BusinessMirror March 18, 2022 by BusinessMirror

Govt may yet buy into Shell Malampaya stake By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE government, through the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC), may yet purchase a “certain percentage” of Shell Petroleum N.V.’s stake in the offshore Malampaya gas-to-power project. “There is a possibility that we might be able to get certain percentage of Shell’s share. PNOCEC might be able to get that and they are currently in discussions,” Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who is also PNOC chairman, said during the

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA JOURNALISM AWARDS ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA JOURNALISM AWARDS

2006 National Newspaper of the Year 2006 National Newspaper of the Year 2011 National Newspaper of the Year 2011 National Newspaper of the Year 2013 Business Newspaper of the Year 2013 Business Newspaper of the Year 2017 Business Newspaper of the Year 2017 Business Newspaper of the Year 2019 Business Newspaper of the Year 2019 Business Newspaper of the Year 2021 Patria Award 2021 ProPro Patria Award PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY 2018 Data Champion PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY 2018 Data Champion

Rotary Club of Manila 35th weekly membership meeting on Thursday. There was no comment from PNOC-EC as of press time. In December 2021, PNOC-EC, which holds a 10-percent stake in the Malampaya consortium, said it did not give its consent to the $380-million deal between Malampaya operator Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) and Udenna Corporation’s Malampaya Energy XP Pte. Ltd. The consortium is composed of PNOC-EC (10 percent), SPEX (45 percent) and UC38 LLC (45 percent), a subsidiary of Udenna Corp. (UC). It can be recalled that the Chev-

“We waived our right to match but did not give consent, [so the sale did not push through. The negotiation continues].” – DOE Sec. Alfonso Cusi

ron Malampaya, which was renamed UC38 LLC, sold its 45-percent stake to the group of Davao businessman Dennis Uy. The deal was approved by the DOE.

Later, SPEX sold its stake to Malampaya Energy for $380 million, with additional payments of up to $80 million between 2022 and 2024, contingent on asset performance and commodity prices. Though PNOC-EC already waived its right to match the offer of Malampaya Energy said it did not give its consent. “We waived our right to match but did not give consent, so hindi pa natuloy ang bentahan. Tuloy pa ang negotiation [so the sale did not push through. The negotiation continues],” added Cusi, referring to the SPEX-Udenna deal. See “Govt,” A2

BusinessMirror Abroader broaderlook lookat attoday’s today’sbusiness business A broader look at today’s business A Sunday, December 5,2021 2021 Vol. 17No. No.5858 Friday,December March 18,5,2022 Vol.Vol. 1717 No. 161 Sunday,

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Measures vs impact of oil price upticks in place–BSP

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE national government incurred a much wider budget deficit in January at P23.4 billion, higher by 66.3 percent than P14.1 billion in the same month last year.

R ANK ING Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) executive said Thursday while wage and fare hike proposals have been made due to fuel price increases, the government is not remiss in alleviating the public’s welfare. “ W hat is impor t a nt, we think, is that the government The bigger budget shortfall for the first is pursuing firm measures to month of the year resulted from government temper the impact, the negaexpenditures exceeding state revenues. tive impact of the increase in Latest data from the Bureau of the Treaoil prices,” BSP Department of sury showed the government spent a total of Economic Research managing P301.5 billion in January, up by 9.7 percent director Zeno Ronald Abenoja year-on-year from P274.8 billion. said in a virtual briefing aired The Treasury said this is partly due to over the central bank ’s Facethe higher National Tax Allocation (NTA) HANDWASHING FACILITY Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (middle) is joined by Chinese Embassy Education Counselor Xiong Sheng and Makati High School Principal book page. shares released by the national government Va r iou s t r a n s p or t g roups Felix T. Bunagan as they wash their hands during the turnover of the handwashing facility donated by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China at the Makati High School on Thursday, to local government units with the start of have filed for fare hike petitions March 17, 2022. NONOY LACZA the implementation of the Supreme Court’s while the Trade Union Congress Mandanas ruling. of the Philippines (TUCP) has However, revenues collected by the govpetitioned for a P470 increase ernment in the same period only reached in minimum wage rate in the P 278 .1 bi l l ion . Nonet he less, t h i s i s a National Capital Region (NCR) amid oil price increases in the 6.65-percent increase from P260.7 billion i nter n at ion a l m a rket, wh ic h recorded a year ago. By Cai U. Ordinario dent Stefano Paolo Buñag of WPO [World Packaging goes on Russia’s oil supply have impacted domestic f uel Bulk of the total revenues came from taxes @caiordinario said regional integration Organization] on the cruare in effect, commodity prices. amounting to P255.3 billion while non-tax needed by regional and globcial aspect of population as prices will keep rising. However, officials of various collection reached P22.8 billion. H E l a r ge st t r ade al supply chains through the a development factor, this Pienaar said prices of departments have discounted Most of the tax revenues came from the ag reement i n t he RCEP can help reduce comtime, covering a market of practically all soft comthe need for these hikes and government’s main collection agency, the Buworld, the Regional modity prices. around 2.2 billion people, modities in agricultural, instead recommended, among reau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which raked Comprehensive Economic RCEP, Buñag said, helps which is about 30 percent of livestock and meat, to hard others, the implementation of in P195.8 billion. This was up by 7.48 perPartnership (RCEP), could in harmonizing the utilithe world’s population and commodities like energ y products, withhosts hostsand and ByManuel Manuel Cayon consumersbecome become more discernashows four-day workweek. cent from P182.2 billionBy in January last year. play a major role in reducing zation more of modern technolroughly producing $26.2 and metal products, have shows ofofproducts, with T.T.Cayon consumers discernguests providing more detailsand and ing andconnected, connected, weare areseeing seeing Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs corAbenoja saidmore the details wage and food costs amid theing spike og y, packaging, processtrillion worth of global outincreased and disturbed the guests providing and we giving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening giving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening minimum fare hike proposals nered P58.3 billion in tax revenues, which in oil prices and other coming and logistics for more put,” added Buñag. supply and demand balance Itwould wouldalso also helpbrands brands intheretail retailsector completely help inininthe are Itexpected given the rising is better by over a fifth from P47.3 billion modities brought by the war esector f f e c that t that i v ecompletely a n d e f f i c i e nt WPO President Pierre as well as packaging to logisonflexible flexible salespromopromoreimagine the the shopping experinovate shopping fnovate uel pron ices and tsales heir impact on the back of improved valuation and gradin Eastern Europe. reimagine global trade. experiPienaar earlier said that as tics correlation. tions, suchasasgiving discounts, ence,” GunjanSoni, Soni, chief executive tions, such discounts, ence,” Gunjan chief executive on commodit ygiving pr ices, among ual improvement of importation volume, Packaging Institute of “ The RCEP of Asean’s long as the war in Eastern and offering easier and attracofficer of the Zalora Group, told an and offering easier and attracofficer of the Zalora Group, told an See “RCEP,” A2 others. among others. the Philippines (PIP) Presifocus is aligned with that Europe persists and embartivepayment paymentoptions optionssuch suchasasthe the onlinepresentation presentationofofits itsTrender Trender tive online See “Measures,” A2 buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) opReport2021. 2021. buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) opReport See “Budget,” A2 tion,which, which,ititsaid, said,emerged emergedasas Shedescribed describedthe the“shoppers “shoppersofof tion, She themost mostpopular popularoption optionamong among tomorrow”asas“digital “digitaland anddiverse diverse the tomorrow” Asian shoppers. across Southeast Asia.” Asian shoppers. across Southeast Asia.” n US 52.2850 n japan 0.4402 n UK 68.7861 n HK 6.6870 n CHINA 8.2315 n singapore 38.4873 n australia 38.0896 n EU 57.6913 n SAUDI arabia 13.9360 Source: BSP (March 17, 2022) Indonesia, for for example, example, “It’s a a digital digital diaspora,” diaspora,” she she InIn Indonesia, “It’s Google saw saw a a “10x “10x increase increase inin said,citing citingGoogle Googletrend trendmonitormonitorGoogle said, searchesfor fore-wallet e-walletservices servicesand and ingthat thatshows shows40 40million millionnew newInInsearches ing 15xrise riseininBNPL BNPLservices servicesininthe the ternetusers userscame cameonline onlineinin2021, 2021, 15x ternet lastfive fiveyears. years.Other Otherappealing appealing “bringingthe theinternet internetpenetration penetration last “bringing payment options options like like monthly monthly SoutheastAsia Asiatoto75 75percent.” percent.” payment ininSoutheast installments,toto00percent percentinterinter“Infact, fact,eight eightout outofof10 10InterInterinstallments, “In estfees feeson oncredit creditcards, cards,provide provide netusers usersininthe theregion regionare aredigidigiest net access toto quality quality products products and and talconsumers. consumers.Recognizing Recognizingthis this talsavviness savvinessand andtaste tastefor forluxury luxury Internetand andelectronic electroniccommunicommuniaccess tal tal Internet serviceswhile whilealso alsoimproving improvingfi-fiFor one, one, the the Southeast Southeast Asia Asia shiftininadoption, adoption,brands brandsquickly quickly andsustainability. sustainability. cationgadgets gadgetsbybytheir theirside. side.Google Google services For and shift cation nancialinclusion. inclusion. Trender Report Report 2021 2021 byby Zalora Zalora expandedtheir theironline onlinepresence presencetoto “Thereport reportisispositioned positionedasasa a trendshows showsMalaysian Malaysianshoppers shoppers nancial Trender “The expanded trend Zalora,for forinstance, instance,offers offers21 21 showsthat that40 40million millionAsians Asiansmade made reachthese thesenew newdigital digitalconsumconsumreferencepoint pointthat thathelps helpsZalora’s Zalora’s spendclose closetoto99hours hoursonline onlineon on Zalora, shows reference reach spend paymentmethods methodsacross acrossthe thereretheirdebut debutininInternet Internetuse useand and70 70 ers,and andZalora Zalorareported reporteda a19-per19-per900brand brandpartners partnersnavigate navigatethe the average,“and “andare arethe themost mostlikely likelytoto payment their 900 ers, average, gion, including including cash-on-delivery cash-on-delivery millionhave havemade madetheir theirfirst firstonline online centincrease increaseininnew newbrands brandsthat that region’sdiversity diversityand andevolving evolvingrerevalue-driven.” gion, million region’s cent bebevalue-driven.” andBNPL BNPLoptions optionsacross acrossthe themarmarpurchasewithin withinthe the2020 2020and and2021 2021 joinedthe theplatform platforminin2021,” 2021,”she she taillandscape,” landscape,”Zalora’s Zalora’sCEO CEOGunGunSingaporean shoppers shoppers are are and purchase tail joined Singaporean kets.ItItlaunched launchedits itsfirst firstco-brandco-brandperiod, many many ofof them them attracted attracted added. janSoni Sonisaid. said. mostlikely likelytotoinvest investininluxury luxurypurpurkets. period, jan added. most creditcard cardininpartnership partnershipwith with anddrawn drawninto intoactual actualpurchase purchasebyby Withmore moreSoutheast SoutheastAsians Asians Aside from from digital digital partners partners chases, with with Google Google search search data data ededcredit and Aside With chases, RCBCand andMastercard Mastercardininthe thePhilPhilproductsales salespromotion promotionand anddisdisbrowsingnow nowand andgetting gettingthemthemlike Google, Google, Mastercard, Mastercard, H&M, H&M, showinga a21-percent 21-percentyear-on-year year-on-year RCBC product like browsing showing ippines,the thefirst-ever first-everfashion fashionand and countofferings. offerings. selves more more online, online, the the average average Lush,Paula’s Paula’sChoice, Choice,HABIB, HABIB,AtAtincreaseininSingaporeans’ Singaporeans’searches searches ippines, count Lush, selves increase

‘DIGITAL DIASPORA’

RCEP COULD HELP BLUNT OIL SPIKE IMPACT ON FOOD

NMEDIA | DREAMSTIME.COM NMEDIA | DREAMSTIME.COM

Onlineshopping shoppingplatform platformnotes notesbehavioral behavioralshift shift Online amongconsumers, consumers,T brandmakers makersamid amidCovid Covid among brand

BANG OLAND | DREAMSTIME.COM BANG OLAND | DREAMSTIME.COM

AVAOCITY—A CITY—Aleading leading AVAO onlinebrand brandretailer retailerin inAsia Asia online seeingaasharp sharpbehavioral behavioral isisseeing shiftamong among consumers consumersand andbrand brand shift makersthat thatmay mayreinvent reinventand andinnovate innovate makers approaches, especially fromthe thelatter, latter, approaches, especially PESO exchange ratesfrom asdata dataanalytics—since analytics—sincethe theonset onsetof ofthe the as pandemic—indicatethe theemergence emergenceof of pandemic—indicate morediscerning discerningconsumers consumersadaptive adaptiveto to more electronic,or oronline, online,shopping shoppingexperience. experience. electronic,

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Comelec vows impartial debates as presidential, VP bets face off By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

HE Commission on Elections vowed to be impartial in conducting its organized debates series, which start this weekend.

Comelec Commissioner George M. Garcia made the commitment as he urged voters to watch their five-part debates series for presidential candidates and vice presi-

dential candidates. He noted the activity will help voters make an informed choice during the May 9, 2022 polls. “Our contribution is at least

Measures... “However, there is no fare hike adjustment that has been granted and there are discus-

Continued from A1

sions on whether there’s room for wage adjustment at this time,” he said.

ensuring that the voters are fully aware of who they are voting for and what [are] their qualifications for the positions [they are running for],” Garcia said during a press conference last Thursday. “We will be able to do it impartially, fairly and at the same [time give] equal opportunity to everyone,” he added. The first of the debate series, for presidential candidates, will be held on March 19, 2022 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City. All of the 10 presidential candidates, except Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., have confirmed they will attend.

The debate will have: Ernesto C. Abella, Leodegario “Leody” Q. de Guzman, Francisco “Isko” M. D om a go s o, Nor b e to B . Gonzales, Panfilo “Ping” M . L a c s o n , E m m a nu e l “Manny” D. Pacquiao, Faisal M. Mangondato, Jose C. Montemayor and Mar ia Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo. The second leg of the debates, for vice presidential candidates, will also be held in Sofitel on March 20, 2022. Those confirmed to attend the event are Walden

F. Bello, Rizalito Y. David, Manny SD Lopez, Willie T. Ong , Fra nc is “K i ko” N. Pang i l inan, Carlos G. Serapio, and Vicente “ Tito” C. Sotto. Jose L ito L . At ien z a dec l i ned to at tend t he event due to medical reasons, while Sara DuterteCarpio has yet to respond to Comelec’s invitation to participate. The event will be broadcast in local channels and livestreamed in Comelec’s Facebook and YouTube accounts.

Abenoja said the government is considering further opening up the economy to allow more economic activities which will provide people more opportunities and help lessen the impact of jumps in oil and commodity prices.

He added the targeted subsidy program for drivers and operators of public utility vehicles, as well as farmers and fisherfolk, is also a way to “alleviate pressures on petitions for fare hike adjustments.” Abenoja said there are also various measures to help temper any price increases in food prices, such as agricultural products. “So all of these measures, we think, are very important in trying to

address possible secondround effects,” he said, adding “at the end of the day, we’ll continue to observe inflation expectations and the discussions on possible second-round effects.” Abenoja said assessments on these factors will be discussed by monetary authorities during the next rate-setting meeting of the policymaking Monetary Board on March 24. PNA

RCEP... Continued from A1

“Food requirement is directly proportional to need, and the need is equal to the global population and as population is increasing, the overall cost of living is increasing too at a rate directly proportional to pandemics, wars, adversities in countries and regions across the globe,” Pienaar said. Buñag, echoing Pienaar’s concern, stressed that global economic disruptions will continue to make it difficult to meet the UN 2030 forecast of the world needing 50 percent more food. He added that RCEP will help reduce poverty to address what Pienaar observes as “the poor getting poorer and the rich richer and with inf lation simply put as too

much money chasing too few goods.” “Poverty, as WPO’s advocacy targets, is also a result of food loss and wastes. The global food packaging industry has much to contribute to addressing these issues on food losses and wastes,” according to FAO’s Dr. Nerlita Manalili. WPO is a global federation of 62 membercountries predominantly belonging to national packaging institutes, associations and regional packaging federations. It has a 52-year track record in the development of packaging and logistics technologies, science, access and engineering as well as in the development of international trade.

Govt... Continued from A1

Cusi said during the meeting that PNOC-EC once “pushed for the fractional matching of the proposal of Dennis Uy,” but was not able to do so, citing the financial impact of the pandemic that hit the country. “The rest is history, we did not exercise our right because of the funding issues, all the problems put together and Dennis Uy got the Chevron share. Now again, without us knowing it, nagbenta din

ang Shell [Shell also sold shares],” he said. The Rotary Club of Manila told Cusi that the group was willing to help the government buy back the Malampaya shares sold to UC. “Our proposal is to help you if and when the PNOC decides to possibly buy back the 45 ownership of Chevron and later on, of Shell, on the Malampaya project from Dennis Uy,” said Joel Valdez of the Rotary Club.

Budget... Continued from A1

In terms of non-tax revenues, income generated by the Bureau of the Treasury dropped by 41.75 percent to P10.9 billion from last year’s P18.7 billion due to the high base effect of dividend remittances of the National Transmission Corporation and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the further reopening of the economy with the easing of quarantine restrictions to Alert Level 1 for Metro Manila and other areas would lead to an increase in tax collections and less government spending, which could then help narrow the country’s budget deficit and lower the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio amid faster economic growth. However, Ricafort also warned that some lingering risk factors could derail this momentum. “Offsetting risk factors include the slower pace of economic recovery, in view of Russia’s invasion/war with Ukraine that could lead to higher prices of imported global oil/energy and other major global commodities that could lead to higher inflation and lower disposable incomes for consumers and businesses; as well as some increase in government spending on various Covid programs as a precaution vs. Covid-19/Omicron variant in recent months,” he said. Moreover, he said increasing government subsidies, lowering tariffs on some food imports may also add to the country’s budget deficit which could increase government’s borrowings and overall debt. “However, the government’s decision to maintain excise taxes on petroleum products [as global oil prices also started to correct significantly lower recently] would help sustain the government’s recurring revenue collections and prevent unnecessary widening of the country’s budget deficit, thereby helping limit/temper the increase in government borrowings and overall debt/debt-to-GDP ratio, at the very least, partly to help sustain the country’s relatively favorable credit ratings and relatively lower borrowing costs at better terms from a bigger roster of international creditors/lenders,” he said. Last year, the national government’s budget deficit soared to a new record-high of P1.67 trillion as it continued to spend more for its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The budget deficit as a share of the Philippine economy last year also soared to an unprecedented level of 8.61 percent. While these levels are below the government’s deficit ceiling for the year pegged at P1.86 trillion or 9.5 percent of GDP, the figures have eclipsed the previous recordhigh deficit of P1.37 trillion, or 7.6 percent of GDP, in 2020. For this year, the government expects the budget deficit to settle at P1.65 trillion or 7.7 percent of GDP.

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, March 18, 2022 A3

NWPC: Workers in 6 regions file petitions for wage adjustment

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

@joveemarie

MID rising prices of basic commodities and fuel, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on Thursday confirmed that workers in six regions of the country have filed separate petitions for wage adjustments.

During the hearing of the House Committee on Labor and Employment, NWPC Executive Director Maria Criselda Sy said workers in the National Capital Region, Region 3 (Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales), Region 4A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Region 6 (Western Visayas), Region 7 (Central Visayas) and Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) have already filed petitions for wage hikes.

“Almost all the petitions in the regions call for a P750 minimum wage except for TUCP [Trade Union Congress of the Philippines] asking P470 per day across the board wage adjustment. For Region 7, there is one petition asking for P308 per day across the board wage increase and P1,500 monthly increase in the wage of domestic workers,” she said. According to Sy, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III has already

instructed all regional boards with pending petitions to submit their recommendations before the end of April. “We are currently having a meeting with all regional board chairpersons and asking them to give us updates on the development of their respective regions,” said Sy. “The secretary has given them until the end of April to give the recommendations to him, we are fast tracking the process and timeline,” she added. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) is set to review its existing minimum wage petition on March 22, 2022. This will now include the P750 wage filed in 2019 by Unity for Wage Increase Now (UWIN), comprising 10 labor groups and advocates, and TUCP’s latest P470 petition. House Committee on Labor and Employment Chairman Rep. Eric Pineda said his panel will write the DOLE chief a letter asking him to

immediately act on the workers’ demand for wage increases. “We should to something and try to fast track these [petitions for wage increase]. It is unacceptable that they will only come up with the recommendations at the end of April. We will write the secretary to that effect, I don’t think we can wait until April for the National Wages and Productivity Commission to make recommendations,” said Pineda. According to TUCP President Raymond C. Mendoza, the prevailing daily minimum wage rate is insufficient to give a family a decent meal, as they noted inflation as well as government mandated contributions have reduced the “real” value of the P537 minimum wage in NCR to just P454.44 per minimum wage earner. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Secretary Jose “Joey” A. Concepcion, however, has urged caution among RTWPBs in using fuel prices as a basis for a wage hike, saying the government is already ad-

dressing the matter. Business groups also warned that many micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) might be unable to afford the wage increase and eventually choose to shutdown their operations instead.

Objection

MEANWHILE, Jeanne Guinto of the Department of Finance and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Director Reynaldo Cancio expressed opposition to proposals institutionalizing a national minimum wage for private sector. The House Committee on Labor and Employment has convened on Thursday to tackle House Bill (HB) Nos. 246, 276, 541, 668, 2878, 6668, 6752, which all propose to amend the Labor Code of the Philippines to institutionalize a national minimum wage for private sector. “We would like just to manifest an objection to the proposed measures as these may cause high inflation on top of fuel crisis that would impact

both business side and households,” said Guinto. “Also we have concerns on the conditions of the bill on aligning the minimum wage of those in the province and of those in the city. We think that it is not an effective measure as they have different needs in terms of allocating their income to basic necessities and other expenses,” she added. While Neda shared the objective of raising the living standard of workers, Cancio also opposed the passage of the bills, noting “significant differences in economic conditions across the regions.” “We are unable to support proposals to have a uniform minimum wage across regions as this will erode the ability of other regions to attract enterprises and worsen the inequality across region,” he said. But Cancio said Neda is recommending maintaining tripartite mechanism for regional minimum wage setting to balance various interests of both workers and employers.

Police probers list four ‘persons of interest’ in Feb. 27 attack vs Infanta, Quezon mayor By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

OUR persons have been identified as “persons of interest” (POI) by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in its continuing investigation into the shooting incident involving

Infanta, Quezon Mayor Filipina America. America was attacked on February 27 in Barangay Poblacion 1, Infanta, Quezon, after attending church service. Probers collected vital evidence such as the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footages showing the prob-

able suspects within the vicinity of the crime scene. During the third conference of the “SITG [Special Investigation Task Group] America” along with the Election Related Incident Validation Committee, police investigators presented sworn statements from four personalities that are

expected to provide leads and link evidence to the persons of interest seen on CCTV footages. The Regional Forensic Unit 4A has already conducted cross matching examination on the recovered pieces of evidence. America is known to have an unwavering stand against quarrying

in her town. Initial investigation revealed that the mayor admitted receiving death threats, which were either job or election-related. “We are still in the process of determining how much of politics can really be involved in this slay try. Our coordination with the

Commission on Elections regarding this incident is constant so as to identify the climate of violence that may persist in the area,” PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos said. America, who is a reelectionist, is asking ample time so she can give her full testimony on the case.

A4 Friday, March 18, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

Farmers’ group doubts accuracy of latest PSA rice inventory stats

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

@joveemarie

HE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) on Thursday urged the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to double-check their estimated rice inventory figures.

This, after the FFF expressed concerns that the rice inventory data may be used by the government to justify its proposal to maintain low tariffs on rice imports in response to the Ukrainian crisis. In May 2021, President Duterte signed Executive Order 135 lowering the tariffs on imports from non-Asean countries from 50 per-

cent to 35 percent. The FFF, in a statement, questioned the recent PSA data showing that the country’s rice inventory declined to a four-month low in January despite a record palay harvest last year. The FFF said the PSA placed the country’s rice inventory as of January 1, 2022 at 1.859 million tons, indicating a huge 20-percent

drop from stock levels at the start of 2021. Stocks were reportedly depleted by over half a million tons in the month of December 2021 alone. Based on an analysis of PSA data, the FFF said, the sharp drop in inventories was due to a 9.4-percent spike in rice consumption in 2021, equivalent to 1.23 million tons. “It is difficult to believe that Filipinos increased their consumption of rice in 2021 considering that the country was still under recurrent lockdowns due to the Delta and Omicron [Covid variants]. In addition, many people were still out of work and had limited incomes to buy more rice,” said FFF National Manager Raul Montemayor. According to Montemayor, palay harvest reached a historical high of 19.96 million tons in 2021. In the same year, he said rice imports totaled 2.98 million tons, or 730,000 metric tons more than in 2020. “If we assume that per capita rice consumption remained constant in 2021, then the DA’s estimate of palay production must have been overstated, or the PSA’s calculation of ending stocks was erroneous,” added Montemayor. Citing import data from the Bureau of Customs, the farmers’ group said the tariff reduction was not able to increase imports from non-Asean countries and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers such as Vietnam and Thailand.

The group added non-Asean imports amounted to only 1.78 percent of total imports in 2021, down from 2.36 percent in the previous year, despite the fact that countries like India and Pakistan were competitive against their Asean counterparts. The FFF added that the lower tariff on non-Asean rice imports w ill result in foregone tariff revenues of about P126 million annually, an amount that could be used for additional support to rice farmers in accordance with the Rice Tariffication law. The PSA data showed that rice stocks in households reached 991,560 MT while those kept in commercial warehouses and National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses reached 659,560 MT and 208,330 MT, respectively. “Of the total rice stocks inventory, about 53.3 percent were from the households. The remaining 35.5 percent and 11.2 percent were contributed by the commercial warehouses/wholesalers/retailers and NFA depositories, respectively,” PSA said. Also, the PSA report showed that rice inventory across all sectors (households, commercial warehouses and NFA) declined both on an annual and monthly basis. “In all sectors, rice stocks inventories posted annual decreases in January 2022. Declines were at -23.1 percent in households, -4.4 percent in commercial warehouses/wholesalers/retailers, and -40.9 percent in NFA depositories,” it said.

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PHL grabs eminent spot in global IT-BPM services despite pandemic By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE Philippines is now widely considered a “one-stop shop” offering integrated information technology (IT) and Business Process Management (BPM) services to clients worldwide, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Board of Investments (BOI). Trade Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Rafaelita M. Aldaba said the country has strengthened its global position in this industry by focusing on high-value services like Healthcare Information Management Systems (HIMS) and data analytics. Focusing on HIMS allowed the country to expand its capacity to support the entire health-care journey of patients providing complex, digitized end-to-end customer experience services. “The Philippines is now a onestop location with integrated IT and BPM services and a single platform allowing a convergence of technology, voice, and non-voice including clinical and non-clinical services, representing 13 percent of the global IT-BPM market share,” Aldaba said. Aldaba said the HIMS include pharma support, health IT, provider and payor-centric processing, utilization management, care services, IT & analytics, clinical research & analysis, and training. The HIMS sector contribution accounts for 10.3-percent share or around $3.1 billion in revenues and provided jobs to over 200,000 individuals as of 2021. Even the current pandemic did little to hamper a positive outlook

for the HIMS industry, as revenues are projected to grow by 7.3 percent to 10 percent in 2022 or to reach more than $5 billion by 2022, making the Philippines Asia’s Hub for Healthcare-BPM Services. These efforts were complemented by the growing Philippines start-up ecosystem, which has been deemed as the top 20 start-up ecosystems in the world concerning affordable talent. Filipino start-ups, Aldaba said, have also pivoted to providing innovative solutions in addressing various issues, including in health care, such as Hybrid, which is part of the Philippine delegation, providing information and management systems and solutions for hospitals in the Philippines. She said the Philippines’s key advantage as the preferred investments destination in HIMS and BPM sector is its demographic sweet spot, with the skilled talent of 45 million labor population and the median age of 25 years old. Also, the country is producing over 750,000 graduates in various fields annually. “Philippines’s unique value proposition has shifted to offering sophisticated services that deliver value, reduce risks, drive market edge, and foster sustainability,” Aldaba added, emphasizing that human capital is a critical factor in the transformation of the industry. Moreover, Aldaba said that the country has over 400 IT parks and buildings that can readily host HIMS IT and BPM services. She also mentioned the government policies and programs that support the development of the sector, which include the National Upskilling and Reskilling Program.

Senator to LGUs, DOTr: Act with dispatch on aid to tricycle drivers, delivery riders By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

EN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian pressed local government units and transport officials Thursday to “act quickly” in extending timely assistance to public transport drivers under the Pantawid Pasada program that would also include tricycle and delivery riders. Citing the urgency in providing muchneeded aid to all those affected in the transport sector, the senator called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and local government units (LGUs) to act with dispatch in releasing and distributing fuel subsidies to the 113,000 tricycle drivers and delivery services who are among the intended 337,443 beneficiaries of the P2.5billion Pantawid Pasada program under the Duterte administration. In a news statement, Gatchalian clarified that “I am suggesting to increase the Pantawid Pasada to be given to the 377,443 PUVs and other entities because prices of oil have already breached $120 per barrel and it’s moving up continuously.” He stressed, “We have to look at increasing the allocated pay per driver due

to the high cost of fuel.” The Senate energy committee chairman added: “The program is now in the process of being distributed to jeepney drivers and operators while tricycle drivers and delivery service riders may have to wait until the second quarter of the year before they can get their subsidy from the government.” Moreover, Gatchalian stressed that “we need a timetable,” noting that tricycle drivers and delivery service riders are “equally important” as the other public utility drivers. “Nahihirapan din sila. We’ve been talking about this for the last three weeks,” the senator told the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officials at the Senate hearing. He added: “The LGUs can dispense the cash quickly. They can provide the list in the morning and distribute it in the afternoon. It’s just a matter of putting this in motion. We need to raise this to [DOTr] Secretary [Arthur] Tugade because we have to distribute Pantawid Pasada to tricycle drivers and other entities. We need to get this moving. I’m not satisfied with the uncertainty. Uncertain na nga ’yung presyo, uncertain pa rin ’yung subsidy.”

Surigao del Sur coffee and copra traders get assistance from DAR

HE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has recently turned over a warehouse and a hauling truck to boost coffee and copra production in Surigao del Sur. The farmer-members of Progressive Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (PARBEMCO) will now operate their own coffee warehouse, while the Nagkahiusang Maguuma sa Guinhalinan Development Cooperative (NAGMASAGUICO) will now manage their very own mini-hauling truck. DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Leoncio Bautista Jr. said the warehouse would be used by the 263 farmer-members of PARBEMCO in trading and marketing their coffee beans. “This facility will greatly help farmers of PARBEMCO in consolidating their har-

vested coffee within the Barobo, Tagbina agrarian reform community [ARC]. As coffee consolidators, opportunities will be opened to the farmers not only in the ARC but also in other localities,” Bautista said. The P2.3-million warehouse is part of the value-chain equipment support of the Project Convergence on Value Chain for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVERGE) for coffee farmers in Tagbina. “This is an answer to our wish to have a warehouse for our coffee trading enterprise. We will now have a storage facility for the stocking of dried coffee beans consolidated from the participating cooperatives and will help us maintain the good quality of our coffee beans,” Chairman Jerry Tagono of PARBEMCO said. Jonathan L. Mayuga

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DENR exec pushes for legally-binding accord on plastic waste disposal By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is pushing for a legally binding global agreement on plastic wastes. Albert Magalang, DENR’s Climate Change Service chief of Climate Change Information and Technical Support Division said the government should address plastic pollution on a global scale. Magalang first made the DENR’s position on the issue during the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) held from February 28 to March 2. The agreement, he said, should reduce plastic waste discharge into the environment by covering all stages of its life cycle, and by adopting a circular economy approach related to its design—production, use and disposal. Magalang, who also led the Philippine delegation in the negotiations on the plastic treaty at the UNEA 5.2, stressed that the “global agreement should consider national capabilities and circumstances” and tackle plastic pollution from preventive measures in the upstream part of the lifecycle, to the downstream addressing waste management to prevent plastic pollution in the marine and other environments. In the form of a new resolution, he believes this would also support the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people. Hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNEA is the global authority for the environment with programs focusing on climate, nature, pollution, and sustainable development. In addition to UNEA 5.2, UNEP is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, which is considered a historic milestone for the global environmental community. In celebration of the anniversary of UNEP, DENR Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna underscored the importance of immediacy in promulgating policies and forging agreements for the environment. “We realize how fast time flies and fast disappearing are the opportunities for doing the maximum good for this planet and our very existence as species. The environmental repercussions we are experiencing are all traceable to us humans such as climate change that intensifies hazards creating disasters worldwide,” Sampulna said. The new DENR chief noted that environmental repercussions could be solved through the delivery of means of implementation to developing countries like the Philippines in areas such as finance, technology, and capacity building. According to Sampulna, these env ironmenta l repercussions include the “massive disappearance of our support system like natural resources and their biodiversity, the massive choking of our oceans because of plastics, the rise of zoonotic diseases like Covid-19, and the deterioration of our health from chemicals and wastes.” The DENR chief is advocating the prevention and reduction of residual impacts to become the unifying standard of the collective work of member-states.

Unescap: PHL poverty incidence worst among Maranaos, Tausugs of Mindanao

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

OVERTY incidence among Maranaos in Mindanao has been rated as the worst in the Philippines, according to a study released by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Unescap).

Based on the Asia and the Pacific SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Progress Report 2022, multidimensional poverty headcount by caste and ethnicity in selected Asia-Pacific countries showed poverty incidence among Maranaos reached 23.4 percent followed by another Mindanao ethnic group, the Tausugs, at 18.4 percent. According to the 2021 estimates, the Asia-Pacific region is home to half of the worldwide total 1.3 billion multidimensionally poor people living in 109 countries. “Even in countries with low levels of poverty, inequality is high. For instance, in the Philippines, the incidence of poverty among Maranao people is more than 10 times than

among Visaya, Ilokano or Kapampangan populations,” Unescap said. Unescap data showed poverty incidence among other castes and ethnicities in the Philippines was at 11.2 percent; Cebuano, 5.6 percent; Ilonggo, 4.7 percent; and Waray, 4.5 percent. The data also showed poverty incidence among the Bikolanos is at 3.5 percent; Tagalog, 2.6 percent; Kapampangan and Ilokano, 2.3 percent; and Visaya, 2.2 percent. “Achieving Goal 1 of the 2030 Agenda will not be possible without focusing on hard-to-reach groups, minorities and indigenous populations who are at risk of being left behind even in countries with a low level of poverty,” the report stated.

Feed millers welcome corn-tariff cut plan

continued from a14

The group added that lowering the tariff on yellow corn to 5 percent will allow local feed producers to secure enough yellow corn, their main input, and therefore ensure the availability of animal feeds at affordable prices. Citing agricultural economist and Monetary Board member Bruce Tolentino, the group said food accounts for 47 percent of the inflation in the country. With rice now a zero contributor to inflation as a result of the Rice Tariffication Law, meat and fish have become the major drivers of consumer price increases, it said quoting the report. Also, citing a report by agricultural economist Dr. Karlo Adriano, the PAFMI said Filipinos are paying more than double for pork compared to Thailand and 70 percent more compared to Vietnam. Filipino consumers also pay more than double for chicken compared to Thailand and 40 percent more compared to Vietnam. “Based on Adrinano’s calculation, if prices of corn in the country were the same as those in Thailand,

pork prices would likely fall by 15 percent and chicken prices by 36 percent,” it added. “Considering that animal feeds account for 60 to 70 percent of the cost of producing meat while yellow corn accounts for 60 percent of the cost of producing animal feeds, the reduction in the corn tariff to 5 percent will help bring down the cost of producing meats, and eventually, their market prices. This, in turn, can help tame the impact of the rising oil prices on the country’s inflation,” the group said According to PAFMI, yellow corn demand for feed milling was about 9 million MT while local corn production was only about 5 million MT, or a local supply sufficiency of only 57 percent, saying the huge supply gap is being addressed through importation. “While feed wheat is commonly used [and imported] as an alternative to yellow corn due to its more competitive price, yellow corn is still the preferred feed input, especially for poultry, given its inherent qualitative benefits over feed wheat,” it added. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

DOT chief warns Boracay stakeholders vs slipping back into old bad habits continued from a14 The BIATF was chaired by former Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu and cochaired by Romulo Puyat and Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año. Also, hawkers of boat trips and other water sports activities freely roam on the island once more, unlike prior to the pandemic lockdown, when there was a centralized station located between stations 1 and 2, where said activities could

be booked by tourists. Data from DOT-Region 6 showed 179,920 tourist arrivals on Boracay from January to March 12, 2022, a three-fold increase from the same period in 2021. From March 1-12 alone, there were 56,239 arrivals, of which 609 were foreigners, 462 were overseas Filipinos, while the bulk of domestic tourists at 22,170 came from the National Capital Region.

PRC receives P500K donation from Mitsui O.S.K Lines LTD

HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) received a P500,000 donation from Mitsui O.S.K LINES, LTD (MOL) through its local Philippines entity, Magsaysay MOL Marine Inc. The donation is part of

Friday, March 18, 2022 A5

MOL’s support to PRC’s continuous humanitarian support areas affected by Typhoon “Odette” (international code name Rai). The donation turnover event was attended by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.

Chief Country Representative in the Philippines Mr. Teiichiro Shinoda and Director Capt. Hiroshi Yoshida together with PRC executives at the PRC National Headquarters on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Unescap said Southeast Asia, which includes the Philippines, is not on track to achieving the 17 SDGs by 2030. The report stated the region needs to accelerate progress or reverse current trends in Goals 4 on quality education for all; SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation; SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 11 on reducing inequalities. Unescap also said more effort must be exerted on achieving SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production; SDG 13 on climate action; SDG 14 on life below water: SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions; and SDG 17 on partnerships if the sub-region is to meet the 2030 deadline. “A better understanding of development outcomes for distinct population groups and intersecting vulnerabilities is key to a fairer recovery. The Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved without protecting the most vulnerable, many of whom have been particularly affected by the pandemic,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Undersecretary-General and Executive Secretary of Unescap. Unescap said average progress in the region disproportionately excludes some groups with dis-

tinct demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The UN agency said those furthest behind, including women, persons with disabilities, rural populations and poorer households, are also facing increased vulnerabilities. For many vulnerable populations, Unescap said, food security, education and livelihoods have also deteriorated during the pandemic. Unescap said the challenges of achieving the SDGs in the region have been magnified in recent years by an increase in the frequency and intensity of human made crises and natural disasters, as well as the challenges of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Progress on the 17 SDGs have tremendously slowed down and with each passing year, the Goals are moving further out of reach for the region. At its current pace, Asia and the Pacific is now only expected to achieve the SDGs by 2065—more than three and a half decades behind the original goalpost,” Unescap said in a news statement. Unescap said, however, that the number of SDG indicators with data available have doubled since 2017. Collaboration between national and international custodian agencies has significantly contributed to enhancing the availability of data.

The report encouraged countries to continue this cooperation to close the remaining gaps, as 57 of the 169 SDG targets still cannot be measured. Based on the report, the Philippines is leading in Asia and the Pacific in terms of data availability. The top 5 in the region are the Philippines, Armenia, Thailand, Georgia, and Indonesia. The Unescap said out of the 231 SDG indicators, the Philippines has sufficient data for 145 indicators. The country, however, has insufficient data for 31 SDG indicators and has no data for 55 indicators. “The top 5 countries in the region for data availability are the Philippines, Armenia, Thailand, Georgia and Indonesia, where approximately 75 percent of the indicators have data,” the report stated. “On the other side of the spectrum, 16 countries or territories still report data for less than 50 percent of the indicators,” it added. The report is a flagship annual publication produced by Unescap in partnership with 10 other UN agencies. The report uses the latest data for global SDG indicators to determine where additional effort is needed in the region and where momentum for future progress is building.

BusinessMirror

Friday, March 18, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1, Pitx Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

VONG KIM PHUONG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 1.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting custome information and analyzing customer needs.

CAMBA GARCIA, RUBEN EUGENIO Sea, Country Business Development Director

Brief Job Description: Build and manage the relationship of our potential clients (mainly public clients planning large and complex infrastructure projects); Build, consolidate and manage relationships with existing and new potential construction JV partners and key subcontractors; Lead the negotiation of commercial agreements and contracts with all the above from the onset of the opportunity all the way to submission of the tender;

CALLOCH, MATHILDE MARYSE ANNE-FRANCOISE Survey Specialist 10.

Basic Qualification: Civil Engineer Degree; Minimum 15 years of work experience in construction sector, with 5+ in a BD role within a demanding analytical environment.; Availability to travel based on the needs across SEA. ; Fluency in English and/ or high level of Spanish is required. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

11.

Brief Job Description: Manage the promotion and services of the company of the company that offer

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing and English

LIU, YING Executive Assistant 12.

Brief Job Description: Serves as Liason between the customer and various departments and ensures that basic CS functions are performed.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

LEE, MYUNGHUN Operations Executive 5.

Brief Job Description: Serves as Liason between the customer and various departments and ensures that basic CS functions are performed.

Basic Qualification: Must be Native Cambodian/Thai/ Chinese/Indonesian/ Vietnamese/Taiwanese fluent in English and Respective native Language with at least a year experience in similar field Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

PHAM DUY HIEU Product Marketing Executive Brief Job Description: Conduct and Analyze Market Search

BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati SUSILAWATY Bahasa Indonesian Language- Supervisor Fund Management 7.

Brief Job Description: Must fluently speak and write any of the following languages (Bahasa Indonesian, Malaysian, Vietnamese)

HOANG THI ANH Vietnamese Language- Officer Fund Management 8.

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer’s needs, promote business and products.

LIANG, JUNJIE Chinese Speaking It Specialist 13.

Brief Job Description: Collecting relevant information and drawing up an activities list.

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT systems and software

LIANG, HAILONG Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 14.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Vietnamese language to cater foreign market

Basic Qualification: At least 3-10 years extensive relevant work experience in dredging and land development environment Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: At least 3-10 years extensive relevant work experience in dredging and land development environment Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in listening, reading, and speaking in Chinese

No.

21.

Brief Job Description: Act as communication liaison between low-level employees and senior management

ZHENG, JINPENG Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 15.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

16.

Brief Job Description: Interacting w/ customers via email, assists w/ complaints, orders, and other queries.

17.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

22.

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

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

TRUONG THI VU THUY Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 23.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

ZHANG, HAIBING Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 24.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate outstanding leadership skills, fluent in mandarin and English preferably with 5 years of experience as project supervisor

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese Dialect (Mandarin Folkien Cantonese) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

LI, ZHIAN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 25.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

MO, HANQI Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 26.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

WANG, QIFEN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 27.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EVERSON VISA CONSULTANCY INC. 37/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

FAN, XULONG Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 28.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

SHEN, JUNPING Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 29.

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

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

DA PROSPERITAS HOLDING INC. 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

LEI, CHENXI Chinese Speaking Customer Financial Officer 18.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

WEI, TAO Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 30.

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

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

DIGICHROM INC. Unit 2602 & 2603 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Extensive superintendent experience of at least 20 years in an international dredging and land reclamation project environment.

Brief Job Description: Immediately Escalating Serious Complaints or Issues That You are Not Equipped to

FU, ZHIRAN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

CRONYX INC. No. 4th-10th Flr. Yinhope Bldg., Dela Rama Cor. Zoili Hilario St., Seascape Village, Ccp Complex Subd. Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

HUANG, YIXUAN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

PHAN GIAI DI Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. 5th To 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT Specialist

COSMOLINK GLOBAL SOLUTIONS INC. 11, Ortigas St., Barangay 76, Pasay City ZHAO, FEI Customer Service Representative

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

Basic Qualification: Atleast 3 years of relevant experience

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

CHILDS, JONATHAN NEWTON General Technical Superintendent

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the reception of Chinese customers and the translation and filling of Chinese materials

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

Basic Qualification: Must be Native Cambodian/Thai/ Chinese/Indonesian/ Vietnamese/Taiwanese fluent in English and Respective native Language with at least a year experience in similar field

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

CHINA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 21st Floor Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

AVANTICE CORPORATION 19/f Pbcom Tower, Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

KIM, TAEMIN Operations Executive

Brief Job Description: Self-reliant technical professional and is expected to initiate, carry out, and report on all survey works for projects

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

CH & P LAW OFFICE Unit 257 Cityland Dela Rosa Condo., 7648 Dela Rosa St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

ALL OUT MULTI-MEDIA SOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2302-a West Tower, Pse Centre, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig KIM, TAEHOON Marketing Officer

Brief Job Description: Self-reliant technical professional and is expected to initiate, carry out, and report on all survey works for projects

THEKKE NELLIKUNNUMMAL MOIDEEN Survey Specialist

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

ACCIONA CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES INC. 21/f Tower 2, The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

WU, JUN Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant

19.

20.

HOANG KIM PHUNG Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Immediately Escalating Serious Complaints or Issues That You are Not Equipped to

NGUYEN THI THU HA Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Immediately Escalating Serious Complaints or Issues That You are Not Equipped to

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in Vietnamese

31.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

XU, KEXIN Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 32.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

HE, PENG Chinese Speaking Solutions Consultant 33.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

No.

ZENG, FANRU Equipment Installation Specialist 45.

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

EXANET TELECOMMUNICATIONS INC. Unit 2905, 2906 & 2907 One San Miguel Avenue Condo., San Miguel Ave. Cor. Shaw Blvd., San Antonio, City Of Pasig PIAO, HAIHUA Quality Analyst Consultant 34.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring and assessing agent performance against a set of criteria.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin and English.

35.

CHEN, HSIN-JU Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer Service

WANG, XINWEN Customer Service Representative 36.

Brief Job Description: Supports Customers by Providing Helpful Information , Answering Questions and Responding to Complaints

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

46.

47.

37.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

YAN, SHAOZUO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 38.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

YANG, MEITING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 39.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

ZHOU, JIANING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 40.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

UTTAMCHANDANI, VISHAL LACHMAN Collections Manager Iii 48.

41.

Brief Job Description: Analyzing brands of competitors, consumer trends and shopping behaviors

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Skills in statistical analysis and excellent verbal and written communication skills

SATO, TATSUYA General Manager 49.

42.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for Implementing Visual and Interactive Elements that users engaged with their web browser

CAI, SHAOLIN Equipment Installation Specialist 43.

Brief Job Description: Working as per the requirements of the clients and performing all kinds of general installation Programming and Setting up the Machineries and Equipment along with experimenting on the same

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the company’s day-to-day operation, take charge of the operation and management of the company & organize the implementation of the resolutions of the company’s directors

BINU NAIR, RENJU E-wallet Development Manager 50.

Brief Job Description: Lead in the creation and development of e-wallet products, including formulating roadmap, requirements based on market research and customer feedback

CHEN, FEI Customer Service Representative 51.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in English Language both in Written and Verbal With Working knowledge in Construction

59.

Basic Qualification: Mechanical engineering graduate, at least 15 yrs.’ experience in a managerial position, preferably in a company related to manufacturing/ distributing heavy equipment, excellent communications skills (English & Nihongo)

60.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers via email, assists with complaints, orders and other queries

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Folkien, Cantonese)

CHEN, YAN Customer Service Representative 52.

Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers via email, assists with complaints, orders and other queries

61.

CHIONG WEI TAK Customer Service Representative 53.

Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers via email, assists with complaints, orders and other queries

62.

DENG, YINGXIANG Customer Service Representative 54.

55.

56.

Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers via email, assists with complaints, orders and other queries

63.

FENG, HUIDONG Customer Service Representative

64.

Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers queries

LEE SIOK HUI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers queries

65.

XU, SHIYE Equipment Installation Specialist 44.

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

LI, JUNHAO Customer Service Representative 57.

Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers via email, assists with complaints, orders and other queries

66.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Folkien, Cantonese) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and operational efficiency

Brief Job Description: To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer system

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City DENG, LEI Chinese Customer Service 67.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LAU TIEU BAO Chinese Customer Service

68.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LY BINH Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NANG MWE LAO Chinese Customer Service

70.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN DINH NGHIA Chinese Customer Service

71.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, LIZHONG Chinese Customer Service

72.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires ZHANG, XUEYAN Chinese Customer Service

73.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires ZHONG, WEIKE Chinese Customer Service

74.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires ZOU, BOFENG Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Folkien, Cantonese) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

HAN, CHAO Mandarin Technical Support

75. Basic Qualification: Fluent in English Language both in Written and Verbal With Working knowledge in Construction

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

CHIA XIN YEE Mandarin Operations Specialist

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Fukien, Cantonese)

MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Folkien, Cantonese)

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Fukien, Cantonese)

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

NGUYEN MY DUNG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Folkien, Cantonese)

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

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

LIU, CHENYU Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Folkien, Cantonese)

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

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

JIANG, ZHU Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

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

Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers via email, assists with complaints, orders and other queries

HUANG, QIANG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate with relevant experience in e-wallet operations

Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers queries

DANG HO THANH THAO Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

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

Basic Qualification: • Extensive experience in managing large teams ; exposure in retail collections strongly desired. • Strong leadership skills with demonstrated success in managing complex operational functions. • Proficient in setting strategic direction and execution. Proven ability to deliver business results and demonstrate continuous improvement.

LIU, SIYAO Customer Service Representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

MARKETROLE ASIA PACIFIC SERVICES, INC. 26/f, 27/f, 28/f The Enterprise Center Tower 1, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

69.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English Language both in Written and Verbal With Working knowledge in Construction Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English Language both in Written and Verbal With Working knowledge in Construction

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ZHONG, XIAOYAN Customer Service Representative

MACH 86 TECHNOLOGIES CORP. 5th-13th Flr. Workspace Bldg., 1419 Industry St. Corner Finance St. Mbp Ayala, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

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

58.

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

LULU FINANCIAL SERVICES (PHILS.) INC. Unit 1006 One World Place Condominium, Blk 7 Lot 5, 32nd St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Have Understand of web Design

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English Language both in Written and Verbal With Working knowledge in Construction

No.

KOMATSU LTD- MANILA REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE Ground Floor Maxima Bldg., 908 Quezon Ave. Cor. Dr. Garcia, Paligsahan, Quezon City

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

INFINITECHNOLOGIES VENTURES INC. Room 506 Estuar Building, #41 Timog Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City

WENG, WEI Front Web Developer

Brief Job Description: This role is responsible for negotiating payments and offering solutions to resolve past due or overdrawn accounts while complying with regulatory requirements.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

HIGH PURITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Unit 101 Bayo Condotel & Suites Sct., Bayoran Cor. Sct. Tuazon St. 4, South Triangle, Quezon City

AZHAR, KASHIF Brand Marketing Manager

Brief Job Description: Overseas Workplace repair Installations and any other work that could harm Employees safety Check all the Employees are acting in Adherence with rules and regulations

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.- PHILIPPINE GLOBAL SERVICE CENTER 23/f Net Plaza, 31st St. E-square Zone, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor, Silver City 4, Ortigas East, Ugong, City Of Pasig

REN, LIN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Brief Job Description: Overseas Workplace repair Installations and any other work that could harm Employees safety Check all the Employees are acting in Adherence with rules and regulations

XIANG, XIAOYAN Mandarin Speaking Safety Officer

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, Preferably with Customer Service or Sales Experience, Fluent in Mandarin and Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

JIAO, YUTING Mandarin Speaking Safety Officer

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Ri Rance Ii Bldg., Block 2 Lot 3 Aseana City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Friday, March 18, 2022

76.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

NGUYEN THANH HUYEN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in mandarin/ basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

Friday, March 18, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

77.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION QU, LUPING Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in mandarin/ basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

XU, YUNJIE Chinese Customer Service 90.

MUFG BANK, LTD. Oledan Square 15/f, 6788 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati ANDO, DAIKI Vice President For Global Corporate Banking 78.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in managing duties for global corporate banking dept., coordinates with the global corporate dept. staff, as well as the head office through managing the figures to achieve the financial target of the dept.

Basic Qualification: 4 yr college/university degree; preferably an MBA &/or CFA charter, N1 level fluency in Nihonggo

91.

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

JIANG, LITAO Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 79.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

LI, DONGZHI Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 80.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

MO, YUFA Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 81.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

ZHENG, SHUFENG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 82.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

83.

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

CHEN, BINRU Chinese Customer Service 84.

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

GUO, HAOJIE Chinese Customer Service 85.

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

MA, MINGFEI Chinese Customer Service 86.

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

TAN, XIN Chinese Customer Service 87.

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

TAO, RONGYI Chinese Customer Service 88.

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

WU, SHUZHEN Chinese Customer Service 89.

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

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

93.

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

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

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

94.

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

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

NHIN THE THANG Vietnamese Customer Service 95.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English)

No.

WANG, TINGTING Chinese Purchasing Specialist 96.

97.

Brief Job Description: Serve as Chinese purchasing specialist for project operations

BI, JINGZHAN Site Technical Support Brief Job Description: Serve as Chinese supervisor for project site works

103.

98.

Brief Job Description: Handles all concerns and matter in the marketing department

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

LIU, HSIN-TING Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 104.

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

PHAM QUANG DAI HR Officer 105.

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

106.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both written and spoken with at least 5 years experience in construction industry Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English; college graduate

99.

Brief Job Description: maintaining and developing computer systems

107.

108.

109.

100.

Brief Job Description: Ensure that all changes and delivery of events are timely and accurate

110.

GOA SOON HWA Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 101.

Brief Job Description: Prepare and maintain company documents and report and coordinate for daily administrative reports

111.

CHANG, YU-PEI a.k.a. JENNY CHANG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 102.

Brief Job Description: Developing, implementing sales strategies, client service, plan and analyzing sales data

Basic Qualification: proficiency in holding customer questions about services or products/ excellent mandarin communications skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services NGUYEN TRI THUC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

112.

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services NGUYEN TUAN LUC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

113.

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services NGUYEN VAN NGAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

114.

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services NGUYEN VAN NHAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

115.

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services NGUYEN VAN TRAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

116.

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services

PHAM TAN PHAT Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 117.

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in holding customer questions about services or products/ excellent mandarin communications skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services NGUYEN TRAN THANH QUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

SOCIALATEMYIND INC. Unit No. Unit 2c Flr. No. No. 4/f, One E-com Center Bldg., Lot No. 4/f Mall Of Asia Complex Ocean Drive St. District 1, District 4, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services NGUYEN THI HA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing and other relevant courses

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services NGUYEN THE DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

SHANG SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 11/f Pbcom Tower, Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Bel-air, City Of Makati

JHENSEN STEVEN Bahasa Indonesian Language-trade Specialist

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services NGUYEN THANH THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services LE TRONG CHINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both written and spoken with at least 5 years experience in construction industry

Brief Job Description: Support the development & implementation of HR initiatives and system LE NHAM GIA THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Assist/ help customers, give customers information about products or services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficiency in holding customer questions about services or products/ excellent mandarin communications skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: proficiency in holding customer questions about services or products/ excellent mandarin communications skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SOMI UNLIMITED SOLUTIONS, INC. 10/f Tower 2 Double Dragon Plaza Bldg., Edsa Corner Macapagal Ave. St. Zone 10, District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

SEAGULL-WORLD INC. Unit 2807 28/f Cityland, Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

HU, XIAOWEN Mandarin Speaking Technical Manager

Brief Job Description: Developing, implementing sales strategies, client service, plan and analyzing sales data

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

RNZ TRADING PHILS. INC. Unit No. U-60 Flr. No. 3/f Baclaran Bagong Milenyo Bldg., F.b. Harrison St., Barangay 76, Pasay City AMIN, MD RUHUL Marketing Manager

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

CHU YAW KOK Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

QINGJIAN GROUP CO. LTD. 1046 U500 Puso Ng Maynila Bldg., A. Mabini St., 072, Barangay 666, Ermita, City Of Manila

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

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

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

HONE LYU BAN Vietnamese Customer Service

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

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

CHE CHANH QUAY Vietnamese Customer Service

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

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

AI, JIA Chinese Customer Service

92.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

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

SAI AUNG KHAM Myanmari Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

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

ZHANG, JIAN Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services

PHAM VAN GIANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 118.

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

PHAN THANH VU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 119.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION PHUNG XUAN SON Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

120.

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other Products and Services SAN CHUC NAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

121.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) THAI VAN HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

122.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services TRAN MANH THAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

123.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services TRAN NGOC PHUONG QUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

124.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services TRAN NGOC THU HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

125.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services TRAN THI AN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

126.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services TRAN THI HONG NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

127.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Vietnamese and Written Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

135.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

136.

137.

138.

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

139.

140.

128.

Brief Job Description: Provide professional end-user support via telephone, email, or web. Must correctly track incidents and calls, including but not limited to entering data into the database timely and accurately.

Basic Qualification: Preferably 1-4 yrs. Experienced employees specializing in IT/ Computer - Hardware or equivalent

141.

YEPURI, RAM KUMAR AVP - Service Delivery Management 129.

Brief Job Description: Managing delivery of service and make real time decisions to optimize resources

BHUVANAGIRI, YASHWANTH KRISHNA Director-technical Training 130.

Brief Job Description: Empower workforce by Creating and Facility Training Materials and Document to Equip our Staff with Fundamental skills and knowledge conduct and lead detailed gaps and needs analysis and post training assessment

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or equipment can provide Leadership and Support to staff Can oversee Financial and performance goals Must strengthen Internal and External Relationship

131.

Brief Job Description: Restore client data from various external sources in the file system

WON, KANGHEE Data Analyst 132.

Brief Job Description: Restore client data from various external sources in the file system

KO, GYUNGMIN Web Developer 133.

Brief Job Description: Producing detailed specifications and writing the programmed codes

134.

Brief Job Description: Monitor and Maintaining Computer Systems and Networks

144.

145.

146.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

XIAO, DONGSHENG Mandarin Customer Support Representative 147.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

XIONG, LIN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 148.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

XUE, GUANJUN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 149.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in Reading , Writing and Speaking in Mandarin

THE JIANGSU MUYANG GROUP CO., LTD.-PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE Unit 2005, 20/f Jollibee Plaza Cond., Don F. Ortigas Jr. Rd. Ortigas Ctr., San Antonio, City Of Pasig

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

WU, TAO Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

NIAN, WENXIANG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing Korean and English

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

LIU, XIN Mandarin Customer Support Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing and English

TELFA OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. 21/f Tower 2 The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati LIN, PIAO-YU Mandarin Technical Support

143.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

LIANG, GUOHAO Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

SYNCGLO COMMUNICATION SERVICES INC. R-7 Goldland Millenia Tower, J.m. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig MIN, KYUNGMIN Data Analyst

142.

Basic Qualification: Service and delivery management Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

JIANG, FAN Mandarin Customer Support Representative

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 12th Floor Philplans Corporate Center, Kalayaan Avenue & Triangle Drive, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

HUANG, MEINA Mandarin Customer Support Representative

STEFANINI PHILIPPINES, INC. 3f, 5f, 6f Imet Bpo Tower Metro Bldg., Metrobank Ave. Roxas Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City JACOBI, JEAN Multilingual Helpdesk Technician Support

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

HE, XIAOLEI Mandarin Customer Support Representative

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

FENG, LU Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning, directing wholly or partly the administrative services of a company.

CAO, LONG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

KARLSSON, ANNIKA LINNEA Business Unit Manager-graphic Design And Rendering Vertical

CAO, JIALEI Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

Brief Job Description: On-site Construction Management

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: 2 years feed mill experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Fluent in English, Preferably 6 MOs to 1year to the same field.

151.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

ZHANG, GUANNAN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 150.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

152.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience.

153.

154.

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

155.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

NGUYEN VIET DUC Customer Service Manager 156.

Brief Job Description: Delivering a comprehensive service to enquiring customers

YEAP WAI HON Finance Support Supervisor 157.

Brief Job Description: Oversees the collection and analysis of financial information for the organization

LIE TRAS Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer 158.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of calls, handle customer concern

TRAN VAN TRUNG Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer 159.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information

160.

HANG TUYET PHUONG Vietnamese Language-customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Deal w/ and resolve customer complaints

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in VIETNAMESE and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in VIETNAMESE and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in VIETNAMESE and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, writing and reading in foreign language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, writing and reading in foreign language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: proficient in speaking, writing and reading in foreign language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience.

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

QUACH THI KIM YEN Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

PHAM THI HOAI QUYEN Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions and responding to complaints.

NGUYEN THI TUOI Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

BE THI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and at least college level with related BPO experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHANG, YONGCHUN Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West, Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

LI, LIANGWEI Project Specialist

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

THE PENBROTHERS INTERNATIONAL INC. 6/f Opl Bldg., 100 C. Palanca St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Friday, March 18, 2022

161.

HY MY HA Vietnamese Language-customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Deal w/ and resolve customer complaints

Basic Qualification: Proficient in foreign language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZM GLOBAL BD CORP. Unit No. 26 Flr. No. 3rd Baclaran Bagong Milenyo Bldg., F.b. Harrison St. Zone 10 District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

WU, WENQING Purchasing Staff 162.

Brief Job Description: Handles and collect all concerns in purchasing Dept. Directly report to purchasing manager.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate and Fluent in English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Mar 17, 2022 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on March 9, 2022, the position of RUJUTA PUSHPAHAS, JOSHI under THE NIELSEN COMPANY (PHILIPPINES), INC., should have been read as DIRECTOR, ANALYTICS AND INSIGHTS, and not as published. In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on March 9, 2022, the name of HENDRIK PETER under BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC., should have been read as SCHUITEMAKER, HENDRIK PETER, 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 National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

BusinessMirror

A10 Friday, March 18, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Name and Address of Employer: INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC. Blk 2 Ph 5, East Main Avenue, Laguna Technopark, Biñan, Laguna

Regional Office No. IV-A 4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

March 18, 2022

16.

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

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

Name and Address of Employer: K&K MOLDING, INC. Lima Technology Center, Lipa City, Batangas Name and Citizenship of Foreign National 1.

QUALITY ASSURANCE GENERAL MANAGER Develop and direct quality assurance procedures so that company’s products meet the internal and external standards and specifications before shipment to customers

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National HUI-JOU LEE Taiwanese

MATERIAL CONTROL ASSISTANT MANAGER Review MRP daily and MRR weekly with team members.

17. Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National Monthly Salary Range Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

LC ASSISTANT MANAGER Develop and supervise all project management activities.

Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

Position and Job Description

ZHIMING HU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

SHOUWU TU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

QIANG ZHAO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

BEI GUO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

Position and Job Description MARKETING MANAGER Develop pricing strategies, balance firm objectives and customer satisfaction

YILONG LEI Chinese

Position and Job Description

YONGHYUN CHO Korean

DESIGN MANAGER Oversee all mold design team activities

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

11.

Position and Job Description

HYOUNGJUNE LEE Korean

BIN WANG Chinese

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

EQUIPMENT MANAGER Establish the equipment improvement plan to improve process and productivity

Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

Position and Job Description ENGINEER Support critical parts repair and review and improve organizational effectiveness

Monthly Salary Range

REENA MOHANDAS DARYANANI Singaporean

YOSHIHIRO OKANIWA Japanese

21.

22.

MANAGING DIRECTOR Over all in-charge with the company’s operation. Develop strategic plan to advance the company’s mission and objective

Position and Job Description

15.

HIROSHI YOSHIDA Japanese

Monthly Salary Range

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

HUE MAN TRAN Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

23.

Position and Job Description PRESIDENT Oversee and manage day to day operations of Quantrics Enterprises Inc.

MARK STAFFORD WIRTZ Canadian

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National 24.

Position and Job Description

KI CHUL YOON Korean

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR I Supervise CAD design making

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National 25.

Monthly Salary Range Php500,000.00 above

Monthly Salary Range Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

GENERAL MANAGER Oversee the daily operations of the company

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

SALES, MARKETING AND PLANNING MANAGER Research and develop marketing opportunities. Plan and implement new sales and marketing strategy and plans local and abroad

Monthly Salary Range

Php60,000.00 – Php89,999.00

Position and Job Description VICE PRESIDENT Assist the president to manage the company

Position and Job Description INTEGRATION LEAD Manage the delivery of technical solutions that stretch across GTD’s structure

CHRISTOPHER JAMES BOON British

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

HIROKI OBATA Japanese

Position and Job Description

PPIC COORDINATOR Develop and review a rolling production plan and schedule at the lowest cost based on customers’ orders, delivery schedules, shipping lead times, manufacturing processes, tools/equipment availability and manpower capabilities

Monthly Salary Range

Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

Monthly Salary Range

Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication. Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

Monthly Salary Range Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: NHK SPRING PHILIPPINES, INC. Laguna Technopark-SEZ, Biñan City, Laguna

27. Position and Job Description

ADMIN SR. MANAGER Coordinate organization’s administration system and general workforce.

YEOJUN YOUN Korean

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: DYSON ELECTRONICS PTE. LTD. – PHILIPPINE BRANCH CIP II, Brgy. Punta, Calamba City, Laguna

26.

Position and Job Description

Name and Address of Employer: MD DISTRIPARK MANILA, INC/MD LAGUNA CORPORATION Laguna Technopark-SEZ, Biñan City, Laguna Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Php60,000.00 – Php89,999.00

KE CHEN Chinese

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: LEADENCE PHILIPPINES CORPORATION LISP II, Brgy. La Mesa, Calamba City, Laguna

14.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: DUNSK KUHNER CORP. Brgy. Mabuhay, Carmona, Cavite

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

NORIHIDE MITSUTA Japanese

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: HTS CORPORATION CPIP, Brgy. Batino, Calamba, Laguna

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

13.

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: MOA CLOUDZONE CORPORATION Brgy. Binakayan Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: SERCOMM PHILIPPINES INC. CIP1-SEZ, Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna

12.

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: SEJIN NAWOO INC. Blk 10 Lot 9-13, Main Ave., Ph1, PEZA, Rosario, Cavite

Name and Address of Employer: NEPES HAYYIM CORPORATION Laguna Technopark-SEZ, Biñan City, Laguna Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

20.

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: SUNG HYUNG PRECISION CO., INC. Blk 24 Phase IV-Expansion, Road F, CEZ, Rosario, Cavite

10.

Php500,000.00 above

Name and Address of Employer: QUANTRICS ENTERPRISES INC. SMTT IT Park, Brgy. Dolores, Taytay, Rizal

Name and Address of Employer: YUXING CONSTRUCTION INC. 6th flr. LJK Bldg., KM21 Ortigas Ave. Extn., San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

DEPUTY FACTORY MANAGER Assist the factory manager. Support and monitor the implementation of productivity improvement projects

TAKAHIKO YAMAMOTO Japanese

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

Monthly Salary Range Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

EAJP GSC LOGISTICS FIELD SERVICE DIRECTOR Set-up team including recruitment & training plan

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: IRISO ELECTRONICS PHILIPIINES INC. Ph 4, CEZ, Rosario, Cavite

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Php60,000.00 – Php89,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: TAKETORA PHILIPPINES INC. CEZ, Rosario, Cavite

19.

PAN NING Chinese

JORDAN FERNANDEZ GANSAN Australian

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY, INC. Brgy. Niog 3, Bacoor, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

18.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

Position and Job Description

NORITAKA NAKAMURA Japanese

HR BUSINESS PARTNER Establish collaborative partnerships in all business unit in the Philippines and to all other business unit in different Asian countries

AYE AYE AUNG Burmese

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION (A.P.C) B.V 2nd Street, CEZ, Rosario, Cavite

Name and Address of Employer: SIIX LOGISTICS PHILS., INC. CIP1-SEZ, Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: MAXIMUM SOLUTIONS CORPORATION MEG Cpd., Brgy. San Juan, Taytay, Rizal

Monthly Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: KINPO ELECTRONICS (PHILIPPINES) INC. Lot 11 H.Y. Damicali Avenue, FPIP II-SEZ, Brgy. Sta. Anastacia, Sto. Tomas, Batangas

SALES DIRECTOR Design plan to meet target sales

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

Position and Job Description

TAKAO YAMASHIRO Japanese

SUNG HOON PARK Korean

Monthly Salary Range

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

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

The World BusinessMirror

Friday, March 18, 2022 A11

Zelenskyy pleads for help in fiery speech to Congress By Lisa Mascaro & Aamer Madhani The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensk y y summoned memories of Pearl Harbor and the September 11 terror attacks Wednesday in an impassioned live-video plea to Congress to send more help for Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Lawmakers stood and cheered, and President Joe Biden later announced the US is sending more anti-aircraft, anti-armor weapons and drones. Biden also declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal—his strongest condemnation yet—the day after the Senate unanimously asked for international investigations of Putin for war crimes in Ukraine. In a moment of high drama at the Capitol, Zelenskyy livestreamed his speech to a rapt audience of lawmakers on a giant screen, acknowledging from the start that the no-fly zone he has repeatedly sought to “close the sky” to airstrikes on his country may not happen. Biden has resisted that, as well as approval for the US or NATO to send MiG fighter jets from Poland as risking wider war with nucleararmed Putin. Instead, Zelenskyy pleaded for other military aid and more drastic economic sanctions to stop the Russian assault with the fate of his country at stake. Wearing his now-trademark army green t-shirt, Zelinskyy began his remarks to “Americans, friends” by invoking the destruction the US suffered in 1941 when Japan bombed the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii,

and the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon by militants who commandeered passenger airplanes to crash into the symbols of Western democracy and economy. “Remember Pearl Harbor?... Remember September 11?” Zelenskyy asked. “Our country experiences the same every day right now.” To end the invasion, Zelenskyy told the American lawmakers: “I call on you to do more.” Nearing the three-week mark in an ever-escalating war, Zelenskyy has used the global stage to implore allied leaders to help stop the Russian invasion of his country. The young actor-turned-president has emerged as a heroic figure at the center of what many view as the biggest security threat to Europe since World War II. Almost 3 million refugees have fled Ukraine as the violence has spread, the fastest exodus in modern times. Biden, who said he listened to Zelenskyy’s speech at the White House, did not directly respond to the criticism that the US should be doing more for the Ukrainians. But he said, “We are united in our abhorrence of Putin’s depraved onslaught, and we’re going to continue to have their backs as they fight for their freedom, their democracy, their very survival.” Later, leaving an unrelated event, he declared of Putin: “He’s a war criminal.”—the sharpest condemnation yet of Putin and Russian actions by a US official since the invasion of Ukraine. Biden noted t h at Russi a h a s bombed hospitals and held doctors hostage. At the White House, Biden described new help he had already been prepared to announce. He said the US will be sending an additional $800

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a virtual address to Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Sarah Silbiger, Pool via AP million in military assistance, making a total of $2 billion in such aid since he took office more than a year ago. About $1 billion in aid has been sent in the past week. Biden said the new assistance includes 800 Stinger antiaircraft systems, 100 grenade launchers, 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launchers and mortar rounds and an unspecified number of drones. “We’re going to give Ukraine the arms to fight and defend themselves through all the difficult days ahead,” Biden said. Zelenskyy, speaking from the capital of Kyiv, showed the packed auditorium of lawmakers a graphic video of the destruction and devastation his country has suffered in the war, along with heartbreaking scenes of civilian casualties. “We need you right now,” he said. Lawmakers gave him a standing ovation, before and after his short

Fed begins inflation fight with key rate increase

ASHINGTON—The Federal Reserve launched a high-risk effort Wednesday to tame the worst inflation since the early 1980s, raising its benchmark short-term interest rate and signaling up to six additional rate hikes this year. The Fed’s quarter-point hike in its key rate, which it had pinned near zero since the pandemic recession struck two years ago, marks the start of its effort to curb the high inflation that followed the recovery from the recession. The rate hikes will eventually mean higher loan rates for many consumers and businesses. The central bank, in a policy statement, along with quarterly projections and remarks by Chair Jerome Powell at a news conference, pointed to a somewhat more aggressive approach to rate hikes than many analysts had expected. The projections showed that seven of the central bank’s 16 policymakers favor at least one half-point rate hike this year, suggesting that such a large increase “is a live possibility,” said Michael Feroli, an economist at JPMorgan Chase. At his news conference, Powell stressed his confidence that the economy is strong enough to withstand higher interest rates. But he also made clear that the Fed is focused on doing whatever it takes to reduce inflation, over time, to its 2 percent annual target. Otherwise, Powell warned, the economy might not sustain its recovery from the pandemic recession. “We’re acutely aware of the need to restore price stability,” the Fed chair said. “In fact, it’s a precondition for achieving the kind of labor market that we want. You can’t have maximum employment for any sustained period without price stability.” The Fed also released a set of quarterly economic projections Wednesday that underscored the potential for extended interest rate increases in the months ahead. Seven hikes would raise its short-term rate to between 1.75 percent and 2 percent at the end of 2022. Fed officials also forecast four more rate increases in 2023, which would boost its benchmark rate to 2.8 percent. That would be the highest level since March 2008. Borrowing costs for mortgage loans, credit cards and auto loans will likely rise as a result.

“Clearly, inflation has moved front and center into the Fed’s thinking,” said Tim Duy, chief US economist at SGH Macro Advisers. The central bank’s policymakers expect inflation to remain elevated, ending 2022 at 4.3 percent, according to quarterly projections they released Wednesday. The officials also now forecast much slower economic growth this year, of 2.8 percent, down from a 4 percent estimate in December. But many economists worry that with inflation already so high—it reached 7.9 percent in February, the worst in four decades—and with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine driving up gas prices, the Fed may have to raise rates even higher than it now expects and potentially cause a recession. By its own admission, the central bank underestimated the breadth and persistence of high inflation after the pandemic struck. And many economists say the Fed has made its task riskier by waiting too long to begin raising rates. The Fed’s projections show that by the end of next year, the policymakers expect their short-term rate to be above “neutral”— the level at which they think the rate neither fuels nor slows economic growth. Roberto Perli, an economist at Piper Sandler, questioned Powell’s assurances that the economy could withstand such higher rates. “In the past, whenever the Fed has approached—let alone exceeded— neutral, the economy weakened sharply,” Perli wrote in a note to clients. “The risk of recession in 2023 and beyond is increasing.” Yet Powell downplayed the likelihood of an economic setback. “The probability of a recession in the next year is not particularly elevated,” he said. At his news conference, Powell said he believed that inflation would slow later this year as supply chain bottlenecks clear and more Americans return to the job market, easing upward pressure on wages. He also suggested that over time, the Fed’s higher rates will reduce consumer spending on interest rate-sensitive items like autos and cars. Americans may also buy less as credit card rates increase. Those trends would eventually reduce businesses’ demand for workers and slow pay raises, which are running at a robust 6 percent annual rate, and ease inflation pressures.

Powell noted that there are a nearrecord number of job openings, leaving 1.7 available jobs, on average, for every unemployed person. As a result, he expressed confidence that the Fed can lower demand for workers and wage growth without increasing unemployment. “All signs are that this is a strong economy,” he said, “one that will be able to flourish in the face of less accommodative monetary policy.” The Fed’s forecast for numerous additional rate hikes in the coming months initially disrupted a strong rally on Wall Street, weakening stock gains and sending bond yields up. But stock prices more than recovered their gains soon after the press conference began. Most economists say that sharply higher rates are long overdue to combat the escalation of inflation across the economy. “With the unemployment rate below 4 percent, inflation nearing 8 percent, and the war in Ukraine likely to put even more upward pressure on prices, this is what the Fed needs to do to bring inflation under control,” said Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association. Powell is steering the Fed into a sharp U-turn. Officials had kept rates ultra-low to support growth and hiring during the recession and its aftermath. As recently as December, Fed officials had expected to raise rates just three times this year. One member of the Fed’s rate-setting committee, James Bullard, head of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, dissented from Wednesday’s decision. Bullard favored a half-point rate hike, a position he has advocated in interviews and speeches. The Fed also said it would begin to reduce its nearly $9 trillion balance sheet, which has more than doubled in size during the pandemic, “at a coming meeting.” That step will also have the effect of tightening credit for many consumers and businesses. Since its last meeting in January, the challenges and uncertainties for the Fed have escalated. Russia’s invasion has magnified the cost of oil, gas, wheat and other commodities. China has closed ports and factories again to try to contain a new outbreak of Covid, which will worsen supply chain disruptions and likely further fuel price pressures. AP

remarks, which Zelenskyy began in Ukrainian through an interpreter but then switched to English in a heartfelt appeal to help end the bloodshed. “I see no sense in life if it cannot stop the deaths,” he said. Among the new military hardware that Biden approved are 100 Switchblade 300 missile system drones that Zelenskyy had been seeking, according to a US official familiar with the decision. The official was not authorized to comment publicly by name about the sensitive matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Lawmakers, with rare unity, appeared moved by the speech. Sen. Angus King, the Maine independent, said there was a “collective holding of

the breath” in the room during Zelenskyy’s address. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said, “If you did not look at that video and feel there is an obligation for not only the United States but the free countries of the world to come together in support of Ukraine, you had your eyes closed.” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin called the address heartbreaking and said, “I’m on board with a blank check on sanctions, just whatever we can do to stop this Russian advance.” Outside the Capitol demonstrators held a large sign lawmakers saw as they walked back to their offices. “No Fly Zone=World War 3.” The Ukrainian president is no stranger to Congress, having played a central role in Donald Trump’s first impeachment. As president, Trump was accused of withholding security aid to Ukraine as he pressured Zelenskyy to dig up dirt on political rival Biden. Zelenskyy spoke Wednesday to many of the same Republican lawmakers who declined to impeach or convict Trump, but are among the bipartisan groundswell in Congress now clamoring for military aid to Ukraine. He thanked the American people for the outpouring of support, even as he urged Biden to do more. “You are the leader of the nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world,” he said. “Being the leader of the world means being the leader of peace.” This was Zelenskyy’s latest visit as he uses the West’s great legislative bodies in his appeals for help. He in-

voked Shakespeare’s Hamlet last week at the British House of Commons, asking whether Ukraine is “to be or not to be” and telling Congress that people in his country want the same as Americans: “Democracy, independence, freedom.” He often pushes for more help to save his young democracy than world leaders have so far pledged to provide. Biden has insisted there will be no US troops on the ground in Ukraine. “Direct conflict between NATO and Russia is World War III,” he has said. Zelenskyy appeared to acknowledge the political reality beyond certain limits. “Is this too much to ask, to create a no fly zone over Ukraine?” he asked, answering his own question. “If this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative,” he said, calling for weapons systems that would help fight Russian aircraft. Congress has already approved $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, and the newly announced security aid will come from that allotment, which is part of a broader bill that Biden signed into law Tuesday. The Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Mary Clare Jalonick,Ellen Knickmeyer, Farnoush Amiri, Kevin Freking, Alan Fram, Nomaan Merchant and Chris Megerian and Raf Casert in Brussels, Jill Lawless in London, Aritz Parra in Madrid and videojournalist Rick Gentilo contributed to this report.

A12 Friday, March 18, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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War to push more people into poverty

ussia’s invasion of Ukraine carries huge risks for a world economy that has yet to fully recover from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic that erased 255 million jobs in 2020 alone. The World Bank said governments in developing economies should move quickly to contain economic risks. In a joint statement on the war in Ukraine, the IMF-World Bank said: “The war is creating significant spillovers to other countries. Commodity prices are being driven higher and risk further fueling inflation, which hits the poor the hardest. Disruptions in financial markets will continue to worsen should the conflict persist. The sanctions announced over the last few days will also have a significant economic impact.” Cabinet Secretary and acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said President Duterte gave assurances that mitigating measures and contingency plans will be put in place as part of the government’s pro-active response to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said targeted subsidies will be extended to vulnerable sectors. These subsidies include the P6,500 to be extended to drivers to help them cope with high oil prices. The Development Budget Coordination Committee said the government intends to release P2.5-billion fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles, while the Department of Agriculture has a P500million assistance to farmers and fisherfolk. “The most important support we can give to the people is a targeted subsidy that will cushion the impact on their family’s needs and prevent them from falling into poverty,” Chua said (Read, “Can targeted aid keep Pinoys from poverty?,” in the BusinessMirror, March 16, 2022). The country’s poverty incidence increased to 23.7 percent in the first semester of 2021 from the 21.1 percent recorded in the first semester of 2018. This translates to 26.14 million Filipinos living below the poverty threshold—estimated at P12,082 per month for a family of five. “We are expecting the full-year data to also show a slight increase because of the effect of the Covid-19 and the quarantine,” Chua said. The Philippine economy is not fully insulated from the geopolitical fallout caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine despite its relatively weak linkages with the two feuding countries, according to ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Mapa, who said in a research note that government officials should take into account certain “ripple effects” from the disruptions arising from the war. “Government officials have moved swiftly to downplay the economic impact of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe. They assert that the Philippines remains ‘well-insulated’ from the firefight, pointing to the ‘solid fundamentals’ of the country and the limited exposure on the trade front,” Mapa said. “Taken altogether, despite the suggestion that the Philippines is fairly insulated from the global fallout, we know that the ripple effect of the ongoing conflict reaches far wider and dives much deeper than authorities would want us to expect,” he added. (Read, “Ukraine war ‘ripple effects’ imperil PHL,” in the BusinessMirror, March 16, 2022) We hope the Neda is right that the Philippine economy still has a few aces up its sleeve that will enable it to weather the impact of the Ukraine war. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the crisis will hit the economy on four fronts: commodities, financial markets, trade, and business confidence. But he is confident that the full strength of the economy has yet to be unleashed as parts of the country still remain under Alert Level 2 and many offices and schools have yet to open. Currently, the country is still P40 billion short of its normal economic performance per week (Read, “Neda: Domestic economy strong vs oil crisis impact on 4 fronts,” in the BusinessMirror, March 16, 2022). Chua said shifting the entire country to Alert Level 1 will add another P16 billion per week to the GDP, while opening classes will add another P12 billion to the economy per week. He said only 1,000 schools have since started face-to-face learning, which is only a fraction of the country’s 60,000 schools. Placing the National Capital Region, the economy’s juggernaut, to Alert Level Zero could further boost economic growth, he added. Beyond the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, experts warn that the entire global economy will feel the effects of slower growth and faster inflation. It would do well for our economic managers to remain vigilant in their response to rising inflation. They have to strengthen the social safety nets needed to protect not just the most vulnerable citizens but also non-poor households that may be just one inflation shock away from falling into poverty.

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Sonny M. Angara

Better Days

he Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) has long been a barometer for how well a country or an economy upholds equality between men and women—particularly in terms of economic participation and opportunity; educational attainment; health and survival; and political empowerment. From the time the report was first released in 2006 up to today, the Philippines has consistently figured as a top-performing country. According to the latest iteration of the report (2021), we ranked 17th out of 156 countries across the world, 1st in the Asean, and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region, behind only New Zealand, which ranked 4th globally. Such high rankings are often highlighted every March when the country formally celebrates National Women’s Month. And with good reason, for it is in this area where we truly are a world leader—or as President Duterte put it in a recent statement, “a shining beacon for women empowerment and gender equality across the globe.” Other studies have underscored how we lead in this manner. For instance, in the Women in Business Report by Grant Thornton International Ltd., the Philippines consistently ranked high in terms of having the most number of women executives that occupy senior management roles

across mid-size firms. In fact, we ranked 1st in 2020 and 2021. And though we slipped to 3rd in 2022, we still outpaced our regional peers with 39 percent of leadership roles being occupied by Filipinas compared to the average of 30 percent across Asia-Pacific and 37 percent in Asean. There is a similar data story when it comes to innovation and intellectual property. An infographic recently released by the WEF, based on 2021 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) data, showed that the Philippines was 2nd in terms of the share of women among applicants for international patents. Only Cuba with 53 percent bested the 38 percent we registered. Indeed, when compared to many other countries, women in the Philippines appear to be more empowered, occupy more prominent roles across society, and enjoy relatively equal footing with their male counterparts. This isn’t to say, however, that there aren’t any gender gaps or biases that adversely affect Filipinas.

Consider the Women, Business and Law Index of World Bank, which gauges whether laws, policies, or regulations limit or enable economic opportunities for women. According to the 2022 report, the Philippines has a perfect score when it comes to laws and policies that affect women’s work, their pay, and entrepreneurship. That is, there are no legal barriers for women to have a job, to get equal pay, or to start a business. In fact, this is affirmed by the comprehensive women’s rights framework enshrined in R.A. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, which we co-authored while still a member of the House of Representatives. The same index, however, showed that when it came to freedom of movement, constraints related to marriage, laws affecting women’s work after having children, gender differences in property and inheritance, and laws impacting the size of a woman’s pension, several reforms are needed to further enshrine the equality of women in law. The pandemic also laid bare some gaps and disparities that sometimes get glossed over amid the country’s glowing gender equality rankings. In December 2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released a study showing that women were among the hardest hit sectors as a result of Covid-19’s effects on labor markets. Citing Q2 2020 data, the report showed that while women accounted for 40 percent of the workforce before the pandemic, they accounted for up to 44 percent of the jobs lost in that period. And this was largely because

women were overrepresented in job sectors that were hit the most by the pandemic, such as retail services and tourism. The lockdowns had also adversely affected the livelihood of up to 3.5 million women who work in the informal economy as sari-sari store owners, roadside vendors, and carinderia operators. Meanwhile, it has been well documented that incidence of domestic violence, which skews heavily towards women, had increased throughout the pandemic—a trend that was also observed in the Philippines. A March 2021 survey conducted by the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) and the Social Weather Stations (SWS) found that 1 out of 4 adult-respondents cited harmful acts in various forms as among the most pressing problems of women throughout the pandemic. Eleven percent characterized physical violence as a top-of-mind concern, while seven percent mentioned sexual violence and another seven percent for emotional violence. These are sobering reminders that while there is much for the Philippines to celebrate, there is still a lot more that need to be done to empower women in our society, uphold their equality before the law, and promote their welfare and well-being.

Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 15 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 6 as Senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 250 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate. E-mail:sensonnyangara@yahoo.com|Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonwnyangara

A global plastic treaty towards a circular economy

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Women empowerment in the Philippines

Joseph Edward B. Alegado

EAGLE WATCH

ecently, 175 member states of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) agreed to initiate a global legally binding instrument addressing the full life cycle of plastic, which, hopefully, could get approved by 2024. The mandate is titled “End Plastic Pollution: Towards an International Legally Binding Instrument,” and is expected to be developed and finalized over the next two years. It is a victorious moment for longtime environmental activists and campaigners who, as early as 2017, have seen the importance of a legally binding treaty that will address the full life cycle of plastic pollution. Environmental groups belonging to the #breakfreefromplastic movement have long been pushing for a fulllife-cycle approach of plastic that looks into extraction, production,

distribution, and disposal of plastic. At UNEA 1 in 2014, the discussion was centered on plastic pollution as a marine litter problem and end-oflife solutions (such as plastic waste management). At UNEA 2, member states elevated the issue as a global one requiring a global response. At UNEA 3, they were able to establish an expert group to further look into the issue. Later on, they were able to

see the need to focus on prevention and consider the full life cycle of plastics. In UNEA 4 in March 2019, the assembly was successful in extending the mandate of the expert group and laying the groundwork in considering response options in the next UNEA. Looking into the entire lifecycle of plastics is an important achievement in UNEA because the industry has long been blaming consumers for the plastic pollution crisis that their continued use of plastic packaging has caused. According to the Center for International Environmental Law, if plastic production and use continue to grow at its current rate, its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 could be equivalent to the emissions of more than 295 new 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants. At this rate, emissions throughout the plastics life cycle threatens any possibility of meeting global climate targets. Thus, plastic pollutes at each stage of its life cycle—99 percent of plastic is made from fossil fuels, both natural gas and crude oil. Toxic plastic particles

contaminate water, air, and the food chain, ultimately harming human health. Plastic pollution, therefore, is a transboundary issue affecting everyone. In a press release issued right after UNEA 5, members of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives #breakfreefromplastic across Asia Pacific reiterated the call for a Global Plastics Treaty that “addresses the full life cycle of plastics and its impacts; integrates the voices and experiences of waste pickers; provides accessible and transparent data on plastic production, enforces strong Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) with clear upstream targets and has clear language against false solutions such as incineration, chemical recycling, among others.” Since the early 2000s, Philippines-based environmental groups have been ensuring that Zero Waste systems and laws are properly implemented. Ratified in 2001, RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management See “Eagle Watch,” A13

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Christiane Amanpour: Politicizing nostalgia The accidental journalist Tito Genova Valiente

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Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

hristiane Amanpour will not be a stranger to anyone who hankers for international news. Her husky voice and British-accent is familiar to CNN viewers around the world where Amanpour serves as CNN’s chief international anchor. In the raging war between Russia and Ukraine, you won’t get the complete coverage of the war unless you hear Amanpour’s report. Amanpour was born in London to an Iranian father and a British mother 64 years ago. Her father was a Shi’ite Muslim, while her mother was a Catholic. She grew up in Tehran until she was 11 years old. Coming from a well-to-do family, her parents sent her to an exclusive girls boarding school in England, after completing her primary school in Tehran. After her high school, they returned to Iran before the Islamic Revolution broke out. It was a move that the family regretted. The revolution turned their lives upside down. Martial law was imposed and soldiers and tanks roamed the streets. Innocent people, including their friends and relatives, were arrested and some were executed. Deeply concerned about the return of the Ayatollah to Iran, the family returned to England but this time under a vastly different circumstance. His wealthy father had lost his fortune and whatever funds left had been frozen. This time, Amanpour was on her own as her parents could hardly support her. Before, Amanpour had entertained the idea of attending a medical school, but the family could no longer afford it. About the same time, her younger sister was enrolled in a journalism college in London but she dropped out after realizing that writing did not suit her. The school refused to refund the school fees they had paid, so Amanpour decided to take her sister’s place. Initially, there was nothing about journalism that attracted her, but it was her only opportunity to attend college. After finishing the term, she found out she liked the profession and decided to go to the US to get the best education for would-be writers. She realized that living through the revolution in her country had whetted her appetite for political and international events. It was then that her dream to become a foreign correspondent was born. After several applications, Amanpour was admitted to the University of Rhode Island in the US. To support her studies, she worked in the news department of a local station and as a graphic designer in an NBC affiliate company in Providence, Rhode Island. She was placed at the nerve center of a TV news program, which truly fascinated her. She excelled in her studies and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in journalism in 1983. And there was no holding her back from pursuing her colorful career in journalism. Amanpour applied for a job at the CNN in Atlanta and was accepted as a desk assistant. While some were helpful to the new hire, many were disparaging. Oftentimes, she was told that her British accent and different culture would not encourage viewership. Her foreign sounding name alone would not promote trust. “Amanpour? It will never fly on television.” She was not obviously the favorite of her boss, and Amanpour, in her own words, lamented that her superior “belittled her ambition at every possible turn.” She recalled her boss would say to her, “CNN is certainly not the place for you. You’ll have to go off to some small market and work your way up.” And she would regale visiting CNN executives of Amanpour’s big dream to be a foreign correspondent, before ordering her to serve them coffee and cookies. Up to now, she remembers that “sometimes tears of frustration and rage would pour down my face; but I was determined to press on. I wasted no time. The minute I found out CNN was looking for a writer, I

bolted off the desk, got the job, and began writing news copy for the anchors. Then I moved to senior writer.” She got her first foreign assignment when CNN needed a correspondent’s position in their Frankfurt office. The post was offered to three others before her but they all declined. “Hey, I’ll go anywhere,” and she got the job. She reported on the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the democratic upheavals in the Soviet Union and the countries under its sphere of influence. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, she went to the Persian Gulf to cover the event, the hottest story at that time. After that, she has reported on many major international crises erupting in many hot spots in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. She has risked her life covering the armed conflicts in Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Israel, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Somalia and other troubled spots. Amanpour is an accomplished interviewer sought after by newsmakers. She has conducted personal interviews with world leaders, including Shah Reza Pahlavi, Yassir Arafat, Muammar Gaddafi, Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac, Pervez Musharraf, Angela Merkel, and many other famous figures and celebrities. Being subjected to Amanpour’s insightful and incisive grilling brings out the best or worst from the powerful personalities she interviews. While doing a live interview, Arafat banged his phone and hung up on her when Amanpour asked him piercing questions. One is not a hot copy if he is not interviewed by Amanpour. Her unique brand of journalism and reportage has brought her honors and recognition. She won her first Peabody Award in 1993 while still a young journalist. She replicated it in 1998. She also received the George Polk Award for television reporting, not once but twice. She received an Emmy Award for news and documentary reporting. In 1994, she was awarded the “Woman of the Year” by the New York Chapter of Women in Cable and winner of the Courage in Journalism Award by the International Women’s Media Foundation. She was named the “Persian Woman of the Year” in 2007, and winner of the Fourth Estate Award from the National Press Club. Amanpour’s awards are too many to mention here. Amanpour has been with CNN for close to four decades. Except for her brief stint with ABC News, she has spent the best years of her life with CNN where she has become one of its most celebrated foreign correspondents. She admits that “it’s been a long and fascinating journey for me, and every step of the way has demanded hard work. My early experience at CNN taught me to have clarity of vision—to know what I wanted and to have the courage and stamina to pursue my goals.” And she adds: “People will always try to knock you down in life—and knock your dreams. In a peculiar way, that’s not such a bad thing. In the end, it gives you the opportunity to prove you want it enough, and that you’re strong enough to keep going.” Wars have not stopped Amanpour from bringing to the comfort of our bedrooms the glory and horrors of war in Ukraine. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in June last year but she has stayed at the war front to give us a blow-by-blow account of the hostilities where it happens, how it happens, and as it happens. And to think that she’s only an accidental journalist.

F history, to paraphrase John Maynard Keynes, has a course that is shaped by ideas, then it is the mind and its capacity to remember, and to forget, that maintains the presence of the past in our lives. In the face of our greater assumption how history seems to carry the past to the present wholesale, it is both heartening and disheartening to realize that in the population of any territory that has declared itself as a nation, people do not have any uniform recollection of events in the past and the individuals that propelled the movements of said past.

There are instruments and machineries, however, which serve human groups in their attempts to remember the causes and consequences informing anything historical. These are books and documents, researches and diaries. They are preserved and found in libraries and schools, in museums where they can be read by anyone. Accessibility therefore is the key to all libraries or keepers of documents. There is this Project Gutenberg that has made available to many the so-called great books. In the case, for example of us Filipinos, eager always to check on our colonized past, the chronicles of Pigafetta, the only solid proof that Magellan did come to our island, negotiated with chieftains and then vanquished by the very people he targeted to be his vassals, are available to anyone. The historian with the grant that allows him to travel overseas and check primary sources presently faces demystification. Not all are readers in the instructional sense of the word; not everyone is a thinker in the intellectual tradition generally evolved from the Western notion of the mind as separate from the heart. In which cases, orality is both a solution and a means by which information about greatness witnessed by years gone

can best be apprehended. Unless therefore the community is far removed from what we understand to be civilization, ignorance of facts and the reverse, knowledge of lies, are not possible anymore. No boundaries are shielded by distances and geographies; no villages are outside the pealing of the bells. The fact is we are a nation enamored by the past. Presently, there are two domains where the past gets celebrated, articulated, subverted, questioned, dissected and disturbed: one is online and the other is in the active terrains of the impending election. Online I have become a member of private groups whose focus is on a popular and populist appraisal of the past. Two groups devote the online space to memories of World War II and two more groups are about memories of Manila and Naga and the regions around them, respectively. Rich in photos, the said online groups are consciously non-academic in approach. Think of a fireside chat or conversation in moonlit nights or in living rooms after a great dinner,

Friday, March 18, 2022 A13

the images posted link sharply the sharer not only with the material but the person who first experienced the said media. A grandfather or a grandmother is brought into the loop as the person explains a photo or the event in a photo. Sometimes, an artefact—a bolo, a wooden tub, a softdrink ad—is introduced by way of a question: “Do you know what this is?” “Have you used this?” The memory can go back to even more distant past as when one shares a file perhaps taken from an old book. It could be a photo of a Spanish governor-general or a letter from the mother of a hero. But running counter to the formal historian’s discourse, in these private groups the material is always connected with a family even if it is several generations removed. The sense of ownership is private, intimate. A common rule is shared by these

online groups: no political commentary, no posting of marketing, and no debates. Past is to be remembered, or merely recalled. It should not be disputed. Given the fact of members breaking these rules, we can surmise how the past does not easily surren-

der to neutral reading. In another domain, we are already aware of history hounding election issues, or of how the past has become a mean shadow trailing certain personalities. Online are individuals, some are professional journalists and some are vloggers. They interview people on the street and the concern is not so much what a particular candidate is aiming to achieve in the future but how the past informs the character of said person. An interesting point now prevalent in social media is the complaint regarding a candidate having retained the label of being the son of a dictator. The admirers of the said person are consistent in asking that qualifier to be removed. The past is gone. Let us move on. But if we follow the trail of the person, his putative greatness cannot be tied to a present and, therefore generating a gap to a near future. If ever there can be a gravitas to this person, it is in his connection to a past that rankles with violence and corruption but in other person’s mind could be about an age of prosperity and social harmony. Outside of the Internet, out on the streets are men and women who were born in the Age of Death and Disappearance. They can only remember a family of politicians who were good to the people, who owned bars of gold that will soon be distributed to the people. This is a new form of the revitalization movements, when cargos are returning on a phantom ship that will augur a new nation. This is a homage to a past that becomes truer and truer through the years, regardless of lies that murder thoughts and people whose heart has rendered them to think of the past, through the mist, as eternally good. E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Americans react to Zelenskyy plea with pain, empathy, hope By Joseph Frederick, Mike Householder & Amy Beth Hanson The Associated Press

EW YORK—Americans reacted with empathy, pain, frustration and in some cases anger Wednesday to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s impassioned speech to the US Congress pleading for more aid for a nation and a people under bloody siege. Across the country, thousands shared video of Zelenskyy’s speech on social media, many especially pained by a clip he shared of bloodied children in hospitals, bodies in neighborhood streets, crumbling facades of apartment buildings and a ditch where the dead of war were being buried. Many were struck by Zelenskyy’s comment that “I see no sense in life if it cannot stop the death.” Eric Bottoms, a day trader from North Little Rock, Arkansas, said after watching the speech that America has an obligation to protect the citizens of Ukraine because Russian President Putin is “purposely targeting” them. “It’s morally the right thing to do,” Bottoms said, comparing rela-

Eagle Watch. . . continued from A12

Act of the Philippines) has long been hailed as the gold standard in waste management at the national level. There were challenges in its implementation, but with further mainstreaming of the transitioning to a zero-waste management system, local government units acting as frontliners in implementing RA 9003 can hopefully turn the tide. They have also been pushing for a nationwide ban on single-use plastics and an

tive inaction to failing to stop Nazi Germany’s early aggressions in the last century. “If we’d done something earlier, how many more lives could have been saved?” At Streecha, a tiny New York City restaurant that offers Ukrainian comfort food, a small group of workers watched Zelenskyy’s remarks live on TV. The canteen’s manager, Dmytro Kovalenko, moved to the US from Ukraine in 2014 after the Russian invasion of Crimea. Kovalenko said he still believed his home country could win the war if America offered more help, like antiaircraft weapons or the enforcement of a no-fly zone. The latter option has been ruled out, for now, by the US for fear of escalating the war. “United States proved to be our friends and allies supporting us,” Kovalenko said. “Maybe they can do more. We will expect from them to do more. But at least you already proved you are our friends.” Zelenskyy cited Pearl Harbor and the September 11 terror attacks as he appealed to Congress to do more to help Ukraine’s fight against Russia. He also appealed for intensified US financial sanctions against Russia. It was appropriate for Zelenskyy to draw on the horrors of 9/11 and

Pearl Harbor in his appeal to Americans, said Taisa Kulyk, a 22-year-old Harvard University senior and Cleveland, Ohio, native whose parents immigrated from Ukraine in 1996. “Ukraine is experiencing this every day, every night for three weeks now,” Kulyk said. “The world cannot just stand by and bear witness to terrorism on this scale.” Zelenskyy “appealed to the American experience of terror, thus speaking directly to American voters,” said Oleh Kotsyuba, a 41-yearold scholar at Harvard’s Ukrainian Research Institute who is originally from Ukraine. President Joe Biden announced after Zelenskyy’s speech that the US will be sending an additional $800 million in military aid to Ukraine, including more anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons and drones. That makes a total of $2 billion in such aid sent to Kyiv since Biden took office more than a year ago. In the Detroit suburb of Warren, Michigan, dozens of Ukrainian Americans watched as the flag of their homeland was raised in front of City Hall. Among them was Luba Kytasta, who described her initial reaction to Zelenskyy’s speech as: “Heartbreak, rage, outrage and hope.”

The outrage, Kytasta said, stemmed from “what’s happening to my people, to my country that I was born in,” as well as with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who she said “wants to kill all of us, not only in Ukraine, because we’re suffering here, too.” “I can’t eat, I can’t sleep—pretty much like all the other Ukrainians,” she said. “This is the only thing that’s on your mind.” Kytasta said Zelenskyy’s address did provide her with hope, though. “He’s very resolute. He’s very focused. Pretty much like all the Ukrainian fighters,” said Kytasta, who added, “I hope to God” his speech makes a difference. The ever-lingering question of What to Do dominated social media posts reacting to Zelenskyy’s speech. A sense of anger—and helplessness—was paramount. Many said they could not sit back and let the carnage continue. Others warned that acceding to Zelenskyy’s requests for air power or anti-aircraft missiles could lead to World War III. AP video

EPR bill that will further strengthen RA 9003. These proposals should be cleared from any waste-to-energy incineration, quick tech fixes, offsetting schemes, and greenwashing that only address plastic pollution downstream. In two years, the global plastic treaty can, hopefully, steer the discussion towards the mainstreaming of a circular economy which augurs a shift from the “take-make-dispose” of the current predisposition of a linear economy. The Ellen McArthur Foundation has defined circular economy as “better use of resources,

closing loops of resource flows by recovering as much as possible, and preventing waste and pollution through better design. The emphasis is placed on shifting the way we extract, make, use, and repurpose the material in our products to ensure emissions are reduced and resources are efficiently used and kept in circulation as long as possible.” Take the case of Australia. Its National Waste Report (2018) reveals that, of the 54 total megatons of waste produced in 2016-2017, 21.7 megatons were sent to landfills. That is about 40 percent of all waste

materials being disposed of in landfills. Through a zero-waste management system mindset and circular economy, these can be further reduced through proper recycling and limiting wastes that can neither be recycled nor composted. With the global plastic treaty mandate and encouraging multistakeholder actions, UN member states can lead countries in solving the plastic pollution crisis.

journalist Joseph Frederick reported from New York. Associated Press writers Householder reported from Warren, Michigan, and Hanson from Helena, Montana. Philip Marcelo in Boston contributed to this report.

Mr. Joseph Edward B. Alegado is a part-time lecturer at the Department of Economics and School of Government of the Ateneo de Manila University.

A14 Friday, March 18, 2022

MBC assails govt move to amend BOT law’s IRR By VG Cabuag

@villygc

HE Makati Business Club has warned the government against its plan to amend the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, saying some of the proposed provisions and the timing itself, could “offset recent gains and weaken the country’s chances of boosting infrastructure, investment, trade and creation of jobs.” MBC chairman Edgar O. Chua, in his five-page letter to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua, cited some of the group’s views on the alleged flaws of the proposed amendments. The National Economic and Development Authority, where Karl Chua is also director general, is amending the implementing rules and regulation of Republic Act 6957 or An Act Authorizing the Financing, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector and for Other Purposes. “Makati Business Club shares the government’s vision of de-

livering high-quality ser vices to the people, protect the public from excessive payments and undue guarantees arising from PPP projects and promote the interests of Filipinos,” MBC ’s Chua said. “With less than 60 days before the 2022 national elections, the expected benefit of any changes may be discounted by the perception that they may be changed anew by the incoming administration,” he said. The MBC pointed out some of the weakness of the proposed amendment that include even the definition of terms, one of which is the Material Adverse Government

Action (MAGA), or a termination clause in case the private sector partner failed to deliver. “ We recognize that M AGA clauses are necessary and have already been a component of PPP [public-private partnership] contracts, thereby highlighting the importance of setting forth a clear definition of MAGA in the revised IRRs,” MBC said. “However, we believe that the proposed definition of MAGA in the revised IRR creates higher risks for businesses from a regulatory and political standpoint which would discourage private sector participation in infrastructure projects,” it said. The MBC also hit the proposed additional prequalification requirements for bidding, saying the additional prequalification requirements “appear to be onerous, restrictive and/or premature.” The additional requirements include the definition of equity which now requires certain deductions that also need to come with sworn affidavits. On the debt side, testimonial letters by banks or lenders are now required to include amounts cover-

ing the entire value of the debt for the PPP project, without banks or lenders having the benefit of undergoing proper due diligence of banks or lenders having the benefit of undergoing proper due diligence of the project. The MBC said there have been numerous initiatives in both houses of Congress to amend the current BOT law, but these initiatives have been halted over the years. “Amendments to the BOT law should effectively accelerate the approval process of PP projects and remove existing bottlenecks. It should also ease restrictions especially for unsolicited proposals; there have also been calls to lengthen the Swiss challenge process from 60 days to 6 months among others. Effective legislative amendments to the BOT law (with extensive consultation with the private sector) should be a policy priority of the incoming Congress,” it said. The MBC is the association of many of the biggest companies in the Philippines. It was organized in 1981 and has, for over 40 years, played a leading role in restoring and expanding democracy and the rule of law, and promoting globally competitive, free market policies.

FEED MILLERS WELCOME CORN-TARIFF CUT PLAN

HE Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc. (PAFMI) on Thursday welcomed the government’s economic team proposal reducing the corn tariff to 5 percent to mitigate the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the Filipino people, saying this will ensure local food security. Under the proposed measures, PAFMI said the economic team is batting for the immediate reduction of the corn tariff to 5 percent for in-quota imports under the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme from 35 percent, and to 15 percent for out-quota imports. Based on a 2019 to 2021 Bureau of Customs data, the group said the Philippines on average had imported 49 percent of its feed wheat from the Black Sea region, which houses both Russia and Ukraine, with 51 percent of that coming from Ukraine and 17 percent from Russia. “Given the ongoing RussiaUkraine conflict, there is an urgent need to further diversify our feed input sourcing and to lower the tariff on non-Asean yellow corn to 5 percent,” said PAFMI. Ve er i ng aw ay f rom t he Black Sea region means additional logistical costs espe-

cially for the Philippines considering the country’s location relative to major grain hubs, PAFMI said. The group said the reduction in the tariff of yellow corn to 5 percent would help address the insufficiency in local supply, manage the implications on the country’s inflation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and ensure the uninterrupted operation of the feed milling, as well as the poultry and livestock industries. “We would like to emphasize the urgency and the need to provide for the continued affordability, availability, and accessibility of feed inputs, particularly yellow corn, to ensure local food security,” PAFMI said.

Uniform tariff

PAFMI, however, called on the government to consider its proposal to temporarily bring down to a uniform 5 percent the tariff on all corn imports, or the same rate as that imposed on imports from the Asean. “The continued tight supply of corn in the region, mainly caused by China continuing to stockpile grains, is forcing feed millers to buy corn from outside Asean,” it said. Continued on A5

OFFICERS of the National Press Club (NPC) pose for posterity at a function at the Citystate Tower Hotel hosted by ALC Media Group chairman, D. Edgard A. Cabangon. In photo are (Seated L-R): Former NPC president Rolly Lakay Gonzalo; ALC Media Group Chairman Cabangon; NPC President Paul Gutierrez; Vice President Tina Maralit; Auditor Boying Abasola; Director Alvin Murcia. (Standing L-R): Directors Benedict Abaygar and Jeany Lacorte; Secretary Lydia Bueno; Treasurer Mina Navarro; Directors Nats Taboy and Madelyn Dominguez; NPC member Dennis Napule; and Pilipino Mirror photographer Mark Nilo Odiaman. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DOT chief warns Boracay stakeholders vs slipping back into old bad habits By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

ACK to old bad habits again? Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat reiterated that fire dancing on Boracay Island is still strictly prohibited unless the dancers use LED lights. “Bawal pa ’yan ( T h at ’s st i l l banned). It’s against the environment,” she told the BusinessMirror via Messenger, after receiving videos of firedancers doing a show at Wave Bar on the island. The video showed the dancers waving their kerosene-lighted lamps called poi closely around the faces and bodies of the bar’s guests, who appeared delighted despite the danger the action posed to the person. The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF), which oversaw the rehabilitation of the island, prohibited firedancing on the island starting October 26, 2018, or six months after it reopened to tourism. Aside from firedancing, other major attractions on Boracay that had been prohibited were the wild parties on the beachfront that used

to happen during Labor Day, the building of sandcastles, and wedding receptions on the beach. The BIATF also strictly implemented easement regulations, such that 25+5 meters of the white beach should be kept free of obstructions like chairs, tables, and lounge beds.

Pontoon within easement

HOWEVER, an orange pontoon between stations 1 and 2 now juts across the white beach and into the water, destroying the line of sight of tourists. Instead of having a clear sight of the beach and its clean waters, visitors see hordes of people clambering onboard pump boats that are to take the latter on trips around the island. Malay councilor Nenette Graf explained, “It’s a pontoon for watersports being used during amihan (northwest monsoon).” According to Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director for Western Visayas Cristine Mansinares, however, the pontoon was approved by the BIATF, but so far, no documentation has been seen showing such approval. Continued on A5

4-day work week won’t mean OT pay automatically

MPLOYEES who avail themselves of a 4-day compressed work week (CWW) setup will not immediately qualify for overtime (OT) pay, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). It issued the statement as labor groups demanded for OT pay compensation for those who will fall under the scheme and have to work 12 hours instead of the regular 8 hours per day. Labor Undersecretary Benjo M. Benavidez explained that those engaged in a 4-day work week will still be serving 48-hours of duty in a week; thus, they will not be entitled to additional pay. “Technically, they will waive their overtime pay so they could have a 4-day of work. Their savings for not reporting to work will serve as their savings,” said Benavidez, by way of explaining how workers benefit from the scheme. He noted that while workers will still be able to work over 12 hours to qualify for OT pay even under a CWW, such may be detrimental to their health. “The body and its productivity has limitations. That is why normal work hours are set to 8 hours and a maximum of 12 hours,” Benavidez said. Samuel P. Medenilla

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Friday, March 18, 2022

Converge ICT to spend ₧28B THEC completes commissioning to fortify broadband network

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

onverge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. (Converge) is spending as much as P28 billion for its capital expenditures (capex) program this year to further expand and fortify its broadband network.

During a news briefing, Converge President Maria Grace Y. Uy said the company is allotting P26 billion to P28 billion in capital outlays for the year “to deepen our network and for the deployment of additional fiber.” Last year, the fixed broadband operator spent P25 billion in capex to complete its national backbone and expand its business. Converge CFO Matthias Vukovich noted that the capex for 2022 will be spent primarily in deploying new ports, nodes and core routers

“to make our network even more resilience and faster.” Other components of the capital spend is for the acquisition and deployment of customer premise equipment, investments in international sub-sea cables and digital transformation initiatives. “It’s fully funded,” Vukovich said. “We still have about P25 billion of undrawn debt facilities and… cash in the balance sheet. And we’ll be raising bonds; another P10 billion in funding.” This brings Converge’s total fund-

ing capacity to “more than P50 billion, which is twice the capex that we’re looking at this year,” he added. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the company said the allotment is for the “deepening of our network infrastructure throughout the country, as well as deployment of additional FTTH [fiber-to-the-home] ports nationwide.”

Net income

Converge reported more than doubling its net income after tax in 2022 to nearly P7.2 billion from roughly P3.4 billion the year prior driven largely by the strong performance of its residential business as well as the recovery of its enterprise vertical. “In addition, with the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (Create) bill signed into law with effectivity starting July 2020, our statutory corporate income tax rate was reduced from 30.0 percent to 25.0 percent with Converge’s effective tax rate dropping from 30.6 percent in FY2020 to 25.1 percent in FY2021,” the company said in its disclosure to the PSE.

During the same comparative periods, Converge booked a 69.2-percent rise in revenues to P26.5 billion from P15.7 billion, as it closed the year with 1.7 million subscribers. “Our entry into Visayas and Mindanao contributed to our aggressive port rollout and continued turn-in of subscribers in Luzon and existing markets pushed up our residential business revenues up by 83.2 percent. Our network has now passed 10.9 million homes and we’re covering around 42.5 percent of Philippine households. We’re confident of meeting our accelerated goal of reaching 55 percent of all households by 2023,” Converge CEO Dennis Anthony H. Uy said. As of end-December, Converge has 2.4 million ports deployed across the country. It also has 103,000 kilometers of fiber passing through 495 cities and municipalities in the Philippines. For this year, the company aims to add 700,000 more subscribers to end 2022 with 2.4 million subscribers leading to a 50-percent increase in revenues.

SPNEC to hasten solar projects By VG Cabuag @villygc

olar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. (SPNEC) said on Thursday it is accelerating its timetable for the implementation of 4 gigawatts (GW) of developments from its parent, Solar Philippines Inc. (Solar PHL). Solar PHL has spent years developing over 10GW of projects, some of which will be part of its share-swap deal with SPNEC and are reserved for joint ventures with various companies. This includes over 4 GW of developments for its joint venture with Enrique Razon Jr.’s Prime Metroline Infrastructure Holdings Corp. (Prime Infra) and Terra Solar Philippines, Inc.

(Terra Solar). Solar Philippines is preparing land and permits that would form part of its investment in these projects. Terra Solar is the original proponent for an unsolicited proposal to the Manila Electric Co. for the supply of 850 megawatts mid-merit for up to 13 hours a day from at least 2.5GW of solar and 4GW-hour of battery storage. This may be over two times the total installed capacity of solar in the Philippines, according to the DOE list of awarded solar projects as of end 2021. The company also said Solar PHL has allowed them the option to accelerate the development of the project site using the proceeds of the stock rights offering (SRO) rather than

wait for the effectivity of the increase in authorized capital stock and its share swap deal. “This would support SPNEC in making the first of these projects construction-ready by the end of 2023, so that SPNEC may benefit from these sooner and significantly increase its capacity,” the company said. “We note the feedback of our public shareholders who want us to accelerate our business plan, ahead of the consummation of the increase in ACS and share swap. As such, we are preparing SPNEC to accelerate the development of our largest projects, from the proceeds of an earlier filed SRO, given the importance of speed in developing projects to meet the growing demand for solar in the

Philippines,” Solar Philippines President and CEO Leandro Antonio L. Leviste said. Currently, SPNEC has an authorized capital stock of 10 billion shares, of which 8.124 billion shares are outstanding and 1.876 billion are unissued. It is in the process of increasing its capital stock to 50 billion shares, which would be for further share issuances such as private placements and share swap. The company is also finalizing the terms of its SRO, which it now plans to file based on its current unissued shares. It targets to conduct the SRO in June , subject to the Philippine Stock Exchange rule that a company can only conduct a new offering after 180 days from its initial public offering.

NGCP Intel set to get $5.5B in German subsidies for plant earns ISO recertification

HE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) announced it has received its Integrated Management System (IMS) re-certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These are for ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 14000:2015 (Environmental Management Systems), ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems) and ISO 22301:2019 (Business Continuity Management Systems). The NGCP said the IMS combines all processes of an organization into a unified system. The IMS certifications are a confirmation of the company’s strict observance of international criteria covering management and speed of processes, cost effectiveness and streamlined services, according to the NGCP. The company has been certified for IMS processes since 2012. The NGCP is currently re-certified for four aspects. It said that quality management focuses on the organization’s activities to meet stakeholder requirements and ability to continuously improve its effectivity and efficiency. Environmental management, meanwhile, gauges the organization’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact. Lenie Lectura

ermany is looking to grant Intel Corp. more than 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in public funds to build a massive semiconductor plant, part of the European Union’s effort to build up domestic chip production, officials familiar with the negotiations said. Intel will start work on a 17 billion euros ($18.7 billion) cuttingedge semiconductor production site in Magdeburg, Germany, the company said Tuesday. Intel and the country are still discussing the exact amount the chipmaker could receive, but officials familiar with the matter said the government plans to give more than 5 billion euros in state aid. Intel shares gained as much as 3.7 percent to $46.46 in New York, marking the biggest gain two weeks. Investors have been concerned about Intel not getting reimbursed for its costly expansion plan, weighing on shares. The deal would need to be scrutinized and approved by the European Commission under the region’s state aid rules. Economy Minister Robert Habeck’s office said that the final amount of the subsidy would depend on the talks with the commission, but added that considering the “high” investment from Intel, public funds should be “in the billions.” Construction at the site in Mag-

An Intel Corp. heat sink and fan (HSF) for a central processing unit. Bloomberg Newst

deburg will start in the first half of next year, with production to come online in 2027. The facility, which will help turn the region into a chipmaking center that Intel is calling “Silicon Junction,” will create 3,000 permanent high-tech jobs along with 7,000 construction jobs. The EU has ambitious plans to become a key semiconductor producer with a goal of producing 20 percent of the world’s chip supply by 2030. The commission also freed up public funding for the production of chips considered “first of a kind” in Europe with its 45 billion-euro Chips Act last month. Intel’s German plant is the first announcement following the publication of the EU’s plan, which could make the region less dependent on Taiwan and South Korea for the cutting edge chips needed for high-tech devices. At present, Germany stands to gain the most from the plans, with

Magdeburg to become home to the biggest piece of Intel’s European expansion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is also considering to set up shop in the country. Intel Chief Executive Officer Pat Gelsinger said that both the EU and U.S. lost out on chip production in recent decades because Asian countries have heavily subsidized the industry. It is roughly 30 percent to 40 percent cheaper to build in Asia, he said. Intel’s leader also is stepping up an expansion in the US, announcing plans for factories at an existing site in Arizona and new location in Ohio. “The EU Chip Act and the US Chips Act are designed to essentially level that playing field,” Gelsinger said to reporters on Tuesday. Intel has told investors that it expects that as much as 30 percent of its planned spending on new plants and equipment will be provided by government subsidies. Gelsinger wouldn’t comment on the specific amount the company expected to receive from the German government on Tuesday. “Such investments as we’re announcing today are competitive with those that would occur elsewhere in the world,” he said. “So that the results of these manufacturing investments allow us to satisfy and compete in the world market.” Bloomberg News

of Samar plant By Lenie Lectura @llectura

AFT Hydro Energy Corp. (THEC) said Thursday it has finally completed its commissioning works of its 16-megawatt (MW) hydropower project in Eastern Samar. The hydropower project was supposed to be commissioned in December but was only completed this month. “Hydro projects are challenging to build but THEC did it in record time of less than two years. THEC is grateful to the support of the Department of Energy (DOE), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), the electric cooperatives, local government of Eastern Samar, the local communities and our workers on the ground who went the extra mile so we can complete this project on time and on budget,” THEC President Benjamin Picardo said. The hydro project, which is envisioned to provide power to the is-

land of Samar, utilizes the Taft-Tubig River, Baranggay San Rafael, Taft, Eastern Samar, to provide stable and affordable electricity in Samar Island and Leyte Province. “This is a huge project with three units of 5.9 MW. With this plant, local places will get energy required for normal life and grid improvement,” said Aleksander Ikodinovic, who represented Global Hydro Energy, THEC’s electromechanical supplier. THEC tapped a P1-billion loan from the DBP to partly fund the construction of the project. THEC is a project company under Magis Energy Holdings Corp., a Filipino firm set up in 2019 to harness the power of renewable energy sources with the aim of spurring growth in rural communities that have not been given access to power. Magis Energy is also the owner of Matuno River Development Corp., the project company responsible for the 8.6MW hydroelectric project in Bamban, Nueva Vizcaya.

Report: PHL’s 5G speed ranks 8th out of 10 in Asia-Pacific

Bloomberg News

HE Philippines found itself in the bottom three in the latest report of Opensignal Pte. Ltd. on 5G in Asia Pacific; but has shown the “greatest uplift” when comparing its 4G and 5G networks. According to Opensignal’s report titled “Benchmarking the 5G Experience-Asia and the Pacific,” the Philippines ranked 8th out of the 10 countries in the region in terms of 5G speed. The report found that the 5G download speed in the Philippines was at 136.6 Megabits per second (Mbps), a hairline difference from 9th placer Hong Kong and almost double the speed from 10th placer and late-5G adopter Indonesia. South Korea led the region in 5G download speed with 438 Mbps, followed by Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Japan and Thailand. However, when it comes to uplift—simply put, the migration from 4G to 5G—the Philippines had the best performance. “The Philippines saw the greatest uplift when we compare the 5G and 4G mobile network experience. Impressively, the average 5G download speeds seen by our users were 8.9 times faster than average 4G speeds in the Philippines. On mobile video

streaming, Filipino users enjoyed a 33 percent higher Video Experience score using 5G versus 4G,” the report read. Trailing the Philippines in the uplift category by ratio are Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and lastly, Japan. The Singapore-based Opensignal also reported that the Philippines ranked 7th in terms of 5G availability, which it defines as the percentage time the service is available. “[T]he numerous islands and challenging interior of the Philippines also mean that the scores of 11.1 percent and 3.7 are similarly impressive,” the report read. South Korea, once again, led the region in 5G availability with an “excellent” score of 30.7 percent. “5G continues to mature as a technology as operators expand the extent of their 5G services. Either by boosting the geographic reach, or by deploying 5G on new spectrum bands that improve speed and capacity—if mid or higher frequency—or by boosting in-building signal propagation and rural reach through the use of lower frequency bands for 5G,” Opensignal noted. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, March 18, 2022

Meralco seeks DOE nod for power supply auction

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has sought the green light of the Department of Energy (DOE) to proceed with the competitive selection process, or CSP, for the procurement of 180 megawatts (MW) of baseload supply needed for the dry months.

The utility firm said the DOE has approved the terms of reference (TOR) for the competitive bidding on May 4. “Through its Third Party Bids and Awards Committee (TBPAC), Meralco is inviting all interested parties to submit their offers for the contract. It will be effective upon the issuance of notice of award and approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) until July 25, 2022,” the listed firm said. Interested bidders have until March 31 to submit their Expressions of Interest. A pre-bid conference will be held on April 7, while bid-submission deadline will be on May 4. Under the TOR, the minimum

offered contract capacity per bidder is at least 50MW. The winning bidder should supply Meralco starting March 26 up to July 25 this year. Forming part of the 350-MW power requirement that Meralco needs to augment available supply during the summer months, this 180-MW supply is meant to cover for the output of plants that are affected by Malampaya facility’s continued inability to supply adequate natural gas fuel. Last February, Meralco entered into a power supply agreement (PSA) with South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) following the CSP for the initial 170-MW of peaking power requirement. The PSA is now with the ERC for approval.

Lowe’s, Home Depot turn to livestreaming

mericans are finally getting out of the house as pandemic restrictions melt away like the winter snow. But Lowe’s Cos. and Home Depot Inc. are betting they can keep consumers interested in home-improvement projects via online and in-person workshops on bathroom upgrades and lawn care. Both retailers want to hold onto the customers that they

gained during the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, when homebound shoppers invested heavily in improving their living spaces. Now, that spending boom is expected to moderate as the outside world competes for attention -- but livestreams may help to keep the retailers’ momentum from flagging, and customers are now increasingly comfortable with online workshops.

“We did some virtual stuff. We saw success with it, so we wanted to keep that option,” said Bill Boltz, Lowe’s executive vice president of merchandising. Early registrations for the streamed workshops, part of an initiative the retailer calls DIY-U by Lowe’s, were fully booked, he said, while adding that customers are still looking forward to in-person events as well. Bloomberg News

mutual funds

March 17, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.4575

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

3.1208

19.72%

-2.68%

0.85%

8.29%

-8.26%

-5.08%

-7.13% n.a.

-1.61%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7443 1.29% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6911 5.71%

-6.63% n.a.

-10.35%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

10.51%

-2.03%

-0.27%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.7558

13.38%

-4.16%

-3.8%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

-9.51%

-11.42% n.a.

-7.37%

5.0787 87.47

-2.01%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

46.2486

7.12%

-3.19%

-0.87%

-3.9%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

484.92

7.22%

-3.19%

-1.16%

-3.15%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3327

22.04%

1.1%

1.65%

-1.74%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

35.554

10.09%

-2.19%

0.26%

-2.84%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9221

9.8%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.7924

8.44%

-2.4%

7.78%

-2.52%

-0.26%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 796.72 Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7225

-3.09% n.a. -0.17%

-2.05%

-3.84%

8.35%

-7.24%

-3.21%

8.29%

-5.06%

-1.54%

-3.87%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9075

7.33%

-2.84%

-0.52%

7.86%

-2.62%

0.68%

-2.79%

3.3415

-3.51%

-3.39%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.6293 United Fund, Inc. -a

-12.42% -3.61%

-4% -3.92%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.1483

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

973.69 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

12.9% n.a. n.a.

-1.24%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

107.4196

8.29%

-2.26%

0.2%

-3.64%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$0.9595

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.5901

-24.68%

-1.58%

0.81%

-14.82%

-7.01%

8.26%

7.7%

-13.88%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.6226

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2161

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6521

-0.5%

-1.53%

-1.15%

-4.1%

2.57%

-0.98%

-0.57%

-2.87%

6.26%

0.61%

1.27%

-1.45%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2044 NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9735

3.95%

8.9% n.a. n.a. 1.35%

1.48%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.6636

2.84%

0.49%

0.32%

-2.7%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.4334

2.8%

0.22%

0.3%

-2.45%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0808

-1.91%

3.98%

-0.66%

0.15%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5451 4.44%

-2.25%

-0.32%

-2.8%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

-1.17%

0.13%

-2.59%

0.9295

11.18%

-2.2%

-2.14%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a

0.9521

0.33%

-0.91% n.a.

-3.81%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.9077

4.33%

-2.34% n.a.

-3.9%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

0.8965

4.87%

-2.68% n.a.

-4%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03517 PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$0.9606

-7.45%

-0.54%

-15.21%

-0.01%

-7.3% -9.98%

-0.57%

0.8%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.2555 -7.03%

5.41%

5.5%

-11.38%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.089 -7.1%

1.77%

2.23%

-9.14%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

373.78

1.01%

2.57%

2.45%

-0.14%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8859

-1.01%

0.31%

0.12%

0.06%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2392

0.71%

2.61%

3.66%

-0.15%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2236

-0.66%

1.06%

1.21%

-1.24%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4177 -0.13%

2.61%

1.79%

-0.34%

-2.77%

2.93%

1.25%

-1.79%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3132

-0.14%

3.33%

2.73%

-0.45%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9187

4.3171

-0.76%

2.4%

-1.19%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0159

-0.07%

3.68%

1.87%

-1.2%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1526

-0.27%

3.5%

3.01%

-1.09%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-0.96%

2.71%

2.32%

-1.35%

1.7072

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$484.76

0.76%

2.34%

2.2%

-0.98%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є215.91

-1.55%

0.09%

0.6%

-1.86%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1152

-5.68%

-1.25%

0.1%

-7.37%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0249 -3.11%

-0.13% n.a.

-4.23%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$0.956

-8.73%

-3.21%

-2.02%

-6.53%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.3305

-4.84%

1.54%

1.33%

-6.99%

$0.0611249

-2.08%

1.93%

1.47%

-1.87%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.9053 -6.2%

-0.34%

-0.1%

-9.1%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

131.53

1.29%

2.51%

2.54%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.0601

1.02%

1.81% n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1

1.52%

2.41%

2.51%

1.3198

0.26% 0.23%

0.32%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0619

0.67%

1.32% n.a.

0.12%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

45.284 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.2652

5.97% n.a. n.a.

-8.51%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.8952

-9.58% n.a. n.a.

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

c - Listed in the PSE.

-7.71%

d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

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

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

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PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

March 17, 2022

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

86,300 601,018,789 369,091,711.50 965,935 2,594,396 325,344,695.50 3,845,570 996,681 485,620 46,080,998 7,722,135.50 186,270 23,640 59,580 61,000 48,466 2,014,250

177,658,392 189,350,122 450,195 -479,574 -79,522,108.50 166,764 6,200 9,248,907 573,275.50 2,002 1,987,250

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.43 8.46 8.21 8.49 8.21 8.43 27,484,300 230,413,027 ALSONS CONS 0.99 1.04 1.03 1.04 1.03 1.04 27,000 28,040 ABOITIZ POWER 34.15 34.35 34.3 34.85 34.15 34.15 1,891,500 65,163,460 0.44 0.455 0.46 0.46 0.44 0.455 5,990,000 2,655,950 BASIC ENERGY 26.8 26.9 26.75 26.9 26.75 26.8 952,300 25,522,665 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 69 69.9 69.95 69.95 68.6 69 3,210 220,621 MERALCO 374 378 380 380 372 378 285,720 107,639,348 19.56 19.6 19.12 19.84 19.12 19.6 1,123,100 21,997,414 MANILA WATER 3.36 3.37 3.31 3.43 3.28 3.36 1,633,000 5,441,940 PETRON 10.44 10.68 10.68 10.68 10.32 10.68 7,200 74,476 PHX PETROLEUM SYNERGY GRID 11.76 11.78 11.72 11.84 11.7 11.78 1,186,000 13,994,484 PILIPINAS SHELL 17.8 17.86 18 18 17.64 17.8 1,291,200 23,055,414 14.36 14.38 14.38 14.38 14.36 14.38 21,400 307,598 SPC POWER SOLAR PH 1.75 1.76 1.59 1.78 1.58 1.76 134,798,000 223,889,360 AGRINURTURE 5.45 5.49 5.28 5.7 5.2 5.49 2,398,400 13,306,892 AXELUM 2.52 2.55 2.5 2.55 2.5 2.55 439,000 1,118,700 12.12 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.1 12.1 3,400 41,552 CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD 20.9 21 21.35 21.5 20.6 20.9 1,217,400 25,771,985 14.3 14.46 14.5 14.5 14 14.46 8,800 125,826 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 7 7.01 7.1 7.3 7 7 8,761,800 62,196,007 EMPERADOR 14.2 14.3 13.6 14.38 13.6 14.2 4,002,100 56,619,282 65.95 66 65 66.4 65 65.95 151,350 9,986,225.50 SMC FOODANDBEV 0.6 0.61 0.59 0.61 0.58 0.6 9,044,000 5,401,660 FIGARO COFFEE ALLIANCE SELECT 0.58 0.62 0.62 0.63 0.58 0.62 48,000 28,500 FRUITAS HLDG 1.11 1.13 1.12 1.13 1.1 1.13 1,395,000 1,557,750 109.5 109.9 110 110 107.1 109.5 2,940 319,216 GINEBRA 224.8 225 228.2 229.4 224.8 225 643,910 145,373,576 JOLLIBEE 1.2 1.21 1.17 1.22 1.17 1.21 1,561,000 1,865,300 KEEPERS HLDG MAXS GROUP 6.16 6.18 6.1 6.18 6.1 6.18 34,900 213,866 MG HLDG 0.142 0.149 0.149 0.149 0.149 0.149 10,000 1,490 15.08 15.2 15.1 15.48 15.04 15.08 8,333,900 126,150,218 MONDE NISSIN 7.97 8 7.96 8.08 7.95 7.97 110,500 884,407 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.59 0.6 0.62 0.71 0.59 0.6 3,043,000 1,915,620 RFM CORP 4.23 4.59 4.21 4.23 4.21 4.23 12,000 50,660 1.25 1.37 1.23 1.44 1.22 1.41 21,000 27,410 ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS 0.1 0.105 0.101 0.102 0.1 0.1 4,030,000 404,180 UNIV ROBINA 111 111.4 108.7 111.9 108.7 111 1,615,310 179,314,684 VITARICH 0.6 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.6 0.64 364,000 219,800 VICTORIAS 2.43 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 1,000 2,500 0.93 0.95 0.94 0.94 0.92 0.93 551,000 513,440 CEMEX HLDG 13.04 13.74 13.5 13.8 13.04 13.04 47,400 636,878 EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP 5.42 5.5 5.62 5.62 5.42 5.5 256,200 1,409,220 HOLCIM 5.55 5.65 5.65 5.65 5.5 5.55 35,100 195,252 5 5.07 5 5.3 5 5 297,200 1,490,795 MEGAWIDE 19.1 19.3 19.2 19.3 19 19.3 13,400 254,750 PHINMA 0.8 0.87 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 10,000 8,000 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 1.05 1.06 1.05 1.07 1.02 1.05 1,928,000 2,013,020 CROWN ASIA 1.76 1.8 1.85 1.85 1.8 1.8 60,000 109,030 1.16 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.11 1.2 21,000 24,930 EUROMED MABUHAY VINYL 4.26 4.42 4.21 4.25 4.21 4.24 34,000 143,950 PRYCE CORP 5.4 5.41 5.41 5.41 5.41 5.41 54,100 292,681 CONCEPCION 19.78 19.8 20 20 19.8 20 186,700 3,729,600 1.75 1.76 1.67 1.76 1.67 1.76 6,402,000 11,142,960 GREENERGY 8.37 8.38 8.1 8.4 8.1 8.38 89,400 739,753 INTEGRATED MICR 0.68 0.69 0.69 0.69 0.69 0.69 60,000 41,400 IONICS PANASONIC 6.03 6.21 6 6.22 6 6.22 9,900 61,400 SFA SEMICON 1.05 1.07 1.04 1.08 1.04 1.06 111,000 116,650 3.24 3.25 3.18 3.25 3.18 3.24 605,000 1,946,770 CIRTEK HLDG

-16,879,279 1,030 15,937,845.00 -13,550 845,565 65,256 29,610,798 14,283,892 189,680 -2,535,384 -7,630,416 -426,350 2,197,727 -997,050.00 -12,030,155 -28,768,145 -22,634,410 372,543.00 -38,750 -1,860 -165,225 -86,892,936 104,730 20,826 -57,032,544 -640,980 56,700 -12,016,683 1,020 38,640 -33,420 18,070 -3,860 38,630 -216,400 -67,948 -1,708,540 213,179 21,480

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

44 132.9 99.75 26 8.57 54.15 19.2 56.7 20.35 109.5 89.9 1.8 3.7 915 0.61 200.6 2,650

0.85 4.03 808 58.55 12.5 8.46 0.87 0.55 0.55 5.01 8.63 527 58.95 6.54 0.52 2.93 9.28 3.76 2.6 1.34 2.91 906 108.7 2.41 118.2 0.29 0.162

44.95 133 99.9 26.55 8.58 54.2 19.42 57 20.5 110 91 1.97 4 1,110 0.72 211.2 2,750

0.87 5.29 823 59 12.56 8.87 0.89 0.57 0.59 5.02 8.65 529 59.1 8.08 0.59 2.98 9.3 3.77 2.8 1.38 3.35 907 109.9 2.79 119.9 0.3 0.172

43.15 129.8 97.5 25.8 8.55 53.25 19.1 55.2 20.25 110 89.1 2 3.99 993 0.61 200.2 2,700

0.86 4.03 817 59 12.4 8.41 0.87 0.57 0.58 4.98 8.51 515 58.6 6.54 0.59 2.93 9.42 3.74 2.5 1.3 3.35 891 107.5 2.79 117 0.29 0.165

43.15 133.5 100 26.8 8.68 54.55 19.44 57 21 111.2 91.8 2 4 993 0.61 211.2 2,700

0.87 4.03 830 60 12.56 8.45 0.88 0.59 0.59 5.06 8.75 532 59.2 6.54 0.59 2.95 9.54 3.77 2.82 1.4 3.35 911 110 2.79 119 0.29 0.165

43.15 128 97.5 25.75 8.5 53.05 18.9 55.2 20.2 110 89.1 1.8 3.68 993 0.61 200.2 2,650

0.85 4.03 800 58.55 12.38 8.41 0.86 0.55 0.54 4.98 8.51 515 58.05 6.54 0.59 2.93 9.3 3.71 2.5 1.24 3.35 886 107.3 2.79 117 0.29 0.162

43.15 133 99.9 26.55 8.58 54.2 19.42 57 20.35 110 89.9 1.97 4 993 0.61 211.2 2,650

0.87 4.03 808 58.55 12.54 8.45 0.88 0.57 0.54 5.02 8.65 527 59.1 6.54 0.59 2.95 9.3 3.76 2.82 1.38 3.35 906 109.9 2.79 119 0.29 0.162

2,000 4,538,270 3,713,500 36,900 303,100 6,006,430 200,200 17,770 24,000 416,100 85,200 103,000 6,000 60 100,000 230 760

2,299,000 1,000 255,930 947,150 3,405,200 2,900 108,000 4,390,000 446,000 526,000 4,493,400 243,380 1,140,950 100 1,000 51,000 2,211,000 28,485,000 6,000 111,000 6,000 395,120 68,570 11,000 120 20,000 850,000

1,978,500 4,030 208,832,215 55,824,895 42,550,534 24,473 94,210 2,463,830 251,690 2,638,820 38,936,241 128,670,035 67,176,973 654 590 150,430 20,811,922 106,619,570 16,150 152,060 20,100 357,244,700 7,472,319 30,690 14,240 5,800 138,730

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.55 0.59 0.53 0.55 0.53 0.54 311,000 167,750 AYALA LAND 36.4 36.55 36.2 36.7 35.8 36.55 9,235,300 334,962,205 AYALA LAND LOG 4.58 4.6 4.4 4.59 4.39 4.58 1,244,000 5,623,540 1.01 1.14 1.08 1.19 1.08 1.14 25,000 28,780 ARANETA PROP 45.6 45.75 45.35 46.95 45.35 45.75 1,841,100 84,474,280 AREIT RT CITYLAND DEVT 0.7 0.71 0.7 0.71 0.7 0.7 33,000 23,170 CROWN EQUITIES 0.087 0.093 0.092 0.093 0.092 0.093 70,000 6,470 2.91 2.94 2.92 2.95 2.9 2.94 493,000 1,443,220 CEB LANDMASTERS 0.385 0.395 0.385 0.39 0.385 0.39 2,590,000 1,006,250 CENTURY PROP 2.69 2.7 2.69 2.72 2.67 2.7 10,096,000 27,240,120 CITICORE RT DOUBLEDRAGON 9.12 9.14 9.1 9.25 9.1 9.14 301,800 2,763,288 DDMP RT 1.58 1.6 1.61 1.63 1.57 1.58 5,165,000 8,257,360 6.9 6.92 6.92 6.94 6.92 6.92 252,000 1,745,880 DM WENCESLAO 0.231 0.238 0.238 0.238 0.222 0.231 1,540,000 353,980 EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO 0.265 0.275 0.275 0.28 0.255 0.275 4,710,000 1,274,350 FILINVEST RT 7.15 7.19 7.11 7.2 7.1 7.15 1,591,700 11,427,782 1.05 1.06 1.03 1.07 1.03 1.07 1,451,000 1,524,360 FILINVEST LAND 0.85 0.9 0.83 0.85 0.83 0.85 36,000 30,570 GLOBAL ESTATE 13.3 13.9 13.66 13.9 13.66 13.9 49,500 681,388 8990 HLDG GOLDEN MV 658 665 659 665 659 665 120 79,370 PHIL INFRADEV 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 11,000 10,450 0.8 0.81 0.79 0.8 0.79 0.8 32,000 25,300 CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 3.1 3.11 3.1 3.14 3.1 3.11 7,530,000 23,495,840 MRC ALLIED 0.25 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.25 0.25 3,730,000 943,000 MREIT RT 18.98 19 19 19.42 19 19 1,582,600 30,478,834 0.34 0.35 0.34 0.35 0.335 0.35 350,000 118,900 OMICO CORP PHIL ESTATES 0.4 0.42 0.39 0.4 0.39 0.4 330,000 130,850 PRIMEX CORP 2.51 2.55 2.53 2.78 2.47 2.55 3,896,000 10,019,640 RL COMM RT 7.16 7.3 7.16 7.4 7.16 7.16 15,361,600 111,950,913 ROBINSONS LAND 19.52 19.6 19.5 19.7 19.44 19.6 1,535,700 30,098,270 0.214 0.232 0.214 0.215 0.214 0.214 160,000 34,260 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.34 1.45 1.46 1.49 1.45 1.45 18,000 26,190 SHANG PROP 2.55 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.55 2.55 113,000 288,250 STA LUCIA LAND 2.65 2.78 2.65 2.83 2.64 2.64 105,000 280,900 38.1 38.5 37.9 38.8 37.85 38.1 13,912,500 531,575,815 SM PRIME HLDG 0.57 0.62 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 2,000 1,140 SOC RESOURCES VISTAMALLS 3.21 3.24 3.22 3.25 3.21 3.24 20,000 64,430 SUNTRUST HOME 0.95 1.01 1.01 1.01 1 1 48,000 48,080 VISTA LAND 2.79 2.8 2.82 2.87 2.8 2.8 2,654,000 7,466,340 SERVICES ABS CBN 12.56 12.6 12.54 12.58 12.46 12.56 74,000 925,730 GMA NETWORK 15.44 15.46 15.6 15.64 15.36 15.46 1,165,000 18,020,678 GLOBE TELECOM 2,342 2,356 2,280 2,378 2,260 2,342 81,730 191,646,370 1,693 1,700 1,737 1,758 1,693 1,693 180,235 310,158,250 PLDT 0.043 0.044 0.043 0.044 0.042 0.043 831,000,000 35,843,300 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 25.9 25.95 24.25 26.45 24.25 25.95 22,037,100 565,775,990 DFNN INC 2.34 2.38 2.25 2.39 2.23 2.38 237,000 548,780 5.35 5.36 5.17 5.35 5.15 5.35 8,867,400 46,789,929 DITO CME HLDG 1.16 1.17 1.14 1.18 1.14 1.17 229,000 266,200 NOW CORP 0.32 0.325 0.32 0.325 0.32 0.32 1,820,000 582,450 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2GO GROUP 7.21 7.49 7.15 7.49 7.15 7.49 2,300 16,615 CHELSEA 1.5 1.56 1.55 1.56 1.43 1.56 179,000 266,890 44.45 44.8 43.55 44.8 43.55 44.8 146,500 6,477,235 CEBU AIR 223.4 224.8 220 224.8 219 224.8 1,863,740 413,016,830 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 22.15 23 22.15 23.9 22.15 22.15 1,300 28,970 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.85 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87 18,000 15,660 5.42 5.44 5.34 5.5 5.27 5.44 1,016,000 5,526,001 MACROASIA 0.71 0.72 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71 2,000 1,420 HARBOR STAR ACESITE HOTEL 1.51 1.64 1.65 1.65 1.51 1.65 87,000 142,850 DISCOVERY WORLD 1.46 1.53 1.48 1.53 1.47 1.53 106,000 156,370 STI HLDG 0.345 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 400,000 140,000 1.24 1.29 1.22 1.29 1.22 1.23 196,000 251,900 BELLE CORP BLOOMBERRY 6.89 6.9 6.64 7 6.64 6.9 4,517,400 31,132,315 LEISURE AND RES 1.25 1.28 1.25 1.3 1.25 1.28 61,000 76,330 MANILA JOCKEY 1.81 2.16 1.81 1.82 1.81 1.82 2,003,000 3,645,430 1.08 1.09 1.02 1.11 1.02 1.09 2,436,000 2,603,260 PH RESORTS GRP 0.435 0.44 0.44 0.445 0.435 0.435 5,290,000 2,324,750 PREMIUM LEISURE 5.1 6.74 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 20,000 102,000 PHIL RACING PHILWEB 2.2 2.25 2.15 2.3 2.15 2.2 316,000 712,270 ALLDAY 0.44 0.45 0.44 0.45 0.43 0.45 10,370,000 4,580,800 5.59 5.86 5.63 5.63 5.59 5.59 6,700 37,513 BERJAYA ALLHOME 8.15 8.19 7.71 8.18 7.71 8.15 1,858,900 14,519,354 METRO RETAIL 1.4 1.42 1.4 1.41 1.4 1.41 837,000 1,172,150 PUREGOLD 33.3 33.4 33.1 33.9 33.1 33.3 853,400 28,545,485 55.1 55.15 55.85 55.85 54.75 55.15 513,470 28,303,076.50 ROBINSONS RTL 65.95 66 63 66 63 65.95 472,930 30,562,806.50 PHIL SEVEN CORP 1.04 1.07 1.04 1.07 1.04 1.04 733,000 774,640 SSI GROUP WILCON DEPOT 26.4 26.7 26.5 26.8 26.35 26.4 4,597,900 121,709,940 APC GROUP 0.227 0.248 0.23 0.235 0.23 0.23 390,000 90,200 6.5 6.7 6.55 6.55 6.55 6.55 1,500 9,825 IPM HLDG MEDILINES 0.9 0.92 0.93 0.93 0.89 0.92 897,000 809,510 PAXYS 1.81 1.99 1.99 1.99 1.99 1.99 3,000 5,970 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.56 0.58 0.53 0.58 0.53 0.56 14,411,000 8,109,920 MINING & OIL APEX MINING 1.54 1.56 1.54 1.6 1.54 1.54 2,747,000 4,282,790 ATLAS MINING 6.53 6.54 6.79 6.79 6.45 6.53 1,118,400 7,328,108 5.99 6.04 6 6.04 6 6.04 6,600 39,608 BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.8 20,000 55,790 DIZON MINES 4.51 5.14 5.48 5.48 5.15 5.15 10,500 54,214 FERRONICKEL 2.88 2.89 2.86 3 2.8 2.89 10,579,000 30,585,290 0.18 0.185 0.18 0.185 0.18 0.185 140,000 25,700 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.154 0.156 0.16 0.16 0.153 0.154 1,050,000 164,880 LEPANTO B 0.157 0.172 0.157 0.172 0.157 0.172 30,000 5,010 MANILA MINING A 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.01 50,500,000 505,200 MARCVENTURES 1.75 1.76 1.68 1.78 1.67 1.76 4,563,000 7,926,200 0.95 0.97 1.02 1.04 0.94 0.95 341,000 335,900 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 7.44 7.45 7.6 7.8 7.2 7.45 16,403,200 122,340,842 ORNTL PENINSULA 1.07 1.09 1.06 1.13 1.06 1.07 1,077,000 1,184,400 PX MINING 5.35 5.37 5.29 5.7 5.29 5.35 725,500 3,908,389 29.45 29.5 28.35 30.35 28.35 29.5 5,010,000 146,950,040 SEMIRARA MINING 0.0064 0.0066 0.0065 0.0066 0.0065 0.0066 14,000,000 92,200 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 20.9 21 21.5 21.9 20.9 20.9 89,600 1,902,230 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 300,000 3,600 ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 9,200,000 110,400 0.009 0.0093 0.0088 0.0094 0.0088 0.0094 25,000,000 221,000 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 5.43 5.56 5.62 5.62 5.21 5.43 150,200 831,963 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 100 100.9 100 100 100 100 3,420 342,000 AC PREF B1 504 510 510 510 510 510 30 15,300 AC PREF B2R 505 509 505 505 505 505 550 277,750 43.5 44.95 43.1 45 43.1 44 700 30,920 CEB PREF CPG PREF A 100.6 103 103 103 103 103 100 10,300 FGEN PREF G 104 104.5 104 104 104 104 90 9,360 JFC PREF B 1,000 1,005 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 50 50,000 100.5 101 101 101 101 101 300 30,300 MWIDE PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B 102 103.1 103.1 103.1 103.1 103.1 200 20,620 PNX PREF 4 969 981 980 980 965 980 680 665,350 PCOR PREF 3A 1,050 1,075 1,050 1,050 1,050 1,050 10,000 10,500,000 SMC PREF 2F 76.5 77.8 77 77.9 77 77.8 22,970 1,768,751 76.8 78 76.5 77.4 76.5 77.4 3,530 273,195 SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I 76.25 78.5 78.5 78.5 78.5 78.5 100 7,850 SMC PREF 2J 76.25 76.9 76.8 76.9 76.8 76.9 70 5,377 SMC PREF 2K 76 76.3 76 76 76 76 12,850 976,600 52.25 54.9 54.9 54.9 54.9 54.9 2,000 109,800 TECH PREF B2D PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS GMA HLDG PDR 14.3 14.4 14.3 14.4 14.3 14.32 50,000 715,800 WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.62 0.64 0.6 0.65 0.6 0.64 67,000 41,990

879,260 -23,894,540 21,706,608 13,571,728 17,400 17,100 -82,270 11,334,491 3,862,690 25,361,030 -5,238,372 -30,811,920 41,636,690 3,502,889 -10,600 -41,918,035 478,250 -2,360 45,426,715 -375,740 -23,100 -808,110 541,684 -398,300 -345,308 410,600 -4,917,415 999,490 840 59,034 -109,200 -6,053,930 23,370 6,784,381 839,840 1,490 1,374,880 -2,051,780 -47,232,760 -108,758,960 56,600 60,308,215 41,880 -2,530,857 -18,660 795,255 48,184,470 18,133.00 1,530 -12,683,160 16,350 26,100 -111,440 72,000 7,969 -12,806,505 781,861.50 -3,954,257 -6,943,445 -39,600 -7,400 479,850 -138,670 137,204 55,790 50,414 8,493,970 -707,410 -30,496,938 529,242 -5,715,695 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP HAUS TALK ITALPINAS MERRYMART

16.5 0.94 0.91 1.91

17 0.96 0.92 1.92

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF

109

109.3

17.1 0.89 0.92 1.9

17.1 0.95 0.93 1.94

16.5 0.89 0.91 1.9

16.5 0.94 0.93 1.92

3,100 1,009,000 239,000 1,941,000

51,540 924,200 219,370 3,726,490

76,000 -6,300 154,770

108 109.5 108 109 5,700 621,675 26,915

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‘Use unspent funds from Bayanihan 2 for tourism’ By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

NSPENT funds from the P4billion budget allocation for the “Bayanihan to Recover as One” Act (Bayanihan 2) is being eyed by Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara as low-interest loans for the Small Business Corp. (SBCorp) in a bid to jumpstart the tourism industry from nearly two years of hibernation. Angara, author of the Bayanihan 2 bill in Congress, asked SBCorp and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to tap unspent funding provided under Republic Act 11494 to aid affected tourism industry stakeholders restart business after nearly two years of hibernation. RA 11494 was billed as the government’s second massive pandemic response program to help small businesses, workers and medical frontliners wrestling with the economic impact of lockdown measures. The senator recalled that significant funding was allocated by Bayanihan 2 for aiding the recovery of the tourism industry, being one of the hardest hit sectors since the Duterte administration imposed lockdowns versus the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. Citing SBCorp data, Angara added that a total of P4 billion was allocated under Bayanihan 2 for the provision of low-interest loans to the tourism sector. He earlier reminded that SBCorp reported only P278-million worth of loans to the tourism sector were approved as of February 28, 2022 while another P524-million are “in the pipeline for processing.” According to Angara, “a lot of the tourism industry players were hesitant to avail of loans. “And this was understandable because many did not want to resume operations while quarantine classifications were constantly changing,” the solon said. Angara asserted, however, that by now, with more people already vaccinated and the number of Covid-19 cases going down, the country already opened its doors to both foreign and domestic tourism. The senator, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, suggested that “the barely utilized loan facility would help jumpstart the operations of the tourism players in anticipation of the influx of arrivals.” At the same time, Angara noted that the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases had eased its rules regarding foreign tourist arrivals by allowing fully-vaccinated individuals to enter the country. He added that in the case of unvaccinated tourists, “the country will now allow their entry as long as they can present a negative Covid test, including a laboratory-based antigen test taken within 24 hours before their departure from their country of origin.” Recalling the Bayanihan 2 Law, which expired last June 30, 2021, P10 billion was provided to SBCorp in capital infusion for the provision of low-interest loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the tourism sector. Moreover, the senator reminded that unlike most of the other funds under Bayanihan 2 that were no longer available for use after the law’s expiration, the unutilized amounts provided to SBCorp are still available since they now form part of the capital of the Department of Trade and Industry-supervised firm. Angara added that out of the P10 billion fund allocated by Congress to the SBCorp under Bayanihan 2, only P8.08 billion was released by the Department of Budget and Management. Of that amount, P7.93 billion was for lending to MSMEs and the tourism sector. Noting SBCorp had stated that the entire P3.93 billion for loans to MSMEs has already been utilized, he projects that the revival of the tourism sector after a 2-year slump will “go a long way in uplifting the lives of its workers, restoring the revenue streams of the local government units and reviving the economy as a whole.”

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, March 18, 2022

Funa sees bright future for insurance

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE insurance industry’s premium income in 2021 rose by over a fifth to P374 billion from P308 billion in 2020 despite the economic and health crises, according to the chief of the Insurance Commission (IC).

Premium income generated by life and non-life insurers in 2021 posted a double-digit growth of 21.48 percent

year-on-year, Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa said during a forum last Thursday.

Funa revealed that the bulk of the total premium income generated by the industry came from life insurers at P310 billion, a 25.5-percent jump from the previous year’s level at P247 billion. Meanwhile, the life insurance industry also saw its net income surging by 30 percent year-on-year to P39 billion from P30 billion. “You can clearly see the bounce back; paano umangat ulit,” Funa said, describing the rebound of the sector’s bottomline, during the press launch for the Philippine Life Insurance Advisor Awards. Moreover, insurance penetration—the ratio of total premiums generated over gross domestic prod-

uct—also rose to 1.93 percent last year from 1.71 percent in 2020, the chief of the insurance industry regulator said. Likewise, insurance density or the average amount spent by every Filipino last year also went up to P3,400 from P2,800 in the previous year. Funa also revealed during the event that there will be a new player entering the local life insurance industry. While he refused to disclose further details about the new life insurer, he said these are “investors from a foreign identity.” Nonetheless, Funa expressed optimism that the future is “very bright” for the life insurance

industry. As quarantine restrictions have been eased to Alert Level 1 in many parts of the country, he said he is also hoping that the licensure examination for insurance agents can finally be conducted face-to-face. “[That is an area where we had an] adverse effect [on the] insurance industry: the conduct of licensure examinations for agents. But we were able to address that to a certain degree,” the IC chief explained. However, Funa said the regulator was able to ease a bit the adverse impact “of that so now [at Alert] Level 1, I am hoping we can now go back to face-to-face conduct of examination of agents.”

AboitizPower’s ₧10-B fixed-rate retail bonds get PDEx approval By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

BOITIZ Power Corp. announced last Thursday it received approval from the The Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. (PDEx) to list its P10-billion fixed-rate retail bonds. “The PDEx approval paves the way for the secondary market trading of the Series ‘D’ Bonds, with a fixed interest rate of 5.3066 percent per annum maturing in 2027, and the Series ‘E’ bonds with a fixed interest rate of 5.7388 percent per annum maturing in 2029,” the listed firm

said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. The approval includes oversubscription out of its P30-billion debt securities program registered and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last March 1. The company said it appointed BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp. as joint issue managers. Aboitiz Power added that BDO Capital, China Bank Capital, FMIC and Security Bank Corp. are joint lead underwriters and joint

bookrunners. The power firm announced last January that it would use the proceeds to refinance previously issued bonds, to fund its renewable energy projects, among others. Aboiitz Power targets to double its capacity to 9,200 megawatts (MW) by 2030. It intends to achieve a 50:50 balance between its renewable and thermal capacities, without new coal builds. This is expected to come from a portfolio of renewables and selective baseload builds. It will continue to pursue international opportunities, with a contin-

ued focus on renewable energy projects in wind, hydro, and solar in high growth geographic markets with acceptable regulatory environments. Aboitiz Power targets to significantly grow Cleanergy brand by 3,700 MW, both domestically and internationally, and bring its renewable portfolio to 4,600 MW by 2030. Meanwhile, Aboitiz Power President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio said the 668-MW supercritical coalfired power plant of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) has been synchronized to the grid on Thursday. “It was synched this morning; mi-

nor sensor issue,” Rubio said. The power plant tripped last Wednesday due to a faulty sensor. The incident led to a power interruption affecting some Meralco customers in parts of Manila, Quezon City, Pasig and some portions of Bulacan, Cavite, Quezon and Laguna. GNDP is an Aboitiz-controlled firm with Ayala Corp.’s power unit as partner. GNPD Unit 1 officially went on commercial operation date last January 26. Unit 2, which has started commissioning, is set for initial synchronization in the second quarter of 2022.

Succession planning: Preparing for the unexpected

POLICY SUPPORT

This photo shows (clockwise) Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno, Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Michael Patra, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Ajith Nivard and Ajit Ranade of the Centre for Social and Economic Progress. Diokno shared during a forum organized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Pune International Centre the various liquidity-easing measures by the central bank. BSP’s liquidity support resulted in more affordable borrowing costs, encouraged bank lending, and expanded access to credit for households and firms. Photo courtesy OF Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Filipinos to use cashless payments in travels–Visa By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

recent study released by Visa Inc. revealed that more Filipinos would use cashless payments in their travels abroad. “The post-pandemic travel landscape will also involve an increased preference for cashless payments, with 63 percent of Filipino travelers expecting to go cashless because of the safety and comfort it brings,” the company said in a statement released last Thursday. The American multinational financial services corporation added that among the top preferences of Filipino travelers include mobile payments (34 percent), as well as credit (24 percent) and debit card (31 percent) payments. As the pandemic situation evolves, Filipinos are keen to start travelling again with free Covid-19 tests (57 percent), hospital care (51 percent) and flexibility in changing travel plans (37 percent) as the key considerations driving travel decisions, Visa’s “2021 Global Travel Intentions” study revealed. Earning rewards or enjoying last-minute offers are now secondary benefits behind measures that provide protection and reassurance, the study added. “As more overseas destinations ease travel restrictions, Filipinos are expected to visit neighboring countries for leisure with Covid-19 protection and incentives on top of their minds,” Visa said. “These findings reflect the changing outlook Filipinos have on traveling

as the Covid-19 situation evolves,” Dan Wolbert, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam, was quoted in the statement as saying. “We have seen a rebound to travel in many parts of the world as borders open and Filipinos are optimistic about traveling again. Similar to other markets, Filipino travelers are conscious about following safety protocols and also want to feel that they have a sufficient access to health protection in the event that risks happen to them while they are abroad.” The study found that Filipinos want travel insurance that protects them from Covid-19 related risks including the cost of medication and treatment (59 percent), quarantine charges (52 percent) and hospitalization room charges (41 percent). The study also found that 56 percent of Filipino travelers are keen on vacationing in another country as part of a travel bubble set-up. With travel bubbles, there are less chances of contact with individuals who may have come from areas with high infection rates. The top five international destinations that Filipinos want to visit once it is safe to do so are the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada and Thailand. Meanwhile, Hawaii and South Korea are also generating interest, followed by Australia and Dubai. “As we see the number of Covid-19 cases trending downwards in the Philippines and the government’s decision to start opening our borders, we share the optimism of Filipinos that the road to recovery is beginning,” Wolbert added.

VERY association expects to have continuity in times of uncertainty. As an association leader, I’m sure you’ve been asked this question before: “Why do we need a succession plan if I am still working as an executive director or serving as a Board Chair?” In today’s world, there are many unexpected things that can happen and your association needs to be prepared. Succession planning isn’t just about planning for the eventual retirement of a beloved Board Member; it’s about planning for the unexpected. This was the gist of the webinar that we, the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), organized recently. Rhea Steele, chief of staff of the USbased School Nutrition Association (SNA), outlined these six steps to building a successful plan: 1. Decide who is responsible for maintaining the plan. Associations can assign its nominating or leadership development committee to take the lead in developing the plan and assessing the turnover risk for each position. They could also look at all the job descriptions of the positions on a yearly basis to ensure they are up-to-date and aligned with the needs of the association. To enact the plan, you don’t want to be scrambling to find and

Association World Octavio Peralta update the job descriptions. 2. Assess potential vacancies on your Board and staff. Now that you have a group in-charge of creating the plan, they need to identify which positions should have a succession plan. You don’t need a plan for every single position, only those that will have the biggest impact on the organization. For most associations, this is the executive director and any officer who stands alone or is in the line of succession such as the Chair, Chair-elect and Secretary/ Treasurer. 3. Develop a plan for planned and unplanned departures. Your bylaws would be the first place to look when building your succession plan. For each position you identified earlier, you need to plan for a planned versus unplanned departures. An unplanned departure is when an individual unexpectedly resigns, is removed from the position or gets ill. A planned departure is when an individual’s term limit is approaching, or has announced an early departure. Unplanned vacancy on your staff or

Board could be retirement, illness, or a transition out of the association or industry. There is also a need to plan for the planned departures. 4. Write the plan. Gather all the materials you need and answer all the questions the committee came up with. Share the plan with others and get feedback. 5. Build your leadership pipeline. Be on the lookout for new talent. Think small by creating microvolunteering opportunities. Build a pathway to leadership and long-term volunteerism, and recognize and thank volunteers. 6. Develop an orientation plan for new leaders. Lastly, it is important to develop a board orientation program for your new leaders. Prepared materials should be ready to go for the positions covered under your succession plan. They may need more in-depth training in certain areas that are usually communicated from the incumbent in the role or information only the person in the role has. You definitely want to capture this knowledge before you have to activate your succession plan. Octavio Peralta is currently the executive director of the Global Compact Network Philippines and founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” E-mail: bobby@ pcaae.org.

RCBC tweaks digital finance platform By VG Cabuag

@villygc

izal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) announced last Thursday it tweaked its financial services mobile phone application. On March 17, the Yuchengcoled lender launched its “DiskarTech Score” program that rewards transactions with corresponding points. The scoring program is a user rating system. As users increase their score, more rewards and privileges will be available exclusively for them, the lender said. Offers available include pre-qualified loans, waived fees for loan transactions and rewards, RCBC added. RCBC shares closed at P20.35 apiece, down P0.60 from the previous close. “Creating the score program is one of the ways we democratize fi-

nancial services through the use of alternative data, making access to loan services available to everyone,” RCBC Executive Vice President Angelito M. Villanueva said. Villanueva, who is also the bank’s chief innovation and inclusion officer, added that users can increase their scores with the following transactions: deposit to any partner merchants; fund transfer to DiskarTech from any bank or e-wallet; bills payment; and, by saving using the DiskarTech account. The mobile app, the lender said, offers one of the highest savings interest rates at 3.25 percent per annum with no minimum deposit required. Its fund transfer fee to other banks and e-wallets remains the cheapest at P8, according to Villanueva. The tweak makes RCBC a pioneer in a point-based system that may be

used to assess a customer’s credit standing. The app uses alternative data that allows new-to-credit customers to gain greater access to loan services. As app users build up on points, they also grow their credit standing making them eligible for more loan applications, according to the bank. The said score is RCBC’s response to the recent push by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for greater digitalization of financial services to promote financial inclusion especially among credit-invisible individuals. “Financial inclusion remains at the heart of DiskarTech,” Villanueva said. “This is why our goal doesn’t stop with onboarding people into digital banking. And we want them to be able to maximize the tools available to them.”

Friday, March 18, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Relationships BusinessMirror

How scammers like Anna Delvey and the Tinder Swindler exploit a core feature of human nature THE Netflix series Inventing Anna, starring Julia Garner as the notorious title character.

By Vanessa Bohns Cornell University

AYBE she had so much money she just lost track of it. Maybe it was all a misunderstanding. That’s how Anna Sorokin’s marks explained away the supposed German heiress’s strange requests to sleep on their couch for the night, or to put plane tickets on their credit cards, which she would then forget to pay back. The subject of a new Netflix series, Inventing Anna, Sorokin, who told people her name was Anna Delvey, conned over $250,000 out of wealthy acquaintances and high-end Manhattan businesses between 2013 and 2017. It turns out her lineage was a mirage. Instead, she was an intern at a fashion magazine who came from a working-class family of Russian immigrants. Yet the people around her were quick to accept her odd explanations, even creating excuses for her that strained credulity. The details of the Sorokin case mirror those from another recent Netflix production, The Tinder Swindler, which tells the story of an Israeli conman named Simon Leviev. Leviev persuaded women he met on the dating app to lend him large sums of money with similarly unbelievable claims: He was a billionaire whose enemies were trying to track him down and, for security reasons, couldn’t use his own credit cards. How is it that so many people could have been gullible enough to buy the fantastical stories spun by Sorokin and Leviev? And why, even when “[t]he red flags were everywhere”—as one of Sorokin’s marks put it—did people continue to believe these grifters, spend their time with them and agree to lend them money? As a social psychologist who has written a book about our surprising power of persuasion, I don’t see this as an unusual glitch of human nature. Rather, I view the stories about Sorokin and Leviev as examples of bad actors exploiting the social processes people rely on every day for efficient and effective human communication and cooperation. TO TRUST IS TO BE HUMAN DESPITE the belief that people are skeptics by nature, primed to shout “gotcha!” at any mistake or faux pas, this simply isn’t the case. Research shows that people tend to default to trusting others over distrusting them, believing them over doubting them and going along with someone’s self-presentation rather than embarrassing them by calling them out. Elle Dee, a DJ whom Delvey once asked to pick up a 35,000-euro bar tab, described the ease with which people went along with Delvey’s claims: “I don’t think she even had to try that hard. Despite her utterly unsound story, people were all too eager to buy it.” It still might be hard to believe that people in Sorokin’s circle would willingly hand over their money to someone they hardly knew. Yet psychologists have watched participants hand over their money to complete strangers for many years across hundreds of experiments. In these studies, participants are told they are taking part in various types of “investment games” in which they

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Lily Collins, 33; Adam Levine, 43; Queen Latifah, 52; Vanessa Williams, 59. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Do your part, be passionate about your beliefs and make a difference. Speak from the heart, and command attention when needed. Trust your instincts and listen to opposition, complaints and criticisms, and you will come up with valuable solutions that pave the way for a better future. Be strong, and you will gain respect and a place for yourself at a table full of intellectuals. Your numbers are 4, 13, 18, 20, 27, 33, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Overthinking will hold you back. Concentrate on getting things done. The progress you make will urge you to keep going. Refuse to let uncertainty kick in when forward motion is the path to satisfaction and peace of mind. HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Throw yourself into what you must do, and refuse to let yourself become overwhelmed with the process of getting from beginning to end. Dedication and hard work will help you meet demands and build the self-confidence to take on your next task. HHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Let what you do speak for you. Embrace every pursuit with the intent of creating a masterpiece. Whether it’s a hobby, a physical goal or how deep your love is for someone, give it your all. You will excel. HHHHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Refuse to let what others do confuse you. Focus on what’s important and necessary. Believe in yourself, and avoid joint ventures or shared expenses. You’ll do best if you take control instead of giving someone else that privilege. HH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Get together with people who share your views, not those who drive you crazy. Kick back and enjoy life and what it has to offer. A show of appreciation and gratitude is encouraged. Choose to do something that makes you feel good. HHHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take on a positive attitude, network, socialize and participate in events that offer personal growth and opportunity. Evaluate your relationships and see who is interested in going on an adventure or learning expedition that is bold and refreshing. Expand your mind. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Share how you feel with someone who affects your physical and emotional well-being. Search for a way to improve your life or make your surroundings more comfortable and stress-free. Don’t take on debt; lower your overhead. HHH

are given the opportunity to hand over their money to another participant in the hopes of receiving a return on their investment. What’s fascinating about these studies is that most participants are cynical about ever seeing their money again—let alone any returns on their investment— and yet they still hand it over. In other words, despite deep reservations, they still choose to trust a complete stranger. There’s something deeply human about this impulse. Humans are social creatures, and trusting one another is baked into our DNA. As psychologist David Dunning and his colleagues have pointed out, without trust it is hard to imagine endeavors like Airbnb, car shares or a working democracy having any success. LIES ARE THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE NORM OF course, Sorokin’s requests were often accompanied by elaborate explanations and justifications, and you might wonder why so few people seemed to doubt the veracity of her claims. Yet just as trust is a default of human interaction, a presumption of sincerity is a default expectation of basic communication. This maxim of communication was first proposed by Paul Grice, an influential philosopher of language. Grice argued that communication is a cooperative endeavor. Understanding one another requires working together. And to do that, there must be some ground rules, one of which is that both parties are telling the truth.

In an era of “truthiness” and “fake news,” such a premise may seem absurd and naϊve. But people lie far less than you might think; in fact, if the default assumption were that the person you were talking to was lying, communication would be nearly impossible. If I challenged you on whether you read every book you claimed to have read, or whether the steak you had last night was really overcooked, we’d never get anywhere. Researchers have found experimental evidence for what is sometimes called the “truth default.” In one series of studies, researchers asked participants to evaluate whether statements were true or false. Sometimes the participants were interrupted so they couldn’t fully process the statements. This allowed the researchers to get at people’s default assumption: When in doubt, would they default to belief or disbelief? It turns out that when participants weren’t able to fully process statements, they tended to simply assume they were true. A RELUCTANCE TO ACCUSE EVEN if Sorokin’s marks were to doubt her story, it’s unlikely that they would have called her out on it. The sociologist Erving Goffman’s classic theory of “facework” argues that it is as uncomfortable for us to call someone else out—to suggest they aren’t who they are presenting themselves to be—as it is to be

Continued on B5

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Relying on others will lead to disappointment. Think outside the box. Surround yourself with people who are avant-garde and not afraid of change. Embrace what you find intriguing, and you’ll discover something that inspires you to do your own thing. HHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sidestep someone else’s dilemma. You aren’t likely to get the whole truth if you rely on one source for information. Put more emphasis on personal gain, health and how best to handle your finances and love life. HH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take control of cash flow or health situations. Let your thoughts be known, and don’t deviate from your plan because someone complains. Do what’s necessary to ensure your safety, maintain a good reputation and increase your ability to do as you please. HHHHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’ll have second thoughts about money or shared expenses. Don’t let your emotions interfere with necessary adjustments. A positive change that relieves stress in a relationship with a friend or relative will ease your mind and free up your cash. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Share your grievances, deal with the backlash and move forward knowing you’ve done your part. Look on the bright side, be an optimist and make decisions that bring you the happiness you deserve. Take responsibility for your life and your future. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are assertive, talkative and demanding. You are wise and unusual.

‘fellow creatures’ BY HANH HUYNH The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Argue against 6 Sierra Nevada brew, for short 9 One may live near a loch 13 Unaccompanied 14 Become compost 15 Bowling feat 16 Humorously exaggerated 18 Stockings 19 Warriors coach Steve 20 “Understood” 21 Talk trash about 22 ___ Arbor 24 Slowpoke 26 Get ready to switch hotel rooms, say 29 Will of Arrested Development 32 Place to find boxers and loafers 34 Great fear 36 eBay offer 37 Cube that’s rolled 39 Amazement 40 With 44-Across, Nintendo series hinting at the letters where the starred clues’ answers intersect (Bonus: Read these letters clockwise)

44 See 40-Across 48 Heaters at restaurants? 50 Independence Day beings 51 Beijing 2022 prize 53 Genetic evidence 54 Seating level 57 Piece of ceramic flooring 59 Actress Anderson 63 Windfalls 64 Deeply embedded 66 Assert 67 Massage 68 Artist’s inspiration 69 Brady’s longtime team, for short 70 “C’___ la vie!” 71 App with reels, casually DOWN 1 Triangle for 15 balls 2 Palindromic French pronoun 3 Vulgar person 4 Takes off, like a mummy costume 5 Twice this clue’s number 6 Eye part that’s often brown 7 Performs an asana 8 Minerva, to the Greeks 9 “It was a dream,” say, for a movie

10 11 12 15 17 23 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 35 38 41 42 43 45 46 47 49 52

Spending limit Approximately Bat mitzvah girl, maybe Sacred Shinto structure Foot division Lil ___ X Contents of many museums Equestrian straps Break up with someone Defeated in boxing, for short Caboose’s vehicle Villages’ larger relatives Wharton deg. 71-Across upload Not decaf: Abbr. Disco ___ (the 1970s) Precious things that photographs capture Risk-___ (cautious) Was the head of More senior Word after “original” or “cardinal” Prevent from escaping The Onion genre Peanuts character with a security blanket

54 55 56 58 60 61 62 65

Sixteenth of a cup: Abbr. Tiny bit Cereal grain Pride letters Burden Sticks and leaves in a tree Notion Friend, in Tours

Solution to today’s puzzle:

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Show BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, March 18, 2022

Ukraine in cinema: ‘Winter on Fire’

HE state murders. For some 93 days, the people of Ukraine fought one of their biggest and fiercest enemies—the State. The siege of the people against the government began in late 2013 and continued till the following year. Earlier in the 1990s, Ukraine declared its independence from the USSR. Years later, a politician named Viktor Yanukovych was elected president. The people protested and the result was scrapped. Several years after, that same person came back, got elected, and the results were confirmed. But not all would be good from the perspective of the people—or most of the people. The promise to sign the agreement to enter the European Union was soon scrapped, with Yanukovych aligning with Russia’s Vladimir Putin instead. The people did not like this decision and, by sheer organizing, one man called up a friend and a friend and soon the square was filled with people calling for change and reform. Everything is captured in this documentary Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom. The film chronicles the day when the uprising began and peacefully enough, before the situation quickly escalates into a war in the urban setting. What is ironic in this documentary and eventually the most compelling contribution of the film is how the state or government, ran by elected officials, becomes the true enemy of the people. The protest groups increase to multitude. The government sends the police, which in the science of governance are the same force created to protect the people. But the police are there with the Berkut, the riot police formed to break assemblies and rallies. Amazing contradiction there in the construct and act of the government—the structure which is aimed at nurturing citizens and their rights, is the same system from which forces are formed to destroy people and their rights to assembly. How long can the people resist the vicious force of the police? How does one ever win a war with peace

and good intention? Graphic and, up close, heart-shattering, the documentary brings us into a warzone. The police are not into maximum tolerance. After a few days of stand-off, they rush to where the people are and begin beating them. Not with plastic bats but ones that are made of steel. The demonstrators are shocked. They are not expecting the government to be benign, but they are also not looking at them as hurting them physically or even killing them. The police by their action prove how it is their duty to inflict enough harm that will totally push the protest away. At a certain point of the film, the viewers will find it difficult to understand the sheer hardheadedness of the people. It will take more days before we recognize the ideology of the people protesting: “We are staying because we want to be free.” The discourse has changed. The complaint about the president who does not listen and the parliament that does not understand the people’s desire to be part of Europe are what initially fuel the fighting passion of the people. The people are seeing what the problem is all about: their government does not have the people’s welfare in its plans and policies. Their annihilation appears to be the ultimate goal of the Yanukovych government. And war against the people is the ultimate solution to a population clamoring for a better nation. The documentary details how death and violence escalate in the city of Kiev, in the area called Maidan. We see violence like this onscreen but those acts happen in war-torn countries, where the conflicts are between nations. Winter on Fire takes place in a major city in Ukraine, in an area where monumental architectures including that of the Orthodox Church loom over daily lives. The sight of bleeding and dead civilians is breathtakingly dissonant in a land where a government is supposedly an evolved instrument for order. Government buildings are transformed into headquarters and on-site hospitals. But when the government police begin to shoot everyone including priests and Red Cross personnel, then it follows that the same building where the wounded are treated would be bombed. Whether this is ideological or not is debatable, but one gets this troubling impression how men and women tasked with enforcing the laws of the state through force can really use assault as if it is the most natural, human recourse. Brutality becomes organic to the state. In a series of footages, we catch these unforgettable scenes of inhumanity: riot policemen beating any demonstrator who falls down on the ground,

battering them repeatedly them as they file past the bodies all doubled up to protect their head and eyes; hurling stun grenades at the crowd; and shooting recklessly at any moving figure. We also see the protestors pulling lifeless or injured bodies away from the shooting. The camera grabs images of Orthodox Christian priests standing between the police and the people, blessing the people standing in the cold night. As if the carnage is not enough, snipers begin shooting from the roofs of tall buildings. At this point, retired military men have come to help the protestors. The mostly young population out on the streets is now joined by middle-aged individuals and the elderly. Confronting the riot police, a mother pleads with them to think of one fact: they are Ukrainians killing Ukrainians. Every now and then, opposition politicians appear before the crowd, where they are

booed because all this time they are not there to protect the people. We know what is happening in Ukraine again. At present, we can understand more where this courage of the people come from, with the Revolution of 2014 providing the premise. Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom is written by Den Tolmor, and directed by Evgeny Afineevsky. It is based on the so-called Euromaidan protests, which began with students protesting the Ukrainian government’s refusal to integrate with the European Union, turning into a full-blown revolution. Produced by Evgeny Afineevsky and Den Tolmor, the film streams on Netflix. For non-subscribers, Netflix has made the documentary, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, available for free on YouTube (youtu.be/yzNxLzFfR5w). n

In Ukraine, female war reporters build on legacy of pioneers By Lynn Elber The Associated Press LOS ANGELES—Clarissa Ward interrupted her live TV report on Ukrainian refugees to help a distraught older man, then a woman, down a steep and explosion-mangled path, gently urging them on in their language. A day later, Lynsey Addario, a photographer for the New York Times, captured a grim image of a Russian mortar attack’s immediate outcome: the bodies of a mother and her two children crumpled on a road, amid their suitcase, backpacks and a pet carrier. The memorable reports illustrate both the skill and gutsiness of female journalists serving as eyewitnesses to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and the way their presence—hard-won after overcoming ingrained notions of why women shouldn’t cover combat—has changed the nature of war reporting. They cover the tactics of war, but give equal measure to its toll. “People are so exhausted, they can barely walk,” Ward told viewers in her report. “It’s just an awful, awful scene. And they’re the lucky ones.” The author of You Don’t Belong Here, a 2021 book that profiles three pioneering women who covered the Vietnam War, said there’s “absolutely no doubt that the reporting is what I would call more humane, looking at the human side of war.” Elizabeth Becker argues that Frances FitzGerald of the US, Kate Webb of Australia and Catherine Leroy of France were foundational to modern war reporting. Arriving in Southeast Asia on their own dime, without a staff job and little or no journalism experience, they broke the male grip on war reporting with daring and innovation. Traditionally, “the coverage was the battlefield, which is important,” said award-winning journalist Becker, a Cambodian war correspondent in the 1970s. She said it took newcomer FitzGerald to ask, “’OK, what does this mean in terms of the Vietnamese and the villages?’” War reporting is “a sense of mission, it’s a sense of purpose, it’s a sense of being able to tell a story,” said Christiane Amanpour, the London-born chief international anchor for CNN. “And women are really very good at it, it seems.” It’s also a matter of logic, said Holly Williams, the Istanbul-based correspondent for CBS News on

CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward reporting from inside a subway station in Kharkiv, Ukraine. PHOTOS: AP

assignment in Ukraine. “I’m acutely aware of the fact that if you don’t tell women’s stories, you’re missing at least half of the picture,” said the Australian-born Williams, who has reported on conflicts in Asia and the Middle East. Ward, who has hopscotched across those regions, worked for CBS News prior to joining CNN and, before that, was based in Moscow and Beijing for ABC News. “Often women do have a different perspective on war, and for a long time that was not really at the forefront of a lot of coverage,” Ward said. She strives to include “the humanity behind the story, the experience of ordinary people who are living in war zones. To me, that is equally as important as the military component.” The prominence of TV correspondents and the reach of their outlets adds to their impact. Oprah Winfrey offered online praise of network reporters “risking their lives to show the world the truth.” Many male colleagues also contribute nuanced reporting, as ABC News veteran Martha Raddatz and others noted. But Raddatz recalls a not-so-distant time when men tended to “love the equipment, love the airplanes.” Ward and and other female journalists routinely tip their cap to their predecessors, including FitzGerald, and praise recent trailblazers, including Amanpour.

NBC News’ Erin McLaughlin reporting on the Ukraine crisis.

for Fox News Channel who worked in Ukraine with correspondent Trey Yingst, is aware of how opportunities can differ. In 2004, she was on the international desk for an Israeli TV station when she asked her boss to be moved to field producer. “He told me, ‘This is a job for men. Only men can do that,’” Friling recalled. She left the next year and joined Fox News in her chosen role. Family needs and concerns add to the burden of war reporting. NBC News correspondent Erin McLaughlin said that before Russia struck at Ukraine, the threat of what might happen made her parents worry more than they had over her previous assignments, including in Iraq. Ward, who is married and has two children, expressed regret about missing her son’s 4th birthday while in Ukraine. “I’m not going to pretend this isn’t hard. But I also wouldn’t be anywhere else right now,” she said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS RESEARCHER JENNIFER FARRAR CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT

“I think my generation and myself, we were perhaps the last line of the rare woman foreign correspondent,” Amanpour said. In every form of media it’s “exploded into a very female-friendly profession.” But parity has yet to be fully or widely achieved. Ward said that the growing number of female TV correspondents belies what she described as “a fairly male-dominated profession in general.” “Don’t forget, the person in front of the camera is one person. Then you have, for TV, four people holding the camera, behind the camera, and most of them are still men,” she said. In US journalism overall, men retain a numerical advantage over women even in a changing media industry, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of census data. While the number of people working in any facet of print, online or video journalism fell by nearly 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, men remained a majority at the end of the decade at 64 percent, “on par with their share in 2008” of 60 percent, Pew found. Female journalists face daunting challenges in certain regions, including “many parts of the developing world, and certainly in the Islamic world and other areas of what I call the patriarchy,” Amanpour said. Yonat Friling, a Jerusalem-based senior producer

HOW SCAMMERS LIKE ANNA DELVEY AND THE TINDER SWINDLER EXPLOIT A CORE FEATURE OF HUMAN NATURE Continued from B4 the person called out. Even when people see someone doing something they disagree with, they’re loath to say anything. Other studies have explored this phenomenon. One found that people hesitate to call others out for using racist language they disagree with or for sexual harassment. As much as you’d like to believe that if you were in the shoes of Sorokin’s and Leviev’s targets you would have been emboldened to blow the lid off the whole charade, chances are that rather than make things uncomfortable for everyone, you’d simply go along with it. The tendency to trust, believe and go along with other people’s explanations of events may seem disadvantageous. And it’s true, these inclinations can expose people. But without trust, there is no cooperation; without assuming others are telling the truth, there is no communication; and without accepting people for what they present to the world, there is no foundation on which to build a relationship. In other words, the very features that look like glitches when exploited are in fact the very essence of what it means to be human.

THE CONVERSATION

B6 Friday, March 18, 2022

PhilHealth raises awareness on benefits for women

MPIF commits to safeguarding the Philippine’s Crown Jewel

ETRO Pacific Investments Foundation Inc. (MPIF), the corporate social responsibility arm of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), solidified its commitment to shore up Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the country’s largest marine protected area in a Memorandum of Understanding signing last March 11. Represented by its Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and its President Melody del Rosario, MPIF entered into a fouryear agreement with the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board, represented by Provincial Governor of Palawan Hon. Jose Ch. Alvarez and DENR MIMAROPA Region OIC, RED Lormelyn E. Claudio, CESO IV. “We believe that progress entails taking environmental wellbeing into utmost consideration,” says Pangilinan. “Aside from taking action to reduce our environmental impact, our business sustainability framework includes actively conserving natural resources and protecting global ecosystems. Our commitment to protect Tubbataha, not only safeguards a world-renowned heritage site but also signifies our active role as members of the global community in mitigating climate change.” Inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a 97,030-hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Palawan, located 150km southeast of Puerto Princesa City, at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the global centre of marine biodiversity. The park contains roughly 10,000 hectares of coral reef and houses 360 species of corals – about half of all the coral species in the world. One of the Philippines’ oldest ecosystems, UNESCO cited Tubbataha’s outstanding universal value as an important and significant natural habitat for in situ conservation - the conservation, maintenance, and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings - of biological diversity and an example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes. “Tubbataha is a living, breathing example of outstanding universal value in its key role in marine biodiversity. Our coastal coastal community engagements and environmental programs for the

against certain medically and economically catastrophic conditions especially to those who belong to the marginalized sectors of the society. Currently it offers Z Benefits for early stage breast cancer (stage 0 to III-A) amounting P100,000 which is inclusive of surgery and chemotherapy, among others. PhilHealth also has a package for women with cervical cancer depending on the treatment modality required. Those needing primary surgery or pelvic cobalt radiation with low dose brachytherapy are entitled to P125,000, while those requiring pelvic radiation using linear accelerator and high dose brachytherapy are covered for P175,000. To qualify for the Z Benefit packages, certain selection criteria have been set to ensure high survival rates and better health outcomes. To date, PhilHealth has contracted 19 hospitals for its Z package for breast cancer, and another six hospitals for the cervical cancer package. Patients are adviced to coordinate with the Z Benefit Coordinator of these contracted facilities for guidance. The state health insurer also reminded women of the other benefits it offers such as treatment for gynecological disorders such as ovarian cystectomy for P23,300, vaginal hysterectomy for P30,300, dilatation and curettage for P11,000 and mastectomy for P22,000.

Know when to change your car windshield wipers

Y MPIF, represented by its Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan (top center) and its President Melody M. Del Rosario (top left), signed the Memorandum of Agreement with the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board, represented by Palawan Provincial Governor Hon. Jose Ch. Alvarez (bottom right) and DENR MIMAROPA Region OIC, RED Lormelyn E. Claudio (bottom center). Witnesses to the event were MPIF Trustee and MPIC Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla (top right) and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Protected Area Superintendent Angelique Songco (bottom left). past 14 years will enhance Tubbataha’s continuous conservation efforts and raise public awareness on its economic, environmental and social impact,” says MPIF President Melody del Rosario.

Shoring Up Tubbataha

BEING the spearheading advocate for marine and coastal biodiversity conservation within the MVP Group, MPIF has taken on the responsibility to contribute the needed financial support of P2M annually for the next four years. “I express our gratitude for this partnership with MPIF. The commitment of MPIF to support the protection of the Philippines’ crown jewel, Tubbataha is a godsent in this time of uncertainty,” said Palawan Provincial Governor Hon. Jose Ch. Alvarez. “The support of MPIF In law enforcement will enable us to better provide for our marine park rangers, marine seaborne patrols, and other

research activities that are crucial during this time of climate change.” Beyond the financial donation however, MPIF has committed to integrate specialized interventions under its flagship environmental program Shore It Up! (SIU). Through SIU, MPIF will mobilize its Marine Protection, Inspection, and Conservation (MPIC) Guardians program in Tubbataha. Aligned with its existing implementation in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro and its pending execution in Marinduque, the MPIC Guardians program will serve a bigger purpose of creating a strategic brotherhood in the MIMAROPA region to protect the Verde Island Passage. “We are really grateful to MPIC, specifically to Chairman Pangilinan. As he has said, this is a world class heritage site that we need to protect, not only for its beauty, but for food security as well,” said DENR MIMAROPA Region OIC, RED Lormelyn E. Claudio.

Filinvest Group, General Assembly launch The 2030 Movement, a Week-long Upskilling Conference

HE global pivot to digital in almost all aspects of daily life from work, education to commerce and entertainment has opened new opportunities, creating digital-based jobs and providing employment for people with the requisite skills. This, however, has also widened the digital skills gap in the country. The Philippines ranked 51st out of 134 economies in the 2021 Digital Skills Gap Index by the multinational publishing company Wiley with a score of 5.1. Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC), one of the leading and most diversified conglomerates in the country, believes the answer to this gap lies in upskilling, reskilling and retraining workers, which the Filipino workforce are willing to undertake to perform better in their current job or find a new one. F(DEV), the digital innovation and venture arm of FDC, sees a comprehensive, inclusive and relevant training led by the biggest and most-established names in the digital industry as a good start to achieve this goal. In pursuit of this mission to help develop the country’s talent on top of investing in infrastructure and technology, Filinvest partnered with General Assembly (GA) to launch The 2030 Movement: The Future of Work is

N line with the observance of the National Women’s Month this March, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) remains committed to the health and well-being of Filipino women through the various benefit packages it offers in partnership with accredited and contracted healthcare providers nationwide. Under its Maternity Care Package, expecting mothers are entitled to essential health service during antenatal period, labor, normal delivery and immediate post-partum period. Packages are set at P6,500 and P8,000 if availed of in accredited hospitals, and in infirmaries/dispensaries and birthing homes/maternity clinics, respectively, anywhere in the country. The state agency requires at least four pre-natal visits during the course of pregnancy to detect and manage possible danger signs and complications, and to reduce risks of perinatal deaths. If without the recommended pre-natal services, members are still entitled to packages for normal spontaneous delivery inclusive of postpartum care ranging from P5,000 to P6.500. Meanwhile, it pays P19,000 for caesarian section deliveries done in levels 1 to 3 hospitals. For some gynecologic conditions, PhilHealth has introduced Z Benefit packages to provide relevant financial risk protection

Now. The week-long virtual Digital Upskilling conference, organized by F(DEV) and set for March 15 to 18, brings together the biggest and emerging names in the technology, startup and corporate world. “We believe in making digital upskilling and education accessible toward providing equal opportunity to our workforce. F(DEV)’s mission to transform industries through technology-based business models and GA’s goal to confront the skills gap through best-inclass instruction using the most relevant and in-demand skills across data, design, business and technology culminates in this week-long event. This is the future of work, and we want to take the Filipinos with us on this journey,” says Xavier Marzan, Filinvest Group Chief Digital Officer and CEO of its venture arm, F(DEV) General Assembly, initially a co-working space in 2011, has since grown into a global learning hub with campuses in 20 cities here and abroad and more than 35,000 graduates.

A pioneer in education and career transformation, GA nurtures and encourages a community of professionals to pursue the careers they love. Through its award-winning and dynamic training, GA is working toward its goal of closing the global skills gap. Home-grown and international talents such as Vett Watson, the Modern Work and Security Business Lead at Microsoft Philippines; Ace Gapuz , CEO of Blogpalooza; Johnson Dang, Demand Management Specialist at Nestle Australia Ltd; and Benjamin Wong, cofounder and CEO of Kinobi, will share their insights during the conference. They will discuss trends, product development, design, digital marketing, data and future of work as well as their personal stories of hardships and challenges. “We are facing unprecedented times and we believe that the ongoing disruption in many industries has changed the needs of our country’s businesses. We want to equip our workforce with the digital skills that they need to be able to stay competitive globally and equip themselves for the future. We want to make the Philippines a globally relevant digital hub with a strong digital-savvy workforce,” says Filinvest Group President and CEO Josephine Gotianun-Yap.

OUR car’s windshield wipers are very important as they serve as your first line of defense when driving under torrential rains. The wipers also instantly get rid of small debris that block your view when driving under any weather condition. Because road accidents usually happen due to poor driving visibility, windshield wipers are considered most vital for safe driving, along with lights. However, proper maintenance of windshield wipers is often overlooked. Fortunately, wiper blades can easily be replaced by any DIY motorist and doing so may not be costly at all. Still, every car owner should observe ways to properly take care of wiper blades. You may use soft cloth to wipe clean the wiper blades to avoid any possible problem. Inspect your windshield wipers and their blades as frequently as you possibly can. Look out for several potential issues when doing so. Those include metal corrosion, a broken frame, or any visible damage appearing in the rubber part. When any or all of these are observed, get ready to replace the blades. In general, it is advisable to replace your car’s wiper blades yearly or when there is a noticeable difference in their performance. If you often take out-of-town vacation or business trips (whatever the season), it is a must to include inspecting your windshield wipers to make sure those remain in ideal condition for the long drive. Don’t hesitate to make a replacement when you see smears, skips, or streaks when you use your windshield wipers and when those affect your driving visibility. Unlikely noise created by the wipers can also indicate a need for replacement. Another advisable time is before the onset of the rainy season, which usually starts by the end of May each year. This is to make sure the windshield wipers are always in reliable and best condition especially during stormy

or rainy days—a necessity for your overall driving safety. Is your car often exposed to harsh sunlight? Do you park your vehicle in an open-space parking lot all day, every day? Your car’s wiper blades could easily dry out, which may affect their effectiveness and flexibility. This is also the reason why in countries like the Philippines, experts advise that wiper blades be replaced more frequently. One of the best brands to consider in the market is Valeo, a European tech and automotive parts company. Check out Valeo First, which carries the brand’s reputable wiper blades in the aftermarket segment. As an original equipment supplier, Valeo manufactures over 100 million wiper blades annually—distributed in 33 countries, including the Philippines. Its wiper blades are synonymous to superior performance, durability, and best design. “We are proud to distribute Valeo windshield wipers in the country,” said Benjamin Bangayan Jr, President BSB Junrose, a local distributor of Valeo original parts. “The brand’s promise to bring ‘Smart Technology for Smarter Mobility’ naturally aligns with BSB Junrose’s commitment to provide only the best automotive supplies to vehicle owners in the country.”

GCash Digital Excellence Awards takes place on March 31

ORE than providing groundbreaking digital products that have benefited over 55 million users in the Philippines, GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the country, is celebrating realtime and real life innovation through its program, the GCash Digital Excellence Awards. This recognition is given to institutions that have made significant contributions in revolutionizing digital solutions and establishing programs that help safeguard transactions and the delivery of their services. While the pandemic forced a huge shift in the way Filipinos transact online, business owners innovated quickly to bring services closer to customers and cater to the growing needs of the market. This is why GCash has also remained committed to continuously improving its range of digital products that have become essential to Filipinos, especially small business owners and local enterprises that seek partners who can offer futureready solutions. “GCash’s ultimate goal is to make lives better every day and achieve financial inclusion for all. Over the course of the pandemic, we have witnessed the contributions of our partners from both the public and private sector to uplift the lives of Filipinos, so it is only fitting that we recognize their achievements and unwavering commitment through the GCash Digital Excellence Awards,” said Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO. Established in 2021, the GCash Digital

Excellence Awards was first initiated to recognize notable institutions in the public sector that have spearheaded financial inclusion and digital innovation in improving public service and access. This year, GCash is extending this honor to innovators in the enterprise and MSME sectors for their steadfast commitment in pioneering advancements and championing inclusivity through key initiatives. There will be three main awards for this year’s GCash Digital Excellence Awards. The Industry Pioneer Award recognizes companies who have stood alongside GCash since its inception and continue to spearhead various partnership activities along the way. The Innovation and Growth Award, will be presented to organizations that have collaborated with GCash in delivering groundbreaking solutions for the growing number of GCash users. The last of the three main awards, the Transformative Ecosystem Award, will be given to institutions who have embraced the digital lifestyle by fully integrating GCash solutions to their own ecosystem. Through the GCash Digital Excellence Awards and succeeding programs for this year, GCash aims to motivate its partners to continue to innovate their services, and to inspire more institutions to take an active role in making the Philippines a more financiallyinclusive society. The GCash Digital Excellence Awards will happen on March 31, 2022, through an exclusive online event.

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

Sports BusinessMirror

Friday, March 18, 2022 B7

P.O.C. SUSPENDS PATAFA; DOOR OPENS UP FOR EJ

HE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Executive Board suspended the national sports associations (NSAs) of athletics and tennis during its special meeting on Thursday, a move that opened the door for world-ranked pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena to participate at least in the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games in May. POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) was suspended for its non-compliance with an order from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to amend its charter and hold fresh elections to select a truly representative set of board members. The Philta has been serving a twoyear suspension by the ITF since late 2020 and the sanction faces extension unless the NSA complies with the world tennis body’s instruction. The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa), Tolentino said, was also suspended for failing to serve their purpose as an NSA, which supposedly “has the dedication and commitment toward the development of the sport, promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement and the spirit of sportsmanship.” “Our constitution states that POC may suspend for any reason. However, it’s transparent that Patafa

has deliberately and intentionally disregarded our basic principles of promoting sports and development,” Tolentino said. “Unfortunately, the nonendorsement of EJ has created a national issue,” Tolentino added. “EJ Obiena, under our International Olympic Committee Charter, has two reasons to be endorsed—sports merit and inspiration to the youth. Tolentino said that despite sincere efforts by Obiena to mediate, “Patafa prioritized its pride, and it saddens [me] to look closely on a chance slowly gripping away. They have withheld an opportunity of the Filipino people to have another world record.” Patafa denied Obiena’s request that he be endorsed to the world indoor championships that start Friday (March 18) in Belgrade as well as to the Vietnam SEA Games, Eugene (Oregon) world championships in July and Hangzhou (China) Asian Games in September. “The time is clearly now for EJ who is mentally and physically prepared,” Tolentino said. “We are in a reachable milestone within our grasp.” The suspension will be effective for 90 days and will be ratified by the POC General Assembly during its regular meeting on March 30. If ratified, Patafa will not have any authority over the national athletics team to the SEA Games, giving

Patrombon, Arcilla seal Olivarez Cup semis showdown

By Josef Ramos

HE top draws sealed a riveting clash of talents in the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) Olivarez Cup Open as Jeson Patrombon, Jed Olivarez, Jr. Johnny Arcilla and Vicente Anasta dispatched their respective rivals in varying fashions to move to the semifinals at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat on Thursday. The top seeded Patrombon overpowered Rolando Ruel, Jr., 6-1, 6-3; No. 2 Olivarez stopped unranked Eurydice Gaspar on his tracks, 7-5, 6-2; third-ranked Arcilla scored a 6-4, 1-0 (retired) win over Josshua Kinaadman; and No. 4 Anasta crushed Mark Alcoseba, 6-1, 6-2. Patrombon and many-time national teammate Arcilla dispute the first finals berth at 9 a.m. on Friday, while Olivarez and Anasta clash for the other championship slot in the event marking the restart of the sport after a two-year hiatus due to pandemic. Patrombon earlier repulsed qualifier Jarell Edangga, 6-2, 7-6(7), and Kristianjoy Tesorio, 6-1, 6-1; while Arcilla eased past wild card Axi Gonzaga, 6-3, 6-2; and Raymund Diaz, 6-4, 6-3, in the upper half of the 32-player draw. Olivarez, on the other hand, whipped Joel Atienza, 6-2, 6-0; and clobbered Stefano Gurria, 6-0, 6-0; while Anasta posted a 6-3, 4-2(ret.) win over Russell Arcilla, Jr. then routed Heinz Carbonilla, 6-1, 6-3, as they fueled their respective drive for the top P30,000 purse in the event put up by the PPS-PEPP and backed by Dunlop, Rep. Eric Olivarez and the Olivarez Sports Center. The ranking tournament also marks the resumption of the country’s longest-running circuit which also features competitions in various age-group divisions as part of the PPS-PEPP’s effort to identify and develop young talents, particularly from the countryside, according to event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. The four singles semifinalists also hurdled their respective matches in the doubles play with Patrombon and Anasta smothering siblings Chris and Franklin Encarnacion, 6-2, 6-2; Arcilla and Kyle Dandan booting out Roy Tan and Rey Ayson, 6-1, 6-1; and Olivarez and Joewyn Pascua routing Luis Asistio and Raymund Diaz, 6-1, 6-1.

ALER—With a fragile 42-second lead, Ronald Oranza played it safe and secured and allowed Ryan Tugawin to snatch the day’s honors in the 11th LBC Ronda Pilipinas that winds down with its crucial stages—Thursday’s race supposedly one of them. Oranza was shadowed all day by his closest pursuer in the general classification, Jan Paul Morales, who just a few months ago was the leader’s Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance (PNSI) teammate but it now strutting his winning act he honed as a Navyman with the Excellent Noodles team. “I expected for the three of us to guard each other in these last three stages,” said the 29-year-old Villasis (Pangasinan) pride Oranza, referring to Morales and Go For Gold’s Jonel Carcueva, who remained almost three minutes behind the Navyman at third place in the race for the P1 million champion’s purse of the 10-stage race. With the general classification riders locked in a tactical ride, Tugawin, riding out of Solano (Nueva Viscaya) rode to stage victory in the 174.50km stage from Tarlac City. He clocked four hours, 31 minutes and 16 seconds, a winning time he later admitted to reporters that he achieved

Obiena a chance to defend his gold medal in Vietnam. But Tolentino said both suspensions could be dismissed sooner than their terms. “If Philta complies with the ITF order, and the ITF accepts Philta’s compliance, the suspension of the tennis association will be lifted immediately,” he said. For the Patafa, it looked simpler. “If the PSC’s mediation effort over Patafa and EJ [Obiena] is completed and ironed out, its suspension will also be lifted,” said Tolentino, adding a separate resolution on the automatic lifting of the suspensions were also forged by the board. Nine members of the board voted for the suspension, while two— Charlie Ho (netball) and Cynthia Carrion-Norton (gymnastics) abstained. POC Chairman Steve Hontiveros and International Olympic Committee Representative to the Philippines Mikee CojuangcoJaworski were absent from the special board meeting. The suspensions will give the POC direct supervision over Philta and Patafa’s national athletes—including Obiena—coaches and sporting officials, while financial matters will be under the control of the Philippine Sports Commission. “These suspensions are actually not a landmark decision by the POC,”

Tolentino said. “We have at least two precedents when similar athlete-NSA issues rocked Philippine sports in the past.” Former Asian sprint queen De Vega was endorsed by the POC, then under the late Gov. Jose Sering, for her participation in the Asean Cup. The late Leopoldo Serantes, Tolentino said, could not have clinched a boxing bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics had the then POC endorsed his participation. The boxing association at that time was experiencing leadership intramurals between Roilo Golez and Mel Lopez. The suspensions were meted a day after Senator Pia Cayetano led the filing of a motion to cite the Patafa in contempt for disobeying the Senate Committee on Sports’ order for Patafa’s to amicably settle its differences with Obiena. The contempt charges also stemmed from the Patafa filing a case against

Angels overcome wobbly start, turn back BaliPure

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino poses with his Executive of the Year trophy during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night on Monday. Obiena and the POC with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Patafa filed the case with the CAS four days after it agreed to undergo mediation during a Senate hearing on February 7. “Patafa filed a case before the CAS in Switzerland. This is an act of bad faith, as Patafa practically and effectively closed any possibility of amicable settlement with Obiena,” Cayetano said.

ORANZA PLAYS IT SAFE

RYAN TUGAWIN wins Thursday’s seventh stage. with the help of many-time national rider Marcelo Felipe, who rides for his native province’s team, Nueva Ecija. Tugawin said he asked Felipe to prevent Navyman El Joshua Carño from grabbing the stage win in the

sprint finish. “Cariño attacked in the final 3 kms and I went for the chase and managed to stay up front,” Tugawin said. “It was then that I asked for Felipe’s cooperation to protect me from Cariño.”

Cariño still managed to finish second and Felipe was third despite the Novo Viscayano and Novo Ecijano forging a pact against a Pangasinense Cariño that doesn’t sit well in the ranks of professional cycling. “It was a very tough route with a lot of steep climbs, steep roads,” said the 32-year-old Tugawin, who last won a stage—Sorsogon-Legazpi City Stage 2—in 2020. “But tomorrow [Friday] will be more difficult than this one.” Oranza will remain with the red jersey when the race embarks for Friday’s 174.4-km Baler-Echague (Isabela) Stage 8. On Saturday, it will be the Santiago (Isabela)-Baguio City Stage 9 which organizers measured to be 193.20 kms long against what many riders believe could be beyond 200 kms. With two mountain stages staring down at the 90 surviving riders, Sunday’s final stage—a criterium in Baguio City—is deemed a ceremonial ride for both the general and team classification winners. Team Ilocos Sur finally made its presence felt when Mike Haban attempted for the podium by finishing fourth a minute behind Tugawin.

Tanduay Rum Masters back in action

THE present day Rum Masters are aiming to relive Tanduay’s glorious basketball past.

Marikina leads inaugural BPBL tilt

HE Batang Pilipino Basketball League kicked off its pre-season tournament in new normal recently with an eye on expanding its base in the near future. Eight teams are vying in the league’s three-weekend competition, which got under way over the weekend at the Palaruang Batang Lambak in Sta. Elena, Marikina City. Team Marikina has four wins with Mandaluyong in second at 3-1

(win-loss) and Batang Cainta at third with a 2-1 card in the tournament that recognizes the vast number of untapped talents in the 18-under age category, particularly from the out-of-school youth. Quezon City (QC) North RPBC and QC South RPBC share fourth place with 2-2 records while Pasig SA3 and Makati Pembo tote identical 1-3 cards and Priscerba Makati trails the field with three losses without a win.

ANDUAY’S newly-formed basketball team has taken on the name that has made it one of the most popular teams in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The new Tanduay Rum Masters under Coach Cholo Villanueva vows to continue the team’s winning legacy. “Tanduay is one of the most prominent companies in the Philippines known for supporting basketball, so being a part of it is a privilege,” Villanueva said. “The challenge is to bring back its winning mentality. Hopefully, we can bring back the championship legacy that the Rum Masters are known for.” Tanduay aims to train the spotlight on basketball talents outside of the big leagues. It has been the objective of its Tanduay Athletics division to develop new and aspiring players of all sports. “It’s always been Tanduay’s advocacy to provide an avenue for players from smaller schools to showcase their skills and talents,” Tanduay Rum Masters Team Manager Jean Alabanza said. “This is our way of helping basketball in the country by providing opportunities for those

who are not fortunate enough to come from big basketball programs.” “That’s why our players come from different leagues, not just the top leagues,” Alabanza added. The Rum Masters will play their first game in the Filipino Basketball League, or FilBasket, this month. The newly-established league will be participated in by local and international teams. The team consists of both veterans and rookies, some Villanueva’s former players at the University of the East. The team includes Levi Hernandez, Cedrick Ablaza, Mark Cruz, Dawn Ochea, Johnrey Villanueva, Jeckster Apinan, Wilson Baltazar, Ralf Olivares, Rudy Lingganay, Joshua Gonzales, Darwin Lumor, Mark Justine Dela Virgen, Jaycee Asuncion, Jay Manlangit and Vincent King Importante. Villanueva’s coaching staff are Jay-R Aquino (first assistant coach), John Arenas (video coordinator), Warren Catipan (skills development), Sonny Montalvo (strength and conditioning), Dino Enrile (skills development), and James Tolentino (scout).

ETRO Gazz looked armed and equipped to go for another title run as the Angels weathered BaliPure’s fightback to annex a 25-14, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21 victory in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila on Thursday. The Angels actually had to overcome wobbly starts in the first two sets and fell short of their comeback bid in the third frame, enabling the Water Defenders to extend the match. But the former came out smoking in the fourth to wrest early control then warded off their rivals’ rally with clutch hits from Aiza Pontillas and MJ Philips and solid defense from libero Bang Pineda, all former Sta. Lucia stalwarts. Grethcel Soltones fired three straight hits to give the Angels a 20-14 cushion but BaliPure, aided by a Nicole Tiamzon service error, a Soltones mishit and the team’s net violation, threatened last at 21-24. But Pontillas came through with a power blast that hit Rapril Aguilar’s arm and bounced off the court, ending the one-hour, 48-minute duel for the third straight match that was decided in four sets following F2 Logistics and Cignal HD’s wins last Wednesday. Soltones, Philips and Remy Palma finished with 12 hits apiece while Pontillas and Tiamzon added 10 and nine points, respectively, as the Angels, the 2019 Reinforced Conference champions, set the early pace in Group B of the two-pool tournament organized by Sports Vision.

San Miguel Beer, Phoenix in harness to fight for survival in Govs Cup qfinals

AN MIGUEL Beer and Phoenix Super LPG aim to live another day when they take on opponents holding twice-tobeat privileges in the quarterfinals Friday of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria, however, expects Meralco to have down its homework and prevent a repeat of the Bolts’ 110-115 loss last March 5 to the Beermen, who reversed that game’s outcome despite trailing by 26 points. “It’s a very important game for us so we have to do our best to stay alive, and we knew they would come back for us after we beat them the last time,” Austria told BusinessMirror on Thursday. Austria warned his prolific import Shabazz Muhammad that he will be a “marked man” following his breathtaking performance of 57 points and 19 rebounds in that win over the Bolts. “After the game, I reminded him he’ll be Meralco’s marked man but I am pretty sure he knows how to adjust and we will,” Austria said, adding that they cannot afford to have another bad start against the No. 4 Bolts. A former player of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Muhammad is the Beermen’s third import in the conference. He averaged 39 points, 19 rebounds and three assist in three games. Tony Bishop is expected to anchor the Bolts’ attack behind his averages of 28.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the eliminations. The San Miguel Beer-Meralco duel is set at 3 p.m. Phoenix also aims to force a sudden-death game with top seed Magnolia in their 6 p.m. game. The Hotshots of coach Chito Victolero almost registered a perfect season with 10 wins over a loss – 101-103 defeat to NorthPort last February 24. Josef Ramos

Motoring BusinessMirror

Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame

Friday, March 18, 2022

Editor: Tet Andolong • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Mazda rolls out the 2022 MX-5

Story by Randy S. Peregrino

AZDA keeps the spirit alive of its celebrated roadster with the recent Philippine introduction of the 2022 edition MX-5. The automaker claims the latest iteration now delivers an even more enjoyable, comfortable, and connected driving experience with a new color, trim changes, and drivability enhancement.

“With over close to 1,000 examples sold by our distributorship since 2014, The Mazda MX-5 continues to be a popular and highly regarded sports car in the Philippines,” said Steven Tan, president, and CEO of Mazda Philippines. “Mazda’s lightweight, open-top formula as seen on the MX-5 has consistently been realized for more than 30 years. But we believe there is still room to involve the driver even more and enhance the emotional bond with his car. That is why we are continuing to elevate this already unique driving experience with the introduction of new features and owner-initiated options that will make future MX-5 owners even happier and fulfilled.” Customization is bliss under the “Build Your MX-5” program via the

customer-initiated online experience at the Mazda Philippines website. Hence, the 2022 edition MX-5 may be configured online with preferred specifications and, in turn, forward the request to the preferred dealership for fulfillment contact. The portal now presents 76 possible combinations for the 2022 MX5. The six-speed Skyactiv Drive automatic and manual transmissions are available in Soft-Top and Retractable Fastback body styles. Moreover, the fabric material for the Soft-Top MX-5 is available in Black or Dark Cherry color options. As for the RF (Retractable Fastback) styling, a body-colored or black roof is optional for the AT variants. In contrast, the black roof is for the MT RF.

The 2022 MX-5 RF Edition in the new Platinum Quartz Metallic color.

The MCP 25th Anniversary Edition in limited-time production interior with a Human-centric design direction.

Club Edition for all

available with a new body-color Platinum Quartz Metallic, replacing the Arctic White shade. It features a silky white finish that has a quartz-like translucency. The new color also exudes a renewed sense of class and elegance, making it stand out.

The Mazda MX-5 Club Edition will now be available in the Soft-Top for the first time. Similar to the RF, the 2022 Soft-Top MX-5 Club Edition also features the signature Recaro sport bucket seats, and lightweight 17-inch Dark Finish BBS Forged Wheels. The MT MX-5 Soft Top and RF variants are equipped with Bilstein Sports Dampers.

Richer finish Aside from the existing traditional Black Leather trim, the 2022 MX-5 now offers an option for the new Terracotta Nappa leather seats. This premium, vivid and rich brown hue is smooth to the touch leather. The material creates a warmer and more refined endowed cabin, soothing both driver and passenger senses. Further, there is intricate contrast stitching on seats, door panels, steering wheel, hand brake, and gear levers for that timeless quality and fine craftsmanship.

Signature Mazda ownership experience and pricing Enhanced interior trim and material (MT).

Kinematic Posture Control To further enhance the Spirit of “Jinba Ittai,” Mazda integrated the groundbreaking Kinetic Posture Control (KPC) feature. This new and unique technology to the 2022 MX-5 aims to provide a more integrated and stable turning posture even when cornering at high speed without adding extra weight to the vehicle. Combined with the roadster’s rear suspension existing “anti-lift” force that pulls the car’s body down when braking is applied, KPC further optimizes driving capabilities by applying a slight braking force on the inner rear wheel under high G-force cornering. This action suppresses body roll and stabilizes form, achieving better grip on the road surface. The KPC’s new stabilization effect is best noticed in tight corners and rough road surfaces. During highspeed cornering situations, KPC prevents the frame from lifting. Further,

the technology determines turning conditions and detects the difference in speed between left and right rear wheels in real-time, and operates linearly and seamlessly to produce an appropriate posture stabilization effect. So, the more complex the drive becomes, the sharper the rear end becomes, as it smartly adjusts its turning posture. Motivation comes from the existing and potent 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine. Generating 181 hp and 205 N-m of maximum torque, Mazda claims that this highly fuel-efficient motor provides instantaneous response while frugal on gas consumption. As for safety, there are i-Activsense Safety Technologies such as Adaptive LED Headlamps, Smart City Brake Support, and Lane Departure Warning. Dual Front and Side Airbags are available as standard.

Distinctive new color For 2022, the Mazda MX-5 is now

The MX-5 RF 2.0L Skyactiv version retails from P2.33 to P2.44 million, while the RF Club Edition is at P2.72 million (MT) and P2.79 million (AT). As for the MX-5 Soft Top 2.0L Skyactiv variant, the price ranges from P2.02 to 2.28 million, while the Soft Top Club Edition is P2.58 million (MT) and P2.63 million (AT). Also available is the MCP 25th Anniversary Edition in limited-time production. The 6MT Blue Top Black Leather edition retails at P2.25 million, while the 6AT Blue Top Black Leather edition is at P2.3 million. As a standing Mazda offer, all MX-5 models ordered through the “Build Your MX-5” online portal come with the benefits of Mazda Philippines’s 5-Year Free Service Plan. It covers the expenses of periodic maintenance at either 6-month or 10,000-kilometer intervals, for up to 5 years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Moreover, Mazda offers peace of mind on PMS budgeting and costs inflation concerns during the ownership experience. With its 3-Year Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty, owning an MX-5 continues to be enriching and fulfilling experience.

Toyota milestone; Petron-Tesda tie-up When you are good, you can only become better.

Petron-Tesda tie-up

HE tired cliché, “when it rains, it pours,” comes to mind again. That’s because Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), the undisputed world No. 1 automaker, has just reached another milestone: Selling two million units on its 34th year of operations. More importantly, it came on the heels of TMP’s 20th consecutive year of Triple Crown achievement of being No. 1 again in passenger car sales, commercial vehicle sales and overall sales in 2021. “Surpassing the two-million mark would not be possible without the support of our loyal Toyota and Lexus customers, the commitment of our 73-strong Toyota dealer network, and the sense of ownership that every TMP team member has to our goal and responsibility of providing mobility for all. Thank you for making Philippines a Toyota country,” said TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto. It was in 1988 when the late visionary Dr. George SK Ty established TMP in partnership with GT Capital Holdings, Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsui & Co., LTD. Today, TMP is a giant car company in the Asia Pacific region, making Toyota the country’s No. 1 vehicle brand for decades now. Its market share of 46.3 percent in 2021 is not only an all-time tops in the Philippines but also the highest in the Asean region in history. “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the generations of Toyota owners in the Philippines who have trusted and embraced the Toyota brand since TMP

opened more than three decades ago,” said Alfred Ty, Chairman of TMP. “We are truly humbled that Filipinos have welcomed the Toyota brand as family, and we are grateful to be entrusted with the responsibility of helping the Philippines build a mobility-empowered society. Your continued trust and patronage inspire us to continuously improve and evolve our operations, so that we can help modernize mobility and contribute to nation-building.” Based in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna, TMP operates the country’s largest car manufacturing and assembly plant, where the best-selling Vios and Innova models are proudly produced. With a mammoth 60,000-strong employees, Toyota has so far invested a total of P67 billion, achieving export sales of US$16.3 billion as of 2020. It is one of the country’s biggest taxpayers, unloading P426 billion in revenues as of 2021. The company, having rolled out 958,000 CKD (Completely Knocked Down) units thus far, has produced some of the most iconic cars on the road like the Crown, Corolla, Lite Ace, and Tamaraw. In 2021 alone, TMP sold over 35,000 Vios units, the most in the Passenger Car sector, and more than 13,000 Innovas. Ty sees its two-million sales milestone as an engine in Toyota’s “brand transformation initiative” mode. “We are looking forward to a more exciting and promising future for our customers as we introduce more ways to move their world,” said Ty.

PETRON, the Philippines’s largest oil company and lone refiner, has partnered with Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) to offer free education on automotive servicing, addressing our country’s need for more skilled car personnel. The tie-up aims to provide scholars the knowledge to master full vehicle control through Petron’s Car Care Center (CCC). Forged on March 4, the partnership was signed by Tesda Secretary Isidro Lapeña and Petron Corporation Vice President for Industrial Sales Virgilio Centeno. Petron’s Kristine Palaganas said the nation’s 47 Petron CCCs offer courses on automotive care services from light to heavy repairs, as well as tire services such as wheel balancing and alignment. “Petron recognizes the power of education and proper training in building up a society, thus this team-up with Tesda,” said Centeno. Said Lapena: “We are optimistic that this venture will create a better, more comprehensive learning experience for the Filipino workforce, preparing them for the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Petron, through its CSR arm Petron Foundation, has over 18,000 scholars through its Tulong Aral ng Petron, which is now on its 20th year. “This is in line with San Miguel Corporation’s commitment to ensure that its stakeholders thrive alongside its continued growth as an organization,” Palaganas said. PEE STOP Honda has said farewell to its “Bank Partner Sale” of the year from March 14 to 20, 2022. Selected models will each receive discounts of P10,000 until March 20 through BPI, RCBC, BDO, Robinsons Bank and PNB. Visit www.hondaphil.com for more details.

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57th Anvil Awards A BusinessMirror Special Feature

Friday, March 18, 2022 C1

57TH ANVIL AWARDS

HUMANITY FIRST: PURPOSEFUL PR IN THE TIME OF CRISIS MERALCO EXEMPLIFIES PURPOSEFUL COMMUNICATIONS IN THE 57TH ANVIL AWARDS

AWARDED with a Gold Anvil was Meralco’s 2020 Annual Report entitled Power On – a testament to Meralco’s commitment to creating purposeful and meaningful communications to its stakeholders.

AS Meralco’s second sustainability report, Live Life builds on the momentum of the Company’s highly successful and lauded maiden sustainability report by capturing Meralco’s heightened commitment to embed sustainability in its operations.

HE Anvil Awards has been recognizing outstanding campaigns, brands and personalities for the past five decades. Over the years, Anvil has been the symbol of excellence in public relations and PR programs and tools. The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the country’s premier organization for PR professionals, creates a new meaning to public relations that it is no longer just about promoting a brand or company. PR is an instrument of good and action, especially in times of uncertainty. On its 57th year, community leader Ana Patricia Non led the banging of the ANVIL, an annual tradition that signals the start of the Gabi ng Parangal. At the height of the pandemic, Non reignited the fire of kindness among Filipinos. What Non started as a community pantry in Quezon City became an inspiration nationwide. A nation facing joblessness and hunger at the height of the pandemic found hope in a small, old bamboo cart filled with bags of rice, vegetables and canned goods -- all for free for anyone who needed them. Entries to the 57th ANVIL Awards were judged using a three-tier evaluation process to ensure that only the best PR programs and tools were recognized – the Screening Committee, Board of Judges, and Panel of Jurors. More than 70 judges

representing various sectors such as government, media, academe, professional groups and the civil society evaluated ANVIL nominations. This year’s ANVIL Chairman of the Panel of Jurors was Cabinet Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Hon. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles who was also recently appointed as Chairman of the Civil Service Commission. The 57th Anvil Awards received 540 entries. Of this number, 99 bagged the Silver and Gold awards as best PR programs and tools. Winners of the top awards, Grand and Platinum ANVILs, were Metrobank Foundation’s Supplemental Aid to Community Pantries while Avon Philippines and MullenLowe MARC’s #LetHerBe: Avon Claps back at Microaggressions and Outdated Social Standards won the Platinum ANVIL. For the other top awards, Reverb Communications Inc. was the Agency of the Year while PLDT and Smart won as Company of the Year. PAGEONE Group and Studio 5 Designs, Inc. were awarded the Hall of Fame for winning ANVIL five times in the same category.

HE Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the country’s premier electric distribution utility, has once again demonstrated excellence beyond delivering stable and reliable electric service in its franchise area. Recognized for its impactful internal and external communication programs centered on employee health & safety, customer service excellence and transparency, the company bagged one gold and four silvers in the recently concluded 57th Anvil Awards. The Anvil Awards is an awards program annually held by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP). Dubbed as “the Oscars of Philippine Public Relations”, it recognizes outstanding programs, campaigns, and tools that showcase the highest standards of PR practice in the country. This year’s theme for Anvil Awards “Humanity First” highlights the importance of PR in spreading messages of hope and optimism, and recognizing PR as a tool that can be mobilized for good. This was more relevant in context of today’s challenges, with communication becoming even more crucial amid the global health crisis. Developing various ways of communicating advocacies and initiatives to customers and stakeholders have become imperative to enable the company to adapt to the impact of the pandemic. "These Anvil wins are manifestations of Meralco's commitment to purposeful and meaningful communication that is called for during this challenging time," said Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications. Meralco’s 2020 Annual Report, “Power On,” won a Gold Anvil under the category of Public Relations Tool. In its Annual Report, the company reinvented its visual vocabulary, turning constraints into something fresh and new. Its writing was crisp in its narration of the challenges that brought out the grit and heroism of the company, its employees, and its partners. Power On encapsulated the best of Meralco during the worst of times. The annual report even bagged the highly coveted Gold Stevie in the Best Annual Report category at the 2021 Stevie International Business Awards, besting 19 other nominations from various organizations from different industries world-

was unprecedented, OMF was quick to reallocate its resources and review its strategy early on to implement programs best suited to the new needs of communities greatly impacted by the pandemic. On top of this, OMF pursued and succeeded in meeting its original, prepandemic targets. This agility and resilience of the foundation -- a reflection of its maturity and dependability as a social development organization -- were captured in "Give Hope," alongside heartwarming stories of meaningful impact told from the perspective of those whose lives were positively transformed by OMF's initiatives. THROUGH its 2021 summer campaign, Meralco proactively communicated the need for intelligent use of electricity through a multi-platform and integrated communications.

wide. Stakeholders expressed agreement with “thumbs up” and commendations during Meralco’s virtual annual shareholder meeting. In addition to Power On’s Gold, Meralco also won Silver Anvils for the following communication campaigns:

#AYOKOMAGVIRAL: A MERALCO INTERNAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST COVID-19

Category: Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders Meralco, as the largest electric distribution utility in the country, has been at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19. In order to continue delivering stable and reliable electric service 24/7 to its customers, it had to first take care of its manpower. #AyokoMagviral is Meralco’s internal communications campaign that affirms the commitment of Meralco in fulfilling its part in helping curb the rise of infections, especially among the thousands of its employees, their families and communities. The campaign featured simple images with compelling and incisive text, reminding employees to always observe pandemic health protocols in and outside of the workplace.

MERALCO: PROVIDING CONSUMERS THE POWER DURING SUMMER

Category: Specialized Public Relations Programs In the summer of 2021, government imposed

ONE Meralco Foundation’ 2020 annual report entitled Give Hope served as a vehicle to showcase how its advocacies gave hope to beneficiaries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

stricter quarantine restrictions due to rising COVID-19 cases. During this period, temperature reached a 40-degree high, and with more people at home under sweltering heat, consumption and electricity bills were also bound to inevitably increase. In May 31 to June 2, Luzon grid plunged to RED ALERT, and Meralco had to implement rotating brownouts. As an offshoot of this, prices in the electricity spot market also increased. In spite of the dire situation, Meralco proactively communicated the need for intelligent use of electricity via multi-platform, integrated campaign maximizing all available media, to reach its multiple stakeholders. Meralco also served as enabler for its residential & business customers in the pursuit of solutions. By September 2021, Meralco logged its second highest net PR value on record, with summer campaign contributing largest share. Customer satisfaction ratings also surpassed last year- proof that the information drive provided value for both Meralco and its publics.

GIVE HOPE: 2020 ONE MERALCO FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT Category: Public Relations Tool

In May 2021, One Meralco Foundation (OMF) published "Give Hope," its 2020 annual report. More than reporting the financial performance and program accomplishments of the foundation, the publication served as a vehicle to showcase how its advocacies gave hope to beneficiaries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the disruption caused by the health crisis

LIVE LIFE: 2020 MERALCO SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Category: Public Relations Tool Live Life is Meralco’s second sustainability report (SR). It builds on the momentum of the Company’s highly successful and lauded maiden 2019 SR by capturing Meralco’s heightened commitment to embed sustainability at its core—in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the primary platform for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures, Live Life presents Meralco’s efforts and progress across the four pillars—Power, Planet, People, Prosperity—of its sustainability agenda (characterized by the phrase Powering the Good Life). It articulates how Meralco provided life-giving energy to its customers and communities during an extraordinary year fraught with crises, keeping the lights on for millions of Filipinos and helping them overcome the adverse impacts of climate change and COVID-19. Finally, it outlines Meralco’s long-term sustainability aspirations through 2030 and beyond—a testament to Meralco’s thrust to power good lives and bring forth a better normal today and for generations to come. All these awards and recognitions serve as a testament to Meralco’s customer-centric, goal-oriented and impactful programs that not only promote sustainability, but also prove to be beneficial for customers and industry stakeholders during the pandemic. Excellent and clear communication is essential to ensure that Meralco’s programs and services are well understood and appreciated by its customers and stakeholders.

#AYOKOMAGVIRAL, which was awarded a Silver Anvil, was an internal campaign against COVID-19 that aims to provide information to Meralco employees to keep them protected, healthy and safe, amid the pandemic.

57th Anvi

A BusinessMirr

Friday, March 18, 2022 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

PURPOSEFUL PR By Maria Luisa P. Sebastian, APR

URPOSEFUL PR – what does it truly mean? We often say that as communicators, as storytellers and strategists we shape the conversation and can influence society and spark change. But how exactly? And how do we fuse branding objectives with societal duties? Where does the line between a human being and a communication professional start and stop? On my second term as the Chairperson, I drew inspiration from the principle that change, being inevitable and unpredictable, should not be feared nor avoided but welcomed. We learn from experiences and with new learnings, comes necessary changes. After the 56th Anvil Awards, we held a discussion with the panel of judges about the things they wanted revised or updated to better serve the purpose of the Anvil. From that series of discussion are these changes in the rubrics. First, we recalibrated points in each rubric following inputs from the survey that we conducted among the judges last year. We added the Special Score subcategory to give judges an opportunity to rank entries by assigning a score between 1 and 5. We also created a rubric for coffee table books for printed publication, with the aim of being more inclusive and appreciative of the contribution of these publication. Lastly, we included the Presentation of Entry subcategory to recognize the completeness of each nomination in terms of the quality of writing and visuals of the entry We consulted with IMMAP on the changes we introduced on the Digital PR

and Tools category in recognition of the Philippine Digital Measurement Standard that IMMAP created for our industry. I commend our former and current judges – very dedicated professionals who have become friends over time -- for taking the time from their busy schedules to ensure the Anvil continue to be the symbol of excellence through these changes. We’ve done so much together and I look forward to collaborating with you all again and nurturing the relationship we’ve built. Kape-kape po tayo soon! And now for the task at hand. The big night! I know you’ve all been waiting for this and don’t worry, I won’t bore you with any more talk of numbers. I leave you instead with this gentle reminder, huling hirit before the festivities, if you will:

We have been presented an opportunity to reaffirm, if not prove, that more than just artistic words, theories and strategies, we can make real, tangible changes in the everyday lives of Filipinos. The Anvil in its essence is a grand ensemble of experts honoring the best, most relevant campaigns that showed the impact communication in all of its forms can have. By listening to the noise that is life and filtering in only those worth listening to, we can make sure that the right programs, tools, people and brands receive the nod that is the Anvil. And as long as we continue creating meaningful and relevant projects and making sure these ripples across the society, then our role is fulfilled. Ms. Maria Luisa P. Sebastian, APR is the 57th Anvil Awards Chairperson

PLDT, Smart, PayMaya top Philippines’ Oscars of public relations

LDT and Smart have maintained the group’s winning streak at the Anvil Awards, receiving top honors for the second straight year at the Philippines' Oscars of public relations. In a virtual ceremony held recently, PLDT and Smart bagged 21 awards, including citations of fintech unit PayMaya, and back-to-back Company of the Year honors. The group brought home two golds and 18 silvers for programs on brand communication, corporate social responsibility, employee engagement and financial inclusion. "We are truly honored and humbled

to receive back-to-back Company of the Year citations. We continue our mission to provide digital innovations that empower Filipinos to live smarter for a better world,” said Cathy Yang, FVP and Group Head of Corporate Communications for PLDT and Smart. The Anvil Awards has been conducted for 57 years by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP). “The Anvil honors the best campaigns that show the impact of communications, in all of its forms. As long as we continue creating meaningful and relevant projects, and make sure that

these ripple across society, then, our role is fulfilled,” said Anvil Awards Chairperson, Ma. Louisa Sebastian, APR. PLDT and Smart received gold Anvils for COVID Warrior Communications Program, a multi-platform campaign to drive awareness and care for employees amid COVID-19; and Better Today Time Capsule Project, which promotes the use of art for catharsis and mental healthcare. Silver Anvil awardees include brand initiatives—MVP Bossings and the Great Connections Podcast by FreeBee from PLDT Enterprise, and Smart Giga Study

360 video, Smart Prepaid’s This is Us, and BTS Passion and Purpose campaigns. The group also bagged silvers for workforce initiatives: Families and Communities: Stronger Together, an engagement initiative for employees and dependents; Mind Your Health, an integrated mental health support program; Wellness Revolution, which promotes holistic well-being, and "Yes, She Can!"—a landmark campaign for Women’s Month. Corporate advocacy programs also received silver Anvils, namely, Better Today Conversations and Better Today

with La Union and Tarlac, key mental health initiatives; CyberSmart, a virtual caravan to help mitigate risks online; Digital Farmers Program and Buy Local, Buy Smart, which promote livelihood opportunities; Gabay Guro, a flagship program for teachers; and #NoLearnerLeftBehind, the group’s consolidated campaign to champion inclusive education. PayMaya also got silver nods for I am PayMaya Town Hall, a cascade of latest corporate developments, directions, and performance; and The SAFEwork Playbook: a publication of pandemic and work arrangement protocols.

vil Awards

ror Special Feature

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Friday, March 18, 2022

Humanity and Excellence By Norman A. Agatep

OW can we be human even as we pursue excellence? Can humanity and excellence go together? We know how it is to feel powerless. With the pandemic, we did not know what hit us. We were worried about ourselves, our families

and our future. But slowly we stepped out of this dark cloud and as we looked after our individual concerns, we also learned to work with others, and discovered how to be a community again. From being helpless, we started helping; from being hopeless, we became bearers of hope; and from the desperation we saw around us, we became a force of action.

Thus was born the community pantries and all sorts of donation drives. Everyone started pitching in, even through small gestures such as checking up on a struggling friend or showing up every day like what our medical frontliners, journalists, couriers and delivery workers, educators, OFWs, construction workers, guards and all other unsung heroes do. Amid the dark clouds of

the pandemic, the Filipino spirit has stood – and stands – strong. By looking after each other these past months, we put humanity first even as we also try to thrive in our other goals and pursue excellence. To us in the public relations industry, this is what purposeful PR, especially in times of crisis, is all about. It is about contributing to the positive in the world. Yes, we remain true to our mission of helping brands and organizations bring their message across, but with the community in mind and by serving the common good. Tonight, we are more than happy and proud to shine the spotlight on brands and

C3 x

agencies that have taken this to heart. Allow me to be the first to thank you, our nominees for tonight, for pursuing excellence while keeping humanity first. You continue to prove that we can use PR to empower even more Filipinos and make a difference in society. When the day comes when we finally shed off our masks in victory, may we remember the lessons we learned. May we keep in our hearts how we have been united toward a common goal and how all these have brought out the best and human inside all of us. Norman A. Agatep is the President of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines

Work Life Workplace A BusinessMirror Special Feature

C4 Friday, March 18, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Striking a balance between work and life

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Balancing act

WHATEVER work set up will be adopted, It is important to strike a work-life balance. Achieving this though is a challenge especially if you work long hours and are online most of the time. In fact, working from home can also blur professional and personal boundaries. However, a study showed that Filipinos have some of the best experiences of work life balance in Southeast Asia. According to recruitment portal Monster.com, nearly two thirds (65 percent) of working professionals in the Philippines said they are generally satisfied with their current work life balance, although 28 percent said they would like more options to spend time with their friends and family. The study found that 41 percent of Filipino professionals feel content with the balance of their personal and professional lives, significantly higher than employees in Singapore and Malaysia, where only 24 percent and 32 percent, respectively, reported feeling the same way. This data was gathered from more than 1,000 respondents across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines as part of Monster’s #WorklifeBalance campaign, which aims to explore working profes-

PIXABAY.COM

This is especially true for working mothers. In addition to juggling their time between meetings, performing their key work tasks, mother also had to look after their children and doing household chores. Achieving a work life balance, in short, was a challenge. Now that the Philippines is under Alert Level 1 status, many companies are busy preparing for the return of their employees to the office. This, again, will require another period of adjustment. After working in the confines of their homes for two years, employees will now have to commute once more and make their way to the offices. Even before the loosening of the quarantine restrictions, some sectors were pushing for the adoption of the hybrid work set up. The hybrid work set up provides some flexibility on where, how and when work is completed. Some businesses may require employees to work in the office twice a week or only when required by a client. It can also be in the form of requiring groups of employees to work in the office during a particular week while the rest work from home on an alternating basis. Calls for the adoption of this set up were further strengthened with the rising gasoline prices, which may eventually lead to higher fares.

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HEN the country was on lockdown two years ago, employees in many industries were forced to work from home. For most employees, the experience was daunting and life changing.

sionals sentiments around work life balance and raise awareness among employers as to what aspects of work life balance are most valued by their employees.

Flexible working hours

THE major aspect of work-life balance for Filipino professionals is having flexible working hours that are suited to their lives and needs

(59 percent). Beyond this, Filipinos want to be able to leave work on time (51 percent), while 47 percent say they simply strive to find the right blend between work and life. According to Mayoclinic.org, if you are spending most of your time working, your work and home life might be negatively affected. The consequences of poor work life balance include:

nFatigue. It is difficult to work productively and think clearly if you are tired. This could in turn have a negative effect on your professional reputation that may lead to costly mistakes. nPoor health. Stress can worsen whatever medical conditions you already have and may put you at risk of substance abuse. nLost time with family and friends. If you spend too much time working, you might miss out on important family events or milestones. You will start feeling left out and your relationships with your family and friends will be affected. “As long as you’re working, juggling the demands of career and personal life will be an ongoing challenge. But by setting limits and looking after yourself, you an achieve the work-life balance that’s best for you,” MayoClinic.Org said. To achieve work-life balance, MayoClinic.Org suggests the following strategies: nManage your time. Give yourself enough time to get things done. Don’t overschedule yourself. nLearn to say no. Evaluate your priorities at work and at home and try to shorten the list of things that you have to do. Delegate the work that you cannot handle or share your concerns and possible solutions with your employer or others. When you quit accepting tasks out of guilt or a false sense of obligation, you will have more time for activities that are meaningful to you. nDetach from work. Working from home gives you the feeling that you are always on the job and this can lead to chronic stress. Talk to your manager about expectations for when you can disconnect. If you work from home, dress for work and have a dedicated workspace, if possible. When you are done working each day, detach and

transition to home life by changing your outfit, taking a drive, walking or doing an activity with your kids. nConsider your options. Ask your employer about flex hours, a compressed workweek, job sharing or other scheduling flexibility. The more control you have over your hours, the less stressed you are likely to be. It is important to cope with stress and to achieve work-life balance. Eat well, engage in physical activity in your daily routine and get enough sleep. In addition, aim to: nRelax. Regularly set aside time for activities that you enjoy, such as practicing yoga, gardening or reading. Hobbies can help you relax, take your mind off of work and recharge. Better yet, discover activities you can do with your partner, family or friends – such as hiking, dancing, or taking cooking classes. nVolunteer. Research shows that volunteering to help others can improve your connections with others, as well as lead to better life satisfaction and lower psychological distress. nDevelop a support system. At work, join forces with co-workers who can cover for you and vice versa when family conflict arise. At home, enlist trusted friends and loved ones to pitch in with child care or household responsibilities when you need to work late. “If your life feels too chaotic to manage and you’re spinning your wheels worrying about it, talk to a mental health provider. If you have access to an employee assistance program, take advantage of available services,” Mayoclinic.org said. “Creating work-life balance is a continuous process as your family interests and work life change. Periodically examine your priorities and make changes if necessary to make sure you’re keeping on track,” Mayoclinic.org added.