 percent to the downtrend of VaPI for the manufacturing section in October 2023," PSA said. The data also showed that out of the 22 industry divisions for the manufacturing section, the manufacture of beverages was the fourth industry division with the highest weight in the computation of VaPI. Meanwhile, based on the S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), the country's composite index score slightly improved to 52.7 in November from the 52.4 posted in October. S&P Global Market Intelligence said this was amid the decrease in purchasing activity in November, the first time in 15 months or since mid-2022. S&P Global Market Intelligence also noted higher raw material prices during the month and “concerns of overstocking dissuaded input buying at some firms.”

Seafarers’… Continued from A1

Concern over bond

Michael Apostol, the National President of the National Association of Trade Unions (NATU), has shed light on a significant concern regarding the bicameral panael-approved version of a bill related to seafarer rights. While it was initially believed that the contentious escrow provision had been omitted in the approved version, Apostol brings attention to an alternative provision that has raised concerns within the seafaring community. Apostol emphasized that the approved bill now mandates the filing of a bond by seafar-

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Amid… Continued from A1

Lag-time impact

Meanwhile, Remolona said recent efforts of the BSP to tighten monetary policy have worked their way into the economy albeit with a longer-thanexpected lag time. Remolona admitted this has to do with the transmission mechanism of monetary policy. He said this is something that BSP is working on to shorten the lag-time impact of monetary policy on the economy. “The tightening has been working its way in the economy so they’ve had an effect. Lags are somewhat long. We wish they were more, they were shorter but that’s work we still have to do, we have to improve the transmission mechanism of monetary policy,” Remolona said. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) earlier disclosed that the country’s inf lation slowed to 4.1 percent. This was slower than the 4.9 percent posted in October 2023 and 8 percent recorded in November 2022. (Full story here: https://busi-

PHL…

nessmirror.com.ph/2023/12/05/inflation-slows-to-4-1-in-november-psa/) However, PSA data showed despite the slower headline inflation, certain commodities like rice posted an inflation rate of 15.8 percent in November, higher than the 13.2 percent posted in October 2023 and the 3.1 percent posted in November 2022. Based on the latest data, the three rice classes being monitored by PSA showed higher rates in November compared to both the October 2023 and November 2022 rates. Regular milled rice prices increased to P46.73 per kilo in November 2023, higher than the P45.42 per kilo in October 2023 and P39.57 per kilo in November last year. Well-milled rice, meanwhile, averaged P51.99 per kilo in November 2023. This was also higher than the average of P51 per kilo in October 2023 and P43.86 per kilo in November 2022. Special rice varieties also showed higher prices at an average of P61.47 per kilo. This is higher than the P60.95 per kilo in October 2023 and P53.53 per kilo in November 2022. Cai U. Ordinario

As one of the countries most affected by climate change, the Philippines advocates a demand-driven and needs-based financing through a blended approach of grants, investments, and subsidies. “The Philippines is pushing for accelerating climate finance. To be able to do that, we need to collaborate—the government, all countries, private sector, and philanthropic organizations— and really identify how we can achieve much-needed resources to implement nature-based solutions on the ground,” said Teh during a side event entitled “Reducing the climate finance gap with gender-responsive Nature-based Solution.” held at the Philippine Pavilion last December 4. Nature-based solutions are approaches that employ natural processes or systems to solve societal problems in a sustainable manner. These may include reforestation initiatives, mangrove restoration projects, sustainable agricultural methods, and the creation of green infrastructure such as urban parks. According to the World Bank, naturebased solutions can provide up to 37 percent of the emission reductions the world needs by 2030 to keep global temperature increases under 2 degrees Celsius. Nature-based solutions also aid in the fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, yet have not been sufficiently adopted, implemented, or financed. “We should acknowledge that the purpose of nature-based solutions is to deliver affordable and scalable actions at the community level to fight against climate change,” added Teh added. The DENR official also noted that aside from financing, implementing projects on nature-based solutions for the country should be planned through the lens of disaster preparedness, so that these can significantly contribute to building resilience, mitigating risks, and adapting to the impacts of climate change. “Aside from the financing barrier, we also need to address the governance barrier. While several initiatives mainstream

gender in climate financing mechanisms, the challenge is how we leverage gender equity in climate financing by prioritizing adaptation and mitigation measures or projects that would build maximum cobenefits to the poor and other vulnerable sectors including women.” As women constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are known to rely more on natural resources for their livelihood, they are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men. Teh said addressing the knowledge gap is also a must, pointing out that some communities still implement food system practices that can actually harm the ecosystem and the habitat. “There are several innovations and technologies that would need our communities to be capacitated to be informed so we need to address those gaps to accelerate climate finance.” Climate finance is one of the major themes in COP 28. According to Article 9 of the Paris Agreement, developed nations are required to fulfill their prior commitments under the Convention by giving developing states financial support for their efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to it. In addition, voluntary extension or maintenance of such support is recommended upon other Parties. Developments in advancing naturebased solutions in the country have already made progress. In the forthcoming National Adaptation Plan and the Nationally-Determined Contribution Implementation Plan, various sectors and innovative practices supporting nature-based solutions are covered and promoted as means to secure food supply, sustain livelihoods, and restore the natural assets. The DENR also has existing partnerships with the private sector such as the Marubeni Philippines Corporation, Prime Infra, and Shell Pilipinas Corporation to reforest vast hectares of lands in the country to protect the habitats and also serve as carbon mitigation projects. The Philippines is also in the process of formulating the blue economy roadmap and has already issued guidelines on carbon accounting, verification, and certification system of Forest Carbon Projects as per DENR Administrative Order No. 2021-43. Jonathan L. Mayuga

ers who have won their cases with the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) or the Voluntary Arbitrator under the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). “The information that has reached us is that the version that was approved by the bicam did not contain the much maligned escrow provision. But we cannot rejoice because the information is that instead, the approved bill contains the requirement of a filing of a bond by the seafarer who won the case with the NLRC, or voluntary arbitrator under the NCMB. This is before the award can be released to him or her,” he said. One of the major concerns raised by Apostol is the practicality of seafarers

meeting this new bond requirement, saying, “Many seafarers who have already faced job loss and disability may find it difficult to raise the necessary funds to obtain the bond.” “Whether it is a cash bond or a surety bond, the question arises: where will the seafarer find the resources to fulfill this obligation?” he said. He argued that both mechanisms essentially serve the same purpose: to ensure that the seafarer complies with certain conditions before accessing the awarded benefits. “The bond, in essence, becomes another form of escrow, albeit under a different name, ang bond ay escrow din. Same dog, different collar,” he said.

Continued from A1

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Friday, December 8, 2023 A3

17TH FIESTA FOLKLORIADA KICKS OFF AT SM MALL OF ASIA

ULTURAL diversity and artistic brilliance were showcased as the 17th Fiesta Folkloriada commenced at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall last December 4, featuring vibrant performances from renowned dance companies across the globe, namely Austria, Indonesia, Poland, South Korea, Spain, and the Philippines. The event is in collaboration between SM Supermalls, the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Federation of International Dance Festivals. The opening ceremony featured a speech by Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation Executive Director Marielle Javellana, and a local opening ritual involving the heads of delegations and members of renowned international dance companies from the aforementioned six countries. The stage came alive with a glimpse into the soul of Austria through the Trachtrenverein Rossecker Bruck an der Mur. Following suit was Indonesia's Al-Fath Cirendeu and Sanggita Kencana Budaya who presented Indonesia's way of life through its dance forms. Meanwhile, Poland's Folk Group Zbojnicek took the stage next, weaving a narrative of the Polish culture with their spirited performance. The rhythmic beats of South Korea's Ryu Dance Company delivered a mesmerizing display of the Land of the Morning Calm’s rich heritage. Also, Ballet Ara de Madrid transported the audience to the heart of Spain with their passionate and emotive performance. The pinnacle of the evening

Ryu Dance Company from South Korea

Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation Executive Director Marielle Javellana

arrived with the performance by the Philippines' very own Bayanihan Dance Company. Their vibrant and energetic showcase of Filipino folk dances displayed the country's cultural vibrancy and storytelling through dance. Bayanihan Dance Company, the national folk-dance company of the Philippines, established in 1956 by Dr. Helena Benitez, has garnered recognition both nationally and internationally, earning six Grand prizes in World Dance competitions. The 17th Fiesta Folkloriada is a testament to the power of dance as it transcends borders and fosters cultural exchange. The week-long journey culminates in a grand finale at the Open-Air Auditorium, Rizal Park Luneta on December 9, Saturday, at 6 PM. The finale promises to be a celebration of global unity and diversity, bringing together the world's finest dance companies for an unforgettable evening under the stars. To know more about the 17th Fiesta Folkloriada and SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls. com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

The heads of delegations and members of renowned international dance companies from Austria, Indonesia, Poland, South Korea, Spain, and the Philippines participate in the opening ceremony of the 17th Fiesta Folkloriada, a showcase of global dance performances.

Ballet Ara de Madrid from Spain

The heads of delegations from six participating countries—namely Austria, Indonesia, Poland, South Korea, Spain, and the Philippines—participate in a local opening ritual during the 17th Fiesta Folkloriada opening ceremony.

Al-Fath Cirendeu and Sanggita Kencana Budaya from Indonesia

Polish dance folk group, Zbojnicek

Austrian folk group, Trachtrenverein Rossecker Bruck an der Mur

The Philippines’ award-winning national folk-dance company, the Bayanihan Dance Company.

SM CITY PAMPANGA SHINED BRIGHT WITH BIGGEST LANTERN OF HOPE

(4P’s children from Mexico Pampanga received Bears of Joy with AVP for Operations North 5 Ms. Andrea Madlangbayan-Rodriguez, City of San Fernando Vice Mayor BJ Lagman, SMFI Livelihood and Outreach Programs AVP Ms. Cristie Angeles and the 2023 Mutya Ning Kapampangan candidates.)

(L-R: The ceremonial lighting of the Biggest Lantern of Hope led by Department of Tourism Regional Director Dr. Richard Daenos, Assistant Vice President for Operations North 5 Andrea Madlangbayan-Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations Engr. Junias Eusebio, City of San Fernando Mayor Hon. Vilma Caluag, City of San Fernando Vice Mayor Hon. Benedict Jasper ‘BJ’ Lagman, Family Entertainment Center Inc., (FECI) Assistant Vice President for Operations Mr. Joseph Silva, SM Foundation Livelihood and Outreach Programs Assistant Vice President Cristie Angeles and City of San Fernando Bureau of Fire Protection Inspector Nestor Buta.)

OW in its 7th year, SM City Pampanga's Biggest Lantern of Hope once again illuminated the Christmas Capital of the Philippines with light and music. The iconic Pampanga Eye, the biggest and tallest ferris wheel in the Philippines, lighted up the holiday season with a pyro-musical show, creating a grand magical fireworks display.

(Lighting up the night sky in a grand pyro-musical display is SM City Pampanga's Biggest Lantern of Hope.)

(10-minute dazzling display of light and music featuring all-time favorite Christmas songs including Jose Mari Chan’s latest SM Christmas Jingle.)

Colorful dancing lights synced with all-time favorite Christmas songs, including the latest SM Christmas jingle by Jose Mari Chan. Last Friday, shoppers enjoyed a full 10-minute spectacular fireworks display at Sky Ranch Pampanga when the 65-meter (213 feet) in height and 50-meter (164 feet) in diameter ferris wheel sparkled with 17,664 dancing LightEmitting Diode (LED) lights along with additional colorful fireworks on the inner part of the wheel, on-ground, and aerial fireworks. As the biggest lantern delivered hope, the event also spread joy to chosen recipients from the Autism Society of the Philippine - Pampanga Chapter and children from the Municipality of Mexico in partnership with Municipal Social Welfare and Development’s (MSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) who were presented with the SM Bears of Joy.

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

Friday, December 8, 2023

House member signals possible revocation of SMNI franchise By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

@joveemarie

senior lawmaker on Thursday disclosed the possibility of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) losing its legislative franchise under Swara Sug Media Corp. due to serious allegations of disseminating fake news and launching unwarranted attacks against Congress and lawmakers. Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel highlighted SMNI’s broadcast of an unverified report

on Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s alleged P1.8 billion travel expenses as part of a broader pat-

5 rescued after alleged ‘allision’ between fishing boat and foreign vessel in Mindoro

he Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said it facilitated the rescue of five Filipino fishermen whose boat was damaged following an “allision” with a foreign-flagged bulk carrier off the waters of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday afternoon. Allision is a nautical term referring to a moving ship hitting a non-moving vessel. The PCG identified the ill-fated fishing boat as the FBCA Ruel J and the bulk carrier as the “MV Tai Hang 8.” The incident took place around 4 p.m. The PCG said that it became aware of the mishap on Wednesday noon. “Prompt action was taken by the Coast Guard Station Occidental Mindoro upon receiving information about the incident on 06 December 2023, at 12 noon,” it added. Meanwhile, Coast Guard Sub Station Sablayan immediately coordinated with the boat owner in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. “A successful rescue operation was launched near Pandan Island, Sablayan, with the distressed boat being towed by fishing banca Joker,

led by Mr. Joshua Reloba, and assisted by fishing banca Precious Heart and fishing banca Jaschene,” the PCG added. Per accounts from the survivors, the FBCA Ruel J was attached to a “payao,” a type of fish aggregating device used in the Philippines, when it was allegedly hit by the bulk carrier. This caused the fishing boat to go adrift as the foreign vessel continued its voyage unknowingly. “The rescue team efficiently assisted survivors Junrey Sardan, Ryan Jay Daus, Bryan Pangatungam, Cristian Arizala, and Joshua Barbas,” the PCG said. Upon arrival at the Port of Sablayan, the Coast Guard ensured the well being of all crewmembers, supplying essentials and confirming their good condition. The PCG assured that the incident would be reported to MV Tai Hang 8’s flag state and Port State Control office in adherence to maritime incident procedures. It added that it is now coordinating with the ship’s company to uncover the truth surrounding the incident. Rex Anthony Naval

No ‘walking pneumonia’ outbreak in PHL–DOH By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

@claudethmc3

here are no new cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, or walking pneumonia, detected in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH). From January up to November 25, 2023, the DOH said there are a total of four confirmed cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among reported Influenza-like Illness (ILI) cases but “these cases have recovered.” They have been reported in the previous morbidity weeks (MW) 3, 30, 37, and 38, with one case each. “Mycoplasma pneumoniae is not a novel/ new pathogen and has been previously detected among local cases. Looking at the trend this 2023, cases have started to increase during late August on MW 34 and a higher number of cases was sustained over the next several weeks,” the DOH said. However, according to the DOH, the case increase has started to slow down with a total of 9,834 ILI cases reported in the recent three to four weeks or MW 44 to 45 (October

29 - November 11, 2023), which is 11 percent lower than the 11,106 cases reported two weeks prior. Based on the five-year data, ILI cases are expected to continue declining in the coming weeks but expected to rise again by the start of January. The department also reminded the public that in order to prevent respiratory infections from further increasing, especially this upcoming holiday season, everyone is encouraged to perform individual self assessment and, as needed, employ layers of protection, such as masking, ensuring adequate ventilation, isolating when sick, as well as getting vaccinated and boosted to provide additional protection against infection or severe disease. “This is not a notifiable disease globally. The DOH can scan but we depend on what the media or the World Health Organization [WHO] will report. So far, the only country that has recorded incidents of Mycoplasma pneumonia is China,” the DOH added. The DOH noted that the existing surveillance is among ILI cases only.

tern of assaults against the House of Representatives and its members. The legislator emphasized the significant likelihood of Congress, with its exclusive authority over media franchises, revoking SMNI’s license. Earlier, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises approved a resolution urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend its activities. Pimentel, who serves as vice chair of the committee, also revealed plans for a bill aimed at revoking Swara Sug Media Corp.’s congressional franchise granted through Republic Act No. 11422 in 2019. “There is a really big possibility [of] revoking,” Pimentel

said in an interview when asked about the likelihood of Congress, which holds exclusive authority over media franchises, revoking SMNI’s license. Pimentel explained that the evidence presented during two hearings indicated multiple violations of SMNI, providing grounds for franchise revocation. House Resolution (HR) No. 1499, introduced by PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita “Atty. Migs” Nograles, cited Swara Sug’s alleged violation of Section 4 of its franchise, which prohibits the dissemination of false information to the detriment of public interest. The resolution also addressed alleged breaches in Sections 10, 11, and 12 of R A 11422, particularly regarding ownership and controlling interest transfers

without Congress approval. “There was already a pattern we had seen. If you recall, this was not the first incident that they attacked the institution. Before this incident, there were several aired programs attacking the Speaker, Congress, and other individual congressmen who were being attacked, in fact threatened,” Pimentel pointed out. Pimentel was referring to an SMNI program where former President Rodrigo R. Duterte labeled Congress as “the most rotten institution” and another broadcast where he purportedly threatened the life of ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, whom he claimed was a communist. Additionally, Pimentel mentioned a forthcoming bill aimed

Senators urged to prioritize passage of bills against online content piracy By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

onsumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines on Thursday urged the Senate to prioritize the passage of two bills protecting creative workers and consumers alike from online content piracy. Former lawmaker Christopher Belmonte said the Senate has to act fast in passing the Online Site Blocking Act (Senate Bills 2150 and 2385), which are also being pushed by the Private Sector Advisory Council, to uplift the local creatives industry. “This administration has repeatedly emphasized the central role of digital technologies in our nation’s economic life,” Belmonte said. “But technology has its pitfalls — in this case, it has become a platform for onwline piracy, which makes it even more difficult to curb. Thus, we have to act fast.” The pending bills seek to amend and strengthen the 26-year-old Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and give more teeth to the Intellectual Property Office to enforce anti-piracy measures. The IP Code in its current form

does not include electronic and online content in its definition of pirated goods. Belmonte said that piracy kills Filipinos’ innovative spirit and deprives content creators of fair compensation for their invaluable work. “Original content is what makes creators unique and indispensable to society. The creative industry is already threatened by untrammeled artificial intelligence. It needs to be protected from those who seek to profit easily and unfairly,” Belmonte added. He warned that the resulting erosion of morale would eventually cause creative workers to pursue other fields, thus endangering the viability and spirit of the arts. “The current cyber landscape is haven for cyber criminals stealing intellectual and real property of netizens. No one is safe,” Belmonte said. “The operators of piracy websites are making a big killing out of the hard works and big investments of producers and creators of original content,” he added. In May of this year, the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 7600 authored by Albay

2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda that would give authority to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to block websites that violate the Intellectual Property Code and expands its enforcement functions to investigate, gather intelligence, and develop countermeasures to piracy. The bill will also establish the responsibilities and guidelines for Internet service providers to block websites hosting pirated material. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that the creative industry is a vital contributor to Gross Domestic Product, accounting for approximately 7.3 percent or P1.6 trillion of the gross value added in 2022. The local film industry, specifically, has bore the brunt of online piracy, even as it is already struggling to compete with foreign productions and streaming platforms. A 2018 report by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) revealed that online piracy caused a 47 percent decline in box office sales and a 72 percent drop in legitimate online transactions in the Philippines from 2012 to 2016. During the pandemic, when

at revoking Swara Sug’s congressional franchise granted through Republic Act No. 11422 in 2019, renewing its license for an additional 25 years. “I believe there is another bill to be passed to revoke the franchise of SMNI,” Pimentel disclosed. “Based on two hearings, we have evidence proving that they have violated several sections of their franchise, and it is grounds [for revocation]. We have every reason to revoke their franchise.” Pimentel emphasized that the House probe into SMNI, which f lourished during the Duterte administration with the former president frequently appearing on the network, is driven solely by “public interest” rather than politics. most people were confined to their homes, piracy became even more rampant, with an estimated P1 billion in potential revenue losses to local video producers, distributors and aggregators, according to Media Partners Asia in 2020. Moreover, there was a proliferation of sites promoting the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), whereby minors are exploited to p e r for m s e x u a l ac t s a nd streamed online. Other sites deceive users to share sensitive data for cyber-attacks on individuals or institutions alike. Belmonte added, “The ideal situation is to be one step ahead of the pirates,” said Belmonte. “In a rules based, democratic society, the first step is to have responsive policies that will provide the regulatory and enforcement powers that have the right balance of nimbleness and safeguards that will allow authorities to purge and apprehend these online piracy operators.” “If the government is not ready to support our creative industry the way South Korea has created a global footprint for their entertainment industry, then we should at least protect the intellectual properties of our rich pool of creative talent already highly valued and making their mark in the international market,” Belmonte stressed.

UMak SOL lands anew on SC list of top law schools in the country

ayor Abby Binay on Thursday said the University of Makati School of Law’s (UMak SOL) consistent inclusion among top-ranked law schools in the country is an affirmation of the city’s commitment to educational excellence. The Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC) has ranked UMak SOL as the Top 1 among law schools in the country with 50 or fewer Bar exam takers, after posting a 94.12 percent passing rate in the September 2023 Bar examinations.

In 2021, the school topped the list of schools with 10 Bar exam takers and below after its pioneer batch of nine examinees achieved a 100-percent passing rate. Last year, UMak SOL ranked 2nd in the said category after posting an 88.89 percent passing rate, with eight Bar passers out of nine examinees. “The ranking is an affirmation of Makati’s commitment to educational excellence that is reflected in the quality of legal education being provided by the UMak School of Law. I believe no one could be prouder today than my father [former Makati

mayor and vice president Jejomar ‘Jojo’ C. Binay], who initiated the establishment of this institution some six years ago,” Mayor Abby said. Through the initiative of former VP Binay, the UMak SOL was established during the first term of Mayor Abby Binay on August 7, 2017. For the past six years, it has continuously provided full scholarships to qualified Juris Doctor program applicants from all over the country, supported and funded by the City Government of Makati. Mayor Abby also

congratulated the 32 successful bar examinees from UMak SOL, including the 14th placer who garnered a score of 87.87 percent. Atty. Yvette Veronique De Guzman Rueda of UMak SOL was ranked 14th with an average of 87.87 percent, based on the official bulletin released by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. “I am so happy that UMak SOL has not only produced 32 new lawyers, but a topnotcher no less. Congratulations! You have done our city proud,” Mayor Abby said.

Poe seeks DA support for creation of proposed bureau for animal care By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

enator Grace Poe prompted the Department of Agriculture (DA) to take an active role in making policies and programs for the promotion of animal welfare in the country. The senator recently filed Senate Bill No. 2458, seeking to strengthen animal welfare standards, policies, rules and regulations, implementation and enforcement as well as provide tougher penalties to violators.

The measure proposes to create an Animal Welfare Bureau (AWB) that will have city, municipal, provincial and regional offices. The proposed body will be placed under the DA. “Basically, you will form a policy, and in every local government there should be an animal rights council,” Poe told Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. when he recently faced the Commission on Appointments for confirmation. “Iyong ibang local governments

meron silang dog pounds pero hindi naman talaga naaalagaan ang mga aso,” she added. Poe said that under her bill, the DA through the AWB would be tasked to monitor the compliance of local governments on animal welfare programs, standards, rules and regulations. The AWB will also implement a system for inspection of animal facilities to ensure adherence to animal welfare standards and regulations. It will also provide the minimum

standards on the appropriate food, water, and shelter for each species of pet and animals depending on the age, breed, size, and special needs of the animals. “Hopefully, we will get the cooperation of the DA in pushing for the bill because it’s the agency that will be at the helm of implementation,” said Poe. The senator noted that various groups, including animal welfare advocates, have expressed support for the passage of the strengthened Animal Welfare Act.

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Senate adopts resolution celebrating PHL-Norway ties By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

HE Senate on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution celebrating the country’s ties with Norway. The resolution was championed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. In the audience was Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster . Senate Resolution No. 852 recognizes the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Norway, and commemoration of the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on December 6, 2023. Gatchalian, sponsor of the resolution, said around 25,000 Filipinos are currently employed on Norwegian ships, which accounts for one-third of the total number of seafarers on Norwegian-controlled vessels. In addition, he said, the Norwegian Shipowners Association, through the Norwegian Training Center, has provided scholarships to more than 7,000 Filipino cadets over the past 33 years. “Norway has been a true friend and ally of the Philippines in our quest for a just and lasting peace in our land. As we mark the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations this year, let us express our gratitude and appreciation to the Norwegian Government and their people for their invaluable contribution to the peace process and the development of our country,” Gatchalian said. The resolution took note the long

history of cooperation between the two countries, “which has expanded beyond the maritime sector and into the energy sector, extractive industries like oil and gas, aquaculture, IT services, telecommunications, academic exchanges, social security, labor, migration, and peace and reconciliation efforts.” The Philippines and Norway established formal diplomatic relations on March 2, 1948, with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway being established in Manila in 1967 and the Philippine Embassy in Norway being established in Oslo in 2007. The resolution stated that for over 100 years the two countries established maritime cooperation, part of which is the establishment of the Norwegian Shipowners Association (NSA) Cadet program, with the objective of developing Filipino maritime professionals through scholarship grants. “The Norwegian Training Center [NTC] in Manila has produced almost 6,000 cadets and the NSA in Oslo has provided scholarships to Filipinos and employed NTC graduates in Norwegian ships,” the resolution read. As of October 2022, there are already over 25,000 Filipino seafarers working aboard Norwegian ships or in shipyards, accounting for a third of all seafarers on Norwegian-controlled vessels. Currently, the Philippines-Norway Business Council (PNBC) has around 50 member-companies and institutions, with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway being a founding member and permanent observer in the PNBC board.

Friday, December 8, 2023

DOE and NIA ink pact for green energy push

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

@joveemarie

HE Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Thursday formalized an agreement for the promotion of renewable energy (RE) accessibility to the public.

During the signing ceremony at the Presidential Guest House in Malacañang, DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin and NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen signed the agreement with Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Dominic B. Guevara serving as witness. Garin emphasized that this agreement aligns with the goals set by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to achieve 35 percent of power generation from RE sources by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. She highlighted that the collaboration aims not only to safeguard the

assets of the NIA and DOE but also to generate power for irrigation and communities. She added that it will not only protect the assets of the NIA and the DOE but will also generate power for irrigation and the communities. “This is a commendable achievement for the entire government because various agencies are working together to attain food security and energy security for the country,” said Garin. Guillen, expressing his perspective on the collaboration, indicated that the initiative is a result of repurposing water rights for multi-purpose use, opening the door for NIA proposals related to “floating solar” projects. “This partnership streamlines the application process for renewable energy service contracts,” noted Guillen. He added that the agreement only showed the unity of the government agencies under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Go extends assistance to Gapan City indigents

ENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, extended necessary assistance to impoverished residents of Gapan City on Monday, December 4. Held at GP (Galing sa Puso) gymnasium in Barangay Mangino, Go’s team provided relief items, such as snacks, shirts, masks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 920 disadvantaged individuals. They also gave away a bicycle, a watch, and pairs of shoes to select recipients. Meanwhile, the beneficiaries also received financial assistance from

the national government through the initiative of GP Partylist Rep. Jose Padiernos. Apart from the assistance, Go offered to help those with health concerns. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, highlighted that there are Malasakit Centers located at Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (PJGMRMC), both in Cabanatuan City; and in Ta l avera Genera l Hospit a l in Ta l avera tow n.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. The Act has so far established 159 operational centers and has already helped more than 10 million poor and indigent patients, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Meanwhile, Go continues to promote Super Health Centers (SHC) as part of bringing the government closer to the Filipinos. Super Health Centers were funded in Cabanatuan City, San Leonardo, Aliaga, Bongabon, Llanera, Science City of Muñoz,

Zaragoza, Sto. Domingo and Rizal— the last two of which he personally inspected in February. The SHCs are improved versions of polyclinics that offer basic health ser vices, including database management, out- pat ient, bi r t h i ng , isolation, diagnostic ( laborator y: X-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulator y surgical unit. Other available ser vices are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) ser vice, oncolog y centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine.

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Friday, December 8, 2023

VP Sara remains a staunch ally despite position on peace talks–NTF-ELCAC

ICE President Sara Duterte is still a major ally of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) despite her statements against the conduct of exploratory talks peace between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front. “VP Sara is not only an ally of the NTF-ELCAC, she’s the vicechairperson of the NTF-ELCAC and the second highest official of our land,” NTF-ELCAC Secretariat Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said during an online news briefing Wednesday.

He also explained that the statements of the VP should not be misconstrued as against the policy of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for peace, unity and development. “Our leaders and even the observers may differ in their views regarding this amnesty and the possibility of the peace process but of course, mayroon naman tayong body to synthesize all of these things and iisa lang naman yung objective natin [we only have one objective and that is] to finally end the local communist armed conflict in our country,” he said. Meanwhile, National Security Council Assistant Deputy General

Jonathan Malaya agreed and supported this say ing, “the objective of the Vice President has always been the same with the President, both of them want to end the local communist armed conflict.” Torres also assured these recent positive developments on peace building by the Marcos administration will never stymie the momentum of the NTF-ELCAC to continue liberating vulnerable communities from the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army specially in the GeographicallyIsolated and Disadvantaged Areas. Rex Anthony Naval

DSWD sticks to cash subsidy grant instead of actual rice distribution

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development ( DS W D) on T hu r sd ay s a id it wou ld comply w it h the implementing r ules and regulations (IRR) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, which calls for rice cash subsidy rather than the actual distribution of rice. Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez issued the statement in reaction to the National Food Authority’s (NFA) recommendation for the agency to procure and distribute rice instead of the P600 worth of monthly rice allowance for 4Ps beneficiaries. Lopez said that the current mode of cash grants to buy rice among the 4Ps households is in accordance with the IRR of Republic Act 11310, the law that institutionalized the 4Ps program.

Lopez clarified that utilizing beneficiaries’ cash card instead of rice subsidy is a more practical and efficient approach. “ We a im to prov ide ou r beneficiaries with purchasing power and freedom of choice,” added Lopez. Aside from the rice subsidy, 4Ps members receive monthly health and education cash grants. Lopez assured the public, especially the beneficiaries, that the DSWD is ready to distribute sacks of rice to the 4Ps beneficiaries instead of the cash subsidy once the National Advisory Council (NAC) of 4Ps approves a resolution calling for actual rice distribution in lieu of the cash grant. T he NAC is composed of members f rom d if ferent government agencies, which include the DSWD, the Department of Health (DOH), Department of

Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), among others. Earlier, Lopez said the more than 760,000 4Ps households initially assessed as non-poor based on the results of the Listahanan 3 are still eligible to receive the grants after the re-assessment conducted by the agency. T he S o c i a l We l f a re a nd Development Indicator is being used by the Department as a case management tool to determine the progress of the households by measuring their level of well-being in terms of economic sufficiency and social adequacy. Over 330,000 re-assessed members are tagged non-poor and are now at the level of selfsufficiency. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Brawner launches AFP Mental Health Program

RMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday formally launched the AFP Mental Health Program Advocacy as part of his efforts in promoting health awareness in the military. “Let us remember that in our pursuit of a stronger and better nation, mental health must be at the forefront. By speaking up, seeking help, and championing

mental health awareness, we strengthen not just ourselves but also the collective mind of our Armed Forces,” he said during the launching of the program that followed after his visit to the Victoriano Luna Medical Center (VLMC) in Quezon City. The AFP chief’s visit to the VLMC also aims to personally check on and boost the morale of patients admitted at the hospital. “Together, we carry the torch

of progress, ensuring that no one endures the burdens of mental health in silence. It begins with us, and it begins today,” Brawner added. He a l s o e ncou r a ge d t he troops to contribute to creating a menta l ly resilient A FP by understanding the immense strength within each of them and prioritizing conversations about mental health. Rex Anthony Naval

Select LRT-1 stations to open QR and beep lanes By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

LIGHT Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) said on Thursday it is piloting the implementation of QR and beep lanes at select Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 stations. According to LR MC Head of Operations Andrea Madrid, ded ic ated l a nes h ave been established for passengers with QR tickets and Stored Value Cards (SVC), or beep cards, to streamline their journey from the security checkpoint to the station gates. “As LRMC gears up for the holiday peak travel, we are introducing this initiative at

select LRT-1 stations to help accelerate the commute time of our passengers,” she said. This effort, Madrid said, is designed to shorten the average waiting time by swiftly guiding travelers who already have their train tickets to turnstiles equipped with QR ticket and beep scanners, allowing quicker entry to the station platforms. LRT-1 stations involved in the pilot implementation include Edsa, Libertad, Quirino, Monumento, Balintawak, and Fernando Poe Jr. Passengers are advised to check signages located at the station entrances for further details. “Passengers can get in the QR

and beep lanes to save time and energy, as well as money since beep users are enjoying discounted fares compared to using Single Journey Tickets. We can also consider the special lanes as one of the benefits of using QR tickets and beepTM, in line with the company’s thrust of promoting contactless transactions and modernizing our ticketing experience,” Madrid added. Commuters may purchase their LRT-1 QR tickets using LRMC’s ikotMNL app and the Maya app. SVCs may be reloaded through the beep app, as well as through the e-tap loading kiosks and ticket vending machines found in all LRT 1 stations.

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Friday, December 8, 2023

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Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Regional Office No. IV-A 4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

December 08, 2023

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S)

ESTABLISHMENT CHIYODA INTEGRE (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION Lot 4-B, First Philippine Industrial Park II, Santa Anastacia, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

FUKAZAWA, GO

Basic Qualification:

Administration Manager

Must be fluent in English and Japanese, with more than 10 years experience in a Japanese manufacturing company.

Brief Job Description: Develop and implement policies and procedures to improve operations and function of the department

Salary Range:

H.S. CRAFT MANUFACTURING CORPORATION No. 1, Maguyam Road, Maguyam, Silang, Cavite

Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range:

YULIANA

Brief Job Description:

Php150,000 Php499,999

Basic Qualification:

Brief Job Description:

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s:

NO.

CHARLES WILSON

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

PAN KET SIONG

Basic Qualification:

Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Malaysian language

WU, LING-I

Basic Qualification:

Brief Job Description:

Warehouse Manager

Knowledgeable in manufacturing warehouse set up

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

Brief Job Description: Supervise daily warehouse activities

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

KOU FU PACKAGING CORPORATION Lot 4-5, B3 P2, Mountview Industrial Complex, Bancal, Carmona, Cavite

HOANG, THI CAM NHUNG

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

YU, SHOU-HUI a.k.a. CARRYLL YU

Basic Qualification:

Brief Job Description:

Chief Executive Officer and President

Must have experience in managerial/ executive position

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range:

Php150,000 Php499,999

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

KHUU THI THUY OANH

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Brief Job Description: KOU FU PACKAGING CORPORATION Lot 4-5, B3 P2, Mountview Industrial Complex, Bancal, Carmona, Cavite

SZE, CHIH-YIN a.k.a. ARON SZE

Basic Qualification:

Treasurer And General Manager

Must be College graduate and must have experience in manufacturing companies

Brief Job Description: Oversee day-to-day operations and present analytic recommendation for sales growth in the company

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Salary Range:

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php90,000 Php149,999

LEADWAY TRAVEL CONSULTANCY CORPORATION Ground Floor, Paseo De Bacoor, Molino III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

OBIDIEGWU, AUGUSTINE CHUKWUAGOZIE International Operations Manager

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Brief Job Description:

Brief Job Description: Facilitate communication between African community especially the Nigerian and the company

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Salary Range:

MINEBEA PHILIPPINES INC. Lot 1, Phase 1-A, First Philippine Industrial Park, Santa Anastacia, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

MAEDA, MASASHI

Basic Qualification:

Director, Accounting Department Manager

College graduate with skills and knowledge in handling accounting and finance

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Brief Job Description: Manage and coordinate to external auditor for financial audits and reporting about financial matters

Salary Range:

LI, TAOSHAN

Basic Qualification:

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP.

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range:

PHAM THE DUYET

Brief Job Description:

Php150,000 Php499,999

Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range:

NINH, VAN LONG

Brief Job Description:

Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Basic Qualification: College level/graduate with excellent oral and written communication skill

Salary Range:

LY, THI THOM

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries 5

Php30,000 Php59,999

Brief Job Description: Present and promote the interest of the company

Salary Range:

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

PHAM THI HUYEN TRANG

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Salary Range:

Brief Job Description:

Php30,000 Php59,999

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

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

Friday, December 8, 2023

Report: More than 3-M Pinoys still practice open defecation By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

VER 3 million Filipinos still practice open defecation nationwide, mirroring the poor sanitation coverage in the Philippines, according to the World Bank. In its latest Safe Water And Sanitation For A ll publication,

the World Bank said 3.5 million Filipinos still do not have a toilet. Poor sanitation coverage can be obser ved in low-income communities and rural areas. The World Bank said sanitation coverage nationwide was at 63 percent. This is higher than the 54 percent global average but lower than the 69 percent regional average.

“The situation of the second poorest wealth quintile [poor] stagnated the most, even compared to the poorest wealth quintile, with a slight erosion of the access to basic sanitation,” the report stated. “Moreover, pollution-related issues abound because of poor sanitation in urban areas; this, in turn, affect limited water re-

sources,” it added. The World Bank said, however, that sanitation access nationwide has improved overall. It estimated that to date, about 50 percent of the country’s population is using basic sanitation in both urban and rural areas. Nonetheless, challenges remained for the poorest 20 percent of rural households and 11 percent urban households who continue to practice open defecation. By 2030, World Bank said existing service gaps would grow with close to 32 million people needing safe access to water, and 35 million needing safe sanitation in urban areas. “This is a silent public health emergency rendered more salient by the increased risk of contamination due to climate shocks, particularly floods,” the report stated. The World Bank said only 48 percent of the Philippine population are currently receiving safely managed or piped water services, and approximately 63 percent have access to safely managed sanitation services or proper collection, treatment, and disposal of human waste. These figures are significantly lower than the regional East Asia Pacific (EAP) average, which stands at around 74 percent for safe water access and 69 percent for access to sanitation. Lack of access to basic water and sanitation services is associated with illness, malnutrition, and childhood stunting. Nearly onethird of Filipino children suffer

from stunting. “Ensuring access to safe water and sanitation services for all Filipinos should be a shared responsibility across different levels of government,” said Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. “In both rural and urban areas, reliable access to adequate water is vital for sustaining economic activity, especially in sectors like industry and tourism. Sustainable access to water and sanitation services is also needed to protect health, reduce the costs associated with water- and sanitation-related illnesses, malnutrition, and productivity losses,” Diop added. The Philippines aims to achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation services by 2030 in line with its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) prepared a master plan in 2021 to meet this target, requiring investments amounting to over P100 billion a year from both the private and public sectors. Local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines are responsible for providing safe water and sanitation services to communities. However, they often face challenges, including limited funds and capacity. Increased support from the national government will be necessary to address these gaps and ensure the delivery of essential services to all communities.

The World Bank said climate change would exacerbate the challenges faced by communities whose domestic water supply systems are already under strain. Many of these systems are struggling to meet the demands of rapid urban growth. The impact of higher temperatures is expected to further worsen this shortfall, as reservoir levels decrease, and people consume more water to cope with higher temperatures. World Bank Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist Maria Fiorella Fabella said local governments and water service providers alone are unable to achieve water and sanitation targets due to broader constraints that are beyond their control. Governance and regulation issues, lack of financing, capacity and operational challenges, and the sustainability of raw water sources all constrain local governments’ efforts. The national government will need to support LGUs and water service providers for them to graduate to become self-sustaining and creditworthy utilities, the report stated. Support will need to address fundamental issues of capacity that service providers typically face, including through providing technical assistance and capacity-building, capital support, and measures to make water supply and sanitation projects feasible and attractive to private investors.

Outgoing San Juan City SK chairman faces acts of lasciviousness charge

AN Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Thursday accompanied an incumbent Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawad who filed an incident report at the San Juan City Police Station after reportedly receiving threats for her to withdraw the acts of lasciviousness charges she filed against an outgoing SK chairman who allegedly tried to rape her on November 30 in Batangas. Zamora said that the victim, Hilary Joyce Santos, 20, and her parents are seeking assistance from the police, through him, as “as they fear for their safety” after they were reportedly asked to drop the case that they filed against

Jovher Sagara. “Dahil nakapag-bail ang suspect, yung [Because the suspect posted bail, the] fear is increasing. Natatakot sila [They are afraid],” said Zamora, who accompanied Reyes, along with local police chief, Col. Allan Reglos. He added that his responsibility as a mayor is to ensure the safety of Reyes. However, Zamora stressed that they are also seeking a “very fair and impartial legal proceedings.” The incident reportedly happened in Talisay, Batangas on the last day of the mandatory SK training November 30. Reyes sa id t hat she was

PHL joins Blue Carbon Action Partnership, pushes for blue economy agenda at COP28

HE Philippines has joined the Blue Carbon Action Partnership (BCAP) of the World Economic Forum (WEF), taking another step to solidify the government’s pursuit of a green and blue socioeconomic agenda, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced on Thursday. The partnership agreement was signed last December 3 at the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). The agreement takes effect upon its signing on 3 December 2023 and ends on 31 March 2026. It aims to strengthen coastal ecosystems, boost blue carbon conservation and mitigate climate change. This effort is supported by the Government of the United Kingdom through the UK Blue Planet Fund, specifically the Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST). DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Head of the Philippine Delegation to COP28, signed the partnership agreement with Neo Gim Huay, Managing Director of the WEF Center for Nature and

Climate. This effectively creates the National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP) and will bring support from WEF for the government to work with businesses, communities and civil society organizations to restore, conserve and sustainably manage coastal ecosystems. “The Philippines, endowed with rich biodiversity and extensive coastlines, is home to vast blue carbon ecosystems. We look forward to working with the Blue Carbon Action Partnership to facilitate the inclusive, whole-of-society approach to developing a shared ambition for blue carbon, community resilience, inclusive development and unlocking the Philippines’ potential to provide nature-based climate solutions for the rest of the world whilst supporting our programs for protected areas and preparing the country for participating in the new blue economy,” Yulo-Loyzaga said. The NBCAP will contribute to three strategic pillars: (1) convene communities and moderate multilateral conversations relevant to structuring particularly multilateral government structure, and groups working on impact, (2) generate new insights and roadmaps to support the creation of National

searching for a car key in a room when Sagara entered, forcibly hugged her and kissed her neck then unlocked her bra. She managed to escape and told her colleagues about the incident, leading to the arrest of Sagara by the police. A swift response from the authorities in Batangas resulted in an inquest on December 1, 2023 at the Batangas Hall of Justice. Despite the legal proceedings, the victim and her parents fear for their safety in the aftermath of the incident and have sought help for protection from the San Juan Police through Zamora. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

blue carbon baseline analysis, national blue carbon roadmap, and national blue carbon finance roadmap; and (3) catalyze strategic action to support the implementation of the blue carbon and finance roadmaps, and global collaborations with complementary initiatives. “We wish to unlock the Philippines’ potential to provide naturebased climate solutions not just for ourselves but for the rest of the world while supporting our programs on protected areas, and preparing our country for participating in the new blue economy,” said Loyzaga. She added, “The role of the private sector cannot be diminished. And this would be a call for the private sector to go beyond ESG [environmental, social, and governance], and to integrate biodiversity protection and climate action into core business value cycles, instead of CSR [corporate social responsibility] options.” Blue carbon is the stored carbon from coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses and marshes. Coastal ecosystems, aside from providing essential ecosystem services such as coastal protection from storms and nursery grounds for fish, sequester and store large quantities of blue carbon from the atmosphere and the oceans thus contributing to solving climate change. Jonathan L. Mayuga

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Strikes on south Gaza sow fear in one of the last areas people can flee By Najib Jobain & Kareem Chehayeb The Associated Press

AFAH, Gaza Strip—Israeli forces struck the southern Gaza town of Rafah twice overnight, residents said Thursday, sowing fear in one of the last places where civilians could seek refuge after Israel widened its offensive against Hamas to areas already packed with displaced people. United Nations officials say there are no safe places in Gaza. Heavy fighting in and around the southern city of Khan Younis has displaced tens of thousands of people in a territory where over 80 percent of the population has already fled their homes, and cut most of Gaza off from deliveries of food, water and other vital aid. Two months into the war, the grinding offensive has set off renewed alarms internationally, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres using a rarely exercised power to warn the Security Council of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” and urging members to demand a cease-fire. The United States has called on Israel to limit civilian deaths and displacement, saying too many Palestinians were killed when it obliterated much of Gaza City and the north. But President Joe Biden’s administration, which has pledged unwavering support for Israel, appeared likely to block any such UN effort to halt the fighting. Israel says it must crush Hamas’ military capabilities and remove it from power following the October 7 attack that ignited the war. Troops have pushed into Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, which Israeli officials have portrayed as Hamas’ center of gravity—something they previously said was in Gaza City and its Shifa Hospital. Israel has ordered the evacuation of some two-dozen southern neighborhoods, rather than the entire region as it did in the north, which the military says shows increased concern for civilians. But the areas where Palestinians can seek safety are rapidly receding. With northern and central Gaza largely isolated and cut off from aid, Palestinians are heading south to Rafah and other areas along the border with Egypt, where family homes are packed tight and makeshift shelters are overflowing. Even there, safety has proven elusive, as Israel continues to strike what it says are Hamas targets across the coastal enclave. A strike late Wednesday leveled a home in Rafah, sending a wave of wounded streaming into a nearby hospital. Eyad al-Hobi, who witnessed the attack, said around 20 people were killed, including women and children. Another house was hit early Thursday, residents said. “We live in fear every moment, for our children, ourselves, our families,” said Dalia Abu Samhadaneh, now living in Rafah with her family after fleeing Khan Younis. “We live with the anxiety of expulsion.” The military meanwhile accused militants of firing rockets from open areas near Rafah in the humanitarian zone. It released footage of a strike Wednesday on what it said were launchers positioned outside the town and a few hundred meters (yards) from a UN warehouse.

Battles in north and south

THE UN says some 1.87 million people—over 80 percent of the population of 2.3 million—have already fled their homes, many of them displaced multiple times. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 16,200 people in Gaza—most of them women and children—and wounded more than 42,000, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which says many others are trapped under rubble. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack, and took some 240 people hostage. An estimated 138 hostages remain in Gaza, mostly soldiers and civilian men, after 105 were freed during a cease-fire in late November. The military said Thursday that it struck dozens of militant targets in Khan Younis, including a tunnel shaft from which fighters had launched an attack. It said two of the attackers were killed. A built-up refugee camp inside Khan Younis was the childhood home of Hamas’ top leader in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, and the group’s military chief, Mohammed Deif, as well as other Hamas leaders—though their current whereabouts are unknown. Heavy fighting is also still underway in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, even after two months of heavy bombardment and encirclement by ground troops. The military said troops raided a militant compound, killing “a number” of fighters and uncovering a network of tunnels. It was not immediately possible to confirm the latest reports from the battlefield. Israel accuses Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years, of using civilians as human shields when the militants operate in residential areas and blames the alleged practice for the high civilian death toll. But Israel has not given detailed accounts of its individual strikes, some of which have leveled entire city blocks. The military says 88 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza ground offensive. It also says some 5,000 militants have been killed, without saying how it arrived at its count.

Humanitarian crisis worsens

TENS of thousands of people have fled from Khan Younis and other areas to Rafah, on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, the UN said. Rafah, normally home to around 280,000 people, is already hosting more than 470,000 who fled from other parts of Gaza. On the other side of the border, Egypt has deployed thousands of troops and erected earthen barriers to prevent any mass influx of refugees. It says an influx would undermine its decades-old peace treaty with Israel, and it doubts Israel will let them back into Gaza. For the past three days, aid groups have only been able to distribute supplies in and around Rafah, and mainly just flour and water, the UN’s humanitarian aid office said. Access farther north has been cut off by fighting and Israeli forces closing roads. The World Food Program said a “catastrophic hunger crisis” threatens to “overwhelm the civilian population.” Gaza has been without electricity since the first week of the war, and hospitals and water treatment plants have been forced to shut down for lack of fuel to operate generators. Israel allows a trickle of aid from Egypt but has greatly restricted imports of fuel, saying Hamas diverts it for military purposes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel would allow small deliveries of fuel into the southern Gaza Strip “from time to time” to prevent the spread of disease. The “minimal amount” of fuel will be set by the war cabinet, he said. Chehayeb reported from Beirut.

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IN this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, stands for a group photograph with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, and European Council President Charles Michel prior to their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Thursday, December 7, 2023. The leaders of China and the European Union were holding wide-ranging talks Thursday that included their disputes over trade and a deep divide on the war in Ukraine. HUANG JINGWEN/XINHUA VIA AP

Divides over trade and Ukraine are in focus as EU and China’s leaders meet in Beijing

EIJING—A top European Union official told Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday that China and the EU must address both the imbalances in their trading relationship and Russian aggression against Ukraine. The two are divided on both issues. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meeting Xi in the Chinese capital, said they need to manage their differences responsibly. “China is the EU’s most important trading partner,” von der Leyen said in opening remarks posted on the commission’s website. “But there are clear imbalances and differences that we must address.” Xi said that China and the EU should handle their differences through dialogue, and pushed back against what his government sees as a shift in European policy on China toward a more strident and competitive approach. The two sides “should not regard each other as rivals because of different systems, reduce cooperation because of competition, and confront each other because of differences,” he said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The meeting comes a day after EU member Italy announced it was withdrawing from Xi’s signature “Belt and Road” initiative that aims to build a global network of Chinese-financed roads, ports and power plants. Italy became the first G7 country to sign on to the initiative in 2019, when the government at the time promoted it as a way of increasing trade with China while getting investments in major infrastructure projects. Neither outcome materialized. In the intervening years, Italy’s trade deficit with China has ballooned from 20 billion euros to 48 billion euros ($21.5 billion to $51.8 billion.) Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin defended the initiative and appeared to imply that Italy had been influenced by forces hostile to China. “China firmly opposes smearing and undermining cooperation in building the Belt and Road and opposes stoking bloc confrontation and divisions” Wang said at a daily briefing Thursday. Von der Leyen and Charles Michel, the president of the EU Council, met Xi in the morning and were meeting with China’s No. 2 leader, Premier Li Qiang, later in the day. Von der Leyen, as commission president, heads the day-to-day business of the EU, while Michel chairs the summits of EU leaders. The European Union is calling on China to improve market access for products from its 27 member countries to address an annual trade imbalance of more than $200 billion. China exported $458.5 billion worth of goods to the EU in the first 11 months of this year and imported $257.8 billion, according to Chinese customs data released Thursday. The EU has angered China by launching an investigation into the latter’s subsidies for electric vehicles to determine whether they give manufacturers in China an unfair competitive advantage in European markets. “China has never deliberately pursued a trade surplus,” spokesperson Wang said ahead of the summit. He noted recent import and supply chain expos that he said encourage foreign companies to sell to the Chinese market of 1.4 billion people. Wang also took aim at possible EU restrictions on technology exports to China. “I’m afraid it’s unreasonable if the EU imposes strict restrictions on the export of high-tech products to China while expecting a significant increase in exports to China,” he said. The EU is looking for better market access for a range of products including cosmetics, infant formula, wine and other alcoholic beverages. China has angered the EU by taking a neutral stance in what most European countries see as a Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU is calling on China to use its influence with Russia to end the invasion, ensure that exports from or via China are not aiding Russia’s war effort and support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace formula. Von der Leyen said the EU and China have global responsibilities as major powers and a shared interest in peace and security. AP

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UN: Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities By Edith M. Lederer

The Associated Press

NITED NATIONS— Intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities are worsening humanitarian conditions across the war-torn country, where heavy snow and freezing temperatures have already arrived, UN officials said Wednesday. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told the UN Security Council that Russia’s continuing daily attacks on Ukraine’s critical civilian infrastructure have resulted in civilian casualties, and Moscow recently escalated its barrages in populated areas including the capital, Kyiv. “All attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop immediately,” he said. “They are prohibited under international humanitarian law and are simply unacceptable.” Jenca also raised the risks to all four of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. The Zaporizhzhia plant, which is Europe’s largest, suffered its eighth complete off-site power outage since the invasion on Saturday, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Jenca said. And IAEA staff at the Khmelnitsky plant in western Ukraine reported hearing several explosions close by on November 29. Ramesh Rajasingham, the UN humanitarian coordinator, told the council “the deaths, injuries and level of destruction of vital civilian infrastructure is staggering.” “Many people have been left without access to heat, electricity and water, particularly in the east and south,” he said. “Amid freezing temperatures, this damage is particularly threatening the survival of the most vulnerable—among them the elderly and those with disabilities.” After more than 21 months of fighting since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Rajasingham said, “millions of children, women and men are now faced with the prospect of yet another winter of severe hardship amid the impact of increased attacks on hospitals, electricity transmission systems, and gas and water supplies.” US deputy ambassador Robert Wood reminded the council that last winter “Russia sought to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and deprive people of heat and electricity at the coldest time of the year.” The United States expects Russia to try again this winter, he said, noting that it has already carried out air strikes “that appear to target defensive systems put in place to protect energy infrastructure.” Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky accused Western nations of calling the council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine without anything extraordinary happening in order “to spew anti-Russian invective.”

Russian lawmakers set presidential election in 2024, clearing a path for Putin’s 5th term By The Associated Press

USSIAN lawmakers on Thursday set the date of the country’s 2024 presidential election for March 17, moving Vladimir Putin a step closer to a fifth term in office. Members of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, voted unanimously to approve a decree setting the date. “In essence, this decision marks the start of the election campaign,” said Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the Federation Council. Russia’s central election commission is to hold a meeting on the presidential campaign on Friday. Putin, 71, hasn’t yet announced his intention to run again, but is widely expected to do so in the coming days now that the date has been set. Under constitutional reforms he orchestrated, he is eligible to seek two more six-year terms after his current one expires next year, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2036. Having established tight control over Russia’s political system, Putin’s victory in the March election is all but assured. Prominent critics who could challenge him on the ballot are either in jail or living abroad, and most independent media have been banned. Neither the costly, drawn-out war in Ukraine, nor a failed rebellion last summer by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin appear to have affected his high approval ratings reported by independent pollsters. Who will challenge him on the ballot remains unclear. Imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in an online statement Thursday urged his supporters to vote for anyone but Putin. “Putin views this election as a referendum on approval of his actions. A referendum on approval of the war. Let’s disrupt his plans and make it happen so that no one on March 17 is interested in the rigged result, but that all of Russia saw and understood: the will of the majority is that Putin must leave,” the statement said. Two people have announced plans to run: former lawmaker Boris Nadezhdin, who holds a seat on a municipal council in the Moscow region, and Yekaterina Duntsova, a journalist and lawyer from the Tver region north of Moscow, who once was a member of a local legislature.

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As Ukraine aid falters in Senate, Biden signals he’s willing to make a deal on border security By Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani & Stephen Groves The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—As Senate Republicans blocked the advance of tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine on Wednesday, President Joe Biden berated their tactics as “stunning” and dangerous. Yet he also signaled openness to what GOP lawmakers ultimately want: border policy changes. Biden at the White House warned of dire consequences for Kyiv—and a “gift” to Russia’s Vladimir Putin—if Congress fails to pass a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel as well as other national security priorities. Hours later, Senate Republicans defiantly voted to stop the package from advancing, something that they had threatened to do all week. “They’re willing to literally kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield and damage our national security in the process,” Biden said. But even as he lashed Republicans for their stance, Biden stressed that he is willing to “make significant compromises on the border,” if that’s what it takes to get the package through Congress. That statement has raised at least some hope that progress can be made in the days ahead as the Senate grinds through negotiations on border security, one of the most fraught issues in American politics. Biden’s remarks Wednesday were his clearest overture yet to Republicans and came at a critical time, with a path through Congress for the emergency funds rapidly disappearing and America’s support for multiple allies in doubt. “If we don’t support Ukraine, what is the rest of the world going to do?” Biden added. The president’s statement came hours after he huddled virtually with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of the Group of Seven advanced democracies, which have staunchly supported Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. “We need to fix the broken border system. It is broken,” Biden said, adding that he’s “ready to change policy as well.” He did not name specific policy proposals and accused Republicans of wanting a political issue more than bipartisan compromise. Sen. James Lankford, the Oklahoma Republican who has been leading Senate negotiations over border policy, was encouraged by what he heard, saying it seemed like the president is “ready to be able to sit down and talk.” Senators of both parties acknowledged they will need to move quickly if a deal is to be struck. Congress is scheduled to be in Washington for just a handful more days before the end of the year. The White House, meanwhile, has sounded the alarm about what would happen if they don’t approve more funding soon, saying Ukraine’s military would be stalled, or even overrun. “When deadlines come, everybody’s undivided attention is there and we realize: ‘OK. Now it’s time to actually solve this,’” Lankford said. Democrats involved in the negotiations also said a direct hand from the president, as well as from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, could be helpful. “This kind of thorny, difficult problem is exactly what Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell have worked on before. And we could use their help and their leadership on this,” said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., another negotiator. So far, McConnell, while an ardent supporter of Ukraine aid, has sided with Republicans who are holding firm against the security package unless it includes changes to America’s border policies. Every Republican voted against it advancing Wednesday evening. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the failed test vote “a sad night in the history of the Senate and our country.” He urged Republicans to present a border proposal that is “serious, instead of the extreme policies they have presented thus far.” Republican negotiators were expected to send a new proposal to Democrats after the failed vote. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who has been involved in the negotiations, said the Republicans’ hard-charging bargain left little room for agreement and he remained skeptical that a deal can be struck. “They have to figure out whether they want to negotiate or whether they want to make take-it-or-leave-it demands,” Murphy said. Republicans argue the record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border pose a security threat because border authorities cannot adequately screen them. They also say they cannot justify to their constituents sending billions of dollars to other countries while failing to address the border at home. So far, senators have found agreement on raising the initial standard for migrants to enter the asylum system. But they’ve been at odds over placing limitations on humanitarian parole, a program that allows the executive branch to temporarily admit migrants without action from Congress. But Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said the Senate talks were “never going to be able to negotiate the kind of meaningful substantive policy changes” that Republicans want. He called Biden’s remarks “positive” and said the negotiations should next include the president, McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson. The president’s willingness to directly engage on the issue comes at a political risk. Immigrant advocates and some Democratic senators have sounded alarm about curtailing the asylum system. The Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.

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

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Climate talks shift into high gear: Now words and definitions matter at COP28 By Seth Borenstein, David Keyton, Joshua A. Bickel & Sibi Arasu

The Associated Press

UBAI, United Arab Emirates— The mood is about to shift, the hours grow longer and the already high sense of urgency somehow amp up even more as the United Nations climate summit heads into its final week.

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber prepares for a plenary session with COP28 CEO Adnan Amin at the COP28—Climate Summit on Friday, December 1, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP/PETER DEJONG

Every sentence, every word— especially those about the future elimination of planet-warming fossil fuels—will matter at the— conference in oil-built Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Professional negotiators who have been working on getting options into shape will turn over their work to senior national officials, many at minister levels, who will have to make the tough political choices. “We’re heading into quite a political process, less access into the negotiating rooms, negotiations will go deep into the night, a number of nights,” said David Waskow, international climate initiative director for the World Resources Institute. Even with the hard work to come, some of those who are about to do it have this sense of optimism, especially because everyone has the day off on Thursday. “We had a pretty damn good week here in Dubai already. Now, obviously, there are some complicated issues to still resolve. We all know that. Nobody is ducking and

stand on the text.” Amin said there’s a rhythm to these climate talks. “You start off very hopeful, euphoria,” Amin said. “Things are happening. Then the negotiations get hard and people start spreading rumors and conjecture and a little bit of depression, and then things start to come up again. And the clarity of the negotiation process becomes clearer. Then you have the political engagement, and that’s where the real intensity and excitement comes.” This is all going the way it should, even if it seems overwhelming, said German special climate envoy Jennifer Morgan. “There’s now a text with many, many brackets (choices), 30 different groups of options for the global stocktake that now needs to be consolidated so that ministers next week can start getting into each of those topics and finding solutions,” Morgan said. “There’s this moment when one thinks, oh, my gosh, so many texts, so many brackets. But I

nobody is going to pretend about that,” US Special Envoy John Kerry said. “The negotiators are basically trying to put together in each section a relevant a set of options. And then we ministers will have the fun and pleasure next week of kind of noodling through those options.” Multilateral negotiations— involving in this case nearly 200 parties—are much different and often more difficult than the horse-trading two countries can do in bilateral talks, said veteran diplomat Adnan Amin, the COP28 CEO. The key document is called Global Stocktake. It’s the first of its kind in—climate negotiations, saying how far the world has come from the 2015 Paris agreement— where nations agreed to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since preindustrial times—and what it has to do next. A draft came out late Monday and negotiators have been poring over it. Next, officials like Amin will get “a very clear sense by the end of the week where people

think, actually the process is going along as it should.” EU negotiators say the core document is in pretty good shape and are confident the key issues are clearly defined. Options remain open for ministers taking over the negotiations, which is not often the case at this stage of these difficult multilateral talks. They expect a new text with the latest amendments to be issued in the early hours of Friday morning, for talks to begin in earnest on Friday at a ministerial level and for a presidential-led process similar to talks Glasgow or Paris. EU countries, along with small island countries—often victimized by climate change—and some progressive Latin American countries are aligned on calling for a phase-out of fossil fuels, negotiators said. W hile there will be strong resistance to this measure, officials are confident references to fossil fuels will appear in the final text for the first time and within a timeline compatible with—science reports.

Senior UN official denounces ‘blatant disregard’ in Israel-Hamas war after many UN sites are hit By Abby Sewell

The Associated Press

EIRUT—The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees told The Associated Press on Wednesday there is no safe haven in besieged Gaza for civilians—not even in UN shelters and so-called “safe zones” designated by Israel. Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of the UN Relief and Works Agency, also known as UNRWA, said in an interview with the AP that since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, more than 80 UN facilities in the Gaza Strip have been hit. During the deadly Hamas-led October 7 incursion into southern Israel, the militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took captive some 240 men, women and children. Israel responded with an aerial bombardment and ground offensive inside Gaza that has so far killed more than 16,200 people in the enclave, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. The UN facilities hit “directly or indirectly” in Gaza include sites that have been sheltering civilians, Lazzarini said. UNRWA has said that more than 220 Palestinians were killed in such strikes, and that 130 of its employees also lost their lives in the war. “There is absolutely no safe place in the Gaza Strip,” Lazzarini

THE CommissionerGeneral of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the UNRWA headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Lazzarini said there is no haven in Gaza for civilians, including UN shelters and “safe zones” designated by Israel. AP/BILAL HUSSEIN

said, speaking to the AP in Beirut. While the circumstances of those strikes are difficult to investigate amid the ongoing conflict, he said, “I do believe that the blatant disregard of UN premises… will require an independent investigation in the future.” Israeli officials have said they don’t target UN facilities, but have also accused Hamas of using UN buildings for cover for its military activities. The UN says some 1.87 million Palestinians—over 80 percent of Gaza’s population—have fled their homes. UN-run shelters currently house more than 1 million displaced in “totally overcrowded, appalling sanitary conditions,” Lazzarini said. When he visited Gaza shortly before a seven-day cease-fire ended last week, shelters were already overcrowded with those who had fled heavy fighting in the northern half of the territory, he said. As the Israeli ground offensive pushed into the southern part of the strip,

civilians have been forced into ever smaller areas along the closed-off border with Egypt. Lazzarini said UNRWA is focusing on improving conditions in existing shelters, including its network of schools across Gaza. “We do not want to put the people in places which are not necessarily safer, when at the same time, you have more than 1 million people in existing shelters living in appalling conditions,” he said. Lt. Col. R ichard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, alleged earlier this week that “there should be pressure on” UNRWA to set up proper facilities. Israel has never explained how it expects that the small area would accommodate such large numbers of displaced people. Lazzarini called for a new ceasefire and for opening more border crossings to allow aid and commercial goods to enter Gaza. Currently, aid can only enter the strip from Egypt via the Rafah border crossing, causing severe bottlenecks.

The refugee agency’s relationship with Israeli authorities has in the past been adversarial at times, with right-wing Israeli politicians accusing UNRWA , which was founded in the wake of the creation of Israel in 1948 to serve hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who f led or were forced from their homes, of helping perpetuating the Israeli-Palestinian conf lict. U N RWA h a s pu shed bac k against such claims, saying it is simply carrying out its mandate to serve a vulnerable population. Lazzarini said that in the current Israel-Hamas war, UNRWA is in “constant coordination” with Israeli authorities. Post-war, he said, the agency is prepared to assist whatever body is governing the strip in restoring services that have halted, including reopening schools. Lazzarini added that he hopes the devastating conflict will trigger a political process that will lead to a resolution that would make his agency obsolete. “Will this become a top priority of the region and the international community that once and for all we address the longest unresolved conf lict,” he asked. “If yes, there can be a trajectory of hope for the people here in the region and the future for UNRWA in fact, would very much depend on that.” The Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

Representatives for poor nations and climate advocates are putting a lot of pressure on negotiators for the fossil fuel sections. “The success of COP28 will not depend on speeches from big stages,” said Uganda climate activist Vanessa Nakate. “It will depend on leaders calling for a just and equitable phase-out of all fossil fuels without exceptions and distractions.” Wopke Hoekstra, the European Union climate commissioner said the bloc will make a big push on the issue, “giving it our all.” A phase-out “will cost money,” Avinash Persaud, climate envoy for Barbados said, asking who’ll pay. “I don’t understand why they are pushing for it to be global. United States and Canada are two of the richest countries and largest producers of fossil fuels. Why don’t we have phase-out there? It’s the cheapest place to phase-out and will have the biggest impacts.” Kerry said he gets that.

“There has to be a fairness in the air here,” Kerry said. “You know, we don’t want people just coming... feeling maybe, you know, punched a little bit here.” And it’s not just fossil fuel language. “One way or another, next week is going to be really difficult,” said Power Shift Africa policy adviser Amy Gillian-Thorpe. “I think we’re leaving the lights on the second week. And that’s really unfortunate that we haven’t been able to move forward, particularly on adaptation issues.” Kerry said the sense of urgency will win out. “I’m not telling you that everybody’s going to come kumbaya on the table,” Kerry said. “But I am telling you we’re going to make our best effort to get the best agreement we can to move as far as we can, as fast as we can, and that’s what people in the world want us to do. It’s time for adults to behave like adults and get the job done.”

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Chinese navy ships first to dock at new pier at Cambodian naval base linked to Beijing

By Sopheng Cheang The Associated Press

HNOM PENH, Cambodia— Chinese naval vessels have become the first ships to dock at a new pier at a Cambodian naval base that the United States and some international security analysts say is destined to serve as a strategic outpost for Beijing’s navy.

The docking of the two ships, which received little publicity, coincided with an official visit to Cambodia this week by China’s top defense official, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong. News of at least two Chinese ships docking at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand came out indirectly, through a Facebook post on Sunday by Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha. It said he visited the base to see preparations for Cambodian navy training and to inspect progress on infrastructure construction, but did not mention China by name. He also posted photos showing Cambodian officials with Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian, and reviewing Chinese sailors. At least two warships could be seen in the photos, one whose gangway identified it as the Chinese navy corvette Wenshan. Satellite photos taken Sunday by Planet Labs PBC analyzed by The Associated Press show what appear to be two Chinese warships docked at the base. They correspond to the images shared online by Tea Seiha. The AP analysis, comparing the ship’s measurements and the images released by the minister,

suggest they may both be Type 56 Chinese corvettes. Controversy over Ream Naval Base initially arose in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of a reputed agreement seen by US officials would allow China 30-year use of the base, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships. Cambodia’s then-Prime Minister Hun Sen denied there was such an agreement. He pointed out that Cambodia’s constitution does not allow foreign military bases to be established on its soil, but said visiting ships from all nations are welcome. The base is situated on the Gulf of Thailand, adjacent to the South China Sea, where China has aggressively asserted its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway. The US has refused to recognize China’s sweeping claim and routinely conducts military maneuvers there to reinforce that they are international waters. A Chinese base in Cambodia could become a chokepoint in the Gulf of Thailand close to the strategically important Malacca Strait. Basing rights in Cambodia would extend Beijing’s strategic

IN this photo released by the official Facebook page of the Ream Naval Base, former Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh, second from right, reviews navy members before a training at Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, southwestern of Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sunday, December 3, 2023. REAM NAVAL BASE’S FACEBOOK PAGE VIA AP

military profile considerably, and tilt the regional balance of power in a way that would pressure adjacent Southeast Asian countries whose security concerns traditionally have been aligned more closely with the United States. Washington has repeatedly made known its concerns about the base’s intended use. When China and Cambodia broke ground on its naval port expansion project in June last year, the US Embassy in Phnom Penh reiterated Washington’s position that a Chinese “military presence at Ream could threaten Cambodia’s autonomy and undermine regional security.” “The US and countries in the region have expressed concern about the lack of transparency on the intent, nature, and scope of this project as well as the role the PRC (Chinese) military is playing in its construction and in postconstruction use of the facility,” said an embassy statement sent to the AP. China is Cambodia’s biggest investor and closest political partner. Beijing’s support allows Cambodia to disregard Western concerns about its poor record in human and political rights, and in turn Cambodia generally supports

Russian schoolgirl shoots classmates, leaving 1 dead, before killing herself

OSCOW— A Ru ssi a n schoolgirl shot several of her classmates with a gun on Thursday, killing one person and injuring five others, before killing herself, state news agencies and authorities said. The shooting happened at a school in Bryansk, in a region that borders Ukraine, Russia’s Investigative Committee said. C h i ld re n we re re p or te d ly among the wounded. One of the people injured was in serious condition, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said.

Video shared by Ria Novosti showed children cowered in a classroom behind a door barricaded with upended desks and chairs during the attack. Preliminar y investigations found that the 14-year-old girl had brought a pump-action shotgun to the school that she used to fire at her classmates, Russia’s Investigative Committee said. The girl ’s father was taken for questioning as a witness, RIA Novosti said. Investigators also wanted to ask him how his daughter came into possession

of the gun, the Telegram channel Shot reported. The presidential Children’s R ights Comm issioner, Ma r i a Lvova-Belova said on her Telegram channel that she was overseeing the care of the injured children. In March, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin for war cr imes, accusing them of responsibility for the abduction of children from Ukraine. Russia’s Interior Ministry said

Australia pushes against China’s Pacific influence through a security pact with Papua New Guinea By Rod Mcguirk

The Associated Press

ANBERRA, Australia—The Australian government signed a security pact with its nearest neighbor Papua New Guinea on Thursday that strengthens Australia’s place as the preferred security partner in a region where China’s influence is growing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Papuan counterpart James Marape signed the agreement in Australia’s Parliament House six months later than initially planned. The June date was abandoned after a security deal struck between the United States and Marape’s government sparked protests in the South Pacific nation in May over concerns that it undermined Papua New Guinea’s sovereignty.

Marape said the agreement with Australia respects both nations’ sovereignty and was initiated by his government. He said the security agreements with Australia and the United States did not mean he was siding with those nations in their strategic competition against China. “Our major foreign policy as friends to all, enemies to none remains. And it’s never picking sides,” Marape told reporters. Albanese said both Australia and Papua New Guinea’s negotiators achieved what they wanted in the agreement. “This is a comprehensive and a historical agreement,”Albanese said.“It will make it easier for Australia to help PNG address its internal security needs and for Australia and Papua New Guinea to support each other’s security and the

region stability.” Both governments have committed to release full details of the agreement but have yet to do so. The agreement is less significant than the treaty-level pact proposed early in the year, but the differences are not yet apparent. Papua New Guinea is a diverse, developing nation of mostly subsistence farmers with 800 languages in a strategically important part of the South Pacific. With 10 million people, it also the most populous South Pacific nation after Australia, which is home to 26 million. Papua New Guinea is a near neighbor of the Solomon Islands where the government sent shock waves through the Pacific last year by striking a security pact with China. The

Beijing’s geopolitical positions on issues such as its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father Hun Sen in the leadership position earlier this year, said in a post Monday on the Telegram messaging platform that he and China’s visiting official He discussed the continuation of military cooperation through agreements between their respective defense ministries on human resource training and demining operations. Hun Manet also recalled how, when he was serving as Cambodia’s army commander, he took the initiative to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces, collaborating on a memorandum of understanding that led to improving unit-to-unit relationships and training exchanges that enhanced the ability of the Cambodian army. Hun Manet’s first official trip abroad after becoming prime minister was to Beijing, reflecting his country’s warm relations with China. The Associated Press correspondent Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

it was looking into a motive for the shooting, which is one of several school shootings in the country in recent years. In September 2022, a gunman opened fire in a school in central Russia, killing 17 people and wounding 24 others before shooting himself dead. In April 2022, a man killed two children and a staff member at a kindergarten also in central Russia. In May 2021, a man opened fire at pupils at his former high school in the Russian city of Kazan, killing nine people including seven children. In 2018, an 18-year-old student in Russian-occupied Crimea killed 20 people in a mass shooting at a college. AP pact raised fears of a Chinese naval base being established there. China later fell short in an ambitious attempt to get 10 Pacific island nations, including Papua New Guinea, to sign a sweeping deal covering everything from security to fisheries. Mihai Sora, an expert on Papua New Guinea at the Sydney-based international policy think tank Lowy Institute, said the pact cemented Australia’s position as a primary security partner in the region. “For Australia, it’s very much about bedding down the regional security order. Projecting to other Pacific countries that Australia is a trusted security partner,” Sora said. “The primary security dividend for Papua New Guinea will be addressing internal security concerns,” Sora added. Papua New Guinea struggles to contain escalating tribal violence and civil unrest in remote regions and has a long-term aim to increase its police numbers from 6,000 officers to 26,000.

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

66 GLOBAL SOLUTIONS INC. 5/f 6/f 7/f And 10/f Ssk Building, Block 7 Lot 5 Kennedy Road Cor. Mindanao Avenue, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque

HARTONO IT Technical Mandarin 1.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all support and clerical work within a company.

HE, ZHIGANG IT Technical Mandarin 2.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all support and clerical work within a company.

HENDY IT Technical Mandarin 3.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all support and clerical work within a company.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

JIANG, WANLENGDAN Chinese Marketing Specialist 14.

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

LIN, HONGJUN Key Accounts Specialist Consultant 15.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

7 PRIME TECH, INC. 10/f Ewestpod, Eton Westend Square, Yakal St. Cor. Don Chino Roces Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of calls, and handle customers concerns.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: A key accounts specialist consultant is an individual dedicated to marketing, selling, and supporting a specific type of customer.

SHI, HUAZHUANG Key Accounts Specialist Consultant

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 16.

FATWA MUFTI SYAHARA ISA Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

Brief Job Description: A key accounts specialist consultant is an individual dedicated to marketing, selling, and supporting a specific type of customer.

SUN, JIANFENG Key Accounts Specialist Consultant 17.

Brief Job Description: A key accounts specialist consultant is an individual dedicated to marketing, selling, and supporting a specific type of customer.

AB LEISURE EXPONENT, INC. 5/f Sm Megamall Bldg. D, J Vargas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong

MA, XUAN Mandarin Brand Manager Brief Job Description: Strategic and analytic thinking.

TEH TENG YEONG Mandarin Director Brief Job Description: Developing the company’s business strategy.

LI JIAQI Mandarin Executive Assistant Brief Job Description: Organizing and filing of documents.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

KWA TEOW HUAT Clinical Professor 18.

10.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

CONG, XIN Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

WANG, YAN Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

11.

12.

13.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

XIE, SUICHAO Mandarin Operations Specialist

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

ZHANG, YUZHE Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

Brief Job Description: Coordinate with Construction Management team for the assigned Electrical and Instrumentation work. Implement work schedules for E&I works for Construction.

PHAM NGOC NGAN HA Client Back Office Risk Executive 20.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

Brief Job Description: Perform all your duties diligently and with reasonable competence and act in accordance with the instructions and directions given to you by the company through its authorized officer.

ANISSA INSANIA LARASATI Client BPO Executive

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions.

Brief Job Description: Perform all your duties diligently and with reasonable competence, and act in accordance with the instructions and directions given to you by the Company through its authorized officers.

HENG, HOUY Client BPO Executive 22.

Brief Job Description: Perform all your duties diligently and with reasonable competence, and act in accordance with the instructions and directions given to you by the company through its authorizes officers.

Basic Qualification: Mandarin speaking customer service. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BEINGSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Level 6 Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2, Paseo De Roxas Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

NADYA KHAIRUNNISA Multilingual System And Support Specialist 25.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails, and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English language translation.

Basic Qualification: Thorough, extensive and fluency in Mandarin language and characters. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Good communication and interpersonal skills. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin language is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good communication and interpersonal skills. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin language is an advantage.

BIG PHILIP HEAVY EQUIPMENT CORPORATION Unit 25-c, Cleveland The Asiaworld City, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque

26.

ZHENG, YUANXIN Financial Consultant Brief Job Description: Respond to clients calls and email promptly.

Basic Qualification: Strong analytical skills, and detailed oriented. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 VAN WEELDEN, ARNO Superintendent

Basic Qualification: Holder of a Specialist Diploma in Cybersecurity Management and MBA. With at least 10 years of managementlevel experience, extensive subject area knowledge and excellent communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Implement a safety, health and environment plan for their part of the project.

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 3 years extensive work experience with an international dredging company. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

BRIGHT LUME IT SOLUTIONS INC. Unit 202 Erisha Condominium, 1142 P Ocampo Street, Barangay 757, Santa Ana, City Of Manila

SU, JIANBO Chinese Speaking Computer Programmer 28.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With proven work experience as Operations Manager or any related role.

Brief Job Description: Provide excellent support to various customers via chat, email and phone, forward and escalate technical issues, resolve more complicated, demanding issues with the team leader, manager.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with experience in business management, finance, computer software, marketing, sales or related field, fluent in both written and verbal English, Chinese Mandarin language and fluent in Korean language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

WANG, JIANMING Chinese Speaking Computer Programmer

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience.

29.

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

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience.

BRIGHTLEISURE MANAGEMENT INC. 10/f Newport Entertainment & C Newport City, Manlunas, Barangay 183, Pasay City

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

WANG, PO-CHUN a.k.a. JERRY WANG Business Development Officer

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

30.

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

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate, and can speak Mandarin language.

24.

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

21.

WANG, ZEYU Mandarin Operations Specialist

Brief Job Description: Teach in graduate and executive programs, develop and direct programs, design courses, conduct admission interviews for the program, serve in administrative functions.

INAFUNE, KOHEI Manager

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

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

CHENG, HUA-CHENG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

ATS CONSTRUCTION INTERNATIONAL, INC. 5/f Yupangco Bldg., 1606 Trade St. Cor. Investment Drive Madrigal Buss. Park Ayala, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

Basic Qualification: Good communication and interpersonal skills. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin language is an advantage.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

19. CHEN, QIAN Mandarin Operations Specialist

Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin language is an advantage. Must be an aggressive salesperson.

No.

27.

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, INC. 123, Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Aims to acquire and convert new VIP players’ by developing and implementing sales strategies targeting potential players. Responsible for creating and advising the VIP Services.

Basic Qualification: Preferably with customer service and/or marketing experience in the gaming industry. Has excellent and interpersonal skills. Required language is Mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

C’EST LA VIE EVENT MANAGEMENT INC. 230, Narra Street, Marikina Heights, City Of Marikina

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

AM-PRO IMPORTS MARKETING CORP. 16e Residenza Suites, 429 Shaw Blvd., Addition Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

YANTI Client BPO Senior Analyst 23.

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BAOLONG TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP LIMITED INC. 24th-27th/f Century Diamond Tower, Kalayaan Ave. Cor. Salamanca St., Poblacion, City Of Makati

QIU, BINGYANG Booth Fabrication Specialist Consultant 31.

Brief Job Description: Coordinates sub-contractors involved in the assembly stages. Ensures compliance with safety procedures and quality standards. Searches for the most efficient technical solutions.

Basic Qualification: Can coordinate and interface between fabrication/installation and pre-fabrication activities. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin language is an advantage. Must be willing to work on field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

YANG, BIHUI Booth Fabrication Specialist Consultant 32.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Can coordinate and interface between fabrication/installation and pre-fabrication activities. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin language is an advantage. Must be willing to work on field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

DAS, ANIRBAN Operations Manager 43.

DAVID SINTONG SIHOTANG Indonesian Account Specialist 44.

33.

Brief Job Description: Collaborating with management and staff to understand company needs and maintain new business opportunities.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skills verbal or written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

DU, RAN Marketing And Sales Agent 34.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

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

HONG, LIYE Marketing And Sales Agent 35.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

Basic Qualification: Can contribute information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies and can help detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

45.

YANG, XI Marketing And Sales Agent 36.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

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

ZHANG, JINCHENG Marketing And Sales Agent 37.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

46.

47.

48.

49.

Brief Job Description: Oversee and manage day-to-day operations of multiple locations within the designated area.

50.

ZHAO, RUOSONG Senior Product System Specialist 40.

Brief Job Description: Oversee the entire lifecycle of product systems, from ideation and development to launch and maintenance.

MA, SAI Tax Supervisor 41.

Brief Job Description: Develop and implement tax planning strategies to minimize the company’s tax liability while maintaining compliance with tax laws.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, or equivalent work experience. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, or equivalent work experience.

51.

54.

55.

56.

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

57.

42.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate, and can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 58.

GENPACT SERVICES LLC 5f Genpact Bldg., Cyberzone Northgate, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

59.

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

60.

BAMPATA, REAGAN BOMPATA Global Expense Management (EM) Consultant (French Speaker) 61.

Brief Job Description: Prepares work to be processed gathering, sorting, organizing, and recording data, information, and documents.

ARIESTYANA EKALESTARI Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

CALVIN WANG RIZKY MAULANA Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

63.

ROBIN THANG Indonesian IT Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

SISKA WULANDARI Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

TANTRI Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

TRI HASTOMO Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

PERDI Indonesian Trainer Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

Brief Job Description: Manage and ensure that the project is constructed and documented in accordance with the contract documents, quality construction standards are met and the use of proper construction techniques are being implemented.

PEÑA JORBA, ALBERTO PABLO Marketing Consultant 65.

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

Brief Job Description: Research industries, markets, demographics, trends, sales results, and other data related to the client’s products or services. Analysis of the details of competitor’s offering, including specification, market share, pricing and promotional materials.

SANTOS CIDREIRA, ALAIN Marketing Consultant

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

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

LILIS ANDRIYANI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 67.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Indonesia through blogs, micro blogs and forums.

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

KWON (SPOUSE OF SEO), TAEYEON Korean Technical Consultant 68.

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

69.

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

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Certificate of Accounting holder. Proficient in French, both in verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 1 year of work experience in the telecom industry. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 10 years of work experience in the railway construction industry. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With previous work experience in a similar capacity. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korea through blogs, micro blogs and forums.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in both Korean and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

CAFFEY TING SZE WEE Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of incoming phone calls.

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

JTI GBS PHILIPPINES, INC. 14th And 17th Floor - Office A, Ten West Campus Building, Le Grand Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

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

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. Block 16 Lot 7, Rainbow Drive, Goodwill 2 Subdivision, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque

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

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

INFOMERGE SERVICES INC. Unit 5-a 5th Floor Hollywood Square Building, 33 West Avenue, District 1, Nayong Kanluran, Quezon City

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

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

Brief Job Description: Manage client relationship, identify opportunities for new contracts, in charge of coordination to clients and suppliers, assisting in billing processing, review and check billing documents, and other various activities.

CHOI, SANG GIL Construction Manager

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

HYUNDAI ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. Unit 803 8th Floor, The Bonifacio Prime, Lot 14 Block 2 Mckinley Business Park,, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

Brief Job Description: Develop, maintain and build working relationship with SF clients and service delivery team to ensure excellent service to the company’s clients. Gain knowledge of specific client policies and service requirements.

WANG, BANGHONG Commercial Staff

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

HI-SEAS CO. LTD. INC. 8th Floor Jd Tower, Commerce Avenue, Mbp, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

Brief Job Description: Answering employee questions regarding computer system.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

GLOBAL PROCESS MANAGER, INC. 17/f Times Plaza Bldg., Un Avenue Cor. Taft Avenue, Barangay 666, Ermita, City Of Manila

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Answering employee questions regarding computer system. KIM, DUKHO Korean IT Support Specialist

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHOO, HUNOH Korean IT Support Specialist

66.

FLYING FUTURE SERVICES INC. 21/f Yuchengco Tower 1 Rcbc Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave, Bel-air, City Of Makati

WAN, DEYAO Mandarin Operations Specialist

Brief Job Description: Prepares work to be processed gathering, sorting, organizing, and recording data, information, and documents.

SUPANDI Indonesian Account Specialist

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

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

Brief Job Description: Prepares work to be processed gathering, sorting, organizing, and recording data, information, and documents.

SHE VINA Indonesian Account Specialist

53.

39.

Basic Qualification: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. With CS, Management Audit and Compliance experience.

No.

64.

Basic Qualification: College graduate.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, or equivalent work experience.

Brief Job Description: Prepares work to be processed gathering, sorting, organizing, and recording data, information, and documents. RIKI FAJRIN Indonesian Account Specialist

FLASH EXPRESS SOFTWARE (PH) CO., LTD. INC. 11/f Cybersigma, Lawton Ave., West Mckinley, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

YANG, YANFEI Area Manager

Brief Job Description: Prepares work to be processed gathering, sorting, organizing, and recording data, information, and documents. MANAHAN Indonesian Account Specialist

52.

Brief Job Description: Hiring new staff and providing training to facilitate quick acclimation. Streamlining the kitchen process to maintain prompt service times.

Brief Job Description: Prepares work to be processed gathering, sorting, organizing, and recording data, information, and documents. MADELYNE ANGELINA PANGESTU Indonesian Account Specialist

EXCELLENT JNGR RESTO FOOD CORP. (ROYAL INDIAN CURRY HOUSE) G/f-5/f, 5345 Gen. Luna St., Poblacion, City Of Makati

38.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

62.

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

KHALYANI, JUBERBHAI JAKIRBHAI Kitchen Manager

Brief Job Description: Prepares work to be processed gathering, sorting, organizing, and recording data, information, and documents. I DEWA AYU PUTRI DEWANTARI Indonesian Account Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can contribute information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies and can help detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

Brief Job Description: Prepares work to be processed gathering, sorting, organizing, and recording data, information, and documents. FADHILA PUTRI RAMADHANI Indonesian Account Specialist

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St., Barangay 289, Binondo, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: Can contribute information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies and can help detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

Brief Job Description: Oversee day-to-day operations locally and perform compliance exercise.

A23

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

GIGA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT INC. 2/f Lipam’s Building, 40 Presidents Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque

DGM BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. Rm 210 2nd Floor Manila Times Building, 409 A. Soriano Ave., Barangay 654, Intramuros, City Of Manila

HUANG, JIAJIA Marketing Executive

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Friday, December 8, 2023

VAZHENINA, ALINA Process Expert Manager

70.

Brief Job Description: Having the ownership of the application support requests coming from the Global Service Desk (GSD), he/she provides application support for both Production and Development with a focus on critical/ complex incidents & significant change/service request.

Basic Qualification: At least 5 years of work experience. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

BusinessMirror

A24 A6 Friday, December 8, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

TRI WICAKSONO Talent Attraction Centre Process Manager

71.

Brief Job Description: Responsible to oversee and manage the entire portfolio of Talent Attraction activities being performed within the Global Business Shared Services (GBS). Lead and develop further regional Talent Attraction activities working closely with P&C stakeholders, hiring managers from the markets (ASIA) under the scope of responsibility, creates and delivers innovative approaches in a fast-growing business environment and leads an internal Talent Acquisition team.

AMER, MUHAMMAD ALI CDT Director Basic Qualification: At least 5 years of work experience.

81.

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

ADITYA RAMADHAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative 82.

72.

Brief Job Description: This position requires the exercise of discretion in the application of the principles, practices, and techniques related to planning and analysis, design, development and implementation, maintenance, support and management of information technology functions. CHAN SAI HOONG IT Specialist

73.

74.

75.

Brief Job Description: Be the lead contact and trusted advisor for any biddable campaign delivery. Proactively identify opportunities to improve and enhance clients’ campaigns and advise agency teams accordingly.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent diploma, in disciplines as stem, digital advertisement/media, mass communication or relevant experience.

No.

93.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FAZRI SANTOSA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 83.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

GEDE PUTRA DARMA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 84.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

HANDIKA DWI PUTRA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 85.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor’s degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

94.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor’s degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

95.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor’s degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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

HENDRI JUNIKO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 86.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

96.

76.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking).

IMAM RAHMADI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 87.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor’s degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

97.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor’s degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

IRFAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative 88.

77.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing expert guidance and support to ensure the efficient and compliant operations of the logistics department. This position involves streamlining processes, enhancing inventory management, and ensuring adherence to logistics procedures and regulations.

Basic Qualification: 5-10 years of experience in the industry of global staffing, and advanced degree in the field of construction or similar. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

JOVI FERNANDES Indonesian Customer Service Representative 89.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

MCP BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. 207b 2nd Floor, 409 A. Soriano Ave., Barangay 656, Intramuros, City Of Manila

SHI, HUIHUANG Assistant Consultant 78.

Brief Job Description: To guide clients through all procedures required and responsible for furnishing clients with relevant information.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skill verbal or written.

79.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring build progress, overseeing finance and ensuring project quality. Making strategic decisions and providing leadership and direction to project managers to implement those decisions.

SAZON, MARIA RHODA FELICIANO Cost Control Advisor 80.

Brief Job Description: Drive the company’s financial planning. Perform risk management by analyzing the organization’s liabilities and investments. Control and evaluate the organization’s fundraising plans and capital structure.

Basic Qualification: With a Bachelor or Master’s degree in Engineering design or any field. Experience in conflict resolution and management. Liaising with clients and building strong working relationships. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, master’s degree, or MBA. Experience in a senior management position. Strong financial and accounting background.

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

YANG, XIAOQING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor’s degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

ZHANG, YUHAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

SRI MARYATI Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

FOO CHERK HUI Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LU, THI THAO Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor’s degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN VAN TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service 101.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

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

MSCI HONG KONG LIMITED U-1,2,3,4,7 & 8 29/f Zuellig Bldg., Makati Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, Urdaneta, City Of Makati

BAIG, WUN GEOL ESG Controversies Senior Associate - Korean Language Specialist 90.

Brief Job Description: Provide language translation assistance on research materials. Contribute to the enhancement of controversies assessment framework, workflow efficiencies and process improvement. Deliver high quality ESG controversy research on a timely basis.

Basic Qualification: Bachelors or Master’s degree in any field. Strong analytical skills and ability to apply logic to solve problems. Strong command of business communication (English and Korean languages) both verbal and written. Minimum 7 years of experience in ESG, equity, and/or policy research, analysis, and writing.

102.

103.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

VI, VAN VINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f Sapphire Seaview Park, Pacific Avenue, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque

91.

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

HUANG, JIEHUANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LIU, YANG Chinese Customer Service 92.

MOVENT, INC. 8th Floor Picadilly Star Building, 4th Avenue Corner 27th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, VAN THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service

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

MDBI CONSTRUCTION CORP. 7/f Mdc Corporate Center, Radian St., Arca South, Western Bicutan, City Of Taguig

JUAREZ, OLIVIER Chief Project Advisor

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor’s degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

100.

LEWIS GLANZ SOLUTIONS INC. Unit 509f Cattleya Condo, 235 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

ANDERSEN, PAUL CHRISTIAN Consultant

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

YANG, QING Chinese Customer Service

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

99. TU GIA LINH IT Specialist

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ZHANG, PENG Chinese Customer Service

98. Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking).

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

WEI, ZHENSHAN Chinese Customer Service

MPOTECH DIGITAL SYSTEM INC. 2/f 331 Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

LAN TIAN ZI XUN INC. Natividad Almeda Lopez St Unit 205 2/f Zen Tower, 1111, First District, 1000, Barangay 659, Ermita, City Of Manila QIAN, HAIHONG Chinese IT Specialist

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

104.

VO HONG SY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, and preferably 1 year work experience in the similar field. Speaks and write fluently in their native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, and preferably 1 year work experience in the similar field. Speaks and write fluently in their native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, and preferably 1 year work experience in the similar field. Speaks and write fluently in their native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, and preferably 1 year work experience in the similar field. Speaks and write fluently in their native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, and preferably 1 year work experience in the similar field. Speaks and write fluently in their native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NZH INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE AND MACHINERY, INC. Unit 302-a 3/f King Center Bldg., #57 Sgt. E. Rivera St., Manresa, Quezon City

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, and preferably 1 year work experience in the similar field. Speaks and write fluently in their native language.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ZHANG, KEFEI Chinese Financial Manager 105.

Brief Job Description: The Chinese Financial Manager is responsible for monitoring the day-to-day financial operations within the company. Organizing daily accounting duties, reviewing financial reports, monitoring accounts and preparing financial forecasts.

Basic Qualification: Good command in Chinese language. Strong demonstrated use of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Extensive experience of financial work experience, and have team management experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

HUANG, RUI Chinese Sales Manager 106.

Brief Job Description: Build and maintaining client relations. Train individual sales representatives to help improve sales performance. Resolve escalated customer issues and customer complaints.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to display leadership abilities while being able to handle multiple responsibilities at once. Has necessary computer skills to be able to tract and quantify sales statistics.

107.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

118.

108.

Brief Job Description: Provide specialized services to assist end-users in technology needs.

WANG, LINFEI Mandarin Technical Support 109.

Brief Job Description: Provide specialized services to assist end-users in technology needs.

WU, XING Mandarin Technical Support 110.

Brief Job Description: Provide specialized services to assist end-users in technology needs.

ZHU, JIAN Mandarin Technical Support 111.

Brief Job Description: Provide specialized services to assist end-users in technology needs.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation.

THANOMWAT, MALINEE Thai Language - Support Officer 119.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation.

MOHAMED, MAHMUD HUSSEIN Surf Installation Lead

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin language both verbal and written.

120.

Brief Job Description: Safe and compliant installation. The surf installation lead is responsible for executing the installation of subsea infrastructure in a manner that prioritizes safety and complies with all relevant regulations and industry standards.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin language both verbal and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin language both verbal and written.

121.

112.

Brief Job Description: Develop and implement a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

113.

Brief Job Description: Professionals who help companies understand their customers. They identify effective marketing.

Basic Qualification: A Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Engineering or a related field, such as petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, offshore engineering, or marine engineering is required. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of incoming phone calls.

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

CHEN, GAOFENG Marketing Specialist 122.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for developing and managing all aspects of the company’s marketing strategy.

Basic Qualification: Can conduct market research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits and trends. Can brainstorm and develop ideas for creative marketing campaigns. Can assist in outbound or inbound marketing activities by demonstrating expertise in various areas. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SOH YONG QUAN Business Development Manager 123.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for direct handling customer relationships and point of contact through market expertise in the region.

Basic Qualification: Previous experience in the position with vast knowledge as to the business development, marketing strategies and employee relations. Natural fluency and a wide knowledge and expertise in marketing and consultation of the Asia Market.

TECHMAVE SERVICES INC. 11/f Liberty Plaza Bldg., 102 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

114.

115.

WANG, YANKUI Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant Brief Job Description: Professionals who help companies understand their customers. They identify effective marketing.

XIE, GUANCHAO Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant Brief Job Description: Professionals who help companies understand their customers. They identify effective marketing.

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

Basic Qualification: 18-55 y/o, with at least 6 months of work experience, and with good verbal and written communication skills.

124.

LAING, JORDAN MAURICE Consultant

ONE BORDERLINE CREATIVES INC. Unit 11-ij3, 11/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

116.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

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

OPELLA HEALTHCARE PHILIPPINES INC. 21st And 22nd Floors, One World Place Corporate Offices, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

KHUMSHOM, ILADA Revenue Management Lead - PH & ID 117.

Brief Job Description: Develop and lead revenue recognition strategies to maximize company revenue, including pricing strategies and forecasting revenue process.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree holder. With at least 8 years of work experience in the field of Commercial and Revenue Management. With excellent analytical and communication skills. Fluent in English language. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

129.

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

DARWIS Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English, Mandarin and any language.

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls, emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

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

TRINH SENH PAU Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) 130.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English, Mandarin and any language.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English language translation.

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

ZHANG, JIAHAO Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) 131.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English, Mandarin and any language.

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls, emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

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

WINARO SUPPORT OPC Unit 1718 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 2, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

132.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in computer programming, computer science or related fields.

Brief Job Description: Development of Major components or modules and contribute to the design and maintenance of the products.

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

WNS GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 9/f 1880 Bldg., Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City DAROOWALLA, JAMSHED MORMUZD Group Manager - Operations 133.

Brief Job Description: Customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience, drive continuous improvement, experiments through your team & harvest ideas.

Basic Qualification: Blackbelt experience of 2 years and above. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

XSPACE SERVICE OFFICE INC. U-a&b 20/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

134.

Brief Job Description: Assist with marketing campaigns and brand development and review data.

RATURIBI, NATALIE ELIZABETH Consultant 126.

Brief Job Description: Assist with marketing campaigns and brand development and review data.

Basic Qualification: Must be a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Science or related skills. Must have at least 5 plus years of work experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Must be a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Science or related skills. Must have at least 5 plus years of work experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

TIGER RESORT, LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

WANG, EN-LING a.k.a. WANG, HONG-TING Executive Host - Premium Marketing Business Development 127.

Brief Job Description: Maintain and enhance relationship with premium players, monitoring sales performance and handle guests claim and issues.

Basic Qualification: Must have lived, studied and worked in Taiwan for at least 10 years and is accustomed to its culture. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

TRENDSETTER MANAGEMENT INC. U-2a 2/f Eurovilla Ii Condo Bldg., Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

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

ZAMIL STEEL BUILDINGS-VIETNAM CO. LTD. PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE U-706 7/f Antel 2000 Corporate Center, 121 Valero St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Fluency in English, Mandarin and any language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as operations manager, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

SUN, JUN Operations Manager

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Both Chinese-Mandarin and English languages. With previous work experience in the field of finance and steel manufacturing.

HRAIKI, RABIH Multilingual Marketing Manager 135.

TENMAN PROJECT MANAGEMENT INC. Unit 805-808 The One Executive Office Bldg., #5 West Ave., Nayong Kanluran, Quezon City

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

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate, and can speak Mandarin language.

DANG LE HANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Relation Representative Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails, and chats.

125.

JIN, SENYUAN Mandarin Operations Specialist

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling digital troubleshooting of the technology system that a company uses to maintain software networks through Mandarin to English language translation.

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: 18-55 y/o, with at least 6 months of work experience, and with good verbal and written communication skills.

128.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English, Mandarin, and any language.

SUMMIT SUPPORT SERVICES, INC. Unit 16c 16/f Petron Mega Plaza, 358 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: 18-55 y/o, with at least 6 months of work experience, and with good verbal and written communication skills.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ZENG, BINBIN Mandarin Advanced Digital IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write Thai language.

SANY PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 18-a 18/f, Trafalgar Plaza 105 H.v Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Bel-air, City Of Makati

OKKDA ASIA TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit 5b 5/f Marvin Plaza, 2153 C. Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

LIAO, PO-HSUN Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

DUONG, DUC TRI Back End Developer

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin language both verbal and written.

Basic Qualification: Excellent verbal and written communication in Korean language.

Basic Qualification: Fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian language.

NGUYEN, THI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

OK FINANCING INC. Unit 706 7/f Salcedo One Center, 170 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

KIM, MYUNGKYU Marketing Consultant

No.

RIDGE OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. 46/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

PRIME ENERGY RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT B.V. 19/f Asian Star Bldg., Asean Drive, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

OCTAGON PRIME OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. 30/f Tower, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

MO, YANXIA Mandarin Technical Support

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

HELEN Indonesian Language - Support Officer

A25

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

PHOENIXFIELD, INC. 7/f Iacademy Plaza, 324 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave, Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

OCEANIC SYMPHONY SERVICES INC. 17/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, 7232 Ayala Ave. Extn., Cor Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

WU, LEI Mandarin Operations Specialist

No.

Friday, December 8, 2023

Brief Job Description: Gather and analyzes information to identify new market and customers, demand for products and services, and efficacy of existing marketing campaigns and strategies.

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

YIN, LIBO Sales Manager 136.

Brief Job Description: Managing organizational sales by developing a business plan that covers sales, revenue and expense control. Meeting planned sales goals.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Chinese-Mandarin and English languages. With previous work experience in the field on finance, business management and steel manufacturing. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Dec 7, 2023 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 22, 2023, the company address of AN, YU under the company ADVANCE BEYOND INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING, INC., should have been read as UNIT 402 CAMPOS RUEDA BLDG., 101 URBAN AVE., PIO DEL PILAR, CITY OF MAKATI and not as published. In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on December 1, 2023, the name RAKARATHNAM, CHITHRANI under the company MAC’S DOING BUSINESS SUPPORT CORP., should have been read as RAJARATHNAM, CHITHRANI and not as published. In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 10, 2023, the name PATCHARIN, PA-OR under the company IDEAL FOCUS SERVICES INC., should have been read as PA-OR, PATCHARIN and not as published. Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

A26 Friday, December 8, 2023 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

editorial

‘An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind’

he earliest known use of the principle “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” appears in the Code of Hammurabi, which predates the Hebrew Bible. Written on clay tablets, Hammurabi’s Code contained 282 laws, some of which were brutal. The death penalty was mentioned at least 30 times in the code. “An eye for an eye” is also a commandment found in the Book of Exodus 21:23–27 expressing the principle of reciprocal justice measure for measure. After China executed two Filipinos for drug-related offenses, senior House members on Monday called for the reimposition of the death penalty on certain heinous crimes, especially drug-related offenses. Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez called for a “tit-for-tat” treatment of Chinese nationals convicted by local courts for drug trafficking by imposing the death penalty on them, while Surigao del Norte Rep. and Chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Robert Ace Barbers urged the two houses of Congress to take a serious look at the reimposition of the death penalty. (Read the BusinessMirror report, “Solons revive death penalty call after execution of two Pinoys for drug-related offense in China,” December 4, 2023). “Our kababayans convicted in foreign lands for drug trafficking are almost always executed while we extend kid gloves treatment, if not VIP treatment, to foreigners, especially Chinese nationals who are apprehended and convicted of the same offense here. There should be a similar punishment imposed on these foreign nationals as well as fellow Filipinos who introduce drugs into the country. If other countries treat illegal drugs as a threat to their citizenry and the whole society, why are we so soft in treating this menace in our own territory?” said Barbers. “China was firm in executing Filipinos, yet we are being flooded with tons and tons of illegal drugs, especially shabu from China. It is a wonder that while China is very hard on drug trafficking, the drugs that come to our shores originate from its ports. Yet, we have yet to see one Chinese convict being executed to deter others from committing such a heinous crime,” he added. The Philippines was the first Asian country to abolish capital punishment under the 1987 Constitution, which nonetheless allowed Congress to reinstate it for “heinous crimes.” President Fidel Ramos reimposed the death penalty in 1993 as a “crime control” measure, but President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reinstated abolition in 2006. We understand the feelings of some members of Congress pushing for the reimposition of the death penalty on certain heinous crimes like drug trafficking. They believe it is a deterrent, sending a strong message about the seriousness of drug-related offenses. The United Nations and many human rights organizations advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, considering it a violation of the right to life. However, other countries argue that it serves as a just punishment for severe crimes. The Philippines has adopted a strong anti-drug campaign during the Duterte administration, and authorities pursued a tough stance on drug-related offenses. Duterte’s campaign reduced drug proliferation in the country, but has been marred by extrajudicial killings allegedly perpetrated by the police and unknown assailants. Reports said an estimated 7,742 civilians have been killed in “anti-drug operations” carried out by the government between 2016 and 2021. The former president admitted that his war on drugs failed because “ang kalaban ko gobyerno ko mismo. So anong magagawa ko?” As drug trafficking is a global challenge that requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach, the United Nations encourages international cooperation and dialogue on drug-related issues. It would do well for countries to work together to share intelligence, strengthen law enforcement efforts, and promote rehabilitation and prevention programs to address the issue effectively. Whether or not we should revive the death penalty for drug-related offenses is a matter for our representatives in Congress to decide. However, opponents of capital punishment argue that it is a violation of the fundamental right to life and that no state should have the power to take a person’s life as a punishment. They emphasize the potential for wrongful convictions, the irreversibility of the punishment, and the lack of evidence that the death penalty is an effective deterrent. It also pays to remember the wise words of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

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Tatak Pinoy: Looking outward to develop within Sonny M. Angara

Better Days

hen we came up with our Tatak Pinoy or Proudly Filipino advocacy in 2019, the overarching goal was to transform the Philippines into a progressive and vibrant economy, to help Filipino entrepreneurs and industries become more competitive, and to provide our people with more opportunities to make a good living without the need to go overseas. Our starting point and foundation was the Atlas of Economic Complexity developed by Drs. Ricardo Hausmann of Harvard University and Cesar Hidalgo, formerly of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and now with the University of Toulouse in France. In evaluating economies, they found that countries that produce more diversified and sophisticated products grow faster and are able to sustain their growth over longer periods of time. On the surface, Tatak Pinoy may appear to be a purely export-oriented endeavor since a lot of what it espouses is the development of Philippine goods and services to become globally competitive. But it is also about looking outwards—learning what we can from the rest of the world and putting such knowledge to good use, for our benefit. We can learn a lot studying the best practices of other countries and then determining which elements can be applied here. During our committee hearings on the Tatak Pinoy bill, Director Francisco “Jun” Santiago of the Department of Migrant Workers shared his experiences as an OFW for 13 years, particularly on the impact being made by Filipinos working in multi-million dollar industries

in various fields. Director Santiago aired his frustration at how Filipino professionals have made their marks in the countries where they are based but cannot do the same for the Philippines. He explained that there are barriers in the way of these OFW professionals to work in the country such as licensure and certification requirements. In the Middle East where he was based, he noted that most of the safety engineers stationed at construction sites were Filipinos. Their expertise is clearly recognized and sought after there but once they decide to come home and work here, they realize that the transition is not that easy. Director Santiago was on point in saying that these Filipino professionals working overseas are valuable assets that the Philippines can

utilize. They hold knowledge and experience on best practices and technologies utilized by the world’s biggest companies and they can transfer this to us practically for free given the opportunity to do so. According to Santiago, we have to harness the full potential of Filipinos exposed overseas. We cannot continue to make other countries progress and fail to do the same for the Philippines. The Department of Trade and Industry’s Design Center of the Philippines recently announced its partnership with the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) School of Design Thinking for the establishment of the Design Thinking Academy + Policy Lab to help cultivate innovation-driven governance. We are now faced with a rapidly transforming landscape in business and as such, embracing innovation and learning to adapt quickly becomes critical to ensure continuous growth and escape obsolescence. The HPI School of Design Thinking is a European hub for design thinking education and its head, Professor Ulrich Weinberg, who was in the country for the ceremonial signing of a declaration of support with the Design Center of the Philippines, co-founded the Global Design Thinking Alliance. Learning from the brightest minds of the world will be for our benefit as we make our way towards becoming globally competitive and among the ranks of the most vibrant economies in the world. In line with these efforts to gain knowledge from outside, we filed Senate Bill 1614 or the proposed Pensionado Act to assist employed or self-employed, exceptionally-abled

and highly motivated individuals to undertake advanced studies in a branch of science, technology or related fields of learning overseas through fellowships and scholarships. The idea is for the beneficiaries to contribute in the brain gain for national development. In recent weeks, we also saw the signing of an agreement between Atmo Inc., a leading artificial intelligence meteorology company and the Department of Science and Technology and a memorandum of agreement between US-based Astranis Space Technologies and Philippinebased satellite firm Orbits Corporation. The first involves building a high-resolution weather forecasting system for the Philippines using AI. The latter involves the launch of two Internet satellites to be called Agila in order to provide Internet connectivity to 10 million users in 30,000 communities in the country. It is our hope that for every agreement such as these that come into the country, we would endeavor to actively learn from these investments and apply the knowledge we gain for our benefit. Technology transfer should become a habit, not just for businesses, but also for our policymakers. This is what we mean by Tatak Pinoy being focused on expanding the productive capabilities of our economy. Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 19 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 10 as Senator. He has authored, co-authored, and sponsored more than 330 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate. E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

Harvard, Penn criticized for ‘insane’ testimony on antisemitism By Katia Porzecanski & Janet Lorin

edge fund titans, politicians and business leaders railed against the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for refusing to say that calling for the genocide of Jews is against school policy. “I wish I could quit giving twice,” Cliff Asness, a Penn alumnus and founder of AQR Capital Management, said in a post on X, referring to his donations to the school. “This is just insane. Insane.” Criticism spread on social media after Harvard’s Claudine Gay, Penn’s Liz Magill and MIT President Sally Kornbluth testified before the US House Education and the Workforce Committee on Tuesday. Committee chair Virginia Foxx, a North Carolina Republican who led the hearing, said she wanted to know why the college administrators

“largely stood by, allowing horrific rhetoric to fester and grow” since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by the US and European Union. Protests that erupted in the wake of the attack and ensuing war have roiled campuses across the US. Alumni and donors, citing what they described as incidents of antisemitism, said colleges aren’t doing enough to create a safe learning environment for Jewish students. A survey released last week by the Anti-Defamation League and College Pulse found 73 percent of Jewish college students have experienced or witnessed antisemitism since the start of the school year. Representative Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican and Harvard graduate, asked the university presidents whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” violates their code of conduct or constitutes bullying or harassment, referring to calls for “intifada” chanted in many school protests.

Kornbluth responded they would be “investigated as harassment if pervasive and severe,” while Magill said “it is a context-dependent decision” that could be considered harassment “if the speech becomes conduct.” Gay also said it depended on the context, such as being “targeted at an individual.” “They must all resign in disgrace,” investor Bill Ackman, who has been calling on his alma mater Harvard to do more to protect Jewish students, posted on X. He included a clip of the interaction, saying that “if a CEO of one of our companies gave a similar answer, he or she would be toast within the hour.” Dan Loeb, the billionaire founder of Third Point, replied to an Ackman post, saying “the cowardly and unprincipled responses show them each to be unfit to lead.” Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro called Magill’s answer shameful and unacceptable. Pfizer Inc. Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla, whose grandpar-

ents, aunt and uncle perished in the Holocaust, also called out the testimonies on social media. “I was wondering if their deaths would have provided enough ‘context’ to these presidents to condemn the Nazis’ antisemitic propaganda.” Representatives for Harvard, MIT and Penn didn’t return requests for comment. Throughout the hearing, the presidents stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of speech on campuses while providing a safe environment for students, and the difficulty in balancing the two. “I’ve sought to confront hate while preserving free expression,” said Gay. “This is difficult work. I know I have not always gotten it right.” Harvard Hillel said on X that Gay’s refusal to draw a line around threatening speech was “profoundly shocking” and that her “failure to properly condemn this speech calls into question her ability to protect Jewish students on Harvard’s campus.” See “Harvard,” A27

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ECB’s Lagarde squeezed as markets boost 2024 rate-cut bets

Opinion BusinessMirror

Re-locating Sarangani Tito Genova Valiente

annotations

By Jana Randow & Aline Oyamada

he European Central Bank’s forecasts and any accompanying messaging are about to take prominence as President Christine Lagarde weighs how far to push against market wagers on interest-rate cuts. With rapidly weakening inflation, a feeble economy, and one hawkish policymaker changing tack, traders are heaping bets on a reduction as soon as March. They’re now seeing the rate falling to 2.5 percent by the end of 2024; just last week, they envisaged borrowing costs staying above 3 percent. If markets are right, the ECB will be the first among major central banks to cut next year, delivering the most aggressive easing cycle. But officials show no rush to act, even though their new projections will need to acknowledge the changed economic backdrop with a lower outlook for prices. The quandary policymakers face evokes December 2021, when they dragged their feet as the US Federal Reserve enacted a hawkish pivot and investors began betting on ECB rate increases. Forecasts then showed inflation accelerating, but hikes only started seven months later, a move most observers judged as behind the curve. Lagarde and her colleagues, who entered a blackout period on Thursday before the December 14 decision, face a similar trade-off now as they ask which error they’d rather risk making: cutting too soon and letting inflation run rampant, or crashing the economy with too much constriction. Bjoern Griesbach, senior investment strategist at Allianz, reckons the consumer-price danger is still weighing on many officials’ minds. “The projections will be very important,” he said. “One thing is clear: they need to come down. But the ECB is determined not to be caught underestimating inflation for a second time.” Officials are putting finishing touches on the forecasts that Lagarde will present next Thursday along with a view of where the risks lie—communication that may in itself massage expectations. A majority of economists surveyed by Bloomberg predict that the updated outlook will have a somewhat or significantly stronger-thanusual impact on the ECB’s messaging this time. The projections are more comprehensive than those in September and involve a half-yearly process compiling numbers from national central banks, whose deadline to provide data was a week ago. December forecasts are also the only ones out of the four annually to feature a longer horizon into the future—in this case, 2026. The ECB previously predicted inflation to average 3.2 percent next year and return to the 2 percent goal in the second half of 2025. That outlook seems increasingly obsolete after consumer-price growth in November slowed to 2.4 percent, the lowest since mid-2021. ECB Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel, normally a hawk, admitted that the number was “remarkable” and that any further rate hike is unlikely. She wouldn’t be drawn on the prospect of a cut in the first half, though Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau did say that the question may come up in 2024. Schnabel and others warn that inflation could yet quicken again, but the data and their commentary have persuaded investors to bet on earlier and deeper rate cuts. It also led some economists to revise outlooks, with Deutsche Bank on Wednesday forecasting 150 basis points of easing next year, and a first move in April instead of June. Last week, Goldman Sachs switched to predict a cut as soon as April. The bond rally that accompanied the rate repricing further raises the stakes for Lagarde next week. An in-

Lagarde and her colleagues, who entered a blackout period on Thursday before the December 14 decision, face a similar tradeoff now as they ask which error they’d rather risk making: cutting too soon and letting inflation run rampant, or crashing the economy with too much constriction. dex of sovereign debt that excludes Treasuries surged to the highest since April 2022 this week, extending November’s stellar rally. Erik Nielsen, chief economics adviser to UniCredit group, is sympathetic to the market shift, and reckons that any uptick in consumer prices won’t last. “That pickup won’t drive inflation expectations or wage growth,” he said. “If that’s what they want to kill, then welcome to the graveyard.” A sluggish economy normally comes with a softer jobs market, Nielsen argues, saying that wouldn’t drive inflation. Bank of Portugal Governor Mario Centeno, one of the ECB’s doves and a labor economist, echoed that in an article this week. “Job destruction and the freezing of new hires are more synchronized in recessions than during upswings,” he said. “It took three years to reach the pre-pandemic employment trend; it will require less time to reverse those historical gains.” “The ECB has increased borrowing costs well beyond any estimate of neutral. That’s becoming increasingly obvious in the economic data and the impact is also being seen in inflation. The story is similar on the other side of the Atlantic and the global mood music is changing. Any one of those three developments could cause the ECB to cut before the middle of next year,” said Bloomberg economists David Powell and Jamie Rush. For hawks such as Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel, the danger remains that inflation returns with a vengeance. He has repeatedly ruled out saying that rates have reached a peak. His Belgian colleague Pierre Wunsch even declared that officials could raise again to keep policy restrictive enough as investors bet on cuts. Nagel points to war in the Middle East, with the danger of regional spillover that prompts an inflationary oil-price spike, as one reason for caution. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say that the overall picture won’t be clear until the full extent of wage deals and fiscal plans emerges after the first quarter. Another complication is that the ECB may also want to accelerate winding down its balance sheet. Whatever the case, economists such as Anatoli Annenkov at Societe Generale warn that, amid mounting rate-cut speculation, there’s a risk of complacency. “Don’t get fooled by the fact that inflation has been dropping quite quickly,” he said. “There’s a danger with people drawing a straight line, suggesting we’ll undershoot the target within six months.” Guarding against that threat is likely to limit how far the ECB does opens the door to rate cuts at next week’s meeting. So far, the noise from officials hasn’t signaled so much of a shift. “When do they change their view?” asked UniCredit’s Nielsen. “Maybe when we get the fourth quarter GDP number, which will almost certainly be negative, and we get another bad first quarter with inflation coming down faster than expected. That’s when they may stand pretty red-faced.” With assistance from Alexander Weber/Bloomberg

Friday, December 8, 2023 A27

here is a book about this far-off island called Sarangani but it is not distant anymore. A historian—Ian Christopher B. Alfonso—armed with a new way of making sense of names and memories, has relocated it for us. He did this by looking back once more at history or histories that “have been circumscribed by the Manila-centric national historiography” and thus exoticized what were major points in the creation of a political geography. In the Epilogue of the book A History of the Sarangani Islands 15211921, Alfonso said “Sarangani almost became the center of the proto-Philippine territory because of Villalobos (1543-1544). With the mention of Villalobos, we realize how the journey of Magellan was just the beginning of a wide swath of conquest not only by Spain but also by the Portuguese that had always remained on that area, not a periphery but a central battlefield for the ownership of what would become the Philippines. Villalobos, of course, was the head of this other Spanish expedition and we know him in our history books as a naming conquistador. In the book it says: “On 2 February 1543, another Spanish expedition under Villalobos reached Mindanao, particularly the ‘beautiful bay’ (“bahia hermosa”) of Baganga (now a town in Davao Oriental).” Alfonso continues: They conquered the area to establish a Spanish settlement there but it was not suitable. Then they tried to retrace the route of the Magellan-Elcano to reach Mazagua (now Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte) but it was contrary to the winds. With 400 crew in four ships, they coasted down on the south of Mindanao and ended up in Sarangani and Candigar on 14 April 1543. Villalobos gave names to these islands for Spain.” Naming would preoccupy this Alfonso book. True enough, to name or to label objects or places is to claim ownership, to stake dominance. Places were being vanquished and no greater proof could validate the victories than when the colonizer

began to give names to lands and marked boundaries. Sarangani was not just a group of islands. Succinctly, Alfonso states: “In Sarangani, Villalobos decided to establish the initial core of the Spanish settlement in the soon to be Spanish Philippines (underscoring mine).” This claim was not achieved in a facile way. Through various communications uncovered in archives, there was a constant messaging between Villalobos and a Portuguese Jorge de Castro, identified as the Captain of Ternate. Once more, the two major imperial forces were wary of each other. Was the Villalobos an expedition or a conquest? De Castro is quoted saying thus: “I was certain that these people were not coming to be lost or wrecked for a second or third time (referring to the previous Spanish expeditions) but to avenge.” What was apparent in these claims was the fact that, to use the words of Alfonso, there was “a nascent Philippine formation via Sarangani.” Outside of enlarging territories, the said place—the Sarangani Island Group— “was brought to the attention of the world because of Spain’s obsession with Maluku,” which was located southeast of another island group. A name came up at this point— Captain Francisco Serrao who had reached the area in 1512 “in pursuit of the quality spices thriving in the area.” This Serrao was the same person whose “invitation to his relative Ferdinand Magellan to come to Maluku sparked the idea of establishing a new route to Asia traversing the Americas.” We know the story at this

juncture: the Portuguese monarch was enamored with another route, which then urged Magellan to present the concept to the Spanish king. And the rest is history. The recently completed memorialization of the circumnavigation of the world has myopically focused on this one person, Magellan, but in this book by Alfonso, we confront how multivocalic the said event was, which was initiated with the launch of in 1519 of the Armada de Maluco also known as the Magellan-Elcano expedition. Interesting is the position taken by the historian Alfonso vis-a-vis Magellan when he wrote: “While in Cebu in April 1521, Magellan obtained information about the direction to Maluku. Unfortunately, his hubris led him to his death at the Battle of Mactan on 27 April 1521.” For a historian to use hubris to describe one of the most famous navigators is a sign of how critical new histories can be, and how even those who subscribe to the archives can rise above them. There are many more exciting discoveries and insights in this book by Alfonso, notwithstanding its small size. For one, in the prologue of the book, he indicates how he shares with Shinzo Hayase and Macario Tiu “and the rest of scholars who find folklore beneficial in understanding our past. These nontextual sources are now considered

as good supplements to the traditional way of consulting archives, the latter critically pointed to by the important historian Reynado Ileto who talked of the “tyranny of Philippine archives.” One more exciting trait of Ian Christopher B. Alfonso’s history is how it reflects the archipelagic thought where there is multiplicityin-oneness. Following the poet and philosopher Édouard Glissant who employed the archipelagic metaphor for its non-linearity, the book twists our heads to look at a different directions, for “spatial turn” at historical times when cultural spaces knew no political boundaries, when the Indonesia side of our archipelago mattered in meanings and the putative centers were still named differently. Here in A History of the Sarangani Islands 1521-1921, we see how the “insurrection of the imaginary faculties” assisted the scholar to make sense of the worlds around him. The book is a joint publication of the Project Saysay Inc., Ateneo de Zamboanga-Mindanao Institute, and University of San Carlos-Cebuano Studies Center. It is a Grantee of the 2023 National Commission for Culture and the Arts Publication Grant and the 2022 National Book Development Board Publication Grant. E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Xi tells EU leaders China wants to be ‘key partner’ on trade By Bloomberg News

recent anti-subsidies investigation into electric vehicles made in China. China criticized that probe on Thursday at a separate briefing in Beijing, where Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong urged the EU to stop using that investigation for “trade protectionism.” During the meeting, Xi called on Beijing and the bloc to “eliminate all kinds of interference,” according CCTV. That remark is likely aimed at the US, which has taken actions including enlisting the Netherlands in its effort to stop China from developing the ability to make high-end semiconductors. Von der Leyen described her conversation with Xi as “good and candid” in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. They discussed the “main challenges in a world with increasing geopolitical frictions,” she said, adding that

James Mayger / Bloomberg

be held to account.” Magill on Wednesday night posted a video and clarified her answer to the question of whether calling for the genocide of Jewish people would violate Penn’s policies. Magill said that during the testimony, she should have been focused on the “irrefutable fact” that such a call is “some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate.”

In a separate interview, Ackman said he was concerned that antisemitic actions on campus have become “more aggressive.” His tweets have included video of protesters interrupting classes with bullhorns and people shouting slogans such as “from the river to the sea,” which many interpret as a call for the destruction of Israel. “There’s certain speech that is

certainly permissible under the First Amendment,” Ackman said on The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-toPeer Conversations on Bloomberg TV. “People can be critical of Israel, the Israeli government. But, sadly, there are kids who have been spat on or been roughed up, or have been harassed, or antisemitic statements have been put on Slack message boards on campus.” Bloomberg

hinese President Xi Jinping told European Union leaders that he wants the two sides to be key trade partners capable of building trust over supply chains, as they met in Beijing to hash out a litany of economic concerns and frustrations.

“China is promoting high-quality development and high-level opening up, and is willing to regard the EU as a key partner in economic and trade cooperation,” Xi said in a meeting Thursday in Beijing with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel. He said China wants to consider Europe a “trusted partner in industrial and supply chain cooperation to pursue mutual benefit and win-win results,” state broadcaster China Central Television reported. The talks marked the first inperson summit between China and the EU officials in four years, and was expected to cover long-standing issues ranging from data flows to market access. Tensions between Brussels and Beijing have flared over efforts by Europe to “de-risk” its supply chains, along with the bloc’s

Harvard . . .

continued from A26

Facing a barrage of criticism after the hearing, Gay posted a statement on the platform saying any calls for violence or genocide “are vile” and have no place at Harvard. She also made clear “those who threaten our Jewish students will

banned technologies and so-called battleground goods. But the bloc is realistic about the outcomes, with no specific deliverable expected, the people said. “Deep issues” stand in the way of good relations between Beijing and Brussels, Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, told Bloomberg TV. He cited Russia’s war in Ukraine, the trade deficit and Chinese overcapacity that gets exported to Europe. “That will need to be addressed before things go wrong between the two sides,” he said, adding that a partnership with China needs to create “equal or close to equal value” for both parties. The EU is concerned that Beijing’s flagging economic recovery including weak domestic demand will result in China pushing to export even more, threatening critical industries in Europe and their workers. The EU’s trade deficit with China grew to more than $400 billion last year and the bloc is eager to continue its strategic approach that views Beijing as a partner, competitor and a rival. With assistance from Lucille Liu and

they pledged to increase people-topeople exchanges and agreed to a shared interest in “balanced trade relations.” Ahead of Thursday’s meeting in Beijing, Italy formally told China it would exit the nation’s Belt and Road Initiative. While Italy had for months been preparing to end its involvement in Xi’s signature investment program, the timing of the announcement underscored continued strains between the world’s secondlargest economy and members of the bloc. Xi and the EU leaders discussed Belt and Road during their meeting, according to CCTV, which said the Chinese leader told officials that his nation was willing to connect his initiative with the EU’s Global Gateway. The European program is a €300 billion infrastructure plan aimed at competing with China’s clout in strategic regions. Headed into Thursday’s summit, EU officials intended to ask for more effort cracking down on Moscow’s ability to circumvent sanctions, according to people familiar with its plans. China has emerged as Russia’s primary route to secure

A28 Friday, December 8, 2023

PHL jobless rate hit record low 4.2% in Oct, says Neda T By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE Philippines recorded a new unemployment low as the country’s jobless rate hit 4.2 percent in October 2023, according to data released by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Neda said in a statement that the jobless rate was lower than the 4.5 percent posted in October 2022, which was initially declared as the lowest unemployment rate in two decades. In terms of magnitude, PSA data showed there were 2.09 million unemployed individuals in October 2023, or lower than the 2.24 million recorded in October 2022 and the 2.27 million in July 2023. “We can make the labor market more inclusive with the entry of more investments, especially those that bring in new and better technology. At the same time, we need to expand and enhance learning opportunities to ensure that we equip Filipinos for future jobs,” Neda Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said. The PSA data also showed that the underemployment rate in Oc-

tober 2023 was 11.7 percent, lower than the 14.2 percent recorded in October 2022 and the 15.9 percent posted in July 2023. The data also showed the labor market recorded an employment rate of 95.8 percent in October 2023, higher than the 95.5 rate posted in the same period last year and the highest since April 2005. This translates to the number of employed persons aged 15 years and above reaching 47.8 million in October 2023, which is higher compared to the 47.06 million registered in the same period last year. The Neda also said most employment generated involved middle (+334,000) and high-skill occupations (+897,000). This is primarily due to the expansion in tourismrelated and IT-BPO sectors. “The Barangay and SK elections in October 2023 and the related

preparations for which; the end of the ghost month since the second half of September 2023 could have led to some improvement in the employment data,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said. Balisacan said the positive trend observed in the country’s labor market will continue after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 11966, also known as the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, on December 5, 2023. T he l a nd m a rk leg i sl at ion strengthens the country’s investment ecosystem by creating a more stable and predictable policy environment for collaboration in highimpact infrastructure projects. “The passage of the PPP Code is just one of many recent reforms that have made the Philippines more at tractive to foreign investors. It provides the government with a more solid ecosystem for investments, which, in turn, generates employment opportunities for Filipino workers in several critical growth areas, including infrastructure,” explained Balisacan.

Concerns

ACROSS regions, the National Capital Region (NCR) posted the highest unemployment rate of 5.4 percent in October 2023, while Davao Region had the lowest reported unem-

ployment rate of 2.9 percent. PSA data showed the expansion in the number of unpaid workers and an increase in the number of young workers who believed there was no work available for them. Based on the data, the total number of unpaid family workers increased to 1.26 million in October 2023 from 1.09 million in October 2023. Nonetheless, it was still lower than the 1.41 million posted in July 2023. “This was followed by self-employed persons without any paid employee at 27.8 percent and unpaid family workers at 6.5 percent,” PSA said. “Employers in own familyoperated farm or business had the lowest share of 2.6 percent.” However, wage and salary workers still accounted for the largest share of employed persons with 63.1 percent of the total employed persons in October 2023. Meanwhile, the proportion of youth not in education, employment or training (NEET) in October 2023 increased to 11.7 percent from 11.4 percent in October 2022. Of the total 6.09 million employed youth, 627,000 were underemployed, translating to a youth underemployment rate of 10.3 percent. The data also showed that the youth unemployment rate increased to 11.4 percent, from 11.2 percent in October last year.

HOUSE ADOPTS RESO SCORING CHINA’S ‘ILLEGAL’ ACTS IN WPS

HE House of Representatives has adopted House Resolution (HR) 1494, condemning China’s “illegal actions” in the West Philippine Sea and urging the government to uphold and defend sovereign rights over the nation’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Following the adoption of the resolution last Wednesday, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez reaffirmed the House’s unwavering commitment to protecting the territorial integrity of the WPS. HR 1494 consolidates six resolutions with the same topic: HRs 781, 823, 1169, 1201, 1204 and 1293. “The House is committed to doing everything in its power to protect our rights in the WPS. We fully support our troops and our coast guard patrolling our exclusive economic zone against China’s vessels that turn away our fishermen with a legal right to fish in the WPS,” said Romualdez. “We also commit to enhancing our defense posture in the WPS through legislation and by exercising Congress’s power of the purse,” he added. The Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy, he vowed, “will have whatever support [they] need.” The resolution references the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling affirming the Philippines’ right over the WPS under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. T he resolution high lights

China’s continued illegal activities in the area, despite the PCA ruling, including the construction of artificial islands fortified with military installations and the militarization of these islands with advanced weaponry. “In clear violation of the Arbitral Award, China has built artificial islands in various parts of the West Philippine Sea fortified with airstrips, military installations, hardware, and equipment and has militarized at least three of those artificial islands, arming them with anti-ship and antiaircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment, and fighter jets,” the resolution read. Despite the Philippines’ commitment to the Rule of Law, China persists in its aggressive actions, prompting the Philippines to resort to diplomatic tools, including filing over 400 diplomatic protests. The resolution also listed various illegal activities by China, such as harassment, fishing moratorium imposition, unauthorized Marine Scientific Research activities, and the restriction of Filipino fishermen. The resolution stressed the Philippines’ obligation to assert and fight for its rights in the WPS and to enhance its ability to patrol and protect its maritime zones by building a self-reliant defense posture program and upgrading the capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Friday, December 8, 2023

ACRI obtains loan from MUFG Nlex wants to collect

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

CEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd (ACRI), a subsidiary of ACEN Corp., has secured its first $100-million green term loan facility from MUFG Bank Ltd. (MUFG). The amount will be used to finance the power firm’s renewable enegy (RE) projects in other countries. “We are delighted to collaborate with MUFG once again, a move that signals a significant step forward in our mission to expand our renewable energy portfolio globally. This funding will play a pivotal role in

accelerating our projects beyond the Philippines, bringing us closer to our goal of a greener, more sustainable future,” said ACEN Treasurer Cecile Cruzabra. This green long-term facility is part of ACEN’s strategic expansion into several international markets including Australia, which stands as

the company’s largest market outside of the Philippines. The company said the funding aligns with its ambitious goal of achieving 20 gigawatts of renewables by 2030. MUFG acted as the sole arranger and green loan coordinator for this term loan, which operates under a five-year term, and is encompassed within ACEN’s green finance framework. The MUFG facility forms part of ACRI’s term fundraising efforts, which have current approvals in place for up to $422 million. The funds are expected to be used funds in the next two years. “This landmark transaction is a reaffirmation of the partnership between MUFG and ACEN while demonstrating a deepening alignment of

our sustainability objectives. We look forward to further leverage our extensive network and expertise in renewables financing in support of its 2030 renewables goal,” said Randy Loo, MUFG’s head of global corporate banking in Singapore. ACEN is the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group. The company has about 4,500 MW of attributable capacity from owned facilities in the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia and India, with a renewable share of 98 percent, which is among the highest in the region. The company is also committed to transition the company’s generation portfolio to 100 percent RE by 2025 and to become a Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions company by 2050.

SEC recognized for anti-red tape efforts

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been cited by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) for its efforts in making the Philippines businessfriendly. The SEC was among the government agencies recognized by Arta during the 2023 Ease of Doing Business Convention.

“We share in Arta’s mission of streamlining processes in the government to improve public service delivery and achieve bureaucratic efficiency, embodied in our push toward a zero-contact policy in accordance with Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business Act,” SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino said.

“ The SEC has continuously worked to provide faster and more efficient transactions with the public through our digital transformation program, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for our stakeholders.” Since 2021, a total of nine digital services automating key processes of the Commission have

been launched to the public. This includes the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Companies (eSPARC), and its subsystem, the One Day Submission and Electronic Registration of Companies (OneSEC). This year, the SEC further deepened its digitalization efforts with five new advanced systems. VG Cabuag

toll for new segment

lex Corp. has filed a petition to charge toll on the recently-opened segment of the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) Connector. According to Nlex Corp. President Luigi Bautista the company is currently providing free toll to motorists that use the Magsaysay Interchange, which spans from España to Magsaysay Boulevard. However, it is now seeking the Toll Regulatory Board’s (TRB) approval to start toll collection for the said segment, following more than a month of free toll. “We already filed the petition. As we speak, it is being evaluated by the TRB. It takes the same process, the same evaluation that they do so they can determine whether the fractional toll is reasonable,” he said in a recent interview. Currently, the company only collects toll for the Caloocan to España segment of the expressway. This costs motorists P86. Bautista said the petition is not an upward adjustment, but an additional rate because of the new section. “It is an additional toll because we added an additional section,” he said. Nlex opened the 1.8-kilometer Magsaysay Interchange on October 28.

The segment cuts the travel time from C3 in Caloocan to Magsaysay Boulevard in Manila to just eight minutes, while easing the traffic condition in Nagtahan, G. Araneta, Aurora Blvd, Lacson, Magsaysay and España Blvd. It will also help improve accessibility of motorists travelling from Manila, San Juan, and other nearby cities as they can enter the Nlex Connector Magsaysay Interchange on-ramp and head straight to the north via Nlex. Magsaysay Interchange is the second section of the eight-kilometer Nlex Connector. The first section runs from C3/5th in Caloocan to España in Manila. It was opened in March. Bautista hopes to receive the TRB’s approval to charge the toll “soon.” The company had said it plans to increase its budget for capital expenditures (capex) by as much as 50 percent in 2024 to P15 billion from this year’s P10 billion. Company president Luigi Bautista said Nlex is allocating “about P15 billion” for “existing and planned expansion” of the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (Sctex). Lorenz S. Marasigan

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, December 8, 2023

Globe, Frontier close deal for sale of 120 telco towers

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

towers to Frontier Towers for P10.2 billion. This was followed by a series of transactions with both Frontier and MIDC, gradually transferring ownership of these vital telecommunications infrastructures. Globe completed a sale of 701 towers to MIDC for approximately P8.4 billion in October 2022. Subsequent closings with MIDC included the sale of 159 and 160 towers in December 2022 and May 2023, respectively, for around P1.9 billion each, along with a smaller transaction of 29 towers for P348 million in September 2023. Frontier and Globe also had significant closings including 750 towers for P9.5 billion in December 2022, 431 towers for P5.5 billion in May 2023, and 113 towers for P1.4 billion in August 2023, leading up to the recent transaction. Globe has said that the “transaction will allow Globe to efficiently raise capital, redeploy capital from passive infrastructure to active

@lorenzmarasigan

lobe Telecom Inc. on Thursday disclosed that it has reached another milestone in its P71billion tower sale initiative, after closing another deal with Frontier Tower Associates Philippines Inc.

In a regulatory filing, Globe said it has completed the sale of an additional 120 telecommunication towers to Frontier for P1.5 billion. This latest transaction brings the total number of towers acquired by Frontier Towers to 2,214 out of the 3,529 earmarked for sale. The recent closing is part of Globe’s ongoing efforts to optimize its assets and focus on its core business operations. The company initi-

ated this ambitious project in 2022, by signing agreements with MIESCOR Infrastructure Development Corp. (MIDC) and Frontier for the sale of 5,709 telecommunication towers and related infrastructure for P71 billion. Over the past year, Globe closed several deals with the two tower companies. In September 2022, Globe closed the first of the tranches, selling 800

equipment, improve balance sheet health, and leverage expertise of tower companies.” The Ayala-led telco is spending roughly $1.3 billion (or about P73.8 billion) in capital expenditures (capex) this year, lower than the $1.9 billion (or about P107.9 billion) in 2022. Globe is further reducing its capex to $1 billion (or about P56.8 billion) in 2024. The company saw its profits dwindle by almost a third to P19.36 billion in the first nine months of the year from P26.50 billion the year prior, despite posting all-time high consolidated service revenues no thanks to higher depreciation costs and a non-operate charge versus last year. It closed the period ending September with an all-time high consolidated revenues of P121.1 billion, up by 3 percent from a year prior “despite the extended macroeconomic headwinds faced by the industry.”

Alternergy eyes offtake deal for solar project MUTUAL FUNDS

December 7, 2023

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

Y-T-D

per share Return*

Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

205.91

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

lter nergy Hold ings Corp. (A lternerg y) has relinquished the award for the Apulid Solar Power Project under the Green Energy Auction 2 (GEA 2) program of the government. “The Apulid Solar Power Project is one of the winning bids under GEA 2. However, LSEC [Liberty Solar Energy Corp.] has opted not to pursue the GEA 2 as an offtake mechanism,” Alternergy said. LSEC is a subsidiary of Alternergy. The company said it decided not to pursue GEA2 and instead opt to pursue potential bilateral offtake agreement which could give a better price. “Based on our further analysis, there are other potential markets which could bring better value to the project while at the same time continue to contribute to achieving the government’s renewable energy target.” The company said it would pay the Department of Energy (DOE) the P50-million bid bond. “While the Apulid Solar Power Project is one of the winning bids under GEA2 and LSEC has been awarded the exclusive rights to

explore, develop and utilize solar energy resources in the area covering 144 hectares in Paniqui, Tarlac under a Solar Energy Operating Contract [SEOC] with the DOE, LSEC decided not to pursue the GEA2 as an offtake mechanism but to look into entering into a bilateral offtake agreement instead,” the company said. “Alternergy is excited to immediately pursue the development. Consistent w ith A lter nerg y’s pioneering initiatives in the RE industry, the Apulid Solar Power Project will be one of the first solar aquavoltaic projects in the country,” Alternergy Chairman and President of LSEC Vicente S. Pérez said. He noted that the Apulid Solar Project is a ground-mounted project to be co-located and integrated within an operational aquaculture farm. “This is a unique initiative that will serve a dual purpose which is to supply clean power to the grid and to sustain the aquaculture’s farm production,” Pérez said. He added that the DOE’s award of the SEOC signals LSEC to proceed with the permitting requirements and technical studies based on the approved work plan by the DOE.

-2.62%

-3.26%

-4.14%

-0.85%

-1.25%

1.4128

6.75%

2.54%

0.08%

1.41%

5.1% -2.56%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.8628

-3.65%

-3.18%

-6.13%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.668

-3.44%

-6.36%

-5.74% n.a

First Metro Consumer Fund, Inc. -a

-6.33%

-5.78% n.a

-4.3%

-3.05%

-2.62%

0.6207

-5.29%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.5284-3.98% -2.97%

-0.62%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.6747-5.44% -4.09% n.a n.a MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

82.5

12.47%

-5.84%

-6.55% n.a

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 41.9267

-4.6%

-3.63%

-3.34% n.a

-2.92%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

437.04

-3.08%

-3.7%

-0.73%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.1764

-2.26%

0.39%

-1.5% n.a

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

-2.69%

-1.65%

-2.28%

1.13%

32.953

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8468-1.99% Philequity PSE Index Fund, Inc. -a

-3.38%

-1.65%

-2.55% n.a n.a

0.11% -0.24%

-3.62%

-2.74%

-2.52%

0.9%

-1.98%

733.4

-3.67%

-2.91%

-2.59%

0.89%

-2.07%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.6676

-2.04%

-2.8%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2745

-5.12% n.a

-0.96%

-4.34%

-3.23%

-4.5%

-0.88%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8316-4.02%

-3.22%

-2.91% n.a

United Fund, Inc. -a

0.05%

-1.94%

-2.98%

-3.03%

-3.77%

-1.03%

4.4067

-4.65%

-4.48%

9.54%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

3.034

-1.79%

-2.93% -2.38%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) COL Equity Index Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 1.0322-3.88% n.a n.a n.a

-2.27%

COL Strategic Growth Equity Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a,2 0.9925 n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

0.992

-6.32%

-2.87% n.a n.a

-5.2%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

890.18

-3.77% n.a n.a n.a

-2.13%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c99.5655-3.12% -2.54%

-2.28% n.a

-1.54%

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

-12.63%

-3.92%

-2.07%

-7.46%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.5896

$0.7884

-9.29%

7.68%

-0.87%

5.73% n.a

ATRAM 11.63%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.4755

0.9%

-1.71%

-0.62%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.1655

4.63%

-1.7%

-0.4%

0.23%

2.86%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.4597

-3.89% -2.78%

-2.23%

-2.36%

-0.62%

-1.04%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1875

-3.1%

-1.82%

-1.93% n.a n.a

-3.1% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9057

-1.6%

-1.04%

0.62%

1.3%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

0.63%

-2.57%

-0.3%

0.46%

1.68%

3.4977

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

15.324

0.29%

-3.23%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0011

-0.28%

-1.46%

-0.83%

0.12%

-0.73%

0.94%

0.73%

-0.29%

-2.1%

-1.95%

-0.31%

-1.12% n.a

0.53%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.3451 Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8836

-0.06%

-0.35%

0.99%

1.22% 0.47%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a 0.93071.59%

-2.99% n.a n.a

1.69%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a 0.8279-1.74%

-4.53% n.a n.a

-0.92%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a 0.8067-2.88%

-4.8% n.a n.a

-1.92%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03253

-0.09%

-5.86%

-1.44%

-0.04%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b$0.8702 -4.56%

-8.38%

-1.83%

-1.45%

3.6%

0.4%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.119

4.1%

-2.32%

3.31%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.0038

1.18%

-4.49%

0.41% n.a

2.74%

7.1% 3.31%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 389.45

3.36%

1.72%

2.59%

2.15%

3.03%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9063

1.73%

0.15%

0.56%

-0.05%

1.68%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.3211

2.87%

1.14%

2.32%

3.77%

3.5%

4.61%

-0.37%

1.27%

1.25%

3.73%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 2.4445

2.23%

-0.04%

2.07%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Ekklesia Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 2.267

1.74%

0.64%

4.2644

2.39%

-2.69%

1.13%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3696

3.7%

1.32%

3.04%

1.74%

3.8%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.0107

4.32%

0.33%

2.8%

1.43%

3.67%

3.26% n.a

2.96%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0467

2.77%

0.34%

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

3.2895

4.52%

1.05%

3.5%

1.97%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

3.75%

0.28%

2.68%

1.33%

3.66%

1.7578

2.23%

4.57%

Corporate Debt Vehicle (units) ATRAM Unitized Corporate Debt Vehicle, Inc. -a,3

1.0035 n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $493.02

2.85%

0.7%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є212.87

1.39%

-0.9%

1.96%

2.5%

2.69%

0.04%

0.79%

-6.91%

-1.81%

0.02%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0245 2.94%

-2.58%

-0.32% n.a

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc. -b$0.8443

-2.85%

-8.18%

-3.88%

-3.18%

-6.19%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.2506

3.27%

-3.78%

0.9%

1.72%

3.24%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.06083

1.73%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b$1.02581.68%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.7373

1.53% 1.62%

-0.74%

1.33%

1.58%

1.89%

-0.83%

-5.09%

-0.94%

0.33%

3.38%

0.58%

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 136.56

2.61%

1.75%

2.53%

2.03%

2.48%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.1059 3.19%

1.83% n.a n.a

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a 1.37282.75%

2.46%

1.97%

1.99%

3.01%

2.57%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 104.27

4.03% n.a n.a n.a

3.78%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0944

2.4%

1.34%

1.52% n.a

2.36%

Feeder Funds

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.3972

9.05%

-1.5%

8.07% n.a n.a

13.4% Sun Life Prosperity World Income Fund, Inc. -a,1

0.974 n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (Units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.7836-2.98%

-7.18% n.a n.a

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. 1 - Launch date is August 22, 2023.

2 - Launch date is October 6, 2023.

-0.81%

c - Listed in the PSE.

3 - Launch date is May 25, 2023.

“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.”

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

December 7, 2023

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

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

48 126.9 7.01 101.8 30 7.92 51.3 8.28 18.44 53 22.3 69.85 57.15 1.41 2.56 0.55 167.1 2,700

48.05 127.5 7.42 101.9 30.1 7.95 51.45 8.55 18.46 53.7 23 69.95 57.2 1.43 2.57 0.57 172 2,720

47.4 130.6 7.45 104 30 7.89 50.9 8.5 18.42 53.8 23 70.6 57.05 1.42 2.57 0.66 172 2,710

49.7 130.6 7.45 104.9 30.1 7.97 51.85 8.5 18.46 53.8 23 70.6 57.35 1.43 2.57 0.66 172 2,710

47.4 126.7 7 101.7 30 7.88 50.9 8.5 18.42 53.7 23 69.8 57.05 1.42 2.55 0.55 172 2,700

48 126.9 7.42 101.9 30.1 7.95 51.45 8.5 18.46 53.75 23 69.85 57.15 1.43 2.55 0.57 172 2,700

26,800 3,461,450 15,000 1,325,550 78,600 62,100 723,270 375,000 20,600 210 5,900 85,830 366,220 11,000 38,000 67,000 380 190

1,281,965 442,489,186 105,633 135,570,261 2,362,265 491,773 37,241,392.50 3,187,500 379,862 11,281.50 135,700 6,013,354.50 20,929,972.50 15,630 97,560 38,240 65,360 513,050

INDUSTRIAL

ACEN CORP 4.59 4.6 ALSONS CONS 0.54 0.56 ALTERNERGY HLDG 0.74 0.75 ABOITIZ POWER 37.9 38 RASLAG 1.2 1.25 BASIC ENERGY 0.176 0.181 FIRST GEN 16.68 16.7 FIRST PHIL HLDG 61 61.4 MERALCO 370.2 372.6 MANILA WATER 18 18.2 PETRON 3.42 3.44 PETROENERGY 4.47 4.57 REPOWER ENERGY 6.65 6.99 SYNERGY GRID 6.12 6.15 SHELL PILIPINAS 11.42 11.46 SPC POWER 7.4 7.42 SP NEW ENERGY 1.12 1.14 AGRINURTURE 1.25 1.26 AXELUM 2.3 2.32 CENTURY FOOD 32.4 32.6 DEL MONTE 6.92 7.15 DNL INDUS 6.36 6.37 EMPERADOR 20.75 20.8 SMC FOODANDBEV 49.2 49.5 FIGARO COFFEE 0.62 0.63 FRUITAS HLDG 1.01 1.03 GINEBRA 156.4 157.6 JOLLIBEE 235.8 236.2 KEEPERS HLDG 1.44 1.45 MACAY HLDG 6 6.43 MAXS GROUP 3.11 3.18 MG HLDG 0.096 0.098 MONDE NISSIN 8.04 8.06 SHAKEYS PIZZA 9.31 9.48 ROXAS AND CO 0.465 0.48 RFM CORP 2.95 2.99 UNIV ROBINA 112.1 112.8 VITARICH 0.49 0.5 VICTORIAS 3.26 3.32 CEMEX HLDG 0.75 0.78 EC VULCAN CORP 0.69 0.73 EEI CORP 5.7 5.75 MEGAWIDE 3.05 3.06 CROWN ASIA 1.52 1.57 LMG CORP 3.34 3.51 MABUHAY VINYL 5.7 5.8 PRYCE CORP 5.19 5.25 GREENERGY 0.249 0.25 IONICS 1.02 1.03 PANASONIC 4.8 4.95 SFA SEMICON 1.96 2.03 CIRTEK HLDG 1.6 1.62

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER

0.84 640 48.1 9.78 11.04 0.41 0.38 4.46 9.26 5.15 555.5 3.24 37.75 8.76 0.113 1.16 2.75 3 0.9 825 109.4 93.35

0.85 643 48.8 9.79 11.3 0.48 0.385 4.49 9.31 5.21 557 3.54 37.8 8.79 0.127 1.39 2.81 3.9 0.94 826 111 99

4.65 0.58 0.76 38 1.25 0.181 16.8 61.5 374 18.1 3.42 4.57 6.99 6.28 11.5 7.45 1.15 1.3 2.32 33 7.38 6.4 20.85 49.2 0.63 1.02 158 240 1.45 6.44 3.18 0.098 8.2 9.49 0.485 2.99 113.4 0.5 3.26 0.78 0.74 5.78 3.08 1.57 3.34 5.8 5.25 0.26 1.05 4.95 2.05 1.62

4.55 0.55 0.73 37.3 1.12 0.176 16.66 60.1 369.8 18 3.36 4.57 6.5 6.08 11.4 7.4 1.1 1.26 2.25 32 6.88 6.2 20.7 48 0.61 1 156.1 234.2 1.44 6.44 3.1 0.098 8.02 9.3 0.465 2.98 111.7 0.49 3.26 0.74 0.68 5.67 3.04 1.57 3.34 5.8 5.19 0.249 1.02 4.94 2.02 1.59

4.6 0.58 0.75 37.9 1.25 0.181 16.68 61.4 372.6 18 3.42 4.57 6.99 6.15 11.4 7.42 1.14 1.26 2.32 32.6 7.14 6.37 20.8 49.2 0.62 1.02 157.6 235.8 1.45 6.44 3.1 0.098 8.04 9.4 0.48 2.99 112.8 0.5 3.26 0.75 0.73 5.75 3.06 1.57 3.34 5.8 5.25 0.25 1.03 4.95 2.03 1.62

10,775,000 31,000 186,000 1,940,500 326,000 560,000 71,700 890 141,100 879,100 1,435,000 689,000 64,100 259,700 12,600 53,200 25,363,000 7,520,000 449,000 2,227,200 67,400 1,133,500 1,362,600 88,400 3,688,000 171,000 19,180 243,970 983,000 200 137,000 130,000 4,537,100 57,000 120,000 11,000 573,490 190,000 1,000 60,000 180,000 143,400 83,000 6,000 1,000 300 21,400 21,960,000 903,000 2,000 292,000 133,000

49,596,910 17,380 138,960 73,110,640 381,700 99,090 1,199,558 54,256 52,483,574 15,893,788 4,898,520 3,148,730 428,603 1,595,464 144,502 394,558 28,507,200 9,627,350 1,030,320 72,602,805 472,196 7,139,312 28,338,985 4,291,925 2,274,700 172,690 3,025,749 57,573,846 1,420,650 1,288 426,940 12,740 36,616,608 535,635 57,350 32,840 64,495,106 94,600 3,260 45,060 128,760 823,437 254,120 9,420 3,340 1,740 111,278 5,583,200 937,340 9,890 592,990 212,940

-24,661,370 5,800 17,990 -21,904,850.00 -352,752 16,696,962 1,438,782 -278,440 -10,485 153,243 -37,910 -39,296 17,283,310 1,269,790 4,400.00 9,060,335.00 -170,244 2,118,707 -27,172,130 -2,583,170 3,100 -87,940 175,108 -28,782,448 254,450 -423,800 0 -9,511,195.00 8,475 -17,940 -49,667,018 9,520 11,520 3,080 2,500 13,780 1,620

0.87 659.5 48.6 9.8 11.04 0.49 0.38 4.58 9.32 5.2 551 3.24 39 8.8 0.113 1.16 2.74 3 0.94 829.5 110 93.05

0.89 661 48.6 9.81 11.04 0.49 0.38 4.58 9.32 5.2 560 3.24 39 8.82 0.113 1.16 2.8 3 0.94 830.5 111 99

0.83 638.5 48.1 9.7 11.04 0.49 0.38 4.45 9.25 5.2 550 3.24 37.8 8.76 0.112 1.16 2.74 3 0.94 823.5 108 93.05

0.84 640 48.1 9.78 11.04 0.49 0.38 4.46 9.31 5.2 557 3.24 37.8 8.79 0.112 1.16 2.78 3 0.94 826 111 99

3,579,000 228,340 251,200 3,753,600 1,800 20,000 180,000 282,000 2,979,400 38,500 177,400 45,000 2,011,200 1,408,700 50,000 4,000 49,000 4,000 5,000 452,380 195,000 50

3,034,070 147,606,935 12,093,415 36,687,698 19,872 9,800 68,400 1,261,240 27,702,913 200,200 98,292,330 145,800 76,707,160 12,381,935 5,630 4,640 136,160 12,000 4,700 374,006,765 21,563,352 4,712

81,480 -33,850,020 -9,201,690 -24,330,680 -1,005,110 -2,055,648 -14,787,775 -37,821,515 5,280,934 4,700 -9,525,650 -267,815 -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.44 0.47 0.44 0.47 0.44 0.47 40,000 18,200 AYALA LAND 31.4 31.5 31.4 31.8 31.05 31.4 12,549,100 395,218,455 AYALA LAND LOG 1.6 1.62 1.6 1.62 1.58 1.62 71,000 113,440 ALTUS PROP 8.94 9.19 8.95 8.95 8.95 8.95 10,000 89,500 ARANETA PROP 1.04 1.06 1.05 1.1 1.03 1.04 2,463,000 2,596,590 AREIT RT 30.6 30.65 31.35 31.6 30.65 30.65 1,287,100 40,019,995 A BROWN 0.65 0.67 0.65 0.67 0.65 0.67 104,000 68,000 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.5 2.52 2.51 2.52 2.5 2.52 170,000 426,340 CENTURY PROP 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.295 0.3 1,440,000 427,250 CITICORE RT 2.54 2.55 2.55 2.55 2.53 2.55 878,000 2,227,550 DOUBLEDRAGON 7.95 8.07 8 8.15 7.82 8.07 161,400 1,285,906 DDMP RT 1.19 1.2 1.19 1.21 1.19 1.19 508,000 607,790 DM WENCESLAO 6.25 6.3 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.25 3,200 20,000 EMPIRE EAST 0.126 0.131 0.128 0.132 0.126 0.126 1,540,000 199,450 EVER GOTESCO 0.28 0.295 0.295 0.295 0.295 0.295 150,000 44,250 FILINVEST RT 2.78 2.79 2.78 2.79 2.75 2.78 946,000 2,626,900 FILINVEST LAND 0.56 0.57 0.56 0.57 0.54 0.56 764,000 428,940 8990 HLDG 8.35 9.02 9.02 9.02 9.02 9.02 5,000 45,100 PHIL INFRADEV 0.53 0.55 0.56 0.56 0.54 0.56 540,000 299,260 KEPPEL PROP 4.84 6.86 4.84 6.88 4.84 6.88 600 3,325 CITY AND LAND 0.75 0.76 0.78 0.78 0.76 0.76 38,000 29,170 MEGAWORLD 1.98 1.99 1.99 2 1.97 1.99 6,173,000 12,246,640 MRC ALLIED 1.37 1.39 1.4 1.4 1.37 1.39 37,000 51,090 MREIT RT 12 12.1 12.26 12.36 11.98 12 668,600 8,042,978 PHIL ESTATES 0.325 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 90,000 30,600 PREMIERE RT 1.51 1.54 1.54 1.54 1.54 1.54 1,000 1,540 RL COMM RT 4.79 4.8 4.78 4.8 4.72 4.79 448,000 2,132,080 ROBINSONS LAND 15.06 15.08 15 15.08 14.92 15.06 4,650,800 69,933,950 ROCKWELL 1.35 1.38 1.39 1.39 1.38 1.38 4,000 5,550 SHANG PROP 3.65 3.69 3.7 3.7 3.65 3.65 60,000 221,500 STA LUCIA LAND 3.3 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 59,000 194,700 SM PRIME HLDG 32.65 32.8 33 33.2 32.5 32.65 4,585,500 150,226,950 SOC RESOURCES 0.38 0.415 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38 10,000 3,800 VISTAMALLS 2.24 2.44 2.45 2.45 2.24 2.44 6,000 13,850 SUNTRUST RESORT 0.8 0.84 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 20,000 16,000 VISTA LAND 1.61 1.66 1.61 1.67 1.61 1.61 340,000 550,410 VISTAREIT RT 1.68 1.69 1.68 1.7 1.67 1.69 828,000 1,391,190 SERVICES ABS CBN 3.6 3.75 3.6 3.75 3.6 3.75 167,000 613,750 GMA NETWORK 8.24 8.25 8.24 8.3 8.23 8.25 112,600 928,453 GLOBE TELECOM 1,719 1,729 1,728 1,730 1,716 1,729 5,995 10,330,050 PLDT 1,252 1,253 1,270 1,270 1,242 1,252 38,925 48,718,895 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.014 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.014 0.015 28,100,000 398,600 CONVERGE 7.99 8 8.25 8.25 7.96 8 6,978,100 56,016,931 DFNN INC 3.05 3.1 3.05 3.25 3.05 3.06 177,000 558,620 DITO CME HLDG 2.36 2.37 2.4 2.41 2.34 2.36 2,028,000 4,786,920 NOW CORP 1.1 1.11 1.11 1.11 1.06 1.11 157,000 171,300 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.133 0.145 0.133 0.145 0.132 0.133 2,230,000 309,560 ASIAN TERMINALS 15.4 15.72 15.12 15.4 15.12 15.4 6,500 99,536 CHELSEA 1.42 1.43 1.45 1.46 1.43 1.43 152,000 220,510 CEBU AIR 31.65 31.7 32.1 32.1 31.65 31.65 128,900 4,092,385 INTL CONTAINER 228.2 229 233.8 234 228 229 1,282,850 294,923,666 LBC EXPRESS 17.12 18.48 17.06 17.06 17.06 17.06 3,100 52,886 MACROASIA 4.05 4.07 4.01 4.1 4.01 4.05 200,000 812,860 METROALLIANCE A 0.5 0.55 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 5,000 2,500 PAL HLDG 5.2 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.2 5.2 2,600 14,020 HARBOR STAR 0.8 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84 1,000 840 WATERFRONT 0.375 0.4 0.375 0.4 0.375 0.4 280,000 105,750 IPEOPLE 6.67 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.3 4,300 31,390 STI HLDG 0.465 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.465 0.465 660,000 307,150 BELLE CORP 1.17 1.18 1.18 1.18 1.18 1.18 51,000 60,180 BLOOMBERRY 9.6 9.65 9.64 9.78 9.54 9.6 6,216,100 59,806,873 PACIFIC ONLINE 3.1 3.14 3.11 3.14 3.1 3.14 20,000 62,160 PH RESORTS GRP 1.1 1.11 1.08 1.13 1.06 1.1 10,641,000 11,733,970 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.57 0.59 0.59 0.6 0.57 0.57 10,669,000 6,242,750 DIGIPLUS 6.6 6.61 6.5 6.7 6.49 6.61 396,400 2,634,309 PHILWEB 1.72 1.83 1.83 1.83 1.83 1.83 1,000 1,830 ALLDAY 0.159 0.16 0.16 0.162 0.159 0.159 1,680,000 270,050 ALLHOME 1.07 1.08 1.08 1.09 1.04 1.08 3,493,000 3,745,190 METRO RETAIL 1.17 1.24 1.22 1.23 1.17 1.17 257,000 306,940 PUREGOLD 27.1 27.25 27.4 27.4 27.05 27.25 258,900 7,038,625 ROBINSONS RTL 39.95 40.4 40.15 41.45 39.55 39.95 530,900 21,220,310 PHIL SEVEN CORP 74 79.9 71.15 76.5 71.15 76.5 29,940 2,275,815 SSI GROUP 2.51 2.56 2.63 2.63 2.4 2.56 3,004,000 7,549,230 UPSON INTL CORP 1.59 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 83,000 132,900 WILCON DEPOT 20.2 20.5 20.1 20.5 20.1 20.5 522,400 10,630,530 APC GROUP 0.222 0.228 0.228 0.228 0.228 0.228 10,000 2,280 MEDILINES 0.325 0.33 0.325 0.33 0.325 0.325 460,000 150,200 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.166 0.17 0.163 0.168 0.163 0.166 490,000 81,760 MINING & OIL APEX MINING 2.9 2.92 2.88 2.93 2.87 2.9 2,071,000 6,023,600 ATLAS MINING 3.35 3.5 3.49 3.5 3.45 3.5 14,000 48,800 BENGUET A 4.95 4.98 5 5 4.86 4.98 100,000 498,870 BENGUET B 4.95 5.09 4.88 5.09 4.88 5.05 24,000 120,800 FERRONICKEL 2.25 2.31 2.3 2.31 2.25 2.31 375,000 856,790 LEPANTO A 0.083 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.082 0.09 2,830,000 250,350 LEPANTO B 0.083 0.084 0.083 0.083 0.082 0.083 2,020,000 167,650 MANILA MINING A 0.005 0.0054 0.0055 0.0055 0.005 0.005 6,000,000 31,000 MARCVENTURES 1 1.03 1 1.02 0.98 1.02 600,000 602,060 NICKEL ASIA 5.03 5.1 5.13 5.13 5.02 5.1 1,358,200 6,869,635 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.65 0.68 0.63 0.68 0.63 0.68 15,000 9,780 PX MINING 3.03 3.05 3.04 3.1 3.02 3.05 4,415,000 13,421,520 SEMIRARA MINING 28.55 28.7 29.25 29.25 28.25 28.7 1,977,600 56,589,985 ENEX ENERGY 4.44 4.59 4.39 4.42 4.39 4.42 14,000 61,630 PHILODRILL 0.0079 0.0083 0.0079 0.0079 0.0079 0.0079 3,000,000 23,700 PXP ENERGY 3.36 3.38 3.4 3.4 3.36 3.36 27,000 91,030 PREFFERED ACEN PREF A 1,020 1,025 1,025 1,025 1,025 1,025 200 205,000 ACEN PREF B 1,060 1,070 1,070 1,070 1,070 1,070 40 42,800 AC PREF AR 2,470 2,502 2,486 2,486 2,486 2,486 1,555 3,865,730 AC PREF B2R 488 500 490 490 487 487 9,010 4,403,550 BRN PREF A 97 98 98 98 98 98 200 19,600 CEB PREF 31.2 32 31.2 31.2 31.2 31.2 3,001,100 93,634,320 DD PREF 91.55 92 92 92 91.55 91.55 440 40,390 EEI PREF B 95.05 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 140 13,538 GTCAP PREF B 936 985 944.5 944.5 936 936 2,110 1,988,635 JFC PREF A 959.5 970 959.5 960 959.5 960 250 239,975 PNX PREF 3B 22.9 26.95 26.95 26.95 26.95 26.95 100 2,695 PNX PREF 4 200.2 249.6 249.8 249.8 249.8 249.8 10 2,498 PCOR PREF 3A 970.5 985 971 972 970.5 970.5 6,200 6,021,995 PCOR PREF 3B 960 970 980 980 970 970 2,590 2,526,100 SMC PREF 2J 66.55 67.95 67.95 67.95 67.95 67.95 10 679.5 SMC PREF 2K 66 68.85 66.15 68.9 66 68.9 17,000 1,168,440 SMC PREF 2L 78 78.8 76.8 79 76.8 78.8 24,550 1,923,940 SMC PREF 2N 77 78.8 77.95 78.8 77.95 78.8 12,570 986,312 ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

WARRANTS

TECH WARRANT

-14,340 -69,046,734 -63,485,102 -781,550 -137,657 1,462,420 2,148 -549,824.50 -5,078,077 8,550 51,600 499,500

4.56 0.55 0.76 37.5 1.2 0.18 16.7 61.5 374 18.1 3.42 4.57 6.75 6.09 11.5 7.45 1.12 1.26 2.3 32.5 7.38 6.21 20.8 49 0.62 1.01 156.5 240 1.44 6.44 3.17 0.098 8.2 9.49 0.465 2.99 112.4 0.49 3.26 0.74 0.69 5.78 3.08 1.57 3.34 5.8 5.19 0.25 1.05 4.94 2.03 1.61

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a 42.0387-4.21% n.a n.a n.a

www.businessmirror.com.ph

83,323,590 4,770 50,810 1,570,985 35,140.00 -114,000 607,440.00 12,619 -66,860 1,333,370 85,660 2,816,480 -1,224,118 -1,336,250 20,449,892 -159,150 -13,200 -34,930,285 -327,290 1,680 -1,792,120 -18,088,950 -14,530,334 -24,720 -97,150 35,450 26,180 -1,486,045 50,866,978 -48,840 60,550 10,210,868 -402,160 -2,675,030 30,252 -1,212,140 11,700 -2,703,485 -17,747,815 349,500 -2,160,190 -1,700 -4,588,835 -237,820 -21,000 68,520 -3,597,029.00 -152,500 -24,015,465 10 -93,600,000 -3,884,315 -1,105,800 -

3.29 3.77 3.6 3.8 3.6 3.8 5,000 7.61 8.45 7.59 7.61 7.59 7.6 400

18,200 3,040

-2,281

0.275

5,500

0.345

0.275

20,000

SMALL, MEDIUM & EMERGING

0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 114,000 85,500 0.98 1.02 0.98 1.02 703,000 712,360 0.68 0.68 0.64 0.66 218,000 141,680 1.52 1.52 1.52 1.52 5,000 7,600 1.02 1.03 1.02 1.02 595,000 607,180 0.189 0.21 0.189 0.189 1,200,000 249,860

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

99.4 99.4 98.8 98.9 3,280 325,219 79,312

CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART XURPAS

FIRST METRO ETF

0.74 0.98 0.64 1.52 1.02 0.189 98.8

0.75 1.02 0.66 1.79 1.03 0.21 98.9

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Banking&Finance

Deal to open investment portfolio to OFWs in UAE By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

VERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) will now be able to invest their hard-earned end-of-service benefits in the United Arab Emirates, according to the Department of Migrants Workers (DMW). Under the new savings system, OFWs will be given the option to invest in established UAE portfolios. UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) Minister Abdulrahman A. Al Awar informed DMW Officer-in-charge Hans J. Cacdac of the said initiative during their meeting on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai last week. Both officials also talked about the new UAE policy on unemployment insurance, according to the DMW.

Through a joint statement on the meeting, Al Awar and Cacdac said their discussions have been productive and will strengthen the bilateral relations of the Philippines and the UAE. “Over the years, the [UAE] and the Republic of the Philippines have maintained strong diplomatic and bilateral labor relations, particularly in the management of contractual labor mobility and the protection of Filipino workers in the UAE,” the two officials said through the joint statement. They agreed to hold a Joint Committee Meeting to explore new partnerships. Al Awar also invited Cacdac to participate in the Abu Dhabi Dialogue in February next year. Based on the 2022 data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, most of the 1.96 million OFWs are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (23 percent) and UAE (13.7 percent).

Founder’s syndrome

AVE you ever encountered some semblance of the “founder’s syndrome” in your work as an association executive? Actually, you won’t be able to sense it manifesting itself until you’re in specific situations in making operational decisions. The term “founder’s syndrome” refers to a set of challenges and issues that can arise within an organization such as an association, when the founder or founders maintain excessive control and influence over the organization. This can be evident in several ways: 1. Resistance to change. Founders may be resistant to change and new ideas that challenge the status quo, making it difficult for the organization to adapt to evolving circumstances. 2. Resistance to delegation. Founders may struggle to delegate responsibilities, making them the focal point of decision making and execution. While their passion and vision are essential, an overreliance on them can stifle growth and innovation. 3. Micromanagement. Founders often exhibit a tendency to micromanage day-to-day operations, causing frustration among staff members and hindering the development of future leaders. 4. Lack of succession planning. Founders may not have a clear plan for their own succession, which can create uncertainty when they eventually step down or retire. 5. Emotional investment. Founders may have a strong emotional connection to the organization they started, making it difficult for them to let go or accept different leadership styles. 6. Limited accountability. A founder’s dominant role can sometimes lead to a lack of accountability, transparency, and a reluctance to address issues which can lead to mismanagement and financial issues. Being in this situation is not a death sentence. It is a challenge that can be addressed with thoughtful strategies to ensure long-term success such as: 1. Governance structures. Implementing a robust governance structure, including a board of directors or an advisory board, can provide a system of checks and balances. A diverse leadership team

Association World Octavio Peralta can offer different perspectives and help guide the association towards its goals. 2. Succession planning. Associations should prioritize developing a clear and comprehensive succession plan. This should include identifying potential successors, providing them with opportunities for leadership development, and gradually transferring responsibilities over time. 3. Delegation. Encouraging founders to delegate responsibilities to staff members and volunteers is crucial. This not only empowers others, but also allows the organization to benefit from a broader range of skills and expertise. 4. Mentoring and coaching. Founders can benefit from coaching and mentoring to help them adapt to changing roles and responsibilities. They can learn to trust the abilities of others and embrace new leadership styles. 5. Communication and transparency. Promoting an open and transparent communication within the organization is key to addressing issues related to this syndrome. An open dialogue allows staff members to voice their concerns and provides a platform for problem solving. It’s important to recognize that not all founders experience the founder’s syndrome, and many successfully adapt to changing roles within their organizations. However, when founder’s syndrome does occur, it can be detrimental to the organization’s growth and sustainability. As associations evolve, so, too, must their leadership models, ensuring a healthy and sustainable future. Octavio Peralta is currently the executive director of the Global Compact Network Philippines and founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the “association of associations.” The PCAAE will hold its 11th Associations Summit at the PICC on December 20, 2023. E-mail: bobby@pcaae.org.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, December 8, 2023

Exit from FATF gray list hard after Marawi bombing–BSP

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE recent deadly bombing in Marawi could make it difficult for the Philippines to exit the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) gray list, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. told reporters that the bombing in Marawi, which killed four people and wounded 50 others, could make FATF “more demanding,” given that the incident could indicate the presence of terrorism financing. The FATF flagged the country for supposed inadequacies in the effectiveness of the targeted financial sanctions framework (TFS) for both terrorism financing and proliferation financing. “Ang problema ’yung [the problem is the] Marawi bombing. So it makes them [FATF] more demanding. Kasi

kasama doon sa mga binibira nila yung terrorist financing. The bombing implies there was some terrorist financing,” Remolona said. “But the other side of the story is, the bombing was in retaliation of our being more strict on terrorist financing. So pwede natin sabihin na [we can say] that shows that we’re trying harder. Hindi natin alam kung maniwala sila. Pero pwede ’yung argument,” he added. [We don’t know if the FATF could see it that way but it can be argued as so.] The central bank governor said the whole government is trying to

DTI to begin anti-dumping probe on Thailand imports By Andrea San Juan

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced it would begin an anti-dumping investigation on gypsum board imported from Thailand after having found a basis for doing so. The DTI said the domestic industry suffered injury due to dumped imports and continued price undercutting of domestic prices. The “Notice of Initiation of an Investigation on the Application for an Anti-Dumping Duty on Gypsum Board from Thailand” alleges that the building material are being imported at “dumped” prices. Acting under Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 8752 (Philippine AntiDumping Act of 1999), the DTI said it reviewed evidence cited in the petition by Knauf Gypsum Philippines Inc. Upon the review, the Trade department said it found “sufficient evidence” to justify the initiation of an investigation. The period of investigation (POI) for dumping is from January 2022 to May 2023 while the POI for injury is from 2019 to 2022, the DTI said. According to the report of the DTI on the anti-dumping case of gypsum board industry, the alleged dumped imports from Thailand reached 58.43 percent or 30,422 metric tons of the 52,066 MT total Philippine imports in 2022. The allegedly dumped imports from Thailand increased to 66.15 percent of the total Philippine imports in the January to May 2023 period. The anti-dumping case noted that imports from Thailand relative to production increased in 2020 but began to decline in 2021 and during the three quarters of 2022. After acquiring in April 2021 the import requirement of Boral Plasterboard Philippines Inc., the Knauf

Group locally produced gypsum boards beginning the fourth quarter of that year. The market share of domestic products increased during the POI from 29 percent in 2019 to 40 percent in 2021 and further to 63 percent in 2022. “While sales volume and value almost doubled in the three quarters of 2022 compared to 2021 level, 63 percent of the demand was supplied by the domestic industry while 24 percent was captured by dumped imports from Thailand,” read the DTI’s report. The report noted that the domestic industry suffered “material injury” in terms of declining domestic sales, production, utilization rate and increased inventory in 2021. “Based on the aforementioned, there is a prima facie evidence that the domestic industry suffered material injury before the acquisition efforts as evidenced by the low market share of the domestic industry ranging from 23 percent to 40 percent, operating losses and price suppression from 2019 to 2021, and price undercutting in 2021,” the report said. Further, it noted that the industry continued to suffer material injury due to the dumped imports even after the improvement of the operations which resulted from the acquisition as evidenced by the substantial market share captured by dumped imports from Thailand at 24 percent in the three quarters of 2022, and the continued price undercutting of the domestic prices which in effect, inhibits the industry from raising its current prices to be more viable in its operation. “In light of the foregoing, the Department finds basis to initiate a preliminary anti-dumping investigation on gypsum board imported from Thailand,” the report read.

help address the situation. Remolona cited the contributions of the Department of Justice, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the Bureau of Customs and local and national law enforcement bodies. “All hands on deck: ginagawa natin ang lahat para maayos ’yung ano. Alam namin yung areas na may problema. So we’re doing everything we can to show that we’re making progress in all those areas,” said the BSP chief. Remolona said while there is always a chance that the country’s performance may worsen to merit being placed in the black list like North Korea, this was “very unlikely.” The BSP chief said a team from the FATF will be arriving in the country in February to assess the country’s progress. Only after the evaluation is done can the country know whether its recent efforts were sufficient to delist from the gray list. Landing on the FATF grey list does not automatically result in sanctions kicking in, but could cause prolonged procedures in some financial transactions, which could affect not only Filipinos travelling abroad but also

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and migrants. This is something Philippine authorities are keen to avoid in order not to inconvenience, particularly the millions of migrant workers whose remittances shore up the economy. The BSP earlier said the main challenge in exiting from the gray list is enforcement since the country has already passed the necessary legislation, except for the amendment of the Bank Secrecy Law. Former BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla said there are a few Filipinos being prosecuted and convicted in terms of terrorism financing and proliferation financing. Medala’s previous meeting with the Department of Justice showed that if the country was “more diligent” in using a system to record these prosecutions and convictions, the numbers could be higher. The BSP said one country, Pakistan, was only able to exit the gray list after hiring 3,000 more workers to follow up all the investigations and file cases on terrorist financing.

GOCC urges lenders to issue credit reports to borrowers By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

HE Credit Information Corp. urges financial institutions covered under the Republic Act (RA) 9510, or the Credit Information System (CIS) Act of 2008, to participate in its direct-to-consumer (D2C) through the accessing entity (AE) program to protect borrowers from identity theft and fraud. By doing so, the CIC said, would allow further access to finance by microsized, small-scale and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The D2C program enables AEs— financial institutions authorized by the CIC to access borrowers’ credit information from its database—to issue CIC Credit Reports to requesting individuals, according to the government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC). “Getting your Credit Report serves as your credit health check,” CIC president and CEO Ben Joshua A. Baltazar was quoted in a statement as saying. “This allows borrowers to assess their overall credit profile and check if there is identity theft or fraud affecting their accounts. This is especially important now, that opportunistic scammers and bad actors take advantage of the shift to digital payments and online transactions.” Baltazar emphasized that while accessing the CIC credit database is not mandated by law, the participation of financial institutions in mainstreaming the use of CIC Credit Reports is crucial. He added that leveraging credit information by both lenders and borrowers redound to the stability and sustainability of the Philippine financial ecosystem. With the issuance of CIC Credit Reports via the D2C through the AE program, AEs, by default, are authorized to issue CIC Credit Reports to requesting data subjects in compli-

ance with CIC Circular 2023-03 and other relevant rules promulgated by the GOCC. While the CIC Credit Report costs only P30 per inquiry at retail, AEs may adjust their service fee to defray associated administrative costs. According to Baltazar, AEs may use the D2C program “to reconnect and build rapport with their clients, to promote products and services that better fit client needs.” “Habituation of the use of the CIC Credit Report, especially to new-to-credit individuals and microentrepreneurs, inculcates them to responsible financial management and nurtures them as they start building their credit history,” he added. “This helps all Filipinos to achieve their personal financial and business aspirations.” Baltazar underscored how borrowers can use CIC Credit Reports as reputational collateral. This is particularly beneficial to small businesses and startups with no physical collateral, to facilitate access to larger loan amounts and more affordable interest rates—solely through showing they are creditworthy, he said. “As the country’s public credit registry, the CIC continues to promote financial inclusion of borrowers and MSMEs through access to much-needed credit and financial services,” Baltazar said. “We do this by encouraging data-driven creditdecisioning and risk-based lending in the credit ecosystem, and pushing for greater financial literacy among Filipino borrowers.” Becoming an AE of the CIC, all registered submitting entities of the CIC may register as an AE provided that they maintain their regular and timely credit data submission under CISA and other guidelines established by the corporation, read the statement the GOCC issued on December 7.

Vivant subsidiary secures P3.5B debt financing from BDO for power projects By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

IVANT Corp. (PSE: VVT) announced last Thursday its wholly-owned subsidiary has secured a debt financing of up to P3.5 billion to finance its power projects. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, VVT said Vivant En-

ergy Corp. (Vivant Energy) signed a 5-year term loan facility agreement with BDO Unibank Inc. to partially finance Vivant Energy’s investments in power generation projects. The publicly-listed firm has set aside P21 billion to further grow its renewable energy (RE) portfolio to 30 percent by 2030. This goal is

aligned with the environment, social and governance (ESG) framework, VVT said. “As we look back at the challenges and achievements that propelled us to continue to improve everyday living for the past 20 years, we put environmental, social and governance (ESG) at the forefront of our

strategy to achieve long-term sustainable profits,” VVT CEO Arlo A.G. Sarmiento earlier said. To meet its RE target, VVT recently acquired San Ildefonso Alternative Energy Corp., which will develop a 22-megawatt peak (MWp) solar power plant in Bulacan. Another fully-owned subsidiary,

COREnergy Inc., contributes to the RE target by growing its rooftop solar business from two megawatt (MW) to six MW in 2022. COREnergy, a retail company that offers total energy solutions to commercial and industrial establishments, aims to add 18 MW of solar rooftop generation capacity by the end of the year.

“Vivant Energy is committed to play a meaningful role in energy transformation and to accelerate growth and improvement of power services in the country,” Garcia said, adding that the company is looking at wind and solar technology to contribute to surpassing its RE target.

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Friday, December 8, 2023 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

BusinessMirror

A road trip before the holidays THE “Joys of the Sea” Christmas tree, created by the Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club staff, is made of upcycled materials, in keeping with the sustainability and environmental ethos of Hamilo Coast. PHOTO COURTESY SMHCC

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ian Somerhalder, 45; Dominic Monaghan, 47; Teri Hatcher, 59; James Galway, 84. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Use your resources to get ahead and your energy to finish what you start. Your enthusiasm will create a stir and encourage those with something to offer to join your team. Be cautious regarding home, finances and investments. Look for alternative means to launch what you want to pursue. A passionate but intelligent approach to life will drum up interest and positive input. Your numbers are 5, 16, 24, 30, 34, 41, 45.

HAVEN’T been on a road trip in the longest time—unless you consider as one my going to retail outlet stores in the south with the family last year—so it was nice to travel to a leisure destination again. On the last Saturday of November, a van took me to on a surprisingly short three-hour trip from Quezon City to Pico Sands Hotel at Hamilo Coast. I say “short” because normally, travel time from my neck of the woods in the north, to hotels or dining outlets in Manila, Pasay or Parañaque can take two hours at the most, especially during peak hours. So another hour to travel to a place surrounded by lush greenery to breathe in clean, fresh air was a very welcome diversion. I suppose I didn’t mind the travel time also because once you’re on Cavitex then through the Antero Soriano Highway, the municipality of Maragondon provides pleasant scenes of green rice fields and small orchards with bananas and other fruit-bearing trees. Before reaching Maragondon though, there are large stretches of idle land by the highway in Naic. It was mostly talahib, although I espied one solitary cow grazing on the grassland. It’s quite unsettling to see these huge tracts of land, unplanted, when we, as a country can’t feed ourselves because food production is unable cope with the growing demands of our 100 million-plus mouths. After the Naic Memorial Park, there are even more tracts of land marked “for sale.” Perhaps the provincial government can lease these idle lands and turn them into farms, orchards, or agri-businesses. The properties’ proximity to Metro Manila make them ideal for growing vital crops and other produce, so we can feed more people. Maybe the local government can entice entrepreneurial young farmers and business folks to lease those lands to make them productive, instead of waiting for someone else to turn them into yet another mall or subdivision. Retail outlets and homes are good, but what happens when there’s no food on the table? Anyway, past Maragondon, as we drove along the Nasugbu-Ternate Highway, I had flashes of my life in the 1980s-1990s as we passed the entryways to

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make better decisions. Don’t let your ego or emotions cause a conflict between doing what’s right or doing what’s wrong. Do what you can to make a difference, and you’ll positively impact others. Choose your words wisely, and be willing to compromise. ★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take advantage of an opportunity to try something new. Let your ambition lead the way, and success will follow. A change of plans will help you see possibilities. Listen and respond; decisive behavior will get you where you want to go. Romance is favored. ★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Execute your plans with precision. The most effective way to influence others is with a passionate response and a stellar pursuit. Truth is the best way forward if you want to succeed. Distance yourself from those with bad intentions, and you’ll find peace of mind. ★★★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Hone your skills, stretch your mind and fine-tune your body. A healthy attitude will help you overcome any adversity you face. Refuse to let emotional matters cost you financially or physically. Take the initiative, do your research and turn your dream into a reality. ★★

Puerto Azul and Caylabne Bay resorts located along the Ternate beach coves. These resorts were quite popular during the post-disco era and resurfaced fun memories of me and my friends. Further along, the road leads to the surprisingly still verdant slopes of Mount Palay-Palay mountain range, which straddles Cavite and Batangas. The area was designated a national park and a protected area in 2007, which probably accounts for why it is still covered in green, thank goodness. Part of the mountain range is Mount Pico de Loro, so called because it’s supposedly shaped like a parrot’s head. From the road, this isn’t so apparent but I was told, if one goes out to sea from Hamilo Coast, the parrot’s head is quite visible. After the Kaybiang Tunnel, which has become a tourist attraction of sorts, Cavite beaches start appearing on the horizon. Technically these beaches

are still part of Manila Bay, but with a sandy shoreline, they become magnets for the masses seeking to dip in the area’s apparently clean waters. From the road, there are parking areas and steps going to the beach resorts along the bay. Finally arriving at Pico Sands Hotel at the Pico de Loro Cove, I eagerly checked into my assigned room on the sixth floor, which had an amazing view of a hillside with homes, and down below, I could partly see through the trees the swimming pool near the country club. In the guest room itself, I immediately noticed a glass pitcher which I could fill with water from a nearby dispenser, while in the bathroom was a note encouraging the reuse of towels so the hostel could help conserve water.

SEE “HOLIDAYS,” B5

Positive reinforcement as a parenting style, done well BANANA Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Nestlé Temptations Extra Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream

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GENTLE parenting, attachment parenting, authoritarian parenting, and even helicopter parenting—so many approaches and styles relating to how we should raise our children have been increasingly gaining traction. While each one does contribute something to the table, parents can also be left confused about which one is best for their kids. But the question is: Is there really one parenting style that comes on top of all these? The answer is a definite no. Parenting is a lifelong responsibility—not a task with strict boxes that you need to check off. Instead of focusing on “what type of parent” you are, the smarter question to ask is: “What are the values I want to teach my kids?’ More importantly: “How do I teach them the said values while enriching my relationship with them?” One good example of an approach that can fulfill these needs is the use of positive reinforcement. According to www.positivepsychology.com, this approach is defined by its focus on rewarding good behavior. Positive reinforcement has always been considered a classic and effective way of parenting because not only does it amplify what’s already good in our children, but it also highlights our good sides as

caretakers. As with any type of responsibility, the latter is especially important as some parents can tend to forget their own needs by focusing too much on their children. Despite its perks, positive reinforcement can have its limitations if not applied well. For example, how do you use it for events when your child does something that needs correcting? Our advice: put a special twist on your use of

positive reinforcement by highlighting the good parts of a situation first before directing your kid’s direction to what they could have done better. By being open about the good points of the situation, you reward your child for behavior that you want them to continue doing without exactly sweeping under the rug the part that they need to improve on. You can do this by sharing a bonding moment with your children that’s fit for the holiday season. Start a new tradition by making them help create their favorite snacks. Some examples of easy and tasty recipes to try are the Strawberries Cream Shake and Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream cold treats using Nestlé Temptations. To prepare the Strawberries Cream Shake, simply blend a cup of Nestlé Strawberry Yogurt with a few scoops of Nestlé Temptations Extra Creamy Strawberries and Cream Ice Cream. Garnish with real slices of strawberries if you have any in your fridge. For the Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream bowl, on the other hand, simply prepare banana slices and use them as toppings over a few scoops of Nestlé Temptations Extra Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream. Drizzle with peanut butter and chocolate kisses for that extra flair.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Participate in donating time and skills to help a cause that concerns you. Take on a challenge that encourages personal growth and expands your awareness and expertise. Show discipline regarding overindulgence and protect yourself from injury, illness or reputation damage. ★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep the peace. Get permission before you make changes that will affect other people. Pay more attention to self-improvement instead of trying to change others. Mental stimulation will open your mind to a host of alternatives. Learn something new and expand your interests. ★★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Explore your options. Find out where you stand and who is in your corner. A reunion or event that offers insight into something you want to do will give you the clarity you need to initiate your plans. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your persistence and precise plan will turn heads and encourage the support you need to reach your goal. An opportunity looks promising, but limiting some of the finer details to your inner circle until you are ready to launch is best. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Slow down and give yourself enough time to rule out anything that doesn’t sit right with you. Staying on top of situations and conversations and avoiding mistakes will save you time and money. ★★★★ CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your vision of financial matters will help you put your money where it will bring the highest returns. Home improvements and spiffing up your space for the festive season will lift your spirits. ★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Last-minute purchases will be costly and emotionally draining. Don’t let overindulgence be your downfall. Stick to the basics, focus on your responsibilities and consider where you are heading in the future. ★★★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Consider your qualifications, experience and where you see yourself heading, and you’ll find a path that will help you reach your objective. Put a budget in place and create opportunities to suit your needs. ★★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are benevolent, enticing and influential. You are trendy and extravagant.

‘you ain’t seen nothing yet!’ BY TARUN KRISHNAMURTHY The Universal Crossword • Edited by David Steinberg/Anna Gundlach/Jared Goudsmit

ACROSS 1 Environmentalist Thunberg 6 Org. for Tiger Woods 9 Pic-sharing app 14 Second airing, say 15 ___ and outs 16 Part of the eye 17 Undisclosed contributors at a blood bank 20 Brand of headphones 21 Follow as a result 22 Prefix with “natal” 23 Frozen drink whose name sounds like its first two letters 25 Candy ___ (Christmas decorations) 28 Small field in Silicon Valley? 33 Paper problem 34 Contented cat’s sound 35 Curie who researched radioactivity 36 There are two in a coordinate plane 38 Exams for HS juniors 41 Currency that anagrams to “rial” 42 Drink served with marshmallows 44 Word after “pop-up” or “set up” 46 Unspecified degree

47 “I will not put up with this anymore!” 51 Javelin, for one 52 Soccer great Mia 53 Educated guess: Abbr. 55 Like some diet food, in ads 57 Land of Lima and llamas 61 Emphatic grammatical constructions...or the words hidden in 17-, 28- or 47-Across? 65 Cajun stew 66 ___ de cologne 67 Wipe clean 68 Standing up straight 69 Nickname that drops “An” 70 Fender flaws DOWN 1 Snatch 2 Nevada slots city 3 Greek god of love 4 Catch an NPR show, say 5 One or more 6 Trailblazers 7 Wildebeests 8 In and of itself 9 Wall St. debut

10 Holy sister 11 Funding, as a TV program 12 Michelin product 13 In addition 18 Get-together 19 University administrator 24 Police officer 26 Devour, in slang 27 Airline to Jerusalem 28 President who said, “I am not a crook” 29 Popular Halloween outfit with faux fur 30 Unrefined 31 Waist measurement 32 “For sure!” 33 Indy 500, e.g. 37 Salad alternative 39 City for Dutch royalty 40 Beethoven’s “Moonlight ___” 43 What birthday candles signify 45 Fluffy toy dog, for short 48 Robust 49 Pressed, as clothes 50 Baseball official 53 Microsoft browser

54 Sweet’s counterpart 56 Common cause of goose bumps 58 Dear ___ Hansen 59 Many a squiggle on sheet music 60 Employs 62 Original Monty Python network 63 Realtor’s unit 64 Big name in talks

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Friday, December 8, 2023

‘At the Moment’: Alluring, annoying lies Taylor Swift is named ‘Time’ magazine’s person of the year NEW YORK—Is the year of Taylor Swift over now? Not yet. Time magazine named Swift its person of the year on Wednesday, a week after Spotify announced she was the most-played artist on the streaming platform. Swift was picked from a group of nine finalists that included Barbie, King Charles III, and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, among others. “While her popularity has grown across the decades, this is the year that Swift, 33, achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force,” Time said about her selection. Her year included the wildly popular Eras Tour and concert movie, the release of her reimagined 1989 album, and her closely watched relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She’s even the subject of college courses. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was Time’s 2022 person of the year. AP

Holidays... Continued from B4 Hamilo Coast strives to practice environmental and social sustainability in its operations, and has even partnered with World Wildlife Fund Philippines and SM Foundation in managing coastal resources, using alternative energy resources, ridge-to-reef management, managing solid waste, and hiring and training staff from the local community, among others. Even the 30-foot Christmas tree displayed at Pico Beach, was sustainable as it was decorated with colorful sea creatures made from upcycled materials. Handcrafted by a small team led by housekeeping supervisor and chief designer Florencio Garcia, they used old fishing nets, plastic bottles, and recycled cardboard, while the sea creatures were made of papier-mâché. There’s nothing like attending a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony to officially usher in the yuletide season. It was a joy to listen to the music group Qu4tro, who sang merry Christmas carols. Switching on the tree lights were Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club chairman Elizabeth T. Sy, Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club president Rita Dy, and SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) SVP for operations Walid Wafik. There was also a sale of the festive holiday products, handcrafted by the Housekeeping Team, with proceeds to be gifted to Bulihan Elementary School to purchase computers for the students. To celebrate the cheerful event, we had a grand fiesta of Spanish dishes at the clubhouse, where I met Costa del Hamilo Inc. president Shirley Ong. Hamilo Coast is a masterplanned community of Costa del Hamilo Inc., and has 13 coves in all, three of which are marine-protected. But Shirley told me that there are plans to develop the rest of the coves as well, although the details have yet to be finalized. The company is currently finishing the residences within Pico de Loro Cove, and so far, it seems the takeup has been brisk. While I wasn’t able to stay long enough to explore the property or enjoy its facilities, the brief stay at Pico Sands Hotel, where I had a fitful rest, helped energize me to welcome the new week. (Of course, no one told me that Bonifacio Day had been “moved” to a Monday, which meant I didn’t have to rush home on Sunday after all. Ayayay.) Pico Sands Hotel is operated by SMHCC, which, along with Costa del Hamilo, is like the tourism arm of the Sy family-led SM Prime Holdings Inc. They are so bullish about the country’s tourism industry and will be spending P15 billion to add 14 more properties until 2028 under its partnership with the Radisson Hotel Group. Staying at Pico Sands Hotel gives guests the chance to explore the entire property, where homes and condominiums are available. Great escapes await with just a short trip from the metro. For inquiries and reservations, go to Pico Sands Hotel’s website, or call 8464-7888. n

HOULD I encourage my readers (who I assume to be de facto film enthusiasts) to watch a series so that they could share my annoyance with certain parts of the said film? As it happened, it was not an irritant all the way. And that is what I wish to share with you: that a film or series can seem to start on a wrong foot but end with such aplomb and grace. But let me go back to the episode that seduced me into watching this series, the first episode titled “Reality Dating Show.” A few minutes into the series, I told myself this could be very much like our own Pinoy Big Brother if the characters of that local reality were less cloying and better dressed. The dating show takes place in a semi-controlled place. At certain points, the viewers get this sense that the camera as the meta-observer has disappeared and we are once more in a cinematic world. There are four applicants first. The four hit it off well and while there is always, it appears, an undercurrent of rivalry when you put lovely and cute women with two good-looking guys, the four are so squeaky clean, any abrasive conflict has been ruled out quick and fast. This is going to be a fairy tale where the narrative is told in the present era. A bit of cafe latte regular sophistication, with all the bright and pastel production design of pastry shops and toy stores. The four are told that another person is coming. This is Chang Yung (Berant Zhu), who we see as working in a cafe. He becomes part of a household composed of Wei-ting (Gingle Wang), an entertainer who is shown first in an audition. When Wei Ting arrives at the New Tenants apartment, there are already three occupants. They are Chun-to (Yom Chang), a designer; Tzu-yin (Daisy Hsu), a dancer; and Kuo Sen (JC Lin), who introduces himself as Joe. While the Chang Yung of Berant Zhu comes off as edgy and a bit dark, he compensates for it for his stunningly manly charm, rare in this universe of dolled-up male dolls, their skin more pallid than fair. And he proves to be the kick in this sweet cocktail of a presentation. Together, they pull us into their conversations which while not deep (who expects treatises in this program?) are also not frothy. They are all natural onscreen until we hear the director’s “Cut” and we are brought back to the real reality: we are watching a scripted TV program. Or maybe not?

Wei-ting, for example, and Chun-to are the first to be interested with each other but when the camera stops, something about their relationship also ceases. Or maybe it is just a lull in the activity? Or are they better actors? Chang Yung has to be real with his feelings and this upsets not just the woman who confesses her feelings for him, but the other men as well. There are also lovely moments when the behind-the-scenes staff are jolted because something happens in front of them that has not been planned. Do people really fall in love in front of the camera? Constructed on the premise that love is inescapably still the greatest story to be told, the second episode does not prepare us for its sensual squalor. The Netflix press release describes this presentation as the story of two wounded souls. “The Night in Question” is about that night when two individuals are caught in an unfortunate incident. Chien Chien is a mother abandoned by her husband who holds her ATM card. She works as a masseuse at her home and does night shifts in another massage parlor to augment her income. Chun Pin is a delivery man who wears a hearing aid to help him with his impairment. In an accident, he hurts himself as he avoids running over a dog. He goes to a massage parlor looking for a particular masseuse but ends up with another woman. He bargains for special services but his money is not enough. Thinking that whatever amount she receives will still be good, she agrees to have sex with Chun

Pin. But a police raid ensues brought by a mad wife in search of her husband. They escape but soon meet again. The story is old. The humor is predictable. And yet the story soars to unexpected heights of a real feel-good film. The secret is in the actors – sincere, warm and faces that are so open one is drawn into the characters they paint for us. Lau Chun Him as Chun Pin metamorphoses from this loser of a character to this handsome leading man at the end of the episode. I only have reached the third episode of this ten-episode series. As with the previous episodes, the characters of the third episode are quirky and yet attractive. A cool hairdresser named Pei Ming is inside the train when an old woman steps in and finds that no one will offer her a seat. Our gallant gentleman goes out of his way to look for another passenger who can give up the seat for this aged lady. Pei Ming approaches one, Pao-Lin, who relents. She is a vlogger who turns out to be “blind.” How can I talk about this episode without giving out spoilers? Let me just say that this episode tells us how lies and liars can be both annoying and alluring. We tell lies to each other and, most of the time, lies allow us to live through this hell of a social media universe. The ending: it looks like it is going to be a happy one. And that sucks! Now streaming on Netflix, At the Moment was filmed with the pandemic as backdrop. Except for the masks and the news about the pandemic, the lockdown remains a token theme. n

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ named best film of 2023 by National Board of Review GMA, GTV OFFER FILIPINO BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

THE Christmas season will surely be more exciting and special for all viewers as they get the chance to watch a number of Filipino blockbuster movies on GMA Network and its second free-to-air channel, GTV, this December. Kapuso Movie Festival block brings a fresh lineup of romantic comedies, drama, and action films on GMA every Monday to Friday at 9:30 am. Starting off with Sandara Park’s Can This Be Love? on December 4, this was followed by Gerald Anderson’s El Brujo on December 5, Anjo Yllana’s Milyonaryong Mini on December 6, and Judy Ann Santos’ Esperanza: The Movie on December 7. Also spreading love and good vibes on a Friday morning is Toni Gonzaga’s My Amnesia Girl this December 8. The cinematic experience at home continues in the evening on GTV via G! Flicks block. On December 4 brought the box-office blockbuster of Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo, Hello, Love, Goodbye. The phenomenal pairing of Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto followed on December 5 with Love You to the Stars and Back. Meanwhile, unconventional love stories followed with Angel Locsin and Dingdong Dantes’ One More Try on December 6; Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz’s A Second Chance on December 7; and tonight, December 8, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s Crazy Beautiful You goes on air. Catch these offerings on G! Flicks at 8 pm.

NEW YORK—Killers of the Flower Moon was named the best film of the year by the National Board of Review, adding to the early awards-season haul of Martin Scorsese’s Osage epic. The National Board of Review, a long-running organization comprised of film enthusiasts and academics, also on Wednesday named Scorsese best director and Lily Gladstone best actress. That follows recent honors for the film and for Gladstone from the New York Film Critics Circle and the Gotham Awards. “Killers of the Flower Moon is a stunning masterpiece from one of our greatest filmmakers, Martin Scorsese. The NBR is proud to award this complex, important, and deeply resonant epic as our best film and Scorsese as our best director,” Annie Schulhof, president of the board, said in a statement. Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers was also roundly honored by the group, which named Paul Giamatti best actor, Da’Vine Joy Randolph best supporting actress and David Hemingson’s script best screenplay. Payne’s film is set at a New England boarding school over the holiday break in the 1970s. Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark fantasy Poor Things came away with multiple awards, too. Mark Ruffalo was named best supporting actor, while Tony McNamara’s script, from Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel, was honored for best adapted screenplay. Bradley Cooper, star, cowriter and director of the Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, will be given the NBR Icon award. The awards will be presented to winners in a New York ceremony on January 11, hosted by Willie Geist. Other winners include: Teyana Taylor (A Thousand and One) for breakthrough performance; Celine Song

(Past Lives) for directorial debut; Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for animated feature; Anatomy of a Fall for international film; Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie for documentary; and the cast of The Iron Claw for best ensemble. Additionally, Rodrigo Prieto, the cinematographer of both Killers of the Flower Moon and Barbie, will be honored for outstanding achievement in cinematography. Last year, the National Board of Review named Top Gun: Maverick best film. AP

LILY GLADSTONE (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio play Mollie and Ernest Burkhart, the couple around whom the film revolves.

Friday, December 8, 2023

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JOLLIBEE GROUP PARTNERS WITH MUNTINLUPA LGU TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PWDS

MUNTINLUPA City, led by Mayor Ruffy Biazon, and the Jollibee Group join forces to expand employment opportunities for seniors and persons with disabilities in the city.

H E Jo l l i b e e G r o u p r e c e nt l y signed a memorandum of agreement with the city government of Muntinlupa, led by Mayor Ruffy Biazon, to provide temporary employment to qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Under the partnership, 32 qualified senior citizens and PWDs will be given an opportunity to work in the select branches

of Jollibee, Greenwich, and Burger King in Muntinlupa City. “More than just signing a mere document, we have opened up opportunities for people who are in need,” shared Biazon. “What we have actually done is break through some barriers for our fellow Muntinlupeños, particularly to PWDs and seniors.” “We are happy to partner with the

Pretty Bubble Boutique celebrates bubbly year with gratitude, more pretty pups

RETTY Bubble Boutique, the premier pet destination in Bonifacio Global City, celebrates its first bubbly year in Bonifacio Global City this month. The upscale pet shop from South Korea, know n for its commitment to prov iding the finest products and ser v ices for pets, has become a beloved haven for pet ow ners seeking quality and lu xur y for their furr y friends. Since its introduction to the Philippine market last year, Pretty Bubble Boutique has set the standard for excellence in the pet industry. The boutique offers a curated selection of premium pet products, includ-

ing gourmet treats, designer accessories, and top-notch grooming services. With a focus on creating a comfortable and stylish environment, Pretty Bubble Boutique has become the go-to destination for pet owners who want the best for their beloved companions. In just a year, Pretty Bubble Boutique has rehomed thousands of puppies and kittens with their perfectly matched families. This includes notable personalities such as Sharon Cuneta, Vice Ganda, Cristine Reyes, Ivana Alawi, Sofia Andres, Martin Del Rosario, Scarlet Belo, and a lot more. Pretty Bubble Boutique takes pride in

Muntinlupa City government to cater to the needs of senior citizens and PWDs who aspire to work and remain active contributors to society,” shared Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head, Global Organization, Leadership and Culture and Head for Philippines HR. “Through our Inclusive Employment Program, we hope to forge more partnerships with local government units and open more employment opportunities for elderly and differentlyabled persons across the National Capital Region and the country.” The city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will assist the Jollibee Group in the hiring process. Muntinlupa PESO will screen applicants before endorsing qualified candidates to the company. Once selected, successful candidates will be tasked with customer relations staff duties such as ushering customers and helping with table services. Alongside Muntinlupa, Jollibee Group also partnered with the LGUs of Manila and Antipolo this year to implement its inclusive employment program. Interested applicants can get more information on this employment program from the Muntinlupa Persons with Disability Affairs Office and the Office of Senior Citizen’s Affairs.

being on the leading edge of presenting a diverse selection of dog breeds ranging from micro to giant puppies, catering to various preferences and lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for a playful and energetic companion or a calm and affectionate friend, Pretty Bubble Boutique has the perfect match for you. Some of the dog breeds highlighted during the anniversary celebration include Micro puppies such as Micro Poodle and Micro Bichon that only grow around one kilogram that you can only meet in their boutique. Aside from that, Pretty Bubble Boutique also carries Coton de Tulear, which comes from a top-class lineage and is known for its fluffy yet hypoallergenic coat. If you are looking for compact-size and hypoallergenic breeds, the boutique also has Mini Bichon, Maltese, Maltipoo and many more. Pomeranians also come in a variety of colors, as well as sausage kittens known as Munchkins. From micro and small breeds, Pretty Bubble Boutique is also home to giant poodle, which undeniably has a charming personality and hypoallergenic coat. To capture the cuddly cuteness of furbabies, Pretty Bubble also launched a photo studio for pets, perfect for creating fun moments and showing off their best poses while wearing adorable costumes and accessories. Pretty Bubble Boutique inv ites all pet lovers and their furr y friends to v isit their boutique, and ex per ience unparalleled care and lu xur y for pets in Bonifacio Global City.

Sun Life launches new US dollar investment insurance product

ESPONDING to the Filipinos’ growing interest in global investment opportunities, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. (Sun Life) has launched the Sun Dollar Maximizer (ProIncome) to provide clients with easy access to offshore structured investments. Sun Dollar Maximizer (ProIncome) is a US dollar-denominated, singlepay investment-linked insurance product that offers indicative fixed annual income payout of 4.3 percent, capital protection, and life insurance protection for seven years. It aims to maximize the value of dollar assets by providing better-earning potential. Moreover, it also has a maturity benefit of 100 percent of the single premium and life insurance coverage equal to at least 125 percent of the single premium. “With the Sun Dollar Maximizer, clients can look forward to reaping the policy’s benefits even before maturity,” Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. President Alex Narciso said. “It’s an all-in-one financial solution that addresses

What is in your cup this holiday?

NLY the good stuff—healthy, tasty and delicious too! Coming out from the pandemic, everyone’s priority is their wellbeing, including you. So why not make the gift of good health your best gift to give, and to get for yourself too. PURE NATURE has a Christmas gift bundle you can joyfully give to your family, relatives, your boss, client or to your special someone in your life: PURE NATURE Green Coffee 12-in-1 with Buah Merah, PURE NATURE Chocolate 12-in1 with Buah Merah, and Black Tea 6-in-1 with Lemon and Acai Berry extracts. All natural, with superfood extracts. PURE NATURE Green Coffee 12-in-1 contains Buah Merah extract, Spirulina extract, wheatgrass extract, Barley extract, Ginseng extract, Agaricus mushroom extract, Ganoderma extract, Mangosteen extract, Cholerella extract, Stevia, non-dairy creamer and milk powder. PURE NATURE Chocolate 12-in-1 contains Cocoa powder, Buah Merah extract, Spirulina extract, wheatgrass extract, Barley extract, Ginseng extract, Agaricus mushroom extract, Ganoderma extract, Mangosteen extract, Cholerella extract, Stevia, non-dairy creamer and milk powder. PURE NATURE Black Tea 6-in-1 with Lemon contains Acai berry. Camu-Camu extract, Garcinia Cambogia, Black Tea, Lemon extract, Stevia. Jenny Milan, 32, Paranaque, said, “Drinking PURE NATURE Green Coffee 12-in-1 helps boost my energy levels daily. Happy to

VIP Golf elevates golfing experience with opening at MET Live Pasay City

OLFING Brothers Inc. proudly introduced VIP Golf, the latest all-in-one golfing destination designed for family, friends, colleagues, and golf enthusiasts in Pasay City. The grand opening ceremony took place on December 2, 2023, at MET Live Pasay City, and was attended by VIP Golf executives, their friends and relatives, influencers, and members of the media. VIP Golf sets itself apart by providing a comprehensive golfing experience that caters to all ages and skill levels. The venue features an open bay area and luxurious VIP rooms, setting the stage for an extraordinary golfing experience in the heart of Pasay City. “This is not your ordinary facility, nor an ordinary experience, but your journey to a hightech and high-end golf simulation with a 99 percent accuracy rate,” said Simon Tan, Director of VIP Golf, as he emphasized the unique and innovative nature of the establishment. The grand opening event highlighted VIP Golf’s commitment to delivering an unmatched golfing experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and beginners. Attendees had the chance

PRESENT at the opening of VIP Golf were, from left, VIP Golf executives Christian Uy, Henson See, Simon Tan, Richard Lim CEO of Sun Group of Companies, First Gentleman of Pasay City Mr. Egay Rubiano, Delfin Lorenzana, Chairman of BCDA, Mr. Zhan Ka Ling, and Nelson Yabut to explore the cutting-edge technology, facilities, and amenities offered by VIP Golf, gaining insight into the brand’s mission to redefine the golfing landscape and experience in the country. Throughout the event, in-house coaches assisted in engaging and teaching the basics of golf to those eager to learn. This approach showcased the brand ’s dedication to

fostering an environment for individuals at all skill levels.

What to expect inside VIP GOLF: OPEN Bay: Equipped with the latest golfing technology, the open bay area allows golfers to hone their skills while enjoying the vibrant and stunning view outside of MET Live Pasay

various needs, especially for those looking to grow or preserve their funds for retirement or planning for estate transfer.” Those interested in the Sun Dollar Maximizer (ProIncome) can experience convenient application and policy approval through the Guaranteed Insurability Offer, subject to the terms and conditions set by Sun Life. Visit www.sunlife.com.ph to know more or talk to a Sun Life financial advisor via www.sunlife.co/ TalkToAnAdvisor.

City. Rate: Php 1,200 per hour VIP Rooms: Designed for the utmost comfort and luxury, the VIP rooms offer an exclusive space for golf enthusiasts to play, entertain, and unwind in style. Rate: Php 2,400 per hour Bar & Restaurant: Chill and unwind with VIP Golf ’s finest food and drinks expertly

learn it contains antioxidants to strengthen my immune system too. I never experienced acidity. It really is a healthy coffee!” “After drinking, I feel light, active, and in a good mood amid rush deadlines, without getting tired easily. Thanks to PURE NATURE Chocolate 12-in-1 with Buah Merah,” Shiela Gonzalez, 28, Alabang, shared. Marissa Estevez, 25, Mandaluyong is happy with her discovery.” Energized, that’s the whole feeling I have after drinking PURE NATURE Black Tea 6-in-1 with Lemon and Acai berry extracts. Friends say I looked slimmer. My digestion has improved too! It’s now part of my daily morning habit.” Enjoy your cup, piping hot or icy cold. Feel relaxed, unhurried, minus the stress. Flavorful, PURE NATURE is definitely good health in a cup.

crafted by its professional bartender and chef. Extended Hours: VIP Golf caters to your schedule, operating from 6 am to 3 am, Mondays through Sundays, ensuring ample time for customers to play and dine at their convenience. Free Parking: Enjoy the convenience of complimentary parking, providing a hasslefree experience for VIP Golf patrons. Caddies: Experience the VIP treatment with the assistance of VIP Golf ’s caddies, offering a touch of tradition to enhance your golfing experience. Coaches: Elevate your golf skills with the guidance of VIP Golf ’s in-house professional coaches, ensuring that everyone can learn and enjoy the game to the fullest. Pro Shops: Accessible and well-stocked, VIP Golf ’s Pro Shops provide a convenient spot for all your golfing needs, making it easy for enthusiasts to indulge their passion. VIP Golf aims to redefine the golfing experience, offering a harmonious blend of technology, luxury, and tradition. With extended operating hours, top-notch amenities, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, VIP Golf is set to become the premier destination for golf enthusiasts in Pasay City and the whole country.

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

Sports BusinessMirror

FIFA report: Rubiales ‘seemingly forcefully kissed’ England player

Friday, December 8, 2023 B7

KQ IN THE HOUSE!

Kevin Quiambao does a yeoman’s work as De La Salle beats University of the Philippines, 73-69, to win the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men’s basketball crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night. Quiambao annexes the Finals Most Valuable Player trophy to his Season 86 MVP award. COURTESY RUDY ESPERAS

URICH—Former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales “seemingly forcefully kissed” an England player on her face before kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent at the Women’s World Cup, according to English Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt. A FIFA disciplinary committee report released Wednesday said Rubiales, who was given a three-year ban in October, acted with “a sense of complete impunity” at the trophy ceremony after Spain’s 1-0 win over England in Sydney on August 20. In a written submission to the committee, Hewitt was quoted saying she watched as Rubiales “cupped and stroked” the face of the England player Laura Coombs. Hewitt, who was standing next to Rubiales, found the gesture to be “slightly odd and then he seemingly forcefully kissed the English player Lucy Bronze on her face,” the report said. Rubiales responded in the report by accusing Hewitt of “hypocrisy” because she had also embraced players. He added that Hewitt’s portrayal of him as “some sort of creep is absolutely disgusting.” The committee said it had considered a more severe sanction after his behavior following the championship final. Rubiales’s actions after Spain had been crowned world champions prompted a player rebellion and accusations of sexual assault. “All incidents assessed collectively, appear to reveal a sense of complete impunity on the part of the respondent within the football environment,” the committee said in its written grounds of its decision. “It was absolutely and categorically expected of him to maintain and embody the highest levels of professionalism, beyond the usual standards, especially at a moment where his country was at the apex level of women’s football. “In this regard, the committee could not stress enough that—regardless of the emotional state he was in during and after the match—[Rubiales’s] behavior was inexcusable and unacceptable, especially considering his high rank within the football ecosystem at the time.” Rubiales resigned as the president of Spanish soccer on September 10, having initially vowed not to stand down. The committee said it had considered factors such as the reputation of soccer and “more importantly, on [Hermoso’s] mental state.” “The committee wished to stress that it was tempted to impose more severe sanctions in view of the seriousness and gravity of the incidents at stake as well as of the profound negative impact that [Rubiales]) actions had on the image of FIFA, women’s football and women’s sport in general,” it said. AP

Better Today: Power Move Project drives para athletes FOR coach Coleen Faye Grande, football has become her anchor.

HE Better Today: Power Move Project celebrates World Mental Health month by putting premium on Filipino paraathletes and coaches who embody the true meaning of persistence, bravery and mental resilience.

World sambo body praises POC

Golf balls and E = mc : Distance, speed issues 2

OLF’S ruling bodies are changing the equipment testing to make sure the golf ball goes shorter for everyone from Tiger Woods to the amateur who plays public courses on the weekend. The US Golf Association (USGA) and Royal & Ancient (R&A) announced its decision Wednesday, capping more than five years of intensive study on distance that led them to believe consistent gains off the tee—some 30 yards by Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour players over the last 25 years—was detrimental to the game. “There’s virtually no denying that the game at the highest end is longer

by a long shot today than it was 20 years ago,” said Mike Whan, the CEO of the USGA. The change is not effective until 2028 for tour and elite golf, 2030 for recreational golfers. The original proposal in March was a “Model Local Rule” that would lead to a shorter golf ball only at the elite level, which would create two sets of rules for the first time. The PGA Tour and PGA of America strongly opposed it. Instead, the USGA and R&A are changing the test that measures how far the ball goes, leaving intact the “Overall Distance Standard” limit of 317 yards with a 3-yard tolerance. The new test will be a club swung

at 125 mph, equivalent to ball speed of 183 mph (up from 120 mph club speed and 176 mph ball speed)—with a spin rate of 2,200 rpm (down from 2,520 rpm) and a launch angle of 11 degrees (previously 10 degrees). For the longest hitters, they expect the ball to go up to 15 yards shorter—11 yards shorter for average tour pros, 7 yards for female tour players and 5 yards or less for everyone else. Keegan Bradley isn’t sure about that. He said Srixon made him a golf ball that would have met proposed standards and it was flying 40 to 50 yards shorter. “I think that the USGA… everything that they do is reactionary,” Bradley said last week in the Bahamas. “They don’t think of a solution. They just think we’re going to affect 100 percent of the population that plays golf. For the amateur world to hit the ball shorter is monstrous. I can’t think of anything more stupid than that.” The PGA Tour had said it would not adopt the proposed “Model Local Rule.” It was not entirely pleased with a new equipment rule. “Throughout the process, we have provided feedback to the USGA and The R&A and are pleased to see a number of our recommendations reflected in this most recent announcement,” the tour said in a statement. “However, we believe the proposed increase in test clubhead speed to 125 mph is disproportional to the rate of increase we see when analyzing PGA Tour radar data.” AP

Organized by PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., the advocacy supported by the MVP Sports Foundation and Football for Humanity have created a video series aimed to champion mental health and wellness. Like what writer, educator and humanitarian Helen Keller said: “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” This is particularly true for para athletes, whose respective communities have been their support as they strive to become better each day. For 14-year-old footballer Jerald Pelonita, football is his source of happiness. “It gives me joy because I can play

with my classmates,” Pelonita said. “They supported me to join the football team.” It was not an easy feat for the shy athlete, who was born without his arms, but he didn’t give up. “I wanted to be like the famous football players in the Philippines,” he said. “I continue to watch training videos online and I practice those drills.” Coach Peter Lim, Pelonita coach, said that for young ones like Jerald, they enjoy being around many friends. “Jerald saw that there’s no discrimination in the sport and we help them develop their personality,” Lim said. Fot 28-year-old coach Coleen Faye Grande, who now uses a wheelchair after figuring in a car accident,

football became her anchor. A former athlete in a Manila university, Grande leaned on her family and friends’ support. “It has a positive impact on my mental health. They provide emotional understanding, encouragement, and promote my overall well-being,” Grande said. Despite the challenges, Pelonita and Grande remain steadfast in their faith in the game. Pelonita said his focus is on the ball. “I just think about how to win, how to defend. I know that I can’t do everything, especially with my disability,” Pelonita said. “But I think that I can run as fast as everyone else.”

TIGER WOODS places his ball on the first tee during the first round of the Hero World Challenge at the Albany Golf Club in New Providence, Bahamas recently. AP

HE International Sambo Federation (FIAS) congratulated the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for the successful Philippine campaign in the world championships in Armenia where Sydney Sy clinched a bronze medal. “It is with great pleasure that the FIAS congratulates you on the success of the Philippine sambo team at the recent world championships in Yerevan [Armenia],” FIAS secretary-general Roberto Ferraris told POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino in a letter. Sy clinched bronze in women’s +80 kgs class in the world champioships that gathered elite sambists from 62 nations last November 10 to 12 in the Armenian capital of Yerevan. “We’re thankful to FIAS for appreciating the efforts of Pilipinas Sambo Federation (PSF) and Sidney’s accomplishment on the world stage,” Tolentino said. “The POC is always here for the athletes and their campaign overseas.” Sy, daughter of Pilipinas Sambo Federation president Paolo Tancontian, ad her teammates placed 16th overall in the competitions. “Her [Sy] effort signifies the strength of Team Philippines as a strong combat sports country,” Tolentino added. “We express our sincere gratitude for your unwavering support and active involvement in promoting Sambo internationally,” Ferraris said in the letter. “Your contributions have played a significant role in Philippine’s outstanding performance.” Tancontian thanked the POC and FIAS for recognizing the achievement of Sy and the performance of the other Filipino sambists.

JOHN FEBUAR CENIZA (left) stands proud on the podium with gold medalist Myong Jin Pak (center) of North Korea and bronze medalist Aniq Bin Mohamad of Malaysia.

Ceniza zeroes in on Paris berth with silver medal finish in Doha

By Josef Ramos

EBU City pride John Febuar Ceniza bagged a silver medal in the İnternational Weightlifting Federation Grand Prix II on Thursday morning in Doha and is now looking at a possible qualification in next year’s Paris Olympics. “All he needs to do is hold the line, sustain his great showing and participate in the next two qualifiers,” national coach Tony Agustin told BusinessMirror on Thursday via internet call from the Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence in Qatar. Ceniza didn’t medal on his 133 kgs in snatch and 165 kgs in clean and jerk in the men’s 61 kgs category but his total lift of 298 kgs was enough for him to finish behind gold medalist Myong Jin Pak (305 kgs) of North Korea and ahead of bronze winner Aniq Bin Mohamad 296)of Malaysia. The 25-year-old Cambodia Southeast Asian Games silver medalist Ceniza was fourth in snatch and fifth in clean and jerk where Myong lifted 134 kgs for bronze in the snatch and 171 kgs in clean and jerk for gold. Mohamad, on the other hand, was ninth in snatch (126) and silver in

clean and jerk (170). Indonesia’s Ricko Saputra, Vietnam’s Van Vinh Trinh and China’s Fabin Li didn’t finish in Group A action of the 61-kg class, allowing Ceniza and company to advance from the lower groups. Ceniza is running sixth after three Olympic qualifiers and is expected to move up to No. 5 after the Doha qualifier. He needs to maintain his ranking and at the same time compete in the Asian championships from February 3 to 10 in Tashkent and IWF World Cup from March 31 to April 11 in Phuket to make it to Paris. The top 12 in the world rankings qualify for next year’s Olympics. “So far, Ceniza’s Paris Olympics slot is safe unless the unexpected happens,” Agustin said. The Philippines has now four silver medals in Doha counting Rose Jean Ramos’s three second-place finishes in the non-Olympic 45-kg women’s class on Wednesday. Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo and fellow Tokyo Olympian Erleen Ann Ando plunge into the women’s 59-kg category on Saturday.

Motoring BusinessMirror

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

B8 Friday, December 8, 2023

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

KIA ROLLS OUT THE NEW SELTOS Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino

INCE its Philippine debut, AC Motors, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in the country, has finally given the Seltos its needed refinement. The 2024 edition received new design elements, desirable technology, and a choice of capable powerplants. Kia claims that the Kia Seltos is ready to take the highly competitive subcompact SUV segment by storm. With its stylish exterior, premium interior, intelligent safety features, and ease of ownership, the Seltos speaks to a new generation of car owners looking for an SUV that is a cut

above the rest. “This is a big moment for us,” said Kia Philippines president Toti Zara. “I feel that the future is bright for Kia Philippines, and the new Seltos marks the beginning of an exhilarating chapter as we continue to drive towards automotive excellence in our market. We will remain dedicated to driving innovation, pushing boundaries, and shaping the future of mobility in the Philippines.” “Our stable of capable SUVs is stronger than ever,” said Brian Buendia, COO of Kia Philippines. “Loaded with standout style, some of the latest technology, advanced driver assistance systems, and enthusiastic performance, the Seltos

THE New Kia Seltos 1.5 EX variant in Pluton Blue color

is in a league of its own.” Kia also claims the new Seltos is one of the Philippines’ most evolved, safe, and innovative SUVs. It boasts a new-age design and many safety features, including today’s ADAS suite.

Refined and redesigned

FUTURISTIC vibe highlighting bright screens and clean, geometric shapes

DESIGN-WISE, the New Seltos received a sharp approach inside and out. Several exterior details have been thoughtfully revamped with futuristic and technical shapes to keep the vehicle fresh among the crowded field of small SUVs. The larger grille emphasizes width and exudes a more muscular appearance with the new LED headlamps. The available Star Map signature lighting across the front grille creates a distinct image so passersby and drivers will recognize the vehicle from a distance. The new rigid shapes on the front bumper provide a more confident and rugged stance. The vertical-shaped fog lights are integrated with daytime running lights, denoting a cleaner look. At the rear, there is a lighting design on the tailgate, the backup lamp, and the lower bumper’s rear reflector mimicking the signature lighting in the front. Even the new 17-inch alloy wheels received a unique geometric design. Inside, it is all about a futuristic vibe highlighting bright screens

and clean, geometric shapes. The standard dual panoramic displays are the centerpiece of the futuristic and modern cabin. Available as a segment-first, these dual panoramic screens combine the 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch center display. Other notable improvements to the interior include a new crash pad with a modern, bold center garnish that matches the horizontal layout while still inheriting geometric heritage. There is also a high-tech interface for integrated control of infotainment and air conditioning features. Other features include a panoramic sunroof, dual auto A/C, wireless charging, and mood lamps. The LX and EX variants come standard with 8-inch touchscreen audio; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Rear-Camera Dis-

play; Driver and Front Passenger Airbags; six Speakers; and single zone Auto A/C. Also standard to the EX-variant are Smart Entry + Push Start, Power Fold Side Mirrors, LED headlamps, and DRLs. Exclusive to the top-tier SX, a suite of advanced driver-assist functions such as Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Forward Collision Avoidance, Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Lane Following Assist (LFA). Other SX-exclusive features are a mood lamp, leather Seats, power driver seats, a 10.25-inch Infotainment touchscreen, front with side airbags, a panoramic sunroof, mobile phone wireless charging, a 10.25inch TFT LCD Instrument Panel; LED Headlamps, LED Foglamps, and LED DRLs. Another significant change is the new engine options. Replacing the previous 2.0-liter all-motor engine is the new 1.5-liter MPI engine for the LX and EX variants, generating 113 hp and 144 N-m of torque mated with an Intelligent Variable Transmission. On the other hand, the top-spec received a potent 1.4-liter turbocharged engine delivering 138 hp and 242 N-m of torque coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Pricing and colors

THE 1.5 LX variant retails at P1.198 million, while the 1.5 EX is at P1.288 million. As for the top-spec 1.4 Turbo SX, it is priced at P1.688 million. Available colors are Snow White Pearl, Gravity Gray, Pluton Blue, and SnowWhite Pearl with Black Roof (SX). The New Kia Seltos comes with a 5-year or 160,000km warranty.

THE new 1.5-liter all-motor gasoline engine

Jeepney revolution; new road connect of things. The modern jeepney is not an issue of life and death. Listen to our drivers/operators. A win-win solution will come as natural as breathing through a dialogue under an atmosphere of peace and friendship.

F plans push through, the jeepney modernization, controversial as it is, will be implemented by the government on December 31. This could bring, God forbid, chaos on the transport sector as jeepney drivers/operators might hold massive strikes as they’ve always done to protest the project. The government’s wish to have our drivers/operators organize themselves into cooperatives in order to avail of benefits for the jeepney modernization has become as unpopular as Judas’ kiss of death. Drivers/operators earn an average P2,000 per day. But the instalment for the modern jeepney is pegged at P3,500 at least. A yawning gap. The modern jeepney costs P2.8 million more or less, the traditional jeepney only P250,000. The government has pledged a subsidy of P160,000 only. A pittance as that is only 6 percent of the total cost of the modern jeepney. We need to pause and take stock

Road connect

JON HERNANDEZ reported that San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) have signed an Integration Agreement to connect the Arca South on and off ramps into the Skyway system via the upcoming South East Metro Manila Expressway or Skyway Stage 4 project. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in addressing the growing need for efficient transportation and connectivity in Metro Manila. SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang (RSA), Ayala Corp. President Cezar P. Consing, and ALI President and CEO Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy, signed the agreement. The integration of Arca South on and off ramps into the Skyway Stage 4 project, is set to commence construction in 2024 and will enable seamless access from the Skyway to Arca South. SMC Inf rastr ucture is the concessionaire for the 32.66-kilometer Sky way Stage 4 that connects the Skyway system at the Arca South all the way to Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

The expressway will provide an alternate route from the South to the Eastern parts of Metro Manila including Rizal province. With interchanges at Ortigas Avenue Extension, Marcos Highway, and Tumana Bridge towards the Batasan complex, it is seen to ease traffic congestion on major arteries such as EDSA and C5, and enhance connectivity throughout Metro Manila’s Eastern corridor. Said RSA: “We are grateful for this opportunity to work with Ayala Land. This also supports the vision for Arca South to create more jobs, new business opportunities, and deliver more residential and lifestyle options for Filipinos— while dispersing economic growth and easing traffic congestion. We will pave the way towards a more connected Metro Manila, where people have a better chance to thrive, prosper, and enhance their quality of life.” His heart always attached to nation-building, RSA will not stop at improving the life of the Filipino people. Carry on, Sir.

PEE STOP Sunshine Cabrera is excited to welcome the opening today, December 8, of the “Go Electrified Tour” at One Bonifacio High St. at BGC Taguig. Held up to December 10, the show features Toyota’s specialized hybrid vehicle line-up free to the public. Cheers!