BusinessMirror March 01, 2023

House eyes specl powers vs inflation for PBBM

Cruz

By Jovee Marie N. Dela

@joveemarie

AS skyrocketing food prices can result in 2.58 million more poor Filipinos, economist-lawmakers are considering the grant of special powers to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in order to curtail inflation.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda and House Committee

on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson Stella Luz Quimbo said the lower chamber is working with the President’s economic team to control the increase in consumer prices.

Lawmakers said this following a briefing given by members of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on the impact of inflation on national government programs, activities and projects.

“I stand by my bill granting

special powers for the President to curtail inflation. This has long been my call—and it is especially more urgent now that the causes of inflation are more evidently structural,” said Salceda.

Monetary tools exhausted

“THE economic managers themselves have stated that we have more or less exhausted what monetary policy can do to reduce prices.

The causes are now mostly structural—so the solutions should also

be,” he added.

Salceda earlier filed the proposed Bayan Bangon Muli package that integrates a significant number of special powers to curtail price increases—short of price controls, which would of course be more harmful than do any good for supply stability.

Salceda proposed to include in the Bayan Bangon Muli package the anti-hoarding powers, powers See “Special,” A2

BusinessMirror

BSP sees Feb inflation above 9%

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

In its month-ahead inflation forecast, BSP said inflation in February may fall within the range of 8.5 to 9.3 percent. LPG and food items, such as pork, fish, egg, and sugar would be the main driver of inflation.

In a hearing at the House of Representatives (HOR) on Tuesday, BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla said price pressures are broadening as 196 items of the over 300 items being monitored to compute inflation have already registered price increases of above 4 percent.

“[Some] 123 of those [items] are food and beverages, so quite a bit. [Another is that] 66 of those are not, meaning inflation is beginning to

spread to the rest of the economy. To put it bluntly, higher prices beget higher prices,” Medalla said in his speech in Congress on Tuesday.

Medalla said given what is happening to the economy, it is possible for inflation to remain elevated for 19 to 20 months, starting April of 2022.

Based on this, the 19th or 20th month would mean inflation is expected to remain elevated until May or June this year. Medalla earlier said inflation will slow to below 4 percent in the last quarter of the year.

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been made public.

By Laura Ungar & Mary Clare Jalonick

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—A

crucial question has eluded governments and health agencies around the world since the Covid-19 pandemic began: Did the virus originate in animals or leak from a Chinese lab?

Now, the US Department of Energy has assessed with “low confidence” in that it began with a lab leak, according to a person familiar with the report who wasn’t authorized to discuss it. The report has not

SSG to stay on imported coffee–PHL to Jakarta

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Philippines will continue slapping special safeguard duties (SSG) on imported coffee products, particularly instant coffee, as long as the items are below the country’s trigger price to extend necessary protection to local farmers.

This was Manila’s response to the query of Jakarta in a recent World Trade Organization Committee on Agriculture meeting regarding the Philippines’s imposition of SSG on imported coffee products.

SSG duties is a trade mechanism that a country can impose on imported products that fall below a so-called trigger price

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But others in the US intelligence community disagree.

“There is not a consensus right now in the US government about exactly how Covid started,” John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said Monday. “There is just not an intelligence community consensus.”

The DOE’s conclusion was first reported over the weekend in the Wall Street Journal, which said the classified report was based on new intelligence and noted in an update to a 2021 document. The DOE oversees a national network of labs.

White House officials on Monday declined to confirm press reports about the assessment.

In 2021, officials released an intelligence report summary that said four members of the US intelligence community believed with low confidence that the virus was first transmitted from an animal to a human, and a fifth believed with moderate confidence that the first human infection was linked to a lab.

While some scientists are open to the lab-leak theory, others continue to believe the virus came from animals, mutated, and jumped into people—as has happened in the past with viruses.

Experts say the true origin of the pandemic may not be known for many years—if ever.

Calls for more investigation

THE US Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the report. All 18 offices of the US intelligence community had access to the information the DOE used in reaching its assessment.

Alina Chan, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, said she isn’t sure what new intelligence the

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TRAVEL TAX ONLINE From left is Roy Martin, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) Director, Board for Tourism Estate Development & Management Services; Mark Lapid, Tieza COO; and Ann Saldaña, MyEG CEO, during the formal launch of the Online Travel Tax Services System (OTTSS) with 90,000 payment channels in partnership with MyEG Philippines. This will allow traveling citizens to pay their travel tax online nationwide. NONIE REYES

HIGHER prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and food may have driven inflation to breach 9 percent in February, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

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Medalla said what the BSP is trying to prevent are second-round effects, especially the wage-price spiral which means if prices are high, wages are also high. This could also lead to a weaker peso, he added.

However, the BSP has been raising interest rates to prevent inflation from spreading further and causing second round effects from making inflation more permanent.

“We have to some extent been preventing what we call knock-on effects, second-order effects of the supply shocks on inflation,” Medalla said.

2nd-round effects felt

HOWEVER, in a forum onTuesday, IMF Resident Representative to the Philippines Ragnar Gudmundsson said signs of secondround effects have already been observed.

Gudmundsson also noted that increases in the minimum wage and fare hikes are already becoming imminent, causing inflation expectations to “edge up.”

He said one of the reasons inflation has been rising faster in the Philippines than in other economies is that the government did not regulate energy prices or lower taxes on fuel.

The government, he said, chose to implement targeted cash transfers, which Gudmundsson said was “a move that we fully support.”

He noted that inflation risks remain and they expect inflation to decline modestly in 2023 and reach the midpoint of the target band of the BSP of 3 percent in 2024.

“The risks to inflation exist and they could stem from higher commodity prices following China’s reopening Russia’s war in Ukraine, whether disturbances or higher increases in the context of wage bargaining discussions,” Gudmundsson said.

With this, the IMF still expects the BSP to continue tightening monetary policy this year. Nonetheless, Gudmundsson said the BSP has made a clear communication policy by providing forward guidance to all stakeholders.

This communicates the reasons for the tightening as well as the expectations on inflation through the BSP’s monetary policy report.

DAMS, FISHING MODERNIZATION ON AGENDA FOR FOOD SECURITY

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

THE government is now pushing for the construction of more dams nationwide and the modernization of the local fishing industry as part of its proposed comprehensive initiatives to boost local food production.

These were discussed during the meeting of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with Department of Agriculture (DA) officials on Tuesday for their proposed National Food Security Convergence Program.

The DA presented to President Marcos interventions to ensure enough supply of corn, pork, chicken, fish and sugar and, of course, rice,” Presidential press briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez said in a news conference in Malacañang.

“

The meetings also tackled wealth production in agriculture by strategically implementing convergence initiatives,”

agencies had, but “it’s reasonable to infer” it relates to activities at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. She said a 2018 research proposal co-authored by scientists there and their US collaborators “essentially described a blueprint for Covid-like viruses.”

“Less than two years later, such a

she added.

More dam projects

TO boost farmer earnings, NIA chief Eduardo G. Guillen said they recommended the expansion of irrigation services with the construction of additional dam projects.

Well, the ideal, as I said a while ago, the ideal [situation], for me, is for the government to implement around P200 billion worth of dam projects to change the agriculture landscape,” Guillen said.

T he dams planned for construction are also expected to help power production and flood control.

NIA said it has submitt ed the list of proposed dam projects to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for consideration.

Guillen said they are now also considering organizing irrigators into cooperative associations per town to

virus was causing an outbreak in the city,” she said.

The Wuhan institute had been studying coronaviruses for years, in part because of widespread concerns—tracing back to SARS— that coronaviruses could be the source of the next pandemic.

No intelligence agency has said they believe the coronavirus that caused Covid-19 was released intentionally. The unclassified 2021 summary was clear on

Special. . .

boost their efficiency.

Existing irriga tors’ associations have irrigated around 1.5 million hectares of land nationwide, he said.

Modern fishery sector

ALSO part of government’s food security measures is providing for the necessary infrastructure and facilities for the fishing sector.

We have to put the facilities in place. So that is what we will do to increase the production of the fish,” Marcos told agriculture officials.

Among the DA interventions to boost the efficiency of the fishing sector is the rehabilitation and modernization of fish port complexes, as well as the implementation of the agricultural and fishery machinery and equipment service center.

Marcos, also concurrent DA secretary, said he is eyeing the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Land Bank of the Philippines and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to finance the infrastructure.

The President’s meeting with agriculture officials comes after the inflation rate reached 8.7 percent last month.

Economic managers attributed the high inflation to rise in energy and food prices.

this point, saying: “We judge the virus was not developed as a biological weapon.”

“Lab accidents happen at a surprising frequency. A lot of people don’t really hear about lab accidents because they’re not talked about publicly,”said Chan, who co-authored a book about the search for Covid-19 origins. Such accidents “underscore a need to make work with highly dangerous pathogens more transparent and more accountable.”

Last year, the World Health Organization recommended a deeper probe into a possible lab accident. Chan said she hopes the latest report sparks more investigation in the United States.

China has called the suggestion that Covid-19 came from a Chinese laboratory “ baseless.”

Support for animal theory

MANY scientists believe the animal-to-human theory of the coronavirus remains much more plausible. They theorize it emerged in the wild and jumped from bats to humans, either directly or through another animal.

In a 2021 research paper in the journal Cell, scientists said the Covid-19 virus is the ninth documented coronavirus to infect humans—and all the previous ones originated in animals.

Two studies, published last year by the journal Science, bolstered the animal origin theory. That research found that the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan was likely the early epicenter. Scientists concluded that the virus likely spilled from animals into people two separate times.

“The scientific literature contains essentially nothing but original research articles that support a natural origin of this virus pandemic,” said Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona who has extensively studied Covid-19’s origins.

He said the fact that others in the intelligence community looked at the same information as the DOE and “it apparently didn’t move the needle speaks volumes.” He said he takes such intelligence assessments with a grain of salt because he doesn’t think the people making them “have the scientific expertise... to really understand the most important evidence that they need to understand.”

The US should be more transparent and release the new intelligence that apparently swayed the DOE, Worobey said.

Reaction to the report

THE DOE conclusion comes to light as House Republicans have been using their new majority power to investigate all aspects of the pandemic, including the origin, as well as what they contend were officials’ efforts to conceal the fact that it leaked from a lab in Wuhan. Earlier this month, Republicans sent letters to Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Intelligence Director Avril Haines, Health Secretary Xavier Beccera and others as part of their investigative efforts.

The now retired Fauci, who served as the country’s top infectious disease expert under both Republican and Democratic presidents, has called the GOP criticism nonsense.

Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has asked the Biden administration to provide Congress with “a full and thorough” briefing on the report and the evidence behind it.

Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, emphasized that President Joe Biden believes it’s important to know what happened “so we can better prevent future pandemics” but that such research “must be done in a safe and secure manner and as transparent as possible to the rest of the world.” AP reporters Farnoush Amiri, Nomaan Merchant and Seung Min Kim contributed. Ungar reported

Continued from A1

to incentivize production, powers to provide loans and guarantees to suppliers of essential goods, anti-price-gouging powers, motu proprio powers to investigate market abuse, transport emergency powers, and power to mobilize uniformed personnel to expedite programs and projects.

Under his proposal, the BBM bill will have a validity of 18 months. “Within those 18 months, the President can invoke certain powers, the duration of which he can decide, as long as it falls within those 18 months.”

For her part, Quimbo highlighted Congress’s role in resolving the country’s economic issues.

“ There are more nuanced questions such as: Should Congress insist on the reconvening of the interagency unit on economic intelligence to intensify enforcement against agriculture cartels which have been engaged in hoarding and price manipulation?” asked Quimbo.

“Should Congress grant the Department of Agriculture or the President additional powers to enforce food price stabilization measures? If so, what are these?” Quimbo added.

Q uimbo said her colleagues have other issues to raise, but perhaps the most important question is this: “How can Congress help to control inflation or the rise of prices, especially of food?”

P11.9 billion subsidy QUIMBO also suggested that economic managers tap the potential P11.9-billion additional collection from value-added tax (VAT)—derived from higher prices of goods in January—to help Filipinos amid increasing food prices.

In a statement at the DBCC briefing, Quimbo called for the immediate distribution of cash aid or ayuda as skyrocketing food prices can swell by 2.58 million the ranks of poor Filipinos.

The economist-lawmaker said this P11.9-billion additional collection from VAT can be used to help Filipinos cope with high inflation.

Q uimbo cited an ADB study which estimated that 10-percent food inflation rate pushes an additional 2.3 million into poverty.

“With an 11.2-percent food inflation rate that we are currently experiencing, the number of poor Filipinos has risen by 2.58 million,” Quimbo said.

According to her, the inflation rate is an important budget planning parameter for a number of reasons.

“An increase in prices of commodities affects the collection of value-added taxes. The BESF [Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing] indicates that a 1-percentage point increase in inflation yields an additional 30.4 billion pesos in revenues per year or about 2.53 billion pesos per month,” he said.

“Higher prices, especially food prices, push more people below the poverty line... Food price increases were the biggest single source of inflation, contributing 4.8 percentage points out of the total 8.7-percent inflation rate,” she added.

Q uimbo added that due to high prices, local producers are also taking the brunt of weaker production which will eventually affect jobs.

The DBCC briefing has initiated the harmonization of efforts of the executive and legislative branches in tempering inflation and in achieving the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework’s (MTFF) poverty reduction targets.

Working SPEAKER Romualdez said the House is working with the Marcos administration’s economic team on measures aimed at controlling inflation.

“Of course, one of the pressing issues [facing the economy and the nation] is the inflation rate. This is a global phenomenon. But again, hearing from you [today] would be a very, very good thing for us to prioritize. Again, I reiterate the Congress’ willingness to work hand-in-hand, to be marching in lockstep with the executive in pursuing the solutions to the economic challenges that the country faces,” Speaker Romualdez said.

Earlier, Marcos had predicted that inflation would soon go down.

Romualdez said he had asked the House appropriations committee to hold an oversight hearing “to see how Congress and the economic managers can work together, pursuing our President’s whole of government approach to addressing problems of our economy.”

“We are here together to see how we can work hand-in-hand and we’d like to very much hear from our economic managers how we can engage and make sure that our functions here in the Congress would become more meaningful, more responsive to the needs of the Filipino people,” he said.

“ This is our mission, thus is the order of our President, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to make sure that the lives of Filipino people are much better, that they be more comfortable, safer,” he said.

The House leader thanked DBCC members—Secretaries Benjamin Diokno of finance and Amenah Pangandaman of budget, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Felipe Medalla, and National Economic and Development Authority Director General Arsenio Balisacan—for briefing House members.

“We look forward to more of these meetings and engagements,” the Speaker told his colleagues and the President’s economic managers.

For her part, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the Marcos administration was preparing at least P9 billion for Conditional Cash Transfer.

Coffee. . .

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by slapping additional duties in order to protect domestic output against unfair market price competition.

The Philippines imposes a price-based SSG on imported coffee products, a mechanism it started implementing in 2018 after the government saw a surge in coffee imports, which are priced way below the trigger price of the country.

“We have already conveyed to Indonesia that in accordance with Article 5.1 of the Agreement on Agriculture, SSG may be invoked on an SSG-eligible product if its CIF [cost, insurance and freight] import price falls below the trigger price. The trigger price for instant coffee was among those provided in the Philippines’s up-front notification in document G/AG/PHL/27 in 2002, which is the basis for the imposition of price-based SSG,” Manila said.

Manila noted that it has been imposing price-based SSG on instant coffee since August 2018 given the fact that there are still imports that are below the trigger price of P203.74 per kilogram.

“For as long as imported instant coffee arrives in the Philippines at a price lower than the trigger price, the SSG will continue to be applied on this product in accordance with the rules of the Agreement on Agriculture,” Manila said.

Jakarta has long been complaining about Manila’s SSG on imported coffee products, arguing that Indonesia’s exports of these items to the Philippines have been “adversely affected.”

In previous WTO CoA meetings, Indonesia claimed that the Philippines’s trigger prices of coffee products are incorrect and should be just P154.85 per kilogram instead of P203.74 per kilogram. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2019/06/28/phl-stands-pat-on-ssg-for-instant-coffee-imports/)

Local coffee makers such as Nestlé Philippines Inc. earlier argued that the SSG slapped by Manila on imported coffee products will ensure that Filipino planters will continue to have a ready market for their produce. (Related story: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2019/03/18/ssg-levels-playing-field-for-localcoffee-makers-farmers/)

Nonetheless, the Philippines told the WTO CoA that it “stands ready to further discussing this issue with Indonesia,” and it remains “remain committed to addressing this matter in the appropriate forum.”

Indonesia recently inquired regarding the status of the Philippines’s SSG on coffee imports, after it claimed that it has already raised the price of its coffee exports above Manila’s trigger price.

The Nation

Malaysian PM Anwar visits

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to host Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s two-day visit to the Philippines this week.

A brief statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the welcome ceremony would be held in Malacañang on March 1, Wednesday, with the arrival of the Malaysian leader. “ The two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss areas of mutual concern such as political, security, and economic cooperation,

as well as people-to-people ties,” the PCO statement said. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues,” it added.

A fter the ceremony, the President will hold a dinner banquet in honor of the Prime Minister.

T he Malaysian leader will be in the country until Thursday, March 2, 2023. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is the first Head of Government to visit the Philippines under President Marcos’ administration.  Marcos was among the state leaders who congratulated Anwar after he was elected as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister last year.

Retired cops seek Sen. Bato’s help to regain death, disability benefit

AGROUP of retired policemen has sought the help of the Senate in reinstituting the “death and disability benefits” for former members of the police force, which the Philippine National Police (PNP) has reportedly ceased to provide allegedly because it violates the double compensation rule.

T he group, representing at least 18,670 police retirees and survivors, asked Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday to help bring back the benefits of its members, either by way of a legislation or by making a representation with agencies of the government.

Dela Rosa, chairman of the committee and a retired chief of the PNP himself, was very accommodating to the request and asked a representative of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), who was virtually present during the hearing, to ask her office to study and grant the plea, as initiating a legislation in support of the effort takes a longer process.

Henrick Dacuyan, who represented the group of retirees and survivors, said their members have ceased receiving the death and disability benefits from the PNP since January 2020 after their grant was transferred to the National Police Commission (Napolcom), whose chairman is the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the chief of the PNP as one of its members.

Originally, the benefits were separately given by the PNP under Republic Act 6975 as amended by RA 5551 and the Napolcom under PD 1184. However, both the Commission on Audit and the Department of Justice declared through separate opinions that the perk falls under the double compensation clause.

T he COA, instead, ordered the PNP to stop providing the benefits and allow or transfer the grant of assistance to the Napolcom, which is currently the practice.

Oil tanker mishap in Oriental Mindoro raises fears of possible environmental catastrophe

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

AN oil tanker carrying at least 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil sank in the waters of Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), raising fears of a possible oil spill.

T he MT Princess Empress with 20 crewmen on board was en route to Iloilo from Bataan carrying its cargo when it developed engine trouble due to overheating, and drifted toward Balingawan Point in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro where it is now half submerged.

T he PCG deployed one of its vessels, BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV9702), and an airbus helicopter to respond to the incident.

Greenpeace statement

the continued use in the country of fossil fuels, saying it is the fishermen who would be affected the most in case of such a disaster.

Fossil fuels destroy biodiversity and human lives. When incidents like oil spills happen, companies are allowed to just move on, while fisherfolk and coastal communities bear the brunt of the consequences,” Greenpeace campaigner Jefferson Chua said.

“If the government is really committed to protecting the environment, as it has claimed since its inauguration, it must end the Philippines’ fossil fuel dependence and start making oil, coal and gas corporations accountable,” Chua added in a statement.

B oth Dela Rosa and Dacuyan, however, believed that the benefits given separately by the PNP and Napolcom do not violate rules and regulations since they were accorded under separate laws, that of RA 8551 and PD 1184.

Meanwhile, the umbrella organization of the country’s groups of local government units (LGU) has called on the PNP to arrest and put behind bars the suspects in the ambush of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal.

T he Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), in a statement, also condemned the failed attempt on the life of Montawal, who is now recuperating in a hospital following the ambush in Pasay City 10 days ago.

Montawal was the third local official ambushed in a span of a week after gunmen also separately fired earlier on the convoy of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong in Lanao del Sur and Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda in Nueva Vizcaya.

T hree of Adiong’s security detail who were all policemen died during the ambush, while the governor himself was wounded. On the other hand, Alameda and his five companions died.

“ULAP strongly condemns yet another attack on one of our local chief executives, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal who was shot while he was in Manila last 22 February 2023 to attend the 2023 League of Municipalities of the Philippines’ General Assembly,” the group said in a statement.

“ We support the call of the Leagues of Municipalities of the Philippines for the Philippine National Police to utilize all legal means available to pursue and bring the perpetrators to the bar of justice,” it added.

UL AP said the spate of attacks against local chief executives was “immensely reprehensible” as it called for “increased vigilance and the administration of justice.” Rene

Acosta

WITH the threat of a possible oil spill, the environmental group Greenpeace International decried

He said the fossil fuel industry must pay for their businesses’ direct impacts on the environment, as well as the massive loss and damage resulting from the impacts of the climate crisis.

Fossil fuel corporations are morally obligated to make the shift to renewable energy sources—and, based on their record profits last year, have more than enough capacity to do so. We demand that these companies acknowledge the danger they are putting us in, pay climate reparations, and stop further expansion of their toxic operations,” Chua said.

PCG assessment

“ THE PCG has deployed BRP Melchora Aquino [MRRV-9702] and the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog to provide necessary assistance and assess the vicinity waters for possible traces of an oil spill,” Commodore Armand Balilo, for his part, said.

“ The PCG Command Center has also directed the Coast Guard Aviation Force to dispatch one airbus helicopter for aerial surveillance,” the PCG spokesman added.

A passing foreign vessel, MV Efes, rescued the 20 crewmen.

Navy’s rescue ops

MEANWHILE , the Navy’s Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), through its Naval Task Group-Tawi-Tawi, rescued seven crewmembers and 17 passengers aboard a distressed Philippineregistered vessel in the waters of Tanjung Labian, Malaysia on Sunday.

A statement from the Naval Forces Western Mindanao said it received a distress call from ML Rihana that it has encountered engine trouble and was left drifting 4.5 nautical miles northeast off Tagupi Island, Malaysia.

T hrough its close coordination with Royal Malaysian Ship (RMN) Todak, the vessel was towed to the anchorage area in Tanjung Labian, Malaysia.

T he NFWM then sent the BRP Florencio Iñigo (PC393) to Malaysia and towed the vessel to Lamion Wharf in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Rep. Lagman to House: Stop Cha-cha discussions sans Senate participation

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie & Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ASENIOR lawmaker on Tuesday said deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 calling for a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) presently being conducted by the House of Representatives without meeting in joint session with the Senate is clearly “unconstitutional” and must cease immediately.

W hen the Congress called for the convening of a Con-Con, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said it exercises constituent power under Article XVII of the Constitution on “Amendments or Revisions” of the fundamental law requiring the House of Representatives and the Senate to hold joint sessions.

L agman reiterated that the constituent power of the Congress is exercised in three different modes, namely: acting as a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) directly proposing amendments to the Constitution; calling for a Con-Con to amend or revise the Constitution; and submitting to the electorate the question of calling for a Con-Con.

Authorities on constitutional law are unanimous that when the Congress exercises any of the modes of its constituent power, it must meet in joint session on a face-to-face interaction among Members of the House and of the Senate,” Lagman pointed out.

“Neither the House nor the Senate can proceed separately from the

ADB eyes $3.5-B annual aid to PHL from ’24-’29

“Most of the contracts have been awarded and Civil Works has commenced and we’re hoping that that project will be at least partially in operation by 2025,” Bird said.

T he ADB official also said it has approved the pedestrian greenways, Metro Manila bridges, and a project of the Angat Dam to improve the resiliency of water systems.

In terms of projects that may be approved this year, Bird cited financing for the Bataan-Cavite Bridge, which could be the second longest bridge globally. Bird said the ADB may also approve next year the Laguna Lakeshore expressway and the MRT 4 which will run from Ortigas to Taytay, a 15-kilometer light rail line.

Most of these projects will be mass public transportation projects that will

be designed to help improve efficiency of public transport systems to create safe efficient systems,” Bird said. A DB, he said, is also working in Mindanao. Some of the notable projects there include the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads along the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Bird said ADB will also construct three bridges in Tawi-Tawi to improve transport efficiency. This is a first for the Manila-based multilateral development bank which has never financed any project in the province since it was founded in 1966.

The ADB, he said, will also undertake a bus system project in Davao. This is a modernized public bus system commonly found in North America and Europe. The design of the project will mean having concessionaires operating on separate bus routes and

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bus drivers who are salaried to ensure the system’s efficiency.

It will be an orderly bus system providing very efficient, safe public transport for the residents of Davao. [About] 40 percent of these buses will be electric buses. So it is part of supporting the government’s transition towards a transport system that is based on renewable energy or moving away from fossil fueled transport systems,” Bird explained.

T he new system will also have a modern bus ticketing system, traffic system, and provisional support where jeepney drivers can train and become bus drivers themselves.

Bird said this is going to be the first project that merges efforts to improve mass transportation in the country while combining efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Cai U. Ordinario

other in the exercise of its constituent power,” he added.

L ast week, the House of Representatives started the plenary debates on Resolution of Both Houses 6 calling for a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

T he convention is mandated, through a process of public hearings and deliberations, to submit the proposed Charter change for the people’s ratification, which shall be held not earlier than 60 days nor later than 90 days upon approval of the amendments or revisions, and the same shall be valid only when ratified by a majority of the votes cast.

‘Con-Ass more practical’

SENIOR Deputy Minority Leader Paul Ruiz Daza questioned the hybrid Con-con vis-a-vis the more “practical, expedient, and transparent” Con-Ass.

D uring his interpellation of House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chairman Rep. Rufus

B. Rodriguez, Daza pointed out that a Con-Ass is more aligned to the committee’s explicit objective to revise key economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

He also highlighted how a ConCon is a “free for all” which opens up the possibility of a complete Constitutional overhaul.

R odriguez noted Daza’s comments and said he would urge the committee to focus only on the economic provisions.

Daza maintained that the ConAss is a more focused and transpar-

ent process to do this.

Daza revealed that a Con-con may cost P10 billion to P15 billion, while a Con-Ass would have “minimal or no [additional] cost” to the government.

T he money, Daza said, would be better spent on critical alleviation programs like scholarships and medical assistance.

“It would go a long way to help the average Filipino,” he said.

R odriguez concurred with Daza that the whole exercise might cost at least P10 billion. He, however, countered that the amount is “a small price to pay” to open up the economy to more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

Daza also said that a Con-Ass would foster less controversy.

“ The process of choosing the representative-delegates to this ConCon may become another opportunity for divisiveness,” he said.

While I appreciate the good intentions, a potentially divisive and costly exercise at this point may do more harm than good,” he added.

Limit Cha-cha to economic provisions–Sen. Padilla

AT the Senate, meanwhile, Senator Robinhood Padilla aired a plea to proCharter change (Cha-cha) members of Congress to “limit to economic provisions” of the Constitution should lawmakers proceed to convene the Senate and the House into a Con-Ass as provided by existing law.

T he senator stressed that the Cha-cha proponents should move to quickly address and approve the economic provisions an adjourn

promptly to convince skeptics that no other new provisions of the Charter can be tucked in soon as the Con-Ass is convened for a limited agenda and promptly adjourn soon as the task is done.

T he economic provision puts a 40 percent cap on foreign equity ownership in Philippine business.

It was stressed that the economic provision takes a precedent, as the people can no longer wait and this reforms can best be done and quickly implemented, if tackled by a Con-Ass.

T his, however, is the opposite option being tackled in plenary by Congress opting to do the amendments through a Con-con where members would need to be elected nationwide.

Padilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Electoral Reforms, acknowledged it might take time to implement the reforms he envisioned, and could even be “delayed by a deadlock in amending the Constitution if tackled together with political provisions as interests can clash in changing the form of government and extension of terms of incumbent officials.”

S till, he intends to plead with his fellow lawmakers to approve and push for Charter changes via Con-Ass but added he remains open to Con-con if that is the preference of the majority in the committee hearings.

T he senator added he is looking to render a committee report before the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in July.

Heart diseases afflict, kill more younger people–SPMC doctor

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—

Persons afflicted with cardiovascular diseases are getting younger lately with unhealthy lifestyle, including substance abuse, as the main culprits.

A cardiologist-consultant at the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC), the government’s largest hospital in the country, rang the alarm bell on how the ailment has been affecting even the youngeraged group, a Philippine Information Agency dispatch said.

Nowadays those afflicted with heart ailments are getting younger,” said Dr. Elfred Batalla as he emphasized that cardiovascular diseases

still remain as the top killer disease among Filipinos.

Since 2007 when the Heart Institute was established here, the census has been going exponentially in heart diseases. What is alarming is that now they are getting younger, even at 30 years old or younger, patients had already heart attack,” Batalla said.

He identified the following as the top occurring cardiovascular diseases in the country, including in the Davao Region: valvular heart diseases, congenital heart diseases, rheumatic heart diseases, and coronary artery diseases.

A mong the young population diagnosed with the disease, valvular heart diseases, rheumatic heart diseases, and congenital heart diseases were common among them. Batalla said unhealthy lifestyle was the pri-

mary contributor to heart diseases.

“ This heart disease is due to, one, as I can say, substance abuse use in the young, second is diet and way of life,” he said. “Less exercise probably because of this generation, we do not go out to play but go inside with our gadgets. So there’s lesser energy expenditure.”

Other factors include underlying health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Batalla said, “Prevention is still the best practice.”   “Do not let your guard down. Immediately see and consult a medical doctor once you are experiencing possible symptoms of heart disease,” he added.

“ The solution for this problem is not just from the doctors, but also from everyone because as what we have said that prevention is always better than cure,” he said.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

MITA seeks to extend validity of meat import clearance by at least 120 days

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

The Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) recently wrote to Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Paul Limson outlining its recommendations regarding the issues surrounding the SPS for meat products.

T he BAI recently held consultations with stakeholders regarding the underutilization of approved and issued SPS for meat and as well as the apparent practice of the im-

porters to secure “back-up” SPS for their shipments.

To address the issues raised by BAI, MITA suggested that the validity period of meat SPS should be prolonged to 120 days from the current 90-day expiry and should have the possibility of a one-time 30-day extension as well.

MITA explained that some of the SPS end up unused because logisti-

cal woes continue to “plague” global trade, which includes meat shipments. It has even become worse, MITA argued, because of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Exporters still experience canceled bookings or refused bookings from carriers due to port congestion issues in the Philippines [that has now spread to the transshipment ports] that could last for several weeks,” the group said in its letter, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror

MITA explained that prolonging the validity of the SPS and allowing a one-time extension would be able to cover the import arrivals of meat products, which has averaged between 90 days to 120 days in the country.

It is also because of the delayed arrivals of imported meat products why importers secure “back-up” SPS to be able to cover their shipments upon their arrival in the country, according to MITA.

MITA explained that because of

the delays in shipping, the SPS for the concerned shipments are already expired when the meat products arrive in the country. The group added that it is possible that some of the SPS approved and issued by BAI are overlapping or intended for the some identical shipments of meat products.

It was further observed that many importers apply for ‘backup’ permits because their BOC [Bureau of Cus-

toms] accreditation is taking unreasonably long to renew,” the group said. “ We are told even applications made two months before expiry of the importers license is no guarantee that it will be released in time prior to arrival of shipments,” it added.

MITA also proposed that the SPSIC, like its predecessor the veterinary quarantine certificate, must be transferable to remove the need for

application of the supposed back-up import permits.

“ We believe making the SPS transferable will remove the need to apply for backup permits and clean up the data, making it more accurate and transparent. As an added benefit, it will help address the congestion issue at our ports by allowing exporters to resell loads their original customers can no longer accept,” it said.

“ Presently, if the original importer is unable to clear the cargo, it is almost often left at the port to be eventually abandoned because current regulations make it impossible to issue a new permit for a container that has already departed from the port of origin,” it added.

I n its letter, MITA allayed the fears of BAI that making the SPS transferable would be prone to abuse by smugglers. The group argued that SPS applications are done online, hence, the government would have a digital record of every application made.

MEAT importers are lobbying to extend further the validity of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance (SPSICs) for imported meat products to address issues on the underutilization of the import document.

Bamboo propagation eyed in 1,500 towns

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

TO position bamboo as an industrial crop, the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) will sign a memorandum of agreement with the National Movement of Young Legislators Alumni Association (NMYLAA) for bamboo propagation in 1,500 towns nationwide.

T he program will be fulfilling a plan for many years now via Executive Order 879 signed in May 2010 to position bamboo not only as a primary climate tool and plant species against natural and man-made disasters but as a crop for use as an industrial raw material.

We are meeting this week with [Trade] Secretary [Alfredo] Pascual for this program to plant bamboo nationwide,” PBIDC Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said in a statement.

E nvisioned to be used for biofuel, food, and crafts, bamboo can be developed as raw material for architectural and construction purposes, “ultimately playing a large role in the economy by creating job opportunities,” PBIDC.

I n promoting bamboo, NMYLAA’s mission of Filipinism is embraced and the innovations of national hero Jose Rizal in his exile in Dapitan, particularly on agriculture, infrastructure, education, and medicine are popularized. “We are adopting the Filipinism of Jose Rizal in Dapitan as we want to make our agriculture areas productive,” Savellano said.

PBIDC will be reaching out to the grassroots through bamboo production by tapping barangay leaders to carry out the task.

T he program can avail of prevailing government programs to support bamboo propagation.

A n existing order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DAO 2021-43) grants incentives to the private sector, upland organizations, and other entities in forest protection through verified carbon certificates. It will provides a standardized guidance for the measurement of carbon projects. A registry for all forest carbon projects will be established.

Govt,

PhilExport lauds RCEP ratification but airs caution on proper implementation

By Andrea E. San Juan

PHILIPPINE Exporters Confederation Inc.

(PhilExport) President Sergio R. OrtizLuis Jr. said the export sector believes that the Philippines’s ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will result in an increase in exports and job creation.

“In the export sector, we are looking at opening the markets for us because of the lower tariffs, so we are expecting that it would help us,” Ortiz-Luis said in a statement released by PhilExport on Monday.

However, the PhilExport head stressed that strong safeguards and proper implementation are “crucial” issues that must be addressed, citing the issue of smuggling as an example, as this “will still be a problem with or without tariffs.”

The treaty itself is okay, but the way we implement things sometimes is different [and] whatever we say in black and white sometimes doesn’t happen, especially in the area of smuggling,” Ortiz-Luis said.  PhilExport said the trade facilitation chapter

provides “more definitive and predictable commitments from the signatories, while allowing changes when it comes to openness and clearance of goods.”

Further, the umbrella organization of exporters in the country noted exporters would “have an easier time to comply with the preferential tariff treatment with the consolidation of the rules of origin in Asean.”

A s to the “apprehensions” of the oppositors of the mega-trade deal, mainly the farmers, the PhilExport chief said these have been addressed. In fact, he said, “among the tariff lines that they’re afraid of, I think most of them are exempted, like rice, onions, meat and the like.”

Meanwhile, when asked how the government can promote exports under RCEP, Ortiz-Luis expressed optimism that the government agencies involved in export development will give “special attention to export.”

T he PhilExport head also raised some issues hounding the country’s export sector, noting that while the country is a beneficiary of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), a unilateral trade arrangement, Ortiz-Luis said

Senators prod Palace to extend deadline of jeepney

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATORS have forged a consensus to advise the Executive to scuttle the looming June 30 deadline for jeepney modernization, saying it will disrupt thousands of transport workers and cause unspeakable misery to commuters.

Sen. Robinhood Padilla supported a call made by Sen. Grace Poe to ask the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to forgo the arbitrary deadline, which has prompted a call for a transport strike next week.

For his part, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, said: “I am strongly associating myself with the manifestation/s made by our colleagues and most especially by the chair, my kinakapatid and my kumadre Sen. Grace Poe.”

E strada asked to be made co-author and cosponsor of Senate Resolution 507 entitled: “A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate to strongly urge the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to postpone the planned phaseout of all traditional jeepneys by June 30, 2023, pending the resolution of valid and urgent concerns raised by affected operators and drivers regarding the financial viability program.”

Like his colleagues, Estrada acknowledged, “It is imperative that we implement the public utility vehicle modernization program,” but added in Filipino, that this need not be a means “for

modernization

strangling them,” but a “lifeline” to serve them and put them under government’s patronage.

He noted, “Our public transport sector caters to the most number of Filipinos— ang masang Pilipino,” who have patiently plied their routes despite rising prices of petroleum and most basic goods.

E strada added: “I am also of the belief that certain considerations have to be made. We have just started to recover from the pandemic; the position and appeal of our transportation sector is clear enough, according to the chairperson of the Committee on Public Services,” referring to Poe, thus justifying their call to delay implementation of the June 30 phase out.

His brother Sen. JV Ejercito, who was presiding, also strongly supported Poe’s call.

Sens. Pia Cayetano and Bong Go also took the floor. Go said he had always been a jeepney rider in Davao, and understands the key role played by jeepneys in Filipinos’ life. He quipped how he had ridden the “Jeep ni Erap,” referring to the branding that helped catapult the movie actor-producer Joseph Estrada to the presidency in 1998; and now rides the “Jeep ni Jinggoy at JV,” referring to his sons.  Cayetano, for her part, expressed the hope that even when the jeepney modernization is eventually pushed through at a longer timeline, the features of the jeepney will not be lost completely, noting that its design is a key feature of Filipino culture.

biz sectors told: Empower more Pinays for tourism industry

By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28

Contributor

PUBLIC and private sectors’ joint efforts are encouraged to develop further the women sector to become more competitive in the tourism industry and, at the same time, provide them with an enabling and safe environment to continuously thrive in this field amid the easing travel restrictions due to the improving Covid-19 situation in the country.

Stakeholders from government and tourism business stakeholders called for this collaboration on Tuesday as global hospitality platform provider Airbnb revealed that more and more Filipino women are accommodating local and foreign tourists through its platform, given the opportunities it provides for them financially and, at the same time, break the boundaries in the male-dominated tourism and travel industry.

Mich Goh, head of public policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at Airbnb, cited that Filipinas comprise up to two-thirds of all their hosts internationally, making the Philippines Airbnb’s secondlargest women-driven host community across the globe after New Zealand.

Around the world, 55 percent of Airbnb hosts are women. But here in the Philippines, this percentage has been incredible [at] 66 percent [in 2022],” she said during their inaugural #WomenInTravel industry dialogue in Taguig City. “The year before that, it’s at 62

percent. So, it’s actually trending upwards.”

K nown for their iconic warmth and hospitality, Filipinos, particularly the women, are increasingly contributing to the country’s tourism economy by welcoming travelers into their homes, and hiring fellow women to support in their daily operations.

Faced by inflationary pressures, hosting has become a popular way for them to generate additional income to help cover the rising costs of living. In fact, as the ensuing health crisis started to improve in 2022 that resulted to relaxed travel restrictions, it opened significant financial opportunity to Filipina hosts.

Last year, hosting on Airbnb allowed Filipinas to collectively earn over P2.5 billion in income,” she said, while citing their diverse profiles with most of them being under 30 years old and mothers.

“Regardless of their background or age, it’s really clear that women are leading the charge for our hosts community.”

W hile some countries and borders are still restrictive in so far as foreign travelers are concerned, Airbnb observed that domestic travel has become a very big part of tourism in the Philippines.

“ There are lots of different parts of the country trending right now from domestic perspective. So Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, El Nido, and Coron, they are all our major trending destinations [in our platform] with the reopening of travel. And I think a lot of this also happened throughout the Covid

“we are not benefiting much from it because we lack the push, especially in the garment sector.”

Moreover, Ortiz-Luis said “many of the promises also of the Export Development Act, incentives disappeared, and even now there are agencies that make it difficult rather than making ease of doing business [as] the program.”

For his part, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) Chairman Michael G. Aguinaldo said the position of the country’s competition body “lies not in ratifying the RCEP but in the government providing the needed support in terms of finance, technology, so that our farmers can upgrade their operations and be able to

compete with other countries.”

A guinaldo stressed that the issue is not about subsidy but on “leveling up, being able to provide the right inputs which should have really been done in the first place.”

T he PCC head noted that one way to be competitive in the global arena is to “build up the capacities and capabilities in terms of technology, know-how, not in terms of subsidy but in terms of helping the farmers improve their lot.”

With this, Aguinaldo expressed hope that this is “something that our government agencies will really focus on,” adding “food security is always a primordial issue when it comes to any nation.”

pandemic,” Goh said.

Traveling alone is, likewise, gaining momentum here. To wit, 56 percent of all solo traveler nights in 2022 were booked by Filipinas, according to her.

The top executive added that women are also bringing their families on trips to discover new destinations and the joy of travel, and more of them are becoming travel entrepreneurs.

They are taking roles and opportunities in the travel space that traditionally occupied by men. So it’s really, truly and exciting time for women in travel,” she said.

Delighted by the increasing number of Filipinas who open their homes to travelers and provide the authentic Filipino hospitality, she emphasized that Airbnb remains committed to supporting and growing them while ensuring that their roles in contributing to the industry are recognized.

For Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, the public sector must also do its share to encourage and develop more women to take part in the tourism and travel sector.

“So the role of the government in this scenario is to make it more accessible for women to participate in this field. What we do in the government is the 3As,” she said. “[The first ‘A’ stands for] Agency, meaning you’re able to do things on your own. The second would be ‘Authority,’ meaning people start to respect you because you do things on your own. And ‘Autonomy,’ you become independent because you learn to make your own choices.”

segmentation in the organization • Build and establish better trade understanding for effective engagement strategy • Lead the translation performance data and indicators to key insights and feeding these back into strategic planning efforts and recommend subsequent strategic course of action

Basic Qualification:

• The Strategic Insights Group Manager position exists to create a solid base of consumer, trade, product and pricing insights as a foundation of strategic opportunities and creating winning strategies for JTI Philippines.

• This role is responsible for setting up and managing effective tools and processes to further deepen category understanding and to drive competitive intelligence. With the market industry knowledge and understanding, the incumbent should make recommendations on how to capture additional opportunities and provide ongoing strategic guidance to help grow the business. • he/she will support Strategic Insights & Business Intelligence Director in transforming the team’s ways of working, particularly in shaping business reporting that will support fast translation of data into insights to support the formulation of business strategies and decisions. • Understanding the tobacco industry environment

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 KATAHIRA & ENGINEERS INTERNATIONAL Unit 21th Flr . 2103 The Podium West Tower 12,, Adb Ave., Ortigas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of

BusinessMirror A7 www.businessmirror.com.ph Wednesday, March 1, 2023

collaborating with colleagues to maximize end-to-end integration, effectiveness, and efficiency; support and deliver the wpb and mnl market wealth customer growth strategy with p&l delivery responsibility for the hsbc investment & insurance brokerage entity, meeting product sales volumes and revenues across all hsbc investment & insurance brokerage lines, whilst managing the cost base; and close interaction and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders from across the business locally, regionally, and globally.

TIAN XIA TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Basic Qualification: Minimum of ten years of proven and progressive experience, including a minimum of four years of proven senior management experience or equivalent; at least ten years working in financial services, ideally in wealth management; strong managerial, planning, analytical, communications, decision-making, lateral thinking, influencing, interpersonal and project management skills; • experience in leading a team to achieve strategic goals, in a customerfacing / distribution environment.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

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

PIMPILA, PILAWAN Thai Admin Support Specialist Basic Qualification: at least 19 years old, ability to speak, write and communicate in their respective language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 WANFANG TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 6-9/f Tower 2 Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Cor. Macapagal Ave., Barangay 76, Pasay City 81.

KHONGKARIAN, THANARAK Thai Customer Service Representative 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, Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 82.

LOENGPEN, VISIT Thai Customer Service Representative 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, Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 83.

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 84.

MAKLUEA, SAICHON Thai Customer Service Representative 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, Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Feb 28, 2023 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.

HUYNH KIM HY Vietnamese Admin Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Handles administrative request and queries from senior managers/officers

11 ANOC99 CORPORATION POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S)

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s:

12 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

13 ARKRAY INDUSTRY, INC.

Lot 22 Ph 1A, First Philippine Industrial Park, Special Economic Zone, Santa Anastacia, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas

14 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Blvd., Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

15 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Blvd., Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

16 JAE PHILIPPINES, INC.

Jae Philippines Bldg., Linares Extension, Gateway Business Park, Javalera, City of General Trias, Cavite

17 JFE SHOJI STEEL PHILIPPINES, INC.

107 Trade Avenue, Laguna Technopark, Loma, City of Biñan, Laguna

18 LEADING SUCCESS (PHILS.) GARMENTS INC.

Bldg. 1, 2 & 3, Golden Mile Avenue, Golden Mile Business Park, Maduya, Carmona, Cavite

19 MAXIMUM SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

Ground Floor, April’s Place, Tanchoco Avenue, El Monteverde, San Juan, Taytay, Rizal

GUO, MINGJUN Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships.

LU, WENWANG

Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships.

NATORI, AKIRA

Director & General Manager for Quality Assurance & Environmental Management System

Brief Job Description:

Assist in the development of company’s quality program policy and procedures.

SAITO, KAZUMI

Director, President and Chairman of The Board

Brief Job Description:

Oversee company operations

FAN, MINGXING Cutting Supervisor

Brief Job Description:

Provide all types of reports to the Planning Department and or top management and follow their instructions.

PRAJAPATI, KIRTIBEN AKSHAYKUMAR

Senior

Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience.

Salary Range:

Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience.

Salary Range:

Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Has wide knowledge of products and processes used in the manufacturing of electronic connector & harness.

Salary Range:

Php500,000.00 and above

Basic Qualification:

Proven work experience as a president, excellent leadership skills

Salary Range: Php150,000 - Php499,999

Basic Qualification: Must have a bachelor degree and work experience in related field.

Salary Range: Php90,000 - Php149,999

The World

Editor: Angel R. Calso

New China committee debuts with eye on major policy shifts

By Kevin Freking The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—A

special House com -

mittee dedicated to countering China will make its debut on Tuesday, the opening act in what lawmakers hope will be a robust effort to overcome partisan divisions and address a “generational challenge” to America’s national security.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., says he’s looking to bridge differences rather than exploit them. One of the former Marine’s first efforts in that regard will be a hearing focused on informing Americans about what he says is the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party.

Gallagher has grand visions for the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He hopes it can shepherd competing bills over the finish line during the next two years and issue a set of recommendations on long-term policies. But as the committee holds its first hearing Tuesday evening in prime time, his first mission will be to communicate to Americans what is at stake.

“We’re doing some level-setting here: Why should someone care about the threat posed by the CCP?” Gallagher said. “Or to put it differently, what did we get wrong about the Chinese Communist Party and what do we need to get right about it so as to have a more successful and enduring strategy going forward?”

So far, Gallagher appears to have Democratic buy-in and support. The vote to create the committee was bipartisan, 365-65. Opponents on the Democratic side largely voiced the concern that the committee could stir an even greater rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. Gallagher said he is committed to ensuring the focus is on the Chinese Communist Party, not on the people of China.

“We want to lead with that sort of human rights focused, values-focused agenda,” Gallagher said. “And that’s an area of unity, too, for a lot of Democrats and Republicans.”

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., the ranking Democrat on the committee, said the CCP is counting on lawmakers to be “fractious, divided, partisan and we have to do the opposite.”

“We have no choice but to rise to the challenge at this point. It’s that serious,” Krishnamoorthi said.

Rep. Ro Khanna of California, another Democrat on the committee, said he expects Gallagher will set a sobering tone.

“The hope is that Congress can still rise to a generational challenge, and that is getting our China policy correct,” Khanna said. “And there are areas that can be bipartisan, from bringing good jobs back to making sure we’re deterring any invasion in

the Taiwan Strait.”

The witnesses for Tuesday’s hearing includes two former advisers to President Donald Trump: Matthew Pottinger, the deputy national security adviser who resigned immediately after the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol; and H.R. McMaster, who was national security adviser from February 2017 to April 2018.

McMaster is no stranger to testifying about the threats he sees from China. He has warned Congress that the US clung too long to the idea that China would liberalize its economy and form of governance as it was welcomed into international systems like the World Trade Organization. He has recommended the US not engage in trade or investment that transfers sensitive technology the CCP can use to gain military and economic advantages. He also has testified the US should not do business in China in a way that helps the CCP stifle freedom and perfect its technology-enabled police state.

Tong Yi, a Chinese human rights advocate, will amplify those concerns at the hearing. She was arrested in the 1990s after serving as an interpreter to a leading dissident who had urged the US to condition trade on China’s human rights performance. She spent nine months in detention before being handed a two-and-half year sentence for “disturbing social order” and sent to a labor camp, where she said authorities organized other inmates to beat her up.

“In the US, we need to face the fact that we have helped feed the baby dragon of the CCP until it has grown into what it now is,” she said in prepared remarks provided to The Associated Press.

“Since the 1990s, US companies have enriched themselves by exploiting cheap labor in China and have, in the process, also enriched the CCP.”

Scott Paul, president of an alliance formed by some manufacturing companies and the United Steelworkers labor union, will testify that “51 years of wishful thinking by American leaders”

has failed to alter the dynamic that the CCP represents a “clear and present danger to the American worker, our innovation base, and our national security.”

The reaction to a suspected Chinese spy balloon in the US earlier this month demonstrates the political tightrope that lawmakers will walk to prevent the committee from becoming a dividing force rather than a uniting one. Republicans were highly critical of the Biden administration for not shooting down the balloon days earlier than it did, while Democrats defended Biden and stressed that he followed the military’s recommendation on when to take it down.

Gallagher said he suspects there are at least 10 pieces of legislation that the committee can endorse in a bipartisan fashion.

Still, he said the members will be looking for support from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy before it backs any legislation. One of the biggest challenges is that jurisdiction over the issues involving China is spread across numerous committees and members of those committees will want a say.

“I think we can play a constructive coordinating function between the committees to ensure that good ideas don’t die just because of some committee’s cracks or they get referred to multiple committees,” Gallagher said.

An example of such an issue is a proposed ban on the purchase of farmland by entities affiliated with the CCP. He said about 10 bills have already been filed to enact that sort of ban.

“That’s a perfect of example of why this committee exists, because without it, you just have 10 individual members working in isolation and not necessarily cooperating, and thereby increasing the likelihood that this issue never gets addressed,” Gallagher said.

“So, we can, on behalf of the speaker, weigh all these various proposal and see if we can get the members who have the bills to agree on one approach and then work it through the committee process and get it passed on the floor,” he said.

China debt blowout rings alarm bells as leaders meet in Beijing

WHEN China’s leaders gather in Beijing for the annual parliament next week, one of the biggest economic risks they’ll need to tackle is the mounting debt of provinces. A majority of regional governments—at least 17 out 31—are facing a serious funding squeeze, with outstanding borrowing exceeding 120 percent of income in 2022, according to Bloomberg

calculations based on available official data. That’s the threshold set by the Ministry of Finance to indicate disproportionately high debt risks.

Tianjin, a provincial-level city known for its port and massive overdevelopment, faces the biggest threat, with debt almost three times as large as its income.

The financial crunch has several implications for the economy. While it’s unlikely that any

regional government will default, the high debt levels may force some to scale back spending and push the central government to spend more. It could also prompt the People’s Bank of China to keep interest rates low to keep the repayment burden for provinces under control.

“Rising debt levels imply higher debt repayment and servicing

Continued on A10

REP. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., nominates Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in the House chamber as the House meets for a second day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, January 4, 2023. A special House committee dedicated to countering China will make its debut on Tuesday night, February 28, the opening act in what lawmakers hope will be a robust effort to overcome partisan divisions and address a “generational challenge” to America’s national security. AP/ALEX BRANDON

Thailand hosts war games with biggest US attendance in decade

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

common interests, and serves as a demonstration of our dedication to our allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Godec said at the opening ceremony of the war games in Rayong province, east of Bangkok.

Cobra Gold is an indicator on the strength of US-Thai ties in recent years, with Washington’s criticism of the Thai coup in 2014 by army general-turned-premier Prayuth Chan-Ocha resulting in a downgraded presence at subsequent joint drills.

Japan’s top diplomat set to skip G-20 meeting, snubbing India

By Isabel Reynolds

JAPANESE Foreign Minister Yo -

this re-calibrates US-Thai relations more on a par with China,” he said. “So there is more of a hedging policy for Thailand in terms of trying to create balance between the two great powers that matter most to Thailand.”

The Cobra Gold military drill in Thailand, which runs from Feb. 28 to March 10, is the largest joint military exercise in mainland Asia involving 30 countries. It has been running for more than four decades and this year was billed as a return to full-scale drills after the pandemic.

More than 6,000 US military

personnel will be attending the war games—the biggest showing in a decade and Admiral John Aquilino, the top commander for the Indo-Pacific region, is participating in a sign of renewed US-Thai security ties, said America’s envoy to Thailand Robert Godec.

“Cobra Gold helps build interoperability, advances our

A greater US presence in the joint war games is seen as a significant development in Washington’s “dance” to balance its values and geopolitical interests with the rise of China, said Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Thailand’s Naresuan University.

“By increasing the number of US troops back into Cobra Gold,

Thailand under Prayuth, who stayed on as head of a civilian government after an election in 2019, has been moving closer to China in trade. China is currently the largest source of annual foreign investments in Thailand and Chinese tourists remain key to the country’s tourism industry that is a main economic growth driver.

This year’s Cobra Gold exercises will be attended by more than 7,000 military personnel from countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Chinese army personnel will take part in some of the exercises.  Bloomberg News

HK ends one of world’s longest mask mandates after 945 days

By Jinshan Hong, Kari Lindberg & Shirley Zhao

HONG KONG will stop re -

quiring masks to be worn in public places from Wednesday, drawing to a close the prolonged Covid era that damaged its economy and standing in the world.

Masks will no longer be needed outdoors, indoors or on public transport, Hong Kong leader John Lee told reporters on Tuesday.

“From tomorrow we are completely returning to normalcy,” Lee said. “This year and the next year, we will focus on the economy and development.”

The move comes as the government seeks to attract tourists and overseas workers to revitalize the finance hub. Next month will see Hong Kong host the biggest series of international events since often-violent protests in 2019 shut down much of the city, including a music festival, Art Basel and the Rugby Sevens tournament. Hong Kong had dropped most other pandemic restrictions by earlier this year.

“For business it’s a game changer,” said Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Ltd. “Before, a lot of people would stay away from Hong Kong because the mask was showing that we were still stuck in the Covid days.”

People have been required to wear masks in all public places, including outdoors, from July 29, 2020. The rule is enforceable by

Hong Kong was one of last places on Earth to mandate mask wearing. At one stage, masks were required even when exercising. The rule increasingly jarred with Hong Kong’s push to move beyond the pandemic and lure visitors. As part of its Hello Hong Kong campaign, the city is giving away more than half a million airline tickets starting from Wednesday.

Tourism numbers remain low. In January, passenger volumes at the Norman Foster-designed airport were a third of the level four years earlier. That compares with 77 percent for Singapore.

fines of up to HK$10,000 ($1,275), with police regularly handing out HK$5,000 penalties on the spot for transgressors.

Shares of companies linked to tourism gained. Mall landlords Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. and New World Development Co. rose more than 2 percent. Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd., which sells beauty products, climbed as much as 6.4 percent.

shimasa Hayashi is unlikely to attend a meeting of G-20 foreign ministers in India from Wednesday, instead prioritizing parliamentary business, according to a government official.

It remains unclear whether he will attend a Friday meeting of the Quad nations, consisting of the US and Australia, alongside India, according to the official, who asked not to be identified in line with policy. The news was reported earlier by Japanese media, including the Nikkei newspaper. A deputy minister is likely to be dispatched in his place, the reports said.

Keeping the foreign minister at home for a domestic matter could irritate Group of 20 host India. The move comes as Japan seeks to bolster security and other ties with Narendra Modi’s government amid growing concerns about China’s assertive behavior in the region, as well as Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The news sparked criticism from lawmakers and members of the public on social media, who said it was a lost opportunity to show leadership as Japan prepares to host the Group of Seven summit in May. Modi made a trip to Tokyo in September to attend the state funeral for former Prime Minster Shinzo Abe and held talks with current premier, Fumio Kishida.

Bolstering ties with India has been a priority for the Kishida government as it seeks partners beyond its sole treaty ally, the US, to counter security threats posed by the likes of China. The Quad is a prominent format for

cooperation. It has grown in stature in recent years as a counter to Beijing, which has criticized the group as a “clique” that could stoke a new Cold War.

In addition, Japan and India in January held their first joint military air drills and Kishida’s government is making arrangements to invite Australia and India to the G-7 summit in May to discuss issues including Ukraine, nuclear disarmament and climate change, public broadcaster NHK reported.

“It’s a regrettable decision that means forfeiting a chance to emphasize the importance of the rule of law to the developing countries that take part in G-20,” Goshi Hosono, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker said on Twitter.  Hosono, who previously belonged to the opposition Democratic Party, added such decisions to prioritize parliament over diplomacy were often made to please the ruling parties. Hayashi had already arranged bilateral discussions with some of his counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting, Kyodo News reported.

The agency cited an unidentified Indian government official as saying the decision not to attend would be a negative for Japan’s foreign policy and give the mistaken impression that Tokyo values only the G-7.

Japan’s lower house of parliament is likely to pass the budget later Tuesday and hand it over for discussion in the upper house. All members of the cabinet are customarily present for the initial sessions of the budget committee, which are planned for Wednesday and Thursday. Bloomberg News

China debt blowout rings alarm bells as leaders meet in Beijing

“At least now tourists don’t have to worry about being fined for not wearing a mask in the street,” said Pamela Mak, president of Hong Kong Small and Medium Enterprises Association.

The past three years of global isolation have weighed heavily on Hong Kong’s economy and reputation. The economy shrank 3.5 percent in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. The population has fallen by a net 187,000 in the three years through 2022 as residents fled for other cities.

Bloomberg News

Finance minister says mega projects, tourism to propel Thailand’s growth

By Suttinee Yuvejwattana

& Thomas Kutty Abraham

ASLEW of billion-dollar in -

frastructure projects and an upswing in tourism will fuel Thailand’s expansion this year, shielding the economy from weaker exports and any possible delay in the budget approval due to elections, according to Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.

Government approvals for three projects at a combined investment of about 524 billion baht ($14.9 billion) will ensure capital spending remains on track, Ark-

hom said in an interview Monday in his office, citing a high-speed railway line connecting three airports, an expansion of an airport southeast of Bangkok and a deep seaport. Private sector investment was on the mend too with rising imports of machinery and equipment, he said.

The finance ministry is sticking to its forecast for a gross domestic product expansion of 3.8 percent this year even though a below-par performance last quarter needs to be factored in, Arkhom said. Firm domestic demand and an improving services sector will also keep the recovery on track, he said.

Thailand posted the slowest growth rate among Southeast Asia’s major economies last year and now faces the risk of a delay in parliament passing the 3.35 trillion baht budget for next fiscal year with elections tentatively slated for May. Any delay in the formation of government and passage of the budget—akin to the last election year in 2019 when growth halved to 2.1 percent from a year earlier—may slow major state spending and hurt the recovery.

FINANCE Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.

“We are quite comfortable in our growth path despite many people saying that we have the lowest rate in Asean,” Arkhom said in Bangkok. “Tourism has been helping Thai economy a lot, particularly in the short-term recovery. We expect more improvement in the tourism sector after the Chinese reopening.”

Foreign tourists are returning to Thailand in droves, with arrivals topping 2 million for a second straight month in January. The recovery is expected to gain speed with China, the country’s biggest source of visitors pre pandemic, allowing outbound group tours earlier this month.

While tourism will support private consumption, a slowdown in

Thailand’s major trade partners is seen as a headwind, Arkhom said. A sustained expansionary fiscal policy and gradual normalization in interest rates will ensure the recovery remains intact, he said.

The Bank of Thailand has been one of the most dovish central banks in the region, increasing its benchmark rate by only 100 basis points since August. BOT’s monetary policy committee had said that a gradual and measured normalization was needed to nurse the economic recovery.

The finance ministry and the central bank agree on the need for a coordinated response to ensure the economy recovers fully, Arkhom said, adding “you wouldn’t see the MPC being aggressive in raising the rates.”

Headline inflation may ease to a range of 3 percent to 4 percent later this year from a 14-year high of 7.86 percent in August as global energy and commodity prices ease and amid continued government subsidy on electricity, cooking gas and diesel prices for targeted groups, Arkhom said. Bloomberg

Continued from A9

costs for local governments and limit their room for fiscal stimulus amid falling return on capital,” said Lisheng Wang, an economist at Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Wang said the PBOC will likely keep policy rates on hold this year, partly due to the rapid government debt expansion, as well as other reasons, such as uncertainty about the economy’s outlook and still-mild inflationary pressure.

The nation’s legislators and top leaders meet from this Sunday to approve key economic targets for 2023, including a new local bond quota, the budget and also the broad stance of monetary policy.

A broader measure of government income contracted last year for the first time since at least 2012 due to Covid disruptions, the property slump, and record tax breaks, while spending rose by 3 percent. The fiscal deficit surged to a record, forcing the government to sell a record number of new bonds to help finance the shortfall.

Most of the official debt borrowed in recent years is in the form of special bonds primarily meant to pay for infrastructure investment. This has been a key tool government uses to create jobs and bolster the economy when other growth drivers such as exports and domestic consumption weaken.

The notes are supposed to be repaid with earnings from projects. In reality, the revenue generated is nowhere near meeting the interest payment due on the debt in any province, and local governments have found it increasingly difficult to find qualified projects to use the money.

The outstanding local government debt exceeded 35 trillion yuan ($5 trillion) as of the end of last year.

That total doesn’t include off-balance sheet borrowing via local government financing vehicles, which provinces use to help finance their spending needs. This “hidden” debt could be more than twice as big as official local liabilities, according to Guosheng Securities Co. analyst Yang Yewei.

As debt has risen so has the repayment burden for local governments. They repaid 3.9 trillion yuan in bond principal and interest payments last year just on their official debt,

and much more on their unofficial borrowings.

Stimulus constraints

CHINA’S top leaders have repeatedly stressed the importance of fiscal sustainability and keeping local debt risks in check. That means that even though fiscal stimulus is needed this year to help the economy recover, there may be less support than before.

“Central government scrutiny will likely gradually tighten when a local government is approaching the debt threshold,” said Susan Chu, a senior director of S&P Global Ratings. “Financial support from local governments toward associated state-owned enterprises will become increasingly selective.”

Beijing is considering setting a special bond quota of 3.8 trillion yuan this year, Bloomberg News has reported, less than the actual issuance in 2022. Chu said more indebted regions might get a smaller share.

Tax breaks could be scaled back as well, with the finance minister warning earlier this month that fiscal revenue growth “won’t be too high” despite a low base of comparison from last year.

Policy alternatives

ONE option to plug the funding gap would be for the central government to borrow more and increase its transfers to the regions, thereby reducing the need for local governments to take on extra debt.

Economists have urged China to take this approach for years since Beijing can borrow more cheaply than local authorities and its balance sheet is much healthier.

The government could also call on state policy banks, like China Development Bank, to spend more, similar to an investment of 740 billion yuan the lenders made last year under one of their programs.

Lower interest rates could also cut financing costs for local governments and improve their spending power, Zhang Bin, a researcher at state-run think tank the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, wrote in a note. Assuming the entire government sector’s liabilities are 82 trillion yuan, every 1 percentage-point cut to policy rates could reduce interest payments by 160 billion yuan, he wrote. With assistance from Adrian Leung and Jin Wu/Bloomberg

THAILAND kicked off an international military exercise with the biggest US attendance in a decade as Washington seeks to build on ties with a key security partner at a time of rising global geopolitical competition with Beijing.

PASSENGERS wear masks at MTR’s Central station in Hong Kong on February 28. Hong Kong will stop requiring masks to be worn in public places from Wednesday, March 1, 2023. BLOOMBERG

BLOOMBERG

The World

Demand for semiconductor will surge from 2024, Tokyo Electron CEO says

By Takashi Mochizuki & Yuki Furukawa

THE semiconductor industry will return to an exponential growth path next year despite lingering inflationary and geopolitical uncertainties, according to machinery maker Tokyo Electron Ltd.

Looking past the current nadir, Chief Executive Officer Toshiki Kawai said long-term trends like autonomous driving and metaverse development will supercharge demand for data storage and processing capabilities.

“The amount of data the world must deal with will grow tenfold by 2030 and then hundredfold by 2040,” 59-year-old Kawai said in an interview. “For a while now, people have been talking about us living in a big-data era—but if you ask me, I still think we’re in a small-data era.”

Tokyo Electron may face headwinds, however, from US-China tensions, which recently swept up Japan and the Netherlands in a push to curb exports of advanced chips and chipmaking technology into China. The details of what export controls Japan may adopt are not yet known, but the Tokyo company’s business is likely to be directly impacted and it presently gets more than 20 percent of its sales in China.

“Chips are in need everywhere, including China, Japan, the US and

Europe,” Kawai said, declining to comment specifically on any potential trade restrictions. “So long as we continue to be the global number one, we should always be able to find business in one way or another. That’s our stance.”

Still, his view may prove overly rosy if current downtrends extend longer than expected or China export controls are too onerous, Iwai Cosmo Securities analyst Kazuyoshi Saito said.

To craft the cutting-edge chips of the future, Tokyo Electron customers will have to adopt new processes in their production lines—such as silicon wafer bonding—and that’s where the company believes its machinery has an advantage. Tokyo Electron will command a larger share of the chipmaking equipment market in the years to come, its CEO said, pointing to the deployment of bonding technology in future stacked-memory architectures that would allow more data to be stored in smaller packages.

Kawai’s comments are in line with what the world’s biggest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., said when reporting earnings in January.

“We forecast the semiconductor cycle to bottom sometime in first half 2023, and to see a healthy recovery in second half this year,” TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said. With assistance from Debby Wu/Bloomberg

Kim Jong Un calls for unity to boost grain production

From California to NY, storms ravage US from coast to coast

By John Antczak & Sean Murphy The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY—Parts of the Northeast are gearing up for what could be very heavy snow early Tuesday, after tornadoes and other powerful winds swept through parts of the Southern Plains, killing at least one person in Oklahoma, and some Michigan residents faced a sixth consecutive day without power following last week’s ice storm.

In California, the National Weather Service said winter storms will continue moving into the state through Wednesday after residents got a brief break from severe weather Sunday.

A look at the weather threats around the country:

Tornado forecast, cleanup

A STORM system produced at least four tornadoes as it moved across central and northeastern Illinois on Monday, including two that formed in suburbs west of Chicago, authorities said. Initial reports suggested damage there was limited to fallen trees or shingles torn from buildings, said Rafal Ogorek, a meteorologist in the Chicago office of the National Weather Service.

At least one person was killed and three others injured after a tornado touched down Sunday night in far western Oklahoma near the town of Cheyenne, where 20 homes were damaged and four others destroyed, Roger Mills County Emergency Manager Levi Blackketter reported.

Statewide, Oklahoma officials received reports of 55 people who suffered weather-related injuries from area hospitals.

Officials in Norman, Oklahoma, confirmed 12 weather-related injuries after tornadoes and wind gusts as high as 90 mph (145 kph) were reported in the state Sunday night.

for the backcountry around Lake Tahoe, where up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) of snow was expected over the next two days in the upper elevations and gale-force winds could create waves up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) high on the lake, the National Weather Service in Reno said Monday. State offices across northern Nevada and the Nevada Legislature in Carson City were shut down because of the severe weather. The new series of storms arrived even as parts of California were still digging out from last week’s powerful storm, which added to a massive snowpack left by a siege of “atmospheric rivers” in December and January.

A 90-mile (145-km) stretch of US 395 in California’s eastern Sierra was shut down Monday evening due to whiteout conditions, state transportation officials said. Yosemite National Park announced it would be closed until midweek, and numerous roads were closed in Sequoia National Park. Trans-Sierra highways were subject to closures and chain requirements.

Los Angeles County declared a cold weather alert for valley and mountain areas north of LA as overnight temperatures were expected to plunge below freezing for much of the week. Shelters were opened for residents who don’t have access to warm spaces.

East of Los Angeles, roads to San Bernardino Mountain resort communities around Big Bear Lake were closed after snow began falling again. The storm stranded more than 600 students at science camps in the Big Bear area over the weekend. The students from Irvine in Orange County were expected home Friday but officials decided it was safer to keep them in the mountains until the roads could be cleared. The California Highway Patrol began escorting out buses carrying the kids on Monday, the Irvine Unified School District said.

this photo provided by

By Hyung-Jin Kim

The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea—North Ko -

rean ruler Kim Jong Un called for stronger public solidarity behind his leadership to increase the country’s grain production significantly, state media reported Tuesday, amid outside worries about the country’s worsened food insecurity.

Foreign experts say North Korea is experiencing a serious shortfall of food in the aftermath of Covid-19 border restrictions and a reported push for greater state control over grain supply. The experts say they’ve seen no signs of mass deaths or famine due to the shortfall.

During a ruling Workers’ Party meeting on Monday, Kim expressed his government’s determination “to bring about a revolutionary turn in the agricultural production without fail,” according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

“Nothing is impossible as long as the strong leadership system is established in the whole party and there is the united might of all the people,” Kim was quoted as saying.

KCNA didn’t elaborate on whether Kim presented any specific steps to boost grain production. Many observers say meaningful steps to produce more grain would require more purchases of fertilizer, pesticides and agricultural machinery, as North Korea devotes much of its scarce resources to advance its nuclear weapons program.

North Korea’s chronic food shortage has likely deteriorated due to Covid-19 restrictions that choked off its external trade, persistent US-led sanctions and its own mismanagement.

According to South Korean assess -

ments, North Korea’s grain production last year was estimated at 4.5 million tons. In the previous decade, its annual production was an estimated 4.4 million to 4.8 million tons. South Korea’s spy agency has said North Korea needs 5.5 million tons of grain to feed its 25 million people each year.

In past years, unofficial grain purchases from China offset about half the gap, but pandemic-caused curbs on border traffic have likely cut those transactions. Further worsening the situation was a decline in people’s earnings and authorities’ unsuccessful efforts to supply grain via staterun facilities while restricting private dealing at markets, according to Kwon Tae-jin, a senior economist at the private GS&J Institute in South Korea.

Most analysts say North Korea’s current food shortage is nowhere near the extremes of the 1990s, when hundreds of thousands of people died in a famine. They say the meeting of the party’s Central Committee was in part likely convened to promote Kim’s image as a leader caring about his people at a time when he’s locked in confrontations with the United States over his nuclear program.

The plenary session, which opened Sunday, was expected to last at least another day.

KCNA cited Kim as saying in Monday’s session that the main purpose of the conference was to find immediate ways to reach this year’s grain production goal and scientifically feasible long-term objectives to radically increase agricultural production within a few years. Other senior officials analyzed unspecified shortcomings in past rural development projects and proposed how to fix them, according to KCNA.

The winds toppled trees and power lines, closed roads and damaged homes and businesses around Norman and Shawnee.

Classes were canceled Monday at two damaged elementary schools, said Norman Police Chief Kevin Foster.

Frances Tabler, of Norman, told KOCO-TV that she suffered a small cut on her head when a storm hit her home, tearing off much of its roof and sending debris flying. She said it was a miracle her children weren’t hurt, although her daughter was trapped for a while in a bedroom.

“It was just like a blizzard in the house with all the debris flying,” Tabler told KOCO. “I was screaming for my kids.”

The line of quick-moving thunderstorms that produced a swath of damaging wind gusts likely qualified as a derecho, although that’s not an official designation, said Nolan Meister, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

Meister said a wind gust of 114 mph (183 kph) was recorded in Texas, with gusts between 70 mph (113 kph) and 90 mph (145 kph) in central Oklahoma.

More than 76,000 customers lost power in Oklahoma, but most had it restored by Monday morning, Oklahoma’s Office of Emergency Management reported.

There were reports of nine tornadoes in Kansas, Oklahoma and northwestern Texas, weather officials said. One tornado near Liberal, Kansas, damaged more than a dozen homes and caused minor injuries to one person, KSNW-TV reported.

Blizzard conditions in Western US BLIZZARD warnings went into effect Monday in the Sierra Nevada range as more rounds of rain and snow moved into California and Nevada.

An avalanche warning was issued

The northbound side of Interstate 5, the West Coast’s major north-south highway, was shut down by wintry conditions and disabled vehicles about 90 miles (145 km) south of the Oregon line. Interstate 80, the major route between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe and Reno was closed due to blizzard conditions.

Storms in Michigan and Northeast

A WINTER storm warning covered parts of the Northeast, including Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island, with heavy snow forecast through Tuesday afternoon.

Boston could get 5 inches (13 cm) and a messy Tuesday morning commute, according to the weather service. As much as 10 inches (25 cm) could fall in western Massachusetts, northwest Connecticut and southern Vermont.

In Michigan, still reeling from last week’s ice storm and high winds, about 150,000 customers were without power Monday night, according to PowerOutage.us. That was down from more than 800,000 at one point last week. Crews continued their work to restore all electricity.

Leah Thomas, whose home north of Detroit lost power Wednesday night, finally got her power back Sunday afternoon—only to have it go out again at midday Monday.

“It’s very frustrating, very frustrating,” she said. “I’m just going to hope and cross my fingers that it comes back on here soon.”

While not expecting a blockbuster storm by regional standards, southern New England braced for what could be the most significant snowfall of what has so far been a mild winter. Antczak reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers from across the country contributed to this report

IN

the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party at its headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Monday, February 27, 2023. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS

Let Pinoys try rice-corn blend

The latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations revealed that international rice prices opened the year on a firm note. The FAO All Rice Price Index averaged 126.4 points in January, up 6.2 percent from December and its highest level since November 2011. FAO noted that the increase was driven by Indica rice, aromatic prices as well as the demand created by the Lunar New Year celebrations.

FAO said Asian quotations of Indica rice firmed across all the major origins in January. It observed that the most pronounced gains took place in Thailand, where the baht strengthened to a 10-month high. Currency appreciations against the US dollar also caused prices to rise in Brazil and the Philippines’s major sources of imported rice—Vietnam and India.

Tight supplies of wheat caused by the conflict in Eastern Europe created a strong demand for rice in other parts of the world, including Pakistan where consumers shifted to the staple due to higher wheat flour prices. Data from FAO indicated that the average quotation for Vietnam’s 5 percent brokens reached $449.3 per metric ton in January, nearly 18 percent higher than the $382 per MT recorded a year ago. The average quotation for India’s 5 percent brokens was also up by 20.6 percent to $418.80 per MT in January from $355.50 per MT a year ago.

One of the major factors that contributed to the spike in rice prices was the cost of fertilizer, which became more expensive as the conflict in Eastern Europe dragged on. While prices of certain fertilizer grades in the international market have gone down in recent months, the ongoing war in the European region would continue to pose a threat to commodity prices and weigh on sentiment. Apart from expensive inputs, shrinking water supplies would make rice production more challenging in the years to come.

It is for these reasons that the Philippines needs to carefully consider its options, particularly when it comes to rice consumption and its reliance on imports to plug the annual gap in production. While importation is now a staple in the price-stabilizing toolkits of our policymakers, it would do well for them to look beyond this measure and promote other initiatives that will allow the country to finally become “self-sufficient” in rice. One such initiative is the promotion of the rice-corn (RiCo) blend proposed by a team of experts from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

RiCo is a mixture of rice and grits at a ratio of 70:30. The UPLB team is advocating the use of the IPB Quality Protein Maize Variety, which is high in lysine and tryptophan and is more nutritious than regular white corn. Lysine is an essential amino acid that boosts metabolic functions of the body, while tryptophan helps in the production of serotonin that improves appetite, weight loss, and mood.

Apart from being nutritious, RiCo is cheaper than most rice varieties at P38 per kilogram, according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute. Government support for its production and distribution could further cut retail prices and eventually allow the Philippines to eliminate the shortfall in domestic rice output.

‘Right is might’

Ambassador Albert del Rosario

By

COMPAR eD to his predecessor’s shameless policy of appeasement towards China in exchange for monetary benefits, we believe that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is taking proper steps in defending the rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

In particular, we welcome that President Marcos Jr.’s administration is allowing joint patrols with likeminded nations in the West Philippine Sea and establishing additional locations under the USPhilippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. If successfully done, these are steps that have the effect of deterring Chinese aggressions against the Philippines.

Having said this, defending the West Philippine Sea against Chinese aggression and upholding international law and the global commons in the South China Sea remain to be a formidable task and so much needs

to be done. President Marcos Jr. has a very challenging task ahead as China continues to press on its illegal ninedash line claim despite the 2016 Arbitral Award, while bullying Filipino fishermen, coast guard and navy personnel in our own waters, as well as our neighbors in the South China Sea. While the US is pursuing its Indo Pacific strategy, all nations of the world, including the US and the Philippines, have an important stake in preserving the rules-based international order against the unlawful policies of aggression being pursued by the leaders of China and Russia. Dismantling the rules-based

While the US is pursuing its Indo Pacific strategy, all nations of the world, including the US and the Philippines, have an important stake in preserving the rulesbased international order against the unlawful policies of aggression being pursued by the leaders of China and Russia. Dismantling the rules-based international order would be catastrophic for humanity as the world would revert to a pre-World War II order where disputes were settled by force and where countless lives were meaninglessly lost through wars and invasions.

international order would be catastrophic for humanity as the world would revert to a pre-World War II order where disputes were settled by

force and where countless lives were meaninglessly lost through wars and invasions.

We should not forget the lesson of the past world wars that a policy of appeasement towards aggressors resulted in disasters. Given what is at stake, we should no longer think twice at firmly pushing back against aggression, like what is being displayed by China and Russia.

We fully encourage President Marcos, Jr., as well as the leaders of the international community, to uphold the Rule of Law, where sovereign equality of states is observed in the sense that small nations like the Philippines are protected in their rights against the aggressions of bigger nations. Where Right is Might remains the global norm, not Might is Right.

Ambassador Albert del Rosario is the chairman of Stratbase ADR Institute. He is a former Philippine Ambassador to the US, and former secretary of Foreign Affairs.

UK, EU hail ‘new chapter’ with deal to fix Brexit trade spat

By Jill Lawless | The Associated Press

LONDON—The UK and the european Union sealed a deal on Monday to resolve their thorny post-Brexit trade dispute over Northern Ireland, hailing the agreement as the start of a “new chapter” in their often-fractious relationship.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the grandly titled “Windsor Framework” after agreeing to the final details in Windsor, near London.

Von der Leyen told a news conference it was “historic what we have achieved today.” Sunak said there had been a “decisive breakthrough.”

The agreement, which will allow goods to flow freely to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, ends a dispute that has soured UK-EU relations, sparked the collapse of the Belfast-based regional government and shaken Northern Ireland’s decades-old peace process.

Fixing it ends a long-running irritant for von der Leyen and is a big victory for Sunak—but not the end of his troubles. Selling the deal to his own Conservative Party and its Northern Irish allies may be a tougher struggle. Now Sunak awaits the judgment of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, which is boycotting the region’s powersharing government until the trade arrangements are changed to its satisfaction.

Sunak is due to make a statement to the House of Commons later setting out details of the deal.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a border with an EU member, the Republic of Ireland. When the UK left the bloc in 2020, the two sides agreed to keep the Irish border free of customs posts and other checks because an open border is a key pillar of Northern

Ireland’s peace process.

Instead, there are checks on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. That angered British unionist politicians in Belfast, who say the new trade border in the Irish Sea undermines Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.

The Democratic Unionist Party collapsed Northern Ireland’s Protestant-Catholic power-sharing government a year ago in protest and has refused to return until the rules are scrapped or substantially rewritten.

The party’s leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, said there had been “significant progress” but “key issues of concern” remained. He said the party would study the details before responding.

The devil, as ever, will be in those details, and the two sides emphasized different elements of the deal.

Sunak said the new rules “removed any sense of a border in the Irish Sea” by eliminating checks and paperwork for the vast majority of goods entering Northern Ireland. Only those destined to travel onward to EU member Ireland will be checked.

He said Northern Ireland’s lawmakers would be able to block any changes to EU goods laws that applied to them by using an emergency mechanism labeled the “Stormont Brake” after the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

“Today’s agreement delivers smooth-flowing trade within the whole United Kingdom, protects

Sunak said the new rules “removed any sense of a border in the Irish Sea” by eliminating checks and paperwork for the vast majority of goods entering Northern Ireland. Only those destined to travel onward to EU member Ireland will be checked.

Northern Ireland’s place in our union and safeguards sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland,” Sunak said.

Von der Leyen stressed that the EU’s borderless single market would be protected by safeguards including “IT access, labels and enforcement procedures” and said the European Court of Justice would remain “the sole and ultimate arbiter of EU law.”

The role of the European court in resolving any disputes that arise over the rules has been the thorniest issue in the talks. The UK and the EU agreed in their Brexit divorce deal to give the European court that authority. But the DUP and Conservative Party euroskeptics insist the court must have no jurisdiction in U.K. matters.

The British pound rose against the dollar after the deal was announced, and business groups welcomed the agreement. Tony Danker, who heads the Confederation of British Industry, said it would “allow businesses and politicians to turn their attention to economic growth and delivering greater prosperity.”

Sunak will have to face down his Conservative critics—including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who as leader at the time signed off on the trade rules that he now derides. Johnson was ousted by the Conservatives last year over ethics scandals, but is widely believed to

hope for a comeback.

In a boost for Sunak’s chances of winning Conservative support, lawmaker Steve Baker—a self-styled “Brexit hardman” who helped topple Prime Minister Theresa May by opposing her Brexit deal in 2019—said he was “delighted” with the agreement.

Sunak said lawmakers in Parliament would get a vote on the deal “at the appropriate time,” but not right away.

Even if Sunak faces a rocky road at home, the deal likely marks a dramatic improvement in relations with the EU. They were severely tested during the long Brexit divorce and chilled still further amid disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Under Johnson, the UK government introduced a bill that would let it unilaterally rip up parts of the Brexit agreement, a move the EU called illegal. Sunak’s government said the bill would now be dropped.

Von der Leyen said the deal was “good news for scientists and researchers” because it would allow the UK to be readmitted to the bloc’s Horizon science program. The EU had been blocking that until the trade dispute was fixed, to the chagrin of British scientists.

After sealing the deal, Von der Leyen had tea with King Charles III at Windsor Castle, 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of London. Buckingham Palace said the meeting was taking place on the government’s advice, leading critics to accuse Sunak of dragging the monarch, who is supposed to remain neutral, into a political row.

Sunak’s spokesman, Max Blain, said the government “would never” embroil the king in politics. associated Press writer raf Casert in brussels contributed.

Ambassador

Mexican president disparages pro-democracy demonstrators

By Fabiola Sanchez | The Associated Press

MEXICO CITY—Mexico’s president lashed out Monday against demonstrators opposed to his plan to cut election funding, belittling their concerns about threats to democracy and dashing any hopes that he would try to ease rising political tensions.

President Andrés Manuel López

Obrador seemed to revel in the conflict, hurling insults at the tens of thousands of people who demonstrated over the weekend in Mexico City’s main plaza, calling them thieves and allies of drug traffickers.

“There was an increase in the number of pick pockets stealing wallets here in the Zocalo, but what do you want, with so many white-collar criminals in one place?” López Obrador said at his daily morning press briefing.

At the root of the conflict are plans by López Obrador, which were approved last week by Mexico’s Senate, to cut salaries and funding for local election offices, and scale back training for citizens who operate and oversee polling stations. The changes would also reduce sanctions for candidates who fail to report campaign spending.

López Obrador denies the reforms are a threat to democracy and says criticism is elitist. He argues that the funds should be redirected to helping the poor.

Riffing on the protesters’ slogan “Don’t touch the INE (National Electoral Institute),” López Obrador said their slogans were “Don’t touch corruption,” “Don’t touch privileges,” “Don’t touch the Narco Government.”

“They don’t care about democracy, what they want is to continue with the oligarchy, the rule of the rich,” the president said.

Demonstrators say the electoral law changes approved last week threaten democracy and could mark a return to past practices of vote manipulation. Few at Sunday’s demonstration had any kind words for López Obrador, either.

“The path he is taking is toward socialism, communism,” said Fernando Gutierrez, 55, a small businessman. “That’s obvious, from the aid going to Cuba,” Gutierrez said. López Obrador has imported coronavirus vaccines, medical workers and stone railway ballast from Cuba, but has shown little taste for socialist policies at home.

Sunday’s demonstrators were clad mostly in white and pink—the color of the National Electoral Institute—and shouted slogans like “Don’t Touch my Vote!” Like a similar but somewhat larger protest on Nov. 13, the demonstrators appeared somewhat more affluent than those at the average demonstration.

The heated nature of the debate drew attention from the US government.

“Today, in Mexico, we see a great debate on electoral reforms that are testing the independence of electoral and judicial institutions,” Brian A. Nichols, the US assistant secretary of state for Western hemisphere affairs, wrote in his Twitter account. “The United States supports independent, wellresourced electoral institutions that strengthen democratic processes and the rule of law.”

López Obrador said last Thursday that he’ll sign the changes into law,

López Obrador said last Thursday that he’ll sign the changes into law, even though he expects court challenges. Many at Sunday’s protest expressed hope that Mexico’s Supreme Court would overturn some of the changes.

even though he expects court challenges. Many at Sunday’s protest expressed hope that Mexico’s Supreme Court would overturn some of the changes.

Lorenzo Cordova, the head of the National Electoral Institute, has said the reforms “seek to cut thousands of people who work every day to guarantee trustworthy elections, something that will of course pose a risk for future elections.”

The president has pushed back against the judiciary, as well as regulatory and oversight agencies, raising fears among some that he is seeking to reinstitute the practices of the old PRI party, which bent the rules to retain Mexico’s presidency for 70 years until its defeat in the 2000 elections.

Tyler Mattiace, who researches the Americas for Human Rights Watch, said it was “disappointing” that López Obrador decided to make major changes at the one part of Mexican democracy that is clearly working. Vote counts have become much more reliable since the national electoral institute was founded in the 1990s, and the agency certified López Obrador’s own victory in 2018 elections. “It is worrisome that all this comes just before the 2024 elections, in a context in which the president has shown very little tolerance for those who don’t agree with him,” said Mattiace.

Elections in Mexico are expensive by international standards, in part because almost all legal campaign financing is, by law, supplied by the government. The electoral institute also issues the secure voter ID cards that are the most commonly accepted form of identification in Mexico, and oversees balloting in the remote and often dangerous corners of the country.

López Obrador remains highly popular in Mexico, with approval ratings of around 60%. While he cannot run for reelection, his Morena party is favored in next year’s national elections and the opposition is in disarray.

Part of his popular appeal comes from railing against high-paid government bureaucrats, and he has been angered by the fact that some top electoral officials are paid more than the president. But López Obrador has also openly criticized oversight and regulatory agencies, the courts and congress.

The opposition, tarnished by corruption scandals, has struggled to compete with the president’s popular spending and handout programs.

Rubén Salazar, the director of the Etellekt Consultores firm, said there is “a lack of leadership in the opposition to mount a defense of all these institutions like the INE and the Supreme Court.”

Macron: ‘New era’ in economic, military strategy in Africa

By Sylvie Corbet | The Associated Press

“committing violence against (local) populations” including rapes.

already faces questions.

number

partnership”

of

French

troops in Africa under a “new security

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to reduce the

with the concerned nations and to roll out more

economic policies, in a bid to boost France’s waning influence in the continent.

ambitious

Macron called for opening a “new era” in a speech at the Elysee presidential palace, ahead of an ambitious trip on Wednesday to Gabon, Angola, the Republic of Congo and Congo.

He said France must move away from interfering in parts of Africa that it once ruled as a colonial power, saying the continent is no longer its “back yard.”

“There’s another path,” he said: “Addressing African countries as partners with whom we share interests and balanced, reciprocal, accountable responsibilities.”

He promised a “new security partnership” with reduced numbers of French troops on the continent.

Macron said French military bases won’t be closed, but will be transformed based on needs expressed by African partners.

“Our model must not be anymore military bases like those we have now,” he said. “Tomorrow, our (military) presence will go through bases, schools, academies, which will be jointly managed” by French and African staff.

“And I say it very clearly: France’s

role is not to fix all problems in Africa,” he added.

Monday’s speech came at a time when France’s influence on the continent is facing its biggest challenges in decades. Growing anti-French sentiment has led to street protests in several West and North African countries.

In addition, historical economic ties that France had with the region are under pressure from the growing commercial presence of Russia, China and Turkey.

Macron acknowledged that Africa now is a “field of competition” and urged French businesses to “wake up” and get involved in the fight.

In the past year, French troops had to withdraw from Mali, which turned instead to private Russian military contractors of the Wagner group, and most recently from Burkina Faso, which also appears to increasingly look towards Moscow.

Macron denounced Wagner as “criminal mercenaries” whose role is to “protect faltering and putschist regimes.” He accused them of “predating” on natural resources and

Last year, Macron announced the formal end of the so-called Barkhane military force after France withdrew its troops from Mali. French operations to help fight Islamic extremists in the Sahel region are now focusing mostly on Niger and Chad, where the country still has about 3,000 troops.

In Burkina Faso, Boubacari Dicko, the emir—or traditional chief—of the northern city of Djibo near the Malian border, said a renewed relationship between France and African countries could be based on a win-win partnership.

“Change is good” and “necessary” because French policies in recent years have been criticized for failing to restore security in the region, he said, adding: “The French army was here, but that didn’t prevent the jihadists from entering the country and expanding in the country every day.”

Macron, 45, is the first French president born after the end of colonial era. He has previously sought to extend France’s cooperation with English-speaking countries, such as Ghana and Kenya, and increase French investments in Africa’s private sector.

During this week’s tour, he will also visit Portuguese-speaking Angola, with an aim to develop links especially in agriculture and food industry, and energy, including oil and gas.

Yet Macron’s trip to central Africa

Some opposition activists in Gabon have denounced his visit, which they perceive as offering support to President Ali Bongo Ondimba — whose family has ruled since the 1960s — ahead of a presidential election later this year.

Similar questions have been raised in Congo, which faces a December presidential election. Macron’s office said all French officials will remain neutral regarding these elections.

The Elysee stressed that Macron is traveling to Gabon mainly to attend a major climate-related summit on the preservation of forests. He will also seek to show France’s commitment to improving economic and cultural relations with two French-speaking countries—neighbors Republic of Congo and Congo— through talks with authorities as well as with ordinary citizens, entrepreneurs, artists and activists, according to the Elysee.

Macron denounced Monday the offensive in east Congo by the M23 rebel group linked with neighboring Rwanda as an “unacceptable regression.” Fighting intensified in recent days, with “terrible consequences” for the population, Macron said. “The unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Congo cannot be called into question,” he said. AP Writer Sam Mednick in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, contributed to this story.

UN raises $1.2 billion for Yemen, far below its 2023 target

By Samy Magdy | The Associated Press

CAIRO—Global donors on Monday pledged about $1.2 billion at a conference aimed at generating funds to help millions of people in Yemen suffering from the fallout of an eight-year civil war, a UN official said. The amount is far below a target of $4.3 billion set by the United Nations to stave off one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

More than 21 million people in Yemen, or two-thirds of the country’s population, need help and protection, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, which says the humanitarian needs in Yemen are “shocking.” Among those in need, more than 17 million are considered particularly vulnerable.

“The people of Yemen deserve our support. But more than that, they deserve a credible path out of perpetual conflict and a chance to rebuild their communities and country,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing the donors.

Martin Griffiths, OCHA’s head, said they received 31 pledges at Monday’s conference, totaling about $1.2 billion. He said the UN hopes to collect more funds throughout the year to help cover its needs.

Charities working in Yemen slammed the shortfall in global pledges, despite appeals from humanitarian officials.

“The international community today showed it has abandoned Yemen at this crucial crossroads,” said Erin Hutchinson, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Yemen Country Director. “This is woefully inadequate and gives the signal that some humans are less valuable than others.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross said, “Funding shortages risk turbo-charging Yemen’s humanitarian woes from bad to worse.”

The high-level gathering was co-

hosted by Sweden, Switzerland, and the UN in the organization’s Palais des Nations in Geneva. It was attended by officials from across the world. Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell called the conference a “good start.”

“But with 21 million Yemenis in need of assistance, clearly more funding will be needed throughout the year,” he said.

Addressing the conference virtually, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US will provide more than $444 million in humanit arian assistance to Yemen in 2023. He called on donors to step up their contributions to meet the humanitarian demands in Yemen, pointing to last year’s funding shortages that forced UN agencies to scale down operations including food rations for thousands of families.

“The scale of the challenge we face is daunting. But I urge everyone to keep our focus on the people we seek to help,” he told the conference.

Blinken also called for an end to restrictions on humanitarian workers and operations, especially in Houthi-controlled areas where the rebels restrict the movements of female aid workers by forcing them to be accompanied by male guardians.

Such U.N. appeals are rarely fully funded. OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke said last year’s appeal for Yemen—also some $4.3 billion— ended 2022 at just over half-funded, which is roughly on par with the

percentage garnered in such appeals for “protracted” crises in places like Yemen, Syria, Congo, or Ethiopia.

Laerke said meeting about onefourth of the appeal was “a good, decent outcome of a pledging event” like Monday’s. Others known as “flash” appeals tend to get more because they’re often launched directly after an emergency, like after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria, he said.

The conference came as the global economy remains rattled by the yearlong Russian invasion of Ukraine. Inflation rates have surged over the past year across the world, forcing many governments to focus on elevating the needs of their own people.

Yemen’s conflict started in 2014, when the Iran-backed rebel Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country’s north. A Saudi-led coalition intervened months later, in early 2015, to try and dislodge the rebels and restore the internationally recognized government to power.

The conflict has in recent years become a regional proxy war that has killed more than 150,000 people, including over 14,500 civilians. The war has also created a horrendous humanitarian crisis, leaving millions suffering from food and medical care shortages and pushing the country to the brink of famine.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, that are part of the conflict, did not announce pledges at Monday’s conference. Only Kuwait among the wealthy Gulf nations pledged $5 million for Yemen, according to a list of pledges circulated by the UN.

The conference is taking place as the warring sides continue to observe an informal and fragile cease-fire. Efforts are underway to declare a new truce after the parties failed to renew a UN-brokered truce in October.

“We have a real opportunity this

China purging ‘Western erroneous views’ from legal education

BEIJING—China has ordered closer adherence to the dictates of the ruling Communist Party and leader Xi Jinping in legal education, demanding that schools “oppose and resist Western erroneous views” such as constitutional government, separation of powers, and judicial independence.

The order was dated Sunday, a week before China’s ceremonial parliament begins its annual session and reinforces the leading role on ideol-

ogy assumed by Xi, who is named no less than 25 times in the document.

Already China’s most powerful leader in decades, Xi was granted a third five-year term as party leader last year and has removed term limits on the presidency, effectively allowing him to rule for life. Similar directives have been issued in past, with students encouraged to report on professors who speak positively about Western concepts of governance.

Despite the intertwining of the Chinese and global economies, Xi has sought to purge liberal Western concepts from the education system, ordered that foreign religions be “sinicized” in order to operate in China. He has also attempted, with limited success, to reorganize popular culture along more conservative lines, going so far as to ban “effeminate” men from the state broadcaster.

The legal profession has been a

particular target, and in the early hours of July 9, 2015, three years into Xi’s first term as party general secretary, a series of raids nationwide resulted in the detention of some 300 human rights lawyers and associated activists. Under such relentless pressure, activist lawyers have been intimidated into silence, effectively preventing the emergence of dissenting voices and public intellectuals independent of the party. Such approaches are in line with

Xi’s more muscular foreign policy that seeks to challenge and possibly supplant the American-led international order that advocates for multiparty democracy, civil society and human rights.

The directive from the party’s General Office said teachers and students of law and legal theory workers must be guided to have a “clear-cut position and take a firm stance in the face of issues of principle and major issues of right and wrong.” The

year to change Yemen’s trajectory and move towards peace, by renewing and expanding the truce,” Guterres, the UN chief, said.

The truce, which took effect in April, brought some relief for Yemenis, especially in Houthi-held areas. It enabled commercial traffic to resume at Sanaa’s airport and the seaport of Hodeida.

However, partly because of the territorial division—with roughly half of Yemen under Houthi control and the other half under government control—the country is haunted by an economic crisis. There is dual system of currency, dual exchange rates, restrictions on imports and double taxation on goods, according to the UN Panel of Experts investigating Yemen’s conflict. Annual inflation reached 45 percent, and food prices surged 58 percent, according to the panel’s report. There have also been Houthi attacks on oil facilities in governmentheld areas, resulting in the disruption of oil export, which is a major source of funds for the government. The war has decimated the country’s civilian infrastructure including its health care system. Hospitals and medical facilities have repeatedly been attacked.

“Yemen requires urgent and robust support from international donors and other partners to effectively avert the potential collapse of its health system,” said Adham Ismail, the World Health Organization’s representative in Yemen.

Climate change has added to the suffering. Yemen, located at the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, is “at the forefront” of a global climate crisis, as natural disasters, including floods and arid weather, threaten lives, the UN has said. Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

General Office circulates information within the 96 million-member party, including drafting directives and memos.

In a section titled “Adhere to the Correct Political Direction,” the directive says teachers and students must “comprehensively implement the party’s education policy, insist on educating people for the party and the country, and focus on cultivating builders and successors of the cause of socialist rule of law.”

‘A third of PHL workers hold poor jobs that pay so little’

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

tion is job growth. It’s increasing job opportunities, the quality of jobs, and workers seeing regular increases in their real wages over time,” Diop said.

clude neighborhood parlors and barber shops, laundry services, funeral services, household repair services, and computer and mobile phone repair services, among others.

I n a forum on Tuesday, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand Ndiamé Diop said it is crucial to help these workers. They may not be considered technically poor but they are also not “safely and securely in the middle class.”

A s such, Diop said, they can easily fall into poverty anytime or when there is high inflation caused by expensive food items. Food alone accounts for 34.78 percent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all households.

They are definitely not safely and securely in the middle class. So finding ways to really help this upward mobility in their income and the type of job that they have is absolutely critical,” Diop said.

D iop said helping these workers

obtain new skills through reskilling, or improving their existing skillsets through upskilling, would help address part of the problem.

W hile the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as well as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) have programs to address this, Diop said these are not enough.

He pitched measures to include not just investments in agriculture but also creating a good framework for investments in manufacturing and key services, which will improve doing business in the country. If doing business improves, more Filipinos can get well-paying jobs that they can rely on to support themselves and their families.

The first driver of poverty (and income) inequality reduc -

Trickle down BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Senior Assistant Governor Iluminada T. Sicat said based on the models of the central bank, the growth of the Philippine economy has improved and this improvement is going to help in creating jobs for millions.

“ Hopefully, this would trickle down to people getting a more quality type of work, that would be able to improve their ability to cope with the crisis,” Sicat said.

I n an earlier presentation at the ADR Stratbase Economic Outlook for 2023 virtual forum, Ateneo de Manila University Department of Economics Chairperson Alvin P. Ang said community stores have seen an increase in demand for workers.

He said communities nationwide are the ones creating new job opportunities for Filipinos after the pandemic, but the wages and salaries they offer may not be enough for their daily needs.

T hese community services in -

C iting data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Ang said these establishments created some 148,000 jobs between December 2021 and March 2022; and another 148,000 jobs in March to June 2022.

More than half or 59.3 percent of these jobs are composed of personal services for wellness, except sports activities; 18.6 percent, laundry services; 9.5 percent, funeral and related services; and 9.4 percent, repair of personal and household goods, among others.

I t is possible, Ang told BusinessMirror after the forum, that while these jobs provide salaries to workers consistently, the rates may be below minimum wage. This further limits their financial capability to cope with rising prices.

T hese kinds of jobs are also the main cause of traffic since these workers need to move from their homes to their places of work. These are the jobs that cannot be done from home, he added.

ADB EYES $3.5-B

ANNUAL AID TO PHL FROM ‘24-‘29

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates that it will be extending about $3.5 billion worth of assistance to the Philippines annually between 2024 and 2029.

I n a presentation in a forum on Tuesday, ADB Philippine Country Office Director Kelly Bird said the annual assistance will be aligned with the President’s Eight-Point Agenda and the recently released Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

I n December, the ADB disclosed that it intends to extend an indicative amount of $4.3 billion annually between 2023 and 2025. The new amount, however, covers a longer timeline for the upcoming Country Partnership Strategy (CPS).

“ We will be looking at areas to work with the Philippines on biodiversity protection as a way to support climate mitigation (as well as) continuing our investments in mass public transportation, bridges and road networks. (We will also be) focusing again on investing in education skills, employment, social protection and health care,” Bird said.

Our strategy will always have those mainstreaming features, which means that all of our programs and projects need

DA scraps NTM for onion, easing imports

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Philippines loosened its onion import rules after the agriculture department scrapped a non-tariff measure imposed by its previous administration aimed at managing the entry of the commodity.

T he Department of Agriculture (DA) decided to revoke its previous circular that ordered the implementation of additional guidelines on the importation of fresh onions that were meant to manage the entry of the commodities to protect local farmers.

S enior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban issued Department Circular (DC) 3 series of 2023 that revoked the DC 8 series of 2021 issued by former agriculture chief William D. Dar.

In the interest of service, Department Circular No. 8 series of 2021 entitled ‘Additional Guidelines on the Importation of Fresh Onions’ is hereby revoked,” Panganiban said in DC 3, which he issued recently.

D C 8 issued by Dar implemented additional non-tariff measures on onion imports, particularly the requirement for the issuance of certificate of necessity (CNI) prior to any approved onion import programs.

D C 8, as it stipulated, was meant to “address the concerns” of the local onion industry by “managing” the entry of imported stocks.

C NI is a non-tariff measure issued by an agriculture chief to certify the need for importation, which is usually based on deemed shortage on a given commodity.

T his means that the importation of a concerned commodity is not allowed unless the agriculture chief issues a CNI for it. The CNI is responsible for specifying for the volume to be imported in a given period of time.

B efore the issuance of DC 8, onions did not have a requirement of CNI. In fact, the imposition of a CNI requirement on onion imports drew the ire of the United States, which lamented that it restricts food trade between the Philippines and its trade partners. (Related

to be taken into account and that of course will be climate adaptation, gender and LGBT equality and private sector led growth,” he added.

Efforts in infrastructure of the ADB, Bird said, will focus on decongesting Metro Manila in the next 20 to 30 years.

T he Manila-based multilateral development bank will finance infrastructure projects that will allow populations to move north or south of the megacity.

B ird said they are working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to create efficient public mass transport systems that reduce travel time and carbon dioxide emissions.

S ome of the projects that have been approved by the ADB include the South commuter railway project which is cofinanced with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

T he project, Bird said, will be undertaken together with the Malolos-Clark railway project that will ensure a seamless link from Clark International Airport to Calamba, Laguna.

Continued on A3

story: https://businessmirror com.ph/2022/09/29/us-prodsphl-on-restrictive-agri-tradepolicies/)

Washington asked the Philippines in a World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Agriculture (COA ) meeting how the CNI requirement on onions differs from a quantitative restriction scheme.

Please explain how restricting the volume of imports over a given period via the CNI requirement prior to the issuance of SPSIC (sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance) is different from a quantitative restriction, and explain the phytosanitary justification for implementing the CNI,” the United States said.

In fact, in December last year, the Philippines told the WTO COA that the Marcos administration is keen on reviewing the country’s food trade measures, particularly rules on onion importation, that are allegedly being used by the government to “unduly” restrict agricultural exports to the country. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/12/07/ phl-tells-wto-will-review-food-importation-policies/)

I n its official communication, the Philippines explained that the new agriculture department leadership may review the country’s existing SPSIC rules on food imports.

It was the Philippines’s response to the series of questions fielded by the United States at the WTO regarding the former’s alleged practice of using the SPSIC system to “restrict flow of trade.”

Washington has long expressed concern over Manila’s SPSIC system, which it argued has been limiting the entry of foreign agricultural products to the Philippines.

As a new administration has taken over the leadership of the Department of Agriculture, the Capital authorities could possibly review this measure,” the Philippines told the WTO Committee on Agriculture.

“ We will inform the Committee of developments on this regard,” it added. President Marcos Jr. concurrently sits as the country’s agriculture secretary.

Smart turns over docs sought by Mkti LGU

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

EXECUTIVES of Smart Communications Inc. on Tuesday submitted various documents to the Office of City Treasurer of Makati, including the breakdown of revenue sources nationwide, in compliance with an earlier city government order and several court rulings.

T he documents were received by City Treasurer Jesusa Cuneta and Atty. Michael Camiña, city legal officer and spokesman.

On Monday, the Makati city government issued a closure order against Smart for its failure to settle over P 3.2 billion covering the period of January 2012 to December 2015 and for operating without a business permit since 2019. I n an order of desistance/closure dated February 23, 2023, the City said Smart’s headquarters, located at 6799 Ayala Ave. in Brgy. San Lorenzo, violated Section 4A.01 of the Revised Makati Revenue Code or City Ordinance No. 2004-A-025.

“You are hereby commanded to cease and desist from further operating your business establishment until such time compliance with the said ordinance is made,” read the order, which was implemented on Monday (February 27).

To date, Smart has failed to settle or obtain any relief from the courts over its franchise tax deficiency worth over P 3.2 billion.

“

When businesses in Makati choose to operate without a valid business permit, they are essentially operating outside the law. This is unacceptable, and I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior, whether you are a big or small company,” Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said.

T he case stemmed from an examination launched by the Office of the City Treasurer in 2016, which concluded that Smart Communications Inc. owed the city government over P3.2 billion in franchise tax over the four-year period.

C erteza said the city had requested Smart to submit a breakdown of revenues and business taxes paid in all branches nationwide, but the telecommunications giant did not present the documents.

ATHIRD of the labor force are in low-skill and lowpaying jobs that make them vulnerable to falling into poverty, according to the World Bank.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

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Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Meralco, Aboitiz unit in talks to extend power supply deal

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

GnPD and WEsM since there were no other suppliers willing to supply to Meralco for that period. Before we signed the EPsa extension with GnPD, our forecast of WEsM price is higher than GnPD’s offered tariff… The rate of P8.50/kwh is just an indicative rate of GnPD considering fuel is full pass thru.

Semirara income hits fresh record

Charlene Hernandez-a zura said in an 8-page order promulgated last ja nuary 25.

When asked if Meralco has commenced negotiations with sPPC following the issuance of the WPi, Valles said “a letter to negotiate for lower sPPC rate as directed by the C a was already sent to sPPC.

“We have also requested GnPD for an extension for another one month and we’re trying to negotiate a lower tariff that’s equivalent to 300megawatts (MW),” said Meralco First Vice President jose Ronald Valles. it can be recalled that Meralco signed a 300-MW baseload EPsa with GnPD to partially replace the 670MW power supply agreement (Psa) with sa n Miguel Corp.’s south Premiere Power Corp. (sPPC). The EPsa took effect on December 15, 2022 and ended on ja nuary 25.

The EPsa , which has a rate of P5.96 per kWh, reduced Meralco’s exposure to the Wholesale Electricity

spot Market (WEsM) and, in turn, partly shielded its customers from volatile and potentially higher generation costs.

The EPsa was extended for another 30 days, from ja nuary 26 to February 25. However, the rate for the second round of EPsa was much higher at P8.522 per kWh.

When asked why Meralco agreed to a much higher rate, Valles said sPPC has no rate offer yet at that time and that the negotiations for an EPsa extension took place before the grant of the Writ of Preliminary injunction (WPi) sought by sPPC.

“Our comparison is between

The actual rate implemented may be different depending on their actual fuel costs and foreign exchange in February supply month. Of course, actual WE sM price may change depending also on demand and availability of supply. What we did was to contract 300MW of Gn PD at a rate we assumed was going to be lower than WE sM price to protect our customers against price volatility in WE sM . That rate is still subject to ERC approval,” he said.

The grant of WPi suspended the continued implementation of the Meralco- sPPC Psa but does not terminate it. This is to allow the parties to negotiate the terms of the Psa T he Court of appeals directed the parties “to enter into good faith negotiations,” a ssociate justice Mary

“We are in discussion with s P PC. We are sending them a letter today in compliance with the directive of Court of a p peals for us to enter into good faith negotiations to try to settle the active case,” Valles said. Valles said the EPsa extension and ongoing competitive selection process (CsP) for 180 MW baseload supply and 300 MW peaking supply are all meant to cover the expected increase in demand as the economy recovers from the pandemic.

so far, we are on track on the C sP That’s for the 180MW of baseload, and we have the 300MW of peaking. a nd we have also requested GnPD for an extension of another one month of their offer.”

The CsPs for both supply requirements are still ongoing.

Manila Water earnings jump 61%

By VG Cabuag @villygc

Manila Water Co. inc. on Tuesday said its earnings rose 61 percent last year to P5.92 billion from the previous year’s P3.67 billion on rising consumer demand.

Revenues rose 11 percent to P22.79 billion from the previous year’s P20.53 billion, supported by the recovery of the East Zone’s commercial and industrial accounts, as well as by the 30 percent increase in revenues from Manila Water’s non-

East Zone-Philippines businesses.

“Customer demand showed notable recovery with the improved mobility and resumption of economic activities in its service areas. This was shown by the resurgence of its non-residential segments in the East Zone and performance from several of the domestic non-East Zone businesses,” the company said.

Meanwhile, the increase in costs and expenses outpaced revenues with the onset of new, recurring costs.

Despite these challenges, the company said it pushed forward

with its capital expenditure (capex) projects to ensure prudent compliance with regulatory and service commitments, with group capex increasing 36 percent to P22.4 billion for the year.

Cconsolidated cost of services and expenses went up by 17 percent to P10.8 billion with higher costs in nearly all categories. Fixed costs rose 8 percent, driven primarily by repairs and maintenance costs as postponed activities were resumed.

a t Manila Water’s East Zone Concession, net income was up by 52 percent at P5.5 billion driven by

higher revenues. Revenue recovery was mainly supported by the nonresidential segment and higher connection fees, as well as cross border charges.

Meanwhile, cost and expenses rose 17 percent for the year with the ramp up of repairs and maintenance, connection, and collection activities, coupled with operating enhancements to comply with new environmental standards. Other income amounting to P450 million was recognized with the reduction of provisions related to the Clean Water act case.

CO n sunji-l Mining and Power Corp. (sMPC) said its net income last year more than doubled to P39.9 billion, from the previous year’s alltime high of P16.2 billion.

Robust domestic coal shipments and higher spot electricity sales, along with elevated market prices accounted for the record-breaking results.

Domestic coal sales rose by 33 percent to 7.7 million metric tons (MMT) from 5.8 MMT while exports slumped by 24 percent to 7.1 MMT, from 9.4 MMT.

l a st year, we focused on the Philippine, south Korean and other a sean markets to lessen our dependency on China, which had been importing heavily discounted Russian coal,” said sMPC President and COO Maria Cristina C. Gotianun.

“Diversifying our market focus allowed us to get the best price for our inventory.”

average selling price ( a sP) of semirara coal spiked by 91 percent to a record P5,136 from P2,695 on the back of soaring index prices and higher-grade coal sold.

Meanwhile, combined spot electricity sales from sMPC subsidiaries sEM-Calaca Power Corp. (sCPC) and southwest lu zon Power Generation Corp. surged by 83 percent from 1,028 gigawatt hours (GWh) to 1,881 GWh. spot electricity a sP expanded by

35 percent from P5.51 per kilowatt hour (KWh) to P7.46/KWh because of thin supply-demand margins and higher fuel costs.

For the fourth quarter alone, s M PC recorded a 34-percent drop in consolidated net income to P3.9 billion from P5.9 billion mainly due to higher stripping costs, lower average foreign exchange rate and an income tax and related expense of P1 billion in relation to the deferral of the Molave mine income tax holiday for the year 2020. This move will effectively extend the company’s tax break until 2023.

Coal sales from October to December rose by 20 percent to 3 MMT from 2.5 MMT, largely driven by a 73-percent rebound in domestic shipments to 1.9 MMT from 1.1 MMT.

During the same period, the average selling price of semirara coal grew by 9 percent to P4,861 from P4,452 due to the combined effect of elevated market prices and the 242-percent increase in lower-grade coal sales to 736,674 metric tons (MT) from 212,431 MT.

The power segment reported a 38-percent decline in spot sales to 335 GWh from 538 GWh because of the 86-day maintenance outage of sCPC unit 1 and a 42-day unplanned outage of sCPC unit 2. spot electricity a sP expanded by 42 percent to P8.06/KWh from P5.69/KWh due to supply-demand imbalances and elevated fuel costs. Lenie Lectura

Knau F Gypsum Philippines

i n c., the leading manufacturer of gypsum board in the country, is asking the Tariff Commission (TC) to cut the tariffs on natural gypsum to zero.

Knauf Philippines Marketing Head

Charlene Bonalos said the tariff exemption would allow the company to reduce costs.

“in terms of our competitors, gypsum boards are priced the highest. We are the premium brand in the market. a l l other competitors are imported and they have the capacity to bring down their prices,” Bonalos said during a TC hearing on Tuesday.

“That is why we are seeking for a tariff exemption because that would bring our prices down at least we can continue to have better margins so that we can continue to support the company.” Knauf is the sole gypsum board manufacturer in the Philippines.

On February 15, the TC issued a notice of public hearing stating that it will conduct a public hearing on the petition filed by Knauf Gypsum Philippines, inc. to reduce the Most Favoured nation (MFn) tariff rate on natural gypsum, classified under a HT n 2022 subheading 2520.10.00 from 3 percent to 0 percent. Andrea E. San Juan

CO n G l O MER a T E s M i n vestments Corp. (sM iC ) has launched a tender offer for all of the shares that the public owns in its unit, ferry operator 2Go Group i nc. i n its disclosure, sM iC said it will conduct a tender offer for up to 378.81 million common shares constituting 15.39 percent of the issued and outstanding common capital stock of 2Go, subject to an independent third party fairness opinion.

The 15.39 percent is the free float level of 2Go at the Philippine stock Exchange. The bourse has maintained a 10 percent minimum free float for the rest of the firms that are already listed, but those that will conduct an initial public offering should have a minimum free float level of 20 percent.

i f 2Go’s free float went below the minimum, the P sE will have to delist the ferry operator.

sM iC has hired BPi Capital Corp. as the independent third-party valuation provider to render the fairness opinion. it also appointed BDO s e curities Corp. as tender offer agent.

“The tender offer price, timing, terms and conditions of the tender offer shall be determined and finalized upon receipt and acceptance by the sM iC board of directors of the fairness opinion report of BPi Capital,” the company said.

s h ares of 2Go closed on Tuesday at P9.10, up by almost 18 percent from its previous close.

2Go swung to profit last year on higher revenues. it s net income reached P312 million.

The company said its 2022 performance snapped two straight years of losses which reached P1.14 billion in 2021 and P1.84 billion in 2020.

The company said its group revenues last year reached P19.3 billion, some 25 percent higher than P15.4 billion recorded in 2021 as the company benefitted from the country’s economic reopening and the lifting of remaining movement restrictions.

“Our 2022 growth was the result of high demand for our services with the opening up of the economy while our increased profitability was also driven by the structural changes and financial discipline we have put in place. These changes are fully ingrained in all parts of the business and will benefit us in the long term. We are optimistic about ongoing momentum in 2023,” Frederic C. DyBuncio, 2Go president and CEO, said. a d ditionally, we continued to make bold investments as opportunities arose during the pandemic. Our aim remains to be the best-inclass logistics and transportation provider in the Philippines.” VG Cabuag

The Manila electric Co. (Meralco) and Aboitiz-led GNPower Dinginin Ltd. (GNPD) are negotiating for another 30-day extension of their emergency power supply agreement (ePSA).

Start-ups and SMEs feted for sustainability, eco preservation, livelihood development

One World Filter: Innovation for safer, healthier and affordable drinking water

By Rick Olivares

FOLLOWING the devastating ef-

fects of the Covid-19 virus, the world has placed a greater premium on health in many forms whether it be personal protection and hygiene to food safety.

Entrepreneur Dr. Alberto Fenix Jr., whose advocacy has long been in improving the general livelihood of Filipinos, would like to make a case for safer, healthier, and affordable drinking water with the One World Filter.

The One World Filter system is the first of its kind as it makes use of three filters in one OWF Filter Pack. Its revolutionary Nanotech fibers, an integral part of this filter system, ensures you and your family cleaner and safer drinking water.

The first, being the Sediment Prefilter, removes dirt, dust, and sediments.

The second is the Carbon Prefilter that removes dissolved organic material. And lastly, the Nanotech Filter that is scientifically proven to remove bacteria, viruses, parasites, protozoan oocysts as well as a broad range of pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, chlorine, chloramine, hydrogen sulfide, and asbestos. The nanotech filter is an electrokinetic filter, which captures particles (like virus) down to ~25 nanometers (0.025 micron). It does this by the nature of the positively charged catalytic carbon and nanofibers attracting the negatively charged contaminants such as bacteria and virus.

The One World Filter System can intercept microbiological contaminants such as viruses with just a gravity flow application making it affordable as compared to other water filter systems.

“Water is the most essential to life.

That is why I have always been on the lookout for doing business that is waterrelated,” said Dr. Fenix. Although this was a long-time ambition of his, it was only in 2019 that Dr. Fenix focused his attention to drinking water through his company, AiFEN True Water, Inc. Previously, he made use of expensive home water filters and had purified water gallons delivered to his home.

The question the businessman asked was, “How clean was the water he was drinking? This was the water I was using for cooking, brushing my teeth, and washing fruits, meat, and vegetables.”

When he learned of the results— and it wasn’t as wholly clean and safe as it was advertised—he decided to do something about it.

“Drinking water in itself had become a huge business. But the question that

FENIX

many people ask is, ‘How safe is the water that is delivered to your own homes?’” postulated Dr. Fenix.

After years of researching, Dr. Fenix came across the One World Filter System and was determined to bring it to the Philippines first. While the filtration system’s revolutionary filters—that are essentially fibers that were compressed into more portable yet effective sheets— were invented and manufactured in the USA, AiFEN True Water Inc. takes pride in the fact that the dispensers are manufactured in the Philippines.

“Aside from all the contaminants that it filters, the system preserves the natural minerals and salts without the use of any chemicals,” explained Dr. Fenix.

“Essentially, the filters cleanse, refine, and purify the water. Furthermore, it is very inexpensive because you do not need any electricity.”

One filter pack is rated to produce some 580 liters of safe drinking water that is good for at least 32 days. Each refill filter pack is sold at a Suggested Retail Price of P200 each. Very inexpensive as compared to purified water deliveries that will cost at the very least P600 a month.

“That is more than the 540 liters of water that is the recommended consumption for a family of six,” underscored Fenix of its cost efficiency. “And this will cut down on water gallon delivery costs—not to mention the purchase of bottled water.”

Since its introduction into the market, the One World Filter has been tested and passed the standards of the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF Standards) as well as the Food and Drug Administration in the Philippines.

The One World Filter System is available on Lazada and Shopee at just P1,999 which includes 3 OWF Filter Packs, which is good to last 3 months for a household of six persons.

By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28 Contributor

Bambuhay received the grand prize in the recently concluded 2022 Shell LiveWIRE program, the year long mentorship initiative of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. for tech start-ups and community enterprises to grow their businesses.

With its revolutionary invention —the “first bamboo plantable toothbrush”—which addresses plastic pollution, deforestation and climate change, this company was given the high marks under the criteria, such as viability, feasibility, environmental sustainability, local content, and integration compatibility with the oil giant’s supply chain.

Other honorees were Pieza, an automotive digital marketplace that promotes sustainable transportation, and Suds for its fill-and-reuse cleaning pods that prevent customers from using plastics.

Six community entities and two more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were, likewise, recognized for having pioneering products that espouse sustainability, ecological preservation, and livelihood development.

Pilipinas Shell Vice President for Corporate Relations Serge Bernal lauded the winners and the participants for possessing the “creativity, courage, commitment, and character” needed to start and grow a business. He emphasized their constant support for “innovation that responds to the need of the local communities and generates employment for more Filipinos. We want to get more innovations off the ground to keep the Philippines moving forward.”

Cutting plastics, carbon footprints AWARE that the oral cleaning tool contributes a lot to pollution, Mark Sultan Gervasa came up with an idea to make an Earth-friendly version of it.

“About 16 billion pieces of plastic toothbrushes are thrown away annually around the world,” he said of the alarming environmental threat that had bamboo as his natural choice as a replacement material because “it captures more carbon dioxide than

any other plant. It is renewable; you plant only once and harvest for life. It is affordable, and produced naturally and ethically in the Philippines.”

With just a capital of P10,000, Gervasa realized this novel concept by establishing Bambuhay years ago. Operating it well, he immediately recouped his investment. The start-up has so far brought 68 families out of poverty and reduced more than 1,100 tons of plastics.

Expanding the business on a massive scale, the founder has enabled to enjoy tremendous sales revenue of P26 million at present. Winning the major plum, he plans to ramp up its operations with the P500,000 cash prize from Shell LiveWIRE.

Doing its share to also curb the plastic problem, Suds has helped prevent over 800,000 plastic bottles and sachets from ending up in landfills and bodies of water nationwide. Through its concentrated cleaning pods, the company has been able to substitute the usual bulky cleaning materials that generate a lot of carbon emission during its manufacture and transport.

Sixty percent water composition of its pods are dissolved after use and upon mixture with water, thus removing the need to throw them away as garbage. Suds Cofounder Jenan Magboo-Yuzon said that the polyvinyl alcohol in the cleaning material “is biodegradable, non-toxic, and has been used in cosmetics and medicine.”

Meanwhile, web and mobile app maker Pieza links automotive retail shops with motorists. The firm aims to keep the planet cleaner by encouraging car owners to buy spare parts instead of purchasing new vehicles.

Pieza now has 50,000 automotive retail owners in its digital network and three fulfillment centers in Navotas, Antipolo, and Ortigas for its logistics services. The company shares the same diversity and inclusion values with Pilipinas Shell via “a genderless platform where we can serve not just the Baldos but also the Marias,” per Pieza CEO Jonecca San Pascual. She said: “We also promote a decent work capacity for them to earn better.”

FROM left, Serge Bernal, vice president for corporate relations, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.; Rey Abilo, chief financial officer, PSPC; Sebastian Quinones, executive director, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.; Emmy Lou Delfin, director, Department of Information and Communications Technology’s ICT Development Bureau; Mark Sultan Gervasa, founder and chief executive officer, Bambuhay; Ma. Divina de Leon, Shell regional performance manager; Juancho Jimenez, senior associate, Openspace Ventures; Carlo Delantar, cofounder and partner of Core Capital; and RJ Ledesma, host. Contributed photo

Paying it forward

A P100,000 cash prize was given to each of the six community enterprises honored by the Shell LiveWIRE.  They were Republic Junk, a “trash-vocacy” that pushes for circularity by discarding trash for cash; Moto-in-Can, creator of Filipino miniature art from recycled tin cans; Better Pililla Women’s Handicrafts Cooperative, a women’s group converting water lilies into handicrafts; Bambusa de Oro, sustainable production purveyors who repurpose bamboo into home products; Golden Parauma Agriculture Cooperative, a farming organization creating organic agricultural products; and Siembre Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization, an association of farmers who produce, distribute, and sell banana chips beyond the scope of their community.

For the first time, Shell LiveWIRE picked the Tech Startup Sponsor’s A-List and extended the acceleration program to two rising stars: Carbonamics, producers of fuelgrade ethanol from carbon dioxide; and Blitzkrieg, blazing a trail in the early detection of livestock diseases with its breakthrough animal test kits.

The Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) Innovation Award, which Shell LiveWIRE supports in its long-standing commitment to empower Filipino SMEs, also went to Carbonamics. The BCYF recognizes excellence in visionary innovation in business and allows participating businesses to widen their markets, upgrade their systems, and bring about positive change in their communities.

Fueling innovations, firing up entrepreneurial spirit

SHELL LiveWIRE, a premier community and tech start-up accelerator in the country, was founded in 2020. This flagship global enterprise development program of Pilipinas Shell serves as a platform for thriving business founders to pitch their innovative concepts, and make their business designs viable, readily scalable, and attractive to investors.

Since its debut three years ago, it has aided over 3,600 innovators and business owners, equipped more than 30 tech start-ups and community enterprises, and created 400 plus local jobs. About 12 Shell LiveWIRE participating firms have, likewise, entered Pilipinas Shell’s supply chain as contractors, vendors and suppliers.

Emmy Lou Delfin, director of the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s ICT Development Bureau, advised other start-ups who want to join Shell LiveWIRE: “Have a passion. Believe in what you do. Survive, and just go through it.”

Shell Regional Performance Manager Divina de Leon cited “the courage of these individuals who started a business during uncertainty.” She reiterated that the achievements of the Shell LiveWIRE program winners were a reminder to not “forget the power of entrepreneurship. The Philippines is a country of innovators.”

For entrepreneurs who want to join the Shell LiveWIRE 2023, they can register through www.shell.com. ph/ShellLiveWIRE. To participate in the 2023 BCYF Innovation Awards, e-mail info@bcyfoundation.org

PHL food exporters seek to increase share in Middle East and Africa markets

THE Philippines is aiming to increase its export of local products in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member-states.

This is manifested by the country’s participation in the just concluded Gulfood 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Center in United Arab Emirates.

Being one of the biggest annual food and beverage (F&B) exhibitions globally, Gulfood offered the opportunity for Filipino companies to build and fortify their presence in the MEA region.

The GCC states continue to be an attractive market for Philippine produce and goods, particularly halal products.

Based on the Export Potential Assessment conducted by the International Trade Centre, the Philippines has an export growth potential in the GCC by a total of $729.69 million, of which $121.02 million are food and agri-based products.

“We encourage both our buyers, partners, and our exporters to establish partnership in pursuing market opportunities here in Dubai and even beyond,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 20 to officially open the Philippine pavilion at Gulfood.

Under the country’s collective food promotion program, FOODPhilippines, its involvement in this five-day exposition is led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), in partnership with Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Dubai (PTICDubai).

This forms part of the DTI-Trade Promotions Group’s concierge of services and promotional efforts in the GCC states.

The Philippine pavilion showcases the nation’s top food exports, including halal-certified, high-value, and innovative products by 18 homegrown companies.

The exhibit features fresh and processed fruits and vegetables; processed marine products; ethnic

and gourmet products; non-alcoholic beverages; confectionaries, biscuits, and pastries; and other

F&B categories.

The following companies comprised the country’s hybrid participation: Century Pacific Food, Inc., Fisherfarms, Inc., Market Reach International Resources, QPhil International Trading, Philippine Grocers Food Exports, Inc., SL Agritech, Inc., Grand Asia Integrated Natural Coco Products Corp., Mega Global Corp., Krystle Exports Philippines, Inc., Sagrex Foods, Inc., Marikina Food Corp., KLT Fruits, Inc., Pixcel Transglobal Foods, Inc., Sandpiper Spices and Condiments Corp., GEM Foods International, Inc., Bethany Sales, Inc., CJ Uniworld Corp., and Lorenzana Food Corp.

“Our participation in international trade shows like Gulfood plays a vital role in the promotion of premium-quality Philippine food products and ingredients on the global stage. And with the growing demand for healthy and sustainable food, it is also important that we position the country as a viable sourcing destination and

increase our share of this market,” said CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward L. Fereira.

Complementary to this initiative, the DTI, through the Export Marketing Bureau and the PTIC-Dubai, conducts the Outbound Business Matching Mission to the GCC countries for 26 Filipino exporters of halal-certified food, personal care and cosmetic products, including firms that are not part of the delegation in Gulfood.

The business-to-business matching activity started last February 11 and has continued in the ongoing Gulfood 2023 in Dubai, from February 16 to 25.

“As we promote increased bilateral business with GCC, be assured that the Philippine government through DTI, the PTIC-Dubai as well as the Office of the Agricultural Attaché and the Embassy, will actively engage governments, authorities, and private sector in facilitating more business,” Peñaranda said.

HOMEGROWN enterprises have been feted for their innovations, economic impacts and green initiatives.

FROM left, Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda; Ambassador Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver [ambassador-designate of the Philippines to the United Arab Emirates]; Charge d’Affaires Christopher Castillo of Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq; Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions Executive Director Dr. Edward L. Fereira; Ambassador Roberto G. Manalo (Ambassador-designate of the Philippines to Iran); and Consul General Renato Duenas Jr. (Philippine Consul General in Dubai) are all smiles during the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the opening of the Philippine pavilion at Gulfood 2023 in Dubai, UAE.

BTr bags ₧25B from auction of reissued Treasury bonds

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE national government fully awarded—the eight consecutive time—bids for the reissued Treasury bonds (T-bonds), raising P25 billion as investors’ asking rates settled well within secondary-market level and even lower than the debt paper’s original coupon rate.

The auction committee of the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said it decided to fully award the T-bonds, which have a remaining term of 6 years and 2 months, as rates aver-

aged 6.172 percent, lower than the original coupon of 6.5 percent and the 6.588-percent average rate in September 2022.

Furthermore, the average rate was

How executives unplug and relax

EXECUTIVES have been trying to do more with less lately and it’s affecting their health and personal lives. More work, activities and tasks to do squeezed in so little time.

With the advent of the tax season, the economy at recovery stage, more financial reports required both internal and external, endless meetings, business services needed at all fronts—how do you prioritize and stay calm and collected?

According to a new study by Asana, nearly 70 percent of senior leaders say burnout affects their ability to make decisions and according to research by Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence across four countries, 41 percent of senior leaders are stressed, 36 percent are exhausted and fully 69 percent of executives are thinking about quitting because of their wellbeing. (www. forbes.com, July 21, 2022)

Personally, I am trying to maintain a work-life balance as best I can. I think it is important that each person, executive or entrepreneur or professional or even just a homebody, should have a life planning. We should think about what our goals are. If you want more income and willing to sacrifice your personal life—that is your goal.

Younger executives thought that focusing more on their work at the expense of their families while they are still young is the best route for them. Only to realize later on, the sacrifices they have to make just to get them to the top either in their career or in their financial goals.

You reap the consequences of your decisions and should be prepared to accept whatever you reap. If you do not have time to unplug and de-stress— you should be ready if it takes a toll on your health.

For accountants like me, it is sometimes difficult to leave work and unplug. But I try to discipline myself to have a to-do list and accomplish it by the end of the day so that I get a feeling of satisfaction or else I will forever be tied up and left myself wondering if I had done enough. Once “inbox” will never be empty and that is what I always remind myself.

In making the list, there is a need to know how to prioritize or the urgent but less important will dominate your time.

We need time to unplug to free our mind from work even for a short while. This will make one more productive and efficient. Activities like a short walk outside which is the ideal one since you can breath fresh air and be in a new environment or read a book, do a favorite hobby such as adult coloring book, talk to a friend, take coffee or tea—anything which will relax your mind even if it is just for a 10-minute break or so.

Breaks from work should also be carefully planned whether short breaks during the day or long vaca-

also just slightly higher than the 6.078 percent secondary market benchmark rate for the debt paper with the same tenor. The rates for the reissued Tbonds ranged between a low of 6.029 percent to a high of 6.2 percent.

“With its decision, the committee raised the full program of P25.0 billion, bringing the total outstanding volume for the series to P99.7 billion,” the Treasury said in a statement on Tuesday. The Treasury noted that the auction was oversubscribed by 2.3 times as total bids reached P58.6 billion compared to the P25-billion programmed offering.

THE national government aims to borrow P200 billion from the domestic debt market this month through the sale of T-bonds and bills (T-bills).

The year has been good to the Treasury as it has been able to achieve near full-award and even full-award

RCBC lends ₧1B for solar power project in Bataan

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

of government securities as investors’ asking interest rates ease within or even below secondary market benchmark levels.

In its last February T-bonds offering, the Treasury successfully raised P35 billion for the seventh consecutive time. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2023/02/22/governmentraises-%e2%82%a735b-from-tbonds-sale/)

For the whole year, the national government plans to borrow P2.207 trillion with a 75:25 mix in favor of domestic sources.

In terms of domestic borrowings, the national government aims to raise a total of P1.654 trillion, P54.1 billion of which coming from the sale of T-bills while the remaining amount would come from the auction of T-bonds.

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) will lend Alternergy Holdings Corp. (Alternergy) up to P1 billion to finance its 28 MegaWatts defined conditions (MWDC) Solana solar power project in Hermosa, Bataan.

RCBC, according to Altnergery President Gerry P. Magbanua, has so far extended close to P2 billion in financial support for its solar power projects. Magbanua expressed gratitude to RCBC for the lender’s “growing confidence in Alternergy with total funding to our group reaching close to P2 billion to date specially to bankroll our solar power portfolio.

“Alternergy welcomes yet another financing commitment from RCBC of up to P1 billion for our Solana solar power project,” he added.

RCBC had financed Alternergy’s 12.5-MW Kirahon Solar power project in Misamis Oriental in 2015. In 2018, RCBC extended a loan to fi-

nance eight large-scale solar rooftop projects nationwide. In 2022, RCBC issued a standby letter of credit for the company’s first solar battery project in the Republic of Palau.

“RCBC is deeply committed to upholding social and environmental responsibility in how we do business. Our latest project financing support to Alternergy’s Solana solar power project aligns with our sustainable finance strategy which has so far channeled more than P70 billion in funding support to various sustainable projects,” RCBC Corporate Banking Group Head Elizabeth E. Coronel said. The Solana solar power project is part of the Alternergy’s robust expansion plans in the next five years. Alternergy aims to develop up to 1,370 MW of additional wind, offshore wind, solar and run of river hydro projects.

Bulk of the proceeds from Alternergy’s upcoming initial public offering will be used as equity to fund the construction of the Solana solar power project.

Congress to pass bill vs ‘ghosting’ of tax receipts

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

FINex Free eNterPrIse

“In support of attaining the revenue goals of the Bureau, we will draft that measure today,” Salceda told Rosario.

Wilma

Inventor-Miranda

tions. You can also be more efficient if you learn to love what you do. Hating what you do not only “drieth your bones” but makes you less efficient.

When I bring work at home, it is because I want to compensate time which are interrupted during the day. To make it less stressful, I listen to my favorite music or if my work does not require much thinking, listen to podcasts or talks/sermons in my favorite channels while working in my computer. This seems to be like a multitask thing which is not advisable for some but I am less stressful when I work that way.

During the day I also write in my prayer journal which has become a habit since 1987. I have several writings which are hard-bound and which I kept for years. Writing a personal or prayer journal enable one to release tension and stress and enable a person to look at life in an orderly perspective. Many decisions in both my personal and career life were made through my prayer journal. New ideas and insights pops up in the process of writing these journals. It is also a “gratitude” journal where I list all the things and reasons why I am grateful for the day.

Aside from writing in a journal, one way to effectively unplug and relax is through exercise. The body releases happy hormones such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine neurotransmitters during exercise even if it is just a simple walk outside. You can do both every day to effectively suppress hormones that create stress and anxiety and release the hormones that makes one relax and happy.

For some working in an activity aside from work such as work in a nonprofit organization is therapeutic for them and not considered work at all. This rewires their brains to focus on something aside from the usual work they have in the office or at home.

Remember a very wise saying by Leonardo da Vinci “every now and then, go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer.” Near or far when you unplug, you will be more productive and you will do not only your body but your soul a big favor.

THE House of Representatives committed to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) the passage of a measure that will punish the selling and issuance of fake receipts to pad gross expense and creditable input value-added tax (VAT), which authorities called “ghosting the tax authority.”

House Committee Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda made the assurance last Tuesday after BIR OIC- Deputy Commissioner Maridur V. Rosario asked the Lower Chamber to address the issue of “ghosting” of tax receipts.

Following the briefing by the Development Budget Coordinating Committee, Salceda said that “ghosting the tax authority” is non-bailable using the lifeblood doctrine.

“We will draft legislation so that selling and buying receipts to pad your deductible expenses or input VAT is non-bailable, using the lifeblood doctrine; tax ghosting is nonbailable,” he said.

Salceda said they will introduce legislation penalizing both the buyer and seller for tax fraud.

“Right now, the tax code imposes penalties and surcharges only on those who use fake receipts for tax fraud. Section 248 of the Tax Code imposes, in addition to the tax required to be paid, a penalty equivalent to 25 percent of the amount due; that’s not a lot,” he added. Salceda further explained that “that penalty is not enough of a deterrent.”

He noted that if his conversation with Rosario was right, “it’s still unclear whether the seller of fake receipts and other accessories to the crime are liable.”

‘Ghost companies’

SALCEDA explained that tax experts call the practice “ghosting the tax authority,” because “ghost companies” issue fake receipts to taxpayers to defraud the tax collection agency. Sometimes, the lawmaker added, the receipts from expenses not considered valid expenses are used to pad deductibles.

Salceda added that the practice is “fairly common among family corporations, some of whom use household expenses to reduce their corporation’s gross taxable income.”

“We will introduce both penal provisions and civil penalties, as well as tax administration provisions to

make it easier for the BIR to identify which receipts are fraudulent.” Salceda, meanwhile, appealed to the Senate to pass the Ease of Paying Taxes Law so that the House could consider introducing the amendment during the Bicameral Conference Committee.

“We will still try to pass our draft of this on third reading so that the House contingent will consider the amendment as being fully supported by the chamber,” he said. “We also want to hear from stakeholders so that we can calibrate countermeasures fairly. The converse of ease of paying taxes is the difficulty of fraud. It should be easier to be an honest taxpayer, but it should be more difficult to defraud the government—so that the burden of funding social services does not fall too heavily on the honest citizen,” Salceda added.

China Bank posts 27 percent growth in net income

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

DESPITE the rise in its operating expenses driven by higher inflation, publiclylisted China Banking Corp. posted a better-than-expected income performance in 2022.

The lender’s disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) revealed its net income rose by 27 percent to P19.1 billion in 20222. The bank also reported a Return on Equity of 15.1 percent and Return on Assets of 1.6 percent.

The lender said operating expenses increased by nine percent to P24.4 billion from bigger revenuerelated taxes due to business growth and higher core operating expenses due to inflationary pressures.

“Our sustained strong performance amid macroeconomic headwinds is a testament to our unwavering customer focus, effective management of assets and good cost control,” China Bank

President William C. Whang said in the disclosure to the PSE. The bank said its total revenues increased by 14 percent to P55.7 billion, driven by the 17 percent jump in net interest income to P45.6 billion.

Interest income also grew by 23 percent to P57.2 billion due to the continuous build-up in earning assets. Despite the 57 percent growth in interest expenses, China Bank said its net interest margin remained healthy at 4.2 percent.

Improvements

M E ANWHILE the bank said its fee-based income grew by 5 percent to P10.1 billion due to improvements in core fee income, including deposit-related transaction fees, trust revenues, bancassurance revenues and fees from our investment banking, stock brokerage and insurance brokerage businesses.

“These results were made possible by the hard work and dedica-

tion of our employees. Our investments over the past years have started to bear fruit as evidenced by the record growth in assets and profits that we have been reporting,” Chief Operating Officer and incoming China Bank President and CEO Romeo D. Uyan Jr. was quoted in the disclosure as saying.

“We also will keep on investing in our people and capabilities as China Bank continues to play an increasing role as one of the preeminent institutions in the Philippine banking industry,” Uyan added.

China Bank remains the country’s 4th-largest privately-owned domestic bank with total assets of P1.3 trillion, which was up 20 percent, bolstered by robust earning assets and deposits expansion.

NPLs

THE bank reported that net loans rose by 15 percent to P700 billion on vigorous business and consumer lending to drive economic rebound.

Even with this increase, the Bank recorded better-than-industry non-performing loan (NPL) ratio and NPL coverage ratio of 2.3 percent and 123 percent, respectively.

“China Bank continues to be strong and profitable, with ample liquidity and capitalization to achieve our ambitious goals and more importantly, to deliver longterm, sustainable value to our stakeholders,” said China Bank Chief Finance Officer Patrick D. Cheng.

Total deposits reached P1.1 trillion, 24 percent higher on sustained growth across deposit products. Current and savings account (CASA) deposits increased to P573 billion for a CASA ratio of 54 percent.

Total equity stood at P135 billion, up 13 percent, with a Common Equity Tier-1 ratio of 15.1 percent and total capital adequacy ratio of 15.9 percent.

Digital payments firm eyes to lend to MSMEs this year

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

MAYA Philippines Inc. revealed it plans to lend to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the year.

“The next big opportunity that we see especially for smaller businesses is the need to have all sorts of different loans—bridging loans, first capital loans,” Maya Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Pepe Torres said on the sidelines of its latest consumer campaign. “These are areas

we are working on this year to expand our offerings from payments to banking products such as savings and lending.”

Currently, the firm only offers a payment processing app for businesses.

Monday night saw Maya Philippines unveiling its commitment to “double down on its digital banking advantage to accelerate its growth in consumer finance and encourage more Filipinos to embrace new financial services such as credit and investments.”

Under this new campaign, Maya

Philippines is providing its savings account holders as much as 10-percent interest rate.

Account holders simply need to use their Maya wallets for their purchases and achieve some “customizable personal goals.”

Maya Philippines counts over 1.5 million bank customers.

“Filipinos trust banks and like the convenience of e-wallets. By providing an all-in-one digital banking app where people can save, spend, borrow, and invest seamlessly, we have simplified the whole financial services experi-

ence for consumers. Our strategy has allowed us to deliver a superior and unmatched banking and payments experience,” Maya Group President Shailesh Baidwan said during the event the firm organized last Monday.

“Moreover, we’ve seen firsthand that customers who save or borrow transact 2 [times] to 3 times more than payments-only users. Our innovations, such as daily interest crediting and gamified savings, have led to a stickier app experience, more types of transactions, and greater share of wallet.”

bad team member

relationships.

Often, high performers have a unique skill set or expertise that sets them apart or they have been in the industry for so long that they know better in terms of how to go about their work. Capitalize on this by empowering them to become the subject matter expert on certain work processes, and ask them for advice on those aspects of the work.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN CUM LAUDE CREATES COMPACT WEATHERADAPTABLE CACAO DRYER FOR LOCAL FARMERS

ENTERPRISING

23-year-old Filipino Ninna Fajardo created a portable, weather-adaptable dryer to assist local farmers preserve the quality of cacao beans, prevent post-harvest losses, and generate income as a raw material supplier.

Dubbed as SICAP, a play on cacao capsule and sikap—the Filipino word for hard work—the hybrid system is equipped with a built-in heater that enables continuous drying process regardless of the season.

“The Philippines is an exceptional spot for cacao farming,” Fajardo said. “We can harvest all-year-round and produce high-quality beans that can compete in the global market. However, rainy seasons prove to be a challenge.”

“For some, the traditional sun drying beds may already do the job well. But since the rains are unpredictable, the whole process can be interrupted and thus prolonged. There will be formation of molds and the beans can no longer be sold,” she added.

The young inventor, who pursued her degree under the Industrial Design Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, was motivated to provide a novel solution to address the issue within the local agricultural sector via innovation.

For research and validation, Fajardo conducted qualitative interviews with farmers and business owners. She likewise sourced cacao pods from Mindanao to have firsthand experience in handling, fermenting and test-drying the grains.

The finished product comes in a circular stacked form, with a built-in heater that can be regulated through a digital thermostat and hygrometer. It also features a collapsible cover that retains temperature and protects compartments from external environment conditions.

“When it is raining, farmers can use the stacked layout to prevent the beans from getting wet, and continue drying with the heater,” she explained. “Since each compartment has a swivel mechanism, it also enables them to opt for an open layout. This can be utilized for sun-drying. It allows equal exposure of each drying compartment to sunlight.”

EVERY manager has encountered them— brilliant team members who know they are good, so they have developed an attitude of superiority and look down on other team members. Some managers kowtow to their demand for fear of losing a valuable member of their team, while others use intimidation tactics to keep them at bay. When you have a high performing employee who has a bad attitude, how do you manage them so that they continue to significantly contribute without ruffling any feathers?

High performers are strong achievers, and they thrive in an environment where objectives and expectations are clear. They need to understand how their efforts contribute to the overall success of the team, and your job as their manager is to help them see the big picture of how each team member depends on others to succeed. When they realize that their success depends as much on their contribution to the team as the other members, they will understand the value of working well with others.

Before going into solutions, identify what is causing the antagonistic behavior. These may be caused by personal issues affecting their work, frustrations over their professional development, how they are treated by other team members, past experiences with other managers, or burnout. You need to know what is causing their disruptive behavior so that you can develop solutions addressing the root cause of their behavior. It will also help you find other ways for them to deal with their issues without compromising their professional

To help them understand the value of helping others, ask them to lead a small group within your team so that others can learn from them. By giving them a venue where they can use their expertise and to work with others to succeed, you are giving them an opportunity to see the benefits of working with a group and find out for themselves how to work with others effectively.

Just as much as they need to understand the overall objective of the team, you also need to set clear expectations in terms of how they work with other team members. It is never easy for them to think that they are being difficult because they will always fall back to thinking that they are actually doing well because of their output. What you can do is to tell them specific instances when they were being difficult and the effect their behavior is having on other team members. They may not be aware of the effects so it would help them change if they knew how they are actually affecting other team members.

To help them develop steps to dealing with others more effectively, ask them what they would do if certain scenarios happen again. This will allow you to help them fine tune their reactions and help them commit to an action plan to improve the way they work with other team members. In training, one of the effective ways we demonstrate a new skill is for trainees to demonstrate. If they are up to it, do role play so they can become comfortable with how they should behave when they have to work with others.

But you also need to be prepared for them refusing to change their behavior, even insisting they will behave the same way when confronted with the same scenarios. In this instance, you may have to stress the importance of teamwork and how their behavior affects other team members. You may need to do

this especially if their behavior causes a significant disruption in the team’s deliverables. You will have to exercise your discernment in gauging the severity of their behavior’s effect on the team. If needed, set clear indicators of when their action or behavior leaves you with no choice but to let them go.

To help them stay true to their action plans, give regular feedback so that they know if they are on the right track. You can also provide corrective measures to fine tune their action plans. How frequent you give feedback will depend on how often they need to be reminded of their commitments. At the beginning, they will often waver, so you need to give feedback more often. But when they have a firm grip of what they need to do, feedback can be given far in between especially when they have already assimilated the change. But still be on the lookout for any deviations in the agreed commitments and be ready to provide feedback as needed.

There are also cases when people managers rely heavily on their high performing team members that they only assign new and challenging projects to them. The imbalance in workload will cause them to resent the other team members because they will be overburdened with more projects than the rest.

As a people manager, your role is to equip every one of your team members to rise to the level of what is expected of their role and position. You need to train and equip them which will allow you to have work be properly rationed so that no one person takes in all the work all the time.

Being a people manager means ensuring that your team works efficiently and effectively with each other. When a high performing team member is acting up, you need to identify what is causing it and address the matter based on what is good for the team. You also need to make the difficult decision of letting a high performing team member go when they become intransigent, or when they threaten the efficiency of the entire team. In the end, you need to understand that your team will only be as good as when everyone understands what is expected of them, how they contribute to the overall success of the team, and how well they work with each other. n

4-day workweek trial: Shorter hours, happier employees

By Courtney Bonnell The Associated Press

LONDON—Work less, get more.

A trial of a four-day workweek in Britain, billed as the world’s largest, has found that an overwhelming majority of the 61 companies that participated from June to December will keep going with the shorter hours and that most employees were less stressed and had better work-life balance.

That was all while companies reported revenue largely stayed the same during the trial period last year and even grew compared with the same six months a year earlier, according to findings released this week.

“We feel really encouraged by the results, which showed the many ways companies were turning the four-day week from a dream into a realistic policy, with multiple benefits,” said David Frayne, research associate at University of Cambridge, who helped lead the team conducting employee interviews for the trial. “We think there is a lot here that ought to motivate other companies and industries to give it a try.”

The university’s team worked with researchers from Boston College; Autonomy, a research

organization focused on the future of work; and the 4 Day Week Global nonprofit community to see how the companies from industries spanning marketing to finance to nonprofits and their 2,900 workers would respond to reduced work hours while pay stayed the same.

Not surprisingly, employees reported benefits, with 71 percent less burned out, 39 percent less stressed and 48 percent more satisfied with their job than before the trial.

Of the workers, 60 percent said it was easier to balance work and responsibilities at home, while 73 percent reported increased satisfaction with their lives. Fatigue was down, people were sleeping more and mental health improved, the findings show.

That’s just what Platten’s fish and chips restaurant in the English seaside town of Wells-Next-The Sea has found, especially in the hospitality industry where people often work seven days a week.

“Everyone is focused, everyone knows what they’re doing, everyone is refreshed,” said Kirsty Wainwright, general manager of the restaurant about a three-hour drive northeast of London.

“What it means is that they are coming into work with a better frame of mind and passing that on to

obviously the clients and the public that are coming here for their meals. They’re getting a greater service because the team are more engaged.”

Starting the trial going into the busy season in June, Platten’s, which is open seven days a week, found the biggest hurdle was finding a model that worked for everyone, Wainwright said.

They constantly communicated with employees to find what worked best, which was having the staff split into two groups, allowing one group to work two days on, and other to have two days off, she said.

The concept lets people work, have a day to do chores like cleaning the house and “then have two days off, seeing your friends, seeing your family, doing some stuff yourself,” Wainwright said. “And that’s what this is all about—is actually just working to live and not living to work.”

For companies that rolled out the shorter work hours, revenue wasn’t affected, the findings say. Revenue grew 1.4 percent over the course of the trial for 23 companies that provided adequate data—weighted for the size of the business—while a separate 24 companies saw revenue climb more than 34 percent from the same six-month period a year earlier.

SICAP includes removable inner baskets for loading and unloading of beans, as well as interchangeable compartment covers suitable for any weather. It also has wheels so farmers can easily transport the dryer and the beans conveniently.

Fajardo recently concluded her collegiate journey as cum laude. SICAP was likewise recognized with the Best Thesis Award. This followed the criteria from the World Design Organization, a globally recognized non-governmental network that champions the power of industrial design in enhancing the economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life.

COS, LINDA FARROW LAUNCH DEBUT COLLABORATION

GLOBAL fashion brand COS has launched its collection of sunglasses for the first time in Philippines through a pioneering collaboration with eyewear designer Linda Farrow, offering a collection that delivers an iconic array of styles for now and forever.

Established in 1970, Linda Farrow eyewear rose quickly to acclaim. A pioneer in showcasing glasses as true fashion accessories, the brand redefined eyewear, tirelessly experimenting with new shapes and styles that later became classic designs. Co-creating an iconic new range for the modern woman, Linda Farrow’s renowned expertise as an iconic maker is translated through the lens of COS.

The nine-piece collection is a harmonious expression of craftsmanship, representing an understated approach to luxury. Paying close attention to detail, the collection contains five iconic styles, from aviator to wayfarer which elevate the everyday. Featuring cut-outs, gold accents, and a spin on contemporary color ranges, unwavering quality sits at the forefront of design while all lenses provide 100 percent UV protection.

The collection is available globally on www.cos.com and in the COS Store at SM Aura Premier for a limited time only.

RECTANGLE Acetate Sunglasses

SQUARE Acetate Sunglasses

HOTEL101 is the Official Hotel Partner of the Philippine Esports Organization

Beauty brand Jullien Skin introduces rejuvenating set, picks TikToker superstar Queenay Mercado as endorser

BEAUTY brand Jullien Skin has formally launched its much-awaited rejuvenating set that assures Filipino consumers of healthy and radiant skin without breaking the bank.

The Jullien Skin Rejuvenating Set, which contains a Kojic cleaning soap, a rejuvenating toner, a hydrating sunscreen, and a rejuvenating night cream, promises users clear, protected, and hydrated skin in just 30 days of regular use. It is exclusively sold at Puregold for only P299.

Jamira Magcale, president of JDM Corporation, distributor of the new skincare brand, shares her excitement about bringing Jullien Skin to the Philippine market.

“Everyone wants to feel beautiful in their own skin,” says Magcale. “We created Jullien Skin para mailabas ang ganda ng bawat Filipino. It is all about offering quality and effective skincare at an affordable price that Filipinos everywhere can enjoy.”

During its media launch, Jullien Skin presented its celebrity endorser, the 21-yearold Tiktoker superstar and actress Queenay Mercado. Queenay, who commands over 13 million followers on the platform, represents the Jullien Skin market that aspires to have beautiful and healthy skin.

Queenay’s enthusiasm for Jullien Skin’s rejuvenating set can barely be contained. “Ang laki po ng impact ng skincare sa aking beauty routine,” says Queenay. “That’s why I’m so grateful for being chosen as an endorser for Jullien Skin. Having skin that feels and looks good on the outside helps me exude selfconfidence! That’s the feeling I want to share with everyone who picks up a Jullien Skin Rejuvenating Set.

nurturing touch for all its customers.

The first is the Kojic cleansing soap which contains Kojic acid dipalmitate, coconut, aloe vera leaf extract, tomato fruit extract, orange peel extract, and more that moisturizes and brightens skin.

To use, simply wet the soap with water to form a lather, then apply to skin for at least 30 seconds. Then rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

The next step is to use the rejuvenating toner. This contains de-ionized water, propylene glycol, glycerin, L-ascorbic acid, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide—elements that act as primer so the skin may better absorb the next steps in the process.

After rinsing off the Kojic soap, one may pour a small amount of the rejuvenating toner onto a cotton pad and apply this gently on the face and neck in an upward motion.

HOTEL101 Group, the hospitality arm of DoubleDragon Corporation, and the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO), the national governing body for esports in the Philippines, recently sealed its partnership to support the Philippine esports industry and Filipino esports national athletes.

“We are happy to launch this groundbreaking partnership with Esports in the Philippines, represented by PESO and its officials, in anticipation of the upcoming major esports events and activities hosted by the Philippines this year,” said Hotel101 Group General Manager Gel Gomez.

“Furthermore, we are equally thrilled that Hotel101 – Manila is now the official hotel partner to be endorsed by PESO to all its member organizations and all its esports activities this year,” Gomez added.

Gomez and PESO Executive Director Marlon Marcelo signed a partnership agreement at Hotel101 – Manila, which

was accentuated with a turnover of a commemorative jacket given to both PESO and Hotel101 executives.

“We are excited and thankful for Hotel101’s commitment to supporting the growth of Philippine esports as a whole by becoming PESO’s key partner in our various events and initiatives aimed to further improve and develop the state of competition in the country,” shared Marcelo.

This partnership is a kickoff of what Hotel101 has planned for the esports industry, with a roadmap that would benefit both Filipino esports athletes and the industry in general.

“We also thank them for hosting team SIBOL, the Philippine National Esports Team, before we fly out and represent the country in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this May,” Marcelo added.

“With the Filipino’s Bayanihan spirit, supporting these proud Filipino athletes in any way we can, we also take a stake in

the next generation, and build a legacy, as what we also want to do with our brand,” Gomez closed.

PESO is the official National Sports Association (NSA) for Esports in the Philippines, recognized by both the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the International Esports Federations

– Asian Esports Federation (AESF) and International Esports Federation (IESF)

“PESO has a lot of big plans in lifting the country’s already excellent esports scene to new stellar heights including bringing the best esports events into the country, and it is incredible having partners such as Hotel101 to bring that vision into reality,” he added.

HOTEL101 Group operates Hotel101

– Manila, Injap Tower Hotel in Iloilo City, Jinjiang Inn – Ortigas, Jinjiang Inn –Makati, and Jinjiang Inn – Boracay Station 1, and aims to make Hotel101 the first global Filipino hotel chain.

Water Philippines Expo, PhilEnergy Expo Return as a sustainable 2-in-1 event this year at SMX in Pasay City

(PWWA) and “Building a Net-Zero Future with Energy Efficiency” discourse by the Philippine Energy Efficiency, Inc (PE2).

“After the hiatus caused by the pandemic, we are very happy to announce that Water Philippines, together with PhilEnergy, is back this year. For Water Philippines, this is the sixth edition and for PhilEnergy, the third edition. Both shows have received tremendous industry support from within the Philippines as well as from international industry players. Join us as we embark on this great event exhibiting various technologies from all over the globe and demonstrating the importance of sustainability in our society. We look forward to seeing everyone there,” said Informa Markets Philippines General Manager Gerard Leeuwenburgh.

As the latest name in the Philippine beauty industry, Jullien Skin hopes to leave a strong first impression through its initial product offering—the rejuvenating set.

Magcale speaks about what distinguishes the brand from its competition. “Unlike other skincare products, the ingredients used in Jullien Skin are gentle on the skin,” she says. “We also offer Jullien Skin at an affordable price because we want it to benefit as many people as possible without sacrificing the quality and efficacy that customers have come to expect.”

All four products in Jullien Skin’s rejuvenating set eschew ingredients that may be harsh on skin, ensuring a soothing and

When using the rejuvenating set in the daytime, the toner should be followed by the hydrating sunscreen. With ingredients like de-ionized water, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, carrot fruit extract and more, this sunscreen keeps the skin protected from the brutal Philippine sun. It also contains antioxidants that help combat early signs of skin aging, and helps bring out a healthy glow.

After applying the rejuvenating toner, the hydrating sunscreen can be applied liberally to the face and neck 30 minutes before sun exposure. Be sure to re-apply every 2-3 hours!

Meanwhile, when ending the day with Jullien Skin, be sure to use the rejuvenating night cream as a final step. Containing deionized water, glycerin, propylene glycol, sweet almond oil, and much more, this cream repairs skin blemishes like dark spots and pimples.

Shubert in Sunshine opens 4th season of Sunshine Classics 2023 at Sunshine Recreation Center in Makati

beloved song cycle, Die Schoene Muellerin, together with pianist Mariel Ilusorio.

SUNSHINE Classics opens its 4th season on March 22, 2023, Wednesday at 6 pm at the Roof Deck of Sunshine Place Recreation Center, 56 Jupiter Street, Makati.

“Schubert in Sunshine” will be the maiden concert of the series. The audience will have the rare opportunity to catch Filipino-American tenor Arthur Espiritu, who frequently performs in opera halls around the world such as in Germany, Lithuania, Australia, Ireland, USA, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. He will be performing Schubert’s

There will be five concerts this season. The next concerts are as follows: “Young Stars Shine” on May 21, featuring talented musicians ages nine to 13 (Gio de la Cruz, marimba; Onyz Daquila, voice/piano; Aninaw Velasco, piano; Teddy Tan, violin); “Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders” on July 12 (Adrian Nicolas Ong, violin; Jet Chong, piano; Franz Andra, clarinet); “100% Filipino” on September 23 (featuring an all-Filipino program with violinist Gina Medina Perez and pianist Mary Anne Espina); and “The Best of Chamber Music” with guests including violinist Noel Martin.

Tickets are available for individual concerts as well as for the whole concert series. Tickets must be purchased in advance to reserve seats due to limited seating.

Sponsors include PI Foundation, Casa San Miguel Foundation, and 98.7 DZFE. Please contact Mariel Ilusorio at 09177092255 marielilusorio@hotmail.com for more information and ticket reservations.

THE country’s leading and biggest international water supply, sanitation, industrial wastewater treatment, and water purification event is staging a comeback after a three-year hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic.

“Water Philippines Expo 2023” is set from March 22 to 24, 2023 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Organized by Informa Markets Philippines, a division of global trade show specialist Informa plc, the sixth edition of the expo will also be its biggest to date. It will gather over 10,000 trade visitors including top industry players and thought leaders from seven participating countries with the widest exhibit variety from more than 300 exhibitors that will showcase latest products, technologies, and innovations.

In its 6th edition, this event will also be simultaneous and co-located with the 3rd edition of PhilEnergy Expo, an event promoting the latest innovations and developments in Renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric and power, electric vehicle, and energy storage, bringing numerous possibilities to promote five energy sectors. The three-day 2-in-1 mega event will occupy four halls of SMX Convention Center’s exhibition area.

Aside from the trade show and exhibits, Water Philippines and PhilEnergy Expo 2023 will facilitate technical seminars and anticipated conferences for water and energy. Among the most notable of those are “Overcoming Global Challenges in Water and Wastewater” session by the Philippine Water Works Association

Furthermore, returning as a sustainable event, Water Philippines co-locating with PhilEnergy 2023 aims to promote sustainability not just in running our event, but also in promoting more sustainable water management for the country’s water and wastewater industry. Realizing the importance of an environmentally and socially responsible event, the organizers of Water Philippines and PhilEnergy 2023 take one step forward in running such a credible and impactful event to achieve the sustainability goals that have been set.

Water Philippines Expo 2023 and PhilEnergy Expo 2023 are open to industry professionals that are from the water and energy industry. Visitors can now register their attendance at the event respective websites www.waterphilippinesexpo.com and www.philenergyexpo.com. Please be informed that, Visitors are required to register one registration form only.

support and significant contribution to the growth and development of the real estate industry in the country during the recently held FIABCI-Philippines Property and Real Estate Excellence Awards Night. From left, they are FIABCI-Philippines Vice Chairman Eduardo Ong, FIABCI Past World President, Chairman Emeritus Florentino Dulalia, Jr. and Jexter Dulalia presented the award. Founded in 1951 in Paris, FIABCI is a worldwide business networking organization for all professionals associated with the real estate industry with a mission to provide access and opportunities for real estate professionals interested in gaining knowledge, sharing information and conducting

HOTEL101 Group led by General Manager Gel Gomez and PESO executives led by Executive Director Marlon Marcelo sign partnership agreement between Hotel101 and PESO.

PRESENT during the press conference of Water Philippines and PhilEnergy 2023 were, from left, Engr. Ranella Joy F. De Los Reyes National Media Relations Officer, Philippine of the Society of Sanitary Engineers (PSSE); Dr. Dickson San Juan of Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA); Gerard Leeuwenburgh Country General Manager, Informa Markets Philippines; Alexander Ablaza President, Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance, Inc (PE2); Erel Narida President, Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines (REAP) and Engr. Loreto Catalan PME, President of Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME).

international business with each other.

Editor: Tet Andolong

Gotianun-led FLI sees bright prospects in 2023

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

“We are pressing forward, continuing to pursue our goals, and have many new offerings in the pipeline. We are increasing our presence in Cebu, Rizal and Northern Luzon and plan to accelerate development in our townships,” Tristan Las Marias, FLI president, told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail interview.

Indeed, things are going great for FLI. For instance, Las Marias said that in Filinvest Mimosa+ in Clark, Workplus 7 the third office building within the Workplus office complex will be operational and will be complemented by The Crib, the first co-living development of the company. On top of that, FLI will have mid-rise and high-rise condominium projects nationwide that are in various stages of development which target to launch within the next two to three years. Moreover, FLI recently launched Futura Monte

in Naga City.

Aside from Metro Manila, Las Marias said FLI has also consistently maintained a strong presence in the regions with around 50 percent of its projects outside of Metro Manila.

“For 2023, we plan to launch projects in Cebu, Dagupan, Batangas, Bulacan, Dumaguete and other cities and towns across the country,” he said.

Las Marias noted FLI’s growth strategy focuses on balancing its mix of offerings, which includes offices to ensure sustained success. Further, FLI is completing several office developments that will cater to both traditional and business process outsourcing (BPO) locators.

Axis 3 in Northgate Alabang, Studio 7 in Quezon City, 387 in Makati and Marina Town in Dumaguete are some office developments that are targeted for completion within

the year, according to Las Marias.

H e said the development of BPO facilities is in response to support the BPO industry which has significantly contributed to the Philippine economy by providing employment to many Filipinos. The BPO industry generated 1.44 million direct jobs and 3.6 million indirect jobs in 2021, according to the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IT-BPAP). Further, BPO industry is an economic catalyst to the local economy with $29.5 billion in revenues representing a 7.5 percent contribution to the gross domestic product of the country.

Bamboo breakthroughs in 2022

FLI is also taking advantage of revenge shopping and revenge malling as it embarks on the expansion wing of Festival Mall Alabang by completing a new and exciting food court by next year. With over 200,000 square meters of gross leasable area, Las Marias said Festival Mall offers a wide range of diverse leisure and entertainment areas, making it a great destination for families of all generations. Festival Mall is part of Filinvest’s Lifemalls, a collection of regional shopping centers and community malls, including Main Square in Bacoor, Fora in Tagaytay, and IL Corso in Cebu.

NoN-ProFiT Base Bahay groWs a commuNiT y oF BamBoo advocaTes across The PhiliPPiNes

From the government to the academe to the private sector, bamboo brought together the housing community in 2022 through initiatives spearheaded by the nonprofit Base Bahay Foundation (Base).

Partnerships to build bamboo homes for Filipino communities Committed to a vision of “Building sustainable foundations for the future,” Base works with its network of partners to build homes for various beneficiaries all over the country using Base’s Cement-Bamboo Frame te chnology (CBF t ). B ase’s CBF t is certified by the Accreditation of i nnovative te chnologies for Housing (A it e CH) and the National Housing Authority, making each Base home comfortable, affordable, disaster-resilient, and ecologically friendly.

i n 2022, 188 new houses were added to Base’s growing portfolio of over 1,200 disaster-resilient residences built across the Philippines, sheltering around 5,000 individuals in 14 communities. Best of all, each “build” brings livelihood to its host community. t h is also includes the Negros o c cidental i mpact 2025 (N o i 2 025) project with Habitat for Humanity, which aims to build 10,000 cement-bamboo frame homes in response to the growing need for socialized homes in disaster-prone areas, particularly in Visayas.

As part of its initiative to scale up its projects globally, Base also has international collaboration in Nepal to build more disaster-resilient communities using its technology.

Last year the organization also moved beyond housing to co-develop the Kanya Kawayan Weaving Center in Nasugbu, Batangas, in partnership with Holcim Philippines i nc. and Kanya Kawayan, a like-minded social enterprise that aims to elevate the use of bamboo. t h e 148-sqm Weaving Center will house the organization’s production of artisanal creations, which help generate employment and alternative livelihood opportunities for Batangueños.

With the aim to empower communities with further economic opportunities, Base also works with Ayala Foundation nc., and other organizations on the Planting for Productivity (P4P) project that teaches the community about organic urban farming.

“As leaders in the field of sustainable housing technologies, we recognize that we play a

pivotal role in ensuring that every Filipino has access to a home,” said Base Bahay General m a nager d r. Pablo Jorillo, referencing the country’s housing backlog as he points out bamboo’s abundance. “We are excited to share that Base has signed a memorandum of agreement with five other organizations for the construction of bamboo structures and the implementation of other programs in their respective communities. We hope to unlock more partnerships that will help us provide homes for more Filipino families.”

Working to bring bamboo into mainstream construction

S HA r e S B ase Bahay Head of te chnology Luis Felipe Lopez m u noz: “a key part of our commitment to promoting sustainable housing technologies is constant innovation. o u r vision is to be the global reference for bamboo and sustainable construction in order to help countries find alternative construction methods.”

At the Base i nnovation Center (B i C) in m a kati, the country’s first research and testing facility for sustainable and disaster-resilient construction technologies, Base is leading the charge on research and innovation surrounding the use of bamboo for the affordable housing sector.

Passionate about advocating the use of bamboo in mainstream construction, Base works with the Association of Structural e ngineers of the Philippines (AS e P ) to advocate

Code for Bamboo.

As part of its research and development initiatives in 2022, Base Bahay formed two new key partnerships with local universities Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and the te chnological University of the Philippines ( t U P). B i C also partnered with the d e partment of tr ade and i ndustry—Philippine te xtile r e search i n stitute ( d o S t- P t ri ) for further research opportunities and to bring its innovative products to Base communities.

to day, B i C works with 14 local and international university partners, allowing them to engage in special projects, such as the use of an augmented reality application in panel fabrication with incon and et H Z urich, and Panel Fabrication ta ble with Hilti P4.

“Since its launch in 2021, B i C has gained more attention from different local government units, institutions, and organizations globally with more people visiting the facility and engaging in partnerships with Base,” adds Luis Lopez. “So far, B i C has conducted 14 research works and completed 5 publications in collaboration with different local and international institutions.”

Adds Jorillo: “ t h ese research partnerships are essential to B i C and Base, as we continue to push for sustainable construction, particularly CBF t, t o be the building technology of choice in the industry. CBF t ho mes are disaster-resilient, environment-friendly, and sustainable –important elements for permanent housing here in the Philippines where we face multiple

typhoons every year.” Within its own organization, Base invested in organizational development, and is standardizing its processes through the deeper involvement of its own employees in drafting plans and strategies.

“We have likewise started to undergo a series of training courses on Quality m ana gement, so we can successfully adopt the system and get certified for i S o 9001,” Jorillo says.

Teaching a new generation of bamboo builders oN to p of its focus on research and development, Base Bahay continues to equip the housing and construction industry by offering Continuing Professional d e velopment (CP d) P rograms to architects, engineers and other construction professionals; and skills training to workers. Last year, online and in-person programs on Bamboo Standards and CBF t saw over 800 participants composed of professional builders and bamboo enthusiasts.

o n e of the highlights of Bamboo m o nth last September was the Bamboost, a forum on bamboo architecture and design developed by Base to upscale green construction. Leading the line-up of local and international experts speaking at the forum was Jörg Stamm, a Colombia-based bamboo construction specialist and trainer, widely known for his design and construction of engineered bamboo structures in different countries. Stamm was joined by Base Head of te chnology Luis Felipe Lopez and three heavyweights in the field of bamboo architecture: architect and urban designer m u nir Vahanvati, Filipino-American architect and Kawayan Collective co-founder r a y Villanueva, and multi-awarded Filipino architect Christian Salandanan who is widely known for his work with bamboo. t h is year, we are looking forward to establishing even more programs and other initiatives that will continue to put bamboo and CBF t f ront and center in the Philippines’ housing and construction industry,” says m a ricen Jalandoni, Base Bahay president. “We believe this kind of technology is what we need to fulfill Filipinos’ need for more affordable yet high-quality and sustainable homes.”

For more information on Base Bahay Foundation and ongoing projects, visit http://www. base-builds.com.

global economic and political environment.”

insights and recommendations

B ONDOC s ees a stellar finish by the property sector in 2022 supported by improvement in office deals across the country; higher supply and demand in the Metro Manila pre-selling condominium market; a rebound in mall consumer traffic; and a rise in hotel occupancies and average daily rates (ADRs). “We see this optimism persisting through 2023 as recovery prospects are boosted by strong macroeconomic fundamentals,” Bondoc said.

a rebound in 2023

C OL LI e R S Philippines said there is no doubt that Philippine property is on its way to recovery.

According to Colliers Philippines associate director Joey Roi Bondoc the experiences acquired from the Covid disruptions should boost the market to greater heights. “Now is the right time to focus on innovation and differentiation-led recovery strategies especially as developers and investors continue to face a precarious

He urged office developers to take advantage of a rebound in leasing within and outside Metro Manila. By constructing new office towers and offering more flexible workspaces; residential developers should launch new projects, integrating sustainable and green features, as the Metro Manila pre-selling condominium market recovers; while mall operators should brace for more foreign and local retailers as consumer confidence and foot traffic pick up.

SCT all set to build ‘super smart island’

By Roderick L. Abad

Sm A r t Citi te knologi (SC t ) i s em -

barking on an ambitious resort project in r o xas, Palawan and plans to provide faster connectivity to businesses and tourists in this upscale destination.

t h is is a different concept of making a super smart island,” SC t P resident and Chief e x ecutive o f ficer (C eo) m a rio P. m a rcos told reporters at the sidelines of their signing of an agreement with Czech company te sla te chnologies for the transfer of ownership and the industrial development in the Philippines held last February 23 in m an ila Hotel.

According to him, they are initially investing $1 billion for this mega project. He said: “With the support of international developers and international banks, this will be achieved.”

SC t is now in the process of acquiring a privately-owned 500 plus-hectare island, which it plans to develop into a high-end resort for seven years.

“ t her e are ongoing proposals by international team to be our partners in that development,” m a rcos noted the growing interest among foreign developers to join in this big ticket project.

t h e mixed-use development is designed to include five global standard hotels, shopping malls, pavilions and villas, yacht and golf clubs, and a private airport.

“ t h ese are special attractions there that are really totally unique because we integrate different types of robotics, i nternet of t h ings, and artificial intelligence in that island,” he cited.

“For sure there will be [casinos] if it’s permitted because this is for tourism purposes. t h is is really to attract the international market,” he added.

smart city initiative

t H e company has just closed an $8 million deal with te sla te chnologies to build a satellite-based platform

for its intelligent city program and produce electronics products in the country.

o u t of this initial investment, $5 million will be allotted for the transfer of technology and another $3 million for the production of small electronic products in assembly plants located in economic zones in Clark and Cavite. t h e existing satellite of SC t will be integrated with the internet-based channel to provide fast connectivity for different applications, including households, intelligent homes, and smart cities.

“Actually, this is really a priority one that we will now about to start the proof of concept of this L-band satellite,” the president and C eo of SC t said of their equipment with such frequency range that is capable of giving strong connection and signal even during a disaster or extreme weather conditions.

to f urther augment this, the company plans to purchase in 2025 a new satellite, which is 10 times faster than its current L-band satellite. i t w ill tie up with a Hong Kong firm using an American technology for this venture.

Being an L-band satellite provider, m a rcos also bared that they can integrate with Starlink, which has already provided connectivity in the country via its low-orbit satellite, and “become two-way, so the signal will be super fast and the connection is really very strong.”

SC t is also open to work with local telco providers and become their “end-to-end last mile solution for the smart city.”

i n fact, he bared his recent meeting with the top executives of Converge C t Solutions i nc. for possible collaboration since the latter needs the L-band satellite.

“We will do it in parallel with our boosting the connectivity, giving a very long term connectivity program for the Philippines,” m a rcos pointed out. “By 2025, i think we [can] achieve 70 percent of this plan.”

Despite the economic climate being challenged by high inflation rates and other macroeconomic factors, the Gotianun-led Filinvest Land inc. (FLi) remains bullish in 2023 encouraged by the resilience of businesses and the continued support of their customers.

a reNder of a Futura monte amenity in Naga.

aN aerial view of the Base x habitat for humanity Negros occidental impact 2025 project which aims to build 10,000 cement-bamboo frame homes in response to the growing need for socialized homes in disaster-prone areas.

Cool Smashers closing in on semis via rout of Army

CREAMLINE smashed its way past a hapless Army side, 25-15, 25-20, 25-12, to move a win away from formalizing its stint in post-eliminations play of the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference at the PhilsSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday.

Save for an early challenge from a game Army, it was all-Creamline show with head coach Sherwin Meneses having the luxury of fielding his other players for the needed confidence-boost in preparation for a wild stretch run in the single round eliminations with six teams all in the hunt for the four berths in the next round.

But with a 5-1 win-loss card, the Creamline looks a cinch to nail one of the coveted slots against either a surging PLDT next Tuesday or a struggling Akari on March 14.

A rmy dropped to 0-5.

W hile starters Tots Carlos and Michele Gumabao still led the assault with 17 and 11 points, respectively, Rose Vargas came away with seven points, middle Risa Sato scored five points and Rizza Mandapat and Pau Soriano had three and two points, respectively, for the defending champions, who came up with 42 attack points against the Lady Troopers’ 29.

They also pounced on their rivals’ erratic service reception and scored 10 aces, including four from Vargas and drew 19 points from the Lady Troopers’ 19 unforced errors while giving up 10 of their own.

Honey Royse Tubino fired 12 points while Lut Malaluan, Nene Bautista and Jeanette Villareal combined for 18 points. But after battling their fancied rivals in the first 12 minutes marred by mishits and miscues, the Lady Troopers lost steam and failed to measure up with the Cool Smashers’ power game and hustle plays.

The stringers had the opportunity to play,” Meneses said. “The stringers train the same way as the starters so they know how to rise to the

LAKERS’ LEBRON PREDICAMENT

LEBRON JAMES may miss multiple weeks with the Los Angeles Lakers because of an injury to his right foot, a person familiar with the situation said Monday night.

The full extent of the injury is not yet known and more test results were pending, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither James nor the Lakers announced anything about a long-term absence.

The Lakers had already ruled James—the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) all-time leading scorer—out for Tuesday’s game at Memphis with what they called right foot soreness.

James played 37 minutes in the Lakers’ 111-108 win at Dallas on Sunday, helping Los Angeles rally from a 27-point deficit. But he left the

PAL Men’s Interclub championships on

THE 74th Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub golf team championships get underway on Wednesday in Cebu with a record eight teams seeing action in the championship division led by defending champion Manila Southwoods.

This marks the first time that we have this many in the championship division,” tournament director Henry Arabelo said. “This could be because of the pandemic when many have used the time to improve their games. This is good news.”

Besides Manila Southwoods, the other teams in the premier category are host Cebu Country Club, Del Monte Golf Club, Eastridge Golf Club, Pueblo de Oro, Sta. Elena, Tagaytay Highlands and Valley Golf and Country Club.

Southwoods, however, remains the prohibitive favorite owing to a star-studded lineup led by pro-bound Kristoffer Arevalo, Gabriel Manotoc and Josh Jorge.

T he Carmona-based squad has won five of the last six stagings, including a 22-point victory over Del Monte in 2020.

Cebu Country Club, the 2019 champion, looms as Manila Southwoods’s main threat.

L ed by old hands Bayani Garcia, Eric Deen, Mark Dy and Carl Almario, the host club is expected to use its home course advantage to spoil Southwoods’ title-retention bid.

Teams competing in the championship division will tee off starting at 10:45 a.m. at the Cebu Country Club. Southwoods is teamed up with Del Monte, Eastridge and Valley.

Twelve teams are entered in the Founders division, 20 in the Aviator, 20 in the Sportswriter,and 20 in the Friendship.

T he annual event, held with the theme “Back to Ignite,” is supported by platinum sponsors ABS-CBN Global, Asian Journal, Airbus and NUSTAR Resort and Casino. Gold sponsors include Radio Mindanao Network, Mastercard, MemoRieS FM 89.9 Cebu, University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network, PLDT/Smart and Konsulta MD while the silver sponsors are Philippine National Bank (PNB), Biocostech and VISA.

M inor sponsors are Bollore Logistics, Tanduay Brands International, and Asia Brewery while donors are the Department of Tourism, Ogawa, Newport World Resorts, Rolls Royce and Boeing.

KAI OUT OF WORLD CUP EQUATION?

By Josef Ramos

WITH the Lebanon and Jordan games done in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup Asian Qualifiers, national team head coach Chot Reyes is contemplating on naturalizing another foreign player who’s 6-foot-10 or taller.

arena with a pronounced limp, with video from The Dallas Morning News showing how much the foot was bothering him.

He got hurt in the third quarter, gra bbing at the ankle after spending some time on the floor in obvious pain. But he stayed in to finish the game, noting how important it was to the Lakers’ playoff hopes.

It’s been better,” James said. “But I definitely wasn’t going to locker room and not finish the game. The importance of this game and then the momentum that we had, I felt like we could steal one after being down.”

James leads the Lakers in scoring at 29.5 points per game, and said at the All-Star break earlier this month that the team’s closing stretch this season would be some of the most important games he has played—noting he didn’t want

to miss the postseason for a second consecutive year.

The Lakers (29-32) started Monday 12th in the Western Conference, a game from 10th and the final spot in the play-in tournament, and only 2 1/2 games behind Dallas in the race for sixth. The top six teams in each conference are guaranteed playoff berths.

I f James—a 19-time All-Star, playing in his 20th NBA season— misses extended time, the Lakers’ task of getting in figures to become significantly tougher.

A nthony Davis, meanwhile, dunked a missed shot and screamed after giving the Los Angeles Lakers the lead for good over the Mavericks with two minutes to go. So much for the 27-point deficit in a showcase of stars that went from a laugher to a thriller with 13 fourthquarter lead changes. AP

SC affirms notice of disallowance against 2005 SEAG Bacolod officials

By Joel San Juan

THE Supreme Court (SC) has found two officials of the Bacolod Southeast

Asian Games Committee (BASOC) civilly liable for the P36.8 million disallowance issued by the Commission on Audit (COA) covering negotiated contracts for the construction of venues and facilities needed for the Bacolod leg of the 23rd SEA Games in 2005.

I n a 17-page decision penned by Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao and made public on February 28, 2023, the Court en banc denied the

petition with urgent prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) or writ of preliminary injunction  filed by BASOC chairperson Monico Puentevella seeking to set aside the November 9, 2016 decision and the January 31, 2020 resolution of the COA which affirmed  the notice of disallowance (ND) issued against him and secretary-general Eric Loretizo.

W hile the Court affirmed the ND, it modified COA’s ruling by remanding the case to the agency for the determination of the civil liability of Puentevella as well as Loretizo.

The SC explained that “despite the

This habit of withholding a shot

We are not ruling out the possibility of even going out and looking for another 6-foot-10 guy, or a 6-foot-11 guy,” said Reyes the morning after Gilas Pilipinas rallied mightily against Jordan but fell two charities and a short jumper short to absorb a 91-90 setback at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“ With all the uncertainty surrounding the Kai Sotto situation … if he’s not going to be available, we have to think about that,” said Reyes, expressing his anticipation that the World Cup gathers taller and bigger players with super basketball skill sets. “That’s part of the plan.”

Sotto’s availability for the World Cup is uncertain after the 7-foot-2 center expressed his desire to play in the National Basketball Association Summer Camp starting in July.

You just cannot come and show up and be on the team,” Reyes said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you have to be part of the preparation.”

R eyes also said that a June or July deadline could be imposed for players committing themselves to the August 25 to September 10 World Cup that the

country is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia.

He said the coaching staff would pick players who diligently practice with the team.

Gilas had Justin Brownlee as its naturalized player for both Lebanon and Jordan games and the 6-foot-5 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel resident import didn’t disappoint—he had 17 points, four rebounds and five assists in Gilas’s 107-96 win over Lebanon last Friday and repeated as the team’s top player against Jordan with 41 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

The Philippines wound up with a 6-4 win-loss record in Group E of the FIBA Asian Qualifiers in a tie with Jordan, which Gilas beat, 74-66 in the fifth window in Amman last November 22.

S otto was Gilas’s top scorer in that win over Jordan with 21 points with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

R eyes said that loss to Jordan served its purpose for Gilas.

“In the end, that’s what these games are for,” he said. “Just like what I’ve said exactly in my pregame talk about that this is another test—Friday is done, it’s over so it’s another test, and tonight result, I am still pleased with the way

THERE is this habit—a bad one, I believe—by teams not to “shoot that ball” anymore when the game’s outcome has been placed beyond doubt.  The basket would be deemed meaningless already, anyways.

Do you believe that?

I f you do, then you please no one but Tim Cone, the main proponent of that habit.

Th at never existed before in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). It started to take root only a while

impropriety of the contracts” with different contractors and suppliers, they are still entitled to retain the value of their deliveries and services to the BASCO.

Th e determination of the amount that the contractors and suppliers are entitled to, according to the SC, is factual in nature and beyond its authority.

T he Court said the total amount that the contractors and suppliers are entitled to retain should be deducted from the disallowed amount of P36.8 million. “ Disbursement of large public funds deserves no less; tax payers’

back upon Cone’s urgings. So passionate is Cone about imposing it that not once but twice that he’d had heated confrontation with player/s disregarding his advocacy.

D id Cone copy that from the National Basketball Association (NBA)?

But not all teams in the NBA do that. And nobody there gives a hoot whether you heed it or not.

It’s only here that it has become a big deal of late. No, correction. It’s only Cone who gets irked when a player disobeys. Was Arwind Santos the one that Cone had confronted after Arwind disregarded it?

But let me ask you this, fellas: What’s wrong with firing the last shot of the game, with the game’s outcome no longer in doubt, when the trey, the lay-up or the jumper is of no consequence anymore?

A basketball game doesn’t stop after the final buzzer is sounded.

Same with boxing. No boxer will stop boxing, fighting, until after the final bell is banged.

Same with golf. A golfer cannot sign his scorecard until he drops his final shot or his last putt.

money should always be spent with paramount consideration of full transparency and reasonable budget allocation,” the SC said.  Indubitably, these cannot be wantonly sacrificed on the altar of exigency inasmuch as reckless handling and accounting of public funds have no place in a government that endeavor to keep inviolate the trust of the people,” the SC pointed out.

It can be recalled that the Council of the SEA Games Federation awarded to the Philippines the privilege to host the 23rd Edition of the SEA Games to be held from November 27, 2005 to December 5, 2005.

Nationals top 7-Eleven Trail 2020

F or, what’s the use of a rule if it’s not enforced to the hilt? A nd, isn’t it funny that Cone, being the coach of the Ginebra team whose very existence is anchored on the iconic never-say-die chant, would bewail an act symbolic of a team’s undying resolve to fight to the very end, though the heavens fall?

R obert Jaworski, the legendary author of the fight-tothe-end talisman for the Gin Kings, must be rebelling in his own way.

A nd doesn’t every point count since the quotient system is in force in every conference? Therefore, a point that’s deliberately withheld is counter-productive since it still matters, anyway? It sucks.

T HAT’S IT The PBA All-Star program on March 9 to 12 in Passi City, Iloilo, has an interesting initial cast in the three-point shot contest: Paul Lee, Arvin Tolentino, Aaron Black, Gian Mamuyac, RR Pogoy, Marcio Lassiter, Kevin Alas, Juami Tiongson, Baser Amer and the ageless LA Tenorio...The Slam-Dunk contenders include Jamie Malonzo and newbies Tyrus Hill, David Murrell and Chris Lalata.  Is Chris the son of PBA great Rommel Lalata?...The PAL Interclub Golf is now on its centerpiece event, the Men’s Regular.  Good luck, fellers.

NATIONAL team mainstays Shagne Yao, Arianna Dormitorio and Eusebia Nicole Quiñones finished 1-2-3 in the elite category of the 7-Eleven Trail 2020 that made a comeback from the three-year pandemic shutdown with 2,040 riders seeing action at the Timberland Heights course in San Mateo, Rizal, Sunday.

E mmanuel Dave Montemayor, Jericho Rivera and James Carl de la Cruz shared the limelight in the men’s elite class of the event where the participants raced over a challenging 40-km single-loop course marked with climbs, fire roads and single tracks.

We anticipated a bigger and more intense competitive cycling experience in the Philippines in 2023,” said Vic Paterno, president and CEO of the Philippine Seven Corp., exclusive licensor of 7-Eleven in the Philippines.

The 7-Eleven Trail is eager to conduct bolder races in the future so that our local cyclists may also challenge themselves and that we can identify upcoming racers who may soon be our nation’s pride,” he added.

They rode on a challenging 40-KM single-loop course that comprised a mix of road climbs, fire roads, and single.

To cater to the pro and non-pro participants, selected portions of the trail were divided into two: A-Line and B-Line.

The A-line is for skilled riders. It is a fast lane with obstacles like jumps, drops, sharp turns, and gaps, while the B-Line is the less technical, slower lanes but still with twists and curves for the thrill.

ACTOR Derek Ramsay, representing Orchard, is flanked by Rodel Mangulabnan of Forest Hills and Bayani Garcia of Cebu Country Club during practice rounds at Cebu Country Club Tuesday.

SHAGNE YAO stands atop the podium with national teammates Arianna Dormitorio (left) and Eusebia Nicole Quiñones.

REYES

ROSE VARGAS rises to the occasion for Creamline.