BusinessMirror February 07, 2024 by BusinessMirror

₧869-M checks for displaced OFWs out

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday that over P868.74 million worth of benefits of the 1,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who were displaced from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2015 and 2016, has already been released. In a brief video message, the chief executive said the Overseas Filipino Bank at the Land Bank of the Philippines already processed t he “ indemnit y checks” of 1,104 beneficiaries issued by the Alinma Bank of Saudi Arabia.

WELCOME the Year of the Dragon at SM Manila. Experience spectacular festivities and awe-inspiring centerpieces, and be amazed by over-the-top dragon-themed decorations and horoscope displays this Chinese New Year. SM SUPERMALLS

“The amount of the released check is P868,740,544,” Marcos said in Filipino, adding, “1,014 has been cleared and credited. Of which 843 were already paid.” The paid amount for the 843 checks amounted to close to P700 million. The beneficiaries were part of the 10,544 OFWs, who were former employees of Saudi Oger and Mohammad Al Mojil Group. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) earlier said some of the beneficiaries were unable to encash the checks because they were in

Saudi Riyal. Last week, the government issued an advisory instructing the first batch of beneficiaries to update their contact information in preparation for the payment of their unpaid claims. The payment is part of the commitment made to President Marcos Jr. by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to settle the unpaid claims of the displaced OFWs. The Saudi government allocated 2 billion Saudi Riyal for the said payments. Samuel P. Medenilla

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

GOVT KEEPING EYE ON FOOD SUPPLY, PRICES www.businessmirror.com.ph

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 Vol. 19 No. 115

P25.00 nationwide | 3 sections 30 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

& Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

MID expectations that the benign inf lation in Januar y will be shortlived, the national government vowed to rema in v ig i lant in averting price spikes especially by closely tracking food supply. On Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation slowed to 2.8 percent, the lowest since the 2.3 percent posted in October 2020 when the country was still on lockdown. However, economists expect this to be short-lived. HSBC ASEAN economist Aris Dacanay said inflation is expected to rear its ugly head as upside risks to inflation are on the horizon. “Upside risks to inflation also linger. There are still pending petitions to hike minimum wages and transport fares, not to mention global rice prices that have yet to peak. The current inflation numbers are great, but the economy can’t completely relax just yet,” Dacanay said. However, the National Economic and Development Authority See “Food supply,” A2

DREAD OVER DREDGERS Manila Bay’s skyline is shrouded by rain clouds as seen from Diokno

Boulevard near Mall of Asia, providing a dramatic backdrop to the controversial Manila Bay reclamation project. The suspension of 22 such projects by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in August 2023, pending an environmental compliance review, has sparked heated debates, though a handful that were processed ahead by regulators have since been allowed to proceed. The initiatives collectively aim to reclaim over 10,000 hectares of land in Manila Bay, worrying some environmental groups. BERNARD TESTA

AS VALENTINE’S DAY NEARS, PNP WARNS VS. ‘LOVE SCAMS’ By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

OTING the proximit y of Va le nt i ne ’s Day, the Philippine Nationa l Police (PNP) on Tuesd ay w a r ned “ lone ly ” ind iv idu a ls aga inst “ love scams,” which can break not only their hearts, but even their bank accounts. I n a pres s con fe re nce in Malacañang on Tuesday, PNP and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported the

rising incidents of love scams and other cybercrimes, which marred government gains to reduce illegal activities. In a presentation at a sectoral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tu e s d ay i n M a l a c a ñ a n g , DILG and PNP reported the number of overall cr imes dropped by 10 percent from the period of July 2022 to January 2024 compared to the period of December 2020 to June 2022. See “Valentine’s,” A2

DPWH, House to cure gaps in govt infra spending in ’24 By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

N light of the Philippine Deve lopment R e por t 2023 ’s emphasis on the need to upgrade and expand the nation’s infrastructure, the chairman of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways said both the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the lower chamber will actively address the repercussions of significant budget cuts impacting the priority infrastructure programs of the government for this year. At Monday’s br iefing w ith DPWH officials, House Committee on Public Works and Highways

Chairman Romeo Momo strongly backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Build, Better, More (BBM) Program” as he sought a bigger budget for the DPWH. “Indeed, the backbone of an economy is its infrastructure; hence, as legislators, we need to ensure that not only do we have relevant laws in support of our infrastructure projects and programs, such as the PPP [publicprivate partnership] Code and ROW [right-of-way] Bill [HB 6571, amending RA 10752]; but more importantly, the DPWH shall have a correct and sufficient budget for its various priority programs and See “DPWH,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 56.2350 n JAPAN 0.3782 n UK 70.5243 n HK 7.1898 n CHINA 7.8117 n SINGAPORE 41.7483 n AUSTRALIA 36.4515 n EU 60.4245 n KOREA 0.0422 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.9956 Source:

BSP (6 February 2024)

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Recto pushes REIN plan for stable goods, services prices

NCOUR AGED by the further drop in the Philippines’ headline inflation to 2.8 percent in January 2024, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto pushed for a more deliberate implementation of the Reduce Emerging Inflation Now (REIN) plan to keep the prices of goods and services stable. “This positive development is very encouraging. As I’ve said before, our top priority is to reduce inflation and protect the purchasing power of the Filipino people. Addressing inflation will not only further grow the economy but it will help boost our revenue collection and improve the quality of life of Filipinos,” the Finance Chief said. The inflation rate in January is significantly slower than the 8.7 percent recorded in the same month last year and the 3.9 percent in December. It is also well within the government’s overall target band of 2 percent to 4 percent. To further arrest inflation, the Department of Finance (DOF)

Valentine’s. . . Continued from A1

PNP said its crime solution efficiency rate as of January 2024 was at 82.48 percent as it intensified its focused in resolving case related to theft, rape, physical injury, robbery, murder, homicide, motor vehicle and motorcycle carnapping. It also attributed the decline to its coordination with the Depart-

will oversee the vigorous implementation of strategies under its REIN plan. These initiatives involve closely monitoring financial assistance programs or ayuda aimed at supporting vulnerable sectors. The focus lies on enhancing the efficiency of beneficiary identification, optimizing the distribution of financial aid, addressing areas for improvement and resolving issues, ensuring accurate determination and budgeting of assistance, and collaborating with relevant agencies responsible for the effective execution of these programs. The DOF will, at the outset, also prioritize the expeditious execution of the 2024 national budget to enable the timely implementation of measures boosting agricultural production, especially during the peak of the El Niño, forecasted in March. This includes fast-tracking the El Niño Mitigation and Adaptation Plan, which involves the rehabilitation of irrigation systems, targeted

ment of Justice to fast track the investigations of crimes. A ut ho r it i e s no t e d i l l e g a l drugs, loose firearms, e-sabong and illegal gambling websites, communist terror groups, and cybercrimes remained their top concerns. “But as we dissected further these crime statistics: there is a need for us to focus on cybercrime—these are what we have monitored to be increasing as reported during the last quarter,” DILG Secretary Benjamin

cloud seeding operations, promotion of water-saving technology, and intensified price and supply monitoring of basic commodities and agricultural productions. The DOF, together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), is also working to fast-track the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)’s indemnification program due to drought and pests. The government will ensure timely and sufficient imports of key commodities based on more frequent analysis of demand and supply conditions while combating anti-competitive practices. To help keep the prices of rice stable, the President issued Executive Order (EO) No. 50 extending the modified rates for rice imports and other goods until the end of the year. The Philippines earlier secured the largest share of its rice importation agreement with India—295,000 metric tons (MT) out of the 1.03 million MT total rice exports to be distributed among

“Benhur” D. Abalos, Jr. pointed out.

Love scams

BASED on PNP data, the number of top 10 prevalent cybercrimes rose to 30,153 in the last two years from 13,231 from December 2020 to June 2022. Currently, the most number of cyber crime cases involves swindling/estafa with 15,937, followed by illegal access (4,821), computerrelated identity theft (2,384), online libel (2,175), credit card fraud

seven countries—to augment its rice supply. With the recent signing of a 5-year Rice Trade Cooperation deal with Vietnam, the country expects to access 1.5 million to 2 million MT of rice annually at a competitive and affordable price. The possible expansion of the Unilateral Minimum Access Volume (MAV) of select commodities is also being facilitated by the Inter-agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook (IAC-IMO) to streamline importation guidelines and issuances among agencies. To help mitigate oil inflation over the medium term, the government will issue guidelines for the voluntary increase of ethanol blend for gasoline, which could help cut gasoline cost. Fuel subsidies will also be released to drivers and operators in a timely manner. To help address the secondround effects of toll rate hikes on food inflation, the government will release guidelines to enforce the toll-hike exemption for trucks catering to agricultural goods. (1,961), online threat (980), data interference (743), photo and video voyeurism (502), unjust vexation (424) and computer related fraud (226). Abalos noted that among the incidents of online swindling/estafa are the so called “love scam,” wherein unscrupulous individuals or syndicates would target “ lonely” individuals based on their preferences in music, food, and other “weaknesses” posted on their social media accounts. “Just don’t click on every link. Once you press on it, everything [you own] may be siphoned [by the scammers],” Abalos said in Filipino.

Improve capacity

TO address the rising number of cybercrimes, PNP chief Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. said Marcos ordered an increase in the number of law enforcers, who are capable of addressing such threats. “Previously, our cybercrime group was only up to the regional level. But this time, we are training our personnel, and our objective is that down to the police station level/municipal level, we will have police officers who are trained to handle cybercrime or online crimes,” the PNP official said. Abalos said the DILG Public Safety College will soon establish a National Cybercrime Training Institute to provide training primarily to the police to respond to the “evolving” online threats. A considerable portion of the 2024 budget of the PNP was also allocated for improving its digital capabilities. These include the P1.29 million for its procurement of Cyber Intelligence Solutions, P2 million to fund the PNP’s Cybersecurity Operation Center, and P24.3 million for the procurement of Digital Forensic Software and Hardware Anti-Cybercrime Group. DILG noted that a major challenge for authorities in resolving online crimes is identifying those behind it. The DILG chief said the implementation of the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Registration Act will help address this issue. A ba los sa id t he P resident wants to boost government initiatives against c ybercr imes, which cost US$3 trillion worldwide annually.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Food supply. . . Continued from A1

(Neda) said the administration is bent on monitoring food supply and prices, particularly due to the El Niño phenomenon. Neda said the severe dry spell has been spreading across more areas. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the El Niño is expected to linger until May. “We [will] introduce stop-gap measures, as necessary, such as allowing further imports on key commodities until our supply stabilizes at prices affordable to consumers while ensuring remunerative prices for local producers,” Balisacan said. Balisacan said the Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook (IAC-IMO) will closely monitor the prices of rice and other goods to provide the President and the Cabinet with timely and appropriate policy recommendations and ensure stable and affordable prices of commodities. Balisacan said the Department of Agriculture will continuously monitor on-the-ground situations and guide the gover n ment i n add ressi ng food production concerns. T h e Ph i l i p p i n e s r e c e nt l y signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam for the continuous supply of at least 1.5 to 2 million metric tons of rice annually. Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will expand its National Food Stamp program to cover 300,000 households in 2024. Balisacan said this measure will allow government to help the most vulnerable families during the El Niño season. Meanwhile, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the latest inflation print benefitted from the slower year-on-year increase in prices of utilities— housing, water, light, fuel. R icafort added that global crude oil prices have lingered at 2-year lows since December 2021. This, he said, helped ease head line inf lation in the US and locally towards the target of central banks. The economist also said the

DPWH. . . Continued from A1

operating expenses,” he said. The DPWH briefing covered a comprehensive discussion on the department’s accomplishments and performance report for 2023, the 2024 project implementation, policy direction, priorities, major programs, projects for 2025, updates on Official Development Assistance (ODA) and other pertinent issues. One critical revelation at the session involved the significant budget cuts affecting cr ucial DPWH priority programs, including Preliminar y Detailed Engineering, Road Right of Way, Official Development Assistance Infrastructure Flagship Projects, and Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), Momo said, without mentioning the amount of the budget cuts. “It was then resolved by the committee to discuss these concerns with House Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he added. DPW H Sec ret a r y Manuel Bonoan and ot her h igh-ra n k i ng public works officials were at the briefing. Momo stressed t he impor tance of keeping Congress informed about the department’s achievements and major concerns, stating that it

Philippines enjoyed better weather conditions that boosted agriculture production, particularly in the latter part of 2023. “Slower inflation mathematically largely due to higher base/ denominator effects that quantitatively led to slower year-onyear inf lation expected up to early 2024,” Ricafort added. Earlier, the President issued Executive Order No. 50, extending until the end of 2024 the reduced tariff rates of pork, corn, and rice. He also reactivated the Task Force El Niño through Executive Order No. 53, which tasks concerned agencies to intensify the government’s efforts to secure sufficient water and food supply, power, health, and public safety nationwide. The President also directed concerned agencies to implement the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023-2050 to increase communities’ resilience against extreme weather disturbances.

DTI chief’s take

FROM the viewpoint of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, the “significant” deceleration of the inflation rate to 2.8 percent in January 2024, the lowest level since October 2020 or at the height of the pandemic, underscores the government’s “collective efforts and strategic measures” to stabilize prices, among others. In a statement on Tuesday, the Philippines’s trade chief said, “The significant deceleration of the inflation rate to 2.8 percent in January 2024, the lowest level since October 2020, underscores the government’s collective efforts and strategic measures to stabilize prices, enhance economic resilience, and foster a more predictable environment for businesses and investors.” According to Pascua l, this decline in inflation signifies a “strengthening” economy where businesses can thrive, investments can “f lourish,” and the Filipino people can enjoy more affordable goods and services. “As we move for ward, this milestone reinforces our commitment to sustaining economic recovery and growth. It demonstrates our country’s capacity to navigate through challenges and emerge stronger,” he added. is essential for effective collaboration in achieving the common goal of enhancing the lives of the Filipino people. “This briefing did not only apprise everyone as to the status or development of our respective legislative districts’ infrastructure projects, but it also gave us a total perspective as to where our nation’s infrastructure progress is going in the succeeding years,” he said.

Legislative agenda

MEA NW HILE, the Philippine Development Report 2023 listed its legislative agenda to expand and upgrade the country’s infrastructure. T hese measures are: the Right-of-Way Act, the National Transport Policy Act, the Magna Carta for Commuters, the Safe Pathways Network Act, and the Philippine Bicycle Act; rationalizing the mandates of transport agencies; and creating an independent body for transport safety and security. These measures are all pending in both houses of Congress. Earlier, Momo commended the passage of the Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines, which he sponsored in plenary. He emphasized that this legislation would strengthen the partnership between the public and private sectors, facilitating the government’s infrastructure goals.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

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

Embassy disowns Chinese complicity in cyber attacks of Philippine web sites

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

HE Chinese Embassy in Manila denied insinuations that the Chinese government is involved in the cyber attacks of Philippine government web sites. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) officials earlier said

cybercriminals have attempted to take down the websites of government agencies, such as

the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Based on the internet protocol addresses of the hackers, they are based in China and used the network of China’s state-owned telecommunications company Unicom as gateway protocol. The spokesman of the Chinese Embassy denied that the Chinese government has a hand in any cyber attacks in the Philippines. “The Chinese government all along firmly opposes and cracks down on all forms of cyber attack

in accordance with law, allows no country or individual to engage in cyber attack and other illegal activities on Chinese soil or using Chinese infrastructure,” the spokesman said. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also reiterated that the Chinese government “always strictly” cracks down on cybercriminals. Wang stressed that “cybersecurity is a global challenge” and that China has been promoting “dialogue and cooperation” among all countries to jointly safeguard

cybersecurity. Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy took offense to speculations that the Chinese government is behind the cyber attacks. PCG spokesperson Armand Balilo was quoted as saying that “it is possible” that the cyber attacks were related to the dispute between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippines Sea, although he admitted that he “cannot really confirm” this theory at this time. “Some Filipino officials and media maliciously speculated about and groundlessly accused

China of engaging in cyber attacks against the Philippines, even going as far as connecting these c yber attacks w ith the South China Sea disputes. Such remarks are highly irresponsible,” the Chinese Embassy spokesman said in a statement released to Philippine media Monday night. Aside from the PCG and OWWA, the personal website of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the mailboxes of DICT were also targeted last January, DICT spokesman Renato Paraiso said.

PNP deploys 1,457 policemen to secure Chinese New Year celebration in Manila

28 RORE missions in WPS completed in 2023–AFP

NP deploys 1,457 policemen to secure Chinese New Year celebration in Manila. The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy 1,457 police officers to secure Chinatown in Manila this coming Chinese New Year. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., in an interview Tuesday, said these police officers were deployed as early as January 26 and will be on duty until February 15. He added that these police officers would be deployed in key areas in Chinatown.

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday reported that it has conducted 28 successful rotation and resupply (RORE) missions in features occupied in the country in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). “In terms of the WPS, we had our RORE missions, the RORE of the AFP are part of regular operations in line with its constitutional mandate and ensure the safety and well-being of sailors and marines stationed in the occupied features

Acorda said the contingent consists of 92 commissioned police officers and another 1,365 noncommissioned personnel. The PNP chief said these police officers would be deployed during the Lucky Chinatown Mall concert and Binondo-Intramuros fireworks display on February 9, as well as the Solidarity Parade on February 10. They will also be dispatched in areas covered by Ongpin Street from February 9 to 11. Rex Anthony Naval

Rep. Dalipe dares senators to bare stance on Cha-cha By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

OUSE leaders on Tuesday challenged senators to openly declare their positions on amending the 1987 Constitution and ensure that the public is well informed about their stance on the issue. House Majority Leader and Zamboanga Jose Manuel “Mannix” Dalipe issued the call amid recent statements by Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, indicating a deliberate pace in the Senate’s consideration of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6, a measure seeking to lift restrictions on foreign ownership of key industries. “Why don’t you come out, 24 senators, come out in the open? Who among you supports updating the 37-year-old Constitution, and who are against it? This is my challenge,” Dalipe asser ted, emphasi zing t he need for transparency in the legislative process. Dalipe and the rest of the House had been looking forward to the Senate’s passage of RBH No. 6, which, according to Zubiri, would be approved by March. Now, the Senate’s apparent new timeline is to pass the measure by October 2024. This is way too late in the eyes of Dalipe and the rest of the House, which have been aggressively pushing for revisions to the economic provisions of the Constitution. Dalipe urged senators to avoid ambiguity and openly discuss their positions, allowing the Filipino public to make informed decisions during the 2025 midterm polls.

He emphasized the importance of laying the cards on the table instead of engaging in vague exchanges. “Let’s come out. Let’s not hide in veils and say all these words that make it seem like we’re in conflict. It’s time to reveal our cards to the public. I strongly urge the senators to be open about their stance. Those who are against amending the 37-year-old Constitution, state your position. Those in favor of amending the economic provisions should come forward and express their position. This way, it will be clearer and more apparent to our fellow citizens who support or oppose the amendment of economic provisions,” he added. For her part, House Committee on Gender and Women Equality chairman Rep. Geraldine Roman emphasized the urgency of addressing constitutional amendments. “We have fulfilled our part. The responsibility now lies with the Senate, and we trust in their capacity to deliberate on this crucial proposal. Of course, it begins with our Senate President Migz Zubiri, who himself assured that it would be accomplished before Holy Week. We are somewhat taken aback and surprised by the sudden mention of October by Sen. [Sonny] Angara,” he added. House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. also reiterated that the Senate set the timeline for RBH 6 approval during the first quarter of the year. He mentioned that the Senate President communicated this timeline during a January 15 news conference, emphasizing the simplicity of the proposed

By Rex Anthony Naval

amendments. “The Senate President mentioned on January 15 that this, referring to RBH 6, is very simple. We are not giving orders to the senators; that’s what their leader stated,” explained Gonzales. On Tuesday, Angara said the Senate is eyeing to approve the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution before the 2025 national and local elections. In the midst of the charter change discourse between the House and the Senate, the supermajority of the House of Representatives unanimously adopted House Resolution (HR) 1562 last Monday. The resolution serves as a declaration of robust support for Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and emphasizes the chamber’s dedication to maintaining the integrity and honor of the institution. This commitment is particularly emphasized in light of what is characterized as an “intense assault” from the Senate amid the House’s strong push for Charter change. Dalipe also said senators should refrain from attacking the integrity of House members, particularly Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, saying such attacks are unacceptable and unparliamentary. “Speaker Romualdez has consistently conveyed that the House leadership is open to any dialogue with our colleagues in the Senate. We consider them partners in nation-building,” Dalipe said. “We need to stand as one institution to defend our dignity, which is being tarnished solely based on the incorrect accusations of some senators regarding the People’s Initiative. We are shocked by their actions,” he added.

in the WPS,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a news conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. She added that these RORE missions are legitimate and routine activities of the AFP in the country’s exclusive economic zone. Padilla said these exercises are part of the country’s efforts to assert its “sovereign rights and jurisdiction over these features.” “For the year 2023, a total of 28 RORE missions were conducted to sustain our forces deployed in the Kalayaan Island Group

and Ayungin Shoal. Recently, we have successfully provisioned our troops to include the local communit y in Pagasa Island, stationed personnel at Lawak, Kota, Likas, Parola, Panata and Patag Islands. Ayungin Shoal and Rizal reef were also resupplied. This is on top of the efforts of other government agencies in the performance of their mandate of supporting the local communities and fisherfolk in the WPS,” she added. And regardless of whether these RORE missions are conducted

through the sea or air, Padilla said these are all part of the operational mix on how commanders conduct their operations. “Notwithstanding the obstacles and challenges that may arise during the missions, we will not be deterred from exercising our legal rights over maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal and ensure the welfare of our men in these maritime features. Your AFP will remain committed to the performance of our mandate as protector of the people and the state,” she stressed.

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

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Rice inflation highest since 2009–PSA data By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

MID the slowdown of inflation in most commodity’s prices, the price of rice, the country’s staple, stood out as the commodity that posted the highest increase in January, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). PSA data also showed rice price inflation experienced by All Income Households averaged 22.6 percent, the highest since the 22.9 percent posted in March 2009. Rice inflation rose to 24.8 percent for the poorest Filipinos or the Bottom 30 percent of households. This is the highest in the series, which began in 2013.

“Kung patuloy na ganito yung presyo dahil may base nga tayo, ang expectation natin is that we will have rice inflation in the vicinity of 20 percent or higher hanggang mga July,” National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said. Based on the data monitoring of the PSA, Mapa said prices of rice subgroups being monitored by the agency all posted doubledigit year-on-year growth rates. For regular-milled rice, there was an increase of P10.05 per kilo or 25.4 percent. In January, regular milled rice prices averaged P49.65 per kilo, higher than the P39.6 per kilo posted in January last year. In December 2023, regular-milled rice prices averaged P48.48 per kilo. This was

P1.17 or 2.4 percent lower than the January 2024 average price for this rice subgroup. In terms of well-milled rice, there was an increase of P11 per kilo or 25 percent to P54.91 per kilo in January 2024 from the P43.92 per kilo in January 2023. Compared to December 2023, well-milled prices in January 2024 were higher by P1.09 per kilo or 2 percent than the average price of P53.82 per kilo. For special rice, Mapa said, the average price in January was P63.9 per kilo, P10.14 more or an increase of 18.9 percent from the P53.76 per kilo posted in January 2023.

Elevated prices

MAPA also said the average price of special rice in January 2024 was higher by P0.82 per kilo or 1.3 percent than the P63.08 per kilo average in December 2023. The National Statistician explained that based on the trade data, rice prices remain elevated in the world market. This has also affected the domestic price of rice. Mapa also noted there are base effects since rice inflation was low between January and July 2023. It peaked in August last year and continued to increase in September 2023. “Parang may mababang base ang pinagalingan ng presyo ng bigas . So, ang aming kalkulasyon ay, patuloy itong tataas in terms of inflation rate simply because the base is relatively low in 2023,” Mapa said. Monetary Board Member Bruce J. Tolentino agreed with this observation, saying that domestic prices of rice are still increasing due to a combination of international and domestic factors. Tolentino said among the international factors are India’s ban on rice exports, which reduced the global supply of rice as well as the continued impact of high fertilizer prices due to the war in Ukraine. Based on the 2022 production estimates of the PSA, fertilizer costs averaged P10,649 per hectare, the highest cash cost of palay production.

This was followed by hired labor at P10,199 per hectare and pesticides, P2,478 per hectare. The cash costs of palay production reached an average of P30,573 per hectare. However, this is only a fraction of the total costs, which reached an average of P54,373 per hectare. This left the cost per kilogram of rice to only P14.98 per kilo in 2022. “World price remains high. It is not the amount of imports that drive price, it is the cost of producing the last units of rice,” Philippine Institute for Development Studies Senior Research Fellow Roehlano Briones said. “It is because the cost is high that we still import a lot…[it] will continue as long as El Niño and high world price persist,” he added. Apart from this, Tolentino said, the country’s population continues to grow and this increases the need for food. He noted that the Social Weather Stations surveys have shown that “a significant proportion of the population is hungry.” However, Tolentino said the record increase in rice production shows the positive impact of investments in interventions that raise productivity, such as seeds and farmer capacity. He added that raising the rate of productivity could help the country meet the higher need for food by a growing population. “Domestically, while the most recent harvest has been record breaking, there is significant unmet demand for rice among the population,” Tolentino said. “Domestic stock levels have also been on the low side because of tight controls on import permits [Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance] implemented in 2022 up to the first half of 2023,” he explained.

Double-whammy

ATENEO de Manila University economist Leonardo Lanzona said the government should have allowed higher rice imports to prevent the surge in rice prices in January. Lanzona said the government decided

to allow less rice imports to enter the domestic market toward the end of the year to allow domestic production to be absorbed by the market. However, this backfired as rice prices remained elevated. Rice imports comprised 20 to 25 percent of the country’s rice supply. “The government should have allowed greater imports in order to reduce retail prices. In the end, this only means that government has failed to establish an adequate distribution system that could decreased prices since the farm gate rice prices are quite low, suggesting higher domestic production,” Lanzona said. In the end, the increase in rice prices caused great suffering especially for the poor, particularly rice farmers who also consume rice. Rice has a significant share in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For All Income Households, rice has a weight of 8.87 percent and is even higher at 17.87 percent for the Bottom 30 percent of income households. “Since poor farmers are also consumers of rice due to their low outputs, they experienced a ‘double-whammy’ from the government’s inability to improve the distribution of rice,” Lanzona said.

High domestic rice output

EARLIER, PSA data showed local planters managed to increase their output of rice and corn—the country’s staple crops—despite higher input costs. Figures released by the PSA showed that palay or unmilled rice production in 2023 reached a record 20.06 million metric tons (MMT). Output last year was 1.56 percent higher than the 19.756 MMT recorded in 2022. Data from the statistics agency showed that rice output in 2023 was boosted by irrigated farmlands, which produced 15.279 MMT, 2.2 percent higher than the 2022 volume of 14.938 MMT. In contrast, the output of rain-fed farms fell to 4.779 MMT from the previous year’s 4.817 MMT.

Sen. Go supports DOH’s BUCAS health-care plan

E N ATO R Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed his support for the Department of Health’s (DOH) plan to build 28 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) nationwide by 2028. The plan, Go said, aligns with his advocacy to help improve health care in communities and bring government services closer to the people. BUCAS is a primary health hub offering services similar to those offered by Super Health Centers that Go has been advocating for. These facilities will offer outpatient consultations, laboratory tests, minor surgeries, and emergency care. However, unlike Super Health Centers, which are run by local government units, BUCAS will be operated by the DOH and act as extensions of DOH hospitals. “I commend the DOH led by Secretary Ted Herbosa for this initiative to improve our health-care system and provide more accessible and affordable health services to our fellow Filipinos. BUCAS will reduce the burden on our hospitals and ensure that no one is left behind in our quest for universal health care,” Go said. Go added that BUCAS may partner with state universities and colleges (SUC) for personnel and training, creating more opportunities for health workers and students. “BUCAS can also serve as venues for our health professionals and students to hone their skills and gain experience. This will also address the shortage of health workers in the country and encourage more Filipinos to pursue careers in the health sector,” Go said. Go also highlighted the synergy between BUCAS and his other health priorities, such as the continuing operations of Malasakit Centers, establishment of more Super Health Centers, and the enactment of the Regional Specialty Centers Act in bridging the gap between government health services and Filipinos in need particularly poor and indigent patients.

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

ACE VELOCITY CONSULTANCY INC. Unit 406 4/f Vicente Madrigal Bldg., 6793 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

LI, LINA Chinese Speaking Business Consultant 1.

Brief Job Description: Execution of new projects and engagements of the business.

LIU, SHANGRUI Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 2.

Brief Job Description: Assists in managing paid advertisements campaign across multiple channels.

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

CHAC DENH LAN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

DANG THI PHUONG THAO Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

LI LI HLAING Burmese Customer Service Representative 12.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

13.

14.

15.

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

LEW CHUN PING Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

LIEU THI LIEN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

16.

17.

10.

11.

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

19.

NGOUN, SOKMI Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

20.

SU SU HLAING Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

21.

XIE, HAIXIN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

BUI, THI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 23.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

CAT VAN DUOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 24.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Burmese languages.

No.

28.

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

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

DUONG TIEN DAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 25.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

37.

HOANG VAN THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 26.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

38.

HOANG VAN TRUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

ANESTASIA Mandarin Speaking Customer Service 39.

27.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions. CHO, YOONMONG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions. FAN, JIAN-WEI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

41.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRINH TRUNG TRUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRIEU, THI MUA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Thai languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

PHAM VAN CHIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Thai languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

NGUYEN, THI HOAI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Malaysian languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

NGUYEN, DUY THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Malaysian languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

NGUYEN, DINH CUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Malaysian languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

NGUYEN VAN TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Indonesian languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

NGUYEN THI SAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Congolese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

NGUYEN THI DI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LUONG, VAN TOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LE KY AN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

40.

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

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

SAPTECHAPHOKHIN, PASTHANAN Thai Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

PINGJAN, THANABORDEE Thai Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LEONG WEI LUN Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LEE JIA SAM Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

GIAN LEI TENG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

22.

MYO MYINT HTWE Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

SONNY TIRTA PUTRA PHANG Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires. NZABA MOUKENGUE, JEAN BAPTISTE Customer Service Representative

18.

HOANG VAN DUC Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. YANG, MINGYUN Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. TANG, ZHIWEI Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. LI, KAIQIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

ALTERA KARNA BUSINESS CORP. 5th, 6th, 7th Flrs. Eighty-one Newport Blvd., Newport City St., Barangay 183, Pasay City

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions. JANG, SUNGHO Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

42.

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

JIN, WONCHANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service 43.

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

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

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION KIM, BEOMSU Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

44.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions. LIDYA JENIFER KAMAGI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

45.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions. LIM, DONGYOUNG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

46.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions. LIOW CHER CHING Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

47.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions. LIU, FANGFANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

48.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions. LU, YILIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

49.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions. NGUYEN, MINH NHAT ANH Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

50.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions. OH, INCHAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

51.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions. RAYMOND TANGKUDUNG WAROUW Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

52.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions. SHIM, MUNSUB Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

53.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions. SONG, JAECHUL Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

54.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

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

MUHAMMAD FADHIL BIN MOHD NAWAWI Power Supply Design Manager 61.

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

62.

55.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end-users via both telephone and work orders.

PHAM MINH ANH Customer Service Representative 56.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end-users via both telephone and work orders.

ZHONG, WEIXIN Customer Service Representative 57.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end-users via both telephone and work orders.

LI, YAN Customer Service Representative 58.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end-users via both telephone and work orders.

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

MOHAMED ALI MOHAMED ELHASSAN General Business Specialist 63.

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak in Mandarin language.

59.

Brief Job Description: Provides assistance to customers during emergency calls and informational services.

CUI, YANMENG Chinese Speaking Sales Marketing Specialist

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

ZHOU, PEI Chinese Speaking Sales Marketing Specialist

64.

65.

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

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

66.

60.

Brief Job Description: Create analyze report convert or transfer data using specialized applications program software.

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operation of Sales Training Department.

SONG, GUOSHENG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 67.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team he/ she will be assigned to.

CHEN, JIANKAI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 68.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

LI, MENGQI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 69.

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

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

TAN AI WEAI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

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

Brief Job Description: Supporting the marketing team with marketing activities by demonstrating expertise in various areas, including optimization, advertising, social media, direct marketing, and event planning.

DENG, WEI Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

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

70.

Brief Job Description: Assist with drafting business plans, sales pitches, presentations, reference material, and other documents as required.

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

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of customer service associate experience, and basic to advance MS application skills. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Must be detail oriented and have the capability to learn all aspects of job and professionally provide excellent service experience to clients.

TAN, SHUZHEN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 71.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

ZHANG, WENTAO Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 72.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

ZHANG, XUSHENG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 73.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

ZHOU, LIQIONG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 74.

COLAS RAIL PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 708 7/f Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

75.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 5 years of workrelated experience in Railway Construction Projects. Proficient in French and English languages.

76.

78.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

HUANG, CHENGYE Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 79.

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

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

KHOO CHEE HOONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 80.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

LE VAN PHUC Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

HU, MENG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience, and with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

CHIU HOANG XUAN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 77.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience, and with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

CHANG, JU-CHEN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages. Preferably 6 months to 1 year of work experience in the same field.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CAM QUAY THONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

81.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 5 years of work experience in railway construction projects. Proficient in English language.

No.

CRONYX INC. 6-12, 15-19/f Royal Peak Tower A, 485 Quirino Avenue, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

BOTA ENTERTAINMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES INC. Chuan Hong Tower Unit 602, 434 M. De Santos St., 025, Barangay 270, San Nicolas, City Of Manila

RAN, YONGMIN Chinese Speaking Marketing Specialist

Brief Job Description: Identifying profitable business, negotiating and closing business deals.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

COMPLEX TRADE INC. Unit 1100-d 11/f Vicente Madrigal Bldg., 6793 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

BOSCH SERVICE SOLUTIONS, INC. 23rd Flr W Fifth Ave. Cor., 32nd St. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

WON, SEOKHO Associate

Brief Job Description: Develop comprehensive project plans, outlining scopes, objectives, timelines and resources required. Collaborate with cross functional teams to identify project tasks and assign responsibilities.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

COMMSEC INC. House No. 2259, Aurora Blvd. St., Barangay 148, Pasay City

BLUE-CHIP CENTRAL INC. Units 1-4 11/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati NGO THI TAM Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage and lead a team of power supply design engineers. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members.

TALEB, HAMZA Project Manager

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

NGUYEN ANH DUONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

PHAN THI LOC Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

82.

83.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

RONG, DENGPENG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 84.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

85.

86.

87.

88.

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

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

NGUYEN THI THUY Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 89.

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Planning concepts by studying relevant information and materials.

NGUYEN THI NGOC TU Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

LINH VAN VAN Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

WONG YET SENG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

TRAN, VAN MINH Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organization and project management skills.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

TIONG KAI SIANG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 90.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale, and budget.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organization and project management skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organization and project management skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organization and project management skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

A6 A8

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION TRAN XUAN LUAN Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

91.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale, and budget.

CHEN, BAOZUN Chinese Speaking HR Associate 92.

Brief Job Description: Managing HR records including, résumés, applicant logs, and employee forms.

CHEN, LIN Chinese Speaking HR Associate 93.

Brief Job Description: Managing HR records including, résumés, applicant logs, and employee forms.

HOU, DELIN Chinese Speaking HR Associate 94.

Brief Job Description: Responding to HR related queries within the company.

AFDAL ALIFF BIN MOHAMAD ZAMRI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 95.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions.

ARON CHEW HUANG MING Chinese Speaking Program Designer 96.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

CHAI, YANAN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 97.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

CHEN, BINGMEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 98.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

CHEN, ZEWEN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 99.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

GONG, YUAN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 100.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

HAO, JIAMENG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 101.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team. HO THI THINH Chinese Speaking Program Designer

102.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

KE, CHEN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 103.

Brief Job Description: Documents all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

LAI, JIAJUN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 104.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

LI, JUN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 105.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

LI, ZIMO Chinese Speaking Program Designer 106.

Brief Job Description: Testing and deploying programs and systems. Verify and deploy programs and systems.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

No.

LIU, MEIHUI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 107.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

108.

109.

110.

111.

112.

113.

114.

115.

116.

117.

118.

Brief Job Description: Documents all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

YIN, JING Chinese Speaking Program Designer 119.

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

YANG, JIEYING Chinese Speaking Program Designer

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions.

TRINH, THI HOAI TU Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

TRAN, THI HUYEN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organization and project management skills.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

TANG, WEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

SUN, CHUNYANG Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. With strong organization and project management skills.

Brief Job Description: Testing and deploying programs and systems. Verify and deploy programs and systems.

SONG, ZHEN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

REN, FENG Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Testing and deploying programs and systems. Verify and deploy programs and systems.

MIN, WENHUI Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

LUO, YUANYUAN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions.

ZHANG, GANG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 120.

Brief Job Description: Documents all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organization and project management skills.

ZHOU, WEIWEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 121.

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

Basic Qualification: With experience in computer aided design. Good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

ZHOU, YIQIANG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 122.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions.

DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY INCORPORATED 2401 Taft Ave., 078, Barangay 709, Malate, City Of Manila

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WONG, KAINAM THOMAS Full Professor 10 123.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With experience in computer aided design. Good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. With strong organization and project management skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With experience in computer aided design. Good in verbal and written communication.

QIU, TIAN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 124.

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

NGUYEN, THI YEN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 125.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

YU, QIANYING Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 126.

Brief Job Description: Gather data and capture the information into databases.

ZHOU, SISI Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 127.

128.

Brief Job Description: Entering and updating information into relevant databases.

LI, CHAOYUN Chinese Speaking HR Associate Brief Job Description: Communicating with potential job candidates.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

CHUNG MAU PHI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 129.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

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

130.

Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organization and project management skills.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

TIAN YANYAN Marketing Manager 131.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials equipment being used on projects.

HU, ENSHENG Project Manager 132.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials equipment being used on projects.

SONG, YUKANG Project Manager 133.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials equipment being used on projects.

CHANG, YU Marketing Consultant (Mandarin Speaking Clients) 134.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to concentrate for lengthy periods. Good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

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

FLY ASIAN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION Eighty One Bldg. Newport City, Vab St. Newport Blvd., Barangay 183, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

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

FIBERHOME PHILS., INC. 20/f Nex Tower, 6786 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Basic Qualification: With Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or any related course with a minimum of 1 year IT experience and able to speak and write in Mandarin language.

DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. 5th To 8th/f & 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. With strong organization and project management skills.

Basic Qualification: Must have a doctoral degree in computer science, information science/informatics, engineering or other related fields. At least 15 years of tertiary-level teaching experience or professional or research experience directly relevant to computer science.

DIGISPARK TECH CORP. Unit 3 16th Floor Ore Central Building, 31st Street Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City Fort, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Teach courses and topics on digital signal processing and research methodologies. Mentor Graduate students and conduct research activities. Teach 12 hours per week, perform impactful research and community engagement.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Studying company profile and operations to understand its marketing needs. Implementing a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

WEI, XIANYONG Marketing Consultant (Mandarin Speaking Clients) 135.

Brief Job Description: Studying company profile and operations to understand its marketing needs. Implementing a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months of work experience with the position. Can multitask and keen to details. Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

WU, YI HAO Marketing Consultant (Mandarin Speaking Clients) 136.

Brief Job Description: Studying company profile and operations to understand its marketing needs. Implementing a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months of work experience with the position. Can multitask and keen to details. Any nationality who can speak and write in Chinese language fluently.

137.

138.

139.

140.

141.

142.

143.

144.

145.

146.

147.

148.

149.

150.

151.

152.

153.

Brief Job Description: Customer service.

BUI, THI QUYNH Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

CHAIYA, PHAKNAPHAT Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

CHINNOK, THEERASU Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DING, YUANMAO Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DO, THI THAM Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DUONG, NGOC GIAP Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

HE, MIN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LIM CHIN CHEONG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LIN, HUAMIN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LUONG THI TUYET Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN CONG SANG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN DUC NGHI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN THI THANH HUONG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN THI THUY Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN, THI TO UYEN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN, THI TRA MY Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

154.

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

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City

AUNG MYAT HTWE Call Center Agent

No.

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

155.

156.

157.

158.

159.

160.

161.

162.

163.

164.

165.

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NONG, KAIMENG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

SUN, YU-HSUAN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

TENG, WENBO Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

TRAN QUOC TUAN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

VANG, THI CHAU Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

WANG, BEIYING Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

WANG, QI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

WANG, ZI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

XIE, DONGTAO Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

YAN, KAI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

YANG, JIYI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

ZHANG, HENGHENG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

HA, THI LAM Customer Service Representative 166.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

HO SIU PHUNG Customer Service Representative 167.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

VONG, CHI PHU Customer Service Representative 168.

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHOUDHURY, SHIVAPRATIM Director 169.

Brief Job Description: Provide leadership in building customer base at B-2-B level by designing and executing suitable strategy, while aligning team players to perform within set targets.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

No.

170.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

Brief Job Description: Exercises powers and performs such duties as may from time to time, be assigned to him by the board of directors or by the President.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Strong work ethics with excellent communication skills in both Japanese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

INFOVINE INC. 9/f Y Tower, Moa Complex, Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION TAKAYAMA, YASUHIRO Vice President And Treasurer

HUO, DONG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 171.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

KNW TECHNOLOGY INC. 103 Equinox Plaza, Sierra Madre, Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong DINH HONG THONG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

DOAN MY SONG HOAN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

172.

173.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

174.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

175.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

176.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

177.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

178.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

179.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

180.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, and fluent in Mandarin and basic English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, and fluent in Mandarin and basic English languages.

181.

182.

183.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, and fluent in Mandarin and basic English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

184.

185.

GROWSARI ENTERPRISES INC. Level 10-1 Fort Legend Tower, 3rd Avenue Corner 31st. Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With proven work experience in a managerial or similar role. With relevant training and industry-related skills.

186.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 187.

IHI PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 703-705 One Corporate Center, Dona Julia Vargas Ave. Cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

DOAN THI KIM HANG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion. HO THI HA Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion.

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

HO XUAN NGOC Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

HO, KIM HUNG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion. HOANG KHAC QUAN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Confirms customer language preference as you assist them. HOANG THUONG NHI Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion. LE BAO GIA HOAI Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Confirm customer language preference as you assist them. LE THI HA NHI Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Confirm customer language preference as you assist them. LU THI CAM HOA Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion.

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

NGOC THI DIEU Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

NGUYEN DUY ANH Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

NGUYEN CHI CUONG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Confirm customer language preference as you assist them.

NGUYEN HAI DANG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion.

NGUYEN NHU THI NGOC CAM Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A10 A6 Wednesday, February 7, 2024

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

188.

189.

190.

191.

192.

193.

194.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN THI THU HA Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion.

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

NGUYEN, NGOC DUONG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

NGUYEN, THI HUYNH LOI Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Confirms customers language preference as you assist them.

No.

GAO, CHAO Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 203.

PHAM NGOC MINH TUYEN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

SON THI THU HUONG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Graduate of a 4 years degree course.

Brief Job Description: Administering and reviewing calls.

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

204.

205.

NGUYEN HUY HOANG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 206.

NGUYEN VAN BACH Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Administering and reviewing calls.

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

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

VU VAN TINH Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language.

SU, LINHAI Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

207.

208.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning, overseeing and enhancing execution of all construction activities for all projects and mining operations in the region, driving optimal utilization of financial and non-financial resources.

Basic Qualification: Holder of a Bachelor’s of Law. With at least 22 years of work experience in major construction projects. With at least 20 years of post-admission legal experience on construction and infrastructure projects.

OKABE, YASUYUKI Department Head And Vice President - Operations Planning Department Brief Job Description: Provide leadership & strategic direction to the department in formulation of business strategies.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related course. At least 10 yrs. Of experience working in a Japanese bank, preferably held an executive-level position, and a native Japanese speaker with excellent English language communication skills. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

209.

AYE THANDAR Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

HOANG THI HANG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

210.

199.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

HOANG VAN HA Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

211.

Brief Job Description: Collating and maintaining client information.

HUANG, GUANGHONG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 200.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

LAO NGUYEN MINH Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 201.

Brief Job Description: Assist with drafting business plans, sales, pitches, presentations, reference material and other documents as required.

CHAN WEI YONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 202.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. With strong organization and project management skills.

212.

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

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

CAROL WONG CHING ING Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 213.

Brief Job Description: Planning concepts by studying relevant information and materials.

GUO, BAOGUI Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 214.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Ability to concentrate for lengthy periods. Good in verbal and written communication.

No.

219.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

HENDRY KURNIAWAN Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 215.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

216.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

LAUK WU Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 217.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

JIANG, DONG Chinese Speaking HR Associate 218.

Brief Job Description: Managing HR records including, résumés, applicant logs, and employee forms.

ZHANG, HAODONG Chinese Speaking HR Associate 220.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing HR records including, résumés, applicant logs, and employee forms.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

CHAN HOU CHUNG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 221.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

LIANG, JIANWEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 222.

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

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

NGUYEN THI VAN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 223.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to concentrate for lengthy periods. Good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

SUN, XIAO Chinese Speaking Program Designer 224.

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

225.

CHEN, LINJUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

226.

DAI, FEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

227.

DONG, HAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written.

228.

LIN, ZIQUAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven graphic designing experience. Good in verbal and written communication.

229.

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

Basic Qualification: Proven graphic designing experience. Good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

232.

Basic Qualification: Proven graphic designing experience. Good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Previous experience working in human resources. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven graphic designing experience. Good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience. Good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 1331 Pearl Plaza Bldg., 133 Quirino Ave., Tambo, City Of Parañaque Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

231.

HUANG, HUI Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LAI THI YEN Chinese Speaking HR Associate

230.

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

Basic Qualification: Ability to concentrate for lengthy periods. Good in verbal and written communication.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

ZHANG, QI Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With experience in computer aided design. Good in verbal and written communication.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

ZHANG, DANDAN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

XIONG, SIHUA Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

VONG THE QUAN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

MIZUHO BANK, LTD. - MANILA BRANCH Units 1-8, 25/f Zuellig Bldg., Makati Ave. Cor Paseo De Roxas, Urdaneta, City Of Makati

198.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of a 4 years degree course.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

197.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

TRAN LA TUYET TRANG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

LUDIK, ANDRIES PETRUS JACOBUS Operations Manager

196.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

LI, YANLIANG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

LEIGHTON CONTRACTORS (ASIA) LIMITED 12th Flr Menarco Tower, 32nd Street,, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

195.

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

KHUAT MINH TAM Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

233.

234.

LIU, GAOYANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LIU, XIAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

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

NIE, ZHIKAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

PENG, WEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

WANG, MINGQUAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

235.

236.

237.

238.

239.

240.

241.

242.

243.

244.

245.

246.

247.

248.

249.

250.

251.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

XIONG, HANZHONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

XU, HAIHU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

XU, LIANGHUAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

YU, ZHIBIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

ZENG, YIJUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

ZHAO, BAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

ZHAO, JIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

BARBOSA COELHO SILVA, GABRIELA Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DA SILVA CARDOSO, RAFAEL Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DE ABREU DA SILVA, ESTHER Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PEREIRA DE LIMA, ELIS Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HENDY SUNARTO Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

JEFFRY RYANTONY Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LIN KARLINA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

MOCHAMMAD MICHAEL ADHIYATAMA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

No.

252.

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

253.

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

254.

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

255.

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

256.

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

257.

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

258.

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

259.

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

260.

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

261.

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

262.

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

263.

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

264.

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

265.

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

266.

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

267.

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

268.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

SILVA FRANSISKA PURBA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VANESA YOVA KENCANA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

CHIA KEN WING Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

MAY THU NAING Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGWE THAZIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

THIRI SOE Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HSIEH, CHOU-HSUEH Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

BUI XUAN PHUOC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

BUI, VAN NAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

CAO, NGOC TU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

CHU, THI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

DANG THI LAN TUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DANG THI TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

DANG VAN BAO HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DANG, VAN TRUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DANH HUU LAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DAU, KHAC HAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

A11

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

No.

269.

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

270.

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

271.

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

272.

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

273.

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

274.

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

275.

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

276.

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

277.

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

278.

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

279.

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

280.

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

281.

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

282.

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

283.

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

284.

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

285.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

DINH THAI BAO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DINH VAN PHUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HO, THI THU SON Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HO, VAN ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG, BA HIEP Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG, SEO VU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG, THI TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG, THI YEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG, TUAN AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG, VAN DUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

HUA, VAN SON Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HUA, VAN VUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HUYNH, HUU KHAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE QUANG KHANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE THI HOANG YEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

LE THI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, ANH TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

BusinessMirror

A12 A6 Wednesday, February 7, 2024

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

286.

287.

288.

289.

290.

291.

292.

293.

294.

295.

296.

297.

298.

299.

300.

301.

302.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LE, DUC TRONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, NGOC THINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

LE, THI NGA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, THI QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

LE, VIET TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LIU TOAN THANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

LUC, NGUYEN TUAN VIET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LUU, VAN DAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LY, VAN PHUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

NGUYEN THAI BINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THI HOANG ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THI THAO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

NGUYEN THI THU HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

NGUYEN TRONG CONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN VAN BAC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN VAN THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, BICH VIET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

No.

303.

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

304.

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

305.

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

306.

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

307.

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

308.

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

309.

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

310.

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

311.

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

312.

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

313.

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

314.

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

315.

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

316.

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

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

317.

318.

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

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

319.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

NGUYEN, HOAI THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, VAN SON Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM QUOC DAT Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM THI DIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM THI NHU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM VAN HUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM, HONG VAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

PHAM, THI CAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM, THI HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM, VAN DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAN VAN TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

PHAN, VAN PHAP Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHUNG, VAN DOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHUONG, THI HANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

THAN, THI HUYEN TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN DINH MANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN DUC HOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

No.

320.

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

321.

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

322.

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

323.

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

324.

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

325.

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

326.

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

327.

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

328.

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

329.

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

330.

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

331.

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

332.

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

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

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

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN, THI HUE Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

TRAN, THI KIEU YEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN, THU HA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

TRAN, VAN CUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

TRIEU, DUC VIET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

TRINH, THI ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

VANG, KHAI LIN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

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

VI, HOAI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

VO THI OANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VO THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VU DINH HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

TAKIURA, MASARU Consultant, Japanese Coordinator

333.

Brief Job Description: Coordinate with Japan Office counterpart and act as a bridge with the Japan and other teams that require English and Japanese language communication support, business development for pre-sales or project engagement, coordinate with Japan counterpart the results and feedback of Japanese language trainings conducted locally and communicate with local employees any recommendations for project development.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With previous work experience in a related field. Fluent/ proficient in Japanese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

RHENUS LOGISTICS INC Bldg. B Philcrest 1 Cmpd., Km. 23 West Service Road, Cupang, City Of Muntinlupa

HEER, MARCO RYAN Managing Director (Air And Ocean) 334.

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

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

TRAN VAN HAO Vietnamese Customer Service

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

PERSONAL ABILITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. Unit 4f, N.t. Center Building, Alabang-zapote Rd. Tierra Nueva Vill., Cupang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Overseeing all aspects of the company’s Philippine operations.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Able to develop and maintain effective relationship with internal and external stakeholders. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

RRA ONE GLOBAL CONSULTANCY CORP. Blk 1 Lot 6 Progressive St., Lucky Homes Subd., Barangay 168, City Of Caloocan WU, WENHU Assistant Supervisor 335.

Brief Job Description: Developing training materials and conducting training sessions and workshops.

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOU KAFF, AIDDA Management Consultant

336.

Brief Job Description: Analyze financial data including expenditure reports, revenue data and employee reports. ZHENG, QINGJI Management Consultant

337.

338.

Brief Job Description: Analyze financial data including expenditure reports, revenue data and employee reports.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Brief Job Description: Identifying and addressing problems.

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

340.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, and excellent communication skills in Chinese language, both spoken and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HY QUANG TUAN Customer Support Specialist 341.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

OKAMURA, SHOTA Assistant To The President 348.

342.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

IWASAKI, HIDETAKA Project Manager 349.

LANG THI CUC Customer Support Specialist 343.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

350.

351.

344.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

LIM GON YUAN Customer Support Specialist 345.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

352.

TRAN CONG AN Customer Support Specialist 346.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

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

TRAN, VAN THU Customer Support Specialist 347.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

SOJITZ FUSO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 1016 Sgap Bldg., Edsa Cor. Corregidor St., Bago Bantay, Ramon Magsaysay, Quezon City

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers. IKOUO, KEVINA RUTH FRIDELLE French Operations CSR II

353.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers. BATOUMEN, ELIE NOEL French Operations CSR V

354.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French-speaking clients and customers. BUPE, MERVEILLE MBOYA French Operations CSR V

355.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers. MUYEMBI, PIERRE KABUE French Operations CSR V

356.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers. MWOLO, REBECCA NZENGOLO French Operations CSR V

357.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers. NDANG, BERNADETTE NAIN French Operations CSR V Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers. OROCK AGBOR NJANG French Operations CSR V

359.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Japanese language and 5 years of related working experience.

GERI WIJAYA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 366.

367.

368.

369.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers.

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

370.

371.

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

RONY KRISTYANTO SIANTURI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 372.

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

STEPHEN PUTRA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 373.

Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language.

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

RICHARD NANDY SIRAP Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

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

PUTRI MAULIDIA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language.

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

MUHAMMAD NUR ROSYID RIDHA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language.

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

LOUIS CHRISTIAN ANES Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in English and Japanese languages with 5 years of related working experience.

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

JONATAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above Basic Qualification: Fluent in English and Japanese languages with 5 years of related working experience.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

SUSANTO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 374.

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

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 TAN YONG KHANG Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

375.

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

APRILIANUS PASKALIS LEBERTO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 360.

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

CHRISTINA GISELA MAMARAMA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 361.

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

DIKY ALAMSYAH Indonesian Customer Service Representative 362.

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

DINI AUDRELIA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 363.

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

DIONISIUS KRESNARIO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 364.

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

FERNANDO JOHAN CORNELIUS SARAHUTU Indonesian Customer Service Representative 365.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language.

TISNAWATY Indonesian Customer Service Representative 376.

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

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

VICTORY 88 GROUP LTD INC. 8/f, I Land Bay Plaza Bldg., D-macapagal Ave. Moa Complex, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, and excellent communication skills in Chinese language, both spoken and written.

Brief Job Description: Oversee the total operations and performance of the Division.

DIALLO, ABDOULAYE DALANDA French Operations CSR II

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree holder, able to speak and write in Japanese language, experience in analyzing data by mathematical model, providing professional and strategic advice to the top management and making accurate financial forecast and projection.

No.

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre, Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

358.

LE, THI THOM Customer Support Specialist

Brief Job Description: Monitor progress of construction and review shop drawing.

SAKAGUCHI, TAKATOSHI Project Manager

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

Brief Job Description: Coordinates and supervises electrical activities at construction site.

KOBAYASHI, YUTA Project Manager

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SUMISETSU PHILIPPINES, INC. 8/f Gc Corporate Plaza, 150 Legaspi St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

KANYANA, THANAKORN Customer Support Specialist

Brief Job Description: To assist the President & CEO in his daily work, provide necessary advices and material to make consistent decisions.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

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

SOHU EXPERT INT’L MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC. 10/f Aseana One Bradco Avenue, Aseana Business Park, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

DAM THI THU PHUONG Customer Support Specialist

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college graduate.

Brief Job Description: Providing project managers with outgoing resource management and related support.

No.

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate.

WU, PANQI Mandarin Speaking Consultant

LIANG, GUOHAO Resource Planning Manager 339.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages.

WINDY Indonesian Customer Service Representative 377.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

378.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages.

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

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

YOSHUA WUNER YUNIOR MANURIP Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages.

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

YUDI AGUSTIAN PRATAMA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 379.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, speaking and writing in Bahasa and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Feb 6, 2024

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on February 3, 2024, the name KEVIN SUDARTTA under the company 7 PRIME TECH, INC., should have been read as KEVIN SUDARTA and not as published. In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on February 3, 2024, the position of CHEN, YU under the company CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES CO. LTD., should have been read as STATION MANAGER FOR MANILA and not as published. Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

A13

News BusinessMirror

A14 Wednesday, February 7, 2024

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

DOTr allots P14-billion budget for aviation upgrading projects By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

HE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Tuesday it is set to embark on an ambitious P14-billion improvement plan for the aviation sector in 2024 to enhance airports nationwide. Transpor tation Secretar y Jaime Bautista said the allotted funds would be directed towards improvement projects for key

airports, including Catbalogan, Tacloban, Laoag, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, Iloilo, and 16 others. “A P14-billion airport improvement

budget for 2024 will benefit airports nationwide,” he said, emphasizing the commitment of the transport agency to develop and modernize regional airports across the country. Notably, several of these projects will be executed under the publicprivate partnership (PPP) scheme, with financial backing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Finance Corp. of the World Bank. Bautista outlined that airports in Bohol, Siargao, Bacolod-Silay, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Davao, and Iloilo are among those slated for development under the PPP arrangement.

Swiss FM sets Feb 8 visit to Manila By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

WISS foreign minister Ignazio Cassis is arriving in Manila on Thursday to aggressively promote his country’s new foreign policy direction towards Asia-Pacific region. Aside from the Philippines, Cassis is also visiting India, South Korea and China. “It might surprise you to learn that the first Swiss representation in Asia was established as far back as 1862, in the capital of the Philippines, Manila,” the Swiss foreign ministry said. Cassis is also the first-ever top diplomat of Switzerland to visit the Philippines in 15 years. According to the Swiss Foreign Ministry, his four-day Asian swing is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with these countries as well as drum up support for the Swiss peace efforts in Ukraine. “ The Asian economies have regained significant momentum

over the past two years. With its growing geopolitical importance, the Asia-Pacific region is a priority in the new Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–27. It is in Switzerland’s interests to systematically foster and continuously expand relations with the dynamic countries in the region,” the Ministry explained. Aside from being the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Cassis is also one of the seven members of the Federal Council, the highest executive authority in Switzerland. Manila will be Cassis’ last leg where he will meet his counterpart, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and discuss how else to improve its bilateral relations and exchange views on multilateral, regional and global issues. The Swiss foreign ministr y characterized the 67- year-old relations between Manila and Bern as “good, long-standing…built on strong political dialogue, dynamic

trade relations, and humanitarian aid missions in response to natural disasters.”

Economic ties

ON top of the agenda of Cassis’ visit to Manila is to improve bilateral economic ties. The Swiss foreign ministry said the Philippines has “substantial economic development potential” being one of the region’s most dynamic with pre-pandemic growth rates of over 6 percent. “With a population of around 117 million, the Philippines is the second largest country in South East Asia,” the ministry said. Bilateral trade relations are “still relatively modest,” the ministry said, with Switzerland mainly exporting pharmaceuticals, machinery and watches to the Philippines. On the other hand, the Philippines exports precious stones, machinery and textiles to Switzerland. Some 60 Swiss companies are

Aside from this, Bautista also announced the agency’s partnership with the De La Salle University and the Lasallian Institute for Environment (LIFE) on the Nature-based Carbon Sequestration Project Development. DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim noted the agency’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Mitigation measures include carbon reduction, incorporating green design in airport construction, promoting the use of renewable energ y sources, and establishing a clear plan for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. invested in the Philippines, creating 13,000 jobs. Switzerland would like to “make greater use” of the existing free trade agreement between the Philippines and European Free Trade Association and “promote the solving of existing technical implementation problems.”

People-to-people ties

MORE than 15,000 Filipinos reside in Switzerland including IT professionals, engineers, medical and allied health sectors. There are over 3,300 Swiss in the Philippines, the second largest community of Swiss in Asia.

Peace and development

ALSO on the agenda of Cassis is to “examine new opportunities for cooperation” further to peace process in Mindanao, focus on “drug policy” in the protection of human rights, and deepen cooperation on disaster mitigation. Switzerland has been supporting the Bangsamoro peace process and facilitated the “restitution” of the assets of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. back to the Philippines.

Senate focuses on exploited sectors in ‘perya,’ security service sector By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ESPITE the cheer it has brought to generations of Filipinos across decades, the Filipino “perya” is an environment rife with exploitation, and lawmakers want to change this. Yet, another sector rife with exploitation is the security service industry, and senators are now hearing a bill to reform the setup. The Senate Committee on Dangerous Drugs and Public Order on Tuesday heard stakeholders on two bills, one on the new perya and another on the security service industry, noting how security guards are deemed second-class workers despite the vital, protection they provide key sectors. In his opening statement at the committee hearing, Sen. Ronald deal “Bato” Rosa said the perya, with its lights, cheerful music, and lively atmosphere, is a cherished tradition that brings us together, young and old alike, to celebrate life and create lasting memories. Beyond its role as a source of nostalgia and entertainment, he noted that perya serves as a lifeline for many operators and their families, providing a means of livelihood in an environment where economic opportunities are scarce. Therefore, he said, it is not a stretch to say “perya operators play a vital role in our communities, providing

entertainment, joy, and a sense of camaraderie that transcends economic and social boundaries,” recalling “the entertainment we derive from the perya,” and how it evolved to be a “great equalizer.” However, de la Rosa noted that “despite their invaluable contributions to our communities, perya operators often find themselves marginalized and vulnerable to exploitation, harassment, and unfair treatment,” lamenting that “they face challenges, such as regulatory hurdles, competition from larger establishments, and the constant threat of eviction from public spaces.” “ This is the first item on our agenda,” de la Rosa said, adding, “In light of recent complaints from perya operators regarding the alleged harassment they have been receiving from law enforcement personnel, we aim to shed light on this. We hope to send the message that, in the same way that the perya is available to all, justice, too, excludes no one, and must be applied to all. Justice should be our standard of treatment for everyone, whether senator, police personnel, or perya operator.” Justice, too, should be applied to the security service industry, de la Rosa said. “As we strive to build a more inclusive and equitable society, we address, in aid of legislation, the issues being faced by both our security and perya industry,” he added.

Govt vows to implement MRP Phase 1 despite withdrawal of China’s funding commitment

HE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has decided to proceed with the long-delayed Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) despite the recent withdrawal of financial commitment from China. Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the government is determined to pursue the first phase of the MRP, as it seeks alternative funding sources. He said the agency is actively coordinating with the Department of Finance to secure Official Development Assistance (ODA) packages from foreign governments and international financial institutions. Bautista assured that the project is not being abandoned, highlighting the ongoing land acquisitions along the targeted alignment and the identification of resettlement sites for displaced residents. “We decided to pursue Phase 1 of the MRP despite withdrawal of prior funding commitment from the government of China. While looking for funding sources, various preconstruction activities show we are not dropping the project,” Bautista said. Phase 1 of the MRP is known as the Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) segment, which is expected to reduce travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours. The previous administration initially planned to have this commercially operational in 2022. According to documents from the DOTr, the eight-station rail segment

will be built with a single track, with provisions for future tracks and electrification. It will have six five-car passenger trains with three spare cars, four locomotives and 15 freight cars. This particular segment costs P81.6 billion. So far, land acquisitions are already ongoing along the target alignment from Tagum to Digos via Davao City. Resettlement sites for displaced residents have also been identified with villages in different stages of construction. “In fact, the Tagum Train Village is scheduled for turnover to its future residents in the coming months. Livelihood programs are also being prepared for affected families,” the transport chief said. Once operational, the 100.2-kilometer line will ser ve about 122,000 passengers daily. Bautista said the MRP Phase 1 Tagum-Davao-Digos line “will concretize the master rail plan of connecting the entire island of Mindanao.” The MRP is envisioned to be a 1,544-kilometer rail system that will connect key provinces, such as Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao and Malaybalay. In 2022, due to a financial tussle between Manila and Beijing, China withdrew the funding for three massive railway projects, namely: the MRP, the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Bicol Project, and Subic-Clark Railway Project. Lorenz S. Marasigan

More Chinese tourists staying home for CNY Continued from A18 Available data from the first half of 2023 suggests that this overseas expense is running at less than 70 percent of its prepandemic trend, while, on the other hand, domestic tourism has surged past trend by the October Golden Week holidays.”

Local destinations exceed prepandemic numbers

SIMILARLY, ForwardKeys data showed Chinese citizens boosting local travel for the long Chinese New Year holiday in popular destinations like Haikou (+7 percent vs 2019), along with Harbin and Changchun in the north exceeding 2019 levels by 15 percent, encouraged by social media marketing and “Ice and Snow sports” offerings. Yet the company was more optimistic

on China’s tourism recovery this year, noting an increase in international seat capacity in the first quarter of the year reaching 71 percent of 2019 levels. Dai explained, “The robust recovery of Chinese travel during the Chinese New Year period reflects not only the resilience of the tourism industry but also the strategic measures taken by the government and the changing preferences of Chinese tourists.” She added, “The early spike in departure activity and the positive performance of various destinations signal a promising trajectory for the travel sector in the coming year. This presents a golden opportunity for tourism-related businesses, such as retailers, who can potentially take advantage of this surge in consumer activity and capitalize on the increased spending propensity of Chinese travelers during their extended holidays.”

BSP: Only a ‘sustained’ dip in prices justifies an easing Continued from A18 The PSA data showed Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE) contracted 1.8 percent in the October to December period last year. Balisacan traced this to the government’s fiscal consolidation program which prompted the government to frontload its spending in the first three quarters of 2023. As a result, Guinigundo said, this “left practically zero to fuel the last quarter’s expected rally.” He said public spending reached 13.4 percent in 2018; 9.1 percent in 2019; and 2020, 10.5 percent. Full-year public spending growth, since the height of the pandemic in 2020, went downhill. In 2021, public spending weakened to 7.2 percent; 2022, 4.9 percent; and 2023, 0.4 percent. “It is not good for the government to justify the failure of public spending to measure up to the demands of a growing economy by way of providing higher levels of

infrastructure, quality education and public health,” Guinigundo said. The former BSP official also said this is another challenge for the President— prevailing over his economic managers, including Principal Economic Adviser Frederick Go and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto. Guinigundo said the President must ensure that his economic team is optimizing the national budget and using it judiciously to raise economic growth, which can be driven in part by public spending. The President must also ensure that all pending tax measures are passed to be able to raise public spending, he added. “Should loans be inevitable, [the government must] ensure the best terms with higher share of internal borrowing over external borrowingh to minimize any possible FX [foreign excahange] risks,” Guinigundo said. “It’s about time good governance produces fiscal and debt sustainability without sacrificing economic prosperity.”

China blocks PCG vessel anew in Scarborough Shoal

FTER an incident-free rotation and resupply (RORE) mission in Ayungin Shoal last Friday, the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) resumed blocking a Philippine ship patrolling another disputed rock formation in the West Philippine Sea—the Scarborough Shoal. In a statement, the China Coast Guard said it “drove away...according to law” a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel near the waters near Scarborough Shoal, or what it calls Huangyan Dao.

The CCG accused the PCG vessel of “intruding” into the waters of Huangyan Dao last Monday. Ray Powell, former US Air Force colonel who monitors maritime movements in the South China Sea, said he noticed that the PCG BRP Teresa Magbanua and a CCG vessel with bow number 3105 transiting near Scarborough Shoal Friday. Both went “AIS-dark,” referring to Automatic Identification System that all ships use to transmit their positions so that other ships are aware of its

position. Military ships are allowed to turn off AIS transponders for national security. “The most likely explanation is that the BRP Teresa Magbanua conducted a 3-day presence patrol in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal over the weekend and has since departed,” Powell said, explaining the time difference between his monitored movement to the statement of China Coast Guard. “The CCG language that it ‘drove away’ a PCG

ship is typical PRC [People’s Republic of China] bluster used anytime a rival vessel leaves an area where they don’t want it to be,” he added. Last Friday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported it was able to conduct a RORE mission to Ayungin Shoal without incident. The CCG said a “small civilian vessel” from the Philippines had “illegally placed itself on the beach” of an atoll in the South China Sea “for supply purposes.” Malou Talosig-Bartolome

TheWorld

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 A15

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Blinken returns to Mideast in push for hostage deal, Gaza postwar plan By Matthew Lee, Wafaa Shurafa & Samy Magdy The Associated Press

IYADH, Saudi Arabia—US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Monday at the start of his fifth visit to the Middle East since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, hoping to press ahead with a potential cease-fire deal and postwar planning while tamping down regional tensions. But on all three fronts he faces major challenges: Hamas and Israel are publicly at odds over key elements of a potential truce. Israel has dismissed the United States’ calls for a path to a Palestinian state, and Iran’s militant allies in the region have shown little sign of being deterred by US strikes. In Gaza, meanwhile, Hamas has begun to reemerge in some of the most devastated areas after Israeli forces pulled back, an indication that Israel’s central goal of crushing the group remains elusive. Video footage from the same areas shows vast destruction, with nearly every building damaged or destroyed. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the military would continue to conduct operations in northern Gaza for many months and press ahead with its main offensive in the south, where it has been locked in heavy fighting for weeks, until it has “full reign” over the entire territory. He said the offensive will eventually reach the town of Rafah, on the Egyptian border, where some 1.5 million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge. Egypt has said an Israeli deployment along the border would threaten the peace treaty the two countries signed over four decades ago. Blinken met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shortly after arriving in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Saudi officials have said the kingdom is still interested in normalizing relations with Israel in a potentially historic deal, but only if there is a credible plan to create a Palestinian state. Blinken “underscored the importance of addressing humanitarian

needs in Gaza and preventing further spread of the conflict,” and he and the crown prince discussed “the importance of building a more integrated and prosperous region,” the State Department said in a statement. But any such grand bargain appears a long way off as the war still rages in Gaza, where 113 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours alone, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. Another 205 people were wounded, the agency said. The fatalities bring the overall Palestinian death toll from nearly four months of war to 27,478. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but says most of the dead have been women and children. The war has leveled vast swaths of the tiny enclave, displaced 85% of its population of 2.3 million Palestinians and pushed a quarter of residents to starvation.

Hamas returns to warbattered streets A VIDEO circulating online Monday showed masked gunmen leading a line of shirtless detainees past bombed-out buildings in northern Gaza, forcing them to shout out that they are thieves. The Associated Press was not able to independently confirm the incident, but it is consistent with AP reporting. It was the latest sign that Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since seizing power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007, is reasserting control in parts of the north. Residents say Hamas-led security forces, which numbered in the tens of thousands before the war, have begun to reappear in some areas where they focus on distributing civil salaries and cracking down on looters. The Israeli military says it has launched targeted operations in northern Gaza over the last week to prevent Hamas from rebuilding its capabilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Israel crushes Hamas’ military and governing abilities and wins the return of the 100-plus hostages still held by the militant group after the October 7 cross-border raid that ignited the war.

9 UN Security Council members urge halt to Myanmar military’s airstrikes By Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press

NITED NATIONS—Nine members of the United Nations Security Council condemned “indiscriminate” airstrikes by Myanmar’s military against civilians before an envoy briefed the council Monday as part of regional efforts to implement a peace plan that has so far been largely ineffective. The plan, adopted in April 2021 shortly after the military seized power in a takeover that sparked a civil war, calls for the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by a special envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, provision of humanitarian aid through Asean channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties. Veteran diplomat Alounkeo Kittikhoun—the special envoy to Myanmar from this year’s Asean chair, Laos, and a former UN ambassador—addressed a closed council meeting on behalf of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Kittikhoun committed to implementing Asean’s “five-point consensus” for peace in Myanmar through continued “quiet diplomacy,” according to a council diplomat familiar with the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private. The military leadership in Myanmar

has so far ignored the plan, and violence and the humanitarian crisis in the country have been growing at a rapid pace. Before the council meeting, nine of the 15 council members stood before reporters to support a statement read by Britain’s UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward, which echoed Asean’s call urging Myanmar’s armed forces, “in particular, to cease its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.” The military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, and is facing an armed pro-democracy resistance movement that is assisted by ethnic minority fighting forces. The military stepped up airstrikes after the three ethnic minority armed groups launched a major offensive in late October, seizing towns in the country’s northeast, along with major border crossings for trade with China. The nine council members—Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, South Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States—said that, three years after the military takeover, more than 18 million people need humanitarian aid and 2.6 million remain displaced. At an Asean ministerial meeting on January 29, Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith told reporters that Thailand was moving ahead with plans to provide more humanitarian assistance to Myanmar. The nine nations reiterated the council’s appeal for improved

Hamas and ot her mi l itants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civ ilians, in the attack and abducted around 250. More than 100 captives, mostly women and children, were released during a week long cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Meeting with troops on Monday, Netanyahu said Israel had defeated 18 of Hamas’ 24 battalions, without providing evidence. “We are on the way to absolute victory, and I want to tell you that we are committed to it and we will not give it up.”

Cease-fire talks advance, but gaps remain THE United States, Qatar and Egypt have drawn up a proposal for a cease-fire of several weeks and the phased release of the remainder of the hostages. But Hamas, which has yet to publicly respond to the proposal, has said it won’t release any more captives until Israel ends its offensive. The militants are expected to demand the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in return— demands Netanyahu has publicly ruled out. The war has ignited tensions across the region, with a flurry of strikes and counterstrikes raising the risk of a wider conflict. Israel and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah militant group trade fire across the border on a daily basis, and in recent weeks apparent Israeli strikes have killed senior Hezbollah commanders. A drone attack launched by Iran-backed militants killed three US soldiers near the Jordan-Syria border last week, prompting a wave of retaliatory US strikes. The United States and Britain have also carried out strikes on the Iranbacked Houthi rebels in Yemen in response to their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, which the rebels portray as a blockade of Israel. Shurafa reported from Deir alBalah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Josef Federman and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed.

humanitarian access. They expressed increasing concern at the situation in Rakhine state bordering Bangladesh, where more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims fled starting in August 2017, when the military in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar launched a brutal “clearance operation” against them following attacks by the insurgent Arakan Army. The Arakan Army is part of the alliance of ethnic minority fighters. A Bangladesh official said Monday that more than 100 members of Myanmar’s Border Guard Police fled fighting with the Arakan Army in Rakhine over the past two days and entered Bangladesh, the first time Myanmar forces have been known to flee the country since the ethnic minority armies’ offensive began. The nine council nations expressed increasing concern that the Rohingya still in Myanmar, who have faced systematic discrimination for decades, are now contending with more restrictions on freedom of movement, as well as the denial of access to medicine and medical care. They demanded the implementation of the Security Council’s first-ever resolution on Myanmar, passed in December 2022, which calls for an immediate end to violence and immediate release of all “arbitrarily detained” prisoners, including Suu Kyi and former President Win Myint. Myanmar’s UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, who still represents Suu Kyi’s ousted government, urged the Security Council on Monday to adopt a stronger, enforceable resolution, saying, “Democratic forces are gaining ground and the military junta is losing every day.”

A16 Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

A daunting challenge: PHL population growth outpaces agri output

N the next three decades, the country’s population will cross the 130 million-mark. (See, “Filipino population may breach 130-M mark in next three decades—PSA data,” in the BusinessMirror, January 31, 2024). Per the 2020 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the number of Filipinos has reached more than 109 million. By next year, this is expected to expand to 114 million.

In 35 years, the PSA said around 29 million people will be added to the projected midyear population of 109.2 million in 2020. This means that the country’s agriculture sector would also have to raise its output to meet the food needs of an expanding population. Agriculture production would have to increase at the same pace or even faster than the country’s population growth. Ensuring the access of young Filipinos to affordable food is one of the ways that the Philippines would be able to reap the socalled demographic dividend. The future members of the country’s workforce will be dull and listless if all they could manage to eat in their homes are processed food and instant noodles. Growing children need nutritious food, such as vegetables, fresh fruits, and lean meat and poultry. However, significantly raising the productivity and output of the farm sector to make food affordable is increasingly becoming a difficult task for policymakers and planters. The Philippines continues to import huge quantities of food items, including rice—its staple food. And despite the billions of pesos poured into the sector, local output could still not keep up with demand. While rice output in 2023 can be considered a major achievement by the government as it was the first time in history that it breached the 20-million metric ton mark, the volume in milled terms was not enough to meet domestic demand. The country still had to import more than 3 MMT last year. And the figure could rise again if El Niño worsens, which could slash rice production. Apart from the threat of climate change, the Philippines must also grapple with other international developments that have upended food trade. These include the conflict in Eastern Europe as well as disruptions to international logistics, such as the Red Sea attacks, which have already caused some local manufacturers to reduce their capacity. (See, “84 locators ‘significantly’ affected by Red Sea crisis, PEZA poll shows,” in the BusinessMirror, January 31, 2024). The cost of inputs, such as fertilizer, remains elevated due to the Russia-Ukraine war that started in February 2022. It would do well for our policymakers to accelerate the implementation of crucial reforms that will allow the agriculture sector to feed the future generations of Filipinos amid these challenges. Minimal increases in output are not enough to ensure food security as well as increase the available raw materials for the manufacturing sector. Necessary investments to raise agricultural productivity and increase the resilience of the sector to climate change must be made as soon as possible to give our young people a fighting chance to succeed. Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor

T. Anthony C. Cabangon Lourdes M. Fernandez Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Senior Editors

Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso

Online Editor

Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Creative Director Chief Photographer

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes

Chairman of the Board President Advertising Sales Manager Group Circulation Manager

D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025. (Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807. (Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

Printed by brown madonna Press, Inc.–Sun Valley Drive KM-15, South Superhighway, Parañaque, Metro Manila MEMBER OF

Looking for solutions to Metro traffic Mark Villar

THE BUILDER

everal media outlets and social media platforms in recent days have reported the worsening state of traffic in Metro Manila. I will not join the cacophony of voices blaming the government for the mess, after a report tagged Metro Manila as having the worst traffic among 387 Metro areas in the world.

Rather, I will try to cite possible solutions to the traffic snarl in the capital region. But first, we should recognize that the problem exists before proceeding to finding the solutions to the decades-old problem. Amsterdam-based TomTom did its traffic report and it is time to respond accordingly to its findings. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista was circumspect in his response to the controversial TomTom Traffic Index report. He took it as a challenge for the DOTr and other agencies to be creative at finding lasting solutions to Metro traffic. Mr. Bautista vowed to speed up road projects and “collaborate with appropriate agencies with the help of the private sector.” The Cabinet official knows well that infrastructure projects, especially roads, rail networks, airports and seaports, will ease traffic congestion in the capital region and elsewhere. I had the privilege to be part of one of the biggest infrastructure development initiatives our nation had

ever-undertaken—the Build! Build! Build! Program—when I was at the helm of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Under that program, our government envisioned the construction of a total of 112 flagship infrastructure projects that will create thousands of additional jobs for Filipinos, expand and open new opportunities for business and commerce, fuel productivity, ease travel and make our countrymen’s everyday life more convenient and comfortable. By the time I left the DPWH to return to the legislature, a number of these crucial infrastructure projects had been completed, giving employment opportunities for some seven million Filipinos. Among these are the final section of the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPlex), the Plaridel ByPass Road Phase II, the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) Harbor Link Segment 10 and C3-R10 Section, Skyway Stage 3 and Alabang-Sucat Skyway

Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista was circumspect in his response to the controversial TomTom Traffic Index report. He took it as a challenge for the DOTr and other agencies to be creative at finding lasting solutions to Metro traffic. Extension. Also completed were the road sections of the Central Luzon Link Expressway, Cavite Laguna Expressway and Manila Cavite Toll Expressway. The government during the previous administration also built, rehabilitated and upgraded nearly 41,000 kilometers of roads—done on record time. Building infrastructure projects to speed up the mobility of people and the flow of goods, however, is not smooth sailing all the time. As Mr. Bautista strongly hinted, the “whole-of-government” approach and the strong collaboration between the government and private sectors would be key to untangling the knots in constructing huge projects. Fortunately, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has the same resolve to pursue the Golden Age of Infrastructure in the Philippines through his Build Better More initiative. There are some infrastructure projects that are game-changers that could, hopefully, leapfrog our economic progress. From the outset, I personally believe the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project is one critical infrastructure project that could significantly alleviate the traffic congestion in Metro Manila

and its surrounding provinces. This planned 147-kilometer railway will run from the New Clark City in the north to Calamba City in the south and pass through the portions of Metro Manila. The NSCR will consist of 36 stations, offering diverse services, including a regular commuter service, a commuter express line with limited stops, and an airport express service connecting to the Clark International Airport. Additionally, the NSCR will be integrated with the Metro Manila Subway. It is among those that promise to create major and lasting economic and social impacts. It will cut travel time by half, fuel the growth and expansion of business and job opportunities, and entice more tourists and investors to come to our country. President Marcos himself is giving his all-out support to the project after urging everyone involved in the project to spare no effort in completing the “monumental” project. His marching orders were clear. “I...urge all concerned agencies to work together to address the potential challenges concerning Project Right-of-Way—such as the need for land acquisition and the relocation of utility poles installed along the area —so that the affected properties are cleared in time for the commencement of civil works.” When our then-Cabinet team revived the dream of an efficient railbased transportation system connecting the areas south and north of the National Capital Region, we knew we would be facing one major challenge: the acquisition of the RightsSee “Villar,” A17

China’s small-cap crash shows what happens without market rescue By Ishika Mookerjee & Charlotte Yang

hina’s smallest stocks are flashing a warning about the potential downside for the world’s second-largest equity market if Beijing fails to follow through on a highly anticipated rescue campaign.

While the country’s large-cap CSI 300 Index eked out a 0.7 percent gain on Monday after a renewed pledge from regulators to support the market, a gauge of small-cap shares sank more than 6 percent to the lowest level since 2018. That took the CSI 1000 Index’s losses to 27 percent this year after the measure underperformed larger peers by the most in more than nine years in January. The stark underperformance suggests investors are throwing in the towel on small-cap shares out of belief that policy support will be focused on rescuing blue-chip stocks. Some exchange-traded funds tracking the CSI 300 gauge have seen record trad-

ing volume in recent weeks, leading to speculation that state funds have stepped in to put a floor under the rout. “The market currently relies on support from the national team and investors see the big caps as their buying target,” said Vincent Chan, China strategist at Aletheia Capital Ltd. “This discourages small-cap investors from holding onto their position as they don’t have the downside protection.” Quantitative hedge funds are seen to have amplified the recent selloff, and authorities have banned some of them from placing sell orders completely along with other measures, Bloomberg reported late Monday.

In a sign of how fragile market sentiment has been, the CSI 300 has wiped out all its gains since late last month when policymakers were said to be mulling 2 trillion yuan ($278 billion) of support as part of a stock stabilization fund. Liu Yuhui, an academic at a government think tank, told a local media outlet that the nation should set up a stocks stabilization fund as soon as possible to boost market confidence, with an aim to get its size to 10 trillion yuan or more. Investors are bracing for losses to deepen before markets close for a weeklong Lunar New Year holiday. Stocks may be sold off further as traders seek to reduce positions out of concern that risks ranging from geopolitical tensions and sluggish consumption may deepen the market’s freefall once trading resumes. Some $7 trillion has been erased from the value of equities in China and Hong Kong since their peaks in early 2021 as Covid lockdowns, tech

crackdowns and a property slump crushed investor confidence. “Its looking very difficult for the next few days as sentiment is extremely fragile and many in the market would choose to cut positions before the Chinese New Year,” said Daisy Li, fund manager at EFG Asset Management HK Ltd. “The market is waiting for more forceful policy stimulus to restore confidence and the economy, which we think is more likely to come later in the second quarter.” Margin calls, forced liquidation faced by shareholders and selling pressure associated with so-called snowball derivatives have emerged as new risks as the slump deepens. The CSI 1000 gauge, frequently used as the underlying benchmark for snowballs, has nosedived as the products hit so-called knock-in levels that incur losses for investors. Overseas funds snapped up 1.2 billion yuan ($167 million) worth of See “China,” A17

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 A17

Feud between clans emerges as risk to one of Asia’s growth stars

Greetings and wishes for a prosperous Year of the Dragon

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

MAKE SENSE

By Cliff Venzon & Manolo Serapio Jr.

he coalition that gave Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a massive landslide win in May 2022 is falling apart, raising the risk of political instability that could undermine one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

The disagreements between Marcos and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte—whose daughter Sara Duterte is the vice president—have played out in an increasingly bitter public spat over the last few weeks. Accusations of drug use. A threat to split the country. Talks of unrest in the military. At the heart of the dispute though is Marcos’s support for a change to the country’s 1987 Constitution to attract more foreign investors. It has led to suspicions among the Duterte camp that Marcos is seeking to extend his stay in power. Presidents are currently limited to a single, six-year term under the nation’s charter. A push to amend political provisions “will escalate tensions within the Unity Team, leading to political instability within the country,” said Sarah Tan, economist at Moody’s Analytics Singapore Pte Ltd., referring to the campaign branding used by Marcos and Duterte’s daughter in the 2022 election. That could lead to a slide in Marcos’s approval ratings and thwart his agenda including boosting investment and expanding defense ties with longstanding ally, the US. Washington has committed to sending a trade delegation this year to Manila, led by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “If the situation escalates so far as to a civil unrest because of deepening polarization among the people, we may even see a pullback in investments as foreign companies leave the country,” Tan added. Marcos’s chief economic planner, Arsenio Balisacan, has warned as much, and said that political instability could hurt the economy —which despite growing below the government target last year notched the fastest expansion in Southeast Asia at 5.6 percent. “We’re in a democratic space, so you expect those kinds of debates, but you don’t also expect that kind of debate to take forever,” Balisacan told reporters last week. “It will not do us good,” he said.

Bubbling tensions

NO stranger to bluster, Duterte has warned his successor that he could go the way of his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in a popular revolt in 1986. The constitution was ratified a year later and limited a leader’s term to prevent another abuse of power. The 78-year-old former president has also threatened to split his native Mindanao region from the rest of the nation, prompting a stern warning from the country’s defense and security officials. Even before this latest fallout, tensions between the two camps were bubbling under the surface. Marcos has shifted the Philippines back to a closer defense partnership with the US, seen as a rebuke to Duterte who had pivoted towards China during his six-year tenure. There have also been disagreements over confidential funds for Sara, the suspension of a media network associated with a Duterte supporter, and the Marcos adminis-

China . . .

continued from A16

mainland equities via trading links with Hong Kong on Monday, extending their net buying run to the fifth session. Some traders see this as another sign of national team’s action as state-backed funds can use offshore accounts to buy onshore equities. The China Securities Regulatory Commission pledged on Sunday to prevent abnormal fluctuations, saying it would guide more medium- and long-term funds into the market and

Marcos’s chief economic planner, Arsenio Balisacan, has warned as much, and said that political instability could hurt the economy—which despite growing below the government target last year notched the fastest expansion in Southeast Asia at 5.6 percent. tration’s move to restart peace talks with communist rebels. While she respects the views of her father, “like my position on many issues, I don’t necessarily agree with all of them,” the vice president said last week. Her brother Sebastian, the mayor of Davao City, had called on Marcos to resign. While Sara Duterte has largely stayed neutral since the spat between Marcos and her family played out, analysts say any changes to political provisions in the constitution may threaten her political future. She is seen as an early favorite to succeed Marcos in the 2028 election. Duterte’s daughter was also the frontrunner in the 2022 presidential surveys until she decided to team up with Marcos and run as his VP. The ex-president may be right in speculating that the constitutional revision may “change more fundamental aspects of the political system, such as possibly removing term limits, or even shifting to a parliamentary or federal form of government,” said Bob Herrera-Lim, managing director at global advisory firm Teneo. “This would be risky should public opposition emerge, because it would at the very least be distracting politically and may even increase the risk of a broader backlash,” Herrera-Lim added.

Loyalty check

Over the past year, the 66-year-old Marcos has pushed back against Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, expanded access for US troops and received security and investment pledges from the US and its partners. He will keynote Asia’s top defense meeting this year in Singapore, indicating Manila’s increasingly important geopolitical role as the competition between the US and China intensifies. Analysts believe the public feud is distracting and could derail Marcos’s plans as next year’s midterm polls approach. It may even lead to a shift in political alliances as Marcos tries to shore up support. “Since loyalties will undoubtedly shift among their allies, what Marcos will have to figure out is which support is necessary to stabilize his rule despite a Duterte fallout. The military? The US?,” said Julie Ann de los Reyes, assistant professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies in Kyoto University. “Sara Duterte helped him win the presidency,” de los Reyes said. “But it is becoming abundantly clear that she is not going to help him keep it.” Bloomberg

crack down on illegal activities including malicious short selling and insider trading. Still, downward pressure is likely to remain strong unless bolder steps are taken to address a dearth of confidence plaguing markets. “Actions such as state buying are not conducive to restoring confidence which is the key here,” said Sat Duhra, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors. “We are not adding or reducing current position—which is about 9 percent underweight.” With assistance from Mengchen Lu /Bloomberg

he Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China, and the 2024 Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, February 10th. On behalf of the Federation of Philippine Industries, I would like to extend warm greetings and heartfelt wishes to all sectors of the economy as we celebrate the auspicious occasion of Chinese New Year. As we usher in the Year of the Dragon, specifically the Wood Dragon year, according to the Chinese zodiac, it is a time for us to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and look forward to a prosperous future. The Dragon, a majestic creature revered in Chinese culture, symbolizes strength, courage, and good fortune. It is believed that those born in the Year of the Dragon inherit these noble qualities, and as we enter this new year, we can all draw inspiration from its symbolism. Let us harness the strength within us, display unwavering courage in the face of challenges, and strive for success with the belief that good fortune awaits us. In this Year of the Wood Dragon, individuals may find themselves particularly motivated to pursue their goals with determination and resilience. It is a time for personal and professional growth, as well as a time to nurture relationships and foster collaboration. The Wood Dragon’s energy inspires us to think outside

the box, adapt to challenges, and make positive changes in our lives and communities. Furthermore, the Wood Dragon year also carries the energy of environmental consciousness and sustainability. Wood is associated with nature and the environment, highlighting the importance of preserving and nurturing our natural resources. This year presents an opportunity to focus on eco-friendly practices, sustainable development, and a deeper connection with the natural world. Overall, the Wood Dragon year brings a harmonious blend of strength, adaptability, and growth. It encourages us to embrace change, pursue our ambitions, and foster a sense of balance between tradition and innovation. As we celebrate the Year of the Wood Dragon, let us har-

I extend my warmest greetings to all sectors of the economy, wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year. May the Year of the Dragon bless us with strength, courage, and good fortune as we navigate the challenges ahead. Let us unite as a global community, promote peace among nations, and work towards a future of shared prosperity and harmony.

ness its transformative energy and use it as a catalyst for positive change in our lives and in the world around us. May it inspire us to cultivate peace, prosperity, and a sustainable future for all. As the Chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries, I also wish to ventilate my hope that the Year of the Dragon will help promote peace among nations. In a world that often grapples with conflicts and tensions, let us seize this opportunity to foster understanding, cooperation, and harmony. By recognizing our shared humanity and embracing the ideals of peace, we can build bridges that transcend borders and work towards a future where every nation thrives. The Chinese New Year celebration is not only a time for festivities and cultural traditions but also a chance for us to embrace diversity and strengthen the bonds of friendship among different communities. The Philippines, a country known

Trump’s favorite metric has Biden winning the US-China trade war By Shawn Donnan, Enda Curran & Maeva Cousin

resident Joe Biden is winning the trade war with China judging by rival Donald Trump’s favorite metric. The rub: It’s an increasingly flawed measure of the world’s most important economic relationship.

Figures due Wednesday are set to show the US deficit in goods trade with China in 2023 hit its lowest annual level since 2010, when demand was soggy in the wake of the global financial crisis. Bloomberg Economics calculates that the US gap likely amounted to about 1 percent of gross domestic product, the lowest since 2003. On paper, the figures suggest a deepening decoupling driven by tariffs and export controls that began during the Trump administration and have expanded under Biden. It’s also a politically important economic signal ahead of a November election in which Biden is likely to face Trump, who in 2016 rode discontent over globalization and manufacturing jobs lost to China to the White House. “Trump talked tough, but it seems like Biden has delivered the results,” said Eswar Prasad, a Cornell University and Brookings Institution expert on trade and the Chinese economy. Yet Prasad adds that conclusion can only be made if you think of “the bilateral trade deficit with China as the right measure for evaluating US success and managing that trade relationship,” which he doesn’t. Like many economists, Prasad has for years cringed as Trump cited the deficit with China and other countries as a key measure of whether the US was winning or losing in an economic relationship. The US has had a trade shortfall with the rest of the world since the 1970s and economists point out that’s as much a function of the attraction of foreign investors to dollar assets as it is a result of trade policies. There’s a new reason why the goods trade deficit with China is an imperfect metric: Shipments from

the Asian manufacturing powerhouse to the US are increasingly making a pit stop in third countries such as Vietnam and Mexico. And the US gap either hit or neared a record last year with both of those economies. Since Trump imposed tariffs on about $300 billion in imports in 2018, Chinese companies have increased investment in new factories in Mexico, Vietnam and other nations to bypass the levies. Tariffs have made “multinationals look for alternative sources,” said Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. But “the deeper story is, that doesn’t mean that we’re less reliant on China.” In many cases, Lovely says, as the US increases its imports from other countries, those same trading partners’ economic links to China are growing, as she and a colleague found when they examined US allies in the Asia-Pacific for a study last year. “The rest of the world is deepening its integration with China,” Lovely says. Such shifts are showing up in other data. China’s share of seaborne US imports as measured by the volume of shipping containers in 2023 fell to 37.2 percent, the lowest since 2005 and down from a 2018 peak of 44.6 percent, according to figures compiled by Descartes Datamyne. Over that same period, Vietnam’s share increased more than sixfold to 8.3 percent. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the International Monetary Fund’s chief economist, describes it as a “recomposition” of trade flows between the US, China and other major economies through “connector economies.” The trade matrix at the center of the global economy is “becoming more

Villar . . .

speedy acquisition of ROWs along the present Philippine National Railway (PNR) lines. The task is not an easy one from my experience. This requires the delicate balancing between the in-

continued from A16

of-Way. The efficient and on-time completion of the NSCR requires the

complex and it’s routing itself around what it sees as areas of tensions or places where you have trade sanctions,” Gourinchas says. Biden administration officials acknowledge they’re trying to manage a relationship with China that’s growing more complex. But they also see the declining trade deficit with China as a product of Biden’s bid to bring manufacturing home and reduce US reliance on its strategic rival. “President Biden’s Buy America policies and historic legislation to invest in our infrastructure, clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing are working and the US economy is booming,” said Michael Kikukawa, a White House spokesman. The Biden administration has been reviewing Trump’s tariffs for months and there are no indications that they will be abandoned. If anything, the administration is under pressure to increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and parts as well as lower-end semiconductors, two sectors where Chinese companies control the market. In recent months, officials including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have also indicated a desire for increased scrutiny of investment by China and others in countries like Mexico that have trade agreements with the US.

Trump tariffs

Trump, meanwhile, has said he would increase existing tariffs of 25 percent to more than 60 percent if he returns to office. “You have to do it,” Trump told Fox News in an interview Sunday. “I’m not looking to hurt China. I want to get along with China. I think it’s great. But they’ve really taken advantage of our country.” Tariffs have been a political winner for Trump, even if the evidence of economic gains is slim. In a new study, Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist David Autor and colleagues—whose terest of progress and the human and financial cost of resettling vast informal settler communities. But huge railway projects like the NSCR will definitely make a big difference for our weary commuters.

for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant multiculturalism, stands as a shining example of unity in diversity. As we welcome the Year of the Dragon, let us celebrate the contributions of our Filipino-Chinese brothers and sisters, whose heritage and traditions have enriched our nation’s tapestry. Furthermore, the Federation of Philippine Industries recognizes the invaluable contributions of the Chinese community to our country’s economic growth. Their entrepreneurial spirit, dedication, and hard work have played a crucial role in advancing various sectors, creating jobs, and fostering economic prosperity. We extend our sincerest gratitude to our Filipino-Chinese partners and wish them continued success and prosperity in the coming year. In conclusion, I extend my warmest greetings to all sectors of the economy, wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year. May the Year of the Dragon bless us with strength, courage, and good fortune as we navigate the challenges ahead. Let us unite as a global community, promote peace among nations, and work towards a future of shared prosperity and harmony. Once again, Happy Chinese New Year to all!

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

research documented US job losses caused by the surge in imports from China after the US normalized trade relations with Beijing in 2001— found Trump’s tariffs had resulted in no real job gains or losses. They did find, however, that the import taxes led to a surge in support for Trump and other Republicans. The 2023 decline in imports from China can’t be pinned on tariffs and geopolitics alone. Fluctuating currencies, well-stocked US inventories and softer consumer demand also contributed. It’s also true that production was shifting long before the trade war, spurred by rising labor costs in China. China’s declining role in the final assembly of many products and the shift elsewhere means other countries now claim the total export value of finished goods like mobile phones, even if much of the added value comes from other places in the supply chain including China. The imposition of Trump’s tariffs has likely led to US importers under-reporting how much they bought from China, according to a 2021 report from Federal Reserve economists. For now, there remains little prospect of a truce. Concerns over China’s industrial policies remain acute in the US, whether it’s about the rapid increase in global market share of Chinese electric vehicles or increased steel exports due to slowing demand in China as the property sector and construction slumps. US officials also say they’re looking at new tools beyond tariffs and export controls they’ve used so far. Which is a function of how the competition with China is changing and likely to endure, according to Raj Bhala of the University of Kansas, who has authored a book on the USChina trade war. “It’s a forever trade war; there’s no end in sight,” he said. With assistance from James Mayger, Eric Martin, Brendan Murray, Stephanie Lai, Josh Wingrove and Nancy Cook /Bloomberg

It is a shot at solving the infamous Metro Manila traffic. For feedback e-mail to senatormarkvillar@ gmail.com or visit our web site: https://markvillar.com.ph

A18 Wednesday, February 7, 2024

BSP: Only a ‘sustained’ dip in prices justifies an easing A

BURNOUT AMONG I.T. EXPERTS BEHIND CYBER BREACHES? By Lorenz S. Marasigan

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) remains hawkish despite commodity prices slowing to 2.8 percent, the slowest in 39 months or four years. Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), inflation slowed to a rate that is the slowest since October 2020 when inflation averaged 2.3 percent. This is within the BSP’s forecast range of 2.8 to 3.6 percent for January. However, BSP said inflation could increase anew and post an average higher than the target range in the second quarter. This, the central bank explained, is due to the impact of El Niño weather conditions and positive base effects. “The Monetary Board deems it necessary to keep monetary policy settings sufficiently tight until a sustained downtrend in inflation becomes evident. The BSP will consider the latest inflation and GDP outturns for the Monetary Board’s

policy meeting on 15 February 2024,” BSP said. BSP said the slowdown in inflation was mainly due to base effects as well as “some easing of supply constraints affecting key commodities.” Inflation was at 8.7 percent in January 2023 and 3.9 percent in December 2023. It explained that the country’s inflation outlook remains tilted to the upside. These risks include higher transport charges, increased electricity rates, higher oil prices and higher food prices due to strong El Niño conditions. However, BSP said the impact of a relatively weak global recovery and the government measures to mitigate the effects of El Niño could ease some price pressures.

“How the BSP will respond to a number of dominant upside risks to inflation and the US Fed’s next monetary policy move will define to a large degree the financial conditions for sustaining economic growth,” Global Source Partners country analyst Diwa Guinigundo said in a brief. “Depending on the January inflation print that would help establish the path of inflation, we believe any change in the stance of monetary policy will probably be late in the second half of 2024,” he added.

Caution warranted

MEANWHILE, HSBC Asean economist Aris Dacanay said “a bit of caution is warranted” as inflation is expected to accelerate in the months ahead and touch the 4 percent upper band target of the BSP. Dacanay said he expects the BSP to maintain interest rates at 6.5 percent in its next policy meeting. “The BSP has the convenience of time to wait for inflation to really settle within its target band before beginning its easing cycle. We also do not think the BSP can cut ahead of the Fed,” Dacanay said. “Maintaining its current rate differential with the Fed will help

mitigate any volatility in the USDPHP and prevent FX-changes in re-stoking inflation,” he added. Another economist, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort, said that given the low inflation, the BSP may pause or cut policy rates this year. Ricafort said the US Federal Reserve rate cuts are expected later in 2024 and could prompt local monetary authorities to do the same in order to stabilize the peso. “The markets/Fed Funds Futures recently priced in a possible Fed rate cut as early as May 2024 or the second half of 2024, and bigger Fed rate cuts that could total about -1.16 in 2024 [vs. the Fed’s dot plot estimate of -0.75 Fed rate cuts for 2024] that could be matched locally, as a leading indicator, especially as supported/ justified if headline inflation remains well within and anchored at the BSP’s inflation target,” Ricafort said.

Fiscal over growth

IN an economic brief, Guinigundo lamented the recent explanation on Socioeconomic Planning Secretarty Arsenio M. Balisacan of the contraction in government spending in the last quarter of 2023.

@lorenzmarasigan

MAJORITY of cybersecurity and IT roles in the Philippines are “impacted by burnout and fatigue,” the highest among the markets surveyed by cybersecurity firm Sophos. According to Sophos’s latest report titled, “The Future of Cybersecurity in Asia Pacific and Japan,” 94 percent of Philippine-based cybersecurity and IT experts felt burnout across almost all aspects of cybersecurity operations, with 88 percent of respondents in the Philippines saying that feelings of burnout increased in the last 12 months. Another 36 percent said that this burnout makes them“less diligent”in their cybersecurity roles. Sophos further found that 11 percent of respondents admit that the burnout or fatigue “contributed to, or was directly responsible for, a cybersecurity breach and 19 percent of companies experienced slower than average response times to cybersecurity incidents.” Across the region, an average of 90 percent of respondents in cybersecurity and IT roles are impacted by burnout and fatigue. Furthermore, Sophos found that the five leading causes of cyber burnout and fatigue are: A lack of resources available to support cybersecurity activities; the routine aspects of the role, which create a feeling of monotony; an increased level of pressure from board and/or executive management; persistent alert overload from tools and systems; and increase in

threat activity and the adoption of new technologies that foster a more challenging, always-on environment. “When organizations struggle with cybersecurity skills shortages, and an increasingly complex cyberattack environment, employee stability and performance are critical for providing a solid defense for the business. Burnout and fatigue are undermining these areas, and organisations need to step up to provide the right support to employees, especially when, according to our research, 11 percent of respondents identified that cybersecurity burnout or fatigue contributed to, or was directly responsible for, a cybersecurity breach,” said Aaron Bugal, field CTO at Sophos. And given that experts felt cyber burnout and fatigue, organizations also had slower response times to cybersecurity incidents, lost productivity, and mass resignations. “Although there’s no simple fix, an attitude adjustment would go a long way to defining the right expectations for evolving into a cyber-resilient business. Boards and executive committees must drive change and demand responsibility from their deputised charges for better governance around cyber approaches. However, they need to clearly articulate their accountability in developing and maintaining a plan because cybersecurity is now a perpetually interactive sport —and there needs to be a team that provides adequate coverage around the clock,” Bugal said.

Continued on A14

ONLINE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN Members of ChildFund Alliance’s WEB Safe & Wise Children’s Advisory Council show their mobile phones, symbolizing the swift evolution of the digital landscape. Engaging in a discussion during the Safer Internet Day conference at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, they address the most urgent threats children face online and explore viable solutions to ensure a secure online environment for every child. NONOY LACZA

More Chinese tourists staying home for CNY By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

AINLAND China, once the world’s largest travel market, is expected to continue its tourism recovery, although most of its citizens will likely stick close to home as they pull back on luxury spending. This developed as Chinese New Year travel data from ForwardKeys showed issued flight tickets for the period January 26 to February 29, are 37-percent behind 2019 levels. But the bookings as of January 18 show a shift in travel trends. “Departure activity is set to spike earlier than usual, on February 3rd and even January 27th, indicating a preference for early departures among Chinese tourists, aiming to dodge crowds and expensive fares during the holiday rush,” said ForwardKeys market analyst Nancy Dai. This year’s celebration of the Chinese New Year is particularly significant as it is the first following the end of pandemic restrictions in mainland China. Beijing has also extended the traditional

seven-day holiday to eight days to help promote tourism. Chinese travelers have chosen to visit Kuala Lumpur (up 15 percent), Dubai (up 8 percent), and Macau (up 8 percent), surpassing 2019 issued ticket levels due to the relaxed entry requirements for Chinese travelers. ForwardKeys is an aggregator of global flight data, using these to analyze travel market behavior.

Cutback on luxury spending

THE Department of Tourism has been pinning its hopes on the Chinese market to hasten the recovery of tourist arrivals to prepandemic levels, but the Department of Foreign Affairs has suspended the pilot-test of the electronic visa scheme on orders from Malacañang. (See, “DFA stops issuance of e-visa for Chinese nationals,” in the BusinessMirror, December 1, 2023.) There were 5.45 million foreign tourists who arrived in the Philippines last year, 34-percent less than the 8.26 million who visited the country in prepandemic 2019. Separately, Oxford Economics projects outbound travel volumes

from China “[remaining] some 22 percent below 2019 levels” this year, with Chinese consumers choosing to spend locally. “A year after reopening, the ‘stay-home’ economy looks set to stay. More than 60 percent of luxury spending, as estimated by Sandalwood Advisors, in the first quarter of the reopening last year was done locally, up from roughly 40 percent in the prepandemic years. That share likely remained high, according to most third-party analysts, given the upscale in domestic offerings, the rapid rise of domestic e-commerce contributing to downward price pressures, and to a lesser degree, continued RMB weakness.” In the first half of 2023, it added, China outbound tourists reached 40.3 million, less than half of the prepandemic 81.3 million in the same period in 2019, although domestic travel is booming. “Using balance of payments data, we estimate that spending abroad by Chinese residents averaged around US$260 billion annually between 2015 and 2019 in the form of travel and overseas purchases. Continued on A14

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Fresh River acquisition of CHEPP hurdles scrutiny

By Andrea E. San Juan

@andreasanjuan

he Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has given its nod to Fresh River Lakes Corp.’s (Fresh River) proposed acquisition of the Casecnan Hydroelectric Power Plant (CHEPP) from state-owned Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA). PCC said the Commission en banc cleared Fresh River, a subsidiary of Lopez-led First Gen Corp., last January 25 to take over the Casecnan Plant as the transaction would not result in the substantial lessening of competition in the relevant markets. On December 15, 2023, the PCC Mergers and Acquisitions Office (MAO) opened a Phase 1 review into the deal, which assessed potential antitrust concerns that may arise

from the transaction. Among others, the mergers and acquisitions office of the country’s competition watchdog found that competing energy generation companies exert competitive pressure on the parties. The MAO also found that the volume generated by the Casecnan Plant is “unlikely” to impact the relevant markets. Moreover, the mergers and acqui-

sitions office found that there are “sufficient safeguards” in place under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Epira) to ensure that the market remains competitive. “The Casecnan Plant’s sale aligns with PSALM’s mandate under the Epira to privatize all assets and liquidate all financial obligations of state-owned National Power Corp. (NPC),” PCC said in its statement on Tuesday. PCC noted that Fresh River secured the 165-megawatt Casecnan Plant, with the highest bid of $526 million. This facility which is located near Pantabangan and Muñoz in Nueva Ecija, is a run-of-river hydroelectric power plant, which diverts water from the Casecnan and Taan Rivers through a 26-kilometer-long tunnel to generate energy, PCC said. In May 2023, the Privatization Bids and Awards Committee of PSALM declared Fresh River as the highest ranking bidder. Its bid price was double the minimum bid price set by PSALM at $227,272,727.28. The bidding process covers the sale of the power generation facili-

ties of the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project and the operation and maintenance of the related non-power components and transbasin facilities. Fresh River bested the offers of Neptune Hydro Inc., Global Hydro Power Corp., Panasia Energy Inc., GigaAce 11 Inc., Belgrove Power Corp., a consortium comprising EEI Power Corporation, Soosan ENS. Co. Ltd., Soosan Industries Co. Ltd., Mapalad Power Corp. and Semirara Mining and Power Corp. CHEPP was turned over to the government in 2021 after the 20year build-operate-transfer scheme between the CE Casecnan Water and Energy Co. Inc. and NIA lapsed on December 11, 2021. It was then placed under the co-ownership of PSALM and NIA, which represents the government’s interest at 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The country’s competition watchdog is mandated under the Philippine Competition Act to review mergers and acquisitions to ensure that these deals will not substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets and harm consumer welfare.

Share sale of CPG, A Brown gets nod By VG Cabuag @villygc

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the preferred shares offering of property developers Century Properties Group Inc. and A Brown Co. Inc. CPG said it received the certificate of permit to sell securities for the company’s primary offer of 20 million series B preferred shares with an oversubscription option of up to 20 million shares at P100 apiece. It will carry an initial dividend

Nintendo lifts profit and Switch outlook

intendo Co. raised its forecast for Switch console sales and profit for the year after reporting better-than-expected earnings for the holiday quarter. The Kyoto-based company now expects to sell 15.5 million Switch units in the fiscal year ended March, up from 15 million, and it also raised its revenue, operating profit and net income guidance. The December quarter’s operating profit of ¥184.5 billion ($1.2 billion) edged out the average of analyst estimates, though it fell shy of the company’s performance in the same period a year earlier. Sales were down a smallerthan-expected 6 percent, Nintendo said on Tuesday. Customized editions of the Switch featuring Super Mario and Animal Crossing themes helped lift sales in the Japanese market above expectations, according to the company. Nintendo’s shares hit an all-time high this year, after the Japanese company’s successful expansion into cinema with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the award-winning debut of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom sustained sales in 2023. Expectations for a nextgeneration Switch also play into the lofty valuation, as investors look past the next few quarters for a major boost to come in the holiday period. Bloomberg News

rate of 7.5432 percent per year and will be listed and traded on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. A Brown, meanwhile, also received the green light from the SEC for the domestic offer and issuance of 10 million in series B and C preferred shares with an oversubscription option of 5 million shares. The said shares will be issued out of its 50 million preferred shares under shelf registration, and will be sold at P100 apiece. Series B shares will carry a dividend rate of 8.25 percent per year,

and series C will have 8.75 percent rate. Both series carry an optional redemption date. Proceeds from the offer are aimed at supporting the development of pipeline real estate projects in Mindanao and Luzon, land banking initiatives and other general corporate purposes, the company said. A Brown has assigned PNB Capital and Investment Corp. as its sole issue manager, lead underwriter and sole bookrunner for this transaction. “Among our high-priority developments are Coral Bay Suites and Alexandrite Columns, both of which are

condominiums with resort amenities and scenic views,” A Brown President and CEO Robertino E. Pizarro said. The said projects mark A Brown’s first venture into vertical development. The company’s first preferred shares offering was in 2021, from which it raised P1.33 billion. A Brown said its reservation sales have been increasing over the past 3 years, with sales in 2022 reaching P2.62 billion. CPG shares closed on Tuesday at P0.265 apiece. A Brown shares, meanwhile, was last traded at P0.63 apiece.

Apex Mining, First Gen ink RE supply deal By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

PSALM will turn over property in Sucat to DOTr

Photo from www.pia.gov.ph

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

he Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) will soon turn over to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) the 11-hectare Sucat property following the latter’s initial payment. According to PSALM, the DoTr recently paid P5.176 billion representing the first tranche of the P5.192billion purchase price for the Sucat properties. PSALM said lots 5-B-1 and 6-B2 cover a total land area of 110,129 square meters or 11 hectares. Tranche 2 of the sale covers the various land improvements and structure, such as guard house, perimeter fence and roadways. The sale of the Sucat property was facilitated through a “transfer to another government agency” mode of sale as allowed under PSALM’s approved modes of privatization on

Photo from www.apexmines.com

“Tapping into renewable energy resources is an effective way to manage our environmental impact. We are happy to work with First Gen in our sustainability journey,” Sarmiento added. The company reported that it spent P89 million on its Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) in January to September 2023. The EPEP is a comprehensive plan of action required by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure

the responsible management of all land, water, and air resources that are covered by the operations of a mining company. Apex Mining said it does not limit its green energy initiatives to power sourcing as a number of its energy conservation moves are rooted in the daily operations of its site. The company has an energy conservation czar and energy conservation coordinators in each department tasked to develop action plans to optimize energy costs.

real estate assets. PSALM said the closing date for the sale will commence when the DoTr completes payment. Upon closing date, PSALM will turn over to DoTr the properties as well as the original owner’s duplicate copies of the Transfer of Certificate Title (TCT) and tax declarations. “This is a culmination of almost three years of coordination beginning January 2021 when DoTr formally confirmed its interest to acquire the Sucat properties to be used for its North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project and PNR South Long-Haul (SLH) projects,” said PSALM. The NSCR project is a 147-kilometer mass transportation railway system linking Region 3, the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region 4-A, while the SLH is a 639km railway system linking the NCR, Regions 4-A and 5. PSALM said it will use the proceeds to pay for the remaining stranded contract costs and stranded debts.

Cisco hits corporate responsibility goals By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

isted Apex Mining is increasing the share of renewable energy (RE) in its energy mix through an agreement with Lopezled First Gen Corp. The mining firm currently uses clean energy for 59 percent of its operations. With its target to become First Gen’s first Directly-Connected Customer (DCC) in the region, the Davao de Oro-based, Enrique Razon-led mining company said it will source energy from First Gen’s Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant in Kidapawan, Cotabato. The partnership will allow the company to have uninterrupted, reliable energy for its daily mining operations with a much lower carbon footprint and “a higher degree of corporate and ethical responsibility.” “This is going beyond mere compliance in our energy management practices,” said Apex Mining President and CEO Luis R. Sarmiento. Apex Mining’s move coincides with the emerging worldwide trend of evaluating mining companies based on their sustainability and energy-sourcing practices. Such investor-encouraged practices are also common for supply chains driven by companies rated on their performance on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.

ech giant Cisco said on Tuesday it has exceeded its goal of making a “real, tangible difference” in the lives of one billion people worldwide, a year ahead of schedule. The tech company set out the ambitious goal in 2016, targeting to complete this by 2025. “Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all, and this milestone is an important moment in our long history as an impact-focused company,” said Fran Katsoudas, Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer. “It’s a goal almost 10 years in the making, and we’re excited to use what we learned, our strengths, and our technology as we continue to scale our work around the world.” To achieve this goal, Cisco strategically invested in nonprofits through its Social Impact grants and Networking Academy. The company collaborated with local and national governments, focusing on developing and scaling technology-based solutions to address critical challenges faced by vulnerable and underserved communities globally. The Cisco Networking Academy is a digital skills-to-jobs program. In fiscal year 2023, the academy trained a record one mil-

lion people across the Asia Pacific region. In the Philippines alone, Cisco Networking Academy trained 83,238 students in 2023 through partnerships with 118 institutes of higher learning and organizations. And amid the growing importance of cybersecurity, a majority of students opted for cybersecurity courses. Since the academy’s inception, 37 percent of all students trained are females, with an impressive 97 percent of students securing job and/or educational opportunities post-training. “As we move faster to an increasingly connected and digital world, we have a moral obligation to remove barriers to connectivity and digital skills,” said Zaza Soriano-Nicart, Managing Director, Cisco Philippines. She added: “Education levels the playing field for all and ensures that our youths and next generation of talents are ready to tackle the pressing issues of today’s world like cybersecurity, AI, and sustainability.” “We are extremely proud of this milestone and the impact it represents in allowing more people to contribute to the Philippines’s digital economy. But we understand there is much more we can do to empower local communities through technology and equalize opportunities through education.”

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Companies BusinessMirror

SEC circular sets deadlines for filing of annual reports

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has set the deadlines for the submission of the annual financial statements (AFS) and general information sheets (GIS) of corporations for 2024. The agency has issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2024, which provides the 2024 Filing of Annual Financial Statements and General Information Sheet. All stock and non-stock corporations are required to submit their annual reports online through the SEC Electronic Filing and Submission Tool.

The SEC said it will not accept submissions over the counter and through courier, in line with the zero-contact policy and automation of business-related transactions mandated by Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. A ll corporations, including branch offices, representative offices, regional headquarters and regional operating headquarters of foreign corporations whose fiscal years ended on December 31, 2023 should file their AFS according to a schedule based on the last digit of their respective registration or license number. A corporation that has its fiscal year ended on a

supporting documents and that the COA audit has just been concluded, as well as a letter from the COA confirming such information. Meanwhile, the GIS must be filed within 30 calendar days from the date of the actual annual stockholders’ meeting for stock corporations, from the date of actual annual members meeting for non-stock corporations, and from the anniversary date of the issuance of the SEC license for foreign corporations. The respective GIS forms for stock corporations, nonstock corporations, branch offices and representative offices of foreign corporations, and regional operating headquarters and regional headquarters of multinational companies may be downloaded from the SEC website. One-person corporations are not required to submit the GIS. However, they must submit the SEC Form for Appointment of Officers within 15 days from the date of issuance of their certificate of incorporation, or within five days from subsequent changes, the SEC said.

date other than December 31, 2023 should file its AFS within 120 calendar days from the end of its fiscal year, the SEC said. The annual report of a broker dealer whose fiscal year ended on December 31 must be filed on April 30, while those with fiscal years ending on a date other than December 31 should file their reports 120 calendar days after the close of their respective fiscal years. Corporations whose securities are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), those whose securities are registered but not listed on the PSE, those considered as public companies, must file their financial statements within 105 calendar days after the end of their respective fiscal years, as an attachment to their annual reports. Corporations whose financial statements are being audited by the Commission on Audit are exempted from the deadlines, provided they attach a signed affidavit attesting that they timely provided the COA with the financial statements and

MUTUAL FUNDS

February 6, 2024

NAV

One Year Three Year

per share

Five Year

Y-T-D

Return*

Return

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

-0.75%

-0.07%

-4.09%

0.06%

3.88%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.4864

218.92

2.19%

4.52%

-0.88%

2.12%

0.92%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0323

-2.18%

0.06%

-6.24%

-1.79%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7075 -0.52%

-2.78%

-5.93% n.a

First Metro Consumer Fund, Inc. -a

-6.03% n.a

3.48%

-3.15%

3.35%

0.6474

-8.66%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.7854-3.15%

-2.84% 0.04%

0.23%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.7187-3.81%

0.31% n.a n.a

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

-7.59% n.a

83.32

3.93%

-5.15%

-3.15%

-0.4%

-3.36% n.a

4.18%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

464.76

-1.05%

-0.52%

-3.35%

0.07%

3.89%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.2181

-0.85%

2.31%

-1.81% n.a

1.06%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

-1.71%

1.07%

-2.36%

1.86%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8994-1.27%

0.76%

-3.11% n.a

3.75%

Philequity PSE Index Fund, Inc. -a

4.694

-2.27%

0.47%

-2.6%

1.74%

4.07%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

781.34

-2.37%

0.3%

-2.67%

1.75%

4.11%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.7034

-2.18%

0.33%

-5.15% n.a

2.58%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.5131

-2.24%

0.21%

0.06%

-4.16%

0.01%

-2.95% n.a

United Fund, Inc. -a

1.09%

3.74%

-2.27%

-0.21%

-3.01%

3.78%

3.41%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8863-2.58% 3.2068

1.26%

-1.96%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 44.7043

34.7822

2.95%

4.42% 4.15%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) COL Equity Index Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 1.0979-2.54% n.a n.a n.a

4.01%

COL Strategic Growth Equity Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a,2 1.0164 n.a n.a n.a n.a 1.16% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.0289

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

948.73

-8.64%

-0.87% n.a n.a

0.97%

-2.4% n.a n.a n.a

4.13%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 106.2141-1.8% 0.73%

-2.35%

2.46%

4.2%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) -17.2%

-16.32%

-4.85%

-1.51%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7065

ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$0.7735

11.57%

-0.58%

7.12% n.a

-5.9% 2.69%

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

-0.21%

-0.78%

0.67%

0.6%

ATRAM Unicapital Diversified Growth Fund, Inc. -a,41.5358

2.227

3.72%

4.36%

-2.28%

-2.43%

-1.11%

1.67%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.5474

-2.64%

-0.31%

-0.98%

-0.43%

2.03%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1951

-4.83%

0.17% n.a n.a

2.47% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9744

-2.27%

0.5%

0.55%

1.84%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.6291

0.81%

-0.75%

-0.14%

1.01%

2.06%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

15.8959

0.9%

-1.45%

-0.81%

0.68%

2.14%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0703

0.32%

0.28%

-0.89%

1.48%

2.09%

-0.11%

-0.24%

-1.97%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4812 Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.9224

-0.79%

-1.1% n.a

2.14%

0.46%

2.15%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a 0.94950.04%

-1.89% n.a n.a

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a 0.8715-2.45%

-1.88% n.a n.a

0.98% 2.88%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a 0.8523-3.03%

-1.98% n.a n.a

3.23%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03281 PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $0.8819 -10.64%

-1.74%

-5.52%

-1.65%

0.13%

-10.23%

-1.94%

-0.79%

-3.63%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.3547

6.74%

-2.07%

4.25%

-1.2%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.0425

2.06%

-3.95%

0.82% n.a

3.35%

1.46% 0.14%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 391.68

1.78%

2.57%

2.31%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9162

1.42%

0.21%

0.48%

0.11%

0.38%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.3363

2.33%

1.2%

2.25%

3.75%

0.33%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 2.2841

2.71%

-0.2%

1.24%

1.53%

-0.09%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 2.4539

1.38%

0.05%

1.9%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.93%

1.07%

0.32%

4.3118

3.19%

2.97%

-2.41%

0.3%

1.21%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3844

3.97%

1.52%

3.16%

1.86%

0.82%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.0409

2.56%

0.46%

2.47%

1.75%

0.16%

0.4%

2.94% n.a

0.23%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0521

2.5%

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

3.3079

3.16%

1.06%

3.17%

2.3%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

2.42%

0.29%

2.31%

1.68%

-0.2%

1.7658

-0.14%

-0.15%

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

1.0149 n.a n.a n.a n.a

0.72%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $496.67

2.55%

0.82%

1.97%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є214.43

1.45%

-0.75%

2.53%

0.29% 0.21%

0.05%

0.8%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.0421-0.65% -6.43%

-1.83%

0.15%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0249 2.47%

-1.93%

-0.08% n.a

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc. -b $0.8568

-1.22%

-7.73%

-3.1%

-0.07%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.2927

1.48%

-3.2%

1.84%

-1.17%

1.3%

-0.81%

1.31%

1.6%

0.39%

-2.69%

-4.91%

-1.06%

0.43%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.0611494

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.7571

-3.92%

0.7%

-0.07% 0%

-2.7%

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 137.28

2.92%

1.83%

2.47%

2.07%

0.3%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.1123 3.34%

1.97%

2.14% n.a

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a 1.38

2.44%

2.05%

2.89%

2.05%

0.35%

0.31%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 105.06

4.25% n.a n.a n.a

0.46%

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

$1.102

2.78%

1.51%

1.59% n.a

0.41%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a 43.377 0.18% n.a n.a n.a Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.5123

16.74%

0.61%

9.26% n.a n.a

2.93% Sun Life Prosperity World Income Fund, Inc. -a,1

1.0141 n.a n.a n.a n.a

1.44%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (Units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.7946-4.38%

-7.07% n.a n.a

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

2 - Launch date is October 6, 2023.

-1.01%

c - Listed in the PSE.

3 - Launch date is May 25, 2023.

4 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last May 21, 2020 (formerly, ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc.) “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

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

February 6, 2024

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

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

2,531,330 844,781,458 148,428 116,945,382 10,789,155 2,475,614 76,822,510 10,500 1,007,468 6,651.50 1,256,550 23,344,280 14,386,600 114,520 438,710 5,005 19,000 2,183,550 612,000 2,450

-170,705 12,277,952 24,210,295 5,259,540 1,282,792 -28,196,834.50 -557.5 2,247,524 -4,741,165 -288,530 -838,146 216,750 -

INDUSTRIAL ACEN CORP 4.3 4.33 4.32 4.37 4.28 4.33 7,013,000 30,275,850 0.53 0.54 0.53 0.54 0.53 0.54 102,000 54,080 ALSONS CONS ALTERNERGY HLDG 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.75 363,000 269,860 37 37.05 37 37.1 36.7 37.05 788,200 29,078,245 ABOITIZ POWER 1.16 1.2 1.22 1.22 1.15 1.2 142,000 166,270 RASLAG BASIC ENERGY 0.213 0.215 0.224 0.225 0.214 0.214 7,020,000 1,533,610 FIRST GEN 17.9 17.94 18 18.06 17.9 17.9 177,500 3,186,596 64.55 64.65 64.5 64.55 64.5 64.55 66,960 4,321,987 FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO 365 368.4 368.8 371 365 365 118,230 43,335,924 MANILA WATER 18.4 18.42 18 18.44 17.94 18.4 2,050,000 37,545,410 3.27 3.35 3.3 3.34 3.26 3.27 1,765,000 5,797,190 PETRON PETROENERGY 4.32 4.69 4.39 4.69 4.39 4.4 3,321,000 14,612,650 PHX PETROLEUM 4.09 4.39 4.03 4.39 4.03 4.1 48,000 197,890 7.2 7.3 7.35 7.36 7.21 7.3 17,500 128,053 REPOWER ENERGY 32 32.05 31.3 32.1 31.3 32 2,414,700 77,131,785 SEMIRARA MINING SYNERGY GRID 7.4 7.45 7.34 7.57 7.25 7.45 2,579,100 19,128,576 10.78 10.8 10.9 10.9 10.6 10.8 36,100 390,750 SHELL PILIPINAS 6.95 7 7 7 6.9 7 52,500 364,217 SPC POWER SP NEW ENERGY 1.15 1.16 1.18 1.18 1.14 1.16 213,965,000 248,086,440 0.57 0.58 0.61 0.61 0.57 0.58 10,486,000 6,199,650 AGRINURTURE 2.26 2.3 2.32 2.35 2.25 2.25 154,000 358,630 AXELUM CNTRL AZUCARERA 16 17.5 15 17.5 15 17.5 52,600 868,922 36.75 36.95 35.2 37 35 36.75 7,096,000 260,284,920 CENTURY FOOD 5.92 5.94 5.94 6.02 5.92 5.92 38,300 227,170 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 6.42 6.43 6.4 6.45 6.39 6.43 1,276,400 8,204,141 20.6 20.65 20.7 20.7 20.5 20.6 272,200 5,608,370 EMPERADOR 49.7 49.75 49.75 49.75 49.65 49.7 17,500 869,875 SMC FOODANDBEV FIGARO COFFEE 0.69 0.7 0.69 0.7 0.68 0.69 3,099,000 2,139,400 FRUITAS HLDG 0.84 0.85 0.86 0.86 0.83 0.84 138,000 115,660 163 163.8 162 163.8 160 163.8 5,260 843,106 GINEBRA JOLLIBEE 260.6 261 261.2 263 258 260.6 571,990 149,217,108 KEEPERS HLDG 1.42 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.42 1.43 301,000 429,760 3.35 3.39 3.39 3.39 3.35 3.35 41,000 138,630 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.091 0.095 0.091 0.091 0.09 0.091 150,000 13,610 MONDE NISSIN 9.64 9.65 9.58 9.65 9.38 9.64 9,560,100 91,172,880 10.6 10.66 10.6 10.6 10.56 10.6 34,400 364,636 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.53 0.54 0.53 0.58 0.51 0.54 7,502,000 4,107,340 RFM CORP 2.92 2.97 2.98 2.99 2.91 2.92 214,000 629,660 0.057 0.067 0.058 0.058 0.057 0.057 570,000 32,580 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 111.4 111.5 112.3 112.7 111.5 111.5 1,268,650 141,693,028 VITARICH 0.5 0.52 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.53 1,000 530 2.6 2.84 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 18,000 46,800 VICTORIAS 40 44.95 40.1 40.1 40 40 800 32,030 CONCRETE A CEMEX HLDG 1.56 1.57 1.14 1.62 1.14 1.56 72,503,000 105,310,570 0.63 0.65 0.65 0.66 0.63 0.63 675,000 430,830 EC VULCAN CORP 5.42 5.5 5.6 5.6 5.4 5.5 610,000 3,342,031 EEI CORP MEGAWIDE 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.33 3.3 3.31 393,000 1,300,960 0.355 0.39 0.355 0.355 0.355 0.355 40,000 14,200 TKC METALS 1.7 1.71 1.73 1.73 1.71 1.71 48,000 82,460 CROWN ASIA PRYCE CORP 5.2 5.25 5.3 5.3 5.2 5.2 322,600 1,678,811 13 13.2 13 13.2 13 13.2 2,300 30,040 CONCEPCION 0.23 0.232 0.228 0.234 0.228 0.23 15,660,000 3,628,420 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 2.41 2.49 2.4 2.41 2.39 2.4 624,000 1,502,920 1.15 1.17 1.17 1.18 1.12 1.17 1,993,000 2,261,740 IONICS 4.79 5.29 4.54 5.38 4.54 5.38 1,600 7,993 PANASONIC SFA SEMICON 2.43 2.47 2.45 2.48 2.45 2.48 361,000 890,640 CIRTEK HLDG 1.89 1.9 1.89 1.89 1.85 1.89 552,000 1,036,900

4,466,630 -2,206,325 -176,550 -1,176,192 -17,539,524 8,558,122 -4,474,310 -3,440,800 7,279,430 2,922,165 -164,160 -104,447 12,677,840.00 -1,140,450 -23,300 -28,282 -12,382,545 -56,858 -3,187,270 -1,898,135 -168,920 480,930.00 49,800 -7,455,854 -141,570 -23,680 910 -19,193,815 315,876 8,440 -47,691,284 -7,350,760 5,600 -14,300 161,050 -163,850 15,080 -336,390 377,870

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES ZEUS HLDG

262,500 -917,330 -10,572,250 -8,856,482 -18,921 -2,858,974.00 19,482,110 9,855,300 12,163,327 12,089,070 65,324 -

HOLDING & FRIMS

35 148 6.3 114.1 33.25 8.7 56.75 8.75 18.6 53 22.5 73 45 1.02 2.41 1,002 0.385 184 2,550 0.8

1.03 2.67 672 47.5 11.52 11.8 0.375 0.335 4.99 10.94 5.5 0.205 690 40.4 0.38 4.26 9.76 1.14 2.4 0.97 906 108 1.34 0.076

36 148.2 6.7 114.2 33.3 8.72 56.8 8.8 18.84 55.4 23 73.25 45.3 1.05 2.47 1,099 0.435 187.8 2,600 0.81

1.04 2.99 677 48.1 11.6 11.98 0.38 0.415 5 10.98 5.58 0.26 691 40.5 0.425 4.4 9.8 1.42 2.5 0.99 909.5 108.8 1.64 0.083

34.5 148.4 6.5 116 32.45 8.66 57.15 8.75 18.5 55.75 22.7 72.1 45 1.1 2.47 1,001 0.38 188 2,550 0.82

1.06 2.9 679 48.3 11.6 12 0.375 0.335 4.99 10.7 5.5 0.205 683 40.1 0.42 4.26 9.72 1.16 2.61 0.99 910 108 1.34 0.08

35 148.8 6.8 116.9 33.25 8.72 57.6 8.75 18.6 55.75 22.75 73.45 45.3 1.1 2.47 1,001 0.38 189.9 2,550 0.82

1.06 2.95 679 48.4 11.64 12 0.375 0.335 5 10.98 5.5 0.205 698 40.5 0.42 4.26 9.81 1.16 2.61 0.99 912.5 109 1.37 0.083

34 143.2 6.2 113.1 32.45 8.6 56.5 8.75 18.46 55.4 22.5 72.05 44.1 1.04 2.4 1,001 0.38 180 2,550 0.81

1.04 2.9 670 47.5 11.5 11.76 0.375 0.335 4.95 10.7 5.5 0.205 683 39.2 0.42 4.26 9.69 1.16 2.4 0.99 891 107.5 1.34 0.08

35 148 6.7 114.2 33.25 8.7 56.8 8.75 18.56 55.4 22.5 73 45.3 1.04 2.4 1,001 0.38 184 2,550 0.81

1.04 2.95 672 47.5 11.52 11.98 0.375 0.335 5 10.98 5.5 0.205 690 40.5 0.42 4.26 9.8 1.16 2.5 0.99 906 108 1.35 0.083

72,600 5,762,660 23,400 1,022,130 328,000 285,300 1,347,180 1,200 54,400 120 55,800 322,100 321,200 109,000 181,000 5 50,000 11,990 240 3,000

2,895,000 4,000 131,590 582,800 1,892,400 13,700 270,000 10,000 1,120,300 4,973,900 80,200 550,000 197,920 1,364,500 10,000 3,000 4,772,000 5,000 1,604,000 45,000 312,860 55,950 17,000 50,000

3,032,770 11,650 88,547,995 27,697,815 21,838,440 163,720 101,250 3,350 5,586,160 53,940,514 441,100 112,750 136,435,920 55,076,430 4,200 12,780 46,647,574 5,800 4,025,450 44,550 283,253,290 6,059,605 23,060 4,120

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.43 0.455 0.455 0.46 0.45 0.455 120,000 54,700 5.75 6 6 6.35 6 6.35 200 1,235 ANCHOR LAND AYALA LAND 34.1 34.15 33.7 34.15 33.45 34.15 4,074,600 138,413,215 AYALA LAND LOG 1.71 1.72 1.7 1.72 1.7 1.72 436,000 747,280 8.96 9.38 8.91 9.38 8.91 9.38 400 3,658 ALTUS PROP ARANETA PROP 1 1.04 1.07 1.07 1 1 2,458,000 2,495,110 33.4 33.45 33.15 33.5 33.05 33.45 1,155,300 38,492,675 AREIT RT 0.63 0.66 0.66 0.66 0.63 0.63 523,000 330,640 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.7 0.71 0.72 0.72 0.69 0.71 50,000 34,910 0.06 0.064 0.061 0.064 0.061 0.064 30,000 1,860 CROWN EQUITIES 2.63 2.64 2.63 2.64 2.63 2.63 140,000 369,230 CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP 0.265 0.28 0.27 0.28 0.26 0.265 2,610,000 693,250 CITICORE RT 2.69 2.7 2.7 2.71 2.69 2.7 1,635,000 4,410,240 7.6 7.62 7.59 7.69 7.59 7.6 58,400 444,476 DOUBLEDRAGON 1.22 1.23 1.21 1.23 1.21 1.22 670,000 818,190 DDMP RT DM WENCESLAO 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.7 5.6 5.6 11,900 67,390 0.126 0.128 0.127 0.129 0.127 0.129 920,000 117,610 EMPIRE EAST 0.27 0.285 0.28 0.285 0.27 0.27 600,000 166,250 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST RT 3.12 3.15 3.15 3.15 3.11 3.15 576,000 1,810,670 0.67 0.68 0.69 0.69 0.67 0.68 1,469,000 1,000,090 FILINVEST LAND 0.83 0.84 0.82 0.84 0.82 0.84 16,000 13,220 GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG 8.42 8.83 8.89 8.89 8.41 8.88 164,300 1,414,306 869.5 890 890 890 890 890 400 356,000 GOLDEN MV 0.465 0.485 0.495 0.495 0.46 0.465 160,000 74,100 PHIL INFRADEV CITY AND LAND 0.82 0.85 0.89 0.89 0.83 0.85 446,000 380,660 2 2.01 2 2.02 1.98 2 10,068,000 20,159,480 MEGAWORLD 1.27 1.31 1.32 1.34 1.25 1.31 867,000 1,110,160 MRC ALLIED MREIT RT 13.88 13.9 13.74 13.9 13.74 13.88 162,600 2,255,754 PHIL ESTATES 0.325 0.35 0.325 0.325 0.325 0.325 30,000 9,750 1.56 1.58 1.55 1.58 1.55 1.56 469,000 729,900 PREMIERE RT PRIMEX CORP 2.2 2.43 2.42 2.42 2.42 2.42 1,000 2,420 5.39 5.41 5.43 5.45 5.39 5.39 1,119,800 6,078,040 RL COMM RT 16.16 16.18 16.18 16.26 16.02 16.18 718,600 11,605,726 ROBINSONS LAND PHIL REALTY 0.15 0.165 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 2,000,000 300,000 1.38 1.41 1.4 1.41 1.4 1.41 657,000 926,230 ROCKWELL 3.9 3.95 3.98 3.98 3.85 3.95 272,000 1,062,620 SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND 3.35 3.5 3.45 3.5 3.45 3.5 110,000 380,000 34 34.05 34 34.4 33.9 34 6,791,300 231,177,675 SM PRIME HLDG 0.36 0.4 0.355 0.4 0.355 0.4 120,000 43,750 SOC RESOURCES VISTAMALLS 2.28 2.35 2.28 2.38 2.28 2.29 28,000 64,290 0.81 0.83 0.81 0.81 0.81 0.81 54,000 43,740 SUNTRUST RESORT 1.68 1.69 1.72 1.72 1.67 1.69 4,031,000 6,821,790 VISTA LAND 1.73 1.74 1.74 1.74 1.73 1.74 1,576,000 2,740,130 VISTAREIT RT SERVICES ABS CBN 4.2 4.3 4.31 4.36 4.2 4.2 213,000 908,270 8.88 8.89 8.9 8.9 8.88 8.89 216,500 1,925,263 GMA NETWORK GLOBE TELECOM 1,750 1,751 1,743 1,752 1,730 1,750 18,275 31,940,555 PLDT 1,290 1,291 1,277 1,290 1,276 1,290 28,895 37,211,800 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 149,100,000 2,078,800 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 9.48 9.51 9.55 9.57 9.46 9.51 6,171,300 58,674,906 DITO CME HLDG 2.5 2.51 2.56 2.57 2.48 2.51 4,104,000 10,341,530 0.82 0.98 1.11 1.11 0.97 0.98 20,000 20,980 JACKSTONES NOW CORP 1.14 1.15 1.14 1.16 1.11 1.15 605,000 685,200 0.121 0.124 0.125 0.125 0.121 0.124 1,390,000 171,600 TRANSPACIFIC BR 16.54 16.6 16.98 16.98 16.6 16.6 52,100 873,460 ASIAN TERMINALS CHELSEA 1.46 1.48 1.45 1.49 1.44 1.48 208,000 304,100 33.15 33.4 33 33.55 33 33.35 151,300 5,047,300 CEBU AIR 259.8 260 256.2 260.8 253.4 259.8 2,192,510 566,803,132 INTL CONTAINER 3.89 3.91 3.91 3.92 3.88 3.89 517,000 2,013,220 MACROASIA PAL HLDG 5.35 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.35 5.4 22,000 118,065 0.75 0.78 0.77 0.78 0.75 0.78 322,000 249,060 HARBOR STAR 1.8 1.89 1.78 1.78 1.78 1.78 77,000 137,060 ACESITE HOTEL BOULEVARD HLDG 0.062 0.064 0.061 0.063 0.061 0.063 2,910,000 179,730 1.13 1.19 1.12 1.19 1.12 1.19 39,000 43,750 DISCOVERY WORLD 0.38 0.41 0.355 0.42 0.355 0.4 1,320,000 522,900 WATERFRONT CENTRO ESCOLAR 8.4 8.81 8.4 8.8 8.4 8.8 30,100 264,154 565 568 568 568 568 568 30 17,040 FAR EASTERN U 0.55 0.56 0.55 0.56 0.54 0.55 1,866,000 1,025,040 STI HLDG BELLE CORP 1.15 1.18 1.18 1.18 1.15 1.18 429,000 504,530 11.28 11.3 11.3 11.36 11.16 11.3 4,150,600 46,928,908 BLOOMBERRY 4.11 4.12 4.06 4.11 4.03 4.11 460,000 1,860,860 PACIFIC ONLINE PH RESORTS GRP 0.84 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.84 0.85 331,000 281,240 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.68 3,268,000 2,223,270 7.6 7.62 7.62 7.62 7.46 7.6 5,666,600 42,869,573 DIGIPLUS PHILWEB 1.78 1.79 1.72 1.78 1.72 1.78 7,000 12,280 0.156 0.158 0.155 0.158 0.155 0.157 1,270,000 198,520 ALLDAY 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.15 1.1 1.14 4,357,000 4,887,710 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.29 1.31 1.29 1.31 1.29 1.31 62,000 80,170 PUREGOLD 27.7 28 27.8 28 27.55 27.7 2,394,500 66,406,240 36.6 36.7 35.8 37 35.4 36.6 476,800 17,391,355 ROBINSONS RTL SSI GROUP 2.91 2.93 2.71 2.99 2.71 2.91 4,414,000 12,678,130 UPSON INTL CORP 1.28 1.32 1.33 1.33 1.27 1.32 84,000 110,080 22.25 22.3 21.8 22.5 21.8 22.3 1,155,500 25,736,655 WILCON DEPOT APC GROUP 0.211 0.222 0.21 0.222 0.21 0.222 140,000 29,520 2.16 2.35 2.21 2.21 2.1 2.1 8,000 17,060 EASYCALL 0.31 0.325 0.31 0.325 0.31 0.325 1,310,000 413,600 MEDILINES 0.164 0.165 0.167 0.168 0.164 0.164 580,000 95,840 PRMIERE HORIZON SBS PHIL CORP 4.21 4.59 4.21 4.5 4.21 4.5 4,000 17,710 MINING & OIL ATOK 4.65 4.96 4.7 4.7 4.69 4.7 43,000 202,090 APEX MINING 2.88 2.89 2.86 2.89 2.86 2.89 1,799,000 5,169,740 ATLAS MINING 3.38 3.45 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 70,000 238,000 4.4 4.43 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.4 388,000 1,724,650 BENGUET A COAL ASIA HLDG 0.134 0.135 0.134 0.134 0.134 0.134 40,000 5,360 2.25 2.85 2.65 2.65 2.65 2.65 1,000 2,650 DIZON MINES 1.96 1.97 2 2 1.96 1.97 1,641,000 3,228,400 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.033 0.04 0.036 0.04 0.034 0.04 3,300,000 119,600 0.07 0.074 0.072 0.072 0.07 0.07 5,120,000 360,660 LEPANTO A 0.071 0.073 0.073 0.073 0.073 0.073 20,000 1,460 LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A 0.0041 0.0044 0.0041 0.0044 0.0041 0.0044 23,000,000 96,700 0.0042 0.0044 0.0043 0.0043 0.0042 0.0042 12,000,000 50,700 MANILA MINING B 0.81 0.83 0.84 0.85 0.82 0.82 857,000 708,150 MARCVENTURES 4.67 4.76 4.78 4.78 4.65 4.76 2,420,000 11,376,160 NICKEL ASIA ORNTL PENINSULA 0.64 0.65 0.64 0.65 0.64 0.65 24,000 15,590 3.09 3.1 3.11 3.12 3.1 3.1 131,000 406,590 PX MINING 0.0078 0.008 0.008 0.008 0.0079 0.0079 16,000,000 126,500 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.0079 0.0081 0.0079 0.0079 0.0079 0.0079 1,000,000 7,900 0.0076 0.0078 0.0078 0.0078 0.0078 0.0078 5,000,000 39,000 PHILODRILL 3.66 3.79 3.8 3.86 3.65 3.79 148,000 557,650 PXP ENERGY PREFFERED ACEN PREF A 1,052 1,100 1,080 1,100 1,080 1,100 2,735 2,984,600 1,071 1,077 1,077 1,078 1,075 1,075 520 559,560 ACEN PREF B BRN PREF A 97 98 98 98 97 97 510 49,480 33.2 34.95 33.2 33.3 33.2 33.2 1,200 39,890 CEB PREF 94 94.5 95 95 94.5 94.5 38,230 3,628,475 DD PREF EEI PREF A 92.05 98.2 98.2 98.2 98.2 98.2 110 10,802 96 98.7 96.1 98.7 96.1 98.7 10,010 961,987 EEI PREF B 952.5 979 952 979 952 979 770 734,390 GTCAP PREF B JFC PREF B 925 950 950 950 950 950 30 28,500 100.5 101.5 100.1 101.5 100.1 101.5 1,340 135,730 MWIDE PREF 5 228 235 235 235 235 235 30 7,050 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3B 996 1,000 995.5 995.5 995.5 995.5 90 89,595 980 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 50 50,500 PCOR PREF 4B 990 1,000 991 991 990 990 1,200 1,188,120 PCOR PREF 4C 72.5 72.8 72.5 72.8 72.3 72.8 14,930 1,082,400 SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I 72 72.45 72 72 72 72 2,500 180,000 70.05 72 70.05 70.05 70.05 70.05 4,400 308,220 SMC PREF 2J 71.05 72 71 71 71 71 43,500 3,088,500 SMC PREF 2K SMC PREF 2L 78 78.5 78 78 78 78 7,900 616,200 78.4 78.5 78.5 78.5 78.2 78.5 22,990 1,803,015 SMC PREF 2N 79.4 79.6 79.6 79.6 79.6 79.6 220 17,512 SMC PREF 2O TECH PREF B2D 49 49.8 48.8 49.5 48.8 49.5 9,900 485,520

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

-600 43,323,700 2,566,795 69,300 86,750 -615,200 -1,706,210 158,894 1,210 -440,730 114,610 8,000 2,329,550 1,009,364 31,140 -3,743,600 6,737,176 154,220 8,928,960 35,750 -309,960 5,992,370 7,695,260 -26,935,678 4,415,260 -518,578 45,225.00 67,938,420 195,080 -7,560 3,900 124,000 1,190 -19,758 -114,520 -29,250 -6,268,110 18,060 -61,880 848,810 -15,600 178,200 13,090 12,705,000 -3,850,125.00 3,678,010 6,600 12,975,910 354,100 238,000 -432,170 -4,776,120 650 6,200 2,973,750 -1,188,120 -

ABS HLDG PDR 4.01 4.18 4.01 4.01 4.01 4.01 1,000 4,010 8.55 8.6 8.8 8.8 8.6 8.6 200 1,740 GMA HLDG PDR

-880

TECH WARRANT

-5,000

WARRANTS

0.18

0.2

0.265

0.1

0.18

3,970,000

583,780

SMALL, MEDIUM & EMERGING

0.42 0.425 0.405 0.42 270,000 113,100 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72 85,000 61,200 0.97 1 0.94 0.95 202,000 193,850 0.63 0.69 0.63 0.69 137,000 91,830 15,120 0.067 0.067 0.06 0.06 150,000 9,070 1 1.01 0.98 1.01 2,076,000 2,065,540 49,000 0.255 0.265 0.245 0.265 1,430,000 356,400 -

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

106.5 106.6 106 106.4 32,870 3,495,044 -92,299

BALAI FRUITAS CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS LFM PROP MERRYMART XURPAS

FIRST METRO ETF

0.405 0.73 0.95 0.63 0.06 0.99 0.25

106.3

0.42 0.74 0.99 0.69 0.067 1.01 0.26 106.4

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

BOC’s Jan collection exceeds ₧71.779B

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced on Tuesday preliminary data points to revenue collection in January reaching P73.329 billion, exceeding its target for the first month of the year. According to the BOC, preliminary reports showed collections for January represents a surplus of 2.16 percent or P1.550 billion above the target collection of P71.779 billion. “The success in revenue collection during the first month of 2024 sets a positive precedent for the year ahead,” read a statement the BOC issued on February 6. As of January, the revenue collected by BOC grew by 3.88 percent year-on-year to P2.738 billion. The BOC attributed this increase to its “improved system of determining the customs value of imported goods, strengthened border protection, and concrete trade facilitation efforts.” “The BOC is geared up for intensified efforts in 2024,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio was quoted in the statement as saying. “We are committed to working twice as hard to ensure that we not only meet but exceed our year-end revenue target.” According to the BOC, the “success” in revenue collection during the first month of 2024 “sets a positive precedent for the year ahead, showcasing the dedication of the BOC in contributing to the economic prosperity of our nation.” Last year, the Bureau posted a record-breaking revenue collection of P883 billion, resulting in a surplus of P9.49 billion. The BOC also reported that it seized P43.295-billion worth of illegally imported and illicit goods through 980 operations last year. Its fuel marking program has also generated a value of P234.18 billion in duties and taxes marking 71.95 billion liters in 2023. In a news briefing earlier this year, Rubio said the BOC aims for P1 trillion in earnings in 2024, higher by 15 percent to 20 percent than the collections last year. Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto told the BOC to channel all its efforts towards significantly enhancing trade facilitation and strengthening border control to curb smuggling. (See: https:// businessmirror.com. ph/2024/01/25/dof-notrushing-new-taxes-amidp4-3-trillion-goal/) Rubio said the Bureau will enhance its Enhanced Value Reference Information System (e-VRIS), which determines whether the declared value made by the importer represents the transaction value when sold for export to the Philippines, to improve its collection efficiency. He added that the BOC will strengthen its border control by engaging and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to protect the goods passing through the ports as well as streamlining its processes through digitalization. The BOC posted a 96.99 percent digitalization rate of its customs processes as of January 2024. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Wednesday, February 7, 2023

Food prices seen to improve this year

S the inflation rate decelerated to 2.8 percent in January, an economist-lawmaker expressed optimism about the economic outlook for the year, saying this year’s food prices would likely be an improvement over 2023, with positive implications for economic growth and real wages.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said last Tuesday that “2024 starts on the right note.” “Generally, I expect food prices to improve in 2024; although some upside risks remain,” he added. However, one key observation is the continued divergence between the rice and corn sectors, Salceda said, emphasizing the importance of domestic price competitiveness. According to the solon, corn prices

actually became cheaper year-on-year, by 4.3 percent, which also dragged down meat prices by 0.7 percent. “Domestic corn has historically shown its potential, which is why the DA’s ongoing and significant investments in corn processing systems are a significant step in the right direction,” Salceda said. The lawmaker said the stabilization of onion prices, coupled with the vegetable harvest season, led to an impressive 20.8 percent overall decrease

in vegetable prices. “In other words, without the global rice price situation, which was a completely external shock, overall inflation would have been extremely low for January,” he said. Another significant concern raised by Salceda is the rapid rise in alcohol and tobacco prices, particularly tobacco, which experienced a notable 9.8 percent year-on-year increase. “That price movement will accelerate the shift to electronic cigarettes. Tobacco revenues have already declined by as much as P76 billion versus baseline since 2021, in large part due to this shift,” he said. Salceda urged the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to consider including electronic cigarettes in their basket of goods to accurately reflect changing consumer preferences and facilitate effective policymaking. Also, he said the persistent rise in sugar prices has temporarily halted, with potential implications for the February 2024 figures in the

NG fully rejects bids for 5-yr T-bonds

HE national government fully rejected bids for its reissued 5-year Treasury bond (T-bond) on Tuesday’s auction and, hence, failed to raise P30 billion in funds. The total bids amounting to P53.426 billion was lower compared to the P74.329 billion in the previous T-bond auction on January 9 this year. The average rate for the reissued Tbonds would have been 6.219 percent had the committee approved the bids. “With a remaining term of 4 years and 11 months, the average rate for the reissued T-bonds reached 6.219 percent had it been awarded,” the Treasury said in a statement after the auction. With the full rejection by the Auction Committee last Wednesday, the BTr said the total outstanding volume for the series still stands at P30 billion. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael

L. Ricafort believes the bids for the government securities auction were rejected due to higher bid yields. Ricafort pointed to the comparable 5-year PHP BVAL yield at 6.09 percent as of February 5, 2024. “The flexibility to reject higher bid yields would have been due to the upcoming Retail Treasury Bond (RTB) in [the first quarter of 2024] in view of large P700 billion RTBs maturing by early March 2024,” the economist said. The RCBC executive added the latest easing headline inflation trend would also support lower borrowing costs for the government in the coming weeks or months, especially if the US Federal Reserve starts cutting rates later in 2024. Ricafort said this could be matched locally if inflation is well anchored within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s inflation target of 2 to 4 percent for the coming months.

The last time the Auction Committee fully rejected offers for the 5-year T-bond auction was in October 31 last year. Based on the Treasury’s data, all bids totaling P26.9 billion for the reissued T-bonds with a remaining term of five years and two months were rejected as the average rate touched 7.196 percent, well above the rates at the secondary market. The next auction for T-bonds is on February 13 with a 7-year tenor and a value of P30 billion, according to the Treasury. This month, the national government plans to borrow as much as P150 billion from the tender of T-bonds. The programmed amount is P30 billion higher than the P120 billion targeted amount last month. The Treasury, in its auctions this year, has also yet to make a partial award or mixed award. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

Mobile app payment operator’s new feature to allow cash transfer from PHL

OBILE app payment operator Tang App Philippines Inc. (Tapi) announced plans to roll out an app feature that would allow Philippine-based account holders to send money to people in the United States. In a news briefing, Tapi Founder and CEO Rebecca Kersch said the service will enable parents who send their kids to college or friends who ask friends for “pasabuy” requests before they travel home to the Philippines. Kersch said paying someone in the US “is now as easy as texting; there’s no need to go to a bank or remittance center.” She added that the sender and the receiver must have the “Tanggapp” mobile application installed on their phones connected with their local banks, namely Bank of the Philippine Islands, Union Bank of the Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and China Banking Corp. To note, while Tapi claims to be “a Remittance Agent licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on its web site (https://www.tanggapp.com/ph-terms-of-service#: :text=We percent20will percent20charge percent20a percent20Transfer,when percent20you percent20authorize percent20a percent20Transfer), it is not listed in the list of the central bank for either BSP-Registered Money Service Business (MSBs) or BSP Registered Operator of Payment System (OPS). According to the firm, it raised about $2.5 million last year in seed round funding, which was led by consumer technology venture capital funds. The company claims total funds raised to date to $4 million. Kerech attributed exponential organic growth in their mobile remittance product despite being in the market for only two years. She pointed out that users “clearly love our product.” On average, the company boasts a 48-percent repeat usage rate, which is more than triple the financial-technology industry benchmark. Customers in the Philippines are able to connect most local banks and e-wallets for seamless transacting, covering more than 90 percent of the country’s local adult population, according to Tapi. As a result, we have already seen hundreds of millions of Philippine pesos go through tje app, Kersch said. The traction has mostly been organic, showing the market’s hunger for a fast, easy, safe and convenient way to send money abroad, she added. Kersch recalled she saw a problem in the market and

ready-made food and non-alcoholic beverages sector. Looking forward, Salceda identified potential upside risks for 2024, including the stabilization of rice prices after the May 2024 Indian elections. He attributed India’s decision to ban non-basmati rice imports to political motivations aimed at lowering market prices ahead of the elections. “The rice price situation could begin stabilizing after May 2024, when the Indian elections take place. India’s decision to ban nonbasmati rice imports is essentially a political one, rooted in the desire to lower Indian market prices in time for the elections. Prices in India are particularly exacerbated by the substitution with wheat, which is an equally important part of the Indian diet,” Salceda said. However, uncertainties related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and ongoing attacks on international shipping by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea pose additional challenges, po-

Collaboration of business and judicial sectors

HE long-awaited Justice Summit 2024 reeled off last week at the Makati Diamond Residences with the theme of “Freedom through Justice Reforms.” A joint project of the Supreme Court and the Judicial Reform Initiative (JRI), the conference highlighted business perspectives on the rule of law and access to justice. The JRI is an umbrella organization consisting of major business associations, judicial advocacy groups and foreign chambers of commerce that promote the advancement of the rule of law, socioeconomic justice, global competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. It is currently headed by Francisco Ed. Lim as chairman and Jose Jerome R. Pascual III as president, both of whom are past presidents of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), a JRI memberassociation. In his keynote speech, Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo discussed the judiciary’s role in nation-building and its ongoing initiatives under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 crafted by the highest court in the land. He expressed satisfaction over the JRI survey results showing a high public perception of the judiciary’s integrity. Such collaborations between the government and the business community have been institutionalized through the recent enactment of Republic Act (RA) 11988, otherwise known as the Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines. This will speed up the implementation of PPP projects in the country while promoting the rule of law as a foundational element for business development and investments.

Economic impact of trade controls

Tang App Philippines Inc. (Tapi) Founder and CEO Rebecca Kersch speaks during a news briefing it hosted. Story and photo by Rizal Raoul Reyes

sought to solve it. She said she is “on a path to make remittances a simpler daily occurrence by providing an easy and affordable way to send money from the US to the Philippines, and now, from the Philippines to the US.” “We believe that digital mobile payment services can improve, starting with this offering to fellow Filipinos,” she said. Kersch said she and her 15-person fully-remote team differentiates by charging no transfer fees and has low $5 minimums. However, the Terms and Conditions on its website cites a fee of “3 percent of the amount of the transfer sent from the US [and] 6.3 percent of the amount of the transfer sent from the Philippines. The fee is subject to change.” Kersch said the firm’s vision is “to democratize access to payments and to improve the lives of migrants and the unbanked globally through innovative financial inclusion.” “The team is constantly analyzing pain points for their fellow Filipinos abroad and their families back home, and will continue to build new fe atures to address those needs,” she added.

tentially impacting logistics costs. Salceda also stressed the need to significantly increase domestic rice production, highlighting that only about a third of arable land is currently irrigated. “We have only planted some 0.6 million hectares with hybrid seeds, out of a target of 1.9 million, with a total of 4.8 million hectares for the palay sector. Completing the target hybrid acreage will improve rice self-sufficiency from 77 percent to a healthy 90 percent, making us less susceptible to global rice price shocks,” he said. Salceda also underscored the importance of sustaining investments in corn production, given its critical role in supporting fisheries and livestock. “2024 food prices will likely be better than 2023, which will have positive effects on economic growth and on real wages. The Department of Agriculture, under Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, will be of supreme importance this year,” he added. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

IN stark contrast, the World Health Organization has alienated certain countries and industries through its tactics in compelling compliance with its regulations. Case in point is Indonesia, which has not ratified the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control governed by the Conference of the Parties (COP) composed of country representatives. The Indonesian government specifically cited the negative impact of FCTC adoption on the country’s gross domestic product per capita. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said the international community should understand that there are millions of farmers and workers who rely on the tobacco industry for their livelihood. He sees no need to follow other countries that have signed the FCTC since Indonesia has its own policies regarding health and cigarette consumption. A non-government organization (NGO) called the Global Alliance on Tobacco Control (GATC) styles itself as the leading FCTC watchdog. The selfappointed global arbiter of public health policies is only holding an observer status in the COP, but if a member-country

Finex free enterprise Joseph Araneta Gamboa does not follow the WHO’s agenda, it is given a Dirty Ashtray Award by GATC. Eight-time recipient Japan has been the most-awarded country in this hall of shame so far. This, despite achieving significant strides in reducing the prevalence of smoking from 82.3 percent in 1965 to 27.8 percent in 2018 among Japanese men over 20 years and from 16.5 percent to 8.7 percent during the same period for Japanese women in the same age range. Studies have shown that lower cigarette sales in Japan correspond to the introduction of heated tobacco products that many smokers have switched to. Yet the dramatic drop in Japan’s smoking rate has garnered those dubious awards from GATC. As the first Asian country to pass a law that separately treats combustible tobacco products from smoke-free alternatives, the Philippines has reduced its smoking rate from 23.5 percent in 2001 to 19.5 percent in 2021. In spite of its efforts to lower the prevalence of smoking, our country has become a four-peat Dirty Ashtray awardee. Unlike the WHO which has gotten so much flak due to its mishandling of the Wuhan outbreak that caused the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippines is not a laggard when it comes to using proven scientific consensus in formulating public health policies. In fact, RA 11900 or the Vape Regulation Act of 2022 is a landmark legislation that has been lauded worldwide by health experts and consumer groups for recognizing that innovative smoke-free products bring less harm to smokers than cigarettes. Why then is the WHO allowing an NGO with zero accountability to serve as its attack dog in passing judgment on a nation’s policies? By shaming countries that have, in fact, implemented FCTC’s harm reduction strategies, GATC has taken the cancel culture to a different level. At stake are the sovereignty of nations and the independence of their policy-making process. Instead of creating divisiveness, organizations such as the WHO and GATC should follow the collaborative approach taken by the Supreme Court of the Philippines and various business groups in crafting policies and programs that redound to the benefit of all parties concerned.

Joseph Gamboa is the vice-chair of the Finex Ethics Committee and director of Noble Asia Industrial Corp. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions and the BusinessMirror. #FinexPhils www.finex.org.ph.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘Argylle,’ with checkered reviews, flops with $18M for the big-budget Apple release

The $200-million star-studded spy thriller from Apple Studios, Argylle debuted with a paltry $18 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. AP

starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell and Henry Cavill. The movie was badly dinged by critics, who gave it a Rotten Tomatoes score of 35 percent “fresh.” Ticket buyers also gave it a thumbs down, with a C+ CinemaScore. Apple has paired with traditional studios for each of those releases. Universal Pictures handled the rollout of Argylle, which opened in 3,605 North American venues and took in an additional $17.3 million in 78 international markets. Paramount handled Killers of the Flower Moon, while Sony steered Napoleon. Argylle, with Kingsman director Vaughn at the helm, was made with aspirations of starting a new franchise. But one of its biggest talking points ahead of its release was conjecture that Taylor Swift might have been involved with the movie thanks to the prominent presence of argyle patterns and a cat in the promotional materials. Despite plenty of online discussion, Swift had no involvement in the film. Second place on the weekend went to the Christian drama series The Chosen. The first three episodes of the fourth season of the series, which dramatizes the life of Jesus, played in 2,263 theaters. The Angel Studios release grossed $6 million Friday through Sunday. On another quiet weekend in cinemas, the rest of ticket sales went mainly to holdovers and awards contenders. Warner Bros.’ Wonka, in its eighth week, crossed $200 million domestically. After four weeks in theaters, Paramount’s Mean Girls crossed $100 million. The Beekeeper, from the Amazon MGM, neared $50 million in its fourth week. Although many Oscar contenders hit theaters months ago, the top choices of those in theaters remain Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction ($15 million thus far for MGM), starring Jeffrey Wright, and Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things ($28.2 million, plus $40.1 million overseas), starring Emma Stone. Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore.

By Jake Coyle

The Associated Press

EW YORK (AP) — Apple has had its first box office flop. Argylle, the $200-million starstudded spy thriller from Apple Studios, debuted with $18 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The film, directed by Matthew Vaughn, managed to lead the weekend box office, but still found little interest from moviegoers. Although Apple has been in the original film business since 2019 and won the Oscar for best picture with 2021’s CODA, the company has only recently produced its own lineup of big-budget releases. The first two—Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon—could be called successful. Killers of the Flower Moon, though not profitable with $156 million in global sales, was one of the

1. “Argylle,” $18 million. 2. “The Chosen,” $6 million. 3. “The Beekeeper,” $5.3 million. 4. “Wonka,” $4.8 million. 5. “Migration,” $4.1 million. 6. “Mean Girls,” $4 million. 7. “Anyone But You,” $3.5 million. 8. “American Fiction,” $2.3 million. 9. “Poor Things,” $2.1 million. 10. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” $2 million.

most celebrated films of 2023 and is nominated for 10 Academy Awards. “Napoleon,” released in November, has raked in $219 million worldwide— also not enough to turn a profit. But both films raised Apple’s reputation as a home to top directors and prestige filmmaking. The same can’t be said for Argylle, a twisty thriller their daughter to be the wife or partner of someone who has a lot of money and this finally happened.

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE

FATHER DOESN’T KNOW BEST

PEOPLE have always wondered why this young celebrity’s videos are so sexy and how her parents could allow it. It turns out that the celebrity’s father directs the videos, which many have deemed inappropriate as they started being uploaded online when the celebrity was still a minor. The videos aren’t just sexy-themed. In them, the young celebrity is seen in outfits that aren’t age-appropriate. The celebrity is now rumored to be the girlfriend of an old politician and people are wondering, if this true, why her parents are allowing it. If rumors are true, the parents allegedly wished this would happen. They wanted

THE actress has been married to this rich and powerful person for a while now and their marriage isn’t perfect but it has endured. We heard that the couple will renew their vows soon and in the grandest fashion possible, as befits their status in life. As the actress is a fashionista, she will wear a fabulous gown that was conceptualized one year ago. Yes, it’s taken the designer a year to create the gown. Other details of the renewal of vows are private for now but sources close to the couple say it will be an event that no one will forget. One more thing that will make it memorable is the possible presence of another personality who was once not in good terms with the actress.

MONEY IS THE ROOT OF EVIL

IS it true that the engagement of the actress and her beau is now broken and that the cause of the break-up is money? The actress reportedly wanted a big wedding, which she is willing to pay for. But the beau wanted something simpler, not necessarily simple because he knows the girl he’s marrying is

someone who is a big star. The fight reportedly started when the actress wanted more guests and her beau objected. The guy hoped that he could shoulder all the expenses for the wedding but the actress didn’t mind spending for the wedding of her dreams too. In the end, the beau got offended by the actress’ suggestion that she could pitch in with the finances for the wedding. At first, it was just a typical fight but the couple never were on the same page regarding the issue and they decided to split.

NO SECOND CHANCE

THE socialite found love again after a failed marriage but, alas, it was not meant to be. What the socialite thought was true love turned out to be a nightmare that included fraud and deception. The socialite is well loved in her circles and people genuinely feel bad that she had been subjected to all this heartache. First, her marriage failed because of infidelity. Then, the person who she thought was her savior failed her when a web of lies was revealed. The socialite’s new love turned out to be deceitful. That person even gave the socialite supposedly expensive stuff that all turned out to be fake. All along, the person just wanted to be with the socialite for her money and connections. And that was the end of that.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ashton Kutcher, 46; Chris Rock, 59; Garth Brooks, 62; James Spader, 64. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Gather facts and gauge the possibilities this year. A secretive approach will keep interference at bay. Clear vision is necessary to avoid an oversight. Knowledge and balance are essential if you plan to reach your goal. Set standards, recognize what’s possible and don’t be afraid to do things in unison. Distance yourself from those who dominate your time and talent. Your lucky numbers are 3, 14, 25, 31, 34, 36, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Size up what’s happening around you, and make decisions that don’t conflict with your beliefs or goals. Be true to yourself; you won’t regret the outcome. Let go of what’s no longer working for you and head in a new and exciting direction. HH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Connect with someone you find inspiring, join a group or start a project that motivates you to impact your life positively. Make what you do or pursue count, and let your actions be what onlookers remember. Choose action over rhetoric. HHHHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s prep time. Work behind the scenes to develop a foolproof plan that offers you the confidence necessary to achieve your goal. Share only what’s needed, and you’ll deter someone from interfering with your plans or stealing your ideas. Protect what’s yours and fulfill your duties. HHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You can partner mentally, emotionally and physically, but don’t get involved in a joint financial venture. Keep your money separate and your debt low. Put your energy into discovering new applications for something you want to pursue. Romance is in the stars. HHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Set guidelines and stick to them. Veering too far off course will turn into a costly affair. An associate will be eager to make you look bad. Don’t trust anyone with sensitive information. Keep a low profile and a high work ethic, and finish what you start. HHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t dismiss what others do or say. Utilize your skills when it’s time to follow through. Changing your pace and place will motivate you to do the work yourself. Don’t underestimate your skills, financial situation or associates. Attend a networking event. HHHHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll be pulled in different directions if you let too many outside influences confront you. Don’t trust what others tell you; embark on a mission to discover the statistics before you engage in a debate. Preparation and proof will ensure success. Leave nothing to chance. HH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Familiarize yourself with the rules before engaging in something mentally challenging. Fulfill promises swiftly; your profile will stand out, leading to more significant opportunities. An unexpected proposal will change how you proceed. Be responsive. HHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Coast along, be observant and educate yourself regarding investments and money matters. Don’t boast about what you’ve accumulated; someone will take it as an invitation to take advantage of you. Move forward humbly and with reservations when dealing with smooth operators. Protect your interests. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You can improve your surroundings without spending by selling off items that have become dust collectors and paying off some debt. Use your resources to turn a profit and to encourage personal growth and positive lifestyle changes. Romance is favored. HHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Remain grounded, regardless of what others say. You have more leverage than you realize, but nothing will happen if you don’t concentrate on putting your skills to good use. Trust your instincts and put in the time, and something positive will transpire. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Embrace an opportunity that encourages using your resources uniquely. Let your mind wander, and reach out to people in the know who can point you in a direction that sparks your imagination and encourages you to use your skills to raise your standard of living. HHHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are demonstrative, eager and a humanitarian. You are unique and curious.

‘side by side’ BY SUSAN GELFAND

The Universal Crossword • Edited by David Steinberg/Anna Gundlach/Jared Goudsmit ACROSS 1 Intended 6 Japanese consumer electronics brand 10 Wine holders 14 It points the way 15 What could aptly be used on a golf shirt 16 Soon, poetically 17 Occupation 19 Dot in the ocean 20 Mountains dividing Asia and Europe 21 Blender spinner 22 Facial crease 25 Cow call 27 Tasseled topper 28 One of 100 in D.C. 29 Lantern lighter 31 Esau’s twin 34 Infuriate 35 They never meet ... or what 17-, 22-, 48- and 56-Across are? 39 Horse’s headgear 40 Beaten by a hair 42 Something to sleep on

45 Former GM line 46 Put the finishing touches on, as a cake 47 For us 48 Water-skier’s necessity 52 Animal in a flock 54 English county 55 Hefty book 56 Genealogy 61 Film spool 62 Nerve fiber 63 “Dead to Me” actress Cardellini 64 Casino calculation 65 Asks for a dog treat 66 Bakery elevator? DOWN 1 Cartographer’s chart 2 Goof 3 Not prone to crushes, briefly 4 Quite a drag 5 Dance like Miley Cyrus 6 High-traffic area in a theater 7 It surrounds a pupil 8 Try to win over 9 ___ Arbor 10 Monopoly corner

11 Hazardous 12 Like some retrievers 13 Ragweed reaction 18 Name hidden in “tags along” 21 ___-woogie 22 Financial daily, for short 23 Gather, as crops 24 Ancient Peruvian 25 Haggard of country music 26 Like some histories 29 Prepared to propose 30 Email button 32 Spheres 33 Go from pub to pub 34 Respected figure 36 Stead 37 Pop-up breakfast brand 38 Leak slowly 41 Buck’s mate 42 Small restaurant 43 Reverberated 44 Judged to be 48 Dilutes 49 Word after “essential” or “vegetable” 50 In a sardonic way

51 Lace up again 53 Slippery swimmers 54 Urban haze 56 Super-duper 57 Hatchet, for one 58 Genetic messenger 59 Magazine VIPs 60 Have some food

Solution to today’s puzzle:

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Image BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Staying motivated PHOTO BY CHRISTINA @ WOCINTECHCHAT. COM ON UNSPLASH

T is easy to get excited at the start of a project at work or a new path in your life, especially if it is something that you really want to accomplish. But once the excitement has died down, there will be times when you will lose that inner spark that helps keep you motivated. When that happens, how do you push yourself to accomplish your goal? The first thing you need to do is to ensure your goals are SMART, which stands for goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. You need to know what you really want to achieve and a means to measure whether you have achieved your goal. It has to be realistic and something that would enhance your development as a person and as a member of a team. If your goal is not SMART, it becomes harder for you to formulate contingency plans when your original plan goes awry. When a goal is not specific, it becomes harder to know if you have achieved it. If it is not measurable, it becomes harder to identify whether you are closer to achieving your goal or farther from it. Knowing that you are getting closer to your goal helps you stay motivated because you can see that what you are doing is helping you get closer to your goal. You can also use it to identify those things that do not help you move closer to your goal and remove them from your activities. Once you have decided on a goal, it will become easier for you to visualize and plan how to achieve it. At the onset, your motivation is high because you have established a vision that you can achieve at a given time. The problem lies in staying motivated until your goals become a reality. Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve helps you plan and creatively think of solutions to overcome the hindrances to your goal. To help keep track of your progress, you can break down your plan into a roadmap with manageable milestones so that you can take rests in between. Milestones help you fine-tune and check if you are still headed in the right direction. Goals can sometimes take too long to achieve but if you have a roadmap, you can visually see where you are relative to your goal, and milestones provide the visual cue to where you are and what you still need to do. Knowing your progress can spur you to complete the others. There will also come a time when you will feel demotivated and think that you might fail. When this happens, think of the consequences if you do. Remember the reasons why you want to achieve your goal in the first place so you can keep pushing yourself to take one step at a time. Remind yourself of how excited you were in

visualizing your goal and the reasons why you wanted to pursue it in the first place. Sometimes, thinking of failure can help drive you to succeed, especially if you realize that pursuing the goal and failing is better than not doing anything at all. You also need to understand that you cannot be 100 percent motivated all the time. There will be days when the best that you can do is 30 percent, and that is okay. Any progress, however small, is still progress. You just need to do the best you can for today and try to be better tomorrow. If you are feeling down because you have not accomplished what was set for today, use that as motivation to push yourself further the following day. Just make sure that you are still headed in the direction of your goals. Remember that you will only fail if you stop trying and reaching for your goals. Other people’s goals can also get in the way of achieving your own goals. If you keep listening to what other people have to say, you will find

yourself adjusting your plan to the point that you completely lose sight of your own goal. That is why it is important to understand your reasons for pursuing your goal because they will be your guideposts in knowing if you are still headed in the right direction. There will be people who will criticize and ridicule what you are doing but do not let their voices silence your goals. Stay focused by reminding yourself of where you want to be. One of the most common pitfalls in achieving your goal is procrastination. You need to understand that there will be tasks that are not as exciting as others. In this instance, just do the task even if it takes longer than necessary. If you want to make it more exciting, think of other ways to make it fun and less stressful. You can also give yourself a small reward for tasks that are done well. The reward does not have to be extravagant, but something you will enjoy after completing the

task. Be creative in doing your tasks and motivate yourself with a small reward to stay the course. Also, remember that setbacks are reminders that you have become off-tangent from your goal. When this happens, remember to change the means of achieving your goal, not the goal itself. Just like the boat that wants to reach the port, it recalibrates and changes its direction so that it can reach its destination. Similarly, when you find yourself off-course, change your direction and perspective, not your goals. Staying motivated is a balance of knowing where you want to be, planning carefully how to get there, and using critical thinking skills to overcome issues and problems. If you want to remain motivated, you need to understand that achieving your goal might mean discovering new paths and getting to know new people in order to get there. And who knows, you just might discover new trails for others to follow.

Breaking down fat byproducts could lead to healthier aging By Eyleen Jorgelina O’Rourke University of Virginia

THE journey of aging brings with it an unavoidable reality for many: an increased accumulation of body fat. Though much of society seems mostly focused on the aesthetics of being overweight, doctors look past any cosmetic concerns to focus on the health implications of fat byproducts in the body. Fatty acids are one of the molecular building blocks that make up fats. Though essential for various bodily functions, excessive amounts of fatty acids in the body can be harmful, shortening a person’s health span and life span by increasing their risk of chronic disease, disrupting metabolic processes and promoting inflammation. Fatty acids are routinely checked during medical examinations, such as blood tests measuring your lipid profile. But clinicians and researchers often overlook the other key component of fat despite its potentially harmful effects: glycerol, a compound that links fatty acids

to make a fat molecule. Both of these fat byproducts disrupt cellular and organ function, mirroring the effects of aging. In fact, researchers are increasingly seeing obesity as a catalyst for accelerated aging. The role that fats play in aging is one of the focuses of my work as a genomicist and biochemist. My research team and I wondered whether reducing harmful fat byproducts might help slow the aging process and consequently stave off common diseases.

Breaking down fat byproducts

IN studying ways to extend the life span and improving the health at late age of lab animals, my colleagues and I saw a consistent pattern: All the anti-aging interventions we tested led to reduced glycerol levels. For instance, when placed on a calorie-restricted diet, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans lives about 40% longer. We found that the glycerol levels in the body of these long-lived worms were lower than in shorter-lived worms that were not food restricted. Calorie restriction also heightened the activity of an enzyme responsible for breaking down

glycerol, ADH-1, in their intestine and muscles. We saw similar high ADH-1 activity levels in people undergoing dietary restriction or treated with an anti-aging drug called rapamycin. This finding suggests there may be a common mechanism underlying healthy aging across species, with ADH-1 at its core. We hypothesized that elevated ADH-1 activity promotes health in old age by decreasing harmful levels of glycerol. Supporting this hypothesis were two critical observations. First, we found that adding glycerol to the diet of worms shortened their life span by 30%. By contrast, animals genetically modified to boost levels of the glycerol-busting enzyme ADH-1 had low glycerol levels and remained lean and healthy with longer lives, even on unrestricted diets. The simple molecular structure and wealth of research on ADH-1 make it an attractive target for developing drugs that boost its activity. My lab’s long-term goal is to explore how compounds that activate ADH-1 affect the health and longevity of both mice and people.

A long-lived society

ANTI-AGING research generates both excitement and debate. On the one hand, the benefits of healthy aging are clear. On the other hand, extending life span through healthier aging will likely introduce new societal challenges. If life spans extending to 120 years become the norm, social structures, including retirement ages and economic models, will need to evolve to accommodate an aging population. Legal and social frameworks regarding the elderly and family care may need revision. The sandwich generation, those with children and living parents and grandparents, might find themselves caring for even more generations simultaneously. Longer lives will require society to rethink and reshape how we integrate and support an increasingly older population in our communities. Whether through ADH-1 or dietary adjustments, the quest for the solution to healthy aging is not just a medical journey but a societal one. THE CONVERSATION

Young designers highlight local Filipino artistry in innovative furniture

SYLVA by Precious Entienza and Mika Hilaga

INTERIOR Design students recently launched a week-long exhibition of functional chairs, coffee and console tables that utilized different materials at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay. With the exhibit titled Likhayan: Creatives Supporting Creatives, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) students crafted pieces of furniture inspired by other Filipino artists. The trailblazers gained the opportunity to present their inventions and immerse in real-life experiential learning. A roster of specialists screened the participants’ entries for the Professional’s Choice Award based on compliance with the application of anthropometrics and ergonomics standards, medium selection, workmanship, and concept translation. The Alon: Papasan Chair by Abyr Baculi and Phoebe Burce was hailed as the Grand Prize

winner. Motivated by painter Justin Velasquez’s Vitamin Sea: Sculpture 16, the sustainable seating composition made of rattan, resin, lazio fabric and acacia wood provided relaxation while harnessing the beauty of the ocean. Summit’s Body by Andrea Lopez and Tiffany Lam finished second place. It encompassed the images of photographer Ara Custodio’s themes, such as cycling and everyday life. It used rattan to form the legs that depicted a female body’s curves, while the side parts outlined the wheels of a bike, and a circular glass top represented the camera lens. Daloy, a table stand by Sharilee Encarnacion and Vannah Diestro, landed third. It captured ideas from ceramic maker Rosa Mirasol’s unique pottery shapes. It incorporated gmelina wood for the tabletop and base, and metal woven wire mesh for the veil around the sides. The panel of specialists was comprised of Interior

Design Program Chairperson IDr. Katherine Correa, IDr. Mark Joseph Madolaria, IDr. Gregorio Saliba, IDr. Charlene Valondo, and Ar. Laredo Carandang. Some models, which appealed the most votes from guests, also received the People’s Choice Award. Ashley Alcantara and Klara Reyes’ The Vessel Lounge Chair, which captivated the unconventional pottery of artisan EJ Espiritu, was named first in the recognition. It presents a sleek wooden arched backrest and storage beneath the seat. Sylva by Precious Entienza and Mika Hilaga came second. Influenced by visual originator Leeroy New’s biometric forms, it intertwined reclaimed wood base and recycled polyester for efficiency and comfort. All the students were mentored by educators IDr. Regina Viola Cello-Caboborac, IDr. Justa Lardizabal, IDr. Khammile Manansala, IDr. Angie Lou Padernilla, and IDr. Ed Chelsea Rimando.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

www.businessmirror.com.ph

MGREEN AWARDS EPC CONTRACT FOR SOLAR

PROJECTS IN ISABELA AND NUEVA ECIJA

IN the photo are, from left, MGen Expanding Markets Division Head Dan Neil, MGen COO Dominic Camu, MGen President and CEO Jaime Azurin, SUMEC Senior Director Dr. Ye Je, and SUMEC Senior Marketing and Sales Director Lennon Zong during the ceremonial signing of EPC contract.

Gen Renewable Energy, Inc. (MGreen), the renewable energy arm of Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen), recently signed the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts for its solar power plant projects in Cordon, Isabela and Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. MGreen awarded the contracts to SUMEC Complete Equipment and Engineering Co. Ltd. and held a ceremonial signing ceremony last January 24, 2024, at its office in Ortigas, Pasig City. The EPC contracts are for the construction of the two MGreen pipeline projects: the 49 MWac solar plant in Cordon, Isabela, and the 18.75 MWac solar plant in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija—both of which are among the winning bidders in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) second round of Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP). These projects signify a strategic move by MGreen to expand

its solar power capacity and contribute significantly to the nation’s renewable energy aspirations. The target commercial operation schedule for the two solar plants is set on the first quarter of 2025. MGen Expanding Markets Division Head Dan Neil said, “As we move forward on this journey, the real hard work begins, the day-to-day dedication to ensuring the timely completion of these projects. We encourage the team to bring forth the same level of hard work and collaborative spirit to effectively address any challenges that may arise along the way.” “SUMEC will be our strategic partner as we embark on the transformative journey towards realizing our vision of becoming a company at the forefront of renewable energy utilization.” “We hope that with the cooperation of SUMEC, we’ll be able to deliver the project on time, on schedule, and within

budget,” MGen President and CEO Jaime Azurin stated. In response to Neil and Azurin’s messages, SUMEC’s Senior Marketing and Sales Director Lennon Zong mentioned that MGen is one of their most valuable clients and that they would ensure the timely completion of the said projects. Also present at the event were MGen Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dominic Camu and SUMEC Senior Director Dr. Ye Je. MGreen currently has three operating solar plants: the PowerSource First Bulacan Solar Inc.’s (PFBSI) 55 MWac solar plant in San Miguel, Bulacan in partnership with PowerSource Energy Holdings Corporation; the Nuevo Solar Energy Corp.’s (NSEC) 68 MWac solar farm in Currimao, Ilocos Norte with Vena Energy’s Pasuquin Energy Holdings Inc., and the PH Renewables, Inc.’s (PHRI) 75 MWac solar farm in Baras, Rizal with Mitsui & Co.’s MitRenewables Power Corporation.

Newest ‘Mad Café’ franchise has its ‘blessings’ in Quezon City

T’S the latest café and restaurant franchise to hit the town—the Mad Café branch that had its blessing on January 27, 2024 at SM Araneta City in Quezon City. Franchise owner or franchisee, Anna Donita Tapay proudly boasts of their branch specialties: Kare-kare, Steak and Sisig. The store is her latest business acquisition. The entity’s other highlights include the establishment’s unique business model, its unique themes, great food and providing spaces perfect for families. The business is the first home-grown café to successfully implement uniqueness in many aspects. Soon more branches will open in Cebu and in Mindanao. Mad Cafe’ is a business concept that offers a hassle-free business dedicated to the craft. Its team is very hands-on in

running all franchises. A short program for the blessing was held and hosted by Ferdinand “Principe Makata” Clemente. They also serve exclusive drinks for each branch. In this newest franchise, it offers cinnamon dolce latte, matcha espresso and oreo espresso, among others. For dessert, they have churro waffles, mango French toast, biscoff French toast, pup cup plus other choices. For branches, they have one in Congressional in Quezon City, in Don Antonio, SM Cubao, SM Fairview and another in SM Southmall. Tapay said that for food, they offer a lot of specialties, including those for pasta: creamy carbonara, chili sardines, meaty spaghetti, chicken pesto pasta and Cajun chicken pasta. For main courses, they offer crispy pork sisig, beef pares rice, steak

sunrise bowl and crispy pork binagoongan. For choices for mad chicjen wings, they have mango habanero, garlic parmesan wings, teriyaki wings, honey sriracha, salted egg wings and sinigang glaze wings. For sandwiches, they have the classic beef burger, meaty clubhouse sandwich, cheesesteak tapa sandwich, seafood roll, breakfast waffle sandwich and ube tres leches waffle and chicken. For their appetizers, they have crispy calamari, croquette, cheesy taco dip skillet, kani dip skillet, mozzarella cheese sticks, parmesan fries and mad fries. For salads, they offer BLT shrimp salad, kani and mango salad and mad salad. Of course kids are not forgotten. They are being offered kids meals like meaty spaghetti served with parmesan fries and mad wings served with special mashed potatoes.

SMX Manila wins at ASEAN Standards Awards.

SMX Convention Center Manila recognized at ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards

MX Convention Center Manila has established its name in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry not only in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia as it received the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) MICE Venue Award in the Exhibition Venue category held at Vientiane, Laos PDR, last January 26, 2024. Michael Jaey Albaña, Vice President and General Manager of SMX Convention Center, represented SMX Convention Center Manila and proudly received the award on behalf of the hardworking and highly committed team of the SMX Force. “I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the prestigious 2024 ASEAN Tourism Award for Exhibition Venue on behalf of the SMX Convention Center Manila. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in promoting tourism for MICE within the ASEAN region and the world. It is dedicated to our hardworking team at SMX Manila, who have consistently demonstrated their passion for delivering exceptional event experiences,” Albaña said.

The ASEAN Tourism Standards Award—ASEAN MICE Venue Award recognizes that the MICE industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in ASEAN countries. SMX Convention Center Manila continues to uplift the vision of ASEAN MICE Venue standards as it promotes quality, sustainable, inclusive, and balanced tourism development and thrives in making the property a renowned venue for MICE visitors, contributing to making ASEAN a competitive MICE region. “We are truly grateful for this accolade, and it inspires us to continue raising the bar in exhibitions, conventions, meetings, incentives, and social venues. It is our privilege to contribute to the advancement of tourism in the ASEAN region, and we remain dedicated in upholding the highest standards of service and hospitality,” Albaña added. SMX Convention Center Manila stays true to its promise of being a premier venue for meetings, exhibitions, conferences, and events in the country. This significant achievement highlights SMX Convention Center Manila’s distinction in its services, facilities, and overall contribution to the tourism industry, as a hub for business and tourism.

INCLUSIVE Employment Program. The Jollibee Group and the Pasig City Government inked a partnership for the implementation of the company’s inclusive employment program that will provide qualified senior citizens and persons with disability in Pasig with jobs at select stores of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King in the city.

Jollibee Group, Pasig to Provide Jobs to Senior Citizens, PWDs

INAUGURATION OF NEW CHAPELS Las Piñas City government officials led by Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguiral were on hand to inaugurate the 11 new chapels at the City’s Public Crematorium and Columbarium. PHOTO COURTESY OF LAS PINAS PIO

HE Jollibee Group recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the city government of Pasig, represented by its Mayor Vico Sotto, as part of the company’s inclusive employment program that provides gainful employment to qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) in select stores in Pasig of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King. According to Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head, Global Organization Leadership and Culture and Head, Human Resources Philippines, the partnership with city government of Pasig is consistent with Jollibee Group’s commitment to providing equal employment opportunities to different sectors of society, while promoting inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. “We are happy to support the local government unit of Pasig in advancing the interests of our elderly and the differently abled. Through this partnership, we recognize their invaluable role, capacity, and desire to work by giving them the opportunity to become productive members of the community,” Angeles added.

Under the agreement, Pasig City ’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) will assist in conducting initial interviews and profiling of the applicants, while the People with Disability Affairs Office and the Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs will provide trainers to assist and instruct qualified applicants prior to deployment. Meanwhile, the City Health Office will serve as the official medical institution to conduct the health examinations and issue certificates as “fit to work” for qualified applicants. Successful applicants will be given “front of house” duties, including work as customer relations staff. Besides Pasig City, Jollibee Group has also partnered with the local government units of Manila, Antipolo, and Muntinlupa, and the provincial government of Rizal so more senior citizens and PWDs can benefit from the program. “We aim to form partnerships with other LGUs in the future so we can help uplift more lives and find qualified and reliable staff who can join us in our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone,” Angeles said.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 B7

Development of Ortigas Center boosts growth of residential projects

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

hrough the dynamic leadership of the Ortigas Land management, Ortigas Center has been transformed into a thriving community hosting top business corporations, top retail outlets and major high-end residences. “From a virtual wasteland to one of Metro Manila’s most important business districts. It is a thriving community and real estate market where its residents fully enjoy a live-work-play-learn lifestyle,” said Klaudine Palma, business development and operations manager of Colliers Philippines in her blog posted at the company’s website. Once part of the sprawling “Hacienda de Mandaloyon” that spans the present-day cities of San Juan, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, and Pasig, Palma said Ortigas Center has a similar development path of the Makati Central Business District starting as a virtual wasteland to one of Metro Manila’s most important real estate markets. Just like Makati, Palma said Ortigas Center is a thriving community where its residents fully enjoy a live-work-play-learn lifestyle. The comparison ends with Ortigas Center covering three cities: Mandaluyong to the west, Pasig to the east, and a small portion within Quezon City in the north. Colliers Philippines further noted that, unlike Makati, the district spans three cities, Mandaluyong its North Side boasts

the flagship mixed-use Robinsons Galleria complex, while the West Side features shopping malls, high-end establishments, and office buildings.

Ortigas Residential The robust development of Ortigas has contributed to the growth of its residential projects. Aside from developing high-end projects, Ortigas Land is tapping the middle market with the launching of Olin at Jade Drive. Launched in April 2023, Olin at Jade Drive is a 52-story residential tower with 1,245 units, parking levels, and its own retail strip. Its studio and 1BR unit offerings are designed to cater to young professionals, starting families, empty nesters, and even investors looking to earn from the property market. “We see great potential in capital appreciation for the development with its accessibility to commercial developments, corporate offices, and educational institutions, as well as mass transportation and ongoing infrastructure projects like the Metro Manila Subway and MRT Line 4,” Ortigas Land AVP and Residential Business Unit Head, Jenna Belardo said in a press statement.

Empress at Capitol Commons

Belardo pointed out that the project offers a strategic location at the corner of Exchange Road and Jade Drive which provides great convenience to its residents. Being in a district where offices, leisure hubs, and homes are accessible, Belardo said young professionals can anticipate a wellbalanced lifestyle. She added residents can have a lighter feeling when they are traveling to other business districts as they have transportation hubs within reach. Strategically located in the

Olin at Jade Drive

bustling Ortigas CBD, corner of Exchange Road and Jade Drive, Olin offers unparalleled convenience to its residents with offices, leisure spaces, and transportation hubs all within reach. The project features modern and ergonomic interiors and amenities, such as a co-working space and a gym, and a retail space on the ground floor for quick access to essential services. First launched in April 2023, Olin at Jade Drive’s target completion is in the fourth quarter of 2029. Meanwhile, Ortigas Land also late last year topped off Empress

at Capitol Commons, a 56-story residential tower located within the exclusive Capitol Commons residential block, right across Estancia Mall and Estancia Offices. Empress integrates biophilic and chromotherapy design. The company said Empress is designed with the future residents’ wellness in mind. Blending wellness with smart home living, Empress also offers smart home features to provide a seamless and convenient living for its residents with a complimentary 2-year Globe Broadband plan. Construction for

the property is slated to be completed and turned over to residents in Q4 of 2026. “These milestones signify Ortigas Land’s commitment to building great places for life by offering tranquil spaces within the bustling city with the Empress and delving into a wider market with Olin at Jade Drive,” Belardo explained. “The location and positioning of these residential projects, coupled with upcoming developments and infrastructure, offers considerable prospects for potential residents and investors alike.”

Filinvest Land Garners 2nd Consecutive Gawad Parangal for Real Estate Development from DHSUD Region 4A

Investors’ Paradise: Sandari Calatagan’s Wellness-Infused Haven

ull-range property developer Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) was awarded the prestigious Gawad Parangal para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Pingkas (Real Estate) from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region 4A for the second year in a row. FLI was once again acknowledged “for being an active stakeholder-partner of DHSUD in the implementation of the government’s housing program under the theme ‘Pambansang Pabahay: Matibay na Saligan ng Mapayapang Pamayanan’ by building safe, affordable, and decent housing in well-planned and sustainable communities and other real estate projects.” T his esteemed recog nition highlights FLI’s unwavering commitment and significant contributions to the region’s real estate landscape, harmonizing with the government’s mission of providing high-quality housing to every Filipino under DHSUD Region 4A’s Samahang Ikaw, Kayo, Ako, at Tayo (SIKAT) program. “We are deeply honored to receive the Gawad Parangal award for the second consecutive year. This recognition holds profound significance for us at Filinvest Land, as this symbolizes the culmination of our collective efforts and unwavering commitment to providing quality homes and creating communities for our fellow

n a dynamic shift within the real estate landscape, the fusion of wellness principles has emerged as a compelling trend, highlighting a heightened understanding of the profound impact living spaces have on overall well-being. A ccord i ng to t he 2015 Global Wellness Institute’s evaluation, the wellness real estate market reached a staggering $119 billion, underscoring a global shift towards proactive well-being. Capitalizing on this growing consciousness, Wellness Residences offer not only benefits for residents but also present a strategic advantage for developers and investors. These ventures carve a unique niche, enhancing long-term property values, attracting tenants seeking wellness-focused environments, and establishing robust branding. Strategically nestled along the picturesque Calatagan coast in the Philippines, Sandari Calatagan, is at the forefront of this transformative trend, presenting itself as a haven for wellness living and a distinctive investment opportunity. Embracing wellness as a cornerstone, Sandari Calatagan positions itself as a beacon of living that transcends conventional real estate paradigms. Spread across

(From left) DHSUD Region 4A Housing and Real Estate Development Regulation Bureau (HREDRB) Director Atty. Angelito Aguila, DHSUD Region 4A Director Atty. Jann Roby Otero, Filinvest Land VP Regional Project Head-Luzon Housing Louie Carandang, Filinvest Land VP Head for Permits & Licenses Sharon Luntao, and DHSUD Region 4A Division Chief Engr. Emmanuel Glipo.

Filipinos,” said Ethel C. Balicanta, FLI Vice President-Brand Product Head for Housing. A Special Award was also given to FLI “for developing sustainable master-planned communities that carefully create a balance between development and green open spaces.” These awards were handed to Filinvest Land executives by DHSUD Region 4A Director Atty. Jann Roby R. Otero at the DHSUD Gawad Parangal 2023 in The Bellevue Manila, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa City last December 19, 2023. These awards further solidify FLI’s position as a dependable partner in nation-building, emphasiz-

ing its unwavering commitment to realizing the Filipino dream of owning a home. FLI remains resolute in its pursuit of excellence, continuing to innovate and create sustainable, thriving communities that elevate the Filipino standard of living. At present, FLI boasts of an extensive housing portfolio in Calabarzon, comprising 194 projects spread across 16 key local government units. These projects encompass a diverse spectrum, ranging from sprawling estate developments to upscale leisure projects, alongside inclusive and affordable housing initiatives.

By Jalen Señal

an expansive 35.5-hectare area within a lush 140.75-meter landscape, the development is strategically connected to the Calatagan Highway, promoting an active lifestyle, fostering meaningful connections, tranquility, environmental awareness, and financial prosperity. Sandari Calatagan envisions a future centered around holistic wellness for its residents. Every aspect of the properties has been meticulously designed with a comprehensive approach dedicated to fostering wellness. Embodying the principles of eat, move, and sleep,” Sandari Calatagan mirrors its dedication to holistic development. This development by the Citystate Properties and Management Corp. (CPMC) offers a wealth of carefully curated amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming

pool, meditation garden, organic farm, edible landscaping, biking trails, active parks, and pocket gardens. Sandari Wellness Residence stands as a testament to an ideal wellness community, meticulously crafted to provide an unparalleled living experience, setting a new standard for sustainable and wellness living in the Philippines. Sandari Calatagan not only signifies a paradigm shift in real estate but also an investment opportunity with a unique value proposition. Join us in redefining the future of living— a future where wellness is at the core of every home and opportunity resides in every property. CPMC is a proud subsidiary of the ALC Group of Companies established by the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua and currently chaired by D. Edgard A. Cabangon.

Sports BusinessMirror

Tighter battle expected in PAL 75th Interclub in CdO, Bukidnon

HE Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub will stage the diamond anniversary edition of what is regarded as the country’s unofficial golf club team championships in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon in less than three weeks using a new format in Men’s play that guarantees keener competition. From the usual five players coming out for each team every day, tournament organizers will, for the first time, implement the four-to-play, three-to-count format that makes for more balanced action with bench depth not as big a factor as before. “We have been thinking of that for quite a few years now, and we feel that this year is the time to implement it,” tournament director Henry Arabelo said as the Interclub gets off the ground on February 22 with Seniors action where Luisita is the defending champion. “We just feel that competition will be tighter because of that, as every team will have more solid rosters coming out each day,” he said. “And because there will be fewer players, we have been able to accommodate 10 more teams to the field.” That means that both the Seniors and Men’s championships will be using the same format as Manila Southwoods aims to extend its mastery of the regular field using one of the most solid developmental programs that produced Asian champions like Angelo Que, Artemio Murakami, Jerome Delariarte and even Tom Kim in the Professional Golfers Association Tour. The move makes sense as clubs will now filter their respective rosters to their eight best players, although fielding will still be key, like in past years. Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro and the rolling gem in Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon that is Del Monte will be the venues that will be used as the Interclub goes to that part of Mindanao that last hosted the event in 2011. The PAL Interclub Golf Tournament 2024 is expected to boost sports tourism and generate economic activity for Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon. Philippine Airlines selected these prime areas of Mindanao as the host venues for the 75th diamond jubilee of the PAL Interclub in collaboration with the local governments and local communities. Regular Men’s action gets off the ground on March 1, with Del Monte expected to host the fourth days of both divisions.

B8 | W

ednesday, February 7, 2024 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Messi shows a bit of humility

LIONEL MESSI says he’s feeling better in Tokyo. AP

OKYO—Look for Lionel Messi to play in Wednesday’s friendly in Tokyo with Inter Miami facing Japanese club Vissel Kobe.

And don’t look for another publicrelations disaster as happened on Sunday when Argentina’s World Cupwinning captain sat on the bench for the entire match against a selection of players from the Hong Kong league, angering thousands of fans who demanded refunds. Teammate Luis Suarez—another big name on the club—also remained on the bench. Messi, who has rarely spoken to the media in an open setting since moving in July to Inter Miami, showed up Tuesday at a news conference in a fivestar Tokyo hotel. He sat alone on a stool on stage, wore a pink warm-up jacket, and showed a bit of humility. He was surely under pressure from local Japanese sponsors, including Vissel Kobe where his former Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta became a Japanese crowd favorite before leaving last year. “The truth is that I feel very good compared to a few days ago,” Messi said, speaking in Spanish. “And depending on how that [training] goes. And if I’m honest, I still don’t know if I will be able to or not. But I feel much better and I really want to be able to do it.”

Shooters hoping to make Olympics

HE Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) is taking its best shot in the remaining qualifying tournaments for the Paris Olympics. PNSA secretary-general Iryne Garcia made the assurance Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Garcia said the PSNA is trying to send the top Filipino shooters to each of the qualifying tournaments lined up for the Paris Games. “We’ve been trying to join all the qualifying events,” said Garcia, who was joined in the forum by young shooters Amparo Acuna of rifle and Franchette Quiroz of pistol, who are both so close to making it to their first Olympics. Garcia said PNSF president and Rep. Mike Dy is fully behind the shooters hoping to make it to Paris, including 2020 Tokyo Olympics veteran Jayson

Valdez and Enrique Enriquez (skeet). The country’s other top shooters are Hagen Topacio (trap) and Bryan Rosario, who vied in skeet event of the 2012 London Olympics. Acuna and Quiroz are bound for a rigid training in Germany next month before they head to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the ISSF World Olympic Qualification Tournament for rifle and pistol set April 11 to 19. Then there’s the qualifiers for shotgun in Doha, Qatar, from April 19 to 29 for the other Filipino hopefuls. Last month, qualifying events for rifle, pistol and shotgun were staged in Jakarta and Kuwait. But the Filipinos who made it to the finals fell short of top two finishes that would have guaranteed them of tickets to Paris. “But we must keep on trying because if the top two finishers in each event in the remaining qualifiers have already clinched the quota, it passes on to the other top finishers,” said Acuna, 26.

Ando fans Paris bid with 2 silvers in Asian tourney

LREEN ANN ANDO grabbed two silver medals Tuesday in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent to further her hopes of returning to the Olympics in Paris in July. North Korea’s Kim II Gyong was too much in the women’s -59 kgs class as the Hangzhou Asian Games champion swept the snatch (103), clean and jerk (122) and total lift (225) to shove Ando to second fiddle with lifts of 93 kgs in snatch which was good for a bronze and 120 in clean and jerk and 213 total lift. Indonesia’s Natasya Beteyob got a bronze in clean and jerk with 116 kgs, silver in snatch with 96 kgs and bronze in total lift swith 212 kgs. “She’s [Ando] leveled the playing field now with Hidilyn [Diaz-Naranjo] in this tournament,” national coach Richard Pep Augusto told

BusinessMirror. Ando went 9 kgs short of her best lift she registered in the world championships in Saudi Arabia last September and 11 kgs behind DiazNaranjo’s 224 kgs best lift. Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Diaz-Naranjo is currently the world No. 7 in the -59 kgs division.

Magnolia in survival mode SAN MIGUEL Beer isn’t only a wrecking ball right now. Ithas also become like a wayward train, if not a spurned suitor suddenly gone berserk.

Diaz-Naranjo skipped the Tashlent tournament but will attend the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup in Phuket in March hoping to cement her qualification for Paris. Josef Ramos

Messi tried to explain to Hong Kong fans, saying it was impossible for him to play with a groin injury. Some suggested he could have simply trotted around for a few minutes, which might have satisfied fans in a game that is largely meaningless except for its promotional value. “The truth is that it was bad luck that I couldn’t [play] on the day of the Hong Kong match,” Messi said, adding that the “discomfort continued and it was very difficult for me to play.” AP

SMB expect big comeback by Magnolia in Game Two

By Josef Ramos

AN MIGUEL BEER is up 2-0 over Magnolia but the Beermen won’t be thinking about resting soon on their laurels as they expect a mighty comeback by the Hotshots in Game 3 on Wednesday night of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. “We expect them [Magnolia] to come back stronger than the last two games so we have to keep our composure,” Jericho Cruz told BusinessMirror on Tuesday. “And Calvin [Abueva] will try to get inside our minds to annoy us. But I’ll do the same thing to him.” Abueva is providing the sidebars to the best-of-seven series between the sister teams from the San Miguel Corp. group—he had a brush with Beermen coach Jorge Gallent and, with wife Sam, exchanged sour words with Mo Tautuaa

and his wife Aida. Cruz didn’t let go of Abueva’s antics and engaged the hotshot in the third quarter of Game 2— unfortunately for the Beerman, he was called for a technical. “Nothing personal about it, it’s just basketball at the end of the day,” the former Adamson University swingman Cruz said. “He mocked us so I mocked him, too…nothing wrong about that for as long as we never lose our focus in the game.” Commissioner Willie Marcial said he’s investigating those incidents. “It’s all part of the game, but we must not lose our focus,” said Abueva, who was saddled with five fouls and only had three points in Game 2. “We will give our best again, the series is not over yet.” Seven-time Season Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, who hit two triples in Game 2, and explosive import Bennie Boatwright are again expected to deliver in Game 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. “We’re down but we’re not out yet,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said. “We have been in this kind of situation before and we will find a way to comeback.” The Beermen followed up their 10395 victory in Game 1 with a masterful 109-85 win in Game 2. Boatwright is showing the way with averages of 31 points, 13 rebounds and 3.5 assists while his Magnolia counterpart Tyler Bey got 24 points and 15.5 rebounds in two games of the series. Only Mark Barroca—13.5 points in two games—has averaged in double figures for Magnolia. The Beermen? Fajardo is going 15 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and two blocks and CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter 19.5 and 13.5 points, respectively. SAN MIGUEL Beer import Bennie Boatwright soars high for a jumper against Magnolia’s Calvin Abueva in Game 2.

Morales leads 1-2-3 finish by Navy

HILIPPINE Navy-Standard Insurance swept the Men Elite race and the usual suspects kept their grip on their gold medals in Monday’s criterium races of the PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2024 at the Tagaytay City Atrium. Darkness started to set in when the Navy trio of Jan Paul Morales, Junrey Navarro and Ronald Oranza darted to a 1-2-3 finish in the 40 minutes plus 3 laps event where 47 from a start list of 71 of the country’s strongest riders managed to finish. “It was tough all the way, everyone was unrelenting so I had to push and push so hard the entire race,” said Morales, already 37 but still the man to beat in local racing especially in the nationals presented by Standard Insurance and the MVP Sports Foundation. Kim Bonilla and Angelica Mae Altamarino retained their women junior and under-23 crowns with plenty to spare, while former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jermyn Prado regained her throne with a solo finish in the women’s elite category of the nationals also supported by Tagaytay City, Chooks-To-Go, Excellent Noodles, CCN and Fitbar. The other winners in the races organized by the PhilCycling headed by Abraham Tolentino, sanctioned by the UCI and supported by the local government units in Batangas and Cavite and PNP commands in Batangas and Cavite and the Bureau of Fire were Yvaine Osias and Jhay Karl Nunez in Youth 2 (under 14) and Ems Krog and Sean Andrei Gatchalian in Youth 1 (15-6 years old).

Balayan’s Marvin Mandac was unmolested at the finish and won the men junior title riding a borrowed aluminum bike while Steven Nicolas Shane Tablizo ruled the men under-23.

English dive

Great Britain’s Andrea Spendolini Sirieix competes in the women’s 10-meter platform final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday. AP Why is that? Look, the Beermen have practically, if not literally, bamboozled the opposition, piling up 11 straight wins since December last year. And nine of those were crafted in the presence of Benny Boatwright, just about the deadliest import one could ever imagine since the days of Crispa’s Billy Ray Bates. Since his arrival to replace the not-so-bad Ivan Aska, Boatwright strung up nine straight wins in a seminal streak longer than Boracay’s coastline. Will somebody please call the Ghostbusters to exorcise the league of this 6-foot-9 ghoulish menace? Otherwise, Magnolia, now in utter dire straits, is deemed destined to get gobbled up in its ongoing title clash with San Miguel. Their backs against the wall, the Hotshots desperately need to beat the Beermakers in Game Three at 7:30 tonight to avoid getting pushed to a 3-0 precipice at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

By all indications, Magnolia is under intense pressure as it’s no joke to be down 0-2 in the best-of-seven Finals for the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) Commissioner’s Cup. While San Miguel is enjoying the luxury of back-to-back wins—both nailed in magnificent fashion—Magnolia is actually in a survival mode tonight. A misstep will lead to critical consequences for Magnolia, which will even deal with a crowd still madly howling at the seeming indiscretions of Calvin Abueva on Sunday. Abueva turned from Hotshot to Hothead (again) when he exchanged words first, with SMB coach Jorge Gallent during the match and, second, to the wife (Aida) of Beerman Mo Tautuaa after the Game Two contest. In his row with Gallent, Abueva had allegedly made fun of Gallent’s visual impairment. Tautuaa’s wife, Aida, complained that Abueva had harassed her while on her way to the restroom. One of Aida’s two posts on platform X was: “This guy is crazyyy! Holy shit!!! Calvin just came after me while I was walking

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee and PhilCyling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is all set to flag off the cyclists.

to the bathroom!!!” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said he was still gathering pieces of evidence before imposing sanctions. He will not find it hard to censure Abueva as the guy with the moniker, “The Beast,” has been trouble-prone. In fact, Abueva’s most severe punishment was an indefinite ban for a clothesline foul on TNT import Terrence Jones in 2019. He was reinstated only after a 16-month freeze. The irony is, San Miguel and Magnolia are sister teams. If Ramon S. Ang, the gentle owner of both clubs, is hurting, who is to blame? You need not look far. THAT’S IT With her recent silver medal finish in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Rosegie Ramos needs only to land in the Top 5 in Phuket, Thailand, in April to make it to the 2024 Paris Olympics 49-kg. weightlifting event in August. She is a protégé of Hidilyn Diaz, our first Olympic gold medalist emerging from the 2020 Tokyo Games. Cheers!

DOTr 125th Anniversary A BusinessMirror Special Feature

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 C1

PBBM TO JOIN CONTRACT SIGNING FOR DAVAOBUS PROJECT

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to join the ceremonial contract signing for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP), or DavaoBus, which is part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The four civil works contracts to be signed by the DOTr and the winning contractors involve the construction of depots, terminals, bus stops, bus lanes, pedestrian lanes even a driving school. Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the highquality bus-based transportation system has a project cost of P73.4 billion. A network of nine routes will connect key areas in Davao City, Panabo City and Davao del Norte. Patterned after the EDSA Busway, the DavaoBus is a rapid bus transit system separated from the main road traffic. DavaoBus is separate yet complements the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), utilizing

modern buses that comply with national standards. The project entails deploying more than 400 electric buses and more than 700 Euro5 engine buses, serving 29 interconnected routes covering a total stretch of 672 kilometers. The civil works include design and construction of the Calinan Depot, Buhangin, Depot, Toril Depot, Sasa and Sto. Niño Depot, Toril Intermodal Terminal, Bunawan Terminal, Calinan Terminal, bus routes, bus stops, bus lanes, pedestrian improvement works, and a driving school. DOTr targets partial opening by fourth quarter of 2025 and full operation in 2026.

DOTr reviewing 4 NAIA concession bids

The Department of Transportation is scheduled to announce the winning bid for the NAIA PPP Project within the first quarter of 2024.

HE Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is slated to undergo a major operational upgrade starting this year as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is scheduled to award within the first quarter of 2024 the concession agreement for the operations and maintenance of NAIA to the winning bidder. The NAIA privatization project solicited four qualified proponents whose technical and financial proposals are being evaluated by DOTr’s Bid and Awards Committee. The concession agreement calls for the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of NAIA for a term of 15 years through a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The concession is extendable by an additional 10 years upon satisfactory compliance with Key Performance

Indicators (KPIs) to be decided on the 8th year. The bids of Manila International Airport Consortium, Asia Airport Consortium, GMR Airports Consortium and SMC SAP and Company Consortium are scheduled to undergo technical evaluation. Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista hopes the transfer of NAIA’s operations and maintenance to a private concessionaire will improve the airport’s efficiency for the benefit of passengers and airport workers. The P170.6-billion NAIA PPP Project, approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), includes improvements to the airport’s facilities, runways, four terminals and associated facilities. Annual passenger capacity of NAIA is expected to increase to 62 million this year from the current 32 million.

An aerial perspective of the DavaoBus Passenger Terminal.

DOTr 125th Anniversary

C2 Wednesday, February 7, 2024

A BusinessMirror Special Feature

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PCG accelerates maritime safety, security role

HE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is pushing its modernization program with the acquisition of vital assets to enhance its capability of securing the country’s maritime territory. Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the PCG also continues to expand its workforce to be able to perform its mandate of maritime safety and security. The PCG today has more than 30,000 personnel, from only 8,500 members in 2016. Volunteers comprising the PCG Auxiliary number 27,836 regular and 282 executive squadron members. The Coast Guard assets include 28 capital ships, four air assets and 54 support facilities. Support facilities include 11 bases, 17 community outposts, five mobile teams, one radio repeater center, two radar stations, seven air stations, nine regional train-

ing centers, and one search and rescue base. The PCG has also rehabilitated its headquarters as well as most of its 96 stations and 548 sub-stations in different parts of the country. They are in charge of maintaining 513 operational lighthouses nationwide. The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany recently donated four military-grade drones to PCG for search and rescue operations and marine pollution response. Drones are also vital in monitoring activities in the West Philippine Sea, Benham Rise and Southern Philippines area. PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said they will not waver in performing their mandate, including disaster response, sociocivic operations and commuter assistance at various transport terminals such as airports and seaports.

One of the assets of the Philippine Coast Guard.

NSCR, Subway projects to improve connectivity, mobility T

HE construction of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway, the country’s first underground rail system, are progressing according to schedule, their full operations expected to lead the renaissance of the country’s once proud rail industry. Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said these railway infrastructures are being constructed with assistance from the Japanese government. The Transportation Department is partnering with other countries with established and renowned railway systems,

including Japan, to invigorate the Philippine railway system. “We remain committed to developing our railway sector and provide convenient, safe and reliable travel experience that the commuting public deserves,” said Bautista. The two mega-rail-projects are expected to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila and its adjacent communities, while encouraging private vehicle users to patronize public transport such as trains.

The Malolos station.

NORTH-SOUTH COMMUTER RAILWAY

THE 147-kilometer NSCR, with a project cost of P873.62 billion, is being co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and will link Central Luzon and Calabarzon. The NSCR is expected to increase economic activity in the cities and communities along its line. Once operational, the NSCR will reduce travel time from Calamba, Laguna to Clark, Pampanga from 4.5 hours to less than two hours. It can accommodate more than 600,000 daily passengers. The rail line will have 35 stations, using regular commuter train sets and seven express train sets.

METRO MANILA SUBWAY

MEANWHILE, huge tunnel boring machines (TBM) are digging simultaneously in various

areas in Metro Manila for the ambitious Metro Manila Subway, with 17 stations. Each TBM can dig 12 to 30 meters of tunnel a day by excavating 300 to 600 cubic meters of soil, using rotating cutting wheels that easily break up hard soil and rocks. The powerful TBMs can significantly reduce above ground disruption during construction. Considered the country’s crown jewel in the mass transport system, the subway spans 33.1 kilometers, stretching from Valenzuela City up to Bicutan, Taguig with a spur line at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Financed by JICA, the subway can accommodate up to 519,000 daily passengers. It will connect with the NSCR, LRT-1 and LRT-2 lines through a Common Station. DOTr is fast-tracking these projects to open economic and social opportunities, while promoting sustainable mobility and connectivity.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DOTr 125th Anniversary A BusinessMirror Special Feature

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 C3

PHL TO DEBUT AT SINGAPORE AIRSHOW THIS FEBRUARY

HE Philippines will host its pavilion at the 2024 Singapore Airshow, the country’s first participation in the premier exhibition for the aviation industry. Supported by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) in cooperation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Philippines’ debut at the Singapore Airshow aims to expand its network and find prospective investors to support the development of the domestic aviation sector. The ECCP, the Asian Business

Aviation Association (AsBAA), and Berthaphil are sponsoring the Philippines’ aviation pavilion carrying the theme “One PH Aviation: Together We Fly” from Feb. 20 to 25, 2024 at the Changi Exhibition Centre. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) will also pitch the government’s flagship projects related to the aviation industry, as well as the further development of Clark, which is eyed to be the country’s premier gateway to the world.

In a press briefing in Taguig City last week, CIAC president and chief executive officer Arrey Perez said CIAC aims to attract potential investors for seven flagship projects. “We’ve lined up seven flagship projects for the Clark International Airport Corporation. That was the direction of our Board, is that we aggressively push for these developments... So we’re there to promote these projects, particularly the public-private partnership projects,” Perez said. These projects which aim to at-

tract investors at the Singapore Airshow include the national food hub, entertainment and events hub, urban renewal and conservation program, direct access link to the Clark International Airport, building utility corridors, logistics hub, and CIAC’s headquarters office. Aside from these projects, Perez said the Philippine delegation targets to lure more international airlines to open routes in Clark airport and more logistics companies to consider Clark as their regional hub in Asia. (Kris Crismundo, PNA)

PHL re-election to IMO Council to lead upskilling of seafarers

The Philippine delegation to the 33rd IMO Assembly led by Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista and Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr.

GenSan first to reach 100% jeepney consolidation

R ANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista on Monday, February 5, 2024 lauded the 100 percent consolidation rate in General Santos City, the first to do so in the country. To date, Bautista said a significant portion of public utility vehicles in the city have been modernized, inviting local business leaders to invest more in the country’s public transportation. “I found out that when the PUVMP was launched in 2017, General Santos immediately complied and adopted modern PUVs,” he said in a town hall meeting on the road sector in General Santos City. During a lunch with

the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bautista called on the private sector to invest in the government’s transport projects that aim to improve mobility and connectivity, especially in the provinces. “We invite business leaders inside this room to join us in this transformation of the country’s transport system,” he said. Some of these transport projects include the possible expansion of the General Santos Airport to accommodate international f lights and boost the city’s local tourism. “W hile land acquisition for its expansion is ongoing, we

HE re-election of the Philippines late last year to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council was significant after the country received the seventh most number of votes from those attending the 33rd IMO Assembly in London, the highest number of votes received by the Philippines since becoming IMO Council member in 1989. The Philippines last December was re-elected member of the IMO Council under Category C for 2024-2025. The country’s re-election to the IMO Council has prompted the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to up-skill Filipino seafarers to be able to adapt to industry innovations. A total of 136 IMO member-states attended the gathering with the Philippines serving as president of the 33rd IMO Assembly. The Philippines is the first member-state recognized by the International Labor Organization to fully comply with the international requirements of

need your support to build new hotels, resorts, restaurants, and more,” he added. Moreover, Bautista said the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is looking to upgrade Makar Port to improve passenger and trade movement at the port. “I encourage you to discuss any proposals with our maritime sector officials,” he said. His visit to General Santos City is the second day of a town hall caravan that celebrates the DOTr’s 125th anniversary and seeks to have discussions with the PUVMP and the country’s public transportation sector. He first visited Laguindingan in the province of Misamis Oriental on Sunday and his visit to General Santos City will be followed by a two-day trip to Davao on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a culminating activity in Manila on Feb. 12. (Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, PNA)

Seafarers Identity Documents Convention of 2003. The Philippines’ re-election is a testament to the crucial role the Philippines plays in global shipping and in the international maritime community, according to the transport chief. “We believe our re-election will allow us to continue contributing to the global maritime industry, not just as top provider of top-caliber seafarers but also at promoting safe and secure shipping operations, geared towards growth, modernization, resiliency and sustainability,” said Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista. The country’s 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan includes, among others, strengthening the country’s shipbuilding industry. Currently, Philippines is the world’s fifth largest shipbuilding nation. As of 2021, the Philippines has listed 116 shipyards that constructed 569 ships for domestic use and at least 47 ships exported in 2022.

AMID A HARVEST OF AWARDS, YOUR SUPPORT COUNTS MOST

HE pandemic tested the media industry, forcing newsrooms around the world to overhaul the way they do their job while following strict health protocols in order to survive a deadly infection. The BusinessMirror, the country’s premier national business daily, was tested like everyone else, and survived, even continuing to live up to its promise to provide a broader look at today’s business. In November 2021, the business broadsheet was recognized as the “Business News Source of the Year” for 2020 by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (Ejap), the country’s premier organization of business reporters, editors and wire agencies. It was a 4-peat for BM, having gotten the same honors for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. And, as in the past Ejap awards, it also swept half of the individual categories, with its seasoned reporters adjudged as best in their respective coverages. Earlier in 2021, the BusinessMirror was given the Pro Patria Award by the Rotary Club of Manila, for “its commitment of valuable resources for the protection of free expression and its resilience in disseminating fair and truthful information resulting in an informed and enlightened citizenry.” It was just the latest recognition from the prestigious Rotary Club, which named it “Business Newspaper of the Year” for 2018-2019, and again in 2020. In all, it has received six top

Rotary journalism awards in its short 16-year existence. The BusinessMirror has also consistently reaped top awards in the Brightleaf Journalism Awards for Agriculture and the Philippine Agricultural Journalists-San Miguel Corp. (PAJ-SMC) Binhi Awards, also for the best in agriculture journalism. The BusinessMirror was also repeatedly adjudged the leading daily in biotechnology journalism, a recognition bestowed by the Jose G. Burgos Jr. Biotechnology Journalism Awards. The “broader look” mantra also drew recognition from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which named the BusinessMirror, at its first awards rites in 2018, as the inaugural “Data Champion.”

In the first “Bantog Science for the People” awards for media from the Department of Science and Technology, the BusinessMirror got the top award for the Institution category for Print; and the grand prize in the individual category for science journalist Stephanie Tumampos. In 2018, Environment Reporter Jonathan Mayuga received the Luntiang Aligato award from the Climate Reality Project, a nonprofit organization founded by Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore. The Broader Look at biodiversity was also recognized. It was named among the Asean Champions of

Biodiversity, for the Media Category, by the Asean Centre for Biodiversity. The Broader Look also extended to the paper’s corporate social responsibility. It organized and staged the first-ever recognition rites for the best of the Philippines’s friends in the world, with the “MISSION PHILIPPINES: The BusinessMirror Envoys & Expats Awards.” The initiative won a Gold Anvil in 2019. Distinguished institutions in government have also repeatedly recognized the BusinessMirror’s role in spreading the word about the work they do—information that shines a light on good governance and committed public service to uplift people’s hopes. Most notably, these are the Social Security System and Pag-IBIG Fund. Sixteen years, two of them in a pandemic, have tested the promise of a Broader Look. But they are also a measure of the unstinting support of friends—advertisers and news sources alike—and readers who continue to believe in that promise.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE. YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT TROPHY.

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business