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n
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Vol. 15 No. 62
Maynilad, Mla Water waive ₧10.8-B awards T
HE Ayala-led Manila Water on Tuesday said it will no longer ask the government to pay the P7.39-billion arbitral award given recently by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore. This, as the other concessionaire, Maynilad Water Services Inc., signaled it was also not pushing for payment of an earlier award by the same arbitral tribunal, for P3.4 billion covering losses arising from government’s refusal to allow tariff hikes—or a total of P10.79 billion.
At the joint hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and House Committee on Public
Accounts, Manila Water President and CEO Jose Almendras said the company will cooperate with the
government and will not collect the P7.39-billion award. “We will comply with the wishes
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n
as of december 10, 2019 | 5:15 p.m. contingent
of the government and President Rodrigo Duterte,” Almendras said. “We abide with what President Duterte wants which is to review the concession agreement,” he added. Continued on A2
gold
silver
bronze
total
philippines
142
106
112
360
Thailand
91
94
114
299
vieTnam
81
82
100
263
indonesia
71
77
104
252
singapore
53
46
61
160
malaysia
51
56
70
177
camBodia
4
6
31
41
myanmar
3
18
49
70
BrUnei
2
5
6
13
laos
0
5
24
29
Timor-lesTe
0
1
5
6
FDI still in the red, down to $582M at the end of Q3
T
See “Occ. Mindoro,” A2
medal tally
“Although the President has said the government will not pay these arbitral awards... this gracious manifestation on the part of the water concessionaires nonetheless removes a potential liability from the books of account of the government.” —Guevarra
Occ. Mindoro bans coal use for energy
HE provincial board of Occidental Mindoro has adopted an ordinance that effectively prohibits the use of coal as a source of energy. The ordinance, entitled “Regulating The Use of Fossil Fuels And Banning The Use of Coal Fired Energy Source Of Power Stations Thereby Replacing Or Using Alternative Green Energy As Part Of Global Efforts To Contribute To The Goals of Climate Change,” or otherwise known as the “Green Energy Ordinance” was approved on Dec. 5 by the city council led by Vice Governor and Presiding Officer Peter Alfaro. It was authored by Abelardo S. Pangilinan, chairman of the Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
P25.00 nationwide | 5 sections 42 pages |
By Bianca Cuaresma
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RED CROSS PARTNER Bono, U2 frontman, explains his advocacy as board member of Zipline, a drone service that signed an agreement with the Philippine Red Cross, chaired by Sen. Richard J. Gordon on Tuesday, on the eve of his first-ever concert in the country. Zipline will help the PRC deliver badly needed blood to hard-to-reach areas. Story on page A2. BERNARD TESTA
@BcuaresmaBM
ONG-TERM investments poured by foreign players into the country still have not recovered enough to enter the growth territory in September this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Tuesday. Foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country were down 2.9 percent in September, to hit $582 million during the month. The Central Bank attributed the decline mainly to lower investments in debt instruments. The decline could have been larger, the BSP said, were it not for the reversal of equity capital investments from net outflows to net inflows during the month.
FDI is the type of investment that is often more coveted, as it stays longer in the economy and creates job opportunities for locals. September is the sixth consecutive month that the Philippines saw a decline in its FDI. Net investments in debt instruments—which consist mainly of intercompany borrowings and lending between foreign direct investors and their subsidiaries and affiliates in the Philippines—decreased by 36 percent to $395 million in September this year, from $618 million in the same month last year. Meanwhile, nonresidents’ net equity capital investments posted a 182-percent growth to $96 million—from net equity capital Continued on A12
US 50.8360 n JAPAN 0.4681 n UK 66.8493 n HK 6.4943 n CHINA 7.2216 n SINGAPORE 37.3932 n AUSTRALIA 34.7210 n EU 56.2602 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5570
Source: BSP (10 December 2019 )
News
BusinessMirror
A2 Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Bono, Red Cross join hands for medical delivery service By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
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@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror
N God’s country, rock star and activist Bono brought a message of hope for Filipinos in the countryside in dire need of health care, especially in times of disaster, as he helped launch a partnership between the Philippine Red Cross and Zipline, a drone delivery service. At a press conference on Tuesday, the U2 frontman, who described himself as a Red Cross volunteer, as well, said, “Music’s my passion but, actually, Zipline is where all my passions come together, which is the idea that commerce should serve people, not people serve commerce, the idea that the brightest of minds shine brighter when they work for vulnerable lives, and I suppose that all of us [want] that our intellect serves our ideals, this is why I’m excited about Zipline.” Bono is a board member of Zipline. His band is performing for the first time in Manila on Wednesday at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Known for his activism and passion for social justice, Bono also gave a “soft message” on the
human- rights situation in the Philippines, where more than 20,000 alleged drug users have been unjustly killed in President Duterte’s antidrug operations. “Human rights are critical. I think my impression of the Philippines is, [Filipinos are] a very caring and sophisticated people. And I understand that when progress is made, sometimes people make what they think are compromises for that progress. And I just would say, you can’t compromise on human rights.” Bono’s statement was apropos for the day, as December 10 is International Human Rights Day. He is a lifetime member of Amnesty International, an NGO which seeks to protect human rights. Starting with blood from the
PRC, and expanding to over 150 critical and lifesaving medical products, Zipline’s revolutionary new service will use a network of autonomous drones to make on-demand emergency deliveries. The service, which will roll out in the summer of 2020, is capable of operating 24/7. For his part, PRC Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said, the drones can make emergency blood deliveries “80 kilometers away” from the distribution center. Zipline plans to establish the first of its three planned distribution centers in the Visayas region. Future distribution centers will potentially help expand the service to eastern Visayas and Mindanao. “Geography and Mother Nature can get in the way of our work in reaching the most vulnerable, making it difficult for them to get access to blood and vital medicines,” said Gordon. “We are excited to bring the newest technology in fulfilling our mission. The Philippine Red Cross will soon be able to reach patients at hospitals across the country ondemand and within minutes. This new technology could help us save thousands of lives.” The PRC serves about 52 percent of the blood transfusion supply in the country. Zipline CEO Keller Rinaudo underscored that “universal health
care is a human right.” With technology like what Zipline uses, “your access to health care doesn’t depend on your GPS coordinates.” He added, “When we started the technology, people said it would never work, and it was completely insane, there was no way any government partner or someone like the Red Cross would take a risk with Zipline to do this. So basically we ignored that and listened to visionaries like Senator Gordon to give us an opportunity to save lives.” Rinaudo is married to a Filipina, which Gordon intimated was partly the reason the Zipline CEO wanted to launch the partnership in the Philippines. The company first established its service in Rwanda in 2016, delivering blood to one hospital. “Now we’re contracted to deliver blood and other medical products to over 500 medical facilities in the country,” said Rinaudo. The drones fly autonomously and can carry 1.8 kilos of cargo, flying up to 145 kms an hour, have a roundtrip range of 160 kms in high winds and rain. Zipline has also partnered with the US Department of Defense, the government of Ghana, and in India. The company’s goal is to serve 700 million people in the next five years.
Maynilad, Mla Water waive ₧11-B awards The PCA in Singapore ruled that the Philippine government has to pay Manila Water P7.39 billion for the company’s losses from June 1, 2015, to November 22, 2019, when it was not allowed to raise tariffs. For his part, Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said Maynilad would also not ask the government to pay a similar P3.4billion arbitral award given earlier by the same Singaporean court due to the Philippines’s refusal to allow it to increase prices for 2013 to 2017. “We will comply with the President’s directive. [We will] not pursue the historic arbitral award,” Fernandez said. Earlier, President Duterte said he is keen on meeting officials from Manila Water and Maynilad, as well as the government lawyers who were behind the 1997 water concession agreements, which the Department of Justice described as “onerous.” The Chief Executive has also reiterated his threat that those behind the government contracts with the water concessionaires are liable for “economic plunder.”Prior to this, Duterte accused them of committing economic sabotage. The President has been lambasting the water concessionaires after the PCA in Singapore ordered Manila to pay east zone concessionaire Manila Water P7.39 billion for the nonimplementation of water-rate increases that occurred prior to his presidency. The PCA had also ruled on a similar case filed by west zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc., ordering the State to pay P3.4 billion for Maynilad’s losses from March 2015 to August 2016.
‘Gracious manifestation’
JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Tuesday the decision of the water concessionaires to no longer pursue the separate arbitral awards from
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Duterte threatens takeover of water firms’ operations By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM
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R ESIDEN T Duter te has threatened anew to go as far as taking over the operations of water concessionaires aside from filing cases if he is not contented with the answers of water concessionaires on the alleged onerous deals. The President’s remark comes as the two private water concessionaires—Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services Inc.— announced at a hearing in Congress on Tuesday that they would no longer demand compensation amounting to a combined P10.8 billion from the government. The companies separately won awards from an arbitral tribunal in Singapore, where they sued the Philippine government over losses incurred from its refusal to approve tariff hikes in the past. The cases involve past administrations, and Duterte said he would not pay the awards. This development happened just a day after the President publicly said he wants to meet with officials from the water concessionaires, as well as the government lawyers who
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Singapore’s PCA would not affect the government’s bid to remove the onerous provisions of their contracts with the government. “I also received these feelers from Maynilad and Manila Water. This is a very positive development. Although the President has said that the government will not pay these arbitral awards, at least during his term anyway, this gracious manifestation on the part of the water concessionaires, nonetheless, removes a potential liability from the books of account of the government,” Guevarra said. “But as I said before, the issue of paying the arbitral award is not as important as ensuring that disputes arising from burdensome provisions of the water concession agreements will never happen again in the future,” he added. Asked if they would still continue reviewing the existing contracts with the two water firms and work toward removing the onerous provisions, Guevarra replied, “certainly.”
‘Centralized agency’
MEANWHILE, senators are poised to scrutinize proposals to put up a new “centralized agency” that will oversee delivery of water, sewerage and sanitation services. The Senate Committee on Public Services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, scheduled a joint public hearing Wednesday with the Committees on Civil Ser vice, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation; Ways and Means; and Finance. Senate probers are keen to know how the new agency intends to carry out the task to ensure improved delivery of vital water services to consumers, among others. Poe confirmed an emerging consensus on the need to have “a lead agency whose ultimate responsibility would be the provision of adequate and safe water supply, not just for household and commercial needs, but for our farms.” Poe pointed out the disorganized setup prompted the need to frontload passage of remedial legislation that will effectively address the problems bugging the water service sector. The senator, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that “what we currently have is a fragmented regulatory framework for water that has limited powers, which has a significant impact on the delivery of water and sanitation services in the country.” Senators sitting in the joint committee hearing will also review several related bills filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid, all proposing to create a new water agency. These are related to the proposals filed by Senators Emmanuel Pacquiao, Francis Tolentino and Ronald de la Rosa batting for the creation of a Department of Water Resources Management. At the same time, Poe indicated the hearing will also enable other proponents to “offer an opportunity to bring to the table questions about the government contracts with water concessionaires.” Moreover, the senator signaled that lawmakers could consider passing their own version of the water agency bill soon, even as enacting a water reform law is high on the list of President Duterte’s priority measures. “We want assurance of the people’s right to clean and steady supply of water,” said Poe. With Joel San Juan and Butch Fernandez
In a separate interview, Environment Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management Benny Antiporda called on Congress to impose taxes first on plastic residuals and sachets as these constitute majority of garbage in the country’s landfills.
Next step
SALCEDA said the committee will also study the feasibility of imposing excise tax on sachet packaging. “It’s [tax on single-use plastic] just the first step. The next step is a tax on primary plastic packaging, especially sachets, since it accounts for two-thirds of solid waste and garbage,” he said. “We deferred that due to possible food inflation and prices of basic commodities like shampoo and toothpaste. However, if poverty goes [down to a] single digit, we will include it possibly in three
Occ. Mindoro. . .
Basically, it covers the usage regulation of all fossil fuels and bans the installation of any coal power plant in the province of Occidental Mindoro. The province has now opted to pursue renewable-energy (RE) projects and promote renewableenergy programs. “It is the prime obligation of the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro together with all department heads; the Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative is tasked to pursue the policy toward renewable energy,” it said. The province also approved the creation of a council in charge of crafting measures encouraging the use of RE in the province. The province is determined to ensure future energy security by improving thermal efficiency in power generation, increasing contributions from RE, and shifting toward more energy-efficient vehicles. The council, to be led by the governor, will include representatives from the business and industrial sectors, as well as those from various government agencies. Since the provinces of Mindoro have the largest biodiversity in the
were involved in crafting the deals. “Ayaw ninyong pumunta dito? Gusto ko magharap silang lahat dito sa akin. Isa-isahin ko sila, ang abugado ng p*t*ng*n* gumawa ng kontrata. Sino yung mga opisyal ng MWSS? Tanungin ko sila, what the f*ck did you do and screwed the country? [You don’t want to come here? I want them all to face me. I will ask them one-by-one, including the lawyer who did the contract. Who are the officials of MWSS? I will ask them, what the f*ck did you do and screwed the country?],” Duterte said on Tuesday in a speech during a mass oath taking in Malacañang, referring to water regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. “Ngayon, pag hindi ako ma-satisfy, I will expropriate everything, kunin ko lahat. Magdemanda ka ng magdemanda. Tutal, dalawang taon lang naman wala na ako [Now, if I will not be satisfied, I will expropriate everything. File and file cases. After all, I have only two years left to serve],” he added. Manila Water is a publicly listed company and a subsidiary of Ayala Corp., while businessman Manny Pangilinan’s Pacific Investments Corp. owns a controlling stake in Maynilad. to four years,” Salceda added.
Killing the industry
EARLIER, Philippine Plastics Industry Association Inc. (PPIA) President Willy Go said the proposal will hurt and eventually kill the industry. Go also appealed to the House to consider the economic impact of the bill imposing excise tax on single-use plastic bags produced in the Philippines. He said members of the industry are currently hurting from local ordinances that banned the use of plastic bag in their areas. Several local government units have already issued ordinances against the single-use plastic bags. Philippine Amalgamated Supermakets Association President Steven Cua said the proposal might affect the economy. Cua said big supermarkets can comply with the proposal but it will be difficult for small stores, which use thin single-use plastic bags.
Continued from A1
country and in the world, the provincial government said it is “bound to protect and put the public welfare on top of our priorities without sacrificing and taking away the resources of future generations.” “We may not be [on a] par with the developed or advance countries, but with our developmental status, it is to our advantage to take great lessons that the negative impacts of pollution and effluent emissions can do irreversible damage. “Fossil fuels come with a cost. Coal smoke is linked to everything—from asthma and birth defects, to cancer and premature death. Natural-gas fracking is tied to contaminated groundwater and earthquakes, while oil is the singlelargest source of air pollution and smog in the world,” it said. With the decision to make its province coal-free, Occidental Mindoro strives to preserve its own local natural resources, and nurture a healthy well-being for its citizens. “Understanding the scope of coalfired effluent impacts is critical for informing our choices around energy production—and for preventing the worst impacts of climate change,” it added. Lenie Lectura
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The Nation BusinessMirror
Tieza leads Mt. Samat Ceremonial Lighting of the Cross in Pilar, Bataan
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HE Mount Samat Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (FTEZ), under the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), staged the Ceremonial Lighting of the Memorial Cross on Tuesday, December 10, in time for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The Ceremonial Lighting of the Memorial Cross likewise highlighted combined efforts of stakeholders of the Mount Samat FTEZ, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tieza, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Provincial Government of Bataan (PGB) and the Municipality of Pilar. The event underscored the historical value of the Mount Samat National Shrine through the aesthetic lighting, in time for the Tuesday visit of delegates and tourists from the SEA Games participating countries. “This is another historic event of the Mount Samat Shrine of Valor, one of the flagship tourism enterprise zones of Tieza. The SEA Games event is very timely. We have taken the opportunity to show the SEA Games visitors the beauty of Mount Samat and encourage them to visit the Shrine before they leave the country,” Tieza Chief Operating Officer Pocholo D. Paragas said in a news statement. The lighting ceremony also signifed the start of the sustainable development in the historical site and the successful interagency partner-
Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, December 11, 2019 A3
Police vows probe into kidnapping of Chinese woman in Makati City
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HE Philippine National Police-AntiKidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) on Tuesday confirmed the reported kidnapping of a Chinese woman in Makati City, and assured the conduct of a thorough investigation into the incident, a video of which has gone viral on social media.
ship of the Tieza, the PVAO, the PGB and Pilar local government. “We are set to illuminate the second-largest Memorial Cross across the world and make it visible across Manila Bay at night. This will help us promote the heritage site and encourage tourists to explore the new developments in the Shrine Site, including the recently launched augmented reality-enhanced war museum,” said Mount Samat FTEZ Administrator Francis Theodore B. Initorio. “The MountSamat Memorial Cross aesthetic lights will serve as the beacon lights of our patriotism, conveying to our war veterans and people that we will always remember their courage and valor during the World War II,” the administrator added.
“It’s just all over social media. And, since yesterday [Monday] and until today, no complainant has approached the AKG. But in the absence of a complainant, because it’s viral on social media, we will deploy a team to investigate and to coordinate with the Makati City Police,” Lt. Col. Jowel Saliba, AKG spokesman, told reporters. Makati City Police Chief Col. Rogelio Simon said the victim, whose identity was still being determined as of this writing, was dragged inside a waiting Kia Carnival van at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Nieva Street at around 9 p.m. on Monday evening. Police Chief Inspector Gideon Ines Jr., head of the Makati police investigation division, identified the abducted Chinese woman was identified as Zhou Mei, 28. Ines said they were able to get her name after an interview with her relatives at the police station. Makati Mayor Abby Binay, for her part, said that while she considers the reported kidnapping as an “isolated incident,” she has, nevertheless “ordered greater police visibility to ensure the safety and protection of all Makatizens, including foreign na-
tionals, who work and conduct business in the city.” “I also urge everyone to make use of the Makatizen app to report crimes and other urgent concerns to the authorities, so as to ensure immediate police, or emergency response. Contacting our authorities should be our first course of action,” she said in a news statement. The mayor added: “I have directed the Makati police chief to stay on top of the follow-up operations and give immediate updates. All leads are being pursued to immediately identify the suspects, locate their whereabouts and apprehend them, and safely rescue the victim.” According to the AKG, from January to November 2019, they have recorded a total of 43 kidnapping incidents related to casino-debt of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. Saliba said the majority of the victims, as well as the suspects in the kidnapping cases, were Chinese nationals. He said the suspects would resort to abduction in order to force the victims to pay them and surmised that many incidents were amicably settled by the involved parties. Rene Acosta, Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco, PNA
FFW to employers: Give 13th-month pay early
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HE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) reminded employers on Tuesday to distribute the 13th-month pay to their employees “as soon as possible.” FFW Vice President Julius Cainglet said times have changed since the 13th month pay law was enacted. “While by law, employers have until Christmas Eve to give workers’ 13th-month pay, we strongly urge them to distribute this as soon as possible,” Cainglet told reporters in an interview. “If workers get their 13th-month pay on Christmas Eve, they would practically have no time to buy anything. They won’t make the most out of it as they will have to settle for merchandise that have already been looked over by most buyers. More importantly, the quality of Noche Buena food by that time might have already deteriorated while prices are skyrocketing,” he said. Cainglet also see no barriers for employers not to give Christmas bonuses to workers. “Official data from government show that we have experienced continuous growth. If it is true that the clout and power of oligarchs have been clipped, then there should be no problem giving Christmas bonuses to workers if only to prove that we have greatly reduced inequality,” he said. Employers are required to grant 13th-month pay to all rank-and-file employees who have worked for at least one month during the calendar year pursuant to Presidential Decree 851. Bernadette D. Nicolas
A4 Wednesday, December 11, 2019 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug
Economy BusinessMirror
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PHL trade deficit widens to $3.25B in Oct from $3.04B in Sept–PSA By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
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S the country’s trade deficit widened, the country’s reliance on electronic products in boosting external trade performance has increased. Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday showed the country’s external trade contracted 6.7 percent in October and the country’s trade defi-
cit reached $3.25 billion, narrower than last year but wider than the $3.04 billion in September. Export growth inched to 0.1 percent, while import growth contracted 10.8 percent in October. Export revenues reached $6.32 billion, while the country’s import bill amounted to $9.57 billion. “We need to take advantage of the country’s capacities on key products and building skills expertise, and economies of scale to adapt and
harness the benefits from emerging technologies like robotics and artificial intelligence,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said. “This will also enable the sector to climb a notch in the global value chain and transition into more value-adding and specialized production,” he added. Data showed that in October, the share of electronic products to total exports reached 56.1 percent, while
its share to total imports reached 25.3 percent. The share of electronic exports to the total has increased this year. In 2018, the share of electronic products to full-year total exports reached 55.1 percent. Pernia stressed that with this, the country needs to explore alternative production strategies and participate in international trade fairs. He added that there is also a need to implement consistent
branding strategies to increase the presence of Philippine products in the global market. “A concerted and targeted effort that will have the support of relevant government agencies to fully implement the interconnection should be prioritized to ensure that our exporters are given the necessary platform to remain at par with the rest of the Asean, besides strengthening our integration within Asean,” he added. Pernia stressed that there is a need to improve competitiveness through the institutionalization of policies and processes that will streamline, facilitate and bring down the cost of doing business. These, he said, are important factors in making the country more flexible to any eventuality that may impact the economy. Pernia said there is also a need to focus market strategies toward capitalizing on design-centric and qualitydriven products and employing niche marketing should be done for Philippine products to make leave their mark in international markets. “This only highlights the need for the Philippines to continue to diversify its export products given our continued vulnerability to sharp swings in demand, as well as possible loss of markets owing to probable shifts in the global trade war,” ING Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa told the BusinessMirror via e-mail. “We will need true reform in this regard with an export road map, coupled with improved logistics and
infrastructure to help the Philippines gain a true competitive edge against our peers,” he added. UnionBank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said their outlook amid the 17-month-old USChina trade spat remain cautious. He said this is because of the “fickle nature of the major players, particularly US President Donald J. Trump.” In 2020, Asuncion said, export performance is expected to stay lackluster under current conditions, such as the absence of a phase 1 deal between the US and China. “This [dependence on electronics] has always been flagged as a concern and it has already reared its ugly head this year. It is a risk and would not want to downplay it,” Asuncion added. He also said, however, that one of the factors that could cushion the impact of external risks is the government’s spending, particularly on infrastructure. He said this assumption is based on expectations that the 2020 budget will be passed on time, as well as the extension of the validity of the 2019 national budget until December 2020. “It’s impact will be like having a double budget of sort,” Asuncion said. The National Economic and Development Authority said trade exports benefited from the uptick in earnings from agro-based products, mainly fruits and vegetables; manufactured articles aided in drawing back the previous month’s decline to register a 0.1-percent gain in October 2019. On the other hand, imports decelerated by 10.8 percent as reduced orders for raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, mineral fuels and consumer goods weakened overall growth of imports.
Pact boosts PHL-Japan tie-up to develop Subic, nearby areas By Jove Moya
@BMJoveMoya
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APAN is expected to continue to provide technical support for the Philippines’s formulation of a regional development master plan designed to maximize the economic potentials of the Subic Bay Freeport and its surrounding environs. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Special Advisor to the Japan Prime Minister Dr. Hiroto Izumi recently signed a memorandum of agreement at the conclusion of the ninth meeting of the Japan-Philippines Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation, which was held at the Hilton Odawara Resort in the scenic town west of Tokyo. Under the said agreement, the Subic Bay Regional Development Master Plan may include possible projects in the fields of road network development, logistics terminal development, disaster-risk management and the development of public utilities. “The Philippine government may require cooperation from Japan, including Official Development Assistance [ODA] and other financial resources, for the implementation of the prioritized projects listed in the finalized master plan. Projects to be financed by Japanese ODA and other financial resources will be determined following a master plan survey and in light of both governments’ priorities,” the agreement states. Japan first made known its commitment to provide technical assistance to the Philippines for the development of Subic and its surrounding communities during the bilateral meeting between President Duterte and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last November 4 on the sidelines of the 35th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Bangkok, Thailand. Abe and Duterte described the Japanese commitment of assistance “as a testament to the deepening strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.”
DOE, Quezon City LGU set e-vehicle run on Saturday
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N a bid to spur road usage of e-vehicles in the country, the Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a “Promotional Run of Advanced Technology Vehicles” on Saturday at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. Co-organized by the local government unit (LGU), the event is part of the DOE’s Alternative Fuels and Energy Technology Program. One of the major highlights of the activity is the electric and hybrid vehicle caravan, which will be traveling from the Quezon Memorial Circle to Welcome Rotonda. Representatives from other national government agencies and the Philippine National Police will be leading the motorcade onboard their hybrid patrol cars. Automotive manufacturers would also be exhibiting select models of hybrid cars, and would be offering test drives to provide participants with the experience of driving these modern vehicles. The DOE earlier said it was drafting policies aimed at boosting the electric vehicle industry. An ad hoc technical working group was created to determine the suitability of gasoline stations as charging areas for e-vehicles. Lenie Lectura
Agriculture/Commodities BusinessMirror
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Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Wednesday, December 11, 2019 A5
Taiwan leans on R&D to expand fish exports China’s investors still like hogs even as swine fever abates
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HE worst impact of African swine fever may be over, but that doesn’t mean investors have stopped betting on the Chinese farm stocks that have benefited from the deadly virus. Although pork prices have eased from record highs in recent weeks, festivities around the Lunar New Year in January should lift demand for China’s favorite meat, even as supply remains fragile. Pig numbers have begun to recover after collapsing more than 40 percent, but new cases of the disease are still popping up and there’s still no vaccine. Moreover, the government is relying on the largest farms to repopulate the herd, squeezing out smallholders. It leaves stocks like hog-breeder Muyuan Foodstuff Co.—which has already almost tripled over the past year—open to even more gains. “Given that the surge in domestic pork prices may continue, and peak in the first quarter of next year, pig stocks are expected to continue their strong performance over the next three months,” said Dai Ming, a fund manager with Hengsheng Asset Management Co. in Shanghai. Inflation data for November saw Chinese pork prices more than double on the year, lifting consumer inflation to a sevenyear high, although the monthly gain was much less sharp than October. Wholesale prices, meanwhile, retreated almost 20 percent in November, before paring that drop in the first week of this month. Other firms to watch include New Hope Liuhe Co., which counts meat processing among its activities and has risen about 170 percent over the past year, and China’s top pig producer Wens Foodstuffs Group Co. which is up around a quarter. China’s farm ministry said on Monday that the hog herd rose 2 percent in November, the first monthly rise in a year. Pork prices have also fallen as China has boosted meat imports, while the government’s plan is to raise domestic pork supply to 80 percent of normal levels by the end of 2020 by restocking the larger farms. Thanks to heady expectations of earnings growth over the next 12 months, Muyuan saw its priceto-earnings ratio sink to a record low of 7.22 times at the end of November, way below its two-year average of 20.2. The consensus target price for the firm is 108.87 yuan, according to six analysts surveyed. That’s almost 30 percent higher than current levels. Still, not everyone is as optimistic. Xiong Qi, a portfolio manager with Windsor Capital Management Co. in Beijing, said he’s cut Muyuan from his watchlist as hog stocks are already overpriced. “Anticipation of a surplus of hogs will turn the breeding industry to a downward cycle,” he said, adding that interest in the sector is waning among investors. But time could well be on Muyuan’s side. Boosting pig numbers doesn’t immediately translate into more pork supplies, which may take over a year to recover, said Lin Guofa, a senior analyst with Beijing-based consultant Bric Agriculture Group. And, the government’s policy to allow bigger producers to expand is putting them on “a fast-track to take more market share,” he said. Muyuan said in September, it expects the number of its sows to exceed 1.3 million by the end of this year, up from around 900,000. Bloomberg News
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By Rene Acosta
@reneacostaBM
AIWAN is exploiting its advantage in research and development (R&D) to further develop its fishery sector and create more products from certain fish species, such as tilapia (St. Peter’s fish). Taiwan’s technique in cultivating tilapia is originally from the Philippines. While it is a known tuna-consuming nation, Taiwan has developed and put into practice various techniques in the propagation, culture and spawning of various fish species including grouper, snapper, mullet and sea bream. The small island nation has also found better ways of producing other marine species, such as shrimps, crabs and seaweeds, oyster, mussels, abalone in its bid to meet domestic demand and that of the export market. Inspired by the success of tilapia’s by-products, Taiwan is now looking into developing other marine species for medical purposes. Tilapia, as the Taiwanese also call it, is a freshwater fish that abounds in the Philippines. Taiwan is also actively propagating bangus or milkfish. Based on the research of the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) of Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture, tilapia
skin can be used as a detoxifying, antiaging and rejuvenating element. Taiwan was able to develop and sell skin-care products using tilapia skin. FRI Director General Chen Juneru said Taiwan has developed 11 tilapia species and allowed the island nation to produce an average of 67,000 metric tons a year. “[Tilapia] is very easy to reproduce,” said Chen, adding that it only takes four months for the fish to grow from fingerling to harvest size.
Other innovations
TAIWAN is also propping up its semiconductor and information-technology industries in its bid to convince investors affected by the trade row between the United States and China to return to the island nation. Connie Chang, director general of the Department of Overall Planning at Taiwan’s National Development Council, said at least 150 firms in the semiconductor business have already made plans to put up their
offices and production unit one of the largest holdin or transfer to Taiwan in ers of foreign reserves two years. and was among the Most, if not all, of the world’s top importer and relocating companies are exporter of goods. from China, and have been If its record is chalaffected by the raging trade lenged in the integrated war between two of the circuit production, esbiggest economies in the pecially by China, this world, which also benefited is because of Beijing’s Vietnam. cheap labor, Chang told Chang said many of the the BusinessMirror companies that may return and other papers that to Taiwan are concerned visited Taiwan last week. about China’s requireIn October, Taiwan ment to transfer technollaunched the 639,180 ogy and its intellectualsquare feet Startup property violations—two Terrace which features of the charges hurled by state-of-the-art buildthe Trump administration ings and facilities in its against Beijing. bid to the island nation “A lot of them [compainto a leading “innovanies] would come back to tion service provider” in Taiwan,” said the Taiwanese Asia-Pacific. official. T he i n no v at ion Chang added that Taipei driven village, which has embarked on the longalso hopes to develop term development of the Linkou into a smart island nation’s manufacturcity, offers housing, ing sector to make Taiwan co-working space, an more business-friendly. exhibition center and While Taiwan holds the modern facilities for record in chip production both domestic and inand in information technolternational start-ups. ogy, its dominance in these Apart from the Startareas have been challenged PHOTO shows a face mask made of tilapia collagen developed by Taiwan. RENE ACOSTA up Terrace, aspiring enor even surpassed not too trepreneurs will also be long ago by China and South Korea. its ranking as one of the top 4 “sugiven grants. Taiwan’s robust semiconductor per innovators” and its listing into The Startup Terrace has already production and IT development were the top 3 countries with the biggest notched an occupancy rate of 91 perprincipally behind the country’s avvolume output. cent and hosted 132 firms, which inerage growth rate of 3.6 percent, It has also been categorized as cluded next-generation retail stores.
BusinessMirror
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
A6
Republic of the Philippines
36.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. PENGFEI DONG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
37.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. QING CHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
38.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WEIJIE LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
39.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. NING LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Position and Brief Description of Functions
40.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. MINGHUI JIAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Manager (Administration Department)
41.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. HAOJIE LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
42.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CHEN YANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
43.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. BING HE/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
44.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YE ZHAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
45.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. QI SUN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
46.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. YUQIAN CUI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
47.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YU ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
48.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. LEI GU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
49.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WANG HE/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
50.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. ZHEWEI WEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
51.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YANG ZHAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
52.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. PENG WU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
53.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. MENGMEI XU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
54.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. HUAN WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
55.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YONGCHUAN ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
56.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. LINGJUN XU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
57.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. DONGWEN CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
58.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. KEJIE LUO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
59.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. RONGJIE LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
60.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WEILONG LU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
61.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. YIN CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
62.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. YUYING HE/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
63.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. FANGFANG LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
64.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. QIONG SU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
65.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XUYANG ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
66.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WENFA CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
67.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XIAOBING WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. IV-A 4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362 December 11, 2019
NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP) Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s. Name and Address of Company/Employer
Name and Citizenship of Foreign National
1.
BROTHER INDUSTRIES (PHILIPPINES), INC. FPIP, Brgy. Ulango, Tanauan City, Batangas
MR. MITSUHIRO EMOTO / Japanese
2.
K. DEC INC. Brgy. Santo Domingo, Cainta, Rizal
MR. YOUN JIN BAEK / Korean
3.
ATLANTIC GULF & PACIFIC COMPANY OF MANILA, INCORPORATED AG&P-SEZ, Brgy. San Roque, Bauan, Batangas
MR. FERNANDO GONCALO ANDRADE ALVES DA SILVA SANTOS / Portuguese
4.
ATLANTIC GULF & PACIFIC COMPANY OF MANILA, INCORPORATED AG&P-SEZ, Brgy. San Roque, Bauan, Batangas
MR. PETER BURNETT / British
5.
ATLANTIC GULF & PACIFIC COMPANY OF MANILA, INCORPORATED AG&P-SEZ, Brgy. San Roque, Bauan, Batangas
MR. DAVID HERMANUS MULLER / South African
6.
FONG SHANN PRINTING PHILIPPINES INC. LTC, Lipa City, Batangas
MR. LI-TANG WU / Taiwanese
7.
TAIHAN PRECISION TECHNOLOGY (PHILIPPINES) CO.,INC Lima Technology Center-SEZ, Lipa City, Batangas
MS. HSIAO-LING WANG / Taiwanese
8.
SYCHAR PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Don Jose, Santa Rosa City, Laguna
MR. CHEOLHEE KANG / Korean
9.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. QIANG ZHOU/ Chinese
Vice President E&I Superintendent
Piping Superintendent
E&I Superintendent
Operations Manager Procurement Assistant Manager Director Chinese Customer Service Representative
10.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. JIANLEI ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
11.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XUETAO WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
12.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CHANGFENG YUAN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
13.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. HUAN ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
14.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YALONG SI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
15.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. ZHIYANG DU/ Chinese
16.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. HO JIA SIN/ Malaysian
17.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. GAOJIE WANG/ Chinese
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Chinese Customer Service Representative Malaysian Customer Service Representative Chinese Customer Service Representative
18.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. NINGNING QU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
19.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. THAI KIM HY/ Vietnamese
Vietnamese Customer Service Representative
20.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. LI TIN KHITE/ Burmese
Myanmari Customer Service Representative
21.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. MENG HAN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
22.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. BIN ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
23.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. LEI XU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
24.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. SISHUI YANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
25.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YUNLONG HAN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
26.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. ZHUANG KANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
27.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. HANG HU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
28.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. HONGXI QU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
68.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. SHUANG LIU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
29.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. SHUIQUAN ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
69.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XIANG ZHAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
30.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CHENFEI HAN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
70.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. SHANGYING MO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
31.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XIALONG LYU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
71.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. ZHIFENG DENG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
32.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CHEN SHAN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
72.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YUANHONG CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
33.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. XUEMEI XIE/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
73.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. BING GAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
MS. QUIYUE YAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
74.
34.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. YONGXU YANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
75.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. MENGZHONG SU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
76.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WENNAN WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
35.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YWIN NEIN/ Burmese
Myanmari Customer Service Representative
BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Name and Address of Company/Employer
Name and Citizenship of Foreign National
Position and Brief Description of Functions
Name and Address of Company/Employer
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Name and Citizenship of Foreign National
Position and Brief Description of Functions
77.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. ZHENJUN XU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
114.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. HAILING ZHUANG/ Chinese
78.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. QIANG LUO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
115.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WONG TECK SOON/ Malaysian
79.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YUANLIN YANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
116.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. RUIJIE LUO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
80.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XINGXING LIU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
117.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. WEI ZHOU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
81.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. GUANGPING CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
118.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CHENGLONG YANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
82.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. CAIHONG HUANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
119.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CHANGQUAN GAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
83.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XING WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
120.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. FANGJING ZHUANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
121.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XIAOYONG MA/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
122.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. SHIMIN DENG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
123.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CANGSHUO MA/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Chinese Customer Service Representative Malaysian Customer Service Representative
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. JUNJIE SHI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
85.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. HAIHUA WU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
86.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WEIDONG HE/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
124.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. SHIWEI DENG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
87.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. GUANHUA HUANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
125.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WENJU MA/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
88.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. ZHENGXIANG WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
126.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YAWEI SONG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
89.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. LIUYING HE/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
127.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. BIQIONG GONG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
128.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CAI LIU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
129.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. ZHU WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
84.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YONG ANN/ Burmese
Myanmari Customer Service Representative
91.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. SIQI WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
130.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. JING LIU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
92.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. GUIHUAN LIANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
131.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. FAN XU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
93.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YUNFENG WEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
132.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CHAO WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
94.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. CHAO TANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
133.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. QIAN CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
95.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. HONGEN LYU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
134.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. ZHEN LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
135.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. ZUOYI LIAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
136.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. PENGBO YAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
90.
96.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. SHIWEI LUO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
97.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XIONG LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
137.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. RUOBING ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
98.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. YUANJIAN GUAN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
138.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WONG SIEW KIM/ Malaysian
Malaysian Customer Service Representative
99.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. SUSU XU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
139.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YANGYONG ZHENG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
140.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. FUHAN LIN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
141.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XIUJUAN YANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
142.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. JING YAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
143.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. ZHOU YANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
144.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. JIN LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
145.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. DONGFENG CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
146.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. ZUXIONG CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
147.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. DONGSHENG PENG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
148.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. FENGLAN LIU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
149.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. HAIJUN YU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
150.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YUMIN LU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
151.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XINYU LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
152.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YONG TIAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
153.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JUN SUN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
154.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. PENGYONG HUANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
155.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JIAN ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
156.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XUE FENG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
157.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. QINGZHONG SU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
158.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. MINGYE DENG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
159.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. QIYUN ZHU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WEI YANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
101.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. WEIQUN ZHU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
102.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. MEILIN HE/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
MR. YUANLIN PENG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
100.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 103. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite 104.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. GUIFU AN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
105.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XUEJING LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
106.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. XUE XIAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
107.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. SONG LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
MR. XING LI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 108. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite 109.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. XIONGFEI XI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
110.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MS. XIANGRONG DENG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
111.
112.
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. WEI CAO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
MR. KE SHI/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
MR. QINGQING WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 113. Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite
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Wednesday, December 11, 2019
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160.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JIASHUN LU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
208.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. WEIPING LAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
161.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. DAPENG TONG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
209.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. ZHAOJUN HUANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
162.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. TIANHE LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
210.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YUNFU WU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
163.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. FANGDONG XU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
211.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YANGYANG DENG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
164.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YANGYANG SHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
212.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JUNWEN LIAO/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
165.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. CHUANMING HU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
213.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JIANXIONG ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
166.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. RONGBING HAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
214.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. BIN XIAO/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
167.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. TONGXIAN LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
215.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. WEISONG XIE/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
168.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. SHEN CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
216.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. CAN WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
169.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XINGHUA WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
217.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. BING HU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
170.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. CONGCONG FENG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
218.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. CHANGHUA ZHAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
171.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. SHI CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
219.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. SHIKAI LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
172.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. CHENG YI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
220.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. HAIYING HUANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
173.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. MENGXUE ZHU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
221.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. RUIHU XIE/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
174.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XING HU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
222.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YING XU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
175.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. HAI XU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
223.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. ZHAOGUO WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
176.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. QUNXIONG HUANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
224.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. DAPENG PU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
177.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. MICHAEL WISTAKIN/ Indonesian
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
225.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. WENFENG WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
178.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. BINBIN MA/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
226.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. LEI XIA/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
179.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JUN HU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
227.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XIANG ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
180.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. LIPING SUN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
228.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. MENGJIAO TANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
181.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. FUHUO LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
229.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. QING RAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
182.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. BAOJIA LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
230.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XIAJIAN FU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
183.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. RONGTENG WEI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
231.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. ZIYANG RUAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
184.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. ZE SU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
232.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. CHANGZHANG GAO/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
185.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JIEXIA LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
233.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. GUOSEN LIN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
186.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. LIXIA WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
234.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. BIN WEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
187.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. WEI LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
235.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. FANG CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
188.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JUNXIAN RUAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
236.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. DAIMING HE/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
189.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. CHEN YU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
237.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. LIJING CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
190.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. QING LUO/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
238.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YANG LIU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
191.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YONG SUN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
239.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. HAO CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
192.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. JIAJIA LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
240.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. TIANSHUN HU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
193.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. LIANGZHU LIU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
241.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YAN WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
194.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. XI XIONG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
242.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. QINGCHEN YAN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
195.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. SANBO LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
243.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XINMIAO FANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
196.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. JIN LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
244.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. MEIXIA CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
197.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. ZHENG ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
245.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. BIAO HUANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
198.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. WENMING HU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
246.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. HAICHUN WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
199.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. CHEN XIAO/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
247.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. FANG LUO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
200.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. SHUANG WEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
248.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. BINDAO CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
201.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. HUI WENG/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
249.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. HUABIN LIU/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
202.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. WEI SUN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
250.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. YUHUA WANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
203.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. SHIPING HE/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
251.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. LEI CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
204.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. TING CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
252.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. CHANGPING ZHANG/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
205.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. XINGCHEN MA/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
253.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MS. QIN CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
206.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. XIN LI/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
254.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. RUI CHEN/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
207.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. TIANXIANG ZHOU/ Chinese
Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative
255.
LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna
MR. FAN TUO/ Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
News BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 A9
Chinese member of intl drug group nabbed at Naia By Recto Mercene @rectomercene
A
SUSPECTED member of a big time Chinese drug syndicate facing a string of criminal case before local courts was arrested at the country’s main aviation gateway on Sunday while attempting to leave the country for Tehran. Hong Liangyi, 29, was nabbed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 before he
could board a connecting flight to Istanbul en route to the Iranian capital. Hong was barred from leaving after airport agents found he is on the hold departure order (HDO) list. He is also the subject of an arrest warrant due to criminal cases for illegal drugs that were filed against him before the courts in Cavite and Batangas, said Grifton Medina, the head of the airport immigration branch. “Authorities have identified him [Hong] as a leading member of the
Dragon Wu International Syndicate allegedly responsible for the production and distribution of illegal drugs in the country,” Medina said. The suspect was turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). It was learned that last January, Hong and two other Chinese drug suspects were issued HDO by the Tagaytay City Regional Trial Court. He is one of three alien respondents in a pending criminal case.
A separate drug case was also filed against Hong and 13 other drug suspects before a regional trial court in Rosario, Batangas, which issued a warrant for their arrest in June last year. He was then considered at large. Law-enforcement agencies have tagged the Dragon Wu syndicate as behind the operations of several clandestine methamphetamine (shabu) laboratories that were discovered and raided in several places
across the country. Among these was the laboratory that PDEA agents discovered inside a warehouse at a farm in Ibaan, Batangas, in April last year, which resulted in the arrest of four Chinese suspects and four of their Filipino accomplices. The syndicate was also pinpointed as the operator of a clandestine ecstasy laboratory that was raided in Malabon City in April last year. Ecstasy, or molly, is a psychoactive
drug primarily used as a recreational drug, whose desired effects include altered sensations, increased energy, empathy and pleasure. PDEA previously said that Dragon Wu traces its roots to the socalled Golden Triangle area, bordering Thailand, Lao PDR and Myanmar, meeting at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. This place is notorious for being the center of the world’s drug producing and trafficking.
Palace says no extension SC allows live coverage of Maguindanao of martial law in Mindanao massacre case promulgation on Thursday By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM
P
RESIDENT Duterte is not likely to extend martial law in Mindanao for the fourth time following the “unanimous” recommendation of his security and national defense advisers that extremist rebellion in the south has been weakened. Ma l acañang made t he announcement on Tuesday ahead of the expiration of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao on December 31, 2019. “The Commander in Chief made the decision following the assessment of his security and defense advisers of the weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion, a result of the capture, or neutralization, of their leaders, as well as the decrease in the crime index, among the factors considered,” Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said in a news statement. Among those who made the rec-
ommendation for the non-extension of martial law in Mindanao were the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police aside from the security and national defense advisers. Moreover, the Palace said the President also expressed confidence on the capability of security forces in maintaining the peace and security in Mindanao without extending martial law. “The people of Mindanao are assured that any incipient major threat in the region would be nipped in the bud,” he said. The President’s decision, Panelo added, shows how he responds based on the situation on the ground, contrary to the claims of the so-called vocal minority. Martial law in Mindanao was declared on May 23, 2017, following the attacks launched by the Maute Group in Marawi City. Upon the President’s request, Congress granted the extension of martial law until end-2017.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
T
HE Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday to allow live media coverage of the promulgation of the decisions of the Maguindanao massacre case set on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. At a news briefing, SC Spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said strict security measures would also be implemented considering that around 400 individuals, including relatives of the parties, counsels, media men and court staff are expected to be present during the proceedings. Members of media, however, will not be allowed in the actual courtroom considering the limited space although there will be a designated area for them. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), according to Hosaka, will be on top of the security measures to be implemented during the promulgation.
“In fact, I am scheduled to meet with them later this week because after discussing this matter with the media this morning [Tuesday morning], I will have to talk to them on the security concerns,” Hosaka explained. Among the security issues to be ironed out, according to Hosaka, is whether to allow media men to bring with them the gadgets they need for an efficient and timely coverage. “Whether the gadgets will be allowed inside the media room, that would still be finalized via the guidelines,” the SC spokesman said. “So if you would need that and we will suggest that to the security experts and depending on their assessment of the situation then they will inform us and they will inform me. But definitely, with respect to security measures we will leave it up to the experts to call that,” he added. In a letter to PTV General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Julieta Claveria-Lacza, Hosaka requested
PTV last week to provide technical support and make the footage available for hook up to other news outfit. Earlier, various media outfits have asked SC to allow live coverage of the promulgation of the infamous Maguindanao massacre case set on December 19. In a three-page letter to Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta last December 3, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) said the media and the public waited 10 years for the event, thus, should be allowed to witness the promulgation. The groups said the live coverage/streaming of the promulgation would benefit the families of the 58 victims, 32 of whom were journalists, who are mostly based in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. The Maguindanao massacre case claimed the lives of 58 indi-
viduals, including 32 print and broadcast journalists who were then accompanying a group of supporters of now Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu in filing his papers to run for the post of Maguindanao governor against Andal Ampatuan Jr., then-Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.’s son. They were waylaid by armed supporters of the Ampatuans and brought in the town of Ampatuan where they were slaughtered and buried in hastily dug graves. The case should have been decided last month as it was already submitted for resolution last August but Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, presiding judge of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, which is handling the case, asked the SC for additional time before coming up with decision. Chief Justice Peralta said the court considered the huge volume of evidence and parties in the case in giving a 30-day extension to Solis-Reyes.
A10 Wednesday, December 11, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso
Opinion BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph
editorial
Addressing threats to PHL food security
T
HE 2019 edition of the Global Food Security Index developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit and supported by Corteva Agriscience, which was published on December 9, examined the state of food systems across 113 countries, including the Philippines. In the latest GFSI, the Philippines ranked 64th out of 113 countries. The country’s current ranking is an improvement from the 70th it obtained in the 2018 edition of the GFSI, which the EIU released in October last year. The country’s ranking rose by 6 notches due largely to its high scores in a number of indicators. The Philippines scored 100 out of 100 in nutritional standards, and over 90 in change in average food costs, food safety and reducing food loss. The country also got good marks in the proportion of population under global poverty line, agricultural import tariffs and food safety net programs. Despite this, the Philippines is a laggard in Southeast Asia. Singapore ranked 1st, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia did better than the Philippines in the GFSI (See, “Corruption pulls down PHL in food security list,” in the BusinessMirror, December 10, 2019). Some of the countries that ranked higher, such as Singapore, do not have vast tracts of farmlands where they can grow food crops, yet they did better than an agricultural country like the Philippines. The seeming difficulty of the Philippines to improve its food security may be due to a number of challenges identified by the GFSI—the Philippines scored low in public expenditure on agricultural research and development (R&D) and in protein quality. Its scores in sufficiency of supply, dietary diversity and agricultural infrastructure were also dismal. Compounding the matter for the Philippines is corruption. The country scored zero out of 100 in this indicator, which signifies that corruption remains pervasive in the country. This is unfortunate because the EIU said corruption can impact food availability through distortions and inefficiencies in the use of natural resources, as well as bottleneck inefficiencies in food distribution. Given the challenges posed by climate change on food production, as well as the pressing need to protect the environment, the Philippines must heed the recommendation of the EIU to adopt the latest farm technology. This can be done by increasing investments in R&D and by giving our scientists more support. The Philippines has a lot of talented innovators who can develop equipment that will help farmers improve their productivity and at the same time, reduce harmful emissions. The findings point to the need for Manila to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts and see to it that funds meant for the agriculture sector are spent judiciously. Many Filipino farmers remain unable to get a fair price for their produce simply because bad roads deter them from transporting their crops to markets. As they continue to rely on loan sharks for their production capital, planters remain poor because onerous interest rates prevent them from enjoying the fruits of their labor. With rising food prices worldwide, the Philippines is vulnerable to price volatility as it is a net importer of food items, such as rice and meat. Shooting for a 100-percent food sufficiency is a very expensive proposition and may not be feasible. However, the government must look beyond importing and start investing in Filipino planters if only to ensure that the country’s food security is not held hostage by factors beyond its control. Since 2005
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‘PHL and Indonesia had shown the world that bilateralism works’ Teddy Locsin Jr.
FREE FIRE
(Speech delivered by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. at the Embassy of Indonesia’s Gala Dinner in honor of the 70th anniversary of PhilippinesIndonesia Diplomatic Relations on December 7, 2019, at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Manila) “Selamat malam.
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AM privileged to join you tonight in celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Indonesia, and to convey the warmest greetings of His Excellency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, on this happy occasion. In the Philippines’s pantheon of diplomatic relationships, our relations with Indonesia is unique for the genuine sense of kinship and fraternity, the long historical origins of our friendship, and the concrete help Indonesia has repeatedly extended to the Philippines in those places where it has been most vulnerable to violent threats to the unity and territorial integrity of the Philippine Republic. Time and again, Indonesia has sent forces to deflect threats against the Philippines and resisted the religious temptation to enable those threats by helping us defeat them. Through the wars of secession, Indonesia gave us hardly any verbal expressions of concern. It just went in and helped us fight our enemies. No talk, all action. Thank you, Indonesia. The ties that bind our maritime nations have existed for millennia, born out of geography, contacts through trade, migration, assimilation and intermarriage—and a natural affinity derived from linguistic, cultural and religious ties and, above
all, from the shared defense of each other in the past and concrete mutual assurances of regional security in the present and future. Indeed, look at a map. What countries ring the South China Sea—locking in expansion and fending off interference from the outside? And yet never allowing their geographic advantage to be used to interfere with the internal dynamics of the region. The two true archipelagos of the globe surround Asia like ramparts; discouraging temptations of aggression. When the Indo-Pacific Strategy was first broached in the United Nations, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said: “We will not accept a policy of containment.” I was astonished at the brilliance and perspicacity of her instant reaction. I changed my views immediately; I am a quick study. It was inevitable that our archipelagos, being at the crossroads of Asia and blessed with a wealth of resources—Indonesia rather more than the Philippines, would figure
prominently in the Age of Exploration and the era of Western colonization that followed in short order. Being under different colonial masters placed us on diverging historical and cultural paths for centuries; but this same fate shaped the ideas and independence movements that would give birth to the modern-day nation states that today constitute the Philippines and Indonesia. Seventy years ago, on November 24, 1949, our countries finally renewed and formalized what was in truth an abiding and uninterrupted natural friendship between our peoples by forging formal, diplomatic ties. This inherent amity was promptly confirmed when, in 1951, then President Sukarno of the new Republic of Indonesia became the first foreign Head of State to visit the Philippines, then under President Elpidio Quirino, a leader who made foreign policy a defining aspect of his presidency and in whose watch our Armed Forces started in earnest to establish footholds in the waters of the South China Sea, even as the Asian mainland was wracked with one war after another. Sukarno was a Filipino idol, whose name was top of mind. The succeeding seven decades would see our countries deepen this friendship, and broaden the expanse of our fruitful cooperation. We became not just committed bilateral partners but, as important regional players, placing Southeast Asia on the path of integration with precursor organizations that would ultimately give rise to our Asean Community. Today, the Philippines and Indonesia, archipelagic states representing two of Asean’s fastest-growing economies, are not just partners in mutual development but also in advancing the cause of democracy, freedom especially of religious
conscience, and the rule of law. Earlier this year, I had the honor of affirming this partnership with Foreign Minister Retno when we made history anew in Bangkok with the exchange of ratification instruments to usher into effectivity the Philippines-Indonesia Agreement on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary. Weeks later, we jointly deposited the agreement at the United Nations in New York, to show the world that it is possible to settle maritime borders peacefully and in accord with international law. Agreement had come so naturally that I myself did not fully appreciate the historical significance of what we had done; not until former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd asked me at the Asia Society how tensions might be removed and differences settled if I truly believed that territory is an emotional issue, impervious to bargaining and resolution. I was speechless for a moment; then he added, “But you just did it— with Indonesia.” And it struck me. “But it took so long,” I replied. And he rejoined, “And yet you never came to blows.” Indeed, diplomacy is time. The Philippines and Indonesia had shown the world that, with sincerity and mutual respect—and no underhanded tactics and doubletalk—bilateralism works. With seven decades of nothing but unparalleled friendship, with no major disputes between us, the Philippines and Indonesia now turn our gaze toward the next seven decades. Our leaders, President Duterte and President Jokowi—by their guiding stewardship and personal friendship (a true and deep personal friendship)—have infused our relationship with greater vigor and placed it onto the inexorable path of more concord, harmony and mutual growth. Terima kasih!
Powell steers for economic soft landing thwarted twice by Trump By Rich Miller and Christopher Condon Bloomberg Opinion
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AYBE the third time, Jerome Powell will get lucky. The Federal Reserve chairman looked close to pulling off a soft landing of the ebbing US economy twice this year—at the start of May and the end of July. Each time though he saw his plans blown off course via an escalation of trade tensions by President Donald J. Trump. Things were bad enough in August that Powell delayed his vacation by a day to assess the fallout. As he approaches his third year as Fed chairman, Powell is again sounding confident that the economy and monetary policy are in a good place, calibrated to help extend the record-
long US economic expansion. Reflecting his contentment, Powell and his colleagues are expected to leave interest rates unchanged on Wednesday after cutting them at three consecutive meetings. And they’re keeping their fingers crossed that Trump will decide not to follow through on his threat to impose more tariffs on Chinese imports on December 15.
“The jury is still out, but it’s very much looking like a soft landing,” said Princeton University Prof. Alan Blinder, who served as Fed vice chairman from 1994 to 1996, the last—and arguably only—time the central bank cooled off the economy without crashing it into recession. A recession probability model developed by Bloomberg economists puts the odds of a contraction in the next 12 months at about one in four, down from close to one in two a year ago, when financial markets were spooked by what even some Fed insiders admit was a poorly executed December rate increase. “One can argue that at the end of 2018 they were a little slow to recognize that things had turned,”
former Fed Vice Chairman Donald Kohn said. But Powell “corrected it within weeks” by signaling that the Fed was putting further hikes on hold. How things go from here is critical not only for Powell’s legacy. It’s also important for the reputation of the politically independent central bank as it faces an onslaught of criticism from the president. Trump has a lot riding on Powell’s ability to keep the economy purring as well. A 2020 downturn would probably imperil his chances of winning reelection in November. At the heart of the interplay between Trump and Powell is a paradox. Fed insiders insist that Powell has turned a deaf ear to Trump’s See “Powell,” A11
Opinion BusinessMirror
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Boris Johnson is hiding the real price of Brexit
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No, I will not be your scapegoat
By Therese Raphael | Bloomberg Opinion
ITH only a few days left before the UK votes, it’s unlikely many voters will be swayed by the leaked Treasury department documents Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn dramatically revealed at a press conference on Friday. And yet, the papers provide a glimpse of the hangover that could follow any “Brexit bounce,” should the Conservatives win the parliamentary majority predicted by the polls. The 15-page internal briefing document, marked “official sensitive,” examines the financial implications of various aspects of Brexit in relation to Northern Ireland. Anyone looking at the volume of trade at stake would be forgiven for thinking these are mere details, the snag-list a new homeowner goes through with a builder. Northern Ireland represents just 2 percent of the British economy, after all. But the Northern Ireland trade arrangements are of huge significance because of the sometimes fragile peace achieved by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. It also has a bearing on the UK’s own increasingly fragile constitutional order. Tory Leader Boris Johnson enraged his former allies in Democratic Unionist Party because his Brexit deal creates a de facto trade border between the UK mainland and the province; the leaked memo won’t have improved their mood. Article 6 of the Northern Ireland Protocol in Johnson’s revised deal says “nothing in the protocol shall prevent the United Kingdom from ensuring unfettered market access for goods moving from Northern Ireland to other parts of the United Kingdom’s internal market.” The second page of the leaked document quotes this undertaking. But it then goes on to list the many possible interpretations of the term “unfettered access.” Does it mean a “lack of restrictions on goods?” Or regulatory alignment between the mainland and Northern Ireland, or the reduction of administrative costs when transferring goods, or the elimination of physical inspections? It’s unclear. Northern Ireland exports £11.4 billion ($14.9 billion) of goods to England, Scotland and Wales, 53 percent of its total external sales. A small group of large companies, accounting for nearly 40 percent of export volume, will more easily absorb any new costs. But most businesses exporting from Northern Ireland are small- and medium-sized enterprises. Customs declarations and documentary checks “will be highly disruptive to the Northern Ireland economy,” says the Treasury document, suggesting the government act to reduce the burden on smaller traders. The Treasury assumes that unfettered access will mean goods travelling from Northern Ireland to the mainland will be part of a common area for value-added tax, and that there will be no tariffs, quotas or “rules of origin” checks. But it acknowledges that there would be checks on plant and animal goods, and customs declarations. There are plenty of question marks (literally indicated as such in the document) on what other trade frictions will exist in the new regime. As for east-to-west trade—from the mainland into Northern Ireland— much will depend on negotiations with the European Union, which will establish the terms of reference for assessing which goods are “at risk” of
Powell. . .
continued from A10
demands that he gin up growth by slashing rates. But after increasing rates four times in 2018, the central bank has reversed course this year, acting quickly to shelter the economy from Trump’s trade squalls and slow global growth. “They’ve inadvertently encouraged the trade war” by anesthetizing the markets with preemptive rate cuts, said Ethan Harris, head of global economic research for Bank of America Corp. The reductions have also raised questions about the Fed’s suscepti-
landing in the EU’s single market by crossing the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Most alarming, the leaked document says that physical checks and customs declarations going both ways “will be highly disruptive to the NI economy.” The result will be higher consumer prices, which will hit retail jobs. Johnson constantly dismisses the possibility of such frictions, but the Treasury is clear about the danger of Northern Ireland without checks becoming a back door into Britain for goods that avoid import duties or don’t meet origin requirements or UK regulatory standards. Then there are the so-called high level effects. The physical separation of Northern Ireland “has the potential to undermine the coherence of the UK’s internal market and embed a fundamental asymmetry in its functioning,” the Treasury says. Johnson’s best hope at avoiding the checks would be a close regulatory relationship with Europe—exactly what his his predecessor Theresa May’s much-hated Chequers proposals sought. But that would lose him the support of Brexiters and the possibility of a trade deal with US President Donald J. Trump. And it’s not just the Treasury that sees the practical flaws in Johnson’s plans. The Financial Times reported this week on a document from the country’s Brexit ministry, which warns that the government may not have the new Northern Ireland trade system ready to go before it concludes broader trade talks with the EU. None of this has been subject to cross-examination during the election campaign, beyond Corbyn’s belated press conference. Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay admitted to the new Northern Ireland trade frictions at a House of Lords hearing in October, but Johnson has denied repeatedly that his deal would lead to any such hassles, frictions or uncertainties. In some ways, Johnson’s refusal to deal with reality is the bigger problem. With frank discussion and transparency, the public might be prepared for a degree of disruption. But the Tory leader is either refusing to engage honestly with his deal, or he doesn’t understand it. Neither bodes well. As for Thursday’s election, none of this will keep most English voters awake at night. For some time, the polls have shown that Brexit supporters would willingly see Northern Ireland or Scotland leave the union if it meant getting Brexit done. Still, the revelation underscores just how much is yet to be negotiated and what’s at stake for Britain’s own union. It’s a reminder too of the trust issues that have always plagued Johnson. How big a problem this becomes for him depends on the size of his majority if he wins. After that, much will depend on the EU, where he’ll have to negotiate the terms of those frictions he denies will exist.
bility to political pressure. “I worry that the committee will be thought of as less independent and less credible because they eased rates this year after the president criticized the Fed,” said Yale University Prof. William English, a former senior economist at the central bank, who nevertheless supported the rate cuts. Going into 2020, Powell has suggested that enough is enough. He’s said it would take a “material reassessment” of the Fed’s outlook for moderate growth, a strong labor market and inflation around 2 percent for it to move again. Trump isn’t satisfied with that stance, telling Powell in a rare sit-down on November 18 that
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 A11
Susan V. Ople
SCRIBBLES
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DECIDED to devote this entire column to set the record straight on what transpired during the Joint House hearing of the Committee on Government Reorganization and the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs. The joint committee hearing on the technical working group’s version of a bill creating a department for Filipinos overseas took place on November 26. A person who represents himself as a spokesman of the industry recently issued a press release, and I quote: “The joint committees railroaded like a bullet train the deletion of 39 provisions, like an oversight committee for the OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration] Fund, blacklisting of foreign employers, safeguards for the OWWA Fund, liability of money claims, many other important provisions that were included in the preliminary draft from 31 bills submitted by the House members and collated by Rep. Joey Salceda from relevant reform—minded from various sectors of the recruitment industry and OFWs [overseas Filipino workers].” Aside from showing to the world what atrocious writing looks like, this so-called industry expert also cited OFW Family Party-list Rep. Bobby Pacquiao for “always secondthe-motion” (sic). It also sought to paint this writer and OFW advocate as a bad person in pushing for, of all things, ethical recruitment. What were some of the provisions
being pushed by the recruitment industry that members of the House joint committees on reorganization and OFW affairs approved for deletion? Let’s see. Creation of an OFW Malasakit sa Kabayan Fund—The recruitment sector wants to put up an insurance fund to be managed by OWWA that would pay for all the money claims of distressed OFWs and seafarers. Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte moved for the deletion of this section because of a constitutional provision, which specifies that for every bill, there should only be one subject matter. Creation of an Overseas Labor Relations Commission—upon careful reading of this proposal, it says that no OFW can benefit from a favorable decision until all court appeals are resolved. Kawawa naman ’yung worker na nanalo na sa arbitration proceedings. Ilang taon bago man lang umabot ang isang appeal sa Supreme Court? No one in the room objected when the deputy speaker moved for the deletion of this proposed section.
The industry also pushed for a provision that would make it mandatory for rehired OFWs to obtain mandatory insurance to be charged to their employers. TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza, cited this as an example of a proposal that is not related to government reorganization. He suggested that the proponents submit this as a proposal to the committee on OFW affairs, which he chairs. Was there a quorum during the joint committee hearing? Rep. Marvey Mariño said there was. “In our rules, we needed only 1/5th of the membership, and the minority bloc also had a representative. There was a quorum.” Mariño assured stakeholders could still submit their comments to his committee. “May floor debates pa ’yan.” During the joint hearing, Salceda berated the industry leaders present for failing to speak up when the provisions they pushed for were being deleted. “You were so noisy during the technical working group meetings. Was I even talking to the right people?” an emotional Salceda said in the vernacular. I interviewed Mariño for this column. He said that any stakeholder who raised his or her hand to object or comment on the vote would have been recognized. “The resource persons cannot vote, but they were certainly allowed to speak.” For example, the committee chairmans did give former ACTS OFW Party-list Rep. John Bertiz quite a lengthy opportunity to speak. He was vehemently against the deletion of a provision that would make it mandatory for balik-manggagawa
The diminishing clout of economics
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By Noah Smith | Bloomberg Opinion
HE 2010s began with a financial crisis and deep recession in developed countries, and ended with social unrest and the spread of authoritarian populism. The field of economics was far from immune to the upheaval. Here are a few of the ways the field changed in the past decade: No. 1. The credibility revolution In the 1990s, economics started to become more empirical. But there was always the danger that empirical economics would devolve into lazy correlation studies and dubious methodology. The response to this worry was called the credibility revolution. Starting in the late 2000s, empirical economics began to rely much more on quasi-experimental methods, which either study the effects of random variations in economic conditions, test the results of policy experiments or set up controlled trials: The recent Nobel awarded to Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer for their work on randomized controlled trials seems to validate the shift. The new approaches aren’t without their own challenges and limitations, but they promise to make economics much more scientific. No. 2. The shift to the Left In the 1970s and 1980s, libertarian economists, such as Milton Friedman, commanded the limelight and dominated the policy conversation, while conservative supply-siders filled Washington’s think tanks. But in the 2010s, a number of left-leaning
economists became the public face of the discipline. Chief among these was the Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, who called relentlessly for more fiscal stimulus and eviscerated Republican policy ideas. Thomas Piketty became a surprise best seller with his book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century; together with frequent coauthors Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, he has raised awareness of inequality and proposed sweeping new taxes. Meanwhile, the group Economists for Inclusive Prosperity has gathered an entire army of left-leaning academic stars and their ideas are making their way into the policy proposals of Democratic presidential candidates. Econ may have once been known as the conservative science, but no longer. No. 3. The fight against sexism The pervasive sexism in the economics profession has long been an open secret. But in the 2010s, the problem began to get the attention it deserved. A series of research papers documented how female economists suffer discrimination in publishing and tenure decisions, and harassment online. The explosive revelations, widely reported in the
the central bank should push rates below zero. He also argued the Fed’s monetary policy was hurting US manufacturing exporters by elevating the dollar—even though the greenback is little changed from when Trump was elected and US companies have expressed more concern about trade strains than interest rates. Trump’s assault on the Fed is not limited to angry tweets. Earlier this year, he asked White House lawyers to explore his options for removing the central bank chair. He’s also floated the possibility of nominating economists sympathetic to his views to two open positions on the Fed board. To protect the Fed’s flank, Powell
has continued to frequent the halls of Congress. Since taking over as Fed chairman in February 2018, he’s met or spoken by telephone with lawmakers more than 170 times outside of his appearances before Congressional committees. As part of a wide-ranging strategic review, the Powell Fed has also reached out to a cross section of Americans—from small business owners to food bank managers—to get their feedback on how the central bank is doing.
‘A’ plus
“I WOULD give him an ‘A’ plus” handling the political dimension of the job, said Kohn, who is now a se-
workers to obtain insurance coverage to be charged to their foreign employers. Villafuerte calmly explained that this could be the subject of a separate bill. The truth is the recruitment industry need not wait for the creation of a new department to press for reforms in favor of their industry. The department to be created is meant for the workers, and for Filipino migrants all over the world. The right avenue for the proposals of the industry would be in the rules and regulations of the current Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and in the amendments of the existing Migrant Workers Act. In any failed lobby effort, there will always be a search for scapegoats. For openly disagreeing with some of the provisions that recruiters are pushing for, I may have incurred the ire of a few industry leaders. But like my late father, I have always lived up to the demands of my conscience. When my views are asked, I say it. I think I have earned that right given the number of years I have invested in my work as a labor advocate. It is quite sad that deliberations on a department that has yet to see the light of day have now caused deep divisions in the overseas employment sector. Perhaps the healing spirit of Christmas will touch everyone’s heart, so that we can look forward to a more cordial New Year. Susan V. Ople heads the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a nonprofit organization that deals with labor and migration issues. She also represents the OFW sector in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.
press, sparked a major push for change. The American Economic Association has taken official steps to create a more welcoming environment for women in the profession, and culture and awareness are shifting within many academic departments. Meanwhile, on social media there has been a grassroots attempt to help women economists gain more recognition for their work. No. 4. Warming to minimum wage The basic theory of supply and demand says that minimum-wage increases kill jobs. But a huge flood of new evidence in recent years has shown little or no negative effects. Research is also suggesting that concentrated corporate market power is a reason the real world doesn’t work like the simple theories in introductory textbooks. Although economists are still pretty evenly split on the question of a $15 national minimum wage, the debate has definitely shifted in favor of the policy. No. 5. Warning about monopolies As megamergers become more common, gigantic companies are taking over industry after industry. Economists are warning that this could be leading to low productivity growth, higher consumer prices and greater inequality as profits suck up a rising share of national income. The jury is still out about whether technology or lax regulation is the root cause of the trend, and what the policy-makers’ response should be. But an era of complacency has come to an end.
No. 6. Heresy on trade In the past, unfettered free trade was the one thing economists could agree on. But a growing literature suggests that China’s entry into the World Trade Organization had dire consequences for a large swath of the American work force. Meanwhile, amid the success of China and other manufacturing-oriented developing countries, more economists are turning back to the idea that industrial policy can be a good tool for poor countries to get rich. The old consensus is breaking down, allowing for a more nuanced and productive discussion of trade policy. No. 7. The diminished clout of economics It’s a sad coincidence that just as economics is improving in so many ways, its public influence is on the wane. But the financial crisis and the devastating recession that followed discredited the discipline in the eyes of much of the public. Meanwhile, decades of rising inequality and stagnating mobility has made economists the targets of leftist ire and scorn just as the field has become substantially more progressive. On the right, President Donald J. Trump has thrown economists’ advice out the window, promoting political sympathizers over serious scholars, and launching an illadvised trade war. Economists are still doing good work—better than ever, in fact—but their influence in the halls of power may take decades to recover.
nior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “He’s built a moat around the Fed through his communication with Congress and the public.” Indeed, when Powell appeared at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, last month, more than 700 local business leaders gave him a prolonged standing ovation as he took the stage. His message to them was upbeat: “At this point in the long expansion, I see the glass as much more than half full.” By allowing unemployment to fall to around half-century lows, Powell is helping to spread the benefits of the economic upswing to those less well-off, in the process
bolstering the Fed’s reputation on Capitol Hill. The question now for Powell— and Trump—is whether the Fed chief can keep the economy on a roll. Allianz SE Chief Economic Adviser Mohamed El-Erian worries the Fed has become too beholden to financial markets and wasted precious monetary ammunition by lowering rates in October. “It wouldn’t surprise me if the markets start pressuring the Fed to cut again” as it becomes clear that trade tensions aren’t going away, even if Trump reaches a minideal with China, said El-Erian, who is also a Bloomberg Opinion columnist.
A12 Wednesday, December 11, 2019
House panel backs plastic tax bill for plenary okay
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By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
@joveemarie
HE House Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday endorsed for plenary approval the measure imposing an excise tax on single-use plastic, which could generate additional revenues of P4.8 billion for the government. Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, the panel chairman, said the substitute bill will impose a levy of P20 per kilo on single-use plastic bags used in supermarkets, malls, shops, stores, sales outlets and similar
establishments. “The proposal also seeks to impose a P0.07 per piece of sando plastic bag with minimal impact or P4.8 billion [revenues for the government] on the first year of implementation,” Salceda.
“It’s [tax on single-use plastic] just the first step. The next step is a tax on primary plastic packaging, especially sachets, since it accounts for twothirds of solid waste and garbage.”—Salceda
Under the bill, 100 percent of the revenue will be earmarked for solid waste management and the implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. House Committee on Ways and Means Vice Chairman Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija, principal author of the bill, said the measure seeks to encourage the exploration and utilization of environment-
friendly alternatives to single-use plastic bags. Also, Suansing said the revenue from this proposal could be used to finance programs and projects to counter the harmful effects of plastic pollution in the country. “It is a known fact that plastic bags contaminate soil and waterways. Based on available data, 4 to 5 trillion plastic bags are utilized worldwide each year, and billions of these end up as litter,” she said. “These are, likewise, toxic to both humans and animals, especially, when accidentally ingested. Plastic marine debris have been documented to harm at least 267 species, among which are sea turtles and dolphins,” Suansing added. See “Plastic,” A2
Recto prods Congress to pass ₧310-B SSL
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ENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto prodded Congress on Tuesday to pass an updated salary standardization law (SSL) seen to benefit 1.7 million government workers and estimated to cost taxpayers a “P310 billion, four-year tab.”
In sponsoring the SSL of 2019, Recto clarified that “I do not fully endorse the rates here, but I join the sponsors in bringing this measure to the floor in the hope that like proposals that have been here before, it can be improved by our collective wisdom....”
TAIL-END OF A COLD FRONT AFFECTING BICOL REGION NORTHEAST MONSOON AFFECTING THE REST OF LUZON as of 4:00 pm - December 10, 2019
He also sought to put on record his call for the Executive branch to “revamp the position classification system so that items will be properly compensated based on the work done, experience required, competence involved and difficulty in execution.”
At the same time, the Senate President Pro Tempore pointed out that, “like computer programs, the public-sector plantilla needs an upgrade, to reflect the changes in the skills-market conditions.” The bill, he added, “is not a gift of one person, nor the result of the generosity of one institution. It springs from the grace of taxpayers who will ultimately pick up the P310 billion, four-year tab of this bill.” He added that funding will come “from tax on the water they flush down their toilet, on phone calls they make, on the gas they will buy.” Recto said he had to bring up this point so that those who will provide the funding must get the rightful credit. “We are here to merely serve as midwives of this bill, birthing this legislation that will come from pockets of the sovereign.” Butch Fernandez
VILLAR: DAGAT-DAGATAN RAMP OF NLEX HARBOR LINK OPENS IN JANUARY
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UBLIC Works Secretary Mark A. Villar on Tuesday announced the opening of the Dagat-Dagatan Ramp of Nlex Harbor Link after conducting a progress inspection of the ongoing construction of the 2.6-km Nlex Harbor Link (R10 Section) and the 8-km Nlex Connector elevated expressways in the Camanava area. “We are committed to fully opening this January the new off-ramp that will bring motorists directly from Nlex to DagatDagatan in Malabon City,” Villar said. “24/7 construction will be undertaken to complete the 2.6-km section which stretches west from the new Caloocan Interchange to Radial Road 10,” he added. The Harbor Link is intended to facilitate direct access between the port area and North and Central Luzon via the Nlex. Motorists, especially those in the commercial trucking sector, will enjoy a hassle-free elevated expressway alternative to the choke points of Edsa Balintawak, A. Bonifacio and C3/5th Avenue. It is also envisioned for truckers who will be spared from the truck ban and will subsequently experience quicker turnaround. Villar, joined by Nlex Corp. President and GM J. Luigi L.
Bautista, also witnessed the full-blast foundation works of the first 5-km section of the Nlex Connector expressway at the new Caloocan Interchange. This section will extend to the future Sampaloc Interchange near España Boulevard, Manila. “Working on the bored pile foundation is a delicate part of the construction process. A systematic laying of the foundation is being carefully and precisely engineered to prevent mounting traffic and ensure safety in the construction area,” Bautista pointed out. A total of 223 piers will be built to support the all-weather, all-vehicle Nlex Connector which will eventually interconnect with the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, in Santa Mesa, Manila. “Upon completion of the Nlex Connector, travel time from Nlex to Slex will be reduced from the usual two hours to approximately 20 minutes,” Villar noted. The elevated, 4-lane divided carriageway Nlex Connector will feature two interchanges and four toll plazas running above the Philippine National Railways’ lines. The PNR right-of-way is being shared by the Nlex Connector and the North-South Commuter Railway, which is also under construction.
MMDA to public: Brace for heavy Dec. 11 traffic FDI still in the red, down By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco Correspondent
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OTORISTS and commuters were told on Tuesday to brace for heavy traffic for the closing ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Wednesday, December 11. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said at least 114 buses and other types of vehicles bearing SEA Games delegates will travel from different billeting hotels around Metro Manila en route to New Clark Athletic Stadium after lunch time. The convoys will use the yellow lane and inserts toward the flyover, and tunnel/underpass while traveling along Edsa. Motorists are advised to avoid the yellow lane and give way to the convoy. Traffic personnel are also positioned in key areas in the metropolis to guide motorists and facilitate the movement of the convoy. Since SEA Games started on November 30, stop-and-go traffic scheme had been implemented on Edsa, Roxas Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, and other thoroughfares in Metro Manila that allowed convoys of athletes, sports officials, and other guests to pass through.
to $582M at the end of Q3 Continued from A1
withdrawals of $117 million—as placements increased by 79.5 percent from $69 million to $125 million, while withdrawals declined by 84.8 percent from $187 million to $28 million. Earlier this year, UnionBank Economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion said the anxiety related to the pending Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) may also be dragging down these investments. “Further hurting the general investment perception is the uncertainty brought by how certain fiscal reforms, such as the Citira Bill, particularly the rationalization of the current fiscal incentives, and how it will come out in final form,” Asuncion said last month. “New investors and fresh investments are seen to be on hold, waiting for the eventual outcome from discussions on the pending law.” The September development moved the FDI for the first nine months of the year to a net inflow
of $5.1 billion, 36.9 percent lower than the $8.1-billion net inflows registered last year. “The slowdown in inflows reflected the adverse effects of the prolonged trade disputes, which continued to affect global growth negatively and prompted foreign investors to hold off their investment plans in emerging markets including the Philippines, until the global growth outlook improves,” the BSP said. The bulk of equity capital placements during the period emanated from Japan, the United States, Singapore, China and South Korea. The industries that benefited from these capital infusions were financial and insurance, real estate and manufacturing. Asuncion said there is still hope that FDI inflows to the country will snap its declining trend within the year, as the October progress in US-China trade tensions may provide a sliver of hope and a slight recovery of FDI inflows in the last months of 2019, as well as the further clarity about the fiscal reform efforts.
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In the ad material of Notice of filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 16, 2019, the Position of Mr. He, Liang under GREAT EMPIRE GAMING AND AMUSEMENT CORP. should have been read as Chef and not as published. While in the Ad Materials published on November 22, 2019, the Position of Mr. Li, Weiyu under FIRST GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. should have been read as Mandarin Customer Service Assistant Supervisor and not as published. If you have any information / objection to the above mentioned application/s, please communicate with the Regional Director thru Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (EPWW) Division with Telephone No. 400-6011.
ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR
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Companies BusinessMirror
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
B1
Manila Water, Maynilad to defer rate hikes for January By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
W
@joveemarie
ATER concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services Inc. on Tuesday said they will defer their approved water rate hikes in January 2020 to a still unspecified time line, as their top officials endured grilling in the House of Representatives over provisions in their 1997 concession agreement with regulators that the Justice department deemed “onerous.” During the joint hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and House Committee on Public Accounts, Manila Water President and CEO Jose Almendras said they informed the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on their intention to cooperate to reach an agreement regarding the implementation and delay in the water rate hikes. A l mend ra s sa id t he water firm will also discuss the onerous provisions in the concession agreement. “Our suggestion was to defer the rates hike and discuss with the regulatory office but, the increase in January 2020, will no longer be implemented,” said Almendras. “We will comply with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to review and discuss certain provisions in the concession agreement,”
Almendras added. For his part, Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said it is open to delay their scheduled water rate hike. “We are open to delay [the water rate hike]. We agree with the delay, but we just have to discuss the timing and the provisions,” Fernandez said. The MWSS earlier approved a hike of P5.73 per cubic meter in the basic charge of Maynilad, and P6.22 to P6.50 per cubic meter for Manila Water, to be implemented in tranches. As approved by the MWSS, starting January 1, 2020, Maynilad was set to increase its basic charge per cubic meter by P1.95; and Manila Water by P2. At the joint hearing, Almendras also said the company will cooperate with the government and will not collect the P7.4-bil-
lion award recently made by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore in the case filed by the water concessionaire for losses it incurred during previous administrations. See story on page A1.
How much debt?—Atienza
ALSO at the House marathon hearing, Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza asked the two water concessionaires to submit a complete accounting of all that they have borrowed in the name of their concession contract from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other foreign lending institutions. “These are all covered with the sovereign guarantee of the Filipino people. If they fail to pay for these loans, it’s the Filipino people who will pay for them. How much have they borrowed? And how much have they put into construction of these treatment facilities?” asked Atienza, a former Environment secretary who, in August 2019, won a Supreme Court ruling upholding fines he imposed on the water concessionaires—this time for Manila Bay’s pollution as a result of inadequate sewerage systems.
Atienza said at the House hearing: “They have been declaring net profits at the Philippine Stock Exchange every year, individual and corporate, and [even give out] dividends. We want a complete picture of this. This would prove that they are not losing money, but they want to make more money.” According to Atienza, public utilities such as water should never fall into the hands of private businesses. “They will always be profitmotivated and not public serviceoriented.” Atienza added.
Renationalization
MEANWHILE, the Makabayan bloc said it is high time that the government take over water services instead of handing over control to another private company that also has inefficient service and costly rates for its consumers. The bloc alluded to speculation that President Duterte stoked when he cited the water business of the Villars, who own PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. In random comments, he said maybe they should take over Metro Manila’s water supply system. The Makabayan bloc has long called for the renationalization of water services. “In just two decades, rates for Maynilad Water Services Inc. have increased by 596 percent, while Manila Water Co. by 970 percent. PrimeWater already controls 63 water districts with reports of hikes in the cost of water while also experiencing extreme water shortages,” it added.
Fruitas cash balance boosted after IPO F
RUITAS Holdings Inc., an operator of beverage kiosks, on Tuesday said its consolidated cash balance exceeded P1 billion immediately after going public. In its disclosure, the company said the estimated net proceeds from the sale of new shares of approximately P820 million will boost its cash balances and cut its debt levels. Even after the planned debt repayment of P150 million, pro forma cash balance of approxi-
mately P850 million will far exceed the notes payable balance, which is expected to be halved to just above P200 million by end of the year from around P409 million, using IPO proceeds and internally generated cash. “We expect...our liabilities-toequity ratio to improve from 1.6 times as of June 30, to below 0.5 times by end of the year. In addition, our cash reserves place us in a very strong position to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities that are presented
Nissan faces $22-million fine for underreporting Ghosn’s pay
Morgan Stanley fined $22 million for rigging French bond markets
N
ISSAN Motor Co. is set to be fined ¥2.4 billion ($22 million) for underreporting former Chairman Carlos Ghosn’s compensation, Japan’s securities regulators said. The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission made the recommendation just over one year after Ghosn’s arrest, which shocked the auto industry and triggered turmoil at the Japanese automaker and its alliance partner, Renault SA. Ghosn, who has denied charges of underreporting income and diverting company money for his own use, is free on bail as he prepares for a trial set to start next year. Nissan is struggling to chart a path to growth after announcing a plunge in profitability to decade lows and 12,500 job cuts, and replacing top management. In September, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled with Nissan and Ghosn over claims that they failed to disclose more than $140 million in pay. Nissan will pay the US regulator $15 million while Ghosn was hit with a $1 million penalty as part of the settlement. Bloomberg News
M
ORGAN STANLEY was fined €20 million ($22.1 million) by French regulators after the bank’s London desk was accused of using “pump and dump” tactics to manipulate sovereign bond prices. The enforcement committee of the Autorite des Marches Financiers said the bank manipulated the prices of 14 French government bonds and eight Belgian bonds in June 2015. The lender also manipulated the price of a French government bond futures contract, the AMF said in a statement on Tuesday. “The seriousness of the infringements is also reinforced by the sophistication of the contentious transactions conducted by the traders,” the French watchdog said. “The traders on the desk knew that on June 16, 2015, there was high volatility and low liquidity on the market,
to us,” Fruitas Director and Chief Financial Adviser Calvin Chua said. Fruitas also highlighted the growth momentum that it has generated in the past years. “While we have nearly quadrupled our store network from 260 as of end-2015 to 1,036 just before our listing, we believe there is still significant potential for expansion for both our leader and challenger brands. Our revenue growth of above 20-percent growth in the first half of the year is expected to be sustained until
which would necessarily increase the impact of their operations.” At a hearing last month, AMF investigators said the bank ’s London desk was long on French bonds and short on German debt, betting the yield spread would narrow. But the opposite scenario played out as the fallout from Greece’s impasse with creditors spread, causing the desk to lose $6 million on June 15, 2015, and another $8.7 million when markets opened the next day. To narrow its losses and avoid hitting a $20 million loss-limit set by Morgan Stanley’s management, the London desk allegedly acquired futures on French bonds on June 16, 2015, with the sole objective of increasing the market value of French and Belgian bonds before aggressively selling the latter. French and Belgian bonds
end of the year,” Chua said. Fr uitas’s sca lable business model and strong revenue growth differentiate it from other listed food service peers in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), which only registered single-digit percentage revenue growth for the first nine months of 2019 due to various factors, according to their respective interim financial statements. The company’s share price was last traded at P1.16, down from its IPO price listing of P1.68 per share. VG Cabuag
are considered interchangeable, according to the AMF. Morgan Stanley said it would appeal the decision.
Market maker
“THE activities in question were undertaken in accordance with market practice and as part of the firm’s role and obligations as a market maker, and Morgan Stanley remains confident that it has acted in the best interests of the market and its clients,” the bank said in a statement. During the hearing, Morgan Stanley said it “absolutely and categorically rejects the AMF’s allegations.” Stephane Benouville, a lawyer for the bank, said the accusations didn’t stand up to scrutiny and added that fining Morgan Stanley would send a message that market makers aren’t allowed to hedge themselves and exit risky positions. Bloomberg News
JG Summit forms JV with DHL to create a logistics firm By VG Cabuag
@villygc
C
OURIER DHL Supply Chain has entered into a joint venture with the Gokongwei’s JG Summit Holdings Inc. to create a transport and distribution solutions for domestic and international businesses in the country. The joint-venture company called DHL Summit Solutions Inc. will leverage the strengths of both parties to enhance domestic transportation operations to improve safety, compliance and customer experience in the Philippines, it said. “The Philippine economy is expected to grow by 6 percent yearon-year, and businesses will need to invest in world-class logistics and warehousing services to stay ahead of the competition,” Lance Gokongwei, JG Summit president and CEO, said. “With our diverse business portfolios and local networks, we are committed to help homegrown and international companies in the Philippines achieve their next phase of
growth. Working with DHL is the ideal move for us, as we leverage their global footprint and tap onto their expert knowledge to provide integrated industry leading services.” Terry Ryan, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, Asia Pacific, said, the company is seeing greater investment by the government in enhancing infrastructure, such as setting up integrated logistics and industrial parks. Customers can count on their expertise in this aspect, he said. “Our global network and local expertise puts us in good stead as the most reliable logistics partner they need, to fully capitalize on the market opportunities,” he said. As one of the most dynamic economies in East Asia, the Philippine economy is projected to grow exponentially, supported by the government’s Development Plan for the period 2017-2022 which is aimed at accelerating infrastructure programs and projects especially for the health care, telecommunication, electronics and retail sectors.
ERC flags ‘possible legal impediments’ in DOE’s draft circular on net metering By Lenie Lectura @llectura
T
HE Energ y Reg u l ator y Com m i ssion ( ERC ) on Tuesday said it called the attention of the Department of Energy (DOE) in connection with its draft circular on-net metering scheme. “Upon perusal of the draft department circular, we were of the opinion that there are possible legal impediments in the implementation of the DOE circular. The cross-cutting concerns of energy security, affordability, and reliability also needs to be considered and addressed,” said ERC Chairman and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera. The DOE’s draft circular entitled, “Policies to Enhance the NetMetering Program for Renewable Energy Systems and Other Mechanisms to Ensure Energy Security” should be imposed on all types of renewable-energy sources, the commission noted. The ERC pointed this out in a letter it sent to the DOE. It averred that the Net-Metering Rules should be made applicable to all types of RE and not just focused on a certain type of technology or resource. “The Commission fully supports the development of the RE Program, and we commend the DOE for coming up with its draft department circular that seeks to encourage and promote electricity end-users participation into the Net-Metering Program. The department circular, however, should not veer away from the confines of the law that it seeks to implement,” Devanadera stated. The ERC raised the following possible legal drawbacks of the DOE’s draft circular: The proposed multiple compensation mechanism is not consistent with the provisions of the RE Act and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira); Sections 6 (Own-Use RE Systems with Above 100 kW capacity) and 7 (Own-Use RE Systems as Emergency Supply Option) are not sup-
ported by the express provisions of the RE Act; and the responsibilities imposed upon ERC under Section 11 have already been addressed with the promulgation of the Amended Net-Metering Rules. The DOE draft rules also cited the use of retail rate as one of the compensation mechanisms, as opposed to the use of blended generation cost that the ERC adopted. This, the ERC pointed out, will consequently increase the generation cost of the distribution utility through the net-metering program. This was based on the simulation it conducted on the impact of using the retail rate as the price of export at different levels of net-metering penetration. “The resulting retail rate of P13.8528/ kWh at the 30-percent maximum net-metering penetration level is even higher than the last FeedIn-Tariff [FiT] rate set at P8.69/ kWh, and this runs contrary to the Epira’s policy to provide the least cost power options to captive consumers,” the ERC noted. The commission earlier amended its Net-Metering Rules. It asserted that it has the mandate to issue rules and regulations pertaining to Net-Metering and it has fulfilled such mandate in its promulgation of the NetMetering Rules in 2013 and the Amended Net-Metering Rules last October 2019. The recent amendments to the Net-Metering Rules of the ERC sought to: improve the interconnection setup to take advantage of new technologies and to implement the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS); simplify permitting procedures; reduce installation soft costs; minimize the rate impact on non-net-metering customers; address the subsidy impact on the non-net-metering customers; rationalize entitlement to the lifeline subsidy rate; and implement a stringent reporting process. The DOE has yet to comment on the ERC letter.
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Companies BusinessMirror
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS
December 10, 2019
Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALS
BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND MEDCO HLDG NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE
159.9 86.5 24.9 12.72 67 35.55 58.2 23.95 196 57.5 0.94 18 0.54 4 7.03 0.375 0.8 173.5 1800 1.04
160 87.05 25 12.76 67.2 35.65 58.7 24 198.9 58.1 0.95 18.46 0.6 4.17 8.49 0.39 0.82 174.6 1838 1.08
160 88.95 25 12.74 68.2 35.5 58.1 24 199.4 57.5 0.95 18.46 0.6 4.03 7 0.395 0.82 178.6 1855 1.04
160 88.95 25.05 12.8 68.2 35.95 58.7 24.05 199.6 57.5 0.95 18.46 0.6 4.17 7 0.405 0.82 178.6 1855 1.04
158.8 86.5 24.85 12.7 66.65 35.5 58.1 24 196 57.5 0.95 18 0.6 4 7 0.39 0.82 173.5 1800 1.04
159.9 86.5 25 12.76 67 35.65 58.7 24 196 57.5 0.95 18 0.6 4.17 7 0.39 0.82 174.6 1800 1.04
1096780 1356830 173800 130600 1921390 120200 2020 17900 449670 1750 155000 32000 5000 279000 1500 270000 12000 1110 15 400000
175308396 118800457.5 4343145 1662814 128794927.5 4284365 117667 429725 88941552 100625 147250 576046 3000 1117130 10500 108250 9840 192796 27525 416000
INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO MANILA WATER PETRON PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER VIVANT AGRINURTURE AXELUM CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA JOLLIBEE MAXS GROUP MG HLDG PEPSI COLA SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP HOLCIM MEGAWIDE PHINMA TKC METALS VULCAN INDL CHEMPHIL CROWN ASIA EUROMED LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR IONICS PANASONIC SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG
HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B BHI HLDG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS
39741133 -38925588 34860 358190 13486799.5 358775 -1018502 -180000 -10500 -90292 -
2.25 1.23 33.8 0.228 24 73.1 321 14.4 4.3 3.81 11.16 33.45 7.83 15.56 13.5 2.58 20.55 15.24 5.06 8.29 7.18 87.45 0.53 1.15 40 201 11.98 0.163 1.39 9.84 2.13 5.35 1.88 0.116 141.4 1.12 65 66.75 2.17 14.6 10.1 13.54 16.54 9.75 1.03 0.87 161 2.01 1.67 4.73 3.01 4.99 26.35 1.95 7.68 1.33 5.15 0.91 4.52
2.26 1.27 33.85 0.235 24.35 73.2 324 14.5 4.31 4.04 11.2 33.5 7.9 16.5 13.66 2.6 21.5 15.3 5.15 8.33 7.19 88.4 0.56 1.16 40.85 202.6 12 0.164 1.4 10 2.16 5.4 1.9 0.12 141.5 1.14 68.5 72 2.18 14.8 10.3 13.8 16.6 9.97 1.04 0.88 165 2.05 1.74 4.89 3.15 5.05 28.45 1.98 7.79 1.4 5.6 0.94 4.75
2.38 1.28 34.5 0.228 24.5 73.5 326 15.3 4.28 4.06 10.92 33.5 7.95 16.5 13.7 2.84 22 15.4 5.25 8.35 7.19 88.7 0.56 1.25 40 207 12.4 0.163 1.39 10.24 2.16 5.36 1.9 0.12 138.3 1.14 68.95 72 2.14 14.9 10.3 13.62 16.96 9.6 1.05 0.88 161 2.06 1.78 4.76 3.25 4.99 28.5 2.05 8 1.4 5.62 0.9 5.02
2.38 1.28 34.75 0.235 24.7 73.5 326 15.3 4.3 4.06 11.2 33.8 7.95 16.5 13.72 2.86 22 15.42 5.25 8.36 7.24 88.7 0.57 1.27 40 207.6 12.4 0.163 1.41 10.4 2.17 5.4 1.9 0.12 142 1.15 68.95 72 2.19 14.9 10.32 13.84 16.96 9.8 1.05 0.88 163 2.06 1.78 4.76 3.25 5 28.5 2.05 8 1.4 5.62 0.91 5.04
2.25 1.28 33.8 0.228 23.9 73.1 321 14 4.25 3.9 10.92 33.2 7.8 16.5 13.5 2.57 20.5 15.1 5.15 8.26 7.17 87.45 0.53 1.03 39.2 201 11.98 0.163 1.37 9.8 2.13 5.35 1.9 0.118 138.3 1.12 65 66.7 2.12 14.6 10.28 13.54 16.54 9.6 1 0.82 160 2 1.76 4.75 3.1 4.99 26.5 1.92 7.68 1.4 5.61 0.9 4.5
2.26 1.28 33.8 0.235 24 73.1 321 14.5 4.3 3.9 11.2 33.45 7.83 16.5 13.68 2.6 20.55 15.24 5.15 8.29 7.19 88.4 0.57 1.16 40 201 12 0.163 1.4 9.8 2.13 5.4 1.9 0.118 141.5 1.14 65 66.7 2.17 14.6 10.3 13.82 16.6 9.8 1.04 0.87 163 2.05 1.76 4.75 3.1 5 28.45 1.98 7.68 1.4 5.61 0.91 4.52
6475000 7000 1117400 110000 257100 4650 68650 4910200 1293000 23000 44900 212100 60400 100 93400 3764000 23000 2498800 6900 4623100 161400 66290 1863000 98770000 25900 183340 125200 140000 9007000 133100 3283000 39600 21000 200000 610220 2153000 220 610 865000 13800 218700 1100 1003500 33400 46000 1696000 390 149000 8000 12000 14000 605000 600 5564000 312900 2000 300 30000 443300
14913050 8960 37954505 25150 6231545 340724 22092058 71173094 5535390 91180 496162 7090135 473148 1650 1274650 10139310 494995 38014080 35635 38442092 1158876 5838662 1012570 112282360 1035680 37382754 1502392 22820 12598440 1336832 7052610 212628 39900 23900 85922623 2451990 14418.5 42959 1872710 203030 2252572 15062 16658182 326555 46780 1458470 62950 301430 14100 57020 43980 3024950 16295 11061660 2403852 2800 1684 27040 2065066
247300 -18600585 -551175 -70317 -5650396 -22141506 -345960 -39200 -695605 7850 8312 584180 -386970 -7105738 -933428 -3405368.5 824430 744140 -9705550 492982.0003 -3190390 -1081866 -77958 -2766287 -1122130 -128710 -14087758 1700 -3000000 4074649.9999 -88270 9000 -18654.9997
0.75 11.88 815 51.1 11.06 3.04 6.55 0.69 0.92 0.96 1250 6.75 5.89 12.94 873 5.25 78.8 5.2 0.485 3.76 11.36 0.56 3.67 5.06 1.31 1.22 201 1051 157.7 0.76 207.2 0.214
0.76 11.92 817.5 51.35 11.08 3.08 6.72 0.7 0.94 0.97 1718 6.79 5.9 13 880 5.44 79 5.79 0.495 3.8 11.62 0.57 3.68 5.18 1.38 1.23 210 1053 158.1 0.81 212.6 0.222
0.77 11.92 815 50.6 11.1 3.32 6.6 0.69 0.92 0.95 1250 6.75 5.95 13 895 5.3 77.5 5.21 0.485 3.84 11.76 0.56 3.54 5 1.4 1.23 380 1060 159.9 0.8 218.8 0.214
0.77 12 820 51.35 11.1 3.32 6.76 0.7 0.95 0.97 1250 6.99 6.03 13 895 5.3 79 5.21 0.5 3.85 11.78 0.57 3.72 5.35 1.4 1.24 385 1069 159.9 0.81 218.8 0.214
0.75 11.88 807.5 50.15 11.04 3 6.6 0.68 0.92 0.95 1250 6.75 5.79 13 873 5.3 77.5 5.21 0.485 3.76 11.36 0.56 3.53 5 1.28 1.23 200 1051 157.5 0.75 212.6 0.214
0.76 11.9 815 51.1 11.08 3.04 6.72 0.7 0.94 0.97 1250 6.79 5.9 13 873 5.3 79 5.21 0.5 3.76 11.62 0.56 3.67 5.06 1.38 1.23 201 1051 158.1 0.81 212.6 0.214
1292000 25000 77240 447410 14118800 19562000 30200 316000 514000 325000 25 13900 14215600 200 25150 240000 730360 2000 16000 125000 2108700 146000 49530000 188300 244000 62000 23330 159510 166500 74000 120 100000
970170 297504 63015030 22827112.5 156418560 60091550 203336 218100 478120 311450 31250 94920 83517588 2600 22224295 1272000 57645049 10420 7805 475790 24155788 81780 179206970 965570 322060 76280 5840870 167872050 26275595 56710 25674 21400
8250 -22850420 4010960 -26637246 1080950 -202676 10350 258200 -31250 10123 -17262573 -5670035 -79500 28977350.5 -30400 -246360 -60266850 67840 27000 -118947105 -2447658 -2126 -21400
PROPERTY
ARTHALAND CORP 0.81 0.83 0.82 0.83 0.82 0.83 794000 655740 ANCHOR LAND 8.91 9.5 9.15 9.5 9.15 9.5 17100 161050 160100 AYALA LAND 45.25 45.35 44.8 45.4 44.3 45.25 6292400 282763560 -6412230 ARANETA PROP 1.36 1.37 1.43 1.51 1.37 1.37 221000 312860 8220 BELLE CORP 2.01 2.02 2.02 2.03 2 2.02 318000 641820 -62710 A BROWN 0.72 0.74 0.72 0.74 0.72 0.74 187000 134680 CITYLAND DEVT 0.84 0.86 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84 11000 9240 CROWN EQUITIES 0.18 0.19 0.18 0.19 0.18 0.18 700000 126500 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.63 4.71 4.71 4.71 4.63 4.71 508000 2383650 355930 CENTURY PROP 0.52 0.53 0.55 0.55 0.52 0.53 20612000 10962010 11680 CYBER BAY 0.39 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.39 0.4 4210000 1682000 DOUBLEDRAGON 19.1 19.16 18.82 19.24 18.6 19.16 248100 4678116 284150 DM WENCESLAO 10.18 10.24 10.04 10.24 10.04 10.2 30500 309334 -22180 EMPIRE EAST 0.43 0.44 0.43 0.44 0.43 0.44 1000000 430100 8600 EVER GOTESCO 0.121 0.125 0.121 0.121 0.121 0.121 70000 8470 FILINVEST LAND 1.49 1.5 1.52 1.52 1.47 1.5 5533000 8231860 -529160 8990 HLDG 14.84 14.9 14.84 14.9 14.84 14.84 38900 577288 -238924 PHIL INFRADEV 1.29 1.31 1.31 1.33 1.29 1.31 887000 1154840 KEPPEL PROP 4.13 4.2 4.25 4.25 4.2 4.2 36000 151340 CITY AND LAND 0.73 0.78 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.73 8000 5840 MEGAWORLD 4.24 4.25 4.18 4.26 4.18 4.25 10597000 44870600 13635540 MRC ALLIED 0.181 0.182 0.187 0.187 0.18 0.181 8390000 1524070 PHIL ESTATES 0.395 0.415 0.395 0.395 0.395 0.395 30000 11850 PRIMEX CORP 2.01 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.01 2.01 311000 625150 ROBINSONS LAND 25.55 25.9 25.5 25.9 25.15 25.9 1214200 31051015 1723015 SHANG PROP 3.15 3.2 3.24 3.24 3.15 3.15 25000 80150 STA LUCIA LAND 2.44 2.45 2.43 2.48 2.36 2.45 271000 662190 SM PRIME HLDG 40.8 40.9 40.8 41 40.65 40.9 5173600 211,476,5351 6272144.9997 VISTAMALLS 5.24 5.5 5.51 5.51 5.24 5.5 53800 292661 SUNTRUST HOME 1.12 1.15 1.23 1.28 1.1 1.12 7410000 8510460 PTFC REDEV CORP 44 45 45 45 45 45 1000 45000 VISTA LAND 7.46 7.49 7.47 7.5 7.44 7.49 2966900 22182427 -618185 SERVICES ABS CBN 16.74 17 17 17 16.7 16.74 146900 2467064 GMA NETWORK 5.19 5.2 5.28 5.29 5.19 5.2 33700 175881 MANILA BULLETIN 0.39 0.4 0.39 0.39 0.39 0.39 170000 66300 MLA BRDCASTING 11.5 13.9 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 800 9200 GLOBE TELECOM 1930 1934 1931 1946 1930 1930 12185 23539220 1667200 PLDT 1000 1008 1033 1033 1000 1000 295135 296858020 -264569905 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.039 0.041 0.039 0.041 0.039 0.041 18000000 730900 DFNN INC 5.16 5.68 5.16 5.16 5.16 5.16 2200 11352 ISLAND INFO 0.1 0.101 0.104 0.104 0.1 0.1 2510000 254760 ISM COMM 3.63 3.64 4.15 4.16 3.42 3.63 9839000 37598520 -155500 NOW CORP 2.68 2.7 2.94 2.94 2.6 2.68 6750000 18402220 -83140 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.285 0.29 0.285 0.295 0.285 0.285 3580000 1035300 -142499.9997 PHILWEB 2.65 2.69 2.65 2.7 2.65 2.69 436000 1162120 -26550 2GO GROUP 9.85 10 9.9 10 9.85 9.85 4100 40525 ASIAN TERMINALS 18.02 18.3 18 18 18 18 135000 2430000 2430000 CHELSEA 5.5 5.51 5.72 5.75 5.48 5.51 603300 3346498 -83036 CEBU AIR 91.3 91.35 91.5 91.85 91.1 91.35 71660 6545077.5 -2405696 INTL CONTAINER 117 117.2 117.6 119.3 117 117 1046210 122792086 -65216937 LBC EXPRESS 13.1 13.3 13.4 13.4 13.3 13.3 4100 54730 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.89 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1000 900 MACROASIA 16.62 16.86 16.9 17 16.62 16.86 74400 1246624 20050 PAL HLDG 7.62 7.74 7.62 7.62 7.62 7.62 900 6858 HARBOR STAR 1.14 1.15 1.24 1.27 1.13 1.14 1325000 1552770 40600 ACESITE HOTEL 1.43 1.5 1.51 1.56 1.49 1.5 5000 7570 WATERFRONT 0.6 0.61 0.59 0.6 0.59 0.6 140000 82750 CENTRO ESCOLAR 6.9 7.08 7.08 7.08 7.08 7.08 100 708 IPEOPLE 7.72 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8100 67230 STI HLDG 0.63 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.63 0.64 701000 444660 -235160 BERJAYA 3.9 3.91 4 4.01 3.8 3.9 2400000 9348820 -116400 BLOOMBERRY 10.48 10.5 10.58 10.58 10.4 10.5 391400 4099384 2158670 PACIFIC ONLINE 2.52 2.58 2.49 2.58 2.46 2.53 93000 235980 -191060 LEISURE AND RES 2.7 2.75 2.7 2.71 2.7 2.7 298000 804810 745200 MANILA JOCKEY 3.36 3.4 3.36 3.39 3.36 3.39 18000 60780 PH RESORTS GRP 4.42 5.05 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 300 1551 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.56 0.57 0.6 0.6 0.56 0.56 5918000 3418710 -591950 ALLHOME 11.44 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.44 11.5 2732500 31405822 -241714 METRO RETAIL 2.11 2.12 2.14 2.14 2.1 2.11 1118000 2360110 416520 PUREGOLD 38.75 38.8 39.6 39.6 38.6 38.8 2462200 95656400 -2662885 ROBINSONS RTL 73.6 75 75 75 73.6 75 116820 8754233 -4349763 PHIL SEVEN CORP 130 149.7 158.9 158.9 158.9 158.9 10 1589 -1589 SSI GROUP 2.48 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.46 2.48 2343000 5808290 4934890 WILCON DEPOT 17.96 17.98 18.1 18.1 17.96 17.98 1210600 21801998 -14061892 APC GROUP 0.45 0.455 0.45 0.46 0.45 0.455 480000 216200 13500 EASYCALL 8.4 8.55 8.55 8.55 8.31 8.55 11500 96760 GOLDEN BRIA 417.8 425 420 425 419 425 280 117610 IPM HLDG 5.01 5.66 5.66 5.66 5.66 5.66 2200 12452 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.42 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.42 0.42 2820000 1193050 -93250 SBS PHIL CORP 8.84 9.14 8.84 9.14 8.83 9.14 22300 197332 MINING & OIL ATOK 10.12 10.98 11.06 11.06 11 11 200 2206 APEX MINING 0.99 1 1.02 1.02 1 1 1900000 1906450 -131870 ABRA MINING 0.0015 0.0016 0.0015 0.0015 0.0015 0.0015 17000000 25500 ATLAS MINING 2.42 2.5 2.42 2.51 2.42 2.42 42000 101910 -75289.9999 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.27 0.28 0.27 0.275 0.27 0.27 560000 151350 -135000 CENTURY PEAK 2.77 2.78 2.65 2.85 2.65 2.78 2210000 6122150 -400 DIZON MINES 7.38 7.54 7.47 7.52 7.39 7.39 2800 20742 FERRONICKEL 1.49 1.52 1.51 1.52 1.48 1.52 2045000 3064780 966210 GEOGRACE 0.201 0.209 0.201 0.21 0.199 0.209 1360000 271470 LEPANTO A 0.094 0.095 0.096 0.096 0.093 0.094 3980000 375640 MANILA MINING A 0.0081 0.0084 0.0085 0.0085 0.0085 0.0085 11000000 93500 MARCVENTURES 0.93 0.94 0.96 0.96 0.93 0.93 110000 105300 NIHAO 1 1.04 1.01 1.04 0.99 1.04 201000 199580 NICKEL ASIA 2.96 2.99 2.97 2.99 2.87 2.99 3212000 9355890 384370 OMICO CORP 0.455 0.485 0.47 0.47 0.455 0.455 180000 83000 PX MINING 2.95 2.99 3.06 3.06 2.95 2.95 636000 1899690 -187350 SEMIRARA MINING 20.1 20.15 20.2 20.3 20 20.15 1613600 32486040 -18757725 AC ENEXOR 7.74 7.75 8.46 8.46 7.75 7.75 202400 1600457 -72364 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.012 43600000 499600 PHILODRILL 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 17200000 187200 20000 PXP ENERGY 9.1 9.15 9.1 9.2 9.04 9.1 326500 2968483 15486.9999 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 97.65 99 98 98 98 98 15000 1470000 AC PREF B1 501 504 501 501 501 501 830 415830 AC PREF B2R 502 505 505 505 505 505 3570 1802850 SMC FB PREF 2 997 997.5 997.5 997.5 997.5 997.5 8000 7980000 GTCAP PREF A 960 999 999 999 999 999 1000 999000 GTCAP PREF B 965 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1750 1750000 MWIDE PREF 100.1 101 100.1 100.1 100 100 1200 120048 PNX PREF 3B 104.7 107 104.7 104.7 104.7 104.7 100 10470 PCOR PREF 2B 1026 1049 1040 1040 1040 1040 6000 6240000 PCOR PREF 3A 1025 1037 1037 1037 1037 1037 335 347395 PCOR PREF 3B 1060 1065 1062 1062 1060 1060 480 509360 SFI PREF 1.36 1.72 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 5000 6800 SMC PREF 2C 78 78.05 78.4 78.4 78 78.05 28870 2254704 SMC PREF 2E 75.95 76.1 76.1 76.1 76.1 76.1 150000 11415000 SMC PREF 2F 77 77.4 77 77 77 77 275550 21217350 SMC PREF 2H 75.75 75.9 75.6 75.8 75.6 75.8 22540 1707204.5 SMC PREF 2I 76 76.75 76.8 76.8 76.8 76.8 81600 6266880 -
PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR
15.5 5.03
15.6 5.18
15.82 5.02
15.82 5.03
15.36 5.02
15.6 5.03
160000 10100
2501654 50802
WARRANTS LR WARRANT
1.34
SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 3.89 KEPWEALTH 9.7 MAKATI FINANCE 2.44 XURPAS 0.88
1.45
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3.9 9.73 2.65 0.89
3.95 10.2 2.47 0.9
3.99 10.22 2.47 0.9
3.89 9.48 2.4 0.87
3.89 9.73 2.4 0.88
157000 546200 47000 828000
613810 5347394 115360 730730
-
EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF
116.2
-1519428 -
116.5
116.8
116.8
116.2
116.2
7970
927369
61725
www.businessmirror.com.ph
DA woos European bizmen to invest in solar-powered irrigation system
T
By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas
@jearcalas
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) is wooing more European businesses to invest in Philippine agriculture, particularly in its flagship solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) that seeks to improve farmers’ productivity by providing water to those areas not reached by traditional irrigation systems. During a recent luncheon meeting, the DA encouraged the members of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) to propose investments or projects in agriculture, especially in agribusiness. “We are committed to facilitating your proposed investments or
projects, especially in agribusiness. The potential areas of partnership are boundless, so I invite you to invest in the provision of production, processing and marketing technologies,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar told the business group after his presentation. In particular, Dar enjoinyed
Belgium Ambassador Michel Goffin “to invest in establishing SPIS” nationwide as what an Israeli group earlier did. Dar pointed out that the current funding they have, including from foreign investors, is insufficient to establish the number of SPIS needed to cover the countryside. The DA had earlier targeted to deploy over 6,200 SPIS covering at least 500,000 hectares nationwide at the end of the Duterte administration. “If you can bring in the same investment as the Israelis, you are most welcome. The $200-million investment that we have now just concluded is not enough if we need to cover the countryside. We still have a big space for the company from Belgium,” Dar said. The agriculture chief enticed the European business group to invest in agribusiness as it has the biggest potential to uplift the lives of people in the rural area. “Inclusive agri-industrialization and ‘agripreneurship’ will create em-
ployment and income opportunities to millions of smallholder farmers and fishers in the country,” he said. “Through crop diversification and projects for value-adding, our farmers could eventually, tap the export market and earn more,” the Agri chief said. Dar also emphasized to the ECCP the need for “adequate support in the forms of agripreneurial skills training, sufficient and affordable capital and credit, product ion, a nd post ha r vest mechanization support” for the agriculture sector. He added that further research and development are needed to boost the country’s farm sector productivity. “We have crafted an entrepreneurship program for implementation early next year to encourage the Filipino youth to venture into the local farm industry. We are allocating funds to serve as start-up capital loans supporting young farmers to develop their own agricultural enterprise,” Dar said.
DOTr, Marina’s recreational vessel registry cuts yacht registration time to just 5 days
C
AVITE CITY— From almost two years, it will now take yacht owners just five days to have their vessels properly registered with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). This was the assurance given to yacht builders and owners by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade at the recent launch of the CaviteManila Ferry Service, at the Cavite City Port Terminal, where he also announced the creation of a Registry of Recreational Boats under the Marina. The registration of recreational vessels, such as yachts, is mandated under Marina Circular DS-2019-01 issued on May 23, 2019. The Marina circular defines recreational boats as vessels of up to 150.9 feet or 46 meters or less, with a capacity of up to 10 tons of cargo. Marina defines recreational vessels as being used exclusively for recreational or tourism development purposes, either commercially or privately. This defines the difference of recreational vessels from other types of smaller vessels, such as ferry boats. “For the first time in the history of the country, we have codified what we call the Recreational and Leisure Maritime Vessels Code, [whereby, the yachts you see sailing have already undergone a process of codification],” Tugade announced in a mix of English and Filipino. Tugade said the process of creating a recreational boat registry started shortly after he assumed
office, when yacht builders raised the issue of the slow process of vessel registration. “Their first complaint was—they can make a yacht in less than 30 days. But to get a license, it takes them at least one year,” the transportation chief explained. “So we said, we will change that. So here, we’ve codified and refined the process in order to speed up licensing. Now, it will just take five days. From almost two years to five days,” he added. Aside from ensuring that recreational vessels are properly registered with Marina, the registry will also serve to develop Marina- and cruise-related projects in the country, Tugade noted. The transportation chief, himself, has identified Cebu, Davao, Panglao in Bohol, and Palawan, as viable sites for such projects. Yachts and other recreational vessels can anchor at these possible marines, and even secure registration there. With the creation of a Registry of Recreational Boats under Marina, the recreational boat-building industry in the country is poised for further development, according to Tugade. “We will take care of that industry, from manufacturing to operation to management. We will provide guidance on two things only: The issue of security and the issue of trust. Once that is done by us, then it will be easy,” the secretary said.
Boehringer Ingelheim recognized as Top Employer 2020 in SE Asia, South Korea
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OEHRINGER Ingelheim, one of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies, has been recognized as a Top Employer across seven countries—Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and South Korea, in 2020. Granted by the Top Employers Institute, the global authority on excellence in people practices, the certification recognized Boehringer Ingelheim’s efforts in providing exceptional employee conditions and having a holistic approach to overall employee experience on various aspects including compensation and benefits and, development and growth. Across Southeast Asia and South Korea, Boehringer Ingelheim has a work force with over
2,000 employees and 24 different nationalities represented. The company said takes a proactive stance toward understanding the needs of its employees to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing their contributions, and providing the right support to enable them to excel in their career. In 2019, the company launched various region-wide initiatives: Enhancing provisions of company benefits to stay relevant and competitive, providing higher degree of flexibility to promote work-life balance, building well-rounded Talent Development programs to accelerate employees’ growth and also optimizing the Onboarding program for new hires joining the company.
MUTUAL FUNDS
December 10, 2019
NAV ONE YEAR THREE YEAR FIVE YEAR Y-T-D PER SHARE RETURN* RETURN STOCK FUNDS ALFM GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 250.8 -0.59% 0.72% -0.9% -0.56% ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 1.3968 -0.27% 1.4% -2.58% -3.05% ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 3.6894 -5.17% -2.15% -3.16% -5.47% CLIMBS SHARE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND CORP. -A 0.8982 1.22% N.A. N.A. -0.31% FIRST METRO CONSUMER FUND ON MSCI PHILS. IMI, INC. -A 0.8497 2.47% N.A. N.A. 3.53% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN EQUITY FUND,INC. -A 5.2969 1.1% 2.1% -0.71% 0.45% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,6 0.8506 2.24% -1.78% N.A. 1.66% MBG EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND, INC. -A 106.18 -8.05% N.A. N.A. -8.6% PAMI EQUITY INDEX FUND, INC. -A 51.088 3.81% 3.29% N.A. 3.79% PHILAM STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 531.62 3.31% 2.08% -0.3% 3.28% PHILEQUITY DIVIDEND YIELD FUND, INC. -A 1.286 2.06% 2.65% 0.79% 2.55% PHILEQUITY FUND, INC. -A 37.8168 3.09% 3.53% 0.67% 3.23% PHILEQUITY MSCI PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,1 1.0162 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. PHILEQUITY PSE INDEX FUND INC. -A 5.2021 4.93% 3.82% 1.66% 4.91% PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP. -A 868.02 4.82% 3.71% 1.59% 4.78% SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 0.855 -0.75% 1.11% N.A. -0.58% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE EQUITY FUND, INC. -A 4.2011 2.85% 3.07% 0.73% 3.5% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND, INC. -A 0.9966 4.44% 3.52% N.A. 4.43% UNITED FUND, INC. -A 3.6498 3.92% 5.16% 2.43% 4.26% EXCHANGE TRADED FUND FIRST METRO PHIL. EQUITY EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, INC. -A,C 116.4112 5.19% 4.44% 2.58% 5.11% ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC. -B $0.9821 3.23% 4.15% -0.33% 5.7% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD VOYAGER FUND, INC. -A $1.3459 14.19% 9.19% N.A. 21.78% BALANCED FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ATRAM DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND, INC. -A 1.5571 -5.85% -2.7% -4.07% -5.7% ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 2.1913 -0.29% -0.74% -1.25% -0.81% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN BALANCED FUND INC. -A 2.6171 3.66% 2.34% -1.16% 2.91% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN F.O.C.C.U.S. DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A,5 0.2274 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. GREPALIFE BALANCED FUND CORPORATION -A 1.329 1.81% N.A. N.A. 1.89% NCM MUTUAL FUND OF THE PHILS., INC. -A 1.9574 6.37% 2.83% 1.1% 6.2% PAMI HORIZON FUND, INC. -A 3.774 6.8% 2.14% 0.23% 6.93% PHILAM FUND, INC. -A 16.8874 6.22% 1.98% 0.16% 6.16% SOLIDARITAS FUND, INC. -A 2.1216 2.63% 1.71% 0.82% 2.53% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 3.8471 4.91% 2.89% 0.57% 5.36% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2028, INC. -A,D,2 1.0098 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2038, INC. -A,D,2 0.9906 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2048, INC. -A,D,2 0.9877 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A 0.9719 4.69% 2.22% -0.32% 5.45% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. -A $0.03817 9.21% 2.95% 1.96% 8.13% PAMI ASIA BALANCED FUND, INC. -A $1.004 6.49% 3.9% 0.37% 9.88% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ADVANTAGE FUND, INC. -A $3.8441 11.51% 7.22% 3.55% 16.19% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR WELLSPRING FUND, INC. -A,7 $1.1161 8.85% 4.34% N.A. 11.05% BOND FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 356.8 4.1% 2.72% 2.26% 3.88% ATRAM CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC. -A 1.9288 4.06% 0.66% -0.29% 3.74% COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 3.1124 5.1% 5.22% 5.23% 4.58% EKKLESIA MUTUAL FUND INC. -A 2.2156 4.1% 2.32% 1.82% 4.06% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN FIXED I NCOME FUND,INC. -A 2.3493 6.48% 2.13% 1.46% 6.54% GREPALIFE FIXED INCOME FUND CORP. -A P 1.6068 2.68% 1.03% -0.33% 2.71% PHILAM BOND FUND, INC. -A 4.345 11.07% 2.48% 1.56% 10.85% PHILEQUITY PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.7548 7.48% 2.61% 1.4% 6.76% SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC. -A 0.956 7.26% 1.16% N.A. 7.27% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.0492 10.21% 4.54% 2.39% 10.25% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY GS FUND, INC. -A 1.6858 9.6% 4.08% 1.83% 9.47% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES ALFM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $467.14 4.39% 2.62% 2.74% 4.18% ALFM EURO BOND FUND, INC. -A Є219.56 3.37% 1.68% 1.32% 3.24% ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -B $1.2046 7.17% 3.09% 2.55% 7.01% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $0.0258 3.61% 1.33% 1.37% 4.03% GREPALIFE DOLLAR BOND FUND CORP. -A $1.7088 1.2% -0.3% 0.08% 1.1% PAMI GLOBAL BOND FUND, INC -A $1.0933 6.22% 1.21% -0.68% 5.5% PHILAM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $2.394 11.19% 3.23% 2.86% 10.28% PHILEQUITY DOLLAR INCOME FUND INC. -A $0.06027 5.82% 2.26% 1.95% 5.74% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ABUNDANCE FUND, INC. -A $3.1636 10.24% 2.71% 2.46% 10.15% MONEY MARKET FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 125.56 4.17% 2.81% 2.16% 3.87% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A,3 1.0298 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. PHILAM MANAGED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 1.2518 6.17% 2.82% 1.64% 5.91% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 1.2624 3.81% 2.86% 2.3% 3.54% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR STARTER FUND, INC. -A $1.0362 2.09% N.A. N.A. 2% FEEDER FUND PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES ALFM GLOBAL MULTI-ASSET INCOME FUND INC. -B,D,4 $0.99 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. A - NAVPS AS OF THE PREVIOUS BANKING DAY. B - NAVPS AS OF TWO BANKING DAYS AGO. C - LISTED IN THE PSE. D - IN NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT (NAVPU). 1 - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 3, 2019. 2 - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 28, 2019. 3 - LAUNCH DATE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2019. 4 - LAUNCH DATE IS AUGUST 1, 2019. 5 - LAUNCH DATE IS SEPTEMBER 28, 2019. 6 - RENAMING WAS APPROVED BY THE SEC LAST OCTOBER 12, 2018 (FORMERLY, ONE WEALTHY NATION FUND, INC.). 7 - ADJUSTED DUE TO STOCK DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST OCTOBER 9, 2019. "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."
www.businessmirror.com.ph · Editor: Angel R. Calso
The World
Business economists see US slowing but avoiding recession
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ASHINGTON—The nation’s business economists expect US economic growth to decelerate this year and next but for the economy to avoid stumbling into recession, extending a record-breaking expansion already in its 11th year. The latest survey by 53 forecasters with the National Association for Business Economics shows that they expect economic growth to slow from 2.9 percent last year to 2.3 percent in 2019, and 1.8 percent in 2020. The forecasts are unchanged from the association’s previous survey in October. The economists put the odds of a recession starting at 5 percent this year, 21 percent in the first half of 2020 and 43 percent by the end of next year. However, they peg the odds of a recession by mid-2021 at 66 percent. The American economy is likely to remain resilient this year and next, they say, despite risks arising from President Donald J. Trump’s trade war with China and skirmishes with other US trading partners: Half the respondents call trade tensions the No. 1 downside economic risk through the end of next year. The Trump administration has
slapped tariffs on $360 billion in Chinese imports and is scheduled to hit another $160 billion December 15. China has retaliated by targeting $120 billion worth of American products. The world’s two biggest economies are locked in a dispute over US allegations that China deploys predatory tactics, including the outright theft of trade secrets, in an aggressive push to challenge US technological dominance. The Federal Reserve has lowered the short-term interest rate it controls three times this year. The cuts are meant in part to offset economic damage from Trump’s trade wars, which have raised uncertainty for businesses and contributed to a drop in business investment in the April-June and July-September quarters. The vast majority of business economists—94 percent—do not expect the Fed to cut interest rates again this year. But they are divided over what the central bank will do next year. The economists expect American consumers to continue driving the economy. Consumer spending, which accounted for almost all US economic growth from July through September, is expected to grow a healthy 2.6 percent this year and 2.4 percent in 2020. AP
Canada charges Volkswagen over faking car emissions tests
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TTAWA, Ontario—The Canadian gover nment said on Monday that it is charging Volkswagen for importing cars into Canada that company executives knew violated emissions standards. The German automaker faces 58 charges of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act for bringing 128,000 cars into Canada with illegal emissions between 2008 and 2015. The company faces two other charges of providing misleading information. Volkswagen issued a statement saying that it has cooperated fully with Canadian investigators and that a deal is prepared ahead of the company’s first court appearance in Toronto on Friday. “At the hearing, the parties will submit for the court’s consideration a proposed plea resolution and seek its approval,” the statement said. “The details of the proposed plea resolution will be presented at the hearing.” Environment Canada officials published notice of the charges on Monday, but said they would not comment further because the matter is before the courts.
C a n ad a’s c a se aga i nst Vol ks w a gen comes more t h a n fou r y e a r s a f t e r t he comp a ny a d m it te d to i n st a l l i n g sof t w a re on 11 m i l l ion c a r s w or l d w id e to trick emissions-testing e q u i p m e nt i nt o c o n c l u d i n g t he c a rs ra n more c lea n ly t h a n t he y a c t u a l l y d id . Volkswagen pleaded guilty to charges in the case in the United States in March 2017 and was fined more than $4.3 billion. Several Volkswagen executives and managers involved in the deception were charged in the US and Germany, and some have already been sent to prison. In total, the elaborate scheme has cost the company more than $30 billion in legal fines and civic lawsuits, as well as compensation to customers who returned affected cars for refunds or exchanges. Environment Canada’s investigation, launched in September 2015, was repeatedly criticized by environmental experts and lawyers for taking too long. The affected cars in Canada included diesel engine vehicles sold under Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche brands. AP
SEVEN COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY NEW ZEALAND VOLCANO DISASTER
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EVEN nations have been affected by the volcano disaster in New Zealand that has probably claimed 13 lives and left dozens with critical burn injuries. Police on Tuesday said the 47 people on White Island at the time it erupted were from the UK, Germany, Australia, China, Malaysia, the US and New Zealand. Five are confirmed dead and eight are missing presumed dead. Another 31 people are being treated at hospitals across the country—some in a critical condition—while three have been discharged. The police have started an investigation into the tragedy, with terms of reference to be developed in coming days. They corrected an earlier statement that a criminal investigation would be launched, saying it was “too early to confirm” whether that would happen. Monday’s unexpected eruption on White Island, a volcano about 48 kilometers (30 miles) off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, sent a cloud of scorching steam and ash
thousands of meters into the air. Badly burned survivors were evacuated by helicopter and boat immediately after the eruption, but police say the environment is currently too dangerous to recover the remaining bodies. “We absolutely believe that everyone that could be taken from the island yesterday were rescued at the time of the evacuation,” Deputy Police Commissioner John Tims told a news conference on Tuesday in Wellington. Of those on the island, 24 were from Australia. Two were from the UK, four from Germany, two from China, one from Malaysia, nine from the US, and five from New Zealand. Tims was unable to specify the nationalities of the deceased and missing at this stage. “The scale of this tragedy is devastating,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in parliament Tuesday. “Police and Defence Force personnel have undertaken a number of aerial reconnaissance flights over the island since the eruption, however no signs of life have been detected.” Bloomberg News
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Wednesday, December 11, 2019
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World trade without rules? US shuts down WTO appeals court
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ENEVA—Global commerce will lose its ultimate umpire on Tuesday, leaving countries unable to reach a final resolution of disputes at the World Trade Organization and instead facing what critics call “the law of the jungle.’’ The United States, under a president who favors a go-it-alone approach to economics and diplomacy, appears to prefer it that way. The terms of two of the last three judges on the WTO’s appellate body neared their end at midnight on Tuesday. Their departure will deprive the de facto Supreme Court of world trade of its ability to issue rulings. Among the disputes left in limbo are seven cases that have been brought against Trump’s decision last year to declare foreign steel and aluminum a threat to US national security and to hit them with import taxes. The W TO’s lower court—its dispute settlement body—can hear cases. But its decisions will go nowhere if the loser appeals to a higher court that is no longer functioning. Without having to worry about rebukes from the WTO, countries could use tariffs and other sanctions to limit imports. Such rising protectionism could create uncertainty and discourage trade. “We are in a crisis moment for our global trading system,” said US Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla, who sits on the House Ways and Means subcommittee on trade. “As of tomorrow, the court will cease to exist.” The loss of a global trade court of final appeals, Murphy said, is “really dangerous for American businesses.” The panel is supposed to have seven judges. But their ranks have dwindled because the United States—under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Trump—has blocked new appointments to protest the way the WTO does business.
Trump and his top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, are especially vociferous critics of the W TO. They argue that the trade organization constrains America’s ability to counter unfair trading practices by China and other countries. Even other countries have complained about the WTO’s system for settling trade disputes. Critics say that cases take too long to resolve, that the panel often overreaches in its rulings and that the Geneva-based agency is ill-equipped to deal with the challenge posed by the Chinese economy’s unconventional blend of capitalism and state control. Getting the W TO to reform is difficult because it requires consensus from its 164 member-countries. Trump is willing to use America’s economic and political clout to shake things up in a way that smaller countries couldn’t. “Where the United States is completely alone is the approach they’ve taken, [which] is to say: ‘We’re just going to blow this thing up,’” said Bernard Hoekman, an economist at the European University Institute. The impending shutdown was met with dismay by several WTO member-countries. Zhang Xiangchen, China’s ambassador to the WTO, said in a statement that he was marking the occasion by wearing the black tie his wife had given him for funerals. Letting the “lights go out” at the appellate body, at least temporarily, Zhang said, is delivering what is “no doubt the most severe blow to the multilateral trading system since its establishment.” The EU’s WTO ambassador,
DENNIS SHEA, US Ambassador to the WTO, arrives for the opening of the General Council, at the headquarters of the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. SALVATORE DI NOLFI/KEYSTONE VIA AP
Joao Aguiar Machado, said in a statement, “The very idea of a rules based multilateral trading system is at stake.” The EU, he said, “will not support, and will not condone, a system slipping into power-based economic relationships.” The EU and other countries have been working to set up an ersatz appellate body—including some former members of the existing appeals panel—to arbitrate future trade disputes. But that’s just a stopgap. And it is uncertain how many countries might join in. The W TO was set up in 1995 to write and regulate the rules of global trade. Earlier, countries had complained that the United States was using its clout as the world ’s No. 1 economy to unilaterally impose trade sanctions and to strong-arm other countries into limiting exports to America. (During the Reagan administration, Lighthizer was involved in arranging such “voluntar y export restraints.”) For its part, the United States wanted more access to foreign markets. The WTO’s dispute settlement
process, including the Appellate Body, was meant to establish that written rules, not arbitrary power, governed global trade. But the process has proved cumbersome. The appellate panel is notorious for missing deadlines, a problem that worsened as it lost judges. It is supposed to rule within 90 days but last year needed an average of 395 days to issue decisions. Since 1995, 592 cases have been brought to the WTO (124 by the United States, the No. 1 complainant); the appellate body has issued 120 rulings, covering 162 of those cases. Most of the rest were dropped or resolved outside the WTO process. Still, a former WTO appellate judge, Peter van den Bossche, now a professor at Sw it zer land ’s University of Bern, last week called the W TO’s dispute settlement process “a glorious experiment with the rule of law in international relations.” Its shutdown, he said, would leave countries and companies contending with “the law of the jungle...the law of the strongest... and that will hurt us all.” AP
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NGCP energizes 300MVA Transformers at Toril Substation
Macao Imperial Tea serves up a great time at its 100th store bash
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EIZING the lead in the milk tea craze, Macao Imperial Tea served up a grand milk tea spectacle for Filipinos last weekend. With a big three-day celebration, te brand treated the public to a jampacked weekend filled with fun activities, amazing freebies, and exciting surprises that elevated everyone’s milk tea experience. Dubbed as the Macao Imperial Tea: 100th Store Bash, the event showcased what makes Macao Imperial Tea one of the most soughtafter milk tea brands in the country. “This is not only a way to thank the public for their strong support. This celebration
is also our way of looking back and moving forward towards even greater heights,” said Avin Ong, CEO of Fredley Group of Companies which handles Macao Imperial Tea in the Philippines. After opening its first branch in Banawe, Quezon City last 2017, Macao Imperial Tea has displayed unprecedented growth. After just a couple of years, the brand has aggressively expanded and has now opened its 100th branch at Robinsons Place Manila, which was the highlight of the event. During the opening ceremony, Ong was joined byManila City Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah Honey Lacuna-Panganas and the
Executive Vice President of Robinsons Land Corporation, Mr. Faraday Go. The weekend was loaded with exclusive creative workshops such as Latte Art by Culinary Exchange, Food Photography by FoodMNL, and Calligraphy by The Fozzy Book. The event received even more fanfare as it was capped off by a captivating performance from renowned OPM band UDD. Vloggers Mimiyuuuh and Benedict Cua were also in attendance, adding layers of fun to the celebrations. Best of all, Macao Imperial Tea also gave out special prizes to a couple of its loyal followers. Through a special raffle, they gave out a one-month supply and a year-round supply coupon of free milk tea. “We are preparing for a stronger 2020 by the 3rd quarter, we’re set to open at least 200 branches nationwide," added Ong, "This target sets the tone on where we want to take the brand in the next couple of years,” To keep up the momentum, the brand is currently working on new items on the menu along exciting brand collaborations. Their rewards program, The Fredley Elite Card, was also launched during the event. The card grants its users exclusive freebies and discounts when they dine at brands under the Fredley Group of Companies.
Pico De Loro Cove lights its 30-foot Sustainable Christmas Tree
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HE premier beach resort village Pico de Loro Cove at Hamilo Coast officially welcomed the advent with a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony held at the Pico Beach Plaza, last November 30, 2019. The festive season is already felt in most part of the country with colorful lanterns and bright sparkly lights festooning the busy streets of the metro; classic yuletide songs floats in the air making everyone giddy with anticipation. At Pico de Loro Cove, the sound of the soft waves crashing fills the air with the right melody for this holiday. Vacationers lounge on the soft sands facing the sea with their cocktails, while everyone moved closer to the shore in the late afternoon to catch the majestic sunset display—November usually has the best showcase. At sundown, people gathered towards the plaza near the giant Christmas tree. The warm breeze was replaced with cool air telling that the Christmas season has finally arrived. President for Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club, Rita Dy and General Manager for Pico Sands Hotel, Maggie Garcia led the ceremony with a warm welcome followed by the lighting of the tree. The Nasugbu Christian Faith Academy Angklung Ensemble, a local youth music group hailed in Nasugbu, Batangas treated the crowd with a medley of classic Christmas songs and nostalgic Pinoy originals. The homegrown talents of Pico de Loro, regaled everyone with a dance parade as they serve the night’s cocktails. The Christmas tree stands 30-feet tall and tastefully decorated with mostly organic materials available within its 42-hectare property’s environment such as “sawali” for the body of the tree or bamboo mats, which is an indigenous material normally used to construct walls of the “bahay kubo”. Capiz lanterns of different shapes and sizes adorned the tree and unique ornaments in shapes of birds made of Talisay seeds were used as accents. It was then illuminated with 2,500 tivoli lights.
“The Christmas tree at the walkway of Pico Beach Plaza is a sight to behold when heading over to the beach, against the magnificent view of the sunset, ocean’s horizon, and the verdant mountains. But, it’s even more heartwarming to share that this tree is a symbol of our commitment to making this yuletide celebration as sustainable as possible. Let’s celebrate mindfully and truly focusing on what’s important—our families and loved ones; build more happy memories with the kids and enrich your own family traditions,” Garcia remarked in her speech.
Enchanted Kingdom kicks off the Christmas season
Enchanted Kingdom officially welcomed the yuletide season last November 30, 2019 with the launch of Eldar’s Magical Light Symphony and EK’s sparkling Christmas Tree in partnership with CocaCola and Coke Studio. Guests were wowed by the
spectacular lights and sound show around the park while experiencing a bit of a “White Christmas” at Brooklyn Zone. In partnership with Coca-Cola, EK also officially lit its towering 25-feet tall Christmas Tree using more than 4,000 recyclable bottles-- an initiative that supports Coke’s “World Without Waste” effort. At Enchanted Kingdom, the holidays are more fun! Head over to the first and only world-class theme park to catch Eldar’s Magical Light Symphony, the Coke Christmas Tree, and a very special line-up of shows to experience the most magical Christmas ever! For inquiries, please call 0939-935-3535 / (+632) 8 830 3535 or send an e-mail to ekcorpmarketing@gmail. com. To get fresh updates and announcements, don’t forget to like Enchanted Kingdom’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/enchantedkingdom.ph.
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GCP successfully energized 300MVA Transformers 1 and 2 in its Toril Substation, a part of the Mindanao 230kV Backbone Project. The new substation
equipment will boost the voltage requirements of the area, and will maintain the quality and reliability of power transmitted to power customers in Mindanao.
TWICE THE RUSH — Winford Manila Resort & Casino (WMRC) Wheels for the Win doubles the rush as it gives members a chance to win one of two brand new Toyota Rush sports utility vehicles (SUV). For the first time ever, WMRC is raffling off not one but two sets of wheels— one for Classic/Silver members and one for Gold/Platinum members. Simply earn 30 points on slots or table games or present your Bingo receipt worth at least PHP3,000 between December 1 and 28, 2019, for a raffle ticket. Raffle draw is at Hippodrome Bar & Lounge at 8 p.m. on December 28, 2019.
THE Philippine men’s shooting team of Eric Ang, Carlos Carag and Alexander Topacio shoot their way to the men’s trap gold medal of shooting, Dennis Orcollo spots himself for the men’s 10-ball crown in billiards and the soft tennis squad whoop it up for its own niche in the gold-medal column on the final day of competitions of the Philippine 30th Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday. NONIE REYES, ROY DOMINGO, NONOY LACZA and BERNARD TESTA
Sports BusinessMirror
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| Wednesday, December 11, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
GOLDEN PERFORMANCE!
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Wednesday, December 11, 2019
PHL puts head above water this time N EW Clark City—The Philippines scooped a total of 16 medals to eclipse its previous harvest at the end of swimming competitions on Monday here at the Aquatics Center. Filipino-Kiwi Luke Gebbie and Jasmine Alkhaldi earned the last two bronze medals for the country in the men’s 50-m freestyle and women’s 100m butterfly to cap a fruitful campaign that was highlighted by the country’s breakthrough
gold medal through James Deiparine. Although only Deiparine won gold in record-breaking fashion, the Philippines exceeded its production of three silvers and four bronzes in 2017 with a 1-6-9 gold-silver-bronze tally in the weeklong contest. The Filipino-American clocked 1:01.46 to bag the gold medal in the men’s backstroke and break not only his own national record but also the Southeast Asian Games mark. Deiparine’s victory
also ended the 10-year medal drought in the sport. Alkhaldi also booked a new Philippine record in the 100-m butterfly with a time of 1:00.39. The women’s 4x100-m medley relay team of Alkhaldi, Remedy Rule, Chloe Isleta and Desirae Aubrey Mangaoang also set a new national mark of 4:11.10. Isleta clocked 1:03.85 in the 100-m backstroke for another national record. The quartet of Rule, Alkhaldi, Nicole Oliva and Xandi Chua
clinched a silver and listed a new national mark in the 4x200-m freestyle relay of 3:40.97. The relay squad of Gebbie, Maurice Sacho Ilustre, Jean Pierre Khouzam and Jarrod Jason Hatch clocked 3:22.32 to also break the record in the men’s 4x100-m freestyle relay. Deiparine had one gold and a silver, Alkhaldi had two silvers and six bronzes, while Rule nabbed four bronzes. Singapore remained the powerhouse in swimming with 23 golds, 10 silvers and four bronzes, followed by Vietnam (10-6-9) and Malaysia (2-2-3).
Ramon Rafael Bonilla
PARTY TIME AT NEW CLARK CITY AS SEAG CLOSES N EW Clark City—As lavish and lively as the opening ceremony, the curtain will be lowered for the 30th Southeast Asian Games with another affair that comes nothing short of another world-class act on Wednesday at the New Clark City. With the overall championship already in the bag for the host nation, thousands are expected for the closing ceremony at the Athletics Stadium that will honor the heroes of the biennial games that the country has hosted for the fourth time and dominated with a flourish for the second time. It will be an appreciation for the people
who worked on the rigorous task of holding 530 events in 56 sports and the logistical nightmare of accommodating close to 10,000 athletes, coaches and sports officials in four different clusters. More important, it will be a toast for the national athletes who hurdled all adversities to give joy and pride to the host nation, all summed up for the country’s best finish since the first staging in 1977. “Closing ceremony is a celebration for all of us, the athletes, the delegation, the volunteers, the work force,” Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee
COO Ramon Suzara said. “Despite all the obstacles, challenges, we made it through.” Like the grand opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena, the organizers will be presenting Filipino brand of music starting off with Arnel Pineda singing the national anthem. The usual parade of athletes at the sprawling track of the Athletics Stadium will be one of the highlights, with surfer turned hero Roger Casugay serving as the flag-bearer for the country. Black Eyed Peas member apl.de.ap, or Allan Pineda Lindo of Angeles City, Pampanga, will serve as the main performer who will
usher the symbolic transfer of the hosting rights to Hanoi, Vietnam. The flame at the P55-million cauldron will also be extinguished as the Southeast Asian Games Federation Flag will be handed to the 2021 host, while fireworks will light up the sky above the new facility of the Bases Conversion Development Authority. Earlier, Malacañang ordered the distribution of 10,000 free tickets to spectators. The New Clark City complex has been in lockdown mode since Monday as preparation are under way. Ramon Rafael Bonilla
ERIC SHAUWN CRAY redeems himself by dominating the men’s 400-meter hurdles, Joyda Gagnao to does Aries Toledo in the men’s steeplechase. ROY DOMINGO
30TH S IN SPO By Ramon Rafael Bonilla
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EW Clark City—Eric Shauwn Cray pocketed the 10th gold medal from athletics on Tuesday and Team Philippines punched more exclamation points on its domination of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Cray clocked 50.21 seconds for his second gold medal, following his triumph with the relay team in the 4x100 mixed gender race. Cong Lich Quach of Vietnam was a distant second at 51.60 seconds, while another Filipino, Francis Medina, claimed the bronze at 51.68 seconds. “I can’t speak. I’m so happy,” said Cray, who two days was disqualified in the 100 m. “A lot of bad times, I have not been running so good. I’m really down on myself.” “This year, coming home, it gave me confidence. All the love from everybody here in the Philippines, it’s amazing,” added Cray, the recordholder at 48.98 seconds set in 2016 in Spain. BROTHERS Daniel and CJ Caluag compete in cycling’s BMX racing in Tagaytay City. Daniel Caluag settles for the silver medal, and is sandwiched in the podium by two riders from Thailand.
MALACAÑ RED CARP P
IT’S COOL IN TAGAYTAY! The cycling competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games concludes before dusk on Tuesday and to wrap up 10 days of action in Tagaytay
City and Laurel, Nasugbu, Tuy, Lian, Lemery, Balayan, Agoncillo, Talisay and Calaca—all in Batangas province, the entire Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee team pose for posterity for what is now a celebration of sports, camaraderie and brotherhood that is forever etched in history.
RESIDENT DUTERTE will eagerly welcome members of Team Philippines at Malacañang on December 18 to toast each and every athlete who made the hosting an event to remember. The President will personally hand over cash incentives to the medal winners, who are entitled to receive rewards from government through Republic Act 10699. Cash bonuses of P300,000, P150,000 and P60,000 will be given to gold-, silver- and bronzemedal finishers. The President is also expected to give additional incentives of P250,000 for gold; P150,000 for silver; and P100,000 for bronze medalists. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman and Team Philippines’s Chef de Mission William “Butch” Ramirez broke the good news on Tuesday following a courtesy call by the Philippine surfing team at the PSC offices in Manila. “We all hoped and prayed for this, but it is still a sweet surprise now that it
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Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Orcollo adds to gold-medal haul D
ENNIS ORCOLLO outlasted The Kien Do of Vietnam, 9-8, Monday night to capture the men’s 10-ball singles gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Manila Hotel Tent. The veteran cue artist trailed twice but rallied and cleaned out the last rack and added another mint to the Philippines’s collection.
The win was the third in billiards for the Filipinos after Rubilen Amit ruled the women’s 9-ball singles and Chezka Centeno won the women’s 10-ball singles. It also made up for Orcollo’s 4-9 loss Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp in the 9-ball quarterfinal. Amit and Centeno booked a finals berth in the 9-ball doubles after
dispatching Indonesia’s Angeline Ticoalu and Silviana Lu, 9-3. In other matches, Warren Kiamco of the Philippines lost to Toh Lian Han of Singapore, 4-9, in the men’s 9-ball quarterfinals while Jefrey Roda missed the gold-medal match in men’s snooker singles after bowing to Malaysia’s Moh Keen Hoo, 1-4. Ryniel Berlanga
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Hosts win third soft tennis gold
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HE Philippines ruled the men’s team competition and completed a sweep of the gold medals at stake in the soft tennis competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Tuesday. Joseph Arcilla led the team to a 2-1 victory over Thailand, scoring a 4-1 win over Kawin Yannarit. Mikoff Manduriao and Dheo Talatayod;
Sujaritplee Teerapat and Songweera Torlarp 5-3 in the final doubles match for the gold. The Philippines lost in the first doubles match, with Noel Damian and Mark Anthony Alcoseba bowing to Thansiriroj Sakan and Surarak Thanarit, 3-5. The Philippines also won the women’s singles gold and the women’s team gold. Ryniel Berlanga
3 more mints clinched in jiu-jitsu golds
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HE Philippine, led by Meggie Ochoa, bagged three gold medals to take the early lead in the jiu-jitsu competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games late Monday at the LausGroup Events Centre in Angeles, Pampanga. Ochoa claimed the gold in the women’s -45 kg event in jiu-jitsu’s debut in the biennial meet, beating Le Thu Trang Dao of Vietnam, 13-0. Carlo Peña and Dean Michael Roxas
Vietnam frustrates Filipino athletes in beach handball
ops the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase and so
SEAG ETCHED ORTS HISTORY Mark Harry Diones, meanwhile, added a silver medal from men’s triple jump with his leap of 16.42 meters. Muhammad Hakimi Ismail of Malaysia did 16.68 meters for the gold medal, while Sapwaturrahman of Indonesia took the bronze with 16.21 meters. Robyn Brown bagged the bronze after finishing the 400-m hurdles at 59.08 seconds, while Joida Gagnao also settled for bronze with 17:52.17 seconds in the women’s 5000 m. Also, winning gold medals on the final day of competitions were Gina Iniong (women’s kickboxing -55 kgs), Adrian Guggenheim (men’s jiu-jitsu -77kgs), Annie Ramirez (women’s jiu jitsu -55kgs), Team Sibol (Starcraft) and Eric Ang, Carlos Carag, Alexander Topacio (men’s shooting trap team). The men’s soft tennis team also ran away with the gold medal. The Philippines ended its campaign in the shooting competition of the Games by winning a gold and a silver medal at the Ilanin forest in Subic.
The men’s trap team of Carlos Carag, Eric Ang and Alexander Topacio pieced together scores of 23-24-24-20-24 for a five round total of 338, giving the Philippines its third gold medal in the discipline. Malaysia, bannered by Bernard Yeoh, Ong Chee and Chen Foo, got the silver medal with 330 points while Savate Stresthporn , Yodchai Phachonyut and Kornthawat Thadtongcam of Thailand settled for the bronze with 321 points. Carag returned later and won a silver medal in the men’s Trap (shotgun) finals with 41 points behind Thailand’s Savate Sresthaporn, who topped the event with 44. Malaysia’s Ong Chee settled for the bronze with 34. The two other gold medals for the Philippines were delivered by Nay Lt. Commander Marly Martir who ruled the women’s WA 1500 PPC Individual and also powered the Filipino to victory. Indonesia emerged as the competition’s overall champion with seven gold, six silver and
two bronze medals while Thailand also had three golds. After 10 days of grueling competition, the Philippines amassed 144 gold, 113 silver and 115 bronze medals—the country’s best haul ever in the SEA Games. Arnis was a primary source of gold medals with 14 that went with four silvers and two bronzes. Dancesports delivered 10 golds, while taekwondo produced eight mints. Also productive were boxing and wushu (seven golds each) and jiu-jitsu (five). Carlos Yulo missed a sweep of gymnastics but nevertheless bagged two
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IETNAM moved on the verge of a gold-medal finish in beach handball following a 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Philippines Tuesday night at the Subic Tennis Court. Riding high on a close 2-1 win over Thailand the other day, the Vietnamese just would not be denied even against the hosts as they took a dominating 2-0 victory. The Vietnamese escaped with a 20-18 win in the first period before handing the Filipinos a 23-10 beating in the second to golds and five silvers. The pairs of Sean Mischa Aranar and Ana Manalo Nualla, and Mark Jayson Corales Gayon and Mary Joy Guiao collected five golds in dancesports. Swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, despite not winning a single gold, had two silvers and six bronzes. Under the Republic Act 10699, each gold medalist will receive P300,000, while a silver medalist gets P150,000 and bronze medalist P60,000. President Duterte also pledged P250,000, P150,000 and P100,000 for the gold, silver and bronze winners.
ÑANG TO ROLL OUT PET FOR ATHLETES is actually happening. I am so proud of our athletes. All of them deserve our respect and love,” said Ramirez who stood as the father figure for the delegation from preparation to competition. Eighteen months before the hosting of the multisport event, the PSC already set plans to guarantee a successful hosting of the Games. Ramirez repeatedly stressed that to duplicate the “Miracle of 2005” SEA Games where the country bagged its first overall championship, the athletes must be tops among all priorities. The PSC spent more than P1.5 billion for the training, exposure and preparation of the athletes. Ramirez said that it was a gamble they took, hoping that it would help push our athletes to give their best performance. This leap of faith paid off with the national team snatching the overall championship—last won in 2005 when Ramirez was also at the helm of the PSC
and also the team’s chef de mission. Part of the support to the national team is the refurbishment of sports facilities under the supervision of the sports agency. “They deserve better venues to train and play in. The Games gave us the means to make these improvements possible,” explained Ramirez who never fail to acknowledge the big help from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. The newly refurbished Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, in Manila and the PhilSports Complex, in Pasig City became the home of football, gymnastics, weightlifting, taekwondo, soft tennis, lawn tennis and indoor volleyball. “This is a result of all the sacrifice and hard work of everyone who pushed for chances at victory,” Ramirez said. “The victory is very sweet given the many difficulties we had to face. This win proves that we can achieve a lot when we come together united as one team.”
clinched top honors in the men’s 56 kg and 85 kg divisions. Peña prevailed over Richard Rengga of Indonesia, 17-2, while Roxas beat Benjamin Chia by submission, 100-0. Singapore got a gold in the men’s -62kg class through Noah Lim who beat Swijak Kuntong of Thailand by submission, 100-0. Thailand’s Bhanpot Lertthaisong beat Marc Lim of the Philippines 2-0 in the men’s -69kg side.
GINA INIONG (blue) dominated her foe from Thailand, Mingkwan Api, in the women 55 kg of kickboxing.
From loser to biggest winner
AL MENDOZA alsol47@yahoo.com
THAT’S ALL
complete a sweep. Vietnam, the first-ever Southeast Asian Beach Handball Championship titlist a year ago, thus improved to 3-0 to virtually bag the gold medal entering its last match against lowly Indonesia at 8 a.m. today. The hosts, on the other hand, absorbed their first loss that dealt a major blow in their supposedly high gold medal hopes. At 2-1, the Filipinos could gun for their highest possible finish against Thailand at 9 a.m. today in the silver medal duel. IT is mortal sin to abandon your sworn duty to flag and country. That’s a crime more abominable than treachery. All athletes are virtually bound by that rule when competing. Thus, if surfer Roger Casugay, when thrown into a court martial, would be found guilty of violating that law, he’d abide by the verdict—gladly. What the heck. He’d even face a firing squad—smiling. He committed the offense deliberately, for Chrissakes, with a resolve to do it if a similar situation presents itself anew. For, to Casugay, to hell with statutes. To him, the gold medal, symbol of eternal glory, is not the be-all. Yes, it was just a wave, a whisker if you will, away from his grasp. But then, will it make him happy winning it? Is that really the essence of it all—a podium finish more than even pulling one to safety? What’s victory amid a grander—the grandest, actually—opportunity to pocket more than gold: the breadth of life? Leading by an impregnable eight minutes, Casugay’s victory in surfing’s longboard event in La Union, was as certain as day turning into night. If it were volleyball, that margin amounted to 50 or so match points, or 50 points in basketball with 60 ticks left in the game. Virtual, if not thoroughly irreversible, victory was at hand. But no, Casugay had other things—no, just one thing—in mind. Who said winning was everything? Not to Casugay. Upon seeing a rival suddenly being swallowed by life-threatening mountain of seas, Casugay did the near impossible: brush the gold aside in favor of saving a life. What could be nobler a human act than that? Arip Nurhidayat of Indonesia was Casugay’s recipient of a second life, the hard-luck Indon rescued virtually from Monalisa Point’s deadly waves after Nurhidayat’s surfing leash had snapped beyond redemption. For that, Casugay ended up empty-handed, his gold turning to garbage? No way. The biggest loser became the Games’ biggest winner. What price valor, again? Like any Van Gough piece of art: priceless. Take a bow, Casugay. You shine brighter now than any gold-medal won in the SEA Games, have become bigger than the event itself. In retrospect, yes, winning is everything. And Roger Casugay won ‘em all. THAT’S IT After tonight’s (December 11) closing ceremonies to formalize our second overall victory in the SEA Games after 2005, the nation would next eagerly await the promised expose of Alan Peter Cayetano, the chairman of the Phisgoc (Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee), on who are the alleged saboteurs wanting to see the SEA Games fail. I can’t wait to see Alan do it. Another spectacle worth watching.
RUSSIAN ATHLETES REMAIN FOCUSED By James Ellingworth
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The Associated Press
ESPITE another doping ban, many Russian athletes will still be competing at the next Olympics. The sanctions handed down by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) on Monday mean there won’t be a Russian flag or national anthem at a string of major sports competitions, including next year’s Tokyo Olympics. But there are enough loopholes for Russia to continue sending neutral teams to the events. And that’s before the inevitable legal challenges, which could further water down the sanctions. Similar restrictions have been imposed before. At the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, there was no “Russia” but there were 168 “Olympic Athletes from Russia,” two of whom later failed doping tests. When the men’s hockey team won the gold medal in uniforms echoing the old Soviet “Red Machine,” players belted out the Russian national anthem, even without any music. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the coach on the bench to congratulate him. One of Russia’s top athletes said she is still aiming to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. “I didn’t believe the stories that everything will be fine. What has happened today is a disgrace,” three-time world high jump champion Mariya Lasitskene wrote on Instagram. “I’ve never had any plans to change my citizenship and I don’t plan to do it now. I’m going to prove in my jumping that Russian athletes are alive, even in neutral status.” Lasitskene has been a vocal critic of how Russian sports officials have handled the doping issues. She missed the 2016 Olympics because of a blanket ban on the Russian track team. Competing in 2020 as a
Sports
neutral athlete would be nothing new for her, because similar restrictions have been in place for Russians in track since 2016. “I’ve been doing that for all of the last few years. The only thing that disturbs me is that athletes are fighting alone and our sports authorities have all this time been paying lip service to our defense,” Lasitskene said. Much remains unclear about how Russians will compete. At the Pyeongchang Games, the International Olympic Committee was criticized for letting Russian athletes have uniforms in national, not neutral, colors. The IOC also came under fire for allowing Russian officials to attend and for approving the “Olympic Athletes from Russia” name instead of “Independent Olympic Athletes,” as those from suspended countries were known at earlier games. “A team that goes there is not a representative of Russia,” Jonathan Taylor, the head of Wada’s compliance review committee, said when asked about the Tokyo Olympics. “It is to send the message that Russia has forfeited its place at those games.” Playing at the soccer World Cup in 2022 would mean Fifa would have to change its rules to allow for a neutral team. “I don’t know if they are going to qualify,” Taylor said. “If a mechanism is put in place, [Russia] can apply to participate on a neutral basis.” That would be particularly awkward since Fifa lavished praise on Russia for hosting the tournament last year and Fifa President Gianni Infantino accepted a medal from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
BusinessMirror
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| Wednesday, December 11, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
WIRES go to microphones above a logo of the Russian Olympic Committee. AP
U.N.: OBSERVE TRUCE DURING TOKYO 2020 U
IN this photo provided by the United Nations, Yoshiro Mori (left) president of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, meets United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday. AP
NHL won’t tolerate abusive behavior M ONTEREY, California—Commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday the NHL will work swiftly to make changes to better deal with personnel conduct issues in the wake of incidents that surfaced in recent weeks. Speaking at the end of the first day of the Board of Governors meeting at the Inn at Spanish Bay resort in Pebble Beach, Bettman told reporters that NHL personnel will be required to attend mandatory counseling regarding racism and anti-bullying. Bettman also talked about the formation of a hot line for people to call to report any such incidents. “Inclusion and diversity are not simply buzz words. They are foundational principles of the NHL,” Bettman said. “Our message is unequivocal: We will not tolerate abusive behavior of any kind.” Bettman’s comments were his first publicly since former NHL player Akim Aliu alleged that former Calgary Flames Coach Bill Peters previously directed racial slurs toward him while in the minor leagues a decade ago. Peters, who has also been accused of physical abuse while coaching Carolina, resigned following the accusations by Aliu. While Bettman said that the NHL is conducting its own review of the Peters-Aliu situation, the commissioner made it clear that there will be zero tolerance from the league moving forward. To that end, Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Board of Governors about a multi-point plan designed to curb any further issues while allowing coaches to still do their job. “Professionalism and respect have been important to this league but it is now a particularly important time to discuss it because everyone is entitled to a respectful workplace,” Bettman said. Included in the proposed plan: n Teams will be required to immediately report any incidents of inappropriate behavior by club personnel that
has been brought to their attention. Failure to do so will result in “severe discipline,” according to Bettman. n Swift and severe punishment for those involved in any future or past incidents that are brought to the NHL’s attention. n A mandatory annual counseling program that all NHL coaches, assistant coaches, minor league coaches, general managers and assistant general managers must attend. The program, which will be created by professionals in the field outside of the NHL, will focus on consciousness-raising, education and training on diversity and inclusion. The players association and coaches association will be consulted in the formation of the program, as well. n The formation of a disciplinary counsel that will be run under the direction of NHL Executive Vice President Kim Davis. Bettman also spoke about the possibility of creating a hot line for people to call to report incidents of abuse, racism or other things that might fall into a “gray area”as Bettman referred to it. “We understand the critical importance that no one is retaliated against for raising a concern or participating in an investigation. I guarantee we will take all reports seriously and follow up,” Bettman said. Aliu accused Peters of using racial slurs while the two were with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League from 2008-10. Bettman said he spoke with the Board of Governors regarding the code of conduct plan and received full support. “As one of the preeminent professional sports leagues in the world and as the preeminent hockey league in the world, we recognize and embrace our role in setting an example,” Bettman said. “We now are obviously aware of conduct that was and is unacceptable. Whether it happened 10 years ago or last week, the answer must be the same: It is unacceptable.”
The NHL is continuing to investigate the Aliu allegations, as well as those made by former Carolina players that Peters physically abused them while coaching the Hurricanes. Aliu on Monday said he was encouraged Bettman is willing to embrace changes. “Now the hard work begins of focusing on specifics and implementing policy that will make this part more diverse, safer and accountable,” Aliu said in a statement on Twitter. “We have to ensure that future generations of hockey players do not face the barriers and racism that I have throughout my career.” Ron Francis, general manager for the Seattle expansion team, held the same job with Carolina during the alleged physical abuse and has said that he told former owner Peter Karmanos about the allegations. Karmanos, in a subsequent interview, claimed he was unaware of any incidents regarding Peters. “There seems to be some confusion between statements by Peter Karmanos and Ron Francis, which I still need to sort out,” Bettman said. “However I am fairly clear that none of this has anything to do with Carolina under [current owner] Tom Dundon who was among the first to call me when Peters’s conduct came to light.” Bettman said that he believes most NHL coaches conduct themselves appropriately but believes it’s critical to have a program in place to prevent issues from getting out of hand. “Not everyone will approve of every coach’s methods,” Bettman said. “However there are lines that cannot be crossed. Clearly, physical abuse and racial and homophobic language cross the line.” AP
TOKYO 2020 Paralympic mascot “Someity” walks on a pier after a water parade in Tokyo.
NITED Nations—The UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution Monday urging all nations to observe a truce during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan, saying sports can play a role in promoting peace and tolerance and preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism. Diplomats burst into applause as the assembly president announced the adoption of the resolution by the 193-member world body. The resolution recalls the ancient Greek tradition of ekecheiria, which called for a cessation of hostilities to encourage a peaceful environment, ensure safe passage and participation of athletes in the ancient Olympics. The General Assembly revived the tradition in 1993 and has adopted resolutions before all Olympics since then calling for a cessation of hostilities for seven days before and after the games. But member-states involved in conflicts have often ignored the call for a truce. Yoshiro Mori, head of the Tokyo organizing committee for the 2020 games, introduced the resolution calling on UN member-states to observe the truce around next year’s Summer Olympics, being held July 24 to August 9, and the Paralympics, following from August 25 to September 6. The resolution also urges nations to help “use sport as a tool to promote peace, dialogue and reconciliation in areas of conflict during and beyond” the games. Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, told the General Assembly that as the United Nations approaches its 75th anniversary next year, an Olympic year, there is no better time to celebrate the shared values of both organizations to promote peace among all countries and people of the world. But he warned that “in sport, we can see an increasing erosion of the respect for the global rule of law.” Bach said the IOC’s political neutrality “is undermined whenever organizations or individuals attempt to use the Olympic Games as a stage for their own agendas—as legitimate as they might be. The Olympics “are a sports celebration of our shared humanity...and must never be a platform to advance political or any other potentially divisive ends,” he said. Looking ahead, Bach announced that “we will achieve gender balance at the Olympic Games for the first time in Tokyo, with the highest-ever number of female athletes in history at about 49 percent.” He said Tokyo 2020 also aims “for carbon-neutral games,” saying medals will be made from recycled electronics and renewable energy and zero-emission vehicles will be used. The resolution notes that the Tokyo event will be the second of three Olympics in Asia, following the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and ahead of the 2022 winter games in Beijing. It also notes that the Summer Olympics will give Japan the opportunity to express gratitude to countries and people around the world for their “solidarity and support” after the 2011 earthquake and “to deliver a powerful message to the world on how it has been recovering.” AP
God, our savior
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EAR God, in Jesus You give light to our eyes and minds, and strengthen us to follow You. In faith we pray: Show us Your kindness, oh God. Strengthen the faith of those who suffer persecution for the sake of Christ. Bestow the gift of courage and right judgment upon peacemakers and our elected servant officials. Show mercy to those who are dying , and lead them to share in Your everlasting life. May the Lord give us the grace to trust and rejoice in God’s faithful love and everlasting power. Amen. GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com
Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • lifestylebusinessmirror@gmail.com
Life BusinessMirror
Holidays bring phishing scam surge aimed at small business
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BY JOYCE M. ROSENBERG The Associated Press
EW YORK—The e-mail looked legitimate, so Danielle Radin clicked on the link it contained, expecting to have her products included in a holiday gift guide. “I instantly regretted it,” says Radin, owner of Mantra Magnets, a web site that sells wellness products. “It took me to some random web site that looked like those pop-ups telling you that you’ve won the lottery.” Within days of that click three weeks ago, Radin began getting notifications that people in Ecuador, China, and elsewhere, were trying to access her e-mail account. She wasn’t surprised; she knew her San Diego-based small business had been the target of a phishing scam. While cybercriminals strike at any time of the year, they’re particularly active during the holiday and income tax-filing seasons when computer users expect to see more e-mails—and scammers are increasingly targeting individual small businesses with phishing scams, sending messages that look legitimate but do harm instead. An unsuspecting owner or employee clicks on a link or attachment and like Radin finds that malicious software has invaded their PCs. Cyber-security experts find that criminals who used to blanket thousands of computer users in hopes of fooling a handful have refined their methods. Scammers find small businesses through web sites, social-media sites and by combing e-mail address books. They also mine personal data from breaches at retailers, and other large companies. Then, using a process called social engineering, they construct e-mails that increasingly look realistic, as if they truly come from a boss, colleague, friend, potential client or vendor, a bank and even the IRS. “In the last year or two they’ve been running more professional campaigns,” says Perry Toone, owner of
Thexyz, an e-mail service provider based in Toronto. “It can take a couple of minutes for me to determine that they’re phishing scams. That tells me they’re doing a very good job.” Radin believes the scammers found her through her web site or a blog. Like many small businesses, she has an e-mail address on her site, and the scammers figured out that she might be interested in selling via a holiday gift guide. But finding a target is one thing; the scam won’t work unless it tricks an e-mail recipient into clicking. Even those who are tech-savvy can sometimes let their guard down. Radin was duped even though she’s the author of Everyone’s Been Hacked, a book sold online. Often a scam succeeds because there’s just a shred of doubt in a computer user—the e-mail is realistic enough that an owner or employee feels they need to read it. Sometimes a staffer clicks out of fear or a sense of responsibility, says Rahul Telang, a professor of information systems at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. “It might not sound very personal, but you have an idea that you should go ahead—you feel like the e-mail is coming from the boss,” he says. Computer users may not be looking as closely as they should at an e-mail—there can be subtle signs that a message is trouble. Terry Cole, owner of Cole Informatics, a company whose work includes cyber security, recalls getting an e-mail that truly seemed to be from a colleague. He was one of several people in the industry to receive it. “It said that this colleague had sent me a secure private message that was ready for me to read and included a link to click. This was absolutely consistent with my normal experiences communicating with him,” says Cole, whose company is located in Parsons, Tennessee. Cole didn’t do in that instance what he usually does and advises everyone to do: check the e-mail address to be sure it’s completely correct. When he clicked on the link, it took him to a bogus web site claiming to be connected with Microsoft and asking him for his
ID and password. He went no further and suffered no damage to his PC. The holidays provide scammers with extra opportunities: e-mailed greeting cards, package shipment notices, offers of discounts—all of them false. Cybercriminals also seek personal information from owners and employees under the guise of needing them to create a W-2 or 1099 tax form; at this time of year, business owners’ thoughts are turning to taxes. “Something that claims to know you, your name, where you work and wants you to take some action is harder to spot,” says Sherrod DeGrippo, senior director of threat research and detection at Proofpoint, a cyber-security company based in Sunnyvale, California. A common scam at holiday time is an e-mail purportedly from the boss telling a staffer to go buy gift cards and e-mail the numbers back, DeGrippo says. “When it appears to come from a boss or CEO, I think there is that tendency among employees to follow those directions. They’re playing on their emotions,” she says. Often, a scam succeeds in getting an employee to click on a personal e-mail while on a company PC—many workers check their personal e-mail while at work. Even though the e-mail came through on a personal message, it’s the company’s machine that can be infected. Companies can protect themselves in part by restricting employees’ access to personal e-mail sites, Telang says. He also suggests seminars to help staffers understand the risks that even legitimatelooking e-mails can present. Some of the scams aim at monitoring a user’s keystrokes. So anyone accessing a company or personal account of any sort can be giving a criminal access to their money or sensitive personal data. One tool to prevent a bank account from being emptied or a credit-card maxed out is to have accounts with multifactor authentication; that requires a password and a separate code sent to a different device and that is different for each login. ■
Kaspersky on Disney’s new streaming service BY DAVID EMM Kaspersky Global Research Analysis Team WITH the release of Disney’s highly anticipated streaming service, Disney+, it is no shock that hackers have taken an interest in the platform which has seen over 10 million global subscribers in the first week of going live. What is also no surprise are the reports that consumers accounts have been taken over by cybercriminals and sold on the black market for a
percentage of the original subscription fee, an opportunity frequently taken by hackers across a multitude of streaming services. While the details of how the criminals were able to hijack the accounts of customers are unclear, we know customers’ reuse of passwords from across web sites they subscribe to, or the use of malware to steal credentials from compromised PCs are just a couple of possibilities. It is worrying, especially when
considering how quickly criminals have been able to access personal details, that Disney has not included a two-factor authentication process for people to ensure the safety of their information. Likewise, this is a process that should be used by other organizations to ensure the safety of their customers’ personal information. The advice to consumers remains the same as it would in any breach situation: ■ Change your account password
and any associated passwords using a complex password manager. ■ Monitor accounts for any suspicious activity and do not click on any links in e-mails purporting to be from the company—instead go to your account online to check for messages. ■ Ensure your devices are protected and all software is up-todate. ■ Where available, make use of two-factor authentication processes.
HARVEY WEINSTEIN ACCUSED OF MISUSING ANKLE MONITOR; $5-M BAIL SOUGHT D3
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
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Bringing holiday cheer to eBay PHL users ONE of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms, eBay again brings cheer to the holidays by offering a deep catalog of trendy and seasonal products for online shoppers in the Philippines through www.ebay.ph. “This year, we partnered with our top-sellers and brands to offer the hottest products at highly competitive prices,” said Kevin Kwan, head of strategy and operations for eBay Southeast Asia. “Savvy shoppers and bargain hunters will be able to find great deals no matter what they’re looking for.” He added that eBay will continue with its strategy of featuring highly curated products and deals that will delight customers, making their Christmas shopping more convenient and hassle-free. eBay entered the Philippines in 2004 and has been a champion for local businesses of all shapes and sizes, from brands, retailers, small businesses and even casual sellers. The marketplace partners with its sellers to source a wide selection of in-demand products at great prices. Buyers can find everything from the latest cameras and camera accessories, mobile phones, midrange to luxury watches, handbags and much more. Payment is also not an issue, as a wide variety of accepted payment methods, such as online payment, bank transfer and cash-on-delivery provide convenience for both buyers and sellers. And for the holidays, eBay has again partnered with director Blasgil Tanquilut to launch a Christmas-themed short film, titled Bonus. The film zeroes in on themes of family, unity, hardwork and sacrifice, and comes off the back of their earlier film series Together, which became a viral sensation in October. The trailer for Bonus was released on eBay Philippines’s Facebook page and generated more than 1 million views within the first day; the full film will be launching in December. “We wanted to tell the stories of everyday people we see in ourselves and around us, but rarely on-screen,” explained Kwan. “It’s a way of paying tribute to the core values that bind Filipinos together, and hopefully viewers will be touched during this special time of year.”
YOUCAM PERFECT LAUNCHES COLLECTION OF FESTIVE HOLIDAY FEATURES TO GET YOU IN THE SPIRIT
NEW YORK—The technology app developer behind the popular photo-editing app, YouCam Perfect, debuts its 2019 holiday effects collection including a variety of frames, stickers, features and effects to help users dress up their holiday photos with ease. The app update includes an extensive collection of cheerful holiday frames and stickers including twinkling tinsel, glittering lights and wintery effects that add an instant holiday spin to any photo in seconds. The collection will also feature a set of six premium frames with more intricate and detailed designs, available through monthly or yearly subscription. According to YouCam app usage statistics, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve hold claims to the most popular photo sharing days of the year, with over 210 million selfies taken globally. Just in time for photo-editing fun, new app updates also include advancements for some of YouCam Perfect’s more popular features including more extensive text adjustments, as well as color saturation, lightness and image sharpening tools that help users edit and adjust their photos to a professional quality all through their mobile device. In the spirit of spreading joy this holiday season, YouCam Perfect is hosting a “Holiday Photo Challenge,” inviting fans to create and share their most festive holiday photos using #YouCamPerfect and #Holidays2019 for a chance to win a premium subscription. Entry is open now through Christmas Day. “We encourage YouCam fans to experiment and play with the complete YouCam Perfect holiday collection and, help spread cheer all season long,” said Perfect Corp. Founder and CEO Alice Chang. “We continue to grow and develop new YouCam Perfect filters and effects every month to best serve our photo fanatics, and are thrilled to release such a festive and fun collection to ring in the holiday season.” Discover the complete YouCam Perfect holiday collection in app now and enter your best holiday photo using the service’s exclusive stickers, frames and effects for a chance to win. The app is available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play. BUSINESS WIRE
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Pet Corner BusinessMirror
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Cancer is now the No. 1 killer of cats and dogs. Is your pet at risk? V ENTURA, California—More cats and dogs are being diagnosed with cancer than ever before. According to the American Veterinary Medical Society, almost 50 percent of all dogs and 32 percent of all cats over the age of 10 will develop cancer. Younger pets are also increasingly at risk. “Cancer is affecting our pets at alarming rates, and it is devastating for both the families of these pets, as well as the pets themselves. I am seeing this in my practice on a regular basis,” says Dr. Jennifer Edwards, a veterinarian at Ponemah Veterinary Hospital in Amherst, New Hampshire. Why are cancer rates soaring in dogs and cats? Pet Wellness Direct Founder and CEO Russ Kamalski believes it’s due to several factors, including the fact that pets are being increasingly exposed to toxins in their food, water and environment. “Every time a cat or dog spends time outside in a yard or garden that has been sprayed with pesticides or weed killers, they are being exposed to known carcinogens,” he points out. “Indoor cleaning products and other items can also expose your pets to dangerous chemicals. Your pets spend a lot of time on the floor, and they are like little mops absorbing all the toxins. Over time this has a detrimental impact on their health. The same goes for some anti-flea and tick treatments, as well as some of the low-quality pet food products. And, of course, just like with humans, lack of exercise and obesity are also known factors.” Kamalski encourages responsible cat and dog owners to protect their pets by making sure they get plenty of exercise and feeding them high-quality healthy food that includes recommended amounts of animal fat and omega-3 fatty acids. He also advises people to use nontoxic home and garden products and carefully research any flea or tick prevention products before using them on their animals. According to Edwards, another way to protect your pets is with all-natural health supplements. “One of the things that can be helpful is supporting your pet’s immune system with antioxidants to help its body to use its own natural defenses against disease. Certain mushrooms and turmeric may be beneficial in helping your pet to boost its immune
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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Mo’Nique, 52; Gary Dourdin, 53; Jermaine Jackson, 65; Bess Armstrong, 66. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Evaluate, question and make adjustments. Refuse to let the past hold you hostage mentally, emotionally or physically. Engage in new beginnings, set your sights on what’s possible and recognize who is a good influence. Consider what brings you joy and promotes what you want to achieve. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Your lucky numbers are 8, 14, 21, 24, 28, 35, 41.
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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stop, think and consider your options. Don’t feel you have to take the same life journey as everyone else. Consider what makes you happy and how you can put your skills and your energy to good use. HHHH
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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Financial matters should be looked at carefully. If you are too abrupt with your decisions and spend without thinking, you’ll have regrets. An opportunity is useful only if it fits into your lifestyle and is conducive to making you happy. HHH
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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Partnerships will be full of surprises. Be careful who you trust with information that someone might use against you. A disappointment is likely if you leave essential details to someone who can’t be trusted or isn’t capable. HHH
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CANCER (June 21-July 22): It’s OK to be different. Listen to your heart, and sidle up beside people who motivate you to grow and excel at the things that bring you the most joy. Put your energy where it counts, and don’t look back. HHH
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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Get involved in something that makes you feel good. Lend a helping hand, speak up and make a difference. Be passionate and proactive, but don’t let anyone talk you into donating or spending. Keep money, possessions and secrets in a safe place. HHH
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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Avoid an emotional scene with someone close to you. You need time to consider what’s best for you. Spend time with someone who offers sound advice, and you will see how you can turn a negative into a positive. Embrace change. HH
system to fight diseases,” she says. VetSmart Formulas Critical Immune Defense is one supplement that contains active ingredients that have been shown to promote healthy cell growth and protect against inflammation and disease. According to Kamalski, the powerful blend of natural ingredients provides immunostimulating proteoglycan and polysaccharides to boost Natural Killer (NK) and T-Helper cells that are essential for long-term health. “Critical Immune Defense acts as a protective barrier for pets of any age and allows their immune
system to function at its best,” Kamalski says. The supplement is also helpful for cats and dogs that are being treated for cancer, he says. “Talk to your veterinarian or pet oncologist about using this powerful immune-boosting supplement to prolong your pet’s life expectancy. The all-natural ingredients have been used around the world for centuries, and the research and results are more than impressive.” Critical Immune Defense is not available in retail stores and can be found only at the Pet Wellness Direct web site (http://getvsf.com/cid-press). PRNEWSWIRE
‘Unicorn puppy’ will stay with Missouri rescue mission CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri—A dog who was dubbed the unicorn puppy because of a tail-like growth between his eyes will remain with the founder of a Missouri rescue group, despite more than 300 offers to adopt him. The beagle-mix puppy, named Narwhal the Little Magical Furry Unicorn, was rescued in November by Mac’s Mission in southeast Missouri. He drew international attention when his picture hit social media, prompting all the adoption offers but also some negative attention, including death threats, said Rochelle Steffen, founder of the Mac’s Mission in Jackson. Those two factors—plus the dog’s winning personality—convinced Steffen to reverse an earlier decision to
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find a new home for Narwhal, she told The Southeast Missourian. She said her tiny rescue could not properly vet the 300 adoption applicants and she was concerned by “stupid, ugly comments [online] about this sweet little puppy.” People have shown up at the rescue in Jackson because of the dog, prompting security measures and meetings “by appointment only,” Steffen said. Narwhal is watched at all times by Steffen and trusted volunteers. Steffen said she wanted to keep the dog safe and was concerned he could be exploited by someone without his best interests at heart. “If somebody is going to make money off of him, I would love to
see it go toward the rescue, and save thousands more dogs,” Steffen said. People have made “giant” offers to buy him, Steffen said. “But he’s not for sale.” And the dog’s cute personality made it difficult to consider giving him to someone else, she said. “It’s not just a decision from me,” she said. “The whole rescue cannot fathom him leaving. We all fell in love with him.” Mac’s Mission is currently involved in a court case involving the sale of a previously adopted dog, which taught Steffen that the organization loses control over an animal’s fate once it is adopted. And the mission’s former treasurer, Elizabeth Hann, is awaiting trial on charges that she stole
$120,000 from the organization, which specializes in caring for animals with special needs. “We have had a rough couple of years here,” Steffen said of Mac’s Mission. “Lots of loss, lots of hurt.” And Mac, the mission’s current “spokesdog,” turns nine in January. Steffen said she wasn’t sure what was going to happen until Narwhal came along, saying he is “absolutely, exactly what we needed.” She said the dog will be a spokesdog for a “Different is awesome” campaign and the long-term plan is to train him as a therapy dog. For now, Steffen is concentrating on letting him grow, and getting him fully vaccinated and socialized. AP
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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll get a different perspective of what you can do if you distance yourself from what’s going on in your backyard. Taking a day trip, going to a meeting or getting together with someone who knows you well will help expose your options. HHHHH
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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Participate in something that is community-oriented or that will open your eyes to what’s going on with a friend or relative. Knowledge will lead to an unexpected change that will improve your life. Romance is in the stars. HHH
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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be open regarding your feelings. Don’t lead anyone on or let anyone take advantage of you. It’s up to you to say no to anyone or anything that isn’t in your best interest. HHH CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A change you make will surprise someone close to you. How you handle your money will make a difference. Shop for bargains, and don’t go into debt to win favors or buy love. HHH
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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A change at home will add to family comfort. Plan to host an event or spend more downtime with the ones you love. Don’t believe everything you hear or agree to something without having all the facts. HHHHH
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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Emotional matters will leave you wondering what to do next. Your experience will help you make a wise decision now. Less talk and more action will encourage others to stop complaining and start pitching in to help. HH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are entertaining, playful and intelligent. You are outgoing and amicable.
‘online movie’ BY GARY LARSON The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg
ACROSS 1 Shoulder wrap 6 An ___ and a leg 9 Sponge cake ingredients 13 Pacific island nation 14 Personal short stories? 16 White House No. 2 17 Wing it 18 Water, in Cancun 19 Volcano in Sicily 20 “Jack” Bristow in Alias (see letters 5-7) 23 Laura Hunt in Laura (letters 3-5) 26 Pose a question 27 Surrounded by 28 Run the show 30 Except 31 King Minos, for one 36 Barely managed, with “out” 37 Fiorello in A Night at the Opera (letters 4-6) 39 Something to build on 42 Zombie, before revival 43 Zip 46 Sacred song 48 Bosses, often
0 Semicircular path 5 51 Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde”(letters 4-6) 56 Stream some content online, or what the starred people could together do? 58 Jingling thing 59 Effortlessness 60 Online sales 64 World Cup cheers 65 Silverstein who wrote The Giving Tree 66 So out it’s in 67 Become fatigued 68 NBC weekend show 69 Biscuit, for a dog DOWN 1 Rejuvenating resort 2 Once owned 3 Without exception 4 Signed away, as a right 5 Ninotchka director Ernst (CLUB HITS anagram) 6 Lessen in intensity 7 Severity 8 Grieve
9 Better than ___ 10 Recoup 11 Rochester’s river 12 Ignited 15 Wise person 21 Kind of acid in a lemon 22 Vote of support 23 Schmooze 24 Relative of an ostrich 25 Little criticism to “pick” 29 Tex-___ cuisine 32 System start-up? 33 Ontario NBA city: Abbr. 34 Sound booster 35 City in southern New Hampshire 37 Disney frame 38 Stick in again 39 Everything it produces is junk 40 Haifa native 41 Defensive football player, often 43 Church bench 44 Period 45 “Gangnam Style” rapper 47 Juilliard deg. 49 Rodent-hunting cat or dog 52 Wows
53 Followers of The Beatles’ “She loves you” 54 Barnaby Jones star Buddy 55 Big battery type 57 Ultimatum-ending word 61 Consumed 62 SEP plan 63 Land purchase Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:
Show BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
D3
BLIND SPOT BRUCE C.
BAD INFLUENCE
THIS young actor used to be an obedient son who was devoted to his job and took care of his body. Even when his former girlfriend dumped him, the young actor remained dedicated to bettering himself and his craft. When he began being involved with a young actress, the young actor started being seen in bars. Those close to the actor know that he doesn’t really drink except socially. He is one of the most amiable celebrities in his network yet he’s already been involved in a minor scandal because of the young actress. It turns out that the young actress is a wild child of sorts and, while the actor is likable, no one really likes her. She is rude and disrespectful. The young actor’s family is scared that she might get pregnant and the actor will get married even before he gets to fulfill his dreams.
NEW FACE, SAME GIRL HARVEY WEINSTEIN (center) leaves court following a bail hearing on December 6 in New York. AP
Harvey Weinstein accused of misusing ankle monitor; $5-M bail sought BY TOM HAYS, RYAN TARINELLI & MICHAEL R. SISAK The Associated Press
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EW YORK—Harvey Weinstein violated his bail conditions by mishandling his electronic ankle monitor, which left his whereabouts unrecorded for hours at a time, a New York prosecutor argued Friday. Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi made the claim at a pretrial hearing for Weinstein after he hobbled into court with what his lawyer later described as a back ailment. Illuzi told a judge he had repeatedly violated his bail conditions by leaving home a piece of the monitoring technology that keeps the ankle bracelet activated. “None of these violations were accidental,” Illuzzi said while arguing that Weinstein’s bail should be raised from $1 million to $5 million while he awaits trial next month on rape and assault charges. Defense Atty. Donna Rotunno denied it was anything deliberate, blaming “technical glitches” like dead batteries. “It has nothing to do with any manipulation of the bracelet,” Rotunno told reporters after leaving court. She acknowledged that on at least one occasion, he’d forgotten part of the device when he left the house. “The minute he realized he forgot it, he made a phone call.” Asked about the health of her 67-year-old client, who was walking with a limp, his tie loosened and one shoe untied, the lawyer responded: “This is tough on anybody... He has some back issues that we’re hoping to address this week.” A judge put off any decision about whether
Weinstein should face stricter bail conditions over the alleged violations until next week. The Oscar-winning producer was in court for one of many proceedings that courts across the state are scheduling to apprise defendants of reforms to New York’s bail system that are set to take effect January 1. State lawmakers passed a law this year eliminating cash bail for most nonviolent crimes. For poorer defendants facing lesser charges, these appearances could mean release from jail come the new year—or refunds for those who have posted bail. Those outcomes are unlikely to happen in a case in which Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to charges he raped a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and performed a forcible sex act on a different woman in 2006. He has been free on the current $1 million bail since his arrest last year and maintains that any sexual activity was consensual. Weinstein’s deep pockets have given him plenty of freedom as he awaits trial on the charges, which could put him in jail for the rest of his life. The disgraced movie mogul has been spotted hobnobbing at New York City nightclubs and getting jeered at a recent actors showcase. But poorer defendants who have been hauled into courthouses for lesser offenses have ended up in jail if they can’t afford a bail of even a few hundred dollars. That financial and fairness divide was one New York lawmakers were aiming to solve with sweeping bail reforms. Among the changes: The bail law signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in April eliminates pretrial detention and money bail for the wide majority of misdemeanor
THE tree-lighting ceremony was led by Shangri-La Plaza EVP and General Manager Lala Fojas, Mandaluyong Councilors Benjie Abalos III and Charisse Abalos, with guest artist Jose Mari Chan.
and nonviolent felony cases. It also mandates that police issue court appearance tickets instead of arresting people for low-level offenses. The reforms were motivated in part by the case of Kalief Browder, who was denied bail after he was arrested at age 16 on a charge that he stole a bag, and then spent three years in custody before the case was dropped without a trial. He later killed himself. People charged with rape and other serious sexual offenses can still be ordered to post bail or be put into pretrial detention come the new year. Part of the new law bars the court system from requiring defendants to paying fees to maintain electronic monitoring systems. That could mean that Weinstein, who has been paying his own monitoring costs, will have to stop doing so. The rollout of the bail law has varied across the state, with some areas having robust coordination while others are doing little to nothing at all, said Insha Rahman, director of strategy and new initiatives at the Vera Institute of Justice. Kevin Stadelmaier, chief attorney of the criminal defense unit at the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, said his defense lawyers have been preparing for months and are seeking to free people charged with low-level offenses before the law takes effect. “We’re really going to see the fruits of our labor come January 1,” he said. David Hoovler, district attorney in Orange County, criticized the monthslong rollout, saying there should have been more time given to prepare for such sweeping changes. “There’s very little guidance by anyone,” he said. ■
MELODIES from the Philippine Madrigal Singers start the tree-lighting ceremony.
THE actress hasn’t had a project (TV show or movie) in a bit but if you’d look at her SNS, you’d be surprised to see that she’s living the life and is even sporting a new face. According to rumors, the actress took advantage of her hiatus to get some cosmetic surgery done so that she’d look more Asian. This is because most of the actress’ “bookings” prefer girls who are Asian-looking. Yes, this is how the actress has made a living through her hiatus. She still lives the high life despite being a nonworking actress. So the actress has a boyfriend. Does that even matter? Her boyfriend cannot marry her yet, nor support her in the style she has been accustomed to so...a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
PROBLEMATIC
THE actor continues to be very problematic. Recently, he was in the news because of a project with another talent, but in recent interviews, he has been hinting that the project will not push through. He doesn’t have any other projects, although it’d be a stretch to call the actor a has-been as he is still very popular. The only problem is his attitude. He is lazy and doesn’t respect the time of other people. He always says he is sick and he does look sick but then after ditching a work commitment, he’ll be photographed partying and drinking. He refuses projects, turning down some because he says they are “cheap.” We’re confused. He has had a few good projects and no hit in a long time. We wonder what he means by cheap.
TMI
THE actress is known for being feisty and very frank. Online, she does not mince words and is always speaking her mind. She is usually funny. The word “usually” does not mean “always” because her recent online barbs at an actor who was her ex have irked higher-ups at her network. They think what she’s been saying is too much, as her words are meant for stars who are also talents of the network she belongs to. Her words have turned from amusing to annoying most of the time. Basically, she’s been asked to tone it down and act in a manner that befits her status as one of the network’s well-respected and competent talents. We understand that her heart’s been broken but the network officials are right. Her online sarcasm is at the point where it’s become so awkward for everyone reading what she has to say.
GMA HOLDS TV RATINGS LEADERSHIP IN URBAN LUZON, MEGA MANILA
GMA sustained its lead in the TV ratings game in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, according to the latest data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement. For the month of November (with November 24 to 30 based on overnight data), GMA posted an average of 33.3 percent total day people audience share in Urban Luzon, outscoring ABS-CBN’s 29.6 percent. The viewer-rich area accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country. The network continued to win in the afternoon block with 35.6 percent people audience share while ABS-CBN registered 28.4 percent. GMA similarly led in the evening block with 35.3 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 31.9 percent. Award-winning magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) was still unbeatable in the No. 1 spot in Urban Luzon’s list of top-rating programs for the month. It also kept its position as the most viewed program in the nationwide list. Following KMJS in the list of top programs for November were 24 Oras, The Clash, The Gift, Magpakailanman, Beautiful Justice, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Pepito Manaloto, Daddy’s Gurl, One of the Baes, Amazing Earth, Prima Donnas, Eat Bulaga, Wowowin, 24 Oras Weekend and Magkaagaw. Likewise, in Mega Manila (with official data from November 1 to 23), GMA recorded a 33.9 percent average total day people audience share as compared to ABS-CBN which only managed to get 27 percent. Meanwhile, GMA shows took 18 spots out of the top 30 shows in the said area, which accounts for 60 percent of all urban viewers in the country. Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s client pool covers a total of 32 clients/ subscribers consisting of six local TV networks, including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV and CNN Philippines, among others; three regional clients; two blocktimers; and 21 agencies (17 media agencies, three consulting agencies and one digital agency).
Shangri-La Plaza lights up the holiday season CHRISTMAS at Shangri-La Plaza (www. facebook.com/shangrilaplazao��icial) is in full swing, as the leading lifestyle destination holding its anticipated yearly Christmas Tree Lighting at the Grand Atrium, on December 1. Shangri-La Plaza EVP and General Manager Lala Fojas and Mandaluyong Councilors Benjie Abalos III and Charisse Abalos performed the ceremonial lighting of
the mall’s 58-foot Santa’s workshopinspired Christmas tree, considered as one of the largest in the city. The launch festivities continued with performances from the “Father of Philippine Christmas Carols” Jose Mari Chan, acclaimed ensemble Philippine Madrigal Singers and its own Mini Madz. The Shang’s grand Christmas tree is one of the centerpieces of the
mall’s stunning holiday décor that showcase the magical, pristine and colorful world of Santa’s Wonderland. Mall guests are welcomed by elves at the entrances, with candy cane pillars supporting the official seal of the North Pole, and giant stars and Christmas balls dangling from the ceiling. Exciting activities and musical performances have been lined up for
mall guests throughout the month, including the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, Ateneo Chamber Singers, Ballet Philippines and more. Aside from these, The Shang has its ongoing holiday raffle promo with mall guests getting an opportunity to win a brand-new F-Pace Prestige SUV from luxury vehicle brand Jaguar with every P2,500 purchase until February 16, 2020.
THE Clash’s Lani Misalucha, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Christian Bautista, Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz
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Wednesday, December 11, 2019
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THE BEST 12.12 BEAUTY DEALS BY DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ WE love going to physical stores to shop, but we can’t deny the convenience afforded by e-commerce. Sites like Lazada, Zalora and Shopee have enabled us to shop for everything and anything, from Christmas trees to makeup, without leaving our homes. The discounts, deals and freebies are pretty amazing, too. Last year, I asked for a set consisting of a mini lipstick and a face mist from MAC Cosmetics in the office exchange gift. The set came with a freebie of a phone ring with a lipstick charm. Beauty is one sector that has expanded its online presence. Some of the biggest brands now have stores on the online shopping platforms. This year’s 12.12 beauty deals, coming on the heels of the successful 11.11 e-commerce campaigns, are very exciting and timely for the holidays. From Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph), you can get up to three gifts from MAC Cosmetics, including a small Prep + Prime Fix+ and a gold star keychain on December 12. Other freebies would depend on what time you order. From 12 am to 2 am, you get a free mini Lip Glass for every checkout. From 11 am to 1 pm, it will be a free 6ml Strobe Cream sample, and from 6 to 11:59 pm, a free Studio Fix bag. For instance, you can get a Prep + Prime Lip and a Velvet Teddy Lipstick, and receive the Fix+ face mist. Estee Lauder has some good deals on Lazada, too. You can get a complimentary full-size lipstick for every checkout worth P1,400. I am very interested in the skin-care sets (12.12 exclusives). A skin-care set—called Repair + Revitalize Bundle 30ML—consisting of four products is priced at P4,200 from the original value of P6,787. It includes a 30ml bottle of the Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix Synchronized Recovery 5ml, Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion 15ml and Revitalizing Supreme + Global Anti-Aging Power Soft Crème 5ml. With Clinique, you can get up to five free gifts. For the Mini Hydration Heroes Set that includes Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly 30ml, Moisture Surge 72 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator 15ml, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ 30ml (priced at P1,450), you get free skin-care gifts. You can get gifts for every checkout and an extra three for purchases P2,500. At Origins, you get a free Mega-Mushroom Duo (Origins’s most popular line) with every purchase. At Shiseido, one of the most exciting things is the Mystery Box aptly priced at P1,212 (the real value is P6,000). You get two full-sized Shiseido products along with samples. Also very interesting are the Travel Beauty Sets curated by Shiseido Philippines Brand Ambassador KC Concepcion. There are four Travel Beauty Sets, each priced at P2,450. Each set is inspired by Concepcion’s favorite cities, such as Manila, Paris, New York and Tokyo. Also available are the brand’s holiday sets. Bobbi Brown also gives up to two gifts per order. You get a mini lipstick for a purchase and an additional one (a full-size lip and cheek color) for orders above P3,000. What I like about gifts that come with a purchase, especially during the holidays, is that you can regift the freebies. No one will say no to a Bobbi Brown lipstick or Shiseido skin-care samples. But the best thing about online shopping is that you don’t need to deal with traffic and/or long lines at the cash register. Once in a while, it’s great to go to a physical store to shop but for now, we’re good with online shopping.
Getting up to par SUI GENERIS CARLO ATIENZA
biblisko@gmail.com
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ROBABLY one of the arduous tasks a manager has to accomplish is doing a performance evaluation of their team. And more so when there are several nonperforming members who need to be reproved for their performance, because it is easier to look for praise points when a team member is doing exceedingly well. It becomes a daunting task when it is otherwise. But performance evaluations need not be tedious or exhaustive, especially when your organization has a built-in mechanism of ensuring quality performance, and it is monitored and considered by employees as an avenue of selfimprovement, rather than a scheduled reproach. Performance evaluations are regular evaluations conducted by a supervisor to their teams individually, so the employee will understand how they contributed to the growth of the business. The evaluation should contain the strengths of the appraisee and outline what they did well to reinforce the skills acquired and maintain the quality of their work. On the other hand, it should also contain the opportunities for improvement and a game plan on how to improve and achieve the target knowledge and skill, or mitigate behavior gaps. The overall objective of performance evaluations is to ensure that the team’s performance is on a par with expected deliverables and, at the same time, provide a basis for whatever available incentive the organization is offering. A good performance evaluation mechanism also allows the organization to evaluate their human capital, and look at what can be done better to provide an environment where their employees are performing at their peak. It will also become the basis for individual development goals per team member, and provide a supervisor the needed checklist to measure how much a member has grown and what can be done better to meet those goals. In turn, it becomes a temperature check for how engaged employees are in the organization and provide insight into what motivates team members, and the organization can then take steps to address them if they can. Scheduled performance evaluations also provide an avenue where members can freely discuss with their managers feedback on what could have been done differently so they can do their work properly. But all these benefits cannot be realized if you do
People often associate performance evaluations as a yearly requirement which they have to do rather than something they can benefit from. When done regularly throughout the year, it becomes a compass by which both the team member and the organization can use as a guide to sail in the same direction. And when done correctly, it can benefit both the organization and the employee to a longer and fruitful partnership. not have a performance evaluation mechanism, and it all starts with an evaluation tool. The most common form of an evaluation tool is the scorecard, which aligns with the job description of the position and the expected outcomes from the role. It is also necessary that it follows the criteria of a balanced scorecard which not only takes into account internal measures, but also includes factors, such as stakeholder evaluation, value-add to consumers and innovation and improvement. Bottom line is, as Peter Drucker would say, “you cannot manage what you cannot measure.” And this works both for the supervisor and the team member—they are in a position to understand what they can do to meet and even exceed expected outcomes. When you have your scorecard ready, make sure the team member evaluates themselves first and give them enough time to do so. This will help them review what they have done and encourage them to be very factual in their narrative, especially if they went beyond what was required. Quality scores or even satisfaction survey results are good indicators of uality performance, but commendations from clients and consumers can also help in justifying the scores they give themselves while boosting morale, as well. And when you do have the performance evaluation talk, schedule it in advance so your team member can prepare properly. While they are evaluating themselves, prepare your own evaluation. Gather data based on the parameters of their scorecard so that when they present their data, you can validate it. Your feedback about their performance should always be balanced and should always have a basis. Otherwise, your team member might feel you are singling them out or you are playing favorites. While there are several ways of avoiding being subjective in evaluations, it cannot be avoided. You just have to be aware of when you are being subjective and take pains to minimize it. Stick to what is being evaluated in the scorecard to avoid falling into the trap
Registration now open for Maxifest 2019 FOR all health and fitness buffs, online registration is now open for Maxifest: Live Your Best Life, the biggest health and fitness event organized by Maxicare, the country’s leading HMO provider. Visit bit.ly/380jqx2 to sign up for the run. Scheduled on December 15, the event will include a 500-meter dash for three- to 12-year-old kids, the 2k Senior Sprint for 60-yearolds and above, the basic 3k, the amiable distance of 5k, and the athletic 10k and 16k. The run, which will be held at Central Park SM by the Bay, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay, is open to all as Maxicare encourages the public to stay healthy so
everyone can live their best life. All runners will be given a race kit depending on their chosen course. It will include a race bib, timing chip, medal, singlet and loot bag; an additional finisher shirt will be given to 16k runners. Assembly time is as follows: 500-meter dash is at 6:30 am; 2k at 6:15 am; 3k at 6 am; 5k at 5:30 am; 10k is at 5 am; and 16k is at 4:50 am. Fees are also determined by distance: P550 for the 500-meter dash; P650 for 2k Senior Sprint; P800 for 3k; P900 for 5k; P1,000 for 10k; and P1,100 for 16k. To generate more buzz and awareness on the importance
of health and fitness, Maxicare will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the most number of people hugging a soft toy simultaneously. For this event, each runner will be given a Maxibear, Maxicare’s official stuffed plushie, which runners will hug simultaneously to break the current world record. Cherry Run Elementary School in Burke, Virginia, US, is the current record holder. The event is for the benefit of Kythe Foundation Inc., a nonprofit, nonstock organization aimed toward improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness.
of being subjective. In cases when the appraisee falls below the acceptable performance outcomes, ensure that you will provide a clear and achievable plan of action which the team member can do to improve their performance. Now is the time when your leadership skills will be put to the test—how to motivate the person to do better while underscoring their need to at least meet acceptable standards. And while the minimum expectation is to meet the standard, your team member is relying on you to provide clear guidance and a bit of a hand-holding until they can find their way to meeting expectations. However, when the team member is not performing better even after outlining what they need to do and closely monitoring them for a period of time, disciplinary measures have to be employed based on the code of discipline of the organization. Encourage feedback from employee during the performance evaluation. Now is the time you can ask questions to help you understand what motivates your team member, and what will make their work easier. My previous supervisor always tells me that my role as a leader is to clear the road blocks so my team can be the best they can. While there are requests that seem impractical at times, it still helps to know where your team is coming from. Understanding their motivations can help you plan activities that approximate what they need, or even give you ideas on new ways of doing things to make work more enjoyable. People often associate performance evaluations as a yearly requirement which they have to do rather than something they can benefit from. When done regularly throughout the year, it becomes a compass by which both the team member and the organization can use as a guide to sail in the same direction. And when done correctly, it can benefit both the organization and the employee to a longer and fruitful partnership. ■
BusinessMirror
Editor: Tet Andolong
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 E1
AyalaLand introduces mixed-use estate in Tarlac By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio
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ROPERTY titan Ayala Land Inc. recently introduced Cresendo, a 290-hectare mixed-use estate in Tarlac City that the company envisions to become the new downtown in Tarlac. The estate is suitably dubbed Cresendo as a destination on the rise. Moreover, ALI is positioning Cresendo as a center to employment, education, enterprise and a balanced way of life. Located in Barangay Central near the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and MacArthur Highway, Cresendo will be accessible through the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEx) and SCTEx, as well as future infrastructure project Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx). Nearby landmarks include the Aquino Museum. “We are very excited for this new development because it is expected to usher in a new era of growth and progress, and we are glad that AyalaLand is one of our most valued partners in the realization of our development goals,” Tarlac City Mayor Maria Cristina Angeles said during the estate’s groundbreaking ceremony. John Estacio, Cresendo estate head, said the residential communities would take up 59 percent of the estate, followed by the Cresendo Industrial Park (11 percent) and the commercial district (11 percent). About 31 percent of the whole estate will be allocated for open spaces. Asked about the difference of Cresendo with other ALI estates, Estacio pointed out it is ALI’s third integrated, mixed-use estate north of Metro Manila, and their first estate in Tarlac. “Cresendo will be developed into a modern local community that builds on many local components resembling a new población
ARTIST’S perspective of River Terraces
or bayan infused with modern conveniences and best practices from ALI’s expertise of developing large-scale sustainable estates,” Estacio explained. Cresendo will have a 30-hectare urban core comprised of a 1.5-hectare central plaza, school, commercial center and a church. “The urban core of Cresendo is master planned to put people first. It creates vibrant, safe and interesting walking paths around the community. One can peruse ground floor retail while walking around the neighborhood, or cross over to pocket parks and promenades, view public art and installations from the plaza, to the church, the market or the school,” Estacio said. “Cresendo is uniquely designed to be
modern, yet familiar to most Filipinos,” Estacio added. ALI will be boosting entrepreneurship as the Cresendo central plaza will be a commercial district made up of commercial buildings ranging from 500 square meters to 2,000 sq m. The smaller commercial lots categorized as shophouses, are envisioned to give rise to homegrown enterprises and inspire entrepreneurship. Business owners or employees can live right above their stores, service shops, training centers or processing centers. Opportunities to grow small, medium and large businesses will abound in the district. A 1.5-kilometer greenway leads from the central plaza all the way to the 7-hectare River Terraces near the residential areas. With dedi-
cated pedestrian lanes and bike lanes, it will seamlessly connect the estate’s active urban core to the quieter, residential living zones. Roads will be lined with trees endemic to the area. Three-meter wide sidewalks and arcaded walkways will all be part of the estate’s pedestrian-friendly design. Pocket parks and pedestrian promenades will be engaging and easily accessible for estate residents and visitors. The Cresendo River Terraces will function as a community convergence point with its landscaped gardens, jogging paths and viewing deck. It will also serve as the estate’s detention pond. Don Bosco Technical Institute will open a senior high school in Cresendo, followed by its Technical Vocational Education and Train-
ing Center. The institution will be the firstof-its-kind in Tarlac, accommodating about 5,000 students. It will equip graduates with the technical proficiency and specialized skill set that will be required in the industrial park and the commercial developments within and around the estate. Don Bosco will eventually be offering all K to 12 levels, to cater to the families residing in Cresendo and in nearby communities. ALI residential brand Avida Land will be the first to build residential villages on the estate. Residents will benefit from their neighborhood’s proximity to the River Terraces where they can enjoy relaxing leisure activities. Avida’s midrange house and lot offerings are expected to attract home buyers from Tarlac, Metro Manila and abroad, especially those with roots in the province. Phase 1 of Cresendo will include the completion of the church and opening of the school, the development of its first residential community, a transport terminal and an industrial park.
Once completed, the 32-hectare Cresendo Industrial Park (CIP) will provide employment opportunities in the area. CIP will have various lot sizes ranging from 1,200 sq m to 10,000 sq m for sale at P6,000 to P9,000 per sq m. This will be open to locators in light to medium, nonpolluting industries by 2022. In full swing, the industrial park is expected to generate approximately 2,000 jobs. For greater mobility and accessibility, Cresendo will have a privately managed transport system, ensuring high accessibility and traffic efficiency throughout the estate. “Based on ALI’s long experience in developing integrated, mixed-use estates, Cresendo will create an environment that will help drive opportunities for education, employment and enterprise in this area. It’s an exciting prospect for nearby communities and provinces, and for anyone who has called Tarlac their hometown,” said Estacio. “We aim to incorporate community convergence spaces, innovation and inclusion in our development here in Cresendo.”
Business
E2 Wednesday, December 11, 2019
No stopping the renegade property mogul
with different personalities and skills, Victor reflects, “I believe in giving people a chance to show me what they can do. I try to give them authority and accountability, and trust. I hired them because I believed that they can do a job. It defeats the purpose for me to micromanage their efforts.” The chief goes on further, “In that sense I’m very much a delegator. My job is to provide general direction and resources so that they can do their job. My pet peeve is when someone fails to accomplish something in accordance to my standards, not because it was difficult, but because they didn’t have the initiative to try.” He stresses, “My company is built on initiative, teamwork, and thinking outside the box. The fastest way to get reprimanded is to not try. And the fastest way to be praised is to have done everything in your power to do so, successful or not.”
Amor Maclang
O
FIRST DIBS IN REAL ESTATE
NE of the perks of being chosen as a mentor for creative, young and driven entrepreneurs in the fifth season of The Final Pitch is the opportunity to work with my brilliant friends in the realestate industry.
Building institutions, not just enterprises
present to the investor-judges who are looking to invest in the best proposal they find. The investor-judges are themselves a group of brilliant minds in business. And one such brilliant star featured in the show is the overachieving Victor Consunji, the CEO of Victor Consunji Development Corp.
A sterling name VICTOR CONSUNJI
The Final Pitch, the country’s first and only business reality show, sets the stage for young entrepreneur contestants to pitch their businesses to an esteemed panel of investor-judges who are looking to invest in their proposed ventures.
In its fifth and latest season, The Final Pitch will have the theme “Real Estate and Livable Cities.” As a mentor in the show, I am tasked with guiding the young finalists when they prepare their “final” pitches of the season which they will, in turn,
PEDIGREE and purpose run in Victor’s veins. As grandson of a sterling name in the country’s real-estate construction industry, Victor even in his early days as an engineering student already had a yearning to make a name for himself and make things happen on his own. Building his own company was
not without its challenges and setbacks but Victor plodded on and in his own distinctive way created a niche previously not available to home buyers—the ability to craft their own home with preset blueprints that are customizable to fit the customer’s needs and specifications. It was a brilliant idea whose time has come. While he concurrently holds a top-level designation at his grandfather’s esteemed enterprise, he is happy he struck out on his own with his forward-thinking approach to construction and development. “I am happy to work with my family. As a director of the family company, I feel like I can credibly bring my experiences and points of view in a way that I couldn’t have if I’d
never launched my own business,” he says. His business has produced several projects, one of which is the posh M Residences, which earned a reputation among smart and stylish home buyers for being an exclusive address of excellently made dwellings set in a safe and tasteful community. As it continues to build strength, the company sees replicating its success with M Residences to other choice locations in the Metro, carrying with it its tried and tested philosophy of expert craftsmanship and engineered designs.
Leading the way
HELMING a growing organization made up of different individuals
V ICTOR’S appointment as an investor-judge in The Final Pitch owes much to his rich experience in business, particularly in real-estate development. Victor will be sitting on a panel of equally respected and successful business figures for the popular TV series, all tasked to coach and groom contestants for success, such as—Cary Lagdameo, first vice president of Davao-based Damosa Land Inc.; Jet Yu, founder and managing director of Prime Philippines; Cesar Wee Jr., president of Wee Community Developers Inc.; and George Royeca, chief transport advocate of pioneering app-based motorcycle-hailing service, Angkas. For this brilliant business mind, this maverick in the industry, this dynamo of a leader with a forwardthinking, unconventional philosophy, one sees a rebel, a renegade, a risk taker who chose to carve his own path and blazed a trail where no one had gone before. Victor reflects, “I believe that the industry and its activities are vital to economic development and national progress. I believe that construction is a noble profession, that the ultimate objectives are to serve not only man but mankind and to build not only an enterprise but an institution.” Spoken like a real rogue, a true visionary. The Final Pitch is produced by Streetpark Productions and airs every Sunday at 8 p.m., with replays every Monday at 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m., on CNN Philippines.
Ayala Malls and MRM//McCann awaken amazing in ‘Small Moments’
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HE “Small Moments” campaign of Ayala Malls produced by MRM//McCann is a brave material. The whole set is taped on miniature-scale models of the Ayala Malls making it an adventure visual eye candy. The campaign launches the newest tagline of Ayala Malls: “Awaken Amazing.” It conveys that small moments do not necessarily equate to insignificance but it has all the potential to be extraordinary and amazing. The work, while brave and fresh, also fol-
lows in the footsteps of Ayala Malls’ history of beautiful visual campaigns set against timeless music, dating back to their “Waters of March” piece. “Ayala Malls’ Awaken Amazing campaign is an invitation to everyone, encouraging them to rediscover how small moments can make life amazing. The kind that one can only experience within the world of Ayala Malls,” shares Eunice Velasco, Ayala Malls marketing director. “This charming film hopes to bring
these moments to life in a fresh new way.” This world-class material was directed by Joel Limchoc. Each miniature that went into individual scenarios were brilliantly crafted and shot by the Cirkus New Zealand team. The song, “God Only Knows” by the beach boys was rendered beautifully by Hit Productions. “More than anything, we wanted to capture the innocence of simple situations,” mentions Film Pabrika director Joel Limchoc. “We opted for simple snippets of life that represent joy in its magical realism form. By using miniatures, we eliminated variables, otherwise present in usual spots and stripped them down to their most basic message.” MRM//McCann is known to simplify the complex but still standing out from what is usual. Manny Fernando, MRM//McCann managing director shares, “The team was really excited working on this new campaign. We had to ensure that the image of an established brand like Ayala Malls can be seen in a very refreshing way. Our client was brave in allowing us to do a different storytelling which aims to connect to its audiences. This is a start of a new way to experience the brand moving forward. There is more to come as we roll out the efforts in the next few months.”
4th & 5th JVA SIGNING Laguna-based PA Alvarez Properties & Development Corp. and Japanese real-estate giant, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. (HHPC), recently signed their fourth and fifth joint-venture agreements in Okada Manila. The JVAs will cover the development of Idesia in Cabuyao, Laguna, and in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Both are additions to the previously signed JVAs covering Idesia Dasmariñas Phase 1 (first JVA); Idesia Dasmariñas Phase 2 and Idesia Heights (second and third JVA). Photo shows, Jonathan G. Lu, PA Properties president (from left); Mr. Romarico “Bing” T. Alvarez, PA Properties chairman; Masahiko Toda, general manager, overseas business division, HHPC; and Hideyuki Hori, deputy general manager, overseas business division, HHPC.
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Editor: Tet Andolong
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KEEPR: HOLIDAY SERVICES FOR THE FAMILY
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FTER months of hearing all the popular holiday songs in the malls, Christmas is finally upon us. From securing the best gifts for our loved ones to digging up décor from storage, it can take a lot of work just to bring a touch of Christmas into the home. Luckily, Keepr Storage PH is here to declutter and make more space in your home!
The Hard Work Behind Christmas
THERE is no denying that a lot of hard work goes into each Christmas celebration. With so much to do on the days leading up to Noche Buena and Christmas Day, the only time to relax is usually at the end of the holiday itself. And this is something very familiar for the family-team behind Keepr Storage PH. “Christmas is something we look forward to as a family,” shares Jay Buensuceso. “Anna decks out our home with lights and décor, and we’ll have Christmas jazz and classics playing through the entire house. We’re building fond memories for our children.” “I really look at every detail when it comes to the holiday season—from how the house looks on the outside, to every garland we have inside, down to having that pine and mistletoe scent!” adds Keepr Founder Anna Moncupa. “There are numerous challenges: from clearing out space to make room for decorations, then pulling stuff out of storage and, of course, putting it all together nicely and making it ‘Pinterestworthy.’ Some things stay and some things go, and I used to just stuff everything in a closet
or our garage, which of course is basically kalat when not in use.”
Keepr: An easy solution to all our holiday storage needs
KEEPR Storage PH is a full-service, storage solution that combines high-level security and strategic logistics into an easyto-use mobile app. Simply download the Keepr Storage PH app, then schedule the pickup and delivery of your items from the comfort of your own couch! This Christmas, allow Keepr to help you with all your storage needs. With Keepr’s multiple solutions, you have a safe space to keep time-honored Christmas décor before and after the holidays! “We want families to have a clutter-free space and really enjoy their homes, while making wonderful memories together,” adds Moncupa. “Keepr allows them to safely store their items to create that warm Christmas environment. Even after the holidays, seasonal décor can be safely kept in our warehouse without worrying about deterioration, dust, and of course taking up unnecessary space at home.” Why let something you use for a month or two take up space in your home all year long? Download Keepr Storage PH now on the App Store and Google Play! Keepr Storage PH provides you with a host of storage solutions combined with real-time and customizable storage management. Prices start at just P399 a month! Learn more at https://www.keeprstorage.ph or call +63-917-KEEPRPH (0917533-7774)!
Mariwasa to launch its own tile adhesive
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ARIWASA Siam Ceramics Inc., the country’s largest ceramic tile manufacturer for more than 50 years, continues to help improve the quality of life of Filipino families with top-ofthe-line products. Its latest line, the Mariwasa Tile Adhesive, which is set for official launch in March 2020, draws upon the skills, discipline and creativity of the Filipino artisan. The Mariwasa Tile Adhesive is a ready-made mixture of hydraulic binding agents, aggregates and organic additives carefully formulated to perform above quality tests and standards. This 25-kg cementitious adhesive promises a strong bond for ceramic tiles, mosaic and natural stones when mixed with water. It has a tensile adhesion strength of more than or equal to 0.5 megapascal and an open time of 20 minutes. It complies with the Department of Trade and Industry-Philippine National Standard ISO Standard 1300-1. “This new set of adhesives is a result of our efforts to strengthen our commitment of delivering uncompromising product quality, while heeding to the growing demand of Filipinos for reliable products for use with
tiles,” Mariwasa President Jakkrit Suwansilp shares. Mariwasa products stood out in terms of slip resistance, adhesion strength and compatibility with other materials, such as porcelain tiles and hollow blocks, in recent qualitative tests conducted against other existing brands in the market, further cementing the company’s position as a leader supplier of ceramic products that meet world-class beauty and durability. Mariwasa Tile Adhesive will soon be available in leading depots nationwide. More information can be accessed through the Mariwasa official web site and Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube pages.
CONSISTENT with its eco-friendly practices, Amaia Land’s latest project in Quezon City will have linear parks that promote sustainable living with lush green spaces—complemented by a swimming pool area where future homeowners can spend fun weekends with their families and guests.
Amaia set to launch new condominium development in the heart of Quezon City
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OR many Filipino urbanites, living in Quezon City, the largest in Metro Manila in terms of population and land area, has its perks. For one, this expansive city boasts of a Central Business District that offers bright opportunities for employment and business. It is also home to prime residential estates, the finest schools and universities, popular restaurant and bar strips, cavernous shopping malls, and the country’s top broadcasting networks. Fortunately, Amaia Land, a reputable and trusted name in the housing industry, continues to build projects in this bustling city. This November, in fact, Amaia Land is launching a con-
dominium in the heart of Quezon City, providing more affordable and sustainable homes to Filipino individuals and families. A part of the newest Ayala L and estate in Quezon Cit y, Amaia’s new condominium project will rise on Quirino Highway in Novaliches. Its cluster of five buildings will feature around 1,300 units, 208 of which are set to open in the new development’s
Aria building this Q4 2019. Because Amaia acknowledges the evolving needs of Filipino homeowners, prospective residents can choose from a range of units, such as Studio, which is approximately 24.13 sq m in size; Deluxe, which is approximately 32.18 sq m in size; and Premier, which is approximately 48.41 square meters in size. Location-wise, this new Amaia development will have access to interconnected roadways via Tandang Sora and Quirino bypass, making travel and commute more convenient for its homeowners. Fu r t her more, t h i s projec t has proximity to Walter Mart and other commercial establishments, educational institutions, hospitals and churches will just be a short drive away. As in all Amaia properties, this condominium development will tout recreational facilities—bas-
ketball court, swimming pool and play area that will keep homeowners happily engaged on weekends. Consistent with its eco-friendly practices, Amaia is building linear parks around this development, promoting sustainable living by creating lush green spaces in an urban setting. Fulfilling its promise of providing high-quality and easyon-the-pocket homes to all Filipinos, Amaia Land will offer flexible and convenient payment schemes like cash, deferred cash and bank financing to prospective residents. Amaia continues to serve prospective homeowners with affordable and sustainable developments that aim to elevate the Filipino living experience in a well-secured environment. For inquir ies about A maia properties in Quezon City and other areas, check out www.amaialand.com or like www.facebook. com/AmaiaLand.
Holcim shares sustainability practices in 2nd National Consumers Congress H OLCIM Philippines Senior Vice President for Sales William Sumalinog shared the company’s innovation initiatives that enable the company to produce new products and solutions that have a lower environmental impact and help customers build better during the Second National Consumers Congress organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) last October 25. Leading cement maker Holcim Philippines Inc. said it is important for the building industry to innovate to reduce consumption of natural resources and develop new materials that improve quality of construction to sustainably support the country’s growth. In his speech during the Second National Consumers Congress organized by the DTI last October 25 with the theme “Sustainable Consumption: Understanding the Impact of Consumer’s Choices in a Shared Environment,” Sumalinog noted that producers and consumers must be more serious about sustainability as the steady growth of population puts greater demands on the country’s resources. Citing a World Bank study, Sumalinog said that the country’s urban population alone is projected to double to 102 million by 2050. This will require more essential infrastructures to be built which in turn needs to be supplied with large volumes of building materials.
HOLCIM Philippines Senior Vice President William Sumalinog
“At Holcim Philippines, we are deeply aware of this issue. For the past years, we have implemented various initiatives and introduced innovations that allow us to reduce our consumption of natural resources and impact on the environment,” shared Sumalinog. He noted that Holcim Philippines introduced last year its latest product called Solido, a blended cement designed as a better alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) for building light infrastructures, such as roads and mid-rise buildings. Due to mineral additives, Holcim is able to produce Solido with a lower clinker level and carbon footprint while enhancing the concrete’s durability, strength and workability. To date, Solido’s
sales are steadily growing as customers recognize its benefits. In September, DTI-Bureau of Philippines Standards approved the Amendment 01:2019 of the Philippine National Standard 07:2018 Portland Cement, which enables the cement industry to use more mineral additives in making cement. Sumalinog shared that aside from using more mineral additives to reduce consumption of natural resources, Holcim Philippines is also increasing its use of qualified waste materials as alternative fuels and raw materials to contribute to waste management in the country. Started in 2004, Holcim waste management unit Geocycle has
used hundreds of thousand tons of wastes from private and public partners as alternative fuels in cement production, allowing the company to replace coal with low-carbon alternatives while diverting discarded materials away from landfills. Sumalinog said that Holcim Philippines’s flagship corporate social responsibility program Galing Mason contributes to raising the skills of masons which includes educating them about using the right products for the right applications since blended cement alternatives are the better option for certain building projects. He added that the company also holds the Young Builders Challenge, a design contest for architecture and engineering students focused on sustainability to contribute to raising awareness about the importance of sustainability among the youth. “As a building materials supplier, we are a natural partner for the progress of this nation. We believe that our efforts to produce building materials must be respectful to the environment, our people and communities so, we can have a more positive impact on development. We can assure our stakeholders that they can depend on Holcim Philippines to continue being a partner for progress in a sustainable manner,” added Sumalinog.
Entrepreneur
E4 Wednesday, December 11, 2019 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug
BusinessMirror
PHSW19 caps off with signing of IRR of Innovative Startup Act
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HE first-of-its kind Philippine Startup Week (PHSW19) capped off in high spirit with the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 11337, also known as the Innovative Startup Act. Present at the signing, held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, are Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Information Secretary Gregorio Honasan II, and QBO Innovation Hub President Rene Meily, along with Filipino start-up advocates, enablers and communities. The Innovative Startup Act was signed by President Duterte, April 26, 2019. This legislation creates the Philippine Startup Development Program that is set to offer “programs, benefits and incentives” for both start-ups and enablers. It aims to strengthen, promote and develop the Philippine start-up ecosystem. The PHSW19 is a multicity, simultaneous gathering of the Filipino startup community which aims to solidify their commitment to raise the level of the industry. It was created through the collaboration of the DOST, DTI, DICT,
QBO, the country’s first public-private initiative for start-ups created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, JPMorgan, DOST and DTI. The gathering gave start-up founders and aspiring entrepreneurs an avenue to grow their network and find like-minded people; they also had various opportunities to learn in community event sessions and interactive activities, such as “Embracing Googliness: Applying Google Culture to Startups” organized by Google, “Cultivating a ‘Culture of Innovation and Collaboration for the PH Startup Community: The PLDT Innolab Advocacy’ led by PLDT Innolab, DICT’s ‘Tech Advantage Summit,’” and many more. By bringing together the country’s start-ups, the PHSW inspired innovation, encouraged business networking, showcased technologies, and helped build the country as a fastrising start-up hub.
“The Filipino start-up community has been thriving and has shown great promise in recent years,” said de la Peña. “By coming together these startups are able to support one another toward better chances of success. The linkages with start-ups in other countries are also able to develop synergies and expanded markets. I am confident that under the one government approach we can accelerate the growth of the number of successful start-ups in our country.” Entrepreneurs are one of the backbones of nation-building not only because they provide jobs and add to government funds, but also because they help paint the country as a progressive nation open for possibilities and business activities. “The recent Philippine Startup Week gave entrepreneurs the opportunity to level up their own enterprises. It showed that the government and private sector are coming together to create an environment conducive for start-ups, making it easy for investors to see potential in the country,” said Lopez. “Events like these will enable the Philippines to become home to world-class start-ups.” As a nationwide endeavor, startups in other areas, including Albay, Bohol, Butuan, Pampanga, Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan, Davao, Dumaguete, and Laguna, held simultaneous
activities highlighting the growth of the industry that also showcased the massive potential to make it even bigger in the future. “The Philippine Startup Week 2019 is a great avenue to bring together start-ups across the Philippines, providing them opportunities to build linkages and to learn from each other’s experiences. For three years, your DICT has been implementing and continuously developing programs aimed at promoting start-ups. The passage of RA 11337 will enable us to explore more ways to widen our reach in this area,” said Honasan. “QBO strongly believes that startups in the Philippines have all the potential to be on a par with its regional counterparts,” said Meily. “That is why we are determined to create an ecosystem where they can thrive and succeed. By pooling all the relevant government agencies and members of the private sectors, QBO pushes for more support so ideas will get a head start and existing start-ups will get a boost.” It is hoped that the PHSW will drive more innovations and inspire more start-ups to go ahead with their ideas and make it happen for the community and for the nation. For more information on Philippine Startup Week 2019, visit: https://www. phstartupweek.com
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Young, tech-savvy talents in demand for SMBs in PHL, LinkedIn reports By Roderick L. Abad Contributor
@rodrik_28
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S local small and medium businesses (SMBs) embrace digitization, they are now looking to hire professionals with technology-related skills, a study reveals. LinkedIn has found these attributes have the highest year-on-year increase among SMBs, indicating ongoing initiatives to enhance their products, services and operations. The fastest-growing skills are graphic design, social media, spreadsheet, user experience design, e-mail management, virtual assistant, React Native, back-end Web development, data visualization, and transcription. To help realize their goals, SMBs are hiring Gen Y, also known as millennials, that make up 77 percent of their employees; Gen Z, who have recently finished tertiary education and are entering the real world with their first jobs, at 4 percent; Gen X, 16 percent; and baby boomers, 3 percent. New employees that SMBs want to absorb should have specific skills and qualities that would help create, or maintain, an efficient, professional and productive workplace. But the problem is they have a difficulty with lean teams and budgets, thus challenging them to recruit young and digitally savvy professionals who have access to diverse information and career options. “While today’s young professionals have a variety of options when looking for a job, we have found that they are drawn to opportunities that align with their purpose and enable them to develop themselves,” said Olivier Legrand, managing director, Asia-Pacific, LinkedIn. “Small and medium business owners interested in attracting them to be part of their teams can benefit from being open about their own
aspirations, cultivating authentic connections, and sharing growth opportunities available to employees,” he added. LinkedIn recommends that SMBs looking to build relationships with talent needed for their growth should consider both the hard and soft skills required for their business. The company, likewise, suggests that they ought to showcase and celebrate their own culture and purpose. SMB employees in the Philippines follow 34 percent more company LinkedIn Pages compared to those working in large enterprises. Employers must leverage on this by publishing job openings, posts, photos, videos and articles about what it is like to work in their company, according to LinkedIn. It added that they can also explore LinkedIn’s new Open for Business feature that enables business owners to highlight their services on their page, making it easier for future employees or customers to find them. Offering learning and development opportunities to their future recruits should also be considered. Filipino SMBs are interested in developing themselves by taking online classes on LinkedIn Learning, with courses tagged “Personal Development” topping their interest. They need to incorporate learning and development programs for teammates through quick online courses that can be taken individually or as a group. “Finding the right talent is one of the most important decisions SMBs can make in their journeys. While being more deliberate about hiring can take more time and effort, it can save them a lot of issues down the line, and open up more opportunities for business growth,” Legrand stressed. A huge global professional network it is, LinkedIn has over 645 million members, including 7 million from the Philippines.
PUSHING 60
JRS Express continues to evolve with the times
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to our clients, our boss. For us, customer satisfaction is the most important thing. We rely on our customers’ feedback on how to make the JRS experience a better one and where to open new stations as well.” Now that JRS Express is less than a year from reaching another monumental milestone as it gears up to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2020, the company has big plans and expansions in the pipeline starting with opening 25 to 30 more stations. But even as the company continues to flourish under the best circumstances, it has also shone the brightest in times of calamities by
By Edwin P. Sallan
OR almost 60 years, JRS Express has been synonymous with ontime delivery.
With over 400 branches nationwide covering over 29,000 barangays, or more than 90 percent of the nation’s population, the leading express delivery service company has more than lived up to its classic roadrunner logo by putting a premium on customer trust that has become the hallmark of its success. Under the leadership of the late Dr. Jaime L. Claparols, JRS Express thrived during the 1960s when Claparols infused fresh capital and acquired new assets like the C-45 cargo plane that greatly enhanced the company’s operations. Flying at least three times a week, the said cargo plane was a big reason why the company was able to fulfill its promise of on-time delivery to a growing number of impressed customers. Since taking over the helm of JRS Express in 1975 when his father passed away, Antonio M. Claparols, now the company’s president and chief executive officer (CEO) was able to steer the company to greater heights, thanks in large part to his eagerness at a very young age to see how his old man operated the business, as well as his drive to learn the accompanying tricks of the trade. The younger Claparols’ onthe-job training and frequent
travels has also enhanced his knowledge of geography, which was particularly helpful in the way he manages JRS Express. Aside from the personal touch and service that the company became known for, JRS over the years developed the largest fleet of trucks, vans, motorcycles and bicycles to make sure that no matter where clients want their parcels delivered, JRS Express has the means to get them to their intended recipients. “Our reliability, speed, land fleet and our experienced and well-trained couriers are our strengths,” Claparols said in a recent interview. It also helped that Claparols consider people as his company’s biggest assets so its almost 3,000 workforce are treated as family members, not just employees. “Their training also never stops while skills are continuously updated. We are [even] sending some of our people to schools for their education,” added the indefatigable CEO. But as much as the tried and tested policies of JRS Express have worked wonders for the company’s operations, the company has also wisely kept up with the changing times. Claparols knows only too well that recent advances in technology can only enhance the way they do business.
“We have a 24/7 365 days a year customer service that is accessible to customers via their smartphones, our official website and through our official Facebook page. We have invested in our tracking so our customers can easily monitor what they’re sending or receiving. We have text notifications and we continue to computerize many of our processes so we can give our customers the best possible experience,” Claparols shared. “We have also upped the ante to better service our people who rely on us for delivery and we are open even on Sundays and holidays.” In terms of trends and challenges that JRS Express have faced and weathered in recent years, the rapidly growing ecommerce market is something that the company has been keenly watching. “We’ve invested in more technology to streamline our processes while further
enhancing our infrastructure with additional stations, additional delivery vehicles and additional employees,” noted JRS Express administrative officer John Paul “JP” Claparols. The alarming proliferation of “colorum” courier companies has also given legitimate players like JRS Express some
cause for concern. “These colorum companies have been lowering price to get market share but have failed to live up to their commitments. While this will likely worsen the quality of service that we promise as an industry, it certainly will not stop us from fulfilling our commitments
servicing communities affected by destructive earthquakes and killer typhoons. “That’s our corporate social responsibility. For us it is more important to service and help our people rather than focus on bottom line profits alone, “Claparols concluded.