BusinessMirror December 15, 2021 by BusinessMirror

PHL growth of 7-8% likely in Q4–Neda By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE Philippine economy may grow 7 to 8 percent in the last quarter of the year on the back of greater economic activity in the October to December period, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). In a briefing after the meeting of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said this level of growth in the last quarter of the year will allow the economy to hit the 5 to 5.5 percent GDP growth target this year. The DBCC revised its growth target in 2021 and retained the 7 to 9 percent target in 2022 as well as 6 to

7 percent in 2023 and 2024. “I do not have the exact number but I think the fourth quarter growth should be also around 7 to 8 percent year on year to hit the 5 to 5.5 [percent], more or less. That is where we are heading and I hope we can do better,” Chua said. “And the good news is, even as we increase the mobility, even as we allow children to go out, even as we open the pilot of schools, the cases and deaths [are] all [going] down. So that is a very good sign that we are on track to achieving more [growth],” he explained. Chua said that while the discovery of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, has been made, the jury was still out in terms of declaring that it is a variant that is more contagious and can

lead to more cases and deaths. He said until health experts come up with a better understanding of the variant, it would be difficult to assess how it will impact on the Philippine economy. Nonetheless, Chua said, the country is controlling its borders and that the majority of Filipinos continue to live safely within Philippine borders. This, he said, has been encouraging. The DBCC again stressed in its statement that the government is ready to reopen the economy to Alert Level 1 by January 2022. The government remains confident that its efforts to contain the virus will allow the country to recover from the pandemic. “The cases have been falling significantly. Severe and critical cases

are very low. Hospitals are very much open. There are many available beds and the economy continues to grow,” Chua said. The DBCC said the government has built on the country’s economic gains and successful vaccination drive in 2021. With this, the Economic Development Cluster crafted the 10-point policy agenda to shift the country from a pandemic to an endemic paradigm. The 10-point policy agenda covers the following areas: 1) metrics; 2) vaccination; 3) healthcare capacity; 4) economy and mobility; 5) schooling; 6) domestic travel; 7) international travel; 8) digital transformation; 9) pandemic flexibility bill; and 10) medium-term preparation for pandemic resilience.

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DBCC HIKES ’21 GROWTH TRACK ON EASED CURBS HEROES WILL REMAIN HEROES, WHETHER IN NOTES OR NOT–DIOKNO By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) denied claims it is “abandoning” the heritage of Philippine heroes after publishing the design of the 1000-piso polymer banknotes replacing the heroes with a Philippine eagle. A sked l ate Mond ay on whether the decision to replace heroes on Philippine bank notes is sy mbolic of the BSP’s abandonment of heroes, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said: “No we’re not. Heroes will remain heroes whether they are in the notes or not.” Over the weekend, the BSP chief released the new design of the polymer notes designed

PREPPING FOR REBOUND An aircraft marshaller guides a Cebu Pacific airliner into its newly inaugurated renovated hangar in Pasay City. Aviation Partnership Philippines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cebu Pacific, inaugurated the improved hangar on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. “This inauguration is very timely and in line with the airline’s preparations for the expected recovery of the aviation industry,” Cebu Pacific Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Michael Ivan Shau said in a statement. Story on page B1. NONIE REYES By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

CONOMIC managers now expect the Philippine economy to grow 5 to 5.5 percent this year, slightly higher than its previously downgraded assumption of 4 to 5 percent. See “DBCC,” A2

by the Central Bank and approved by the National Historical Institute (NHI). The design contained a clear film feature, with an illustration of the Philippine eagle instead of the three hero heads that are currently in circulation. D iok no told re por ters that the 1,000-piso paper banknote featuring Jose Abad Santos, Vicente Lim and Josefa Llanes Escoda will still remain in circulation alongside the new 1000-piso polymer banknotes. The governor also clarified that they will not demonetize the existing 1000-piso banknote, adding that there will be no demonetization of any denomination under his See “Heroes,” A2

Hog raisers balk at bid to extend pork MAV+ By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

OG raisers have warned that extending the validity of the government’s minimum access volume plus (MAV+) program for pork would “slow down” their repopulation efforts as they face further competition from imported pork products.

Leaders of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) and Federation of Pork Producers Inc. (ProPork) lamented that extending the pork MAV+ will not make any differences in the market prices, noting that there has been no “tangible reduction” on prevailing pork prices today. “ T he pl a n to e x tend pork MAV+ at a lower tariff until De-

cember 2022 will still not solve the inflation rate. Since issuance of those EOs [Executive Orders], there was no tangible reduction of pork retail prices as an effect of those EOs 133 and 134,” ProPork President Rolando Tambago told the BusinessMirror. “What happened instead was it gave further sufferings for local swine farmers [with] foregone

revenues of at least P3.7 billion for the government. And it did not bring down the retail price of pork in areas where there are pork shortages,” Tambago added. Tambago pointed out that cold storages are already brimming with frozen imported pork. The country’s frozen pork inventory See “MAV+,” A2

PESO exchange rates n US 50.3320 n japan 0.4432 n UK 66.5439 n HK 6.4521 n CHINA 7.9039 n singapore 36.8112 n australia 35.8817 n EU 56.8047 n SAUDI arabia 13.4172 Source: BSP (14 December 2021)

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Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Heroes. . .

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administration as BSP chief. “The BSP will continue to print the existing 1,000-piso paper banknotes that feature the three heroes even as we circulate the 1000-piso polymer banknotes,” he said. Diokno earlier said the new polymer banknotes will feature flora and fauna instead of heroes. “Throughout the past few decades the BSP has featured both our heroes and our national environment and our currency. We believe both are important to cultural preservation and promoting our heritage. Both are worthy of being celebrated through our coins and banknotes. In the meantime, changing themes are intended to accommodate and celebrate numismatic artistry and dynamism,” Diokno said on Monday. “Like the heroes theme, the flora and fauna theme will also demonstrate our pride and distinction as a people and a nation. It will remind us of our nation’s commitment to ensure a sustainable future for everyone. So the flora and fauna theme will apply to the 1000-piso banknote as approved by the monetary board,” he added. Earlier this month, the BSP said it reached an agreement with Australia’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Note Printing Australia for the production of the local 1000-piso polymer banknotes. The delivery of the first batch of 1000-piso polymer notes from Australia will be in April next year. It will then be circulated to the economy in mid-2022.

ADB hikes PHL growth outlook to 5.1% in ’21 and 6% in 2022 By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised upward its outlook for the growth of the Philippine economy in 2021 and 2022 due to improved investments, infrastructure spending, and consumer confidence.

In its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) Supplement, ADB said growth is now projected to reach 5.1 percent in 2021, higher than its 4.5-percent forecast in September. For 2022, ADB estimates that the Philippine economy will post a growth of 6 percent, better than the 5.5-percent projection the Manila-based multilateral development bank made three months ago. “The Philippine economy has shown impressive resilience,” said ADB Philippines Country Director Kelly Bird. “Growth momentum has clearly picked up on the back of the government’s vigorous drive to vaccinate Filipinos against the COVID-19 virus. Public

spending on infrastructure and continued vaccination of the population will help the country further accelerate its recovery in 2022.” Apart from growth, ADB also raised its inflation expectations for the Philippines on the back of more expensive oil prices. International pump prices are still hovering at $70 per barrel. ADB said inflation is expected to average 4.4 percent in 2021, higher than its estimate of 4.1 percent in September this year. For 2022, inflation is now projected to average 3.7 percent. This is 2 percentage points higher than the 3.5 percent forecasted by ADB in September. “Inflation in Southeast Asia is expected

to remain subdued in 2021 despite inflationary pressure starting to rise in the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand as economic reopening spurs demand,” the report stated. “Inflation forecasts for the Philippines in 2021 and 2022 are adjusted upward mainly on rising fuel prices.” The ADO Supplement noted that the Philippine economy’s growth in the three quarters of the year was 4.9 percent, reversing the 10.1-percent contraction in the same period in 2020. The Manila-based multilateral development bank said growth in the past three quarters was driven by household consumption and investments. Private investment bounced back and the government’s Build, Build, Build program accelerated. ADB said industry and services also recovered. However, agriculture contracted as pork production fell on the back of continued infections of African Swine Fever (ASF). “Consumer and business confidence improved steadily in Q4 (fourth quarter) 2021 on acceleration in the government’s vaccination program, a sharp drop in new Covid-19 cases, and further reopening of the economy,” ADB said. These are being driven by the increase in vaccination in the country which has allowed the economy to slowly reopen, boosting consumer and business confidence. More than 57 million Filipinos, or nearly 65 percent of the target for vaccination, have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose as of December 8, 2021. In addition to the government’s purchases of Covid-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization-supported Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Cova x) facility also donated supplies for the country’s nationwide vaccination program. ADB has been helping the government in procuring Covid-19 vaccines. It provided $425 million in total financing through the Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit Covid-19 under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (HEAL) and HEAL2 programs. These loans helped fund nearly half of the country’s vaccine supply purchases for 2021. On December 13, 2021, ADB approved $250 million in additional financing under HEAL 2 to help the government procure more Covid-19 vaccines for minors and booster shots for adults.

DBCC. . .

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In a joint statement on Tuesday after its meeting, the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) said they expect the country’s economic performance to accelerate further in the last quarter of the year on the back of easing mobility restrictions amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The DBCC also retained its growth targets for 2022 at 7 to 9 percent for 2022 and 6 to 7 percent by 2023 and 2024. “With our strong economic performance in 2021, the DBCC is optimistic that the country’s GDP will return to its prepandemic level by 2022,” the DBCC said. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also raised its growth outlook for 2021 and 2022. See story on page A2. The inflation rate for this year is now also projected to reach 4.3 to 4.5 percent, higher than its previous outlook of 2 to 4 percent. Price of Dubai crude oil per barrel for 2021 was also adjusted to US$68 to US$70 from US$50 to US$70, while the assumptions for 2022 to 2024 were revised upwards to US$60 to US$80 per barrel from US$50 to US$70. “This is mainly due to the optimistic demand outlook for oil as the global economy gradually rebounds in the medium-term,” the DBCC said. The peso-dollar exchange rate for this year is also expected to reach P49 to P50 from P48 to P53 previously. Goods exports growth this year is also now projected to jump by 16 percent from 10 percent previously, while goods imports growth this year

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MAV+. . .

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as of December 6 expanded to 77,373.74 metric tons (MT) as more imports arrived in the country, according to the latest data from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). “That should be enough to bring down retail prices in those areas—why is it not happening? They would say, there are restrictions? Restrictions on display of imported frozen meat on wet markets are there precisely to ensure safety of consumers against food-borne diseases,” he said. Chester Warren Y. Tan, president of NFHFI pointed out that extending the MAV+ validity will just “slow down” the repopulation efforts of local hog raisers. Tan emphasized that local hog raisers, both back-yard and commercial, have started to repopulate their farms even without financial support from the government. “DOF is not looking at the real ground situation. Their recommendation is not pro-local farmers. Even if they flood the market with imported pork it will not change the situation,” Tan told the BusinessMirror. “They have to check the history and what happened this whole year. The key is to convince the local producers to produce more and eventually supply will be stable,” Tan added. Tambago concurred with Tan, pointing out that “relying on importation is not a sustainable solution” to the country’s current pork supply shortage. “Why not help local swine farmers ramp up local production by using those ‘foregone’ revenues! It’s a sure win for everyone—farmers, consumers and government!” he said. Latest data released by the Bureau of Customs showed that as of December 10, the government had lost P3.679 billion in revenues since it lowered tariffs on pork imports.

DOF backs extension Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III on Monday said he favors extending the validity of the government’s 200,000 MT MAV+ program for pork until the end of next year. “Yes, I am,” Dominguez told reporters in a Viber message when asked if the Department of Finance (DOF) is amenable to extending the validity of Executive Order (EO) 133, which increased the government’s MAV for pork. The BusinessMirror broke the story that the country’s pig population is showing signs of recovery from the ASF devastation as it expanded for the second consecutive quarter and reached 9.866 million heads on October 1. Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicated that the pig population at the start of the fourth quarter rose by 2.3 percent from the 9.644 million heads recorded on July 1. Historical PSA data showed this is the second consecutive quarter that the country’s pig herd went up after it hit an all-time low on April 1, when it fell to 9.56 million heads.

is seen to soar by 30 percent from 12 percent. For 2022 to 2024, the projections for inflation, foreign trade, and foreign exchange rate were maintained given recent economic developments. In terms of fiscal program, revenues are also expected to exceed the P2.88-trillion target and reach P3.027 trillion due to increased economic activity and improved services of our revenue agencies arising from their digitalization projects. Given the strong revenue collection performance, economic managers see revenues returning to prepandemic levels at P3.304 trillion in 2022, P3.624 trillion in 2023,and P4.049 trillion in 2024. On the other hand, state disbursements or expenditures for this year are expected to settle at P4.633 trillion, lower than the P4.737-trillion program but 9.6 percent higher than last year’s level. DBCC Chair and Budget Officer-In-Charge Tina Canda said state expenditures went below the program because agencies are still in the adjustment period as their implementation of projects and activities were affected by the pandemic. “So our infra agencies primarily are the worst hit and some of our disbursement patterns for instance, for travel, for training... [have] been put on hold as a result of this pandemic and we hadn’t anticipated that. So that’s the reason why disbursements are not as high as we expected it to be,” Canda said in a virtual press briefing. However, Canda said initial figures show a significant jump in disbursements in the last two months. “Probably because at that time agencies thought there would be no [2021 budget validity] extension. It will also factor in the behavior of agencies,” she said. For 2022, the total disbursement program was maintained at P4.955 trillion while for 2023 and 2024, this was slightly adjusted upwards to P5.059 trillion and P5.347 trillion, respectively. Given the higher-than-target revenues and lower-thanprogrammed disbursements for 2021, the deficit program for this year is estimated at a lower level of 8.2 percent of GDP or P1.606 trillion. Moreover, the budget deficit is expected to move in a downward trajectory with 7.7 percent of GDP in 2022, 6.1 percent of GDP in 2023, and 5.1 percent of GDP in 2024, as the government continues to pursue a fiscal consolidation strategy over the medium term. In the same DBCC meeting, the DBCC also approved the proposed 2023 cash-based national budget at P5.242 trillion, 4.3 percent higher than the budget ceiling for 2022 at P5.024 trillion. Despite the higher budget ceiling for 2023, Canda expressed confidence that agencies would be able to spend the funds that would be allotted to them. “We expect that in a couple of months perhaps as our Covid cases fall and our restrictions also ease, there would be a significant increase in implementation of agencies,” she said.

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Bong Go officially withdraws presidential candidacy in ’22

T is official. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go has finally withdrawn from the May 2022 presidential derby. On Tuesday, Go personally went to the main office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to personally withdraw his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) to run for president under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS). His official withdrawal came two weeks after he publicly announced he would drop his presidential bid to allow President Duterte to support his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running for vice president under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD). During an ambush interview with reporters, Go said he was already bent on withdrawing his COC as early as November 30, 2021, but he opted to defer it and wait for the “right timing” so he could do it

without much fanfare. He said he intentionally did not inform his supporters and staff so he could do his withdrawal secretly. “I went here alone. I just rode a taxi [going here]. I did not inform even my security and driver about it,” Go said. He apologized to those who are backing his presidential bid, and the move aims to help not only the President, but also a way to respect the wishes of members of his family, who he said are opposed to his presidential candidacy. Despite his withdrawal, Go said he hopes his supporters will continue to help the current administration by voting officials into office who will be able to continue its initiatives. As of this writing, Malacañang said Duterte has yet to announce whom among the remaining presidential candidates he will support in the 2022 polls. Samuel P. Medenilla

Duterte pulls out of Senate race By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Duterte on Tuesday officially pulled out from the 2022 senatorial race, hours after his most trusted associate, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, formally withdrew his certificate of candidacy for president. Duterte headed to the Commis-

sion on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila, to personally withdraw his COC, which he filed last month through substitution. This was confirmed by Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, who posted a picture of Duterte withdrawing his COC. “The President has filed his withdrawal from the senatorial elec-

@jonlmayuga

HE Philippines recently won the 2021 Knowledge Market Most Useful Project Resources Award at the recently concluded Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) Annual Conference. The virtual conference was held from November 30 to December 2. The country bested 36 projects in 31 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America in bagging the award, which was part of a series of minicompetitions that included “Best Knowledge Market Pitch,” “Best Overall Knowledge Share/Need,” “Most Useful Project Resources,” and

“Best HowSpace Collaboration.” Team Philippines was also nominated in the “Best Knowledge Market Pitch” category. As the prize, the GWP Team will codesignawebinarwithTeamPhilippines. With the theme Working Together for Wildlife Conservation, the 2021 GWP Annual Conference focused on successfully collaborating, engaging, and empowering stakeholders to support wildlife conservation and sustainable local livelihoods. The Team Philippines’ Knowledge Products and videos may be viewed at Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Biodiversity Management Bureau’s YouTube Channel.

AN aerial photo of the BRP Mamanwa (LC 294) during its recent christening and commissioning into the Philippine Navy’s service in Sangley Point, Cavite. PHOTO COURTESY OF LTCDR. RYAN LUNA, PHILIPPINE FLEET By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

HE Philippine Navy has added another ship into its fleet by putting into service a landing craft that was acquired from South Korea by way of a donation. The BRP Mamanwa (LC 294) was christened and commissioned into service more than a week ago by the Sealift Amphibious Force of the Philippine Fleet in Sangley Point, Cavite.

The commissioning was witnessed by officials, including Ltc Bae Jung Hoon, defense attache of the Republic of Korea and Rear Admiral Alberto Carlos, Philippine Fleet commander. Philippine Fleet spokesman LtCdr. Ryan Luna said members of the Mamanwa tribe were also invited during the event, but due to the pandemic, they just witnessed the ceremonies online. The Mamanwa was the former

BBM-Sara Uniteam fortifies lead in latest Publicus survey

HE BBM-Sara UniTeam of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. and vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte fortified their lead in the latest result of an independent and non-commissioned election survey by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. In the 2021 PAHAYAG 4th quarter result culled from a nationwide sampling of 1,500 respondents who were randomly drawn from a market research panel of Filipino voters from December 6 to 10, Marcos increased his lead from 49.3 percent to 51.9 percent. Duterte maintained her lead over other vice presidential hopefuls with her 54.8 percent score. “Over half of respondents tagged

Bongbong Marcos as their preferred choice for president. Approximately 55 percent of respondents indicated Sara Duterte as their preferred choice for vice president,” Publicus said. Marcos Jr. gained more than 2 percent from the previous survey, while Duterte’s number went up dramatically and secured her lead in the vice presidential race after the BBM-Sara UniTeam was forged and sealed. “Her [Duterte] entry into the vice presidential race broke the threeway tie for first place observed in the third quarter survey,” the survey firm added. At far second in the presidential race is Leni Robredo, who dropped

from her previous 21.3 percent to 20.2 percent, followed by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, who garnered 7.9 percent, Senator Bong Go, with 3.9 percent, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, 3.4 percent, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, 2.3 percent. At least 8.3 percent said they are still undecided. If the elections were to be held today, the Publicus survey said, Duterte would dominate the race. In second is Dr. Willie Ong, with 11.2 percent, followed by Sen. Vicente Sotto III, with 11.0 percent, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, 9.7 percent, and Rep. Lito Atienza, 1.5 percent. At least 9.5 percent of the respon-

Urban party-list group gets top ballot slot after raffle

N urban poor party-list group grabbed the top spot in the May 2022 election ballot in the raffle conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday. The Kalipunan ng Maralita at Malayang Mamamayan Inc. (Kamalayan) party-list was able beat 165 other party-list groups, which participated in Comelec’s electronic raffle, for the coveted first place in the ballot. Coming in second and third place respectively, are the Kilos Mamamayan Ngayon Na (KM Ngayon Na), and the Philippine Society For Industrial Security (PSIS). Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP) came will be at fourth place followed by the Kabalikat ng Mamamayan (KABAYAN) in fifth place. Those in the sixth to 10th place, respectively, are the Home Owners And Marginalized Empowerment Through Opportunities with Neighborhood Economic Reliability (HOME OWNER), Kabalikat Patungo sa Umuunlad na Sistematiko at Organisadong Pangkabuhayan

tions,” Jimenez said. The President was supposed to run for senator under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS). He replaced PDDS’s initial senatorial bet, Mona Liza Visorde. Duterte’s withdrawal comes on the eve of the expected release date of the final list of candidates by the Comelec.

Jimenez, however, said they would be unable to release the said list on December 15, 2021, as they originally intended, due to the “number of unresolved nuisance cases” against some aspiring candidates in the 2022 polls. “We expect that the process of finalizing the list of candidates will take at least two more weeks,” Jimenez said.

Navy commissions refurbished landing craft utility BRP Mamanwa donated by S. Korea

Philippines bags ‘21 Knowledge Market ‘Most Useful Project Resources’ award By Jonathan L. Mayuga

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A3

Movement (KAPUSO-PM), PDP Cares Foundation Inc. (PDP CARES), Noble Advancement of Marvelous People of the Philippines Inc. (MARVELOUS TAYO), and Advocates and Keepers Organization of OFWs Inc. (AKO OFW). The raffle was held via hybrid setup, wherein Comelec officials conducted the electronic raffle at its main office in Intramuros, Manila, while representatives of party-list groups and the media monitored the proceedings via online. The representatives of the party-list groups were required to acknowledge their order in the listing, or be placed at the bottom part of the ballot in alphabetical order. Party-list groups traditionally aspire to get the top slot in the ballot since it increases their chance of being noticed by voters during election day. Comelec is expected to come out with the “final listing” for party-list groups 15 days after the conduct of the raffle and the publication of its results in two newspapers of general circulation and the web site of Comelec. Samuel P. Medenilla

dents were still undecided on who to vote for vice president. Marcos was an overwhelming favorite in Mindanao with 62.0 percent, followed by Northern Central Luzon, 59.1 percent, Visayas, 48.9 percent, Southern Luzon, 43.5 percent, and National Capital Region, with 39.7 percent. Duterte, on the other hand, also dominated Mindanao with a 78.6 percent preference; in the Visayas, she got 58.8 percent; Northern Central Luzon, 52 percent; Southern Luzon 39.9 percent; and NCR, 33.9 percent.

Mulgae Class Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 70 of the Republic of Korea, which the country acquired through a grant from the South Korean government, according to Luna. The Navy had the ship refurbished before it entered the service. Luna said Mamanwa is still waiting forinstructionforitsareaofdeployment. “BRP Mamanwa [LC 294] is classified as a Landing Craft Utility and has a maiden crew of 10 Navy personnel with augmentation from other Sealift Amphibious Force vessels as well as the Fleet’s Maintenance Re-

pair Team from Headquarters Sealift Amphibious Force,” Luna said. The ship is skippered by its first commanding officer, Navy Cdr. Lyvanjake DC Cabiente. The LCU is a type of boat capable of transporting equipment, tracked or wheeled vehicles, and troops from amphibious assault ships all the way to beachheads or piers. The former South Korean LCU was donated to the Navy in June 2014 and subsequently underwent machinery and equipment repairs in Cavite.

A4 Wednesday, December 15, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

LGUs cite key factors for competitiveness By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

OC AL government units (LGUs) in the regions are focused on boosting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), tourism and agri-businesses, among others, to enhance their competitiveness level, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said at the 9th Regional Competitiveness Summit on Tuesday that the national competitiveness agenda setting has been completed already, formulating national and regional strategic road maps. “It was found out that the strengthening and the growth of MSMEs, agri-business and tourism, human capital development and regional hubs are the priority areas that the regions want to focus on,” he explained. “Thus, DTI shall ensure that the identified strategic contributions and deliverables about these areas will be accomplished within the given time period,” he added. In relation to this, Lopez shared

they opened the back end of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) data analytics platform to allow LGUS to encode their own data, which will be subject to further validation. Lopez said the initiative aims to “build, strategically map out and track local competitiveness.” “It [CMCI] addresses the lack of a standardized system for compiling such local indicators in the country, while allowing LGUs to assess their relative level of competitiveness and derive insights for local policy-making and planning,” he explained. Lopez reported that the number of submissions by the LGUs increased to 1,608 out of 1,632 LGUs nationwide this year from 1,552 previously. Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) President Dakila Carlo E. Cua, for his part, urged LGUs to share their data to be able to contribute in improving the countries’ competitiveness. “It is in this regard that we strongly encourage our fellow local chief executives and officials to access CMCI data analytics platform to help us draw meaningful insights that may

jumpstart, if not rev up, our journey into a competitive, not complacent, world,” he said. In addition, DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Director Lilian G. Salonga said that the comprehensive data set from CMCI is crucial in policy -making, development planning and investment promotion. “The CMCI possesses the information needed by potential investors that will guide them in deciding where to locate their businesses,” she said. “Through data-driven policymaking, our country can rise again and recover from the severe impact of Covid-19 pandemic.”

Innovation

THE CMCI is anchored with four major pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency. But the DTI introduced a fifth pillar, which is innovation, during the same event. “Now more than ever, we realize the importance of innovation. They have played a crucial role in keeping societies functional in times of quarantines or lockdowns,” Lo-

pez said. “The same technologies would be needed as we restart the economy and prepare for the postcrisis future.” Lopez underscored the importance of the new pillar as LGUs ramp up efforts in crafting and implementing innovation policies and progress. Among the key areas include business registrations, permits, productivity or financial deepening. For ULAP, Cua said they are keen on innovating through green technologies, among others. “As the umbrella organization of all leagues of LGUs and local officials, the ULAP has been investing in information dissemination, knowledge sharing and best practice modeling,” he said. This year, the CMCI acknowledged the following LGUs as the most competitive in their respective categories: Quezon City, Metro Manila (highly urbanized cities), Naga, Camarines Sur (component cities), Cainta, Rizal (class 1 to 2 municipalities), Panglao, Bohol (class 3 to 4 municipalities), Roxas, Zamboanga Del Norte (class 5 to 6 municipalities) and Rizal, Region 4 (provinces).

NIA breaks ground for ₧1.3-B SRIP in Pangasinan, turns over 11 irrigation projects to Benguet farmers

NDER the leadership of Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) recently broke ground for the P1.3-billion Dumoloc Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (Dumoloc SRIP) in Barangay Cayanga, Bugallon, Pangasinan. Dumoloc SRIP includes the construction of a zoned type earth fill dam across Dumoloc River which will supplement the water supply to Cayanga, Cabatuan, and Laguit Dams, as well as the Drainage Reuse Points for Cabigaan Area. Upon completion, the project will provide timely and reliable irrigation water supply to 1,825 hectares of agricultural land during wet season and 990 hectares of agricultural land during dry season with a cropping intensity of 180 percent. The project will benefit 1,400 farmers and their families. Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Kristine Y. Evangelista, NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Engr. Freddie M. Toquero, Ph.D., NIA Region I Manager Angelito S. Miguel, local government officials, and Irrigators Association (IA) officers and farmer-members attended the event. NIA Administrator Visaya also led the mass turnover ceremony of 11 completed irrigation projects to various in Barangay Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet. With an aggregate cost of P35 million, these projects irrigate 264 hectares of agricultural lands in the municipality, benefiting 373 farmers and their families. These projects include Cabutotan Communal Irrigation System

NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya leads the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the P1.3-billion Dumoloc Small Reservoir Irrigation Project.

(Cabutotan CIS) in Madaymen, Kibungan which was turned over to Cabutotan IA, Inc., Cotop Pinanchay CIS in Bashoy, Kabayan which was turned over to Bashoy Indigenous Peoples Farmers Communal IA Inc., Jappa-Minak-Conet Small Irrigation Project (Jaooa-Minak-Conet SIP) in Shilan, La Trinidad which was turned over to Shilan Farmers IA Inc., and, Kapangan Central CIS in Central, Kapangan which was turned over to Salat Kabelbelan Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. In addition, the Mambolo-Tinongdan SIP in Tinongdan, Itogon was turned over to Tinongdan Indigenous Peoples Organization, Gasal Amsilweng CIS in Masala, Kibungan was turned over to Planterms Farmers Association Inc., Sapid CIS in Sapid, Mankayan was turned over to Sapid Irrigators and Farmers Association Inc., Taba-ao CIS in Taba-ao, Kapan-

gan was turned over to ABUDICK Irrigators Association, Inc., Shalongen Creek-Dalabi SIP in Twin Peaks, Tuba was turned over to Dalabi, Al-ogan, Soyosoy Irrigators Farmers Association Inc., Umesbeg Caucalan CIS in Taloy Sur, Tuba was turned over to Inunas Toyong Shontog IA Inc., and Taloy Sur CIP in Taloy Sur, Tuba was turned over to Taloy Sur IA. NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Romeo M. Lopez, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Toquero, NIA CAR Regional Manager Benito T. Espique Jr., local government officials, and IA officers and farmer-members attended the event. In his message, Administrator Visaya highlighted the devolution plans of the government under Executive Order 138 and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which mandates the national

government to begin transferring certain functions to local government units. The Supreme Court MandanasGarcia ruling affirmed that local government units are entitled to a “just share” on all national taxes collected and not only from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). LGUs will have an increase in the overall Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares and are expected to assume delivery of services which have been devolved to them under Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991. Devolution also entails the development of communal irrigation systems, which will have to be turned over to LGUs that are under the 1st to 4th class municipalities. Meanwhile, the development, operation and maintenance of National Irrigation Systems (NISs), as well as those irrigation systems in the 5th to 6th class municipalities will remain under NIA. While devolution starts in 2022, this will be done in a three-year transition period. The administrator explained that with the devolution program, NIA’s budget for calendar year 2022 was cut down from P42 billion to P32 billion. NIA is committed to continuously support and guide local governments in terms of irrigation development core processes to ensure that no LGU is left behind. The agency maximizes the opportunities brought by the SC ruling to provide more efficient and improved irrigation services to the Filipino farmers, the agricultural heroes who feed the nation.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DA to Ilocos fertilizer dealers: ₧100-M vouchers will be paid By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday committed to pay the remaining P100 million it owes to fertilizer suppliers and merchants that it tapped for its subsidy program for rice farmers within the week. “The Department of Agriculture assures fertilizer suppliers and merchants in Ilocos region that they will be paid in full within the week for the P100 million worth of fertilizers they provided to rice farmers via the voucher system under the agency’s rice program,” the agency said in a news statement. DA Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Arnel de Mesa said the delays in the payment to the fertilizer suppliers, which it described as a “minor setback,” was caused by a “glitch” in their system. De Mesa disclosed that the DA as of December 13 has paid a total of P22 million to fertilizer merchants and distributors. “We apologize for the minor setback and inconvenience in our payment commitments to fertilizer merchants and distributors due to a glitch in our system, as a result of the additional documentary requirement,” he said. “It was necessary to ensure that there is no duplication in the payout of vouchers to legitimate dealers, who participated in the DA’s rice fertilizer subsidy program that provided a P2,000 fertilizer voucher for farmers planting inbred rice varieties, and P3,000 for those planting hybrid rice,” he added. DA Regional Field Office I Direc-

tor Nestor Domenden said based on their investigation a sole fertilizer merchant who submitted incomplete requirements affected the payment for the voucher claims worth P98 million. “The payment for the whole lot was supposedly ready last December 3, 2021, but was returned for further vetting because one of the merchants failed to follow the claims process,” Domenden explained. Domenden added that they would meet with the concerned merchants within the week “to discuss the automated procedure in filing their payments to avoid future delays.” Earlier, industry group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura said they will ask the office of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, to conduct a legislative inquiry regarding the alleged failure of the DA to pay P100 million worth of fertilizers to distributors and sellers in Region 1. The group explained that the Association of Fertilizer and Pesticides, Distribution, Dealers and outlet of Pangasinan complained that they have been awaiting payment from the DA for the fertilizers they have completed delivering. “The DA accredited fertilizer dealers can no longer serve the fa r mer-benef iciar ies because the department has not yet paid them of their collectibles, which they badly needed in order to buy new supplies of fertilizer so they can continue to serve the other farmers who are also recipients of the DA’s fertilizer vouchers,” it said.

49 Capiz farmers qualify as CARP beneficiaries

TOTAL of 49 farmers have qualified as beneficiaries of the government’s landtransfer program under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) office in the town of Maayon, Capiz, announced on Tuesday. The DAR had recently administered an oath for the 49 potential beneficiaries who will become land recipients of some 65 hectares of land in the town of Maayon. In a news statement, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rosalina Dadivas said the oath-taking activity aims to affirm the application of the identified beneficiaries to ensure compliance with all agrarian laws, including the signing of Application to Purchase and Farmer’s Undertaking (APFU). R e publ ic A c t 6 6 57 st ates that in order to facilitate the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) process, it is important that qualified Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) must attend

the oath-taking and sign the undertaking, Dadivas said. The landholdings to be distributed were formerly owned by Jose Seville covered by title no. T-8659 lot no. 2972-C located in Barangay Tuburan, Maayon, with a total area of 65.0571 hectares. The potential agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) were sworn in before Municipal Trial Court Judge Filpia Del Castillo at the Municipal Trial Court. Del Castillo stressed the contents of the APFU to ensure that the beneficiaries have a clear and unified understanding of all the conditions stated, such as their obligation on the payment of amor tization to the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the payment of real property ta xes. “Your obligations will be the continuous remarks of your willingness and commitment to work on the land and make it productive. Failure to attend the said conditions will be a ground for your disqualifications,” Del Castillo said. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Lacson proposes bigger R&D budget, cut in import dependence

ROM a “country of importation,” the Philippines can become an agricultural and industrial powerhouse if only the government invests 10 percent to 20 percent of the national budget on research and development (R&D) to create and market Filipino-made goods, Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said. Speaking at an “Online Kumustahan” event in Dumaguete City over the weekend, Lacson said a bigger national R&D budget would not only stop excess importation, but would also support Filipinos

in developing more products for the global market, and prevent them from offering their talents to employers abroad, reversing a decades-long “brain drain.” “Ang ginagawa natin, pag may kailangan tayong mga gamit, import tayo nang import. ’Yung ating research and development, Google, naghahanap ng mabibili. E ang dami nating talents sa Pilipinas,” the longtime public servant said in the capital of Negros Oriental province. [What we’re doing is if we need something, we keep importing stuff. Our research and development is Google— we’re looking for stuff to buy. But we have so many talents

here in the Philippines.] However, the government has only earmarked 0.4 percent of the national budget to research and development, “kaya tayo hindi umaasenso (that’s why we’re not prospering),” added the veteran lawmaker, who has meticulously examined the budget in his 18 years in the Senate. “‘Yung ginagawa nila doon binibili natin sa mas mahal. E bakit hindi natin buhusan ng pondo ’yung research and development?” added Lacson on how Filipino farmers and scientists alike would benefit from heightened R&D spending. (What others are creating abroad we’re buying at a much

higher rate. So, what if we pour funding into our research and development?) “Hindi pwedeng 0.4 percent. Dagdagan natin at least—i-angat natin maski 10 percent man lang o 20 percent nang sa ganoon ’yung ating mga talent dito, mga scientist, huwag nang umalis,” he added. [It can’t be just 0.4 percent (of the budget). Let’s add to it at least—let’s raise it to at least 10 percent or 20 percent, so that our local talents, our scientists, don’t have to leave for abroad.] Lacson said the Philippines’ propensity for importation extends not just to the goods it takes in but even to the skilled manpower it hires from other

countries to lead or push its development projects. “We are a country of importation. Import tayo nang import. Import tayo ng gulay; import tayo ng prutas; import tayo ng langis; import tayo ng palay o ng bigas dahil ’yung ating sektor ng agrikultura kulang ng suporta,” the Partido Reporma chairman told the crowd of residents and local leaders in Dumaguete. (We import everything— vegetables, fruits, oil, rice, and why? Because our agricultural sector doesn’t get enough support.) One proof, he said, is that despite the passage of the Free Irrigation Act, which he authored in the Senate, the Philippines

remains last among its neighboring countries in providing vital water services to its farmers. Compared to Vietnam or Thailand, Lacson said, the Philippines has only irrigated two-thirds or about 2 million hectares of its 3.12 million hectares of irrigable land. “Paano natin tutulungan ’yung ating mga magsasaka kung lagi na lang tayong import nang import? Papatayin natin ’yung (kabuhayan) ating mga magsasaka (kung ganyan),” added the former National Police chief. (How are we going to help our farmers if we keep importing? We are in fact killing their livelihood instead.)

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. IV-A 4 Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362 December 15, 2021

13.

PRODUCTION MANAGER Execute all production work of converting inputs into outputs as per customer specifications.

Php100,000.00+++/month

14.

RONG YU Chinese

TECHNICAL MANAGER Plan, coordinate and oversee the technical and engineering activities in the BBH production.

Php30,000.00+++/month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

EUNJUNG KIM Korean

GENERAL MANAGER Recruit, select, orient, train, coach, counsel $3,500.00+++/month and discipline managers.

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 Employer: BNK TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit H, 2nd Floor, Bea Alieson Building, Imus Buhay na Tubig, Imus City, Cavite

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

JAEYOO PARK Korean

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Troubleshoot, debug, maintain and improve existing software.

TAKAHIRO NAKANISHI Japanese

DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER Assist the president and direct all works related to administration division.

15. Php30,000.00+++/month

Name and Address of Employer: IK PLASTIC COMPOUND PHILS., INC. Laguna Technopark, Biñan City, Laguna Salary Range 16. Php90,000.00+++/month

Salary Range

SANBAO LI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

Php30,000.00+++/month

QIUYU MOU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

Php30,000.00+++/month

HAI YANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

Php30,000.00+++/month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

MINGYANG LUO Chinese

MARKETING MANAGER/INTERPRETER Coordinate, translate and interpret.

Php30,000.00+++/month

Name and Address of Employer: THN AUTOPARTS PHILIPPINES, INC. L5 B3 CPIP, Brgy. Batino, Calamba City, Laguna

17.

19.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

GYUWON JUNG Korean

INTERPRETER Handle the interpretation during conferences and meetings between Koreans, Filipinos and customer.

Php90,000.00+++/month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

YUYA KITSUNAI Japanese

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Ensure development of product design specifications and quality production process.

Php150,000.00+++/ month

Name and Address of Employer: COVAC PHILIPPINES, INC. Lima Technology Center-SEZ, Lipa City, Batangas

Salary Range

TATSUYA KOSUGI Japanese

FACTORY MANAGER Direct and supervise the plant operations and activities of a specific department in the organization.

$4,000.00+++/month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

HIROSHI YAKUWA Japanese

SENIOR MANAGER Oversee and provide direction to finished goods production (Assembly Maintenance Department).

Php500,000.00+++/ month

Position and Job Description

KENICHI NARAWA Japanese

PRODUCTION TECHNICAL ADVISER Attend all production and machineries issues Php90,000.00+++/month needing immediate judgment and action.

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

IAN DOUGLAS HO SIEN YEN Malaysian

IMPROVEMENT MANAGER Ensure timely and effective implementation and roll out of Line Centric Organization (LCO).

Php150,000.00+++/ month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

HITOSHI YANASE Japanese

JAPANESE CUSTOMER MANAGER Handle customer accounts, delegate and deliver customer inquiries in specific teams.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

Name and Address of Employer: SAKAMOTO ORIENT CHEMICALS CORPORATION San Antonio, San Pascual, Batangas

20.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

MASANORI KONDO Japanese

PLANT MANAGER Setting goals and objectives and creating the strategy for the organization.

Php150,000.00+++/ month

Name and Address of Employer: SMARTWIN TECHNOLOGY INC. Southwoods Mall Tower 2, San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

21.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Name and Address of Employer: N.T. PHILIPPINES, INC. Cavite Export Processing Zone, Rosario, Cavite

Name and Address of Employer: CHIYODA INTEGRE (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION Lot 4-B, FPIP II, Sta. Anastacia, Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Position and Job Description

Name and Address of Employer: JT INTERNATIONAL ASIA MANUFACTURING CORP. L 1-10 B 4, Ph 3, LTC-SEZ, Malvar, Batangas

18.

Name and Address of Employer: CSCO (PHILS) CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Tabon 1, Kawit, Cavite

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Name and Address of Employer: JAE PHILIPPINES, INC. GBP-SEZ, Javalera, General Trias, Cavite

Name and Address of Employer: BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY, INC. Lot 4044 Molino Boulevard, Niog 3, Bacoor City, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

Name and Address of Employer: HAN SAMMAE INTERNATIONAL CORP. PEZA, Rosario, Cavite

Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: BRIDGESTONE PRECISION MOLDING PHILIPPINES, INC. Cavite Economic Zone, Rosario, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

Salary Range

22.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

YINGXIAN HE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Field incoming help requests from end users Php30,000.00+++/ from the People’s Republic of China through month telephone and work orders in a courteous manner.

QUAN LI Chinese

JUNPENG GUO Chinese

Name and Address of Employer: CROWN LIFT TRUCKS PHILIPPINES CORP. Batino, Calamba City, Laguna

10.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

SUZIE MAREE MITCHELL Australian

COUNTRY MANAGER Direct and control the country business group activities.

Php150,000.00+++/month

Name and Address of Employer: DX ANTENNA PHILIPPINES, INC. Corner West Road, Light Industry Science Park 1, Cabuyao City, Laguna

11.

23.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

RYUJI HAYASHI Japanese

QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER Manage and render technical support for daily QA operations, qualify and audit local or Php60,000.00+++/month foreign supplier, report to customer like DXJ including analysis of non-conforming parts or products.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

TOSHIYUKI SOGA Japanese

SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISER Conduct testing and analysis of technical aspect of the product.

Php90,000.00+++/ month

TATSURO NAGAI Japanese

R&D MANAGER Manage overall activities of the research and development (R&D) division.

Php90,000.00+++/ month

Salary Range

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

QIANG LUAN Chinese

PRODUCTION MANAGER Execute all production work of converting inputs into outputs as per customer specifications.

Php60,000.00+++/month

Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: VACUUMTECH PHILIPPINES INC. Lot 7, FPIP 2,Sta. Anastacia, Sto. Tomas, Batangas

24.

Name and Address of Employer: GIGATT MANUFACTURING AND TRADING INC. 55 Purok Dos, Pinagtong-Ulan, Lipa City, Batangas

12.

ZHENGYUE YANG Chinese

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

25.

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication. Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong No.

KHANUJA, MANVEET RANJIT SINGH Application Development Senior Analyst 1.

Brief Job Description: Perform analysis, design and development of Oracle Fusion OSB interfaces. LAO, XINGPEI Tech Writing & Translation Specialist

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Preferably a graduate of BS Information Technology; must be knowledgeable in Oracle Fusion OSB Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: 1-2 years experience in an analytical or customer service role

Brief Job Description: Provide language translation support specialist services across technology programs and projects using strong Salary Range: verbal and written communication skills Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 AGODA INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 3-4 22/f Zuellig Bldg., Makati Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, Urdaneta, City Of Makati TRIPATTANAPONG, SARINYA Basic Qualification: Partner Development Team Leader Minimum 3 years’ experience working in 3. Brief Job Description: operational or execution role Manage a team of partner development specialists who contact high growth supply partners to highlight revenue Salary Range: growth opportunities and onboard new partners Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 ALL OUT MULTI-MEDIA SOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2302-a West Tower, Pse Centre, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: PARK, SEUNGHYUN Proficient in speaking, Customer Service Representative reading and writing Korean 4. and English Brief Job Description: Manage korean customer queries / complaints Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LEE, DAEGEON Proficient in speaking, It Consultant reading and writing Korean 5. and English Brief Job Description: Providing strategic advice on using technology to achieve Salary Range: goals Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: SHIN, YUNHEE Proficient in speaking, Marketing Consultant reading and writing Korean 6. and English Brief Job Description: Manage the promotion and services of the company Salary Range: offers Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: PHAN XUAN SON Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 7. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, WENFEN Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 8. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, ZHUPING Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 9. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 BAOLONG TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP LIMITED INC. 24th-27th/f Century Diamond Tower, Kalayaan Ave. Cor. Salamanca St., Poblacion, City Of Makati TAN, KAI Basic Qualification: Mandarin Customer Service Representative College graduate 10. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Delivering excellent customer service and managing the Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 needs of customer through phone calls and emails. C3/CUSTOMERCONTACTCHANNELS PHILIPPINES LTD. 11/f, 17/f, 18/f, 19/f, 20/f Bonifacio One Technology Tower, 3030 Rizal Drive Cor. 31st St. Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig VERMA, SANJEEV KUMAR Senior Manager-business Analytics Basic Qualification: Familiarity with automation Brief Job Description: systems and enhancements 11. The senior manager business analytics is responsible for the establishing the strategy and process, to manage Salary Range: financials and key process indicators ( KPIs ) across Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 multiple sites and geographies CAPSLOCK INC. 7th & 8th Flr. Y Tower Bldg., Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal Ave., Brgy. 076, Pasay City CUI, JUN Basic Qualification: Chinese IT Support Specialist Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and 12. Brief Job Description: speaking) Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with Salary Range: computer software and hardware. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LUO, LAIWEI Basic Qualification: Chinese IT Support Specialist Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and Brief Job Description: 13. speaking) The Chinese IT Support Specialist shall answer incoming phone calls from clients and troubleshoot customer Salary Range: technical problems with computer software and Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 hardware. DANG VAN HIEU Basic Qualification: IT Support Specialist Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and 14. Brief Job Description: speaking) Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with Salary Range: computer software and hardware. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LE MINH TRANG Basic Qualification: IT Support Specialist Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and 15. Brief Job Description: speaking) Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with Salary Range: computer software and hardware. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LE THE BAO Basic Qualification: IT Support Specialist Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and 16. Brief Job Description: speaking) Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with Salary Range: computer software and hardware. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LE THI HIEN Basic Qualification: IT Support Specialist Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and 17. Brief Job Description: speaking) Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with Salary Range: computer software and hardware. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LUC THI CHAC Basic Qualification: IT Support Specialist Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and 18. Brief Job Description: speaking) Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with Salary Range: computer software and hardware. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LUC THI MINH HUONG IT Support Specialist

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

Brief Job Description: Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. NGUYEN DANH KIEN IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. NGUYEN HAI YEN IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: The IT Support Specialist shall answer incoming phone calls from clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. NGUYEN THI HOANG MY IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: The IT Support Specialist shall answer incoming phone calls from clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. NGUYEN THI PHUONG THAO IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: The IT Support Specialist shall answer incoming phone calls from clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. NGUYEN TIEN DOAN IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: The IT Support Specialist shall answer incoming phone calls from clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. NONG VAN THUONG IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: The IT Support Specialist shall answer incoming phone calls from clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. PHAM DINH MAI ANH IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: The IT Support Specialist shall answer incoming phone calls from clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. SAM LAI WA IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: The IT Support Specialist shall answer incoming phone calls from clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. TRAN A MUI IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. TRAN VAN HA IT Support Specialist

Brief Job Description: Shall answer incoming phone calls from Chinese clients and troubleshoot customer technical problems with computer software and hardware. DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue, Project 7, Bungad 1, Quezon City 29.

QIN, QISHUAI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 30.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service and managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails RUAN, ZHIYING Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

31.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service and managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails WEI, GUOSHENG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

32.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service and managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails YANG, CHAO Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

33.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service and managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails YANG, HSIANG-FAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

34.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service & managing needs of customer through phone calls and emails. ZHANG, TAO Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

35.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service and managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

36.

KE, JINSHI Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Provide and maintain customer service

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in managing incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FLASH EXPRESS SOFTWARE (PH) CO., LTD. INC. 9th Flr. Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, 5th Avenue 30th Street Cor. 4th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: XU, YUTING Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 Admin And Database Support Specialist yrs. Supervisory/managerial experience in logistics or 37. Brief Job Description: operations/ multilingual Involves office management, clerical tasks, and back-office duties of organization, designs database systems and Salary Range: management tools Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LOOI NAI CHEN Project Manager

38.

Brief Job Description: Plan and Designate Project Resources , Prepare budgets Monitor progress and keep stakeholders informed the entry way

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Job-Relevant Degree/ 5-10 Yrs Supervisory /Managerial Experience in Logistics or Operations Multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

GENX SPORTS & MEDIA PRODUCTION CORP. 26th And 27th Flr. Eastwood Cyber One Bldg., Eastwood City Cyberpark, No. 188 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Bagumbayan 3, Quezon City Basic Qualification: FU, GUFAN Proven working experience Customer Service Representative - Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particulary within the 39. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services by communication skills management Collecting Customer Information And Analyzing Customers Needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: XU, QUANLEI Proven working experience Customer Service Representative - Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particulary within the 40. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services by communication skills management Collecting Customer Information And Analyzing Customers Needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ANDY LEE JIA ZHE Proven working experience Customer Service Representative - Malaysian Speaking in digital marketing particulary within the 41. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services by communication skills management Collecting Customer Information And Analyzing Customers Needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LAI YI SUAN Proven working experience Customer Service Representative - Malaysian Speaking in digital marketing particulary within the Brief Job Description: industry and good 42. Recommends potential products or services by communication skills management Collecting Customer Information And Analyzing Customers Needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven working experience HE, XINZHONG in digital marketing Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking particularly within the industry and good 43. Brief Job Description: communication skills Collecting Customer Information And Analyzing Customers Needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 GMO GLOBALSIGN INC. Units 7&8, 23/f Zuellig Bldg., Makati Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, Urdaneta, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: KIM, HOJIN Excellent verbal and written Multilingual Vetting Specialist (Korean) communication skills in English and Korean. 44. Brief Job Description: Research, investigate and comply with all vetting Salary Range: regulations and procedures. Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 GTVL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, INC. 7000-a Santol St., Mon-el Subd., San Antonio, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: At least five (5) years MISHRA, SWADHIN experience in business Senior Manager - Business Head planning, supply chain systems, demand and Brief Job Description: supply planning, marketing 45. In charge of the retail operations of the Company. The planning and budgeting, Senior Manager - Business Head is also tasked to guide sales management, retail the sales department to meet its targets and oversee operations. the business planning, demand and supply planning, marketing planning and budgeting of the Company. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 HKT TELESERVICES (PHILIPPINES) INC. 10/f,17/f,32/f,& 37/f Union Bank Plaza Bldg., Meralco Ave. Cor. Onyx Road, Ortigas Center, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: KOMONSEN, NANTHAKA Must be proficient in the Bilingual Speaking Agent (Thai/English) Thai language. 46. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Answers calls in Thai language of customers Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 7/f Aseana I Bldg., Bradco Avenue Aseana Business Park, Tambo, City Of Parañaque NENG, BOTAO Chinese IT Support Specialist Basic Qualification: A Chinese and fluent in Brief Job Description: Chinese writing and speaking 47. The Chinese IT Support Specialist (CITSS) is an integral language member of the company infrastructure, Application Support, and of the IT Division and is responsible for Salary Range: providing quality IT support of enterprise systems Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 throughout the Chinese clientele. WEI, JUANJUAN Chinese IT Support Specialist Basic Qualification: A Chinese and fluent in Brief Job Description: Chinese writing and speaking 48. The Chinese IT Support Specialist (CITSS) is an integral language member of the company infrastructure, Application Support, and of the IT Division and is responsible for Salary Range: providing quality IT support of enterprise systems Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 throughout the Chinese clientele. ZHANG, JINWEI Chinese IT Support Specialist Basic Qualification: A Chinese and fluent in Brief Job Description: Chinese writing and speaking 49. The Chinese IT Support Specialist (CITSS) is an integral language member of the company infrastructure, Application Support, and of the IT Division and is responsible for Salary Range: providing quality IT support of enterprise systems Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 throughout the Chinese clientele. LEONG CHUN MING IT Support Specialist Basic Qualification: Can speak and read Brief Job Description: Cantonese, Mandarin and 50. The IT Support Specialist (CITSS) is an integral member Fukien language of the company infrastructure, Application Support, and of the IT Division and is responsible for providing quality Salary Range: IT support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 clientele. Basic Qualification: NGUYEN HONG AN Can speak and read IT Support Specialist Cantonese, mandarin, and 51. Fukien language Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise Salary Range: systems throughout the Chinese clientele. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg., #48 President Avenue, Bf Homes, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: GWAK, IN GYU Atleast college graduate, Korean Customer Service Representative speak and write korean 52. fluently Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korean through blogs, micro Salary Range: blogs and forums Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

BusinessMirror

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

JACOBS PROJECTS (PHILIPPINES), INC. 16/f South Tower, Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong CIANCIMINO, JOSEPH THOMAS Basic Qualification: Project Manager Master’s Degree 53. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Leadership in health and safety planning, project Php 500,000 and above management JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. U-3401 34/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: BACH MY NGAN Proficient in speaking, Vietnamese Technical Support Representative reading and writing in Chinese Mandarin, English 54. Brief Job Description: and their respective native Attracts potential customers by answering product and language service questions; suggesting information about other products and services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGU CAM HUNG Proficient in speaking, Vietnamese Technical Support Representative reading, and writing in Chinese mandarin, English 55. Brief Job Description: and their respective native Attracts potential customers by answering product and language service questions; suggesting information about other products and services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LAN TIAN ZI XUN INC. Unit 205 2/f Zen Tower, 1111 Natividad Almeda Lopez St., 071, Bgy. 659, Ermita, City Of Manila SHI, HANG Chinese IT Specialist Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese language Brief Job Description: (writing & speaking) 56. This position requires the exercise of discretion in the application of the principles, practices and techniques Salary Range: related to planning and analysis design, development and Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 implementation; maintenance; support and management of information technology functions. MC CONNELL DOWELL PHILS., INC. Level 4 Nol Tower, Commerce Ave., Mbp, City Of Muntinlupa Basic Qualification: Minimum 10 years’ MADATHILPARAMBIL MOHANAN, NISANTH experience in the Site Strategy Officer construction industry, sound working knowledge 57. Brief Job Description: of hs&e requirements & Ensure effective engineering, planning, quality, survey, implementation of the same cost control, & scheduling functions for the project Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 MNK.SOFT CORPORATION Unit 2504 Discovery Center, San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig KIM, YEONHO Basic Qualification: Korean Translator Can read and write of Korean to English language; and vice Brief Job Description: versa 58. Read given material and research software terminology for both Korea and English language and maintain Salary Range: confidently with documents and information translated Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Brgy. 076, Pasay City Basic Qualification: MAI THI HUYEN TRANG Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 59. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THI GIANG Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write chinese language 60. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THI MAI Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write chinese language 61. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THI MY LINH Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write chinese language 62. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THI NGA Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write chinese language 63. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THI NHUNG Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write chinese language 64. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THI THAO NGUYEN Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write chinese language 65. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THI THUY Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write chinese language 66. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN VAN AI Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 67. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN VAN THAI Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 68. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN VAN TUAN Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 69. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN VAN TUAN Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 70. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN VAN TUNG Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 71. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN XUAN HOA Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 72. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

73.

74.

75.

NGUYEN XUAN TRUONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NI NI WIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NING, MIAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

76.

77.

78.

79.

80.

81.

82.

83.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OKY PRIYANTO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM LINH CHI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SAM THI HUYEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SERLY AGUSTANIA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TEDDY Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN THI HA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN VAN DOAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRINH THI THUY Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

86.

Brief Job Description: Planning and defining scope of the project, activity planning and sequencing; Resource planning

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

96.

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

POWERCHINA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2101 21/f Bdo Equitable Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati WANG, HUA Basic Qualification: Mandarin Planning Engineer (Construction) Can speak, write, type in Mandarin language. Brief Job Description: Technical skills in software as 87. Determine and formulate the most suitable and stated above economical engineering construction method. Plan and develop construction procedures. Estimate a schedule of Salary Range: project activities Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 WANG, LEI Basic Qualification: Mandarin Planning Engineer (Construction) Can speak, write, type in Mandarin language. Brief Job Description: Technical skills in software as 88. Determine and formulate the most suitable and stated above economical engineering construction method. Plan and develop construction procedures. Estimate a schedule of Salary Range: project activities Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 QBE GROUP SHARED SERVICES LIMITED-PHILIPPINE BRANCH Net Cube Building, 3rd Avenue Corner 30th Street, E-square Zone, Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree holder; at SHAIKH, MOHAMMED AZHAR least 15 years of experience SVP - GSSC Transformation in transformation , project portfolio management, 89. Brief Job Description: operational excellence; Has Direct and manage major GSSC Transformation Initiatives exposure to data mining and and drive the maturity and evolution of the shared analytics, machine learning services center based on GSSC vision and strategies Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 QISO INC. Unit 2502-c, 25th Flr., West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Road Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: PARK, YONGHO College graduate/6 mos. Design Manager experience 90. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Overseeing design process Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 QNECT INC. Unit 2105 The Finance Centre, 26th St. Corner 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: KU, YUN-HO Assist in the management Mandarin Speaking Finance Team Leader of all accounting procedure and system used by the 91. Brief Job Description: organization. Comply will all the finance & legal requirements and responsibilities obligation. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 RIGHT CHOICE FINANCE CORP. 5e-1 Electra House Bldg., 115-117 Esteban Street, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: CURLEY, ROBERT DAVID College Graduate. Fluent Business Lending Development Officer in English. Preferably 6 months to 1 year lending 92. Brief Job Description: development experience Develop business proposals, analyze current and past expenses, develop creative strategies Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HUANG, GUANGFU College graduate, fluent Chinese Customer Service Representative in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year 93. Brief Job Description: customer service Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIN, DANDAN College graduate, fluent Chinese Customer Service Representative in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year 94. Brief Job Description: customer service Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU, TIANFU College graduate, fluent Chinese Customer Service Representative in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year 95. Brief Job Description: customer service Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base LU, SHAOKAI Chinese Customer Service Representative

97.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base SU, CHAOKUN Chinese Customer Service Representative

98.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base YAO, XIAOQIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

99.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base YOU, FAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

100.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base YU, ZANFENG Chinese Customer Service Representative

101.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, business, or a related field. Excellent oral and written communication both in English and Mandarin Chinese. Strong Public speaking skills

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LIU, WENQIAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

NEWSTAR SHOPPING MART INC. Unit Ii 3rd Floor Silpmpc Bldg., Km. 14, Malinta, City Of Valenzuela YANG, JUNHONG Basic Qualification: Assistant Manager Mandarin Speaking 2 years experience 84. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Supervise and train staff Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 PHILIPPINES FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK LTD., INC. Unit 2802-2803, 28th Floor, The Podium, Adb Avenue, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, LI, ZHIYONG business, or a related field. Chinese Project Manager Excellent oral and written communication both in 85. Brief Job Description: English and Mandarin Planning and defining scope of the project, activity Chinese. Strong Public planning and sequencing; Resource planning speaking skills

WANG, HAIMING Chinese Project Manager

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base ZHU, WEIKANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

102.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SUMMIT SUPPORT SERVICES, INC. Unit 16c 16/f Petron Mega Plaza, 358 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: HARDI EFFENDY Natural fluency in Indonesian Indonesian Speaking Account Manager and has a wide knowledge and expertise in marketing Brief Job Description: and consultation of the Asian 103. Responsible for direct handling of customer relationships market and point of contract through market expertise in the region Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: RUANGCHAIPRAMOTE, WATCHAYA Natural fluency in Thai and Marketing Localization Manager - Thailand has previous experiences in management and marketing Brief Job Description: 104. for the Thailand market Marketing, implementation of localization (Thai) strategy, and overseeing the end-to-end implementation to all local Salary Range: marketing activities Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: SAEHO, POUNGPAKA Natural fluency in Thai and Thai Speaking Account Manager has a wide knowledge and expertise in marketing and 105. Brief Job Description: consultation of the Asian Responsible for direct handling of customer relationships market and point of contract through market expertise in the region Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 THE PENBROTHERS INTERNATIONAL INC. 6/f Opl Bldg., 100 C. Palanca St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: FENG, YING College Graduate. Fluent Sourcing Specialist in Mandarin and English. Preferably 6 months to 1 yr 106. Brief Job Description: to the same field Interacting with professionals, reviewing online portfolios, identify potential candidates Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TONY & JACKEY BEAUTY SALON CORP. 2/f Zen Bldg., 647 Nakpil St., 076, Bgy. 697, Malate, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: LEE, CHUNWOO Proficient in speaking, Hair Stylist reading & writing Hangul (Korean language) 107. Brief Job Description: Performs hairstyle consultation order to decide what Salary Range: services the client needs Php 500,000 and above TOTAL GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 9f World Plaza, Block 5, Lot 4, Crescent Park West, 5th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field SEGUNDA, ADELINO SAILE LUMBONGO with 3-5 years relevant Finance And Accounting Analyst - Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable, Processing Experience in a 108. Brief Job Description: Shared service environment Prepares and posts entries on subsidiary ledgers for in Oil, Gas and Energy collections Industry Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TOUEI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION 23/f Tower International, 6813 Ayala Ave. Cor. H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: OSADA, RYUNOSUKE Excellent management, Assistant General Manager decision-making and 109. problem solving skills. Brief Job Description: Reviews and approves instructions regarding maintenance Salary Range: systems and procedures. Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 TPSC PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Units 1602 & 1603 16/f 88 Corporate Center, Sedeno Cor. Valero Sts., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: KURISU, RYUJI At least 20 yrs. Construction Deputy Construction Manager management/Japanese speaking, familiar with 110. Brief Job Description: Japanese international Monitor construction productivity and schedule standards (jis). performance and investigate reasons for less than satisfaction performance etc. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 YOUBIN CONSULTANCY INC. 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg., Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati SU, JUNYI Mandarin Marketing Officer 111.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for collaborate with managers in preparing budgets and monitoring expenses

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in speaking, writing and reading mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Dec 14, 2021

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on December 04, 2021, the name of ONG PEI SIM, MERCHINA under AVANTICE CORPORATION, should have been read as ONG PEI SIM, MERCHINA a.k.a. WANG PEIXIN and not as published. Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

News

BusinessMirror

A4 Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A8

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DILG chief: ₧80B worth of shabu seized since start of Duterte’s war on drugs By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that the Duterte administration’s unrelenting drive against illegal drugs has led to their seizure of around P80 billion worth of methamphetamine

House ratifies bicameral report raising statutory rape age to 16

BILL that seeks to increase the age in determining statutory rape to 16 years old has inched closer to becoming a law after the House of Representatives on Thursday ratified its bicameral conference committee report. Rep. Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla, chairman of the House Committee on Revision of Laws, hailed the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 2332 and House Bill 7836 on increasing the age in determining statutory rape. Deloso-Montalla pointed out that the enactment into law of the bill has been “long overdue” as it provides stronger protection against rape and sexual exploitation and abuse. The current age in determining statutory rape is 12 years old. “In the report, we determined that the age of statutory rape be set to under 16 years of age in view of the global standard on statutory rape age,” Deloso-Montalla said in a news statement. “We also aligned with this bill the age of consent in other crimes under the criminal code and other anti-child abuse and exploitation laws like the RA 7610,” she added. Deloso-Montalla, the representative of the 2nd District of Zambales, disclosed that the bicameral report included a “close-in relationship” or “sweet-heart clause” that seeks to recognize the “legitimate relationship between two teenagers” that is in consonance with the age of criminal liability under existing laws. “The enactment of this bill is long overdue as the data scream loudly and clearly speak that the crime of rape remains rampant in the country. What we know are the reported cases, but the true statistics may be higher considering that there are a lot of unreported and unaccounted cases of rape and other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation that are happening,” she said. “Now that we have ratified the bicam report on the anti-stat rape bill, it is now a step closer to becoming a law! We will always endure to ascertain that our children are given optimum protection under our laws and within the bounds of the democratic society that we have,” she added. The bill was approved on third reading by the House on December 1, 2020. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

hydrochloride or shabu. Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año made the disclosure during the public address of President Duterte last Monday. Duterte asked Año for the total worth of shabu, which were “embargoed” during his term, which the President said he intends to use to justify the government’s war against

illegal drugs before the International Criminal Court (ICC). “Maybe when the time comes, we will use it to show to the ICC na that’s the reason why we are not—I am not going to bow down to their jurisdiction because they would see the enormity of the problem of shabu in the country,” Duterte said. Año said he will submit the

comprehensive report on the government’s anti-drug operations in his next meeting with the President. But based on the latest data of the DILG, law enforcement authorities were able to confiscate 8.3 kilograms of shabu and 137.3 kilograms of marijuana with a total estimated value of over P72.8 million from De-

cember 5 to 11, 2021. Duterte is currently facing an ICC investigation on the alleged killings of drug suspects in the government campaign against illegal drugs. He repeatedly said he will not cooperate with the ICC probe over the said drug-related killing, insisting that it has no jurisdiction to try him on the matter.

DOH logs lowest Covid daily infection rate on Tuesday, but warns of case spike by Jan By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

HE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday logged 235 additional Covid-19 cases, the lowest daily infection rate recorded yet for this year, but warned that active cases in the country may reach 9,338 on January 31, 2022 based on the agency’s projections. In a Kapihan Session, Dr. Alethea De Guzman, DOH Epidemiology Bureau director, said that the bases for these projections were several assumptions such as the presence of the Delta variant, vaccination coverage, mobility and compliance to the minimum public health standards. In these projections, it was assumed that the Delta variant is dominant in most regions. In the national projection, vaccination rate was assumed that there would be full vaccination of 85 percent of the total population by end of January 2022.

“What are the scenarios that can affect the continuous decline in cases? As we go more mobile, maybe we can’t be compliant as before like masking, physical distancing, and avoiding crowded places,” de Guzman said. Based on their projections, if compliance to minimum public health standards will decline by 30 percent, 8,600 active cases will be recorded on December 31,2021, and 9,338 by end of January 2022. “This is still lower as compared to our active cases as of date,” the DOH official added.

Minimal risk classification

DE Guzman said that the Philippines and all its regions are at minimal risk case classification with negative twoweek growth rate and average daily attack rate of less than 1 per 100,000 population in the current week. The health systems capacity is at low risk in all areas. “National and majority of regions

at minimal-risk case classification with sustained low case trend in the recent week, she said adding that all provinces, highly-urbanized cities and independent component cities of areas remain under Alert Level 2 with minimal to low risk case classification. Meanwhile, with the emergence of Omicron variant in other countries, de Guzman stressed the need to enhance preventive measures and prepare our borders and local health systems.

Covid cases

WITH the 235 additional cases recorded, the total number of infections is now at 2,836,868. There were also 780 recoveries 10 deaths. Of the 235 reported cases, 228 (97 percent) occurred within the recent 14 days (December 1-December 14, 2021). The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were National Capital Region (53 or 23 percent) Region

4-A (23 or 10 percent) and Region 3 (20 or 9 percent). Of the 10 deaths, nine occurred in December 2021 (90 percent), and one in October 2021 (10 percent) due to late encoding of death information to COVIDKaya. “This issue is currently being coordinated with the Epidemiology and Surveillance Units to ensure information is up to date,” DOH said. Five duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, 4 are recoveries. In addition, 165 cases were found to have tested negative and have been removed from the total case count. Of these, 161 are recoveries. Moreover, three cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation. Four laboratories were not operational on December 12, 2021, while 8 labs were not able to submit their data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System.

‘Odette’ seen to spawn rough seas over central Philippines T T

Dizon: No pause in govt’s vax drive amid polls

HE government vaccination drive will continue even during the election campaign period next year with a target to fully vaccinate 90 million against Covid-19 before the May 2022 polls. In an interview with PTV last Tuesday, Presidential Adviser for Covid-19 Response Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon said they intend to sustain the immunization drive during the campaign period and even on election day itself. “We cannot stop with the vaccination. We will continue doing it even during the campaign and election. We will just make sure it will not be used for political purposes,” Dizon stressed. The campaign period for the 2022 polls will start in February next year. The Omnibus Election Code, meanwhile, covers the temporary halt of most government projects and initiatives during the campaign period, but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may grant exemption to vaccination activities. Last Monday, National Task Force for Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito G. Galvez Jr. announced they are targeting to fully inoculate 90 million Filipinos by second quarter of 2022. The measure is part of government’s aim to minimize the risk of infection during the elections on May 8, 2022. As of Monday, the government was able to fully vaccinate over 37.8 million Filipinos against Covid-19. Dizon said they are targeting to increase the number of fully vaccinated individuals to 54 million before the end of the year with the conduct of the second National Vaccination Days this month. Samuel P. Medenilla

Govt weighs options on vaccination of children from 5 to 11 years old

HE approaching Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Rai,” which will be known as “Odette” in the country, can bring damaging winds, making sailing in the central Philippines dangerous for small and big vessels. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Rai may hit the country Tuesday night. Pagasa weather forecaster Nikos Peñaranda said rough seas will prevail and winds can cause waves over four meters high in open seas, particularly Bohol Sea bordering Eastern Visayas-Caraga area where “Odette” may make a landfall. Peñaranda said such winds would also prompt hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 in various central Philippine areas. “If that happens, vessels won’t be allowed to sail there,” he said. Pagasa located “Rai” 1,165 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It was moving west-northwest-

wards at 30 kilometers per hour (kph), packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 115 kph. Peñaranda said “Rai” will likely intensify into Typhoon Odette which may have maximum winds of around 155 kph before its landfall on Thursday. “It’s also possible for ‘Odette’ to cross central Philippines as a typhoon with intense and even torrential rainfall,” he added. Peñaranda said the rainfall can trigger flooding and landslides in central Philippine areas susceptible to these hazards. In its daily forecast on Tuesday, Pagasa said the trough of “Rai” may already bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms to Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region. Flooding or landslides are possible during moderate to at times heavy rainfall, it said. The weather bureau said northeast monsoon or “amihan” and localized thunderstorms will bring rain showers to other parts of the country.

Local government units (LGU) in areas within the path STS Rai may order preemptive evacuations in preparation for an approaching strong typhoon that may hit the country Tuesday night. In an assessment by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), over 10,000 barangays in the Visayas and Mindanao and some areas in Southern Luzon are likely to be affected once “Odette” makes landfall. “Na-identify nga po natin ang mga areas na at risk kaya po pinaalahanan ang mga LGUs na bago pa dumating ang sama ng panahon at nakikita po ang imminent risk sa area, ay maaari pong magsagawa ng pre-emptive evacuation itong ating mga local government units [We have identified areas at risk and we reminded LGUs that they can conduct preemptive evacuations if they see imminent risks, even before the storm hits in their respective areas],” NDRRMC spokesman Mark Cashean Timbal said in a Laging Handa briefing Tuesday. PNA

HE government may have to procure fresh batches of Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer to inoculate children from 5 to 11 years old, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During the public address of President Duterte on Monday, FDA Director General Enrique “Eric” Domingo disclosed the current government inventory of Pfizer vaccine is not suited for children in the said age group. He noted that Pfizer vaccines used for those below 12 years old makes use of lower concentration of active ingredient—messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)— compared to that being given to adults. “So if we will buy [vaccine] for those 5 to 11 [years old], it’s going to be a different Pfizer vaccine than the ones that we are using now for adults,” Domingo said. He issued the statement after Pfizer had applied with FDA to amend the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) so its Covid-19 vaccine can be locally

used for children in the said age group. In a virtual briefing on Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said the Department of Health (DOH) has allocated funds in the 2022 national budget for the purchase of the vaccines, which makes use of a different formulation for children below 11 years old. However, she noted there are Covid-19 vaccine brands, which can be administered to adults as well as children in the same age group, but with a lower dose. “This means both the vaccines [for adults and minors] will be the same and we don’t have to buy new vaccines,” Vergeire said. Currently, government vaccination efforts for minors are limited to those in the 12 to 17 age group. Based on the latest government data, a total of seven million minors already got their first dose of Covid-19 jab. Of which, 2.1 million also got their second dose and are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Samuel P. Medenilla

Smuggling of farm products: BOC, BPI grilled by senators. . . The lawmakers learned that two container vans filled with strawberries were being delivered to Cebu every week, with each van carrying 25,000 kilos, resulting in these outlets no longer placing orders from local planters that used to supply strawberries to Cebu groceries. According to Balanoy, the claim that Korean strawberries are of better quality, cannot justify the importation, as she noted that jumbo strawberries from Benguet are much bigger.

In turn, Bayot said importations were allowed not to kill the local industry, but only to comply with international trade agreements. But Balanoy also noted that Bayot could not answer when asked why the imported strawberries were declared as “ornamental plants.” At the same time, Senator Kiko Pangilinan noted the no-show of BPI Director George Culaste, who said in an earlier interview the Korean strawberries are not considered a

competitor, claiming that imported strawberries are sold from P1,000 to P1,500 per kilo while Benguet strawberries are sold at P300 per kilo.

Biggest seizure at Subic

MEANWHILE, Hontiveros, citing documents, said all four importers she listed were subject of the biggest forfeiture of agricultural products at the port of Subic. Both Thousand Sunny and Dua Te Mira had been arrested three times for misdeclaring

shipments and overstaying. Gingarnion had previously been arrested at least once. The shipments were carrying onions, carrots, and broccoli. “How are they able to repeat their caper? From June, they did it again in July, and then again in October. Why do they keep doing it? Do these people get special consideration? We want to know why these four can continue to do their business,” she asked, partly in Filipino.

Hontiveros then called on the BOC to delist any repeat offenders from Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 20-01, which enabled the expedited release of refrigerated containers and dry vans during Enhanced Community Quarantine. “All repeat offenders must be gotten rid of in that JAO. That’s a privilege. And if it’s proven that they smuggled and are guilty of economic sabotage, their licenses and permits must be revoked and they must be jailed accord-

continued from a12

ing to law,” Hontiveros said. “Smuggling threatens our economic recovery. People like these who victimize our farmers, our entire agricultural sector, must face sanctions. Even local government units are victimized because they should have gotten bigger shares of IRA [internal revenue allotment] from BOC collections that they can use for constituents. This is not a victimless crime. This shouldn’t be allowed,” the senator stressed.

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

The World

New Australian plant could make 100 million jabs a year

ANBERR A, Australia— Australia’s government said Tuesday it plans to start making mRNA vaccines at home with a new plant that could produce up to 100 million doses each year. The announcement came as coronavirus cases in Sydney and surrounding areas jumped, driven in part by the Omicron variant. The new factory would be built in Victoria state in a partnership between vaccine manufacturer Moderna and the federal and state governments. It is expected to open by 2024. Austra lian Pr ime Minister Scott Morrison said it was in the country’s national interest to produce vaccines locally. “The mRNA vaccines have proven to be, I’d argue, the biggest scientific discovery over the course of this pandemic,” Morrison said. “And that means that they are a massive part of the future of vaccines, not just here in this country but all around the world.” Morrison said the plant would produce vaccines for potential future pandemics and as well as seasonal health issues such as the flu. He said the locally produced vaccines could help not only Australia but also the Pacific region,

which Australia has already been supplying. “It’s with a great sense of pride that when I meet with Pacific leaders in particular, that we have been able to be their family in a time of crisis, that we have been able to provide those vaccines to them,” Morrison said. Australian Medical Association President Omar Khorshid said the locally made vaccines would be a significant addition to the world’s stocks during a future pandemic. “It is great news, not just for the management of this pandemic, but for the enormous horizons that mRNA technology has in terms of treating other diseases we wouldn’t have thought could be treated by vaccines, such as cancers,” he told the Nine Network. Meanwhile, New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, on Tuesday reported more than 800 new virus cases, the highest daily total in more than two months. Health authorities have identified dozens of omicron cases recently and expect the number to rise as they complete more testing. The spike in infections comes just a day before certain virus restrictions are due to be eased, with unvaccinated people allowed back in pubs, cafes, gyms and shops. AP

California brings back mask mandate as virus cases rise

AC R A M EN T O — C a l i for nia is bringing back a rule requiring people to wear masks indoors, a move aimed at containing a new type of the coronavirus as people gather with family and friends during the holidays. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration announced the new mandate will start Wednesday and last until January 15. The order comes as the per capita rate of new coronavirus cases in California has jumped 47 percent in the past two weeks. “We know people are tired and hungry for normalcy. Frankly, I am too,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Monday. “That said, this is a critical time where we have a tool that we know has worked and can work.” California lifted its statewide mask mandate on June 15 for people who were vaccinated, a date Newsom heralded as the state’s grand reopening. But since then, county governments covering about half of the state’s population have imposed their own indoor mask mandates as case rates surged with new variants. The new mask mandate will cover everyone else, but state officials on Monday were unclear about how it would be enforced. Ghaly said enforcement would likely be stronger in some places than others, but he urged Californians to heed the warnings and wear masks. “We know that there’s going to be people who don’t necessarily agree with this, who are tired, who aren’t going to mask,” Ghaly said. “We hope that those are few and far between, that most people see the purpose of doing this over the next month as something to protect them and their communities during a very tough time.” Newsom has issued lots of other coronavirus mandates, including requiring state employees, health care workers and, soon, public school students and teachers to be vaccinated. The governor can do this because California is still operating under an emergency declaration Newsom issued at the beginning of the pandemic. That emergency declaration will remain

in place until either Newsom lifts it or the state Legislature votes to end it. Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, who ran against Newsom for governor during an unsuccessful recall election earlier this year, has routinely tried and failed to get the Democratic-dominated Legislature to end the state’s emergency declaration. “I think that people are incredibly frustrated with this notion that these choices should be made by one person rather than in the way that our country and state are supposed to work which is all of us together having a say and having the freedom to make c hoices for ourselves,” K i ley said. “Gavin Newsom is taking actions that go far beyond what any other governor or any other state has done.” California joins other states with similar indoor mask mandates, including Washington, Oregon, Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada, Hawaii and New York. But other Democratic governors have resisted new restrictions, including Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado who told Colorado Public Radio last week that “The emergency is over” and “public health [officials] don’t get to tell people what to wear.” State officials are afraid of a repeat of last winter, when the state averaged more than 100 cases per 100,000 people during a monster winter surge of the virus when nearly 20,000 people died during an eight-week period. But that surge was before vaccines were available. Today, more than 70 percent of California’s residents who are eligible have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Even with the recent increase in cases, the state is averaging a little more than 14 cases per day per 100,000 people. Even so, Ghaly said hospitals in several counties with low vaccination rates are still struggling with lots of patients, including parts of Southern California in Riverside, San Bernardino, Mono and Inyo counties. Ghaly warned coronavirus hospitalizations often increase in the weeks following a jump in new cases. AP

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

South Korea marks deadliest day of pandemic as hospitals buckle

EOUL, South Korea—South Korea on Tuesday marked its deadliest day of the pandemic as an unrelenting, Delta-driven spread stretched thin hospitals and left people dying while waiting for beds.

Hea lt h e x per ts wa r n t hat the country’s medical system is quickly approaching its limits and that fatalities could worsen if the government continues to be slow and hesitant in tightening social distancing. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said 94 virus patients died in the past 24 hours while a record 906 were in serious or critical condition. The 5,567 new infections were the highest yet for a Tuesday— daily tallies are usually smaller at the start of the week because of fewer tests on weekends—indicating the virus has continued to gain speed after the government moderately tightened social distancing last week. Park Hyang, a senior Health Ministry official, said medical resources are quickly running out in densely populated capital Seoul and nearby metropolitan areas, where around 86 percent of intensive care units designated for Covid-19 treatment were already occupied. More than 1,480 patients were still waiting to be admitted to hospitals or treatment shelters. At least 17 patients died

last week at home or at facilities while waiting for beds. Officials have been squeezing hospitals to set aside more beds for Covid-19 patients and scrambling to speed up the administration of booster shots by shortening the interval between second and third shots from four or five months to three months starting this week. As of Tuesday, more than 81 percent in a population of more than 51 million were fully vaccinated, but only 13 percent were administered booster shots. Officials may decide to further strengthen restrictions this week, depending on the numbers of infections and hospitalization, Park said during a briefing. Experts say South Korea’s devastating surge underscores the risk of putting economic concerns before public health when the highly contagious Delta variant has reduced the effectiveness of vaccines and most people are still waiting for their booster shots. The country reported around 6,000 new cases a day last week, including three consecutive days of over 7,000. That was three times the level of 2,000 at the start of No-

Medical workers take nasal samples from people at a makeshift coronavirus testing site in Seoul, South Korea on December 14. AP/Ahn Young-joon

vember, when the government significantly eased social distancing rules in what officials described as the first step toward restoring pre-pandemic normalcy. In allowing larger gatherings, longer indoor dining hours and fully reopening schools, officials had predicted that improving vaccination rates will suppress hospitalizations and deaths even if the virus continues to spread. But there has been a surge in hospital admissions among people in their 60s or older, who weren’t fully vaccinated or whose immunities have waned after being inoculated during the earlier phase of the vaccine rollout, which began in Februar y. Even as infections grew this month, the government has been hesitant in reimposing stronger restrictions, citing public fatigue, and President Moon Jae-in had declared that the country will not “retreat to the past.”

Blinken: More US military might in Indo-Pacific to push back China

AK ARTA, Indonesia—The United States will expand its military and economic relationships with partners in Asia to push back against China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday. Blinken said the Biden administration is committed to maintaining peace and prosperity in the region and will do that by boosting US alliances, forging new relationships and ensuring that the US military maintains “its competitive edge.” “Threats are evolving, our security approach has to evolve with them. To do that, we will lean on our greatest strength: our alliances and partnerships,” Blinken said in a speech in Indonesia, outlining the administration’s Indo-Pacific plans. “We’ll adopt a strategy that more closely weaves together all our instruments of national power—diplomacy, military, intelligence—with those of our allies and partners,” he said. That will include linking US and Asian defense industries, integrating supply chains and cooperating on technological innovation, he said. Later he signed a series of three agreements with Indonesia’s foreign minister, including one that extends until 2026 an existing maritime cooperation pact that among other issues calls for enhanced joint US-Indonesian naval exercises. “It’s about reinforcing our strengths so we can keep the peace, as we have done in the

region for decades,” he said. He did not elaborate further but the administration made waves earlier this year by agreeing to a pact that will see Australia produce nuclear-powered submarines. Blinken insisted that the US is not trying to force countries to choose between the United States and China or seeking conflict with China. But he laid out a litany of complaints about “Beijing’s aggressive actions” from “Northeast Asia to Southeast Asia and from the Mekong River to the Pacific Islands.” Blinken is in Indonesia on the first leg of a week-long, threenation tour of Southeast Asia that will also take him to Malaysia and Thailand. Countering China’s growing aggressiveness in the region, particularly in the South China Sea, in Hong Kong and against Taiwan is prominent on his agenda. “Countries across the region want this behavior to change,” he said. “We do too.” “We are determined to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” he said. “It is also why we have an abiding interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” Blinken said US “will forge stronger connections” w ith its five treaty allies in the region—Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand—boost ties between them and cultivate a stronger partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, many of whose members feel threatened by China.

“A strong and independent Asean has long been central to tackle urgent crises and longterm challenges,” Blinken said, in particular calling out the military rulers of Myanmar, also known as Burma, for their February takeover and subsequent crackdown on protesters. “We will continue to work with our allies and partners to press the regime to cease its indiscriminate violence, release all of those unjustly detained, allow unhindered access, and restore Burma’s path to inclusive democracy,” he said. Blinken also lauded the administration’s commitment to providing coronavirus vaccines to the countries of the IndoPacific and its support for their efforts to combat and deal with climate change. Blinken confined his remarks to the Indo-Pacific and China although he began his current overseas journey in Britain at a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting that delivered a stern warning to Russia over Ukraine. On arriving in Indonesia on Monday, Blinken found that a top aide Russian President Vladimir Putin, national security adviser, Nikolay Patrushev, was already in Jakarta for security talks. Asked why he had not sought out Patrushev to expand on Sunday’s G-7 warning, Blinken replied that the administration’s top diplomat for Europe, Karen Donfried, who is currently in Ukraine, would be traveling to Moscow in the coming days to deliver that message. AP

Officials waited until last week to modestly sharpen social distancing, banning private gatherings of seven or more people in the greater capital region and requiring adults to verify their vaccination status to use restaurants and other indoor venues. Health experts have called for stronger curbs, such as work from home and expanding the government’s financial support to small businesses to ensure compliance with social distancing. “What we absolutely need now is an urgent standstill to allow our medical system to restore its ability to respond [to the virus],” a coalition of doctors’ groups, including the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, said in a statement on Monday. “We express deep concern that there will be a high possibility of serious fatalities if [the government] fails to employ stronger measures to reverse the crisis before it’s too late.” AP

Austrian leader: won’t go to Beijing Winter Olympics, but no protest

ERLIN—Austria’s leader says no high-ranking politicians from his country will attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, but he says that is entirely because of coronavirus restrictions in China and is not a diplomatic protest. Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s comments to Tuesday’s edition of German daily Die Welt came after foreign ministers from Austria and several other European Union nations made clear that they have little appetite to join the US initiative for a diplomatic boycott of the games because of concerns over China’s human rights record. “We are against a politicization of the games and are coordinating in the EU,” Nehammer was quoted as saying. “No high-ranking politicians from Austria will visit the Olympic Games in China,” he said. “However, that is not a diplomatic protest or boycott, but due only to the fact that the Covid requirements in China are rightly very high.” “Because of the Covid pandemic, politicians can’t meet personally in China with their country’s athletes,” he added. “So there is no use in politicians or diplomats from Austria traveling to China to speak by videoconference with our athletes there—then I prefer to meet our athletes personally in Vienna.” China has vowed to respond to the US with “firm countermeasures” over the boycott, but has given no details on how it plans to retaliate. Beijing has dismissed the decision by Canada and the United Kingdom to join Washington’s diplomatic boycott as a “farce.” AP

A10 Wednesday, December 15, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

PHL dairy industry needs govt support

N 2008, former Agriculture chief Leonardo Q. Montemayor pushed for an increase in the budget for the dairy sector as it is badly in need of funding support. Montemayor, who was appointed secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in 2001, said he had difficulties securing the support of the national government for the development of the local dairy industry during his tenure. He also pitched for an increase in the tariff of imported milk to attract more industry players to go into milk production.

Thirteen years after, the Philippines continues to import nearly all of its milk requirements. Figures from the National Dairy Authority (NDA) indicated that the country imported 2.94 million metric tons-liquid milk equivalent (MMT-LME) of milk and dairy products. Meanwhile, local milk output last year reached 26.71 million liters. The country paid $1.08 billion for the milk and dairy products it imported last year. In the last five years, local traders shelled out some $5 billion just to buy their milk and dairy requirements from abroad. Producers from the United States, New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands have benefited from the large dairy import bill of the Philippines. This amount should have gone to the pockets of local dairy producers, but they do not have the capacity to deliver the country’s dairy requirements. Currently, the country’s milk sufficiency level is at a dismal 1 percent (See, “P1.5 billion in budget boost for dairy program pitched,” in the BusinessMirror, September 9, 2020). Raising this to at least 10 percent would require huge investments and the implementation of policies that would encourage businessmen to place their bet on the dairy sector. The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) noted that the country would need a dairy herd of 2.4 million heads, of which 800,000 would be devoted to producing milk to meet the demand for dairy products. However, the country’s dairy animal stock is pegged at only 20,000 cattle and carabaos, which produce about 1 percent of the country’s total requirements. The country could not raise its milk output significantly despite the enactment of laws that sought to develop the milk industry, such as the National Dairy Development Act of 1995. To jump-start the country’s march towards milk sufficiency, PCAFI urged Congress to allocate an additional budget of P1.5 billion to the NDA. The amount will be used to fund a five-year program that can increase milk sufficiency to least 3 percent. The government would have to shell out more if it wants to increase the sufficiency level to at least 5 percent. The additional investment of P1.5 billion that the industry needs pales in comparison to the P250 billion spent by the country importing dairy products in the last five years. Giving the milk industry the support it requires would entice businessmen to invest in milk production, which would create more jobs. More importantly, the development of the local milk sector would help reduce poverty incidence in the countryside as farmers would have an additional source of income. Since 2005

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An evening with Chito Gascon, Voltes V and human rights Dennis Gorecho

Kuwentong Peyups

nternational Human Rights Day in the Philippines was celebrated this year without the presence of human rights icon Chito Gascon.

December 10 each year is known as Human Rights Day, the very day when, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration set out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all of us, everywhere around the world, are entitled. It guarantees our rights without distinction of nationality, place of residence, gender, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status. At the time of his untimely demise on October 9, 2021 due to Covid-19 at the age of 57, he was the chairman of the constitutional body Commission on Human Rights (CHR), having been appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino III in 2015. I entered UP in 1987 when Chito just served his term as Chairperson of the UP Diliman Student Council from 1985 to 1986. He led his fellow students in active-non-violent protest actions,

which contributed to and culminated in the People Power Revolution and the ouster of Marcos in 1986. Chito was affiliated with Nagkaisang Tugon (TUGON), the perennial rival of our group Sandigan Para sa Mag-aaral at Sambayanan as major student political parties during my UP student days in the 1980s and 1990s. His wife, Melissa Mercado, is from SAMASA. SAMASA and TUGON were established when students’ movement was at its peak to defend their democratic rights to organize inside and even outside campus grounds. The campus molded us to fight for the causes we believe in; trained us for the skills we need to communicate ideas and rally others to effect changes in society. The UP student activism has taught us the vision of service to the people, which Chito has passionately pursued until his death. Later, Gascon represented the youth as the youngest delegate to the 1986 Constitutional Convention,

Chito was part of the team that won the country’s first-ever Jessup International Cup in 1995 held in New York. They were not allowed by the team coach to bring any notes with them, not even index cards, during the debates. The judges were impressed because they looked confident, and they were the only team that argued based on knowledge.

which prepared the 1987 Philippine Constitution. He then served as the youngest member of the 8th Congress from 1990 to 1992. Chito finished his law degree from UP College of Law in 1996, which is also my batch celebrating its silver jubilee this year. Chito was part of the team that won the country’s first-ever Jessup International Cup in 1995 held in New York. They were not allowed by the team coach to bring any notes with them, not even index cards, during the debates. The judges were impressed because they looked confident, and they were the only team that argued based on knowledge. Chito faced challenges as CHR head ensuring the promotion, protection, and preservation of human rights enshrined in the Constitution. He endured Duterte’s threats and ridicule as the CHR monitored the government’s bloody war on drugs. The last time I had a face to face encounter with Chito was during the

Japanese robots exhibition in May 2018 by fellow SAMASA Toym Imao at the UP Diliman Library. Toym’s exhibit showed simplistic childish grudge, the deprivation to kids born in the 1970s of freedom to watch a show we love. From June 4, 1977 to March 25, 1978, we eagerly awaited the robot cartoon series everyday at 6 p.m.: Mekanda on Monday, Daimos on Tuesday, Mazinger Z on Wednesday, UFO Grendizer on Thursday, and finally Voltes V on Friday. The Japanese cartoons are inseparable from the discussion on martial law and the Marcos regime as these series carry the notions of revolution and resistance. Voltes V was about an alien race of horned humans from the planet Boazania out to conquer Earth. It was up to Voltes V to defeat the Boazanians’ giant robots, known as beast fighters, sent to destroy the planet. Boazania was also under dictatorial rule from a despotic emperor, who faced an uprising from Boazanians who were discriminated against and enslaved simply because they had no horns. In 1978, shortly before the series finale, Marcos issued a directive banning Voltes V and other similarly themed anime series due to concerns about “excessive violence.” It was believed that the series were taken off the air due to their revolutionary undertones. In 2012, Marcos’ son Bongbong defended his father’s decision to See “Gorecho,” A11

Moscow’s rocky relationship with Nato alliance By Vladimir Isachenkov | Associated Press

OSCOW—A Russian military buildup near Ukraine has raised fears in Kyiv and the West that Moscow might invade its neighbor.

The tensions over Ukraine come amid a new low in relations between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato), which once were so warm that President Vladimir Putin even floated the prospect of his country joining the military alliance. A look at Russia-Nato ties:

Cold war & communism’s collapse

For decades throughout the Cold War, the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies in Central and Eastern Europe were locked in a tense standoff with Nato. That confrontation eased in the 1980s when Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev moved to reform the Soviet Union and encouraged democratic reforms in East bloc countries. Gorbachev didn’t try to avert the collapse of communist regimes in those allies, and he quickly agreed to the reunification of East and West

Germany after the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall. During the talks on German reunification, Gorbachev received Western promises that Nato wouldn’t expand eastward, but he never documented those verbal pledges. Busy with political and economic crises that followed the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian President Boris Yeltsin paid little attention when Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic joined Nato in 1999. That same year, Nato’s air campaign against what is now Serbia, a Russian ally, marked the first major rift between Moscow and the military alliance since the USSR collapsed.

Putin enters with a brief thaw

After Putin succeeded Yeltsin in 2000, he moved quickly to bolster

Russia-NATO ties began to worsen in 2002 after Washington opted out of a Cold-War-era treaty banning defenses against ballistic missiles, a move Moscow saw as a potential threat to its nuclear deterrent. The US war in Iraq in 2003 drew strong criticism from Moscow and further strained relations. Russia grumbled further when Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined NATO in 2004.

relations with the West, even testing the grounds for Russia to possibly join Nato. Lord George Robertson, who was Nato’s secretary-general in 19992004, recently recalled how Putin asked him when the alliance was going to invite Russia and how he was offended when Robertson replied that Moscow would have to apply for membership, just like any other candidate.

Putin later said Nato was unwilling to embrace Russia because the West feared its power and independent stance. While exploring possible Nato membership, Putin also moved to forge closer political and security ties with Washington and its allies. After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Putin was the first foreign leader to call then-US President George W. Bush, offering assistance. He quickly welcomed the US military deployment to bases in former Soviet republics in Central Asia for the war in Afghanistan. In another goodwill gesture, Putin moved to shut Sovietera bases in Cuba and Vietnam. Even though Moscow’s Nato bid never materialized, Russia and the alliance agreed in 2002 to establish a council to coordinate policies and cooperate on fighting terrorism and other issues.

A chill returns

Russia-Nato ties began to worsen in 2002 after Washington opted out of a Cold-War-era treaty banning defenses against ballistic missiles, See “Moscow,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

All systems go: Addressing ‘return to office hesitancy’ first

The Terror in You

By Jose Carmelo Porciuncula

his is not the first time we have gone through a pandemic. In 1918, 101 years before the first recorded infection of Covid-19, the world witnessed over 1 billion cases of Spanish Flu that caused 50 million deaths across the globe. Back then, no vaccines were successfully developed, leaving isolation and disinfection the only defenses against the disease until it “faded away” two years later. If there is one fact that was emphasized after four pandemics in the last century, it is that people always find ways to adapt, live through it, and move on. As the Philippine government steadily rolls out its vaccination program and implements looser quarantine restrictions, more social mobility and economic activity were observed. The country is pegged to post the strongest rebound in Southeast Asia in 2022. While many are anticipating and are hopeful of a “sense of normal,” one important aspect to address is the hesitancy of people to fully go back to their pre-pandemic routines. After years under strict lockdown, millions of deaths, and countless cases of lingering health conditions, many workers still express fear and anxiety to go outside and be surrounded by crowds despite being vaccinated against the virus. In the US, a survey conducted by NPR/PBR NewsHour/MaristPoll found that most of the respondents are still not comfortable in going back to pre-pandemic activities including spending time in bars (69%), attending concerts or sporting events (65%), and participating in religious gatherings (54%). However, the same poll found that of the 1,115 American adults surveyed, 86% said that they are at least “somewhat comfortable” heading back to the office and resume in-person work post-Covid. Local surveys found that 56 percent of Filipino employees are most likely to be back in the office by 2022 and shared that while remote work is an available option, having a physical workplace is still ideal. Companies that are preparing for employee reentry in the next few months must ensure a comprehensive approach to bouncing back to the new normal. Business leaders must be able to identify effective solutions and inspire new practices that will turn into habits as employees return to the workplace. Psychologists and behavioral scientists suggest encouraging people to focus on what they will be gaining by returning to the office and giving members of the organization enough time to adjust to the changing social and public health circumstances. An office is not just a mere space for work, it is the core of a company, a symbol of community and collaboration for most employees. Covid-19 has also presented an unprecedented challenge to all professionals involved in managing and maintaining buildings. Property and asset managers are not only implementors of IATF-mandated protocols in the workplace, they are also people that ensure all systems are clear before reopening. While the global health crisis seemed like a survival of the fittest in business, it also laid a new groundwork for asset managers in evaluating structural integrity and mitigating risks as buildings and establishments prepare for a sudden surge in reoccupancy. Similar to how people get ready to reintegrate themselves into the “new normal” society, properties need to prepare as well. Commer-

Gorecho. . .

continued from A10

ban Voltes V, stating that parents were worried about the excessive violence in the show, so Marcos pulled the robot-based animated series from television to appease their demands. The villain characters from Planet Boazania symbolized how the gov-

cial and retail establishments are considered “living things” by the people who maintain their systems to function. Buildings are designed and engineered to sustain the extremes of what they can handle— from their physical loading capacity up to their utilities. When the pandemic happened and prolonged lockdowns were implemented, majority of buildings were forced to operate way below their design criteria. Majority of property owners held off spending on repairs and asset maintenance activities to focus on Covid-19 efforts and expenses. Others have cut costs due to budget restraints during lockdowns, while some argue that building maintenance is not a priority when it is vacated. Periods of low or no occupancy can be challenging for building systems as deviation from standard operations may increase the risk of water system failures, fires, mold growth, pest infestation, and other complications that can lead to health hazards and bigger asset damage in the long run. A full systems audit should be a priority when buildings prepare for a structure’s reopening. Correct procedure needs to be taken when reopening systems that cover HVAC and ventilation, electrical and power, vertical transport, and plumbing. Public health experts are urging landlords across the globe to evaluate and carefully re-open properties to prevent other outbreaks from happening. In a report, medical experts express their concern for the possible emergence of Legionnaire’s Disease, a more severe and sometimes lethal form of pneumonia. This respiratory threat is caused by the lack of chlorinated water flowing through pipes, combined with irregular temperature changes, common in longvacated spaces. As athletes need to gradually warm-up before training again after an injury, commercial buildings, retail establishments, residential developments, and other real estate properties need ample time and correct preparation before they can operate “business as usual.” Addressing return to workplace hesitancy should not only focus on implementing Covid-19 measures but should also entail a comprehensive preparation by landlords by including proper full systems audit in their business continuity plan. Without proper asset management, there is always the uncertainty of system reliability and the risks in a sudden reopening will always be present. At the end of the day, a property, without the people in it, remains just a structure. Its value is maintained by investing in property management that focuses not just on maintaining its structural integrity and functions but puts the health and safety of its occupants first. Jose Carmelo Porciuncula is KMC Savills’ Executive Director for Investor Services. Aside from the execution of his leadership roles, he is mainly responsible for the overall management and longterm business viability of the company including the assessment of investment opportunities and the sale of high-net-worth property transactions. ernment tried to control the freedom of Filipinos in the past and the ensuing human rights violations. The popular line associated with Voltes V, “Let’s Volt In,” is timely and appropriate with the return of the Marcoses in Philippine politics. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

nder the prevailing climate of impunity, the Philippine government has opted to add another layer of danger and abuse. With the Supreme Court recently upholding the constitutionality in bulk of the Anti-Terrorism Act, the ordinary Juan appears to be shoved off the cliff from which he was hanging for dear life since his memory could recall. The unconstitutionality of only two provisions was regarded by many as a mere token. I agree. Struck down as not congruent to Philippine Constitution are the items on political dissent (activism and protesting) and the designation of terrorists by other entities including international organizations. Unfortunately, the detention of suspects without judicial warrant for up to 24 days and the surveillance for up to 90 days were upheld as valid. Further, the apparent foreboding powers of the AntiTerrorism Council also remained as valid. The Supreme Court decision barely doused the fire of fear. Undoubtedly, our country has legitimate security threats, domestic and otherwise. But, adopting a new law that is prone to abuse invites less peace and little order, especially at the hands of poorly trained security forces. Far from being aligned with a left-leaning group, I nonetheless agree with it when AKBAYAN succinctly stressed that the government cannot defeat terrorism by terrorizing the people and stifling human rights. When martial law was imposed for more than a decade, terrorist groups ironically got stronger in numbers and in influence largely due to the human rights abuses perpetrated by ill-trained law enforcers. Even without martial law, the past five years of “kill, kill, and kill” approach, characterized by unjustified and unexplained killings of suspects have not created a dent on the strength of anti-government forces. Due to President Duterte’s all out war on drugs, a number of police officers may have conveniently forgotten basic rules of engagement such as the valid grounds for warrantless arrests and the reading of Miranda rights during custodial investigation. Instead, some law enforcers have illegally arrested plain suspects in violation of Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure and, worse, have killed a significant number, citing self-defense as a reason by saying that these suspects resisted arrest and “nanlaban kasi.” Worse, civilians pretending to be

Moscow. . .

continued from A10

a move Moscow saw as a potential threat to its nuclear deterrent. The US war in Iraq in 2003 drew strong criticism from Moscow and further strained relations. Russia grumbled further when Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined Nato in 2004. Tensions between the West and Russia mounted in 2004 over the Orange Revolution protests in Ukraine that forced the cancellation of a fraud-tinged election victory of a Kremlin-backed presidential candidate. The Kremlin viewed those protests and the earlier ouster of an unpopular leader in the former Soviet republic of Georgia as Westerninspired meddling in what it considered Russia’s backyard. In a watershed speech at a security conference in Munich, Germany, in 2007, Putin sharply criticized US moves around the world, saying Washington “has overstepped its national borders in every way,” and called Nato’s eastward expansion “a serious provocation.”

Russia-Georgia war

Russia complained vociferously

police have reportedly barged into private homes, in clear violation of the search and seizure requirements under the Bill of Rights, and have apprehended drug suspects—all in compliance with a mere “marching order” from the President. What more with the new law on antiterrorism that grants government with unbridled authority to arrest and detain “terrorist suspects” for an extended period to boot! With legal provisions already in place in the Revised Penal Code, the Local Government Code, and a plethora of special laws, the Philippines may need better implementation measures instead of another law to respond to security issues. The way I see the root cause of dissent, from the point of view of a former Army intelligence officer who hunted down communist insurgents and ultra-rightist groups and a lawyer whose academic writings include a dissertation analyzing the legality of the Interrogation Methods employed by the US Army in the Global War on Terror and a thesis entitled “Warrantless Arrests in Intelligence Operations Affecting National Security” published by the Ateneo Human Rights Center, the ultimate challenge lies in the values of both the authorities and the people they swore to serve and protect. The system needs “medicine,” not by way of another law but by how current laws have been administered to cure the sickness of violent dissent. As a lieutenant, I remember some kind of Special Operations Training where police and military forces were practically immersed with the community for about two to three days with the objective of increasing their respective awareness about the law and government programs. I can vividly remember the positive impact on the civilian populace in Bataan where we conducted several SOT in the rebel-infested municipalities of Orani, Samal, and Abucay. Supporters and sympathizers of the insurgency as well as left-leaning groups in these areas became more centrist as they when Nato promised membership to Ukraine and Georgia at a summit in Bucharest, Romania, in April 2008, seeing it as a blow to its vital security interests. Four months later, Russia routed Georgia in a five-day war that erupted when the South Caucasus nation used force to try to reclaim control over the Moscow-backed separatist province of South Ossetia. Russia quickly recognized South Ossetia and another Georgian rebel province, Abkhazia, as independent nations and bolstered its military foothold there.

Ukrainian conflict brings moves and countermoves

IN 2014, Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych was driven from power by mass demonstrations that broke out when he decided to ditch an agreement with the European Union, in favor of closer ties with Moscow. Russia responded by annexing Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and backing separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine’s industrial heartland, known as the Donbas. The conflict, now in its eighth year, has killed over 14,000 people, and efforts to seek a political settlement have failed. Moscow denies any involvement, saying any Russians involved in the fighting are volunteers joining the

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 A11

The terror is in you and me. Let us put it bluntly. Our cerebral references typically run against the nucleus of our values. I have seen people sashay through the ice of corruption, of lies, of misappropriating properties, of speaking indecently, of spreading fake news, to name a few. We are at the realm of making imprudent decisions to the extent of voting candidates whose characters have yet to be studied diligently. Incredibly resonant is our penchant for lethargy—allowing evil to rule and control. In the end, we regret not doing anything until such failure becomes the source of a huge problem. And that, in itself, is the terror we have created. saw the soft side of the supposed ferocious looking soldiers in fatigue uniforms. Training is a critical ingredient in improving implementation of law enforcement rules, especially in technical intelligence. Our justice system can be strengthened with some kind of hands-on or community immersion programs where judges and prosecutors can be briefed or actually exposed to how security operations against terrorist groups are being done on the ground. We certainly have to improve the system, by enhancing the implementation of the law and not by changing it. Take the case of an akyat bahay gang. At that very moment of robbing a house in the darkest of nights, which concerns an “akyat-bahay” gang member the most—the penalty for the crime of robbery or the presence of police authorities within his vicinity? Under this circumstance, modifying the law, say an increased penalty in the law against robbery, may not be an effective deterrent compared to an effective and fully functioning police department. In the same vein, a new anti-terror law might not provide a better remedy. Nonetheless, much as the Supreme Court has seemingly opted to disregard the statistics depicting the unexplained killings pertaining to the current administration’s war on drugs, the danger for abuse remains unless genuine reforms are initiated by those in key leadership positions. The same fabric of impotence, where suspects die or get tortured (24 day detention is simply too long before being charged) will surely permeate our systems with this Anti-Terror Law unless appropriate reorientation of the mindset of those enforcing the law will accompany its implementation. separatists. The US and its allies then slapped Moscow with sanctions, and Nato halted all practical cooperation with Moscow, bolstering its forces near Russia. The Kremlin denounced those deployments and drills near its borders as a security threat. In October, Russia suspended its mission at Nato and ordered the closure of the alliance’s office in Moscow after Nato withdrew the accreditation of eight Russian officials to its Brussels headquarters over their alleged ties to Russian intelligence. Tensions soared last month amid the Russian troop buildup near Ukraine. Putin has denied planning such an attack but sought a Western pledge that Nato wouldn’t incorporate Ukraine into the alliance or deploy its forces there—an expansion he described as a “red line” for Moscow. In a video call last week, US President Joe Biden warned Putin of “severe consequences” if Russia invades Ukraine, but promised to hold consultations to address Russian concerns.

Next steps for Nato, Russia

Nato’s credibility hinges on its common defense guarantee, known as Article 5, under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on them all, and its commit-

Like the United States where a large number of people accused of terrorism-related crimes have been American citizens or legal residents (83 percent, per a 2021 statistics), our country’s perceived terrorists may be as Filipino as adobo, being majority homegrown. Some Filipinos engage in terrorism, out of sheer radicalism or revenge against atrocities. There can never be a straightforward explanation as to why extremists proliferate in any society, especially in the Philippines where the rights to life, liberty, and property are generally respected. Yet one thing remains —terrorism is within our midst. As Immanuel Kant puts it, “From the crooked timber of humanity not a straight thing was ever made.” The terror is in you and me. Let us put it bluntly. Our cerebral references typically run against the nucleus of our values. I have seen people sashay through the ice of corruption, of lies, of misappropriating properties, of speaking indecently, of spreading fake news, to name a few. We are at the realm of making imprudent decisions to the extent of voting candidates whose characters have yet to be studied diligently. Incredibly resonant is our penchant for lethargy—allowing evil to rule and control. In the end, we regret not doing anything until such failure becomes the source of a huge problem. And that, in itself, is the terror we have created. Edmund Burke nailed it when he said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” A Biblical verse is apropos: “If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,” won’t He who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t He who protects your life know? Won’t He repay a person according to his work?” (Proverbs 24:10-12). While we avoid adversity and hardships, we know that they gauge the intensity of our faith in the power of God. It is blessed to be distressed! In our respective and humble ways, one step at a time, we can extinguish all forms of “terror” within by training our minds to be like Him. A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

ment to offer membership to any European country that can contribute to security in Europe and North America. But both Ukraine and Georgia have unresolved conflicts on their territories, and bringing them in now would oblige all 30 member countries to spring to their defense militarily. Russia wants the West to make a legal pledge not to deploy forces and weapons to Ukraine, and the Russian Foreign Ministry demanded last week that Nato rescind its 2008 pledge to accept Ukraine and Georgia as members. The US and other Nato allies rejected Russia’s demands. “Nato’s relationship with Ukraine is going to be decided by the 30 Nato allies and Ukraine, no one else,” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last week. Putin countered Nato’s argument by saying that while Ukraine is free to decide its security arrangements, those shouldn’t threaten Russia. “Every country certainly has the right to choose the most acceptable way of ensuring its security, but it must be done in a way that doesn’t infringe on the interests and undermine security of other countries, in this case Russia,” Putin said. “Security must be global and equally cover everyone.” Associated Press writer Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed.

A12 Wednesday, December 15, 2021

ANOTHER LAW DEAN CITES FLAWS IN CASES FILED VS. BONGBONG

US-based Filipino lawyer who is also the dean of Northwestern University College of Law has dismantled the issues raised in each of the seven petitions to cancel the Certificate of Candidacy of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. Atty. Emmanuel Samonte Tipon wrote an opinion piece providing legal arguments against the petitions seeking to cancel or deny due course to Marcos’s COC, or that he be declared as a nuisance candidate. He said there is no serious question that Marcos meets the requirements under Article VII, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution: “No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election.” Tipon added that Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, which states: “Any person who has...been sentenced ...or a crime involving moral turpitude, shall be disqualified to be a candidate and to hold any office,” does not supplement the 1987 Constitution and therefore does not modify the eligibility requirements for the Presidency. The law dean also believes that Marcos is not disqualified under Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) for having been sentenced to pay only a fine for not filing income tax returns since it is not a crime involving moral turpitude. “Marcos is not disqualified under OEC Sec. 12 because it does not define what constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude. Therefore, like beauty, a ‘crime involving moral turpitude’ is in the eye of the beholder. This

makes the statute unconstitutionally void for vagueness and violates the due process provision of the Constitution,” Tipon said. He pointed out that the Supreme Court “specifically held” that Marcos’s “failure to file an income tax return is not a crime involving moral tur pitude,” hence, he was not disqualified from becoming an executor of his father’s will back in 2009. The law dean also held that Marcos did not make any material misrepresentation when he marked No in Question 22 of the COC form. Tipon said, “Question 22 is not relevant to the eligibility requirements for President specified in the Constitution because a conviction for any offense does not automatically bar eligibility.” Tipon is the latest among legal luminaries, who are neither Marcos supporters nor lawyering for him, who have rendered opinions deeming the petitions as without legal basis or mere nuisance. Last month, Ateneo Law Professor and former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra said the disqualification case against Marcos has no basis and is unlikely to move forward. UST College of Law Dean Nilo Divina said that the petition filed against Marcos’s COC would likely fail because it is defective in form and lacks sufficient legal basis. Last week, more than a dozen lawyers from Ateneo who are members of the Fraternal Order of Utopia offered their free services to Marcos as part of his vote protection team. Tipon was a Fulbright and Smith-Mundt scholar when he took up his Master of Laws at Yale Law School. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. He practices federal law and is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court, New York, and the Philippines.

Owwa funds for quarantine hotels running out at year-end By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM

Special to the BusinessMirror

UNDS to pay for the quarantine hotel stays of overseas Filipino workers returning from abroad are expected to run out by the end of the year, but hoteliers expressed optimism that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) will honor the bookings.

In a news conference Tuesday, Philippine Hotel Owners Association President Arthur Lopez said, “There is an administrative problem with Owwa but they have been paying [us], and now they’ve been trying to catch up with the backlog of requirements to put together the checks. Of course, there are two or three hotels that have not received anything in the last maybe, two months. But we’re always in touch with Owwa administrator Hans Cacdac, who has been very, very supportive and very efficient, and he is really pushing his people to process the payments.” He added, however, “ T hey [Owwa] have money, but the budget is only until the end of the year. But I’m sure being election

time, the politicians will not let the OFWs down because…that’s a very important sector in the election.” With the huge number of OFWs arriving, he added, “it’s very difficult for them [Owwa] to catch up in the processing of the checks,” even more so, he said this December, “when the volume of OFWs will double.” He gave no indication how much exactly Owwa still owed the quarantine hotels, but in the past, the amounts reached as much as P241 million. (See, “Hotels may stop hosting OFWs on Owwa’s P241million arrears,” in the BusinessMirror, November 4, 2020.)

‘Improve hotel ratings system’

PHOA is also working on a project

to improve the current hotel-rating system of the government. “The key objective is to make sure our standards are globally competitive [and] internationally recognized,” according to PHOA Executive Director Benito C. Bengzon Jr, former Undersecretary for Tourism Development Planning at the Department of Tourism. The hotel owners group has established a technical working group composed of “a group of experts with many, many years of experience in [hotel] operations,” he added, to study the matter and put together their recommendations. Lopez underscored the importance and practicality of benchmarking the country’s hotel ratings with other countries, “that will easily be understood by consumers.” He added, “I’m not saying anything against the [DOT’s] star rating, but we need to improve on it…. And our role is to present it to the DOT for their consideration. If they want to use it, we’ll be very happy. If not, then we start all over.” He noted that in most countries, the private sector accords the ratings of hotels, not the government. Under the DOT’s star-rating system, private consultants are employed to assess the establishments applying for accreditation. A number of hotels have complained

in the past, however, about the alleged arbitrariness of the ratings. Founded in 1977, PHOA has 308 members nationwide.

Travel deals for ‘balikbayans’

MEANWHILE, balikbayans (homecoming Filipinos) can get discounts of as much as 50 percent on hotel resort rates on balikan.ph, DOT’s one-stop shop for promos. The web site is under the “Balikan ang Pilipinas” campaign of the DOT to encourage overseas Filipinos and OFWs to come home for the holidays to rediscover the Philippines with their loved ones, according to a news statement from the agency. “Through the balikan.ph we can offer great travel deals from airlines and DOT-accredited hotels, resorts, and tour operators to our balikbayans and their families. This is one way to make their visit here more affordable and fun, especially after a long separation caused by the pandemic,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat. The web site aggregates all information on travel promotions and packages offered by airlines, hotels, tour operators and the like. Balikbayans are encouraged to regularly check the site for updated list and details of travel deals. The DOT campaign will run until March 2022.

Smuggling of farm products: BOC, BPI grilled by senators By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ENATE probers looking into unabated smuggling of agriculture products pressed the Bureau of Customs to render a report on brazen “repeat violators” moving contraband produce into the country’s ports. Senator Risa Hontiveros, at the hearing of the Senate convening as a Committee of the Whole, asked the Bureau of Customs to “submit an investigative report as to why repeat violators of agricultural smuggling remain brazen in their attempts to move contraband produce into the country.” Hontiveros referred to a matrix from the BOC on government operations on smuggled agricultural products, noting that based on the report, at least four companies stood out for their repeated transactions. “Kapansin-pansin ang Zhenpin, Thousand Sunny Enterprise, Dua Te Mira, at Gingarnion Agri Trading,” the senator observed, adding that “these companies were involved in at least P400 million worth of smuggled vegetables. Ibig sabihin, halos kalahati ng [That means, in half of the] P800-million

reported apprehensions [of] BOC, [these four area] involved.” At the same Committee of the Whole hearing, senators castigated Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) officials for allowing the importation of Korean strawberries unloaded in Cebu even as there was ample harvests of strawberries from Benguet. The BPI is mandated to issue a phytosanitary clearance for imported agriculture products, including fruits and vegetables. Sen. Panfilo Lacson confronted BPI Director Ariel Bayot on why the BPI was killing the local farm products like carrots, noting observations they are intentionally allowing entry of imported carrots during the local harvest season. Agot Balanoy, public relations officer of the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas, told senators they were able to obtain BPI documents allowing the importation of Korean strawberries for Cebu, but such were declared as “ornamental plants.” Senators were told it was purportedly intended for Koreans in Cebu but the same could be bought in high-end groceries and malls in the city. Continued on A8

CMMA CALL ON CARDINAL Trustees of the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA), headed by its chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon (2nd from left), paid a courtesy call on Manila Archbishop and CMMA Honorary Chairman Jose Cardinal Advincula (center) at the Archbishop’s Palace in Intramuros, Manila on December 9. The meeting coincided with the taping for the virtual presentation of the 43rd Catholic Mass Media Awards. Also present at the meeting were (L-R) Ms. Sharon Tan, Fr. Rufino Sescon, Jr., CMMA executive director; and Fr. Joselito Buenafe, chairman of CMMA Production.The 43rd Catholic Mass Media Awards Virtual Presentation will be aired on CNN Philippines on free TV and TV Maria on cable this month, and will also premiere on the official Facebook Page of the CMMA.

SIM card bill hurdles Senate 2nd reading vote

HE Senate passed on second reading Tuesday a bill imposing registration of cell phone SIM cards, inching closer to a a final vote on a proposed law requiring mandatory listing of cellular phone owners. Once it is assed into law, all cell phone owners, both prepaid or post-paid, will be obliged to register their cellphones, making mandatory registration of all subscriber identification module (SIM) card for all cellphone owners. Under Senate Bill 2395, both sellers and resellers of SIM cards will be required to take down the name, address and birthday of the SIM card owner as well as the SIM card buyer, who will also be required to produce government-

issued ID or other proof of identity. It also provides that “active” SIM cards are required to register within one year once the enabling legislation is passed into law. As proposed, active SIM cards or those in use are obliged to be registered within one year soon as the bill is passed into law. The proposed law also provides that those who fail to register SIM cards can be “deactivated” or cut off by the telecommunication company or telco. It adds that the name and information about the buyer will be provided by the public telecommunications entity or telco that will input the details in a centralized database where ac-

cess will be provided to the National Telecommunications Commission and Department of Information and Communications Technology. However, the information about the SIM card buyer will be treated as confidential and cannot be divulged unless required by a court or a legitimate investigation. As provided in SB 2395, a SIM card buyer who provides a fake name or information can be jailed for six to 12 years, while the seller or reseller who illegally discloses information will be fined as much as P200,000. At the same time, the proposal added a provision obliging social media account providers to require a real

name and phone number of the creator of the social media account. According to Senator Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Service that endorsed the proposal, the objective is to neutralize crimes committed using cellphones and other electronic devices, such as terrorism, text scam, unsolicited-indecent-at-obscene text messages, libel, bank fraud, trolling, anonymous online defamation, fake news and digital disinformation. The Senate passage of the bill on third and final reading will pave the way for a bicameral conference committee to be convened, as a counterpart bill has been passed by the House of Representatives. Butch Fernandez

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

DITO aims to raise ₧11.2B from stock rights offering

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

ITO CME Holdings Corp., the country’s third telco led by Davao businessman Dennis Uy, will start its P11.21-billion stock rights offering (SRO) before the year ends. Udenna Corp., Uy’s holding firm, will not participate in the mandatory first and second rounds of offering to provide maximum availability of rights shares to existing shareholders. According to its registration statement, DITO will offer some 1.69 billion in common shares, which it will take out from the unissued authorized capital stock, to all its existing shareholders at an indicative price of P4.88 to P6.88 apiece.

At that price range, the company will raise P7.95 billion to P11.21 billion in fresh capital. “The proceeds from the SRO will be contributed by the company as additional capital into DITO Telecommunity to support a successful commercial-roll-out and for general corporate purposes,” the company said. DITO has already secured approval from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) for its SRO.

Its offer will start on December 27 through January 18 next year. The shares will be listed on the PSE on January 26. China Bank Capital Corp. has been tapped as the sole underwriter for the deal. DITO’s share price was last traded at P5.87 apiece. “In just a short span of time, DITO Telecommunity has been able to quickly roll out its network in order to offer fast, reliable and wide-reaching telecommunications services to the Filipino consumer. We are delivering on that commitment,” company chairman Uy said during DITO’s stockholders’ meeting earlier this month. “We are very pleased that in less than a year since its commercial launch, DITO Telecommunity is fast approaching 5 million mobile subscribers, present in over 500 cities and municipalities and has more than 3,300 cell towers up and run-

ning,” company president Ernesto R. Alberto said. “DITO Telecommunity was also able to successfully pass two technical audits and get a 25-year franchise which is good until 2048.” The company said it has laid out over 19,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable and established nearly 41,000 sales channels. “Our three digital businesses have also grown very quickly this year. Luna Academy is now one of the leading online educational platforms catering to professionals with over 3,000 registered online and increasing rapidly. Acuity Global has partnered with several local and international high-caliber partners like Facebook, Google and TikTok among others,” Alberto said. “Unalytics has also been able to secure several contracts with some of the largest corporations in the Philippines providing them with value-creating analytics solutions. This is just the beginning.”

Nlex, CRBC ink deal for road project By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

lex Corp. said on Tuesday it has signed an agreement with China Road and Bridge Corp. (CRBC) for the civil works of the second section of the Nlex Connector, a segment that will run between Espana and Sta. Mesa in Manila. The company broke ground for the three-kilometer elevated expressway segment on Tuesday. “We are committed to provide the necessary right-of-way for this project as we target to complete this segment by end of 2022. Upon completion, the Nlex Connector will enable Manila Ports to have a seamless north-south connection and provide further convenience to motorists with the decongestion of major thoroughfares like Edsa and C5,”

Public Works Secretary Roger Mercado said. The entire Nlex Connector, spanning eight kilometers, uses portions of the Philippine Natioal Railways (PNR) right-of-way. It extends the expressway southward from the Nlex Harbor Link Caloocan Interchange, 5th Avenue/C3 Road passing through España Blvd., R. Magsaysay Blvd., and eventually connecting to the Skyway Stage 3 within the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila. “The Metro Pacific Group actively contributes to accelerating infrastructure development in the Philippines. This new elevated expressway hopes to support the country’s economic recovery by helping reduce traffic congestion in the metro and offering those with private cars and commercial vehicles ease of travel,” Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. President Rodrigo Franco said.

The project will enhance accessibility to international airports such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport, help generate jobs, and stimulate development between Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces in the north and south. Once opened, around 35,000 motorists are expected to traverse this new expressway which runs mostly above the PNR alignment. “Together with our government partners, we remain steadfast in ramping up this high impact elevated expressway that will benefit the motoring public and nearby communities,” Nlex Corp. President Luigi Bautista said. He added that the construction of the first five-kilometer section of the project between Caloocan and España interchanges continues to progress “with close to 60 percent completion.”

Cebu Pacific’s Aplus unveils improved hangar

Contributed photo

viation Partnership Philippines (Aplus), a whollyowned subsidiary of Cebu Pacific, inaugurated on Tuesday an improved hangar to better serve its airline customers, just in time for the expected recovery of the aviation industry after the pandemic lockdowns that grounded the sector. Aplus is a key player in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business in the aviation industry. It provides services such as line maintenance, light aircraft checks, technical ramp handling to Cebu Pacific and other carriers with hubs in Manila, Cebu, Davao and Clark, apart from secondary airports in the Philippines. Therenovationofthe3,112-square meter hangar was completed in November 2021. The Aplus hangar can cater to the A320 and ATR aircraft, and designed for the A321neo as well. It will be used to perform the

phased C-Checks. A C-Check, which is performed approximately every 20-24 months, or a specific number of actual flight hours (FH), requires a large majority of the aircraft’s components to be inspected. This check puts the aircraft out of service for 1–2 weeks. The aircraft must not leave the maintenance site until it is completed. “This is a milestone not only for Cebu Pacific but more so for our subsidiary, Aplus. This inauguration is very timely and in line with the airline’s preparations for the expected recovery of the aviation industry,” said Michael Ivan Shau, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Cebu Pacific. This strategic move gives Cebu Pacific optimization of cost when it comes to logistics and ferry cost, compared to sending their aircraft to Clark or to any regional MRO, as well as other checks requiring a hangar.

“The Aplus hangar will allow for a reduced turnaround time for our existing and future airline customers. Working under a roof will surely boost personnel productivity and further enhance the quality of our services,” said Aplus General Manager Rico Ugdoracion. Aside from Aplus’ continuous drive to get more foreign airline customers for its transit business, it also intends to work on getting other local airlines as clients. “Having a hangar will give our foreign airline customers confidence that in case their aircraft gets grounded in Manila, a hangar can be provided by Aplus to perform the needed maintenance activities for aircraft recovery,” added Ugdoracion. Cebu Pacific acquired Aplus in November 2020 as part of its move to optimize operations in line with ensuring the airline is on a strong path to recovery.

Globe offers to help hospitals go digital

lobe Telecom Inc. said on Tuesday that the healthcare industry may consider upgrading the hospital standards in maintaining patient records through integrated hospital information systems (HIS). Globe Business MSME Group Strategy and Marketing Head Maridol Ylanan said integrated hospital information systems promote “seamless collaborations” between departments and physicians while keeping patient records up to date. They also ease up the hospital’s accounting, finance, and total hospital management tasks by digitizing clinical records, laboratory information management up to back-end processes. “This upgrade may become a hospital standard in maintaining a manual records system because manual encoding puts patient records at risk of loss or mismanagement and is very tedious and time-consuming for our healthcare professionals,” she said.

Ylanan noted that private companies are now using Globe Business’ Hospital Information System (HIS), which digitalizes a number of processes in the hospitals. She listed companies that have tapped Globe Business for their HIS as: San Miguel Corp.; Suyen Inc.; Manila Diagnostic Center for OFW; Manila Healthtek Inc.; Bacolod Adventist Medical Center; Dadiangas Medical Center in South Cotabato; Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City; Tarlac Medical City; and Premiere Medical Center-Nueva Ecija branch. “This digital solution for hospitals is now cost-effective and accessible, as Globe Business partnered with BPI Business Banking to offer the Business Technology Loan Program, an exclusive term loan facility specifically built to make Globe Business digital solutions accessible through flexible payment terms,” Ylanan said. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Companies BusinessMirror

Greencore Power to expand solar project in Pampanga

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

reencore Power Solutions 3, Inc., the joint venture between AC Energy Corp. (ACEN) and Citicore Solar Energy Corp., is expanding its solar power project in Pampanga. In a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday, ACEN said its board has approved an investment in and construction of a 43.5-megawatt (MW) solar power plant project in Arayat and Mexico, Pampanga. No other details were provided.

When sought for comment, the company said the 43.5MW solar project is an expansion of an existing project in the same location. Early this year, they broke ground on their 72-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Pampanga worth P2.7 billion. The Arayat-Mexico solar project

would be commissioned by the first quarter of 2022. Once completed and operational, the new solar farm will generate enough power to supply clean energy annually to approximately 45,000 homes. Officials from both firms said the solar project will be a critical contribution in Luzon, where the energy industry is working double time to ensure a steady power supply. ACEN also disclosed that the board approved the “revisions to the loan terms of the Arayat Phase I solar project to extend the maturity of the existing loan and to increase the loan interest rate.” The board also approved a shortterm loan in favor of ACE Enexor Inc. (ACEX) of up to P150 million to fund the initial subscription of ACEX to shares in Batangas Clean Energy Inc. (BCEI), the joint venture between

ACEX and Red Holdings B.V. Red Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gen X Energy, which, in turn, is a portfolio company of Blackstone Inc., the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Under the deal, BCEI will be the special purpose vehicle company where ACEX and Gen X will each own a 50-percent interest in the power project, which will use natural gas and/or green hydrogen as its fuel to provide firm to power the grid to meet the country’s growing energy demand. ACEN has about 2,600 MW of attributable capacity in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Australia. It aspires to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia, with a goal of reaching 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025.

DLSL renews power supply deal with EDC

e La Salle Lipa (DLSL) has renewed its power supply contract with Energy Development Corp. (EDC) for another two years. DLSL has been enjoying reliable power at cost competitive rates since it first shifted to renewable energy with EDC in 2017. Being powered

by EDC’s Geo 24/7 from its BacMan Geothermal Inc. facility has enabled DLSL to avoid 3,870 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Dr. Erickson Martinez, Chancellor for De La Salle Lipa, represented the university during a virtual signing ceremony while EDC was represented by Marvin Kenneth

S. Bailon, head of EDC’s Business Development-Market Planning and Contracts. “Our goal of creating a sustainable future for generations to come includes providing our students with a learning environment that preserves our planet and getting power from renewables through First Gen and EDC is a crucial part of it,” said DLSL President and Chancellor, Br. Dante Jose Amisola, FSC. EDC, First Gen Corp.’s 100 percent renewable energy (RE) subsidiary, has over 1,480MW total installed capacity that accounts for 20 percent of the country’s total installed RE capacity. Its 1,181MW geothermal portfolio accounts for 62 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity and has put the Philippines on the map as the 3rd largest geothermal producer in the world.

“We are pleased to continue helping DLSL fulfill its sustainable development goals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership helps us fulfill our mission of forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future, which essentially calls for us to create exponential positive impact on the environment and society,” said Bailon. DSLS has an average monthly electricity consumption of at least 100 kilowatts. It can now choose to get power from RE sources, via the government’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP). Shifting to RE through licensed GEOP providers like First Gen and EDC’s Geo 24/7 allows entities to lower not only their electricity cost but also their carbon footprint, which is a crucial part of the solution to the climate crisis. Lenie Lectura

Starbucks launches probe in 5,400 China stores over expired food

offee giant Starbucks Corp. has ordered a full inspection of every branch in China after undercover reporters discovered staff in two of its outlets using expired ingredients. The coffee chain vowed a zerotolerance policy on food safety after the state-backed Beijing News reported that two outlets in the city of Wuxi violated standards. In footage released Monday, staff were seen removing an expiration date sticker from a bottle of chocolate sauce and replacing it with a new one printed with a later date. In another store, outof-date pastries and cacao nibs were found for sale. “We deeply apologize and will actively improve the practices. We’ll closely cooperate with the investigation and request continuous monitoring from the public and media,” Starbucks China said on its Weibo account Monday night. The company acknowledged that employees had violated the country’s operating regulations and vowed to launch a full inspection of food safety standards across all 5,400 outlets in mainland China. The topic quickly went viral on Weibo, racking up 270 million views as of Tuesday morn-

ing, sparking anger among many customers. “Please provide coffee with the quality worth the 30-40 yuan ($4.70-$6.30) price tag,” one comment read. Foreign brands often come in for criticism and boycott efforts in China, where consumer nationalism is on the rise encouraged by President Xi Jinping’s government. Earlier this month, Canada Goose Holdings Inc. saw its stock drop 14 percent over three days after being criticized by state media for giving a refund to a disgruntled customer. In a more serious instance, Swedish fashion chain H&M’s revenue there plunged after being blocked on e-commerce platforms over its stance of not using cotton sourced from Xinjiang, the western province where China is accused of human rights violations. China is one of the most important markets for growth at Seattle-based Starbucks, along with the United States. Sales at the coffee chain’s Chinese locations have been volatile amid Covid-19 resurgences and onand-off restrictions. Still, Chief Executive Officer Kevin Johnson has said the company’s long-term commitment and confidence for growth in China is unwavering. Bloomberg News

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

December 14, 2021

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

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

43.75 125.9 94.6 25.65 9.32 52 19.88 56.7 100.1 20 116.1 103.7 1.56 4.04 0.63 6.53 0.29 922 0.6 213 2,550 0.82

43.9 127 94.8 25.75 9.4 52.15 19.9 57.5 109.9 20.2 117 103.9 1.59 4.12 0.64 7.51 0.34 1,000 0.69 213.4 2,600 0.88

43.9 123.9 93.5 25.95 9.31 51.05 19.9 57.5 109.9 19.5 118.6 103 1.56 4.05 0.64 6.52 0.32 1,000 0.6 213.6 2,600 0.82

43.9 127 94.8 25.95 9.48 53 19.98 57.5 109.9 20.05 118.7 104.8 1.6 4.12 0.64 6.52 0.34 1,010 0.61 213.6 2,600 0.82

43.75 123.4 91.9 25.5 9.31 50.5 19.8 56.7 109.8 19.5 116.1 98.5 1.54 4.05 0.64 6.52 0.32 1,000 0.6 213.4 2,600 0.82

43.75 127 94.8 25.75 9.4 52.15 19.86 56.7 109.8 20 116.1 103.9 1.56 4.12 0.64 6.52 0.32 1,010 0.6 213.4 2,600 0.82

12,400 542,580 4,044,210 507,250,050 2,923,080 276,354,887.50 141,400 3,636,585 83,900 787,122 7,802,930 406,878,477 123,700 2,453,814 400 22,808 60 6,593 15,900 317,680 429,690 50,390,340 53,970 5,573,587.50 1,368,000 2,135,130 7,000 28,420 5,000 3,200 12,600 82,152 140,000 45,700 20 20,100 568,000 342,800 160 34,158 145 377,000 7,000 5,740

INDUSTRIAL

255,183,902 161,294,469.50 -531,000 -401,358 -32,776,023.50 -536,544 -7,139,480 -394,969.50 138,530 9,000 -14,952 -377,000 -

AC ENERGY 10.6 10.62 10.86 10.92 10.54 10.6 34,222,000 366,787,482 ALSONS CONS 1.05 1.09 1.05 1.09 1.05 1.09 573,000 601,730 30.5 30.55 30.5 30.6 30.05 30.55 661,600 20,141,450 ABOITIZ POWER FIRST GEN 27.95 28 28.15 28.3 27.7 28 660,700 18,533,445 72 72.4 72 72.4 71.9 72 679,250 48,905,636 FIRST PHIL HLDG 297.8 299.4 297.2 299.4 296 299.4 182,850 54,535,914 MERALCO MANILA WATER 26.05 26.1 26.5 26.5 25.8 26.05 2,213,700 57,833,095 3.19 3.2 3.25 3.25 3.18 3.19 1,094,000 3,508,720 PETRON PETROENERGY 4.02 4.15 4.02 4.02 4.01 4.01 13,000 52,230 10.42 10.94 10.8 10.94 10.42 10.94 169,300 1,844,486 PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL 19.88 20 20.4 20.4 19.82 19.88 69,500 1,385,882 SPC POWER 14.42 14.44 14.5 14.5 14.3 14.44 300,600 4,342,898 14.5 16 14.5 14.5 14.5 14.5 500 7,250 VIVANT AGRINURTURE 3.95 4.15 4.13 4.19 3.99 4.15 116,000 469,120 AXELUM 2.95 2.97 2.97 3 2.95 2.97 2,368,000 7,048,500 13.2 13.76 13.2 13.2 13.2 13.2 1,000 13,200 CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD 27.5 27.6 27.5 27.65 27.25 27.5 951,900 26,186,635 14.8 15 14.86 15 14.76 15 87,000 1,299,004 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 9.02 9.03 9.1 9.1 8.98 9.02 3,165,000 28,532,009 EMPERADOR 17.82 17.84 17.86 17.94 17.72 17.82 3,041,700 54,219,138 72 73.05 73.45 73.45 71.9 73.05 98,860 7,180,742 SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT 0.59 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.58 0.59 23,000 13,460 1.22 1.24 1.22 1.25 1.22 1.24 6,244,000 7,724,510 FRUITAS HLDG 108.6 109 107 110 107 109 95,330 10,442,380 GINEBRA JOLLIBEE 227.8 228 227.8 230 227.6 228 719,880 164,242,758 6.68 6.69 6.6 6.69 6.6 6.68 10,800 71,535 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.16 0.165 0.167 0.167 0.164 0.164 190,000 31,280 16.08 16.1 16.28 16.34 16.08 16.1 53,353,300 863,316,602 MONDE NISSIN 9.5 9.51 9.5 9.5 9.3 9.5 338,300 3,207,156 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.63 0.64 0.65 0.65 0.64 0.64 600,000 388,800 4.56 4.65 4.72 4.72 4.72 4.72 1,000 4,720 RFM CORP SWIFT FOODS 0.11 0.114 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 20,000 2,200 UNIV ROBINA 127.2 127.3 129 129 126.6 127.3 2,187,230 279,023,521 0.73 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.73 0.74 489,000 360,710 VITARICH CEMEX HLDG 1.08 1.09 1.12 1.13 1.07 1.08 16,945,000 18,253,040 14.5 14.58 14.5 14.5 14.5 14.5 1,159,300 16,809,850 EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP 6.39 6.45 6.38 6.45 6.38 6.39 57,200 366,477 HOLCIM 5.1 5.12 5.12 5.14 5.09 5.1 500,000 2,550,787 1.38 1.39 1.41 1.42 1.38 1.39 18,501,000 25,803,990 KEEPERS HLDG MEGAWIDE 5.1 5.11 5.19 5.22 5.1 5.11 529,300 2,721,012 20 20.1 20 20.5 19.74 20 259,700 5,202,687 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.78 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.78 0.78 58,000 46,490 VULCAN INDL 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.94 0.94 1,089,000 1,034,160 130.5 199.4 130.4 130.4 130.4 130.4 1,000 130,400 CHEMPHIL CROWN ASIA 1.7 1.73 1.7 1.75 1.7 1.73 6,941,000 11,801,670 4.1 4.3 4.29 4.3 4.28 4.3 14,000 60,050 MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP 5.69 5.75 5.75 5.75 5.75 5.75 8,500 48,875 CONCEPCION 20.5 21.5 20.5 20.55 20.5 20.5 6,100 125,100 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.4 2.32 2.36 7,855,000 18,566,110 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 8.29 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.15 8.29 76,000 627,330 SFA SEMICON 1.08 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.06 1.1 101,000 107,610 3.61 3.62 3.68 3.7 3.6 3.62 1,510,000 5,469,040 CIRTEK HLDG

174,348,146 -2,076,560 -4,627,545 -46,663,674.50 4,567,726 7,842,915 53,480 12,030 -109,406 -1,904,026 -355,550 -366,000 19,183,030 -4,500 -15,296,771 -3,489,544 -3,500,592.00 102,090 3,590,065 12,445,662 13,375 -94,239,274 844,435.00 308,750 -99,747,697 253,200 16,779,400 58,240 -2,284,913.00 3,412,110.00 -1,343,531 -162,450 26,100 6,150 357,580 245,415 27,400 10,920

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

-54,260 60,493,975 -115,831 17,647,622 1,763,653 895,113 11,290,956 -40,749 -30,609,185 -41,654,022.50 9,203,620 -10,150,450 9,438,866 52,617,770 402,315 121,731 -

HOLDING & FRIMS

0.97 862 58.2 12.2 6.42 0.89 0.385 5.16 7.89 7.51 564 54.7 6.11 6.12 0.63 2.95 10 3.87 1.15 1.11 13.72 961 112.2 0.62 121.2 0.235 0.167

0.99 875 58.4 12.24 6.43 0.91 0.415 5.19 7.95 7.98 570 55.15 6.3 7.2 0.67 3 10.02 3.88 1.25 1.19 13.74 968 112.5 0.66 122 0.25 0.17

0.99 853 58.35 12.3 6.25 0.89 0.385 5.17 7.9 7.99 574 55.9 6.2 6.12 0.63 2.96 10.08 3.86 1.26 1.19 13.92 959 111 0.62 121 0.235 0.178

0.99 875 58.5 12.32 6.48 0.91 0.39 5.19 7.95 7.99 577 56.3 6.2 6.12 0.67 2.96 10.16 3.91 1.26 1.19 14 977 112.9 0.62 122 0.235 0.178

0.96 851 57.7 12.12 6.16 0.89 0.385 5.15 7.77 7.5 562 54.6 6.2 6.12 0.63 2.96 9.98 3.86 1.26 1.11 13.7 941 111 0.62 121 0.235 0.178

0.99 875 58.4 12.2 6.43 0.91 0.39 5.16 7.95 7.51 564 54.7 6.2 6.12 0.67 2.96 10 3.87 1.26 1.11 13.72 968 112.5 0.62 122 0.235 0.178

1,935,000 253,500 2,698,810 7,698,200 6,727,200 24,000 1,700,000 588,300 3,747,200 22,300 135,660 2,099,820 15,000 100 72,000 3,000 2,427,200 9,781,000 5,000 3,000 5,532,000 208,280 48,810 10,000 1,180 100,000 60,000

1,892,090 219,469,515 157,329,791 94,147,412 42,880,846 21,380 655,000 3,040,824 29,514,410 169,791 76,792,010 115,816,877 93,000 612 46,090 8,880 24,293,515 37,944,480 6,300 3,410 76,331,672 201,005,060 5,484,573 6,200 143,527 23,500 10,680

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.62 0.63 0.62 0.63 0.62 0.62 263,000 163,260 AYALA LAND 35.95 36 37 37 35.55 36 7,300,000 263,832,675 1 1.03 1 1.01 1 1.01 3,000 3,010 ARANETA PROP AREIT RT 46.05 47 46 47 45 47 1,973,500 90,906,085 1.35 1.36 1.39 1.39 1.33 1.36 80,000 106,980 BELLE CORP 0.8 0.81 0.78 0.81 0.78 0.8 370,000 294,860 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.73 0.75 0.74 0.75 0.74 0.75 23,000 17,200 0.097 0.102 0.103 0.103 0.097 0.102 11,370,000 1,104,600 CROWN EQUITIES CEB LANDMASTERS 2.82 2.84 2.82 2.82 2.81 2.81 138,000 388,360 0.395 0.4 0.4 0.405 0.395 0.395 410,000 163,450 CENTURY PROP 6.96 7.05 7.14 7.14 6.91 6.96 566,400 3,972,960 DOUBLEDRAGON DDMP RT 1.79 1.8 1.79 1.8 1.79 1.79 2,280,000 4,085,040 6.72 6.75 6.7 6.75 6.65 6.75 40,500 272,470 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.255 0.265 0.265 0.265 0.255 0.265 130,000 33,450 EVER GOTESCO 0.325 0.335 0.335 0.345 0.325 0.335 23,460,000 7,929,150 7.53 7.54 7.55 7.57 7.53 7.54 23,388,900 176,356,165 FILINVEST RT FILINVEST LAND 1.11 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.11 1.12 1,206,000 1,349,250 0.83 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.83 0.84 1,166,000 973,620 GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG 11.44 11.48 11 11.44 10.5 11.44 1,769,700 19,107,094 PHIL INFRADEV 1.13 1.15 1.15 1.16 1.15 1.15 1,014,000 1,174,850 0.88 0.91 0.9 0.94 0.86 0.91 14,000 12,290 CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 3.17 3.18 3.2 3.2 3.15 3.17 4,838,000 15,366,510 0.26 0.265 0.265 0.27 0.26 0.265 4,780,000 1,272,750 MRC ALLIED MREIT RT 18.3 18.32 18.32 18.36 18.28 18.32 4,520,600 82,845,762 PHIL ESTATES 0.495 0.5 0.5 0.51 0.495 0.495 2,311,000 1,152,025 2 2.01 1.99 2.02 1.93 2 751,000 1,483,500 PRIMEX CORP RL COMM RT 7.37 7.39 7.38 7.4 7.36 7.37 11,236,000 82,872,527 18.36 18.5 18.48 18.5 18.16 18.5 1,327,000 24,414,588 ROBINSONS LAND 0.206 0.21 0.21 0.21 0.206 0.206 360,000 75,470 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.48 1.5 1.49 1.54 1.48 1.48 68,000 101,780 2.55 2.62 2.62 2.62 2.62 2.62 6,000 15,720 SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND 2.73 2.89 2.71 2.71 2.71 2.71 1,000 2,710 SM PRIME HLDG 35.4 35.5 36 36.05 34.45 35.5 5,499,200 195,242,270 3.6 3.79 3.6 3.79 3.6 3.79 21,000 75,790 VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST HOME 1.11 1.13 1.15 1.15 1.08 1.13 5,378,000 5,865,380 3.62 3.66 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.66 5,733,000 20,968,290 VISTA LAND SERVICES ABS CBN 12.58 12.62 12.68 12.86 12.6 12.62 63,400 801,754 GMA NETWORK 13.78 13.8 13.64 13.84 13.6 13.78 659,700 9,056,872 0.41 0.445 0.445 0.445 0.445 0.445 20,000 8,900 MANILA BULLETIN GLOBE TELECOM 3,418 3,430 3,398 3,452 3,332 3,418 72,305 247,407,750 1,708 1,728 1,750 1,750 1,708 1,708 188,925 326,181,265 PLDT 0.08 0.081 0.081 0.083 0.079 0.081 172,920,000 13,993,250 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 31.75 31.8 31.25 32.15 31.05 31.8 3,645,300 115,847,760 2.6 2.64 2.68 2.68 2.6 2.64 23,131,000 60,153,780 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 5.86 5.87 5.96 5.99 5.8 5.87 4,259,800 25,096,550 1.7 1.79 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.79 9,000 15,590 JACKSTONES NOW CORP 1.49 1.5 1.51 1.52 1.49 1.49 615,000 922,060 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.305 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.305 0.31 810,000 249,500 1.83 1.86 1.82 1.88 1.82 1.86 96,000 175,910 PHILWEB 2GO GROUP 7.52 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.52 7.52 7,000 52,808 ASIAN TERMINALS 13.86 14 14 14 14 14 7,100 99,400 1.61 1.63 1.7 1.72 1.61 1.63 350,000 583,740 CHELSEA CEBU AIR 45.7 46 46.3 46.3 45.6 46 83,600 3,841,890 194.5 195.5 197.9 197.9 191.3 195.5 1,358,870 263,484,381 INTL CONTAINER MACROASIA 5.39 5.4 5.49 5.5 5.39 5.4 773,800 4,208,375 METROALLIANCE A 1.16 1.2 1.13 1.15 1.13 1.15 13,000 14,770 0.86 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.86 0.86 43,000 37,340 HARBOR STAR ACESITE HOTEL 1.42 1.46 1.45 1.48 1.45 1.45 25,000 36,700 1.81 1.89 1.81 1.81 1.81 1.81 20,000 36,200 DISCOVERY WORLD GRAND PLAZA 11 14.84 14.74 14.74 14.74 14.74 9,600 141,504 WATERFRONT 0.485 0.5 0.48 0.485 0.48 0.485 410,000 198,350 7.11 7.65 7.68 7.68 7.65 7.65 1,600 12,285 IPEOPLE STI HLDG 0.35 0.36 0.35 0.36 0.35 0.35 1,440,000 514,200 6.45 6.46 6.21 6.49 6.15 6.45 437,500 2,775,549 BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY 6.99 7 7.05 7.12 6.95 6.99 2,721,400 19,101,131 LEISURE AND RES 1.5 1.53 1.53 1.53 1.53 1.53 5,000 7,650 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.87 0.84 0.85 954,000 814,710 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.435 0.44 0.445 0.445 0.435 0.44 1,200,000 524,850 ALLDAY 0.58 0.59 0.63 0.64 0.58 0.58 195,229,000 118,370,000 9.2 9.35 9.87 9.87 9.2 9.2 318,900 2,995,406 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.44 1.45 1.42 1.45 1.42 1.44 354,000 510,300 37.55 37.95 38.2 38.25 37.55 37.55 2,193,100 83,064,920 PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL 65.9 66 66 66.2 65 66 1,863,510 122,899,101 PHIL SEVEN CORP 89.25 91 91 91 89.1 91 10,930 973,961 1.13 1.14 1.14 1.15 1.13 1.13 985,000 1,122,050 SSI GROUP WILCON DEPOT 32.2 32.3 33.4 33.4 32.15 32.2 6,352,400 208,847,500 0.225 0.23 0.225 0.23 0.225 0.23 190,000 43,160 APC GROUP EASYCALL 4.8 5.66 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 1,000 4,800 IPM HLDG 6.95 7.04 7.04 7.04 7 7.04 5,200 36,520 1.5 1.53 1.59 1.59 1.47 1.53 56,536,000 86,208,130 MEDILINES PRMIERE HORIZON 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.63 0.6 0.61 8,817,000 5,425,220 4 4.05 3.7 4 3.55 4 16,000 62,350 SBS PHIL CORP MINING & OIL

ATOK 5.77 6.06 6 6.09 5.76 6.06 53,200 317,043 1.35 1.38 1.37 1.38 1.34 1.38 728,000 982,930 APEX MINING ATLAS MINING 5.96 5.98 6 6 5.96 5.96 1,004,900 5,997,284 5.05 5.09 5.05 5.1 5.02 5.09 63,400 319,040 BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK 2.7 2.8 2.66 2.8 2.66 2.8 114,000 316,440 DIZON MINES 4.93 5.67 5.5 5.68 4.76 5.67 6,200 32,564 2.09 2.11 2.07 2.11 2.07 2.09 191,000 399,000 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.188 0.21 0.188 0.188 0.188 0.188 70,000 13,160 0.124 0.126 0.124 0.127 0.124 0.125 4,740,000 591,180 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.128 0.14 0.128 0.128 0.128 0.128 50,000 6,400 MANILA MINING A 0.0085 0.0087 0.0086 0.0086 0.0086 0.0086 2,000,000 17,200 0.009 0.0093 0.0093 0.0093 0.0091 0.0091 10,000,000 92,000 MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES 1.17 1.18 1.21 1.21 1.17 1.18 824,000 972,520 NIHAO 1 1.05 1.01 1.01 1 1 45,000 45,330 5.08 5.1 5.15 5.15 5.05 5.1 1,088,900 5,546,179 NICKEL ASIA ORNTL PENINSULA 0.73 0.76 0.73 0.76 0.73 0.76 94,000 68,650 4.76 4.8 4.95 4.95 4.74 4.8 371,000 1,788,360 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 21.85 21.9 21.7 21.95 21.6 21.9 457,900 10,019,605 UNITED PARAGON 0.0062 0.0064 0.0063 0.0064 0.0063 0.0063 19,000,000 120,000 38.9 39 36.2 39.9 35.3 39 1,700,900 65,052,225 ACE ENEXOR ORNTL PETROL A 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.01 27,900,000 286,100 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 391,600,000 4,689,200 ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL 0.0086 0.0087 0.0087 0.0087 0.0087 0.0087 6,000,000 52,200 PXP ENERGY 6.15 6.22 6.25 6.25 6.1 6.22 187,500 1,148,861 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 99.2 99.6 99.6 99.6 99.6 99.6 7,000 697,200 HOUSE PREF A 100.5 101 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 3,000 301,500 505 509 504 504 504 504 120 60,480 ALCO PREF D BRN PREF A 100.8 101.6 100.6 101.8 100.6 100.8 2,700 272,960 46 46.4 46 46.1 46 46 24,900 1,146,165 CEB PREF 102.5 103 103 103 103 103 30 3,090 CPG PREF A DD PREF 101.5 101.9 101 101.9 101 101.9 370 37,640 1,008 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,008 1,008 1,440 1,452,400 GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B 1,020 1,040 1,015 1,015 1,015 1,015 130 131,950 1,000 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 5 5,050 JFC PREF A 1,002 1,034 1,012 1,015 1,001 1,002 7,555 7,618,495 JFC PREF B MWIDE PREF 2A 95.55 100 100 100 100 100 100 10,000 99.6 100 100 100 100 100 1,500 150,000 MWIDE PREF 4 PNX PREF 3B 102.4 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 1,470 150,675 PNX PREF 4 998 999 999 999 998 999 3,170 3,166,430 1,070 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 45 49,500 PCOR PREF 3A SMC PREF 2F 79.4 79.75 79.65 79.65 79.65 79.65 1,830 145,759.50 76.1 76.25 76.1 76.1 76 76.1 6,520 496,022 SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I 79.5 79.8 79.8 79.8 79.8 79.8 660 52,668 SMC PREF 2J 76.75 77.5 77 77.5 76.75 76.75 665,230 51,061,816 75.8 76.5 75.6 75.65 75.6 75.65 713,500 53,940,625 SMC PREF 2K TECH PREF B2C 50 53.5 50 50 50 50 6,100 305,000 51.5 52 50.2 55 50.2 52 91,770 4,861,649 TECH PREF B2D PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS GMA HLDG PDR 13.08 13.36 13.4 13.4 13.08 13.08 665,100 8,699,854 WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.8 0.81 0.79 0.84 0.78 0.8 468,000 376,570

9,300 46,728,440 6,449,295 15,110 -3,700 -137,810 -4,050 -832,948 -20,350 6,268,242 77,710 31,720 -2,890,440 -8,104,644 24,750 -2,010.00 9,165,189 -2,775,290 20,950 -74,360 36,626,480 32,400 11,000 -407,690 -38,964,910 51,757,480 -32,800 -13,924,150 -59,451,600 -1,248,380 9,000 -76,840 -99,760 -1,157,970 -69,313,499 53,058 -24,250 -9,216 -94,500 -812,797 0 -1,700 -39,650 4,653,910 -1,271,019 -45,942,260 -25,878,479.50 -3,586 108,149,200.00 295,930 -138,140 292,500 208,310 -3,760 2,396,780 19,260 593,630 2,850,860 -146,410 322,000 -5,050 - -8,098,810 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART

23.35 2.01 3.05 2.52

23.4 2.03 3.2 2.53

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

110

110.6

20.45 2.18 3 2.55

24.95 2.18 3.25 2.6

20.05 1.99 3 2.5

23.4 2.01 3.25 2.53

1,077,600 6,696,000 3,000 3,276,000

24,782,950 13,663,450 9,250 8,325,810

-588,980 97,930 1,156,000

110.1 110.6 109.6 110.6 15,100 1,662,037 189,056

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Wednesday, December 15, 2021

BSP forms team to probe security breach in BDO

By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

task force was organized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to investigate the security breach involving BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest bank by assets. BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said he expects recommendations from this team to land on his

desk after a month. “We are forming a task force composed of cyber[-specialists]

The Capital Market Development Blueprint

EYOND the confines of their quarterly meetings, the Capital Market Development Council (CMDC) is hardly known. But their deliberations, decisions, advocacies and projects have long-term impact on the country’s financing scenario and ultimately on the whole economy. Let me explain. The CMDC is a government-private sector voluntary organization of major institutional stakeholders who have taken upon themselves the planned joint effort to promote the country’s capital market development. They do this by undertaking to put together in a Capital Market Development Blueprint (CMD Blueprint) a program of “what to do,” integrating the policies, projects and related activities required to pursue their objectives. The current Third CMD Blueprint covers the period 2019 to 2025. Here is a successful public-private sector collaborative effort and, noting its effectiveness, is being institutionalized more formally through legislation: the Capital Market Development Act, which is still in Congress. To be more acquainted with this group of capital-market advocates, let us get to know who are represented in the CMDC. The Secretary of Finance is chairman and the cochairmen are the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and a nominee from the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), representing the private sector. On the government side, we have additionally a member of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Insurance Commissioner, the National Treasurer and the executive director of the Bureau of Local Government Finance. On the private sector side, we have the presidents or head executives of the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Philippine Depository and Trust Corp., the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp., the Bankers Association of the Philippines, the Investment House Association of the Philippines, the Fund Management Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Association of Securities Brokers and Dealers Inc. and, of course, Finex. The CMDC has refocused its overarching objectives to: n Deepen the capital market; n Promote more inclusion; and, n Attain sustainable long-term growth The fuss over capital-market development is neither an empty exercise nor an abstract aspiration. It is about getting more capital funneled from investors with money to business enterprises who need the money, with expectations of mutual benefit. The capital market is the facility that mobilizes investors’ funds to finance businesses, which grow the economy and provide for the goods and services the population requires. At the same time, these provide the jobs that people seek. Businesses, of course, can finance themselves from their own capital (very limited) or borrow

Finex free enterprise Santiago F. Dumlao Jr. from banks (the usual way but also with limitations). The alternative to raise financing, especially for business expansion, is to tap the capital market. The capital market offers long-term financing that banks cannot inherently offer because banks’ lending are largely deposit-based, and deposits are short-term funds. By comparison, in the capital market, a bond issue is a long-term fixed-maturity, fixed-income obligation; and a common stock issue is a long-term co-ownership participation that has no fixed maturity. In both these cases, there are relatively no pressures for sudden interest rates hikes or for repayments. The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis has imprinted in the minds of our policymakers that indeed our businesses are over-financed by bank borrowings–which they find as a risk–and should be balanced by capital market financing. Former BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said it well: “A growing economy such as ours requires a steady flow of financing from both local and foreign sources.” “In sustaining this development, the economy needs a healthy financial system, one that is built upon strong pillars: a robust banking system and a fully-functional capital market,” Tetangco said in his speech to the IHAP in 2005. “A fully developed capital market can stimulate domestic savings and provide investment opportunities. A sound capital market also improves the financial environment with the offer of alternative financial instruments. At present, government papers dominate the local capital market with minimal alternative for other financial instruments.” Here’s an update on what our capital market raised in funds this year (as of December 3, 2021) through our exchanges, as reported by SEC: n Total debt securities issue value of P198.6 billion (representing 18 bond issuers and two commercial paper issues) n Total equity securities issue value of P217.3 billion (representing 31 applications approved) The issue value of equities was a mere P56.2 billion in 2019 and P66.5 billion in 2020. The issue value of debt securities was P375.6 billion in 2019 and P387.8 billion in 2020. We see progress here, but if we compare ourselves to our Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbors, we have a long way to go; hence, the need for a collaborative serious effort. The CMD Blueprint is evidence of this effort. Santiago F. Dumlao Jr., past president of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, is the current Secretary-General of the Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia.

and anti-money laundering specialists and legal officers to determine the root causes and possible control lapses involving the incident,” Diokno told reporters late Monday. “Guided by relevant laws and regulations, penalties and/or sanctions may be imposed depending on results of the examination. I have instructed that recommendations should be submitted within 30 days,” he added. The governor said they are currently in coordination with BDO Unibank regarding the incident. He added that the task force will be

composed of people from the BSP’s Financial Supervision Sector, Technology Risk and Innovation Sector and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). “What BDO told us is that it has taken some initial steps to manage what they identified as ‘sophisticated fraud technique’ affecting their clients. Getting to the bottom of this will entail a complex cyber forensic investigation to determine the actual number of affected customers and how much they lost from this fraud,” Diokno said. “They have assured us, however, that affected customers shall be duly

reimbursed for the losses and we will make sure that this happens as soon as possible. The BSP will also investigate this incident to identify vulnerabilities and non-compliance with expectations in managing cyber and anti-money laundering related risk,” the governor said the evening of December 13. In its official statement on December 14, BDO said they are currently processing the reimbursement of close to 700 clients affected by the recent online fraudulent transactions. “We have requested our clients to go to their branch of account

and submit documentation to get the refund. The bank will shoulder the losses perpetuated by this cybercrime incident,” BDO’s statement read. The bank’s official statement cited the listed financial intermediary is “working closely” with the appropriate authorities and the BSP to prevent further occurrence of the incident. According to reports, the cash stolen from the BDO accounts of the victims were transferred to a person named “Mark Nagoyo,” who has several accounts in Union Bank of the Philippines Inc.

Banks alerted: Be proactive vs rising cyberattacks By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

EN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian alerted banks to step up countermeasures to safeguard online transactions amid reports on rising incidence of attempts to hack bank accounts by cybercriminals. “Be proactive in preventing potential hacking problems,” Gatchalian was quoted in a statement as saying. He is also urging banking institutions to “increase vigilance on online transactions, especially if there’s an apparent surge during wee hours, weekends and holidays when most cyber criminals carry out their nefarious activities.” Notably, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 2287 six months ago. To be known as the “Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act” once enacted into law, SB 2287 seeks to “enhance the protection of consumers’ assets against fraud and misuse and safeguard data privacy and the right to timely handling

and redressal of complaints.” The Gatchalian bill aims to empower financial regulators, led by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, to take necessary actions “against entities undermining and bargaining for the consumer’s welfare.” This as the senator expressed concern that the latest incident involving BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest bank by assets, would only cause distrust in the banking institutions. Likewise, Gatchalian said the security breach in BDO Unibank would also cause a dent in the efforts to ramp up the digitization of financial services in the country. The senator suggested that banks must be “more observant” particularly if there is a dubious increase of online bank transactions during wee hours, warning this is likely to be handiwork of scammers and hackers. (“Dapat maging mapagmatyag ang mga bangko lalo na kung kahina-hinala ang dami ng mga transaksyon na nangyayari kapag dis-

oras ng gabi.”) Reminding that banks rely on consumers’ trust and loyalty, the lawmaker warned that “if these hacking incidents become pervasive, there will be a high level of distrust in financial services, banks in particular.” Gatchalian, the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions, added the incident should readily “raise a red flag” involving scammers or hackers. (“Dapat isaalang-alang nila na red flag na ito at maaaring kagagawan na ito ng mga scammers o hackers.”) The lawmaker raised the alert soon after the BSP was reported to have noted a surge in complaints on hacking of some bank accounts as early as December 6. At the same time, the senator cited reports that some BDO Unibank account holders who were also victimized over the weekend of unauthorized transactions took to social media to report their experiences in online banking

breach and had their cash transferred to a Union Bank account under the name of a certain “Mark D. Nagoyo.” Gatchalian observed that while the BSP had assured the public it was already coordinating with the concerned banks to ensure that the affected clients will be reimbursed, “increased vigilance could have prevented the large scale of victims.” Apart from warning the public how to avoid being victims of cyber criminals, the senator suggested that banks should also invest in acquiring modern security features or banking software solutions to assure their bank clients would not be victimized by hackers. (“Bukod sa pagbibigay-babala sa publiko kung paano nila maiiwasan na maging biktima ng cyber criminals, dapat mamuhunan din ang mga bangko pagdating sa mga makabagong security features or banking software solutions para makampante ang kanilang mga kliyente.”)

Treasury rejects bids at last T-bonds auction for 2021 By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

BANKING ON FARMS Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Municipal Administrator Rafaelito V. Andres (right), Rizal Vice Mayor Bonifacio D. Soliven (left) and Land Bank of the Philippines Inc. Central Luzon Branches Group Head and Senior Vice President Sylvia C. Lim (center) led the opening of the Landbank Rizal NE Agri-Hub located at Pinagpanaan-Pantabangan Junction, Poblacion Sur, Rizal, Nueva Ecija. Landbank said it expects the Rizal NE Agri-Hub to provide financial and technical services to its customers, including the more than 3,000 farmers and fishers from the municipalities of Rizal and Pantabangan. CREDIT: Land Bank of the Philippines

Security Bank bags two awards from LinkedIn By VG Cabuag

@villygc

ID-SIZED lender Security Bank Corp. on Tuesday said it bagged “Diversity Champion” and “Best Culture of Learning” awards during 2021 LinkedIn Talent competition. These citations were given to organizations who have made a significant impact using the “Talent Solutions” of LinkedIn Corp., the bank said. “[We] want to shine a spotlight on the companies and people across the globe who have excelled in the last year at engaging with talent, creating inclusive workplaces, building strong employer brands, encouraging learning and development, and focusing on employee retention,” LinkedIn was quoted in a Security Bank statement. The “Diversity Champion” award is given to companies who initiated and inspired conversations around the issue of diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity. The “Best Culture of Learning” award, on the other hand, is given to companies who invested in the learning and development of their employees by connecting them to relevant and applicable skills. Security Bank is the first local bank

to have an existing partnership with “LinkedIn Learning.” On top of its internal learning initiatives, bank employees enjoy unlimited, on-demand access to thousands of “LinkedIn Learning” courses. They can choose from a wide range of topics to help them upskill and learn new things for their personal and professional development. Within the first month of launch of “LinkedIn Learning,” the bank said it achieved an 86-percent organizationwide activation rate. To date, activation rate is at 100 percent with over 81-percent average monthly repeat learners and more than 320,000 learning hours recorded on the platform. This translates to 6.2 million videos viewed and over 330 million courses completed. The bank said it continues to ensure that all its employees have access to development opportunities. This includes providing equal consideration for promotions, pay raises, and inclusion in decision-making processes among others. The bank’s male to female employee ratio remains at 1-is-to-2, which reflects its “gender-neutral view” on recruitment. The number of women in middle and senior management positions remains significant, it said.

N the last government bond auction for the year, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) rejected all bids for the reissued P20 billion in 7-year Treasury Bonds (T-bonds) as bid rates were still high. Had the Treasury fully awarded the offering last Tuesday, bid rates would have averaged 4.395 percent, higher by 7.3 basis points from the previous auction’s 4.468 percent. The auction attracted total bids of P52.27 billion. With a remaining life of six years and eight months, the tenor is set to mature on August 12, 2028. National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said the market is still pricing more despite the reduction in the borrowing program for December. “We find that there is more room for rates to decline following [the] deceleration in inflation and assurance from the BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] Governor [Benjamin E. Diokno] to hold rates steady. [The] Market has not sufficiently incorporated… priced in that inflation will be back within the target as supply disruptions are addressed,” De Leon told reporters. Inflation in November slowed to 4.2 percent compared to the 4.6 percent in October as prices of vegetables and fish declined. However, the rate is higher compared to the 3.3 percent posted in November 2020. Diokno has said last December 7 that the November inflation “was slightly higher-thananticipated, settling above the BSP’s forecast range for the month of 3.3 [percent] to 4.1 percent.” “Nonetheless,” the BSP governor continued, “average inflation is still projected to fall within

the government’s target range in 2022 and 2023 as supply-side pressures moderate.” For next year, De Leon said the market would still be looking for signals from the US Federal Reserve on whether it will start early on rate “liftoff” and the pace of taper. On the domestic front, the National Treasurer said investors would watch out for the December inflation print and the results of the Monetary Board policy meeting this Thursday as well as any update on the Omicron variant and the efficacy of vaccines against it. De Leon said the Treasury will be borrowing less for January next year at 77 percent instead of 81 percent to make room for the private sector with a renewed pace in lending following the easing of the economy’s chokepoints. For this month, the Treasury programmed to borrow P70 billion from the local debt market, smaller than those from the previous months, in a bid to ensure that government will be able to stay within its annual borrowing program and maintain the ratio of the country’s debt to its gross domestic product (GDP) “at sustainable levels.” As of the end of the third quarter this year, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio is already at 63.1 percent. The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio this year is projected to rise to 59.1 percent and peak next year at 60.8 percent—slightly above the internationally accepted threshold—before gradually tapering off to 60.7 percent and 59.7 percent in 2023 and 2024. The Department of Finance sees the national government returning to its pre-pandemic debt and budget deficit levels as early as 2024 or by 2025, if the recommended fiscal measures are passed early by the next administration, and if the economy quickly recovers.

Show BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Michelle Dockery, 40; Adam Brody, 42; Julie Taymor, 69; Don Johnson, 72. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Reflect, and you’ll come up with a plan that combines what makes you happy, a change of lifestyle, and heading in a direction that has meaning and brings you peace of mind. Make sure your decisions count and that they encourage you to live life your way and to maintain the integrity and feel-good mindset that promote a better future. Your numbers are 2, 13, 20, 26, 33, 42, 45.

DREAM TEAM

SO it’s true that the hot love team is also a couple in real life. One of their costars disclosed that the young stars have fallen in love, and that the young actor, who’s known for being choosy, is ready to announce to the world that he’s in a relationship. So what is it about the young actress that made the actor fall in love? Why did he not fall in love with the other stars he worked with? Their co-star said the young actor is dazzled by his girlfriend’s talent, which basically means he looks at her as more than just a pretty face but a person who’s serious with her craft. The young actress, meanwhile, was attracted to the actor because he is kind and mild-mannered.

SEMI-RETIRED

THE actor is so in love with his young girlfriend, an actress, that he is now semi-retired to devote his time to their relationship. This semi-retirement is also to veer attention away from the disparity in their ages, and how the relationship started when the actress was very young (read: a minor) and the actor was already an adult. The actor will continue to be in the entertainment business but his girlfriend is the one who will be in the spotlight. He has realized that there’s only room for one star in the family and that’s his girlfriend.

MINOR SETBACK

THE actress had no choice but to settle a legal dispute because it was a matter of not being able to work if she didn’t. The actress does have savings and property but she is wise enough to know that she cannot survive on that if she refuses to settle the dispute. It is true that her contract is one-sided in favor of the other party and the actress regrets that her family, on her behalf, signed said contract because they had no choice. Hopefully, the actress will have good projects and she could bounce back from this minor setback.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Reach out to someone who can offer information based on experience. Question anything that doesn’t make sense to you. Don’t take on the impossible or promise something you cannot deliver. Avoid risky physical encounters and people who ask for too much. HHH

STEVEN SPIELBERG’S lavish West Side Story revival debuted with $10.5 million in ticket sales from North American theaters, a “soft” opening that could portend continuing bad news for cinema as the pandemic lingers.

Spielberg ‘West Side Story’ debuts weakly with $10.5M

N SO MANY QUESTIONS

SO recent speculations about the marriage of a once power couple include the existence of a pre-nuptial agreement as the guy is super-rich while the girl isn’t. Another speculation involves the presence of a third party. People are wondering if the girl or the guy cheated—or did they both cheat? Well, nobody knows about that except for the concerned parties but we do know that there is an airtight prenup wherein the girl gets a good amount of money should the marriage end. However, word is the amount isn’t enough to keep her in the lifestyle that she’s accustomed to.

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press

EW YORK—Despite critical acclaim and two years-worth of anticipation, Steven Spielberg’s lavish West Side Story revival made little noise at the box office, debuting with $10.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates on Sunday—a worrisome result for a movie industry struggling to recapture its finger-snapping rhythm. A dazzling widescreen adaptation and Spielberg’s first musical, West Side Story was one of the year’s most eagerly awaited titles. With a script by Tony Kushner and Rita Moreno returning to her breakthrough film 60 years later, the $100-million West Side Story epitomizes a grand-scale prestige film that Hollywood infrequently produces anymore. It hit theaters on a wave of glowing reviews and expectations that it could play a starring role in March’s Academy Awards. But West Side Story faced a challenging marketplace for both adult-driven releases and musicals. Audiences have steadily returned to multiplexes in the second year of the pandemic, but older moviegoers, who made up the bulk of ticket-buyers for Spielberg’s latest, have been among the slowest to return. Musicals, too, have struggled to catch on in theaters. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights launched

with $11 million in June but the Warner Bros. release simultaneously streamed on HBO Max. The critically panned Dear Evan Hansen, from Universal, debuted with $7.4 million in September. But this was Spielberg. If anyone could reignite moviegoing, the thinking went, it was him. Surely, one of the movies’ dazzling craftsmen, a director synonymous with box office, could spark a fuller revival in theaters. West Side Story, too, is among the most beloved musicals. The 1961 film, directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, made $43.7 million (or about $400 million adjusted for inflation) and won 10 Oscars, including best picture. West Side Story can still be expected to play well through the lucrative holiday corridor, during which younger-skewing films, like Spider-Man: No Way Home (expected next weekend to become the first pandemic release to open with $100 million or more domestically) and Sing 2 will likely be the top draws. Film executives are hoping the spreading Omicron variant of Covid-19 doesn’t set the box office back just as Hollywood is nearing its most profitable period. But the muted reception for West Side Story will concern the industry. Hopes had long been pinned on Spielberg, with his song-and-dance spectacular, to bring back some of the movies’ mojo. Instead, little right now outside of Marvel releases is finding big audiences. Many moviegoers simply haven’t returned yet. “To draw moviegoers to adult dramas in huge numbers right now seems like a pretty heavy lift,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm comScore. “That will wane over time, but it is concerning for filmmakers and studios.” “But I don’t think this is the final act for West Side Story,” added Dergarabedian. “A lot of people counted out The Greatest Showman.” That 2017 release launched with a modest $8.8 million opening weekend before enjoying a rare, lengthy run that made it, with $435 million worldwide, one of the highest grossing live-action

Continued on B5

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Put your energy into physical endeavors. Sum up your position and the path you intend to take before you proceed. A joint venture will end up costing more than anticipated. Don’t pay for someone’s mistake. HHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t share information that might jeopardize your reputation or career. Do your best to stay on top of trends so you don’t fall behind. High energy coupled with dedication and discipline will pay off. HHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Join forces with someone you trust and enjoy working alongside, and you’ll come up with a unique way to expand your interests and make a financial gain. Take pride in the way you look, and consider precautions to ensure bypassing a health risk. HHHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Avoid jumping into something without doing some research first. Making an emotional move is a recipe for disaster that will result in reputation ramifications. Put your energy into taking care of your responsibilities before moving on to more pleasurable adventures. HH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change will make a difference. Learn from the experience, and you’ll find a way to use your skills to open doors and excel. Be honest about the way you feel, and you will receive feedback that will encourage a wise decision. HHHHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Limit your spending and avoid debt. Be innovative regarding family expenses and how you show others love. Sharing quality time and your intentions is plenty, and if those aren’t enough, you may want to rethink your relationships. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): If you are waffling, sit tight. Mistakes will unfold when you haven’t had time to think matters through thoroughly. Refuse to let anyone push you in a questionable direction. Pay more attention to personal gain, self-improvement and romancing someone you love. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen carefully, and you’ll make better decisions. Don’t feel rushed or let anyone push you in a direction that doesn’t feel right. Focus on personal growth and a minimalist attitude when it comes to expenditures and temptation. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention to what’s going on at home. Start a conversation, and discuss your feelings and intentions. How you approach someone you love will change the dynamics of your relationship. Listen to suggestions, and compromise when necessary. HHHHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Confusion will set in regarding your responsibilities and what you want to do. Pick up momentum, and organize your day to leave enough time for something that brings you joy. Taking care of your needs will keep you healthy and happy. HH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look over your long-term plan, and implement trends that will help you reach your goal in record time. It’s up to you to bring about change and to use your intelligence to get ahead. Share your intentions with someone you love. HHHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are dynamic, open-minded and imaginative. You are wise and intriguing.

‘go fishing’ BY ROBERT E. L. MORRIS The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Norse god of thunder 5 Not up to ___ (subpar) 10 Tool set 13 Person who could aptly be named Parker 15 Book before Joel 16 Words to say on your wedding day 17 One may do the hustle (In this clue’s answer, see letters 4-6) 19 Man cave, perhaps 20 Chowed down 21 Approximately 22 Personal prose piece 24 Ornamental symbol in typography 26 Anticipate 28 Helper in a white coat (...letters 3-6) 32 Beam behind drywall 34 Fats Waller’s ___ Misbehavin’ 35 Winged stinger 36 Criticize harshly 37 Tricky pool shot 39 ___ club (singing group) 40 Helpful hint 41 Deep cut 42 What an oboist soaks

43 United States Senate, for one (... letters 3-7) 47 Rub out 48 Time piece? 52 Family car 54 Panache 55 Central airport 56 Angsty music genre 57 Quickest way, usually (...letters 6-10) 61 Bird in Liberty Mutual ads 62 Short yet severe 63 Spud 64 Touch, as a dog’s head 65 Scrap, at a junkyard 66 Take a break DOWN 1 Father such as Homer Simpson 2 Caribbean country 3 Jimmy of the Daily Planet 4 Word before “league” or “room” 5 Northern California’s Mount ___ 6 Eating candy before dinner, e.g. 7 LA Coliseum school 8 Plumber’s charge 9 Eurocentric name for Thailand’s region

10 11 12 14 18 23 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 36 37 38 39 41 42 44 45 46 49 50

Thanksgiving spot for young ones Concept Tiger on a Frosted Flakes box “Better luck next time” Visually plain Take a load off Down in the dumps Words in a used car ad Napa Valley output Youngest Obama daughter Require Golfing gadget Lose one’s footing Broke, or spent Alphabetical nickname Apple offerings Athlete Arthur who adopted a daughter named Camera Actress Jewell Old Pontiac Comeback Stretch of history Legendary mime Marceau Manchester man, e.g. Waterslide feature Ancient music makers

51 52 53 54 58 59 60

Longtime film critic Roger Leak gradually Actress Thompson Letter after alpha Diamonds, slangily Dull routine Lifeboat propeller

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Image BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Spielberg ‘West Side Story’ debuts weakly with $10.5M

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Hit the ground running PHOTO BY THISISENGINEERING RAENG ON UNSPLASH

CONTINUED ON B4 musicals ever. During the pandemic, though, movies have faded quickly at the multiplex, and often been steered more quickly to streaming or home release. Starring newcomer Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort as Maria and Tony, West Side Story took in $4.4 million in 37 overseas territories. Because the film includes a transgender character, it was banned in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. David A. Gross, who runs the movie consultancy Franchise Entertainment, called the opening “soft.” “If West Side Story is going to be profitable, it will need to connect internationally as well domestically,” Gross said in an e-mail. “So far, the first European openings have been good, but this is going to be a challenge with moviegoing conditions as difficult as they are.” Spielberg’s film was a long time coming. Its release was delayed a year by the pandemic. It was developed at 20th Century Fox, which was acquired by the Walt Disney Co. shortly before production began. Days before its Lincoln Center premiere, the musical’s revered lyricist, Stephen Sondheim, died at the age of 91. ■

YOUTUBE EXPANDS TOPICAL INFORMATION PANELS IN THE PHILIPPINES AS part of its continued efforts to help fight misinformation and bring greater transparency and context for content on the platform, YouTube has announced the expansion of its information panel giving topical context in the Philippines. In addition to the Covid-19 information panels, Filipinos will begin to see information from third party sources, such as Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica, alongside videos on a number of well-established topics that can be prone to misinformation. Some of these topics include climate change, the 9/11 attacks, the Holocaust, the Apollo moon landing, and Martial Law in the Philippines, among many others. The launch of the information panel giving topical context in the Philippines builds on the existing portfolio of features that YouTube launched in the country, aimed at raising authoritative information that is essential to viewers, especially during fastmoving, breaking news events. These include Top News and Breaking News shelves, information panels that indicate funding sources from publishers that receive public or government funding, and information panels for Covid-19. Bernadette Nacario, country director of Google Philippines, said, “YouTube believes that people should be able to choose and make their own judgments about the information they consume along with context to inform their judgments. The expansion of YouTube’s information panels providing topical context to the Philippines is a critical next step to connect people with additional context. This has been an ongoing investment for YouTube as it continues efforts to raise authoritative information.” The information panel giving topical context will appear regardless of the opinions and perspectives expressed in the video, on both search results and watch pages when people search for topics on YouTube that are prone to misinformation. YouTube first launched the information panel giving topical context in 2018 and is currently available in many countries around the world including Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, the UK and the US.

HETHER you are promoted, given a new role to lead a team, or new to managing people entirely, there are several things you can do to ease into the work without losing your rhythm. There will be many changes in the way you work but these should not stop you from doing your work well. A good organization will have an onboarding program for new leaders. However, most organizations do not have a built-in onboarding program and they rely solely on the person to adapt to the new environment. These new managers might even find themselves in a hostile environment where the person they are replacing is instructed to teach them the tasks of the position before resigning. Add to these are the pressures of the new work environment and the new people you need to deal with. The first thing you need to do, then, is to understand the work cycle and the deliverables of your team. Familiarize yourself quickly with the workflows and, if possible, ask several team members to walk you through their workload. This will help you get a feel of their work cadence and at the same time provide you an insight to their learning opportunities. Reinforce common work processes but also take note of inconsistencies because these point to a misalignment of workflows. You can then engage your team to work on those inconsistencies and discover the best way of doing them. After understanding what needs to be done, take time to reflect which areas in the workload you need help in and identify the people in your team who can help you in that area. This will also provide a touchpoint in getting to know your team better, and hopefully it becomes the push for keeping them engaged and productive. If you can and time permits, take courses offered by your learning and development department so you equip yourself with the soft skills needed in handling the different issues of your team. If you see common issues for the team, engage your training department for other learning interventions which can benefit the entire team. You also encourage your team to continuously learn and seek to equip themselves to become better at what they do. Remember that you were hired or promoted for a reason. Make sure you set a time to talk to your manager about what their expectations are and the goals of the team. This ensures that you are aligned with the organization’s goals and targets. Take the time to also ask your manager the pain points in the team so you can start investigating root causes and plan how to improve the team’s work processes. It would also help to understand what your manager’s key performance indicator is so you can align your goals and strategies. Identify quick wins to inspire your team and to improve your credibility. Do not be afraid to ask questions to further understand work force expectations and needs. This is helpful in understanding what your team really feels, but at the same time it also provides you an avenue

to temper expectations and allay fears. Remember that they were led by someone that you replaced, and they might expect you to carry over certain processes that you do not agree with. Manage your team’s expectations by answering their questions, but do not also be afraid to set your own expectations. Make sure they know where you stand on certain processes so they can also align themselves to your expectations. After ascertaining your team’s goals and areas of development, you also need to understand the organizational structure and identify the decisionmakers in the company. This will be a challenge if you are new, but this will help you understand the power dynamics of management. Aside from the reporting lines, you also need to know your main customers so you can understand their needs and your team can provide better goods or services. Create your own network by tapping into the informal organizational chart. These are people who might not be recognized formally but contribute significantly to the smooth flow of transactions between departments and offices. You can identify them by asking the go-to people for certain parts of the workflow. Often, these people do not take management roles but because of their tenure and good working relationship with others, they get the work done quickly. At the start go with the flow without compromising your own values. Understand how

decisions are made within the team and adapt your decision-making as needed. What people do not want is for you to disrupt what they have been doing. Understand their processes first and then recommend better ways of doing things after. The team needs to understand you can learn their process so that they know you completely understand their ways of working. Once they know that, it will be easier for you to convince them how to do it better because they know you have put in the effort into understanding their way of working. Practice saying “no” to tasks and projects which do not add value to your work. It is understandable to bend your work habits in the beginning because you want to create a good impression with your manager. But success in your new role means focusing on the goals and deliverables of your position, and this means saying “no” to workloads that do not contribute to your success. This will also prevent others from taking advantage of you because you are new to the role and they know you are out to impress. As early as your first week, you need to set boundaries so people will not exploit you. Onboarding to a new role can be both challenging and fulfilling, but if done right it can yield better working relationships with your team and your manager. You were trusted with the position because management believes you can do the job well. All you have to do is prove them right. ■

Ex-JPMorgan trader sells jam, inspires Italians who want to quit BY MARCO BE�TACCHE Bloomberg News AFTER four years in the trenches as a London-based trader for firms including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Andrea Tagliabue decided he’d had enough. Now, the story of how he packed it in and returned to his native Lombardy to create a new life closer to the land is inspiring other Italians who want to move on from their jobs. Tagliabue, who taught himself to grow strawberries and parlayed the skill into the trendy Banker’s Jam spreads and juices business, has become an Italian media darling of late, and the onetime banker says he’s been flooded with questions from fed-up employees—including some former colleagues in finance—who want to ditch the desk jobs and get their hands dirty. Indeed, more Italians than ever are rethinking their career and life goals. Echoing the US’s Great Resignation, workers in the country are quitting at record rates. Voluntary resignations jumped 85 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, according to the latest labor data. The quit rate— voluntary resignations over total employees—rose

to 2.12 percent, the highest in at least five years, according to think tank www.lavoce.info. But the Italian version of the resignation trend comes with a local twist, hearkening back to the country’s food-based culture and agrarian roots. The number of farm businesses run by people under 35 years of age grew 14 percent last year, lobbying group Coldiretti says, with the surge driven by entrepreneurs from other sectors getting into agriculture for the first time. Tagliabue, who set up Banker’s Jam in 2018, was one of them. “I told myself, enough with the stress, the crazy work hours,” the 33-year-old said. “Now I work for myself and I can see the fruits of what I’m creating,” he said, acknowledging the pun. While success stories like Tagliabue’s may be inspiring more Italians to chuck it in and follow their dreams, the end of a temporary, pandemicdriven ban on dismissals could have something to do with it too. At least some of the recent job exits may be “forced resignations” following the ban’s expiration, lavoce researcher Francesco Armillei said on the think tank’s web site. “But it could also be people who had an epiphany during the crisis.”

FOR THE SEASON OF GIFTING

A FAVORITE brand among tea connoisseurs, TWG Tea unveils an exquisite offering for the festive season with exclusive Christmas Gift Sets filled with TWG Tea favorites and tea table essentials—the perfect gift for tea fans. Each gift set features the best-selling teas from the signature Haute Couture Tea Collection, Cotton Teabags, and Loose-Leaf Tea Collections, along with a curated selection of tea accessories to complete your TWG Tea experience at home. Add sparkle and personality to your dining space and embellish it with the brand’s colorful Design Orchid Teapots and Secret Tea Tins, while immersing in a luxurious indulgence with its Tea Scented Candles for the complete olfactory experience. To make your holiday bright and merry, TWG Tea has also added a special tea cocktail recipe in every gift set to elevate and enhance Christmas celebrations. Enjoy creating these TWG Tea concoctions with your loved ones to add warmth and joy to the celebratory season. TWG Tea’s holiday gift sets are exclusively available at boutiques in Greenbelt 5, Central Square, and Alabang Town Center until January 31, 2022.

B6 Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Green and Sustainable Recovery Conference 2021: ‘Cooperation will help us face environmental risks’

PLDT bags Operator of the Year, three nominations at Asian telecom awards

OR delivering the best customer experience amid accelerated data traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic, PLDT Inc. is up for Operator of the Year at the 2021 Asia Communication Awards (ACA). In addition, PLDT is also shortlisted for Best Crisis Response for its corporate business unit PLDT Enterprise’s Smart Tracker Medical Frontliners Transportation Solution, while its subsidiaries Smart Communications, Inc. and PLDT Global were also shortlisted for Best Social Contribution for its FarmSmart agriculture advocacy, and Innovation Award, respectively. Launched in 2011 by London-based industry publication Total Telecom, ACA recognizes Asia's leading communication

service providers and telecom operators. PLDT’s Operator of the Year bid highlights the company’s network modernization program. PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the Philippines’ most extensive at over 615,000 kilometers, also supports its wireless subsidiary Smart’s rollout of 5G technology alongside its existing LTE network, deploying around 6,400 5G base stations nationwide. To date, Smart’s mobile network covers 96% of the Philippine population from the northernmost province of Batanes in Luzon to the southernmost province of Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao. Complementing this fixed and wireless network rollout is Smart’s deployment of free fiber-powered Smart WiFi in key airports,

seaports, government offices, COVID-19 facilities, and hospitals nationwide. Supporting local infrastructure, PLDT has 16 terabits per second in capacity running along its 15 major international cable systems, catering to the massive data traffic going in and out of the country. Under Best Crisis Response, PLDT Enterprise is nominated for its collaboration with the country’s Department of Transportation. Deployed at the height of mobility restrictions caused by the pandemic, the Smart Tracker Medical Frontliners Transportation Solution is used for tracking buses that went through over 20 routes and hospitals for medical workers to travel safely around in Metro Manila, with a route view accessible via www.Sakay.Ph. Meanwhile, Smart’s nomination for Best Social Contribution covers the Digital Farmers Program and BuyLocal, which aim to help create future-ready and prosperous Filipino farmers through technology, innovation, and collaboration. With partners from the country’s Department of Agriculture– Agricultural Training Institute, social enterprise Cropital, and other companies headed by PLDT Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan, FarmSmart initiatives have benefitted over 4,000 farmers and agriculture workers to-date. PLDT Global is shortlisted in the Innovation Award–Operator subcategory for its mobile application Free Bee, which delivers value for money through call plans that allow overseas Filipinos to stay in touch with their loved ones wherever they are in the world. PLDT Global was also lauded for continuously improving PLDT’s international voice services, thereby delivering better quality voice calls to millions of migrant Filipinos who need to stay close to home.

Sun Life PH and Wish 107.5 grant music wishes this Christmas

HE tradition of coming together for special occasions has greatly been limited by the pandemic, with many resorting to virtual celebrations instead. This has inspired Sun Life Philippines to team up with Wish 107.5 to fulfill song requests and spread Christmas cheer this holiday season. Entitled “Wish Upon A Sun,” the concert happened on December 10 and was streamed via the Sun Life PH and Wish 107.5 YouTube channels. Among the featured acts were Barbie Almalbis, The Itchyworms, The Juans, and Syd Hartha.

“Music adds magic to any celebration and has always been a staple in Filipino holiday gatherings,” Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. President Alex Narciso said. “As we grant the most requested music wishes and flash the dedications onscreen, we hope it will make them feel a sense of togetherness and make the holidays merry and bright. It will be a novel way of staying in touch with their loved ones who, despite the distance, have been their partner for life in these extraordinary times.” Meanwhile, an online promo dubbed

“Wish Upon A Sunson” was also held via www.facebook.com/sunlifeph. “This Christmas, we have every reason to celebrate and express our love to the people who have been our light and support during these times. For us at Sun Life, this is also our way of thanking our Clients for choosing us to be their partner for life in their financial journey,” Narciso said. “And as we welcome the new year with renewed hope and optimism, we will remain at their side to bring them closer to a brighter future.”

UBLIC and private institutions in the Philippines need to make sustainability part of their strategy and operations.This was the meat of the discussion during the Pilipinas Conference 2021 entitled Strengthening Cooperation for a Green and Sustainable Recovery: A Part of EU-PH Trade and Sustainability Discussions held recently. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno, speaking on behalf of the Philippine banking system, said they are keen to see sustainability principles integrated in the operations of our supervised entities and the entire financial system. Diokno said the BSP is committing to go green “by guiding the financial system and promote a conducive backdrop for sustainable finance to flourish; raising awareness and building capacity; enabling a regulatory environment through policy issuances; engaging all stakeholders as we recognize that the environmental and social risks are not just business risks, but risks that affect everyone and the future generations to come; and lastly, navigating the path towards a post-COVID-19 economy and Philippine financial system that is more stable, resilient, and inclusive.” Maurizio Cellini, First Counsellor, Head of Trade and Economic Affairs, EU Delegation to the Philippines, said it is essential to bring together science, industry, and public donations to speed up the work and leverage all available resources to enable the EU to respond to these threats in anticipation of new variants, and other threats to public health. Two priority areas of cooperation have been agreed in close dialogue with the government. “One is about a peaceful and just society and good governance, but the other one is about a green resilient economy and green jobs. This area in particular has three mutually reinforcing objective relating to circular economy and plastic waste management, digital connectivity, and green digital transformation and climate change adaptation and mitigation.” Cellini reiterated that it is fundamental that the Philippines complete the tax reform package and passes swiftly the bills for the liberalization of foreign investments: the amendment to the Public Services Act and the Retail Trade

Liberalization Act. Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems & Climate Change, Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) Analiza Teh talked about the need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The effect would lead to a collapse in ecosystem services that could result in a significant decline in global GDP: 2.7 trillion dollars by 2030. “For the Philippines, we expect to incur about 177 billion pesos per year in loss to public and private assets due to typhoons and earthquakes. In the next 50 years, we have a 40% chance of experiencing a loss exceeding 989 billion pesos and a 20% chance of a loss exceeding 1.5 billion pesos. The estimated cost to implement our climate change mitigation programs is at 4.1 billion USD from 2015 to 2030.” she said. Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman, Vice Chairperson and Executive Director, Climate Change Commission (CCC), said the Philippines is challenged to pursue a coordinated and effective transition to green and climate smart economy. “This is a transition that will drive decent and green jobs, livelihoods, and social justice, all crucial in the pursuit of sustainable growth.” He proposed a five-point plan toward this aim. In his opening remarks, Professor Dindo Manhit, President of Stratbase ADR Institute said that stakeholders across sectors need to become more aware of the long-term risks of failing to understand and incorporate sustainability as well as green and circular measures in their policies, frameworks, and operations. “The EU has demonstrated its capability to become a global leader in mainstreaming and incorporating sustainable developmental agenda into its policies and frameworks, particularly on climate change. Together with the ASEAN, they are committed to forging stronger partnerships in pushing for circular economies, clean oceans, sustainable food systems, and sustainable finance. For us in the Philippines, we need multisectoral initiatives that should ensure its contribution in hastening recovery with a long-term environment agenda, spurring innovation needed in the new normal, and in reducing future climate risks,” he said.

Have a memorable Christmas feast with King Sue Ham

FPG Insurance partners with fintech giant GCash

PG Insurance, a major player in the non-life insurance industry, inks partnership with GCash to offer retail insurance products within the mobile wallet. This deal marks FPG Insurance as the first non-life insurance company to partner with the fintech giant. Under GInsure, the fintech’s insurance product offerings, users can now purchase insurance coverage for Comprehensive Third-Party Liability (CTPL) insurance and personal accident protection. “This timely partnership is a testament of our steadfast commitment to make insurance available and accessible to all. The key to bringing insurance products closer to more people is to tap the potent digital community of GCash and this is only the beginning of many exciting things to watch out for,” said FPG Insurance President and CEO Gigi Pio de Roda. With GCash’s latest addition to its insurance product offering, motorists can now buy CTPL Insurance, a mandatory vehicle registration requirement by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), for as low as Php 300.40 for motorcycles and Php 610.40 for

private cars. FPG Insurance also offers personal accident insurance protection through MyPAP Mate, a 3-month insurance product now available to all GCash users for as low as Php 300.00 per individual. “GCash and FPG Insurance are partnering together to bring new products for our 50-million users nationwide. With these extraordinary times, we look for ways to make availing insurance easier and more accessible to all,” said JF Darre, Chief

Data Officer of GCash. Under GInsure, FPG Insurance products are designed to be end-toend with no redirection to external sites. App users can buy and get their insurance policies straight in less than 5 minutes. GCash users can simply log-in to their GCash app and tap on GInsure. Under the GInsure, users can easily see the FPG Insurance products under ‘Marketplace.’ Simply choose between MyCTPL Mate for compulsory third party liability insurance or MyPAP Mate for 3-month personal accident insurance. Fill-in all the required information, review the policy coverage, and pay. Simple, fast, and easy! “It is an opportune season to bring insurance protection to more consumers through GInsure, an uncomplicated way of getting insurance at your fingertips,” said Vinelle Haber, FPG Insurance Head of Alternative Channels Sales Group. Gone are the days when you have to physically fall in line just to get CTPL and personal accident insurance coverages. You may now do so with FPG Insurance through GCash any time of the day.

T’S hard to think of Christmas and not imagine the scrumptious food that traditionally accompanies the celebrations. Part and parcel of this special occasion is the appetizing ham that will make it a Christmas to remember. With a few days to go until Christmas Day, the perfect centerpiece of every Christmas feast is no doubt at the top of everyone’s shopping list. To cut through the confusion, we’ve narrowed down your options to King Sue Ham’s favorites. A Show-Stopping Centerpiece: The Bone-In Chinese Ham As far as Christmas spreads go, King Sue Ham’s signature Bone-in Chinese Ham is an impressive, coveted centerpiece. Following the handcrafted recipe from King Sue Ham’s founder Mr. Cu Un Kay, it is made from premium hind leg infused with select spices and seasonings, and smoked to divine perfection. Available in 2kg to 3.5kg weight range.

Premium Christmas Delights: Piña Ham

INFUSING the traditional smoked flavors King Sue Ham is known for, the Piña Hamis is made from whole "Pigue" that is brine-cured for a few days and then cut and placed inside a net used to hang the hams during the long smoking process. The piña ham is available in 1.0kg and 800g, while it is being offered in special cuts such as: 1.2kg / 1.5kg / 2kg / 2.5kg.

Hearty Essentials: Sweet Ham

THERE'S no going wrong with a sensational combination of brine and glaze, mingling harmoniously to create the distinct flavor of King Sue’s Sweet Ham. The versatility of this product, available in 800g and 1kg packs, is what makes it shine. Order directly via SMS or Viber: 09437082018 or 09175949143. Follow facebook.com/KingSueHam, @ kingsueham on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for more information.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 B7

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Enriching the kitchen experience I By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

N these challenging times, the kitchen has become one of the most important parts of the house. In fact, the kitchen has evolved in importance as people spend more time staying at home in an effort to stay safe. Loli Sy, founder and executive vice president of Focus Global Inc. told members of the press the introduction of the latest model of German luxury brand SieMatic has proven the brand’s stability by weathering the current crisis. “Its new tagline ‘Rewrite The Lines In Kitchen Design’ is an apt representation of the innovative spirit that SieMatic has been known for since its inception in 1929 until now,” Sy said. With a discriminating market who value form and function in mind, Sy said the PURE SLX Kitchen Cabinet and its novel features is apt to this segment that does not compromise quality, timelessness, and elegance. With a minimalist-centric design, Sy said the SieMatic PURE style collection is just as functional as it is aesthetic and transforms a kitchen as a work of art. “The SLX kitchen redefines craftsmanship, elegance, and purism. This is truly a kitchen concept that is meant to set new standards,” Sy said. To give members of the press a glimpse of the wonderful kitchen design, SieMatic partnered with award-winning chef Chele Gonzalez of Gallery By Chele. Sy said SieMatic chose Chef Chele as he developed exceptional creations in the kitchen that raised the standards of fine

dining in the Philippines. “His dedication to improving and pushing the boundaries of his craft makes him the perfect partner in celebrating the inspired and innovative design of the SLX kitchen,” she said. Chef Chele developed an exclusive tasting menu for SieMatic SLX inspired by its four key concepts: Weightlessness, Light, Feel, and Transparency. For weightlessness, Chef Chele prepared a floating Foie Gras Pâté topped with Blackberry Coulis served with Brioche Toast and Mixed Berry Jam. Inspired by the weightless drawers and countertop of the SLX kitchen, Chef Chele developed a light and airy foie gras dish that’s served in a double-walled glass to achieve an illusion of suspension. To represent light, the award-winning chef prepared grilled Tenderloin on Parmesan Mashed Potatoes with Choice of Two Sauces and Two Shavings: Beef Jus and Parmesan and Béarnaise and Truffles. Moreover, Chef Chele gave two completely different experiences from the same Grilled Tenderloin dish by creating varying flavor profiles: The beef jus with parmesan gives it a darker, saltier profile, while the béarnaise with truffle shavings offers a tart, buttery flavor. To get the “feel,” Chef Chele prepared Chocolate Bonbons with Coco Sugar Cara-

Parqal: Reimagining urban street life in Aseana City

arks and open spaces largely contribute to the physical and aesthetic feature of a city. These areas further serve a broader purpose in providing recreational opportunities to its citizens, drive local businesses in the community and increase property values. However, with the rapid urbanization and poor urban planning in the Metro, Filipinos are stripped off of these urban neighborhood benefits—one which D.M. Wenceslao and Associates, Inc. (PSE: DMW) is aiming to address through its mixed-use project in Aseana City dubbed as Parqal.

Your outdoor next door

Reimagining the local street park experience into an integrated urban street living with modern conveniences, Parqal is set to become the ideal model of a communityfocused development. “Everything is in Parqal. This mixed-use development has offices, retail, al fresco dining, wellness shops, green open spaces and highlights an impressive 300-meter long canopy that allows our citizens to walk with ease from major focal points in Aseana City in a climate protected environment,” shared Buds Wenceslao, CEO of DMW. As interesting as its name that was derived from the words Park and Kalye, Parqal’s architectural expression for all its nine buildings highlights the architectural design of the Filipino-Spanish home with its modernized take on the “Bahay-Na-Bato.” Each building is also named according to the materials used in building the original Filipino

The iconic handle-free kitchen reinvented the Siematic SLX standards in kitchen design and functionality

mel Filling. Chef Chele’s chocolate bonbons mirror the ribbed design of the recessed grip to echo the feel and texture of the recessed grip. Inside these delicate chocolate pieces is a gooey coco sugar caramel filling inspired by the golden color of this kitchen element Apple Tart with Caramelized Apples, Hazelnut and Cinnamon Custard reimagines the classic apple tart to create a dish that resembles the transparency of the SLX three-panel glass cabinets. With transparent doors and panels, and minimal frames, the SLX glass cabinets are a showstopper in any room and can seamlessly link the kitchen to the living room and lend additional weightlessness to the entire space. Chef Chele has taken these classic dishes and found a way to elevate them and present them in a new light centered on a minimalist design which SieMatic Pure SLX Kitchen has been known to its users.

Outstanding design and elevated dishes come together as SieMatic partners with award-winning chef, Chele Gonzalez for the Pure SLX kitchen

A FUN FAMILY DESTINATION TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN THE SOUTH

ear up for new adventures with the family at Ayala Land’s Vermosa, a modern suburban community in Imus Daang Hari, Cavite that brings together residential, retail, and business spots in one destination. Committed to nurture a balanced and active lifestyle among its residents and visitors, the 700-hectare estate is bolstered by sports and fitness amenities, bike paths, and green open spaces. With recent and soon-to-launch activities this holiday season, Vermosa is the newest weekend destination that Southies cannot miss!

Run, swim, train at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub abode developed during the Spanish colonial era. Imagine having a leisure stroll or taking a mid-day break while being charmed by this historically and culturally inspired architecture. The development was thoughtfully designed by AEDAS, an international architecture and design firm in collaboration with local architecture heavyweight, Visionarch.

From one milestone to another

Amid the challenges brought by the pandemic and with the year ending, DMW recently celebrated Parqal’s topping off ceremony and shortly after, received the 5-Star BERDE Certification from Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) for its first phase. BERDE is a green building certification recognized by the national government under the Department of Energy given to a development that adheres to ecologically sound principles for its design, construction, maintenance, and building operations. Among Parqal’s green building features are energy and water consumption efficiency, placement of droughtresistant plants, usage of treated wastewater, bicycle facilities, convenient access to public transit and services, and installation of artworks from local Filipino artists. With the increase in population comes the demand of sustainable urbanization. Revitalizing the urban city living experience through the establishment of green developments such as Parqal will not just drive business and tourism in the community moreover provide a safe space for the residents in a pandemic-stricken era.

Shake away your lazy bones! This Christmas is all about embracing the sun, the air, and the water—things that have been shadowed for months because the long quarantine period. As restrictions ease, it’s time to take advantage of the revitalizing ambiance that Vermosa brings while challenging the mind and body through weekly workouts at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub (AVSH). The reopened AVSH is the first sports facility in the country to combine a FINA-standard Olympic size swimming pool, an IAAF standard 400m track oval, and a complete indoor training facility equipped with a sports science laboratory. Built to groom both enthusiasts and athletes, the facility partnered with the legendary Coach Hans Smit as its new Sports Director. “My aim is to make AVSH one of the busiest sports facilities in the Metro whole year round,” said Smit. With the record of being the youngest football coach in the history of Philippine Football for teaching the sport at the early age of 21, Smit had made a name for himself over the 40 years he had been in the industry. He is also credited for starting the Varsity Football program in De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) in Alabang wherein he trained numerous

athletes under his wings. Currently the head coach of the DLSU Lady Booters football team, Smit continues to extend his expertise and share his knowledge with the South community at Vermosa. “AVSH is the perfect location for training because of its quiet surroundings. This makes it the perfect place for athletes/ teams for a more concentrated training place. It’s very private,” he mused.

Bike, stroll, and shop with the friendly community Bubbling with life and activity, Vermosa is a convergence point for many leisure programs. Biking is one of them as Ayala Land’s Bike Smart program in Vermosa aims to nurture a cooperative community between pedestrians, vehicle owners, and cyclists by encouraging them to pedal responsibly while following road signs and markings. The Bike Trail is also launching this December featuring an 8km beginner’s trail perfect for newbies. For more experienced bikers, they can enjoy the

road that stretches out in the entire estate. At the same time, services like bike repair stations and on-site crash response teams ensure safety throughout one’s visit in the area. Meanwhile, families can enjoy a safe shopping and dining experience at the Vermosa Food and Lifestyle Market, which showcases gift ideas, goodies, trinkets and the best of local flavours. Open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., expect a wide array of Christmas offerings as this weekend strip includes around 60 food and retail merchants. Vermosa is easily accessible from Makati, Manila, Muntinlupa and even Tagaytay with just less than an hour away thanks to a variety of road connections—Daang Hari Road, SLEX via the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), CAVITEX, and CALAX Road. Schedule your visit this coming weekend and enjoy a holiday filled with active fun. https://www.vermosa.ph/.

Sports

SUZARA

BusinessMirror

| Wednesday, December 15, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

FINALLY, FANS BACK FOR PBA GAMES! By Josef Ramos

INALLY, the fans are back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) crawls back to normalcy amid the dissipating Covid-19 pandemic with two games in the Governors’ Cup eliminations on Wednesday. And no one’s more excited to welcome the fans back than Commissioner Willie Marcial. “I am more excited than the players because we’ve been waiting for this for so long that they, the fans, will come to watch,” Marcial told BusinessMirror on Tuesday. “I’m not used to watching the games without the fans, that’s why I’m so happy.” The PBA last played with fans

in the stands on opening day of the 46th season on March 8, 2020, also at the Big Dome before a normal capacity crowd. San Miguel Beer beat Magnolia, 94-78, in the lone match that went down to notoriety as the last PBA game before the pandemic created a global shutdown. The league played a lone Philippine Cup conference under a stringent Clark bubble in the last quarter of 2020 with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel winning the crown and again the Philippine Cup in another bubble in Bacolor, Pampanga, earlier this year with TNT Tropang Giga emerging champion. The Governors’ Cup started at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City without fans. On Wednesday—exactly after one year, nine months, three, weeks and eight days—the PBA holds two

games—Terrafirma vs. Magnolia at 3 p.m. and TNT vs. NLEX at 6 p.m.—at the Big Dome, a day that would also go down the league’s history as a potential first step to going back to normal. To test the waters, the PBA set a maximum of 4,000 fans who will be allowed entry to the 16,000-seat Araneta Coliseum. But tickets, Marcial said, will be sold at 50 percent discount from their traditional selling price— P375 Patron A, P325 Patron B, P275 Patron C, P225 Box VIP, P175 Box Regular and P70 Upper Box. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available only for fullyvaccinated fans. “All of us missed the live PBA action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum,” said Irene Jose of

Malixi grabs 3-stroke lead as amateurs lure spotlight

IANNE MALIXI recoiled as often as she tripped and bested two-leg winner Harmie Constantino with a game honed and sharpened by her stints overseas to produce a 73 and storm ahead by three shots over fellow amateur Laurea Duque and Sunshine Baraquiel at the start of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Midlands Ladies Classic in Tagaytay City on Tuesday. While Constantino and the rest of the pros stumbled and fell in hot, windy conditions, Malixi proved so composed and focused, bouncing back strong from each miscue while bucking her struggle with her short irons and putting to put up a 37-36 marred by a bogey on the closing par-5 hole of Midlands. But that hardly mattered in a day when four leg winners poised themselves for a spirited battle for top honors in separate twosomes in the season-ending event of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) halted by two suspensions due to surge in coronavirus cases in March and July. But Constantino, who swept the Eagle Ridge-Aoki legs last March and last month, and first-time winners Baraquiel (Highlands), Chanelle Avaricio (Riviera-Couples) and Daniella Uy (Riviera-Langer)

all wavered in difficult scoring conditions, enabling the 14-year-old Malixi to steal the show in the early going of the 54-hole championship put up by ICTSI. Duque, the low amateur at Eagle Ridge-Aoki last March, also bogeyed the last hole for a 76 to slip to joint second with Baraquiel, who overcame a rough start to save a 39-37, while Daniella Uy turned in 77, and Constantino failed to rebound from a quadruple bogey on the tricky par-3 No. 3 and ended up with a 79 for a share of fifth with Marvi Monsalve and Apple Fudolin. Chanelle Avaricio also reeled from a triple bogey on No. 3 and a double bogey on the next, groping for a 4238 marked by four birdies but marred by seven bogeys, including four straight from No. 11. Given her form and level of confidence, Malixi hardly expressed surprise over her round that stood out in a challenging day right in her first LPGT sortie. “It’s a wonderful experience. Playing with the pros is a great challenge for me as an amateur,” said Malixi, who actually kicked off her campaign with a birdie on the first hole. But bogeys on Nos. 3 and 5 stymied her charge although she

Obiena must bend a bit IS it true EJ Obiena doesn’t want to join the mediation to resolve the Obiena-Patafa (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association) financial row? Reports point to that. Bad, bad. If Patafa officials have agreed to the mediation bid of the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), it should thus be incumbent on Obiena to respect the power of communication to resolve the disgraceful dispute once and for all. For one, if Obiena has nothing to hide, why deny himself the chance to clear his name of financial mismanagement being levelled at him by Patafa? For another, the PSC has the moral duty to intervene as it is mandated by law to disburse money for Filipino athletes’ use in training for and in joining world events. Patafa has accused the Italy-based Obiena of mishandling funds intended as salaries of P4.8 million for his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov.

PHILIPPINE Basketball Commission Willie Marcial says he’s more excited than the players to welcome the fans back.

Uniprom Inc., the entertainment arm of Araneta Group. “We are excited to welcome once again all the basketball fans as we revive the exciting live basketball energy—the Big Dome style.” “It’s been a long time since the fans were gone and I’m looking forward and excited to play in front of the fans again, it’s a privilege,” said combo guard Kevin Alas of NLEX, which is shooting for its third straight win for the early lead against Magnolia. The Dyip’s Alex Cabagnot expressed similar excitement to see the fans back. “The energy is there and we’re getting back to normal so we have to come up with a better showing for the fans,” said Cabagnot, whose team is 1-1 won-lost in the young conference.

RIANNE MALIXI conquers hot and windy conditions at Midlands.

rebounded with a birdie on No. 6, dropped another stroke on the next but snapped a three-par game with another birdie on No. 11 to draw level par. The 2020 national stroke play champion parred the next six but came up short on her shots on the long finishing hole and holed out with another bogey. “I kind of struggle with my short game and putting although I was able to manage myself in a very great way. So, I’m very happy,” added Malixi, who had earlier stints in the PXG Women’s Match Play, a pro event, the Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific and the Rolex Tournament of Champions, among others. To stay ahead and hopefully essay a Cinderella finish, Malixi said she has “to stay patient and play with more confidence” while stressing the need to work on her putts in anticipation of the pros’ fightback in the next two rounds of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Obiena, the world’s No. 6 pole vaulter, has denied the charge—a defense supported by Petrov, who issued a signed statement to that effect. In retaliation, Obiena, 26, said his reputation had been smeared and he wanted nothing but a public apology from Patafa headed by Philip Ella Juico. No such Patafa apology has materialized, putting to jeopardy Obiena’s training in Europe as he even threatened to quit “the sport I love.” Wanting to patch up the impasse, PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez has repeatedly said the mediation does not wish to find who was at fault or not. “We just need to mend broken fences for the good of all parties concerned,” Ramirez said. “After all, there seems to be no government money lost and therefore, we should move on for the good of Philippine sports.” But Ramirez has dropped an ultimatum if mediation will not push through: Stop PSC’s financial support to both Patafa and Obiena. That’s cruel but then, that’d be as inevitable as a LeBron James slam dunk when left free. Since the public is obviously on Obiena’s side anyways, he should withdraw his demand for Patafa’s public apology to pave the way for ironing out kinks inside the board room. Communication, opening lines and a readiness to talk it out will surely put an end to this pesky and petty perfidy. THAT’S IT The return today (December 15) of the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) to the Araneta Coliseum is cause for joy. Add the fact that live fans are also in, albeit on a limited basis. Basketball being the barometer of the nation’s sporting pulse, believe then that total normalcy in the local sporting world is within grasp—finally… Happy birthday to Tiong Bahru Restaurant cofounder Abel Manliclic! Cheers!

PHL hosts 2 top-level volleyball events in June

WO weeks of top notch volleyball action are set in 2022 as the country hosts the second leg of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). Tokyo Olympics men’s champion France and women’s titlist United States lead 15 nations vying in the tournament to be held in Pasay City and Quezon City, respectively, on two separate dates. Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) President Ramon “Tats” Suzara formally announced the country’s hosting in Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. “We would like to bring more world-class action in volleyball in the country next year as part of the four-year partnership with the FIVB, which is the international governing body for volleyball,” Suzara said. “We will have the top eight teams [men’s side] in the world coming in Manila in June.” Action in the women’s side kicks off the two-week hostilities as Team USA will be joined by China, Japan, Russia, Belgium, Poland and Thailand in the competition set June 13 to 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena. It will the turn of the men’s teams

to hog the limelight from June 21 to 26, with France facing Tokyo Olympics silver and bronze medalist Russia and Argentina, respectively, as well as Japan, Slovenia, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Initially, only the men’s matches were supposed to be held here, but with Thailand unable to host international competitions, the FIVB requested the PNVF to accommodate both events instead, according to Suzara. The events will be the biggest volleyball event to be hosted by the country since the 2005 World Grand Prix. The men and women national teams won’t be left behind though as exhibition matches are going to be played against some of the visiting countries before they proceed to the next leg. “The plan now is to have exhibition matches one day after the women’s tournament against Japan and Russia, and in the men’s, it will be against Argentina or Italy and also Japan,” Suzara told the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

NO ABSENTEE VOTING FOR SEAG-BOUND BETS M

AJORITY of the athletes and coaches—as well as delegation officials and staff—bound for the Hanoi 31st Southeast Asian Games couldn’t cast their votes in May next year. This after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) denied a request from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) that the Hanoibound athletes be allowed to cast their votes ahead of the May 9 national elections. The Comelec cited the Omnibus Election Code—Executive Order No. 157, Republic Acts 7166 and 10380 and Comelec Resolution No. 10725—which states that “only four personnel from four groups may avail themselves of local absentee voting.” “Government officials and employees, members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines who are assigned in places where they are not registered voters may be covered by this privilege,” the Comelec said. “Members of the media who are covering or reporting the conduct of the elections may likewise be covered,” the election body added. The Comelec said that because

the athletes, coaches and delegates are not part of the aforementioned groups who will be performing election duties, they cannot act upon the PSC’s request. “Only national athletes who are also military personnel or fall under any of the other categories mentioned above may register for Local Absentee Voting,” the Comelec added. “While this is sad news for all concerned, the PSC Board respects the Comelec’s advice,” the PSC said in a statement on Tuesday. Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has said earlier that the athletes would have to sacrifice their right of suffrage in exchange for their duty to compete in the SEA Games. “That’s part of being a national athlete—call of duty to compete,” said Tolentino, a congressman representing Cavite’s Eighth District. The POC said a 626-athlete delegation will compete in the SEA Games set from May 12 to 23 which are only three days after the Philippine elections. The main bulk of the delegation is expected to fly to Vietnam at least a week before the Games open.

Southwoods ahead by 4 points in Fil Champ in Fil-Am golfest

2 MORE FOR CURRY Stephen Curry comes

up two treys short of Ray Allen’s National Basketball Association three-point record on Monday night but still walks away with a 102-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Indiana. He makes five 3s for 26 points to rally the Warriors to the win. He’ll get his chance on Tuesday night on the league’s grandest stage, Madison Square Garden. AP

ANILA Southwoods opened defense of its Fil Champ crown by posting a four-point lead over Luisita Golf and Country Club as action kicked off in the shortened 71st Fil-Am Golf Invitational Tournament at Camp John Hay on Tuesday in Baguio City. Ryan Monsalve aced the par three 13th hole to nullify a pick up on the 14th for par—equivalent to 36 points—and tow the Carmona (Cavite)-based squad to a 131-point opening-day record. Sean Jean Ramos added 34, Lance Uy chipped in 31 and Masaichi Otake had 30 points to count for the team in the five-toplay-fourto-count event which was suspended last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Josh Jorge had a 27 and did not count for the many-time champion which started competing in 1996 and has since dominated the annual invitational tournament that saw a traditional 1,500-player attendance reduced to a fifth this year because of health protocols. Joaquin Hernandez carried the fight for Luisita after logging the only under par score in the tournament—three under—that was good

for 39 points. Tarlac had 127 points for the day. Jed Dy had 33, while Gabriel Manotoc and Leandro Bagtas counted for the team with 31 and 24, respectively, Southwoods and Luisita team captains Thirdy Escano and Jerich Hechanova said that their teams did not play according to expectations because of the long layoff. “Looking at the scores, the difference between the first and last man is big. Maybe it’s because of the lull. They have not played for almost two years due to the (Covid-19) pandemic,” Escano said. “The players are very eager and are trying to hard. But then we expect tomorrow (the play) will be back and the players will shoot at least 140 or even more.” Hechanova said that his players suffer from “first tournament jitters, which hopefully will be better by tomorrow.” Former Southwoods top man Junjun Plana went even par for 36 points at the Baguio Country Club to power Time Cargo Logistics to 120 points for a three point lead in the Am Championship. Counting for the team are Gary Sales (30), Joseph Tambunting (29) and Ruel Cabral (25). Rusitco Bayani Jr. didn’t count with a 24. Alain Strehmeier scored 33 points to lead X1R Mizuno to 117 points. Forest Hills was 10 shot down with 107, Summit Point Golf and Country Club and Batangas Barakos had 97 and 91 points, respectively, to stay at fourth and fifth spot.