BusinessMirror December 30-31, 2021 by BusinessMirror

Revenue loss from pork tariff cuts is P3.6B By Bernadette D. Nicolas

pork imports that came into the country during the eightmonth period. By the end of this year, the government projects losing a total of P5.4 billion from pork tariff cuts. A series of executive orders (EO) was signed by President Duterte to lower pork import tariffs and increase the allowable import volume of meat to help stabilize the domestic supply and prices. Under EO 128, pork tariff rates were temporarily cut to 5 percent for in-quota imports and to 15 percent for out-quota imports for the first three months of the measure; and to

@BNicolasBM

HE government’s foregone revenues from reducing tariffs on pork imports reached P3.6 billion as of mid-December. According to the Bureau of Customs, this was the estimated foregone revenues from April 7 to December 10 since pork import tariffs were cut in a bid to quell inflation by boosting pork supply and stabilizing retail prices in the domestic market. The bureau also collected P3.3 billion in revenues from P214 million kilograms of

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10 percent (in-quota) and to 20 percent (out-quota) in the next nine months. Prior to EO 128, tariff rates for pork imports were at 30 percent (inquota) and 40 percent (outquota). However, EO 128 was only in effect from April 7 to May 14 after President Duterte issued EO 134, repealing the previous issuance. This, after lawmakers expressed concern that the toolow pork tariff rates will flood the market with imported pork and deepen the misery of local hog raisers already reeling from the impact of African swine fever.

Duterte’s signing of EO 134 paved the way for the slight increase in pork tariff rates to 10 percent (in-quota) and to 20 percent (out-quota) for the first three months; and to 15 percent (in-quota) and to 25 percent (out-quota) in the next nine months. The one-year effectivity of EO 134 began on May 15, 2021. Apart from this, Duterte also issued EO 133, hiking the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for pork imports this year to 254,210 metric tons (MT) from the current 54,210 MT. Any unavailable balance at the end of 2021 shall not be carried over to 2022.

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Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021 Vol. 17 No. 83-84

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GOVT EYES P120B WITH LIFTING OF OPEN-PIT BAN By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE government is expected to collect an additional P120 billion worth of revenue with the resumption of open-pit mining operations nationwide, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). In a televised interview on Wednesday, Environment Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones said this is the expected amount of funds to be collected by the government from four mining firms that will benefit from Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2021-40. The issuance, which was signed last week, lifted the

@BNicolasBM

HE national government’s outstanding debt was trimmed to P11.93 trillion as of endNovember this year, but this was still beyond the government’s expected level of P11.73 trillion for this year. From P9.795 trillion by the end of 2020, the debt stock has already jumped by 21.8 percent. The bulk of the debt was still sourced locally at 70.7 percent while the remaining 29.3 percent came from foreign borrowings. Domestic debt as of end-November went down to P8.44 trillion from P8.47 trillion as of endOctober. Year-on-year, domestic debt grew by 17.4 percent from P7.19 trillion in November 2020.

See “NG,” A2

THE DENR official disclosed the ban on open-pit mining was reviewed as the government looks for additional revenue to fund its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The resumption of openpit mines, Leones said, will allow the country to utilize its still untapped mineral resources. “We are only able to get less than 3 percent [of the said resources]. So we can still

After delay, Duterte to sign ’22 budget Dec. 30

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

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Untapped resources

See “Govt,” A2

A VOLUNTEER casts her vote at the Tenement Elementary School in Taguig City, as the Commission on Elections on Wednesday conducted mock elections in 34 barangays nationwide in preparation for the general elections on May 9, 2022. Story in Nation, page A4. NONIE REYES

Latest data released by the Bureau of the Treasury on Wednesday showed that the current debt stock dipped by P39.7 billion or 0.3 percent from P11.97 trillion as of end-October, mainly due to the net redemption of domestic securities and favorable foreign exchange rates. However, this was still a 17.7-percent increase from P10.13 trillion as of end-November last year.

four-year-old ban on the openpit method for mining. “We project that if these four resume [their operations], we would probably collect P120 billion worth of additional income,” Leones said.

JAPAN 0.4378

By Samuel P. Medenilla

Aside from the signing of the 2022 GAA, Nograles said, Duterte may also be engaged in other activities on Thursday, which may include visiting other typhoon-hit areas. “The President has several activities which are lined up [for Dec. 30], but we are still monitoring the weather conditions so I cannot give any announcements yet,” Nograles said. Several government agencies including the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are eagerly awaiting passage of the 2022 GAA to further finance their programs to help communities, which were devastated by Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai). DepEd is eyeing to get additional funding for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of its destroyed classrooms, while DOLE and DTI

sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Duterte is set to sign the P5-trillion 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on Thursday. This after the event was postponed from its initial schedule on Dec. 28, 2021, with Malacañang saying it had yet to complete its review of the provisions of the 2022 national budget. “As promised, the President will sign this very important measure not before December 31 as I mentioned yesterday. So tomorrow [Dec. 30[, the President is scheduled to sign the national budget for 2022,” Acting Presidential spokesperson Karlo B. Nograles said in a virtual briefing. Last Monday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced that at least one provision of the 2022 GAA is being considered for veto by the President.

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need more funds to give financial aid to typhoon-affected workers and employers, respectively. A considerable portion of the budget will also be allocated for the government’s continued measures related to the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19). This includes the procurement of Covid-19 booster shots. Earlier, when the scheduled December 28 signing was postponed, Acting Budget Secretary Tina Marie Rose L. Canda explained that the 2022 GAA is still going through a review process to determine if some of its provisions will be vetoed by President Duterte. “For the items to be vetoed, I remember only one. But I don’t think I am in a position to discuss it at this point because it is still being reviewed,” Canda said. Earlier, House Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera expressed confidence the final version of the 2022 General Appropriations

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Act complies with the Constitution, thus reducing the chances of a veto. “The GAB [General Appropriations Act] was prepared with the constitutionality of every provision in mind, and we are confident PRRD [Duterte] won’t veto its provisions, especially those related to Covid-19 response,” the Bagong Henerasyon representative said. “Next year’s national budget includes appropriations for benefits and compensation for health care workers, hiring of human resource for health emergency, laboratory network commodities, free Covid-19 tests for jobseekers, procurement of vaccine booster shots, hiring and training of contact tracers, among others,” Herrera said. “Most, if not all of these, were not funded in the National Expenditure Program or the original budget document submitted by Malacañang to Congress,” she noted.

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Source: BSP (December 29, 2021)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

BBM…

Continued from A12

1983, the second in 1984 and the third in 1985. A planned project in 1986 was canceled. One aspect of urban planning at that time was relocation to proper housing such as BLISS (Bagong Lipunan Improvement of Sites and Services) and National Housing Authority (NHA) from the Ministry of Human Settlement. The current rows of government offices in Quezon Memorial Circle and Batasan areas were specifically designed to move them away from capital Manila which was already heavily congested at the time. Earlier, noted architect Jun Palafox confirmed in a TV interview that there was severe flooding during Ondoy because the construction of the Parañaque spillway was not continued. “Singapore is only 71,000 hectares; during Ondoy 4,100 cubic meters per second of water fell from the mountains, while the capacity of Pasig River is only 600 cubic meters lang. So, almost 4,000 cubic meters of flooding, it flooded the 80,000 hectares,” explained Palafox. For Marcos, the previous plans on urban planning and spillways should not be ignored because every year storms caused by climate change are getting stronger.

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Dec inflation seen at 3.5-4.3% on costlier electricity, food prices By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday projected that the country’s inflation in December would settle between 3.5 percent and 4.3 percent driven by higher electricity rates and uptick in food prices. “Higher electricity rates along with the uptick in food prices due to weather disturbances are the primary sources of inflationary pressures during the month,” the BSP said in a statement. “These could be offset in part by rollbacks in domestic petro-

leum prices and the appreciation of peso,” the BSP added. Nonetheless, the BSP assured the public that it will continue to “monitor emerging price developments to help achieve its primary mandate of price stability that is conducive to balanced and sus-

tainable economic growth of the economy.” The country’s average inflation rate in November, or the rate that prices of goods increase, slowed to 4.2 percent compared to 4.6 percent posted in October due to cheaper food items. However, the rate was higher compared to the 3.3 percent posted in November 2020. Earlier this month, the BSP expressed confidence that the country’s inflation print will decelerate to below 4 percent next year, despite missing their forecast for the month of November. The BSP then projected that inflation will continue to decelerate in the coming months to within the target band of 2 to 4 percent for 2022 and 2023. “The November 2021 inflation of 4.2 percent was slightly

higher-than-anticipated, settling above the BSP’s forecast range for the month of 3.3 to 4.1 percent... Nonetheless, average inflation is still projected to fall within the government’s target range in 2022 and 2023 as supply-side pressures moderate,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in the first week of December. Two weeks ago, the Monetary Board decided to keep its all-time low interest rate for the last time this year, even amid the threats of upside risks to inflation coming into 2022. In its last meeting for the year, the BSP maintained the interest rate on the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase facility at 2.0 percent. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were likewise kept at 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.

Businesses eye multiple Covid booster shots for workers next year

HE business sector is now eyeing to administer multiple Covid-19 booster shots to their workers next year. In a televised interview on Wednesday, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Secretary

Joey A. Concepcion cited a need to continue administering the booster shots based on the recommendation of local vaccines experts. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

shortened—from six to just three months—the period for fully vaccinated individuals to get their Covid-19 booster shots. This after vaccine experts observed a decline in the effectivity of the current generation of Cov-

id-19 vaccines after three months. “So now, I think what will happen is that every three months we need to give booster shots. That will be about three to four [booster] vaccines to be given annually,” Concepcion said. Samuel P. Medenilla

Subic…

Continued from A12

between a Filipino and a foreign partner. The biggest investment project in 2021 was the P201.2-million watercraft operation business proposed by Empress maritime Subic Inc., a British-Filipino venture. Next are a petroleum trading venture by Bicol Oil (International) & Shipping Corp., a Filipino firm that pledged P179.3 million; Subic Spectron Energy Trading Corp., another Filipino petroleum trading firm with P101.39 million; MN3A Subic Trading Corp., a Filipino general trading firm with P80 million; and SBGP Food Services Inc., a Taiwanese-Filipino trading and retailing business with P74.6 million. Completing the top 10 new investors are: Da Fu Yuan Corp., a Filipino-Taiwanese-Chinese venture for real estate development with P57.28 million; Jung Fang Corp., a Taiwanese real estate firm with P38.44 million; Alquenes Petroleum Inc., Filipino, with P28.5 million; Vexio Corp., another Filipino petroleum trader, with P25.97 million; and CGD Medical Depot Inc., a Filipino trader of medical

supplies and food products, with P19.7 million.

Biggest project

MEANWHILE, the SBMA recorded Subic Supreme Industries Inc., as the biggest investment project in terms of employment with projected 71,250 jobs. This Filipino venture committed P15.5 million to develop and operate the marshalling yard at the gateway area for mixed-use development and services. Eisma also said the success of Subic in generating more business commitments was underpinned by a community effort to practice minimum safety protocols, get vaccinated, and establish Covid-19 facilities like a testing center and RT-PCR laboratory, and a 500-bed quarantine facility. “Our readiness and capability to fight Covid also brought more business to Subic,” Eisma said, pointing out that some sports and tourism events, as well as the crew-change and OFW repatriation programs of the national government, were held here under the bubble concept.

Govt…

Continued from A1

get more so we can utilize and harness the said resources,” Leones. Close monitoring ENVIRONMENTAL groups opposed the new policy, which they alleged will lead to more environmental degradation. Leones assured the public, however, that the DENR and other concerned agencies will closely monitor mining firms with open-pit mines to make sure they comply with all environmental laws. “What we will do is if we catch them not strictly complying with our policies and

environmental laws, we will not hesitate to shutdown their operations,” Leones said. Meanwhile, mining firms welcomed the new development, which they claim will generate additional jobs. As of Wednesday, Leones said they have yet to estimate how many jobs will be created with the implementation of DAO No. 2021-40. But since the DENR started closing mining operations in 2017, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) initially estimated over 20,000 workers were affected by the said policy.

DBM…

Continued from A12

This is on top of the initial P1 billion released last Friday. The allocation per region was based on the number of affected households and on the proportionate amount of damage incurred by Typhoon Odette on the region’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors, as recently reported by the DSWD. Of the additional P1 billion, Region XIII cornered the biggest amount at 264.81 million, followed by Region VI (P248.35 million), Region VII (P202.66 million), Region VIII (P115.43 million), Region IV-B (P84.38 million), and Region X (P84.37 million). In total, the DBM has released P6.85 billion to LGUs. Including the funds released for the replenishment of agencies’ respective QRF, the total allotment released for Typhoon Odette so far reached P7.68 billion. The DBM has also issued Local Budget Circular No. 141 to provide guidelines on the release and utilization of financial assistance.

NG…

Continued from A1

Foreign debt

LIKEWISE, foreign debt was also cut by 0.4 percent month-onmonth to P3.49 trillion as of endNovember from P3.5 trillion. The Treasury attributed the decrease in foreign debt to the peso appreciation against the US dollar and other foreign currencies adjustments, amounting to P11.64 billion and P4.05 billion, respectively. But the foreign debt level as of end-November was still higher by 18.6 percent than last year’s P2.94 trillion. Meanwhile, total outstanding guaranteed debt dropped 2 percent to P417.85 billion compared with P426.46 billion as of end-October. This was also lower by 5.6 percent than the P442.83 billion as of end-November last year. The lower level of guaranteed debt was due to the net redemption of both domestic and external guarantees amounting to P4.94 billion and P3.49 billion, respectively.

RCBC expert’s view

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael Ricafort said the easing of the outstanding debt could also be attributed to the additional measures to further open the economy with the adoption of granular lockdowns that are less costly to the government. However, Ricafort also pointed out that the reconstruction and rehabilitation activities in areas hit by Typhoon Odette may temporarily increase the government’s expenditures, which could lead to a wider budget deficit entailing more borrowings and higher overall debt in the coming months. Moreover, Ricafort also said the settlement of the P360-billion 5.5-year Retail Treasury Bond issuance by the government this month will fundamentally increase the country’s outstanding debt by the end of this year. Budget documents show the government expects outstanding debt to hit P13.42 trillion in 2022. 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. As of the end of the third quarter this year, the country’s debt-toGDP ratio is already at 63.1 percent. The Department of Finance also sees the national government returning to its prepandemic 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.

The Nation

A4 Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

BusinessMirror

Covid-19 infections jump to 889 amid heightened holiday mobility By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

OVID-19 cases spiked on Wednesday after 889 infections were logged by the Department of Health (DOH) from over 400 cases the other day, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 2,839,790. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that cases are expected to increase in the coming days due to the holiday related mobility and reduced compliance to minimum public health standards. “We are continuously monitoring

the situation, though we cannot still be certain that the increase in cases is due to the Omicron variant. We are calling on the public and the LGUs [local government unit] to ensure safety protocols are implemented and every Filipino is vaccinated,” Vergeire said. The DOH also recorded 214 recoveries and 28 deaths. Of the 889 reported cases, 869 (98 percent) occurred within the recent 14 days (December 16 to December 29, 2021). The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were National Capital Region with 564 or 65 percent, Region 4A (86 or 10 percent),

and Region 3 (53 or 6 percent). Of the 28 deaths, seven occurred in December 2021 (25 percent), two in November 2021 (7 percent), 4 in October 2021 (14 percent), 9 in September 2021 (32 percent), one in August 2021 (4 percent), two in July 2021 (7 percent), two in July 2020 (7 percent), and one in June 2020 (4 percent). Of the total number of cases, 0.4 percent (10,418) are active, 97.8 percent (2,778,131) have recovered, and 1.80 percent (51,241) have died. Sixteen duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, 13 are recoveries. In addition, 194 cases were found

to have tested negative and have been removed from the total case count. Of these, 193 are recoveries. Moreover, 25 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation. There were two laboratories that were not operational on December 27, 2021 and only one laboratory was not able to submit its data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System. Based on data in the last 14 days, the three labs contribute, on average, 0.4 percent of samples tested and 0 percent of positive individuals.

Senators laud deferment Makati court drops drug raps of PhilHealth holiday, but vs Kerwin Espinosa, Peter Co warn reprieve won’t last By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

AWMAKERS on Wednesday lauded private hospitals’ move to withdraw plans for a Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) “holiday,” but warned that this reprieve from a public health crisis must be resolved once and for all with thorough-going reforms. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said this “should be an eye opener to the Executive department on how poorly PhilHealth is performing.” In a separate statement, Sen. Nancy Binay reminded that the hospital groups’ move against PhilHealth is “a serious matter.” “The situation merits an emergency meeting of the PhilHealth Board and all members that are Cabinet secretaries,” Binay said, stressing that “not just representatives should attend.” The lawmaker lamented, “It is sad that some hospitals have to resort to this,” voicing dismay that the issue with PhilHealth had been raised in a series of Senate committee hearings but “until now there was still no clear solution to the problem.” Binay bewailed that a PhilHealth holiday is a major cause of concern, ruing that “tama ba ’yung pasyente muna ang mag-aabono ng pangospital, tapos bahala na rin silang maghabol sa Philhealth?” Moreover, Binay reminded the Covid contagion is not over and authorities concerned need to prepare for a “possible surge of variants.” “Hindi pa tapos ang Covid at kailangan natin paghandaan din ang possible surge ng variants,” the senator said, suggesting “PhilHealth and the DOH [Department of Health] should get their act together to prevent more hospitals from disengaging.” Binay bewailed that what is the use of having a health insurance if it does not serve its purpose, ruing that “in the end, it is not PhilHealth nor the hospitals but the Filipino people that are at the losing end.”

‘See you next month’

THE Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) earlier pushed back its plan to stop receiving claims from PhilHealth in a move dubbed as PhilHealth holiday to next month after receiving requests from concerned citizens. PHAPi president Jose Rene de Grano, also said that patient groups have also expressed their concern on PhilHealth holiday slated on January 1 to 5. The postponement, he said, would give them time to inform the affected patients on what to do. However, he said, their members in based in Iloilo are planning to push through with the holiday plan. “’Yung nasa Iloilo na nakapagdesisyon na na kumalas sa PhilHealth, tingin po namin itutuloy nila ’yan dahil

naputol na ang pakikipag-ugnayan nila sa PhilHealth [Those in Iloilo have decided to disconnect with PhilHealth, I think they will push through with their plan],” said de Grano said in a radio interview. On Tuesday, PhilHealth expressed hope that de Grano will rethink his call to his member hospitals to go on PhilHealth holiday. “Eventually it will be the Filipino people who will suffer the consequences of such a call,” PhilHealth said in a news statement, noting that as of December 24, 2021, PhilHealth has fast tracked the release of P11.64 billion for payment of claims through the Debit Credit Payment Method to hospital partners nationwide.

Call for equitable health service

THE chairman of the House Committee on Health, meanwhile, urged PhilHealth, DOH, and PHAPi to act and resolve the matter expeditiously to ensure that health care remains equitable and affordable to all Filipinos. Panel chairman and Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, M.D. issued the statement as some hospitals postponed their plan to declare a five-day PhilHealth holiday from accepting claims for deductions. Tan said PhilHealth holiday would only unduly subject patients to pay the entire cost of hospitalization since hospitals will turn down deductions from PhilHealth. “What is now happening, in spite of all the efforts to avoid this outcome, is a total disregard of the fundamental principles that we sought to enshrine in the landmark Republic Act 11223, otherwise known as the Universal Health Care Act, primarily the provision that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health-care goods and services, and protected against financial risk,” she said. “This is not a people-oriented and patient-centered approach for the delivery of health services and certainly not the right way of starting the New Year,” said Tan. In a news interview, PHAPi president de Grano said private hospitals would no longer continue their five-day PhilHealth holiday to protest the delayed claims from the state insurer. “I am also calling on the PhilHealth to decisively resolve the nagging issue of delayed payments and immediately sit down with PHAPi to resolve this unfortunate situation where Filipinos, especially the poor and underprivileged, will be at the losing end,” said Tan. “Let me reiterate that as chairperson of the House Committee on Health, I left no stone unturned in setting the stage for the amicable exchange of views between the PhilHealth and hospital groups,” she added. With Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco , Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

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Comelec declares success in mock polls despite virus control issues By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ESPITE initial reservations on voter turnout on its mock polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it was able to “successfully” conduct the nationwide activity on Wednesday. In a livestreamed news briefing in the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez disclosed they were surprised that they were able to register 100 percent voter turnout in many of the clustered precincts. Over 22,000 voters from over 2,000 precincts were expected to participate in the event, which was held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. last Wednesday. “In fact, in most places we have a 100 percent turnout versus our expected number of voters so I think the exercise itself was very well run,” Jimenez said. Jimenez also noted their automated election system (AES) also performed well during the mock polls. “All of the canvass reports were successfully transmitted to the NBOC [National Board of Canvassers]. So our canvasing is 100 percent,” Jimenez said.

Health concern

KERWIN ESPINOSA (left) and Peter Co (right)

MAKATI court has dropped the drug charges against members of the so-called Espinosa drug cartel, including Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, and Wu Tuan Yuan a.k.a. Peter Co. In a 13-page order dated December 17, Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 64 Judge Gina M. Bibat-Palamos dismissed the charges “for failure of the prosecution to adduce evidence to overturn the presumption of innocence enjoyed by the herein accused.” The court ruling granted the demurrers to evidence filed in July by Kerwin, Co, witness Marcelo L. Adorco, and Lovely A. Impal, questioning the sufficiency of the charges against them and seeking the dismissal of these charges. A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss on the ground of insufficiency of evidence where a defendant cites that the evidence produced by the prosecution is insufficient, whether true or not, to make out a case. The group faced charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. “In proving that the Espinosa Group conspired to commit illegal trading or trafficking of dangerous drugs, the prosecution heavily relied on the sole testimony of Adorco. However, the court...declared Adorco’s sworn statements as inadmis-

sible [as] evidence because the same was extracted from him by the police officers in violation of his rights under custodial investigation,” the court said. “For one, Adorco, unwittingly, was made to be a witness against himself. For another, the rule is that even if the confession contains a grain of truth, if it was made without the assistance of counsel, it becomes inadmissible in evidence, regardless of the absence of coercion or even if it had been voluntarily given,” it added. The case involved a 2013 transaction involving 20 kilograms (kg) of shabu at the parking area of Cash and Carry Mall in Makati City. In a news statement given sans counsel, Adorco said he met Espinosa in 2011 while he was detained at the Alta Vista jail in Ormoc City for illegal possession of firearms and helped distribute drugs to inmates. As Espinosa’s errand boy after his release from jail, Adorco was tasked to pick up 20 kg. of shabu from Yuan, who directed him to proceed to the Metropolitan Hospital where Impal, Yuan’s drug runner, was waiting. After the transaction, he returned to the Ormoc City jail where he showed the shabu to Espinosa and then delivered it to a certain Max Miro in Albuera, Leyte. After the initial transaction, he participated in at least four similar delivery activities in Metro Manila. PNA

COMELEC Pasay First District Election Officer Ronald O. Santiago also lauded the high voter participation rate in the mock polls. However, he expressed concern how health protocols, particularly social distancing, were not strictly complied with by many of participating voters. “I think most of the time that is our concern because of the protocols in the conduct of the mock elections is to validate the effectiveness of the minimum health protocols,” Santiago said. Election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), which joined in the event as an observer, also made the same remark that certain health proto-

cols like social distancing, wearing of face masks, disinfection of hands and election materials were not strictly implemented.

Smooth and peaceful

ANOTHER concern raised by Namfrel was the report that vote-counting machine (VCM) in Pateros, which rejected ballots several times. Jimenez said they got reports of such incidents and noted some of the rejected ballots, which were exposed to the elements, and some voter writing on the security markings of the ballot. However, Namfrel noted in general that the conduct of the mock polls by the Comelec was “smooth and peaceful.” It pointed out that most of the polling precincts in the activity opened on time. “Observers also noted that the activity appears well-organized in general, and anti-Covid protocols are generally being enforced and followed,” Namfrel said.

Benchmark

NATIONAL Police Chief General Dionardo Carlos said the mock polls exercise, “Will be an important pre-election activity to determine the flow of process and the observance of the guidelines, including the restrictions that our PNP [Philippine National Police] personnel should be made aware of during the election da,” PNP chief said. “We are duty bound to monitor if the public is following the minimum public health standard, so this is an aspect that we’d like to focus as soon as the voters start trooping various polling places,” Carlos said. The PNP admitted that the upcoming elections would be a challenging one since adhering to health protocol is a priority given the current pandemic threat. It said the mock election can be the benchmark for the PNP’s assessment and planning for next year’s elections. With Rene Acosta

PNP chief seeks to improve data collection on firecracker-related injuries with DOH

AT IONA L Pol ice c hief Gen. Diona rdo C a rlos reminded on Wednesday all police units to constantly coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) to synchronize data compilation on firecrackerrelated injuries in their areas of jurisdiction. “We have previous experiences that some victims aren’t reporting to the PNP (Philippine National Police), especially those with only minor injuries. The tendency is, these cases will not be recorded in our police blotter, while the hospitals or the DOH has taken note of them,” Carlos said. In ordering units to strictly coordinate with the DOH, Carlos wanted

to avoid “inconsistent” data among government agencies that may confuse the public. “Accurate numbers are important to assess the result of our campaign for a safe and orderly celebration of the New Year. It won’t hurt anything if we just double check the figures,” he said. Meanwhile, the PNP will conduct inspections, confiscate and destroy prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices as ordered by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año. The PNP was reacting to the statement of the secretary that it is the PNP’s responsibility to enforce policies regulating the manufacture and use of firecrackers. Rene Acosta

Go hails grant of gratuity pay to JO, COS workers in govt service

EN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go welcomed President Duterte’s approval to grant a one-time gratuit y pay to all Contract of Ser vice (COS) and Job Order (JO) workers in government in recognition of their important role in the deliver y of public ser vice, especially amid the Cov id-19 pandemic and other crisis situations the countr y has faced the past year. On Wednesday, December 29, the President issued Administrative Order (AO) 46, which covers all COS and JO workers employed in national government agencies (NGA), including State Universities and Colleges (SUC), government- owned and -controlled corporations (GOCC), as well as Local

Water Districts (LWD). The AO likewise encourages local government units to provide gratuity to their eligible employees. “Allow me to thank each and every government worker from the highest posts to the lowest ranks. Our civil servants, individuals who dedicate their lives to the service of the Filipino people, must be given an opportunity to pursue a career in the service, which allows them to enjoy competitive wages so they can address their personal needs and that of their families,” said Go. Under the Order, COS and JO workers are entitled to a maximum of P5,000 each, provided they have rendered at least four months of service as of December 15, 2021. Those employed for

less than four months may still receive the gratuity pay on a pro rata basis. Workers who have rendered at least three months of service are entitled to a maximum of P4,000. Meanwhile, those with at least two months or less of service may receive up to P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. The funds to implement the AO will be sourced from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses allotments of the NGAs and SUCs, corporate operating budgets of the GOCCs and LWDs, and local government funds. In January 2018, in fulfillment of his campaign pledge, President Duterte signed Joint Resolution No. 1, which increased the base pay of all military and uniformed personnel in

the government. In 2019, Go authored and cosponsored a measure in the Senate that was enacted into Republic Act 11466, otherwise known as the “Salary Standardization Law 5.” The law gives civilian government employees salary increases broken down in tranches. As part of a broader commitment to enhance the welfare of government employees, the senator also filed Senate Bill 391 or the “Magna Carta for Barangays Act,” which if passed aims to provide barangay officials with additional compensation similarly accorded to a regular government employee as well as other benefits in return for the services they render in their respective communities. Butch Fernandez

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Group slams lifting of ban on open-pit mining in PHL By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

NVIRONMENTAL groups belonging to the KalikasanPeople’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE) on Wednesday criticized the Duterte administration for allowing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to lift the ban on open-pit mining method in the Philippines. “We condemn the Duterte government’s lifting of the open-pit mining ban when people are still responding to the plight of millions affected by Supertyphoon Odette. Talk about priorities in these times of crisis,” the group said in a news statement. Kalikasan-PNE said the lifting of the open-pit mining ban, an environmental policy put in place by former DENR Secretary, the late Regina Paz L. Lopez in 2017, adds insult to the injury of many “Odette” victims. “Open-pit mining is actually responsible for the devastation of watersheds in regions heavily

afflicted by the typhoon such as Caraga, Negros, and Central Visayas,” the group said. According to Kalikasan-PNE, the promise that the move will bring in money for economic recovery is nothing but disinformation. “Only 12 percent of mineral resources plundered in the Philippines by big mines trickle back to our economy as taxes, fees, and royalties. For every 10 pesos worth of minerals they will plunder, only a peso will return to the Philippines,” the group lamented. According to Kalikasan-PNE, for the past 26 years, poverty rates in the Philippines have only worsened while mining revenue steadily increased. We are left with areas like the Marcopper open-pit mines, forever scarred and polluted, unfit for human life. “This is pretty much an election campaign promise by the evil Duterte-Marcos mafia: that millions of Filipinos will be left to suffer and die amidst disasters fueled by mining and climate change,” the group lamented.

DTI assists 200 Palawan MSMEs affected by weather disturbance

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reported that damages and losses to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Palawan due to Typhoon “Odette” (international code name Rai) have now reached P30 million affecting 200 MSMEs in the area. In a news statement, DTI Mimaropa said around 50 percent of the 400 rapidly assessed MSMEs in the province of Palawan were either severely or partially damaged since Typhoon Odette hit the country. “The approximate cost of structural damage amounted to over P25 million, while the estimated amount of losses in inventory products cost over P5 million. In the aftermath [of the typhoon], the estimated amount needed for the recovery of the MSMEs is valued at around P31 million,” DTI said. DTI-Mimaropa Director Joel B. Valera said the agency would conduct a series of Diskwento Caravan to ensure the supply of basic necessities are priced within the suggested retail price range. Valera said DTI is also planning to distribute livelihood kits to affected MSMEs through its Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay Program (LSP-NSB). “We will be at the forefront of MSME recovery in the province. Moreover, I encourage everyone to extend assistance of any kind to the

affected communities,” he said. For her part, DTI Palawan Provincial Director Hazel DP. Salvador said monitoring efforts are continuously being conducted by the DTI Palawan Provincial Office and Negosyo Centers to aid the typhoon victims. In view of Presidential Proclamation No. 1267 dated December 21, 2021, the DTI said declaring a State of Calamity (SOC) in Mimaropa due to widespread devastation and damage by Typhoon Odette, the prices of basic necessities in the whole region are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices effective for the duration of the condition that brought about it, but not more than 60 days. This is also in accordance with Section 6 of RA 7581 or the Price Act. DTI warned the public that violators shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for a period of one year to 10 years, or a fine ranging from P5,000 to P1 million or both, at the discretion of the court aside from the applicable administrative penalties. Earlier, the DTI said it has started its crackdown on establishments allegedly engaged in profiteering in areas hit by Typhoon Odette. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said they are already looking into the compliance of 100 establishments with the price freeze in areas that are currently under the state of calamity. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

World Bank, US release ₧5B for Typhoon ‘Odette’ victims By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

NTERNATIONAL aid continues to pour in for 4.6 million Filipinos affected by Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai), as minioutbreaks of diarrhea and gastroenteritis were reported in Siargao, Dinagat islands as well as in Cebu. The Philippine government has not officially sought for international help, but the United Nations is rallying the international community to raise at least $107.2 million (P5.36 billion) for the “most urgent humanitarian needs” of most vulnerable Filipino communities affected by Typhoon Odette. The World Bank said it has released $80 million (P4 billion) worth of loan to support the Philippine government’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. It will be part of the $500-million credit under the Fourth Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Loan with a Catastrophe-Deferred Drawdown Option initially approved on November 17, 2021 to help Manila manage risks from climate change,

DTI delivers livelihood kits to Mandaluyong entrepreneurs

TOTAL of 200 pandemicaffected microentrepreneurs in Mandaluyong City received livelihood kits under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo Serbisyo Sa Barangay (LSP-NSB). The DTI’s National Capital Region Office (NCRO), together with the Mandaluyong City government, provided the assistance to identified beneficiaries on December 21. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, together with Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr., led the awarding of the livelihood kits to the MSMEs beneficiaries. Alaska Corporation, which provided company products, also joined the activity. Lopez enjoined the beneficiaries to “actively participate in the department’s programs and seminars that can enhance their entrepreneurial know-how and development.”

BARMM parliament OKs P79.8-B budget for 2022

OTABATO CITY—More development projects and propeople initiatives are assured of implementation next year after the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) passed the proposed P79.862-billion budget for 2022. “The region’s 2022 budget is 6 percent higher than this year’s P75.6billion budget,” said BTA Speaker Pangalian Balindong in a news statement on Wednesday. The BARMM’s Cabinet Bill 155 that carried the budget’s approval got 59 “yes,” zero “no,” and zero “abstain” votes. The region’s 2022 budget was approved by the BTA during a special session on Tuesday night at the BARMM government center in this city. The 80-member BTA is the BARMM’s provisional lawmaking body. Balindong said the members of parliament (MPs) have approved the Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP) for 2022 on third and

final reading an hour after the plenary passed the measure on second reading. “The BEP was certified as urgent by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, in effect waiving the threeday mandatory interval between the second and third reading of measures,” he said. The 2022 budget proposal is contained in Cabinet Bill 155, entitled “An Act Appropriating Funds for the Operation of the Bangsamoro Government from January 1 to December 31, 2022 and for other purposes.” Lawyer Ubaida Pacasem, deputy BARMM minister of finance, budget, and management, said the funds would be utilized to spur recovery initiatives from the coronavirus disease 2019 economic recession. The 2022 budget will cover regular activities directly addressing the ministries’ and offices’ mandates, such as purchasing goods and services for day-to-day operations; delivery of public services; conducting basic governance; or providing general management and supervision of the entire Bangsamoro government.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021 A5

The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) got the biggest chunk of the budget allocation of P24.7 billion; followed by the Ministry of Public Works (P16.3 billion); Office of the Chief Minister (P8 billion); and the Ministry of Health (P4.6 billion). This is the second time MBHTE received the biggest slice of the budget. Its 2021 budget is P23.2 billion. The BARMM’s main source of revenue is the block grant, which is automatically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act to the Bangsamoro (GAAB) and released immediately and comprehensively to the Bangsamoro government. This is equivalent to 5 percent of the net national internal revenue tax collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the third fiscal year preceding the current fiscal year. The Special Development Fund, as stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, has become a source of funds for Bangsamoro development initiatives across the region. PNA

naturaldisastersanddiseaseoutbreaks. The World Bank loan was released immediately after President Duterte declared a state of calamity on the six regions struck by the pre-Christmas Day storm. “In times of calamities like typhoons and floods, poor families suffer disproportionately. The World Bank stands with the country during this difficult time. We are committed to help hasten the country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts, restore social services, and strengthen the country’s defenses against future disaster risks,” Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand said. The United States government also upped its contribution to the humanitarian assistance it is extending to communities affected by Odette, pumping additional P950 million ($19 million) to the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This brings to P1 billion ($20.2 million) the total support of the US government following the typhoon’s devastation. “With this assistance, USAID

will provide food aid; water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to help keep people healthy; and shelter assistance to meet emergency needs and help affected communities start rebuilding their homes,” the US Embassy in Manila said in a news statement. For his part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said, “Our American partners are now the single largest country contributor to the government’s efforts to help our communities severely impacted by the typhoon begin the process of rebuilding their homes and lives. We welcome the urgent action taken by the US government in mobilizing funds and its people to support us in our time of great need. I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to the US Embassy and the USAID. You are indeed our allies, partners and friends.” Earlier, the US Embassy announced a P50-million ($1 million) funding to support emergency logistics efforts to ensure aid is delivered to those in hard-to-reach areas. Immediately after the storm on December 17, USAID also providedP10millionworthoffood,water,hygienesupplies,facilitiestorestore

water supply, sanitation and activities to support hygiene promotion. “We stand steadfast with our longstanding friend, partner, and ally in helping support communities devastated by the typhoon,” said US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) ad interim Heather Variava. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko also announced that Japanese company, Marubeni Corporation, donated P2.2 million to help relief efforts. “Japan and the Philippines are both vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons, and we know too well about the hardship and devastations Filipino people are experiencing now, Ambassador Koshikawa said. “Kasama Inyo kami!” The Japanese government has already delivered generators, sleeping mattresses, sleeping pads, dome tents, jerry cans, plastic sheets last December 23. The emergency relief goods came from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) storage in Singapore and were donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

BusinessMirror

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong KANUGA, ASHISH Tech Solution Planning Assoc Director 1.

Brief Job Description: Technology master craftsmen using all tools in the arsenal solution planners use their robust delivery skills. Deep understanding of the competitive landscape and unparalleled knowledge of Accenture offering to create win win solutions for the client and Accenture.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Basic Qualification: Complexity degree of difficulty of an assignment or level of problems-solving assessment and resolution required. As measured by degree of problem-solving, strategic vs routine focus and stakeholder interactin Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. B21 Three E-com Moa Complex, Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore, Brgy. 076, Pasay City DINH THI XANH Basic Qualification: Seller Support Associate Fluency in both english and vietnamese 2. Brief Job Description: Resolve Seller Queries and Provide Efficient service to Salary Range: amazon sellers and merchants Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: DORA JULFAN Bachelor’s degree in Bahasa Indonesian Language-officer Fund Management accounting finance management or any 3. Brief Job Description: business course Must ensure their funds reporting requirements are met Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: FAM BUI THUNG Bachelor’s degree in Bahasa Indonesian Language-officer Fund Management accounting finance management or any 4. Brief Job Description: business course Must ensure their funds reporting requirements are met Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LORA LACAVERA Bachelor’s degree in Bahasa Indonesian Language-officer Fund Management accounting finance management or any 5. Brief Job Description: business course Must ensure their funds reporting requirements are met Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 BLOOMBERRY RESORTS AND HOTELS INC. Solaire Resort And Casino, 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: CHOI, HYOHYEON Proven professional Host, Premium Services-Korea experience in the related 6. field Brief Job Description: Provides high quality services to gaming customer Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: PARK, MINSU Proven professional Host, Premium Services-Korea experience in related field 7. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provides high quality services to gaming customers Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 BLUELINE ACTIVE ASIA, INC. 37/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati LI, JUNJIANG Basic Qualification: Content Writer - Mandarin Speaking Excellent writing and editing skills 8. Brief Job Description: Conducting in depth research on industry-related topics Salary Range: in order to develop original content Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZHENG, SILAN Basic Qualification: Senior Content Writer - Mandarin Speaking Excellent writing and editing skills 9. Brief Job Description: Conducting in depth research on industry-related topics Salary Range: in order to develop original content Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: SU, QINGQUN Proficiency in graphic Web Designer - Mandarin Speaking design software including Adobe Photoshop and 10. Brief Job Description: Adobe Illustrator Designing visual imagery for websites and ensuring that they are in line with branding for clients Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Expertise and hands-on SUN, RONGHE experience with a wide Web Developer - Mandarin Speaking range of web application 11. and programming Brief Job Description: languages Website and software application designing, building and maintaining Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Expertise and hands-on XI, KUN experience with a wide Web Developer - Mandarin Speaking range of web application 12. and programming Brief Job Description: languages Website and software application designing, building and maintaining Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 A KHA Web Developer - Vietnamese Speaking 13.

Brief Job Description: Website and software application designing, building and maintaining

Basic Qualification: Expertise and hands-on experience with a wide range of web application and programming languages Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BLUESKY INVESTMENTS HOLDING INC. Suite 2802 Discovery Center, 25 Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

14.

15.

SU, SHUANGFEI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to customer inquiries

YANG, XIAOYU Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to customer inquiries

No.

16.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION PARK, JI SOO Customer Service Associate Brief Job Description: Provides support to customers in processing orders

BOWENHILLS TECH INC. 19/f Lepanto Bldg., 8747 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati DUONG DINH DAI Vietnamese Speaking Marketing Officer 17.

Brief Job Description: Delivers day to day operational marketing activities to the Chinese-speaking markets

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: 1-year customer service associate experience, basic to advance MS application skills. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. 2nd, 3rd, And 4th Floors, Science Hub Tower 4 Bldg., Mckinley Hill Cyberpark, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: Minimum 2-year(s) customer services support experience (voice, e-mail, or NORIEGA VICENTE, ALEJANDRO chat), working with direct Process Specialist consumers, preferably in B2C environment; Good 18. Brief Job Description: at Translating from English Tech-savvy and able to troubleshoot personal devices, to Spanish or Spanish to online streaming, transactions, applications, software English without variation; and hardware issues Native Spanish Speaker Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

DIGIVIRTUAL TECH CORPORATION 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg., 8747 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati GUO, SHIPENG Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Computer Support Specialist Excellent speaking, writing and reading in Chinese 19. Brief Job Description: Investigate user problems and prepare reports for Salary Range: developers. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. 5th To 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: TAN, ZHOUJU With at least 6 months Chinese Speaking Admin Associate customer service experience/ Good in oral 20. Brief Job Description: communication and written Assist / Help customers, give customers information about product and services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZENG, QIANG With at least 6 months Chinese Speaking Admin Associate customer service experience/good in oral 21. Brief Job Description: communication and written Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, BINGFENG With atleast 6 Months Chinese Speaking Admin Associate customer service experience/Good in oral 22. Brief Job Description: communication and written Assist/Help customers, Give customers information about product and services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHOU, JIAWEN With at least 6 months Chinese Speaking Admin Associate customer service experience/ Good in oral 23. Brief Job Description: communication and written Assist / Help customers, give customers information about product and services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St, , Binondo, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas, and SHEN, DONGGANG research to help develop Marketing And Sales Agent marketing strategies; can help to detail, design, and 24. Brief Job Description: implement marketing plans Researches and develops various marketing strategies for each product or service for products and services and implements marketing being offered. plans and works to meet sales quotas Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ERICSSON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. 22/f Two/neo Bldg., 3rd Ave. Cor. 28th St. Crescent Parkwest, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: Technical sales expertise SUNDSTROM, ULF CARL BERNHARD on radio network products. Chief Technology Officer Knowledge on 4G LTE and 5G NR systems and 3GPP Brief Job Description: protocols. More than 25. Be responsible to develop radio network solution for 10-year experience in key customers in Philippines regarding 5G NR system technical solution sales or and related RAN technologies. Work closely with solution architects on radio product line in Ericsson global organization and key networks. customers. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 ESTILO DHAKA APPAREL INC. 2r-18 999 Shopping Mall Bldg. I, Soler St. 028, Barangay 293, Binondo, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: BILLAH, S M SAKIB NOOR Conduct cycle count Inventory Specialist inventory process to ensure the accuracy and timely 26. Brief Job Description: execution Notify store management of shortage or other problems that could impact availability. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate, 1 year experience to the related field

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

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

27.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, 1 year experience to the related field

28.

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

BOSCH SERVICE SOLUTIONS, INC. 23rd Floor, W Fifth Avenue Building, 32nd Street Corner, 5th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig

29.

CUI, XING Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Provide and maintain customer service GAO, BAOBAO Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Provide and maintain customer service LIU, XICHEN 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 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in managing incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in managing incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

30.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WANG, WEIWEI Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Provide and maintain customer service

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

GENX SPORTS & MEDIA PRODUCTION CORP. 11/f Aseana I Bldg., Bradco Ave. Aseana City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: TAN, YONGLE Proven working experience Customer Service Representative- Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 31. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHEN, FEIFAN Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 32. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HE, JIANBIN Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 33. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LI, JIALIANG Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 34. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LI, WENXIONG Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 35. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIN, YANGYONG Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 36. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WANG, WEI Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 37. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: XIAN, JUN Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 38. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHU, QIFENG Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 39. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WONG WAI KUAN Proven working experience Customer Service Representative-Malaysian Speaking in digital marketing particular within the 40. Brief Job Description: industry and good Recommends potential products or services to communication skills management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor, Eight West Campus Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: LI PAIN YAN Able to speak and write in Myanmari Customer Support Representative MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with 41. Brief Job Description: related BPO experience Experts at their product and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 SHAUNG SI KYAUNG Myanmari Customer Support Representative 42.

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

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

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg., #48 President Avenue, Bf Homes, City Of Parañaque ELVIANA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 43.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Indonesia through blogs, micro blogs and forums ERDIAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

44.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks and write fluently (Korean, English and mandarin) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks and write fluently (Korean, English and mandarin) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FANNI ANGELIA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

45.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Indonesia through blogs, micro blogs and forums HENDI WIJAYA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

46.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Indonesia through blogs, micro blogs and forums BAK, BOKSIM Korean Customer Service Representative

47.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korean through blogs, micro blogas and forums

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks and write fluently (Korean, English and mandarin) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks and write fluently (Korean, English and mandarin) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college graduate, speak and write fluently (mandarin and english) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

JADE ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Uprc 3 Bldg., 2289 Don Chino Roces Extn., Magallanes, City Of Makati DEL DUCA, JOSEPH KERR Vice President - International Marketing Basic Qualification: Brief Job Description: Bachelor’s/College Degree; Take responsibility for annual marketing plan, strategy 18 to 40 years old 48. and tam; Identify and plan differentiated and impactful marketing strategies/materials; Build, manage and Salary Range: coach a high-performing marketing team; Drive the Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 implementation of marketing campaigns that meet business objectives and drive leads. JARDINE SCHINDLER ELEVATOR CORPORATION 20th Floor, Insular Life Fcc Tower 1, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa NG, KEI SUM Basic Qualification: Branch Director (vismin) Enginering of Business related degree graduate 49. Brief Job Description: Manages the business operations and leads the Salary Range: dynamic workforce in Visayas and Mindanao. Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 JDB MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANCY CORP. 107 T & D House, Magallanes St., 069, Bgy. 655, Intramuros, City Of Manila LEE DAR WOEI Basic Qualification: Strategic And Facilitation Officer Must be fluent in Chinese language 50. Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and Salary Range: its Chinese clients to generate more income for the Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 company KING-MERCHANT BUSINESS TRADING INCORPORATED Unit 2505-f, The Finance Centre 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: CHIU, CHUN-NENG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist reading and writing in 51. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Conducting research and marketing strategies to Salary Range: develop areas of the business Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MANILA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOUNDATION, INC. G5 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave., 079, Barangay 727, Malate, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: Master’s in Music: Min. CHEN, CHII-KUAN of 5yrs. professional and Music Director international experience, excellent knowledge of 52. Brief Job Description: music techniques, theory Design Program and Repertoire; Assign Artists; and performance. Conduct Rehearsals and Performances; Supervise Post Production Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MIGHTY-MERCHANT BUSINESS TRADING INCORPORATED Unit 2505- E The Finance Centre, 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: MO, YU-MING Proficient in Speaking , Foreign Language Marketing Specialist Reading and Writing in 53. Foreign Languages Brief Job Description: Conducting Research and Marketing strategies to Salary Range: develop areas of the business Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: GE, YUTAO Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Operations Specialist reading and writing in 54. mandarin Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and Salary Range: operational efficiency Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: GONG, LIU Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Operations Specialist reading and writing in 55. mandarin Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and Salary Range: operational efficiency Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: RAO, HONGJUN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Operations Specialist reading and writing in mandarin 56. Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and Salary Range: operational efficiency Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YE, BIHAI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Operations Specialist reading and writing in 57. mandarin Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and Salary Range: operational efficiency Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: FANG, WENDI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Technical Support reading and writing in 58. mandarin Brief Job Description: To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer Salary Range: system Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: FU, YU Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Technical Support reading and writing in 59. mandarin Brief Job Description: To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer Salary Range: system Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WANG, YANZHAO Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Technical Support reading and writing in 60. mandarin Brief Job Description: To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer Salary Range: system Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

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NGUYEN THI PHUONG NGAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN TIEN HAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN HOA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NONG QUOC BINH Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION SHI, XINLONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries STEVEN TRISANJAYA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHONG, FA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries JIAO, LONG Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIU, TAO Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SU MYAT THINZAR Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WU, LITAO Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XU, XINGGE Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, FUWU Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THI PHUONG NGAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN TIEN HAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN HOA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NONG QUOC BINH Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SHI, XINLONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries STEVEN TRISANJAYA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

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

NANTAI TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 3rd Floor Net One Center Building, 26th Street Corner 3rd Ave., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: With bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or CHAN SHAWN NIN any related course with Computer Technical Support Specialist a minimum of 2 year 80. IT experience and able Brief Job Description: to speak and write in Assists users who are having problems with software, MANDARIN. computers, or peripherals such as printers or scanners. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f, Pearl Marina Building Pacific Drive, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: LAI, KUNHAI College Graduate Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 Year experience in the similar field speak and 81. Brief Job Description: fluently inative language Managing Incoming calls and inquiries, handling and english complaints provide solutions process customer acounts and file documents Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LI, DONG College Graduate Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 Year experience in the similar field speak and 82. Brief Job Description: fluently inative language Managing Incoming calls and inquiries, handling and english complaints provide solutions process customer acounts and file documents Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIANG, SHUAI College Graduate Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 Year experience in the similar field speak and 83. Brief Job Description: fluently inative language Managing Incoming calls and inquiries, handling and english complaints provide solutions process customer acounts and file documents Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 PACIFIC SEA BPO SERVICES, INC. 16/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Must be 21 years old above. Graduate of any vocational or bachelor’s degree. Can speak Thai, Telegu, Hinft, Vietnamese, SUWANNACOT, PORNTHIP Hangul and Bahasa can Data Analyst Officer converse well in English. At 84. lease 1 year data analyst Brief Job Description: position or customer service Multilingual customer support specifically for other Asian experience. With good oral languages and written communication. Intermediate to advance computer skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QINGJIAN GROUP CO. LTD. 1046 U500 Puso Ng Maynila Bldg., A. Mabini St., 072, Barangay 666, Ermita, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both LIU, DONGLING written and spoken with Chinese Assistant Manager atleast 5 years experience 85. in construction industry Brief Job Description: Serve as assistant manager Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both wirtten and spoken with atleast 5yrs experience in overall project management

WANG, LEI Chinese Project Manager Brief Job Description: Serve as Project manager

XUE, XINGCHENG Chinese Survey Expert Brief Job Description: Serve as Chinese Supervisor for Site Survey works

CAO, RONGFA Site Technical Support Brief Job Description: Serve as Chinese Supervisor for Project Site Works.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin both written and spoken, with atleast 5 years experience in construction industry Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both written and spoken, with at least 5 years experience in construction Industry. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SUMITOMO CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES 35/f Philamlife Tower, 8767 Paseo De Roxas St., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: College graduate or higher form of studies, Accounting KOKETSU, KOERU course is favorable Japanese Treasurer/administration General Manager and English language proficient, experience in 89. Brief Job Description: handling Team, preferably To manage and ensure smooth operation of the in Japanese company Administration Department. setting. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 12th Floor Philplans Corporate Center, Kalayaan Avenue & Triangle Drive, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig JOSHI, RAJESH KUMAR Basic Qualification: Director- Knowledge Management Management Planning 90. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Responsible for handling performance management Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 system T ONE CHINA CONSTRUCTION THIRD BUREAU CORPORATION 99 Dasmarinas St., San Nicolas, 026, Barangay 282, San Nicolas, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: BS Degree in construction LIU, SHUANG management, architecture, Chinese Construction Manager engineering or related field with 3 to 5 years 91. Brief Job Description: experience in construction Oversee and direct construction projects from management conception to completion. Review the project in-depth to schedule deliverables and estimate costs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TOTAL CREST BUSINESS SUPPORT, INC. 26/f & 27/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, Ayala Ave. Extn. Cor. Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: LUONG VAN THINH Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Field Marketing Officer reading and writing in 92. mandarin Brief Job Description: Define a region-specific marketing plan that supports Salary Range: the regional sales strategy Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West, Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: SUI, JIAXING Able to speak and write Mandarin Customer Support Representative in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with 93. Brief Job Description: related BPO experience. Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YAN, DONGYU Able to speak and write Mandarin Customer Support Representative in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with 94. Brief Job Description: related BPO experience. Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YAN, SIFA Able to speak and write Mandarin Customer Support Representative in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with 95. Brief Job Description: related BPO experience. Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHOU, RUITING Able to speak and write Mandarin Customer Support Representative in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with 96. Brief Job Description: related BPO experience. Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 VIE EN VIE CORPORATION Unit 703 West Tower, Pse Centre Exchange Rd., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig CHO, YU-JOU Basic Qualification: Manager For Sales And Marketing - Asian Division Fluent in oral and written Mandarin and English 97. Brief Job Description: languages. To manage potential markets ans customers and supervise the flow of sales and marketing in Southeast Salary Range: Asia. Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: CHIU, SHAO-HSUAN a.k.a. CHIU, ARTHUR Fluent in oral and written Vice President For Sales And Marketing Division Mandarin and English 98. languages. Brief Job Description: To organize a more effective sales and marketing Salary Range: position for the company. Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 VOLENDAY INC. U1406 14/f Pacific Star Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati PENG, PENG Project Control Manager Basic Qualification: To provide consulting, Brief Job Description: technical and advisory 99. Responsible for LTE/5G wireless products and project services management; Take charge of the project control; Be responsible with the implementation; Coordinate Salary Range: the completion of the material plan; Manage project Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 revenue DONG, WEI Regional Project Manager Basic Qualification: To provide consulting, Brief Job Description: technical and advisory 100. Responsible for project cost, schedule, quality services targets on project, handle project implementation end to end. Manage implementation, resource, join Salary Range: the communication with client. Manage project Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 acceptance. ZHANG, WENTAO Regional Project Manager Basic Qualification: To provide consulting, Brief Job Description: technical and advisory 101. Responsible for project cost, schedule, quality services targets on project, handle project implementation end to end. Manage implementation, resource, join Salary Range: the communication with client. Manage project Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 acceptance. *Date Generated: Dec 29, 2021 Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE 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

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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

Cases surge across Australia as Omicron variant explodes

YDNEY—Coronavirus cases surged across Australia on Wednesday as an outbreak of the Omicron variant exploded, prompting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to schedule an emergency national cabinet meeting. The surge has already overwhelmed testing stations, prompted new vaccine mandates and caused at least one state to cut back on elective surgeries. New infections in Sydney and surrounding parts of New South Wales state skyrocketed to more than 11,000, up from 6,000 a day earlier. Victoria state also reported a record 3,700 cases, up by more than 1,000 from the previous record set on Tuesday. Morrison said the nation’s leaders would meet ahead of schedule on Thursday. “As Omicron continues to go forward we will see further pressures, but states and territories are working very closely on their plans to deal with those challenges,”

Morrison told reporters. He said he hoped the meeting would help give a clearer definition on what constituted a close contact and which tests should be used in different circumstances as case numbers ballooned. Other states also reported surg ing numbers, w it h more than 1,500 new infections in Queensland, 1,400 in South Australia,138 in the Australian Capital Territory and 55 in Tasmania. Queensland health officials said about 80 percent of cases were the Omicron variant. Neighboring New Zealand also reported its first case of possible community exposure to Omicron, when a returning traveler tested positive after leaving quarantine.

However, health authorities said the traveler wasn’t considered highly infectious and there was no evidence yet of any community spread. South Australia announced it would place limits on elective surgery and mandate vaccine booster shots for frontline health care workers. State Premier Steven Marshall said South Australia would no longer be conducting screening tests for interstate travel because it doesn’t have the capacity. “Omicron is moving too quickly,” Marshall said, adding that resources needed to be focused on the “very imminent” increase in hospitalizations. More than three-quarters of Australians are fully vaccinated, and just how deadly the latest outbreak will prove remains to be seen. Australia has so far avoided the worst ravages of the pandemic, reporting a total of 2,200 virus deaths among its population of 26 million. On Wednesday, New South Wales—Australia’s most populous state—reported three new virus deaths and 625 hospitalizations, including 61 patients in intensive

care. Victoria reported four new deaths and 397 hospitalizations, including 62 in intensive care. Testing centers have been unable to keep up with a surge in demand. Thousands of people across New South Wales have waited for hours this week to be tested. Some were travelers who were required to have a negative PCR test before arriving in Queensland. But under pressure to ease that requirement, Queensland’s premier said Wednesday it will accept rapid antigen tests instead of PCR tests for travelers from interstate hotspots from January 1. The outbreak was also contributing to a shortage of blood donations and an urgent call for donors to step up. Testing and quarantining requirements prompted by the outbreak, combined with the holiday season, were creating a “perfect storm” of cancellations, said Red Cross Lifeblood donor center network head Cath Stone. “More than half of all appointments are not being attended, which means we need more donors to roll up their sleeves and take the place of those who can’t donate,” Stone said. AP

California 1st state to top 5 million cases amid Omicron variant surge

ACRAMENTO, California— California became the first state to record more than 5 million known coronavirus infections, according to the state dashboard Tuesday, which was delayed by the holiday weekend. The grim milestone, as reported by the California Department of Public Health, wasn’t entirely unexpected in a state with 40 million residents poised for a surge in new infections amid holiday parties and family gatherings forced indoors by a series of winter storms. The first coronavirus case in California was confirmed on January 25, 2020. It took 292 days to get to 1 million infections on November 11 of that year, and 44 days from then to top 2 million. California’s caseload is also ahead of other large states. Texas had more than 4.4 million and Florida topped 3.9 million as of Sunday. California has recorded more than 75,500 deaths related to Covid-19. The state has fared far better than many other states that are dealing with a coronavirus surge, with areas in the Midwest and Northeast seeing the biggest jump in cases and hospitalizations amid frigid temperatures that have kept people indoors. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists California as a place with “high” transmission of the virus, along with nearly everywhere else in the country. But in the last week California averaged 16.4 new cases per 100,000 people, less

People line up for a free Covid-19 rapid test at a gas station in the Reseda section of Los Angeles on December 26, as California braces for a post-holiday virus surge. AP/Richard Vogel

than a third of the national rate. Meanwhile, coronavirus related hospitalizations have been rising slowly in California, up about 12 percent in the last 7 days to 4,401. That’s less than half as many as during the late summer peak and one-fifth of a year ago, before vaccines were widely available. On Tuesday, San Francisco announced it was canceling its New Year’s Eve fireworks show because of the rising caseload, while Contra Costa County in the Bay Area announced that it would require masks to be worn in all public indoor places as of Wednesday. Prev iously, some vaccinated people had been allowed to remove them. The timeline of Covid-19 in America often comes back to California. It had some of the ea rl iest k now n c a ses a mong travelers from China, where the outbreak began.

The Februar y 6, 2020, death of a San Jose woman was the first known coronavirus fatality in the US. That same month, California recorded the first US case not related to travel and the first infection spread within the community. On March 19, 2020, Gov. Gavin Ne w som i ssued t he n at ion’s first statewide stay-at-home order, shuttering businesses and schools to try to prevent hospital overcrowding. It is unclear how many of the newly reported cases were attributed to the Omicron coronavirus variant. Much about Omicron rema ins unk now n, inc lud ing whether it causes more or less severe illness. Scient ists say Omicron spreads even easier than other coronavirus strains, including Delta, and it is expected to become dominant in the US by early

next year. Early studies suggest the vaccinated will need a booster shot for the best chance at preventing an Omicron infection but even without the extra dose, vaccination still should offer strong protection against severe illness and death. With cases surging, the nation’s largest state-based health insurance marketplace urged more than 1.1 million uninsured Californians to sign up by Friday for subsidized coverage that would then start with the new year. Covered California said the average cost of an intensive care coronavirus hospitalization is $127,000, but estimated that 85 percent of those eligible for the state-brokered health insurance can get coverage free of charge, with government assistance. Those who sign up after Friday will have their coverage start on February 1. AP

China calls on US to protect space station from satellites

EIJING—China is calling on the United States to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX nearly struck the station. A foreign ministr y spokesman accused Washing ton on Tuesday of ignoring its treaty

obligations to protect the safety of the Tiangong station’s threemember crew following the July 1 and October 21 incidents. T he Tiangong per for med “evasive maneuvers” to “prevent a potential collision” with Starlink satellites launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., the government said in

a December 6 complaint to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. T he Un ited St ates shou ld “take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again,” said the spokesman, Zhao Lijian. Zhao accused Washington of failing to carry out its obligations

to “protect the safety of astronauts” under a 1967 treaty on the peaceful use of space. The first module of the Tiangong was launched in April. Its first crew returned to Earth in September following a 90-day mission. The second crew of two men and one woman arrived October 16 for a six-month mission. AP

A policeman, center, directs pedestrians towards a Covid-19 testing booth at a Sunday market in Jammu, India on December 5. In India, which has been getting back to normal after a devastating Covid-19 outbreak earlier this year, Omicron is once again raising fears, with more than 700 cases reported in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people. AP/Channi Anand

Asia keeps Omicron at bay, but surge may be inevitable

AIPEI, Taiwan—Much of Asia has largely managed to keep Omicron at bay even as the variant rages in other parts of the world, but the region that is home to most of the globe’s population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge. Strict quarantine rules for arrivals and widespread mask wearing have helped slow the spread of the highly contagious variant in Asia. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand quickly reinstated entry and quarantine restrictions in recent weeks after relaxing them in the fall. But cases are mounting, and experts say the next few months will be critical. Those fears have been amplified by doubts about the effectiveness of the Chinese-made vaccines used in China and much of the developing world. “Once the pace picks up, its upsurge would be extremely fast,” said Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top medical adviser to Japan’s government. In India, which has been getting back to normal after a devastating Covid-19 outbreak earlier this year, Omicron is once again raising fears, with more than 700 cases reported in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people. The capital, New Delhi, banned large gatherings for Christmas and New Year’s, and many other states have announced new restrictions, including curfews and vaccination requirements at stores and restaurants. At the crowded Chandni Chowk market in New Delhi, many people were shopping without masks this week. Cycle rickshaw driver Mahesh Kumar said he is afraid of passengers who don’t wear masks. “There are many people who don’t believe in this disease. They think it doesn’t exist. But I am very scared. I have children and a family,” he said. “If something happens to me, who will take care of them? Australia is already dealing with multiple Covid-19 surges, with a state leader saying Wednesday that “Omicron is moving too quickly.” Elsewhere, Thailand has topped 700 cases, South Korea has more than 500 and Japan, over 300. China, which has some of the strictest virus controls in the world, has reported at least eight. Only four cases have been reported in the Philippines, where people flocked to shopping malls ahead of Christmas and to Mass in the biggest Roman Catholic nation in Asia. Some hospitals have even begun dismantling Covid-19 wards in a move experts say could prove to be premature. Japan managed to delay the spread of the new variant for about a month largely thanks to its reimposition of entry restrictions, mandatory Covid-19 tests for all arrivals and the isolation of all passengers on a flight if anyone tested positive for Omicron. But the barrier was broken last week when the first locally transmitted cases were confirmed in the neighboring cities of Osaka and Kyoto. Experts are urging the government to prepare for an imminent wave of infections by increasing testing, speeding up booster shots and preparing more beds at hospitals. “We want to believe the Omicron cases could be mild, but its fast-paced infections could quickly multiply the number of patients and could still overwhelm hospitals,” Omi said. Taiwan, where wearing a face mask is near universal in major cities, has started to offer booster shots of the Moderna vaccine and is urging people get a third shot before an expected influx of people returning home for Lunar New Year at the end of January. Preliminary research has shown that booster shots of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines offer continued, though diminished, protection against Omicron. However, a Hong Kong University study that has yet to be published found that China’s widely used Sinovac vaccine does not generate enough antibodies to protect against Omicron, even with a booster shot, according to a university news release. Hong Kong offers both the Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines. Sinovac did not respond to a request for comment. Chinese officials have said their vaccines are still effective. “Our inactivated vaccines are still rather reliable and cover a range of antigens. Therefore, they won’t be completely ineffective against omicron,” Zhong Nanshan, a top government doctor, said at a public forum. Some countries that relied on the Chinese vaccines are turning to others for boosters. Thailand, which largely used Sinovac and Sinopharm, another Chinese vaccine, is offering booster shots of AstraZeneca or Pfizer. Indonesia, where Sinovac has been the mainstay of a campaign to vaccinate its 270 million residents, is offering a Moderna booster for health care workers. The government is also planning boosters for the general population in January, though it hasn’t said which vaccine. China’s attitude toward the virus, Omicron or not, is to stop transmission in its tracks, and the country appears to be getting even tougher with the approach of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February. Officials locked down the city of Xi’an, a city and administrative area of 13 million people last week, amid a Delta outbreak that has infected hundreds of people. On Monday, they ordered everyone to stay at home until another citywide round of testing was completed. Residents complained on social media about the sudden ban. Many were relying on instant noodles and other packaged food. Some worried how they would get enough food in the coming days, especially fresh vegetables. China quarantines those arriving from abroad for weeks, depending on the province, with three weeks being the most common. How China’s zero-Covid-19 policy will play out at the Olympics is a major question. Athletes and visitors will not be allowed to leave the Olympic zones, and those attending such as officials, journalists and venue staff will be tested every day. To contain a deadly Delta-driven surge in South Korea, the government this month restored its toughest distancing rules with a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants. Health experts predict it’s only a matter of time before Omicron comes. “Omicron has such a high transmission rate that it’s too obvious that it’ll become the dominant variant in South Korea at some point,” said Jaehun Jung, a professor at Gachon University College of Medicine in South Korea. AP

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Severe Brazil flooding spreads in 116 Bahia cities and beyond

R ASILIA, Brazil—A total of 116 cities in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia were in a state of emergency because of flooding on Tuesday due to heavy rains that have been pounding the region since the end of November. Cities in at least five other states in Brazil’s north and southeast have also been flooded in recent days. In Bahia, flooding has affected more than 470,000 people. In at least 50 cities, water surged into homes and businesses, and people were forced to abandon their belongings. Official data from the state government say 34,163 people have been made homeless and almost 43,000 are displaced. There have been a total of 21 deaths and 358 people injured since the beginning of the month. This is the heaviest period of rainfall for Bahia in the last 32 years, according to the website of the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, a government agency. In souther n Bahia, it rained more than five times the normal amount for this time of the year. In an interview with local radio stations Tuesday morning, Bahia Gov. Rui Costa compared the situation to a “ bombardment.” He also said that coronavirus vaccines were lost in the floods of some cities. “Some municipal health offices and medicine depots were completely under water,” he said. On Tuesday, the population of at least four municipalities in Bahia received warnings to leave their homes because of the increased flow of the Pardo River due to the opening of the Machado Mineiro dam’s sluice gates in neighboring Minas Gerais state, according to the state government’s advisory office. Bahia’s Civil Defense superintendent, Col. Miguel Filho, told The Associated Press that there are still flooded and isolated cities, and rains are still ongoing. “Our first response is to help, then to shelter, to care for the population in the shelters by giving humanitarian aid, with sheets, blankets, food,” he said. He added that at least five dams in Bahia are at risk of

bursting. Bridges and federal and state roads in the state were destroyed and have been provisionally rebuilt to allow food and other items to be brought to people in need. “We still don’t have a complete list of all the damage caused, the amount of structures that will need to be replaced,” Gov. Costa said. “It isn’t possible to stipulate a timeframe for recovery, because we don’t have that dimension. We’re guaranteeing accessibility, the detour, the temporary structure so that people can come and go.” The above-average rainfall is due to the La Nina atmospheric phenomenon, which increases precipitation in some areas of Brazil, including Bahia, the government’s science ministry said in a statement last week. Carlos Nobre, a prominent climatologist, explained to the Associated Press that the intensity of rains observed in Bahia is due to global warming. “We have to expect that these kinds of phenomena become more and more common. It’s how the planet responds. The evaporation of the oceans is greater and, with more water vapor in the atmosphere, there are more conditions for more intense rains, as we saw in Europe and China months ago,” said the expert, who also mentioned other climatic phenomena that are becoming more intense and frequent, such as droughts, hurricanes and fires. The federal government has authorized emergency spending totaling 80 million reais ($14.2 million) for Bahia alone. Additional funds will be directed to other regions also affected by the rains in recent weeks, and which are still suffering the consequences. In Tocantins state, which is adjacent to Bahia in Brazil ’s northern region, 22 municipalities were affected by the rains by early Tuesday afternoon. The executive director of the state’s civ i l defense aut hor it y, Maj, A lex Matos, told the AP this number is expected to grow in the coming hours. “We’re predicting an increase in the volume of the Araguaia River, which will fill the Tocantins River even more,” he said. AP

group said revealed the authorities’ real motive. “The Supreme Court’s ruling confirmed once again that the history of political terror organized and directed by the government isn’t an academic issue that is interesting only for experts, but an acute problem of today,” Memorial said in a statement. “Memorial embodies the Russian citizens’ need to know the truth about the country’s tragic path and the fate of millions. No one would be able to ‘liquidate’ that need.” The group said it would appeal the verdict and pledged to continue its work. “Of course, nothing is over with this,” Maria Eismont, one of the lawyers that represented the group in court, said after the ruling. “We will appeal, and Memorial will live on with the people—because it’s the people behind it serving this great cause first and foremost. The work will continue.” A crowd that gathered in front of the courthouse on Tuesday erupted into chants of “Disgrace!” in response to the ruling. Police detained several people who picketed the courthouse.

US warships stay in Mediterranean Sea amid Russian troops worries

ASHINGTON—Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a US Navy aircraft carrier strike group to stay in the Mediterranean Sea region rather than move on to the Middle East, amid worries about the buildup of thousands of Russian troops near the Ukraine border. A defense official said Tuesday that the change in the schedule of the USS Harry S. Truman, and the five American warships accompanying it, reflects the need for a persistent presence in Europe. It is necessary in order to reassure US allies and partners in the region, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military deployment details. The US and Western allies have watched as the buildup of Russian troops near the border grew to a peak of an estimated 100,000,

fueling fears that Moscow was preparing to invade Ukraine. Ru ssi a a n ne xed U k ra i ne’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and shortly after threw its support behind a separatist rebellion in the country’s east. Over more than seven years, the fighting has killed over 14,000 people and devastated Ukraine’s industrial heartland, known as the Donbas. Russia has denied any intention of launching a new invasion and instead has accused Ukraine of hatching plans to

The view as Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, top US commander for the Middle East, watches from the bridge as an F/A 18 fighter jet lands on the USS Harry S. Truman, February 1. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a US Navy aircraft carrier strike group to stay in the Mediterranean Sea region rather than move on to the Middle East, amid worries about the buildup of thousands of Russian troops near the Ukraine border. A defense official said on December 28, that the change in the schedule of the USS Harry S. Truman, and the five American warships accompanying it, reflects the need for a persistent presence in Europe. AP/Lolita Baldor

tr y to use force to reclaim control of the territories held by Moscow-backed rebels. Ukraine has rejected that claim. The Truman strike group includes five US ships—he cruiser USS San Jacinto and the guided missile destroyers USS Cole, USS Bainbridge, USS Gravely and USS

Jason Dunham. Also with them is the Royal Norwegian Nav y frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen. The Truman left its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, on December 1, and entered the Mediterranean Sea on December 14. It had been scheduled to continue on into the Gulf region. AP

World’s fair in Dubai warns of possible closures over virus

UBAI, United Arab Emirates—The multibillion-dollar world’s fair in Dubai has warned that some venues on site may shut down as coronavirus cases rapidly rise in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai’s Expo 2020 said that virus outbreaks among staff may force some parts of the fair to “close temporarily for deep cleaning and sanitization,” without elaborating on the scope or the location of the infections. The UAE’s daily virus caseload has skyrocketed by a multiple of 37 in just the last three weeks after the arrival of the Omicron variant. The vague statement from Dubai’s governmentrun media office on Monday underscores the daunting

challenges of hosting among the world’s first major inperson events amid a stillraging pandemic. The fair opened in October after a year’s delay as the UAE bet that its rapid vaccine rollout would allow its economy to avoid the closures that have paralyzed much of the West. Expo tries to enforce various virus precautions, with face masks mandatory on the fairgrounds and a vaccination certificate or recent negative virus test needed for entry. But the highly transmissible omicron variant, which is thought to evade immunity from vaccination, poses a new test. There have been no visible social distancing requirements at Expo’s massive concerts in recent

Russian court shutters renowned rights group O S C O W — R u s s i a ’s highest court on Tuesday shut down one of the country’s oldest and most prominent human rights organizations, the latest move in a relentless crackdown on rights activists, independent media and opposition supporters. The Supreme Court’s ruling to close Memorial, an international human rights group that drew international acclaim for its studies of political repression in the Soviet Union, sparked international outrage. Memorial is made up of more than 50 smaller groups in Russia and abroad. It was declared a “foreign agent” in 2016—a label that implies additional government scrutiny and carries strong pejorative connotations that can discredit the targeted organization. Prosecutors said the group repeatedly failed to identify itself as a foreign agent and tried to conceal the designation, the accusations rejected by Memorial. During the hearing, prosecutors also charged that Memorial “creates a false image of the USSR as a terrorist state,” a claim the

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

The Council of Europe’s Secretary General, Marija Pejčinović Burić, described the move as “devastating news” and “a dark day for civil society in the Russian Federation.” Amnesty International called Memorial’s closure “a blatant attack on civil society that seeks to blur the national memory of state repression” and “a grave insult to victims of the Russian Gulag.” US Ambassador John Sullivan deplored the court’s verdict as “a blatant and tragic attempt to suppress freedom of expression and erase history.” French Foreign Minister JeanYves Le Drian expressed “indignation and concern” at the shutdown of the NGO Memorial International, calling it “a terrible loss for the Russian people.” “This announcement is deeply worrying about the future of historical research and the defense of human rights in Russia,” he said in a statement. Memorial’s sister organization, the Memorial Human Rights Center, is up for closure as well, with a court hearing Wednesday morning in Moscow City Court. Russian authorities in recent

months have ratcheted up pressure on rights groups, media outlets and individual journalists, naming dozens as foreign agents. Some were outlawed as “undesirable” and several were forced to shut down or disband themselves to prevent further prosecution. O n S at u rd ay, aut hor it ie s blocked the website of OVD-Info—a prominent legal aid group that focuses on political arrests— and urged social media platforms to take down its accounts after a court ruled that the website contained materials that “ justify actions of extremist and terrorist groups.” The group rejected the charges as politically driven. OVD-Info condemned the ruling to shut down Memorial. “Memorial is an institution of national memory about the times of the Great Terror and Soviet repressions,” the group said in a statement, adding that its closure amounted to an attempt to justify Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s repressions.” “It is a clear signal both to society and to the elites: ‘Yes, repressions were necessary and useful to the Soviet state in the past, and we need them today as well.’” AP

weeks where revelers have rammed up against each other, waving their hands to the music. With Dubai’s peak winter tourism season in full swing, the world’s fair has vaulted into the spotlight. Millions of tourists from around the world are flocking to the sprawling site packed with scores of national pavilions, restaurants, shops and performance stages. Christmas parades drew crowds last week and Expo is now gearing up for big concerts to attract partygoers on New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve bashes last year in Dubai helped drive a drastic surge in virus cases in the Emirates as tourists escaped lockdowns at home. Infections now hover

below those heights but are climbing fast. The daily infection toll exceeded 1,840 on Tuesday, the highest in six months. The more conservative capital of Abu Dhabi on Tuesday ramped up virus checks on the highway from Dubai to make sure all vaccinated drivers also had tested negative within the last two weeks. The city capped house parties at 30 people and announced all schools would switch to remote learning for the first half of January. Emirati authorities have reported few daily hospitalizations and deaths among the UAE’s nearly 10 million people, of which over 90 percent are fully vaccinated. AP

Indonesia to turn away boat with 120 Rohingya refugees

A N DA A C E H , I n d o n e sia—Indonesian authorities said Wednesday they will push a boat containing 120 Rohingya Muslims back to international waters despite calls from the United Nations refugee agency to allow the passengers to disembark after being adrift for days off the country’s northernmost province of Aceh. The boat is reportedly leaking and has a damaged engine, is floating in the open sea in harsh weather, and may be at risk of capsizing, the UNHCR said Tuesday. “UNHCR is deeply concerned for the safety and lives of those onboard,” it said in a statement. “To prevent needless loss of life, we strongly urge the Indonesian government to allow safe disembarkation immediately.” The boat was first sighted by local fishermen on Sunday in waters about 60 miles (96 kilometers) off the coast of Bireuen, a district in Aceh province, said Badruddin Yunus, the leader of the local tribal fishing community. He said fishermen were unable to tow the broken-down wooden boat but had provided food, water and clothes to the hungry passengers, including 60 women, 51 children and nine men.

“Their condition looks weak but fine,” said Yunus, adding that the refugees said they wanted to go to Malaysia and had been at sea for 28 days before their boat’s engine broke. Local officials, supported by the police and navy, have provided food, medicine, a new boat engine and a technician to help repair the Rohingya boat, and they will push it back to international waters once it is fixed, said Bireuen district chief Muzakkar Gani, who also cited concerns that some of the refugees might have Covid-19. Gani said local officials were still waiting for directives from the central government in Jakarta but in the meantime planned to repair the boat so the refugees could sail onward to Malaysia. Aceh Police spokeman Winardy said officials planned to push the boat out of Indonesian waters. “We will repair their boat and give them fuel and only monitor its movement to Malaysia,” said Winardy, who goes by a single name. A refugee task force unit at Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political, Law and Security Affairs could not immediately be reached for comment. AP

A10 Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Can PHL become a first world nation?

S the Philippines begins to recover from Covid-19, the country is getting back on track to become an upper middle-income country in the next few years, according to the World Bank. This assessment is in line with the view of a local economist who said before the pandemic that Filipinos now stand at the precipice of hope and unlimited opportunity as more possibilities open to a generation that is more educated and more attuned to global sensibilities. From the World Bank: “The Philippines has been one of the most dynamic economies in the East Asia Pacific region. Average annual growth increased to 6.4 percent between 2010-2019 from an average of 4.5 percent between 20002009. With increasing urbanization, a growing middle class, and a large and young population, the Philippines’s economic dynamism is rooted in strong consumer demand supported by a vibrant labor market and robust remittances. Business activities are buoyant with notable performance in the services sector including business-process outsourcing, real estate, tourism, and finance and insurance industries. The Philippine economy has also made progress in delivering inclusive growth, evidenced by a decline in poverty rates and its Gini coefficient. Poverty declined from 23.3 percent in 2015 to 16.6 percent in 2018 while the Gini coefficient declined from 44.9 to 42.7 over the same period.” Like in other countries, the Covid-19 pandemic derailed our economic growth. The long lockdown imposed in the country severely impacted economic growth and poverty reduction. Growth contracted significantly in 2020, driven by heavy declines in consumption and investment growth, and exacerbated by the sharp slowdown in exports, tourism, and remittances. However, when Covid restrictions were lifted this year, the country’s economic growth engines started revving up again. Upbeat on the nation’s 7.1 percent growth in the third quarter, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently expressed hope that the Philippines would become an advanced economy or first-world country within this generation. She said she would like to see the Philippines attain such status in her lifetime, duplicating the accomplishment of her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, whose term saw the country become the second richest Asian nation after Japan. (Read, Former President Arroyo foresees ‘firstworld’ PHL, in the BusinessMirror, December 27, 2021). An economist by profession, Arroyo made different economic reforms that resulted in strong government finances, low inflation and stable economic growth that averaged 4.5 percent yearly, one of the fastest in Southeast Asia. She introduced fiscal reforms, such as the Expanded Value Added Tax law, which bolstered government revenues and guaranteed fiscal stability for the next administrations. This, likewise, laid the foundation for the Philippines to obtain investment-grade rating from major credit rating agencies.” “Can the Philippines ever become a first world country?” This was a question posed online on debate.org before the Covid-19 pandemic. About 60 percent of the respondents said “yes”, while 40 percent said “no.” Here’s what some of the believers said: “It wouldn’t come as a surprise if that happens. The Philippine economic growth momentum is high. Two factors that the International Monetary Fund has seen that contributed to the country’s robust economy are “robust consumption” and “resilient remittance inflows.” Also, given the improving employment rate due to the advent of the business-process outsourcing industry, providing a 35 percent growth in employment. The industry is expected to bring in about $25 billion in revenues.” “I would argue that the Philippines, being a democratic government, could achieve a first world status provided that both the government and the citizenry work together for both social and economic development.” “The Philippines has the qualities to become a first world country. I believe that the Philippines has a lot to offer. We are on the right track to achieve economic growth, we just need a good leader.” We believe the Philippines can become a first world country. Filipinos are excellent and productive workers. Just look at our millions of professionals working overseas because there are no opportunities for their advancement in the country. In May, it is every Filipino’s duty to choose a leader that can craft for us a solid economic program that will lay the groundwork for the country’s strong and sustained economic growth.

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Which comes first: Industrial policy or trade policy? Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo

LABOREM EXERCENS Part two of open letter to BOI

hich comes first: Industrial policy or trade policy? In the recently concluded BOI-sponsored forum on “Leveraging Trade and Investment Policies to Implement a Modern Industrial Strategy” (December 9-10, 2021), the foregoing question was raised. The answer of our BOI officials is unequivocal: having a clear and coherent industrial policy takes precedence over trade policy. We fully agree with this policy stand of the BOI. The truth is that a country can only maximize gains from global trade if it has the capacity to produce goods that it can exchange in a mutually beneficial, value-adding and ascending manner. The problem is that some economic planners, animated by their neo-liberal dogma, have adopted the opposite position, that is, for the country to grow, it should open up and eliminate all trade barriers. The assumption is that industrial—and agricultural—development would automatically follow any program of trade liberalization and economic deregulation. The Philippine industrial and agricultural debacle under the IMF-WB-guided liberalization-

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investors packing up, flying away and settling in cheaper production platforms such as Bangladesh and Cambodia. However, the gains in the limited export sector have been offset by the general stagnation of domestic manufacturing. The latter has been overwhelmed by cheap industrial imports, especially the “ukay-ukay” and smuggled goods ranging from RTW clothes to appliances and cars of all shapes and makes. These imports have been flooding the whole archipelago in increasing intensity since the 1970s, resulting in the twin Philippine economic phenomena: deindustrialization and de-agricultural development. And yet, the Philippines has managed to survive the hollowing out of the economy. It has become a consumption-led services-based

economy without undergoing an industrial revolution and large-scale agricultural modernization. How is this possible? The answer is wellknown: the remittances of over 10 million overseas Filipino workers, now estimated to be over $30 billion a year, are the nation’s life saver. Supplemented by the country’s earnings from the call center-BPO sector, the spending by OFW families explains the rapid growth of service industries such as education, transport, malling, tourism, etc. Thus, despite the widening national trade deficits, the country’s GDP growth rate has remained positive. But it is patently obvious: an industry-less and agriculture-less consumption-led economy dependent on OFW spending is unequal and unsustainable. It also cannot create jobs for all, particularly for families with no OFW connections. Hence, the emergency of another phenomenon: the equally fast growth of the informal side of the services sector, as reflected in the galaxy of informal livelihoods around the country such as street vending, unregistered repair services, micro enterprises and so on. Now back to the original question: trade policy or industrial/agricultural policy first? See “Ofreneo” A11

Mendoza’s legal move: Throwing under the bus, or setting a trap?

✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Publisher

deregulation programs in the last 4-5 decades show the folly of such thinking. Undoubtedly, there have been some gains for the country such as foreign investments in the semiconductor and auto parts assemblies, mostly in the low GVC production level. There were also some gains in the export-oriented garments production in the 1970s-1980s; these gains evaporated in the 1990s2000s, with the GVC garments

Clearly, enough is enough. The Philippines should stop listening to a small group of neo-liberalizers who try to simplify the country’s development choices to a question of either open up or wilt. A more rigorous and exhaustive process of strategizing and re-strategizing growth and development is in order.

AS Estelito Mendoza thrown his client, presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (BBM), under the bus? The ongoing legal intramurals between petitioners who want to disqualify or cancel the former senator’s certificate of candidacy (CoC) and BBM’s battery of lawyers, led by Mendoza, is an excellent case study for the legal community.

Mendoza’s latest legal argument has virtually admitted that BBM did wrong, but “he cannot be faulted for actions which may have been wrong.” In a final position paper, Marcos Jr. through Mendoza told the Commission on Elections (Comelec) “that if legal luminaries can’t agree about how laws apply to him as a prospective candidate, then he cannot be faulted for actions which may have been wrong.” Mendoza was the Solicitor General during the Martial Law regime of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. In a 54-page memorandum he submitted to the Comelec on December 20, Mendoza cited the conflicting opinions of retired Supreme Court (SC) Justice Antonio Carpio and former justice secretary Alberto

Agra: “When even the pillars of the legal community cannot agree on the matter, BBM, as a layman, cannot be faulted if his interpretation of a difficult question of law [turns] out to be erroneous.... Certainly, an error in the interpretation of a difficult question of law cannot and should not be equated to a deliberate and malicious intent to misrepresent a material fact.” Mendoza’s latest action is the culmination of the hearing period, which ticks the time of the poll body to decide this first of the remaining six petitions against Marcos Jr.’s candidacy. The flipside of this argument, according to my economist-lawyer friend, is at most disingenuous. The nature of the legal process is

Whether legal luminaries disagree on a certain case is beside the point. They often disagree about many things. This is why cases are filed, and courts and other regulatory bodies decide which side is correct—with the ultimate and final arbiter being the Supreme Court. to resolve conflicting legal issues. Whether legal luminaries disagree on a certain case is beside the point. They often disagree about many things. This is why cases are filed, and courts and other regulatory bodies decide which side is correct—with the ultimate and final arbiter being the Supreme Court. If lawyers and experts never disagreed, then there would be no need for the courts because everyone would, by consequence, agree. Marcos Jr. only has to read a basic document called the Constitution of the Philippines, which clearly states: the power of the judiciary under Article VIII, section 1, is “to settle actual controversies.” What then, is a disagreement between “legal luminaries” if not a controversy over how a law is to be interpreted or applied? Now, once a court has decided that one side of an argument is correct, then the other side must bear the consequences. The

exact Latin phrase used by lawyers is “ignorantia legis neminem excusat,” which means “ignorance of the law excuses no one.” For instance, if I owned a business and were to claim a tax deduction on the advice of my lawyer, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue says I cannot do so, that is called a “disagreement” on the interpretation of the law. If the court rules in favor of the BIR, then I have to pay additional taxes. The nature of the judicial power is to resolve controversies involving the application of the law, and no one is excused from its consequences. That is, of course, if the offending party believes that they are above the law, a concept that the Marcos family may be most familiar with. Has Mendoza thrown BBM under the bus? Obviously not! I believe that Mendoza has not presented a legal argument, but a political statement. His tack is more of a persuasive one targeting public perception, in order to paint his client as a victim of the legal system. Hopefully, the Comelec does not fall into this trap. It’s lamentable how public discourse in the age of social media has been pushed down the gutter so many times. Just look at that video of senatorial candidate and Marcos loyalist Larry Gadon cursing journalist Raissa Robles for writing about BBM’s disqualification case. See “Villanueva” A11

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gation to breath and incurring very swiftly a passage to eternal life? Any notion of eternal had, by this time, lost its cache of life after life and turned into a flaky version of hoping against hope. There was a sea change though in 2021 compared to 2020. By 2021,

Conflicting studies about the side-effects from these solutions overwhelmed the growing number of vaccinations being administered. We and the world became experts in antibodies and vaccines. We knew what was the best and we rallied against those we concluded to be not efficacious. Vaccines with links to China were suspect. But we nevertheless became so engaged with the promise, the act and effects of vaccines that the provenance of these medical solutions ceased being the main topic. We were raring to be protected against the virus. In our country, this was amusing because in 2019, vaccination was demonized by government spokespersons. And now, here was a country with a significant (read: vociferous, officious and loud) number of the population dying (metaphorically) be inoculated. Still, in our country, the government bureaucrats came up with numerous kinds of lockdowns. The

the exciting news was not about the spread of the infections but the foreseen distribution of vaccines. The first month of 2021 saw the introduction of names—Moderna, AztraZeneca, Pfizer....

citizens were confused as levels of isolation were altered for another level of control, with the shifts so quick that one needed to consult a table of instructions in order to be properly appraised about the behav-

contains material misrepresentation for his failure to disclose that he was convicted in 1997 by the Court of Appeals (CA) for tax evasion, covering the period 1982-1985, and that he was asked to pay the deficiency taxes and their surcharges. This CA decision has made him ineligible to hold any public office, petitioners assert. [Note: BBM’s lawyer and chief of staff recently showed a certification showing he had paid such taxes and surcharges as required by the court, albeit in a different venue]. Petitions to cancel his CoC are based on this alleged failure to disclose his conviction of tax evasion. Earlier, Artemio Panganiban, a retired SC chief justice, aptly raised two issues to oust BBM from the

2022 presidential race. The first: whether BBM committed false material representations in his CoC. The second issue is whether his CA conviction involves moral turpitude. Mendoza, in his seven-page answer to the Comelec, said the petitions either to cancel his CoC or disqualify him did not have specific allegations of false material representation. He asserted that BBM is qualified to become president, as the CA did not convict him of a crime of moral turpitude because the Comelec allowed him to run for senator in 1995 and vice president in 2016. Calleja said the petitioners expect the Comelec to come out

with their decisions either before or shortly after Christmas. He insisted that tax evasion is a crime of moral turpitude under the existing law. Comelec, he said, should acknowledge that BBM’s tax evasion issue has been decided with finality by the court. Mendoza’s answers to the petitions show that his client does not deny his wrongdoing, but that legal luminaries disagree about any misrepresentation that BBM has committed. What is basic here is that someone who does a crime should be held liable for it.

Philippines emulate India? In 2019, India, a major producer of cheap industrial agricultural goods, withdrew from the RCEP negotiations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a frank explanation for the withdrawal: India’s industrial and agricultural producers cannot compete with their Chinese counterparts, which enjoy State subsidies. Recently, India also junked three farm laws enacted by India in 2020 to open up India’s agricultural sector to the big traders and the world market. These laws are similar to the Philippine rice tariffication law of 2019, a law being blamed by the rice farmers for the collapse of domestic rice farming in the last two years. The RCEP ratification issue facing the Senate is similar to the 1994 Senate debate on the ratification of Philippine WTO membership. Then,

the slogan of the pro-WTO lobbyists was similar to the slogan being raised today by the pro-RCEP lobbyists: “The Philippines cannot afford to be left behind.” Then, the pro-WTO lobbyists came up with fantastic and imagined gains from early ratification: 500,000 new jobs a year in industry, 500,000 new jobs a year in agriculture, and general surge in industrial and agricultural production and exports. The exact opposite happened. Today or 25 years of Philippine membership in the WTO, both the industrial and agricultural sectors are a picture of stagnation. Clearly, enough is enough. The Philippines should stop listening to a small group of neo-liberalizers who try to simplify the country’s development choices to a question of either open up or wilt. A more rigorous

and exhaustive process of strategizing and re-strategizing growth and development is in order. Of course, trade policy is a critical and crucial component in the overall formulation of a sustainable development program for the country. But such a program requires a careful balancing (and re-balancing) of industrial and trade policies. This is why the visioning and crafting of “Industrial Policy” with a capital I and P becomes extremely important. So, how exactly should industrial policy be crafted? How can the country go up the global industrial ladder? More in the next issue.

Tito Genova Valiente

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never had the ears of the President although we have known each other long before he became the official tenant of Malacañang. He may not even know that this column exists, but it does not deter me from giving this unsolicited advice. I just hope that his confidants or any well-meaning friend may relay to him my message. As a politician steeped in the culture of local politics, he loves mixing with the crowd and engages them in small talks and banter.

WENTY-TWENTY was the Year of the Rat. Geomancers predicted how the Rat, specified as the Metal Rat, would usher in a season of renewals. We know what happened then: the world went into a lockdown. Masks and shields became our lifestyle. Hope was diminished as deaths went up. The word “pandemic” became a regular usage because epidemic was much too small to capture the landscapes of loss.

He carries this habit when he ascends the political stage to deliver a more formal speech. Thus, he abhors prepared speeches and discards scripts prepared for him to the horror of his speechwriters and advisers. And even if he uses the text given to him, I wonder if he seriously rehearses his speech because oftentimes he appears rambling and lost even with the aid of the teleprompter. He obviously needs to recast his messaging with the start of the New Year. The President’s rhetoric, particularly in times of crisis like what we are having now, plays a critical function in the performance of his official duties. His public pronouncements constitute ex cathedra statements, which carry the full weight and authority of his office. Among his ardent followers, President Duterte’s words are gospel truths upon which the life and destiny of our nation depends. His critics and opponents may have little regard for his speeches and may even dismiss them as rubbish. Speaking is not one of the President’s strong suits and he acknowledges it himself. Pilipino is almost a foreign language to him and Francisco Baltazar may be grimacing in his grave every time the President utters something in our national language. He is neither eloquent nor articulate, although he sounds sincere and solemn until he garnishes his talk with his signature curses and gutter language. He is merciless when dealing with his political foes and the network is well advised to warn the audience that President Duterte’s talk may use words that may not be suitable to children. Now that the President has withdrawn his candidacy for any elective position in the 2022 elections, he should gain some added measure of credibility. His words should no longer be tinged with politics and partisan motive. This is the time to cease as a politician and start his role as a statesman. In the twilight of his term, President Duterte can refashion his image if he wants to enhance his legacy. His message should be forceful and address the concerns of the public. He should get rid of jokes, which reek of violence, gender abuse or misogyny. He should remember that they demean the office of the presidency and are repulsive to the audience. A subsequent apology, or more often a claim that they were merely jokes only adds insult to injury. He can refrain from commenting on mundane issues although popular but devoid of any significant consequence to our people. Instead, he should focus on issues like reforming the PhilHealth and our healthcare system, rehabilitating our economy, creating jobs and resolving peace and security. He should convey in clear and concise terms his policies and programs to gain the support of the public. In other words, he should find his presidential voice, which can provide comfort and assurance to our distressed people. Many presidents struggle to find it and their failure dooms their presidency. He doesn’t have to be a great communicator like US President Ronald Reagan. All he needs is to be able to speak the language of the masses so that he becomes understandable to them. President Harry Truman was known for plain speaking and his people loved him for it. Truman never tried to sound cerebral like Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson who attempted twice to succeed him in office. In his

Salvation came in the form of a thought—that a vaccine will be introduced soon to combat the virus hitherto unknown. There is nothing more terrifying than an affliction that does not have a name; there is no enemy perceived as superior than one whose strength is beyond measure. By the middle of 2020, the world was down to its knees. Its scientists were not giving us illusions of quick redemption. It would take long for the vaccine to be developed. In the meantime, new rules of avoidance were enforced. These were codified as social distancing. The more appropriate really was physical distancing but some wags came with this term and it stuck. For those kin to social sciences, social distance was not a new phenomenon. It had always existed and this was in the form of a gap between those who possessed wealth and those who could only dream about it. Would we have Christmas? Would we have celebrations? No to these and other questions about celebrations and collective joys. There was, however, one more difficult question and, death or no death, it could be answered always in the positive: Would we have a New Year? The year 2021 came on the sturdy back of the Metal Ox. The prophets proved to be enslaved by animals and metals serving as mascots for the futures of the world. The year, they all echoed, would bring about harmony and calmness. Like oracles, omens are enchanting ellipses that seek glory in the obscured and the silenced. Could harmony be interpreted as aspirational and not factual? Could calmness be ironic, after all death is the ultimate calmness and everywhere people were losing their obli-

weekly Talk to the People, President Duterte’s message should be coherent and organized. He can be blunt and direct without being abusive and extremely insulting. His description of senatoriable Chel Diokno of having ngiping palakol and Sen. Richard Gordon who is obese as just “a fart away from disaster” might have amused and entertained few followers but have scandalized many people who expect better from their President. With former Congressman and now Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles serving as his spokesman, I trust that the level of presidential discourse will be more balanced, restrained and respectable. We want the President to hold the country together, not divide it. The public’s ideal notion of the presidency is somebody who is looked up to by all and above partisan politics. But if he cannot totally remove himself from the political game, it is alright for him to campaign for his anointed candidates. However, he should set the tone by not indulging in mudslinging and dirty tactics. His lasting contribution to our democracy is if he can ensure that the 2022 elections will be peaceful and honest to be capped by an orderly transition of power. His late mother, Soledad Duterte, led the street rallies and protests in Davao City during the dark years of Martial Law. A fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. Now that he is leading our nation, which is relatively enjoying peace, freedom and democracy, the President should zealously guard them and ensure that whoever emerges as the presidential winner will respect our democratic way of life. The President is wily and smart. He would not be our President if he were not. His crusade for federalism before the 2016 presidential election enabled him to travel around the country and gained adherents to his cause. His obstinate refusal to seek the presidency and the delayed filing of candidacy effectively camouflaged his ardent desire for the office. The innocuous filing for presidency by a relatively unknown partymate did not ring warning bells to alarm his confident opponents. President Duterte was the first to exploit the flaws in our election laws regarding the substitution of presidential candidates. These were all deliberate to whet people’s appetite for a Duterte brand of leadership. And his timing was perfect. Now, he knows this is the time to put his face on Mt. Rushmore. He cannot afford to alienate the Filipinos further and his window to make up for greatness is barely six months. The President’s rhetoric during his final 180 days in office will be decisive. His every pronouncement should be calculated to evoke favorable response from the populace. His statements should take the moral high ground to rally our people’s support. For instance, with the devastation our people suffered from the fury of Odette, he should not portray weakness and inability to provide the necessary funds. At the same time, he should demonstrate empathy to the victims of the calamity. His powerful and caring words can assuage the fears of our people by making them feel that the Duterte administration has the resolve and the resources to help them in their predicament. If he does that, he may vacate his office in June 2022 but he will remain in the hearts of his people.

Villanueva. . . continued from A10

Given this scenario, lawyer and 1Sambayan convenor Howard Calleja appealed to the people to stay focused on the flurry of petitions, which seek two things: the cancellation of BBM’s CoC, and second, his disqualification for not paying taxes. The petitions for the CoC cancellation are lodged before the Comelec’s first division, chaired by Commissioner Antonio Kho, Jr., while the petitions calling for BBM’s disqualification are with the second division, chaired by Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. It was alleged that BBM’s CoC

Ofreneo . .

continued from A10

The answer of the hundred or so farmers’ organizations petitioning the Senate to stop or postpone the ratification of Philippine membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) freetrade agreement is unequivocal: strengthen first the national production capacity. Strengthen first the readiness of the farming sector to RCEP competition, especially competition from big agricultureproducing RCEP countries such as China, Thailand and Vietnam. Spell out and develop first the safety nets and readiness programs for Philippine agricultural producers. Further, they ask: why can’t the

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021 A11

ior corresponding to the delimitation enforced for the moment. Plastic curtains and barriers became additional elements in public transport and public spaces. Unchanged the whole year round, the virus was as much feared as the germs that stuck to the moist and grimy plastic protections. There were fresh realizations. The wealth of a nation did not have a one-to-one correspondence with the intelligence of its general population. Each day we gazed on the screen of our phones or computers as we try to understand that anti-vaxxers of the US of A. Each day, we were surprised at the ignorance of Americans and their conspiracy theories. Didn’t they bring education to this islandrepublic? Weren’t they our first modern teachers? We discovered the Son of God lived among us, somewhere in Davao. He who could stop earthquakes and cause viruses to mutate when he was persecuted. As the year was about to end, cases were filed against this homegrown god. Benign but punitive, this Divine Dabaweño issued a bulletin detailing dates when to register for redemption, it is said. But the booster shots had arrived by then and registering for them proved to be more alluring than any promise of salvation. What will 2022 be then? What animal do we conscript as the world, it seems, goes back to normalcy and that prematurely drafted idea of “neo-normal” is thrown into the dustbin of other conceptual wastes? 2022 is the Year of the Water Tiger. The animal consort does not growl about health and recovery; it stalks the land with the promise of leadership. The big cat could be referring to us. This Tiger is an avatar for our country. This year is the open season for choosing the next President. So much pure hope we pin on the organically corrupt electoral process that we only have ourselves to blame and the politicians if the virus does not go away when the last vote is counted or miscounted. Covid-19 could be dissipated but there will be other mutations and they will be in the form of monsters we will choose to ravage our land, threaten our lives, and be the next virulent unseen. Uncontrollable. Most contaminating. Deadly. Hundred-percent locally manufactured. Happy New Year!

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

For comments and suggestions, e-mail me at mvala.v@gmail.com

Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo is a Professor Emeritus of the University of the Philippines. For comments, please write to reneofreneo@ gmail.com.

2nd Front Page BusinessMirror

A12 Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Subic Bay Freeport racks up BBM: INTENSIFY URBAN PLANNING, SPILLWAYS P16.67-B investments in ‘21 N By Henry Empeño

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—Despite the lingering Covid-19 pandemic that has caused a slowdown of the local economy, business started to pick up in the Subic Bay Freeport this year with more than a hundred new investor firms committing some P16.67 billion in investments from January to December.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said this amount represented a 1,099-percent increase over Subic’s P1.39-billion investment turnout in 2020 and almost a fourfold increase over the P4.38-billion investment forecast for this year. The new investments are also projected to create close to 72,000 new jobs in Subic, she said. Eisma, who attributed investment growth to the stringent health safety protocols enforced by the Subic agency, said the record investments in 2021 foretell economic revival amid the continuing health crisis. “We’re not yet there even with

this P16.67-billion figure this year, but we are definitely on our way to prepandemic investment levels,” Eisma enthusiastically pointed out on Monday. “The people here—and that includes the workers and residents—have gotten used to the strict implementation of safety protocols by the SBMA, and this is apparently paying off,” Eisma said. “People are asking where does Subic’s economic vibrancy come from, and the simple answer is that it comes from keeping Subic safe for everybody; from keeping Subic a safe haven for both business and leisure.” According to the SBMA Business and Investment Group,

110 new business locators registered in the Subic Freeport this year. These included 82 companies wholly owned by Filipinos; five Sri Lankan and Filipino partnerships; three Filipino-Chinese combines; two Dutch, American and Filipino joint ventures; two Sri Lankan firms; two TaiwaneseFilipino companies; an American enterprise; and 14 other projects Continued on A2

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma thanks investors during the inauguration in October of the SBGP-FSI Commercial Complex, one of the biggest investment projects in Subic this year.

OTING the recent flooding in a large swath of Visayas and Mindanao caused by typhoon ‘Odette,’ Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. said it is high time for the government to intensify urban planning and the spillway system in the country. The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard bearer said the devastation brought by ‘Odette’ was comparable to the damage caused by typhoon ‘Ondoy’ in October 2009, when 710 people died while billions worth of properties were destroyed. In an interview, he said it is painful that these tragic events had happened during the holidays even people are still in the midst of recovering from the Covid-19 crisis. The former senator said it important to be serious and to prepare for this type of disasters, not only in preparation for evacuation centers but also to have long-term solutions to prevent widespread flooding. One of his immediate solutions is to intensify ur-

ban planning, specifically revisiting government spillway projects. Marcos recalled that in the 1970s, a strong typhoon devastated the Philippines which also caused widespread flooding, not only in Metro Manila but in almost all areas of the country. Then President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., immediately worked to build four spillway projects in Metro Manila, he recalled. A spillway or overflow channel is a structure used to provide the controlled release of water from a dam or levee downstream, typically into the rivers. Spillways have floodgates and fuse plugs to regulate water flow and reservoir level. Such features enable a spillway to regulate downstream flow—by releasing water in a controlled manner. His father also ordered the regular cleanup of esteros along with the building of spillways. He said the first spillway was completed in Continued on A2

DBM releases P4.85B more for typhoon aid through 6 regions’ LGU By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday released an additional P4.85 billion to cover the financial aid to be distributed to individuals affected by Typhoon Odette. Local government units (LGUs) in six regions are expected to hand out the financial assistance equivalent to P1,000 per individual and a maximum of P5,000 per household. According to the DBM, the financial assistance will be released directly by the Bureau of the Treasury to the concerned LGUs through their respective authorized government servicing banks. "The recipient LGU shall facilitate and determine the most efficient way to immediately provide the assistance to their constituents, subject to close supervision and monitoring of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)," the DBM said. Upon receipt of the funds, the recipient LGUs are expected to fully disburse their allotment until December 31, 2022. Otherwise, all unutilized funds after end-December next year will be reverted to the National Treasury by the concerned LGU. Broken down, Region VI will receive the biggest share of the amount at P1.63 billion. This is followed by Region VII (P1.04 billion), Region VIII (P964.10 million), Region XIII (P864.08 million), Region IV-B (P198.21 million), and Region X (P156.02 million). The allocations of cities and municipalities were computed based on the number of affected

individuals/households, as recently reported by the DSWD. The fund was charged from the Unprogrammed Appropriations under this year's national budget and shall be recorded as trust receipts, which imply that the fund can only be used by the recipient LGU to provide assistance to those affected by the damages caused by Typhoon Odette. Apart from this, the DBM has also released a total of P827.18 million to agencies to replenish their respective Quick Response Fund (QRF) following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. The DBM said P662.5 million was given to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense and the Philippine National Police received P139.68 million and P25 million, respectively. The funds were drawn from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, or commonly known as “calamity fund”. This can be used for aid, relief and rehabilitation services for communities affected by natural calamities, among others. The QRF is a built-in standby fund in selected agencies that can be tapped to immediately address the adverse effects and damage brought about by catastrophes and crises. "When the QRF gets depleted, the concerned agencies may request for augmentation of funds to the DBM through a special budget request and subject to the approval of the Office of the President," the DBM said. Earlier this week, the DBM also released an additional P1 billion to help local government units in six regions address the damage caused by Typhoon Odette. Continued on A2

MAINTENANCE crew wearing Santa hats are seen at the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced its opening to the public today, and from January 4, 2022, onward. Entrance to the Dolomite Beach shall be in batches with a maximum of 300 visitors per batch. ROY DOMINGO

DOT crafts post-Odette rehab for stakeholders By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror @akosistellaBM

WO weeks after supertyphoon Odette barreled through the Visayas and Mindanao regions, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is still conducting a rapid assessment of its impact on key leisure destinations. In a news statement, the DOT said it is still gathering information on how Odette affected Bohol, Camiguin, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Palawan, Siargao, and Southern Leyte, “to come up with a rehabilitation and recovery plan.” Two days after Odette unleashed her fury on these destinations, the DOT said the damage to tourism stakeholders and domestic tourists could still not be ascertained due to spotty communica-

tions. But major flag carriers said about 33,000 of their passengers, mostly domestic tourists, were affected by the closure of airports in leisure destinations. (See, “Domestic tourists stranded in Cebu, Siargao as Odette destroys airports,” in the BusinessMirror, December 18, 2021.) In the same news statement, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said the rehabilitation plan for these typhoon-affected leisure destinations, “will focus on addressing immediate concerns of affected tourism workers, such as cash-for-work or alternative livelihood programs and the reconstruction of affected facilities of various enterprises.” She added, the DOT is “closely coordinating with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for financial assistance” to these

affected tourism workers. DOLE was earlier instrumental in extending financial relief to tourism workers who had been laid off or earned less income due to the Covid-19 restrictions, tapping funds under the Bayanihan 2 Law. “The Department hopes to provide an inventory of the damage as soon as power and communication lines have been fully restored,” said Romulo Puyat. “For the time being, the Department is exhausting all means to help the local government units provide the immediate needs of those affected by the typhoon. We stand behind with our kababayan (countrymen) and our tourism stakeholders from Visayas and Mindanao in these difficult times,” the DOT chief added. DOT’s marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB),

also helped deliver relief goods and basic necessities to Cebu, Siargao, Tacloban, Palawan, and Negros Oriental. Cash donations from tourism stakeholders were also turned over to affected establishments and regional offices. Meanwhile, Romulo Puyat said the DOT and the Makati Med Foundation will continue with their joint vaccination program for tourism workers in Siargao. At the same time, she said, “We will see to the immediate medical needs of the community.” Siargao, a key surfing destination in the country, was badly hit by the supertyphoon, with evacuation centers also being damaged, along with accommodation establishments along its coast. (See, “Honeymooning couple escapes from Siargao,” in the BusinessMirror, December 20, 2021.)

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

PHL casino operator to be listed at Nasdaq

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

KADA Manila Inc. (OMI), the operator of one of the big integrated resort and casino in Entertainment City, will be listed at the US Nasdaq exchange by way of a merger with one of the units of parent firm Universal Entertainment Corp. In a disclosure by OMI’s listed corporate vehicle Asiabest Group International Inc., the casino

operator will be merged with 26 Capital Acquisition Corp., a company already listed at the Nasdaq,

with the Philippine casino operator becoming the surviving entity. 26 Capital is a listed special purpose acquisition company. Okada Manila owners Tiger Resort Asia Ltd., Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. and OMI will enter a series of transactions with 26 Capital. The deals call for the listing of Okada Manila and delisting of 26 Capital from the American stock exchange. 26 Capital will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of OMI and the former’s shareholders will receive OMI American depositary shares (ADS) representing the OMI common shares as the underlying shares.

“The merger is conditional on, among others, the approval of the shareholders of 26 Capital, approval for the OMI ADS and the OMI Warrants, to be listed on the Nasdaq [National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations], the registration statements under the US Securities Act related to the issuance of the OMI ADS and OMI Warrants being effective, and the completion of the reorganization prior to the merger,” the company said in its disclosure. The closing on the merger and the listing are expected to be completed no later than the end of June next year, it said.

A si abest, mea nwh i le, sa id the listing of Okada Manila to the Nasdaq does not affect its plans to commercially operate the company. In 2019, Tiger Resorts, which owns and operates a number of casinos in the region, bought most of the shares of Asiabest, effectively undertaking a backdoor listing at the Philippine Stock Exchange. After that, the market saw no activity from the company and then the pandemic struck in 2020. “The plans had just been delayed primarily because of the pandemic, which has affected most, if not all industries, and more so the resort, leisure and en-

tertainment industry,” Asiabest’s disclosure read. “ABG has been informed by its parent companies that the plan to fold-in [the] operations of Okada Manila still remain[s] and that they intend to commence commercial operations in the ensuing year and conduct the required public offering.” Asiabest, formerly AGP Industrial Corp., said in its disclosure it will communicate with the exchange more detailed information within the first quarter of 2022. “A nd shou ld t here be a ny changes in the disclosed plans, we undertake to immediately inform the exchange and the public of the same,” the disclosure read.

MWC sets up water plant in Bohol AC Energy to invest in 2 RE companies

ISTED utility-operator Manila Water Co. (MWC) announced it has set up a mobile treatment plant (MTP) next to the Inabanga River in Bohol to provide clean water to towns badly affected by Typhoon Odette. MWC said in a statement the MTP, the second in operation in calamityhit Visayas, was put up along the banks of Inabanga River. MWC said it closely coordinated with various local government units to ensure that the MTP will be able to efficiently provide much-needed clean water to Bohol towns. The firm said its corporate social responsibility arm also sent 500 units of 5-gallon drinking water plus several cases of hygiene products. MWC said its effort was appreciated by Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap. “Thank you for spending your Christmas away from your family so you can help the affected families here in Bohol; for inspecting the proposed site of the mobile treatment plant location in Inabanga that will help address our water needs,” Yap was quoted by MWC as having said on a social media post. “Inabanga Mayor Josephine S. Jumamoy, for her part, was relieved

Flash Express gives cash for Odette victims

OGISTICS firm Flash Express (Ph) Co. Ltd. Inc. announced donating cash to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation for the victims of typhoon Odette. Flash Express’ Brand Ambassador Robi Domingo, Spokesperson and Head of Legal and Compliance Sherry Lou Bernabe and Marketing Director Dave Khodr personally handed the donation cheque to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation Head Erleo Bacabac at the Sagip Kapamilya Warehouse in Quezon City. On behalf of their management, Bernabe extended their sympathy and support to the victims of the typhoon that caused massive destruction to some parts of the country, mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao (VisMin). “Through our cash donation, we hope to somehow alleviate their plight especially this holiday season. We also encourage everyone to help in any possible way they can,” she said. Apart from its donation, Flash Express has also been providing assistance to its employees affected by the storm, particularly in the VisMin regions, through a relief effort. “As you may know, Flash Express is expanding its provincial hubs and distribution centers nationwide, especially in Visayas and Mindanao. We want our employees to feel that Flash Express is not just a company that they work for, but a family that they could depend on,” Bernabe said. Roderick L. Abad

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

A Manila Water Co. has set up its mobile treatment plant (MTP) next to the Inabanga River in Bohol to provide clean water to towns badly affected by Typhoon Odette. The MTP has the capability of treating and converting any type of raw water river water, flood water, even saltwater into potable drinking water, the listed firm said. Photo courtesy Manila Water Co.

that finally clean water will now be available to her constituents,” MWC said in a statement. MWC said Jumamoy expressed gratitude as potable water is what their town needs. MWC said its relief operations in the province are being coordinated through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, headed by Anthony R. Damalerio. Along with the MTP, MWC said it

also sent two 10-cubic meter water tankers to help ensure that the water produced by the MTP will be brought to more communities in Bohol. MWC said its MTP has the capability of treating and converting any type of raw water river water, flood water, even saltwater into potable drinking water. The treatment facilities, which are being operated by a crew of the firm’s employees, can each

produce about 3,000 liters of drinking water per hour and can operate optimally up to 12 hours a day. The listed company said it has been sending its MTP to disaster-stricken areas even outside of Metro Manila to augment potable water supply in evacuation centers. It was deployed to Bantayan Island in Cebu after Typhoon Yolanda hit several provinces in the Visayas in 2013.

UDGET carrier AirAsia Philippines said on Wednesday it intensified its vaccination campaign for all employees, focusing on booster shots against Covid-19. According to AirAsia Philippines Spokesman Steve F. Dailisan, as of Wednesday, 20 percent of AirAsia employees have taken the booster shot, “a number the low-cost airline company targets to significantly grow in the next few weeks.” “Taking the booster shot is our shared responsibility to ensure that all guest-interactions at the airport and on board our flights have an added layer of protection against any emerging variant. We will continue

to strengthen our multi-layered approaches to health and safety, and instill confidence amongst our guests throughout the peak end of year holiday season and into 2022,” he said. The Department of Health earlier announced that it shortened the interval period from the second dose to the booster shot to three months. Dailisan said AirAsia Philippines is “exhausting efforts to ensure employees get their booster shots as soon as possible—from slot verification and confirmation, to transport assistance to and from the vaccination site.” AirAsia Philippines has seen as much as 20 percent increase in book-

ing requests within the last 60 days with load factor in December sitting at 91 percent. “We are now seeing an influx of passengers from Metro Manila to the different provinces especially with the New Year just around the corner. For this reason, our ground and flight crew remain on standby to provide the very best service and guest experience including a focus on making sure that all our flights arrive on time. And along with that promise is the assurance that when you fly with AirAsia, your health and safety are always our utmost priority,” Dailisan added. Lorenz S. Marasigan

C Energy Corp. is investing roughly P14 billion in two renewable energy companies to beef up its portfolio and hit its target capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2025 or earlier. In two separate disclosures to the stock exchange, the Ayala Corp. subsidiary said it is investing P7 billion in Bayog Wind Power Corp. (BWPC) and another P7 billion in Santa Cruz Solar Energy Inc. (SCSEI). AC Energ y’s investment in BWPC involves the subscription by Acen to 70,000 redeemable preferred shares, which corresponds to 99.96 percent of the total outstanding shares of the wind power company. “The subscription will be used by BWPC to fund continuing works for the construction of the

160MW Pagudpud Wind Project in Barangays Balaoi and Caunayan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte,” the disclosure read. Meanwhile, AC Energy’s investment in SCSEI involves the company’s subscription to almost 700,000 redeemable preferred shares in SCSEI, representing 99.99 percent of the total outstanding shares of the solar power company. “The subscription will be used by SCSEI to fund the construction of the 283 MW San Marcelino Solar Power project,” the disclosure read. AC Energy is the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group. It has about 2,900 MW of attributable capacity in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Australia. The company’s renewable share of capacity is at around 80 percent. Its goal is to reach 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025.

Asia’s richest man AirAsia vaccinated 20% of staff mulls succession B M

Converge ICT adds capacity

onverge ICT Solutions Inc. announced it has added 1.3 terabits per second (Tips) in international capacity through the C2C Cable System. Dennis Anthony H. Uy, the company’s CEO, said the additional capacity makes Converge’s network fully redundant, ensuring network availability even in the event of a submarine cable outage. “It is our vision to make the Philippines a digital hub in Asia and securing much needed international bandwidth is key to realizing this vision. We’re strengthening our international capacity portfolio in anticipation of tremendous demand in

data in the coming years within and outside of Asia. This is a step in future-proofing our international network, especially as we have started with our wholesale business,” Uy said. The C2C cable system is a part of the EAC-C2C (East Asia CrossingCity to City) network, Asia’s largest privately owned submarine cable network, that stretches to 17,000 km. This cable system connects the Philippines to major data hubs like Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Korea and China. To date, 700Gbps out of the additional 1.3Tbps capacity is already active. Having a redundant network,

Converge COO Jesus C. Romero explained, benefits both businesses and consumers. “This additional capacity ensures sufficient and cost-effective connectivity for the fast-growing customer base of Converge, both residential and business. Gone are the days where high quality connectivity needed to be expensive. Today, Converge is disrupting the market by offering solutions that are worth their hard-earned money,” Romero said. Earlier this year, Converge bought majority ownership in the companies maintaining and operating the cable landing stations in the Philippines for the EAC-C2C international cable systems. Lorenz S. Marasigan

UKESH Ambani, Asia’s richest man, wants to expedite Reliance Industries Ltd.’s leadership transition and sees his $217-billion empire scaling new heights under his three children. The retail-to-refining conglomerate “is now in the process of effecting a momentous leadership transition from seniors belonging to my generation to the next generation of young leaders,” Ambani said in a virtual speech Tuesday to a Reliance Industries’ employees event. “I would like this process to be accelerated.” Ambani, valued at almost $91 billion by Bloomberg Billionaires Index, didn’t give details of how this transition is being planned but the billionaire is said to be considering several succession plans including one that shares elements with that of Walmart Inc.’s Walton family, Bloomberg reported in November. He wants to avert a succession warfare that has torn apart many wealthy clans, including his own in the past. The transition at Reliance will mark one of the biggest transfers of wealth in recent times. All senior leaders including himself should “yield to the highly competent, extremely committed and incredibly promising talent” at the Reliance group, the 64-yearold said. Ambani is smoothing leadership transition at his conglomerate after fighting a bitter succession battle

with his younger brother, Anil Ambani, when their father died in 2002 without a will. The fight was so intense that their mother, Kokilaben Ambani, had to step in and carve a family pact in 2005 that divvied up the Reliance businesses between the two brothers.

More visible

WHILE Ambani hasn’t publicly disclosed any plan or timeline to step away from his responsibilities as Reliance’s chairman and managing director, Ambani’s children are becoming more visible. Addressing shareholders this June, he first indicated that twins Akash and Isha, 30, along with younger sibling Anant, 26, would play significant roles at the company. The billionaire is considering moving his family’s holdings into a trust-like structure that will control the Mumbai-listed flagship Reliance, Bloomberg reported last month In his speech last Tuesday, Ambani reiterated that his kids were taking more responsibilities as part of the leadership shift. He said he could see in his children the same spark and potential of his father Dhirubhai Ambani Reliance’s founder for contributing to India’s growth. “We must build an organizational culture that outlasts its leaders,” he said. “I have no doubt that Akash, Isha and Anant as the next-gen leaders will lead Reliance to even greater heights.” Bloomberg News

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

Companies BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Century Properties Group to float fixed-rate bonds

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

ENTURY Properties Group Inc. has filed its registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the shelf registration of some P6 billion in fixed rate bonds, half of which will be offered in February.

In its prospectus, CPG said it will initially offer P2 billion worth of five-year fixed rate bonds and oversubscription of P1 billion. Its offer period will begin tentatively on February 14 and will be listed for trading at the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. by February 24. The company engaged China Bank Capital Corp. as the sole issue manager, sole lead under-

writer and sole bookrunner for the offer. The net proceeds of the offer shall be used primarily for partial refinancing of bonds, fund capital expenditures for horizontal affordable housing developments and also for general corporate requirements. The company said it will allocate some P1 billion for the refinancing of its bonds that carry an interest

Restored facilities of NGCP over 80% By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) announced on Wednesday that more than 80 percent of its facilities, which were damaged by typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), are now operational. In a televised interview, NGCP Spokesman Cynthia P. Alabanza said 83 percent to 87 percent of its typhoon-affected facilities and power lines have been restored. Alabanza said only their transmission services in typhoon-hit Negros Oriental, Southern Leyte and Bohol have yet to be completely operational. “These are the areas [that] we are targeting for transmission service restoration by December 31,” she said. However, Alabanza admitted the firm may face considerable challenges in restoring the power service in Bohol after the typhoon damaged

two of their highest towers, which connect the power lines from the island to nearby provinces where it gets additional power supply. She said NGCP will try to address this through “efficient distribution” of the existing power supply from the single power plant in the island until they can repair the two damaged towers. Alabanza said the firm is gradually upgrading its towers and other infrastructures to withstand strong typhoons like Odette. The typhoon devastated many parts of the country earlier this month, damaging 95 power lines, 12 towers and 820 transmission poles that are managed by the NGCP. Alabanza thanked their linemen, who worked even during the Christmas holiday to restore their transmission services in areas, which were affected by the typhoon. “Many of them spent their Christmas on the field. They will also probably celebrate New Year in the same way,” Alabanza said.

rate of 7.8203 percent, which will mature by April next year. CPG also allocated some P959 million to fund its capital expenditures for its projects and P985 million for its general corporate requirements. “The company’s capital expenditure for 2022 includes the funds needed for future horizontal affordable housing development projects in Cavite and Bataan. The net proceeds from this offering will be disbursed to the respective operating Subsidiaries of the Company to partially finance the residential and commercial projects,” the company said. CPG has been focusing on its horizontal developments after it ran out of projects for its high rise buildings. Its horizontal projects are mainly carried out through Phirst Park Homes Inc., a joint venture between Century Properties and Mitsubishi Corp. It sells horizontal affordable homes, with previously launched

communities located in Tanza, Cavite; Lipa, Batangas; San Pablo, Laguna; Calamba, Laguna; Nasugbu, Batangas; Magalang, Pampanga; General Trias, Cavite; and Tayabas, Quezon. Century Properties and and Mitsubishi earlier extended its partnership through Phirst Park as they seek to build more residential and non-residential projects. “Our idea here is to increase and broaden our presence in addressable markets via new products, new formats, and in more segments” Century Properties president and CEO Marco R. Antonio. Phirst Park posted reservation sales of P4.38 billion for the first half of the year, 38 percent higher than P3.17 billion last year. Its total collections hit P2.02 billion, more than double the P744 million it collected last year. For the nine months ending September 30, Phirst Park contributed P2.76 billion to Century Property’s consolidated revenues of P6.07 billion.

mutual funds

December 29, 2021

NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

231.69

2.15%

-2.77%

-0.71%

1.98%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.6641

27.13%

5.28%

4.92%

26.74%

2.86%

-6.25%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2178

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7552 -5.71% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7673 3.48% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

5.1591

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

-3.43%

2.71%

-5.36% n.a.

-7.09%

-2.3% n.a.

3.47%

4.6%

-0.67%

1.12%

4.41%

0.7784

2.54%

-2.32%

-2.48%

-6.2%

-7.13% n.a.

-7.25% 2.08%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

94.48

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.8152

2.31%

-1.04%

1.02%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

497.68

1.96%

-1.14%

0.3%

1.79%

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d

1.1546

6.76% n.a. n.a.

5.22%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3446

15.67%

2.29%

2.99%

15.1%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.3596

5.09%

-0.3%

1.77%

4.57%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

0.933 4.9285

2.55% n.a. n.a.

2.19%

3.09%

-0.28%

1.68%

2.87% 2.68%

823.11

2.93%

-0.29%

1.64%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7478

4.06%

-4.59%

-1.62%

4.02%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7485

3.54%

-2.66%

0.02%

3.44%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9383 2.48%

-0.64%

1.37%

2.24%

United Fund, Inc. -a

-0.84%

2.84%

-0.07%

2.12%

3.4129

2.92%

0.26%

Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

110.7467

3.22%

2.97%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities $1.1299

-4.71%

6.87%

6.44%

-6.07%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.8367

ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

10.03%

18.99%

12.09%

9.8%

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

1.681

0.91%

0.55%

0.17%

0.74%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2707

-0.38%

0.91%

0.58%

-0.64%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6838

2.29%

1.82%

2.19%

2.17%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2081 NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

2.0099

2.34%

4.94% n.a. n.a. 2.9%

2.46%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7522

-0.83%

1.38%

-1%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.7861

-0.75%

1.79%

1.29%

-0.91%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1142

1.02%

0.68%

1.15%

1.1%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.6302 1.87%

-0.22%

0.85%

1.59%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9866

-3.42% n.a. n.a.

-3.52%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9396

-0.82% n.a. n.a.

-1.01%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9285

-0.29% n.a. n.a.

-0.49%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

0.9482

6.86%

0.97%

1.17%

5.05%

2.18%

6.82%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities

Liquor names drag China stocks

HINESE stocks dropped on Wednesday, with liquor makers driving the declines following a recent rally on the back of price hikes. The benchmark CSI 300 Index fell 1.5 percent, the most since December 20, leading losses in Asia amid thin year-end liquidity. A sub-index of consumer staples slumped 4 percent in its biggest drop since mid-October as baijiu distillers Kweichow Moutai Co. and Wuliangye Yibin Co. plunged more than 4 percent each. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng Tech Index slid 1.8 percent in Hong Kong to the lowest close since its inception in July 2020, show ing that investor sentiment toward the battered sector remains weak. The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended 0.8 percent lower, snapping a five-day winning streak. Jolted by Beijing’s wide-ranging crackdown on private enterprise, debt troubles in the property sector and China’s economic

slowdown, the CSI 300 has lost more than 6 percent in 2021 after a strong two-year rally. In the offshore market, a rout in Internet giants has seen the HSI measure tumble more than 15 percent to head for its worst annual showing since 2011. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index is down less than 4 percent. “ Today the drop is mostly contributed by some blue chips, in particular the baijiu names. It’s likely that some funds want to cash out before the year-end after the recent rebound,” Zhang Gang, a strategist at Central China Securities Co., said of China equities. “Also, China Mobile Ltd. is listing in the A-share market soon and there might be some worries in the market about liquidity tightness.” It’s the typical “sell on good news” as speculation about price hikes has been driving the sector of late, said Steven Leung, executive director at UOB Kay Hian (Hong Kong) Ltd.

Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a

$0.03795

-3.04%

2.55%

1.71%

-2.94%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0657

-6.73%

4.82%

4.11%

-5.69%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.7828 6.24%

13.21%

8.95%

5.98%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.196 1.28%

7.35%

4.72%

1.06%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

374.27

0.87%

2.91%

2.58%

0.85%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8846

-0.82%

0.5%

-0.05%

-0.83%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2437

0.93%

2.98%

3.92%

0.88%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2519

-1.94%

1.87%

1.7%

-2.02%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.426 -1.09%

3.17%

1.94%

-1.11%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.89%

1.73%

-5.08% -0.14%

4.3947

-5.12%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3194

-0.12%

3.75%

2.82%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9605

-1%

4.07%

2.67%

-1.01%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.028

-1.3%

4.82%

2.21%

-1.49%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1859

-0.45%

4.84%

3.61%

-0.63%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-1.43%

3.96%

2.98%

-1.48%

1.729

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$489.53

1.19%

2.98%

2.53%

1.14%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є220.02

0.4%

1.15%

0.99%

0.36%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2041

-5.96%

2.28%

1.9%

-5.91%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.026 -2.26%

1.45%

1.03%

-2.26%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$1.0233

-6.37%

-0.34%

-0.39%

-6.12%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.509

-0.99%

4.94%

3.09%

-1.22%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.0623056

-0.17%

3.02%

2.02%

0.01%

-0.8%

3.64%

1.98%

-0.83%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1968

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

2.56%

1.06%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0577 0.93% n.a. n.a.

131.19

1.07%

0.92%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3155

1.43%

1.47%

2.78% 2.58%

2.53%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0606

0.78%

1.46% n.a.

0.66%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d 1.3684

22.84% n.a. n.a.

21.14%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a,d

$0.97

-1.02% n.a. n.a.

-1.02%

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). 1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.). 2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021.

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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

BOC slaps duties on Vietnam cement imports 7 Top Takeaways in 2021

wish to share with you seven top takeaways on association management which I curated from the 49 articles I have written and published in this column in 2021. 1. On membership engagement: Member value (MV) + member experience (MX)—membership engagement (ME). MV represents the tangible benefits a member expects in joining an association. MX consists of actuations on how the association engages with its members, like providing a sense of belongingness (during a firstevent attendance), a welcoming posture (upon joining), and means for connectedness (like networking sessions with peers and other members). 2. On strategic planning: The seven pitfalls in the conduct and implementation of strategic planning are: (a) wrong reasons: initiating strategic planning for reasons other than the determining long-term goals and strategies; (b) wrong people: involving the wrong participants in the process without the capability, capacity, or interest in its success; (c) wrong roles: failing to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of participants; (d) wrong process: implementing a strategic process that creates mistrust or fails to properly inform strategic decisions; (e) wrong help: engaging external support without the proper competencies or cultural alignment; (f) wrong outcomes: focusing on tactical and not strategic outcomes; and (g) wrong implementation: failing to link the new strategic plan effectively with ongoing operations. 3. On revenue generation: The pandemic disrupted the revenue intake of many associations. Using “navel gazing,” which means looking from within your association and asking your board, members, and staff for ideas and solutions on revenue generation, provides your association the impetus to learn and solve problems first by themselves before looking for solutions elsewhere. 4. On online community: When managed well and built on an online community platform that is reputable and reliable, asso-

Association World Octavio Peralta ciations can use their communities to: (a) drive engagement with personalized experiences, (b) unlock the knowledge of the group, (c) create loyal members and enhance membership retention, (d) drive new revenue streams, (e) boost new user acquisitions, and (f) reduce support workload and administrative burden. 5. On digital transformation: Digital transformation is more about transformation than about digital. It’s about organizational, people, and mindset change than about technology. Digital transformation presents associations with both challenges and opportunities. When planning for digital transformation, associations need to consider that their focus, assets, and expertise are aligned with the change they wish to happen. 6. On legacy making: The four guiding principles in legacy-making are: (a) creating a positive impact in the long term at the policy, association, member and community levels, and at the level of the organization of the event; (b) focusing on the participants, local residents, entrepreneurs, and the place of the event; (c) undertaking co-creation opportunities with various actors, e.g., local authorities, businesses, and academics; and (d) monitoring for improvement, e.g., sharing lessons learned and enhancing efforts to do better. 7. On success: The traditional way of doing things for an association has changed completely and will never be the same again because of the pandemic. Reflecting on these “5 Us” can perhaps make a difference: universality of purpose, uniqueness of value, unity of the community, urgency of action, and unrelenting pursuit for resources. Octavio Peralta is the founder and CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives. Email: obp@adfiap.org

Privacy commission gets ISO certification

HE National Privacy Commission (NPC) announced recently that it has been recommended to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 certification. The ISO certifying body made the recommendation after two audit stages were undertaken on December 13 and 20, 2021, respectively, the NPC said in a statement. ISO 9001:2015 is an international standard dedicated to a quality management system based on the principles of customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making, and relationship management. ISO auditors found that the Commission’s processes adhere to the requirements of its functions and quality management system implemented, according to the NPC. “The certification will instill confidence and trust in the Commission’s stakeholders through customer-centric service delivery while adhering

to statutory and regulatory requirements.” Newly-appointed Privacy Commissioner John Henry D. Naga said that the NPC will continue to uphold organizational efficiency and productivity in the face of dangers to the public’s data privacy rights. “Passing the ISO 9001:2015 certification is a testament of the National Privacy Commission’s commitment to implement a top-caliber quality management system that consistently meets and exceeds the requirements and expectations of stakeholders,” Naga was quoted in the statement as saying. Using the ISO 9001 standard helps customers get consistent, good quality products and services, which are beneficial to organizations. ISO 9001 is the world’s most popular quality management standard for large or small companies and organizations. More than one million companies and organizations in over 170 countries are ISO 9001 certified.

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of Customs formally started imposing anti-dumping duties on certain Vietnam cement imports that the agency said is flooding the Philippine market and being sold at much lower prices.

The Customs bureau released Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 38-2021, which imposes provisional anti-dumping duties for Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 and Blended Cement Type 1P im-

ported from Vietnam. Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero said in the CMO dated December 20 that provisional anti-dumping duties shall be imposed in the form of cash bond for

four months from the date of effectivity of the Department of Administrative Order (DAO) 21-7 issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) last November 29. According to the DAO, these specific cement imports from Vietnam caused material injury to the domestic cement industry. Based on Republic Act 8752 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), an “Anti-Dumping Duty” refers to a special duty imposed on the importation of a product into the Philippines at less than its normal value when destined for domestic consumption in the country of export or origin, it being the difference between the export price and the normal value of such product. For Type 1 cement, the provisional

anti-dumping duty will range from $1.02/metric ton (MT) to $10.53/MT, which is equivalent to 2.69 percent to 31.87 percent of the export price. The computed duties for Type 1P cement, meanwhile, are from $1.16/MT to $12.79/MT or 3.80 percent to 29.20 percent of the export price. Earlier this month, a Vietnamese cement exporter asked the DTI to revisit its computation of provisional anti-dumping duty on cement products given its impact on import costs. The provisional duties are estimated to hike the import cost of a 40-kilogram bag of cement by P2.01 to P25.08. But Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez assured it will not increase the retail price of the cement due to its minimal impact on landed cost.

Insurance brokers raise billions in premiums, fees

NSURANCE brokers generated P73.61 billion in premiums and P8.07 billion in commissions in 2020, the Insurance Commission said. The Insurance Commission also released on Wednesday the rankings of insurance and reinsurance brokers in terms of premium production and commissions earned based on the “Statements of Business Operations” submitted by regulated entities. Topping the list of insurance brokers with the highest premiums produced is Aon Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Philippines Inc. with P13.49 billion. Following Aon are Marsh Philippines Inc., BDO Insurance Brokers Inc., Lockton Philippines Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Inc. and

Willis Towers Watson Insurance Brokerage. in terms of commissions earned last year, BDO Insurance Brokers Inc. ranked first with P1.5 billion. Completing the top five are Aon Insurance, Marsh Philippines, Lockton Philippines and PhilPacific Insurance Brokers and Managers Inc. Among the product lines, Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa said insurance brokers generated the most premiums in fire insurance, amounting to P22.14 billion in 2020. Trailing fire insurance are health insurance and life insurance, with P17.29 billion and P9.48 billion, respectively. Likewise, insurance brokers earned the most commissions in the fire insurance line with P1.74 billion. This was followed by the

health insurance line (P1.56 billion) and the motor car insurance line (P1.42 billion). Meanwhile, reinsurance brokers generated P2.19 billion in premiums and earned P157.07 million in commissions last year. PhilPacific Insurance Brokers and Managers bested other reinsurance brokers as it generated the highest total premium and total commission last year at P732.65 million and P52.36 million, respectively. Next on the list in terms of premium production were Alsons Insurance Brokers Corporation, Pana Harrison Reinsurance Brokers (Phils.), KRM Reinsurance Brokers (Phils.), Inc., and Polaris Reinsurance Brokers, Inc. ranked third, fourth, and fifth, respectively. For commissions earned in

2020, KRM Reinsurance Brokers Philippines, Inc., Alsons Insurance Brokers Corporation Polaris Reinsurance Brokers, Inc., and Mega Re International, Inc. completed the top five. Funa said reinsurance brokers generated the most reinsurance premiums in the fire insurance line with P1.41 billion. This was followed by the engineering line (P289.96 million), and marine hull line (P142.96 million. It was also in the fire insurance line where reinsurance brokers earned the most commissions at P87.98 million. Coming in second and third on the list are the engineering line and the marine hull line wherein P21.54 million and P16.4 million were generated, respectively. Bernadette D. Nicolas

‘Bangko sa Baryo’ bill Standard Chartered Bank seen to boost inclusion donates to health workers, By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

O transform the country’s payments landscape and prepare rural areas for the inevitable shift to a digital economy, a senior lawmaker renewed his call for the swift congressional approval of the measure providing financial services in the Philippines’ unbanked communities. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte said his proposal, as outlined in the House-approved “Bangko Sa Baryo” bill, will “complement a fresh effort” by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to explore offline electronic payment solutions in off-grid communities to accelerate the country’s digital transition. Villafuerte said he hopes the bill would be approved by Congress early next year as its counterpart measure remains pending in the Senate. Congress resumes session on January 17, 2022. “Expanding the reach of banks through the ‘Bangko sa Baryo’ bill, which will allow cash agents to offer basic financial services in farflung communities, will accelerate the country’s digital shift and help realize President Duterte’s goal of financial inclusion,” Villafuerte said. The lawmaker said he issued the call following BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno’s statement that about 20.1 percent of monthly retail payments volume in the Philippines is already in digital form as of end-2020. The lawmaker also cited a World Bank statement that pointed out the

need for the Philippines to limit its economic scarring by capitalizing on growth opportunities, which include accelerating digitalization. “[The bill if enacted into law] will not only offer financial services to our unbanked citizens, but will likewise transform our payments landscape, encouraging people in rural and farflung areas to take advantage of the convenience and ease of digital payments to explore income opportunities,” Villafuerte said. House Bill (HB) 6924 was approved by the House on third and final reading in August last year. A counterpart measure has been filed by Sen. Mary Grace Natividad S. Poe Llamanzares. Under HB 6924, cash agents such as reputable convenience stores, pharmacies and other retail outlets may file an application with a contracting bank if it meets several requirements. These include the following: the entity is a dulyregistered business in the Philippines; has engaged in commercial activity for at least three months; has conducted commercial activities continuously in a place and area that is known to the public; has sufficient capacity to properly operate electronic devices; and, has the necessary infrastructure to undertake banking operations. The contracting bank will be responsible for deploying to their cash agents the devices that will enable customers to perform secure online, real-time deposit and withdrawal transactions on their own bank accounts, fund transfers, bills payment and self-service transactions, the bill states.

first responders in Pateros

This photo courtesy of Standard Chartered Bank shows SCB Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing Head Mai Sangalang (third from left) together with (left to right) Save the Children Corporate Partnerships Manager Natalia Tabal, Humanitarian Response Manager Jerome Balinton, Pateros Mayor Miguel F. Ponce III and other municipal representatives during the turnover recently. CREDIT: Standard Chartered Bank

TANDARD Chartered Bank (SCB), the oldest international bank in the Philippines, announced making a P500,000 donation to health workers and first responders of Metro Manila’s lone municipality, Pateros, through Save the Children Philippines (SCP). The donation provides health and hygiene essentials and equipment such as oxygen tanks and regulators, nasal cannulas, thermometers, pulse oximeters, masks, goggles and will also support the Covid-19 room improvements, the maintenance of the municipal’s water and sanitation facility. In addition, Standard Chartered also donated holiday gift packs for 250 municipal health workers and staff. The turnover activity was held

recently in Pateros Municipal Hall attended by Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III, Standard Chartered Bank Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing Head Mai Sangalang, Save the Children Corporate Partnerships Manager Natalia Tabal, and representatives from the bank, SCP, Municipal Health Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and barangay emergency response team. “Medical workers sacrifice their time, their own mental, physical and emotional health to serve their community and save Covid-19 patients. We are humbled and inspired by their selfless service, and the bank’s donation is a small act to show gratitude to their immense sacrifices and unwavering efforts and commitment,” Sangalang said.

QC-based businesses to enjoy triple tax relief in 2022 through 3 ordinances

RIPLE tax relief await Quezon City-based businesses next year as the Quezon City Council approved three Ordinances providing them much-needed respite and room to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of the three Ordinances, City Ordinance SP-3067 (S-2021) extends the deadline for the payment of business taxes, fees, and charges without surcharges or interest from January 20, 2022 (first quarter) and March 20, 2022 (second quarter) to

July 20, 2022. The said ordinance aims to provide tax relief to business owners affected by the several lockdowns implemented during the community quarantine. The City Council also passed City Ordinance SP-3068 (S-2021), which

seeks to waive penalties, surcharges, and interest for unpaid business taxes for 2021 and prior years. It will cover all businesses that have failed to pay any business tax for 2021 and prior years. This will allow tax payers to up-

date their business tax and liabilities without incurring any penalties, interest and surcharge. The third measure approved by the City Council, City Ordinance SP-3069 S-2021 will allow staggered settlement of outstanding

business taxes up to a maximum of 12 months installment covering the year 2021 and prior years. Under the Ordinance, the City Treasurer is tasked to determine the manner or frequency of payment of outstanding tax balances.

Agriculture/Commodities

A4 B4 Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021 • Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

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Broiler raisers demand investigation of reported China poultry importation By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

OCAL broiler raisers are urging the government to look into the alleged entry of Chinese poultry products into the Philippines, which are supposedly banned due to long-standing bird flu outbreaks in the Asian country. United Broiler Raisers Association President Elias Jose Inciong said the government must investigate if there are really entries of chicken meat products from China, which he noted has been banned for decades due to bird flu. Citing data from multilateral International Trade Centre (ITC), Inciong pointed out that China exported 78,200 kilograms of poultry products worth $148,000 this year to the Philippines. ITC data, which is based on General Customs Administration of China statistics, showed that China exported 49,500 kilograms of meat and edible offal of fowls (chicken, ducks, geese, turkey) to the Philippines in March and another 28,700 kilograms in July. ITC data showed that the exported products were frozen chicken cuts, NES (not elsewhere specified). Inciong pointed out that the ITC export figures did not reflect in

the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) trade data. PSA data showed that the Philippines did not import any poultry product from China from January to September. However, PSA data showed that the Philippines imported 92,400 kilograms of frozen chicken cuts and offals worth $50,226 from China last year, which all entered

in January 2020. Customs data analyzed by the BusinessMirror showed that in January of last year some 87,780 kilograms of mechanically deboned meat (MDM) of chicken entered the country. But ITC data, on the other hand, showedthatChinadidnotexportasingle kilogram of poultry product to the Philippines last year, Inciong noted.

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) data, meanwhile, did not have any record of poultry imports from China for 2020 and 2021. “The government must look into this given that on official records of the Philippines we had poultry imports from China last year. Second, this year there were exports to the Philippines declared by China that

are also recorded by the ITC,” Inciong told the BusinessMirror. “Based on these, we have a major cause of concern and we urge the government to accelerate the quarantine facilities that would inspect imports,” Inciong added. Inciong said the government must put in place interim measures that would scrutinize poultry imports to ensure that no Chinese products enter the country, pending the establishment of the first border facility in Clark. “Given the bird flu situation in China right now, we must establish temporary inspection facilities at the border. It is apparent, based on the records, that poultry imports from China are coming in,” he said. “Let’s not wait for another African swine fever-like disaster. These imports are clearly smuggled since Chinese poultry products have been banned for years now,” he added. China saw a rise in human cases of bird flu this year, particularly of H5N6 subtype, with a woman dying earlier this month from the disease, according to foreign news and wire reports. China has reported at least 21 human infections of H5N6 bird flu and recorded its first human case of H10N3 bird flu infection in January.

Gordon to govt: Antique urged to allow entry of ‘ASF-free’ pork products Invest in fishers’ gear, equipment

HE government should invest more funds for better equipment and technical skills training of Filipino fishermen and their families to mitigate the negative impact of more destructive typhoons to them, Senator Richard J. Gordon said on Wednesday. Gordon, in a news statement, noted that small fishing bangkas or motorized pump boats and its crew are at higher risk against more powerful storms plowing the country every year and are more susceptible to bullying by larger foreign vessels. “Dapat bigyan sila ng training. Hindi na tayo bangka. Dapat meron tayong mga crew, tulad ng nakikita natin sa sine sa ibang bansa. Lumalawig sa malayong lugar tulad ng China, tulad ng Gloucester fishermen sa America. Lumalawig sila sa malalayong lugar para kumita sila,” he said in a recent radio senatorial forum. “’Yan ang kailangan natin, hindi na puwede ’yung hand-to-mouth existence. Baguhin natin. We must adapt to the new challenges. Mayroon tayong mga investments na dapat gawin, pahiramin ’yung mga cooperative na fishermen, hindi lang baslig, kundi malalaking boat na kayang pumunta sa ibang bansa,” he added. According to latest official figures, the total fisheries production this year decreased by 2.1 percent compared to 2020. Moreover, commercial fisheries’ volume of production was reduced by 10.3 percent vis-à-vis to last year’s output. There had also been a reported case of harassment by Chinese coast guard boats to Filipino fishing vessels tasked in bringing supplies to stationed soldiers at the marooned BRP Sierra Madre last November. Gordon, who has five-decadesworth of government service under his belt, pointed out that the country must also increase its budget to boost the capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). “Payamanin natin ang bansa natin, para madagdagan natin ang susuporta ng Coast Guard para matulungan sila, hindi ’yung sinasagaan sila, iniiwan na lang sila doon, hindi pinoproteksyunan ang taumbayan,” he said.

AN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique—Several food manufacturers in areas affected by African swine fever (ASF), particularly in Luzon, are urging the Antique Provincial Veterinary (ProVet) office to reconsider and allow their virussafe products into the province. “The companies claimed that they had acquired their pork ingredient from an ASF-free area and, thus, these are safe,” said Dr. Rafael Marco Ardamil, Antique ProVet Public Health Division head, in an interview on Wednesday. He said one manufacturing company even sent the ProVet a formal letter of request while another company had relayed it through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Antique provincial office. Unilever Philippines Inc., through its distributor Teen Sales and Promotions Inc. Operations Manager Ian Gonzales also sent a letter to ProVet last November. The other one is Nissin Phil-

ippines that expressed concern through DTI, Ardamil added. Because of these requests, ProVet will be forwarding these to the Antique Provincial Board to review its provincial ordinance to retain the province as ASF-free, he said. “We are still ASF-free until now because of the implementation of the provincial ordinance,” Ardamil added. The Antique Provincial Board in 2020 approved the ordinance prohibiting the transport and sale of pork-based products from Luzon and other areas in the country that have ASF cases. The ordinance had led to several confiscation of pork-based food products from Luzon and other affected areas to include cans of sausage that were found by the Provincial Task Force on ASF led by the ProVet. “Only this December, we were able to have pork-based products confiscated from passengers who arrived at the Antique Airport from Manila

‘TESDAmayan’ aids typhoon-hit regions recover after ‘Odette’s’ devastation By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

O ensure a well-coordinated, faster, and more efficient delivery of assistance programs, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will implement “Buddy System” initiative to help typhoon-stricken regions. Tesda Director General Secretary Isidro Lapeña said that this initiative assigned regions are Region 4A for Region 4B; Region 2 for Region 6; Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 1 for Region 7; Region 5 for Region 8; Region 9 for Region 10; and National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions 3, 11 and 12 for Caraga Region. Lapeña said that Tesda Region 11 expressed its readiness to provide solar-powered charging stations in the affected barangays in Region 10 while Tesda Region 5 will mobilize its trainers on Bread and Pastry and will deploy a Mobile Training Laboratory. Likewise, Tesda Region 3 will deploy their trainers on constructionrelated courses to Caraga region. Lapeña also said that Tesda

field offices were tasked to deploy trainers to conduct training -cum production on construction-related qualifications to help construct damaged houses. It can be recalled that Lapeña had reiterated his order to the regional and provincial offices to provide skills training, particularly on construction-related courses, to residents of typhoon-hit areas. Tesda will conduct training on various courses such as Basic Masonry, Carpentry, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM), Plumbing, and Photovoltaic Systems Installation. Meanwhile, Tesda field offices will continue to provide relief packs to residents of the communities affected by the typhoon, another “TESDAmayan” initiative. Some offices have deployed their personnel to conduct repairs of houses in certain areas. The “TESDAmayan” initiative was created under the leadership of Lapeña that aims to help communities affected by crisis such as natural disasters, or any incidents that causes displacement among the residents.

AN employee of the Antique Provincial Veterinary (ProVet) Office prepares to burn the porkbased products confiscated from a store on October 22, 2021. Dr. Rafael Marco Ardamil, Antique ProVet Public Health Division head, said on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, that some of the manufacturing companies in areas affected by African swine fever (ASF) particularly in Luzon had made requests to allow their other pork-based products that are safe be sold in the province. PHOTO COURTESY OF PROVET ANTIQUE

while the other one from a grocery store,” he said. He said the confiscated products when submitted for laboratory ex-

amination at the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) laboratory were all found to be negative of ASF. PNA

PSA approves survey on banks’ agri lending

HE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said it has approved the conduct of a survey by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) that seeks to determine and validate annual data, trends and issues on banks’ lending for agriculture. In a news statement on Wednesday, PSA said it has approved the 2021 Countryside Bank Survey (CBS) of the ACPC, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The CBS will have a total budget of P570,000 and will collect data from 2,500 countryside banks nationwide except the National Capital Region. The survey will start this week until the end of January 2022 with the results scheduled to be released between March 8 and 15, 2022. “The CBS aims to validate, on an annual basis, macro-level institutional data, trends, and issues on banks’ lending for agriculture,” it said. “It is also envisioned to be an important source of data on agricultural and rural credit conditions in order to develop policies to encourage higher investments of banks and increase access of farmers to financial services towards inclusive development,” it added. PSA said the survey will also collect “first-hand information on banks’ current behavior towards agricultural credit and emerging concerns such as the effects of the Covid-19.” The major data items that will be gathered by the survey include the amount of agricultural loans granted and number of agricultural borrowers, demand for agricultural loans, sources of funds for lending to agriculture, interest rates and other costs of lending to agriculture, according to the PSA. The survey will also gather information about risk management, profitability, challenges and effects of Covid-19 pandemic as well as plans and prospects for agricultural loans. The PSA explained that the survey was reviewed and cleared in accordance with the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the agency by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10625. The SSRCS ensures sound design for data collection while minimizing the burden placed upon respondents. The mechanism also aims to eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts and achieve better coordination of government statistical activities, according to the PSA. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

China set to give safety OK to more GMO corn varieties

HINA is looking to grant safety approval to more genetically modified (GMO) corn varieties by domestic producers, a move that could lead to commercial planting of these crops in the top corn buyer. The agriculture ministry is seeking public opinion on the safety approval of three GMO corn strains by China National Tree Seed Corp. and

China Agricultural University, Hangzhou Ruifeng Biotech Co., and Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., according to a notice on its web site. Genetically modified organisms are common in many of the world’s top crop producers, with much of the corn and soybeans in the US, Brazil and Argentina grown from GMO seeds. Their use is still limited in certain countries due to concerns

over the health and environmental impact. Beijing allows imports of GMO crops for processing and they cannot be used as seeds. The move comes as China’s scooping up global grain supplies to feed its hog herd recovering from African swine fever. Corn imports soared to record levels, sparking a global price rally as investors were also worried about supply. Alfred Cang/Bloomberg News

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Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

Donations, help still arrive in aftermath of ‘Odette’

UPPORT from the international community continue to offset the effects of Typhoon “Odette” (international name: Rai) almost two weeks after its onslaught. Taiwan, for its part, has sent two shipments of relief goods totaling 10 metric tons worth $50,000, which were airlifted to the Philippines from Pingtung Air Force Base by two C-130 Hercules cargo planes and landed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on December 25 and 26. Representative Peiyung Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines handed over the donation of the relief goods to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for relief distribution. On December 22 Taiwan also gave $500,000 through Taiwan Association Inc. Philippines, while Love From Koten Foundation also donated P4.7 million. By way of the United States Agency for International Development or USAID, the US government said on December 27 that it is providing an additional P50 million, or some $1 million, to support communities affected by Odette. Its embassy has also revealed plans of Chargé d’Affaires

Heather Variava to visit Surigao del Norte in the coming days. Japan has also sent emergencyassistance packs through the Japan International Cooperation Agency on December 24, as Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa conveyed his country’s commitment to partnering with the Philippines in disaster-relief assistance. Generators, sleeping mattresses, sleeping pads, dome tents, jerry cans and plastic sheets were brought in.

Resources, commiseration

LAST week Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said the French government would “gather resources from the private sector” with the French Chamber of Commerce and the France-Philippines United Action Foundation. The United Kingdom has also committed to provide €750,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross as a way of extending assistance to survivors. Ireland, on the other hand, has

earmarked €250,000, or about P14.1 million in disaster-relief assistance. Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora Colm Brophy said their ambassador William Carlos at the newly established embassy in Manila has been monitoring the situation on the ground. The Irish aid was to be coursed through the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme. The government of Canada, through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives and Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development or ACCORD, has donated CA$50,000 as initial response to the most-affected in the Caraga Region. The UN Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs has committed to provide shelter, health, food, and protection, according to Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez. Saudi Arabia’s state media said King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had sent a cable of condolences and sympathies to President Duterte. Chinese President Xi Jinping also extended his condolences to the Chief Executive over the recent calamity. Malacañang recently thanked countries and organizations for their outpouring of support to areas affected by the recent howler.

“We are…grateful to our friends in the international community, partners, and allies for their offers of assistance,” Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said, as he shared that the Palace is expecting more help from other parts of the world.

Free use of satellite tech

ASIDE from its emergency assistance provided to the Philippines, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) disclosed that the Emergency and Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission has been closely monitoring “postOdette developments.” The ERCC, through the delegation, has offered to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Department of Science and Technology the satellite maps of the affected areas by using the EU Copernicus Emergency Management Services for Rapid Mapping—all for free. The maps, according to the EU, can show a delineation of the damage, or an assessment of the destruction. The ERCC has been coordinating with the UN Satellite Centre or UNOSAT, and is proposing to provide complementary satellite imagery in low-lying urban areas of the cities of Cebu and Puerto Princesa City, as well as their airports. With reports from Azer Parrocha and Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

USAID, partners aid sanitation program in Negros, Sarangani T

HROUGH an innovative funding scheme, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its partners recently installed 100 sanitary toilets that will benefit 500 people in Sagay City, Negros Occidental and Alabel, Sarangani. USAID has worked with globaldevelopment company DAI, microfinancing institution ASA Philippines, the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, as well as the local government units (LGUs) of the said areas to build toilets as part of a pilot activity on Output-Based Aid and Blended Finance (OBA-BF). The financing program combines public grants with household equity to fully fund the units. “OBA-BF, as designed, is an in-

novative and creative approach to maximize and mobilize resources [to benefit the] poor,” USAID Philippines Acting Mission Director Sean Callahan said as the agency and its partners celebrated the conclusion of the project at ceremonies in Alabel on December 3, and Sagay on December 6. Callahan said that strong local leadership and the power of similar public-private partnerships will ensure the sustainability of the resources. In Sagay City, DAI had provided grants to subsidize the cost of septic tanks compliant with the standards of the Philippine Sanitation Code, as households paid for their toilets with microloans from the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation.

In Alabel, grants from DAI and ASA Philippines subsidized the cost of septic tanks, as households funded their toilets through microloans from ASA Philippines. With the OBA-BF program, around 200 people from 40 households in Sagay City and 300 from 60 households in Alabel now have their own sanitary toilets. “As a tourist destination, we need to [install] toilets so that the marine reserve can be kept clean,” said Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III. “While there’s slow activity from tourism, it’s high time we built these facilities for the people.” For his part, Alabel Municipal Mayor Vic Salarda said that the grants from OBA-BF enabled lowincome households to have their own

sanitary toilets: “This will be of big help in improving sanitation in our communities.” USAID aims to expand this scheme to other local government units in the country, particularly in Palawan, Negros Occidental and Sarangani. The aid agency harnesses the power of multisectoral collaboration to provide safe sanitation services to the underserved through innovative schemes like the OBA-BF. According to the US Embassy, around 6 million Filipinos do not have access to sanitary toilets, while some 4 million still resort to open defecation. This lack of adequate facilities poses risks of waterborne diseases for communities, and leads to contamination of freshwater sources. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Argentina keen to collaborate on counteracting Covid’s effects

RGENTINA will explore ways to elevate its relationship with the Philippines, particularly on managing the effects of the pandemic. Chargé d’Affaires Mauricio Germán Muñoz said his country is keen on sharing its best experiences in handling the crisis, and in turn learn from the Philippines with regard to vaccine deployment as an archipelago. Muñoz, together with officials from the national government, welcomed the 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca recently donated by Argentina to Manila, which he describes as a reflection of Buenos Aires’s expression of solidarity. “We’re also aiming to embark on some exchange of experiences on [ways] our countries are managing the consequences of the pandemic,” the Argentinian Embassy official

said. “I hope [to] see new developments in this field in the future.” He said Argentina wants to gather some of its medical experts and consider the next possible engagement with Manila. “For example, [in connection with the vaccines, we are aiming for an] exchange in experiences on how to store vaccines, considering the challenges of a country with the geographic complexity of the Philippines,” Muñoz explained. “Argentina is not an island-country, so we really think we could learn from each other and try to address challenges posed by the geography, climate and the logistics in general.” The latest Argentinian contribution brings the Philippines’s total acquired vaccine doses since February 2021 to about 191 million, according to the National Task Force Against Covid-19. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

Exports to Denmark post 3-digit growth

OPENHAGEN—Export of goods from the Philippines to Denmark grew by 205 percent year-on-year (YOY) in September 2021. In that month outgoing items jumped by as much as $130.2 billion from $42.7 billion in the same period last year, preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry showed. Ambassador of the country to Denmark Leo Herrera-Lim noted that this was the third consecutive year of positive YOY growth: “Our latest export-growth rate shows a solid…performance, even stronger than pre-pandemic levels. Total exports in 2018, before the establishment of the Philippine Embassy in Denmark, was [at] $43.3 billion. Now, it is sig-

nificantly higher by more than 300 percent.” The catamaran ferry built by Austal Philippines is the top shipped product in 2021, which comprised 49.9 percent of all exports. Among them, hearing aids had the highest growth at 727.6 percent, followed by semiconductors at 169.4 percent. Said Herrera-Lim, the increase in exports indicated stronger bilateral trade ties between the two countries. He mentioned the embassy is working diligently to attract more investments to the Philippines, and is pushing for more opportunities to further boost exports—particularly in shipbuilding and manufacturing. “As we enhance our trade relations with Denmark, we are confident we will see sustained improvement in our exports for the coming years,” said the envoy.

Air-services pact with Mexico inked

E X I C O C I T Y— A m bassador Demetrio R. Tuason and Mexican Minister of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Jorge Arganis Díaz Leal signed on December 14 the Air Services Agreement between the governments of the Philippines and the United Mexican States. The agreement aims to modernize the existing Air-Transport Agreement between the two countries signed on November 21, 1952 and entered into force on December 3 of the same year. Both sides are optimistic the agreement will improve two-way connectivity particularly

in trade, tourism and people-topeople links. In 2020 Mexico was ranked as the Philippines’s 24th trading partner (out of 225), with total trade that amounted to $660 million, as the former became the second-largest trading partner of the Philippines in Latin America next to Brazil. The balance of trade has been in favor of the Philippines since 2015. Also that year Mexico was the Philippines’s third-largest tourism market in Latin America, following Brazil and Argentina. Due to the pandemic, there was a significant decrease in Mexican tourist arrivals: from 5,154 in 2019 to 983 in 2020.

PHL Embassy-Spain marks Rizal’s death anniversary

A DR ID — Cont i nu i ng a tradition of collaboration in celebrating the life and times of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, in partnership with the Order of the Knights of RizalLa Solidaridad Chapter, held a wreath-laying ceremony on December 19 to commemorate the 125th death anniversary of the Philippine hero, as well as the 25th anniversary of the inauguration of his monument at the Avenida de las Islas Filipinas in this capital city. Ambassador to Spain Philippe J. Lhuillier, the embassy’s officers and staff, together with the Order of the Knights of Rizal, welcomed Director General D. Cecilio Cerdan Carbonero, who is the official representative of Madrid Mayor José Luiz Martínez Almeida, as well as the

AMBASSADOR Philippe J. Lhuillier (center), with embassy officials and staff, together with members of the local Filipino community. MADRID PE/DFA

Filipino community, in an event made more meaningful by the attendance of Señor Jose Ma. Alvarez del Manzano, who was the sitting Mayor of Madr id when the Jose Rizal Monument was inaugurated 25 years ago on December 5, 1996. Lhuillier paid tribute to the hero’s intelligence and greatness, then expressed hopes that through events such as the commemoration, “young Filipinos would get to learn more about Rizal and how he struggled, like all of us, to overcome much suffering and tribulation in his life… [and through his humanity, be inspired to do great things for one’s people and country].” The gentlemen led the wreathlaying on the monument. The event culminated in a reading of Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios by Señor Elías Rodríguez Varela.

ISRAEL GIFTS WATER PURIFIER TO INDIGENOUS PERSONS Ambassador

Ilan Fluss drinks from the filtered river water using Israeli-made portable water-purifier filters. The Embassy of Israel, together with the Shalom Club-Nueva Ecija, recently donated a portable water purifier and food packs to indigenous peoples of the Bulwagan ng mga Katutubo in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, as Fluss personally handed over the Israeli-made purifier to the Samahan ng mga Makakalikasang Katutubong Ayta officers. He hoped that the indigenous peoples will have access to clean and potable water with the use of Israeli technology. Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam and MASHAV Officer Gladys Baniqued-Turiano, together with the ambassador, made a product demonstration of the portable water purifier, as it showed ways the water in the locale’s Bacao River is filtered to become drinkable.

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Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

New Year hopes and wishes

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Eliza Dushku, 41; Tyrese Gibson, 43; Laila Ali, 44; Meredith Vieira, 68. Happy Birthday: Surround yourself with individuals who bring value to your life and contribute to your mental, physical and emotional well-being. Your happiness is dependent on the decisions you make. Don’t be afraid to do things differently or to change course midstream. Follow your heart, and indulge in what brings you joy. Seize the moment, and take control of your life and your future. Your lucky numbers are 9, 12, 23, 26, 33, 38, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Go over money matters, and make sure you’ve taken care of anything that needs to be updated before the year ends. Leave nothing to chance or in someone else’s hands. A last-minute adjustment will lead to financial gain. HHH RANDY ESTRELLADO, Manilad Water Services Inc.

TOOTS OPLE, Blas F. Ople Policy Center

DOODZ S. POLICARPIO, Dale Carnegie Training Philippines

HRISTMAS done, just one more day until the New Year rolls around. I still can’t believe it will be 2022 in a few hours. And with it, hopefully a new way of dealing and living with Covid-19. Then, there are the elections to think about—I really wish we all vote for a competent and inspiring leader, one who will unite all of us in a common purpose of lifting each other up, instead of fighting one another. We need a leader who will help us deal with Covid-19, although like many people I hope scientists will have this licked by next year. I also pray for that one leader who will not be corrupt or tolerate corruption, who will be able to encourage investments and trade, and be respected by fellow heads of state. We may disagree on politics, religion, and life in general, but we don’t have to be disagreeable about it. I miss those times when we could all put forth our views without any of us calling/cancelling each other out, and popping a vein in doing so. I confess I succumbed many times to personal and impolite

JOEY BERMUDEZ, Iskaparate.com and wife, Ester

comments about others, as has been my mood since 2016. It has been like one long drunken night of partying, with a devil-may-care attitude, doing our own thing, no matter who gets hurt, in the last five years and a half. We did wake up sober a few times and return to normal, before going on a drinking binge once more, unleashing our inner demons on each other. So I do long for the return to decency, respect and, well, sanity. I wish the next leader of the country will help us find our way back to our real selves. Happy New Year to all! And may we have a kinder 2022. nnn

LAST week, I asked friends and business leaders their Christmas wishes this year. Here are their thoughts: n RANDY ESTRELLADO, COO, MAYNILAD WATER SERVICES INC. This Christmas, I wish to smile without a mask, to hug without worrying about social distancing, and to sing along with friends without fear of breathing the same air. The last two years have been tough on all of us, but what keeps me going is the thought that we’re all in this together and the simplest things in life are more than enough to want to see this pandemic through. I know we will all be together again. Happy holidays, everyone! n TOOTS OPLE, PRESIDENT, BLAS F. OPLE POLICY CENTER. My Christmas wish is for the new OFW department to meet and even go beyond the expectations of our overseas Filipino workers and their families. On a more personal note, I wish

ERIC TENG, President, Resto PH

that 2022 be a kinder year for all of us. My 93-yearold mom is not in good health and it pains me to see her so frail. I know that I am not the only one in this situation—most of us have a family member with an ailment or who is ageing. My wish is for the healing of the sick, and the miracle of God’s love be upon us all. n DOODZ S. POLICARPIO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, DALE CARNEGIE TRAINING PHILIPPINES. It is my fervent wish that this pandemic will soon disappear so that businesses will return to normal, and we Filipinos can enjoy a decent way of life through continued employment, a vibrant economy, and be prosperous. In this connection, I wish the administration take a really serious look at the state of this nation, particularly in the aspects of health care, social welfare, national patrimony, and our preparedness for disasters. I hope they can specifically respond to the urgent needs of those affected by the recent typhoon Odette. n JOEY BERMUDEZ, FOUNDER, ISKAPARATE.COM. My Christmas wish is a noche buena where the conversation is not about Covid and the elections. Also, I wish those who have massive resources at their disposal and lots of time on their hands will do something concrete, no matter how small, to fight the pandemic of poverty, instead of just ranting on chat groups. n ERIC TENG, PRESIDENT, RESTO PH. My only wish for this Christmas season is for everyone to get through with this pandemic with their loved ones healthy and safe. The other problems our lives can recover in time; as long as our family is healthy and safe, all can be well.

Bringing culinarians and foodies together to shine on for Filipino cuisine SPANNING 25 years of professional culinary education excellence, CCA Manila celebrated its silver anniversary by showcasing the talents of Filipino chefs through a series of insightful webinars that featured Filipino gastronomy, heritage and food. As a trailblazer in the culinary industry, CCA Manila (www.cca-manila.edu.ph) continuously nurtures its students by providing innovative culinary education and instilling in them a strong values foundation based on hard work, passion and creativity. “Aside from being the pioneer in the industry, CCA Manila’s excellent programs are supported by numerous partnerships that we have with reputable academic and industry institutions, such as our ACF accreditation. Plus, we have a long list of medals bestowed on our students, alumni, and faculty in prestigious international culinary competitions,” says Dr. Veritas F. Luna, CCA Manila’s Chancellor for Education.

CCA Manila kicked off its anniversary with “Cook for the World” virtual event with Rep. Toff de Venecia, who shared his thoughts on Filipino Gastronomy and Heritage Policy. “Gastronomy plays an intensely important role in culture because not only is food significant to a tourist experience, but also gastronomy becomes an important source of identity, evolution, and post-modern culture.” Today, Filipino cuisine and talents are recognized globally. It is also worth mentioning the CCA graduates around the world are bringing Filipino cuisine and talent forward—Migo Razon as the executive chef in Sheraton Melbourne, Andrew Soriano and Jessabel Granada with their Nanam restaurant in New Zealand, Kim and Jay Prieto whose Lolo and Lola recently won People’s Choice Awards 2019 in Canberra, as well as Chef JP Anglo through CCA’s Filipino Food Forward campaign representing Filipino cuisine in San Sebastian, Dubai and Melbourne.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ve got the moves, so don’t hesitate to make things happen. Say what’s on your mind, and set standards for others to follow. Don’t wait for someone to initiate change; it’s up to you to do what’s best for you. HHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll have plenty of energy, so put it to good use. Take the initiative to finish what you start. Tie up loose ends, and start thinking about what you want to do next. Cut ties with people who mistreat you. HHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll be in the mood to make positive personal changes. Partnerships and putting plans in motion that bring you closer to someone you love are favored. Leave nothing to chance; say what’s on your mind. Romance is in the stars. HHHHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You may want to be wild and crazy, but don’t take risks that damage your reputation. Concentrate on activities that lead to personal growth, self-improvement and less drama. The aim is to gain respect, not to overreact or do something you regret. HHHHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Get together with friends or spend quality time with your love. Discuss your plans, and prepare to head in a direction that ensures stability and personal security. Don’t overreact or make assumptions. Size up situations, and do what’s necessary to maintain peace. HH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Reevaluate your life, and eliminate what no longer matters to you. Closing one year and beginning another with a plan will lead to a brighter future. Stop waffling; let go of the past, and move forward with enthusiasm. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A creative pastime will spark your interest. Entertain the thought of taking a course or developing something that brings you joy into a lucrative endeavor. Don’t limit your potential; take advantage of what you have to offer, and further your interests. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t be fooled by what others say. Verify information before you pass it along. Concentrate on getting things done. Don’t share personal information with anyone who may use it against you. Leave money and possessions in a safe place. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t waffle; if there is something you want to change, do so with enthusiasm. Take responsibility for what unfolds, and you’ll appreciate the rewards that follow. Use your power of persuasion to enlist the help of others. Romance is on the rise. HHHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep your life simple and your overhead down. Spend more time working on a schedule that will help you get in shape. Be ready to take on new adventures. Hard work and dedication will pay off. HH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Tag along with someone who shares your interests, and you’ll get a different perspective regarding what’s possible. Don’t hesitate to let your intuition lead the way. Unleash your creativity, and you’ll discover a unique way to bring in additional cash. HHHHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are sophisticated, direct and personable. You are persistent and irresistible.

‘letter by letter’ BY ADRIAN JOHNSON The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Magnum ___ (great work) 5 He’s a deer 9 Future D.A.’s exam 13 “Be quiet!” 14 Gullible 15 Wonky 16 “That explains it” 17 Championship game 18 Shirts often cropped at Pride 19 “Is that so?!” 21 Olay competitor 23 “You Send Me” singer Cooke 24 Member of a Great Basin tribe 25 Shade at the beach? 26 “That’s fair” 32 “Hulk” director Lee 33 Park walkway 34 Pride group 37 La Scala’s locale 40 Rock’s ___ Speedwagon 41 Urban front staircase 42 Panache 43 Sag, as a flower 45 Org. at JFK 46 Afternoon fare in Britain 50 Digital ___ camera

52 Prom wear for a certain lesbian, briefly 53 Important time span 54 Shopper’s clipping 56 Explain in detail ... or what the starts of 19-, 26- and 46-Across do, phonetically? 61 ___ canai (flatbread dish) 62 Cutoff 64 Hidden-object book series 65 Arthur ___ Courage Award 66 Gets the wrinkles out 67 Sound of a stone hitting a pond 68 Word after “hot” or “fine” 69 Luggage IDs 70 Perfect over time DOWN 1 The Buckeye State 2 Encouragement during labor 3 Internet explorer? 4 “The things I put up with!” 5 Travel by boat 6 Wee 7 “When They See Us” director DuVernay 8 Frozen treat in Rome 9 Like 10 p.m., for many kids ...

and their parents 10 Chocoholic’s Achilles’ heel 11 Colosseum, e.g. 12 Cicely of “Roots” 14 2018 award for Patrick Mahomes 20 Small battery 22 Bridal coverings 24 Stand behind 26 Celebrated crops in “Things Fall Apart” 27 “I’ll get this done” 28 Unpleasant realities 29 Anatomical canal blocker 30 Dined at home 31 Trivial criticism 35 A proboscis monkey’s is long 36 Facial joints? 38 Brewery quaff 39 “How cool!” 44 Contents of some social media threads 47 Naturally bright? 48 Not just online, briefly 49 Historic Muslim leader 50 “Get lost!” 51 Like saggy pants

55 56 57 58 59 60 63

Orders at bakeries and pizzerias Polluted air ATM codes Norway’s capital Second word of many fairy tales A+, e.g., at a blood bank Radio’s Glass

Solution to today’s puzzle:

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

As this year comes to a close I

WOKE up this morning with an online post pontificating how we should be thankful for the Marcoses because, come to think of it (their words, not mine), they cared for Philippine cinema. We know what follows that thought: the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines, the once-First Daughter and the Martial Law as the Gilded Age of Culture, whatever we mean by the gilding. There is that word “culture” of course— and this is our frustration about those who teach Culture (the monolithic one) and not cultures, the ;atter being the concept that admits to varieties of the subversive, the discrepant, the peripheral. What are the symptoms of this mindset about Culture? There are many. There is the notion of a cultural center and the proof is that tombstone by the sea—a dull, chilly, fascist monument to everything that is abrasively central and arrogantly patronage-based control of aesthetics and funds. The building is no mere structure; it is an ethnographic authority, or it has made itself into one. Then there is the greatest lie of all: the Nation. We seem resigned to the notion that we are a

nation, and our arts are united by that motherhood construct. Only when we look askance at the accomplishments of various groups outside Manila or the institutions which, ordained, matter because they are located in Manila, that we realize how this “Nation” murders the margins. The “Nation” because it does not define the realities out there is hard-put to embrace the excellence or the singularities of other artistic endeavors. Thus we need to contend with language or languages. At the center, academics struggle over the “Fs” and the “Ps” in naming the so-called national language. And yet, outside the DepEd and the CHED, no one really cares about the F of things. If it sounds like an expletive, it does because any concern about nationhood is as fake as the nose of the next hot celebrity. Memory is another dragon-slayer: we kill the monsters of our past because that is the only way we can, as in those endlessly silly rom-coms, move on. And so we forget the dictatorship. And so we pity this Old Lady in red terno, nauseatedly forgetting that even the well-credentialed technocrats conscripted to serve the delusion of a New Society trembled when she held a pointer and wrote on the white board conspicuously present when she presided the City of Man. Oo naman. If Manila was the Ever-Loyal City under the Spanish (meaning it was most subservient), then it morphed into the City of Man under the office with the most dubious and preposterous name, Ministry of Human Settlements. How can we easily forget! Our template for political decision and our model for appropriate social change were

not our leaders (thank God!) but the movies, the commercial and funny movies that made a killing in the box-office at the expense of good taste. In effect (or maybe I should spell that “epek”?), we seek closure rather than shout condemnation; we’d rather be in tears and lousy sentiments than fight for our tomorrows. But, just like that sudden outburst of memory of how the dictatorship was good for Philippine cinema in whatever limited form, the end of the year or the last day of this year is always a time for reckoning. The field is open for judgment, especially given that the feng shui experts have not spoken up yet. Well, as RuPaul bristles, they better work because in 2019 they spoke too soon about the glory of 2020 that when the pandemic fell upon the world, no earth magic could mediate between death and the then yet unseen horizon of medical salvation. As the world turns, what accomplishments can we think of in the field of films and the arts? Let us be succinct and specific. The good news: regional cinema is alive even if it remains a dirty label for those who still cling to the misguided and illusory national cinema. At the height of lockdowns, the 13th Cinema Rehiyon was held. It was done online but it served its major function: that of linking up the various regional cinema groups scattered all over the archipelago. At the helm of the project was the executive national committee of cinema of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The wisdom of the group under Dr. Rolando Tolentino was to execute the program by way of another group—a regional group—

called the Negros Foundation. Theater stalwart Tanya Lopez and multi-awarded filmmaker Elvert Bañares were just some of the people who worked on the project. The same group was behind another endeavor of the National Committee on Cinema, the socalled ECQ cinema, a film festival with filmmakers confronting the pandemic and the isolation caused by it. Receiving small grants from the committee, the films in the festival went on to win recognitions abroad. This effort was followed by Sine Halaga, again a non-competitive film festival under the NCCA where the selected filmmakers did films exploring sets of values practiced by Filipinos coming from different class structures. These systems of values were culled by way of a research. The truth of the matter is that films and arts from the regions are alive. As the month draws to a close, the Metro Manila Film Festival has been revived. Observers are talking about how the audiences are not excited with the films fielded. The most I can say is let us be kind to one another. Even artistic pursuits deserve the kindness of strangers. Before the fireworks are lighted, let us pause and pray that as much as we love the eagles and egrets, the ducks and the hornbills, we cannot unlove those who died serving our country, especially if we do not have the courage to do the same. The universe is always listening. Be careful, we may wake up to find ourselves turn into a legal tender— as rusty coins or stinking old paper bills become unable to foot any of our dreams.

Real-life superheroes take center stage in GMA year-end special IT has been said that not all superheroes wear capes. As everyone welcomes the new year this Saturday, January 1, GMA News and Public Affairs’ year-end special Year of the Superhero takes a look back on some of the heroic moments of 2021—a year that saw people from all walks of life inspiring others through their heroic deeds and triumphs. Hosting this special are real- and reel-life power couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera who both have had their share of playing iconic heroes on GMA’s primetime shows. In this yearend special, the couple collaborated with some of the industry’s finest—international artist Leeroy New, award-winning children’s book author Augie Rivera, and acclaimed director Rico Gutierrez—in an hour-long special honoring modern-day heroes. Marian walks viewers through the giant 3D art installation by New. The contemporary Filipino artist’s inspiration was drawn from the stories of ordinary citizens who lifted our spirits amid adversities in 2021. New’s work depicts the inspiring stories of the Olympians who raised our flag in Tokyo—led by first-ever Filipino Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz; the nurses who saved 35 infants from a burning hospital; and the youth behind the community

BEST-SELLING author Dan Brown

DINGDONG DANTES

MARIAN RIVERA

pantry initiative which made headlines this year. Year of the Superheroes also looks back at the rescue of the survivors of the C-130 Hercules aircraft crash in Sulu, the news of a police officer who assisted a woman giving birth on a street in Capiz, as well as the viral story of the girl who rescued her pet dog from being hit by an oncoming train.

Making the tribute extra-special is a comicbook storytelling of these heroes’ journeys which will be led by Dingdong and directed by GMA director Dominic Zapata. Year of the Superhero airs on January 1, 2022, 7:15 pm, on GMA (www.gmanetwork. com, www.gtv.ph).

Globe Studios’ critically acclaimed ‘Midnight in a Perfect World’ bags numerous local and intl awards GLOBE Studios and Epicmedia Productions bagged numerous citations from local and international award-giving bodies for their critically acclaimed futuristic horror film Midnight in a Perfect World, proving its worth as both an entertainment masterpiece and an artwork. The provocative, must-see motion picture was nominated for 11 categories in the 44th Gawad Urian and won the Best Sound for Corinne De San Jose. It also brought home 10 top awards from the Filipino Arts & Cinema International (FACINE) 28th Annual Filipino International Cine Festival, including Best Film Gold and Best Direction Gold for Dodo Dayao. “I'm glad that a full year after its release, much like the darkness in this film, Midnight was able to creep into and conquer the consciousness of film lovers around the world,” said Quark Henares, head of Globe Studios. One of the longest-running Italian festivals focused on fantasy and horror movies, TOHorror Fantastic Film Festival gave Midnight in a Perfect World the prestigious title of Best Film in the Feature Films Competition category, while the Canada-based Fantasia International Film Festival gave it the AQCC Prize - Camera Lucida 2021 Special Mention

of the Jury “for its progressive affirmation of a cinematic identity.” Set in the utopian city of Manila, the movie revolves around four friends who are caught in one of the mysterious blackouts where people disappear without a trace. Despite believing that the stories are a hoax, they are about to find out what lurks in the strange darkness as they hide in one of the “safe places.” Critics have described this top-selling film of QCinema International Film Festival 2020 as “one of the best of the year,” “disorienting,” “intense,” and “well put together.” It has a compelling tale, a topnotch production, and a strong cast composed of Jasmine CurtisSmith, Glaiza de Castro, Anthony Falcon, Dino Pastrano, and Bing Pimentel. Midnight fulfills the vision of Globe Studios to be the home of films that “come from authentic voices and crafted by true creators.” Globe Studios (globestudios.ph) is an entertainment production company that has been telling stories through silver screens, black boxes, and handheld devices since 2016. It prides itself on being creator-focused and bold with its content. Filipinos may also view the film on fdcpchannel.ph where it is available via a subscription for only P99/month or P999/year.

‘Da Vinci Code’ author settles lawsuit alleging secret life By Michael Casey The Associated Press

BOSTON—The Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown and his ex-wife have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he led a secret life during their marriage that included several affairs. The couple agreed to voluntary dismiss the lawsuit and “any and all claims and counterclaims in this matter,” according to court papers filed Monday in a New Hampshire court. “Blythe Brown and Dan Brown have reached an amicable resolution of their disagreements, and will have no further comment,” Blythe Brown’s attorney Harvey Wolkoff said in a statement. “They request that their desire for privacy and closure be respected.” No further details on the settlement were provided. In her lawsuit filed last year, Blythe Brown called her ex-husband’s behavior “unlawful and egregious” and accused the bestselling author of secretly diverting funds to pay for gifts to an unnamed horse trainer. Blythe Brown also claimed credit for inspiring much of his work and coming up with the premise for The Da Vinci Code. She also alleged that Brown hid scores of future projects worth “millions” from her, including a television series as well as a children’s book. At the time of the lawsuit, Dan Brown said he was “stunned” by the allegations and called the complaint “written without regard for the truth.” He said he never misled his ex-wife on their finances during their divorce and that she ended up with half their holdings after they split up. The couple divorced in 2019 after 21 years of marriage. Brown, a New Hampshire native, has had a string of best sellers but is best known for The Da Vinci Code, a puzzle-filled thriller that introduced readers to the notion that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene were married with children. The plot outraged church officials and scholars. During a 2006 trial against the publisher of the The Da Vinci Code, the court heard how Blythe Brown was an essential contributor to the thriller. Two authors unsuccessfully sued, claiming that Brown “appropriated the architecture” of their book in a high-profile London court case.

B8 Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

SM distributes Kalinga packs in Surigao

Global traders compete at Binomo Trading’s WTC until January 21, 2022

RADERS from all over the globe have the honor to represent their country in Binomo’s World Trading Cup ’21, the biggest trading event in the history of the Binomo Global Trading Platform. The WTC ‘21, which starts December 13 and will run until January 21, 2022, is a twostage competition with a US$1+ million total prize pool, 2,600+ rewards and 11 awards.

Participants will be grouped into 10 leagues, with traders competing against other traders from their own country league. The winners will then advance to the International Final and compete for top prizes. Binomo, an online investment platform, helps users gain knowledge about how trading works and the benefits of it. Established in 2014, Binomo is a category “A”

member of the International Financial Commission (IFC). Additionally, it is verified by the Verify My Trade (VMT), an organization that certifies the quality of trades being carried out on the platform. Currently, Binomo has 20 million users globally and is operating in more than 130 countries. The user-friendly platform is joined not only by trading experts but also rookies looking to enter the world of trading. The website and its YouTube channel provide training materials. Its FAQs and Help Center also have useful information to get any aspiring trader started. Upon registering, users will begin with a demo account and Php500. The demo account will allow beginners to train and hone their trading skills in a secure environment before advancing to actu al trading. There are four account types: Demo, Standard, Gold and VIP. Traders will be able to access more tools, bonuses and benefits as their account upgrades. Binomo’s free mobile app is available for Android and iOS users.

The boundless fantasy universe of Chimeraland to open in early 2022

HIMERALAND - A Boundless Universe of Fantasy Awaits You. Chimeraland, a vast new openworld massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, is now open for both mobile and PC gamers to pre-register their interest. Gamers who pre-register at www.chimeraland.com from December 16 onwards, can ensure they are fully informed of game developments and have the first glimpse of Chimeraland once the game is officially launched in early 2022. One of the key features is the game’s focus on ‘Eastern’ mythology, with the inspiration driven from ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas, renowned Chinese literature famous for its ancient mythical beasts. Players in the game will have the opportunity to explore the huge world and, in the process, encounter many fascinating beasts and monsters which they can admire, battle, tame or, thereby evolving new ‘Chimeras’ with individual characteristics, shapes, and abilities. As a result of this system, the combination of potential creatures that could be encountered in the game is practically unlimited and provides players with endless opportunities for experimentation and imagination. The world of Chimeraland is also unique in that it is spherical, just like the real world. This means that players will never encounter invisible walls and will be able to enjoy true adventures across over 4000 square kilometers of

the map, which includes four continents, explorable seas, and oceans. On top of main continents, Night Sky is another featured in-game planet where players will be able to visit and explore as they develop their capabilities. Phyllis, Producer at Level Infinite said, “We think that Chimeraland will strike a real chord with Malaysian gamers and want to encourage them to pre-register so they don’t miss out on any developments before the game launches in early 2022. Chimeraland defies standard definitions or explanations and really needs to be played to be appreciated. We have had great feedback from our beta-testers who are all really excited for the game to officially launch and we will be revealing more information about that soon. Based

on our testing we know that Chimeraland will provide a fantastically open-ended and rewarding gaming experience that both mobile and PC gamers can really immerse themselves in.” Get rewards like Cowries, Legendary Pill and Pet Egg via pre-register on the official website, and pre-registration to achieve a specified number of people can also be unlocked in accordance with the stage, to obtain the HP Essence, Intelligence Pill, Lv. 2 Mount Skill Book and other luxury rewards, valued up to 40 US dollars. Gamers should visit www.chimeraland. com for more details. Here's the preregistration link for Android & iOS: https://www.chimeraland.com/?utm_ source=pre&utm_medium=pr1&utm_ campaign=thePhilippines.

JRS Express gives Pamaskong Handog to Pasig residents

OCAL Government of Pasig City, together with JRS Express, distributes Pamaskong Handog packs among households in Pasig City. From November 30 to December 15, 2021. 350,000 packs of grocery goods were distributed to different barangays in the city, with each pack consisting of a spaghetti set (noodles and sauce), a macaroni set (pasta and mayo), powdered chocolate drink, fruit cocktail, sweetened creamer, chicken luncheon meat, and corned tuna packed in canvas bags. JRS Express thanks its staff and the Pasig City Government employees for their heartfelt service and selfless teamwork in helping distribute the grocery packs around Pasig City just in time for Christmas – proving true to their company’s promise: kahit kailan, maaasahan, kahit saan, makakarating.

IGHLIGHTING the gravity of collective efforts, SM Foundation distributed 2,150 Kalinga packs to families affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in Surigao City, Siargao, and Dinagat Islands. This social good initiative, dubbed as Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), was done in partnership with SM City Butuan and with the assistance of the Philippine Army and City

Government of Surigao. Aside from the distribution of Kalinga packs in Surigao, SM also brought relief packs to affected families in Butuan, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and Palawan. OPTE is a social good program of SM Foundation in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets which aims to address the needs of communities during calamities and crises.

COA’s Citizen Participatory Audit Strategy wins first place in Open Gov't Partnership Impact Award

HE Commission on Audit’s (COA) Citizen Participatory Audit (CPA) strategy was selected first place for the Asia Pacific Region by the Open Government Partnership (OGP) for its 2021 OGP Impact Awards. The recognition was announced at the Opening Plenary of the OGP Global Summit held from 15 to 17 December 2021. The OGP Impact Awards “highlight commitments that have demonstrably improved people’s lives or the quality of democracy” and was launched by the OGP, along with the OGP Local Innovation Awards, as part of its 10th anniversary celebration to recognize the work of open government reformers in improving transparency, accountability, participatory nature, and impact of open government work. Launched in November 2012, the CPA strategy aims to enhance citizen participation in the public audit process. It is a mechanism of constructive engagement between citizens and government in conducting public audits and capacity building activities, to uphold the people’s primordial right to a clean government and the prudent utilization of public resources. The CPA is founded on the premise that public accountability can prosper only with a vigilant and involved citizenry.

“We would like our people, especially the younger generation, to be involved in the work of governance. Citizens are included in the audit team to make government more effective, transparent, and accountable. After all, democracy is not only for the people, it is also by the people,” said COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo. “We pledge to engage more civil society organizations as we vow to continue to cultivate this journey towards a constructive partnership among citizens and government auditors for a more transparent, resilient, accountable and open government because this is the heart of CPA,” he added. Winning first place in the Impact Awards, on the 10th anniversary of the OGP, is doubly meaningful to the COA because the CPA strategy also won the first OGP Bright Spots prize during the OGP Global Summit held in London in 2013. According to the OGP, the voting process had been competitive with 45 applications for the Impact Awards and 60 for the Local Innovation Awards. Over 8,000 OGP community members voted for the Impact Awards while the Local Innovation Awards garnered votes from around 11,000 OGP members.

A glass of 100 percent pure cow’s milk at breakfast supports your family’s daily essential nutrients need

REAKFAST is an important meal for most Filipinos, and it’s for a good reason. A healthy and nutritious breakfast has many benefits on the human body, including improved mental alertness, better brain health, mass muscle maintenance, and improved digestion, among many others. And to ensure that your family gets the essential nutrients they need every day, simply add a glass of the new Alaska Fresh Milk or Alaska Low Fat Milk to the household’s breakfast staples. Studies show that getting the optimal amount of vitamins and nutrients from food alone is often unattainable, so getting help from sources such as readyto-drink fresh milk is a great way to fill in the nutritional gaps. The new Alaska Fresh Milk and Alaska Low Fat Milk are both high in calcium, contain 20+ essential nutrients, and are good sources of protein—an essential nutrient that is the building block for the body tissues, such as the muscles and bones. This makes sufficient daily intake of protein a vital part of our diet. Alaska Fresh, which is under Alaska Milk, a FrieslandCampina company, ensures that the quality of the milk begins with the quality of the grass the cows eat. This is crucial because if the grass lacks the proper nutrients, the milk produced by the cows is affected. Besides the quality of the grass, the company’s farmer partners also ensure that the cows live in a safe and healthy environment, where the optimal temperature is maintained. Living conditions play an important role in the quality of the fresh milk, so the cows get a lot of exercise, eat a diverse and wellbalanced feed ration, and drink only clean water. The milk is then collected from the cows every three days to ensure freshness. “The milk in the new Alaska Fresh

Milk and its Low-Fat variant is 100% pure cow’s milk from Europe. It has undergone Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) processing, which means the milk has been heated to allow you to keep it fresh for a longer time. And nothing is added to the fresh milk because it already contains everything good about milk,” said Joanne Angeles, Marketing Manager, Alaska Milk Corporation. “High quality 100% pure cow’s milk with essential nutrients from grass to glass—this is our commitment to our customers,” Angeles said.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

DOH reminds public to keep safe from Omicron variant

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

he Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to keep their families safe from the Omicron variant during the holidays and beyond. With the threat of this variant, the government is also ensuring that the country has enough beds and facilities to respond to both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 cases. “But crucial to this is also having fewer people who will need those hospital beds, and we, as individuals, have control over choosing the activities that are safe,” the DOH said. The DOH said that the simple choices or actions the people make— proper wearing of face masks, frequent hand washing, avoiding crowded places, immediately isolating when presenting any symptoms of Covid-19, ensuring proper ventila-

tion in indoor settings, choosing to get vaccinated and boosted – have a collective impact on the country's case trend. “These are just some of the many things we can do that will keep us and our loved ones safe from Covid-19. Let us choose what is safe and healthy," the DOH added.

Exercise caution

LIKEWISE, the DOH reminded fully vaccinated individuals to also be cautious. “While symptoms may be mild for the fully vaccinated, the disease could be severe for the unvaccinated, especially for senior

citizens and those who have other underlying medical conditions,” the DOH said. The first two confirmed case of Omicron were detected in specimens of a returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Japan and in a Nigerian national who arrived via Oman Air. Formerly designated as a Variant under Monitoring (VUM) last November 24, 2021, it was classified as Variant of Concern (VOC) two days later on November 26, 2021 by the World Health Organization (WHO). With 50 mutations overall, 30 of which are in the spike region, it is possible that the Omicron variant may cause increased transmissibility and immune evasion.

No clear indication

THE WHO said that it is not yet clear if Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. The number of people testing positive for the variant has risen in areas of South Africa. However. epidemiologic studies are underway to

understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors. Likewise, the WHO said that it is not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections with other variants, including Delta. WHO stated that preliminary data suggests that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron. There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants. It added that the initial reported infections were among university students—younger individuals who tend to have more mild infection— but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks. “All variants of Covid-19, including the Delta variant that is dominant worldwide, can cause severe disease or death, in particular for the most vulnerable people, and thus prevention is always key,” WHO said.

AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine boosts antibody levels vs Omicron A

s t r a Z enec a’ s C o v id-19 vaccine significantly boosted levels of antibodies against the Omicron variant following a third dose booster, data from a new laboratory study indicated. Neutralization titres for Omicron were boosted following a third dose with AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine compared to titres after a second dose. The levels seen after the third dose booster were higher than the neutralizing antibodies found in individuals who had been previously infected with and recovered naturally from Covid-19. Sera obtained from individuals one month after receiving the third dose booster vaccination neutralized the Omicron variant to levels that were broadly similar to those observed one month after the second dose against the Delta variant. Two doses of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine have been associated with protection against the Delta variant in real world studies.

Blood samples

THE study analysed blood samples taken from individuals infected with Covid-19; those who had been vaccinated with a twodose schedule and a third dose

booster; and those who had reported previous infection from other Covid-19 variants of concern. The study included samples from 41 individuals who had received three doses of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine. The study was performed independently by investigators at the University of Oxford and the findings were posted online on the bioRxiv pre print server. Professor Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK and one of the study investigators, said: “It is very encouraging to see that current vaccines have the potential to protect against Omicron following a third dose booster. These results support the use of third dose boosters as part of national vaccine strategies, especially to limit the spread of variants of concern, including Omicron.” Sir Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca said: “AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine plays an important role in vaccination programmes around the world and these data give us confidence that the vaccine should be given as a third dose booster. It is also important to look beyond antibodies to better understand how vaccines offer

protection against Omicron. As we better understand Omicron, we believe we will find that T-cell response provides durable protection against severe disease and hospitalizations.”

Neutralizing activity

Data from another laboratory st udy suppor t A st ra Zeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine effect against Omicron, with individuals vaccinated with two doses of Astra Zeneca’s Cov id-19 vaccine retaining neutralizing activity against Omicron, although a decrease was seen compared to the original strain. In other studies, AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine has been shown to generate a diverse and durable T-cell response to multiple variants resulting in a broader response than antibodies alone, which could contribute to protection against Covid-19. AstraZeneca is collecting real world evidence evaluating the effectiveness against the Omicron variant with academic groups in the southern African region. AstraZeneca is also analysing blood samples from participants in the Company’s Phase II/III trial to evaluate neutralising activity when given as a third dose booster against Omicron for both AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine and its

investigational next generation Covid-19 vaccine, AZD2816. Data from these studies are expected soon. C u r r e nt l y a v a i l a b l e d a t a against variants of concern, excluding Omicron, support the use of a third booster with AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine as part of a homologous or heterologous schedule. A sub analysis from the COV001 and COV002 trials demonstrated that a third dose of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine given at least six months after a second dose boosted antibody levels six-fold and maintained T cell response. A third dose also resulted in higher neutralizing activity against the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants, compared with a two-dose regimen. In the trial, the third dose of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine was less reactogenic than the first dose. In addition, the COV-BOOST trial showed that a third dose booster of A straZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine induced significantly higher immune responses compared with controls against the Delta variant and original strain following a primary vaccine series of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine or Pfizer BioNtech (BNT162b2).

St. Luke’s Medical Center joins efforts to aid victims of Typhoon Odette

t. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) launched St. Luke’s Bayanihan, a relief operation for the communities in the Visayas and Mindanao hit by Typhoon Odette. Volunteers gathered at the Henry Sy. Sr. Auditorium at SLMC-Global City to prepare the food packages that will be distributed to families in need. The St. Luke’s Bayanihan was held on December 23 and 24. “Typhoon Odette has brought unimaginable damage to thousands of Filipino families. There is a need for each one of us to join together to help those in need,” said Dr. Arturo S. de la Peña, SLMC President and CEO. “We earnestly hope that

SLMC President and CEO Dr. Arturo S. de la Peña (right) spearheaded the packing of relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Odette.

St. Luke’s Bayanihan will be part of a broader effort by Filipinos in successfully enabling their kababayans

to rise from this natural disaster.” “We thank our volunteers for their support, especially now during this

holiday season. The spirit of Christmas is about giving back to others and giving selflessly and we thank our volunteers for embodying this spirit,” he added. Dr. de la Peña also expressed the hope that St. Luke’s Bayanihan will inspire other stakeholders in society to aid the victims of Typhoon Odette. “As individuals, we may not be able to give much to the communities in need. However, if we join hands together, we can make a difference in their lives. The SLMC family prays that more Filipinos will band together in helping our country surpass one of its greatest challenges in recent history,” he said.

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

Govt drums up efforts for vaccination of children

ith the aim of further increasing Fully-Immunized Child (FIC) coverage, the Department of Health (DOH) recently launched the “Community-based and Catch-up Routine Immunization” campaign to address accessibility challenges to routine vaccination caused by the pandemic. The 2020 FIC data shows that the immunization coverage among infants and children is 3.9 percent lower than the coverage rate in 2019 as many parents were hesitant to bring their children to health centers for fear of exposing them to Covid-19. “The DOH is committed to protecting every child against vaccinepreventable diseases. We are continuously looking for ways to improve access to our National Immunization Program. One of these is coordinating with the National Vaccine Operations Center to dedicate days to catch-up immunization and the community-based Measles-Rubella and Tetanus-Diphtheria (MR-Td) Immunization activities,” said Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, Director of the DOH-Health Promotion Bureau. Currently, barangays are dedicating Wednesdays for child vaccination. Health workers assigned to the Covid-19 vaccination program were deployed to child immunization for the “Bakuna Wednesday” program

on top of other immunization services in barangay health centers and other primary care facilities.

Guidelines released

THE DOH has also released “Guidelines on the Conduct of Catch-Up of Routine Immunization for Children” to aid in the identification of children who missed their routine immunization, implementation of the catch-up immunization activity, recording and reporting of accomplishments, and monitoring and supervision of all activities. It also details the different roles and responsibilities of concerned offices and stakeholders. DOH also released an interim policy to provide technical directions in the implementation of the supposed School-based Immunization (SBI) services in the community-setting for School Year (SY) 2021. “This Covid-19 pandemic has shown us how valuable vaccines are. We should keep ourselves and our children up to date with vaccinations,” Ho said. Diseases, she stressed, can spread quickly with dreadful consequences without the protection of vaccines. “Let’s protect our babies and children from acquiring 13 vaccine-preventable diseases. Go to your nearest health center for a free child vaccination,” Ho said. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Pharma founder’s legacy continues this Christmas

Resources for the Blind Inc.’s Ms. Loy Ang and Ms. Gloria Mendoza with VPI Representatives

hristmas is a tradition of sharing—sharing love, hope, joy and light. For many companies and organizations, big or small, sharing their blessings to underserved sectors during this time of the year has been a tradition that adds color and light to relive the Spirit of the Holidays. This tradition has provided an avenue for Vendiz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VPI) founder Juvencio “Ven” Dizon, to create a legacy for his company to continue over the years. Driven by its mission to improve the lives of the Filipino people through continuous innovation, quality products, and cost-effective prices, VPI extended this objective through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that reach out to non-government institutions catering to the special needs of Filipinos. This year, VPI continued Dizon’s legacy by extending assistance to four organizations this Christmas.

Gift of love

Vendiz Pharmaceuticals turned over last November 18, 2021 their donations to the Our Lady of Pentecost Parish in Loyola Heights, Quezon City that will provide support to 80 students of the Parish’s scholarship program. Parish Priest, Fr. Dodot Torres, received the monetary donation along with medicines from VPI representatives. “VPI has been supporting the activities of the parish through regular donations in the past years, even before the pandemic struck the country. This year, we revisited this parish, along with three other non-government organizations, as a symbol of our devotion and support to their programs that aims to uplift the lives of our kababayans. We hope that these contributions from our management and people will be a great help in pursuing their goals and aspirations in life,” said Philip C.

Dizon, President and CEO of Vendiz Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Casting hope

Donations, which included cash, vitamins and medicines, were made to the Tulay ng Kabataan to support the 400 youth under their care. They were received by TNK Secretary, Grace de Vera last November 18. Tulay ng Kabataan is a non-profit organization founded on May 15, 1998 by a French Jesuit Priest. Executive Fr. Matthieu Dauchez and Gloria Recio oversee the daily operation of the organization along with multidisciplinary volunteers from the local community.

Spreading joy

With children being the center of the Christmas Season, VPI also extended assistance to the Children's Joy Foundation, Inc. (CJFI) located in Project 8, Quezon City. VPI chose to the foundation as it supported its commitment to fulfill the mission of love and compassion for the neglected and underprivileged children in the Philippines. By providing their basic needs and education, CJFI has been a home of joy and love to hundreds of children from different parts of the country since 1998.

Providing light

VPI representatives turned over their donations to the non-government Christian organization serving blind people, Resources for the Blind Inc. last November 25. The company’s monetary donation along with some vitamins and medicines aims to help the organization in their daily operation. “As we usher in the new year with hope, may the love and joy and light of Christmas bring safety and comfort to ourselves and to all our loved ones,” Dizon said.

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Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

Sports BusinessMirror

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

NFL cuts isolation time for players who test positive

Curry converts 3,000th 3-pointer, but Warriors lose to Nuggets by 3

HE National Football League (NFL) is reducing isolation time for players who test positive for Covid-19 and are asymptomatic, including unvaccinated players, to five days from 10. The league and the NFL Players Association revised the protocols on Tuesday after the CDC changed its guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, recommending a fiveday isolation period and masking over the second five days. The changes could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return for Sunday’s key game against Las Vegas after Indianapolis placed him on the reserve/Covid-19 list. It was not immediately clear whether Wentz, who is unvaccinated, tested positive for the virus or was deemed a close contact to someone else who had tested positive. However, if Wentz has no symptoms, he could be cleared to play. In a memo sent to teams and obtained by The Associated Press, players and essential football personnel can return under the following conditions: n Five days have passed since a positive Covid-19 test. n At least 24 hours have passed since the individual last had a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. n Other symptoms, including a cough, have resolved or improved. n The club’s head primary care sports medicine physician, after consultation with Infection Control for Sports and notification of the NFL chief medical officer, determines that the individual may return to the club facility and interact with other club employees/contractors. n Any local regulations or requirements are satisfied. Fully vaccinated individuals may continue to “test out” of isolation sooner than five days after the positive test, and should stop testing at Day 5 and return under the updated guidance, assuming all other perquisites have been satisfied. Masks must be worn on the sideline and at all times except when playing and practicing for five days after return. Masks must be worn by all players and staff indoors at team facilities. Players and staff are not permitted to eat together. A limit of 15 people applies for weight rooms. Also, even fully vaccinated staff and players are encouraged to avoid public areas including restaurants, bars and social gatherings. The Tennessee Titans, who can clinch the AFC South with either a win or a Colts loss, added linebacker Jayon Brown and practice squad receiver Cody Hollister, who has played three of the past four games including one start. They later added defensive end Denico Autry, who has eight sacks this season, to bring the Titans’ total to 10, not counting an 11th player out for the season on injured reserve. AP INDIANAPOLIS Colts quarterback Carson Wentz throws against the Arizona Cardinals during their Christmas Day game in Glendale, Arizona. AP

SEATTLE Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson signs autographs for fans before their National Football League game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Seattle on August 28, 2021. AP

SPORTS BACK, BUT TEETERS ON TIGHTROPE

HE fans came back, and even if their money was no good at arenas and stadiums, their credit cards and payment apps certainly were. Though the sports we watch brought with them a façade of “back to normal” as the pandemic-altered 2021 came to a close, a new reality took root this year: Every game, every practice, every season is a positive test or outbreak away from being postponed or compromised or canceled. Nobody can take any of this for granted anymore. That’s one of the many ways the Covid-19 pandemic carved away at the “old normal” in 2021, a year in which sports came back from the total shutdown the coronavirus triggered in 2020—but not quite in the way we remembered. Take March Madness. After being scrubbed in 2020, the college hoops extravaganza returned. But even the term “March Madness” lost a bit of its fun-loving insouciance when, thanks to a video posted on social media by Oregon’s Sedona Prince, the inequities between the men’s tournament, which used the moniker, and the women’s, which did not, were

spelled out in stark terms. Covid-19 forced the NCAA to hold the entirety of both tournaments in one city—the men in Indianapolis, the women in San Antonio—and the ability of the players, and the media, to compare the events side by side, apples to apples, forced the NCAA to confront the ugly reality that, Title IX be damned, it does not treat the women as equals to the men. That led to a gender-equity study that called for a number of changes— in how the NCAA budgets for the tournaments and, yes, in what it calls them. The “March Madness” brand now belongs to the women, too. In another change with roots in the pandemic, the days of elite athletes being judged solely on the titles they win, the points they score or the medals they bring home appear numbered—if not gone for good. The face of that movement was gymnast Simone Biles, who, like so many other Olympians, extended her training an additional 12 months, while also enduring a year more of scrutiny and pressure in the leadup to the delayed Tokyo Games. Overwhelmed by it all, Biles stepped away in the middle of the gold-medal team competition, and in doing so, changed the conversation for the rest of the Olympics, and the rest of sports. “We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day we’re human, too,” Biles said shortly after her withdrawal. The words shouldn’t have needed saying, but they did. Combined with similar expressions from tennis champion Naomi Osaka, they slapped an exclamation point on a longunder-the-radar discussion about athletes and mental health. Not every change or gain or loss in the 2021 return to sports had to do with Covid-19. Tiger Woods was in a scary onecar accident in February that could’ve spelled the end of his competitive playing days. His leg reconstructed after the crash, Woods, who turns 46 on New Year’s Eve, conceded his days of being a week-to-week contender—or a contender at all—in top-level golf could be over.

After a jumbled year in horse racing, the calendar returned to normal in 2021, but the sport did not. Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s victory was tainted by a drug scandal, then in December, the horse died during a training run—a tragic series of events that underscored the drug (and other) problems long embedded in that sport. Elsewhere in the world of legalized sports gambling, the big-time American leagues all completely did away with the long-held charade that their games were being consumed simply for the fun of it. As sports betting continued to grow and become legal in more states, it mushroomed into a $150 billion business, by conservative estimates. Leagues such as the National Football League, which for decades pretended gambling had no place in its game, went all-in and actively embraced some of the biggest

sportsbooks as big-money sponsors. That gave fans another way to engage in the games they love, while giving the leagues a new source of revenue and a new way to capture eyeballs. All good, it seems, especially given that the leagues, at least on the surface, have set aside the old worries about game-fixing, corruption and integrity that, for decades, made them reluctant to accept full-blown wagering. And while legalized wagering is changing the experience of watching a game, Covid-19 is changing the experience of going to one. The typical security check fans encounter upon entering most arenas now includes a request for proof of vaccine and/or a negative PCR test. Masks are required in some venues. Cash transactions and paper tickets are becoming things of the past. Contactless payments are in. All this, of course, is assuming the game is even going on. The slow trickle of positive tests and team outbreaks that lightly but consistently disrupted the sports calendar through the spring and summer turned into a more steady stream as Christmas approached and the omicron variant of the virus spread. AP

AN FRANCISCO—Stephen Curry became the first player in National Basketball Association (NBA) history to make 3,000 career three-pointers on Tuesday night in a game where the Denver Nuggets barely held off the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors, 89-86. Denver’s Nikola Jokic blocked a potential game-tying shot by Jonathan Kuminga in the final seconds to preserve the win after his team nearly blew a 24-point halftime lead. The Warriors got one more chance to tie the game, but Andre Iguodala missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. “I couldn’t be more proud of our guys,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “I thought Will Barton, down the stretch, made a couple of big, big plays.” Barton had 21 points, while Jokic led Denver with 22 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and four steals. “Nikola having 18 rebounds, 22 points and making a key, key play down the stretch is why he’s a great player,” Malone said. “You need those types of plays to pull out wins like this.” Andrew Wiggins had 21 points and eight rebounds for Golden State in his first game back from the league’s Covid-19 health and safety protocols. Curry, who scored 21 of his 23 points in the second half, made a corner 3-pointer late in the third quarter to give him 157 consecutive games with a 3-point field goal. It ties his own NBA record, which he set from 2014-16. The Warriors trailed 60-36 at the half, but kept Denver down offensively while opening the third quarter on a 17-5 run to cut Denver’s lead to 65-53. They pulled within five on a Curry step-back three-pointer with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter before he made back-to-back three-pointers to cut the Nuggets’ lead to 84-82 with 2:08 left. Golden State tied the game at 84 on a dunk by Gary Payton II with 1:04 remaining. Barton put the Nuggets back in front 86-84 with a tip-in on the ensuing possession and Denver held on to win despite scoring just 29 points in the second half. “They were the aggressor from the start,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I loved the way we fought back in the second half and gave ourselves a chance.... Really proud of the guys for the effort, but obviously we’ve got to play better.” AP

STEPHEN CURRY is adding to his three-point record. AP

Brighter days should be ahead for NBA

HE Utah Jazz lead the National Basketball Association (NBA) in a handful of categories. Most threepointers, just like they did last season. Most points per game. Most rebounds per game. They’re also last in use of the word “protocols.” It’s not accurate—yet—to say every team in the NBA has had a coronavirus problem this season. No Jazz player has been on the league’s health and safety protocols list this season, making Utah the only team yet to lose a player to a virus-related issue. That’s particularly impressive considering what’s happening. Right now, 27 of the league’s 30 teams are

currently waiting for at least one player to come off the list, with some of those teams waiting for way more than one player to be cleared. “I don’t feel any particular pride,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said when asked about being the last team standing in the protocols race. “I think we’ve been fortunate. We’ve tried to be smart about a lot of things. A lot of teams have done that, just in terms of raising a level of awareness. I think we’ve been fortunate. I also think it’s kind of a knock-on-wood situation on some level. He doesn’t really think the run of luck will last. Snyder knows it’s an “inevitability” that the Jazz will join the rest of the NBA. The numbers around the league indicate that day is

coming sooner than later. December 2021 was a difficult month for the NBA, by any measure, probably its most difficult since March 2020. That was when the decision to shut down the league happened on the night that Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first player to test positive for Covid-19. More than 500 players took the floor this month, a record for any month in league history. Well over 100 players went into the protocols and the list of postponed games grew to nine. The NBA had no choice but to basically allow teams unlimited hardship contract slots, agreeing not to have the emergency call-ups count against a team’s salary cap or luxury tax numbers. AP

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

Sports BusinessMirror

Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

B11

GOLDEN YEAR OF PHL SPORTS

T TOKYO Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz (third from left) sits on Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino’s chair during a ceremony honoring Diaz’s fellow medalists (from left) Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam at the House of Representatives.

UKA SASO finally had time to reflect on her breakthrough year, and it still felt like a blur. Winning the US Women’s Open with a birdie on the third playoff hole at Olympic Club was a life-changer. Meeting her golf idol, Rory McIlroy, the following week during the US Open at Torrey Pines might have been even more memorable. “Meeting Rory was my dream,” she said with a laugh. “But I was happy I won the US Open.” But when Saso says it’s hard to grasp her success, that goes beyond winning the Open for the 20-year-old of Filipino and Japanese heritage. It was only two years ago when she turned pro after earning a Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) card. She was just getting started when the pandemic began and shut down golf for nearly five months. When she returned, Saso tied for fifth in Japan, and then the next four JLPGA events were canceled. She won the next Japan event for her first pro victory, and after another event was canceled, she made it two in a row by winning the Nitori Ladies. As her world ranking improved, Saso began getting into majors, and she cashed in at Olympic after Lexi

By Josef Ramos

OXING legend Manny Pacquiao retired and Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. kept fighting—and still winning—as Filipino boxers fought through with pride and conquest in pandemic year 2021. It was Pacquiao’s announcement to hang up his gloves after two decades of tireless fighting that rocked the year about to end with the fighting senator from General Santos City ending his ring career with a stinging loss. “My time as a boxer is over. Goodbye boxing, thank you for changing my life,” Pacquiao, 42, said on September 29 as he stressed his focus was on his presidential aspiration in the May 9, 2022, national elections. Pacquiao left a globally illustrious career with a unanimous decision loss to World Boxing Association welterweight world champion Yordenis Ugas of Cuba last August 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ugas was a late replacement for an injured Errol Spence Jr. Despite the loss, Pacquiao—who had a 62-8-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts—kept his legendary status as the only eight-division world champion in professional boxing.

Big year a blur for US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso Thompson fell apart on the back nine. Major champion has a nice ring to it. But it was a lot to take in. “Everything happened too fast,” Saso said in a telephone interview. “I still have a lot to learn from the other pros. I think I have the game to be able to win tournaments, but I feel like there’s still things I can improve on to be a better golfer.” There have been tales over the years of players winning majors early and then feeling as though they have to live up to their new status. Saso doesn’t think that will happen to her. “Winning a major doesn’t affect how I think,” she said. “To stay the way I am before winning a major should be able to help me stay grounded.” Saso has time on her side. She knew that winning the Women’s Open would give her status on the LPGA Tour. She just didn’t realize it came with a five-year exemption, and her reaction at Olympic upon hearing

HE Golden Year of Philippine sports. Nothing more, nothing less, so said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino of 2021, the year when a strongwoman from faraway Barangay Mampang in Zamboanga City lifted her way to victory and claim for the country its first Olympic gold medal in 22 appearances in the quadrennial Summer Games. “This is a year of congratulations for all of us—for breaking several milestones in our sports,” Tolentino said. “The perfect description for this year is The Golden Year of Philippine Sports.” Tolentino was one of the

YUKA SASO holds her US Women’s Open trophy at The Olympic Club in June in San Francisco. AP the news was refreshingly honest. “Five years is a big deal. It was my dream to play on the LPGA,” Saso said. She starts next year with a new endorsement deal with AXA Asia

and Africa, the first time the global insurer has partnered with an Asian sports champion on a regional level. This wasn’t simply the spoils that come with winning.

most ecstatic Filipino inside the Tokyo International Forum that fateful July 26 evening when Hidilyn Diaz, appearing in her fourth straight Olympics, won a contest of brute strength—and tactics—by lifting Games records of 127 kgs in the clean and jerk and 224 kgs in total lift that went with her 97 kgs in snatch en route to the women’s -55kgs gold medal of weightlifting. “The year 2021 saw us attain multiple medals highlighted by that elusive gold in the Tokyo Olympics,” Tolentino said. “The Covid-19 pandemic may have slowed us down, but the ever resilient Filipinos have again proven that we rise against the odds.” With three medals coming from boxing—silvers from men’s flyweight Carlo Paalam and women’s featherweight Nesthy Petecio and bronze from men’s middleweight Eumir Felix Marcial—the delayed Tokyo Olympics emerged as the best ever for the Philippines since it first attended the Games in 1924 in Paris. Diaz led a 19-strong Team Philippines in Tokyo with all the athletes, although missing the podium, rovide a peek of how medal potential they would become come the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “Although the rest on Team Philippines didn’t win a medal in Tokyo, their determination and their youth make them strong candidates when we return to the Olympic stage in Paris,” Tolentino said. “Remember, Hidilyn was a young, unassuming and innocent 18-year-old when she competed in her first Olympics in

PBA names EASL ambassadors

T Pacquiao retires, Donaire swings on in 2021

Pacquiao’s loss came after going almost two years without a fight because of the Covid-19 pandemic. His split decision victory over American Keith Thurman for the WBA belt last July 2019 was his last memorable bout. Donaire, on the other hand, punched his way back to stardom last May 29 after dethroning French champion Nordine Oubaali to seize the World Boxing Council bantamweight belt in Carson City, California. The 39-year-old four-division world champion—the oldest to hold a world bantamweight belt—defended his crown with a flourish last December 11, knocking out fellow Filipino Raymart Gaballo with a vicious body punch in the body also in Carson City, thus improving his win-loss record to 42-6 with 28 knockouts. In 2022, Donaire will be in the hunt of the “Japanese Monster,” Naoya Inoue, to avenge his unanimous decision loss last November 2019. “I am ready to fight Naoya Inoue in a rematch because he has the belts—and that’s my goal to collect all the belts,” said Donaire, referring to

The year that was IF the year 2020 caught us all flatfooted and gave us double and triple whammies all year long, 2021 pulled a lot of surprises on us too. But many of them were happy. Like, who would ever forget that 2021, the Year of the Metal Ox gave us all the metal that we wanted—more than we bargained for. In the 32nd Olympiad in Tokyo last July, we finally got the gold medal that we had been

Inoue’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) and WBA bantamweight belts. “Just bring it, I am ready.” IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and World Boxing Organization bantamweight titleholder Johnriel Casimero also made successful defense of their belts in the year about to pass. Ancajas (33-1-2 record with 22 knockouts) booked a unanimous decision win over Mexican Jonathan Javier Rodriguez in Connecticut last April 10. Casimero (31-4 record with 21 knockouts), on the other hand, had it via split decision over Guillermo Rigondeaux last August 14 in California. In General Santos City in February, Rene Mark Cuarto defeated Pedro Taduran to snatch the IBF minimumweight belt. Another remarkable performance this year was Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo’s spectacular knockout wins that set him up for next year’s world title showdown against current WBC featherweight champion Gary

lusting after since we first joined the Summer Games in 1924. Hidilyn Diaz gifted her country with the precious metal with her brave lifting of 127s kg in the clean and jerk for a total winning weight of 224 kgs. Boxing gave us more metal in the same Summer Games. Nesthy Petecio snagged the first silver medal ever scored by a female boxer. Carlo Paalam provided us with more silver lining. And Eumir Marcial got us bronze, resulting in our biggest medal haul ever, besting the three medals we won in 1932 in the Los Angeles Olympics. 2021 also put us proudly on the world stage more than once. Yuka Saso became the first Filipino to win a major golf championship, the US Women’s Open, in San Francisco last June. Nonito Donaire KOd World Boxing Council champ Nordine Oubaali in May and climbed back up the world championship stage again. Donnie “Ahas” Nietes kept his World Boxing Organization international super flyweight title with a draw against Dominican Republic’s Borbelto Jimenez last September. There’s more. Pole vaulter EJ Obiena broke his own personal and national record in the Paris Diamond League last August and brought home the silver, just behind Olympic champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden.

Russell Jr. on January 22. Magsayo defeated American Pablo Cruz via fourth round technical knockout last April 10 in Connecticut before stopping Mexican Julio Ceja in a 10thround with brutal knockout in one of the undercards of the Pacquiao-Ugas bout.

2008 in Beijing.” Tokyo, Tolentino said, was the springboard to future successes in the Olympics. “Yes, the Filipino athlete can win in the Olympics. Yes, we have the capability and we will build on that success,” he said. The success in Tokyo hiked the Philippines’s overall Olympic haul to one gold, five silver and eight bronze medals, a blessing Tolentino said was well longed for and appreciated. “This year is marked by a spirit of happiness for the blessings we have received,” he said. “We share these blessings to all athletes and coaches, to all the NSAs [national sports associations] that have contributed and supported their athletes to the best of their abilities and resources.” Tolentino, also the president of the cycling association, said the successful campaign was a team effort—from the athletes themselves and their coaches and to their NSAs and sponsors. “This year, golden as it was, we’re also in the spirit of gratitude to all the sponsors, the media and stakeholders who have been in support of our athletes,” he said. The honor roll included the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation, San Miguel Corp., AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, Milo, Max’s, Asics, St. Luke’s Medical Center, among others. “My heartfelt gratitude extends to you and your family, a Blessed 2022 to us all in the sports community,” Tolentino said.

HE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) named 12 players who will serve as league ambassadors to the coming East Asia Super League (EASL). The 12 represent each PBA member team and act as faces of the league to the soon-to-be launched home-and-away regional tournament. Paul Lee of Magnolia, Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra, Jeron Teng of Alaska, Roger Pogoy of TNT Tropang Giga, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and June

PACQUIAO

Gymnast Carlos Yulo became the first Filipino gymnast to corral multiple world championship medals by winning gold in the vault and silver in the parallel bars in the 2021 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan, last October. Legendary chess master Eugene Torre planted himself in the World Chess Hall of Fame in April, becoming the first male Asian chess player to be given the honor. 2021 is also to be remembered because it gave us some breathing room after the oppressive lockdowns of 2020. We got the National Basketball Association games back, with crowds a-roaring at the stands. The Philippine Basketball Association played in a bubble, for a time. But now it’s back bewitching fans at its old venue, the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Volleyball wouldn’t be stopped. The Philippine Volleyball League ran smoothly under a bubble set-up in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, last July. The Rebisco-supported national men’s and women’s teams participated in the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s Women’s Club Volleyball Championship (and its male counterpart) in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand last October. The Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour pushed on in La Union and the Asian Beach Volleyball Championship

DONAIRE

Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer are among those chosen as ambassadors carrying the name of their respective ball clubs. Completing the list are Matthew Wright of Phoenix, Chris Newsome of Meralco, Juami Tiongson Terrafirma, Kevin Ferrer of NorthPort, Baser Amer of Blackwater and Kevin Alas of NLEX. Jared Dillinger of Ginebra was a special addition to the list of ambassadors as his viral videos documenting the life inside the first ever PBA bubble in Clark last year was promoted by EASL. “There is something about international competitions. Bragging rights are on the line going up against Asia’s best clubs,” Dillinger said. Fajardo, Pogoy and Alas already have experience playing in the EASL, which features top teams from the PBA, Chinese Basketball Association, Japan B.League, Korean Basketball League and the P. League+. Pogoy and Fajardo were in the Terrific 12 tournament during the 2019 edition of the EASL along with their respective teams, TNT and San Miguel, although the 6-foot-10 Fajardo didn’t play because of an injury. Alas on the other hand, suited up for NLEX in the EASL Super Eight Tournament in 2017.

in Phuket, Thailand did its thing last November. So did the Philippine National Volleyball Federation stage its Champions League in late November. 2021 will be distinctly marked as the year when young, next-gen stars of Philippine basketball embarked on new career adventures in Japan. But it’s also a year when the PBA agreed to collaborate with other regional leagues, to grow the sport. This year new Team Lakay heroes—Jhanlo Sangiao, Jeremy Pacatiw, Lito Adiwang and Stephen Loman—dazzled MMA fans with their new fighting skills. This year, Manny Pacquiao retired. In 2021 we also said goodbye to a few good men and one woman who gave their all to the sport that they loved the best: boxers Leopoldo Serrantes and Genebert Basadre, para table tennis ace Josephine Medina, young baseballer Jerome Yenson, Olympian swimmer Jacinto Cayco and basketball coaches Ato Badolato and Lawrence Cheongson. But don’t be blue. We’ve gotta lotta livin’ to do in 2022. The Year of the Water Tiger is Ryder Cup Year, FIFA World Cup Year, World Volleyball Championship Year and a (delayed) Southeast Asian Games Year. The stars say it will be an easier year than 2020 and 2021. Let’s work on our roar and let all the games begin.

Motoring

B12 Thursday-Friday, December 30-31, 2021

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Pilipinas Shell is Toyota’s fuel provider of choice for the TMP Batangas Vehicle Center

OYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) has selected Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) as its fuel provider, for the first fill of their new imported vehicles being processed and delivered from its recently launched Batangas Vehicle Center (BVC). In a virtual signing ceremony, PSPC President and CEO Cesar Romero expressed his appreciation for the service partnership. He also enthused on TMP’s efforts in supporting the government’s efforts toward economic recovery. “We are proud because Toyota is certainly a brand that we want to be associated with,” Romero said. “TMP is a company that shares similar values on being a strong partner for nation-building. The construction of the Batangas Vehicle Center amidst challenging times is a strong testament of TMP’s commitment to contribute to the acceleration of the country’s economic growth.” The BVC in Batangas City, with an annual capacity of 160,000 units, can streamline the receiving and processing of imported vehicles. It will ensure their quality and timely delivery to over 70 Toyota dealers across the country. PSPC has facilitated the construction of a pump and tank service in TMP’s new facility which will supply its fuel requirement for the next three years. According to Randy Del Valle, PSPC Vice President and General Manager for Mobility, both PSPC and Toyota share the same vision for sustainable mobility: “Global companies like Shell and Toyota play a huge role in driving sustainability in the way they operate. TMP included

sustainability features in the Batangas Vehicle Center, and Shell shares this commitment to reduce carbon footprint by integrating sustainability features in our retail network.” Del Valle also emphasized Shell’s vision of mobility: “We’re also shifting our gas stations to mobility stations. We don’t call ourselves a gas station anymore, and we’ll be serving the mobility needs of the Philippines.” “As we are faced with the growing mobility demand, we have partnered with Shell to become the provider of quality fuel and products for all vehicles being processed at the BVC. As a major energy company in the Philippines, we trust Shell’s reliable service to support Toyota Motor Philippines,” TMP Vice Chairman Dr. David Go said. He also shared that Toyota’s business paradigm is shifting globally, saying that “Toyota is transforming globally from an automotive manufacturing company to a mobility company. We aim of bringing the joy and the freedom of movement to all.” For his part, PSPC Country Business Manager for Fleet Solutions Christopher Alli said, “We celebrate this partnership between two resilient and responsible brands committed towards customer service, quality products, and care for the environment.”

TMP and Shell Virtual Partnership Contract Signing attended by company executives (Top row): Cesar Romero, Pilipinas Shell President and CEO; (Second Row L-R) Randy Del Valle, Pilipinas Shell Vice President and General Manager for Mobility; Dr. David Go, TMP Vice Chairman; Christopher Alli, Pilipinas Shell Country Business Manager for Fleet Solutions; (Third Row L-R) Richard Valdez, TMP First Vice President for Purchasing; Jose Maria Atienza, TMP Senior Vice President; Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, TMP First Vice President for Corporate Affairs; and (Last Row) Aimee Lopez, TMP First Vice President for Vehicle Logistics.

‘Ubos sila kay CTL’

his story is by Danny Isla, former president of Lexus Phil. So here it goes: The following is a piece read by Celyn Lee-Severino during the birthday celebration of Toyota Alabang’s Cesar T. Lee on December 19, 2021. A while back, CTL (Cesar T. Lee) and I were in Los Angeles to buy CTL’s toys for the big boys such as the 10-wheeler trucks, tow trucks, a car carrier and a Lexus. We were billeted in a plush hotel at the center of upscale L.A. We enjoyed staying in front of the hotel’s entrance watching mostly high-end cars passing by. What amused us more was watching how the valet drivers handle luxury vehicles. They literally used the cars’ bumpers to wiggle out of tight spots. I could see CTL’s face grimacing every time the cars engaged in bumper-kissing. CTL would mumble, “aray koooo.” As to buying his toys, it all happened in a flash: five units of 10-wheeler trucks, two tow trucks—one with a rollback flatbed and the other a car carrier. No incidents. Next was to look for the Lexus LS400, the brand’s topmost model. We were accompanied by a common friend, Nash Jimenez, who served as our driver/guide. We drove to the nearest Lexus dealership at Beverly Hills. No one greeted us as we walked past the showroom entrance. We toured around looking at each display car, still nobody approached us. Was it because we didn’t look like serious buyers? Siguro nga. Kasi naman mukhang yagit yata itsura namin. CTL was wearing his favorite Toyota Tam-

araw t-shirt na pwedeng pantulog. I was also wearing a very casual round neck shirt and all of us were wearing maong pants. Nash even had his jeans ripped with a gaping hole on one knee. Eh hindi pa naman uso tattered jeans noon. Anyway, our attention focused on the lone LS400 on display, touching, smelling the leather etc. I went to the brochure stand but I couldn’t find a single LS400 brochure. So I finally approached the guy wearing what seemed like an expensive business suit to tell him I couldn’t find the LS brochure. In a very disgusting manner, he said: “What you see is what you get! If it’s not in the stand, it means it’s not there and we don’t have it!” Nagpanting ang tenga ko. I told CTL: “Boss, eh ku--l pala mga tao dito! Mga bastos!” I went back to the guy and told him, “Are you the manager here? If not, I want to talk to your manager or whoever your boss is.” My voice was perhaps three decibels high. The manager came out and asked how he could help. We introduced ourselves and told him we intend to buy the most expensive model in his showroom. Sobrang bait nung manager after he saw CTL’s business card and having learned CTL personally knew the highest-ranked Japanese boss in Toyota USA. He let us into the LS400 demo car for a joy ride. Everything was going well and it seemed like a deal was forthcoming. Unfortunately, the dealership didn’t have the color CTL wanted. The diamond white color was apparently the hardest color to find. Luckily, the manager found the only white LS400 available in California—in Lexus Mission

Hills, about an hour’s drive from Beverly Hills. We arrived in Mission Hills towards midafternoon. And yes we saw the majestic looking white LS right away. Pero eto na naman, the guy attending to us introduced himself as the Fleet Manager. (First impression pa lang mayabang na.) Taragis, another kups ito!!! Intro ba naman eh: “We have to make it fast because I have to leave in a short while” Feel ko, si CTL pinipigil lang yung malutong na mura. Anyway, we’ve gone too far already kaya sige, seal the deal na. After the routine checking of the vehicle and documentation, came the bayaran na. “WHAAAAT???? You are buying it CASH?? Are you serious???” Si CTL pa? Siempre CASH…Gusto kong isampal sa kanila. Ano akala niyo kay Boss? Just Just? Pero hindi dyan nagtatapos ang istorya. Yung mayabang na manager, hindi man lang kami kinausap to explain the car details for courtesy dahil nagmamadali raw sya. Worse, on his way to his car, tumigil pa para lang sabihing, “We drive the same car!” Walang modo. Nuknukan ng yabang. Ewan kung buhay pa sya. I learned that Mission Hills dealer is already closed. Dapat laang!! Buti nga!! Hindi pa rin dyan nagtatapos ang kwento. Pagbalik namin sa hotel, problema na naman dahil mandatory pala na valet drivers lang ang pwedeng mag-park. Eh di ba nga, nakita namin kung paano maghandle ng mga kotse ang mga ungas. Siempre, hindi pumayag si Boss na ipa-valet ang bagong- bagong Lexus nya. Para ano pang si CTL sya? Kaya binayaran ni Boss yung valet staff para sya mismo ang mag-park! Dyan nagtatapos ang kwento ng Lexus ni Boss pero nakapulot ako ng matinding leksiyon. Maaga kong nakita HOW NOT to treat a customer at yun ang naging guiding light ko mula noon.

PEE STOP Congratulations on the promotions of Rosemary Cruz to Marketing Communications Manager of Goodyear, and Elvin Luciano as AVP for Marketing Services of Toyota Motors Philippines. Cheers!...Happy New Year!