BusinessMirror January 20, 2020

60 TAGAYTAY OUTFITS REOPEN DESPITE TAAL

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

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The eruption of Taal Volcano on January 12 brought ashes to fall on roofs and created tremors destroying roads and truncated trees like the scene in this photo of an area in Barangay Dapayan, Lemery, Batangas. A member of a rescue team in orange shirt checks to see if people are still staying in houses. NONIE REYES

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EFYING warnings of an imminent explosive eruption by Taal Volcano, 16 tourism establishments in Tagaytay City reopened over the weekend, many of them restaurants.

A list provided by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to the BusinessMirror showed the reopened establishments as of January 18 were: Malaco Bed and Breakfast, Magallanes Square Hotel, Tagaytay Haven Mendez, Fernwood Gardens, Bikyeong Restaurant, Bulalo Point, Papa Dom’s, Max’s Restaurant, Eway’s Grill, Jose at Sky Ranch, Taaleña Restaurant, Dakasi, Pamana Restaurant, Kuya J

Restaurant, Green ATS Bulaluhan and Entrada. Other establishments also reopened, among them Sky Ranch, an amusement park owned by SM Prime Holdings Inc., according to other media reports.

Including non-tourism establishments, such as drug stores, supermarkets and clothing stores, there are now 59 establishments open in Tagaytay, as per sources.

Tourism establishments started reopening on January 17, after Sen. Francis Tolentino met with the Tagaytay Tourism Council and hotel operators the day before and nudged them to “open as soon as possible.” Tagaytay is the Tolentino family’s political bailiwick. (See, “Tagaytay hotels to reopen on lawmakers’ insistence,” in the BusinessMirror, January 17, 2020.)

Monday, January 20, 2020 Vol. 15 No. 102

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ADB: Manufacturing no longer ‘silver bullet’

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By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

ROBUST manufacturing sector is no longer the “silver bullet” that developing countries can use to escape the middle-income trap, according to experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In an Asian Development Blog, ADB economist Matthias Helble, Technology and Innovation Specialist Sameer Khatiwada, and Principal of Developing Trade

Consultants Ben Shepherd said the declining benefits of the manufacturing sector should be offset by higher productivity in services.

The experts said manufacturing

has been on the decline and many industries in developing countries are facing tough competition from countries like China.

“With new technology, new

Tagaytay City derives most of its income from the tourism industry, with many hotels and restaurants on the ridge having a clear view of the active volcano.

Safety paramount Contacted for a comment, Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III said the group supports the call of the Department of Tourism (DOT) for tourism establishments still operating in the vicinity of Taal Volcano to temporarily cease operations “until the situation becomes more stable. At this point, the safety and well-being of workers and those still staying at these establishments is paramount.”

See “Tagaytay outfits,” A2

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U.N. DOWNGRADES PHL GROWTH FORECAST

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industries and occupations are emerging, and countries need to be able to capture these new growth sectors rather than making ill-advised policy interventions to support manufacturing,” the authors said.

The authors added that the manufacturing sector has become even more capital-intensive, making it difficult for industry to absorb more workers.

Further, there are already countries that have specialized in lowskill and low-productivity operations which prevent other countries from developing a competitive advantage.

“A good example of nurturing a service sector is the IT-BPO industry

HE United Nations (UN) downgraded its growth estimates for the Philippines this year, according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020.

In the report, the UN projected the country’s 2020 GDP growth will reach 6.2 percent, 0.2 percentage points lower than the 6.4 percent it forecast in 2019. For 2021, the UN projects the country’s GDP to reach 6.3 percent.

The UN also said its partial estimates of the country’s 2019 full-year GDP is 5.9 percent, about 0.6 percentage points lower than the 6.5 percent estimate it made in 2019. Official 2019 GDP data will be released on Thursday, January 23.

“In the Philippines, GDP growth decelerated slightly in 2019 as budget delays contributed to a significant slowdown in public investment,” the report stated.

“As spending on infrastructure projects picks up, growth is expected to rebound from 5.9 percent in 2019 to 6.2 percent in 2020,” it added.

The country’s growth prospects this year will be boosted by consumption, as well as the low inflation environment and increased infrastructure spending.

The UN expects inflation to average 3 percent in 2020 and 3.2 percent in 2021. Last year, the UN said inflation in 2020 could average 3.2 percent.

In terms of 2019 inflation, UN’s projection initially was 4 percent after the country’s 2018 bout with high inflation, caused by supply constraints.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said inflation averaged 2.5 percent. The UN traced this improvement to better agricultural supply leading to lower food prices.

See “ADB,” A2

See “Growth,” A2

Agri damage from Taal eruption now at ₧3.17B

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

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@jearcalas

he Department of Agriculture (DA) said Taal Volcano’s eruption last week killed over 55,000 farm animals, including cows, horses and pigs valued at over P3 billion.

In its latest bulletin issued late Saturday, the DA said total agricultural damage and losses caused

by Taal Volcano’s activities has climbed to P3.17 billion, 3.6 percent over the previous estimate of P3.06 billion.

“The volcanic eruption and ashfall affected 15,790 hectares of farmlands, and caused the death of 55,881 head of various farm animals,” the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DA-DRRM OpCen) said in the report.

“The large increase in animal deaths was due to the additional reports from validated areas in

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Batangas and Cavite,” it added.

The DA said cattle, carabaos, swine, chicken, horses and goats were killed by Taal Volcano’s activity that started on January 12 afternoon.

As of January 18, fisheries bore the brunt of Taal Volcano’s wrath as it accounted for half of the losses recorded by the DA-DRRM OpCen, or P1.6 billion, involving 6,000 fish cages.

Damage to the pineapple industry in Calabarzon reached P527.25 million, affecting 862 hectares of plantation with an estimated output of 21,079 metric tons (MT).

More than 4,300 hectares of coffee farms were also damaged in the past week which had an estimated production volume of 8,240 MT worth P360.5 million.

The DA has been providing interventions since January 12 to help farmers recover the losses they incurred after Taal Volcano erupted.

See “Agri damage,” A2

Peza eyes 10% growth in 2020 investments

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

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A DEAD goat and fish kill on the shores of Barangay Boso-Boso in Laurel, Batangas, are mute witnesses to the destruction caused by Taal Volcano since January 12. Alert Level 4 is still up over danger zones in Batangas and parts of Cavite. Related story on page A4. BERNARD TESTA

@alyasjah

HE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is pushing to grow its investment haul by 10 percent after suffering yet another year of decline in capital inflow on investors holding off their expansion plans.

Investments registered with the Peza last year slumped 16.18 percent to P117.54 billion, from P140.24 billion in 2018, according to data from the agency. Capital inflow from both domestic and foreign firms declined in an apparent show of investor opposition to the government’s plan to reform its fiscal incentives menu.

US 50.7600 n japan 0.4609 n UK 66.4042 n HK 6.5316 n CHINA 7.3779 n singapore 37.6866 n australia 35.0142 n EU 56.5416 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5313

See “Peza,” A2

Source: BSP (17 January 2020)

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BusinessMirror

A2 Monday, January 20, 2020

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Senate tackles full agenda as Congress returns to work

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By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

HE Senate reconvenes Monday with senators set to tackle unfinished business in their agenda when Congress adjourned for its traditional Christmas recess last month.

High on the list are two awaited pieces of remedial legislation: amending the National Transport Traffic Code to allow motorbike taxis like Angkas, and the proposed Disaster Resilience Act updating the old law that created the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, Rules Committee chairman, confirmed the senators’ earlier consensus to front-load timely passage of remedial legislation so these can be signed into law by President Duterte for urgent implementation.

“Coming from a long break when devastating typhoons, earthquakes and the Taal eruption struck the country successively, we will do our best to pass vital legislation, foremost of which is the Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2019 filed by at least 10 senators,” Zubiri said

Peza. . .

Continued from A1

Investments applied by foreigners crashed 27.91 percent to P49.25 billion, from P68.32 billion, while those posted by local firms slipped 5.04 percent to P68.28 billion, from P71.91 billion.

As such, Peza Director General Charito B. Plaza said the agency is targeting to recover this year by expanding investments by 5 percent up to 10 percent. Although legislators have yet to finish their deliberations on the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) bill—and this will keep the uncertainties hounding investors— Plaza disclosed there are big-ticket projects the Peza will approve that will boost capital inflow to economic zones.

“There are many pending applications for expansions of existing locators and new investments who are waiting for the kind of

over the weekend.

T he Major it y leader noted that Alert Level 4 remains since it was raised last week as Taal Volcano “rumbled to life.”

He lauded the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for “its diligent monitoring of Taal and warning us since last year when it issued Alert Level 1,” adding that “the same appreciation goes to scientists in Pagasa.”

Still, he added, there is need to create an agency “that is quickfooted, scientific, focused and wellequipped.”

He added that the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience “will ensure a more efficient, coordinated, and complete system of disaster management—from risk assessment to emergency response right down to reintegration assis-

Citira that will be passed,”Plaza told reporters last week.

“That’s why we’re praying for the wisdom of senators and the bicameral committee who will decide on the kind of a Citira law. We’re expecting a 5-percent to 10-percent target this year and [this] would be higher if an investor-friendly Citira is passed,” she added.

Two big-ticket projects that will likely be registered this year are the $3.5-billion integrated steel mill of Panhua Group Co. Ltd. and the agricultural plantation of North Star Foods Co. Chinese steel maker Panhua is building in Misamis Oriental a steel mill with an estimated production capacity of 10 million metric tons per year, and can produce steel slabs, galvanized steel, among other steel products.

It intends to supply steel for the domestic requirements that are steadily increasing under the government’s infrastructure program.

On the other hand, not much detail has been disclosed on the expected investment

ADB. . .

Continued from A1

in the Philippines. It has grown out of little in 2000 to one of the most important industries in the Philippines today, accounting for close to 10 percent of GDP and employing over a million workers in relatively highpaying jobs,” the authors said.

Apart from this, the authors said boosting the services sector requires countries to open the services sector to greater competition.

This will help lower prices and improve quality and availability of services. By failing to open up the services sector, the authors said, countries are unable to reap

tance and rehabilitation.”

Noting that the Office of Civil Defense is stretched to the limits, the senator suggested that “we now realize that to fully utilize their skills, capacities and leadership, the creation of an appropriate government agency is at hand.”

Typhoon Ursula (international code name Phanfone) displaced nearly 85,000 Filipinos in the Visayas on Christmas Eve, killing at least 50 people and damaging properties and wiping out livelihood, he recalled.

“Equally grave situations are being experienced by areas hit successively by earthquakes in Mindanao. The resources and planning that must go into rehabilitation and resettlement of our fellow Filipinos have multiplied greatly, so must government response improve greatly. Our response should be led by a department unhampered by bureaucratic red tape which no one intentionally wants,” Zubiri said, and sought early passage of the National Hazard Mapping Act of 2019.

“Likewise, SBN 902 [Sen. Lito Lapid] and SBN 527 [Zubiri] mandates local government units to implement Multi-Hazard and Flood Hazard Mapping, and use them well in their planning, disaster management and emergency response.”

from the Canadian firm North Star except that it is searching for a location here that it will utilize for its planned cacao, avocado, mango, strawberry and raspberry plantation.

Plaza also revealed the Peza will be hosting a delegation of 60 firms from the United States in December. These prospective investors will go around the Philippines with the intention of finding business locations in agro-industrial economic zones.

The Peza last year endured another year of investment decline, evidenced by the slump posted in leading sectors real estate, manufacturing and administrative and support services activities, which mostly comprised information-technology firms engaged in customer contact center, business-process outsourcing, animation and engineering design.

Investments in real-estate activities shrank 15.14 percent to P66.48 billion, from P78.35 billion, while those in manufacturing dropped 5 percent to P30.35 billion,

the benefits of trade in services which is currently operating below its potential in the region.

The authors also said it was important for countries to invest in “a highly skilled work force” by developing school curricula that respond to the demands of the services sector.

Countries must also invest in infrastructure to develop and grow the services sector. These infrastructure must improve access to “reliable electricity, fast Internet, and a transparent and simple regulatory framework.”

If countries are successful, one immediate effect would be increased employment. The authors said the services sector has been instrumental in boosting job generation.

Jobs in the services sector are estimated to account for two-thirds of economic activity globally and half of the world’s work force, the authors said.

“Ever y d ay, more jobs are created in services than in manufacturing and this holds equally for developed and developing countries,” the authors pointed out. “The manufacturing sector was responsible for less than 20 percent of new jobs.”

Three bills also tackle “the gargantuan need for decent, sanitary and secure temporary shelters and evacuation centers filed by Senators Gatchalian, Recto and Bong Go,” he added.

Senators are also poised to act on other priority bill: the proposed separate facility for heinous crimes inmates (approved on third reading, pending in the House of Representatives), Anti-Terrorism Act (SBN 1083, pending second reading ), the Philippine High School for Sports Act (SBN 1086, pending second reading), Upgrading the Salary Grade Level of Teachers (SBN 131, pending in the Committee), the Teaching Supplies Allowance Act (SBN 1092, pending second reading), Solo Parents Welfare Act (SBN 164, pending in the Committee), Security of Tenure Act (SBN 806, pending in the Committee), Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Act (SBN 31, pending comments by the Department of Finance), Creation of a Philippine Water Commission (SBN 20, 44, 195, and 208 pending in the Committee), the Potable Water Supply for every Barangay Act (SBN 103, pending in the Committee), and the Single-Use Plastic Act (SBN 40, 333 and 557), among others.

from P31.95 billion. Capital inflow in administrative and support services activities also fell nearly 18 percent to P15.5 billion, from P18.89 billion.

This investment decline was attributed mainly to the prolonged deliberations on the Citira bill, which will reduce corporate income tax to 20 percent by 2029, from 30 percent at present, and will rationalize incentives granted to economic zone firms.

Locators in economic zones had warned that many of them will be compelled to relocate their business to another Southeast Asian economy if their tax perks are lifted, particularly the 5-percent tax on gross income paid in lieu of all local and national taxes. Moreover, this looming capital flight is projected to result in the loss of jobs of hundreds of thousands of workers.

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines earlier estimated that over 700,000 workers could lose their employment if the Citira bill is enacted into law.

Growth. . .

Continued from A1

“Private consumption, which accounts for almost 70 percent of GDP, is expected to remain robust, supported by improving employment, lower inflationary pressures and solid remittance inflows,” the UN said.

Pernia’s take

Earlier, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said he remains optimistic that the full-year growth target of 6 percent to 6.5 percent can be achieved in 2019. GDP growth in the fourth quarter could also average 6.7 percent.

In 2020, Pernia said the GDP growth target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent will also be achievable despite headwinds, such as the US-China trade tiff, natural disasters, and water shortage.

Neda Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Rosemarie G. Edillon said private consumption will remain the strength of the Philippine economy.

Edillon said the growth of

the domestic economy fueled by consumption will “more than make up” for external headwinds, such as the US-China trade tensions.

The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) has conceded that the country would not hit the higher end of the government’s growth target of 7 percent this year as it decided to scale it down to a tighter range of 6 percent to 6.5 percent.

While the government decided to maintain its growth target for next year at 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent, it also cut its growth goals for 2021 and 2022 to a range of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent from its original growth target of 7 percent to 8 percent.

Neda said GDP growth target for this year was revised downward since the 6-percent to 7-percent original target band is “no longer credible” given the GDP growth numbers in the last three quarters.

Year-to-date economic growth is 5.8 percent after two quarters of deceleration and a surge in the growth of Philippine economy in the third quarter at 6.2 percent. Cai U. Ordinario

PSA. . .

Continued from A12

It was reported before that NSO application [process] has been a source of graft from brokers, peddlers and solicitors,” Castelo added.

For his part, House Committee on Public Accounts Mike Defensor urged PSA to ad-

Gas cut by 85 cvos, huge price cuts set on kerosene, diesel

By Lenie Lectura

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@llectura

il firms are implementing a price rollback of over P1 per liter for diesel and kerosene, and less than P1 per liter for gasoline.

Gasoline products will go down

by P0.85 per liter. Kerosene prices will go down by P1.65 per liter. Diesel price, meanwhile, will be cut by P1.70 per liter.

“The prices reflect movements in the world oil market,” they said.

Phoenix Petroleum was the first oil company to reflect the new pump prices.

The adjusted price of Phoenix takes effect at 6 a.m. of Saturday, January 18.

Followed by Seaoil Philippines,

Agri damage. . .

Continued from A1

The DA said the Philippine Crop Insurance Co. (PCIC) will indemnify insured farmers and fisherfolk in Batangas and Cavite for about P108 million.

The DA said its regional field office in Calabarzon has provided P130 million worth of interventions in the form of farm equipment, seeds, planting materials, fingerlings, storage drums and power sprayers in Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.

“DA Taal Livestock Care Emergency Operations Center was launched at STIARC Lipa City, that will serve as temporary shelter for rescued livestock animals,” it said.

“Vegetable Farmers’ and Traders’ Associations in La Trinidad, Benguet, through DA-CAR, delivered 6 tons of assorted vegetables in Batangas evacuation centers. DA-CAR will also donate 120 cavans of rice,” it added.

The DA said once aquaculture operation resumes in the region the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Re-

which reduced its gasoline prices

by P0.90 per liter. Seaoil’s price adjustment takes effect 6 a.m. of January 20.

Pilipinas Shell said its oil price rollback will be implemented Tuesday morning.

Other oil firms will announce a price rollback on Monday.

Last week, a P0.20 per-liter price reduction in diesel and P0.30 per liter in kerosene took effect.

A week before that, diesel prices went up by P0.40 per liter. Kerosene prices also went up by P0.10 per liter while gasoline prices went down

by P0.10 per liter.

Oil firms are required to maintain a minimum inventory level of in-country stocks: 30 days for oil refiners, 15 days for bulk suppliers; and seven days for LPG players. sources will provide fisherfolk with millions of fingerlings: 7 million for tilapia, 20,000 freshwater shrimps, 50,000 hito, 100,000 bighead carps and 5,000 ayungin.

“DA-Bureau of Animal Industry sent two trucks for animal rescue and evacuation, and delivered 20 bags of feeds. DA-Bureau of Plant Industry will distribute 5,000 coffee mother plants and 1,000 cacao seedlings,” it said.

The DA added that the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has allotted P1.9 million to help affected coconut farmers by providing them with 150,000 seedlings and agricultural grade salt fertilizers.

The DA encouraged farmers to avail of the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council’s (ACPC) P25,000 zero-interest loan payable in three years to help them restart planting once the situation normalizes.

The ACPC has allocated an initial P30 million for the emergency loan portfolio that is estimated to benefit about 1,200 Taal Volcano-affected farmers and fisherfolk.

Tagaytay outfits. . .

Continued from A1

H e a d d e d , “ We c a l l o n t h o s e establishments to cease operations in the meantime as we want to avoid any untoward incidents as a result of an escalation in Taal Volcano’s activities.” On January 15, the DOT issued a news statement strongly advising tourism establishments to close down due to the Alert Level 4 status of Taal Volcano, which means an explosive eruption was imminent within days or weeks.

Tagaytay City remains within the 14-kilometer danger zone from Taal Volcano, although the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology now says due to the city’s elevation, the area doesn’t have to be evacuated.

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has estimated P7.63 billion in economic losses for the province of Batangas alone. As for Tagaytay, the city was said to have earned some P1 billion in “indirect revenue” from tourism in 2018.

Clemente, who is also president of Rajah Tours Philippines, said their company has “received about 10 cancellations due to canceled flights and general apprehension [on Taal Volcano’s eruption].”

DFA’s Winter Escapade

The Department of Foreign Affairs is hosting its Winter Escapade—an offshoot of its annual Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tours (ACGTDT)—from January 15 to 22, which Rajah Tours operates.

dress people’s complaints.

He said efficient online service was one of the best innovations done previously by the defunct NSO, where Filipinos enjoyed the convenience of acquiring the documents through online application without taking a day’s leave to work to line up and apply for copies of the documents.

“As a public agency, serving thousands of people everyday, they should have made a

In town is a 130-person tour group from various places in Canada, mostly Fil-Canadians, wanting to get back to their roots. Under this year’s tour, the key destinations being highlighted are Bataan, Clark and Boracay.

While the tour group had no plans to visit Tagaytay, Clemente said, his company had drawn up contingency plans in case flights to Boracay Island are canceled. “Even if they are not visiting Calabarzon, there are still possible effects [from another Taal eruption].”

Meanwhile, the veteran tour operator explained, “The Winter Escapade is crucial in renewing cultural ties, as well as creating new ones for younger participants, focusing on the huge balikbayan (homeland returnees) segment, which is rapidly growing due to the continued migration of Filipinos abroad and the significant expansion of the second and third generation Filipinos.”

He added, the tour is also geared toward “mainstream Canadian travelers who will be given an opportunity to see and experience the various parts of the Philippines with the hope of enticing more visitors to come in subsequent tours.”

He said many of the participants in this year’s tour are repeat visitors, underscoring the importance of this DFA project, which was started in 2005 under the term of then Secretary Alberto Romulo. For the regular ACGTDT, usually held in July, about 300 visitors from all over the United States, mostly Filipino-Americans, participate in the annual trips.

proper announcement or at least an explanation regarding this. The public deserves that,” said Defensor.

“The way of the world is now online.

Government transactions, from local to national, bus permits to clearances, from DoTr [Department of Transportation] to DOF [Department of Finance] are directed to be online not only for efficiency but also for transparency,” added Defensor.

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Comelec expects 4.3M new ‘excited’ voters to register

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VER 4 million new voters are expected by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to participate with the resumption of voter registration for the 2022 national and local polls on Monday.

“Voter registration will resume January 20, and will run until September 30 [next year],” Comelec spokesman James B. Jimenez said in a news conference last Friday. “We expect some 4.3 million to get registered.”

This is more than double than their 2 million new registrants for the rescheduled 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election, which will now also be held on 2022.

“Whenever it is a presidential elections, people are more excited to participate,” Jimenez said. He didn’t offer a scientific explanation for the data estimates.

Jimenez said the longer registration period will give more time for more people to become registered voters.

With the resumption of the voter registration, Comelec will, once again, process applications for registration, transfer of registration records, change/correction of entries in the registration record, reactivation of registration record and reinstatement of name in the list of voters.

Jimenez sa id appl icat ions should be submitted personally at the Office of the Election Officer of the city or municipality where the applicant resides from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Samuel P. Medenilla

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, January 20, 2020 A3

Senators tackle transport code to legitimize motorcycle taxis

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

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HE Senate Committee on Public Services summoned stakeholders to a hearing on January 20 to tackle regulations covering motorcycle taxis proliferating Metro Manila’s traffic-choked major thoroughfares.

Sen. Grace L. Poe, panel chairman, confirmed over the weekend among those invited to testify before the committee apart from transport officials are motorcycle taxi operators, as well as leaders of commuter groups and motorcycle suppliers as the panel lined up public hearings on at least four bills proposing regulation of motorcycle taxis to ensure “safe and alternative public utility vehicle.”

In a statement over the weekend, the senator said in English and Filipino “we have only one goal, and that is to provide our compatriots an alternative transportation scheme that is comfortable and safe.”

Poe said resource persons have already confirmed their presence attendance at the Senate hearing.

These resource persons include Transportation Assistant Secretaries Mark Steven C. Pastor and Alberto H. Suansing, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante and Department of Transportation

(DOTr) Technical Working Group (TWG) Chairman Antonio B. Gardiola Jr. The pesons also include DBDOYC Inc. (Angkas) Regulatory and Public Affairs Head George I. Royeca, We-Load Transcargo Corp. (Move It) Operations Manager Eric L. Torres, We Move Things Philippines Inc. (JoyRide) President Neil Sherwin H. Yu and Grab Holdings Inc. Philippines Country Head Brian Cu. Other operators of motorcycle taxi and representatives of commuters group are also expected, according to Poe.

Bills, review

POE said the panel will also review “results of the pilot run, the supply cap set by the government interagency regulator and the ownership of motorcycle taxi firms,” among others.

She added that the Committee on Public Services will, likewise, tackle “some of the specific regulations relating to safety, such as the requirement to declare one’s weight when booking for a ride.”

At the same time, the senator acknowledged “the commitment of government officials and all concerned stakeholders to sit down and discuss key matters,” voicing confidence that this “will be a big leap towards regulating motorcycle taxis.”

Poe pointed out that while the ride-hailing Angkas is seen as “timesavers,” she emphasized that these motorcycle taxis “must pass the strictest standard of safety, and this is where regulation will play a critical role.”

Apart from Poe’s proposed Motorcycles-for-Hire Act embodied in Senate Bill 128, the committee hearing is also expected to consider related proposals by other senators, including SB 50 filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto, as well as SB 1025 by Sen. Juan Edgardo M. Angara and SB 409 filed by Sen. María Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos.

This developed as Marcos deplored a dagdag-bawas scheme in the pilot test for motorcycle taxis.

‘Dagdag-bawas’

IN a separate statement, Marcos maintained that “equal participation does not necessarily mean fair competition” in the Duterte administration’s extended pilot test for motorcycle taxis.

She noted that the DOTr-TWG allotted an equal number of drivers to ride-hailing companies Angkas, JoyRide and Move It for the three-month extended test run that started this month, each to have 10,000 in Metro Manila and 3,000 in Metro Cebu.

The senator added that a tem-

porary restraining order has put on hold the DOTr-TWG’s rule, but the court order expires at the end of the month and may leave 17,000 of 27,000 Angkas drivers out of work, while newcomers JoyRide and MoveIt seek to add to the 6,900 and 2,400 drivers they already have, respectively, as of January 6.

Marcos chided the DOTr’s failed attempt to show that they are giving drivers “freedom of choice” in which company they want to join.

Freedoms

IT’s not freedom of choice if you’re threatening drivers with loss of jobs if they apply to other companies, Marcos said in mixed English and Filipino.

“No proper consultation or debate was held on the numbers rule because the DOTr-TWG shut out lawmakers from meetings held in November to December, even if the pilot test’s final goal is to aid legislation,” she added.

Marcos emphasized that government regulators need not resort to alibis, as Congress can craft remedial legislation to ensure fair competition.

She said in mixed English and Filipino that the DOTr must ensure the ill-effects of traffic jams are lessened. Hence, she believes it would be better if all experienced drivers are included.

Troops kill 5 during search for suspected kidnap victims

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IVE armed men, one of them a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed on Saturday by security forces searching for five Indonesians who were snatched in Sabah by members of the Mindanao-based terrorist group, and were believed to have been transported to Sulu.

A soldier was also wounded in the two separate encounters in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, according to the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana. He explained the encounter ensued as soldiers scoured the two provinces in search of the Indonesians abducted by suspected members of the ASG in Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah, last Thursday.

Sobejana said the Indonesians were among the original eight victims snatched by armed men from a Malaysian fishing vessel in Lahad Datu.

The suspects were said to have used a twin-engine speedboat. They immediately released three of the victims who later reported the kidnapping to Malaysian authorities who, in turn, alerted the Philippine military.

Soldiers searching for the Indonesians encountered an ASG group on Saturday morning at Sulare Island in the municipality of Parang, Sulu, killing one of the terrorists and damaging their speedboat. The soldiers also recovered an M16 rifle, a bandoleier and mobile phones. Rene Acosta

A4 Monday, January 20, 2020 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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‘Expand emergency employment aid for Taal victims’

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By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

LABOR group called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to expand its emergency employment program so it can cover more displaced locals in areas devastated by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

As of January 18, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 70,413 people are now staying in 300 evacuation centers around Taal Volcano following its eruption.

Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Sonny Matula noted that only a small portion of the said workers will be covered by the DOLE’s initial intervention for the victims of the eruption.

DOLE earlier said it will employ 6,000 of the eruption-affected people through its 2019 Government Internship Program (GIP) to help in its profiling initiative around the Taal Volcano.

The agency also said it is targeting to hire at least 1,000 beneficia-

ries in 10 areas, which were heavily affected by the eruption through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

“We hope DOLE can double the number of [affected residents] it will hire,” Matula said in a statement.

He said FFW is confident that DOLE will be able to afford it after it was given P112.62 million for its Adjustment Measures Program and P6.8 million for its TUPAD under the recently signed General Appropriations Act of 2020.

DOLE has yet to issue official data on the number of workers who were displaced by Taal Volcano’s eruption.

RESIDENTS from various barangays in Talisay and Tanuan in Batangas affected by Taal Volcano’s activity have sought refuge at the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Barangay Sto. Tomas, Batangas. ROY DOMINGO

New commission

IN a related development, FFW also appealed to authorities to include worker representatives in

the proposed commission, being proposed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, which will oversee the rehabilitation efforts

for the areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

“No one can speak for the workers better than the workers them-

DA to intensify monitoring of local supply of garlic, onions

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has intensified its monitoring and evaluation of the demand for and supply of onion and garlic to prevent spikes in prices.

The DA issued Administrative Order (AO) 2 of 2020 which “strengthened the guidelines in monitoring and evaluation of local production and importation of onion and garlic.”

The AO, dated January 3 and was signed by Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, outlined new measures to ensure that the DA is keeping a tight watch on the country’s supply and demand situation for the two commodities.

“These commodities have always been a major part of the Filipino diet, thus, making the monitoring and evaluation of its local production, importation, food safety and pricing, paramount,” the order read.

The country produced 208,448.6 metric tons of red onion and 31,866.666 MT of yellow onion in Crop Year 2018-2019, according to the order. During the same time period, the country imported 11,483.27 MT of yellow onion to plug the supply shortfall.

Also, the country’s garlic output in the same crop year reached 11,750.87 MT while impor ts reached 71,048.58 MT. The DA recently approved the importation of 35,000 MT of red

onions following the spike in the retail price of the commodity in previous weeks due to low local output.

At present the importation of onion and garlic is being regulated by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), an attached agency of DA, “to prevent the entry of pests and diseases and ensure food safety.”

Under the AO, the DA Office of the Secretary and the Office of Policy and Planning should “establish institutional policy” that would transparently determine the country’s garlic and onion requirement based on five-year historical data on imports and local output.

The Office of the Secretary shall also create a plan that would provide

support and incentives to farmers, especially rice planters that would shift to other crops.

“Define and operationalize medium to long-term strategy to ensure supply availability and create market opportunities for local farmers to transition to high-value commodities and present this to stakeholders,” the order read.

The DA also instructed the BPI to “regularly monitor, evaluate and provide technical support to the local production of allium.”

“The BPI shall also be proactive in managing the pests of allium by surveying, and assessing pest and disease risks in allium production areas through its Crop Pest Management Division,” the order read.

The DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service was instructed to lead “the identification, information dissemination and updating of allium supply and demand for domestic markets including institutional buyers.”

The order required the conduct of “regular” meetings with allium industry stakeholders to provide accurate information on the country’s supply and demand of the commodities.

“To institutionalize participatory monitoring and ensure transparency in balancing supply-demand side, allium growers, traders, importers and exporters shall be actively involved in the sharing of accurate information,” it said.

Govt calls on public to turn over rescued wildlife to authorities DOLE: Illegal recruiters

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has reiterated its appeal to the public to help rescue and protect wildlife species fleeing the wrath of Taal Volcano in Batangas province.

Endangered and endemic animals within the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) have migrated to communities after the country’s second-most active volcano started spewing lava and huge plume of ash last week, triggering the mass evacuation of thousands of people from the area.

Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda advised the public to immediately turn over to authorities any wildlife species they see or unintentionally capture so these animals can be brought to wildlife rehabilitation centers for proper care.

“We are appealing to the members of the public to rescue and turn over to the DENR any wildlife species within the vicinity of Taal Volcano to ensure their safety,” Antiporda said.

Antiporda made the appeal after he received a rescued rufous hornbill on behalf of the DENR from Cavite Educators Lions Club member and Bacoor City resident Flor Locson, who suspected the bird she rescued came from TVPL. Rufous hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), locally known as kalaw, is a large species of hornbill found only in the Philippines. Its species is listed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as vulnerable species, which means the bird is near threatened.

Antiporda, who is also the first vice district governor of Lions Club International District 301-A2, said the government would need everyone’s help in saving the wildlife species affected by the volcanic eruption.

“We in the government cannot do this alone,” Antiporda pointed out. “We need the help of the Filipino people to save the wildlife species near the Taal Volcano vicinity.”

The DENR official also reminded people “not to keep the endangered species as pets or eat them in case of food shortage as it

is against the law.”

Environment Assistant Secretary and concurrent Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Director Ricardo Calderon said rescued wildlife may be turned over to the DENR field offices in Batangas, as well as in Cavite province.

“The DENR field offices in Batangas— Calaca and Lipa—are ready to receive these animals once they are rescued,” Calderon said.

“We have teams from the field offices onsite that are helping in rescuing the animals in the peripheries of the area,” he added.

Apart from wildlife species, Calderon said the BMB also helps in rescuing the companion and domesticated animals that are either turned over to the owners or the local government units in the area.

As to the rescued rufous hornbill, Calderon said that upon initial checkup and assessment, the bird was “generally healthy despite being stressed.”

The hornbill is currently at the BMB’s Wildlife Rescue Center in Quezon City, where it will be rehabilitated before releasing it to the wild.

“Once the bird recovers, it can be released in the same area [TVPL] once everything is settled or in the Calabarzon area where their species are widespread,” Calderon explained.

TVPL was established by virtue of Proclamation 906 in 1996, pursuant to the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, or NIPAS Act of 1992.

It was established to protect and conserve the ecological, biological, scientific, educational and recreational features of the area and, at the same time, provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the tenured migrants without necessarily defacing the natural features of the area.

Jonathan L. Mayuga

may prey on locals affected

by Taal Volcano eruption

T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the government is closely monitoring evacuation centers where illegal recruiters may lure victims who have recently lost their possession or livelihood to work abroad.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said illegal recruiters may take advantage of the desperation of the victims of Taal Volcano’s eruption.

“They [illegal recruiters] are really good with timing and tricks,” Bello said in a news briefing last week.

“Those in evacuation centers right now are really easy prey. Because they will grab everything they think can to alleviate their situation,” he added.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has been intensifying its campaign against illegal recruitment, which remains rampant.

In 2016, over 900,000 of the 8.9 million Filipinos abroad were classified as undocumented by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) after falling victim to illegal recruitment activities.

Bello said the DOLE has alerted the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to be wary of such illegal recruitment activities especially in areas near the Taal Volcano.

Since the eruption of Taal Volcano last week, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that around 16,000 families, or a total of 70,413 people, are temporarily taking shelter in 300 evacuation centers.

The eruption has also damaged crops and other produce worth more than P3 billion, according to data from the Department of Agriculture.

Despite showing fewer visible signs of volcanic activities, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has yet to downgrade the volcano’s Alert Level 4 status, which means that a more destructive eruption may happen within days.

Samuel P. Medenilla

selves. Thus, FFW calls on Recto to include two workers’ or union representatives at least one is a woman to be members of the new body,” FFW said.

FFW National Treasurer Alfredo Maranan, a native of Batangas, said he supports the new commission, which will be created through legislation, to help in the “immediate recovery” of Batangas, and other areas devastated by the eruption.

Malacañang deferred giving its official position on the legislation until it could review its provisions.

“We will study all good proposals and then implement it if it will really be beneficial to our people,” Presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in a radio interview on Sunday.

He said it will be up to President Duterte if he will certify as urgent Recto’s bill, which is expected to be filed on Monday.

As of Sunday, Panelo said Duterte is satisfied with the current pace of the implementation of various interventions for the communities affected by the eruption.

He said the President currently sees no need to create a special task force for the rehabilitation of affected areas.

DENR to set up offices for eight protected areas in Cagayan Valley

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

E

IGHT protected areas in t he C agaya n Va l ley re gion (Region 2) will soon have its ow n Protected A rea Ma n agement O f f ice (PA MO) as mandated by the Republic Act 11038, or the ExpandedNational Integrated Protected Areas System Act. The move aims to boost the protected areas management, and biodiversity conservation and protection in the region.

Regional Executive Director for the Cagayan Valley Region Antonio A. Abawag said the eight PAMOs are for the legislated protected areas, namely: Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes; Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape; Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape in Cagayan, Tumauini Watershed Natural Park; Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park in Isabela; Casecnan Protected Landscape, Salinas Natural Monument; and Bangan Hill Natural Park in Nueva Vizcaya. These areas cover almost 800,000 hectares.

The DENR will also hire technical personnel to ensure the day-to-day operation of the office.

In June 2018, President Duterte signed into law RA 11038 which amended R A 7586 other w ise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.

T he amendator y law mandated the creation of a PAMO to be headed by a permanent protected area superintendent “who shall supervise the day-today management, protection and administration of the protected area.

It also orders the provision of a sufficient number of support staff to assist in the management of the area.

D u r i n g t he me e t i n g w it h DENR key officials in Region 2, Abawag instructed field officials having jurisdiction of the said protected areas to facilitate the construction of office buildings for the operationalization of the PAMO.

The World BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Monday, January 20, 2020 A5

Xi ends Myanmar visit with raft of agreements

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AYPYITAW, Myanmar—Chinese President Xi Jinping ended a two-day state visit to Myanmar on Saturday after attending the signing of a raft of agreements buttressing bilateral relations and advancing Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, in which his host country is a key player.

The two sides exchanged memoranda of understanding, letters and protocols covering 33 projects in the fields of information, industry, agriculture, security and the resettlement of internally displaced people in Myanmar’s war-torn Kachin State, which borders China.

The agreements were signed after a morning meeting between Xi and Myanmar’s leader, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. The most significant pact appeared to be a concession and shareholder’s agreement for the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone on the Bay of Bengal. With a deepwater port, it is the terminus of the 1,700-kilometer- (1,055-mile-) long China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, a major link in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative whose other end is in China’s Yunnan province.

Other agreements covered separate projects related to the corridor plan, which includes oil and gas pipelines, and road and rail projects from southern China through various parts of Myanmar to Kyaukphyu.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to build a network of railroads, highways, ports, and other infrastructure connecting China with other points in Asia, Europe and Africa.

The Myanmar corridor provides China with a shortcut to the Indian Ocean, a major goal of Chinese strategic planners. An outlet to the Indian Ocean allows China’s sizable oil and gas imports from the Persian Gulf to bypass going through the Strait of Malacca, and could conceivably serve a future military purpose.

Xi’s visit nominally marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (right) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping at president house in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Saturday, January 18, 2020. AP

China and Myanmar. But it also firms up a relationship in which China exercises diplomatic and economic muscle to extend its influence in Southeast Asia.

The relationship follows the pattern established with Myanmar’s previous, military-led governments, which were treated as pariahs and

sanctioned by many Western nations because of their suppression of democracy and poor human-rights records.

Beijing provided a willing and able alternative as an investor, trading partner and weapons supplier.

Suu Kyi’s freely elected government, which came to power in 2016,

was originally applauded for the democratic and economic reforms it began to implement. But it now draws widespread condemnation over its human-rights record.

It is in a similar position to its military predecessors as it faces possible Western economic sanctions over the brutal counterinsurgency campaign

Fires set stage for irreversible forest losses in Australia

A

ustralia’s forests are burning at a rate unmatched in modern times and scientists say the landscape is being permanently altered as a warming climate brings profound changes to the island continent.

Heat waves and drought have fueled bigger and more frequent fires in parts of Australia, so far this season torching some 40,000 square miles (104,000 square kilometers), an area about as big as Ohio.

With blazes still raging in the country’s southeast, government officials are drawing up plans to reseed burned areas to speed up forest recovery that could, otherwise, take decades or even centuries.

But some scientists and forestry experts doubt that reseeding and other intervention efforts can match the scope of the destruction. The fires since September have killed 28 people and burned more than 2,600 houses.

Before the recent wildfires, ecologists divided up Australia’s native vegetation into two categories: fire-adapted landscapes that burn periodically, and those that don’t burn. In the recent fires, that distinction lost meaning—even rain forests and peat swamps caught fire, likely changing them forever.

Flames have blazed through jungles dried out by drought, such as Eungella National Park, where shrouds of mist have been replaced by smoke.

“Anybody would have said these forests don’t burn, that there’s not enough material and they are wet. Well they did,” said forest restoration expert Sebastian Pfautsch, a research fellow at Western Sydney University.

“Climate change is happening now, and we are seeing the effects of it,” he said.

High temperatures, drought and more

frequent wildfires—all linked to climate change—may make it impossible for even fire-adapted forests to be fully restored, scientists said.

“The normal processes of recovery are going to be less effective, going to take longer,” said Roger Kitching, an ecologist at Griffith University in Queensland. “Instead of an ecosystem taking a decade, it may take a century or more to recover, all assuming we don’t get another fire season of this magnitude soon.”

Young stands of mountain ash trees— which are not expected to burn because they have minimal foliage—have burned in the Australian Alps, the highest mountain range on the continent. Fire this year wiped out stands reseeded following fires in 2013.

Mountain ash, the world’s tallest flowering trees, reach heights of almost 90 meters (300 feet) and live hundreds of years. They’re an iconic presence in southeast Australia, comparable to the redwoods of Northern California, and are highly valued by the timber industry.

“I’m expecting major areas of [tree] loss this year, mainly because we will not have sufficient seed to sow them,” said Owen Bassett of Forest Solutions, a private company that works with government agencies to reseed forests by helicopter following fires.

Bassett plans to send out teams to climb trees in parts of Victoria that did not burn to harvest seed pods. But he expects to get at most a ton of seeds this year, about onetenth of what he said is needed.

Fire is a normal part of an ash forest life cycle, clearing out older stands to make way for new growth. But the extent and intensity of this year’s fires left few surviving trees in many areas.

Already ash forests in parts of Victo-

ria had been hit by wildfire every four to five years, allowing less marketable tree species to take over or meadows to form.

“If a young ash forest is burned and killed and we can’t resow it, then it is lost,” Bassett said.

The changing landscape has major implications for Australia’s diverse wildlife.

The fires in Eungella National Park, for example, threaten “frogs and reptiles that don’t live anywhere else,” said University of Queensland ecologist Diana Fisher.

Fires typically burn through the forest in a patchwork pattern, leaving unburned refuges from which plant and animal species can spread. However, the megafires raging in parts of Australia are consuming everything in their path and leaving little room for that kind of recovery, said Griffith University’s Kitching.

In both Australia and western North America, climate experts said, fires will continue burning with increased frequency as warming temperatures and drier weather transform ecosystems around the globe.

The catastrophic scale of blazes in so many places offers the “clearest signal yet” that climate change is driving fire activity, said Leroy Westerling, a fire science professor at the University of Alberta.

“It’s in Canada, California, Greece, Portugal, Australia,” Westerling said. “This portends what we can expect—a new reality. I prefer not to use the term ‘new normal’....

This is more like a downward spiral.”

Forests can shift locations over time.

However, that typically unfolds over thousands of years, not the decades over which the climate has been warming.

Most of the nearly 25,000 square miles (64,000 square km) that have burned in Victoria and New South Wales has been forest,

according to scientists in New South Wales and the Victorian government.

By comparison, an average of about 1,600 square miles (4,100 square km) of forest burned annually in Australia dating back to 2002, according to data compiled by NASA research scientist Niels Andela and University of Maryland research professor Louis Giglio.

Unlike grasslands, which see the vast majority of Australia’s huge annual wildfire damage, forests are unable to regenerate in a couple of years. “For forests, we’re talking about decades, particularly in more arid climates,” Andela said.

Most forested areas can be expected to eventually regenerate, said Owen Price, a senior research fellow at the University of Wollongong specializing in bushfire risk management. But he said repeated fires will make it more likely that some will become grasslands or open woodlands.

Price and others have started thinking up creative ways to combat the changes, such as installing sprinkler systems in rain forests to help protect them against drought and fire, or shutting down forested areas to all visitors during times of high fire danger to prevent accidental ignitions.

Officials may also need to radically rethink accepted forest management practices, said Pfautsch, the researcher from Western Sydney.

That could involve planting trees in areas where they might not be suitable now but would be in 50 years as climate change progresses.

“We cannot expect species will move 200 km [125 miles] to reach a cooler climate,” said Pfautsch. “It’s not looking like there’s a reversal trend in any of this. It’s only accelerating.” AP

waged by its security forces that drove more than 700,000 members of the country’s Muslim Rohingya minority to flee for safety in neighboring Bangladesh.

Last month, a case charging Myanmar with genocide came before the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

China has defended Suu Kyi’s government in forums, such as the United Nations, and Myanmar has returned the favor by following Beijing’s positions on issue, such as China’s claims over territory in the South China Sea. China’s backing goes beyond words, since as a top investor and trade partner with Myanmar it offer a safety net if Western nations do impose sanctions.

But many of Myanmar’s citizens have long harbored suspicions over the intentions of its big northern neighbor, and Suu Kyi and her ruling National League for Democracy party could face accusations of selling out the country as they face a general election later this year.

Xi’s arrival on Friday was greeted with dancing children and youths waving the national flags of both countries and cheering, “Long live China-Myanmar friendship” and “Health to President Xi.” As the Chinese leader departed for home Saturday afternoon, four Myanmar fighter jets gave his plane an escort. AP

Middle East lender focuses on Southeast Asia to expand

Q

atar National Bank (QNB) is putting Southeast Asia as the focus of its expansion, the chief executive officer of the Middle East’s biggest lender said.

“Our focus really was the Middle East and then we expanded to Southeast Asia where we’re now focusing,” Abdulla Al-Khalifa said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. “If we find the right opportunity for acquisition, we will consider it,” he said, adding there are no deals currently under review.

Lower oil prices are forcing Gulf lenders to consolidate and look for business outside their home markets. QNB has been expanding with the purchase of National Bank of Greece SA’s Turkish unit and Societe Generale SA’s Egypt subsidiary. The bank’s regional growth has been curtailed as Qatar has been locked in a standoff with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt since mid-2017.

Expanding abroad is part of how the bank will continue growing despite the small scale of Qatar’s local market, Al-Khalifa said. “We know that Qatar, at one point in time, will not be itself sufficient to satisfy our expansion growth, or the growth potential that we have.”

Gas-rich Qatar is home to about 2.8 million people and QNB has roughly half the market share. The lender reported record profit in 2019, helped by higher interest income.

Al-Khalifa was promoted to QNB’s top job in December, after 13 months as acting CEO and more than two decades working for the lender. The shares have gained 1.7 percent this year after posting a 5.6-percent advance in 2019. Bloomberg News

The World BusinessMirror

A4 Monday, January 20, 2020 A6

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Germany hosts Libya summit in bid to curb military meddling B

ERLIN—Germany is bringing together the key players in Libya’s long-running civil war in a bid to curb foreign militar y meddling, solidif y a cease-fire and help relaunch a political process to determine the North African nation’s future.

Chancellor Angela Merkel invited leaders from 12 countries, as well as the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union and the Arab League to Sunday’s summit at the chancellery in Berlin. Germany’s monthslong diplomatic drive seeks to bolster efforts to stop the fighting in Libya

by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame.

Among those expected are Rus-

sian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Other countries invited are the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Algeria, China and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Also invited are Libya’s two main rival leaders: Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Gen. Khalifa Haftar.

Both will attend, according to German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

The chances of the summit producing any real progress are unclear, however. While getting the players to the table is an achievement, recent stepped-up outside support may have emboldened both

sides not to compromise.

Since the 2011 ouster and killing of Libya’s longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, the country has sunk further into chaos and turmoil.

Libya is divided into rival administrations, each with the backing of different nations: the UN-recognized government based in Tripoli, headed by Sarraj; and one based in the country’s east, supported by Haftar’s forces.

Haftar’s forces have been on the offensive since April, laying siege to Tripoli in an effort to capture the capital and battling militias aligned with the government. Hafter’s forces are backed by Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates, while the Tripoli government has turned to Turkey for troops and weapons.

Prince Harry and Meghan reach deal with royal family and relinquish titles

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RINCE Harry and Meghan Markle will relinquish their HRH titles in an agreement that lets them build a life away from intense scrutiny as members of Britain’s royal family.

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved members of my family,” Queen Elizabeth II said on Saturday in a statement from Buckingham Palace. “I recognize the challenges they have experienced, as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.”

The couple agreed to drop hisand-her “royal highness” from their Duke and Duchess of Sussex names because they are no longer working members of the family.

They plan to repay taxpayers for renovations made to their home near Windsor Castle, and give up public financial support.

“It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life,” the 93-year-old monarch said.

The announcement on January 8 that the couple wished to step back from their royal duties and split their time between the UK and North

America threw Britain’s monarchy into turmoil, and sharpened the national debate about its role in modern-day Britain. The earlier revelations of Prince Andrew’s friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had already created a PR disaster for Buckingham Palace.

Even though Harry has only a remote prospect of becoming king—he’s sixth in line, behind his father, brother, and nephews and niece —there was outrage that, with his actress wife, he wanted to become financially independent and “carve out” a “progressive new role.” The couple married at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Archie was born a year later.

Earlier this week, the queen discussed the wishes of Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, with her immediate family. The queen, at the time, said the talks—with Harry’s father, Charles, and his brother, William— were “very constructive.”

T he monarch, in the most recent statement, said she was “pleased” that the recent discussions led to a “supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.” She said she was “particularly proud of how Meghan has so

quickly become one of the family.”

In a statement released by the palace, the couple said they were grateful to the queen and the family for the ongoing support as they take the next step away from the limelight.

They plan to repay the estimated £2.4 million ($3.1 million) from taxpayer funds spent to refurbish Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home. They moved into the house nine months ago, according to the UK Press Association.

As part of the agreement, the couple will step back from royal duties, including official military appointments. They will no longer receive public funds for royal duties, according to the statement.

The Sussexes will continue their roles with various private charities and associations. “While they can no longer formally represent the queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of her majesty,” according to the statement.

Neither the queen’s statement nor the comments from the palace elaborated on the financial arrangements the Sussexes will make in their new roles, which are to begin in the spring. Bloomberg News

A truce brokered earlier this month by Russia and Turkey marked the first break in fighting in months.

Germany’s priority is to try to get the outside players that have interests in the conflict on the same page, stem the flow of weapons to Libya and ensure that the ceasefire sticks—creating space for UNled efforts to reestablish a political process in Libya.

“At the Libya conference, we must see above all that the arms embargo is, once again, complied with—it has been agreed in principle at UN level but, unfortunately, not kept to,” Merkel said.

Germany is also keen to prevent Libyan fighting from further destabilizing the region, potentially

setting off new waves of migrants seeking safety in Europe across the Mediterranean Sea. Maas traveled to Libya to meet Haftar on Thursday. He said the general pledged to respect the cease-fire, even though he had left Moscow days before without signing a draft document setting out details of the truce. Sarraj did sign the document.

On Friday, however, powerful tribal groups loyal to Haftar seized several large oil export terminals along Libya’s eastern coast, as well as southern oil fields in another challenge to the Tripoli government, which collects revenue from oil production. The National Oil Corp. said the move threatens to throttle much of the country’s oil production.

UN envoy Salame earlier this month demanded an end to all foreign interference in Libya, saying that a military solution is impossible, and governments and mercenaries helping rival forces are hindering a political solution.

Despite the arms embargo against Libya, he said, weapons are being sold and given to Libyans, and “probably thousands” of mercenaries have been sent into the country, creating a “bleak” situation for millions of civilians.

German officials have been careful to keep expectations of Sunday’s summit in check.

“The conference is important, but it is a beginning, the start of a process,” spokesman Ulrike Demmer said. AP

Thousands gather for Women’s March rallies across the US

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A SHINGTON—T housands gathered in cities across the country on Saturday as part of the nationwide Women’s March rallies focused on issues, such as climate change, pay equity, reproductive rights and immigration.

Hundreds showed up in New York City and thousands in Washington, D.C., for the rallies, which aim to harness the political power of women, although crowds were noticeably smaller than in previous years. Marches were scheduled on Saturday in more than 180 cities.

The first marches in 2017 drew hundreds of thousands of people to rallies in cities across the country on the day after President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated. That year’s D.C. march drew close to 1 million people.

In Manhattan on Saturday, hundreds of people gathered as part of a “Rise and Roar” rally at separate events in Foley Square and Columbus Circle.

“Today, we will be the change that is needed in this world! Today, we rise into our power!” activist Donna Hylton told a cheering crowd in Foley Square.

Snow began falling by the afternoon in Manhattan, apparently putting a damper on plans for the two

groups to converge in large numbers near Times Square.

In downtown Los Angeles, thousands of men, women and children filled several blocks as they made their way from a plaza to a park adjacent to City Hall, where a rally featured speeches by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom; Mayor Eric Garcetti, Rep. Maxine Waters; and others.

Jennifer Siebel credited women for mobilizing against gun violence, creating the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and discrimination, and taking back the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.

“In 2020, I have no doubt that it will be women who will lead again, rise up and move this country forward on a path toward justice,” she said.

In Denver, organizers opted to skip the rally after the march and, instead, invited participants to meet with local organizations to learn more about issues, such as reproductive rights, climate change, gun safety and voting.

Several thousand came out for the protest in Washington, far fewer than last year when about 100,000 people held a rally east of the White House. But as in previous years, many of the protesters made the trip to the nation’s capital from cities across the

country to express their opposition to Trump and his policies. From their gathering spot on Freedom Plaza, they had a clear view down Pennsylvania Avenue to the US Capitol, where the impeachment trial gets under way in the Senate next week.

In Washington, three key issues seemed to galvanize most of the protesters: climate change, immigration and reproductive rights.

“I teach a lot of immigrant students, and in political times like this I want to make sure I’m using my voice to speak up for them,” said Rochelle McGurn, 30, an elementary school teacher from Burlington, Vermont, who was in D.C. to march.

“They need to feel like they belong, because they do.”

Peta Madry of New London, Connecticut, was celebrating her 70th birthday in D.C. by attending her fourth Women’s March with her sister, Cynthia Barnard, of San Rafael, California. Both women were wearing handknitted pink hats that date from the first march. With pained expressions, they spoke about Trump’s determination to reverse the policies of his predecessor Barack Obama and his treatment of women.

“Look what he’s doing to Greta Thunberg,” Madry said, referring to the teenage climate activist. “He’s the biggest bully in the world.” AP

UK treasury chief: Some businesses may hurt after Brexit FOUNDER OF SOUTH KOREA’S LOTTE BUSINESS DYNASTY DIES AT 97

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ONDON—The British government has announced plans for special events on the night of January 31 when the country officially leaves the European Union, but the country’s treasury chief has admitted that some UK business sectors will suffer as a result.

Sajid Javid told the Financial Times in an interview on Saturday that Britain’s regulations will not be aligned with the EU in the future, and that those changes may hurt some businesses. Currently, the EU is Britain’s largest trading partner.

“There will not be alignment, we will not be a rule-taker, we will not be in the single market and we will not be in the customs union—and we will do this by the end of the year,” he said, referring to a deadline at the end of 2020 for conclusion of what are expected to be contentious trade talks with the then 27-member EU. Javid’s comments sparked fresh concerns among business leaders worried about that lack of clarity on the substance of the trade rules that would take effect in less than 12 months time.

Food and Drink Federation Chief Tim Rycroft warned that diverging from EU rules could lead to higher food prices for consumers.

“It will mean businesses will have to adjust to costly new checks, processes and procedures, that will act as a barrier to frictionless trade with the EU and may well result in price rises,” he said.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders emphasized the need to avoid high tariffs and other

trade barriers once EU ties are severed.

Chief Executive Mike Hawes said “billions” would be added to the cost of business development, unless a mutually beneficial agreement is reached.

Britain will officially leave the EU bloc on the night of January 31, even though it will keep following EU rules for an 11-month transition period.

It will be the first nation ever to leave the bloc. The British government plans to mark the occasion with a series of upbeat events.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to make a speech to the nation that night after holding a rare cabinet session in the north of England to emphasize his government’s plan to spread opportunity to that economically beleaguered region.

The government also plans to mark Brexit by projecting a clock onto the prime minister’s official residence at 10 Downing Street in London that will count down until 11 p.m., when the break takes place.

The entire government neighborhood of Whitehall is to be illuminated for the occasion as part of a light show, with Union flags flown on all the poles in Parliament Square. The government will also create a commemorative coin that will enter circulation that day.

But Johnson’s Conservative government is no longer actively pushing a plan to have the familiar chimes of the Big Ben clock tower at Parliament sound at 11 p.m., despite a private fund-raising push in support of activating the chimes, which are under repair.

Britain voted in a 2016 referendum to become the first nation to leave the 28-nation EU, but the process has moved more slowly than expected. A stalemate last year kept a withdrawal bill from passing, leading to a rare December election that gave Johnson’s pro-Brexit Conservative Party a strong majority in Parliament.

The Brexit divorce bill quickly passed when the new Parliament convened. A transition period will last until the end of 2020 as negotiators try to forge a trade arrangement between Britain and the remaining EU nations. AP

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HIN KYUK-HO, a wartime migrant to Japan who returned home to build a little-known chewing-gum maker into Lotte Group, South Korea’s biggest retailer, has died. He was 97.

Shin had been hospitalized in Seoul to get medical treatment for various age-related symptoms and passed away Sunday at 4:29 p.m., Lotte Group said in a statement.

Shin was among the last of a generation of entrepreneurs who teamed up with the government in the 1960s to rebuild war-torn South Korea, leading to the rapid industrialization of an economy dubbed the “Miracle on the Han River.” The growth set the stage for Lotte along with global juggernauts, such as Samsung and Hyundai, while entrenching a business landscape dominated by family-run industrial groups known as the chaebol.

Shin built Lotte into the nation’s fifth-largest chaebol by assets, a group of 95 companies in businesses from department stores to petrochemicals and the Lotte Giants baseball team in the southeastern city of Busan. As his health declined, Shin was assigned a ceremonial role in the company after a push by his second son, Shin Dong-bin, who eventually took control of the group amid a family feud that captivated the nation.

The drama at Lotte escalated when, in 2016, Korean prosecutors began an investigation that led to indictments of Shin family members. The founder’s first daughter was arrested on embezzlement charges. Current Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin was later imprisoned over a bribery case related to a scandal that resulted in the departure from office of former President Park Geun-hye.

Japan opportunity

SHIN KYUK-HO was born October 4, 1922, in the city of Ulsan on the southeast coast of the Korean Peninsula, which was then under Japanese occupation. The eldest of 10 children, he left Korea virtually empty-handed in 1942 in search of opportunities in Japan, according to Lotte company history.

Shin stayed on in Tokyo after World War II ended, and with the Japanese rule in Korea. In 1946, after studying chemistry and scraping savings together by delivering milk and newspapers, he started a business in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district producing soaps and pomade.

A year later he turned to making Lotte chewing gum, which gained popularity with the United States soldiers stationed in Japan. By 1963, Shin had built the company into a confectionery manufacturer that employed 3,000 people. From there, he branched into advertising, baseball and trade.

In Japan, he was known as Takeo Shigemitsu, following the practice of some Koreans immigrants of taking a Japanese name. He returned to Korea in 1967, when relations between the two nations were normalized, and he opened a candy company in Seoul that would then grow to become the Lotte Group.

Shin named Lotte after the character Charlotte in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther.

He said the book and character were loved by people spanning generations and continents, and that he wanted the same for his company, according to Lotte.

Shin typically spent half of each year in South Korea and the other half in Japan.

Shin family

AS the group’s fortunes grew, so did Shin’s wealth and his family’s. By 2019, the combined assets of Lotte-affiliated companies totaled more than 100 trillion won ($86.3 billion), trailing only the Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK and LG groups among South Korea’s chaebol, according to the Korea Fair Trade Commission.

Shin shunned many of the outward trappings of wealth and was known to inspect Lotte hotels and Lotte department stores alone, dressed in a shabby jacket, according to Lotte. When traveling overseas, he would typically go by himself.

While Shin retained the title of senior chairman, he formally passed dayto-day operations of the group to his second son, Shin Dong-bin, 64, in 2011.

In 2015, Shin and his eldest son led a failed boardroom coup attempt against Shin Dong-bin. As the founder’s health deteriorated, he became increasingly detached from the group and was left with an honorary chairman position in early 2016.

As the siblings fought, a crisis at the company deepened with the corruption investigation. In October 2019, the Supreme Court upheld a suspended jail sentence of Chairman Shin Dong-bin.

The elder brother Shin Dong-joo had been acquitted in the corruption case.

In 2018, the founder was also convicted of embezzlement and breach of duty, though he was allowed to avoid jail time because of his age.

The probes took a toll on Lotte’s business, prompting the group to shelve what could have been a $4.5billion initial public offering of its hotel unit and a bid for chemicals maker Axiall Corp. Bloomberg News

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Tilapia price up 5% T

HE average retail price of tilapia in Metro Manila rose by 5 percent to P123.22 per kilogram (kg) a week after Taal Volcano’s eruption damaged fish cages worth billions in Southern Luzon,

according to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Latest market monitoring report by the DA showed that the average retail price of tilapia as of January 17 was P6.20 higher

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Monday, January 20, 2020 A7

than the P117.02 per kilogram quotation recorded on January 11, a day before Taal Volcano’s phreatic eruption. Based on the report, the lowest retail price of tilapia in Metro Manila was at P100 per kg, while

the highest quotation was at P150 per kg. A week ago, the lowest quotation for tilapia in Metro Manila was only at P95 per kg, while the highest retail price was at P130 per kg, DA data showed. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Green Monday BusinessMirror

A8 Monday, January 20, 2020

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Diseases can wipe out endangered species, tribes

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ld Fausto Novelozo exhaled from his worn clay pipe, the sweet scent of wild tobacco enveloping the hut.

“It was sickness that drove us down from the mountains. Measles we got from Tagalog visitors.

Half our village of 200 died. The survivors moved here to be closer to civilization. Now we constantly need medicine,” he said.

Punong Tribo (Tribal Chief ) Novelozo of a Mindoro tribe called the Taw’buid for years, but this writer never asked why his people set up Tamisan Uno and Dos, two tribal communities, by the foothills of the Iglit-Baco Natural Park in Mindoro.

In t heir tong ue, Taw’ bu id means “people from above” because they historically inhabited the island’s mountainous interior.

Thanking him for his time, we left the community provisions — coffee, sugar, salt and a small bag of medicine.

When imagining threats to biodiversity, wildfires, logging, poaching and other visual activities are top-of-mind. But sometimes, the smallest beings do the most damage.

Disease is a major killer of isolated tribes. In July of 1837, an American steamboat called the Saint Peter infected the Mandan, a North A merican tribe of about 2000, with smallpox.

Three months later, only 23 were left alive.

“Isolated communities are especially vulnerable to diseases from the outside world because immune responses have yet to be developed,” said medical anthropologist Dr. Gideon Lasco. “Limited access to health care and fear of hospitals also keeps them from seeking treatment.”

The Taw’buid are just one of many groups that the Tamaraw Conser vation Prog ram (TCP) works with in their 40-year-old bid to save the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), a well-known but critically endangered buffalo found only in the Philippines.

Like native tribes, the tamaraw is highly vulnerable to disease.

Decimated by rinderpest

Once, tamaraw grazed by the thousands. An estimated 10,000 inhabited Mindoro at the turn of the century.

As now, Mindoro then had prime-pastureland—so good that ranchers imported thousands of cattle to the island.

As grazing competition for the lowlands increased, ranchers started herding their cattle up mountains—the same ones occupied by tamaraw.

In the 1930s, an outbreak of rinderpest took place. A deadly virus which kills 90 percent of what it infects, rinderpest laid waste not just to the population of farmed

Taw’buid Punong Tribo (Tribal Chief) Fausto Novelozo, 66, is inside his modest hut in Tamisan Dos, at the foothills of the Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park in Occidental Mindoro. Taw’buid is the most numerous of Mindoro’s eight ethnolinguistic groups. The son of the previous chief, he lived in Cavite for several years before returning to lead his tribe.

An excellent conservation ally, he actively convinces other tribes folk to stop setting up traps for tamaraw. Gregg Yan/UNDP Biofin

cattle, but to wild tamaraw, as well.

By 1969, tamaraw numbers were estimated to have dropped under 100, prompting the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to declare the species as critically endangered— just one step above extinction.

Decades of conservation—led by the TCP, Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the DENR itself, Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park (MIBNP) and a host of allies, including the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (Biofin) of the United Nations Development Programme, Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc., D’Aboville Fou nd at ion, Globa l W i ld l i fe Conservation, World Wide Fund for Nature, Far Eastern University and Eco Explorations—have helped tamaraw numbers recover to around 600, confined to four isolated areas in Mindoro.

All are vulnerable to disease.

“Bovine tuberculosis, hemosep and anthrax can enter Mindoro if we’re not careful,” explained Dr. Mikko Angelo Reyes, a Mindorobased veterinarian.

“The key is biosecurity, the prevention of disease through quarantine, inoculation and immunization. We should ensure that at the very least, animals entering the island are checked for sickness. We should also establish and respect buffer zones around protected areas, which are often rung by farms and livestock,” Reyes added.

The MIBNP, a former game refuge turned into a protected area, spans 106,655 hectares.

It is home to the Phi lippine brow n deer (Rusa mar ianna),

The grassy slopes of Mindoro’s Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park host at least 480 tamaraw, plus deer, wild pigs, monkeys and a plethora of birds. It is also home to the Taw’buid, Buhid and Alangan tribes, colloquially known as Mangyans by lowlanders. It also provides vital irrigation services for nearby farmers, hosting five major river tributaries. Gregg Yan

Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) are endemic forest buffalo on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. Numbering only about 600, they are considered critically endangered by the IUCN. Adults stand a meter at the shoulder and weigh around 300 kilograms. Lobbyists are pushing for it to become the country’s national land animal. Gregg Yan

Oliver’s warty pig (Sus oliveri) plus many other rare and endangered species.

It also hosts 480 of the world’s 600 remaining tamaraw.

It is cur rently sur rounded by 3,000 cattle belonging to 30 ranchers.

In case a disease breaks out, one of the original conservation strategies has to keep a separate breeding population in a safe zone, where the Tamaraw Gene Pool Program comes in.

Breeding tamaraw

In 1982, the government tried to breed tamaraw, enlisting a team of local and international experts to capture 19 of the feisty buffalo.

Caught in ingenious pit traps, some were airlifted from the adjacent Aruyan-Malati critical habitat to a captive-breeding facility in Rizal, inside the Iglit-Baco Natural Park.

However, despite best efforts, it failed to deliver and only one tamaraw, Kalibasib, survived beyond infancy.

Done differently, however,

Tamaraw Conservation Program rangers Ed Bata and Ronnie Estrella inside the Iglit-Baco Natural Park. Underfunded and lacking tenure, they comprise some of the bravest and most dedicated conservation outdoorsmen in the Philippines. Gregg Yan/Biofin

the plan might work, said Ed Bata, TCP senior ranger and field operations officer.

“The animals we caught were too old to adapt to captivity. We also caught them from AruyanMalati instead of the Iglit-Baco Park, where the biggest animals thrive. If we start with younger stock and give the animals a larger area to occupy, they might just breed,” Bata explained.

The gene pool zone currently houses only Kalibasib and various animals recovered from wildlife traders.

Bata is part of a team of 28 tamaraw rangers operating in the four remaining areas where tamaraw live. Around 15 are permanently stationed in the Iglit-Baco Park, where they work with MIBNP’s separate team of park rangers.

These two ranger groups stand at the forefront of conservation.

Rangers need help

Together, TCP and MIBNP rangers work to ward off poachers, dismantle spring-loaded balatik

and deadly silo snare traps while discouraging the park’s indigenous Taw’buid and Buhid tribes folk from engaging in slash-andburn farming.

“It’s no easy task since the tribes must feed their growing families,” said TCP Head Neil Anthony del Mundo. “As their numbers swell, so do their requirements for space and food, which is why they’re setting up more traps, even inside core zones. This is a challenge faced by all protected areas inhabited by people.”

The life of a tamaraw ranger is fraught with difficulty—the risk is high, the pay is low.

TCP was created to bolster tamaraw conservation efforts in 1979 through Executive Order 544. However, it was setup as a special project instead of an office, so only its head is a regular employee with benefits.

In 2018, TCP was a l lot ted P4.2 mi l lion for operations. In 2019, t he budget was sl ashed to P3. 3 m i l l ion , 75 perce nt of wh ic h went to person ne l

sa l a r ies, leav ing l it t le for op erat iona l a nd f ield e x penses.

Despite the fact that most rangers have put in an average of 10 years’ service and stay in the field a month at a time, none of them get benefits despite years of dangerous fieldwork. “ TCP must be institutionalized as an office to secure better pay, permanent tenure and government benefits for its hardworking rangers. Our tamaraw rangers go out against hunters armed with military-grade rif les. Communist rebels pass through the same places they patrol. Poisonous snakes, charging tamaraw, animal traps, dangerously swollen rivers…every time our boys go out on patrol, one foot’s already in the grave,” adds June Pineda, former TCP head and now the municipal environment and natural resources officer for San Jose, capital of Occidental Mindoro.

To gather much-needed resources for TCP and various protected areas nationwide, Biofin is helping raise funds via bank account donations to Metrobank account number 750-001-5620.

“A little help goes a long way.

We ask fellow [Filipinos] to donate just a bit to save the tamaraw and the rangers to keep them alive and kicking,” said Biofin Philippines Project Manager Anabelle Plantilla. “Through their efforts and sacrifice, they have managed to grow the tamaraw number from 100 to about 600.”

Since its inception in 2012, Biofin has worked with both the public and private sectors to enhance protection for the country’s biodiversity hot spots by helping secure funds to implement sound biodiversity programs.

Biofin helped organize the Biocamp, creating a network of allies for tamaraw conservation, while supporting the production of a documentary called “Suwag o Suko” that was launched in October 2019.

Biofin’s second phase in the Philippines runs from 2018 to 2022 and includes the implementation of finance solutions to raise resources for the tamaraw and other endangered species through creative crowdfunding from corporations, government units, schools and individuals.

Back in the Iglit-Baco Park, a small man in a loincloth emerges from a field of upland corn.

“Help us. We need medicine,” coughs Ben Mitra, a Taw’ buid fufu-ama (elder), who years ago taught this writer to hunt lizards with a gadun, a tribal shortbow. He’s aged visibly with his hair-speckled gray.

Our group, already returning to the lowlands, stops to dig out whatever medicine we have left.

“Fadi-fadi,” he said in Taw’buid, accepting our goods. Thank you.

As we trek back down, we pray they’ll be spared from disease and the fate of Old Fausto’s nowabandoned forest village. Gregg Yan

California eyes climate bond to prepare for disasters Nasa: Smoke from Australia’s fire will complete a full circuit of Earth S

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nce was bad enough. But smoke from Australia’s devastating bushfires is set to return to the country to complete a round-the-world trip that has seen it impact on air quality as far away as South America.

By January 8, the smoke had made its way halfway around the world and will make at least one full circuit, according to scientists at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), citing satellite-tracking data.

New Zealand experienced severe airquality issues, while hazy skies and colorful sunsets and sunrises were seen in parts of

Chile and Argentina.

“The fires in Australia are not just causing devastation locally,” Nasa said in a media release. “The unprecedented conditions that include searing heat combined with historic dryness, have led to the formation of an unusually large number of pyrocumulonimbus events.”

A fleet of Nasa satellites working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia.

The uplift of smoke and ash from the fires has triggered fire -induced thunderstorms, which provide a pathway

for the smoke to travel more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) up into the stratosphere, Nasa said.

“Once in the stratosphere, the smoke can travel thousands of miles from its source, affecting atmospheric conditions globally,” it said.

The fires have burned across an area twice the size of Switzerland causing at least 28 deaths and destroying thousands of homes.

They have also pumped out more than half of the country’s annual carbon-dioxide emissions in another setback for the fight against climate change. Bloomberg News

ACRAMENTO, California—In a state burdened by billions of dollars in wildfire damage, California lawmakers are hoping for an advance loan before the next climate-fueled catastrophe hits.

L a w m a ke r s i n t h e D e m o c r a t i c dominated state Legislature return to work last week for the second year of a two-year session.

Their to-do list includes a $4.2-billion climate bond, an ambitious proposal to borrow money before they need it to prepare for the types of natural disasters that have plagued the state.

The disasters are so destructive they forced the nation’s largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric, to file for bankruptcy last year.

The borrowing proposal is one of dozens of holdover bills from last year that are still alive in 2020 but must pass at least one legislative chamber by the end of January to have a chance at becoming law.

The logjam is complicated by an accelerated election cycle that puts many lawmakers on primary election ballots in March instead of June, making it less likely for politically risky proposals to advance.

“We have kind of a perfect storm,” said veteran Democratic political consultant Andrew Acosta.

Catastrophic wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes, generating billions of dollars in insurance claims and costing taxpayers billions more in cleanup costs.

The bulk of the borrowing proposal,

detailed in similar efforts authored by Democrat Ben Allen in the Senate and Democrat Eduardo Garcia in the Assembly, would go toward reducing wildfire risk throughout the state.

It also includes money to protect farmland from climate change, bolster the state’s scarce water sources and help coastal communities plan for sea level rise.

The $4.2-`billion price tag could grow as lawmakers discuss adding more projects for things like buying solar batteries and fuel cells to keep the lights on at nursing homes and other vulnerable sites when utility companies preemptively shut off electricity to prevent wildfires during windy conditions. AP

Biodiversity Monday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Monday, January 20, 2020

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

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ACB head: Animals should be rescued, shelters should be set up

By Lyn Resurreccion

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cenes of pets, work and other animals being rescued by their owners, or those which unfortunately died as a result of having been buried in tons of ash spewed by Taal Volcano since it erupted on January 12 are in the news and social-media platforms.

This, as more hazardous eruptions are expected that may put the lives of people and animals in more danger.

Such sights break the hearts of pet lovers, children and even ordinary people who are concerned with the animal welfare.

Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Executive Director Theresa Mundita Lim said affected animals should be “rescued, subjected to proper physical examination and shelters should be set up.”

“There should be shelters to be set up for affected animals, as well. As with

people, they can be affected by silicosis brought about by inhaling ‘ash’ from Taal, leading to pulmonary diseases,” Lim told the BusinessMirror in an interview through the Messenger on Tuesday. “ They should be rescued, subjected to proper physical examination by qualified veterinarians and rehabilitated,” she added.

If they are wild animals, the wildlife expert said, “they may be released later after rehabilitation, in adjacent areas that are part of their natural habitat but less affected by volcanic activity.”

Asked on initial assessment on the damage on wildlife, and other plants and animals caused by Taal Volcano’s eruption, the former head of Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said: “I presume the DENRBMB for wild fauna and the DA-BAI [Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry] for domestic animals

Men carry piglets, which they rescued across the lake in Talisay, Batangas province, as Taal Volcano continues to spew ash on January 14. AP/Aaron Favila

should already be initiating this by this time, together with animal welfare and wildlife conservation groups, and other

civic organizations concerned.”

She added: “We, at ACB, having our headquarters within Calabarzon, are

ready to support activities that will look into the impact of such natural disasters on the biodiversity [including wild species of flora and fauna] in the area, and how these impacts can be mitigated or reduced.”

In a news release on Wednesday, Lim commended the recent pronouncements of the DENR and other concerned groups in saving stranded animals and wildlife in affected areas, noting the necessity for the enforcement of an evacuation plan for animals during emergencies.

The ACB executive director said emergencies like this provide the region valuable insights and learnings that will help each Asean member-state develop better measures that take into account biodiversity and nature-based solutions in disaster management.

She added that these lessons would enhance the existing Asean Disaster Management Reference Handbook that

serves as an initial source of information for individuals preparing for disaster risk reduction activities or immediate deployment to Asean member-states.

“We hope we can create the optimum conditions to promote natural regeneration and ecosystem restoration to recover lost biodiversity and biodiversity-based livelihoods that will translate to resiliency and adaptability in the country, within the Asean region, and for the people of Asean,” she said.

The ACB is an intergovernmental organization created by Asean member-states to facilitate cooperation and coordination among member-states, as well as with regional and international organizations on conserving and sustainably using biodiversity aside from promoting fair and equitable sharing of benefits from utilizing this natural resource.

Taal Volcano’s protected area, unique biodiversity in peril T

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

he eruption since January 12 of Taal Volcano, one of the world’s smallest, has caused devastating impacts on surrounding communities, with tons of volcanic ash spewed that have covered entire villages and towns near it.

Tens of thousands of people in Batangas have fled their homes for safety amid the threat of hazardous magmatic eruption, which similar activity in 1754 had changed the landscape of Batangas.

The successive eruptions and spewing of volcanic debris since January 12 has threatened not only people who were caught flat-footed by the sudden turn of events. It also devastated the unique ecosystems and the wildlife that thrives within.

Unique volcano, unique lake Taal Volcano and Taal Lake form a unique landscape described as a lake within a volcano, within a lake.

Situated in Batangas province, Taal Volcano is at the heart of the Taal Lake, the third-largest lake in the Philippines, next to the Laguna de Bay and Lake Lanao.

Taal was identified as Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior for being “worthy of particular study in light of their history of large eruptions and proximity to populated areas.”

Protected area The volcano and the lake’s surround ing landscape, for m the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL), a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act, which has a total of 62,292 hectares.

Formerly known as Taal Volcano Island National Park, the popular tourist site approximately 95 kilometers south of Manila, was declared a Protected Landscape under Presidential Proclamation 923 on November 19, 1996.

A common treasure T V P L’s n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s a r e sh a re d b y l a k eshore ba r a n g ay s

the only freshwater sea snake in the country.

Residents walk at their volcanic ashcovered village in Laurel, Batangas province, as Taal Volcano continues to spew ash on January 14. AP/Aaron Favila

Devastating impact

A forestry expert, Calderon said volcanic eruptions can be very devastating.

What is happening in Taal Volcano’s environment, he said, happened during Mount Mayon and Mount Pinatubo eruptions.

Director Ludy Wagan of the DENR’s Forest Management Bureau (FMB) said volcanic debris, such as ash and lava, which usually contain sulfur dioxide, have an adverse impact and can affect vast tracts of forestland.

“They can definitely kill trees, shrubs, and grasslands,” she said, adding that volcanic debris are minerals that can be toxic to plants and animals, as they are to humans.

f rom d if ferent tow ns in Batangas and Tagay tay Cit y in Cav ite.

Around the lake can be found fish cages and fish pens where tilapia and bangus are grown by communities.

The lake, being a tourist magnet, also employs fishermen who work as tour guides and offer boat rides to visitors.

As such, the TVPL continues to generate much-needed government revenues, and create jobs and livelihood opportunities for the towns of Talisay, Malvar, Tanauan, Laurel, Agoncillo, Santa Teresita, Cuenca, Alitagtag, Mataas na kahoy, Lipa City, Balete, San Nicolas, Lemery and Taal, all in the province of Batangas; and Tagaytay City in Cavite province.

Worse is yet to come

tiporda on Thursday appealed to the public not to harm wildlife species fleeing Taal Volcano.

Antiporda made the appeal as he turned over to Calderon a hornbill that was rescued by a member of the Cavite Educators Lions Club.

The hornbill is now under the care of the DENR’s Wildlife Rescue and Research Center at the Ninoy Aquino Park in Quezon City.

Calderon said field personnel of the DENR are out to secure rescued wildlife but said so far, it appears that only one has, so far, been rescued.

He said it is likely that many species from the island have escaped and sought refuge to nearby habitats, but expressed fear that because of the eruption of the volcano, many could have perished as tons of ash have covered entire ecosystems within the protected area.

Conservation area

It was classified as “Extremely High Urgent” for biodiversity conservation, based on the results of the National Biodiversity Conservation Priority Setting Project that was jointly undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies, and Conservation International Philippines.

TVPL is one of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) of the Philippines.

DENR Assistant Secretar y R icardo Calderon, also the concurrent BMB director, said they intend to conduct a rapid assessment of the damage wrought by the eruption as soon as possible.

The lake and its surrounding environment are home to many species of flora and fauna, a number of which are endemic or can be found only in the Philippines.

Rich biodiversity Bei ng a K B A , T V PL i s r ic h i n

Satellite image of the lake and volcano island within it. Wikimedia Commons

Unique species

biod iversit y. It s Biolog ic a l P ro f i le, accord ing to t he DENR-BMB, st ates t h at w i ld fau n a l spec ies found in the area consists of white a nd brow n heron, c row a nd ot her com mon bi rd spec ies.

Monitor lizard, different species of snakes and frogs also dominantly thrive in the area.

Moreover, the lake is home to different kind of fish species.

Common species found in the lake

Tawilis (Sardinella tawilis) is the only freshwater sardine known in the world. The maliputo that thrives in the lake, commonly known as the “giant trevally,” is also a freshwater fish having adapted to the lake’s water condition for centuries since the volcano’s 1754 eruption.

These are the most valuable fish in the area that demands massive conservation.

Taal Lake is also home to a venomous sea snake (Hydrophis semperi),

are tawilis, maliputo, tilapia, bangus, hito, dalag, biya and ayungin.

The DENR-BMB believes that many floral and faunal species in the area have already perished.

To survive, animals must fly or swim across the lake where they are in danger of being captured by communities.

Public appeal DENR Undersecretary Benny D. An-

Experts believe the worst is yet to come to Taal-affected areas as the ongoing eruptions may turn violent as warned by volcano experts.

Currently, Taal Volcano is placed under Alert Level 4 but Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology maintains that magmatic hazardous eruption can happen anytime.

This means a more devastating impact on people and their surrounding environments, which may compel authorities to declare additional high-risk areas outside the 14-kilometer radius from the main crater of the volcano.

Along with it is the devastation of TVPL’s rich biodiversity.

Mount Pinatubo experience Like what happened in Mount Pinatubo, a dormant volcano for more than 600 years before its eruption in 1991, its entire forest, river, caves and other ecosystems were destroyed as they were buried underneath tons of volcanic debris spewed by the volcano.

“It can completely destroy entire ecosystems and displace wildlife,” he said.

As people in high-risk areas near Taal Volcano flee their homes, Calderon said many wildlife escape and seek refuge in nearby habitats.

However, what is worse, Calderon added, is that it would take time for biodiversity to recover, which usually starts with the natural regeneration of forests.

“On Mount Pinatubo, we can see that it took many years before wildlife was able to return and thrive,” he said.

A10 Monday, January 20, 2020 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Our ‘Bayanihan’ spirit

O

ver the years we have become accustomed to seeing relief goods given in times of calamity plastered with stickers announcing which national or local politician was so generous.

Perhaps, that is just a part of our human nature.

Some 2,000 years ago, the author of the biblical Book of Matthew wrote recounting the Sermon on the Mount: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.

If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.”

Ordinary people do the same thing as the politicians. However, there is a line—although sometimes confusing—between a person saying “Get off your comfortable chair and do something to help” and “Look at how generous I am.” But we should give everyone—except maybe some politicians—the benefit of the doubt.

The news reports have been both depressing and uplifting. “‘We’ve Lost Everything:’ Fleeing Volcano Means Losing Livelihoods.” “More than 20,000 children evacuated from the ‘danger zone.’” “Twelve towns, two cities in Batangas under mandatory evacuation.” “SM holding medical mission in Taal evacuation centers.” “Groups saving stranded animals near Taal Volcano.” “Over 2,000 volunteers sign up for Taal Volcano relief work.”

Each year the United Kingdom-based Charities Aid Foundation publishes its World Giving Index using data gathered by Gallup, and ranks over 140 countries in the world according to how charitable they are. The results for its 2018 survey might be surprising.

The index measures the answers to these questions: “Which of the following three charitable acts have you done in the past month—Helped a stranger who needed help, donated money to a charity or volunteered your time to a charitable organization.”

Indonesia ranked first in 2018 because of the willingness of its people to donate money and time. Australia came in second primarily because its people give money but not time. The United States—usually at first or second—came in fourth. However, the US is a strong leader in the category of “Helping a stranger.”

In 2018, the Philippines ranked number 89, alongside Pakistan and Bolivia. Our ranking in the category Helping a stranger came in at 102, “Donating money” at 117, but for “Donating time” at number 39.

We would like to think that the low score for helping strangers is that most everyone in the Philippines is not a “stranger” being connected by blood, marriage, affinity, or geography. The low score for money might be because we do not donate on a regular basis.

However, the survey might miss an important Filipino characteristic that in times of trouble we do pull together. “Philippine grandma sews face masks for Taal Volcano evacuees.” “Santo Tomas, Batangas: Street vendors give up a day of their income to feed the evacuees at the PUP.” “Man in GMA, Cavite, handing out free masks to Caviteños affected by volcanic ashfall.”

The Philippines may not rank as high as other nations on the World Giving Index. Nonetheless, during times of calamity—despite all of our missteps—our bayanihan spirit is still alive and well.

Since 2005

How to send help Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

RISING SUN

I

would like to reserve this space today for some public service related to the disaster in Taal. Some of the positive outcomes of this recent calamity are the spirit of cooperation, resilience and bayanihan that our fellow Filipinos have shown in the face of adversity.

Since the event happened on January 12, there have been various efforts geared toward extending assistance to victims of the eruption. From extending donations and services to mounting events and fund-raising efforts to collect donations, the collective action has been overwhelming.

In fact, it has been so overwhelming that it has become disorganized, or unsystematic. Individuals and small groups are mobilizing help alongside big organizations and relief agencies. Even individuals are making personal efforts to

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contribute and help—proof that one really does not need to work with a big organization or to raise plenty of money to extend help.

This is all good, of course, but it is, likewise, important to distribute help evenly to all evacuation centers, especially now that the Taal Volcano continues to be placed on Alert Level 4.

The Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Regional DRRM Council in Calabarzon have set up the Taal Volcano Eruption Donation Hub for this purpose.

W

omen, Business and the Law 2020 Report (the “Report”)is the sixth in a series of studies conducted by the staff of the World Bank. The Report’s indicators are constructed based on feedback from 2,000 respondents with expertise in family, labor and criminal law, including lawyers, judges, academics, and members of civil society organizations working on gender issues.

It analyzes laws and regulations affecting women’s economic opportunity in 190 countries, the Philippines included. The Report (with data as recent as September 1, 2019), assessed the economies with eight indicators that describe women’s interactions with the law as they begin, progress through and end their careers. The indicators were chosen based on statistically significant associations with outcomes related to women’s empowerment, including women’s labor force participation rates. The Report (in Table 1.1), lists down the following indicators: Table 1.1 What does the women, business and the law index measure? n Mobility 1. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man?

2. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man?

3. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man?

4. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? n Workplace 1. Can a woman get a job in the same way as a man?

2. Does the law prohibit discrimination in employment based on gender?

3. Is there legislation on sexual harassment in employment?

4. Are there criminal penalties or civil remedies for sexual harassment in employment? n Pay 1. Does the law mandate equal remuneration for work of equal value?

2. Can women work the same night hours as men?

3. Can women work in jobs deemed dangerous in the same way as men?

Relief goods are brought to the hub where local government officials take charge in the distribution and delivery of the donations fairly across all centers where the evacuees are staying.

Donors may contact these numbers for details: 0928-3443055, 0915-3104230, 0942-8071853, and (043) 706-8870. The hub is located at the Batangas Provincial DRRM Office, Dalubhasaan Building, Provincial Sports Complex, Barangay Bolbok, Batangas City.

Here is a list of the primary needs of the people staying at the evacuation centers: hygiene kits; portalets; bottled water; food items; tents and shelter materials; sleeping kits; medicine (antihypertension, cough remedies, antihistamine, anti-vertigo); N95 masks; and nebulizer kits.

For those who would like to send cash donations, money may be deposited in these bank accounts: n Peso account: Provincial Government of Batangas, Account No. 0-05010-656-3, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Batangas City Branch; and/or

n Dollar account: Provincial Government of Batangas, Account No. 0304-000139, Land Bank of the Philippines, Batangas City Branch.

The National DRRM Council (NDRRMC) is also coordinating donations through the following offices: n OCD and NDRRM Operations Center-Karen Kaye Caballero, 09178275743; n Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Resource Operations Center—Charles Ronda, 0905-3427647 for in-kind donations; Elma Pille, 0915-2028009 for cash and foreign donations.

Cash donations may also be deposited in the NDRRMC’s current accounts with the DBP Camp Aguinaldo Branch: n Peso account: 000-00149435-3; and/or n Dollar account: 01-5-00047435-4.

It’s great that we are all working together to help our brothers and sisters in the areas affected by the volcanic eruption. Let us continue to act and to also pray that life there goes back to normal very soon.

4. Are women able to work in the same industries as men? n Marriage 1. Is there no legal provision that requires a married woman to obey her husband?

2. Can a woman be head of household in the same way as a man?

3. Is there legislation specifically addressing domestic violence?

4. Can a woman obtain a judgment of divorce in the same way as a man?

5. Does a woman have the same rights to remarry as a man? n Parenthood 1. Is paid leave of at least 14 weeks available to mothers?

2. Does the government administer 100 percent of maternity leave benefits?

3. Is paid leave available to fathers?

4. Is there paid parental leave?

5. Is dismissal of pregnant workers prohibited? n Entrepreneurship 1. Does the law prohibit discrimination in access to credit based on gender?

2. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man?

3. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man?

4. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? n Assets 1. Do men and women have equal ownership rights to immovable property?

2. Do sons and daughters have equal rights to inherit assets from

their parents?

3. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal rights to inherit assets?

4. Does the law grant spouses equal administrative authority over assets during marriage?

5. Does the law provide for the valuation of nonmonetary contributions? n Pension 1. Are the ages at which men and women can retire with full pension benefits equal?

2. Are the ages at which men and women can retire with partial pension benefits equal?

3. Are the mandatory retirement ages for men and women equal?

4. Are periods of absence due to child care accounted for in pension benefits?

Eight economies rated a perfect score of 100 points, meaning that women are on an equal legal standing with men across all the above eight indicators. These countries are mostly European: Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden. The exception was Canada. The Philippines barely improved in terms of advancing women’s emancipation with a rating of 81.25 points in 2019, compared to 81.3 points in the 2020 report. The average global score in 2019 is 75.2 points, compared to 73.9 points as measured in 2017.

The Parenthood Indicator has been the most popular area of reform, with 16 economies, including the See “Kapunan,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Volunteers against traffic Humans are like trees Thomas M. Orbos

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

STREET TALK

THE PATRIOT

ne noble Filipino characteristic that sprouted out of the eruption of Taal Volcano was the spirit of volunteerism. Almost immediately, calls for donations and participation in various on-site missions were posted on Facebook.

Whether donors belonged to local government units, or nongovernment organizations, families, alumni groups, neighborhood associations—so many people were chipping in. Even donations from fellow Filipinos stationed at the Kalayaan Islands found their way to the affected areas. It is indeed true that the best of us comes out in times of tragedy. And we have a meaningful Tagalog word for it, bayanihan—bayani and bayan. We instantly go beyond ourselves whenever there is a call to help the bayan or the community.

aal Volcano erupted. People have been evacuated. Families have been displaced. Farms and fish pens have been damaged. Animals have been left behind. As of today, there are trees and plants still covered with ashes.

O

Imagine if we can nurture and extract that kind of spirit to address one common tragedy we face every day, and that is traffic. We can pull in that attitude of anger, helplessness and despair that we commonly are beset with every day because of the seemingly unsolvable situation and transform that raging emotion into something more beneficial and good.

To a certain extent, volunteerism on the road is nothing new. During Holy Week, we see volunteers from various socio-civic organizations providing roadside assistance to motorists on their annual vacation trek. Or during heavy downpours where traffic is at its worse and enforcers cannot be in all places at the same time, you would almost always find private individuals coming out of their vehicles to try and help out. And lately, we witnessed, as if on cue, private motorcycle riders instantly taking the role of escorts for an ambulance van weaving through traffic, warning motorists to move aside.

So why not institutionalize volunteerism to help government manage traffic? One, volunteering is so natural for us. Look at the number of volunteers responding to the call whenever there is a calamity. Second, volunteering allows us to let off steam and address that helplessness brought about by traffic in a positive way; and, lastly, the government, whether officials admit it or not, needs all the help it can get to keep the flow of vehicles in our cities moving. Our enforcers are already tired and few are battling the massive traffic mess every day.

There are numerous ways we all can become volunteers to solve traffic. Think of student-parent organizations helping marshal the flow of traffic leading to and out of the schools during school days; or residents of gated communities organizing carpools and school service. Volunteerism can even be as institutionalized for private companies that want to do traffic service as their CSR. They can “adopt” a road, a street or an intersection as their main area of coverage where they can help out it in

The best kind of volunteerism is the one that we do on our own without the drumbeating of an organization or a campaign. It is when we willingly follow the traffic rules even when no one is watching us. It is when we line up and not counterflow; or when we load and park only at allowed areas. Even making sure that our cars are roadworthy is a kind of volunteerism. maintaining the cleanliness and security of the area; funding the electricity for streetlights; repair and repaint the signs and the pedestrian lanes; and, maybe, even donate food allowances for the enforcers, aside from being on the ground once in a while. Various chambers of commerce and industry can also have their parallel traffic volunteer groups, similar to volunteer firefighters, funding the equipment and vehicles. The government correspondingly can give civilians the proper training and recognition, thereby strengthening these traffic “militias” or “force multipliers.”

Schools can also be allowed to offer traffic management courses and have them accredited as an elective subject.

But the best kind of volunteerism is the one that we do on our own without the drumbeating of an organization or a campaign. It is when we willingly follow the traffic rules even when no one is watching us. It is when we line up and not counterflow; or loading and parking only at the allowed areas. Even making sure that our cars are roadworthy is a kind of volunteerism.

Yes, there is hope in the Filipino when we see the abundance of volunteers in trying times and, yes, there is hope indeed in resolving traffic if all of us volunteer to do what we can in our own way to address the calamity that is traffic.

Thomas Tim Orbos was former DOTr undersecretary for roads and general manager of the MMDA. He is currently undertaking further studies at the McCourt School of Public Policy of Georgetown University. He can be reached via e-mail at thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu

Kapunan. . .

continued from A10

Philippines, enacting positive changes. The Philippines’s score in parenthood jumped to 80 points from 60 points previously, due to the recent passage of a law that extended the duration of paid maternity leave from 60 days to 105 days.

The Philippines rated 100 points in the indicators of workplace, pay, entrepreneurship; 75 points each in mobility and pension; but scored a low 60 points in marriage and assets.

David R. Malpass, president of the World Bank Group, in his “Foreword” to the Report notes that although social mores are improving and many countries have improved the regulatory environment for women over the last two years, much work remains. As he aptly sums up: “We shouldn’t be satisfied until every young girl can move through her life without facing legal barriers to her success!”

Attribution: World Bank: 2020. Women, Business and the Law 2020. Women, Business and the Law. Washington, D.C.: World Bank. doi: 10.1596/978-1-4648-1532-4.

License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO

T

trees. They proffered that trees, as created, were mandated to be fruitful in the same way that humans were created in God’s image to be productive. In so many stories in the Bible, trees (fruit, seed, branch, root, forest, vine, leaf, fig, palm, olive) are most often mentioned just as much as humans. Trees are often written, perhaps, because of their cultural context when the Bible was written. But the main point of their discourse is that most of the Biblical names, stories, and parables are intimately related to trees, not by accident. From the very first stories about tree(s) in the Garden of Eden up until the tree in Golgotha (where Jesus was crucified), humans and trees are interdependent of each other. Some of the interesting contrasts between the two include that the first tree brought sin and death while the last tree brought life and salvation; that the first tree turned man out of eternity with God while

My farm in the southern part of Silang, Cavite, which is about 13 kilometers away from the crater of Taal, was not spared. More than 800 calamansi, avocado, pine, papaya, narra, coconut trees were badly hit just like the rest of my neighbors.

Before the eruption, the happy colors of yellow, red, green and white surround the entire community. After all, this part of Silang is famous for decorative trees and ornamental plants used by landscaping architects and gardening enthusiasts. After the eruption, scenes in this gloomy area depict some kind of apocalypse or Armageddon. As it stands now, my farm can serve as a backdrop in any ghostly or ghastly battle scene, just like in the movie Avengers: Infinity War! Relatedly, in one of their interesting podcasts, creators of The Bible Project, Timothy Mackie and Jonathan Collins, discussed the metaphorical idea that humans are like

Selling sustainability Peachie Dioquino-Valera

DEBIT CREDIT

Part One

S

ustainability. An often times overused terminology thrown around in the last three decades, yet never gaining its full potential in the corporate world. Why? Most likely than not, traditional corporate thinking, which sees sustainability as something that counters chance for profits, still remains.

In 2020, I believe that enterprises should take heed of this “S” word (despite its stigmas). Because even if it seems like a utopian mission, it is now recognized as a strong market driver.

Sustainability is not just about being green. It’s a mindset that aims to foster growth by ensuring equal attention to the 3 Es: Environment, Equality and Economy. And by aiming for prosperity, we do not overlook the planet by driving our already scarce resources to the brim of exhaustion and disregarding the natural consequences of our greed.

And that by aiming for global growth,

we do not discount human rights and work force ideation along the way; that workers or employees are not beneath investors or stakeholders, and vice versa. Our people engagement and management should be healthy and fair.

They say it should only take a “coupla” minutes to present to heads or decision-makers and, in that short time, their after-four-minutes-ofyour-presentation-disposition is made up of their biases; your persuasiveness; your messaging construction; your ability to compress massive content into, give or take, two to three slides; and immediate

Monday, January 20, 2020 A11

the other tree is the path to eternity with God. Adopting this idea and by way of analogy, let’s say that trees (and plants) in my farm are like humans. As a result of the Taal eruption, some of my trees (young calamansi) are likely beyond saving since their roots are not as deeply grounded as the others.

Some died (papaya) soon upon impact since their leaves are not as resilient as the others. Others died (ube/purple yam) but not without producing crop underneath. Some will survive the volcanic ashfall but only after some deliberate washing and cleaning. In the same manner, humans whenever subjected to trials, some will perish while others will survive depending on the extent of their faith in God. The more grounded they are to the Word of God, the greater are their chances of seeing through these trials. In the Bible, James 1:2-4 tells us, “when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

Some men may surrender to depression since their foundational relationship with Christ Jesus is not as strong (young calamansi). Some may perish but not without influencing others toward becoming believers (producing crop like an ube). To a certain extent, the proposition of Tim and Jon that humans are like trees

expenses that your project may entail. So how do we pitch something so complex and colossal such as sustainability in just one go? Apologies, but I don’t have the concrete answer. It is indeed challenging.

However, I will offer some key points that may help along the way.

First, we have to know exactly what company (or the boss) we are proposing to. We have to take into account what the C level peeps’ inclinations, principles, attitudes and character are. How are they positioning their companies? Are they leaning toward the never-ending upkeep of their branding? Are they PR sensitive? Are they ready to embrace social and environmental strategies?

Or is it just “money3x!” (to the tune of Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice)? Because even if your presentation merits a UN award and a round of applause, if it goes against their personal strategies and obstinate mindsets, then your noteworthy suggestions will end up in the reject file. Yes, it is painful to witness it, but we should come to terms with this reality, and rework our pitch. It may even be a career-limiting move. Uh-oh, not good! If you want the company you are working for to champion sustainability, then you must learn how to be a good salesperson.

are depicted by the different trees in my Silang farm. Resilience is largely dependent on hope and our hope is anchored on the Word of God. Most of my trees in Silang will produce more fruits relying on the notion that volcanic ash can make the soil more fertile, eventually. Equally important is my belief that trials in life can only make us stronger.

I have seen and heard testimonies about personal struggles which made such witnesses more productive in terms of inspiring others to believe in Him and share the good news. All the events and circumstances in our lives, especially the difficult ones, definitely impact how we can produce better “fruits” in the process.

Yes, humans are like trees. We were both created to bear fruit, in the literal and symbolical sense of the word. Symbolically, the fruits of the trees can be a greener, cleaner and safer environment whereas the fruits of humans can be a God-fearing, law-abiding and peace loving communities. I remain confident that these physical trees and the trees within us will eventually survive any ordeal that comes our way. Always remember, seeds grow to become trees depending on how we plant them and care for them. Let’s plant more seeds, both in our backyard, as well as in the hearts of others, to have better, stronger and healthier trees around us.

For questions and comments, please e-mail me

at sbmison@gmail.com.

I believe Brian Tracy (the silver fox with the dazzling smile) when he says: “Everyone is a salesperson.”

We’re being one in our everyday life!

Whether you’re having a garage sale or asking your boss for a higher pay, or even when you’re pressing your toddler to eat his/her greens. It’s a constant negotiation in every form and the first question to answer is the “Why?” Why should they say “Yes!” to whatever you’re proposing? With regards to sustainability, it’s what everyone desires, but not everyone buys. Why? Due to seemingly numerous conflicts and inconveniences that such kind of shift may entail. Also, some heads are afraid to make that leap of faith for fear of going bankrupt during the transition stage, or simply it may cost more than its ROI. You see a huge chunk of the problem? It still weighs heavily on the economics facet.

(To be continued)

Peachie Dioquino-Valera is a Climate Reality Leader of Al Gore’s The Climate Reality Project.

She is a Futures Learning Advisor of Center for Engaged Foresight.

This column accepts contributions from the business community, especially articles on business and economy. These can be e-mailed to boa.secretariat.@gmail.com

What the China trade deal means for US oil producers

By Julian Lee Bloomberg Opinion

O

n the face of it, the phase one trade deal signed between the US and China last week looks set to provide a big boost to American oil and gas producers who need to develop new export markets.

Just how well they fare against exporters who are much closer to the world’s biggest energy importer may depend as much on economics as on politics.

The energy trade section of the deal signed on January 15 commits China to increasing its purchases of American energy products—crude oil, refined products, liquefied natural gas and coal—from levels seen in 2017, a high-point for US exporters before the trade war began to hamper bilateral relationships. The countries agreed that shipments should increase from the 2017 level by no less than $18.5 billion this year and be at least $33.9 billion above the

same baseline in 2021.

US producers need to develop new export markets to soak up production that is still growing faster than domestic energy needs. That oversupply is capping domestic crude and natural gas prices, and hurting their bottom lines. Back in the baseline year of 2017, before China retaliated to the first wave of US tariffs on its exports, American exporters shipped $9 billion worth of energyrelated products to China, according to the International Trade Commission. Crude oil exports reached 78.7 million barrels, according to the commission, or 81.8 million barrels, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

According to the EIA, crude accounted for half of all US oil exports to China in 2017, while natural gas liquids (ethane and butane)—key components of much of the production from US shale plays—accounted for another third.

Exports of natural gas to China

also jumped to $2.5 billion in 2017, driven in part by increased export capacity at Cheniere’s Sabine Pass liquefaction terminal in Louisiana, according to the trade commission, but that was still only a small fraction of total liquefied natural gas

by US producers. The IEA puts 2017 LNG shipments to China at 103 billion cubic feet, or 15 percent of total exports from the US. The volume fell in both 2018 and 2019.

So that means the deal should result in a huge jump in US oil and gas export to China. If the entire increase were to be in the form of crude, the industry could expect an additional 770,000 barrels a day of exports in 2020 and 1.4 million barrels a day in 2021, based on a WTI price of $60 a barrel and shipment cost of $5.50.

But, US exporters may not have an easy job in prizing open the Chinese market for US energy products, especially if Chinese import tariffs of 5 percent for American crude oil and 25 percent for LNG and propane

remain in effect.

Gas exporters may find it particularly difficult. China imported 121 billion cubic meters (4.29 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas in 2018, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, with about 60 percent of the total in the form of LNG and the rest delivered by pipeline from countries in Central Asia. China’s biggest LNG suppliers—Australia, Qatar, Malaysia and Indonesia—are all much closer than the US, which gives them significant shipping-cost advantages. US natural gas feedstock prices will have to stay low enough to offset that shipping disadvantage.

The list of other potential hurdles is long. There will be greater competition from pipeline supplies with the start-up of the Power of Siberia link from Russia’s East Siberia, which will deliver at least 5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas this year. That volume will double in 2021 and, eventually, rise to as much as 38 billion cubic meters per year.

And all gas suppliers will face the challenges of weaker Chinese demand growth as the country faces economic headwinds and a plethora of competitive supply options, according to consultancy group Wood Mackenzie. China’s own gas production is projected to rise by 9 percent this year.

In the oil sector, US suppliers met just 3 percent of China’s crude oil import requirements in 2018, giving them plenty of room for growth. US grades are unlikely to supplant flows from the Middle East, which are typically heavy and sour (containing high concentrations of sulfur that have to be removed). Russian crude is similar, as is much of the oil imported from Central and South America. Their easiest targets may be producers in West Africa and the North Sea, which pump crudes that are more like US grades than those from China’s other big suppliers. But even here US producers are at a disadvantage in terms of distance and thus transport costs.

A12 Monday, January 20, 2020

‘No illegal arrest’ of water firm execs, Palace claims M

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

ALACAÑANG on Sunday gave assurances there will be no illegal arrest for owners of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. even after President Duterte threatened to detain them indefinitely.

Duterte issued the warning on Friday, saying he will resort to detention in case the owners will “force his hand” by blocking the government from implementing its new service contracts with them by questioning the legality of the documents before the courts.

He said he will retaliate by having the owners detained indefinitely, the same way former President Ferdinand Marcos did against those

who opposed him while martial law was still in effect.

In a radio interview on Sunday, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, however, said the authorities will only arrest the owners of the two water concessionaires with the necessary court order.

“The assumption is there should be a warrant of arrest [before the owners are detained],” Panelo said.

Duterte said he is confident that

the government can come out with an “airtight” case of plunder and large-scale estafa against Maynilad and Manila Water for their alleged onerous service contracts, which were forged during the Ramos administration in 1997, and secured an extension until 2037, years before the original contracts were to lapse in 2022.

Panelo noted that Duterte’s latest pronouncement only aims to show his political will in dealing with the private water concessionaires. Manila Water and Maynilad are led, respectively, by the Ayala Group; and the MVP Group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“There [are some cases wherein even if there is a warrant of arrest, but it still does not lead to an arrest either because [the criminal] has strong [influence] with law enforce-

NEGROS FLUVIAL PARADE TURNS TRAGIC, HANGING BRIDGE’S CABLE SNAPS

ment or the President. This time it will not happen [with the Maynilad and Manila Water case],” Panelo said.

The government is currently drafting new service contracts, which it hopes Maynilad and Manila Water will accept or risk the outright cancellation of their existing service agreements to distribute water in Metro Manila.

“They have issued a statement that they will be very cooperative.

So I suppose that is a good sign,” Panelo said.

But even if both companies implement the new contracts, Panelo said it will not “guarantee their immunity from suits.” “There are some people who may still be interested in filing charges [against them]. Can the government stop them from doing so?,” Panelo said.

PSA told: Explain termination of online contract

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

L

@joveemarie

AWMAKERS on Sunday directed the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to explain its abrupt termination of PSAHelpline.

House Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel said he would call a con-

gressional inquiry should National Statistician and PSA Head Dr. Dennis Mapa fail to explain why the operations of PSAHelpline were stopped.

T h e P S A t e r m i n at e d P S A Helpline last January 4, prompting the online service portal to stop accepting applications for various documents such as birth certificate,

NORTHEAST MONSOON AFFECTING NORTHERN AND CENTRAL LUZON TAIL-END OF A COLD FRONT AFFECTING THE EASTERN SECTION OF SOUTHERN LUZON as of 4:00 am - January 19, 2020

marriage certificate, death certificate and certificate of no marriage record (Cenomar). This prompted complaints from applicants because of the increasing volume of requests and leaving PSA Serbilis as the lone online provider.

PSAHelpline and PSA Serbilis coexisted for 10 years as the two online service providers since the defunct

National Statistics Office (NSO).

“I think that is not right. They are depriving ordinary citizens of good basic service from the national government. This is contrary to pronouncements of President Duterte that all government agencies should provide fast, and efficient, service to Filipinos and cut the red tape. I am considering to request for a legislative inquiry on this matter,” said Pimentel.

Also, House Assistant Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo said the PSA should assess if the remaining online provider can still extend better service to public.

“We must get to the bottom of...why a tested, efficient and corruption-free practice shall be shelved. They must be ready to explain, otherwise their decision would be tainted.

See “PSA,” A2

Trump invites Duterte I

s the third time the charm for United States President Donald Trump who again invited President Duterte to visit America?

On Sunday, Malacañang said Washington sent a letter to Duterte on January 9, reiterating its invitation for him to attend the scheduled meeting of Trump with other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on March 14 in Las Vegas.

“The invitation was first conveyed during the Asean-US meeting at the Asean Summit and related summits in Bangkok last November,” Malacañang said in a statement.

“The invitation of the US came despite a recent US legislation banning entry of all Philippine officials supposedly behind the arrest and continued detention of Sen. Leila de Lima,” it added.

Presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said Duterte has yet to issue a statement if he will accept or decline the offer as of Sunday afternoon.

Duterte also has a long-standing invitation from Trump to visit the US, which has been made since April 2017.

Malacañang said the meeting between Duterte and Trump, if it pushes through, “is expected to reaffirm the long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the US.” Washington has been trying to improve its relations with members of the Asean regional bloc after it was “snubbed” in the last Asean Summit in 2019.

Of the 10 Asean leaders, seven of them, including Duterte, were not able to attend the session with the US at the Asean summit for various reasons.

Some observers attributed it to Trump’s failure to attend the Asean for the second time in a row. Samuel P. Medenilla

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco Correspondent

K

ABANKALAN CITY, Negros Occidental—The annual fluvial parade of the Sinulog Festival in this city was marred by tragedy when a portion of a hanging bridge snapped, sending some of the spectators into the Camugao River early morning on Sunday.

Eight victims, including four minors, who sustained major injuries, were immediately rushed to the hospital while those who sustained minor injuries were treated beside the river.

The Kabankalan City Rescue Unit, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philippine Coast Guard and local police helped in the rescue operation. The Ilog Rescue unit from the nearby municipality volunteered to help in rescuing the victims. One of the victims is a five-month-old baby and was rushed to a private

hospital nearby.

The incident occured around 7 a.m. when the 20-meter-high hanging bridge snapped as the colorfully decorated boats carrying the image of Señor Santo Niño passed by Sitio Camugao in Barangay 6.

Some of the participants of the procession decided to stay upon seeing some persons hanging onto the bridge to be able to extend help while waiting for the rescue team to arrive.

Mayor Pedro Zayco said the city government will give assistance to all the victims who were brought to the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital in the city.

T he mayor also ordered the closure of the 30-year-old bridge.

He added that there is a new bridge, accommodating vehicles, that the people could use. It was inaugurated two years ago.

He expressed hope that no similar incident will happen in the future.

BI cites reforms for huge hike in ’19 take

By Joel R. San Juan

T

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Bureau of Immigration (BI) posted a record high P11.9-billion income last year, 29 percent higher than the agency revenue in 2018, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente reported on Sunday.

He disclosed that the 2019 income is P2.6 billion higher than the agency’s income the previous year, which was P9.2 billion.

“We expect our income to increase again this year as a result of the improvements in services and programs that we instituted for the benefit of the transacting and traveling public,” Morente said.

The increase, according to Morente, may be attributed to the rise in immigration fee collections due to reforms and programs initiated

by President Duterte, which lured more foreigners to visit and do business in the country.

The BI’s income has been steadily increasing over the past years and actually jumped by four-fold from 2012 when the agency posted only P2.7 billion.

“More foreign visitors naturally results in more income from immigration fees for the government. This contributes significantly to government coffers and may be used for major improvement projects for our country,” Morente said in response to reports that the number of foreigners who arrived last year could reach 8 million.

Morente likewise cited the continuing efforts of the BI to modernize its facilities, simplify its procedures and improve its frontline operations.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Companies BusinessMirror

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

January 17, 2020

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BDO LEASING FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

26,530 241,323,167 165,924,595 1,662,185 4,919,864 204,647,704 ( 304,100 102,500 18,708,000 1,277,532.5 117,520 55,655,400 306,275 1,622,650 45,100 17,500 17,100 805,840 17,350 168,625

40,094,967 11,831,844.5 208,825 456,840 25,113,391.5) (4,202,490) 2,275 (11,736,718) (281,712) 36,550 (93,450) (10,410) -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 2.24 2.26 2.28 2.34 2.22 2.26 3,953,000 8,945,420 32.55 33 33 33.1 32.5 32.55 1,190,500 38,787,780 ABOITIZ POWER 0.235 0.236 0.235 0.236 0.232 0.235 1,040,000 242,890 BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN 21.05 21.35 21.35 21.7 20.9 21.05 722,900 15,230,910 FIRST PHIL HLDG 67 67.35 66.55 67.4 66.55 67 27,080 1,816,518 291 295 295 298 291 291 194,860 57,163,154 MERALCO 10.02 10.06 9.7 10.18 9.5 10.06 7,353,000 73,054,797(9, MANILA WATER PETRON 3.93 3.94 3.99 4 3.9 3.93 1,083,000 4,261,640 PHX PETROLEUM 11.76 12 12 12 11.82 12 15,600 186,696 32.95 33 33.2 33.25 32.8 32.95 105,900 3,493,080 1 PILIPINAS SHELL 8.81 8.83 8.83 8.85 8.71 8.81 220,600 1,943,758 SPC POWER AGRINURTURE 11.5 12.46 12.02 12.46 11.8 12.46 1,239,100 15,171,164 AXELUM 2.82 2.84 2.75 2.84 2.75 2.82 3,090,000 8,606,170 14.86 14.9 14.8 14.9 14.74 14.86 521,900 7,752,970 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 4.9 5.15 4.95 5.15 4.95 5.15 6,700 33,310 DNL INDUS 9 9.04 9.3 9.3 9 9 1,093,100 9,903,732 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.25 7.22 7.23 7,720,600 55,819,925 EMPERADOR 72.4 73.4 73.6 75 72.05 73.4 325,010 23,695,056.5 SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT 0.52 0.53 0.53 0.54 0.52 0.53 431,000 227,300 FRUITAS HLDG 1.6 1.61 1.48 1.64 1.48 1.61 77,684,000 123,779,520 37.05 37.85 37.2 38 37 37.85 18,600 692,385 GINEBRA 213 213.6 202 213.6 202 213.6 481,370 101,069,560 JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG 6.81 7.05 7.14 7.14 6.56 6.8 13,800 92,959 MAXS GROUP 11.18 11.22 11.16 11.3 11.16 11.18 3,857,200 43,274,248 1.61 1.62 1.64 1.68 1.6 1.61 507,000 822,930 PEPSI COLA 9.72 9.75 9.8 9.85 9.71 9.75 1,262,400 12,313,882 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 1.86 1.91 1.89 1.91 1.86 1.91 315,000 592,180 5.25 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.3 5,000 26,500 RFM CORP 0.116 0.118 0.116 0.118 0.116 0.118 1,360,000 159,240 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 151.1 153.5 148 153.5 148 153.5 869,010 132,182,631 VITARICH 1.2 1.22 1.19 1.22 1.15 1.22 3,298,000 3,885,440 2.43 2.56 2.56 2.56 2.56 2.56 1,000 2,560 VICTORIAS CONCRETE A 61.3 67 67 67 66.95 67 300 20,098 CONCRETE B 67.2 70.7 67.8 70.75 67.75 70.75 500 34,102.5 CEMEX HLDG 1.59 1.6 1.54 1.61 1.54 1.59 19,744,000 31,026,940 5.02 5.46 5.01 5.46 5.01 5.46 300 1,593 DAVINCI CAPITAL EAGLE CEMENT 13.4 13.6 13.94 13.94 13.3 13.6 688,600 9,376,534 EEI CORP 9 9.18 8.77 9.01 8.77 9 444,200 3,961,474 HOLCIM 13.34 13.36 13.38 13.4 13.36 13.36 246,800 3,301,782 14.62 14.96 14.94 14.96 14.22 14.96 2,470,000 35,989,906 MEGAWIDE 9.8 9.98 9.61 9.96 9.61 9.96 5,200 50,226 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.97 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.95 0.99 8,000 7,720 0.96 0.98 0.93 1.03 0.93 0.96 5,242,000 5,167,220 VULCAN INDL CHEMPHIL 169 175 179.3 179.3 169 169 400 70,570 CROWN ASIA 2.14 2.15 2.12 2.14 2.12 2.14 79,000 168,500 LMG CHEMICALS 4.7 4.87 4.79 4.8 4.79 4.8 20,000 95,920 3.2 3.3 3.33 3.33 3.3 3.3 6,000 19,860 MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP 4.74 4.79 4.79 4.79 4.79 4.79 14,000 67,060 CONCEPCION 32.4 32.5 32.4 32.4 32.4 32.4 14,200 460,080 GREENERGY 2.12 2.15 2.12 2.17 2.07 2.15 7,387,000 15,642,130 3 7.85 7.9 7.95 8.11 7.85 7.85 302,800 2,405,351 INTEGRATED MICR 1.37 1.39 1.42 1.44 1.36 1.37 1,398,000 1,965,160 IONICS PANASONIC 5 5.34 5.38 5.38 5.34 5.34 3,300 17,743 SFA SEMICON 1.02 1.04 1.05 1.07 1.01 1.04 777,000 816,900 9.64 9.65 9.5 10.72 8.84 9.64 37,049,800 365,970,631 CIRTEK HLDG

(1,106,670) (23,998,295) (10,676,950) 441,746.5 (13,283,006) 727,726.0003) (948,360) (36) ,053,299.9997 (608,417) (7,815,914) (1,026,680) (302,962) 2,945,683 4,735,650 (7,215,655) (1,068,960) 70,185 42,939,164 6,030 27,976 (213,690) (1,229,153) (26,500) 75,330,062 (107,890) (9,072,480) (925,032) 264,912 (170,200) (21,208,646) (8,820) (1,793) (19,160) 460,080 ,467,869.9999 (23,121) (208,900) (709,612)

HOLDING & FRIMS

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

53.1 156.7 86.8 25.05 12.46 65 12.02 20.4 31.65 57.9 22.5 190 57.7 2.8 3.76 0.35 855 0.89 173.5 1,830

0.9 11.22 799 52.8 11.02 2.83 6.35 0.67 0.96 0.96 6.53 6.36 13 0.207 788 5.3 72 5.89 0.485 3.71 10.98 3.47 4.4 1.18 1.19 185.5 1,052 151.6 0.83 203.6 0.22

54.6 157.5 87.5 25.1 12.48 65.05 12.2 20.5 31.7 58.25 22.55 191 58.35 2.87 3.9 0.37 860 0.9 177.8 1,889

0.91 11.62 803 54 11.06 2.84 6.39 0.69 0.97 0.99 6.69 6.4 13.16 0.226 789 5.43 72.55 6.67 0.5 3.77 11 3.5 4.75 1.23 1.23 194 1,055 152.5 0.84 210 0.234

53.1 156 84.5 25.1 12.48 65 12.02 20.5 31.8 58 23 185.4 58.6 3.12 3.76 0.35 855 0.85 173.5 1830

0.89 11.02 794 52.5 11.04 2.85 6.4 0.67 0.97 1 6.7 6.45 12.98 0.208 802 5.41 73.45 6.6 0.495 3.71 11.16 3.56 4.5 1.24 1.19 185 1069 152.8 0.81 214 0.223

53.1 157.5 87.5 25.1 12.5 65.4 12.2 20.5 31.85 58 23 191 58.6 3.14 3.78 0.35 855 0.9 173.5 1,889

0.92 11.86 803 54 11.18 2.92 6.4 0.69 1.01 1 6.7 6.54 13.16 0.208 802 5.41 73.45 6.67 0.495 3.77 11.16 3.59 4.79 1.24 1.23 200 1,069 152.8 0.89 214 0.239

53 155.1 84.5 25.05 12.4 64.85 12.02 20.5 31.5 57.8 22.55 185.4 57.7 2.75 3.74 0.35 855 0.85 173.5 1,830

0.88 11.02 781 52.5 11.02 2.82 6.4 0.67 0.96 0.96 6.53 6.29 12.98 0.208 780 5.41 72 6.6 0.485 3.7 10.98 3.38 4.2 1.2 1.18 185 1,040 150 0.77 203.4 0.223

53 157.5 87.5 25.05 12.48 65.05 12.2 20.5 31.7 57.8 22.55 191 57.7 2.8 3.78 0.35 855 0.9 173.5 1,889

0.91 11.6 803 54 11.02 2.83 6.4 0.69 0.97 0.99 6.53 6.36 13.16 0.208 789 5.41 72 6.67 0.495 3.71 11 3.5 4.4 1.23 1.23 194 1,055 152.5 0.84 203.8 0.235

500 1,539,380 1,925,250 66,300 394,500 3,148,230 25,000 5,000 590,700 22,040 5,200 293,410 5,270 560,000 12,000 50,000 20 909,000 100 90

10,253,000 23,400 194,560 816,980 777,700 3,600,000 500 282,000 2,221,000 175,000 219,200 11,595,700 97,100 10,000 128,920 2,000 2,772,060 6,000 180,000 641,000 1,090,200 39,894,000 43,000 104,000 4,000 2,450 212,700 221,910 1,559,000 2,490 3,820,000

9,243,800 261,918 154,971,615 43,906,192.5 8,594,514(1, 10,240,690 3,200 188,960 2,160,000 168,150 1,441,297 74,007,207 1,265,868 2,080 102,136,190 10,820 200,344,933.5 39,862 88,900 2,387,970 12,069,552 138,796,610 192,370 125,290 4,780 480,475 223,605,795 33,726,456 1,316,140 512,094 892,440

(172,900) 7,681,500 3,485,939 096,990.0003) 278,100 (201,281) (36,766,342) (48,386,745) (28,420,757) 1,525,474 (9,149,900) 2,360 (57,729,265) (7,698,243) (135,402) -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.83 0.86 0.88 0.89 0.82 0.86 2,006,000 1,691,210 8.8 9 9 9 9 9 4,500 40,500 ANCHOR LAND AYALA LAND 43.5 43.55 43.45 43.8 42.75 43.55 12,670,000 550,032,610 (61,819,015) ARANETA PROP 1.34 1.35 1.3 1.37 1.28 1.35 96,000 125,080 (66,300) BELLE CORP 1.86 1.88 1.86 1.9 1.86 1.86 501,000 945,240 (233,700) 0.72 0.73 0.71 0.73 0.71 0.73 425,000 305,670 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.84 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.84 0.86 121,000 104,010 81,670 CEBU HLDG 6.5 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.5 6.7 92,000 615,506 306,987 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.68 4.79 4.79 4.79 4.68 4.68 152,000 713,340 (281,440) 0.54 0.55 0.54 0.55 0.53 0.55 2,429,000 1,315,900 (648,000) CENTURY PROP 0.405 0.41 0.405 0.405 0.405 0.405 10,000 4,050 CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON 18.22 18.24 18.4 18.4 18.22 18.22 122,800 2,244,918 (47,411.9997) DM WENCESLAO 9.55 9.64 9.27 9.65 9.27 9.64 94,600 902,452 (252,908) 0.415 0.425 0.415 0.42 0.415 0.42 590,000 247,700 EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO 0.107 0.11 0.101 0.107 0.101 0.107 30,000 3,150 FILINVEST LAND 1.53 1.54 1.54 1.55 1.52 1.54 14,854,000 22,762,650 (3,090,500) 1.09 1.1 1.08 1.11 1.08 1.09 868,000 943,300 GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG 14.72 14.8 14.5 14.74 14.5 14.72 395,200 5,817,284 337,094 PHIL INFRADEV 1.26 1.27 1.19 1.27 1.17 1.26 4,515,000 5,522,370 (1,230,640) CITY AND LAND 0.72 0.77 0.74 0.77 0.74 0.77 72,000 54,840 45,930 4.3 4.31 4.27 4.31 4.27 4.3 16,088,000 69,153,780 9 ,156,329.9996 MEGAWORLD 0.25 0.255 0.237 0.255 0.233 0.255 48,350,000 11,969,930 (3,560) MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES 0.405 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.41 200,000 82,000 PRIMEX CORP 2.26 2.27 2.24 2.27 2.19 2.26 1,645,000 3,683,660 27.6 27.7 27.2 27.75 27.15 27.7 1,333,400 36,587,105 (8,055,105) ROBINSONS LAND 0.335 0.345 0.345 0.345 0.345 0.345 10,000 3,450 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 2.09 2.14 2.13 2.13 2.13 2.13 6,000 12,780 3.21 3.24 3.24 3.25 3.24 3.24 117,000 379,090 343,440 SHANG PROP 2.38 2.46 2.36 2.46 2.35 2.46 1,934,000 4,558,580 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 40.65 40.7 40.9 41.9 40.25 40.7 6,785,100 276,088,945 (62,588,535) VISTAMALLS 5.75 5.86 5.9 5.9 5.71 5.87 9,200 53,447 1.86 1.87 1.62 1.89 1.6 1.86 33,642,000 60,128,240 (324,380) SUNTRUST HOME 7.33 7.35 7.35 7.35 7.3 7.35 9,605,600 70,544,352 (23,605,864) VISTA LAND

SERVICES ABS CBN 17.12 17.28 17.04 17.3 17.04 17.2 79,000 1,355,130 5.42 5.43 5.49 5.49 5.43 5.43 399,800 2,174,845 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.405 0.41 0.395 0.41 0.395 0.405 380,000 153,650 GLOBE TELECOM 2,072 2,098 2050 2,098 2,036 2,098 29,495 61,320,680 34,488,600 PLDT 1,083 1,086 1080 1,091 1,076 1,086 58,040 62,965,690 18,400,830 0.045 0.047 0.045 0.047 0.045 0.046 16,500,000 759,000 APOLLO GLOBAL IMPERIAL 1.66 1.81 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 5,000 8,300 ISLAND INFO 0.101 0.104 0.106 0.106 0.1 0.103 3,080,000 316,910 ISM COMM 3.91 3.92 3.81 3.92 3.66 3.92 5,031,000 19,247,140 212,000 2.58 2.59 2.53 2.58 2.47 2.58 1,073,000 2,713,680 (32,750) NOW CORP 0.27 0.275 0.275 0.28 0.27 0.27 3,030,000 824,900 TRANSPACIFIC BR PHILWEB 2.65 2.7 2.56 2.74 2.55 2.65 909,000 2,405,740 2GO GROUP 9.57 9.82 9.51 9.88 9.51 9.83 9,700 94,015 18.3 18.6 18.3 18.3 18.3 18.3 150,000 2,745,000 2,745,000 ASIAN TERMINALS CHELSEA 5.33 5.36 5.33 5.55 5.32 5.33 370,300 1,981,547 53,300 CEBU AIR 87 88 86.9 88.7 86.9 87 88,960 7,786,068 (526,706.5) 132.1 132.7 132.1 132.9 131 132.7 1,689,140 223,430,843 43,609,416 INTL CONTAINER 0.88 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 160,000 144,000 LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA 13.38 13.4 14.22 14.6 13.4 13.4 4,751,100 65,608,702 (18,572,380) METROALLIANCE A 0.93 0.95 0.94 0.96 0.94 0.96 42,000 39,820 7.35 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.39 7.4 14,400 106,537 PAL HLDG HARBOR STAR 1.39 1.4 1.36 1.42 1.33 1.4 2,397,000 3,304,220 54,400 DISCOVERY WORLD 1.81 1.99 2 2 2 2 1,000 2,000 WATERFRONT 0.61 0.63 0.61 0.63 0.61 0.63 519,000 318,020 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.63 0.61 0.61 16,108,000 9,862,720 32,040 STI HLDG 3.31 3.32 3.3 3.48 3.3 3.32 1,054,000 3,542,120 BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY 10.76 10.9 11 11 10.64 10.9 1,854,900 20,188,664 (532,218) 2.21 2.27 2.28 2.28 2.15 2.27 55,000 122,170 (26,240) PACIFIC ONLINE 2.42 2.49 2.42 2.5 2.4 2.49 87,000 211,330 2,490 LEISURE AND RES MANILA JOCKEY 3.07 3.11 3.08 3.08 3.07 3.07 20,000 61,430 PH RESORTS GRP 4.51 5 4.52 4.52 4.51 4.51 12,000 54,180 0.58 0.59 0.58 0.59 0.57 0.58 3,782,000 2,203,160 ( 965,379.9998) PREMIUM LEISURE 11.4 11.42 11.5 11.5 11.4 11.42 1,408,300 16,083,728 185,238 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 2.11 2.14 2.08 2.14 2.07 2.14 235,000 489,730 (52,300) PUREGOLD 39.3 40 40 40 39 40 370,800 14,694,995 365,060 77.7 78.3 77.55 78.3 77.5 78.3 27,170 2,116,007 (889,338.5) ROBINSONS RTL 134.1 134.5 135 135 134.5 134.5 345,370 46,541,283 (39,268) PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 2.82 2.83 2.71 2.83 2.69 2.82 5,756,000 16,069,520 (2,590,820) WILCON DEPOT 18.6 18.62 18.62 18.62 18.56 18.6 3,012,400 56,058,976 19,367,072 0.415 0.42 0.425 0.43 0.42 0.42 1,020,000 434,950 APC GROUP EASYCALL 8.7 8.76 8.85 9.13 8.53 8.7 188,500 1,669,889 GOLDEN BRIA 438 439 446.6 448.8 431 439 45,400 19,986,504 5.02 7.3 7.49 7.5 7.49 7.5 1,000 7,491 IPM HLDG PRMIERE HORIZON 0.38 0.385 0.405 0.41 0.385 0.385 22,160,000 8,677,650 (85,600) SBS PHIL CORP 9.14 9.39 9.22 9.39 9.14 9.39 141,800 1,302,305

MINING & OIL ATOK 10.02 10.88 10.88 10.88 10.88 10.88 100 1,088 1.04 1.05 1.03 1.05 1.03 1.05 1,475,000 1,546,940 (1,131,780) APEX MINING 0.0013 0.0014 0 0.0014 0.0014 0.0014 0.0014 447,000,000 625,800 ABRA MINING ATLAS MINING 2.53 2.55 2.55 2.57 2.53 2.53 226,000 574,440 (35,980) BENGUET B 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 13,000 14,300 14,300 2.96 2.97 2.85 2.97 2.83 2.96 4,958,000 14,360,660 6,655,270 CENTURY PEAK 7.17 7.18 7.21 7.3 7.18 7.18 4,200 30,377 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 1.6 1.61 1.62 1.62 1.58 1.61 2,831,000 4,539,060 (215,660) GEOGRACE 0.212 0.214 0.21 0.22 0.206 0.212 1,660,000 352,350 0.096 0.098 0.098 0.098 0.096 0.098 2,060,000 198,960 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.094 0.101 0.095 0.101 0.095 0.101 3,230,000 312,830 (289,910) MANILA MINING A 0.0079 0.0082 0 0.0083 0.0083 0.0077 0.0079 27,000,000 211,300 MARCVENTURES 0.87 0.88 0.89 0.89 0.87 0.88 246,000 216,240 8,800 1.02 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.02 1.06 50,000 51,250 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 3.4 3.45 3.29 3.45 3.22 3.45 8,127,000 27,406,200(2, 990,880.0003) OMICO CORP 0.44 0.48 0.45 0.465 0.45 0.465 100,000 45,800 0.74 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.75 0.75 10,000 7,520 ORNTL PENINSULA PX MINING 2.94 2.96 2.98 2.99 2.92 2.96 582,000 1,718,980 (1,347,190) SEMIRARA MINING 21.65 21.85 21.8 21.8 21.55 21.8 370,100 8,033,995 (681,235) ACE ENEXOR 8.7 8.89 8.5 8.95 8.35 8.7 676,100 5,884,315 424,575.0001 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 82,500,000 907,500 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 100,000 1,200 PHILODRILL 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 50,500,000 520,200 PXP ENERGY 9.35 9.36 9.39 9.6 9.25 9.35 821,700 7,682,604 (4,558,993)

PREFFERED

HOUSE PREF A 99.05 99.75 99.75 99.75 99.75 99.75 1,300 129,675 100.6 101.1 101 101 100.6 100.6 1,900 191,584 (90,900) CPG PREF A 100.5 101 100.9 100.9 100.9 100.9 56,180 5,668,562 DD PREF SMC FB PREF 2 995 1,000 1000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,220 1,220,000 FGEN PREF G 107.5 109.4 107.9 107.9 107.5 107.5 9,200 990,400 950 970 970 970 970 970 690 669,300 GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF 100 100.5 100 101 100 100 11,860 1,186,110 PNX PREF 4 1,026 1,030 1029 1,030 1,026 1,026 330 338,890 PCOR PREF 3B 1,050 1,060 1060 1,060 1,060 1,060 1,000 1,060,000 76.9 76.95 77.6 77.95 76.6 76.6 47,630 3,668,737.5 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E 74.9 75.8 75 75 75 75 10,000 750,000 SMC PREF 2G 75.1 75.8 75.1 75.1 75.1 75.1 19,000 1,426,900 SMC PREF 2H 75.15 75.5 75.15 75.5 75.15 75.5 93,400 7,047,010 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

16.4 5.28

16.5 5.4

16.72 5.48

16.72 5.48

16.5 5.4

16.5 5.4

37,500 51,200

622,112 278,064

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.24

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ITALPINAS 3.89 KEPWEALTH 9.62 0.91 XURPAS

1.3

1.21

1.32

1.2

1.32

38,000

46,920

-

3.96 9.8 0.92

3.88 9.86 0.88

3.95 10.1 0.95

3.85 9.62 0.87

3.89 9.62 0.91

204,000 322,000 15,354,000

795,030 3,141,610 14,075,970

-

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

115.4

(269,012) 54,815

115.6

115.1

115.6

115

115.6

9,550

1,101,753

-

Monday, January 20, 2020

B1

Megaworld to add two more towers in Iloilo township

By VG Cabuag

P

@villygc

ROPERT Y developer Megaworld Corp. said it is launching two new office towers inside the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, with the company becoming the single-biggest developer of office spaces in the area.

The company said its new developments, called Enterprise One and Enterprise Two, will have 12-stories each that it will build along the stretch of Megaworld Boulevard in the township, the site of the former airport.

The two new office towers will offer around 78,000 square meters (sq m) of fresh office spaces, the company said.

It said the two towers will apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

“The demand for office spaces in Iloilo Business Park has been steadily growing the past years. Most of the companies that want to set up operations in Iloilo prefer the township concept that we offer, because it helps ensure convenience and comfort necessary for the retention of their employees,” Roland Tiongson, first vice president of Megaworld Premier Offices, said.

To date, Megaworld has almost 65,000 sq m of office spaces in eight buildings that are fully operational and leased out. These towers include One Global Center, Two Global Center,

Richmonde Tower, One Techno Place, Two Techno Place, Three Techno Place, and Festive Walk Office 1 and 2.

An additional 35,000 sq m are now under construction, which are expected to be completed by next year.

These are One Fintech Place A, One Fintech Place B and Two Fintech Place.

Among the first-time locators in Iloilo City that are in Iloilo Busi-

ness Park are Startek, iQor, Reed Elsevier, WNS, Nearsol and ConnectSys. Companies like Transcom and HGS have also expanded their existing Iloilo operations.

“By 2022, we expect our office stocks to reach around 175,000 square meters, the biggest for a single developer in Iloilo City.

These office towers are able to generate approximately 62,000 jobs in the BPO sector,” Tiongson said.

Yanson matriarch Olivia tightens hold on Vallacar Transit after son’s election

T

HE Yanson matriarch, Olivia V. Yanson, has tightened her grip on the country’s largest bus company Vallacar Transit Inc. after the reelection of Leo Rey V. Yanson, a son who is in her faction, to the Mindanao bus unit of the company.

Leo Rey was reappointed as the president of Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc., the sister company of Vallacar that operates in the southern part of the country.

Leo Rey was elected as member of the board of directors of the company during its annual stockholders’ meeting over the weekend.

The stockholders elected Leo Rey, Ginnette Y. Dumancas, Charles M. Dumancas, Arvin John Villaruel and Rey C. Ardo as members of the board of directors, the company said. These board members elected the officers among themselves.

Following the election of the directors, the board held an organizational meeting and reappointed Leo Rey as the president, and CEO, of the company.

The elected directors shall serve for one year until January 2021.

Leo Rey, also the company’s chairman, presided at the meeting held at the company’s office in Cagayan de Oro, with Yanson matriarch Olivia as corporate secretary and treasurer.

“The stockholders also ratified the acts of the board of directors of Leo Rey V. Yanson,” the company said. Mindanao Star Bus is part of the Yanson Group of Bus Cos. which operate throughout the Philippines—in, among others, the cities of Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Davao, Pagadian, Dipolog, Bohol and Batangas.

A family feud is brewing between the Yanson siblings over the ownership of the company.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was recently dragged into the dispute after its Bacolod officer in charge attended the annual stockholders meeting of the so-called Yanson Four, one of the factions who claim ownership of the country’s largest bus company, last December 7.

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK Last week

SHARE prices fell last week after funds were transferred to the Western countries after the US signed its phase one of trade deal with China, while local investors at home were lukewarm to trade after the eruption of Taal Volcano.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 54.19 points to close at 7,722.58 points.

It was a four-day trading week after work was suspended on Monday due to ashfall all over Metro Manila as a result of Taal’s eruption on Sunday, which devastated Batangas and Cavite provinces.

When markets resumed trading on Tuesday, value of trade was just at P9.16 billion, and was just slightly up. It then fell the next two trading days and never recovered, even when there was a rally on Friday.

Daily average trading for the four days was just at P6.2 billion, while foreign investors were net sellers at P1.4 billion.

Other subindices ended mixed, but many pocketed small gains. The broader All Shares index was down 53.98 points to close at 4,551.19, the Financials index rose 19.39 to 1,846.91, the Industrial index gained 112.94 to 9,477.42, the Holding Firms index plunged 159.86 to 7,475.59, the Property index fell 76.56 to 4,035.78, the Services index climbed 8.36 to 1,564.02, and the Mining and Oil index was up 35.89 to 8,143.53.

For the week, losers edged gainers 122 to 95 and 25 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers were BDO Leasing and Finance Inc., Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp., Zeus Holdings Inc., Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp., Suntrust Home Developers Inc., and Philippine Realty and Holdings Corp.

Top losers were Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., Manila Mining Corp. B, First Abacus Financial Holdings Corp., LBC Express Holdings Inc. and DMCI Holdings Inc.

This week

Share prices may start rising this week in anticipation of the scheduled announcement of the country’s fourth quarter of 2019 and the full-year economic performance on Thursday.

Japhet Louis Tantiangco of Philstocks Financials Inc. said the gross domestic product (GDP) data will be the main factor in this week’s trading, even if the announcement will be made late in the week.

“Philstocks forecasts fourth-quarter GDP to fall at 6.4 percent. If achieved and if third-quarter results will not be revised, this will give us a full-year growth of 5.9 percent. Now, investors will be looking more into whether the pace of growth is picking up,” Tantiangco said.

“If GDP growth meets our projection or if at least grows faster than the third-quarter figure, then we may end next week in the green. If growth will be slower however, then we may end in the opposite,” he said.

Meanwhile, broker 2TradeAsia said that while Taal’s eruption may have taken some investors aback, the country has managed to survive the calamity.

“This should come to fore when the dust settles, and prod investors to start repositioning on Filipinos who have gone through the path of recovery,” it said.

Stock picks

Broker Regina Capital Development Corp. gave a buy recommendation on the stock of Ayala-led Integrated MicroElectronics Inc. (IMI) after its prevailing market price has a potential upside. It gave a fair value price on the stock at P9 per share.

“Upside risks to our valuation include clarity in the Brexit situation and improvement in raw material prices. Downside risks remain to be continued global automotive slowdown and foreign exchange volatility,” the broker said.

IMI shares closed Friday at P7.85 apiece.

Meanwhile, it gave a hold recommendation on the stock of Emperador Inc., the company being susceptible to risk with the implementation of the next round of “sin” tax increase this year, which could dampen consumer spending on liquor products.

“The management has mapped out a five-year expansion plan that is banking on the increasing global consumer affluence. They are currently focused on adding to EMP’s [Emperador’s] high-margin, high-value products. Despite the above, the imminent passage of the increase in sin taxes poses a downward risk to the firm,” the broker said.

It gave a target price on the stock at P7.10 per share.

Emperador’s shares closed last week at P7.23 apiece. VG Cabuag

“The Commission will not tolerate misinformation and disinformation, knowing that these will negatively impact not only the warring factions, but also the investors, the consumers and the overall market,” the SEC warned the company.

mutual funds

The Yanson Four included Roy V. Yanson, Ricardo V. Yanson Jr., Emily V. Yanson and Ma. Lourdes Celina V. Yanson-Lopez.

The said faction is in dispute with Yanson matriarch Olivia, along with Leo Rey, among others. VG Cabuag

January 17, 2020

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 247.8 -5.78% -0.63% -1.33% -1.62% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.3254 -10.92% -0.93% -4.61% -4.1% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4841 -14.46% -4.71% -4.76% -5.28% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.8705 -7.66% n.a. n.a.

-2.97% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.8336 -2.7% n.a. n.a.

-1.85% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 5.2215 -5.35% 0.83% -2% -1.55% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,6 0.8348 -4.55% -3.05% n.a.

-2.2% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 101.67 -15.82% n.a. n.a.

-1.61% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 50.1931 -3.02% 1.55% n.a.

-2.12% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 522.21 -2.97% 0.53% -1.18% -1.98% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,8 1.0089 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-2.06% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.264 -2.85% 1.43% -0.2% -1.78% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 37.1313 -2.99% 2.28% -0.24% -2.02% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.9964 -2.9% n.a. n.a.

-2.13% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 5.1125 -2.11% 2.19% 0.78% -2.13% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 853.55 -2.18% 2.11% 0.7% -2.12% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.8084 -9.61% -1.69% -3.27% -5.05% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.0962 -3.09% 1.39% -0.21% -2.68% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9796 -2.48% 1.97% n.a.

-2.12% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.5863 -1.36% 3.19% 1.51% -1.83% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 114.4928 -1.85% 2.82% 1.65% -2.1% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $1.0502 10.65% 6.3% 1.16% 2.12% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.4052 20.46% 9.85% n.a.

1.92% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.5353 -10.32% -3.77% -4.66% -1.76% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.1315 -6.34% -2.2% -2.1% -2.27% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5929 -1.77% 1.27% -1.79% -1.47% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,5 0.228 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-0.22% N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. Grepalife Balanced Fund Corporation -a NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9464 2.83% 2.1% 0.59% -0.85% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.7305 4.16% 1.02% -0.4% -1.55% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.7044 2.79% 0.91% -0.46% -1.51% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.11 -0.8% 0.9% 0.6% -0.74% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.7895 0.7% 1.5% -0.04% -1.92% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9953 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-2.01% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9764 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-2.01% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9732 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-2.01% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.9524 0.37% 0.79% -1.24% -2.3% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03836 8.18% 2.65% 2.04% 0.34% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -a $1.0506 10.21% 5.08% 1.29% 1.22% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $3.9651 15.21% 7.64% 4.64% 1.39% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,7 $1.1383 10.4% 4.51% n.a.

0.84% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 358.08 4.08% 2.76% 2.27% 0.08% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9041 2.6% 0.33% -0.67% 0.11% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.12 4.72% 5.12% 5.17% 0.12% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2191 3.85% 1.9% 1.78% -0.27% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.3471 5.67% 1.84% 1.37% -0.51% Grepalife Fixed Income Fund Corp. -a P N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.3376 12.37% 1.98% 1.43% -0.81% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.7683 5.86% 2.64% 1.23% -0.53% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 5.68% 0.82% -0.15% -0.72% 0.9574 Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.046 8.75% 3.77% 2.3% -0.97% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.6796 7.72% 3.25% 1.65% -1.26% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $469.34 4.49% 2.69% 2.77% 0.24% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є219.74 3.3% 1.63% 1.29% 0% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2101 6.93% 2.97% 2.54% 0.24% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0259 4.02% 1.46% 1.45% 0.39% N.S. Grepalife Dollar Bond Fund Corp. -a N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -a $1.0999 5.87% 1.27% -0.57% 0.43% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.4132 10.21% 3.16% 2.73% 0.39% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0604461 5.91% 2.25% 1.99% 0.22% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.2046 10.92% 2.75% 2.75% 0.92% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 126 4.02% 2.88% 2.2% 0.17% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a,3 1.0296 n.a. n.a. n.a.

0.32% -0.6% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.2492 5.86% 2.89% 1.58% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2664 3.71% 2.91% 2.39% 0.14% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.038 2.06% n.a. n.a.

0.08% Feeder Fund Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,4 $1 n.a. n.a. n.a.

1.01%

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Launch date is January 3, 2019. 2 - Launch date is January 28, 2019. 3 - Launch date is February 1, 2019. 4 Launch date is November 15, 2019.

5 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 6 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.).

7 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019. 8 - Launch date is December 09, 2019.

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

B2

Monday, January 20, 2020

Companies BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Alsons Power starts work on its 1st RE project in Sarangani

By Lenie Lectura

T

@llectura

HE Alsons Power Group has commenced construction of its first renewable-energy (RE) project in Sarangani province.

It said Sunday that its 14.5-megawatt run-of-river hydroelectric power plant at the

Siguil River basin in Maasim, Sarangani province, is expected to begin operations in 2022.

The P4.5-billion Siguil Hydro power project will cater to the rapidly developing Sarangani, South Cotabato, General Santos City region.

Alsons Power, which is Mindanao’s first and most experienced private-sector power

generator, plans to develop at least seven more run-of-river hydropower facilities in different parts of Mindanao and Negros Occidental.

The next two hydropower facilities in the group’s pipeline are the 38-MW Sindangan Hydro plant in Zamboanga del Norte and the 42-MW Bago Hydro plant in Negros

Occidental.

Once completed and operational, these hydropower plants will constitute the bulk of the company’s power facilities. “In the next few years, in terms of the number of power facilities, renewable energy will constitute the largest segment in Alsons

Power’s portfolio,” said Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. Chairman and President Tomas I. Alcantara.

Aside from the hydro plants, another project in Alsons Power’s pipeline is the 105MW San Ramon Power Inc. baseload coalfired power plant in Zamboanga City, which

is scheduled to begin operations in 2023.

SRPI will soon select the plant’s engineering procurement and construction contractor.

Alsons Power currently operates four power facilities in Mindanao with a total generating capacity of 468 MW serving over 8 million people in 14 cities and 11 provinces.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Monday, January 20, 2020 B3

New corporate taxation, incentives scheme pivotal to PHL economy’s growth–Salceda

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By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

Liberalization measures

@joveemarie

HE chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means said the passage of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) before March 2020 is important for the “Road to A” strategy of the Duterte administration to succeed.

In his 2020 report on the “Road to Alevel credit rating,” Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said Congress should pass Citira

by March 2020 to realize its benefits to the economy.

“Citira is so pivotal that achieving Alevel credit rating by 2022 becomes unlikely without its immediate passage,” Salceda said.

The lawmaker said that with Citira, economic growth, measured as gross domestic product (GDP), could reach 6.8 percent to 7.0 percent, with the boost provided by the influx of deferred investments alone.

“The central reform in this strategy is Citira, an unprecedented public investment in the private sector whose value, considering safe rates of return, could be as high as P1.25 trillion over the next 10 years, whose effect on the GDP could be as high as 1.01 percent above the baseline, and could create as much as 1.5 million jobs over the same period,” he added.

While increasing public investment in the

broad private sector, Salceda avers that Citira would also reduce tax expenditures that are not productive, especially tax discounts that were supposed to incentivize pro-economy behavior among investors, but have not been performance-based, time-bound, targeted, or transparent.

In this sense, Citira aligns with the twopronged strategy for achieving A-level rating: good fiscal management and growth acceleration, he said.

The Philippine’s current rating is BBB+, given by Standard & Poor’s in 2019, and a notch away from the A-level. The A-level means that the borrower has a strong capacity to meet its financial commitments.

Salceda said a credit rating upgrade to A-levels is not just a measure of investor confidence in the Philippines.

“In immediate terms, higher investment grade means that the Philippine government can borrow to finance its programs for the poor at much more favorable rates,” he explained.

Perspectives Putting infrastructure resilience and safety first

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N a rapidly evolving risk environment, many are asking whether their infrastructure assets are safe enough and resilient enough.

The public’s awareness and interest have never been so high. Recent events suggest that they might have good reason to worry. Many of the wildfires that ravaged California were thought to have been contributed to by poorly maintained power lines and worsened by climate change; local distribution companies were forced to shut down services to communities when the wind blew too hard.

Other infrastructure failures have also shaken confidence; the Genoa bridge collapse in Italy, the failure of the Brumadinho tailings dam in Brazil, the two fatal passenger aircraft crashes due to technology malfunctions, an unknown number of data breaches and cyber attacks, countless rail and road accidents—it’s not surprising that people are feeling less confident about the safety and resilience of their infrastructure.

As a result, we are seeing governments and asset owners begin to put a much larger emphasis on safety, maintenance and resilience, right across the asset life cycle. These factors are also finding their way into investment decision-making.

From new asset management standards at the local level to global initiatives, such as the Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment announced at the most recent UN Climate Action Summit, asset owners are feeling pressure from the public for improved resilience. Resilience, at its core, is the ability to reduce the likelihood and impact of “extreme” events. These events represent “disruptive risk,” which is a risk so severe that it threatens the long-term survivability of the asset or business.

Typically, events that turn into disruptive risks are initially identified as high-consequence risks, but the expected low probability of the risk occurring does not usually precipitate the necessary business

planning required for deploying appropriate mitigation.

However, as forces drive the probability of these events higher (i.e., climate change, aging assets, increased urbanization), a business lacking planning for the extreme event is potentially exposed to the full consequence of the risk. Thus, this results in disruptive risk for the business and the need for resilience planning. Because disruptive risks are often ambiguous, complex and difficult to identify, assessing and responding to them requires enhancing certain capabilities within an organization.

Becoming resilient starts by aligning the business planning preparations needed with a wider vision that encompasses the business’s strategy, mission, vision and values, while addressing vulnerabilities. These preparations can be put in place by developing formal structures, such as reporting lines and committees specifically charged with implementing resilience strategies. Leading organizations utilize data to identify and evaluate risks and propose solutions.

And ultimately, a resilient business must make risk-informed investment planning decisions that prioritize capital deployments to mitigate disruptive risk in an efficient and timely manner.

Pressure is also being applied by investors, who are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing range of risks they face. And that, in turn, is forcing asset owners to think much more seriously about how they are identifying, measuring and managing their risks.

This excerpt was taken from the KPMG article, titled “Emerging Trends in Infrastructure.” © 2020 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member-firm of the KPMG network of independent member-firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines.

For more information on KPMG in the Philippines, you may visit www.kpmg.com.ph.

BESIDES Citira, Salceda said the lower chamber is also pushing for amendments to the Public Services Act (PSA), Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA) and the Foreign Investments Act (FIA) to ease constraints to economic growth. The lawmaker said these liberalization measures should be passed before Duterte’s 2020 State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Salceda explained that the passage of key reforms, primarily Citira and the liberalization bills, would help the country achieve a 38.0-percent debt-to-GDP ratio by end of 2020, 36.8 percent by 2021 and 35.3 percent by the year 2022, surpassing the 35.4-percent target of the government by 0.1 percent.

“Our debt-to-GDP targets were based on the assumption that Congress would expedite the passage of reforms critical to the success of our Road to A strategy,” he said. “The immediate passage of a fiscally sustainable, economically impactful Citira, above all, reforms, is now the mother lode of our catch-up strategy. Because economic growth takes time to respond to stimulus, we must pass Citira before March; otherwise we risk limiting our growth for fullyear 2020.”

According to Salceda, all the liberalization bills (PSA, RTLA and FIA) are now also in advanced stage in the House. The FIA, to note, was passed in September last year.

“For the reforms to take effect on the economy, the House must finish deliberating on the other two bills by March, and

the Senate must pass these bills before the President’s Sona for 2020,” he said. “Otherwise, we postpone their economic benefits to 2021, compromising, yet again, our efforts to reach our debt-to-GDP targets.”

Supporting acts

SALCEDA added the government will also expedite its “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) infrastructure program to ensure that infrastructure’s spillover effects on investment and consumption are realized on time.

According to the lawmaker, the completion of this year’s spending for BBB can yield another 0.3-percent to 0.5-percent GDP growth above baseline.

“The infrastructure agencies must complete its backlog of projects. The House has already contributed its share of policy reform to expedite Build, Build, Build, by passing the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act, which will help ease right-of-way acquisition and also boost local government funds for education. We hope the Senate could finish its version of the bill before the 2020 Sona. [RPVARA],

SSS members affected by Taal eruption offered aid package

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EMBERS and pensioners of Social Security System (SSS) affected by the Taal Volcano eruption may soon avail a Calamity Loan Assistance Program (Clap) starting January 22.

SSS Circular 2020-002 signed by SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said those who lived in areas which are already declared under state of calamity, including Batangas province, are eligible to avail of the CAP. Except for the Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan (Dhril), members can avail until April 21 the Clap and a three-month advance pension for social security and employees’ compensation pensioners.

Meanwhile, members can avail of the Dhril up to one year from the issuance of the SSS circular.

The loan amount under CLAP shall be equivalent to one-month salary credit computed based on the average of the last 12-month salary credits or the total amount of damages as certified by the member in the application form.

The loan shall be payable within two years in 24 equal monthly installments, with the loan amortization starting on

the second month following the approval of the loan. To avail of the Clap, members must be registered in the SSS online portal for billing purposes. He or she must also not have an outstanding loan restructuring program, or Clap.

Aside from the Clap and the threemonth advance pension, SSS members affected by the volcanic eruption can also avail of the direct repair and/or improvement loan, which provides for a maximum loanable amount of P1 million subject to repricing every five years. The circular stated that the amortization period shall be in multiple of five years with a maximum term of 20 years plus six-month moratorium.

There shall be a six-month moratorium in monthly amortization and interest payments.

Moreover, the loan shall begin on the seventh month and payable in equal monthly amortization during the term of the loan.

The full and final release of the loan amount, and the completion of the repair and/or improvement shall be within six months from the month of confirmation by the Social Security Commission of the loan approval.

Bernadette D. Nicolas

UnionBank inks talent devt program with SG university

U

nion Bank of the Philippines Inc. recently announced it has signed an agreement with the Singapore Management University to further develop the potential of SMU’s “brightest and most entrepreneurial students” by learning from UnionBank’s executives.

UnionBank said last week that under the partnership signed last Tuesday, 10 prescreened SMU students with mixed expertise will be exposed to various projects of UnionBank for 12 weeks “to cocreate development of emerging technologies.”

The students are covered under the SMU’s Global Innovation Immersion Program, a talent development scheme for its most outstanding students. The bank added that under the GIIP, SMU students serve as interns in start-ups, venture funds, corporates and

nongovernment organizations annually from May to August. The program is endorsed and financially supported by the Singaporean government.

UnionBank said it “is excited with this latest talent development initiative, in line with its ‘Student Mentorship Program,’ which offers opportunity to work in the bank’s most innovative and exciting projects; collaborate with experienced professionals; gain cross-border and cultural experience in a corporate setting and fintech setting; obtain deeper understanding of banking, finance, technology and the impact of the bank’s initiatives to promote financial inclusion; and foster holistic development.”

The bank earlier launched its firstof-its-kind Blockchain Institute, Data Science Institute and Blockchain Xcellerator programs to help build a pool of tech talents in the Philippines.

on its own, and without its spillover effects, can yield almost an additional 0.1-percent GDP growth,” he added.

He added that the complete funding of the universal health care and universal access to higher-quality education to keep Filipino labor productivity high is also one of important components to the Road to A strategy.

“Also, keep food items cheap with reforms in agriculture and trade, to ensure that wage price pressures are limited and that Philippine wage prices are regionally competitive,” he added.

Salceda said the government must also adopt a “good steward” approach to spending: for every new spending introduced, find corresponding means to fund the proposal.

B4 Monday, January 20, 2020

PrimeWater takes part in #BangonBatangas World experts to mount 'urban revolution’ in Phl

2019 FIABCI World President Walid Moussa

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Sustainable Design Development Architect Topshop London Global Design Director Daniel Watch Anthony Cuthbertson

ONSTRUCTION and real estate experts from all over the world are coming to Manila to virtually mount an “urban revolution” geared at addressing the challenges of climate change, global warming, rising sea levels, earthquakes, natural calamities, environmental pollution, and the socioeconomic pressures from spiralling energy costs, among many others, all impacting the quality of city life.

Many of the experts are among the 2,300 members of the Paris-based international real estate federation spanning some 70 countries across the globe.

This was revealed by chairman Dr. Reghis M. Romero II and president Arch. Nestor Mangio of the Philippines’ chapter of the Federacion Internationale des Adminstrateurs de Biens Conceils et Immobiliers (FIABCI), whose historic 71st World Congress will be staged at the Marriott Convention Center on May 2630, 2020.

“An ‘urban revolution’ has started to take shape, globally redefining real estate in the context of today’s challenges while highlighting it as a sunrise industry with progressive demand-driven and consumer-focused property developments,” said Dr.

Romero, also the chairman of the 2020 FIABCI World Real Estate Congress.

“And as the theme of the Congress, ‘Urban Revolution’ will be aptly mounted in the Philippines to gather momentum in this part of the world where it is needed most,” added Architect Mangio in referring to the country’s vulnerability to all such challenges.

Being an archipelagic country and situated at the “ring of fire” in the Pacific rim, the Philippines and many of its cities are prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, climatic swings, rising sea levels, logistical snags, and other nature-related socioeconomic hurdles.

“Nonetheless, the industry has been coming up with various urban planning and technological solutions that can create ‘ergonomic’ cities, optimize land resource development and utilization, enhance the integrity, flexibility and energy efficiencies of physical structures, and thus improve the lives of residents,” Dr. Romero said of walkable and bikable modern CBD development, use of aerated concrete and insulated concrete formworks (ICFs), passive, earthship, and net zero housing technologies, and vertical urban farming for intra-city food supply, among many others.

2020 National Association of Realtors head Vince Malta

These and many other new technologies and demand-driven business opportunities are expected to be discussed and presented by the speakers, according to FIABCI-Philippines chairman emeritus Florentino Dulalia Jr., the incoming president of FIABCI International and the first Filipino to assume such position at the staging of the Congress.

Among the Congress speakers are US-based National Association of Realtors president Vince Malta, outgoing FIABCI World president Walid Moussa, global design director Anthony Cuthbertson of Topshop London, a representative from Foster and Partner UK, president Kevin Tan of Megaworld, and sustainable design development advocate Daniel Watch who has masteral degrees in architecture and city planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Supported by UN-Habitat, Grant Thornton, Reed Midem, and World Urban Campaign as sponsors, the 71st World Congress is being organized by FIABCI-Philippines (fiabci.phil@gmail.com; tel: +632 3456-4511, +632 8928-6517) to help put the global industry on the best track for urban development while generating momentum along its course. Congress registration link is at https:// fiabciphilippines.org/.

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RIMEWATER Infrastructure Corp., in partnership with Crystal Clear and the Local Government of Santo Tomas, Batangas, extended a helping hand to the families affected by the recent Taal Volcano eruption on January 14, Tuesday. Gallons of drinking water were delivered for the benefit of about 1,000 affected families.

The province of Batangas was declared and remains to be under a state of calamity following the phreatic eruption of the Taal Volcano, which severely affected the surrounding towns

in the Taal Volcano island, and even adjacent municipalities. Thousands of families were forced to evacuate the risk areas due to heavy and prolonged ashfall and strong earthquakes.

Volunteers from PrimeWater headed to the town of Santo Tomas, one of the identified evacuation centers, to bring a thousand gallons of potable drinking water. PrimeWater is thankful to the LGU and the police force for the generous assistance given in the distribution of these supplies to the families who are really in need of drinking water.

Welcome abundance at Midas Hotel this January

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ELEBRATE life and embrace the abundance of goodness it has to offer! Midas Hotel and Casino is offering fantastic room and dining promos to help ring in the Year of the Rat. Giving is one of the keys to a happier life, so start your year right and stay in our Deluxe Room for only Php 5,999 or our Executive Room for only Php 6,999! Midas Hotel and Casino will donate a percentage of every booking to Silungan ng Pag-asa, a home for cancerstricken children from the provinces who are currently undergoing treatment in Manila. Receive a special gift or dining credits in return with the following inclusions: buffet breakfast for two (2), free scheduled shuttle to Mall of Asia, a Midas Hotel and Casino special gift (until supplies last) or Php500 dining credits. Promo validity

is from January 1 to 31, 2020. Call +632) 7902 0100 or email: info@midashotelandcasino.com Then, have a taste of the good life at the hotel’s annual Chinese New Year celebration! Witness the lion dance at the hotel lobby on January 25, 10am. Next, have a seat at Midas Café and enjoy an amazing lunch or dinner buffet for only Php1,800. Feast on Roasted Duck, Chili Crab, Butterfly Prawns with Peking Sauce, Hong Kong Seafood Noodles, and more of your favorite Chinese fare!

Get a chance to win a lucky prize as we give out one (1) angpao with a corresponding surprise to each of our guests who avail the buffet! For reservations, call (+632) 7902 0100 ext. 8154/8198 or email at restaurants@ midashotelandcasino.com.

Early combination treatment with metformin, vildagliptin better for newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients

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ARLY intervention with a combination therapy of vildagliptin plus metformin provides greater and durable longterm benefits compared with the current standard-of-care initial metformin monotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

This was the initial key finding of VERIFY, a unique study designed to determine durability, over a prespecified five-year follow-up of early use of combination therapy strategy with vildagliptin-metformin. The study was conducted across 254 centers in 34 countries and involved 2001 diverse individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes whose HbA1c ranged between 7.5 and 6.5 and who had not yet been prescribed treatment.

“We all know that early treatment intensification to achieve good blood glucose control is crucial to delaying diabetic complications. What we’re not yet certain was whether early combination therapy would be more beneficial than an ad hoc sequential process starting with metformin monotherapy, knowing that the majority of type 2 diabetes patients over a period of three years are going to experience treatment failure. Not anymore. VERIFY clearly shows that investing in early combination therapy pays big dividends in terms of less treatment failures over the long term,” said Professor Merlin Thomas, endocrinologist and kidney specialist, Department of Diabetes, Monash

University in Melbourne, Australia.

“With VERIFY, we are finally asking the right questions and getting marvelous answers,” said Dr. Päivi Paldánius, Novartis Worldwide Brand Medical Director for Diabetes and one of the VERIFY study investigators.

“In designing the study, we thought about what was actually needed to make a difference in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic, so we decided to go to every continent and ethnic group, as well as countries with different kinds of health care systems, from the most advanced to the very basic,” explained Dr. Paldánius.

Professor Thomas and Dr. Paldánius were in Manila recently in connection with the Philippine launch of the VERIFY study. The

initial VERIFY findings were first presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting held in Barcelona, Spain on September 16-20, 2019. The findings were published simultaneously in The Lancet. Additional pre-defined secondary analyses of the VERIFY study results are ongoing and data will be disclosed over the coming months at international and local medical congresses and in scientific journals.

“There are an estimated 3.8 million Filipinos with type 2 diabetes. We hope that the promising results of the VERIFY study can help improve patient outcomes and type 2 diabetes treatment,” said Mr. Jugo Tsumura, Country President & Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

At the launch of VERIFY, from left: Mr. Jugo Tsumura, Country President & Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines; Dr. Sjoberg Kho, past president, Philippine Society of Metabolism Endocrinology and Metabolism; Dr. Päivi Paldánius, Novartis Worldwide Brand Medical Director for Diabetes; and Professor Merlin Thomas, endocrinologist and kidney specialist, Department of Diabetes, Monash University in Melbourne, Australia; Mr. Sonny Cuenco, Franchise Head, Novartis Healthcare Philippines, and Ms. Vanessa Ang, Sales and Marketing Head Metabolic and Established Medicines, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

FEDERER: RAFA, Djokovic

WILL PASS MY RECORD

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press

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UBAI, United Arab Emirates—Roger Federer, for one, figures questions about whether Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic—or both?—will surpass his men’s record for most Grand Slam singles titles are moot.

That’s because he’s sure it’s going to happen.

And he’s OK with that. Ending up in third place, Federer insists, would be just fine.

“I think the way it’s going, obviously, Rafa and Novak will win more,” Federer said matter-of-factly during a recent interview with The Associated Press in the city he uses as his preseason training base, “because they’re that good. And the season they had [in 2019], again, shows that there is more to come for them.”

He didn’t say this with a wistful sigh or a disappointed glance at the floor or a trace of regret.

That’s just the way he sees things at the moment.

Entering the Australian Open, scheduled to begin Monday in Melbourne (Sunday EST), Federer leads the list with 20 majors, followed by Nadal with 19, then Djokovic with 16.

So as soon as the end of this tournament, Nadal could pull even with Federer for the first time.

Whether or not, it truly matters who comes out on top when all is said and done, everyone is going to be paying attention to how it shakes out.

Including Federer, who surpassed Pete Sampras’s old standard of 14 a decade ago.

Don’t mistake an honest outlook for disinterest.

“I guess you do care, to some extent, just because it’s normal,” Federer said, then mentioned how much it meant to him that Sampras was sitting in the Centre Court stands for No. 15.

“I looked up to him so much that I felt, also, uncomfortable maybe, sometimes, breaking his records. It’s not something I ever wanted to do.

It just happened to be like this. But, of course, I knew it was a big, big-time moment in our sport.

And I think those are the moments you will remember,” Federer said.

“Now, at the end, if somebody else would pass you, I mean, I guess it’s OK, because that’s what sports is all about. It’s a lot about numbers. It’s a lot about records. But I had my moment and I always said everything that comes after 15 was, anyway, a bonus. And especially after the knee injury [in 2016], everything that came after that was a bonus.

I would have taken one more Slam, and I was able to get three more—and three amazing ones.”

Nadal, currently No. 1 in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings, and Djokovic, who is No. 2 ahead of Federer, each took home two major trophies last season.

Djokovic won the Australian Open (beating Nadal in the final) and Wimbledon (beating Federer in the final after saving two championship points).

Nadal won at Roland Garros (beating Federer in the semifinals) and the US Open (facing neither of the other two).

“I always say the same: I would love to be the one who wins more,” Nadal said, “but I am not thinking [about it] and I’m not going to practice every day...for it.”

After his seventh championship in Australia a year ago, Djokovic said: “I do want to definitely focus myself on continuing to improve my game and maintaining the overall well-being that I have—mental, physical, emotional—so I would be able to compete at such a high level for the years to come, and have a shot at eventually getting closer to Roger’s record.”

Federer’s most recent Grand Slam triumph arrived at Melbourne Park, in 2018.

He is 38, an age at which no one has won a Slam title in the professional era; he doesn’t feel compelled to quit anytime soon. Still, time is certainly on the side of Nadal, 33, and Djokovic, 32.

“I honestly think it’s going to be quite exciting to see how much longer can they go.

How much more can they win? They might have some more incredible years ahead of them.

That’s my assumption,” Federer said. “It’s a bit of a golden time for tennis right now, no doubt.”

Also of particular interest, of course, is when a new face will emerge from the crop of 20-somethings who have been rising in the rankings. There hasn’t been a first-time male champ at a major since 2014.

Ask Federer to name names, and he offers several,

Djokovic eyes fifth post-30 Slam title in Australian Open M

ELBOURNE, Australia—The secret to Novak Djokovic’s post-30 success? Not his best in tennis return. Or his limbtwisting, body-bending court coverage. Or even his baseline consistency or clutch gene.

No, ask Djokovic to explain how he keeps playing so well at this age, and the Australian Open’s defending champion points to a quality he says he shares with rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“Roger has talked about this as well, Rafa as well, that age is just a number. It’s not just a cliché, but it’s really something that I feel like the three of us have in common. It’s really the way we approach career and our everyday life,” Djokovic said during a news conference before the year’s first Grand Slam tournament begins Monday (Sunday EST).

“I think we found a way, a formula, to balance private [and] professional life, so we are able to kind of excel in tennis and still be able to compete at the highest level after many years, still be motivated, still be mentally fresh and, of course, physically prepared and fit to compete in best-of-five-sets with young players that are coming up.”

Djokovic, 32, already owns four major titles since he turned 30, the same number as Federer.

Only one man has won more often at that stage of his career in the professional era—Nadal, 33, has five such championships.

They also, of course, occupy the top 3 spots in history for men’s singles trophies at majors.

Federer leads with 20, one ahead of Nadal.

Djokovic has quickly risen to 16, including a record seven at Melbourne Park, by grabbing four of the past six overall.

“For me, it seems like my career was going in sequences of several years. I think every sequence had different circumstances in life, in different situations, that have made me the person and the player I am today. I just had to adapt to these newly occurring circumstances and evolve, kind of grow stronger, and also find purpose and motivation in each of these phases,” Djokovic said, speaking in paragraphs, as he

often does.

“I mean, I’m a completely different person, have a completely different life today than I had five years ago. I’m a father of two children. Obviously things are not the way they were five or 10 years ago.

I know that,” he said. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better or it’s worse. It’s just different.”

Another factor that at first seemed like a burden but Djokovic now calls an inspiration and motivator is the push he’s gotten to improve by needing to compete in an era with Federer and Nadal.

Djokovic is seeded second in Australia—one spot behind Nadal, one spot ahead of Federer—and is scheduled for the last match in Rod Laver Arena on Day 1, playing 37th-ranked Jan-Lennard Struff at night.

Federer, Serena Williams and 2019 champion Naomi Osaka play in that stadium during the day, while top-ranked Ash Barty— who will try to become the first Australian woman in 40 years, to win the country’s major—precedes Djokovic at night.

The most anticipated contest of the opening day is slated for Margaret Court Arena: seven-time major champion Venus

Williams, 39, against Coco Gauff, 15, in a rematch of their first-round matchup at Wimbledon last year won by the teenager.

The tennis world is waiting for a young man to take a step forward and win a major championship; there hasn’t been a first-time major winner under 30 since 2014. AP

calling them “that whole group of guys.”

Among them, he said: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who upset Federer at the Australian Open last year, adding Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov.

“It’s an elite group of 10 now, which is nice. It’s not just maybe one or two that we thought were pretty good,” Federer said. “So I think it’s changed a little bit in the last, sort of, 18 months. It’s just really, really hard to predict who’s going to win.”

Here’s something Federer is certain of, though: One day, someone will come along and accumulate majors the way no one ever had until he, Nadal and Djokovic rewrote the record book.

“It’s going to happen, inevitably,” Federer said, shaking his head. “And it’s almost not going to be that hard, maybe, anymore, later on, for some reason, I just feel like, because the players will have seen what we did. And they didn’t see just one guy doing it, once every 30 years. They saw like three guys doing it, in the shortest period of time, right after ‘Pistol’ [Sampras]. So I just think players are going to believe more. I think maybe the surfaces in some ways also allow you,

maybe, if you’re on a hot streak, just to run through more years of domination, like what Novak, Rafa and me, we’ve all done.”

Impossible to know who, though. Or when.

After all, Federer never saw the magnitude of his own success—or those of his rivals— coming.

“I didn’t predict I was going to have this many majors. I was hoping to maybe have one, to be quite honest, at the very beginning of my career. When I played Novak, I thought, ‘Yeah, he’s good. He might win a major.’ You know?

‘Rafa, he’s probably going to win the French.

Maybe once. Or a few times.’ But you don’t go 12 times there. Or, you know, streaks of not having lost matches on hard or clay for, I don’t know, nine months. It’s just stuff that eventually builds,” he said. “So, hard to tell, but there’s a... group of guys that I see now probably winning at least, like, four or five majors—which then can lead to 15 or more, of course.”

Sports BusinessMirror

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| Monday, January 20, 2020 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

RAFAEL NADAL, currently No. 1 in the Association of Tennis Professionals rankings, and Novak Djokovic, who is No. 2 ahead of Roger Federer, each took home two major trophies last season. AP

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WARRIORS END 10-GAME SKID S

AN FRANCISCO—With wins so hard to come by for the injury-plagued Warriors, every one means a little more now to Coach Steve Kerr. The Golden State of old just expected to pile up victories—and now things are completely the opposite with Kevin Durant having departed for Brooklyn and Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson sidelined.

D’Angelo Russell scored 26 points and dished out a season-high 12 assists, and the Warriors snapped their longest losing streak in nearly 18 years at 10 games by beating the Orlando Magic, 109-95, on Saturday night.

“We’ve had a couple of long losing streaks that are really, really difficult to live with,” Kerr said. “You just feel bad for the players and the organization, people who are working so hard every day. You want to see everybody happy and you want to see the fans happy. I thought today meant a lot to the group, to the players, but I could tell it meant a lot to the fans, too.

They were really happy, so you just need to win and keep things moving forward, even if you’re 10-34 like we are. You’ve got to win one occasionally to keep the spirit up. I think that’s what made today such a good win.”

Jordan Poole scored 21 points off the bench, and Eric Paschall had 20 points and nine rebounds as Golden State also ended a five-game skid at home.

Markelle Fultz scored 23 points to lead the

Magic, who came in with two close victories in three games on their West Coast swing.

Forward Aaron Gordon summed up Coach Steve Clifford’s message: The Magic didn’t compete.

“We played soft, not enough energy and we’ve just got to play better, especially the starting unit,” Gordon said.

The Warriors’ 10-game skid was their longest winless stretch since also dropping 10 in a row from March 9 to 24, 2002.

Russell and rookie Poole each hit four 3-pointers, and Poole scored in double figures for his career-best fourth straight game and 13th in all this season. He recently returned from a stint in the G League and has been far more consistent with his shot.

The Warriors were down to nine players again with Draymond Green sitting out because of a sprained left index finger. It’s the sixth game he has missed this season with the injury. Golden State lost guard Jacob Evans III to a concussion on Tuesday night against Dallas.

The Warriors have won eight of 10 at home against the Magic and seven straight.

“All we can do with the amount of guys we have and the amount of experience we have, we just have to keep on going into these games and learning from them and not reverting back to stuff that causes us to lose games,” center Willie Cauley-Stein said. “It’s building on the intensity, building on taking

care of the ball, building on while they’re up in transition not giving up easy buckets. The last couple games we’ve [been] doing that and we finally got that W.” Evan Fournier scored 12 points in 32 minutes for Orlando. He went through a warm-up to determine whether he had regained enough strength to play after he was sick and in bed all day Friday.

Orlando hit five of its first eight shots with two threes by Fournier and jumped out to a 13-0 lead as Golden State missed its initial seven shots—four from deep—and committed three turnovers before Poole’s three at the 7:10 mark of the first quarter. The Warriors warmed up and got back within 15-13, then led 28-25 at the end of the initial quarter.

“He just immediately changed the momentum,” Kerr said of Poole. AP

IOC, Paralympics get involve in Russian doping court case

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ONN, Germany—The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) want to have a say on Russia’s doping ban.

With Russia facing a four-year ban on its name and anthem at major events, including the Olympics and Paralympics, the IPC said Friday that both bodies filed a formal “notice of intervention” in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) case which will decide the matter.

The IOC and IPC said they just want to make sure the punishment is clear-cut.

“The only purpose of this intervention is limited to the interest of the IOC and the IPC that the pronounced sanctions are clear, leave no room for any interpretation and can be applied without any further procedures,” the two organizations said in a joint statement.

“The purpose of this intervention is not to intervene in the assessment of the consequences or sanctions by CAS.” IOC President Thomas Bach has previously said he doesn’t welcome blanket sanctions of the sort imposed on Russia.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has accused Russia of handing over doctored computer data from the Moscow anti-doping laboratory to conceal past cover-ups. Wada

also says fake evidence was planted to discredit its star witness, former lab director Grigory Rodchenkov.

The case at CAS is technically between Wada and the Russian anti-doping agency, but third parties are allowed to have a degree of involvement if they would be affected by the sanctions.

The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and Russian Paralympic Committee both said they had filed to seek that status Friday. They want Russian athletes to compete under their own flag—unlike at the 2018 Winter Olympics— and with no extra checks on their eligibility.

In the event CAS upholds the sanctions, then Russian athletes would face extra vetting using the lab database to indicate whether they ever benefited from cover-ups. That could mean more legal disputes in the run-up to the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo this year.

“By participating as a third party, the ROC will stand up for the rights of Russian athletes and Russian sports federations to compete under the Russian flag and for equal qualification conditions and access for Russians at the Olympic Games and other competitions,” the Russian Olympic Committee said in a statement. AP

Golden State’s Stephen Curry congratulates D’Angelo Russell during a timeout in the second half of their game against the Orlando Magic on Saturday. AP

Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay to visit town near Fukushima declared

Rio 2016 Olympics Park shut over safety issues

INDIAN HUDDLE

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UTABA, one of the towns in Japan worst affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, is set to be added to the route of the Olympic Torch Relay for Tokyo 2020, it was revealed today.

In March 2011, the entire population was evacuated as a result of the disaster, and in the last nine years only four percent of the town has been open to visitors as it is located within the 20-kilometer exclusion radius around the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and remains mostly uninhabitable.

But the Japanese government plan to temporarily lift the evacuation order to allow the Olympic Torch to pass through it, the country’s agency Kyodo

THE Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay, due to start in Fukushima on March 26, is expected to visit all 47 prefectures in the Japan over a period of 121 days before the Opening Ceremony on July 24.

India’s captain Virat Kohli (center) and teammates stand in a huddle before the start of the third and final one-day international cricket match between India and Australia in Bangalore, India, on Sunday. AP

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IO DE JANEIRO—The Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro has been closed over concerns about the safety of the complex used for the 2016 games in Brazil.

City authorities closed the park on Friday after a judge ruled that safety licenses were not in order.

The city had appealed the judge’s decision, saying it would affect about 900 athletes training at the Olympic Park. The city said it is seeking a certificate to operate from the firefighting department and that it hopes the park will reopen soon.

Residents were disappointed that the park had closed.

“During the Olympic Games, everything was great,” said Fabio Costa, a 43-year-old business administrator. “And today this neglect with our money.... We see that a dream became a white elephant. This is very sad, especially to the people who live in the region.”

Alexandre Camargo, a 37-year-old Catholic priest, said the Olympic Park had been a refuge.

“We have few places like that in Rio de Janeiro, where you can walk safely,” he said.

“You can’t ride a bicycle with your children in heavy traffic, so here is an excellent place for that. But, unfortunately, it’s closed and we’re frustrated.”

Rio spent about $12 billion on the 2016 Olympics. There were concerns about alleged corruption linked to the construction of some facilities, as well as how Brazil would use them

after the games ended.

While Rio 2016 and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have faced constant criticism on the post-Games use of facilities built for the Olympics and Paralympics, a number of events, such as eSports tournaments and festivals, have been held at the park.

But the future of the area now appears uncertain following the ruling, which the office of Rio’s Mayor Marcelo Crivella is set to appeal.

The judge had followed a request from prosecutors, who outlined their concerns regarding the safety of the park amid neglect from local authorities.

Concerns have been expressed over the continued use of Games venues since the conclusion of Rio 2016, with the failed cleanup of heavily polluted Guanabara Bay considered one of the unfulfilled legacy projects.

Some of the venues located at Olympic Park also fell into disrepair after the Games, but have since been used.

The Rio Olympic Velodrome hosted the 2018 Para-Cycling World Championships, while tennis courts and the three Carioca Arenas are also reportedly among venues used regularly for events since the conclusion of the Games.

Temporary swimming pools used at the Games have been dismantled, relocated, and are in use, it is claimed. AP

News reported, citing official sources.

The Olympic Torch is due to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greek on March 12, and scheduled arrive in Japan on March 20.

The Flame is set be taken to Ishinomaki Minamihama Tsunami Recovery Memorial Park in Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture.

The Torch Relay is then due to officially begin in Fukushima on March 26.

Around 16,000 people lost their lives in the disaster triggered by the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Both Tokyo 2020 and the International Olympic Committee are keen to use the Games to

Continenta provide IOC to not reins

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nternational Boxing Association (Aiba) Marketing Commission Chairman Umar Kremlev claimed their new Continental Forums give the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “no reason not to reinstate the organization.”

The inaugural Aiba Continental Forum took place in Panama on Saturday, with 38 national federations from the Americas gathered to hear updates on the world governing body’s reforms. Future Continental Forums in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania are scheduled to take place in the coming months.

Aiba was stripped of their Olympic status last June over a number of issues, many of which stemmed from a judging scandal during the boxing competition at Rio 2016.

The organization’s future remains precarious due to a large amount of debt and an uncertain leadership, with Mohamed Moustahsane currently acting as Interim president after the resignation of Uzbekistan’s Gafur Rakhimov.

Despite Nenad Lalović, head of the IOC group monitoring Aiba, last week slamming the lack of progress the body has made since it was suspended, Kremlev revealed to insidethegames that he believed the Continental Forums could change this.

“This Forum consists of many parts, such as marketing, performance, refereeing, judging,

orts

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Monday, January 20, 2020

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12 teams vie in D-League, Malonzo favored in Draft

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THE Ginebra Gin Kings are in party mode but deep in their minds is the coveted All-Filipino trophy.

NEXT TARGET: PHL CUP D

ONE with its mission to regain the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup, Barangay Ginebra believes it is well-equipped to also dominate the All-Filipino crown.

The Gin Kings are in party mode after thrashing the Meralco Bolts in their five-game championship series that ended with their victory in Game Five, 105-93, last Friday.

But for Tim Cone, who just won his 22nd title in the PBA, the future looked brighter with the right players at his disposal as the team parts ways

with the ever-reliable Justin Brownlee for the first conference of the 45th season of the league.

“We feel like we have the tools. We have a substantial break so we will be able to recharge our batteries and get keyed for the All-Filipino,” Cone said.

The new season starts in the first week of March because of adjustments made last year for the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games and the participation of the men’s team in the Fiba World Cup, The long break means blessing for Barangay

Ginebra, which eyes the All-Filipino conference against the favorites, five-time champion San Miguel Beer.

“We hope that we can use this conference to gain momentum into the All-Filipino,” said Cone, who has impressive remarks on their new addition Stanley Pringle.

“Stanley is an anchor for the team,” he said.

“He’s the difference.”

“We also have Japeth [Aguilar] and Greg [Slaughter]. They kind of take a step back usually when the imports come. it’s their time to step

Park builds 2-shot lead in LPGA season opener

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AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida—Inbee Park finally made a bogey, but she still finished with a fourunder 67 Saturday and a two-shot lead over Sei Young Kim heading into the final round of the seasonopening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

Park, a 19-time winner on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, hadn’t made a bogey since November’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. But she finally dropped a shot when she three-putted the difficult 211-yard par-three 18th.

To that point, she’d been precise and consistent and had a decent day with the putter. She hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation and made five birdies.

Three consecutive birdies starting at the par-four

no-go zone aid the region’s recovery. The town of Okuma, a cohost of the nuclear plant, was already included in the first day of the Torch Relay.

Last month Greenpeace warned that radiation hot spots had been detected near to the starting point of the Torch Relay in Fukushima. The level of radiation at the J-Village sports facility is considerably higher than the national safety standards, they claimed.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry has insisted the area is safe, but promised it would continue talks with local officials to monitor the region.

Insidethegames

al Forums ‘no reason state Aiba’ governance, anti-doping,” Lalović said. “Everything we discuss here can help in the future. If it continues in this way, in two years Aiba will become the best federation.”

“These Forums will give the IOC no reason to not reinstate Aiba,” he added. “If Aiba becomes the best federation, why would you punish it? If we don’t have problems as before, with anti-doping, governance, finance, refereeing, judging and ethics, why should the IOC continue to exclude us?”

Kremlev, also secretary general of the the Russian Boxing Federation, went on to explain in more detail how he expected the Forums to improve Aiba, also revealing that they are likely to become an annual event.

Moustahsane presented the Aiba Reform Commission progress report and spoke about the future of the world governing body, while Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee President Brian Lewis advised National Federations and Confederations on how to facilitate the renovation of Olympic boxing in line with the IOC. Kremlev has previously made other efforts to get Aiba reinstated by the IOC, offering to completely write off the organization’s debts if Aiba regained the organization of boxing at Tokyo 2020.

The proposal was rejected. Insidethegames

13th built her lead to three shots.

“Well, it’s always disappointing to finish with a bogey.... So I think I’ll just go ahead and make some birdies tomorrow,” Park said.

Closest to Park is Kim, whose three victories in 2019 included the lucrative CME Group Tour Championship. Kim made five birdies in a wild second nine and shot 67. Nasa Hataoka shot 68 and will begin Sunday three shots behind the leader.

With 10 victories, Kim widely is regarded as the most talented player on tour who has yet to win a major. After a sloppy bogey at the 13th hole, she bounced back by reeling off birdies on her next four holes. At the par-three 17th, she hit a three-wood from 209 yards into the wind that finished 10 feet right

of the hole, and narrowly missed the eagle attempt.

“Her [short off-season] break was good and it looks like she picked up where she left off,” said her caddie, Paul Fusco. Asked the biggest strength of Kim’s game, he answered, “Everything. She’s relaxed, and she makes it look very easy. She’s special.”

Kim was in high school when Park broke through to win for the first time as a pro at the 2007 US Women’s Open, the first of Park’s seven majors. Kim has played in the final round on Sunday with Park previously, and win or lose, has enjoyed the experience. In 2015, Kim holed out from 154 yards to beat Park in a playoff at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii; she lost to Park in a playoff at the Women’s PGA Championship. AP

forward,” he added.

The Gin Kings finished third in the elimination round of the Philippine Cup. In the quarterfinals, they lost to the Magnolia Hotshots, who made it through the Finals but faltered against the Beermen.

But Cone knows San Miguel Beer is just one of the problems, stressing the other teams have improved.

“TNT can beat you up and down the court, Nlex is coming in, so many teams getting better,” he said. Ramon Rafael Bonilla Inbee Park finally makes a bogey, but still finishes with a four-under 67.

ABABA EYES RECORD 3RD STRAIGHT CROWN J honnel Ababa will all have the drive and motivation as he guns for a record third straight championship in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Pradera Verde Classic, armed with a game he polished during the break and a good track record on the Philippine Golf Tour Asia (PGTA).

The winningest on the fledgling circuit with four victories, including back-to-back romps at the sprawling Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club complex in Lubao, Pampanga, Ababa is aware of the pressure but confident of extending his win run against a stellar international field all aiming for a big finish in the $100,000 event which gets under way on Tuesday.

They include Aussie Damien Jordan; Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia; Americans Josh Salah; Lexus Keoninh and Charles Lee; Koreans Hwang Myung-chal, Lee Sangun and Park Jun-sung; along with Spain’s Salvador Paya Vila; Thai Pachara Sakulyong; Singapore’s Gabriel Cheok; Finland’s Sean Avellan; and Japan’s Yuta Sudo and Toru Nakajima, among others.

“I’m ready and in top condition,” said Ababa, who also won at Eagle Ridge at Forest Hills in 2018, before going into some kind of slump after keeping his Pradera crown last year. He ended up tied for 25th in the Luisita Championship, shared 19th place at Southwoods, tied for eighth

at Aboitiz, wound up joint 10th at the CAT Open before finishing fifth at Summit Point.

But he hopes to flash his old magic this week although he remains wary of the opposition, particularly the other local aces who are all coming into the 72-hole championship raring to foil his bid for a record run in the third season (2019-2020) of the circuit put up by ICTSI. Front-runner Tony Lascuña, for one, is also out to press his bid for the Order of Merit crown while Clyde Mondilla is, likewise, priming up for his defense of the Philippine Open crown.

2018 PGT OOM winner Jobim Carlos also vows to come out strong in a bid to end a string of so-so finishes following a dip in form last year, along with veterans Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Jerson Balasabas, Michael Bibat, Rufino Bayron and Gerald Rosales.

The young guns are also tipped to crowd the fancied bets in all four days of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and backed by by PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and PGT Asia official apparel Pin High, with Ira Alido due for a big win after a string of impressive finishes last year.

Others expected to contend are Reymon Jaraula, Keanu Jahns, James Ryan Lam, Justin Quiban, Nilo Salahog, Sean Talmadge, Rupert Zaragosa and former amateur hotshot Lloyd Go.

Loving this NBA season Rick Olivares | bleachersbrew@gmail.com

Bleachers’ Brew Why am I enjoying this current NBA season?

Because everything has been turned upside down. Over at the Western conference, Denver is atop the Northwest Division, the Los Angeles Lakers are leading the Pacific, and Dallas is the best in the Southwest.

Over at the East, Toronto despite the loss of gunfor-hire Kawhi Leonard, is tops in the Atlantic while

Milwaukee leads the Central, and Miami is the boss in the Southeast.

And it is certainly shocking to see the Golden State Warriors languishing at the bottom of their division (I know that their championship core is either injured or has been traded away or in the case of Shaun Livingston, retired).

Speaking of Golden State, how is Kevin Durant

WELVE teams which will vie in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League (D-League) Aspirants’ Cup starting on February 13.

NCAA champion Letran and UAAP runner-up University of Santo Tomas lead the cast for the first conference that is shaping up to be another wild race to the finish. The Knights return as Wangs BasketballLetran, while the Growling Tigers will be the UST Builders Warehouse.

All—except for Marinerong Pilipino, runnerup in the Foundation Cup last season—are school-based teams.

Eco Oil-De La Salle and Mapua are debuting in the D-League, joining mainstays Centro Escolar University (CEU) and AMA Online Education.

Rounding out the roster are San Sebastian, Far Eastern University, Diliman College, Technological Institute of the Philippines and Enderun Colleges.

All teams will have the chance to load up

their rosters with the D-League Draft set on Monday at the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City.

Fil-Am forward Jamie Malonzo of La Salle is expected to be picked first by AMA. The 6-foot-6 high-flyer is the prime choice for Online Education because of the Fil-Am forward’s stints in Portland State and in La Salle in the last UAAP season where he was named as a part of the Mythical Team.

This will be the fourth straight year Coach Mark Herrera and the Titans will pick first in the draft. Past top picks by AMA were Jeron Teng (2017), Owen Graham (2018) and Joshua Munzon (2019).

Also seen to be picked early are Gilas pool member Jaydee Tungcab and former youth stars Jollo Go and Jerie Pingoy, as well as Cebuano standouts Darrell Menina and Jaybie Mantilla.

The pool consists of 137 applicants, including 17 Fil-foreigners.

Foundation Cup runner-up Marinerong Pilipino will pick second, followed by Aspirants Cup bridesmaid CEU.

Bullpups storm past Baby Falcons, stay unblemished in nine matches

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ational University (NU)Nazareth School needed a huge fourth quarter surge to stave off Adamson University, 94-79, in the UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre, in San Juan.

With their ninth straight win in as many games, the reigning champions clinched a playoff spot in the tournament.

The Bullpups, however, had to dig deep to beat the Baby Falcons, whom they trashed, 8260, in their first encounter last November 21.

“We expected Adamson University to play tough. It was a good thing we got our rhythm in the fourth quarter,” Bullpups Head Coach Goldwin Monteverde said.

Ahead 69-66 with 8:26 left, NU unleashed a 12-2 blast to rip the game wide open. Big men Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao dominated the shade while Terrence Fortea buried two triples in the onslaught.

Fortea led the way for the Bullpups with 25 points built on seven triples to go along six assists and four rebounds.

“With Terrence, despite a so-so first round, we still trust him,” Monteverde remarked about Fortea, who averaged 12.57 points in the first round.

Tamayo tallied 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Quiambao added 16 points on seven-of-11 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Reyland Torres added 15 points and eight rebounds.

After being limited to just eight points against Far Eastern University (FEU) last week, leading MVP candidate John Figueroa bounced back with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals for Adamson University, which dropped to 4-5 won-lost for a tie with Ateneo in fourth spot.

FEU, on the other hand, remained at second

after knocking down Ateneo High School in the final frame for a 67-57 triumph.

The Baby Tamaraws limited the Blue Eaglets to just nine points in the final quarter to notch their eighth straight win while remaining at solo second with an 8-1 card.

Patrick Sleat led the Baby Tams with 18 points on six-of-12 shooting from the field and two-of-two—he also had 16 boards. Jorick Bautista added 15 points.

FEU dominated the boards with 71 rebounds against the 56 of skidding Ateneo. Chiolo Anonuevo and Vincent Saldua grabbed 15 and 12 boards, respectively.

Ateneo, which dropped its third straight game, only had Lebron Lopez scoring in doublefigures with 16 points on 17 attempts. He had 16 rebounds and five blocks.

Forthsky Padrigao was limited to just eight points on three-of-16 shooting.

University of Santo Tomas rose to solo third with a 5-4 record after an 87-63 bludgeoning of the hapless University of the PhilippinesIntegrated School.

Bismarck Line powered the romp with 20 points on seven-of-nine shooting and 11 rebounds, while James Maliwat and Jacob Cortez added 17 and 12 points, respectively. Ray Torres was the sole bright spot for the Junior Maroons, who fell to 0-9. He had 25 points in the contest.

University of the East picked up its third win of the season at the expense of De La Salle-Zobel, 81-68, to open the day.

Vhoris Marasigan towed the Junior Red Warriors to their second straight win with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

The Junior Green Archers, who fell to 3-6, was led by Kean Baclaan, who had 18 points but was forced to commit seven turnovers.

Ewan wins prelude to Tour Down Under

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JHONNEL ABABA is the man to watch in Pradera Verde.

after he made the expected move to Brooklyn?

They are as of this Sunday 18-23, and in eighth spot in the East (not to mention a three-game losing streak). Are they a better team than their record suggests? Possibly. It is still too early to tell although they can get better. If not, the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls can catch up.

I thought that Boston was ready to take it to the next level except...well, am not sure now. Can I say the same for the Houston Rockets? Let’s see where how far they go this year.

In this era of the players’ league with no hand checking and less physicality, the league is one big highlight reel. Defense is out of the window. Or is it?

I think it is incredible that LeBron James is still doing LeBron James things at 35 years of age, and in his 17th year in the league. There are only three players—I think left from that 2003 NBA Draft

DELAIDE, Australia—Australia’s Caleb Ewan won the criterium prelude to the Tour Down Under cycle race for the fourth time in five years on Sunday.

Riding for the Belgium-based Lotto-Soudal team, Ewan unleashed his powerful sprint at just the right time to easily win the 51 kilometer race over 30 laps of a street circuit in downtown Adelaide.

Elia Viviani of Italy was second and Viviani’s compatriot and Cofidis temmate Simone Consonni was third.

Light rain made the circuit treacherous in places and some of the leading riders took a conservative approach, saving themselves for the tour proper that begins Tuesday with the class who are still in the league—James, Carmelo Anthony who is with the Portland Trailblazers, and Kyle Korver who is with the Milwaukee Bucks.

That Vince Carter is in his 22nd year in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is with his nth team (actually his eighth team). Not half, but truly amazing, if I may say.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic are the faces of the league alongside James, Leonard, Stephen Curry and James Harden. Will Ja Morant join them eventually?

How fun is it to watch those Memphis Grizzlies?

While I am enjoying this NBA season, team loyalty is out of the window, as well. Players now routinely switch teams.

Has that affected the way I view the NBA? Somewhat. Can’t tell a team or a player without a

first of six stages in the countryside around Adelaide.

Ewan rode a well-timed race, hanging back in the peloton for most of the event, then working his way up through the field in the later laps to be in the perfect place to launch his winning sprint. He won in a time of one hour, four minutes and 29 seconds.

His winning streak in the race, which began in 2015, has been broken only by the win of world champion Peter Sagan in 2018.

The prelude does not count toward overall classification in the Tour Down Under but Ewan will wear the tour leader’s jersey in Tuesday’s 150 kilometer (90 mile) opening stage.

The Tour Down Under is the first event of the 2020 UCI World Tour. AP scorecard or a program.

However, all these changes were coming a long time ago. While I miss the physicality, the big time and larger-than-life rivalries, I have learned to go with these changing times.

As much as think that players like Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler should be wearing Chicago jerseys, I guess, or even James in a Cleveland jersey, this is all about change.

I lost interest in the league for long time.

Time was I followed it on a daily basis and knew everything that was going on. Then that interest waned and I followed it sporadically until I went an entire season without watching a game until last year’s NBA finals. And am I surprised that despite all these changes I am once more following the league.

And we are not even half-way done.

16-year-old Cherki nails 2 goals as Lyon advances in French Cup

P

ARIS—Two goals and two assists from 16-year-old forward Rayan Cherki helped Lyon win, 4-3, at Nantes and reach the last 16 of the French Cup on Saturday.

But the run of Reunion Islanders JS Saint-Pierroise ended with a 1-0 loss away to Epinal, which scored deep into extra time.

Cherki put Lyon ahead in the first minute, deftly rounding goalkeeper Alban Lafont and then clipping the ball beyond a defender. He made it 2-0 in the ninth, slotting the ball through Lafont’s legs after being set up by right winger Bertrand Traoré.

New signing Renaud Emond headed in Moses Simon’s cross from the left to pull a goal back for Nantes in the 16th. Cherki then showed great awareness to release forward Martin Terrier with a fine pass from midfield in the 37th for 3-1.

Cherki shaved the crossbar with a shot in the 60th and won a penalty in the 67th after robbing the ball off Thomas Basila.

He generously allowed striker Moussa Dembélé to take it, but Lafont saved Dembélé’s attempt.

Two minuter later, Cherki threaded the ball down the right to Dembélé, who slotted in, and the irrepressible Cherki set up another chance for Terrier.

Lyon’s defense remains vulnerable and Simon set up Imran Louza’s goal before heading in late on to ensure a tense finish.

Saint-Pierroise had caused an upset in the previous round by knocking out second-division Niort and the players again traveled 9,700 kilometers from the small island in the Indian Ocean, located off the east coast of Africa.

Saint-Pierroise, the former club of France midfielder Dimitri Payet, was looking to become the first club from the Reunion Islands to reach the last 16 and almost forced a penalty shoot-out, despite having forward Jean-Michel Fontaine sent off in the 15th minute.

But substitute Adel Berkane rifled home a half-volley for fourth-tier Epinal with two minutes left in extra time.

Also, there were wins for first-division sides Nice, Lille, Saint-Étienne and Strasbourg.

Lille won, 2-0, at fifth-division Gonfreville thanks to goals from forwards Loïc Rémy and Victor Osimhen, while Coach Patrick Vieira’s Nice side held on to beat third-tier Red Star, 2-1.

Saint-Etienne won 3-2 at Paris FC, a team fighting relegation in the second division.

Paris FC led 2-1 with goals from former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Jérémy Ménez and ex-Rennes winger Jonathan Pitroipa. Teen forward Charles Abi equalized for Saint-Etienne with 20 minutes left before veteran right back Mathieu Debuchy netted the winner.

Strasbourg won, 5-1, at fourth-tier Angoulême.

On Sunday, Rennes plays at fifth-tier Athlético Marseille and PSG travels to face second division league leader Lorient.

Rennes beats PSG in last year’s final. AP

Sports BusinessMirror

C4

| Monday, January 20, 2020 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

GIO REYNA makes his presence felt.

Reyna youngest American to play in Bundesliga at 17

A

Rayan Cherki plays like a veteran.

CHEATING OR BETTING? L

By Tim Dahlberg The Associated Press

AS VEGAS—Pete Rose was taking a break from signing autographs at the MGM Grand hotel when asked a question he’s uniquely qualified to address.

What’s worse, betting on baseball or cheating at baseball?

“I don’t know,’’ Rose tells The Associated Press. “All I know is I’ve been suspended for 30 years now. I don’t know anybody that’s been suspended for 30 years.”

It’s a fair point, especially when compared to the punishments handed out so far in the worst scandal to hit baseball since the steroid era. What Rose did was wrong—according to baseball rules—but there’s still a lot of people who believe he should be adding a Hall of Fame designation when he signs memorabilia in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas.

Still, 30 years away from the game he was so great at seems like an awful long time, especially when Major League Baseball and other sports leagues have made their peace—and are doing business—with the bookies who post lines on their games.

And face it. If you believe Rose on the details of what he did—and that’s a stretch for some—his betting didn’t have nearly the impact on baseball than a cheating scheme that has brought into question the legitimacy of not just one, but two, World Series.

“Which one is worse, stealing signs electronically, taking steroids or betting on baseball?” the all-time major league hit leader asked. “All three are bad. But at least what I did never had anything to do with the outcome of the game.”

The Astros cheating scandal, of course, is still new, at least publicly.

A week ago, no one was questioning whether the Astros were really the 2017 champions or the Red Sox a year after that.

Now it’s all in play, and the discussion is beginning to turn to how the sign scandal ranks with other scandals in baseball history.

Pretty high up with each passing day, if only because there are few comparable scandals and two of them involve gambling. The Black Sox scandal of 1919 and Rose betting on baseball games from the dugout in Cincinnati are about the only ones that come close.

There’s also the steroid era, where it was hard to figure out what was real and what wasn’t. The players themselves weren’t much help, sticking up for teammates and for the most part claiming ignorance of steroid use.

The unwritten baseball code of silence, though, seems to be unraveling quickly with the sign-stealing scandal. That began in November when former Houston pitcher Mike Fiers went on record to The Athletic about the scheme the Astros employed during his time there to steal signs.

Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood, who was careful to hide his signals in allowing one hit in 5 2/3 innings of Game Four of the World Series, tweeted that he would rather pitch to a player on steroids than one who knew which pitch was coming. That sentiment was echoed by Reds

pitcher Trevor Bauer, who added, “All day every day for the rest of time.”

National League MVP Cody Bellinger went even further, saying there needs to be major consequences for any players involved.

“That completely ruins the integrity of the game!!!”

Bellinger tweeted.

Rose said he wished the scandal wasn’t playing out a month before pitchers and catchers report for spring training. He predicted Commissioner Rob Manfred will have a hard time dealing with the fallout.

But he agreed with Bellinger that if players are guilty, they need to be punished, just as he was.

“If you’re the batter and I give you the indicator, aren’t you just as guilty being the batter?” he asked. “It’s the batter who is benefiting from this, not the guy who was the indicator. You have to look at every player on the team.”

Rose, who turns 79 in April, said there was sign-stealing during his time, though without technology. Mostly, it was a base coach figuring out sign sequences and a runner at second relaying them to the batter, and there were accepted ways to make it stop.

“Usually what would happen is the pitcher would throw it right at a guy’s head,” he said. “Ninety of 100 would stop because they don’t want that chin music.”

But while Rose was guilty of doing things not in the best interest of baseball, he said he wasn’t much of a sign thief.

“I batted 15,000 times and I never wanted a guy on second to tell me what was coming,” he said. “I didn’t want to know because he might be wrong and I wasn’t a guess hitter anyway so it wouldn’t have helped me much.’’

It did help, Rose said, the home run hitters who liked to guess on what pitches were coming. And that, he added, holds true today.

“It’s a bigger thing for home run hitters,” he said. “I played with a lot of guys who were home run hitters and you tell them what’s coming and they would hit it out of Yellowstone Park.”

IF you believe Pete Rose on the details of what he did—and that’s a stretch for some—his betting doesn’t have nearly the impact on baseball than a cheating scheme that has brought into question the legitimacy of not just one, but two, World Series. AP

UGSBURG, Germany—Gio Reyna became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga when he made his league debut for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Aged 17 years, two months and five days, Reyna came on in the 72nd minute at Augsburg, and was booked in the 76th, with his performance impressing Dortmund Coach Lucien Favre.

“It was very good that he played here. At 17, it was good,” Favre said.

Reyna replaced Christian Pulisic as the youngest American to have played in the league.

Pulisic was 17 years, four months and 12 days old when he made his Bundesliga debut for Dortmund, on January 30, 2016.

Reyna is the son of former US internationals Claudio Reyna and Danielle Egan Reyna.

Dortmund signed the attacking midfielder from New York City FC in July, and he went on to score four goals in 11 league games for Dortmund’s under-19 team.

The teenager was named to a Bundesliga matchday squad for the first time in December, when he was an unused substitute in a 5-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Reyna’s debut took second place to Erling Haaland’s first game for the club, as the 19-year-old Norwegian striker scored a second-half hat trick to help Dortmund overturn a two-goal deficit and win, 5-3 in Augsburg. AP

IRAN BANNED FROM HOSTING INTERNATIONAL SOCCER TILTS T EHRAN, Iran—Iran’s soccer federation said Friday it has been told it will not be hosting any international matches on Iranian soil.

The federation said it received a letter from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) saying that all matches involving Iranian teams will be held in a third country.

The Iranians did not say if any reason was given or if the decision is related to the accidental shoot down of a Ukrainian jetliner last week, which killed all 176 people on board.

The AFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Iran is fully ready to host various teams as it has repeatedly proven during the past several years,” Amirmahdi Alavi, a spokesman for the Iranian federation, was quoted as saying by the semiofficial Mehr news agency.

He pointed to Iran’s hosting of the 2018 AFC Champions League final at Azadi Stadium in the capital, Tehran, as an example. He also said the Sports Ministry has provided the required security guarantees to the AFC. Iran’s federation, which has four teams in the AFC Champions League, said it would meet with AFC officials to express its opposition to the decision.

Last season the Iranian teams played Saudi teams in the United Arab Emirates. The Saudi teams did not travel to Iran because the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 2016.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard accidentally shot the Ukrainian flight down on January 8, as it was expecting a counterattack after firing several missiles at US troops in Iraq. The missile attack was retaliation for the killing of Iran’s top general in a US air strike.

Iranian officials initially blamed the crash on a technical problem and only admitted responsibility three days later, after Western leaders said there was mounting evidence the plane was brought down by a surface-to-air missile. AP

The heavens declare the glory of God

D

EAR God, whose handiwork the firmament proclaims. Day unto day conveys the message, and night unto night imparts the knowledge. No speech, no word, whose voice goes and unheeded; their sound goes forth through all the Earth, their message to the utmost bounds of the world. There God has placed a tent for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from the tent, rejoices like a champion to run its course. At one end of the heavens is the rising of the sun; to its furthest end it runs its course. There is nothing concealed from its burning heat, (Psalm 19:2-7). Forever we praise You, oh God in splendor. Amen.

GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • lifestylebusinessmirror@gmail.com

TILDA SWINTON, prominent photo; Fashion: Gucci, Marc Jacobs.

Jewelry: Lisa Eisner Jewelry, Vela, Uno de 50, A. Brandt+Son; Renishaw Hall, Derbyshire, 2018.

Life BusinessMirror

ALL ACCESS: SB19: SIMPLY PHENOMENAL D3

Monday, January 20, 2020

D1

PHOTOS: TIM WALKER STUDIO

MICHAEL KORS RELEASES 2020 LUNAR NEW YEAR CAMPAIGN LUXURY lifestyle brand Michael Kors has unveiled its 2020 Lunar New Year campaign, a video which takes fans of the brand on a whimsical trip via airplane, train, car and motorcycle to reach home in time for Lunar New Year celebrations.

Along the way, travelers will find perfect gifts and accessories for arriving in style, including the ultra-luxe Cece bag with a special jeweled clasp, eyecatching gold and red jewelry pieces, and the Maci watch with a chic embossed leather strap in a lucky red hue.

Exclusively distributed around these parts by Stores Specialists Inc. (www.ssilife.com.ph), the brand also marks this year with money envelopes embossed with the Michael Kors signature logo pattern.

Tim Walker’s wonderful world L

DUCKIE THOT, Aubrey’s shadow; Fashion: Saint Laurent; London, 2017.

ONDON, United Kingdom—Any cynic who says London is drab, gray or sullen should step into the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum’s ongoing exhibition, Tim Walker: Wonderful Things. The British portrait and fashion photographer’s body of work is playful, colorful and joyful, and just what one needs in a 2020 that’s off to a disastrous start.

I was, somewhat, sad when I missed the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams showcase, so I thought the next best thing was to buy the book about the exhibit. But when I went to the V&A in late October last year, I was drawn to the crowd going to Galleries 38 and 38a, just to the side of the bookshop.

There is fantasy. There is surrealism. Then there is Tim Walker’s contorted reality. His photographs are whimsical, fantastical and, oftentimes, allegorical.

It’s what I imagine magic realism to be. It helps that in each of the 10 rooms of the exhibit, Walker’s notes are there as if he was guiding you himself.

“To me, the V&A has always been a palace of dreams—it’s one of the most inspiring places in the world. I was lucky enough to spend months delving into the wide and eclectic collection, and meeting many of the experts who care for the artifacts housed there. The photographs you are about to see are directly influenced by my experience of the treasures I encountered,” Walker explains in his notes.

I’m more familiar with Avedon and Penn, Meisel and Demarchelier, Leibovitz and von Unwerth.

Walker, I was unfamiliar with beyond his frequent collaborations with fellow British fashion icons Tilda Swinton, Karen Elson and Kate Moss. And, of course, the 2018 Pirelli calendar, which featured an all-black cast that reimagined Alice in Wonderland, with Duckie Thot as Alice and RuPaul as the Queen of Hearts.

Walker is said to be the first living photographer to exhibit at the V&A. But the show isn’t a retrospective, as he was especially invited to create high-concept, high-fashion images inspired by the museum’s vast collections of ancient and contemporary artworks.

Each room becomes more immersive and movie setlike as designed by Walker’s long-term collaborator and set designer, Shona Heath. It will run until March 22, with ticket prices at £15.

“Each picture is an attempt to capture the

emotion I felt on meeting these objects, and the stories they conjured in my mind. As I wandered around the museum, I imagined how it must have felt to the archaeologist Howard Carter when he first encountered the sublime contents of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922,” Walker writes, quoting: “As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold—everywhere the glint of gold...I was struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer, inquired anxiously, ‘Can you see anything?’ it was all I could do to get out the words, “‘Yes, wonderful things.’”

In the room “Off With Their Heads,” Walker writes: “As a young photographer, my first simple imaginings gradually became enormously complicated fantasies. I’d stop at nothing to drive them into the tiny 35mm film canister—the more impossible, the better. I was so in love with the fairyland I was dragging up from my subconscious.

The cat had to be lilac, the Indian elephant a particular blue, the enormous doll had to be bigger.”

“Iluminations” is about the stained glasses at the V&A. “Lord of the Flies” is inspired by the book

by William Golding and the film by Peter Brooks, about British schoolboys whose plane crashed in the Pacific, thus Walker’s pictures about “children left to their own devices and their imaginations running riot.” In “Cloud 9,” inspired by the V&A’s historical paintings from South Asia, celebrates his love for India, and its vibrancy and mysticism. “Li’l Dragon” is about the museum’s intricately decorated snuffboxes (dating to about 1745), with Walker photographing contemporary clothes selected by the stylist Zoe Bedeaux.

“Handle with Care” is a “love letter to the conservators, curators and archivists” whose work is vital to the museum. Inspiration for the “Handle with Care” room: dress from “The Horn of Plenty” autumn/winter collection of Alexander McQueen (1969-2010), 2009. Models like Sgaire Wood (in Miu Miu), James Crewe (in Valentino) and Karen Elson (in Sarah Bruylant) pose like mannequins inside storage boxes coming to life.

Fashion is the biggest polluter in the world, and Walker is aware of that fact. In “Soldiers of Tomorrow,” which takes its cue from the Bayeux Tapestry, at 65 meters long, the biggest photograph that Walker has ever seen, he pleads for sustainability: “It inspired me to produce photographs that evoke both the chaos and the beauty of the tapestry. As the fashion industry can be very wasteful, I liked the idea of everything being recycled, homemade and hand knitted for this shoot. We reused things in different ways—old ironing boards became shields, vacuum cleaners became madcap medieval instruments. The figures are eco-warriors, the soldiers of tomorrow.” ■

PRESENT at the ribbon cutting were Heart Evangelista-Escudero and Verronica “Nica” Resurrection, president of Extraordinail.

Extraordinail announces full rebrand, new nail trends “CLOUD 9,” top photo; Radhika Nair; fashion: Halpern and Dolce & Gabbana; Pershore, Worcestershire, 2018.

BEAUTY hub Extraordinail has undergone a major renovation and a rebrand. Maintaining what’s at the heart of the brand’s philosophy—providing high-quality nail services and skin-care services— Extraordinail Salon & Skin care has a new look and feel, signifying an opportunity to grow and evolve the brand, and expand service offerings.

Having added a new branch in Bonifacio Global City to its salons in Greenhills and Tomas Morato, Extraordinail has built a large following since its launch five years ago. Owner and president Veronica “Nica” Resurrection sought to create a space that feels comfortable for the customers. The salon’s new look ditches the Victorian patterns of orange and beige of the past, replacing it with white walls, midnight blue lux furniture, OGAWA sofa massage chair, accents of gold, and wood elements for a natural look and feel.

Says Nica, “The new look features a soothing color palette, warm textures, and airy spaces, providing a new face to a beloved brand. Posh VIP rooms have been added to cater to guests who want privacy and ultimate pampering.”

In addition to the new look, its service offerings have been expanded. “From day one, Extraordinail has prided itself as a brand that provides high-quality services,” says Nica. “I always want innovation and I’m thrilled to announce our new press-on nails. I’m inspired by designers who makes couture dresses, so these press-on nails will be custom-fit to each customer. They look so natural, people will think they’re real.”

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Monday, January 20, 2020

Style

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

z

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Skeet Ulrich, 50; Rainn Wilson, 54; Bill Maher, 64; David Lynch, 74.

Happy Birthday: Refuse to let someone beat you at your own game. Put your energy to good use, and use your intelligence to navigate your way to a higher position. Challenge yourself mentally, and pick up new skills, information and insight that will help you expand your interests, ability to earn, reputation and status.

Walk away from dishonest or indulgent people. Your lucky numbers are 8, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35, 41.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take advantage of an opportunity someone offers. Now is not the time to be too proud to accept help. Something you say or do for someone will be enough of a payback to warrant what you receive. Be grateful. HHHHH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may desire change, but first, take a closer look at the consequences. You’ll achieve positive results if you do the groundwork to ensure success. Someone will probably shed some light on a dicey situation.

HHHH

Bang Pineda (from left), Arlene Cu and Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu

Three days of Pinoy style F

ashion fans and industry insiders alike gathered just before 2019 came to a close to witness one of the country’s biggest fashion events: “StyleFestPH” (www.stylefest.ph).

A project of 0917 Lifestyle, the tech and fashion brand of Globe, and Saga Events, the country’s premier events company, StyleFestPH aims to champion the creativity that lies within Filipino designers, in order to propel the local fashion industry forward. For its second installment, StyleFestPH staged several shows across three days, featuring both veterans and emerging talents in one space.

Kicking things off was a multi-designer show, titled Roots, which was about reimagining traditional Filipino silhouettes and indigenous fabrics to create culturally rich apparel. The show brought together four designers with the singular theme of celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship unique to the Philippines.

The collections included pieces from Piopio by Paloma Zobel, which boasted jumpsuits, skirts and

off-shoulder tops made with traditional fabrics from around the Philippines; Bomberong” jackets in Jor-El Espina’s signature look and take on the traditional barong Tagalog; French Riviera-inspired separates using piña silk and natural fabrics by Chris Nick; and exquisite evening gowns with exaggerated sleeves for the modern day Maria Clara by Mark Bumgarner.

The next day, Boom Sason held a presentation of her latest swimwear collection, celebrating the confidence which lies within every woman. A mix of bikinis and maillots in a variety of prints and colors, each design was cut to flaunt a woman’s best assets and curves.

Bang Pineda capped the three-day style extravaganza with a birthday show featuring a 100-piece collection. With the theme “Ravage, Resurrection and Freedom,” the designer showcased edgy streetwear aesthetic in denim, bright colors and suiting, alongside his tech-infused capsule collection for 0917 Lifestyle. “Liberation is key for the edgy,” the designer says. n

Fluidity and autumnal hues hit Paris menswear week

By Thomas Adamson The Associated Press PARIS—Fluidity graced the menswear catwalks in Paris as fall-winter crescendoed through the weekend, with shows from houses, such as Jacquemus and Hermes on Saturday.

Here are some highlights of the day’s fall-winter 2020-2021 menswear shows in the French capital.

JACQUEMUS GOES FLUID Simon Porte Jacquemus, 30, produced a show of soft geometry. Sections of the silhouette—such as the midriff or the top of thighs—seemed to be visually lopped off in a clever show of shape-play by the French designer. Elongated legs paired with mushroom-shaped and rounded shoulders at the top.

Rounded hats or scarves flattened the head.

Soft wools and cottons ensured comfort, while a sculpted gown in white coffee worn by model-of-theminute Bella Hadid gave the collection some bite.

Hermes sees fall 2020 with a fluidity in “ample shapes and generous proportions.”

HERMES’S PURE LINES “Pure lines form ample shapes and generous proportions,” Hermes said of its beautiful collection

by Veronique Nichanian.

With that mantra, Hermes’s veteran designer crowned the fall trend for fluid geometry with 45 thoughtful and accomplished looks.

A loose turtleneck in silken dark vanilla fabric, with a streak of black on the collar, rippled gently on the male model.

The flash-of-color theme reappeared as a blue inset on the lapel of a stylish dark coffee wool coat.

Hermes has become a byword for simple, unpretentious luxury. With panache, Nichanian proved this again in a classy and masculine showing.

BALMAIN’S HEIGHTENED SUBTLETY Oliver Rousteing took his foot off the extravagance pedal for a more-understated-thanusual collection of tasteful fluid designs for fall.

Autumnal gold, bronzes and khakis graced the display marked by banding across the torso and draping.

Safari jackets and shimmering desert sandals continued the Lawrence of Arabia theme the 33-yearold designer had toyed with in previous seasons.

But the increased subtlety was a nice direction for the house.

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t feel you have to make a grand entrance. Let your intelligence lead the way, and you will control the fallout from someone who is trying to make you look bad. An open discussion will help you maintain control. HHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Ease into change. Do your due diligence, and question the logistics and motives behind an offer.

Before you accept, consider what you will have to give in return. Make a counteroffer, but be prepared to go it alone. HHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Get pumped up and ready to take action. Share your thoughts and feelings to find out where you stand. Take the information offered and consider what’s best for you.

Connect with people from your past who can help you now. HHHHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Accept the inevitable, and work with what you’ve got. Process change and consider your alternatives, and you will come up with a plan that works for you. Sometimes a nudge is all you need to discover what you truly want. HH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Make a difference by reaching out to people who need a helping hand. How you relate to others will be crucial in discovering how best to treat yourself, as well as your expectations and goals. An offer from a past acquaintance looks promising. HHHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t let someone’s poor attitude stop you from getting things done. Discussions may be difficult, but they will also strengthen your position. Take a unique approach and physical action. Words alone will not be enough to reach your objective. Romance is encouraged. HHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Wait and watch. Everything will fall into place as long as you don’t overreact, instigate unnecessary change or are gullible to someone’s pretenses. Gather facts before committing. Use your experience and intelligence, and do your own thing. HHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep moving forward, regardless of what others do or say.

You may not agree with everyone, but take what is offered that works for you, and give it a spin that will encourage success and ward off opposition. HHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take the initiative, and discuss the plans that can help you achieve your goals. Do the necessary groundwork, sum up the facts and prepare yourself to make a well-earned leap forward. HHHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Too much, too fast equals setbacks. Concentrate on personal gains, physical strength and endurance, and overall preparation for what you want to achieve. Don’t make a decision that will limit what you can accomplish.

Expect change so you can adapt. HH Birthday Baby: You are broad-minded, enthusiastic and diligent.

You are innovative and abrupt.

‘alternative physical education’ by steven l. zisser The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 A little weight 5 Needs a massage, perhaps 10 Senses count 14 Move, in Realtor slang 15 Debonair 16 Big screen option 17 On ___ with 18 “Lights” singer Goulding 19 Kind of memorization 20 Seminar about the films of Penny and Garry?

23 Photocopy predecessor, briefly 24 Empty ___ (some parents) 28 QBs’ losses 29 Gray blanket?

33 Thoroughly clean, as a car 34 Like eggs, in some recipes 36 Hence 37 Educational session for evil spirit busters?

41 DDE’s alma mater 42 Broadcast online 43 Backs of yachts

6 Tree of Life’s garden 4 47 Roll of grass 50 No-goodniks in Westerns 52 Houston slugger 54 Program that teaches patience?

58 Gotham star Pinkett Smith 61 Sophia of Marriage Italian Style 62 Jai ___ 63 Object of adoration 64 One may be shaped like a bone 65 Big bash 66 Deride 67 FaceTime competitor 68 Swiss Army knives have many DOWN 1 One of Beyonce’s 23 2 Settled a debt 3 They go off when tripped 4 Kind of code for sailors 5 Not on shore 6 Separate the best from the rest 7 End of many college building names 8 Dasani alternative 9 Get mad

0 Starting lineup 1 11 Preface to a texter’s viewpoint 12 Large tub 13 Program file extension 21 Canadian put-down 22 Follower of Mao or Lao? 25 “I’m all ___!”

26 Fixes, as a fight 27 ___-mo 30 Cheese partner 31 Big name in elevators 32 “Beau ___” 34 Park Place neighbor 35 Many a character on The Big Bang Theory 37 It is, in Spain 38 Mutant superheroes 39 Meh grade 40 Hawaiian veranda 41 Port type hidden in “Genius Bar” 44 Actress Vardalos or Long 45 You can walk up on them 47 Subway station barriers 48 Rococo

49 Motherless calves 51 Baby-bringing bird 53 Major mix-up 55 Deuce topper 56 Bring home some cabbage 57 Pay to play 58 Good name for a P.E. teacher?

59 Hullabaloo 60 Dwarf with glasses Solution to Friday’s puzzle:

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SB19: simply phenomenal

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HERE is no doubt that the boy band SB19 was the breakthrough musical discovery of 2019.

Five local Pinoy-pop (P-pop) boys who were trained, honed, and transformed into K-pop looking and sounding artists surging in the music charts, gathering a huge following from around the globe and launching one hit single after another.

Recently, SB19 became the first Filipino act to have successfully penetrated the Billboard Social 50 chart, a popularity barometer that ranks the world’s most active musical artists on global social networking sites. It initially landed on the 28th spot, and peaked on the 19th slot.

The music video of the group’s latest song, titled “Alab [Burning],” scored a million views only two days after it was officially released. Past hits of SB19 include “Go Up” and “Tilaluha.”

The boys—Ken, Sejun, Josh, Stell and Justin—have been so focused on training for every performance, and their success has inspired them to work even harder and stay as grounded as they could.

“We can sense that our followers are increasing by the numbers but we are also aware that many still do not know who we are, and that is very important to us.

Our goal is to continue giving our best to our fans and followers in each, and every, performance. We have also promised one another that we will remain the same persons we were when we first met each other,” Ken told us.

We learned that some of the members still take the public transportation. “Oh yes, we are as normal as everyone out there—we commute, we eat where we want. We just got busier because our schedules now include a lot of rehearsals, music lessons, promotional tours and shows,” shared Justin.

Before their phenomenal rise to music stardom, the boys underwent years of training with ShowBT, a Korean entertainment company that set up its Manila office a few years ago. The goal was to create a Philippine version of the K-pop look and sound which SB19 has successfully achieved, eventually leading to them being classified under their own sub-genre, called P-pop.

Another ace the group has is that its members can create their own musical compositions. The melody of “Go Up,” SB19’s biggest hit to date, was composed by popular Korean music producer Lee Oh-won, but it was the boys who put the lyrics together. We learned that music videos are in the plans for their other songs: “Love Goes” and “Hanggang sa Huli.”

ShowBT Philippines Chairman Robin Geong, who has taken the role of the group’s daddy figure, is proud that his boys have garnered a huge following in so short a time. “We dream together and work hard together, I think that is our secret,” he shared. The boys refer to him as Tatay Robin, and he shared that the plans for 2020 have already been laid out and are just waiting for implementation.

Among these are concerts in key Philippine cities, collaborative projects with Korean pop artists and celebrities, brand endorsements and-one big, big show in a major concert venue by year-end. There are also plans to have concerts in huge Filipino communities overseas within the year.

All these will definitely keep the members of SB19 busy this 2020. We wish the boys more success, and we thank the Koreans for believing and investing in the talent of the Filipino artist. n

Monday, January 20, 2020

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Style

Monday, January 20, 2020

www.businessmirror.com.ph

How to make your beauty habits and practices sustainable E

VEN in the early 2000s, I have been aware that the use of cotton and tissues and, basically, the amount of beauty products we buy would someday come back to haunt us environmentally. I’m not perfect in terms of sustainability but I have been trying my best.

Recent events, such as the bushfires in Australia, have highlighted the effects of climate change.

“To the world leaders and those in power, I would like to say that you have not seen anything, yet. You have not seen the last of us, we can assure you that,” said environmental activist Greta Thunberg in a protest held in Switzerland last week.

I wish I had Thunberg’s foresight and vision for the environment when I was her age (17).

Because I am in an industry that promotes consumerism, I am guilty of so many things that have not helped reduce my carbon footprint. But awareness has helped changed that.

As someone who loves skin care and makeup, I have made several changes to my beautyrelated habits and practices, and they include: ■ USE MORE PRODUCTS THAT DON’T RELY ON PLASTIC PACKAGING. Lately, I’ve been using a shampoo bar from Lush called Soak and Float.

I’ve also purchased a solid conditioner called American Cream. According to the Lush web site, a solid shampoo bar “lasts for about 80 washes—the equivalent of two or three 8-ounce bottles of liquid shampoo!” Imagine the amount of plastic and sachet packaging you’re not using if you’re shampooing and conditioning with these bars. I’m also interested in Lush’s henna bars, which I hope to try soon.

■ USING REUSABLE COTTON ROUNDS. I’ve been using cotton rounds soaked in micellar water to remove my makeup but I’m looking into reusable ones. Meanwhile, I’ve been using cleansing oils and balms. If you use two cotton rounds everyday, imagine how much cotton you would not be using if you switch to reusables.

The World Wildlife Fund said 20,000 liters of

water are required to make just 1 kilogram of cotton. I mean, we’re having a water shortage right now in the Philippines so this is very important. Check out @arugaessentials or the hashtag #reusablecottonroundsph on Instagram if you’re interested in making the switch.

■ USING A MENSTRUAL CUP. So many of my friends have switched to menstrual cups because, like disposable diapers, sanitary napkins are nonbiodegradable. A menstrual cup is a small cup made of silicone or latex rubber (so it is flexible). It catches and collects menstrual discharge instead of absorbing it like a sanitary napkin. Putting it on has been compared to inserting a diaphragm inside your vagina. Once inserted, the cup will spring open and rest against the walls of your vagina forming a seal to prevent leaks, with the discharge dripping into the cup. There are disposable menstrual cups and then there are reusable ones that you can wash with soap and water, and sterilize. If you want to know more about menstrual cups, you can search on the Internet to read about pros and cons.

■ GIVE AWAY MAKEUP YOU DON’T USE. I hate waste. I keep things that I love for years and that includes makeup and the packaging it comes in. My friends also know how generous I am. I don’t just give away lipsticks or moisturizers, I give away beauty packages that include foundation, blush, lipstick, powder and other makeup. If it’s skin care, that would include stuff like cleansers, toners and moisturizers. And there are many takers.

There are lipsticks that I have only used once or twice and I ask my friends if they’re willing to get and use them. I also receive beauty hand-me-down from friends. I don’t mind, really. I know some people are squeamish about using makeup that’s been used by others but I have not once been infected, and not once have I infected others because you can always sanitize them.

■ BUY LESS. I used to be a hoarder. If I liked a certain product, I’d buy backups of backups.

Not anymore. In the past few years, I have purchased less. In fact, last year I didn’t buy a lot. My friends and I exchange makeup we don’t like or use anymore. Or I use what I already have. Sometimes, I combine two lipsticks to get a new shade and that satisfies my need to shop for new stuff. Last year, I promised myself that I’d be a more mindful consumer. By that I mean thinking before buying, and I have so far been mildly successful in doing so. My buying habits can still be improved though, not going to lie, and this is probably the year for that. ■

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Monday, January 20, 2020

What top consulting firms get wrong about hiring

Treat facebook like a utility

By Dipayan Ghosh

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Artjafara | Dreamstime.com

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By Atta Tarki & Tino Sanandaji

ach year, around 185,000 MBA students graduate in the United States Many of them spend more than 100 hours each preparing for so-called case interviews—the favored evaluation method of elite consulting firms, such as McKinsey, in which candidates are presented with a business problem and asked to talk through how they would solve it. This is a colossal waste of time.

Case interviews are a terrible evaluation method; it’s time to end

their use in hiring.

When we talk to proponents of

case-based interviews, we’re often told they’re effective at ensuring you hire only competent people. Sure, they may end up missing a competent candidate or two, but because hiring mistakes are very costly, what’s important is that they effectively identify people who are sure to excel. First off, there’s no evidence this is true. But even if it were true, the scenario of missing out on great hires makes sense only if it’s fairly inexpensive for a company to find more superstars.

More than a century of research shows that there are better, more rigorous ways to screen for problem-solving skills. To start, general mental ability, or GMA, is by far the best predictor of fluid intelligence, or the ability to solve prob-

lems in a variety of topics. Companies can also mitigate some of the known downsides with case-based interviews by standardizing their approach and becoming more specific about the skills that are most desirable for a job, how these skills are tested and what constitutes a stellar response.

Consulting firms are correct about one thing related to hiring.

General problem-solving skills are important in predicting job success. The traditional casebased interview, however, has played out its role in identifying these skills.

By Amy Gallo

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v e r yo n e k n o w s how helpful it is to have a positive relationship with your boss and that it’s up to you to make it work. But do you know how to best interact with your manager to get what you need, support her success and excel at your job? HBR talked with two experts to get their perspectives on whether the conventional wisdom holds up in practice.

Atta Tarki is the founder and CEO of ECA. Tino Sanandaji is a researcher at the Stockholm School of Economics.

By David Furlonger & Christophe Uzureau

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Fear of missing out (FOMO) solutions

Although FOMO blockchain solutions won’t create much value, they aren’t always pointless. They could send a message to the market that your organization is on top of current trends. Prospective customers might give you a second look. Competitors might invest time and re-

reaking up Facebook is not the only way to temper its destructive effects. I suggest an even more radical approach—I contend that Facebook and firms like it have become natural monopolies that necessitate a novel, stringent set of reg u lations to obstr uct t hei r c apit a l ist ic over reaches and protect the public against ingrained economic exploitation. To understand why, we can apply rules of thumb from traditiona l competition and antitrust policy analysis, in which policy-makers consider the economic dynamics of the industry in a stepwise manner.

The first step is to consider whether the industry in which the company operates is competitive. Given Facebook’s many platform —inc lud ing Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram and the “big blue app” itself— the firm covers social media, photo sharing and messaging, among other industries, and has a dominating presence in each.

Second, the company in question must not only be deemed to have excessive m a rket sh a re —It mu st also be shown to use this market position to exploit the consumer—a standard that the judicial system has over time taken to mean

Wrightstudio | Dreamstime.com

Always bring solutions— not problems—to your boss

sources for similar FOMO reasons.

Trojan horse solutions

For this archetype, one powerful actor, such as a digital giant, a dominant supply chain participant or a small group develops a blockchain solution and invites other ecosystem participants to use it. These solutions look attractive from the outside. The risk for the participants, however, is that they become dependent on the owner’s technology and locked in to the contract terms.

Opportunistic solutions

These aim to address known problems or opportunities around record

© 2020 Harvard Business School Publishing Corp. (Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate)

keeping that are ill-served by existing solutions. They can bring value to participants, even if they don’t lead to a live, operational platform.

They may present some loss of control over data and contracts, but the solutions offer experiential payoff.

Evolutionary solutions

These are designed to mature over time to use tokens with decentralized governance.

Blockchain-native solutions

These are either developed by startups or by innovation arms of existing firms to create a new market or disrupt an existing business model.

They may not start out with tokens or decentralized governance, but they are designed to move in that direction as the market matures.

Native blockchain solutions will insert new business approaches into legacy industries. Untested technology will be the major currency risk, though these will appeal to participants who want to control their own data and experiment with decentralization.

Adapted from The Real Business of Blockchain: How Leaders Can Create Value in a New Digital Age by David Furlonger and Christopher Uzureau, who are vice presidents at Gartner.

consumer price hikes.

Many experts have contended that companies like Facebook and Google do not engage in such exploitation, because consumers are not charged money for access to even the highest revenue-generating services, such as social media and search. But this conclusion is wrongheaded. The currency extracted from individuals in the consumer Internet context is typically not money, but a novel, complex combination of the individual’s personal data and attention.

The third step is to examine the market to see whether f ledgling entrepreneurs and other firms could someday compete in the industry. I believe that the consumer Internet is a kind of natural monopoly.

Its lead ing const it uent firms consistently exhibit network effects; the networked services operated

by Facebook, Amazon and Google increase in value when more users use them.

The industry now maintains impossibly high barriers to entry. Given this, I believe there is no capacity for a second firm to effectively compete against Facebook in the market silos it dominates or the other Internet giants in theirs.

Dipayan Ghosh is a Shorenstein Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Setting the record straight on managing your boss

The 5 kinds of blockchain projects espite widespread experimentation, blockchain is still young and evolving. Today’s experiments often use only some of the core elements that make a blockchain. In particular, today’s blockchains rarely include digital tokens, and their technology architecture is almost never decentralized, as was intended in the original blockchain design. What that means in practice is that many blockchain solutions available today are owned and governed by a single company or small group, and only authorized participants can join.

Some solutions are highly centralized, with one owner or group of owners controlling the currencies, while others exert less absolute control. To help business leaders identify the difference, we have defined the following five blockchain archetypes based on their degree of centralization:

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“Problems don’t make anyone happy, and bringing unsolved problems to your manager makes it look like you’re not doing your job,” says Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor of organizational behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. There are limitations to the “bring solutions, not problems” rule, however, says Linda Hill, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.

Some people, afraid of not having the right solution in hand, don’t do anything.

Never cry in front of your boss

Pfeffer says that from a power perspective, crying is a bad move. “You definitely don’t want to show that you’re emotionally weak,” he says. There are experts who dispute that crying doesn’t belong in the office.

Some have even advocated

for the appropriateness of tears at work. Still, both Pfeffer and Hill agree that if you think you won’t be able to control your emotions, you might want to put off the conversation with your boss.

Under-promise and overdeliver

Hill and Pfeffer both agree this is a good idea. Hill says that when she asks leaders why they’d chosen to mentor certain employees, they often said it had to do with the results they’d seen them deliver. One manager explained: “When I ask her to bring me a fish, she brings me back a whale.”

Don’t be friends with your boss

This one can be sticky. Pfeffer points out that you want a strong relationship with your boss no matter what. “The more the boss likes you, the more she feels favorably toward you. The more the boss feels like she has a stake in your success, the better off you’ll be,” he says.

Let your work speak for itself

According to Pfeffer, this is malarkey. Yes, you need to do good work, but your boss isn’t going to automatically notice. Instead, you have to find ways to promote your work. “Visibility really matters,” says Hill.

Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review.

Education BusinessMirror

E2 Monday, January 20, 2020

15 schools in Porac benefit from CDC’s CSR

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LARK FREEPORT—Fifteen schools in Porac, Pampanga, recently benefited from Clark Development Corp.’s (CDC) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program aimed at improving the facilities for schoolchildren in its neighbor communities.

Through its External Affairs Division (EAD), the state-run firm donated various construction materials to selected schools in Porac.

The materials include paints, hollow blocks, cement, lumber, roofing and steel bars, among others. The donated materials were identified based on the needs of each school as evaluated by CDCEAD personnel.

CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil, together with EAD Assistant Vice President Rommel Narciso, led the activity and

turned over the materials to selected schools.

Among the beneficiaries were Salu Elementary School, Balubad Elementary School, Jalung Elementary School, Pulung Santol Elementary School, Palat Elementary School, Pias Elementary School, Pio Elementary School, Mancatian Elementary School and Pulung Santol High School.

Likewise, elementary schools in Barangay Planas, Mitla, Sepung Bulaun, Katutubo Village, Sapang Uwak and Camias Resettlement in

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Youth group favors textbook revision but…

By Roderick L. Abad

@rodrik_28

Contributor

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Clark Development Corp. President and CEO Noel F. Manankil (third from left, seated) with CDC Assistant Vice President for External Affairs Rommel Narciso and Porac Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil join the representatives of 15 schools in Porac, who benefited in the CDC Corporate Social Responsibility Program. CDC-CD Photo

Porac also received the same assistance from CDC. The schools were the first batch of recipients under the project.

During the activity, Manankil said CDC would continuously support its adjacent communities through its various CSR programs.

“We have the primary moral

obligation to support our local government units and we have a lot of programs in CDC that we want them to be involved,” he said.

Manankil added that the stateowned firm, together with its locator companies, would aim to create more strategic and relevant programs for communities especially

in education.

“We have a high priority for education because we believe that it is what actually equalize everybody in terms of their social status. In Clark, we want everybody to get involved, come up together and plan to have more relevant and more strategic CSR,” he said.

Power firm converts container van into day-care facility

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Recycled costume Wearing a costume made of recycled materials, a Grade 8 male student of Special Science Curriculum in Santiago City National High School performs as Brahma, a Hindu god. His costume is made of recycled plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic utensils, single-use grocery boxes that were painted red to look like a giant lotus flower. The performance is a prerequisite in his English subject. Nonie Perante II

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY—A power firm operating in Bukidnon, has donated a school facility made of repurposed container van.

Hedcor, the hydropower renewable-energy arm of AboitizPower, converted a container van costing P700,000 into a day-care learning space for preschool children.

In a recent statement, the company said it erected the facility in Sitio Lower Sabangan in Manolo Fortich town.

A few meters from the old day-care center, the fully furnished container van will serve as Sitio Sabangan’s new daycare center.

The repurposed facility was furnished with tables and chairs, as well as books, and other learning materials. A comfort room and washing area were also provided.

Manolo Fortich Mayor Clive Quiño expressed gratitude to Hedcor for the project.

“It has been the municipality’s and Hedcor’s goal that as much as possible we bring to

the communities their very basic needs, one of which is education,” he said.

Because of the new facility, Quiño said the day-care center can accommodate children coming from several villages.

The old facility was a one-room structure that can only admit around 19 children.

Judith Amoncio, a community leader, said they no longer have to worry that heavy rainfall would affect their classes.

“Because the [old] day care was mainly made out of bamboo, the room would get wet when the rain is strong, resulting in classes getting canceled often,” she said in the vernacular.

The container van was once used by Hedcor to haul plant facilities, such as turbines, during the construction of its 73.3-megawatt (MW) Manolo Fortich Hydropower Plant in Bukidnon.

Hedcor currently operates 22 hydropower facilities with a total installed capacity of 277 MW of clean and renewable energy. PNA

ERRATUM The photo in the story “New Myanmar envoy to PHL lauds Searca for scholarships” that was printed on the Education page of BusinessMir-

ror on December 30, 2019, was inadvertently miscaptioned owing to a technical problem. The correct caption should be: Myanmar Ambassador U Lwin Oo (center, left) presents the 2020 calendar of the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Searca Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio (center). With them are Ambassador Lwin Oo’s wife, Myanmar Embassy’s Third Secretary Min Si Thu Zaw, Searca Deputy Director Joselito G. Florendo and Myanmar students enrolled at UPLB, many of whom are Searca scholars.

After being used during the construction of the Manolo Fortich Hydropower Plant, this container van now stands as a spacious and sturdy day-care center for a village in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Hedcor photo

YOUTH organization agreed with former Sen. “Bongbong” Marcos, who recently pushed for revision of textbooks.

However, the students do not agree on the contents that Marcos wanted to be changed.

Marcos earlier proposed that textbooks should be changed, saying his family did not steal. He cited the recent court decisions that dismissed ill-gotten wealth cases against his family.

In a statement, Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark) suggested that history books should provide a more detailed account of the role of various antidictatorship groups, the fight of the Moro people for self-rule during martial law and the immediate outcome of the Edsa revolt in February 1986.

“Marcos is obviously looking after his own skin for his future political ambitions. But he is unlike us. We seek nothing less than the objective truth to move passed the lies and gimmickry peddled by the ruling elite,” said John Lazaro, Spark spokesman.

“Marcos’s sins against the people and the youth are unforgiveable. Up to this day, the Education Act of 1982, which gave capitalist-educators a free-hand to raise tuition and fees as they please, is the sole reason for millions who dropped out of school due to their inability to pay for an education,” he added.

Spark emphasized that no amount of textbook rewrite can match the passing of the landmark law of Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 that recognizes the suffering of all the victims of gross humanrights violations committed during the reign of his father, deposed President Ferdinand Marcos.

“For Bongbong to hide behind the dismissed corruption cases before the Sandiganbayan is lame,” Lazaro pointed out. “The dismissal of cases does not indicate innocence but the deficient preparation by the legal counsels of the government.”

The group encouraged historians “to correct the misconceptions and expose the self-serving, and shady narratives both the Marcos loyalists and ‘yellow’ apologists. Authors should not gloss over the role of ordinary people that formed the nucleus of the antidictatorship movement that toppled the dictator when most opposition leaders left the country and abandoned the struggle.”

They cited the Jabidah and Escalante massacres, La Tondeña labor strike, the spontaneous 1978 noise barrage, and the wildcat strikes at the Bataan Export Processing Zones as among the historical moments that could help students better understand the abuses that took place during the Marcos regime.

Even the yellow opposition has its own share of what needs to be revised in history books, according to Spark.

The group referred to what transpired when former President Corazon Aquino was catapulted to power, following the dictator’s ouster and exile of his family to Hawaii.

Textbooks, they said, must also include the Aquino administration’s reestablishment of elite democracy that wasted the chance to inaugurate a true democratic government.

They said that the late wife of slain Benigno Aquino Jr. preserved rather than dismantled the hold on power of political dynasties, allowed the nonprosecution of human-rights violators within the military and police, and the disarmament of warlords.

Lazaro further argued that Aquino could have easily revoked all unequal and unjust economic and political treaties with the United States, including the removal of the US bases in Central Luzon, in 1986.

“Then, there’s also the case of the repealing the Marcosian automatic appropriation law to cancel all foreign debt that were not spent for the people’s welfare but was pocketed by Marcos and his cronies, but she instead upheld it,” he added.

The youth organization, likewise, wanted historians to include American political intrusion and economic intervention during the dark days of martial rule. They cited then-US President Richard Nixon’s consent in exchange for the regime’s support of American interests in the region.

Clark Air Base in Pampanga, and Subic Naval Base in Zambales, base played crucial roles when the US was waging a war in Vietnam.

“We, as a nation, will never learn from our own history if we keep on remaining mum on how US imperialism enabled the dictatorship and how its lobbied policies and programs mangled our economy,” Lazaro said.

Old DepEd building in Antique eyed as Bahay Silangan

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AN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA , A nt ique —T he old building of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Hamtic, Antique, is being eyed to be used as Bahay Silangan, or rehabilitation center for drug offenders in the province.

The provincial government of Antique and the municipal government of Hamtic are willing to support the establishment of the Bahay Silangan at the old DepEd building in front of Ham-

tic plaza and the Roman Catholic Church, Antique Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao said in a media interview recently.

DepEd District currently has a new building in the nearby area.

“The provincial government of Antique is willing to help in the establishment of the Bahay Silangan if the PDEA [Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency] will request just so the province could be declared drug-cleared,”

she said.

Margie Gadian, Antique provincial government consultant for Peace and Order and Public Safety, said in a separate interview that having the Bahay Silangan is a requirement for the province to be declared drugcleared.

Cadiao also said that Antique, which has a total of 590 barangays, now has only 20 barangays remaining to be declared clear of drugs.

It is the Regional Oversight Committee composed of PDEA, Philippine National Police, and the Departments of Health, and of the Interior and Local Government that conducts validation of the barangays, for their eventual declaration.

T he remaining barangays to be declared drug-free are in the municipalities of Caluya, Culasi, Hamtic, San Jose de Buenavista and Tibiao.

Annabel Consuelo Petinglay/PNA

Antique Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao vowed to extend support for the Bahay Silangan establishment at the Hamtic local government-owned building used by the Department of Education District Office in the town to pave the way for the declaration of the province as drug-free. Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay/PNA

Marketing BusinessMirror

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Monday, January 20, 2020 E3

the top Pr trends for 2020

Do you have 20/20 vision?

I

n An interactive content explosion or more engagement n New roles for chatbots, which they call “a new voice in consumer communications” n A social-media shake-up where they “expect to see more micro-influencers being favored over macro-influencers” n“Brandstanding,” which stems from deep authentic values shared by an organization and consumers over grandstanding, which is often about showing off and gimmickry n Enhanced personalized brand experiences Since this is the start of a new decade, there is so much to look forward to in the field of PR, which Valerie Christopherson shares with us in her article “2020 Vision—6 PR trends and predictions for the new year,” which appeared in agilitypr.com.

Valerie is the founder and CEO of Global Results Communications, an award-winning PR firm.

Valerie begins by a throwback to the past 20 years, in which “we’ve seen the role of the PR person become a more critical function within a company than ever before.”

With that, “2020 marks a new decade for PR pros with digital, video and content at the heart of what’s in store.” And moving forward, our profession is definitely evolving with that Valerie says are “trends likely to define a new era.”

Less reliance on the middle1man.

Valerie cites comScore predictions that 50 percent of Google searches will move to

Design: Onitsuka Tiger and Valentino Release LimitedEdition Collaboration Shoes for autumn/Winter 2020 Paris Men’s Collection

PARIS, France—On January 15th, Onitsuka Tiger announced a limited-edition sneaker collaboration with Valentino for the Autumn/Winter 2020 Paris Menswear Collection.

A conversation between Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Maison Valentino and the Japanese sports-inspired fashion brand Onitsuka Tiger, where an exclusive style of the renowned MEXICO 66 SD sneakers has been conceived.

The MEXICO 66 SD sneakers has been reinterpreted by Piccioli in four different shades with the Valentino “V” Logo on the side, that enhance the importance of the power of color, an iconic element for the Maison. The dramatic V placed over the Onitsuka Tiger stripe is handprinted one by one. A special co-branded logo can be found on the shoe-tongue, as well as on the insole. This model boasts a

midsole with superior cushioning and a proprietary outersole that is durable and slip resistant.

Onitsuka Tiger is a made in Japan sports-inspired fashion brand founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka in 1949, that shares the same attitude and care in the attention to details and craftsmanship of Maison Valentino.

The Valentino collection shoes are available in four vibrant colors that are iconic to the Valentino brand. These four models will be available in select Valentino retail stores around the world and on Valentino.com.

At Onitsuka Tiger, one model, in the brand’s signature “tricolor,” will be available at select stores and online. The models will be launched in the summer of 2020. Details, such as price, store locations and how to purchase will be announced at a later time.

The wording Onitsuka Tiger and the logo of Onitsuka Tiger used herein are registered trademarks of Asics Corp.

Film: ‘To Calm the Pig Inside,’ A Story on the Effects of SuperTyphoon Haiyan to Tacloban, Premieres in Slamdance Film Festival

MANILA, Philippines—To Calm the Pig Inside, a poetic and insightful

creates demand for good corporate citizen6ship.Awareness

Flynt | Dreamstime.com

By Millie F. Dizon

PR pros will have to work harder on making sure they give outlets quality materials as we see “more demands for earned media.” We will see, however, outlets “making up for the loss of dollars via paid placements.”

voice searches in 2020. This will enable clients to communicate directly with their intended audience, challenging PR firms to “be able to connect A to Z with a direct, straight line, while also strengthening media relations.”

entertainment to animate news.

2More

Digital video and podcasts will continue to soar, says Valerie. That’s why it is important for PR firms “to focus on these avenues to keep their clients in the spotlight.”

These very entertaining videos and podcasts can “compete— but, in some cases, complement traditional news. Make no mistake. The concept of true news will enable traditional news to make a comeback.”

This will require “a PR strategy with clearly defined goals, objectives, KPIs.”

Success measured in Key Performance Indicators 3(KPIs).

Content as the new king.

The importance of content 4emerges with the new decade.

Valerie sees “more clients will demand measurable, tangible proof that their dollars are converting to their desire goals.”

In short, the bottom line will be very important in every PR endeavor.

personal short film essay into the effects Supertyphoon Haiyan leaves on the people of Tacloban, a small seaside city in the Philippines, will have its world premiere in competition at the 26th edition of the Slamdance Film Festival.

The filmmaker, Joanna Vasquez Arong, shares, at first, she was not sure if a film on Supertyphoon Haiyan was her story to tell, since although she spent many weeks in the devastated areas, she is from a neighboring island. She felt there was another layer to the stories which had not been shared.

Locals recounted to her their reflections, disappointments, dreams and, even, the jokes they shared with each other in order to cope with the trauma. She then decided to approach this story as a personal film essay, interweaving her own experience with the stories she heard from the community at large. The film became a contemplation on how people cope with both personal and collective pain.

Supertyphoon Haiyan was one of the strongest cyclones to ever make landfall, and left the Philippines with an official death count of around 6,000 over six years ago. Many locals, however, believe the actual death toll is closer to 15,000 to 20,000.

The Philippines is vulnerable

Tommaso79 | Dreamstime.com

PR Matters

5Attention earned ads.

n last week’s column, we answered the letter of Deanna Y., who asked what PR practitioners can look forward to this year, which is also the beginning of a new decade.

We got lots of help from Melissa DiGianfilippo and Alexis Krisay of Serendipit Consulting through their PR Daily article, “2020 Vision: The top 5 emerging trends in marketing and PR.” They listed the trends as:

“As brands beef up their budgets and personalization strategies in their battle for consumer attention, quality and creativity in content will be more important than ever, regardless of indus-

to natural disasters, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons. At least 20 typhoons pass through the country every year. Just at the end of 2019, a few islands known as tourist destinations were devastated from Typhoon Ursula, and the long dormant Taal Volcano close to Manila erupted at the beginning of 2020.

In this context, it is frustrating to hear similar stories of continued suffering from mismanagement of these disasters, persisting.

Arong has always been interested in the human spirit in the face of difficult choices, and has explored this theme in her films. She also filmed her first narrative shorts, Sol and Gabby, exploring how children deal with the aftermath of an earthquake and a typhoon. She is also now set to direct her first feature narrative, The Sigbin, named after a mythological creature known to be loyal to its master, which explores the relationship of an assassin and his daughter he only recently discovers.

For To Calm the Pig Inside, Arong collaborated with photojournalists Veejay Villafranca and Piyavit Thongsaard, as well as storm chaser James Reynolds, to include powerful, and sensitive, images and footage taken during the powerful Haiyan storm and in its immediate

try,” says Valerie.

Executives will seek new opportunities to become subjectmatter experts and thought leaders with smart high-impact content. For consumers, however, “with all that content floating in the ether—nothing will change the fact that people still want and crave a good old-fashioned story—one that entertains, informs or inspires them to do something.”

aftermath.

The film is written, directed and produced by Arong, with associate producer JM Rodriguez, editor Lawrence S. Ang, still photographs by Villafranca and Thongsa-ard, typhoon footage

by Reynolds and Mark Thomas, sound design by Akritchalerm Kalayanamatir, music by Evgueni Galperine and support from National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Campaign Spotlight: Lingerie Brand Adore Me Is Here for What Women Really Want for Valentine’s Day with Tank NY NEW YORK, NY—Adore Me lives up to its reputation as a disruptive pacesetter in e-commerce lingerie with a new campaign and rebranding effort that will come to life on television and social media, tied to Valentine’s Day, breaking today. The campaign is focused on supporting all women, at all times. On Valentine’s Day, the brand does this by simply listening to what women really want.

The centerpiece of the comprehensive new marketing effort is a 60-seconder film that features women’s comments on Reddit answering the question...“what do you really

With “adults and young children, alike, hyper-exposed to critical issues facing our planet and the communities where we live, they are demanding change from both government and business that cannot be ignored.”

Given that, Valerie sees that, “partnering or supporting charitable causes will be more prevalent as companies look for ways to balance shareholder value with consumer demands and corporate social responsibility."

Likewise, “public relations campaigns designed to solve society’s most pressing issues will be existential, and PR firms will be the drivers directing these initiatives for their clients.”

All in all, Valerie sees that with the shifting times, “PR will continue to transform in ways that can be both intimidating and hopeful. Those willing to embrace and adapt to the new multimedia landscape will enjoy the benefits of being awake to fresh new opportunities and consistent growth.”

Hope that gives you more 20/20 vision about PR trends.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association, the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie F. Dizon, the senior vice president for marketing and communications of SM, is the former local chairman.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

want for Valentine’s Day?” These confident women, of all shapes and sizes, proudly wearing beautiful lingerie, tell it like it is: “Drink champagne out of the bottle and bang a few times”...“my student loans paid off”...“to be dominated.”

The film, created by Tank New York, ends with the tagline: “Whatever you want to do in our lingerie. Adore Me. Here for it.” The film will air on social channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Television commercials, both 15 and 30 seconds, round out the mix along with a brand new visual identity and web site.

Morgan Hermand-Waiche, the CEO and founder of Adore Me said, “No matter who you are, or who you dream of being, we’re just here to support you. We’re committed to never telling you how to act—and all the messy, honest parts of yourself are what make you human. We’re here for it. All of it.”

Adore Me is a leading women’s lingerie, swimwear and activewear company based in New York City. They provide a unique and body-positive shopping experience for all women by offering a wide range of sizes, from petite to plussize. They believe deeply in supporting all women, whatever they do and whoever they are.

Perspective BusinessMirror

E4 Monday, January 20, 2020

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brexit could spell the end of globalization, and the global prosperity that came with it

ANTI-BREXIT protesters, including one with a placard depicting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson under the thumb of US President Donald Trump, demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London, January 8, 2020. AP/MATT DUNHAM

By William Hauk

University of South Carolina

T

THE CONVERSATION

HE UK House of Commons has finally voted for Brexit. If the plan passes the House of Lords without much delay, the UK will leave the European Union several years after a 2016 referendum set it down this path.

More than merely tossing aside the EU, this vote represents a rejection of globalization and the implicit trade-off of some democratic control over economic policy for prosperity. It’s an exchange that more citizens across the world, including the United States, are unwilling to make—often believing they can earn the same gains without a loss of economic control.

As an economist, I believe this trend of turning away from the institutions that facilitated economic globalization is troubling and may lead to the unraveling of more than a half century of growing global integration—and the economic growth that came with it.

To avert that outcome, we need to answer the seemingly simple question: How can societies reap the economic benefits of globalization while maintaining democratic participation within it?

Traditional trade barriers SOME of my research has focused on the ways in which democratic societies set their own trade policies—that is, tariffs, quotas and other types of barriers to foreign goods and services entering their markets.

But since the creation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade after World War II, countries’ ability to do this has been increasingly constrained by international accords.

At first, this primarily involved trade barriers like tariffs—US President Donald Trump’s favorite weapon in his trade wars. While protests against the negative consequences of globalization are hardly new, the loss of economic control over tariffs rarely led to a country’s outright rejection of this system, primarily because the economic gains were so significant.

For example, one estimate of the effect of the EU’s single market, which eliminated virtually all trade barriers within the union, is that it has raised members’ GDP by 8 percent to 9 percent—which translates to an average of about $3,000 for every man, woman and child.

Beyond Europe, globalization has brought significant gains to billions of people, including by helping cut the number of people living in extreme poverty from 1.9 billion in 1990 to around 730 million in 2015. That’s a drop from 36 percent of the world’s population to less than 10 percent.

‘Deep integration’

BUT tariffs and quotas aren’t the only barriers to trade.

Countries across the world all have their own regulatory standards, quality certifications and other rules they require companies to follow. Known as technical barriers to trade, they can be just as bad for trade as traditional tariffs. And for global businesses, adhering to all these different rules can be costly.

So economists and trade negotiators began pushing countries to harmonize regulations governing issues like the environment, labor and intellectual property. This so-called deep integration is where international trade agreements moved into more controversial territory.

The EU, for example, has created a large set of harmonized

Beyond Europe, globalization has brought significant gains to billions of people, including by helping cut the number of people living in extreme poverty from 1.9 billion in 1990 to around 730 million in 2015. That’s a drop from 36 percent of the world’s population to less than 10 percent. standards and regulations that countries must follow in order to participate in the single market, one of the issues motivating UK voters who chose to leave. A famous case in which the EU eventually backed down after a UK backlash involved Brussels trying to enforce metric measurements, which would have endangered Britons’ beloved pints and miles.

In the US, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, negotiated by the Obama administration but shelved

by Trump in 2017, delved deeply into these issues. A big part of the opposition to the agreement arose from the delegation of these sensitive issues to often secretive international negotiations.

Globalization’s paradox

THIS trade-off—between the economic gains of global trade and the desire for local control over a country’s economy and markets—is what Harvard economist Dani Rodrik called “The Globalization Paradox.”

It leaves countries with essentially three choices:

1

They can reject globalization’s deeper integration and risk losing out on economic prosperity

2

They can simply cede control of large parts of their economic policy to prevailing international standards, risking the ire of their citizens

3

They can help shape globalization by joining and helping create the international organizations and agreements that set trade standards, giving up some control but having a seat at the table.

I would argue that the third option offers the best answer to the question, “How can we keep globalization’s gains without ceding all control?”

The EU is one of the most ambitious attempts to follow the third path—and gave countries big and small equal say in much of its implementation. Its governing bodies consist of directly elected members and representatives of the member states’ democratically elected governments.

However, even this shared authority can cause problems, as evi-

denced by Brexit. Even if the EU is organized democratically, it does not necessarily follow that the citizens of the member states will feel much attachment to its decisions.

This sentiment is doubly true in a country like the UK, which has traditionally regarded itself as separate from continental Europe.

But policymakers and trade negotiators would be wise to take account of voters’ concerns about a loss of control and be cautious about moving beyond preventing traditional trade barriers like tariffs and quotas from being erected.

The biggest risk we all face today is that Trump’s trade wars, Brexit and other newly erected trade barriers become permanent and undo many of the gains the world has made since World War II. We’ll all be the poorer for it.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation. com/brexit-could-spell-the-end-ofglobalization-and-the-global-prosperity-that-came-with-it-128280.