BusinessMirror January 04, 2024 by BusinessMirror

NEW YEAR TRAGEDY As Japan

welcomed the new year, a series of powerful earthquakes struck western Japan, claiming the lives of at least 62 people, with rescue workers battling against time to save those potentially trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Aftershocks persist in Ishikawa prefecture, and neighboring regions, following the magnitude 7.6 temblor that struck the area. Story in World, A12. AP

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA JOURNALISM AWARDS

2006 National Newspaper of the Year 2011 National Newspaper of the Year 2013 Business Newspaper of the Year 2017 Business Newspaper of the Year 2019 Business Newspaper of the Year 2021 Pro Patria Award PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY 2018 Data Champion

BusinessMirror

EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS

BUSINESS NEWS SOURCE OF THE YEAR

(2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2018 BANTOG MEDIA AWARDS

A broader look at today’s business

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thursday, January 4, 2024 Vol. 19 No. 81

NEXT RFINL BRIEFER, TO REFLECT RECENT LAWS ■

BTr: End-Nov debt climbs by P27.92B to P14.51T

B C U. O

@caiordinario

HE next edition of the country’s Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (RFINL) is expected to become shorter to reflect recent legislative changes, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

P.  |     | 7 DAYS A WEEK

TRASLACIÓN PREPARATIONS

A priest from Quiapo Church in Manila imparts blessings on various replicas of the Black Nazarene six days ahead of the Feast of the Black Nazarene celebration, also known as the Traslación after the mass procession associated with the feast. NONIE REYES

B J E Y. A @jearcalas

HE state’s outstanding debt as of end-November 2023 rose to a fresh record level of P14.51 trillion on the back of more domestic borrowings by the national government, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). Latest BTr report showed the outstanding debt was P27.92 billion higher than the P14.48 trillion recorded at the end of October 2023. On an annual basis, the latest debt figure is 6.34 percent over the P13.644 trillion recorded outstanding obligations in November of 2022, based on BTr data. “Of the total debt stock, 30.91 percent are from external sources while 69.09 percent are from domestic borrowings,” the Treasury said. The Treasury said the national government’s domestic debt as of end-November 2023 stood at P10.02 trillion, about P122.07 billion higher than October 2023’s P9.902 trillion because of net issuance of government securities. “New domestic debt issued during the month totaled P171.09 billion while principal redemption amounted to P45.14 billion, underlying a net issuance of P125.95 billion,” the Treasury said. “The increase was partially offset by the P3.87 bil-

Neda Undersecretary for Planning and Policy Rosemarie G. Edillon told BUSINESSMIRROR that the oversight agency had already made a proposal to the President regarding the 13th RFINL. S “RFINL,” A

S “BT,” A

NGCP: ’WHOLE-OF-INDUSTRY’ MOVE NEEDED IN PANAY OUTAGE B L S. M

@lorenzmarasigan

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Wednesday renewed its call for a “whole-of-industry approach” in better energy resource planning, after a regionwide power outage plunged most of Panay island in darkness a day after the New Year. The blackout was primarily caused by the tripping of multiple power plants on Panay Island, leading to a significant loss of electricity supply to the Visayas grid. “The unscheduled maintenance shutdowns of the largest power plants in Panay island was the primary cause of the power interruption. We emphasize the need for improved planning to ensure sufficient generation per island, with a well-balanced mix of

fuels and technology,” NGCP said. NGCP reported that various power plants in Panay Island suffered multiple trippings on January 2, including PEDC Unit 1 and 2 (83MW each), and PCPC (135MW), among others. With the tripping of the largest power generating units and the planned maintenance shutdown of PEDC Unit 3 (150MW), 451MW or 68.75 percent of the total 656MW in-island generation was lost to the Panay subgrid, NGCP explained. It added that the maintenance shutdowns and de-ration of plants outside the Department of Energy’s (DOE) approved Grid Operating and Maintenance Program also contributed to the lack of power supply. As of press time, the NGCP said 198.1MW S “NGCP,” A

DBM issues P6.12-T natl budget call for ’25

HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) enjoined state agencies to prepare their proposals for the recordhigh P6.12-trillion 2025 national budget, which it pointed out must be used to address the country’s socioeconomic issues. Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman issued National Budget Memorandum No. 149 that formalized the national budget call for fiscal year 2025. Next year’s budget is about 6.1 percent higher than this year’s record level P5.768 trillion funding. The budget call signals the start of the national government’s budget preparations for the next fiscal year as it outlines the budget frameworks, economic targets, and priority thrusts, among others of the state for the next fiscal year. “Using the development agenda outlined in the Philippine Development Plan [PDP] 2023-

2028 and the 2022-2028 Medium-term Fiscal Framework [MTFF] as the primary takeoff point, the government will continue to foster sound economic interventions and strategies with the goal to fulfill the plans, policies and directions of the administration of President R. Marcos Jr.,” read the recently released budget call. The budget call stipulated the “need to accelerate” the country’s economic progress to achieve “the global goals of establishing a transformative vision towards economic, social, and environmental sustainability.” The DBM explained that the 2025 national budget will be used to address the various socioeconomic issues persisting in the country, including high food prices, rising fuel prices and the scars left by the Covid-19 pandemic. The DBM added that the 2025 national budS “DBM,” A

PESO EXCHANGE RATES US 55.5370 ■ JAPAN 0.3911 ■ UK 70.0766 ■ HK 7.1060 ■ SINGAPORE 41.8800 ■ AUSTRALIA 37.5430 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 14.8095 ■ EU 60.8186 ■ KOREA 0.0424 ■ CHINA 7.7751 Source: BSP (January 3, 2024)

News BusinessMirror

Thursday, January 4, 2024

DBM...

Continued from A1

get will continue supporting the national government’s infrastructure development drive and digitalization efforts. “[The 2025 national budget would] harmonize linkage between local and national concerns, focused on striking a balance on the geographical budgetary needs of rural or urban areas in the regions aside from the NCR [National Capital Region] while enabling our local counterparts through capacity development,” the DBM said. Furthermore, the DBM said the state’s allocation of the 2025 national budget would be “optimized” in consideration of the country’s debt burden and the “competing” demands of the national government agencies. The DBM said it would consider the state agencies’ utilization rate of their budget in the previous year in evaluating their budget proposals for 2025. The DBM emphasized that implementation-ready programs and projects must be prioritized in the state agencies’ budget proposals. “This means that the agencies are expected to provide the relevant supporting documents, e.g., concept program plans and designs that outline key procurement and implementation milestones, including specific project locations and beneficiaries, among others,” it said. The DBM targets to submit the proposed 2025 national budget to President Marcos Jr. on July 19 with the scheduled date of transmittal of the budget documents to the Congress on July 22. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL, US hold 2nd joint maritime patrol in WPS P

HILIPPINE and US naval vessels and aircraft began the second iteration of the so-called maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) starting Wednesday January 3, until today, Thursday, January 4, 2024. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] and the United States Indo-Pacific Command [USINDOPACOM] commence[d] the second iteration of the maritime cooperative activity in the WPS [on] January 3 and 4, 2024. The two-day bilateral event will conduct passing

exercises, communication checks, cross-deck exercises, joint patrols, officer-of-the watch [OW] maneuvers, and fixed-wing flight operations,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. For the second MCA, the AFP

RFINL...

ulgation. This is set under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11647 or An Act Promoting Foreign Investments. “Neda has recommended the issuance of the 13th RFINL as early as the second half of 2023 to reflect additional changes pursuant to

Continued from A1

The Neda is tasked to formulate and submit a proposed RFINL to the President for prom-

deployed four Philippine Navy ships, a search-and-rescue/multirole helicopter, along with one antisubmarine warfare capable chopper. The first MCA was held last November 21 to 23. Meanwhile, the USINDOPACOM sent four US Navy vessels from the Carrier Strike Group 1 consisting of an aircraft carrier, a cruiser, two destroyers, and multiple combat aircraft. “On the first day, the AFP and USINDOPACOM assets arrived at the rendezvous area and performed advanced maritime communication exercises. The participating vessels completed division tactics [DIVTAC], an exercise to develop their confidence in maneuvering near other vessels,” Trinidad said. He added that conduct of these exercises requires complete coordi-

nation between Philippines and US assets to enhance the operational capabilities and interoperability of both militaries. Meanwhile, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the ongoing second MCA shows a “significant leap in our alliance and interoperability with the United States.” He added that this also demonstrates the AFP’s progress in defense capabilities and development as a world-class armed force, as it carries out our mandate to protect the people and the state. “Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the world. We are advancing a rulesbased international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of regional challenges,” Brawner said. Rex Anthony Naval

existing laws and further clarify the activities listed in the 12th RFINL or the Executive Order No. 175, s. 2022,” Neda said in response to BusinessMirror’s questions on Wednesday. The relevant provisions of recent legislation will be reflected in changes to List A and B of the RFINL for its 13th edition. List A focuses on limitations on foreign ownership by mandate of the constitution and specific laws, while List B focuses on limitations on foreign ownership for security, defense, health, and morals of small and medium-scale enterprises. The laws include RA No. 11659 or An Act Amending Commonwealth Act No. 146, Otherwise Known as the “Public Service Act,” as Amended and RA No. 11647 or An Act Promoting Foreign Investments, Amending Thereby RA No. 7042, Otherwise Known as the “Foreign Investments Act of 1991,” as Amended, and for Other Purposes. The PSA allowed 100 percent ownership in sectors except for crucial services like transmission and distribution of electricity, water and pipeline sewerage, seaports, petroleum pipeline, and public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Retail trade enterprises with paid-up capital; and Cooperatives except investments of former natural born citizens of the Philippines. List A also includes the organization and operation of private detective, watchmen or security guards agencies; Small-scale mining; and the ownership, operation and management of cockpits. The list also prohibits any foreign ownership in the Utilization of marine resources in archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone, as well as small-scale utilization of natural resources in rivers, lakes, bays and lagoons as well as the Manufacture, repair, stockpiling and/or distribution of nuclear weapons. The list also said no foreigners are allowed to invest in the manufacture, repair, stockpiling and/or distribution of biological, chemical and radiological weapons and anti-personnel mines and the manufacture of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. The list also limits to 25 percent foreign ownership for investments on private recruitment, whether for local or overseas employment and contracts for the construction of defense-related structures. Foreign investments in the Advertising industry are also limited at 30 percent. Foreign investments are limited to 40 percent in terms of the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources; ownership of private lands; and the operation of public utilities. The same ceiling in foreign ownership is set for educational institutions other than those established by religious groups and mission boards, for foreign diplomatic personnel and their dependents, and other foreign temporary residents, among others. Meanwhile, List B allows only 40 percent foreign equity in the manufacture, repair, storage, and/or distribution of products and/ or ingredients requiring Philippine National Police (PNP) clearance; the manufacture and distribution of dangerous drugs; and Sauna and steam bathhouses, massage clinics and other like activities regulated by law because of risks posed to public health and morals, except wellness centers. A 40 percent foreign equity limit is also set for all forms of gambling except those covered by investment agreements with Pagcor; Micro and small domestic market enterprises with paid-in equity capital of less than the equivalent of $200,000; and Micro and small domestic market enterprises that involve advance technology as determined by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), among others.

(Story here: www.businessmirror.com. ph/2022/03/21/duterte-signs-newpublicservice-act-completingliberalization-reform-bills/)

The amendments to the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 allowed the government to make changes to the RFINL such as the removal of restrictions on foreign investments in weapons-making in the country. (Full story here: www.businessmirror.com. ph/2022/06/28/phl-lifts-investmentcurbs-on-defense-business/)

The other laws are RA No. 11595, entitled An Act Amending RA No. 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000, by Lowering the Required Paid-Up Capital for Foreign Retail Enterprises and for Other Purposes and the Department of Energy’s Department Circular No. DC-2022-11-0034 or Prescribing Amendments to Section 19 of Department Circular No. DC2009-05-0008 Titled Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 9513, Otherwise Known as “The Renewable Energy Act of 2008.”

Economic Cha-Cha

EDILLON also told BusinessMirror that the issuance of the RFINL as mandated by the Foreign Investment Act (FIA) will not be affected by plans of the House of Representatives to push for an economic charter change. House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson Stella Luz Quimbo earlier said the task ahead for 2024 is to pave the way for major, long-overdue structural economic reforms, including economic charter change. Quimbo cited a consensus among experts and the business sector that the economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution should be liberalized. (Full story: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2024/01/03/ economic-cha-cha-health-educationvital-in-2024-solon/)

“The issuance of the FINL is mandated by the FIA. Even with the chacha, the mandate for the FINL may still be maintained for transparency,” Edillon told BusinessMirror. “So potential investors will only need to refer to the list and not have to comb through various laws and issuances.”

Existing RFINL

BASED on the 12th edition of the RFINL, List A prohibits any foreign ownership in mass media, except recording and internet business; Practice of professions that have not been liberalized;

BTr...

Continued from A1

lion effect of peso appreciation on foreign currency-denominated domestic securities. Year to-date, domestic debt registered an increment of P816.02 billion or 8.86 percent,” the Treasury added. The Treasury noted that the foreign exchange rate of the Philippine peso against the US dollar in November improved to P55.451 from P56.808 in October. Meanwhile, the Treasury said the national government’s external debt fell by 2.06 percent on a monthly basis to P4.48 trillion from P4.578 trillion due to net repayment of foreign laws and favorable exchange movements. “For November, the lower level of external debt was due to the net repayment of foreign loans amounting to P1.08 billion and favorable foreign exchange movements, wherein the P109.37-billion reduction attributed to peso appreciation against the US dollar far exceeded the upward adjustment linked to thirdcurrency appreciation of P16.30 billion,” it said. “[National government] external debt has in-

NGCP...

Continued from A1

is being served by Panay power plants, augmented by 50.9MW from sources elsewhere in the Visayas, for a total of 245MW served loads. “We reiterate that load restoration will be done conservatively, by matching loads to restored generation, to prevent repeated voltage failure. NGCP is ready to transmit power once it is available,” the NGCP said. The NGCP noted the “need to conduct a more robust resource optimization planning by policy makers, to ensure that solutions to power system concerns are approached from all angles, and the most efficient ones prioritized.” Given the configuration of the Panay subgrid and its dependency on variable energy sources in Negros when it loses internally generated power, NGCP added “the need to provide sufficient non-variable sources to stabilize the system.” The Cebu-Negros-Panay Stage 3 project [CNP3], it stressed, is “a contributing solution.” “NGCP strongly recommends the review of the Philippine Grid Code to cater to renewable energy sources, particularly the effective use of emerging technologies such as energy storage systems, among others,” the NGCP said.

House oversight

A LEADER of the House of Representatives called on Congress to convene its congressional oversight function to address the region-wide power outages now affecting Panay Island businesses, schools, and healthcare services, pending a proposal for the full implementation of the interconnection of the Luzon and Visayas grids. Deputy Majority Leader Julienne Baronda of Iloilo said the power outages since Tuesday warrant scrutiny by the lawmakers in the exercise of its congressional oversight function to safeguard public welfare. “The investigation in aid of legislation on the April 2023 region-wide power outages by the Committee on Energy relative to House Resolution 933, which we authored along with fellow Ilonggo representatives, has yet to be concluded, and yet this new incident took place, distressing the Ilonggos. It seems that those responsible and accountable have yet to learn their lesson,” she said. Baronda said the recurring power outages not only inconvenience residents but also have far-reaching consequences for businesses, education, and healthcare services. She reiterated her call for the full implementation of the interconnection of the Luzon and Visayas grids, with a proposed route passing through Mindoro, saying the strategic measure aimed to address the persistent power issues on Panay Island. “Last month, we also spoke with Department of Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin to help us hasten the interconnection, which she has kindly acceded to and is currently working on to realize. We are doing our share in finding lasting solutions to the energy problem affecting us all,” she said, emphasizing the proactive measures taken, including ongoing efforts to expedite the interconnection process. In the Senate, the chief of the defense committee also weighed in on the Panay crisis. “The severity of the power shortage in Panay Island cannot be overstated. The absence of electricity not only affects households but also cripples businesses, hospitals, and other crucial services that depend on a reliable power source. This issue needs to be resolved immediately and efficiently,” Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said in a statement. He urged “the concerned government agencies, power utilities, and relevant stakeholders to prioritize and expedite the resolution of the power crisis” in the region. “It’s so sad that on the second day of the New Year, brownouts greeted our countrymen in Western Visayas,” Estrada said, partly in Filipino. He expressed hope that authorities would not let the crisis persist one day more. With reports from Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz and Butch Fernandez creased by P273.84 billion or 6.50 percent from the endDecember 2022 level,” it added. The national government’s guaranteed obligations, meanwhile, decreased by P7.86 billion month-onmonth to P353.14 billion at the end of November due to net repayment of both domestic and external guarantees, according to the Treasury. “These more than offset the P0.92 billion effect of third currency appreciation on similarly denominated guarantees,” it said. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the national government would continue to see fresh record-highs for its outstanding debt following the $1-billion maiden Sukuk bond issuance in December 2023 and upcoming borrowings this quarter. “For the coming months, the national government outstanding debt could also still post new record highs amid reduced/lower maturities of government bonds in 4Q 2023 up to February 2024, amid the need to borrow by the government to continue financing budget deficits, even if these budget deficits are narrower/ better compared to year ago levels,” he said. “Furthermore, the proposed upcoming euro bond issuance in 2024 would also lead to new record high national government outstanding debt, going forward, especially in early 2024,” he added.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

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

Lawyer, OFW file plea before RTC to bar entry, deport ICC probers By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

LAWYER has filed a petition seeking to prevent the entry of personalities connected with the International Criminal Court (ICC) or their immediate deportation if they are already here in the country conducting investigation into the bloody anti-illegal drug campaign during the Duterte administration. The petition was filed before the Regional Trial Court of Calbayog City by lawyer Fernando Perito in his capacity as a member of the legal profession. He was joined by overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Joseph Forrosuelo in the petition. In a 12-page petition, the petitioners sought the issuance of a preliminary injunction barring ICC investigators and officers from entering the country to investigate the killings related to the past administration’s anti-illegal drug war. Perito stressed that any investigation, prosecution, trial and resolution of cases in relation to the anti-illegal drug war is governed by the provisions of the country’s Constitution, existing laws and criminal procedures. “With all our laws and rules, policies in order, are we to succumb to international pressure to ignore our existing laws, rules and procedures, simply because that international court is so powerful,” the petition read. The petitioners challenged human rights advocates to prove their claim that there were at least 30,000 killings during anti-illegal drug operations by filing complaints before the courts in the country. “The country and our government should not entertain any propaganda, outcry, or calls allowing any prosecutor for that ICC to resume investigation, particularly in the alleged culpability of a very protective President Duterte to his people,” the petitioners stressed. The petitioners claimed that accusations of extrajudicial killings and human rights

violations against Duterte were just “exaggerated hyperboles.” The petitioners also pointed out that the country has ceased to be a member of the ICC, thus, its members should no longer be allowed entry into the country. “To allow any prosecutor, investigator or any representative coming from ICC to enter the Philippines with their purpose in any event is but to investigate, gather sham evidence and stories that were never brought before courts of justice here in the Philippines, cause grave and irreparable damage to our democracy and on justice system,” the petition read. “They would create unreasonable havoc in our form of dispensing justice to all Filipinos,” it added. The petition was filed even as the Department of Justice (DOJ) had repeatedly maintained that the ICC has lost jurisdiction over the country following its withdrawal as a member state has not changed. Even Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra maintained that the government has no legal duty to cooperate with the ICC in its investigation into the drug war since it can no longer exercise jurisdiction after the effectivity of the country’s withdrawal from the ICC in 2019. Former president Rodrigo Duterte announced on March 14, 2018 the Philippines’ withdrawal of its ratification of the Rome Statute, a United Nations (UN) treaty creating the ICC. Duterte cited the ICC’s “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks” against him and his administration as the reason for his withdrawal as a state party. In a ruling issued in March 2021, the Court junked the petitions seeking to declare null and void Duterte’s unilateral decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the ICC. The decision acknowledged that the judiciary has enough powers to protect human rights contrary to speculations raised by the petitioners.

Taguig-Makati territorial ‘war’ flares up anew after closure of EMBO health centers By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

T’S 2024 but the rift between the leaders of the cities of Makati and Taguig seem to have no amicable solution in sight. This developed as the local government of Taguig on Wednesday accused Makati City of “deception” after 10 EMBO (Enlisted Men’s Barrio) health centers were shuttered due to expired license to operate (LTO). “This is a form of deception. Health centers are not required to possess license to operate, except for registered primary care facility,” Taguig said in a statement written in Filipino, citing that only Pitogo Health Center, with a valid license for three more years, can still continue operations. Taguig City claimed that it was the plan of Makati City to withhold health services and benefits from EMBO residents. Taguig also claimed that the move of Makati is only a way “ harass” them after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled in favor of Taguig, granting them the jurisdiction of the EMBO barangays. The 10 EMBO barangays are Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo, and West Rembo.

Prior knowledge MAK ATI City Administrator Claro Certeza, meanwhile, bared that Taguig had known long beforehand that the barangay health centers in

the 10 EMBO barangays needed a LTO, but did nothing despite a written reminder from the Department of Health (DOH). “Taguig knew about the closure of the health centers in EMBO barangays even before Makati City made the announcement of the closure. They knew that a license to operate is needed for EMBO health centers. They were reminded by the Metro Manila Center for Health Development [MMCHD] of the Department of Health through a letter on November 21, 2023,” he stated, stressing that Taguig did nothing about it. In the said letter, the DOH reminded Taguig about the need to apply for the renewal of the LTO for the health centers with the DOH Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement Division in order to ensure uninterrupted delivery of health care services.

Application process for LTO THE DOH, for its part, stressed that every Filipino should get the hea lth care they need f rom the most convenient and af fordable high-quality doctor or provider of their choice. “That is key to Universal Health Care. The DOH will therefore accept any application for a LTO for a health

facility from any owner and operator of the same. The application process for the following year starts every October of the current year. This 2024, to guarantee continuous access to health care for the public, the DOH extended the application deadline to January 15, 2024,” the DOH said when asked for comment on the issue. The DOH added that if there are changes in the health-facility ownership and operation, the department is able to amend and reissue the LTO under the new name or owner as the case may be. “Our commitment to the health and well-being of all Filipinos remains steadfast, wherever they are in the Philippines,” the DOH stressed.

Certeza also assailed Taguig’s outright rejection of Makati’s proposals aimed to ensure continuity of health services in the affected barangays. “From the start, Taguig has flatly refused all proposals coming from Makati to ensure uninterrupted access to health services in the EMBO barangays,” he said. Certeza said Taguig refused to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Makati regarding the properties owned and managed by the city. It also refused to enter into a data sharing agreement. “Instead, they continue to make the outrageous claim that they own the public facilities constructed by Makati and the land on which these facilities have been built,” Certeza said.

Makati should not be blamed

‘Twisted’ facts

CERTEZA called out the city government of Taguig for “wrongfully” putting the blame to the Makati City government for the closure of barangay health centers in 10 EMBO barangays affected by the SC decision. “It is ridiculous how Taguig is trying to make it appear they are being harassed by Makati. Now, who is in fact sacrificing the lives and welfare of EMBO residents for political interest?” Certeza said.

LTO needed THE Makati official clarified that the DOH requires a LTO for health facilities that provide diagnostic services, pointing out that health centers in EMBO barangays offer both consultation and diagnostic services. “ Tag u ig hea lt h centers prob ably prov ide only consultations, that is why they do not know that a License to Operate is required, ” Certeza said.

CERTEZA reiterated that the decision of the SC pertains only to political jurisdiction. It is about political territory not ownership, he pointed out. “If we use Taguig’s ‘twisted’ interpretation of the Supreme Court decision, not only do they own the entire Parcels 3 and 4 but all the land in the EMBO barangays, including those owned by private individuals,” Certeza said. “Obviously, this is wrong,” he added. “Taguig claims it is ready to provide health services to EMBO residents. Yet, why are they offering teleconsult services only instead of putting their own health centers, as suggested by Makati?” Certeza asked. “Bagong taon na pero luma pa rin ang estilo ng Taguig. They continue to twist the facts, misdirect, spread falsehoods, and insist on their twisted interpretation of the Supreme Court decision,” Certeza lamented as he challenged Taguig to prove itself worthy of the trust of the citizens of the EMBO barangays.

Chinese fishing vessel rescues PSA: 83.04-M Pinoys registered for PhilSys IDs as of Dec 31, ’23 Pinoy fisherman adrift in WPS By Cai U. Ordinario

HE Western Command (WESCOM), in a Facebook post last Tuesday, January 2, announced that a Chinese fishing boat has rescued a Filipino fisherman who has been adrift in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for eight days. WESCOM identified the rescued fisherman as Rosalon Cayon, 31, and a resident of Barangay Liberty, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It added that it became aware of Cayon’s rescue by the Chinese fishing boat through its littoral monitoring system in Rizal Reef. WESCOM said Cayon and another fisherman identified only as Junior went fishing in separate boats last December 20. “On December 23, Cayon’s boat capsized due to a hole in its hull about 40 nautical

miles off the coast of Buliluyan in mainland Palawan. He drifted away from Junior and hung on to a piece of styrofoam to stay afloat,” it added. WESCOM said that after eight days of being adrift, Cayon was spotted and rescued by a Chinese small fishing boat and immediately turned over to the Rizal Reef Detachment (RRD) where he is currently being treated and taken care of by Filipino troops stationed there. “WESCOM has already notified Mr. Cayon’s family that he is safe and in stable condition under the care of troops manning the RRD. Additionally, the Command is already coordinating plans for the Filipino fisherman’s evacuation and safe return home,” it added. Rex Anthony Naval

BIDA program reaches 15 regions nationwide

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday said that its flagship anti-illegal drugs campaign the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program has reached 15 regions of the country. The agency also added that over 230,000 individuals participated in these different BIDA-related activities in 2023. DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. credited the agency’s personnel, and offices, including local government units (LGUs), private sector partners, and other stakeholders for expanding the BIDA program’s reach in the first year of its implementation. “Thanks to your efforts, we have conducted BIDA Fun Runs, training programs, Serbisyo Caravans, and other BIDA activities in 15 regions across the country involving various sectors,” he added. Abalos said the DILG also signed strategic partnerships with different sectors to promote the BIDA program and raise awareness about the ill effects of illegal drugs. They also had tie-ups with more than 30 big business establishments through the BIDA Workplace initiative.

Recognizing sports as an effective means to encourage people, especially the youth, to say no to drugs, the DILG also linked up with major sports leagues in the country such as the Philippine Basketball Association, Premier Volleyball League, and University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Aside from working with athletes, the DILG also tapped some of the country’s up and coming entertainment stars from ABSCBN and GMA to become BIDA ambassadors. Additionally, major cinemas, such as SM Cinemas and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, were playing the program’s ads before the start of every movie to encourage the public to join forces with the government in combating illegal drugs. Abalos described 2023 as a prolific year for the country’s anti-drug efforts. He also expressed confidence that the BIDA program will only get bigger in the years to come as it reaches the grassroots level. “We are definitely off to a good start. We were able to bring the spirit of BIDA down to our communities in just over a year since its launch,” Abalos pointed out. Rex Anthony Naval

@caiordinario

HE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) fell short of attaining its target of registering 92 million Filipinos in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa told the BusinessMirror that the number of registered Filipinos to the National ID, as of December 31, 2023, reached 83.04 million. The shortfall was mainly due to Filipinos residing in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantages Areas (GIDA) and overseas Filipinos who have not come

home since 2021. Mapa termed these 9 million Filipinos who have not been registered with the National ID as the “last mile” that PSA will aim to complete this year through registration centers nationwide and via PhilSys on Wheels and PhilSys on Boats. “There are also individuals in urban areas who failed to register during the massive registration in 2021 and 2022, and the PSA is conducting institutional registration in condos, call center offices, and subdivisions, among others,” Mapa said. “For overseas Filipinos, the PSA st a r te d t he o ve r se a s c a mpa i g n

during second semester of 2023 in Sabah, Singapore, Cambodia, and Australia,” he added. On the printing of the PhilIDs, Mapa said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) was able to print about 22.2 million PhilID cards in 2023. This was 14 percent higher than the 19.5 million printed PhilID cards in 2022. “The PSA and the BSP are working together to close the gap between number of registered Filipinos and printed PhilIDs—currently about 33 million,” Mapa said. Nonetheless, Mapa said the PSA continuously issues e-PhilIDs to registrants. He noted that Filipinos waiting

for their PhilIDs could already use their credentials for transactions. He said the PSA has issued 43.23 million PhilIDs to registrants as of December 31, 2023. The PhilIDs, ePhilIDs, and digital IDs are being accepted in government and private transactions. The Department of Information and Communications Technology is also issuing digital IDs. In order to register, Mapa reminded the public that unregistered Filipinos need to appear at the PSA’s registration centers (mobile and/or fixed) for the demographic and biometric capture.

Go brings joy to patient watchers on New Year’s Eve in Davao City

ENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go celebrated New Year’s Eve with the patient watchers at Balay Pahulayan Temporary Shelter at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City on Sunday, December 31. During his visit, the senator and his Malasakit Team shared Media Noche (New Year Eve meal) by distributing meals, food packs, and other forms of aid. He also gave food to the security guards and vendors he passed by. In a simple gathering, Go showed his compassion to the patient watchers amid their hardships and eased their burden. “I know how hard it is to be away from your loved ones, especially during this time of the year. This simple gesture is to make you feel that you are not alone and that we are here for you,” Go said. He a l so t h a n ked t he med ic a l f ront l i ners a nd hospit a l st a f f for t hei r ded ic at ion a nd sac r if ice i n ser v i ng t he publ ic a m id t he pa ndem ic a nd be yond.

“You are our heroes, and we owe you a lot. I will continue to support your needs and welfare as long as I am in public service,” he added. In addition to the help he offered, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, mentioned to his fellow Mindanaoans that they can avail of medical assistance at the Malasakit Center located in the SPMC. Through Republic Act No. 11463, a measure principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate, hospitals operated by the Department of Health (DOH) and other public hospitals can establish their Malasakit Centers. These centers aim to expedite and simplify the process of obtaining medical assistance, especially for patients who are financially disadvantaged or indigent. There have been 159 operational Malasakit centers in the country since the program was initiated in 2018. More or less ten million Filipinos have benefitted from the Malasakit Centers so far, according to DOH.

The senator also highlighted his initiative to help establish Super Health Centers in key locations nationwide, including eleven throughout Davao City, to make basic public health services more accessible to communities in need. Super Health Centers will offer database management, out-patient, bir thing , isolation, diag nostic (laboratory: X-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. Go also mentioned the passage of RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. This law, signed on August 24, marks a substantial stride in bringing specialized medical care closer to all regions. The law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty

Centers w it h i n DOH reg ion a l hospitals. This demonstrates the government’s dedication to improving healthcare accessibility nationwide, said Go. There are specialty centers inside SPMC, which include cardiovascular care, lung care, neonatal care, trauma care, toxicology, cancer care, eye care, and dermatology care. It will also soon provide a renal care and transplant center, brain and spine care, orthopedic center, physical rehabilitation medicine, mental health, burn care, infectious disease and tropical medicine, and geriatric care. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of various multipurpose buildings and local roads, rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems, and flood control structures in different barangays throughout the city, the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building for SPMC and the acquisition of ambulances.

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

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Farmers to get ₧30B from NG under DA’s natl rice program By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

LAWMAKER on Wednesday said rice farmers would receive substantial support totaling at least P30 billion from the national government (NG) through the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA). With this support, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is optimistic that the country’s rice production will further improve this year despite a prolonged dry spell. T he 2024 G A A a l lo c at e s P30,889,904,000 for the National Rice Program (NRP) under the Department of Agriculture (DA). Yamsuan said the NRP budget is in addition to funds allocated for other national programs related to rice production and locally funded projects specified in the 2024 GAA. “We are confident that not only the agriculture department but other agencies across all other concerned sectors will be fully prepared for this prolonged dry spell to ensure that our rice farmers get all the support they

need to continue improving their productivity and incomes amid this challenge,” said Yamsuan. Under the NRP, the budget for production support services rose by over P1 billion, from P22.87 billion in 2023 to P24.11 billion in 2024. T hese ser v ices include establ i sh i ng com mu n it y seed ba n k s, prov iding support to reg iona l integrated agricultural research centers, buffer seed stock ing, prov iding insurance coverage for disaster response, and implementing pest control measures. Yamsuan also pointed out that irrigation network services under the NRP received a significant increase of 40 percent, from P721.25 million in 2023 to P1.01 billion in 2024, in anticipation of the dry spell arising from El Niño, which could last until the first half of 2024, according to projections by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). On top of the increase in the budget for the NRP’s irrigation network services, Yamsuan also pointed out that the allocation for extension support, education, and training services

under the NRP grew from P1.26 billion in 2023 to P2.04 billion for this fiscal year. These services will aid farmers in arming themselves with knowledge on sustainable agriculture practices and new planting technologies to increase production, Yamsuan said. Aside from the NRP, other national programs, and locally funded projects, rice farmers also get a windfall of support under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), Yamsuan noted. As of November 2023, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) had collected P25.55 billion, resulting in a surplus of at least P15.5 billion designated for small rice planters in the current year. He said small rice producers could expect cash aid exceeding P15.5 billion from the 2023 tariff collections on rice imports. Under the law, rice import tariff collections in excess of P10 billion should go directly to farmers tilling two hectares of land and below in the form of cash grants. Half of the P10 billion goes to the

Philippine Center for Postharvest and Mechanization for the procurement of new equipment. The RCEF also invests P3 billion in the Philippine Rice Research Institute for the propagation of inbred seeds; P1 billion in state-owned banks to finance a credit facility for palay farmers and their cooperatives; and another P1 billion in various agencies to develop mechanisms for modern farming techniques and rice crop production. As mandated under R A 11598, or the Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act enacted in December 2021, tariff collections from rice importations in excess of P10 billion would be given directly to rice farmers as cash aid. Yamsuan lauded the recent successful initial implementation of this law, which he said would be a big help for small farmers struggling to survive amid the rising prices of basic goods. In 2022, excess rice tariff collections amounted to P12.7 billion, approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for distribution to over 2 million farmers cultivating two hectares of land or less. Each beneficiary received P5,000. Executive Order No. 50, issued on December 22, extends reduced tariffs on rice and other food items until the end of 2024 to maintain price stability amid the impending El Niño threat.

DSWD resumes issuance of GL for persons in ‘crisis situations’

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Wednesday that it has resumed the issuance of guarantee letters (GL) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS). A GL is a document issued by the DSWD in favor of the beneficiary and addressed to service providers to guarantee the payment of the service on behalf of the client, particularly their medical and burial expenses.

In December 2023, DSWD offices nationwide temporarily halted the issuance of GL to facilitate its annual liquidation and the settlement of payments to service providers who had already extended assistance to beneficiaries. DSWD Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Irene Dumlao, who also serves as the agency’s co-spokesperson, announced that clients could now visit various DSWD Field Offices to initiate the processing of

their GL requests. “Our kababayans who are experiencing difficult circumstances and needing assistance for their medical and funeral expenses may now avail of and request a guarantee letter from DSWD,” Dumlao said. She further reminded the public to ensure that their documents are complete and that they possess valid identification cards for expedited processing of their requests. “The amount of assistance under GL is based on the assessment of a social worker through interview and document review,” the co-spokesperson pointed out. While the issuance of GL has resumed, the DSWD clarified that the provision of

outright cash to clients has been temporarily suspended as of January 2, following the existing guidelines of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). “The suspension of the provision of outright cash under AICS is done at the start of every fiscal year while waiting for the downloading of the DSWD budget based on the provisions of the General Appropriations Act, or GAA,” Dumlao said. The AICS is under the department’s Protective Services Program and provides financial and material assistance, psychosocial support, and referral services to in-crisis individuals and their families, as assessed by social workers. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

TUCP assures support for OSAPIEA programs By Patrick V. Miguel

H E Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) will be working with the recently established Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA). TUCP stated they are “ready to partner with the Marcos Administration, especially Secretary Frederick Go” for the sake of promoting labor in the country. TUCP Vice President Luis Corral explained that this is “to promote progressive, workercentered, and race -to-the -top labor relations to attract investors” to generate more and better jobs. The OSAPIEA is the “troubleshooter” for investment and economic priorities, and is part of the government’s plan in examining ways to improve the state of the country for foreign direct investments, pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 49. “There is a need to further strengthen the existing mechanisms for formulation, coordination and implementation of the Government’s economic initiatives, plans, policies and programs, as well as to

establish a robust monitoring system to ensure a holistic and cohesive approach to addressing the diverse economic challenges currently confronting the nation,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos earlier said. In addition, OSAPIEA will sit as a member of National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board, Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), Social Development Committee (SDC), Committee on Infrastructure (INFRACOM), and Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC). TUCP earlier supported the creation of OSAPIEA, explaining that it is “critical in creating new, permanent, and decent jobs” for the people. Go was appointed to oversee the OSAPIEA. “This pro-labor rights pivot serves as an international seal of good housekeeping for sustainable businesses either to invest in the Philippines or to export tariff-free to foreign markets, generating more and better jobs for Filipino working families,” said Corral.

Govt allots ₧7.5 billion to fund 22 airport development projects

V ICE c ha ir person of t he House Committee on Appropriations disclosed on Wednesday that 22 airports, including the Pag-Asa Island Airport, are set to receive fresh funding as part of the national government’s 2024 Aviation Transport Infrastructure Program. Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said the funding allocations for each airport can be found in the 2024 General Appropriations Law. “All told, Congress has earmarked P7.5 billion this year for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of various airports and navigational facilities, including the procurement of equipment,” Campos said. He added that this expenditure aims to support the ongoing modernization and expansion of the nation’s aviation hubs, aligning with the anticipated full recovery of global air traffic in 2025. “Of course, we are also counting on the spending to enhance the overall travel experience of passengers,” Campos said. The list of 22 airports and their respective allocations for new infrastructure spending, as disclosed by Campos, includes: n Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), for a new Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance-Air Traffic

Management (CNS-ATM) System, P1.64 billion; n Pag-Asa Island Airport, P1.5 billion; n Kalibo International Airport, P581 million; n Laoag International Airport, P500 million; n Bukidnon Airport, P320 million; n Puerto Princesa Airport, P300 million; n New Zamboanga International Airport, P300 million; n Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport, P300 million; n Catbalogan Airport, P250 million; n Daet Airport, P225 million; n New Manila International Airport, P200 million; n Candon Airport, P200 million; n Borongan Airport, P200 million; n Iloilo International Airport, P190 million; n Tuguegarao Airport, P150 million; n Bacon Airport, P100 million; n Maasin Airport, P100 million; n Tandag Airport, P100 million; n Jolo Airport, P100 million; n Mati Airport, P100 million; n Surigao Airport, P80 million; and n Vigan Airport, P70 million.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

NHA presents inventory of illegally occupied lots and residential units

VER 14,000 unawarded government lots and residential units cleared and built for the past two decades have remained illegally occupied, according to the National Housing Authority (NHA). In a copy of Memorandum No. 2023-086 obtained by the BusinessMirror, the NHA said there were 14,463 unawarded occupied residential lots/units in its projects as of the end of December 2022. Given this, the NHA has extended the period for the issuance of the Notice to Apply and actual application of beneficiaries for the unawarded occupied residential lots/units to December 2025. “This Memorandum Circular shall cover all unawarded occupied residential lots/units in Pabahay 2000 and all NHA Projects with residential lots/units for legalization,” the document stated. NHA said the MC specifically covered the unawarded residential lots/ units illegally occupied by the present occupants whether censused or uncensused. The MC also covered lots with cancelled award due to non-compliance with the terms and conditions of award and contract. However, NHA said the MC does not cover unawarded lots in Northrail and Southrail Resettlement Projects whose lots were disposed of through loan agreements. The list also includes Public Estates Authority (PEA) housing projects, ACCO Homes, and other joint venture housing projects “where processing and documentations were governed by specific MCs.” The new MC amended portions of the MC No. 2018-008 or the “Updated

Guidelines on the Disposition of Unawarded Occupied Residential Lots/ units in NHA Projects.” The MC in 2008 was issued to “cover the disposition of all unawarded occupied residential lots/units in NHA Projects in order to legalize the stay of occupants, improve sales, and allow NHA to recover its investments.” The original MC issued 16 years prior, was able to legalize and dispose of as many as 16,500 lots/units to actual occupants. On Tuesday, NHA said in a statement that it has multiple housing projects, such as the Housing Program for informal settler families (ISFs) living in danger areas; Housing Program for ISFs affected by the issuance of Supreme Court Mandamus in cleaning up the Manila Bay; and Housing Program for ISFs affected by government projects. The list includes the Resettlement Assistance Program for Local Gover nment Un its (R A P-LGUs); Housing Assistance Program for Indigenous Peoples (HAPIP); Housing Assistance Program for Former R e b e l s ( H A PF R ); a n d C o m p r e hensive Social Benefits Program for Militar y and Police Personnel K i l l e d - i n - A c t i o n / Wo u n d e d - i n Action (K I A / W I A) and K illed-inPol ice O perat ion s/ Wou nded- i nPolice Operations (K IPO/ W IPO). The NHA projects also include the Government Employees Housing Program (GEHP)/Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP)/Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW); Housing Assistance Program for Calamity Victims (HAPCV); Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP); and, Settlements Upgrading (SU). Cai U. Ordinario

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

News BusinessMirror

BFAR bares new govt tack to boost fishery production By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

EACH a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime, but introduce him to agriculture and new modern equipment and he can start earning more and with minimal work-related risk.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Tuesday this is the thrust of the Marcos administration to help boost By Rex Anthony Naval

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deploying more than 13,000 police officers to secure the “Traslacion” or the religious procession, which is the highlight of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila which falls every January 9. In a radio interview Tuesday, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said they are planning to deploy 13,691 police personnel to secure the festivities. He added that these police

the productivity of local fishermen. “We will provide them with modern equipment so even if the would fish further [from the coast],

we will not worry for their safety because the boats they will use will be more durable and bigger,” BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said in Filipino during a television interview on Wednesday. He said they are also considering expanding the local aquaculture, which can provide higher profits to fishermen compared to fishing in open waters. Last year, BFAR reported it was able to produce 22 units of 62-footer fishing boats, which is larger than what is being used by most fisherfolk. The attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) also noted its aquaculture initiative with its partner fishermen resulted in the production

of 293 million fingerlings last year. Local aquaculture, Briguera said, can produce tilapia and other high value fishes like lapu-lapu (groupers) and pampano. These will be on top of the ongoing P11-billion Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project, which was launched last year to build infrastructures like cold storage facilities and climate resilient technology in 24 provinces and 11 regions. “So that is our direction,” Briguera said. Currently, he said fishermen earn about P10,000 to P15,000 a month. Based on BFAR data, there are at least 2 million registered fisherfolk nationwide.

Acorda: PNP to deploy 13,691 policemen for Black Nazarene procession on Jan. 9 officers would be stationed among the routes that will be taken by the Traslacion and key areas where devotees might converge. Acorda said an estimated 2.5 million devotees are expected to attend this year’s Traslacion. The procession will start from Quirino Grandstand, turn left

to Katigbak Street; pass through Padre Burgos Street; and along Finance Road, and Palanca, Arlegui, Fraternal, Vergara, Duque de Alba, Castillejos, Farnecio, Nepomuceno, Concepcion Aguila, Carcer, Hidalgo, Bilibid Viejo, Gil Puyat, and J.P De Guzman Streets; under the Quezon Bridge; and Villalobos Street

en route to Plaza Miranda right outside the church. The 2020 “Traslacion” had about three million participants and lasted some 16 hours. In 2018 and 2019, the police estimated an average crowd of four million people, with both events lasting for nearly 24 hours.

DepEd planted over 1.9-M trees nationwide as its Christmas gift to the Filipino children

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for Project Pagbabago: A Million Trees program. Under the agreement, DepEd agreed to collaborate with the two agencies in encouraging the participation of schools and communities in greening initiatives of the OVP to inculcate to its learners and employees the importance of environment preservation, and conservation and achieve the goals of the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government. As the DepEd’s participation in the initiative by the OVP, it is contributing 250,000 trees from the 1.9 million trees planted during the simultaneous nationwide tree planting activity, which was participated in by DepEd officials, personnel, teachers, and learners.

OLLOWING the nationwide simultaneous tree-planting activity by the Department of Education (DepEd) last December 6, 2023, reports from the field showed that over 1.9 million trees were planted in the different parts of the country, serving as the agency’s Christmas Gift for the children this year. Based on the final report from the field, DepEd reached a total of more than 1.9 million trees planted across all regions in the country under the “236,000 Christmas Trees” project, with Cordillera Administrative Region as the top contributor, planting more than 1.1 million trees alone. T h e De p E d h a s s i g n e d a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of

Ex-DND chief now BCDA chair Lorenzana cited for support to Philippine aerospace

ASESConversionandDevelopment Authority (BCDA) chairman Delfin N. Lorenzana has been recognized for his steadfast support to the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) during his term as Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND). Giving his award were International Jet Management Asia Ltd. CEO Maximilian Motschmann and PADC Acting President and CEO Raymond L. Mitra during PADC’s Year-End

Assessment and Thanksgiving event last December 20 at the Heritage Hotel, Pasay City. “Chairman Lorenzana’s support for PADC has been both steadfast and invaluable, a commitment that began during his notable tenure as the Secretary of the Department of National Defense. His enduring dedication to our organization has significantly contributed to our growth and achievements,” PADC said. As former defense chief, Lorenzana

also served as the chairman of the PADC Board of Directors, where he oversaw the implementation of reforms upon PADC’s transfer from the Department of Transportation to the DND pursuant to Executive Order 78, series of 2019. Chairman Lorenzana also pushed for the efficient management of PADC, ensuring that it is delivering its mandate of maximizing the national utility of the aviation and aerospace industries to boost the country’s defense programs. “I am honored to receive this

recognition from the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation. Thank you PADC, led by its President and CEO Atty. Raymond Mitra for this award,” Chairman Lorenzana said. “I would also like to congratulate PADC for your remarkable achievements this 2023. I trust that you will continue working hard to remain a relevant and useful organization that will lead the country’s bid towards self-reliance in the fields of aerospace and aviation,” he added.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Anti-red tape watchdog: 19 LGUs now fully automated By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

HE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) reported that 19 local government units (LGU) are now fully automated, which means that clients can access services for business registration including submission of applications, online payment, and electronic issuance of pertinent documents. According to ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, out of 1,637 LGUs, 630 LGUs have reported that they are now automated. “But according to the validation of the Compliance Monitoring and Evaluation Office of ARTA, only 19 [LGUs] are fully compliant, meaning fully automated and 611 are partially automated,” the ARTA chief said in a televised interview on Wednesday. In a Viber message sent to the BusinessMirror, ARTA said that as of December 2023, these 19 LGUs that have fully automated Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) are Manila City, Marikina City, Quezon City, Navotas City, Valenzuela City, Muntinlupa City, Parañaque City, Pasay City, San Fernando City, Ilagan City, Batangas City, Municipality of Ubay, Lapu-Lapu City, Municipality of San Roque, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Malabon City, Balanga City, and Legazpi City. The anti-red tape watchdog said that an LGU will be considered fully automated based on four criteria which are: the LGU has a system of submitting business applications online through the Unified Application Form which can upload the required documents in processing business applications. Another basis for the LGU to qualify as fully automated is the capability to issue the following: electronic tax bill or (orders of payment) TOP, Bureau of Fire

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Cour t (SC) reiterated that the consent of adopter’s legitimate children who are at least 10 years old and above is necessary for a petition for adoption to prosper. In a 10-page decision penned by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, the Court’s Third Division denied the petition for review filed by Nena Bagcat-Gullas seeking the reversal of the ruling issued by the Court of Appeals affirming the decision

of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cebu City, which set its May 18, 2018 order granting her and husband Jose Gullas’ petition for adoption of minor Jo Anne Maria Ariraya. The Cebu RTC reversed its May 18, 2018 despite having attained finality on July 16, 2018 after the couple’s legitimate children insisted that they were indispensable parties in the petition. They stressed that being legitimate children of the adopter, their consent to the adoption was necessary. In upholding the CA ruling, the Court noted that Section 9 of Republic

Act No. 8552 (An Act Establishing the Rules and Policies on the Domestic Adoption of Filipino Children and For Other Purposes) specifically states that “the consent of the adopter’s legitimate children, who are at least, of the age of 10, is required for the petition for adoption to prospect.” “In the case of the respondents, it is undisputed that they were all over 10 years old at the time of the adoption proceedings. Their written consent, therefore, was necessary for the adoption to be valid,” the SC said. It explained that the interest of

legitimate children “is material as an adoption decree not only affects the rights of the adoptee vis-a-vis the adopter, but also the rights of other children of the adopter, Jose in this case.” “The respondents, as children of Jose, should have been personally served summons by the trial court. Without impleading the respondents, and absent service of summons upon them, the judgment rendered by the RTC is void,” the SC added. Based on the Court records, Jo Anne and her biological mother, Settie Asiah Ariraya used to live at

Protection—Fire Safety Inspection Certificate Fee, and Barangay Clearance Fee. Also among the criteria for the LGU to be fully automated is being able to provide an “integrated online payment” or paying through online or digital facilities and gateways, such as pawnshops, GCash, or Bayad Centers. Moreover, ARTA said the LGU should have the capability to issue electronic versions of issued permits and should have a link connecting to a physical courier to deliver permits. Moving for ward, the head of ARTA said the agency would hold a “nationwide rollout” of the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) within the month to extend assistance to LGUs, which have not yet complied with the system’s requirements. “Sila po ay matulungan at lahat po ng puwede nating itulong; kasama na po dito, iyong pag-donate ng hardware, even technical assistance para wala pong dahilan iyong ating mga LGUs na makapag-comply sa requirement na ito,” Perez said. According to ARTA, as mandated by Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) law, eBOSS is “a single online portal that allows clients to access all necessary services and information for business registration, including submission of applications, online payment, and electronic issuance of pertinent documents.” Under Section 11c of the law, all LGUs are mandated to set up and operationalize an eBOSS by June 17,2021, within three years from the effectivity of the law. Perez said the “compliance audit” for this system is still collaboration among ARTA, the Department of Information and Communications Technolo g y (DICT ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

MARCOS ADMIN EYES TOURISM DEVT IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA Continued from A16

P5.4B travel tax goal

THE West Philippine Sea includes maritime areas on the Western side of the Philippines, which include the Luzon Sea and “waters around within the adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group [Spratly Islands] and Bajo de Masinloc [Scarborough Shoal],” as per Malacañang Administrative Order No. 29 of 2012. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has said these include the islands of PagAsa, Panata, Parola, Likas, Patag, Lawak, Kota, along with the Rizal Reef and Ayungin Shoal. Lapid said the Department of Budget and Management “has yet to send us a formal notice [regarding the subsidy],” so the agency still has to schedule a bidding for the WPS masterplan project. This year’s subsidy to Tieza is 232.8 percent higher than last year’s P186.3 million. As per the GAA 2024, Tieza is allowed to use last year’s subsidy for its other projects this year as well.

Consent of adopters’ legitimate children needed for adoption–SC By Joel R. San Juan

the house of Bagcat-Gullas and her husband, who supported Jo Anne and Settie as the latter had no source of income being a solo parent. When Settie eventually abandoned Jo Anne, Bagcat-Gullas and Jose provided Jo Anne’s needs and treated her as if she was their own child. On May 5, 2016, Bagcat-Gullas and Jose filed with the trial court a petition for adoption and correction of entries in the record of birth of Jo Anne. The RTC initially granted the petition for adoption but set such ruling aside upon motion by the

As this developed, the Tieza chief said they were targeting to collect some P5.4 billion in gross travel taxes this year, up 59 percent from the targeted P3.4 billion in gross collections for 2023. The agency collected some P5.6 billion in travel taxes from January to November 2023. “This exceeded the full-year target by 57 percent,” Lapid noted. Total travel taxes collected by the agency in prepandemic 2019, was P7.13 billion. Tieza is a government-owned and -controlled corporation overseen by the Department of Tourism, and tasked to establish tourism enterprise zones and construct infrastructure projects in local tourism destinations. These projects are funded from the travel tax collections, 50 percent of which are retained by Tieza, while the rest goes to the Commission on Higher Education (40 percent), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (10 percent). This means, Tieza will be able to use just P2.7 billion of the travel taxes it targets to collect this year. legitimate children of Jose who claimed they were indispensable parties to the petition as children of the adopter. Reiterating its 2014 ruling in Castro v. Gregorio, the Court held that the “consent of the adopter’s other children is necessary as it ensures harmony among the prospective siblings” and sufficiently puts other children on notice that they will have to share their parents love and care as well as their future legitimes with another person.” “The absence of an indispensable party renders all subsequent actions of the court null and void, as such the court has no authority to act not only to the absent party but also to those present,” the SC pointed out.

BusinessMirror

Thursday, January 4, 2024

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

ACCIONA CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES INC. 23/f Tower 2, The Enterprise Center Tower 2, Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

FERREIRO SIXTO, SEILA Stock Coordinator 1.

Brief Job Description: Forecast supply & demand to prevent overstocking and running out-of-stock (OOS).

Basic Qualification: At least 3 yrs. of experience in a related role, bachelor’s degree or vocational school certificate, can converse well in English language, though ability to converse in Spanish language (verbal & written) would be an advantage.

YANG, GANG Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Specialist 16.

LEE SIU SEE Mandarin Speaking Financial Officer Brief Job Description: Keep accurate records for all daily transactions. LAN, DA-WEI Mandarin Speaking Marketing Manager

Brief Job Description: Managing all marketing for the company and activities within the marketing department. LIANG, YIDA Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist Brief Job Description: Report to the assistant marketing manager directly. BUI THI BACH Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures.

CHAU DINH PHU Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 6.

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all business functions.

CHENG, YI-SHAN Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures.

HSIEH, MING-HUA Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 8.

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all business functions.

KYAW ZIN MIN HTET Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures.

THAI, THUAN THONG Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 10.

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all business functions.

LIN, TZU-WEN Mandarin Speaking Product Supervisor 11.

12.

Brief Job Description: Supervise product support representative. Perform other duties as related to the job function as required.

DENG, AIGUO Mandarin Speaking Recruitment Supervisor Brief Job Description: Maintains recruiting, selecting and training employees.

DENG, PING Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Specialist 13.

Brief Job Description: Evaluates system potential by testing compatibility of new programs.

HUANG, LANG Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Specialist 14.

Brief Job Description: Places software into production by loading software into computer. Entering necessary commands.

SHI, ZILING Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Specialist 15.

Brief Job Description: Evaluates system potential by testing compatibility of new programs.

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience.

17.

CHO, SEUNGYOUN Inbound Manager - Korean Market 18.

Brief Job Description: Promote and market the business, sometimes to new or niche markets. Manage the budget and maintain statistical and financial records.

CAI, ZHIHONG Pricing Analyst (Freight Forwarding)

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience. 19.

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience.

Brief Job Description: Pricing analysts help businesses determine competitive pricing strategies to gain market share and achieve revenue goals. They analyze data from multiple sources, develop complex pricing models, and collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop sales strategies.

LIU, FUYOU Pricing Analyst (Freight Forwarding)

20.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience.

ZENG, HUANTANG Supply Chain Manager 21.

Brief Job Description: Supply Chain Managers are responsible for overseeing and managing company’s overall supply chain and logistics strategy and operations in order to maximize the process efficiency and productivity.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience.

FEI, HONGBIN Invest SPC - RCO [CHI]

22.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin language. At least 6 months of work-related experience in this field. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Review legitimacy and accuracy of submitted documents by sellers and respond back on the case if needed, evaluate personal and business information from sellers and verifying the information with reliable internal and external sources, work efficiently on portals and tools provided by amazon on this role and maintain high ethics and integrity with respect to critical data. HAN, JING Invest SPC - RCO [CHI]

23.

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

LU, JIANG Invest SPC - RCO [CHI]

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

24.

Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin language. At least 6 months of work-related experience in this field.

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

BUI THI NA Invest SPC - RCO [VNM]

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience.

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

26.

27.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With previous work experience in a similar position. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: In-depth knowledge of statistical methods and data analysis. Ability to keep abreast of industry trends and develop dynamic pricing tools. Advanced ability to present pricing analysis reports to relevant stakeholders. Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Basic Qualification: Strong organizational and management skills including problem-solving. Representational skills. Excellent verbal and written skills. Self-motivated and creative. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

25.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Vietnamese, Mandarin & English languages and excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues.

28.

29.

HUANG, KAIWANG Risk SPCLST I-IPI[CHI]

30.

AGOMELANGA OBEOKOUA Sr. FinOps Analyst - FR 31.

Brief Job Description: Ensures that the product supports the company’s overall strategy and goals.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in Vietnamese, Mandarin & English languages and excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Vietnamese, Mandarin & English languages and excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Vietnamese, Mandarin & English languages and excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in both Korean and English languages. 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

32.

34.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Vietnamese, Mandarin & English languages and excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues.

35.

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

36.

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

33.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Vietnamese, Mandarin & English languages and excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Vietnamese, Mandarin & English languages and excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN THI KIM THUY Invest SPC - RCO [VNM]

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience.

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 4/f Unit 2c, One E-com Center Building Ocean Drive, Mall Of Asia Complex St., Barangay 76, Pasay City B21 Three E-com Moa Complex, Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore, Brgy. 076, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin language. At least 6 months of work-related experience in this field.

No.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin language. At least 6 months of work-related experience in this field.

Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin language. At least 6 months of work-related experience in this field.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin language. At least 6 months of work-related experience in this field.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

Brief Job Description: Evaluates system potential by testing compatibility of new programs.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

AIRMARK TOUR AND DEV’T INC. Unit 1505, 15/f The Pearlbank Centre, 148 Valero St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of workrelated experience.

Brief Job Description: Places software into production by loading software into computer. Entering necessary commands.

ZHENG, YANG Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ACSTREAM MANAGEMENT INC. 9/f Sterling Centre, 131 Dela Rosa Cor. Ormaza Sts., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

37.

DONG, AO Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

KAN QUOC HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LAU, CHUNG DUC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LUONG A SIU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

TRAN NAM ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

VONG MINH SON Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

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

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

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

XIAO, QUN Head Business Development

38.

Brief Job Description: Build solid relationship with customer vendors and distributor as well as sales and marketing and team, present market research to directors and suggest strategies to expand market research. Knowledgeable in research analysis and data modeling to improve the operation.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with work experience in business management, finance, computer software, marketing sales or related field, and fluent in both written and verbal English, Mandarin, and Korean languages. Fluent in Korean language communication skills is a plus.

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LIAO, DAHUI Mandarin Reclamation Dredger Operator 49.

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

CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY 5/f Section E Ramon Magsaysay Center, 1680 Roxas Blvd., 076, Barangay 699, Malate, City Of Manila

39.

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

WANG, JIANSHU Mandarin Dredging & Reclamation Quality Inspector 40.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin dredging & reclamation quality inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company in the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission, and long-term goals.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin dredger navigation controller, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by company.

41.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin dredging & reclamation quality inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.

50.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin dredging & reclamation quality inspector, familiarity, knowledge, and awareness of machinery and heavy equipment used by the company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plans.

42.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin dredging pump mechanic specialist will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company in the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission, and long-term goals.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin dredging pump mechanic specialist, familiarity, knowledge, and awareness of machinery and heavy equipment used by the company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plans.

XUE, QIANG Mandarin Reclamation Dredger Operator 51.

43.

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

XIAO, JINGYU Mandarin Dredging Pump Mechanic Specialist 44.

XU, WENQING Mandarin Dredging Pump Mechanic Specialist 45.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin dredging pump specialist, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by company. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin dredging pump specialist, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by company. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin dredging pump mechanic specialist, familiarity, knowledge, and awareness of machinery and heavy equipment used by the company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plans. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LUO, ZHONGFA Mandarin Quality Inspector 46.

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

ZHAO, YOUHONG Mandarin Quality Inspector 47.

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

Basic Qualification: Experience as Mandarin Quality Inspector, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by company. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin quality inspector, familiarity, knowledge, and awareness of machinery and heavy equipment used by the company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plans. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HE, JIAN Mandarin Reclamation Dredger Operator 48.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin reclamation dredger operator, familiarity, knowledge, and awareness of machinery and heavy equipment used by the company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plans.

No.

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. 2nd, 3rd, And 4th Floors, Science Hub Tower 4 Bldg., Mckinley Hill Cyberpark, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

BISHT, AMIT SINGH Product Consultant - Functional 52.

Brief Job Description: payment solution design and implementation support. GPP configuration and profile static data upload. conduct client training on GPP product and analyze requirements.

61.

CHANG, CHI-YU Chinese Customer Service Representative 62.

53.

RAJAN S/O KOMARASU Chief Finance And Operating Officer (Concepcion Industrial Corporation) Brief Job Description: Manage and oversee the whole Finance and Operations across CIC.

63.

54.

55.

56.

57.

ERLINA Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming and outgoing calls, chats and emails.

CHEN, TZU-PING Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming and outgoing calls, chats and emails.

LY THU HUONG Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming and outgoing calls, chats and emails.

VONG ANH Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming and outgoing calls, chats and emails.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in Indonesian language.

64.

65.

66.

67.

JEONG, KYEONGHO Brand Manager 58.

Brief Job Description: Researching and analyzing consumer behavior, market trends and competitor activity. Establishing budgets, performance specifications and sales estimates.

68.

69.

59.

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

70.

71.

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

GAMMA INTERACTIVE INC. 21/f Alphaland Makati Place, 7232 Ayala Ave. Cor. Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as project manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Works with customers/employees to identify computer problems and advises them on the solution.

CHIA KWANG SHIN Malaysian Customer Service Representative 72.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. CHIA SIN CHEE Malaysian Customer Service Representative

73.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. CHOR MENG SIONG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

74.

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

60.

LI, YONGHAO Project Manager

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

CHEN, JHAN-FU a.k.a. CHEN, LI-PEI Chinese Technical Support Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

YEH, SHU-YU Chinese Finance Support Specialist

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

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as project manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. WU, YI-CHEN Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

WANG, WEI-HSIEN Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With in-depth knowledge of marketing strategies and branding principles. With strong analytical, creativity and innovation skills.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

WANG, CHIEH-MIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin language.

FHM CORPORATION Unit 2101 The Finance Center 26th Street Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

LIU, YU-DE Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin language.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

HUANG, HAO-CHEN a.k.a. HUANG, CHENG-HAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

HUANG, CHING-TING Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above DIGICHROM INC. 25/f Yuchengco Tower, Rcbc Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave. Cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati Unit 2001-a, 2602 & 2603 20/f & 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

CHUNG, CHANG-HSU Chinese Customer Service Representative

CONCEPCION-CARRIER AIRCONDITIONING COMPANY Km 20 Ssh-way, East Service Road, Buli, City Of Muntinlupa Basic Qualification: At least 25-30 years’ experience and accumulated knowledge in Corporate Planning and Structuring, Tax Planning, Private Equities, Valuations, Auditing, Financial Planning, Financial Accounting, Treasury and Financial Planning and Analysis is required.

Brief Job Description: Manages the execution of different marketing strategies for a company and developing efficient and intuitive marketing.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: 21 years old and above with Marketing Executive experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GAO SHOU TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 52/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Clear message queues using Putty, IBM Websphere. Expertise in gathering of data and analysis for Payments Implementation. More than 10 years of expertise in Payments Industry GPP SP tool. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION KHAN, GOLAM MUSTAFA Marketing Executive Indian Speaking

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

WANG, WENJIE Mandarin Dredging Pump Mechanic Specialist

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

LI, WEILIN Mandarin Dredging Pump Mechanic Specialist

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

ZHU, ZHENGGUO Mandarin Dredging & Reclamation Quality Inspector

WU, RUILIANG Mandarin Reclamation Dredger Operator

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

LIU, JINLONG Mandarin Dredger Navigation Controller

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. GAN MING THIAN Malaysian Customer Service Representative

75.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. TAY HUAN SHENG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

76.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Chinese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Chinese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Chinese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Bahasa languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Bahasa languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

A6 A8

BusinessMirror

Thursday, January 4, 2024

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YAP YONG HO Malaysian Customer Service Representative

77.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. OONKAEW, ARISA Thai Admin Support Specialist

78.

Brief Job Description: Handles administrative requests and queries from senior managers/officers. Organizes and schedules appointments with office software.

KHONGLUMPHOON, RUETHAICHANOK Thai Customer Service Representative 79.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

KITTIPERMPOOLSUK, PATTARAPHON Thai Customer Service Representative 80.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

PHUTHATPHET, APEECHAYA Thai Customer Service Representative 81.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. PONGPIRIYAJIT, THANAWIT Thai Technical Support Representative

82.

Brief Job Description: Works with customers/employees to identify computer problems and advises them on the solution. DO, NGOC THONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

83.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. DU DIEU TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

84.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

LUONG TRIEN TU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 85.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

NGUYEN MINH ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 86.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. NGUYEN THI NHAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

87.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

NGUYEN VAN DUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 88.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

NGUYEN, HAI YEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 89.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

NGUYEN, TAM THANH PHUOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 90.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Bahasa languages.

No.

PHAN THI YEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 93.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Thai languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage.

94.

95.

96.

97.

98.

91.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

PHAM, MINH HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 92.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. TRAN, THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

99.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

PHAN NAM QUAN Vietnamese Technical Support Representative 100.

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

Brief Job Description: Works with customers/employees to identify computer problems and advises them on the solution.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Vietnamese languages.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage.

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

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and in Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Vietnamese languages.

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

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

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. 53/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati RUTH LOCK MEI XIU Network Design Manager 102.

Brief Job Description: Develop physical-layer algorithm reference models for prototypes of 5G wireless baseband modem technologies.

110.

111.

112.

113.

114.

115.

PEGORARO, GABRIELE AGATINO Customer Service Process Specialist

103.

Brief Job Description: To work on post-contractual legal agreements relating to MSA and allied agreements and undergo client training to review and validate executed legal agreements like NDA, MSA, PSA, and related amendments such as SLA, DPA, of specific of French and Portuguese accounts.

Basic Qualification: Must be at least High school graduate. Effective communication skill. CSR experience in a BPO setting is preferred. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

104.

XIONG, MIN Financial Specialist Brief Job Description: Evaluate capital expenditures and income generation.

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

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Floor Building E, Six West Campus, Le Grand Avenue, Mckinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig MARSANDA Indonesian Customer Support Representative Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

SUN, XUEPENG Mandarin Customer Support Specialist 106.

Brief Job Description: Experts at their product, and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

CHUONG CHANH QUAY Vietnamese Customer Support Specialist 107.

Brief Job Description: Experts at their product, and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Indonesian language and at least college level with related BPO experience.

116.

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

Basic Qualification: Solid knowledge of marketing techniques and principles. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LE THI THANH TUYEN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Provide customer care, when necessary, and keep updated knowledge of accounts policies and products. NGUYEN THANH QUANG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Provide customer care, when necessary, and keep updated knowledge of accounts policies and products. TRAN HAI DANG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Provide customer care, when necessary, and keep updated knowledge of accounts policies and products. TRAN VAN XUAN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Provide customer care, when necessary, and keep updated knowledge of accounts policies and products. LE TRONG HUNG Helpdesk Brief Job Description: Advise user on appropriate action.

Brief Job Description: Install configure and support workstation software, printers, and phones.

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

Basic Qualification: Vietnamese speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 4 years degree course graduate of any related field. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze staff needs, identify vulnerabilities, and boost efficiency and accuracy. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Provide inspired leadership for the organization. Make important policy, planning and strategy decisions. Develop, implement and review operational policies and procedures.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 1 year of relevant work experience in a similar field. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

MARKETROLE ASIA PACIFIC SERVICES, INC. 27/f & 28/f The Enterprise Center Tower 1, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

117.

118.

119.

120.

121.

122.

123.

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

Brief Job Description: Producing marketing and promotional materials.

YU, EUNHYE Operations Manager

INTERGENERATION PRIME HOLDING INC. 11/f Tower 1 The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor, Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or any 4-year course and at least 1-3 years of experience in the similar field.

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

LM CONSULTING CORPORATION Level 10-01 Fort Legend Tower, 31st Street Corner 3rd Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in foreign language. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

XU, WENPAI Marketing Staff

DANG VAN HOAI NAM IT Support

INFOSYS BPM LIMITED - PHILIPPINE BRANCH 19th-23rd Flr., Bgc Corporate Center, 11th Ave. Corner 30th Sts., City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage.

Basic Qualification: At least 3 years of work experience. Excellent in English communication and written skills, attention to detail, proficient in Microsoft office and willing to work in BGC Taguig City.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Vietnamese language and at least college level with related BPO experience.

KNW TECHNOLOGY INC. 103 Equinox Plaza, Sierra Madre, Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

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

101.

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

109.

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

Brief Job Description: Experts at their product, and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

JAWOON PHILS. INC. Unit 1505 Richville Corporate Tower, Alabang-zapote Road Mbp Ayala, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

Brief Job Description: Monitor progress of project and communicate relevant information, creation of reports and decks, define project tasks etc.

108.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LAM MY MY Vietnamese Customer Support Specialist

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

GO-TO OUTSOURCING INC. Unit 3 & 4, 11f Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, E Square Information Technology Park, 5th Ave. Corner, 30th St.,, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

BUTTERWORTH, HARRY GEORGE Project Manager

No.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage.

105. PHAM THI LE CHI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. TRAN TICH CUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. TRAN MY LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services. TO MINH DUC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

THAI THI THANH THU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

SAM BUI KIET Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

124.

125.

126.

DO, QUY QUAN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

DONG, YANXIA Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. LE VU HA GIANG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. LI, ZHIQIANG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. NGUYEN THANH TRUNG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. NGUYEN, THU THUY Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. REN, XIN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. SONG, XUELIANG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. SU, THE XUONG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. TRAN DINH DUY Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

127.

128.

129.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WONG HON LEONG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. XIAO, YONGSHUN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. ZHANG, JINQIU Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

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

144.

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

145.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese/ Mandarin language fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 146.

CATANI, GIUSEPPE CFO/Treasurer

130.

Basic Qualification: Master’s Degree/ Bachelor’s Degree holder and a C-suits Executive.

147.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

131.

132.

133.

134.

135.

136.

137.

138.

139.

140.

141.

142.

143.

SHI, JIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

DOS SANTOS CORRAINI, KLEBER Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

MOREIRA, ANA LYDIA Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

TEONG HOO SOON Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VILVANESHAAN KALITHUS Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

BAN, XUAN LICH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DANG NGOC LOI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DUONG, THI MINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

HA, THUY LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HO CANH TRUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG NGOC VIET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese/ Mandarin language fluently.

MSC MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY PHILIPPINES INC. 15/f Philamlife Tower, 8767 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Responsible for all matters relating to Finance in the country and will work closely with the Group finance team as an added value to support the Managing Director, the rest of the operational departments, including secretarial services for the Shareholders’ Annual General, and extraordinary meetings, Board of Directors meetings, reduction and keeping the minutes of meetings, and all ancillary works.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communications skills.

148.

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

149.

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

150.

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

151.

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

152.

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

153.

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

154.

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

155.

HOANG, MINH KHANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

HUYNH, DUC PHUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

KHUAT, THI NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, HOAI CHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, HONG NHUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, NGUYEN PHUONG THOA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LIU Y BINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LO, THI OAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LY, KIM MY TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

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

156.

NGUYEN DANG QUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

157.

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

158.

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

159.

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

160.

NGUYEN THI GIA LAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THI HONG HANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

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

Thursday, January 4, 2024

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

No.

161.

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

162.

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

163.

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

164.

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

165.

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

166.

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

167.

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

168.

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

169.

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

170.

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

171.

NGUYEN, NGOC CHAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, THI HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NINH VAN DUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

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

PHAN, THI HUYNH MINH KIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

TRINH THI DUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VU THI KIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

SUSANTI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

TURNER, AVRAHAM ERIC Sales Manager 172.

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

Brief Job Description: Achieve growth and hit sales targets by successfully managing the sales team. Design and implement a strategic business plan that expands company’s customer base and ensure its strong presence.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With knowledge in regulating requirements or standards for Accounts/Clients. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

PHILIPPINE TRAILBLAZERS TECHNOLOGY CORP. 2f Bachrach Bldg Ii 23rd St., Cor Railroad St., Barangay 653, Port Area, City Of Manila DAI, WEN Translator 173.

Brief Job Description: Expert in language translation from Mandarin to English language. Can speak and write Mandarin and English languages fluently. HUANG, TIANCHENG Translator

174.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

OUTSOURCELLENT INC. Unit 403 Corporate 101 Plaza 101, Mother Ignacia Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City

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

NGUYEN, HOANG CHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

NOCMAKATI, INC. 8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16,17,18 & 19 Floors, Century Diamond Center, Poblacion, City Of Makati

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: Expert in language translation from Mandarin to English language. Can speak and write Mandarin and English languages fluently. QIN, YAO Translator

175.

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

Brief Job Description: Expert in language translation from Mandarin to English language. Can speak and write Mandarin and English languages fluently. WANG, JUN Translator

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

176.

Brief Job Description: Expert in language translation from Mandarin to English language. Can speak and write Mandarin and English languages fluently.

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

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

Basic Qualification: At least 2 years of working experience as a translator. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: At least 2 years of working experience as translator. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A10 A6 Thursday, January 4, 2024

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LEE, SEUNGJUN Korean Language - Support Officer

177.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning and administration of the organization’s daily operations. Providing information, assistance & support to customers. Assist with the preparation of reports. Escalating complex issues to management. WU, FENG-CHENG Mandarin Language - Support Officer

178.

179.

180.

181.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Degree holder. Must fluently speak and write Korean language. Can work under pressure. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder. Must fluently speak and write Mandarin language. Can work under pressure.

No.

GUO, LINGHAI Associate, Business Development (Chinese Seller Management - Relationship Management) 191.

Brief Job Description: Oversee assigned top Marketplace accounts, including negotiating deals, operational improvement and campaign participation to maximize growth.

ZHENG, XIANFENG Multilingual Finance Manager 192.

Brief Job Description: Provide financial reports and interpret financial information to managerial staff while recommending further courses of action.

LIAO, JIANZHANG Multilingual Production Manager 193.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder. Must fluently speak and write Vietnamese language. Can work under pressure.

Brief Job Description: Monitor production and product design output to resolve issues and determine quality control standards.

MA, DAI Multilingual Production Manager 194.

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

Brief Job Description: Monitor production and product design output to resolve issues and determine quality control standards.

POWERCHINA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2101 21/f Bdo Equitable Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati GU, YUHANG Chinese Technical Works Supervisor 182.

Brief Job Description: Provides work direction and participates in the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of electronic, electrical, mechanical, scientific instrumentation, and other various systems.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English languages both in written and verbal. With working knowledge in the field of construction.

YU, ZHONGHUA Multilingual Production Manager 195.

183.

Brief Job Description: To develop a long term technical and technological plan specially training employees to become more technically equipped.

Basic Qualification: At least 20 years of experience in the field of installation.

184.

Brief Job Description: Ensuring that all food is of excellent quality and served in a timely manner. Planning the menu, keeping in mind the budget and availability of ingredients.

PRASAD, SURAJ Chef 185.

Brief Job Description: Ensuring that all food is of excellent quality and served in a timely manner. Planning the menu, keeping in mind the budget and availability of ingredients.

PYARE LAL Chef 186.

Brief Job Description: Ensuring that all food is of excellent quality and served in a timely manner. Planning the menu, keeping in mind the budget and availability of ingredients.

SHRESTHA, BIJAY Chef 187.

Brief Job Description: Ensuring that all food is of excellent quality and served in a timely manner. Planning the menu, keeping in mind the budget and availability of ingredients.

Basic Qualification: With good verbal and communication skills in English language and familiar in the field of Indian food and delicacies.

188.

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

196.

Basic Qualification: With good verbal and communication skills in English language and familiar in the field of Indian food and delicacies.

Brief Job Description: Supervise the work of laborers, mechanics etc., and give them guidance when needed. Evaluate progress and prepare detailed reports.

LUHANGU, THONY KALONDA GB Adminplus Member Specialist 197.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good verbal and communication skills in English language and familiar in the field of Indian food and delicacies.

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service in assisting clients with their inquiries about our Adminplus services via inbound & outbound calls, secure messages, click to chat.

RANGARAMANUJAM, KUMUTHAVALLI Manager - Talent Engagement 198.

Brief Job Description: To act as a Manager - Talent Engagement for TCS Philippines and perform other related functions to accomplish the project.

SHI, CHUNWEI Store Manager 199.

Brief Job Description: Complete store operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees. Ensures availability of products and services.

CHEN, HUI-SHAN Chinese Admin Support Specialist 200.

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

189.

Brief Job Description: To assist in managing the kitchen according to 5-star standards and establishing the Bellevue Manila.

KURASAWA, YUI Japanese Guest Relations Officer 190.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for exceeding guest expectations by looking at what is the most important for them.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to assist the Chinese Executive Chef.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions and suggesting information about other products and services.

201.

HUANG, YU-HSUAN Chinese Software Engineer Brief Job Description: Manages daily operations of the IT department.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Have a minimum of two years of experience within a similar position within the Front Office, preferably within an organization of the luxury segment. Knowledge of the Japanese culture and customs is mandatory for this position. Excellent in English language (verbal and written). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English languages both in written and verbal. With working knowledge in the field of production of luxury tiles. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English languages both in written and verbal. With working knowledge in the field of production of luxury tiles. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English languages both in written and verbal. With working knowledge in the field of production of luxury tiles.

205.

202.

KOMONSRI, PAKGAPATH Thai Marketing Specialist Brief Job Description: Manages daily operations of the IT department.

LE, THI ANH TUYET Vietnamese Marketing Specialist 203.

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits and trends.

Brief Job Description: Conduct makes research to find answers about consumer requirements, habits and trends.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English languages both in written and verbal. With working knowledge in the field of production of luxury tiles.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluency in English and French languages- speaking and writing. Superior customer services skills.

Brief Job Description: Manages daily operations of the IT department.

SHAH, SYED SHAHEN Indian Country Manager 206.

Basic Qualification: At least 19 years old. Ability to speak, write and communicate in their respective language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: To supervise, manage and represent the corporation with the Indian Embassy/Consulate, Airlines and Travels.

Basic Qualification: Must be College Graduate or College Level. Knowledge of regulating requirements or standards for Indian Accounts/Clients. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

WANFANG TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 6-9/f Tower 2 Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Cor. Macapagal Ave., Barangay 76, Pasay City

CHIUCHUAI, JANTHIP Thai Admin Support Specialist 207.

Brief Job Description: Handles administrative requests and queries from senior managers/officers.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. 28/f Techzone Condo Corp., 213 Buendia Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati LI, HUAN Chinese Language Marketing Staff

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English languages both in written and verbal. With working knowledge in the field of production of luxury tiles.

PHAM THI PHUONG THAO Vietnamese Marketing Specialist

VFS SERVICES PHILIPPINES PRIVATE, INC. M01 Mezz Ecoplaza Bldg., 2305 Chino Roces Ext., Magallanes, City Of Makati

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

208.

Brief Job Description: Conduct marketing activities. Create promotion of products and services offered by the company and track their success.

LIU, WENYANG Chinese Language Marketing Staff 209.

Brief Job Description: Conduct marketing activities. Create promotion of products and services offered by the company and track their success.

XIA, XI Chinese Language Marketing Staff

210.

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

Brief Job Description: Conduct marketing activities. Create promotion of products and services offered by the company and track their success.

BAGUS GALIH PRATAMA Indonesian Language Marketing Staff 211.

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience.

Brief Job Description: Conduct marketing activities. Create promotion of products and services offered by the company and track their success.

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

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 DHANI VRIDANA Indonesian Language Marketing Staff 212. Basic Qualification: College graduate. Knowledgeable in electric products such as circuit breakers, solar panels and other similar products.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least 19 years old. Ability to speak, write and communicate in their respective language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least 19 years old. Ability to speak, write and communicate in their respective language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With relative work experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Conduct marketing activities. Create promotion of products and services offered by the company and track their success.

TANG SAU KHOANH Vietnamese Language Marketing Staff

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

TIAN XIA TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 6/f Filinvest Cyberzone Bldg. B, Superblock A Central Business Park 1 Bay City St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

RPJ DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED (PHOENIX COURT AND THE BELLEVUE MANILA) North Bridgeway Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa WONG YEW WEI Deputy Chinese Chef

204.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

THERMOPOWER CONTROL CORPORATION #383 F., San Diego St., Viente Reales, City Of Valenzuela

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With previous work experience in a related field.

Basic Qualification: BS degree holder, and fluent in Mandarin language.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

MAI TUONG VI Vietnamese Marketing Specialist

TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES (PHILIPPINES) INC. 8th-12th, 14th & 15th Floor, Panorama Tower, 34th Street Corner Lane A, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good verbal and communication skills in English language and familiar in the field of Indian food and delicacies.

No.

SUN LIFE FINANCIAL ASIA SERVICES LIMITED 4th Flr. Sunlife Centre, 5th Ave. Cor. Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

RELIASOURCING INC. Unit 403 Corporate 101 Bldg., 101 Mother Ignacia 4, South Triangle, Quezon City BORSOK, AMIR Marketing Consultant

TONG, XIAOTAO Multilingual Project Manager

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

R.R.H. FOOD GROUP INC. (QUEENS BOLLYWOOD FUEGO CAFE HOLEY MOLEY) Level 3 Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati DANGWAL, RAKESH Chef

Brief Job Description: Monitor production and product design output to resolve issues and determine quality control standards.

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

PROTEC CONSULTING INC. Unit 707 Avida One Park Drive 11th Avenue Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig NIELSEN, KIM RYAN Chief Technical Officer

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

STONE ASIA AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS, INC. 350, J.p. Rizal, Namayan, City Of Mandaluyong

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder. Must fluently speak and write Vietnamese language. Can work under pressure.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

SHOPEE PHILIPPINES INC 37/f Seven/neo Net Parking Bldg., 5th Avenue E-square Crescent Park West Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write Vietnamese language to cater foreign markets.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

213.

Brief Job Description: Conduct marketing activities. Create promotion of products and services offered by the company and track their success.

TU THUY HANG Vietnamese Language Marketing Staff 214.

Brief Job Description: Conduct marketing activities. Create promotion of products and services offered by the company and track their success.

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

*Date Generated: Jan 3, 2024 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 7, 2023, the name SRI RAHMA PRUNA NINGSIH under the company 7 PRIME TECH, INC., should have been read as SRI RAHMA PURNA NINGSIH 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.

Thursday, January 4, 2024 A11

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Laurel reshuffles senior agriculture officials By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed 2024 by reshuffling its senior officials and key directors, as Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. continued with the reorganization of the agency. Exactly two months after he was appointed as agriculture chief, Laurel issued seven Special Orders (SO) regarding the designation of several officials, mostly undersecretaries, at the DA. SO 1 series of 2024 indicated that Undersecretary Leocadio S.

Sebastian will join the Secretary’s Technical Advisory Group (STAG). With the new designation, Sebastian, who is a Career Executive Service officer (CESO) I, is no longer Undersecretary for Rice Industry and Development. Sebastian returned to the DA towards the

Congress seen approving bamboo development bill this year

ONGRESS is expected to approve the Bamboo Industry Development bill, or the proposed Kawayan Act, this year. Sponsored by Senator Mark A . Villar, Senate Bill (SB) 2513, “A n Act Institutiona l izing t he Bamboo Industr y Development of t he Ph i l ippi nes,” is now being f ina l ized. It w i l l be subjected to inter pel lation by senators possibly by t he f irst quar ter of 2024. Bicamera l discussions w il l then ensue to come up with a unified version of the bills from the Senate and House of Representatives prior to submission to the Office of the President for ratification. “We have enough time until the third regular session to complete the whole process,” said Lawyer Ken Sta. Rita, presiding officer at the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship (SCTCE). Congress’s third regular session begins in July 2024. Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, who is the vice chairman of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council, said the approval of the bamboo bill will enable realization of the vision of Executive Order 879. “We will finally have a true ‘Pinoy’ industry that uses a green

material to promote industrialization and dollar generation,” said Savellano. He authored an early version of a House bill supporting the productive use of the climate-smart native plant ubiquitously grown nationwide. Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) Executive Director Rene Madarang said the bamboo law as approved will finally institutionalize a counterpart PBIDC office that harmonizes the myriad bamboo programs of government. “It will all be under one center so that the private sector knows where to go to for different kinds of assistance that will enable us to nurture our bamboo industry,” said Madarang. SB 2513 introduces incentives into the industry including making it an Investment Priorities Program product under the Board of Investments. Bamboo plantations will be exempted from permits for tree cutting, harvesting and transport. Private plantations will be allowed to enjoy free rental of government lands. Plantations will also be accepted as collateral for government loans. Private sector players have also been pushing for incentives and policies that will encourage investments into the sector foreseen to gross $92 billion globally by end-2030.

end of the Duterte administration under the leadership of former Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar. The STAG was created by Dar in 2019 to provide policy and program recommendations to address the major issues and challenges affecting the country’s agriculture sector. The STAG is composed of industry and academic representatives coming from various quarters of the agriculture sector. In his SO 2 series of 2024, Laurel designated long-time DA director U-Nichols A. Manalo as the National Rice Program (NRP) Director. The DA’s NRP is one of its flagship programs for developing and modernizing the country’s agriculture sector. Manalo will now oversee the utilization of over P30 billion in funding dedicated to the development of the country’s rice sector, comprising various programs

ranging from seeds, fertilizers, pesticide assistance, among others. Corn industry leader Roger V. Navarro, who has been serving as OIC for Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations since Laurel assumed office, would now oversee three more offices as stipulated under SO 3 series of 2024. Navarro would also serve as the OIC of the Office of the Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development, which was earlier held by Sebastian, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Operations. He was designated as OIC of the Office of the National Project Director for the Philippine Rural Development Project. Meanwhile, Drusila Esther E. Bayate has been handed the position of Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Regulations, replacing Undersecretary Mercedita A.

seeking to expand, although it can take several years for new trees to bear pods. The rally is also notable for bucking the downturn across other staple crops. The Bloomberg Agriculture Spot Index is down 14 percent in 2023, the most in a decade. While the seasonal dusty winds setting in could help fieldwork progress, the weather pattern known as El Niño risks exacerbating the dry spell. In the near-term, lower demand could help cool prices. Still, Rabobank has forecast London futures to stay above £3,000 a ton until the second half of 2024, a historically high level. Buyers in the European Union are also gearing up for new deforestation regulations that are set to add to costs throughout the supply chain. Cocoa futures in New York are up more than 60 percent in 2023, heading for the biggest gain since 2001. Analysts said the world’s largest chocolate makers are yet to see the full impact of a rally that sent cocoa futures to a 46-year high last month. Companies including Hershey Co. and Nestle SA usually buy cocoa well in advance.

projects, and activities of the bureaus. The DA website indicated that the department has a total of 9 bureaus. Laurel, through SO 6 series of 2024, designated Telma C. Tolentino as the Undersecretary-designate for Finance in the latter’s concurrent capacity as the OIC Director of Financial and Management Services The DA chief has also named Agnes Catherine T. Miranda, a CESO III, as Undersecretary for DA Attached Agencies and Corporations, a new position. Miranda’s responsibilities are similar to Sombilla’s but she will oversee 16 attached DA agencies and corporations. All the SOs were signed and issued by Laurel on January 2, the first working day of 2024. The DA website now shows that it has 8 undersecretaries and 9 assistant secretaries.

‘FDA directive fails to address problems posed by bird flu’

HE Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) latest directive on avian influenza (AI) vaccines does not directly address the problems posed by the disease as it is not “aligned” with the guidelines crafted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and industry stakeholders, according to an expert. Dr. Jun Romo, the immediate past president of the Philippine College of Poultry Practitioners Inc. (PCPP), said the FDA did not approve the permit of the bird flu vaccines endorsed by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the PCPP for wide-scale applications on targeted priority areas. Romo was part of the team that spearheaded the crafting of the country’s bird flu vaccine guidelines. Instead, he said the FDA granted only the field trials for “some” suppliers which would take six months to finish before the vaccine applicant may secure a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) from the regulatory body. “CPR applications can only happen once the field trials are done and results are submitted. In this case we are not addressing the danger the poultry industry is facing with the wild bird migration season. And not aligned with the DA approved AI Vaccination guidelines,” Romo told the BusinessMirror. Last week, the FDA launched Task Force Alectryon that would focus on the evaluation of bird flu vaccines to be used in the country. The creation of the task force

BUSINESSMIRROR FILE PHOTO

came almost two months after the Department of Agriculture (DA) allowed the commercial use of bird flu vaccines in domestic poultry. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/11/08/ phl-allows-commercial-use-ofai-vaccine-for-domestic-poultryindustry/) In a statement, the FDA noted that vaccination would play a “crucial role” in addressing the country’s bird flu outbreaks that have become more wide-scale in recent years. The FDA said the task force would focus on a “streamlined” evaluation of applications for AI drugs and vaccines to ensure that they are “safe, efficacious and of good quality” to prevent and curb the spread of the transboundary animal disease locally. The agency said it has not received a single application for CPR for bird flu vaccine to date. The CPR is a critical document being issued by the FDA to allow the commercial sale and use of a prod-

Cocoa’s biggest gain since 2008 is bad news for chocolate consumers OCOA’S biggest annual gain in 15 years is bad news for chocolate consumers around the world. The surge in prices is likely to hit shoppers even harder this year as chocolate makers run out of supplies purchased at lower levels and begin to account for the brunt of the rally. White sugar futures capped a fifth annual gain, adding to the inflation in the sweets aisle. Relentless rain earlier in 2023 hampered cocoa crops in West Africa and promoted the spread of a pod-withering disease. To make matters worse, an annual windy stretch known as the harmattan has now started, adding to the production threats in the world’s top growing region. The supply worries sent the most-active contract in London up 70 percent to £3,506 a ton in 2023—the biggest yearly gain since 2008. The most-active contract traded as high as £3,588 on December 18. Cocoa’s supply concentration leaves little leeway for alternate growers to fill the gap. Some 60 percent of output comes from just two countries—Ivory Coast and Ghana. Others, like Brazil and Ecuador, are

Sombilla who will now serve as the Undersecretary for DA Bureaus. Bayate joined the DA in early 2023 after being appointed as the Undersecretary for Fisheries. Bayate was former assistant director at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources from 2014 to 2022. Laurel also created a new designation under SO 5 series of 2024— the Office of the Undersecretary for DA Bureaus, which would be headed by Sombilla. Sombilla is tasked to advise and assist Laurel in the promulgation of issuances to the DA bureaus and exercise supervision over the attached bureaus of the department in the execution of their functions. Sombilla will also represent Laurel in meetings and official engagements concerning the DA bureaus and will also undertake review and evaluation of the plans,

As supplies run out and prices remain high, chocolate makers are being forced to pay up—a cost they will eventually pass on to consumers. “It’s the most extraordinary situation I’ve seen in my career,” said Jonathan Parkman, the head of agricultural sales at Marex Group, who has followed the cocoa market for more than three decades. “I don’t think we’ve seen the worst of the situation for consumers.” Chocolate prices have already surged 17 percent in the US over the past two years as commodity costs from cocoa to sugar jumped, according to consumer researcher Euromonitor International. And there’s no relief in sight, with cocoa production in West Africa—accounting for almost 70 percent of supplies—turning out much worse than expected. Global supplies are set to fall short of demand for a third year in the season that started in October. Bean deliveries to ports in top grower Ivory Coast are running significantly behind. And that’s before dryness from an El Niño weather pattern starts to have an impact on the harvest, drying out the pods that contain the beans

uct, including vaccines. Without a CPR, a vaccine cannot be used at a commercial scale locally. “The Food and Drug Administration encourages the veterinary pharmaceutical industry to submit applications with complete requirements in support of the government’s efforts to control Avian Flu infection,” it said.

‘Complementary tool’

T HE w i sdom of t he v acc i ne guidelines approved by the DA in November last year was to facilitate a situation akin to the use of Covid-19 vaccines in the countr y wherein the state authorized the rollout of vaccines that have been proven effective and safe through field trials and evaluation by competent authorities abroad. “Unlike ASF [African swine fever] vaccines, AI vaccines [the right ones which we are recommending with the BAI AI Technical Working Committee] are approved by WOAH [World Organization for Animal

Health] as a complementary tool to combat HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza],” Romo said. “FDA would like to repeat what we have done for a year that included experts.” Romo disclosed that PCPP had a sit-down meeting with BAI and FDA representatives to have an equal understanding regarding the country’s directions on AI vaccine use. “We thought we had a clear agreement that they will support the HPAI vaccination guidelines.” Philippine Chamber for Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) President Danilo V. Fausto lauded the FDA for “finally taking action on AI vaccines” but urged the agency to increase its manpower to ensure the efficient evaluation and approval of CPRs. “It is good to know that the FDA is finally taking action on AI vaccines. They should increase their manpower and hope they will do the same to other products that have applied for CPR,” Fausto told the BusinessMirror. The urgency of allowing the use of vaccines came about when the country faced a resurgence of bird flu outbreaks in recent years. The disease spread faster and affected more areas. The Philippines joined the growing number of countries worldwide that have adopted a vaccination policy to control the spread of bird f lu that has killed at least 300 million of poultry globally. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

HERSHEY Kisses chocolate candies move along a conveyor at the company’s factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, on March 21, 2023. BLOOMBERG NEWS

ground for chocolate. “The pod count coming out of Ivory Coast and Africa has been materially different than what people expected,” Luca Zaramella, chief financial officer at Oreo cookies maker Mondelez International Inc., said during an earnings call last month. “There is pressure on cocoa.”

Butter surge

TO make matters worse, the run-up in costs of cocoa products—products of bean processing—has been staggering. The price of butter, which accounts for about 20 percent of the weight of an average chocolate bar, has already hit a record, according to KnowledgeCharts, a unit of Commodities Risk Analysis. In top consumer Europe, prices are close to 9,600 euros a metric ton in December, almost 2.5 times the cost of cocoa futures. Producing treats including Hershey Kisses and Crunch bars takes months of planning. The butter that made up most of the chocolate sold at Halloween and Christmas was produced when prices were lower. The pressure is now on for Valentine’s Day, with both Nestle and Mondelez having already warned they will

need to increase prices again. “Product prices—liquor and butter—are off the charts, so it’s only now feeding to consumers,” Parkman said. Chocolate makers use the futures market to hedge risk, buying cocoa eight to nine months out. Prices are now so high that protection has gone down to six months, according to Marex. In the earnings call, Zaramella said Mondelez was covered for “a good portion” of the first half of 2024. Lindt & Sprüngli Group raised prices by 9.3 percent on average in the first half of the year. Prices charged by Hershey’s North American confectionery unit rose by 11 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier.

Price gains

THE cost increase for cocoa has been “so

significant that it outstrips the slight easing seen in some other raw materials,” Lindt said in its half-year presentation. Chocolate makers are also seeing costs including labor, processing, transporting and marketing increase, according to Carl Quash III, head of snacks and nutrition at Euromonitor. As a result, “we could see chocolate prices continue to grow for years to come,” he said. Cocoa prices are likely to stay high until the new crop arrives in October 2024, potentially cooling the market by almost 20 percent to $3,500 a ton, said Megan Fisher, a researcher at Capital Economics. Some traders say relief may only come in 2025, when West African farmers will have had enough time to react to price increases. Bloomberg News

TheWorld BusinessMirror

A12 Thursday, January 4, 2024

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

Apparent Israeli strike kills senior Hamas figure in Beirut and raises fears conflict could expand By Bassem Mroue, Tia Goldenberg & Wafaa Shurafa

The Associated Press

EIRUT—An apparent Israeli strike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut killed Hamas’ No. 2 political leader Tuesday, marking a potentially significant escalation of Israel’s war against the militant group and heightening the risk of a wider Middle East conflict.

PEOPLE gather outside a damaged building following a massive explosion in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The TV station of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group says top Hamas official Saleh Arouri was killed Tuesday in an explosion in a southern Beirut suburb. AP/BILAL HUSSEIN

Saleh Arouri, who was the most senior Hamas figure killed since the war with Israel began, was also a founder of the group’s military wing. His death could provoke major retaliation by Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah militia. The strike hit an apartment in a building in a Shiite district of Beirut that is a Hezbollah stronghold, and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has vowed to strike back against any Israeli targeting of Palestinian officials in Lebanon. Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire almost daily over the IsraeliLebanese border since Israel ’s military campaign in Gaza began nearly three months ago. But so far the Lebanese group has appeared reluctant to dramatically escalate the fighting. A significant response now could send the conflict spiraling into all-out war on Israel’s northern border. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the strike was carried out by an Israeli drone, and Israeli officials declined to comment. Speaking to reporters, Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari did not directly mention Arouri ’s death but said, “We are focused

number of mid-level Hamas leaders in Gaza, but this would be the first time it has reached into another country to target the group’s top leaders, many of whom live in exile around the region. A rou r i wa s t he deput y of Hamas’ supreme political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, and headed the group’s presence in the West Bank. He was also a key liaison with Hezbollah. Tuesday’s blast shook a residential building in the Beirut suburb of Musharafieh, killing four people, according to the Lebanese news agency. Hamas confirmed that Arouri was killed along with six other members of the group, including two military commanders. Haniyeh said the movement was “more powerful and determined” following the attack. “They left behind them strong men who will carry the banner after them,” he said of those killed. Hezbollah called the strike “a serious attack on Lebanon, its people, its security, sovereignty and resistance.” “We affirm that this crime will never pass without response and punishment,” it said. Since the Gaza conflict began, Lebanese have feared their country

and remain focused on fighting against Hamas.” “We are on high readiness for any scenario,” he added. The killing comes ahead of a visit to the region by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, even as the United States has tried to prevent a spread of the conflict, repeatedly warning Hezbollah—and its regional supporter, Iran—not to escalate the violence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the assault in Gaza until Hamas is crushed and the more than 100 hostages still held by the militant group in Gaza are freed, which he has said could take several more months. At the same time, Israeli officials have increasingly warned in recent days of stepped-up action against Hezbollah unless its crossborder fire stops.

Beirut strike

NETANYAHU and other Israeli officials have repeatedly threatened to kill Hamas leaders wherever they are. The group’s Oct. 7 attack from Gaza into southern Israel killed around 1,200 people, and some 240 others were taken hostage. Israel claims to have killed a

could be pulled into a full-fledged war. Hezbollah and Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006, when Israeli bombardment wreaked heavy destruction in southern Lebanon.

Gaza combat continues

ISRAEL’S air, ground and sea assault in Gaza has killed more than 22,100 people in Gaza, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. The count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The campaign has driven some 85 percent of Gaza’s population from their homes, forcing hundreds of thousands of people into overcrowded shelters or teeming tent camps in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless bombed. Israel ’s siege of the territory has left a quarter of Gaza residents facing starvation, according to the United Nations. Israel announced Monday that it would withdraw five brigades, or several thousand troops, from Gaza in the coming weeks. Still, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said it would be a mistake to think that Israel is planning on halting the war.

Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities, killing 5, injuring 130–Kyiv officials By Illia Novikov & Hanna Arhirova The Associated Press

YIV, Ukraine—Ukraine’s two largest cities came under attack early Tuesday from Russian missiles that killed five people and injured as many as 130, officials said, as the war approached its two-year mark and the Kremlin stepped up its winter bombardment of urban areas. Air defenses shot down all 10 of the Russian Kinzhal missiles, which can fly at 10 times the speed of sound, out of about 100 of various types that were launched, said Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief. But other missiles got through in Kyiv and in Kharkiv, the provincial capital of the northeastern region. In Kyiv and its surrounding region, four people were killed and about 70 were wounded, while in the Kharkiv region, one person was killed and about 60 were hurt, the Interior Ministry said. The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is an air-launched ballistic missile that is rarely used by Russian forces due to its cost and limited stocks. The barrage fired Tuesday was the highest number used in one attack since the start of the war, Ukraine air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said. The latest round of attacks by Russia began Friday with its largest single assault on Ukraine of the war, as fighting along the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has subsided into grinding attrition amid winter. At least 41 civilians were killed since the weekend. At a nine-story Kyiv apartment building where two people were killed, 48-year-old Inna Luhina was getting ready for work when a blast shattered her windows and

she and other family members, including her 80-year-old mother, were struck by flying glass. More than 100 survivors gathered at a school set up as a temporary shelter. Iryna Dzyhil, a 55-year-old resident of the same building, said the explosion threw her and her husband from their chairs, and a subsequent fire trapped them on the top floor until emergency crews rescued them via the roof. “They say they’re hitting militar y targets, but they’re hitting people, killing our children and our loved ones,” Dzyhil said of the Russians. Russia fired almost 100 missiles of various types in the attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X, formerly Twitter. He claimed at least 70 were shot down, almost all of them in the Kyiv area, noting that Western-supplied air defense systems such as Patriots and NASAMS had saved hundreds of lives. Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had launched missile and drone strikes on military industrial facilities in and around Kyiv. Depots storing missiles and munitions supplied by the West also were targeted, it said. “The goal of the strike has been achieved, all the targets have been hit,” it said without elaborating. It was not possible to independently verify either side’s claims. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said that since December 29, Russia has used almost 300 missiles and more than 200 Shahed drones against Ukraine. Th e a t t a c k s c re a t e d a d e s o l a t e morning scene in Kyiv, with most cafes and restaurants remaining closed. Many people opted to stay indoors or seek refuge in shelters as powerful blasts

shook the city from early morning. Air raid sirens blared for nearly four hours, and the city’s subway stations—which serve as shelters—were crowded. After the air force issued warnings about incoming missiles, people wearing pajamas underneath their coats took sleeping bags, mats and their pets to subway stations while loud explosions echoed above. At one of the central stations, called Golden Gates, hundreds of people filled the spacious underground areas while trains continued to run. “Perhaps today was the most frightening because there were so many explosions,” said resident Myroslava Shcherba. On Saturday, shelling of the Russian border city of Belgorod killed more than two-dozen people. Russia blamed Ukraine for the attack and has struck back repeatedly since then. The Belgorod attack was one of the deadliest on Russian soil since Moscow’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine started more than 22 months ago. Russian officials said the death toll reached 26, including five children, after a new salvo of rockets Tuesday. Air defense systems near Belgorod shot down four missiles fired Tuesday by a Ukrainian Vilkha multiple rocket launcher, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Over the previous 24 hours, Ukraine has carried out at least 50 attacks, including shelling and explosives from drones, regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said. One person was killed and 11 others were injured by the shelling, he said. Repeated attacks on Belgorod also prompted city authorities to temporarily shut some of its cinemas and malls. Announcing the closures Tuesday evening on Telegram, Mayor Valentin Demidov said that “everyone should stay home as much

as possible” in light of the attacks. Shortly after Demidov’s announcement, Russian media repor ted loud explosions heard in Belgorod yet again. Gladkov and Russia’s Defense Ministry said nine missiles launched by Ukraine were shot down over the region. No casualties were reported. Cities in western Russia have regularly come under drone attacks since May, although Ukrainian officials never acknowledge responsibility for strikes on Russian territory or the annexed Crimean Peninsula. “They want to intimidate us and create uncertainty within our country. We will intensify strikes. Not a single crime against our civilian population will go unpunished,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday, describing the barrage of Belgorod as a “terrorist act.” He accused Western nations of using Ukraine to try to “put Russia in its place.” While vowing retribution, he insisted Moscow would only target militar y infrastructure in Ukraine, but officials in Kyiv report civilian casualties from daily attacks on apartment buildings, shopping centers and residential areas. In other developments, Russia’s Defense Ministry said one of its warplanes accidentally released munitions over the southwestern Russian village of Petropavlovka in the Voronezh region Tuesday, damaging six houses but causing no injuries. It said an investigation will determine the cause of the accident but didn’t say what type of weapon the warplane dropped. In April, munitions accidentally released by a Russian warplane caused a powerful blast in Belgorod, damaging several cars and slightly injuring two people.

“The feeling that we will stop soon is incorrect,” he said Tuesday. “Without a clear victory, we will not be able to live in the Middle East.” Israel has said it’s close to achieving operational control over most of northern Gaza, where ground troops have been battling militants for over two months. But Gallant said several thousand Hamas fighters are believed still to be in the north, and residents reported clashes in several parts of Gaza City, as well as in the nearby urban Jabaliya refugee camp. Fierce fighting has continued in other parts of the Palestinian territory, especially the south, where many of Hamas’ forces remain intact and where most of Gaza’s population has fled. Palestinians reported heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling in the southern city of Khan Younis and farming areas to the east. The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israel bombed its headquarters in the city, killing five people. At least 14,000 displaced people are sheltering in the building, it said. Fighting was also underway in and around the built-up Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. The army issued evacuation orders to people living in parts of nearby Nuseirat camp. A strike Tuesday leveled a building in Nuseirat, killing at least eight people, according to officials at the nearby hospital. Associated Press footage showed people pulling several children out of the wreckage.

Genocide case

IN other developments, officials said Israel will defend itself before the United Nation’s top court against charges that it has engaged in genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The announcement set the stage for what is likely to be a landmark case in international law. South Africa launched the case Friday at the International Court

of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands, saying the Israeli military campaign targeting Hamas has resulted in enough death, destruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza to meet the threshold of genocide under international law. South Africa asked the court to order Israel to halt its attacks in Gaza. Israel rarely cooperates in international court cases against it, dismissing the United Nations and international tribunals as unfair and biased. Its decision to respond to the charge signals that the government is concerned about potential damage to its reputation. The genocide charge strikes at the heart of Israel’s national identity. The country sees itself as a bulwark of security for Jews after the Holocaust killed 6 million Jews, and world support for Israel’s creation in Palestine in 1948 was deeply rooted in outrage over Nazi atrocities. The convention against genocide was drawn up by world powers the same year in hopes of preventing similar atrocities. Eylon Levy, an official in the Israeli prime minister’s office, accused South Africa of “giving political and legal cover” to Hamas after its October 7 attack triggered Israel’s campaign. “The state of Israel will appear before the International Court of Justice at the Hague to dispel South Africa’s absurd blood libel,” he said. Many South Africans, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have compared Israel’s policies regarding Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with South Africa’s past apartheid regime of racial segregation. Israel rejects such comparisons.

Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Shurafa reported from Deir alBalah, Gaza Strip.

Japanese rescuers race against time in search for survivors after strong quakes leave 62 dead By Hiro Komae & Yuri Kageyama The Associated Press

UZU, Japan—Rescue workers and canine units urgently sifted through rubble Wednesday ahead of predicted freezing cold and heavy rain in what the prime minister called a race against time after powerful earthquakes in western Japan killed 62 people. Dozens are believed trapped under collapsed buildings. Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas were rattled by a 4.9 magnitude aftershock early Wednesday—one of dozens of aftershocks that have followed Monday’s shallow magnitude 7.6 temblor with an epicenter at Noto, Ishikawa prefecture, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) from Tokyo on the opposite coast. The shaking set off tsunami warnings, followed by waves measuring more than 1 meter (3 feet) in some places. The first 72 hours are especially critical, experts say, because the prospects for survival greatly diminish after three days. “More than 40 hours have passed. This is a race against time, and I feel that we are at a critical moment,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. “We have received reports many people are still waiting for rescue under collapsed buildings.” Noto’s narrow peninsula landscape has added to the challenges in reaching some communities. Water, power and cell phone service were still down in some areas. “Hardly any of the homes are standing. They are either partially or totally destroyed,” said Masuhiro Izumiya, the mayor of neighboring Suzu city, which suffered heavy damage.

Relief officials handed out water, blankets, food and other supplies. Search dogs joined military personnel and firefighters trying to find and rescue dozens of people who are thought to be trapped, although the exact number is unclear. Weather forecasts warned of heavy rainfall in Ishikawa, leading to worries about landslides and further damage to half-crumbled homes. Temperatures were expected to drop to around 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight. Of the deaths, 29 were counted in Wajima city, while 22 people died in Suzu, according to Ishikawa Prefectural authorities. Eleven deaths were reported scattered among other nearby towns, and two additional deaths were still awaiting official confirmation in Wajima, meaning the overall toll would likely grow to 64 people. Dozens of people have been seriously injured, including in nearby prefectures. Ishikawa Gov. Hiroshi Hase encouraged everyone to use masks, antiseptic and soap to guard against the spread of infectious diseases as evacuees sheltered together. Ensuring adequate water supplies and bathroom services for those who were displaced is a priority, he said. People on the coastline were already picking up the pieces, like Noto resident Kazuyuki Iwaike, who was deep in thought as he cleaned up his home. It was by sheer chance he had avoided death. He was not home when the tsunami that followed the earthquakes struck. Kageyama reported from Tokyo. Richard Columbo in Suzu, Haruka Nuga in Bangkok and Rod McGuirk in Sydney contributed.

TheWorld BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thursday, January 4, 2024 A13

Trump appeals Maine ruling barring him from ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clause By Nicholas Riccardi & David Sharp

The Associated Press

ORTLAND, Maine—Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed a ruling by Maine’s secretary of state barring him from the state’s primary ballot over his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. Trump, the early front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, appealed the Maine decision by Democrat Shenna Bellows, who became the first secretary of state in history to bar someone from running for the presidency under the rarely used Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. That provision prohibits those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. The former president is expected to soon appeal a similar ban by the Colorado Supreme Court. That appeal would go to the US Supreme Court, while Bellows’ action is being appealed to a Maine Superior Court. Trump’s appeal on Tuesday asks that Bellows be required to place him on the March 5 primary ballot. The appeal argues that she abused her discretion and relied on “untrustworthy evidence.” “ The secretar y should have recused herself due to her bias aga inst President Tr u mp, a s demonstrated by a documented

history of prior statements prejudging the issue presented,” Trump’s attorneys wrote. Bellows reiterated to The Associated Press on Tuesday that her ruling was on pause pending the outcome of the appeal, which had been expected. “This is part of the process. I have confidence in my decision and confidence in the rule of law. This is Maine’s process and it’s really important that first and foremost every single one of us who serves in government uphold the Constitution and the laws of the state,” she said. Trump’s critics have filed dozens of lawsuits seeking to disqualify him in multiple states. None succeeded until a slim major it y of Colorado’s seven justices—all of whom were appointed by Democratic governors—ruled against Trump last month. The Colorado court’s 4-3 decision was the first time in history the provision was used

FORMER President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally on December 19, 2023, in Waterloo, Iowa. Police said Tuesday, December 26, 2023, they are investigating incidents directed at Colorado Supreme Court justices and providing extra patrols around their homes in Denver following the court’s decision to remove Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot. AP/CHARLIE NEIBERGALL

to bar a presidential contender from the ballot. Trump lost Colorado in 2020, and he doesn’t need to win it again to garner an Electoral College majority next year. But he earned one of Maine’s four Electoral College votes in 2020 by winning the state’s 2nd Congressional District, so Bellows’ decision could have an impact next November. Critics warned that it was an overreach and that the court could not simply declare that the January 6 attack was an “insurrection” without a more established judicial process. A week after Colorado’s ruling, Bellows issued her own. Critics warned it was even more perilous because it could pave the way for partisan election officials to simply disqualify candidates they oppose. Bellows, a former head of Maine’s branch of the American

Harvard president’s resignation highlights new conservative weapon against colleges: plagiarism By Collin Binkley & Moriah Balingit AP Education Writers

ASHINGTON—The downfall of Harvard’s president has elevated the threat of unearthing plagiarism, a cardinal sin in academia, as a possible new weapon in conservative attacks on higher education. Claudine Gay’s resignation Tuesday followed weeks of mounting accusations that she lifted language from other scholars in her doctoral dissertation and journal articles. The allegations surfaced amid backlash over her congressional testimony about antisemitism on campus. The plagiarism allegations came not from her academic peers but her political foes, led by conservatives who sought to oust Gay and put her career under intense scrutiny in hopes of finding a fatal flaw. Her detractors charged that Gay—who has a Ph.D. in government, was a professor at Harvard and Stanford and headed Harvard’s largest division before being promoted—got the top job in large part because she is a Black woman. Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist who helped orchestrate the effort, celebrated her departure as a win in his campaign against elite institutions of higher education. On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote “SCALPED,” as if Gay was a trophy of violence, invoking a gruesome practice taken up by white colonists who sought to eradicate Native Americans. “Tomorrow, we get back to the fight,” he said on X, describing a “playbook” against institutions deemed too liberal by conservatives. His latest target: efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in education and business. “We must not stop until we have abolished DEI ideology from every institution in America,” he said. In another post, he announced a new “plagiarism hunting fund,” vowing to “expose the rot in the Ivy League and restore truth, rather than racialist ideology, as the

Harvard University President Claudine Gay speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill, December 5, 2023, in Washington. Gay resigned Tuesday, January 2, 2024, amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say unequivocally that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy. AP/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

highest principle in academic life.” Gay didn’t directly address the plagiarism accusations in a campus letter announcing her resignation, but she noted she was troubled to see doubt cast on her commitment “to upholding scholarly rigor.” She also indirectly nodded to the December congressional hearing that started the onslaught of criticism, where she did not say unequivocally that calls for the genocide of Jews would violate Harvard policy. Her departure comes just six months after becoming Harvard’s first Black president. As the figureheads of their universities, presidents often face heightened scrutiny, and numerous leaders have been felled by plagiarism scandals. Stanford University’s president resigned last year amid findings that he manipulated scientific data in his research. A president of the University of South Carolina resigned in 2021 after he lifted parts of his speech at a graduation ceremony. In Gay’s case, many academics were troubled with how the plagiarism came to light: as part of a coordinated campaign to discredit Gay and force her from office, in part because of her involvement in efforts

for racial justice on campus. Her resignation came after calls for her ouster from prominent conservatives including Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Harvard alumna, and Bill Ackman, a billionaire hedge fund manager who has donated millions to Harvard. The campaign against Gay and other Ivy League presidents has become part of a broader right-wing effort to remake higher education, which has often been seen as a bastion of liberalism. Republican detractors have sought to gut funding for public universities, roll back tenure and banish initiatives that make colleges more welcoming to students of color, disabled students and the LGBTQ+ community. They also have aimed to limit how race and gender are discussed in classrooms. Walter M. Kimbrough, the former president of the historically Black Dillard University, said what unfolded at Harvard reminded him of an adage from his mother, a Black graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, in the 1950s. As a Black person in academia, “you always have to be twice, three times as good,” he said. “There are going to be people, particularly if they have any inkling that the person of color is not the most qualified, who will label them a ‘DEI hire,’ like they tried to label her,” Kimbrough said. “If you want to lead an institution like (Harvard) … there are going to be people who are looking to disqualify you.” Reviews by conservative activists and then by a Harvard committee did find multiple shortcomings in Gay’s academic citations. In dozens of instances first published by The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative website, Gay’s work includes long stretches of prose that mirror language from other published works. A review ordered by Harvard acknowledged “duplicative language” and missing quotation marks, but it concluded the errors “were not considered intentional or reckless” and didn’t rise to misconduct. Harvard previously said Gay updated her dissertation and requested corrections from journals.

Civil Liberties Union, has previously criticized Trump and his behavior on January 6. The Constitution’s Section 3 has been barely used since the years after the Civil War, when it kept defeated Confederates from returning to their former government positions. The twosentence clause says that anyone who swore an oath to “support” the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection cannot hold office unless a two-thirds vote of Congress allows it. Trump’s lawyers argue the provision isn’t intended to apply to the president, contending that the oath for the top office in the land isn’t to “support” the Constitution but instead to “preserve, protect and defend ” it. T hey also argue that the presidency isn’t explicitly mentioned in the amendment, only any “officer of Among her critics in conservative circles and academia, the findings are clear evidence that Gay, as the top academic at the pinnacle of US higher education, is unfit to serve. Her defenders say it isn’t so clear-cut. In highly specialized fields, scholars often use similar language to describe the same concepts, said Davarian Baldwin, a historian at Trinity College who writes about race and higher education. Gay clearly made mistakes, he said, but with the spread of software designed to detect plagiarism, it wouldn’t be hard to find similar overlap in works by other presidents and professors. The tool becomes dangerous, he added, when it “falls into the hands of those who argue that academia in general is a cesspool of incompetence and bad actors.” John Pelissero, a former interim college president who now works for the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, said instances of plagiarism deserve to be evaluated individually and that it’s not always so cut and dried. “You’re looking for whether there was intentionality to mislead or inappropriately borrow other people’s ideas in your work,” Pelissero said. “Or was there an honest mistake?” Without commenting on the merits of the allegations against Gay, President Irene Mulvey of the American Association of University Professors said she fears plagiarism investigations could be “weaponized” to pursue a political agenda. “There is a right-wing political attack on higher education right now, which feels like an existential threat to the academic freedom that has made American higher education the envy of the world,” Mulvey said. She worries Gay’s departure will put a new strain on college presidents. In addition to their work courting donors, policymakers and alumni, presidents are supposed to protect faculty from interference so they can research unimpeded. “For presidents to be taken down like this, it does not bode well for academic freedom,” she said. “I think it’ll chill the climate for academic freedom. And it may make university presidents less likely to speak out against this inappropriate interference for fear of losing their jobs or being targeted.” Balingit reported from Sacramento.

the United States”—a legal term they contend doesn’t apply to the president. Trump made the opposite argument defending against his prosecution for fraud by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, contending the case should move to federal court because the president is “an officer of the United States.” The prosecutors argued that language only applies to presidential appointees—Trump’s position here. The contention that Section 3 doesn’t apply to the president drew a scathing response from the Colorado Supreme Court last month. “President Trump asks us to hold that Section 3 disqualifies every oathbreaking insurrectionist except the most powerful one and that it bars oathbreakers from virtually every office, both state and federal, except the highest one in the land,” the court’s majority opinion said. “Both results are inconsistent with the plain language and history of Section 3.” As for history, Congress granted amnesty to most former Confederates in 1872, and Section 3 fell into disuse. Legal scholars believe its only application in the 20th century was being cited by Congress in 1919 to block the seating of a socialist who opposed US involvement in World War I and was elected to the House of Representatives. But it returned to use after January 6, 2021. In 2022, a judge used it to remove a rural New Mexico count y commissioner from office after he was convicted of a misdemeanor for entering

the US Capitol on January 6. Liberal groups sued to block Republican Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Marjorie Taylor Greene from running for reelection because of their roles on that day. Cawthorn’s case became moot when he lost his primary in 2022, and a judge ruled to keep Greene on the ballot. Some conservatives warn that, if Trump is removed, political groups will routinely use Section 3 against opponents in unexpected ways. They have suggested it could be used to remove Vice President Kamala Harris, for example, because she raised bail money for people ar rested after George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020. Trump and his allies have attacked the cases against him as “anti-democratic” and sought to tie them to President Joe Biden because the Colorado case and some others are funded by liberal groups who share prominent donors with the Democratic president. But Biden’s administration has noted that the president has no role in the litigation. Those who support using the provision against Trump counter that the January 6 attack was unprecedented in American history and that there will be few cases so ripe for Section 3. If the high court lets Trump stay on the ballot, they’ve contended, it will be another example of the former president bending the legal system to excuse his extreme behavior. Riccardi reported from Denver.

A MAN climbs out from the icy sea to the pier, in southern Helsinki, Finland on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Finland and Sweden have recorded this winter’s cold records on Tuesday as a temperatures plummeted to over minus 40 degrees as a result of a cold spell prevailing in the Nordic region. VESA MOILANEN/LEHTIKUVA VIA AP

Cold spell in Finland and Sweden sends temperature below minus 40 By Jari Tanner

The Associated Press

ELSINKI—Finland and Sweden recorded their coldest temperatures of the winter Tuesday when thermometers plummeted as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 Fahrenheit) as a cold spell grips the Nordic region. Cold and snow disrupted transportation throughout the region, including in Norway where a major highway in the south was closed due to the weather and ferry lines suspended operations. Swedish train operators said the cold snap caused substantial problems for rail traffic in the Arctic north. Nikkaluokta, a small village inhabited by indigenous Sami people in northern Sweden, recorded a temperature of minus 41.6 degrees C (minus 42.8 F) early Tuesday, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported. “It’s the coldest temperature we have had so far this winter, and it will continue to be quite cold weather in the north,” SVT meteorologist Nils Holmqvist said. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute reported temperatures of minus 30 C (minus 22 F) in several locations

in northern Sweden, and issued a warning for snow and wind for central and southern Sweden. Its second-highest warning applies from midnight into Wednesday. In neighboring Finland, this winter’s cold record was recorded in the northwestern town of Ylivieska where temperatures fell to minus 37.8 C (minus 36 F) early Tuesday, and forecasters said temperatures would be lower than minus 40 C in parts of the nation through the week. Temperatures in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, were expected to hover between minus 15 and minus 20 C (around zero F). In the southern Norway town of Arendal, officials said schools would be closed Wednesday because it wasn’t possible to clear the sidewalks in time for children to get to school. Several ferry companies throughout the region canceled crossings, including those from southern Norway to Denmark where a key bridge was closed to vehicles with light trailers because of strong winds, Danish officials said. Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.

A14 Thursday, January 4, 2024 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

editorial

Peace and order: Catalyst for investor confidence

N a world marked by globalization and economic interdependence, nations must compete to attract foreign investment to fuel their economic growth. While numerous factors influence investment decisions, one crucial aspect that investors prioritize is the peace and order situation. Peace and stability form the bedrock upon which economic progress can thrive, providing an environment conducive to business operations, sustainable growth, and investor confidence.

A peaceful environment encourages long-term commitments, leading to capital inflows, business expansion, and job creation. Investors recognize that a peaceful and orderly environment fosters efficient supply chains, uninterrupted transportation networks, and reliable infrastructure. These factors are essential for minimizing operational risks and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services, which positively impact profitability and investor returns. Furthermore, a country’s peace and order situation contributes significantly to its overall reputation and image in the global investment community. Positive perceptions of a nation’s stability and security attract investors seeking reliable and secure investment opportunities. A positive reputation can also boost tourism, trade, and other economic activities, further enhancing a nation’s attractiveness as an investment destination. The Marcos administration has steadily minimized the various threats from different groups seeking to undermine its stability, security, and development. These threat groups include terrorist organizations, insurgent groups, criminal syndicates, and separatist movements. Four days before Christmas, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, made a big announcement. He said the military is nearing the attainment of total victory against all threat groups in the country. (Read the BusinessMirror report, “AFP nearing total victory vs all threat groups—Brawner,” December 23, 2023). “In keeping with our legacy and valor in the face of countless challenges both internal and external, the AFP has consistently risen to the occasion towards attaining total victory against all threat groups; your AFP has worked in unity with various partners and stakeholders to attain significant headway on our campaign,” he declared in his speech during the AFP’s 88th founding anniversary on December 21. Brawner said the AFP’s victories are highlighted by the improved peace and order situation in former stronghold areas of the armed insurgency, as shown in the declaration of the local government units as insurgency free. He added that this helped boost tourism, investments and productive interaction all over the country. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP public affairs office chief, released on Wednesday a yearend report detailing the military’s success in dismantling communist fronts in 2023. “The AFP has achieved a significant milestone by dismantling eight and weakening 14 guerilla fronts of the communist terrorist group [CTG]. As of December, there are no more active CTG guerilla fronts. The continued military operations have resulted in the neutralization of 67 high-value individuals who belong to communist and local terrorist groups,” he said. (Read the BusinessMirror report, “8 communist fronts dismantled, 14 others weakened in 2023, military says,” January 3, 2024). Over the years, the AFP has faced numerous challenges posed by insurgent groups seeking to destabilize the country. Through its unwavering commitment and effective implementation of counterinsurgency measures, it has successfully weakened and diminished the strength of insurgents, contributing to a more secure and stable Philippines. While the task of eradicating insurgency completely remains ongoing, it would do well for the administration to establish open lines of communication with local communities. By listening to the people’s concerns, grievances, and aspirations, the government will have a chance to improve the delivery of essential services, such as education, health care, electricity, and infrastructure development in areas affected by insurgency. Winning the support of the local population is a critical aspect of government’s counterinsurgency efforts. It is important to note that winning hearts and minds is a gradual and ongoing process that requires consistency, sincerity, and adaptability. It would do well for national government leaders to be patient, responsive to local needs, and committed to addressing the underlying causes of insurgency to achieve lasting success.

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

STREET TALK

ntering the New Year 2024, one group that will see a definitive change in its existence would be the jeepney sector. Depending on how it is viewed and whom we are talking to, all roads pertaining to the modernization of the jeepneys, a program that started during the previous administration, will come to a head this year. Will we see the beginning of modern secondary route transport, or the end of the jeepneys, as we have come to know them? Whatever is the case, the lives of millions who depend on jeepneys for livelihood and the millions more of our countrymen who depend on this decrepit but affordable transport, will be adversely affected. The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization (PUVM) program was supposed to be the showcase of the previous administration and was heralded as its largest non-infrastructure Build, Build, Build program. It began with the jeepneys, our vintage inheritance from our former colonizers that then addressed the need for post-war road transport and for generations had remained to be unchanged, not just how it looks but with its total ecosystem as well. Jeepneys up until now remain to be mostly a mom-and-pop operation, with operators having only one or two units, that they themselves would drive and then “lease” on a boundary system to other drivers. Given this hand-to-mouth exis-

tence, the jeepneys were therefore, for the most part, unmaintained and unkept. On the side of past government administrations, there were no real efforts to upgrade the jeepney transport to include its viability and efficiency: Routes remained to be unrationalized, safety compromised, and environmental concerns not given attention. Instead, government funding and attention were given to the rail sector with past administrations heralding rail lines as their flagship transport projects: Marcos 1 with the LRT, Aquino—Ramos with Edsa MRT, GMA-Aquino 2 with their LRT line 1 extension and LRT2, and the Duterte administration with its subway. All costing hundreds of billions, funded mostly by foreign gov-

Online Editor

Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Creative Director Chief Photographer

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes 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

ernments pushing their technologies and products. On the other hand, until the Duterte administration, there were really no real changes on our jeepneys. Yet if we look at the numbers, the jeepneys are no doubt the backbone of Philippine transport system. On these jeepneys, and on the sweat and tears of drivers and operators, depend the journeys of more than 30 million Filipino commuters daily. Compare this to an estimated 10 million bus passengers and a meager two million estimate for the highly invested railways. The jeepneys may be old, inefficient, unsafe, and uncomfortable but they work and provide what is needed. Thus, the jeepney modernization, when it was announced, was welcome news for the commuters, the operator/drivers as well as our local vehicle industry. It was long overdue. There was a bit of hesitation and confusion, but generally excitement and hope pervaded. Finally we can foresee a better life for the commuters and the operators. However, problems did crop up. First, the pandemic happened and given their day-to-day existence, jeepney operations had to stop given that work and classes ceased. Some tried to pivot and survived, but a good number were affected. But even with the pandemic gone, the real culprit of the jeepney modernization remains, and that is the high entry cost that is borne primarily by the operators, regardless of what government subsidies were committed. A P2 million unit can never be covered by the P2,000

jeepney boundary. The numbers are not on their side. Only medium businesses and of course large companies can manage to be financially capable to operate on such a scale; not the mom and pop operations. Then all the more you have the consolidation requirements. How can we expect operators to form corporations and secure loans when they themselves are not qualified to do so. So this is where the jeepneys are at present. Modernization for the industry, but extinction for the old ways, including those who operated and depended on the jeepneys for a long time. There is, however, a way out—a win-win situation for both the past and the future. Government needs to come in, in a big way. Fund the vehicles and let the operators/drivers operate them. It will be a huge sum of money, yet it will pale in comparison with any of the railway projects. Sixty thousand modern jeepneys at P2 million each would be around P120 billion, but will carry more than 20 million passengers daily. On the other hand, the subway will cost us P400 billion plus and is expected to carry just over a million passengers daily. I am not against the railways, but I am for the more than 20 million passengers that depend on the jeepneys. Yes, let us modernize but merge past and future together; not extinction, but an all encompassing and sustainable modernization. The author may be reached at thomas_orbos@ sloan.mit.edu

Uncertainty creates fear creates hesitancy John Mangun

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso

MEMBER OF

Thomas M. Orbos

Lourdes M. Fernandez

Senior Editors

Chairman of the Board President Advertising Sales Manager Group Circulation Manager

Modernization or extinction?

OUTSIDE THE BOX

S we move into 2024, the “Year of Uncertainty,” understand that not only does uncertainty create fear of the future, that fear creates hesitancy. Not knowing or being unable to predict with some confidence what will happen next—uncertainty—is scary and intimidating. If the fear is pushed to a high enough level, you lose the ability to react quickly or maybe not being able to move at all.

And when a unexpected situation does happen, “Everyone has a plan ‘till they get punched in the mouth.” —Mike Tyson. Stability is a benefit of certainty. The doors are locked, the windows closed, and you won’t be reacting to every sound you hear as you are reasonably confident that an intruder will not be in the house. Productivity is generally higher during periods of stability. The Roman Empire lasted from 27 BCE to 476 CE and the first two

centuries of the empire saw unprecedented stability and prosperity known as the “Pax Romana.” Local languages, religions, and economies were allowed to function with ample autonomy. However, this was not a “multi-polar” world. Rome was in charge with ultimate control. Any political disturbances in the provinces were infrequent and were ended immediately by the Roman military without mercy. It is interesting that there are those cheering the evolution to more

Stability is a benefit of certainty. The doors are locked, the windows closed, and you won’t be reacting to every sound you hear as you are reasonably confident that an intruder will not be in the house. Productivity is generally higher during periods of stability.

“multipolarity.” A notable example of a time of many ‘great powers’ is in the late nineteenth and the early twentieth century in Europe with the “empires” of Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France, and Britain. That time of multiple polarity certainly turned out well. Not. As the first half of the 20th century was marked by a multipolar world that formed into alliances, the final half of the century was a duopoly of the US and the Soviet Union. It was a period of relative peace with two proxy wars ending badly for the principals with Vietnam/US and Afghanistan/USSR. The Korean War was a stalemate except for China having some 100,000 killed/380,000 wounded versus less than 40,000 US

deaths and 100,000 wounded. But now the world is changing and becoming much more unstable and dangerous. The “duopoly” ended with the USSR in 1991. Canadian futurist Abishur Prakash describes the situation. “The Israel-Hamas war is an ominous message to the world: The guardrails that long stopped wars from breaking out are now effectively failing. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the world didn’t know what to make of it. Was this a ‘one-off’ event or the start of something else? The latest flareup in the Middle East answers this question.”—Politico.eu. Paraphrasing Mr. Prakash, “The conflict between Israel and Hamas starts a new era where wars are no longer black-swan events. Whatever stood in the way of conflicts erupting is now falling by the wayside. Nations are no longer scared to throw punches, and war has become acceptable again.” There is the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, border tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, military coups in Africa and frequent clashes between India and See “Mangun,” A15

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

China fires top official to stem games fallout, Reuters says

Opinion BusinessMirror

2024: An opportunity to be better

By Zheping Huang & Jeanny Yu

igns are growing that China is trying to contain the damage from harsh new gaming regulations that triggered an $80 billion rout in Tencent Holdings Ltd. and its peers.

Feng Shixin lost his job as head of the publishing unit of the Publicity Department, which runs the country’s gaming regulator, Reuters reported, citing sources briefed on the matter. His departure was linked to the surprise release of draft rules days before Christmas, which ignited the selloff and incited outraged comments from industry participants. The South China Morning Post also reported on Feng’s departure, but said the official stepped down. The National Press and Publication Administration—the gaming watchdog—has since softened its tone, approving 105 games and pledging to review its more controversial mandates including an unquantified cap on in-game spending. Yet some investors remain traumatized by the Big Tech crackdown of 2021, when unpredictable regulations from myriad Chinese agencies derailed sectors from e-commerce to entertainment. Tencent and smaller rival NetEase Inc. gained about 1 percent in Hong Kong Wednesday, adding to a recovery since officials began signaling a willingness to consider industry views. But the WeChat operator remains down about 4 percent since the proposed rules emerged on December 22. The official’s removal “shows Beijing has become more concerned about economic sentiment after the post-Covid rebound proved much weaker than expected, and huge capital outflows from the equities market,” said Steven Leung, executive director at UOB Kay Hian. It “will reduce the chance of further panic selling on the sector but may not attract new liquidity buying, because the change in such a short period of time means policies remain uncertain.” Confidence in the outlook for Tencent and NetEase may rebound further after the South China Morning Post reports, quoting unnamed sources, that a key official involved in overseeing China’s video-gaming industry has stepped down. Sentiment was hit by the share-price “flash crash” of December 22 but the recent more conciliatory tone from China’s National Press and Publication Administration supports our view the basic outlook for Tencent’s games business is largely unchanged, as rising regulatory oversight isn’t new, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Robert Lea. Calls to the State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the Chinese government, went unanswered. Feng has represented his agency at events organized to discuss regulatory efforts, including in areas such as licensing and real-name verification, according to state media reports.

Mangun . . .

continued from A14

China.” Prakash mentions BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization but never gets to the South China Sea. He concludes: “As these existing guardrails break down, new ones aren’t being built to replace them, which means we may be entering a period akin to the Wild West. Whatever integration existed, and was being nurtured, is now being reversed”. How is that “a friend to all and enemy of none” foreign policy working? Aristotle supposedly said, “A friend to all is a friend to none.” That last attitude may be more pragmatic and definitely made more sense in the Cold War duopoly or during the singular Roman Empire. India did play the game well, gaining great benefit from both sides in the Cold War. But then again who wanted to go to war with a nation of nearly one billion.

The sweeping gaming restrictions, which caught industry players and investors off guard on the final trading day before Christmas, reminded many of the brutal tech-sector crackdown of 2021. That year, Beijing abruptly imposed curbs on a host of techrelated sectors, reining in Jack Ma-backed Ant Group Co. and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. while decimating the online education industry by declaring profits illegal. His removal may not have been enough to reverse sentiment in a market on edge over regulators’ intentions for the tech sector and an uncertain economy. The sweeping gaming restrictions, which caught industry players and investors off guard on the final trading day before Christmas, reminded many of the brutal techsector crackdown of 2021. That year, Beijing abruptly imposed curbs on a host of tech-related sectors, reining in Jack Ma-backed Ant Group Co. and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. while decimating the online education industry by declaring profits illegal. Apart from the timing, investors and industry executives reacted poorly to the vagueness of the draft rules, which encompassed caps on the amount each player can spend within a game, a ban on rewards for frequent log-ins and forced playerduels, even a prohibition on content that violates national security. The plethora of restrictions came at the tail end of a year during which Beijing had signaled a willingness to ease off. Officials in past months had encouraged esports as an engine for the post-Covid economy. Xi Jinping himself attended the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, which featured professional gaming among the medals up for grabs for the first time. In December 2022, Tencent secured a green light for a clutch of major releases including Valorant and Pokémon Unite—a milestone that reinforced hopes China was easing its two-year crackdown. “If the story is accurate, it will send a signal that what happened was not a reversal of policy direction to more tightening in the mobile and online gaming industry and may give investors some relief on policy stability and certainty,” Redmond Wong, a market strategist at Saxo Capital Markets in Hong Kong. “But overall, investors are still skeptical. The news is positive but is not big enough to move the needle or the big picture.” Bloomberg Instability is not only coming from “international relations.” The “Magnificent 7” stocks (Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Tesla) are up between 50 and 240 percent for 2023. They have a higher weighting in the MSCI World index than all of the stocks in the UK, China, France, and Japan combined. The “Big 6” added some $4.83 trillion of market cap in 2023, an amount larger than the nominal GDP of every country not named the US or China. Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta do not build anything, but provide a service. Can we depend on global economic stability resting on Social Media and e-commerce? If you are not confident about or feel prepared for the future, no worries. No one else is, either. E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

Thursday, January 4, 2024 A15

HILE 2023, the first post-Covid pandemic year, may not really be good to some Philippine society sectors, it presented an opportunity to be back in the real world. Plus, having a newly elected President in Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. may have added to the excitement of Filipinos to move on and to shake themselves off from the long period of viral infection fear and related anxiety and unproductivity. Last year, we were able to move outside of our respective residences, physically interact with others in comparison with the restrictions imposed on the populace for two years since 2021. Although, I say that there were so many good things that occurred during the period, especially the time that brought the family closer, together. We were back in business, except to a lot of MSMEs that closed shop as a consequence of the government’s imposition of mobility restrictions. But, honestly, I see 2024 present-

ing the Marcos administration a Dragon Year opportunity to do better in providing adequate social services, employment, expansive infrastructure, medical health, economic support and, of course, better business climate with less of the corruption that is SOP in almost all government offices. The concern list is quite long, so let me cite only some of the most important things we should do this 2024 and onwards for us Filipinos to be better. The first is for legislators to do

away with pork barrel funds. It is redundant if not repetitive to re-state what Mayor Benjie Magalong has said that the solons pocket a big portion of the infrastructure budget. Next to corruption is inefficiency and bureaucratic red tape. Absolutely, we Filipinos can do better if government officials can do otherwise. We can clearly see these maladies at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, among several other agencies. They’re very good at that. There’s been a law and an agency mandated to ensure that there is ease of doing business and transaction in government. But that appears to be good only on paper and in nice words spoken by its head. If we can do the reverse, 2024 will be a better year. Next in my sight is the Department of Agriculture, which has been called by many people as the “Department of Importation.” It should transform itself and heed PBBM’s food agenda. Well, honestly, it is corruption that drives officials to prefer importation rather than helping the poor farmer, provide them with the money, farm inputs, irrigation and equipment that are essential in attaining food sufficiency. To cite an example, my TV Show Tulay sought DA’s assistance for the Tolosa Leyte farmers’ group led by Mr. Nestor Abalos to be given a farm tractor three years ago. He was tossed like a ball. Up to now, nowhere is the tractor that could have generated

enough produce and income for the Yolanda farmer victims. The DA guys should go out of their comfort zone and see the light beyond importation so that the President’s campaign promise of P20 per kilo of rice would be realized. This year, we see improved foreign investments, through the effort of PEZA leading to job opportunities for our skilled workers. We see about 100,000 jobs created with an expected P250 billion new businesses setting up at our economic zones, in line with the mantra of eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development. NDC too is up to the task of providing the equity for eight priority investments in pharmaceuticals, food supply chain, water, construction, connectivity and technology innovation and climate change, which GM Anton Mauricio shared with The Bridge. Improvement in governance is critical for us to be better this year. But more importantly, we need the discipline of working hard for the improvement of our lives. It cannot be the government that only provides the impetus for every Filipino to be engaged in every available and created avenue for a better life. Certainly, It is our resolve to be better that will matter this year and in the future. For comments, tweet @billyandal or e-mai l @andalbilly@yahoo.com

Iran’s Red Sea power play raises fears of trade disruption By Ben Bartenstein & Sam Dagher

ran’s dispatch of a warship to the Red Sea is its most audacious move yet to challenge US forces in the key trade route, emboldening Houthi militants whose missiles have disrupted shipping over the past two months. Tehran is unlikely to want direct confrontation—its old frigate being no match for the US-led maritime task force patrolling the waters off Yemen—but it takes the projection of Iranian power in the region to another level. That’s raising tensions after the Houthis started attacking vessels they claimed were headed to or owned by firms in Israel in a bid to end the military assault on Gaza. Iran has rejected calls from Western powers to pressure the Houthis to end their attacks in the Red Sea. Some of the latest ships targeted by the rebels don’t have clear links to Israel, according to Kevjn Lim, a Tel Aviv-based analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence. That includes an attack on an AP Moller-Maersk A/S container ship, after Denmark said it was joining the task force. “They aren’t showing a willingness to deescalate, so we’re likely to see further targeting of commercial assets and US maritime ships going forward,” Lim said. In response to the Houthi attacks, some of the world’s biggest shipping firms have refused to transit through the Suez Canal, complicating flows between Europe and Asia and forcing

some vessels to take the more costly route around the Cape of Good Hope. Copenhagen-based Maersk and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd AG said on Tuesday they were extending their pause on passing through the Red Sea. In a reflection of the gravity of the situation, the United Nations Security Council announced plans to hold an emergency meeting on the Red Sea tensions Wednesday. The attacks pose “a grave threat to international commerce and maritime security,” US mission to the UN spokesman Nate Evans said in a statement. On Tuesday evening, Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen into the southern Red Sea, US Central Command said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Multiple commercial vessels reported the impact of the missiles into the surrounding water, though none reported any damage, the US said. It was the 24th attack in the southern Red Sea since November 19, it added. “There is a real risk of escalation here and we’ve already seen some of that unfold in the last few days,” said Dina Esfandiary, a London-based senior adviser for the Middle East at the

International Crisis Group, referring to the death of 10 Houthi fighters in an exchange with the US Navy Sunday. “The Houthis have made it clear they are not afraid to follow through on their threats.” On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian blasted what he called the West’s double standards on Gaza, accusing the US and its allies of caring more about disruptions to global trade than civilians being killed in Israel’s bombardment of the Palestinian enclave. Israel says its aim is to destroy Hamas, which attacked on October 7 and is designated a terrorist group by the US. Amirabdollahian’s comments followed a meeting with Mohammed Abdulsalam, one of the most senior figures in the Houthi movement, and talks on Sunday with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who told him Tehran had to rein in the rebels. “Iran will continue to support the will and desire of the Yemeni people,” Amirabdollahian said. Joel Rayburn, a former US diplomat and military commander, said the Iranian leadership has chosen to take bold steps against Israel and the US, including in the Red Sea, as part of a strategy to project its own power in the region. Still, Iran may be reluctant to enter into a direct war with the US, not least after Washington’s loose implementation of sanctions allowed Tehran to boost oil exports. “This Iranian destroyer is just

for media consumption, targeting a domestic and regional audience— displaying Iran as a regional power capable of deploying naval assets to challenge the US,” said Riad Kahwaji, the Dubai-based head of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis. “But it is unlikely that this destroyer will confront the Western warships in the area because Tehran does not want to get in a war with the US.” Iran’s moves in the Red Sea offer reminders of another vital chokepoint that Tehran has long threatened to disrupt if its interests are imperiled: the Strait of Hormuz that connects the Persian Gulf with international oil markets. That would pose a bigger threat, traders say. A hypothetical Hormuz closure could see crude prices surge 20 percent within a month and potentially higher thereafter, according to Callum Bruce, a London-based analyst at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. That scenario appears unlikely, though, as it would probably prompt a more forceful global response, he said. Even so, the Houthis feel emboldened, benefiting from greater popular Arab support since the Israeli attacks on Gaza, according to Esfandiary. “If the tit-for-tats get out of control and each side refuses to abide by the other’s red lines, then we have a real powder keg here,” she said. With assistance from Arsalan Shahla and Christian Wienberg /Bloomberg

Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty to sedition and collusion charges By Zen Soo | The Associated Press

ONG KONG—Prominent activist and publisher Jimmy Lai on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to three charges of sedition and collusion with foreign countries in a landmark national security trial in Hong Kong. Lai was arrested during a crackdown on dissidents following huge pro-democracy protests in 2019. He faces possible life imprisonment if convicted under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing. The trial is expected to last about 80 days without a jury. The 76-year-old media tycoon who founded the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper faces one count of conspiring to print sedi-

tious publications to incite hatred against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, as well as two counts of collusion with foreign countries to call for sanctions and other hostile actions against China and Hong Kong. Flanked by three prison officers, Lai formally pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him, shortly after the court rejected a last-ditch attempt by his counsel to throw out a sedition charge. Prosecutor Anthony Chau in his opening statements described Lai as a “radical political figure” and the “mastermind” behind a conspiracy. Chau also said that Lai had used his media platform to advance his political agenda. Clips of interviews that Lai gave to

foreign media as well as speeches at events between 2019 and 2020 were also played in court. In the video, Lai called for support from foreign governments and urged US officials as well as then-President Donald Trump to impose “draconian” measures on China and Chinese officials in retaliation for imposing the national security law and restricting freedoms in Hong Kong. His prosecution has drawn criticism from the United States and the United Kingdom. Beijing has called those comments irresponsible, saying they went against international law and the basic norms of international relations. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, an international political group that’s critical of Chi-

na’s human rights record and foreign policy, said Lai’s trial “fabricated” evidence that the media mogul was involved in its work. “Evidence presented to prove that Mr. Lai was responsible for IPAC’s Hong Kong activities is fabricated. He was not involved—directly or indirectly—in any of it,” the group said in a statement. It condemned prosecutors’ attempts to implicate two of its senior members—executive director Luke de Pulford, who is based in London, and Japan director Shiori Yamao— as “co-conspirators” in the trial. The allegations were made up “to suit Beijing’s ludicrous narrative that Jimmy was someone behind the pro-democracy movement,” de Pulford said.

A16 Thursday, January 4, 2024

MARCOS ADMIN EYES TOURISM DEVT IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

HE Marcos Jr. administration is looking to strengthen the country’s possession over islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) by exploring the possibility of turning them into tourist spots. According to the General Appropriations Act for 2024, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) was allocated P100 million to conduct a Masterplan and Detailed Engineering Study of the West Philippine Sea and Neighboring Islands. This is part of Tieza’s P620-million total subsidy, which will also fund the construction of the Tubbataha Ranger Station in Palawan (P20 million) and the Mayon Volcano Heritage Aesthetic Lighting project (P500 million). Tieza Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid told the BusinessMirror the government firm “did not ask for a subsidy” this year, but the WPS project and that of the Tubbataha project were initiatives of lawmakers. Tieza operations and projects are usually funded from travel

taxes paid by outbound travelers, ranging from P1,620 on an economy-class ticket to P2,700 on a first-class ticket. This was confirmed by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd District), who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. In a Viber message, he explained: “The item is part of this 2024 budget’s assertive stance towards protecting our territorial integrity, including a realignment of confidential funds towards WPS defense. This was discussed along with my own proposal, which is to encourage our own reclamation projects in the West Philippine Sea. Nothing says domestic territory like tourism. And indeed, this part of the sea is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places in the world.” He added: “This plan is just as integral to the WPS as resource extraction and fishing. And of course, tourism in this area must take into account marine conservation and protection, consistent with the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), which grants management of natural resources to whoever owns the EEZ (exclusive economic zone).”

EPR law’s ‘issues’ hamper push for circular economy T

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 is fraught with issues that prevent it from being an effective tool in promoting the circular economy, according to a study published by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). In a PIDS discussion paper, Gregorio Rafael P. Bueta, Sonny N. Domingo, and Arvie Joy A. Manejar said the EPR failed to include the informal waste sector and other vulnerable groups that are considered crucial in the waste management efforts of local governments. The new law also lacked incentives for private groups in their own waste management efforts. The private sector’s efforts, the researchers said, are important complements to government efforts. “The EPR Act of 2022 has been recognized as a positive step towards improving waste management in the country, and also in the

move towards achieving a circular economy,” the researchers said. “Despite these good developments, several issues on the EPR Act of 2022 have been identified by various studies and experts – pointing to challenges which still lie ahead,” they added. The researchers also said that while the law provided for waste management requirements and targets, achieving these are left “to the individual or collective determination of obliged entities.” Obliged entities, the authors said, are producers, or those responsible under the EPR Act. They were defined as manufacturers or

importers that supply commodities directly to consumers or act as distributors for brands. The study also noted that the law did not provide “clear guidance” on fees and costs. This was also left to obliged entities to determine. The authors also said there is no requirement or target for recycling the products that are collected or diverted. There are even no directives for product re-design. The researchers also pointed out that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are not covered by the EPR. This is crucial since 90 percent, or more, of businesses in the country are MSMEs. “Organizations have pointed out that a lot of the plastic usage, and its associated waste and potential leakage into the environment, happen at the MSMEs level,” the study stated. “Without their mandatory compliance, or at least inclusion into EPR programs, the law may have limited impact on addressing waste from products such as plastics,” it added. The PIDS study stated that solid

waste management is one of the country’s primary environmental problems that has lasted for decades. Citing studies, the authors said weak implementation and enforcement of regulations lead to 35 percent of plastics leaking into the open environment. Given the country’s population which could reach 110 million by July 2021, a poverty rate of 16.7 percent in 2018, and 51.2 percent urbanization rate in 2015, the country’s waste problems have turned into a waste crisis, researchers said. The authors cited projections from the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) that waste produced in the country is expected to increase to 23.6 million tons by 2025. Part of this problem, the authors said, is that there are only 237 sanitary landfills nationwide to service the 1,634 cities and municipalities in the country. Data they cited also said only 11,625 materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to cater to over 42,000 barangays (villages).

Continued on A5

PIDS experts: Dept for disaster resilience will address gaps in DRRM

HE Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) has thrown its support behind the creation of a new department of disaster resilience to address gaps in Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM). In a discussion paper, PIDS Senior Research Fellow Sonny N. Domingo and former Research Specialist Arvie Joy A. Manejar said while the country is progressing when it comes to institutions, the country still needs more mature institutions to better undertake DRRM. “Leadership and staff complement from the national down to the local level keep on changing, so they do not mature over time. This is the reason why we start every time from zero,” Domingo and Manejar said. “We need to mature DRRMwise, and institution-wise, and this can only happen with a designated proper structure within the bureaucracy and this is the central authority or probably the new department of disaster resilience,” they added. The DRRM gaps were observed in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City. The lead agency tasked to undertake the DRRM is Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), which, the authors said, does not even have a legal basis. The PIDS researchers said the TFBM, despite the legal issues, has continued to perform its duties and responsibilities such as addressing land claims, cited as one of the major causes of delay. “The Task Force Bangon Marawi as of the present time still does not have the legal basis or authority to operate but even without a legal basis they continue to perform their mandate and the existence of TFBM is still being recognized by partner agencies,” Domingo and Manejar said. “This is something that is needing legal policy support. It may be a generic provision [that] whenever necessary we can have a special unit designated as in charge of rehabilitation and recovery,” they added.

Efforts to rebuild Marawi have been saddled by land claims with the absence of titles that act as proof of ownership. There were also errors in the technical description of existing titles and overlapping land claims. Domingo and Manejar said the TFBM was able to address overlapping land disputes through the Land Dispute Resolution Committee (LDRC). T he LDRC, they said, was headed by the Minister of Human Settlements Development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Its members include those from the LGU and other government agencies that handle land resource management and observers from the traditional, religious leaders, and international bodies such as the United Nations and World Bank. “The LDRC was established to provide alternative mechanisms for addressing and resolving conflicting land claims among IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), particularly inside the MAA (Most Affected Area), while avoiding the legal costs that costly court proceedings entail,” Domingo and Manejar said. The case of Marawi was just an example cited by Domingo and Manejar. Ultimately, the country needs to step up in its DRRM efforts given that it is one of the most affected by climate change. The PIDS researchers said in 2021, damage from natural extreme events and disasters in the Philippines was estimated at P60.68 billion. These costs, Domingo and Manejar said, are expected to increase as “20 or more tropical cyclones” enter the country’s area of responsibility. Citing data from the World Risk Report 2022, the authors said the Philippines is ranked first in disaster risk out of 193 countries with high scores in exposure, vulnerability, and lack of coping mechanism and adaptive capacities. Cai U. Ordinario

HOMEWARD BOUND Post-holiday exodus unfolds as travelers who spent their vacation in the Philippines converge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, preparing to return to their respective countries. Data from the Department of Tourism showed, as of December 28, international visitor arrivals have reached some 5.38 million, of which 441,585 were overseas Filipinos (Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad), while 4.94 million were foreign travelers. NONIE REYES

‘Explain delayed energy roadmap submission’

UBMISSION of a new energy roadmap to Congress —crucial in 2024 given the challenges posed by the dwindling Malampaya gas field supply, the El Niño and the transition to more renewable energy sources—has been delayed, and a lawmaker wants to know why. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Energy panel, has asked the Department of Energy (DOE) to explain the delay in submitting the roadmap, and urged the agency to do so promptly. The country’s Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), which extends up to 2050, aims to increase the use

GATCHALIAN: “The Philippine Energy Plan will be the foundation for achieving cleaner energy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the well-being of our people.”

of renewable energy and come up with an energy mix towards a clean

energy scenario. “The Philippine Energy Plan will be the foundation for achieving cleaner energy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the well-being of our people,” said Gatchalian. A ccord i ng to t he sen ator, the DOE is supposed to submit to Congress an updated energy roadmap by September 15 of each year as mandated under Republic Act 9136, also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira). “The submission of the PEP is already more than three months overdue. The DOE needs to comply with this requirement immediately,”

Gatchalian pointed out. The Philippines’s current renewable energy goals are at 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. “It is not acceptable that the latest Energy Plan has been delayed considerably. It is an important document to proceed with the march toward sufficient and clean energy supply nationwide,” Gatchalian said, speaking mostly in Filipino. As per the DOE, the PEP is a comprehensive roadmap for the energy sector, ensuring sustainable, stable, secure, sufficient, accessible, and reasonably-priced energy supply. Butch Fernandez

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Thursday, January 4, 2024

IEMOP launches New sustainability reporting reserve market

rules may take effect in ‘24

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

he Securities and Exchange Commission is keen on implementing the revised sustainability reporting guidelines form for listed firms this year, despite calls for the agency to defer its implementation.

The agency said it will release a new memorandum circular (MC) on the new guidelines later this year. “After careful consideration of the valuable feedback received, and in the interest of ensuring and maintaining meaningful compliance by PLCs [publicly listed companies], please be informed that the Revised Sustainability Reporting Guidelines for PLCs and the SuRe Form is scheduled for release in the year 2024,” the SEC said. “In keeping with developments on the globally recognized reporting

frameworks, the commission is looking at making compliance applicable to data covering the year 2024, with reporting due the following year or on 2025.” For the sustainability reports covering the year 2023 or those due in 2024, the SEC said PLCs should maintain compliance with the provisions of SEC Memorandum Circular No. 4, series of 2019, or the “Sustainability Reporting Guidelines for PubliclyListed Companies.” Under the revised guidelines, the draft of which was first released in

October 2023, listed firms will now be mandated to submit sustainability reports in two formats—the SR Narrative and Sustainability Report Form. For the SR Narrative, firms will submit a narrative report following the format outlined in MC 4, which will be submitted in conjunction with the company’s annual report. Firms will be required to submit their answered SuRe Form through the SEC Electronic Filing and Submission Tool. Its template comprises three major sections—sustainability and climate-related opportunities and risks exposures (SCORe); crossindustry standard metrics (CISM); and industry-specific metrics (ISM). Separate guidelines for ISM, which largely considered the existing Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC), will be released at a later time. The SEC said the SuRe Form aims to elevate the quality of sustainability reporting and ensure the consistency of non-financial information submitted by the firms. The revised guidelines consider the latest global advancements in

sustainability reporting frameworks, notably the IFRS S1 (General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information) and IFRS S2 (Climate-related Disclosures), both of which are aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. The guidelines recognize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Global Reporting Initiative, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, International Integrated Reporting Council and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-International Standards of Accounting and Reporting Guidance on Core Indicators, among other widely-adopted frameworks. The SEC institutionalized sustainability reporting among corporations in 2019 through MC 4, which mandated listed firms to submit sustainability reports on a “comply or explain approach.” This allowed the firms to disclose corporate sustainability data, when available, and provide explanations for items where there are none.

Maynilad to build water reservoirs By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

aynilad Water Services Inc. said it will increase its water storage capacity by 28 percent in the next 3 years with the construction of 4 new reservoirs in different locations. The new reservoirs—to rise in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Muntinlupa—will entail an estimated investment cost of P2.8 billion, which forms part of Maynilad’s P220-billion service enhancement program for the period 2023 to 2027. The projects will have a combined

PLDT expands Tinbo platform

water storage capacity by the year 2026 of up to 211 million liters more. The projects, once fully operational, are also expected to improve supply availability and pressure for customers in elevated areas, the company said in a statement. With this increased storage capacity, Maynilad said it will have a more potable water supply that is accessible at the distribution system level, ready for release during hours of peak demand, especially benefiting customers living in highly elevated areas “Households in elevated areas are typically affected by low water pressure whenever the demand

goes up. Having more reservoirs will help to maintain supply availability despite strong water withdrawals from households in low-lying areas, so we’re building more of these storage facilities in strategic locations,” Maynilad COO Randolph T. Estrellado said in a statement. Maynilad currently has 37 operational reservoirs that can store 751 ML of treated water supply— up from only 10 reservoirs with 400 ML storage capacity after it rehabilitated 13 old reservoirs and constructed 14 new ones in 2007. With the construction of four new reservoirs until 2026, the company’s total combined water-storage

capacity will reach 962 ML. Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

Apple shares slump most since Sept

LDT Global Corp. said on Wednesday it has expanded the “suite of digital offerings” of its Tindahan ni Bossing (Tinbo) platform with the launch of online shopping and food e-gift vouchers. “This is another way for us at PLDT Global and Tinbo to engage with our Filipino communities overseas by providing them with more options to care for their loved ones back home,” PLDT Global President Albert V. Villa-Real said. Through the new features, overseas Filipinos can now purchase Lazada and Shopee e-gift vouchers for their families and loved ones in the Philippines via Tinbo. Tinbo is the one-stop marketplace that enables Filipinos around the world to buy load, send food vouchers, e-gifts, healthcare PINs from mWell, and even gaming PINs for their families in the Philippines. They can acquire a Smart virtual number through Tinbo, enabling them to receive OTPs from their e-wallets and e-banks in the Philippines like Maya. Tinbo also provides overseas Filipinos access to an online bills payment platform for their Philippine utilities, and other digital services while outside the Philippines. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Photo from www.iemop.ph

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

he Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said on Wednesday it has started the pilot stage of its reserve market, following the successful integration of the Mindanao grid into the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). “The operation of the Reserve Market in the Philippine WESM is a testament to our shared commitment to the growth of the Philippine energy sector; a growth that ensures reliability, embraces innovation, and promotes competition, all leading to transparency and reasonableness of our power rates,” Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said. The pilot stage is designed to optimize the interfaces between the Market Operator (MO) and the System Operator (SO), utilizing enhanced systems for the central scheduling and dispatch of Contracted Ancillary Services (AS). It also introduces automated real-time dispatch of committed AS. Historically, the SO has been responsible for securing reserve requirements through contracts with ancillary service providers, which required approval from the ERC. With the full commercial operations of the reserve market, the SO will be able to procure reserves directly from the spot market, enhancing the efficiency of meeting reserve requirements.

pple Inc. got itself a new bear as expectations of soft demand for its latest iPhone prompted analysts at Barclays Plc to downgrade the stock. Shares fell 3.6 percent on Tuesday, their biggest one-day percentage drop since September, and the decline erased more than $107 billion in market value. Barclays analysts led by Tim Long cut their rating on Apple to underweight and price target by $1 to $160, compared with the stock’s Tuesday closing price of $185.64. “We expect reversion after a year

when most quarters were missed and the stock outperformed,” the analysts wrote in a note on Tuesday. “Our checks remain negative on volumes and mix for iPhone 15, and we see no features or upgrades that are likely to make the iPhone 16 more compelling.” Apple’s shares rose around 50 percent to a record last year and saw its market value hit $3 trillion as investors bet that its flagship device will withstand a sluggish economy. However, doubts have emerged whether the stock will be able to repeat such hefty gains given

rising competition from the likes of Huawei Technologies Co. and a Chinese government crackdown on foreign-made devices. The new underweight means Apple has five sell or equivalent ratings, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, in contrast to 34 buys and 14 holds. The stock’s recommendation consensus—a proxy for its ratio of buy, hold, and sell ratings—stands at 4.08 out of five, its lowest since October 2020. The average analyst price target suggests a return of just 7.5 percent over the next year. Bloomberg News

Continued on B2

Axelum opens 100-bed hospital in Gingoog City

A display of new iPhone 15 Pro smartphones at the Apple Inc. Rosenthaler Strasse store in Berlin, Germany, on Friday, September 22, 2023. Bloomberg News

The reserve market will focus on trading Frequency Control Ancillary Services, essential for maintaining grid balance in the face of dynamic electricity demand and supply. These services include Regulation Reserves for dynamic balancing, Contingency Reserves for immediate response to generator outages, and Dispatchable Reserves for additional grid support during challenges. It is expected to improve the reliability and stability of electricity supply by allowing generators to competitively offer reserve capacities. These offers will be co-optimized with energy offers, which will “result in an optimal mix of contracted and spot reserve capacities that promises stakeholders and end-users a more reliable supply of electricity.” Aside from ensuring more reliable electricity, the reserve market also opens up new opportunities for investors to develop generating capacities for both energy and reserves. Ultimately, the IEMOP said, the co-optimization of the scheduling of reserves and energy has the objective of reducing the overall cost of both energy and reserves. In a related development, the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) assured the Department of Energy (DOE) of its commitment to ensure that the full commercial operations of the co-optimized Energy and Reserve Market “will be realized soon.”

xelum Resources Corp., a producer of coconut products, on Wednesday said it opened its 100-bed secondary-level hospital in Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental. The said project was coursed through its civic affiliate AMDG Foundation. The company said the San San Isidro Polymedic General Hospital will be the city’s first secondarylevel hospital. The hospital offers services including hemodialysis, emergency room, intensive care, extended laboratory and diagnostics, radiology, surgery, delivery room, neonatal, outpatient clinics, pharmacy and other essential amenities. In partnership with Cagayan de Oro Polymedic Medical Group, owned by Ruben and Josephine Go, San Isidro Polymedic General Hospital is manned by a diverse roster of doctors, nurses, and experienced medical support staff, the company said. “At Axelum, our overarching

goal is to combat poverty through livelihood, education, and now through healthcare. We believe that every Filipino deserves access to quality medical services and modern facilities. With the opening of this new hospital, we aim to provide professional healthcare to the local communities and indigenous people of Northern Mindanao,” Romeo I. Chan, chairman and CEO of Axelum, said. The hospital is targeting to serve a population of more than 350,000 local residents. It has long-term plan of becoming a premier end-referral hospital in the region. “Looking ahead, San Isidro Polymedic General Hospital has planned initiatives to expand into highlyspecialized treatments and services,” Axelum said. “We would like to thank our partners and private donors for helping turn this vision into reality. We are blessed to work alongside like-minded individuals who share in our commitment of addressing social vulnerabilities.” VG Cabuag

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, January 4, 2024

‘Regular digital hygiene will minimize cybersecurity risk’

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

s Filipinos pen down their New Year’s resolutions for 2024, cybersecurity giant Kaspersky is proposing a unique addition to these lists: managing and sorting digital clutter. Kaspersky underscored the need to declutter and safeguard digital data as a critical step towards enhanced cybersecurity. Digital clutter, a term that encapsulates the over accumulation of digital files, apps, and documents, has become an inadvertent by-product of the digital era. Kaspersky said its research indicates a prevalent trend where users download more applications than

they actually use and neglect necessary updates and security settings. This neglect leads to a pile-up of unused and outdated digital content, posing significant security risks. “For example, users typically install 12 Android apps every month but delete only 10 so they actually add two apps to their device every month that are generally left unused and idle,” Kaspersky said. Kaspersky’s analysis reveals that

only 55 percent of users regularly review and delete obsolete digital content. A worrying 13 percent never attempt to declutter their digital space. The most common types of stored data include personal photos, videos, travel memories, and personal emails, with a majority of users storing these items without regular audits for relevance or security. “When it comes to cybersecurity, education is the most powerful form of defense. The more we educate and prepare ourselves, the more likely that we can minimize the risks to our personal data and money,” said Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky. The cybersecurity company’s suggestion comes against the backdrop of multiple cyber incidents in the Philippines in 2023, involving data leaks and ransomware attacks. These incidents highlight the vulnerabilities ordinary people face due to

inadequate digital hygiene. “It’s been found that only about 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions due to a lack of personal control, excessive stress and negative emotion. I say start small until it becomes a habit. A few simple changes in the beginning will go a long way towards protecting yourself and your data. Stay committed and most importantly, get help. There are so many resources, tools and people that you can count on for support to help you keep your resolutions,” added Yeo. Among Kaspersky’s recommendations are adopting passwordless sign-ins, minimizing personal information shared with non-essential services, distancing oneself from toxic social media, setting usage limits on digital platforms, keeping work and personal digital lives separate, and maintaining regular cyber hygiene with the help of security software.

IEMOP launches reserve market Continued from B1

Under Department Circular (DC) No. DC2015-10-0015, the DOE tasked the PEMC to determine the readiness of the reserve market based on the six readiness criteria and shall thereafter issue a certification of readiness subject

to assessment and final confirmation by the DOE. “PEMC is tasked to determine the readiness of the co-optimized Energy and Reserve Market based on the six criteria. This involves readiness not only of the stakeholders from the generation sector but all responsible entities such as

the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Market Operator and the System Operator.” PEMC President Elvin Hayes Nidea said. The criteria are as follows: the approval of Price Determination Methodology (PDM) by the ERC for an enhanced WESM incorporating a reserve pricing mecha-

nism; the successful completion of AS capability testing for all generating facilities, certifying them as Providers; and the assurance that all systems and procedures including all interfaces necessary to implement the co-optimized Energy and Reserve Market are in place.

MUTUAL FUNDS

January 3, 2024

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

Y-T-D

per share Return*

Return

Stock Funds 2.57%

-1.99%

-3.3%

1.4799

10.08%

4.07%

0.57%

1.85%

1.25%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0045

ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

213.89

3.06%

-1.39%

-5.15%

-2.07%

0.53%

-4.97%

-4.8% n.a

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.6975 -2.47%

-5.16%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.6830.69%

First Metro Consumer Fund, Inc. -a

0.6327

-1.77%

-0.34%

0.52%

-5.2% n.a -2.43%

-0.24%

1.04% 0.44%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.70320.27%

-3.25% n.a n.a

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

84.99

12.91%

-5.86%

-6.26% n.a

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 43.6075

0.96%

-2.36%

-2.44% n.a

0.52%

2.21%

-2.42%

-0.26%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

454.29

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.2158

3.46%

1.34%

-0.68% n.a

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

2.52%

-0.61%

-1.46%

1.53%

34.1334

-2.5%

0.5% 0.79%

0.53%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.87963.63%

-1.23% n.a n.a

Philequity PSE Index Fund, Inc. -a

4.5815

1.91%

-1.48%

-1.63%

1.36%

0.5%

762.42

1.8%

-1.66%

-1.71%

1.37%

0.52%

0.42%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.6958

3.2%

-1.08%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4086

-4.2% n.a

0.69%

1.04%

-2.02%

-3.51%

-0.3%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8646 1.49%

-1.97%

-2.01% n.a

United Fund, Inc. -a

0.59%

0.23%

0.82%

-2.04%

-2.34%

0.93%

0.15%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

3.1199

0.9% 0.06%

0.65% 0.51%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) COL Equity Index Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 1.072

1.5% n.a n.a n.a

0.5%

COL Strategic Growth Equity Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a,2 1.0119 n.a n.a n.a n.a 0.22% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.0231

-2.23%

-2.31% n.a n.a

0.63%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

925.53

1.75% n.a n.a n.a

0.52%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c103.56672.42% -1.25%

-1.39%

2.06%

0.53%

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

$0.8221

-2.94%

-11.92%

-2.42%

-1.55%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a

$1.6616

17%

-0.22%

8.11% n.a

1.47% 0.13%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) 1.53

3.35%

-2.85%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.2413

6.45%

-0.65%

0.25%

0.63%

0.27%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.5138

ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

0.32%

-1.46%

-1.54%

-0.26%

-1.31%

-0.7%

0.03%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1925

-0.52%

-0.95% n.a n.a

0.24%

1.1% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.949

0.23%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.5865

4.21%

-1.82%

0.69%

0.84%

0.21%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

15.7031

3.71%

-2.5%

-0.05%

-0.31%

0.48%

1.1%

0.28%

1.63%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0454

2.79%

-0.73%

0.26%

-0.31%

1.23%

0.28%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4312

3.04%

-1.34%

-1.29%

0.14%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.9108

0.86%

-0.3% n.a

0.34%

3.62%

0.29%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a 0.94393.14%

-2.63% n.a n.a

0.04%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a 0.85762.63%

-3.33% n.a n.a

0.45%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a 0.83641.68%

-3.58% n.a n.a

0.47%

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

$0.03319

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b$0.9151

1.71%

2.38%

-5.32%

-1.23%

0.24%

-6.79%

-0.38%

-0.18%

-0.85%

1.26%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.2886

11.7%

-1.68%

5.05%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.0396

7.16%

-3.69%

1.53% n.a

2.91%

0% -0.17%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 390.53

3.39%

1.71%

2.6%

2.23%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9092

1.84%

0.16%

0.53%

0.05%

0.02%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.3241

3.52%

1.11%

2.25%

3.74%

-0.08%

4.96%

-0.18%

1.41%

1.46%

-0.04%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 2.4556

2.69%

0.03%

2.13%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

-0.12%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 2.2856 4.2995

1.14%

3.66%

-2.44%

2.63%

0.96%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3737

4.08%

1.3%

3.17%

1.77%

-0.03%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.0375

4.37%

0.3%

2.79%

1.67%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.23%

0.19%

3.29% n.a

-0.04%

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

3.3106

5.24%

1.07%

3.65%

2.24%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

4.26%

0.24%

2.79%

1.61%

-0.16%

1.0494

1.7679

-0.14%

-0.13%

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

1.0081 n.a n.a n.a n.a

0.1%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $495.28

3.18%

0.77%

2.01%

2.55%

0.01%

0.12%

0.86%

-0.02%

-6.6%

-1.52%

0.18%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0249 5.06%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є213.98

2.07%

-0.8%

-2.18%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b$1.04283.17% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc. -b$0.8574

-1.03%

-7.69%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.316

6.21%

-3.03%

1.74%

-0.74%

1.34%

1.6%

3.56%

-4.33%

-0.36%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.0609199

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.8223

-3.73%

-3% 1.25%

0.14%

0% n.a

0.4%

0.13% 2.01%

-0.16% 0% 0.68%

-0.52%

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 136.89

2.74%

1.78%

2.52%

2.05%

0.03%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.1086 3.28%

1.89% n.a n.a

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a 1.37592.82%

2.45%

1.99%

2.03%

0.03%

0.04%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 104.66

4.19% n.a n.a n.a

0.1%

2.61%

1.38%

1.56% n.a

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

0.06%

January 3, 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 PHIL NATL BANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK COL FINANCIAL MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

32.5 126.2 6.85 103.5 30.95 8.5 53 18.48 21.7 71.55 48.65 2.58 1,130 0.36 176 2,720

33 126.7 7.19 103.8 31 8.6 53.05 18.52 22.9 72 48.85 2.59 1,200 0.395 176.9 2,730

32.5 127.8 7.25 104.9 30.85 8.5 53.15 18.46 22.9 72.15 49.1 2.54 1,130 0.395 176.8 2,720

32.5 128.5 7.25 104.9 31 8.6 53.4 18.48 23 72.55 49.1 2.59 1,130 0.395 177 2,720

32.5 125.9 6.84 103 30.85 8.5 52.8 18.46 22.9 71.5 48.6 2.54 1,130 0.395 171.5 2,720

32.5 126.2 6.84 103.5 30.95 8.6 53.05 18.48 23 71.55 48.6 2.58 1,130 0.395 177 2,720

1,500 1,610,050 5,600 940,060 11,200 63,200 1,196,590 6,200 400 185,220 11,800 115,000 140 20,000 150 10

48,750 203,625,184 38,998 97,247,553 346,995 537,310 63,534,085.50 114,472 9,170 13,278,300.50 575,845 296,160 158,200 7,900 26,333 27,200

INDUSTRIAL

ACEN CORP 4.33 4.35 ALTERNERGY HLDG 0.76 0.78 ABOITIZ POWER 37.6 37.8 RASLAG 1.2 1.23 BASIC ENERGY 0.181 0.184 FIRST GEN 17.8 17.92 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5.82 7.8 MERALCO 393.6 394 MANILA WATER 18.62 18.68 PETRON 3.48 3.5 PHX PETROLEUM 4.41 4.9 REPOWER ENERGY 6.92 7.08 SEMIRARA MINING 30.25 30.3 SYNERGY GRID 6.5 6.54 SHELL PILIPINAS 10.86 10.88 SPC POWER 7.01 7.09 SP NEW ENERGY 1.33 1.34 AGRINURTURE 0.78 0.79 AXELUM 2.28 2.3 CENTURY FOOD 30.8 31 DEL MONTE 6.18 6.2 DNL INDUS 6.35 6.36 EMPERADOR 20.7 20.8 SMC FOODANDBEV 50 50.8 FIGARO COFFEE 0.61 0.62 FRUITAS HLDG 0.96 0.97 GINEBRA 165.8 166 JOLLIBEE 254.6 255 KEEPERS HLDG 1.44 1.45 MAXS GROUP 3.28 3.42 MG HLDG 0.094 0.098 MONDE NISSIN 8.55 8.59 SHAKEYS PIZZA 9.86 9.89 ROXAS AND CO 0.45 0.46 RFM CORP 2.99 3 UNIV ROBINA 119.8 119.9 VITARICH 0.48 0.5 VICTORIAS 3.1 3.31 CONCRETE A 38.15 56 CONCRETE B 66 CEMEX HLDG 0.91 0.93 EC VULCAN CORP 0.59 0.62 EEI CORP 5.8 5.98 MEGAWIDE 3.07 3.08 CROWN ASIA 1.52 1.55 EUROMED 0.72 0.74 PRYCE CORP 5.2 5.25 GREENERGY 0.23 0.231 INTEGRATED MICR 3.12 3.19 IONICS 1 1.01 PANASONIC 4.86 5.65 SFA SEMICON 2.3 2.37 CIRTEK HLDG 1.57 1.62

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP PRIME MEDIA SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER

0.98 706 49 11.32 11.42 0.38 4.76 9.92 597.5 3.24 40 4.25 9.08 2.77 878 110 96.1

0.99 706.5 49.45 11.34 12 0.415 4.77 9.94 598 3.5 40.35 4.35 9.12 2.83 879 110.2 101.9

-63,735,179 -40,877,581 505,750 18,341,377.50 739,492 -195,080 158,200 27,200

4.35 0.78 37.7 1.2 0.184 17.66 8 399 18.3 3.48 4.9 7.1 30.5 6.5 10.86 7 1.35 0.81 2.28 31 6.4 6.32 20.85 51 0.6 0.97 168.8 255.2 1.47 3.39 0.094 8.5 9.86 0.455 3 123.7 0.48 3.11 56.85 47.25 0.91 0.59 5.9 3.07 1.55 0.72 5.25 0.231 3.19 1 5.62 2.27 1.63

4.37 0.78 37.8 1.23 0.185 17.92 8 399 18.72 3.5 4.9 7.1 30.75 6.55 10.88 7.01 1.36 0.81 2.3 31.05 6.4 6.36 21 51.5 0.62 0.97 168.8 256.8 1.48 3.42 0.098 8.61 9.86 0.455 3 123.7 0.5 3.11 56.85 47.25 0.93 0.62 5.98 3.09 1.56 0.72 5.25 0.233 3.19 1.01 5.65 2.36 1.63

4.29 0.75 37.55 1.2 0.184 17.66 6.4 391 18.3 3.44 4.9 7 30.3 6.41 10.84 7 1.33 0.78 2.28 30.8 6.06 6.24 20.65 49.9 0.6 0.96 166 252.6 1.45 3.27 0.094 8.4 9.86 0.45 3 119.9 0.48 3.1 56.85 47.25 0.91 0.59 5.8 3.07 1.55 0.72 5.2 0.231 3.19 0.99 5.62 2.27 1.58

4.35 0.78 37.8 1.23 0.185 17.8 7.8 394 18.68 3.5 4.9 7.09 30.3 6.54 10.88 7.01 1.34 0.79 2.3 31 6.18 6.36 20.7 50.8 0.62 0.96 166 254.6 1.45 3.42 0.094 8.55 9.86 0.45 3 119.9 0.5 3.1 56.85 47.25 0.93 0.62 5.98 3.08 1.55 0.72 5.25 0.231 3.19 1 5.65 2.36 1.62

4,658,000 1,754,000 523,600 67,000 360,000 7,700 40,600 86,520 212,400 220,000 249,000 35,800 1,325,500 161,400 158,800 51,700 45,780,000 1,335,000 35,000 502,000 70,900 1,665,900 1,160,200 48,080 1,212,000 417,000 1,720 773,060 148,000 76,000 450,000 3,765,800 27,900 500,000 71,000 1,546,030 60,000 14,000 2,400 200 45,000 120,000 272,000 253,000 46,000 1,000 12,500 1,100,000 1,000 1,306,000 1,000 609,000 30,000

20,209,390 1,348,740 19,769,035 80,550 66,260 137,418 305,595 34,118,362 3,960,832 762,810 1,220,100 252,495 40,279,865 1,053,667 1,725,248 361,948 61,327,920 1,051,300 80,200 15,560,045 437,406 10,522,442 24,131,785 2,425,548 742,740 404,290 286,500 196,958,924 214,980 257,170 42,860 32,256,086 275,094 225,200 213,000 185,973,312 29,100 43,440 136,440 9,450 40,990 70,830 1,620,744 781,150 71,430 720 65,460 254,410 3,190 1,303,950 5,638 1,409,680 47,990

7,211,610 -34,230 -2,850,015 -19,634 1,396,848 88,116 70,000 13,104,905 -82,960 -1,065,698 2,125,640 -498,980 6,041,410 -6,396,337 -11,130,600 -1,683,360 3,040 -7,760 23,936,330 1,450 176,520 42,860 -12,901,068 251,430 27,000 -123,000 -134,617,539 -24,260 1,180 -686,030 -16,450 -

0.95 713 49 11.12 11.7 0.38 4.73 9.86 600 3.5 40 4.25 9.12 2.77 882 110 96.1

0.99 713 49.8 11.42 12 0.38 4.78 9.96 600 3.5 40.55 4.25 9.16 2.83 882 110.6 101.9

0.95 693 48.5 11.02 11.7 0.38 4.73 9.86 596.5 3.5 39.8 4.25 9.08 2.77 873.5 110 96

0.98 706 49 11.32 12 0.38 4.76 9.92 597.5 3.5 40 4.25 9.08 2.83 879 110 101.9

3,326,000 64,060 691,500 2,095,500 28,700 30,000 63,000 743,500 145,110 20,000 860,300 23,000 1,165,500 12,000 368,120 50,360 6,110

3,245,140 45,113,105 33,841,400 23,718,982 343,810 11,400 300,020 7,370,515 86,784,695 70,000 34,537,445 97,750 10,620,701 33,600 323,542,615 5,542,168 603,640.50

-6,555,855 -5,322,125 -2,694,030 247,630 1,217,986 57,838,905 -1,627,000 -12,750 1,070,703 15,716,190 1,382,329 13,440

PROPERTY

ANCHOR LAND 4.75 5.69 5.68 5.69 5.68 5.69 200 1,137 AYALA LAND 34.25 34.3 34.45 34.45 34.05 34.25 4,649,000 159,099,180 AYALA LAND LOG 1.73 1.75 1.77 1.77 1.73 1.76 110,000 193,350 ARANETA PROP 0.97 0.99 1 1 0.96 0.99 797,000 775,880 AREIT RT 33.6 33.65 33.4 33.75 33.4 33.65 2,145,500 72,060,360 CITYLAND DEVT 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 1,000 700 CROWN EQUITIES 0.061 0.067 0.064 0.065 0.064 0.065 200,000 12,900 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.53 2.55 2.48 2.55 2.48 2.55 61,000 153,820 CENTURY PROP 0.275 0.28 0.275 0.28 0.275 0.28 60,000 16,750 CITICORE RT 2.58 2.59 2.56 2.59 2.56 2.58 1,057,000 2,729,850 DOUBLEDRAGON 7.85 7.92 7.7 7.92 7.7 7.92 258,300 2,014,178 DDMP RT 1.22 1.23 1.23 1.23 1.22 1.23 584,000 717,400 DM WENCESLAO 5 5.16 5.16 5.16 5.16 5.16 200 1,032 EMPIRE EAST 0.12 0.122 0.124 0.124 0.119 0.12 3,360,000 411,700 FILINVEST RT 2.74 2.75 2.62 2.76 2.62 2.75 4,860,000 12,835,700 FILINVEST LAND 0.6 0.61 0.6 0.61 0.6 0.61 1,784,000 1,084,380 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.84 0.85 0.86 0.86 0.84 0.84 77,000 65,550 8990 HLDG 8.81 9.15 9.22 9.23 9.22 9.23 40,100 369,723 GOLDEN MV 823.5 880 850 880 802.5 880 670 569,645 PHIL INFRADEV 0.53 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.51 0.53 80,000 43,750 MEGAWORLD 1.98 1.99 1.98 1.99 1.97 1.98 5,382,000 10,652,100 MRC ALLIED 1.33 1.39 1.36 1.39 1.33 1.39 243,000 332,950 MREIT RT 12.42 12.48 12.48 12.48 12.38 12.42 541,400 6,718,996 PREMIERE RT 1.54 1.55 1.54 1.55 1.54 1.55 1,157,000 1,787,900 RL COMM RT 5 5.04 4.99 5.04 4.91 5.04 1,011,000 5,052,350 ROBINSONS LAND 15.78 15.8 15.9 15.9 15.68 15.78 165,700 2,616,028 PHIL REALTY 0.133 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.135 500,000 67,500 ROCKWELL 1.39 1.4 1.37 1.37 1.37 1.37 2,000 2,740 SHANG PROP 3.66 3.69 3.69 3.69 3.69 3.69 26,000 95,940 STA LUCIA LAND 3.4 3.48 3.4 3.48 3.4 3.4 14,000 47,760 SM PRIME HLDG 32.25 32.4 32.3 32.6 32.1 32.25 9,558,200 308,500,000 SUNTRUST RESORT 0.75 0.85 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 884,000 707,200 VISTA LAND 1.67 1.68 1.67 1.69 1.67 1.67 880,000 1,471,080 VISTAREIT RT 1.7 1.71 1.66 1.71 1.66 1.7 1,481,000 2,523,010 SERVICES

ABS CBN 4.55 4.6 4.65 4.65 4.59 4.59 23,000 105,840 GMA NETWORK 8.62 8.63 8.53 8.66 8.53 8.63 309,200 2,659,680 GLOBE TELECOM 1,723 1,730 1,736 1,736 1,723 1,723 7,780 13,446,180 PLDT 1,272 1,273 1,275 1,275 1,270 1,272 30,285 38,533,105 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.013 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.013 0.014 4,000,000 55,700 CONVERGE 8.51 8.54 8.5 8.6 8.41 8.51 1,996,700 17,013,879 DFNN INC 3.1 3.24 3.2 3.25 3.1 3.25 213,000 686,870 DITO CME HLDG 2.36 2.37 2.35 2.37 2.34 2.36 648,000 1,525,970 NOW CORP 1.1 1.14 1.11 1.14 1.09 1.11 1,683,000 1,852,100 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.135 0.139 0.133 0.133 0.133 0.133 490,000 65,170 ASIAN TERMINALS 15.02 15.48 15.48 15.48 15.48 15.48 1,000 15,480 CHELSEA 1.45 1.48 1.49 1.49 1.46 1.46 64,000 94,030 CEBU AIR 32.65 32.75 32.7 32.75 32.5 32.75 20,300 663,660 INTL CONTAINER 249.4 249.8 253.6 253.6 247 249.8 629,200 156,861,732 LBC EXPRESS 17 17.88 17 17 17 17 200 3,400 MACROASIA 3.95 3.99 3.95 4 3.95 3.95 137,000 543,660 PAL HLDG 5.08 5.13 5.08 5.08 5.08 5.08 700 3,556 HARBOR STAR 0.75 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.73 0.77 10,000 7,550 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.062 0.063 0.062 0.062 0.062 0.062 100,000 6,200 WATERFRONT 0.38 0.39 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38 10,000 3,800 CENTRO ESCOLAR 8.03 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 13,800 117,300 FAR EASTERN U 561 566 566.5 566.5 565 566 1,590 900,200 STI HLDG 0.485 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.485 0.49 1,300,000 633,150 BELLE CORP 1.17 1.19 1.19 1.19 1.17 1.17 33,000 39,150 BLOOMBERRY 10.06 10.08 10.1 10.16 9.94 10.06 759,900 7,620,709 PACIFIC ONLINE 4.75 4.8 4.96 4.96 4.74 4.8 957,000 4,624,370 PH RESORTS GRP 0.87 0.88 0.88 0.9 0.86 0.88 248,000 217,080 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.67 0.68 0.67 0.69 0.65 0.68 17,020,000 11,531,760 DIGIPLUS 8.3 8.31 8.18 8.36 8.17 8.31 1,614,100 13,397,287 PHILWEB 1.66 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.68 1.68 41,000 69,500 ALLDAY 0.158 0.16 0.157 0.16 0.157 0.158 340,000 53,820 BERJAYA 7.5 8.42 7.2 8.45 7.2 8.45 13,200 103,415 ALLHOME 1.18 1.19 1.19 1.21 1.18 1.19 875,000 1,044,300 PUREGOLD 26.95 27.2 27.1 27.2 26.7 27.2 416,900 11,266,690 ROBINSONS RTL 40.35 40.4 40.7 40.7 40.4 40.4 115,100 4,664,230 SSI GROUP 2.48 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.48 2.48 248,000 617,190 WILCON DEPOT 22.25 22.6 21.9 22.75 21.8 22.6 879,000 19,761,920 MEDILINES 0.32 0.325 0.32 0.325 0.32 0.32 190,000 61,000 PAXYS 1.03 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1,000 1,700 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.165 0.166 0.162 0.165 0.162 0.165 110,000 18,120 SBS PHIL CORP 4.38 4.45 4.65 4.65 4.4 4.4 15,000 67,220 MINING & OIL APEX MINING 3.04 3.05 3.04 3.06 ATLAS MINING 3.5 3.59 3.49 3.59 BENGUET A 4.78 4.86 4.86 4.86 CENTURY PEAK 3.22 3.4 3.22 3.22 FERRONICKEL 2.06 2.07 2.07 2.07 LEPANTO A 0.078 0.082 0.078 0.082 MANILA MINING A 0.0046 0.0048 0.0047 0.0047 MARCVENTURES 1.06 1.08 1.08 1.08 NICKEL ASIA 5.23 5.25 5.3 5.3 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.62 0.63 0.63 0.63 PX MINING 3.27 3.28 3.3 3.3 ORNTL PETROL A 0.008 0.0081 0.008 0.008 PHILODRILL 0.0075 0.008 0.008 0.008 PXP ENERGY 3.77 3.9 3.89 3.9

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 94.5 95 95 95 95 95 2,000 190,000 ACEN PREF A 1,065 1,069 1,065 1,065 1,065 1,065 3,870 4,121,550 ACEN PREF B 1,060 1,080 1,060 1,060 1,060 1,060 355 376,300 ALCO PREF C 95 98 95 95 95 95 100 9,500 BRN PREF A 97 98 98 98 98 98 22,000 2,156,000 CEB PREF 32.5 33 32.45 32.5 32.45 32.5 10,200 331,000 DD PREF 94 95.45 95 95.5 95 95.5 500 47,700 JFC PREF B 910 943 901 901 900.5 900.5 210 189,115 MWIDE PREF 4 89.85 91.85 88.05 91.95 88.05 91.95 1,510 132,994.50 PNX PREF 3B 23.3 25.45 23.25 25.55 23.25 25.55 500 11,855 PCOR PREF 3B 980 997.5 980 980 980 980 1,000 980,000 TECH PREF B2D 48.25 48.5 48.75 48.75 48.75 48.75 1,000 48,750

2,130,000 -

4.26 7.73

3.04 3.59 4.85 3.22 2.07 0.082 0.0047 1.08 5.25 0.63 3.28 0.008 0.008 3.77

2,555,000 101,000 79,000 1,000 461,000 310,000 2,000,000 45,000 1,033,300 55,000 400,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 33,000

-1,882,345 4,505,275 -1,926,457 160,000 -126,870 -229,040 -29,381,366 -39,770 -107,100 -7,020 1,194,107 1,770 3,200.00 5,831,830 -9,480 -313,800 21,380 -2,268,165 46,780 13,145,150 1,700 9,900 -

84,330 -65,660 -6,087 -

ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

2.98 3.49 4.7 3.22 2.05 0.077 0.0047 1.08 5.22 0.63 3.24 0.008 0.008 3.77

54,869,295 189,420 4,810 2,750 108,600 26,248 -119,610 92,630 -51,850 -262,500 -1,730,420 191,598 -8,250 2,177,294 129,796,150 32,430

7,694,600 352,590 376,450 3,220 949,510 24,120 9,400 48,600 5,420,348 34,650 1,317,540 8,000 8,000 128,150

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0978

www.businessmirror.com.ph

4.57 8.37 -

Feeder Funds

WARRANTS

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a 43.24310.73% n.a n.a n.a Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a

1.4769

20.71%

TECH WARRANT

-0.56%

9.35% n.a n.a

0.55% Sun Life Prosperity World Income Fund, Inc. -a,1

1.0054 n.a n.a n.a n.a

0.55%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (Units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.80080.96% a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. 1 - Launch date is August 22, 2023.

-6.51% n.a n.a

b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

2 - Launch date is October 6, 2023.

-0.9%

c - Listed in the PSE.

3 - Launch date is May 25, 2023.

0.265

0.29

SMALL, MEDIUM & EMERGING

0.39 0.39 0.39 0.39 10,000 3,900 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 1,000 770 0.94 0.97 0.94 0.97 72,000 68,490 0.68 0.7 0.68 0.68 37,000 25,490 1.01 1.02 1.01 1.02 441,000 448,080 0.212 0.222 0.211 0.22 710,000 154,710

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

103.9 103.9 102.8 102.8 7,690 792,380 22,620

BALAI FRUITAS CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS MERRYMART XURPAS

0.385 0.74 0.94 0.67 1.02 0.212

0.39 0.77 0.97 0.68 1.03 0.22

“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.”

FIRST METRO ETF

102.7

102.8

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

Banking&Finance

Bonds extend New Year retreat before US data

ONDS extended their drop as traders braced for a swathe of US data that could show whether bets on interest-rate cuts this year are justified. Government debt fell across Europe and US Treasury yields rose, leaving the rate on the 10-year bond up five basis points at 3.98 percent. The Stoxx 600 benchmark and futures contracts on US shares edged lower. The dollar was flat against its Group-of-10 peers after notching its biggest daily gain since March. Tuesday’s combined slump for bonds and stocks globally was the biggest for a first full trading day since at least 1999 as traders tempered their enthusiasm on Federal Reserve easing. The question now is whether that was a one-off rout, and the latest Fed minutes, manufacturing and job openings data due Wednesday may offer clues. “2024 has kicked off with risk retrenchment,” Vishnu Varathan, chief economist for Asia ex-Japan

at Mizuho Bank Ltd., said in a note. “Whether this is a durable purge from excessive exuberance or merely preNFP profit-taking is unclear,” he said, referring to the US nonfarm payrolls data at the end of the week. In Asia, China tech stocks are in focus after a report that Beijing removed a top official who oversaw the nation’s gaming industry. That may mean the government is trying to cool a backlash against harsh new regulations that triggered an $80 billion rout across the sector. Tencent Holdings Ltd. and smaller rival NetEase Inc. reversed earlier losses. Elsewhere, Bitcoin traded stronger for a fifth day, hovering around $45,000, as investors anticipate the US will approve an exchange-traded fund investing directly in the biggest token. Oil held losses after the risk-off tone in markets undercut concern about an escalating conflict in the Red Sea. Bloomberg News

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Thursday, January 4, 2024

Asking yields ease on low oil prices, expected Fed rate cut

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE national government raised P30 billion from fresh Treasury bonds (T-bonds) as investors asking yields eased to favorable levels for the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

The BTr made a full award of the new 3-year T-bonds last Wednesday with demand for the tender being 1.8-times oversubscribed as total bids submitted reached P53.3 billion. The coupon rate for the government security was set at 6 percent with yields averaging at 5.9 percent.

The rates of the T-bonds were between a low of 5.75 percent to a high of 6 percent. This is the first T-bonds offering by the Treasury for the year and the second fully-awarded auction following the Treasury bills (T-bills) tender last Tuesday. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort noted that the yield for the T-bonds was lower than the comparable secondary market benchmark rate of 5.92 percent as investors factored in lower global oil prices and the anticipated policy rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Ricafort added that the expected easing of the country’s inflation for December 2023 and the first quarter of this year contributed to the lower asking rates by investors. “[It was] also lower -0.322 [basis points] vs. the 6.222 [percent] during the last 3-year Treasury bond auction with awards on September 5, 2023,” he said. The Treasury targets to raise as much as P195 billion in January from the combined tender of T-bills and T-bonds.

The Treasury would all four tenders of T-bonds this month with each having a P30-billion offering for a total amount of P120 billion. The national government has set its borrowing plan this year at P2.46 trillion, some P253 billion more than last year’s P2.207 trillion gross borrowing plan, based on state budget documents. This year’s borrowing program would still follow a 75:25 mix in favor of domestic sources. The Marcos administration would borrow P1.853 trillion from the domestic market through the sale of T-bills and T-bonds. The Bureau of the Treasury will tender a total of P51.050 billion worth of T-bills and P1.802 trillion worth of T-bonds for the entire 2024.

Greenback kicks off 2024 Young Filipinos minding health span–insurer’s poll with best day since March By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

HE dollar kicked off the New Year with its biggest daily jump since March as traders pared back bets on the scale of the Federal Reserve’s 2024 interest-rate reductions. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index closed higher by more than 0.7 percent on Tuesday as Treasuries and US stocks dropped, before holding steady in Asia trading Wednesday. It was the greenback’s biggest one-day advance since the wake of regional banking turmoil more than nine months ago. Such a euphoric start to 2024 comes after a rocky path last year, when the dollar’s performance was largely driven by speculation surrounding when—and by how much—major central banks would cut their key policy rates. The currency fell 2.7 percent last year, the worst annual performance since the Covid-19 pandemic shocked the world in 2020. “The Fed expectations are still all over the map,” Brad Bechtel, global head of foreign exchange at Jefferies. “We have to see how it plays out the next few days.” Traders are already looking ahead to Wednesday’s release of minutes

from the December Fed meeting, which will offer detail on a gathering at which officials signaled an end to their aggressive campaign of interest-rate increases. An array of labor-market data due later this week is forecast to highlight a labor market that remains resilient while gradually cooling. The dollar gained against every Asian emerging-market peer on Wednesday. The South Korean won, Malaysian ringgit and Thai baht were amongst the biggest losers against the greenback. While most of 2023’s drop in the dollar came as Wall Street increased bets on an easing cycle, traders are now reconsidering the monetary path ahead. While central banks have indicated that they’ve likely delivered the final hikes of this cycle, they will also be reluctant to give up the fight against inflation too soon. “Markets, with the fledgling year, haven’t entirely decided what their base case is,” Helen Given, an FX spot trader at Monex USA. “We still don’t believe the Fed will be cutting rates as soon as March, and the minutes tomorrow are likely to prove us to be more correct than not.”

briefs

➜ CIS Bayad inks deal with insurer

CIS Bayad Center Inc. announced it signed an agreement with Sun Life Grepa Financial Inc. (SLGFI) allowing users of CIS Bayad’s app to buy insurance products being sold by SLGFI. The firm didn’t disclose the value of its partnership with the insurer. CIS Bayad also would allow plan-holders to use the app for monthly payments for insurance premiums. “We recognize the increasing need for security in cases of death, unforeseen accidents, hospitalization costs from illnesses and retirement financial plans,” Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer was quoted in a statement as saying. SLGFI president Richard S. Lim was also quoted as saying that CIS Bayad’s network “and expertise in payment solutions” make the firm a “remarkable partner to help us reach more Filipinos.” Rizal Raoul Reyes

➜ LGU cites business-permit renewal date

THE City Government of Muntinlupa calls for all business owners and establishments to renew their permits and licenses at the start of the new calendar year. Renewal is now ongoing until January 20 at the Muntinlupa Sports Center, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., under the auspices of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), the local government unit announced. Mayor Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon said that the taxes paid by businesses go to services and programs like scholarship (with almost 80,000 beneficiaries) and free back to school package for around 100,000 students, infrastructure projects, among others. Roderick L. Abad

➜ Saylor selling $216M of firm’s shares MICHAEL Saylor is selling almost $216 million worth of shares in MicroStrategy Inc., the software company he co-founded and turned into the largest publicly-traded holder of Bitcoin. The 315,000 shares were acquired via stock options, according to a filing on Tuesday. A MicroStrategy spokesperson said the company previously announced a plan for Saylor to sell as much as 400,000 of stock between January 2 and April 26 this year. MicroStrategy’s shares have surged 372 percent in the past year and closed Tuesday at just over $685, the highest level since December 2021. The company has benefited from a rally in the largest digital asset driven by expectations that the US will soon allow the nation’s first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. Bloomberg News

survey by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Manulife) reveals that young Filipinos are becoming more conscious about their health span, or how long they will enjoy good health. While Filipinos surveyed, on average, expect to be healthy until approximately 62, younger Millennials (born 1989 to 1996) anticipate that they will only be at the prime of their health until age 55, according to the insurer. “The pandemic brought unprecedented changes, especially regarding

one’s health and finances, so Filipino Millennials and Gen Zs have become concerned about financial security,” read the firm’s statement. “They realized that they needed to start investing in life and health protection, or find more ways to grow their money.” This is especially in light of several concerns like: critical illness risk; poverty risk; and, weakened social safety nets due to economic uncertainties. According to Manulife, “genetics, the environment, the stresses of modern living and even bingeeating and endless feasts brought by the holidays, may conspire to put everyone at risk for various critical

illnesses.” “Even Gen Z and Millennials find that their relatively young age does not guarantee protection,” it added. For Filipinos, coronary heart diseases, tumors, and cerebrovascular conditions are the top health and mortality risks, the insurer said citing the Philippine Statistics Authority. Manulife added that the financial burden of costly medical treatments “is a significant concern for many Filipinos, with almost half or 45 percent of the national health expense coming from out-of-pocket payments.” At least 1.5 million Filipino fami-

lies are pushed to the poverty line every year due to unexpected health expenses, the insurer said citing the Insurance Commission. Manulife added that with economic uncertainties causing medical inflation to soar to as high as 12-13 percent, Filipinos need more resources to cover the rising costs of hospital and medical treatments. “While they realize the importance of bolstering one’s health protection, some millennials and Gen Zs–many of whom are just starting their careers, shifting priorities, or changing life journeys–may feel held back by their limited income,” the insurer said through the statement.

‘Transition Finance’ to take center stage this year

‘T

RANSITION finance” is shaping up to be one of the new year’s most important subjects for anyone professing to care about the climate crisis. There’s a “whole world of transition finance being created as we speak,” said Mark Carney, the United Nations special envoy on climate action and finance, during a panel discussion at last month’s COP28 in Dubai. The conversation has “matured from talking about investing in climate to investing in transition,” said Annika Brouwer, a sustainability specialist at Ninety One Ltd. At least half of the South African asset manager’s engagements in Dubai focused on transition finance for emerging markets, she said. The term was part of the final agreement among 200 nations in which they agreed to move away from fossil fuels. However, there’s lots of wiggle room. In the nonbinding deal, countries are called upon only to contribute to a global transition. In other words, fossil-fuel companies have few boundaries in deciding how and when they will take part, said Ehsan Khoman, the Dubaibased head of commodities, environmental social and governance and emerging markets research at MUFG Bank Ltd (EMEA). It also gives leeway to investors, including those with so-called sustainable mandates. The phrase “transition finance” is loosely defined as investments mainly in industries and infrastructure that help drive efforts to achieve a net-zero economy. It’s distinct from green finance, which generally targets so-called climate solutions like wind farms or battery plants. Still, Chuka Umunna, JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s head of EMEA ESG and green economy investment banking, said the change in tone is opening doors to strategies that floundered just a few years ago. Concerns about greenwashing allegations previously thwarted efforts to develop a transi-

ments, she said. “If you’re investing in a firm that’s claiming to transition, it’s got to have a really robust plan,” agreed Kate Levick, who leads E3G’s sustainable finance activities. “Regulatory expectations are firming up, but it’s a race to get there and also to converge so that we don’t get fragmented regulation gaps.”

Sustainable finance in brief

The Aramco Oil Refinery in Dahran, Saudi Arabia, Middle East Photographer: MyLoupe/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

tion bond label for debt capital markets, but there’s now “much more of an appetite for discussion around that,” he said. Coalitions of banks, insurers and asset managers are in discussions to put some guardrails around what constitutes transition finance. But for now, there’s no consistent standard. The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero is proposing that the investment strategy include financing of traditional green activities, like renewable energy or electric vehicles, as well as polluting companies that plan to decarbonize and even high emitters like coal plants—as long as they’re on the way to being shut down. What unites most proposals around transition finance is the belief that, instead of simply cutting ties with high-emitting companies, financial institutions should help polluters either phase out their activities or put them on a so-called emissions-light pathway. “You’ve got to go where the emissions are and try to bring those down,” said Curtis Ravenel, a senior adviser to GFANZ. The group is cochaired by Carney, a former Bank of

England governor who’s also chair of Bloomberg Inc., and Michael R. Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News-parent Bloomberg LP. For sustainability-minded investors, however, all of this begs the question: Do any assets fail to qualify? And for the polluters that do, how can investors be confident they’ll decarbonize at the speed and scale envisioned? Such details are all the more critical given that some climate-finance funds announced at COP28 intend to invest in transition assets. For example, part of Alterra, a $30 billion venture that the United Arab Emirates launched with BlackRock Inc., TPG Inc. and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., is going to transition funds. But there’s little immediate detail about how those are structured. The way to “keep it honest” and avoid “the slippery slope” of investing in assets that aren’t in fact decarbonizing is to have established standards, said Nazmeera Moola, chief sustainability officer at Ninety One. Ideally, companies will be penalized if they fall short of their environmental commit-

NORWAY’S largest pensions’ manager divested $15 million from Gulf companies on concern they may facilitate human rights violations, while also deciding to exclude Saudi Aramco because of climate risks. KLP, which oversees $70 billion, blacklisted a dozen companies listed in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait from its investment universe. The divestments mostly reflect an “unacceptable” risk of contributing to human rights abuses, KLP said. The excluded firms included companies in the real estate sector, where KLP says migrant workers from Africa and Asia have faced discrimination and human rights violations. “Gulf states remain characterized by authoritarian systems of government that restrict freedom of expression and political rights, including of critics and human rights activists,” said Kiran Aziz, KLP’s head of responsible investment, in a statement. The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s failure to complete an ambitious climate-related agenda in 2023 is making environmental activists nervous. The global sustainable debt market may struggle to surpass its high water mark again for a third year as borrowers grapple with additional labeling costs, higher interest-rates and heightened ESG scrutiny. Swiss climate activists said they’ve collected enough signatures for a national vote on a new tax on the wealthy to cover climate change costs. Bloomberg News

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

B4 Thursday, January 4, 2024

DBM releases P550M for expansion of NKTI’s outpatient services facility W T

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health and wellness industry to help attract tourists to PHL, boost economy

he Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released around P550 million for the expansion of the outpatient services of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI). In a statement yesterday, January 3, 2024, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the issuance of Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) amounting to P550 million to cover the funding requirements for the NKTI’s Out-Patient Department (OPD) Building. “The funds will be used for the construction and expansion of NKTI’s OPD Building, which is designed to be a onestop shop for the hospital’s social ser-

vices, including diagnostic and surgical facilities,” she said. “Specializing in the treatment and prevention of kidney and allied diseases, the NKTI amplifies its capabilities through the construction of the proposed 8-story OPD building,” she added. The facility will provide areas for the expansion of the hospital’s outpatient services with a total cost of P1.331 billion.

Pangandaman said the release of funds is part of the Marcos administration’s commitment to improve the country’s healthcare facilities. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. always says no Filipino should be deprived of quality health care. That’s why we continuously give high regard to our health care facilities, more importantly, our specialty hospitals like NKTI,” she said. The NKTI is the center for the referral of kidney patients from various regional hospitals in the country and is recognized as the lead agency in voluntary blood services. In its 33-year existence and operations, the Institute’s medical achievements and milestones are comparable to any specialty hospital in the world. The NKTI, formerly known as the National Kidney Foundation of the Phil-

ippines (NKFP), serves as the center for referral of kidney patients from various regional hospitals in the country and is recognized as the lead agency in voluntary blood services. Located along East Avenue in Quezon City, the NKTI is a 2-story structure with three buildings (Main, Annex and Dialysis Center) connected. The Main Building houses most of the Cost Centers and the Administrative offices, while the Annex Building encloses the recently opened Marcos Wing and the Radiology Department, Center for Special Services and the Emergency Department. The Out-Patient Department, Hemodialysis and CAPD centers, HOPE office, Medical Records office and the clinics of all its Medical Specialists can be found in the Dialysis Center. Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, PNA

DOH improves health care, brings services closer to Pinoys nationwide

he Department of Health (DOH) continues to improve its mandate of bringing quality health-care services to all Filipinos nationwide. For the year 2023, the agency was busy on the establishment of health-care facilities, especially in the provinces, that would provide state-of-the-art medical services. It has been productive in bringing laboratory services to poor people in far-flung areas with the help of other government agencies.

Specialty hospitals ON March 24, the Catheterization Laboratory (CathLab) at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga province opened to Central Luzon residents who need interventional cardiac and non-cardiac procedures under interventional radiology. It was completed in 120 days through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program and in coordination with provincial and local government units. Its funding was taken out of the P1-billion budget given to the hospital in 2013 for the provision of equipment and buildings. Apart from cardiac procedures, the CathLab currently serves patients in the region who have different medical needs. Meantime, the DOH launched the construction of the Clark Multi Specialty Medical Center on July 17 in collaboration with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Clark Development Corporation,

Pampanga local government units, and in partnership with the private sector like the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. Specialized departments, including heart, kidney, cancer, and pediatrics, are expected to open in the soon-to-rise medical center. To ensure the facilities in the Eastern Visayas, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa visited Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH), DOHTreatment and Rehabilitation Center-Dulag, Eastern Visayas Medical Center, and the Gov. Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center on October 26 and 27. Herbosa checked on the construction of new facilities in some of these hospitals and their best practices, innovations, and operational challenges. He also gave them instructions on how to improve strategies in maintaining the quality of service delivery.

Lab for all FOR the benefit of the marginalized population, the DOH launched the “Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot Para sa Lahat” (Lab for All) caravan in Santa Cruz town, Laguna province on June 27. The caravan, a project of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, aims to provide free consultation, free x-ray, laboratory services and medicines to the provinces. Previous “Lab for All” caravans were held every Tuesday in cities in the provinces of Batangas, Tarlac, and Pampanga, and in Baguio City.

Coordinating Council for UHC law THE DOH also pushed for the creation of a council that will serve as a governing body which will oversee the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, the estimated total of the national cost for the UHC, and the implementation of UHC at the local government level. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had approved the plan last October. Herbosa said the DOH will chair the council with the Department of the Interior and Local Government as its co-chair. “The council will police or monitor how LGUs or local health systems would be spending funds, income from PhilHealth, and how the other systems can be improved,” he said. The member agencies of the council include the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Regulation Commission, National Economic and Development Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education. Since 2021, Herbosa reported that 71 LGUs have committed to integrate their local health systems. These were labeled as UHC Integration Sites which consist of 59 provinces and 12 highly-urbanized cities. He added that the DOH has already engaged five UHC Integration Sites to become primary care provider network sandbox or

trials or pilots and these are Baguio, Bataan, Quezon, Guimaras and South Cotabato as for 2023.

2024 Priorities HERBOSA told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that health officials are drafting the plan to modernize the DOH—a measure that would address inequity in the provision of primary health-care services among Filipinos. “We will build ambulatory primary care centers complete with laboratories, medicines, and imaging so that people need not flock to big hospitals,” he said. The creation of a national ambulatory and urgent care centers nationwide will ensure that the poor receives the same healthcare services much like individuals who go to modern hospitals, he added. For 2024, the DOH also aims to increase the immunization coverage of children under five years old to 95 percent; lower stunting or under nutrition rate among young children from the current 27 percent to 14 percent; reduce maternal mortality deaths and teenage pregnancy; lower cases of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus; and decrease cases of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. “Also, road safety, the number of deaths is increasing due to accidents involving motorcycles because more people are learning to drive them,” Herbosa said. Ma. Teresa Montemayor, PNA

Dumaguete pupils now have access to clean, safe water critical to physical, mental health By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

ATER is life. Its consumption amid the glut of flavored, unhealthy beverages out there should start at an early age. Thanks to Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), a total of 1,800 students from Dumaguete City can now drink cleaner and safer water courtesy of its donated new water filtration system. This state-of-the-art technology is currently being used by South City Elementary School (SCES) in Barangay Mangnao, Dumaguete City that seeks to significantly improve the health and well-being of the school’s young learners. “This water filtration system is a testament to the collaborative efforts between FLI and the Barangay Mangnao as we engage the community to address critical needs. This timely donation stands as a beacon of hope for our local learners as we ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for SCES,” said John Paul Escario, area general manager for Visayas at FLI. Joining him at the recent turnover ceremony were Ramel Tayko, Barangay Mangnao captain; Ricardo Valencia, Barangay Mangnao councilor; and Phil Calumpang, FLI geographic planning head-rest of Visayas. The full-range property development unit of

A total of 1,800 students at South City Elementary School are diving into healthier days ahead with a new water filtration system courtesy of Filinvest Land Inc.

Filinvest Development Corp., which traces its roots to nearby Cebu province, has a strong presence in Dumaguete City, as it is the builder of Marina Town, a 1.9-hectare integrated township along Rizal Boulevard set to redefine the city’s progressive landscape. Located within Marina Town are Marina Spatial, a three-building mid-rise condo community; Marina Town Offices by Filinvest; and Marina Town Mall.

Benefits of clean safer water DRINKING water is a vital part of everyone’s daily

routine. Having consumed enough of it that is clean and safe brings manifold benefits to everybody, especially to young ones. Around 60 percent of the body is comprised of water. Because almost all of it is utilized to enable the body to function, drinking enough water helps replace what’s lost. Hydration affects the digestive system. The gut absorbs water from the poo, resulting to an inconvenient backlog. The only way to dislodge it is by rehydrating. Drink sufficient water for a smooth digestion and to bring bowel movements back to normal.

Plasma comprises more than 50 percent of the blood. It brings blood cells around the body to where they’re needed, thus helping keep a healthy blood pressure and ensuring body temperature under control. Because plasma is about 90 percent water, it can function well if the body is hydrated. And that only happens by consuming enough water. Water is helpful for a change in eating habits. Drinking it prior to a meal will fill up the stomach a little. Eating at a moderate pace enables the brain time to catch up with the tummy. Hence, it leads to eating less and, in turn, some weight loss. Based on studies, poor hydration contributes to life-threatening health problems with the heart, lung, kidneys and bladder. Heat stroke can also be blamed to insufficient water consumption. Water also flushes out toxins with the help of kidneys. Not drinking enough of water causes kidneys to not function correctly. Like any other organs, the brain also needs water. Some research have even shown that dehydration can cause the brain cells to shrink a bit, leaving it less effective than it would normally be. Because of this, anyone who doesn’t drink a lot of water finds it hard to concentrate and solve problems longer. The extra brain strain can also result to irritability. So a glass of water can be of help to improve the mood, especially when studying.

By Rory Visco Contributor

ith the awe and splendor that the country’s more than 7,000 islands bring to tourists, the Philippines continues to be a top vacation destination to help people regardless of culture and race relax their minds, recover from any depressive state, and help the body and mind calm down and recover. Thus, it is no surprise that the Philippines emerged as a prime spot when it comes to medical, health and wellness travel journeys of people from all over the world. With innumerable facilities around the country that offer wellness services such as yoga, detoxification, and even ethnic massage forms like the traditional “hilot” that allow people to heal and recuperate, especially when coming after a medical procedure, many tourists have often wondered why they didn’t discover the Philippines much earlier. This is the reason why the present administration is hellbent in making the Philippines a top medical and health and wellness tourism destination, a globally marketable product that caters to a wide array of tourists, not just in Asia but in many parts of the world.

Top-of-mind choice ACCORDING to the Global Wellness Economy: Country Rankings released by the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy was valued at US$4.9 trillion in 2019, though it slowed to US$4.4 trillion in 2020 due to the pandemic. It rebounded last year with US$5.6 trillion in value and is seen to track an upward trajectory by an average of 9.9 percent per year and reach about US$7 trillion next year. In terms of Wellness Economy Size and Ranking, the Philippines was ranked 25th with a US$29.2 billion value in 2017. This grew, however, in 2020, to US$33 billion, and placed the country at a respectable 21st to beat other top health and wellness tourism destinations in the ASEAN region such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. These results further cemented the prospect that the country can compete strongly to become among the top wellness economy markets, if given strong public and private sector support. This is the reason why last year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) partnered with the Agora Group, a global medical and wellness industry leader based in Dubai, in the holding of the First International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress (IHWTC) 2023 in Dusseldorf, Germany, a prestigious and highlevel event that gathered tourism stakeholders and medical professionals, and help position the country as an emerging medical and wellness tourism haven in Asia. “We are giving the Philippines a fighting chance at becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia. And we recognize that medical tourism and wellness tourism hold one of the keys to this endeavor, because we have the people, we have the facilities, and we are adjusting government policies to ensure that the climate for medical tourism to thrive will ensue,” according to Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco.

CONFEX 2024 AS part of the country’s seriousness in helping make the Philippines a top medical, health and wellness hub, a group headed by the country’s acknowledged wellness guru, Cory Quirino, as its Executive Director, will hold an event dubbed “Health and Wellness CONFEX 2024.” This three-day event, happening from January 26 to 28, 2024, at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, will gather various stakeholders of the multi trillion-dollar health and wellness industry such as wellness resorts, globally renowned and accredited hospitals that provide medical tourism packages, even organic farms and specialty shops that offer innovative, sustainable and eco-friendly health and wellness products and services. It will also promote “regenerative tourism,” an advocacy to make the places that tourists visit become better compared to when it was originally discovered and pursue economic growth while managing the social and environmental impact of each visit. The event, which carries the theme “Go & Get Better,” is the centerpiece of a global multi-media campaign that will showcase the country’s many health and wellness destinations, plus an exhibit, a conference, business matching sessions, and various experiential activities. It is considered the only trade fair in the Philippines that promotes health and wellness tourism, products and services, and exclusively focused on sustainable wellness and lifestyle products and services. Co-presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Duty Free Philippines (DFP), and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), CONFEX 2024 will also be the venue in the launching of a television travel show-vlog called “OTW” or “On Travel & Wellness” where viewers can explore the fascinating world of health and wellness amid the breathtaking natural wonders of the Philippines. There will also be a Wellness Festival called Masigabo, which will pay tribute to the industry and sacrifices of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through activities designed to make them feel better, relaxed and loved. Health and wellness experts will also deliver talks about financial health, physical wellness, beauty, sustainability, environmental protection, government regulations, among others.

Parentlife BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Thursday, January 4, 2024

Many kids are still skipping kindergarten. Since the pandemic, some parents don’t see the point COLORADO MOTHER SUSPECTED OF KILLING HER 2 CHILDREN AND WOUNDING A THIRD ARRESTED IN UK A Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her young children and injuring a third was arrested Saturday in the United Kingdom, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Kimberlee Singler’s 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son were found dead on December 19 when police responded to a report of a burglary at their home. Police later said the report turned out to be unfounded. Singler, 35, initially cooperated with police but disappeared during the investigation, said Ira Cronin, spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department. Authorities were unable to apprehend her after obtaining an arrest warrant Tuesday on charges of murder and attempted murder, among other allegations. Singler was not under surveillance and was last seen in Colorado Springs on December 23, said Cronin. Authorities did not provide further details on the overseas arrest, but said they are working with multiple law enforcement agencies. Attempts to reach Singler for comment through phone numbers listed for her were unsuccessful. Cronin said he didn’t know if she has an attorney. When police first responded to Singler’s home, they found her with minor injuries, the two children’s bodies and Singler’s 11-year-old daughter hurt. At first, Singler was treated as a burglary victim, said Cronin. The injured girl was hospitalized for a few days before being released and is recovering in Colorado Springs, said Cronin. The children’s deaths came amid an ongoing legal battle between Singler and her ex-husband over parenting time and other issues, according to court filings. AP

QUICK WAYS TO ELEVATE HOLIDAY FAMILY REUNIONS

HOSTING reunions over the holidays just got easier—and a whole lot tastier! When you’re creating your snack board, you have your usual bruschetta, chips and dips, nuts, olives, cheese, cold cuts, samosa, grapes and other finger foods. Now you can elevate your party appetizers with FairPrice’s range of Potato Chips and Nuts, including the award-winning Truffle Potato Chips. These new chips and nuts can be enjoyed on their own or paired with your go-to holiday food and drinks. Made from 100 percent fresh potatoes, the crispy FairPrice Potato Chips can be prepared in a bowl with dips, like tomato salsa, cheese, and garlic aioli, for a dynamic flavor experience. You can also have an appetizing pre-dinner experience by pairing the Truffle Potato Chips with a bottle of wine or juice (for a more family-friendly option for both young and old), and sharing these with your titas and titos. Likewise, FairPrice’s range of Nuts such as Baked Almonds and California Pistachios, which are sourced from the US, are the perfect healthy snacks you can eat on their own in a bowl or include in your charcuterie boards with honey, fresh fruits, and cold cuts. These can also be used to bake cookies and fruitcake. To bring your holiday spread to gourmet status without breaking the bank, FairPrice Truffle Potato Chips’ combination of truffle flavor and the satisfying crunch of the chip creates a flavor experience that captivates a wide range of palates. The chips can instantly upgrade your party from ordinary to extraordinary with each indulgent bite, adding a touch of luxury to your appetizers. The holiday season and beyond is the perfect time to open a bag of FairPrice Potato Chips and Nuts to share with your family and friends. Grab FairPrice’s award-winning Truffle Potato Chips and other delicious variants at leading supermarkets in Metro Manila now. FairPrice California Pistachios and Baked Almonds are available at SM Supermarket, Landmark Supermarket, and South Supermarket. In anticipation of consumer demand for healthier snack options, FairPrice will also be launching a wider range of nuts in Philippine supermarkets in the coming months. FairPrice’s range of Potato Chips and Nuts are exclusively distributed in the Philippines by High Tower Inc.

By Cheyanne Mumphrey, Sharon Lurye, & Zaidee Stavely

PHOTO BY JONATHAN BORBA ON UNSPLASH

The Associated Press and EdSource

ONCORD, California—Aylah Levy had some catching up to do this fall when she started first grade. After spending her kindergarten year at an alternative program that met exclusively outdoors, Aylah, 6, had to adjust to being inside a classroom. She knew only a handful of numbers and was not printing her letters clearly. To help her along, the teacher at her Bay Area elementary school has been showing her the right way to hold a pencil. “It’s harder. Way, way harder,” Aylah said of the new grip. Still, her mother, Hannah Levy, says it was the right decision to skip kindergarten. She wanted Aylah to enjoy being a kid. There is plenty of time, she reasoned, for her daughter to develop study skills. The number of kindergartners in public school plunged during the Covid-19 pandemic. Concerned about the virus or wanting to avoid online school, hundreds of thousands of families delayed the start of school for their young children. Most have returned to schooling of some kind, but even three years after the pandemic school closures, kindergarten enrollment has continued to lag. Some parents like Levy don’t see much value in traditional kindergarten. For others, it’s a matter of keeping children in other child care arrangements that better fit their lifestyles. And for many, kindergarten simply is no longer the assumed first step in a child’s formal education, another sign of the way the pandemic and online learning upended the US school system. Kindergarten is considered a crucial year for children to learn to follow directions, regulate behavior and get accustomed to learning. Missing that year of school can put kids at a disadvantage, especially those from low-income families and families whose first language is not English, said Deborah Stipek, a former dean of the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. Those children are sometimes behind in recognizing letters and counting to 10 even before starting school, she said. But to some parents, that foundation seems less urgent post-pandemic. For many, kindergarten just doesn’t seem to work for their lives. Students who disengaged during the pandemic school closures have been making their way back to schools. But kindergarten enrollment remained down 5.2 percent in the 2022-2023 school year compared with the 2019-2020 school year, according to an Associated Press analysis of state-level data. Public school enrollment across all grades fell 2.2 percent. Kindergarten means a seismic change in some families’ lifestyles. After years of all-day child care, they suddenly must manage afternoon pickups with limited and expensive options for after-school care. Some worry their child isn’t ready for the structure and behavioral expectations of a public school classroom. And many think whatever their child misses at school can be quickly learned in first grade. Christina Engram was set to send her daughter Nevaeh to kindergarten this fall at her neighborhood

school in Oakland, until she learned her daughter would not have a spot in the after-school program there. That meant she would need to be picked up at 2:30 most afternoons. “If I put her in public school, I would have to cut my hours, and I basically wouldn’t have a good income for me and my kids,” said Engram, a preschool teacher and a mother of two. Engram decided to keep Nevaeh in a child care center for another year. Engram receives a state child care subsidy that helps her pay for full-time child care or preschool until her child is 6 and must enroll in first grade. Compared with kindergarten, she believed her daughter would be more likely to receive extra attention at the child care center, which has more adult staff per child. “She knows her numbers. She knows her ABC’s. She knows how to spell her name,” Engram said. “But when she feels frustrated that she can’t do something, her frustration overtakes her. She needs extra attention and care. She has some shyness about her when she thinks she’s going to give the wrong answer.” Some parents say they came to homeschooling almost accidentally. Convinced their family wasn’t ready for “school,” they kept their 5-year-old home, then found they needed more structure. They purchased some activities or a curriculum—and homeschooling stuck. Others chose homeschooling for kindergartners after watching older children in traditional school. Jenny Almazan is homeschooling Ezra, 6, after pulling his sister Emma, 9, from a school in Chino, California. Kindergarten is important for all children, but especially those who do not attend preschool or who haven’t had much exposure to math, reading and

other subjects, said Steve Barnett, co-director for the National Institute for Early Education Research and a professor at Rutgers University. “The question actually is: If you didn’t go to kindergarten, what did you do instead?” he said. Hannah Levy chose the Berkeley Forest School to start her daughter’s education, in part because she valued how teachers infused subjects like science with lessons on nature. She pictured traditional kindergarten as a place where children sit inside at desks, do worksheets and have few play-based experiences. “I learned about nature. We learned in a different way,” daughter Aylah said. But the appeal of a suburban school system had brought the family from San Francisco, and when it came time for first grade, Aylah enrolled at Cornell Elementary in Albany. Early this fall, Levy recalled Aylah coming home with a project where every first grader had a page in a book to write about who they were. Some pages had only scribbles and others had legible print. She said Aylah fell somewhere in the middle. “It was interesting to me because it was the moment I thought, ‘What would it be like if she was in kindergarten?’” she said. In a conference with Levy, Aylah’s teacher said she was working with the girl on her writing, but there were no other concerns. “She said anything Aylah was behind on, she has caught up to the point that she would never differentiate that Aylah didn’t go to Cornell for kindergarten as well,” Levy said. Levy said she feels good about Aylah’s attitude toward school, though she misses knowing she was outside interacting with nature. So does Aylah. “I miss my friends and being outside,” she said. “I also miss my favorite teacher.” n

In support of Baseco’s out-of-school youth MULTINATIONAL financial services firm Wells Fargo has partnered with World Vision to provide Manila youth with sustainable economic opportunities through entrepreneurial and employable skills training. The Bridge to Employment and Entrepreneurship Project will support 180 students under the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) and 20 out-of-school youth who will be enrolled in technical vocation programs of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority. “This project will definitely benefit out-of-school youth and those under the ALS program as better opportunities are now within reach. Part of our commitment is to spark hope, joy and encourage children and their families. That’s why we really value this kind of partnership, so our sincerest gratitude to Wells Fargo for opening the doors to this opportunity.” said Roberto Dazo, operations manager for Luzon Field Office of

World Vision, in partnership with Wells Fargo, recently launched the Bridge to Employment and Entrepreneurship Project led by Wells Fargo Philippines senior community impact and sustainability specialist AJ Tapia, India and Philippines’ chief operating officer Lina Nair, vice president Dan Siena (first, second and fourth from left, respectively) with Wells Fargo business execution director Pavithra Rajeev, assistant vice president Sharon Uy, and World Vision operations manager for Luzon field office Roberto Dazo (third, second and first from right, respective), joined by some of the youth members who are enrolled in the project.

World Vision. Wells Fargo’s partnership with World Vision aligns with the bank’s efforts to promote financial health and entrepreneurship in the communities where it operates. To complement the technical training provided by the formal curriculum, World Vision will

also conduct value-based life skills sessions. The youth will also benefit from the project through capacity building workshops, as well as trainings on community issues and entrepreneurial development. They will also be taught how to save and improve financial literacy. The Bridge to Employment

and Entrepreneurship Project is the first partnership project between World Vision and Wells Fargo. This project will contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals No. 4 Quality Education and No. 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. More information is available at www.worldvision.org.ph.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

www.businessmirror.com.ph

SPIKE REPORTED IN CRUISE TOURISM IN PHL PORTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

ORE international cruise ships are now back in the shores of the Philippine islands after the easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions. This came as the country was hailed as the “Best Cruise Destination in Asia” with more than 80,000 cruise ship passengers visiting the Philippines this year alone. On Christmas Day (December 25, 2023), around 1,000 foreign and local passengers all aboard MV AidaBella of Aida Cruises from Germany gifted themselves with a holiday treat as they visited the Port of Coron to discover the natural wonders Palawan has to offer. With 1,994 German tourists and more than 600 Filipino, Indian, and German crew members, MV AidaBella managed to dock at the Port of Coron at around 7 am on Christmas day with no incident or issue due to smooth coordination between the cruise ship agents, terminal operator, transport services, shore excursion organizers and the PPA. Passengers of the cruise ship MV AidaBella visited world class tourist attractions

like Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, the Twin Lagoons and other island trips. They were also exposed to the local cuisine and to local destinations such as the Maquinit Hotsprings, Lualhati Park, Mount Tapyas, and the cashew factories in Palawan. The Port of Coron in Palawan is now ready to accommodate up to 900 persons in its passenger terminal area following a massive renovation which was completed earlier this year. From a maximum of 250 passengers before, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the Port of Coron can now accommodate an additional 500 passengers that could be expanded to 700 to 900 people during peak season. “It is good that the passengers can now experience again the warmth of the Filipino culture and the hospitality of the people receiving them. Upon arrival at the ports, we make sure they are given the proper treatment and are warmly welcomed to our newly improved passenger terminals. Our recent

GENERAL Managers from different Mactan Hotels and Resorts Properties. They are, from left, Domiku Ugarte, Maribago Blue Water, Simon Chew, Movenpick, Josef Chiongbian, Savoy Hotel Mactan, John Kristoffer Rafols, Lapu Laput Tourism Office Representative, Bryan Connelly, JPark Island Resort and Waterpark Cebu, Eya Shrimski, Tambuli Seaside Resorts and Spa, Brian Noel, Plantation Bay, Didier Belmonte, Crimson Resort and Spa Cebu, Dave Junker, Shangri-La Mactan.

Mactan hotels, resorts now 90% in recovery phase after Typhoon Odette

WO years since the wrath of the Philippines’ 2nd strongest typhoon, the majority of Mactan, Cebu hotel players report that they are now down to the last stretch of their efforts to achieve a 100% percent full recovery by the first quarter of 2024. Lapu-Lapu, home to at least 42 registered hotels and resorts, is working tirelessly to get all facilities running good as new by the following year. In a recent dialogue organized by the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRAC), general managers from Shangri-la, Plantation Bay, Jpark, Movenpick, Tambuli, Crimson, Blue Water Maribago, and Savoy Hotel Mactan, met at the Lapu-Lapu Tourism Office to look back at what happened and discuss how they would be moving forward the coming year. Didier Belmonte, General Manager of Crimson Mactan, remembered how he was at the mercy of the elements last December 16, 2021. “It lasted for four hours, and it felt like a sure end. Just when I thought it was over it came back,” he said. While living to tell the story was a blessing, building through the wreckage was something else. Reports from the Department of Tourism Region 7 said Typhoon Odette caused an estimated P2.5 billion worth of damage to tourism properties and establishments in Lapu-Lapu alone. Due to this, only 313, 408 visitors were recorded in Lapu-Lapu and 541,376 visitors were recorded for the entire province by the end of 2022. This was way below the 1.8 million

visitors to Lapu-Lapu and 3.3 million visitors for the entire Cebu province recorded during the pre-pandemic era. When asked what the industry could have done to mitigate losses and hasten typhoon relief coordination efforts, leaders shared important points to ponder on. “Anticipation. Prevention. Response,” reiterated John Kristoff Rafols, a representative from the Lapu-Lapu Tourism office. He shared that “a lot has to be done during the preparation stages. The response from the community is vital and collaboration between sectors will always be key.” “Typhoon resilient communication systems,” stressed Eya Shrimski, General Manager of Tambuli. Going through the dreadful day herself, she recalled how communication and internet lines were all down. Helping them go through the plight was their trusty satellite two-way radios that allowed them to carry on. Dave Junker, General Manager of Shangri-La Mactan, shared that “with the lines going down, it would be a beneficial investment to consider the construction of underground power lines and communication distribution systems moving forward.” “Green sustainable architectural designs, when done right, have been proven to last longer,” explained Didier Belmonte of Crimson. He adds: “We’ve rebuilt our facilities differently by paying attention to the natural occurrence of the elements making it stronger and resilient

painful experience in the mishandling of cruise passengers at the Port of Manila has taught us that the training and selection of tourism frontliners together with private service providers especially at our ports have to be made with very stringent qualification requirements and experience since they are the first Filipinos which foreign tourists encounter upon their arrival. The successful reception of MV AidaBella has brought us back on track in spite of the recent distraction at the Port of Manila,” said PPA GM Jay Santiago. From February to December 2023, PPA expected 80,000 cruise ship passengers from Norweigan Cruise lines, Holland America line, Silverseas, Windstar cruises, and AIDA. Starting this year, Santiago vowed to develop more cruise terminals near tourism destinations of Siargao, Camiguin, Boracay, Palawan, and Puerto Galera. This is in addition to the cruise terminals in the Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Manila, Bohol, and El Nido, Palawan.

to harsher conditions.” Shrimski of Tambuli also shares that “there should also be efforts on urban farming within resorts to serve as source of organic produce to augment food distribution choices when the time comes.” “Centralized community relief efforts moderated by HRRAC will help manage resources better as we aim to help spread out to a wider network of people in need” said Josef Chiongbian, HRRAC Vice President for Resorts and General Manager of Savoy Hotel Mactan. He envisions “extending specialized resources provided by specific industry partners to avoid duplication of same efforts in order to maximize value and coverage”. He adds, there’s much to celebrate knowing that “resilience came in the form of individual relief operations addressing both short- and long-term concerns benefiting employees and communities within their reach”. With the island’s 100% recovery already in the horizon, Bryan Connelly, General Manager of JPark Island Resorts and Waterpark said they were ready to compete and be seen as a separate alternative island destination in 2024. He added that the numbers to beat where those recorded in 2019. Connelly, who also sits as HRRAC’s Member of the Board, shares that other than frequent individual travelers who enjoy leisure trips, his team is also cultivating the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Conferences, Exhibits, and Events market segment. Other than the winter-flyer market, Connelly would like to ensure that business continues. On a similar route Simon Chew, GM of Movenpick Mactan, said he had already started to develop their stream of guests coming from Malaysia, Singapore and neighboring countries. They do not only travel for leisure but initially for retreats and other related trainings. For the likes of Maribago Blue Waters, Domiku Ugarte, General Manager, is excited to celebrate their property’s 35th year anniversary and the unveiling of an additional 65 rooms along with new restaurants and facilities for guests to enjoy. They also aim to continue growing the Korean Market and the other Southeast Asian countries. Currently, Mactan thrives with 60 percent of guests coming from local destinations or nearby cities in the Philippines. According to Brian Noel of Plantation Bay “crucial to our growth in 2024 will be the introduction of more flights especially from new destinations like India”. He adds “easing of travel restrictions such as VISA approvals from Japan and China will help encourage foreign nationals to include Cebu Philippines in their travel plans for the coming year.

AYALA Land named Exemplary Developer of National Distinction

CREBA concludes golden year with emphasis on real estate best practices

HE country’s oldest and largest housing and real estate advocacy group closed its golden founding anniversary year with a message of hope and prosperity capped by its recent conferment of the coveted “CREBA Pillar Awards” to the “best of the best” developers of the decade and trailblazers in the property industry. During its 50th jubilee gala graced by Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual and Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar, the Chamber of the Real Estate and Builders’ Association Inc. (CREBA) honored Ayala Land Inc. as the country’s Exemplary Developer of National Distinction while Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. was adjudged the Exemplary Developer of National Significance. According to national president Noel Toti M. Cariño, the awards exemplify CREBA’s advocacy for social impact, innovation, sustainability, adaptation and financial success in real estate development. Real estate builders, according to CREBA, are “creators of communities, where families can raise their children and live productively in a livable, safe, sustainable and resilient environment.” For North and Central Luzon, Hausland’s Fiesta Communities in Dau and San Rafael won in both the low-cost and economic residential categories, while Apec Homes was adjudged the best socialized housing developer. For Southern Tagalog, Homeowners Dev. Corp. won for economic housing while the open market plum went to the ‘The Villages’ project by Aboitiz Land. SMDC Green 2 in Dasmariñas, Cavite received the vertical residential award; Brittany Crosswinds of Vistaland got the mixed use and township citation;

Limitless holiday fun and beyond for children

HE yuletide holidays are for kids and with extra holiday funds giving parents some added spending power, mom and dad must now be thinking of how they can maximize their bonding opportunities with their children especially now that the school break is nearing its end. A longtime favorite to get this done among young parents is the Funtasia and Limitless Barcade tandem at the fourth level of the Newport Mall at the Newport World Resorts in Pasay City. With a wide array of fun and exciting play options, the entertainment centers have their own unique ways of keeping children of all ages delighted. Funtasia Marketing Manager Xyra Geronimo says of her newly renovated and updated facility: “We have a lot of new toys. We also have a new set-up. We have kitchen stuff, we also have blocks, we have a pool of balls and a slide. We also have a new and bigger play area. Parents can now stay in the area to look out for their children. We also have books there and they can read them.” Keeping in mind the concept of e-learning, which Geronimo interprets as “entertainment with learning,” the young marketer revealed a plan to get

Meadows, well-loved brand from Singapore, Hong Kong now available in the PHL

PRESENT at the balloon pull ceremony were, from left, Mai MagleoMerchandising Director, Robinsons Supermarket, Fann Yuen-Own Brand Director, DFI., Kerwin Legarde-General Manager, Shopwise and The Marketplace, Choo Peng Chee-Food, Chief Executive Officer, DFI, Robina Gokongwei Pe-Chief Executive Officer, RRHI, Stanley Co-Chief Executive Officer, RRHI, Hetty Leung-Head of Grocery Lifestyle, Drinks, BeverageWine-Spirits & Business Development, Own Brand, DFI., Lyn De JesusGeneral Manager, Robinsons Easymart

H O P W I S E Sucat unveiled the muchanticipated official launch of the Meadows brand in the Philippines. This launch not only brings a fresh face to the market but also assures customers of good quality and new ideas. Meadows, the exclusive DFI brand, pledges to offer trustworthy and affordable products that customers will love. Choo Peng Chee, Food CEO of DFI said, “Using a customer-centric approach, we have developed an extensive range of Meadows products that we are confident to delight our customers. With

while Sta. Lucia Land’s Palo Alto topped the leisure farm and residential category. For Visayas, Cebu Landmasters won under economic housing, Filinvest Cebu under open market housing and Aboitiz Amoa, under the vertical open market segment. In Mindanao, Italpinas Verona topped in horizontal economic residences while Italpinas Primavera was cited as top condominium developer. The mixed use and township award went to Pueblo de Oro Township Development. SMDC Shore won in NCR’s vertical residential category, Filinvest Sorrento for open market condominium, DMCI Lumiere for mid to upper-mid market condominium, Robinsons Land-Bridgetown for mixed use and township, while Federal Land was feted for Hyatt BGC under luxury and hospitality. Cariño said that “it gratifies us to note that in our humble way, we have contributed our share in helping build this nation through our chosen endeavor - housing and community development.” Looking into the future, CREBA finds that it must also concern itself not just with the economic aspect but also the social and political framework to which the industry is inseparably linked. This CREBA milestone, according to executive vicepresident Elsie Chua, emphasizes its commitment to spearhead sustainable development initiatives and advocate for policies that will support the government’s aims to deliver more housing units through affordable home financing particularly for the OFWs. “CREBA aims to leave a lasting legacy of progress and prosperity for the future generation,” they concluded.

Meadows, customers can enjoy high quality and great tasting products at affordable prices and we are delighted to have Meadows available now in Philippines! Have a try and you will be impressed by the excellent award-winning quality! “ Staying true to their promise of quality, freshness, and variety, Meadows has finally made its way to the Philippines. Already loved in Singapore and Hong Kong, Meadows adds an international touch to our supermarket shelves. Sourced from around the world, Meadows offers a diverse selection of snacks, beverages, pasta,

sauces, wines, as well as everyday essentials like paper products and cleaning items. Meadows has won awards from well-known institutes like Monde Selection, International Taste Institute, International Wine & Spirit Competition, International Wine Challenge, and Gilbert & Gaillard in 2021-2023. The brand has been delivering top-notch quality and value, and now you can find Meadows products in Shopwise, The Marketplace, Robinsons Supermarket, and Robinsons Easymart stores. Meadows is here, promising quality, taste, and

youngsters to go back to the habit of reading: “We will soon have regular book reading sessions. We’ll do that starting next year.” Recognizing that Filipino parents are particularly concerned with their children’s security and safety, Funtasia has allocated a new space for them to ensure just that: “For the parents, we have this new waiting area for them. Parents of children aged five years old and below are only allowed in the play area. Those who are older than 5 can be in the play area without any companion,” Geronimo explains. Funtasia is open for kids 1 to 10 years old. Those who are 10 and up, along with their parents can just walk into the adjoining space called Limitless Barcade, which has been designed for the older set. “We will soon be offering a package where children who are seven years old and above can be left in the play area without any companions. The parents can then enjoy a game of bowling, billiards or KTV. For older children, we have a game arcade, claw machines, 5DX, photo booths, billiard, bowling, KTV, and basketball shooting rings,” says Geronimo. Rates in Funtasia start at P259 for 30 minutes. value for Filipino customers. Don’t miss out on the unbeatable value and top-notch quality and explore the wide variety of Meadows products at the nearest supermarket in your area! For more updates, follow Shopwise at www. facebook.com/ShopwiseSupercenters and on Instagram @shopwise_ph, The Marketplace on Facebook at www.facebook.com/themarketplacefresh and on Instagram @themarketplacefresh. Follow Robinsons Supermarket at https://bit.ly/FollowRobinsonsSupermarket and Robinsons Easymart at https://linktr.ee/ RobinsonsEasymart

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

envoys.expats.bm@gmail.com

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Korean ambassador: ODA amounted to ₧4.4B in 2023 I

PHL, India to reinforce maritime cooperation

OUTH KOREA remains a top development partner of the Philippines, as official development assistance (ODA) for the latter in 2023 reached $80 million, or P4.4 billion. Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa said Seoul would continue strengthening this area of cooperation with Manila, especially as the countries prepare for their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024. “Development assistance is not charity,” Lee wrote in an opinion piece. “It is a great investment in security and prosperity. It is an engine of growth that creates jobs, expands markets, and helps countries in transition.” The envoy added that, with the Philippines being one of the fastestgrowing economies in Asia given its strategic location and rich natural and human resources, “[our] development cooperation…is a smart investment for a win-win partnership.” South Korea and the Philippines’s more than three decades of development ties began in 1991 when a number of Filipino officials were invited to participate in training programs in the former. This eventually expanded to other areas of cooperation, including agriculture, infrastructure, climate change, disaster-risk reduction, health, as well as science, technology, and innovation.

Lee said the contribution of Korea International Cooperation Agency or Koica alone rose to about 40 times since the 1990s, which reached $18.7 million in 2023. To date, the Philippines is a major recipient of the economic development cooperation fund (ECDF) from the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM). KEXIM is a state-owned credit agency that implements the EDCF— a Korean ODA program that seeks to promote economic cooperation with developing nations.

Navy port call

MEANWHILE, two Korean Navy vessels with more than 400 sailors made a port call in Manila as part of its seventh circumnavigation that marked the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice agreement. The Korean Navy cruise training task group (CTTG), composed of helicopter training ship ROKS Hansando and combat support ship ROKS Hwa Cheon berthed at the Manila South Harbor on December 27. For Rear Adm. Choong-ho Cho who is the commander of the CTTG, the visit promoted mari-

AMBASSADOR Lee Sang-hwa PNA

time security and the shared universal values of freedom and peace. It also aimed to “enhance friendship and military diplomacy” with the Philippines. At least 22 states supported South Korea when the Korean War broke out. They included the Philippines which sent a total of 7,420 Filipino soldiers under the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea or PEFTOK. When the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in July 1953, hostilities that claimed the lives of millions of civilians were suspended, and the 241-kilometer long demilitarized zone or DMZ was formed.

Full schedule

THE Korean Embassy said the training group was scheduled to hold a series of activities during its seven-day port call until January 2. The Korean Navy group was also slated to visit the Korean War memo-

rial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani for a wreath laying ceremony. The group also organized a Defense Industry Exhibition onboard ROKS Hwa Cheon and hosted Philippine Navy officers. It showcased Korea’s Navy Sea GHOST, or “Guardian Harmonized with Operating manned Systems and Technology”based unmanned system. The training group also slated a passing exercise with the BRP Jose Rizal of the Philippine Navy, aimed at refortifying the relationship between the two navies. The CTTG is currently traveling around 30,000 nautical miles with 460 sailors, including approximately 150 midshipmen from the 78th class of the Republic of Korea Navy onboard. The embassy said the Manila port call is the 28th of its kind to the Philippines—the highest recorded for the Korean Navy made in any Asian country. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

Prague-based Filipinos reflect on Rizal’s modern-day relevance By Andy Peñafuerte III & Jay-vee Marasigan Pangan

Plans afoot

THE ambassador also announced the embassy’s plans related to the ongoing 50th anniversary celebration of the Philippine-Czech bilateral relations. “Hopefully, we will create the bust

AMBASSADOR Shambhu Kumaran PNA/YANCY LIM

complementarities,” Kumaran confirmed. “[Expect] that India will continue a strong Navy and maritime-security engagement.” The ambassador added that, on the national security pillar, “defense cooperation and maritime security [are] very important.” The envoy emphasized that New Delhi will also continue supporting Manila in calling for the adherence to a rules-based order and respect for international law amid latest developments in the WPS/SCS. The INS Kadmatt, on a long-range deployment to key Indo-Pacific partner countries, arrived in Manila on December 12. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

PROJECT ‘JEEPNEY’ Ambassador Ilan Fluss installs a flag of Israel on a public-utility

jeep adorned with canvases of kidnapped individuals’ photos. This was to convey a “message of solidarity and a heartfelt plea for the safe return of [Hamas] abductees.” For Fluss, the choice of jeepneys is “deeply meaningful, as they are a testament to the resilience and adaptability [of Filipinos] as a people” who share such traits with Israelis. The ambassador extended his invitation to Filipinos “and all those who stand for good, justice and human rights to join us in this meaningful campaign.” ISRAELI EMBASSY

GPCCI highlights Germany’s green hydrogen tech for PHL’s off-grid areas

Exclusive to Envoys&Expats

R AGUE—Filipinos in the Czech Republic commemorated Rizal Day with the premiere of a video project about the national hero’s relevance today. The Philippine Embassy in the Central European country published on its official Facebook page a short news feature produced by these writers, who are Erasmus Mundus Journalism Master’s degree students and journalists. Titled “Why Rizal’s legacy is alive in Czechia,” the video material drew attention to Dr. Jose Rizal’s enduring vision beyond the ceremonials, and invites reflection on the imperative for meaningful change. Aside from leading the video premiere and wreath laying at Rizal’s bust, Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin Meñez acknowledged migrant Filipinos and related their experiences to the hero’s trip to Europe, as he said the “the Great Malayan” was “perhaps among the first overseas Filipino workers.” “The strength of his ideas transcends borders. Of course, he was a student [in Spain], but he practiced his profession of ophthalmology in Germany,” Meñez remarked. “He was already traveling the world many years before all of you decided to follow his footsteps.”

NDIA and the Philippines are conducting a maritime partnership exercise (MPX) in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea (WPS/SCS) to boost maritime cooperation, the Indian Embassy announced. The Indian Navy conducts MPX with friendly foreign navy units to enhance interoperability and share best practices. The embassy said India’s visiting warship—the indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette INS Kadmatt—would hold the MPX with BRP Ramon Alcaraz on December 13, which it hoped would also promote “common approaches for a rules-based order” in the area. At a reception, Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran said contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region is a “key priority” for India. The South Asian country also hopes for stronger engagements with the Philippines, specifically in the areas of economic cooperation and national security. “The Philippines is centrally located in the Indo-Pacific, and we are [close partners and fellow democracies. We have a shared interest in peace and stability of the region, with] a lot of

THE authors (left and third from right) with Ambassador Eduardo Martin Meñez (third from left), as well as members of the Knights of Rizal and Las Damas de Rizalistas in Prague are collaborating to organize events in honor of Rizal and in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the PhilippineCzech bilateral relations.

of Ferdinand Blumentritt beside that of Rizal,” he said, referring to the national hero’s bust in the former’s hometown of Litomerice. The city was among the places that Rizal toured when he met with the Austrian professor and ethnographer in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire in May 1887. This important historical encounter eventually became the foundation of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the present-day Czech Republic. “[The creation of Blumentritt’s bust] is a symbol of the friendship not only of the two gentlemen, but also of the friendship between the two countries,” Meñez continued. The ambassador also recognized the Filipino students who joined the event, as he said the embassy was relieved to ascertain their safety and welfare following last week’s deadly mass shooting

at Charles University in Prague.

Groups uphold Rizal teachings

A MASTERAL student in the Erasmus Mundus program on European Politics and Society at Charles University, Naiza Brazil drew inspiration from Rizal’s “emphasis on cultural pride” and “advocacy for education as a catalyst for change.” “His call for critical thinking and social responsibility influences my approach to engaging in constructive dialogue and addressing societal issues. In essence, Rizal’s invaluable teachings compel me to not only honor my roots and excel academically, but also actively work toward positive change as a Filipino scholar abroad,” Brazil added. Meanwhile, several members of the Knights of Rizal chapter in Prague and the all-female organization “Las Damas de Rizalistas” joined the event. Both organizations honor

Rizal and uphold his ideals. The Prague-based Knights of Rizal chapter commander Štěpán Klokočka highlighted the hero’s belief in education and culture: “We, as the Knights of Rizal, are the heirs and protectors of his heritage.” Klokočka added that the chapter and the Las Damas are already planning for a European assembly of organizations dedicated to Rizal in 2024. Back home in Manila, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the commemoration of the 127th year of Rizal’s martyrdom in Luneta. He urged Filipinos to follow the hero’s lead. “I enjoin all of you to keep emulating the timeless values we can learn from his life and works,” Marcos exhorted. “I also call on everyone to let the genuine love for the country that he lived out, and later died for, propel us to have a deep and personal sense of ownership for our land and our future.”

HE Ger m a n-Ph i l ippi ne Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI), in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, recently concluded a German-Philippine Green Hydrogen Conference. “Our primary focus is to contribute to the success story of the Philippines in achieving their renewable energy targets,” said GPCCI president Stefan Schmitz. “We are glad to have provided a platform for this important dialogue in the development of green hydrogen technologies in the country.” A major highlight of the conference was the presentation by Dr. Paul Berthau of the German Reiner Lemoine Research Institute, who shared the results of the feasibility study on green hydrogen technology in off-grid areas in the Philippines. The research, which focused on three National Power Corp. (Napocor) sites in Luzon and the Visayas, provided critical insights into the viability and impact of green hydrogen technology in these regions. “Green hydrogen is one part of the puzzle to achieve a cleaner supply of energy in the Philippines,” according to Dr. Bertheau. “As a research institute, we are

always glad to collaborate with important energy stakeholders in the country to help get rid of its reliance on fossil fuels.” The conference also featured two insightful panel discussions. The first focused on the potential and challenges of implementing green hydrogen technology in the Philippines. Experts discussed this emerging technology being integrated into the local energy sector, then highlighted opportunities for sustainable development and energy independence. The other provided an international perspective, with a sharing of best practices and lessons learned from hydrogen pilot projects worldwide. “With our mandate to provide electricity to rural areas and our commitment to optimizing power generation assets, this conference and feasibility study [presented] an opportunity to modernize power systems and reduce emissions,” shared Napocor president Fernando Martin Roxas. “We believe this cooperation will pave the way for a sustainable and climate-friendly energy transition in the Philippines.” In addition to these discussions, the conference included discussions on “Green Hydrogen in the Philippines and Best Practices,” and “Lessons Learned from Hydrogen Pilot Projects worldwide.”

Sports BusinessMirror

Diaz-Naranjo sets priorities ahead of Paris B8 | T

hursday, January 4, 2024

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

THE men’s national basketball team pull off a historic achievement at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

PSA honors Gilas Pilipinas with President’s Award T HE men’s national basketball team—known as Gilas Pilipinas— defied the odds to create one of the most inspiring sports stories of 2023. A hastily formed unit under last-minute anointed coach Tim Cone went to Hangzhou in China for the 19th Asian Games with nary an expectation given the circumstances and experiences it went through weeks leading to the biggest sporting conclave of the continent. But the Filipinos rose to the

occasion and pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Asian Games history to regaining the precious gold that has eluded the country for 61 years. The extraordinary feat gave the country of more than 100 million people so much to cheer about and restored pride and faith in Philippine basketball as still one of the best in Asia. On January 29 at the grand ballroom of the Diamond Hotel, Gilas Pilipinas will have its welldeserved moment during the San Miguel Corp. (SMC)-Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night as the team hoists the 2023 President’s Award trophy. “They made the nation proud with their epic feat and inspiring story that will be told and retold for years to come,” said PSA president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star. The gala night is presented by ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the country, with the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PLDT/Smart, and Milo as major sponsors. Also backing the event are

Philippine Basketball Association, Premier Volleyball League, 1-Pacman Partylist of Rep. Mikee Romero and Rain or Shine. Going to the Asiad, Cone, taking over from Chot Reyes, only had barely three weeks to prepare a team which only retained four players from the core that saw action in the FIBA World Cup. It didn’t help any when the country lost to Jordan in the preliminaries, 87-62, that left Gilas with no other choice but to sweep its final four games in order to bag the most-cherished gold medal. But as a testament to its resiliency, Gilas didn’t blink and went on a roll starting with an 8041 rout of Qatar in the quarterfinal qualification, before dodging a bullet against hot-shooting Iran, 84-83, in the last eight. Then came the “Miracle in Hangzhou” which saw the national team battling back from a 20-point second-half deficit to humble host and defending champion China in the semifinals, 77-76, with Justin Browlee nailing two incredible three-pointers at crunchtime that silenced the capacity crowd at the Hangzhou Olympic Centre. Buoyed by the huge win,

EJ Olympic preps shift to high gear

RNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA was the first Filipino to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics and is well underway in his preparations for Paris. “The goal is to win and to do that, there’s going to be a lot of training, training camps outside of the country,” said Obiena as he emphasized his commitment to excel as a competitor and an inspiration to young and aspiring athletes. The world No. 2 pole vaulter— behind Swede wonder Armand “Mondo” Duplantis—continues to bring pride to the country as a Milo ambassador whose story is a testament to the power of grit and perseverance to succeed in life. One of Obiena’s biggest achievements in 2023 was his silver medal at the world championship

which he followed up with record performances at the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games and Hangzhou Asian Games. He has the legendary Swiss tennis player, Roger Federer as one of his role models. “I want to understand what made him so composed—the way he matured into what he is now,” he said. “Roger has done so much in tennis that is not achievable by just being an ordinary guy.” Obiena acknowledged the support of Milo, which is known for nurturing young athletes to become champions. Obiena hiked his preparations for Paris and it has become clear that his story is not just about athletic triumphs, but about the unwavering spirit of a young man reaching for the stars, both on and off the pole vault pit.

ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA charts his way to aiming for gold in the Paris Olympics.

Way of the dragon WELCOME the Year of the Wooden Dragon! According to both eastern and western astrologers, this will be a positive, action-filled, adventurous year. On February 10, 2024, we transition from the yin Year of the Rabbit to the highly energetic yang Year of the Dragon. According to Chinese and Western astrologer Jupiter Lai, “the overall energy of a dragon year is vital and competitive, with people feeling a strong urge to gain respect and achievement.” If you wore green on New Year’s Eve, you must have been aware—consciously or subconsciously—that the Wooden Dragon loves the color green which represents renewal, growth, healing and harmony that resonate well with the wooden element of the year. People born in Dragon years are said to be “charismatic, ambitious, adventurous and fearless.” Also confident and independent and they’re not afraid to go after their dreams and goals. Many sports people you know and admire are actually Dragons, born in 1988. Here’s a partial list: Steph Curry (March 14), Brook and Robin Lopez (April

1), Conor McGregor (July 14), De Andre Jordan (July 21), Danilo Gallinari (August 8), Jeremy Lin (August 23), Kevin Love (September 7), Kevin Durant (September 29), Derrick Rose (October 4), New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (November 1) and Nicolas Batum (December 14). The Year of the Wooden Dragon is supposed to be a year of growth, expansion, progress and abundance. It’s a Leap Year to boot, which gives us one extra day to enjoy the buoyant nature of the Dragon energy. It also promises to be an eventful year for sports. It’s an Olympic Year, for one. The Summer Olympics is set to take place in the City of Lights from July 26 to August

a highly-motivated Gilas side showed up against Jordan in the championship match and scored an 80-70 payback to win the country’s first Asian Games basketball gold in more than six decades or since the team led by the late Hall of Famer Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga conquered the 1962 edition in Jakarta.

By Josef Ramos

IDILYN DIAZ-NARANJO will skip the Asian championships in Tashkent next month but will definitely participate in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket in March. The Tokyo Olympics gold medalist hasn’t officially qualified yet for this year’s Summer Games but six months ahead of Paris, DiazNaranjo seems to be concealing something in her sleeves? Not quite. “It’s compulsory to compete in the World Cup in Thailand and on my end, I’m focusing on what’s very important to meet my goal,” DiazNaranjo told BusinessMirror on Wednesday. The Asian championships in Uzbekistan are from February 3 to 10, while the World Cup is set from March 31 to April 11. She’s still ranked No. 7 by the IWF in the women’s -59 kgs category, virtually safely tucked inside the top 12 who will qualify for Paris. A veteran of four consecutive Olympics with also a silver around her neck from Rio de Janeiro 2016, Diaz-Naranjo’s become a professional elite athlete and has her priorities in order. “I don’t want to waste government money...and time,” she said, referring to her decision to skip Tashkent. “I will focus on my conditioning and strengthening here in Jala-

jala and will do my very best in April and give my best in Paris.” Diaz-Naranjo, 32, admitted she suffered a minor muscle strain that forced her to only to the snatch in her fourth Olympic qualifiers at the Doha Grand Prix II last December. “I’m happy with my snatch although I didn’t push myself in the clean and jerk because something happened,” Diaz-Naranjo said. “But I’m okay and I can lift now. I’m with the best people to help me recover fast and good.” Diaz-Naranjo won her Olympic gold at -55 kgs but with the category scrapped in Paris, she had to move up to -59 kgs for Paris. The IWF will release the qualifiers for the Paris Olympics which are set July 26 to August 11.

HIDILYN DIAZNARANJO and husband-coach Julius Naranjo are meticulous in training heading into the final stretch for Paris.

Masters Top 8 tennis tournament unfurls in Iloilo

HE junior tennis season kicks off Thursday with the traditional Masters Top 8 with the top-ranked players in four agegroup categories last year clashing for top honors at the Iloilo Sports Complex (ISC) in Iloilo City. This marks the first time that the Province of Iloilo is hosting a tournament of this magnitude with Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. guaranteeing its successful staging

at the ISC synthetic grass courts and LaPaz hard courts. Kimi Brodeth, Chloe Mercado, Chelsea Bernaldez, Sanshena Francisco, Czarina Miraflor, AJ Acabo, Jasmine Jaran and Faith Blanco banner the girls’ 18-and-under division with Kendrick Bona, Mclean Gomera, Randy Pausanos, Ivan Manila, Ariel Cabaral, Gio Manito, Chad Cuizon and John Lataza disputing the crown in the boys’ side

Boston Celtics go 16-0 at TD Garden in era where home court means less By Noah Trister The Associated Press

HEN the Boston Celtics were winning championships with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale in the 1980s, they were notoriously tough to beat at home.

The old Boston Garden could be oppressively hot, and a rowdy home crowd added another obstacle. Buildings in the National Basketball Association (NBA) aren’t like that anymore, but the current Celtics are on their own impressive run at home. Boston is 16-0 at TD Garden. With

BUILDINGS in the league aren’t like that anymore, but the current Celtics are on their own impressive run at home at TD Garden. 11 and we have four Pinoy athletes ready to wave our flag in Paris in their respective events. EJ Obiena for pole vault, Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan for gymnastics and Eumir Marcial for boxing will give their all for Pinoy pride in the biggest global sporting event of all. Other Pinoy athletes will still be in there trying. The Philippines still has a chance to make the Olympic men’s basketball tournament if they do well in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia where they will compete against the Latvians and the Georgians in their group. Hidilyn Diaz still has her sights set on an Olympic competition—her fifth, if ever, and she said, most probably her last. Outside of the Olympics, the country is also watching how our Azkals will do in football. In March they will take on No. 68 Iraq twice in a home-and-away format. In June they will face Vietnam and Indonesia. Sights are set on the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup 2027. If the Azkals end up in the top two in their group, they will make Pinoy football fans deliriously happy. In collegiate sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Ass ociation (NCAA) is set to celebrate its 100th season in 2024. Established in 1924 under the initiative of Dr. Regino R. Ylanan, then head of physical education at the University of the Philippines, it is the first and oldest collegiate athletic

of the premier division presented by the Province of Iloilo. Under the format, the eight players are divided into two groups with the top two from each pool advancing to the crossover semifinals of the event supported by the Iloilo Sports Development and Management, headed by Ma. Janelyn Fundal and Ray Cabarles. Winners will dispute the crowns in one-game duels. its corporate name and modern feel, that arena doesn’t have the mystique of the old Garden, but it does house a fine basketball team that is trying to leave its own mark on Celtics history. “We got the best fans in the league,” guard Derrick White said last month when asked about receiving “MVP” chants. “I know I’m not the MVP, but it’s always cool to hear.” Forgive Boston fans for getting a little carried away. At home at least, the Celtics look worthy of quite a few honors. Amazingly, Boston’s perfect home record nearly ended last week against a team trying to halt an even longer streak. The Detroit Pistons took a 21-point lead in the second quarter before the Celtics came all the way back to win 128-122 in overtime on Thursday night. It was a record-tying 28th straight loss for the Pistons, and Boston would have been a most unlikely place for them to finally win. Detroit did end the streak two nights later at home against Toronto. That was a night after the Celtics had also defeated Toronto at home, again barely keeping their streak alive with a 120-118 victory. Boston’s next home game is Friday against Utah. Minnesota, in town next week, could provide a significant test.

association in the country. The centennial season promises to be momentous because all ten schools will be co-hosts of the nine-month long event. On the other side of the collegiate fence, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) will hold its 87th season in 2024, with the University of the Philippines as host school. In pro ball, the oldest professional basketball league in Asia and only the second pro basketball league in the world will turn 49 in 2024. That means that it is also on the cusp of a major celebration the following year when it turns golden. The Philippine Basketball Association was formally inaugurated on April 9, 1975. But as early as now, even before the Rabbit officially gives way to the Dragon, pro basketball is already popping with the East Asia Super League. The Meralco Bolts played a highly motivatred revenge game against the New Taipei Kings on Wednesday, January 3, at the PhilSports Arena at 7 p.m. The Bolts had unfinished business with the unbeaten Kings after losing their first encounter at the New Taipei Xinzhuang gymnasium a month ago. Jeremy Lin is in town to make sure the Bolts don’t succeed at what they plan to do. Things look really exciting even with the new year just four days in. That’s the Way of the Dragon, it seems.