BusinessMirror July 21, 2022 by BusinessMirror

SEIPI’s plea: Review incentives rationalization B A E. S J

HE Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI) is urging the government to review the incentives rationalization, which it said is putting the industry at a disadvantage. At a webinar on Wednesday, SEIPI President Danilo Lachica pointed out that he earlier proposed to former Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez to level the playing field in operating cost first before doing so with incentives, noting that multinational investors pursue the country with the most competitive operating cost.

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Lachica underscored that there are about $3.2 billion of investments that could have gone to the Philippines but have instead been moved by multinational firms to other countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and China due to issues on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law, particularly the rationalization of incentives. The SEIPI chief didn’t name the publicly listed companies but stressed that, “I think one of the biggest concerns in addition to the high operating cost would be the incentives.”

On Wednesday, the country’s premier lifestyle and entertainment destination rebranded to Newport World Resorts. From pioneering the integrated resort concept in the country, RWM is taking a bold step into newer and bigger things with its newly minted name, Newport World Resorts (NWR). NWR is reinventing the brand to bring together its pioneering integrated resorts and the best of its community within the sprawling Newport City complex and elevate its thrills in gaming, hotels, entertainment, dining, and retail. Story in B1 Companies.

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Thursday, July 21, 2022 Vol. 17 No. 286

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

Higher yields, fertilizers on DA plan for food security B S P. M @sam_medenilla

‘NO EXPENSE’? A massive dredging operation continues near the mouth of a river facing the West Philippine Sea in Cabangan, Zambales, to help mitigate flooding by removing sediments and debris. But after over six years of operations, it has raised concern among residents. Although the operation is “at no expense” to government, precious earth materials are being exported “raw” by influential mining companies, depriving the country of much-needed income from processed minerals. Environment groups, meanwhile, have raised an alarm over reports that materials from dredging in the province, which could eventually lead to habitat degradation, were being used in China’s West Philippine Sea reclamation and military infrastructure. JOEL C. PAREDES

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@BcuaresmaBM

HE Philippine economy was in a deficit of more than a billion dollars in its transactions with the rest of the world for the second consecutive month in June, owing largely to the National Government’s payment of foreign debt.

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the country’s Balance of Payments (BOP)—or the summary of the local economy’s transactions with the global economy—hit a deficit of $1.57 billion in June this year. This is the second consecutive month that the BOP deficit has breached the $1-billion mark. In May, the country’s deficit was at $1.61 billion. June’s deficit is also significantly higher

than the $312-million BOP deficit in the same month in 2021. The BOP is usually considered as an important economic indicator in an economy as it shows the level of earnings or expenses of the Philippines with its transactions with the world. A deficit means that the country had more dollar expenditures than its dollar earnings during S “PHL,” A

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) vowed to boost production of rice and other agricultural items and make it more accessible to consumers before the end of the year. In a televised interview on Wednesday, Agriculture Undersecretary Kristine L. Evangelista disclosed that among the initiatives is promoting urban gardening or agriculture, and planting of cash crops, as well as providing farmers access to fertilizers, which have recently become more expensive. No less than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. earlier said the country will be negotiating with several countries to secure cheap fertilizer through a government-to-government arrangement. “The idea of finding a way to bring down the cost of fertilizer is one of the solutions to help our producers to be able to come up with a better yield,” Evangelista said. The agriculture official said they will also strengthen their Kadiwa program, wherein farmers will be able to sell their products C  A

FOOD-DEBT TWIN WOES TO GUT POOR COUNTRIES B C U. O @caiordinario

OOR and even middle-income countries are at risk of facing a debt and food crisis given the steep increase in commodity prices, according to an economist from the World Bank. In a World Bank blog post, Global Director of Macroeconomics, Trade & Investment Marcello Estevão said the war in Eastern Europe has already sent food prices through the roof and this posts a serious concern for many poor countries, including a number of middle-income countries.

“Over the next year, the tab for imports of wheat, rice, and maize in these countries is expected to rise by the equivalent of more than 1 percent of GDP,” Estevão said. “That is more than twice the size of the 2021-2022 increase— and, given the relatively small size of these economies, it’s also twice as large as the expected increase for middle-income economies,” he added. This is a major concern given that one crisis alone could have a significant impact on millions. In 2008, Estevão said, the food crisis C  A

PESO EXCHANGE RATES US 56.3350 ■ JAPAN 0.4077 ■ UK 67.6189 ■ HK 7.1765 ■ SINGAPORE 40.4793 ■ AUSTRALIA 38.8599 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 15.0047 ■ EU 57.6307 ■ KOREA 0.0432 ■ CHINA 8.3552

Source: BSP (July 20, 2022)

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a given period. “The BOP deficit in June 2022 reflected outflows arising mainly from the National Government’s payments of its foreign currency debt obligations,” the BSP said. The BOP deficit in June brought the cumulative BOP level for the first half of the year 2022 to a $3.1-billion deficit, higher than the $1.9-billion deficit recorded in the same period a year ago. Last month, the BSP announced that the projection for the country’s overall BOP position for 2022 is a deficit of $6.3 billion, revised from the previous forecast of a $4.3 billion deficit. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said for the coming months, the country’s BOP could still be affected by the continued Russian invasion in Ukraine, as it is expected to elevate the prices of importation and lead to higher trade deficits and affect the peso. Regional think tank AMRO (ASEAN +3 Macroeconomic Research Office), which released its annual assessment of the Philippines on Wednesday, also said the country’s external account could face some pressure in 2022 as the external environment has become more unfavorable.

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All regions still at low-risk Covid classification despite rising cases

ESPITE continued case increases in most regions, the entire nation and all regions remain at low-risk Covid case classification, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.

In a press briefing, DOH Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that most areas show a continuous increase in cases, with the National Capital Region showing the steepest increase—now at almost 900 cases per day. “Mindanao shows a continued slow increase trend,” Vergeire said. Meanwhile, Vergeire said severe and critical cases remain at around 600 admissions. Vergeire said that 816 additional BA.5 cases

have been detected, of which 686 were tagged as recovered. All regions detected the variant, except Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Twelve returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) tested positive for the BA.5 variant. Of the newly infected, 560 individuals are fully vaccinated while the vaccination status of the remaining 256 individuals is still being verified.

“At the moment, exposure of individuals is still unknown and travel histories are being verified,” the DOH official said, adding that three individuals presented moderate symptoms while the disease severity of the remaining 813 are still being verified. There are still 78 people undergoing isolation, while the outcome of the 52 other cases are being verified. For the BA.4 subvariant, 42 additional cases were detected; 36 were tagged as recovered. Ten individuals from Region 12, 9 from Region 11, 7 from Region 6, 4 each from NCR and Region 5, 3 from Region 4A, one each from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and BARMM, and 3 ROFs tested positive for the BA.2.12.1 variant. Thirty-one of the infected are fully vaccinated while the vaccination status of the remaining 11 individuals is still being verified. “At the moment, the exposure of individuals, travel histories, and health status are being

verified,” Vergeire said. There are 36 individuals who are now tagged as recovered, 5 are still undergoing isolation, while the outcome of one case is still being verified.

BA.2.12.1

MEANWHILE, 52 additional BA.2.12.1 cases were detected and 49 were already tagged as recovered. At least one individual each from Regions 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 4A, CAR, Caraga, and NCR tested positive for the BA.2.12.1 variant. Twenty-six individuals are fully vaccinated, 5 are partially vaccinated, while the vaccination status of the remaining 21 are still being verified. “Despite the increase in Covid-19 cases, national and all regions remain at low risk case classification, while the number of severe and critical admissions remain less than 1,000 at the national level,” Vergeire concluded. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

FOOD-DEBT TWIN WOES TO GUT POOR COUNTRIES C  A

caused malnutrition to increase. Many poor families were forced to sell their valuables in order to buy food. Some of them even

sacrificed the education of their children just to cope with high food costs. Due to the pandemic, many countries are already seeing public debts surge. By the end of 2020, Estevão said, public and

publicly guaranteed debt owed by poor countries to foreign creditors stood at a record $123.8 billion, an increase of nearly 75 percent from 2010. He added that debt-service pay-

ments of these economies now constitute nearly 10 percent of their export earnings, up from less than 4 percent a decade ago.

Deadly combination

“WHEN a food crisis coincides with a debt crisis, the effects are magnified: the high debt paralyzes local governments, and international assistance becomes the only way out,” Estevão said. The World Bank economist recommended that emergency aid be ramped up for countries at risk of facing food and debt crises. These funds must be extended to the poorest and most vulnerable households in the form of cost-effective transfers. Governments, the economist said, should also improve farmers’ access to fertilizers in order to increase food production. This is already part of the Philippine government’s plans as the Department of Agriculture, led by the President himself, is looking at governmentto-government arrangements to improve fertilizer access. Apart from this, Estevão said, countries should not impose restrictions on exports of food and fertilizers. But as of June, 34 countries had already resorted to this, causing commodity prices to further increase. “The poorest countries face dangers they have not encountered in decades. But few outcomes are more devastating to the poor than

a simultaneous food and debt crisis. This is why policymakers across the world share an obligation to act promptly and decisively to prevent it,” Estevão said.

PSA warning

EARLIER, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and local economists warned that Filipinos must brace for higher inflation and expect the further decline of their purchasing power. PSA reported that inflation averaged 6.1 percent in June, the highest since October 2018 when inflation averaged 6.9 percent. Year-to-date inflation averaged 4.4 percent as of June. The rapid increase in commodity prices cut down the purchasing power of the peso to only P0.87 centavos. This means, in order to buy goods worth P1, every Filipino must shell out P0.13 centavos more or P1.13. Mapa said based on their estimates, the level of the purchasing power of the peso was at P0.89 in March 2022. This means, there was a P0.02-centavo decline in the value of the currency in terms of purchasing goods and services. For the poorest Filipinos, their purchasing power is even lower. BM estimated that for the Bottom 30 percent or the poorest 30 percent of the population, the value of the currency is at P0.72 centavos as of June 2022 from P0.74 centavos in March 2022.

Higher yields, fertilizers on DA plan for food security C  A

directly to consumers, through the government. She said they will also provide logistical support through farmto-market roads to farmers to help them transport their agricultural products. “So these are the steps we are doing now aligned with the directives of our President and Agriculture Secretary,” Evangelista said. Marcos ordered DA to implement programs that will increase farmers’ yield to ensure the country’s food supply and keep the prices of local food items stable. “So increasing the yield [of farmers], is something that we are looking into and that is something we intend to achieve within the year also,” Evangelista said. “We are looking at the activities that we have to put in place, including the necessary funding requirements to be able to attain the goal,” she added.

PSG: SONA preparations now finalized

REPARATIONS for the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. are now in their final stages, according to the Presidential Security Group (PSG). PSG Commander Ramon Zagala said they are now wrapping up their preparations for the event on July 25, 2022 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. “So, these preparations are being planned since last week and...we at PSG, we are prepared in coordination with the Philippine National Police so that everything will go smooth, from the time he arrives, he delivers his SONA until he returns to Malacañan Palace,” Zagala told reporters in an interview on Wednesday. He said they coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and relevant agencies in securing the venue for the event, which is usually marked by protests. PSG said it hopes these measures will ensure no untoward incident will happen next Monday. As of Wednesday, Zagala said they have yet to receive any report of any plot to derail the conduct of the SONA. PNP earlier said over 20,000 personnel from the PNP, PSG and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be deployed in Quezon City to secure the event. Strict health protocols will also be in place. Samuel P. Medenilla

SEIPI’s plea: Review incentives rationalization C  A

“In fact with former Secretary Dominguez when I first met with them, we said that ‘hey you know it’s way to level the playing field for incentives’ but we were proposing that let’s level the playing field first in operating cost because the reality is from the multinational’s perspective, incentives or not, they’re gonna go to the country which gives the

most competitive operating cost in terms of cost per unit,” said the SEIPI chief. In addition, Lachica emphasized that “while Sec. Dominguez says we increased incentives investments in the Philippines by 50 percent... of 2020, the reality is we’re sadly lagging behind Vietnam and other Asean countries.” With this, the SEIPI chief stressed, “we are hoping that the new administration would review the incentives rationalization part because it’s really putting us at a disadvantage.” Lachica noted that while the industry enjoys the 10-year transition period under the CREATE law, the investments for new products and new technologies “are not being located in the Philippines.” Further, the SEIPI chief noted, “So what’s

happening especially for our industries that depend on new products and new technologies, is they’re just gonna run these legacy products and then when they become obsolete, guess what? There’s not much need for the Philippine side, so that’s the scary part.” Last month, in a televised interview, the SEIPI chief underscored that although the demand has always been there for the electronic exports, the semiconductor industry is not spared from challenges that it has to face. Particularly, Lachica said, the industry is also suffering from higher costs of logistics, power, operating, and utilities. With this, Lachica stressed that the government should review the incentives rationalization and promote the ease of doing business as

well as reconcile policies that have to a certain extent really proved helpful to the industry. The SEIPI chief said last month they have already tried to line up meetings with the new government, including with the President and Cabinet members to explain the industry’s situation and the real threats they are facing especially amid the challenging environment that we face today. However, Lachica said on Wednesday that while he already informed former Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Karl Chua, and both chambers of the Congress about their concerns, “it fell on deaf ears.” Still, the SEIPI chief hopes that the new administration will listen to their plea.

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LTFRB urged to allow more PUVs to ply daily routes By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

EN. Grace Poe, warning against a looming “commuter pandemonium,” on Wednesday took up the cudgels for public utility vehicles (PUVs) blocked from plying regular routes. “There is every reason to listen to the plea to allow more public utility vehicles to return to their routes ahead of the opening of face-to-face classes in August,” the senator stressed. She suggested that “it is a viable solution to avert a commuter pandemonium when majority of the 28 million students, mixed with millions more workers, go out on the streets for a ride to their destinations and back home.” Poe pointed out that while there are buses deployed, “they run only in main thoroughfares and do not service the secondary roads where residences are usually situated.” She recalled “we have had enough of scenes of dehumanizing conditions of commuters when they have to bear long lines, elbow their way to get inside a vehicle, stand up for hours in a bus or even hitch a ride.” In a brief statement, Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, stressed that public transport officials concerned “must spare our workers and students from this ordeal.” “We call on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to hasten its decision on letting more PUVs to ply their traditional routes,” the senator said, suggesting “doing so would not only help augment transportation needed by our people, but also provide a source of income to our drivers.”

PHL is 6th most influenced country in the world by China–intl survey By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

HE Philippines has been ranked sixth in the world among 36 countries surveyed in a qualitative study measuring China’s expanding influence worldwide. According to China Index, conducted by Taiwan-based research outfit Doublethink Lab (DTL), China’s influence in the Philippines is highest in the fields of domestic politics (69.4 percent), law enforcement (68.2 percent), technology (65.9 percent), economy (63.6 percent) and media (60 percent). The China Index is the first survey of the DTL that “investigates Chinese influence, operations and disinformation campaigns and their impacts” in a bid to address the challenges posed by China’s “growing

global influence.” It also bridges the gap between international democracy movements, tech communities and China experts. DTL networked with seven regional partner organizations and local experts on Chinese influence, i.e. academics or professionals with expertise in relevant domains, independent journalists or nonpartisan researchers, think tanks or civil society organizations and community leaders. They were specifically given questionnaires on China’s influence on nine domains—media, foreign policy, academia, domestic politics, economy, technology, society, military and law enforcement. In other domains, China’s influence on the Philippines is 40 percent in academia, 27.3 percent in society, 45.5 percent in military and 45.5

percent in foreign policy. On the field of domestic politics, respondents agreed to the survey questionnaires posed that politicians or government employees at the sub-national level are signing agreements with the Chinese government or state-owned enterprises, local municipalities have sister-city ties with municipalities in China, politicians or government employees have taken trips to China paid for by the Chinese-connected individuals or entities, and politicians or government employees visit China and have meetings with Chinese officials and think tanks, and law enforcement and judicialrelated training offered by the Chinese-connected individuals or entities has been accepted by national or local governments. However, respondents in the Phil-

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

HE Philippine Navy’s newest frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna, has tested its full might in the ongoing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise by unleashing its firepower. The South Korean-delivered warship unleashed the power of its main gun and other batteries, firing them off for four days as it joined other foreign navy ships in the world’s biggest military exercise.

and areas with special circumstances,” Duterte said. Duterte issued the statement after Marcos said during the Cabinet meeting that blended learning may still continue in “specific areas” only. “As much as possible, face-to-face na talaga,” Marcos said. This came after the issue on whether DepEd should do away with blended learning beyond October 31 was raised during the meeting, considering the challenges that the department is facing. Duterte said that DepEd would prepare a plan to be reviewed by the President. “No details are forthcoming anytime soon,” she said.

Navy spokesman Cdr. Benjo Negranza said that during a gunnery exercise, the Antonio Luna fired and tested the accuracy of its main battery 76mm super rapid gun, 30mm Smash Aselsan and caliber 50 machine gun. The frigate’s armaments were all aimed at the hammer-head targets deployed by the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Winnipeg. “During the Naval Surface Fire Support [NSFS] Rodeo exercise, the 76mm super rapid gun was again tested by targeting 2D virtual land

information,” Negranza said. “[The] BRP Antonio Luna and other participants were given a practice run for gunfire corrections prior to proceeding with the record firing,” he said. Aside from the firing exercises, the Agusta Westland (AW) 109 helicopter embarked on BRP Antonio Luna also participated in the Combined Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise (CASEX) of the RIMPAC. During the exercise, the personnel onboard a surface or air asset were tasked and trained to recog-

sounding the alarm on the emerging debt and fiscal crisis in an increasingly uncertain global context for years, the answer is clear. Focus on the people first,” he added.

Bold reforms–IBON

IN a separate briefing, Ibon Foundation Inc. said the new administration must take pains to institute bold reforms given the challenges the country faces. Ibon said addressing these challenges means discontinuing the Duterte administration’s “neoliberal policies that enriched oligarchs, immiserated the majority, and plundered resources.” The think tank added: “Bold measures that will truly develop agriculture and industry need to be identified, and the new administration can start with junking existing harmful policies such as the Rice Tariffication Law,

nize a submarine maneuvering broached and submerged at periscope depth. The wing component of BRP Antonio Luna is composed of pilot-incommand Lt. Philipp Concepcion Padreganda and co-pilots Lt. Elvan Anthony Marcelo and Lt. Junior Grade Kevin John Reforba. Negranza said the Navy’s Naval Air Wing AW 109 helicopter is among the more than 170 aircraft currently participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Souther n California.

UP-NIH sets study on hearing, cardio health of MMDA traffic men at Edsa

HE University of the Philippines Manila-National Institute of Health’s (UP-NIH) is set to conduct a study intended to determine the association of chronic traffic exposure to hearing loss wherein select field personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be the target participants. The initiative was supported by the MMDA, noting that traffic enforcers work under punishing weather conditions. MMDA Officer in Charge Engr. Baltazar Melgar also stressed that traffic enforcers are also exposed to health hazards such as traffic noise

exposure and air pollution. “It must be noted that MMDA traffic enforcers, classified as civilian uniformed personnel, are exposed to health hazards while performing their duties,” he said. According to Melgar, the study will be led by Dr. Kim Ong of the UP-NIH and will be assisted by the MMDA Medical Clinic headed by Dr. Annabelle Ombina. Select field personnel assigned at Edsa will undergo the screening process such as hearing test and indepth interview. “The screening process is expected to be done on the second week of August. Based on the criteria set by

Another ‘lost decade’ possible if multiple crises persist–FDC continued from a16 Neda said the law aimed to promote stronger governance in the grant and review of tax incentives through the oversight function of the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), ensuring accountability and transparency. Instead of reducing the taxes of these foreign players, the government must increase spending on education, health care, housing and nutrition, Ofreneo stressed. This will address the impact of the pandemic, particularly on the job losses, and ensure more Filipinos can afford their basic food and non-food needs. “The Marcos administration faces a dilemma, with the country struggling to recover from the pandemic, and facing a myriad of crises. Will it save the corporations or will it save the ordinary people first?” FDC said. “For the Freedom from Debt Coalition, which has been

ippines “skipped” the question on whether there are “reports of politicians or political parties receiving campaign donations that originate in the PRC.” “Chinese-Filipino businessmen funded campaign of Duterte. There are allegations of China-funded campaigns, however, there are no accessible or recorded data on sources of campaign funds from foreign government in the Philippines,” DTL quoted an anonymous “expert” as saying. This answer has been “reviewed” by another “anonymous expert,” the DTL added. Respondents also refused to answer the question on whether politicians or government employees have received direct or deferred benefits from China-connected individuals or entities openly or covertly such as being appointed to lucrative positions

Navy ship BRP ‘Antonio Luna’ unleashes full might of armament in RIMPAC naval exercise in Hawaii

DepEd: Blended learning only in ‘special circumstances’; in-person classes remain HE Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday maintained that the requirement of the 5-day in-person classes by November 2, 2022 is “still in effect.” In a news statement, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said that during the Cabinet meeting on July 19, one of the questions she raised to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was the possibility of the institutionalization of a blended learning mode of instruction and should the Department prepare for it. “The President agreed that a plan should be made with a caveat that face-to-face classes shall be the priority and blended modality shall be considered only in specific schools

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, July 21, 2022 A3

expanded foreign investment liberalization such as in public utilities, and lopsided trade deals only favoring rich countries.” The group called for the implementation of immediate measures such as providing cash assistance to households, substantial wage hike and subsidies, removing oil taxes, ensuring affordable and available transport, and supporting agricultural producers and micro, small and medium enterprises. These measures, Ibon said, do not only strengthen aggregate demand but also help ensure supply response and mitigate further inflation. Ibon also recommended that the administration realign the budget for non-urgent infrastructure, debt service and the military, and impose a billionaire’s tax. It should start expanding

policy space by reviewing the promarket and big businessfriendly framework which has only made millions of Filipinos more vulnerable. Ibon noted that the Philippines is among the poorest performing economies compared to its neighbors. Its gross domestic product (GDP) had the biggest contraction of 9.6 percent in 2020, followed by Thailand and Malaysia, which contracted by 6.2 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively. It added that the average annual GDP growth of 3.8 percent from 2016 to 2021 ranks the country as the 5th worst economic performer in the region before and during the pandemic. The share of agriculture and manufacturing in the economy at 9.6 percent and 19.2 percent in 2021, respectively, are their smallest in history—in the case of manufacturing, in 70 years.

the UP-NIH, traffic enforcers must have a five-year field exposure experience, regardless of their employment status,” he further said. Meanwhile, a recent study conducted by scientist Emmanuel Baja revealed that exposure to black carbon and heavy metals while on duty along the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila like Edsa where hundreds of thousands of vehicles traverse daily, affects traffic enforcers’ blood pressure and lung function. The study likewise showed that lead found in enforcers’ blood could imply systemic inflammation and may also be linked to heart damage. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

as board members or consultants with China-invested firms, casinos or energy companies during or in retirement from public office. An anonymous expert again said there are no “articles or information” that could show this. “But this may have happened indirectly without evidence in the public domain,” the respondent added. The top 5 countries most influenced by China are: Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Peru and Kyrgyzstan. The BusinessMirror sought the comment of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Manila. “The Philippines is a friend and a neighbor of China. China always sees the Philippines as a priority in its neighborhooddiplomacy,”theChinese Embassy told the BusinessMirror.

Marcos names ex-DOLE exec as new Tesda chief By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has appointed the new heads of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, Press Secretary Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles confirmed Marcos designated Danilo P. Cruz as the new Director-General of Tesda. Cruz was a former undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) during the administration of former President Benigno C. Aquino III. He will now be in charge of Tesda, the technical vocational training arm of the government under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Meanwhile, Angeles also announced the assignment of Olivia Garcia “Bong” Coo as Commissioner of the PSC. The PSC, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President, plans, implements and oversees an integrated amateur sports promotion and development program in the country. Coo will be resigning as president of the Philippine Bowling Federation to assume her new position. Marcos has yet to name the three other new commissioners and the chairperson of PSC.

Ex-PAL officials lead new DOTr appointees By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

ALACAÑANG has named the chiefs of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) line agencies, the department said on Wednesday. In a news statement, the agency said Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista swore the new heads of the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). Miaa and the Caap will be led by two former PAL Express executives.

Cesar Chiong was appointed as the acting general manager of the Miaa, while Manuel Antonio Tamayo and Edgardo Diaz were sworn in as codeputy director general of the Caap. Tamayo, who also served the DOTr during the term of former President Duterte, was appointed as the Acting Director General, making him one rank higher than Diaz. Carmelo Arcilla, who has been with the CAB for decades now, will remain as the agency’s executive director despite his retirement. Retired police major general Ma. O. Ranada Aplasca will lead the OTS, while lawyer Hernani Nieves Fabia has been appointed as the chief of the Marina.

A4 Thursday, July 21, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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LGUs receive ₧180.67-million bonanza from SBMA’s Paulino By Henry Empeño | Correspondent

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—Local government units (LGU) affected by the operation of the Subic Bay Special Economic and Freeport Zone got an early windfall last week when they received revenue shares totaling P180.67 million from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The shares, which comprises 2 percent of the 5-percent special tax collected from business locators in Subic, are released to the eight neighboring LGUs twice a year: on the first week of February for the first tranche, and on the first week of August for the second. The biggest share went to Olongapo City, which received P42.02 million; followed by Subic, Zambales with P27.62 million; Dinalupihan, Bataan with P22.47 million; and San Marcelino, Zambales with P21.65 million. Meanwhile, Hermosa, Bataan got P18.81 million; Castillejos, Zambales, P16.91 million; Morong, Bataan, P15.7 million; and San

SBMA Chairman Rolen Paulino Sr. (right) presents the revenue share for Olongapo City to his son and namesake Rolen Jr., who is city chief executive. SBMA PHOTO

Antonio, Zambales, P15.48 million. Officials from the seven towns and one city near Subic Bay received their respective check payments from SBMA Chairman Rolen Paulino Sr. at the En Izakaya restaurant last Friday, July 15. SBMA Deputy AdministratorforFinance Antonietta Sanqui, who was among those who witnessed the release, explained that the LGU shares are determined according to the population of

the beneficiary LGU, which merits 50 percent of the share; land area, which gets 25 percent; and equal sharing for the other 25 percent. Among the LGUs, Olongapo is the most populous with 260,317 residents, thus getting P31.75 million, or the bulk of shares under the 50 percent formula for population. On the other hand, San Marcelino, which has the biggest land area at 41,686 hectares, received P11.66 million, the biggest for the 25-percent land area share. The latest release of LGU shares from the SBMA brought total releases since February 2011 to P3.01 billion, according to SBMA records. Sanqui said the SBMA first released shares directly to the beneficiary LGUs for the May to December 2010 tax collections from Subicregistered enterprises. Prior to this, LGU shares were deposited with and released by the National Treasury.

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Youth prodded to practice ‘responsible’ consumption By Andrea San Juan

HE Department of Trade and Industry-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) highlighted the importance of the youth’s active involvement in changing consumption habits to promote sustainable practices and alternatives. Anchored on UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 12-Responsible Consumption and Production, the DTICPG, with the National Youth Commission (NYC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)—Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the 6th Consumer Youth e-Forum last week with the theme #YoungGreenConsumer. DTI-CPG Assistant Secretary Ann Claire C. Cabochan reminded young consumers to act on environmental issues, to be aware of the need to minimize the adverse impact of their consumption on the environment, and to influence others to also be environmentally aware consumers. For her part, DTI-CPG Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo recognized the respective roles of the government, private sector and various consumer youth groups for responding to the call to promote sustainability. “I would like to stress the significance of our individual efforts, such as changing our consumption habits and reducing our use of single-plastic,” said Castelo. “I urge all of you, the youth of our future, to be sustainable champions and help us save the planet,” Castelo said. Representing the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), Director Nieva T. Natural, presented the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production (PAP4SCP). The PAP4SCP serves as a guiding framework to influence and steer unsustainable behavior and practices across sectors and levels of government by implementing policy reforms and a set of actions. Dr. Natural also underscored the importance of adapting sustainable practices and lifestyles by encouraging the participants to consume and produce green goods. Moreover, the trade department said

in a news statement on Wednesday that the DTI-Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) enjoined youth groups that drive sustainable solutions through their initiatives to speak at the e-Forum to provide them the opportunity to collaborate with other youth groups, the industry and professional sectors, and the government offices with consumer protection programs. For his part, Jian Pierre Arguelles, owner of Fulfill Zero Waste gave an overview of their goal to fulfill consumers’ basic needs while preserving and protecting the planet. Fulfill Zero Waste promotes sustainable living by utilizing recyclable materials and eliminating single-use plastics. They created a store where consumers can buy their basic needs by bringing their own containers. The youth group also partnered with other local manufacturers that focus on household products such as condiments, soap, dishwashing liquids, and more. Meanwhile, in terms of sustainable fashion, Prince Jimdel Ventura, owner and CEO of Wear Forward discussed eliminating textile wastes, increasing clothing lifespans and utilization, and promoting collaborative consumption of fashion items through clothing as a service. Ventura also stressed the value of environmental awareness in fashion— awareness, responsibility, and transformation. Wear Forward conducts fashion lectures and workshops on upcycling, sewing, weaving and other fashionrelated activities. After the forum, DTI said, DENR Policy and Planning Service Officer-in-Charge Director Melinda C. Capistrano expressed her support and highlighted the integral role of the youth in leading the way to achieve SDG 12. Moreover, Capistrano also called on the youth to actively participate particularly on environmental consciousness in waste disposal, use of energy and water resources, among others. CPAB Director Atty. M. Marcus N. Valdez II echoed Capistrano, as he urged youth groups to be actively involved in preserving and protecting the environment.

Party-list lawmakers refile anti-contractualization bill By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

HREE lawmakers on Wednesday refiled a measure banning all forms of contractualization and urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make the “anti-endo” bill a priority of the administration. In House Bill 2173, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, Act Teachers Rep. France Castro and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel said job contracting, subcontracting, direct-hiring of contractuals and use of labor cooperatives are expressly prohibited with hefty fines and imprisonment. “With HB 2173, we are seeking to absolutely end any vestige of contractualization which was first institutionalized under Marcos Sr.’s 1974 Labor Code under Articles 106 to 109. We are challenging Marcos Jr. to remove the curse of contractualization on workers,” Brosas said. She added regular jobs and security of tenure should be the norm rather than the exception. In regular working arrangements, the authors of the bill said the gains from the enterprise have to be shared between two parties: the workers and the company. The lawmakers said in labor/job contracting, however, the gains have to be divided into three parties: the company, the contractor or agency, and the workers. The company has thus to share the gains with another party or parties, the labor contractor or contractors, at the expense of workers. This means lower wages and benefits for the workers. Moreover, the entry of labor contractor has muddled the working relationship between the workers and their companies. HB 2173 prohibits job contracting or what is currently called “lawful” contractualization, and in effect does away with the registration of contractors as allowed by the Labor Code and by the issuances of the labor department.

The measure also prohibits the direct hiring of contractuals by principal employers, subcontracting, fixed term employment, and the use of labor cooperatives. According to lawmakers, under the 1974 Labor Code of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., father of the current President, job contracting was institutionalized in contrast to “labor-only contracting” which was prohibited under Articles 106 to 109. In effect, they added, such decree allowed “lawful contractualization even as such arrangement still violates workers’ security of tenure.” The authors said the same decree also introduced the concept of probationary employment for up to six months, an arrangement that has been abused by employers for the repeated hiring of contractual workers or the “endo” scheme. Under the Labor Code passed under the Cory Aquino administration (Herrera Law), the same provisions allowing job contracting were carried over. Moreover, HB 2173 said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall have the authority to investigate and require the keeping of records necessary for the administration of this proposal. It shall issue such rules, regulations, orders and instructions as it deems necessary and appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this bill. The measure said any violation of this proposal shall be punished with a fine of not less than P1 million but not more than P10 million or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than three years, or both, at the discretion of the court. It said the employer, contractor and subcontractor shall be liable to the employee or employees. No waiver or affidavit of desistance shall prevent the filing of complaints nor derail the proceedings against the employer, contractor and subcontractor.

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Socio-civic group pitching unity launched in Mandaluyong By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

GROU P of l aw m a kers, current and former local government officials and socio-civic groups on Wednesday formally launched a movement which they said heeded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s call for unity, reject politics of division and be a unifying factor to achieve the government’s development goals. Convenors of the group called Kilusan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino formally introduced the group to the public in a ceremony at the Marquee Tent, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, which was attended by former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos and was graced by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos. The convenors of the group were Representatives Rida Robes (Lone District, City of San Jose del Monte), Divina Grace Yu (First District, Zamboanga del Sur), Luisa Lloren Cuaresma (Nueva Vizcaya), Richard Gomez (Fourth District, Leyte), Johnny Pimentel (Second District, Surigao del Sur), Toby Tiangco (Navotas) and Rosanna “Ria” Vergara (Third District, Nueva Ecija) and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez. Abalos, who was the keynote speaker, said the formation of the group was in response to the President’s call for unity and rejection of politics of division. KNP convenors clarified that it is not a political movement but a socio-civic movement that aims to reach out to all sectors of society up to the grassroots level. San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes, for her part all they want is for the group “to be inclusive and united in pursuit of a better Philippines.” She said the gathering was only the beginning of a bigger plan to expand the organization. “Today we are 200. Next month, 2,000...and in the days to come 20,000 to 200,000 to 2 million to 20 [million] and beyond. The growth is exponential until we embody our vision of a truly unified nation,” Robes said. The group also envisions a government that is both transformational and transformed, she added. “We are here to affirm our unwavering and full support to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—in his call to collectively work for a better Philippines for all Filipinos regardless of political conviction, religion, motivations and creed,” she added.

DTI invites Filipino MSMEs to join Asean Online Sale from Aug 8 to 10 By Andrea San Juan

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) invites Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to join the largest online sale event in Southeast Asia, which aims to promote cross-border e-commerce among Asean countries. Apart from aiming to promote cross-border e-commerce, the Asean Online Sale Day is a yearly event that aims to improve consumer trust in e-commerce, provide continuous sales opportunities for the participating businesses, particularly the MSMEs during the Covid-19 pandemic, strengthen partnerships be-

tween stakeholders and businesses, and raise awareness on the Asean identity and solidarity. In a news statement issued on Tuesday, the trade department noted “Asean e-commerce is anticipated to triple in size from $100 billion to $300 billion by 2025.” E-commerce continues to grow despite the Covid-19 pandemic as more customers and companies opt to go online. Notably, Asean is home to over 600 million consumers that are increasingly adapting to e-commerce due to the pandemic. Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, for his part, underscored that local MSMEs’ participation in this

regional event would be crucial in achieving sustainable economic recovery for the country. “Philippine MSMEs should take advantage of the opportunities from the rapid growth of e-commerce in Asean to market and sell their products through expanded channels, contribute in accelerating the country’s exports and achieving sustainable economic recovery and development,” he said. Asean member-states, namely, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, will be joining the Philippines at the Asean Online Sale Day from August 8 to 10,2022. Reputable e-commerce platforms

and businesses across the region will also participate. Last year, participating MSMEs offered consumer products and services such as food (fresh and processed), beverages, fashion items, woven goods, home furnishings, and tourism and travelrelated services. Meanwhile, consumers in the Asean region can enjoy discounts and special offers on featured products by participating companies and online marketplaces in the Philippines and other Asean countries. “The Asean Online Sale Day is an opportunity for consumers to experience e-commerce in an open, safe, and quality market under of-

ficial supervision of governments, and at the same time, support production and business enterprises in the region to adapt and promote digital transformation through the already-developed ecosystem,” said DTI in a statement. For more information about joining this year’s Asean Online Sale Day, you may visit the page at https:// www.dti.gov.ph/aseansale/. Deadline of application for Philippine-based businesses, MSMEs, or marketplaces selling goods or services online is until July 29,2022. The web site listing of all participating merchants and platforms in AOSD 2022 can be accessed through http://onlineasean.com/.

Bill proposes security of tenure, Leading doctors, scientists to Marcos: Give perks for media industry workers Vape Bill a chance to make the difference

OUR lawmakers want the 19th Congress to accord workers in the media industry security of tenure, hazard and overtime pay, mandatory additional insurance coverage plus other jobrelated benefits enjoyed by regular employees in both the government and private sector. In House Bill (HB) No. 304, Camarines Sur Rep. Lray Villafuerte, along with CamSur Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata, and Bicol Saro Rep. Nicolas Enciso VIII have proposed the “Media Workers’ Welfare Act,” which aims to guarantee the rights of media workers to self-organization and additional economic benefits due them in their profession; and to create “a safe, protected atmosphere conducive to their productive, free and fruitful work.” “Media workers risk their own lives being exposed to the perils and hazards outdoor just so we can receive our needed information. It is unfortunate that the very same people behind it are usually the ones whose labor rights are ignored, such as those pertaining to security

of tenure, hazard pay, night shift differential pay and overtime pay, among others,” Villafuerte and his co-authors said in HB 304. “Hence,” they added, HB 304 seeks “to ensure that media workers shall be provided with comprehensive benefits package at par with the current benefits enjoyed by those in the labor force in both Government and the private sector. It seeks to create a safe and protected atmosphere conducive to a productive, free and fruitful media work, as well as to guarantee the right of workers to self-organization.” Villafuerte filed a similar bill in the past Congress. Under HB 304, media workers in entry-level positions shall receive the minimum monthly compensation determined by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) or the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), depending on which applies in each case. A News Media Tripartite Council being proposed in the bill may change or increase the minimum hazard pay. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

GROUP of medical and scientific experts urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to give the vape bill a chance to make a difference in the lives of 16 million Filipino smokers, many of whom will die if not given access to safer alternatives. “The bottom line is that vaping can help smokers stop smoking and in the process reduce the number of deaths and sickness due to smoking,” a group of medical practitioners, health-care professionals, academicians, researchers, and experts in various scientific fields said in a letter addressed to the President through Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez on July 8, 2022. The signatories called for the enactment of the vape bill as the Philippines’s first comprehensive law to regulate vapor products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The vape bill is a reconciled version of Senate Bill No. 2239 or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act” and House Bill No. 9007 or the “Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act.” “We believe that it could help mitigate the serious health risks and possibly save the lives of more than 16 mil-

lion current Filipino smokers who are at very high risk from getting sick and dying due to smoking-related complications,” the signatories said in the letter. Signatories include medical practitioners and health-care professionals who have been treating patients for various smoking-related diseases for many years as well as members of the scientific community, including Dr. Jose Dante Dator, former executive director of National Kidney and Transplant Institute; Dr. Rafael Castillo, past president of Philippine Heart Association and Asia Pacific Society of Hypertension; Dr. Arleen Reyes, past president of Philippine Dental Association; Dr. Romeo Luna Jr., president of San Juan Medical Center Staff Association; Dr. Telesforo Gana, past president of Philippine Urological Association; Dr. Fernando Fernandez, past president of Philippine College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Dr. Howard Enriquez, past president of Philippine Society of Otolaryngology; and Dr. Alvin Laxamana, past president of Philippine Dental Association. “It is indisputable that smoking kills. The reality today in the Philippines is that there are approximately

110,000 Filipinos that die every year from smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart attack to name a few. That is roughly 300 Filipinos dying every day from smoking-related diseases. These are deaths that may have been prevented, if only they were given viable alternatives,” they said. Also among the signatories are Dr. Assunta Mendoza, past chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology of Manila Medical Center; Dr. Christian Luna, medical director of Tulay Lingap Ni Padre Pio Surgicenter; harm reduction advocate Dr. Lorenzo Mata Jr., president of Quit for Good; Dr. Carlo Nofuente of Calamba Doctors’ Hospital; Dr. Benjamin Abela Jr.; Dr. Erick de Castro of First Cabuyao Hospital and Medical Center; Dr. Christine Therese Santos, an ophthalmologist; Dr. John Hector Pagdanganan of Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital; Dr. Benlor Buendia of Angeles Medical Center; Dr. Erwin Enrique of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Medical Center; Dr. Mark Santiago of Mother Theresa of Calcutta Medical Center and urologist and research investigator Dr. Rogelio Varela Jr.

DOH aims to wipe out trans fat in PHL food supply by 2023 By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

HE Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday reminded food companies to reformulate and remove industrially-produced trans fatty acids (ITFA) from their products by June 18, 2023 in compliance with DOH Administrative Order 2021-

0039 and FDA Circular 2021-028. “The DOH, together with the FDA and the National Nutrition Council [NNC], works to ensure that iTFAfree policies are fully implemented. We expect no less than the food industry’s full compliance to protect Filipinos’ heart health,” Officer in Charge Undersecretary Beverly Ho of the DOH’s Public Health Services Team said during a news conference in Quezon City that was also joined

by health and nutrition groups. ITFA, a toxic fat, increases the risk of developing comorbidities and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), according to DOH. After the deadline, pre-packaged and processed food with iTFA will be banned from sale to consumers. Food products with high iTFA that need to be reformulated include margarine and instant coffee. “Pilipinas in 2023 will be iTFAfree,” Dr. Ho added.

DENR urged to resolve complaint vs Batangas LNG firms NVIRONMENTALISTS under the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) are calling on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to resolve its request for action against two Batangas firms for alleged massive tree-cutting activities. CEED, a sustainability think tank said the tree-cutting activities of Linseed Field Corporation (Linseed) and Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI) as part of an ongoing liquefied natural gas project in Batangas City were done without a permit. Linseed is building an LNG facility in Barangay Ilijan, while EERI is building a 1,750 megawatt (MW) LNG-fueled combined cycle power plant in an area covering both Barangay Ilijan and Barangay dela Paz. CEED said it had previously requested the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) of the DENR to issue

Thursday, July 21, 2022 A5

certified true copies of permits for the tree-cutting activities on April 7, 2022, to which the agency replied no such permits were issued. “We are asking the DENR and its incoming Secretary, Ma. Antonia ‘Toni’ Yulo-Loyzaga, to protect the Verde Island Passage and its surrounding areas, considered as the center of the center of biodiversity, from activities that threaten its fragile ecology. Linseed and EERI have denuded the forests of Batangas without the permit required by the Revised Forestry Code, as said by the FMB itself, and yet this agency under the DENR has yet to act as required by the same law against these companies,” they said. “Three other similar requests on other possible violations by the same companies remain pending,” said Gerry Arances, Executive Director of CEED, for his part, said. The motion was filed before

DENR-Calabarzon on May 20 and sought speedy action on the part of the department as Linseed is scheduled to commence operations on August 1. CEED, the Bukluran ng mga Mangingisda ng Batangas, and Protect VIP (Verde Island Passage) have documented the tree cutting and requested action from the FMB. “These LNG projects threaten the rich maritime biodiversity of the Verde Island Passage with the pollution to be brought by the LNG tankers and power plants. Now they have exacerbated the threat by removing the few remaining forests in the area. These projects are endangering the livelihood of fisherfolk in Batangas, Mindoro, and the other islands that surround the passage in addition to the environmental damage. The DENR should act and act swiftly to prevent this from happening,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez of Protect VIP. A similar motion was filed before

the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) on the same day for coconut trees that were cut by the same projects, as the agency has yet to show CTCs and the permit to cut coconut trees or to act against Linseed and EERI as required by the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995. Environmentalists and consumer groups have long opposed the government’s switch to LNG, as fossil fuel continues to exacerbate the climate emergency and its high prices would drive electricity to remain expensive. “There is no reason to expand LNG use in the Philippines, or anywhere else. As a fossil fuel, it will continue to cause climate change, and its high prices burden our electricity consumers. We ask the DENR and its incoming secretary to put its foot down and help pressure the government to move to renewable energy,” said Arances. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Dir. Pilar Marilyn Pagayunan of the FDA Center for Food Regulation and Research, meanwhile, said that after June 18, 2023, all product formulations and labels of pre-packaged processed food containing industrially-produced TFA shall be fully compliant with these guidelines. “Immediately thereafter, any establishment found to be in violation of any provision of the DOH Administrative Order 2021-0039 and FDA

Circular 2021-028 shall be ground for disapproval and suspension or cancellation of CPR,” she warned.

PBBM urged to certify Trans Fat Free Law as urgent

A HEALTH group also urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to effectively address heart disease in the Philippines by supporting legislation that will ban ITFA in the country’s food supply.

Metrobank and PERA HUB expand money remittance service partnership

HE Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has expanded its partnership with remittance company PERA HUB, allowing individuals to conveniently send money to Metrobank account holders nationwide. With this service, individuals who need to send cash to Metrobank account holders simply need to: Head to the nearest PERA HUB branch; Accomplish their remittance form; and Show one (1) valid ID to the PERA HUB agent Senders can remit P100 up to P25,000 with a minimal fee of P100 per transaction. Meanwhile, recipients can easily withdraw

the money they received from any Metrobank ATM or over-thecounter in Metrobank branches for passbook account holders. “This added service our with partner, PERA HUB, shows that Metrobank remains committed to our customers in improving our services and providing them with more accessible and convenient channels to conduct their financial transactions with us,” said Richard So, Metrobank Executive Vice President and Retail Banking Sector Head. Metrobank and PERA HUB has been in tandem in providing Filipinos with accessible remittance channels to help them send money to their loved ones wherever they may be.

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Thursday, July 21, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

777 KORPHIL HOLDINGS CORP. Unit 2604, 26th Floor Ibp Tower, Julia Vargas Ave. Cor. Jade Drive, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig KU, SEULEE Human Resource Manager 1.

Brief Job Description: Lead and direct the routine functions of HR department including hiring and interviewing staff, administering pay, benefits and enforcing company policies and practices. LEE, MINYOUL Human Resource Manager

Brief Job Description: Lead and direct the routine functions of HR department including hiring and interviewing staff, administering pay, benefits and enforcing company policies and practices.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Korean fluently

13.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LEE SHU HUA Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Korean fluently Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

14.

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Brief Job Description: Providing leadership and oversight to the Transformation Steercom & Network

Basic Qualification: At Least 10 Years in a Leadership/ Management Position Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

15.

LING KOCK CHAI Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

ALSINA FORMWORK SOUTHEAST ASIA CORPORATION Unit 901 The Infinity Tower, 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig SANCHEZ CONTRERAS, JAVIER Technical Sales Consultant 4.

Brief Job Description: Handle different local projects of Alsina and promote the products and services of Alsina

16.

ALTERA KARNA BUSINESS CORP. 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Flrs. Eighty-one Newport Blvd., Newport City St., Barangay 183, Pasay City

ANDY HUONG YU LUN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Basic Qualification: Any Nationality Who Can Speak and Write Chinese Fluently; Preferably 6 Months to 1 Year Customer Service Experience; Detailoriented and Has the Ability to Multi-task Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CATHERINE LAHUNG ANYI Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

CHIENG CHOW JIE Customer Service Representative (chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

CHONG SEE HOW Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

10.

CINDY TAN SIEW DING Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

18.

19.

20.

11.

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

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

12.

JENNY TAN SUE TZEN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

NG YUEN KUAN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience. *Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

NGUYEN DIEU HUONG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Basic Qualification: Any Nationality Who Can Speak and Write Chinese Fluently; Preferably 6 Months to 1 Year Customer Service Experience; Detailoriented and Has the Ability to Multi-task

PANG WING LING Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience. *Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

SAE-LEW, THEERACHAI Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience. *Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

21.

24.

SUN, WENLIANG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience. *Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

22.

VONG THANH DUNG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients

IKA SUMARYATI Senior Process Executive 25.

DE FIGUEIREDO ALHINHO, GUILHERME MANUEL Multilingual Service Desk Member 23.

Brief Job Description: Produce quality work and results; Ensure fast and accurate turnaround of work; Solve problems using agreed upon procedures as well as proper escalation process

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in either French, Portuguese and also English, Vocational diploma, short course, certificate undergraduate, or bachelor’s/ college degree. Background and knowledge in it are preferred Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in either Finnish language and in English Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Brief Job Description: Service Support Solution includes diagnosis, resolution and reporting of customer issues and questions relating to YouTube paid content products. Service is Tier 1 end user support with escalations to Google.

Basic Qualification: BA or BS Degree (In lieu of degree, 4 years of relevant work experience), Minimum 2-year(s) customer service support experience (voice, email, or chat), working with direct consumers, preferably in a B2C environment, Native Bahasa Speaker Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

TAMMY PIELOOR WIBOWO Senior Process Executive 26.

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

27.

CHASSAGNETTE, CHRISTOPHE PHILIPPE MICHEL Director

Basic Qualification: Master of Science

Brief Job Description: Management, Board of Directors

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

COME ON PHILS. GOLF & TRAVEL AGENCY INC. Unit No. U-a-36, Hk Sun Plaza Bldg., Macapagal Blvd. St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

28.

29.

NAN, YANG Executive Consultant Brief Job Description: Undertaking effective research and data collection. TAO, DAN Executive Consultant Brief Job Description: Undertaking effective research and data collection.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin, both oral and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin, both oral and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St., Barangay 289, Binondo, City Of Manila

LIN, HUILING Marketing And Sales Agent 30.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies; can help to detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NGUYEN THI HUONG Marketing And Sales Agent 31.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas

ERNST & YOUNG GLOBAL SERVICES (PHILIPPINES) INC. 14th, 15th (unit A & D), 16th Floors, Cyber Sigma Bng Lawton Ave., Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

BHARGAV, SUMIT Supervising Associate

32.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in troubleshooting and handling of product issues; understand, design and develop net applications; manage team’s skills and collaboration skills with various teams around the application; understand database programming Microsoft sql (mssql), optimization, analysis, extract transform load (etl) and data migration from different sources such as oracle, db4, ms access, etc.; and handle structured query language (sql) technologies that drives most of current applications of the company.

Basic Qualification: Must be a graduate of engineering specializing in software and technology; with 9+ years’ experience in coding, developing, and designing .net applications; with excellent team management skills and collaboration skills with various teams around the application; knowledgeable in understanding database programming (microsoft sql), optimization, analysis, extract transform load (etl) and data migration from different sources (such as oracle, db4, ms access etc. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

FUWEALTH SERVICES INC. 18/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati LI, BAOQUAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service 33.

CGI (PHILIPPINES) INC. 2/f One World Square, Mckinley Hill, Pinagsama, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Resolves issues utilizing excellent customer service skills

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

HEW KIN CHEE Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

NG KIA ROI Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience. *Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION MANNER, JOEL HENRIK Multilingual Service Desk Member

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

Basic Qualification: Any Nationality Who Can Speak and Write Chinese Fluently; Preferably 6 Months to 1 Year Customer Service Experience; Detailoriented and Has the Ability to Multi-task

No.

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

Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience. *Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

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

CHUA MING HWANG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

17.

Basic Qualification: Any Nationality Who Can Speak and Write Chinese Fluently; Preferably 6 Months to 1 Year Customer Service Experience; Detailoriented and Has the Ability to Multi-task

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

Basic Qualification: Any Nationality Who Can Speak and Write Chinese Fluently; Preferably 6 Months to 1 Year Customer Service Experience; Detailoriented and Has the Ability to Multi-task

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in college, proficient in English and Spanish - both written and verbal Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES INC. 8th-20th Floor Nac Tower Building, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig SYDNEY-SMITH, EMILIE NICOLE Chief Transformation Officer

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

LEONG KIAN FEI Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering products and services questions. VU HONG THAI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

34.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering products and services questions. XIAO, LIAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

35.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering products and services questions.

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHANG, HENG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service

36.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering products and services questions.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

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

49.

GAO SHOU TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 52/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati WU, KUAN-PEI Chinese Customer Service Representative 37.

Brief Job Description: Maintains financial account; Recommend potential products and services; Attract potential to a customers.

Basic Qualification: At least 19 years old; ability to speak, Write and communicate in Chinese Mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PHAM THI BINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 50.

H & B PHARMA INTERNATIONAL INC. Unit 603 Tycoon Centre Cond, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Ctr., San Antonio, City Of Pasig JI, EUNJUNG Admin Manager 38.

Brief Job Description: Coordinating an organization’s administration system and general workflows.

Basic Qualification: Can communicate Filipino and Korean clients. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

JIANG, JUNCHENG Solution Designer For Huawei Cloud Development Project 39.

Brief Job Description: 1. Responsible for the opening up the market of public cloud in Philippines. 2. Cooperate with business development managers recognize commercial opportunities.

Basic Qualification: Job Qualification 1. Have a general understanding of big data, cloud native, lot,al and related technologies. 2. With basic command of cloud migration cases and knowledgeable in different to customer pain points. 3. Must have bachelor’s degree in information and technology, IT Engineering or other related courses. 4. Highly proficient in Chinese and English language. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

IACCESS VISION, INC. 17/f, Unit 2a Robinsons Cybergate 3, Pioneer, Barangka Ilaya, City Of Mandaluyong BAHLENBERG, URBAN MATIAS President And Chief Technology Officer 40.

Brief Job Description: Strategic thinker, an effective communicator, & an expert in technological development

Basic Qualification: Advance Technological Skillset and Demonstrated History With Technology Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION IN THE PHILIPPINES Unit 7-b The Belvedere Tower, #15 San Miguel Ave., San Antonio, City Of Pasig

DARRIBA VELADO, EDUARDO Research Associate 41.

Brief Job Description: Designing and pilot testing data collection instruments; Providing feedback to the research team on refining study design and data collection instruments.

Basic Qualification: Demonstrated proficiency in STATA and experience with data management and data cleaning is a must; Experience with quantitative research and statistical methods. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, business management, social sciences, public policy or related fields.

CHOU, CHENG-CHI Chinese Customer Service Representative 42.

Brief Job Description: Provide daily support to users of various computer systems including answering questions, analyzing problems and quickly forming solutions to return systems to proper operation.

LIU, YUN-TING Chinese Customer Service Representative 43.

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

ZHANG, JIA-YUAN Chinese Customer Service Representative 44.

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

YOTKAMLUE, PHRAWNAPA Thai Customer Service Representative 45.

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

NGUYEN DANG NAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 46.

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

NGUYEN QUANG HAI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 47.

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

NGUYEN THUA VIET Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 48.

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

Basic Qualification: at least 19 years old, ability to speak and communicate in Chinese Mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective Native Language for the position applied for; Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective Native Language for the position applied for; Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in english and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

51.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

52.

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

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

LEE, HYUNHO Head Of Finance And Admin 53.

Brief Job Description: Undertake financial analysis from time to time, to assist in evaluating income streams, and potential for cost efficiencies

No.

CHEN, QIN Chinese Customer Service 64.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

54.

Brief Job Description: Helps Mandarin/ Vietnamese client’s business owner to improve their business strategies and operations. A consultant may specialize in a specific area, such as information technologies, human resources, or marketing, or may offer general services in all areas of business. Facilitate problem solving and collaboration with the Mandarin/ Vietnamese client. NGUYEN HUNG TUAN Mandarin Business Consultant

55.

65.

66.

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months -1-year as Business Consultant; Fluent in Mandarin or Vietnam and English Language

67.

68.

56.

Brief Job Description: Promote total job safety and environmental awareness by employees, subcontractors and all persons in the job vicinity.

69.

70.

57.

58.

59.

60.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires HOANG DUC NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN THE DUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

72.

73.

74.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

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

75.

61.

62.

63.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

NGUYEN XUAN CONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

VO QUOC DAI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

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

ZHOU, LI Chinese Customer Service 76.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

BI, LEI Chinese Customer Service 77.

NGUYEN THI TU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

ZHOU, JIAN Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

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

ZENG, GUANGHONG Chinese Customer Service

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

NGUYEN THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

YI, JIWU Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills YANG, ZHIQIANG Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents. WEN, YIYUAN Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

BUI THI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

SUN, GUOQUAN Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months -1-year as Business Consultant; Fluent in Mandarin or Vietnam and English Language

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

QU, LIANTAO Chinese Customer Service

71.

Basic Qualification: Minimum 10 years’ experience in the construction industry & have previously held a supervisory position, trade qualification relevant to construction, building or manufacturing industries.

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

NI, KETING Chinese Customer Service

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

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

LI, HONGMIAO Chinese Customer Service

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

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

GE, LILI Chinese Customer Service

MC CONNELL DOWELL PHILS., INC. Level 4 Nol Tower, Commerce Ave., Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

LEARMONTH, PAUL ROTHNIE Construction Superintendent

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

CHEN, QIXIANG Chinese Customer Service

LUCKY BINTANG CONSULTANCY INC. Unit G-02 Makati Executive Tower 2, 7652 Dela Rosa St. Cor. P. Medina St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati NGUYEN DINH TUAN Mandarin Business Consultant

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

JK ESSENTIALS CORP. 2101 21st Floor The Finance Center, 26 St. Corner 9th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

VU CONG HOAT Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in english and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

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

TRAN TUAN ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. U-3401 34/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

NGUYEN VAN SON Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

ANDY SUSANTO Customer Service Representative 78.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

BENNY WIBOWO Customer Service Representative 79.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 Year Experience in the Similar Field, Speaks and Write Fluently (Native Language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 Year Experience in the Similar Field, Speaks and Write Fluently (Native Language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 21, 2022

A6 A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CAMELIA CLAUDIA Customer Service Representative

80.

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

CHELLEN Customer Service Representative 81.

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

DESI Customer Service Representative 82.

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

EMI Customer Service Representative 83.

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

FEBRANTO Customer Service Representative 84.

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

FRANCINTIA MILLENIA Customer Service Representative 85.

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

MEVA MURIANA Customer Service Representative 86.

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

OCKY KHENG Customer Service Representative 87.

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

OKTAVIA Customer Service Representative 88.

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

RICO CHANDRA Customer Service Representative 89.

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

RISKA TRI UTAMI Customer Service Representative 90.

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

SINTHYA DELVI Customer Service Representative 91.

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

SONG, JACKY Customer Service Representative 92.

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

SURIATI Customer Service Representative 93.

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

TINA Customer Service Representative 94.

95.

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

AKE SANDIANTO Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally.

No.

96.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally.

97.

98.

99.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 Year Experience in the Similar Field, Speaks and Write Fluently (Native Language)

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 Year Experience in the Similar Field, Speaks and Write Fluently (Native Language)

101.

102.

103.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills NICHOLAS CHRISTOPHER Indonesian Customer Service

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

JENNY ALVIONITA Indonesian Customer Service

MULJADI Indonesian Customer Service 100.

104.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills QUIIN Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

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

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

105.

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

107.

108.

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

109.

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

110.

111.

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

112.

113.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

106.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills SUSAN Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

YANTO LOSIMAN Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

YUNI PARAMITA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHAI WOEI JYE Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HO HON MUN Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HO HOON LOONG Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

YANG SOON LONG Malaysian Customer Service 114.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ANDI Indonesian Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 Year Experience in the Similar Field, Speaks and Write Fluently (Native Language)

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

EKA PUTRA ANDARTU Indonesian Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 Year Experience in the Similar Field, Speaks and Write Fluently (Native Language)

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

CHO ZIN LATT Myanmari Customer Service 115.

116.

117.

118.

119.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

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

KHAING THANZIN OO Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services NANG SI HSAING Myanmari Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

120.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills SANDAR LIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

THIDA WIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

THIDAR MIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

YAN PAING AYE Myanmari Customer Service 121.

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

CHEN, HSUEH-AN Taiwanese Customer Service 122.

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

123.

124.

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

125.

126.

DOICHAIYAPOOM, PASSORN Thai Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills SIRIWORAWIT, ARNOP Thai Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SOEMOENG, PHAKPHUM Thai Customer Service 127.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills THAWEESABLAMLERD, MATHSEE Thai Customer Service

128.

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

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

SENALAI, ATICHART Thai Customer Service

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

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

KO, PING-HSUAN Taiwanese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

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

129.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

BAN THI ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

130.

BUI THI VAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 Year Experience in the Similar Field, Speaks and Write Fluently (Native Language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

131.

132.

BUI VIET THANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

CHU THI PHUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

133.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHUONG NHOC MUI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services. DANG NGOC MY NU Vietnamese Customer Service

134.

135.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills DANG THI TRA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services DAO DANG TRONG THAI Vietnamese Customer Service

136.

137.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

DO VAN HIEP Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

DONG THI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service 138.

139.

140.

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

HA MANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HOANG DUC HAO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services. HOANG THANH LUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service

141.

142.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills HUYNH ANH THU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services. LAM A MUI Vietnamese Customer Service

143.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills LAM HONG YEN NHI Vietnamese Customer Service

144.

145.

146.

147.

148.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

LAM THI QUI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE CONG KHIEM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

LE THI THUY VAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services. LE VU MINH TUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service

149.

150.

151.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills LOC THI THOA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

153.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

154.

155.

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

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

156.

157.

158.

159.

160.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services 161.

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

162.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

163.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

164.

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

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

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

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills NGUYEN HUNG PHAT Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services NGUYEN HUU HUY Vietnamese Customer Service

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

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

NGUYEN DINH HA Vietnamese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN TRAN NGOC MAI Vietnamese Customer Service

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

LUU VAN DAT Vietnamese Customer Service

NGO THI HONG SUONG Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LY THI THANH LAM Vietnamese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills NGUYEN MINH QUANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

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

NGUYEN QUANG TAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

NGUYEN THI DONG Vietnamese Customer Service 165.

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

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

NGUYEN THI DUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service 166.

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

167.

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

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

NGUYEN THI HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

168.

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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

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

No.

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

LUC THI NGOC TRAM Vietnamese Customer Service

LUU KIM YEN Vietnamese Customer Service 152.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

169.

170.

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

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

Thursday, July 21, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

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

NGUYEN THI QUYNH TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service 171.

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

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

NGUYEN THI THU TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service 172.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills NGUYEN TIEN DAT Vietnamese Customer Service

173.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

174.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills NGUYEN VAN CHUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

175.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

176.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

177.

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

178.

179.

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

180.

181.

182.

183.

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

184.

185.

186.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NONG VAN TOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills PHAM THE MY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills PHAM THI LOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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

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

PHAN THI THANH CHAU Vietnamese Customer Service 187.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills PHUNG THI TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service

188.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

NGUYEN XUAN VIEN Vietnamese Customer Service

PHAM THI THU VANG Vietnamese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM THI ANH NHUNG Vietnamese Customer Service

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

NGUYEN VIET MY Vietnamese Customer Service

PHAM NHU TINH Vietnamese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NONG THI NA Vietnamese Customer Service

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

NGUYEN VAN LINH Vietnamese Customer Service

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

PHUNG THI XAY Vietnamese Customer Service 189.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write (Native language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write (Native language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A10 A6 Thursday, July 21, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION PHUONG VAN TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service

190.

191.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills SY MY PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TAN THI THANH Vietnamese Customer Service 192.

193.

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

THACH THI THANH TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services. TO THI HA KHANH Vietnamese Customer Service

194.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills TRAM THI QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service

195.

196.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills TRAN THI HANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN THI PHUONG THAO Vietnamese Customer Service 197.

198.

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

TRAN THONG NHAT Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRIEU THI LE MEN Vietnamese Customer Service 199.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents. TRINH THI LE Vietnamese Customer Service

200.

201.

202.

203.

204.

205.

206.

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

TRINH VUNG DY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRUONG BICH SAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRUONG DINH BA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRUONG NGOC HOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TSAN DUYEN DINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VI VAN SUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services VO THI DIEM Vietnamese Customer Service

207.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills VO THI TRUC LINH Vietnamese Customer Service

208.

209.

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

VO TRONG LAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

210.

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

211.

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

212.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

214.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write (Native language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write (Native language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

VONG TRUNG MAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VU NAM ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

WONG THIEU XUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

DE KEERSMAEKER, THOMAS ALLESANDRO Customer Service Representative 215.

216.

Brief Job Description: Provide specialized services to assist end-users in technology needs WANG, HONGJUN Mandarin Technical Support Brief Job Description: Ability to multi task and manage time effectively

DESAI, YOGESH DATTATRAY Distributed Control System Operation Incharge 217.

Brief Job Description: To control and administer the operating personnel in shift

DIMU, SORIN Maintenance Supervisor 218.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for sale and cost effective operation and maintenance of FPSO

MIZOGUCHI, KOHEI Auto Workshop Vice President

219.

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

Brief Job Description: The auto workshop vice president is responsible in managing the overall complete technician; he/she is also responsible in ensuring that the service bays are maximized; he/she also needs to ensure that jobs are performed with accuracy and completeness based on the company’s standards; he/she also needs to train all technicians to fix-it-right the first time and reduce issues.

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

SUWA, MASAKI Project Vice President Of Fleet Management Department

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 220.

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

Brief Job Description: The project vice president of fleet management department is responsible in starting up fleet management department with proper reporting structure; he/she is expected to form a list of fleet customers within the laguna region; he/she is also responsible in creating strategic plans to market vehicles to fleet customers as well as to set monthly and yearly targets; also, this position requires management of platinum desk customers that will contact us directly or through primer online magazine.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

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

223.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

224.

WATANABE, SHINYA Senior Technical & Operations Manager

221.

Brief Job Description: The senior technical & operations manager is responsible in leading the technician team and maintaining morale for the whole technical team; he/ she should ensure that each technician’s skills are up-to-date through technical team of mtc and tmp; he/she is also responsible in ensuring technical job stagnation period is kept to a minimum and profits are also maximized.

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

HOANG THANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 225.

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

Basic Qualification: Ability to multi task and manage time effectively

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

HA VAN TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

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

LE THANH LONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 226.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to multi task and manage time effectively Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NGUYEN THI HA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 227.

Basic Qualification: Degree/Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Having managed an auto dealership’s service department of at least 30 service bays; able to lead a team of technicians and foreman in order to efficiently allocate service jobs to the appropriate service bay in order to complete the job in time; experience in handling customer complaints with a proven track record of having worked in such field; must be able to speak read and write English; must be able to speak Japanese to deal with our head office and Japanese suppliers; Toyota motor certified technical level 1 (highest level).

Basic Qualification: At least 10 years’ experience in sales and marketing of automotive retail industry and business development; at least 10 years’ experience in establishing a used car business with a qualification to assess used cars by a recognized automotive training school; can speak english and japanese a necessity when dealing with our head office and suppliers in japan; knowledge of accounting / finance a great advantage.

Basic Qualification: Having worked as mechanic for at least 15 years in an auto dealership’s service department of at least 30 service bays; able to lead a team of technicians and foreman in order to efficiently allocate service jobs to the appropriate service bay in order to complete the job in time; experience in handling customer complaints with a proven track record of having worked in such field, must be able to speak, read, and write english, must be able to speak japanes to deal with our head office and japanese suppliers. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES Unionbank Plaza Meralco Ave., Ortigas Ctr., San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

NGUYEN THI MINH XUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 228.

Basic Qualification: Diploma in energy, MOME, OGUK, OPITO BOSIET Certificate; 10 yrs experience in FPSO

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write (Native language)

Brief Job Description: Responsible for driving growth of personal loans business including positioning, pricing strategies, driving sales, and guiding risk policy in achievement of customer satisfaction & financial objectives

DOAN VAN TRUONG Vietnamese Admin Support Specialist

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write (Native language)

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree, at Least 15 Yrs’ Experience in Operations, Customer Engagement, Consumer Lending & Project Implementation Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

WANFANG TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. U-3501/02 35/f Pbcom Tower, Cor. Ayala Ave. & V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

PHUNG NHAM TY PHOI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 229.

TOYOTA COROLLA SAPPORO PHILIPPINES HOLDINGS INC. 256 Batangas North St., Ayala Alabang Village, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

222.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION BELOGLAZOV, KONSTANTIN Portfolio Lending Head

THREE60 OPERATIONS SERVICES LIMITED Level 9 Arthland Century Pacific Tower, 30th Street Corner 4th And 5th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English)

No.

THERMAX INSTRUMENTATION LIMITED Unit 3, 9/f Galleria Corporate Center, Edsa, Ugong Norte, Quezon City

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

OCTAGON PRIME OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. Ub 111 Paseo De Roxas Bldg., Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

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

VU THI HOA Vietnamese Customer Service 213.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION VONG SAM MUI Vietnamese Customer Service

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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

SY NGOC TRAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 230.

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

VU THI TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 231.

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

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

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

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

WIKITECH SERVICES INC. 10/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, 7232 Ayala Avenue Ext. Corner Malayag St., Bel-air, City Of Makati KE, ZHONG Mandarin Technical Support 232.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring & maintaining computer systems & networks

Basic Qualification: Can Speak Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZTE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 29 Fort Legend Towers, 3rd Ave. Corner 31st St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

233.

234.

HU, JINSHUO Commercial Manager Brief Job Description: Commercial negotiation with customers

MU, YAYUN IP Technical Manager Brief Job Description: Provides technical guidance for fixed network.

Basic Qualification: 1 to 2 years related working experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 1-2 years related working experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Jul 20, 2022

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

The World BusinessMirror

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Russia pounds Ukraine cities as Putin gets Iran’s backing

By SUSIE BLANN The Associated Press

YIV, Ukraine—Russian missiles struck cities and villages in eastern and southern Ukraine, hitting homes, a school and a community center on Tuesday as Russian President Vladimir Putin won strong support from Iran for his country’s military operation. In Kramatorsk, a city in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk province con sidered a likely Russian occupation target, one person was killed and 10 wounded in an airstrike that hit a five-story apartment building, re gional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said. Fresh blood stained the concrete amid green leaves that were torn off trees as nearby apartments on at least two floors burned. Shrapnel was placed in a small pile near an empty playground. “There was no one here. Ev erything is ruined,” said Halyna Maydannyk, a resident of one burned apartment. “Who knows why they’re doing this? We were all living peacefully.” Kramatorsk residents Mykola Zavodovsk y i and Tet iana Za vodovska stood in bandages out side a hospital. They heard a loud clap and went to their balcony to investigate, then everything ex ploded and the windows shattered. “Probably it was a rocket, and probably it was brought down by Ukrainian forces,” Zavodovska said. The midday strike came after Kyrylenko had reported four earlier Russian strikes in Kramatorsk and urged civilians to evacuate. On the political front, Putin visited Tehran, where Iran’s Su preme Leader Ali Khamenei said the West opposes an “independent and strong” Russia. Khamenei said that if Russia hadn’t sent troops into Ukraine, it would have faced an attack from NATO, echoing Pu tin’s own rhetoric and reflecting in creasingly close ties between Mos cow and Tehran as they both face severe Western sanctions. NATO allies have bolstered their military presence in Eastern Europe and provided Ukraine with weapons to help counter the Russian attack. The Tehran talks also touched on attempts to unblock Ukraini an grain exports, a problem that is causing global shortages and driving up food prices. Putin told reporters after his meetings that Russia would help facilitate such shipments if the West lifts restric tions on Russian grain exports. He noted that “the Americans have effectively lifted the restrictions on Russian fertilizer supplies to global markets,” adding that “if they sincerely want to improve the situation in the global food market, I hope they will do the same with Russian grain exports.”

In the Odesa region in south ern Ukraine, Russian forces fired seven Kalibr cruise missiles over night. The Russian Defense Min istry said strikes on the village of Bilenke achieved a legitimate mili tary goal and “destroyed depots of ammunition for weapons supplied by the United States and European countries.” Ukrainian President Volody myr Zelenskyy disputed Moscow’s claim and said six people were wounded, including a 5-monthold girl. “What did they hit?” Zelenskyy asked in his nightly video address Tuesday. “An ordinary rural field and a non-working farm, rural houses, outbuildings, a lyceum, a cultural center. No military sense. Just terror.” With indications that Ukraine is planning counterattacks to re take occupied areas, the Russian military in recent weeks has tar geted Odesa and parts of southern Ukraine where its troops captured cities earlier in the war. In the east, Ukrainian forces are fighting to hold onto the declin ing territory under their control. Donetsk has been cut off from gas supplies and partly from water and power as the Russians try to complete their capture of the prov ince. Russia’s ground advance has slowed, in part because Ukraine is using more effective US weapons and partly because of what Putin has called an “operational pause.” Russia has been focusing more on aerial bombardment using longrange missiles. “The infrastructure of the cities is being methodically destroyed by missile strikes, and the civil ian population, cut off from bare necessities, suffers the most,” Kyrylenko said. Russian-installed officials in the southern region of Kherson, under Moscow’s control since early in the war, said Ukrainian forces damaged the only bridge in the city of Kherson over the Dnipro River, east of Odesa. Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of the Kherson region’s Kremlin-backed admin istration, told the Russian news agency Interfax that Ukrainian forces used American-made rocket launchers to damage the bridge in an attempt to cut Kherson off from the left bank of the Dnipro. Ukrainian officials have spoken of plans for a counter-offensive to

A five-story residential building damaged from a rocket attack on a residential area in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty

retake Kherson and other south ern Ukrainian territory from the Russians. Serhiy Khlan, an official with the Ukrainian administration of the Kherson region, tacitly con firmed the strike on Ukrainian television, reporting “a precise hit” and explosion in the area of the bridge. Also in the Kherson region, Ukraine claimed to have used antiaircraft missiles to shoot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet that had planned to attack its planes. Sev eral ground-based videos posted on social media showed a plane break ing up in the evening sky Tuesday near Nova Kakhovka, in flames and spewing gray and black smoke as it descended and crashed into the ground, at least some pieces into a green field. Ukrainian news reports said the pilot ejected and showed a helicopter search for him. Rus sian officials didn’t immediately confirm the shootdown. Little in formation has emerged during the war about aerial battles. Kherson — hosting a major ship building industry at the conflu ence of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea near Russian-annexed Crimea — is one of several areas a US government spokesman said Russia is trying to annex. Follow ing months of local rumors and announcements about a Russian referendum, White House national security council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday that US intel ligence officials have amassed “ample” new evidence that Rus sia is looking formally to annex additional Ukraine territory and could hold a “sham” public vote as soon as September. Russia is eyeing Kherson as well as the entirety of the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. “Russia is laying the groundwork to annex Ukrainian territory that it controls in direct violation of Ukraine sovereignty,” Kirby said in Washington. Kirby also said the White House is expected to announce more mili tary aid for Ukraine later this week. The aid is expected to include more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Sys tem, or HIMARS, a critical weapon Ukrainian forces have been using with success in their fight to repel

Russian troops. On the ground, Ukraine and Russia continued their sporadic ex changes of bodies of fallen soldiers. Each side gave the other 45 soldiers’ bodies in the Zaporizhzhia region. Russia’s Ria-Novosti news agency said Tuesday the soldiers had been killed in Mariupol, the Azov Sea city that captured worldwide attention because of a weeks-long siege of a steel plant. At least two civilians were killed and 15 wounded by Russian shell ing across Ukraine over the past 24 hours, Ukraine’s presidential office said in a Tuesday morning update. With Russia’s missiles hitting cities 799 kilometers (497 miles) apart Tuesday, “there remains a high level of threat of missile strikes throughout the territory of Ukraine,” said Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman of the General Staff of the Ukrainian armed forces. The missile strikes came as the British military said it believes Russia is struggling to keep up its troop strength in its grinding war of attrition that began with the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. The British Defense Ministry said in a Tuesday assessment that Russia “has struggled to sustain effective offensive combat power since the start of the invasion, and this problem is likely becoming in creasingly acute” as Moscow seeks to conquer the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The British militar y added: “While Russia may still make fur ther territorial gains, their opera tional tempo and rate of advance is likely to be very slow without a significant operational pause for reorganization and refit.” Meanwhile, Ukraine’s parlia ment approved President Volody myr Zelenskyy’s dismissal of Ivan Bakanov as head of the country’s Security Service, the SBU, and the Ukrainian leader on Tuesday fi nalized the firing of Iryna Vene diktova, who served as Ukraine’s prosecutor general. As part of the reshuff le stemming from alleged collaboration with Russian au thorities, Zelenskyy on Tuesday also fired six other SBU officials. Cara Anna contributed to this report from Kramatorsk.

China’s new infections near 1,000 in test of Covid-Zero

ew Covid-19 cases in China jumped to almost 1,000, with more infectious strains con tinuing to pressure the country’s goal of eliminating the virus as outbreaks spread beyond major cities. China reported 935 cases for Tuesday, up from 699 Monday, and the highest daily tally since May 21. The majority of cases are centered in the hotspots of the Guangxi region in the south, which recorded 277 cas es Tuesday -- taking its total since the outbreak there flared a week ago to 1,106 -- and the remote northwestern province of Gansu, which reported 353 new infections, taking its cur rent outbreak to 1,306.

Most of Gansu’s capital, Lanzhou, has been locked down for almost a week, and city officials on Tuesday launched a “door knocking” campaign to rout out hidden cases. Ten thou sand medical workers enlisted from around the province going door to door to carry out PCR testing in the city’s high and medium risk areas. The campaign came after Gansu’s Governor Ren Zhenhe said the Co vid situation remained complex and community transmission hasn’t been stopped. While Shanghai’s Covid situation is less dire, officials in the city, which endured a bruising lockdown during April and May, are taking no chances

-- rolling out a testing blitz this week in 13 of the financial center’s 16 dis tricts that are home to around 22 million people. Shanghai reported 15 cases Tues day, down from 23 the previous day. Daily cases in the city have dropped from earlier this month, but they have held in double-digits for more than two weeks, and high-risk areas continue to be locked down. Meantime, a move by Beijing to extend a ban on hotels hosting wed dings, parties and conferences de spite the low number of cases in the capital has stirred criticism on social media platforms. The city recorded just one case

Tuesday, and daily infections have held in single digits for almost five weeks. “Where are the staff in the hotel industry headed to?” one user wrote on Weibo. “This is neither rational nor reasonable,” another said. China’s adherence to the Covid Zero strategy, which requires mass testing, snap lockdowns and travel restrictions, has exacted a heavy economic and social toll. Last quar ter, the economy grew at the slowest pace since the first virus outbreak more than two years ago, and growth will likely miss the government’s goal of about 5.5% for the full year. Bloomberg News

Thursday, July 21, 2022 A11

Putin, in Tehran, gets strong Iran support over Ukraine By Nasser Karimi & Vladimir Isachenkov The Associated Press

EHRAN, Iran—Russian Pres ident V ladimir Putin won staunch support from Iran on Tuesday for his country’s military campaign in Ukraine, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei saying the West opposes an “independent and strong” Russia. K hamenei said that if Russia hadn’t sent troops into Ukraine, it would have faced an attack from NATO later, a statement that echoed Putin’s own rhetoric and reflected in creasingly close ties between Moscow and Tehran as they both face crippling Western sanctions. NATO allies have bolstered their military presence in Eastern Europe and provided Ukraine with weapons to help counter the Russian attack. “If the road would have been open to NATO, it will not recognize any limit and boundary,” Khamenei told Putin. Had Moscow not acted first, he added, the Western alliance “would have waged a war” to return the Crimean Peninsula that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014 back to Kyiv’s control. In only his second trip abroad since Russia launched the military action in February, Putin conferred with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the conflict in Syria, and he used the trip to discuss a UN backed proposal to resume exports of Ukrainian grain to ease the global food crisis. Turkey, a NATO member, has found itself opposite Russia in bloody conflicts in Syria and Libya. It has even sold lethal drones that Ukrainian forces have used to attack Russian troops. But Ankara hasn’t imposed sanctions on the Kremlin, making it a sorely needed partner for Moscow. Grappling with runaway inflation and a rapidly depreciating currency, Turkey also relies on the Russian market. Erdogan made Putin wait for nearly a minute before entering the room for talks and then praised what he described as Russia’s “very, very positive approach” during last week’s grain talks in Istanbul. He voiced hope a deal will be made, and “the result that will emerge will have a positive impact on the whole world.” Speaking to Erdogan as their meeting began, Putin thanked him for his mediation to help “move for ward” a deal on Ukrainian grain ex ports. “Not all the issues have been re solved yet, but it’s good that there has been some progress,” Putin added. He later told reporters that Mos cow would accept a deal to facilitate Ukrainian grain shipments if the West lifts restrictions on Russian grain exports. “We have reached a preliminary agreement on that with international organizations, which have taken the labor to turn it all into a package,” Pu tin said. “Let’s see how it all evolves in the nearest time.” He noted that “the Americans have effectively lifted the restrictions on Russian fertilizer supplies to global markets,” adding that “if they sin cerely want to improve the situation in the global food market, I hope they will do the same with Russian grain exports.” UN, Russian, Ukrainian and Turk ish officials had reached a tentative agreement on some aspects of a deal to ensure the export of 22 million tons of desperately needed grain and other agricultural products trapped in Ukraine’s Black Sea ports by the fighting. Reaching the agreement would mark a major step toward al leviating a food crisis that has sent prices of vital commodities like wheat and barley soaring. Asked whether the talks with Ukraine on a political settlement could resume, Putin said that Russia was grateful to Erdogan and other in ternational mediators but noted that “we are seeing that Kyiv’s authorities have no such desire.” The trip to Tehran has symbolic meaning for Putin’s domestic audi ence as well, showing off Russia’s international clout even as it grows increasingly isolated and plunges deeper into confrontation with the

West. It comes just days after US President Joe Biden visited Israel and Saudi Arabia—Tehran’s primary rivals. From Jerusalem and Jeddah, Biden urged Israel and Arab countries to push back on Russian, Chinese and Iranian influence that has expanded with the perception of America’s re treat from the region. It was a tough sell. Israel main tains good relations with Putin, a necessity given Russian presence in Syria, Israel’s northeastern neighbor and frequent target of its airstrikes. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have declined to pump more oil beyond a plan approved by their energy alliance with Moscow. But all the countries—despite their long-standing rivalries—could agree on drawing closer to counter Iran, which has rapidly advanced its nuclear program since former US President Donald Trump abandoned Tehran’s atomic accord with world powers and reimposed crushing sanc tions. Talks to restore the deal have hit a deadlock. Backed into a corner by the West and its regional rivals, the Iranian government is ramping up uranium enrichment, cracking down on dis sent and grabbing headlines with optimistic, hardline stances intended to keep the Iranian currency, the rial, from crashing. Without sanctions re lief in sight, Iran’s tactical partner ship with Russia has become one of survival, even as Moscow appears to be undercutting Tehran in the black market oil trade. “Iran is (the) center of dynamic diplomacy,” Iranian Foreign Minis ter Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote on Twitter, adding the meetings will “develop economic cooperation, fo cus on security of the region...and ensure food security.” Fadahossein Maleki, a member of the Iranian parliament’s influen tial committee on national security and foreign policy, described Russia as Iran’s “most strategic partner” on Monday. His comments belied de cades of animosity stemming from Russia’s occupation of Iran during World War II—and its refusal to leave afterward. In a sign of increasingly close mili tary cooperation, Russian officials in recent weeks visited an airfield in central Iran at least twice to review Tehran’s weapons-capable drones for possible use in Ukraine, the White House has alleged. Putin hailed the importance of close ties between Moscow and Teh ran at his meetings with the Iranian leaders. “Our relations are developing at a good pace,” Putin said at the start of the meeting with Raisi, adding that the two countries have worked to “strengthen their cooperation on international security and con tribute significantly to the Syrian settlement.” In a closing statement, he offered strong support to Tehran over the deadlocked nuclear deal, calling for its full revival and a complete lifting of sanctions against Iran to allow a “free development of cooperation in any areas without any discrimi nation.” During their trilateral talks, the presidents discussed the decade-old conflict in Syria, where Iran and Russia have backed President Bashar Assad’s government, while Turkey has supported armed opposition factions. Russia intervened in the conflict in 2015, pooling efforts with Iranian forces and using its air power to shore up Assad’s fledgling military. Erdogan focused on Turkey’s ac tion to push from its borders USbacked Syrian Kurdish fighters, fol lowing up on previous threats of a new military offensive in northern Syria. The planned operation is part of Turkey’s efforts to create a safe zone along its border with Syria that would encourage the voluntary re turn of Syrian refugees. Erdogan said Turkey was deter mined to “drive out the centers of evil” that target Turkey’s security. He said Ankara expects Russia and Iran “to support Turkey in this fight,” adding that the regions of Tel Rifaat and Manbij—where Turkey has said it planned to send its troops—had turned into a “terror bed.”

The World BusinessMirror

A12 Thursday, July 21, 2022

China homebuyers’ boycott spreads as suppliers refuse to pay bank loans

ome suppliers to Chinese real estate developers are refusing to repay bank loans because of unpaid bills owed to them, a sign that the loan boycott that started with homebuyers is starting to spread. Hu nd red s of cont rac tors to the property industry complained that they can no longer afford to pay their own bills because developers including China Evergrande Group still owe them money, Caixin reported, citing a statement it received from a supplier Tuesday. One group of small businesses and suppliers circulated a letter online saying they will stop repaying debts after Evergrande’s cash crisis left them out of pocket. “We decided to stop paying all loans and arrears, and advise our peers to decline any requests to be paid on credit or commercial bill,” the group said in the letter dated July 15, which was sent to the developer’s Hubei office. “Evergrande should be held responsible for any consequence that follows because of the chain reaction of the supplychain crisis.” Evergrande didn’t immediate-

ly respond to a request for comment. Calls to the media office at the housing authority in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, went unanswered Wednesday morning. The payments protest is the latest sign of how a movement by homebuyers to boycott mortgages on unfinished homes in China is spreading to affect other sectors in the economy. The development underscores a dilemma for Xi Jinping’s government as it grapples with who to bail out as the country’s property crisis deepens: Relief for some borrowers could prompt threats of non-payment by a whole host of others. While bending to demands for support could put a strain on state finances, ignoring them might lead to a spiral of defaults as more and more borrowers refuse to meet their obligations. The mortgage strike, which kicked off in late June in a stalled

Contractors say they can no longer afford to pay their own bills because developers still owe them money. Bloomberg photo

Evergrande development in Jingdezhen, has rapidly grown to at least 301 projects in about 91 cities. The protests have exacerbated the country’s real estate woes and threaten to derail attempts to revive the market amid an economic slowdown. Authorities have urged banks to boost lending to builders to help complete the projects, and are also considering giving homeowners a grace period on payments, Bloomberg reported this week. Homebuyers’ refusal to pay mortgages stems from the widespread practice in China of selling apartments before they’re built. In the past year, overlev-

eraged Chinese developers have been in crisis mode over debt repayment as funds ran dry, and construction has stopped on more and more projects. Chinese banks say the risks from the housing loan nonpayments are controllable. So far, they have disclosed only 2.1 billion yuan ($311 million) of credit at risk. Still, GF Securities Co. expects that as much as 2 trillion yuan of mortgages could be impacted by the boycott. Overall, Chinese banks sit on 38 trillion yuan of outstanding residential mortgages and 13 trillion yuan of loans to the country’s beleaguered developers. Bloomberg News

Pro-democracy protests in Myanmar mark founder’s 75th death anniversary

A NGKOK—Scattered prodemocracy rallies were held across military-ruled Myanmar on Tuesday to mark the 75th anniversary of the assassination of the independence hero and father of the country’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was ousted in last year’s military takeover. The protests generally dispersed within a short time to avoid confrontations with security forces. Since the army took power and detained Suu Kyi and thousands of supporters, 2,091 civilians including poets, activists, politicians and others had been killed in the crackdown, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The opposition National Unity Government, which was established by elected lawmakers and considers itself the country’s legitimate administration, broadcast a livestream of the commemoration ceremony on social media.

Mahn Winn Khaing Thann, the shadow prime minister of the government that the ruling military considers a terrorist organization, promised to fight until freedom is restored in Myanmar. “I would like to reiterate that the entire population, including monks, students, and youth, can only exercise their freedom of choice and fully enjoy their rights after ending the military dictatorship” and restoring democracy, he said. Gen. Aung San was 32 when he was gunned down by a group of armed men in uniform in Yangon, the country’s biggest city. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the assassination less than six months before the country, then called Burma, achieved its independence from British colonial rule. In Yangon, neighborhoods heard wailing sirens and car horns bellowing out for one minute at 10:37 a.m.,

the time of the 1947 attack that also killed six Cabinet members and two other officials. Photos and videos showed protesters carrying banners and chanting “Eradicate racism, there are more than nine martyrs” in Yangon. An annual official ceremony was held at Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Yangon, near the foot of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Neither Suu Kyi, who is under arrest, nor Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who heads the ruling military council, attended the event. The highest-ranking official there was Vice-Senior Gen. Soe Win, vice chairman of the military council. An official of the ceremony’s subcommittee laid a wreath on behalf of Suu Kyi’s family. Suu Kyi, 77, has not been seen in public apart from one photo shown on state television in May 2021, taken inside a court at the start of criminal proceedings against her.

Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 11 years in prison and was transferred from a secret detention location to a custom-built solitary facility at a prison in the capital Naypyitaw last month. She is being tried on a slew of legal cases brought by the military. Her supporters and independent analysts say the charges are politically motivated and an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the military’s seizure of power. The historic secretariat office building where the 1947 attack took place, and Bogyoke Aung San Museum, the last residence of Aung San and his family before his assassination, were reopened to the public under strict safety protocols after being closed for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Residents who live near the sites said security was tight and few visitors were seen on nearby roads coming to pay respects. AP

Twitter-Musk takeover dispute heading for an October trial By Matt O’brien AP Technology Reporter

esla CEO Elon Musk lost his fight to delay Twitter’s lawsuit against him as a Delaware judge on Tuesday set an October trial, citing the “cloud of uncertainty” over the social media company after the billionaire backed out of a deal to buy it. “Delay threatens irreparable harm,” said Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick, the head judge of Delaware’s Court of Chancery, which handles many high-profile business disputes. “The longer the delay, the greater the risk.” Twitter had asked for an expedited trial in September, while Musk’s team called for waiting until early next year because of the complexity of the case. McCormick said Musk’s team underestimated the Delaware court’s ability to “quickly process complex litigation.” Twitter is trying to force the billionaire to make good on his April promise to buy the social media giant for $44 billion—and the company wants it to happen quickly because it says the ongoing dispute is harming its business. “It’s a very favorable ruling for Twitter in terms of moving things

along,” said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond. “She seemed very concerned about the argument that delay would seriously harm the company, and I think that’s true.” Musk, the world’s richest man, pledged to pay $54.20 a share for Twitter, but informed the company in July that he wants to back out of the agreement. “It’s attempted sabotage. He’s doing his best to run Twitter down,” said attorney William Savitt, representing Twitter before McCormick on Tuesday. The hearing was held virtually after McCormick said she tested positive for Covid-19. Musk has claimed the company has failed to provide adequate information about the number of fake, or “spam bot,” Twitter accounts, and that it has breached its obligations under the deal by firing top managers and laying off a significant number of employees. Musk’s team expects more information about the bot numbers to be revealed in the trial court discovery process, when both sides must hand over evidence. Twitter argues that Musk’s reasons for backing out are just a cover for buyer’s remorse after agreeing to pay 38% above Twitter’s stock price shortly before the stock market stumbled and shares of the elec-

tric-car maker Tesla, where most of Musk’s personal wealth resides, lost more than $100 billion of their value. Savitt said the contested merger agreement and Musk’s tweets disparaging the company were inflicting harm on the business and questioned Musk’s request for a delayed trial, asking “whether the real plan is to run out the clock.” “He’s banking on wriggling out of the deal he signed,” Savitt said. But the idea the Tesla CEO is trying to damage Twitter is “preposterous. He has no interest in damaging the company,” said Musk attorney Andrew Rossman, noting he is Twitter’s second largest shareholder with a “far larger stake” than the company’s entire board of directors. Savitt emphasized the importance of an expedited trial starting in September for Twitter to be able to make important business decisions affecting everything from employee retention to relationships with suppliers and customers. Rossman said more time is needed because it is “one of the largest takeprivate deals in history” involving a “company that has a massive amount of data that has to be analyzed. Billions of actions on their platform have to be analyzed.” Tobias said it’s still possible that

Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk speaks at the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition in Washington on March 9, 2020. An epic legal fight between Musk and Twitter began in earnest in a Delaware court on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, as lawyers for both sides fought over when to start the trial. AP Photo/Susan Walsh Musk and Twitter will settle the case before it goes to trial, since both might find a drawn-out fight or the judge’s final decisions costly to their businesses and reputations. One option is that Musk could pay the $1 billion breakup fee both he and Twitter agreed to if either was deemed responsible for the deal falling through. Or Twitter could push for him to pay more to make up for damages—just not the full $44 billion acquisition. “Does Musk really want to run that company? Do they really want Musk to run that company?” Tobias said. “They could always settle somewhere in between.”

www.businessmirror.com.ph

UK breaks record for highest temperature as Europe sizzles By Danica Kirka & Jill Lawless The Associated Press

ONDON—Britain shattered its record for highest temperature ever registered Tuesday amid a heat wave that has seared swaths of Europe, as the U.K.’s national weather forecaster said such highs are now a fact of life in a country ill-prepared for such extremes. The typically temperate nation was just the latest to be walloped by unusually hot, dry weather that has triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans and led to hundreds of heat-related deaths. Images of flames racing toward a French beach and Britons sweltering —even at the seaside—have driven home concerns about climate change. The UK Met Office weather agency registered a provisional reading of 40.3 degrees Celsius (104.5 degrees Fahrenheit) at Coningsby in eastern England— breaking the record set just hours earlier. Before Tuesday, the highest temperature recorded in Britain was 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019. By later afternoon, 29 places in the UK had broken the record. As the nation watched with a combination of horror and fascination, Met Office chief scientist Stephen Belcher said such temperatures in Britain were “virtually impossible” without humandriven climate change. He warned that “we could see temperatures like this every three years” without serious action on carbon emissions. The sweltering weather has disrupted travel, health care and schools. Many homes, small businesses and even public buildings, including hospitals, in Britain don’t have air conditioning, a reflection of how unusual such heat is in the country better known for rain and mild temperatures. The intense heat since Monday has damaged the runway at London’s Luton airport, forcing it to shut for several hours, and warped a main road in eastern England, leaving it looking like a “skatepark,” police said. Major train stations were shut or near-empty Tuesday, as trains were canceled or ran at low speeds out of concern rails could buckle. London faced what Mayor Sadiq Khan called a “huge surge” in fires because of the heat. The London Fire Brigade listed 10 major blazes it was fighting across the city Tuesday, half of them grass fires. Images showed several houses engulfed in flames as smoke billowed from burning fields in Wennington, a village on the eastern outskirts of London. Sales of fans at one retailer, Asda, increased by 1,300%. Electric fans cooled the traditional mounted troops of the Household Cavalry as they stood guard in central London in heavy ceremonial uniforms. The length of the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace was shortened. The capital’s Hyde Park, normally busy with walkers, was eerily quiet — except for the long lines to take a dip in the Serpentine lake. “I’m going to my office because it is nice and cool,’’ said geologist Tom Elliott, 31, after taking a swim. “I’m cycling around instead of taking the Tube.’’ Ever the stalwart, Queen Elizabeth II carried on working. The 96-year-old monarch held a virtual audience with new US ambassador Jane Hartley from the safety of Windsor Castle. A huge chunk of England, from London in the south to Manchester and

Leeds in the north, remained under the country’s first “red” warning for extreme heat Tuesday, meaning there is danger of death even for healthy people. Such dangers could be seen in Britain and across Europe. At least six people were reported to have drowned while trying to cool off in rivers, lakes and reservoirs across the UK In Spain and neighboring Portugal, hundreds of heatrelated deaths have been reported in the heat wave. Climate experts warn that global warming has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, with studies showing that the likelihood of temperatures in the UK reaching 40 C (104 F) is now 10 times higher than in the pre-industrial era. The head of the UN weather agency expressed hope that the heat gripping Europe would serve as a “wake-up call” for governments to do more on climate change. Other scientists used the milestone moment to underscore that it was time to act. “While still rare, 40C is now a reality of British summers,” said Friederike Otto, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute for Climate Change. “Whether it will become a very common occurrence or remains relatively infrequent is in our hands and is determined by when and at what global mean temperature we reach net zero.” Extreme heat broiled other parts of Europe, too. In Paris, the thermometer in the French capital’s oldest weather station—opened in 1873—topped 40 C (104 F) for just the third time. The 40.5 C (104.9 F) measured there by weather service Meteo-France on Tuesday was the station’s second-highest reading ever, topped only by a blistering 42.6 C (108.7 F) in July 2019. Drought and heat waves tied to climate change have also made wildfires more common and harder to fight. In the Gironde region of southwestern France, ferocious wildfires continued to spread through tinder-dry pines forests, frustrating firefighting efforts by more than 2,000 firefighters and waterbombing planes. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from homes and summer vacation spots since the fires broke out July 12, Gironde authorities said. A smaller third fire broke out late Monday in the Medoc wine region north of Bordeaux, further taxing resources. Five camping sites went up in flames in the Atlantic coast beach zone where blazes raged around the Arcachon maritime basin famous for its oysters and resorts. In Greece, a large forest fire broke out northeast of Athens, fanned by high winds. Fire Service officials said nine firefighting aircraft and four helicopters were deployed to try to stop the flames from reaching inhabited areas on the slopes of Mount Penteli, some 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of the capital. Smoke from the fire blanketed part of the city’s skyline. But weather forecasts offered some consolation, with temperatures expected to ease along the Atlantic seaboard Tuesday and the possibility of rains rolling in late in the day. Associated Press writers Sylvia Hui and Jo Kearney in London, John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this story.

Putin warns EU that flow of gas supplies could keep dwindling

OSCOW—Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday it is the West’s own fault that the flow of Russian natural gas to European customers has dwindled and warned that it could continue ebbing. Putin’s statement further cranked up pressure on the European Union, which fears Russia could cut off gas to wreak economic and political havoc in Europe in the winter. Speaking to Russian reporters in Tehran, where he attended the talks with the leaders of Iran and Turkey, Putin said the amount of gas pumped through the Nord Stream pipeline to Germany will fall further from 60 million to 30 million cubic meters a day, or about one fifth of its capacity, if a turbine isn’t quickly replaced. He added that Russia could launch the recently completed Nord Stream 2

pipeline that has never entered service, but noted that it would only have half of its designated capacity because the rest has been used for domestic needs. The Russian leader also warned the West that its plan to cap the prices of Russian oil as part of its sanctions over Ukraine will destabilize the global oil market and make prices soar. “We are hearing some crazy ideas about restricting the volumes of Russian oil and capping the Russian oil price,” he said. “The result will be the same— a rise in prices. Prices will skyrocket.” Since Russian troops rolled into Ukraine in February, the EU has approved bans on Russian coal and most oil to take effect later this year but did not include natural gas because the 27-nation bloc depends on it to power factories, generate electricity and heat homes. AP

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Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Thursday, July 21, 2022 A13

Lawmaker: Urban farms can help cut poverty By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

O increase food production, a lawmaker is pushing for the passage of the proposed Integrated Urban Agriculture Act, which seeks to maximize available spaces and utilize emerging agricultural technologies and methods. In House Bill 72, Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez said the promotion of household-, community- and school-based urban agriculture will contribute to food security and poverty reduction, strengthen communitybuilding and support the National Greening Program. “Urban agriculture also puts value in otherwise idle urban spaces, maximizing limited land resources that are increasingly shrinking due to rapid urbanization and unsustainable urban development,” he added. Citing the First Quarter 2022 Survey of the Social Weather Station, Benitez said hunger has worsened from 11.8 percent in December 2021 to 12.2 percent. This translates to 3.1 million families experiencing involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months prior to the survey. The bill covers idle or abandoned government or private lands, buildings, shipping containers, subdivisions or villages, public housing, open spaces in all urban, peri-urban and urbanizable areas in the country; and all available land resources

and buildings in schools, state or private universities and colleges, military camps suitable for growing crops and raising poultry, livestock and aquaculture. However, the bill said the utilization of idle lands for urban agriculture purposes will not be used as grounds for the eviction of informal settler families occupying the lands. Also, the measure said the raising of poultry and livestock will be limited to “urbanizable” areas and all livestock raising shall be subject to health and safety standards and regulations issued by the Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and other relevant government agencies. Under the bill, local government units (LGUs) will identify and develop idle government and private lands and buildings, without prejudice to the rights of owners of private lands, buildings and open spaces, within their jurisdiction, for full or partial conversion solely to community gardens, food forest gardens, indoor farms and/or vertical farms to support food security and community nutrition. It indicated that food forest gardens and urban farms adopting agro-ecological principles will be the priority form of urban agriculture wherever applicable and feasible. The bill said all LGUs, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Coopera-

PHOTO shows an urban garden in Barangay San Antonio in Pasig City. FROM WWW.SANTONIO.PASIGCITY.GOV.PH

tive Development Authority (CDA), will capacitate neighborhood associations and people’s organizations, and facilitate the organization and registration of community-based cooperatives, to undertake community gardening and establish community farmers’ markets.

Role of LGUs

IT said the DHSUD and DA will promote sustainable, smart and organic food production systems that harness the benefits of new technologies and methods in soil, nutrient, water and energy man-

agement, such as composting, rainwater harvesting and utilization of renewable energy. The DHSUD will also ensure the rational use of land resources in urban planning to promote sustainable peri-urban interface, as well as for the spatial requirements of supply chain management and logistics to strengthen urban-rural foodshed linkages. Towards these ends, the DHSUD will promulgate guidelines for the harmonization of the comprehensive land use plans and zoning ordinances of LGUs with urban agriculture policies,

frameworks, strategies and standards. The bill mandates all LGUs to incorporate urban agricultural development in their respective Annual Development Plans, Annual Investment Plans, Physical Framework Plans, and Development Master Plans including the hiring of agriculturists and agricultural and biosystems engineers to carry out urban agriculture programs. It said LGUs, with the assistance of the DA, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, will establish

and maintain a digital information system. This information system will facilitate the efficient collection, management and analysis of urban food systems, agriculture and nutrition data, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of LGU performance vis-à-vis the food system agriculture and nutrition targets. The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, with the technical assistance of the DA, will integrate urban agriculture in the academic curriculum for elementary, secondary and tertiary level students of both public and private academic institutions offering courses in Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics and other subjects related to agriculture. Compliance by subdivision and condominium developers and owners may qualify them for incentives provided for under Republic Act (RA) 10771, otherwise known as the “Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016,” subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Finance and the DHSUD. Loans extended by government and private banks to participating individuals, corporations and partnerships will be treated as compliance with RA 10000 or “The Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009.” The measure also creates a National Convergence Program on Urban Agriculture and Aquaculture, which will be headed by the DA, to develop and sustain concerted action to promote urban agriculture.

‘Bold actions’ will ensure access to nutritious food–FAO DAR, NIA turn over sun-powered

OLD, scaled and collaborative actions are needed so that everyone will have access to enough nutritious food every day, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). FAO Director General Qu Dongyu made the pronouncement during the opening of 28th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) in Italy last Monday. Qu said food and agriculture are at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “Together, we are committed to achieve SDG 2 [Zero Hunger] by 2030. Unfortunately, the world has lost ground, and we are moving backwards in efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition and ensure food security for all. Global hunger continues to rise, reflecting growing inequalities across and within countries,” he said in his speech. According to the recently released

State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report (SOFI 2022), as many as 828 million people were affected by hunger last year. This is an increase of 46 million from 2020, and 150 million more than in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, over 3 billion people worldwide could not afford a healthy diet. Qu said the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, and humanitarian crises around the world have exacerbated already existing food problems. “We have seen the fragility of our agrifood systems, and the urgent need to transform them to put them back on the sustainable path.” Qu told members and delegates at the session that the discussions they would hold on issues relating to agriculture, livestock, food safety, nutrition, rural development and natural resource management were critical to efforts to move from

strategies to action.

The way forward

“WE need bold, scaled and collaborative actions to ensure that everyone, everywhere and every day has access to enough nutritious food,” he said. “We must work together to tackle the root causes of hunger and malnutrition through transformative changes to the way we produce, distribute and consume food. We need to ensure a more efficient use of available outputs and inputs—we need to produce more with less. And we need to significantly decrease food loss and waste, which could currently feed around 1.26 billion people per year.” The director-general stressed the need for greater support and increased investment in knowledge, infrastructure and technology for sustainable agriculture to make this shift.

COAG 28 agenda

THE discussions at the 28th Session of COAG will cover a range of key topics related to the COAG mandate, including food safety, livestock, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, the State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW), soils, agricultural plastics, climate change, agricultural innovation, the linkages between agriculture and forestry, mainstreaming biodiversity, the UN Decade on Family Farming, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the proposal for an International Day of the Potato. COAG 28 is taking place as a hybrid event from July 18 to 22. COAG is FAO’s main technical advisory committee on agriculture. It provides overall policy and regulatory guidance on issues relating to agriculture, livestock, food safety, nutrition, rural development and natural resource management.

irrigation system to Quezon farmers By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

NEWLY installed solar-powered communal irrigation system in a remote barangay in Buenavista town, Quezon Province is expected to boost rice and corn production of small farmers, officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said. On Tuesday, along with officials of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the DAR formally turned over the P10-million solar-powered irrigation project to the beneficiaries, a farmer-irrigators’ association. In a statement, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Cornelio P. Villapando said the project is funded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Irrigation Component in partnership with the NIA.

The newly installed communal irrigation system includes 108 solar panels that can irrigate over 35 hectares of rice and corn land that would benefit over 53 farmer-members, including agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) belonging to the Hagonghong Irrigators’ Association (HIA). “The town of Buenavista can be considered an Agrarian Reform Community [ARC] because it is one of the towns with the largest distributed lands by the agency. This irrigation system is a great help to our farmerbeneficiaries whose main crops are rice and corn,” he said. Acting NIA-Quezon Irrigation Management Office Division Manager Edwin C. Nazareno expressed his gratitude to DAR Quezon II for their support, while Municipal Vice Mayor Alvin Ray U. Rivera appealed to the farmer-beneficiaries to take care of the project.

Sebastian designated as DA’s Palm oil exports from top grower set to soar 60% in price blow undersecretary for operations

ALACAÑANG has designated Leocado S. Sebastian as the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) undersecretary for operations. Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez issued a memorandum announcing Sebastian’s designation as DA undersecretary and his additional authorities and functions. The memo dated July 15 indicated that DA undersecretarydesignate will also serve as the chief of staff of the office of the Agriculture secretary. Sebastian has been tasked to sign contracts, memoranda of agreement, administrative issuances, and administrative and financial documents. He also has the authority to act as the designated head of procuring entity and reconstitute the Bids and Awards Committee as well as appoint or reassign employees of the DA except those whose appointments are vested in the president or in some other appointing authority.

‘Status quo’

DAYS after his designation as DA undersecretary, Sebastian issued a memo saying National Food Authority chief Judy Carol L. Dansal and Sugar Regulatory Administration chief Hermenegildo R. Serafica will continue to hold office until their successors are appointed. “Pursuant to the authority granted to the undersigned by virtue of the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated 15 July 2022, everyone is advised to maintain status quo in your respective agency’s leadership,” Sebastian said in his memo to the personnel of NFA and SRA. Citing the DA Legal Service Opinion dated July 6, he said Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2022 issued by the Office of the President does not apply to both the administrators of SRA and NFA as their appointments are not classified as co-terminus with the appointing authority.

ALM oil shipments from Indonesia, the world’s biggest supplier, may surge more than 60 percent in the second half of the year from the first six months as the government ramps up exports to reduce bloated inventories. The country is likely to ship 17.3 million tons overseas from July to December, according to Sahat Sinaga, acting chairman of the Indonesia Palm Oil Board, which represents the industry. That compares with just 10.7 million tons in the first half, which was way below expectations because of an export ban imposed in late April and other curbs, he said in a phone interview on Tuesday. The boom in supply will keep prices of the world’s most consumed cooking oil under pressure and probably bring a further slowing in global food inflation from a record earlier this year. Veteran analyst Dorab Mistry said Tuesday palm oil prices could drop over 20 percent by September on the increase in cargoes. Stockpiles have ballooned in Indonesia because of the export curbs, which were brought in to cool domestic prices. Mistry estimates the inventories are now around 10 million tons and will continue to climb

PALM oil loaded into trucks from a tanker docked at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. BLOOMBERG NEWS

in August because of high local output. Sinaga said stockpiles exceeded 7 million tons in early July. The main issue that has to be resolved right now is the high inven-

tory level, Sinaga said. The bloated reserves mean that mills are not buying fresh fruit bunches from farmers, leaving them to rot in the plantations. That could reduce production

this year to 50.2 million tons from an initial estimate of 53.8 million tons and compared with 51.3 million tons last year, he said.

Bloomberg News

A14 Thursday, July 21, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

When will they act?

he Philippine Consulate General in New York recently issued an urgent warning for members of the Filipino Community to be vigilant and to take the necessary precautions while in public places after an 18-year-old Filipino tourist from Cebu was beaten up near the Philippine Center in Manhattan. According to the Consulate, “this is the 41st incident since last year that involves a Filipino who was either a victim of a hate crime or a criminal act.” The Consulate expressed concern over the latest incidents that followed similar assaults against other members of the Asian-American Community. “The recent spate of attacks against Filipinos and other Asian-Americans—whether triggered by racial bias or mental illness—is a serious concern that must be immediately addressed,” said Consul General Elmer G. Cato. The Covid-19 pandemic saw a rise in attacks, both verbal and physical, against Asian Americans, thanks to former president Donald Trump who planted the seed of hatred when he called Covid-19 the “Chinese virus.” But there was also the birth of actions against this intolerance. Stop Asian Hate appeared in 2021 to denounce the violence targeting Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the US during the pandemic. This denunciation has resonated in many other countries, where the rise of violence against Asians and people of Asian descent was also observed. Philip Lim is a top American fashion designer and a champion of the #StopAsianHate movement. Lim said: “StopAsianHate was born out of individuals like myself in the AAPI community saying “enough is enough. I couldn’t remain silent because as we stay silent, the violence continues.” Stop AAPI Hate is a national coalition addressing anti-Asian racism across the US. The coalition was founded by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, Chinese for Affirmative Action, and San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department. From March 19, 2020 to December 31, 2021, a total of 10,905 hate incidents against Asian American and Pacific Islander persons were reported to Stop AAPI Hate. Of the hate incidents, 4,632 occurred in 2020 (42.5 percent) and 6,273 occurred in 2021 (57.5 percent). According to Stop AAPI Hate data, verbal harassment (63.0 percent) continues to make up the biggest share of total incidents reported. Physical assault (16.2 percent) comprises the second largest category of total reported incidents, followed by the deliberate avoidance of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (16.1 percent). Civil rights violations—like workplace discrimination, refusal of service, being barred from transportation, and housing-related discrimination—account for 11.5 percent of total incidents. Online harassment makes up 8.6 percent of total incidents. Chinese Americans continue to report the most hate incidents (42.8 percent) of all ethnic groups, followed by Korean (16.1 percent), Filipinos (8.9 percent), Japanese (8.2 percent), and Vietnamese Americans (8 percent). Hate incidents reported by women make up 61.8 percent of all reports. Almost half (48.7 percent) of all hate incidents took place in public spaces—in public streets (31.2 percent), public transit (8.4 percent), and public parks (8 percent). From a Filipino-American resident in Florida: “I used to be a bagger at a grocery store and an elderly woman did not want me to bag her groceries because I am Filipino. She asked the cashier if my coworker and me were Filipino and then said she wanted someone else to bag her groceries because “Filipinos are more likely to have Covid.” A new Pew Research Center survey mirrored the effects of hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans during the pandemic: The survey showed that 32 percent of Asian adults say they have feared someone might threaten or physically attack them—a greater share than other racial or ethnic groups. The vast majority of Asian adults (81 percent) also say violence against them is increasing, far surpassing the share of all US adults (56 percent) who say the same. Their fears and apprehensions are real. It is dangerous to be an Asian American in the US in the time of the pandemic. In March, for example, a white gunman killed eight Asian-American women at three Atlanta-area massage parlors in an attack that sent terror through the Asian-American community. President Joe Biden’s reaction: “Too many Asian Americans have been walking up and down the streets and worrying, waking up each morning the past year feeling their safety and the safety of their loved ones are at stake. They’ve been attacked, blamed, scapegoated, and harassed. They’ve been verbally assaulted, physically assaulted, killed… The conversation we had today with the AAPI leaders, and that we’re hearing all across the country, is that hate and violence often hide in plain sight. And it’s often met with silence. That’s been true throughout our history, but that has to change—because our silence is complicity. We cannot be complicit. We have to speak out. We have to act.”

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About the money John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

he past 10 days have seen the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) make it to the front pages, the headlines, and the columns from local pundits.

Editorials shouted “Furor over polymer,” and some columnists came close to comparing BSP Governor Felipe Medalla to Hitler for introducing not only a newly designed P1,000 note but one that was made from plastic (polymer). Because of SocMed, some people were convinced that replacing the abaca-cotton blend paper bill was a step that would require Filipinos to buy their pandesal with Chinese gold coins or maybe with Bitcoin. One broadsheet found it noteworthy to run a story with the headline “BSP: New P1,000 bill worth only P1,000.” Apparently, that was because online sellers are still asking as much as P20,000 each for the new P20 coin supposedly because these are “brilliant uncirculated.” The BSP said there were no such P20 coins. SocMed capitalism at its finest.

As far as the new notes are concerned, apparently the fisherfolk, PUV drivers, and others of “the poorest of us” are going to have their lives shaken because of not being able to fold these new P1,000 bills with their callused, sweating fingers. It is likely that the nation, the people, and the economy will survive “the debasement of our heroes and a world-class Philippine fiber.” Actually, I prefer my polymer BPI debt card or GCash, which incidentally my rice vendor at the BF Wet Market accepts. A more critical topic for discussion—and more complicated—is the move by the BSP to raise its key overnight borrowing rate by 75 basis points or 0.75 percent. This came at a special meeting of the Monetary Board and was unexpected to happen this soon. This was done to “signal its readiness to take further policy

action to cool surging prices.” Not completely accurate. There are two broad types of inflation, “an increase in the prices of generally purchased goods.” “Demand-Pull inflation” occurs when the relationship between consumer demand and producer supply is out of balance. Avian flu reduces chicken supply as people still want to eat the same amount of poultry and prices go higher. A government can make borrowing money “cheaper” or give away money through stimulus checks and suddenly people have more cash to buy cars, caviar, and cocaine, and increased demand raises prices. Central banks can raise interest rates to reduce borrowing to reduce DemandPull inflation. The other type of inflation is “Cost-Push inflation,” which is what the Philippines usually as now is experiencing. Rising global oil prices increase transportation and fertilizer costs and vegetables coming from the North become more expensive. The production cost of the legumes increases the consumer cost and creates Cost-Push inflation. Raising interest rates does little if anything to reduce this type of inflation, unless of course you believe that Saudi Arabia will lower its selling price of crude because the Philippine central bank raised its interest rate.

The BSP raised interest rates because it wanted to slow if not stop the weakening of the peso. And the BSP did not want to lose control of the peso exchange rate. Demand for pesos instead of dollars is in part because of foreigners and local banks that might buy pesos to deposit to get a higher interest rate. The Philippine Overnight Deposit Interest Rate for pesos is now 2.75 percent from the previous 2 percent. That is a significant increase. By comparison, the rate in Indonesia is also 2.75 but is much lower in South Korea (2.11), Malaysia (1.56), Thailand (0.41) and Australia (0.1). Certainly, a weak peso is one part of the “Currency-Induced Cost-Push Inflation” equation. Further, it is now likely if not obvious that the BSP has been intervening in the currency market buying pesos. That may be an important if “secret” reason that the Foreign Exchange Reserves have been decreasing for the past three months as the peso has been going down. Finally, most of life is “show biz” in that impressions and perceptions are as important as reality. It is good optics to see the BSP firmly and fully in charge and taking action. E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

ECB aims for bulletproof crisis tool anticipating legal showdown By Jana Randow & Karin Matussek Bloomberg Opinion

or European Central Bank officials devising a crisis tool that will be credible enough to keep the euro together, the biggest challenge may be to get it past the lawyers.

President Christine Lagarde and her colleagues know any measure they reveal on Thursday is likely to be scrutinized by Germany’s constitutional court. Every one of the ECB’s past bond-buying programs has provoked lawsuits, with each getting progressively more complicated to resolve. Given that history, the Governing Council’s creation of a tool that can facilitate interest-rate increases while stemming subsequent market speculation on Italy’s public finances may involve more legal considerations than any monetary policy decision since the euro was founded. The challenge is to ensure any plan conforms to the ECB’s mandate of delivering price stability and doesn’t directly finance governments. That means a decision, on when and under what circumstances it can buy bonds, needs to be matched by safeguards and conditions countries must fulfill in exchange. “Managing spreads of individual

member states is a minefield,” said Christoph Ohler, a law professor at the University of Jena in Germany. To navigate the legal quagmire, Ohler reckons the ECB must conduct an analysis of what is proportionate, assessing the current situation and economic prospects for the next two years. Officials should weigh costs and benefits of different measures, including negative effects such as moral hazard on national fiscal policies, he says. That would build the foundations for a defense in court. The burden of determining if a measure can run that gauntlet will fall on the ECB’s chief legal official, Chiara Zilioli, a Harvard-educated former Fulbright scholar with a doctorate from the European University Institute in Florence. Lagarde’s own background as a lawyer may draw her attention to the detail too.

Court opponents

Among potential plaintiffs they want to outwit is Markus Kerber, a Berlin finance professor who sued

against previous measures and is preparing to fight this one. Unlimited ECB bond purchases of individual countries would oblige Germany to consider exiting the euro, he says. Most legal challenges have failed until now, though cases against the central bank’s pandemic program are still pending. Its closest shave was over quantitative easing. In a 2020 judgment, Germany’s top judges conditionally prohibited the Bundesbank from implementing ECB policies, in a ruling that legal scholars described as a “declaration of war” on the primacy of European Union law and led to a political standoff with the European Commission. Germany’s central role points to the importance of getting Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel on board. That might avert the kind of confrontation that saw his predecessor Jens Weidmann and former ECB official Joerg Asmussen give opposing statements on a crisis program in court in 2013. The Bundesbank chief insists any tool is for “exceptional circumstances and under narrowly defined conditions,” pointing to his need for anything to be legally watertight. A safeguard to help that would be the involvement of the European Commission or the European Stability Mechanism in determining

whether benefiting countries meet conditions set for them. But that’s only one strand of the ECB’s struggle to square the circle of what’s lawful with what works. Officials are balancing the desire for seemingly unlimited firepower with a need for boundaries, and want to tame markets without blunting the discipline they exert. Among arguments coloring the discussion, Greek Governor Yannis Stournaras says any program should be big enough, France’s Francois Villeroy de Galhau reckons the ECB should be able to sell bonds it buys before they mature, and colleagues from Lithuania and Latvia insist that it mustn’t add stimulus that counters rate hikes. One strategy might be to take inspiration from the Outright Monetary Transactions program that followed then-President Mario Draghi’s pledge in 2012 to do “whatever it takes” to save the euro. It’s closest in character to what policy makers deem necessary and was judged by both German and EU courts to be legal. “OMT is subject to clear conditions,” Nagel said on July 4. “This is important from a legal perspective.” Whatever the ECB does, it may be helped by a generational change at Germany’s highest court, according See “ECB,” A15

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Biden holds off–for now –on climate emergency declaration By Seung Min Kim, Chris Megerian & Matthew Daly The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—President Joe Biden will travel to Massachusetts on Wednesday to promote new efforts to combat climate change, although he will not declare an emergency that would unlock federal resources to deal with the issue despite increasing pressure from climate activists and Democratic lawmakers. The White House said Tuesday it has not ruled out issuing such a declaration later, which would allow the president to reroute funds to climate efforts without congressional approval. On Wednesday, Biden will announce other new climate actions when he visits a former coal-fired power plant in Somerset, Massachusetts, which shuttered in 2017 but has since been reborn as an offshore wind power facility. But since Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., hit pause on negotiations over climate spending and taxes last week, the public attention has shifted to a presidential emergency declaration and what the Biden administration could do with the newfound powers. “It’s not on the table for this week,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said of a climate emergency declaration. “We are still considering it. I don’t have the upsides or the downsides of it.” The president has been trying to signal to Democratic voters that he’s aggressively tackling global warming at a time when some of his supporters have despaired about the lack of progress. He has pledged to push forward on his own in the absence of congressional action. Declaration of a climate emergency would be similar to one issued by former President Donald Trump boosting construction of a southern border wall. It would allow Biden to redirect spending to accelerate renewable energy such as wind and solar power and speed the nation’s transition away from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The declaration also could be used as a legal basis to block oil and gas drilling or other projects, although such actions would likely be challenged in court by energy companies or Republicanled states. The focus on climate action comes amid a heat wave that has seared swaths of Europe, with Britain reaching the highest temperature ever registered in a country ill-prepared for such weather extremes. The typically temperate nation was just the latest to be walloped by unusually hot, dry weather that has triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans and led to hundreds of heat-related deaths. Images of flames racing toward a French beach and Britons sweltering — even at the seaside—have driven home concerns about climate change. The president vowed late last week to take robust executive action on climate after Manchin — who has wielded outsized influence on Biden’s legislative agenda because of Democrats’ razor-thin majority in the Senate — hit the brakes on negotiations over proposals for new environmental programs and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations. One of the biggest backers of fossil fuels within the Democratic caucus, Manchin has blamed persistently high inflation for his hesitation to go

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to Alexander Thiele, a professor at the Berlin-based BSP Business and Law School. A critical judge has already left the chamber responsible for cases involving Germany and the EU. Three more out of a total of eight will leave within the next 18 months. “An era is coming to an end,” Thiele said. Even so, it could take years of

along with another spending package. His resistance has enraged other congressional Democrats who have ramped up pressure on Biden to act on his own on climate. “I think given the global crisis that we’re facing, given the inability of Congress to address this existential threat, I think the White House has got to use all of the resources and tools that they can,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. On a climate emergency, “that’s something that I’ve called for, a long time ago.” Biden, who served in the Senate for more than three decades, “has been chained to the legislative process, thinking about his past as a senator,” Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said at a news conference Monday night. “Now he’s unchained, and he has to go.” John Podesta, board chairman of the liberal Center for American Progress, said environmental leaders met with senior White House officials on Friday to discuss policy ideas. Some proposals included ramping up regulations on vehicle emissions and power plants, reinstating a ban on crude oil exports and suspending new leases for oil drilling on federal lands and waters. “If he’s going to make good on his commitments to do everything he can to bring emissions down, he’s got to pay attention to those critical regulatory issues that are facing him,” said Podesta, a former climate counselor for President Barack Obama. Ben King, an associate director at the Rhodium Group, an independent research firm, said the United States is “nowhere close” to meeting ambitious goals set by Biden for reducing emissions. Biden escalated the country’s emissions reduction target to at least 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Under current policies in place at the federal and state level, the US is on track to reach a reduction of 24 percent to 35 percent, according to the Rhodium Group’s latest analysis. “Absent meaningful policy action, we’re far off track from meeting the goals that the US is committed to under the Paris accord,” King said, referring to a 2015 global conference on addressing climate change. Even as Democrats and environmental groups pushed Biden to act on his own, some legal scholars questioned whether an emergency declaration on climate change is justified. “Emergency powers are designed for events such as terrorist attacks, epidemics and natural disasters,’’ said Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the liberty and national security program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. Such powers “aren’t intended to address persistent problems, no matter how dire. And they aren’t meant to be an end-run around Congress,’’ Goitein wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post last year. litigating before officials can be sure of being on a sound footing, said Armin Steinbach, a professor of law and economics at HEC in Paris, who previously worked at Germany’s finance ministry. “Legal uncertainty will hang over the ECB like the sword of Damocles,” he said. “That risks reining in the ECB because policy makers can’t be absolutely sure they’re in the clear. It also threatens to undermine the tool’s full effectiveness if markets get the impression there are legal problems ahead.”

Opinion BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 21, 2022 A15

Ukraine graft concerns resurface as Russia war goes on By Matthew Lee & Nomaan Merchant | The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s dismissal of senior officials is casting an inconvenient light on an issue that the Biden administration has largely ignored since the outbreak of war with Russia: Ukraine’s history of rampant corruption and shaky governance. As it presses ahead with providing tens of billions of dollars in military, economic and direct financial support aid to Ukraine and encourages its allies to do the same, the Biden administration is now once again grappling with longstanding worries about Ukraine’s suitability as a recipient of massive infusions of American aid. Those issues, which date back decades and were not an insignificant part of former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment, had been largely pushed to the back burner in the immediate runup to Russia’s invasion and during the first months of the conflict as the US and its partners rallied to Ukraine’s defense. But Zelenskyy’s weekend firings of his top prosecutor, intelligence chief and other senior officials have resurfaced those concerns and may have inadvertently given fresh attention to allegations of high-level corruption in Kyiv made by one outspoken US lawmaker. It’s a delicate issue for the Biden administration. With billions in aid flowing to Ukraine, the White House continues to make the case for supporting Zelenskyy’s government to an American public increasingly focused on domestic issues like high gas prices and inflation. High-profile supporters of Ukraine in both parties also want to avoid a backlash that could make it more difficult to pass future aid packages. US officials are quick to say that Zelenskyy is well within his right to appoint whomever he wants to senior positions, including the prosecutor general, and remove anyone who he

sees as collaborating with Russia. Yet even as Russian troops were massing near the Ukrainian border last fall, the Biden administration was pushing Zelenskyy to do more to act on corruption—a perennial US demand going back to Ukraine’s early days of independence. “In all of our relationships, and including in this relationship, we invest not in personalities; we invest in institutions, and, of course, President Zelenskyy has spoken to his rationale for making these personnel shifts,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Monday. Price declined to comment further on Zelenskyy’s reasoning for the dismissals or address the specifics but said there was no question that Russia has been trying to interfere in Ukraine. “Moscow has long sought to subvert, to destabilize the Ukrainian government,” Price said. “Ever since Ukraine chose the path of democracy and a Western orientation this has been something that Moscow has sought to subvert.” Still, in October and then again in December 2021, as the US and others were warning of the increasing potential for a Russian invasion, the Biden administration was calling out Zelenskyy’s government for inaction on corruption that had little or nothing to do with Russia. “The EU and the US are greatly disappointed by unexplained and unjustifiable delays in the selection of the Head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Office, a crucial body in the fight against high-level corruption,” the US Em-

bassy in Kyiv said on Oct. 9. “We urge the selection commission to resume its work without further delays. Failure to move forward in the selection process undermines the work of anti-corruption agencies, established by Ukraine and its international partners,” it said. That special prosecutor was finally chosen in late December but was never actually appointed to the position. Although there are indications the appointment will happen soon, the dismissal of the prosecutor general could complicate the matter. The administration and highprofile lawmakers have avoided public criticism of Ukraine since Russia invaded in February. The US has ramped up the weapons and intelligence it’s providing to Ukraine despite early concerns about Russia’s penetration of the Ukrainian government and existing concerns about corruption. A Ukrainian-born congresswoman who came to prominence early in the war recently broke that unofficial silence. Rep. Victoria Spartz, a first-term Republican from Indiana, has made half a dozen visits to Ukraine since the war began. And she was invited to the White House in May and received a pen used by President Joe Biden to sign an aid package for Ukraine even after she angrily criticized Biden for not doing more to help. But in recent weeks, Spartz has accused Zelenskyy of “playing politics” and alleged his top aide Andriy Yermak had sabotaged Ukraine’s defense against Russia. She’s also repeatedly called on Ukraine to name the anti-corruption prosecutor, blaming Yermak for the delay. Ukrainian officials have hit back. A statement from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry accused Spartz of spreading “Russian propaganda” and warned her to “stop trying to earn extra political capital on baseless speculation.”

US officials gave Spartz a twohour classified briefing on Friday in hopes of addressing her concerns and encouraging her to limit her public criticism. She declined to discuss the briefing afterward but told The Associated Press that “healthy dialogue and deliberation is good for Congress.” “We’re not here to please people,” she said. “It’s good to deliberate.” Hours later, Spartz gave a Ukrainian-language interview broadcast on YouTube in which she called again for the appointment of an independent prosecutor. “This issue should be resolved as soon as possible,” she said in the interview. “This is a huge problem for the West, so I think your president should address this issue soon.” Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat who sits on the House Armed Services and Intelligence committees, said he had seen no evidence to support allegations that Zelenskyy’s inner circle was trying to help Russia. But as the war continues, part of the long-term American strategy in Ukraine will have to include addressing waste and mismanagement of resources, he said. “There is no war in the history of the world that is immune from corruption and people trying to take advantage of it,” Crow said. “If there are concerns raised, we will address them.” Igor Novikov, a Kyiv-based former adviser to Zelenskyy, called many of Spartz’s claims a mix of “hearsay and urban legends and myths.” Allegations against Yermak in particular have circulated for years going back to his interactions with Trump allies who sought derogatory information against Biden’s son Hunter. “Given that we’re in a state of war, we need to give President Zelenskyy and his team the benefit of the doubt,” Novikov said. “Until we win this war, we have to trust the president who stayed and fought with the people.”

Frequent lockdowns may have contributed to Uvalde tragedy By Jake Bleiberg & Acacia Coronado | The Associated Press

VALDE, Texas—Teachers and students at Robb Elementary School knew the safety protocols when an 18-year-old with an AR-15 style rifle entered the building in May. Dozens of times in the previous four months alone, the campus had gone into lockdown or issued security alerts. Not because of active shooter scares—because of nearby, often high-speed pursuits of migrants coming from the US-Mexico border. An entire generation of students in America has grown up simulating lockdowns for active shooters, or worse, experiencing the real thing. But in South Texas, another unique kind of classroom lockdown occurs along the state’s 1,200-mile southern border: hunkering down because Border Patrol agents or state police are chasing migrants who are trying to evade apprehension. The frequency of lockdowns and security alerts in Uvalde — nearly 50 between February and May alone, according to school officials — are now viewed by investigators as one of the tragic contributors to how a gunman was able to walk into a fourth-grade classroom unobstructed and slaughter 19 children and two teachers. Although a slow and bungled police response remains the main failure, a damning new report by the Texas House says recurring lockdowns in Uvalde created a “diminished sense of vigilance.” With a new school year now just weeks away in heavily patrolled South Texas, there are worries the lockdowns will resume and deepen the trauma for scarred students in Uvalde, as migrant crossings remain high and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues expanding a massive border security operation. “That’s what it probably was, just complacency, because it does happen on a frequent basis,” said Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Eulalio “Lalo” Diaz Jr., who had to identify the bodies of the dead at

Robb Elementary. The new findings that a culture of lockdowns in Uvalde played some role in the failures on May 24 reflects how one of the worst school shootings in US history intersected with immigration policies and thousands of Border Patrol agents, National Guard members and state police assigned to apprehend migrants and stop drug traffickers. Of the nearly 400 law enforcement officers at the scene of Robb Elementary, more than half were Border Patrol agents or state police, according to the report. On Tuesday, over the span of just 20 minutes, eight state police vehicles and Border Patrol SUVs cruised through Uvalde’s central square, less than a mile from Robb Elementary. Uvalde is about an hour’s drive from the border with Mexico, located at the crossroads of two major state highways. Nearby are the cities of Pearsall, Dilley and Karnes—all of which have immigration detention centers with some of the nation’s highest populations. More than 4,500 detainees in total were at the three facilities as of June 2022, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. Jazmin Cazares, whose 9-year-old sister Jacklyn was among the students killed, told Texas lawmakers in June that no one in the school district took lockdowns seriously “until that day.” She said she is now terrified to return for her senior year in the fall. “Am I going to survive it? Unbelievable,” Cazares said. Even the first officers on scene at Robb Elementary wondered whether the threat was a so-called “bailout”—

the term used by law enforcement along the border to describe suspected migrants or drug traffickers who have fled. Pete Arrendondo, the embattled Uvalde school police chief who has become the target of angry demands by parents to resign or be fired, told the House committee the thought crossed his mind since it happens so often. The gunman entered Robb Elementary at 11:33 a.m. One minute earlier, according to the report, a fourth-grade teacher in Room 105 received a lockdown alert and made sure her classroom door was locked. That teacher also told the committee she saw a teacher across the hall locking the door in Room 112, one of two adjoining rooms where the shooting occurred. The shooter is believed to have entered the classroom through Room 111, which was known to have trouble locking properly. The signal the school’s alert system sends out does not specify the potential threat. And because of the prevalence of lockdowns in recent months, according to the report, many teachers and administrators “assumed it was another bailout.” “Bailouts” has become an increasingly common part of Uvalde’s vernacular in the last year as the area has become extraordinarily busy with migrants crossing illegally, largely from countries outside Mexico and northern Central America. The Border Patrol sector based in Del Rio, Texas—one of nine along the Mexican border—was the most transited corridor for illegal crossings in June, replacing Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. For much of the year, the two South Texas sectors have posted similar numbers of border encounters, well ahead of the others in California, Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas. While many migrants turn themselves in to the Border Patrol in the border towns of Del Rio and Eagle Pass—each about an hour’s drive

from Uvalde—many seek to elude capture for hours or days, hiding in “stash houses” or in tall fields of corn and other crops for smugglers to pick them up at a previously agreed location for the drive to San Antonio. The committee report said there had been no incidents of “bailoutrelated” violence on Uvalde school campuses before the shooting. Highspeed driving sometimes crossed school parking lots, according to the report, which also said some pursuits involved firearms in surrounding neighborhoods. Diaz, the Uvalde justice of the peace, serves as a magistrate when police make arrests in the area as part of the governor’s massive border mobilization known as Operation Lone Star. He sets bail for people taken into custody for alleged human or drug smuggling, but also for crimes unrelated to national security, like minor drug charges. He said Abbott’s operation hasn’t made Uvalde safer. “These people who are coming through don’t want to be in Uvalde,” said Diaz. “They are looking to get away from the border and we’re too close.” Over the last decade, many police departments have shifted away from having officers engage in car chases because they are a danger to the public. A 2017 report from the Justice Department found that between 1996 and 2015 police pursuits killed an average of 355 people annually, with nearly a third of those killed in vehicles not involved in the chases. Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, who said he has not spoken to Abbott for nearly a month, has called on the governor to do even more on the border to curb migrant crossings. With classes set to re-start in less than two months, he worries about “the bailouts by the schools and so forth” and said “it needs to stop.” Coronado reported from Austin, Texas. Associated Press writer Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.

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SLOW DIGITALIZATION WORSENS PWD DILEMMA By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ESPITE a more digitized workplace during the Covid-19 crisis, persons with disabilities (PWD) still faced considerable challenges when it comes to their employment during pandemic, according to an human resource expert. Citing the results of a study conducted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. on disability inclusive recovery in the time of the pandemic, Criselda Bisda, a human resource and disability affairs consultant, said many PWDs have had to deal with “communication barriers” during the pandemic. Such barriers include the lack of sign language interpreters, subtitles, or detailed audio description in the online platforms used during the pandemic. “For most people, they thought becoming highly digitized in the Covid pandemic is very equalizing,” Bisda said during the virtual first-ever Annual Conference on Disability Inclusion in the Workplace of the Philippine Business and Disability Network (PBDN) on Wednesday. “I hate to disappoint everyone, but that is not true at all because during the pandemic there was even a wider gap between persons with disabilities and opportunities when it comes to employment, education, even proper health services,” she added. The crisis also left PWDs contending with a job-skills mismatch since some of them lacked digital and technical know-how. And then there is the still existing preconceived notion of some companies, Bisda said, that PWDs could only do certain jobs, which greatly limit their employment opportunities. Such treatment covers even PWDs who were able to obtain higher education; thus, many PWDs end up exploring entrepre-

neurship, according to the JPMorgan study. Bisda said such perception is not only detrimental for PWDs, but also for the concerned companies since it prevents them from effectively tapping a considerable portion of the workforce.

12 percent with disability

IN the latest National Disability Prevalence Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 12 percent of the 1,000 respondents said they have experienced severe disability, while 47 percent said they went through moderate disability. Fortunately, Bisda said more companies are implementing disability inclusion initiatives, such as the conference held by the PBDN, to integrate and mainstream the participation of PWDs in their workforce. “We need to shift our mind as an organization to move into a social model perspective for disability and rights based perspective. This means we should not only focus on what is acceptable, but also become accepting [of PWDs],” Bisda said. International Labour Organization (ILO) Disability Inclusion Officer Jurgen Menze also lauded the PBDN initiative, which he said will encourage more companies to employ PWDs and address misconceptions about the said sector. “More and more business leaders also understand it is not only the financial aspect and the benefit of including persons with disabilities in their companies. It is also the right thing to do. The ethical and the fair thing to do to treat people equally,” Menze said. “Too often [there are] misconceptions about what persons with disabilities can and cannot do at work . . . so employers, specifically private sector employers, have a key role to play when it comes to changing these perceptions,” he added. PBDN is a member of the ILO Global Business and Disability Network (ILO-GBDN).

AMRO keeps PHL’s growth forecast despite headwinds

By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

EGIONAL think tank ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) announced on Wednesday that it has retained its forecast of the Philippine economy’s growth despite external uncertainties and heightened headwinds. In the conclusion of its Annual Consultation Report, AMRO said the Philippines is expected to post growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of 6.9 percent for this year. “In 2021, the economic recovery was mainly driven by stronger investments and household consumption. The recovery is expected to broaden this year, with the private sector taking the lead in driving growth on the back of continued policy support,” AMRO said. For next year, the think tank said growth will likely temper down to

6.5 percent. Both AMRO’s forecasts are within the government’s target growth range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent for 2022 and 6.5 to 8 percent for next year. “Continued relaxation of the mobility restrictions will pave the way for stronger economic recovery. Government investment will continue to be a main driver of growth in 2022, while private investment may only improve moderately, in part due to impaired balance sheets,” the report said. “Private consumption recovery

will gain momentum, supported by better income and job prospects, and by presidential election-related spending,” it added. The think tank, however, warned that the Philippine economy continues to face several risks and challenges. “A potential resurgence of more vaccine-resistant Covid-19 infections remains a major threat to the recovery in the short term, and the impairment of firms’ balance sheets continues to pose a risk to the banking sector’s financial health,” AMRO said. “The significance of these two risks may have abated somewhat; however, capital flow volatility is expected to rise in 2022 as global financial conditions are set to tighten. In addition, scarring effects caused by the pandemic have become clearer, raising the urgency to take action to build resilient, sustainable, and inclusive long-term growth,” the think tank added. For consumer prices, AMRO projects the headline consumer

price index (CPI) inflation to rise to 4.4 percent in 2022 before declining to 3.8 percent in 2023, given the supply disruptions from the war in Ukraine. Amid these considerations, AMRO urged local policymakers to strike a good balance between supporting the recovery and safeguarding against risks. “The fiscal consolidation plan should enhance fiscal sustainability without jeopardizing economic recovery. The pace of fiscal consolidation can be expedited once the private sector recovery becomes self-sustaining, by continuing to improve the efficiency of public spending programs, while enhancing revenue collection,” AMRO said. “Both public and private efforts need to be synergized to mitigate the scarring effects from the pandemic and address the structural challenges to achieve a more resilient and sustainable long-term growth. In particular, concerted efforts should be made to digitalize the economy to enhance productivity and growth,” it added.

Another ‘lost decade’ possible if multiple crises persist–FDC By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE Philippines could experience another lost decade if the current administration fails to address the impact of multiple crises of food, fuel, and the pandemic amid rising debt, according to the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC). In a presentation at the State of the People Address (SOPA) on Wednesday, FDC President and University of the Philippines Professor Emeritus Rene E. Ofreneo said among the problems of the country now is the rise in commodity prices, notably for rice: to P50 per kilo from P37 per kilo. Inflation, he said, has breached the 6-percent mark due to excise taxes on oil, fuel products, sugar, etc. On top of the high prices, slow economic growth and the pandemic, the rise in unemployment and poor-quality jobs, as well as worsening poverty which increased to 23.7 percent in the first semester of 2021 are major concerns, Ofreneo stressed. “The country is facing multiple crises that if left unaddressed, could plunge the country into our own ‘decada perdida,’ a lost decade not unlike that experienced by several Latin American countries in the 1980s when their economies collapsed from the weight of failed policies and unserviceable debt,” FDC said in a statement. In order to address the crises, FDC recommended that the ad-

ministration reduce its reliance on foreign investors to boost the economy and increase its own stake in the economy by making human capital investments. FDC said relying on foreign investments has been a long-time strategy that has not always benefited ordinary Filipinos. Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), FDC said, total approved investments was only at P8.98 billion or less than half of the P19.5 billion for the same period last year. The decline in investment pledges came at a time when the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) had come into effect. The law aimed to reduce income taxes of companies in a bid to encourage them to increase investments. Last year, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) explained that the law aimed to make the corporate income tax system performance-based, targeted, time-bound, and transparent. Key provisions of the law include the reduction of the regular CIT (corporate income tax) by 10 percentage points, or from 30 to 20 percent for domestic corporations with a taxable income of P5 million and below, and with total assets of not more than P100 million; and reduce the regular CIT by 5 percentage points, or from 30 to 25 percent, for all other domestic corporations, as well as foreign corporations currently paying the regular rate. Continued on A3

MANILA street sweepers pass by a mural featuring frontliners in Tondo, Manila. Street cleaners were among the frontliners recognized during the inauguration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for continuing to serve at the height of the pandemic. NONIE REYES

Namfrel to solons: Let bgay, SK polls proceed

HE National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Wednesday called for Congress to allow the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on December 5 as scheduled under Republic Act No. 11462. This came as some legislators have filed bills in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to put on hold anew the long-delayed polls originally set for May 2020. “The will of the people, as expressed through the ballot, is the very essence of democracy. This should not be set aside again,” Namfrel said in a statement. The poll watchdog said that while the legislature is allowed by the Constitution to determine the term of elective barangay officials via legislation, this does not mean that Congress should forego again the BSKE. Namfrel noted that the law amends only the rescheduling of the BSKE to December 5, but does not repeal the requirement under R.A. 9164 that synchronized the holding

of it in October every three years. “The barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled,” it said. “As the level of government closest to the people, each voter should be given regularly and without interruption the right to choose the leaders they see and interact with on a daily basis,” it added. The renewed mandate of a community’s chairman/captain (punong barangay) and the council members (barangay kagawad) could beef up the enforcement of national projects and programs, institutional memories of BSK officials, and initiatives to recover from the pandemic and address economic challenges. The three-year term of elective barangay officials, per RA 9164, remains unchanged. The same period is applied to

youth council officials, as amended under SK Law, but that of the incumbents elected in 2018 have exceeded three years. RA 11768 introduced more SK reforms that must be accompanied by a fresh mandate via elections of the SK chairman and members. These changes include giving the youth council the power to formulate and approve its internal rules and procedures, to appoint its secretary and treasurer subject to additional requirements, and to set the schedule of regular SK meetings and Katipunan ng Kabataan assemblies; exempting SK officials from the National Service Training Program; granting monthly honorarium to SK members and appropriate civil service eligibility; and allowing the SK to allocate an amount of its funds for its mandatory and continuing training. Such law that was enacted in May, likewise, affirms the requirement that SK officials must be “at least eighteen (18) years but not more than twenty-four (24) years of age on the day of the elections.”

“SK elections are rendered timely by the fact that the current SK chair and members may already be more than 24 years old. The time is ripe for them to yield power to the youth of their barangays,” Namfrel stated. The election monitoring organization pointed out that “the voice of the people is priceless,” as far as savings is concerned, and could not be reduced to monetary terms. It added that spending has already started for the BSKE, particularly for procurement of supplies, forms, and paraphernalia, which Namfrel has been monitoring. Preparations for the BSKE are already being done by the Commission on Elections amid the push to postpone it. In fact, voter registration is ongoing until July 23. The poll body’s one million target on new registrations for the BSKE has been surpassed at more than 1.71 million as of July 19. The Comelec expects a turnout of 66.053 million and 23.059 million voters for the barangay and SK polls, respectively. Roderick L. Abad

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 21, 2022

SC told to rethink decision to allow power rate hike

By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

everal party-list groups are asking the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its recent ruling which affirmed the validity of the decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) allowing Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) request for a staggered collection of automatic rate adjustments. In a 37-page motion for reconsideration, the petitioners insisted that the ERC order granting Meralco’s request dated December 5, 2013 was not for the interest and protection of consumers as what the Court held in its decision made public last July 1, 2022. The company had requested for rate adjustments arising from generation costs for November 2013. The Court ruled that the ERC’s decision to allow the staggered recovery of the adjustment charges while denying the request of Meralco for carrying costs was intended “to pro-

tect the interest of the consumers” by not compelling them the adjustment rates in one bill. “The Majority did not see anything wrong with how the ERC exercised (or failed to exercise) its powers,” the petitioners said. “But how about the consumers who will be forced to shoulder the rate hike, which is the highest recorded pass-on charge in Philippine history, and which atrocious amount was a result of anti-competitive behavior, ineptness, and irregularities? What about the State policy of consumer protection and regulation of mo-

nopolies for the public good? From where we sit, the consumers do not feel that its interests are being protected and promoted,” they added. The petitioners include representatives from party-list groups such as Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party, ACT Teachers Party-list and Kabataan Party-list, National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms, Federation of VillaGe Associations and Federation of Las Piñas Homeowners Association. In a letter dated December 5, 2013, Meralco informed respondent ERC that the total cost of generation to be passed on to its almost 5 million captive customers amounted to P22.64 billion. The figure is equivalent to a generation charge for the December 2013 billing of P9.1070 per kwh, which is an increase of P3.44 per kwh from the P5.67 per kwh that was billed in the previous month. This will result in an increase of P4.15 per kWh for residential customers, according to the power firm. The petitioners said the increase was one of the highest rates, if not the highest, in the history of the country. The petitioners noted that the ERC approved the staggered increase

in just a span of one working day. It added that the ERC failed to investigate first the generation rate despite supposed irregularities prior to its approval of Meralco’s request. Due to ERC’s “hasty approval” of Meralco’s request, the petitioners said consumers were deprived of the opportunity to comment or oppose the rate hike. “ERC utterly failed in its duty to promote the interest of the consumers. Its actions point to dereliction of duty in the face of the blatantly irregular Meralco letter. This dereliction of duty greatly prejudiced the public good and destroyed the trust and respect of the people in our regulators and institutions,” they said.

Shutdown of plants

Meralco attributed the abrupt increase in the generation cost to the supposed maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya facility that supplies natural gas to three major power plants—Ilijan, San Lorenzo and Sta Rita—which supply an aggregate capacity of 2700 MW electricity to its franchise area. Continued on B2

SPNEC stock rights offer gets nod By VG Cabuag @villygc

isted Solar Philippine Nueva Ecija Corp. (SPNEC) on Wednesday said it secured the green light from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its planned stock rights offering (SRO). In its disclosure, SPNEC said the regulator gave its go signal by confirming that the transaction is exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Regulation Code. SPNEC hopes to raise some P2.8 billion to P3.3 billion from the SRO, which is a share sale offered to the company’s existing stockholders in proportion to their shares held as of

the planned record date of August 25, with the ex-date planned to be on August 22. The deal is subject to the approval of the Philippine Stock Exchange. SPNEC said the SEC issued the Confirmation of Exempt Transaction on July 19. It filed its documents for the said exemption on April 8. Proceeds of this SRO would be allocated towards project development, including securing land and off-take agreements, in support of SPNEC’s goal of developing 10 gigawatts of solar projects by 2025, the company said. The company is also increasing its authorized capital stock and assetfor-share swap with its parent company Solar Philippines Inc.

Its projects include the 3.5 GW solar, 4.5 GWh battery Terra Solar project, which plans to supply Manila Electric Co. with 850 megawatts of mid-merit. Also included are projects that participated in the Department of Energy’s green energy auction, in which Solar Philippines won 70 percent of the auction’s renewable energy capacity—1,380 MW out of 1,967 MW—and 91 percent of all the solar capacity—1,350 MW out of 1,490 MW. These developments have brought the total capacity of substantially contracted Solar Philippines projects to over 6 GW, compared to just over 1.3 GW of total solar installed capacity in the Philippines as of the end of

Quezon City residents are able to drop off their recyclables through the My Basurero App or the eight drop off points the city has set up since launching Trash-to-Cashback in 2021. Contributed photo

mental points which they can use to pay for utility bills such as electricity, water, and internet services through the Bayad App; avail grocery items through the Trash to Cashback Mart, and order food deliveries from the partner merchants. “We are honored to be welcomed by the QC local government as a partner in this important and truly innovative project that teaches and incentivizes citizens to minimize their impact on the environment, and segregating their household wastes,” Ang said. “I’m more than confident that

SMYPC’s world-class expertise and long experience in zero-waste or circular economy practices will contribute significantly to the realization of our shared goal of addressing solid waste pollution, and promoting sustainability in our communities.” While the program had been making headway in the recovery of recyclables and single-use plastics, it had not been able to include glass wastes in its collection as there was previously no partner that could process the materials properly and sustainably. With the company now on board,

Travellers renames integrated resort

ravellers International Hotel Group Inc., Andrew Tan’s gaming and hotel arm, on Wednesday announced that it has rebranded Resorts World Manila in Pasay into Newport World Resorts. “The name change reflects a shift in perspective for the brand to present itself as the most innovative, dynamic, and comprehensive casino, hotels, and entertainment complex in the country,” the company said in a statement. “Newport World Resorts (NWR) is reinventing the brand to bring together its pioneering integrated resorts and the best of its community within the sprawling Newport City complex.” Genting Hong Kong Ltd., Travellers’ partner in the integrated resort and casino, has filed for bankruptcy in January and is selling its ships to pay off its debt. Genting Hong Kong is still the partner of Travellers in the operation of the facility. The first integrated resort and casino in the Philippines established in 2009, Newport World Resorts sits right across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. It started

out with a number of hotels including the all-suite Maxims Hotel, a shopping mall, four high-end cinemas and a multi-purpose performing arts theater. The facility, which was part of the Villamor Airbase property, now boasts of the highest hotel room key count in a single property with five international hotel brands, including Marriott Hotel Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hotel Okura Manila, Hilton Hotel Manila and Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City. In March, Tan’s holding firm Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) said it infused some P7.8 billion into Travellers, which will be made through an increase in the paidup capital, the company said in its disclosure. “The infusion of fresh capital to augment the working capital of Travellers will afford AGI’s entertainment and hotel business the opportunity to keep current with its obligations and catch the window of business recovery with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions,” AGI said. Travellers delisted from the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2019. VG Cabuag

CESI, Cebu firm ink power supply deal

2021 according to figures from the Department of Energy. “When we began talking about 10 GW, many were in disbelief, because the total installed solar capacity of the Philippines last year was just over 1.1 GW. But we hope that having contracts for the majority of 10 GW has now made this plausible,” said Solar Philippines founder Leandro Antonio L. Leviste. “We were fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time, developing these projects since 2016. Now we have contracted this capacity, we look forward to work with other companies and stakeholders to deliver these projects and help achieve our country’s targets for renewable energy.”

SMC unit joins QC govt’s trash-to-cash program

an Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) packaging unit San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp. (SMYPC) on Wednesday said it will support Quezon City’s trash-to-cash back program to help divert garbage away from landfills. The company said it will partner with other waste solutions and technology groups to expand the program to Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Ramon S. Ang, San Miguel president and CEO, said the company joined the program to lend its expertise on circular economy—in particular, the recycling of glass, which had been the missing component of the ongoing initiative. The trash-to-cash back program, implemented by the Quezon City government in partnership with waste management solutions firm Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies Inc. and technology partner BXTRA Philippines, utilizes the firms’ My Basurero app which accepts requests for waste collection, including recyclables. It encourages citizens to be more conscientious about waste segregation. Through the program, they are able to exchange their recyclables and single-use plastics for environ-

SMYPC has committed to purchase all glass and cullet to be collected, which it will then recycle and make into new glass products. San Miguel’s glass business uses a significant percentage of recycled glass in its manufacturing line. “Glass will not decompose if left in landfills, but it is highly recyclable and can actually be reused endlessly without any adverse effects on quality or safety. Producing glass products using recycled material also uses up significantly less energy. It’s a system that benefits all, and the only challenge is making sure we are able to collect as many used glass materials as we can,” Ang said. Glass produced from recycled material also reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by as much as 50 percent, according to the World Wildlife Fund. “This also aligns with our larger sustainability goals focused on, among other things, water sustainability, solid waste management. By helping encourage waste segregation and proper disposal, we will also minimize the garbage that ends up in our critical water sources and other bodies of water,” Ang said. VG Cabuag

Photo shows Citicore’s solar farm in Toledo City, Cebu. From www.creit.com.ph

iticore Energy Solutions Inc (CESI), the retail supply arm of Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC), will supply one megawatt (MW) to Cebu-based water management solutions provider JE Hydro and Bio-Energy Corp. (JEHBEC). The power supply deal was signed under the government’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), which allows end users to source their electricity requirements from preferred renewable energy sources. JEHBEC, a bulk water provider of Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) in Cebu City and qualified under the GEOP, has opted to tap renewable energy (RE) suppliers, such as CREC’s solar plant in Toledo City, Cebu, to supply their power needs. Citicore Solar Toledo, the largest solar plant in Visayas, is one of 10 solar facilities operated by CREC, the sponsor company of the country’s first energy-themed REIT, Citicore Energy REIT Corp. (CREIT) “Our shared vision in delivering more sustainable basic utilities to the Filipino people will help empower more communities and

address the gaps in the water and energy supply situation across the country,” said CREC and CREIT President and CEO Oliver Tan. CREC’s continued expansion and diversification of its customer-base is consistent with its longterm plan to increase renewable energy usage in the country and towards its goal of a net zero carbon future. With the company’s plan of growing its current capacity by five times to 1.5 gigawatts in the next five years, CREC will have a steady pipeline of renewable energy sources available for offtake agreements with existing and new customers. For its part, JEHBEC welcomed the partnership, which further strengthens its green advocacy and supply chain. “From the design stage of our facilities, we already integrate resource conservation and environmental stewardship in developing studies and solutions for sustainable water systems. We further ensure our sustainability efforts by incorporating RE in our operations,” said JEHBEC Chairman Joffrey Hapitan. Lenie Lectura

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 21, 2022

PAVI Green’s solar facility in Naga to get fiscal perks

By Andrea E. San Juan

@andreasanjuan

he Board of Investments (BOI) has approved the application for registration of PAVI Green Renewable Energy Inc.’s P2-billion power plant project in Naga as a new renewable energy developer of solar energy resources. The firm’s project, which was approved under Tier I based on the 2020 Investment Priority Plan (IPP) Listing of the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), is expected to start commercial operations in February 2024. “The demand for power in Luzon will continue to increase.

In 2020, based on the data from the Department of Energy (DOE), Luzon contributed 67.9 percent share of the total installed capacity,” the BOI said in a statement on Wednesday. In terms of power generation and consumption, the attached agency of the Department of Trade and In-

dustry noted that Luzon recorded 71.2 percent and 72.2 percent, respectively. “As the Philippines is heading towards a greener and modern economy, projects like this one is consequential for the attainment of the economic goals of the country,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo. “Also, the solar power plant project of PAVI Green will play a crucial role in building up the capacity needed to sustain electricity demand in Luzon, ensuring an unhampered supply of power to consumers.” The project is expected to contribute to the required capacity addition of 73,868 MW that is needed to meet the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) target of 81,485 MW for the total installed capacity by 2040 under the Clean Energy Sce-

nario (CES). The BOI said the project will generate 554 jobs during its construction and 21 jobs during its commercial operations. The project will use the latest technology in the market through the use of monocrystalline solar panels and string inverters. “The BOI has been pursuing a greener and more modern Philippine economy. As the world slowly transitions to a greener economy, the project will indicate the country’s objective of having green projects because it will release less greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere,” the agency said. Known as the largest contributor to climate change, carbon dioxide is among the four greenhouse gases, which are emitted whenever coal, oil, natural gas, and other carbonrich fossil fuels are burned.

Nlex to spend ₧105M for SFEX upgrade

lex Corp. said on Wednesday it is spending P105 million to implement enhancement works at the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX). Luigi L. Bautista, the president of Nlex Corp., said the amount in-

cludes the following works: pavement surface upgrade, construction of ditch and slope protection, installation of guard rails, and application of hazard paint. “We aim to make our roads safe for all weather conditions. With

SC told to rethink decision to allow power rate hike Continued from B1

It also said that the shutdown of Malampaya coincided with the scheduled maintenance of two other plants, Pagbilao 2 and Sual 1, which also collectively contribute over 950 MW to its requirements. Meralco said because of the events, it was forced to buy expensive power from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). Subsequently, the ERC issued an order on March 3, 2014 that regulated WESM prices for the supply months of November and December 2013 to ensure competitive market environment among power generation companies (gencos) and to safeguard the interest of the consuming public. The ERC said its order was consistent with its mandate under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), to protect public interest as it is affected by the rates of electric utilities. The agency said it also wanted to ensure transparent and reasonable prices of electricity by not allowing excessive and unreasonable prices of electricity during the period of Malampaya shutdown. The ERC was then investigating

the alleged collusion among gencos to manipulate prices of electricity in the spot market during the shutdown of the Malampaya gas facility in 2013. However, the said ERC order was struck down by the Court in the same decision issued last July 1. It held that the order was issued by the ERC even if it was still in the process of completing its findings on the possible abuse of market power which could have negatively impacted on the prices of electricity in the market. The Court noted that the ERC also did not notify the affected parties about its investigation, in violation of their right to due process. The petitioners believed that true competition that should lower power will never prosper considering that the generation sector “is virtually an oligopoly.” “Oligopolists can maximize their profits by forming a cartel and acting like a monopolist. The greater the number of firms in the oligopoly, the closer the quantity and price will be to the levels that would prevail under perfect competition,” they noted. The generation sector, according to the petitioners, can be considered an “oligopoly” since 80 percent of power capacity in the country is under the control of five companies such as Cojuangco/SMC (22 percent), Aboitiz (20 percent), Lopez (18 percent), Ty (12 percent), and Consunji (8 percent). “The facts of this case—which would show prima facie evidence of price manipulation in the sport market, collusion and in general, anti-competitive behavior on the part of the generating companies, as well as Meralco—clearly illustrate how the few were unable to influence the power cost or price under a deregulated structure,” the petitioners said.

these enhancements, we expect to further protect motorists from roadside hazards by strengthening the slopes and improving the drainage system and other safety features at the SFEX,” he said.

The pavement surface upgrade, which will help drain water away from the roadway especially during heavy rains, covers a total length of 4,374 linear meters between Jadjad and Argonaut bridges. LorenzS.Marasigan

mutual funds

July 20, 2022

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 201.34 -6.45% -9.74% -6.15% -13.62% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.294 -6.21% -8.35% -4.33% -22.24% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.754 -7.47% -13.39% -8.83% -14.94% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.6929 -10.36% -11.21% n.a. -8.41% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6529 -12.08% -10.36% n.a. -15.31% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.5634 -3.87% -6.95% -4.23% -11.95% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.6761 -9.51% -6.99% -3.58% -13.69% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 74.82 -25.12% -15.33% n.a. -20.77% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 41.471 -5.82% -8.66% -4.72% -13.83% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 431.29 -6.82% -8.66% -4.86% -13.86% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.2151 7.82% -4.09% -1.74% -10.41% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 31.4966 -4.83% -7.95% -3.9% -13.93% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8196 -4.85% -9.02% n.a. -12.94% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.2958 -4.87% -8.03% -4.07% -13.41% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 715.83 -5.28% -8.1% -4.14% -13.6% -16.22% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.6305 -8.93% -13.06% -7.16% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2111 -6.68% -10.7% -5.61% -14.95% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8147 -5.6% -8.38% -4.4% -13.74% United Fund, Inc. -a 2.9962 -5.14% -8.11% -3.5% -12.83% Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a 0.9815 -7.39% n.a. n.a. -15.58% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 871.54 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 96.5102 -4.86% -7.88% -3.76% -13.43% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) $0.9103 -26.96% -2.88% -2.22% -19.19% ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.4542 -19.42% 3.23% 4.26% -21.24% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.5362 -8.1% -5.03% -2.99% -9.21% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.07 -5.66% -4.47% -2.79% -9.27% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.4857 -2.72% -3.03% -1.42% -7.63% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1921 0.42% n.a. n.a. -8.09% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.8617 -3.38% -1.98% -0.6% -7.69% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.3878 -6.67% -4.13% -2.13% -10.02% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 15.1931 -6.55% -4.22% -2.16% -9.81% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 1.947 -3.73% -4.01% -2.09% -8.22% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.26 -5.77% -6.52% -3.12% -10.61% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8475 -1.64% -6.18% -2.69% -11.18% Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a 0.8929 -8.31% -5.11% n.a. -9.79% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a 0.8128 -8.47% -8.15% n.a. -13.94% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a 0.8002 -8.27% -8.53% n.a. -14.32% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03302 -13.74% -4.14% -1.61% -12.97% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $0.9146 -18.97% -2.95% -1.63% -14.29% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $3.946 -16.97% 1.3% 2.63% -17.83% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.0134 -15.63% -1.86% -0.1% -15.45% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 373.92 0.37% 2.08% 2.27% -0.1% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.8891 -1.77% -0.23% 0.01% 0.23% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2282 -0.14% 1.86% 3.22% -0.49% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a -4.14% -0.33% 0.62% -3.45% 2.1738 First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.3961 -1.9% 1.09% 1.57% -1.23% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.182 -7.09% -0.22% 0.46% -4.86% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.3167 -0.01% 2.58% 2.73% -0.18% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.869 -2.82% 1.64% 2.12% -2.44% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0075 -2.68% 2.32% 1.63% -2.01% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1294 -2.64% 1.66% 2.55% -1.82% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.6922 -3.27% 0.78% 1.85% -2.22% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) $480.98 ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a -1.15% 1.51% 1.72% -1.75% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є210.39 -4.44% -1.23% -0.09% -4.37% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.0677 -11.01% -3.43% -1.05% -11.31% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0242 -7.28% -1.86% -0.57% -6.92% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $0.8959 -15.09% -6.24% -3.62% -12.41% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.196 -12.76% -2.27% -0.31% -12.36% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0606596 -3.75% 0.72% 1.16% -2.62% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.7449 -13.96% -3.84% -1.87% -14.12% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 132.37 1.56% 2.25% 2.55% 0.9% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0644 1.03% 1.55% n.a. 0.63% Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.327 1.6% 2.09% 2.47% 0.87% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0644 0.61% 1.13% n.a. 0.36% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a 44.5887 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.2425 -5.99% n.a. n.a. -10.15% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a $0.8152 -17.66% n.a. n.a. -15.96% a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

c - Listed in the PSE.

d - in Net Asset Value per Unit

(NAVPU). 1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.). 2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021.

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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

July 20, 2022

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

BDO UNIBANK BANK COMMERCE BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL MANULIFE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

325,742,239 299,288 134,677,784 3,767,135 545,413 137,606,250 294,770 685,888 964,880 35,919,986 3,046,114 19,140 10,450 54,720 43,320 429,200

-74,720,171 -196,800 -55,066,906 597,370 -349,687 -53,936,915 -98,250 426,568 15,793,254.50 -552,764.50 45,720 429,200

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.38 8.4 8.3 8.41 8.3 8.4 16,997,400 142,180,416 0.95 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96 139,000 133,440 ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER 31.85 31.9 31.6 32.2 31.6 31.9 1,192,700 38,089,225 1.79 1.82 1.8 1.84 1.78 1.79 2,983,000 5,379,070 RASLAG BASIC ENERGY 0.41 0.415 0.385 0.42 0.385 0.41 20,570,000 8,320,850 16.76 16.78 16.6 16.98 16.6 16.78 949,800 15,985,398 FIRST GEN 61.2 62.9 61.2 62.9 61 62.9 15,710 964,932 FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO 357.2 362.8 369 369 357.2 357.2 370,090 134,602,262 15.98 16 16.18 16.18 15.9 16 312,600 5,010,874 MANILA WATER 2.96 2.97 2.96 2.98 2.96 2.96 553,000 1,641,200 PETRON PETROENERGY 4.65 4.84 4.68 4.68 4.65 4.65 244,000 1,137,210 9.14 9.48 9 9.49 9 9.48 49,700 463,710 PHX PETROLEUM SYNERGY GRID 12.14 12.18 12.28 12.4 12.1 12.14 7,704,100 93,776,822 PILIPINAS SHELL 17.6 17.64 17.6 17.7 17.6 17.7 70,500 1,243,198 9.1 9.11 9.1 9.12 9.09 9.11 97,300 885,426 SPC POWER SOLAR PH 1.59 1.6 1.58 1.61 1.57 1.6 9,800,000 15,573,250 5.47 5.54 5.49 5.55 5.45 5.54 1,431,300 7,892,633 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 2.1 2.12 2.09 2.1 2.09 2.09 160,000 335,170 23.1 23.65 23.35 24.35 23.1 23.1 704,400 16,465,655 CENTURY FOOD 13.24 13.76 13.42 13.9 12 13.24 152,400 1,962,954 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 7.03 7.05 7.03 7.07 7.02 7.03 1,261,700 8,889,264 18.9 18.96 18.78 19.14 18.76 18.92 4,552,600 86,314,264 EMPERADOR 43.5 43.7 44.9 44.9 43.3 43.5 166,800 7,296,120 SMC FOODANDBEV FIGARO COFFEE 0.63 0.64 0.66 0.67 0.62 0.63 50,500,000 32,083,610 0.55 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 3,000 1,740 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.02 1.04 1.02 1.03 1.02 1.02 77,000 78,620 97 99.65 99.95 99.95 97 97 84,430 8,228,363 GINEBRA 212 212.8 210.4 214 210.4 212.8 348,270 74,022,590 JOLLIBEE KEEPERS HLDG 1.09 1.1 1.08 1.11 1.08 1.1 755,000 830,000 4.29 4.47 4.28 4.47 4.25 4.47 350,000 1,497,060 MAXS GROUP 0.104 0.106 0.104 0.106 0.103 0.104 3,420,000 352,750 MG HLDG MONDE NISSIN 13.9 14 13.88 14.16 13.72 14 4,588,300 64,318,768 6.92 7 6.92 7.1 6.92 6.92 3,100 21,488 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.58 0.61 0.59 0.61 0.57 0.59 1,242,000 728,060 3.86 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 4,000 15,600 RFM CORP 1.22 1.25 1.23 1.25 1.23 1.25 13,000 16,050 ROXAS HLDG UNIV ROBINA 115.9 116.4 115.6 116.5 115.2 116.4 952,420 110,646,113 0.58 0.6 0.58 0.6 0.58 0.6 217,000 125,960 VITARICH CONCRETE A 36.75 43.45 40 40 40 40 1,300 52,000 0.8 0.81 0.67 0.84 0.67 0.81 23,145,000 17,892,460 CEMEX HLDG 12.2 12.3 12.34 12.34 12.2 12.2 17,900 218,422 EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP 3.28 3.31 3.31 3.49 3.27 3.31 296,000 984,950 5 5.07 5.07 5.15 5 5 1,128,000 5,675,414 HOLCIM 4.3 4.34 4.21 4.36 4.21 4.34 258,000 1,114,180 MEGAWIDE PHINMA 19 19.2 19.46 19.46 19.2 19.2 6,200 119,092 0.66 0.74 0.66 0.66 0.66 0.66 11,000 7,260 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 0.76 0.77 0.76 0.78 0.76 0.77 578,000 442,120 125.2 149.5 125.2 125.2 125.2 125.2 20 2,504 CHEMPHIL 1.67 1.68 1.72 1.72 1.68 1.68 326,000 552,170 CROWN ASIA EUROMED 0.96 1.02 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 1,000 1,030 5.11 5.2 5.15 5.56 5.15 5.3 9,400 49,859 MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP 5.26 5.4 5.53 5.53 5.4 5.4 400 2,173 18.64 19.4 19.22 19.5 19.22 19.5 1,700 32,804 CONCEPCION 1.66 1.67 1.67 1.7 1.67 1.67 5,934,000 9,948,370 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 6.06 6.07 6.02 6.28 6.02 6.07 21,700 132,319 0.68 0.72 0.74 0.74 0.73 0.73 31,000 22,650 IONICS 5.5 5.62 5.4 5.66 5.4 5.65 4,000 22,415 PANASONIC SFA SEMICON 1.43 1.46 1.49 1.54 1.38 1.46 2,935,000 4,308,440 2.78 2.83 2.81 2.92 2.78 2.78 1,759,000 5,022,200 CIRTEK HLDG

17,334,148 1,658,550.00 -7,575,324 -35,100 -3,243,638 -2,428,736 -3,000 -1,319,348 -86,250 89,082 447,610 -725 -1,731,185 1,098,516 1,371,907 -17,293,798 -4,683,710 -464,060 -5,982,759 -8,939,564 415,720 690 10,400 -21,637,500 165,970 -15,600 16,297,919 51,040 1,545,070 -238,160 25,000 217,000 -459,040 -4,809,250 -12,200 -542,080

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG B LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP ZEUS HLDG

118 8.02 89 26.65 6.9 45.65 6.54 17.78 18.94 89 73.05 1.61 3.45 890 172 2,320

1.9 3.61 609 51.15 9.71 8.04 0.72 0.415 4.29 9.29 6.87 467.4 51.3 7.25 2.94 8.34 3.67 2.1 0.9 786.5 103.8 0.153

118.1 8.18 89.15 26.75 6.95 45.7 6.55 17.94 19.5 90 73.25 1.7 3.5 979.5 173 2,398

1.91 4.9 610 51.5 9.8 8.1 0.77 0.42 4.3 9.31 7.07 470 52.45 7.26 3.01 8.37 3.7 2.15 0.92 788 104 0.159

118.2 8 89.5 26.75 6.99 45.8 6.56 17.9 18.92 89.7 73.05 1.74 3.5 900 174 2,320

1.76 3.61 611 51.05 9.62 8.05 0.78 0.4 4.37 9 6.87 467.4 52 7.26 2.91 8.35 3.69 2.17 0.92 797 104.2 0.159

119.6 8.01 89.95 26.8 6.99 46.75 6.56 17.94 19.5 91.2 73.35 1.74 3.5 972 174 2,320

1.92 3.61 620 52.45 9.85 8.1 0.78 0.415 4.37 9.33 7 473.4 52.45 7.26 2.96 8.4 3.72 2.17 0.92 804 105 0.159

117.3 8 88.75 26.75 6.73 45.6 6.55 17.7 18.92 89 73 1.74 3.45 900 173 2,320

1.75 3.61 608 51.05 9.62 8.05 0.77 0.4 4.3 8.99 6.87 467.4 50.55 7.26 2.91 8.34 3.67 2.01 0.92 786 104 0.159

118 8.01 89 26.75 6.95 45.65 6.55 17.78 19.5 89 73.25 1.74 3.45 972 173 2,320

1.91 3.61 610 51.5 9.71 8.1 0.77 0.415 4.3 9.31 7 470 52.45 7.26 2.96 8.37 3.7 2.15 0.92 788 104 0.159

2,759,050 37,400 1,510,110 140,700 78,800 2,982,400 45,000 38,500 50,900 398,360 41,630 11,000 3,000 60 250 185

65,239,000 1,000 246,980 1,207,200 1,861,200 49,300 5,000 860,000 1,403,000 26,842,000 28,100 69,980 1,250,650 35,000 13,000 922,100 7,647,000 1,024,000 9,000 298,630 170,060 10,000

120,852,030 3,610 151,068,375 62,266,897 18,195,679 399,230 3,860 352,300 6,048,150 247,117,537 196,297 32,902,042 65,125,647.50 254,100 37,890 7,718,907 28,261,790 2,147,390 8,280 235,621,430 17,695,959 1,590

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.53 0.55 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.53 182,000 96,460 5.9 6.74 6 6 6 6 2,000 12,000 ANCHOR LAND AYALA LAND 25 25.2 24.6 25.65 24.6 25.2 16,393,200 413,089,820 3.09 3.11 2.94 3.16 2.93 3.11 1,043,000 3,235,760 AYALA LAND LOG ALTUS PROP 13.12 13.7 13.12 13.12 13.12 13.12 3,700 48,544 ARANETA PROP 1.33 1.37 1.34 1.39 1.3 1.37 606,000 821,060 36.75 36.8 36.8 36.9 36.75 36.8 323,300 11,913,115 AREIT RT A BROWN 0.72 0.74 0.72 0.74 0.71 0.74 80,000 57,900 0.082 0.084 0.085 0.085 0.085 0.085 20,000 1,700 CROWN EQUITIES 2.5 2.51 2.49 2.51 2.45 2.51 302,000 747,070 CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP 0.375 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38 1,090,000 414,200 2.38 2.39 2.36 2.42 2.36 2.38 8,473,000 20,286,190 CITICORE RT DOUBLEDRAGON 7.72 7.83 7.7 7.84 7.51 7.83 109,200 831,627 DDMP RT 1.5 1.51 1.51 1.51 1.49 1.5 951,000 1,425,950 6.8 6.84 6.83 6.84 6.8 6.8 20,900 142,440 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.202 0.209 0.209 0.209 0.202 0.202 70,000 14,560 0.295 0.3 0.265 0.3 0.265 0.3 42,820,000 12,040,450 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST RT 6.77 6.79 6.79 6.8 6.65 6.79 805,600 5,466,511 FILINVEST LAND 0.94 0.95 0.91 0.95 0.9 0.95 13,899,000 13,060,210 0.82 0.88 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 100,000 82,000 GLOBAL ESTATE PHIL INFRADEV 1.06 1.07 1.1 1.11 1.07 1.07 2,266,000 2,481,000 0.7 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.7 0.72 22,000 15,460 CITY AND LAND 2.26 2.28 2.24 2.34 2.24 2.28 27,014,000 61,893,180 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED 0.176 0.178 0.171 0.178 0.17 0.178 3,160,000 548,240 15.96 16 16 16.1 15.98 16 1,142,700 18,293,254 MREIT RT PRIMEX CORP 1.99 2.02 2.03 2.03 1.99 2.02 1,761,000 3,560,420 6.43 6.44 6.49 6.53 6.44 6.44 522,400 3,382,750 RL COMM RT 16.88 16.9 17.1 17.1 16.86 16.9 2,008,800 33,959,598 ROBINSONS LAND PHIL REALTY 0.223 0.235 0.223 0.235 0.223 0.235 350,000 81,650 2.51 2.57 2.57 2.57 2.57 2.57 5,000 12,850 SHANG PROP 2.74 3 3.05 3.06 2.74 2.74 47,000 137,450 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 36.75 36.9 37.8 38.1 36.75 36.75 8,458,900 314,737,585 3.21 3.38 3.21 3.38 3.21 3.38 3,000 9,800 VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST RESORT 0.99 1.01 1 1.01 1 1.01 55,000 55,020 2 2.02 2.05 2.05 1.97 2.02 245,000 491,080 VISTA LAND 1.71 1.72 1.72 1.73 1.71 1.72 249,000 428,810 VISTAREIT RT SERVICES ABS CBN 8.71 8.75 8.8 9.01 8.72 8.75 111,400 988,372 10.2 10.24 10.12 10.28 10.1 10.2 196,200 1,994,812 GMA NETWORK GLOBE TELECOM 2,244 2,246 2,242 2,260 2,236 2,246 19,025 42,711,340 1,668 1,669 1,654 1,677 1,654 1,669 146,185 244,119,340 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.035 0.036 0.034 0.036 0.034 0.035 137,100,000 4,773,600 CONVERGE 20.8 20.85 20.4 21.1 20.3 20.85 9,214,600 191,778,220 3.17 3.26 3.15 3.3 3.15 3.26 24,000 77,020 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 4.15 4.16 4.14 4.2 4.11 4.15 1,333,000 5,517,440 1.14 1.15 1.14 1.17 1.12 1.14 507,000 579,930 NOW CORP 0.275 0.28 0.28 0.285 0.275 0.275 830,000 230,450 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2GO GROUP 6.26 6.48 6.8 6.8 6.12 6.49 35,900 224,037 13.6 13.9 13.98 13.98 13.9 13.9 200 2,788 ASIAN TERMINALS CHELSEA 1.23 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.23 1.28 95,000 118,900 CEBU AIR 41.5 41.6 41 41.75 41 41.6 146,800 6,071,715 182 182.8 185.9 188.7 181 182 1,119,360 205,542,100 INTL CONTAINER MACROASIA 4.33 4.37 4.26 4.37 4.26 4.37 189,000 818,200 0.85 0.93 0.85 0.85 0.84 0.84 36,000 30,370 METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 0.9 1.3 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 18,000 16,200 5.6 5.83 5.84 5.84 5.6 5.6 2,300 12,952 PAL HLDG 1.04 1.06 1.03 1.05 1.03 1.05 553,000 579,450 HARBOR STAR BOULEVARD HLDG 0.081 0.082 0.082 0.083 0.08 0.082 45,130,000 3,682,540 0.425 0.46 0.43 0.43 0.425 0.425 70,000 29,900 WATERFRONT 530.5 588 588 588 588 588 20 11,760 FAR EASTERN U IPEOPLE 5.67 6.7 6.65 6.7 6.65 6.7 6,300 42,135 1.19 1.2 1.17 1.2 1.17 1.19 236,000 281,040 BELLE CORP BLOOMBERRY 6.02 6.11 6 6.15 5.91 6.02 2,687,900 16,323,798 LEISURE AND RES 1.42 1.45 1.46 1.46 1.4 1.42 1,609,000 2,293,150 0.82 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.81 0.83 922,000 757,790 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.4 0.41 0.405 0.41 0.4 0.4 3,690,000 1,489,650 3.5 3.51 3.34 3.55 3.25 3.5 2,739,000 9,303,700 PHILWEB 0.295 0.3 0.29 0.3 0.285 0.295 12,290,000 3,617,400 ALLDAY BERJAYA 5.66 6.15 5.66 6.15 5.66 6.15 300 1,747 4.4 4.54 4.4 4.55 4.4 4.55 42,000 186,110 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.46 1.47 1.46 1.47 1.46 1.47 109,000 160,060 29.05 29.2 28.8 29.5 28.8 29.05 1,251,000 36,403,285 PUREGOLD 56.75 57 54.8 57.1 54.8 56.75 903,700 50,962,331.50 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 61.15 63 63 63 61.05 61.05 3,410 212,490 1.37 1.38 1.39 1.39 1.34 1.37 2,558,000 3,485,500 SSI GROUP WILCON DEPOT 23.1 23.4 22.7 23.45 22.7 23.35 876,800 20,392,925 APC GROUP 0.182 0.191 0.191 0.191 0.18 0.18 190,000 34,640 6.35 6.97 6.5 6.5 6.25 6.25 5,000 31,830 IPM HLDG MEDILINES 0.64 0.65 0.64 0.65 0.63 0.64 653,000 418,180 0.42 0.43 0.41 0.43 0.41 0.43 810,000 340,300 PRMIERE HORIZON MINING & OIL ATOK 6.6 6.78 6.93 6.93 6.59 6.84 33,600 221,903 APEX MINING 1.45 1.47 1.47 1.47 1.45 1.45 971,000 1,413,470 4.36 4.38 4.4 4.4 4.34 4.38 171,000 746,300 ATLAS MINING BENGUET A 5.32 5.34 5.33 5.34 5.33 5.34 7,000 37,350 5.3 5.32 5.32 5.32 5.3 5.3 4,300 22,796 BENGUET B 0.206 0.229 0.229 0.229 0.229 0.229 40,000 9,160 COAL ASIA HLDG CENTURY PEAK 2.65 2.72 2.71 2.72 2.71 2.72 55,000 149,100 2.22 2.25 2.24 2.28 2.22 2.25 1,846,000 4,134,250 FERRONICKEL 0.182 0.192 0.173 0.193 0.173 0.192 980,000 187,020 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.133 0.138 0.134 0.139 0.133 0.133 600,000 80,060 1.3 1.32 1.27 1.35 1.27 1.32 1,635,000 2,131,980 MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA 5.39 5.4 5.27 5.44 5.23 5.4 9,399,700 50,217,295 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.7 0.72 0.7 0.73 0.68 0.7 170,000 116,590 3.16 3.17 3.14 3.19 3.13 3.16 953,000 3,005,090 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 40.7 40.75 39.15 40.7 39.15 40.7 11,714,300 472,159,465 12.5 12.52 12.88 13.1 12.42 12.52 360,000 4,571,352 ACE ENEXOR ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 21,000,000 240,300 0.0087 0.0089 0.0086 0.0088 0.0086 0.0088 2,000,000 17,400 PHILODRILL 5.25 5.26 5.73 5.73 5.2 5.25 316,600 1,686,693 PXP ENERGY PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 98.3 99.5 99.5 99.5 99 99 5,500 546,750 98.05 100.6 99 99 99 99 5,400 534,600 HOUSE PREF A AC PREF B2R 496.6 499.8 496.4 496.4 496.4 496.4 10 4,964 105 106 105 105 105 105 340 35,700 BRN PREF A CEB PREF 40.5 41 40.1 41 40.05 41 21,400 863,155 98.75 98.8 99 99 95 98.75 52,320 5,011,303 DD PREF 100.6 104 104 104 104 104 70 7,280 EEI PREF A EEI PREF B 103.5 106.5 106.5 106.5 106.5 106.5 40 4,260 952.5 955 955 955 955 955 510 487,050 JFC PREF B 99.6 100 100 100 100 100 50 5,000 PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 970 975 975 975 975 975 50 48,750 1,030 1,040 1,035 1,035 1,027 1,027 625 642,875 PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B 1,047 1,050 1,047 1,047 1,047 1,047 5 5,235 75.55 75.9 76 76 75.55 75.55 45,600 3,448,672.50 SMC PREF 2F 74.9 75.5 74.9 74.9 74.9 74.9 2,500 187,250 SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2J 71.7 72 71.5 72 71.5 72 20,030 1,436,560 72.55 74 74 74 74 74 30 2,220 SMC PREF 2K TECH PREF B2D 54.5 56 54 54 54 54 600 32,400 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 8.9 9.1 8.9 8.9 8.8 8.89 6,500 57,440 10.1 10.88 10.9 10.9 10.2 10.9 6,600 68,570 GMA HLDG PDR WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.51 0.53 0.52 0.53 0.51 0.53 207,000 108,070

20,704,150 34,461,030 3,129,737.50 -12,711,918.00 -5,414,710 53,255,802 5,863,810 23,737,564.50 -2,960 908,048.00 -7,777,300 43,367,475 -293,603 -30,026,080 135,420 1,312 691,740.00 -850 -30 -406,600 -713,110 144,718 534,000 -162,500 185,382 4,609,910 5,390 -6,146,690 7,580.00 392,452 226,778 -1,641,912.00 10,630,450 -61,930 10,320 -14,463,130 -21,618,660 316,500 12,314,225 413,380 -139,350 70,000 -811 -26,220 3,019,165 -54,798,310 17,040 61,360 -147,520 -1,028,628 136,100 -180,940 32,250 299,060 -5,800 40,610 -21,336,745 34,449,964.50 136,260 699,690 7,137,955 -4,550 -85,800 29,200 -183,580 149,100 -3,373,900 -79,480 9,446,061 -563,610 162,314,520 -21,862 272,705 135,850 -3,060 -10,150

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

BALAI FRUITAS CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART XURPAS

0.61 0.99 0.85 0.71 2.26 1.21 0.32

0.63 1 0.89 0.72 2.89 1.22 0.335

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

96.5

96.6

0.63 0.98 0.87 0.71 2.27 1.24 0.32

0.65 1.02 0.89 0.73 2.27 1.24 0.335

0.6 0.97 0.84 0.69 2.26 1.2 0.32

0.63 1 0.89 0.72 2.26 1.22 0.335

6,332,000 11,894,000 473,000 233,000 46,000 1,529,000 920,000

3,926,410 11,897,630 404,630 165,230 104,120 1,858,560 306,000

67,390 4,250 -48,800.00 69,510 -

96.45 97 96.45 96.6 12,090 1,168,991.50 180,797

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

Banking&Finance

Govt borrows ₧20B via sale of reissued T-bonds

HE Bureau of the Treasury borrowed another P20 billion by selling reissued 10-year debt papers after opening the tap facility to accommodate overwhelming demand. The reissued 10-year Treasury Bonds (T-bonds), which had a coupon rate of 7.25 percent, attracted total bids of P99.2 billion, making the auction more than four times oversubscribed. This was the second time that the Treasury opened the tap facility window for this month. Last week, the Treasury also raised an additional P5 billion from its sale of reissued 7-year T-bonds via the tap facility auction. At the auction proper last Tuesday, the security—with a remaining term of nine years and 11 months to maturity—fetched an annual average rate of 6.865 percent, lower than the original coupon rate set on its first issue last month as well as the secondary market benchmark rates. Overwhelming demand was seen

during the auction proper, prompting the Treasury to open the tap facility window to all eleven government securities dealers-market makers. National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon earlier said the strong appetite for the longer tenor was due to investors’ predilection for high rates. The sentiment was fueled after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) surprised markets with an aggressive rate hike of 75 basis points on July 14 and after Governor Felipe M. Medalla said there is still room for monetary authorities to raise interest rates again. That would impact bond prices. The government is set to borrow P200 billion from the local debt market. As of end-May, the national government’s outstanding debt dipped to P12.5 trillion from a record-high of P12.76 trillion as of end-April due to its repayment of a P300 billion short-term, zero-interest loan from BSP. Bernadette D. Nicolas

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Thursday, July 21, 2022

Pre-need firms given more options for investing funds

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Insurance Commission (IC) gave pre-need companies more options on where to invest their trust funds.

Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa signed Circular Letter 2022-37, amending the guidelines on allowable investments for preneed trust funds. The updated list of allowable investment outlets for pre-need companies includes: Real Estate Investments Trust and Exchange Traded Funds (Reits and ETFs); mutual funds and Unit Investment Trust Funds (UTFs); and, other equity securities and other debt securities that were not included in the list of investment options listed under Section 34 of the Pre-Need Code (Republic Act 9829). Funa said the circular dated July 18 was issued after the IC studied previous issuances and rules on the allowable investments of pre-need companies “to align and make them consistent with current market practices.”

The pre-need industry plays a “vital role in the financial and social security of the country,” the IC said. The regulator also emphasized that the Pre-Need Code also requires that the trust fund “must at all times be sufficient to cover the required pre-need reserve.” Likewise, RA 9829 mandates that a trust fund per preneed plan shall be established to ensure the delivery of the guaranteed benefits and services provided under a pre-need plan contract. The IC also specified minimum conditions to be met for these additional allowable investments. However, it also said investments listed in Section 34 of the Pre-Need Code, as well as those included in the new circular that do not meet the minimum prescribed conditions, shall still be allowed as investments. But the total amount should not exceed five percent of the trust fund at ac-

quisition cost after the consideration of limitations under the rules. The basis for the computation of the limits of the instruments or investments shall be the acquisition cost of the investments. The percentage of limit for “Other Allowable Investments” shall be the residual of the sum of the following, less 100 percent: the sum of the actual allocation for government securities; and, the sum of the actual allocations on investments under Section 34 (a) to (c) of the Code, subject to the maximum limits of the Code and any other pertinent Circular Letters issued. No deposit or investments in any single entity allocated to “Other Allowable Investments” shall exceed 15 percent of the total value of the trust fund, the IC said. Earlier, the regulator also increased the investment threshold allocation of pre-need companies by 2 percent each for the following: equities (now at 34 percent); long-term commercial papers (19 percent); direct loans to planholders (14 percent); real estate (14 percent); and, direct loans to corporations (9 percent). The pre-need industry’s investment in trust funds grew by 8.95 percent in 2021 to P97.2 billion from

P89.2 billion in the previous year. The industry’s total premium income also climbed by 11.06 percent year-onyear to P19.76 billion in 2021 from P17.79 billion in 2020 as it sold more plans during the period. Under the Pre-Need Code, companies engaged in pre-need business are required to establish a trust fund to pay for the cost of benefits and services, termination values payable to planholders and other costs necessary to ensure the delivery of benefits or services to planholders as provided for in the contracts. All investments of preneed companies are limited to fixed income instruments, equities and real estate. The limits were put in place to ensure the liquidity of the trust fund and, thereby, guaranteeing the delivery of benefits provided under the contract and to obtain sufficient capital growth to meet the growing actuarial reserve liabilities of a preneed company. The failure of a preneed company to cover any deficiency in the trust fund may result in the imposition of a penalty, in addition to other sanctions determined by the IC. These include the suspension or revocation of the license of a preneed company. The IC can also place such company under conservatorship.

Security Bank bags ₧16B from fixed-rate bonds sale By VG Cabuag

CB AT WV This Wednesday, July 20, 2022, courtesy of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

shows BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla (right) setting-up the time capsule with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas (left) and Iloilo Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr. during the groundbreaking ceremonies for the BSP’s new building at the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Medalla said that the new building, once completed, will further enhance the accessibility and efficiency of BSP services in Western Visayas. Photo courtesy of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

LandBank funds several projects of Biliran LGUs

ILIRAN—State-run Land Bank of the Philippines, the sole servicing bank in Biliran, said that as of 30 June 2022, it has approved loans to Biliran local government units (LGUs) amounting to P747.9 million. The LandBank said in a statement these include the following: financing for the construction of road networks, waterworks systems, public markets and government buildings; and, acquisition of essential equipment, among others. In support of the Provincial Government’s Covid-19 response, LandBank financed the acquisition of medical equipment and supplies to boost the healthcare services of the Biliran Provincial Hospital—the only public hospital in the province. The bank, likewise, supported the provincial government in the acquisition of land and sea ambulances to assist all municipalities for the expedient transfer of patients to the provincial hospital. The provincial government was also assisted by the staterun lender to complete a 4-kilometer road, drainage and flood control systems, water reservoir and perimeter fence in the Municipality of Naval, which serves as the provincial capital. LandBank’s outstanding loans to Biliran’s agriculture sector have reached P79.2 million, with nearly 25,000 farmers and fishers assisted as of end-June 2022. Major provincial commodities financed include the production of milkfish and palay. At the same time, LandBank also facilitates the regular dis-

bursement of subsidies to over 20,000 local beneficiaries of the Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (CCT/UCT) programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). LandBank, to note, has a 100-percent share in deposits and loans of all local government units (LGUs) of the province. “Biliran is full of promising opportunities with its rich natural resources and flourishing agriculture and tourism sectors. LandBank fully supports the province’s development agenda by servicing the requirements of all LGUs and other local stakeholders,” LandBank President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo was quoted in a statement as saying. LandBank is also providing Biliran LGUs digital banking facilities designed to enhance operational efficiency. These services include digital account management, online payment and collection of local fees and charges and digital tax payments. The bank said it is also looking to expand its accessible touchpoints with two additional ATMs in the towns of Kawayan and Cabucgayan within the year. LandBank, the only bank present in all 81 provinces in the country, is the biggest development partner servicing the LGU sector, with outstanding loans reaching P79.23 billion as of end-May 2022 and all LGUs nationwide maintaining deposit accounts with the state-run lender.

@villygc

ECURITY Bank Corp. said last Wednesday it raised P16 billion in fixed rate peso corporate bonds due 2024. The mid-sized bank said the debt carries a rate of 3.7407 percent per annum, with a tenor of 1.5 years. “Due to strong demand for the bonds, the bank exercised its oversubscription option and accepted offers above the initially announced P1 billion issue size,” according to the country’s 10th–biggest lender by assets said. “Minimum denominations were set for P1 million and increments of P100,000 thereafter.” The bonds were listed at the Phil-

ippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. to provide secondary market liquidity to investors who would like to trade the instruments. The shares of Security Bank closed at P89 on Wednesday’s trading, down by P0.50 from the previous close. Security Bank offered the bonds to support its lending activities and expand its funding base. Raul Martin A. Pedro, the bank’s executive vice president and financial markets segment head, said the issuance and oversubscription is testament to investor confidence in the Bank and its commitment to provide better banking service. Philippine Commercial Capital Inc. (PCCI) was the deal’s sole book-

runner. The PCCI and SB Capital Investment Corp. acted as joint lead arrangers and selling agents for the issuance.

Award

LAST Tuesday, the lender said its officers were again recognized by the Asset Publishing and Research Ltd. as among the country’s best local currency bond individuals in sales for 2022 at the latest “Asian Local Currency Bond Benchmark Review.” In its latest announcement, Security Bank’s Vice President and Head of Sales for its Institutional desk, Angeline Sia-Uy, together with two Fixed Income Securities Division sales officers, were “highly com-

Pru Life, Shopee ink deal to sell dengue insurance

IFE insurer Pru Life UK Philippines Inc. (Pru Life UK) announced the insurer partnered with Shopee Southeast Asia Ltd., operator of eponymous e-commerce platform, to sell a health insurance product against dengue. Pru Life UK’s statement read Shopee’s “wide reach and high user base makes it an ideal platform” to connect Filipinos to budget-friendly insurance products. Pru Life UK President and CEO Eng Teng Wong said in a statement the insurer “strongly believes that Filipinos from all walks of life should have easy access to life insurance products.” “Being on the Shopee platform aims to encourage everyone to protect themselves and those who matter to them with products at price points they can afford,” Wong added. The insurer’s announcement comes as the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 65,190 dengue cases nationwide from January 1 to July 22, an 83-percent jump compared to the figure logged in the same period last year. So far, 274 deaths due to dengue were reported. Over 16,000 dengue cases have been recorded in the past month, with Central Luzon accounting for the most number of infections, the DOH said on Tuesday. “Offering insurance products at affordable prices is something we will always push for because we want to promote financial inclusion by offering protection coverage to all Filipinos and

help everyone get the most out of life,” Wong added. The executive said the company will be adding other types of plans to cater to different protection and financial needs of Filipinos in the coming months. Shopee users can purchase e-vouchers for the insurer’s medical care products that are redeemable in Pru Life UK’s health and wealth mobile app. Both products are available in two different packages and offer a lump sum benefit of P10,000 for the life insured if one is diagnosed with dengue, the insurer said. A product being sold also provides a lump sum benefit of P100,000 if the life assured passes away due to dengue, Pru Life Uk added. Its health insurance packages are priced at P200 and P300. One of its package, called “PRUDengue MedCare Pro,” particularly Package A and B, can be bought at P240 and P350, respectively. All Package A products offer six months of dengue coverage while all Package B products cover 12 months. Filipinos aged 18-59 are eligible to buy the product as the policy owner and they can also avail it for their kids who are aged 1-17. Overseas Filipino Workers may also buy the e-vouchers in Shopee and share them with their loved ones in the Philippines. The policy owner and the life insured must be in the country at the time of the sale/redemption in Pulse. Bernadette D. Nicolas

mended in the sales category.” Sia-Uy was consistently ranked in the review for over ten years, according to the lender. “We’re glad to be highly commended in the review—these show that we were able to understand and help our clients navigate this volatile environment,” Uy was quoted in a statement as saying. The lender said the benchmark review provides data on investors’ product needs and the market penetration of banks active in local currency bonds. More than 400 fixedincome investors across ten Asian markets are surveyed: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Amnesty for taxpayers in Marikina extended By Claudeth S. Mocon-Ciriaco

@claudethmc3

tax amnesty program for delinquent business taxpayers in Marikina City has been extended. Mayor Marcelino R. Teodoro said that the move also aims to help businesses recover from the effects of the lockdown measures against Covid-19 pandemic. Teodoro signed Marikina City Ordinance 064 (series of 2022), or the Ordinance Granting Amnesty on Surcharges and Interests of Delinquent Business Taxpayers in the City of Marikina. Under the aforementioned ordinance, Marikina City grants 100-percent relief or amnesty on surcharges and interests of delinquent business taxpayers from July 1 to December 31, 2022. On February 9, the Ninth Marikina City Council enacted Ordinance 006 (series of 2022), which provided amnesty grants on surcharges and interests of delinquent taxpayers until June 30. The grant of tax amnesty seeks to boost the city government’s tax collection efforts and as a relief to taxpayers who are experiencing financial difficulties. The mayor said that, due to inflation, prices of prime commodities recently went up. Teodoro noted that the cost of production also increased, affecting as well those in manufacturing business. He noted that business taxpayers can settle their obligations until the end of the year, without the burden of interests or surcharges. These types of amnesties would be a big help, was quoted in a statement as saying. Noel Flores, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI-New Marikina Chapter), expressed gratitude to the city government for extending the tax amnesty ordinance for business taxpayers. “We are looking forward for more collaborations and partnerships with the local government to boost our business,” Flores was quoted in the statement as saying. “Together we will recover, rebuild, and rise.” Also, Marikina Market Vendors Association, headed by Mely Martinez, thanked the mayor and the City Council for the extension of the tax relief that will greatly help small businesses like them. Teodoro is bullish that the business sector will be able to cope and overcome the ill effects of the pandemic and inflation.

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Pinoy nurses, veterans, 9 others feted with Gawad Alab ng Lahi award in NY

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Foreign affairs usec leads conversations in 1st Asean-UK Senior Officials’ Meeting

LAZARO (right) delivers an intervention at the first Asean-UK Senior Officials’ Meeting LONDON PE

AWARDEES all: Filipino awardees beam with pride during the recognition ceremony.

Text & photo by Troi Santos

EW YORK—Nurses, veterans and fellow Filipinos based in the United States were among those honored in New York last week in the first-ever “Gawad Alab ng Lahi” awards. Filipino health-care workers who served in the frontlines against the pandemic, and others advocating for the cause of compatriots who fought during the Second World War, were feted in the citation ceremony. Also in the limelight during the awarding ceremonies held at the Whitby Theater in Manhattan were a Filipina lawyer-philanthropist behind efforts to find a cure for a rare neurological disorder, and an American businessman who was among those who helped the return of the Balangiga Bells back to the Philippines.

Seven other individuals and organizations received the Alab ng Lahi Award of the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Hiraya Foundation for FilipinoAmerican Heritage Preservation, in recognition of their respective achievements that advanced the interests of the Philippines and the Filipino people. “Our Gawad A lab ng Lahi awardees bring not only pride and honor to the Filipino race— they are the flames that should inspire all of us to work together to help us achieve our shared aspirations for our country and our

people,” Consul General Elmer G. Cato said. “We hope the Gawad Alab ng Lahi will inspire more…kababayans to stoke the flames of Filipino pride by demonstrating the best of our race in whatever they do,” said Dr. Romulo Aromin, who is the president and chair of the Hiraya Foundation. The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA), whose members were recognized for their service and sacrifice especially during the pandemic that claimed the lives of as many as 66 Filipina nurses, led the roster of awardees. The award was received by PNAA President Mary Joy Garcia-Dia and other PNAA officials, who held back their tears as the citation was being read. Another is Dr. Leo Felix Jurado, chair of the Nursing Department at the William Patterson University in New Jersey, for his role in convincing US authorities to do away with the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools examination, and in

getting the country included as a testing center for the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX. Also recognized was the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, which convinced the United States Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Second World War veterans from the Philippines. The award was received by retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, who became emotional as he recounted the efforts to secure US recognition for Filipino veterans. He fought alongside his father who once served with the Philippine Scouts. Also honored was Atty. Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, president of the Sunshine Care Foundation and cofounder of the Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism. She is behind efforts to find a cure for the disease that afflicts Filipino males from the Visayas, while providing comprehensive support for patients and their families in the Philippines.

Another is Dr. Henry Howard, Philippine honorary consul in Miami, who was recognized not only for his scholarship programs in the Philippines, but also for his role in securing the return of the Balangiga Bells. Other awardees are the Association of Filipino Teachers in America; stage actor Miguel Braganza II; Mayor Arvin Amatorio of Bergenfield, New Jersey; Concentrix Phils.; Carnival Cruise Lines; and United Food of Asia Ltd. The honorees were presented with a mixed-media trophy made of wood, metal, glass, and abaca designed by Filipino pop artist Normie Meimban. The event was hosted by Marc Dela Cruz, who is the first Filipino to play the lead role in the Broadway musical Hamilton. He and singer Kirby Asunto, along with conductor Michael Dadap and the Children’s Orchestra Society, also performed for the audience mainly composed of prominent members of the Filipino community.

HE inaugural Asean-United Kingdom Senior Officials’ Meeting (Asean-UK SOM) was convened in London on July 6—the first since the conferment of the region’s dialoguepartner status to the European country in August 2021. Asean and UK SOM leaders agreed to continue to enhance existing relations while exploring new areas for collaboration which cover counterterrorism and violent extremism, cyber security, transnational crimes, maritime security, digital integration, environment and climate change, food security, sustainable infrastructure, connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, as well as public health. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern, including the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, and the situation in Ukraine. With the Philippines being the country coordinator for Asean-UK economic relations, Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, who is the Philippine SOM leader, led the discussion on the region and the kingdom’s economic cooperation, specifically on digital integration, energy security and food security. Director-General Jenny Bates of the Indo-Pacific Directorate at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, who is the UK SOM leader, is confident that the outcomes of the first Asean-UK SOM will contribute to stronger cooperation and linkages between the region and the European country in the coming years.

Foreign minister invigorates Poland-PHL economic activity By Mike Policarpio

TOP official from the Polish government sparked further economic activity and trade engagements among his country’s business leaders and their Filipino counterparts. Last week Undersecretary Marcin Przydacz led a delegation from Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that undertook a three-country visit of Southeast Asia, which started in Singapore and culminated in Malaysia. In between, the high-level representation met with local business bigwigs as well as Manila-based Polish information-technology firms affiliated with the International Chamber of Commerce-Philippines at the “Digital Transformation 2.0” on July 13. Przydacz opines that both Poland and the Philippines “have been quite successful…in terms of…economies, leveling up somehow the living standards of our societies [and] both of our nations.” In a dialog with Metro Manilabased media, he lengthily discoursed on the effects of the Russian aggression of Ukraine as having “very negative repercussions [and] effects on the system of global markets,” which has led to the skyrocketing of energy costs, as well as inflation rates. The Polish foreign minister likewise foresees a possible food crisis, which he believes could be “very dangerous for both of our countries.” “All those phenomena are deeply rooted in the aggressive foreign policy of the Kremlin, which is trying to recreate a sphere of influence in…Central and Eastern Europe, just as it was in the 19th Century,” he said. ”In the 20th Century many

European nations were colonized in Central Europe…by the Eastern superpowers, and Ukraine was one of them. We cannot allow Russia to recreate a colony named Ukraine.” He continued that any country trying to destroy this architecture is creating a dangerous situation for many others: “We don’t want to go back to any sphere of influence; we want to follow the rules, which were set many years ago. So the international rule order is the best [one which we can] live in.” Przydacz exhorted the global community to adhere to international regulations and help Ukraine preserve its sovereignty, and insisted that “it shouldn’t be Moscow, [but rather the Ukrainian nation who will decide] its own future.” The Polish government official touched on Ukraine as a significant producer of grain and enabler of food security in many countries in Africa and Asia. However, Russian fleets have blocked several ports, making it impossible for the former to export their grain through the Black Sea. That is why his country, he shared, is doing its best to help its beleaguered neighbor ship this grain through Polish ports to Asia and many other countries. “It seems that our Russian neighbors are not very happy with this. They’ve also been limiting their own exports of grain to Asian and African countries in order to create problems for all of us,” he remarked. “That’s the best scenario for Russia. [But we cannot allow it to use famine as an instrument. Despite being smaller, we are trying to show our solidarity with Ukraine, as well as Asian] and African countries, in order to help our partners to survive this difficult time.”

PRZYDACZ

The following are excerpts of the Polish official’s interview during his engagement with members of the local press: What specific message did you bring to the Philippine government? Did you also discuss the possibilityofexpandingrequirements for military modernization? PRZYDACZ: First, and the most important, is that we are ready to start our political and economic-cooperation dialogue with the Philippines. Our entrepreneurs are ready not only to offer the products, but some of them are also to invest. And here in the Philippines, there are already some on the ground doing quite good business. There are businessmen already here offering new products for your economy, to make it even more competitive—although, you are quite competitive already. But there is always room for improvement for all of us. So, economic cooperation and politics should be deeply founded. The second message of course, is to exchange those on the security challenges, which are ahead of us in both regions: in Central Europe and in Southeast Asia. We’ve been closely following what was going on in the South China Sea. It was quite natural for me not only to read our reports, but also talk to real experts on the ground and

meet them in Manila. With regard to our security cooperation and in defense, there were already many products offered by the Polish industry to the Philippines. We are ready to continue this good collaboration. As I’ve heard your government is very much satisfied with the quality of those products which we provided, especially with the competitive prices. So we are ready to continue this good coverage.

Your thoughts on the global energy situation vis-a-vis the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the use of energy as a seeming element of weaponization? On energy security: Many of our European partners were very much [reliant] on Russian energy resources. Poland is not entirely dependent; although 10 years ago, we were 100-percent [leaning] on energy from Russia after its invasions of Georgia and afterwards, Donbass. We understood perfectly that our Eastern neighbor may use it as a tool of blackmail, of their foreign policy, and pressure us. At that time, our government decided to diversify the energy resources. We built a special liquefied natural gas terminal [to have more independence] from other providers from the gulf countries, and transAtlantic partners. With oil, we do have our own resources as well. With coal, although it’s not the biggest source and the most popular right now, we are very much independent with regard to that. But that’s not the case of many other European Union (EU) partners. Unfortunately in 2015 to 2016, they [warned that it’s] not a good decision to be so dependent on Russia, especially because we were very

much critical of the Nordstrom 2 pipeline, which was connected to Germany with Russia. We were criticized by our EU partners that we are not open enough for good ties, especially economic, with Russia right now. I think it’s quite understandable why we were more hesitant about the irrational energy resources. That it was about the possible scenario of using that as a weapon. The weaponization of energy is a fact, and it’s not just a problem today. We [were] just cut off from Russian energy, [and so are] Scandinavian countries. But I’m pretty sure the EU will survive. We’ll find [other sources]. In a way, it will probably cost us, because we were not prepared as the EU before. Now is the time to pay the cost. If we’ve done it in 2015, probably the situation will be a bit better now. Of course, recession could happen, not only because of the war—it is just one of the factors. Another is inflation, which is equally rooted. So in this post-Covid situation, we are working quite hard to avoid such a scenario. It may happen that some entrepreneurs will try to relocate their businesses from the EU to Asia. As for now we cannot observe such a phenomenon on a massive scale. I think that we are living right now in a “global village.” Although after the pandemic, there is a bit of a “retreat from near globalization.” We should all work very hard in order to avoid that kind of scenario of recession, because once it starts in the EU or in the US, the effects are also visible here in the region. So let’s work globally on this too, as soon as possible, finish this war…and to come back to normal, predictable

relations. Let’s concentrate on this. What is most important now is to avoid the recession. How does Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and you personally, foresee the resolution of the situation in Ukraine? Do you think it will still extend for many more months or years? It’s a very good question, but [it would rather be for the leadership of Russia to answer, because they] started this war… they know where and how far they’re ready to go and fight. What I can assure you of, is that Ukrainians are very much determined to continue the fight, because they know they are fighting for their freedom, their sovereignty and their rights. They are very motivated to do it. The only thing they need is our support, and it shouldn’t be only [from] the EU or the…collective West. I think…the like-minded coalition: all friends of international law, and all countries which are not ready to come back to the concept of superpowers or the colonial past, should really support Ukraine today by sending whatever it needs, and by sanctioning those who are responsible for this war. So, when you ask me about the possible scenario, I’m pretty sure Ukraine will fight until they win this war and regain the sovereignty over the entire part of the occupied territories. But it will probably be a bit longer. But let me repeat: We cannot allow any superpower to dominate smaller countries, because once we let Russia do it with Ukraine, then it’s a very dangerous scenario for all the other countries in the world.

Parentlife BusinessMirror

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Thursday, July 21, 2022

Slow pace for youngest kids getting Covid vaccine doses WASHINGTON—Nearly 300,000 children under five have received Covid-19 shots in the two weeks since they became available, a slower pace than for older groups. But the White House says that was expected for the eligible US population of about 18 million kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was to publish initial data on shots for the age group later Thursday, reflecting doses administered since regulators authorized them on June 18. The first vaccinations didn’t begin until several days later because the doses had to be shipped to doctors’ offices and pharmacies. US officials had long predicted that the pace of vaccinating the youngest kids would be slower than for older groups. They expect most shots to take place at pediatricians’ offices. Many parents may be more comfortable getting the vaccine for their kids at their regular doctors, White House Covid-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha told The Associated Press last month. He predicted the pace of vaccination would be far slower than it was for older populations. “We’re going see vaccinations ramp up over weeks and even potentially over a couple of months,” Jha said. Officials also note there is some hesitance about the need for shots for kids who are far less likely than older age groups to develop serious illness or die from the coronavirus. Parents are being encouraged to talk to the child’s doctor for trusted information about the benefits of the vaccines. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey conducted in April found that 1 in 5 parents of children under age 5 said they would get their child vaccinated right away once it was authorized, 38 percent said they would wait and see, and nearly 4 in 10 said they wouldn’t get their children vaccinated at all or only if required. The Biden administration said that while the slow pace of vaccination in the youngest group was expected, officials won’t be satisfied until as many people as possible receive the protection of vaccines. AP

MOMS PROVIDE UNFILTERED LOOK INTO MOTHERHOOD

BEING a mom is the most fulfilling and also the most difficult job in the world. There are some who make it look like a breeze, and others who show the actual journey and reality that this full-time job entails. On top of the daily to-do list of work tasks, taking care of the kids, and having time for yourself, there are the household chores such as actual laundry, dishes and cooking that take hours and a significant amount of effort and physical labor. As motherhood has endured the toughest struggles in the past two years, it’s not always as glamorous as social media makes it out to be. Recently, more and more moms have been revealing an unfiltered look into motherhood, as a way to help other moms find solutions to make life easier and better for them and their kids. For mom Apple, motherhood may not be as manageable in terms of following a certain schedule but even amid all the chores, she has found a solution to cross off one big item from her checklist: “Managing the household is tough. The chores are never-ending. Looking after my son during and after school is also a challenge. And of course, doing the laundry with tough stains means extra work for me. Thankfully, laundry time has become much easier now thanks to Breeze Power Machine.” Mommy Tine understands the demands of being a mom and has found one big solution to cross off her list: “Managing the household is a juggling act. Kaya naman I need to find ways to balance everything...kids, meals, cleaning, lalo na sa laundry. Buti na lang I found Breeze Power Machine Liquid Detergent. Now I can spend less time on chores and more time with my kids.” Although motherhood may not be a walk in the park, there are communities and brands like Breeze that can offer you easy and powerful solutions to lighten your load, make your tasks less of a chore and more of a superpower. Breeze Power Machine Liquid Detergent makes laundry so much easier as it penetrates fabrics and removes tough stains better than powder detergents. Thanks to its ultraclean concentrate and the Golden Trio of power washing— surfactants, dirt-lifters, and enzymes—you just need to dabpour-wash and let your washing machine do the work. Now all hard-working moms can make the switch from powder to liquid detergent to turn laundry into a breeze.

MOM Apple spending some learning time with her son.

MARCUS at 8 and Meagan at 11 doing color experiments with Crayola Marker Maker.

My post-pandemic back-to-school guide: Confidence through STEAM

AST week, I shared how building the 21stCentury Skill of Confidence early in our children is important. In my experience, doing so really helped equipped my kids against bullying in school. I also shared two main “self-building” activities I encouraged with my kids, which included “content” or subject learning and enrichment activities, like sports and play. This week, let me share my “one solution” on how I combined academic subjects with play in their formative years. I have seen how these efforts have not just developed my children’s confidence, but also developed them into holistic individuals who perform well beyond academics. I personally call this solution the Magic of STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics. I first learned of this when my kids were toddlers and preschoolers, and I felt truly relieved. I was and am still an “art” person. I always felt torn when I was growing up, because it seemed you could only be good at one thing. I was pushed to pursue the math side in me, and so I finished a course in engineering. However, I always kept my soft, art side on my personal poetry, writing and art time. I believe this

has made the difference in both my output and outlook as a person. So, finding “STEAM” showed me a path on how my kids can enjoy both worlds freely and effectively. STEAM is very helpful for content learning in 21stcentury learner skills. Why? In my own observation, my young kids did not really know subjects at the outset. They only knew whether an activity was interesting to them or not. And without a doubt, the most interesting to my kids was when we played. By injecting STEAM activities as early as their toddler years, they were doing Math, Science, Logic, Engineering—without them even knowing it. As they entered school age, they felt more relaxed when these subjects were presented to them. Another main benefit of STEAM for me follows the thoughts I shared last week from Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset, especially when you expose them to various “play experiments.” From the book A Mind of Their Own: Building Your Child’s Emotional Wellbeing in a Post-Pandemic World by Katherine Hill, it shares Carol Dweck’s view that children with a growth mindset “see challenge as an opportunity to learn, and difficulty as an in evitable part of the learning process.” It further shares that for these children, “failure means they need to try again” and they persist despite setbacks, which is a great opportunity to develop emotional resilience. I love the thought shared that “different children may have different abilities, but it is what they believe about their ability that is crucial.” So even if STEAM might be seen as developing the “hard” skills of knowledge, I appreciate it most on how it developed the strong will of my children in pursuing tasks or goals that may seem impossible at first. I shared in past articles how my artistic six-year-

old daughter was called out by her teacher for just staring at the ceiling fan every time a math problem was presented to her, but she gradually worked her way to represent her current school in MTAP competitions; or how my shy, more musically-inclined boy made a resolve to be part of the basketball varsity, even if he had been rejected for two years in a row, and now he will represent his school in an international basketball competition in Mexico this year. Below are some STEAM tools and activities I recommend for different stages: n TODDLERS: Paints and coloring materials used to draw numbers and arithmetic symbols; sorting activities; STEAM toys, like Learn with Me Count and Learn Cookie Jar and Techno Kids Action Blocks. n PRESCHOOLERS: As you observe more how your child learns more effectively, inject tools that promote curiosity and interest. For example, Marcus is a “tactile” learner, which means he loves tinkering with his hands when learning. I would alternately bring out my grandmother’s abacus, math bingo sets or various number blocks and games, and just allow him to just play with them. Starting science experiments early like with the Crayola Marker Maker, I believe, has helped my kids love science, as well as make them more inquisitive in the process. n GRADE SCHOOLERS: My latest discovery is a “phygital” (physical + digital) math play method that is more attuned with today’s digital kids. You can go to YouTube and find the Numberblocks channel and use Learning Resources’ MathLink Builders to learn math skills from counting, patterns to grade school math. Injecting coding and experiments during family weekend playtime should also be a staple given the constant innovations our children need to adapt to. I found the Code and Learn Space Ship, as well as the Crayola Liquid Science Kit quite interesting. n

Providing quality education to students in PHL, Indonesia AFTER 18 years of pursuing its mission to make lives better through education, Phinma Education (www. Phinma.edu.ph) welcomed over 95,000 students in SY 21-22, resulting in a 79 percent revenue increase, year-on-year. The organization, made up of 10 schools in the Philippines and Indonesia, offers over 110 programs covering the entire education chain and boasts a 75 percent board exam passing rate for firsttime takers. “It is only with an intimate understanding of the needs and aspirations of our underserved, firstgeneration students can we make their lives better,” said Phinma chairman and CEO Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. in a July 18 press briefing. The majority of Phinma Education students come from the bottom of the pyramid and are often the first in their families to enter college. “Our students need quality education now more than ever,” said Dr. Chito B. Salazar, president and CEO of Phinma Education at the same briefing. He continued, “Because we were able to serve the needs of our market at a time when the continuity of their education was most challenging for them, we were able to grow our network to the biggest it has ever been.” In SY 2021-2022, Phinma Education welcomed

95,503 students, a 31 percent increase from 72,746 students in SY 2020-2021. According to finance chief Daisy C. Montinola, the increase in enrollment resulted in consolidated revenues of P3.79 billion, a 79 percent increase year-on-year. The network attributes its success to being able to ensure that learning continues for its underserved students throughout the past two years when they needed it the most. Launched in 2020, Flex Learning and Remote and Distance (RaD) Learning both rely on printed materials and strong teacher and peer support through mobile data. The former will allow students to return to school once regulations allow, while the latter is completely home-based. Because the majority of its students could not afford to be online, it partnered with Globe and PLDT-Smart to provide students with mobile data every month. “Our students want to learn, no matter what. Their perseverance in the face of so many challenges inspires us to serve them better,” explained strategy chief Trissa M. Menardo. In SY 2022-2023, Flex Learning will move to a two to four system of two days in-person classes and four days of remote and independent learning. It will distribute students’ in-person classes throughout

the week to comply with the minimum public health standards. Students and their teachers will be assigned to only one shift to limit the number of people inside the campus. Self-sufficient modules, alternative assessments, streamlined instructions, and most importantly, remote coaching, will be maintained for both Flex Learning and RaDLearning. Construction is already in full swing to cater to an even bigger number of students. It recently opened the San Jose campus of Phinma Araullo University, and acquired a new lot in Phinma University of Pangasinan which will house a seven-storey building with a roof deck. It is also constructing a building in Phinma Rizal College of Laguna and a new Phinma Cagayan de Oro College campus in Iligan City. And to upgrade its dentistry program, Southwestern University Phinma is set to open its new Dentistry building. Dr. Raymundo P. Reyes, country chief for the Philippines explained that to ensure sustainability in its growing number of schools, it has institutionalized an Environmental and Social Management System Policy across its campuses. All schools now have Material Recovery Facilities and green technologies, including solar panels, rainwater catchment systems, gray water facilities, and sewer treatment plants.

B6 Thursday, July 21, 2022

DOT lauds Boracay Island‘s inclusion in TIME’s 50 extraordinary, greatest places of 2022

Meralco to construct fire station; strengthens emergency response

STRENGTHENING THEIR INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION, MERALCO AND BFP OFFICIALS SIGNED THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT: Meralco FVP and Head of Human Resources and Corporate Services Mr. Edgardo V. Carasig, Meralco President and CEO Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, BFP-NCR Regional Director CSUPT Gilbert D. Dolot PhD DSC, and Regional Chief Directorial Staff SSUPT Achilles M. Santiago PhD DSC. Witnessing the event were, back row, from left: VP and Head of Organizational Safety and Business Continuity Management Engr. Antonio M. Abuel, Jr., VP and Head of Facilities, Security and General Services Engr. Benjamin U. Cusi, SVP and Head of Legal and Corporate Governance Atty. William S. Pamintuan, and AVP and Head of Local Government and Special Projects Atty. Oscar P. Moreno, Jr.

O further promote and enhance public safety, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have joined forces for a stronger emergency response capability within the BFPNCR’s area of operation. Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed recently, Meralco and the BFP will collaborate to organize, train, and operationalize a fire brigade team that will be based inside the Meralco Operating Center in Pasig City. Through this partnership, the Meralco Fire Brigade will be able to help in immediately responding to fire incidents in the nearby communities and other slow-onset emergencies within Meralco’s franchise area. It will also significantly contribute to the BFP’s goal of reaching the target firegrounds within the ideal response time of five to seven minutes. Core to the emergency response capability in addressing public safety are fire suppression, search and rescue, and health emergency response. To this end, Meralco will organize the Meralco Rescue team, which will be composed of safety, facilities, and security personnel, as well as employee volunteers. The BFP, on the other hand, will assign competent

officers and personnel to train and equip them with the necessary capabilities and competencies that will help them carry out their responsibilities. Meralco will also construct its own fire station within the compound to further support the fire brigade’s 24/7 operations. Expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2023, this will serve as the fire emergency response center, training facility for the firefighters and rescue teams, and communication link between Meralco and the BFP. The new fire station will likewise house the teams’ specialized equipment such as fire trucks, water tankers, rescue tenders, and rescue boats. Chief Superintendent Gilbert D. Dolot, Regional Director of BFP-NCR, expressed the BFP’s “deepest appreciation to Meralco for the partnership”, adding: “We are partners who will never cease to explore opportunities and avenues for the improvement of public safety, and we are very happy to see that Meralco is doing its part not only by delivering its corporate goals. It went beyond by venturing in public safety as part of its social responsibility.” Meralco President and CEO Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, for his part, said: “Meralco’s primary mission is to provide

safe, reliable, affordable, and efficient electricity service to all customers within our franchise area. As part of our mandate, safety and protection are very important functions as well.” “It is in this light that we have developed a plan to establish a fully operational and complementary fire station here in Meralco to serve not just the needs of Meralco but also the needs of our nearby communities, particularly Pasig and Mandaluyong. And with the help of the BFP, we plan to operationalize this fire station and develop our own fire and rescue unit. We thank the BFP for making this a reality for us, and hopefully we can be part of your private sector support and join your runs in addressing fire incidents in Metro Manila,” Mr. Espinosa said during the MOA signing. With safety as one of its key priorities, Meralco has been a long-time partner of the BFP in promoting fire prevention and safety awareness. During the celebration of Fire Prevention Month last March, Meralco participated in BFP's activities aimed at boosting innovative fire safety and prevention programs. They also partnered to regularly conduct fire safety and prevention trainings and electrical safety seminars to educate the public.

Ternocon 3 workshop-mentoring culminates

HE first lock-in workshop-mentoring of Ternocon 3 held at the Teachers’ Conference Center in Batangas City culminated last July 10, 2022. The finalists completed their toiles (an initial version of a garment) for the competition and presented them to mentors Joey Samson, Dennis Lustico and Chito Vijandre with Ricky Toledo. The closing program was hosted by the City Government of Batangas at the Sampaguita Farm where CCP President and officer-in-charge of the Artistic Director's Office Margarita MoranFloirendo was present along with Atty. Reginald Dimacuha, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Mayor of Batangas City. The 1930s balintawak ternos made by the finalists were worn by the dancers of Likhang Sining Dance Company in a special Subli dance performance.

Ternocon Artistic Director Gino Gonzales emphasized, “Ternocon allows its participants to undergo a process that involves attitude change, as we are not merely addressing fashion or dress issues. Our country has so many problems, and we simply cannot solve everything. As designers, you can be part of the solution by dealing with issues within your backyard. At TERNOCON, we all come from different backgrounds and perspectives, different religions, different regions, different political inclinations... but what unites all of us together is our love for country, and I think this should be your primary motivation for creating ternos that will be showcased at the CCP stage in the final phase of this competition. Love for country.” The 12 finalists are: Amor Albano (Ilocos Norte), Glyn Alley Magtibay

(Oriental Mindoro), Bon Hansen Reyes (Rizal) and Gabbie Sarenas (Rizal) from Luzon. Bree Esplanada (Cebu), Karl Nadales (Iloilo), Al Rey Rosano (Negros Oriental) and Marc Carcillar (Iloilo) from Visayas. Glady Rose Pantua (Zamboanga) and Ron Santos (Davao) from Mindanao. From the National Capital Region (NCR), Yssa Inumerable (Parañaque) and Cheetah Rivera (Quezon City). The three semifinalists who are from Batangas and NCR are Geom Hernandez, Dee Javier (Manila) and Daryl Maat (Caloocan). The next round of consultations (faceto-face and online) will be in AugustSeptember, while the 2nd part of the workshop-mentoring will be in October 2022. The final competition with cultural show is slated for January 28, 2023 at the new CCP Black Box Theater or Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) hails the inclusion of Boracay Island among TIME’s 50 extraordinary destinations to explore in 2022. “The DOT affirms its pride and honor as Boracay Island once again proved its allure as a tourist haven. Such recognition will surely help us attain our goal of regaining our position in the global market,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said. “Surely, the Philippines has a multitude of sites and tourism activities that we could offer to the world. And, in addition to natural resources, we look forward as well to developing and promoting the talents of our people and the products that have potential for national and global marketability,” she added. Boracay Island joins other world-famous destinations and natural wonders on the list, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Seoul in Korea, and Doha in Qatar, among others. In 2018, a six-month closure of the island was imposed by the previous administration to make way for rehabilitation and redevelopment initiatives. “Then the pandemic struck, and the Philippines closed its borders, halting even domestic tourism to Boracay. It took a severe toll on the local economy, but the silver lining was that this 4-sq.-mi. speck in the Visayas island chain had proper time to truly recover. As of February 2022, international visitors can finally revel in this revamped, recuperated, natural playground after what was effectively a three-year convalescence. Locals report the return of flora and fauna, like sea turtles, and hospitality has come back just as spectacularly,”

wrote Charlie Campbell of TIME. “Through collaboration between the DOT central and regional offices, relevant national government agencies, the local government units, and the private sector, we will exert all efforts to put in the limelight not only the country's premier tourist destinations like Boracay, but also other places of interest in the country which may not have been given equal focus and attention in the past,” Secretary Frasco said. In coming up with its list of 50 World’s Greatest Places for 2022, TIME solicited nominations from its international network of correspondents and contributors, putting focus on places “those offering new and exciting experiences.”

Statement of the civil service commission on the proposed “rightsizing” of government

HE Civil Service Commission understands and accepts the changes and challenges brought about by the global pandemic and current events on health, the economy, and other factors that affect the life and livelihood of our people. Therefore, the Commission supports any move that would ensure greater efficiency in public sector administration, and build an agile and future-ready civil service. The Commission assures everyone that it will thoroughly study any proposed legislation on rightsizing the bureaucracy, and provide its inputs, with the welfare of civil servants and the effective delivery of service to the public as its primordial considerations.

The Oriental Tagaytay hosts Wedding Coffee Date

O reposition the Tagaytay Ridge as a top wedding destination in Luzon after the Taal Volcano eruption and the Covid-19 pandemic, The Oriental Luxury Suites recently held the Wedding Coffee Date, a one-day expo which showcased the leading service providers for a seamless and memorable wedding reception. Exhibitors featured were Town’s Delight Catering and Events, Moments by Ruffa, DT Sounds and Lights, and Freshminds Photography. Situated along the Tagaytay national

road in Alfonso, Cavite, The Oriental Luxury Suites is a royal Thai-themed boutique hotel overlooking the Taal Lake and Volcano. It boasts of a 200-person ballroom, exquisite Asian furnishings, six intimate suites and a state room, and a mountain resort ambiance that will transport you to the ancient Siamese kingdom. The Wedding Coffee Date is envisioned to be a quarterly fair to entice couples from Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas and other parts of Luzon to tie the knot in the romantic ridge resort, and reenergize the special events industry in the area.

TOASTING FRESHLY-BREWED COFFEE FOR THE SOON-TO-BE-WED COUPLES ARE, FROM LEFT: lifestyle writer Bernard Supetran, events organizer Ruffa Clemente of Moments by Ruffa, The Oriental Luxury Suites GM Florebeth Villanueva, Department of Tourism Region-Calabarzon OIC Regional Director Marites Castro, Town’s Delight prioprietor Tim Castaños, and DT Sounds and Lights president Jojo De Belen. The Oriental Hotels and Resort, the hospitality arm of the LKY Group of Companies, is one of the country’s trailblazing and fastest-growing home-grown hospitality chains which has starrated properties in key destinations such as Legazpi City, Palo, Leyte; and Mariveles, Bataan, and will soon open in Bacolod City and Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

Experts raise alarm over surge in diabetes, cardiovascular disease By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

itting is the new smoking.

And because of this sedentary lifestyle brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, more Filipinos are suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This was the assessment made by Dr. Rodney Jimenez, Secretary of the Philippine Heart Association, at the recent “Confessions of a Sweet Talker: How Your Sweet Tooth Can Cause Heartaches” media briefing of For Your Sweetheart Philippines, a nationwide movement among health industry stalwarts initiated by Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines, to raise awareness on the critical link between diabetes and heart disease. “Pandemic lockdowns and quarantines have seriously impacted the health of many Filipinos by limiting their movement and keeping them from engaging in exercise,” Dr. Jimenez said. “And this was exacerbated by heightened anxiety, as well as the availability of streaming services and social media.” While the number of deaths because of Covid-19 are decreasing, deaths caused by other problems like cardiovascular diseases are increasing. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that isch-

From left, Dr. Rodney Jimenez, Secretary, Philippine Heart Association; Dr. Carolyn Narvacan-Montano, President of the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Karen Villanueva, President, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations; Dr. Agnes T. Cruz, Board Member, Institute for the Studies on Diabetes Foundation Inc.; Dr. Jubilia Balderas-De Guzman, President, Alliance of Clinical Endocrinologists; Leyden Florido, President, Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators and Dr. Francis Pasaporte, President, Diabetes Philippines

emic heart disease was the top cause of death in the Philippines in 2020 and 2021. In fact, the number increased from over 95,000 in 2020 to almost 126,000 in 2021. Meanwhile, fatalities from diabetes mellitus marked a 22 percent increase to 44,000 in 2021. “There were certain diseases that were not given much attention because of Covid and because of this, surges have been noted. I can still remember that we were only seeing Covid patients during the pandemic,” related Dr. Carolyn Narvacan-Montano, President of the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PCEDM). Dr. Montano noted that during the hard lock down from March to June 2020, many diabetes patients learned to rely on themselves. They

started to eat healthy and exercised in the confines of their own homes. “When things started to open up with the food delivery system, avenues were also opening up for exercise in bigger areas. Something happened and some became healthier while a bigger part of the population started relying on the delivery of food,” she said. With the loosening of quarantine restrictions, Dr. Montano saw some changes again. More people were exercising as they realized that they had gained weight. “People realized that they needed to do something and they started going back to their doctors for checkups,” she said. According to Dr. Jimenez, the main challenge that he faced during the pandemic was the patients’ fear of

going to the hospital during the first part of the pandemic and especially during surges. “Before the pandemic, we ask patients to follow up with us every three months. For diabetic patients, their blood sugar levels have to be checked every month. Regular check-ups are very important,” he said. Another challenge he faced was that his senior patients were not too keen about teleconsulting. Senior patients prefer to be seen personally by the doctors so that they can get a thorough check up. “Because of this I could not monitor them. It is also a challenge for me because I like face to face better than teleconsult. We are social beings and we like to interact with patients rather then teleconsulting and we can do physical exams,” he added. He called on people who gained weight over the past two years, who have a family history and had a sedentary lifestyle to have themselves checked for diabetes and for cardiovascular disease. “The PHA is advocating that we do 52100 daily. This means that we should have five servings of fruits and vegetables, two hours of screen time, one hour of moderate physical activity, zero sugary, sweetened beverages and zero smoking and second hand smoke,” Dr. Jimenez said. Similarly, Dr. Montano said diabetes is caused by the three Ks.— katabaan, katakawan at katamaran (obesity, overeating and laziness). “If you are able to overcome these three Ks, you will have a better chance of not getting diabetes,” she added.

Get better nutrition through compounded supplements to boost the body’s defense By Rory Visco Contributor

N Tuesday, there were 1,841 new Covid-19 cases recorded in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH), the highest since February 19 when the Philippines logged 1,923 new infections. Since the early days of the pandemic, the government’s Covid-19 response experts have been constantly reminding the public to follow the minimum public health standards (MPHS) like wearing of face masks, frequent washing/sanitizing of the hands, maintaining physical distancing and staying in well ventilated areas, among others. But many may have forgotten that the best defense the body has against any ailment is through nutrition, where a healthier lifestyle and proper diet can help build that strong, individual immunity wall. However, eating healthy, taking only the good food like fruits and vegetables, which many believe can help boost the body’s nutrition to avoid any deadly disease, may still not be enough to give the body that extra boost. This, however, can be provided by supplements. “A good diet, an active lifestyle and sleep are generally sound practices to maintain health, but in this rapidly paced, fast-food, high-stress world we live in, our bodies need a little more help to be optimal. This is where

supplementation comes in,” says Dr. Sheree Bondoc, a board-certified Fellow of the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecology Society (POGS) and a Certified Fellow in Metabolic, Nutritional and Functional Medicine from the Metabolic Medical Institute (MMI) of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) and George Washington University.

Personalized supplementation

Yes, over-the-counter (OTC) and popular food supplements are easily accessible. They may be generally effective, but their efficacy varies since users have different physical and health parameters. Users react differently to mass-produced medicines, with some having allergic reactions (skin rashes or breakouts), gastrointestinal issues or worse, complications from interactions with other medicines. Others find the medicines they take rid the body of important nutrients by interfering with their absorption, excretion, or metabolism. Dr. Bondoc said supplementation goes beyond just taking a daily multivitamin because supplements can actually be taken for a specific purpose or goal, like Vitamin B12 that plays a central role in Methylation, a biochemical reaction in the body’s cells. “Just because a supplement is ‘good’ doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for you. Taking just any supplement may actually cause you to deviate from your goals, such as taking Dehydro-

epiandrosterone (DHEA) or evening primrose without guidance can actually worsen a hormonal imbalance,” Dr. Bondoc said.

Nutrition Month reminder

In light of July being Nutrition Month, Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy (AIP) reminds Filipinos to pursue a healthier lifestyle starting with better nutrition using compounded solutions. Nutritional supplements play an important role in addressing nutrient deficiencies resulting from an unhealthy diet or long-term drug therapy regimen. It also helps help address the nutrition gap. As prescribed, drug compounding for nutritional purposes can help users get the nutrients they need at just the right doses. Compounded supplements may contain more than two active ingredients mixed to maximize efficacy while reducing side effects. AIP’s Nutraceuticals are specifically developed for nutrition and immunity-boosting, which include a combination of vitamins C, D, and zinc that can bolster health and prevent diseases in all stages of life. When combined with a healthy diet, they contribute to better health promotion. The vitamin-mineral supplements improve immune function in adults and the elderly while the supplemental nutrients help maintain energy and mental health. Calcium and vitamin D help build optimum

3 ‘Tibay’ signs to look out for in kids’ nutrition By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

OT all parents are the same, but they share a common goa—to raise their kids with a strong body, mind and will for a brighter future. For more than 100 years, Bear Brand has been their trusted partners to raise a “Batang Matibay.” Through its Gabay sa Tibay program, this holistic nutrition

education initiative guides mothers on the signs of being strong and the importance of providing nutrition in every glass of its fortified milk. Children with “Tibay ng Katawan” or strong body are active and energetic in all their activities, show great resistance and have an optimum height for their age.

Physical attributes

More than just the physical attri-

butes, a Batang Matibay also has a strong mind or “ Tibay ng Isipan,” which can be seen in their attentiveness in class or conversations and ability to pick up lessons and instructions quick ly. K now ing how to decipher right from wrong, having accountability, and being driven and confident to achieve their goals—big or small— are all qualities of a child w ith a strong w ill or “ Tibay ng K alooban”.

bone mass during childhood and can address bone loss resulting from aging, while Zinc reduces inflammation and boosts immune health. Being a specialty compounding pharmacy, AIP is the first licensed compounding pharmacy in the country by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and offers compounded medicines specifically suited for individual conditions and needs to help improve nutrition and health instead of using the “one-size-fits-all” approach of mass-produced medications. The company also works closely with its partner doctors to find the best and most effective solution for a patient’s nutritional need, and also offers patient counseling to help address patient medication inquiries. It also directs or recommends doctors whom they can seek for further medical consultations. Aside from complying to up-to-date regulations and standard practice for compounded preparations set by the Philippine FDA, AIP also adheres to USP (United States Pharmacopoeia) grade active ingredients to assure clients of excellent-quality products. “The primordial cause here is to help people live better quality lives by improving their health. Medicine should not only treat symptoms but solve the root cause of the problem, making people healthy at the core. Ultimately, the goal is help patients live long and live well,” Dr. Bondoc concluded.

With the Tibay signs in mind, parents need to give their children sufficient sleep and physical activ ities, love and care, and v ital nutrition for them to grow strong. “ Through our Gabay sa Tibay Program in partnership w ith the Department of Education, we aim to reac h more Fi l ipi no fa m i l ies a nd help them recognize the important signs to become Batang Matibay— one w ith Tibay ng K atawan, Tibay ng Isipan, and Tibay ng K alooban,” said K ristine Goco, group brand manager of Bear Brand Fortified.

Thursday, July 21, 2022 B7

Former DOH chief calls on PBBM to veto vape bill By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

s the country continues to face Covid-19, a former health chief stressed the need for the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “to guard public health by regulating tobacco products that make Filipinos susceptible to diseases.” “That’s why I believe that the Supreme Court [SC] decision that affirms the power of the DOH and the FDA over tobacco products is providential,” Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, who is also a trustee of HealthJustice Philippines, a nongovernment organization, said as he appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to listen to medical societies and veto the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act or the controversial Vape Bill. “I appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to please listen to the DOH, the Department of Education, and medical societies in the Philippines to veto the Vape Bill,” Dr. Galvez Tan said. He cited that the World Health Organization has time and again mentioned that smokers face a higher risk (40 to 50 percent) of developing severe diseases and death from Covid-19.

Health aspect

BY giving the DOH and FDA the power to regulate the “health aspect” of tobacco products, he said, they can come up with additional supportive regulations to further lower smoking prevalence in the country which in turn will result in fewer Filipinos suffering from tobaccorelated deaths and diseases. “At the same time, this will reduce the burden on our health-care system which is still adjusting to the everevolving demands of Covid-19. It is therefore perplexing that with this Supreme Court decision underscoring the expertise of DOH and FDA over products that affect health,

Congress pushed for a bill that removes the jurisdiction of DOH and FDA over vapes,” he said. Dr. Galvez Tan stressed that no one is in a better position to “provide guidance” on public health than the country’s own medical professionals. “Instead, I appeal to President Marcos Jr. to invest in DOH and FDA for them to be able to enforce the regulatory powers over tobacco products and vapes and come up with policies that solidify and consolidate the regulatory powers of both agencies,” Dr. Galvez Tan said.

Strong health system

ULTIM ATELY, he added, a strong DOH and FDA will mean a strong public health system able to “withstand any public health challenge.” Meanwhile, Barbara Mc Aneny, President of the American Medical Association, said: “Given the dramatic rise in e-cigarette use amongst young people in the last year alone, it is very clear that we must all do everything we can to help reverse this epidemic.” Another health expert in the US also said that the younger the developing brain is exposed to nicotine, the stronger and more rapid the addiction. “The earlier you become addicted, the harder it is to quit,” said Jonathan Winickoff, Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and American Academy of Pediatrics Director of Translational Research.

SC ruling

Dr. Galvez Tan also emphasized that the SC decision on the DOH vs. Philippine Tobacco Institute is a “historic” win for public health. “This should have been settled a long time ago no thanks to the tobacco industry who questioned the authority of the FDA over tobacco products which have long been scientifically proven to kill people,” he said.

Capitol Medical Center celebrates 52nd anniversary with ISO certification, gala

apitol Medical Center (CMC), a premier medical institution based in Quezon City, recently celebrated its 52nd anniversary with a gala celebration to honor hospital service awardees from the medical staff and employees. The celebration was made more memorable as CMC received its ISO Certificate from the Certification International Philippines for conforming to the Quality Management System requirements of ISO:90012015. Held at the Matrix Creation Events Venue last June 17, 2022, 27 doctors were recognized for rendering from 35 years to 45 years of service. On the other hand, 68 employees were given awards for their service and loyalty to the institution. Recognized were employees who have worked at CMC for five to 35 years. Another significant highlight of the anniversary celebration was the handover of the ISO certificate by Renato Navarette, President of Certification International Philippines, to the CMC management represented by Rhais M. Gamboa, CMC Chairman of the Executive Committee; Victoria Tan, CMC President; Dr. Ma. Mystica Flodalyn Bautista, Quality Management Representative; Gil Faustino; Finance Director and Norielee Magsingit, Nursing Service Director. Also, on hand to witness the activity were

Drs. Maria Realiza Henson, Corazon Logarta, Members of the Board, and other officers of the Medical Staff. Last March 23 to 25, 2022, CMC underwent a comprehensive online audit of its processes and procedures to establish its conformity with the Quality Management System requirements of ISO:9001-2015 and the Department of Health for health-care facilities. “Passing the ISO Accreditation is a testament of CMC’s commitment to continuously improve on its service delivery through increased customer satisfaction, patient safety and clinical excellence across all of the organization,” said Gamboa. The gala celebration was CMC’s first face-to-face gathering of its Medical Staff and employees in two years. “The 52nd anniversary celebrates CMC’s relentless spirit as an organization to continue to persevere, committed to give the right care all the time, being sensitive to the needs of our clients and constantly thriving to face a changing competitive landscape in delivering quality healthcare,” Tan said. CMC is a tertiary hospital located along Quezon Avenue cor. Sct. Magbanua. It is equipped world-class medical practitioners and state-ofthe-art facilities that is ready to serve and fulfill its mission of providing the “Right Care, Right Here” at CMC.

Sports

For Ukrainian high jumper, world silver feels like gold

BusinessMirror

UGENE, Oregon—The second-place finish at world championships was beside the point for Ukraine’s best high jumper, Yaroslava Mahuchikh. “For me, it’s gold,” she said Tuesday night, as she looked down at her newly won prize, one nobody would have been right to expect four months ago after she took a three-day car trip to flee her hometown and get away from the bombing. Mahuchikh left shortly after her country came under siege by the Russian military. The war grinds on. Though thousands of civilians and soldiers are dying, Mahuchikh felt it was her duty to keep doing what she does best, if for no other reason than to give people back home something to be happy about. And, she said, to show Ukraine is strong. “We will fight for our independence and for our territory,” she said. “And of course, finally, we will win.” She came into the biggest high jump contest of the year as a favorite, in part because the three-time defending champion, Maria Lasitskene, is from Russia and not allowed to compete in major events due to the war. The Ukrainian finished behind the surprising Eleanor Patterson of Australia, who had one fewer miss than Mahuchikh at 2.02 meters (6 feet, 7 1/2 inches), which made the difference between first and second. Still, this was a night to celebrate for Ukraine, and for Mahuchikh, who said she felt the warmth from the stands, where the yellow-and-blue Ukraine flags dotted a few seats and fans cheered for her before every jump. “Now, everything is for our Ukrainian people, and everything you do, you want to show the good results,” she said. The silver medal goes alongside the gold she won at the world indoor championships in March. That came shortly after she escaped her hometown of Dnipro, which had come under attack by Russia and, she said, is under siege today. She is one of 22 Ukrainian athletes in Eugene this week for the championships, all of whom have been training far from home—some in Portugal, others in Spain, still others in Poland and Mahuchikh most recently in California after stops in Serbia, Germany and Turkey. Her teammate, Iryna Gerashchenko, finished fourth — also a spectacular result given her plight after bombs started falling near her home in Kyiv. After sheltering in her parents’ basement for about a week, she left without spikes and trained for a time in tennis shoes. “Things are a bit better, but at the same time, the war is going on,” said Gerashchenko, whose jump of 2 meters

EMEMBER David Joseph Bunevacz? The former national athlete who was awarded the decathlon gold medal at the 1997 Jakarta Southeast Asian Games because the winner, an Indonesian, was disqualified because of doping is back in the news. At least in Los Angeles, California, which he made as his base with Filipina wife, former celebrity Jessica Rodriguez, and his family. An Associated Press report stated that Bunevacz pleaded guilty on Monday to bilking investors out of more than $28 million with a phony scheme to market cannabis vape pens,

| Thursday, July 21, 2022 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

THE ‘NONONG LEGACY’ By Josef Ramos

YAROSLAVA MAHUCHIKH feels it’s her duty to keep doing what she does best, if for no other reason than to give people back home something to be happy about. AP (6 feet and 6 ¾ inches) was a personal best. “It’s very hard to live the life before, the previous life. But I’m very happy that my parents are safe.” Mahuchikh’s medal gives Ukraine two at the halfway point of worlds. A night earlier, Andriy Protsenko won bronze in the men’s high jump. His victory comes months after he was trapped for nearly six weeks in his hometown of Kherson, which is near the Crimean peninsula and under Russian occupation. “It made me realize that anything is possible,” said Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, who finished second in her preliminary heat shortly before Mahuchikh took to the field. “He trained one month in an occupied city where he was risking his life. It’s amazing.” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe was on hand. His federation was one of the first to banish Russians from these major events, a decision made, he said, because there was no fairness

in allowing in athletes from an aggressor nation while those from the country under attack were living such fragile existences. AP

ARIANO “NONONG” ARANETA refuses to call the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) landmark accomplishments in the past decade as his legacy—the “Nonong Legacy.” Araneta steps down as PFF chief in May 2023, a must for him as the federation charter dictates a president can serve at most three four-year terms. But whether he likes it or not, Araneta has his footprints all over Philippine football. A year after getting elected PFF president in 2011, Philippine football rose to immense prominence when the men’s national team, called the Azkals, upset Vietnam, 2-0, to reach the semifinals of the 2012 Suzuki Cup. Never had a national men’s football team in memory could have pulled that feat. There was a joke that went around then that every time a national football team that was competing abroad manages to cross the mid-field line in its offensive is already a reason to rejoice. But that nasty brand’s lost in history. Fast forward to 2022. The women’s team called Filipinas, previously the Malditas, did what looked like the improbable—

qualify last January for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. In May, a bronze medal, the country’s first, was bagged at the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games. And just last Sunday, the Filipinas booted out the former champion Vietnamese in style, 4-0, and also shut out powerhouse Thailand, 3-0, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium to win the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship. But Araneta, a football and basketball varsity athlete during his colleges days at University of the Philippines, kept his feet planted on the ground. “We’re not here to create a legacy. I was just given a chance to become the president so we have to work hard, do our job and responsibility for the sport and football,” Araneta told BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “I’m really just happy these things happening under my terms.” Araneta’s progressive leadership began in 2010 when he was named interim president in lieu of the then PFF head, the late Jose Mari Martinez. In 2011, he got his first mandate as president and was reeklected in 2015 and 2019. “I was just lucky I was the president when these things happened,” said Araneta, whose administration at the PFF is also ably aided by his secretary general, Atty. Ed Gastanes. The qualification to the World Cup and that magical Sunday night in the AFF final, Araneta admitted, were the crowning glories of his term. “It’s simply the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification, our crowning glory in Philippine football for now, and last Sunday’s

JORDAN CLARKSON in a Gilas Pilipinas uniform during the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games.

ORDAN CLARKSON, finally, gets to play for the national team not as a heritage athlete, but as a naturalized player, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes confirmed. “Yes, he has already confirmed his availability,” Reyes, program director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, told BusinessMirror on Wednesday, a day after Gilas took a 81-102 defeat at the hands of Japan in the qualification phase at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup in Jakarta.

Bunevacz pleads guilty in cannabis pen fraud in US federal prosecutors announced Friday. Bunevacz, now 53, of Calabasas, agreed to plead guilty at a later date to securities and wire fraud. He could face up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in Los Angeles, the US attorney’s office said. According to his plea agreement, as far back as 2010 Bunevacz created several businesses that he claimed were involved in the cannabis industry and the sale of vape pens, prosecutors said. He raised tens of millions of

“This one is for my brother,” he could be heard saying as he was embraced by his team after the 178.5-kilometer (111-mile) leg from Carcassone to Foix that featured four classified climbs—including two topcategory ascents. “This means a lot to me,” Houle told reporters shortly afterward, with his voice breaking as he struggled to hold back the tears. “I had one dream: win the stage for my brother who died when I turned professional. Today that one is for him. I worked for 10, 12 years and today I got my win for him, so it’s incredible. I don’t know what to say, just so happy.” The 31-year-old Houle had crested the final climb with a 25-second advantage and his task was made

magical night when we won the AFF championship,” said Araneta, who hails from where else, but football hotbed Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo. “It’s very, very difficult to qualify for the World Cup. whether it’s in the men or women.” Araneta’s leadership at the PFF borders from sound decisions on the national teams to administrative and financial management. The world-governing body FIFA no doubt is the wealthiest international federation—awashed with cash so to speak—that it subsidizes its member nations to the tune of millions of dollars annually. “We put everything in the proper system as we’re all simply accountable to the AFC [Asian Football Confederation] and FIFA and to our government,” he said. “They have auditors to the job and we don’t want to put the association in bad light throughout the years or be blacklisted.” It’s 10 months to his term expiration and at the end of the interview, Araneta again put premium on humility as a leader. “There are many individuals who can also be a better leader than me,” he said. “I’ll be around helping Philippine football even if I am no longer the president when that time comes.” Interestingly, his term ends in May 2023, the same month the 32nd SEA Games are held in Cambodia. A gold medal to cap an amazing run?

Coach Chot: Clarkson’s available

dollars from at least 10 investors, prosecutors said. But instead of financing business operations, Bunevacz used much of it to fund a lifestyle that included a fancy house, Las Vegas trips, jewelry, designer handbags, horses and a lavish birthday party for his daughter, the US attorney’s office said in a statement. Bunevacz was a former University of California, Los Angeles, top decathlete and was recruited to compete for the Philippines in 1997

by then Philippine Sports Commission chairman Philip Ella Juico. His arrival in the national team created some controversy as to his true Filipino roots but because of his celebrity-like looks, eventually blended in the community. After retiring from competition, he turned celebrity and also had a co-hosting stint with a local sports television program. He rubbed elbows with stars in the Philippine movie industry for some time before moving back to the US.

Canadian Houle in emotional Tour stage win, Vingegaard keeps lead OIX, France—Canadian cyclist Hugo Houle claimed an emotional first-ever grand tour stage victory on Tuesday, while Jonas Vingegaard stayed in the overall lead of the Tour de France after a tough 16th stage as the race hit the Pyrenees. Houle attacked on the approach to the final climb, the top category Mur de Péguère, and held off the group of chasers from the remnants of the breakaway to finish one minute, 10 seconds ahead of Valentin Madouas and Israel-Premier Tech teammate Michael Woods. Houle had plenty of time to reach his arms out in celebration on the approach to the line and point to the sky in memory of his brother, Pierrick, who was killed 10 years ago in a hitand-run car accident while out jogging.

easier when American cyclist Matteo Jorgenson—who was second at the time and in hot pursuit—slipped out on a corner, leaving only Woods with a realistic chance of catching his compatriot and teammate. It was only the second time a Canadian has won a stage in the Tour, and the first in 34 years. Two-time defending champion Tadej Pogačar tried to attack several times on the penultimate climb of the Port de Lers—twice on the ascent and again on the descent—but Vingegaard stayed on his wheel. They crossed the line together and Vingegaard maintained his lead of 2:22 over Pogačar and 2:43 over Geraint Thomas, the 2018 champion.

“We have word that he’s coming,” added Reyes, who’s hoping that Clarkson would be back for Gilas in next year’s FIBA World Cup that the country is lead hosting with Tokyo and Jakarta. “Clarkson will be playing as a naturalized player.” The 6-foot-4 Clarks, named the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year in the National Basketball Association with the Utah Jazz, played for the country in the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games and helped Gilas win three of their five games to finish fifth behind China, Iran, South Korea and Chinese Taipei. The Philippines plays Lebanon in the FIBA qualifiers fourth window on August 25 and Saudi Arabia on August 29 at still unspecified venues. The Philippines in 2-2 won-lost after three windows of the qualifiers. Reyes, meanwhile, said 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto’s inclusion to the national squad hasn’t been confirmed. Josef Ramos

PHILIPPINE Football Federation president kisses the Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship. ERNEST NIERRAS

Gold medals come aplenty in Uzbek worlds

N appetite for gold medals has become insatiable for young Filipino weightlifters after two more up-and-coming stars from Zamboanga City—Rosalinda Faustino and Rosegie Ramos—added three gold medals each to the Philippine haul in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships at the Uzbekistan Sports Complex in Tashkent. The 15-year-old Faustino of Barangay Pasobolong in Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz’s native Zamboanga City humbled her opponents from Vietnam and Thailand to sweep the golds staked in the women’s youth 49 kgs category. Ramos, the elder sister of Rose Jean, also swept the junior women’s 49 kgs class to hike the Filipino weightlifters’ harvest to 12 gold medals on top of three silvers and two bronzes since the tournament started Sunday. “Too young yet too strong,” said Christopher Bureros, one of the team’s coaches, told BusinessMirror via chat message. Faustino lifted 71 kgs in the snatch, 90 kgs in clean and jerk for a total of 161 kgs. She beat Vietnamese Do Thi Ngoc Anh, who settled for silvers in the snatch (69 kgs) and total lift (152 kgs). Thailand’s Thitapon Tika bagged the bronze medals in the clean and jerk (85 kgs) and total (151 kgs). Ramos, on the other hand, lifted 80 kgs in snatch, 96 kgs in clean and jerk for as 176 kg total lift to get all three golds. Vietnamese Nguyen Bich Tram and Phan Thi Tuyet Ngoc finished second and third, respectively. “I’m happy with the results so far although we still have Vanessa Sarno on the last day of the competition and we’re expecting for more gold medals,” coach Allen Diaz said. Sarno, the reigning Asian and Vietnam Southeast Asian Games champion, will see action in the junior women’s 71 kgs category on Friday. Josef Ramos Wednesday’s 17th stage is an even tougher day in the Pyrenees with three top classified climbs, as well as a second-category ascent, on the 129.7-kilometer (81-mile) route from Saint-Gaudens with a summit finish at the ski resort of Peyragudes. “Tomorrow and the day after, I’m looking forward, it’s going to be more chances than today I hope, and we will see how the legs are,” Pogačar said. “I will continue to fight and I hope that I gain some time. I will always try…it’s going to be interesting tomorrow and the day after.” The Tour ends on Sunday in Paris. AP

CANADA’S Hugo Houle points skywards and dedicates his victory to his brother Pierrick who was killed by a drunk driver almost 10 years ago as he crosses the finish line of the 16th stage on Tuesday. AP