NG debt posts another record: ₧10.3T in Jan By Bernadette D. Nicolas
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HE national government’s total outstanding debt in January has hit a new record high at P10.327 trillion as the government looked for more funds to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon confirmed to the BusinessMirror that the outstanding debt figure recorded as of end-January was a record high in terms of nominal amount. This figure was also even higher compared to the P10.13-trillion outstanding debt logged by the country in November last year. According to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the January figure was up 5.4 percent from end-2020 level of P9.795 trillion, “predominantly due to the reavailment of the P540-billion short-term
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loan facility from the BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas].” It was also a 33-percent jump from P7.76 trillion recorded in January 2020. Of the total debt stock, 71 percent was sourced locally, while 29 percent came from foreign sources. The government’s domestic debt reached P7.3 trillion, 9.4 percent above the end-2020 level of P6.69 trillion. The domestic debt as of end-January also surged by 43 percent from only P5.12 trillion recorded a year ago. On the other hand, external debt in January slid by 3.2 percent to P3 trillion from P3.1 trillion posted in end-December. However, this was a 13.7-percent hike from P2.6 trillion in January 2020. “The lower external debt figure was caused by the net repayment of foreign loans amounting to P93.49 billion and the P8.47 billion effect of third currency depre-
ciation against the dollar. These more than offset the P3.55-billion effect of local currency depreciation on dollar-denominated loans for the period,” the BTr said.
Guaranteed debt MEANWHILE, total outstanding guaranteed debt of the national government slightly declined by 0.4 percent to P456.39 billion in January from P458.35 billion in end-December last year. It was also 6.5 percent lower than the January 2020 level of P488.29 billion. Domestic outstanding guaranteed debt amounted to P254.1 billion, a slight contraction of 0.1 percent from the December 2020 level of P254.42 billion. This was also a 2.4-percent drop from P260.3 billion in January 2020. The government’s external outstanding guaranteed debt also settled to P202.28 billion, dipping by 0.8 percent
from P203.93 billion in December last year. This figure is also an 11.3-percent reduction from P227.99 billion in January 2020. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said earlier they expect the national government’s debt this year to reach 57 percent of GDP as the country aims to borrow a total of P3.03 trillion, roughly the same amount it borrowed in 2020. The government has since ramped up its borrowing plan to finance the expected higher budget deficit and to boost its war chest against the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020 the government posted a record-high full-year outstanding debt of P9.795 trillion and a 14-year-high debtto-GDP ratio of P54.5 percent. This came a year after the country recorded an outstanding debt level of P7.73 trillion as it snatched a historic low debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6 percent.
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Wednesday, March 3, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 143
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FURTHER IN JANUARY EMPLOYERS TO GOVT: HELP MSME SOURCE JABS FOR WORKERS By Elijah Felice Rosales
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A CUSTOMER awaits a teller inside a pawnshop in Cainta, Rizal, on Tuesday (March 3, 2021). Most Filipinos received their ayuda (pandemic-related government aid) through money exchange/ remittance centers and pawnshops during last year’s lockdowns. Many others continue to provide brisk business to pawnshops, as they pawn whatever items of value they have, in a desperate bid to survive as businesses are still recovering and shedding jobs. BERNARD TESTA
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By Bianca Cuaresma
OCAL banks’ risk aversion continued to show despite all-time low policy rates from the Central Bank as bank lending registered a bigger contraction in January.
Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released Tuesday afternoon showed bank lending contracted by 2.4 percent in January. “In general, credit activity remained soft due to weak demand as banks continued to be riskaverse on concerns over asset quality and profitability,” the BSP said.
Bank lending first collapsed into contraction territory in December by 0.7 percent. This was the system’s first lending decline in 14 years. January was the tenth consecutive month that bank lending slowed despite the aggressive efforts of the BSP to lower interest See “Bank,” A2
‘Rate hike delay to cut PhilHealth fund life by 6 mos’ By Bernadette D. Nicolas
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TATE-RUN Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) fund life is seen to shorten by six months from August 2028 to February 2028 due to the proposed deferment of the premium hike and the expected reduc-
tion in the number of payors amid the Covid-19 pandemic. At Tuesday’s Senate committee hearing on bills granting the President the power to suspend increases in PhilHealth contribution, National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said PhilHealth is projected to book a net loss of P17.5 billion
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.6010
this year with the deferment in the premium rate increase and the decline in the number of payors. “This is expected to be covered by the institution’s reserve fund, which will reduce the said fund from P160.6 billion to P143.5 billion. The implication is that it will shorten the fund life of PhilHealth
MPLOYERS have asked the government to relax the rules for vaccine purchase, as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are finding it difficult to buy doses for their workers. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop), urged the government to facilitate the orders of vaccines placed by MSMEs. He said MSMEs are now burdened not only by the cost of vaccines, but also by the procurement process. “Anything that the private sector buys, the government saves money, especially in vaccines. It’s less expenses on the part of the government. I hope the government makes it easy for MSMEs to procure the doses,” Ortiz-Luis told the BusinessMirror. Ortiz-Luis also questioned the findings of a survey that said two-thirds of firms in the Philippines are now arranging the purchase of vaccines on their employees’ behalf. Based on reports filed by MSMEs with Ecop, they are finding it difficult to source the money for vaccine importation on financial losses suffered in the Covid-19 lockdowns.
by six months from August 2028 to February 2028,” said De Leon, a representative/alternate of PhilHealth’s board of directors exofficio member Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III. De Leon also said PhilHealth’s total liabilities, including its contin-
“More than 90 percent of enterprises in the Philippines are micro, and they are the ones who got it worst during the pandemic,” Ortiz-Luis said. He confirmed some corporations based in the business district Makati City are assisting MSMEs obtain vaccine shots. However, he admitted the private sector can only do so much, and it falls under the government’s responsibilities to supply them with vaccines. See “Jabs,” A2
See “PhilHealth,” A2
n JAPAN 0.4553 n UK 67.6818 n HK 6.2661 n CHINA 7.5149 n SINGAPORE 36.6082 n AUSTRALIA 37.7581 n EU 58.5691 n SAUDI ARABIA 12.9596
Source: BSP (March 2, 2021)
News BusinessMirror
A2 Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Bank… Continued from A1
rates and boost liquidity conditions. In comparison, the Philippines’s bank lending growth rate was at 13.6 percent in March 2020. Bank lending also contracted in the midst of growing liquidity conditions in the country.
Liquidity grows
IN a separate report, the BSP said domestic liquidity grew 9 percent to hit P14 trillion. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the overall stance of monetary policy is “expected to remain accommodative in order to complement ongoing fiscal and health initiatives to support economic activity and market confidence.” “In this regard, the BSP stands ready to deploy appropriate measures as needed in support of the recovery of the economy, consistent with its price and financial stability mandate,” he added. In mid-February, Diokno admitted that the weakness of business confidence in the face of the pandemic is limiting the potency of monetary policy to lift the economy from recession. The BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase rate is now at an all-time low of 2 percent after BSP’s aggressive cuts to spur activity in the local economy in 2020. In total, the BSP cut its rates by 200 basis points last year. “Any further monetary measures may continue to have a limited impact unless business and consumer confidence improves significantly. These limits to monetary policy underscore the need for a whole-of-government approach to address the impact of the pandemic,” he said. Broken down, outstanding loans to key sectors continued to decline, particularly to wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles by 6.9 percent, manufacturing by 7.4 percent and financial and insurance activities by 6.3 percent. However, the BSP said the contraction could have been larger had this not been tempered by loan growth in some sectors, such as to real-estate activities by 5.7 percent, transportation and storage by 6.6 percent and construction by 4.3 percent.
Jabs… Continued from A1
Poll: 65% placed orders
A SURVEY by Willis Towers Watson released on Tuesday claimed nearly two-thirds, or 65 percent, of managements in the Philippines have now placed vaccine orders for their companies. Among those who have yet to do so, the survey reported 58 percent of them are considering getting soon, while 42 percent have no plans at all. Further, 60 percent of the respondents said they are now working on securing vaccine shots for their workers. The survey by Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, and People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) gathered the insights of 250 human-resource practitioners in the Philippines and was conducted in February before the arrival of the first batch of vaccines in the country on Sunday. Ortiz-Luis argued MSMEs should be allowed to recover first before they are required to order vaccines for their staff members. Without financial liquidity, MSMEs, which make up more than 99 percent of business establishments in the Philippines, may be forced to buy vaccines at the expense of further losing capital, he added.
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AIIB chief to address Manila Forum for Chinese investors
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By Elijah Felice Rosales
HINESE investors are expected to attend a public-private forum on Wednesday to see how they can do business in the Philippines in time for its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Association for Philippines-China Understanding (Apcu) and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines will hold the first Manila Forum for Philippines-China relations on Wednesday. For its initial run, the forum will focus on the topic of “Joining Hands to Boost Economic Recovery from Covid-19.” In a statement, the Apcu announced it has invited Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as speaker for the forum. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Ambassador of China to the Philippines Huang Xilian will open the discussions that will be held through virtual conference. Liqun, for his part, is tasked to talk about how cooperation between the two countries can accelerate the bounce back of their respective economies. Apcu Chairman Emeritus and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will deliver a message as well, while Apcu Chairman and Cagayan Economic Zone Author-
ity Administrator and CEO Raul L. Lambino will close the program. Businessmen and investors from both the Philippines and China are scheduled to attend the Manila Forum to see the industries where they can operate. Likewise, they look to take advantage of the forum as a platform to learn the prospects of investing in the Philippines. In January, Arroyo, along with Chinese State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, attended the official launch of the Manila Forum through a virtual platform. Apcu said it created the Manila Forum as an avenue to strengthen the ties and understanding between the Philippines and China. The forum was founded by Apcu and the Chinese Embassy here with the goal of enhancing the mutual trust, promoting cooperation and resolving differences between the two Asian countries. Under President Duterte, the Philippines has established closer ties with China in spite of a longstanding dispute on maritime con-
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The senator confirmed the panel’s findings in Committee Report 184 that listed “flaws in inspection standards, errors in test results, and the lack of transparency in the accreditation process.” In turn, the senators also approved the probe committee report’s recommendation to allow Congress and experts to determine the propriety of expressly allowing the privatization of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System and delegating it to the private sector. Poe stressed, however, that “discretion cannot be left to the magnanimity of private enterprises.” Among others, the Senate panel report confirmed findings “that the policy was altered to allow the DOTr and Land Transportation Office employees to own a PMVIC as long as they’re not
Continued from A1
gent liabilities, had already amounted to P6.09 trillion as of end-2020. Compared to their original projection in 2021, De Leon said they expect a “significant” reduction in PhilHealth’s collection by 17.7 percent or P15.6 billion given the proposed premium hike deferment. On top of this, she said they expect the number of payors to decline by about 5 million due to the pandemic. From their original 2020 projection of 18 million payors this year, she said they project this to drop to 13 million payors in their revised 2021 projection. “Accounting for this, we expect a shortfall in the collection, amounting to P20.25 billion when compared to the 2021 original projection,” she said. “Anticipating this, the PhilHealth board of directors already reduced those 2021 expenditures for its primary care benefit package or the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama by P17 billion.”
JIN LIQUN at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 25, 2013. WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM/MICHAEL WUERTENBERG
trol in the South China Sea. On Sunday, China’s Sinovac was the first Covid-19 vaccine to arrive in the country—a donation by Beijing—as the government struggles to buy doses from Western manufacturers on supply shortage. However, some health-care experts have warned against the use of Sinovac for
China’s refusal to publish crucial results for the vaccine’s efficacy. Philippine health officials explained that the 51-percent efficacy rate frequently attributed to Sinovac pertains to mild cases, but that the vaccine is effective for preventing moderate to serious infections which could sometimes result in death.
SENATE ADOPTS PANEL REPORT TO HALT MVIS SCHEME ENATE probers, after mounting an inquiry, moved to abort the controversial privatization of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) under the Duterte administration. Unanimously adopting a panel report submitted by Sen. Grace Poe as chairman of the Committee on Public Services, the Senate sought the immediate repeal of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Department Order 2018-019 and all related issuances. Poe pointed out that “while the fees have been lowered for now and testing seems to have been made optional, the implementation of this flawed program must be stopped definitively pending the resolution of issues hounding it.”
PhilHealth…
part of the accreditation committee." Senate findings showed that PMVICs only charged an annual licensing fee of P50,000 for each center “despite its projected income [amounting to] P40 million.” The Senate chief prober asserted that if the agency used the Motor Vehicle User’s Fund to finance the construction of PMVICs instead of privatizing it, the government could have generated more income and become less of a burden to motorists. Citing data from the DOTr, the committee report noted there was a total of P11.1 billion in unreleased Motor Vehicle Inspection Center funds as of June 2019, while the capitalization for each PMVIC costs around P50 million. It also noted subsequent find-
ings that 12 out of the 24 incorporators of PMVICs “do not have enough capitalization.” Senate probers concluded that “the anomalies surrounding the rollout of PMVICs far outweigh its good intention of uplifting road safety.” Poe warned, “if we turn a blind eye to the irregularities now, motorists will shoulder this burden for years to come.” Upon submission of probers’ initial findings, the Senate adopted the report’s recommendation to endorse it to the Senate Blue Ribbon panel for further investigation of alleged “highly anomalous transactions surrounding the accreditation of PMVICs and the officials complicit and involved therein.” Butch Fernandez
DE LEON: “The implication is that it will shorten the fund life of PhilHealth by six months from August 2028 to February 2028.”
P20-B collection drop IN the same hearing, PhilHealth's Acting Senior Vice President Nerissa Santiago also said they expect a P20.2-billion drop in PhilHealth’s collections this year due to the decline in the number of payors and the proposed deferment of premium hike. For 2022, Santiago said they are estimating a bigger drop in PhilHealth’s collection amounting to P44.4 billion should the impact of the pandemic continue and if the scheduled premium rate hike this year would be pushed back to 2022. Early this year, PhilHealth had announced that it is temporarily deferring the implementation of its scheduled premium contribution rate hike to 3.5 percent from 3 percent for direct contributors following President’s directive. PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dante A. Gierran earlier said an “interim arrangement” will be good until Congress passes a new law allowing the deferment of scheduled premium adjustment in the Universal Health Care law.
DOH monitoring 20 cases of adverse reaction to jabs By Samuel P. Medenilla
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OLLOWING the pilot deployment of the government’s Covid-19 vaccine drive on Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) said only 20 of the 756 vaccine recipients complained of “adverse events” after their inoculation. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday this was the latest result of their surveillance of the six vaccination sites, which were covered in the initial deployment of 600,000 doses of the Sinovac Biotech vaccines, as of 9 am on Tuesday. The complaints included in-
flammation in the part of their arm where they were jabbed with the vaccine, rashes, headache, nausea and high blood pressure. Vergeire said they monitored the said cases, while they implemented the mandatory 30-minute waiting period before allowing vaccine beneficiaries to leave the vaccination centers. “All of them were monitored and managed accordingly before they were sent home. None of them were hospitalized,” Vergeire said in an interview with PTV.
Indemnification conditions
THE health official said they will continue to monitor the health
HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III prepares to inject China’s Sinovac vaccine on Filipino doctor Eileen Aniceto at the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City on March 1, 2021. AP/AARON FAVILA
status of those who received the vaccine for at least a year to determine the efficacy of the vaccine they received. Vaccine effectivity will be determined based on how it will lower the hospitalization rates, severe symptoms, and fatality among the population inoculated with it.
Lulu Bravo, a member of the government’s Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI) committee, said those who complained of “adverse effect” will not immediately qualify for indemnification under Republic Act (RA) 115251 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021. The executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination said the AEFI will first review if the symptoms are indeed related to the Covid-19 vaccine before the complainants could qualify for government compensation. She said side effects will be deemed related to the Covid-19 vaccine if it is established that it is a vaccine product-related reaction, vaccine quality-related reaction, immunization error-related reaction, and immunization anxietyrelated reaction. RA 115251 provides for a P500-million indemnification fund to be facilitated by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for people who will die, suffer permanent disability or hospital confinement for “serious adverse effects” attributed to Covid-19 vaccine use.
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Bangsamoro bill proposes creation of anti-graft body By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief
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AVAO CITY—A bill creating an anti-corruption body has been filed at the Bangsamoro Parliament as the fledgling autonomous region gradually crafts important codes and legislations to cement its authority over the Filipino Muslims in the south. The bill creating the BantayKorupsyon Office was filed last week in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The office shall be the primary authority in investigating complaints involving graft and corruption against any public official and employees of the Bangsamoro Government and its constituent local government units, as well as their co-principals, accomplices, and accessories from the private sector, if any, the Bangsamoro Information Office said. The proposal was labeled Parliament Bill 67 and was authored by Member of Parliament (MP) Mohammad S. Yacob. Yacob quoted the pronouncements of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in explaining on why the anti-corruption body should be established by the Bangsamoro government. “The chief minister believes that only through moral governance can our government be truly set in the teachings of Islam that is to enjoin good and forbidding evil,” Yacob stated on the bill’s explanatory note. He said moral governance refers to the set of rules, practices, and processes “completely devoid of all the evils of graft and corruption, and explicitly driven by the moral principles of utmost dedication, devotion, honesty, justice, and integrity.” “The bill shall be an effective deterrent and avenue for the path to a graft and corruption free Bangsamoro Government,” Yacob said. “In order to guarantee moral governance and the fight against
corruption, it is imperative that the BTA Parliament pass this act into law creating a special office under the Office of the Chief Minister that will oversee this effort,” he added. Meanwhile, an online petition that would request President Duterte to certify as urgent the pending bills for the extension of the Bangsamoro transition in Congress, has registered a total of 322,409 signatures as of the weekend. The Mindanao People’s Caucus, a member of the network of organizations advocating for the extension, said the number of signatures was overwhelming “considering that the signature campaign was started barely two weeks.” The CSO Movement for Moral Governance and the Mindanao Peoples Caucus initiated the campaign and disclosed “netizens from as far as Abra, Benguet, Bohol and Antique have signed the petition in a massive show of support to the peace process and in solidarity for the Bangsamoro people.” The groups said the signature campaign has gained support from academic institutions like the Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University and Xavier University, which established signature booths in their respective campuses. Dr. Habib Macaayong, president of the Mindanao State University (MSU) has brought the MSU system into the full support to the call to extend the transition period. The MSU has 11 campuses across Mindanao and Dr. Macaayong has encouraged students to participate in the on-line petition and make their views be heard. The MPC said students from Cotabato City “have also mobilized their own ranks to gather as many signatures as possible online.” Dr. Sema Delna, president of the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, has also encouraged students to make their views be heard. “We will work night and day to reach our 1-million target. We hope through this effort, we will be able to get the listening ears, not only of the President, but also the honorable legislators in Congress,” said Maudi Maadil, campaign officer of MPC.
Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, March 3, 2021 A3
DOH reports at least 38 new cases of different variants of SARS-Cov-2 By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco Correspondent
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HE Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday that at least 38 additional new cases of different variants that may have possibly mutated from SARSCov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. DOH, University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) and the UP-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) on Tuesday bared the detection of 30 B117 variant (UK variant) cases, six B1351 variant (South Africa variant) cases, and two additional “cases with mutations of interest.” HealthUndersecretaryMariaRosario Vergeire said that they are currently investigating if the uptick in Covid-19 cases in Pasay City can be attributed to the South Africa variant after three of the six cases came from the city. “The probability is always there but we need to do a thorough analysis to confirm,” Vergeire said in an online media forum. She, however stressed that “the variant can aggravate [and may possibly] hasten transmission.” When asked if there is already a local transmission of the South African variant in Pasay City, the health official said that they are still “investigating” such possibility. The Pasay City local government has already placed 77 barangays under localized enhanced community
quarantine following the spike of Covid cases recorded in the past weeks.
Samples sequenced
AMONG the 8th batch of 350 samples sequenced by the UP-PGC, six yielded positive results of the South Africa variant, 30 UK variant and two additional samples from Region 7 were found to have both N501Y and E484K mutations. Of the six cases positive of South Africa variant, three are local cases, two are returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) and one case is still being verified as to location. The three local cases were reported as residents of Pasay City whose samples were collected between January 27 and February 13, 2021. Two of the local cases, a 61-yearold female and a 39-year-old male, are active cases currently being managed by the local government. The third local case, a 40-year-old male, has already recovered. On the other hand, the two ROFs arrived in the country from United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Their statuses are, however, currently being verified. Moreover, the DOH is currently verifying if the sixth case is a local case or an ROF. To date, the DOH said that there are already 48 countries with reported cases of the B1351 variant. While there is no evidence, Vergeire reiterated that “this variant
causes more severe disease, the pattern of mutations within this variant suggests higher transmissibility and may have an impact on vaccine efficacy,” or an “immune escape” may occur.
UK variant
MEANWHILE, upon submission of sequencing data of the 62 original UK variant cases as of last count to the Global Initiative on Sharing of All Influenza Data (GISAID), GISAID reclassified five cases as belonging to other variants. This brought the total number of UK variant cases in the country to 57. With the addition of the 30 cases detected in the latest genome sequencing batch, the total UK variant cases in the country is now at 87. Of the 30 additional cases with this variant, 20 cases are ROFs, three are local cases, and seven are currently being verified if these are local cases or ROFs. Twenty detected ROFs entered the country from the Middle East, Singapore, and the United States between January 20 and February 16, 2021. Thirteen of these are asymptomatic active cases, while seven have now recovered. On the other hand, the three local B117 variant cases are from the Cordillera Administrative Region, where Vergeire confirmed that there may already be a local transmission of the said variant in the area.
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reduced the legislated minimum pay from SG 15 to SG 11. On the other hand, Paduano said Section 32 of RA 9173 provides that in order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of nurses, the minimum base pay of nurses working in public health institutions shall not be lower than salary grade 15 prescribed under Republic Act 6758, otherwise known as the “Compensation and Classification Act of 1989.” “Aggrieved, the Ang Nars Party-list filed a petition in the Supreme Court questioning the legality of EO 811 in 2015. Eventually, the High Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and ordered the government to implement Section 32 of RA 9173,” he said. Pursuant to this decision and upon reaching the stage of finality, Paduano said, DBM issued the aforementioned circular to comply with the ruling. “However, after finding absurdity in the circular, the Department of Health suspended its implementation through Department Memorandum 2020-0466 dated October 21, 2020,” he said. “If followed through, the circular reclassifies a Nurse 2 to a Nurse 1, making it appear that they have been demoted one rank lower. The same is true with Nurses 3, 4, 5 and 6,” he added. Unlike members of the Philippine National Police whose salary increase did not affect their positions, Paduano said the nurses cried foul as they claimed otherwise. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
Mutations of interest
MOREOVER, based on the latest sequencing results, two additional samples from Region 7 were found to have both N501Y and E484K mutations. The DOH also reported that upon further verification, two cases from Region 7 previously reported to have these mutations have been delisted, thus the total remains at 34 cases. Despite the arrival of vaccines and the successful initial vaccination activities, the DOH emphasized that adherence to minimum public health standards is still the best course of action to prevent community transmission and further virus mutations. “The DOH further calls on local government units to immediately implement necessary measures in line with the national PDITR strategy,” the DOH said. The PDITR stands for Prevent-Detect-IsolateTreat-Reintegrate strategy. The DOH added that local governments are also encouraged to be on heightened alert to monitor, detect, and report unusual spikes in cases in their respective areas.
After Mauro’s dismissal, govt revises HSW rules for envoys
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Lawmaker seeks probe into delay of nurses’ pay HE House minority leader is seeking an investigation into the long-delayed implementation of Philippine Nursing Act or RA 9173, which provides for the salary grade hike of nurses, two decades the measure was enacted into law. In a privilege speech late Monday, Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod said he will be filing a resolution to dissect the Department of Budget and Management Budget Circular 2020-4 and to determine whether additional legislation is necessary to fully implement and comply with the pay grade increase of nurses. In July 2020, the DBM issued Budget Circular 2020-4 for the implementation of Section 32 of RA 9173, which sets the minimum monthly base pay of nurses in public hospitals to Salary Grade 15 amounting to P32,053 to P34,801. “Let me lay down for you, Mr. Speaker, esteemed colleagues, the chronology of this two-decade-old law that has not been fully implemented. It was in 2002 when the Philippine Nursing Act or RA 9173 was enacted. Section 32 of the said law provides that the minimum base pay of nurses working in public health institutions shall not be lower than salary grade 15,” Paduano recalled. In October 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of RA 9173 in favor of Ang Nars party-list challenging the validity of the congressional resolution and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Executive Order 811, which
One case is currently active and has been admitted to a hospital, one has recovered, and one is a reported fatality. The linkage of the three local cases to previously reported UK variant cases in the region is currently being investigated.
STREET ENTREP
A budding entrepreneur on wheels pedals the stretch of Panay Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, on his rolling store selling different plastic wares. Vending of consumer goods—either online or offline—has become a popular means of livelihood amid the pandemic. PNA/JOEY O. RAZON
National ID Step 1 listing exceeds 20 million–PSA
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ILIPINOS registered under Step 1 of the National ID registration process has already exceeded 20 million, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Latest data from the PSA showed a total of 20.13 million Filipinos have completed Step 1 registrations for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) as of February 26. National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa told the BusinessMirror on Tuesday that this includes the 10.6 million that were registered in 2020. He said the target for the first three months of 2021 is also within reach. “The 20 million Step 1 registrants include the 10.6 million Step 1 registrants covered in 2020 [October to December 2020 operations],” Mapa said. “From January to February 28, 2021, we were able to cover 9.9 million registrants. We are maintaining the 14.9 million [close to 15 million] target for Q1 [first quarter
of] 2021,” he added. The PSA, in a news statement, said the conduct of house-to-house Step 1 Registration would end on March 31. By April 2021, the PSA plans to open the online Step 1 registration to the public. The primary target in opening Step 1 registration to the public are tech-savvy youths who can encourage and help members of their family register through the PhilSys portal. Meanwhile, efforts to ramp up the implementation of Step 2 registration in all registration centers of the 32 provinces will start by the middle of March 2021. Step 2 involves the validation of supporting documents and capture of biometric information, such as fingerprints, iris scans, and front-facing photographs at registration centers as per the registrants’ appointments. “Achieving the 70-million target this year would be an exceptional feat for the PSA and other agencies involved in the implementation. The
success of the PhilSys necessitates the full support and commitment of government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, the private sectors, and all Filipinos,” Mapa said in a news statement. The PSA earlier said National ID Step 1 registration remains on track to hit the 14.9-million target in the first quarter of the year. This is in addition to the 10.6 million Filipinos registered between October and December 2020. Step 1 registration for the National ID started in October 2020. For 2021, the PSA intends to register 50 million to 70 million Filipinos in Step 2 of the National ID registration. Mapa said this is doable considering the number of Step 1 registrants completed last year and as of February this year. He said if the Step 1 registration target for the first quarter of 14.9 million were achieved, this would bring the total Step 1 registration to 25.5 million by March 31, 2021. Cai U. Ordinario
OVERNMENT officials posted on foreign assignments would no longer be authorized to bring with them Filipino domestic staff, but would still be allowed to keep household service workers (HSW) officially listed with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., announced the new ruling on Twitter in the wake of the dismissal from the diplomatic service of former Ambassador to Brazil, Marichu Mauro, who was caught on closed-circuit television abusing her 51-year-old female household helper. “DFA no longer allows domestic staff to go with officers assigned abroad. They must apply to POEA,” Locsin tweeted. He added that he ceded full authority to POEA, which sets $400 to $600 as minimum salary “deposited in domestic’s bank account plus other safeguards. It cannot happen again.” Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) advocate, Susan “Toots” Ople, thanked Locsin for the speedy ruling on the Mauro case, “making sure the case of Ambassador Mauro did not drag on like other admin cases did, before this administration.” “Kudos to President Duterte for his decisive action. The videos said it all. Both sides were heard. Sana wala ng kasunod [Hopefully, we would see no more of this incident again].” Ople told Locsin she is aware it was not easy to recommend Mauro’s dismissal “given that her peers handled the case, then there could be no doubt about the outcome.” “May this serve as a reminder to all diplomats to treat kasambahays [househelpers] with respect and dignity,” she added. The sorry incident occurred in October 2020 after the video reportedly taken from security cameras in the ambassador’s residence in Brasilia and shown by a Brazilian news agency, showing a woman attacking somebody who appeared to be a housekeeper. Recto Mercene
BusinessMirror
A4 Wednesday, March 3, 2021 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. IV-A 4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362
42
C AND U PHILIPPINES INC LSIP 3 San Rafael, Santo Tomas, Batangas
Mr. JUNJIN GAO / Chinese
Technical Project Manager
43
C AND U PHILIPPINES INC LSIP 3 San Rafael, Santo Tomas, Batangas
Mr. SHENGFA LI / Chinese
Technical Project Manager
44
C AND U PHILIPPINES INC LSIP 3 San Rafael, Santo Tomas, Batangas
Mr. SHUJUN YANG / Chinese
Technical Project Manager
45
CITIZEN MACHINERY PHILIPPINES, INC. FPIP, Bgry. Ulango, Tanauan City, Batangas
Mr. SATOSHI TSUCHIYA / Japanese
Division Manager
46
DYSON ELECTRONICS PTE. LTD. - PHILIPPINE BRANCH CIP II, Brgy. Punta, Calamba City, Laguna
Mr. CHRISTOPHER THOMAS OLIPHANT / British
General Manager
47
E N CORPORATION CEZ, Rosario, Cavite
Mr. RON NUNG LIN / American
48
HONDA TRADING PHILIPPINES ECOZONE CORPORATION LTI, Biñan City, Laguna
Mr. MASANAO SHIKANAI / Japanese
Chairman, President and General Manager
Mr. YOSHIHIRO NAMBA / Japanese
Executive Vice President
March 03, 2021
NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP)
Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s. Name and Address of Company/ Employer
Name and Citizenship of Foreign National
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Position/s
1
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. LOK KAH FAI / Malaysian
Malaysian Customer Service Representative
2
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. THEIN NAING OO / Burmese
Myanmari Customer Service Representative
3
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. NYI LIN HTET / Burmese
Myanmari Customer Service Representative
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. CHONG VUI CHEW / Malaysian
Malaysian Customer Service Representative
Mr. ZIYUN LIU / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
49
5
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
MITSUBA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION (PLANT 1 CAVITE) FCIE, Brgy. Langkaan, Dasmariñas City, Cavite
6
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. HONGDA YANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
50
PHILIPPINE MATSUDEN, INC. Golden Mile Business Park,, Carmona, Cavite
Mr. WATANABE TORU / Japanese
General Manager
7
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. TAO HUANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
51
SAMPO MOLDING AND ASSEMBLY INDUSTRY CORP. CPIP, Batino, Calamba City, Laguna
Mr. DONGCHEOL RYU / Korean
General Manager
8
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. ZHEN CAO / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
52
SEOKNAM, INC. Sahud Ulan, Tanza, Cavite
Mr. NAM JIN KANG / Korean
Vice President
9
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. MOE MOE KYI / Burmese
Myanmari Customer Service Representative
53
THN AUTOPARTS PHILIPPINES INC. CPIP, Brgy. Batino, Calamba City, Laguna
Mr. YONGHEE CHUN / Korean
Technical Staff
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. ZHANPENG LI / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
54
Mr. YOSHIFUMI MISHIMA / Japanese
11
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Ms. XIAOMIN GUO / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
YAZAKI-TORRES MANUFACTURING, INCORPORATED Brgy. Makiling, Calamba City, Laguna
Ms. YIN YIN AYE / Burmese
Myanmari Customer Service Representative
55
12
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
MASSPOWER PHILIPPINES ELECTRONICS INCORPORATED FCIE Compound, Langkaan 1, Dasmariñas City, Cavite
Mr. WEN-HAO MAO / Taiwanese
13
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. TAIYANG YU / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
56
YAMASHITA MOLD PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Daiichi Industrial Park, Silang, Cavite
Mr. TAKAJI MORISHITA / Japanese
14
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. YAPAI LIN / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
57
RADIX TELECOM PHILS., INDUSTRIES INC. CEPZA, Rosario, Cavite
Mr. HANSEOP LEE / Korean
Operations Manager
15
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Ms. YAJUN LIU / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
58
ALMEX TECHNOLOGIES PHILIPPINES INC. CEZ, Rosario, Cavite
Mr. MINORU HIKITA / Japanese
Electrical Manager
16
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Ms. YAN CHEN / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
59
BO CHENG RUBBER PHILIPPINES INC. Lima Technology Center-SEZ, Lipa City, Batangas
Mr. LEI WU / Chinese
Production Control Manager
17
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. ZONGJUN HUANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
60
BO CHENG RUBBER PHILIPPINES INC. Lima Technology Center-SEZ, Lipa City, Batangas
Mr. YUMENG LUO / Chinese
18
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Ms. VAY CAM MY / Vietnamese
Vietnamese Customer Service Representative
61
YAMAHA MOTOR PHILIPPINES, INC. Lima Technology Center, Malvar, Batangas
Mr. KENICHI OYOBE / Japanese
IT Systems Development Adviser
19
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. XIAO YANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
62
CAL-COMP PRECISION (PHILIPPINES), INC. FPIP II-SEZ, Brgy. Sta Anastacia, Santo Tomas, Batangas
Ms. BUPPHA BOONSON / Thai
Manufacturing Specialist
20
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. XINGGUO PENG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
63
PRECISE TECHNO INCORPORATED CEPZ, Rosario, Cavite
Mr. TOSHIAKI WATANABE / Japanese
21
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. SEM KUAN BOON / Malaysian
Malaysian Customer Service Representative
64
M.A. TECHNOLOGY, INC. CEZ, Rosario, Cavite
Mr. YOSHIYUKI SAITO / Japanese
22
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. SHAOFENG ZHANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
65
E-TECHNOLOGY PHILS., INC. CEZ, Rosario, Cavite
Ms. WOOJOO LEE / Korean
23
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. SHAOLIN PENG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
66
MOSHIMOSHI FASHION WEAR INC. Silang St., Poblacion 22, Batangas City, Batangas
Mr. MD ABU BOKKER SIDDIK / Bangladeshi
24
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. GUOXIU SUN / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
67
CUTECH PROCESS SERVICES PHILIPPINES INC. Pallocan Kanluran, Batangas City, Batangas
Ms. SURYA PRABHA THANGARAJ / Indian
25
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. ZHOU YANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
68
CUTECH PROCESS SERVICES PHILIPPINES INC. Pallocan Kanluran, Batangas City, Batangas
Mr. MOHANRAJ SELLAMUTHU / Indian
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. QINGYU LI / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative 69
SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna
Mr. XIAOFENG ZHENG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
70
SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna
Mr. WEICHENG QIU / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
71
SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna
Mr. JIANYI WU / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
4
10
26
27
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. QIAN LIN / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Administration Supervisor
Vice-President and Treasurer
QA/QC Manager
Treasurer/Factory Manager
Material Handling Manager
Senior Manager
General Manager
Managing Director
Quality Control Manager
Finance Executive
General Manager
28
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. CHUAN YAN / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
29
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. FENGYAN CUI / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
30
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. JIAXING CHEN / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
72
SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna
Mr. KAIZHAO ZHANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
31
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. MENGQI CHEN / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
73
SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna
Mr. LEI ZHANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
32
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. PEIXING WU / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
74
Mr. SHUANGWEN LI / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
33
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. HUANSHI LI / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna
Mr. HO A SAU / Vietnamese
Vietnamese Customer Service Representative
75
34
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna
Mr. HONG YANG / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
35
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Ms. HAIMEI LU / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
36
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. CHUNG KIM SOON / Malaysian
37
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. LIMING LI / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service
38
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. YOU QIN / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service
39
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. SHUAI SHU / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
40
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite
Mr. SHUNXI GAO / Chinese
Chinese Customer Service Representative
41
C AND U PHILIPPINES INC LSIP 3 San Rafael, Santo Tomas, Batangas
Mr. QIANJIN SU / Chinese
Technical Project Manager
Malaysian Customer Service Representative
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 the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication. Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.
EXEQUIEL RONIE A. GUZMAN Regional Director
To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph AEP20201007481
www.businessmirror.com.ph
BusinessMirror
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 A5
BusinessMirror
A6 Wednesday, March 3, 2021
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NO.
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION
24/7 BUSINESS PROCESSING INC. 5th-6th-7th Flr. 81 Newport Bl Newport City Brgy. 183 Pasay City 1.
CHEN, XIAOYUN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
2.
CHEN, ZHIQUAN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
3.
CUI, HENG Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
4.
GAO, XIANG Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
5.
HU, JINGPENG Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
6.
JIANG, WEI Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
LI, HONGBIAO Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
8.
SEW WENDSY Malaysian
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
9.
SHI, LEI Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
7.
10.
WANG, YU Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
11.
XIE, YONGXU Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
XIONG, GANG Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
13.
YONG JIA YING Malaysian
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
14.
YUAN, ZHEN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
15.
ZHANG, HU Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
16.
ZHANG, KUN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
17.
ZHANG, SHAOLIN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
18.
ZHANG, YI Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CHINESE ACCOUNTS)
FU, BOWEN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
20.
ZOU, YONG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
21.
LIANG, DANMEI Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
22.
TIAN, YE Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
23.
TU, ZHIYUAN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
24.
WANG, JINLE Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
25.
SIN HY HA Vietnamese
VIETNAMESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
26.
TRAN BOI HONG Vietnamese
VIETNAMESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
12.
19.
8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5/f To 10/f, Tower 4 Pitx #01 Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City 27.
MENG, FANYONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
28.
MO, XIANMENG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
29.
MO, DANFENG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
30.
NAI, WUPING Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
31.
NI, CHENHAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
32.
NI, XIAOLING Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
33.
NING, CHAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
34.
OUYANG, TAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
35.
OUYANG, YONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
36.
PAN, XIAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
37.
PAN, ZIWEI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
38.
PENG, ZHIWEI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
39.
PENG, SENLIN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
40.
QI, JIAQIANG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
41.
QI, JIAZI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
42.
QIN, LIYAN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
43.
QING, YUBO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
44.
QU, SHAOHUI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
45.
SHANG, JIAHAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
46.
SHAO, LINLIN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
NO.
www.businessmirror.com.ph
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
POSITION
NO.
47.
SHEN, XUEFENG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
96.
48.
SHI, FEI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
49.
LU, LINPU Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
50.
LU, JIAHAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
51.
MA, XIAOLONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
52.
MA, YANBIN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
53.
MA, TAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
54.
SUN, WANMENG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
AXISCOVE INC. Unit 1 & 3 14/f Sshg Law Center Sycip Law Center 105 Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City
WAN, WEIWEI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
105.
HE, RUIYING Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING I.T TECHNICIAN
56.
WANG, NING Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
106.
LI, YAOLIANG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING I.T TECHNICIAN
107.
CHINESE SPEAKING I.T TECHNICIAN
57.
WANG, SHUAISHUAI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
LI, ZHANWEI Chinese
108.
LIN, HONGMEI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING I.T TECHNICIAN
109.
MA, JIE Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING I.T TECHNICIAN
110.
YAN, SHUFEI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING IT PROJECT ASSOCIATES
111.
YANG, YING Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING IT PROJECT ASSOCIATES
112.
YI, XUAN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING IT PROJECT ASSOCIATES
113.
ZHOU, YIQI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING IT PROJECT ASSOCIATES
55.
58.
WANG, YU Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
59.
WANG, YUZHI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
WANG, ZHOULONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
61.
WANG, ZIBIN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
62.
WANG, JUNBIAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
63.
WANG, KUN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
WANG, LONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
60.
64.
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION
NO.
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
POSITION
XIANG, SHENGQIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
153.
SHEN, RONGSHUI Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
97.
YANG, ZHONGJU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
154.
SHEN, JIE Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
98.
ZHAN, ZHIPING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
155.
SU, AIXI Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
99.
ZHANG, ZHENZHONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
156.
TANG, YONGJIE Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
100.
ZHANG, HAIWEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
157.
WEI, WEI Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
101.
ZHANG, BEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
158.
WENG, YINGHAO Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
102.
ZHAO, PAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
159.
YANG, ZEZHONG Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
103.
ZHOU, LIZHI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
160.
YAO, MINGCHENG Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
104.
ZHU, GUANLIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
161.
YE, TINGTING Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
162.
YU, SONG Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
163.
YU, MEILE Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
164.
YUAN, PU Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
165.
ZENG, BIAO Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
166.
ZENG, XIAOJUN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
167.
ZHANG, JINFA Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
168.
ZHANG, JINGYUAN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
169.
ZHENG, YONGLONG Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
170.
ZHOU, HAIYIN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
171.
ZHUO, FENGLIAN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City
BISMILLA FASHION TRADERS CORP. Unit No. Pas. J-15, Bac Terminal Plaza 1 Bldg. Taft Ave. Ext. St. Barangay 078 Pasay City
114.
LUO, ZHENGWEI Chinese
MANDARIN .LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
172.
SALMAN Bangladeshi
115.
HUANG, QIUYAN Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM ANIMAL HEALTH PHILIPPINES, INC. 23/f Citibank Tower 8741 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City
116.
LIU, LEI Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
173.
117.
LIU, ZHELUN Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
118.
SUI, WENBIN Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
119.
TENG, RUIXUE Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
120.
WANG, BINGKUN Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
TRÖTSCHEL, CHRISTIAN DANIEL German
INVENTORY SPECIALIST
PRESIDENT / HEAD OF ANIMAL HEALTH
BOWENHILLS TECH INC. 19/f Lepanto Bldg. 8747 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City
65.
WANG, MINGXING Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
66.
WEI, JIAN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
67.
KANG, JIA Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
121.
XIAN, JINSI Chinese
68.
MA, MINGCHENG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
122.
XIE, PENGFEI Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
C’EST LA VIE EVENT MANAGEMENT INC. 230 Narra Street Marikina Heights Marikina City
69.
WEN, ZEFAN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
123.
YANG, JINGUO Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
176.
WU, ZHIYING Chinese
70.
XI, XIAOLONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
124.
YANG, YUE Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
CHINESE - BOOTH FABRICATION SPECIALIST CONSULTANT
177.
XIA, QIUHONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
ZHANG, JIAWEI Chinese
CHINESE - FIELD SALES CONSULTANT
125.
YE, CHUANDONG Chinese
XIAO, HENG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
126.
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
178.
72.
YUN, MENG Chinese
ZHAI, LIWEN Chinese
CHINESE - GENERAL TRADE MARKETING SPECIALIST CONSULTANT
73.
XIONG, BANGSHUN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
127.
CAI, YUHE Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
179.
XU, BINQIANG Chinese
74.
XU, WENQIANG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
128.
CAO, JINHAO Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
CUSTOMER SUPPORT TRAINOR - MANDARIN SPEAKING
180.
FIELD SALES CONSULTANT
75.
XU, XIAOLONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
129.
DAI JIANWEN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
AL KHATEEB, WESAM Syrian
76.
CHEN, XILING Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING GRAPHIC DESIGNER
130.
FENG, ZHIHONG Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
77.
CHEN, XU Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING GRAPHIC DESIGNER
131.
GU, XIAOLIN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
78.
HE, XIAOXIAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING PROGRAM DESIGNER
132.
GUI, LUHONG Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
79.
ZHANG, YUNFENG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING PROGRAM DESIGNER
133.
HU, XIANGANG Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
80.
ZHONG, SHUIHONG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING PROGRAM DESIGNER
134.
HUANG, LIQIAN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
81.
ZHU, YUNFEI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING PROGRAM DESIGNER
135.
HUANG, MOHAN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
136.
HUO, MINGYE Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
137.
JIAN, XIAOFEI Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
138.
JIANG, ZIYUN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
139.
JIANG, SHUILIN Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
186.
LI, YUJING Chinese
IT PROJECT MANAGER
187.
CHEN, JIANFENG Chinese
MARKETING EXECUTIVE
71.
AEON CREDIT SERVICE SYSTEMS (PHILIPPINES) INC. Unit 1101 & 1102, Citynet Central No. 298b, Edsa Cor Sultan St. Brgy. Highway Hills Mandaluyong City 82.
KURE, TOSHIMITSU Japanese
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D. Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street Tambo Parañaque City
174.
WEI, SHANGRONG Chinese
CHINESE-SPEAKING MARKETING OFFICER
BRADY PHARMA INC. #281, 3/f Edsa Bendel Center Brgy. Highway Hills Mandaluyong City 175.
SURENDRANATH, RAJESH Indian
COUNTRY SALES MANAGER
CONSULTING SUPERIORS INC. Unit No. 2c, Flr. No. 4/f, One E-com Center Bldg. Ocean Drive Mall Of Asia Complex St. Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1 Pasay City 181.
LI, PENG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING ADMIN ASSOCIATE
182.
XU, YOU Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING ADMIN ASSOCIATE
183.
ZHANG, SIJIA Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK
DA PROSPERITAS HOLDING INC. 16/f Tower 6789 6789 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City 184.
HONG, WANZHAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
185.
WU, CHUHUI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
DIGISPARK TECH CORP. Unit 1618 High Street, South Corporate Plaza, Tower 2 26th St. Corner 9th Ave. Bgc Fort Bonifacio Taguig City
83.
DENG, DANDAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
140.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
84.
LAN, BINGHAO Chinese
KANG, WEIDONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
141.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
85.
LI, JIE Chinese
LI, MINGYU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
142.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
188.
JIANG, YE Chinese
MARKETING AND SALES AGENT
86.
LI, XIAODONG Chinese
LI, HONGLIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
143.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
189.
LI, ZHUOCHENG Chinese
MARKETING AND SALES AGENT
87.
LIU, LIKUI Chinese
LI, SIQI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
144.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
190.
LYU, DESHENG Chinese
MARKETING AND SALES AGENT
88.
LIU, ZONGYU Chinese
LIAO, HONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
145.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
191.
XIN, BING Chinese
MARKETING AND SALES AGENT
89.
NGO VAN BINH Vietnamese
LIN, HONGSEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
146.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
90.
REN, XINGWEI Chinese
LIN, MUZHEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
147.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
91.
SU, QINGLIN Chinese
LIU, HANCHEN Chinese
148.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
92.
VERAWATI Indonesian
LIU, HANG Chinese
149.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
93.
WANG, DIANQIN Chinese
LU, XIAOBIN Chinese
150.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
94.
WANG, PENGKUN Chinese
LU, YUELI Chinese
151.
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
95.
WEI, XIAOLIN Chinese
LUO, YE Chinese
152.
PENG, WENBING Chinese
MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503 Nueva St Binondo Manila
EXQUISEEN INC. Unit 1 & 3 14/f Shhg Law Center Sycip Law Center 105 Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City 192.
GONG, WENTING Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING SYSTEMS ANALYST
193.
HUANG, YUANQIANG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING SYSTEMS ANALYST
194.
SHI, CHUNZHAN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING SYSTEMS ANALYST
195.
YANG, QIONGFANG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING SYSTEMS ANALYST
FIRST GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. Lot 5 Sta. Agueda Cor. Queensway Pagcor Drive Sto. Niño Parañaque City
BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NO. 196.
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
POSITION
NO.
GONG, XUEYAN Chinese
MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE
INQUICK SERVICES INC. Unit 606 6/f Itc Bldg. 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City
FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. 4th-11th Floor Aseana 3 Building Aseana Avenue Corner Diosdado Macapagal Tambo Parañaque City
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
POSITION
NO.
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION
NO.
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
POSITION
294.
CHEN, LEJIANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
362.
SHENG, SAIFENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
295.
CHEN, YIDONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
363.
SHI, YONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
296.
CHEN, ZENGWEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
364.
SHI, DONGXIA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
297.
CHEN, CAI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
365.
SHOUK KHWAN Myanmari
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
298.
DANG VAN THANG Vietnamese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
366.
SONG, TINGTING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
299.
DENG, JIAHUAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
367.
SU, MENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
300.
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
368.
SU, YANBIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 7/f Aseana I Bldg. Bradco Avenue Aseana Business Park Tambo Parañaque City
DING, FENGLONG Chinese
301.
DU, ZONGCHANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
369.
TAN, ZHILU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
249.
SHANGGUAN, YURONG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
197.
AUNG MYINT ZAW Myanmari
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
INTEGRITY GLOBAL GROUP, INC. 2/f-3/f Ayala Malls Circuit A.p. Reyes Ave. Carmona Makati City
198.
CHEN, GUOJUN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
250.
199.
CONG, SHENGRI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
200.
DUAN, LINA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
201.
FANG, DASHUAI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
202.
HE, YABIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
203.
HU, XIAOTING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
252.
LI, JIEQING Chinese
CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
302.
EFFENDY Indonesian
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
370.
TAN KIM FA Malaysian
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
204.
JIANG, MINGFANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
253.
LIU, FENG Chinese
CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
303.
FAN, YUNTAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
371.
TANG, CHANGYI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
205.
LAN, JIANCHEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
254.
LIU, XUAN Chinese
CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
304.
FENG, YAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
372.
TANG LY TONG Vietnamese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
206.
LI, FAPENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
255.
LU, GUANGPING Chinese
CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
305.
GAO, MENGKE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
373.
TRAN VAN UOC Vietnamese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
207.
LI, ZONGFENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
256.
ZHANG, WENJIE Chinese
CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
306.
GAO, TAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
374.
WANG, WEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
208.
LI, SHUCHANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
257.
ALFRED CHEN KOYIK Malaysian
IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
307.
GU, CHUANLONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
375.
WANG, JUNMEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
209.
LI, ZHIWEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
308.
GUAN, HONGTAI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
376.
WANG, FEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
210.
LIU, YUNHAI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
309.
GUAN, YINGHUA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
377.
WANG, PENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
211.
LU, CAIYUN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
310.
HAU WEI FONG Malaysian
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
378.
WANG, JIA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
212.
LYU, ZHIPIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
311.
HUANG, YAJIAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
379.
WANG, JINYI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
213.
SHI, WENBO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
312.
HUANG, HUI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
380.
WANG, ZHAOXIA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
214.
TAN, RUIMING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
313.
HUANG, WEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
381.
WIE WIN ANDRIKO Indonesian
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
215.
TANG, LIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
314.
HUANG, TAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
382.
WU, NANCHENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
216.
WANG, CHEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
315.
JIAN, SHAOKANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
383.
WU, JU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
217.
WU, DASHAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
316.
JIANG, ZEHUI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
384.
WU, CHAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
218.
YAN, JIALI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
317.
JIE, QINGHUA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
385.
XIA, YONGBIAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
219.
YANG, ZHIBING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
318.
JIN, HENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
386.
XIA, GUOCHAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
220.
YANG, SHUANGFU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
319.
JIN, MENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
387.
XIE, WEIZHAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
221.
YONG, KAIYUE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
320.
KE, JIAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
388.
XIE, MEILIAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
222.
YONG KEAN GOON Malaysian
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
321.
KE, XIAOMENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
389.
XING, JIANQING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
223.
YU, MIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
322.
LEI, CAIXIA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
390.
XU, LINLIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
224.
ZHANG, YAORAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
323.
LI, DAZONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
391.
XU, YIHAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
225.
ZHANG, YUE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
324.
LI, WENCHAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
392.
YANG, RUOFEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
226.
ZHENG, HAIWEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
325.
LI, ZHE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
393.
YANG, TIANCI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
227.
ZHOU, YANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
326.
LI, CHEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
394.
YANG, CUITING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
228.
ZHU, DAOJING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
327.
LI, SONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
395.
YANG, TONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
328.
LI, XIAOMING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
396.
YANG, LEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
329.
LI, QIUXIA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
397.
YU, KAIQIONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
330.
LI, SHAORONG Chinese
398.
YU, LINFENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
331.
LI, DENGKE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
399.
ZENG, CHENGCHENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
332.
LIANG, PINGPING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
400.
ZENG, LINGLING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
333.
LIAO, KUN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
401.
ZHANG, CHAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
334.
LIAO, CHUANJIANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
402.
ZHANG, QIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
335.
LIN, SHIFENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
403.
ZHANG, FANGWEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
336.
LIU, YONGHUI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
404.
ZHANG, HUI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
337.
LIU, HAOJIE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
405.
ZHAO, YUE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
338.
LIU, NANA Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
406.
ZHENG, JIANHONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
339.
LIU, TING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
407.
ZHENG, CAIBO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
340.
LIU, HAILIANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
408.
ZHONG, RONGLONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
341.
LIU, WENBO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
409.
ZHOU, RUITING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
342.
LIU, CHANGSHUN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
410.
CHEN, YINGQIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
343.
LIU, CHENGGEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
411.
CHEN, LIZHI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
344.
LIU, SHUAI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
412.
DAI, XIANGMING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
345.
LIU, XIANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
413.
GUAN, MANGSHAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
346.
LONG, JINTAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
414.
JIANG, HUI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
347.
LUO, SHENQIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
415.
JING, FENGLONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
348.
LUO, LIANMAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
416.
LI, XIUXIAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
349.
LYU, BI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
417.
LIN, XINGSHU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
FRONTIER TOWER ASSOCIATES PHILIPPINES INC. Ug/f Somerset Olympia Bldg. 7912 Makati Ave. Urdaneta Makati City 229.
RAMU, SURESH Indian
ENERGY AND PROCUREMENT ANALYST
GENX SPORTS & MEDIA PRODUCTION CORP. 26th And 27th Flr. Eastwood Cyber One Bldg. Eastwood City Cyberpark No. 188 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Bagumbayan 3 Quezon City
ZOU, WEIPING Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
INTERQUEST MANPOWER INC. Unit 602 6/f Richville Corporate Tower Madrigal Business Park Ayala Alabang Muntinlupa City 251.
DENG, QIUYAN Chinese
MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg. Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 258.
HERMANTO ANTONIS Indonesian
BAHASA SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
259.
CHEN, LIANG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
260.
CHENG, CAILIN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
261.
DONG, TINGTING Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
262.
FANG, QINZHEN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
263.
FANG, QIANG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
264.
FU, YI Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
265.
GUO, XIAOTING Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
266.
HAN, GUANGYUAN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
267.
HU, SHUPENG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
268.
HUANG, BINSONG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
269.
LI, XUAN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
270.
LIANG, ZHAONING Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
271.
LIU, JIAHAO Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
272.
WANG, WUCHAO Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
273.
WANG, HONGJIE Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
274.
WANG, LIMIN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
LI, RUIGUO Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
231.
LI, YE Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
275.
WU, ZIWEI Chinese
232.
PAN, JIANDONG Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
276.
WU, YU Chinese
233.
SONG, HAO Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
277.
XU, JIAHENG Chinese
234.
TAN, AI Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
278.
YANG, KUN Chinese
235.
WANG, TIANYU Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
279.
YANG, XIONG Chinese
236.
WANG, NA Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
280.
ZENG, YAN Chinese
237.
XU, JUNKAI Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
281.
ZHANG, MIN Chinese
238.
YANG, SHOUMING Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
282.
ZHANG, ZIQIAN Chinese
239.
YAO, YONGKUN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
283.
ZHU, HAIFENG Chinese
240.
ZHANG, HAO Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
MELCO RESORTS LEISURE (PHP) CORPORATION City Of Dreams Aseana Ave. Cor. Roxas Blvd. Tambo Parañaque City
230.
241.
ZHANG, SHULAN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
242.
ZHAO, SHUAIYING Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
GRANDTECH SUPPORT SERVICES INC. 4/f U-2c One E-com Ctr. Bldg. Ocean Drive Brgy. 076 Pasay City 243.
HUANG, CHENGJIA Chinese
SITE TECHNICAL SUPPORTMANDARIN
HAOLI BUILDERS CONSTRUCTION CO. INCORPORATED 1219 Soler Cor Masangkay St. 028, Bgy 294 Binondo Manila 244.
LIN, ZHIYONG Chinese
CHINESE EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION SPECIALIST
245.
LI, ANQING Chinese
HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER
HEUFT (ASIA) LIMITED Unit No. U-301, Ipmc Bldg. Don Benito Hernandez St. Barangau 076 Pasay City 246.
SIEWERT, ANDRE UWE Deutsch
SERVICE MANAGER
HISAMITSU PHARMACEUTICAL CO., INC. MANILA BRANCH Unit 11c Marco Polo Hotel Manila Ortigas Meralco Ave. Pasig City 247.
ENDOH, TAKUMA Japanese
BRANCH MANAGER / RESIDENT AGENT
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City 248.
MA, MENGHUI Chinese
WIRELESS TECHNICAL EXPERT FOR SMART LTE PROJECT
284.
HABASHI, MICHAEL Australian
DIRECTOR, SECURITY
MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
285.
GUO, YUZE Chinese
MANDARIN OPERATION SPECIALIST
350.
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
418.
MANDARIN TECHNICAL SUPPORT
MA, ZHAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
286.
CHEN, DEHAO Chinese
MENG, XINYUE Chinese
351.
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
419.
MANDARIN TECHNICAL SUPPORT
MIAO, MEILING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
287.
YU, ZONGMIN Chinese
NGUYEN VAN HOANG Vietnamese
352.
PAN, FENGLEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
420.
TANG, GUOWU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
353.
PAN, RENGUANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
421.
WANG, GUOHUI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
354.
PAN, JIAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
422.
WANG, CONGMEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
355.
PENG, ZHENGZHONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
423.
WANG, BAIYANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
356.
PHAM THANH TRUNG Vietnamese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
424.
WANG, XIAOYI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
357.
PHUNG THI ANH Vietnamese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
425.
WANG, WEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
358.
PI, BIZHEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
426.
XIE, CHEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
359.
QIU, YINGJIE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
427.
YANG, YUBIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LTD. MANILA REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE 20/f Zuellig Bldg. Makati Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas Urdaneta Makati City 288.
YOKOME, KAZUNORI Japanese
JAPANESE CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 289.
ADELINE CHENG POH CHEN Malaysian
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
290.
ALBERT CHENG TAU SIANG Malaysian
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
291.
CAO, YUNQING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
292.
CAO, CHUANBIAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
360.
QIU, JIAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
428.
YU, JIANYE Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
293.
CHEE WEE FAT Malaysian
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
361.
QU, SHENYANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
429.
ZENG, KUN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
A7
Economy BusinessMirror
A4 A8
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug
www.businessmirror.com.ph
9 of 10 Pinoys see a more challenging job market amid pandemic–LinkedIn
N
By Cai U. Ordinario
@caiordinario
EARLY a year after the government implemented lockdowns to control the spread of Covid-19, Filipinos are faced with more challenging job market opportunities, according to LinkedIn. In a news statement, LinkedIn said data from its Opportunity Index 2021 showed nearly nine in 10 Filipinos feel they have been negatively impacted by Covid-19, citing job insecurity, reduced working hours and pay. LinkedIn said this could have led to a cautiously optimistic outlook among Filipinos, with three in four believing that the economic situation in the country has worsened. “About a year on since Covid-19 hit us, many continue to struggle from job loss and job instability. Yet it is heartening to see that people have also turned their focus towards helping the community,” said Feon Ang, vice president, Talent and Learning Solutions, APAC, LinkedIn. Data showed 53 percent of Filipinos considered job security as their most desired opportunity this year. However, they have also started looking for new opportunities to help others within the community. LinkedIn said 51 percent looked at providing safety support items
such as sanitizer and masks to others within the community and 32 percent offered to mentor others to gain opportunities. Filipino workers also explored opportunities to learn soft skills such as effective communication, creative thinking, and leadership. These were sought after skills by millennials. However, learning opportunities for hard skills such as business analytics, sales, and marketing were also sought after by millennials and Gen Zs.
Working girls
THE survey data also showed women, especially working mothers, are facing more significant obstacles under the current setup compared to men. Close to half or 47 percent of working mothers said they were struggling to balance their work and household responsibilities. Around 42 percent said their duties at home are getting in the way of their career development.
Despite the challenges, LinkedIn data showed women are prepared to work hard but would like equal access to opportunities as men. Data showed 88 percent of women are prepared to work hard and 85 percent would like equal opportunities as men. For women, these are the most important aspects to get ahead in life. The results also showed that 22 percent of female professionals said they had fewer career advancement opportunities and 14 percent claimed they were paid less than men in their profession. LinkedIn noted that “half of working women in the Philippines have experienced that their gender played a role in missing out on opportunities, promotion, and pay.” The data also showed 74 percent of women in the country think that gender equality is an important value for a fair society, while 31 percent said gender equality is impossible to achieve in the Philippines. “The Philippine work force has taken a hit due to Covid-19 across the board, women included. The lack of time is the top barrier for women today—likely due to having to juggle remote working and family responsibilities. We also know that women are seeking to get ahead in life, and want equal access to opportunity as men,” Ang said. “As a society, we need to start changing our societal perceptions on gender. In our organizations, too, we need to level the playing field for women. When we succeed, the economy and our organizations succeed as well,” she added.
House readies ₧50-B supplemental budget for police, military pensioners By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
T
HE chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday said he is set to file a P50-billion supplemental budget for the pension and gratuity fund of retired military and police personnel previously slashed in the national budget. ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap made assurance after Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor accused Speaker Lord Allan Velasco for the alleged P20-billion decrease in military’s pension and gratuity fund in the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA) during the chamber’s privilege hour. Yap said he is preparing a supplemental budget of P50 billion to absorb the fund deficiency brought about by the P70-billion budget cut made by the previous House leadership. Yap also clarified that the 2021 GAA was diligently scrutinized by the Bicameral conference committee and the Executive department, including the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). “It was the most responsive budget we could craft and pass in the wake of the global pandemic, especially considering the fact that Speaker Lord Allan Velasco had to work double-time to pass the GAA and prevent a reenacted budget,” Yap said. Yap explained that the P20 billion was consensual removal of a buffer fund, which the DBM, House and the Senate all agreed. He added that the present quandary involving the pension of uni-
formed retirees was due to the P70-billion cut in their budget for the year 2020 during the previous House leadership. Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab accused the previous House leadership of manipulating the 2020 national budget which resulted in budget cuts totaling P209 billion, including the more than P70 billion that were slashed from the pension and gratuity fund of retired military and police personnel. Ungab was the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations when Congress approved in 2019 the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 during the term of thenSpeaker Alan Peter Cayetano. “I think this is the proper time to reveal what truly happened, everything that has happened. ’Yun pong nag-finalize ng Bicameral conference committee report was not anymore the chairman [of the Committee on Appropriations],” Ungab revealed. Ungab said that at that time, he talked to his Senate counterpart, Sen. Sonny Angara, to pass the 2020 budget as the economy was severely affected then. He was then ousted as head of the appropriations panel as he continuously voiced his disgust over the cuts. Ungab said that he will tell all in a privilege speech at the proper time. Meanwhile, Defensor, in a news statement, said the claim of Yap that P20 billion in military and police retirees’ pension money was diverted to Covid-19 vaccine procurement is not true. “To set the record straight,
the vaccine procurement fund approved by Congress, as recommended by the Bicameral conference committee and carried in the 2021 budget, was P2.5 billion, which is good for just a few thousand doses and which was the amount recommended by the executive branch at the beginning of the pandemic,” he said. For his part, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the allegation of Ungab that former Speaker Cayetano and him had “allegedly removed” P70 billion in gratuity and pension funds in the 2020 national budget is “rather absurd on several points.” “First, there was no such push by the then-Speaker or by myself at the Bicam committee talks for the 2020 GAA bill. If I recall correctly, if there was such a move, it was probably initiated by the Senate, not by the House contingent, let alone by the Speaker or by myself,” he said. “Second, I was just the deputy speaker for finance at that time and it was Congressman Ungab, as the then-chairman of the House appropriations committee, who was the House’s honcho, so to speak, at the negotiations as head of the House contingent. Hence, how could I or the Speaker have inserted or removed anything in the budget talks when neither of us was physically present in the Bicam process and he was the team leader?” he added. Villafuerte said such “absurdities” simply indicate that Ungab “is in a state of extreme distress” over his failure to prevent the alleged P70-billion budget cut from happening.
www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Angel R. Calso
The World
Hong Kong democracy activists headed to court for second day
H
ONG KONG—A cour t hearing for 47 democracy activists charged under Hong Kong’s national security law was set to resume Tuesday after a marathon session that was adjourned well past midnight after one defendant appeared to collapse and was taken away in an ambulance. The court is weighing whether to grant bail to the activists, who were detained and charged Sunday over their involvement in an unofficial primary election last year that authorities say was part of a plot to paralyze Hong Kong’s government. The national security law, which China imposed on Hong Kong eight months ago in response to months of anti-government protests, makes it a crime to overthrow, seriously interfere in, disrupt or undermine Hong Kong’s government. The law, which also criminalizes acts that incite Hong Kong’s secession from China, collusion with foreign powers and terrorism, has largely silenced protest in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. The 47 activists, who include prominent leaders such as Joshua Wong and Benny Tai, were among 55 arrested in January on suspicion of subversion in what was by far the biggest sweep by police since the security law’s enactment. The 47 were formally charged Sunday. Authorities have not said whether the other eight will be charged. A large crowd of supporters gathered outside the courthouse Monday, displaying slogans in favor
of the 2019 pro-democracy protests advocating greater local autonomy. China has cracked down hard on such calls, demanding changes to the legal and educational systems to inculcate loyalt y to the ruling Communist Party. Hong Kong’s security secretary, John Lee, defended the national security law at a webinar Monday during a UN Human Rights Council meeting. “The effect of the law is obvious and direct,” he said, according to a transcript. “Violence has dropped significantly. Advocacy of ‘Hong Kong independence’ subsided. People arrested for offences in public order incidents have dropped by 50 percent in five months. Stability and order have been restored.” The 47 charged this week were involved in primaries held by the pro-democracy camp last year to determine the best candidates to field to try to win a majority in the legislature. At least some members of the camp had plans to vote down major bills that would eventually force Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to resign. Authorities said that the activists’ participation in the primary was part of a plan to paralyze the city’s legislature and subvert state power. Nearly 100 people have been arrested under the national security law. Serious offenders could face life imprisonment. AP
New WTO chief pushes for vaccine technology transfer, fisheries deal
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ENE VA—The new head of the World Trade Organization called on Monday for a “technology transfer” when it comes to Covid-19 vaccines and urged member nations to reach a deal to reduce overfishing after years of fruitless talks as she laid out her top priorities after taking office. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian economist and former government minister, donned a mask and doled out welcoming elbow bumps as she took up her job at WTO headquarters on the banks of Lake Geneva. Still, she immediately set about trying to change the organization’s culture. “It cannot be business as usual. We have to change our approach from debate and rounds of questions to delivering results,” she told ambassadors and other top government envoys that make up the 164-member body’s General Council. “The world is leaving the WTO behind. Leaders and decision-makers are impatient for change,” she said, noting several trade ministers had told her that “if things don’t change,” they would not attend the WTO’s biggest event—a ministerial meeting—“because it is a waste of their time.” Okonjo-Iweala, 66, is both the first woman and the first African to serve as the WTO’s directorgeneral. Her brisk comments were a departure from the more cautious approach of her predecessor, Roberto Azevedo, who resigned on Aug. 31—a year before the end of his term. She did not take sides on an effort led by South Africa and India to wrest a temporary waiver of WTO rules on intellectual property protections, which could help expand production of Covid-19 vaccines and expedite their rollout around the world. But she gave an early shout-out to the developing world. While “intensifying” dialogue continues on the vaccine waiver proposal, Okonjo-Iweala said: “I propose that we ‘walk and chew gum’ by also focusing on the immediate needs of dozens of poor countries that have yet to vaccinate a single person. People are dying in poor countries.” She alluded to “difficult” targets to produce 10 billion doses, “so we must focus on working with companies to open up and license more viable manufacturing sites now in emerging markets and developing countries. We must get them to work
with us on know-how and technology transfer now.” As for fisheries, WTO negotiators have been tasked with striking a deal that could help eliminate subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and prohibit fisheries subsidies that contribute to overfishing and an overcapacity of fishing boats. Member states of the WTO, which works to craft accords that can ensure smooth international trade, have struggled to reach an agreement on fisheries even after two decades of work. Okonjo-Iweala called for finalizing the negotiations “as soon as possible,” and credited Colombian ambassador Santiago Wills, who chairs those talks, for his “really hard” work. “My presence is to try and support him proactively to try and unblock the situation so he can complete the fantastic work he has been doing,” she said alongside Wills as they met with advocacy groups outside the WTO gates. “It has been 20 years—and 20 years is enough.” Wills said it was “music to my ears to see on the first day the [director general] comes here and makes a statement on the fisheries negotiations.” Okonjo-Iweala’s first day also consisted of meeting staffers and attending her first meeting of the General Council. The closed-door council meeting was largely held by videoconference because of measures aimed to fight the pandemic. Okonjo-Iweala’s victory in the race last fall was delayed largely because the US administration under Donald Trump supported another candidate. Her appointment came through last month when the Biden administration cleared the way for her selection at the trade body, whose rules require consensus. The WTO is facing headwinds such as rising protectionism. Its dispute settlement system has been blocked because the US has almost singlehandedly prevented appointments to its Appellate Body—a rough equivalent to an appeals court. Okonjo-Iweala said last month that “wideranging reforms” are needed, vowing that a first priority would be to address the economic and health consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic— such as by working to lift export restrictions on supplies and vaccines to get them distributed to countries in need. AP
U.K.: Poorer nations should get ‘gold-standard’ COVAX vaccines
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ONDON—British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Monday that he understood the “conundrum” faced by developing countries as they wait for vital supplies of coronavirus vaccine. But Raab urged poorer nations to wait for the “gold standard” vaccines delivered by a UN-backed program rather than opt for shots from China and Russia. The COVAX initiative, formed to ensure fair access to vaccines by low- and middle-income countries, has been hampered by the severely limited global supply of doses and logistical problems. Speaking on the day that the first COVAX-supplied vaccine shots were given to people in Ivory Coast, Raab said “we understand the conundrum that they feel.” However, he said countries should consider advice from scientists and the World Health Organization about which vaccines are safest. Raab said COVAX “is the gold standard of international support for the most vulnerable countries around the world. And I think they ought to be ambitious to have their people vaccinated according to that gold standard.” Although it aims to deliver at least 2 billion shots this year, COVAX currently has legally binding agreements only for several hundred million doses,
and far fewer than that have been delivered. So far, around 500,000 doses have been delivered to Ivory Coast and 600,000 to Ghana. The chief of the World Health Organization said Monday it was “regrettable” that younger and healthier adults in some rich countries are being vaccinated against the coronavirus ahead of at-risk health workers in developing countries. At a press briefing on Monday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said immunizations provided by the UN backed effort COVAX have begun in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, but lamented that this was happening only three months after countries such as Britain, the US and Canada began vaccinating their own populations. “Countries are not in a race with each other,” he said. “This is a common race against the virus. We are not asking countries to put their own people at risk. We are asking all countries to be part of a global effort to suppress the virus everywhere.” Britain’s vaccination program is the fastest in Europe, with more than 20 million people so far, almost a third of the population, receiving the first of their two doses. Britain also has Europe’s deadliest outbreak, with more than 123,000 people confirmed victims in the pandemic. AP
BusinessMirror
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
A9
WHO: ‘Premature,’ ‘unrealistic’ to think Covid-19 will end soon
G
ENEVA—A senior World Health Organization official said on Monday it was “premature” and “unrealistic” to think the pandemic might be stopped by the end of the year, but that the recent arrival of effective vaccines could at least help dramatically reduce hospitalizations and death.
The world’s singular focus right now should be to keep transmission of Covid-19 as low as possible, said Dr. Michael Ryan, director of WHO’s emergencies program. “If we’re smart, we can finish with the hospitalizations and the deaths and the tragedy associated with this pandemic” by the end of the year, he said at media briefing. Ryan said W HO was reassured by emerging data that many of the licensed vaccines appear to be helping curb the virus’ explosive spread. “If the vaccines begin to impact not only on death and not only on hospitalization, but have a significant impact on transmission dynamics and transmission risk, then I believe we will accelerate toward controlling this pandemic.”
But Ryan warned against complacency, saying that nothing was guaranteed in an evolving epidemic. “Right now the virus is very much in control,” he said. WHO’s director-general, meanwhile, said it was “regrettable” that younger and healthier adults in some rich countries are being vaccinated against the coronavirus before at-risk health workers in developing countries. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said immunizations pro v ided by t he U N -bac ked ef fort COVA X began this week in Ghana and the Ivor y Coast, but lamented that this was happening only three months after countries such as Britain, the US and Canada began vaccinating their own populations.
In this February 24 file photo, Michael Ryan (left), executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies program, next to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (right), director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), addresses a press conference about the update on Covid-19 at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The emergencies chief of the World Health Organization said on March 1, it was “premature” and “unrealistic” to think the pandemic might be stopped by the end of the year, but that the recent arrival of effective vaccines could at least help dramatically reduce hospitalizations and death. Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP
“Countries are not in a race with each other,” he said. “This is a common race against the virus. We are not asking countries to put their own people at risk. We are asking all countries to be part of a global effort to suppress the virus everywhere.” But WHO stopped short of criticizing countries that are mov ing to vaccinate younger and healthier populations instead of donating their doses to countries that haven’t yet been able to protect their most vulnerable people.
“We can’t tell individual countries what to do,” said Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior WHO adviser. Tedros also noted that for the first time in seven weeks, the number of Covid-19 cases increased last week, after six consecutive weeks of declining numbers. He described the increase as “disappointing,” but said it wasn’t surprising. Tedros said WHO was working to better understand why cases increased, but that part of that spike appeared to be due to the “relaxing of public health measures.” AP
Defying crackdown, crowds again protest Myanmar coup
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ANGON, Myanmar—Police in Myanmar’s biggest city fired tear gas on Monday at defiant crowds who returned to the streets to protest last month’s coup, despite reports that security forces had killed at least 18 people a day earlier. The protesters in Yangon were chased as they tried to gather at their usual meeting spot at the Hledan Center intersection. Demonstrators scattered and sought in vain to rinse the irritating gas from their eyes, but later regrouped. The coup reversed years of slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar after five decades of military rule. It came February 1, the same day a newly elected Parliament was supposed to take office. Ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party would have led that government, but instead she was detained along with President Win Myint and other senior officials. The army has leveled several charges against Suu Kyi—an apparent effort by the military to provide a legal veneer for her detention and potentially to bar her from running in the election the junta has promised to hold in one year. On Monday, Suu Kyi made a court appearance via videoconference and was charged with two more offenses, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told reporters. Accused of inciting unrest, she was charged under a law that dates from British colonial days and has long been criticized as a vaguely defined catchall statute that inhibits freedom of expression. That charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. The other charge from Monday carries a one-year sentence. Following her detention on the day of the coup, the 75-year-old Suu Kyi was initially held at her residence in the capital of Naypyitaw, but members of her National League for Democracy party now say they don’t know where she is. Since the takeover, a movement of protests in cities across the country has been growing—and the junta’s response has become increasingly violent. The UN said it had “credible information” that at least 18 people were killed and 30 were wounded across Myanmar on Sunday. Counts from other sources, such the Democratic Voice of Burma, an independent television and online news outlet, put the death toll in the 20s. Any of the reports would make it the highest single-day death toll since the military takeover. The junta has also made mass arrests, and the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reported that as many as 1,000 people were detained Sunday. Several journalists have been among those detained, including one for
In this image from a video, anti-coup protesters run away from tear gas launched by security forces in Yangon, Myanmar on March 1. Defiant crowds returned to the streets of Myanmar’s biggest city on Monday, determined to continue their protests against the military’s seizure of power a month ago, despite security forces having killed at least 18 people around the country just a day earlier. AP The Associated Press. At least five people are believed to have been killed Sunday in Yangon when police shot at protesters, who have remained nonviolent despite provocation from the security forces and pro-military counter-demonstrators. People erected makeshift sidewalk shrines Monday at the spots where several of the victims were shot and also paid their respects by standing outside the hospitals where the bodies were being released to families. In Dawei, a small city in southeastern Myanmar where five people were reported killed Sunday, the number of protesters on the streets Monday was lower than usual, but they paraded to the applause of bystanders. Confirming the deaths of protesters has been difficult in areas outside Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyitaw. But in many cases, there was evidence posted online such as videos of shootings, photos of bullet casings collected afterwards and gruesome pictures of bodies. In a statement published Monday in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper, Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry declared that the junta “is exercising utmost restraint to avoid the use of force in managing the violent protests systematically, in accordance with domestic and international laws in order to keep minimum casualties.” But UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters and arbitrary arrests “unacceptable,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. “Words of condemnation are necessary and welcome but insufficient. The world must act. We must all act,” the UN’s independent expert on
human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said in a separate statement. He proposed that countries could institute a global embargo on the sale of arms to Myanmar and “tough, targeted and coordinated sanctions” against those responsible for the coup, the crackdown and other rights abuses. Social media posts from Myanmar have increasingly urged the international community to invoke the doctrine of the “responsibility to protect” to intervene directly to restrain the junta. Any kind of coordinated action at the United Nations, however, would be difficult since two permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia, would almost certainly veto it. Instead, some countries have imposed or are considering imposing their own sanctions. In Washington, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan issued a statement saying the US is “alarmed” by the violence and stands in solidarity with Myanmar’s people. Washington is among those that have levied sanctions, and Sullivan said it would “impose further costs on those responsible,” promising details “in the coming days.” Members of Suu Kyi’s party have also created a committee that they are asking other countries to recognize as a provisional government and the true representatives of Myanmar’s people. The committee recently appointed a doctor and philanthropist from the ethnic Chin minority to be a special envoy to the United Nations. In an interview Sunday night with the AP, the envoy, Sasa, who uses one name, said he would discuss with UN human rights expert Andrews pursuing legal actions against the generals through
international courts. “We are looking at international criminal courts and other UN mechanisms. It will be a little bit difficult to do it though the United Nations Security Council but we are looking at great length what can be done” to bring these generals to account, he said, speaking from a secret location due to fears for his safety. Many expect Myanmar’s militar y to be intractable, but Sasa said he believes the junta is already beginning to see the difficulty of running a functioning government. “I hope that they will come to the negotiating table, so we can talk together,” said Sasa. Among the arrests made Sunday, the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners was able to identify about 270 people, bringing to 1,132 the total number of people the group has confirmed has been arrested, charged or sentenced since the coup. Thein Zaw, an AP journalist, was taken into police custody on Saturday morning while providing news coverage of the protests. He remains in police custody. The AP called for his immediate release. “Independent journalists must be allowed to freely and safely report the news without fear of retribution. AP decries in the strongest terms the arbitrary detention of Thein Zaw,” said Ian Phillips, the AP’s vice president for international news. According to information collected by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners and local media reports, at least seven other journalists were detained over the weekend—all of whom work for local media. At least another 13 have been detained since the coup. AP
A10 Wednesday, March 3, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso
Opinion BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph
editorial
Will the CFITF bring relief to farmers?
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mong the agricultural products being exported by the Philippines, coconut oil and other products derived from coconut contribute more than $1 billion in the country’s annual export receipts. Coconut oil is the largest contributor in terms of value, given its industrial uses. The country also ships desiccated coconut, copra meal, oleochemicals, activated carbon, virgin coconut oil, coco water and even fresh coconuts. The Philippines currently earns millions of dollars from coconut products despite the numerous challenges facing the industry. These include the aging of coconut trees, low farm productivity, inadequate infrastructure support, low allocation on research and development, and the disorganized supply chain. Philippine coconut is also vulnerable to world price fluctuations and tariff and non-tariff barriers. Experts who have written countless articles and columns in the past about the sector all agree that the sector could expand its contribution to the country’s exports and gross domestic product if only it could tap its vast potential. For one, there are many other products that can be derived from coconut, such as geotextiles or “cocomats” that serve as erosion control material. The Covid-19 pandemic, while unfortunate, has trained the spotlight on coconut, particularly virgin coconut oil and its strong potential to fight Covid-19 (See, “Coco sector upbeat on VCO potential to fight Covid-19,” in the BusinessMirror, October 26, 2020). The passage of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, which will allow farmers and other stakeholders to use the P100-billion coconut levy fund, is expected to fast-track the industrialization of the sector (See, “CFITF to modernize coconut sector, bring relief to farmers,” in the BusinessMirror, March 1, 2021). Money that has been parked in the national treasury for many years can now be used for a number of initiatives aimed at removing the obstacles to the full development of the sector. These include the development of hybrid coconut seed farms, provision of crop insurance, credit programs and establishment of shared facilities for processing coconut. Under the law, the Philippine Coconut Authority will lead the crafting and implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan. We urge the PCA to also put a strong emphasis on research and development, which will allow the sector to diversify and come up with other products that can be sold both here and abroad. It cannot be business as usual for the government if it is really serious about developing the sector, as R&D is an integral part of hastening its industrialization. Proponents of the CFITF have lauded its signing into law and even called it a “game changer.” Indeed, the law that will finally allow the sector to use the funds that have been collected from coconut farmers decades ago will definitely increase its contribution to GDP. However, this is only possible if the funds earmarked for the sector are used judiciously and are channeled to the right programs. We call on the government to put in place effective mechanisms that will ensure that millions of impoverished coconut farmers will truly benefit from the CFITF. Since 2005
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All About Social Security
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few weeks ago, I had the chance to catch up with my former colleagues. It was nice to learn that their sons and daughters are planning to start their businesses anytime soon. I admire our young bloods’ courage that, despite the unpredictable economic situation, they are still willing to take risks and fulfill their dreams. Parents, as well as extended family members, will always be on hand to support them in their new ventures.
Starting a business in the Philippines is perceived by many as costly, complex, and difficult. There would be different sets of documentary requirements, application forms, and even separate fees. Based on World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Ranking in 2020, the Philippines ranked 95th globally and 11th in East Asia and Pacific. There are 16 step-by-step procedures that every aspiring entrepreneur usually goes through. They must also be compliant to certain guidelines issued by government agencies and respective local government units (LGUs) when securing registration certificates and permits. These include the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Phil-
ippine Health Insurance Corp. and Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG. In response to the government’s call to streamline procedures for efficient and effective service delivery to the public, Republic Act 11032 or the Ease in Doing Business and Efficient Delivery of Government Services Act of 2018 was passed into law. One of its provisions is the creation of a web portal where aspiring entrepreneurs can facilitate their transactions online. It is for this reason that the Central Business Portal (CBP) Project was launched by the national government on January 28, which will further simplify several transactions such as registration of business, renewal of permits, and other related activities. Involved in the creation of the
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As we gradually recover from the economic downturn, now is the time to move forward and strive for progress. SSS will always support every endeavor that would provide easier, safer, faster, and more convenient transactions through our ExpreSSS services. CBP project are the Department of Information and Communications Technology, together with the SEC, BIR, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and the SSS. Phase 1 of the CBP covers oneperson corporations and corporations with five employees or less that need to generate their respective Tax Identification Number (TIN) electronically from the BIR and Employer Registration Numbers from the SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. The portal also offers a Unified Employee Reporting Module for SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. Employers can save time and effort from this web feature because they don’t have to access separate web sites just to fill out application forms from each government agency. The CBP system combines the application forms for a one-time data capture of employers’ information. Just recently, we announced that employer registration and submission of the initial list of employees as among the online transactions in the CBP.
Comfort women are not prostitutes
T. Anthony C. Cabangon
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he portrayal of “comfort women” as willingly-paid sex workers is a misleading attempt to rewrite history and silence the victims of sexual slavery during World War II.
A recent uproar began after the paper of Harvard Law School professor J. Mark Ramseyer titled “Contracting for sex in the Pacific War” was published online in the International Review of Law and Economics, which described Korean comfort women as “prostitutes” who had willingly entered into indenture contracts with entrepreneurs to work at war-front “brothels” in Southeast Asia. The paper noted that the Japanese Army created standards for licensing so-called comfort stations for “healthy prostitutes” around Asia during World War II as a way of preventing the spread of venereal disease. Ramseyer argued that the eco-
nomic structure of the contracts indicated that sex work was voluntarily chosen, which in effect rationalized prostitution based on economic factors, as the women were able to negotiate and command high wages for their sexual labors. Ramseyer asserts that the comfort women “chose prostitution over alternative opportunities because they believed prostitution offered them a better outcome.” He wrote that “prostitutes” who worked in the brothels signed contracts that were similar to those used in Tokyo brothels, but with shorter terms and higher pay to reflect the danger of working in war zones, some with large advances.
Though largely referring to South Korean victims, Lila Pilipina lamented that it is an affront as well to the victims of Japanese war crimes in the Philippines who suffered the most horrible forms of military violence in the course of the brief but brutal Japanese occupation. Lila Pilipina pointed out that Ramseyer’s paper is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to discredit the whole narrative of Japanese wartime military sexual slavery. It sanitizes the horrors of military sexual servitude in a language that also makes the abuse of colonial conquest sound so clinical. It makes not even the slightest pretense of being a work of scientific value, peppered as it is with the author’s own highly subjective interpretation of events. The Japanese government has long been engaged in historical denial and revisionism, using as one of its methods the so-called “historical research” that serves to obfuscate the issues related to Japanese military expansionism and abuses. Ramseyer’s paper is not a standalone incident, but rather one that fits into continuing, large-scale efforts of the Japanese political far
To proceed with the online business registration, employers should create an account and click the link https://business.gov.ph/signup. For further queries regarding the online business portal, employers may also access the link https://business. gov.ph/faqs. We are pleased to be part of this government initiative, as this will help our aspiring individuals to pursue their business plans. As we gradually recover from the economic downturn, now is the time to move forward and strive for progress. SSS will always support every endeavor that would provide easier, safer, faster, and more convenient transactions through our ExpreSSS services. I believe that once these procedural reforms from CBP are finally rolled out, aspiring business owners will be greatly motivated to pursue their dreams. On this note, allow me to share a quote on leadership from Japanese Organizational Theorist Professor Ikujiro Nonaka: “The ability to recognize constantly changing situation correctly, and quickly sense what lies behind the phenomena to envision the future and decide on the action to be taken.” Have a productive week ahead! Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer. We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss. gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.
right to rewrite history and silence the victims of sexual slavery. The paper is an attempt to whitewash history as it overlooked extensive evidence that the “comfort women” system amounted to government-sponsored sexual slavery, not a contract between consenting parties. Groups criticized his work saying that his arguments are factually inaccurate and misleading as part of the attempts to justify atrocious human rights violations. Lila Pilipina echoed the call for the retraction of the paper since it is a work that distorts history and insults the victims of sexual violence without a shred of academic evidence. Ramseyer’s paper is a narrative at odds with accounts from survivors of being forced into sexual slavery, peppered with insensitivity and disregard of the painful memory of the victims. The military sexual slavery enforced by Japan is a war crime and atrocious human rights violation, as confirmed by major international and domestic institutions. Historians have determined that there was a range of force or coercion used against comfort women See “Gorecho,” A11
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Covid-19 pandemic fuels attacks on health workers globally
Of nursing, vaccines and nurses’ cap Dr. Carl E. Balita
Entrepreneurs’ Footprints
By Helen Wieffering & Joshua Housing Associated Press
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wo Nigerian nurses were attacked by the family of a deceased Covid-19 patient. One nurse had her hair ripped out and suffered a fracture. The second was beaten into a coma.
Following the assaults, nurses at Federal Medical Centre in the Southwestern city of Owo stopped treating patients, demanding the hospital improve security. Almost two weeks passed before they returned to work with armed guards posted around the clock. “We don’t give life. It is God that gives life. We only care or we manage,” said Francis Ajibola, a local leader with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives. The attack in Nigeria early last month was just one of many on health workers globally during the Covid-19 pandemic. A new report by the Geneva-based Insecurity Insight and the University of California, Berkeley’s Human Rights Center identified more than 1,100 threats or acts of violence against health-care workers and facilities last year. Researchers found that about 400 of those attacks were related to Covid-19, many motivated by fear or frustration, underscoring the dangers surrounding health-care workers at a time when they are needed most. Insecurity Insight defines a health-care attack as any physical violence against or intimidation of health-care workers or settings, and uses online news agencies, humanitarian groups and social media posts to track incidents around the world. “Our jobs in the emergency department and in hospitals have gotten exponentially more stressful and harder, and that’s at baseline even when people are super supportive,” said Rohini Haar, an emergency physician in Oakland, California, and Human Rights Center research fellow. “To do that work and to do it with commitment while being attacked or with the fear of being attacked is heartbreaking to me.” Medical professionals from surgeons to paramedics have long confronted injury or intimidation on the job, especially in conflict zones. Experts say many attacks are rooted in fear or mistrust, as family members react to a relative’s death or a community responds to uncertainty around a disease. The coronavirus has amplified those tensions. Ligia Kantún has worked as a nurse for 40 years in Mexico and never felt threatened until last spring. As she was leaving a hospital in Merida in April, she heard someone shout the word “Infected!” She was drenched in hot coffee before she could turn around. “When I got home 10 minutes later my daughter was waiting for me and I hugged her crying, all scared, thinking, ‘How is it possible that they have done this to me?’” she told The Associated Press. Kantún said many people in Mexico at the time thought health workers wore the same uniforms in public that they wore when treating coronavirus patients. “That ignorance was what made them act that way,” she said. Researchers saw the most attacks last spring and summer as the corona-
Gorecho. . .
continued from A10
wherein the violence and threats were endemic. About 200,000 women from Korea, China, Burma, New Guinea, and the Philippines were held in captivity and many thousands more were raped as part of one of the largest operations of sexual violence in modern history. The Women’s Tribunal that sat in Tokyo, Japan from December 8 to 12, 2000 deliberated on the criminal liability of high-ranking Japanese military and political officials, as well as the Japanese state’s responsibility for military rape and sexual slavery. As the tribunal greatly advanced the compilation and record of historical data and evidence to support accounts on human rights abuses,
virus swept across the globe. Yet recent events from Nigeria to the Netherlands, where in January rioters set fire to a coronavirus testing center, prove the threat remains. Haar said she expected health-care workers to be widely celebrated for their lifesaving work during the pandemic, just as Italians sang tributes to doctors during the lockdown. “But actually that didn’t happen in many, many places,” she said. “There’s actually more fear, more distrust, and attacks grew rather than decreased.” Many attacks may have gone undetected because they are never reported to police or in the media. Insecurity Insight scrambled to expand its monitoring as a flood of attacks were detected in countries that have traditionally been safe for health workers, said director Christina Wille. In the United States, for example, researchers counted about a dozen threats to health-care workers last year. Several incidents involved the injury or arrest of street medics during Black Lives Matter protests. “I think in the US the culture has been more of trusting health workers,” Haar, the emergency physician, said. “There hasn’t been a longstanding conflict where there’s been a dissonance between health workers and the community.” Yet health workers in the US are still subject to great risk. Hospital employees in the US are nearly six times as likely as the average worker to be the victim of an intentional injury, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and last month a Minnesota medical assistant was killed during a shooting at a clinic by a former patient unhappy with his treatment. Misinformation has spurred violence in some cases. Wille said her team looked closely at social media postings in April after three Ebola treatment centers were ransacked in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “We could actually see that there was a build-up over several days of misinformation about what they call the ‘Ebola business,’ that this was all related to people inventing the disease,” she said. Experts say that even though health workers are in many cases the target of attacks, entire communities suffer when they lose access to medical care after a clinic or medical facility is forced to close due to threats. “You’re robbing the community of the service they would have provided,” said Nyka Alexander, who leads the World Health Organization’s communications on health emergencies. With or without a pandemic, the most dangerous places for health workers are often areas of conflict and political upheaval. Last year, hundreds of threats and acts of violence were tracked in Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Helen Wieffering is a Roy W. Howard Fellow. Joshua Housing is an investigative fellow on the global investigative team.
it also pushed back against the assumption that sexual violence is an inevitable product of war. The commission or avoidance of sexual violence, the tribunal concluded, is dependent on whether the armed organization choose to authorize its systematic commission in pursuit of military objectives, or effectively prohibit it. As a result of the actions of their Japanese tormentors, the victims have spent their lives in misery, having endured physical injuries, pain and disability, and mental and emotional suffering. Kule is the monicker of Philippine Collegian, the official student publication of UP Diliman. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 A11
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ursing is the largest educational group in the health sector, accounting for approximately 59 percent of the health professions. According to the State of the World’s Nursing Report in 2020, the global nursing work force is 27.9 million, of which 19.3 million are professional nurses. Over 80 percent of the world’s nurses are found in countries that account for half of the world population. The Global Strategy on Human Resource for Health in 2016 and the SWNR of 2020 are consistent in estimating the shortage of some 5.6 to 5.7 million nurses in 2030. It is worthwhile looking at the nursing issues now, before societies run out of nurses who represent a central element of primary health care and health-care systems in countries at all levels of socioeconomic development. Nurses are undisputedly central part of integrated teams in making critical contribution toward universal health coverage and other national and global health outcomes. The understanding of the essence of the nursing profession and the appreciation of the value of nurses to society are critical factors in giving the nursing profession and the nurses the due regard they deserve that, for the longest time, has been neglected, if not ignored. This column is dedicated to the nurses, who celebrated 2020 as the Year of Nurses and Midwives as tribute to the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, and to the society who need to understand what nursing is and what it is not.
Beyond ‘Katulong ng Doctor’
A learning module went viral and stirred reactions when nurses were referred to as katulong ng doctor. While katulong lexically does not refer necessarily to the house helper (which nurses regard as dignified and respectable persons), the reference as “helper” could be improved in the operational contexts of modern professional nursing. According to the World Health Organization, nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Key nursing roles include advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, participation in
patient and health services management, shaping health policy, education, and research. The title “nurse” should indicate a person who has met the legal, educational and administrative requirements to practice nursing. The autonomy, which is intrinsic of its professional stature, makes nurses independent and interdependent of and co-equal with the other members of the health team, making katulong ng doctor an outdated concept.
Beyond the nurses’ cap
A trailer of a recent Filipino movie is going viral for portraying a scene of ladies in undergarments wearing nurses’ cap and using some words that to some sectors may be inappropriate. This is not the first time that nurses cry foul over the cinematic (or even pornographic) use of what nurses do regard as sacred symbol of the profession. It should be understood that the nurses’ cap is traced back to the religious roots of the profession during the early Christian Era worn by deaconesses (or nuns) and thereafter popularized by Florence Nightingale. There is even a much-awaited Capping Ceremonies in nursing education to usher the nursing students’ entry into the clinical learning areas of nursing. This professional identification was, however, ditched in the UK and other countries in the early 1990s for evidences that it is harboring bacteria. It should be noted that the nursing practice is governed by a Code of Ethics, an extension of the professional regulatory law, which prescribes standards of professional behavior. The nursing competency standards are keen at harmonizing the acceptable affective behaviors or
The title “nurse” should indicate a person who has met the legal, educational and administrative requirements to practice nursing. The autonomy, which is intrinsic of its professional stature, makes nurses independent and interdependent of and co-equal with the other members of the health team, making katulong ng doctor an outdated concept. values with the cognitive intelligence and psychomotor skills or mastery. All of these are taught in nursing schools and tested critically in the Nurses Board Examinations. There are proofs of the nurses’ intrinsic value for ethics. The Gallup Poll in the US finds nursing as the most honest and ethical profession in 2021. This finding is in an impressive undisputed 19 years in a row. The respondents from 50 States rated nurses with an 89 percent “very high/high” score for honesty and ethics among 15 different professions. The doctors ranked next at 77 percent, then the Grade-school teachers at 75 percent. In the Philippines, a survey conducted by this writer in 2020 rated the caring of nurses at (+)74 percent, higher than any other personnel or amenities in the patients’ hospitalization experience. And there are overwhelming evidences of nurses’ indispensable role in satisfactory patients experience and positive health outcomes.
Beyond commodified barter in exchange of vaccines?
The Philippine Nursing has Roadmap 2030, which is described as a balanced-scorecard program of Good Governance of the Nursing Profession. It has a bold vision of becoming and being “the Best for the Filipinos and the Choice of the World.” Recently, a news stirred the nurses about the Department of Labor and Employment secretary allegedly transacting with United Kingdom and other European countries (that are wanting Filipino nurses) in exchange of vaccines. This was clarified and resolved as the secretary’s motive to ensure that the Filipino nurses who shall be deployed overseas be vaccinated out of the vaccine supplied of their host countries. Currently, there is a cap to the global deployment of health workers to only 5,000 per year to preserve the availability of human resource for the country. But there is yet a lack of data and information about the
actual health human resource supply of nurses in the country. The Global Strategy on Human Resource of Health in 2016 noted that the American and European regions face a threat in light of their aging nursing work force. Several high-income countries in the American, European and Eastern Mediterranean regions appear excessively reliant on international nursing mobility. These more developed countries are indeed wanting of the Filipino nurses. Ironically, the largest shortfall of nurses in absolute numbers remains in the South-East Asia Region. In the Philippines, the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines Inc. acknowledges that there is a scarce supply of nurses, forcing some of hospital floors to close for lack of required nursing personnel. The private hospitals, which are also in economic crisis, can hardly match the higher salary of nurses in the public sector. The disparity is caused by the mandate of the Philippine Nursing Law (RA 9173) to provide government nurses the Salary Grade 15 amounting to some above P30,000 plus other benefits provided by the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers (RA 7305). The nurses salary prescribed by the 2002 nursing law was, however, implemented in many government hospital only recently—after almost two decades of nurses’ assertive battle. The positive practice environment is a major issue in the nursing practice. Many well-trained and experienced Filipino nurses, both in the clinical setting and the academe, are being given irresistible offers of salaries, benefits, and even citizenships in countries where nurses are given better economic gains and greater career opportunities. The State of World’s Nursing is clear in its message on the need to invest in nursing education, jobs and leadership. The Philippines, being a primary producer of quality nurses, needs to heed this recommendation before it is too late. The Filipino nurses are making global footprints for being “the choice of the world.” But as to that part of the vision 2030 to be “the best for the Filipinos,” the Philippine government should first do something concretely to give nurses the reasons to stay—by giving them a meaningful life at home in a society that makes them feel valued for who they are and for what they do.
In a flash, US yields hit 1.6%, wreaking havoc in markets By Liz Capo McCormick, Katie Greifeld & Ye Xie Bloomberg Opinion
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fter weeks of grumbling, the world’s biggest bond market spoke loud and clear on February 25—growth and inflation are moving higher. The message wreaked havoc across risk assets. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields catapulted to the highest in more than a year at over 1.6% and traders yanked forward their opinion of how soon the Federal Reserve will be forced to tighten policy. Equities tumbled, as higher borrowing costs put pressure on soaring valuations. Even Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen felt the sting, with record low demand for a fresh round of government debt. Speculation is building that a year of emergency stimulus is not only working, but has left some areas of the economy at risk of one day overheating. Locked in the same patterns for months by the Covid-19 crisis, markets now appear to have begun a long-awaited process of repricing themselves, as trillions of dollars of federal spending and positive vaccine results boost odds developed countries will heal faster than central bankers expected. “The economy is already recovering and a lot of people think that this stimulus proposed is much more than what’s needed,” said John Carey, portfolio manager at Amundi Asset Management US. “You put too many
coals on the fire and we build the fire to a very intense level. People start to think the Fed won’t be able to keep rates where they are.” After holding at historically low levels since April, the jump in Treasury yields—even if it bespeaks economic health—is inevitably a jarring spectacle for traders, forcing them to reconsider positions in multiple markets. Megacap tech names—previously the bull market’s darlings—led the plunge on Thursday, with the Nasdaq 100 sinking almost 4 percent as the rise in rates made it harder to justify valuations that are higher than any time since the dot-com bubble. The bond selloff stalled in Asia hours on Friday, as markets paused for breath, following the whirlwind session which saw rising yields overwhelm areas of equities that tend to benefit from higher rates. The KBW Bank Index—which climbed to its highest level since 2007 on Wednesday—dropped by 2.7 percent amid the carnage. Energy and utility shares in the S&P 500 also fell at least 1 percent. Currency markets were jolted as well. The Bloomberg Dollar Index rallied 0.7% Thursday, the most since September, while historically volatile emerging market currencies slid. The South African rand, Turkish lira and Mexican peso led the drop in emerging markets, falling at least 2 percent. The impact of lockstep moves in bonds and stocks can be seen in sophisticated portfolio strategies such as risk parity, which try to
balance exposure across assets, according to Wells Fargo Investment Institute. The $1.2 billion The RPAR Risk Parity exchange-traded fund (ticker RPAR) dropped as much as 2.7 percent—its biggest decline since March 18, 2020, in the height of the pandemic rout. “Right now those rates are increasing at a pace that may be unsettling to strategies such as risk parity, and the fixed income volatility is spilling over into other assets,” said Sameer Samana, Wells Fargo Investment Institute’s senior global market strategist. “Until the speed at which rates are rising slows, we may need to mentally prepare ourselves for more days like this.” Breakeven inflation rates—bond trader projections for where they see annual consumer price inflation averaging over the decade—are at multiyear peaks. At about 2.2 percent, it is up sharply from last year, when it fell as low as 0.47 percent in March. “We are in uncharted territory where we are likely to experience a global economic rebound with a global surge in inflation never experienced before,” said Bryce Doty, portfolio manager at Sit Fixed Income Advisors. “No one knows how it will play out.” While the US unemployment rate clocks in at a still-elevated 6.3 percent, that’s below the 6.5 percent level that policymakers had forecast last June. A string of economic data as kept Citigroup Inc.’s Economic Surprise Index in solidly positive
territory since last June, including retail and housing reports that have handily topped forecasts. For now, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues insist their best course of action is to hold interest rates low to ensure the recovery takes hold. Powell told the Senate Banking Committee last Tuesday that the recent run-up in bond yields that has unsettled the stock market “a statement of confidence” in a robust economic outlook. On Thursday, as bond yields were exploding, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said “the economy can run pretty hot without seeing significant spikes in inflation.” While that may be true, financial markets are relentlessly forward looking—and see the risks that come with a potential overheating. For now, the most obvious manifestation of that is the bond-market selloff, with investment firms including BlackRock Inc.’s research arm and Aberdeen Standard Investments retreating from government debt. “When the bond market wants to run, it’s going to run much faster than any central banker, and that again is on full display,” said Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer for Bleakley Advisory Group. “Also, be careful what you wish for. Don’t spend all your waking hours trying to artificially suppress interest rates and then root for higher inflation because when the market thinks that inflation will come, it will run you over.”
A12 Wednesday, March 3, 2021
PHL halts Russian poultry imports on bird flu
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HE Philippines has suspended the importation of poultry products from Russia over concerns of bird flu outbreaks in the transcontinental country after Moscow confirmed its first case of human transmission of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar issued Memorandum Order (MO) No. 17 that temporarily banned the importation of domes-
tic and wild birds and their products from the Russian Federation. Citing Moscow’s reports to the WorldOrganisationforAnimalHealth, Dar noted that there are “ongoing outbreaks of H5N8 HPAI” in several areas of the Russian Federation. Furthermore, Dar said the Russian Federation has reported to the World Health Organization its first case of human transmission of H5N8 HPAI. “There is a need to prevent the en-
try of HPAI virus to protect the health of the local poultry population,” Dar said in the MO issued recently. Due to the temporary ban, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will immediately suspend the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance for poultry imports from Czech Republic. The DA has earlier suspended poultry imports from Czech
Republic over the same concerns on H5N8 HPAI outbreaks in the European country. Earlier this year, the Philippines formally notified the OIE that it has resolved the AI outbreaks it recorded in Pampanga and Rizal last year. Based on its report to the OIE on January 13, the Philippines said San Luis, Pampanga and Taytay, Rizal are now free from bird flu. The DA confirmed last year the resurgence of the fatal H5N6 HPAI
in a layer farm in San Luis, Pampanga—the hot zone of the Central Luzon bird flu outbreak where over 200,000 birds were culled in 2017. The dreaded bird flu struck an egg farm where government veterinarians had humanely culled 38,701 heads, according to the DA. The DA said initial field investigation showed the presence of migratory birds in San Luis, Pampanga. Migratory birds have been associated with bird flu outbreaks
in many countries, including the Philippines, DA added. The bird flu outbreak in barangay San Carlos, San Luis, Pampanga was the second bird flu outbreak last year following the confirmed outbreak in Jaen, Nueva Ecija. The third bird flu outbreak confirmed by the Philippines last year was in backyard farms in Taytay, Rizal, and affected a few hundreds of muscovy ducks and native chickens. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas
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Companies BusinessMirror
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
B1
URC income rises by 15% on lower debt, forex losses
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By VG Cabuag
@villygc
niversal Robina Corp. (URC), the food unit of the Gokongwei Group, said its net income grew 15 percent last year to P11.6 billion from the previous year’s P10.11 billion.
The company attributed this to the growth in operating income, lower debt and interest expenses and lower foreign exchange losses. Net sales for the year, however, fell 1 percent to P133.1 billion from the previous P134.17 billion, as the company was also not spared by the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic which affected trading conditions and consumer sentiment. The company said it saw market
contractions in several snack food and beverage categories that the company competes in. “The best response to the challenges we face with this crisis is to push forward, not to pull back. We are focused on better serving our consumers, our customers, and our communities,” Irwin Lee, the company’s president and CEO, said. “Consumption of our products is not likely to dissipate; in fact, the
relevance of our categories in consumers’ lives potentially increases as we adjust to changing consumer and shopper trends. As we look to the future and the new normal, we remain well-positioned for the long term to delight everyone with good food choices.” Operating income grew by 7 percent to end at P16 billion from the previous P15 billion, on improved margins compared with the previous year. Sales of domestic and international branded consumer foods amounted to P103.6 billion, a 2-percent decline from the previous year’s P105.9 billion. Domestic revenues were flat at P61.2 billion, as growth of snacks, noodles and other filler type categories were able to offset the decline of out-of-home consumption categories such as ready-to-drink beverages and candies. International revenues hit P41.2 billion, 5 percent lower versus last
year in peso terms at P42.2 billion, but flat in local currency basis. Growth in Oceania was able to offset the slower recovery of other Asean markets. Sales of its agro-industrial and commodities businesses reached P29.6 billion, a 7-percent increase versus last year’s P28.3 billion. The commodities foods group posted strong growth of 21 percent with sugar and renewables growing 33 percent. The acquisition of Central Azucarera de La Carlota and Roxol Bioenergy Corp. from Roxas Holdings Inc. contributed to the growth, the company said. Sales of the agro-industrial group fell by 10 percent, due to the downsizing of its hog farming operations. At the end of last year, URC has a cash balance of P18.9 billion and a low gearing ratio of 0.42. Net debt amounted to P 22.1 billion or close to the previous year’s levels.
Fishers get mobile phones from Globe By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
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lobe Telecom Inc. said on Tuesday it has partnered with the national and local governments to provide mobile phones to fisherfolk in Quezon to help them prepare for typhoons this year. Through its partnership with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 4-A (BFAR 4-A) and the Municipal Agriculture Office, Globe distributed mobile phones to 93 fishermen in Sariaya, Quezon. Globe earlier launched a weather application called ISDApp, which
Volvo cars to go electric-only from 2030
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olvo Cars set an ambitious goal to only sell battery cars by 2030, accelerating its plans after sales of electric vehicles surged. The Chinese-owned Swedish brand is rolling out a new lineup of electric cars and will unveil its second battery-only model later Tuesday. Going one step further than recent rivals’ decisions on EVs, Volvo’s electric vehicles will be available for sale only online, the company said in a statement. “We choose to invest in the future—electric and online,” Chief Executive Officer Hakan Samuelsson said. “We are fully focused on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment.” Volvo’s move follows rivals including Jaguar Land Rover, General Motors Co. and Volkswagen AG announcing plans to electrify their offerings. In addition to tough emissions regulation, incredible valuations garnered by EV-only newcomers have been a wakeup call to accelerate the pace of change to survive industry upheaval. The decision also comes days after Volvo and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., both owned by parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Co., dropped a plan to merge to instead deepen ties to quicken the pace of development. The pair will share vehicle platforms, software stacks and advanced connectivity, and will hive off their powertrain activities into a separate unit. Bloomberg News
allows fishermen access to weather information to help them plan their trips. “As a technology company, we want to ensure various sectors benefit from the use of new technologies. We are happy to make a difference in providing this largely unserved sector a new tool to make their livelihood safer for them,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications. The app converts localized weather data into simplified weather forecasts, and sends it to the registered mobile numbers of fisherfolks via text. It also allows fishermen to send an emergency message to community leads, which enables prompt
emergency response. As of today, 225 fishermen are now using the app. Last month, Globe said it has installed 39 new cell towers in underserved areas across the country, claiming that these new towers in 23 provinces will “improve the call, SMS and data experience of more than 100,000 current Globe and future customers.” Joel Agustin, Globe SVP for Program Delivery, said the new towers are in Agusan Del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao City, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao, Agusan del Sur, Coron, Puerto Princesa, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Marinduque, Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Quezon. The towers were also deployed in Leyte, Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Cebu City,
Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Aurora, Cagayan, Isabela, and La Union. The company said it has laid out a 3-pronged strategy for its network upgrades and expansion, which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/LTE using many different frequencies; and fast tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide. “The company likewise champions the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UNSDG No. 9 which recognizes the importance of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe has vowed to uphold the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.”
Yanson Group completes annual meeting of units
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he Yanson Group, which owns the country’s largest bus company, on Tuesday said it completed the series of annual meetings of the company’s 10 subsidiaries, which all declared that the group of the family matriarch as its controlling owner. Countryside Food Resources Corp., a unit Yanson Group of Bus Companies, held its annual stockholders meeting at its principal office in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City on March 1, completing its series of meetings that it was holding since late last year. During the meeting, family matriach Olivia V. Yanson, son Leo Rey V. Yanson, his sister Ginnette Y. Dumancas, Charles M. Duman-
cas, Anita G. Chua, Arvin John V. Villaruel, Rey C. Ardo and Daniel Nicolas Golez were re-elected as members of its board of directors. The board held an organizational meeting and reappointed Leo Rey V. Yanson as chairman and president of CFRC and Olivia V. Yanson as corporate secretary and treasurer. “Despite the due notice given them, stockholders Roy V. Yanson, Emily V. Yanson, Ma. Lourdes Celina Yanson-Lopez and Ricardo V. Yanson Jr. did not attend the meeting,” the company said in a statement. Roy, Celina, Emily and Ricky, also known as the Yanson Four, are believed to be hiding overseas as they
face several outstanding warrants of arrest for carnapping and for grave coercion issued by the courts of Bacolod City, the statement said. The said cases were filed against them by the group of the matriach after the Yanson Four wrested control of the company in 2019 by unseating Leo Rey as the president of the bus company. He was replaced by Roy Yanson, the eldest brother. Leo Rey, with the support of his mother, Olivia V. Yanson and sister Ginnette Y. Dumancas, refused to step down, which started a family feud between the two groups. The Yanson Group, operates 4,800 bus units run by 18,000 employees, and has its main office in Bacolod City. VG Cabuag
Manila LGU cites trade enabler ATI as top taxpayer
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isted trade enabler Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) was recently recognized by its host local government, the historic City of Manila, as its top tax contributor for fiscal year 2020. ATI was named the city’s top real property taxpayer and third highest business taxpayer. In an open-air event held at the newly refurbished Inner Garden of the city capitol, Manila’s city officials cited its top 50 real property taxpayers and top 50 business taxpayers, whom they referred to as partners for progress and development. The ceremonies coincided with the milestone 100th founding anniversary of the City Treasurers Office. ATI operates the Manila South Harbor, Batangas Port and offdock yards in Manila and Laguna, which keep vital economic goods flowing in the Philippine supply-chain, especially during this pandemic.
Photo shows ATI assistant corporate secretary Maila Reyes and senior accounting manager Marissa Pinca (2nd and 3rd from left) receiving the plaque of appreciation from Manila vice mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and CTO officer-in-charge Ma. Jazmin Talegon (extreme left and extreme right, respectively). Contributed Photo
MPIC readies foray into gas business
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nfrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) plans to create synergies in its power companies through its foray into the gas business, which means the group will set up refineries and pipelines for the swift and cost-effective delivery of gas to customers. Manuel V. Pangilinan, who chairs the conglomerate, said his group is currently studying how Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Philippine Coastal Storage & Pipeline Corp., and Global Business Power Corp. could complement each other in the gas business. He explained that the country’s oil importation practices today opens up expansion opportunities for Coastal. “That gives quite a lot of business to the Coastal but what it needs to do is to expand its network throughout the country and the key economic areas like, of course, Davao, Northern Mindanao, Cebu, and parts of Luzon,” he said. Pangilinan noted that the previous owners of Coastal had plans to expand its pipeline network, but failed due to pressures from investors.
“They already have plans to expand elsewhere except that they were held back by their former owners who are private entity investors that are not willing to fund because they wish to get the cash dividends and to preserve the value of it rather than spending away — that’s not our attitude,” he said. Pangilinan added: “We want to go to business and I think this is something that the country needs moving forward considering they have to import most if not all of our finished petroleum products.” This, he said, ties up well with the group’s investment in Service Contract 72, the Recto Bank concession west of Palawan. “We hope that SC 72 could get developed as an oil field and once it starts developing, we have to connect to Malampaya because we need the facilities to process the raw of gas then pipe it to Batangas and Meralco should get into gas plants whether it’s in Batangas, in Atimonan or in Subic. We don’t know yet but I think we should get into the gas business and that’s how it ties up,” he said. Lorenz S. Marasigan
IC chief expresses confidence in Eternal Plans as a strong ally of the pre-need industry
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nsurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa has expressed confidence that pre-need provider Eternal Plans, Inc. will remain a strong ally of the industry in its mission to give Filipinos the courage to face life’s uncertainties in the coming years. “For four decades, Eternal Plans has been a steady partner of Filipinos in making sure that they are prepared for life’s contingencies,” the commissioner said in his message for the 40th anniversary of Eternal Plans on March 4. He added that through the company’s innovative products, they “extend to our countrymen the many benefits of securing their family’s future, and help them live with less worry.” Funa also commended the men and women behind Eternal Plans, especially the members of its sales force, for their tireless efforts and perseverance through the years. “I wish all the best in the years ahead as Eternal Plans carries on with its commitment of “Keeping the Passion to Build Better Lives for 40 Years
Funa More,” he said. Since becoming the pre-need industry’s regulator, the Insurance Commission (IC) has taken steps to help in its recovery after being constantly hit by challenges over the years. Eternal Plans is among the companies that have benefitted from these moves by the commission. Eternal Plans is a member of the ALC Group of Companies founded by Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua. It was established in 1981, and is a trusted provider of life, pension, and education plans for Filipinos across the country.
Nippon Steel shifts to recycled metal
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ippon Steel Corp., Japan’s top producer, is shifting its focus to recycling the metal as ambitious net-zero emission targets intensify a race to develop cleaner steel. Taking steps toward decarbonization is one of the pillars of Nippon Steel’s mid-term business plan starting April, Executive Vice President Katsuhiro Miyamoto said in an interview on Friday. As part of its efforts, the company is working on research to build much larger electric-arc furnaces, which are used to make steel from scrap, to mass produce the metal, he said. Steelmakers are under pressure to respond to net-zero emission targets set by governments in Europe, China and Japan, which is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050. A United Nations report released Friday totaled up new national climate commitments and concluded that the effort “falls far short” of what’s necessary to slow global warming. “Since the government present-
ed the policy, we will incorporate measures for zero carbon in the business plan,” Miyamoto in the interview. “First, we must allocate our resources to research and development.” The world’s third-biggest producer has been making steel from mined iron and coal in more polluting blast furnaces for more than a century. While electric furnaces release only a fraction of carbon dioxide compared with blast furnaces, it’s still a challenge to make high-quality steel because scrap contains impurities. Steel is the biggest polluter in the manufacturing sector in the country and the Japan Iron and Steel Federation has said the industry aims to become carbon neutral by 2050. The federation’s chairman Eiji Hashimoto, who is also the president of Nippon Steel, has warned that domestic producers will face a “crisis of survival” if they fall behind in the global competition to develop cleaner steel. Bloomberg News
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Companies BusinessMirror
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Lockdown, mall closures slash RLC income in 2020
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By VG Cabuag
@villygc
obinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the property development arm of the Gokongwei Group, on Tuesday said its income last year plunged 39 percent to P5.26 billion, from the previous year’s P8.68 billion. The company said its revenues fell due to the temporary closures of its malls during the lockdown period. Last year, RLC’s revenues declined by 17 percent to P25.4 billion, from P30.58 billion recorded in 2019. “Amid the challenges of 2020, we adopted new ways of working and embraced a mindset of innovation to continue serving our customers. We capitalized on new opportunities for growth and accelerated our digital transformation initiatives to become more agile,” RLC President and CEO Frederick Go said. “As the business gradually recovers from the impact of commu-
nity quarantines, we will continue to support our employees, business partners, and stakeholders.” RLC said its development portfolio, accounting for 49 percent of consolidated revenues, rose by 30 percent to P12.26 billion. Its investment portfolio, meanwhile, fell 38 percent to P13.15 billion. Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year stood at P13.78 billion. The commercial centers division reported consolidated revenues of P5.96 billion. Last year, its mall revenues alone were at P13.25 billion. “RLC is optimistic that the malls business will continue to rebound as quarantine restrictions ease and
DigiBankASIA, Xebia forge partnership
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INGAPORE headquartered fintech DigiBankASIA and global digital and consultancy firm Xebia announced on Tuesday a strategic partnership for the launch of UNObank in the Philippines. Per their collaborative efforts, Xebia will serve as a digital and innovation technology partner in developing further UNO’s digitalfirst platform, Cognito, by integrating with leading banking products to establish a differentiated and innovative digital foundation. The former is well equipped towards developing a modern and intelligent CX platform for UNObank—thanks to its expertise in design thinking led digital transformations and passion for using radical technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ML, IoT, AR/VR, Cloud, DevOps, Big Data & Analytics. “We have found a hi-tech engineering partner in Xebia whose approach aligns well with UNObank’ s objective of an highly personalised, AI-first, fully composable, cloud native, full stack digital bank,” said Manish Bhai, CEO and cofounder of UNO. On their part, Xebia Global Services CEO Anand Sahay said that they are proud to work with the “best minds in the world who are reimagining banking and disrupting the market.” “In the digital era, companies that seek to be the best, acknowledge that even with great products and services, a customer-first approach is what makes them wins the game,” he noted.
Photo from www.unobank.asia
UNO is Digibank ASIA’s neo banking brand for license based as well as over the top digital banks. The fintech chose the Philippines as the pilot market for its full-service digital bank, and is now working with the country’s regulators to obtain the necessary license. The first of its kind in the region, UNO boasts of its innovative ways to use advanced machine vision and learning models on customer onboarding, transaction authorizations, alternate data-based credit scoring, product and interface personalization at an individual level to advanced security, risk and privacy management patterns. “UNO’s AI-first capabilities mean that it is highly adaptable and completely customer-centric— a great example of what a truly composable banking stack should be. Each user will experience the bank as if it were u n ique ly desig ne d Notice is hereby given to the public that due to business challenges and financial losses, CTMed around their needs. Central Chain Corp. is shortening its term of That’s the power of existence up to February 28, 2021 pursuant an AI first, all cloud, to Sec. 136 of the Revised Corporation Code fully digital user jourthereby closing its business on such date. ney based orchestrated platform,” said Puneet Anybody who has a claim against the said Gupta, chief technoloCorporation is advised to file his or her claim at 51 Pariancillo Villa, Valenzuela City. gy officer and cofounder of UNO. Roderick L. Abad BM-February 17, 24 and March 3, 2021
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION
vaccinations start,” it said. The office buildings division increased its revenues by 10 percent to P5.85 billion, from last year’s P5.32 billion through leasing activities on new developments and rental escalations in existing office buildings. The company said it will continue to expand its offices under flexible workspaces, which it currently has operational sites in Pasig, Taguig and Quezon City. For its residential division, RLC recorded full-year revenues of P12.13 billion, some 33 percent higher from the previous P9.13 billion. The industrial and integrated developments division almost doubled its revenues from operational industrial facilities—but coming from a low base—to P262 million driven by its two warehouse facilities. It recognized rev-
mutual funds
enues from the sale of commercial and industrial lots to P133 million. “Heading into 2021, we expect to sustain the gradual recovery of our businesses as quarantine restrictions ease and consumer confidence starts to bounce back. We will continue to provide relevant real estate solutions, while prioritizing health and safety,” Go said. The company said it spent some P22.15 billion in capital expenditures last year, which it utilized for land acquisitions, development of malls, offices, hotels and warehouse facilities and construction of residential projects for its local operations. RLC also plans to list its own real estate investment trust company this year, injecting its 25 office buildings with total net leasable area of over 600,000 square meters.
March 2, 2021
NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 218.67 -1.15% -8.69% -1.7% -3.76% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.3159 15.01% -6.28% 3.82% 0.22% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0096 -2.21% -12.84% -3.36% -3.94% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7702 0.86% -7.95% n.a. -4.19% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6927 -7.44% n.a. n.a. -6.59% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.7394 1.1% -6.65% -1.13% -4.09% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.7011 -5.01% -10.07% -6.42% -7.73% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 99.73 10.42% -5.32% n.a. -2.17% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 45.0034 1.27% -6.88% -0.13% -3.94% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 470.42 0.34% -6.81% -0.95% -3.8% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5 1.0511 13.77% n.a. n.a. -4.21% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.1262 -0.35% -6.5% -0.04% -3.6% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 33.5096 1.01% -6.31% 0.6% -3.62% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8731 -1.49% n.a. n.a. -4.37% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.6053 1.66% -6.33% 0.64% -3.88% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 770.58 1.9% -6.21% 0.57% -3.88% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.6977 -2.5% -10.07% -3.36% -2.95% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4913 -3.82% -8.3% -0.98% -3.66% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8817 1.59% -6.51% 0.4% -3.92% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.2204 -0.18% -5.48% 1.49% -2.97% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 103.4118 1.88% -6.01% 1.28% -3.85% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $1.2812 34.37% 5% 10.53% 6.51% 9.51% n.a. Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7034 30.29% 1.83% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.6446 9.74% -3.29% -0.52% -1.44% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.2179 8.74% -2.99% 0.91% -2.95% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5484 3.45% -2.32% -0.18% -2.99% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1915 -5.67% n.a. n.a. -3.58% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9395 3.48% -0.44% 1.82% -1.25% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.6628 3.32% -1.72% 0.73% -3.31% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.4394 3.64% -1.63% 0.74% -2.94% -2.57% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.0501 3.28% 0.74% -2.1% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4941 -1.11% -4.15% -0.27% -2.21% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9802 3.12% n.a. n.a. -4.15% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9038 1.01% n.a. n.a. -4.78% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.8906 0.75% n.a. n.a. -4.55% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8658 -0.82% -4.96% -0.9% -2.47% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03824 -2.55% 2.82% 1.5% -2.25% 6.5% -0.17% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $1.1482 15.04% 2.49% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.5676 20.12% 7.14% 9.06% 1.21% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.1942 8.5% 3.67% n.a. -0.66% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 370.96 3.13% 3.23% 2.62% -0.03% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9047 -0.28% 0.5% 0.13% 0.23% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2178 2.41% 4.21% 4.62% 0.1% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2544 0.48% 2.31% 1.73% -1.81% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4297 2.43% 3.2% 1.84% -0.96% 4.22% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.5008 1.96% 2.14% -2.89% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.3182 4.45% 4.32% 2.65% -0.23% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.9649 4.21% 4.33% 2.53% -0.9% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0228 4.61% 4.05% 1.86% -1.84% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1865 2.57% 4.64% 2.95% -0.61% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7401 1.71% 3.94% 2.31% -0.85% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $483.03 2.33% 3.02% 2.6% -0.17% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є219.29 -0.79% 1.01% 1.22% 0.05% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1975 -1.87% 2.33% 1.67% -6.47% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.026 0.39% 1.72% 1.2% -2.26% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.0605 -5.24% 0.42% -0.42% -2.95% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.4857 0.84% 4.61% 2.65% -1.97% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0625429 2.76% 3.26% 2.29% 0.36% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1405 -4.26% 2.23% 1.4% -2.58% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 130 2.71% 3.32% 2.56% 0.15% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0491 1.64% n.a. n.a. 0.1% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2994 2.23% 2.93% 2.6% 0.22% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0544 1.35% 1.78% n.a. 0.19% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.1686 n.a. n.a. n.a. 3.45% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2 $0.98 2.08% n.a. n.a. 0% a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). 1 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 2 - Launch date is November 15, 2019. 3 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019. 4 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 5 - Launch date is December 09, 2019. 6 - Re-classified into a Bond Fund starting February 21, 2020 (Formerly a Money Market Fund). 7 - Launch date is July 6, 2020. "While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."
www.businessmirror.com.ph
PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS
March 2, 2021
Net Foreign Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Stocks Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs
ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE
43.5 109 86 24.4 9.92 48.1 22.1 24.9 54.5 17.5 133 73.8 1.98 3.89 3.36 1.51 0.42 850 0.78 150.8 2,198 1.08
44.5 109.3 87 24.5 9.93 48.25 23 25 55 17.8 133.1 73.85 1.99 3.95 3.45 1.56 0.445 895.5 0.82 151.3 2,200 1.09
43.5 109.3 86.8 24.45 10 48.05 22.1 24.7 54.85 17.8 131 72 2.11 3.89 3.53 1.54 0.43 850 0.83 151 2,200 1.06
43.6 109.4 87.55 24.5 10.06 49 22.1 25.5 55 17.8 133.5 74 2.37 3.95 3.53 1.58 0.455 850 0.83 152 2,200 1.08
43.5 107.5 86 24.3 9.92 48 22.1 24.7 54.5 17.5 130.8 72 1.83 3.89 3.4 1.51 0.4 850 0.78 150.5 2,200 1.06
43.5 109.3 86 24.5 9.92 48.1 22.1 24.9 54.5 17.5 133 73.8 1.98 3.89 3.4 1.51 0.45 850 0.82 151.3 2,200 1.08
2,400 3,592,270 1,411,190 94,300 589,000 7,579,900 200 140,700 2,030 5,100 886,630 8,150 36,408,000 77,000 124,000 328,000 1,640,000 10 66,000 20,290 710 111,000
104,460 391,787,920 122,544,231 2,307,765 5,864,898 365,739,133 4,420 3,521,055 111,169.50 90,180 117,302,691 599,094 77,382,780 300,000 427,360 502,280 676,200 8,500 54,180 3,069,176 1,562,000 119,760
10 85,185,883 -4,218,295.50 -773,310 -797,965 -40,881,502.00 -1,489,485 -4,319,398.00 302,569.50 -2,166,270 54,730 -34,000 42,000 8,500 1,824,899 1,540,000 -
INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 7.16 7.17 7.3 7.3 7.11 7.16 16,815,600 121,106,454 1.32 1.33 1.32 1.33 1.29 1.33 596,000 778,630 ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER 24.5 24.75 25.4 25.4 24.5 24.5 2,058,500 51,001,760 1.11 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.08 1.11 38,253,000 42,056,210 BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN 30.2 30.25 31 31 30.15 30.2 402,000 12,179,800 FIRST PHIL HLDG 72.85 73 73 74.9 72.8 72.85 23,790 1,737,230.50 276 280 282 284 275 276 252,860 70,625,496 MERALCO MANILA WATER 15.36 15.38 15.36 15.58 15.3 15.38 1,495,900 23,036,932 3.54 3.55 3.56 3.57 3.53 3.55 705,000 2,506,670 PETRON 3.78 3.92 3.79 3.79 3.78 3.78 22,000 83,180 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 12.04 12.38 12.04 12.4 12.02 12.4 20,500 250,064 21.95 22 21.8 22.1 21.55 21.95 491,900 10,800,775 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 10.28 10.3 10.32 10.32 10.24 10.28 100,100 1,029,674 14.5 14.94 14.94 14.94 14.5 14.5 8,900 129,314 VIVANT 7.13 7.25 7.25 7.38 7.1 7.25 2,949,300 21,348,942 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 3.35 3.45 3.37 3.44 3.35 3.44 1,105,000 3,772,820 13 13.2 13 13.02 13 13 21,200 275,626 CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD 17.54 17.6 17.8 17.88 17.54 17.54 983,900 17,280,454 DEL MONTE 8.5 8.7 8.5 8.88 8.5 8.5 190,900 1,623,921 7.13 7.14 7.12 7.25 7.1 7.14 977,900 6,976,929 DNL INDUS EMPERADOR 10.42 10.62 10.48 10.7 10.2 10.62 1,620,800 17,012,622 66.9 67.05 66.85 67.2 66.8 66.9 43,950 2,943,895 SMC FOODANDBEV 0.63 0.65 0.63 0.66 0.63 0.63 861,000 549,770 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.49 1.5 1.53 1.53 1.49 1.5 3,162,000 4,748,810 51.9 52 52.05 52.05 51.9 52 15,800 822,268.50 GINEBRA JOLLIBEE 183.4 186 179.1 186 179.1 186 1,188,680 216,876,505 32 33.25 34.25 34.75 32 32 10,400 340,880 LIBERTY FLOUR 7.51 7.99 7.88 8.39 7.5 7.99 8,700 69,382 MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP 6.45 6.47 6.49 6.65 6.45 6.45 157,500 1,025,314 0.375 0.38 0.365 0.39 0.355 0.38 26,060,000 9,638,200 MG HLDG SHAKEYS PIZZA 7.3 7.35 7.34 7.5 7.14 7.3 183,400 1,336,509 ROXAS AND CO 1.15 1.16 1.15 1.16 1.14 1.15 2,478,000 2,839,850 4.55 4.72 4.72 4.72 4.7 4.71 1,339,000 6,316,240 RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG 1.68 1.75 1.67 1.76 1.67 1.75 32,000 55,420 0.141 0.142 0.14 0.141 0.135 0.141 17,850,000 2,478,120 SWIFT FOODS 132.5 132.7 132.2 134.5 132.2 132.7 1,764,590 234,575,582 UNIV ROBINA VITARICH 0.88 0.9 0.9 0.91 0.88 0.9 3,566,000 3,176,360 2.2 2.24 2.24 2.24 2.24 2.24 5,000 11,200 VICTORIAS CONCRETE A 52.45 54 54 54 54 54 220 11,880 55.35 59.6 59.55 59.6 59.55 59.6 2,030 120,983.50 CONCRETE B 1.32 1.33 1.33 1.34 1.3 1.32 2,522,000 3,342,540 CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT 11.98 12 12 12.5 11.98 12 435,800 5,227,734 8.29 8.38 8.33 8.33 8.2 8.29 263,300 2,182,839 EEI CORP HOLCIM 6.1 6.22 6.28 6.28 6.06 6.1 293,500 1,802,735 MEGAWIDE 7.25 7.29 7.4 7.49 7.25 7.29 565,500 4,146,103 11.1 11.88 11.06 11.12 11.06 11.12 42,100 467,632 PHINMA TKC METALS 1.39 1.42 1.47 1.47 1.35 1.42 2,248,000 3,142,390 2.94 2.95 3.2 3.22 2.91 2.95 27,938,000 85,474,340 VULCAN INDL 2.07 2.08 2.1 2.17 2.06 2.08 581,000 1,236,430 CROWN ASIA EUROMED 2.22 2.24 2.22 2.29 2.17 2.22 153,000 336,150 4.8 5.05 4.76 5.1 4.76 5 139,000 697,040 LMG CORP MABUHAY VINYL 4.3 4.46 4.44 4.44 4.3 4.3 19,000 82,770 5.57 5.68 5.7 5.7 5.68 5.68 6,700 38,146 PRYCE CORP 21.6 21.7 21.6 21.95 21.45 21.6 1,317,400 28,588,160 CONCEPCION GREENERGY 4.8 4.83 4.9 4.94 4.61 4.83 41,325,000 196,431,390 12.8 12.82 12.58 12.96 12.5 12.82 809,800 10,272,400 INTEGRATED MICR IONICS 1.23 1.24 1.28 1.28 1.2 1.22 579,000 710,890 6.83 6.9 6.33 8.88 6.33 6.83 3,275,100 25,466,635 PANASONIC 1.51 1.52 1.53 1.53 1.49 1.51 1,660,000 2,510,340 SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG 6.74 6.78 6.78 6.84 6.71 6.78 2,802,000 18,979,918
969,084 -13,179,920 541,140 -2,050,780 -943,973.50 -34,867,888 2,400,390 70,510 3,780 4,154,870 12,497,907 1,622,190 -114,982 85,000 -5,455,581 11,906 1,296,694.50 124,560 29,566.50 18,550,592 -13,944 32,400 199,691 94,300.00 56,540 2,820.00 -9,866,205 -18,000 -358,380 3,580,298 765,792.00 -89,158 -1,948,564 -444,400 43,800 -3,654,360 -79,920 -222,985 -765,040 -494,202 -142,230 170,757
HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.24 1.25 1.2 1.26 1.13 1.24 107,100,000 130,180,730 7 7.22 7.29 7.3 6.98 7 526,200 3,697,103 ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP 779 780 785 785.5 770.5 780 334,840 260,869,460 42.5 42.55 42.85 43.2 42.1 42.55 720,100 30,755,165 ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL 10.64 10.68 10.88 11 10.54 10.64 5,681,200 60,943,636 AYALA LAND LOG 3.05 3.06 3.09 3.1 3.01 3.06 1,373,000 4,209,380 7.37 7.4 7.42 7.5 7.36 7.4 41,000 303,710 ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.83 0.85 0.82 0.84 0.8 0.84 4,690,000 3,872,130 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.97 0.93 0.95 11,336,000 10,796,420 ATN HLDG A 0.92 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.92 0.92 142,000 135,620 ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL 5.59 5.6 5.48 5.67 5.47 5.6 4,146,400 23,092,203 5.4 5.42 5.4 5.46 5.3 5.4 2,749,300 14,867,374 DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV 8.85 8.94 8.8 8.95 8.8 8.94 36,900 329,718 2.79 3.27 3.27 3.27 2.77 2.77 232,000 643,640 FJ PRINCE A 0.243 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.242 0.25 660,000 159,880 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 557 560 558 562 555 560 66,420 37,138,210 3.68 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.62 3.68 68,000 249,900 HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT 65.85 66.9 64.5 66.9 63.7 66.9 2,239,450 147,536,759 LODESTAR 1.63 1.64 1.72 1.8 1.62 1.63 38,168,000 64,424,940 3.75 3.8 3.73 3.73 3.73 3.73 12,000 44,760 LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP 13.82 13.84 14 14.24 13.74 13.82 16,046,900 224,017,118 0.55 0.56 0.58 0.58 0.54 0.56 1,233,000 674,390 MABUHAY HLDG 1.85 1.98 1.98 1.98 1.83 1.98 3,000 5,790 MJC INVESTMENTS METRO PAC INV 4.05 4.08 4.16 4.16 4.04 4.05 35,245,000 143,718,030 4.93 4.95 4.92 4.95 4.92 4.95 11,100 54,765 PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA 2.66 2.69 2.85 3.05 2.5 2.66 20,902,000 57,543,390 2.8 2.82 2.78 2.91 2.76 2.82 98,000 277,760 REPUBLIC GLASS 1.38 1.44 1.33 1.44 1.33 1.44 2,085,000 2,910,240 SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID 320 326 333 333 320 320 490 160,080 1,046 1,047 1,015 1,052 1,015 1,046 459,030 476,532,115 SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP 127.1 127.5 128 128.1 126 127.5 83,960 10,702,173 SOC RESOURCES 0.8 0.83 0.78 0.83 0.78 0.83 442,000 360,240 0.246 0.255 0.26 0.265 0.245 0.25 6,730,000 1,680,950 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG 0.249 0.25 0.229 0.249 0.229 0.249 5,120,000 1,235,400
1,013,900 -14,420 -65,015,940 -3,112,635 4,679,164 946,830 185,900 -1,920 1,170,650 4,015,650 1,211,275 -92,200 12,008,460.50 172,280 -10,101,572 -64,543,670 1,409,980 -99,200 34,580,475 -1,430,525 -
PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.64 0.65 0.66 0.66 0.64 0.65 418,000 272,080 7.52 7.94 7.95 7.95 7.5 7.5 1,000 7,545 ANCHOR LAND AYALA LAND 39.4 39.5 39.7 39.75 39.25 39.5 6,343,500 250,581,440 1.33 1.39 1.4 1.4 1.35 1.39 11,000 15,100 ARANETA PROP AREIT RT 34.1 34.4 33.9 34.7 33.8 34.4 434,400 14,857,690 BELLE CORP 1.64 1.65 1.68 1.68 1.64 1.64 276,000 456,680 0.96 0.97 0.98 0.99 0.93 0.97 5,288,000 5,117,040 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.8 0.82 0.86 0.95 0.79 0.81 5,177,000 4,385,960 0.147 0.149 0.147 0.152 0.145 0.152 4,860,000 723,140 CROWN EQUITIES 7.03 7.1 6.9 7.18 6.9 7.03 232,400 1,632,562 CEBU HLDG CEB LANDMASTERS 5.54 5.55 5.78 6.08 5.51 5.54 5,221,900 29,977,653 0.41 0.415 0.41 0.425 0.405 0.415 11,380,000 4,754,750 CENTURY PROP CYBER BAY 0.365 0.37 0.35 0.375 0.34 0.365 6,680,000 2,415,400 15.5 15.56 15.9 16 15.5 15.5 2,890,700 45,320,644 DOUBLEDRAGON 6.58 6.7 6.65 6.7 6.57 6.57 104,400 693,471 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.305 0.315 0.31 0.325 0.305 0.315 3,250,000 1,024,750 0.094 0.095 0.101 0.101 0.09 0.094 10,220,000 955,670 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.17 1.14 1.15 6,986,000 8,023,200 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.92 0.93 0.95 0.95 0.92 0.92 273,000 253,510 7.3 7.6 7.5 7.6 7.5 7.6 4,800 36,320 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV 1.6 1.61 1.69 1.73 1.6 1.61 11,278,000 18,773,760 3.06 3.1 3.06 3.06 3.06 3.06 4,000 12,240 KEPPEL PROP 1.02 1.03 1.19 1.42 1 1.02 38,194,000 46,804,260 CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 3.79 3.8 3.76 3.8 3.75 3.8 11,205,000 42,446,420 0.495 0.5 0.495 0.51 0.485 0.5 46,210,000 22,904,250 MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES 0.51 0.52 0.56 0.58 0.495 0.52 75,211,000 40,378,960 1.62 1.63 1.64 1.65 1.56 1.63 2,068,000 3,357,800 PRIMEX CORP 19.62 19.68 19.88 19.88 19.4 19.68 1,303,500 25,608,358 ROBINSONS LAND PHIL REALTY 0.325 0.335 0.33 0.34 0.32 0.33 1,530,000 499,900 1.43 1.5 1.46 1.46 1.43 1.43 150,000 215,680 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 2.71 2.79 2.78 2.87 2.71 2.72 286,000 788,170 STA LUCIA LAND 2.16 2.22 2.22 2.22 2.13 2.22 309,000 673,400 37 37.2 36.15 37.2 35.95 37.2 5,034,500 185,733,970 SM PRIME HLDG VISTAMALLS 4 4.01 3.91 4.01 3.9 4.01 24,000 93,800 1.87 1.89 1.8 1.96 1.77 1.89 4,333,000 8,093,390 SUNTRUST HOME 4.34 4.35 4.33 4.38 4.26 4.34 12,314,000 53,598,950 VISTA LAND
9,750 -14,520,545 -3,952,800 -341,460 -88,910 -1,358,000 219,506 -118,750 -28,000 -4,498,424 40,150 11,700 -4,214,190.00 -32,550 67,390 -288,970 -16,559,110 737,900 956,140 489,000 -3,477,996 -6,750 392,940 -3,366,100 -144,720 -21,450
SERVICES ABS CBN 12.5 12.58 12.68 12.7 12 12.6 107,200 1,331,856 7.22 7.23 7.13 7.23 7.13 7.22 1,054,700 7,601,849 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.475 0.495 0.5 0.5 0.495 0.495 150,000 74,450 10.46 11 11 11 11 11 100 1,100 MLA BRDCASTING GLOBE TELECOM 1,995 2,020 2,028 2,028 1,994 1,995 69,430 138,806,840 PLDT 1,300 1,306 1,300 1,330 1,299 1,300 173,675 226,578,875 0.249 0.25 0.255 0.255 0.246 0.249 518,470,000 129,505,270 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 18.42 18.44 18.2 18.58 18.18 18.42 5,791,000 106,772,536 4.25 4.26 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.25 379,000 1,613,920 DFNN INC 15.06 15.08 15.8 15.92 15.02 15.06 86,089,400 1,324,668,910 DITO CME HLDG IMPERIAL 1.92 1.94 1.94 2.5 1.89 1.92 3,261,000 6,873,120 0.167 0.17 0.171 0.172 0.16 0.17 16,250,000 2,699,600 ISLAND INFO JACKSTONES 2.25 2.35 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.25 229,000 518,650 2.84 2.85 2.95 2.95 2.82 2.85 2,769,000 7,888,760 NOW CORP 0.5 0.51 0.47 0.51 0.455 0.5 61,570,000 30,067,300 TRANSPACIFIC BR PHILWEB 2.75 2.76 2.78 2.83 2.75 2.75 478,000 1,327,550 8.82 8.9 9.21 9.21 8.81 8.9 106,100 950,335 2GO GROUP CHELSEA 3.94 3.95 4 4 3.9 3.95 1,996,000 7,899,230 CEBU AIR 45.2 45.25 45.4 45.4 44.9 45.25 297,200 13,419,075 120.1 120.2 121.3 121.9 118.4 120.1 1,177,300 141,601,776 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 16.28 17 16.08 17.08 16.08 16.28 413,000 6,958,208 1.13 1.14 1.1 1.19 1.08 1.14 2,474,000 2,825,510 LORENZO SHIPPNG 5.98 5.99 5.9 6.05 5.83 5.99 3,089,300 18,435,874 MACROASIA METROALLIANCE A 2.9 2.91 3.01 3.01 2.85 2.91 2,697,000 7,879,650 6.5 6.54 6.75 6.8 6.5 6.5 126,000 849,330 PAL HLDG HARBOR STAR 1.39 1.4 1.37 1.39 1.34 1.39 1,226,000 1,690,910 0.063 0.064 0.048 0.068 0.048 0.063 1,208,000,000 72,450,200 BOULEVARD HLDG 5.31 5.4 5.71 5.98 5.4 5.4 3,536,800 20,359,769 DISCOVERY WORLD WATERFRONT 0.62 0.63 0.6 0.63 0.57 0.62 31,769,000 19,215,000 8.08 8.64 8.08 8.66 8.08 8.64 4,000 33,444 IPEOPLE STI HLDG 0.39 0.4 0.405 0.405 0.39 0.39 2,180,000 863,200 BERJAYA 4.35 4.64 4.64 4.64 4.33 4.33 2,000 8,970 7.85 7.94 7.95 7.98 7.77 7.94 1,172,900 9,280,733 BLOOMBERRY LEISURE AND RES 1.91 1.98 2.1 2.2 1.84 1.91 3,827,000 7,818,030 2.14 2.2 2.25 2.25 2.1 2.2 81,000 173,100 MANILA JOCKEY 2.61 2.66 2.72 2.73 2.61 2.61 4,390,000 11,642,740 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.465 0.47 0.47 0.475 0.46 0.47 4,920,000 2,296,300 6.4 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 200 1,300 PHIL RACING ALLHOME 8.18 8.3 8.2 8.3 8.17 8.3 375,700 3,081,711 1.35 1.36 1.38 1.39 1.32 1.35 1,958,000 2,641,760 METRO RETAIL 37.5 37.6 38 38 37.3 37.5 1,914,200 71,960,650 PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL 55.6 55.7 56.75 56.9 55.45 55.7 571,860 32,078,580 97.8 98 98.05 98.05 97.7 98 202,950 19,888,941 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.39 1.41 1.42 1.43 1.39 1.41 1,179,000 1,652,640 WILCON DEPOT 17.9 18 18 18 17.9 17.9 1,044,800 18,751,082 0.425 0.435 0.42 0.445 0.41 0.425 3,880,000 1,658,550 APC GROUP EASYCALL 6.8 7 6.76 7 6.76 6.8 48,700 332,304 5.05 5.15 5.15 5.15 5.15 5.15 4,000 20,600 IPM HLDG 2.22 2.37 2.22 2.37 2.22 2.37 5,000 11,250 PAXYS PRMIERE HORIZON 3.14 3.15 2.92 3.17 2.86 3.14 182,633,000 557,418,360 4.38 4.44 4.38 4.38 4.38 4.38 11,000 48,180 SBS PHIL CORP
-48,180,255 -54,117,115 6,164,250 36,929,740 127,960 -18,167,428 273,770 43,410 266,250 11,880 330,860 -55,872,454 -3,330 -1,849,762 -59,030 -497,600 11,420 -12,000 -75,800 -3,009,199 29.9999 -1,599,190 1,088,632 -586,540 6,178,145 -4,702,820 -156,721.50 -127,260 3,372,062 9,750 2,704 2,370 -820,390 -
MINING & OIL ATOK 7.3 7.32 7.3 7.32 7.16 7.3 130,300 946,905 252,917 APEX MINING 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.56 1.54 1.54 2,407,000 3,739,000 -1,310,400 0.0054 - 0.0036 0.0054 0.0036 0.0054 122,735,000,000 578,008,300 -15,470,100 ABRA MINING ATLAS MINING 7.06 7.08 7.1 7.25 7.04 7.08 1,535,000 11,027,572 256,004 BENGUET A 2.73 2.99 2.9 2.99 2.88 2.99 17,000 49,480 2.72 2.98 2.72 2.98 2.72 2.98 15,000 42,620 -2,980 BENGUET B COAL ASIA HLDG 0.325 0.33 0.34 0.34 0.33 0.33 1,290,000 431,400 16,550 2.72 2.88 2.9 2.9 2.88 2.88 5,000 14,480 -2,880 CENTURY PEAK 12.32 12.68 12.8 12.96 12.18 12.68 275,000 3,454,676 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 2.9 2.91 2.93 3 2.87 2.9 7,160,000 20,886,890 2,357,490 0.45 0.455 0.48 0.48 0.45 0.45 11,650,000 5,323,250 -22,500 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.149 0.15 0.152 0.153 0.147 0.149 12,260,000 1,822,730 0.151 0.154 0.154 0.154 0.151 0.151 1,030,000 156,620 40,040 LEPANTO B 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.0099 0.01 87,800,000 879,060 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.01 112,500,000 1,175,700 0 1.58 1.59 1.64 1.65 1.58 1.58 33,051,000 52,293,470 22,030 MARCVENTURES NIHAO 2.6 2.63 2.65 2.7 2.55 2.64 279,000 723,210 5.75 5.76 5.95 5.98 5.76 5.76 5,457,300 31,761,828 13,347,010 NICKEL ASIA 0.44 0.465 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 200,000 88,000 OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA 1.22 1.23 1.15 1.3 1.15 1.23 21,419,000 26,134,840 -194,190.00 5.16 5.18 5.14 5.28 5.12 5.18 2,587,400 13,434,271 -820,679 PX MINING 12.78 12.8 12.72 12.86 12.72 12.8 1,367,600 17,498,714 -2,998,572 SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON 0.0095 0.0096 0.0098 0.0098 0.0092 0.0096 159,000,000 1,502,200 23.75 23.9 24.1 26.2 22.75 23.9 1,753,400 42,170,820 -418,215 ACE ENEXOR ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 159,000,000 1,958,200 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 25,800,000 340,100 ORNTL PETROL B 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 0.012 0.013 224,200,000 2,917,700 -72,800 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 9.29 9.32 9.51 9.6 9.25 9.29 700,100 6,579,970 -95,586.00 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 100.5 101 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 500 50,250 99 101 101.5 101.5 101 101 17,010 1,718,060 HOUSE PREF A AC PREF B1 518 520 518 518 518 518 90 46,620 101.5 102 101.2 101.2 101.2 101.2 40 4,048 ALCO PREF B ALCO PREF C 110 118 110 110 110 110 3,000 330,000 515 517 512 515 512 515 30,250 15,564,200 AC PREF B2R 101 104 101.8 102 101.8 102 10,940 1,115,680 CPG PREF A DD PREF 100.9 101 101.1 101.1 101 101 54,010 5,455,030 174,730 106.3 109 106.3 106.4 106.3 106.3 9,700 1,031,169 FGEN PREF G 491 517.5 490.4 490.4 490.4 490.4 10 4,904 FPH PREF C GLO PREF P 504 505 505 505 504 504 4,110 2,073,920 1,003 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 30 30,600 GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B 1,029 1,030 1,030 1,030 1,030 1,030 3,000 3,090,000 100 101 100 100 100 100 2,150 215,000 MWIDE PREF 99 100 99 100 99 100 5,010 496,000 MWIDE PREF 2A PNX PREF 4 1,000 1,004 1,003 1,003 1,000 1,000 1,410 1,411,860 1,012 1,038 1,011 1,050 1,011 1,050 710 718,200 PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A 1,081 1,119 1,091 1,091 1,081 1,081 8,600 9,328,050 1,124 1,140 1,125 1,126 1,124 1,124 2,700 3,036,820 PCOR PREF 3B 2.59 - 1.61 2.59 1.61 2.59 212,000 493,710 SFI PREF SMC PREF 2C 78.45 79 80.1 80.1 79 79 2,050 162,170 76.5 77.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 4,000 306,000 SMC PREF 2E 78 79.4 78 79.35 78 78 103,130 8,141,853 SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G 76.2 76.9 76.9 76.9 76.5 76.9 26,580 2,035,202 956,512 76.8 78.85 76.85 76.85 76.85 76.85 22,260 1,710,681 SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I 77.6 78 77.6 77.8 77.6 77.6 61,600 4,781,160 76.25 77 76.2 77 76.2 77 18,700 1,439,500 SMC PREF 2J 76.3 76.85 76.2 76.2 76.2 76.2 500 38,100 SMC PREF 2K PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 11.9 11.98 11.98 11.98 11.8 11.9 164,700 1,972,530 -58,126 6.9 6.94 6.87 6.94 6.87 6.9 101,800 705,220 96,939 GMA HLDG PDR WARRANTS LR WARRANT 2.16 2.26 2.49 2.65 2.04 2.26 27,940,000 64,459,680 53,020 SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 21.05 21.1 20 21.8 20 21.1 1,001,500 21,118,210 -420,000 2.86 2.87 2.9 2.97 2.79 2.86 1,376,000 3,892,760 8,520 ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH 6.03 6.16 6.3 6.3 6 6.16 15,900 96,719 2.89 3 3.3 3.98 2.85 3 4,026,000 13,169,450 650,500 MAKATI FINANCE MERRYMART 6.5 6.51 6.73 6.76 6.47 6.5 16,156,600 106,061,199 1,253,924 EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF 105.5 106 104.4 105.5 103.5 105.5 47,480 4,945,811 20,775
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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, March 3, 2021 B3
‘Battle-scarred’ Maranao, Waray women weavers create face masks in war vs virus
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Roderick L. Abad
@rodrik_28
TRENGTHENED by their ordeal to survive two of the major tragedies that happened in the country over the last decade, Yolanda-hit Tacloban seamstresses and Marawi siege victims Maranao weavers have joined forces to fight another battle of their lives—this time the Covid-19 pandemic—to make locally designed protection gears against the deadly virus and, at the same time, improve their economic status and revive the local fabric and clothing industry affected by the ongoing health crisis. MADE with traditional Maranao weaves, the Kadasig reusable face mask is an essential item for the pandemic that is rewriting the story of disaster-stricken areas, Tacloban and Marawi.
Through an alliance forged between Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) and ECHOsi Foundation Inc., each with their own communitydriven livelihood development programs for the women of Tacloban and Marawi respectively, these groups of calamity and war survivors have been banded together to produce a very essential item in these challenging times: the Kadasig reusable face mask that helps mitigate the risk of Covid-19 transmission and infection. “Kadasig, which means resilient in Waray-Waray, is not only about celebrating the heritage of our indigenous fabric but the tangible output
of their fortitude,” said Sebastian Quiniones Jr., executive director of PSFI. “It has already been years since the tragedies of Typhoon Haiyan and the Marawi siege, and many in the affected communities are still struggling with rehabilitation. This is why the Kadasig project is also about supporting these women as they change the narrative so often told about their communities,” he added. These empowered women, according to him, don’t let their past define them as they can express once again “their hopes and dreams, one thread and stitch at a time.” Designed based on the World
Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for non-medical face masks, the Kadasig facial cover is made up of three layers using absorbent and non-absorbent materials to guarantee full protection of the wearer. The Maranao weavers made the distinct weave on the outer sheet with a traditional backstrap loom. Beyond earning their needed income, they also aim to reintroduce their weaving tradition as a vital part of their culture and life. “Kabaya ame a makuwa a grupo ame na katukawan o kadakelan so kultura ame knaba bu sa Pilipinas ka sa intero
a dunya [Our hope is that our culture will be known, not just here in the Philippines, but all over the world],” said Rahma Abad, one of the Maranao weavers. Their own creation is then used by the seamstresses of Tacloban, who cut, sew, and structure the traditional fabric into the final Kadasig face mask. “19 na ako ka tuig nga mananahi hin damu la nga mga klase hin tarahion sugad hin mga bistida, blouse, pantalon, uniforms, PPE [personal protective equipment], masks o bangot, ngan damu pa nga iba [I have been sewing for 19 years. I sew many dif-
USING a backstrap loom, the Maranao weaving method entails hours and days of sitting on the ground to get the right angle for weaving.
ferent kinds of things, like dresses, blouses, pants, uniforms, PPEs, masks, and many others],” said Rosalia Ramirez, head of the Tacloban seamstress group. “Dili masukol and amon kalipay nga mayda kami natahe nga tikang ha Marawi [Our happiness is beyond words, knowing that we are able to make masks from weaves of Marawi],” she added. While still struggling to restore normalcy in their lives and reeling
from the impacts of the ensuing health crisis, these two groups of women survivors are working together to rise from poverty and helping their communities pick up again. Thanks, of course, to their benefactors PSFI and ECHOsi Foundation that continue to help them recover so that they can have a brighter future ahead. The Kadasig reusable face masks are now available for sale on the ECHOstore portal: echostore.ph. 30
DTI to Central Luzon Shopee champions local businesses and products in online trade fair youth: Heed call to O entrepreneurship By Zorayda Tecson Philippine News Agency
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ITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office in Central Luzon is encouraging young people to engage in business ventures that could help them have a better future and contribute to the development of the economy. During the regional kick-off of the Youth Entrepreneurship Program-Harnessing Our Own Resources for the Advancement of Youth (YEP-HOORAY) on Friday, DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, head of the Regional Operations Group, cited the important role of the youth in catalyzing the growth and economic development of the country. Amid the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Lantayona said the youth is one sector that could easily adapt to the new normal. “The restrictive situation did not impede them from doing some innovations through creativity and problem-solving and to mobilize resources in supporting the community. Youth are very much involved during this trying time in combatting the pandemic and indeed the youth already possess entrepreneurial potentials and we would like to ensure that these energies, these entrepreneurial drives would be harnessed,” she said during the livestreamed event. She expressed hope that the youth will decide to take the
entrepreneurial path and start their own business. DTI Regional Director Leni Baluyut, meanwhile, asked the youth to take advantage of the innovations and new technologies such as Internet and ecommerce that could hone their entrepreneurial skills. Baluyut also assured the youth that the DTI and its partner-agencies will coach and mentor them in their journey towards entrepreneurship. “Taking entrepreneurship, you are the most capable of using Internet to your advantage. Make the most out of it and we, as part of the government, are here to support you. Our agency, the DTI is here as your enabler to your full potentials. To make that happen, we will mentor and coach you to be the best version of yourself as an entrepreneur. And one of the best ways to prepare yourself for this great journey is put your mind into it,” Baluyut said. Jerry Clavecilla, director of the DTI—Small Medium Enterprises Development Division, meanwhile, discussed how the youth can venture into entrepreneurship through the support and help of the DTI and its partner-agencies. Some 1,600 individuals from various academes, schools, universities, business organizations, small, medium and micro entrepreneurships and partneragencies from the seven provinces in the region took part in the first regional YEP-HOORAY event. PNA
VER 200 local shops and sellers participated in a virtual trade fair called #TatakPinoy, as part of Shopee and Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) joint efforts to promote and support domestic enterprises and their goods. “We strongly believe in the importance of uplifting homegrown entrepreneurs. From microbusinesses to SMEs [small and medium enterprises], these local brands all contribute to the Philippine economy’s growth as a whole,” said Martin Yu, marketing director at Shopee Philippines. Since most local businesses are limited to promote and sell their products in brick and mortar due to the ensuing Covid-19 pandemic, he noted that they seek to create an opportunity for them to showcase the best Filipino brands. The DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, in a news statement, took pride to be a partner of the leading e-commerce platform for the staging of #TatakPinoy on the web. “This initiative will connect thousands of consumers to more than a hundred MSMEs on one platform,” the news statement added. During the three-day trade event from February 19 to 21, online buyers discovered local delicacies and pasalubong items, particularly those from Regions 12 and 4-A, on Shopee. They, likewise, purchased products from Fil-
SECURING a sustainable livelihood remains to be a challenge in Tacloban for those affected by the 2013 typhoon. These seamstresses seek to help the local economy by strengthening the clothing business.
ipina-owned businesses, championed by Shopee and United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) partnership to empower local female entrepreneurs.
Besides finding high-quality local craftsmanship and helping local businesses in the process, shoppers availed exclusive perks of up to 10-percent discount on participating Filipino brands such as Colourette, Vice Cosmetics, and Human Nature. Even further, they enjoyed more deals when they checked out using ShopeePay.
“We’re happy with the performance overall and are glad to have allowed local sellers and brands to showcase their products and businesses while also growing our own,” Yu said of the online trade fair’s positive turnout in an online interview with the BusinessMirror. “We are proud to be able to offer a wide array of choices from local ingredients to local delicacies, local fashion favorites, handmade home essentials, and top local beauty picks,” he added. Local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and community business sellers comprised the bulk of the participating merchants, offering up to 8,600 items at the virtual fair. They came from Shopee’s partnership with the DTI and the USAID that gave them a chance to undergo masterclasses to reach their utmost potential in e-commerce by selling on the former’s cyber platform. During these educational sessions, sellers learned how to tap on the marketing tools present on Shopee and use effective advertising tactics to amplify their online presence and boost online sales. Given the success of #TatakPinoy Virtual Trade Fair, the shopping platform will keep on spearheading campaigns that will help reignite pride and demand for local products and drive economic growth, especially in these trying times. “We will continue to work with our partners to identify gaps in the landscape and create more opportunities to empower these brands and MSMEs to overcome the pandemic’s impact,” Yu said. “For this year, we plan to scale up our partnerships with other regions and local government units to educate more sellers on the benefits of e-commerce and encourage more Filipinos to support local businesses to contribute to the country’s economic growth,” he stressed. Roderick L. Abad
B4 Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Banking&Finance BusinessMirror
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₧630M to fund LGUs’ climate resilience
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By Cai U. Ordinario
@caiordinario
HE Australian Government will be financing a P630million worth project called Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities against Disasters and Climate Change (Shield), which seeks to improve disaster and climate resilience of targeted local governments in the Philippines.
In a statement, the Australian government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines signed an agreement for the initiative set to be implemented in the next six years. The Shield program will be implemented with UN-Habitat, Philippine Business for Social Progress, National Resilience Council and the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, according to the UNDP. “Enhancing resilience remains a high priority for Australia, particularly in the Philippines, which is extremely vulnerable to disasters and the impacts of climate change,” Australian Ambassador to the Phil-
ippines Steven J. Robinson was quoted in the statement as saying. “Through Shield, we will work with governments, private sector, civil society and academic institutions to enhance and sustain community resilience.” The UNDP said the initiative will work with local governments, as the first responders to emergencies, by building their institutional and community resilience capacities against natural hazards and climate change. The program will be implemented in ten of the country’s most vulnerable provinces to disaster and climate change impacts, including
Bad loans provision drags Security Bank’s earnings By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad
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ECURITY Bank Corp. saw its net earnings decline to P7.4 billion last year following the surge in bad loans provisions to safeguard its balance sheet. This is 26.43-percent lower than P10.10 billion it registered in 2019, according to data from the listed bank’s disclosure on Tuesday. The shares of Security Bank, to note, climbed by 2.31 percent, or P3, to close at P133 each amid the 0.68-percent uptick for the benchmark index on Tuesday. The bank hiked its provisions for credit losses last year by over six times to P26.4 billion from P4.2 billion in 2019 in anticipation of in-
crease in bad loans. Gross nonperforming loans (NPL) ratio was 3.90 percent while NPL coverage stood at 115 percent. Total revenues climbed by 48 percent to P50.4 billion while preprovision operating profit surged by 85 percent to P30.7 billion year-onyear. Return on equity and return on assets were at 6.16 percent and 1.03 percent, respectively. “Our 2020 results reflect the fundamental strength of Security Bank amidst a very challenging pandemic-impacted environment,” Security Bank President and CEO Sanjiv Vohra said. “Our retail and wholesale teams maintained their steadfast support of our core clients.” Net interest income improved by 14 percent to P30.6 billion as net in-
terest margin ramped up by 84 basis points to 4.77 percent last year. Trading gains skyrocketed to P13.4 billion last year from just P1.5 billion year-on-year while service charges, fees and commissions slipped by 11 percent to P3.6 billion. Miscellaneous income was up by more than threefold to P1.7 billion after the Bank of Ayudhya’s (Krungsri) acquisition of 50-percent stake in its consumer finance subsidiary, SB Finance Company Inc. Total deposits climbed by 12 percent to P440 billion, supported by 19-percent growth in low-cost savings and demand deposits. Gross loan portfolio inched up by P460 billion last year as retail loans declined by 10 percent for the period.
As of end-December 2020, its total assets stood at P653 billion. Capitalization was at P123 billion, with common equity tier 1 ratio of 19.2 percent and capital adequacy ratio of 20.1 percent. Last month, Security Bank and Krungsri announced its P3-billion worth of additional investment in SB Finance. The consumer finance arm will issue 25.85 million common shares to be equally subscribed by both financial institutions after securing regulatory approvals. SB Finance President and CEO Abigail Marie D. Casanova said in an earlier statement that the capital is allocated for business expansion as the company is set to launch multiple products this year.
BDO Leasing grew ’20 net RCBC’s financial inclusion earnings by over 5 times app DiskarTech books more
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ESPITE the economic turmoil due to lockdown protocols against the pandemic, BDO Leasing and Finance Inc. grew its net earnings by over five times last year. BDO Leasing said in a disclosure on Tuesday that its profits in 2020 reached P252.3 million, which was significantly higher than P46.8 million in 2019, due to “stable asset yields and lower funding costs.” Still, this was lower than the P330.7million profit it registered in 2018. Total expenses for the period declined by 34 percent to P2 billion. Interest and financing charges plunged 62 percent amid the low interest rate environment and lower borrowing levels. Gross revenues, meanwhile, skidded by 22 percent to P2.4 billion last year. The listed company attributed this to lower interest income following the sale of most of its earning assets to BDO Unibank Group, which resulted in scaled down operations. BDO Unibank is restructuring its leasing business to optimize the financial needs of the clients amid the release of new accounting regulations about lease transactions. With this, it incorporated BDO Finance Corp., a privately held company, to handle its lease products and services. BDO Leasing, in October last year, transferred 27.02 percent of its assets to BDO Finance. Bulk of these include mortgage receivables from credit transactions secured by real estate mortgage and other receivables from other financing activities. Prior to this, BDO Unibank and BDO Finance also bought 10 percent of BDO Leasing’s assets, proceeds of which were earmarked to pay off existing obligations of the latter. BDO Unibank saw its net income slip by 36 percent to P28.2 billion last year from P44.2 billion 2019 as loan loss buffers reached P30.2 billion for the period. As of end-December 2020, capitalization was at P393 billion, with capital adequacy ratio at 14.4 percent and common equity tier 1 ratio at 13.2 percent. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
online activities in January
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IZAL Commercial Banking Corp.’s (RCBC) financial inclusion app saw an uptick in number of deposits and activities in January with the continued adoption of the digital tool amid the pandemicinduced lockdown protocols. In a statement on Tuesday, the Yuchengcoled bank reported that its DiskarTech app users more than doubled their daily deposits in the first month of 2021 compared to the average level in the past year. RCBC attributed the increase to a national savings campaign it launched earlier. Savings volume in January grew by 42 percent from the previous month while deposits per user climbed by 38 percent compared to the 2020 average, the bank added. “We hope that with this awareness campaign, more Filipinos will see the real value of savings especially during crises like this pandemic,” RCBC President and CEO Eugene S. Acevedo said. Shares in RCBC ended flat at P17.50 each amid the 0.68-percent rise for the benchmark index on Tuesday. Meanwhile, volume transaction in the DiskarTech app soared by 274 percent from last year’s average usage. “These numbers are very promising showcasing Filipinos’ resiliency amidst this challenging time,” RCBC Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Angelito M. Villanueva said. “We hope to be a partner of every Fili-
pino in our collective quest towards economic recovery.” Launched in July last year, the app offers a digital savings account that has no required initial deposit nor maintaining balance. It also allows cardless automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals, deposits and cash out from partner agents, fund transfers, bill payments and quick-response code transfers, among others. The financial inclusion app has been downloaded over 3.5 million times as of endDecember 2020. The Yuchengco-led bank saw its net income drop by 7 percent to P5.018 billion last year from P5.388 billion in 2019 as impairment losses grew by 26.1 percent to P9.33 billion. As of end-December 2020, total assets and capitalization stood at P770.8 billion and P101.5 billion, respectively. Capital adequacy ratio and common equity tier 1 are currently at 16.1 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively. This year, RCBC is aiming to launch a benchmark-sized foreign currency denominated senior note offering. The listed bank made its debut in the offshore bond market with a $300-million Reg S issuance in August last year. The proceeds of the offering were allocated to finance asset growth and other general corporate matters and to maintain enough reserves above the minimum requirements by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
Metro Manila due to its vulnerability to earthquakes and its economic significance. The Shield program will also be implemented in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) with the increasing disaster and climate vulnerability of conflict-affected areas. “Through Shield, our ultimate aim is for our target communities to be safer and more resilient to the impacts of natural hazards and climate change, taking also into account the lessons brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran was quoted in
the statement as saying. “It bears noting that the program also puts importance on gender equality, disability, and social inclusion in the context of resilience-building.” The Shield program aims to accelerate resilience-building efforts in the Philippines by collaborating with multiple stakeholders to unlock financing and implement riskinformed and inclusive resilience actions at the local level. The initiative will also support the national government by supporting Philippine scientific agencies to produce tailored and accessible information that will inform local resilience actions.
Reclaiming Manila Bay, reigniting the economy
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new master-planned city will soon rise on reclaimed land along the coastal area of Manila Bay. Known as Solar City Manila, it will be developed by the Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. (MGDC) in a consortium with the City of Manila. Clearing the way for the 148-hectare reclamation project was an official communication from the Office of the President signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea last month. In his memorandum to the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), Medialdea said the OP interposed no objection in granting a notice to mobilize (NTM) and a notice to commence actual reclamation works (NTCARW) for Solar City Manila, subject to compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Subsequently through Governing Board Resolution 5625 series of 2021, the PRA issued the two notices to the MGDC-led consortium last week after receiving Medialdea’s assurance that the OP did not oppose the start of the Solar City project. It may be recalled that in February 2019, Malacañang had already granted a clearance to proceed with the project pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 543 series of 2006 and EO No. 74 series of 2019 as well as succeeding representations made by the PRA on the completion of documentary requirements and concurrences of the relevant government agencies. This mixed-use development was originally called the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road Reclamation (MCCRR)North Sector Project when it was proposed for bidding more than three decades ago. In 1991, MGDC was awarded the project by the Public Estate Authority (PEA), the predecessor agency of the PRA under the administration of President Corazon Aquino. During the term of her son, President Benigno C. Aquino III, the PRA board affirmed the MCCRR-North Sector Project’s previous award to MGDC in 2011. That was the same year when the City Council of Manila passed an ordinance allowing the resumption of reclamation activities on Manila Bay. By virtue of Presidential Decree
Finex free enterprise Joseph Araneta Gamboa 1084, President Ferdinand E. Marcos created the PEA in 1977 to serve primarily as the clearinghouse for all reclamation projects in the country. The agency was formerly attached to the Department of Public Works and Highways but in 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo transferred its oversight to the Department of Finance through EO 329 and thereafter renamed the PEA to the PRA via EO 380. MGDC is part of the Solar Group owned by the Tieng family. This Philippine conglomerate has business interests in several industries such as entertainment, satellite communications, property landbanking, and real estate development. Way back 30 years ago, the Tiengs had already proposed the Solar City Manila project to the national and local governments as the Manila Goldcoast Reclamation Project. According to media reports, two other consortiums are waiting for Malacañang’s go-signal to pursue their own reclamation projects. “The PRA’s request for NTMs and NTCARWs relative to the Horizon Manila Reclamation Project and the Manila Waterfront Reclamation shall be acted upon separately,” Medialdea noted. Proponents of both projects are likewise the LGU of Manila and its private sector partners. Kudos to Medialdea and the OP for their decisiveness in green-lighting these long overdue projects. The jobs and revenues to be generated by the reclamation of Manila Bay will give a much-needed boost to our economy that is still being battered by the pandemic. Joseph Gamboa is the co-chairman of the Finex Annual Conferences for 2020-2021, chairman of the Finex Business Columns Subcommittee and director of Noble Asia Industrial Corp. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions and the BusinessMirror.
China’s banking regulator ‘worried’ about bubbles in property, foreign markets
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HINA’S top banking regulator said he’s “very worried” about risks emerging from bubbles in global financial markets and the nation’s property sector, sparking fresh concerns about further tightening in the world’s second-biggest economy. Stocks dropped across Asia. Bubbles in US and European markets could burst because their rallies are heading in the opposite direction of their underlying economies and will have to face corrections “sooner or later,” Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and Party secretary of the central bank said at a briefing in Beijing on Tuesday. China’s financial regulators are walking a fine line of trying to curb risks at home while limiting disruptions from abroad as
the economy opens wider to foreign capital. The CBIRC vowed in January to stay “ahead of systemic risks,” after capping bank lending to the property market, slashing shadow banking activities and claiming victory in unwinding a wild expansion in peer-to-peer lending. “China’s monetary policy has not been as easy as the US and Europe,” said Steven Leung, executive director at Uob Kay Hian (Hong Kong) Ltd. “This latest comment will create worry of further tightening.” Asia stocks tumbled and US futures declined on Guo’s comments. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index erased earlier gains of as much as 0.8 percent. The CSI 300 Index in China fell as much as 1.4 percent and Hong Kong’s main gauge dropped almost 1 percent. Chinese government bonds gained from a
Surveillance cameras in front of a statue of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong and buildings in Fuxin, Liaoning province, China. Bloomberg photo
shift toward haven assets, sending yields on benchmark 10-year notes to a nearly three-week low. “Beijing calling the overseas market rally a bubble won’t help sentiment in Hong Kong stocks, which had been seeing strong inflows from the mainland,” said Castor Pang, head of research at Core Pacific-Yamaichi. Regulators are watching capital inflows into China, where the economy is still growing and interest rates are higher, although the size and speed of such inflows remain controllable at the moment, Guo said. China’s top financial regulator also weighed in on the fintech sector, saying platforms that offer banking services must comply with the same capital requirements as traditional lenders to curb risks. The regula-
tor has set different deadlines for each type of service, with the longest grace period of no more than two years, Guo said, without elaborating. Guo also said bubbles in China’s property market remain relatively big, with many people buying homes for investment or speculative purposes, which is “very dangerous.” A strong economic recovery, combined with a credit surge and a renewed fear of missing out have stoked buyer enthusiasm across China’s largest cities despite stricter curbs this year. Authorities have responded with a slew of policies to fine tune the industry, including a new mechanism on bank lending for real estate and fresh landbidding rules designed to curb high-flying land costs. Bloomberg News
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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
• Wednesday, March 3, 2021
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New York woman loses job, leads pantry feeding thousands By Luis Andres Henao The Associated Press NEW YORK—While dozens of New Yorkers lined up outside in the rain, shopping carts at the ready as they waited for free food, Sofia Moncayo led her team in prayer. “We’re super grateful for these people here. In Jesus’ name we pray,” she said, and the group of women around her clapped, cheered and replied: “Amen.” “Now,” she said, “let’s get to work.” By then, they had worked almost nonstop for hours. They picked up heavy boxes, separated thousands of items and removed snow from the curb. They were cold, wet and tired. No one would pay them and they didn’t care. They were just happy to be there for someone else that day. During the coronavirus pandemic, Moncayo has led the food distribution program through Mosaic West Queens Church in the Sunnyside neighborhood. The initiative began in March; Moncayo took charge a month later, as it expanded to serve hundreds of people. Since then, Moncayo has had her own struggles. She was furloughed from her job at a construction company and remains unemployed. And she also owes five months of rent for the martial arts studio that she owns with her husband in the neighborhood. But she has continued to lead fundraisers and coordinate dozens of volunteers who distribute more than 1,000 boxes of food to families twice a week. “I think helping others has to do something to your brain chemically because if we had not being doing everything that we’re doing, I think this would have been a much scarier time,” she said. “Being able to dig in and help others, it really gives you perspective and helps you believe that you’re going to be OK, too.” Most of the food is donated by a neighborhood restaurant and other sources. There’s also been help from the Farmers to Families Food Box Program overseen by the US Department of Agriculture. Moncayo, who was born in Colombia, was moved to volunteer by her Christian faith by memories of the food insecurity she faced growing up in New York. She recalled how she would join her family in lines to pick up bread and cheese from pantries and how sometimes she felt shame. “One of the things that we wanted to make sure is that we don’t look at people on the pantry line as people that need food, and really focus on, ‘Hey, these are our neighbors.’” Sunnyside resident Carol Sullivan lost her stage manager job when Broadway theaters closed because of the virus. She was hesitant at first about receiving food from a pantry, but she said that Moncayo and the other volunteers made her feel welcome. “It has been a link to the community that I didn’t have before and it also saves a lot of anxiety over having to have money to pay for food over having to pay for the bills,” Sullivan said. “If you have a dollar, you have to stretch it in so many places. Having them has made the choice less stressful.”
Serve to lead ‘B
ecause I said so!” As children, this is one of the most frustrating phrases we could hear from our parents whenever we reason with them, and is commonly their final argument when they have run out of reasons: “Because I said so.” Now as adults, imagine hearing that from your boss who knows absolutely nothing about what you do, and keeps on insisting on a process that you know for a fact will not work. How frustrating can that get? For all its adverse effects, the pandemic highlighted the leadership that organizations engender and promote, and to what extent management is willing to extend to not only sustain their organization but also keep and protect their team. And while some organizations focus on being financially viable, others have done far more by developing strategies and mechanisms to safeguard their employees’ health, source of income, and general well-being. These organizations exemplify what is known as servant leadership. The term “servant leadership” was first used by Robert K. Greenleaf in his essay, titled “The Servant as Leader,” published in 1970. Whereas traditional leadership focuses on the accumulation of profit and being on top of everybody else, servant leadership focuses on the overall growth of their people and extends that same care to their community. Basically, these leaders put the welfare of their team above themselves. This promotes trust and provides an environment for innovation and critical thinking which are needed if organizations expect to navigate
the ever-changing business landscape. This does not mean they will not think of profits. Servant leaders understand that when the team functions well, the profits will follow. Profit is not their end goal and be-all because they understand that the most valuable resource of their organization are their people. And before you think this is another leadership method, it is not. Servant leadership is behavioral and should not be used as a technique to win people over. If you do, people will know if you are just taking advantage of them. They will resort to a transactional relationship in which they only give the bare minimum and speak to you only when needed. This could result in lost time, wasted resources, or, worse, repeated work. So how do you become a servant leader? Servant leadership starts with self-assessment and being self-aware of how your actions affect other people. An objective view of how people react to what you say and do can help in assessing how you can be more welcoming of other’s point of view and prevent you from being reactive. It will also help if you examine your reactions toward certain people and reflect on why they made you feel a certain way, and examine how you can go beyond emotions into a workable solution for differences in perspective. Understanding why you react to certain personalities and how your team interacts with you will help you manage your reactions better and will help you focus on the issue rather than the personalities involved. You do this by listening with empathy. You need to be deliberate in understanding where people are coming from so that you can react properly to issues without it being perceived as a provocation. The best indicator for this is when people can readily go to you for clarification and direction. This means they value your opinion and, at the same time, they know you are a safe person they can talk to for their concerns and needed direction. Servant leaders prepare their people because they know that the action of one member of the team reflects the collective team. They understand that to justifiably represent the team, they need to get to know the team—what ticks them off
and what gets them going. A remarkable characteristic of a servant leader is the way they persuade people. A servant leader motivates others through influence and not via threats by using their position or authority. People are confident to follow them because of their track record, and because of how they have dealt with people in the past. Consistency is the key. Servant leadership is not just about being competent but also about character. Your integrity and how you treat people within and outside your team says a lot about you as a person. The moment you assert your position, you force your team into accepting your decision because you said so, and you alienate the members of your team who can offer a better solution. Another way of becoming a servant leader is developing your team even at the risk of losing them to another team. Investing in your team’s development will help prepare your team for future challenges, and will also equip them to overcome emerging challenges. And even if they leave your team, you would have developed a connection with that person who can be your ally in cross-functional projects. If they altogether leave the company, it would still be in your favor especially in sharing best practices and networking. Servant leaders look at the overall picture and help their team succeed by giving their teams opportunities to grow and be recognized. A servant leader also has foresight. They think ahead for their team and what they might need. They need to think ahead so they can prepare their team and keep their team together to take advantage of their opportunities and strength, and at the same time augment weaknesses and minimize risks. This means looking at industry trends and updating tools and skills so the team can position itself better in the future. Someone once said that “if serving is below you, leadership is beyond you.” Indeed, leadership means no one gets left behind. It is understanding your role of keeping the team together by knowing them and equipping them to weather any challenge that might come their way. During the pandemic, did you protect your team? Or did you protect just yourself? n
Buensalido PR and Communications reaps 4 silver Anvils and agency of the year nomination
Sofia Moncayo (right), who leads a food distribution program through Mosaic West Queens Church in the Sunnyside neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York, speaks with a donation recipient on Monday. Moncayo and dozens of volunteers distribute more than 1,000 boxes of food to families twice a week.
Public relations and communications agency Buensalido garnered 4 Silver Anvils with partners AKAP Guro CONNECTeD of Unilab Inc., Avon Philippines and Makati Medical Center at the recently concluded PRSP Anvil Awards 2020. The winning programs were recognized in categories including PR programs directed at specific stakeholders, digital PR program for education and literacy, specialized PR program for advocacy campaign, and specialized Covid-related PR programs with tools. Buensalido PR and Communications was also one of the five nominees for the Agency of the Year award. Said President and CEO Joy Lumawig Buensalido, “What a huge honor to have gained these wins and the nomination. This is a wonderful
recognition of our team’s exceptional work during a most challenging year.” With over 35 years of experience behind it, the agency remains a close-knit team of creative individuals who are passionate about fresh communication concepts and strategies that positively impact its partners, audience and community. Buensalido PR and Communications has handled a remarkable number of clients in retail, fashion, technology, food, health, telecommunications, entertainment and property. Presented by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, the Anvil Awards is considered the top awards program for public relations in the country, honoring the most outstanding public relations programs and tools annually.
Joy Lumawig Buensalido (fourth from left), president and CEO of her namesake agency, with the rest of her team.
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ANA Manila celebrates 10th anniversary Cleanfuel expands, adds Batangas City station as premier hub in the south
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EADING Independent oil company Cleanfuel opened the latest member of its retail network in the country’s premier destination hub of trade and commerce and several other major industries—Batangas City. Situated along the busy street of San Jose-Ibaan Road in Barangay Balagtas Batangas City, the 2,500 square-meter station connects to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and 42-kilometers Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), providing easy access to motorists traveling towards the road of Maharlika Highway at Santo Tomas in Lipa, IbaanBatangas City, and the rest of Calabarzon. The newly opened Batangas station adds to the other Cleanfuel branches in the province including the ones in Calaca, Lipa, and Lemery, providing more
Batangueños an affordable yet premium fuel in their daily drives. Aside from the residents and the thriving businesses in the area, the recentlyopened Cleanfuel station is also set to cater to the heavy trucks going to and from the Batangas International Port—considered one of the busiest passenger and container terminals in the country. Batangas City is known as the “Industrial Port City of Calabarzon” and is one of the fastest urbanizing cities in the Southern most edge of Luzon. Aside from being an industrial and infrastructural zone, the Southern Luzon city is also at the center of marine biodiversity and houses historical landmarks and cultural heritage buildings. “As we look at 2021 being the time for recovery, we would like to share our
strength in giving quality fuel for less in this area where commerce has constantly been thriving in keeping the economy afloat,” Cleanfuel president Atty. Bong Suntay said. With the station inauguration, Batangas City will now be given access to Cleanfuel’s products such as Clean91, Premium 95 and Euro-4 diesel. But top-caliber fuels are only part of the service that Cleanfuel prides on. Customers can also enjoy the first-class amenities such as clean and spacious air-conditioned restrooms, credit card facility, and air and water services. Apart from that, Cleanfuel also offers the VIP reward cards that are given to motorists for free to help patrons further enjoy brand’s customer rewards program filled with numerous, giveaways and discounts with partner establishments. The chief executive of Cleanfuel assures that Cleanfuel Batangas City is just the opening salvo to the numerous programs that the company has in store for the year. “Our drive to serve more and more Filipinos through our affordable yet reliable product portfolio never ceases,” Suntay added. “The successful opening of our newest station in Batangas City is a testament to our continued growth and commitment to customers providing an affordable yet premium fuel for less. We look forward to sharing our growth with you, and help us maintain, if not improve, our high quality services and stations patronized by many motorists, in support of our brand, “explained Suntay.
Seda Vertis North serviced buffet at Misto advocates for healthy, plant-based cuisine
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INERS like being enticed but not admonished to eat more nutritiously. With this in mind, Seda Vertis North in Quezon City recently introduced and curated plant based dishes alongside other international cuisines at its popular Misto restaurant for lunch and dinner buffet from Thursdays to Sundays. At Misto where diners have returned fully assured that safety protocols and social distancing are observed, Seda Vertis North sales and marketing director Cinty Yniguez explained that the new offerings are simply a way to make diners become more mindful eaters. “Instead of building their meal around animal proteins, we want to encourage them to try out first our plant-based alternatives including a colorful medley of vegetarian pasta and noodles, soups and Buddha Bowls or one-dish meals of grain, vegetable and plant-based protein. Then, if they’re still craving, they can try out all the other delectable items on the buffet.” The nutrient-dense Buddha Bowl spread is such a feast to the eyes that even meat lovers are likely to give it a try. Fresh greens like spinach, rocket and watercress are beautifully contrasted with grilled capsicum, mushrooms, tomatoes, roasted pumpkin and marinated tofu among many others. One chooses which of the fresh vegetables to pile into a bowl alongside a choice of protein-rich grains, seeds and assorted roasted nuts including adlai, quinoa, brown rice, flaxseeds, chia, sunflower and pumpkin. The medley is then mixed with a savory Asian, Mediterranean or other dressing and sauces served warm – an attraction particularly to Asians in general. If that may not seem filling enough for some diners, they can readily add on tasting portions of grilled seafoods or meats, which are also part of the buffet. For the debut of plant-based cuisine in the Seda Vertis North buffet, each of the five other buffet food stations also featured vegetable dishes. The pasta
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LL Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) celebrated 10 years of flight services between Manila and Tokyo on February 28, 2021. To commemorate the special occasion, the Manila-Narita (NH 820) flight was operated using the R2-D2 ANA Jet, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with a special livery depicting the beloved Star Wars character. ANA first opened the Manila-Narita route on February 28, 2011. The second route, between Manila and Haneda, went into service on March 30, 2014. ANA Manila’s journey for the past 10
years was displayed as a photo gallery in front of boarding gate 115 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, which was used by the ANA flight 820 bound for Narita that day. Mr. Akihiro Hosoya, General Manager of ANA Manila, expressed his gratitude and his hope “that the COVID-19 will be resolved soon and that ANA will continue to be a bridge between the Philippines and Japan.” ANA was awarded the world’s highest rating of 5 stars by SKYTRAX every year since 2013, making it the only Japanese airline to win this prestigious award for 8 consecutive years.
Pili Ani debuts at Home Shopping Network USA
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HE pandemic was an unlikely time to plan for expansion. While most businesses across industries were finding ways to scale down and stay afloat, the team at PILI ANI took on a courageous approach to surviving the crisis. Pili Ani co-founder and visionary Mary Jane Ong recalls, “2020 was a year for re-thinking, rebranding, recruiting and building a team that shared the same goals, work ethics and beliefs.” The team went back to its roots, affirming the vision that started it all. “Pili Ani was built so we could help our farmers and communities in the Bicol region. These are the people who are responsible for the planting, harvesting and creation of two very special oils sustainably sourced from the Pili tree: Pili and Elemi Oils.” They also looked inwards with the aim of defining identity and determining the message they hope to convey. “We want to highlight a Philippine-made artisanal holistic brand that combines both traditional and sustainable techniques of our farmers. We also wanted to be consistent with our founder’s dream of making a mark on the global beauty market for our unique Philippinemade ingredients.” Not only is the company dedicated to promoting the work of the farmers and communities they work with, they are also conscious that they are included in all their plans and growth. An online announcement from HSN’s The Big Find caught Mary Jane’s attention and sparked a new idea. “The Big Find is the best thing to happen to us this whole pandemic. It is likened to Shark Tank but instead of pitching to investors or mentors, you are talking directly to consumers of Home Shopping Network and QVC. I didn’t think twice about submitting. If they think you are a good fit, you get a golden ticket and move on to the next level.”
LIGHTS, CAMERA, SHOP
PILI Ani's debut at the Home Shopping Network USA (HSN) happened on February 25 at 1pm and February 26, 5am, both Manila time. Apart from it being opportunity to generate more sales, it also marked a new milestone toward creating global presence. Mary Jane explains, “HSN is the biggest home TV shopping network in the US alongside its parent company, QVC. It is an industry leader with a strong following. It is a great venue for an indie brand like ours to launch.” “Hardly anyone knows about the benefits of Pili and Elemi oils when incorporated into a daily routine. I also feel that through HSN we will be able to effectively share with viewers the wonders of two amazing oils—Pili and Elemi— sourced from one tree. There is no other source quite like it.” Mary Jane adds, “Many ingredients all over the world represent their respective countries. You have Argan from Morocco, Marula from Africa. Why not have Pili and Elemi oils from the Philippines?” In 2018, the global market began to take notice of Pili Ani's potent, all-natural skincare formulations. They were featured on Good Morning America, Pop Sugar and the HuffPost. Pili Ani was also spotted during New York Fashion Week, establishing its place as cult beauty favorite among those in the know. This year’s launch on HSN, which will take this dream one step closer to reality. The team admits that anticipation and excitement is high. Success on HSN will mean more opportunities for the farmers and artisans working behind the Pili Ani products. It will also mean representation for the Philippines on the global stage. Mary Jane ends, “This brand and milestone is not just for the company and the farmers. It is also something that we hope the country can be proud of.”
Indian Prime Minister receives Bharat Biotech vaccine
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station engaged guests with Eggplant Parmigiana, Truffle Mushroom Tagliatelle, Spinach Lasagna, Red Pesto Fusilli – the pasta in each dish still firm but richly enhanced by the sauces. The Asian station highlighted a flavorful vegetarian Green Curry alongside fragrant Phad Thai and crab cakes – the stars of wellloved Thai cuisine. The soup station served French Onion Soup, Laksa and Ramen -all of which use a flavorful vegetable stock base. The Asian favorites can be eaten with protein from plants or with popular grilled fish, seafood balls or prawns. Nevertheless, regular patrons could still have their fill of favorites such as US Prime Rib, Herb Roasted Chicken and tempura, and the highly popular churrascaria of meat and seafood that have distinguished the Seda Vertis North Misto buffet. “We encourage ‘plant-forward eating’ or cuisine that is mostly plant-based but not strictly limited to them,” pointed out Yniguez who describes herself as a staunch advocate for healthier and sustainable eating and a curator of handcrafted plantbased food creations. Yniguez emphasized that the enhanced serviced buffet focuses more on “plantbased” dishes rather than vegetarian or vegan offerings. A Washington Post article expounded on the difference. While “vegetarian” infers having abandoned meat and vegan, also meat byproducts, plantbased does not. Many US restaurants that use “plant-based” to define themselves are
further aiming to reach meat eaters seeking greater balance in what they consume and not necessarily vegetarians. Yniguez disclosed that the hotel keeps close watch of evolving food trends and stays close to its markets including the many BPOs and other offices in the area. Companies seeking food prepared with care have supported the thriving Food to Go line. Salads, appetizers, sandwiches, and Filipino specialties are popular items. Bento Boxes ranging from P550 to P750 are among the bestsellers. They offer main courses like chicken teriyaki and herbed roast chicken. These are served with rice, a side and dessert. Recently the hotel introduced kiddie bento meals with chicken and fish fingers as a main. Each box also has pasta, a slider made of grilled cheese or pizza or chicken and cheese quesadilla, and dessert. Its food platters which serve 10 have also become the centerpieces of many celebrations. Crowd pleasers include Roast Beef and Seared Salmon. Regular patrons often order them with appetizer, salad or pasta platters, each portioned to serve 10. Kiddie favorites like Spaghetti Bolognese are also available in platters. Because the food scene is constantly changing, Seda Vertis North is relentless when it comes to improving its offerings. Its chefs, who aim to make every meal a worthwhile experience, are delighted these days to offer healthier dishes to diners now more mindful and vigilant of what they eat.
NDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently administered a Covaxin shot, developed by Bharat Biotech, at New Delhi’s AIIMS hospital. This makes him the first beneficiary in the second phase of India’s nationwide vaccination program against the coronavirus. “(It is) remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19,” Modi tweeted, sharing an image of himself taking the first dose of the vaccine. Modi also urged all eligible to take the vaccine as the country began vaccinating people over 60 and those over 45 who have illnesses. “Together, let us make India COVID-19 free,” he said.
A statement from his office said he chose to take the shot early and was taken to AIIMS Hospital without any special route restrictions to avoid any inconvenience to the people. India will expand its coronavirus vaccination program to cover people over 60 and those over 45 who have illnesses, as it hopes to rein in a growing number of more infectious virus strains and a spurt in cases in some states. Bharat Biotech will be distributing Covaxin in the Philippines for the private sector, through Ambica and Family Vaccine and Specialty Clinics (FVSC- an IP-biotech company). An emergency use approval was recently applied for on behalf of Covaxin with the Food and Drug Administration.
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi receiving jab of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, India’s contribution to the fight against the global pandemic.
BusinessMirror
Editor: Tet Andolong
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 B7
Okada Manila gets second five-star rating
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By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes
giving their guests the best and safest experiences possible. “During an unprecedented time, these top properties adapted to numerous adversities all while maintaining high service levels and ensuring the health security of their guests and staff,” he added. Meanwhile, FTG highlighted the following attractions of Okada Manila that became the factors toward achieving another milestone.
ive-star ultra-luxury integrated resort Okada Manila recently received its second five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide (FTG).
The winning streak was made possible as digital health leader Sharecare, together with FTG, awarded the VERIFIED certification badge to the luxurious hotel for “being equipped with industry-leading and comprehensive safety protocols, making it one of the world’s best and safest integrated resorts,” Okada Manila Senior Vice President for Hotel Operations Ivaylo Ivanov told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail interview. “This second five star rating from FTG is truly meaningful to us and is a testimony to our team members’ resilience during this unprecedented time. We’re also immensely proud to be one of just a handful of Philippine honorees for this year’s FTG Star Awards. It is a boost not just for us, but also for the Philippine hospitality and tourism industry. Okada Manila’s win is a win for the Philippines too and proves that we are world-class,” Ivanov added. To be able to provide quality service and offer the best ameni-
ties for the guests and visitors, Ivanov said Okada Manila has implemented initiatives to ensure that the integrated resort is a safe space for everyone. Furthermore, Okada Manila has strengthened its safety protocols in line with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Department of Tourism’s safety guidelines. “We trained our team extensively, invested in equipment such as disinfection robots, and developed industry-leading protocols. In addition to getting our second five-star rating from FTG, we also got a verification from Sharecare, making Okada Manila one of the safest resorts in the world,” Ivanov explained. Okada Manila was awarded its first five-star rating from the same organization in February last year. Iv a no v a c k no w le d ge d t he award is a “ref lection of the company’s values and its team members’ hard work, passion, and dedication.” He added the citation has emphasized Okada Manila’s high standard toward
n The Fountain, the largest multicolored dancing water feature in the world. Taking up the equivalent of 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools, it has more than 700 highpowered water jets, 23 high-fidelity speakers and thousands of vivid lights—all performing in sync to pop songs or classical pieces. n Cove Manila is Southeast Asia’s largest entertainment space. One of the hottest spots in the city, the indoor beach/nightclub hybrid resides within an immense glass dome that can host up to 4,500 guests for a pool party in the 8,395-square-foot butterflyshaped swimming hole by day and a celebrity DJ-led rave after dark. n Every accommodation at Okada Manila is fitted with the DigiValet iPad, so you can control your room’s amenities— from the lights to the curtains—with just a tap. The iPad system also serves as your connection to the front desk, concierge, housekeeping and room service.
Eton signs RLC strengthens partnership, launches new residential brand new office lease in QC L building By Roderick L. Abad Contributor
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ffices by Eton, Eton Properties Philippines’s office leasing business unit, maintains its resiliency amid challenges posted by the ongoing pandemic. In a statement, Eton Properties disclosed that a local traditional office signed a contract of lease for two (2) floors of its Centris Cyberpod Five located in the BPO-IT lifestyle hub, Eton Centris along Edsa. “This is a good indication of recovery for the company and the local economy at large,” according to Eton Properties COO, Karlu Tan Say. “While we expected BPO companies to be first to bounce back, we now see that local traditional offices are in the same manner getting ready for business as usual.” Centris Cyberpod Five is a 24-story building with 42,000 square meters of office space situated in Eton Centris. With a strategic location and being one of the last available Peza-registered buildings in Metro Manila, it is an ideal office location for BPO companies, as well as local and traditional companies. “W hile working from home proved the local work force’s adaptability in a pandemic, productivity is another matter. This can only be achieved in an environment of teamwork and collaboration,” according to Eton Properties EVP Engr. Charlie Carlos. “Centris Cyberpod Five offers this with more than 2,000 square meters per floor that can be utilized as flexible spaces that can be open, closed or even turned into a pandemic mode,” he says. Office Leasing is consistently providing Eton Properties steady income during this pandemic, while its Commercial sector is also gaining pace as it continues to sign new tenants in its several properties.
EADING property developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) launches its new residential brand as it revitalizes its partnership with real-estate platform provider Lamudi, whose wide reach is expected to give the former’s latest housing portfolio unparalleled visibility in the market. The Gokongwei-led property giant is merging its three divisions—the Residences, Luxuria and Communities—into “a single and meaningful brand” called the RLC Residences as part of its future plans for the next five to 10 years. “[This is] driven by our goal to craft a uni-
fied force that will take the residential division to greater heights,” said Henry Yap, business unit general manager of RLC Residences. Representing the company’s brand pillars “Raise, Live, Connect,” RLC hopes to help property owners embrace the future of real estate. Given their renewed alliance, Lamudi backs the real-estate firm to offer better home solutions for the market. “We support industry players who continue to embrace innovations in the midst of crises,” said Lamudi Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Stern. “We commend RLC Residences for introducing a new brand that suitably accommodates the needs of property seekers today. It
makes us more excited about this partnership, which will showcase their projects to property seekers worldwide through our platform,” he added. RLC Residences developments have been witnessing strong demand and gaining impressive traction from Lamudi’s web site that boasts of 7 million monthly pageviews. This is evident in one of its projects, The Residences at The Westin Manila Sonata Place, which is strategically located in Ortigas Center, with easy access to vital establishments, including schools, hospitals, malls and banks. The central business district (CBD) encompasses areas in Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Quezon City—all real-estate hot spots that have experienced an increase in demand for
condominiums in recent years. Based on Lamudi data, Mandaluyong enjoyed a 52-percent hike in condominium pageviews from the second half of 2019 to the same period of 2020. Quezon City, likewise, saw a steady growth, gaining 2.45 percent more pageviews from January to June 2020 compared to the first six months of 2019, and 12.94 percent pageviews for condominiums from July to December 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Another project within the CBD is The Sapphire Bloc that is within walking distance to Grade A office towers, commercial strips, and retail establishments. The Magnolia Residences—also a
Lamudi-listed vertical development—is a four-tower high-rise condo that stands at the heart of New Manila in Quezon City. Supporting modern homeowners’ work and play activities, it features various amenities, including recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, jacuzzi, game room, barbecue pit, and library with Wi-Fi lounge. Fitness facilities are also within the community, including the aerobics and yoga room, table tennis room, badminton court, jogging trails, and gym. The areas for active leisure complete with swimming pools, gyms and gardens accounted for 18.19 percent of searches on the Lamudi portal, with the trend to live a more active lifestyle expected to continue in 2021.
Aboitiz’s LIMA Land recognizes long-time partners, welcomes new locators
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IMA Land Inc.—operator of LIMA Technology Center in Lipa-Malvar, Batangas, one of the largest and best-selling industrial parks in the Philippines—recently held its annual Locators’ Appreciation event virtually amid the ongoing pandemic. Attended by 127 locators, affiliates, and Aboitiz team leaders and members, the event celebrated 20 years of partnership with long-time locators, as well as locators who have demonstrated exceptional operations and compliance to the park’s policies and environmental standards for 2019 and 2020. “LIMA Land is very much committed to the success of all its locators in LIMA Technology Center. This is how we’ve built and nurtured our partnerships through the years, and how we have been able to grow our estate from just over 200 hectares to a sprawling 700 hectares since 2013,” LIMA Land AVP for Operations Clifford Academia shared. “Through this commendation program, we hope to continue inspiring our partner locators to maximize their operations at LIMA and become stewards of the environment and sustainability,” he added. In his opening remarks, First Vice President for Aboitiz Integrated Economic Centers Rafael Fernandez de Mesa affirmed the management’s commitment to its partner locators. “It’s because of your support and cooperation that we have been able to overcome so many challenges in 2020. In the same manner that you have remained committed to LIMA, I assure you that we remain fully
committed to supporting you, and to providing you with the highest level of service possible, no matter what challenges may lie ahead,” Fernandez de Mesa said.
New locators, new opportunities
Despite the challenging environment in 2020, LIMA continued to thrive and grow. FVP Fernandez de Mesa also welcomed 17 new international and local locators engaged in standard factory building businesses and manufacturing industries. “It’s a good time to join the LIMA family as we recently integrated with Aboitiz InfraCapital. Under Aboitiz InfraCapital, we will continue with our vision to transform
our Integrated Economic Centers into smart cities. Our objectives will be to further improve operational efficiencies within our properties, as well as to provide you with better service and new and relevant offerings,” Fernandez de Mesa shared. LIMA Land announced in December that it will develop over 100 hectares of its existing 700-hectare property in the next two years to accommodate more industrial locators. The expansion area is currently under construction and ready to take reservations from new locators. It is expected to generate up to 20,000 new jobs in Batangas and neighboring areas. In addition, it will transform its 30-hect-
are commercial zone into a full-fledged Central Business District. The next phase of development will be at the heart of the CBD and will house BPO companies, office buildings, housing facilities, schools, hospitals, hotels, and civic centers. This will complement existing components such as “The Outlets” at Lipa, LIMA Exchange, and LIMA Park Hotel. Commercial lots will also be available for sale to the public this March. With these plans in place, LIMA is well on its way to becoming the next leading Integrated Economic Center in Calabarzon. Among the long-standing partner locators that were acknowledged during the event were NEP Logistics Inc., Nippon
Express Philippines Corp., Philinak Industries Inc., Philippines TRC Inc., Sohbi Kohgei (Phils.) Inc., Daiho (Phils.) Inc., Evergreen Park Development Corp., Ilo Land Inc., and Littelfuse Phils. Inc. Also honored for operations excellence were APO Production Unit Inc., Daiho (Phils.) Inc., Epson Precision (Philippines) Inc., Furukawa Automotive Systems Lima Phil. Inc., JTEKT Philippines Corp. (2019 and 2020), OB Kogyo (Philippines) Inc., Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc., Sohbi Kohgei (Phils.) Inc., Taisei Electronics Philippines Inc., Funai Electric Philippines Inc., and Chiyoda Philippines Corp. Likewise, LIMA recognized APO Production Unit Inc., Ensyu Takeru Rubber Industries Inc., Epson Precision (Philippines) Inc., JTEKT Philippines Corp., OB Kogyo (Philippines) Inc., and Sansyu Precision Lipa Inc. (2019 and 2020) for being environmental champions within the park. LIMA presented the Resilience Award to Littelfuse Philippines Inc. for its notable compliance programs and response to crisis, bringing government guidelines to the next level. True to its commitment of ensuring the safety and welfare of its people, Littlefuse also consistently implemented Covid-19 testing for not only their employees but applicants as well. Moreover, Littlefuse took part in LIMA’s various donation drives with fellow locators for partner LGUs, and happily shared their best practices.
Aquastars set sights on title
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HE hardship the players went through in this challenging time of the pandemic are more than enough motivation for the MJAS Zenith Talisay to go for the inaugural championship of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup. Veteran guard Paolo Hubalde and team manager Jhon Santos both agreed winning the title is the ballclub’s only goal in the upstart regional league. “The goal is to win the championship, it will be league history because we will be the inaugural champion,” Santos told the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday. “Winning the championship is the reason why we joined the league,” Hubaldo, 40, told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Santos and Hubalde appeared in the forum along with Puma PH Senior Manager For Sales Marketing and Operations Michael Aldover, who they thanked for coming to the team during the health crisis. The Aquastars’ core are the same players who play for Valenzuela City in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Santos said the Aquastars will leave for Cebu on March 16 to officially start practices as training in Manila has been limited to individual workouts in compliance with health and safety protocols. The league will kick off with the Visayas leg on April 9 in Alcantara, Cebu. The winner of the Visayas leg will battle its counterpart in the Mindanao leg for the championship set in Zamboanga City.
Gavina lays plans as new RoS coach
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HRIS GAVINA started his job as Rain or Shine head coach in earnest and invited 10 potential rookies to the team’s training camp this Thursday and Friday at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong City. “We have two groups of five rookies who we will look at on Thursday and Friday in our [non-contact] training camp,” Gavina told BusinessMirror on Wednesday, two days after his promotion to head coach by franchise coowners Raymond Yu and Terry Que. Gavina said they invited University of Perpetual Help’s Ben Adamos, Santi Santillan and Letran’s
Sports
Seiko Hashimoto promises changes on the gender-equality front. AP
BusinessMirror
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| Wednesday, March 3, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
By Josef Ramos
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HOW’S TOKYO DOING SO FAR?
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OKYO—It’s now March, the month when the Tokyo Olympics came apart just a year ago. Will it happen again? Frankly, it seems unlikely. The start of the torch relay on March 25 from northeastern Fukushima prefecture is just over three weeks away. It will involve 10,000 runners and end in Tokyo at the opening ceremony on July 23. These are certain to be a made-fortelevision Olympics. There will be few tourists and no party atmosphere. The focus will be on getting 11,000 athletes into the venues to perform in front of cameras, and then getting them out of Japan as quickly as possible. About 40 percent of the qualification slots for the Olympics are still open, so there will be lots of last-minute entries, in-flux rules about who qualifies, and surely some unhappy athletes who are left out. And there will be lots of guidelines to follow, which are spelled out in so-call Playbooks issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They are vague for now, but will be updated in April and June. These Olympics have been through plenty: a global pandemic, and a bidding bribery scandal
Larry Muyang, along with National University’s Troy Rike and Filipino-Australian James Laput in Thursday’s camp. On Friday, the team will look at Far Eastern University’s Alex Stockton, De La Salle’s Andrei Caracut and Aljun Melecio, Filipino-Canadian Loren Brill and Brian Enriquez. “I’m really confident that we can get a quality player at No. 5 in the Rookie Draft and we will try to see a diamond in the rough in the second round,” he said. The Philippine Basketball Association scheduled the online draft on March 14. The Elasto Painters are picking fifth in the
that forced former IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda to resign as the head of the Japanese Olympic Committee. And just last month the 83-year-old president of the organizing committee was forced out for making sexist remarks. Yorhiro Mori has been replaced by a woman, 56-year-old Seiko Hashimoto, who is promising changes on the gender-equality front. Q: What difference will it make now that a woman heads the organizing committee? A: It feels mostly symbolic, which is still a major victory for women in Japan. The “Old Boys” network was beaten back last month even as Mori tried to replace himself with a man who was even older. Hashimoto has promised to almost immediately increase the executive board membership to reach 40 percent female. It’s now about 20 percent. Unfortunately, the organizing committee, which employs about 3,500 people, will dissolve after the Olympics. The present executive board has 37 members, including Hashimoto. Eight are women. Hashimoto, a medal-winning former Olympian, is expected to add 11 women this week, according to local newspapers.
first round of the draft and 17th, 22nd and 23rd in the second round. In the absence of a rookie camp or scrimmages, the PBA allowed teams to invite rookie aspirants to their skills and conditioning sessions. Rain or Shine management tinkered with its coaching staff on Monday, promoting Gavina while elevating former head coach Carlos “Caloy” Garcia as active consultant for the upcoming season. Gavina was head coach of Kia (now Terrafirma) from the 2016 to 2018. Josef Ramos
Q: What is the state of the pandemic and vaccinations in Japan? A: Japan is several months behind other major economies. It began the vaccine rollout about 10 days ago. Japan has also controlled the virus far better than most other large countries. Japan, with a population of 126 million, has attributed almost 8,000 deaths to Covid-19. This compares to the United States, with a population of 330 million, with more than 510,000 deaths. Japan is expected to rescind a state of emergency on March 7. After that happens, the country is reportedly ready to lift a ban on athletes who want to enter and train or compete. Q: Will athletes need to be vaccinated to enter Japan? A: No. The IOC has said it will not require athletes or “participants” to be vaccinated. But it is encouraging it, and the 206 nations and territories participating are all handling it differently. Q: What exactly is it the cost to putting on the Tokyo Olympics? A: Olympic costs are difficult to track. The heart of the problem is this: what are Olympic expenses, and what are not?
Economists suggest paying attention to the concept of “opportunity costs.” Simply put, every cent spent on the Olympics cannot be spend somewhere else—on schools, hospitals or train stations. The official cost of the Tokyo Games is $15.4 billion, which makes it the most expensive Olympics on record. And several national audits suggest the real costs might be twice that much. All but about $6.7 billion is public money. The IOC picks up only a tiny fraction of the costs. Q: Will there be fans? When will officials decide? A: Hashimoto has indicated there should be a limited number of fans. A decision should come in the next few weeks. Many fans from abroad seem unlikely. Any reduction in fans will be costly. The organizing committee has budgeted $800 million in income from ticket sales. Any shortfall will be made up by a Japanese government entity. Hashimoto said last week the decision on fans will be made in a joint meeting of the organizing committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government, the IOC and the national government. AP
Djoko ties Federer in weeks as No. 1
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OVAK DJOKOVIC is gaining on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam standings, and he’s already caught Federer in another significant statistic: As of Monday, Djokovic has been No. 1 in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings for a total of 310 weeks. That equals Federer’s career record for most time spent atop the rankings. And no matter what happens over the next week, Djokovic is assured of breaking Federer’s mark on March 8. Pete Sampras is third on the list, with 286 weeks. Djokovic’s Australian Open championship last month gave the 33-year-old from Serbia 18 Grand Slam singles trophies. Only Federer and Nadal, each with 20, have more. Getting to that milestone for No. 1 weeks
is “going to be a relief for me, because I’m going to focus all my attention on Slams, mostly,” Djokovic said after beating Daniil Medvedev in the final at Melbourne Park. “When you are going for No. 1 rankings, you kind of have to be playing the entire season, and you have to be playing well; you have to play all the tournaments. My goals will adapt and will shift a little bit.” There was no movement in the ATP’s Top 10 on Monday. But if current No. 3 Medvedev reaches the final at the hard-court tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands, that concludes Sunday, he would overtake Nadal and move up to a career-high No. 2. That would make Medvedev the first man other than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic or Andy Murray to be first or second since International Tennis Hall of Fame electee Lleyton Hewitt was No. 2 behind Federer in July 2005. Reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek added a second career tour-level title at the Adelaide International, which allowed her to move up three spots to a careerhigh No. 15 in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings. There were no changes above her. Ash Barty is still No. 1, followed by Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Sofia Kenin and Elina Svitolina. American teenager Coco Gauff, who turns 17 on March 13, rose from No. 52 to a career-best No. 38 by making it to the semifinals in Adelaide after going through qualifying. AP
NOVAK DJOKOVIC is bound to set a record next week. AP
Premium is the honor Al Mendoza | alsol47@yahoo.com
THAT’S ALL IT’S the honor, not the finish. By just being in Belgrade, that’s something to more than crow about. How many are given the luxury to taste the prestige of getting invited to the mother of all qualifiers? That’s what we have just achieved. The Fiba (World Basketball Federation) move to insert us to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) was like, hey, we’ve just wiped out Covid-19 in the entire archipelago. Awesome. We beat such Asian basketball powers like South Korea, Iran and Lebanon to the draw. Indeed, it’s simply unbelievable for Fiba to grant us that rare honor of getting a shot at a much-coveted slot in the basketball program of the Tokyo Olympics in July. We got the break after New Zealand, already a former Olympian, withdrew due to Covid-19 issues. If I may hazard a guess: Our invite was in
Ancajas gears up for title defense
Fiba’s recognition of our timeless love affair with the game, which has become almost a religion to a nation that adores basketball as something like a demigod. But spectacular as it may seem, the euphoria must end there. For, if we go by how much are our chances of squeezing through the Qualifying, they almost amount from nil to none. Nothing. Cruel. We can only dream of making it past the qualifiers. That’s the good side. Dreaming is free, anyways. With our basketball ranking of No. 32 in the world, that pales so much in comparison with Serbia, the No. 5 in the world, whom we will battle in Belgrade in June. Before Serbia, there is the Dominican Republic, No. 19 in the world. While both countries are already that formidable, they are being reinforced by National
NTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion Jerwin “The Pretty Boy” Ancajas plunged into Day 2 of intense training at the Wild Card Gym in Los ancajas Angeles, fully aware that Mexican mandatory challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez drools over his belt. “He [Rodriguez] is really hungry, prepared and motivated to take my world. I see his post most of the time in Facebook,” Ancajas, 29, told BusinessMirror on Tuesday. “We’re friends on FB and I see myself in him when I was a challenger five years ago.” According to MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons, the title fight could either be on April 17 or 24 in a bubble setup in a still to be determined venue. “But I’m not bothered. I believe this will be a serious fight. He is a true tough Mexican brawler, but we will adjust inside the ring and be more tactical in my approach,” said Ancajas, who holds a 32-1-2 win-loss-draw record with 22 knockouts. Rodriguez, 25, sports a 22-1 record with 16 knockouts. He fought last December 4 in Monterrey, Mexico, demolishing countrymanb fellow Julius Yedras. It was his first fight during the pandemic since beating Mexican Felipe Orucuta last June 7, 2019 via a 10th-round technical knockout in Guerrero, Mexico. “He is a heavy puncher based on his previous bouts, he’s very durable too, Mexican style,” Ancajas said. The Filipino champion last fought in December 2019 in Puebla, Mexico, where he beat Miguel Gonzales of Chile via technical knockout in six rounds. Ancajas, supported by the Big Boss Cement under Engineer Gilbert Cruz, was supposed to face Rodriguez in November 2019 but the Mexican encountered issues with his US visa. The fight was reset for April 2020, but that was overran by the global health crisis.
Sports advice going online
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OAL Diggers PH, a podcast that features conversations with distinguished sports personalities, added a new segment that will provide practical sports marketing and sports events management advice. Robbie de Vera, founder and chief sports advocate of sports marketing organization XMPLR, made the announcement during Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum. De Vera, who once played competitive football, said Sports Events Essentials 1 and 2 is scheduled on March 13 and 20 starting at 11 a.m. on the Goal Diggers PH Facebook page. Next month, Goal Diggers PH will also launch a more in-depth sports management course with the goal of helping develop more sports leaders and impactful sports events. The topics will cover sports marketing, events management, project management, safeguarding sports in the medical and legal aspects, digital marketing and crisis management. “We want to reach as many people as possible and contribute to help uplift sports. This is a program for motivation and guidance to help create change,” De Vera told the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Simone Jaldon, head coach of the Ateneo men’s football team in Davao, also joined the forum. Basketball Association (NBA) mainstays. Dominican Republic has Minnesota center Karl Anthony Towns and Boston starter Al Horford. Serbia, a title contender for the longest time, boasts of not only Denver’s 6-foot-11 Nikola Jokic, the NBA’s Mr. Triple Double, but also Boban Marjanovic, Denver’s 7-foot-3 pillar. We now also have near-seven footers possibly beefing up Gilas Pilipinas through June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Boy Erram, Troy Rosario and Ray Almazan. Throw in 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto and we might yet produce the country’s tallest team ever. But still, the Belgrade qualifier is like a Mt. Everest climb for us. Aside from Serbia and Dominican Republic, the other qualifying group has Italy, Puerto Rico and Senegal. Just one from the six countries will earn a ticket to Tokyo. We will fight to the end but then, as I said, it’s not the finish. By just being in Belgrade, it’s already like we’ve reached the Mt. Everest summit—virtually. One doesn’t have to top the bar to become a lawyer. THAT’S IT Tiger Woods, recuperating from his leg and ankle injuries sustained from his recent singlevehicle crash, has a doubtful golf future because he is 45 now. The safest bet is for him to hit seniors play for 50-year-olds and above. For sure, he’ll dominate there—if he’d so desire.