BusinessMirror March 30, 2022 by BusinessMirror

Neda: Duterte govt OK’d ₧5.3-T projects

HE Duterte administration approved a total of P5.32 trillion in projects since it assumed office in 2016, according to data released by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). Data as of March 2022 showed that the amount covered a total of 112 projects. Majority or 94 of these projects are funded through Official Development Assistance (ODA); 14 are locally funded projects (LFPs); four are Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects; and one is an ODA-PPP funded project. The ODA projects amounted to P4.39 trillion while LFPs amounted to P102.87 billion; PPPs, P767.43 billion; and the ODA-PPP project, the LRT Line 1 South Extension

Project, cost P64.92 billion. “[The ICC] evaluates the fiscal, monetary and balance of payments implications of major national projects, and recommends to the President the timetable of their implementation on a regular basis,” Neda explained. “[It also] advises the President on matters related to the domestic and foreign borrowings program; and submits a status of the fiscal, monetary and balance of payments implications of major national projects,” it added. Based on the March 2022 data, the largest project is the NorthSouth Commuter Railway System Project worth P873.62 billion. The NSCR System involves the construction of a 147.3-km mass

transportation railway system from CRK in Mabalacat, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna. The project includes the construction of 35 stations, three maintenance depots, and the acquisition of 464 train cars, inclusive of 56 Airport Express train cars. The project with the lowest cost is the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP) International Fund for Agricultural Fund (IFAD) Financing Reallocation worth P386.71 million. Neda said the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) component of the INREMP covered the municipalities of Bubong, Ditsaan-Ramain, Lumba-Bayabao, Maguing and Marawi City in the

province of Lanao del Sur. It involved the construction of six diversion structures in the existing intake structure and concrete lining of main and lateral canals with total lengths of 19.04 kms and 18.95 kms, respectively. The project will also construct temporary access roads with a total distance of 7.5 kms, and 11 supporting facilities, i.e., warehouse and solar dryers. In January, the Neda said the ICC approved a total of P1.31 trillion worth of projects in 2021. Neda OIC Undersecretary for Investment Programming Roderick M. Planta said this includes 30 projects, mostly ongoing projects. See “Neda,” A2

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WORLD SHOULD BRACE FOR DEBT CRISES–WB www.businessmirror.com.ph

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 Vol. 17 No. 173

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 24 pages | 7 days a week

CHIEF of Staff General Andres Centino of the Philippine Army speaks during opening ceremonies of the “Balikatan” (Shoulder to Shoulder) joint military exercises at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Monday, March 28, 2022. Thousands of American and Filipino forces opened on Monday one of their largest combat exercises in years that will include live-fire training, urban assaults, amphibious landing and coastal defense in the northern Philippine region near its sea border with Taiwan. AP/AARON FAVILA By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE world should brace itself for a spate of debt crises as a dozen developing countries could become unable to service their debts in the next 12 months, a World Bank expert has warned. See “Debt Crises,” A2

EASY ENTRY PROTOCOLS BOOST PHL AS ESL HUB By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

HE further relaxation of requirements for inter nationa l travelers will help restore the country’s

place as a major destination to study English as second language (ESL). This developed as Malacañang moved to further relax restrictions on international See “ESL,” A2

Peza urges locators: Heed return to office By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Philippine Economic Zone Aut hor it y (Peza) on Tuesday urged business-process outsourcing (BPO) locators to abide by the return-

to-office rule by April 1 to avoid any penalties as stipulated by existing laws. In a statement, Peza Director General Charito Plaza appealed to locators to “adhere” to the Fiscal See “Peza,” A2

PESO exchange rates n US 52.2100 n japan 0.4215 n UK 68.3794 n HK 6.6689 n CHINA 8.1937 n singapore 38.3728 n australia 39.0948 n EU 57.3736 n SAUDI arabia 13.9190 Source: BSP (29 March 2022)

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

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DOJ files raps vs Nigerian, Pinay in sale of baby for e-sabong debt By Joel R.San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the indictment of a Nigerian national and his Filipina live-in partner for child trafficking for buying an eightmonth baby sold by her own mother for P45,000 to pay debts she incurred from engaging in “e-sabong” or online cockfighting. The respondents were identified by the DOJ’s Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) as Nigerian national Ifeanyi Bright Okoro, also known as “Maxwell Bright,” and his live-in partner Imelda P. Malibiran. The couple faces charges of child

Peza. . . Continued from A1

Incentives Review Board’s (FIRB) decision to not extend the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement for BPO locators in the country beyond March 31. “The allowance of the 90:10 WFH [work-from-home] set-up was just a temporary measure during the pandemic. Now that we’re reopening the economy, we’re going back to the regular ratio required of registered business enterprises [RBEs] inside the ecozones,” Plaza said. Plaza reiterated that Peza supports the proposal of the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP)

trafficking under Republic Act No. 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and for kidnapping and failure to return a minor under Article 270 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). The baby’s mother, identified as Rosemarie Gutierrez and a certain Kristine Joyce Esdrelon, who allegedly acted as middleman, have yet to face preliminary investigation since they are still-at-large. The DOJ’s preliminary investigation on Gutierrez and Esdrelon is set on April 11. Okoro and Malibiran were arrested last March 22 by operatives of the NBI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTR AD) in Sta. Cruz, Laguna after the parents

of the baby sought assistance from authorities to recover their child. Rosemarie reportedly regretted her decision to sell her baby. The baby was rescued from the couple during the operation. The NBI earlier said the rescue was made in response “to the appeal of the parents who sought the assistance of the NBI in locating their baby.”After the rescue operation, the NBI presented Okoro and Malibiran for inquest before the DOJ and included Gutierrez and Esdrelon as co-respondents in the complaints. Based on evidence submitted by the NBI, the “Miracle Baby” was sold last March 3, 2022 by the mother to a person she met through Facebook. “ The transaction happened in

Quezon City, where the respondentmother received money in exchange for the baby in the amount of P45,000,” the OPG said. However, the baby’s father, who was keen on recovering his baby, immediately coordinated with operatives to backtrack the incidents through CCTV footages. The backtracking through CCTV was supported by the narration of Rolando Rubia, the taxi driver who picked up the respondent-mother in Quezon City right after the sale of the baby. “While on board the taxi, Rubia claimed that respondent-mother admitted to him that she sold her baby but was already having a change of heart,” the OPG said.

“to implement a hybrid work scheme for the IT-BPO sector.” She stressed, “We hear the concerns of our investors and their individual workers affected by this order; however, we need to follow the regulations as mandated by the law. “Hence, Peza abides by the decision of the FIRB for 100-percent on-site work for IT-BPOs, while there is a need to review and establish a legal framework in order to implement a hybrid work model.” Plaza noted that the Peza law “requires that all registered companies operate within the ecozones in order to enjoy tax incentives.” “At present, Peza cannot change the ratio unless the laws will be amended to incorporate the adaptation of the hybrid

schemes. In the future, we hope to follow the practice of India and the other countries and provide specific ratios on WFH and on-site work arrangements,” she said. “Peza supports the hybrid work scheme as it’s been proven effective in the last three years of pandemic. What we can do is to recommend this for the next administration to address. As of now, we have to abide by the existing laws and the decision of the FIRB and help to put the economy back to normal,” she added. Last week, Peza disclosed that it was pushing for the adoption of a WFH arrangement for the IT and BPO industries until the end of the year. Plaza explained that they support the hybrid WFH arrangement for the IT and BPO industries due to the recent spike in fuel

prices that made transportation more costly for workers. “The pandemic is not yet over although we are now in Alert Level 1,” she said. “The IT-BPOs invested during the pandemic for the equipment and enabling their workers to do WFH in a way that going back to 100 percent onsite should not be a sudden and immediate move; and adopting WFH also has benefits for decongesting traffic,” she added.

Neda. . . Continued from A1

Planta told B usiness M irror that the 25 ongoing projects are worth P1.02 trillion while the five new projects are worth P291 billion. The five new projects, Planta said, include the P176-billion Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project Phase 1 undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Neda said the list also includes two China-funded projects, the P81-billion Davao City Expressway Project and the P7billion Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector (PTCOBC) Project. Both projects are also under DPWH. The two other projects are funded by the World Bank: the P15-billion Philippines Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project of the DPWH and the P12-billion Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as well as the Department of Health (DOH). Cai U. Ordinario

ESL. . . Continued from A1

travel as part of its push toward economic recovery. In a statement, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said the new government guidelines will enable foreign nationals to travel to the country visa-free or using their 9A visas, and apply for their special study permit (SSP) upon entry. “Visitors who come for our education tourism—ESL in particular—stand to benefit from this development as this will grant foreign nationals who wish to study in the country an interim process to remotely secure their visas,” she explained. The DOT said prior to the pandemic, the Philippines was ranked fifth among the world’s providers of ESL lessons. Most students who study ESL in the country come from South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Taiwan, the Middle East, and Russia. ESL schools, mainly located in Baguio and Cebu, have already expressed their readiness to accept foreign students, and commitment to follow government guidelines, as well as introduce additional measures that will ensure the safety of educators and students, according

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Debt crises. . . Continued from A1

In a blog, World Bank Macroeconomics, Trade & Investment Global Director Marcello Estevão said high inflation, slow growth, tightening financial conditions, and the invasion of Ukraine are a “combustible” mix that will lead to high debt. What is worrisome, Estevão said, is that the majority of these debts are owed to commercial creditors, making it likely for interest rates for these debts to rise as suddenly as in the case of credit-card debts. “Over the next 12 months, as many as a dozen developing economies could prove unable to service their debt. That’s a large number, but it would not constitute a systemic global debt crisis,” Estevão said. “Yet it would still be significant—the largest spate of debt crises in developing economies in a generation.” Estevão said the situation this time around would be different from previous experiences of debt crises. This time, the majority of the debt is owed to commercial and bilateral creditors. For low-income countries, Estevão said, of the almost $53-billion debt accumulated by these countries, only $5 billion are owed to Paris Club creditors. The Paris Club is an informal group of official creditors whose role is to find coordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries. Paris Club permanent members are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.

for Debt would cut off their access to “private capital without restoring the flow of bilateral credit.” Nonetheless, he said the framework was the “only game in town” and can be improved to provide meaningful relief to countries that need it. The World Bank and IMF, Estevão said, offered a roadmap to the changes by establishing a clear timeline for what should happen when in process: the creditors committee, for example ought to be formed within six weeks and suspending—for the duration of the negotiations—debt-service payments to official creditors for all Common Framework applicants. The changes also include assessing the parameters and processes of the comparability of treatment and clarify the rules for its implementation and expanding the Common Framework’s eligibility requirements, which are currently limited to 73 of the poorest countries. Estevão said the eligibility should be expanded to cover other highly indebted and vulnerable lower-middle-income countries as well. “For too long, the world has taken a tragically languorous approach to resolving debt crises in developing economies , delivering relief that is either too little or too late. It’s high time for a 21st century approach—one that involves preemption rather than reaction, one that prevents the crisis from erupting in the first place,” Estevão said.

Record $12.03-T debt

“At the end of 2020, low- and middleincome economies owed five times as much to commercial creditors as they did to bilateral creditors,” Estevão said. “Much of the debt of developing economies, moreover, now involves variable interest rates—meaning they could rise almost as suddenly as rates on credit-card debt.” In order to address this amount of debt, Estevão said the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and G20 established the Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), which expired in 2021. However, Estevão said only three countries have applied for this, and progress on restructuring their debts has been slow. Many countries fear that subscribing to the Common Framework

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) earlier disclosed that the national government’s outstanding debt ballooned to a new record high of P12.03 trillion as of end-January this year. The debt jumped by 16.5 percent from P10.33 trillion a year ago. It is also up by 2.6 percent from P11.73 trillion by the end of 2021. Of the total debt stock, 69.6 percent comprised domestic borrowings, while 30.4 percent came from foreign sources. Domestic debt as of end-January amounted to P8.37 trillion, jumping by 14.2 percent year-on-year from P7.33 trillion. Compared to its level as of end-2021, domestic debt grew by 2.4 percent from P8.17 trillion due to the net availment of P197.04-billion domestic financing, including the P300 billion in provisional advances that the national government availed of from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for budgetary support amid the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, external debt as of end-January soared by 22 percent to reach P3.66 trillion from P3 trillion a year ago. It also inched up by 2.9 percent from P3.56 trillion in December 2021.

to the tourism chief. Throughout the pandemic, the Department of Tourism (DOT) continued to the Philippines as an ESL hub and piloted initiatives such as the Master Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL) to upgrade the skills and certify ESL teachers nationwide. Data from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) showed that SSP applications had been rising prior to the pandemic in early 2020. SSP applications reached 59,428 in 2018 from just 22,561 in 2013. The SSP allows foreigners to study in the Philippines for short term courses. On March 21, 2022, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 166, adopting a 10-point policy agenda to speed up and sustain economic recovery from Covid-19. For one, government committed to “further relax requirements relating to international travel and provide quarantine exemptions for vaccinated individuals coming into the country, in order to boost international tourism, increase foreign investments, and restore jobs in the tourism sector.” Romulo Puyat said, “As we move towards relaxing the entry of foreign tourists, the DOT sees brighter prospects for the country’s tourism industry. We will ensure that this transition will be done in careful accordance to the prescribed health and safety measures.”

The Philippines is reopening to fully vaccinated tourists from all countries starting April 1, after the IATF approved their entry without the need of an entry exemption document (EED), provided they comply with applicable visa and immigration laws, rules, and regulations. The EED was earlier required of foreign visitors to be able to get a short-term visa during the pandemic lockdown. The IATF earlier approved the entry of fully vaccinated leisure tourists from visa-free countries starting February 10. From that date until March 22, there were 125,296 arrivals from abroad, of which 53,563 were balikbayans (homecoming Filipinos) and the rest were foreign tourists. The data was gathered via One Health Pass from international airports in Pasay, Clark, Subic, Mactan, Davao, and Panglao Island. Romulo Puyat expressed optimism that more foreign leisure tourists will keep arriving in the country with the further simplification of entry requirements. “We thank our colleagues in the IATF and the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as our public and private sector partners, who have been working with the DOT since the onset of the pandemic to ensure that the country’s reopening is carefully planned and carried out with health and safety in mind,” she said.

Commercial debt 5X more

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World Sleep Day A BusinessMirror Special Feature

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Quality sleep, sound mind, happy world AST March 18, World Sleep Day was observed. It was started by a group of medical professionals and its main goal is to raise awareness about the importance of good sleeping habits. These medical professionals have banded together to form the World Sleep Society.

The World Sleep Society works with various organizations to help them spread and report about the effects sleep can have on day-to-day life. This year’s theme and slogan is “Quality Sleep, Sound Mind, Happy World.” Sleep is a foundational pillar of health, and the quality of your sleep can impact not just your physical energy in the morning but your mental and emotional health as well. The annual World Sleep Day is celebrated across 70 countries with many health experts believing that sleep related problems like insomnia and sleep apnea run rampant in modern society due to unhealthy sleeping habits.

Changes in routine

WHILE many sleep problems can be dealt with by simple changes in routine or in the environment, sometimes, change in behavior is not enough. According to Dr. Teresita Celestina S. Fuentes, Head of the Sleep Laboratory of Cardinal Santos Medical Center, if sleepiness interferes with work or any other daytime activity and if an adult gets less than seven hours of sleep a night, it might be time to consult a sleep specialist. “You might have a sleep disorder if you feel tired in the morning upon waking up or fatigued; you are excessively sleepy during the day or take frequent naps or if you have difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep. Irritability, anxiety, lack of concentration and depression are likewise some of the symptoms of a sleep disorder,” she said. Other conditions that warrant a consult with a sleep specialist include snoring regularly when sleeping; choking or gasping episodes

and unusual movements or behavior while sleeping. “Certain health conditions may also put you at a higher risk of having a sleep disorder. If you are hypertensive, diabetic or have heart or lung problems, you should be evaluated by a sleep specialist,” Dr. Fuentes said.

Insomnia

THE common sleep problems that Filipinos suffer from are insomnia and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Insomnia. Dr. Fuentes said, is difficulty in falling sleep, staying asleep and waking up too early or not being able to go back to sleep On the other hand, obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop repeatedly during sleep, causing loud snoring and daytime sleepiness. “Treatment for sleep orders can vary depending on the type and underlying cause. Your sleep doctor may offer sleeping pills, behavior therapy, assistive breathing device or oral appliance that you can use during sleeping or even surgery,” Dr. Fuentes said. The most commonly prescribed device for treating sleep apnea disorders is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP machine sends a steady flow of oxygen into your nose and mouth as you sleep. This keeps airways open and helps you breathe normally.

Coronosomnia

WHILE the Covid-19 pandemic gave almost everyone the chance to spend more time at home, this, however, did not translate into better sleeping patterns. “The pandemic has given us

DR. FUENTES

plenty of reasons to lose sleep. I don’t have current local data but definitely we are seeing a rise in insomnia, dubbed now as ‘Coronasomina’ or ‘Covidsomnia.’ The pandemic has caused huge changes in routines and decreased physical activity for many people. People worry about jobs, online school and about getting sick,” Dr. Fuentes said. She added that there is a lot of uncertainty, stress and anxiety, which in turn causes insomnia. “People are isolated from friends and spend a lot of time online. A lot of people are working from home and sleeping at odd hours which disrupts our circadian rhythm,” Dr. Fuentes added.

Changes

Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants and microbes. According to Dr. Fuentes, the amount of sleep and the quality of sleep are equally important ingredients to having good sleep. “Even if you are sleeping the recommended duration of seven to eight hours of sleep each night but if you constantly have multiple awakenings during the night that causes sleep fragmentation, it may still be insufficient and you will end up waking up in the morning with unrefreshed sleep,” she said.

HE human body is a fascinating machine, and so are its mechanisms and processes. One of the most interesting ones is the immune system: learning how our body defends itself against disease and infection has intrigued humans for millennia. One of the earliest immunological observations recorded is the one by Thucydides, a Greek historian and military man who around 430 B.C. noted that there were people who, during an outbreak of plague in Athens, were lucky to recover and did not contract the disease a second time. The modern study of the immune system began with scientist Luis Pasteur in the mid19th century, when it was scientifically identified as a protector against infectious diseases. From then on, research has become more refined, and new discoveries are made regularly. For example, during the past 20 years, researchers have discovered the immune system’s crucial role in development, reproduction, and wound healing. Healthy lifestyle THE importance of the immune system to our overall wellbeing is obvious, so take care of it. What we put in our bodies, as well as how we take care of ourselves, all contributes to our well-being. Remember, nutrition doesn’t prevent illness but helps maintain a normal, healthy body’s systems. Nutrition is not a substitute for medical care. Here are five personal wellness and nutrition habits to support your immune system: 1. Maintain a balanced diet. When it comes to the relationship of the immune system with nutrition, there are some key

aspects to keep in mind: nEat foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins (mainly A, C, D, and E), minerals, and phytonutrients. nConsume high-quality protein, whether from animal or plant sources. nFor carbohydrates, choose unrefined, natural ones. These good carb sources include whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, which are all excellent sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. nDon’t forget the importance of consuming beneficial fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s reinforce the positive function of the different cells that comprise the immune system, such as leukocytes, large granular lymphocytes, and macrophages. 2. Wash your hands correctly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing your hands can eliminate microorganisms and help avoid the transmission of diseases. nWash your hands for at least 30-40 seconds. nMake sure to follow all the steps: wet, rub, scrub, rinse and dry. nWash your hands, palms, nails, wrists, and even forearms. nAfter washing your hands, apply hydrating cream and paraben-free products to take care of your skin. 3. Rest effectively. Adequate and healthy sleep time varies with age, but adults should aim to get at least seven hours of sleep per day. Improving your sleep hygiene habits can help you obtain a better quality rest, which will help to restore any metabolic damage and thus maintain balance. 4. Exercise regularly.

1. Follow a consistent sleep schedule. This means going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day. “Adults need seven hours of sleep each night,” she said. 2. Establish a pre-bedtime routine that includes something you enjoy doing. You should do something that can help you relax and get ready for bed. “Whether it’s reading a book, mediating, listening to soothing music -- activities that help calm your body and mind and that will allow you to transition from wakefulness and sleep,” she said.

3. Create a good sleep environment. An optimal sleep environment can help you fall asleep easier. It should be free from electronics, kept at comfortable temperatures and dark enough to fall asleep. “Aim to turn off all electronics including phones, TV, tablets and laptops at least 60 minutes before bed. Turn off or dim all lights in your room,” she said. 4. Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Engaging in regular physical activity can improve the quality and quantity of sleep. “However, don’t exercise

close to bedtime as it can interfere with sleep,” Dr. Fuentes said. 5. Limit caffeine intake. It you regularly drink coffee, tea or soda, aim to finish them earlier in the day rather than during evening hours. “Caffeine consumed six hours before bedtime can disrupt sleep,” she said. “So this is the best time to commit to finding the right sleeping schedule and if you feel like you have sleeping problems like insomnia, make sure you speak to a sleep specialist for a diagnosis,” Dr. Fuentes said.

Sleep: Your best ally in this pandemic

Lifestyle habits

DR. FUENTES pointed out that the path to better sleep starts with small changes in lifestyle habits. Here are five pieces of advice that she shared:

GOOD SLEEP HELPS BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM By Marien Garza

UNSPLASH.COM

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Research has shown the positive impact of exercise on the immune response: nExercise can improve defense activity and metabolic health. nPeople who engage in moderate exercise training have a lower risk for illness. nExercise can have an anti-inflammatory impact. nRegular exercise improves immune regulation, even as the body ages. Doing physical activity for at least 30 minutes five times a week is a sound recommendation for adults to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 5. Drink enough water. Good hydration is essential to maintain the balance of minerals and fluids that our immune and respiratory systems need to work properly. Water constitutes around 70 percent of our total body mass as adults and is distributed both in intracellular (65 percent) and extracellular (35 percent) spaces, which is why it’s so important to keep hydrated. Water: nIs essential for nutrient absorption. nIs a key component of lymphatic fluid, which contains specialized white blood cells, called lymphocytes, that help the body fight infection. nHelps maintain healthy mucous membranes, which protect the areas inside of your body that are exposed to air – nostrils, mouth, and throat. The immune system plays a key role in keeping your body in balance and well, so taking care of it will go a long way. Marian Garza, is a registered dietitian and a member of the Dietetic Advisory Board and Outer Nutrition Dietary Board of Herbalife Nutrition

By Jennie Arado

Importance of sleep

THE work-from-home (WFH) and hybrid work set-up have possibly messed up our schedule. Unless we deliberately set for ourselves a personal WFH schedule, the line between work and personal time seemed to have been blurred out. Many make night their day and vice versa. As a result, their circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle was also compromised. In this change of times, getting enough and good quality sleep should still be a priority. Lack of sleep may have negative effects in a person’s immune system, focus, and overall wellbeing. Regardless of the work schedule that we have created for ourselves amid this WFH set-up, it is still important to have 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep to recharge. As we celebrate Sleep Awareness Month this March, here are the following tips you may find helpful in normalizing once again your sleep-wake cycle. 1. Consider a consistent bedtime routine The time you settle and get ready for bed should be consistent daily for your body to be used to the habit. Aside from following a consistent schedule, you must also be mindful of the ambiance and coziness of your bedroom. Draw the

curtains in, put down your phones and other gadgets, and maybe listen to some relaxing music. Dimmer surroundings trigger a better production of melatonin, the natural hormone in our body that is responsible for our sleep-wake cycle. With your bedroom being more conducive to sleeping, it dictates a more relaxed and eventually a sleepier disposition – ready for bedtime. 2. Take exercises during your active time of the day One reason we have difficulty sleeping when it’s time for bed is that we have so much energy that we haven’t used for the day. Perhaps you spent most of the hours you have sitting in front of the computer and haven’t had physical activity since. A little stretching, a little running in place, or a few jumping jacks won’t hurt. Sometimes it is helpful to be a little tired before going to sleep just so it’s easier to feel drowsy. Fitness experts also suggest having light exercises only just a few hours before going to bed instead of extreme cardio routines. This is because more extreme exercises may also result to difficulty sleeping. The balance between the two is important. 3. Try Sleepasil Melatonin Supplement before bed. Melatonin may be a hormone naturally produced by our body. How-

ever, for some people experiencing insomnia or trouble sleeping, their body started to have problems producing melatonin. This is where food supplements rich in melatonin comes in the picture. Melatonin supplements, like Sleepasil, supply the much-needed melatonin of our body to help with sleeping. Sleepasil contains melatonin, chamomile extract, and valerian root – all of which proven to help with sleep. People may still have hesitations when drinking sleep supplements because of the stigma attached to it. However, Sleepasil is a food supplement which means it is safe to drink daily. On the other hand, it is also non-addictive and non-habit forming, which means, you can stop taking it whenever you decide, and your body will not crave for it unnecessarily. Sleepasil is only P16.00 per capsule SRP and is available in leading drugstores nationwide including Mercury Drugstore, Watsons Drug, Rose Pharmacy, and SouthStar Drug. You can also buy Sleepasil online via Lazada, Shopee, PharmEZ, Healthmart, Zalora, and Beauty MNL. Now is the time that we start taking care of ourselves. Self-care is no longer just skincare and good music. This time, self-care should also be good, quality sleep. For more information about Sleepasil, visit their website www. sleepasil.com.

The Nation BusinessMirror

A4 Wednesday, March 30, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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DOJ to create team for Comelec’s ‘Kontra Bigay’ initiative in polls By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing to form a composite team that would be part of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Inter-Agency Task

Force “Kontra Bigay,” which will go after vote buyers. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told reporters that the DOJ team would be tasked to focus and give utmost priority to the cases that are expected to be filed as the government intensifies its campaign

against vote-buying with less than six weeks left before the national and local elections. The members of the composite team, according to Guevarra, would come from the National Prosecution Ser vice, National Bureau of Investigation, Public

Attorney’s Office (PAO), and DOJ Action Centers (both the main and field offices). “Considering the importance of the forthcoming elections to the survival and recovery of the nation, I will direct the DOJ contingent to give the highest prior-

ity to this campaign in the next 40 days,” Guevarra said. The DOJ is one of the agencies that would form the Inter-Agency Task Force “Kontra Bigay.” The other agencies include the National Bureau of Investigation, Presidential Anti-Corruption Com-

mission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Comelec is expected to launch the Inter-Agency Task Force “Kontra Bigay” today, Wednesday.

Nacionalista Party endorses BBM-Sara UniTeam tandem for May 9 elections By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

HE Nacionalista Party (NP) headed by businessman Manuel Villar and his wife Senator Cynthia Villar formally endorsed on Tuesday the candidacies of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for president and Inday Sara Duterte for vice president for the May 9, 2022 elections. In a news statement, Manuel Villar, party president and chairman of the NP national directorate, said the

party supported the Marcos-Duterte tandem because of their campaign promise of “unity.” “We believe that Bongbong and Inday Sara’s message of unity is crucial in binding our country together and inspiring our people as we rebuild not only from the pandemic but also from the political chasm that divides us,” said Villar. Marcos was a former member of NP but transferred to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas in 2019. “They both have the platforms of government, qualification and track

record to lead our country towards unity and prosperity,” he added. Villar’s son, former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, is running for senator under the tandem’s UniTeam. House Majority Leader and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) President Martin G. Romualdez welcomed the decision of the NP to support Marcos and Duterte. “The Lakas-CMD welcomes and greatly values the endorsement of the Nacionalista Party led by former Senate President Manny Villar

of the Marcos-Duterte tandem,” said Romualdez. “The support of one of the country’s biggest and oldest political parties will certainly make a difference as we work hard to consolidate forces and support to the UniTeam tandem in this crucial period of the campaign.” Duterte is the vice presidential candidate of Lakas-CMD. “The endorsement of the Villarled party inches Marcos and Duterte further closer towards the post that they are seeking,” Romualdez said. The NP was the latest national

political party to officially commit its support to the candidacies of Marcos and Duterte following the tandem’s endorsement also by the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in the national level. Partnerships and alliances with other political parties in the local level and even with candidates have also been sealed with the BBM-Sara Unity tandem. Romualdez said the support that Marcos and Duterte received from the NP will certainly boost their chances and assure them of victory

in the May elections. Atty. Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of Marcos, said the NP endorsement will surely serve as another “insurance” to the bandwagon of support for the UniTeam from political parties. “We thank the officers and members of the Nacionalista Party, specially its President and Chairman Manuel B. Villar, for their unequivocal support and endorsement of presidential and vice presidential frontrunners Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte,” he said.

Palace slams AI’s ‘cut and paste’ report on HR violations in PHL By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ALACAÑANG slammed the latest report of Amnesty International (AI) on the country’s alleged rampant human-rights (HR) violations for containing “cut and paste” issues, which were previously used by detractors of the administration. In its 2021 to 2022 report, AI claimed the government failed to hold accountable those responsible for the killings,

arbitrary arrest and detention, and harassment of human-rights defenders, political activists and politicians. Among those cited in the report for being victims of the said atrocities are Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and Senator Leila M. de Lima. Acting Presidential spokesman Martin Andanar criticized the said report, which he claimed AI did not vet with concerned government agencies. “The absence of such vetting relegates AI’s report to a mere false rehash. And that especially

includes its false narratives on the current government’s antiillegal drugs campaign and issues surrounding Maria Ressa and Senator Leila de Lima, all of which have been previously answered,” Andanar said. He cited the country’s election to a fifth term in the United Nations Human Rights Council as the international group’s recognition of the government’s efforts to safeguard human rights. The Palace official also addressed AI’s findings on the supposed

“mishandling” of the government’s Covid-19 response. The conclusion is “far from the truth” especially as the country is now at minimal risk from Covid-19 infection, said Andanar. The government, Andanar said, through the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, is ready to cooperate with AI so it could come out with a better assessment on human-rights compliance and government programs in the country.

On NPA’s 53rd anniversary, CPP calls for ‘advancement of the revolution’ By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

HE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) will strengthen both the leadership and membership of its armed wing along with its capacity to wage battle as it dismissed the military’s goal of ending the country’s insurgency before President Duterte steps down in June. The tasks were spelled out by the CCP’s Central Committee on the occasion of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) commemoration of its 53rd year anniversary on Tuesday, wherein it assessed its work last year and put forward its goals for the coming year. “In the coming year or two, we must implement certain duties to increase the fighting capacity of the NPA and the masses for the advance [ment] of the revolution,” the CPP said, identifying these tasks as the beefing up of the rebels’ leadership and membership and their capability to fight the military. It also said the NPA must “keep” and “deepen” its mass base in its various guerrilla fronts, court support in cities for its revolutionary armed struggle, intensify its propaganda and secure international support. The CPP, in a statement, shrugged off the “repeated” declarations of the military that the NPA is weak and could be “crushed” before Duterte leaves office in three months, as it noted the rebels were able to withstand this deadline imposed upon the soldiers by the Commander in Chief. “The NPA demonstrated absolute strength in the fight against the enemy. Under Party leadership, it successfully failed six years of strategic enemy offensives and plans to crush the armed revolution,” it said. The CPP said that while the military boasted of ending the communist-inspired insurgency in the middle part of this year, the military and the Philippine National Police has continued to increase its “counter-guerrilla” forces. It said that “the Army, Air Force, Marines, Scout Rangers, Special Action Force and other military and police units” have been deployed in greatest numbers against the rebels during the past year.

“In this quantity, the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] has assigned 5-6 battalions against its priority or its NPA sub regional or guerrilla front,” it said, adding that nearly 60 percent of these combat troops are concentrated in five of the 13 regions that include Southern Tagalog, Eastern Visayas, Southern Mindanao, Bicol and North Central Mindanao. A rebel guerrilla front is equivalent to a battalion of soldiers or around 500 in troop strength. While it was able to withstand Duterte’s deadline for the military to end the insurgency, the CPP, however, admitted setbacks, which it said lessons that the NPA should learn as it “build itself up and prepare for a more difficult struggle” in its push for a protracted people’s war. “Some NPA units have suffered serious retreats in the face of intensified fascist attacks by the enemy. It is necessary to identify, criticize and correct mistakes, internal weaknesses, and deficiencies that have undermined the ability of these units to effectively use guerrilla tactics,” the CPP said. At Camp Crame, PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos said the police will sustain with vigor its operations to account for rebels and their affiliates who are subjects of warrants of arrest issued by the courts. Carlos also denounced the NPA and its celebration of its founding anniversary. “The CPP-NPA continues to wallow in irrelevance on the 53rd year of its campaign of terror and violence that has only made life more miserable for poor people in the countryside,” Carlos said. “The CPP-NPA has nothing to celebrate because its anniversary serves only as a grim reminder of the thousands of Filipino lives lost over the past five decades of the underground movement’s murderous history,” he added. In Iloilo, meanwhile, police arrested Elmer Forro Sr., 52, secretary-general of Bayan Muna Panay at past 4 a.m. on Tuesday at Sitio Bangko, Barangay Lutac in Cabatuan town. Forro was the subject of warrants of arrest issued by Judge Gemalyn Faunillo Tarol of Regional Trial Court Branch 76 of Janiuay, Iloilo over charges of murder and attempted murder.

www.businessmirror.com.ph Secretary William D. DA calls for tighter AGRICULTURE Dar called on local government units to strengthen efforts against measures vs bird flu (LGUs) bird flu as the Department of Agricul-

Economy BusinessMirror

ture (DA) confirmed outbreaks in areas as far as Benguet and Sultan Kudarat. The DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) confirmed cases of highly patho-

genic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Benguet. These are the two latest provinces to have confirmed bird

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, March 30, 2022 A5 flu outbreaks after Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan. DA-BAI Director Reildrin G. Morales said the possible reasons behind

the spread of the virus were migratory birds and illegal movement of infected birds from areas with confirmed bird flu outbreaks. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

A4 Wednesday, March 30, 2022 A6

News

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

UNWTO notes strong start in global tourism for ’22, but cites ‘new challenges’ to recovery By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

LOBAL tourism continued its strong uptrend in January 2022, but could be upended by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In a news statement, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said international tourist arrivals substantially increased by 130 percent in January 2022, or 18 million more than recorded visitors worldwide in the January 2021. The rise in the number of global tourist arrivals in the first month of year, said the UNWTO, “equals the total increase for the whole of 2021,” which had yet been grappling with Covid-19 travel restrictions. While the strong opening in 2022 confirms the positive trend in global tourist arrivals, which began in

2021, “the pace of recovery in January was impacted by the emergences of the Omicron variant and the reintroduction of travel restrictions in several destinations. Following the 71-percent decline of 2021, international arrivals in January 2022 remained 67 percent below prepandemic levels” in 2019, according to the UNWTO. Absolute tourism volumes were not made available. The global tourism body warned that the incursion of Russia into Ukraine posed new challenges to economic recovery and undermined the confidence of travelers. “The US and the Asian source markets, which have started to open up, could be particularly impacted especially regarding travel to Europe, as these markets are historically more risk averse,” it said. The UNWTO pointed out, the shutdown in Ukrainian and Russian airspace, along with the ban on Rus-

sian carriers by most European countries have already affected travel in the region. “It is also causing detours in long-haul flights between Europe and East Asia, which translates into longer flights and higher costs.” Russia and Ukraine, said the UNWTO, accounted for a combined 3 percent of global tourism spending in 2020 “and at least $14 billion in global tourism receipts could be lost if the conflict is prolonged.” Prepandemic, both countries had seen strong outbound travel not just to its neighboring countries but to European sun-and-sea destinations. In particular, Russians were among the major tourists in Maldives, �� Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. The Philippines, for one, is among the major playgrounds of Russian tourists in Southeast Asia. They are considered an opportunity market and in 2019, arrivals from Russia

grew by 20.5 percent to 36,111. From February 10 to March 22, there were 238 Russian tourists who arrived in the Philippines. (See, “Russian tourists told to bring greenbacks, China-backed cards,” in the BusinessMirror, March 24, 2022.) Meanwhile, all regions rebounded significantly in January 2022 with Europe and the Americas posting the strongest results at 199 percent and 97 percent, respectively. These were followed by the Middle East (+89 percent) and Africa (+51 percent), with Asia and the Pacific rounding the list at 44 percent, year-on-year. Using 2019 as base year, Southeast Asia recorded a smaller decline in international arrivals at 96 percent in January 2022, compared to 98 percent in January 2021. Hotel occupancy rates grew to an average of 43 percent in the subregion versus the 30 percent the same month in 2021.

Malacañang names new Napolcom commissioners

HE National Police Commission (Napolcom) has completed its set of top executives as President Duterte appointed three more commissioners on March 8, 2022. Their appointment was issued to replace former Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Vitaliano N. Aguirre II, Commissioner Job M. Mangente, and Commissioner Zenonida F. Brosas whose terms of offices ended last March 7. Former Deputy Executive Secretary for Internal Audit (DESIA) Atty. Alberto A. Bernardo, now designated as Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer (VCEO), is joined by Commissioner Ricardo P. Bernabe III and Commissioner Beatrice Aurora A. Vega-Cancio. VCEO Bernardo previously served as alternate of the Executive Secretary in the National Coast Watch Council (NCWC), the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC), and in several other

committees. He was also designated by the President as a Board Member, in ex-officio capacity, of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB). A CPA-lawyer with a rank of Career Executive Service Officer I (CESO I) in the career service, VCEO Bernardo also holds doctoral degrees in Peace and Security Administration and in Criminology, and a masteral degree in National Security Administration. Commissioner Ricardo P. Bernabe III, meanwhile, was then the Undersecretary for Strategic Action and Response (STAR) Office in the Office of the Executive Secretary in Malacañang. The STAR Office exercises control and supervision over the Presidential Complaint Center and the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center providing oversight of the government’s programs to ensure quick response to public concerns and complaints. He was likewise designated as an ex-officio Board Member of the

CESB. Commissioner Bernabe, who comes from a family of lawyers, was an Associate General Counsel of the San Miguel Corporation prior to his appointment to the Office of the President in 2016. Meanwhile, Commissioner Beatrice Aurora A. Vega-Cancio was a former Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP). Prior to her appointment to the Office of the President, she was a Senior Associate at the prestigious Calleja Law Office. Earlier, on February 14, 2022, President Duterte appointed former Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Edilberto DC Leonardo as commissioner representing the law enforcement sector, to replace former Commissioner Felizardo M. Serapio Jr. whose term of office ended on February 11. With the assumption to office of the new set of Commissioners, the

Napolcom is presently composed of Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary and Napolcom Chairman Eduardo M. Año, VCEO Bernardo, Commissioner Leonardo, Commissioner Vega-Cancio, and the Chief PNP Police General Dionardo B. Carlos as ex-officio Commissioner. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8551 provides that the Napolcom shall be composed of a chairperson, four regular Commissioners and the Chief of the PNP as ex-officio Commissioner. Three of the regular Commissioners shall come from the civilian sector and one of whom shall be designated as the Vice Chairperson. The fourth regular Commissioner shall come from the law enforcement sector. It further provides that at least one of the Commissioners shall be a woman. The Secretary of the DILG shall act as ex-officio Chairman of the Commission while the Vice Chairperson shall act as the Executive Officer.

WFH scheme applicable to 1 in every 5 companies amid pandemic–study By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

NLY one out of every five companies were able to implement workfrom-arrangement (WFH) amid the pandemic due to resources and policy restrictions. This according to the Industry Analysis of Work-fromHome Implementation during Community Quarantine study of the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which was presented Tuesday. In her presentation, Franchesca Rose S. Castillo, one of the authors of a study conducted last year, disclosed that while 181 of the 276 companies, which participated in their survey, expressed their openness to implement WFH, only a few of the said firms were able to implement the scheme. “Only 62 out of the 276 companies indicated that more than half of the employees could work from home or telecommute,” Castillo said. The common reason for the implementation for WFH for companies was to prevent Covid-19 spread in offices, use of technology in business operations, lack of transportation, and feasibility of employee function for telecommuting. She said 34 percent of the respondent firms said they were not ready or unsure if they could adopt the WFH scheme due to the nature of their operations. “Some job categories and functional work areas may not be feasible for WFH and telecommuting arrangements. These include machine operators in the manufacturing and construction sectors, security and janitorial services, and transportation and material moving occupations,” Castillo said.

Other factors, which affected an establishment’s readiness for a WFH arrangement was its available resources and capital, data privacy and security measures, and employee monitoring mechanism. “Access to technology and resources like the computer, telecommunication devices, and internet connection is crucial for implementation,” Castillo said.

Less regulation

TO further mainstream the implementation of WFH arrangement even after the pandemic, Castillo recommended reinforcement of observation of standards and rights of workers for workers affected by the scheme. She also proposed for more consultation with stakeholders to come out with a more refined criteria for companies and workers to be eligible for WFH. This was opposed by the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Inc. (AMCHAM) Human Capital Committee Chairman Ernie Cecillia, who said such measures may only discourage firms and workers from implementing WFH. “Let’s not define to confine... We might end up with a listing that does not include those jobs agreed between employees and employers,” Cecillia said. The business leader, however, said he supports more government initiatives to promote hybrid work schemes, but he said it should be through a developmental approach rather than additional regulatory framework. “Let us just monitor implementation of the WFH and use existing frameworks to ensure the arrangement becomes mutually beneficial to both employees and employers,” Cecillia said.

BARMM approves ₧277M new investment in banana farming By Manuel T. Cayon

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) got another sizeable investment in banana farming as the region continues to work to achieve the realization of its target of generating P4.5 billion in fresh investments this year. The Regional Bangsamoro Board of Investments (RBOI) said it approved on March 23 the P277 million investment of the Usman Banana Farm, an exporter of Cardava Banana in Matanog, Maguindanao. The RBOI said this was the first of its kind in banana investments already scattered in the Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur area “since its main product is Cardava Banana, unlike other banana businesses registered in the region, whose main prod-

uct for export is Cavendish banana.” The project would need 215 employees, the RBOI said. “The project would definitely foster socioeconomic development in Matanog, Maguindanao and will improve the quality of life of the residents in the area.” “This company envisioned itself as a catalyst in achieving peace and order in the surrounding areas and will provide direct employment and ancillary industries,” the RBOI said. Matanog is the location of Camp Abubakar Assidique, the largest and main military and civilian camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which has since signed a peace treaty with government. The RBOI said this newest approved project bring BARMM’s total to P474 million for the first quarter of this year. The region has set a target of P4.5 billion in investments pledges this year, higher than the target amount from last year.

CIAC chief: Public service a lifelong vocation

REEPORT ZONE—The president and chief executive officer of the government-run Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) said public service at all levels must be a life-long vocation during a speech on Monday before members of the regional Philippine National Police at Camp Olivas in Pampanga. “After 36 years of being a police officer, and then head of a government corporation, I think public servants at all levels, whether career or an elective position, must deem it a lifelong commitment to serve our fellowmen in their own modest ways,” former police general Aaron Aquino said. From 2017 to 2020, Aquino led the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs as director general of the Phil-

ippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). He added the PDEA under his term “left a considerable dent in the government’s war against drugs.” “I will still remain dedicated [to my duties and responsibilities] as a public servant, and it is my hope that you at the PNP—like what we were taught and trained for—will continue to do the same and to always uphold our sworn duties,” he said. Aquino is from the Sandiwa Class of 1985 of the Philippine Military Academy and held top positions at several police regional offices, including the Central Luzon police regional office, and with the Presidential Security Group during the terms of former presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos.

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

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Ukraine seeks cease-fire agreement in Russia talks U

kraine is striving for a cease-fire agreement in talks with Russian negotiators starting Tuesday in Turkey and sets a “minimum” goal of improvement in the humanitarian situation that has caused millions to flee their homes in the wake of Moscow’s invasion, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. Russia’s siege of the southern city of Mariupol has killed almost 5,000 people, according to the city’s mayor. Ukraine’s military recaptured the town of Irpin west of the capital from Russian troops, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Meanwhile, with the war now in its second month, a series of dilemmas are coming into sharp focus over which conditions could be deemed acceptable by Ukraine for any accord, especially as regards the security guarantees alliance members might be able to offer Kyiv. There are also divergences over what

further weapons to send Ukraine, and on the question of whether talking to Putin is helpful or not, according to people familiar with discussions that have taken place in the past week between leaders on both sides of the Atlantic and documents seen by Bloomberg. France and Germany are of the view a cease-fire should be achieved quickly and then the withdrawal of Russian troops. But other Nato members believe the dialog that Paris and Berlin are pursuing with the Kremlin is counterproductive and could play into Putin’s hands, according to one of the documents. Key developments:

World’s longest passenger flight to avoid Russian skies

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. plans to reroute its New York-Hong Kong service to

avoid Russian airspace, in what would be the world’s longest commercial passenger flight by distance. It will take about 17 hours. Several airlines have plotted routes to avoid Russia, mostly between Asia and Europe. Such flight changes are likely to be temporary given the costs carriers face from high oil prices, as well as uncertainty over the accessibility of Russian airspace.

Space station in spotlight over Russia’s war in Ukraine

With the US and allies imposing sanctions on Russia, will Moscow retaliate by dooming the International Space Station? No one knows, but the possibility is real. “I think this is the biggest threat to the international partnership in its history,” says Ron Garan, a former NASA astronaut who spent five months aboard the station in 2011. What’s at risk is the largest and most complex international project ever, a $100

billion testament to human ingenuity and cross-border cooperation. The 490-ton assemblage has been inhabited continuously for 21 years, a record in manned spaceflight, and at any given time more than 100 scientific experiments are under way.

Stocks climb amid cease-fire hopes

Asian stocks rose Tuesday as a drop in oil and the prospect of more cease-fire talks between Russia and Ukraine helped sentiment. Bets on aggressive US monetary tightening sapped shorter maturity Treasuries. Oil extended a slide, taking West Texas Intermediate crude to about $105 a barrel, on concerns that China’s mobility curbs against Covid will sap demand.

Australia plans first Magnitskystyle sanctions

Australia will target sanctions and place

travel bans on nearly 40 Russians who Canberra said were responsible for the corruption that lawyer “Sergei Magnitsky uncovered and those complicit in his subsequent mistreatment and death,” Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement. Japan meanwhile expanded its export controls currently in effect against Russia to include luxury goods including cars, fur, jewelry, tobacco, cosmetics and artwork. The move will be effective from April 5, the trade ministry said.

US sees no sign Asia firms flouting sanctions

“Major players know that there’s significant risk to their business if they don’t comply because of the various actions we can take,” Matthew Borman, the deputy assistant secretary for export administration at the Department of Commerce, told a

teleconference. He cited reports hundreds of companies have stopped engaging in business activities in and with Russia.

Cyberattack on Ukraine telecoms company ‘neutralized’

A major cyberattack against Ukraine’s telecommunications infrastructure has been “neutralized” and service is gradually being restored, said Yurii S h c h y h o l , h e a d o f U k r a i n e ’s S t a t e Service of Special Communication and Information Protection. Officials said Ukrtelecom was temporarily limiting its services to most private users and business clients to prioritize the country’s armed forces. Earlier Monday, the firm NetBlocks reported a “major” disruption across Ukraine, saying connectivity fell to 13 percent of pre-invasion levels. See “Cease-fire,” A13

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

24 INCH GAUGE CONSTRUCTION INC. L4 Blk. 4, Near Kay Buboy Bridge, San Dionisio, City Of Parañaque

WANG, QIONGLING Marketing Specialist 1.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.

Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment; Should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field; Good communication and interpersonal skills

WONG KAH LOK Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 12.

XIE, PENGXIANG Marketing Specialist 2.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.

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

YU, GUOFEN Marketing Specialist 3.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.

KI, HOPIL Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking 4.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information NGUYEN SY NINH Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

HOANG THI MY DUYEN Chinese Customer Service 13.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, QINGZHI Chinese Customer Service

14.

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

15.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHONG, SIYU Chinese Customer Service

16.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information TRAN TU LINH Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. Maintains customer records by updating account information in Mandarin Format. TSAN MY LINH Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Brief Job Description: Oversees reserve funds, prepares budget transfers and reconciles accounts

DUNG CO LUONG Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 9.

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all business functions.

FERCHELYA FEN LEE Bahasa Indonesian Language-officer Fund Management Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

18.

INTAPHOPHAN, KORAKOT Thai Language-officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

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

19.

PHANON, MAYTHAWEE Thai Language-officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

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

Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking w’ at least some Secondary Education Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ACSTREAM MANAGEMENT INC. 2204b/2206, 22/f Pbcom Tower, Ayala Avenue, Bel-air, City Of Makati

LAI JIA YONG Mandarin Speaking Budget Control Specialist

17.

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

Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking w’ at least some Secondary Education

Basic Qualification: Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin. Atleast 6 months of related experience in this field

20.

KHIEWSAI, DARUNEE Thai Language-officer Fund Management Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

21.

DONGFU, ZHOU Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

22.

FATIMAH BINTI MOHD ZAMRI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

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

JIANG, SU-LAN Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 10.

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all business functions.

PHUNG DI CHAU Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 11.

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all business functions.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications. At least 6 months related experience. Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin

23.

GUO, GUANGMING Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications. At least 6 months related experience. Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

25.

26.

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

27.

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

28.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LIANA Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

24.

HU, YU Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

LIN, FUQI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

BENNY MULYO Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

DWI SANDI PRIYONO Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write any of Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai

29.

30.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write any of the following languages-Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesian and Thai to cater foreign market

31.

EDDY SARTONO Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

FENDY Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

HARINYATO Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters

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

Basic Qualification: Degree holder; must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai to cater foreign market

Basic Qualification: High School Graduate in Chinese, Can Speak and Write Fluent Chinese Mandarin, Can Operate Mandarin Characters

32.

LI, QIANG Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

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

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write any of Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai

Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters

33.

MARK ANTHONY Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

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

BILLION DRAGON OUTSOURCE PHILS., INC. One Townsquare Place Bpo Bldg., Alabang Zapote Rd., Almanza Uno, City Of Las Piñas

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications. At least 6 months related experience. Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications. At least 6 months related experience. Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin

BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking w’ at least some Secondary Education

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 3D ANALYZER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES INC. 7-8/f Double Dragon Plaza, 255 Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment; Should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field; Good communication and interpersonal skills

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all business functions.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

34.

35.

Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School Graduate in Chinese, Can Speak and Write Fluent Chinese Mandarin, Can Operate Mandarin Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

36.

37.

38.

PHILIPUS YOSEF Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

REN, GUOYOU Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

VANNESS Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

WANG, PENGJU Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

YULI Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: High School Graduate in Chinese, Can Speak and Write Fluent Chinese Mandarin, Can Operate Mandarin Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School Graduate in Chinese, Can Speak and Write Fluent Chinese Mandarin, Can Operate Mandarin Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School Graduate in Chinese, Can Speak and Write Fluent Chinese Mandarin, Can Operate Mandarin Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

39.

40.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ZHANG, GAOTAO Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

ZHAO, JIAJIA Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative (CSR)

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese mandarin, can operate mandarin characters

No.

JIANG, WENJUN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 53.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School Graduate in Chinese, Can Speak and Write Fluent Chinese Mandarin, Can Operate Mandarin Characters

54.

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

41.

Brief Job Description: provides quality services to gaming customers

Basic Qualification: proven professional experience in the related field

42.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for guiding and advising at large complex on-, and offshore dredging and land development projects by conducting feasibility studies for project developments, designing solutions and project support in the preparation and execution phase

LIU, PEILIN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 55.

43.

Brief Job Description: Calculate and manage all cost related aspects in construction projects ZHANG, XINGPENG Senior Electrical Adviser

44.

Brief Job Description: Conducting research and designing testing methods and equipment to use on projects FU, CHANGLING Senior Project Consultant

45.

Brief Job Description: Facilitate in mandarin and English language both verbal and written

56.

Basic Qualification: must have work experience of at least 10 years in geotechnical specialist position Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English both verbal and written

57.

46.

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

58.

59.

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

47.

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

60.

48.

49.

50.

Brief Job Description: Converse and interact with the customer

LY NHOC CHAN Customer Service Officer Brief Job Description: Converse and interact with the customer

THAI THI THU UYEN Customer Service Officer Brief Job Description: Converse and interact with the customer

TIAN, HONGFA Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 61.

51.

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

HOANG THI HUYEN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 52.

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

TRAN VAN TOAN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

62.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

64.

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

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

ZHANG, ZHANHONG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 65.

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

CHU THI QUYNH Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 66.

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

HSU, SHIH-CHIEH Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 67.

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

ZHANG, CHUN Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 68.

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

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

No.

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

69.

70.

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

LI, HONG Chinese Speaking Technical Consultant 71.

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

LI, HAIYU Chinese Speaking Technical Consultant

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHAO, XING Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant

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

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

LIN, RUNZE Chinese Speaking Technical Consultant 72.

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

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE 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 at least 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 at least 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

FLARENEO PRIME TECHNOLOGY INC. 1815 High St., South Corporate Plaza Tower 1, 9th Ave. Cor. 26th St., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

73.

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

LI, SHI Account Manager Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing and growing key customers of the company WANG, HONG Account Manager 74.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing and growing key customers of the company

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English both verbal and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English both verbal 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

FLASH EXPRESS SOFTWARE (PH) CO., LTD. INC. 11/f Cybersigma, Lawton Ave., Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

75.

GAO, TING Area Manager

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

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

76.

77.

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

78.

79.

80.

81.

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

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

Brief Job Description: make sure all the jobs are being done, that basic needs are addressed, and significant decisions are discussed and agreed with the wider team

Brief Job Description: Manage Recruiting team , Identifying the talented candidates and Monitors the recruitment efforts of a company from sourcing candidates to their hiring onboard

Brief Job Description: To control and manage the quality of service, branch action plans by setting quality indicators, annual operation plan.

WANG, JIABAO Talent Acquisition Specialist 82.

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

Brief Job Description: Implementation solutions to decrease rate of remaining parcels

HAN, YUE Network Qc Manager

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

Brief Job Description: Supervises and monitors the work of hub staff

PENG, WANSONG Network Management Director

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

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

TENGTHONG, NITSAPON Hub QAQC Supervisor

CHEN, RUI Hub Support Supervisor

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

Brief Job Description: Collaborate Across teams to Communicate Product Strategies with Internal Stakeholders and Adjust Priorities According to Feedback

KOBKAN, KULTIDA Hub Standardization Supervisor

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for ensuring that shops, offices and employees that fall in their area meet their sales or profit targets

LIN, TASSAYA Assistant To CPO

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

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

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

YU, YUANDA Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

YAN, BIN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 63.

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

CHAN HOCK TED Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

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

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

DATACLICK INTERNATIONAL CORP. E. Rodriguez St., Roxas Blvd. St., Barangay 3, Pasay City CHE SY LINH Customer Service Officer

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

TANG, CHENG-LIN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

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

LE HOANG THUY DUNG Chinese Speaking Customer Financial Officer

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

SI, FANGCHEN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English both verbal and written

Basic Qualification: BA or BS (in lieu of degree, 4 years of relevant work experience); Good in Translating from English to Spanish or Spanish to English without variation; Native Spanish Speaker

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

SAM THI HUYEN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

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

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

NGOH JIAN XI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

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

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

IASILLO, FRANCO AUGUSTO JULIO Sr. Process Executive

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

LYU, FEIFEI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

CHINA CONSTRUCTION FRONT GENERAL DEVT. CORPORATION Unit 3001, Atlanta Center, 31 Annapolis St., Greenhills, City Of San Juan LI, ZIRUI Quantity Surveyor Manager

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

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

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig EL-NAHAS, ALA’A Senior Soil Specialist

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

KENNY CHIN FOOK SOON Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

BLOOMBERRY RESORTS AND HOTELS INC. Solaire Resort And Casino, 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque PARK, JAIGUN Host, Premium Services - Korea

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Brief Job Description: ensure the staffing needs of the company are being met, with a long-term talent strategy in mind

SUWANNACHAIROB, WARINTIP Talent Acquisition Supervisor 83.

Brief Job Description: Manage Recruiting team , Identifying the talented candidates and Monitors the recruitment efforts of a company from sourcing candidates to their hiring onboard

Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/ managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Job-Relevant Degree/ 5-10 yrs Supervisory Managerial Experience in Logistics or Operations Multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/ managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/ managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/ managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Job-Relevant Degree/ 5-10 yrs Supervisory Managerial Experience in Logistics or Operations Multilingual Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/ managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/ managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Job-Relevant Degree/ 5-10 yrs Supervisory Managerial Experience in Logistics or Operations Multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

FLY ASIAN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION Eighty One Bldg. Newport Blvd., Newport City Vab St., Barangay 183, Pasay City

BusinessMirror

A10 Wednesday, March 30, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

CHANG, YI-NENG Marketing Consultant (mandarin Speaking Clients) 84.

Brief Job Description: *Studying company profile and operations to understand its marketing needs. * Implementing a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

LEI, YA-LIN Marketing Consultant (Mandarin Speaking Clients) 85.

Brief Job Description: *Studying company profile and operations to understand its marketing needs. * Implementing a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: *Preferably 6 months experience with the above position. *Can multi-task and keen to details. *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently.

No.

JIANG, YONGJIAN Mandarin Sales/marketing Officer 98.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: *Preferably 6 months experience with the above position. *Can multi-task and keen to details. *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently.

ZHANG, LIWEI Mandarin Sales/marketing Officer 99.

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

DINH BAO PHUOC Customer Service Representative 86.

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

DOAN DANH VAN Customer Service Representative 87.

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

HUANG, HE Customer Service Representative 88.

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

NGUYEN QUANG NHAT Customer Service Representative 89.

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

NGUYEN QUOC KHANH Customer Service Representative 90.

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

NGUYEN HOANG SON Customer Service Representative 91.

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

NGUYEN MAI DIEP Customer Service Representative 92.

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

PHAN THI MY Customer Service Representative 93.

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

PHUONG THUAN TRUNG Customer Service Representative 94.

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

TA THI LUONG Customer Service Representative 95.

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

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

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 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 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

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

96.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company CHAN, WEN-HSIANG a.k.a. PATRICK CHAN Mandarin Technical Support

97.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in assisting customers on products and services of the company

101.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, mandarin and other multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HIRON COLD CHAIN (PHILIPPINES) INC. U-a&b 20f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

No.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin sales/ marketing officer, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

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

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

111.

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

YANG, DELIN Chinese Customer Service Representative 102.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in English and mandarin and very knowledge

112.

103.

104.

105.

KANG, DAEIL Assistant Operations Manager Brief Job Description: Assisting operations manager in the daily.

113.

114.

NGUYEN THANH TRA Chinese Customer Service 115.

NGUYEN THANH TUNG Chinese Customer Service 116.

NGUYEN THI GIANG Chinese Customer Service 117.

NGUYEN THI TUYET LY Chinese Customer Service 118.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN HIEU Chinese Customer Service

119.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN THIEU Chinese Customer Service

120.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN TOAN Chinese Customer Service

121.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

KWON, SEONGNAM Operations Manager

Basic Qualification: Operations manager.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the entire operations in the site.

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

THEIN HAN Chinese Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Responsible for producing information, transcribing, formatting, inputting editing, retrieving and transmitting text data and graphics from English t other language such as Hebrew, Malay & Mon-Khmer

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Hebrew, Malay & MonKhmer

Brief Job Description: Identify business opportunities, researching and analyzing sales options. Identify product improvements or new products on industry trends, market activities, and competitors. Responsible in maintaining good relations with customers.

NONG THI GIANG Chinese Customer Service 122.

123.

Basic Qualification: Candidate must possess at least Bachelor’s/ College Degree in Business Studies/ Administration/ Management, Marketing or equivalent. Excellent knowledge with communication and interpersonal skills. Active listening skill, resilience, self-motivated and competitive. Able to establish trust with the customer/clients.

124.

WEE, YONG HO Technical Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Skilled candidates with excellent interpersonal skills for the technical support position.

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

125.

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service WEN, JIAMING Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin fluently

126.

127.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN THI BICH NGOC Chinese Customer Service

128.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN THI VAN ANH Chinese Customer Service

129.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRUONG VAN CO Chinese Customer Service

130.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRUONG VAN VINH Chinese Customer Service

131.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VI VAN HIEU Chinese Customer Service

132.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN MY HUNG Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN DINH THIET Chinese Customer Service

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 QUAN, FULONG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries TRAN ANH TUAN Chinese Customer Service

MAGKING SERVICES CORPORATION Unit 5d Rose Industries Bldg., #11, Pioneer Street, Kapitolyo, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: Must be bachelor’s / college degree in any fields, at least 1-2 yrs. Of working experience in the related positions, ability to maintain high level of confidentiality

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TIAN, YE Chinese Customer Service

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

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

110.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

MA, YANJIE Sales Executive

109.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Brief Job Description: Make the construction process more effective.

JUDD WISY GROUP INC. Unit 2c One Ecom Bldg., Ocean Drive, Mall Of Asia Complex St., Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

108.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: General Manager.

ALTERSON, DOV Multilingual - Product Development Specialist

107.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

HEO, PILSOO Consultant

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

106.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THANH HUNG Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Assistant operations manager. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN NGOC THI Chinese Customer Service

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

JOTOPCON CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Unit G 4/f West Gate Tower, Condominium Mbp Ayala, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries BAO, ZHIYONG Chinese 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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION BANH THUY LIEN Chinese Customer Service

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg., #48 President Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque

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

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, mandarin and other multi-lingual language

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

PENG, QIANWEN Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, Preferably with Customer Service or Sales Experience, Fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

FRONTIER POINT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC. 29/f Techzone Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati CHANG, TING-YANG Mandarin Team Leader

100.

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

Brief Job Description: The mandarin sales/marketing officer will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

BOON EE MEI Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

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

INFOVINE INC. 8th, 9th, 10th/f Aspire Corporate Plaza Bldg., Macapagal Blvd. St., Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, Preferably with Customer Service or Sales Experience, Fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries VI VAN VUONG Chinese Customer Service

133.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE 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: 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: 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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION VU THI HAI YEN Chinese Customer Service

134.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries VUONG THI HA Chinese Customer Service

135.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries XU, ZHIYANG Chinese Customer Service

136.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YAP SIN EE Chinese Customer Service

137.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YIN MYO OO Chinese Customer Service

138.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

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

151.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION TONG, HAOJIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

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

152.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

WONG YE CHIN Malaysian Customer Service 153.

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

WANG, HONG Chinese Customer Service

154.

Brief Job Description: Manage Incoming Calls And Inquiries , Handling Complaints , Provide Solutions , Process Customer Accounts and File Documents

MYO WIN AUNG Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

MYSTIC REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORP. Ub 111 Paseo De Roxas Bldg., 197 Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

139.

PENG, SHAN Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

SHI, JUNLEI Mandarin It Support Specialist 140.

Brief Job Description: Design and implement software solutions that can be enable the business to operate. CONG, LONGCHEN Mandarin Marketing Specialist

141.

Brief Job Description: Deliver prepared sales talks, reading from scripts that describe products or services, in order to persuade potential customers to purchase a product or service

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study

155.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in MANDARIN.

156.

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in MANDARIN.

CHEN, XIAOJUN Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 142.

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

ZHANG, HANCHENG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 143.

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

157.

144.

Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

GONG, CHENG Chinese Customer Service 145.

Brief Job Description: Manage Incoming Calls And Inquiries , Handling Complaints , Provide Solutions , Process Customer Accounts and File Documents

HE, ZHENGHUI Chinese Customer Service 146.

Brief Job Description: Manage Incoming Calls and Inquiries, Handling Complaints, Provide Solutions, Process Customer Accounts and File Documents

LAN, XI Chinese Customer Service 147.

148.

Brief Job Description: Manage Incoming Calls And Inquiries , Handling Complaints , Provide Solutions , Process Customer Accounts and File Documents

LIU, CHAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

LIU, XIANG Chinese Customer Service 149.

Brief Job Description: Manage Incoming Calls And Inquiries , Handling Complaints , Provide Solutions , Process Customer Accounts and File Documents

PENG, YU Chinese Customer Service 150.

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

SLU VINH KINH Vietnamese Customer Service 158.

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

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

TRAN TO LIEN Vietnamese Customer Service 159.

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

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

DONG, JIANXING Chinese Customer Service

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

NGUYEN DUY QUANG Vietnamese Customer Service

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

NGUYEN DUC NHAN Vietnamese Customer Service

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

NGUYEN DINH DUY Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

160.

VUONG TO NHU Mandarin Speaking Admin Specialist 161.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

162.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate , Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

163.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

164.

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

LIN, EN-TZU Mandarin Speaking IT Support Brief Job Description: Providing technical support across the company

LIU, CHIN-CHENG Mandarin Speaking IT Support Brief Job Description: Providing technical support across the company

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the management of workflow throughout within business

LIU, CHANG-JIE Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 165.

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: Responsible for keeping up with overseeing office supply purchasing and inventory and scheduling office equipment maintenance

CHAU DINH PHU Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate , Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the management of workflow throughout within business

TSAN QUOC CUONG Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 166.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the management of workflow throughout within business

A11

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

No.

167.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

Brief Job Description: The Global Service Desk Senior Administrator supports the Global Service Desk Advisor in the management of the HR Global Service Desk to provide world class HR operational and transactional services to the organization.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Candidate should be able to speak in French and English language fluently in written and oral communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PERFETTI VAN MELLE PHILS. INC. 11/f One Global Place, 5th Ave. Cor. 25th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate , Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION BROU, KOUAME VALENTIN Credit And Collections Senior Administrator

GUPTA, SHARAD CHANDRA Treasurer/finance Director 168.

Brief Job Description: Ensures that proper Financial Management and control of the operating company is conducted in compliance with all relevant statutory, Tax and Internal Reporting requirements.

Basic Qualification: Excellent ability to problem solve along with solid analytical skills, understanding of the business process, and systems optimization. Comfortable interacting with all levels of management in multiple areas.

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

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. 11th Floor, The Marajo Tower, 26th Street Cor. 4th Avenue Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig LIU, JIANWEI Mandarin Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

169.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationships and trust with customer account through open and interactive communication through the use Mandarin native language, to senior specialist professionals in China, Taiwan and other Mandarin speaking counterpart and clients.

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

JI, SHIWEI Mandarin Key Account Supervisor

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

Brief Job Description: Developing and sustaining solid relationships with key clients that bring in the most income for the company though the use Mandarin native language, acting as the main point of contact between key client and internal teams professionals in China, Taiwan and other Mandarin speaking counterpart and clients.

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) 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)

170.

DEGBE, KOFFI French Accounts Payable Analyst 171.

172.

173.

174.

175.

176.

Basic Qualification: Good social and presentation skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills

Basic Qualification: Good social and presentation skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good social and presentation skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description: The Consultant of Sewon Interior Construction Inc. work directly with the clients and the construction team to progress the project in a timely manner. The primary role of the consultant is to manage the entire project process - from initial concept to the start of operations until finished project. WU, LIQIONG Consultant

177.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor degree in Accounting Management, Mandarin Speaking Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Oracle experience preferred. Strong PC skills. Commercial awareness. Proficiency in French and English Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Must have vast experience in construction industry specially in Chinese interior design concept. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must have vast experience in construction industry specially in Chinese interior design concept. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must have vast experience in construction industry specially in Chinese interior design concept. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must have vast experience in construction industry specially in Chinese interior design concept. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must have vast experience in construction industry specially in Chinese interior design concept. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must have vast experience in construction industry specially in Chinese interior design concept. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SHIBUYA SOLUTIONS INC. Unit 903-c Vicente Madrigal Bldg., 6793 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

178.

ZHANG, YONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: with high Chinese Speaking Skills

Basic Qualification: w/ knowledge in Cumputer Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SKYLUSTER TECHNOLOGY, INC. 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

PEARSON MANAGEMENT SERVICES PHILIPPINES INC. 7/f, Sheridan The North Tower Rbc, Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge and awareness about computer software or hardware

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

Basic Qualification: Good social and presentation skills in mandarin atleast 6 months of related experience

Brief Job Description: Provide support for processing purchase orders and invoices on iProcurement

CHEN, JIANBO Consultant

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

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

SEWON INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION INC. Unit 3006 One Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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)

Basic Qualification: Bachelor degree in Information Technology, Mandarin Speaking

REED ELSEVIER SHARED SERVICES (PHILIPPINES) INC. 2nd Floor Building H, Up-ayala Technohub, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate , Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

VU THI CHUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

179.

ALBERT Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A12 Wednesday, March 30, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

180.

181.

182.

183.

184.

185.

186.

187.

188.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ANDY ARTHADINATA SALIM Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

CHEN, HUNG-WEI Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

LIEW CHEE KEONG Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

ONGKY SAPUTRA Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

PHUN BUU DIN Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

QUAN CHI THANH Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

SEH WAI MING Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

SIE PEI LEE Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

TRAN TIET AN Mandarin Finance Specialist Brief Job Description: Records accounts payable and accounts receivable

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

189.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.

190.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YANG, CHENGMING Quality Construction Specialist 195.

YAN, CAIQUAN Management Assistant 196.

197.

198.

199.

191.

Brief Job Description: Reviews, inspects, and documents all construction projects during the construction period of the current Bond Program.

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

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English Translation ZHAO, LANFENG Mandarin Speaking Sales Manager

200.

Basic Qualification: Skilled in identifying local construction technologies and construction material sources; Can carry out and monitor testing and inspection of products and materials to ensure the finished product meets quality standards.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English Translation YANG, HUI Mandarin Speaking Sales & Trading Consultant

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

Brief Job Description: Proficiency in developing brand strategies, and in maintaining brand integrity across product lines, proficiency in English, Mandarin and any other Multi-Lingual Language. LIU, XIN Mandarin Speaking Sales & Trading Consultant

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

Brief Job Description: To work closely with senior personnel, learning techniques and gaining the knowledge required to run a company smoothly

TAN, YICHAO Mandarin Speaking Brand Marketing Supervisor

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English Translation LIU, XIAOYU Mandarin Speaking Sales & Trading Consultant

201.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English Translation

WANG, DAHE Quality Construction Specialist 192.

Brief Job Description: Reviews, inspects, and documents all construction projects during the construction period of the current Bond Program.

IWASAKI, ARISA Digital Experience Senior Trainer 202.

Brief Job Description: To acceptably respond to Japanese clients who have very unique Japanese convention and characteristic. To train and teach local members Japanese coding skill and quality.

EDGAR ONG SIENG SOON Business Development Director

203.

193.

Brief Job Description: Reviews, inspects, and documents all construction projects during the construction period of the current Bond Program.

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

208.

209.

210.

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

211.

Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters.

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

212.

Brief Job Description: Dealing with suppliers for material supply (China, Malaysia, US and Europe). Sustain financial growth through boosting sales and forging strong relationships with clients and supplier. Looking after the overall operations of the organization. Working on a business development strategy focused on financial gain with the existing team. And exploring new opportunities for the company on the future.

204.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

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

VICCI BUSINESS CONSULTANCY CORP. 10/f Liberty Plaza, 102 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

CAI, WAN-CHEN Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English translation

HO NHI PHONG Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) 206.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English translation

Basic Qualification: Through, extensive & fluency in mandarin language and characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Through, extensive & fluency in mandarin language and characters

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English translation

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through, extensive & fluency in mandarin language and characters

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English translation

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through, extensive & fluency in mandarin language and characters

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English translation

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

Brief Job Description: Delivery domain tools requirement collection and analysis; Employee and Service logic design prototype design, design and development of data operation web service operation and maintenance inclusing

NGUYEN VAN QUANG Vietnam-Speaking Customer Service Officer 213.

Basic Qualification: To provide consulting, technical and advisory services Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking

Brief Job Description: Prepare Product or Service Reports by Collecting and Analyzing Customer Information

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

NGUYEN THI HONG NGOC Vietnam-Speaking Customer Service Officer 214.

Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking

Brief Job Description: Prepare Product or Service Reports by Collecting and Analyzing Customer Information

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

WNS GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 9/f 1880 Bldg., Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City VISHWAKARMA, RAJAN SANGAMLAL Deputy Manager - Finance 215.

Basic Qualification: Blackbelt experience of 2 years and above

Brief Job Description: customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience drive continuous improvement experiments through you team & harvest ideas

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

SINGH, TARANJIT General Manager-operations 216.

Basic Qualification: Blackbelt experience of 2 years and above

Brief Job Description: customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience drive continuous improvement experiments through you team & harvest ideas

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

TORNE, DARSHAN BALKRISHNA Group Manager - Operations

Basic Qualification: Blackbelt experience of 2 years and above

Brief Job Description: customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience drive continuous improvement experiments through you team & harvest ideas

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

ANAND, ABHISHEK Senior Group Manager - Operations 218.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, fluent in Mandarin and English speaking

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

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

217. Basic Qualification: At least 10 years of solid experience in the same capacity, Strong leadership and management skills, Excellent communication skills and sales driven.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English translation

YANG, YONG Information Technology Software Employee

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak and understand Japanese language as the Team will render services to Japanese Headquarters

Basic Qualification: Through, extensive & fluency in mandarin language and characters

VOLENDAY INC. U1406 14/f Pacific Star Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

SUN, TENGWEI Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to English translation

SUN, JUNFENG Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters.

Basic Qualification: Through, extensive & fluency in mandarin language and characters

QUACH SUONG YEN Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Basic Qualification: blackbelt experience of 2 years and above

Brief Job Description: customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience drive continuous improvement experiments through you team & harvest ideas

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

SHASHWAT, SHASHANK Senior Group Manager- Operations

VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 1439 Adriatico Cor. Sta. Monica St., 072, Barangay 669, Ermita, City Of Manila

205.

WANG, LINJUN Quality Construction Specialist

Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

LI, LIANXIN Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

UNITED HARVEST CORPORATION Unit 2802 C/d East Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking; preferably graduate in China or at least graduate in prestigious school in the Philippines; knowledgeable in Chinese corporation

TRANSCOSMOS ASIA PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 3201-3205, 32/f One Corporate Center, Doña J. Vargas Cor. Meralco Avenues, Ortigas Ctr., City Of Pasig

WAN, RAN Chinese It Specialist Basic Qualification: Skilled in identifying local construction technologies and construction material sources; Can carry out and monitor testing and inspection of products and materials to ensure the finished product meets quality standards.

207.

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study

Brief Job Description: Reviews, inspects, and documents all construction projects during the construction period of the current Bond Program.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HOANG NGUYEN PHUONG NGUYET ANH Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

TOP ACCESS INFINITY INC. 27th Floor The Curve Building, 32nd Street Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study

No.

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

LI, DEQIAN Quality Construction Specialist

Brief Job Description: Reviews, inspects, and documents all construction projects during the construction period of the current Bond Program.

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

LOU, XIN Marketing Specialist

194.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

WANG, LINWEN Quality Construction Specialist

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field of study

STC BUILDERS AND DEVELOPMENT CORP. 38 Atok St., 1, Santo Domingo, Quezon City

LIU, KUI Marketing Specialist

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

219.

Basic Qualification: blackbelt experience of 2 years and above

Brief Job Description: customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience drive continuous improvement experiments through you team & harvest ideas

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

YOFC INTERNATIONAL (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION U-307-309, #99 Reliance It Center Bldg., E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Ugong, City Of Pasig MA, XIAOHU Project Manager 220.

Brief Job Description: Project managers are responsible for planning and overseeing projects to ensure they are completed in a timely fashion and within budget.

Basic Qualification: Able to communicate comfortably with Chinese employees Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Mar 29, 2022 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on March 22, 2022, the name of JIANG, WEIQIANG under PHILIPPINE FULL DEGREE COMMUNICATIONS CORP., should have been read as JIANG, WEIQING 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.

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Ukrainians claim to retake ground ahead of latest talks By Yuras Karmanau The Associated Press

VIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken a Kyiv suburb and an eastern town from the Russians in what is becoming a backand-forth stalemate on the ground, while negotiators began assembling for another round of talks Tuesday aimed at stopping the fighting. Ahead of the talks, to be held in Istanbul, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is prepared to declare its neutrality, as Moscow has demanded, and is open to compromise on the fate of the Donbas, the contested region in the country’s east. The mayor of Irpin, a northwestern Kyiv suburb that has been the scene of some of the heaviest fighting near the capital, said Monday that the city has been “liberated” from Russian troops. Zelenskyy warned that Russian forces are trying to regroup after losing the area. “We still have to fight, we have to endure,” the president said late Monday in his nighttime video address to the nation. “We can’t express our emotions now. We can’t raise expectations, simply so that we don’t burn out.” Irpin gained wide attention after photos circulated of a mother and her two children who were killed by shelling as they tried to flee, their bodies lying on the pavement with luggage and a pet carrier nearby. A senior US defense official said the US believes the Ukrainians have also retaken the town of Trostyanets, south of Sumy, in the east. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss US intelligence assessments, said Russian forces largely remained in defensive positions near the capital, Kyiv, and were making little forward progress elsewhere in the country. The official said Russia appeared to be de-emphasizing ground operations near Kyiv and concentrating more on the Donbas, the predominantly Russianspeaking region where Moscow-backed rebels have been waging a separatist war for the past eight years. Late last week, with its forces bogged down in parts of the country, Russia seemed to scale back its war aims, saying its main goal was gaining control of the Donbas. While that suggested a possible facesaving exit strategy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, it also raised Ukrainian fears that the Kremlin intends to split the country in two and force it to surrender a swath of its territory. Meanwhile, a cyberattack knocked Ukraine’s national telecommunications provider Ukrtelecom almost completely offline. The chief of Ukraine’s state service for special communication, Yurii Shchyhol, blamed “the enemy” without specifically naming Russia and said most customers were cut off from telephone, Internet and mobile ser vice so that coverage could continue for Ukraine’s military. Also Monday, an oil depot in western Ukraine’s Rivne region was hit by a missile attack, the governor said. It was the second attack on oil facilities in the region near the Polish border. In recent days, Ukrainian troops have pushed the Russians back in other sectors. In the city of Makariv, near a strategic highway west of the capital, Associated Press reporters saw the carcass of a Russian rocket launcher, a burned Russian truck, the body of a Russian soldier and a destroyed Ukrainian tank after fighting there a few days ago. In the nearby village of Yasnohorodka, the AP witnessed positions abandoned by Ukrainian soldiers who had moved farther west, but no sign of Russian troops. And on Friday, the US defense official said the Russians were no longer in full control of Kherson, the first major city to fall to Moscow’s forces. The Kremlin denied it had lost full control of the southern city.

Cease-fire. . . Continued from A7

Abramovich suffered suspected poisoning in Ukraine talks

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian negotiators suffered a suspected poisoning after meetings in Kyiv at the beginning of the month as part of talks to end the war in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the situation. He and Ukrainians at the talks experienced peeling skin, red eyes, loss of eyesight and headaches, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information wasn’t public. The Wall Street Journal first reported

Russia has long demanded that Ukraine drop any hope of joining Nato, which Moscow sees as a threat. Zelenskyy, for his part, has stressed that Ukraine needs security guarantees of its own as part of any deal. Over the weekend, Zelenskyy said he is ready to agree to neutrality. He also said that “Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are beyond doubt,” while suggesting at the same time that compromise might be possible over “the complex issue of Donbas.” The Ukrainian leader has suggested as much before but rarely commented so extensively. That could create momentum for the talks, for which the Russian delegates arrived in Istanbul on Monday, Turkish media reported. Still, it was not clear how a compromise on the Donbas would square with maintaining Ukraine’s territorial integrity. In other developments: n President Joe Biden made no apologies for calling for Putin’s ouster, saying he was expressing his “moral outrage,” not a new US policy. Over the weekend, Biden said, “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power.” On Monday, the president said: “I’m not walking anything back.” n UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he has launched an effort to achieve a humanitarian cease-fire that would allow aid to be brought in and people to move around safely. n R u s s i a ’s i n v a s i o n h a s m o s t Americans at least somewhat worried that the US will be drawn directly into the conflict and could be targeted with nuclear weapons, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. n The Group of Seven major economies rejected a Kremlin demand that some countries pay in rubles for Russia’s natural gas. That demand appeared designed to support the Russian currency, which is under pressure from Western sanctions. Earlier talks, both by video and in person, have failed to make progress on ending the more than month-old war that has killed thousands and driven more than 10 million Ukrainians from their homes. That includes almost 4 million who have fled the country. In the besieged southern port of Mariupol, the mayor said half the pre-war population of more than 400,000 has fled, often under fire, during weeks of shooting and shelling. Alina Beskrovna, who escaped the city in a convoy of cars and made it to Poland, said desperate people are melting snow for water and cooking on open fires despite the risk of bombardment, “because if you don’t, you will have nothing to eat.” “A lot of people are just, I think, starving to death in their apartments right now with no help,” she said. “It’s a mass murder that’s happening at the hands of the Russians.” Putin’s ground forces have become bogged down because of strongerthan-expected Ukrainian resistance, combined with what Western officials say are Russian tactical missteps, poor morale, shortages of food, fuel and cold weather gear, and other problems. Moscow has resorted to pummeling Ukrainian cities with artillery and airstrikes. In Stoyanka village near Kyiv, Ukrainian soldier Serhiy Udod said Russian troops had taken up defensive positions and suffered heavy losses. The Russians probably “thought it would be like Crimea,” which the Kremlin annexed in 2014. “But here it’s not like in Crimea. We are not happy to see them. Here they suffer and get killed.” Andrea Rosa in Kharkiv, Nebi Qena in Kyiv, Cara Anna in Lviv and Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report.

the alleged poisoning.

Nuclear material at damaged Kharkiv facility intact

Ukraine told the International Atomic Energy Agency that the nuclear material at a damaged facility in Kharkiv remains intact despite the complex coming under renewed fire “a few days ago,” according to an IAEA statement. “Ukraine said the building, its thermal insulation and the experimental hall were damaged, but the neutron source, that contains nuclear material used to generate neutrons for research and isotope production, was not,” according to the statement. Bloomberg News

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 A13

China’s lockdowns seen costing the country $46 billion a month

hina’s Covid lockdowns are likely costing the country at least $46 billion a month, or 3.1 percent of GDP, in lost economic output, and the impact could double if more cities tighten restrictions.

That’s a minimum estimate from an economist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong based on the assumption that cities generating about 20 percent of China’s gross domestic product are currently imposing targeted lockdowns. That cost would double if those areas had to follow Shanghai and impose stricter policies requiring most residents to remain at home. China added 6,886 local Covid cases on Monday, the National Health Commission said in statement. The country reported 1,228 confirmed cases, including 1,055 in Jilin and 96 in Shanghai, as well as 5,658 local asymptomatic infections, including 4,381 in Shanghai, 812 in Jilin, 124 in Fujian and 108 in Hebei. A total of 6,215 cases had been reported for Sunday, according to CCTV state television, citing data from the NHC. Shanghai cranked up lockdown restrictions for people residing in the eastern half of the city, barring everyone from leaving their homes even to walk their dogs as local daily Covid-19 infections jumped to a record 4,477 on Tuesday. All residents in the Pudong District, home to many elite financial institutions and the Shanghai Stock Exchange, will be confined to their homes and allowed out only to get a Covid test, according to a statement issued by the area’s residential compounds reviewed by Bloomberg News. Residents shouldn’t walk in the hallways, garages or open areas of their residential compounds in

order to reduce the risk of infection, Wu Qianyu, an official with the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, said during a briefing on Tuesday. That includes walking pets. The Shanghai city government issued measures to aid companies that are hit by the pandemic and partial lockdown. They include encouraging banks to increase lending to retailers and cut rates; offering subsidies to retailers, restaurants, airports and ports; offering more tax cuts, rent reductions for smaller businesses; and accelerating approvals for bond sales of airlines and airports. Meanwhile, oil demand in China is suffering from a fresh bout of high-profile virus clampdowns, with a staggered, eight-day lockdown spanning its top financial hub weighing on consumption in the world’s biggest importer. In Shanghai, a city of 25 million people, peak morning-time congestion on Monday was 45 percent below year-ago levels as workers had to stay home, according to data by Baidu Inc. In the eastern side of the sprawling city, some highways were closed, with barricades erected at tunnel and bridge entrances, and some logistics companies halted trucking work from local ports. After four days, the lockdown will be shifted to the western half to allow for mass testing. Key developments:

Vietnam sees expansion as virus risks fade

V ietnam , S out he a s t A s i a’s

fastest-grow ing economy, reaffirmed its outlook for an expansion of much as 6.5 percent this year, seeing activity pick up from a slower-than-expected first quarter as risks from the coronavirus recede. Gross domestic product will expand 6 percent to 6.5 percent in 2022, Le Trung Hieu, head of the GDP department at the nation’s statistics office, said Tuesday. That would be the quickest pace in the region, and the second-fastest in Asia-Pacific after India’s estimated 7.5 percent pace, according to the Asian Development Bank.

South Korea may ease distancing measures

South Korea may ease social distancing measures further to allow private gatherings of up to 10 people and restaurants to operate until midnight, the Herald Business Newspaper said, without citing anyone. Currently, up to eight people are allowed in private gatherings, and cafes and restaurants must close by 11 p.m. Those measures are effective through April 3.

World may soon see glut of vaccines

After racing to build capacity and meet once seemingly insatiable orders for Covid-19 shots, the global vaccine industry is facing waning demand as many lateto-market producers fight over a slowing market. The trend is poised to rein in the blockbuster sales that global pharmaceutical giants from Pfizer Inc. to AstraZeneca Plc saw at the peak of the pandemic. It also stands to create new problems for local manufacturers from India to Indonesia that built mammoth capacity to make shots but are now grappling with excess supply. Even as boosters are likely to keep demand alive for Covid inoculations worldwide, the desperate shortages that existed for much of

Hong Kong’s Covid toll leads some to eco-friendlier coffins

ONG KONG—Hong Kong’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak has cost about 6,000 lives this year—and the city is now running out of coffins. Authorities have scrambled to order more, with the government saying 1,200 coffins had reached the city last week with more to come. Space constraints make cremation a common burial practice in the densely populated island territory off the Chinese mainland, and the coffins typically are wood or wood substitutes. To answer the shortage of them due to the Covid-19 toll, some companies are offering alternatives such as an environmentally friendly cardboard coffin. LifeArt Asia has cardboard coffins made of recycled wood fiber that can be customized with designs on the exterior. In its factory in Aberdeen, a southern district of Hong Kong, up to 50 coffins can be produced a day. CEO Wilson Tong said there is still some resistance to using caskets made of cardboard. “[People feel that] it’s a little bit shameful to use so-called paper caskets. They feel that this is very respectful to their loved ones,” Tong said. But he noted the company has designs that can reflect religion or hobbies and the coffin can even have a personalized color. “So it gives more than enough sufficient choices to the people, and so that they can customize the funeral and offer a more pleasant farewell without the fear of death.” The company says its cardboard coffins, when burned during the cremation, emits 87 percent less greenhouse gas compared to those made of wood or wood

last year have waned. Instead, in a dramatic reversal, the possibility of a global glut is now looking more likely.

UK to issue fines to officials for parties

London’s Metropolitan Police are set to issue at least 20 fines to government officials close to the prime minister who broke UK lockdown rules, according to a person familiar with their thinking. The first batch of fines is expected to be levied as soon as Tuesday, the person said, asking not to be identified discussing police business. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is unlikely to be touched by Tuesday’s tranche of fines, the person said. Some people may face more than one fine, they said.

More US workers back in office

Workers who went to the office in 10 of the largest US business districts rose to 40 percent of pre-Covid-19 levels in the week ended March 23, according to data from Kastle Systems. Employees who went to the office increased 0.4 percentage points from 39.6 percent the previous week.

Biden seeks funding for future pandemics

The Biden administration’s plan for fighting future pandemics comes even as it’s asking Congress for funds to combat the current one. The White House asked lawmakers for more than $22 billion in March to replenish Covid-19 response programs, and health officials warned they might need more than that soon. Despite White House pleas, lawmakers have been at a stalemate over approving more funds. Health agencies would get $81.7 billion in mandatory funding over five years to help prepare for future pandemics under President Joe Biden’s proposed fiscal 2023 budget. Bloomberg News

Australia set to increase defense, security budget

Wilson Tong, CEO of LifeArt Asia, left, talks to a reporter who tries out a catholic-designed paper coffin at Tong’s factory in Hong Kong on March 18. Hong Kong is running short of coffins during its deadliest outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, which has cost about 6,000 lives so far this year. LifeArt, a company in Hong Kong, is trying to make an alternative cardboard coffin, which it says is environmentally-friendly. AP/Kin Cheung substitutes. Each LifeArt coffin weights about 10.5 kilograms (23 pounds), and can carry a body that weights up to 200 kilograms (441 pounds). Hong Kong has reported about 200 deaths daily on average over the past week as many elderly residents who were unvaccinated die from Covid-19. The surge has put a strain on mortuaries, and refrigerated containers are being used to temporarily store bodies. Amid the rising toll, non-profit Forget Thee Not, which advises people on their choices for last rites, bought 300 cardboard coffins and caskets to either

send to hospitals or give to families who need them. “We have been promoting environmental-friendly and personalized funerals. Now we see that Hong Kong needs more coffins. There are not enough coffins for the bodies in our hospitals,” said Albert Ko, a board director at Forget Me Not. Ko said some of the elderly who discussed their last rites with the organization have been open-minded and welcoming to the idea of eco-coffins. “We hope to take this opportunity to contribute as well as promote eco-coffins,” he said. AP

ANBERRA, Australia—Australia’s government will increase spending on defense and national security while reducing household expenses, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said before he reveals the budget Tuesday made with an eye on upcoming elections. With Russia at war with Ukraine and China’s military becoming more assertive, Frydenberg foreshadowed “further investments in defense and national security reflecting the challenges that we now face.” The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 comes ahead of general elections due by May 21 in which Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s conservative government will seek a fourth three-year term. With inflation increasing in Australia and many parts of the world driven in part by higher oil prices, the government is expected to reduce its 44.2 Australian cents (33.1 US cents) a liter ($1.25 a gallon) tax on gasoline. “Tonight in a temporary, in a targeted, in a responsible way, we will provide cost of living relief,” Frydenberg said. The Australian Institute for Petroleum said the national gasoline price average fell 5.8 AU cents (4.3 cents) last week to AU$2.06 ($1.54) per liter ($5.86 per gallon). Frydenberg said he would also reveal a “material improvement to the budget bottom line.” Economists are expecting a deficit of between AU$80 billion ($60 billion) and AU$70 billion ($52 billion) for the current fiscal year compared with the AU$99.2 billion ($74.3 billion) shortfall predicted by the government in December. AP

A14 Wednesday, March 30, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

A potential threat to food sufficiency

ore than a year after the World Organization for Animal Health declared that the Philippines is free of bird flu, the country is once again battling another outbreak of the dreaded bird disease. In February, the government notified the OIE of the outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) Type A subtype H5N1 in Central Luzon farms (See, “PHL reports new avian flu outbreaks in Central Luzon farms,” in the BusinessMirror, February 22, 2022). Philippine authorities told the OIE that the outbreaks resulted in the death of over 42,000 quails and ducks. While the outbreaks have not yet affected broilers, the avian influenza virus could affect chicken-producing areas if measures are not immediately undertaken to stop its spread. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported that there are now confirmed cases of H5N1 in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Tarlac, Sultan Kudarat, and Benguet. Three of the provinces where outbreaks of H5N1 have been recorded are in Central Luzon, the top poultry-producing region in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. These developments are happening at a time when the Philippines remains susceptible to African swine fever, which decimated hog farms after it first struck Rizal province. And just like ASF, bird flu could spread easily and infect other farms if raisers are not careful. Disregarding biosecurity measures could also result in losses amounting to millions of pesos for local poultry growers in areas hit by bird flu, as they would be forced to cull their animals. The fresh outbreaks have prompted the DA to appeal to the poultry growers and local government units to help stamp out bird flu. As they are the first to know if there are suspected cases in their areas, LGUs and poultry growers were urged to report cases immediately. Reporting suspected cases immediately will allow the national government and veterinarians in the region to implement the necessary measures that would prevent the spread of the virus to other farms. Farm owners have also been urged to follow Memorandum Circular No. 5 issued by the Agriculture department (See, “DA tells raisers to follow rules on transporting chicken,” in the BusinessMirror, March 2, 2022). The circular prescribes the guidelines on the local movement of domestic and wild birds and poultry products during the avian influenza period. The memorandum circular mandated the Bureau of Animal Industry to regulate the movement of ducks, quails, chicken, and other poultry commodities in affected areas, particularly those coming from within the one-kilometer quarantine area. The Philippines has yet to fully recover from the devastation caused by ASF. If the scourge that is bird flu is not stopped on its tracks, it could harm broilers and eventually affect the country’s food supply situation. A decline in poultry supply would definitely compound the inflation woes currently being experienced in the country due to the conflict in Eastern Europe, which has upended markets and raised food prices. Since 2005

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Bangsamoro women at the helm of peacebuilding and community resilience in BARMM By Dr. Selva Ramachandran & MP Hadja Bainon G. Karon

hroughout the history of the Bangsamoro, the harsh realities of poverty, underdevelopment, and violence amid armed conflict have disproportionately impacted Bangsamoro women. For years, societal narratives seemed to highlight how Bangsamoro women have been negatively affected by violent conflicts. At times, these narratives failed to consider the critical role played by women as agents of change for peace and development in their respective communities. During the transition period, we witnessed the transformation of these narratives, underpinned by the significant contributions of women in the implementation of the peace agreement, both in the political transition and normalization tracks. We witnessed more women become empowered to play crucial roles in peacebuilding and governance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). We also heard of stories of hope, agency and resilience among Bangsamoro women in the face of multiple risks and vulnerabilities arising from natural disasters, violent conflicts, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Since women experience more the impact of conflict, it is necessary that they are on-board and meaningfully participating in conflict resolution and peace processes to ensure a gendersensitive and gender-responsive process and outcome. In BARMM, women constitute 51 percent of the total population. Thus, there can be no genuine peace without the meaningful inclusion and participation of women in building the Bangsamoro. The history of the Bangsamoro peace process is

full of stories of women taking on crucial roles as advocates, facilitators, mediators and peacebuilders. For instance, in 2018, thousands of Bangsamoro women, some of whom walked barefoot under the heat of the sun, lobbied and rallied for the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). They wanted peace and actively claimed their positions to be participants of peace and nation building. The eventual passing of the BOL, which paved the way for the establishment of the BARMM, created a positive environment for women’s participation and leadership in the region. Several provisions in the BOL sought to recognize the important role of women in peacebuilding and development in the region, such as the inclusion of reserved seats for women, youth and indigenous communities in the Bangsamoro Parliament, the appointment of at least one woman to the Bangsamoro Cabinet, and the consideration of women’s need in rehabilitation and development programs. The BOL also put forth the promotion of gender-responsiveness in all aspects of security and peacebuilding, including in

ensuring the meaningful participation of women in decision-making in all levels of governance. More concretely, the BOL also provided for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC). In 2020, with the support of development partners, including UNDP, the BWC launched the Bangsamoro Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (RAP-WPS) 2020-2022, which sought to enhance the role of Bangsamoro women in the implementation of the peace agreement, in conflict transformation and in the protection of their human rights in conflict and post-conflict settings. Furthermore, in support of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in BARMM, the BWC and UNDP supported the establishment of the Women Insider MediatorsRapid Action and Mobilization Platform (WIM-RAMP), a group of community-based women mediators and peacebuilders. Composed of women leaders representing their own respective organizations, the WIM-RAMP members have committed to actively work towards building community. A year after their creation in 2021, WIM-RAMP members continue to reach out to marginalized and vulnerable groups in their efforts to build resilience and peace in their respective communities. The WPS program of BWC and UNDP is being supported by various development partners, including Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands, Norway and European Union. The path forward is clear: if we are

to strengthen community resilience and build sustainable peace in the region, we must continue to invest in women in the Bangsamoro. Truly, the Bangsamoro region has come a long way in understanding the importance of gender-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches to peacebuilding and development. Still, so much more must be done for both Bangsamoro women and men to equally benefit from the gains of the peace process. It is every Bangsamoro woman’s right to be actively included and involved especially in this period of transition where peace and development efforts are geared towards rebuilding communities, addressing injustices and regaining trust and social cohesion. This Women’s Month, UNDP is one with the BWC in shining the spotlight on Bangsamoro women who serve as active contributors and claimholders to peace and development in Bangsamoro communities. We give recognition to their stories of struggle, hope, resilience, and empowerment as they work and advocate for their aspirations for an inclusive and peaceful society for all. “We stand together with them in making CHANGE work for Bangsamoro women” and commit to encourage and accompany Bangsamoro women in claiming their stakes and assuming their roles as peacebuilders and leaders in their respective fields.

Dr. Selva Ramachandran is UNDP Philippines Resident Representative, and MP Hadja Bainon G. Karon is the chairperson of the Bangsamoro Women Commission

Ukraine refugees near 4 million. Will exodus slowdown last? By Srdjan Nedeljkovic & Jamey Keaten | The Associated Press

EDYKA, Poland—A slowdown for good or a temporary lull during the storm of war? While the number of refugees who have flooded out of Ukraine nears 4 million, fewer people have crossed the border in recent days. Border guards, aid agencies and refugees themselves say Russia’s unpredictable war on Ukraine offers few signs whether it’s just a pause or a permanent drop-off. Some Ukrainians are sticking it out to fight or help defend their country. Others have left their homes but are staying elsewhere in Ukraine to wait and see how the winds of war will blow. Still others are elderly or ill and need extra help moving anywhere. And some remain, as one refugee put it, because “homeland is homeland.” In the first two weeks after Russia’s invasion on February 24, about 2.5 million people in Ukraine’s prewar population of 44 million left the country to avoid the bombs and bloodshed. In the second two weeks, the number of refugees was

roughly half that. The total exodus now stands at 3.87 million, according to the latest tally announced Monday from UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. But in the previous 24 hours, only 45,000 people crossed Ukraine’s borders to seek safety, the slowest one-day count yet, and for four of the last five days the numbers have not surpassed 50,000 a day. In contrast, on March 6 and March 7, over 200,000 people a day left Ukraine. “People who were determined to leave when war breaks out fled in the first days,” explained Anna Michalska, a spokeswoman for the

Polish border guards. Even if the exodus is easing, there’s no understating the scope of it. UNHCR says the war has triggered Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War II, and the speed and breadth of refugees fleeing to countries including Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia— as well as Russia—is unprecedented in recent times. Poland alone has taken in 2.3 million refugees and Romania nearly 600,000. The United States has vowed to take in 100,000. Even the devastating 11-year war in Syria, source of the world’s biggest refugee crisis, didn’t force out so many people so fast. “We hope that hopefully the trend of new arrivals will decrease. But I don’t think there’s any guarantee of that until there’s a political solution” to the war, said Alex Mundt, UNHCR’s senior emergency coordinator in Poland. The International Organization

for Migration has also estimated that more 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been driven from their homes by the Russian invasion but remain displaced inside the country, suggesting that a large pool of potential refugees still awaits. IOM said another 12 million people are believed to be trapped in places where fighting has been intense, or don’t want to leave. “Sadly, there are a lot of people who are not able to leave, either because transportation routes have been cut off or they just don’t have the means to arrive to safety in the neighboring countries,” IOM spokesman Jorge Galindo told The Associated Press in Medyka, a Polish border town. Jewish groups have begun an effort to bring frail Holocaust survivors out of Ukraine, but each person requires a team of rescue workers to extract such refugees. “Now I’m too old to run to the bunker. So I just stayed inside my See “Ukraine,” A15

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Nobel Peace Prize winner’s paper closes amid Russia pressure

ussia’s leading independent newspaper suspended operations Monday after pressure from Russian authorities, a move that comes less than six months after its editor won the Nobel Peace Prize for his paper’s courageous reporting under difficult circumstances.

The paper, Novaya Gazeta, said it will remain closed for the duration of what the newspaper referred to in quotations as “the special operation” in Ukraine, the term that Russian authorities insist media must use. The newspaper was the last major independent media outlet critical of President Vladimir Putin’s government after others either shut their doors or had their websites blocked since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24. The trigger for the shutdown was a second formal warning from the Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor, which has increasingly taken on the role of a censor in recent years, Novaya Gazeta had long had a difficult relationship with the government. Novaya Gazeta’s longtime editor Dmitry Muratov shared the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize with Maria Ressa, a journalist from the Philippines, in October. Muratov said last week he was donating his Nobel medal to be auctioned off to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees and called for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine. Exactly why Novaya Gazeta was warned remains unclear. Roskomnadzor told state news agency Tass that the newspaper had failed to identify an unnamed non-governmental organization as a “foreign agent” in its reporting, as required by Russian law. It didn’t specify the report in question. Novaya Gazeta has trodden a fine line during the war in Ukraine. It initially defied the Russian authorities’ restrictions, publishing in Russian and Ukrainian the day after the invasion began. However, it removed much of its war reporting from its website after Russian lawmakers passed a law March 4 threatening jail terms of up to 15 years for information deemed to be “fake” by Russian authorities. That can include any mention of Russian forces harming civilians or suffering losses on the battlefield. On Sunday, Muratov sent in questions for an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy along with a group of Russian jour-

nalists. Roskomnadzor banned the publication of the interview with Zelenskyy in Russia and said the media outlets that took part would be investigated. “A country without media (the last free “Novaya Gazeta” was closed), without discussion, without political competition, without a full-fledged parliament,” Zelenskyy adviser Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter on Monday. “This is the modern (Russian Federation). That is why Russians do not see, hear or realize anything. No matter what language you speak to them.” In its citation, the Norwegian Nobel Committee noted that six of Novaya Gazeta’s journalists had been killed. The best known of them was Anna Politkovskaya, who reported on atrocities during the second Chechen War at the start of Putin’s first term as Russian president. She was shot dead in her apartment building in 2006. Five men were convicted of involvement in her murder in 2014, but there has never been a ruling on who ordered her killing. Muratov said that winning the Nobel Prize was “recognition of the memory of our fallen colleagues,” including Politkovskaya. Novaya Gazeta was itself born from the legacy of another Russian Nobel Peace Prize-winner, the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. He won the Peace Prize in 1990 and used part of the award to fund what later became Novaya Gazeta, which launched in 1993. Putin had a warning for Muratov after his win last year, when asked if the paper could follow other media in being given the dreaded “foreign agent” label by Russian authorities, which must be added to every article a media outlet produces and carries a pejorative connotation. “If (Muratov) doesn’t break Russian law and if he doesn’t give a reason to be announced as a foreign agent, then he won’t be,” Putin said. “But if he hides behind the Nobel Prize like a shield to do something which breaks Russian law, that means he’s doing it consciously to attract attention to himself.” AP

Ukraine. . .

She and her mother left the city five days ago but even to get to the border they had to cross 18 checkpoints: 16 Russian and two Ukrainian. She alluded to new Russian airstrikes over the weekend near Ukraine’s western city of Lviv, which has been a key refuge for Ukrainians fleeing after the invasion ordered by Russian President Vladmir Putin. “Putin is very unpredictable. And judging from what happened in Lviv two days ago, I think it will not stop in my region, it will not stop at Ukraine,” she said. “It will go further, so the world should prepare for more waves to come.” Oksana Mironova, a 35-year-old refugee from Kyiv, said: “It is not getting any better — definitely not. We would like to believe it will improve, but unfortunately we need to escape.” Yet even in the face of Russian airstrikes that obliterate apartment buildings, shopping malls and schools, the pull of home remains strong. Olena Vorontsova, 50, fled the capital of Kyiv. “Many people just do not want to leave their homes, because homeland is homeland,” she said. Keaten

continued from A14

apartment and prayed that the bombs would not kill me,” said 83-year-old Holocaust survivor Tatyana Zhuravliova, a retired doctor who was relocated to a nursing home in Germany last week. Michalska, the Polish border guard spokeswoman, suggested that many Ukrainians who have already fled have left the areas most affected by the fighting, and future battles could determine whether civilians in other areas decide to leave. “We cannot exclude that there will be more waves of refugees in the future,” Michalska said by phone. Aid agencies are not letting up in their efforts, helping those who have already gotten out of Ukraine and preparing in case new surges of refugees arrive. At the border post in Medyka, Poland, shopping trolleys filled with luggage still rattle down a small path leading from passport control, through a village of aid tents to buses waiting to carry Ukrainian refugees to a nearby town. “Maybe people are waiting it out, to see if their city will get attacked or not,” said Alina Beskrovna, 31, who fled the devastated, besieged southeastern city of Mariupol.

reported from Geneva. Bassam Hatoum in Medyka, Monika Scislowska in Warsaw, Poland, and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 A15

Ukraine’s other fight: Growing food for itself and the world By Cara Anna & Aya Batrawy | The Associated Press

ORDYNIA, Ukraine—Planting season has arrived in Ukraine. Boot marks stamped in the frozen earth have thawed. But the Pavlovych family’s fields remain untouched in a lonely landscape of checkpoints and churches.

Over a week ago, the family learned their 25-year-old soldier son, Roman, had been killed near the besieged city of Mariupol. On Tuesday, the father, also named Roman, will leave for the war himself. “The front line is full of our best people. And now they are dying,” said the mother, Maria. In tears, she sat in her son’s bedroom in their warm brick home, his medals and photos spread before her. The Pavlovych family knows a second front line in Russia’s war runs through the farmland here in western Ukraine, far from the daily resistance against the invasion. It is an uphill battle for farmers to feed not only their country but also the world. Ukraine and Russia account for a third of global wheat and barley exports, leaving millions across North Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia facing the potential loss of access to the affordable supplies they need for bread and noodles. The war has raised the specter of food shortages and political instability in countries reliant on Ukrainian wheat, including Indonesia, Egypt, Yemen and Lebanon. It is unclear how many farmers will be able to plant or tend to their harvests with the war raging, forcing those like Pavlovych to the front lines. And the challenges keep growing. Infrastructure—from ports and roads to farm equipment— is snarled and damaged, meaning critical supplies like fuel are difficult to get and routes for export almost impossible to reach. Fertilizer producers are

paralyzed by nearby fighting, and a prolonged winter may disrupt spring yields. “How can we sow under the blows of Russian artillery? How can we sow when the enemy deliberately mines the fields, destroys fuel bases?” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a recent address. “We do not know what harvest we will have and whether we’ll be able to export.” An airport not far from the Pavlovych home was bombed in the early days of the war, sending unexploded ordnance into nearby fields now planted with warning signs instead of corn. The thudding sounds of efforts to safely dispose of the ordnance could be heard last week beside the younger Pavlovych’s flower-strewn grave. There is no time to lose, even as families mourn. The northwestern Lviv region near the border with Poland, far from the heart of what is known as Ukraine’s breadbasket in the south, is being asked to plant all the available fields it can, said Ivan Kilgan, head of the regional agricultural association. Still, the region won’t be able to reach its pre-war levels. “We are expecting to produce more than 50 million tons of cereals. Previously, we produced more than 80 million tons. It’s logical. Less land, less harvest,” Kilgan said. Standing in a frigid barn containing more than 1,000 tons of wheat and soy, Kilgan vowed to send tons of flour to feed Ukraine’s army. He’s planting 2,000 hectares (nearly 5,000 acres) this year, up from 1,200 hect-

ares (around 3,000 acres). And yet he’s short on fertilizer. For the extra production he plans, he needs more than double the 300 tons of fertilizer he has. “If the world wants Ukrainian bread, it needs to help with this,” Kilgan said. In his office, he showed blueprints for more grain elevators and put them aside with frustration: “Now, these are just paper.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the world to avert “a hurricane of hunger” from the disruption to Ukrainian grains, which the World Food Program relies on for about half of its wheat supplies. Alternative wheat supplies will be more expensive and hit poor households elsewhere in the world, said Megan Konar, an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign whose research focuses on the intersection of food, water and trade. “Winter wheat is the biggest wheat crop in Ukraine and Russia, which was planted last fall and due to be harvested early this summer,” she said. “This crop would be impacted if people are not available to work in the fields to harvest.” Corn, which is planted in the spring, also will be affected if fighting impedes farmers, she added. That’s true of those whose fields have been mined or bombed in parts of the heavily hit southern and central key growing areas, said Tetyana Hetman, head of the agriculture department in the Lviv region. “We have already been approached by farmers from other regions to find land plots that they can cultivate” in the Lviv region to try to ensure the country’s food security, she said. Concerned about feeding its own people, Ukraine’s government has limited exports of oats, millet, buckwheat, sugar, salt, rye, cattle

and meat. Under specific licensing, wheat, corn, chicken meat and eggs, and sunflower oil can be shipped. Ukraine does have sufficient food reserves, deputy minister of agrarian policy and food Taras Vysotsky told local media. He said Ukraine consumes 8 million tons of wheat per year and has about 6 million tons on hand. It also has a two-year supply of corn, a five-year supply of sunflower oil and enough sugar for 1½ years. Many Ukrainians have more immediate worries than harvests, with their country at stake. An estimated 500 residents have gone to war out of 14,500 in the largely agricultural villages in this part of the Lviv region, said Bogdan Yusviak, who leads the local territorial council. In his village, Pavlovych was the first to die. His parents don’t know how it happened. The first hint that something had gone terribly wrong was the arrival of their son’s belongings by mail. Thirty minutes later, someone called about his death, his mother said. Roman loved farming, his parents said, the way he loved to take in stray animals. Even at the front, he would advise his parents on questions like whether to plant potatoes this year. He told his father, in training for battle, that he’d be more useful at home and in the fields. Now, those fields lay empty. “We have no time,” his father said, his hands clasped before him. Standing outside near the gate of their home, his mother looked up at the evergreen trees nearby. “Those trees grew up with him,” Maria Pavlovych said of her son. Now, she said, she and his girlfriend go to the cemetery and take turns crying. Aya Batrawy reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Booming wheat exports from India to ease global shortage By Pratik Parija & Ruchi Bhatia Bloomberg Opinion

N a world where people are worrying more than ever about food shortages and rising inflation, India’s warehouses are brimming over with grain and the country’s farmers are gearing up for yet another record harvest. The country is the top global producer of wheat after China and has the potential to ship 12 million tons to the world market in the 2022-23 year, the most on record, according to the median of five estimates in a Bloomberg survey of traders, millers and analysts. That compares with shipments of 8.5 million tons

in 2021-22, US Department of Agriculture data show. Prices of farm commodities were already on a tear before the Russian invasion of Ukraine as drought shriveled global harvests and demand increased, helping send world food costs to the highest on record. The war made matters even worse because it has choked shipments from one of the planet’s top producing regions, cutting off more than a quarter of the world’s wheat supplies. “Indian wheat exports help the market in a tight world supply situation,” said Vijay Iyengar, chairman and managing director of Singaporebased Agrocorp International, which trades about 12 million tons of grain

annually. “It helps to keep a lid on global prices as well. If India wasn’t exporting wheat in large quantities, prices would have probably escalated further.” Benchmark wheat prices in Chicago surged to an all-time high of $13.635 a bushel this month after the Russian invasion, compared with an average of only around $5.50 a bushel in the five years through the day preceding the attack. Tightening supply and rising prices for grain from major exporting countries have made Indian wheat competitive for the first time in years. With ballooning inventories after five straight record crops, India has a huge exportable surplus. That will be

crucial for importers in North Africa and the Middle East where soaring food prices sparked violent uprisings more than a decade ago. While India has tended to ship wheat mostly to neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and to some Middle Eastern markets, exporters are now likely to find buyers across Africa and in other areas of the Middle Eastern region. “Practically every market needs to consider Indian wheat now, particularly in the vicinity of Asia, Africa and the Middle East,” said Iyengar, who has traded commodities for more than three decades. “We have not seen this kind of frenzy for Indian wheat in the global market before.”

Saudi oil chief says energy security imperiled by attacks By Aya Batrawy | The Associated Press

UBAI, United Arab Emirates—Saudi Arabia’s oil chief said markets are going through a “jittery period” and reiterated Tuesday that the kingdom’s ability to ensure energy security is no longer guaranteed. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said cross-border attacks have put to question “our ability to supply the world with the necessary energy requirements.” The attacks have been carried out by Yemen’s rebel Houthis, who are supported by Iran. “In the old days, we, along with our friends here in the UAE, worked on a collective effort to assure and ensure energy security. These pillars are no longer there,” the minister said. The Saudi energy minister spoke at the World Government Summit, an event sponsored by the government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Oil prices, already at their highest in years, have shot up further amid attacks from the Houthis on Saudi Arabia, Opec’s largest oil producer. Brent crude prices are trading

above $110 a barrel, though have soared at times past $120. The Houthis have used drones and missiles to target the kingdom’s oil facilities, and have also attacked targets in the United Arab Emirates’ capital of Abu Dhabi. On Friday, they hit a Saudi oil products storage facility in the Red Sea coastal city of Jiddah, sending huge plumes of black smoke into the air that were visible from the vicinity of the Formula One race where practice laps were underway. Saudi Arabia has expressed its frustrations in official statements, saying it will not bear any responsibility for shortages in oil supplies due to the attacks. Crude oil prices have also been buoyed by a deal struck by leading producers, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, in an alliance known as Opec+, which limited oil production to keep prices from crashing amid pandemic lockdowns in 2020. The group has stuck to its cautious plan of releasing more barrels on a monthly basis as Covid-19 restrictions have eased, but critics of the plan say the Russian war in Ukraine is roiling markets and sending energy prices

soaring for consumers at the pump. The UAE’s energy minister, Suhail al-Mazrouei, doubled-down on the Opec+ alliance on Monday in remarks at an energy forum in Dubai. Again on Tuesday, he and the Saudi energy minister stressed the importance of Russia’s roughly 10 million barrels a day in crude output, saying it amounts to about 10% of global energy demand and insisting that politics—in reference to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—should be separated from energy policy. The war in Yemen—where a Saudi-led military coalition, which includes the UAE, has been battling the Houthis since 2015—has rattled these two Gulf Arab states, revealing the vulnerability of their oil facilities. The largest attack claimed by the Houthis took place in late 2019 against a sprawling Saudi Aramco site in the kingdom’s eastern region, temporarily knocking out production at the world’s largest oil processing facility in Abqaiq. Despite US condemnation of the Houthis and US-supplied anti-missile systems for Saudi Arabia, relations between the Biden administration

and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de-factor ruler, remain tense. There has been no direct call between the two since the US president took office, though President Joe Biden has spoken to the prince’s father, King Salman. As the White House inches closer to a nuclear deal with Iran, the Biden administration has tried to reassure traditional Mideast allies of its commitment to their security. Israel and several Gulf Arab states remain fiercely opposed to any efforts that would lift sanctions on Iran. “We have developed and delivered our side of the story,” Prince Abdulaziz said, referring to the kingdom’s position on the link between its national security and global energy market stability. “People, others, need to deliver their own side of the commitment,” he added. “Otherwise, the very pillar of energy security will be disturbed, to say the least.” This year, the World Government Summit is being held on the premises of Dubai Expo 2020, the six-monthlong world’s fair that concludes later this week.

A16 Wednesday, March 30, 2022

As China bristles, PHL asserts ‘full sovereignty’ over Bajo de Masinloc

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla & Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

over the shoal as well as “sovereign rights and jurisdiction” over “relevant waters.” This, despite the 2016 ruling of The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that China has no legal basis to claim sovereignty, nor sovereign rights over Bajo de Masinloc. China took control over Bajo de Masinloc in 2012 after the Philippines withdrew its ships from the shoal following a military impasse brought about the attempt of the Philippine Navy to arrest Chinese fishermen who allegedly collected corals, giant clams and live sharks. The United States tried to broker a deal to avoid a possible military confrontation in the West Philippine Sea, but as the Philippines complied with the agreement to leave the shoal, China remained, claiming there was no deal reached in the first place. “We hope that the Philippine ships will earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and rights and inter-

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ALACAÑANG on Tuesday asserted that the Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc remains part of the country’s territories following China’s latest attempt to claim jurisdiction over the area. In a brief statement, Acting Presidential Spokesman Martin M. Andanar said a triangular shaped chain of reefs and rocks falls within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) close to the municipality of Masinloc in Zambales. “The Philippine position is that we continue to exercise full sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc and its territorial sea, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the surrounding EEZ and continental shelf,” Andanar said. Last Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin claimed that the shoal is part of the “inherent territory” of China after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel executed a “close distance maneuvering” to BRP Malabrigo of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in the said area. China reasserted that Bajo de Masinloc, which they call “Hangman Dao,” is Beijing’s “inherent territory” and has sovereignty,

NAIA 4 REOPENS FULLY; AIRLINES KEEP AIR FARES

SCREENSHOT of the BRP Malabrigo crew’s close encounter with a Chinese ship, as taken from Philippine Coast Guard video.

ests, abide by China’s domestic law and international law, and avoid interfering with the patrol and law enforcement of the China Coast Guard,” Wang said during the news briefing Monday in Beijing. The PCG claimed the CCG vessel with bow number 3305 conducted close-distance maneuvering, around 21 yards, towards BRP Malabrigo on March 2. This is the fourth reported close-distance maneuvering incident allegedly made by the CCG in Bajo de Masinloc— the first three incidents happened on May 19, 2021, June 1-2, 2021. The PCG said this recent aggressive behavior by the CCG in Bajo De Masinloc is another “clear violation” of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Since February this year, there

have been increased maritime operations by the PCG in the area as more Filipino fishermen from Zambales are fishing near the shoal despite the presence of the CCG in the area. Under the “Bayanihan sa Karagatan” program, Coast Guard crew of the Parola-class patrol vessels BRP Malabrigo and BRP Capones provided support to Filipino fisherfolk with relief supplies and Covid-19 kits “to uphold their health and welfare” at the sea. China has been using its ninedash line to lay claim to almost the entire WPS, which includes the Panatag Shoal. This even as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague junked 2013 junked China’s ninedash line claim and declared Panatag Shoal a “common fishing ground.”

HE Terminal 4 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is now back to full passenger capacity as the government continues to ease travel restrictions amid the pandemic, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). In a televised interview on Tuesday, CAB Operating Rights Division Chief Eldric A. Peredo said Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has decided on passenger capacity restrictions for Terminal 4. He noted the terminal, which serves domestic flights, can accommodate 30,000 passengers per week and as much as 1.5 million in a year. To prevent the possible spread of infection in the terminal, Peredo said minimum health standards will be strictly implemented in Terminal 4. “The most basic of which will be maintaining social distance and wearing of face masks while passengers are within the terminal,” Peredo said.

The passengers will also be asked to fill out a health declaration form and present their vaccination card, depending on the requirement of the concerned local government unit (LGU) of their destination.

Surcharge matrix review ON another matter, Peredo said that as of now, there are no airline carriers which requested for a fare hike despite the recent spike in oil prices. He noted that currently, the existing plane fares are still within the allowed range by CAB. Airline carriers are able to cope with the high fuel prices by imposing fuel surcharges on their passengers. He said the implementation of surcharges are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) through a set matrix, which was implemented in 2018. But the CAB is currently considering changing the matrix to address the recent surge in fuel prices. “But this [adjustment] will need additional data and more studies,” Peredo said.

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Converge taps bond market to expand PHL fiber network

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

onverge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. on Tuesday said it has started selling its P10 billion fixedrate bonds after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted the company a permit to offer securities.

The company is selling P5 billion in five-year paper as its base offering and an oversubscription option of up to P5 billion. The offer period is until April 1. The first tranche of the bonds,

which is part of the P20 billion in shelf registration filed with the SEC, have been priced at 50 basis points over Philippine 5-Year BVAL rates. Its debt paper, however, is at the tight end of the marketed 50-

100 basis points range, resulting in a total of 5.59 percent yield for the bond offering. “We are pleased to be able to tap the bond market to help fund the expansion of our digital infrastructure as we further widen our reach nationwide” Grace Y. Uy, Converge president and co-founder said. Proceeds of the bond issue will be used for capital expenditures related to the expansion of its nationwide fiber network, including to new markets in Visayas and Mindanao. The company has appointed BDO Capital and Investment Corp. as its issue manager, while BDO Capital and BPI Capital Corp. are its joint lead underwriters. The first tranche bonds were rated “PRS Aaa” with a stable outlook by the Philippine Ratings Services Corp.

Converge is expected to spend around P26 billion to P28 billion in total capital expenditures this year for the completion of its terrestrial backbone and further expansion of its distribution network throughout the country. The pure-play fiber internet provider doubled its net income to P7.2 billion in 2021 from P3.4 billion the previous year, on the back of a record number of port rollouts, continued strong expansion of its residential subscriber base, and recovery of the enterprise business. At the end of 2021, Converge’s fiber backbone reached 103,000 kilometers, passing through 495 cities and municipalities across the country, with 1.7 million total residential subscribers. With a report from Lorenz S. Marasigan

Cebu Pacific sees leap in daily flights

Salbert Garces (center) is recognized as the 200 millionth passenger of Cebu Pacific. He is flanked by Cebu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei (left) and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (right). Photo by Nonie Reyes By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

udget carrier Cebu Pacific aims to restore 100 percent of its pre-pandemic domestic capacity by next month, as it ramps up its operations with the recent easing of travel restrictions. Lance Y. Gokongwei, the airline’s president, said the carrier is celebrating its 26th anniversary with the expected strong demand for travel during the hot dry season months. A l ready, t he c a r r ier repor ted a 200-percent surge in its average daily flights for both domestic and international combined – from about 100 flights per day in 2020, to about 300 at present. “We are excited to safely fly everyJuan to their destinations so they could reunite with their families and loved ones, or pursue their business interests, or revisit tourist destinations. It is encouraging to see and feel travel confidence returning,” he said. Demand for air travel is now returning back to pre-pandemic levels, as reflected by the increased flight frequencies of Cebu Pacific from key hubs in Manila, Boracay, and Cebu. Flights from these airports “have exceeded their 2019 flight frequencies.” Currently, Cebu Pacific operates at 96 percent of its pre-pandemic domestic capacity. This allowed the carrier to carry more passengers and boost its cargo service which means faster and more efficient movement of goods across its widest domestic network. “We thank our passengers for their continued trust, and we will endeavor to live true to our promise of providing safe, affordable, and accessible air travel for every Juan,” Gokongwei said. Aside from ramping up its opera-

tions, Cebu Pacific also celebrated its anniversary with the marking of its 200 millionth passenger, named Salbert Garces, onboard its Manila-Cebu flight on Tuesday. Cebu Pacific operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 33 destinations, on top of its 14 international destinations. Its 74-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes 2 dedicated ATR freighters. Cebu Air Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, reported a P24.9billion net loss in 2021 still due to the adverse effect of the pandemic in the global and local travel market. The carrier said it booked P15.7 billion in revenues, which is 30 percent lower than the year prior, as its passenger operations continued to suffer due to the low demand for air travel in 2021. “Amidst the losses and uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, CEB stayed resilient and ensured its longterm sustainability. Aside from its cost saving initiatives, it successfully raised over $1.6 billion from various fundraising initiatives,” the company said in a statement. “This not only allowed for an even longer liquidity runway but also resulted to a stronger balance sheet with a cash balance of P19.6 billion, surpassing even the pre pandemic cash levels.” Last year, the Gokongwei-led airline flew a total of 3.41 million passengers, a 32-percent decline partly due to the higher volumes recorded during the first quarter in 2020. The company cushioned the effects of the decline in revenues by lowering its total operating expenses by 10 percent to P38.9 billion, while also beefing up its cargo operations, which posted a 20-percent increase to P6.5 billion.

EDC green bonds lauded By Lenie Lectura @llectura

nergy Development Corp.’s (EDC) P5-billion dual tranche Asean Green Bond was named the country’s best local currency green bond in the recent Triple A Country Awards 2021 under The Asset’s best Southeast Asia best deals category for sustainable finance. EDC’s P5 billion worth of Securities and Exchange Commissionregistered Asean Green Bonds was listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on June 25, 2021 and was the first tranche to be issued out of EDC’s P15-billion Asean Green Bonds shelf registration. Due to strong demand from investors, the P3-billion base offer of the issuance was more than 10x oversubscribed, allowing EDC to fully exercise the oversubscription option and raise another P2 billion. The Bonds were priced at the lowest end of the range at 2.8565 percent and 3.7305 percent for the 3-year and for the 5-year series, respectively. “We are grateful for The Asset’s recognition of our efforts to encourage investors to take a strong stand for the environment through our Asean Green Bond program,” said EDC Chief Finance Officer Erwin O.

Avante. “The public’s strong support for the expansion of our 100 percent renewable energy portfolio and the financial institutions’ commitment to focus only on funding low carbon power are crucial in speeding up that necessary transition to a decarbonized world. We all need to work together to achieve this while we still can.” The Asset, through the Triple A Country Awards, has been recognizing the most laudable initiatives in banking, finance, treasury, and capital markets for over two decades with focus on activities in domestic markets. The Asset is a financial multi-media group that has the widest reach among Asian issuers and global institutional investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved in June last year the shelf registration of the EDC ASEAN Green Bonds and issued the permit to sell for the bonds. The bonds were rated PRS Aaa, with a stable outlook, by the Philippine Rating Services Corp. and are the first SEC-registered peso-denominated Asean Green Bonds to be issued by a power company in the Philippines. EDC’s Green Bond Framework was reviewed and opined by Sustainalytics to be aligned with the 2018 ICMA Green Bond Principles.

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

SPNEC aims to raise ₧3.3B from stock rights offering

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

olar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. (SPNEC) plans to raise up to P3.3 billion from its stock rights offering (SRO), proceeds of which will be used to fund its various solar projects in the country. The company said in its disclosure that it is giving an entitlement ratio from current shareholders of

one share for every 1.28 shares held, from its current public float of P2.4 billion worth of shares.

It will have a total of 1.88 billion shares that it will sell, priced between P1.60 and P1.76 per share. The middle of the range at P1.68 is a 16 percent discount of the company’s volume-weighted average price for the past two months, the company said. SPNEC, which became a public company late last year, said it is targeting to conduct its stock rights offer in June, subject to the Philippine Stock Exchange’s rule that a company can only conduct a new offering 180 days after its initial public offering. “SPNEC is now preparing to file

its SRO application, after which the timing would be subject to regulatory approval, but no longer subject to an increase in ACS [authorized capital stock] to the extent of its current unissued ACS,” it said. SPNEC’s shares closed at P2.03 apiece on Tuesday, or double its listing price of P1 per share. Proceeds of the SRO will be used for “the acquisition of land to be used for 4 GW [gigawatts] of developments, which would form part of the total 10 GW of developments that would be funded from further share issuances enabled by SPNEC’s increase in ACS, as detailed

in SPNEC’s comprehensive corporate disclosure,” the company said. Last month, the board of SPNEC has approved an asset-for-share swap involving the acquisition of of Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. and 20 other units of the company’s parent firm, Solar Philippines Inc. Solar Philippines’ assets would be acquired through an asset-for-share swap in exchange for 24.37 billion shares of SPNEC at an issue price of P2.50 per share. Once completed, SPNEC would own shares in several companies of its parent firm, which already

spent years developing over 10 GW of projects. This includes over 4 GW of developments reserved for its joint venture with Prime Infra, Terra Solar, for which 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 Meralco for the supply of 850 MW mid-merit for up to 13 hours a day from at least 2.5 GW of solar and 4 GWh of battery storage, which may be over two times the total installed capacity of solar in the Philippines.

NGCP partners with A2D Project

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has partnered with A2D Project-Research Group for Alternatives to Development Inc. to further strengthen the disaster preparedness of its partner communities. The grid operator provides trainings on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) to help communities in disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response. Local leaders and community members participate in a three-day training program on the basic concepts and principles of DRRM, the process of hazard risk assessment, and DRRM frameworks. They also learn to recalibrate their respective Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee and develop contingency plans to lay out their early warning systems, communication protocols, and systematic evacuation procedures. Since the project’s implementation in

2017, the company reached at least 11,000 individuals from 353 barangays and 2 state universities. Among the beneficiaries are the cities and municipalities in Isabela, Ifugao, Quirino, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Camarines Sur which have been hit hard by Typhoon Ompong in 2018, and the provinces of Leyte, Samar, and Southern Leyte affected by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Other provinces covered by the project include Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, and Surigao del Norte which were badly affected by Typhoons Vinta and Urduja in 2017. Some of these provinces were also severely affected by flooding as a result of heavy downpour during Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses in 2020. “NGCP is aware of the country’s susceptibility to natural calamities, particularly typhoons and earthquakes, as well as other hazards which may severely affect the lives

and livelihood of our host communities. With the DRRM project, we equip them with the knowledge and skills to mitigate the effects of these disasters. They can be assured that we will continue to find ways to support their goals of zero casualty and minimal damage to all sectors of the community when a calamity occurs,” the company said. The project adheres to the policies and principles of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, to ensure that relevant developments in the field of DRRM are incorporated and applied. NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto Jr.

Photo from www.ngcp.ph

mutual funds

March 29, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

229.4

9.36%

-4.58%

-2.09%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.4961

20.05%

-2.16%

1.13%

-10.1%

10.72%

-8.18%

-4.79%

-2.02%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.1724

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7494 1.81%

-1.58%

-7.14% n.a.

-0.94%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6868 3.51%

-7.43% n.a.

-10.91%

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

-2.04%

0.12%

-0.66%

5.1485

12.26%

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

0.7675

15.36%

-4.22%

-3.38%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

-8.67%

-11.76% n.a.

-7.13%

87.7

-3.24%

-0.7%

-2.38%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

492.45

9.13%

-3.2%

-0.85%

-1.65%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

46.9821 1.3822

26.62%

8.94%

1.84%

2.36%

1.91%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.1707

12.26%

-2.18%

0.51%

-1.16%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9344

11.54%

-3.36% n.a.

-0.74%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.8706

10.32%

-2.46%

-1.82%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

809.43

9.6%

-2.6%

-0.1%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7318

10.48%

-7.24%

-2.97%

-2.76%

10.64%

-5%

-1.21%

-2.02%

0.922

9.19%

-2.91%

-0.36%

9.34%

-2.84%

1.04%

-1.4%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.6994 Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a United Fund, Inc. -a

3.3892

-0.01%

-2.02%

-2.3%

-2.38%

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

1.1816

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

987.74 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

16.44% n.a. n.a.

1.63%

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

109.1707

10.16%

-2.33%

0.36%

-2.07%

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

$1.0259

-16.65%

0.8%

1.84%

-8.93%

3.01%

10.54%

9.1%

-8.33%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.6926

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

1.6393

1.5%

-1.64%

-0.98%

-3.11%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2298

3.29%

-1.32%

-0.47%

-2.27%

0.39%

1.52%

-0.52%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.677

7.2%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

0.209

11.17% n.a. n.a. n.a.

NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9895

4.66%

1.32%

1.6%

-1.35%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.6977

3.96%

0.26%

0.56%

-1.79%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.577

3.91%

-0.03%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.102

0.52%

-1.59%

5.27%

-0.6%

0.29%

-0.91%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5853 5.81%

-2.36%

-0.13%

-1.69%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

-1.41%

0.38%

-1.22%

0.9426

12.68%

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

0.953

-0.16%

-1.66% n.a.

-3.72%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.9174

5.36%

-2.85% n.a.

-2.87%

0.9072

6.07%

-3.11% n.a.

-2.86%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

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

$0.03525

-7.6%

-0.81%

-0.07%

-7.09%

$1.0109

-9.19%

0.94%

1.46%

-5.27%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.4325 -0.17% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.1115 -3.66%

6.8%

6.3%

-7.7%

2.31%

2.53%

-7.27%

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

373.74

1.1%

2.51%

2.45%

1.886

-1.1%

0.06%

-0.01%

0.07%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2399

0.71%

2.55%

3.63%

-0.13%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2198

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

-1.02%

-0.15%

0.94%

1.22%

-1.41%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4185 -0.29%

2.06%

1.83%

-0.31%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

2.25%

1.32%

-1.97% -0.56%

4.309

-3.07%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3117

-0.39%

3.21%

2.71%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9198

-1.09%

2.85%

2.47%

-1.16%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0152

-0.86%

3.27%

1.96%

-1.26%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1536

-0.5%

2.95%

-1.06%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-1.1%

2.13%

2.35%

-1.15%

1.7107

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

$484.61

0.53%

2.23%

2.15%

-1.01%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є215.75

-1.72%

-0.05%

0.59%

-1.94%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1099

-6.05%

-1.57%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0249 -3.49% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

-0.1%

-7.81%

-0.4% n.a.

-4.23%

$0.9489

-10.13%

$2.3237

-5.84%

0.93%

1.1%

-7.26%

$0.0611206

-2.24%

1.72%

1.44%

-1.88%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.8997 -6.87%

-0.9%

-0.29%

-9.28%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

-3.84%

-2.34%

-7.23%

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

131.55

1.33%

2.49%

2.54%

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

1.0605

1.03%

1.77% n.a.

1.53%

2.36%

2.51%

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

1.3205

0.27% 0.26%

0.37%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0621

0.66%

1.29% n.a.

0.14%

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

45.8313 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.3377

13.84% n.a. n.a.

-3.27%

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

$0.9098

-7.16% n.a. n.a.

-6.21%

-6.47% % a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day.

b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

c - Listed in the PSE.

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

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

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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Entrepreneur

GCash boosts growth of women-led enterprises By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio Contributor

N its drive to boost financial inclusion in the Philippines, leading mobile wallet app GCash continuously innovates digital financial products and services to help boost the growth of women-led enterprises, especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. Women play an important role in driving economic growth in the new normal. According to a Policy Note published by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, 43.62 percent of women-led MSMEs were established when the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020. Due to mobility restrictions caused by this health crisis, women leaders fully embraced digitalization in managing their enterprises. As a diversity and inclusion advocate, GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon believes in empowering women as they thrive in managing businesses in this digital age. Breaking the stereotype in a male-dominated tech industry, women comprise almost half of GCash employees, and over half of its leadership team are women change makers. These women are all part of the company’s mission of championing financial inclusion for all Filipinos. “GCash is at the forefront of making financial services accessible to all Filipinos. As more than 50 percent of GCash users and social sellers are women, we empower millions of women in businesses all over the Philippines with real-time payments and transfers, and various affordable financial services that fit their everyday needs,” Sazon told reporters in an online news briefing. Racquel Holazo, Key Accounts, Conglomerates and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Head of GCash, said they help retailers and FMCG companies to develop a secure digital payment channel that complements their e-commerce strategies. “Retailers and entrepreneurs shifted to having an e-commerce shop and online selling. People started embracing digital payments for ordering food and groceries online. The Filipinos pivoted and embraced technology, and we really saw the shift to digital adoption,” said Holazo. Iconic brand National Book Store also tapped GCash to achieve a seamless digital transformation “All of these have been supported by GCash, which enables our customers to enjoy safe and seamless cashless transactions at our stores or from the comfort of their homes,” Xandra Ramos-Padilla, Managing Director of National Book Store explained. Another essential service provider supporting MSMEs and contributing to the country’s economic recovery is instant courier app Lalamove. “Since the onset of the pandemic, Lalamove’s top priority has been to ensure continued access to livelihood for our Partner Drivers and fast delivery service to our users,” said Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director, Lalamove Philippines. To ensure the safety of its partner drivers and customers, Lalamove partners with GCash in providing a cashless payment option. GCash also helps companies in enhancing talent experience. “Implementing the GCash digital wallet as part of our rewards program provides flexibility to support our staff’s varying needs and the convenience for them to fully enjoy their much-deserved rewards. This helps us optimize the value of our rewards program,” Hazel Banas, Vice President for Human Resources of Concentrix said. The convenience of having an ewallet is felt not just in private companies but also in government and government-controlled enterprises. “Adoption of digital payments has become a necessity within the public sector to enable safe and convenient transactions for Filipinos during the pandemic,” said Cathlyn Pavia, Public Sector and Partnerships Head of GCash.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, March 30, 2022 B3

Makati spearheads creation of start-up excellence centers across key PHL cities By Roderick L. Abad

@rodrik_28

Contributor

HE local government unit (LGU) of Makati is spearheading the creation of multiple centers of excellence for start-ups throughout the country.

The business capital of the country has been chosen as the pilot site for the Innovative Cities Initiative of Digital Pilipinas (DP), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments (DTI-BOI), to tech up one locality at a time, linking the LGUs, the academe, and the private sector. DTI-BOI Undersecretary Fita Aldaba underscored the vital role of technology in building a city or a nation, adding that the government views emerging technologies “as drivers to achieve sustainable development.” “We can create new products and solutions in smart building, digital health, and vehicle tech,” she said, while citing that the acceleration of such innovations has led to “digital economy in the Philippines, with revenues projected to reach $25 billion by 2025.” With this in mind, the Innovative Cities undertaking aims to raise national innovation and technology quotient to strengthen local economies and grow their industries, while focusing on making the country rel-

evant in digitalization and Web 3.0 conversation. “Together with our partners, we look forward to creating regionally relevant solutions for everyone; and, at the city and provincial level that can then plug into a more extensive national and international ecosystem,” noted Amor Maclang, DP and World Fintech Festival convenor, Fintech Philippines Association executive director and trustee, and GeiserMaclang cofounder.

Rising start-up ecosystem

IN collaboration with the Resiliency Innovation Sustainability & Entrepreneurship (RISE) Certification Program, this initiative will gather start-ups with creative minds and provide them with funding and mentoring, according to Ronin Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Cofounder Yani de Guzman. “What we hope to do is to provide them the P500,000 financial aid when they reach certain milestones to ensure that the grant is helping them create a sustainable business,

THE Philippines digital revolution gathers steam with the official launch of the Digital Pilipinas Innovative Cities, in collaboration with the Department of Industry-Board of Investments. The Innovative Cities initiative brings together global networks of skills, knowledge, capital, public and private value, with the City of Makati as its pilot, which positions itself as the Silicon Valley of the Philippines. Makati Mayor Abigail Binay (upper rightmost) graces the project’s kick off, together with their partners from the DTI-BOI and Digital Pilipinas.

develop their structures, and form a solid legal foundation for their businesses. We will show and give them an opportunity to pitch [their ideas] in front of qualified investors,” she pointed out. For Makati Mayor Abigail Binay, the start-up route is the best way to explore opportunities. She said, “I hope for the Philippines to rise higher in the global economic scene. We believe that we can enable the start-up ecosystem to help businesses thrive and get ahead in the curve.”

National expansion

IN the same way that the Innovative Cities initiative will be developed for other LGUs, de Guzman emphasized that the RISE Challenge, while establishing its base in Makati, is open to entrepreneurs nationwide. Their partnership with the country’s financial capital, per Maclang, is to create a “sandbox environment to inspire entrepreneurs to develop disruptive ideas and not be afraid to take risks because the DTI has put in place policies to support their journey.”

Looking forward, she set sights at the 31 other cities identified by the Digital Cities Program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, particularly for information technology-business process management companies outside of Metro Manila, to also roll out the program. Nine of them have successfully completed their five-year roadmaps: Balanga, Batangas, General Santos, Iligan, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Taytay in Rizal, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.

Budding entrepreneurs trained on winning investment pitches

FRUIT ENTREP

Marfin Bautista, 33, sells turnips, watermelon, and melon popularly known as “summer fruits” on a sidewalk along Zabarte Road, Novaliches, Quezon City on Thursday, March 24, 2022. He sells a bundle of turnips for P50. PNA photo by Ben Briones

Indian couple mint own unicorns with $1-billion valuation in 1 year

N Indian couple became the country’s first husband and wife to build their respective start-ups into enterprises with at least $1 billion valuation, also known as unicorns. Oxyzo Financial Services, a digital lending start-up co-founded by Ruchi Kalra, said the start-up recently hit the milestone with its maiden fundraising round of $200 million led by Alpha Wave Global, Tiger Global Management, Norwest Venture Partners and others. Less than a year earlier, her husband Asish Mohapatra’s OfBusiness reached the same valuation after backing from SoftBank Group Corp. and others. Kalra, 38, and Mohapatra, 41, are alums of Indian Institute of Technology and met while working at McKinsey & Co. Both start-ups are profitable, an unusual feat for young growth companies. Kalra is the chief executive officer of Oxyzo while Mohapatra is the CEO at OfBusiness. Matrix Partners and Creation Invest-

ments also invested in Oxyzo in what is one of the largest Series A rounds in India’s start-up industry. Oxyzo, a blend of the words oxygen and ozone, was founded by Kalra, Mohapatra and three others in 2017 as an offshoot of the couple’s first start-up, OfBusiness, which they started along with three others in early 2016. Oxyzo uses technology to crunch data and provide purchase financing to businesses, giving out cash-flow based loans in a credit-starved country where small and medium businesses struggle to get working capital. OfBusiness, formally known as OFB Tech Pvt., supplies bulk raw materials such as steel, diesel, food grains and industrial chemicals to small and mediumsized businesses. Its valuation surpassed $1 billion when SoftBank and others invested in April last year, according to Mohapatra. In December, the start-up’s valuation

reached nearly $5 billion as SoftBank and others put more money into it, he said via phone. Kalra, who was a partner at McKinsey, left the firm to join entrepreneurial forces with her husband, who exited venturecapital company Matrix. “We both had an itch to go out and build something,” she said. The two start-ups run separately with different offices and teams, Kalra said. However, they target the same industries such as manufacturing and infrastructure sub-contracting. Both are based in Gurgaon, in the suburbs of New Delhi. Oxyzo has more than 500 employees and a data warehouse specializing in supply chain analytics. It has disbursed over $2 billion in loans and has been profitable since its inception. In the statement, investor Norwest described Kalra as the country’s “first female founder in India of a profitable, fintech unicorn.” Bloomberg News

TART-UPS and entrepreneurs were taught on how to make business pitches that will convince investors to finance their entities. Sharing their experience and knowledge to business owners and founders during the second leg of the Shell LiveWIRE Virtual Homeroom were established mentors Tal De Guzman, owner and designer of shoe manufacturer Risqué Designs; and Matthew Cua of IGNITE and a member of the Shell LiveWIRE Philippines Team. They discussed with the participants the finer points of nailing the elevator pitch, using data-driven business proposals, and telling an engaging story with good narration skills. “Being a good storyteller helps me translate business ideas. It drives authenticity and a good balance of knowing what you are doing,” De Guzman said. “You really should have that filter on what would work and what would not work on business.” Cua, on the other hand, explained the importance of LiveWIRE’s mentorship for those who are just beginning their journey in business pitching. “A lot of investors are looking into social enterprises and usually the problem is the skill gap. So that’s why we’re doing the Virtual Homeroom Sessions,” he said. “In Shell LiveWIRE, we spend a lot of time teaching business practices, and how to talk in the modern language of the Internet.” Meanwhile, Nir Ten Bosch, chief executive officer of Connected Freight Pte, a business-to-business logistics platform for small and medium enterprises operating in Southeast Asia, presented how to craft a winning investment pitch. “The starting point of each pitch is to say very clearly and very succinctly who you are, what you do, and what your vision is,” he advised, while detailing the proper structure of a pitch that can catch the investors’ attention: the introduction of a highly qualified, winning team; the pain points of the market that the company is trying to solve; the implementation strategy; the business model; and the product’s unique differentiation. Shell LiveWIRE is offered in 15 countries to selected new enterprises in order to help them strengthen their systems, sharpen their competencies, and give them a chance to become part of the Shell Value Chain. About 500 start-ups and community and social enterprises have so far joined in this global enterprise development program, which is now on its second year in the Philippines. Its Homeroom Sessions go beyond the program’s focus on energy and the environment. “The pandemic has given us an opportunity to reevaluate our models, process, and methods, and to adopt progressive practices as well as technology solutions to allow them to continue to be viable. This is the kind of forward-thinking that we aim to cultivate and nurture with Shell LiveWIRE,” said Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. Vice President of Corporate Relations Serge Bernal. Roderick L. Abad

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 • Editor: Dennis D. Estopace

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PDIC’s deposit insurance fund balloons to ₧243.87B

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

TATE-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) saw its deposit insurance fund (DIF) ballooning last year to P243.87 billion, posting a double-digit growth from a year ago. PDIC President and CEO Roberto B. Tan said in a report that the DIF level in 2021 rose by 13.8 percent from P214.44 billion in 2020. The PDIC is tasked to continu-

ously build up the level of the DIF, the fund source for payment of deposit insurance. The state deposit insurer is mandated under the law to provide up to a maxi-

were settled in 17 to 22 working days, faster than its goal of 27 working days, he said. Meanwhile, all deposit insurance claims filed in two larger banks with over 3,000 to 10,000 accounts each were settled in 37 to 40 working days, also faster than its target of 41 working days. Insured deposits in closed banks paid by PDIC also more than doubled to P471.15 million last year from P219.68 million in 2020. Moving forward, Tan vowed to continue expanding the use of electronic modes to settle deposit insurance claims as part of its digitalization efforts. To speed up the resolution of loan accounts, the PDIC is also implement-

T Finex free enterprise

Joseph Araneta Gamboa According to news reports, Garcia is serving as the go-between of SpaceX with the Senate. He explained that amendments to the Public Service Act of 1936 would be enough to allow SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband internet to operate in the country. Both the Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority had earlier endorsed this legislative reform measure that is seen as a catalyst for increased foreign investments amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Another PSE-listed firm, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., filed a separate disclosure last year stating that it is considering a partnership with SpaceX. It added that the latest satellite technologies are among those being explored by Converge to bring high-speed broadband to the broadest number of Filipinos, including those in far-flung areas of the country. Starlink, OneWeb and Amazon Kuiper have deployed tens of thousands of LEO satellites into space and their closer proximity to Earth means latency is significantly reduced. Musk, the world’s richest person with an estimated net worth of $223 billion as of end-February 2022, recently announced that he is seriously considering the creation of a new social media platform that adheres to free speech principles. Last March 19, he tweeted: “Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy. What should be done?” Joseph Albert A. Gamboa is the chairman of the Finex Media Affairs Committee and the director of Noble Asia Industrial Corp. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions and the BusinessMirror. #FinexPhils www.finex.org.ph.

he Bureau of the Treasury on Tuesday fully awarded P35 billion in reissued 10year Treasury Bonds (T-Bonds) on its last auction day for the month despite the market pricing in higher inflation forecast from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). For the first time this March, the Treasury decided to fully award T-Bonds after the past auctions resulted in either a partial award or full rejection of bids for the said longerterm government securities. Including Tuesday’s auction results, the government only raised P91.7 billion, more than one-third of its P250 billion programmed domestic borrowing this month. Despite the hurdles in raising funds in recent auctions, the government has since assured the public that it remains in a good position to

fund its spending requirements since it recently borrowed P457.8 billion through its 5-year Retail Treasury Bonds and another P118 billion ($2.2 billion) through its triple-tranche dollar-denominated global bonds. National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said on Tuesday the market continues to take on a defensive stance given the hawkish signals from the US Federal Reserve that it could raise rates by more than 25 basis points in its next meeting or meetings if necessary to rein in inflation. “Markets remain defensive following increasing UST [US Treasury] rates with more aggressive tone from Fed,” De Leon told reporters. Last week, the BSP also moved to maintain all monetary policy levers but said its annual inflation forecast now exceeds the ceiling of its 2 to 4 percent target range at 4.3 percent.

@BcuaresmaBM

DO Unibank Inc. (BDO) announced that it is planning to increase the capital position of its rural banking arm this year. In a statement, the bank said it is looking to infuse about P2 billion to BSP Network Bank Inc. (BDONB) through the issuance of primary common shares. “The capital increase will allow BDONB to support the sustained expansion in its salary loan and micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises (MSME) portfolios, which have a

funds held in trust for closed banks to help increase the chances of closedbank creditors and uninsured depositors to recover their funds. Creditors’ claims are settled by PDIC as liquidator, in accordance with the rules on concurrence and preference of credits. The PDIC shifted to e-bidding of corporate and closed bank assets to address the asset disposal challenges under the new normal. The state deposit insurer said its corporate assets stood at P305.86 billion, 12.4 percent higher than the P272. billion in 2020. Assessment collections from banks also climbed by 8.3 percent to P29.81 billion in 2021 from P27.52 billion in 2020.

Nonetheless, De Leon said she is “pleased with the size of subscription” given that this has a longer tenor of almost 10 years. With a remaining term of 9 years and 9 months, the debt papers attracted total bids of P57.9 billion, making the auction oversubscribed. The securities fetched an average rate of 6.092 percent, higher than the secondary market benchmark rates of 5.645 percent and 5.586 percent for the 10-year tenor and the security itself, respectively. Sought why the Treasury accepted the debt papers despite fetching a higher average rate, De Leon told BusinessMirror that the secondary market benchmark rate was low since the security has not traded but she said bids submitted by investors through the brokers was at 6.1 percent.

Moving forward, De Leon said she is hoping that the market becomes “reasonable especially with their bids for T-bills.” De Leon explained that higher inflation affects the short-term tenors the most and the central bank’s term deposit facility rates have also moved up. For this year, the government is set to borrow a total of P2.2 trillion, of which around 75 percent is expected to come from domestic sources. As of end-January this year, the government’s outstanding debt has already hit a new record-high of P12.03 trillion as the country needed to borrow more to cover a wider budget deficit given the bigger expenses and weaker revenue collections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Bernadette D. Nicolas

Lure finance firms leaving HK to PHL, lawmaker asks By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

BANK CONSERVATION This March 27, 2022, photo courtesy of the Bank

of the Philippine Islands shows (left to right) Pag-Asa Pawikan Conservation and Protection Center Head and Volunteer Edna Fajardo, Barangay Pag-asa Captain John Harry R. Carreon; BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. President and CEO Sheila Marie U. Tan and BPI AMTC Client Segment Division Head Yvette Mari V. De Peralta at the PPCPC at Pag Asa, Bagac, Bataan. BPI said it adopted 280 pawikan (sea turtle) nests in Bataan to support the PPCPC and commemorate the launch of the BPI Invest Sustainable Fund Suite by BPI AMTC, the lender’s wealth management arm. Photo courtesy of the Bank of the Philippine Islands

BDO plans to infuse ₧2B to rural-banking business By Bianca Cuaresma

ing the “closed bank loan incentive program,” or Clip. The PDIC said the program offers easy payment and zero-penalty initiative to borrowers of banks that were ordered closed by the Monetary Board. The PDIC said it also disposed 1,141 real properties last year, bringing its total asset disposal to 3,551 properties since 2019. The number of real properties disposed in 2021 was also above its target of 807. The PDIC manages a total inventory of 32,000 real properties and a five-year asset disposal program has been drawn up to expedite the disposal process. Proceeds from the disposal of PDIC’s non-cash assets go to the

BTr raises only 1/3 of March borrowing goal

Satellite technology and the amended Public Service Act

ISTED company DFNN Inc. is poised to introduce new technologies to the Philippine market using low earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology for operations as the internet becomes more pervasive this year. In a public disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), DFNN said: “This will bolster our interactive and software solutions for enterprise and retail clients, effectively accelerating our distribution channels. Thus, projections remain positive that overall performance will recover and continue to see sustained growth as the country’s primary and booster vaccination rates increase, allowing for consumer spending to revert back to prepandemic numbers.” Despite extended lockdowns and challenging conditions which further strained the economy in 2021, DFNN’s revenues derived from commission, services, and licenses income jumped 15 percent to P224 million during the fourth quarter from P194 million in the corresponding period of 2020. The increase was attributed to interactive initiatives that contributed 25 percent of revenues from October to December last year. Operating costs for the same quarter went down 5.4 percent year-on-year. With the passage last week of Republic Act 11659 amending the Commonwealth-era Public Service Act, 100-percent foreign ownership of public services is now allowed in the Philippines. This paves the way for foreign players in the broadband industry to enter the local market, such as Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) and Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank Group. It may be recalled that in a regulatory filing last February 2021, DFNN confirmed the statement made by Executive Chairman Ramon C. Garcia Jr. that a meeting was held where SoftBank and KDDI of Japan expressed interest in coming to the Philippines as a possible investor. Both Softbank and KDDI are involved in the telecoms business.

mum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000 per depositor of a shuttered bank. Tan also reported that it significantly cut its clearing time in settling a total of 19,184 deposit insurance claims and in resolving 30,384 loan accounts in closed banks owing to the use of digital platforms. “We also continued the use of digital media platforms and local information networks to provide prompt and continuing information to depositors and other clients,” Tan said in a report to parent agency, the Department of Finance. Deposit insurance claims filed last year involving 10 banks with no more than 3,000 accounts each

compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28 percent over the last 3 years to P37 billion,” the bank said. The lender added that the capital infusion will enhance the rural bank’s ability to cover and serve more markets, particularly the unbanked and the underserved segments of the population. BDONB’s major shareholders, BDO, with an 85 percent stake, and Osmanthus Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd, with a 15 percent stake, have both committed to participate in the capital-raising activity up to their proportionate shares. The capital plan will be implemented

through periodic subscriptions of primary common shares up to P2 billion and will be subject to regulatory approvals. In 2021, BDO Unibank recorded a 51-percent increase in its net income to hit P42.8 billion against P28.2 billion in 2020. BDO, the country’s largest lender in terms of assets, said its full year profits were buoyed by an 11 percent increase in non-interest income and normalized provisions. “This reflects the bank’s operational resiliency notwithstanding Covid-19-related headwinds depressing loan activity for much of 2021,” BDO said.

EPUTY Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon Party-list is goading the government to act and entice finance firms mulling over leaving Asia’s top financial center. Herrera-Dy issued a statement after a Bloomberg News article said foreign companies in Hong Kong are thinking of moving out as China’s special administrative region continue to post rising Covid-19 cases. “I see this as an opportunity for the Department of Trade and Industry to present the Philippines as the alternative finance hub of the Western Pacific,” she said. “We have BGC Taguig, Clark, Makati, Quezon City and Metro Cebu as prime alternative finance hubs.” According to Herrera, the Philippines’s new investor-friendly laws have made the country a much more competitive host of regional headquarters and global hubs. “This is a golden opportunity to ensure continued economic recovery and long term growth,” she added. “Nearly half of the European companies in Hong Kong plan to fully or partially relocate operations and staff out of the city, a new survey suggests, in the latest sign that the world’s toughest Covid-19 travel and quarantine restrictions are eroding the appeal of Asia’s main finance hub,” Bloomberg News reported last March 24. According to Bloomberg News, around 25 percent of responding companies said they planned to fully relocate out of Hong Kong in the next year. Citing the same survey from the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Bloomberg News said another 24 percent said they are planning to partially move out of the city. “Roughly 34 percent of firms said they were uncertain about their plans, while just 17 percent said they had no desire to relocate over the next 12 months.”

‘Win-win’

TO lure more foreign investors, President Duterte has recently signed the New Public Service Act (PSA) last March 21 and the Foreign Investment Act last March 2. Based on estimates, House Committee on Economic Affairs Chairperson Sharon

S. Garin said the new PSA law will increase foreign direct investment (FDI) to the country by around P299 billion over the next five years. “It is also expected to increase GDP [gross domestic product] growth rate by 0.47 percentage points above the baseline,” Garin said. “The goal of this law is to encourage FDIs, which will provide employment, develop resources, increase the value of exports and help fuel the overall economy,” Garin said. “When you have a good investment climate, you build more businesses that will generate more jobs and will introduce innovation to industries that needs to compete in the international market.” She added that “in the end, you give buying power to the people, have better tax collections and will help the government provide better quality of goods and services.” “It’s definitely a win-win situation,” Garin said.

New laws

THE Foreign Investments Act of 1991, or Republic Act (RA) 11647, is the law that regulates foreign investments in the Philippines. While the former law, RA 7042, allowed foreign investors to invest up to 100-percent equity in domestic market enterprises, it also set many restrictions that limited the options for many investors. In connection, the Philippines has been ranked as the third-most restrictive economy in the world based on the 2020 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report. The new Public Service Act (RA 11659) amendments, meanwhile, modified an 85-year-old act to change the legal definition of “public services” and those that are blanketed by the category of the ‘public utilities’ industry. The law now limits “public utility” to distribution and transmission of electricity, petroleum and petroleum products transmission, water distribution and wastewater systems, seaports and public utility vehicles. Under the new measure, the 40 percent cap on foreign equity ownership is lifted from public services not classified as “public utility.”

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Overcoming the impostor syndrome PHOTO BY ANNIE SPRATT ON UNSPLASH

HERE are days when I feel like all of my accomplishments are a result of a series of serendipitous events. When I was promoted to subject coordinator when I was still a teacher, I said to myself that the current one needed to focus on personal issues and I was their second option. When I was a content developer, my manager offered to make me a manager and the first thing I said was, “Why me?”—which she countered with, “Why not?” Have you ever felt this way? Many people experience doubts when it comes to their abilities and skills especially when there is deep-seated insecurity and fear. Some people find that they do not deserve their positions or status because they feel like a fraud, and sooner than later people will find out they are not who they pretend to be. This is called the impostor syndrome—the feeling that one is not as skilled or as smart as people think. When my manager listed the reasons why I was ready for the role, only then did I realize that I was capable of becoming a manager. Impostor syndrome was discovered in 1978 by Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes which they thought only affected women. Clance, together with a psychologist named Gail Matthews, conducted another experiment and they discovered that 7 out of 10 people, regardless of social status or gender, felt like impostors at some time in their profession. It can manifest at work when people attribute their success to things other than their work ethic or their skills, or when people question their own proficiency to be qualified for a promotion or a raise, even if they are. Why do we feel like a fraud? Some causes of impostor syndrome can come from your own family background. I remember I was always being compared to my other siblings and even when I did well, my siblings’ accomplishments were always better. When I was about to go into high school, my dad made me realize I knew so little and when he told me to do something, I should just do it without question. I realized that influenced me when I started working because even when I did well, there was a lingering feeling that I did not do enough. One of the best things that helped me was to be mindful of my thoughts and when I feel like an impostor. Catching yourself early on can help you

identify what triggered you to feel that way. This will help you prepare better the next time it happens, and you can think of other ways to drown out the negative voices. A way to silence your inner doubts is positive thinking. Arrest thoughts of inadequacy by listing down what you have accomplished in your professional career, or even the past year. When your manager entrusts you to do something that you have not done before, tell yourself that they trust you enough to give you the work. That, in itself, is an acknowledgment that they know you have the skills to do the work, or the necessary attitude to complete or learn from it. When you do the work, learn to differentiate doing your best from being the best. I realized that the impostor syndrome also affects the way I do work because I tend to compare myself to others, when in fact people have different skills and strengths. On the other hand, I also tend to be so hypercritical of my work that I become too engrossed in my work to the point that I have already done more than what my superior expects from me. That might be good for my evaluation, but it sets unrealistic expectations for me because I cannot always perform at that level. One of the stumbling blocks of someone suffering from impostor syndrome is the thinking that good things happen by accident. When I feel that, I say to myself that luck favors the prepared. While there may be some element of luck in my promotion or success,

I tell myself that I am where I am because of my achievements. To help you reframe your mindset, take the time to list down your achievements and use that to recognize that you are in your position because of what you have accomplished. Understand also that there is nothing wrong with being proud of your achievements. Some people who suffer from impostor syndrome think that they are just being humble when in fact they are afraid. They do their work out of fear that somebody might find out they are a fraud, so they exert extra effort to avoid being caught when, in fact, they are doing well. This boils down to your own motivation for doing well— are you doing it to develop your professional skills and competencies, or are you doing it out of fear? If it is the latter, you might need to reframe your mindset to something realistic and achievable. Otherwise, you will soon find yourself burning out from your workload. We have all experienced being a fraud one time in our careers, especially when we talk ourselves into faking it until we make it. I realized that period for me was when I switched from the academe to corporate training. While there were similar skills, I felt I lacked enough exposure and training in leading people. Another thing that helped me were my superiors who took the time to guide and support me. Find someone who can validate your efforts and your work so they can provide direction for your professional career. After discovering what impostor syndrome is, I

How messaging solutions can help improve customer experience By Etienne Dupont Editor’s note: The author is the Senior Director of Business Messaging Solutions at Rakuten Viber. THERE are many metrics or indicators that define the success of a business, and monitoring and maintaining them can help track growth and performance, identify possible issues before they even cause harm to the business, and plan ahead. And one of the indicators that companies today have been eyeing is customer experience, as it means repeat business and even more customers, something that will ensure the longevity of a brand. In fact, around 80 percent of consumers say they’d rather do business with a competitor if they’ve let down more than once, and 78 percent of customers have canceled a purchase due to a poor customer experience. And winning them back would be quite a challenge, as it’s been said that it takes 12 positive experiences to make up for a single negative one. Yet, improving customer experience proves to be quite an expensive undertaking for some companies. Providing a seamless brand experience would mean tending to their needs as quickly and efficiently as possible. No customer, especially in this age of instant gratification, would like to be put on hold. And the last thing any brand would want is a frustrated customer. For brands looking to enhance their customer experience, beefing up their presence in messaging apps would do them a great favor. Messaging apps are a convenient, sensible channel for bolstering a brand’s relationship with a customer. Firstly, they’re already installed on people’s gadgets for chatting with friends and colleagues. Meaning, there are no new apps to install, no new programs to learn, and no more sign-up details to submit. They also lend brands some sort of human touch, by allowing them to have direct, personal, and conversational interactions with customers—in real-time. Investing in business messaging solutions does pay off, as 65 percent of customers feel more positive toward brands that allow two-way messaging. What’s more, 68 percent of customers will spend more money with a brand that understands them and treats them like an individual. The key here is to take full advantage of this tool to streamline processes and drive up loyalty. Messaging solutions can be used by brands to address a customer pain point, and that is poor customer care. For starters, they can be integrated with a company’s customer relationship management or customer

data platform, so consumers no longer have to re-introduce themselves and re-enter their personal details over and over again every time a new agent speaks with them. For example, integrating Viber Business Messages with CRM or CDP will allow brands to access their customer’s history, including name, interests, previous orders, and delivery details. This simplifies things immensely, which can create a better customer experience that’s likely to generate repeat business. It lets customers start and pick up conversations when it suits them, which feels less invasive and demanding than waiting for hours while hold music plays. A business messaging solution doesn’t only help to cover orders, deliveries, and escalated concerns. Brands can also use this tool to provide store-style concierge to help customers choose the right gifts by sharing more pertinent details about a product, and offer post-sales support by sharing tips and tutorial videos about the product bought. Through business messaging, brands can also collect feedback, manage loyalty programs, promote new products, and share personalized offerings. It’s helping make the store experience real to customers. To best support users and brand conversations, Viber is also constantly developing and rolling out new features. Through Viber Business Messages, users can easily send photos, videos and different files to brands. This can help with

post-sales support like furniture assembly without a need for an in-person visit, especially in these pandemic times. They can also pin important business messages within a thread, or pin the whole conversation to the top of the main chat screen for easier and quicker access. Users can reply to specific messages inside conversations with brands, so it’s clear which product the customer is referring to. It works the other way too, enabling video sharing from brands to customers to showcase new products, explain product characteristics, provide instructions and more. A file-sharing function allows brands to send information like receipts, invoices, and booking confirmations. There’s also an auto-reply feature that works like an out of office. This way, customers can seek support from another channel, and not feel like they’ve been ghosted. When measuring business success, it seems rational to put customer experience down the list. But what many brands fail to understand is that positive customer experiences build customer confidence that can translate into additional purchases, more recommendations, and loyalty. Business messaging solutions can be a brand’s ticket to an upgraded customer care experience as it lets them help consumers through a convenient communication channel and create real conversations and meaningful relationships that strengthen the bond between customer and brand.

realized that the biggest hindrance to my professional development was me. And to overcome my feelings of inadequacy, I had to change the way I think about what I have accomplished and what I can realistically do. Overcoming the impostor syndrome is a combination of understanding how you got to where you are, and what you need to do to go where you want to be. n

5 QUESTIONS FOR THE ANXIOUS MIND

ANXIETY is the feeling of unease, worry or nervousness in anticipation of a future event or an uncertain outcome that we cannot handle. While it is a challenging internal battle, calming our anxious mind is possible. Northeast Ohio Medical University Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Dimitrios Tsatiris, M.D., a prolific published writer, mental health advocate and practicing board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in anxiety management, advised that identifying unease-provoking thought patterns is an essential step to reclaim inner peace. The Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), together with Tsatiris, both passionate about empowering others to break free from worry to reach their fullest potential, promote self-reflection and certain questions may uncover, identify and stop negative thought patterns. Here are five queries which serve as starting points to better mental health: 1. WHY AM I ANXIOUS? While it may seem like a simple question, some are unable to name the source of their worries. Identifying the cause is the first step to reducing anxiety levels. Enumerate and write down your different doubts and prioritize those that require immediate attention. 2. WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT MY FEAR WILL BECOME A REALITY? Estimate the probability that your worries will turn real. While we always treat them as impending and unavoidable, most actually have low chances of occurring. Understanding these likelihoods can calm our minds. 3. WHAT CAN I DO TO LOWER THE CHANCES? Consider reasonable steps to further lower these worries from becoming a true. This will help you focus as well as take charge of your sphere of control. 4. EVEN IF THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO WERE TO OCCUR, CAN I HANDLE IT? We have to accept the fact that some situations are unavoidable despite our best intentions to prevent it. While these may be tragic, odds are you have already overcome worst-case scenarios before. Reflecting on these experiences can guide you as you face present and future challenges. They likewise serve as evidence of your ability to persevere. 5. WHAT IS THE COST OF ANXIETY? It is accepted that we often fixate on what can go wrong. But avoidance behavior can affect personal growth. It hinders us from reaching our fullest potential.

B6 Wednesday, March 30, 2022

KPS Project Water brings clean drinking water

#BreakTheBias: Grab empowers female drivers and delivery-partners

FEMALE drivers and delivery partners take the spotlight this International Women’s Month as they #BreakTheBias on the road, from left: Ellice Mae Fabian Atilano, Rachel Rotante-Navarroza, Gina Dayao, and Ann Justine Salo Millare.

N celebration of the International Women’s Month, Grab Philippines reaffirms its commitment in “Breaking the Bias” and promoting gender equality and women empowerment as it supports its female drivers, and deliverypartners to rise above the day-to-day challenges of being women on the road. In line with Grab’s mission of providing inclusive livelihood opportunities, the Philippines’ leading superapp is doublingdown its efforts to have more female representation within its driver and delivery-partner communities. For prospective female deliverypartners, Grab’s Partner Centers across Metro Manila provides end-to-end assistance from application to onboarding, while female driver-partners can access any of the Grab Driver Centers across the country for any assistance or concerns they may have as they start their journey. For delivery-partner Ellice Mae Fabian Atilano, Grab opened the doors for a single mom like her to pursue her dreams for her son. “Grab helped me a lot not only financially but also emotionally, as Grab gave light to my darkest days. I am very thankful because I was able to provide everything for my son and my family, while being able to meet different people and experience new things. As a single mother and a woman fighting for my child, Grab gave me an opportunity to prove myself and help my family at the

same time,” Atilano shared. Meanwhile, for Rachel RotanteNavarroza of Davao City, being a deliverypartner allowed her to wear many hats— all while also augmenting her family’s income alongside her husband who’s also a Grab delivery-partner. “It was actually my husband’s idea to get me a driver’s license and a motorcycle, but then eventually, I decided to become a Grab rider, too. I found it as a blessing to our family because it helped us with our daily needs and allowed me to spend more time with my family,” RotanteNavarroza shared. For driver-partner Gina Dayao, the surprise of her passengers is usually accompanied by relief, with some passengers feeling more comfortable and safe with a female driver behind the wheel. “Most of them were really surprised that women can also do traditionally-male jobs as well, and people sometimes still ask me if female Grab drivers really exist! A lot of elderly and female passengers wish to have more female drivers because they feel more comfortable, safe, and they’re satisfied with the service as they are accompanied to their destination,” Dayao said. Seeing women taking on roles in the male-dominated transport industry helps empower female passengers as well, as observed by driver-partner Ann Justine Salo Millare. “Most passengers admire my guts and

will to do Grab, and some would even ask why I’m doing it—they can’t believe that I was able to utilize my SUV as a GrabCar! I always get comments from female passengers saying that they wish they also had the courage to drive, and I would encourage them and explain the benefits of driving, then they say, Girl Power is real!” Millare shared.

Prioritizing safety and security

GIVEN the nature of the job, Grab provides all drivers and delivery-partners with the necessary tools and tech to keep themselves safe on the road and ensures the legitimacy of every booking they get. Through the Grab Help Center, each driver and delivery-partner has access to dedicated emergency hotlines, 24/7 driver assistance, and ensuring the accurate location of merchants and customers for every booking made on the app. “At Grab, we are committed to ensuring that all our drivers and deliverypartners have access to meaningful livelihood opportunities through our tech and platform—regardless of their gender. In line with our mission to make life better for every Filipino, we believe that by empowering our female drivers and delivery-partners, we enable them to break the bias that exists in this line of work, as we advance our advocacy for gender equality in the industry,” says Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz.

The Rotary Club of San Juan Neopolitan, District 3800, unveils the biggest elevated Rotary Wheel marker

HE Rotary Club of San Juan Neopolitan, District 3800, unveiled the biggest back-to-back elevated Rotary Wheel Marker last February 19, 2022 which was presided by Life Changing President Herminigildo “Cata” Cataluña, Jr. of Rotary Club of San Juan Neopolitan, with Life Changing Governor Augusto “Augie” Soliman, District 3800 as Guest of Honor and Speaker. Witnessing the unveiling were Regional Rotary Public Image Coordinator PDG Reynaldo “Rey” Castillo, Assistant Regional Rotary Public Image Coordinator IPDG Anthony “Tonipi” Paruñgao.

Assistant Regional Rotary Public Image Coordinator and Chief of Staff PP Johun Joshua “Josh” Santos, District Secretary for Operations Dante Verano, District Secretary for Programs Manolito “Lito” Sese, Senior Assistant Governor Mari Claire dela Rosa, our very own Assistant Governor Rodrigo Gutierrez, District Public Image Chairperson PP Pleshette “Pleshy” Wee, District Public Image Vice Chair Flor Sabino. The marker was built to commemorate the exemplary performances and accomplishments amassed by the Club for the Rotary Year 2021-2022. It will

also serve as a token of unrelenting support of the Club to the Annual Outreach Program to the indigent residents of Barangay Bignay 2, Sariaya, Quezon. Likewise, the project was conceptualized to promote the Rotary International Logo taking into account the thousands of motorists traversing the newly constructed National Hi-way known as the “Eco-Tourism Road” going to and from Manila, Northern part of Luzon and Bicol Region up to the Southern Regions of the Philippines. The Rotary Club of San Juan Neopolitan is such a new and growing club of District 3800 composing of young professionals, bankers, businessmen and law enforcers. The club was originally chartered on June 24, 2014, under the leadership of charter member and World Class President Anthony R. Arroyo. Under his stint, the club quickly became active in all the activities. He initiated the major service projects at San Juan City and was able to expand the reach at Brgy. Bignay 2, Sariaya, Quezon which was adopted by the Past Presidents and became the annual outreach project up to present. Over the past 7 years of existence, the Club consistently bagged several awards and was hailed as one of the Most Outstanding Clubs, aside from other commendations given by District 3800 and of Rotary International.

HE UAE has one of the highest rates of bottled water consumption in the world. Coupled with a lack of recycling facilities, this means that millions of plastic water bottles are dumped into landfills every day. And it can take over 700 years for a single use plastic water bottle to degrade. Which is why, just over a year ago, Dubai-based interior construction company KPS decided to stop landfilling and start refilling: Project Water was born. Five hundred KPS staff across the Middle East and Europe received refillable water flasks and all workplaces were equipped with water coolers. Not only did the company save excess plastic waste, but it also saved money on plastic bottle purchases. Those savings have now been used to install an AquaTower in Baguio, Philippines, which marked the UN World Water Day on 22 March 2022. The AquaTower’s technology removes bacteria, protozoa, viruses, pathogens, and other contaminants. It will provide children from the Jose P. Rizal Elementary School, and surrounding community members, with crystal-clean drinking water for generations to come. Mark Steele, Founder and CEO of Planet

Water Foundation who developed the AquaTower, said: “I am beyond thankful for the support we receive from our corporate partners, like KPS. By bringing clean drinking water to communities in need, we are drastically improving the health and quality of life for thousands of individuals who can now turn their attention to other aspects of life instead of having this challenge continue to be an ongoing concern.” In addition to clean drinking water, the KPS project will also provide sanitation infrastructure, with handwashing stations integrated into the base of the AquaTower. KPS staff are also supporting an activitybased education programme at the school, to empower children and their teachers with more knowledge about water health and hygiene.

Sun Life bolsters initiatives to fight diabetes

S the Filipino’s partner in health, Sun Life Philippines (Sun Life) is ramping up its fight against diabetes. The efforts kick off with the launch of the Sun Life Diabetes Corner. These will be integrated in the recently established Sun Life Barangay Health Stations (SLBHS), an initiative of the Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), and will be piloted in Barangay Pansol, Taal, Batangas. The Diabetes Corner will integrate a

diabetes program in the SLBHS to promote awareness and prevention. Basic medical services such as blood sugar screening will be provided for pre-diabetic patients. Healthy diet options will also be shared to diabetic patients to help them better manage their condition. “Diabetes prevention is a global advocacy for Sun Life. We remain optimistic that with proper education and access to basic medical services, patients will triumph over this debilitating illness,” says Benedict Sison, Country Head and CEO of Sun Life. “We are grateful for this chance to help our countrymen live healthier and brighter lives.” To reach even more Filipinos, Sun Life will also activate the “Sun Life Wellness on Wheels,” a mobile diabetes clinic that will go on a caravan to partner communities to conduct blood sugar screening, offer free consultation, and share relevant information. Moreover, Sun Life, in cooperation with Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance, will also launch the SUNPIOLOGY Family Challenge to make health and wellness a shared goal among families as they fight diabetes. All these align with Sun Life’s current campaign dubbed “Partner in Health,” which aims to encourage more Filipinos to live healthier lives for a brighter future.

ASC welcomes its 2022 Board of Directors

HE Ad Standards Council (ASC) celebrates its 14th anniversary and induction of its Board of Trustees on March 31, 2022 at the Makati Diamond Hotel. Honorable Ruth B. Castelo, UnderSecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Protection Group, would be the inducting officer. The ASC is the advertising industry's selfregulatory body that reviews advertising and

brand communications materials to safeguard consumers' interest by promoting the highest ethical standards across all media. ASC works together with partners the Department of Trade and Industry, the Food and Drug Administration, and other government regulatory bodies. Also featured at the event is Lloyd Luna, author and international motivational speaker.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 B7

Women in real estate By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

ilipinas have absolutely played a stellar role in the growth of the country’s property sector. The BusinessMirror interviewed three of the movers and shakers who have made their mark in the sector.

Pioneering effort After pioneering efforts to enter the low-cost housing market and introducing solar power to the mass housing market, Imperial Homes Corp. (IHC) President and CEO Emma Imperial recently achieved another milestone when the International Finance Corp. (IFC) of the World Bank (WB) awarded her company as the world’s first recipient of the Building Resilience Index (BRI) certification for affordable housing. Furthermore, the WB and IFC cited IHC as a model for Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) green building certification. Imperial is very happy that the Philippine property sector, which was previously dominated by men, is now populated with Filipinas who are introducing numerous innovations to the Philippine property sector, creating a sustainable landscape for future generations. “The Filipinas’ creative ideas rooted in their gentle and motherly love create efficient and potent solutions to address significant concerns

Emma Imperial, President and CEO of Imperial Homes

the property sector and society face today,” Imperial said. “My company, Imperial Homes Corporation, is pioneering innovative developments by incorporating sustainable and resilient technologies like Solar and Connovate. Our main goal is to mitigate climate change, alleviate poverty and reduce housing backlogs while uplifting the Filipinos’ housing and living standards. We innovated the houses for low income and mid cost to be world class sustainable resilient homes which are certified by IFC, EDGE and BRI,” she explained.

Empowering is her business Lobien Realty Group CEO Sheila Lobien says women tend to thrive in realestate brokerage because they have patience and understanding, tend to be more detail-oriented to ensure all angles are covered and more sensitive when dealing with clients—which she thinks is innate for women. Lobien, the current chairperson

Lobien Realty Group CEO Sheila Lobien

of the Women in Business Committee of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP), walks the talk on empowering women as the founding director of the Global Woman Club Philippines, which aims to unite professional women around the world, regardless of their age, culture, or race and to encourage them to stand in their power, invest in themselves and grow their skills and abilities by learning and leadership development. “As an advocate for women empowerment, this topic is something I am truly passionate about,” Lobien said. Lobien stressed women have always been involved in the real-estate industry since the very beginning, performing administrative tasks or clerical works back in the office, helping behind the scenes in building the foundation of the Philippine real-estate that continues to amaze Filipinos in the 21st century. She adds women are attracted to work in real estate brokerage because

Airspeed chairman and president Rosemary Rafael

of convenience, a lucrative endeavor and builds connections through socials, friendships and business meetings. “So, the opportunities or impact of real-estate brokerage for women is very positive as much as women being able to positively impact the real-estate industry through their participation,” she said. As its chairman and president of logistics firm Airspeed, Rosemarie Rafael’s story continues to inspire Filipinas because she broke the stereotypes in a male dominated corporate world in the 1980s. She recalled that she did not go head-to-head with men. “The men in the industry when I started, underestimated women as it is a norm that men dominate this industry and women are just followers. One has to work doubly hard to be able to prove that they can do it. The ultimate acceptance I received was when I was elected as the first woman president of the Air Cargo For-

warders Association in the 90s,” Rafael told the BusinessMirror. Being a true advocate of women, 66 percent of Airspeed’s senior management team are females. Rafael has come a long way since then. Just recently, she was chosen as the new President of the Women’s Business Council Philippines Inc. (WomenBizPH). Serving as the platform to discuss women’s issues in business and possible government policies and solutions, WomenBizPH is the lead private sector partner of the government, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Commission on Women, and represents the Philippines in Apec and Asean events. Rafael is proud of the role of women of Airspeed in elevating the company to its current stature. “The women of Airspeed are trustworthy, dependable, devoted, relentless and nurturing and that they have a good combination of toughness to withstand the challenges, and a heart to serve our stakeholders.”

many sustainable and eco-efficient features such as its own rainwater collection system, 100 percent glass ratio (double-glazed) that allows for abundant natural light, double low E windows, and uses energy-efficient LED lights. Potential tenants will also find many commercial establishments, academic institutions, and transportation terminals surrounding the tower. Helping attract the right tenants who seek convenient, all-in-one office spaces in the Metro, Ortigas Land

has partnered with well-known international real estate brokers, Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) and JLL Philippine. Through its partner brokers, potential tenants of GH Tower can experience smooth transactions for those looking to invest and find a home for flourishing businesses. GH Tower, the first office address at the heart of Greenhills Center, is on track to be completed in May 2023. For more information, visit www.ortigas.com.ph.

Breaking the stereotype

Ortigas Land introduces GH Tower

The newest GH Tower transforms Greenhills Center into a shop-live-work-play destination for San Juan City

AN JUAN CITY, Philippines— Welcoming a new phase of commerce where connections are made and businesses thrive, premier property developer Ortigas Land introduces GH Tower, its first office address at the heart of Greenhills Center in San Juan City. Greenhills Center, currently undergoing a redevelopment plan, revitalizes and transforms the community into a complete one-stop destination that combines shop-live-work-play amenities for productive and wellrounded individuals. With the addition of GH Tower, Greenhills Center rises to be a prime back-to-office location providing full convenience, bringing all of one’s needs in a centralized location. GH Tower is built with a modern and flexible design that addresses all potential needs of business sectors, making it an ideal workspace for BPOs, traditional offices, as well as multinational companies. The tower has 15 floors dedicated for office space (from the 6th to the 21st floor), with the 6th floor directly connected to Phase 1 of Greenhills Mall for convenient accessibility to establishments in the area. GH Tower offers many community features, forming a productive work force to flourish as businesses reopen and spur greater economic recovery. Community features include pedes-

trian-friendly developments bringing walkable spaces everywhere, with close proximity to the Greenhills Mall, Unimart, restaurants, and even a chapel. The location of this conducive office address also provides a convenient commute with access to the transport terminal along Ortigas Avenue and future MRT-4 station. Another feature of the tower is a hotel-like lobby on the ground floor where professionals are greeted with a green wall feature. The 6th floor lobby which provides a direct connection to

the mall also provides access to more green and open spaces where individuals can explore an alfresco dining area and a roof deck garden. GH Tower serves as a perfect investment opportunity due to its security and health features such as facial recognition in all access points, thermal checks, and is located in a secure estate. In terms of location, the tower itself is primed to become even more accessible to several destinations due to the ongoing government infrastructure developments. GH Tower also has

Sports

CHOCO MUCHO’S Denden Lazaro, Des Cheng, Bea de Leon, Kat Tolentino and Pauline Gaston celebrate their victory.

BusinessMirror

| Wednesday, March 30, 2022

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

HOCO MUCHO put up a tenacious net defense in the decider and with three straight block points survived a stubborn PLDT, 25-21, 23-25, 29-31, 25-15, 15-11, on Tuesday to advance to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Flying V Arena. The Flying Titans failed in using their power game against the High Speed Hitters and behind Aduke Ogunsanya, Isa Molde and Bea de Leon, foiled three of their foes’ attacks in the pressure-packed stretch to nail the semifinals sweat-clinching win. Two of those blocks were on Chin Chin Basas, giving the Flying Titans a 12-9 cushion before Kat Tolentino fired his 19th and last kill as Choco Mucho moved to match point on a Fiona Ceballos miscue. But just when they thought they had heard the last of the High Speed Hitters, Basas redeemed herself and banged away back-to-back hits. But the Flying Titans found no need to counter with another hit or put another solid defense as Jules Samonte’s backrow attack slammed into the net. That sparked a wild celebration from the twice-to-beat Choco Mucho side to the delight of majority of the crowd who cheered the Flying Titans no end for their resiliency and determination while acknowledging the High Speed

GINEBRA, MERALCO EYE FINALS

By Josef Ramos

ARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco eye semifinals series-clinching wins over separate opponents for a possible return trip for both teams in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Ginebra and Meralco clashed in the last Governors Cup played before the Covid-19 pandemic with the Gin Kings winning the series, 4-1. On Wednesday, the Gin Kings and the Bolts could find themselves facing each other again if they beat their respective Game 4 opponents at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—Ginebra against NLEX at 3 p.m. and Meralco against Magnolia at 6 p.m. Ginebra missed sweeping its best-of-five series—no thanks to a rare mental lapse by veteran guard LA Tenorio—after it yielded a close 85-86 loss to NLEX in Game 3 two nights ago. “That’s all we’re going to do, we’re going to put it away and move on [from Game 3 loss],” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said. Import Justin Brownlee is the leading scorer in the semifinals with a 28.6 points average, while adding 11.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists across his name. Scottie Thompson is sporting a 15 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists average for Ginebra also in semifinals. But NLEX won’t be napping on Wednesday afternoon. “We would want to prolong the series, the longer the series, the better for us,” NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said. “We have a deeper rotation than them so we can last a longer series.” With Tony Bishop churning in divine numbers, Meralco’s on the crest of getting a shot at avenging its Finals loss to Ginebra in 2019. But coach Norman Black knows complacency can turn his Bolts off.

‘CHOCO’ GALS NAIL HARD-EARNED WIN Hitters’ heads-up play all game. PLDT actually outhit Choco Mucho, 65-62, but the Flying Titans used their ceiling to the hilt, coming through with 10 block points against their rivals’ two while at the same time bucking their struggle on reception that had them yielding 10 aces to the High Speed Hitters. The Flying Titans, however, pounced on the High Speed Hitters’ miscues and scored 43 while yielding 26 errors of their own. “When we fell behind, 1-2, I told my players that it will boil down to

mental toughness and their faith in the system and in their teammates, which they did,” Choco Mucho coach Oliver Almadro said. “That’s why in the fourth set, they played better and luckily the Lord gave us the strength to win this game.” The victory sealed a Cignal-Choco Mucho Final Four duel on Friday with Creamline, which dethroned inaugural pro league champion Chery Mucho last Monday, set to face the winner in the last quarterfinals pairing pitting twiceto-beat Petro Gazz and F2 Logistics that was played late Tuesday.

Ramirez sees end to Obiena-Patafa squabble on April Fools Day Friday

HIS Friday won’t be anywhere close to “April Fools Day” with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez strongly hinting of a silver lining in the Ernest John “EJ” ObienaPhilippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) crisis that messed up both the world-ranked pole vaulter and the national sports association when almost everything else in sports are turning out well in the new normal. “We are almost there,” Ramirez told dozens of reporters who attended on Tuesday afternoon the PSC’s first faceto-face press conference in two years where it welcomed a delegation from the Bangsamoro Sports Commission at the PSC Offices inside the Rizal Memorial

Sports Complex in Manila. The PSC is spearheading the mediation procedure between Obiena and Patafa and its president, Philip Ella Juico, and although the participants vowed to observe confidentiality in the exercise, Ramirez offered a peek of the negotiation’s possible outcome. “There are four or five issues that were discussed, and I think there are three that we will succeed [in resolving,” Ramirez said. “I’m very positive by Friday, on April 1—not an April Fool’s day—that we will be successful.” “I am praying and hoping the Patafa leadership will agree to some of the possible competitions to be given to EJ Obiena,” he added. The Patafa turned down Obiena’s

PSC strengthen ties with Bangsamoro SC

HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) strengthened its link with the Bangsamoro Sports Commission (BSC) in a faceto-face courtesy visit by a delegation from Mindanao at the PSC offices inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Tuesday. “Our commission is here to foster and cement a strong and solid linkage with one of the country’s formidable institutions—the PSC,” BSC Chairperson Nu-Man Caludtiag told a press conference. “Our goals and passion to build interest and develop Filipino sports is very similar. Just as PSC, the BSC is committed to transforming the Bangsamoro people into a healthy citizen through various commendable sports development programs.” The BSC is the policy-making and coordinating body for all amateur sports development programs and institutions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It was created in September 17, 2020, through the Bangsamoro Au-

PBA thrillers at Big Dome BARANGAY Ginebra will try again, but Meralco will do it for the first time. Although blunted on Sunday, the Gin Kings are still favored to defeat the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday

tonomy Act No. 12 or “The Bangsamoro Sports Commission Act of 2020.” “The core vision of Bangsamoro is easily a journey and I think it’s a celebration that during this administration, they’re almost there,” said PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez after the two-hour courtesy visit. “You have your own flag, your own vision, your own office not only in Mindanao but also in Makati and you are negotiating with other countries so there’s great hope.” PSC Women in Sports Oversight Commissioner Celia Kiram also expressed her support for BSC especially in starting their program on women in sports. “I hope I can share you more and do something to encourage our Muslim women to be in sports,” Kiram said. “The potential of women in sports is that vast.” The PSC and BSC brass also staged a ceremonial tree planting activity as a symbol of friendship and stronger relationship.

for a 3-1 clincher and advance to the finals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup. After making it two straight against Magnolia in Sunday’s opener for a 2-1 lead in their own race-to-three semis series, Meralco suddenly finds itself on the verge of another finals appearance in the same conference. The key to it is Tony Bishop, Meralco’s machine of an import, who fired 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in helping the Bolts bag a 101-95 Game 3 triumph and move to within a win of barging into the best-of-seven title showdown. “This game is like the turning point for both teams,” said Meralco coach Norman Black of Game 3. “…that if we could win the game, it will give us a much better chance at making it to the championship.” Not to belittle NLEX’s 86-85 win over Ginebra on Sunday but breaks didn’t go the Gin Kings’ way at crunch time. With the score tied at 83, NLEX took the lead on a threepoint play by import Cameron Clark, 86-83, seven seconds remaining.

PLDT, which placed third in Group B play in the prelimianries, surprised Choco Mucho with its poise and resolve, fighting back from a first set meltdown as they blew a six-point lead and lost by four, with a big win in the second frame. The High Speed Hitters then pulled off an improbable escape in the crucial third set that saw them survive eight set points before prevailing in the longest set disputed thus far in the two-week long tournament of the league organized by Sports Vision. request for endorsement to four major competitions this year—the already done world indoors in Belgrade, Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games in May, world championships in Oregon in July and Hangzhou 19th Asian Games in September. Ramirez revealed that in the course of the mediation, the Patafa agreed to endorse Obiena to the SEA Games. But what is important is what both parties have achieved during the fourth day of mediation that started last March 7. And Ramirez believes Patafa and Obiena would end their rift on Friday “100 percent” at the last day of the mediation. “From zero to 99.5 percent, it’s huge from nothing,” said Ramirez, describing how the mediation has gone from an initial meeting last March 7 and three more meetings after that. “I have seen the enormous softening and the transformation of both sides for the sake of Philippine sports. It was a learning lesson.” Josef Ramos

PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr., Deputy Executive Director Merlita Ibay, Acting Deputy Executive Director Anna Christine Abellana and Chief of Staff Marc Edward Velasco joined the meeting. With Caludtiag were BSC Commissioners Arsalan Diamaoden (Lanao del Sur), Abdulkhabir Musa (Tawi-Tawi) Yushoup Sario (Basilan) and Adzhar Tingkahan (Sulu) and Sports Consultant Emmanuel Rene Ayo.

Perpetual Help Altas surprise coach with rout of Bombers

NIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA made short work of Jose Rizal University, 77-56, to earn its first win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament on Tuesday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym. Coach Myk Saguiguit, who took over from Frankie Lim during the Covid-19 pandemic, was surprised with the way his Altas performed in their season opener. “I didn’t expect the result, maybe it’s because of the players getting excited to finally play after two years,” Saguiguit said. “It’s the players’ effort—its their chemistry and their relationship with the coaches.” Veteran Kim Aurin came through

with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists while Jeff Egan finally made his debut for Perpetual Help and finished with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Jielo Razon was solid in orchestrating plays for the Altas with 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. He had a game-high +27 efficiency inside the court. Saguiguit said he hopes that his team gets better as the tournament progresses. “It’s a short season, every game counts,” he said. “The struggle is on the players getting a rest because of the compact schedule.” JM Delos Santos led the Heavy Bombers with 17 points, six rebounds and four steals while rookie Jason Celis added 11 points.

Ildefonso, Tio lead Blue Eagles to 2-0 record at Tams’ expense

AVE ILDEFONSO and Tyler Tio scattered 17 points each as Ateneo beat Far Eastern University (FEU) to go 2-0 won-lost in its bid for a fourth-straight crown in University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball action on Tuesday. Naturalized big man Ange Koume tallied nine points and 11 rebounds also for the Blue Eagles as the UAAP wound up Day 2 of its comeback season in an eerily cavernous but quiet Mall of Asia Arena where fans and students are barred from entering. “It’s really tough game. But you always get that with Olsen [Racela] and his team,” said Balwin, referring to FEU coach Racela, an Ateneo alumnus. “They’re just a tough organization and they don’t give anything away easily and that’s what happened today.” The Blue Eagles almost squandered a 63-42 thirdquarter lead after the

Tamaraws narrowed the gap to 66-72 deficit with four and a half minutes remaining. Ildefonso made a triple to stretch his team’s lead to 75-66 with three minutes to go and the Blue Eagles’ defense clamped down on the Tamaraws the rest of the way. RJ Abarrientos had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists and Emman Ojuola booked 15 points and 17 rebounds for the Tamaraws who dropped to a 1-1 record. Adamson University routed University of the East (UE), 82-66, for its first win of the season with Jerom Lastimosa posting 14 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting. The Red Warriors fell to 0-2. De La Salle defeated National University, 59-55, for back-to-back wins also on Tuesday, sending the Bulldogs to a 1-1 record. Josef Ramos

THE Blue Eagles’ SJ Belangel engages his Tamaraw defender in intense action.

Cebu Chooks! vies in Dubai 3x3

HE new-look Cebu Chooks! is one of eight teams that will compete in the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) 3x3 Dubai Expo Super Quest on Thursday. The Super Quest is a level eight—out of a possible 10 tournament—and will serve as a qualifier for a World Tour stop that has yet to be revealed by Fiba 3x3. “Fiba 3x3’s invitation came as a sur-

COACH Aldin Ayo (center) poses with Cebu Chooks players Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, Brandon Ramirez and Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu. Clark, who fouled out midway into the fourth quarter of a Game 2 loss for a 2-0 Ginebra lead, played hero by stealing a careless pass by the usually steady L.A. Tenorio. The burly import converted it into a three-point shocker, completing the and-one from almost a duty foul by fellow import Justin Brownlee. After Tenorio laid up on the return play instead of going for a possible game-tying three that would have necessitated a five-minute overtime, the Ginebra mainstay was in remorse mode and was almost inconsolable as he took the blame for the loss. I’m glad for Yeng Guiao, the fiery NLEX coach. By bagging a reprieve of sorts, he could be motivated to do more and, who knows, he might proceed to level the count—and even gorge Ginebra’s title-retention bid in the end. Because now that the Road Warriors are just a game behind after being precariously shoved into a cliff’s edge, NLEX could be a shark that has smelled blood in its 3 p.m. date with Ginebra.

prise as it only reached us last weekend,” Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas said. “But we never turn down any challenge that’s why we accepted it.” “And of course, we are at crunch time in racking up valuable Fiba 3x3 points in order to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics,” said Mascariñas, whose company Chooks-to-Go is a global partner.” Some of the world’s top teams will compete in the tournament— world No. 2 Antwerp (Belgium), No. 3 Liman (Serbia), No. 4 Riga (Latvia), No. 9 San Juan (Puerto Rico), No. 10 Lausanne (Switzerland), Chicago (USA) and a team from Dubai. Composing the Aldin Ayo-coached Cebu Chooks are Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, Brandon Ramirez and Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu. The eight teams will be divided into two pools of four with the top two teams advancing to the knockout semifinals on the same day. Cebu Chooks is pooled with Riga (7:25 p.m. Manila time), Chicago (9:30 p.m.) and Antwerp (11:35 p.m.).

As the saying goes, one never knows what the future holds. But back to the Magnolia-Meralco contest. Paul Lee was literally Magnolia’s MIA (missing in action) in Game 3, dropping five puny points even as he admitted an aching ankle was not an alibi. His “Lethal” moniker has become “Little?” Little contribution? “I don’t want to make that (ankle) as an alibi,” said Lee, “but it keeps bothering me.” It better not be a bother in the 6 p.m. HotshotBolt encounter today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Otherwise, Meralco will pounce on it, forcing Magnolia to kiss its title hopes goodbye. THAT’S IT What’s taking the Commission on Audit so long to scrutinize EJ Obiena’s liquidation papers, a quick ending of it could yet hasten the resolution of the Philip Ella Juico-Obiena rift? The nation is losing its patience.