BusinessMirror July 12, 2023

May export earnings up 1.9% to US$6.44B

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE country’s export earn -

ings posted a positive growth for the first time in six months in May 2023, with electronic products accounting for 57.5 percent or the largest share in the country’s exports pie, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Figures from the PSA showed the country’s export earnings increased by 1.9 percent to US$6.44 billion from the $6.32 billion recorded in the same month last year.

“The commodity group with the highest annual growth in the value of exports in May 2023 was

electronic products, which rose by US$231.53 million,” PSA said.  This was followed by ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft and ships, which increased by US$75.98 million; and copper concentrates, rising by US$73.75 million.

Total export earnings in the first five months of the year amounted to US$28.21 billion. This represented a decline of 11.5 percent from the year-todate annual total export value of US$31.89 billion in the same period last year.

Imports

MEANWHILE , the country’s total import bill contracted by 8.8

percent year-on-year to $10.84 billion in May.

In April, it recorded an annual decline of 15 percent, while in May 2022, it exhibited a double-digit annual increase of 30.2 percent.

With this, the country recorded a trade deficit of $4.40 billion, which is narrower by 20.9 percent compared to the $5.56 billion in May 2022 and the previous month’s $4.8 billion.

PSA data showed that in April 2023, the trade deficit recorded an annual decline of 9 percent and in May 2022, it posted an annual increase of 74.9 percent.

The 20.9 percent decline in the trade deficit recorded in May 2023 is the narrowest since November

2022, which posted a 21-percent decline.

“The balance of trade in goods [BoT-G] is the difference between the value of export and import,” the PSA said.

For his part, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael Ricafort said, “Trade deficit/Net imports already among the narrowest in more than a year, thereby partly supporting the stronger peso exchange rate recently [peso among the strongest in 2 months]; also after relatively lower global oil and other commodity prices amid risk of recession in the US.”

See “Export,” A2

AMRO KEEPS INFLATION, GDP FORECASTS FOR PHL

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

DESPITE

In a briefing on Tuesday, Amro Chief Economist Hoe Ee

Asean economies.

See “Amro,” A2

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM

Special to the BusinessMirror

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) scored the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for measures seen discouraging the arrival of more Chinese tourists in the Philippines.

In a letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo dated June 8, 2023, DOT Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco said, “This is to respectfully reiterate the Department of Tourism’s URGENT APPEAL for the Department of Foreign

Marcos: Pagcor plays vital role in development of PHL

Affairs to LIFT the published daily quota of issuing only 100 visas per day per Philippine foreign service post in China.” (DOT’s emphasis)

She added: “While we understand from the initial reply conveyed to the DOT by DFA Assistant Secretary Henry S. Bensurtoz Jr. dated 30 March 2023 that there are instances where consular posts issue 200-250 visas per day, the continued website publication of an official policy limiting issuances to only 100 visas per day serves as a deterrent to potential visa applicants,

See “DOT,” A2

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R.

Marcos Jr. on Tuesday highlighted the important role of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in nation-building.

“Pagcor has made an indelible mark in our society with its undeniable contribution to nationbuilding,” Marcos said during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Pagcor held at the Marriott Hotel Manila.

He said Pagcor played a crucial role in drawing in more tourists and in generating not only jobs but also revenues.

The state-run gaming and

regulatory firm, he noted, has also helped in the development of the country’s sports sector by providing support to athletes and coaches.

“It is my hope that this anniversary will inspire you to continue setting new standards and keep being at the forefront of an industry that is not only financially successful, but also socially impactful and most importantly socially relevant,” Marcos said.

Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the agency is determined to continue the said initiatives by generating more government revenues.

See “Pagcor,” A2

global headwinds, the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) maintained its growth and inflation forecast for the Philippines this year and in 2024.

BPO firms with ‘high-trust’ workplace cultures named

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Great Place To Work Philippines unveiled the list of top 30 companies in the country with “high-trust” workplace cultures.

According to IBPAP, the flagship organization of the IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry, the list features 30 Great Place To Work Certified organizations that “scored the highest after being evaluated using the For All Model and Methodology.”

The method looks into whether “every single employee, no matter who they are or what they do for their company, is having a consistently positive experience at work.”

For her part, Antoniette Mendoza-Talosig, Managing Partner at Great Place To Work Philippines, said these 30 companies pursue the industry’s 2028 roadmap by creating “high-trust” workplace cultures.

“They maximize their human potential through leadership effectiveness, values, and trust. With these, innovation and financial growth take place. These are the characteristics of a Great Place To Work For All or what we call a For All culture,” Mendoza-Talosig added.

With more than 500,000 IT-BPM employees represented in the Great Place To Work surveys from January 2022 to May 2023, data shows

that 94 percent of employees in Best Workplaces experience a high-trust workplace culture.

IBPAP said, however, that this is only true for 84 percent of the employees in “typical” organizations.

For his part, IBPAP president Jack Madrid said 16 of the 30 organizations included in the list are members of the IBPAP.

The 16 member-companies of IBPAP which made it to the top 30 are Synchrony Global Services Philippines, Inc. ; Accenture,Inc. (Philippines); Via Appia Philippines, Inc.; Teleperformance Philippines; American Express International, Inc.; Genpact Philippines; Asurion; Navitaire Philippines Inc.; Goodyear Business Services Manila; KMC Solutions; Amadeus Marketing Philippines, Inc. ; Connext; ADP Philippines, Inc.; Limitless Connect; Lexmark Research and Development Corporation; and Infinit-O.

The 14 other companies included in the list, meanwhile, are: 3M Global Service Center-Philippines, Genesys Cloud Services, Cayman Ltd. Philippines, Booth and Partners, Eco Global Consulting, Inc., Kollab,Tech

One Global Phils.,Inc.,Tech Mahindra Limited, Rocket Station, J4RVIS, Five9 Philippines,Inc., Arcanys, HelpGrid, and Cobenn Business Consultancy Services.

The list was unveiled on July 10,2023 during the Third Quarter General Membership meeting of IBPAP.

Madrid said each of these IT-BPM companies “exemplies what the sector is all about—great workplaces make great people and great people make great workplaces.”

IBPAP has over 370 members and six partner associations—the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), Global In-House Center Council (GICC) Philippines, Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP), and the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA).

According to IBPAP, employees responded to over 60 survey questions describing the extent to which their organization creates a great place to work For All.

The IBPAP said, “85 percent of the evaluation is based on what employees say about their experiences of trust and reaching their full human potential as part of their organization, no matter who they are or what they do.”

Great Place To Work analyzes these experiences relative to each organization’s size, workforce make up, and what’s typical in their industry, IBPAP noted.

The remaining 15 percent of the ranking, meanwhile, is based on an assessment of all employees’ daily experiences of innovation, company values, and the effectiveness of their leaders to ensure these are consistently experienced.

“The Philippines has done relatively well in terms of sustaining its growth. I think that’s partly because the structure of the economy is quite different from other Asean countries,” Khor said in a briefing on Tuesday.

“The other economies are much more dependent on manufacturing goods export, whereas in the case of the Philippines, it’s a much more service-driven economy. And because of that, I think it has not been affected as much by the external headwinds and has benefited from the recovery of the services sector,” he explained.

Some of the medium-impact risks identified by Amro that could affect Asean economies, albeit in varying degrees until the next two years, are the spike in global commodity prices and the faltering recovery in China.

The high-impact risk that could affect the region for two years is the recession in the United States and Europe. In the next two to five years, the high-impact risk would be the economic decoupling between the US and China. Financial spillovers from tighter US monetary policy, meanwhile, is deemed a low-impact risk by Amro. This is expected to have an impact within two years.

Perennial risks to the region, AMRO said, include the climate change transition; natural disasters; cyber attacks; and pandemics.

“Downside risks to the region’s outlook have receded since April, but we are not out of the woods yet,” Khor cautioned. “Heightened financial stress from tighter US monetary policy is a risk that the Asean+3 policymakers must continue to guard against.”

The Asean +3 region is expected to grow by 4.6 percent this year, up from 3.2 percent last year.

Although the ongoing weakness in global trade has prompted a slight reduction in the Asean growth forecast for 2023 to 4.5 percent from last April’s projection of 4.9 percent, this will be offset by improving prospects in the Plus-3 economies.

Amro revised its 2023 inflation forecast for the region— excluding Lao PDR and Myanmar—to 3.0 percent, slightly lower than its previous forecast of 3.4 percent.

Growth is expected to ease slightly to 4.5 percent in 2024, while inflation is projected to moderate further to 2.4 percent.

Manulife’s take

IN a separate briefing, Manulife Multi-Asset Solutions Team Global Macro Strategy Co-Head Sue Trinh said the aggressive monetary stance of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is one of the biggest risks that could dampen growth in the Philippines.

Trinh also added that both headline and core inflation remain elevated. Based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), headline inflation was at 5.4 percent and core inflation was at 7.4 percent.

“Growth is dampened by a combination of factors; the first is that BSP’s had the most aggressive tightening cycle in the region over 400 basis points but headline inflation core inflation volatility remains rather acute,” Trinh said.

“BSP has also discussed or stated quite clearly that inflation risks [remain] and its eyes are heavily tilted to the upside and that keeps the door open for further rate hikes,” she added.

However, despite this, Trinh still considers the Philippines the “most safe place” to park investments and one of the countries in Asia where it is good to “hide” from global uncertainties.

“The Philippines is the most safe place, [one of the most] dynamic in the region,” Trinh said.

Our argument, our thesis from a macro perspective, is that Asia is really a good place to hide in these times of heightened uncertainty. The consensus is that Asia’s growth differentials will remain wide,” she also said.

Rate cuts looming—Oxford

ANOTHER good news that could be on the horizon are rate cuts, which according to Oxford Economics are expected sooner rather than later.

Oxford Economics believes rate cuts are looming given the expected slowdown in Asian economies, particularly South Korea and Thailand, which were significantly affected by the slowdown in goods export.

The balance of risks points to lower rates sooner rather than later. Inflation needs to come down a bit more—which it should—and the Fed needs to stop hiking—which we think is imminent—and Asian central banks are likely to look for the right opportunity to cut rates.

Last week, the BSP said this may not be enough reason to consider another pause or a rate cut in the next policy rate setting.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. told reporters that apart from inflation, the Monetary Board will also consider the country’s GDP growth rate as well as the next move of the US Federal Reserve.

Remolona stressed that the decision of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will be considered on the basis that it also provides data for the Monetary Board.

One important consideration in looking at the decisions of the FOMC, Remolona said, is the US Federal Reserve’s difference from the BSP.

Further, Ricafort said, “still relatively higher prices/inflation and interest rates/borrowing costs, locally and globally, also partly weighed on demand for some imports that helped narrow the trade deficit/net imports.”

As for the e xports growth, he said exports recovered to six-month highs after the pickup in electronic/semiconductor exports, which are the country’s largest exports. The growth in exports may be attributed, he said, to the easing of prices, “especially lower prices of global oil and other major commodities that reduced the input costs of exporters.”

In Ma y, the country’s total external trade in goods amounted to US$17.28 billion, which indicates an annual decline of 5.1 percent from the US$18.20 billion recorded in the same period last year.

In April its annual decr ease was recorded at 16.8 percent, while in May 2022, it expanded at an annual rate of 20.8 percent.

Of the total external trade in May 2023, the PSA said 62.7 percent were imported goods, while the rest were exported goods.

China top export, import destination ACCORDING to the PSA, the People’s Republic of China was the country’s top export and import destination.

China ac counted for the highest export value amounting to US$1.07 billion or a share of 16.6 percent to the country’s total exports during the month.

O ther top export markets are the United States with US$1.01 billion or 15.7 percent of the total; Japan with US$930.56 million or 14.4 percent; Hong Kong with US$665 million or 10.3 percent, and Netherlands with US$346.65 million or 5.4 percent.

Mean while, China was also the country’s biggest supplier of imported goods valued at US$2.60 billion or 24 percent of the country’s total imports in May 2023.

O ther top sources of imports were Indonesia which accounted for US$917.05 million or 8.5 percent of the country’s import receipts; Japan, US$794.92 million or 7.3 percent; US, US$724.44 million,6.7 percent; and Republic of Korea, US$712.79 million or 6.6 percent.

and is unnec essarily prohibitive in terms of promoting the Philippines as a viable destination for Chinese tourists.”

She noted that as of June 5, 2023, only 90,000 Chinese tourists arrived in the Philippines, which has resulted in the Philippines “lag[ging] severely” behind its Asean neighbors in terms of visitor arrivals. As per data cited by DOT in its letter. Thailand topped the region in the number of tourists it received at 845,684 (January to April); followed by Vietnam at 398,891 (January to May); Singapore 215,290 (January to April); Malaysia 178,150 (January to March); Cambodia 132,665 (January to March); and Indonesia 113,404 (January to March).

Family leave

AS this developed, the DOT confirmed that Frasco will go on family leave for “7 working days, on July 13-21, 2023.” Her chief of staff and Undersecretary for Legal and Special Concerns Mae Elaine T. Bathan has been designated officer-incharge. The DOT chief has come under fire over a tourism video that appeared to promote foreign destinations. (See,“Despitefiasco,adagencyofDOTcould still get paid,”in the BusinessMirror, July 4, 2023.)

On Tuesday, “Leave the Philippines” was trending on Twitter, as netizens noted the irony of Frasco vacationing overseas, even as her agency had been pushing its new “Love the Philippines” slogan.

Data from the DOT showed 2.85 million international travelers arrived in the Philippines from January to July 10, 2023. Of this number, foreign tourists accounted for 91.4 percent of total international arrivals, or 2.6 million. The rest, at 245,127, were overseas Filipinos visiting family and friends. Overseas Filipinos are described as Philippine Passport holders who are permanently residing abroad.

The international arrivals for the period was 69 percent of the 4.13-million in ternational arrivals in the first half of 2019, prior to the pandemic.

Pin e-visa rollout date

THE same data showed that South Korea continued to lead as the top source market for international tourists at 703,933. It was followed by the United States at 523,772; Australia at 140,213; Japan at 135,314; and Canada 126,266.

Tourists from China accounted for 118,673; followed by Taiwan at 97,869; the United Kingdom at 81,380; Singapore 78,224; and Malaysia at 51,923. China used to be the second top source market for tourists in the Philippines, prior to the pandemic. China reopened its borders in January this year.

In her letter to Manalo, Frasco wanted to find out when the DFA will finally implement the electronic visa system meant to attract more Chinese and Indian tourists. She also reiterated that the personal appearance of individual visa applicants should be waived if their papers are coursed through accredited travel agents, as well as online payment system for visa applications.

Since 1983, he said Pagcor had contributed over P607 billion to nationbuilding. It has also remitted P64 billion in dividends to the national government since 2011.

From July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, he said Pagcor already generated P45 billion, which is expected to reach P70 billion by the end of the year.

To mark their 40th anniversary, Pagcor also launched its new logo last Tuesday.

“All these taken together, our new logo reflects Pagcor’s long-standing commitment of being a guiding force that illuminates the way forward, drives transformation and development, and brings inspiration and motivation to the lives it touches,” Tengco said.

Under the current administration, Tengco said Pagcor will channel its resources to the promotion of education and health in the country.

The agency will re-launch its School Building Project to help address classroom shortage in public schools nationwide. It will also build e-Libraries to provide learners from remote or depressed communities with an environment that is conducive for e-learning and online research.

“Also in the pipeline are Socio-civic Centers and Community Wellness Centers to be built in different parts of the country,” Tengco said.

The agency will likewise be launching the “Bawat Buhay Mahalaga Serbisyo Caravan” which will focus on the distribution of educational, medical and financial assistance, among others, to various local government units and their citizens.

• Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday that it has found probable cause to indict Jose Adrian “Jad” Dera, who is a co-accused in the remaining drug case filed against former senator Leila de Lima and six other National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) security personnel, for violation of the provisions of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in connection with the former’s brief but unauthorized trip out of his detention cell last June 20, 2023.

In a statement, the DOJ said Dera and NBI job order personnel identified as Arnel Ganzon, Diana Rose Novelozo, Lee Eric Loreto, King Jeroh Martin, and Pepe Piedad Jr. were indicted for violation of Article 156 of the RPC which imposes the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period against any person “who shall remove from jail or penal establishment any person confined therein or shall help the escape of such person, by means of violence, intimidation, or bribery.”

On the other hand, NBI Security Officer II Randy Godoy was indicted for violation of Article 22 of the RPC or the infidelity in the custody of prisoners.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by operatives of the NBI-National Task

Force Against Illegal Drugs (NTFAID).

Based on the complaint, the accused NBI security personnel escorted Dera out his detention using an NBI marked vehicle under the pretense of a medical check-up outside the said premises and without any court order or authorization last June 20 to early morning of June 21.

The NBI-NTFAID said it was discovered that they met with Dera’s female friend and went to share a meal in a restaurant in Makati City.

When they went back to the NBI headquarters, the group was arrested by NBI agents who managed to confiscate P101,000 cash from Dera.

The amounts of P10,000 and P11,000 were also seized from Godoy and Veloso, respectively.

The money, according to the DOJ, appears to be the payment made for escorting Dera out of his detention.

The case against them was filed before the Metropolitan Trial Court of Manila City.

Earlier, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Muntinlupa City ordered the transfer of Dera from NBI to a regular jail facility in Muntinlupa City upon the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The DOJ cited the impending demolition of the NBI detention facility in seeking Dera’s transfer.

Military bares ‘dramatic increase’ in patrol ship deployment to KIG

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

status and one active,” Ileto said.

Ileto added the continued decline of the rebel group allowed the military to sustain its ESO and strengthen the country’s defense posture by increasing its aerial and surface maritime patrols through ships of the Philippine Navy and planes of the Philippine Air Force.

“The deployment of additional surface patrol ships increased the AFP’s presence in the KIG to about 90 percent of the time. This is a dramatic increase from the baseline of 30 percent in 2022,” he said.

use of air surveillance radar systems.

Ileto said the military has also improved its capabilities and presence in strategic locations, including in the Batanes group of islands, KIG and Tawi-Tawi.

“The AFP facilitated the completion of personnel barracks in Likas, Parola, and Kota Stations in the KIG,” he said.

The status of deployment in the KIG was shared by military public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, who provided a briefer on the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) operational accomplishment culled from the command conference held last week presided by AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino.

Based on the military’s briefing of Centino, the sustained ISO

campaign has resulted in the significant reduction of members and firearms of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the clearing of areas where the rebels used to operate and maintain their presence.

“It is noteworthy that from five active Communist Terrorist Group [CTG] guerilla fronts from year end 2022, two were dismantled [and] two were weakened, leaving only one active. In total, 20 are on a weakened

“This allows the monitoring of Sea Lines of Communications [SLOCs] that is complemented by the AFP’s Littoral Monitoring Stations/ Detachments [LMS/LMDs] to detect and monitor foreign ships and track, and subject them to interdiction operations,” he added.

The redeployment of Naval Special Operations units and the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9’s (MBLT9) transfer to Palawan last month and the presence of the 4th Marine Brigade in Northern Luzon were part of the ESO, along with the continued

Meanwhile, the increased presence of US aircraft in the country has been due to the ongoing series of exercises that the military were having with American troops, especially the Cope Thunder exercise.

The US planes that have landed in the country were covered with diplomatic clearances, according to Air Force spokesman Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo.

The Air Force is currently holding with its US counterpart the Cope Thunder, while the Philippine Marine Corps is also currently conducting another bilateral exercise with their US counterparts.

Units from the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force also joined the Marine exercises.

THE Water Resource Management Office (WRMO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is not keen on cracking the whip on erring government agencies for their failure comply with water conservation measures.

Instead, government agencies will receive incentives for every peso saved through water conservation.

“In my experience with government and dealing with agencies in general, we do not respond with penalties. In fact, mas maganda pang magbigay ng incentives. This will be our next step. For every peso we conserve, I will try to talk to DBM dahil may tubig kang natipid, baka pwedeng bumalik iyong savings for other use,” David told reporters during a virtual news conference on Tuesday.

David said a concerted effort from the government agencies alone would go a long way.

Some government agencies, he said, are accumulating monthly water bills that range from P1 million to P10 million. In extreme cases, in some government compounds with a single water meter, the monthly bill reaches up to P15 million to P17 million.

He said as a corrective measure to determine possible sources of leak, the DENR-WRMO is working with Maynilad and Manila Water to install individual sub-meters for every building.

While some government agencies that occupy compounds are a big problem, equally bigger problems are government offices or agencies whose monthly water bill is way up the expected monthly consumption.

David noted that some barangay halls are overspending on water, with monthly bills reaching up to P100,000 a month. He added that in Metro Manila alone, there are a dozen barangays with monthly bills breaching the P100,000 mark.

He said with monthly water bills this high, the assumption is that there are leak problems. Many of government agencies are occupying old buildings with old piping systems, David noted.

On Monday, David said teams from the DENR-WRMO have started to go from building to building targeting government offices to remind the building administrator of the campaign to conserve water.

David added the situation in Angat is not improving and there are signs that the situation will not improve within the year and may even reach up to the first quarter of 2024.

“In the last few days, we have seen the level of Angat go below the minimum operating level. We have to clarify what that means. The level at Angat is 178.8 meters, which is below the 180 meters minimum operating level of Angat,” he said.

David said the DENR-WRMO will also remind government agencies of an order handed down by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directing the local government units (LGUs) to practice rainwater harvesting.

The official said government agencies should also find a way to harvest rain and use it to reduce dependence on clean water that comes from Angat.

He said DENR Regional Offices, for one, maintain such rainwater harvesting facilities for non-essential water uses like cleaning cars and watering plants.

In the next few months, David said, the campaign to conserve water would be extended to the general public as well as business establishments to conserve water through recycling and rainwater harvesting.

According to David, government offices that occupy old buildings must ensure that leaks are plugged, including faulty toilet facilities like the men’s urinals and lavatory tanks must be fixed.

“For every faulty urinal, it means wasting liters of clean water,” he said. David said the public should also practice rainwater harvesting.

“Based on the forecast, we are expecting rain in the afternoon of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and we really need to harvest whatever little water we can get from the rain to save water,” he said.

“We don’t want a repeat in 2019 wherein people were compelled to fetch water. At that time, the level of Angat is 157 meters. Literally, we have a few weeks of water, and not a single drop will be available from Angat. We are not yet in that situation which is why we are doing this intervention. Finally, we need rain, hopefully, it will come sooner than later,” he said.  Jonathan

L. Mayuga

THE military has tripled its deployment and presence in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) this year as it sustained its steady shift to external defense operations (ESO) from internal security operations (ISO) amid the continued decline of the communistled insurgency.

Raps filed vs Dera, 6 NBI security personnel over ‘unauthorized’ trip

DENR eyes perk to boost water conservation drive

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

BCDA chief invites Australian firms to invest in Central, Northern Luzon

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)

invited Australian firms to invest in Central and Northern Luzon, particularly in the area of infrastructure, among others, to help decongest Metro Manila, which it said would help attract more investments into the country.

Last June 26 to 30, the Philippine delegation, which included the BCDA, Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD), Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) conducted investment briefings in the cities of Sydney and Brisbane in Australia to attract more investments, particularly for Central and Northern Luzon.

In a statement released on Tuesday, BCDA said the investment briefings attracted almost 90 companies from different sectors, including manufacturing, housing, infrastructure, renewable energy, urban development, automotive, information technology and education.

During the investment briefings,

BCDA Chairman Delfin N. Lorenzana discussed the “aggressive infrastructure” push of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which BCDA said is seen to help decongest Metro Manila, generate investments, and create job opportunities for the people.

“Part of this massive infrastructure program is New Clark City, a 9,450-hectare greenfield development poised to be the country’s first smart,

green, and sustainable metropolis,” BCDA said, adding that it is easily accessible due to its proximity to the Clark International Airport and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

Moreover, the investment roadshow zeroed in on the Subic-Clark corridor, a prime logistics hub accessible via air, sea, and land.

BCDA said the hub is an “emerging” center of economic growth just north of Metro Manila. In addition,

the authority said the Subic-Clark corridor enjoys “close proximity” to the Clark International Airport (CRK), which it said is positioned to be Asia’s next premier gateway.

“As an important gateway, CRK is linked to Manila in the south, to Subic in the west, and to the rest of Luzon. By 2025, tourist arrivals are expected to increase and Clark will serve as a major entry and exit point for Northern Luzon,” Chairman Lorenzana said.

According to the BCDA, the investment briefings also gave Philippine authorities the opportunity to pitch the Poro Point Freeport Zone, a “secure” peninsula town in San Fernando, La Union, which it said is envisioned to become a center of innovation in Northern Luzon.

“This special economic zone serves as one of the landing sites of the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure project, which aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet access throughout the country. It also has its own community airport and seaport, making it an ideal investment destination,” BCDA added in its statement.

For her part, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega invited Australian businesses to

minimum wage hike in Metro takes effect despite pending appeals

By Patrick V. Miguel

THE National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) confirmed that the P40 minimum wage hike will take effect on July 16 despite the appeal of

several labor organizations pursuing a higher increase. The appeal was filed by several labor groups on July 3, three days after Wage Order No. NCR-24 was published. Wage Order No. NCR-24 imposes a P40

minimum wage hike, from P570 to P610 for the non-agriculture sector, and from P533 to P573 in the agriculture sector.

Labor organizations cited inflation and the “soaring prices of basic services and commodities” as reasons why the P40 increase is not enough. They petitioned that the basis of minimum wage determination should be the family living wage of P1,161.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno stated on their Facebook page on June 30 that the minimum

wage hike is not enough. They noted the P7 increase, as last year’s minimum wage was P33, which is not enough in the economy’s inflation rate.

Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) announced on July 5 that the inflation rate in June was 5.4 percent.

NWPC said the appeal is part of the minimum wage determination process, and are expected to resolve the appeal within 60 days from the filing date.

explore avenues like the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as platforms to foster growth.

De La Vega also encouraged Australian businesses to focus on skills upgrading and to continue investing in the country.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), BCDA

said approved investments of Australian firms in the Philippines during the first quarter of 2023 doubled to about P450 million or approximately AU$12 million, compared to the same period last year.

BCDA also cited PSA data showing that Australia emerged as the 13th largest trading partner of the Philippines last April 2023, with US$335.27 million in total trade.

CHED eyes grants to help nursing board examinees

THE Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Tuesday bared plans to provide grants to tertiary education institutions to support the review classes of nursing board exam takers.

CHED Chairman Prospero E. De Vera III disclosed they are planning to tap universities with “good track record in licensure tests” for the said initiative to help increase the country’s pool of licensed nurses.

He noted 50 percent of those who take the Nursing Licensure Exam (NLE) pass the said test.

“S o we will hold special review classes for those employed in the DOH [Department of Health] and in private hospitals as aides or assistants so that they can pass the licensure test and we can produce more graduates,” De Vera said.

Under the pr oposed scheme, private hospitals will pay for the review of their employees who did not pass the NLE.

Mean while, CHED will give grants to qualified schools to provide the free reviews to non-board passers, who are not employed in medical institutions.

We’re going to negotiate with the schools on what rate they will apply and

help mobilize funds for it on the part of DOH [Department of Health] and the private hospitals,” De Vera said.

CHED noted the amount of the grant would differ per school depending on the rate they charge for their reviews, which may range from P6,000 to P10,000 per examinee.

T he government wants to boost the number of its licensed nurses since they remain in demand here in and abroad.

Aside fr om increasing the number of NLE passers, the government lifted the 10-year moratorium for the creation of nursing board exams, which is expected to produce 2,052 new nursing graduates by academic year 2027-2028.

It is also dev eloping programs to train health-care associates and healthcare assistants to help address local nursing shortages.

“If the nurses ar e de-loaded of some of the work they do, they can focus on patient care to cover more patients,” De Vera said.

C iting figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), CHED estimates the country needs to produce 126,044 additional nurses to meet local demand for the said health-care professionals.

₧40

BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Chairman Delfin N. Lorenzana briefs Australian investors on the Marcos administration’s “Build Better More” program, as well as the BCDA’s crucial role in this massive infrastructure buildup. BCDA PHOTO

Tripping causes brief power outage in some Meralco franchise areas; ‘yellow’ alert hoisted

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

SOME parts of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) franchise area experienced power interruption on Tuesday due to a tripping that led to the decrease of 396 megawatts (MW) in the utility firm’s power supply.

“At 10:58 a.m., an automatic load dropping [ALD] occurred.… The service interruption affected approximately 500,000 Meralco customers in portions of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon. Power was fully restored by 11:06 a.m. or after eight minutes,” Meralco said.

‘Yellow alert’

SEPARATELY, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued a yellow alert notice from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. after available capacity reached 12,705 megawatt (MW) as against a peak

demand of 12,222 MW. A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s regulating reserve and contingency requirement.

In response to the NGCP’s declaration of yellow alert, we activated the Interruptible Load Program [ILP] and are currently securing de-loading commitments from our big-load customers. These customers will be on standby in case there’s a need to de-load to help avoid service interruptions. We continue to monitor the situation and are ready to implement contingency measures

as needed,” Meralco added.

T he Department of Energy (DOE) said the tripping of San Lorenzo Natural Gas Power Plant Modules 50 and 60 at 267 MW each, at around 10:58 a.m., caused the decline in grid frequency to 58.915 Hz.  Similarly, the DOE noted that the scheduled contingency reserve is already below the level of the highest unit online.

“Load Dropping were reported to have occurred at NGCP and Meralco feeders following the tripping of San Lorenzo, but were immediately restored at 11:06 a.m. for Meralco customers and at 11:04 a.m. for

NGCP customers. As of this report, the DOE is still coordinating with San Lorenzo and other stakeholders for the cause of the tripping,” the DOE said. M eanwhile, generators on forced outage are: SLPGC 1 (150MW), Ilijan Block A  (600MW), Ilijan Block B (600MW), Ipower 1 (11MW), La Farge 2 (6MW), San Lorenzo 50 (266MW), San Lorenzo 60 (264MW). G enerators with de-rated capacities are Calaca 2 (170MW), Sual 1 (300MW), Masinloc 3 (300MW), Magat HEPP (212MW), San Roque HEPP (336MW).

P6.6-billion project seeks to boost Mindanao IPs’ farm productivity

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) signed an agreement to implement a P6.6 billion project that seeks to boost farm productivity of indigenous peoples (IP) in Mindanao.

T he DA and NCIP signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to implement the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) to resolve persistent poverty among IPs.

The project specifically aims to enhance agricultural productivity and improve access to market and services for farmers and fisherfolk in selected ancestral domains in the region.

I t has a total cost of P6.6 billion, wherein P5.3 billion will be coming from a World Bank loan financing scheme.

D A Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said, “MIADP is designed to build the

capabilities of local governments to increase the farm productivity and business opportunities of 120,000 indigenous farmers and fisherfolk in six regions across Mindanao.”

“ This is a project that corrects a long history of neglect on the part of our government and society,” he added.

For his part, NCIP chairperson Allen Capuyan also underscored the importance of the indigenous community in the southern

Making the right decisions: UNFPA cites ‘benefits’ of declining PHL fertility rate

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE Philippines has to make the right investment and policy decisions in order to reap the benefits of the declining fertility rate in the country, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

In a statement released on Tuesday, UNFPA Philippines Country

Representative Leila Saiji Joudane said that the Philippines is currently at a “unique crossroads” with its changing demographics.

“As the country is undergoing a demographic transition, the country will need to work towards demographic resilience: the quality or state of being able to adapt and thrive amid demographic changes,” Joudane said.

UNFPA said demographic dividend refers to economic growth resulting from changes in a population’s structure and characteristics.

Currently, it explained that the declining fertility rate of the Philippines would result in a window of opportunity where the country has a productive population that is larger than its dependent population.

However, it said the demographic dividend is not automatic. Therefore, “the country will have to make the right investments and policy decisions in order for it to reap its benefits by investing in people throughout their life course.”

Joudane said the demographic dividend could be a “powerful force.” In order to reap its benefits, however, she said, “We need to

ensure the rights of people—especially those most left behind—and provide access to quality education, health care, and employment opportunities. We need to also address gender inequality and other injustices that limit people from reaching their full potential.”

The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey reported that the total fertility rate for 15 to 49 year-old women has declined from 2.7 children in 2017 to 1.9 children in 2022, which is now below the replacement level of 2.1. It is important to note the regional disparities in fertility rate across the country. In Manila, the total fertility rate is 1.2 while Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s total fertility rate is at 3.1.

“Downward trends in fertility rates can be viewed as either an opportunity for a country’s development or a cause of concern. But as stated in the State of the World Population [SWP] Report 2023, we should be asking the right questions. It’s not whether the fertility rate is too high or too low or if there are too many or too few people,” Joudane said.

The UN country representative underscored, “What is important is that all individuals, especially women, are equipped to thrive and exercise their basic human right to sexual and reproductive autonomy.”

For World Population Day 2023, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Philippine Legislators’ Commit-

tee on Population and Development (PLCPD) held a high-level meeting at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila to share with government, development partners, private sector and civil society leaders the importance of harnessing the 8-billion strong global population and the unique opportunity that the Philippines faces.

For her part, CPD Executive Director Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales said, “We are keen on fulfilling the objective of optimizing demographic opportunities, as well as addressing the remaining population issues and challenges, so that we can maximize the Philippines’ socioeconomic dividend and have improved quality of life for Filipinos.”

Bersales noted that there has been a steady decline in the country’s total fertility rate since 1973 from an average of 6.0 children per woman to 1.9 last year. “The steep decline in 2022, however, needs further study to determine how much of the decline is the effect of Covid-19,” she added.

For his part, PLCPD Executive Director Romeo Dongeto said, “We have had unprecedented success in policymaking on population and human development in the last 10 years.”

We call on lawmakers and other decision makers in the government to continue working to close the gaps in laws and policies so that the remaining challenges, including maternal deaths, are addressed and the rights of women and girls are fulfilled,” Dongeto added.

QC to produce interactive books on climate change for children

THE Quezon City Government is set to produce interactive storybooks for the youth and children with disabilities through the Inclusive Climate Action Cities Fund (ICA Fund) administered by the C40 Cities.

Through the ICA Fund, the city will develop a series of “QC Local Climate Action Plan For Kids” books that will discuss the solutions and initiatives to address the effects of climate change. These will be the inclusive and child-friendly versions of the City’s Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan for 2021 to 2050.

The books will be designed for preschool to high school students, spanning ages 4 to 18, and will be crafted in various

versions to accommodate individuals with varying needs and limitations.

“I am proud to join other leading mayors in the world in advancing inclusive and equitable climate action with the support of C40’s new Inclusive Climate Action Fund. In Quezon City, we recognize the need for inclusive and accessible information dissemination that caters to all residents, of all backgrounds, educational attainment and age groups, to better engage them in our climate action initiatives,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said. About 45 percent of Quezon City’s household population is composed of young QCitizens, including those who experience limitations and disabilities.

The city’s climate actions will be presented in an interactive picture storybook or pop-up book format to cater to the most vulnerable sector, including children with disabilities, informal settler families, and out-of-school youth.

They will be made accessible in braille and audiobook formats, ensuring that children of all abilities and ages can actively engage in climate action.

“ This shows our continuing commitment to inclusive climate action for all. This project will help address this priority, putting the needs of the youth and children with disabilities at the forefront of its design and delivery,” the mayor added.

Philippine region.

“ The indigenous community is a very significant sector in Mindanao. Almost one half of the Mindanao land area is ancestral domains and also half of the Mindanao population is IP,” he said.

I am very glad that the MOA signing will formalize everything so that the communities in Mindanao will become resilient, relevant and responsive,” Capuyan added.

Under the agreement, DA will

lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and other relevant activities.

It will also provide technical support and assistance and ensure that all activities will be in accordance with environmental and social safeguards.

Moreover, NCIP shall select and endorse IPs and Indigenous Cultural Communities and facilitate processes related to the conduct of the program, including

the gathering of necessary data such as Ancestral Domain Title, Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim, Certificate of Ancestral Land Title, and other pertinent documents.

T he MIADP has a social preparation component that will capacitate IP organizations during the first year of implementation. It is expected to commence by August this year and will run until 2028. Raadee S. Sausa

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S)

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this

Office application/s for

BusinessMirror A7 www.businessmirror.com.ph Wednesday, July 12, 2023

38

BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

RONG, WENKANG Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Brief Job Description: Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

CASA ESCONDIDA VI VAN DUOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

related BPO experience Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

ZHU, CONGHUI Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Brief Job Description: Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

44 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 46

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite P. IMES CORP. Block 16, Phase 4, Cavite Economic Zone, Tejeros Convention, Rosario, Cavite

45 MAEDA, TAKANORI Program Manager 3 Brief Job Description: Responsible to overall process control

PHILIPPINE PRECISION

TECHNOLOGY, INC. 108 Accuracy Drive, Carmelray Industrial Park, Canlubang, City of Calamba, Laguna

Managing Director

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite Basic Qualification: Must have experience in the same field Salary Range: Php60,000 - Php89,999 47

Brief Job Description: Exercise all functions and responsibilities as may be delegated to him by the Board of Directors

Basic Qualification: College graduate and with relevant experience

Salary Range: Php150,000 - Php499,999

48

TOYOTA TSUSHO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Blk. 4 Lot 2, Main Road 3, Calamba Premiere Industrial Park, Batino, City of Calamba, Laguna

FUKUDA, EIICHI General Manager

Brief Job Description: Create business sales and sales administrative strategies to achieve corporate goals.

Basic Qualification: 7 to10-year work experience in sales administration, export and import warehousing logistics activities.

Salary Range: Php500,000 and above

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 Regional Office IV-A located at 3rd and 4th Floors, Andenson Building II, Parian, Calamba City, Laguna, within 30 days after this publication.

Please inform DOLE Regional Office IV-A if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. 2nd, 3rd, And 4th Floors,

Indonesia warns nuclear weapons put Southeast Asia ‘one miscalculation away from apocalypse’

By Edna Tarigan & Niniek Karmini The Associated Press

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi raised the alarm ahead of a two-day summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations starting Tuesday in Jakarta. The agenda will spotlight Myanmar’s deadly civil strife, continuing tensions in the South China Sea and efforts to fortify regional economies amid the global headwinds set off by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Later in the week, the 10-nation bloc will meet Asian and Western counterparts, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese foreign policy overseer Wang Yi.

The US-China rivalry is not

By Edith M. Lederer

The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS—Sporadic armed clashes between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and government forces are straining peace efforts, and the rivals are now also battling over revenue from ports, trade, banking and natural resources, the country’s UN envoy said Monday.

Special Representative Hans Grundberg told the UN Security Council that the fight over economic wealth “has become inseparable from the political and military conflict.”

While fighting has decreased markedly in Yemen since a truce in April 2022, he said, “continued sparks of violence alongside public threats to return to large-scale fighting increase fear and tensions.”

Grundberg said Yemenis have enjoyed the longest period of relative calm since the civil war erupted in 2014, but “the situation on the ground remains fragile and challenging.” He pointed to clashes in five frontline areas, including Hodeida where Yemen’s main port is and the oil-rich eastern province of Marib, which Iran-backed Houthi rebels attempted to seize in 2021.

Yemen’s conflict began when the Houthis swept down from their northern stronghold and chased the internationally recognized government from the capital of Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year on behalf of the government and in time the conflict turned into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The war has devastated Yemen, already the Arab region’s poorest country, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. More than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, have been killed.

The restoration of Saudi-Iran ties in April has raised hopes of progress in ending the conflict.

Grundberg said that although the truce was not renewed when it expired last October, the lessening of combat has opened the door for serious discussions with the parties on ending the war. He urged both sides to take “bold steps” toward peace.

“This means an end to the conflict that promises accountable national and local governance, economic and environmental justice, and guarantees of equal citizenship for all Yemenis, regardless of gender, faith, background or race,” he said.

On the economic front, Grundberg said,

formally on Asean’s agenda but looms large over the meetings of the bloc, an often-unwieldy collective of democracies, autocracies and monarchies, with some members split over allegiances either to Washington or Beijing.

“We cannot be truly safe with nuclear weapons in our region,” Marsudi told fellow Asean ministers. “With nuclear weapons, we are only one miscalculation away from apocalypse and global catastrophe.”

In 1995, Asean members signed a treaty that declared Southeast Asia’s commitment to be a nuclear weapon-free zone, one of five in the world. However, Marsudi lamented that none of

the world’s leading nuclear powers have signed on to the pact and called for renewed efforts to convince those states to sign up.

“The threat is imminent, so we can no longer play a waiting game,” she said.

A draft communiqué expected on Wednesday mentions the possibility of a first nuclear weapons state finally signing the treaty but says that there would have to be written assurances that the treaty was being ratified “without reservations.”

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the draft.

The communiqué did not identify the prospective state. However, two Southeast Asian diplomats attending the Jakarta meetings told the AP it was China. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.

Meanwhile, Myanmar’s generals have again been banned from attending the Asean summit for refusing to ease a deadly civil strife sparked by the military’s seizure of power more than two years ago.

Asean has been under international pressure to address the

crisis in Myanmar since the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and plunged the country into deadly chaos.

Security forces have killed more than 3,750 civilians, including pro-democracy activists, and nearly 24,000 have been arrested since the military takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group that keeps tallies of arrests and casualties.

Myanmar’s military government has largely ignored a plan by Asean heads of state that includes an immediate end to the violence, prompting the bloc to take an unprecedented step and bar Myanmar’s military leaders from its top-level gatherings, including the foreign ministerial meetings.

The generals responded by accusing the Asean of violating the bloc’s bedrock principles of nonintervention in each other’s domestic affairs.

With the Myanmar crisis dragging on, Asean members appear divided over how to proceed, with Thailand recommending easing punitive actions aimed at isolating Myanmar’s generals and inviting its military-appointed top diplomat and officials back to highprofile meetings.

Since assuming Asean’s rotating chairmanship this year,

Indonesia has initiated some 110 meetings with groups in Myanmar and provided humanitarian aid to build trust, Marsudi said.

At the summit, Asean foreign ministers are expected to renew a call for self-restraint in “activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability,” according to the draft communiqué, repeating language used in previous statements that does not name China.

Asean members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have been embroiled in long-simmering territorial conflicts with China and Taiwan for decades. Asean and China have been negotiating a non-aggression pact that aims to prevent an escalation of the disputes, but the talks have faced years of delay.

The disputed waters have emerged as a delicate front in the rivalry between China and the United States. Washington has challenged Beijing’s expansive territorial claims and regularly deploys warships and fighter jets in what it calls freedom of navigation and overflight patrols that have infuriated China.

T he Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

the value of the Yemeni riyal has dropped more than 25 percent against the US dollar in the past 12 months in the southern port city of Aden, which is now the seat of the internationally recognized government. Conflict-related road closures have more than doubled the cost of transporting goods, he said.

Joyce Msuya, the UN Assistant SecretaryGeneral for humanitarian affairs, said 17.3 million of Yemen’s 21.6 million people need aid. She said one of the main reasons for the immense level of humanitarian needs is the deteriorating economy.

“Only by stabilizing the economy can we reduce the staggering number of people in need,” she said. She said that includes “the long overdue resumption of oil exports from government-held areas” and an end to the “obstruction to the transport of commercial goods from government- to Houthi-controlled areas.”

Halfway through the year, Msuya said, the $4.3 billion UN appeal for Yemen is only 29 percent funded and the World Food Program’s operation to help the severely malnourished is reaching just 40 percent of needs. Without more funding by September, she said WFP “may be forced to cut as many as five million people from food assistance.”

UN humanitarian coordinator David Gressly reported a key step in efforts to avoid an environmental disaster in the Red Sea, telling the council that the Houthis provided authorization Monday for the transfer of 1.1 million barrels of crude oil from the Safer, a rusting tanker moored 50 kilometers (31 miles) northeast of the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida.

The Yemeni government bought the tanker in the 1980s to store up to 3 million barrels of oil pumped from the Marib oil fields. Because of the war, the tanker was not maintained since 2015, with seawater seeping into the hull causing damage that increased the risk of sinking and a major oil spill.

Gressly said that since the salvage ship Ndeavor arrived at the Safer site May 30 it has stabilized the tanker so its oil can be transferred. He said the tanker Nautica is preparing to sail from Djibouti and should start taking on oil from the Safer by early next week. The operation will take about two weeks, he said.

“The completion of the ship-to-ship transfer of the oil will be a moment when the whole world can heave a sign of relief,” Gressly said.

Nato summit boosted by Turkey’s decision to stop blocking Sweden’s bid to join alliance

By Chris Megerian, Seung Min Kim & Karl Ritter

The Associated Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania—Nato opened its summit Tuesday with fresh momentum after Turkey withdrew its objections to Sweden joining the alliance, a step toward the unity that Western leaders have been eager to demonstrate in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The decision by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is a significant move toward Sweden’s membership and it will alleviate tension in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital. The deal was reached after days of intensive meetings, and it’s poised to expand the alliance’s strength in Northern Europe.

“Rumors of the death of Nato’s unity were greatly exaggerated,” Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, told reporters triumphantly on Tuesday.

As part of the deal, Erdogan said he would ask Turkey’s parliament to approve Sweden joining Nato. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, another holdout, is expected to take a similar step.

The outcome is a victory for President Joe Biden as well, who has touted Nato’s expansion as an example of how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has backfired on Moscow. Finland has already become the 31st member of the alliance, and Sweden is on deck to become the 32nd. Both Nordic countries were historically nonaligned until the war increased fears of Russian aggression.

Because of the deal on Sweden’s membership, “this summit is already historic before it has started,” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Biden started his Tuesday by meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, where he emphasized his commitment to transatlantic cooperation.

“Nothing happens here that doesn’t affect us,” Biden said. He expressed confidence in Sweden’s path to finalizing its membership in Nato.

Biden and Erdogan were scheduled to meet Tuesday evening, and it was unclear

how some of the Turkish president’s other demands will be resolved. He has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union. The White House has expressed support for both, but publicly insisted that the issues were not related to Sweden’s membership in Nato.

“I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area,” Biden said in a statement late Monday.

The phrasing was a nod to Biden’s commitment to help Turkey acquire new F-16 fighter jets, according to an administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly.

The Biden administration has backed Turkey’s desire to buy 40 new F-16s as well as modernization kits from the US. It’s a move some in Congress, most notably Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J, have opposed over Turkey blocking Nato membership for Sweden, its human rights record and other concerns.

In Washington, Menendez said he was “continuing to have my reservations” on providing the fighter aircraft to Turkey. If

the Biden administration could show that Turkey wouldn’t use the F-16s belligerently against other Nato members, particularly its neighbor Greece, and meet other conditions, “then there may be a way forward,” Menendez told reporters.

Nato leaders still have other big questions to address at the two-day summit, particularly Ukraine’s desire to join Nato.

The Baltic states—including Lithuania, which is hosting the event—have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.

The United States and Germany have resisted that, and Biden said last week that Ukraine wasn’t ready to join. Members of Nato, he told CNN, need to “meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues,” a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.

In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into Nato would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as deterrence against aggression.

Stoltenberg wrote in Foreign Affairs on Monday that the alliance would “upgrade our political ties” by forming a Nato-Ukraine

Council, which would be “a platform for decisions and crisis consultation.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the summit on Wednesday and he and Biden were scheduled to meet, Sullivan said.

Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine will eventually become a member of Nato, a commitment first made in 2008 under President George W. Bush. The Nato chief did not outline more specifics.

However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Nato had agreed to forgo requiring a “membership action plan,” a decision that he said “shortens our path to Nato.”

Stoltenberg reiterated that point on Tuesday.

“Ukraine is much closer to Nato so I think the time has come to reflect that in other Nato decisions,” he said.

Sullivan said allies were debating the “precise nature” of Ukraine’s pathway to membership in the alliance. However, he promised that the summit would demonstrate how Putin’s hopes for fractures within Nato will be unfulfilled.

“He has been disappointed from every turn,” he said. “Vilnius will continue to disappoint him.”

Biden is on a five-day trip to Europe, with the Nato summit as its centerpiece.

The president spent Monday in the United Kingdom, where he met at Windsor Castle with King Charles III for the first time since he ascended to the throne. They discussed mobilizing financial support to combat climate change.

Biden also visited 10 Downing St. in London for talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. It was their sixth meeting, a reflection of close ties between the two countries.

After the Nato summit ends on Wednesday, Biden will travel to Helsinki to celebrate Finland’s recent entry into Nato and meet with Nordic leaders.

T he Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani, Zeke Miller and Lisa Mascaro in Washington and Lorne Cook in Vilnius, Lithuania, contributed to this report.

JAKARTA, Indonesia—Indonesia’s top diplomat warned Tuesday of the threat posed by nuclear weapons, saying that Southeast Asia is “one miscalculation away from apocalypse” and pressing for world powers to sign a treaty to keep the region free from such arms.

INDONESIAN Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi applauds during the opening of the Meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Commission at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

TURKEY’S President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, shakes hands with Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, right, as Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg looks on prior to a meeting ahead of a Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Monday, July 10, 2023. YVES HERMAN, POOL PHOTO VIA AP

Yemen’s rivals are not only clashing on the ground but battling economically for revenue from ports

Editor: Angel R. Calso

How to empower small-scale farmers

Small-Scale farmers produce up to 70 percent of food in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines, yet they are often the first to go to bed hungry. The International Fund for agricultural Development (IFaD) noted that about 80 percent of the world’s poorest people live in the rural areas of developing countries. (See, “IFAD bats for more investments in rural areas to curb food insecurity,” in the BusinessMirror, July 5, 2023) The United Nations environment Program said small-scale farmers are those with a low asset base and operating in less than two hectares of cropland and are operating under structural constraints, such as access to resources, technology and markets.

Despite their importance in food production, IFAD said small-scale farmers earn a mere $0.06 for every $1 worth of food they produce on average. At an exchange rate of P55 for every greenback, the amount is equivalent to P3.30. Apart from low income, small-scale farmers are also disadvantaged in terms of global climate finance and official development assistance. IFAD said small-scale farmers receive less than 2 percent of global climate finance, and ODA to agriculture has been stagnant at 4 to 6 percent for at least two decades.

Nowhere is that situation more evident than in the Philippines. While their incomes have shown incremental improvement in recent years, farmers and fishers remain as the poorest basic sectors in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In a report released in March, the PSA noted that poverty incidence among fishers and farmers in 2021 were at 30.6 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

Not surprisingly, rural areas recorded the highest number of poor population in 2021, according to PSA data. It appears that rural areas, farmers and the farm sector are not getting enough attention from policymakers. While education is important and infrastructure projects can immediately create jobs, a sluggish agriculture sector will make it more difficult for the Marcos administration to achieve its economic goals.

The President is currently at the helm of the Department of Agriculture, and he has promised to whip it into shape and turn the sector into a significant growth driver. One of the most significant moves the Marcos administration has done is to enact a measure that condoned the debts of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), most of whom continue to struggle to make their land productive. (See, “Agrarian emancipation law signed; debts of 600K ARBs to be condoned,” in the BusinessMirror, July 7, 2023) The government is optimistic that the amount it condoned will be used as production capital by the ARBs.

Condoning their debt is welcome news for planters, but they need other forms of assistance such as modern farm equipment and an agricultural extension program that will help them improve their productivity. Extension services will allow farmers to get the support they need for their production activities and learn new ideas from research institutes.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the purpose of agricultural extension is to advance not only production knowledge, but also the whole range of agricultural development tasks, such as credit, supplies, marketing and markets. The government can empower Filipino farmers by providing the necessary inputs and services to support their agricultural production.

Since 2005

Cabangon Chua Founder

Bond vigilantes are calling the shots in emerging markets now

By Ezra Fieser, Selcuk Gokoluk & Maria Elena Vizcaino

IT didn’t take Nigerian President Bola Tinubu long to comprehend his situation. With the country’s stash of hard currency dwindling, investors, not policy makers, were in command. So, on his second week in office, he gave them what they wanted, sacking the central bank chief and devaluing the currency.

Days earlier, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the long-standing leader of Turkey, had reluctantly come to the same conclusion. Out went the architects of the economy’s byzantine web of rules and restrictions and in came the Wall Street pros to simplify policy to woo back disgruntled investors. Stocks and bonds surged.

Such is the new dynamic of power in a world of rapidly rising interest rates. Investors are demanding economic orthodoxy and, for the first time in almost two decades, are in a position to make sure their voices are heard. Across the developing world—in Colombia, Egypt and, to a certain degree, even in Argentina, a perennial market pariah—governments are pivoting away from

heterodox policies. When interest rates in G-7 countries were hovering near zero and cash was flowing freely around the globe, there was little angst in policy circles about alienating investors.

But when those investors can suddenly rake in 5 percent or more— stress-free—by parking their cash in US T-bills or blue-chip corporate bonds, policy makers have to work a lot harder to entice them into providing the financing needed to pay teachers, build highways and power economic growth.  That means either dangling astronomically high yields—an unsustainable approach over time—or committing to the sorts of basic policies long favored by the Davos crowd:

fiscal austerity, limited government intervention in the economy and simple rules for moving money in and out of the country.

“You have this battle between placating your common person as well as the people that voted for you with maintaining external investors, who obviously help your balance of payments and reserves,” said Mark Hughes, who manages a portion of the $400 billion in assets at Western Asset Management. “Ultimately, when we see politicians or policy makers make difficult decisions, for us that’s a good thing.”

The reform stories are proving to be some of the biggest surprises in a year in which emerging markets have failed to live up to investors’ optimism, as China’s reopening fizzled and central bankers kept raising interest rates.

On average, sovereign bonds from five countries—Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, Nigeria and Turkey—handed investors a return of 6 percent since the start of June, compared to a 1.8 percent return across

government debt from developing nations, according to a Bloomberg index.

The shifts are the latest in a long-standing tug-of-war between government officials and bond vigilantes, as economist Ed Yardeni famously called investors in the 1980s for their ability to mete out punishment when they disapproved of policy decisions.

Their influence waned greatly this century, drowned out by quantitative easing across the developed world, but the key role that the bond market played in taking down the Liz Truss government after just 44 days signaled the balance of power was shifting once again. The UK, of course, isn’t a developing nation— despite the mocking jabs of its harshest critics— and yet, the message was crystal-clear: This is a dangerous time for fiscal experimentation or any policy that is unconventional in nature. High borrowing costs are forcing corporate CFOs and finance ministers alike to play by the market’s rules

See “Bond,” A15

Myanmar violence and sea disputes to dominate Asean talks joined by US, Russian and Chinese envoys

By Niniek Karmini & Jim Gomez | The Associated Press

JaK aRTa, Indonesia—myanmar’s prolonged civil strife, tensions in the disputed South china Sea and concern over arms buildups in the region are expected to dominate the agenda when Southeast asia’s top diplomats gather for talks this week in Indonesia.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the US-China rivalry will also be under the spotlight as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang participate as dialogue partners of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui will not attend the Asean Regional Forum, an annual security meeting, Indonesian Foreign Ministry official Sidharto Suryodipuro told a news conference on Monday, without elaborating. It’s also unclear who among the key figures in the world’s most intractable conflicts will meet on the sidelines of the group’s ministerial meetings.

The top diplomats of Asean, which consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, will meet Tuesday and Wednesday before their Asian and Western counterparts join them in discussions on Thursday and Friday.

Founded in 1967, the often-unwieldy collective of democracies, autocracies and monarchies has been held together for decades by bedrock

principles of non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs and consensus-based decision-making. But that approach has also prevented the 10-nation bloc from dealing swiftly with crises that spill across borders.

Asean’s principles have been tested since Myanmar’s army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and plunged the country into deadly chaos. More than 3,750 civilians, including pro-democracy activists, have been killed by security forces and nearly 24,000 arrested since the military takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group that keeps tallies of such arrests and casualties.

Myanmar’s military government has largely ignored a five-point plan by Asean heads of state that includes an immediate end to the violence and dialogue among all contending parties. That prompted the regional group to take an unprecedented punitive step by barring Myanmar’s military leaders from its top-level gatherings, including the ministerial meetings, which Indonesia will host.

Since assuming Asean’s rotating chairmanship this year, Indonesia has initiated some 110 meetings with

groups in Myanmar and provided humanitarian aid to build trust, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, adding that continuing violence would hurt efforts to return the nation to normalcy within Asean.

“Asean is still very concerned about the increasing use of violence in Myanmar which has resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of public facilities,” Retno told a news conference on Friday. “This must stop immediately.”

Two months ago, an aid convoy with Indonesian and Singaporean embassy representatives on an Asean mission to provide help to displaced people came under fire from unknown attackers in a road ambush in Myanmar’s eastern Shan State. A security team returned fire and a security vehicle was damaged, but no one in the convoy was injured, state-run television MRTV reported.

Asean is under international pressure to effectively address the crisis in Myanmar. But Asean members appear divided over how to proceed; with some recommending to ease punitive actions aimed at isolating Myanmar’s generals and invite its top diplomat and officials back to the high-profile summit meetings.

Retno stressed the group would continue to focus on enforcing the Asean leaders’ five-point plan.

A draft of a post-meeting communiqué to be issued by the Asean foreign ministers remained blank on Myanmar, reflecting the difficulty of reaching agreement on the issue.

Their concerns over other contentious issues, such as the South China Sea disputes, were included in the draft, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

Dewi Fortuna Anwar, director of the Jakarta-based think tank Habibie Center, said the situation in Myanmar could become a long-term problem like the South China Sea disputes given Asean’s limited capacity to solve it. The bloc, however, should try to convince Myanmar’s military government that it has better options, she said.

“It’s recalcitrant. Its determination to hang on to power is not going to be sustainable because it’s only going to incite conflicts,” Anwar told the AP.

Myanmar is scheduled next year to assume the role of coordinating Asean’s engagements with the European Union. But the EU, which has imposed sanctions on the military government, has opposed such a role for Myanmar, two Southeast Asian diplomats told the AP on condition of anonymity because they lack authority to discuss the issue publicly.

On the South China Sea conflicts, Asean foreign ministers are expected to renew a call for self-restraint “in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability,” according to the draft communiqué, repeating language used in previous statements that does not name China.

The complex path in the investigation of potentially unlawful deaths

By Gustavo Gonzalez

THE challenge of preventing unlawful killings is global. We just need to look at the most recent news on media to understand its dimensions and social impact. I have in mind the killing in 2017 of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, at the hands of police. In this case, investigations resulted in the conviction of the responsible police officers. But in most cases, there is no CCTV footage, basic elements of investigations are lacking, and families of victims are left without the truth of what happened to their loved ones, while perpetrators walk free and are not held accountable.

Last week, the Philippine government together with the United Nations (UN) under the UN Joint Program for Human Rights took a significant step to help address this. In partnership with global and Philippine experts, 26 participants, including representatives of government agencies, senior level prosecutors, security forces, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and civil society came together in a week-long intensive training to discuss how to implement the so-called “Minnesota Protocol” on the investigation of potentially unlawful death (2016) in the country. Internationally, the Minnesota Protocol is considered to be the gold standard in such investigations. It sets out the relevant legal framework, and elaborates on the conduct of an investigation, including the investigation process, witness interviews and protection, recovery of human remains, identification of dead bodies, types of evidence and sampling, autopsies and the analysis of human remains, as well as several guidelines, annexes and pictorial charts including anatomical sketches.

The firm grounding in the Minnesota Protocol and other international human rights standards was a unique feature of the training. Facilitators and participants applied these to practical exercises, real-life scenarios, and best practices from other countries where the Minnesota Protocol is adapted to the national forensic guidelines.

Last week’s training brought together global experts in this field.

Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz, a forensic doctor who currently serves as UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary killings, has conducted fact-finding, technical assessments and capacity-building missions in over 70 countries. In 1987, the Presidential Committee on Human Rights of the Philippines invited him, in his capacity as director of the Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology, to train Philippine investigators on the recovery, identification and documentation of the remains of the disappeared.

Stephen Cordner, Professor of Forensic Medicine at Monash University with experience globally, has undertaken autopsies in, and/or death investigations from most jurisdictions of Australia, New Zealand, Timor Leste, Fiji and other Pacific Island nations, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, India, Jamaica, Canada, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Atty. Kingsley Abbot has worked at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia and as a Trial Counsel in the Office of the Prosecutor at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the Hague and has contributed to the development of the Minnesota Protocol as part of the International Commission of Jurists. Dr. Luis Fondebrider, co-founder and long-term head of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF), has worked in 60 countries advising the ICRC and the UN, and has provided advice to truth commissions and international criminal tribunals. Ms. Leone Scott is a former police officer that has led and contributed to the development of methodologies for victim and survivor interviewing and investigative interviewing, with a particular focus on handling and effective interviewing of vulnerable and at-risk victims and witnesses, including victims of

Global experience shows that the application of the Minnesota Protocol either through enacting legislation or adapting the Protocol into the existing manuals or guidelines at the domestic level has proven to be a useful tool for investigating cases of unlawful killings and enforced disappearances.

sexual assault and abuse. National experts, including Dr. Raquel Fortun and Dr. Cecilia Lim of the University of the Philippines (UP) Medical College also facilitated sessions.

Global experience shows that the application of the Minnesota Protocol either through enacting legislation or adapting the Protocol into the existing manuals or guidelines at the domestic level has proven to be a useful tool for investigating cases of unlawful killings and enforced disappearances. Its practical approach complements other protocols such as the so-called “Istanbul Protocol” on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

For example, training participants explored what the Minnesota Protocol says about interviewing victims and witnesses and were able to compare this to their everyday work. They also worked in teams to solve resources constraints that may exist when arriving at crime scenes.

The training program is just one element contributing towards strengthening investigations and addressing impunity. The weeklong session also served to go more indepth on issues related to legal and policy reform, and to explore how to strengthen forensic capacity in the Philippines, which is one of the key priorities of the Department of Justice (DOJ). In this sense, the establishment of a National Forensic Institute, legislation related to mandatory autopsies, adoption of specialized training for Philippine doctors, and further cascading of knowledge about the Minnesota Protocol to be used alongside domestic procedures in all regions of the Philippines are all elements that will definitely strengthen accountability. Cooperation with other countries, including in the Southeast Asia region, will also contribute to exchanges on best practices.

The participation of the academe and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the training, together with prosecutors, investigators and medical personnel, has been critical. This enhanced a common understanding of the investigation procedures and steps to be taken when investigating potentially unlawful killings, and may also help strengthen coordination among different stakeholders. A trust building investment.

The Minnesota Protocol provides civil society actors with another tool in their advocacy, and a framework for detailed engagement with state actors when helping families of those killed. Through a framework of State obligations, such as the duty to investigate, the Minnesota Protocol outlines the steps of what is required, so that victim family members and CSOs supporting them can ask detailed questions related to what steps have and have not been taken.

As the UN, we are certainly proud of bringing the best knowledge and expertise to address complex development issues, such as justice and accountability. Without them, development risks not being as sustainable as we want.

We remain committed to continuing the work towards the full implementation of the Minnesota Protocol, and appreciate the constructive engagement that has started in this area, which is supported now by nine strong friends of the Philippines –contributors to the UN Joint Program for Human Rights.

Russian mercenary leader Prigozhin’s commanders met Putin after short-lived mutiny, pledged loyalty

By The Associated Press

Justfive days after staging a short-lived rebellion, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin’s commanders met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledged loyalty to the government, a senior government spokesman said Monday, the latest twist in a baffling episode that has raised questions about the power and influence both men wield.

The three-hour meeting took place on June 29 and involved not only Prigozhin but also commanders from his Wagner Group military contractor, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin gave an assessment of Wagner’s actions on the battlefield in Ukraine—where the mercenaries have fought alongside Russian troops—and of the revolt itself.

“The commanders themselves presented their version of what happened. They underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue to fight for their homeland,” Peskov said.

The confirmation that Putin met face-to-face with Prigozhin, who led troops on a march to Moscow last month to demand a military leadership change, was extraordinary. Though the Russian leader branded Prigozhin a traitor as the revolt unfolded and vowed harsh punishment, the criminal case against the mercenary chief on rebellion charges was later dropped.

Prigozhin has not commented on the Kremlin meeting, and his ultimate fate remains unclear, particularly since Monday’s announcement shows much is negotiated behind closed doors. He could still face prosecution for financial wrongdoing or other charges.

Monday’s announcement came as

Russia’s Defense Ministry published a video featuring military chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov—who was one of the targets of Prigozhin’s rebellion. It was the first time Gerasimov has been seen since the revolt.

In the video, Gerasimov is seated at a table with his team, watching a video report from the chief of staff of Russia’s aerospace forces about a missile attack on Russian territory on Sunday. Gerasimov responds by calling for preemptive strikes against missile bases and for improvements in missile defenses.

The twin updates appeared to be another attempt by the Kremlin to show it’s in control after a turbulent period, and to reflect Putin’s delicate balance between condemning the biggest threat to his 23-year rule and the man behind it while not alienating a popular figure whose troops scored the biggest battlefield victory for Russia in the past year of the war.

Former Putin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov told The Associated Press that Putin acknowledges Prigozhin’s patriotism and needs his forces on the front line, while Prigozhin needs Putin to ensure his freedom from prosecution. The two are negotiating as allies, with Prigozhin escaping punishment, Gallyamov said. Prigozhin “emerged victorious from this rebellion,” Gallyamov said in a Zoom interview from Tel Aviv. “He has shown himself to be the master of the situation.”

Adding to the unusual nature of the meeting was that until very recently, Putin had denied any link between the state and Prigozhin’s forces. Mercenaries are illegal in Russia, but Wagner troops have fought for Russian interests around the globe and played a vital role in the capture of Bakhmut in the war’s longest and bloodiest battle. Putin has confirmed that Prigozhin’s companies operated under government contracts.

Throughout the war, Prigozhin has criticized decisions made by Russia’s top military brass, leading to tensions with the Kremlin that culminated in the June 24 mutiny.

The rebellion severely weakened Putin’s authority, even though Prigozhin claimed the uprising was not aimed at the president but at removing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gerasimov. Prigozhin called off his mutiny after a deal was brokered for him to go to Belarus.

Mark Galeotti, an author who heads the consulting firm Mayak Intelligence, said the delicate dance with Prigozhin is “a further compromise on Putin’s part and reflects his unwillingness to take tough and ruthless personnel decisions.”

“He is willing to see Ukrainians bombed by the dozen, but not confront any of the figures in his own circle,” Galeotti wrote in The Spectator.

Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, predicted that some Russian observers would be stunned by the turn of events.

“When you look from the point of view of Russian elite, it’s ridiculous,” she told the AP. “It’s just so unbelievable and just so shocking.”

Days after the revolt, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Prigozhin was in Belarus. But

last week the president said the mercenary chief was in Russia while his troops remained in their camps.

Peskov said that during the June 29 meeting, Putin offered an “assessment” of Wagner’s actions on the battlefield in Ukraine and “of the events of June 24.” The president also “listened to the explanations of the commanders and offered them options for further employment and further use in combat,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

A total of 35 people took part in the meeting, Peskov said. Putin has given options to Prigozhin’s fighters: fight as part of the regular Russian army, retire from service or join Prigozhin in Belarus. A NATO summit later this week in Lithuania is looking at how to crank up the pressure on Moscow after 16 months of war.

In other developments, a Russian airstrike on a school in southern Ukraine killed seven people as residents gathered to receive humanitarian aid, authorities said, with the governor of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region branding the attack “a war crime.”

Gov. Yuriy Malashko said a guided aerial bomb caused an explosion Sunday at a school in Orikhiv, without providing evidence.

Overall, Russia fired on 10 settlements in the province over the course of a day, he said.

Moscow denies it targets civilian locations. Russia has been accused numerous times of doing so and committing other war crimes since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In March, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.

Make-or-break month for Thailand markets as parliament set to pick a prime minister

By Ian Sayson & Nurin Sofia

FOR Thai markets, July may

w ell be a make or break month as the nation’s parliament picks a prime minister, which would signal a successful transition of power after almost a decade of military-backed rule.

Since the May election—in which pro-democracy parties racked up the most seats but weren’t able to immediately form a government—global investors have sold more than a net $2.4 billion of stocks and bonds. The uncertainty from the prolonged process hurt the baht, which fell more than 3 percent.

Lawmakers will meet to endorse

the leader of an eight-party coalition led by Move Forward Party on Thursday. Should Pita Limjaroenrat fail to get enough support, analysts expect second-place Pheu Thai to

Bond . . .

continued from A14

or risk being punished. Today, the bonds of 16 emerging countries trade 10 percentage points or more over similar US Treasuries—the threshold considered distressed. Four years ago, it was only three.

“Countries are realizing you can’t go down the Lebanon route, the Venezuela route, the Zimbabwe route back in the day of continuing to do things irresponsibly,” said Charles Robertson, head of macro strategy at Frontier Investment Management Partners. “They’re doing it before they collapse, before the situation breaks.”

Money managers have been quick to reward them when they do change course. They pushed the Colombian peso to a world-beating currency rally after leftist President Gustavo Petro saw his ambitious social agenda scaled back by congress. They scooped up Argentina bonds after the nomination

lead instead. Either outcome will end stasis in government, and is likely to spur a series of market-friendly reforms and a relief rally.

“The election for prime minister should mark the end to political uncertainty for the next one to two years,” said Alan Richardson, a fund manager at Samsung Asset Management in Hong Kong. “For that reason, it should be viewed as the turning point for foreign fund selling and the start of a stock market recovery.”

The 10.3 percent slide in Thailand’s SET Index this year is among the steepest globally in major equity benchmarks, and the most in Asia. The nation’s bonds have seen a selloff of about $1.1 billion since the ballot.

Front-runner Pita needs the support of more than a quarter of the unelected Senate, a body appointed by the royalist military establishment.

Resistance to his leadership is based

of Sergio Massa as the Peronist party candidate signaled the October election would usher in a more marketfriendly administration.

In Egypt, which had lost its standing as an investor favorite, bonds rallied the most in emerging markets following the government’s stepped up efforts to sell state assets. And in Turkey, foreign investors piled into stocks at the fastest pace in more than two years in the wake of a decision by Erdogan’s new economic team to stop using foreign reserves to intervene in the currency market.

“Turkey’s much-awaited policy pivot is finally here—and it’s likely take a toll on growth through 2024.

The central bank started a slowburn tightening cycle in June with an initial 650-bp rate hike and partial dialing-back of macroprudential rules—all in line with our earlier calls,” said Bloomberg economist Selva Bahar Baziki.

Few places saw as dramatic a shift as Nigeria, which investors had

largely on Move Forward’s platform to amend a law that penalizes criticisms against the king and other royals. The parliament can meet more than once to vote until a clear winner emerges, further delaying the installation of a new government.

“Barring an extreme outcome, Thailand’s political risks look reasonably priced in at this point,” said Hong Kong-based Minyue Liu, an investment specialist at BNP Paribas Asset Management Asia Ltd. Once a government is installed, “the market should generally expect broad-based investor friendly reforms to follow.”

Liu and Samsung Asset’s Richardson have been buying Thai equities ahead of the selection. BNP Paribas is overweight Thailand in its Asia ex-Japan portfolio, according to Liu, favoring companies that will benefit from a tourism revival and additional

largely avoided in recent years amid concerns that unorthodox monetary policy was stoking inflation.

Following Tinubu’s changes, the currency immediately lost value against the dollar and global bonds rose to their highest levels of the year.

“Nigeria is the most obvious example where the new measures have really woken up the market and can make a serious fundamental difference,” said Nick Eisinger, a money manager at Vanguard Asset Services who was overweight on the debt in anticipation of Tinubu’s changes.

“The situation was so negative earlier and we then had very quick policy initiatives from the new president.”

Rally limits

ST ILL , there are questions over how long the rally can last. Some Wall Street veterans have warned that reform agendas often have a way of stalling, especially when they cause political fallout.  A broader run up in developing-

infrastructure investments. Once there’s a government, Richardson plans to add banks, retail, tourism, telecom and utilities, including Advanced Info Service Pcl and Gulf Energy Development Pcl.

The coalition’s unified stance on revitalizing the economy includes decentralizing the budget and dismantling monopolies, especially in the liquor industry. It aims to raise wages and review power costs. While there are signs of an economic pickup with a revival in tourism, a global slowdown is hurting Thai exports.

“We expect the focus to shift back to the economic agenda once the political situation stabilizes,” said Darunrat Piyayodilokchai, head of equities at abrdn (Thailand). “Thailand, as an export dependent economy, has also felt the impact of China’s stalling recovery,” she said.  WIth assistance from Anuchit Nguyen / Bloomberg

nation assets has already been held back by the slowness of China’s reopening, which is expected to ultimately drive demand for commodities, and the lack of a clear indication of when the Federal Reserve will stop tightening.

For investors like James Johnstone, however, that’s provided an opening to buy. Johnstone, who manages roughly $1 billion in emerging- and frontier-markets funds at London-based Redhweel, said policy shifts in countries like Argentina and Turkey ultimately prime them to outperform once a catalyst hits.

“We have an incredibly exciting cocktail of factors for a return of emerging markets that in some cases sadly haven’t done anything for 15 years,” he said. “The headwinds that faced this set of countries are suddenly becoming tailwinds and now you’re combining that with some political stability and a return to the mainstream.” With assistance from Zijia Song and Kathleen Hays / Bloomberg

A16 Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Malware attacks now more ‘sophisticated’–Kaspersky

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

I n a press briefing on Tuesday, Kaspersky Managing Director for Asia Pacific Adrian Hia said Kasperky recorded a 54-percent decline in malware detected on mobile devices in the Philippines -- to 34,010 attacks in 2022 from 15,372 the year prior.

“At this point, we can see that cybercriminals are still working on developing both malware functionality and spread vectors, so we should remain vigilant,” he said. “Our monitoring shows that malware is increasingly spreading through legitimate channels such as official marketplaces and ads in popular apps. This is true for both

scam apps and dangerous mobile banking malware. It’s a positive sign that people are now aware of cyber threats but awareness is not enough—it should ideally lead to action.”

H e noted that 70 percent of Southeast Asians believe that “security solution is needed to protect their phones from cyberattacks.”

A nd yet, only 26 percent admitted installing security solutions on their devices.

H ia also noted that cryptophishing attacks reached 24,737 in 2022, the second highest in Southeast Asia, which he said, means that “cybercriminals have

switched their attention to the crypto industry.”

T he increase in crypto-phishing attacks to the crypto market havoc last year and this year is expected to persist.

B ased on Kaspersky’s detection systems, an average of 400,000 new malicious files per day are discovered in 2022 reflecting a growth of 20,000 files per day compared to 2021. The new types of emerging threats range from advanced stealers targeting accounts of popular online gaming platforms or cryptowallets, to stalkerware that enables a perpetrator to secretly spy on another person’s private life via a mobile device.

“

It is therefore important for users to have the answers to all possible scenarios, so they can carry on living their digital lives with confidence—whether it’s ‘farming gold’ in their favorite MMORPG, introducing kids to their first tablet, arranging a video call for senior members of the family or simply looking to explore and try the next big thing like building a smart home or taking a tour of the metaverse,” Hia added.

D uring the briefing, Kaspersky also introduced a new product

EU: ARBITRAL AWARD MUST BE USED FOR DISPUTES

clos, in the interest of all.”

line for mobile security: Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus and Kaspersky Premium.

T he updated range of plans is now platform agnostic, and every one provides protection for different types of devices on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. These are all designed to reflect the level of functionality available to users across the entire ecosystem of the company’s consumer services.

A ccording to Kaspersky Philippines Territory Channel Manager Charleen Caban, the new portfolio is designed to provide a clearer demonstration of the plan’s key capabilities, with guidance from the first moments of using the service thanks to an engaging onboarding process that simulates a trusted and friendly conversation.

Being one of the most active Internet users in the world, the Filipinos are indeed vulnerable to all types of online threats. The stakes of cybersecurity are increasing, and the digitalization of life has never been so real. Today, a security solution is no longer just a PC antivirus solution—it has become a comprehensive ecosystem of security services for any platform and device,” she said.

VARIOUS parties on Tuesday marked the seventh anniversary of the Award of the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague in the case lodged by Manila against Beijing for the latter’s “excessive claims” in the South China Sea, with the European Union stressing its usefulness as basis for resolving continuing disputes involving claimants and freedom of navigation impairment.

T he award “is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties,” said a statement of the Delegation of the European Union in the Philippines.

T he EU “reiterates the fundamental importance of upholding the freedoms, rights and duties established in Unclos [UN Convention on the Law of the Sea], in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight, said the statement.

T he EU also affirmed its commitment “to secure, free and open maritime supply routes in the Indo-Pacific, in full compliance with international law, as reflected in Un -

Gatchalian steps up call to ban POGOs, lobbies Malacañang

SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian has stepped up his calls for a total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), saying he recently had a chance to raise the matter with Malacanang Palace, even as police and Justice department officials are still wrangling over the latest case of suspected human trafficking involving more than 2,000 POGO workers in south Metro Manila.

“ My approach is two-prong,”

Sen. Gatchalian said, adding: “I submitted our chairman’s committee report for the members to review the findings and also provided a copy to Malacañang,” which he hopes would “ban POGO.”

“ I also submitted it to Malacañang so they can see the chairman’s report—because it is very detailed—and so that they can study it,” he said.

T he senator added this was done since, “at the start and end of it, it will still be the Executive that will take steps to ban POGOs to have peace in our country.”

H is Ways and Means committee has finished  a report on calls to ban POGOs  after calling six hearings.

T he senator noted that “the public sentiment against POGO is seen” in a survey that showed that as high as 70 percent “convey[ed] fear and rejection of POGO.”

W ith the recent incidents involving alleged human trafficking in certain POGO hubs, “I’m sure it could still go up,” Gatchalian said, referring to the number of people favoring a ban on POGOs in the country.

G uesting at the Kapihan sa Senado, Gatchalian said he worries over recent trends because, “they [crimes associated with POGOs] have started to spread to the locals,” whereas before, police reports usually cite simple cases of “one POGO worker kidnapping another POGO worker.” But now,

T he Delegation of the European Union together with the Embassies of the EU Member States to the Philippines -- Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia (non-resident), Finland and Sweden -- issued the statement:

O n July 12, 2016, the Tribunal constituted by the Permanent Court of Arbitration under Annex VII to the Unclos handed down its ruling in the arbitration instituted by the Republic of the Philippines against the People’s Republic of China concerning the South China Sea in 2013.

I n Tuesday’s statement, the EU recalled that the dispute settlement mechanisms provided under Unclos contribute to the maintenance and furthering of the international order based upon the rule of law and are essential to settle disputes.

“The EU supports the swift conclusion of talks aiming at an effective Code of Conduct between Asean and China that is fully compatible with Unclos and also respects the rights of third parties,” said the statement.

he added in a mix of English and Filipino, the human trafficking involves not just foreigners, but also Filipinos, including “FilChinese.”

H e recalled one video shown to them where one victim whose finger was about to be cut was speaking in Tagalog, “indicating that locals are being kidnapped now.”

H e said that at the end of the day, “It’s the Executive that will do that [issue a ban],” adding that “the legislative is just recommendatory and that’s why the resolution we are passing, is to encourage. But eventually the action for that must come from the Executive.”

Gatchalian added, “that’s why I went to Malacanang to submit the report.”

H e said the only argument favoring the retention of POGOs is the revenue they bring in to the government, via the state gaming agency Pagcor. However, in their Senate committee report, they noted that “the promised P30 billion or P40 billion” in revenue is no longer the case. In 2021, he added, it was only “at P3 billion plus.”

N onetheless, Gatchalian credited the current management at Pagcor with instituting serious reforms in regulating POGOs after acknowledging lapses of the past agency administration.

“In fairness to Pagcor, they saw [lapses], and they have corrected them. Inaayos nila, lumalabas iyan sa  hearing [They have fixed them, we’ve seen that in hearings],” he added.

Pagcor recently fired its thirdparty auditor that was supposed to validate the incomes reported to it by POGOs, and vowed to prosecute the parties involved in the apparent fraud committed in securing a multibillion-peso contract.  Butch Fernandez

By Raadee Sausa

THERE is more available rice in selected areas in National Capital Region (NCR) worth P38 per kilo, a Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders’ Movement (PRISM) official said on Tuesday.

“Our second day is good. There [is] more rice, including in Pasig, Las Piñas, Taguig, Nepa Q-Mart, Novaliches, Commonwealth, San Antonio, Marikina, Masinag Antipolo, Lipa and Tanauan Batangas, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Intercity and Goldencity Bulacan,” PRISM Convenor Rowena Sadicon told BusinessMirror

M oreover, she said that in the coming days the P38 per kilo supply will be in Nueva Ecija, Isabela and Cebu.

T he convener added that in the coming days or weeks, the rice will be available at some Kadiwa stores.

“

We haven’t gathered the specific info on sales yet, but it’s getting better,” Sadicon added.

R ecently, she said PRISM’s “Tulong sa Bayan, Bigas para sa Mamamayan” program will be implemented nationwide to help consumers have access to affordable and quality rice.

A s of now, prices of rice in the market start at P40 per kilo, PRISM noted.

T he P38 per kilo that will be sold by PRISM will be of good quality as it is classified as wellmilled rice.

The price of rice in the market is really high, so we are giving a way now, we have discussed a solution with our stakeholders: how can we cross it so that somehow there is still P38 to buy,” Sadicon said.

S he said, they would partner with the Department of Agriculture’s Kadiwa program and other selling channels like rice mills, rice traders, barangays, and the local government units chosen by the participating stakeholders.

‘There’s more available ₧38/kilo rice in Metro Mla’

DESPITE the dip in mobile malware attacks in the Philippines in 2022, Kaspersky believes that security solutions are now necessary, as the types of attacks have become more “sophisticated.”

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Auto sales surge 30% in H1

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

A joint report released by Campi and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed vehicle sales in January to June jumped by 30.7 percent to 202,415 units from the 154,874 units recorded in the same period a year ago.

According to Campi President Rommel Gutierrez, the performance of Campi-TMA in the first half “sends a strong signal of sustained optimism for the industry as we welcome the second half of the year.”

As the industry continued to grow

on a monthly basis, Gutierrez said the automotive sector has “high hopes of achieving or even exceeding its sales target for this year.”

Last March, he said members of Campi and TMA are optimistic that vehicle sales would expand by 10 to 15 percent and hit the 395,000-unit mark this year. The auto industry recorded sales of 352,596 units last year. In the month of June alone, members of Campi-TMA sold 36,311 units. On a month-on-month basis, this is 4.9 percent lower than the 38,177 units sold in May. On a year-on-year basis, the figure was 27 percent higher than the 28,601 units posted in 2022.

Gutierrez said the double-digit growth in June is a “reflection of improved consumer spending for big-ticket items amid the significant market for new motor vehicle sales,”

which he said is the main growth anchor of the industry.

“Rightfully so,demand for motor vehicles that respond to the needs of the customers will yield strong gains for the industry.”

In terms of vehicle segments, data from Campi-TMA indicated that sales of light commercial vehicle jumped by 32.3 percent yearon-year; commercial vehicle, 29.2 percent; light trucks, 24.9 percent; passenger car, 20.5 percent; multipurpose vehicle, 20 percent; heavy trucks and buses, 5.5 percent; while medium trucks and buses declined by 0.7 percent.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. led year-to-date sales with 93,575 units, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 37,001 units, and Ford Motor Company Phils. Inc. with 13,838 units.

Ayala unit wants telco towers to go solar

ACEN Corp. and Norwegian Investment Fund Norfund are looking at providing solar power to telecom towers in the Philippines.

In a disclosure on Tuesday, ACEN said its executive committee approved the proposed joint venture with Norfund and investment into YMP Telecom Power Inc. for the provision of sustainable and affordable telecom tower solarization in the Philippines.

Norfund is owned and funded by the Norwegian government and is used as a tool for strengthening the private sector in developing countries. It has booked $2.5 billion in total commitments as of 2021.

The company said the terms of the deal are still being finalized.

Under the deal, ACEN and Norfund will invest in Micropower Philippines, the joint venture with YMP. “The business case is for the joint venture to provide solar power

to telecom towers owned by telecom companies in the Philippines.”

In the same disclosure, ACEN said the committee approved a one-year extension of the maturing P4.7billion loan facility it provided to Greencore Power Solution 3, its joint venture company with Citicore Solar Energy Corporation for the Arayat Solar project.

The extended loan carries an interest rate of 15 percent from around 7 percent.

Phase1 of the Arayat solar project, with a capacity of 72MW, reached its full capacity in March last year. The second phase of the solar project will increase the plant’s total capacity to 116MW.

In May, the listed energy platform of Ayala Corp. said it is expected to forge more investment deals abroad.

ACEN International CEO Patrice Clausse did not identify these potential deals but said these are with “existing partners.” Lenie Lectura

B1

SEC: 2 entities offering securities lack license

By VG Cabuag @villygc

ThE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in Infinity Success Trading and Crowdfunding Pinas as they are not registered with the agency.

Based on reports gathered by the agency, Crowdfunding Pinas is being managed by AJ Perez whose posts were encouraging people to invest in his crowdfunding projects for a promise of a monthly profit and guaranteed return of investment.

“AJ Perez is inviting the public to its current crowdfunding project in Antipolo, entitled Saglit Private Villas 2nd branch and Aria Gastropub and Saglit Private Villas,” the agency said.

“The public is hereby informed that Crowdfunding Pinas is not registered with the commission and is not authorized to solicit investment from the public, not having secured prior registration and/or license to sell securities or solicit investments as prescribed under Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code.”

The SEC also said Crowdfunding Pinas is not registered as a crowdfunding intermediary and funding portal pursuant to the Rules and Regulations Governing Crowdfunding.

The agency said AJ Perez has not been issued a Certificate of Registration as an associated person, compliance officer, salesman and certified investment solicitor of a broker in

securities investment, investment house, underwriter of securities, investment company adviser and mutual fund distributor.

The Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act prohibits investment fraud, which is defined as any form of deceptive solicitation of investments from the public which includes Ponzi schemes and such other schemes involving the promise or offer of profits or returns sourced from the investments or contributions made by the investors themselves.

The SEC also warned the public against investing in Infinity Success Trading, which is headed by Al Sarif hasan.

The group, which operates an online trading platform, claimed that it represents professional traders that will “help investors learn the safest way to trade to the best of their abilities.”

“They will also allegedly help in giving signals and reading patterns to make sure investors’ trades are safe,” the SEC said.

The group is offering investments to the public with a minimal amount of P500 up to P100,000 and investors may earn 40 percent after 7 days.

Infinity Success allegedly earns through trading such as foreign exchange and crypto trading. Based on the information gathered by the SEC, the group is expanding their business as casino junket operators.

The SEC said the group is not registered with the agency and operates without a license.

Vehicle sales in the first half have buoyed the optimism of the automotive sector on its performance for the rest of the year, according to the chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines inc. (campi).

NG raises ₧30B from sale of new Treasuries

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE national government raised a total of P30 billion

from the latest Treasury Bonds (T-Bonds) auctioned by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Tuesday.

The BTr said the government auctioned 15-year bonds and received a total of P47.501 billion worth of offers from the market.

The bonds have an issue date of July 13, 2023 and are set to mature by July 13, 2038.

According to the BTr, its auction committee fully awarded the new T-bonds at Tuesday’s auction, setting the coupon rate at 7 percent. The auction was 1.6 times oversubscribed, the Treasury added.

The average rate for the bonds was at 6.971 percent. The bonds fetched a low rate of 6.5 percent and a high rate of 7.1 percent.

To date, the latest award places the amount raised by the government from T-Bonds to P53.586 billion this month.

Last week, the BTr made a partial award of the reissued Tbonds, borrowing P23.586 billion from the domestic market, or about 78.62 percent of its P30 billion offering. The national government’s auctions of debt papers have been challenged by rising rates.

For this month, the national government plans to borrow P180 billion from the domestic market next month from the auction of T-bills and T-bonds.

Broken down, the Treasury said it plans to raise P60 billion from T-bills across four auctions and P120 billion from T-bonds across four auctions as well.

Habito backs reform of MUP pension

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

According

However, in the case of MUP pensions, it appears taxpayers coughed up the funds.

“Parang sinagot na ng taxpayers ,” Habito said during a forum at the University of the Philippines School of Economics last Monday.

“Maybe at that time when they put it in place, they said Sige [okay], we owe it to our military because we owe our (utang natin ang ating ) security as a nation to them;’ so, hindi na

bale, wag na silang mag -contribute: taxpayers na lang.’” [It doesn’t matter if they don’t contribute: let’s make the taxpayers do.]

However, Habito, currently a Professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University, said that move, “intrinsically, to me is wrong because everybody else contributes to their own pension by counterparting between employee and employer.”

“So why should they [military and uniformed personnel] be an exception?” Habito said during a conversation with reporters on the sidelines of the event.

Pampered

HABITO added that while he was unsure when the current structure of MUP was crafted, it may have been done during the term of the President’s father, Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. He added this was a time when

Food-makers urge sugar tax hike review

By Raadee S. Sausa

AN organization of food manufacturers urges government to find alternatives to finance officials’ proposal to increase taxes on sweetened beverages.

In a statement issued last Tuesday, the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. (PCFMI) highlighted the potential negative repercussions of the proposed tax hike and emphasized the importance of exploring alternative interventions to promote positive health outcomes and revenue generation. While expressing support to the Marcos government’s efforts to secure sustainable revenue streams, the organization of more than a hundred food product manufacturers and distributors expressed concerns regarding the “discriminatory and regressive nature” of the proposed tax increase. The group added they believe the new taxes “may hinder sector competitiveness, reduce incomes and negatively impact the national treasury.”

“We draw attention to the potential inflationary impact of such a tax measure. The proposed increase in excise tax could lead to further increased prices of sweetened beverages and disproportionately target the most vulnerable segments of society, exacerbating existing economic challenges,” the chamber said.

“There is also a risk that consumers may turn to cheaper, untaxed alternatives, potentially fostering illicit trade and compromising public safety,” it added.

The organization noted that the proposed new taxes on sweetened beverages were initially presented as a preventive health measure to address products allegedly linked to increased rates of obesity and diabetes. However, the organization said no studies have yet demonstrated their impact five years since Republic Act 10963 (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) was enacted into law.

The PCFMI has proposed that a comprehensive and scientificallybased study be conducted to determine the root cause of obesity and

other non-communicable diseases.

Furthermore, the chamber said that the findings from this study should then inform appropriate actions, rather than relying on unproven claims to increase the rate of SB taxation or expand its coverage.

The PCFMI recommends exploring alternative interventions, like product reformulation, reduced package sizes, data-based labeling, and expansive media and onground campaigns advocating balanced diets.

The group stresses the need for effective, revenue-generating strategies that do not obstruct economic expansion or job creation.

“We align ourselves with the current administration’s vision of positioning the Philippines as an attractive investment destination and generating employment opportunities for Filipinos,” the PCFMI said.

“We firmly believe that there are more effective and less disruptive ways to raise government revenue without resorting to discriminatory tax schemes,” the PCFMI added.

Fex officials: Higher rates a must for inflation goal

THREE Federal Reserve officials last Monday said policymakers will need to raise interest rates further this year to bring inflation back to the central bank’s goal.

“We’ve made a lot of progress in monetary policy, the work that we need to do, over the last year,” Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr told a Bipartisan Policy Center meeting on Monday. “I would say we’re close, but we still have a bit of work to do.”

The Fed held interest rates steady in June after raising them for 10 straight meetings to a range of 5 percent to 5.25 percent. Most policymakers expect to increase rates by a further half percentage point by the end of the year, according to projections released after their June gathering.

“We’re likely to need a couple more rate hikes over the course of this year to really bring inflation back into a path that’s along a sustainable 2-percent path,” San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

Cleveland Fed chief Loretta Mester, speaking at an event hosted by

➜ Bank arm donates school building SECURITY Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) announced it has turned over its first ever school building with a science laboratory to San Jose City National High School located in Nueva Ecija province. Two classrooms have been customized as science laboratories as the intended users are students under the special science program,

the University of California, San Diego, said her own view also “accords with” Fed officials’ median forecast for two more rate increases.

“In order to ensure that inflation is on a sustainable and timely path back to 2 percent, my view is that the funds rate will need to move up somewhat further from its current level and then hold there for a while as we accumulate more information on how the economy is evolving,” she said.

Balancing risks

THE FOMC next meets July 25-26 and is widely expected to resume rate increases at that meeting.

Daly said the risks of doing too little to curb inflation still outweigh the risks of doing too much, though the gap between those two is narrowing. The San Francisco Fed chief said she is starting to see signs of the economy slowing, and added that supply and demand are coming into better balance.

A July 7 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed job growth slowed last month, though pay gains remained robust. Mester said the current rate of wage growth

SBFI Trustee Melissa R. Aquino was quoted in a statement as saying. The two-story, 10-classroom structure is one of the most expensive school buildings donated by SBFI to date. The organization didn’t say how much it spent for the construction.

Since 2011, SBFI has been supporting the quest of Philippine public schools in advancing the quality of basic education. There have been 655 classrooms turned over in 117 schools in

is still “well above the level consistent with 2 percent inflation given current estimates of trend productivity growth.”

New York Fed President John Williams told the Financial Times that while the jobs market remains strong, he sees signs of slowing in the direction of labor demand. An increase in unemployment and a further easing of demand will be needed to bring inflation back to target, he said.

“My own forecasts would have the unemployment rate rising to around 4 percent by the end of the year and getting up to 4.5 percent by the end of next year,” he told the FT in an interview. The jobless rate edged down to 3.6 percent in June from 3.7 percent.

Williams said the Fed had to act aggressively last year to assure the public that it would achieve price stability in a timely fashion.

“How quickly we moved from expansionary policy to restrictive policy, and now we’ve indicated through our projections and our communications that we think we still have some ways to go to get the policy to this sufficiently restrictive stance

68 cities and municipalities.

➜ Insurer cites remarkable growth ALLIANZ PNB Life Insurance Inc. announced it was able to post remarkable growth in 2022. The insurer said in a statement issued last Tuesday that it produced P34 billion in gross written premium (GWP) income. Its 12 percent yearon-year (YOY) growth ranked it

the military was “pampered” and may have paved the way for this structure.

Given this, Habito said fixing the MUP will be difficult. He recommended “some kind of transition” be put in place. “Now that we’re trying to fix that picture, there has to be some kind of transition that will assure the financial solvency of both the government and the MUP plan itself. It’s going to be a very difficult process. We have to get there, we have to make the first step,” Habito said.

Earlier, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” S. Salceda warned there will be “graver concerns than a mass retirement” if the government runs out of funds to support the MUP’s pension. Salceda added that soldiers, policemen and firefighters will seek early retirement due

to proposed MUP pension reform. Finance Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan-Tiuseco said the economic team is still drafting the governance structure of the MUP pension fund.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro Jr. has “emphasized” the need for “expert” fund managers in handling the fund.

A statement issued by the Department of Finance (DOF) said a key issue discussed during the meeting between the Marcos administration’s economic team and the leadership of the Department of National Defense was the governance structure of the MUP pension fund. The DOF earlier disclosed that the MUP pension fund will be managed by the Government Service Insurance System along with an oversight committee.

Bohol in tourism run but El Niño threatens

BOHOL island is on a major “run” in tourism, its flagship industry, pushed by the “revenge travel” phenomenon and big investor enthusiasm.

Already, one of the most preferred destinations in the Philippines, Bohol got a big shot in the arm this year when it was declared the “first Global Geopark” in the country, joining a short list of only less than 200 sites in 48 countries by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is expected to generate intense new tourist interest.

Every month a new resort opens on the island-both big and small. The biggest to join this year is the Marriot Hotel (with the Cebu -based Apple One Properties Inc.), which will be the first 5-star hotel in Bohol located on Panglao island.

threaten the water levels in its four water dams, namely, Malinao, Bayongan, Caraga and Zamora.

Already the Provincial Agriculturist Office projects, so far, P110 million in losses in actual crop damage and lost opportunities as farmers refuse to plant for fear of losses due to lack of rain and water.

to get inflation to 2 percent, all of those reflect a commitment to get price stability not in over 10 years, but over a few years,” Williams said.

Core inflation remains a concern for the Fed. While the personal consumption expenditures price index rose in May at the slowest annual pace in more than two years, PCE minus food and energy climbed an annual 4.6 percent in May, suggesting underlying inflation remains sticky.

“Inflation is our No. 1 problem,” Daly said.

Fed officials will also receive new inflation data this week, with the Wednesday release of a monthly BLS report on consumer prices. Forecasters surveyed by Bloomberg expect it to show prices excluding food and energy advanced 0.3 percent last month, with the year-overyear rate of increase moderating to 5 percent, according to the median estimate.

Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said that while the rate of inflation is too high, policymakers can be patient for now amid evidence of an economic slowdown— a stance at odds with many of his colleagues. Bloomberg News

among the top-3 best performers in the local insurance industry. The firm said it also beat the industry’s total GWP performance, which fell by 0.5 percent YOY. It ranked third in new business annual premium equivalent, the insurance industry performance metric used globally and adopted by the Insurance Commission. For 2022, the company posted a 22-percent growth to P4.7 billion, outpacing the industry’s 4

This followed the announcement of an ambitious 57-hectare 10-year P25-billion “resort town” development—a “mini-city” in the heart of the island—developed by the Alturas Group Panglao Shores in Bolod, Panglao. The group already operates the South Palms Resort currently.

In 2019, just before the pandemic, Bohol posted a record-breaking 1.6 million tourist entries (both locals and foreigners) but was stymied by the entry of the pandemic. However, from January to May this year, tourists recorded a 129-percent rise from a similar period in 2022 or 326,306 from 155,014. The Bohol Tourism Office expects that for the whole of 2023, tourists would total close to a million.

In terms of foreigners, Korea tops the list of entrants in Bohol, followed by Taiwan, the USA, China and France. Korea operates three daily flights landing at the Panglao Bohol International Airport through Jeju Air and Air Busan bringing in up to 600 Koreans daily. To such an extent that in some favored restaurants, often there are more Koreans than locals frequenting the place daily.

A damper to this gung-ho atmosphere in tourism, however, is the slump in agriculture where 41 of the 47 towns, so far (involving 71 hectares) suffered huge losses due to the extremely warm weather. The onset of El Niño will definitely

percent during the period.

➜ VASP cites links with money changer MONEYBEES Forex Corp. cited its partnership with Monteal Money Changer Services, a money service business registered with the AntiMoney Laundering Council “amid the ongoing bear market and economic uncertainties.” “Since 2017,

The provincial government led by Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, through the recommendation of the Provincial Risk Reduction Management Council, is set to declare a “state of calamity,” which will automatically fund the release of the “Calamity Funds.”

Some 70 percent of the funds will be for preparedness and disaster mitigation while 30 percent go to actual disaster response. Among the first responses will be the proposed P10-million cloud-seeding program to induce rain to fall during the El Niño onslaught.

The telltale signs were seen last April with the nature-induced “ grass fire” across three municipalities that lasted for 16 hours and that gobbled up in flames 200 hectares of grassland.

The Bohol tourist boom will, therefore, somehow be clouded by the incoming El Niño that brings drought, then food scarcity and, therefore, escalating prices for tourists and locals alike.

El Niño is a weather phenomenon that causes weak winds from the east and prevents the formation of clouds over the Philippine archipelago and scatters the rain instead over the vast Pacific Ocean. Boholanos, however, are expecting El Niño would be a short-term curse while the tourism boom will be final and lasting.

Zoilo P. Dejaresco III, a former banker, is a financial consultant and media practitioner. He is a Life and Media member of Finx. His views here, however, are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Finex and the Business Mirror. Email: dejarescobingo@yahoo.com.

Moneybees has expanded its reach in the market with Monteal Money Changer Services’s branch,” the Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) said. “This caters to the preference of Filipino customers for secure, inperson crypto transactions.” Our “crypto buy-and-sell services have proven to be a pandemic-proof business for our partners,” CEO Jay Ricky R. Villarante said.

THE former Chief Economist of the Philippines supported the need to reform the pension structure for military and uniformed personnel (MUP) and address what’s “intrinsically wrong” with the system.

to former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Cielito F. Habito explained that all pension systems need to get contributions from employees and employers.

Video apparently shows Spears inadvertently hit herself in the face in encounter with Wembanyama

LAS VEGAS—No charges will be filed following a brief investigation of the altercation involving pop star Britney Spears, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama and a member of the player’s security team, Las Vegas police said on Friday after determining she inadvertently “hit herself in the face.”

Spears said she was struck by a security guard as she tried to approach Wembanyama near a restaurant in a Las Vegas casino complex on Wednesday night. Wembanyama said a person, who he later found out was Spears, grabbed him from behind.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Spears had actually struck herself when someone pushed her hand off Wembanyama as she reached up to tap the No. 1 overall pick.

In its investigation, which is now over, police determined that the security guard did not willfully or unlawfully use force or violence against Spears. No arrests were made and no one was cited, the report said.

In the report, police said surveillance footage of the event “showed Britney going to tap the Spurs player on the shoulder. When she touched the player [redacted] pushes her hand off of the player without looking which causes Britney’s hand to hit herself in the face.”

Spears filed a police report after the incident outside the restaurant, alleging battery. On Friday, she posted a reaction to Instagram with a caption that said “Either way I’m still a huge fan of the NBA player...it’s not his fault his security hit me.”

Wembanyama was making his NBA Summer League debut for the Spurs in Las Vegas on Friday night. The 7-foot-3 French teen was the No. 1 pick in last month’s NBA draft and is entering the league with as much acclaim as anyone since LeBron James in 2003. The altercation happened on Wednesday night; Spears said she recognized Wembanyama at another hotel earlier in the evening and when seeing him again entering a restaurant at the Aria Resort & Casino she “decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success.”

Spears said on Thursday, “His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

THE marriage of these two personalities was said to have been in trouble but now it seems that all’s well that ends well. They look like they’re happy together, and there are many speculations as to what happened. Of course, only the two of them know what really happened but one of the speculations is that the husband “saved” his wife from mounting debts. While it is true that he is richer than she is, she has her own money and pride. The wife has always maintained her financial independence, even if she’s not averse to using her husband’s credit card. She does need her husband to maintain her lifestyle and the appearance of being happily married, while he needs her presence in his life.

THE FAVORED ONE

SO many are wondering why this girl seems to be a favorite of her network. She is pretty, yes, and moderately talented but there are more beautiful, more talented and more experienced artists. Her network is actually being bashed on social media because they treat her like a superstar. During a recent event, everybody wondered why she got spot

HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS

DAY: Malala Yousafzai, 26; Kimberly Perry, 40; Michelle Rodriguez, 45; Topher Grace, 45.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Check who’s on your side and willing to step in and take over. Surround yourself with allies and share your ideas. Strength and courage will help you bring about positive change and greater security. Use your intelligence when dealing with money matters, contracts and joint ventures. Know when to say no and when to work alone. Choose the power of positive thought over discord. Your numbers are 2, 8, 19, 27, 33, 44, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You can talk your way into anything today, but your dreams will crumble if you don’t follow through with your promises. Offer only what’s feasible, and be willing to work alongside those who have as much to offer as you do. Romance is favored. ★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Social events won’t unfold as anticipated. Rethink how you spend your time, and be honest about what you will and won’t do. Risks will lead to regrets. A change of heart will take you in a different direction. ★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t be fooled by the information someone offers you. Signing up for something that isn’t clear will put you in a vulnerable position. Don’t get angry when time is of the essence and change is necessary. Love yourself and follow your heart. ★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A physical change won’t unfold as anticipated. Don’t give someone the right to be your fashion or health expert. Research is in your best interest if you want to be happy with the results. ★★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Think twice before you start something you cannot finish. Protect your reputation and position. Don’t expect someone to cover for you. Use your experience and knowledge to push forward. Don’t become something you are not. You can’t buy love. ★★

of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face.”

Police interviewed security guards for the Spurs and Spears, both of whom said pushing a hand off someone’s shoulder is a standard response, according to the report.

The security guard for the Spurs said he spoke with Spears afterward, identified himself and apologized. Spears’ security team said she also apologized, the police report said.

Spears’ attorney in Los Angeles, Mathew Rosengart, did not immediately respond to telephone and e-mail messages on Friday about the police report.

Spears said on Thursday in posts on Twitter and

alongside the network’s biggest stars. According to sources, the girl is very generous when it comes to gifts. She gifts cash and material gifts to handlers, road managers, and all others who are relevant to her climb to the top.

LOOKING FOR THEIR ROI

HOW true is the rumor that investors who put in their money for a fashion project are now asking for a return on their investment? The project, not surprisingly, isn’t making money.  It’s high profile but people aren’t really talking about it, especially since

Instagram that the run-in was “super embarrassing,” and denied grabbing Wembanyama, saying she only “tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.” She also said that she was hopeful of getting an apology from the team or the security guard who she said was involved.

Wembanyama had a different account of the events. He said security advised him to not stop for anyone as he walked into the restaurant, mindful that pausing could cause a stir and allow a crowd to build. He said one person was shouting “sir, sir” to him, “and that person grabbed me from behind,” he said.

He was told hours later that person was Spears. He never saw her, he said, because he never turned around. AP

their content isn’t much different from other similar projects. Fashion observers say they should have gotten new faces instead of people we’ve been seeing a lot of in society pages all these years. They even hired someone to head the project but that person also doesn’t have any relevant experience. It doesn’t help that there are many similar fashion projects in the country and none of them are making money right now.

THE SOURCE OF HER WEALTH

A SOCIALITE is trying very hard to be the next Small Laude by paying to be featured in magazines. She is also paying for boosts of her posts on social media. Everyone is puzzled as to why the socialite has a lot of money. Once upon a time, she was the mistress of a well-placed government official. Thanks to this official, the then young entrepreneur got a lot of juicy government contracts. There is no doubt that she worked very hard to make her business successful but everyone knows her ex-lover also gave her all the advantages. Today, she continues to profit from the connections she gained when she was still with the government official.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change will lift you and boost your confidence. Travel, educational pursuits, events and activities that encourage spending time with friends, relatives or colleagues will bring you closer together. Channel your energy into building a stable future and lasting relationships. ★★★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Control your emotions and let your intelligence shine through. Don’t feel the need to pay for others or to get involved in a joint venture. You’ll do your best if you keep both your money separate from and your sights set on what makes you happy. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put your current situation in perspective and consider what you’d like more of in your life. A change at home that adds to your comfort or eases stress and tension will make a world of difference to your attitude. Resolve sensitive issues. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pay attention to money matters. Update documents, accounts and credit cards to reduce unnecessary annual fees and interest payments. Taking control will put your mind at ease once you have a plan in place. Be smart. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Spend more time nurturing what’s important to you. Don’t take chances with your personal life, possessions or money. A change at home that adds comfort, convenience and entertainment features will attract closer ties with loved ones. ★★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Think twice before you pick a fight with someone. Assess your relationships, intentions and the changes you want to make before sharing your thoughts and feelings. Avoid excess, exaggeration and promising more than you can deliver. ★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Follow your plans, and you’ll feel good about your accomplishments. Invest more time and money in yourself and the skills you need to pursue the life you want to live. Create your destiny instead of waiting for it to manifest itself.

BIRTHDAY BABY:

You are enthusiastic, changeable and wise. You are determined and helpful.

‘doctor’s orders’ BY CATHERINE CETTA

The

BRITNEY SPEARS and San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama

10 ways to live in the present

HOW often do you find yourself brooding on what happened yesterday or what might occur tomorrow?

Arlin Cuncic, MA, founder of About Social Anxiety, a handy web site that offers assistance to individuals with social anxiety disorder, reminds everyone that dwelling on regrets or fears only hinders one to truly experience a happier, more fulfilled life.

“Constantly thinking about the past and worrying about the future can make it difficult to enjoy the good things,” she started.

“These are aspects which we are unaware of that might affect our life and well-being,” the experts from the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde added.

Cuncic, who has worked in various mental health and research settings including the psychology department of the University of Western Ontario in Canada and the cognitivebehavioral therapy unit of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health Multi-Health Systems, highlighted the importance of being in the present.

“Learning how to be more mindful and live in the moment can give you a greater appreciation for your life, help reduce stress, and minimize anxiety,” added The Anxiety Workbook author. To guide the community to be more aware of themselves and their surroundings, the professionals listed top 10 tips, as shared through the award-winning mental health platform Verywell Mind.

1. Notice your surroundings. Take this opportunity to observe your environment. Close your eyes as you take a deep breath. Open them. Take in everything around you.

2. Focus on one thing at a time. Do not multitask. When your thoughts drift or you check on your phone, stop. Turn that attention back to what’s in front of you. You are more productive when fully engaged.

3. Be grateful for what you have now. Do not be absorbed in things you do not have. Instill gratitude. List the blessings you are thankful for. Review them on a daily basis.

4. Accept things as they are and not how you want them to be. Sometimes life is going to be different than how you want it to be. Acknowledge the things that are beyond your control.

5. Practice mindfulness meditation. It improves your concentration on current tasks. It helps you recognize your thoughts and feelings.

6. Spend time with people who make you feel happy and fulfilled. Surround yourself with positive and supportive family and friends.

7. Be mindful of everything you do. Focus on the details of the activities that you are doing. It helps bring more present-moment awareness into your life.

8. Do deep breathing exercises. Take slow regulated breaths to prevent feelings of negative thoughts or panic. It allows you to be more in control of your current tasks.

9. Take a break from social media and technology. Continuously checking social media affects your ability to be present. Do not let technology take over. It prevents you from being sensible about what is really going on around you.

10. Get regular exercise. A stroll in the park or daily yoga can help you stay more focused especially if coupled with meditation.

Image

Creating a healthy workplace

AS someone managing a team, you play a pivotal role in ensuring your team’s environment is conducive to working.

While the pandemic has elevated the need to maintain a clean and safe workspace, some managers have also discovered that the returnto-office and alternative working conditions have brought new challenges. If your team is to be effective in the new working conditions, you need to address these emerging challenges to ensure a healthy workplace for everyone.

One of the things you can do is to ensure that your team has the proper equipment and tools. If you require them to go back to the office, place those who work closely together within the same area for faster communication and collaboration. If possible, set aside a small area where your team can rest and catch up with others. If some team members are working remotely, invest in a good communication tool so your team can easily share files and get in touch with each other. Some companies even provide an allowance for their team’s work-from-home setup so that they can create a suitable work environment at home.

Keep open lines of communication so that issues are addressed promptly before they escalate into a crisis. As a preventive measure, set clear expectations in terms of deliverables and your team’s work ethic so that they can conduct themselves accordingly. But also provide opportunities for your team to give feedback especially when there are changes.

Transparency does not always mean telling everything. It means providing critical information that might put people’s work at risk. But note that

keeping communication lines open does not mean impinging on your team’s personal time. By being consistent in your behavior and nurturing it with consistent communication, you become trustworthy. Part of clear and open communication is respecting other people’s way of thinking. Many organizations have programs for inclusivity, but their managers do not know how to nurture potential over people’s appearance, gender, race, and even past mistakes. Managers need to focus on how their team’s skills and abilities contribute to the team’s success, and what else they can do to improve their team. This starts in the hiring process where you screen candidates based on the job requirements. However, you also need to hire people based on culture fit because while differences are celebrated, there has to be enough similarities to create space for a professional relationship.

One thing that a manager needs to develop is the mindset that a team member’s work is the work of the entire team. When another department asks for output from your team, they do not see the work as the work of just one team member but the work of the entire group. As the manager, you need to set clear standards in terms of timelines and quality, so your team also understands what kind of outputs are expected from them.

Once timelines and quality standards are set, you need to trust your team to deliver as agreed upon. Allow your team to work in whatever conditions they think will help them to meet their targets without compromising other team member’s workflows. They need to be allowed autonomy to do their work in the best way they know how. But when they do not deliver, you need to have a mechanism in place to coach them, and to impose disciplinary sanctions when needed.

A healthy working environment is also a workspace where everyone feels they belong. Your team should be free to express themselves in a way that does not encroach on other’s work. A significant factor is the way you relate with your team and the opportunities you provide for them to interact with each other. If you have team members working remotely, you need to set weekly catch-up meetings

so that everyone knows how they contribute to the team’s overall goals. If possible, develop a team routine that everyone can relate to. I know one manager who conducts a meeting while they take a walk around the floor, just so they can meet their target steps for the day and enjoy a different view.

Another way you can create a healthy working environment is by making your team feel proud of what they have accomplished. Aside from giving clear instructions on deliverables and work ethic, you also need to ensure your team is aligned in terms of goals. A shared purpose enhances innovation because while everyone has different strengths, they are all pulling in the same direction. And when your team succeeds, ensure that rewards are commensurate with your team’s skills and efforts. The beauty of a clear shared purpose is that you can allow your team to pursue personal preferences as long as they deliver the expected results.

A shared purpose also entails helping your team understand how their work matters. As human beings, we draw strength and motivation from doing what is important to us, to our families and friends, and to our community. When they know their work matters, it will be natural for them to look for ways on how they can improve their work processes. Rewards and incentives can only motivate your team to a certain extent. When they find their inner motivation, you will be surprised that they have more to offer.

To help them have a better appreciation of how their work affects the entire organization, involve them in cross-functional projects so they get a feel of how their work affects other groups in the organization. If not, find learning opportunities outside the organization so that they can build a network of contacts for future projects. Widen their perspective so that they can learn best practices that they can adapt to their work.

Creating a healthy workplace requires that you identify what your team needs to succeed and clear any roadblocks. Once you do, set clear expectations, reward their efforts, and make them own the results. A healthy team understands what they need to do, finds ways to make it work, and contributes meaningfully to the success of the entire team. n

How Pia Wurtzbach continues to stay at her best self

HALF way into 2023 and Pia Wurtzbach continues to win the year with her recent marriage with Jeremy Jauncey and being able to balance and conquer work, family duties, and health goals.

Pia has always been vocal about her health goals as one of her biggest focuses for the year, and achieving this not only involved improving her fitness track record to feel and look her best, but also maintaining a healthy diet so she can take on this journey that she is on.

As a health advocate, Pia always chooses food that’s best for her health. Her go-to is Century Tuna.

Whether if it’s for a breakfast or a snack, the canned tuna brand boasts a good amount of protein and Omega 3 DHA—and it’s easy to prepare and mixes well for a variety of dishes.

“I know how challenging it is for everyone to eat healthy because of many reasons. I always get so busy with my schedule and work. That is why having easyto-make meals with Century Tuna has been the best option for me. I can simply make a quick post-gym snack, or come up with a hearty meal for lunch or dinner,” shared Pia Wurtzbach.

Aside from maintaining her health, Pia has also prioritized her quality time with loved ones before she embarked on her new journey as wife to her partner Jeremy Jauncey. She has always been family-centered. She treasures being a doting aunt to her niece Lara and nephew Logan and when she’s not training for a marathon, Pia always makes it a point to make the most out of her free time by bonding with her family.

PIA WURTZBACH

Hedcor empowers emergency response of Bukidnon, DavSur IPs this National Disaster Resilience Month

DICT, DTI join hands to support Philippine Blockchain Week 2023

Lim emphasized that securing government support and collaboration will bolster blockchain adoption and innovations in the country.

“Government intervention and support have always been critical for the adoption of blockchain technology in any country. For the Philippines, our government’s broad-minded stance will be instrumental in positioning us to becoming the blockchain capital of Asia,” Lim said.

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have announced their support for Philippine Blockchain Week (PBW) 2023. The much-anticipated follow up event will take place from September 19 to 21, 2023, at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport World Resorts, Manila, Philippines.

DICT Director Emmy Lou Delfin and DTI Director Jo-Dann Darong spoke at the conference and discussed how the Philippine Blockchain Week will help the government fulfill its commitment to boost collaboration, innovation, and digitization in the country.

Currently, 6.13% of the total population, or nearly 7 million Filipinos, own cryptocurrency and 32% of Filipino internet users saying that they own non-fungible tokens (NFTs). With this, Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP) Founding President and Philippine Blockchain Week lead Convenor Dr. Donald Lim said the Philippines is underway to become a global blockchain capital.

The event will draw thousands of attendees from different industries and regions across the globe and will bring together some of the most influential leaders in the blockchain and crypto industry.

This year’s Philippine Blockchain Week carries the theme “BRKOUT,”

aiming to encourage everyone to break out of conventions and comfort zones, break out of old habits to embrace new opportunities, and break out of the pack to become leaders in the blockchain space.

Reflecting the current state of the industry, the event will feature immersive discussions about blockchain, fintech, the metaverse, regulation, Artificial Intelligence, privacy and DeFi among various other thought-provoking topics.

Delfin said the DICT will spearhead Blockchain 101, which will educate thousands of students across NCR on opportunities in the industry, and will conduct focus group discussions for government officials to promote the use of blockchain technology in storing government data.

Darong also expressed support to promote a whole-of-society approach to integrating blockchain technology in the industry.

“At DTI, we promise to support all initiatives that will gear towards the attainment of the vision of making the Philippines not just innovative and creative, but more competitive through blockchain,” he said.

Darong shared that the Philippine Blockchain Week serves as a perfect venue for cultivating creativity and innovation, aligning with the department’s vision for the inaugural celebration of the Philippine Creative Industry Month in September.

In addition to government partnerships, the Philippine Blockchain Week announced a unique partnership with world-renowned, Dubai-based Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco, as he makes his debut into the blockchain space. Cinco, who is known for dressing Hollywood celebrities and royalty, will be collaborating with PBW in staging a Metaverse Fashion Gala to showcase the merging of fashion and the metaverse. Cinco’s participation brings excitement to the event, as it signifies the immense potential of tapping into various industries that have yet to venture into blockchain technology.

Other highlights include a VCstartup matchmaking event in partnership with CNN Philippines’ business reality show, “The Final Pitch,”; a gaming expo in partnership with Tier One Entertainment, that will bring in gamers, streamers, cosplayers for meet and greets and gaming exhibitions; and the live global announcement of finalists of the prestigious global Web 3 awards show, the NFTY Awards.

The NFTY Awards was created by Tech Entrepreneur/Investor Chris J Snook and E! Entertainment Founder Larry Namer who formed their partnership after they met in Manila at the inaugural PBW in Nov 2022.  On the local awards scene, the Philippine Block Awards will return to honor leaders in finance, technology, and business industries for supporting and promoting the adoption of blockchain in the country.

SM Cares champions disaster resilience among senior citizens, PWDs with Emergency Preparedness Forum 2023

SM Cares continues to empower senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to become more resilient in the face of disasters with the return of the organization’s annual Emergency Preparedness Forum, in partnership with Office of Civil Defense, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the UP Resilience Institute.

In celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, this year’s forum is set to be held the entire month of July in eight different locations, starting on July 5, 2023, Wednesday, at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City. Subsequent locations include SM City Tuguegarao, SM City San Pablo, SM Center Lemery, SM City Consolacion, SM Center Ormoc, SM Lanang Premier, and SM City Bacolod.

The Emergency Preparedness Forum was designed with the goal of helping vulnerable sectors like senior citizens and PWDs become better prepared for unforeseen events. The event will include lectures from emergency preparedness and disaster resilience experts like PHIVOLCS

Supervising Science Research

Specialist Jeffrey Perez, PAGASA Officer-In-Charge Dr. Esperanza

O. Cayanan, and University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay. Meanwhile, essential and practical survival tips tailored to the needs of senior citizens and PWDs will also be shared by rescue and survival expert, Dr. Ted Esguerra.

“SM Cares believes that emergency preparedness should be inclusive. Senior citizens and PWDs are the sectors that are most vulnerable and at risk during natural disasters, and we want them to be equipped and ready for whatever may come,” said SM Supermalls Senior Vice President Engr. Bien C. Mateo. “The Emergency Preparedness Forum this year will be introduced to new locations with the goal of building more resilient communities.”

SM Cares’ Emergency Preparedness Forum has shown consistent success and growth since it first began. In 2022, SM Cares recorded a total of 1,983 forum participants across 4 sessions. The

IN support of the National Disaster Resilience Month this July, Hedcor donated various resources for the enhancement of emergency response capabilities to the indigenous peoples (IP) communities in the municipalities of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon and Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Office in Impasug-ong received stretchers for outpatient transport vehicles to be used for the secure and effective transfer of injured individuals, as well as emergency lights, which can improve visibility when needed during emergency operations.

Hedcor also provided essential tools for search and rescue operations, such as kernmantle ropes, trauma bags/jump kits, valve masks, rain boots, shovels, vests, hard hats, raincoats and chest rigs.

Municipal Mayor Anthony Uy said that the collaboration between the LGU and Hedcor resulted in the identification of these essential items, which play a vital role in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of emergency responders.

“By providing these tools and equipment to the responders, Hedcor has strengthened the emergency response capabilities of the municipality and safeguarded the well-being

of the responders and the community,” he said. Meanwhile, in light of the urgency to provide timely aid in crucial situations, Hedcor also extended support to Barangay Sibulan in the Municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur by granting a multipurpose/rescue vehicle to aid the community.

“Hedcor helps us in creating a safer and more resilient community,” Barangay Captain Danilo Abe shared. “The rescue vehicle will enhance our ability to carry out rescue operations efficiently and effectively, empowering our responders and authorities to promptly address emergencies.”

“Hedcor believes that building disaster resilience is not just about preparedness, but also about empowering communities with the right tools and equipment to withstand the storms that life throws at them,” said Hedcor President and COO Rolando G. Pacquiao. “Our assistance goes beyond a mere contribution; it represents our willingness to help protect lives, foster optimism and cultivate resilience.”

Hedcor continues to carry out sustainable development initiatives to create a positive impact in its host communities.

Hedcor is the renewable energy subsidiary of AboitizPower, celebrating 45 years of Transforming Energy for a Better World.

THE new generation of Filipino families is becoming more practical, especially with the rising cost of living. Nowadays, they find it much better to make everything cost-effective, including their meals. While this is a more sustainable and innovative choice, some families sacrifice their overall nutrition to keep things on a budget.

That is why, in keeping with this year’s celebration of Nutrition Month, with the theme “Healthy diet gawing affordable for all!” the National Nutrition Council (NNC) wants to spread the message that every Filipino family should have greater access to healthy, safe, and affordable food. The theme also emphasizes making food commodities more stable and sufficient for every household.

A healthy lifestyle should not drain the family’s bank account. That is why Santé, a premier natural health and wellness product and service provider, supports this year’s Nutrition Month campaign by sharing a helpful guide on how you and your family can cultivate a healthy lifestyle on a budget. Prepare home-cooked meals with affordable but nutritious ingredients. While home-cooked meals are typical in Filipino households, you may sacrifice the meal you prepare because of the need for more time and resources. You may cook fried, processed food (e.g., hotdogs, longganisa, tocino, noodles, etc.) and canned goods. But there will always be more accessible, affordable, and healthier meals that you can prepare. You can start by exploring healthy dishes with cheap ingredients like ginisang ampalaya, stir-fried tofu with eggplant, tinolang isda, monggo with malunggay, and more.

Coffee, which can boost your family’s energy while providing fiber and protein. There’s also Santé Choco Barley for the kids to enjoy because it’s a sweet treat packed with vitamins such as A and C. And for dads, Santé Boost Coffee can improve their physical performance and is full of antioxidants because it contains Tongkat Ali. All of these consist of Santé Barley Grass, certified organic by BioGro. That is why you’ll never doubt the nutrients and vitamins these products can give to your family.

Exercise as a family. Exercise doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Look for free activities such as walking, biking, hiking, or playing in local parks. Explore workout videos or apps that offer home-based exercises without requiring expensive gym memberships or equipment. And allow your kids to play outside after school or after finishing their homework.

initiative also shows SM Cares’ support of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly “SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being”, “SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities”, and “SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities”.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, supporting initiatives focused on communities and the environment. Its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative. To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

Shop smarter and healthier. The local wet and dry market will be your best friend if you want your family to keep things on a budget. You can buy everything in bulk and get enough fresh produce to sustain your family for at least two weeks. Stop buying frozen goods and opt for whole foods such as grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, which are usually affordable and nutritious.

Regarding grocery shopping, look for promos and discounts and buy generic brands to stretch your budget further. Consider buying in bulk for non-perishable items like grains, nuts, and seeds.

Invest in and explore health and wellness resources. Nutrition doesn’t always come from food; it also comes from the vitamins and nutrients you and your family can take. Always make sure that you set aside a budget to sustain your family’s daily vitamins. And don’t forget to go for generics.

You can also substitute other daily drinks with healthier ones. For instance, Santé offers a variety of healthy drinks, such as Santé Fusion

Remember, health and wellness should start within the family. It should be a collective effort to make everyone live healthier lives, but that does not mean it should be expensive and burdensome.

“We believe that the journey towards a healthy lifestyle is continuous. When families start nurturing a culture of wellness, they are investing in the present and laying the foundation for a future filled with vitality and joy,” said Joey Marcelo, chief executive officer of Santé.

Santé is one of the leading global manufacturers of products with organic barley grass (certified organic by BioGro) grown and harvested in New Zealand. With its mission to help people live better lives, the company promotes, produces, and distributes premier natural health and wellness products and services. Santé reminds everyone only to buy Santé products from legitimate business owners and resellers and to report counterfeits.

To learn more about Santé Fusion Coffee, Santé Choco Barley, Santé Boost Coffee, and other Santé products, visit its website at mySanté.com.

THE photo on the left shows the Impasug-ong Local Disaster Risk Reduction officers showcase their new search and rescue operations equipment given by Hedcor. With their newly acquired rescue vehicle, Barangay Sibulan in the right photo is fully prepared to provide assistance during emergencies

This Nutrition Month, cultivate an affordable, healthy family lifestyle through cost-effective meal options

Tet Andolong

Establishing a meaningful partnership with Santa Lucia Mall

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

As they say, the customer is king. Kenny Rogers crafted a solid plan to give their customers good service, high quality of food and royal treatment to their customers .

Locating in Sta. Lucia Mall has definitely given Kenny Rogers a good market advantage. Moreover, Sta. Lucia’s location provides convenience to their customers. “We have a good ambience and our customers love the quality, how we serve,” he said. Meanwhile, international restaurant chain Pizza Hut, also in its 20th year operating in Sta. Lucia Mall, wanted to grab the opportunity to be one of the first restaurants to have a presence in the eastern part of Metro Manila.

Harold Cabezudo-LSM Manager, Pizza Hut, told the BusinessMirror in an email interview that the company wanted to expand the brand and the opening of Sta. Lucia was a perfect opportunity to get a slice of the market. “Despite the competition that came in the area, Sta. Lucia still hits the right targets and held tight to its loyal customers. Pizza is the people’s food and Sta. Lucia’s customers love Pizza Hut. Since 1996 until now, we are glad to serve our patrons in Sta. Lucia their Pizza Hut favorites and all our innovations,” he said.

Cabezudo said mall goers in Sta. Lucia have developed a strong liking for Pizza Hut as it has been one of the most loved brands among solo and group diners. To ensure customer loyalty, Pizza Hut continuously introduces improvements in their products, services, and exciting promotions to give clients their money’s worth.

He noted Sta. Lucia Mall’s strategic and accessible location makes it an easy choice for the community it serves and the commuters in the area. “Moreover, Sta. Lucia Mall offers many choices to address the needs of the community, thus making it an essential part of the lives of the residents of eastern Metro Manila,” he said.

Making the right choice

Rene L AB RAD oR , marketing manager of Sta. Lucia Mall, said it implements a thorough process in screening prospective clients. “Sta. Lucia Mall assures that each tenant’s products and services are legit, safe, reliable, of good quality, and of the highest standard possible,” Labrador told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail interview.

“The screening process conducted by Sta. Lucia Mall on its tenants involves checking

legal permits and documentation, making sure they have the capability to sustain the operation of the business, and knowing the history and background of the tenant in the industry,” Labrador added. The objective is to protect the company, the tenants, the mall shoppers, the employees, and the overall good of each stakeholder, according to Labrador.

Extending a helping hand during the pandemic Du R in g the pandemic, Sta. Lucia Mall

loosen its restrictions in terms of rental fees and gave discounts to enable its tenants to continue both their operations and store schedule adjustments since not all tenants could operate fully during the pandemic.

Since those were lean times, the management granted access to some marketing collateral and free use of L e D w alls for marketing ads for in-house tenants and free ad spaces around the mall. it a lso showed the power of humanity and kindness during challenging times

when management, tenants, employees, shoppers, and stakeholders worked together to continue serving the people, meeting the market’s needs and wants, and making sure the business cycle kept moving.

i n 2 021, Sta. Lucia Mall’s marketing department, joined Sta. Lucia Land and promoted a raffle promo during the “ber” months of 2021. The lucky winners won vouchers worth P5,000, P2,000, and P1,000 pesos to purchase either food, clothing, apparel, or other services from the tenants. o n ce the tenants had received the vouchers used by the winners, they turned over all the vouchers to the administration office to claim them in cash. i n that way, the management entertained and helped both shoppers and tenants.

Further, from o c tober to December 2022, the Sta. Lucia Mall conducted a raffle promo in which winners could win a brand-new Aerox 155. The goal was to boost sales for the tenants and at the same time help the cash-trapped customers by giving them the chance to win a motorcycle, which they could use for daily transportation to help them travel faster around Metro Manila and also use it to generate income since during that time delivery services were at their highest demand.

GDC widens roads within Laguna township project LAnSon PLAcE MALL of ASiA, MAniLA: THE LATEST AddiTion To PASAy ciT y’S SkyLinE oPEning Soon

MA n i L A, Philippines—A new era of hospitality is coming to the bustling area of Pasay City in the form of Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila. As part of the SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) collaboration, Lanson Place Personal Hotels & Residences (Lanson Place) is finally bringing its expertise in personal hotels and serviced residences to Metro Manila.

By Roderick L. Abad

gR ee n F i e L D Development Corp.

(g D C) has rolled out a road widening project in its master-planned township to prevent future road congestion and make travel more convenient for homeowners.

it ’s upscale community called g r eenfield City is known for its spacious and eco-friendly homes, lush landscapes, tree-lined roads, and wide open spaces.

At the heart of this project is Trava, a premium subdivision that boasts of both the luxury of urban life and the laid-back nature of the suburbs.

Situated in an accessible prime location, it is just a few minutes away from Sta. Rosa, Laguna’s shopping centers, hospitals, schools and central business districts, making homeowners’ daily lives convenient.

But as more consumers find the conveniences offered by g r eenfield Trava, it is not surprising that the volume of traffic in the nearby areas has increased.

i n a nticipation of roadways reaching their capacity in some other time, the developer has initiated to broaden alternate access roads to its very own g r eenfield City from Tagaytay-

Santa Rosa Road to the South Luzon e x pressway via the e t on- g r eenfield City e x it, particularly u nited Boulevard, g r asslands Drive, and g re enfield Parkway.

This project, likewise, covered the widening of a 4-kilometer g r eenfield Parkway within the development and a 1-kilometer g r assland Drive fronting Trava, from two lanes to four lanes.

“At g r eenfield, we build not only sustainable homes but also infrastructures that will bring convenience to our homeowners in the long term. This road widening project is a worthwhile investment that will make Trava an ideal home for generations to come,” g D C

e x ecutive Vice President and g e neral Manager

Duane A.X. Santos said.

Based on a 2022 study in Clemson u n iversity, the time people spend getting to and from work directly affects their overall well-being. With this project, Trava residents will have less time commuting but more to do activities that are beneficial to their health and well-being.

What’s more, wider roads are a big growth factor for the real-estate market value of homes in Trava

easy

With an expanding array of properties throughout Asia, such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, Lanson Place Mall of Asia is set to continue the operator’s commitment to providing its guests with a distinct haven away from home. Set to open its doors to the public in the third quarter of 2023, Lanson Place’s latest addition will rise within the Mall of Asia Complex, featuring over 247 hotel rooms and 142 serviced residences ready for its guests.

“We are thrilled to be unveiling Lanson Place Mall of Asia. o u r vision for this project was to provide our guests with sophisticated and dynamic spaces that they can call home. We look forward to continuing to grow our Asia footprint and to add this exciting development to the Philippines community,” said Michael Hobson, the C e o of Lanson Place.

Lanson Place: Redefining Premium Properties Through Artistry and Authentic Hospitality F Ro M the moment guests step into the property, they’ll be enveloped in an ambience of refined comfort. Lanson Place Mall of Asia, with its brand promise of “Make Yourself At Home” embraces the philosophy that surpassing expectations is not merely a slogan but a fundamental lifestyle.

The property’s architecture houses an environment celebrating art and design while providing a comfortable experience for guests. The interiors have been carefully crafted to ensure a seamless flow, where every element contributes to the overall narrative of the space.

The property prides itself on having a perfect mix of contemporary and traditional architecture and its interior design is a testament to the beautiful balance between modern flair and the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.

From sleek lines and minimalist accents to intricate sculptures and imagery, the interiors serve as remarkable showcase of the country’s diverse and captivating artistic traditions.

The outstanding art pieces in the property can be attributed to the art program curated by n e stor Jardin, the former President and Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, known for sourcing and curating art pieces for renowned hotels in the

Philippines.

“The vision for the Lanson Place Mall of Asia’s art program is to complement this contemporary architecture and interior design, thereby creating spaces that exude contemporary aesthetics and appeal to the target market. The artworks shall use material references, cultural symbols, and motifs to evoke a strong sense of place and community spirit,” said Jardin.

Lanson Place Mall of Asia is set to have its soft opening sometime in the third quarter of 2023. As a part of this event, the property offers exclusive benefits for its guests who take advantage of the advanced booking. To learn more about the early bird offer at Lanson Place Mall of Asia, please contact reservations.lpmn@ lansonplace.com.

For more information about the upcoming opening of Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila, visit the official website at www.lansonplace.com/mallofasia/, and the following social media pages (Facebook | i n stagram).

Last of two parts

Well-knoW n chicken roasters brand kenny Rogers decided to open a branch in Sta. lucia 20 years ago because it wanted to establish a strategic market position in Cainta. “We decided to open Sta. lucia Mall because we want the people of Cainta and the nearby areas to experience the quality service and good food that kenny Rogers has,” said Johnny C. liceralde-oIC, kenny Rogers, Sta. lucia Mall in an email interview with the BusinessMirror.

AnTiciPATing that roadways will eventually reach their capacity, the road widening project of greenfield development corp. aims to prevent future road congestion and make travel more convenient for Trava homeowners.

BLU GIRLS Cheska Altamonte (left) and Elsie Dela Cruz grace Tuesday’s forum.

Blu Girls vow to play inspired

in World Cup

T

It’s going to be tough. We’re not going to win the World Cup but I think the team will do good and make the country proud,” catcher Cheska Altamonte, also the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (AsaPhil) secretary-general, told Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

Joining Altamonte in the forum held at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Hall in Manila were first baseman Elsie dela Torre.

We’re prepared, we’ve been training hard,” said De la Torre ahead of the team’s departure for Italy on Sunday.

It will be the Blu Girls’ seventh stint in the World Cup since 1970 when the country registered its best finish—third—in Osaka, Japan.

The forthcoming stint won’t be, Altamonte added in the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

I n the 18-team World Cup, where the United States is the defending champion, the Blu Girls are bracketed with three-time champion Japan, Canada, Venezuela, New Zealand and host Italy. Their first game will be against the Canadians on July 22.

“ There are six teams in this World Cup that made it to the Tokyo Olympics and three of them are in our bracket [Japan, Canada and Italy],” Altamonte said.

We’ve beaten Japan but we’ve never played Italy. New Zealand, we’ve won against them. And Venezuela is the most frustrating for us because we had chances of beating them,” Altamonte said. “Canada we’ve won against in 2017.”

That’s why it has to be a perfect game,” said Altamonte, adding that she won’t be playing all matches to give the other catchers in the Blu Girls lineup the chance to compete against the world’s best.

Sports

B8 Wednesday, July 12, 2023

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

HANDSHAKE ISSUE AT WIMBLEDON

IMBLEDON, England—HE Philippine Blu Girls are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to make the country proud in the Softball World Cup set July 22 to 27 in Italy.Wimbledon is staying out of the politics of handshakes.

E lina Svitolina of Ukraine had urged tennis authorities to publicize that Ukrainians won’t be shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian players after matches—so that fans don’t boo because they think some players are being snubbed.

We’ve no intention of doing that,”

Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton said Monday.

Fans on No. 1 Court booed

Belarusian player Victoria Azarenka after she didn’t go to the net to shake hands with Svitolina after the Ukrainian player’s victory on Sunday.

A zarenka knew that Svitolina doesn’t shake hands with Russians and Belarusians—in protest of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—and instead waved to her. She later said she was trying to be “respectful towards her decision.”

Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus echoed Svitolina’s call for an announcement “so players will not leave court with so much hate.... It would be good for the crowd to actually know what’s going on. There is a reason behind no handshake.”

B olton, however, said there won’t

P

Farm Fresh side and an erratic second set and fashioned out a 25-21, 31-29, 25-17 victory to stay on track for the semifinals in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday.

C ignal also essayed a similar straight-set win over Foton in the next match of a busy four-game schedule—25-10, 25-16, 25-22—to gain a share of second at 2-1 wonlost and tighten up the semifinals race in Pool B.

The HD Spikers imposed their will early behind Ces Molina,

ONE-STOP SPORTS SHOP (From left) Asiatraders Corp. President Manuel Tan, Angeles City Government Satellite Office officer-in-charge Rafael Lazatin Angeles, Asiatraders Corp. vice president John Christopher Tan, Dynamic Sports Corp. managing director Liza Tang-Yuquico and Asiatraders Corp. director Margaret Tan open the Icon Golf and Sports store at the Clark Cityfront Mall at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City recently. The store carries premium international brands such as Honma, G/FORE, Peter Millar, Dunlop, Slazenger and Babolat.

Saso & Corpuz: Proud Pinay roots

was a “big misunderstanding.” In a big crowd, he said, there’s bound to be people who don’t know the details.

It’s a pity for sure for her that she got booed, and probably for no reason,” the third-seeded Medvedev said. “But I think the people didn’t know the story behind it, and that’s why it happened.”

Jessica Pegula, meanwhile, has reached the quarterfinals in five of her last 10 major tournaments. Making it past that point has been an issue.

The 29-year-old American gets another shot at the semifinals when she faces Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

W inning in the fourth round at Wimbledon this year means the fourth-seeded Pegula has reached the quarterfinals at each of the four Grand Slam tournaments.

SEMENYA WINS APPEAL

Double Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya wins an appeal against track and field’s testosterone rules on Tuesday when the European Court of Human Rights rules she’s discriminated against and there are “serious questions” about the rules’ validity. World Athletics, which enforces the regulations, says that its rules would remain in place, however, meaning there would not be an immediate return to top-level competition for the South African runner. AP

FIRST was Yuka Saso. Followed by Allisen Corpuz.   Saso, 22, was the first with Filipino roots to win the US Women’s Open, the world’s most prestigious tournament on

BELARUS’S Aryna Sabalenka (left) shakes hands with Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova after their match Monday. AP be any instruction to Wimbledon umpires to make announcements about handshakes.

Historically in tennis the decision on how a player reacts at the end of a match is entirely a personal decision for them and I think we don’t really want to start mandating what happens,” Bolton said. “We have an incredibly knowledgeable audience at Wimbledon and I think in the most part they would understand what was

ETRO GAZZ survived a gameJovelyn Gonzaga and Roselyn Doria’s sustained assaults then weathered the Tornadoes’ onslaught in the third set to annex the 72-minute triumph and rebound from a four-set loss to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers after dispatching the Angels, also in four, in the conference’s inaugurals last June 27.

I’m very thankful to the Lord for guiding us for the entire game and the opportunity to train after dropping our last game. So it’s a good sign we were able to recover and win,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos, who drew 16 points Molina, 14 hits from Gonzaga and 10 points from Doria. We really needed this win, actually we should win all our games,” said Molina, citing the eliminations’ taut format, particularly in the sixteam Group B of the two-division conference. Group A is made up for five squads.

Shaya Adorador posted a 13-hit showing while almost single-handedly keeping the Tornadoes in the fight in the third but failed to draw solid backup from the rest of the Tornadoes,

T

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) President Ramon

the distaff side.  Saso did it in 2021.

Corpuz, 25, duplicated that this year, carving out the feat only last weekend by firing a last-round 69 for a three-stroke win at the famed Pebble Beach in California, where legends Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus had lifted championship trophies as well.

W hile Saso has a Japanese for a father and a Filipino for a mother, Corpuz’s father is a Filipino married to a South Korean.

Saso, whose mother is from Bulacan, was born and raised in the Philippines.

A fter Saso’s US Open win, she adopted Japanese citizenship.

S ome sectors pouted at the flag shift, citing Saso’s closeness to Filipino culture and moors more than

going on. I wouldn’t want to speculate on what everybody in the crowd was thinking last night.”

At the French Open, it was the other way around for Ukrainian players. Marta Kostyuk was booed when she didn’t shake hands with Sabalenka. Svitolina said she was also booed in Paris.

Russian player Daniil Medvedev, who moved into the quarterfinals on Monday, said Azarenka being booed

To say that I’ve done that at all four is something I’ve wanted to say. Obviously I hope I can do more than that,” Pegula said.

Vondrousova, the runner-up at the 2019 French Open, has knocked off three seeded opponents in a row ahead of Tuesday’s match on No. 1 Court.

In the other women’s quarterfinals match on Tuesday, top-ranked Iga Swiatek of Poland faces Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. Svitolina said she is “really thankful” for Swiatek’s support of Ukrainians. AP

EJ leads Filipinos’ campaign in Asian championships

A

O biena will anchor the Philippine campaign in the competition that serves both a qualifier for the world championships in Budapest from August 19 to 27 and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

23-ATHLETE Team Philippines led by the continent’s best pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena are seeing action in the 24th Asian Athletics Championships that start Wednesday with sprinters Umajesty Williams and Frederick Ramirez kicking off the country’s medal at the Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.Our athletes will not only compete for medals in Bangkok, but it’s also an opportunity for them to qualify for Paris and the world championships,” Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano said on Tuesday.

W illiams and Ramirez are members of the gold medal-winning 4x400 meters men’s relay team at the Cambodia 32nd Southeast Asian Games. They are competing in the 400 meters with SEA Games silver medalist Ronne Malipay vying in men’s triple jump also on Wednesday.

PETRO GAZZ’S Remy Palma powers one in between two Farm Fresh defenders.

who joined the Foxies in the sidelines with a third straight loss.

M ary Rhose Dapol scored six points while former playmaker Jasmine Nabor finished with five hits as an open spiker.

HE Philippines eyes a quarterfinal berth when it squares off with a strong Bahrain side on Wednesday morning at the start of the Final 12 of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men’s Challenge Cup at the University of Taipei Hall in Taiwan.  The match is set at 10 a.m.“Tats” Suzara told the team to take advantage of the opportunity in the final 12 although Bahrain is absolutely a strong contender.

“ Bahrain is a strong team and we don’t have enough background but it’s a good matchup with us. I am hoping the team maintains its good start,” said Suzara, noting that he’s happy with the way the national team under Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso

T he HD Spikers used their power to set the tone for the rout, producing 56 spikes, 30 more than the Tornadoes’ combined output that all but settled the outcome of the contest.

is performing when it swept the preliminary round.

The Philippines beat Macau last Sunday, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, en route to a sweep of Pool A with a thrilling five-setter over Mongolia, 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 22-25, 15-12, behind Marck Espejo’s 36-point outburst.

The other Final 12 matches, to be played on various courts, pit South Korea against Mongolia at 12:30 p.m., Australia against Macau also at 1 p.m., Indonesia against Kazakhstan at 3 p.m. and Hong Kong against Thailand at 5:30 p.m.

Japan’s.  They were of the purist kind.  More of the ultranationalist, you might say.

B ut many agreed with Saso’s allegiance to Japan.  It’s her career on the line; her new passport allows her ease of travel anytime.

I n short, Saso’s move was more of a commercial decision than anything.  A Japanese passport would bring her to tournaments around the world visa-free. We all know the hassles involved in securing a visa, if you hold a Philippine passport.  But the Japanese passport eliminates all of that. Powerful like the American passport.

W hich brings me to the question:  Why not discard all visas altogether to make this world a better place for every one?

Come to think of it: Why persevere at all to make a country so beautiful and alluring—like America for example—only to subject those wishing to visit it into navigating rigid routes in securing a visa?  Insane, isn’t it?

A llisen Corpuz is fortunate to be an American citizen,

A lso on the team supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee with CEL Logistics as sponsor are SEA Games 400 meters hurdles champion Eric Cray and long jump king Janry Ubas.  World No. 3 Obiena, the first Filipino athlete to qualify for Paris, will see action in the eliminations on Thursday and is expected to shoot for the gold medal in Sunday’s final.

Willie Morrison (shotput), Gennah Malapit (javelin), Kristina Knott (100), Clinton Bautista and John Cabang Tolentino (110m hurdles), Robin Brown and Bernalyn Bejoy (800), Joida Gagnao (3,000 steeplechase) and Sonny Wagdos and Arlan Arbois (10,000) are also on the team.

Joining them ares Michael Del Prado and Joyme Sequita who will join Williams and Ramirez in the men’s 4x400 relay. Also seeing action in the relays are Alhryan Labita, Cray, Maureen Schrijvers, Jessel Lumapas, Robyn Brown, Kyla Richardson, Bernalyn Bejoy and Jessel Lumapas. Heptathlete Sarah Dequinan, Schrijvers and Lumapas are also entered in the women’s 400.

having been born in Honolulu.  She’s likewise lucky that she had as caddy in the US Open Jay Monahan, a former professional golfer married to Allisen’s fellow Ladies Professional Golf Association campaigner, Jennifer Kupcho. Corpuz’s breakthrough US Open victory was worth $2 million, the biggest prize in women’s golf history. W ill Kupcho grab Monahan back to caddy for her in her succeeding tournaments?   Ummm. Why not?

THAT’S IT With pole vault star EJ Obiena recently clinching for the Philippines the first ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the likes of 2020 Olympic gold weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and world gymnast champion Carlos Yulo are likely to follow suit soon.  Include Kyla Sanchez, the Canadian transferee with swim medals to boot from the Tokyo Games in 2021, and Olympic boxing medalists Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial.  More are expected to make it to Paris 2024. We never run out of talent.

W

By Josef Ramos

PHL spikers eye quarters in Taiwan