BusinessMirror March 12, 2021

GIR rises anew, Feb level up by $410M T

HE Philippines’s dollar reserves grew anew in February after a slight dip in January, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported.

In a statement on Thursday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) rose by $410 million to $109.08 billion as of end-February 2021. The end-January 2021 level was at $108.67 billion.

“The latest GIR level represents an adequate external liquidity buffer, which can help cushion the domestic economy against external shocks,” Diokno said.

This buffer is equivalent to 11.7 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It is

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also about 9.5 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.4 times based on residual maturity.

The February GIR is also significantly higher than the $88.19 billion seen in February 2020.

The country’s GIR is the level of foreign-exchange holdings that are being managed by the Central Bank during a given period. The GIR is a crucial component of the economy as it is often used to manage the country’s foreign-exchange rate against excess volatility.

The Philippines’s GIR has been rising steadily for the whole of 2020 amid the pandemic, as the local currency remained strong against the US dollar.

The BSP attributed the increased GIR level to inflows mainly

from the BSP’s foreign-exchange operations and income from its investments abroad.

These inflows were partly offset, however, by the revaluation adjustments from the BSP’s gold holdings due to the decrease in the price of gold in the international market and foreign-currency withdrawals of the national government from its deposits in the BSP to pay its foreign currency debt obligations.

The Philippines’s ability to shore up its dollar defenses amid the pandemic has been lauded by local and international economists.

In January, Fitch Ratings said the BSP’s ability to maintain a high level of GIR remains a credit strength for the economy.

DIOKNO: “The latest GIR level represents an adequate external liquidity buffer, which can help cushion the domestic economy against external shocks.”

Bianca Cuaresma

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Friday, March 12, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 152

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 18 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

RATE CUT OFF THE TABLE BIZ LEADERS ON PHL COVID-19 RESPONSE: MEDIOCRE, SLOW

By Elijah Felice Rosales

A

YEAR into the nationwide quarantine, key business leaders concluded the government response to the health crisis that has cost millions of Filipinos their jobs fell far short of

A MAN walks along Naga Road in Las Piñas City on Tuesday carrying a crucifix. The man, who does not want to be identified, said he carries this as far as he can go, to remind people that it is Lent, a season for repentance as the faithful recall the sufferings of Christ for humanity. Today is the second Sunday of Lent. NONIE REYES

B

By Bianca Cuaresma

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Thursday said the country’s central monetary authority is “not inclined” to tighten monetary policy at this juncture, despite its forecast that inflation will likely continue to rise in the next few months.

See “BSP,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.5640

ideal.

Industry leaders polled by the BusinessMirror agreed the government came up short in terms of health response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as the Philippines struggles to contain the virus one year after President Duterte placed the country under lockdown. They blamed the Department of Health (DOH), in particular, for opposing the imposition of a travel ban early on.

Philippine Ecozones Association President Francisco S. Zaldarriaga said the government must be held accountable for how it acted at the onset of the pandemic, as he argued the measures it took—and did not take—failed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“We should have raised the alarm early on and closed our borders immediately [similar to what] other countries [did],” Zaldarriaga said. “This question was raised early on and I was shocked to hear the secretary of health’s response which was that there are political implications to doing border lockdowns at that point.”

In January of last year Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III advised against the opposition’s call to place a travel ban against China in spite of the risks posed by the virus.

As it happened, the first cases of Covid-19 recorded in the Philippines involved Chinese travelers from Wuhan, the epicenter of the pandemic.

George T. Barcelon, who serves as the private-sector representative at the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, See “Covid,” A2

More groups nix House’s Boracay GOCC plan

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

M

ORE tourism stakeholders and island associations have come forward to signal their opposition to the creation of the Boracay Island Development Association (Bida) as a

powerful government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC), as provided in a yet-unnumbered substitute bill at the House of Representatives.

In a position paper, 17 multisectoral groups with nearly 20,000 members, along with barangay captains of Yapak, Manoc-Manoc

and Balabag in Malay, Aklan, said, “We are one in our strong opposition to Bida as a GOCC, clothed with powers and functions, which duplicate, and overlap with, those already vested upon and exercised by the national government’s line and attached agencies and violate the policy of devolution and de-

centralization, and repugnant to the very essence of federalism advocated and espoused by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself.”

The groups added they were in “ardent opposition” to the Bida GOCC “with powers and functions which encroach upon and divest See “Boracay,” A2

n JAPAN 0.4481 n UK 67.6691 n HK 6.2573 n CHINA 7.4641 n SINGAPORE 36.1501 n AUSTRALIA 37.5594 n EU 57.9320 n SAUDI ARABIA 12.9487

Source: BSP (March 11, 2021)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, March 12, 2021

Covid…

Continued from A1

rated the DOH’s response to the pandemic as 6 over 10, with 10 being the highest. He pitted the Philippines against its Southeast Asian peers, who now have slowed their domestic transmission and are beginning their vaccination programs.

“That’s as much as we can do.

We are nearly dead last in the region. We cannot pat ourselves in the back for this kind of performance,” Barcelon lamented.

As of Thursday, the Philippines has recorded nearly 604,000 Covid-19 cases and about 13,000 deaths. Among Southeast Asian nations, the country maintains the second worst Covid-19 tally, only behind Indonesia’s 1.4 million positives and 38,000 fatalities.

After a year in lockdown, Zaldarriaga hopes the government puts its political conflicts to the side and focuses on vaccinating the people to achieve herd immunity the soonest.

On the other hand, Barcelon argued public leaders should return the favor to the people who he said have complied with quarantine measures like their life depended on it. Like Zaldarriaga, he called on authorities to hasten the vaccination program to hasten the country’s return to normalcy.

Based on official figures, unemployment rate in January jumped to 8.7 percent, from 5.3 percent during the same month last year.

As such, this translated to more than 4 million Filipinos living without a job in a time of economic crisis compared to just 2.4 million individuals a year ago.

Southern Tagalog, where hundreds of manufacturing firms operate, posted the highest jobless rate at 13.1 percent.

Danilo C. Lachica, president of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (Seipi) Foundation Inc., said his group is concerned about the lack of vaccine shots that the country is bringing in, especially now that orders are becoming difficult to place.

“I appreciate the government’s efforts. It is unfortunate the global supply is inadequate to meet demand. In terms of effort, I would score the government and private sector as a 9 to 10, [but] in terms of vaccine availability to companies, 3 to 4,” Lachica rated.

John D. Forbes, senior advisor at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said the group hopes policymakers in the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and local governments would unify quarantine rules to facilitate the operations of business owners, as well as the movement of people and goods.

“Most issues for AmCham members came from the local interpretation of IATF rules and foreign residents stranded abroad. We look forward to the vaccine rollout, reaching herd immunity and acceleration of economic recovery,” Forbes said.

On Monday the Philippines will observe its first year under lockdown since the President placed mobility restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Metro Manila was first applied the strictest of quarantine measures on March 15, 2020, as part of the government’s lastditch efforts to combat the virus.

Duterte would later on expand the ban on land, air and sea travel to the whole of the country that compelled business establishments to shut—some for good— on lack of consumer activity.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Warning: Purported Covid vaccines sold on Darknet

A

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

GLOBAL cybersecurity company has warned of Covid-19 vaccines being sold on the dark web.

Kaspersky researchers examined 15 different marketplaces on the Darknet and found advertisements for three major Covid vaccines: Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Moderna.

Scammers and sellers on the dark market have been eager to make a profit off the process as there were sellers advertising unverified “Covid-19” vaccines.

Kaspersky said that majority of sellers came from France, Germany, the UK and the US, and the prices per dose ranged from $250 to $1,200, with an average cost of

about $500.

The negotiations are done via encrypted messaging apps like Wickr and Telegram, while payments are requested in the form of cryptocurrency, primarily bitcoin.

It is said that majority of these underground sellers have made between 100 and 500 transactions, indicating that they’ve been completing sales, but what exactly Darknet users are purchasing remains unclear.

With the information available to Kaspersky experts, it would be difficult to tell how many of the

vaccine doses being advertised online are actual doses (many medical facilities have found themselves with leftover doses) and how many advertisements are a scam.

“You can find just about anything on the Darknet, so it’s not surprising sellers there would attempt to capitalize on the vaccination campaign. Over the past year, there have been a whole host of scams exploiting the Covid topic, and many of them have been successful. Right now, not only are people selling vaccine doses, but they’re also selling vaccination records—pieces of paper that can help you travel freely.

It’s important for users to be cautious of any “deal” related to the pandemic, and, of course, it’s never a good idea to buy a vaccine off the Darknet,” said Dmitry Galov, security expert at Kaspersky.

They warned that even if one receives something in the mail,

most likely what one would receive would not be an effective, valid dose.

“More importantly, obtaining such doses is illegal.”

To keep the public safe and avoid scammers during this time of pandemic, Kaspersky experts have recommended:

• Never buy products—including vaccine doses—on the Darknet • If you see an advertisement for something related to Covid, look carefully at the URLs of the sites that you visit. If just one letter looks out of place, or if the usual. com has been replaced with .com. tk or something along those lines, your gut should tell you it’s phishing. Never enter personal information on such a site.

• Pay attention to grammar and layout on both the sites you visit and the emails you receive. If something smells phishy, it probably is.

PALACE WEIGHS EMERGENCY DECLARATION OVER ASF

M

ALACAÑANG said on Thursday that President Duterte will consider the proposal of lawmakers to declare a state of national emergency due to the onslaught of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the local hog industry.

“Point well taken. We welcome the suggestion. It will be considered but it has not been decided upon by the President,”

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during an online press briefing on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Nancy Binay and Cynthia Villar urged President Duterte to place the entire country under a state of national emergency so the government could effectively address the impact of ASF. The spread of the ASF in the

country affected the country’s pork supply as it killed and caused the culling of thousands of hogs.

Due to the ensuing supply shortage, the price of pork in Metro Manila soared last month, causing the government to impose a price freeze.

Roque reiterated the government is trying to address the supply issue through the repopulation program of the Depart-

ment of Agriculture for hog raisers, and the proposed increase in the quota for imported pork.

President Duterte has yet to decide on the recommendations to increase the minimum access volume (MAV) and at the same time reduce the tariff for imported pork.

Both measures are expected to increase the pork supply in the country. Samuel P. Medenilla

BSP… Continued from A1

In a press briefing, Diokno told reporters that their latest monitoring showed that inflation pressures continue to be “transitory” and “supply-side” in nature and, therefore, do not warrant any movements from the monetary policy side.

“The capacity of monetary policy to combat inflation is limited when price spikes are driven by cost-push forces. Following the standard approach among central banks in responding to supply-side shocks, the BSP typically accommodates initial effects of supply shocks as these tend to be short-lived in nature,” the BSP governor said.

“Notwithstanding the impact of supply-side factors on the inflation path, we are not inclined to tighten monetary policy at this juncture. The inflation uptrend is seen to be largely transitory, reflecting mainly the impact of base effects, weather-related disturbances and the ASF [Asian Swine Fever] outbreak on a narrow range of food items, as well as higher global oil prices,” he added.

The BSP also thinks there has been limited evidence of secondround effects so far.

“Inflation expectations have risen slightly but remain anchored within the inflation target band.

Demand-based pressures on inflation also remain largely subdued,” Diokno said.

Diokno, however, confirmed that inflation will continue to remain elevated in the next few months, especially in the first half of the year.

“Inflation is projected to rise above the high end of the target range in the first half of 2021, with the peak expected in the second quarter due to the transitory impact of supply-side price pressures, as well as positive base effects,” Diokno said.

More groups nix House’s Boracay GOCC plan Continued from A1

local government units of their constitutionally granted (1987 Philippine Constitution) local autonomy and law-mandated powers and functions, rights and prerogatives,” as provided under Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991).

In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Virgilio Sacdalan, president of the Compliant Association of Boracay, one of the groups which signed the position paper, said, “We drew up this position paper after carefully studying and discussing the proposed substitute bill on Bida with the heads and members of associations of the various stakeholder groups on the island.”

He added, a signature campaign had been launched involving 17 barangays and 20 organization members and employees before signing then sending the position paper to Duterte, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, House Speaker

Lord Allan Q. Velasco and members of Congress.

Conspicuously absent among the signatories, however, were heads of the pioneering Boracay Foundation Inc. and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay, signaling a possible rift among the stakeholders on the issue that carves the future path of the island.

Continued operation of BIATF eyed

WHAT the groups opposing the Bida GOCC endorsed instead was the continued operation of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) to oversee the rehabilitation of the island, “or in the alternative, the creation by law of a nationally empowered body with the same or similar mandate and limitation as a policy-making and regulatory authority like BIATF, with strengthened integration of national agencies, expanded local participation, and recognition of vested rights.”

The BIATF’s term is supposed to end in May 2021.

The groups underscored that they were “not alone” in disagreeing with the proposed Boracay GOCC, citing government agencies like the Departments of Finance, Interior and Local Government, and Budget Management; as well as political organizations and local government representatives such as the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the provincial government of Aklan and its provincial board, the municipal government and the municipal council, Aklan House representatives, among others.

(See, “Dominguez nixes proposed Boracay authority’s roles,” in the BusinessMirror, March 2, 2021.)

The multisectoral groups stress they support Duterte’s wish to safeguard the environment and his vision of returning the island “to its former glory.” They add they would continue partnering with national and local governments to “promote and accelerate the

sustainable development and balanced growth of Boracay Island.”

The position paper was also signed by the Boracay Island Travel Agencies/Tour Operators Association; Boracay Windsport Association; Boracay Private Clinic Sectoral Group; Caticlan Boracay Transport Multipurpose Cooperative; Malay Fisherfolk Seaweed Planters Association; Boracay Women’s Cooperative; Natives of Boracay and Business Stakeholders Inc.; Malay Boracay Vendors, Peddlers, Masseurs, Manicurists, and Hair Braiders Association Inc.; Boracay Tumandok Indigenous Cultural Communities Indigenous Peoples Malay Aklan Inc.; Boracay Muslim Association; Boracay Island Hopping Adventure MPC; Boracay Photographers Association Inc.; Association of Standup Paddle Boracay Inc.; Boracay Watersport Association Inc.; Boracaynons Samahang Mangingisda Inc; and the Aquanaut Diving Association Inc.

‘Curfew as quick fix vs Covid to hurt workers’ Continued from A10

“The policy must be simple: to lessen the inconvenience brought to these workers who will still commute during a time when it is not easy to find public transportation especially during curfew hours,” he said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered last year the limited operations of public transport systems, cutting their capacities between 30 percent and 50 percent in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Morillo said that the situation further worsens at night, as fewer public transport options are

available for commuters.

“This is especially true for those who ride the Edsa Bus Carousel System. Some workers choose to book TNVS units or taxicabs instead, but we need to understand that most of them can’t afford this luxury,” he added, referring to transport network vehicle services like Grab.

Morillo also appealed to the transport department to allow more public utility vehicles (PUV) to ply routes.

“Bus and jeepney passengers know the rules and we believe that most of them want to obey these rules. However, it is a fact that there is a supply problem in the current public transportation landscape and this is a great hindrance in how to effectively im-

plement our Covid-19 protocols,” he said.

He said commuters are forced to crowd in public transport systems because of the dearth in units, which could potentially increase the threat of spreading the virus.

“This is clearly a problem of the lack of spaces for PUV passengers and it is the reason why commuters are left with no choice but to occupy remaining seats or even bus aisles meant to be vacant for social distancing. It will be very helpful if the DOTr will give a go-signal for more PUVs on our roads,” Morillo added.

He clarified, however, that the group is supportive of the protocols. What needs to be done, he said, is for the government to

deploy more units on the road in order to ensure that health and safety protocols are properly implemented.

“With the most recent rise in active cases, it is even more pressing for us to look for measures that will truly make our protocols more practicable,” Morillo said.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro echoed this sentiment, noting in a radio interview that many workers desperate to reach work or go home during rush hours often cram into the limited spaces in public transport, heightening the risk of Covid transmission.

The solution, he said, is to simply increase the supply of units plying the road.

Lorenz S. Marasigan

MAPA: “Adjusting monetary policy for anything other than getting prices in line or supporting the stimulus efforts will likely need to take a backseat for now. With the recession upon us, BSP clearly has its priorities ironed out.”

ING Bank economist Nicholas Mapa viewed Diokno’s stance as appropriate.

“A full reversal in monetary stance would, however, result in the following: a scenario of still elevated cost-push inflation, compounded with rising borrowing costs, not exactly your prescription to cure a recession nor elevated unemployment,” Mapa said.

“Going forward, we believe BSP will continue to deliver its mandate with an eye on price stability while also remaining mindful of the need to support the fledgling recovery efforts. Adjusting monetary policy for anything other than getting prices in line or supporting the stimulus efforts will likely need to take a backseat for now. With the recession upon us, BSP clearly has its priorities ironed out,” Mapa added.

For now, the BSP said it is likely to retain its monetary policy but vowed to keep a close eye on developments on the price front.

“The BSP believes that monetary policy settings remain appropriate to support domestic activity,” Diokno said.

“Given that the recent uptrend in inflation continues to originate from supply-side factors, monetary authorities will remain vigilant against the emergence of secondround effects,” he added.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, March 12, 2021 A3

Lorenzana defends Parlade’s appointment as NTF-ELCAC spox, Solcom chief D

EFENSE Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana on Thursday disputed senators’ claim that the appointment of Southern Luzon Command chief Army Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade as spokesman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is unconstitutional,saying“ifyouaregoingtoremove Gen. Parlade, then you might as well remove us there, the Armed Forces.”

“I do not see any violation there of the Constitution,” the defense chief said during the news briefing

“Laging Handa” held live over the government television station.

He added: “It means the armed forces has nothing to do there, which is not true. We are the ones implementing it. The other agencies of the government are just doing supporting roles. The main effort is being led by the PNP [Philippine National Police] and the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines],” he said, stressing there’s no violation of the Constitution in the concurrent appointment of Parlade as Solcom chief and

spokesman of NTF-ELCAC. The Senate on Wednesday adopted a committee recommendation to seek the replacement of the controversial Parlade, saying his designation violated a constitutional ban on active military officers holding civilian positions.

The recommended amendments to a report earlier issued by the defense and security panel on the redtagging issue were introduced by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who had earlier made clear his view that the NTF-ELCAC

position of Lt. Gen. Parlade was working against the government’s efforts to secure peace and fight terrorism.

Parlade, Lacson pointed out, is part of the chain of command of the AFP as commander of Solcom.

The senator made the similar observation earlier at the Commission on Appointments hearing on the confirmation of new AFP chief, Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana.

Lacson chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Unification and Reconcili-

ation, which conducted hearings on the red-tagging issue and recently issued the committee report to which he presented three amendments on Wednesday as sought by some peers.

In seeking Parlade’s ouster from the NTF-ELCAC, Lacson stressed that the latter is a civilian unit and that the Constitution clearly prohibits AFP officers from holding positions there. He cited Section 5 (4), Art. XVI of the 1987 Constitution that states: “[4] No member of the armed forces in the active service shall, at any time,

be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the government, including governmentowned or -controlled corporations or any of their subsidiaries.”

The plenary approved the three recommended amendments offered

by Lacson, including one seeking Parlade’s ouster from the NTF-ELCAC, which the lieutenant general is seen to have used as a bully pulpit to lash out at both the New People’s Army and activist groups alleged to be communist fronts. Rene Acosta, Butch Fernandez

A4 Friday, March 12, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

News

BusinessMirror

BAI reports ‘record-low’ ASF outbreaks since August 2019

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T

HE country’s confirmed African swine fever (ASF) cases continue to decline with March numbers poised to set a “record-low” of outbreaks since the fatal hog disease was first reported in August 2019, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said Thursday.

BAI Director Reildrin G. Morales said they have observed a “dramatic decrease” in the active cases of ASF in the country from above 300 outbreaks to just 62 this March.

“We only detected 62 cases this March in light of our surveillance programs in Regions 8 and 10. We have an active surveillance ongoing [in those regions],” Morales said during a joint hearing of the House Committees on Agriculture and Food and Trade and Industry on Thursday.

“We are glad to note that with this surveillance, we only have 62 cases.

And we pray to God this will be the limit we will have at this point,” Morales added.

If the confirmed ASF outbreaks

this March will not increase, then it would be the lowest number of cases since August 2019, when the first ASF outbreak in the country was recorded, based on Morales’s presentation.

The country’s confirmed ASF cases in August 2019 was at 82, based on Morales’s presentation.

Morales’s presentation showed that the number of ASF positive samples in February fell for the fifth consecutive month at 294, which was also the lowest number of confirmed cases since the 152 recorded cases in May 2020.

Morales also disclosed during the hearing that “most” of the ASF-infected areas in the country, bulk of which in Luzon, have not reported any new outbreaks in the past 90 days.

Morales added that the BAI, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), will be “implementing a massive surveillance” in the areas without outbreaks in the past three months to ensure that there is no more ASF virus circulating.

During the hearing, Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Wil-

liam Medrano said the areas that have not recorded any ASF cases in the past three months are candidates for release for quarantine.

“These areas will be the target for our repopulation after following strict protocols,” Medrano said.

Earlier, DA officials disclosed that it would need at least P34.333 billion to bankroll its three-year ASF recovery program that seeks to bring back and even exceed the country’s pre-ASF pork production level.

The DA said for 2021 it would need a total budget of P9.161 billion, P13.561 billion for 2022 and P11.611 billion for 2023.

The funds would be used to finance the four DA programs: calibrated repopulation and intensified production; establishment of swine breeder multiplier farms; provision of insurance premium; and biosecurity and surveillance programs.

For 2021, the DA said it only has P2.372 billion of available funds, thus, it will request an additional P6.789 billion to fully finance its interventions.

Based on its presentation, the

SC affirms acquittal of GMA over botched NBN-ZTE deal T

HE Supreme Court has affirmed the acquittal of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by the Sandiganbayan in connection with the graft cases filed against her over the alleged $329-million anomalous National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with Chinese telecom firm Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment International Investment Limited (ZTE).

In a 13-page resolution made public last February 23, 2021, the SC’s Third Division held that the Office of the Special Prosecutor wrongly assailed the resolutions of the Sandiganbayan issued on August 8, 2016 and November 7, 2016, which granted Mrs. Arroyo’s demurrer to evidence which resulted in the dismissal of the graft cases filed against her for violation of Section 3(i) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Section 7(d) of RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

The Court held that the petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of

Civil Procedure filed by the prosecution to seek the reversal of the Sandiganbayan’s resolutions would violate Mrs. Arroyo’s constitutional right against double jeopardy under Article III, Section 21 of the Constitution.

“A cursory examination of the petition readily reveals that in essence, petitioner excoriates the Sandiganbayan’s evaluation and assessment of the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Petitioner bemoans the “gross misapprehension of the facts and the evidence on record, which led to the grant of the demurrer in favor of GMA,” the SC said.

“However, a writ of certiorari can only correct errors of jurisdiction, or those involving the commission of grave abuse of discretion, not those which call for the evaluation of evidence and factual findings. Accordingly, we cannot condone this specious approach at stretching the allowable limits of questioning a judgment of acquittal,” the SC added.

The SC pointed out that it is now within its jurisdiction to review factual and evidentiary issues raised by

the prosecution.

Arroyo was accused of violating Section 3 (i) of the anti-graft law when she approved the NBN-ZTE project for personal gain despite knowing the irregularities in the project.

Likewise, the former president was charged with violation of RA 6713 for having lunch and playing golf with ZTE officials, while the broadband project proposal was still being assessed by the government.

However, Sandiganbayan held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to support its claim that the contract was grossly disadvantageous to the government.

As to the accusation that Mrs. Arroyo violated Section 7 (d) of RA 6713, the anti-graft court stressed that it did not have any territorial jurisdiction over the same because it was committed outside the country.

Thus, the anti-graft court granted Mrs. Arroyo’s demurrer to evidence and dismissed the cases against her.

Joel R. San Juan

DA said it aims to produce 440,563 breeders in the next three years, which is more than enough to compensate for the estimated 332,928 breeders lost as of January 1.

The DA added that by 2023 about 10.5 million finishers would be already produced, which would be equivalent to 738,805 metric tons (MT) of pork.

Also by 2023, about 90 percent or 2,100 of ASF-affected barangays will be released from quarantine through the use of the sentinel approach, according to the DA. The DA has pegged the pork production shortfall this year at 388,790 MT as the country lost at least 3.08 million pigs as of January 1 based on latest PSA data.

The DA said its interventions would result in the additional pork output of 84,000 MT for 2021, 238,192 MT by 2022 and 474,012 MT by 2023.

Furthermore, the DA said the interventions would lead to further pork output for the years 2024 and 2025 with additional production volume of 809,172 MT and 1.144 MMT, respectively.

T

Shakey’s The Goood Burger (nationwide), featuring an unMeat patty topped with all the trimmings, as well as vegan dressing, sandwiched together with lettuce;

Green Spot’s Heartburger (Quezon City), made up of five types of grilled veggies, topped with vegan mayonnaise and all the trimmings, and served with a side of potato wedges;

But Better’s Loaded Protein Burger (Taguig City), a protein-packed burger served with melted vegan cheese, mushrooms, homemade relish and all the trimmings;

Shaka’s Sloppy José (Panglao Island, Bohol), featuring a bean patty topped with caramelized fresh pineapple, corn, green chili, jalapeño salsa, guacamole and a vegan cheese sauce;

iVegan’s Black Bean Burger (Makati City), including a special cheesy vegan sauce and all the trimmings, served with a side salad and a roasted sweet potato;

Three Guys and a Grill’s The Woke Burger (Cebu City and Makati City), a black bean patty topped with vegan mayo and all the trimmings;

Cosmic’s Mushroom Burger (Makati City), featuring a homemade mushroom patty with all the trimmings sandwiched between sourdough bread, served with a side of fries;

Lun-haw Vegan Cafe’s Vegan Burger (Cebu City), made with mung

beans and potato, paired with a vegan sauce and all the trimmings and served with a side of air-fried fries;

Corner Tree Café’s Baked Tofu Walnut Burger (Makati City), with vegan mayo and all the trimmings piled on a healthy baked patty, served with sweet potato fries or some greens;

Chill Gorilla Burgers’ King Kong Burger (Davao City), with not one but two patties on a buttered bun topped with mayo and a cheese sauce—all vegan, of course—as well as all the trimmings; and

Bec and Geri’s Vegan Steak Burger (Las Piñas), a house-made “ground steak” patty with barbecue garlic sauce, pineapple, and all the trimmings.

“It’s so easy to help prevent cows— who feel joy, love, pain, and fear, just as humans, cats, dogs, and other animals do—from enduring a horrific death by leaving them off our plates,” PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker said in a news statement.

“With so many delicious and awardwinning veggie burgers to choose from in restaurants across the Philippines, it’s clear that vegan eating is skyrocketing in popularity,” he added.

Vegan burgers from companies like Beyond Meat are sweeping the world, including the Philippines and Burger King Philippines even offers a veggie burger on its menu, PETA noted.

46,000 workers lose jobs in Feb–DOLE

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

S

OME 46,000 additional workers permanently lost their jobs last month as quarantine restrictions to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic continue to disrupt business operations.

In its latest Job Displacement Report, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported the number of permanently displaced workers rose to 71,744 last month from 25,226 in January.

“Retrenchment or reduction of work force was mostly observed in small enterprises [42 percent or 1,159], while there is higher incidence of permanent closure in micro enterprises [52 percent or 177],” DOLE said.

Of the latest figure, 65,160 were retrenched by 2,813 firms, while the remaining 6,584 were affected by the permanent closure of their companies.

“Most displaced workers were under construction [26-percent share or 18,332] and other service activities [19 percent or 13,458] sectors,” DOLE said.

Other sectors, which registered a significant spike in permanently displaced workers are administrative and support service activities (7,952); manufacturing (6,491); transportation and storage (5,218); accommodation and food service activities (4,086); and wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (4,037).

The top 5 regions, where these workers were formerly employed were in the National Capital Region (44,323); Central Visayas (8,949); Central Luzon (5,511); Calabarzon (4,893); Mimaropa (2,707); and Western Visayas (1,870).

The 46,518 jobless toll was 33.98 percent higher compared to the 30,712 permanently displaced in the same period in 2020.

The number of temporarily displaced workers last month also tripled to 324,185 compared to 108,089 in January.

Most, or 227, those who were temporarily displaced in February were engaged in flexible work arrangements such as reduced workdays, forced leaves and telecommuting, while the remaining 96,779 were affected by temporary closure of their establishments.

Customs starts new inventory of cell phones, computers for donation to DepEd, learners

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

T

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is undertaking an inventory of seized mobile phones and computers in a bid to supplement its earlier donation to the Department of Education (DepEd) to support its blended or distance learning program amid the pandemic.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero told Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III that the BOC still has seized smuggled mobile phones stored at the Manila International Container Port and the Port of Manila.

Guerrero made the response after he was queried by Department of Finance chief whether BOC still has computers and gadgets it can donate to DepEd. “We are just conducting an inventory, and seeking clearance from the National Telecommunications Commission [NTC] if these can be donated,” Guerrero said during a

Animal rights group: Eat veggie burgers to save cows, even fight climate change HE People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said eating veggie burgers could help save not only cows or even chickens even the planet, too.

In the Philippines, PETA said there are local initiatives to shun traditional meat burgers, whether hamburger, beef burger or chicken burger and for that, PETA is all-praises for the patties that make the cows happy.

Made from good-for-you ingredients such as jackfruit, mushrooms, tofu, beans, and unMeat, veggie burgers are tasty and animal-friendly—unlike meat-based ones.

According to PETA, cows killed for meat are raised on filthy feedlots, transported in all weather extremes to slaughterhouses, and strung up by one leg before their throats are slit, sometimes while they’re still conscious. It’s no wonder more and more people are opting for burgers without murder!

PETA has named the 12 best veggie burgers made locally in the Philippines served by restaurants across the country.

They are:

The Green Bar’s Wild Thing Bacun Cheeseburger (Makati City), featuring a house-made seitan and jackfruit patty topped with “bacun” strips, onion rings, vegan mozzarella cheese, lettuce, and chipotle mayo on a toasted bun;

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Eat veggies, save the planet

WHAT’S more? Eating veggie burgers instead of meat burgers also helps fight climate change.

Nirali Shah, senior campaigner of PETA Asia said by not eating meat produced on the farm, people can also help save the planet.

“We cannot discuss ways to mitigate climate change without addressing the dire consequences of animal agriculture. As we face a climate emergency, the solution is staring all of us right in the face—we need to stop eating meat, dairy and eggs,” she said in an e-mail to the BusinessMirror.

Shah explained that when land is used to raise animals instead of crops, precious water and soil are lost, trees are cut down to make the land for grazing or factory-farm sheds and untreated animal waste pollutes rivers and streams.

She cited a United Nations report, highlighting that a global shift to vegan eating is required to combat the worst effects of climate change, as animal agriculture alone is responsible for nearly one-fifth of human-induced greenhouse-gas emissions. In nearly every step of meat, egg, and milk production, climate-changing gases are released into the atmosphere, disrupting weather, temperature, and the health of our ecosystem. Jonathan L. Mayuga

We are just conducting an inventory, and seeking clearance from the National Telecommunications Commission if these can be donated.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero

recent DOF Executive Committee (Execom) meeting.

Since mobile devices are classified as regular items, Guerrero said the BOC needed to first secure the clearance of NTC for the donation of the cellular phones.

In January, the BOC formally turned over to Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones 198 units of laptops and 4,840 smartphones that it had seized during a joint operation conducted with personnel of

BM

the Clark Development Corp.

Dominguez lauded the BOC for not letting its guard down even amid this challenging period brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The finance chief also assured Briones that the DOF and its attached agencies will support DepEd’s efforts to ensure that Filipino learners continue their schooling with its blended learning program despite the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lower capital for retail investors to kill SMEs—Risa continued from a10

Moreover, Hontiveros asserted that “given the limited capacity of a small enterprise, [the incoming foreign retailers] might end up employing their own citizens,” thus negating the supposed “unemploymentreducing effects for Filipinos” which will then be “actually...smaller than what was hoped for.”

She wondered aloud:“How any people can be hired by a small firm with P15-million capital?What is the assurance the jobs will go to Filipinos? My bigger fear is that these enterprises would just be the Bangladeshi and Chinese shops in Divisoria—shops that employ their own nationals living and working illegally in the country. Our MSMEs are decimated, and yet job creation is minimal.We are on the losing end here.”

The senator voiced concern that “this measure may create an uneven playing field for local micro, small and medium enterprises [MSMEs]” as foreign counterparts are more likely given export assistance by their governments and trade associations.

She added: “Our local MSMEs do not receive the same level of government aid and do not have access to low-cost manufacturing facilities.

Imagine, Chinese companies are able to procure goods at a lower price because they have direct access to manufacturers in Mainland China.”

Hontiveros lamented that “the subsidies we give to our small businesses are just enough to keep the lights on” but not enough for them to gear up and compete against a sudden influx of small foreign retailers. Do we just allow them to swallow up our small businesses?”

The senator signaled she intends to propose an amendment increasing the minimum required paid-up capital to an amount that is cognizant of the benefits of foreign investment, affirming that“whatever measure we propose to boost the economy, it should be on the side of our local SMEs...We cannot leave our SMEs flailing in the ocean. Especially not at this time.” Butch Fernandez

New Covid variants still under control–genome unit continued from a10 Dela Paz reiterated the statement of the Department of Health (DOH) that currently there is still no confirmed local case of the Brazilian variant. However, she did not disregard the possibility of the Brazilian variant already existing in the country, but yet to be detected by PGC. Some health experts blamed the presence of the new variants in the country for the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, although this is yet to be confirmed by data.

Based on her observation, dela Paz said the recent surge may also be attributed to the “fatigue” of the public in observing quarantine protocols, which have been going on since March 2020.

“We are already being complacent [in following quarantine protocols]. So we have to reiterate [reminders] to the public to keep the cases of the virus low,” dela Paz said. Samuel P. Medenilla

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

The World

Myanmar police raid housing for striking railway workers

M

A N D A L AY, M y a n m a r — M y a n m a r security forces on Wednesday raided a neighborhood in the country’s largest city that houses state railway workers who have gone on strike to protest last month’s military coup.

Police sealed off the Mingalar Taung Nyunt neighborhood in Yangon where the Ma Hlwa Kone train station and housing for railway workers are located. Photos and video on social media showed officers blocking streets and what was said to be people escaping.

At least three arrests were reported, but couldn’t immediately be confirmed. There was no apparent resistance to the raid, and local media reported that the authorities forced at least some residents from their homes.

Later Wednesday, police fired warning shots, tear gas, stun grenades and live rounds in other areas of Yangon to disperse protesters. In North Okkalapa, press and social media reports said at least 200 people were arrested. About 400 young people who were detained in mass arrests a week ago are believed to still be behind bars.

Also, the UN Security Council unanimously called for a reversal of the military coup, strongly condemning the violence against peaceful protesters and calling for “utmost restraint” by the military. The call was made in a presidential statement, which is a step below a resolution but becomes part of the official record of the UN’s most powerful body.

Diplomats said earlier drafts of the statement were stronger but drew objections from permanent council members China and Russia as well as from Myanmar’s neighbor India, and from Vietnam, which is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations along with Myanmar.

The raid on rail workers comes just days after several Myanmar unions, including the Myanmar Railway Worker’s Union Federation, issued a joint call for a nationwide work stoppage.

They said the strike would be part of a broader effort for “the full, extended shutdown of the Myanmar economy.”

Despite the increasingly violent tactics of security forces, protests continued Wednesday in cities and towns across the country, including Yangon, Mandalay, Monywa, Dawei, Myitkyina, Myitkyina, Bago, Kalaw and Myingyan. Some were met with police force, while others were brief and violence-free.

Riot police in Dawei fired tear gas, forcing marchers to disperse and hide. There were also reports of the use of rubber bullets. No injuries have been confirmed.

A leading organizer of protests in the small southern city was arrested Wednesday morning, according to the local Dawei Watch news service.

Dawei has become a hotspot for anti-coup protests and has experienced heav y police crackdowns, with up to five deaths.

In Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, Buddhist monks joined about 1,000 demonstrators marching through the streets near their monastery.

They carried a banner that read “Demonstrating Peacefully.”The march ended before security forces could confront them.

Myanmar has been roiled by protests and other acts of civil disobedience since the February 1 coup that toppled elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s government just as it was to start its second term. The coup reversed years of slow progress toward democracy in the Southeast Asian nation after five decades of military rule.

Security forces have responded with mass arrests and at times lethal force. At least 60 protesters have been killed since the military takeover, according to the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Authorities have also moved to shut down independent reporting, both through arrests of journalists and the closure of media outlets.

State railway workers in Yangon and across the country were among the earliest organized supporters of the protest movement and their strike began soon after the coup.

Police last month attempted to intimidate railway workers in Mandalay by roaming through their housing area one night, shouting and randomly firing guns.

The junta now in control of the country, formally called the State Administration Council, indirectly acknowledged the effectiveness of the rail strike.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Tuesday cited officials as saying that rail transport between Yangon and Mandalay would resume “in the near future.”

It also acknowledged that the banking sector has been affected.

The dawn raid on the railway workers on Wednesday followed another night of intimidation by police marching through residential areas in several cities after the 8 p.m. curfew, firing guns and stun grenades and staging selective raids to arrest people.

The Democratic Voice of Burma news service and other media reported Wednesday that the anti-militar y People’s Party said a protester detained at Insein Prison in northern Yangon had died and his body was left unclaimed.

The prison has been notorious for decades for holding political prisoners, and many of the hundreds of people arrested in Yangon in recent weeks are inside.

On Tuesday, a school principal and supporter of the protest movement died of unknown causes after being taken into custody by security forces, according to media reports and an activist who knew him.

Days earlier, a local activist with Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party also died in custody. Witnesses said his body had wounds consistent with torture, according to New Yorkbased Human Rights Watch.

Democratic Voice of Burma also reported that three NLD officials in Mandalay were detained Tuesday night.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 1,930 people have been arrested in connection with the coup. Dozens of journalists have been arrested, including Thein Zaw of The Associated Press, who has been charged under a public order law that carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. AP

Taiwan central bank plays down concern over manipulator label

T

he huge increase in Taiwan’s foreignexchange interventions could lead to it being labeled a currency manipulator by the US, the island’s central bank governor said Thursday, but he insisted the designation is unlikely to have any immediate negative impact on the exportdependent economy.

“It’s possible that Taiwan may be listed as a manipulator,” Governor Yang Chin-long told lawmakers in Taipei as he delivered a report Thursday. However, Yang argued that the US criteria for labeling another economy a currency manipulator are no longer suitable as the global economy has changed over the past year.

Yang argued that Taiwan’s high trade surplus with the US, one of the US Treasury’s three currencymanipulation criteria, is due to strong demand from American companies for semiconductors, rather than any perceived unfair advantage Taiwan gained from its currency intervention.

“If they want to reduce our trade surplus with them, then we could just stop selling them our chips,” he joked to lawmakers. “But they need them!”

Taiwan stepped up its intervention in markets in the second half of last year as it tried to stop the local dollar from strengthening on the back of the booming economy and trade. Although being listed as a manipulator by the US has no immediate or specific consequences, Yang said the central bank will discuss its interventions and trade surplus with Treasury officials.

The central bank’s net currency purchases

surged more than 600 percent to $39.1 billion last year, according to the report Yang delivered to lawmakers. That equals 5.8 percent of the island’s gross domestic product, according to Bloomberg calculations, well above the Treasury’s 2 percent threshold. In 2019, the central bank reported net purchases of $5.5 billion.

Yang noted that capital inflows had slowed since mid-January. The central bank reported conducting what it calls currency “smoothing” operations in January but not in February, according to earlier statements.

The Treasury Department has three criteria for listing an economy as a currency manipulator: a current-account surplus equivalent to 2 percent of GDP, a bilateral trade surplus of at least $20 billion and “persistent, one-sided” foreign-exchange interventions worth at least 2 percent of GDP. Taiwan was added to the currency watch list in the latest US report in December but wasn’t listed a currency manipulator. The US Treasury cited the “persistently large” current account surplus of 10.9 percent of GDP in the year to June and a $25 billion trade surplus with the US as reasons for being added to the watchlist.

Taiwan’s position in all three categories declined last year, with its current-account surplus widening to 14.1 percent of GDP and its trade surplus with US reaching $29.9 billion. Being designated a currency manipulator requires the US to engage with the perceived offender to address the imbalance. Bloomberg News

BusinessMirror

Friday, March 12, 2021

A5

Congress OKs $1.9T virus relief bill in win for Biden, Democrats

W

ASHINGTON—A Congress riven along party lines approved the landmark $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill on Wednesday, as President Joe Biden and Democrats claimed a major triumph on legislation marshaling the government’s spending might against twin pandemic and economic crises that have upended a nation.

The House gave final congressional approval to the sweeping package by a near party line 220-211 vote precisely seven weeks after Biden entered the White House and four days after the Senate passed the bill. Republicans in both chambers opposed the legislation unanimously, characterizing it as bloated, crammed with liberal policies and heedless of signs the crises are easing.

“Help is here,” Biden tweeted moments after the roll call, which ended with applause from Democratic lawmakers. Biden said he’d sign the measure on Friday.

Most noticeable to many Americans are provisions providing up to $1,400 direct payments this year to most people and extending $300 weekly emergency unemployment benefits into early September. But the legislation goes far beyond that.

The measure addresses Democrats’ campaign promises and Biden’s top initial priority of easing a onetwo punch that first hit the country a year ago. Since then, many Americans have been relegated to hermitlike lifestyles in their homes to avoid a disease that’s killed over 525,000 people—about the population of Wichita, Kansas—and plunged the economy to its deepest depths since the Great Depression.

“Today we have a decision to make of tremendous consequence,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., “a decision that will make a difference for millions of Americans, saving lives and livelihoods.”

For Biden and Democrats, the bill is

essentially a canvas on which they’ve painted their core beliefs—that government programs can be a benefit, not a bane, to millions of people and that spending huge sums on such efforts can be a cure, not a curse. The measure so closely tracks Democrats’ priorities that several rank it with the top achievements of their careers, and despite their slender congressional majorities there was never real suspense over its fate.

They were also empowered by three dynamics: their unfettered control of the White House and Congress, polls showing robust support for Biden’s approach and a moment when most voters care little that the national debt is soaring toward a stratospheric $22 trillion. Neither party seems much troubled by surging red ink, either, except when the other is using it to finance its priorities, be they Democratic spending or GOP tax cuts.

Republicans noted that they’ve overwhelmingly supported five previous relief bills that Congress has approved since the pandemic struck a year ago, when divided government under then-President Donald Trump forced the parties to negotiate. They said this one solely reflected Democratic goals by setting aside money for family planning programs and federal workers who take leave to cope with Covid-19 and failing to require that shuttered schools accepting aid reopen their doors.

“If you’re a member of the swamp, you do pretty well under this bill. But for the American people, it means serious problems immediately on the

horizon,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., referring to the added federal borrowing the measure will force.

Even so, Sen. Roger Wicker, RMiss., touted the bill’s $29 billion for the ailing restaurant industry, tweeting it would help them “survive the pandemic” without mentioning he had voted against the legislation.

Democrats predicted this week that Republicans would do that, with Pelosi saying, “It’s typical that they will vote no and take the dough.”

Wicker told reporters, “I’m not going to vote for $1.9 trillion just because it has a couple of good provisions.”

A dominant feature of the 628-page bill is initiatives making it one of the biggest federal efforts in years to assist lower- and middle-income families. Included are expanded tax credits over the next year for children, child care and family leave—some of them credits that Democrats have signaled they’d like to make permanent—plus spending for renters, feeding programs and people’s utility bills.

Besides the direct payments and jobless-benefit extension, the measure has hundreds of billions for Covid-19 vaccines and treatments, schools, state and local governments and ailing industries from airlines to concert halls. There is aid for farmers of color, pension systems and student borrowers, and subsidies for consumers buying health insurance and states expanding Medicaid coverage for lower earners.

“Who’s going to help? Do we say this is all survival of the fittest? No,” said House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth, D-Ky. “We rise to the occasion. We deliver.”

The legislation would reduce the number of people liv ing in poverty this year by around one-third, from 44 million dow n to 28 million, the liberal-leaning Urban Institute estimated Wednesday. The poverty rate for children would be reduced by over half, said the institute, which examined the impact of the measure’s stimu lus chec k s, job less benefits, food stamps and ta x credits for children.

Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to oppose the measure.

He said some of the bill’s spending wasn’t urgent.

The measure was approved amid promising though mixed signs of recovery.

Brazil hospitals buckle sans national coronavirus plan

R

IO DE JANEIRO—Brazil’s hospitals are faltering as a highly contagious coronavirus variant tears through the countr y, the president insists on unproven treatments and the only attempt to create a national plan to contain Covid-19 has just fallen short.

For the last week, Brazilian governors sought to do something President Jair Bolsonaro obstinately rejects: cobble together a proposal for states to help curb the nation’s deadliest Covid-19 outbreak yet. The effort was expected to include a curfew, prohibition of crowded events and limits on the hours non-essential services can operate.

The final product, presented Wednesday, was a one-page document that included general support for restricting activity but without any specific measures. Six governors, evidently still wary of antagonizing Bolsonaro, declined to sign on.

Piaui state’s Gov. Wellington Dias told The Associated Press that, unless pressure on hospitals is eased, growing numbers of patients will have to endure the disease without a hospital bed or any hope of treatment in an intensive care unit.

“We have reached the limit across Brazil; rare are the exceptions,” Dias, who leads the governors’ forum, said. “The chance of dying without assistance is real.”

Those deaths have already started. In Brazil’s wealthiest state, Sao Paulo, at least 30 patients died this month while waiting for ICU beds, according to a tally published Wednesday by the news site G1. In southern Santa Catarina state, 419 people are waiting for transfer to ICU beds. In neighboring Rio Grande do Sul, ICU capacity is at 106 percent.

Alexandre Zavascki, a doctor in Rio Grande do Sul’s capital Porto Alegre, described a constant arrival of hospital patients who struggle to breathe.

“I have a lot of colleagues who, at times, stop to cry. This isn’t medicine we’re used to performing routinely. This is medicine adapted for a war scenario,” said Zavascki, who oversees infectious disease treatment at a private hospital. “We see a good part of the population refusing to see what’s happening, resisting the facts. Those people could be next to step inside the hospital and will want beds. But there won’t be one.”

The country, he added, needs “more rigid measures” from local authorities.

Over the president’s objections, the Supreme

Court last year upheld cities’ and states’ jurisdiction to impose restrictions on activity. Even so, Bolsonaro consistently condemned their moves, saying the economy needed to keep churning and that isolation would cause depression. Measures were relaxed toward the end of 2020, as Covid-19 cases and deaths ebbed, municipal election campaigns kicked off and home-bound Brazilians grew fatigued by quarantine.

The most recent surge is driven by the P1 variant, which Brazil’s health minister said last month is three times as transmissible as the original strain. It first became dominant in the Amazonian city Manaus and in January forced the airlift of hundreds of patients to other states.

Brazil’s failure to arrest the virus’ spread since then is increasingly seen as a concern not just for Latin American neighbors, but also as a warning to the world, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director of the World Health Organization, said in a March 5 press briefing.

“In the whole country, aggressive use of the public health measures, social measures, will be very, very crucial,” he said. “Without doing things to impact transmission or suppress the virus, I don’t think we will be able in Brazil to have the declining trend.”

Last week’s tally of more than 10,000 deaths was Brazil’s highest since the pandemic began, and this week’s toll is on track to be even greater after the country posted nearly 2,300 deaths on Wednesday—blowing away the prior day’s total that was also a record.

“Governors, like a lot of the population, are getting fed up with all this inaction,” said Margareth Dalcolmo, a prominent pulmonologist at the state-run Fiocruz Institute. She added that their proposed pact is vague and will remain symbolic unless it becomes far-reaching and confronts the federal government.

Brazil’s national council of state health secretaries last week called for the establishment of a national curfew and lockdown in regions that are approaching maximum hospital capacity.

Bolsonaro again demurred.

“I won’t decree it,” Bolsonaro said Monday at an event. “And you can be sure of one thing: My army will not go to the street to oblige the people to stay home.”

Restrictions can already be found just outside

the presidential palace after the Federal District’s governor, Ibaneis Rocha, implemented a curfew and partial lockdown. Rocha warned Tuesday that he could clamp down harder, sparing only pharmacies and hospitals, if people keep disregarding rules.

Currently, 213 people in the district are on the wait list for an ICU bed.

Bolsonaro told reporters Monday that the curfew is “an affront, inadmissible,” and said that even the WHO believes lockdowns are inadequate because they dispropor tionately hurt the poor. While the WHO acknowledges “profound negative effec ts,” it says some countries have had no choice but to impose heavy-handed measures to slow transmission, and that governments must make the most of the extra time provided to test and trace cases, while caring for patients.

Such nuance was lost on Bolsonaro. His government continues its search for silver-bullet solutions that so far has served only to stoke false hopes. Any idea appears to warrant consideration, except the ones from public health experts.

B olsonaro’s government spent millions producing and distributing malaria pills, which have shown no benefit in rigorous studies.

Still, Bolsonaro endorsed the drugs. He has also supported treatment with two drugs for fighting parasites, neither of which have shown effectiveness. He again touted their capacity to prevent hospitalizations during a Wednesday event in the presidential palace.

Bolsonaro also dispatched a committee to Israel this week to assess an unproven nasal spray that he has called “a miraculous product.” Fiocruz’s Dalcolmo, whose younger sister is currently in an ICU, called the trip “really pathetic.”

Camila Romano, a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo’s Institute of Tropical Medicine, hopes a test her lab developed to identify worrisome variants, including P1, will help monitor and control their spread. She also wants to see stricter government measures, and citizens doing their part.

“Every day is a new surprise, a new variant, a city whose health system enters collapse,” Romano said. “We’re now in the worst phase. Whether this will be the worst phase of all, unfortunately we don’t know what’s yet to come.” AP

Americans are getting vaccinated at increasingly robust rates, though that is tempered by coronavirus variants and people’s growing impatience with curbing social activities. The economy created an unexpectedly strong 379,000 jobs last month, but there remain 9.5 million fewer than before the pandemic struck.

Republicans said the country will pay a price for the extra spending.

“It’s certainly good politics to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to hand you a check for $1,400,’” said Rep. Tom Rice, RS.C. “But what they don’t talk about is what this bill costs.”

An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found last week that 70 percent of Americans back Biden’s response to the virus, including a hefty 44 percent of Republicans. According to a CNN poll released Wednesday, the relief bill is backed by 61 percent of Americans, including nearly all Democrats, 58 percent of independents and 26 percent of Republicans.

Yet until November 2022, when control of the Senate and House will be at stake, it will be uncertain whether voters will reward Democrats, punish them or make decisions on unforeseen issues.

The bill’s pathway has underscored Democrats’ challenges as they seek to build a legislative record to appeal to voters.

Democrats control the Senate, split 50-50, only because Vice President Kamala Harris gives them the winning vote in tied roll calls. They have just a 10-vote advantage in the House.

That’s almost no wiggle room for a party that ranges from West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin on the conservative side to progressives like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

On the relief bill, progressives had to swallow big concessions to solidify moderate support.

The most painful was eliminating the House-approved federal minimum-wage increase to $15 hourly by 2025. Moderates also succeeded in trimming the emergency jobless benefits, which in an earlier version were $400 weekly, and phasing out the $1,400 stimulus checks completely for earners at lower levels than originally proposed.

At some point it seems likely that progressives will draw their own lines in the sand. AP

Thailand eyes bigger prison space for political prisoners

B

ANGKOK—Thailand is considering an expansion of prison space as it arrests more political prisoners, the justice minister said on Wednesday.

Somsak Thepsuthin said Bangkok Remand Prison and Klong Prem Central Prison, where most recently detained political prisoners are held, become congested when families and supporters come to visit.

“Therefore, we are discussing finding a larger area that can accommodate more people for everyone’s convenience,” he told reporters. He denied speculation that a separate new prison would be built for political prisoners.

“Everyone should be treated equally,”Somsak said.

The legal aid group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights recently said at least 382 people, including 13 minors, are facing charges related to political demonstrations and expressing political views from July 2020 through the end of last month.

A student-led pro-democracy movement took hold last year that is calling for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government to step down, the constitution to be amended to make it more democratic and the monarchy to be reformed to make it more accountable.

When the protests became more critical of the monarchy, the authorities stepped up their prosecutions of activists. More than 60 of the people cited by the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights have been charged under the lese majeste law, which makes defaming the monarchy punishable by up to 15 years in prison per incident.

On Wednesday, the Criminal Court sentenced a 22-year-old man to 4 and a half years in prison for violating the Computer Crime Act by creating several accounts on Facebook on which he allegedly made nine posts criticizing the monarch in April 2020.

The man, a waiter, had his sentence halved from the original nine years because he pleaded guilty, a standard practice in Thai courts.

The D epar tment of Correc tions website says B angkok Remand Prison holds 3,195 prisoners, while Klong Prem Central Prison accommodates 7,009. AP

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10.

FANG, JUNMIN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING GRAPHIC DESIGNER

FU, QIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

WANG, KANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

ZHU, SHENGLIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

4.

11.

12.

13.

ALFANET GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC. Flr. No. 4th & 5th W Mall Bldg. Diosdado Macapagal Ave. St. Zone 10. Barangay 076, District 1 Pasay City CAO THI KIM LOAN Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER RETENTION SPECIALIST

NGUYEN THI THU THUY Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER RETENTION SPECIALIST

16.

LE THANH TRUNG Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

17.

LUONG KHANH TOAN Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

18.

LY BA NAM Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

19.

NGO THUY DUNG Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE SPEAKING PRODUCT MARKETING SPECIALIST

14.

15.

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. B21 Three E-com Moa Complex Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore Brgy.

076 Pasay City 20.

21.

HUANG, JINBIN Chinese TRAN MINH NHAT Vietnamese

INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I

ASIAN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC. 11/f Tower 2 Double Dragon, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 22.

LEE, BEOMSUK South Korean

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ASK ASIA SOLUTIONS INC. 1608 16/f New World Manila Bay Hotel 1588 M. H Del Pilar Cor. Pedro Gil Sts. 076 Bgy. 699 Malate Manila 23.

ZHAO, YINGYUAN Chinese

EXPATRIATE MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR

AVIA MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. 6th-10th Flr. Southkey Hub Indo-china Drive Northgate Cyberzone Alabang Muntinlupa City

NO.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

NO.

POSITION

41.

JIANG, WANLU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

42.

KANG, BIWEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINA DATANG OVERSEAS INVESTMENT CO., LTD. PHILIPPINES REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE 3/f Salcedo One Center 170 Salcedo St. San Lorenzo Makati City

43.

LI, GUANYING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

44.

LIANG, NINGNING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

45.

LIAO, XIAOLONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

CXLOYALTY PHILIPPINES, INC. 10f W Fifth Building 32nd St. Cor. 5th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

46.

LIAO, XIAOYAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

102.

47.

LIU, YONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

48.

LIU, CUNBAO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

49.

LIU, YUGANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

50.

LIU, ZHIYUAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

51.

LU, YUNFENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

52.

LU, QIAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

53.

LYU, WEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

54.

MA, TENGFEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

55.

NIE, PIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

56.

PAN, SHIYAO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

57.

PAN, SUTING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

58.

PENG, XIAOXIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

FAREAST OUTSOURCE PROCESSING INC. 7th, 8th, 9th Flr. Nu Tower Moa Coral Way Brgy. 076 Pasay City

59.

SHEN, ANTAI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

108.

CHAN CHEE SEONG Malaysian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

60.

SHU, CHAOJI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

109.

LIANG, KUNGUANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

61.

SONG, JUNMEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

110.

SUN, WEIWEI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

62.

SU, SONGQUAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

63.

SU, LINGLING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Malate Bayview Mansion 1781 M. Adriatico Street 076, Brgy. 699 Malate Manila

64.

TANG, PEIWEN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

65.

TIAN, SHENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

66.

WANG, XIAOJUN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

67.

WANG, LEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

68.

WANG, HUOPENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

69.

XIE, XINHUAI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

70.

XIONG, TAO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

71.

XU, YONGXIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

72.

XUE, KONGRAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

73.

YAN, JINKE Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

74.

YANG, YU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

75.

YANG, TING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

76.

ZANG, QINGZHI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

77.

ZENG, PENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

78.

ZHANG, HAOJIE Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

100.

LIAO, HAIYAN Chinese

ADMIN MANAGER

101.

GUO, DENGPING Chinese

PROJECT MANAGER

CHRISTOPHER WILFRED, GUERRA SANTOS Salvadoran

SPANISH CUSTOMER CARE SPECIALIST

DEXIN INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CORP. 534 Tomas Mapua St. 029 Bgy. 298 Santa Cruz Manila 103.

CHEN, YAMIN Chinese

CHINESE CARGO OFFICE AGENT

DIGISPARK TECH CORP. Unit 1618 High Street, South Corporate Plaza, Tower 2 26th St. Corner 9th Ave. Bgc Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 104.

FAN, JINBAO Chinese

MARKETING EXECUTIVE

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503 Nueva St Binondo Manila 105.

GUO, JIANJUN Chinese

MARKETING AND SALES AGENT

106.

LI, XINXING Chinese

MARKETING AND SALES AGENT

EY GDS (CS) PHILIPPINES, INC. 17th Floor Cyber Sigma Building Lawton Avenue, Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 107.

CATTE, ANDREA LOUISE New Zealander

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - ASIA PACIFIC GLOBAL COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING (GCR) LEADER

111.

GAO, HONGMEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

112.

LI, WENQU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

113.

LI, MING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

114.

LI, RUYI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

115.

SONG, QIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

116.

SUN, XUEDONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

117.

WANG, TIANWEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

118.

WANG, BAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

119.

WU, BEIBEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

120.

WU, FANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

121.

WU, JIAHUA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

122.

ZHAI, XIAODONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

123.

ZHANG, XIAOLIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

124.

ZHAO, JUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

125.

HU, HONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

126.

WANG, TAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

127.

XU, ZHILONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

128.

ZHANG, QIYONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

24.

LIN, JIANHUI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

79.

ZHANG, LINGWEI Chinese

25.

LIN, ZHIPENG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

80.

ZHENG, HAIHUA Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

26.

MA, ZIHAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

81.

ZHONG, LIDAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

27.

WANG, WEI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

82.

ZHU, YONGLI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

83.

CAI, BOQIANG Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

84.

CHEN, XIAOPING Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

85.

CHEN, YANQUN Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

86.

FU, CHENLIN Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

87.

GUO, CHAOLIANG Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

88.

HONG, XINWEN Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

89.

HOU, YONGMEI Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

90.

LI, YESHENG Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

132.

91.

LIU, BORUI Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

92.

WANG, JIANQIANG Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

IBM BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. 8th Floor, 1800 Bldg. Eastwood City Libis Quezon City

93.

WANG, JIALI Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

94.

WU, MINGGUI Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

95.

YAN, JIANSHENG Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

AXA GROUP OPERATIONS PHILIPPINES INC. 39/f Gt Tower International 6813 Ayala Ave., Cor. H.v. Dela Costa St. Bel-air Makati City 28.

POLLOCK, MATTHEW WILLIAM Australian

TRANSVERSAL PLATFORMS MANAGER - ASIA

BAYVIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 43/f Yuchengco Tower Rcbc Plaza Ayala Ave. Cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City 29.

HUANG, PO-HAI Taiwanese

SENIOR ELITE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE (MULTI-LINGUAL)

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 30.

XING, HONGFEI Chinese

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

31.

ZHANG, ZIQIAN Chinese

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

32.

WAN, XIN Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

33.

CHANG, YINGRUI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

34.

CHEN, MIAOFEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

35.

CHENG, XINGWU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

36.

DUAN, HAIXIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

37.

FAN, LINGLING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

96.

YU, GUIXIN Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

38.

GE, LEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

97.

ZHANG, LANXIN Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

39.

HOU, LINING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

98.

ZHANG, ZHENWEI Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

99.

ZHANG, FENGTAO Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

40.

HU, WENYAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

GENX SPORTS & MEDIA PRODUCTION CORP. 11/f Aseana I Bldg. Bradco Ave. Aseana City Tambo Parañaque City 129.

ZHANG, YATING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. 1128 University Parkway North Bonifacio Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 130.

KIM, SEUNGTAE South Korean

EQUIPMENT MANAGER

HCL TECHNOLOGIES PHILIPPINES, INC. 6th Floor, Science Hub Tower 4 Campus Avenue Corner Turin Street Mckinley Hill Cyberpark Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 131.

AHUJA, PROTEEK Indian

GLOBAL DIRECTOR

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

133.

QIN, WENZHONG Chinese

FUL, JOY KUGHONG Cameroonian

CHANNEL HEAD FOR KEY ACCOUNT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

HR CONTACT CENTER REPRESENTATIVE - FRENCH LANGUAGE

IGG PHILIPPINES CORP. Unit 2804 & 2805 One Corporate Center J.vargas Ave., Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City 134.

TSENG, CHUN-MING Taiwanese

PROJECT MANAGER

INFINITY B2B MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS INC. Unit 2701 27/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino Sts. Bel-air Makati City 135.

LIU, JIANGBU Chinese

BILINGUAL IT STAFF

NO.

136.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

POSITION

137.

WEI, CHENG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

138.

YANG, HUADONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

139.

ZHOU, PEILIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

140.

CHEN, ZHIPING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKNG)

JADE ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Uprc 3 Bldg. 2289 Don Chino Roces Extn. Magallanes Makati City 141.

HANN, GARY CONDE American

VP- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

JIANGSU DIBANG CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2106-a West Tower Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City 142.

TIAN, XIONG Chinese

EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION SPECIALIST

143.

HE, ZEQUN Chinese

PROJECT COORDINATOR

144.

WILSON CHEN JIA JI Malaysian

PROJECT COORDINATOR

JINDINGYUAN BUSINESS SUPPORT, INC. 3-9/f Filinvest Cyberzone Bldg. A, Bay City Brgy. 076 Pasay City 145.

WU, DAJING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

JP & L BEAUTY PRODUCTS INC. 22 The Trade And Financial Tower 7th Ave. Cor. 32nd St. Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 146.

LEVI, CORAL Israeli

MULTILINGUAL - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

147.

SABAG, YUVAL Israeli

MULTILINGUAL - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

148.

BEN SAADOUN, MAOR Israeli

MULTILINGUAL-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

149.

FRANKO, SNIR Israeli

MULTILINGUAL-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

150.

NEUMANN, YONI YONATAN (YONATAN) Israeli

MULTILINGUAL-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

151.

OMARIA, AHLAM Israeli

MULTILINGUAL-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

152.

SABAG, NOFAR Israeli

MULTILINGUAL-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

153.

TKACH, VIACHESLAV Israeli

MULTILINGUAL-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

154.

TORATI, NIMROD Israeli

MULTILINGUAL-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg. Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 155.

BAI, SHA Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

156.

CHEN, CHUANJU Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

157.

CHEN, GUO Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

158.

CHEN, SHIQIAO Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

159.

CHEN, XIAOBANG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

160.

FENG, HAIYUAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

161.

GU, JIAXING Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

162.

HAO, YUNLAI Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

163.

HU, ZHIBIN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

164.

HUANG, ZHE Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

165.

JIANG, HAIXIN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

166.

LI, JIAXIN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

167.

LI, PENGBO Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

168.

LI, HAO Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

169.

LI, MAOLIN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

170.

LI, XUE Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

171.

LI, TIANCAI Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

172.

LI, CHENGQIAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

173.

LI, TSAI-CHEN Taiwanese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

174.

LIU, GENJIAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

175.

LIU, ZHENGMIN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

176.

LIU, XU Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

177.

LUO, WENJUN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

INTEGRITY GLOBAL GROUP, INC. 2/f-3/f Ayala Malls Circuit A.p. Reyes Ave. Carmona Makati City WANG, HAIYAN Chinese

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

178.

MA, LEI Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

179.

PENG, FANG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

180.

RAN, YU Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

181.

WANG, HONGXIA Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

182.

WANG, SHENGYAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

WANG, SONGBO Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

184.

WU, XUEFEI Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

185.

WU, PEIFENG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

186.

WU, QIONG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

XU, MINGXING Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

183.

187.

YANG, JUNJIE Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

189.

YU, KAIYU Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

190.

YUAN, YUAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

191.

ZHU, YANFU Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

192.

TANG TRIEU HUY Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

188.

MELCO RESORTS LEISURE (PHP) CORPORATION City Of Dreams Aseana Ave. Cor. Roxas Blvd. Tambo Parañaque City 193.

YAMAZAKI, KAZUHIKO Japanese

CHEF DE CUISINE

194.

OGUZ, FULYA Canadian

DIRECTOR, SUPPLY CHAIN

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 195.

CHEN, MINGQI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

196.

DING, YINGPING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

197.

DONG, HAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

198.

DONG, LENONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

199.

DUAN, ZHONGYUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

200.

KUANG, EMING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

201.

LIN, SHUYU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

202.

PAN, RIFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

203.

REN, SHUAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

204.

SU, SHICHUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

205.

WANG, CHUNLEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

206.

WEI, HECAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

207.

WU, HONGBING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

208.

WU, WEIFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

209.

XIAO, QI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

210.

XU, MINGQUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

211.

XU, PEIXIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

YAO, YUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

213.

YU, CHONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

214.

ZHANG, FUQUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

215.

ZHANG, ZEKUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

216.

ZHOU, CHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

217.

ZHOU, CHENGJIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

218.

NGUYEN HUU THINH Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

212.

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f Pearl Marina Building Pacific Drive Don Galo Parañaque City 219.

CAI, WENJIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

220.

CAI, ZHENFU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

221.

CHANG, JIARUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

222.

CHEN, YONGXIU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

223.

CHEN, YIWEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

224.

CHEN, YI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

225.

CHEN, LIYU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

226.

CHEN, HUIMIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

227.

CHEN, JINLONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

228.

CHEN, XIAOLONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

229.

CHENG, SEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

230.

CHENG, XUELIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

231.

CHENG, FANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

232.

CHI, XIANYU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

233.

DENG, JINPING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

234.

DENG, AO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

235.

DIAO, JIAWANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

236.

DONG, HAILONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

237.

DU, YANWEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

Friday, March 12, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

A7

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

238.

FENG, JIAFAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

307.

WU, ZHIWEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

SHIMIZU PHILIPPINE CONTRACTORS, INC. King’s Court Bldg. 1 5/f 2129 P. Tamo St. San Lorenzo Makati City

239.

FU, LINGMIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

308.

XIAO, GUILIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

370.

240.

GAO, FENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

309.

XIE, XIAOFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

241.

GAO, XIUGUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

310.

XIE, LONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

242.

HE, XIONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

311.

XIE, LINLAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

243.

HEI, XIAOQIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

312.

XIONG, TING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

244.

HONG, SHIBIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

313.

XU, JIA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

245.

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HU, ZHANGREN Chinese

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YANG, SHENGPING Chinese

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HUANG, XINYU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

317.

YANG, CHAOJIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

249.

HUANG, JIANNENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

318.

YANG, QINLONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

250.

HUO, YUQUAN Chinese

319.

YANG, KE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

251.

JI, XIN Chinese

320.

YANG, TIANYOU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

252.

JIANG, BAOLU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

321.

YAO, JINXIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

253.

LI, XIANGWEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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YE, ZIHAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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LI, HAILONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

323.

YU, XIAOPING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

255.

LI, SHITONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

324.

YU, CE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

TITAN INK MFG CORP. #8001 Wh3 Willex Cmpd. Pinagbayanan St. Lingunan Valenzuela City

256.

LI, WANQIAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

325.

YU, PEILIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

380.

257.

LI, ZHAOTING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

326.

YU, RUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

VAN GOGH BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING INC. 2/f The Pearl Manila Hotel Gen Luna St., 073 Bgy 676 Ermita Manila

258.

LI, MIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

327.

YUE, QUANHUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

381.

NGUYEN THI TUOI Vietnamese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

259.

LI, LUMING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

328.

ZHANG, ZHIMIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

382.

CAO, JIALEI Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

260.

LI, DENGQI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

329.

ZHANG, DAWEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

383.

CHEN, LEI Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

261.

LI, ZHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

330.

ZHANG, YUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

384.

GUO, FUCHAO Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

262.

LI, LINGYAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

331.

ZHANG, JIANYING Chinese

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HUANG, MINGYI Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

263.

LI, JIANGKE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

332.

ZHANG, JUNJIE Chinese

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HUANG, MEINA Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

264.

LI, CHUNYANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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ZHANG, JUANJUAN Chinese

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KOU, ZHIXIONG Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

265.

LI, WANPENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

334.

ZHANG, WENTING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

388.

LI, BAILING Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

266.

LI, JIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

335.

ZHANG, QUANJUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

389.

LIU, YUEYUE Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

267.

LI, KUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

336.

ZHANG, WENQIAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

390.

PAN, SHAOFEI Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

268.

LIANG, CHUNHUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

337.

ZHANG, FUHAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

391.

SHAO, JINTAO Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

269.

LIAO, XU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

338.

ZHAO, WEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

392.

WU, TAO Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

270.

LIN, ZIHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

339.

ZHAO, XIANGANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

393.

YIN, XU Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

271.

LIU, XIAOBO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

340.

ZHAO, GUOGANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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ZAN, HAI Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

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LIU, JUNLIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

341.

ZHONG, YULIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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ZHANG, ZUO Chinese

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

273.

LIU, YUANYUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

342.

ZHONG, FENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

396.

TANG, SHIHONG Chinese

INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY ANALYST

274.

LIU, QIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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ZHOU, YIWANG Chinese

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JIAO, GUOGONG Chinese

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LIU, WANGGEN Chinese

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ZOU, MING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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LIU, LEI Chinese

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN

399.

YAO, TAO Chinese

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ZHOU, ZILONG Chinese

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276.

LU, SHANSHAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

345.

YANTI Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

KOIZUMI, HISASHI Japanese

ENGINEER MANAGER

SYNTEL INFOTECH, INC. 10th Floor Science Hub Tower 3 Mckinley Hill Cyberpark Brgy.

Pinagsama 1630 Taguig City 371.

BATUZOLELE, FRANCIS MARKO Congolese

ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City 372.

CAMARA, KOUMBA LAILA SAMIRA Ivorian

FRENCH OPERATIONS CSR

373.

CHE, EDWIN ANYE Cameroonian

FRENCH OPERATIONS CSR

TIGER RESORT, LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive Entertainment City Barangay Tambo Parañaque City 374.

COLMAN, WARRICK LANG Australian

AVP OF OPERATIONSELECTRONIC GAMING

375.

SCOTT, RICHARD JOHN British

DIRECTOR OF HOUSEKEEPING-LAUNDRY

376.

CHEN, RUO-XIAN Taiwanese

EXECUTIVE HOST, INTERNATIONAL MARKETING

377.

GUO, SYUE-HONG Taiwanese

EXECUTIVE HOST, INTERNATIONAL MARKETING

378.

YIP, BRYON KA HO Canadian

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

379.

CHAN KOK SEE Malaysian

SVP-ELECTRONIC GAMING & SPECIAL PROJECT

XIAO, HUAHUA Chinese

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

277.

LUO, YONGXUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

346.

BOO ENG YONG Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

400.

278.

LUO, ZIHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

347.

TAM KOK MENG Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

279.

MA, SHUAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

348.

YONG ZING YI Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Dd Dragon Plaza Dd Meridian P Edsa Ext. Cor. Macapagal Ave. Brgy.

076 Pasay City

280.

MA, YUANPENG Chinese

349.

HTAY HTAY HLAING Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

281.

MA, JINTENG Chinese

350.

SAI AUNG KYAW Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

282.

MEN, FENGYU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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SENG NAW Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

283.

PAN, YIHUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

352.

THET HAN Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

284.

PENG, JIAQI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

353.

TUN TUN OO Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

285.

QIU, SHENGJIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

354.

ZIN MIN THAW Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

286.

QIU, ZHOU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

355.

HAN THI THAM Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

287.

REN, ZILI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

356.

HOANG XUAN DUC Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

288.

RONG, YAJUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

357.

LUONG BAO HAN Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

289.

SHAN, XIAODONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

358.

LY THI HANG Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

290.

SHEN, BAOFA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

359.

NGUYEN TRONG ANH Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

291.

SONG, WEICHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

292.

SONG, CHAO Chinese

OUTWIT, INC. 2/f Marvin Plaza 2153 Chino Roces Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

360.

MANDARIN FINANCIAL OFFICER

293.

SU, XIANJI Chinese

YU, LI-CHENG Taiwanese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

361.

VIETNAMESE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

294.

SU, HUIRONG Chinese

VONG NHI KHY Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

295.

TANG, JIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

PRIME GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. 3/f To 8/f, Nissan Sucat Zentrum Building 8390 Dr. A Santos Avenue Bf Homes Parañaque City

296.

TANG, XIAOBO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

362.

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

297.

TANG, JUN Chinese

SY THANH NHAN Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

363.

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

298.

TAO, XUN Chinese

VONG TUYET BANG Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

364.

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN

299.

WAN, KUNKUN Chinese

LIU, XING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

365.

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN

300.

WANG, XIAOYAN Chinese

SHANGGUAN, MEIHUA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

366.

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN

301.

WANG, FENG-CHIEH Taiwanese

ZHANG, TAOTAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

367.

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

302.

WANG, FEIBIN Chinese

WANG, ZHIHUA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

303.

WANG, YAOBIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

PROV INTERNATIONAL (PHILIPPINES), INC. 37/f Gt International Tower Cor. Ayala & H.v. Dela Costa St. Bel-air Makati City

304.

WANG, WEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

368.

305.

WANG, HAIGUANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

SH&HS GLOBAL SYSTEM INC. Unit B 7/f 8 Rockwell Bldg. Hidalgo Drive, Rockwell Center Poblacion Makati City

306.

WENG, YU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

369.

SCHIPPMANN, SVEN German

HONG, XIAOYAN Chinese

SALES EXECUTIVE - GERMAN SPEAKING

MARKETING & RESEARCH ANALYST

401.

LAM Y LAN Vietnamese

IT SPECIALIST

402.

LIN, CHIH-JU Taiwanese

IT SPECIALIST

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor. Washington St. Pio Del Pilar Makati City 403.

FU, TIANZENG Chinese

BILINGUAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

404.

HUANG, XIONGDONG Chinese

BILINGUAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

405.

HUANG, YUANYUAN Chinese

BILINGUAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

406.

YUAN, XIN Chinese

BILINGUAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

407.

DANG CONG MANH Vietnamese

VIETNAM-SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER

408.

LUONG NGOC BOI Vietnamese

VIETNAM-SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER

409.

NGUYEN THI TRA MY Vietnamese

VIETNAM-SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER

WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. 28/f Techzone Condo Corp. 213 Buendia Ave. San Antonio Makati City 410.

SHI, SHAOQIN Chinese

CHINESE LANGUAGE CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

411.

THAI THI TUE Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF *Date Generated: Mar 11, 2021

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on March 9, 2021, the name of PHILIPPE, AMIR BRAHIM under 8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC, should have been read as AMIR BRAHIM, PHILIPPE and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on March 10, 2021, the name of SHYAMA PRASAD VAZHAYIL CHELLAM under MOA CLOUDZONE CORP., should have been read as SHYAMA PRASAD VAZHAYIL CHELLAM, JEEVAN and not as published.

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

Please inform DOLE-NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A8

Friday, March 12, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Prevent the spread of Covid-19

A

S the number of Covid cases and hospitalizations increase, the national government has moved from a one-size-fits-all approach to putting more responsibilities on the local government units (LGUs). This has advantages and disadvantages.

As test results are forwarded to the local health offices, this allows the LGU to quickly pinpoint potential and actual hotspots for action, such as enhanced quarantine and provision of supplies. Some LGUs have done an excellent job of quick response and sensible management during the past year.

The most serious failing has come in contact tracing, which is critical to mitigating the virus spread. The Department of the Interior and Local Government reported that only four out of 13 Metro Manila cities have met the World Health Organization standards. This is a ratio of one contact tracer per 800 people.

In the past few days, cities are beginning to impose tight restrictions on businesses and to reduce citizen mobility. However, it is an uneven mix.

The DILG is urging Metro Manila mayors to impose uniform curfew hours.

We can fully understand why.

If you travel south on the South Luzon Expressway, you may want to get off at the Sucat exit. Turning left immediately puts you in the City of Muntinlupa. Turn right and you are under the jurisdiction of the City of Parañaque.

Here is the confusion and problem. Muntinlupa is imposing a 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. curfew while the curfew in Parañaque is 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Further, in one city, sari-sari stores have an operating time of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while all other businesses including convenience stores can open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. That seems discriminatory to lower economic groups. However, the implementation and monitoring that people observe proper health protocols is greater at a mall than at a palengke.

The bigger question, though, that is not being answered is, where are people catching the virus?

There has been constant concern over the past year that public transportation is a major culprit. However, a new study found no correlation between New York City’s autumn Covid-19 spike and subway ridership.

“When cases began to climb again in the fall of 2020, data from New York’s contact tracing program reported that 70 percent of new Covid-19 cases occurred from households and small gatherings, whereas less than 0.96 percent came from public or private transit.”

But the transmission data is extremely confusing. KABC-TV Los Angeles: “In Los Angeles County amid an increase in coronavirus cases, Eyewitness News has found restaurants have been linked to less than 4 percent of coronavirus outbreaks in non-residential settings.”

Except the New York Times reported that, 12 percent of new coronavirus cases in the US state of Maryland were traced to restaurants.

You might logically think that one of the most dangerous places to be is on a crowded airplane for hours. A study made by the University of Alabama focused on one airline—Emirates—because that company had a rigid mask policy with everyone on board required to mask-up virtually at all times.

They looked at all Emirates flights from Dubai to Hong Kong and Emirates had five flights with seven or more infected passengers on each flight flying on eight-hour trips. And yet, nobody else on the planes—none of the other 1,500 to 2,000 passengers—picked up the virus. “Those were flights with higher risk, and yet there was no transmission.”

The conclusion is obvious. Wear your mask. Wear your shield. Live with the inconvenience.

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

Guilty until proven innocent?

B

As said in the book of Proverbs 31:8, “Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves.

Protect the rights of all who are helpless.” This is why we need to participate in making laws by telling our duly elected representatives what we want because this proposed legislation will affect our freedom and rights as citizens.

In the week after the “misencounter” between agents of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, a measure allowing legal presumption against whoever may be considered as importer, financier of illegal drugs, and those who fund, protect, and house drug suspects, has been approved in its third and final reading. This means any individual arrested who is “said” to have done any activity involving illegal drugs can be brought in as a criminal. This proposed law aims to amend and strengthen Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. A total of 188 lawmakers—majority of whom are allies of the President—voted in favor of the House Bill (HB) 7814, while 11 voted against it, and nine

to have a fast, fair, and transparent judgement that must follow the correct due process.

If the HB 7814 becomes law, anyone is not far from being arrested without any evidence. Our lawmakers now have more reason to become cruel in arresting drug suspects. This may push the authorities to commit violations against human rights and abuse their power while they themselves slip away from the hands of the law.

In spite of our continuous search for justice for the thousands of people who perished because of the war on drugs by the Duterte administration, it is unjust for one bill to openly set aside due process and the rights of everyone accused to defend themselves in front of the jury. It is worrisome for our country where our justice system works slowly. It is clear in the Catholic social teaching

Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual

SERVANT LEADER

rothers and sisters, ever since President Duterte took his seat as the chief executive of the Philippines, the cruel and bloody war on drugs intensified, wherein streets in poor communities were literally drenched in blood of the thousands accused of illegal drugs possession. Now, we need to be vigilant.

Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor Senior Editors

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Achieving safe, orderly, and regular migration in Asia-Pacific

By Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa & Cynthia Veliko

✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder

abstained. Many of those who opposed the bill are worried about its provisions that anyone the law holds accountable is “guilty until proven innocent.”

It is dangerous for this bill to become law especially because it openly sets aside provisions in the Bill of Rights of our Constitution that says, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a speedy, impartial, and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence in his behalf.”

Clearly, it is right for each one of us

like in Pacem in Terris of the duties of the government to ensure human rights is recognized and propagated in order to achieve common good.

If we allow the State to neglect the law, no one will be accountable for the opportunities that go against our rights.

Brothers and sisters, how can we be secure in our country if the State itself that has the responsibility to protect our rights fails to follow the law? How will our society progress if our lawmakers are the ones who sow chaos in their own operations?

When this bill becomes a law, we cannot say that there’s nothing to be scared of if we aren’t doing anything wrong. We cannot say this to the innocent victims of the drug war and to those accused and killed without due process. As said in the book of Proverbs 31:8, “Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.” This is why we need to participate in making laws by telling our duly elected representatives what we want because this proposed legislation will affect our freedom and rights as citizens.

M

igrants move in search of safer and better lives. They contribute to the welfare and sustainable development of their countries of origin and destination. Yet, they face complex human rights challenges and vulnerabilities that we must address to ensure that no one is left behind.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the number of international migrants has grown from 52 million in 1990 to over 65 million today, roughly 25 percent of all the world’s international migrants. Notably, 70 percent of all international migrants in Asia-Pacific come from within the region.

Most of the region’s migrants send remittances to families and others in their origin countries. This is important because remittances support household consumption and contribute to poverty reduction. Between 2009 and 2019, remittances to the region rose from $183 billion to $330 billion, nearly half of the 2019 global total of $717 billion. But since Covid-19, remittances have declined drastically. Those to Eastern Europe and Central Asia declined over 16 percent from $57 billion in 2019 to $48 billion in 2020. Remittances in East Asia and the Pacific have fallen

more than 10 percent over the same period, from $147 billion to $131 billion.

The Asia-Pacific Migration Report 2020 shows that voluntary and involuntary causes drive migration between countries in Asia and the Pacific and in other regions of the world. The primary reason is temporary labor migration. Many people also migrate for education, to escape poverty and inequality, food insecurity and climate change, to reunite with family, or for permanent settlement and retirement.

People often move for more than one reason.

Migrants often lack access to essential services, constrained by laws, fees, language barriers, and restrictions related to residency and migration status. Women migrants, especially domestic workers, are particularly at risk of discrimination, violence, abuse, and exploita-

We have a window to achieve safe, orderly, and regular migration in our region. Doing so is critical to achieving sustainable development and realizing human and labor rights. This is all the more urgent, given the imperative to recover better together from the Covid-19 pandemic. tion. Migration-related child protection risks are also a significant concern throughout Asia and the Pacific.

This week, from March 10 to 12, the Asia-Pacific region reviewed the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration adopted by United Nations Member States in 2018 – a framework, a roadmap, and a call for action for global and regional coordination and cooperation on international migration.

The regional review highlighted the situation of migrants in the region, identified good practices and emerging gaps to making migration safe, orderly, and regular. It provided a platform for countries and stakeholders to compare experiences, learn from each other, and enhance collective action.

We have a unique opportunity for

our region to align migration with sustainable development and the effective respect, protection, and fulfilment of the human rights of all migrants, and to mainstream migration into development planning and policies. By ensuring that the Global Compact delivers on its promise and potential, the review demonstrated the relevance and tangible value of its objectives—for States, migrants and their families, and the community in which they live.

We have a window to achieve safe, orderly, and regular migration in our region. Doing so is critical to achieving sustainable development and realizing human and labor rights.

This is all the more urgent, given the imperative to recover better together from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has affected all countries in Asia and the Pacific, and its impact on migrants has been devastating. Migrants have been stranded by closed borders and families separated. Large numbers have been returned to countries of origin where many face destitution and lack of access to health care, treatment and support, lost jobs and earnings.

Many have faced stigma and discrimination. Migrants in irregular situations and those otherwise in See “Achieving,” A9

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

What goes up (down), must come down (up)

Finding us Tito Genova Valiente

Luis F. Dumlao, Ph.D.

EAGLE WATCH

‘W

hat goes up must come down” is a familiar phrase that means that any object that goes up because of the law of gravity must come down. For example, any bullet shot up in the air by the law of gravity eventually shoots down. Apart from the law of gravity, the law of averages can be seen to be another reason for the saying. That is, any spike from the normal value of a variable tends to be corrected by a subsequent abnormal low so that the two values even out to equal the average.

In the past 10 years, inflation has normalized and averaged at 3 percent. When in 2018 the government failed to import rice, the price of rice spiked. So, in September 2018, inflation peaked to 6.7 percent.

That is more than twice the double of the average. What goes up must come down. Thanks to the eventual importation of rice, what went up in September 2018 went down in September 2019 to 0.9 percent. The two eventually averaged out to 3.8 percent. Not exactly 3 percent, but close enough.

The correction has to do with the jargon that is the “base effect.” If the normal inflation is 3 percent, a commodity that is worth P100 today is expected to be worth P103 next year and P106 the following year, thus an average annual inflation of 3 percent.

However, suppose the price of the P100 commodity increases to P105 next year resulting in an abnormal high of 5 percent inflation. In the following year, the same is then expected to increase to P106 resulting in an abnormal low of 1 percent inflation. Because the increase to P106 is relatively a small increase from a high base of P105, what goes up at 5 percent must go down at 1 percent resulting in an average inflation of 3 percent.

In recent months, mainly because of the failure to protect the hog industry from the African swine fever, inflation in meat shoot up to an abnormal over 20 percent. The result is that overall inflation in February shot up to 4.7 percent, which is the highest since 2018. As the ASF continues to hurt the hog industry, inflation in meat is expected to pressure the overall inflation to increase even higher. Yes, what goes up must come down, but inflation in meat is expected to go up and remain up for awhile before it will go down.

As for the application of the law of averages on inflation and commodity prices, “what goes down must come up” is also true. Suppose the price of the P100 commodity increases to P101 next year resulting in an abnormal low of 1 percent inflation. In the following year, the same is then expected to increase to P106 resulting in an abnormal high of 5 percent inflation. Because the increase to P106 is a relatively big increase from a low base of P101, what goes down to 1 percent must go up to 5 percent

Achieving. . . continued from A8

situations of vulnerability have been particularly affected.

For women migrants especially, the pandemic has made them more vulnerable to sexual and genderbased violence as well as trafficking and exploitation. Existing vulnerabilities and lack of access to services have been exacerbated, including migrant children’s access to health, care, treatment and support, education, and access to child protection services.

Yet, migrants have played a critical role as essential workers, particularly in the health sector, food supply, and the formal and informal care economy, in the region and beyond.

Migrants will be crucial to countries’ longer-term recoveries, and their contributions to our societies must

In recent months, mainly because of the failure to protect the hog industry from the African swine fever, inflation in meat shoot up to an abnormal over 20 percent.

The result is that overall inflation in February shot up to 4.7 percent, which is the highest since 2018. As the ASF continues to hurt the hog industry, inflation in meat is expected to pressure the overall inflation to increase even higher. Yes, what goes up must come down, but inflation in meat is expected to go up and remain up for awhile before it will go down. resulting in an average inflation of 3 percent.

Because of the Covid-19, countries in different levels suffered supply chain disruptions and economic shutdowns in 2020. With the peak of disruptions and economic shutdowns in April 2020, the global price of oil troughed. For example, Dubai crude troughed to $23 per barrel.

This is equivalent to over 60 percent drop from its approximate normal of $60 per barrel the past five years.

It is no coincidence that inflation in May 2020 dropped to 2.1 percent, which is the lowest it had been since December 2019. Inflation has since increase from then on.

What goes down must come up.

The global price of oil has slowly normalized. As of March 5, 2021, Dubai crude stood at $67 per barrel. If the price remains the same to April, the price will increase from $23 to $67 per barrel or an annual increase of over 190 percent. Incidentally, this author approximates that inflation tends to increase by 1.5 percent per 100 percent increase in the price of Dubai crude. This translates to additional pressure for inflation to increase by 2.9 percent. Counting for oil only, the inflation of 2.1 percent in April 2020 can shoot up to 5 percent in April 2021.

Counting for oil and ASF together, what goes up will come down, but not after inflation goes up even higher in the coming months.

Luis F. Dumlao, PhD is the Dean of the John Gokongwei School of Management, Ateneo de Manila University.

be recognized and valued. At the same time, every migrant, regardless of their status, is a holder of human rights and this perspective must be central to Covid-19 response and recovery plans.

We must seize the chance to reimagine human mobility as we recover together from the Covid-19 pandemic, using the Global Compact as a practical and concrete tool to address the challenges and reap the opportunities of migration for all.

Now and in the years to come.

Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific. Ms. Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa is the International Labor Organization Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. Ms. Cynthia Veliko is the Regional Representative, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Asia-Pacific.

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his essay is as much about the title as the content. In another century, and another domain, the proper label for this rumination is: The Circumnavigation of the World and its impact on the World. Monolithic. Monumental.

The word is long—circumnavigation. Its length is symbolically close to the process it endures, the travel it promises. It is a word that reveals and conceals the good and the bad things accompanying movements of humans.

Thank god to online resources and this endeavor called the Guttenberg Project, the accounts written

by Pigafetta and other writers are now available for anyone to peruse.

I practically enjoy the idea that this group that was about to set a world record of finding the route around the world started from a river and stayed there for some weeks before sailing to the deeper seas.

Metaphorical.

But this is not the point of my conversation with myself, a writer and a thinker, forever caught in the historicity of colonial experience.

I look back and have to confront not five years but 500 years of existence if only to make sense of what has happened to the world and to this country I call my own, and they call the Philippines.

Portugal and Spain have all the right to be jubilant about the accomplishments of Magellan (give and take the accusation of treachery from the perspective of the Portuguese) and the bravado of Juan Sebastian Elcano (Basque and Spanish)— the former led the expedition and the latter the return.

Where do we situate the Philippines in this odyssey?

And in the usage of that word

connoting long and arduous travel we go back thousands of years more to the Greeks. In fact, nothing is stopping us from going back or going forward. This is the only way to make sense of the Quincentennial, which now pulls us into the arms and deep embrace of two historical lovers of full contradictions.

Perhaps, we can look at maps.

Maps are supposedly neutral and, freely echoing the words of the sociologist of knowledge, Peter Berger, they do not tell us where to go and why we should go there. In the

Friday, March 12, 2021

years before and after the travels of Columbus, Magellan and other explorers, the world outside Europe was terra incognita. There was nothing there. The world had an edge, an end. Monsters and giant fishes waited in ambush for those daring—and dumb—enough to leave their ports of safety.

Here is where Magellan’s mind grows bigger for the world: he showed by way of the returning ship that there was a world outside. And that world outside was there all the time.

This is where the remembrance of Portugal and Spain matters.

But the discovery of new lands was not random and merely exploratory.

We have to give it to Europe and to these two countries, Spain and Portugal, that there were science and economics involved in their support of ships and quest for resources. In the search for gold and spices there was a need to build military might to boost what otherwise would redound to reckless adventure and proto-tourism.

In the case of Magellan, numerous scholars and writers contend

that this experienced navigator was also an evangelist who had in his portfolio the desire to convert people he encountered. The Philippine case was one and here we have to rest our case.

But rest our case we cannot with the other layers of truths (and ideologies) in Magellan project. It was part of the vocabulary of the explorers and pirates of those periods to name the lands and the seas they encountered, rescue them from being incognito. Then there were two options: for them not to be like the first Man who named the animals and the plants but to be like God—the placid body of water sighted and sailed on became the Pacific Ocean, the few islands were named after a leper and, later after a King.

But let us not stop there with that philosophy of naming. Let us move on and be inspired by Søren Kierkegaard who said: “What labels me, negates me.”

The Magellanic route has confirmed the possibilities of globalization. If I were a Portuguese or Spanish, I could certainly be jubilant about this. But I am neither.

After 500 years, we are given the chance to repudiate the falsity of histories imposed upon us—that we were not discovered, that we were not civilized by anyone, and that we could not be the villains in our own narrative of heroism.

The world is listening.

The world is f—king looking at us because, while we cannot claim to be part of the circumnavigation, we were an identifiable stopover, a point on the map, in fact, a graveyard of one who disrespected a village or leadership.

It has been 500 long years and here we are with our hard-earned ember trying to light a bonfire for the day we were viciously erased.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Rodrigo de los Reyes y Berenguer: Hail, El Cid!

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How do you bid adieu to the last gentleman of the old school? It’s even difficult to speak about him in the past tense for his acts and deeds will continue to resonate in our minds. But let our hearts exclaim as he spends his final moments with the people he had loved and served so well: Goodbye, Ding. Farewell, RR. Adiós, El Campeador. Hail, El Cid!

Mr. de los Reyes was also known by other nicknames. To his contemporaries and friends, he was simply Ding. Otherwise, his subordinates referred to him deferentially as RR. How you addressed him betrayed the level of relationship you had with him. RR treated his employees and agents like a family. He was like a father to all of us even to the elderly employees and agents. And they all loved and respected him. RR’s fatherly traits reflected how deeply he cared for and loved his family. His love for his wife, Nilda, was without measure. As she could not walk, he

ings for her. We ordinary mortals feel guilty and inadequate that we are incapable of showing such level of affection to our spouse. Jenny, his daughter, when I told her how much I esteemed his Dad who was then still alive and that he was one of a kind, jokingly texted me that when God created RR, He destroyed the mold.

As the family had announced, RR passed away peacefully at age 96.

His wife, Nilda, and daughter, Rebecca, are up there waiting to meet him. Now, RR must be happier to be in the bosom of his loved ones in heaven after a rewarding and fulfilling life on earth.

When I was working as an expatriate in HK with the parent company of Philamlife, RR would visit the home office. In the evening or during the weekend that RR was there, I would fetch him at his hotel to have dinner or do some shopping. He loved buying home fixtures and gifts for his family, including his grandchildren and inlaws. And he knew exactly what to get for each of them. He also loved fine dining and he feasted on authentic Chinese food. He would request the elderly secretary in my office who knew the best restaurants and the finest delicacies in HK to help us in ordering the food since some menus did not have English translations.

Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES l Cid was the moniker given to the deceased, Rodrigo de los Reyes y Berenguer, by his close associates in Philamlife. It was taken from his namesake, Rodrigo Diaz de Vibar, the original El Cid feared by the Moors during the years of the Crusades, and revered by the Christians who adoringly referred to him as El Campeador, or the Champion. El Cid for his military exploits became a national hero of Spain. He was a medieval knight and one of the most famous Knights of the Templar. Rodrigo de los Reyes, our very own El Cid, won many battles during his time both as the head of the Philamlife Sales Agency and later as the PCEO of Philamlife.

He was Philamlife’s champion, a knight in shining armor and a hero in the eyes of Philamlife’s employee and agency force. Throughout his years at the helm of the company, Philamlife was the undisputed leader of life insurance in the Philippines. At one point it controlled 40 percent of the life insurance market. It was number one in premium, unbeatable in net income, first in persistency and a run-away winner in customer service. Philamlife was the gold standard of the life insurance industry. It was the employer of choice for fresh graduates and young professionals. The company had branches all over the country and the entire stretch of the archipelago was the playground of its soliciting and servicing agents. would carry her with all the affection he could summon. Their love story was a fairy tale that started “once upon a time” and ended “happily ever after.” I wonder what words of tenderness he would whisper to her when he left for work, and what terms of endearment he would utter when he got home. When Nilda died, I cannot imagine the anguish he suffered; the pain and sorrow he endured. It’s common knowledge that RR visited her graveyard everyday. What is not known is what poignant thoughts he had conjured and endearing words he had mumbled to convey his feel-

A9

And he never failed to order her a take-out food as she refused to join us. When he found out that there was another Filipina working in our HK office, he personally talked to her and encouraged her to work hard and love her job. RR’s congratulatory call was one of my most valued wellwishes when I got appointed as the Insurance Commissioner by President Benigno Aquino III. I knew RR would be watching my moves and he was in my thoughts when I took my oath of office.

RR knew the value of hard work and excellent performance. He studied at the De la Salle College for his early schooling and finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce at the Far Eastern University. He studied law under a full scholarship at the Lyceum of the Philippines, which had just opened up its law school.

His lack of funds forced him to work as a teaching assistant to support his studies. He got married while taking up law so it compounded his difficulties. But he was undaunted.

He vigorously pursued his studies, earned his degree and passed the bar. And the rest is history.

RR, you made us proud to be Philamlifers. Those of us who had the opportunity to work with you at Philamlife are fortunate that we lived, we worked during the dozen years that you were at its driver’s seat. It was an enjoyable ride and a productive journey that we all treasure. How do you bid adieu to the last gentleman of the old school? It’s even difficult to speak about him in the past tense for his acts and deeds will continue to resonate in our minds.

But let our hearts exclaim as he spends his final moments with the people he had loved and served so well: Goodbye, Ding. Farewell, RR. Adiós, El Campeador. Hail, El Cid!

A10 Friday, March 12, 2021

New Covid variants still under control –genome unit

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HE new variants of the virus causing Covid-19 in the country remain in check, based on available data of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC).

Citing the result of their ongoing genomic sequencing surveillance, PGC Health Program Director Eva Maria Cutiongco-Dela Paz disclosed that none of the “variants of concern” of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), which causes Covid-19, has become locally “dominant.”

A virus becomes “dominant” if more than 50 percent of the people locally infected with Covid-19 have it.

Since January, PGC conducted 3,000 genomic sequencing as part of government efforts to detect the possible presence of new variants of Covid-19 in the country.

Among the variants being closely monitored by the health officials are from the UK (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), and Brazil (P.1) which are more infectious compared to the usual variety of the disease.

Lowering the risk

Last week, health officials confirmed a total of 58 cases of South African variant and 118 cases of UK variant.

Continued on A4

CAPITAL FOR RETAIL New EO boosts telco, LOWER INVESTORS TO KILL SMEs–RISA ISP access to satellites L

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By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

ELECOMMUNICATION companies and internet service providers (ISP) can now tap satellites to boost the online access of their customers under a new Executive order (EO) issued by President Duterte.

Duterte said the measure aims to improve the internet connectivity for Filipinos, which he said is a “powerful driver of economic and social change.”

Under EO No. 127, telcos, ISPs and their value-added service (VAS) provider, which have authorization of the National Telecom-

munications Commission (NTC), will be allowed to access all satellite systems here and abroad for their internet services.

“Broadcast service providers may also be allowed to directly access satellite systems subject to NTC rules, regulations, and authorizations,” Duterte said.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and NTC will come out with the necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the implementation of the new policy.

DICT, through the NTC, was also tasked to secure “orbital slots” for Philippine satellites. The President issued his new three-page EO, which amended EO No. 467 (series of 1998), last Wednesday.

It will take effect once it is published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Duterte committed to improve local telecommunication and internet services before he ends his term next year.

‘Curfew as quick fix vs Covid to hurt workers’

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OMMUTER advocacy group The Passenger Forum (TPF) cautioned the government against implementing haphazard fixes such as the implementation of uniform curfew hours in the National Capital Region (NCR), saying this only increases the burden of already struggling common Filipinos, especially those who work at night, without really denting the spikes in Covid-19 cases.

Primo Morillo, the group’s convenor, said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) should exempt employees who can show an ID or document proving that they work in industries or companies that require them to work at night.

“A significant percentage of the NCR workforce works at night or in the so-called graveyard shift, and they commute regularly within curfew hours. The move to implement

uniform curfew hours certainly helps them but we also call on our government to standardize and simplify the policies how our night shift workers can avail of their exemption from curfews,” he said.

Morillo appealed to enforcers to be considerate since these workers are already tired and the current situation of public transportation is not helping them.

Continued on A2

OWERING the minimum capital investment for foreign retailers from $2.5 million to $300,000, or around P15 million, would effectively “kill” small and medium local traders, Senator Risa Hontiveros warned on Wednesday.

Taking the f loor during the period of interpellation on proposed amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the minority senator warned that lowering the minimum capital investment for foreig n i nvestors w i l l blow out the domestic retail market, airing concerns the impending influx of foreign competition will hit hard already-struggling local small and medium enterprises.

At the outset, Hontiveros assured: “I support measures that will help the economy bounce back, create jobs and bring prices down for consumers.”

She, however, voiced apprehensions over the proposal lowering the minimum paidup capital investment for foreign investors, warning the move “may further hurt small local businesses still reeling from the pandemic, adding that “this sudden drop can mean

the difference between life and death for our Filipino retailers.”

Hontiveros pointed out that reducing the minimum capital requirement for foreign retailers from US$2.5-million to US$300,000 or around P15M, would be a “death knel” for small and medium Filipino entrepreneurs hardest-hit by pandemicrelated lockdowns.

For i nst a nce, she added: “Technically, an enterprise worth P15 million in asset size is still a small enterprise. The head-to-head competitor of the foreign retail industries that will come in are our small enterprises: example, a small grocery in Cabanatuan started by an OFW from his 10-year earnings in Saudi; a souvenir store in Mandaue, Cebu; rice retailers in Nueva Ecija, stores in Baclaran and Quiapo run by our brother and sister Muslim Filipinos.”

The senator also cited reports that “these are the stores that according to Asian Development Bank ’s study have suffered the most from the pandemic—how will they be protected from the sudden competition from small but numerous foreign retailers?”

Continued on A4

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www.businessmirror.com.ph

Converge sets aside ₧20B to expand network this year

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By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

onverge ICT Solutions Inc. is hiking its programmed capital expenditures for 2021 by a quarter from last year to continue installing more ports and deploy more fiber optic cables nationwide, as it targets to add over half a million subscribers this year.

Dennis Anthony H. Uy, the company’s CEO, said the group has set a P20-billion capital program for the year, a 25-percent increase from its P16 billion capital spend in 2020.

The amount, he said, will be used for network development and ex-

pansion, as it targets to reach more areas in the Visayas and Mindanao this year.

“The majority of the P20 billion is mostly for the number of ports. In terms of the backbone, that’s almost 20 percent to 30 percent of the total

amount,” he said in a press briefing on Thursday.

Uy said the group is targeting to install 1.5 million ports this year to reach approximately 35 percent of households in the Philippines by year end.

Converge CFO Matthias Vukovich noted that the group will also be “deepening and hardening” its existing backbone network in Luzon through the planned capital this year. The company, he said, will likewise allot a portion of its budget to “digitalization initiatives to enhance customer experience.”

With this capital spend, Converge hopes to increase its subscriber base from 1.04 million subscribers last year to as much as 1.7 million subscribers this year.

Converge reported record profits in 2020, when it booked a net income

of P3.39 billion, a 78-percent surge from P1.94 billion the year prior, as its revenues grew by 71 percent to P15.65 billion from P9.14 billion.

The stellar performance of Converge is attributable to the huge jump that its residential subscriber base recorded — from 530,000 subscribers at end-2019 to 1.04 million subscribers at end-2020.

Converge’s consumer business contributed the largest to its revenues at P12.62 million, while its enterprise business contributed P3.02 billion.

As of end-2020, Converge has a fiber optic backbone of 55,000 kilometers and has a total of 3.5 million ports deployed nationwide. Uy said the company is “on track to achieve its target of reaching approximately 55 percent of total households in the country by 2025.”

Ayala Corp. 2020 income cut in half C

onglomerate Ayala Corp. said its attributable income last year was cut in half to P17.14 billion, from the previous year’s P35.27 billion, as most of its units underperformed.

Revenues were down 25 percent to P219.92 billion, from the previous year’s P295.26 billion.

“Our sequential growth in the fourth quarter reflects a recovery in consumer confidence that has started to show in the latter part of 2020. We expect this trajectory to continue and lead to a full economic revival by 2022 as mobility further improves and as the country executes on the vaccination rollout as planned,” company president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala said.

Ayala said its income for the fourth quarter alone was at P5.8 billion, higher

from the third quarter’s P3.4 billion.

The fourth quarter figure, however, was still low as the company earns anywhere between P7 billion to P8 billion per quarter.

“This year, the Ayala group will continue to execute on its growth strategy and has allocated P196 billion in capital spending. A continued push for private sector investments would help revitalize the economy,” Zobel said.

Of this year’s capital expenditures, some P11.5 billion has been earmarked under the parent to support the emerging businesses in its portfolio.

In 2020, Ayala has earmarked some P275 billion in group capex but only spent some P152 billion.

Ayala’s core net income declined 16 percent to P26 billion in 2020 as the im-

pact of mobility restrictions weighed on its various business units.

The core income excludes divestment gains from education and power booked in 2019, the impact of the reclassification of Manila Water as asset held under a new accounting standard (PFRS 5) for both 2019 and 2020, and the loan loss provisions for Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).In 2020, it recognized a partial reversal of the said loss provision in accordance with the accounting standard, the company said.

Income of property developer Ayala Land Inc. fell by almost three quarters to P8.7 billion as it endured the severe impact of the pandemic with its shopping malls heavily affected.

BPI’s net income declined 26 percent to P21.4 billion but mainly on the P28-

billion in loan loss provisions it booked in anticipation of an increase in nonperforming loan levels.

Globe Telecoms Inc. net income contracted 16 percent to P18.6 billion driven by the fall in gross service revenues, higher depreciation expenses from its continued network investments, and higher non-operating expenses.

AC Energy recorded a net income of P6.2 billion, or just a fraction of the previous year’s P24.5 billion, which included gains from the partial divestment of its thermal assets.

AC Industrials, meanwhile, still incurred a net loss of P1.8 billion in 2020, but the figure is narrower from the previous year’s P2.4-billion loss due to the improved results of its semiconductor unit. VG Cabuag

Fortune Life pays ₧3.8 million total insurance proceeds to Fairchild Cebu Community MPC

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ortune Life Insurance Company paid a total of P3.8 million in insurance proceeds to Fairchild Cebu Community Multipurpose Cooperative (FCCMPC) for death claim under its Credit Group Life Insurance Plan on two separate occasions in the last three months.

On January 11, 2021, Fortune Life released P2.4-million death benefit to FCCMPC, while the remaining P1.4 million insurance proceeds was presented to the cooperative last March 4. FCCMPC Chairperson Engr. Maria Cristina Estacio received the checks from Fortune Life Assistant Vice President for VisMin Group Sales Alfredo Zabala on both events.

Present during the awarding of claims check on March 4, 2021 were Fortune Life Assistant Vice President for VisMin Group Sales Alfredo Zabala (2nd from left) and FCCMPC Chairperson, Engr. Maria Cristina Estacio (2nd from right). Witnesses were Rodrigo Debalucos (left) of Fortune Life and Maria Carina Cabadon (right) of FCCMPC.

FCCMPC Chairperson, Engr. Maria Cristina Estacio (2nd from right) receives the claims check from Fortune Life Assistant Vice President for VisMin Group Sales Alfredo Zabala (2nd from left) on January 11, 2021. Also present during the awarding of check were Maria Carina Cabadon (left) and Lusviminda Buagas (right) of FCCMPC

Friday, March 12, 2021

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Health crisis slashes SMC income by 55%

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onglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Thursday said it booked a net income of P21.88 billion for the entire 2020, down by more than half from the previous year’s P48.57 billion, as revenues plummeted to below P1 trillion.

SMC’s annual sales fell drastically mainly due to the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. The company said its revenue fell 29 percent to P725.79 billion from the previous P1.02 trillion.

San Miguel reversed the P3.98billion loss it booked in the first half of the year by earning P25.86 billion during the second half. Its sales, however, failed to follow, growing only 6 percent during July to December at P373 billion, from P352.79 billion in the first half of the year, when most of the strictest lockdown measures occurred. “While it has not been a good year for all businesses and our economy overall, we’re encouraged by the sustained recoveries that our businesses showed in the second half. There are still so many challenges ahead—and a lot of uncertainty. But we believe our economic recovery is underway as the vaccine rollout gathers pace,” company president and COO Ramon S. Ang said.

“We will continue to stay focused on gaining performance improvements in this new normal while pursuing initiatives that generate jobs and deliver tangible assets to fuel our economy’s growth.”

San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc.’s net income fell 31 percent to P22.4 billion from the previous P32.27 billion.

Consolidated revenues of P279.3 billion for the full year was 10 percent lower than the P310.78 billion recorded in 2019.

Petron Corp. incurred an P11.41billion loss for the entire year from the previous P2.3-billion income.

While it recorded an income of P2.82 billion in the second half, this was not enough to offset the P14.54-

billion loss the company incurred in the first half of 2020.

SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. posted a 31-percent growth in income to P18.87 billion, from the previous P14.36 billion. It posted full-year off-take volumes of 26,116 gigawatt hour, translating to P115.02 billion in consolidated revenues, 15 percent lower than the previous P135.06 billion.

This was mainly due to the deferment of the mid-merit power supply agreement with Manila Electric Co., the extended contract with Masinloc, and low average realization rate from new power contracts.

Lower fuel costs and spot purchases, together with effective power dispatch strategies, improved Global Power’s performance in the second half.

SMC Infrastructure’s income fell 78 percent to P2.57 billion from the previous P11.44 billion.

Revenues for the year fell 38 percent to P14.56 billion from the previous P23.4 billion, brought about by the decline in traffic volumes at all operating toll roads due to travel and quarantine restrictions. Volume improvements continued throughout the second half of 2020, with combined average daily vehicle traffic in the fourth quarter reaching 80 percent of 2019 levels, with notable recoveries seen at South Luzon Expressway and Star Tollway (Southern Tagalong Arterial Road).

On January 14, SMC Infrastructure opened Skyway Stage 3 to the public, cutting travel time from SLEX in Alabang to North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak with a speed limit of 60 kilometer per hour to between 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the board of San Miguel on Tuesday approved the submission of the company’s shelf registration of P50 billion worth of bonds with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company said it plans to float P30 billion of these bonds immediately. VG Cabuag

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Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, March 12, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

March 11, 2021

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

BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

105 81.5 23.85 7.24 9.88 47.85 10.1 22.15 23.9 55 17.2 123.7 72.6 1.61 3.9 0.61 3.11 1.4 0.41 900 0.73 150.2 2,200 0.99

105.3 81.85 23.95 8.49 9.95 48 10.4 23.35 24 55.2 17.48 124 72.85 1.63 3.92 0.62 3.2 1.48 0.415 950 0.77 150.5 2,280 1.01

106 82.35 23.95 8.49 9.92 47.5 10.5 22.15 24.6 55.3 17.18 125.7 73 1.47 3.94 0.62 3.12 1.53 0.395 900 0.8 150.7 2,200 1.01

106.6 82.45 24 8.5 9.95 48 10.5 22.15 24.6 55.3 17.5 125.7 74 1.65 3.95 0.62 3.12 1.53 0.41 900 0.82 150.7 2,200 1.01

104.3 81.5 23.85 8.49 9.82 47 10.4 22.15 23.9 55.2 17.18 123.6 72.6 1.47 3.87 0.61 3.1 1.38 0.38 900 0.7 150.5 2,200 1

105 81.5 23.95 8.49 9.95 48 10.4 22.15 23.9 55.2 17.5 123.7 72.6 1.63 3.92 0.61 3.1 1.4 0.41 900 0.79 150.5 2,200 1

2,045,510 2,299,010 13,200 3,800 134,600 1,571,000 3,500 100 726,900 50 800 286,530 3,560 1,007,000 96,000 26,000 94,000 69,000 710,000 90 222,000 1,950 90 309,000

214,952,411 187,887,282.50 316,165 32,298 1,327,997 74,931,435 36,550 2,215 17,527,080 2,763 13,936 35,521,614 260,074 1,584,910 377,560 15,870 291,830 96,810 284,950 81,000 172,130 293,677 198,000 309,290

-64,264,793 -117,284,682.50 -117,325 52,361.00 22,981,285 -3,525,285 10,500 -11,031,379 -60,778 2,760 72,000 -213,890.00 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 6.88 6.89 6.85 6.96 6.85 6.88 22,457,900 154,624,257 ALSONS CONS 1.24 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.23 1.25 942,000 1,166,510 ABOITIZ POWER 24.95 25 25.25 25.35 24.9 25 1,715,100 42,997,415 BASIC ENERGY 0.97 0.98 0.82 0.97 0.82 0.97 91,706,000 83,230,490 FIRST GEN 29.85 30 30.1 30.15 29.55 30 902,000 26,940,620 72.55 72.7 74.5 74.6 72.55 72.55 15,690 1,157,379 FIRST PHIL HLDG 272 272.2 282 282 271.2 272.2 224,680 61,421,548 MERALCO 14.66 14.7 14.7 15 14.62 14.66 421,500 6,194,902 MANILA WATER 3.36 3.37 3.41 3.41 3.36 3.36 1,216,000 4,124,030 PETRON 3.7 3.8 3.71 3.71 3.7 3.7 7,000 25,910 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 12.16 12.32 12.12 12.38 12.12 12.32 11,100 135,828 PILIPINAS SHELL 21.6 21.7 22 22 21.55 21.6 453,700 9,907,570 SPC POWER 10.16 10.18 10.1 10.18 10 10.18 231,300 2,324,650 VIVANT 14.5 14.98 14.98 14.98 14.98 14.98 2,200 32,956 AGRINURTURE 7.21 7.3 7.33 7.48 7.2 7.3 3,300,400 24,084,463 3.28 3.3 3.35 3.38 3.21 3.3 1,852,000 6,084,660 AXELUM 12.82 13.18 12.84 13.1 12.84 13.1 13,500 174,900 CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD 17.3 17.4 17.4 17.5 17.14 17.3 1,113,300 19,267,860 9.65 9.67 9.33 9.75 9.33 9.65 819,400 7,889,013 DEL MONTE 7.54 7.56 7.77 7.78 7.55 7.56 2,498,200 19,052,103 DNL INDUS EMPERADOR 10.18 10.2 10.16 10.2 10.06 10.2 332,000 3,379,028 SMC FOODANDBEV 64.05 64.15 64.6 64.6 64 64.05 30,770 1,973,402 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.62 0.64 0.62 0.66 0.61 0.62 1,715,000 1,054,600 FRUITAS HLDG 1.43 1.44 1.43 1.47 1.41 1.44 11,048,000 15,831,060 50.6 52 51.95 52.05 49.75 52 224,840 11,309,141 GINEBRA 180.9 181 184 184 180 180.9 623,940 112,804,161 JOLLIBEE 31.1 31.6 30.55 31.6 30.55 31.6 1,400 43,950 LIBERTY FLOUR MACAY HLDG 7.91 8.13 7.81 8.15 7.81 8.14 1,800 14,125 MAXS GROUP 5.8 5.84 5.79 5.9 5.7 5.8 230,500 1,340,557 MG HLDG 0.32 0.325 0.295 0.33 0.295 0.32 11,220,000 3,499,900 SHAKEYS PIZZA 7 7.1 7 7.15 6.9 7 77,400 538,690 ROXAS AND CO 1.1 1.11 1.1 1.12 1.08 1.11 2,969,000 3,254,540 RFM CORP 4.77 4.78 4.65 4.77 4.65 4.77 5,000 23,610 SWIFT FOODS 0.134 0.135 0.131 0.139 0.13 0.134 8,030,000 1,069,080 126 128.1 128.6 129.1 125 126 1,029,940 130,383,263 UNIV ROBINA 0.83 0.84 0.82 0.85 0.82 0.84 5,943,000 4,983,950 VITARICH 2.19 2.24 2.2 2.2 2.19 2.19 58,000 127,230 VICTORIAS 52.6 54.95 52.65 52.65 52.5 52.5 400 21,032.50 CONCRETE A CONCRETE B 56.55 65.9 56.55 56.55 56.55 56.55 690 39,019.50 CEMEX HLDG 1.18 1.19 1.15 1.19 1.14 1.19 3,336,000 3,910,410 DAVINCI CAPITAL 3.7 3.75 3.18 3.75 3.18 3.7 23,096,000 79,733,200 EAGLE CEMENT 11.8 11.9 11.98 12 11.8 11.8 96,600 1,144,860 EEI CORP 7.88 7.9 7.71 7.88 7.7 7.88 161,600 1,264,717 5.4 5.46 5.68 5.7 5.36 5.4 992,500 5,423,505 HOLCIM 6.75 6.76 6.65 6.79 6.65 6.75 439,700 2,948,749 MEGAWIDE 12.2 12.22 12.26 12.26 12.2 12.24 122,800 1,501,626 PHINMA 1.18 1.19 1.14 1.2 1.13 1.18 722,000 838,730 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 2.37 2.39 2.26 2.42 2.11 2.39 15,860,000 36,692,850 CROWN ASIA 2.07 2.08 2.08 2.12 2.03 2.08 444,000 918,110 EUROMED 1.98 2 1.93 2 1.91 1.96 91,000 177,470 PRYCE CORP 5.33 5.4 5.5 5.51 5.4 5.4 1,625,100 8,776,269 CONCEPCION 20.15 20.2 20.5 20.5 20.05 20.15 8,600 173,105 GREENERGY 3.99 4 3.82 4.14 3.8 4 15,800,000 63,177,240 10.34 10.38 10.16 10.46 10 10.38 1,238,200 12,666,648 INTEGRATED MICR 1.14 1.17 1.19 1.19 1.13 1.17 319,000 366,540 IONICS PANASONIC 5.66 5.93 5.75 5.95 5.75 5.95 17,400 101,130 SFA SEMICON 1.36 1.39 1.37 1.42 1.34 1.36 898,000 1,225,420 5.91 5.92 5.8 5.96 5.7 5.91 1,195,400 6,985,341 CIRTEK HLDG

-256,534 -27,873,235 145,210 -6,022,775 242,944.50 -44,364,086 -349,808 -605,930 -14,810 854 1,077,995 969,673 45,640 -3,997,954 241,084 8,955,271 -18,140 -1,021,514.50 -4,960 209,380 2,756,314 23,121,166 -35,529 84,550 -54,600 -166,270 30,638,316 -3,360 81,030 -317,210.00 -857,920 -792,510 1,082,996 -1,882,995 -347,229 -61,300 105,490 20,800 -8,100,000 -147,410 3,089,392 28,950 287,795

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.03 1.04 0.96 1.05 0.96 1.04 23,117,000 23,423,910 ASIABEST GROUP 6.82 7.19 6.81 7.19 6.81 7.19 200 1,400 AYALA CORP 773 774 769.5 775 765 773 155,600 119,835,725 ABOITIZ EQUITY 40 40.5 41.5 41.55 40 40 1,454,900 58,916,120 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 10.64 10.68 10.74 10.74 10.52 10.68 3,681,300 39,276,772 2.88 2.89 2.9 2.91 2.85 2.89 691,000 1,989,180 AYALA LAND LOG 7.45 7.75 7.45 7.76 7.45 7.45 195,900 1,489,349 ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.71 0.72 0.7 0.72 0.69 0.71 2,213,000 1,553,880 ATN HLDG A 0.84 0.85 0.84 0.87 0.83 0.85 3,827,000 3,219,720 COSCO CAPITAL 5.45 5.46 5.52 5.54 5.45 5.45 5,742,300 31,336,301 DMCI HLDG 5.29 5.4 5.33 5.4 5.25 5.4 1,668,800 8,895,204 FILINVEST DEV 8.4 8.45 8.46 8.46 8.25 8.45 30,500 257,315 FJ PRINCE A 2.8 3.25 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2,000 5,600 FJ PRINCE B 3.15 4.03 4.07 4.07 3.3 3.3 2,000 7,370 FORUM PACIFIC 0.238 0.249 0.238 0.238 0.238 0.238 20,000 4,760 542.5 545 551.5 551.5 535 545 77,990 42,314,100 GT CAPITAL 3.6 3.65 3.69 3.87 3.6 3.6 196,000 706,050 HOUSE OF INV 62.7 62.8 64 64 62.15 62.7 1,718,830 108,013,279.50 JG SUMMIT 1.3 1.31 1.14 1.33 1.14 1.31 27,418,000 34,573,960 LODESTAR 3.72 3.77 3.72 3.72 3.72 3.72 2,000 7,440 LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP 13.06 13.08 13.2 13.2 12.92 13.08 1,279,000 16,731,714 MABUHAY HLDG 0.51 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.54 1,000 540 METRO PAC INV 3.95 3.96 4.03 4.05 3.95 3.95 10,738,000 42,663,120 PACIFICA HLDG 3.68 3.87 3.62 3.76 3.6 3.68 292,000 1,063,120 3.05 3.06 3.26 3.41 2.95 3.06 10,395,000 32,081,680 PRIME MEDIA 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 1,000 2,600 REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP 1.27 1.3 1.28 1.32 1.26 1.3 619,000 812,620 SYNERGY GRID 313 325 330 330 313 313 1,580 501,460 SM INVESTMENTS 1,030 1,038 1,041 1,045 1,026 1,030 263,775 271,755,650 SAN MIGUEL CORP 121 121.5 123.5 123.5 121 121 240,310 29,249,271 SOC RESOURCES 0.7 0.73 0.68 0.73 0.68 0.73 21,000 14,330 SEAFRONT RES 2.21 2.45 2.45 2.45 2.45 2.45 6,000 14,700 TOP FRONTIER 139.8 140 136.1 140 136.1 140 890 124,208 WELLEX INDUS 0.232 0.248 0.231 0.231 0.231 0.231 110,000 25,410 0.214 0.218 0.211 0.211 0.205 0.209 4,820,000 1,003,050 ZEUS HLDG

-324,760 -34,265,385 -9,448,755 6,913,276 -106,730 -3,949,477.00 1,301,033 -65,490.00 -21,808,620 -252,270 -78,901,119 -3,800 7,440 -1,969,130 -16,718,400 43,440 -3,290 -38,651,930 -2,645,776 205,600

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.63 0.65 0.63 0.66 0.63 0.63 961,000 607,130 ANCHOR LAND 7.51 7.94 7.51 7.51 7.51 7.51 1,100 8,261 AYALA LAND 36.6 36.85 37.05 37.2 36.25 36.6 8,163,900 299,022,365 ARANETA PROP 1.22 1.34 1.23 1.34 1.21 1.22 79,000 96,290 AREIT RT 32.2 32.25 33 33 32 32.2 2,131,600 68,979,035 1.51 1.58 1.51 1.53 1.51 1.51 139,000 210,380 BELLE CORP A BROWN 0.88 0.89 0.87 0.9 0.87 0.89 1,323,000 1,176,650 CITYLAND DEVT 0.77 0.78 0.78 0.8 0.77 0.77 117,000 90,870 0.134 0.139 0.14 0.14 0.134 0.139 1,420,000 197,170 CROWN EQUITIES CEBU HLDG 7.01 7.02 7.18 7.18 7.02 7.02 6,500 46,024 CEB LANDMASTERS 5.26 5.3 5.27 5.33 5.22 5.3 395,800 2,092,275 CENTURY PROP 0.395 0.405 0.4 0.4 0.395 0.4 1,500,000 599,250 CYBER BAY 0.335 0.34 0.325 0.34 0.325 0.335 1,530,000 511,100 DOUBLEDRAGON 14.26 14.44 14.16 14.46 14.16 14.44 917,000 13,144,952 DM WENCESLAO 6.8 6.87 6.9 6.94 6.8 6.8 83,700 578,865 0.285 0.295 0.295 0.3 0.285 0.285 610,000 174,700 EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO 0.09 0.092 0.092 0.092 0.088 0.091 380,000 34,050 FILINVEST LAND 1.16 1.17 1.17 1.18 1.15 1.16 11,972,000 14,025,270 0.89 0.91 0.89 0.89 0.88 0.89 623,000 552,120 GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG 7.15 7.29 7.16 7.16 7.15 7.15 9,500 67,965 PHIL INFRADEV 1.43 1.44 1.42 1.45 1.41 1.43 2,748,000 3,932,850 KEPPEL PROP 2.8 2.99 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.8 4,000 11,000 CITY AND LAND 1 1.02 1.1 1.1 1 1 3,615,000 3,740,080 MEGAWORLD 3.61 3.65 3.66 3.67 3.57 3.61 8,598,000 30,988,910 0.4 0.405 0.365 0.4 0.365 0.4 61,210,000 23,652,900 MRC ALLIED 0.4 0.405 0.38 0.415 0.38 0.405 4,540,000 1,828,250 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 1.47 1.51 1.48 1.52 1.42 1.51 461,000 680,120 18.7 18.76 18.76 19 18.44 18.7 2,152,100 40,259,660 ROBINSONS LAND 0.275 0.285 0.28 0.29 0.28 0.29 880,000 246,850 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.4 1.41 1.39 1.42 1.39 1.4 198,000 275,920 SHANG PROP 2.7 2.75 2.73 2.75 2.73 2.75 217,000 593,360 STA LUCIA LAND 2.18 2.27 2.27 2.27 2.18 2.27 35,000 78,390 SM PRIME HLDG 36.2 36.55 36.2 36.55 35.7 36.55 3,435,600 124,617,260 VISTAMALLS 3.8 3.91 3.8 3.8 3.67 3.8 68,000 256,470 1.53 1.58 1.52 1.58 1.5 1.58 1,045,000 1,597,790 SUNTRUST HOME 4.18 4.2 4.23 4.23 4.12 4.2 1,133,000 4,719,730 VISTA LAND

-141,243,910 -23,674,770 7,020 43,611 -16,000 -143,200 -2,872,946 1,123,410 42,600 -7,240 -7,464,530 1,905,000 147,000 -24,145,622 -39,200 -8,420 593,360 20,942,665 64,470 -461,720

SERVICES ABS CBN 11.52 11.7 11.7 11.82 11.38 11.7 71,400 822,026 GMA NETWORK 7.15 7.16 7 7.17 7 7.16 1,222,400 8,721,712 MANILA BULLETIN 0.43 0.445 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 110,000 47,300 GLOBE TELECOM 1,968 1,980 2,008 2,012 1,962 1,968 75,160 147,894,520 PLDT 1,309 1,310 1,327 1,327 1,308 1,309 97,325 127,700,670 0.208 0.209 0.166 0.208 0.166 0.208 2,675,590,000 510,943,410 APOLLO GLOBAL 17.18 17.2 17.6 17.8 17.1 17.18 3,362,300 58,744,572 CONVERGE 3.96 4 3.9 4.1 3.9 3.95 388,000 1,551,960 DFNN INC 10.5 10.6 8.5 11 8.43 10.5 325,534,000 3,204,434,383 DITO CME HLDG 1.55 1.63 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.6 33,000 49,840 IMPERIAL ISLAND INFO 0.156 0.163 0.154 0.164 0.152 0.163 8,120,000 1,283,740 JACKSTONES 1.96 2.03 1.98 2.04 1.96 2.04 72,000 142,040 NOW CORP 2.85 2.88 2.8 2.93 2.7 2.85 5,046,000 14,308,850 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.475 0.48 0.495 0.51 0.465 0.475 83,640,000 40,320,200 PHILWEB 2.82 2.87 2.88 2.9 2.8 2.87 1,031,000 2,937,590 8.4 8.7 8.26 9.5 8.21 8.7 391,200 3,389,353 2GO GROUP 15 15.5 15.4 15.5 15.4 15.5 1,400 21,640 ASIAN TERMINALS CHELSEA 3.53 3.57 3.3 3.57 3.28 3.57 2,324,000 8,032,720 47.2 47.3 46.85 47.5 46 47.2 333,500 15,636,025 CEBU AIR 127.5 127.9 128.4 128.6 126.1 127.9 589,520 75,128,298 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 16.8 17.12 16.42 17.14 16.42 17.14 3,600 60,566 LORENZO SHIPPNG 1.08 1.12 1.09 1.12 1.06 1.12 226,000 244,060 MACROASIA 5.25 5.28 5.07 5.29 5.07 5.28 1,146,800 5,931,597 METROALLIANCE A 2.52 2.53 2.27 2.6 2.27 2.52 1,029,000 2,517,520 2.75 3.02 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.89 1,000 2,890 METROALLIANCE B PAL HLDG 6.09 6.1 6.5 6.5 6.02 6.1 126,600 771,992 1.23 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.23 1.23 987,000 1,227,090 HARBOR STAR 1.46 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 16,000 24,000 ACESITE HOTEL BOULEVARD HLDG 0.075 0.076 0.078 0.083 0.066 0.075 570,060,000 43,124,730 DISCOVERY WORLD 5.11 5.25 5.08 5.25 5.06 5.25 291,000 1,499,883 GRAND PLAZA 10.22 10.64 10.7 10.7 10.7 10.7 1,000 10,700 WATERFRONT 0.51 0.52 0.5 0.52 0.49 0.51 1,530,000 773,645 CENTRO ESCOLAR 6.54 7.35 6.82 7.37 6.53 7.37 2,300 15,720 FAR EASTERN U 580 590 580 580 580 580 50 29,000 7.32 8.6 8.06 8.62 7.99 8.1 15,200 121,794 IPEOPLE 0.385 0.39 0.38 0.395 0.38 0.385 1,040,000 398,750 STI HLDG BERJAYA 4.33 4.58 4.33 4.33 4.33 4.33 11,000 47,630 BLOOMBERRY 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.8 7.4 7.7 1,469,800 11,125,402 2.05 2.07 2.05 2.07 2.04 2.07 82,000 168,220 PACIFIC ONLINE LEISURE AND RES 1.7 1.74 1.72 1.76 1.68 1.74 503,000 860,370 MANILA JOCKEY 2.06 2.08 2.09 2.09 2.08 2.08 28,000 58,340 PH RESORTS GRP 2.26 2.27 2.09 2.27 2.09 2.27 8,800,000 19,128,000 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.415 0.42 0.415 0.415 0.405 0.415 8,490,000 3,488,600 6.2 6.3 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 10,500 65,100 PHIL RACING ALLHOME 8.25 8.26 8.25 8.26 8.21 8.25 3,002,700 24,770,312 1.29 1.3 1.3 1.31 1.29 1.29 1,830,000 2,383,320 METRO RETAIL 35 35.6 36.3 36.3 35 35 1,235,500 43,500,025 PUREGOLD 53.75 53.8 54 54 53.55 53.8 846,750 45,453,031.50 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 97.15 97.45 98.4 98.4 97.05 97.45 36,800 3,603,968 SSI GROUP 1.22 1.25 1.26 1.26 1.18 1.25 2,875,000 3,488,430 WILCON DEPOT 16.88 16.9 17.18 17.38 16.5 16.9 2,717,400 45,931,232 APC GROUP 0.4 0.41 0.4 0.41 0.39 0.4 1,640,000 653,300 EASYCALL 6.77 6.98 6.82 6.98 6.69 6.98 84,900 578,438 430 450 425 450 425 450 770 344,990 GOLDEN MV PRMIERE HORIZON 2.44 2.45 2.05 2.47 2.04 2.45 149,565,000 332,199,080 4.34 4.79 4.38 4.39 4.38 4.39 4,000 17,540 SBS PHIL CORP

-54,094,130 -50,663,210 8,267,990 -14,355,664 -118,860 9,776,877 21,720 306,640.00 -581,650 135,680 -17,880 179,680 7,780,270 14,379,820 -16,420 220,353 22,990 -178,920 -3,764,130 -20,320 -9,629 -92,915 242,300 699,240 36,850 7,650,043 -1,671,760 -13,194,240 -9,310,812.50 34,984.50 -31,480 -42,142,072 84,000 675 5,243,000 -

MINING & OIL

ATOK 7.68 7.7 7.82 8.1 7.57 7.7 1,208,700 9,414,476 366,712 APEX MINING 1.47 1.48 1.46 1.48 1.45 1.47 1,071,000 1,562,560 96,050 ATLAS MINING 6.45 6.49 6.32 6.5 6.3 6.46 195,300 1,244,410 5,679 BENGUET A 2.73 2.95 2.72 2.72 2.72 2.72 11,000 29,920 2.6 2.94 2.72 2.94 2.6 2.94 61,000 164,280 BENGUET B COAL ASIA HLDG 0.295 0.315 0.295 0.305 0.295 0.305 220,000 65,900 CENTURY PEAK 2.8 2.88 2.8 2.9 2.8 2.9 15,000 42,500 42,500 10.5 10.98 10.7 11.16 10.1 10.96 84,400 873,490 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 2.47 2.48 2.22 2.48 2.22 2.47 6,232,000 14,741,010 597,230 GEOGRACE 0.375 0.39 0.38 0.4 0.37 0.39 3,540,000 1,338,350 3,850 LEPANTO A 0.14 0.142 0.14 0.141 0.138 0.14 15,580,000 2,166,040 LEPANTO B 0.141 0.149 0.142 0.142 0.14 0.14 1,410,000 197,420 MANILA MINING A 0.0097 0.0098 0.01 0.01 0.0096 0.0097 209,700,000 2,060,370 MANILA MINING B 0.0098 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.01 2,800,000 28,200 1.32 1.35 1.25 1.35 1.21 1.35 1,108,000 1,425,510 -37,950 MARCVENTURES 2.29 2.31 2.33 2.33 2.18 2.29 458,000 1,030,060 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 5.49 5.5 5.1 5.55 5.1 5.5 6,606,200 35,313,881 2,074,786.00 0.42 0.445 0.425 0.425 0.42 0.425 290,000 122,450 OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA 0.93 0.94 0.9 0.94 0.9 0.94 1,029,000 945,310 -53,910 PX MINING 4.71 4.83 4.9 4.9 4.62 4.85 585,000 2,743,350 -45,730 SEMIRARA MINING 12.44 12.5 12.56 12.56 12.38 12.5 1,533,900 19,123,642 -1,487,468 UNITED PARAGON 0.0089 0.0094 0.0084 0.009 0.0083 0.009 90,000,000 782,400 ACE ENEXOR 23.5 23.75 23.45 24 22.5 23.75 429,500 10,104,915 -1,332,675 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 129,400,000 1,453,500 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 2,300,000 27,600 PHILODRILL 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.012 166,200,000 1,918,300 404,000 8.7 8.9 8.62 8.9 8.3 8.9 634,200 5,433,867 -353,371 PXP ENERGY

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 100.2 101 101 101 101 101 8,770 885,770 HOUSE PREF A 100 100.5 99.8 100 99.8 100 35,970 3,596,413 ALCO PREF B 101.5 102 101.2 101.5 101.2 101.5 1,000 101,350 ALCO PREF C 105 111 111 111 111 111 12,120 1,345,320 AC PREF B2R 510.5 515 510.5 515 510.5 515 210 107,250 101.4 101.5 101.4 101.5 101.4 101.4 180 18,256 DD PREF FGEN PREF G 106.2 108.9 108.9 108.9 106.2 106.4 6,240 663,466 FPH PREF C 490 517.5 490.6 490.6 490.6 490.6 640 313,984 GLO PREF P 504 505 505 505 505 505 400 202,000 GTCAP PREF B 1,030 1,036 1,030 1,036 1,030 1,036 9,280 9,558,700 MWIDE PREF 100.5 100.6 100.5 100.5 100.4 100.5 13,580 1,364,690 MWIDE PREF 2A 100 100.9 101 101 101 101 9,990 1,008,990 MWIDE PREF 2B 100.6 101.1 101.1 101.1 101.1 101.1 20,050 2,027,055 PNX PREF 3B 104 107 107 107 107 107 130 13,910 PNX PREF 4 1,002 1,004 1,005 1,005 1,003 1,004 5,285 5,307,340 1,014 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 10 10,200 PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A 1,070 1,100 1,070 1,100 1,070 1,100 1,465 1,608,400 PCOR PREF 3B 1,124 1,140 1,124 1,140 1,124 1,124 1,140 1,297,360 SFI PREF 1.82 1.96 1.78 1.97 1.78 1.97 16,000 29,300 SMC PREF 2C 78.25 78.5 78.85 78.85 78.25 78.5 22,760 1,783,237.50 SMC PREF 2F 77.9 79 77.85 79 77.85 79 450 35,090 SMC PREF 2H 76.85 78 78.5 78.5 78.5 78.5 23,400 1,836,900 SMC PREF 2I 78 79 78 79 78 79 199,220 15,539,180 SMC PREF 2J 76.2 76.9 76.6 76.9 76.2 76.2 3,910 298,296 76.2 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.2 76.2 2,350 179,670 SMC PREF 2K

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 11.22 11.48 11.5 11.5 11.2 11.48 22,200 254,696 -254,696 GMA HLDG PDR 6.92 6.97 6.8 6.98 6.8 6.97 84,000 581,384 -3,400

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 1.53 1.55 1.45 1.63 1.39 1.55 4,091,000 6,092,040 7,200

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 20.8 20.95 20.95 21.8 20.7 20.95 165,700 3,476,430 2,095 ITALPINAS 2.36 2.4 2.25 2.45 2.25 2.4 1,175,000 2,765,720 207,770 KEPWEALTH 5.42 5.65 5.5 5.7 5.41 5.7 10,600 57,895 MAKATI FINANCE 2.54 2.79 2.54 2.8 2.54 2.8 15,000 39,370 MERRYMART 5.19 5.2 4.85 5.2 4.7 5.2 47,312,000 235,341,780 -3,770

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 101.4 101.7 102.6 102.9 101.4 101.4 34,700 3,537,286 593,320

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Strong overseas sales boost Emperador income in 2020

E

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

mperador Inc., the liquor arm of businessman Andrew Tan, said is attributable income grew 19 percent last year to P8 billion, from the previous P6.72 billion mainly due to its strong overseas sales.

The company said its revenues grew 4 percent to P52.6 billion from last year’s P50.25 billion.

For the fourth quarter alone, preliminary data showed that its

revenues grew by a mere 2 percent to P18.13 billion, but net income almost doubled to P2.19 billion compared with the fourth quarter of 2019 figures.

“The resilience of the company shows the strength of our business coupled with the strength of our whisky and brandy portfolio across the globe resulting in stability and growth amid the challenges. The company also took the opportunity to streamline efficiencies to enable the company to be nimble and effective in the markets. 2020 has set a new path and platform for our future growth,” Emperador President Winston Co said.

Emperador, which started as a maker of cheap brandy but now owns a portfolio of brandy and Scotch whisky that included well-known and expensive ones, said its global footprint enabled the company to

navigate through the challenges of 2020.

The company said its businesses continued its growth trajectory in the United Kingdom, Asia, Europe, United States, The Netherlands, Sweden and Russia amid the challenges.

“While certain aspects of the business have been affected by the impact of Covid-19, particularly ontrade and global travel retail resulting from lockdowns and dry law implementation, these have been offset by increased sales in off-trade and e-commerce. While not totally impervious to the adverse effects of the conditions, Emperador’s global business adapted well to new consumption trends,” it said.

Del Monte returns to profit in fiscal 9 mos

C

ampos-led Del Monte Pacific Ltd. said it returned to profitability during its fiscal nine months of the year ending January to $48.8 million (about P2.44 billion) mainly on higher sales in the Philippines and United States.

Revenues grew 12 percent to $1.66 billion from the previous year’s $1.48 billion.

For the third quarter alone, its income jumped four-folds to $30.2 million from the previous $6.7 million. Revenues rose 13 percent to $628.4 million from the previous $555.3 million, driven by increased sales in the US, the Philippines and other international markets.

“Our US business has turned around with two consecutive quarters of earnings. Consumers continue to place their trust in our brands and

products which promise high quality and nutrition,” Joselito D. Campos Jr., the company’s managing director and CEO, said.

“We are also reaping the benefits from considerable cost savings achieved through the execution of an asset-light model in the US along with greatly improving efficiencies we have implemented in our supply chain.”

Del Monte Foods Inc, the group’s American subsidiary, generated 70 percent of group revenues for the fiscal third quarter and achieved a 12-percent increase in sales to $440 million, mainly driven by a robust sales growth of 26 percent in the branded retail segment amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the company said.

Core categories of vegetable and fruit delivered substantial growth

Vivant unit to acquire stake in Buskowitz

V

ivant Renewable Energy Corp. (VREC), the renewable energy arm of Vivant Energy Corp. (VEC), is acquiring 34.85 percent of Buskowitz Finance Inc. (BFI) to beef up VEC’s solar power portfolio.

A Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA), which was signed last March 10, allows VREC to acquire equity interest in BFI, a sustainable solutions enterprise specializing in rooftop solar photovoltaic installations.

Under the agreement, VREC will acquire a shareholding of 34.85 percent through a series of investments in BFI. “VREC will invest in BFI up to 34.85 percent of the total equity of the same company subject to certain conditions,” the company said. “VREC will be investing up to P364 million through an initial subscription in BFI, which will be completed through a series of infusions via deposits for future subscription of shares pursuant to an increase in the authorized capital stock of BFI.” The Vivant Group is expanding its renewables portfolio with its latest equity investment into one of the country’s major players in rooftop solar. BFI is a solar engineering, procurement and construction company and is considered as one of the biggest players in the rooftop solar installation market in the Philippines to date.

“We give high importance to both supply security and sustainability in our investments. We study renewables as well as technologies that combine both conventional and renewable. In our

projects in SPUG [small power utilities group] areas, we find hybrid technologies to be highly viable,” VREC President Emil Andre M. Garcia said.

VREC is a wholly owned subsidiary of VEC, the holding company for energy-related investments of publicly listed Vivant Corp.

BFI Energy Chief Executive Officer James Buskowitz said VREC’s series of investments amounting to up to P364 million will enable Buskowitz Energy to continue innovating and making a positive impact on the country’s development.

“At the end of the day, the benefits of harnessing the power of the sun go beyond lowering costs.

Sustainability is the true bottom line and sustainable development is the common future, where the needs of this generation must be met without compromising the needs and growth of future generations,” Buskowitz said.

Vivant and BFI are hoping to power more communities with renewable energy, offer sustainable solutions, and create a low-carbon future for the Philippines.

Vivant has been prov iding adaptable and forward-looking solutions to various segments of the power value chain, including energy generation and distribution, as well as, retail electricity.

BFI’s first collaboration with Vivant started in 2019 when it was commissioned to provide engineering, procurement, and construction services for several rooftop solar projects. To date, the total capacity of solar installations made by Buskowitz with Vivant has reached 2.4 megawatts. Lenie Lectura

as consumers chose trusted, healthy and shelf-stable products for their meal preparation at home. E-commerce sales saw significant increase continuing the strong growth momentum.

In the third quarter, Del Monte Philippines Inc., its local unit, expanded sales in the country by 20 percent despite the weakened economy and high unemployment. Both retail channels of modern trade and general trade delivered robust

mutual funds

performance with sales growth of 27 percent, offsetting declines in foodservice.

The company also expanded its presence in e-commerce, investing in both digital capability and partnerships with leading online platforms Lazada and Shopee. This resulted in significant growth in e-commerce sales during the lockdown period which continued even post-lockdown, but coming from a low base. VG Cabuag March 11, 2021

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 217.03 4.89% -8.69% -2.6% -4.48% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.2583 22.92% -7.75% 1.74% -4.17% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.9734 3.19% -12.94% -4.67% -5.09% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7586 6.71% -8.31% n.a.

-5.64% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6674 -5.56% n.a. n.a. -10.01% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.7157 6.73% -6.72% -1.94% -4.57% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.6905 -0.26% -10.25% -6.7% -9.12% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 99.34 16.21% -5.37% n.a.

-2.55% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 44.6977 7.81% -6.74% -1.2% -4.59% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 466.8 6.01% -6.71% -1.86% -4.54% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5 1.0352 14.54% n.a. n.a.

-5.66% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.1207 5.65% -6.46% -0.88% -4.07% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 33.3028 6.84% -6.27% -0.35% -4.22% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8662 4.27% n.a. n.a.

-5.13% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.5748 8.23% -6.26% -0.42% -4.52% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 765.32 8.47% -6.15% -0.54% -4.53% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.6868 2.11% -10.22% -4.41% -4.47% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4599 1.82% -8.31% -2.03% -4.52% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8755 8.17% -6.46% -0.66% -4.6% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.1906 5.07% -5.54% 0.32% -3.87% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 102.7197 8.55% -5.95% 0.18% -4.5% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $1.2743 40.7% 4.47% 9.51% 5.94% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.6631 36.2% 8.75% n.a.

-0.58% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.6427 11.2% -3.17% -0.84% -1.55% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.2052 10.13% -2.98% 0.22% -3.51% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5366 5.86% -2.39% -1.06% -3.44% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1907 -2.05% n.a. n.a. -3.98% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a .9328 5.44% -0.47% 1.29% -1.59% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.6424 6.01% -1.71% 0.18% -3.85% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.3333 6.17% -1.64% 0.14% -3.56% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.0425 6.14% -2.55% 0.3% -2.46% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4698 2.13% -4.17% -0.83% -2.89% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9694 5.05% n.a. n.a.

-5.2% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.8985 5.83% n.a. n.a.

-5.34% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.8845 6% n.a. n.a.

-5.21% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8588 2.9% -5.01% -1.52% -3.26% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03768 -3.53% 2.29% 1.19% -3.68% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $1.1265 15.33% 1.87% 5.4% -2.06% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.4819 23.12% 6.54% 8.35% -0.69% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.1781 8.89% 3.18% n.a.

-2% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 370.39 2.74% 3.17% 2.6% -0.18% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9054 -0.41% 0.59% 0.18% 0.27% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2149 2.13% 4.16% 4.58% 0.01% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2503 -0.01% 2.26% 1.82% -1.99% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4234 1.8% 3.09% 1.78% -1.21% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.4756 0.78% 3.89% 1.99% -3.43% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.3143 3.82% 4.21% 2.58% -0.52% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.959 3.67% 4.3% 2.77% -1.05% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0187 3.25% 3.82% 1.84% -2.24% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1642 1.38% 4.41% 3.06% -1.3% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7245 0.4% 3.65% 2.43% -1.74% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $481.04 1.79% 2.86% 2.47% -0.58% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є219.16 -0.63% 1.03% 1.2% -0.01% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1757 -2.94% 1.7% 1.23% -8.18% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0257 - 0.77% 1.2% 0.96% -3.38% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.047 -7.26% n.a.

-0.66% -4.18% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.4421 -0.72% 3.95% 2.16% -3.69% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0623812 2.61% 3.17% 2.2% 0.1% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.0734 -5.05% 1.47% 0.87% -4.66% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 129.86 2.47% 3.25% 2.53% 0.04% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.049 1.54% n.a. n.a.

0.09% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2998 2.16% 2.93% 2.59% 0.25% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0547 1.33% 1.78% n.a.

0.22% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.1826 n.a. n.a. n.a. 4.69% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2 $0.98 3.16% 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."

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Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Amending Customs law seen to stop farm goods smuggling

A

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

member of the House of Representatives believes prioritizing amendments to the Customs Modernization and Tariffication Act (CMTA) would stanch the bleeding in revenues due to smuggling of farm goods.

AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon S. Garin renewed her call for the immediate passage of a bill amending the CMTA as she is alarmed with the “staggering discrepancies” between declared importations of trade partners and the records held by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

During the recent continuation of the motu proprio investigation on the rampant smuggling of agricultural products, Garin said lawmakers concurred on the necessity to review and

streamline the procedure of importation of farm goods through enhanced coordination with the BOC. Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar earlier told lawmakers that the Philippines has long been vulnerable to smuggling with its archipelagic design.

Dar said the 17 designated ports of entry and 39 sub-ports as well as porous borders in the south have made it more challenging to totally seal off the country from smuggling.

Describing it as a form of eco-

nomic sabotage, Dar said smuggling of fruits, vegetables or meat products might be seen as minor offenses but “are actually worse than economic plunder.” “[It] silently sucks out the life of agriculture and our farmers. The perennial problem of smuggling has caused the economy billions of revenues and dramatically impacts the livelihood of local farmers and fishermen,” Dar told the Lower Chamber.

Garin, principal author of House Bill (HB) 5548 that seeks to amend CMTA (Republic Act 10863), said amendments are necessary to further improve the country’s international standing.

International trade facilitation is crucial to the country’s economic growth, Garin added.

The vice-chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means noted that the country’s institutional arrangement and cooperation rating plateaued at 55.56 percent from 2017 to 2019. Should the bill be passed into law, the country’s rating is expected to progress, Garin said.

HB 5548 is in line with the admin-

istration’s continuing efforts to boost the country’s trade activity and adopt global practices, the lawmaker said.

Garin hopes to improve the country’s ranking in the Top-25 developingeconomy exporters, where The Philippines ranks 15th in the 2018 World Investment Report.

She said HB 5548 seeks to amend the provisions, among others, affecting the customs clearance, off-dock customs facilities warehouse and that of other third parties as defined in the CMTA. “Provisions proposing the simplification and clear definition of some processes in the customs clearance of imported goods are incorporated in the bill,” Garin said.

The bill seeks to simplify and “clearly define some processes in the customs clearance of imported goods.”

The measure also seeks to give the BOC more power in imposing administrative sanctions insofar as third parties are concerned.

The bill is pending with the Committee on Ways and Means since November 2019.

Singapore Life PHL eyes 100k new clients in 2021

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

T

HE local business of Singapore Life Pte. Ltd. expects to gain more than 100,000 new customers by the end of this year.

Singlife Philippines Inc. CEO Rien Hermans expressed confidence the firm would be able to continuously grow its customer base as digital insurance becomes a “fast-growing industry” in the country.

Hermans said he is optimistic about the future of digital insurance in the Philippines given the country’s young population and growth of per capita income.

To note, the country’s per capita income fell from $3,512 in 2019 to $3,373 last year. Compare this with Vietnam’s per capita income in 2019 of $3,416 that hit $3,497.51 last year.

Hermans told the BusinessMirror the company’s expected clientbase spike would be achieve through “increasing our reach and having different propositions.”

By doing so, likewise, the executive said the business would have “a foundation for further growth.”

“We offer financial solutions that fall under three distinct categories:

medical cost protection, income protection and savings and investments,” he added.

Hermans said the company has “a lot of ambitions this year and much higher expectations for the future as we want to have an active relationship with 10 percent of the customers in the market by 2025 (approximately 0.5 million customers).”

For this year, Hermans said they are aiming to roll out their full suite of protection products on GCash, activate at least one new partner and launch their direct-to-customer initiative.

Among the products that Singlife Philippines will be launching in GCash include “Cash for Income” loss (any cause), “Cash for Medical Cost” and “Cash for Later.”

“After these, we will transition to products that meet the basic financial needs of people in a more comprehensive way, with our customers in control, without penalties when they stop or make changes, and with offers that fit their needs and their budget,” Hermans said.

In the coming years, he said they will also be focused on developing a new market segment and building a stronger customer base versus maximizing premium income.

“Our view is that with the right products and exemplary service, premium will follow.”

Hermans added the company wants to focus on the “underserved” middle-income market which has an above average monthly income of P25,000 up to around P120,000.

“From research, we know that this market is not homogenous and has different segments. What is common though is that this market has been underserved for the past decennia and products offered to them rarely met their promises,” he said.

He also said Singlife Philippines posted “remarkable” performance last year despite the pandemic as it rolled out two protection products on GCash that were both well received by the public.

Singlife Philippines only received its license to operate from the Insurance Commission in February last year.

“Launching our no fuss protection products on GCash was a great first step for us, and the customer feedback we’ve been getting has been very positive and encouraging,” he said.

Hermans said their “Cash for Dengue Costs,” which initially included a free Covid-19 cover for

‘DNA’ lessons from Japanese companies

A

LMOST 30 years have passed since I participated in the AOTS Executive Program on Corporate Management (EPCM) in Tokyo so I was pleasantly surprised when I received an invitation from the AOTS to attend the EPCM, this time a three-hour hybrid event.

Established on August 10, 1959, the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) is a Japanese government-supported organization for human resources development to promote technical cooperation through training, expert dispatch, and other programs in developing countries.

The EPCM is an instructorfacilitated case study method discussion-type course, one of the longest-running programs of AOTS that started 38 years ago in 1983. Its lead speaker and program director is Dr. Tsuneo Yahagi, Ph.D., professor emeritus of Keio University. It was a happy virtual reunion for both of us.

The program, “Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” covered two case studies—the Fuji Film-Kodak

Association World Octavio Peralta success-failure story and the early-year exploits of Sony, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan before they became household names. The ‘DNA’ lessons from these case studies are also applicable to associations, and these are as follows: Diversification—Fuji Film and Kodak had contrasting fates. Fuji Film was able to weather the disruption in the photo printing and camera industry while Kodak did not. It was the ability to diversify into other businesses that was key to Fuji’s survival and growth.

In the context of associations, diversification in terms of products and services as well as in revenue sources should be a strategic consideration. By continuously innovating on programming activities relevant to members and by not relying solely on membership dues subscription can spell the

difference between sustainability and demise. Associations need their members’ support, as well as financial resources, to be able to fulfil their mission.

Novelty, new markets—In the 1960s, Sony and Honda were unknown brands outside Japan and struggled to compete in markets already dominated by big players.

In those days, Sony’s Walkman, its pocketable radio, and Honda’s Super Cub, its cute, 50cc motorcycle were both novelty products that got a boost from a youthful market.

These products were not only considered fun and affordable, but also reliable. These days, associations confronted by competition from non-traditional providers of similar knowledge services, mostly internet-based, e.g. training programs, publications, etc., have also struggled to maintain relevance to their members. It could help associations if they stick to their purpose, engage with millennials, and develop new fit-for-purpose services their members need in solving their problems, advancing their careers, and promoting their advocacies.

Accelerated unserved market

10,000 customers, “sold out very fast” that they decided to extend it to the first 20,000 customers instead.

For P700 per year, customers can be covered from unforeseen medical expenses due to Covid-19 and dengue worth up to P421,500 under the “Cash for Dengue Costs” product. Its multi-level benefit includes positive test result allowance, confinement allowance, and medical cost reimbursement for more severe cases.

Meanwhile, Hermans said their second product, “Cash for Income Loss” (accidents), was bought by more than 1,000 customers in just two weeks of its launch, with no promotions.

This product replaces up to 100 percent of the client’s income for 36 months if he or she gets disabled or dies because of an accident.

“This further strengthens our view of the existence of a large segment of customers who are underserved,” Hermans said. “These are the people who understand the value of insurance, but they have no access to it, or they feel that the traditional products are just too complex, too expensive, and require too long of a commitment.”

development—Toyota and Nissan’s early-stage strategy of tapping the unserved market of small and economical vehicles enabled them to progress later into the medium and upmarket transportation business. In like manner, associations can explore looking to expand their membership base, for example, by attracting students, retired professionals, suppliers, and allied stakeholders via a compelling value proposition.

The three “DNA” factors above used by well-known Japanese companies as strategies could also be a genetic code for associations to survive and thrive.

The column contributor, Octavio ‘Bobby’ Peralta, is concurrently the secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific, Founder & CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives and President of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Association Organizations. The purpose of PCAAE—the “association of associations”—is to advance the association management profession and to make associations well-governed and sustainable. PCAAE enjoys the support of Adfiap, the Tourism Promotions Board, and the Philippine International Convention Center. E-mail: obp@ adfiap.org

Friday, March 12, 2021 B3

ADB returns to China’s bond exchange, raises $307M

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

T

HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has secured its largest borrowing in a local Asian currency after raising roughly $307 million in Panda bonds from the Chinese credit market.

The ADB on Wednesday returned to China’s onshore bond exchange after 11 years of missing action in the field.

The Manila-based multilateral agency priced 2 billion in Chinese yuan—about $307 million—of Panda bonds that pays 3.20 percent and matures in five years until 2026.

It was priced 21 basis points (bps) below the corresponding China Development Bank bondreference yield, and 9 bps above the Chinese government bonds.

The securities form the first borrowing in the 10 billion yuan program approved last year by the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors.

The ADB also disclosed it was 1.86 times oversubscribed. The agency added the Panda bonds was distributed to a network of domestic and international investors through a centralized book building and auction in the China Inter-Bank Bond Market by way of investor roadshows, as well as one-on-one meetings.

The bond issue was arranged by lead underwriter and bookrunner Bank of China, along with BNP Paribas SA, CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., HSBC Bank Plc. and a group of related banks.

According to the ADB, pro-

ceeds of the bond will be used to boost the agency’s ordinary capital resources and deployed to support its operations in the Chinese renminbi market. Further, part of the proceeds will be allocated to fund assistance on social services and infrastructure projects in member-economies, the ADB said.

ADB Treasurer Pierre Van Peteghem was quoted in a statement as saying that the multilateral agency has worked its way into landing back to the Chinese bond market, as the lender beefs up its ordinary capital resources to fund Covid-response programs. “[The] ADB has worked hard on [its] return to the Chinese domestic bond market, and is delighted with this outstanding result,” Peteghem said. “The availability of competitively priced local currency liquidity is critical to supporting ADB’s development projects in the People’s Republic of China as announced in the 5-year country partnership strategy.”

The last time the ADB issued Panda bonds was in 2009, when it came out with a 1-billion yuan, 10-year issue, to follow through its first in 2005 with the same value.

The lender also returned to the United States bond market last month with a $2-billion, 10year issue. The ADB said it plans to raise as much as $35 billion from the capital markets this year to add to its ordinary capital resources allocated for members dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

B4

Friday, March 12, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Relationships BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

z

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jaimie Alexander, 37; Aaron Eckhart, 53; Courtney B. Vance, 61; Liza Minnelli, 75.

Happy Birthday: Channel your energy wisely this year. Stay focused on what you are trying to achieve.

Refuse to let anyone take advantage of you or what you have to offer. Look for ways to use your skills to gain access into a group, company or position that allows you to expand your knowledge and improve your earning potential or acquire personal gains. Your numbers are 3, 11, 18, 26, 34, 38, 45.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Set your sights on what you can accomplish, and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing. Leave nothing to chance when dealing with bureaucracy.

Pay attention to detail, and go about your business.

Preparation is priceless. HHH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Stand firm and follow through with your plans. Don’t feel bad if someone doesn’t tag along; it’s up to you to make things work and find your joy. When one door closes, another will open. HHHH

SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City

#SMXSoulKitchen provides food business owners and caterers an option to minimize overhead costs for business operations by renting a clean and functional kitchen with complete amenities from SMXCC.

Safe gatherings in safe spaces

T

HE last time I went to a social gathering with more than 100 people was in December 2019, having gone all the way to Bulacan just to watch the “greatest rock band of all time,” U2, in concert for the first time in Manila. I was standing the entire night, while dancing and singing (okay, screeching mostly) along with my friend, as Bono belted out the Irish group’s most popular hits.

It was still a time when people fearlessly kissed and hugged each other, chatted incessantly and lovingly shared their food, without the need for face masks or face shields, while any chance for a “groufie” had us cramming tightly together, making sure we had squeezed into the tiny frame of the mobile phone camera.

It feels more than a lifetime ago, with large group gatherings such as concerts, festivals, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) events having been put on hold as Covid-19 rages on.

The MICE industry has certainly been one of the most impacted by the pandemic, having suffered as much as the economy in general. As such, companies have had to rethink their business models, strategies and goals. Versatility has become a key ingredient to adapt and move forward.

Driven by a creative and an enterprising mindset to steadily propel the industry forward, the SMX Convention Center has repurposed its spaces to help other industries with their venue requirements.

Speaking with SMXCC vice president and general manager Agnes Pacis via Zoom recently about the company’s plans, she said their convention spaces have been redefined into “innovative and fully functional concept spaces that address guests’ needs” and suitable site options, as the company awaits for more MICE events to be permitted, with prospective clients feeling more confident to mount their events.

For instance, #SMXSwingSpaces serve as extended offices for companies undergoing renovations or temporarily providing an easily accessible office

location for their staff, which are offered both in SMX Manila and Megatrade Hall.

For another, #SMXSoulKitchen provides food business owners and caterers an option to minimize overhead cost for business operations by renting a clean and functional kitchen with complete amenities.

The complete kitchen setup also targets commissaries and restaurants operating food deliveries. #SMXStudio is equipped with lights, sounds and chroma backdrop for photo shoots, TV commercial shoots, and events. Rehearsals and virtual concerts can also be held in all SMXCC properties, she noted.

SMXCC likewise offers #SMXams, a stressfree examination or licensure venue that can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 3,000 examinees.

These repurposed spaces have rates that vary on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

“Coupled with creativity is the assurance that guests’ safety will never be compromised,” Pacis underscored. The “SustainablySafe” program is the SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.’s (SMHCC) intensified health and hygiene initiative with rigid protocols aimed to ensure the utmost safety and well-being of its guests. Under the program, SMXCC implements strict and customized measures within its facility, dubbed as #SMXsafespaces.

She said there is less physical contact, a stringent policy on wearing of face mask and face shield, contactless health-declaration and contact-tracing forms, monitored crowd movement via CCTV with facial recognition function and event marshals, reduced seating capacity to implement safe crowd management, building staff equipped with Personal Protective Equipment, the frequent disinfection of venues and high-contact surfaces, and use of livestreaming platforms for hybrid events, to name a few.

“With a different ball game in the current pandemic playing field, we had to reimagine, reengineer, and repurpose our event spaces to remain relevant and cater to today’s needs,” said Pacis.

“Safety and security remain our utmost priority with the implementation of #SMXsafespaces. We aim to bring back the confidence of organizers and consumers, while also helping to jump-start the Philippine economy. We are ready to host both business and social events,” she added.

She said more concepts are underway and will be offered, including: #SMXhybrid for blended, online and offline events; #SMXmilestone for intimate social gatherings and small weddings; #SMXfitness catering to fitness enthusiasts; and #SMXbazaar for the “passionate fashionistas” who can still afford to

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll find it difficult to separate your feelings from what you know to be accurate and what you have to do. Be realistic, prepare to work diligently toward your goal and be proud of your accomplishments. HH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Step into the spotlight and take over. How you present your plans will make a difference in the amount of help you receive. A money matter is likely to fall short if you count on someone unpredictable. HHHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Alter your life because it’s what you want, not because someone pressures you. Connect with people who bring out the best in you. Let go of what isn’t working for you, and make cutbacks that lower your overhead. HHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Communication will bring good results. Ask questions and listen to the response you get, and you’ll come up with concrete plans that will improve your life and your relationship with someone who can contribute to your long-term goals. Romance is favored. HHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Pour your energy into something that excites you. The more you accomplish, the better you will feel about yourself and your future. Pursue information, start something new and associate with people who share your beliefs and interests. HHH

h

SMX Convention Center Vice President and General Manager Agnes Pacis

shop until they drop, while following proper safety guidelines.

With the recent government decision to allow essential meetings and social events in areas under general community quarantine, things may finally be looking up for venue owners and event organizers.

The Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-001 between the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade and Industry issued on February 20, allows DOT-accredited stand-alone venues like SMXCC to hold such meetings and social events up to 50 percent of venue capacity.

“This is a much-awaited and favorable news not just for the MICE industry but also for the economy,” said Pacis. “We can now assist in rebuilding the confidence of both the local and international markets, slowly but surely. Our #SMXsafespaces across the country [SMX Manila, SMX Aura, SMX Bacolod, SMX Davao, Megatrade Hall, Sky Hall Seaside Cebu and Olongapo City Convention Center, soon SMX Clark)]are ready to host events again.”

SMX Convention Center is the premier venue for meetings and events in the country with over 38,000 square meters of leasable space. It operates under SMHCC, a unit of Sy-led SM Investments Corp. n

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Less talk and more action are required. Remove the clutter from your life, and focus on what’s best for you. Physical and emotional changes will take place if you set up a routine geared toward better health.

HHHHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your emotions under control when dealing with personal matters and people who are manipulative. Choose friends and partners carefully to avoid disappointment and setbacks. Protect your reputation. HH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll gain insight into something you want to pursue. Start to make the changes that will help you use your skills, experience and knowledge in a new and exciting way. Set high standards and goals. HHHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep an open mind, but don’t make an impulsive move because someone else does. Listen to your voice of reason, set boundaries and do what makes you feel comfortable. A joint venture isn’t in your best interest. Do your own thing. HHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Emotions will flare up if someone takes advantage of you. It’s in your best interest not to be too accommodating. Don’t worry if someone likes you; demand respect before you get involved in a joint venture. Discipline will pay off. HHH Birthday Baby: You are generous, resourceful and kind.

You are persuasive and imaginative.

‘unexpected turns of events’ by paul coulter The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Monster such as Shrek 5 5 + 5 = 10, for instance 8 Barber’s quick job 12 “Me too!”

14 Creole vegetable 15 Sandwich also called a grinder 16 Builder’s sign on a vacant lot?

18 Cheese in a ball 19 Say yes to 20 Beautyrest mattress maker 22 Like pigs in a blanket?

23 Dove call 24 Green Hornet’s sidekick 27 Sport where everyone dresses like a catcher?

33 Balances (out) 35 Actor Diggs 36 Earl Grey, say 37 Bleat 38 Modernizes 41 Some run between Olympic races 42 “We ___ to please” 43 Kid’s query 44 Divination deck

46 Political group focused on supplying schools with building toys?

50 Is victorious 51 Cheer in Spain 52 Carnival attraction 54 Arctic shipping hazard 58 Peter or Paul, but not Mary 62 Fly high 63 Small bathroom fixture?

65 Flow that may be 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit 66 Rental company that used the slogan “We Try Harder” 67 Essential acid variety 68 Split personalities?

69 Acquire 70 Terminates DOWN 1 Fed. workplace watchdog 2 Gunk 3 Freeway entrance 4 Boston college 5 Make tracks in the snow 6 Coffee dispensers 7 1990s optical illusion fad

8 Group with family ties?

9 Overhaul 10 Country known for rug weaving 11 Some PTA members 13 Clickable image 14 Alpha’s opposite 17 Egg cell 21 Unlikely to brag 24 Food that a chef might skewer 25 Be of use 26 Latin lover’s line 28 Step in a flight 29 Kit ___ (breakable candy) 30 Classic video game company 31 Strung along 32 Stands the test of time 34 Nurse, like a piglet 39 Sack lunch holder 40 Chain letters?

45 “Very cool!”

47 Deadly snakes 48 School lunch holders 49 Sharp barks 53 Qatar’s capital 54 Little bit of land

55 Cajole 56 Gutter site 57 ___ a hoot (cared) 59 Perfect choice for a body double, perhaps 60 Allow to borrow 61 Cupid, to the Greeks 64 Boring thing?

Solution to Wednesday’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, March 12, 2021

B5

Joint custody of son, no spousal support in Adele divorce

LOS ANGELES — Adele will share custody of her eight-yearold son and won’t be paying child support to her now-exhusband Simon Konecki, according to divorce documents obtained on Wednesday by The Associated Press.

The couple separated in August of 2019, and Adele filed for divorce the following month. A Los Angeles judge finalized the divorce last week.

According to the documents, the 32-year-old Adele and the 46-year-old Konecki used mediation to amicably reach the terms of the split. Both waived the right to seek spousal support, and both agreed to joint legal and physical custody of son Angelo, who was born in 2012. The papers say they will seek to resolve any issues without litigation.

Adele kept her original legal name, Adele Adkins, during her marriage. The British singing superstar married Konecki, cofounder of Life Water, an eco-friendly brand of bottled water, in May of 2018, according to court documents. But she referred to him as “my husband” during a Grammy acceptance speech in 2017, and the two had been a couple for several years when they wed. AP

‘Game of the Gens’ makes for happier Sunday nights

IMAGE FROM PIXABAY

Including and excluding: Identities in Netflix and cinema

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here is a study that is appropriate for this month of March, Women’s Month. It is called “Inclusion in Netflix Original US Scripted Films and Series.”

The study is a compendium of results of a study done by Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which looks into the diversity of its original content. The think tank, one of the leading institutions in the world, was commissioned to study diversity and inclusion in entertainment through a benchmarking study of Netflix’s original, Englishlanguage series and film titles originating in the US from January 2018 to December 2019.

The purpose of the paper is to present an overview of inclusion on-screen of several variables, like gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ, and disabilities. The study is interested as well with the participation behind the camera of directors, editors, producers correlated with the aforementioned variables.

According to Netflix, it decided to share the results with the public to show “how they have embraced and observed diversity across the shows they produce in the US, while being streamed globally.” With the evaluation done over time, from 2018 to 2019, and against industry metrics, the study is expected to demonstrate how Netflix has made advances in representation year-over-year, and how they can further such advancements in their future films and series. From the company, some highlights were underscored. One says better representation on-screen begins with better representation behind

the camera and in entertainment companies. In one of the details of the study, a female director means a significant number of women presence in the film or series. Netflix claims it has made some progress on representation in front and behind the camera but, the company admits, it can do better.

The report shows that Netflix has made significant inroads insofar as enabling female and Black representation. Still, from that point, the company also states that it has a long way to go with the representation of other underrepresented communities, for example, Latinx and people with disabilities.

Another interesting highlight of the study is on how more audiences clamor to see their lives and cultures reflected on screen. From the perspective of other companies that do streaming, this point is important to emphasize. The fact is people do not only watch films to be entertained but also to get a sense of belonging, to find significant spaces in which they can be empathetic and understanding.

To make these claims is good enough but to move for a call to action makes the study heartwarming.

Netflix stresses how it sees the need to bring what it calls “inclusion lens” to their work. To effect this, Netflix points to an action of “asking whose voices are missing, embracing difference, understanding our biases, and recognizing that great stories are universal. They can come from anywhere and anyone, irrespective of their gender, sexuality or ethnicity, and be loved everywhere.”

To better appreciate the results of the study, Netflix sent data points, namely: n Across 22 inclusion indicators analyzed for film and series, 19 showed an improvement year-overyear, pointing to a Netflix commitment to increase inclusion in content. n Overall, 31.9 percent of all leads/coleads were from an underrepresented racial ethnic group across the Netflix content evaluated. n There was a notable uptick from 2018 to 2019 of leads/coleads from underrepresented communities in both film and series. The change over time meant

that Netflix films and series were close to reaching proportional representation to the US population for leads in 2019. n Black leads/coleads and main cast overall were proportional to the population. The percentage of Black leads/coleads in film and Black leads/coleads and main cast in series increased significantly from 2018 to 2019. n 52 percent of films and series had girls/women as leads/coleads. n 2.3 percent of leads and coleads across film and series were LGBTQ. As for the main cast of films and series, of the 2,419 main casts in Netflix films and series, 5.3 percent were LGBTQ. n There were 14 Asian communities represented in Netflix films and series. n 4 percent of all stories were led or co-led by Asian protagonists and 7 percent of the main cast were Asian, with no significant differences over time.

Furthermore, more Asian main cast roles were held by girls and women (57.5 percent) than boys and men (42.5 percent).

This study is a good start and it behooves local companies to take the initiative to do similar studies.

This suggestion is crucial if one considers that many of the so-called BL films are being streamed by varied companies. While in the fantasy world of boys finding romance with other boys, perfection and love are attained by the creation of a world that allows the once-forbidden emotion to run unimpeded as if our barangays have been transformed into wildly scented plantations of frangipanis and fire trees threatening to burn the world at any given time, let the cautionary and critical not be missed.

How many caricatures are grossly maintained of gay males if only to push the agenda that only eye candies have the right to love? How are women depicted in these tales of lost boys, to borrow a phrase from Jay Altarejos? What erasures and cancellations of identities are achieved? What lies are further made to the point of desexualizing characters or making them irrevocably, unrealistically innocent for the moralists to approve? n

Since premiering on GTV on February 14, the all-original comedy game show Game of the Gens has added even more laughter to Sunday nights. Hosted by award-winning comedian Sef Cadayona and athlete-actor Andre Paras, GOTG continues to bring unlimited good vibes as it keeps raising the bar to a whole new level of entertainment experience for all generations.

Sef, who is known for his comedic chops, is excited to bring their own unique spin to the show. “It’s different because all questions will come from different eras of pop culture that at times, some younger generations don’t even know existed. The audience and the players can always look forward to the fun and the energy of the show since we’re merging different generations of people together. We have great guests and contestants who will do their best to outwit one another,” he said.

For his part, Andre expressed his enthusiasm to be hosting the game show with Sef. He shared, “I was shocked when I learned aboput the offer because I had no idea I’d be among the names they would consider. But I always try to do what I can to make everyone happy and proud. Also, working with Sef doesn’t feel like work. It feels like I’m hanging out with my big brother and having a great time with our guests.”

Joining them in bringing top-notch entertainment in GOTG as the Gen Dolls are Mariko, Crissy and Mariel, former The Miss Tres of Britain’s Got Talent.

The program fuses singing, dancing and playing games by engaging two teams against each other in three rounds, namely, Tough Pick, Match Better, and List Mo Na ’Yan. Each team is composed of two pairs from different generations— Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Questions and topics vary from music, dance, entertainment, fashion, and trends from the different generations that are all relatable to the young and multigenerational. The winning pair will take home the jackpot prize of P300,000.

Under the helm of esteemed director Rico Gutierrez, Game of the Gens airs Sundays, 7:45 pm, on GTV. More information is available at www.gmanetwork.com.

Gary V, et al. stay with ABS-CBN

Home was the most recurring word during the contract renewal of ABS-CBN talents Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Francine Diaz, Donny Pangilinan and Gary Valenciano. For them, continuing to be with the network is but natural as they continue to call it their home.

First to sign a new contract at the event was Maymay, whose eyes sparkled with joy.

“Mahalaga sa akin ang pagiging Kapamilya dahil dito ako nagsimula. Para sila ang naging tulay ng mga pangarap ko. Dito ko nahanap ang purpose ko,” Maymay, who was last seen in the digital romcom movie Princess DayaReese, shared. She will continue to be part of ASAP Natin ’To and iWant ASAP. Meanwhile, Maymay’s love team partner, Edward, is ready to take more risks this 2021. According to the

host of the MYX online show “Kwentong Barber” on Kumu, “kailangan kong sumugal ng konti ngayong taon. To jump, to take risks. I’ll take a chance. I’ll train, not try.”

As for Francine Diaz, she is now busy preparing for her comeback in the much-awaited inspirational teleserye, Huwag Kang Mangamba, with the Gold Squad.

“Inaaral ko ang mga eksena, lalo na po ’yung scenes na kasama ako. Pero kinakabahan din po ako kasi kailangan marami kaming mabigay na message at lessons sa mga Kapamilya natin,” Francine explained.

One of the stars who also marked a career milestone with ABS-CBN was Donny Pangilinan, who will be seen next on the upcoming iWantTFC series He’s Into Her, opposite Belle Mariano.

“I’m glad to be here in my roots. Thank you so much ABS-CBN for giving me wings to fly as well,” Donny added.

Twenty-twenty’s Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor Arjo Atayde also inked a new contract with ABS-CBN and teased that he is already working on a new project for the network. Although Arjo was tightlipped about the project, he said that he’s excited to work again. He also became emotional while expressing his gratitude to the network.

“It [ABS-CBN] feels like home. For a lot of reasons they take care of us. They give us the projects we deserve, as long as we work hard for it. I just love being a Kapamilya and I will stay here no matter what,”

Arjo said who also received a special video message from girlfriend Maine Mendoza and his costar in The General’s Daughter, the formidable Maricel Soriano.

One of the pillars of OPM, Gary Valenciano was also filled with gratitude as he continues to be a Kapamilya. According to the star, who will still be seen every Sunday on ASAP Natin ’To, he and his co-artists will continue to spread happiness and inspiration. “What do I hope for this 2021? Just for us to continue to inspire and encourage so many people out there through our music, stories, dance.

Everything,” he said.

Like Arjo, the rest of the stars also received special video messages. Maymay’s mother in Japan greeted her, while Edward got a message from a charity organization in Thailand, called Friends of Thai Daughters. Meanwhile, Belle Mariano greeted Donny, and finally, Gary V’s granddaughter Leia gave a short, but adorable greeting.

Meanwhile, before the “Kapamilya Strong” event started, it already became a hot topic on Twitter, with multiple trending topics. Among the ABS-CBN executives present were chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO of broadcast Cory Vidanes, head of entertainment production and head of Star Magic Laurenti Dyogi, managing director of ABS-CBN Film Productions Olivia Lamasan, and head of finance Rick Tan.

GARY VALENCIANO

B6 Friday, March 12, 2021

SM Foundation extends application period for Pasay tech-voc scholarship

PASAY City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano and SM Prime SVP for Special Projects Siegfred Ramon Mison

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N close collaboration with the SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), Don Bosco One TVET Phils. Inc., and the City of Pasay, SM Foundation announced the extension of the application period for the SM-Pasay Technical-Vocational Scholarship Program until March 26, 2021.

The said tech-voc scholarship program is open to 17-30 year-old residents of Pasay city who have finished

at least the 10th Grade (For graduates of the new DepEd curriculum) or HS graduate (For graduates of the old DepEd curriculum), Single, and with a total household income less than PHP150,000 per year.

Aside from free tuition, the program will also provide monthly allowance and enrichment activities to successful applicants.

The 15-month training is composed of 10 months in-campus academic learning and 5 months On-the-Job Training (OJT) and will start June of 2021 for the following tech-voc courses: Automotive Servicing NC I; Electrical Installation & amp; Maintenance NC II; Machining NC II; Mechatronics Servicing NC II; Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II; and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning NC II. Interested applicants may get the SM- Pasay Tech Voc Scholarship Program application form and apply through the Pasay City Mayor’s office. Applicants may also download the application form at https://bit.ly/38mwKO1 and send it together with the pertinent documentary requirements online at pasaytechvoc@smfoundation.org.

For more updates, follow SM Foundation’s official social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube): @SMFoundationInc. SM Foundation, through its Scholarship program, provides deserving and qualified students with access to college education and technicalvocational studies since 1993. To date, SMFI has produced almost 5,500 scholargraduates nationwide.

‘Arts Inclusion and Diversity’ symposium highlights sharing of experiences among Asian countries

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HE Philippines has a lot to learn from fellow Asian countries namely Japan, Singapore, HongKong and Thailand.

These countries allot budget for their programs and projects for people with disabilities especially for children.

Thailand, for instance, has Lopburipanya School, a special school exclusive for PWDs. The school offers a special curriculum for children aged four to 18 years old. It's a huge public school funded

by Thai government and supported by various NGOs and philanthropic individuals, organizations and generous companies. Here, the students are provided with a dormitory, fed with nutritious food, given school uniform and other amenities all for free! Most of the students go home to their families at age 19 by the time they are employed or are ready for household chores which are taught and practice in school during the duration of their stay.

The school houses coffee shop which is being mainly operated by the students from preparing and serving the drinks up to cleaning the area.

There's also a beauty parlor where the students are trained in beauty culture, guided by their teachers.

Young as they are, the pupils are also being taught other skills such as fruit and vegetable carving, curry and sushi-making. They even join competitions with other schools to further hone their skills.

Teenage girls have actual training for laundry, ironing, towel folding and bed-making at accredited hotels while the boys go to authorized motor shops to learn motorcycle accessories and proper assembly.

The ever-smiling, soft-spoken Thai teachers also teach weaving, planting and gardening, farming, mushroom culture, carpentry, and selling/ entrepreneurship, among others.

In short, the students are being taught life skills which would arm them when they return to the actual, real world. This special curriculum was developed by Dr. Dr. Sujin Sawangsri, PhD, currently president of Workability Thailand, who was former principal of Lopburipanya.

He was an educator all his life before

SAORI Phillipines fashion featured at the international virtual symposium on March 6 coming to Jaifra farm social enterprise (organic farming) as manager. This unique curriculum is recognized and practiced in the whole region of Thailand which currently has 19 schools replicating the good practices at Lopburipanya School. Check out www. lopburipanya.com for more details.

Meanwhile, a special Saori weaving center is located at Nakano-cho Miyahojima-ku, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

Here, differently-abled individuals come and train for free for Saori, a handweaving program founded in 1968

by Misao Jo, which had produced over 40,000 weavers in Japan, regardless of age, gender, disability or intellectual aptitude. Today, the weaving technology is present in more than 40 countries including the Philippines.

In between weaving, arts classes on music, dancing and other crafts are held with the PWDs as participants.

Saori focuses on a unique weaving technique: the more mistakes, the better. The result is one-of-a-kind woven tapestry showcasing the individual’s creativity.

Here, the handloom weaving serves as a therapeutic rehabilitation for their physical, mental, social and vocational ability. It features a hand-held lever in place of the treadle in interchanging heddles to lock wefts. The handlooms also promote easy-weaving comprehension as they only need eye-hand coordination for their users.

The woven materials are transformed into products from cute kikay bags, ecobags and lady’s bags, wallets, passport holders, hats, headdresses, stuffed toys, key chains, earrings, scarves, shawls, vests, T-shirts, unisex tops and dresses, among others, and sold to supporters and arts crafts enthusiasts.

Over the years, Saori Osaka has been the training ground among Asians wanting to immerse themselves in the weaving therapy, interact with persons with disabilities and learn Japanese culture.

Just like in Japan and Thailand, various trainings and projects for the PWDs in Singapore and HongKong continues despite the pandemic though limited with most held online.

In the Philippines, Saori weaving has always been included at Saint Francis Integrared Arts School Inc'.s special curriculum called Saori Hands of Love.

Saint Francis School in Quezon City also served as an urban handweaving center, with four portable handweaving looms from Japan and Thailand, plus 10 looms designed and donated by the Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region-Philippine Textile Research Institute on May 4, 2018.

These are some of the experiences shared during the International Symposium for Arts Inclusion and Diversity, an online webinar held on March 6, 2021.

A collaboration project between Japan and the Philippines, the 4-hour webinar highlighted the exchange of experiences of nine Asian countries, namely, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan.

SFSIAS founder Rebecca Martinez Santos a and Yoko Hiroshiwa of Saori Japan spearheaded the project.

For more information, visit afa@ artforalljapan.org, https://www.facebook. com/ISAID2021. Japanese version available at http://artforalljapan.org/.

Watch the Saori Philippine presentation at https://m.youtube.com/ watch?v=9_O43txt5UE&feature=share

Meralco joins Pasig City BFP and DRRMO in promoting Fire Prevention Month

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ERALCO supported the observance of March as Fire Prevention Month by joining the kick-off motorcade of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and DRRMO in Pasig City, with the theme: "Sa Pag-iwas Sa Sunog, Hindi ka Nag-iisa" last February 28.

In recent years, Meralco and BFP Pasig have been partners in conducting fire safety trainings and electrical safety seminars.

With its aim to promote public safety and raise awareness on fire prevention, the event was participated by the BFP Pasig, PNP, Pasig LGU / DRRMO, Pasig DepEd, Pasig TPMO and various NGOs, barangay fire and emergency medical services volunteers. The event was led by Pasig City Fire Director, Supt. Arthur L. Sawate and Pasig City DRRMO Head, Mr. Bryant Q. Wong.

Heart advocates self-love for women

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N our attempt to make the most out of the new normal, finding and adding beauty in regular things have become the norm. As the season continues to motivate us to set higher standards of self-love for ourselves, spending a little extra to #FeelTheLuxeDifference can be a very rewarding experience.

Striking the perfect balance between form and function, Kotex introduces its NEW drawstring bag packaging to make our red days a most chic yet effortless experience. It’s protective, reusable, and too fashionable not to flaunt! Paired with the pads’ silky soft bubble bed, it’s the gold standard of self-love during red days: less friction, gentle skin protection, and luxurious skin comfort.

Self-love advocate and Kotex endorser Heart Evangelista weighs in on the importance of subtle changes as a reflection of how we can love ourselves more. “It’s the small choices, the little tweaks we make in our lives, that inevitably reflect how we feel and care for ourselves. With Kotex’s new packaging,

our pads are stylishly and properly kept in handy while we can be confident that we can experience luxurious skin comfort when we need it,“ the actress remarks.

Who are we to argue? As women, it is our right and responsibility to make ourselves feel our best, period or not. Follow the Kotex Philippines Facebook page to stay updated on latest announcements and updates. #FeelTheLuxeDifference and check out Kotex Luxe now!

‘Good Times with The Good Guys’ brings entertainment to SMDC’s residents and guests, supports OPM artists

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020’s Best Developer SM Development Corporation (SMDC) is once again ahead of its time in addressing the need of its residents for music and stress management.

The Good Guys also have a heart for Filipino artists and events industry personnel whose work was drastically affected by the pandemic. They recognize that, more than anything, the Filipino spirit needs a boost.

And so Good Times with The Good Guys was born. It’s a concert series held in different SMDC developments in Metro Manila, streamed via SMDC’s YouTube every Friday. The objectives are to help the Filipino music industry and events industry at this crucial time when events and mass gatherings are on hold, and to give residents and the general public something to look forward to, enjoy, and share every Friday night.

Residents and guests of an SMDC property where a Friday night concert is held are invited to be the audience of the guest OPM performer/s (following COVID-19 protocols). Those who tune in via the SMDC YouTube channel are treated to the same free entertainment and more:

a virtual tour of the SMDC property, both in and out.

This concept of bringing entertainment and music to their residents and guests started long before the pandemic and evolved with the changing times.

Before the pandemic, SMDC used to conduct Date Nights featuring famous celebrities and performers. From August until October last year, it featured Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos, Smokey Mountain, Angeline Quinto, Jay-R and Kayla, in a series of virtual SMDC Date Nights. This was followed by a partnership with Wish FM 107.5 which took its bus to SMDC properties and featured December Avenue, Ebe Dancel and Gloc-9, roadshow-style.

In late November, SMDC upped the ante with live performances in its communities, starting with Bamboo at Shell Residences in the MOA Complex and followed by Sponge Cola at Light Residences in Mandaluyong.

This month, listen to the soothing sounds of Moira dela Torre and get in the groove with KZ Tandingan via SMDC’s YouTube channel.

Spend Good Times with The Good Guys and get your weekly dose of OPM greats every Friday night.

Sports BusinessMirror

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

HARMIE ROOKIE CHAMP

PSC pays tribute to women on National Women’s Month

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HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is paying special tribute to the achievements and contributions of women leaders, athletes, coaches, employees and mothers in virtual programs to celebrate the National Women’s Month this March.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez stressed the extraordinary roles of women in creating social change and development in the country.

“To all women, grandmothers and mothers, you deserve equal rights, equal treatment and equal opportunity,” Ramirez said. “In war, in calamities, in a pandemic, even in sports competitions, women play very important roles.”

Ramirez offered a toast to the strength and resilience of women, saying “today is an opportunity to reflect and admire women for

their constant strength and resilience.”

“Their help shapes us as persons and as a nation. For all the things you do, thank you and I wish you all a happy women’s day,” he added.

The PSC remained active and consistent with its programs for Women in Sports even during this health crisis. A series of free online seminars were conducted to push its drive for gender equality and women empowerment.

“This is our holistic approach to reach out to all the women in the country to be active in our leadership programs and encourage them to live a healthier lifestyle,” PSC oversight Commissioner for Women in Sports Celia Kiram said.

The PSC’s Rise up Shape up (RUSU)—a weekly web series that streams every Saturday on Facebook and YouTube—features women experts and personalities who inspire and empower ladies in different fields.

AFC stint boost for PHL football

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IN or lose, United City Football Club’s upcoming stint in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League would not only benefit the club but the entire Philippine football as well, according to United City president Eric Gottschalk.

“That’s too impactful,” Gottschalk told BusinessMirror in a phone interview over the weekend. “This type of exposure will be of benefit not only to my club, but the whole Philippine football scene.”

Besides United City, Kaya Football Club will also see action in the Champions’ League preliminary stage by virtue of the two club’s 1-2 finish in the Philippine Football League last season.

“With Kaya and United City playing in Asian competitions, we’ll draw a lot of eyeballs in what’s happening in Philippine football,” he

said. “The sports teams are going to be good, they’re competitive, and a lot of people will take notice of what Philippine football is all about.”

United City is bracketed in Group I of the group stage with Beijing (China), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) and winner of the preliminary match between Daegu (South Korea and Chiangrai United (Thailand).

The top Philippine Club plays Beijing on April 21, the winner of the Daegu-Changrai match on April 24, Kawasaki Frontale on April 27 and April 30, Beijing again on May 3.

If United City finishes in the top two in its group, the team advances to the round-of-16.

Kaya, on the other hand, needs to beat Brisbane Roar on April 7 to advance further.

Venues and times of the matches will still be determined because of concerns on the pandemic.

Harmie Constantino shines in her professional debut.

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OOKIE Harmie Constantino proved clutch as she birdied No. 13 for a crucial two-shot swing then matched Princess Superal’s birdie on the 16th to claim the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Eagle Ridge Challenge crown by two on a closing 73 at the

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USTIN QUIBAN stumbled in blustery finish and holed out with a double-bogey for a 73, enabling a slew of others, including fancied Miguel Tabuena, to close in that all but set the stage for a wild finish in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Eagle Ridge Challenge on Thursday in General Trias, Cavite.

Dispatching erstwhile co-leader Michael Bibat with birdies on Nos. 13 and 16 to seize firm control, Quiban went 3-up over his nearest pursuers heading to the par-four 18th. But he missed a couple of shots while battling the gusts and ended up yielding two strokes on Aoki layout’s tough finishing par-4 hole.

But his one-over card, which came after he vaulted into a share of the lead with Bibat with a 65 Wednesday, still proved enough to keep him on top of the leaderboard as he assembled a 213 and closer to a third career victory after a breakthrough at the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT)

PNVF picks national coaches for Vietnam SEAG bid

VOLLEYBALL federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara (center) and secretary general Don Caringal (second from left) join newly-appointed national coaches (from left) Paul John Doloiras (women’s beach volleyball), Arthur “Odjie” Mamon (women’s volleyball), Dante Alinsunurin (men’s volleyball) and Rhovyl Verayo (men’s beach volleyball) in posing for unity.

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HE Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) appointed Arthur “Odjie” Mamon and Dante Alinsunurin as the national women’s and men’s volleyball coaches, respectively, according to PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

Also appointed were national beach volleyball coaches Rhovyl Verayo (men) and Paul John Doloiras (women).

“After careful and stringent deliberation and evaluation, the federation selected coaches Odjie and Dante, both of who brings with them impressive and credible credentials,” Suzara said.

The coaches will primarily focus on the country’s campaign in the Hanoi 31st Southeast Asian Games where the men’s team hopes to improve on its silver from the 2019 SEA Games and the women’s team targeting a podium finish.

The National Team Commission headed

by Tonyboy Liao and National Coaches Commission under Jerry Yee made the

recommendation to the PNVF board on the composition of the national coaching staff.

Assisting Mamon are Grace Antigua and former Ateneo de Manila University Coach Tai Bundit of Thailand.

Alinsunurin, who coached the country to that silver medal in the Philippine SEA Games two years ago, have Ariel de la Cruz and Sherwin Meneses as assistants.

“Our appointed coaches will do whatever it takes to assemble the best ever team in the SEA Games with their vast coaching experience even during this situation,” Suzara said. “So we’re confident Volleyball Philippines is in good hands.”

“It’s a call to duty for the national colors and you can’t decline once the country asks for your service,” said Mamon, who owns a 24-year coaching experience highlighted by women’s bronze medal finishes in the Kuala Lumpur 2001 (head coach) and Hanoi 2003 (assistant coach) SEA Games.

“Everybody is affected by the pandemic, but we are hoping to maintain our finish in the last SEA Games,” said Alinsunurin, who also coaches National University men’s team. “We have to work really, really hard if we want to win a gold medal.”

Verayo, on the other hand, expressed confidence over the beach volleyball players’ mindset and physical condition despite the pandemic.

“We’ll do everything to get a gold because our program is improving,” said Verayo, who will be assisted on the bench by Jason Gabales and Reycarl Dimaculangan.

Doloiras, meanwhile, said they are looking beyond the bronze medal Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons clinched in the last SEA Games.

“We are all affected by the pandemic so we’re focusing on the conditioning of the players,” Doloiras said. “We will do our best to improve slowly every game until SEA Games.”

Trollano reunites with Coach Yeng

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Celedonio “Don” Trollano is now a Road Warrior.

By Josef Ramos

ELEDONIO “DON”TROLLANO is happy to be back under coach Yeng Guiao after the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Trade Committee approved on Thursday a three-team deal that involved five players and Rookie Draft picks.

“I’m so happy to reunite with my first PBA coach, it feels really good,” the 6-foot-3 former Adamson University swingman Trollano told BusinessMirror minutes after learning about the transaction.

Trollano, who played his first three seasons in the PBA under Guiao at Rain or Shine starting in 2015, was traded by Blackwater along with Shej Roi Sumang and big man Maurice Shaw—plus a 2022 second round draft pick—to TNT Tropang Giga.

TNT, on the other hand, sent sweetshooting Simon Enciso and bruiser David Semerad its 2023 first round and 2024 second round picks. The Tropang Giga then dealt Trollano and its 2022 second round pick to the Road Warriors.

Friday, March 12, 2021 B7

NLEX also gave to TNT its No. 4 first-round pick in this Sunday’s online 2021 Rookie Draft.

“Coach Yeng [Guiao] gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent and helped me establish my name in the league,” said Trollano, who was also on Guiao’s team in the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games.

Guiao even called Trollano “Don Clarkson” for subbing for the disqualified National Basketball Association player, Filipino-American Jordan.

“As a player, you have to give your best to win every game. I also won my first title with coach Yeng. I’m hoping we can win a title together again,” Trollano added.

Trollano averaged 14.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 11 games for the Elite in the Philippine Cup bubble last season.

“This will give us a chance to fill Ray’s [Parks] role. Hopefully [Joshua] Munzon or Jamie Malonzo are still available [in the draft],” Reyes said.

Parks Jr. decided to go into a sabbatical in the upcoming 46th season because of personal reasons.

Aoki course on Thursday in General Trias, Cavite.

Constantino blew a two-stroke lead with back-to-back bogeys from No. 11 but recovered her bearing and touch to birdie the par-4 13th, which Superal bogeyed that led to a 74, enabling the former to regain a two-stroke cushion, which she used as springboard to mark her pro debut with a resounding victory.

“I felt pretty good—starting my first pro tournament with a win,” said Constantino, who actually nailed a win on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour as an amateur when she fashioned out a nine-stroke triumph at Mt. Malarayat in 2016.

“But I really didn’t expect anything here.

I’m here to have fun and enjoy the day,” added the former University of Georgia standout, who pocketed the top P72,000 purse on a 54-hole total of 215 that included rounds of 73 and 69.

She hiked her lead to two at the turn despite

a 37 marked by three birdies but marred by two bogeys and a double-bogey on No. 8 and dropped to joint lead with those early backside bogeys.

Superal put the pressure on Constantino with a birdie on the first hole to draw level but reeled back with bogeys on Nos. 5, 7 and 8 on missed hits and missed greens although she forced an all-square match again as Constantino faltered on Nos. 11 and 12.

But the 2019 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) Order of Merit champion uncharacteristically cracked under pressure against her rookie rival, yielding a costly stroke on No. 13. And though she made some late charge with a birdie on the 16, Constantino just shook off the threat and matched that feat.

Superal wound up with

Quiban hangs on to lead at Aoki Asia in Luisita in 2017 and a dominant win in PGT Bacolod in 2018.

“I didn’t drive quite well and hit [irons] not so well either,” rued Quiban who described his 37-36 round that featured three birdies and two bogeys as mediocre. “But at least I was able to go up-and-down in some holes that minimized the damage.”

But his late miscue guaranteed a slam-bang finish to the P2 million event kicking off the 2021 Philippine Golf Tour season sponsored by ICTSI as Tabuena moved into strong contention on two late birdies for a 70, one of the two best scores in scorching, punishing day at one of Eagle Ridge’s four championship courses.

Tabuena, who failed to figure in the two Riviera events late last year, birdied Nos. 14 and 16 and tied Zanieboy Gialon, who also birdied

the 16th, for a 73, at 214 while Richard Sinfuego also rallied late with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to save a 74 for a 215, just two strokes off Quiban.

“Considering the wind, I think I played pretty solid although I could’ve played more aggressive off the tee which I might do tomorrow [today],” said Tabuena, who also gained strokes on Nos. 1 and 12 to offset his bogeys on Nos. 11 and 13.

“I like where I’m at and think I have a big chance tomorrow [Friday],” added the former two-time Philippine Open champion, who hinted at going on an attack mode in the final 18 holes of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., saying: “I might be a little more aggressive to give myself more chances.”

JUSTIN QUIBAN keeps the pace despite a 73.

a two-over card and a 217 and settled for a second straight runner-up finish after ruling the Riviera Couples leg last November and losing the Pauline del Rosario at Riviera Langer.

Del Rosario, who pulled to within four after 36 holes, remained in the hunt with frontside 36 but faded with a double-bogey mishap on No. 13 and a bogey on the 16th. She finished with a 75 for third at 221.

Chanelle Avaricio turned in a 75 for fourth at 228 while Daniella Uy struggled with an 80 for sixth at 230 followed by amateur Laurea Duque (82-235), Marvi Monsalve (81-245), Sunshine Baraquiel (85-247), Cyna Rodriguez (84247), Gretchen Villacencio (79247) and Pamela Mariano (83-248).

Motoring BusinessMirror

B8 Friday, March 12, 2021

Editor: Tet Andolong

Isuzu turns over Traviz units to Tiaong LGU

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Story by Randy S. Peregrino

SUZU Philippines Corp. (IPC) recently handed over 25 units of Traviz light-duty trucks to the progressive municipality of Tiaong in Quezon Province.

LTAI Governor & vice president of Toshiba Information Equipment Philippines Inc. Haruyuki Kurihara (from left), IPC Assistant vice president for Administration Dave Yandoc, IPC executive vice president Shojiro Sakoda, IPC president Hajime Koso, LTAI Vice-Chairman & President of Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation Masatoshi Sasaki, LTAI Treasurer & vice president of Nidec Philippines Tetsuya Nakao, LTAI Governor & Senior vice president of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. Delfin De Guzman, and LTAI Governor & president of Orient Goldcrest Realty Wellington Ong. Isuzu Philippines

Truck Elite Sales Executive Rolan Isaac Torres (from left), IPC Dealer Sales Department Head Mario Ojales, IPC Division Head for Sales Joseph Bautista, Tiaong Municipal Mayor Ramon Preza, Isuzu Pagbilao president and General Manager Marcial Tolentino, and Isuzu Pagbilao Sales Director Marcel Joseph Tolentino

The fleet of Isuzu light-duty trucks are fitted with emergency response-type utility van body to provide efficient and effective multipurpose duties for the municipality’s citizens.

In a simple turnover ceremony

held at Tiaong municipal grounds, none other Mayor William Razon, together with Councilor JP Preza and the 25 Barangay Captains of the municipality, graced the event. IPC and Isuzu Pagbilao dealership executives were also present.

According to IPC Division Head for Sales Joseph Bautista, through the Traviz, the company continues its strong partnership with various Philippine society sectors, especially in public service, to fulfill its commitment to be “Your Responsible Partner.” “We are confident that these Isuzu Traviz lightweight trucks will perform even beyond expectations for the different barangays here in Tiaong, and you can count on its durability and reliability that your municipality made a very wise investment in purchasing these Isuzu trucks—because an Isuzu truck really goes a long way,” he said.

The Isuzu Traviz is powered by the Euro 4-rated 4JA1 2.5-liter Direct

Ford boosts off-road capability with new Ranger FX4 MAX F ORD Philippines unveiled the Ford Ranger FX4 MAX, a new Ranger pickup truck that delivers off-road driving capabilities inspired by the Ranger Raptor while

living up to the Ranger’s brand of comfort, safety, and versatility.

“The Ranger FX4 MAX is definitely a strong addition to our growing Ranger portfolio

and further boosts the off-road capabilities of our trucks,” said PK Umashankar, president and managing director, Ford Philippines. “It is the perfect pickup for customers who seek adventures as it is equipped with features that offer confidence and convenience in taking on the roads less traveled.”

Upping the ante in off-road driving

The FX4 MAX’s suspension brings an off-road stance and capability with the new 2.0inch monotube FOX shock absorbers in both front and rear. The rear suspension has a remote reservoir and leaf springs, enabling rapid recovery from extensive and prolonged off-road use. These are teamed with tuned coil-springs at the front. The leaf springs have been modified to provide greater compliance off road, while balancing payload and towing capability.

Tough look outside, premium feel inside

The Ranger FX4 MAX stands out from the crowd with a tough and sporty design that reflects its rugged personality and off-roading capabilities.

Injection Common Rail Blue Power diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It can carry up to 1.6 tons of payload—the heaviest in the lightweight truck category.

The Traviz offers numerous advantages such as a spacious interior cabin with better legroom, a more ergonomic, and comfortable—thus safer—driving position. With better maneuverability and a short turning radius of 4.5 meters, the Traviz is ideal for multi-purpose trips in various barangays.

Apart from these features, two other key factors that made the Tiaong local government decide to purchase the Traviz were Isuzu Philippines’s commitment to comprehensive aftersales and nation-

wide parts availability. Further, their long-standing relationship with Isuzu Pagbilao has been consistently assisting the municipality in its transportation needs.

Laguna Technopark Association receives Traviz Ambulance and Modern PUV

Meanwhile, IPC continues its unwavering commitment to being “Your Responsible Partner.”

In a recent ceremony held at the company’s open grounds, a Traviz light-duty truck and modern PUV units were turned over to the Laguna Technopark Association Incorporated (LTAI). Both IPC president Hajime Koso and LTAI Vice-Chairman Masatoshi Sasaki graced the event.

Volvo child seat, Lexus IS & Honda prices

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HILE a moratorium on the children’s car-seat debate is on, I received a timely piece from Paolo Ella, a trusted lieutenant of Albert Arcilla, the Covenant’s eminent top honcho that handles Volvo among many other brands of note. Volvo has consistently won awards for safety features worldwide. Here: An estimated 1.35 million people die in traffic accidents yearly. The World Health Organization (WHO) also says that children aged five and those under-29 figured prominently in such mishaps.

These figures add fuel to Volvo’s passion for finding solutions to minimize road injuries.

In 1964, just a few years after Volvo had unselfishly shared the three-point seatbelt with the world in 1959. Volvo also began testing rearward-facing child seats.

Since then, it has progressively improved on safety technologies explicitly designed for children in cars. Today, Volvo has some of the most advanced and comfortable child seats in the world.

Backed by decades of safety research, Volvo underlines the importance of using child restraint systems appropriate for children’s age, height, and weight. As a pioneer in child safety, Volvo’s testing and clear installation guidelines for parents and caregivers are unequaled.

Volvo’s unique approach to child safety has led to creating and carrying out tests based on real-life traffic situations. These tests enable Volvo to tailor car designs based on how each child seat performs in a real-life car environment. As a result of over 40 years of in-depth research, Volvo strongly recommends using rearward-facing child seats for children up to age four, simply because their neck

is too weak to support the head.

For more information, visit https://www.volvocars.com/ph/whyvolvo/human-innovation/future-ofdriving/safety/child-safety.

Lexus IS 300h

JADE B. Sison, Raymond T. Rodriguez’s leading front liner, is my honored guest yet again.

“Through rigorous development and testing, the new IS was born and bred at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama Test Track—where the toughest and most challenging roads in the world are found.

“The outcome was an IS lineup that is agile and provocative. First to be introduced locally were the pulse-pounding IS 350 F Sport (P3,808,000) and the IS 300h Premier (P3,328,000).

Now comes the IS 300h.

“It is powered by a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder mated to a Lexus E-CVT intelligent transmission for optimum efficiency in every driving condition.

“The 16-valve DOHC dual VVTi petrol engine is paired with an equally powerful electric motor. When in tandem, power delivered to the rear wheels is a combined 220hp.

Zero to 100kph happens in a swift 8.7 seconds. Maximum torque is an impressive 221Nm. Even more noteworthy is the kind of fuel efficiency the IS 300h delivers. The EV Drive Mode lets you use the electric motor at slow speeds. This in turn reduces emissions and saves on fuel.

“Keeping drivers engaged and in full control is a suspension system that was tuned and refined in the Shimoyama Test Track. The doublewishbone front suspension and multi-link rear is complemented by ABS; Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA); and a Traction Control System. The IS 300h will bring out the sporty driver in

The Traviz light-duty truck is fitted with a customized ambulance body to serve as an addition to the fleet of vehicles for emergency operations inside the park. The modern PUV, meantime, was donated by IPC to show its continuous support to LTAI and to help augment the association’s daily operations shuttling its park employees and tenants.

In his speech, Koso lauded LTAI for its deep and genuine concern for its people, especially amid a raging pandemic. “Times like these are indeed difficult as the crisis stretches on. That is why we need companies like LTAI that are willing to go above and beyond mere business by putting their employees and tenants first.

IPC has vowed to provide support to such an organization with a heart for making other people’s welfare a priority,” he said.

Koso also added that the association would further enhance the level of service for its stakeholders with these two additional units. “IPC is delighted to help LTAI transport Covid-19 suspected patients to hospitals or any healthcare facilities. We firmly believe that these Isuzu PUV and Isuzu Traviz ambulance—with its renowned durability, comfort, and safety—would support your future operations in terms of providing swift, efficient, and unhampered transportation,” he said.

Aside from the Traviz Ambulance unit, LTAI is also set to purchase, within the year, another Isuzu light commercial vehicle, a D-MAX pickup, to serve as a security service unit.

you—if you so desire.

“Passenger safety provides for eight sensor-controlled airbags.

“The IS 300h will slice through the air with its sculpted aerodynamics.

It all begins with the low and imposing stance that’s a full 30 millimeters wider than its predecessor.

“Topping things off are fresh 18inch alloy wheels shod with 235/45 R18 tires.

“Considering it is equipped with sophisticated hybrid technology and with a Takumi-level of craftsmanship, its price of P2,978,000 undercuts its closest German rival— a model not offered with a hybrid drivetrain locally.”

Honda’s new prices

COLENE Jalalon of Honda sent me the following new pricing for the following models:

The new price scheme was in response to the government’s provisional safeguard duties collectively hatched by the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Customs and Tariff Commission.

Colene also said that other Honda buyers without the required cash deposit may enjoy the pre-safeguard duty stocks with limited volume available at their preferred Honda dealerships nationwide.

“Our dear customers continue to be Honda’s top priority at all times.

We are hoping that with the aforementioned efforts, we will be able to extend a helping hand to our customers in addressing this challenge,” said Honda president Masahiko Nakamura.

Visit www.hondaphil.com for more details.

PEE STOP I see another Toyota winner in the new Vios GR-Sports, which was unveiled to a smashing success just two days ago (Wednesday). Cheers!