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VESPA motorcycles on exhibit at the 2nd Ride PH Café motorcycle show on March 7, 2020, at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City. WALTER ERIC SY | DREAMSTIME.COM

LTO says motorcycle sales are expected to rebound this year with target sales of 2.2M units amid Covid

‘KING OF THE ROAD’ RECLAIMS THRONE

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

form Angkas believes that its platform was able to cushion the effect of the pandemic on its riders.

FTER suffering its first slump for almost a decade, the motorcycle industry is expected to regain traction this year, reflective of the trend that motorcycles are now becoming a preferred transport option for both people and goods. JUNPINZON | DREAMSTIME.COM

Land Transportation Office (LTO) Executive Director Romeo G. Vera Cruz, annualizing figures on the sale of motorcycles this year, said the industry will likely return to the 2.2 million units-sold level this year. “We are recovering this year. For the four-month figure, there are about 750,000 new motorcycles registered with us. If you annualize it, the sales will come back to the level of 2.2 million units,” he said in a phone interview. To recall, 2020 was a “dark year” for the motorcycle industry. After enjoying seven years of growth, sales of motorcycles in the country crashed by 30 percent to around 1.68 million, he said. “The pandemic has more or less affected the buying patterns of the people, but we are seeing that they are now buying motorcycles. We are slowly normalizing,” Vera Cruz said. He observed that motorcycles are becoming the preferred mode of transportation for many Filipinos, also noting that motorcycles are now being used more widely for the delivery of goods, particularly food. Motorcycles comprise almost 70 percent of the total motorized vehicles registered with the LTO, as of December 2020. “We can observe that there are a lot of motorcycles on the road.

Motorcycle taxis will rise again

LTO Executive Director Romeo G. Vera Cruz: “We see a boom in the industry because motorcycles are faster. It’s a favorable thing that happened during the pandemic and I think it will continue beyond our current situation.”

And we expect that there will be a rise in motorcycle registration because of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, which puts criminal liability on unregistered motorcycle owners,” Vera Cruz said.

Greater demand

THE pandemic, it seems, has even accelerated the demand for motorcycle-based services. “We see a boom in the industry because motorcycles are faster. It’s a favorable thing that happened during the pandemic and I think it will continue beyond our current situation,” Vera Cruz said. For instance, Grab was able to capitalize on the need for food, groceries and delivery services

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 49.0040

through its platform by introducing and strengthening its portfolio of rider-based services. In a reply to the BusinessMirror’s queries, Grab said: “On-demand delivery provides essential support to many Filipinos. Apart from the convenience that our consumers enjoy in having their essentials quickly delivered to their doorsteps, on-demand delivery services also provide an economic lifeline to many MSMEs [micro small and medium enterprises] and businesses during the toughest periods of the lockdowns by delivering their goods to the consumers staying at home.” Grab added that the increase in on-demand delivery has also provided livelihood opportunities to many displaced Filipino workers. “Through our partnerships with both the national and local governments, we have trained— and continue to support—thousands of displaced workers and

GEORGE ROYECA, the chief transport advocate of Angkas, said his group was also hit by the pandemic. However, Angkas used this opportunity to partner with the government in order to provide necessary services to combat the spread of the virus. Today, Royeca believes that demand for motorcycle taxis “is getting better.” “You’re seeing a slow change in behavior. We are now providing the supply and getting more and more drivers onboarded. What we are doing is somewhat of a restart,” he said. “The outlook is very positive, especially now. Motorcycle taxis are needed now more than ever.” Continued on A2

JEDD UGAY, AltMobility: “Many people will be more open to using bikes if there are protected bike lanes.”

welcome them on the Grab platform as delivery partners, providing alternative livelihood to support their everyday needs as well as their loved ones,” Grab said. Some GrabCar drivers were even transitioned to be part of its delivery services through training programs set up by Grab. Likewise, motorcycle taxi plat-

n JAPAN 0.4394 n UK 67.4589 n HK 6.3104 n CHINA 7.5741 n SINGAPORE 36.3343 n AUSTRALIA 36.5962 n EU 58.0746 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.0663

Source: BSP (July 2, 2021)

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As it turns 100, China’s ruling party grooms new faithful

By Emily Wang Fujiyama | The Associated Press

INGGANGSHAN, China—Backs straight, heads high, three dozen Communist Party members in red neckties who hope for leadership posts belt out a poem by revolutionary leader Mao Zedong at a historic mountainside battle site in central China. “We stay upright even as we’re surrounded by countless enemy forces!” declare the men and women, who are on a two-week course at the China Executive Leadership Academy. “Together, we will defeat the enemy!” As the party celebrates the 100th anniversary of its 1921 founding, training centers such as the one in Jinggangshan play a key role in efforts by President Xi Jinping’s government to extend its control over a changing society. Drawn from among its 95 million members, ambitious people at state companies and government offices are schooled in an idealized version of the party’s early revolutionary fervor before Mao’s guerrillas fought their way to national power in 1949. Zhou Xiaojing, who works at a political training center for the Chinese central bank in the central city of Zhengzhou, described Jinggangshan as “a spiritual shock and a kind of baptism.” “When I came here, I felt that my belief as a member of the Communist Party has become firmer,”

said Zhou, 49 and a party member since 2009. “Their education of party spirit, theory and ability are thirst-quenching.” Trainees say they want to serve the public, but people who are picked for higher party posts also receive benefits, including more influence and quicker promotions at state companies, universities and government ministries. Party schools are meant to “promote the faithful” and ensure they “ask no questions about the top leadership” and party ideology, said Willy Lam, a politics specialist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Xi, who took power as the Communist Party’s general secretary in 2012, launched a campaign in February to increase teaching of party history.

What’s not being said

THAT official history skips over a 1959-61 famine caused by Mao’s policies that killed as many as 50 million people, the millions killed in the ultra-radical violence of the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution launched by Mao and the deadly

CHINESE President Xi Jinping is seen leading other top officials pledging their vows to the party on screen during a gala show ahead of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on Monday, June 28, 2021. AP/NG HAN GUAN

1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests under then-supreme leader Deng Xiaoping. It is silent on power struggles among party leaders and complaints of rampant corruption and

other abuses. Xi hopes “the party can preserve the myth that it has always been correct and brilliant in promoting China’s position in the world,” Lam said.

The ‘school’

THE campus in Jinggangshan, an early site where Mao’s army developed, is one of three nationwide for the Leadership Academy, which caters to high-ranking professionals and party officials. The China Daily newspaper said in 2016 that the party has a total of 2,900 training centers nationwide at different levels of government, ranging from county to provincial. The 18-hectare campus in the mountains of Jiangxi province has dormitories and an auditorium, library and cafeteria. Participants in the two-week “Jinggangshan Spirit” course spend 6 1/2 hours a day in class starting at 8:30 a.m., with occasional evening events. Students took a field trip to Huangyangjie, where Mao’s guerrillas fought off enemy forces on August 30, 1928. According to party history, the Communists were outnumbered but repelled the attack. Mao heard about the victory on his way to Jinggangshan and celebrated by writing the poem recited by the students. “This spirit of sacrifice and dedication for the party and the

people is very remarkable and profound,” said another trainee, Wei Yanju, deputy chairwoman of the Women’s Federation in the eastern province of Shandong. “I hope everyone can come to understand China and see how superior and great China is,” she said. Party members are required to take at least 32 sessions of training per year. Some leadership posts require 56 sessions.

Bright future

“PARTY officials know that being sent to certain select classes at a party school may indicate a bright future for them in the party,” said Charlotte Lee, author of the book Training the Party: Party Adaptation and Elite Training in Reform-era China. “They have to demonstrate loyalty and certain skills in return,” said Lee, who teaches at Berkeley City College. Yao Yuzhen, an instructor at the school whose grandfather was a Red Army soldier, conceded that while promotions are not guaranteed, students will make “better progress” after the course. “That’s for sure,” she said with a chuckle. Foreign reporters were invited on a tour of the Jinggangshan campus ahead of the party’s anniversary festivities. Photos of Xi were shown at the front of a lecture hall as an instructor introduced Xi’s speeches

and highlighted the importance of party spirit and history. “General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out clearly in his speech that the 100 years of our party is the 100 years when we were committed to fulfilling the original mission,” said Prof. Chen Shenghua, head of the academy’s party history education research center. Studying party history is the “obligation of every party member, cadre, mass and youth,” he said. The “primary political task” for party members is to “study and implement Xi Jinping’s thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era,” according to the training plan for party members. A plan for higher-level members requires that Xi Jinping Thought be the main focus of teachings, and that theoretical and party spirit account for at least 70 percent of class hours. The Jinggangshan curriculum focuses on the party’s early days in 1927-35 and Mao’s battles with the Nationalist government. Lectures jump over the following decades to modern successes in fighting poverty and the coronavirus. “Under the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, we mobilized the whole country,” said the instructor, Liu Qiufu, “and we won the war against the epidemic.”

‘King of the Road’ reclaims throne Continued from A1

He believes that in the next 12 months, motorcycle taxis will rise to become a necessity. “For now, we are ensuring that our online riders are earning almost at the pre-pandemic levels in terms of earning capacity. We are also providing alternative sources of livelihood for our riders,” Royeca said.

Coexisting with bikes

JEDD UGAY, a representative of AltMobility, a group composed of urban transport experts and advocates, noted that motorcycle riders should practice safe driving. His group has observed that there are some incidences wherein motorized vehicle drivers were “angry” at emerging modes of transportation such as bikes. “They feel that they are being deprived of road space because of bikes. It would be best for the safety of everyone if bikes have their dedicated protected lane because if you mix motorized vehicles and bikes, there is a chance for acci-

dents to happen,” Ugay, a transport engineer, said. AltMobility, he said, also saw that active transport is becoming a norm for many Filipinos. Active transport includes pedestrians walking to their destination and biking. “Because of the lack of public transportation, many Filipinos are resorting to active transport because they need to do something about their mobility. Biking is the most affordable alternative,” he said. Ugay said the government should give this as an “inclusive option” to commuters through dedicated protected bike lanes. “Many people will be more open to using bikes if there are protected bike lanes.”

Prioritizing safety

WITH the rise in the demand for motorcycles and bicycles comes the need for a safer environment from which they would thrive. Vera Cruz noted that the Department of Transportation is putting premium on providing safe access to

these modes of transportation. “What we are focusing on is the road safety aspect, especially for motorcycles. Motorcycles are more vulnerable. We focus on road safety. We have some advocacies to help us in educating our people. We have to inculcate in them the importance of being qualified and responsible drivers,” he said. He noted that the government is strengthening efforts in implementing laws and policies, such as the proper use of helmets, the proper modification of units, and the implementation of speed limits. Vera Cruz admitted that in order for the government to really provide safer roads for motorcycles and bikes, roads in the Philippines have to be expanded. “We really need separate lanes for both motorcycles and bikes. However, our roads are very few and narrow. If you dedicate a lane, you should also ensure that other motorists won’t lose theirs. We really need to seriously look into this measure and expand our roads,” he said.

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

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Taal villagers fear twin perils: Volcano and Covid-19 T

housands of people were being evacuated from villages around a rumbling volcano near the Philippine capital Friday, but officials said they faced another dilemma of ensuring emergency shelters will not turn into epicenters of Covid-19 infections. The alert was raised to three on a five-level scale after Taal Volcano blasted a dark gray plume into the sky Thursday. The five-minute steam- and gas-driven explosion was followed by four smaller emissions but the volcano was generally calm on Friday, volcanologists said. Level three means “magma is near or at the surface, and activity could lead to hazardous eruption in weeks,” according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Level five means a life-threatening eruption is occurring that could endanger communities. The agency asked people to stay away from a small island in a scenic lake where Taal sits and is considered a permanent danger zone along with a number of nearby lakeside villages in Batangas province south of Manila.

An eruption of Taal last year displaced hundreds of thousands of people and briefly closed Manila’s international airport. However, the volcano agency’s chief, Renato Solidum, said it was too early to know if the volcano’s current unrest will lead to a full-blown eruption. The preemptive evacuations that began late Thursday involved residents in five high-risk villages. The government continued on Friday to evacuate residents in affected and even high-risk areas around the Taal Volcano following its phreatomagmatic emission on Thursday. The plume affected residents in 13 barangays in the towns of San Nicolas; Laurel; Agoncillo; Taal; Balete and Tanauan City where at least 1,392 people have been evacuated as of 5 a.m. on Friday. National Disaster Risk Reduct io n a nd M a n a ge me nt C ou nc i l (NDRRMC) spokesman Mark Timbal said 11 evacuation centers have been put up for the affected residents, citing the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Batangas.

“The Philippine Coast Guard is no longer allowing fishermen to sail into the lake as a precautionary measure,” Timbal also said, referring to the Taal Lake. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar ordered police units in Batangas to coordinate w ith local officials on how the minimum health safety protocols would be obser ved inside the evacuation centers. Eleazar also ordered Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz to distribute face masks to residents if possible, not just for Covid-19 protection, but also against the hazardous emissions of the volcano. The PNP chief tasked police units in Calabarzon to activate their respective Disaster Incident Management Task Groups as they may be tapped following the phreatic eruption of the restive volcano. He also ordered the Police Regional Offices of Regions 3, 4B, 5 and the National Capital Region to prepare in case their assistance is needed soon. Phivolcs has also advised residents of Taal Volcano Island and

the high-risk barangays in the municipalities of Agoncillo and Laurel to evacuate due to possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami. Meanwhile, personnel and equipment of the military, initially from the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division and the Philippine Air Force’s 730th Combat Group have been deployed in various affected municipalities around the Taal Volcano. Local officials, however, faced an extra predicament of ensuring emergency shelters, usually school buildings, basketball gymnasiums and even Roman Catholic church grounds, would not become coronavirus hot spots. Displaced villagers were asked to wear face masks and were sheltered in tents set safely apart, requiring considerably more space than in pre-pandemic times. Most evacuation camps also set up isolation areas in case anyone began showing Covid-19 symptoms. “It’s doubly difficult now. Before, we just asked people to rush to the evacuation centers and squeeze themselves in as much as possible,”

said disaster-response officer Junfrance de Villa of Agoncillo town, which sits across the lake from Taal Volcano island. “Now, we have to keep a close eye on the numbers. We’re doing everything to avoid congestion,” De Villa told The Associated Press by telephone. A nearby town safely away from the restive volcano could accommodate up to 12,000 displaced Agoncillo residents in pre-pandemic times but could only shelter half of that now. A laidback town of more than 40,000 people, Agoncillo has reported more than 170 Covid-19 cases but only about a dozen remain ill. At least 11 residents have died, he said. The 1,020-foot Taal, one of the world’s smallest volcanoes, erupted in January last year, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and sending clouds of ash to Manila, about 65 kilometers to the north, where the main airport was temporarily shut down. Heav y a sh fa l l a l so bu r ied a n a ba ndone d f i sh i n g com mu n it y, wh ic h t h r ived for yea rs i n t he shadow of Taa l on an island in Taa l L a ke, a nd shut dow n a popu l a r

Typhoons may have cost PHL economy $20B in last three decades–ADB study

By Cai U. Ordinario

torms may have already cost the economy nearly a trillion pesos in the last three decades, according to a study conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In the report titled Disaster Resilience in Asia, the Manila-based multilateral development bank said storms cost the country some $20 billion between 1990 and 2020. This includes Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013 which killed 7,354 Filipinos and is deemed one of the 10 deadliest disasters in the region. “Storms in the Philippines can reduce local economic activity in the year that it occurs by 1.7 percent on average. In the most severe cases,

losses can be as high as 23 percent,” ADB said. The report stated that between 2000 and 2020, disasters caused by natural hazards claimed at least 36,000 lives annually in developing Asia, more than half of fatalities globally. ADB said for every five people affected by these disasters worldwide, four were from developing Asia. Further, more than a fourth of the annual global average of $135 billion was accounted for by the region. “The effects of disasters are often local and short term, but as a previous ADB study shows, they can creep into other locations and continue for a long time,” the report stated. “Those burdened most from these impacts are the poor, the marginal-

ized, and the isolated. Without preventive action, the havoc wreaked from the most severe disasters remain not just life-threatening, but also poverty-inducing,” it added. The report, however, stated that the local effects of these kinds of disasters are short-lived because households evacuate affected areas. ADB said a study on floods in the Philippines showed the economic impact of these disasters lasted up to a year or less. It added that massive floods in urban areas can reduce gross domestic product (GDP) by 2 percent up to as much as 8 percent annually. This means, ADB said, the response to these disasters should be reformed in order to speed up the recovery of

these areas. For one, the report stated that the rapid restoration of livelihoods and other economic activities should not be viewed as disaster resilience. This is needed, especially in light of climate change, which is expected to only worsen the impact of disasters, especially in vulnerable locations. “If nothing further is done except the restoration of activity, returning to these affected areas simply means placing the same populations and assets back in the path of disasters,” ADB said. Climate change is one of the priorities of ADB. In May, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said the bank will commit to increase the share of its funding support for climate adapta-

tion and mitigation. Asakawa said ADB has committed to increase the share of ADF 13 financing for climate adaptation and mitigation to at least account for 35 percent in volume, and at least 65 percent of committed ADF 13 operations in a number of projects will support climate mitigation and adaptation by 2024. The ADB also said that by 2030, 75 percent of the total number of ADB’s operations will support climate action, while climate finance from ADB’s own resources will reach $80 billion cumulatively. The bank also commits to assist its developing member-countries to achieve their Paris Agreement commitments while charting a fair and equitable path to net zero.

DND chief shrugs off allegations of corruption in frigate deal; defends Bacarro’s appointment

By Rene Acosta

efense Secretar y Delfin Lorenzana defended on Friday the military’s acquisition of two brand-new South Korean-made frigates against the claims of Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao that the deal was tainted with corruption. At the same time, the defense chief also parried off criticisms raised by a senior member of the House of Representatives on the designation of Major Gen. Bartolome Bacarro as incoming commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (AFP-Solcom). Bacarro, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988 and current commander of the Army’s

2nd Infantry Division, will assume the leadership of the Solcom upon the retirement of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade later this month. Replying to Pacquiao’s allegations that the procurement of the two frigates was marred with corruption, Lorenzana said that even the Senate as a whole had already looked into the claims, and yet, it found nothing anomalous and has even declared that the project was in order. “Sen. Pacquiao, the frigate deal has been thoroughly investigated by the Senate in 2017 and they found nothing anomalous. In fact, you were in one of the hearings,“ Lorenzana said. “Senator, since you seem to be so sure of your allegations, it would

Tourism workers in Boracay to receive coronavirus jabs starting this weekend By. Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

Special to the BusinessMirror

ORACAY Island will be receiving its share of Covid-19 vaccines starting this weekend as part of government’s initiative to inoculate tourism workers. In a Viber message to the BusinessMirror, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said National Task Force on Covid-19 (NTF) Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. and NTF Deputy Implementer Vivencio Dizon “allotted 3,000 doses upon the request of the DOT [Department of Tourism].” The vaccines will be turned over the Municipal Health Office, she added, and be allocated to 3,000 workers “identified by the private sector.” She said their second doses would arrive in another shipment. In a meeting with the island’s tourism and business groups on Thursday, Romulo Puyat encouraged them and the Malay municipal office to ramp up the registration of workers. Tourism workers are now included under the A4 Priority List of the government’s vaccination program.

According to the tourism associations, there are currently 5,000 workers in Boracay’s hotels and restaurants. Municipal Mayor Frolibar Bautista reported during the meeting there were also 7,000 tourism frontliners in various cooperatives on the island. Frontliners include boat pilots, tricycle drivers, vendors in souvenir shop, massage therapists, among others. Romulo Puyat said some resorts like Discovery Shores had apparently purchased Moderna vaccines already for their workers. “So we want a real headcount how many tourism workers still need vaccines, so the NTF knows how much more vaccines to send to the island,” she stressed. At present, Boracay has been inoculating its residents in the A1-A3 priority listing with vaccines coming from the Aklan provincial government. Mayor Bautista and private stakeholders earlier requested the national government and the DOT for vaccines good for 40,000 islanders. In a bid to push domestic tourism and speed up the reopening to foreign tourists, the DOT has been requesting for vaccine allocations for A4 tourism frontliners in key destinations. On

be much appreciated if you could prov ide details of this alleged corruption. By the way, senator, those frigates were delivered last year ahead of schedule and they passed the Nav y’s Technica l Inspection and Acceptance Committee,” the defense chief added. The acquisition of the frigates was among the projects that Pacquiao alleged to had to been mired by corruption under the Duterte administration. The senator made his claims after President Duterte dared him to identify the agencies in government where corruption has taken place. The President issued the dare after Pacquiao claimed that cases of corruption have tripled under the Duterte administration. June 16, Panglao Island received its first 10,000 doses of Sputnik V and Sinovac from the NTF. (See, “Island destinations gear up for entry of foreign tourists,” in the BusinessMirror, June 21, 2021.) Meanwhile, Romulo Puyat assured Boracay Island is still open to visitors despite the province of Aklan being put under general community quarantine (GCQ ). She cited Section H of Resolution 124 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, to wit: “Point-to-Point travel to areas under [GCQ] and Modified [GCQ] shall be allowed without age restrictions subject to an RT-PCR test-before-travel requirement for those below 18 years old and above 65, and other protocols and restrictions as may be imposed by the [Department of Tourism] and the Local Government Unit of destination.” As such, residents from Metro Manila can still travel to Boracay for their vacations, she said, adding that those between 18 and 65 years old are also required to be tested before traveling. In the first half of the year, 74,397 domestic tourists visited Boracay, down some 75.5 percent from the same period in 2020. The bulk of the visitors this year was recorded in June at 26,354, a huge jump from the 81 who visited in June 2020.

On the appeal of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez to recall Bacarro’s appointment as commander of Solcom, Lorenzana said that his appointment was thoroughly deliberated upon by the military before it was sent to the Commander in Chief who made the designation. “Major Gen. Bar tolome Vicente B ac a r ro we nt t h rou g h a r i gor ou s se lec t ion process by t he A FP Boa rd of Genera l s a nd fou nd f it to a ssu me h igher posit ion i n t he A FP,” he sa id. Rodriguez opposed the appointment of Bacarro over the case of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet Darwin Dormitorio, who died as a result of hazing. Bacarro was the PMA’s commandant of cadets at the

time the hazing occurred. “On the unfortunate death of Cadet Darwin Dormitorio, Major Gen. Bacarro was cleared by the Baguio City Prosecutor’s Office of any responsibility for lack of probable cause,” Lorenzana said. “Those responsible for the death of Cadet Dormitorio are now facing criminal charges. It would be an injustice to Major Gen. Bacarro if he is prevented from moving up in the ladder of command for something that he did not commit,” the defense chief added. L oren z a n a ba n ked on t he c apabi l it y of Baca r ro, say ing he was “con f ide nt t h at ...[ he] w i l l p e r for m outstand ingly as t he Solcom com m a nder.”

President Duterte leads transportation officials during the inauguration of LRT-2 East Extension Line which links Manila and Antipolo via overhead light railway. Photo courtesy of DOTr

Commuters get free rides as LRT 2 East Extension Line begins ops on Monday

ight Rail Transit (LRT) - 2 commuters going to Pasig, Marikina, and Antipolo can now enjoy a more comfortable, convenient, and faster travel as President Duterte, together with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, inaugurated the LRT-2 East Extension project last Thursday. Also opened were two additional LRT-2 stations—the Marikina-Pasig and Antipolo stations—which will

enable the rail line to accommodate an additional 80,000 passengers. Daily ridership was increased to 320,000 passengers from the previous 240,000 passengers. The rail extension line also cuts the usual three-hour road travel time from Recto, Manila to Masinag, Antipolo to just 30 to 40 minutes. President Duter te commended t he ef for ts of t he DOTr, under t he leadersh ip of Sec ret a r y Tugade,

d ist r ic t of tou r ist i n ns, rest aura nt s, spa s a nd wedd i ng venues. The Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. A long-dormant volcano, Mount Pinatubo, blew its top north of Manila in 1991 in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing hundreds of people. Sen. Joel Villanueva, for his part, said the government should brace for any impact brought about by eruption as the unrest could trigger several events “from a Naia [Ninoy Aquino International Airport] closure that will delay vaccine shipments, to factories in the country’s manufacturing belt suspending work.” He suggested that the government put on standby the P6.37-billion Quick Reaction Fund component of the so-called Calamity Fund in the 2021 national budget. That amount is distributed among 8 agencies in the Departments of Public Works and Highways, Education, Health, the Interior and Local Government, Agriculture, and Defense. AP with Rene

Acosta and Butch Fernandez

SSS issues advisory on the crediting time for monthly pensions starting July 2021

he Social Security System (SSS) wishes to inform its pensioners that starting July 2021, the release of monthly pensions through its latest disbursement method will be every 4:00 p.m. onwards of their crediting date. Under the latest disbursement method that uses Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet) participating banks and e-wallets, and Remittance Transfer Companies/ Cash Payout Outlets (RTCs/CPOs) as disbursement channels, there are two batches of monthly pension releases (crediting dates). The first batch is released every first day of the pension month, covering pensioners whose date of contingency is from the first to the 15th day of the month, while the second batch is released every 16th day of the pension month for pensioners whose date of contingency is from the 16th to the last day of the month. If the credit date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the pension will be credited on the last working day before it. The said time of release every crediting date is in accordance with SSS’s memorandum of agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), its government partner bank. For more infor mation, follow the SSS on Facebook and YouTube at “Philippine Social Security System,” Instagram at “mysssph,” and Twitter at “PHLSSS,” or join its Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”

and its key pr ivate sector par tners for t he complet ion of t he projec t despite d i f f ic u lt ies posed by t he Cov id-19 pa ndem ic. “Your efforts and determination show that the government stops at nothing to carry on its mandate, to serve the people’s interest no matter the circumstances,” he said. “I’ve been saying this over again, I have been redundant about it. This guy [Secretary Tugade] is our valedictorian in law school. Alam ko talaga this guy is marunong, kaya ito ang unang pinakiusapan ko sa journey ko as President. Sila ni Secretary [Mark] Villar ‘yung nag-perform exceedingly well and I thank them. I am really grateful for their services, these are my idol sa gobyerno,” the President shared. During the ceremony, the President asked Tugade to give commuters free rides for the first two weeks of the extended line’s operations. On Monday, July 5, 2021, when the extended line opens, passengers from Santolan to Antipolo and vice versa, will ride for free. Secretary Tugade said the project’s completion has impact on the lives of daily commuters, especially students going to Manila’s university belt.

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Saturday, July 3, 2021

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

130 countries back deal on global minimum tax for companies by ’23

R A NK FURT, Germany— Some 130 countries have agreed on a global minimum tax backed by US President Joe Biden as part of a worldwide effort to keep multinational firms from dodging taxes by shifting their profits to countries with low rates. T he ag reement a nnounced

Thursday is an attempt to address challenges presented by a globalized and increasingly digital world economy in which profits can be relocated across borders and companies can earn online profits in places where they have no taxable headquarters. The deal calls for a global mini-

mum tax of at least 15 percent, a key element pushed by Biden as he seeks to raise more revenue for his infrastructure and clean energy plans. There are still technical details that need to be worked out and it would be at least 2023 before the agreement takes effect. The agreement, announced by

the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), also provides for taxing part of the profits the largest global companies in countries where they do business online but may have no physical presence. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called it “the most

important international tax agreement in a century.” Countries led by France have already started imposing unilateral digital taxes aimed at US tech giants such as Amazon, Google and Facebook; under the deal, they would agree to withdraw those taxes, regarded as unfair trade practices by the US, in favor of the global approach. The French tax on tech giants prompted retaliatory tariffs under former US President Donald Trump, and France has welcomed the Biden administration’s push to reach a global deal. “Online giants must pay their fair share of taxes where they have activities,” he said. “There is no reason a small or medium business should pay more taxes than an online giant simply because it’s physically present in the country where it carries out its activities.” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called it a “historic day.” “For decades, the United States has participated in a self-defeating international tax competition, lowering our corporate tax rates only to watch other nations lower theirs in response,” she said in a statement. “The result was a global race to the bottom: Who could lower their corporate rate further and faster?” Yellen said lower rates deprived countries of money for infrastructure, education and efforts to fight the pandemic. Manal Corwin, a tax principal at professional services firm KPMG and a former Treasury Department official, said the deal put together “the big pieces” of an overall agreement, although technical complexities remain to be worked out. She said what was approved was “pretty much the US proposal,” noting that it was “ hugely important” for the US to obtain a commitment from other countries to withdraw their unilateral digital taxes. Under the deal, countries could tax their companies’ foreign earnings up to 15 percent if they go untaxed through subsidiaries in

other countries. That would remove the incentive to use accounting and legal schemes to shift profits to low-rate countries where they do little or no business, since the profits would be taxed at home anyway. Such tax avoidance practices cost countries between $100 billion and $240 billion in lost revenue annually, according to the OECD. Not all of the 139 countries that joined the talks signed on to the deal. Ireland ’s finance ministry said it had “ broad support” for the approach used in the agreement but could not agree to the 15-percent minimum. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said the country’s 12.5-percent rate is a “fair rate.” Ireland said it would “contr uct ively engage” in d iscussions going for ward. Signers included Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, regarded by economists as tax havens, and major economic powers China and India. More discussion is expected at the meeting of the G-20 finance ministers in Venice next week, ahead of a final endorsement by the full G-20 summit of country leaders in October. The proposal to tax companies where they have revenue but no physical presence would require countries to sign up for a multilateral convention, while the minimum corporate tax could be adopted by each country through national legislation on a voluntary basis. Tax experts say that voluntary approach could work if adopted by countries where many multinationals have their headquarters, such as the US and in Europe, by making clear to companies that even if they avoid tax by moving profits to overseas subsidiaries, those profits will be taxed at home up to the minimum. In the US, Biden has proposed a 21-percent minimum rate on overseas earnings of big US companies to deter them from shifting profits to tax havens. Biden’s US tax must first pass Congress, where the Democratic president has only a narrow majority. AP

Funds flee Southeast Asia stocks as vaccine rollout gets urgent

oreign funds are rushing out of Southeast Asian equities on concerns a coronavirus resurgence will dent the region’s economic recovery, and a slow vaccine rollout means the selloff may not reverse anytime soon. Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia had combined outflows of $2.7 billion from their equities in the April-June period, the biggest exodus since the quarter ended September 2020, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Funds bought the countries’ bonds instead due to attractive yields. Investors’ expectations that vaccine rollouts will help reopen economies in Southeast Asia are being dashed for now as countries struggle to contain the highly transmissible delta variant of the virus. Inoculations have also stalled in the region that’s home to more than 600 million people: less than 10 percent of the population in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are fully vaccinated for Covid, while about 11 percent of Malaysians have received doses, Bloombergcompiled data show. “Many Asean economies are still dealing w ith the pandemic and recent spikes in cases leading to new restrictions have delayed the expected recover y,” said Ian Hui, global market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management. “ We do not expect this situation to persist, but this does depend on a pickup in vaccination developments.” Indonesia, Southeast A sia’s big gest economy, is the only major market in the region where foreigners were net buyers of its equities, with $345-million inf lows in the second quarter. But stricter Covid-19 restrictions that are set to go into effect could damp the mood of investors who had been buying the nation’s shares partly on expectations its lack of a lockdown would support economic growth. The other major economies in the area are strengthening virus-related curbs. Thailand, the region’s second-biggest economy, on Monday banned all dine-in services at restaurants and sealed residential camps at construction sites in Bangkok and nearby provinces for a month. Malaysia’s government extended a nationwide lockdown that was originally due to end Monday, while Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lengthened the existing movement restrictions in the capital region and nearby provinces through July 15.

The key equity gauge in Thailand was little changed and in Malaysia it dropped 2.6 percent in the second quarter, lagging a 2.2-percent increase in the MSCI Asia Pacific Index. Despite outflows of foreign funds, the Philippine stock index rose 7.1 percent, rebounding from a 9.8-percent slide in the first quarter. “There is concern about equities’ high valuations in the region where economic reopening and vaccine rollouts have boosted earnings optimism,” said Jirawat Supornpaibul, the head of private banking business at Kasikornbank Pcl, Thailand’s secondlargest bank by market value. “A jump in new infections will dent that optimism, probably prompting more investors to switch from equities to safer bonds.” These are foreign investment flow figures for the second quarter (some figures are incomplete): Thailand: net $1.48-billion outf lows from equities; $2.4-billion flows into local bonds, the biggest quarterly inflows in more than two years Philippines: net $597-million sales of stocks, marking the ninth quarterly selloff Malaysia: net $598-million outflows from shares, the 13th quarter of selling; net $1.72 billion buying of bonds For the area’s share markets, the outlook hinges on whether vaccinations accelerate as authorities have promised. Vaccine rollouts “will be extensive in the second half for Asean,” said Prashant Bhayani, chief investment officer for Asia at BNP Paribas Wealth Management. “This would allow gradual reopening, which will improve economic growth.” Thailand is attempting to get back to normal, reopening the popular island of Phuket to vaccinated tourists on Thursday after the government ramped up its inoculation drive last month to 500,000 shots per day. Attractive yields, meanwhile, will continue to draw foreign funds into bonds of most developing economies in the area in the second half, according to Bhayani. Malaysia’s 10-year government bond yields 3.3 percent and the Philippines’s is 3.9 percent compared with 1.5 percent for equivalent US Treasuries. Benign inf lation in the region may also leave bonds less vulnerable to outf lows as the Federal Reserve could lay out its tapering plans in September, said JPMorgan Asset’s Hui. Bloomberg News

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Anti-vaxxer propaganda spreads across SEA, endangering millions W

Saturday, July 3, 2021

NSA bares hacking methods it says are used by Russia

hough Gerry Casida is on the priority list for a free Covid-19 vaccine in the Philippines because of his asthma, he’s isn’t planning to get the shot any time soon. A video he found on social media of a woman claiming vaccines are being used for genocide helps explain why. “I’ve read a lot of posts on Facebook about how many died in other countries because of vaccines, and how that’s being concealed,” said the construction worker, 43, from Manila. “My mom also consulted a folk healer, who said the vaccines could affect my heart.” Millions of people like Casida in some of the worst Covid hot spots in Southeast Asia (SEA) are delaying inoculation or just saying no, swayed by disinformation on social media from both local sources as well anti-vaccination movements in the US. Those false claims are fueling vaccine hesitancy in some pockets of the region, undermining efforts to inoculate some of the most vulnerable people in Asia and end a pandemic that has stalled the global economy. Despite some of the highest rates of new cases in the world, recent surveys show vaccine resistance is prevalent in the region. In the Philippines, 68 percent of people are either uncertain or unwilling to take a Covid shot, according to polling company Social Weather Stations. A third of Thais have doubts or refuse to be vaccinated, according to the Suan Dusit Poll, while a separate survey in Indonesia showed nearly a fifth of the population were hesitant. A nt i-v acc i n at ion propa ga nd a is a big reason for that reluctance,

which has further slowed takeup in countries already struggling with limited supplies. Less than 10 percent of the population in Thailand and the Philippines have received even one shot. “It is a polluted media landscape,” Melissa Fleming, the United Nations’ undersecretary-general for global communications, said at a virtual forum in May. “This infodemic has shifted now, and the focus is misinformation on vaccines. It’s about instilling fear in people.” A heavily Catholic country, the Philippines has been particularly vulnerable to falsehoods peddled online by US evangelical Christian groups, which then filter across through church and family networks. Among many Facebook discussion groups focused on anti-vaccination theories trawled by Bloomberg News, one video in the local Filipino language claimed Covid shots will brand people with the “mark of the beast,” alluding to the Antichrist in Christian eschatology. It got more than a thousand views. An English language video with hundreds of views said the vaccine makes recipients magnetic. In Malaysia, misinformation ranging from exaggerated risks to life and body organs to genetic alteration are spreading on the Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp. Many of them

WHO decision challenges West to recognize Chinese vaccines

ENEVA—The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that any Covid-19 vaccines it has authorized for emergency use should be recognized by countries as they open up their borders to inoculated travelers. The move could challenge Western countries to broaden their acceptance of two apparently less effective Chinese vaccines, which the UN health agency has licensed but most European and North American countries have not. In addition to vaccines by PfizerBioNTech, Moderna Inc., AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, the WHO has also given the green light to the two Chinese jabs, made by Sinovac and Sinopharm. In its aim to restore travel across Europe, the European Union (EU) said in May that it would only recognize people as vaccinated if they had received shots licensed by the European Medicines Agency—although it’s up to individual countries if they wish to let in travelers who have received other vaccines, including Russia’s Sputnik V. The EU drug regulator is currently considering licensing China’s Sinovac vaccine, but there is no timeline on a decision. It also does not recognize versions of the AstraZeneca vaccine that were made in India, effectively barring travel for people in developing countries who received doses via the UN-backed initiative known as COVA X. “Any measure that only allows people protected by a subset of

WHO-approved vaccines to benefit from the reopening of travel...would effectively create a two-tier system, further widening the global vaccine divide and exacerbating the inequities we have already seen in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines,” a WHO statement said Thursday. “It would negatively impact the growth of economies that are already suffering the most.” The WHO said such moves undermine “confidence in life-saving vaccines that have already been shown to be safe and effective.” In its reviews of the two Chinese vaccines, the UN health agency said both were found to significantly reduce the risk of hospitalizations and deaths. The two Chinese shots are “ inactivated ” vaccines, made with killed coronavirus, whereas the Westernmade shots are made w ith newer technologies that instead target the “spike” protein that coats the surface of the coronav irus. Although Western countries have largely relied on vaccines made in the US and Europe, such as PfizerBioNTech and AstraZeneca, many developing countries have used the Chinese-made shots. Earlier this year, the head of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged the effectiveness of its home-grown shots was low. Numerous countries that have used millions of doses of the two Chinese shots, including the Seychel les a nd Ba h ra i n, h ave seen Cov id-19 su rges e ven w it h re l at ive ly h igh le ve l s of i m mu n i z at ion. AP

twist and amplify arguments made by US politicians and also Michael Yeadon, a former Pfizer Inc. scientist and a Covid-vaccine skeptic who’s become an icon for anti-vaxxers. Other popular conspiracy theories being peddled on social platforms across the region include a claim that microchips in Covid-19 vaccines are being used to collect biometric data. The resistance is challenging governments keen to get as much as 80 percent of their populations protected against the deadly pathogen. Almost all countries in SEA are struggling with a perfect storm: outbreaks driven by more transmissible variants; lagging inoculation because of shortages after rich nations dominated stock; and, global isolation. In Bloomberg’s Covid Resilience Ranking, which tracks how well the world’s biggest 53 economies are handling the crisis, these countries are now in the bottom 10. “Without some semblance of herd resiliency to the coronavirus, large countries and small will have difficulty in accommodating the free flow of international travelers, which is important not only for the travel and hospitality industries, but for business and international investment,” said Steve Cochrane, chief Asia Pacific economist at Moody’s Analytics. In February, Malaysia’s Science Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had to reassure the public about the safety of vaccines, saying they don’t contain microchips. He also rubbished claims that they are part of an Illuminati agenda to establish a new

world order, according to a report by the Straits Times.

Open letter Even in Singapore, which has largely contained the spread of the virus, the young and educated succumb to fake news, said Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease physician at Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. “Some of the stories get amplified more, but the reasons are pretty much the same,” he said. In late May, an open letter by a dozen Singapore doctors questioning the safety of mRNA vaccines, including a claim that the shots would change one’s DNA, was circulated on WhatsApp. That elicited a swift rebuke from the city-state’s health ministry, which issued a press release, saying all but one of the medical professionals “have since retracted their statement.” Despite efforts by governments and companies to curb unsubstantiated information, the false claims in English often continue to spread in non-English speaking communities. Encrypted platforms, where there’s less moderation, also play a key role, said Ishaana Aiyanna, a researcher at Logically, a technology company that tracks misinformation and targeted disinformation campaigns. “Western narratives that have previously been debunked are often circulated alongside hyper-localized narratives,” she said. “This is compounded by a lack of media literacy on the part of a vast majority who rely solely on these groups and online communities for information.” Bloomberg News

A SHINGTON—US a nd B r it i s h a g e n c i e s d i s closed on Thursday details of “ brute force” methods they say have been used by Russian intelligence to try to break into the cloud services of hundreds of government agencies, energ y companies and other organizations. An advisory released by the US Nationa l Secur it y Agenc y (NSA) desc r ibes at t ac k s by operat ives linked to the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency, which has been previously tied to major cyber attacks abroad and efforts to disrupt the 2016 and 2020 American elections. In a news statement, NSA Cybersecurity Director Rob Joyce said the campaign was “likely ongoing, on a global scale.” Brute force attacks involve the automated spray ing of sites w ith potentia l passwords unti l hackers gain access. The adv isor y urges companies to adopt methods long urged by experts as common-sense cyber hygiene, including the use of

mu lt i-factor aut hent icat ion and mandating strong passwords. Issued during a devastating wave of ransomware attacks on governments and key infrastructure, the advisory does not disclose specific targets of the campaign or its presumed purpose, saying only that hackers have targeted hundreds of organizations worldwide. The NSA says GRU-linked operatives have tried to break into networks using Kubernetes, an open-source tool originally developed by Google to manage cloud services, since at least mid-2019 through early this year. While a “significant amount” of the attempted break-ins targeted organizations using Microsoft’s Office 365 cloud services, the hackers went after other cloud providers and email-servers as well, the NSA said. The US has long accused Russia of using and tolerating cyber attacks for espionage, spreading disinformation, and the disruption of governments and key infrastructure. The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. AP

A6 Saturday, July 3, 2021

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PHL, Switzerland reaffirm cooperation at joint economic commission meeting

HE Philippines and Switzerland successfully convened the 4th Meeting of the Joint Economic Cooperation (JEC) under the chairmanship of Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Ambassador Erwin Bollinger, Head of Bilateral Economic Relations of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The meeting marked the 8th anniversary of the bilateral JEC since it was established in June 2013, as well as the 3rd anniversary of the Philippines-European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (PH-EFTA FTA) since the agreement entered into force on June 1, 2018. The JEC meeting serves as an avenue to discuss trade, investment, economic cooperation, and related matters to forge closer bilateral trade and investment ties between both countries. Undersecretary Rodolfo remarked, “We believe that through this JEC and the PH-EFTA FTA, the Philippines and Switzerland can keep the posi-

tive momentum in our relations in the coming years. We continue to accord high importance to the JEC, as it will serve as an instrumental mechanism for us to identify our complementarities and build synergies in areas of mutual interest—in trade, investment, renewable energy, agriculture, and innovation to name a few.” Under the context of economic recovery from Covid-19, both sides exchanged updates on respective economic recover y strategies. Undersecretary Rodolfo took the opportunity to underline the improvement of the Philippines’s economic performance and progress on the country’s economic policy

reforms, including the recent passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. Both sides also acknowledged the increased collaboration amid the pandemic, such as the Swiss support for the Philippines’s personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturing sectors, through the Global Quality and Standards Program (GQSP). The forthcoming finalization of this GQSP project is aligned with the DTI’s thrust toward building strong domestic production of internationally certified medical-grade PPE. Moreover, discussion covered the implementation and promotion of the PH-EFTA FTA. Undersecretary Rodolfo highlighted, “Since the FTA entered into force in June 2018, the Philippines was able to turn around its trade deficit with EFTA. In 2019, the Philippines posted a trade surplus of $47 million. Total trade between the Philippines and EFTA likewise increased by 2.40 percent from $802 million in 2018 to $821 million in 2019. For 2020, this surplus even grew to $109 million despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Exports to EFTA likewise increased by 6 percent in 2020 from $434 million in 2019 to $461 million in 2020.” Top Philippine agricultural and food products exported to Switzerland under the PH- EFTA FTA include desiccated coconuts, prepared/preserved tuna, juice of

tropical fruit, food preparations, tropical nuts, and raw cane sugar, among others. The JEC co-chairs also welcomed the establishment of the informal working group for the PH- EFTA FTA promotion and development of an online interactive FTA web tool, as well as DTI’s advocacies and plans in the pipeline. These include the upcoming DTI-led promotion webinar series this year, which aims to increase exporters’ awareness of the PH-EFTA FTA. This is composed of three series, namely, (a) Understanding the PH-EFTA FTA by Chapter; (b) Understanding the PH-EFTA FTA by Product/Sector, and (c) How to Export in EFTA. Complementing initiatives to further maximize the benefits brought about by the PH-EFTA FTA, both sides exchanged updates regarding the market studies on the Philippines’ natural ingredients, processed food, and value-added textiles sector conducted by the Swiss Import Promotion Program (SIPPO). Highlighting the Philippines’ market advantages, these market studies mentioned the country’s large pool of skilled and high-resource English-speaking workforce, high potential in the development of technologies for the processing of native raw material into high-quality natural ingredients, and international reputation to be a 1A origin for many tropical processed foodstuffs, among others.

Logistics cloud company seeks to resolve pandemic supply chain concerns of e-commerce players By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

AST forward to the post-pandemic era, online purchases are seen to continue to increase that brands and businesses need utmost agility and dependable and fast response time as regards their e-commerce capabilities, logistics, and supply chain management to stay relevant and remain competitive in the market. This is where cloud logistics solution provider Locad hopes to play a pivotal role to bring warehousing, packing, and shipping into an easy to use e-commerce platform. Its integrated warehousing and multichannel fulfillment services will bolster Filipino companies’ capability to scale by moving their offerings to the virtual channel for a rapidly growing digital consumer market. Based on a September 2020 survey, more than 80 percent of small businesses were cautiously positive on growth despite the challenges confronting them. Another research revealed that 91 percent of Filipino Internet users turn to online shopping due to the lockdowns, while e-commerce in the country rose by 55 percent and is projected to rise even further. “Business owners and company heads are beginning to realize that there is a growing need to integrate their entire logistics and supply chain,” said Locad Chief Executive Officer and Cofounder Constantin Robertz. “Today’s customers widely expect their orders to be delivered safely and punctually, as a standard level of service, especially as the

lockdowns and work-from-home situations have made them reliant on the digital marketplace, as well as on-demand, online deliveries.” Locad entered the market just last year as a third-party logistics firm in Southeast Asia with its cloud logistics network that can orchestrate the supply chain, from warehouse to delivery, for brands that come from different industries. It has offices in Australia, India, Singapore, and the Philippines. Here, its nationwide delivery of customer brands’ products covers 95 percent of the country, with three fulfillment centers strategically located in Taguig, Parañaque, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and soon in other provincial locations, reducing shipping time and costs by storing products closer to online shoppers. With their extensive industry experience, Robertz and cofounder Jannis Dargel managed the operations of Zalora while their co-owner Shrey Jain used to hold a senior product role in Grab. Among the company’s partner success stories is KJMCosmetics, a Davao-based beauty brand with no official physical store. It faced several issues with shipping costs. Deploying the Locad platform streamlined its logistics operations. “Since partnering with Locad, our business could focus less on the fulfillment process and more on other aspects. As a result, there is an increase in our sales and conversion rate right away,” said Janine Muñez, director of information technology operations at KJMCosmetics.

Manila chairs Asean task force on wood-based products til 2023

HE Philippines, through the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), chaired the 17th Meeting of the Task Force on Wood-Based Products (TFWBP) last May 21, 2021 via videoconferencing. Engr. Myra Magabilin, Super vising Trade-Industr y Development Specialist of the BPS Standards Development Division (SDD), led the meeting while Pattaraporn Krongyuth, Standards Officer of Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Thailand served as the vice-chair. The Philippines will chair the TFWBP meetings for three years or until 2023. The TFWBP assists the Asean Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) Working Group 1 on Standards and Mutual Recognition Arrangements in addressing the Technical Barriers to Trade for woodbased products sector to support trade

facilitation initiatives towards the realization of the Asean single market and production base. TFWBP deals with wood-based products for structural and nonstructural use such as sawn timber, wood-based panels (e.g., plywood), builders’ joinery and carpentry (BJC), laminated veneer lumber, glued and cross laminated timber, bamboo and rattan, and other wood composites. TFWBP also discusses the safety, health and performance requirements for wooden furniture such as those made of bamboo and rattan. Among the topics discussed in the 17th TFWBP Meeting were the identification of wood-based standards, technical assistance and capacity building for wood-based products sector in cooperation with the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and information exchange

on the 2019 import and export figures for wood-based products from AMS including the classification of wood-based products according to International HS Codes. Engr. Rheychelle Jean Pidoc, Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist from BPS-SDD and Head of Philippine Delegation, shared the latest progress and development on

standards from the five Working Groups under the ISO/TC 296 on Bamboo and Rattan. Engr. Pidoc also shared the country’s adoption of five (5) newly published ISO standards (i.e. ISO 21625:2020, ISO 216261:2020, ISO 21626-2:2020, ISO 21626-3:2020, and ISO 23066:2021) as Philippine National Standards. In addition, the Philippines dis-

cussed the Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 20-06, Series of 2020 – The New Technical Regulation Concerning the Mandatory Product Certification of Plywood, which aims to strictly ensure that plywood to be manufactured, imported and distributed in the Philippines meets the specified quality requirements as required under the

technical regulation. The reference standards of DAO 20-06:2020 are PNS ISO 12465:2017 Plywood— Specifications and PNS 2103:2017 Plywood—Formaldehyde emissions —Specification for test requirements/methods. The Philippines, through the DTI-BPS, is a participating member to the ISO Technical Committee on Bamboo and Rattan (ISO/TC 296) since 2015. Currently, Atty. Dulce Blanca Punzalan, President and COO of Filbamboo Exponents, Inc. is the Convenor for Working Group on Bamboo Charcoal (WG 3). Likewise, Dr. Rico Cabangon, Chief of the Engineered Products Development Division under the Department of Science Technology—Forest Product Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) and BPS/TC 76 Bamboo and Rattan Chairman, is the Convenor for Working Group on Engineered Bamboo (WG 5).

BusinessMirror

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1 Pitx Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City

SU THIRI LWIN Myanmari Customer Service 13.

HUANG, DONGPO Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 1.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

HUANG, WEIPENG Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 2.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

HUANG, YONGNING Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 3.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

XU, QIAOFU Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 4.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the overall quality of the clothing production, update fashion lines thru overseas foreign counterparts abroad in the US and China.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

LEE CHIA MUN Relationship Marketing Host 14.

Brief Job Description: Provide excellent VIP Guest services and gaming experiences to foreign customers.

CHEN, YANAN Mandarin Speaking - Business Development 15.

Brief Job Description: Identifying business development opportunities within the Mandarin Speaking business communities.

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

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

XU, CHEN Mandarin Customer Service Representative 8.

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

ZHANG, ZHONGXIN Mandarin Customer Service Representative 9.

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

ZHANG, KUI Mandarin Customer Service Representative 10.

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

ZHAO, DEHAO Mandarin Customer Service Representative 11.

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

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in English and Chinese both in writing with experience in handling corporate team abroad. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CLEMENT LIEW KAH MUN Customer Service Representative- Malaysian Speaking 16.

Brief Job Description: Recommends potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: BS Computer Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHEN, JINLONG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

Basic Qualification: College Graduate

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 DENG, HAIBO Mandarin Customer Support Representative Basic Qualification: College Graduate

18.

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

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate

HUANG, MINYI Mandarin Customer Support Representative 19.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

LI, YAOXIANG Mandarin Customer Support Representative 20.

Brief Job Description: Support customer by providing helpful information, answeing questions and responding to complaints.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YANG, RUINAN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 21.

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

ZHANG, XUZHONG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

12.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients

Basic Qualification: At least College level and able to speak, Read write and type Fluently in Mandarin Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Oversees all company accounting practices, including accounting and finance department including preparation of budgets, financial reports, tax and audit functions and directly reports to the Presiden/ Chairman

Basic Qualification: Able to effectively communicate in English and Chinese and written and oral forms.

Basic Qualification: Speaks and writes fluent English and Mandarin Language, has a notable network of potential clients locally and internationally. Notable business development and marketing skills. Has ability to lead the team when managing a project of clients.

Basic Qualification: Proven working experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

22.

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

SUKARDI OMAR Office Manager 24.

Brief Job Description: Implementing and maintaining procedures/ office administrative systems

XU, DENGGAO Client Relations Coordinator (Mandarin) 25.

Brief Job Description: Provides information to assist Chinese clients or refer them to appropriate contacts

ZHONG, YANQING Client Relations Coordinator (Mandarin) 26.

Brief Job Description: Provides information to assist Chinese clients or refer them to appropriate contacts

JO, SANGYOON Customer Service Representative 27.

Brief Job Description: A customer service representative supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints. They’re the front line of support for clients and customers and they help ensure that customers are satisfied.

KIM, KEONHWI Customer Service Representative 28.

LEE, SEUNGJUN Customer Service Representative 29.

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

LEE, YEONGHYEON It Consultant 30.

Brief Job Description: IT Consultants are external analysts who evaluate a company’s it systems to help them meet their business objectives. Their primary duties include analyzing and diagnosing a company’s it infrastructure, understanding a client’s business needs.

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

KINTETSU WORLD EXPRESS (PHILIPPINES) INC. Jjm Bldg. 6 Amvel Business Park Ninoy Aquino Avenue San Dionisio Parañaque City

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

Basic Qualification: Knowing how businesses function makes it easier to identify the need of clients and understand the solutions needed to fix any business challenges. Fluent in Mandarin and English

MAGKING SERVICES CORPORATION Unit 5d Rose Industries Bldg. #11, Pioneer Street Kapitolyo Pasig City

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Basic Qualification: Possesses at least Bachelor’s Degree in any field, fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, Hokkien and English Language

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

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

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

Basic Qualification: 20 years’ experience working with a Japanese Freight Forwarding company in the same capacity.

LUCKY365 CONSULTING LIMITED CORP. U/18a 18/f 18/f Trafalgar Plaza 105 H.v. Dela Costa St. Bel-air Makati City

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

LEEKIE ENTERPRISES, INC. 8/f Techzone Bldg. 213 Sen Gil Puyat Ave. San Antonio Makati City

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor Eight West Campus Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

WANG, HAIDONG Mandarin Customer Service

23.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WATANABE, YASUMASA General Manager For Finance

GENX SPORTS & MEDIA PRODUCTION CORP. 26th And 27th Flr. Eastwood Cyber One Bldg. Eastwood City Cyberpark No. 188 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Bagumbayan 3 Quezon City

17. WANG, GUOYU Mandarin Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read, write and type fluently in Burmese language.

No.

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

BAOLONG TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP LIMITED INC. 20-29th/f Century Diamond Tower Kalayaan Ave. Cor. Salamanca St. Poblacion Makati City

CHEN, XIN Mandarin Customer Service Representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

CYBER EVOLUTION SERVICES INC. 37f Lkg Tower 6801 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City

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

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

BLOOMBERRY RESORTS AND HOTELS INC. Solaire Resort And Casino 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City Tambo Parañaque City

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

AUTHENTIC AMERICAN APPAREL, INC. Km 21 West Service Road Buli Muntinlupa City

LIN-GURUNG, YU-SHUAN Project Consultant

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Saturday, July 3, 2021 A7

YI, KYUNGSUP It Consultant 31.

Basic Qualification: Must have bachelor’s / college degree in any fields, at least 1-2 yrs. of working experience in related positions and the ability to maintain high level of confidentiality Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MF CONSULTANCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC. Unit 1001 10/f Antel 2000 Corporate Centre 121 Valero St. Bel-air Makati City

BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, July 3, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HE, YISHU Chinese Speaking Customer Relations Officer

32.

Brief Job Description: To handle the concerns of a customer and ensure good customer retention by providing excellent and professional services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With good oral and written communication skills and proficient in Customer Relations.

No.

ZHAO, CHEN Chinese Customer Service 45.

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

33.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

WU, JIAQUAN Chinese Customer Service 46.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZHOU, WENTING Chinese Customer Service

HUANG, DINGYING Chinese Customer Service 34.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

HUANG, PENGBIN Chinese Customer Service 35.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

KE, YIHU Chinese Customer Service 36.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

LI, TIANJIE Chinese Customer Service 37.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

QIN, WENXIANG Chinese Customer Service 38.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

YANG, DAPENG Chinese Customer Service 39.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

YE, XUANAN Chinese Customer Service 40.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

ZHANG, LEILEI Chinese Customer Service 41.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

ZHONG, HELIN Chinese Customer Service 42.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

CAI, DONG Chinese Customer Service 43.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

47.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

YANG, SHENHUI Chinese Customer Service 48.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

44.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHANG, SHENGJIE Chinese Chef

57.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling all food related concerns and taking care all food preparation needs.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

MENG, XIANGHUAN Chinese Customer Service 49.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

58.

MOHAMMEDALMOTWAKEL MAGDI MOHAMMEDALMOTWAKEL MOSTAFA Finance And Accounting Analyst - Accounts Receivable Brief Job Description: Prepares and posts entries on subsidiary ledgers for collections

YE NAING @ KHAUNG TAR WEIN Customer Service Representative 50.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

LYU, QUAN Chinese Customer Service 51.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

YE, CHANGWEN Chinese Customer Service 52.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

LUO, YUFENG Mandarin Customer Support Representative 59.

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

CHEN, XIAOYAN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 60.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

53.

Brief Job Description: Customer relations service provider

54.

Brief Job Description: Customer relations service provider

Brief Job Description: Assist help customers, give customers information about products and services

BE THI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Support Representative 61.

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

Brief Job Description: Manage and supervise the interconnection project.

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

62.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin, both oral and written

CHAN SZE GHIM Recruitment Consultant (Malaysian Speaking) Brief Job Description: Assigned in the company for negotiating contracts on the hired Malaysian speaking.

XU, HENAN Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin, both oral and written

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree or above; engineering background, more than 2 years of working experience and has Japanese language proficiency. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese language for the assessment and negotiation of Applicant Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WHEELSTRIP CORP. 40/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City

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

Brief Job Description: Assigned in the company for negotiating contracts on the hired Malaysian speaking.

Brief Job Description: Prepare and maintain company documents and reports and coordinate for daily administrative reports

Basic Qualification: College graduate, with atleast 6months working experience, Fluen in Mandarin/English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZX-PRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 16/f Robinsons Cybergate 3 Pioneer Brgy. Barangka Ilaya Mandaluyong City

CAI, WAN-CHEN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

55.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , With atleast 6 Months working Experience , Fluent in mandarin /ENglish

VISSIONARIES INC. 16/f Tower 6789 6789 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City

SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD. PHILIPPINES BRANCH 4/f King’s Court I Bldg. 2129 Don Chino Roces Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City

HIRATA, KOICHI 230kv Interconnection Project Manager

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

VAN GOGH BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING INC. 5th To 8th Flr. Sm Southmall Tower 2 Alabang Zapote Rd. Almanza Uno Las Piñas City

64. ZHENG, HONGHUI Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

TWILIGHTBIZ INC. 40/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor. V.a Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City

SKY DRAGON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES CORP. 2f-5f Unit 710 Shaw Blvd. Global Link Center, Brgy. Wack Wack Mandaluyong City

HUANG, HAOZHAO Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field with 3-5 years relevant Accounts Receivable, Processing experience in a Shared service environment in Oil, Gas, and Energy industry

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

63.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

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

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City

WANG, XIAOJIA Recruitment Consultant (Chinese Speaking)

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

Basic Qualification: The ability to make good food consistently, even in a busy kitchen

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

65.

Brief Job Description: Assist/ help customers, give customers information about products and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Jul 2, 2021

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE-NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TOUOHOU, ALAIN French Change Management Specialist

WU, ZHAOZHI Chinese Customer Service

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

TOTAL GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 9f World Plaza, Block 5, Lot 4 Crescent Park West, 5th Ave. Bonifacio Global City Taguig City

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f Pearl Marina Building Pacific Drive Don Galo Parañaque City 1331 Pearl Plaza Bldg., Quirino Ave., Tambo, Parañaque City

CHEN, YIHONG Chinese Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin and English)

56.

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

TIANJIN CUISINE GROUP INC. #250 Urban Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City

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

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

OurTime BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Valenzuela senior is lucky recipient of 10 millionth Covid-19 jab in PHL

SENIOR citizen Nieves Catacutan from Valenzuela City receives the symbolic 10 millionth jab of the Covid-19 vaccine in the country at the Valenzuela City Astrodome.

By Roderick L. Abad | Contributor

HE Philippines has already reached the 10 million level of inoculating the nation’s population against the deadly Covid-19. The lucky recipient of the milestone jab is an elderly from Valenzuela City. Nieves Catacutan, 74 years old, received the symbolic 10 millionth jab of the Covid-19 vaccine in the country at the Valenzuela City Astrodome on June 28. She belongs to the A5 priority group. Officials and members of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) were on hand to grace the ceremonial vaccination.

They lauded the local government’s success in inoculating its residents and other priority groups under its VCVax Covid-19 vaccine deployment plan. IATF-EID Chairman and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III congratulated the City of Valenzuela for the success of its immunization program. “They have received more or less 250,000 doses and managed to roll out their vaccination pro-

China’s ‘one-child policy’ left at least 1 million bereaved parents childless and alone in old age By Lihong Shi

CHILD’S death is devastating to all parents. But for Chinese parents, losing an only child can add financial ruin to emotional devastation. That’s one conclusion of a research project on parental grief I’ve conducted in China since 2016. From 1980 to 2015, the Chinese governmentlimitedcouplestoonechild only. I have interviewed over 100 Chinese parents who started their families during this period and have since lost their only child—whether to illness, accident, suicide or murder. Having passed reproductive age at the time of their child’s death, these couples were unable to have another child. In 2015, the Chinese government raised the birth limit to two, an effort to reverse declining birthrates and to rejuvenate an aging population. In May 2021, it announced that Chinese families could have up to three children. The new “three-child policy” received generally lukewarm responses in China. Many Chinese couples say they prefer not to have multiple children due to the rising cost of child rearing, how it would complicate women’s professional aspirations and declining preference for a son. The childless parents I interviewed told me they felt forgotten as their government moves further

away from the birth-planning policy that left them bereaved, alone and precarious in their old age—in a country where children are the main safety net for the elderly.

Having and losing an only child

CHINA’s one-child policy was a massive social engineering project launched to slow down rapid population growth and aid economic development efforts. Until the early 1970s, most Chinese women had at least five children. By 1979, China’s population had nearly reached 1 billion—up from 542 million in 1949. The Chinese government claimed that the one-child limit prevented 400 million births in China, although this calculation has been disputed as an exaggeration. The birth limit was unpopular at first. “Back then, we wanted to have more children,” said a bereaved mother who was in her 60s when I interviewed her in 2017. “My parents had an even harder time accepting that we were allowed to have only one child.” To enforce the unpopular onechild policy, the Chinese authorities designed strict measures, including mandatory contraception and, if all else failed, forced abortion. (This article is republished by the Associated Press from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license)

gram with so much interest shown by the constituents.... If this will be shown again and again by your leadership, we are assured that it will not take long for us to achieve the herd immunity by the end of the year,” Duque said. Based on DOH records, the national government has already given out a total of 10,065,414 doses as of June 27, of which 7,538,128 were first doses and 2,527,286 were second doses. Hoping for a “merrier” Christmas this year, NTF Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said, noting that while the country’s vaccination rollout started slow due to low supply, the inoculation is now picking up its phase. “This July, we can easily vaccinate 6 million to 8 million [Filipinos],” he said, while citing that they can reach even 10 million a month once the supply becomes steady. “We can raise the bar [to] 2 million per week.”

According to Galvez, the Philippines achieved its first 1 million Covid-19 vaccine mark in 40 days. The country now averages more or less 450,000 jabs daily with a cumulative average of 1.4 million this week. “We have achieved a significant milestone,” Galvez said, while pointing out that the 10 million milestone is still low against the 70-million target. “But we will make sure that population protection can be achieved in NCR [National Capital Region] before December.” Per NTF Against Covid-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Secretary Vince Dizon, the total number of vaccinated individuals nationwide hit 5 million from March to May, and another 5 million was added in June. “It is a race,” he said, describing the pace of the national immunization program. “It is a race against the new variants that are coming out.” Dizon praised Valenzuela City for consistently reaching its vaccination targets, which contribute a lot to the national government’s vaccination goals. He said: “So symbolic here in Valenzuela, our 10 millionth jab in Valenzuela today. Hoping for another 10 million in the coming weeks ahead.” As of June 27, Valenzuela administered a total of 169,058 doses of which 134,474 were first doses and 34,583 were full vaccinations or second doses. Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian made a commitment to reach their quota of vaccinating 467,000 of their local residents to help achieve herd immunity as a national agenda. “We guarantee you that we can reach our target alongside the national government target of herd immunity by November,” he said. Confident of this, he offered assistance to the national government by opening their vaccination logistics to southern Bulacan, with the Valenzuela City Astrodome having the capacity to inoculate 2,500 individuals per day.

C. Visayas LGUs urged to step up vaccination of senior citizens By John Rey Saavedra

EBU CITY—With low vaccination turnout for the elderly, the Visayas Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC) on Monday urged local government units (LGUs) to shift to a house to house master listing of the A2 priority sector instead of only relying on online registration. Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, Department of Health (DOH)Central Visayas chief pathologist, reported that of the 549,444 senior citizens eligible for inoculation under the A2 priority group, only 21 percent or 115,648 have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Of the number, 25 percent or 29,150 have been administered with the second dose as of June 22 data, she said. “Senior citizens are not techies, especially those who are living in the far-flung areas. It is incumbent upon the LGUs, upon our local officials to make sure a house-to-house registration and invite seniors. I think that is a very good way of making sure that we can get them to

be master listed and encourage them to be vaccinated,” Loreche said during her first daily briefing after she was designated as VVOC spokesperson last week. Loreche also urged the younger people to help the government in encouraging senior citizens to get their Covid-19 jabs by explaining to them that the vaccines available in Region 7 are safe and effective in fighting coronavirus. She, however, admitted that the low supply of the vaccines has contributed to the slower inoculation effort for the elderly. The DOH-7 official expressed hope that the remaining 433,796 unvaccinated senior citizens in Region 7 would be traced by the LGUs and have them inoculated once the vaccine supply arrives. Meanwhile, Loreche reminded LGUs to avoid gathering elderlies in one setting. “They have not received their vaccines and yet they swarm together without physical distancing,” she noted. “Our senior citizens are the vulnerable sector of society. Let’s make sure that we protect them.” PNA

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, July 3, 2021 A9

Going back to the wellsprings

By Nick Tayag

MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH

I T H t he u ne x pec t ed death of a former president in his sleep combined with the demise of acquaintances who have succumbed to the pandemic, my mind has recently been occupied with intimations of mortality. This prompted me to pause for a while in my own life’s journey and do some reflections. First of all, at this point, what have I become? One of my favorite poets is T.S. Eliot and I have put into memory these lines from his poems in Four Quartets: “We shall not cease from exploration/And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” The words sound profound enough to impress people in intellectual conversations but it is only now that I am beginning to understand what they mean to me personally. For this is what I am now: an exploring, growing, changing traditionalist on a meaningful search for values, which I personally feel that our present society has lost. This is why the direction of my exploration is not towards the future, but into the past, the distant past long before we were all born, our starting point. In the words again of Eliot: “At the source of the longest river.” The goal of this exploring is to know the beginnings of our culture as a people through new eyes and new understanding and hopefully reclaim the original essence of our indigenous heart and soul. I am interested in the relationship between past and present. Are there insights I can glean from the past that might throw illumination upon the presentday Filipino? I eagerly look to exploring an old world marked with courtesy, civility and kinship. With delight, I look to uncovering customs of yore that may seem defunct to many young people today, but that which is unknown to them permeate our society in a myriad subtle ways, cutting deep into the very core of the Filipino way of life. The animation series Trese has sparked interest in our myths, legends, folklore and superstitious beliefs. This is interesting because it can shed light on our present fears and anxieties. When I lecture on creative conceptualization, I always encourage creative novices to explore native myths, fables, beliefs as their anchoring concepts for an ad, or a painting or a literary work because these are closer to the primeval heart of the Filipino. Someone said, with the death of the former president, an era is over. Meaning, the era of the boomer generation who are indeed about to make their final exit. It is therefore time to ask: What is our legacy? What kind of society are we leaving our children? The answer is shameful and embarrassing. We leave a society where government positions are hereditary, given to members of the family in a political rigodon. Where cursing and being discourteous are now normal even on broadcast media, and the law of the gun is mightier than the rights of citizens supposedly protected by the Constitution.

We put mediocre celebrities in elective positions to govern us and make laws. Popularity is all it takes to get elected. And corruption is just shrugged off and not penalized. I believe this is not what and who we are. There are values that we are losing that we need to retrieve before it’s too late. I thought this pandemic was going to be our road-to-Damascus moment. That we would make a better comeback, more spiritual, more kind-hearted, more compassionate and caring. But it looks like the hatred, antipathy and the demonization will keep going on. This combative environment stems not only from incivility and intolerance but also from “contempt,” which is a noxious brew of anger and disgust. And not just contempt for other people’s ideas and beliefs, but also for other people or in the words of a philosopher “the unsullied conviction of the worthlessness of another.” The day has come for the next generation to ask the question: How did it come to this? Why did you allow our society to descend to this level? As part of this generation who have caused and allowed this thing to happen, I confess to being guilty and for this I truly apologize. But I cannot speak for the rest of my generation. This is why I am now trying to reflect on my own beginnings and look at them through new and unrelenting eyes. How does the arc of my character development look like, using the lingo of scriptwriters? Most importantly, what genuine values that are part of the Filipino cultural DNA can I bequeath to my own children and succeeding generations so they will be able to get on the road back to civility, mutual respect, hiya, delicadeza, utang na loob and all the set of values that have defined and guided our culture and society? This is why my effort as an explorer of the distant past is now focused on trying to excite our young generation to get interested in going back to the source of the river so they can come back refreshed and energized, imbued with a sense of pride in our identity. If we go through folk stories, allegories, myths and fables, we can glean original values that explain why we act the way we act today. The idea is to draw from the wellsprings, and with fresh perspective find the higher meaning that these words or stories contain. When more and more young Filipinos look back and see and appreciate fully the wellsprings (sibol) of our peculiar cultural mindset, I pray they will gain a more informed understanding of our culture at the present moment and be able to discern and separate what is fake and false from what is intrinsic and true. Whether we like it or not, the past lives inside the present. While I agree that our origins are not our destinies and that our daily journey into the future is not fixed by moral arcs or “genetic instruction,” there are unchanging values that our children can use to guide them to meet the vast demands of the ever-living now and the uncharted future.

Education BusinessMirror

A10 Saturday, July 3, 2021

DepEd TV channel to boost awareness on PHL history

URTURING the historical awareness of Filipino learners, teachers, parents and the public, the Department of Education (DepEd) is planning to create a DepEd TV History Channel that will air films and documentaries featuring Philippine and world timelines. HISTORY on TV: DepEd set to air new channel

The DepEd TV History Channel will be spearheaded by the Office of Undersecretary for Administration, in coordination with the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction for review and development of materials. “The department recognizes the importance and...effectiveness of films and documentaries as learning resources. The creation of the DepEd TV History Channel will make these materials widely accessible to learners and teachers,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said. “We in the department are glad to contribute to the vibrant history and identity of Filipinos.” “The ideas and views the learn-

ers may form after watching DepEd TV History Channel [could] serve as their stimulus in improving their conditions and circumstances, in fighting for their rights, in upholding their nationalist aspirations, and in thriving in [multicultural] societies around the globe,” Undersecretary Alain Del B. Pascua noted. Pascua also recognized that the creation of the DepEd TV History Channel can be a platform to showcase and cultivate local talents. “We can also start workshops and contests that will produce historical films made by local filmmakers,” he added. “This is

an excellent opportunity for the education sector and the film industry to work together.” Existing historical video materials previously shown to the public will compose the initial line-up. DepEd may produce content in partnership with other filmmakers. The historical clips and documentaries will be available online through DepEd Commons, DepEd TV YouTube, and soon on DepEd EdFlix—a platform for educational videos and lessons on demand. It will also feature lessons provided by history teachers that will pass the review of the Curriculum and Instruction strand.

Content for the DepEd TV History Channel will follow guidelines of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, or the MTRCB. Meanwhile, the viewing hours, time and schedule of programs will consider the age and grade level of viewers. In addition, the department noted that the time slot for the airing of DepEd TV will be asynchronous to, and would not interfere with, that of DepEd History Channel, as DepEd TV is strictly for curriculum-based episodes. However, a more flexible viewing time is possible when the two channels become available.

Acer Academy goes all-out in aiding PHL educ system

NFORMATION and communications technology (ICT) g i a nt A cer w i l l cont i nue helping the country in pursuit of its digital transformation in education. In a recent webinar, Acer Pan Asia-Pacific CEO Andrew Hou said the Philippines has been a stable market for the company, as it led the company’s personal-computing market in the region for 13 straight years. “Our strategy is to engage local partners,” Hou explained. “We are also active in corporate socialresponsibility events [as] they are important for brand awareness, especially for the Predator model.” The Acer executive pointed out that one major reason for the ICT company’s success is engaging the customers to determine their needs. When the pandemic struck in March 2020, Hou said Acer experienced huge demand for laptops and personal computers (PCs), as

HOU

workers and students were forced to work at home. He said the spike in demand will continue this year, as many workers and students are still expected to perform their duties indoors. In a recent webinar, Acer Philippines General Manager Sue Ong Lim said the country offers a lot of growth opportunities, as it is still experiencing a low PC-penetration rate. In a study by the Interna-

tional Data Corp., only one in 14 Filipinos, or only 7 percent of the population, owns a PC. The education sector experienced bigger challenges when the country started imposing lockdowns, with the implementation of distance learning as a major hurdle. Helping the education sector face hurdles, Lim said Acer Academy stepped in to aid teachers and students cope with the new learning schemes: “Being the market leader with a 35-percent market share consolidated from 2013 to 2019, Acer has the market’s confidence, [considering] distance learning’s effort and initiatives.” Established in 2013, Acer Academy is tasked to help the local education sector toward its digital transformation, as the ICT firm pursues corporate social-responsibility programs focused on the education sector. During the lockdown, the Acer

Academy launched several programs to help both faculty and students hurdle challenges in the new normal. The Academic Faculty and Student Purchase program gave a 30-percent discount to Acer Academy members for every purchase of an Acer laptop model. Me a nw h i le, non me mb e r s, through Acer’s “Learn from Home” program, were given zero-percent interest and f lexible payment terms for the purchase of an Acer laptop model. For enhanced Internet connectivity, Acer Academy formed a partnership with Smart Communications in launching Acer and Smart’s Department of Education-compliant eLearning Solution Bundle. Moreover, Acer Academy also provided free laptops to 100 selected scholars. Lim confirmed: “Definitely, [that] is not the last batch, and we will continue this initiative.” Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

US, Palawan State U break ground on American Corner-Puerto Princesa

N June 4, the United States Embassy in the Philippines and Palawan State University (PSU) launched American Corner (AC)-Puerto Princesa, with the virtual signing of a three-year memorandum of understanding between Counselor for Public Affairs Philip Roskamp and PSU President Dr. Ramon Docto. The partnership provides Palawan with a wide range of US Embassy resources, programs and opportunities through the AC, which

will be housed within PSU’s library. AC-Puerto Princesa will offer access to free information resources and dynamic programming on topics, including US culture and society, education, women’s empowerment, civic engagement, innovation, science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics or STEAM, entrepreneurship, and more for the people of Palawan. “Rest assured that, not only will [PSU] students...benefit from this, but we will share this [with all] Palaweños and Palaweñas,” Dr.

Docto said in his remarks. Part of the yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of US-Philippines diplomatic relations, the opening of the learning facility is another milestone in the long-standing friendship of the two countries. “We hope...the corner is a welcoming, collaborative and safe environment for people from all walks of life [and] from all backgrounds,” said Roskamp. “It will be a modern, technology-driven resource space where you can share ideas, develop

skills, and grow capabilities.” AC-Puerto Princesa joins the largest network of ACs in Southeast Asia, and a network of more than 650 American Spaces worldwide. Today, the US Embassy’s Public Affairs Section maintains 16 American Spaces—including the AC-Manila housed on US Embassy grounds, and 15 ACs across the Philippines, hosted in partneruniversities. American Spaces in the Philippines date back to 1945, with the opening of the first US Library in Manila.

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Gatchalian: LUCs vital in tackling jobs-skills mismatch, boosting post-‘Covid’ recovery

EN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian recently cited the vital role of local universities and colleges (LUCs) in increasing access to education while addressing persistent jobs-skills mismatch, amid the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic’s impact. In “The Future of Local Colleges and Universities” webinar hosted by the Philippine Futures Thinking Society and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela, Gatchalian said in his keynote address that LUCs can bridge the gap between jobs and skills while serving the poorest families in their jurisdiction. Since they report to local government units (LGUs) that established them, the senator explained LUCs are more nimble, responsive, and demand-driven to local situations and needs, especially in providing skilled professionals that their respective locales require. For Gatchalian, LUCs should strive to be centers of human-capital development and play key parts in the long-term development plans of LGUs. The lawmaker added they should also boost ties with the private sector, adopt their curricula to conform to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and promote the use of flexible learning methods. Finally, he seeks for a standardized higher education quality measurement of LUCs, which should produce graduates who can be gainfully employed. “LUCs can be a driving force not only in serving our poor constituents, but also in terms of solving the job-skills mismatch in the country, thereby contributing to economic growth and faster recovery after the pandemic,” said Gatchalian. Nationwide, there are 121 LUCs,

gatchalian

or 5.05 percent of the country’s 2,396 higher education institutions for School Year 2019-2020, based on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) data. There were 248,731 students enrolled in LUCs—equivalent to 7 percent of HEI enrollment, for the said period. The solon pointed out, though, that there are areas with only few, or no LUCs. The Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley, for instance, have none. Ensuring that quality education is the paramount consideration of LGUs when creating an HEI, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 370, or the “Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act.” The proposed measure seeks to prescribe mandatory standards for the establishment and operation of LUCs. It also institutes parameters to shield the operation and administration of LUCs from politicking. Gatchalian also pushed for the inclusion of LUCs in the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (Republic Act 10931), or the Free Tuition Law. Under such, students from CHED-accredited LUCs are exempt from paying tuition and other fees.

PHL hosts workshop on ATC Work Plan devt

HE Philippines has led the creation of the blueprint for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Southeast Asia with the development of the Asean TVET Council (ATC) Work Plan. Through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), the country hosted the virtual meeting of Asean memberstates and their respective ministries of education, labor, and trade/ industry, together with the Asean Confederation of Employers, Asean Future Workforce Council, Asean Trade Union Council, and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Secretariat. Tesda Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, who also serves as the inaugural ATC chair, welcomed the ATC focal points from the region and opened the workshop. “Let us provide one another with insights on how we, the Asean TVET Council, can help our labor force recover from the pandemic and ultimately, ensure their resilience in this continuously changing world of work,” Lapeña said. The two-day workshop centered on revisiting and agreeing on the structure and components of the draft work plan via comprehensive talks among all the ATC focal points and stakeholders. The council concluded the online session as it came up with a more concrete plan in terms of the priority programs it will pursue in the ATC. It also identified areas of strategic links and cooperation with external partners and sectoral bodies. The Tesda secretary is positive the council has attained the main objective of the workshop, which is to come up with a work plan. According to him, it will serve as a guide on ways to implement strategies and other innovations empowering the labor force, while further enhancing TVET in the region. “This workshop is a testament of our strong commitment and partnership in achieving our shared goal of

advancing the Asean TVET systems that will contribute to the competitiveness, productivity and resilience of the Asean work force,” the Tesda chief said. The Asean delegates were joined by dialogue partners from Australia, Germany, Republic of Korea, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as development partners from the International Labour Organization, International Organization for Migration, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO, Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization-Regional Centre for Vocational and Technical Education and Training or SEAMEO-VOCTECH, and Regional Cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training for ASEAN or RECOTVET. Backed by Asean secretariat and experts, intersession discussions will continue to finalize the work plan at the ATC level. It will then be endorsed to relevant Asean sectoral bodies for approval, and finally noted at the upcoming Asean Summit in October. Being a multisectoral/cross-sectoral body, the ATC provides a platform for coordination, research and development on innovations, and monitoring of regional programs supporting the advancement of TVET in the region. On March 10, Lapeña convened members of the ATC for the first time. Their meeting focused on the selection of the council’s vice chair, discussion of the rules of procedure, and the presentation of the zerodraft ATC work plan. The two-day workshop, on the other hand, has realized the development and detailing of initiatives and collaboration areas as part of the work plan development process. The creation of the ATC was initiated by Tesda’s Policies and Planning Cluster in 2017, and was approved at the 36th Asean Summit in June 2020. The Philippines is the chair of the ATC until 2022, with Singapore as vice chair. Roderick L. Abad

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Saturday, July 3, 2021 A11

D.O.T. reignites local food tourism

as culinary trips reopen T Story & photos by Gelyka Ruth R. Dumaraos

he local food tourism scene hopes to get back on its feet following the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) latest leg of KAIN NA! Food and Travel Festival in Angeles City, Pampanga, from June 11 to 13.

“With the theme ‘Food Tourism Reboot,’ KAIN NA! is aimed at giving support to food tourism stakeholders and provide the opportunities for them to jumpstart their businesses amidst the ongoing pandemic,” Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said. It served as a junction of virtual food and gastronomic tourism discussion and an on-ground booth exhibition at Ayala MarQuee Mall. Over 20 booths were set-up during the three-day food and travel festival, with each promoting their notable food and farm tourism products. From the coffee and farm harvests in the Cordilleras and the coconut produce of the Calabarzon to the rich and delectable cacao and products of South Cotabato, mallgoers roved around the festival and learned from the rich narratives of local food products various regions have to offer. There are also participating booths from Central Luzon included: A leli ’s Pastries; Apag Marangle/Cusina Manuela; Tollhouse; Sasmuan Local Products; Wil-Fel’s delicacies; Farmers Joy; Yamang Bukid Healthy Products; Grann Garden Shop; RV De Dios Food Manufacturing; Kaka Association Incorporation; My Lola Nor’s Meryendahan; and Florida-Lubao Organic Farmers Association. Aside from the physical booths, these products can also be bought online with DOT’s online store www.kainnastore.com. On l i ne shoppers can choose from hundreds of food products from specialty stores, Ayala partner merchants, slow food and food trip merchants from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Pampanga’s local food scene

The food festival also highlighted Pampanga as the culinary capital of the country with delectable dishes such as Pork sisig and the well-loved Pampanga’s Empanada served by local restaurants and humble eateries. While food business owners in the province are not exempted from the challenges brought by the lockdown, they are confident that the food fest will kick-start the reopening of tourism and thus invite more people to come to their establishments. For Manuela Cherry Tan, owner of Guagua-based restaurant Apag Marangle, the event re-introduces their Pampanga specialties to fellow Filipinos who are longing to travel and go on gastronomic adventures. “We are happy that we are given the opportunity to bring in the best food options in our respective localities,” Tan said. “We hope that as we reopen tourism, people will also start visiting our places once again and taste our specialties that they missed throughout the quarantine.” Tan admits that the challenges of the pandemic also affected their livelihood, with their restaurant closing down in its original branch. This has not stopped her from introducing other ways to continue serving Pampanga dishes to the locals. To go with the tides of the pandemic, Tan shelved Apag Marangle for months and focused on her new venture Cusina Manuela which serves Pampanga empanada of distinct flavors and tastes—Humba Empanada, Excelente Empanada

Fresh farm produces are also displayed at a much lower price.

Favorite pasalubong products are up for grabs in over 20 physical booths.

Food products from different regions are showcased during the three-day event.

announced that culinary tours, food trips, and excursion packages are already developed by members of the Philippine Tour O perators A ssociat ion Inc. (PHILTOA) and the food tourism

consortium. “With the help of the PHILTOA Food Tourism Consortium, let’s see what real places, stories, food, and people we can find as they offer slow food travel experiences amidst the picturesque mountains of Benguet and the culture and history-laden lowlands of Ilocos, La Union, Pampanga, and Bulacan,” Puyat noted. DOT led food tourism validation caravans earlier this year, which enabled representatives of PHILTOA to visit the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, and Central Luzon to experience new culinary activities and tourist attractions that they can incorporate in their tour packages. The packages include day tours, overnight stays, and 3-day/2night promos to culinary tourism destinations like Pampanga, Bulacan, Calabarzon, Baguio, Subic, Benguet, Mountain Province, La Union, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

Promotions Board, Second District Congressional Office of Rep. Edgar Chatto, Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, Balicasag Island Dive Resort, Moadto Strip, Bluewater Panglao, Alturas Mall, Amarela Resort, Bohol Beach Club, and Lite Ferries and AirAsia as official carriers. In photo at the opening ceremonies are Panglao coun-

cilor and festival organizing committee chair Aya MonteroCaindec, Mayor Montero, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap, Panglao Association of Dive Operators President Ivy BulayBulay Kung , DOT-7 Regional Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano, Modala Beach Resort president Engr Manny Mendoza and General Manager Rommel Gonzales.

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat (center) officially opened the KAIN NA! 2021 festivities at Ayala MarQuee Mall in Angeles City. She was joined by (from Left) OIC-Regional Director Jovita A. Ganongan, DOT-CAR; Carolina D. Uy, DOT Region 3; Ms. Marites T. Castro, Chief, DOT Region 4A; Assistant Secretary Verna C. Buensuceso, DOT- Product and Market Development; Ms. Charmaine N. Bauzon, area head-North and Head of Ancillary Business, Ayala Malls, and Ms. Peachy G. Atendido, general manager, MarQuee Mall. Photo from DOT OPAA

(ham and cheese), Pisto Empanada, Sisig Empananda, and Chicken Empanada. When the DOT gave the green light to open restaurants with restrictions on capacity, Tan also

opened Sapa by Apag Marangle, a street food galore offering al fresco dining.

Food trips

In line with the food fest, DOT

DOT holds Panglao Dive Festival

Coral Transplantation Trisha Patterson

he Department of Tourism, through its Central Visayas office recently held the Panglao Dive Festival in Bohol as part of its 1st DIVE7 Summer Event which showcases the world-class dive sites in the region. Held at the newly opened luxury Modala Beach Resort from June 16-21, the festival featured a dive trade and travel expo, underwater photography contest, the AIDA Panglao Depth Championship, a coral reef restoration, community coastal cleanup, and discover scuba diving sessions.

DOT holds Panglao Dive Festival Panglao Aida Depth Championship Bo Mancao

Revived after six years of inactivity, the fest is now part of the DOT’s 1st DIVE7 Summer Event which showcases the world-class dive sites in the region such as Moalboal, Malapascua, and Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, Siquijor province, and

Balicasag’s school of jacks Bo Mancao

Dauin town in Negros Oriental. According to Panglao mayor Leonila Paredes Montero, the five-day event highlighted the need to cautiously revive the local tourism industry by balancing reopening business and public health.

Connected to Bohol mainland through two causeways, the town is home to among the world’s most sought after dive sites, white-sand beaches, rich marine biodiversity, cultural attractions and the Panglao Bohol International Airport, a modern eco-friendly aviation hub. The festival is supported by the Province of Bohol, Tourism

BusinessMirror

A12 Saturday, July 3, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

TECH GIANT’S MOST POWERFUL TABLET YET LAUNCHED HUAWEI Philippines recnetly launched its most powerful tablet yet—the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6. The new tablet is equipped with the fastest Kirin processor 9000E with liquid cooling system, and a 12.6-inch Huawei OLED FullView display, which comes with a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. The powerful tablet also boasts a million-to-one contrast ratio, support for the DCI-P3 wide color gamut, and color accuracy that rivals even professional monitors. The new and improved App Multiplier and Multi-Window features also make multi-tasking more seamless than ever, and stand as a testament to Huawei’s efforts to promote the improved support of landscape mode in tablet apps. Huawei also announced the launch of the Huawei M-Pencil (2nd generation), offering smarter and more natural interactive experiences that help users capture their inspiration. Kevin Ho, COO, Huawei Consumer BG, said: “The new Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 is the perfect tool that will inspire users to be more productive and creative. With the new HarmonyOS 2, users can take advantage of apps and services in completely new ways and work smarter than ever.” Built for a new generation of smart devices, HarmonyOS 2 empowers the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 with brand-new functionality. The new tablet desktop is more organized, featuring the new Bottom Dock and Service Widgets to provide new ways for users to view important information more efficiently. The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 display has an aspect ratio of 16:10 and narrow bezels that measure just 5.6mm thin. With a blue light filtering hardware solution reducing emissions at the source, the tablet is the world’s first to pass the range of rigorous tests and receive TÜV Rheinland Full Care Display 2.0 certification. The brilliant display on Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 is complemented by an eight-speaker sound system, which consists of large-amplitude tweeters and woofers, to provide immersive multimedia experiences for the consumers. It’s also equipped with 4 microphones that pick up sound from up to 5 meters. Although it detects sound from afar, it removes unnecessary background noise during conference calls and recording because of its Active Noise Cancellation feature. First introduced in 2019, the first iteration of the revolutionary App Multiplier enabled tablet apps to better utilize the landscape orientation and display information with two active windows at once. With the launch of the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6, App Multiplier brings even more ways for users to make full use of horizontal displays. While showing an app in a single window with the new App Multiplier active, users can now swipe on the empty spaces on either side of the tablet screen to scroll up and down to navigate app content, without letting go of their grip on the tablet. Users can also show two instances of the same app and interact with the windows as if they have launched the same app twice. As of June 2021, nearly 4,000 apps have adopted App Multiplier to improve their user experiences. Huawei also introduced the Huawei M-Pencil (2nd generation) which offers a pencil-like natural writing experience with the new platinum-coated pen nib, low latency, and support for 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Inspired by the clear case back design of luxury watches, the new transparent pen tip showcases the inner workings of the stylus, and comes with a frosted texture for a better drawing experience. The new Huawei M-Pencil supports a breadth of innovative interaction features including Huawei FreeScript, which transforms handwritten content into machine-encoded text in real-time as well as double-tap to switch, Instant Shape, Instant Table, and more. Another M-Pencil innovation is the double-tap feature that allows users to change tools by just tapping twice its ergonomic body. The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 is also one of the world’s first tablets to sport three rear cameras (13 MP) and a punchhole. It allows users to have PC-like camera experience during online meetings—an essential feature for today’s Zoomswamped schedules. The tablet’s exterior is also made of premium and durable magnesium alloy body and aluminum frame so users will not worry about scratches. Its storage configuration and reinforced body make the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 a great choice for modern-day Filipinos who need devices that can keep up with years of hard work and grit. For a limited period, consumers who purchase the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 will enjoy such freebies including the M-Pencil worth P5,999, a Huawei Smart Keyboard worth P7,999, a Bluetooth Speaker worth P1499, and a Huawei Band 4 worth P1,890. More information is available at consumer.huawei.com.

Microso�t debuts Windows 11, first major update in 6 years

ICROSOFT has unveiled the next generation of its Windows software, called Windows 11, that has sleeker visual features and is more open to third-party apps. The newest version of Microsoft’s flagship operating system announced Thursday will be a successor to today’s Windows 10, which the company introduced in 2015. In a challenge to rival Apple, the company also announced that it won’t force app developers to pay fees to Microsoft for using its app store; and that Google’s popular Android apps will run on its new system. Windows 11 is expected to become available later this year on new computers and other devices, and as a free update for those with Windows 10. It includes a host of cosmetic upgrades, such as a new Start button, a revamped task bar and sounds, and under-the-hood features designed to boost speed and efficiency. While opening more doors to third-party developers, it also further entrenches Microsoft’s workplace chatting tool Teams by making it easier to contact people when starting up.

Forrester analyst J.P. Gownder said the aesthetic, user-friendly improvements reflect CEO Satya Nadella’s promise to build products that people will “love,” not tolerate, though Gownder questioned whether Windows 11 is truly a new generation of software. The fact that it is built on the same core code base as Windows 10 might actually be a good thing, he added, because it could avoid the technical glitches that plagued the release of Windows Vista in 2007. Microsoft’s virtual announcement event was itself affected by technical difficulties Thursday, forcing the company to recommend some viewers watch it on Twitter instead. When it launched Windows 10 six years ago, Microsoft was hoping that the new operating system would help it rebuild loyalty among users who were increasingly relying on tablets, smartphones and other devices. Windows has been a PC workhorse for decades. Its first version launched in 1985, offering computer novices a “graphical user interface” so they could click on icons and menus with a mouse button rather than simply type commands into a blank screen. It’s been a core part of Microsoft’s business ever

since, though its influence waned as PC sales declined with the rise of smartphones. Microsoft said it would allow developers to bypass the payments system in its app store if they have their own commerce engine. That could create problems for Apple, which has faced government scrutiny over its app store and a legal battle from Epic, the maker of the popular Fortnite game, which contends Apple has been gouging app makers by charging commissions ranging from 15 percent to 30 percent for in-app transactions because it forbids other options on its iPhone, iPad and iPod. “I believe this will be problematic for Apple in its antitrust dealings,” said tech analyst Patrick Moorhead. “Apple charging 30 percent in its store and Microsoft charging 0 percent and 15 percent if you use its commerce engine. Global antitrust units are currently scrutinizing Apple on this very point.” Moorhead said the easier access to third-party apps, combined with the better user interface promised with Windows 11, could help Microsoft get a stronger hold in the premium tablet market, now dominated by the iPad. AP

Sitcom goes digital on retailer’s online platforms

ONE of the sectors badly hit by the pandemic was entertainment. For a time, everything was at a standstill. There were no tapings, shooting or live shows. This is why stars, like Nikko Natividad, Jerome Ponce and Dave Bornea are very grateful to producers and directors who come up with projects because that means work for them. “I’m just happy to be working,” said Natividad in Filipino. “It was fun being with this group,” said Bornea. It was Ponce’s first time to do a comedy as he is usually given roles in dramas and while everything was so different for him, he still had fun. The three young actors are in GVBOYS: Pangmalakasang Good Vibes, Puregold Channel’s first digital series and the newest addition to the exciting roster of shows. The channel was conceptualized as a means to provide quality entertainment to millions of Filipino families staying at home because of the pandemic. “The difference between the old way of old way of taping for shows and the new way is that this time, we’re locked-in [everybody involved is in one location until the taping is over], so we have more time to discuss our show among ourselves. We also got to bond with each other, and I think that chemistry can be seen on-screen,” said Don Cuaresma, who directed GVBOYS which starts streaming for free on July 10 at

7 pm on Puregold’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. The show also stars Wilma Doesnt, Elsa Droga and Carmi Martin. Interestingly, Martin was a mainstay of the sitcom Chicks to Chicks in the 1980s and GVBOYS was patterned after the sitcoms of the 1990s, including Palibhasa Lalaki. “The concept for the show came from Vincent Co [Purehold Price Club Inc. president], who wanted millennials to see what entertained us in the 1990s,” said Cuaresma. GVBOYS is Puregold Channel’s first digital series and the newest addition to its exciting roster of shows. Since the channel’s launch late last year, the supermarket giant has come up with engaging content for people of all ages. The content includes the game show Playtime Panalo with Luis Manzano, the talk show Sabado Bago Live cohosted by Boy Abunda and Gretchen Ho, and the stand-up comedy The Ha Ha Hour hosted by Alex Calleja.

APPLIANCE BRAND TAKES BIG STEP TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY

EUROPEAN appliance brand Beko and its parent company Arçelik held a virtual showcase of its ecofriendly appliances last week with Arçelik CEO Hakan Bulgurlu, CMO Zeynep Yalım Uzun and CCO Ragıp Balcıoğlu. “Our goals in sustainability and our leading efforts in innovation are two great parts of the same whole. Their evolution depends on each other. It is up to us to find better, more environmentally conscious ways of conducting our lives. With a series of ecofriendly Beko appliances, customers can now fully equip a sustainable home,” said Bulgurlu. During the launch, Beko also bared the results of a survey it conducted across six countries in Europe on people’s attitudes and concerns about sustainability. The survey was conducted among 1,800 people in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain. A vast majority (UK 88 percent, IT 88 percent, ES 87 percent, DE 84 percent, FR 78 percent, PL 74 percent)

of those surveyed said they felt it was their personal responsibility to make a difference by minimizing waste, water and energy use in their daily lives. The number of people thinking it was down to others, such as the government or business, or who think that they can’t make a difference, was negligible. The study showed the respondents saw human environmental damage as the most critical threat to a sustainable planet by all respondents, followed by the plastic issue, then infectious diseases. Other areas of concern were extreme weather, followed by natural disasters, natural resource crises, biodiversity loss, food waste and water stress. Most of the respondents said they practice sustainability at home by recycling. “It’s encouraging that people want to be doing the right thing for the environment and believe that their actions can make an impact. Price itself has a significant impact on buying behavior. At Beko, we are passionate about democratizing technology, making it affordable and ensuring that as many as possible have access to it. By making sustainability a business model and integrating it into everything we do, we strive to reduce human environmental damage through developing high-performance, durable, affordable home appliances that are also eco-friendly. Beko’s brand purpose is empowering future generations to live healthier lives—which is only possible by living more sustainably and working towards a healthier planet,” said Gürhan Günal, country manager of Beko Pilipinas Corp. The seven sustainable products unveiled during the showcase are a washing machine/washer dryer, oven, tumble dryer, refrigerator, espresso coffee maker and dishwasher, all designed and created to help consumers reduce their impact on the environment. The appliances have parts that are made from recycled materials and bio-composites. One product, the dishwasher, helps reduce the use of chemicals. ■

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Saturday, July 3, 2021 A13

Google delays phaseout of tracking tech by nearly 2 years LONDON—Google will delay by nearly two years the phase out of Chrome web browser technology that tracks users for ad purposes, saying that it needs more time to develop a replacement system. The tech giant on Thursday moved its deadline to remove so-called third-party cookies to late 2023 rather than January 2022 as was initially planned. “We need to move at a responsible pace, allowing sufficient time for public discussion on the right solutions, and for publishers and the advertising industry to migrate

their services,” Vinay Goel, the director of privacy engineering for Chrome, said in a blog post. Third-party cookies are snippets of code that log user info and are used by advertisers to more effectively target their campaigns, thereby helping fund free online content such as newspapers and blogs. However, they’ve also been a longstanding source of privacy concerns because they can be employed to track users across the Internet. Google is retiring third-party cookies as it overhauls Chrome to tighten privacy, but the proposals have shaken

up the online advertising industry, raising fears that replacement technology will leave even less room for online ad rivals. European Union and British regulators have been investigating Google’s plans, known as Privacy Sandbox. To resolve the UK probe, the company has offered the country’s competition watchdog a role overseeing the cookie phaseout. It has also promised not to discriminate against rival digital advertising companies when designing the new technology and pledged to give the UK competition watchdog 60 days notice before removing third-party cookies.

Goel said Google aims to have the new technology available by the end of 2022 for developers to start adopting, which would allow third-party cookies to be phased out of Chrome over three months “ending in late 2023.” That timeline is in line with the commitments Google has made to the UK competition watchdog, Goel said. One of the leading ideas to replace third-party cookies is a technique that hides users in large online groups based on their interests while keeping web browsing histories on devices to maintain privacy. AP

E.U. WHIZ YOUTH CHAMPIONS AWARDED BY E.U. DELEGATION

SMART lighting is here through Nanoleaf.

Let there be light— in living color

N the beginning, there was darkness—and then you’d start flicking the light switch again and again—as you head-bang, do air guitar riffs, or do the boogie as if you were on the disco floor. Too Boomer? Okay, raves and bars then. I’m pretty sure all of us are guilty of playing with the light switches at least once in our lives just to mimic those flashing party lights. From the moment Thomas Edison found a way to manufacture the lightbulb, the humble glowing orb has evolved and taken many different forms, transitioning to more energy-efficient lighting alternatives, like the CFL (compact fluorescent) and LED (light-emitting diode) we all use today. But now, lighting isn’t just about being efficient, it’s also about being smart. Smart lighting has become a go-to for modern designers and homemakers looking to enhance their space. With millions of color options that can be instantly adjusted, it’s an easy way to makeover your space. Something most of us did to relieve the stress and anxiety inflicted on us by this pandemic, as our personal spaces became our sanctuaries to find some peace and quiet assurances. One of the pioneers in smart lighting is Nanoleaf. Founded in 2012 by friends Gimmy Chu, Christian Yan and Tom Rodinger, Nanoleaf launched their first couple of products via Kickstarter, receiving more than 10 times the funding from their initial goal. Since then, the company has expanded into many other countries, even opening its Philippine offices just this month. The company’s light panes are made of small LEDs on a folded circuit board and feature an origami-like design. It’s been called the “LEGO” of smart lights

because of the endless number of designs you could easily build and create with the help of their app. Nanoleaf’s Shapes Line offers touch-reactive LED light panels in three different shapes and sizes that can all connect together, allowing you to create oneof-a-kind lighting designs unique to you. Our bedrooms, for example can have a major influence on our emotions, moods, and productivity—from the color palette we choose for our walls, to the furniture where we relax; from cozy, crisp linens to the warm and ambient smart lighting that sets the right mood. With over 16 million colors to choose from, you can easily shake things up and redecorate your space for different moods, occasions and activities. Choose from preset lighting scenes, like Northern Lights to see a mesmerizing rainbow of colors, or Blaze for a cozy fireplace ambience. You can also connect to the Nanoleaf App to access thousands of different lighting scenes and lighting playlists. Nanoleaf Shapes light panels come in Hexagons, Triangles and Mini Triangles that connect using Connect+ technology, so you can create beautiful murals or abstract designs to set the right ambience for meals and dinner parties. Nanoleaf lets you fill the room with bright lighting when you are cooking and warm light to make meals even more enjoyable. They are also equipped with a snap-on mounting system and included adhesives for effortless installation. The touch reactive panels also offer touch controls to turn elements on and off, adjusting brightness and changing lighting scenes. Elements are also controllable via voice command as they are compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. You can also sync your playlist to your lighting with the built-in Rhythm Music Visualizer feature that can sense and react to music in real-time, transforming your favorite jazz or classical music to mesmerizing visual displays on your wall. At the launch, the company likewise introduced its newest product: Nanoleaf Elements Wood Look Hexagons, a line of highly customizable modular panels featuring a wood-grain veneer finish that complements any furniture and interior design. The wood look bespoke lighting doubles as wall art with its textured finish. When lit, these geometric panels create a natural glow that flows across the room.

AFTER a fun and exciting competition run, Philippine Normal University-Manila (PNU), University of the Cordilleras (UCBCF), and Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) emerged as the top winners in the EU Whiz Online Competition, the “My Space, My Rights” video competition, and the “Green ECO I See” digital art competition, respectively, at the recently concluded EU Whiz: Filipino Youth of the FEUture. A total of 1,132 students from 146 colleges and universities all over the Philippines participated in the three main competition categories—the biggest turnout in the history of the EU Whiz since its inception in 2006. Meanwhile, BPSU dominated the “My Space, My Rights” video competition, bagging both Grand Prize and first runnerup spots with Abegail P. Casabuena, Gerryline D. Maceda and Aira Joyce E. Gonzales’s entry “Lens of Hope,” and Shaina Rey R. Pisigan, Michael Angelo A. Cervantes and Marvyn Jules C. Casimero’s entry “Salimpusa,” respectively. UC-BCF clinched the second runner-up spot with Jillian Olivia M. Ramos, Ella Marie V. Bie and Thea Marie S. Lomboy’s entry “Empowered through Time.” Apart from the annual conduct of the inter-collegiate competition, the EU Delegation looks to build a community of EU Whizers who will continue to use their talents and skills to promote a better understanding of the shared EU and Philippine values. The EU Whiz Online Competition was also supported by the Commission on Higher Education, the Philippine-Italian Association, and the Embassies of the Czech Republic and Hungary in the Philippines.

Customize your lighting with a wide range of cool to warm options or select curated scenes, like a cracking “Fireplace” or “Calming Waterfall’’ to help yourself unwind. When turned off, the wood look hexagons double as elegant wall art. Each Shapes Line Starter Kit comes with light panels, mounting plates, linkers for connecting the panels and controller, double-sided adhesive mounting tapes, controller, power supply unit, and a quick start guide. More information can be found at www.nanoleaf.me/en-PH/.

Golden ABC elevates customer shopping experience with omnichannel solutions BY RODERICK L. ABAD | Contributor HOMEGROWN fashion retailer Golden ABC Inc. announced the expansion of its partnership with technology provider Aptos to cultivate advanced omnichannel growth for its various clothing brands, such as Penshoppe, OXGN, Regatta, ForMe, Memo and BOCU. “This partnership epitomizes what has always been our top priority: our customers’ experience. Our service to them is a steadfast commitment, and that entails constantly finding new and innovative ways to ensure that their needs are always met,” said Bernie Liu, Golden ABC chief executive officer. With its latest investment in technologies from Aptos, the retailer will manage nearly every aspect of its operations—from merchandise planning across channels, to how orders are collected and fulfilled, as well as how shoppers are served and engaged. “Golden ABC is a company that continues to reach new heights in operational excellence as it expands its domestic and international presence,” said Aptos President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Towe. “With Aptos’ modern retail solutions, this award-winning retailer will provide its customers with the seamless omnichannel

experiences they are looking for and create a strong foundation for future growth.” Through Aptos’s advanced omnichannel solutions, the retail firm can constantly meet and exceed shoppers’ expectations and preferences, no matter how ever-changing and unpredictable they are. “With the pandemic, consumers have become even more digitally connected, driving the acceleration of online retailing,” Golden ABC chief retail officer Alice Liu said. “With Aptos Enterprise Order Management, we can offer flexible fulfillment options that increase convenience for our customers.” Apart from this cloud-based solution, the company will also deploy feature-rich Aptos Store point-of-sale solution and Aptos CRM across its brands to achieve more informed interactions, faster checkouts and individualized customer engagement. The expanded tie-up is timely as consumers’ shopping behaviors have shifted to a more digital pattern, leading to changes in expectations pertaining to convenience, but the fashion retailer is no stranger to trying times. “Golden ABC has been forged in fire,” Liu said. “If you look at the history of Golden ABC, we’ve always taken bold steps during the most difficult of times.”

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Tour organizers drop legal action vs careless fan

LUKE GEBBIE and Remedy Rule hike the number of athletes who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics to 19.

HATEAUROUX, France— Tour de France organizers said they have dropped their legal action against a spectator who caused a massive crash on the first stage. Organizers made the decision in a bid to defuse the situation after the careless spectator was placed in custody, race spokesman Fabrice Tiano said on Thursday. Gendarmes in Brittany arrested her on Wednesday, four days after the accident brought down dozens of riders and forced German rider Jasha Sutterlin to abandon the race. The spectator brandished a large cardboard sign while leaning into the path of oncoming riders. She appeared to be looking in the other direction, apparently at a camera, and not at the approaching peloton. The woman, not publicly identified, was arrested in the Finistere region by gendarmes who tracked her down based on accounts from people questioned this week. Despite the Tour’s decision, local prosecutors will decide whether or not to file charges. Tour organizers announced after the crash on the stage from Brest to Landerneau that they would start legal proceedings against the fan, who disappeared from the crash scene. She leaned into the path of veteran rider Tony Martin, whose fall had a domino effect on the peloton. The Gendarmerie in Landerneau, east of Brest, put out a call for witnesses shortly after the pileup. Fans gathering on the sides of roads and in villages as riders pass by is part of the tradition and charm of the Tour. The woman’s sign read “Allez OpiOmi,” a mix of French and German-language terms of endearment for grandparents— “Go Grandpa-Grandma.” Brest prosecutor Camille Miansoni told a press conference on Thursday that the suspect was questioned alongside her partner, who had been with her during the stage. Miansoni said she wanted to send an “affectionate message” to her grandparents, adding that the suspect’s grandmother has German origins. At the press conference, Col. Nicolas Duvinage urged everyone to calm down on social networks after several messages calling for violence were posted on the local gendarmerie Facebook page. “The person being accused also has personal weaknesses and it is therefore advisable not to proceed to a media lynching or on social networks,” he said.

Cavendish does it again, posts 32nd Tour stage win

HATEAUROUX, France— Mark Cavendish is rolling back the years at the Tour de France. Back in the race for the first time since 2018, the British sprinter has regained some of the luster of his youth to dominate the field again. Cavendish claimed the short and flat sixth stage on Thursday in a mass sprint—in the very same city where he posted the first of his impressive 32 stage wins 13 years ago. “It seems like every time we came here it was different,” said Cavendish, who had already won twice in the town of Chateauroux. “Ten years since I last won here.

GEBBIE, RULE MAKE ROSTER FOR TOKYO By Josef Ramos

WO swimmers from opposite ends of the globe were added to the list of Filipino athletes who are qualified to compete in the Tokyo Olympics that are due in 20 days. Filipino-New Zealander Luke Gebbie and Filipino-American Remedy Rule made the roster under the International Olympic Committee’s universality rule according to Philippine Swimming Inc. President Lailani Velasco. “We’re excited for Luke [Gebbie] and Remedy [Rule] as they are first-time Olympians,” Velasco told BusinessMirror. “I am happy for both of them as I have seen them work hard the last few months trying to get back to form despite the pandemic.”

UOTING Head Coach Tab Baldwin, the national men’s team took it on the chin following a 67-94 rout at the hands of Dominican Republic at dawn on Friday in the International Basketball Federation Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade. A day after scaring Serbia and getting a number or two from the Euro brand of basketball, Gilas Pilipinas found out that the Latin American type was one tough nut to crack. All hopes for Gilas advancing further in the qualifiers were quashed after the half-time break which the Filipinos led, 41-39, as the Dominicanos locked down on their foes from Asia, forcing 23 turnovers they transformed to 26 points. The Gilas cadets went 0-2 won-lost and are flying back home with their chins up high—thanks to that 76-83 scare of a loss they gave to the world No. 5 Serbians. “We will now head home with lessons in our pocket,” Baldwin said. “It’s sort of a mixed campaign here with a decent Pretty special. And in pretty similar fashion.” After winning Stage 4 on Tuesday to start his unexpected comeback to the top, the best sprinter in the history of the race took a step closer to Belgian great Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins. Cavendish, after a bout of depression and several seasons of struggles on and off the bike, secured a new contract with his former Deceuninck-Quick Step team for the 2021 season. The 36-year-old veteran convinced manager Patrick Lefevere he could perform at the top level again, but he was not expected to ride at the Tour and did not train specifically for the three-week race.

Team Philippines to the Tokyo Olympics is now pegged at 19 athletes—11 sports—the second biggest delegation after Sydney 2000 (20 athletes) when the IOC started imposing qualifying standards for the Games. “I received a very positive indication that I was going to be with the team last week,” said the 24-year-old Gebbie, who is currently training in Melbourne, Australia. “I was just at home when I found out. Obviously, I’m very, very happy about it so I’ll do my best.” Fina Swimming Entries Coordinator Pedro Adrega said in a letter to the PSI that Gebbie and Rule were invited as the highestranked Filipino swimmers in accordance with the FINA’s 2021 Points Table which was achieved last June.

Gebbie will be swimming in the men’s 50- and 100-meter freestyle—he has a best time of 49.94 seconds in the 100m and 22.57 seconds in the 50m he achieved in the 2019 world championships in South Korea. Rule, also 24 who lives in Texas in the US, will be entered in the 200m butterfly with a personal best 2:09.58 and 200m freestyle after registering 2:00.35. Gebbie was a silver medalist in the 4x100m freestyle relay and a bronze medalist in the 50m freestyle in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, while Rule captured silver medals in 200m butterfly and 4x100 freestyle and bronze medals in the 200m freestyle and 4x200 relay. “We were hoping to get more to qualify for the Games but we are happy to have these two

swimmers represent our country,” Velasco said. “They made us proud at the last 2019 SEA Games and I am sure they will continue to make us proud at the coming Games.” Jessie Lacuna and Jasmine Alkhaldi represented the Philippines also under the universality rule in London 2012 and Rio 2016. They joined pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, sprinter Kristina Knott, gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo, boxers Felix Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Irish Magno, as well as rower Cris Nievarez, skateboarder Margielyn Arda Didal, shooter Jayson Valdez, taekwondo jin Kurt Ryan Barbosa and weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Elreen Ann Ando on Team Philippines.

BELGRADE MISSION DONE

NATURALIZED player Ange Kouame tries to shake off his defenders from the Dominican Republic. FIBA.BASKETBALL

performance against Serbia and a disappointing performance tonight.” “These young men will work “I knew he could come back, but I did not know what level he could reach,” Lefevere said. Cavendish received a late callup last month as a replacement for Sam Bennett, the best sprinter of last year’s Tour. In addition to Merckx’s record, Cavendish’s next goal will be to win the best sprinter’s green jersey in Paris. Lefevere said he does not want to set targets for Cavendish’s aging legs since reaching the French capital after crossing the Alps and the Pyrenees is already a big challenge for his protégé. AP MARK CAVENDISH is rolling back the years at the Tour de France. AP

hard together and will take this in the chin and learn from the lessons, and build for the future,” he added.

Jordan Heading had 16 points to lead the Filipinos’ campain, while naturalized 6-foot-11 Ange Kouame tallied 10 points and six rebounds. Victor Liz scored 23 points while Gelvis Solano had 21 for Dominican Republic, which rained 26 points to the Philippines’s 10 to rip the game apart, 51-65, in the third quarter. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Sonny Barrios gave the team a passing grade. “These boys gave the Serbia a scare and competed against [world] No. 19 Dominican Republic,” Barrios said. “These two countries trained well while we had a hard time in training— imagine training inside the Calamba bubble all by themselves without tuneup games because of quarantine restrictions.” Next up for Gilas is the FibaAsia Cup in Jakarta from August 17 to 29. Josef Ramos

Dela Noche, Iraya vying in Asian U19 beach volleyball tilt

OUNG standouts Jayrack Dela Noche and Alexander Iraya make their international debut in the Third Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships which open on Saturday in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Philippine National Volleyball Federation President Ramon “Tats” Suzara wished De la Noche and Iraya, both products of University of Santo Tomas highschool beach volleyball programunder current national team Coach Paul Jan Doloiras, the best of luck. “Tell the boys no pressure and avoid dehydration and nervousness,” said Suzara in a message to PNVF Board Member Carmela Gamboa, who is accompanying De la Noche and Iraya in Thailand. “Enjoy the games, nothing to lose.” The PNVF thanked the Philippine Sports Commission and Rebisco for supporting the young squad’s campaign. Seeded eighth in the 13team men’s competition, the Philippines was drawn in Pool A with top seed Thailand-1 and No. 9 Iran-2. Defending champion Indonesia, only seeded fifth, is in Pool D alongside Kazakhstan, Lebanon-2 and Thailand-3. Second seed Australia, Lebanon-1 and Thailand are in Pool B, while third seed Iran1 is in Pool C with Qatar and Kazahkstan-2. The four-day tournament serves as a qualifier for the International Volleyball Federation U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships. De la Noche and Iraya, both natives of Victorias City in Negros Occidental, will also represent the Philippines to the Fourth Asian U21 Beach Volleyball Championships, a qualifier for the FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships on July 12. Nakhon Pathom recently hosted the Asian Volleyball Confederation Continental Cup Final, where China and Australia booked the lone women and men’s slots to the Tokyo Olympics.

Yadao grabs second gold

OLLEGE of St. Benilde’s (CSB) Krizelle Therese Yadao topped the women’s flyweight speed kicking competition for her second gold medal in the online taekwondo tournament in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 96 on Thursday. Two weeks after winning poomsae’s freestyle event, Yadao emerged victorious in the speed kicking with 7.175 points. San Beda’s Maria Laney Kaye Panahon took the silver with 6.667 points, while San Sebastian College’s Twinkle Angela Bokingkito made the podium with 6.325. A native of Baguio City, Yadao duplicated the feat of Jose Rizal University’s Emie Soriano Fernandez, who won gold medals in women’s poomsae standard and speed kicking’s finweight division. Arellano University’s Paula Julia Alfon placed fourth with 6.317 points, followed by Letran’s Stephanie Shane Ashley Arana (6.250) and San Beda’s Ria Anne Calasara (6.150). The women’s speed kicking competition winds up on July 5 televised over GTV channel of GMA-7.

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PH on track to achieving a cash-lite society By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

HEN the Covid-19 pandemic broke out last year, the economy was greatly affected. It was around this time though that people found ways to adapt. People started to spend more time online and did almost everything online. It was also during this time that people started to and eventually realized the convenience of making digital payments. At a recent Brewing@AIM, Conversations with Thought Leaders, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan, who heads the Payments and Currency Management Sector, noted that digital payments have gained wide market acceptance in the Philippines. Four studies have been conducted on retail payments in the Philippines. The first was conducted in 2013, then in 2018 by the Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) and then in 2019 and 2020 jointly by BSP and BTCA. “Digital payments penetration has increased by one percent in 2013 to 17 percent as of the first half of 2020,” Tangonan said. “Let’s look at the volume. From 25 million digital payments made in 2013, that grew rapidly to 782 million by the first half of 2020. So all indicators point really to a growth of digital payment adoption and it reflects the wide market acceptance in the Philippines.”

Benefits of going digital

THERE are studies that indicate that the adoption of digital payments brings about a number of benefits. In 2016, McKinsey Global Institute, an institution that helps organizations create the change that matters, did a survey of around 50 emerging economies and reported that digital technology cut the cost of providing financial services by 80 to 90 percent. The same report added that these 50 emerging economies could raise their GDP by six percent in 2025 if digital payments could be adopted. “There is a related report from the Asian Development Bank that said digitally driven acceleration in financial inclusion could boost GDP by two to three percent in the Philippines,” Tangonan said. “And, of course it improves quality of life in the UN and the CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) report on the sustainable goals update.” Tangonan went on to discuss further the benefits of digital payments as these benefits can be realized across different sectors. The first benefit is on cost savings. The BTCA reported that businesses could save around US$20 to US$45 billion annually by digitizing supplier payments. A Filipino business, for instance, that draws 1,000 checks per month would generate savings from 25 to 46 percent of invoice handling cost if at least half of the payments are digitized. “Fully digitalizing social payments could save the government around US$100 million annually and result in 11 million additional accounts for Filipinos,” Tangonan said. “And finally, shifting from paper-based payments to electronic modes could yield savings equivalent to about one percent of GDP so that is almost P200 billion annually.”

Increased activity

ECONOMIC activity is also expected to increase in an economy that adopts faster and more efficient payment

systems. Tangonan pointed to a Global Insight Report which states that a 10 percent increase in the share of electronic payments was correlated to the 0.5 increase in consumer spending. “The third benefit is market inclusion and expansion so utilizing fintech or financial technology can lead to greater financial inclusion as costs are lowered and accessibility is widened,” he said. “A cash lite and coinless society will open avenues for commercial partnerships and linkage modes such as bank and non-bank partnerships, government and private partnerships and industry wide collaborations.” Additionally, digital payments enable newer business models to emerge such as e-commerce, digital ride hailing apps and similar newer services. “And finally, it enhances risk management as digital payment payment systems will allow for more transparent and auditable records which can help governance and other parties to account for the use of funds,” he said.

PesoNet, InstaPay up

TO further strengthen the claim that going cash lite is the way to go, it was noted that in March this year, the combined volume and value of PesoNet and instaPay fund transfers grew over four times to P39 million. Value grew more than twice to P552 billion compared to last year. “The national retail payment system framework which nurtured PesoNet and InstaPay provides an enabling environment for inclusive, interoperable, competitive and more innovative digital payment services in the country,” Tangonan said. Now that it has been established that Filipinos are open to adopting digital payment systems, Tangonan said the BSP’s approach to further digitalization “is always motivated by evidence-based policy formulation.” In 2019, five priority use cases were identified in a national diagnostic study undertaken by the BSP and BTCA and these five use cases “account for 97 percent of retail payments transactions in the country with merchant payments alone accounting for over 70 percent.” “So the Bangko Sentral has charted its current and future initiatives in a holistic and comprehensive way through the Digtial Payments Transformation Roadmap or DPTR to achieve greater digital payments adoption in the country,” he said. “Strategically anchored on three critical pillars, the roadmap is envisioned to successfully transform the Philippines from a cash heavy into a cash lite economy.” The first pillar is the digital payment streams which embody the BSP’s key initiatives of creating compelling, large scale digital payment use cases. The second pillar is the digital finance infrastructure. The adoption of new platforms will enable efficient delivery of additional digital payment streams and enhance customer experience. “An example of the second pillar is the Philippine National ID system and PhilPassPlus, Peso Real Time Cross Settlements System which will be migrating to and going live in July,” he said.

Governance

THE third concerns digital governance and standards to sustain the efficiency, conclusiveness, competitiveness and safety of digital payments and to build trust in digital payments. “We must ensure that the expansion of use cases is underpinned by

sound digital governance and standards,” Tangonan said. “The transition to digital payments should provide social, economic and

financial benefits such as broader financial inclusion, poverty reduction, technological innovation, efficiency and lower cost,” he said.

“With such a large base and low penetration of merchants utilizing and accepting digital payments, the potential is still huge,” Tangonan added.

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Financial supervision in the time of COVID-19

HE COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significance of a healthy, stable, and most of all, resilient banking system in the economic recovery. This resilience has served as one of the economic lifelines in providing financial and credit support to the country, most importantly to the hard-hit sectors of our economy such as households and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The BSP’s regulatory relief measures

In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial industry, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued regulatory and operational relief measures to assist the BSP Supervised Financial Institutions (BSFIs) to endure the crisis and to enable them to focus their limited resources toward supporting the financing requirements of households and business enterprises. These time-bounded measures provided incentives for BSFIs to extend financial relief to their borrowers, incentivized bank lending, promoted continued access to credit/financial services, and supported continued delivery of financial services. The relief packages strived to address the critical requirements of the economy, while at the same time, ensured that financial stability would not be compromised.

Extension of financial relief to borrowers

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, BSFIs were given regulatory relief to enable them to grant equivalent financial relief to their borrowers in the form of more flexible and favorable lending terms or restructuring of loan accounts. These include allowing deferred recognition of past due and nonperforming loans and staggered booking of allowance for credit losses of affected loan accounts. The BSP also implemented interest rate caps on credit card transactions to ease the financial burden of consumers and MSMEs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incentivize lending

The BSP’s prudential measures also include initiatives to encourage lending to the MSME sector and critically affected large enterprises. These measures aim to ease certain prudential requirements of banks

to allow them to support financing needs of rural-based clients and MSMEs. This would in turn enable them to carry on with their business during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as hasten recovery and sustainability of their operations during the post-crisis period. Relative to this, the BSP reduced the credit risk weights of loans granted to MSMEs. Banks were allowed to use loans granted to MSMEs as compliance with the reserve requirements so they could tap on their demand deposit account with the BSP. The BSP also deferred the implementation of the revised risk-based capital adequacy framework and reduced the Minimum Liquidity Ratio applicable to stand-alone thrift banks, rural banks, and cooperative banks. Data as of the reserve week ending June 3, 2021 show that banks utilized P181.6 billion in MSME loans as alternative compliance with the reserve requirements. This indicates that banks have continued to grant new MSME loans or re-finance outstanding MSME loans of their clients since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Promote continued access to financial services. Policies were put in place to ensure that retail clients, who were affected by the community quarantine arrangements, can still access formal financing channels through the use of information technology. The BSP relaxed the Know-YourCustomer requirements, particularly the presentation of valid IDs by retail clients, including micro-

business owners, to facilitate their access to formal financing channels until Dec. 31, 2021. Moreover, fees related to the grant of license or authority to provide Advanced Electronic Payments and Financial Services were temporarily waived until Dec. 31, 2021. This is to encourage BSFIs to provide safe, efficient, and reliable digital channels that support critical payment use cases such as social benefit transfers, payments to merchants or billers including the government, payments to suppliers, and remittances.

Digital banking developments

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of digital payments under the “New Economy” environment. Parallel to this, the BSP has

designed a three-year Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap and approved the inclusion of “digital banks” as a distinct classification of banks and the corresponding guidelines for their establishment. These new banks offer financial products and services that are processed end-to-end through a digital platform and/or electronic channels with no physical branches. They are envisioned to address the long-standing barriers to financial inclusion and onboard more Filipinos in the formal system especially during and post-COVID-19 era. Since the release of the BSP’s regulatory framework for digital banks, several proponents have expressed interest and actual intent to apply for a digital banking

license in the country. As of June 4, 2021, the Monetary Board has approved the applications of three banks and is now evaluating four more applications, which includes three new players. The BSP is also developing the second set of regulations that will clarify applicability of regulations on capital and liquidity, corporate and risk governance, risk management, and monetary operations to digital banks. Finally, the central monetary authority is crafting guidelines on the adoption of a marketplace banking model. Anchoring on the implementation of the Open Finance Framework, the BSP anticipates the emergence of new business models and arrangements, which will further drive innovation and bring more value to customers.

Maybank2U: Banking at your Fingertips

OOKING, doing arts and crafts and DIY renovations and interior designing — these are just some of the talents we discovered in quarantine that we ourselves didn’t even know we have. But aside from talents in cooking and crafting, we were all surprised to discover how much of our daily errands we can do online and one of them is banking. The first thing that comes to mind when we hear banking is either depositing or withdrawing money but Maybank2U, Maybank’s multi-awarded online banking and mobile app platform in Southeast Asia, lets you do a lot more online. Maybank2U saves you a lot of queuing time with over 300 billers onboard – ranging from utilities, cable and internet, to credit cards, insurance, and loans. You’ll never miss a due date with its realtime payment posting available for many of its billers. Do your prepaid top-ups with just a few clicks, enabling you to manage your bills and reload any time at any place. Transfer of funds with minimum risk

and easier through Maybank2U’s QR Pay. Experience fast and secure transactions just by uploading or scanning QR codes from any of QRPh participating banks. Through the Maybank2U mobile app one can also open a Maybank iSave Account FULLY ONLINE. The ATM card that comes with this Maybank account is widely accessible offering withdrawals FREE OF CHARGE from any BancNet ATMs in the Philippines. Not requiring any initial deposit and maintaining balance, Maybank iSave is not only affordable but also interest-earning, letting you get as much as 2.5% per annum with its ongoing promo until September 30, 2021. For more details, visit Deposit Promo (maybank.com.ph) Bills payment, prepaid topups, fund transfer via QR pay, and the Maybank iSave Account are all available in the Maybank2U mobile app truly delivering its promise to help you with your banking transactions with just a few lift of a finger, at the safety of your home. Maybank is among Asia's lead-

ing banking groups and Southeast Asia’s fourth largest bank by assets. Maybank is present in 18 countries, including all 10 ASEAN, namely: Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR & People’s Republic of China, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The Group offers an extensive range of products and services, which includes consumer and corporate banking, investment banking, Islamic banking, stock broking, insurance and takaful and asset management. MPI is a member of the Maybank Group, Malaysia’s regional financial services leader with an international network of over 2,626 retail and 51 investment banking branches in 18 countries. In the Philippines, Maybank has 63 branches nationwide supported by a wide network of ATMs and presence in online and mobile platforms. (www.maybank.com.ph)

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Full implementation of QR PH seen later this year M

ORE merchants are ex pected to adopt the QR PH P2M system later this year, a move that w il l take the Philippines closer to its goa l of becoming a cash lite societ y. In his talk at Brewing@AIM, Conversations with Thought Leaders, Mamerto Tangonan, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor overseeing the Payments and Currency Management Sector, said the National QR Code Standard or QR PH has transformed the fragmented QR driven payment service into an interoperable payment solution. “It can be used as a viable alternative to coins as it caters to low value, high volume transactions such as payments to merchants, and even person to person, or peer to peer, payments,” he said.

P2P payments

IN November 2019, QR PH was made available for person to person or P2P payments such as remittances. From six pilot participants, there are now 20 participants who are offering this capability. “And from a little over P1 million worth of transactions in November 2019, QR PH transactions have grown to over P661 million by April 2021 with over 72,000 transactions during that month alone,” he said. “So this trend demonstrates the accelerating shift in preference among more Filipinos to more convenient digital mods of payment.” With the success of the P2P system, QR PH is now being piloted for QR PH merchant payments, or QR PH P2M and this, according to Tangonan, is already offered by si financial institutions and accented by seven financial institutions.

The move to adopt this method of payment was meant to address some of the key challenges in digitizing merchant payments. Tangonan related that “up until today, the dominant digital merchant payment method is the card payment.” However, the cost structure in card

payment “is limiting its use to higher end merchants while its fees are keeping the service from the reach of micro and small merchants.”

Smaller players tapped

WHEN compared to QR code enabled payments, this form of payment has

the potential to reach “even the smaller players which require less expensive infrastructure to implement.” “So if you remember in the early 2000 when you were seeing at least five POS or point of sale terminals from different payment providers with as many standees informing us customers that this card. This is very inefficient and costly as one POS terminal costs US$350,” he said. The simplicity of the QR code, which only entails the use of a smart phone and internet, “gives it the potential to reach even the smaller payers which require less expensive infrastructure to implement. “The full implementation of QR PH can likewise contribute towards the attainment of a coinless state as QR PH enabled payments may be a viable alternative to coincs, given that it caters to low value, high value transactions such as payments

to merchants and person to person payments,” Tangonan said.

Launch

QR PH payment was launched last April and is expected to on full commercial launch in September. “This will empower small economic actors, including those in the informal sector, to take part in the digital payments ecosystem,” Tangonan said. “That is just an important policy objective for us because a large informal sector in the economy could slow down the recovery efforts,” he said. “It takes time to reduce the size of this giant informal sector and formalize the economy. But, of course, we cannot leave the big merchants behind. QR PH P2M payments can also be used for purchase of good and services in restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets, hardware and department stores,” Tangonan said. Anne Ruth Dela Cruz