BusinessMirror May 27, 2022

‘Delaying PIT cuts, new taxes to fuel inflation’

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

E

XPERTS have expressed concern that the Department of Finance’s (DOF) proposed deferment of the second tranche of personal income tax (PIT) rate reduction and the imposition of new taxes may lead to an increase in the prices of goods.

De La Salle University economics professor Maria Ella Oplas said she is “not in favor” of the proposed three-year deferment of the scheduled second tranche cut in PIT rate under the fiscal consolidation plan presented by the DOF, as this will affect the public’s consumption and further drive inflation.

She explained: If the second

the World »a7

StateS divided on gun controlS, even aS maSS ShootingS riSe

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

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

tranche of reduction of PIT rates is implemented next year as scheduled under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, compensation income earners with a net taxable income of over P250,000 will be paying an even lower income tax compared to what was implemented since 2018.

“A higher take-home pay will allow people to spend more, so it forfeits the objective of reinvigorating the economy,” Oplas told BusinessMirror in a message.

“Inflation will be budgetary-driven and cost-push. Meaning, prices will go up because of government spending and rising cost of production, not by demand,” she added, speaking partly in Filipino.

Moreover, Oplas said implement-

ing the second tranche of reduction in PIT rates could lift up the situation of ordinary citizens.

UnionBank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion agreed with Oplas that the deferment will affect consumption.

“One thing that stood up to me was the delay of the tax cuts from TRAIN. Of course, that has an impact on consumption, and this affects you and me,” he told BusinessMirror.

Growth must outpace debt

The DOF on Wednesday unveiled its proposed fiscal consolidation plan with a set of measures aimed to generate an annual average of nearly P350 billion per year from 2023 to 2027 in a bid to help the country outgrow its debt at a faster

rate. Apart from the three-year deferment of the second tranche of reduction of PIT rate from 2023 until 2025, the plan proposes the expansion of the value-added tax (VAT) base, removal of VAT exemptions except for some sectors, and possible VAT rate reduction, among others.

ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Mapa also told BusinessMirror that imposing new taxes generally leads to higher prices of commodities and affects the momentum of the country’s economic growth.

"New taxes generally increase prices and lower disposable income, which could sap some consumption and growth momentum," Mapa said.

See “Delaying,” A2

BusinessMirror Abroader broaderlook lookat attoday’s today’sbusiness business A broader look at today’s business A

EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS

BUSINESSNEWS NEWS BUSINESS SOURCEOFOFTHE THEYEAR YEAR SOURCE

(2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2018 BANTOG MEDIA AWARDS 2018 BANTOG MEDIA AWARDS

STABILIZING FOOD, FUEL PRICES TOP BBM AGENDA P www.businessmirror.com.ph www.businessmirror.com.ph www.businessmirror.com.ph

Sunday, December 2021 Vol. 17No. No. Friday,December May 27, 2022 Vol. 17Vol. No.17231

Sunday, 5,5,2021 5858

P25.00nationwide nationwide|||222sections sections12 12pages pages|||777DAYS DAYSAaAWEEK WEEK P25.00 nationwide sections 28 pages days week P25.00

nnn

Diokno heads DOF; Marcos names DTI, DPWH chiefs

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

RESIDENTELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. said stabilizing the prices of food, fuel and power tops his administration’s agenda once he starts his term next month.

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

P

R ESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced the line-up of most of his economic team tasked to address the country’s mounting economic woes.

In a televised press conference, Marcos said he will appoint Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno to head his economic team as Finance Secretary.

“I will be nominating our BSP president Ben Diokno for the position of Secretary of Finance. He has already agreed. We already talked about it. And he has agreed to it,” Marcos said.

Diokno previously served as the Budget and Management Secretary of President Duterte before his stint in BSP.

‘DIGITAL DIASPORA’

In a televised interview on Thursday, a day after his proclamation by Congress, Marcos said he plans to address rising food prices by boosting agricultural production through the importation of more farm inputs such as urea fertilizers.

“Since the production was not sufficient to keep the prices down to an affordable level, we have to import,” Marcos said.

“We have to bring down the price of inputs if we are going to increase production,” he added.

Meanwhile, Diokno’s vacated position in BSP will be filled up by Felipe M. Medalla, a former director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

“He [Medalla] will take on the unexpired term [of Diokno]. The term of the present BSP president in this case is until July,” Marcos said.

Also joining Marcos’s economic team is former University of the Philippines President Alfred E. Pascual to head the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Marcos said Manuel “Manny” M. Bonoan, who will serve as his Public Works Secretary, will also be part of his economic team.

“He has spent almost all his professional life in the DPWH. I know him very well. So I know he will do a good job,” Marcos said.

See “DOF,” A2

DIOKNO VOWS CONTINUITY AT DOF POST

By Bianca Cuaresma

ment to the DOF, Diokno will to implement this in his leadercut short his term as BSP chief, ship in the DOF. which was scheduled to end “Prior to the pandemic, the HREE years after being in July 2023. Such unexpired Philippines was poised to tranAspiration appointed Bangko Senterm will in turn be filled by sition into an upper-middle-inUpon assuming the presidency, he said tral ng Pilipinas (BSP) former National Economic and come economy, thanks largely he is considering negotiations with othgovernor, Benjamin Diokno is Development Authority (Neda) to sound economic policies put er countries to buy in bulk or to someset to prematurely step out of chief Felipe Medalla, who is a in place over decades by mulhow defer payment, for the said inputs. the Central Bank’s walls and Monetary Board member at tiple administrations. As the During his campaign, Marcos said head the country’s Finance present. country transitions to the next the high prices of urea fertilizers, which Department under the new adDiokno was appointed by administration, it is my view showsofofproducts, products,with withhosts hostsand and ByManuel ManuelT.T.Cayon Cayon consumers become more discernrange from P2,800 to P3,000, contribute ministration. outgoing President Duterte as that continuity of sound macro shows By consumers become more discernguestsproviding providingmore moredetails detailsand and ingand andconnected, connected,in we areseeing seeing to a high cost of production for farmDiokno formally announced ing BSP Governor March 2019 and fiscal policies is important guests we are giving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening giving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening ers, which they have to pass to their as on Thursday that he has acafter former governor Nestor to achieve the stronger postwouldalso alsohelp helpbrands brandsininthe retailsector sector thatcompletely completely ItItwould retail that a long-term solution, the former senacepted the incoming admin- ininthe Espenilla Jr. passed away.

Covid Philippine economy that novateon onflexible flexiblesales salespromopromoreimagine thestatement, shopping experiexperinovate the shopping tor said he plans to implement reforms istration’s offer to serve as its reimagine In his Diokno we all aim for,” Diokno said. tions,such suchasasgiving givingdiscounts, discounts, ence,” GunjanSoni, Soni, chief executive tions, Gunjan executive in agriculture such as providing better Department of Finance (DOF) ence,” emphasized thechief importance of and offering easier and attracofficer of the Zalora Group, told an and offering easier and attracofficer of the Zalora Group, told an See “Diokno,” A2 financing to farmers. secretary. With his appoint“policy continuity” and vowed tivepayment paymentoptions optionssuch suchasasthe the onlinepresentation presentationofofits itsTrender Trender tive online buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) (BNPL) opopReport2021.

2021. buy-now-pay-later Report See “Stabilizing,” A2 tion,which, which,ititsaid, said,emerged emergedasas Shedescribed describedthe the“shoppers “shoppersofof tion, She themost mostpopular popularoption optionamong among tomorrow”asas“digital “digitaland anddiverse diverse the tomorrow” Asian shoppers. across Southeast Asia.”

Asian shoppers. across Southeast Asia.” n US 52.3490 n japan 0.4115 n UK 65.8707 n HK 6.6688 n CHINA 7.8203 n singapore 38.0665 n australia 37.0945 n EU 55.9244 n SAUDI arabia 13.9564 Source: BSP (May 26, 2022) Indonesia, for for example, example, “It’s a a digital digital diaspora,” diaspora,” she she InIn Indonesia, “It’s Google saw saw a a “10x “10x increase increase inin said,citing citingGoogle Googletrend trendmonitormonitorGoogle said, searchesfor fore-wallet e-walletservices servicesand and ingthat thatshows shows40 40million millionnew newInInsearches ing 15xrise riseininBNPL BNPLservices servicesininthe the ternetusers userscame cameonline onlineinin2021, 2021, 15x ternet lastfive fiveyears. years.Other Otherappealing appealing “bringingthe theinternet internetpenetration penetration last “bringing payment options options like like monthly monthly SoutheastAsia Asiatoto75 75percent.” percent.” payment ininSoutheast installments,toto00percent percentinterinter“Infact, fact,eight eightout outofof10 10InterInterinstallments, “In estfees feeson oncredit creditcards, cards,provide provide netusers usersininthe theregion regionare aredigidigiest net access toto quality quality products products and and talconsumers. consumers.Recognizing Recognizingthis this talsavviness savvinessand andtaste tastefor forluxury luxury Internetand andelectronic electroniccommunicommuniaccess tal tal Internet serviceswhile whilealso alsoimproving improvingfi-fiFor one, one, the the Southeast Southeast Asia Asia shiftininadoption, adoption,brands brandsquickly quickly andsustainability. sustainability. cationgadgets gadgetsbybytheir theirside. side.Google Google services For and shift cation nancialinclusion. inclusion.

Trender Report Report 2021 2021 byby Zalora Zalora expandedtheir theironline onlinepresence presencetoto “Thereport reportisispositioned positionedasasa a trendshows showsMalaysian Malaysianshoppers shoppers nancial Trender “The expanded trend Zalora,for forinstance, instance,offers offers21 21 showsthat that40 40million millionAsians Asiansmade made reachthese thesenew newdigital digitalconsumconsumreferencepoint pointthat thathelps helpsZalora’s Zalora’s spendclose closetoto99hours hoursonline onlineon on Zalora, shows reference reach spend paymentmethods methodsacross acrossthe thereretheirdebut debutininInternet Internetuse useand and70 70 ers,and andZalora Zalorareported reporteda a19-per19-per900brand brandpartners partnersnavigate navigatethe the average,“and “andare arethe themost mostlikely likelytoto payment their 900 ers, average, gion, including including cash-on-delivery cash-on-delivery millionhave havemade madetheir theirfirst firstonline online centincrease increaseininnew newbrands brandsthat that region’sdiversity diversityand andevolving evolvingrerevalue-driven.” gion, million region’s cent bebevalue-driven.” andBNPL BNPLoptions optionsacross acrossthe themarmarpurchasewithin withinthe the2020 2020and and2021 2021 joinedthe theplatform platforminin2021,” 2021,”she she taillandscape,” landscape,”Zalora’s Zalora’sCEO CEOGunGunSingaporean shoppers shoppers are are and purchase tail joined Singaporean kets.ItItlaunched launchedits itsfirst firstco-brandco-brandperiod, many many ofof them them attracted attracted added. janSoni Sonisaid. said. mostlikely likelytotoinvest investininluxury luxurypurpurkets. period, jan added. most creditcard cardininpartnership partnershipwith with anddrawn drawninto intoactual actualpurchase purchasebyby Withmore moreSoutheast SoutheastAsians Asians Aside from from digital digital partners partners chases, with with Google Google search search data data ededcredit and Aside With chases, RCBCand andMastercard Mastercardininthe thePhilPhilproductsales salespromotion promotionand anddisdisbrowsingnow nowand andgetting gettingthemthemlike Google, Google, Mastercard, Mastercard, H&M, H&M, showinga a21-percent 21-percentyear-on-year year-on-year RCBC product like browsing showing ippines,the thefirst-ever first-everfashion fashionand and countofferings. offerings. selves more more online, online, the the average average Lush,Paula’s Paula’sChoice, Choice,HABIB, HABIB,AtAtincreaseininSingaporeans’ Singaporeans’searches searches ippines, count Lush, selves increase @BcuaresmaBM

NMEDIA | DREAMSTIME.COM NMEDIA | DREAMSTIME.COM

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

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

D

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

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, May 27, 2022

Lawmakers: Fiscal consolidation must not cause needless misery

In the House of Representatives, the head of the Ways and Means panel said government should address first the leakages in value-added tax collections and the VAT gap before withdrawing some exemptions – a key plank of the package unveiled late Wednesday by the outgoing economic team, led by

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III. Sought for comment on the fiscal plan, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said if he were on the incoming economic team, he would review very well the package. It proposes, among others, scuttling many VAT exemptions;

imposing new taxes (crypto, carbon tax, digital services etc) and postponing by three years the personal income tax (PIT) reduction scheduled in the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE) Law, thus raising fears that fiscal space is being created for the government at the expense of ordinary people.

'If these are the suggestions by the current economic managers, I will be very cautious and ask why they did not do it in their time," said Sotto, adding: "If incoming, they had better study the implications well."

Administration Senator Ronald dela Rosa was optimistic, saying: “Since the new administration has a fresh mandate from the people, I think it is doable depending on the new government's political will to implement such policy, including how much resentment it can stomach from the people."

Senator Panfilo Lacson prodded the Duterte administration to seriously con-

Delaying...

pointed out that the deferment of the scheduled second tranche of reduction on income tax rate and the removal of VAT exemptions except for some sectors "imposes a tax burden" on consumers.

While the plan is meant to augment the government's funds, Rivera said the question remains whether the public can accommodate it given that everyone is still recovering from losses during the pandemic.

"Government should first think of ways on how to mitigate passing the

burden to consumers. The tax on singleuse plastic etc. is good. Not everyone is impacted. Of course, in the medium to long run, consumers would have to contribute but in a delicate period of recovery, it might be tricky to do so," Rivera said. "The timeline is critical here. Pacing is key."

He notedthat the need to raise revenues under the plan will impact the feasibility of the stimulus package to be rolled out by Presiden-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.

S

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

AYING measures to make economic growth outpace the P13-trillion debt should be weighed carefully, lawmakers on Thursday offered insights on crafting a fiscal consolidation package without needlessly hurting majority of the people.

Continued from A1

However, he said it may be difficult to say whether the imposition of new taxes under fiscal plan will lead to the country's inflation rate breaching the government's target band of 2 to 4 percent next year.

For his part, Asian Institute of Management economist John Paolo Rivera

sider lowering the VAT rate alongside taking out some exemptions.

"Bringing down the rate of the ValueAdded Tax while removing VAT exemptions in several sectors will go a long way in raising much-needed revenues for the government while lessening the burden on ordinary Filipinos," Lacson said.

Lacson said this formula, which he proposed as early as 2018, could have raised at least P117 billion a year in additional tax revenues even with a lower VAT rate of 10 percent, “by removing 78 lines of exemption from some sectors such as the power sector, cooperatives, housing, and economic zones."

‘Work on VAT gaps first’

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chairman of the ways and means committee, said the government cannot migrate the loopholes of the existing VAT system to new lines subject to VAT. Continued on A9

Think tank IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa said on Thursday that the planned imposition of new taxes was not meant to pay for the debt that the government incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Africa even lamented that the government only spent more than P600 billion on Covid-19 response even though it borrowed over P5 trillion in gross borrowings in 2020 and 2021.

"These new taxes on poor and ordinary Filipinos aren't to pay for Covid-19 debt — they're for Duterte's infrastructure and debt service indulgences," Africa said in a statement.

Stabilizing...

Continued from A1

The reforms, he said, will hopefully allow the government to bring down the price of rice to P20 per kilo.

“If we work hard for it, we may be able to achieve the 20 pesos price, which we are aspiring for,” Marcos said.

Available options

For petroleum products, Marcos said he will study the proposed suspension for the fuel excise tax, which was already thumbed down by the Department of Finance (DOF) earlier this year, to bring down pump prices.

Another option, he said, is to provide government assistance to other sectors, which were hard-hit by the higher fuel price, such as the transportation sector.

He is also considering reimplementing the strategy used by the government during the administration of his father, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos, during the 1973 oil crisis, of negotiating with oil-producing countries to provide longer “payback period” for fuel products.

“We already have a team, doing just that.

Looking to see where we can reduce the price of petroleum,” Marcos said.

But he ruled out the possibility of the government subsidizing the importation of oil and other energy products.

“We did the numbers. And the truth of the matter is we cannot afford it,” Marcos said.

Legislative, nuclear solutions

Marcos also wants to bring down electricity bills by studying the proposal to remove the 12-percent Value Added Tax (VAT) for generation charge.

“That is one of the things we are looking at...There are many areas where we can lower the cost. So again, I have been talking to some of the [power] producers [about this],” Marcos said.

But he said a more comprehensive way to address high electricity prices would be to amend Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

“Some of the provisions of Epira are already outdated in the system. The systems in the division between [power] production, transmission, and distribution already changed,” Marcos said.

Aside from cheaper electricity, Marcos said he is also eyeing to make the country’s power production more environmentfriendly by introducing nuclear power in the country’s energy mix.

“If you look at statistics without involving any politics...nuclear remains to be the cleanest and cheapest way to produce energy,” he said.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Diokno...

Continued from A1

“As Finance Secretary, I will strive to continue prudently and carefully balancing the need to support economic growth, on one hand, and to maintain fiscal discipline, on the other,” he added.

Continuity

The governor and incoming DOF Secretary’s vow of continuity, according to ING Bank economist Nicholas Mapa, will largely be welcomed by local financial markets and investors.

“Moving Diokno next door to DOF is in-line with the directive for continuity. Diokno brings his fiscal experience as former DBM head to the table. Continuity is generally welcomed by the business sector and financial markets,” Mapa told the BusinessMirror in response to a query.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended the day’s trade 0.72 percent up from the previous day, with gains across the board except for the property and mining and oil sectors.

Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), meanwhile, showed that the local currency closed trade on Thursday relatively steady from the previous day at P52.4 to a dollar from P52.355 to a dollar on Wednesday.

Prior to his stint at the BSP, Governor Diokno served his second term as Budget Secretary from 2016 to 2019, when he pursued an expansionary fiscal policy to finance investments in human capital development and public infrastructure. He first served as Budget Secretary in 1998 to 2001 under the term of former President Joseph Estrada.

Diokno finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration (1968) and his Master’s Degree in

DOF...

Continued from A1

Marcos, who was proclaimed on Wednesday, said he plans to focus on addressing economic issues, notably rising food and fuel prices, once he assumes the presidency next month.

"I know the economic team is critical and that is what people are looking for. I think we found the best people, who are able to look forward and to anticipate what the conditions will be in the Philippines and the rest of the world in the coming years," Marcos said.

Diokno to head DOF

Experts welcomed Marcos's decision to pick Diokno for DOF, saying this will signal policy continuity.

"For the appointments announced, they signal continuity... BSP Governor Diokno to the DoF and long-time MB member Medalla as BSP chief is really more continuation of what has put together the last 6-years and, for me personally, these are good moves," Unionbank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion said.

ING Bank economist Nicholas Mapa said moving Diokno to DOF also means that the incoming administration is committed to having a frictionless transition.

However, he said this does not automatically mean that the proposed fiscal consolidation plan will be adopted.

"Diokno is a former budget chief and has experience in the fiscal sector. His experience with the current administration, as budget chief and now BSP governor, will be a plus although it’s difficult to say whether he will or will not adopt the proposed fiscal consolidation plan," he added.

Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) head and former UP president Pascual has years of experience in the corporate world and the academe.

Apart from being MAP’s president, Pascual is also currently the lead independent director (ID) at SM Investment Corp. In addition, he is an ID for Megawide

Public Administration (1970) and Economics (1974) at the University of the Philippines. He also holds an M.A. in Political Economy (1976) from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA; and a Ph.D. in Economics (1981) from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, USA. In 2017, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines—the highest academic honor conferred by the University.

Medalla takes over

Monetary Board (MB) member Felipe Medalla has been named as the incoming BSP chief and chairman of the monetary board after Diokno vacates his seat and leaves for DOF. The incoming Governor will take the helm of the central bank beginning July 1, 2022 and will serve the remaining term of incumbent BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno until July 2023.

Medalla was appointed MB member in July 2011, and was reappointed for another term in July 2017.

Prior to joining the MB, he was a professor and served as Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE), as well as Vice President for Planning and Finance of the UP System.

Medalla was also Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and Neda Director- General from 1998–2001; and a member of the Presidential Task Force on Tax and Tariff Reforms formed in 1994.

The incoming BSP Governor holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Economics-Accounting) degrees from the De La Salle University (Cum Laude), Master of Arts in Economics from UP, and Ph.D. in Economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Construction and Concepcion Industrial.

Pascual also served as president and co-chairman of UP from 2011 to 2017, launching reforms and programs that helped the university to become researchintensive, in addition to raising its international ranking.

In a statement in December 2021, MAP said “he enabled UP to generate significant increases in financial resources from government budget allocations, private donations, and income-generating project.”

MAP also noted that extensive modernization and expansion of the campuses’ physical facilities, research laboratories, cyberinfrastructure, and information systems became possible under his leadership.

The incoming trade chief was also a trustee at the International Rice Research Institute and Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Prior to his UP stint, Pascual took on several positions at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for nearly two decades. He crafted a strategy that provided the framework for ADB’s initiative in promoting the private sector as an economic growth driver. He also looked after several infrastructure and financial sector projects in the Philippines, China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia and Afghanistan.

Pascual completed his Masters in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (cum laude) from UP. He was conferred honorary doctorates by his alma mater and four other universities.

Outgoing Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez emphasized in a statement on Thursday that “He is an excellent choice! I will be leaving the Department of Trade and Industry in the most capable hands of Secretary Pascual.”

Lopez added that with Pascual’s competence, integrity, energy and “a wide range of experience in different industries”, he knows the incoming trade chief will direct the DTI towards greater heights in the coming years. With reports by Bernadette D. Nicolas and Andrea E. San Juan

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

PHL foreign policy under BBM: ‘Friends to all, enemy to none’

P

RESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday outlined the country’s foreign policy under his incoming administration.

In a news briefing, Marcos Jr. defined his foreign policy as an independent one where the Philippines would be a friend to everyone and an enemy to no one.

“I think we have to find an independent foreign policy where we are friends with everyone, that’s the only way. We have to be good neighbors and we asked them to be good neighbors to us as well. It is of mutual benefit to us,” he said.

Amid the ongoing territorial dispute over the islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Marcos Jr. said having better relations would be more judicious as the countries involved are the Philippines’s closest neighbors, citing that China, on its closest part, is only 600 kilometers away from his province Ilocos Norte.

In an interview with CNN Philippines’s The Source on Thursday, Manila’s Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, Marcos’s first cousin, said it is important for the country to continue to respect all of its long-time allies, while forging or boosting ties with new ones.

Marcos Jr. stressed the importance of forging partnerships with the countries, especially with those in the region and not allowing the territorial dispute to fester and escalate into a severe problem as the WPS is a critical part of trade routes

for shipping in the region.

“The partnerships that we make within the region, with Asean, are going to be of critical importance. And that’s why we have to forge partnerships,” he explained.

“It will be the partnerships that will keep things stable,” he continued.

However, the President-elect also assured that the Philippines will not cede a single square millimeter of the country’s maritime and coastal territories but it will be done diplomatically. “…Considering in the West Philippine Sea that there have been these conflicts, we will not allow a single square millimeter of our maritime, coastal up to 200 meters rights to be trampled upon. How do we do that?

We talk to China consistently in a firm voice…We continue to discuss with them the conflicting claims that we have with China and that China has with other Asean members. We need to continue having bilateral contact and communication with China. This is what I mentioned when I talked to President Xi [Jinping] when he called me to congratulate me on winning the elections. I said we have to continue to talk about this. This cannot be allowed to fester and to become more severe in terms of a problem between our two countries,” he said.

Marcos Jr. further said that the arbitral ruling issued by the tribunal in The Hague, which favored the Philippines can be used to assert the country’s territorial rights.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, May 27, 2022 A3

SC reminds cops to adhere to rules, procedures in anti-drug operations

T

By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court has reminded law enforcers anew to strictly respect the rules, particularly in their anti-illegal drug operations, to protect the constitutionally guaranteed rights of every individual.

In a 12-page resolution released to the public on Thursday, the Court’s Second Division pointed out that while police officers enjoy a presumption of regularity in the performance of their duties, an accused also enjoys a presumption of innocence “which can only be overthrown by proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

Thus, the Court reversed and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeals issued on May 23, 2018, which upheld the ruling of the Regional Trial Court of Manila that found accused-appellant Salahudin Pindaton guilty of selling 3.404 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” to a police poseur buyer and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of P500,000.

The SC acquitted Pindaton of the charges for failure of the prosecution

to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and ordered his immediate release from prison unless he is being held for any other lawful cause.

“There is reasonable doubt as to whether the alleged buy-bust operation was actually conducted, and whether it was conducted properly.

Moreover, there is a serious doubt as to the integrity of the seized dangerous drugs, assuming there was any drug actually seized from accusedappellant,” the SC noted. One of the elements required for a successful prosecution of a drug case, according to the SC, is that it must be proven that the transaction or sale took place.

The SC said based on its review of the records of the case, there were many inconsistencies on the testimonies given by the prosecution that cast serious doubts that a buy-bust was conducted.

It noted the unexplained huge gap between the value of the illegal drugs allegedly sold by Pindaton to the police poseur-buyer, which was worth P13,612 and the amount of money givenbythelatter,whichwasonlyP500.

“In fact, even assuming that a buybust indeed took place, there is, at the very least, reasonable doubt as to the true amount of illegal substance recovered from accused-appellant, for it is highly unbelievable for shabu to be sold at such a low price. In any case, the integrity of the seized items is tainted,” the SC explained.

Furthermore, the SC said there were also irregularities as to how the allegedly recovered drugs were processed.

Aside from the failure of the police officers to affix the proper markings on the seized items, the SC said they also failed to do the same at the prescribed location and in the presence of the required persons as mandated

by Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

To justify this deviation in procedure, the prosecution said the police officers were trying to avoid causing a commotion and untoward incidents from happening, since some pedicab drivers and relatives of the accusedappellant were allegedly grabbing and trying to free the former.

But the SC ruled: “While on its own this justification may seem

valid, the Court cannot ignore the fact that there have been too many irregularities committed by the police officers, which lead us to doubt the integrity of the seized items.”

Pindaton claimed that no buybust occurred on October 1, 2015 as he was already detained at the Manila Police District-District Anti-Illegal Drugs (MPD-DAID) the day before.

He said that on September 30, 2015, while walking along Palanca Street, he was apprehended by several police officers and brought to the MPD-DAID office for questioning.

The accused-appellant claimed that he was threatened and mauled, and was forced to admit that he was a drug pusher. He further claimed that the police officers were extorting money from her sister in exchange for his liberty.

Pindaton also presented the testimonies of several persons before the court to prove that he was a person of good moral character.

“As a final note, the Court wishes to take this opportunity to again remind law enforcement authorities to be more circumspect in carrying out operations and observing procedures meant to curb criminality, especially those involving dangerous drugs.

While the end-goal is laudable, equally important is the respect to rules and protocols put in place to safeguard every person’s sacred right to life, liberty, and property,” it added.

A4 Friday, May 27, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DA urged to recall order on 60-day validity of SPSIC on meat imports

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

M

EAT importers and traders are urging the Department of Agriculture (DA) to reinstate the 90-day validity of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) for meat products, arguing that the global shipping situation is yet better and has even worsened today.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, the Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita) called the revocation of the 90-day validity of SPSIC for imported meat products as “premature” and “ill-advised.”

Furthermore, the group pointed out that reverting the SPSIC validity to 60 days may “compromise the government’s efforts to control inflation and food security” since it provides

insufficient elbow room for the arrival of shipments amid persisting logistical problems.

Mita explained that despite the Covid-19 situation improving in certain countries globally, various supply chain and logistics challenges continue to persist and are “not expected to be resolved anytime soon.”

The group revealed that various shipping lines have stopped reefer services to the Philippines, while others “have significantly cut back their services,” leaving importers scrambling for lines that still service to the Philippines.

“For those that still accept reefer cargo for the Philippines, they will either not accept cargo for Cebu, and/or frequently cancel sailings or skip ports at the last moment [called blank sailings],” Mita said in its letter dated May 24, a copy of which was

obtained by the BusinessMirror.

Mita also disclosed that a lot of ports of origins remain congested, which contributes to additional sailing time. For example, the group noted, vessels at the port of Long Beach in California are taking two weeks to be unloaded, which is already equivalent to one whole trip to Asia from the US. “Multiply that by the length of time the ports are congested, multiplied again by the number of vessels waiting at sea which at present is around 30 vessels in the West Coast [but could be up to 60 vessel]…one can more readily appreciate the capacity that has been lost,” the group said.

“Obviously if a vessel cannot unload, then it cant receive cargo either which means our suppliers now take much longer to ship our orders. The

situation in the US East Coast is not that much better with up to 40 vessels currently waiting offshore between the three major ports,” it added.

Aside from port congestion, the group also cited inland transport issues in countries exporting meat products to the Philippines like the US, which is suffering from shortage of truck drivers, and the UK, which is experiencing shortage of plant labor due to Brexit.

The group added that China’s zero tolerance policy on Covid-19 is also putting further pressure on the global shipping situation as vessels and reefer containers remain stuck at various ports in the Asian country.

Worse, the group pointed out, is that there is “no sign that China will ease up on its zero tolerance policy that is causing ripple effects throughout the world.”

“For all these reasons, it now takes much longer to organize and export a container of meat, that 60 days will often be insufficient and force the importer to apply for a new permit,” it said.

“We therefore urge you to reconsider and maintain the 90 day validity of the SPS until we see a significant improvement in the lead time needed to ship our orders,” it added.

The BusinessMirror earlier reported that the DA reverted the validity of SPSICs for imported meat products to 60 days, arguing that problems hounding the global supply chain have already eased.

Dar issued Administrative Order (AO) 11 that revoked his earlier order of extending the 90-day validity of SPSIC for imported meat.

Dar cited the better global Covid-19 situation as the reason behind

the revocation of his earlier orders that extended SPSIC validity for imported meat.

He earlier issued AO 2, Series of 2022 that maintained the 90day SPSIC validity until revocation “due to the chain issues and logistical difficulties brought about by the global Covid pandemic.” (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2022/02/01/da-extendsanew-validityof-sps-ics-of-meatimports/) “The current global Covid situation has subsided in many parts of the world, resulting in an easing of the supply chain and logistical restrictions,” Dar argued in AO 11 dated May 23.

“DA AO No. 2 Series of 22...is hereby revoked; thus, returning the SPS validity of imported meat back to 60 days,” he added.

ITC, partners bare proposals to support PHL entrepreneurs Some Pinoys land on Forbes Magazine under-30 Asia List Andrea San Juan

T

HE Inter nationa l Trade Centre (ITC), in close consultations with Philippine partners including the government, private sector, and academia, gathered recommendations on how to develop support for Philippine entrepreneurs.

The following were presented during the workshop: report methodology, gaps and overlaps in the current service offering, the network analysis—a visual representation of the network connections and network density, user experience analysis, and suggested recommendations to strengthen the ecosystem.

The report’s recommendations

highlighted the need for coordinated action from institutions active in the ecosystem to enhance support for Philippine youth entrepreneurship.

In addition, the report pointed out that support to youth entrepreneurs has to be prioritized to impart key skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Another key recommendation is an easy-to-access database to enable young entrepreneurs to gain a clearer picture of activities and support programs available to them across the country.

Meanwhile, ITC’s National Project Coordinator Maria Esperanza Alconcel stressed, “Recognizing that the youth are key drivers of

innovation, the ITC is tapping the Philippines’ relatively young population, averaging 25.7 years of age, by including targeted support aimed at empowering youth entrepreneurs under the EU-funded ARISE Plus Philippines project.”

Through the Trade department’s lens, Rafaelita Aldaba, Undersecretary for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Competitiveness and Innovation Group underscored, “Building the nation’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem by supporting both youth and women is a key element of our inclusive innovation industrial strategy, which puts innovation at the heart of the country’s industrial policies and programs, towards achieving sustained and inclusive growth in the country.”

In fact, Aldaba stressed that based on another report by the Startup Genome, Manila’s founders are relatively younger than the global average and 30 percent are women.

For her part, Steph Naval, the youth founder of Empath, a health

technology company based in Manila, highlighted during the panel discussion, held as part of the workshop that, “Specific support must be offered to youth and women entrepreneurs as we face unique challenges.”

Naval added that programs can be sector specific or demographic specific to cater to these groups and to enhance networks among startups in the same sectors whose business objectives can complement one another.

According to the ITC in a statement issued on Thursday, the specified actions and recommendations will be further aligned with the feedback of the institutions and published later this month, to ensure that supporters of youth entrepreneurship can consult them.

The recommendations will be utilized by ITC to guide its work on youth entrepreneurship in the country as well as by Philippine partners to help them identify and establish support for Philippine entrepreneurs.

continued from a20

Built on a network of kitchens across metro hubs, Kraver’s serves popular brands like Foodee Group and Pizza Hut alongside privatelabel restaurants.

The startup raised $3 million in a Series A led by Quest Ventures, following a seed round of P73 million.

In July, Kraver’s partnered with Grab Philippines to set up GrabKitchen for restaurants without physical locations, and in March launched Kra-Verse, a meta delivery and dining experience.

On social impact, Forbes cited Billie Dumaliang, 29, who cofounded Masungi Georeserve, a geotourism project of more than 2,700 hectares in Rizal Province.

The conservation park was awarded the 2021 Water Changemakers Award and a special commendation in the 2018 UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Born in Quezon City, Dumaliang studied management at Ateneo de Manila University and launched Masungi in 2015 with her older sister Ann. More than 68,000 trees have been planted so far, funded by sustainable tourism in the park.

In the region, Singapore has managed to attract entrepreneurs from across the region to set up their businesses in the city state as the pandemic forced other international hubs in the region to shut down.

“Indonesia, however, is arguably Southeast Asia’s hotbed for startups. According to the Google, Temasek and Bain, e-Conomy SEA 2021 report published in November, $4.7 billion of VC (venture capital) money went into Indonesian startups in the first half of 2021,” it said.

Marcos wants to hold off on RCEP, but DTI warns vs it continued from a20 The outgoing trade chief said that the DTI shall submit its full statement on this matter when the Senate resumes deliberation on RCEP next week. Lopez said that they will happily provide a paper on the regional economic deal as part of their briefing pa-

pers to the incoming administration along with Trade Secretary-designate Alfredo E. Pascual, who according to Lopez, is an excellent choice.

Pressure from foreign biz

DURING the Economic Journal-

ists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) webinar early this month, DTI Assistant Secretary Allan B. Gepty, likewise, expressed hope that the regional economic deal will be ratified. Among the specific benefits of joining, according to Gepty, are improved trade balance, increased welfare and lower poverty incidence.

A few days ago, seven members of the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) also urged the Senate anew to ratify the regional economic deal, pointing out that many of its members invested in the Philippines because of the expanding access they can enjoy under trade agreements which the Philip-

pines has with its Asean and regional neighbors and other countries.

RCEP is a free-trade agreement pact among Asean countries and the five non-Asean trading partners. This represents 30 percent of the global domestic product (GDP) or $26.2 trillion.

It entered into force on January 1,2022.

The trade department has been lobbying for the ratification of RCEP as it is seen to “help restore business confidence and encourage more economic activities, particularly MSMEs [micro,small and medium enterprises], investors, service providers and professionals.”

DOT to boost promotion of PHL as medical, wellness destination continued from a20

As such, most of those who come to the Philippines for medical tourism or wellness visits are balikbayans (homecoming Filipinos) who depend on their relatives and friends for reference on doctors and clinics who will handle their treatments.

While the DOT accredits hospitals, clinics, and spas for medical and wellness tourism, it is on a voluntary basis as these are considered secondary tourism establishments. According to the DOT website, there are only 14 accredited medical and spa facilities in the National Capital Region alone.

These include Asian Hospital, Manila Doctors, and The Medical City.

Global market

MEDICAL tourism is defined as organized travel across international borders to avail of medical treatment of some form, which may or may not be

available in the travelers home country.

These include dental treatment, neurological treatment, and cardiovascular treatment, while wellness tourism covers visits to destination spas for noninvasive healing therapy.

Recent market research published

by Valuates Reports indicated that the global medical tourism market accounted for US$104.68 billion in 2019 and projected to reach $273.72 billion by 2027. This means compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8 percent from 2019 to 2027 in terms of value.

“The medical tourism market is growing due to factors such as affordability and cost-effectiveness, immediate treatment, travel opportunities, availability of medical experts, no or limited insurance coverage, and availability of advanced equipment,” said the company.

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, May 27, 2022 A5

DTI seeks probe into import surge of petro chemicals HDPE, LLDPE

By Andrea San Juan

T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently urged the Tariff Commission (TC) to probe the reported surge in the volume of imported resins, particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

The Trade department’s request to the commission arose from its own in-depth review based on a safeguard measure petition filed by the JG Summit Olefins Corporation (JGSOC) to protect Philippine petrochemical manufacturers from unfair foreign competition.

HDPE is used in consumer and industrial packaging, while LLDPE

Drilon outlines S four priorities for BBM admin

is used for laminated films and general-purpose bags. Within the Asean region, both raw materials are charged zero tariffs.

“The duties are being requested to safeguard the local manufacturing industry,” said a spokesperson for the petitioning company, adding, “Historically, HDPE and LLDPE imports tend to undercut the prices of the domestic industry.”

The local petrochemical industry hopes that the government can support and safeguard Philippine manufacturers from unfair foreign competition, similar to what India did recently.

The Indian government is expected to impose anti-dumping duties (ADD) on LLDPE imports from

ENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon prodded President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on his first day in office at Malacañang to promptly address the “inadequate health-care system, a pandemicbattered economy, a failing education

Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

The country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the ADD to be levied are proportional to the estimated damage incurred on sole domestic LDPE producer Reliance Industries Ltd., between the years 2016 and 2017 and 2018 and 2019. The ADD was pegged between $17.05 and $216.76 per ton on various producers and suppliers from said countries.

“While the domestic industry has not suffered an injury in terms of its volume parameters, the imports have adversely impacted the profitability of the domestic industry,” a recent notification from the Indian ministry read. With this, the notification added, “the domestic industry has

system, and a weak rule of law.

“President-elect Marcos Jr. should capitalize on the so-called ‘honeymoon period’ and exercise political will in the first 100 days of his presidency to address these four urgent issues that remain unresolved

suffered a material injury.”

Meanwhi le, in the Philippines, TC’s investigation began in September 2021 upon the request of DTI, which reviewed documented applications from JGSOC, as well as imports data covering the petitioned products.

The leading petrochemical firm in the Philippines claimed in its filing of the safeguard measures petition, that the volume of HDPE and LLDPE—the key raw materials used in many consumer products—being imported into the country in the recent years were in quantities that are substantial to cause serious injury to the local petrochemical industry.

JGSOC is a member of the Association of Petrochemical Manufacturers

and define his legislative priorities,” Drilon suggested.

The Minority Leader listed as “first and foremost, is the issue of health,” noting that the Covid-19 pandemic already exposed “the weakness and inadequacy of our health-care system.”

of the Philippines, whose member companies have built over $3 billion in state-of-the-art petrochemical plants, and contributes P2.5 billion in annual tax remittances, while directly employing over 5,000 Filipinos.

The leading petrochemical firm in the country, being an industry pioneer and the largest polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) resin manufacturer in the country, filed the safeguards measure petition with the DTI. In its initial reports, DTI found that there was a substantial increase in imported HDPE from 2015 to 2019. This is especially true in 2016 with a 181-percent increase, and 2019 posing a 26-percent increase.

LLDPE imports also increased

“We lack hospitals,” said Drilon, deploring that “our health information system is inefficient,” lamenting, “We do not provide sufficient protection and benefits to our health-care professionals both in the public and private sectors.”

significantly during the same periods especially in 2018 with a 38-percent increase.

Unchecked imports can disable the ability of local petrochemical producers from continuing operations, and even disrupt domestic self-sufficiency.

“If left uncorrected, the backlash will inevitably lead to unemployment and income loss for thousands of Filipinos who make their living directly and indirectly from the industry,” warned the local petrochemical producer.

The damage of these import surges on the Philippine petrochemical industry is estimated to be worse than those sustained by Indian firms.

The senator stressed, “There must be long-term solutions. We must have more hospitals. We must strengthen our Universal Health Care program.

We must appoint the right people in PhilHealth as our main health insurance agency.” Butch Fernandez

A6

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Friday, May 27, 2022

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

Shanghai port rebounds 95% as Covid lockdown loosens

D

aily operations at Shanghai’s port have almost fully recovered from the effects of the city’s Covid-19 lockdown, though the backlog from disruptions to the port and nearby factories will likely continue to cause shipping congestion well into the year.

Daily container throughput— a measure of cargo handling activity—at Shanghai port has rebounded to 95.3 percent of the normal level, Ministry of Transport official Li Huaqiang said

Thursday, according to Chinese state media. Cargo throughput at major Chinese ports between May 1 and May 24 was up 4.2 percent from the same period in April, but down almost 1 percent compared

to 2021, he said.

However, the improvement in the port hasn’t been accompanied by a rebound in trucking, as a shortage of drivers and vehicles continues to hamper the delivery of goods to and from the port.

Road freight traffic indexes for Shanghai were 81 percent lower in the first three weeks of May compared to 2021, after a drop of 84 percent in April, according to G7 Connect, a Beijing-based fleet management company.

While the lockdown of Shanghai is slowly being lifted, the effects on production and supply chains will likely be felt for months. As firms reopen there will be a rush to purchase raw materials, and then a flood of finished goods leaving factories

as companies try to make up for lost time.

There is already a back log of cargo equivalent to 260,000 twenty-foot containers which wasn’t shipped from Shanghai in April because of the lockdown, according to Drewry Shipping Consultants, and the rebound w ill have a “ bullwhip” effect across supply chains.

“The Chinese lockdowns are hitting a global container distribution system that is already severely stressed and facing reduced capacity due to pervasive congestion,” Drewry said in a recent report.

“Even if lockdowns were to end today, the predictability and capacity of the container distribution system would be jeopardized during summer peak season.” BloombergNews

Fed officials signal rates may head to ‘restrictive’ levels

By Christopher Rugaber AP Economics Writer

W

A SHINGTON—Federal Reserve officials agreed when they met earlier this month that they may have to raise interest rates to levels that would weaken the economy as part of their drive to curb inflation, which is near a fourdecade high.

At the same time, many of the policymakers also agreed that after a rapid series of rate increases in the coming months, they could “assess the effects” of their rate hikes and, depending on the economy’s health, increase rates at a slower pace.

After their meeting this month, the policymakers raised their benchmark short-term rate by a half-point—double the usual hike. According to minutes from the May 3-4 meeting released Wednesday, most of the officials agreed that half-point hikes also “would likely be appropriate” when they next meet in June and July.

Chair Jerome Powell himself had indicated after this month’s meeting that half-point increases would be “on the table” at the next two meetings.

All the officials believed that the Fed should “expeditiously” raise its key rate to a level at which it neither stimulates nor restrains growth, which officials have said is a rate of about 2.4 percent. Some policymakers have said they will likely reach that point by the end of this year.

The minutes suggest, though, that there may be a sharp debate among policymakers about how quickly to tighten credit after

Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell takes the oath of office for his second term on Monday, May 23, 2022, in Washington. AP/Patrick Semansky

the June and July meetings. The economy has shown more signs of slowing, and stock markets have dropped sharply, since the Fed meeting.

Government reports have indicated, for example, that sales of new and existing homes have faltered sharply since this month’s Fed meeting, and there are signs that factory output is growing more slowly. Gennadiy Goldberg, senior rates strategist at TD Securities, suggested that the minutes released Wednesday might reflect a more “hawkish” Fed—that is, more focused on rate hikes to restrain inflation—than may actually be the case now.

Some officials, particularly Raphael Bostic, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, have indicated since this month’s meeting that the Fed could reconsider its pace of rate hikes in September.

And Loretta Mester, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, has said that if there’s “compelling evidence that inflation is moving down,” the Fed could slow its rate hikes, likely to a quarter-point pace.

“But if inflation has failed to moderate,” she added, “a faster pace of rate increases may be necessary.”

The minutes released Wednesday signaled a tentative acknowledgement by some Fed officials that recent inflation data “might suggest that overall price pressures may no longer be worsening.”

At the same time, those officials— the minutes don’t name individual Fed policymakers—stressed that it was “too early to be confident that inflation had peaked.”

Fed of f icia ls una nimously agreed that the “US economy was very strong, the labor market was extremely tight, and inflation was very high and well above” the Fed’s target of 2 percent. Powell had expressed similar sentiments at his May 4 news conference.

Fed officials are betting that the economy’s broad strength will enable it to withstand sharply higher borrowing rates without leading to extended layoffs or a recession.

When Fed officials decided this month to raise their benchmark rate by a half-point to a range of 0.75 percent to 1 percent, it was their first increase of that size since 2000. The officials also announced that they would start to shrink their huge $9 trillion balance sheet, which has more than doubled since the pandemic.

The balance sheet swelled as the Fed bought about $4.5 trillion in Treasury and mortgage bonds after the pandemic recession struck to try to hold down longer-term

rates. On June 1, the Fed plans to let those securities start to mature, without replacing them.

That should also heighten the cost of long-term borrowing.

Powell has said the Fed is determined to raise rates high enough to restrain inflation, leading many economists to expect the sharpest pace of rate hikes in three decades this year. Powell says the central bank is aiming for a “soft landing,” in which higher interest rates cool borrowing and spending enough to slow the economy and inflation.

But most economists are skeptical that the Fed can achieve such a narrow outcome without causing an economic downturn.

Stock prices have plunged on fears that the Fed’s rate hikes will send the economy into recession.

The S&P 500 has fallen for seven straight weeks, the longest such stretch since the aftermath of the dot-com bubble in 2001. The stock index nearly fell into bear-market territory last week—defined as a 20 percent drop from its peak—but rallied Wednesday.

The minutes also showed that some policymakers decided it was appropriate to consider selling some of its holdings of mortgagebacked securities, rather than simply letting them mature. Sales would make it easier for the Fed to transition to a portfolio composed mainly of Treasurys, the minutes said.

The Fed has said that by September it would allow up to $30 billion of mortgage-backed securities to mature each month, along with $60 billion in Treasurys.

Many analysts doubt that the cap will be reached for mortgagebacked bonds, because mortgage rates have jumped more than 2 percentage points since the start of the year. That means that fewer homeowners will refinance their mortgages because their current loan rates are lower than the rates now available in the mortgage market.

Fewer refinancings would force the Fed to sell mortgage-backed securities to maintain its plans to reduce its balance sheet.

Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, second left, and Turkish delegation speak with Finnish delegation headed by Jukka Salovaara, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, third right, in Ankara, Turkey on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Senior officials from Sweden and Finland met with Turkish counterparts in Ankara on Wednesday in an effort to overcome Turkey’s strong objections to the Nordic nations’ bids to join Nato. Sweden and Finland submitted their written applications to join Nato last week. Turkish Presidency via AP

Turkey demands ‘concrete steps’ to back Nordic nations’ Nato bids

By Suzan Fraser

The Associated Press

A

NKARA, Turkey—A senior Turkish official insisted after talks with Swedish and Finnish officials Wednesday that Turkey would not agree to the two Nordic countries joining Nato unless specific steps are taken to address Ankara’s objections.

“We have made it very clear that if Turkey’s security concerns are not met with concrete steps in a certain timeframe the process will not progress,” Ibrahim Kalin told a news conference after the talks in Ankara that lasted about five hours.

Kalin is the spokesman of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and a senior presidential aide.

Sweden and Finland submitted their written applications to join Nato last week, in a move representing one of the biggest geopolitical ramifications of Russia’s war in Ukraine that could rewrite Europe’s security map.

Turkey has said it opposes the countries’ membership in the Western military alliance, citing grievances with Sweden’s—and a to a lesser extent Finland’s—perceived support of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and other entities that Turkey views as security threats.

The PKK, which is listed as a terror organization by several of Turkey’s allies, has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey, a conflict that has cost the lives of tens of thousands people.

The Turkish government also accuses Finland and Sweden of imposing arms exports restrictions on Turkey and refusing to extradite suspected “terrorists.”

Turkey’s objections have dampened Stockholm’s and Helsinki’s hopes for joining Nato quickly amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and put the transAtlantic alliance’s credibility at stake. All 30 Nato members must agree on admitting new members.

The Swedish and Finnish delegations met with Kalin and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal. The Swedish delegation was led by state secretary Oscar Stenstrom, while Jukka Salovaara, the foreign ministry undersecretary, headed up the Finnish delegation, Turkish officials said.

Kalin said Turkey’s proposal to lift arms export limits was met with a “positive attitude” by the Swedish and Finnish delegations.

He added that talks would continue once the Nordic governments had responded to Turkey’s demands.

Turkey also expects the extradition of 28 “terrorism” suspects from Sweden and 12 from Finland, Kalin said, adding that there was “no legal or judicial basis” not to extradite them. Turkish state media had previously said Turkey demanded the extradition of 33 suspects from the two countries.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said following a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel in Stockholm that her country wanted to “clarify” claims that have been floating around during discussions with Turkey.

“We do not send money or weapons to terrorist organizations,” Andersson said.

During a news conference with the Estonian prime minister later Wednesday, Andersson said that “in these times, it is important to strengthen our security.”

She said Sweden has “a constructive dialogue” with Turkey and that Stockholm was “eager to sort out issues and misunderstandings and questions.”

Michel, who is scheduled to head to Helsinki from Stockholm, said it was “a pivotal moment for Sweden” and “we fully support your choices.”

Turkey this week listed five “concrete assurances” it was demanding from Sweden, including what it said was “termination of political support for terrorism,” an “elimination of the source of terrorism financing,” and the “cessation of arms support” to the banned PKK and a Syrian Kurdish militia group affiliated with it.

The demands also called for the lifting of arms sanctions against Turkey and global cooperation against terrorism.

Turkey said that it has requested the extradition of Kurdish militants and other suspects since 2017 but hasn’t received a positive response from Stockholm. The Turkish government claimed Sweden had decided to provide $376 million to support the Kurdish militants in 2023 and that it had provided them with military equipment, including anti-tank weapons and drones.

Finland has received nine extradition requests from Turkey in a recent period covering over three years, Finnish news agency STT said Wednesday, citing data from the Finnish justice ministry. Two people were extradited while six of the requests were rejected. A decision was pending regarding one other case.

Speaking Tuesday before a meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Russia had left Sweden and Finland “no choice” but to join Nato.

She said Germany would support the two countries’ membership, calling it “a real gain” for the military alliance.

Andrew Wilks in Istanbul, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Jari Tanner in Helsinki contributed to this report.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Friday, May 27, 2022

A7

States divided on gun controls, even as mass shootings rise

By Rachel La Corte & Andrew Demillo The Associated Press

O

LYMPIA, Washington— Washington Gov. Jay Inslee was quick to react to this week’s carnage at a Texas elementary school, sending a tweet listing the gun control measures the Democraticcontrolled state has taken. He finished with: “Your turn Congress.”

But gun control measures are likely going nowhere in Congress, and they also have become increasingly scarce in most states.

Aside from several Democratic-controlled states, the majority has taken no action on gun control in recent years or has moved aggressively to expand gun rights.

That’s because they are either controlled politically by Republicans who oppose gun restrictions or are politically divided, leading to stalemate.

“Here I am in a position where I can do something, I can introduce legislation, and yet to know that it almost certainly is not going to go anywhere is a feeling of helplessness,” said state Sen. Greg Leding, a Democrat in the GOP-controlled Arkansas Legislature. He has pushed unsuccessfully for red flag laws that would allow authorities to remove firearms from those determined to be a danger to themselves or others.

After Tuesday’s massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 students and two teachers dead, Democratic governors and lawmakers across the country issued impassioned pleas for Congress and their own legislatures to pass gun restrictions. Republicans have mostly called for more efforts to address mental health and to shore up protections at schools, such as adding security guards.

Among them is Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has repeatedly talked about mental health struggles among young people and said tougher gun laws in places like New York and California are ineffective. In Tennessee, GOP Rep. Jeremy Faison tweeted that the state needs to have security officers “in all of our schools,” but stopped short of promising to introduce legislation during next year’s legislative session: “Evil exists and we must protect the innocent from it,” Faison said.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has repeatedly clashed with the GOP-controlled Legislature over gun laws. He has called for passage of universal background checks and “red flag” laws, only to be ignored by Republicans.

Earlier this year, the Democrat vetoed a Republican bill that would have allowed holders of concealed carry permits to have firearms in vehicles on school grounds and in churches located on the grounds of a private school.

“We cannot accept that gun violence just happens,” Evers said in a tweet. “We cannot accept that kids might go to school and never come home. We cannot accept the outright refusal of elected officials to act.”

On Wednesday, a day after the Texas shooting, legislative Democrats asked that the Wisconsin gun safety bills be taken up again, apparently to no avail. Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos did not return messages seeking their response.

In Pennsylvania, an effort by Democratic lawmakers Wednesday in the GOP-controlled Legislature to ban owning, selling or making high-capacity, semi-automatic firearms failed, as House Republicans displayed their firm opposition to gun restrictions.

The GOP-majority Legislature has rejected appeals by Democratic governors over the

California Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses the recent mass shooting in Texas, during a news conference in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Flanked by lawmakers from both houses of the state legislature, Newsom said he is ready to sign more restrictive gun measures passed by lawmakers. AP/Rich Pedroncelli past two decades to tighten gun control laws, including taking steps such as expanding background checks or limiting the number of handgun purchases one person can make in a month.

The situation is similar in Michigan, which has a Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature. On Wednesday, Democrats in the state Senate were thwarted in their efforts to advance a group of bills that would require gun owners to lock up their firearms and keep them away from minors.

“Every day we don’t take action, we are choosing guns over children,” said Democratic Sen. Rosemary Bayer, whose district includes a high school where a teen was charged in a shooting that killed four in November and whose parents are charged with involuntary manslaughter, accused of failing to lock up their gun. “Enough is enough. No more prayers, no more thoughts, no more inaction.”

Republican state Sen. Ken Horn responded by urging discussion about the other potential causes of gun violence.

“I would just point out that there are political solutions, but there are just as many spiritual solutions,” he said. “We don’t know what’s really happening in this world, what’s happening in this country, what’s happening to young men.”

Florida stands out as a Republicancontrolled state that took action. The 2018 shooting at a high school in Parkland that left 14 students and three staff members dead prompted lawmakers there to pass a law with a red flag provision that lets law enforcement officers petition a court to have guns confiscated from a person considered a threat.

Democrats now want that expanded to allow family members or roommates to make the same request of the courts, but there has been little appetite among Republicans to amend the law. Instead, Republican Gov. Ron

DeSantis said he wants lawmakers to allow people to carry handguns without a permit.

The state currently requires a concealed weapons license.

While Republicans have supported red flag laws in some other states, most legislative action around gun control in recent years has been in states led by Democrats.

In Washington state, the governor earlier this year signed a package of bills related to firearm magazine limits, ghost guns and adding more locations where guns are prohibited, including ballot counting sites.

In California on Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom and top Democratic legislative leaders vowed to fast-track gun legislation, identifying about a dozen bills they plan to pass this year. Newsom highlighted a bill that would let private citizens enforce a ban on assault weapons by filing lawsuits—similar to a law in Texas that bans most abortions through civil enforcement.

Oregon’s Democratically controlled Legislature has passed bills that require background checks, prohibit guns on public school grounds, allow firearms to be taken from those who pose a risk and ensure safe storage of firearms. On Wednesday, a group of six Democrats said more must be done after the mass shooting in Texas and the racially motivated massacre in Buffalo, New York. They pledged additional action next year.

“We ran for office to solve big problems and make life better for our constituents— and that includes taking on the gun lobby and politicians that place profits and political power over children’s lives,” they said in a joint statement.

But there are limits even in some Democratic-controlled states, underscoring the challenge of gaining consensus to

combat the rising frequency of mass shootings in the US. Rhode Island has passed restrictions in recent years that include measures to ban firearms from school grounds and close the “straw purchasing” loophole that had allowed people to buy guns for someone else. But bills that would ban high-capacity ammunition magazines and assault weapons have been bottled up in committee, in part because the overwhelmingly Democratic chamber includes many lawmakers who have opposed the measures, citing their support for the Second Amendment.

In Connecticut, gun violence legislation supported by both parties swiftly followed after 20 children and six staff members were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. But additional gun control measures stalled this year in the Democraticled General Assembly, in large part because of a short legislative session and threats by Republicans to hold up legislation through a filibuster.

Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday he’s uncertain whether he will call a special session on the bills. They would put limits on bulk purchases of firearms and require the registration of so-called ghost guns, untraceable firearms that can be assembled at home.

“I think it’s become an incredibly partisan argument right now in our society,” Lamont said. “It wasn’t that way, you know, 30, 40 years ago. So that is disturbing, even in a state like Connecticut, where after Sandy Hook we had strong bipartisan support.”

DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas. The Associated Press statehouse reporters from around the US contributed to this report.

TheWorld

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, May 27, 2022

A8

Davos meeting gabfest to wrap up with Germany’s chancellor

By Jamey Keaten

The Associated Press

D

AVOS, Switzerland— After days of discussions about Russia’s war in Ukraine, a global food crisis, climate change and other hotbutton issues, the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting was set to conclude Thursday with one of the highest-profile guests to journey to Davos: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

T he yea rly gat her i ng of elites that was suspended twice over the Covid-19 pandemic has been overshadowed by the war in Ukraine, dousing moods among policymakers but not stopping advocacy groups and business leaders from trying to improve fortunes and—as forum organizers hope—the state of the world.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and an array of lawmakers, local officials and business leaders captured the spotlight in-person and virtually to drum up support for their country’s grueling and uncertain campaign to oust Russian invaders who bombed, blasted and barraged their way to seize control of a widening arc of eastern Ukraine since Feb. 24.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s campaign has drawn international scorn and unsettled his allies, and as a result, Russian envoys from business and government who have been staples at Davos since the end of the Soviet Union weren’t invited this year.

Attention was turning to Scholz’s near-finale address to cap scores of panel discussions, speeches, coffee chats and other meetings in public and private this week—mostly to see if he might try to answer two of Ukraine’s key appeals: for stronger sanctions against Russia and better weapons to help their forces fight.

Kuleba voiced little hope that the war could come to a negotiated end, or even a pause, anytime soon. “ The moment Russia will agree to a cease-fire will be the moment it will be one step away from losing the war,” he told reporters late Wednesday. “They (the Russians) will agree to a cease-fire with only one purpose: to save themselves from losing the war. Until then, this war will continue.”

Kuleba has pressed for Western powers to supply Ukraine with weapons like multiplelaunch rocket systems and pointed to a “saga” about obtaining Gepard tanks from Germany, among other things his government has discussed with Berlin.

“We clearly understand that Germany will not be a country that will lead the process of supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons we need,” Kuleba said. “Let’s make it clear: If we don’t get heavy weapons, we get killed.”

The upshot of Ukraine’s efforts is to rally countries around a budding democracy with ambitions to join the European Union—the free-world and freemarket club—in the face of an onslaught by a Russian regime that clamps down on dissent and centralizes power in one man: Putin.

Meanwhile, a deadly school shooting Tuesday in Texas was on many minds in Davos. More broadly, battles against global warming, soaring costs for food and fuel worldwide, and cyberattacks by hackers from Russia and beyond have exposed how progressive leaders from civil society, corporations and government have struggled to cope in a world facing simultaneous crises.

A key topic has been a food crisis tied to Russia blocking ports in Ukraine, preventing its critical stocks of wheat, barley and sunflower oil from getting

to the world and threatening food insecurity in countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The European Union and United States have accused Russia of using food supplies as a weapon and there have been talks of opening secure shipping corridors.

Russian officials are blaming Western sanctions or Ukrainian mines in the sea.

“This food crisis is real and we must find solutions,” WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on a trade panel.

Davos once again churned up ideas from innovators and officials, but translating those into action could take time—and may not happen at all. The meeting is above all a talkfest, and concrete, high profile achievements and announcements have been few this year.

Former US Vice President A l Gore, a leading crusader against climate change, briefly railed against failed efforts for gun control in the United States before trumpeting a new system to monitor greenhouse gas emissions by satellite. That will increase needed scrutiny and transparency about the burning of carbon and other planet-warming gases by businesses around the globe, he said.

Gore, who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with the UN’s top body on climate science for their work on climate change, pointed to an initiative known as Climate Trace that combines more than 300 satellites with machine learning to create algorithms and zero in on emission hotspots worldwide. It’s expected to release results in October from 500 largest sources of emissions.

“We are about to enter an age of radical transparency,” he said.

AP reporters Peter Prengaman and Kelvin Chan contributed from Davos.

US moves to make antiviral drug more available against Covid-19

By Zeke Miller

The Associated Press

W

ASHINGTON—The White House on Thursday announced more steps to make the antiviral treatment Paxlovid more accessible across the US as it projects Covid-19 infections will continue to spread over the summer travel season.

The nation’s first federally backed test-to-treat site is opening Thursday in Rhode Island, providing patients with immediate access to the drug once they test positive. More federally supported sites are set to open in the coming weeks in Massachusetts and New York City, both hit by a marked rise in infections.

Next week, the US will send authorized federal prescribers to several Minnesotarun testing sites, turning them into testto-treat locations. Federal regulators have also sent clearer guidance to physicians to help them determine how to manage Paxlovid’s interactions with other drugs, with an eye toward helping prescribers find ways to get the life-saving medication to more patients.

Despite a nationwide surge in Covid-19 cases, deaths from the virus have remained largely stable over the past eight weeks, as vaccine booster shots and widely accessible treatments have helped to delink infections and mortality.

Confirmed infections in the US have quadrupled since late March, from about 25,000 a day to more than 105,000 daily now. But deaths, which have tended to lag infections by three to four weeks over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, have declined steadily and are now plateaued at fewer than 300 per day.

It’s the first time in the course of the pandemic that the two have not trended together, said White House Covid-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha. He called it an important development in helping Americans get back to normal life.

“What has been remarkable in the latest increase in infections we’re seeing is how steady serious illness and particularly deaths are eight weeks into this,” he said. “Covid is no longer the killer that it was even a year ago.”

Jha said that given the wider use of at-home rapid tests, whose results often go unreported to public health officials, the true number of daily infections is likely 200,000 or more—double the reported rate—which he said only makes the death rate plateau more significant.

He credited vaccines but also a more than four-fold increase in prescriptions over the last six weeks for the highly effective treatment Paxlovid.

Jha said about 25,000 to 30,000 courses of Paxlovid are being prescribed each day. When administered within five days of symptoms appearing, the drug has been proven to bring about a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease.

Due to a change in the way Paxlovid is allocated to states, the number of pharmacies where it is available has doubled in the last month to almost 40,000.

“We are now at a point where I believe fundamentally most Covid deaths are preventable, that the deaths that are happening out there are mostly unnecessary, and there are a lot of tools we have now to make sure people do not die of this disease,” Jha told The Associated

Press on Wednesday.

As the summer months approach, Jha said the “number one” thing people need to do is to “go and get boosted”—and if they have a breakthrough infection, they should consult with their doctor about getting Paxlovid. He said gatherings of all sizes can take place more safely because of the tools available—if people make use of them.

“In places in the country where boosting rates are much lower, where the infection is starting to spread more, I am absolutely concerned that we’re going to see, unfortunately, we may see more serious illness,” he said.

“Being vaccinated and boosted is a huge part of making sure that those kinds of activities are substantially safer,” he added. “And then, of course, we want to make Paxlovid as widely available across the entire country, so that if you do end up getting a breakthrough infection, you’re still protected against serious illness.”

The US has ordered 20 million courses of Paxlovid from the drugmaker Pfizer, and the country risks running out this winter if the drug continues to be used widely. The White House has been pressing Congress for additional funds for months to support purchasing more Paxlovid and other treatments, as well as additional boosters.

While the administration has started planning for the potential need to ration the federal supply of vaccines if Congress doesn’t act, Jha said right now his message to prescribers is that they shouldn’t worry about the supply.

“I believe that we should be using as much as it’s necessary to protect Americans now,” Jha said.

TheWorld BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, May 27, 2022

A9

Australia vows no-strings Pacific partnerships in veiled jab at China F

oreign minister Penny Wong has promised Australia’s aid and assistance to Pacific nations “won’t come with strings attached,” in what appears to be a veiled jab at the Chinese government as both countries step up their diplomacy in the region.

In a major speech delivered in Fiji on Thursday, Australia’s new top diplomat said her country would “remain a critical development partner” for the Pacific in the years ahead, while blaming the former government in Canberra for undermining ties by neglecting “its responsibility to act on climate change.”

Wong’s visit to Fiji coincides with a rare trip

by China’s State Councilor Wang Yi to the Pacific, where he will visit a large number of countries over an eight-day trip from May 26, including the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea. Wang touched down in the Solomon Islands on Wednesday night and is expected to visit Kiribati next.

“State Councilor Wang said China will continue as always to support the Solomon Islands in safeguarding sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, domestic solidarity and unity, and enhancing national development and revitalization,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a regular press briefing.

The dueling visits from Australia and China come as media outlets reported the Chinese government was seeking to strike security and economic agreements with about 10 Pacific nations, dramatically expanding Beijing’s cooperation with the region. The Chinese government scored a major diplomatic victory in April when it announced a security agreement had been signed with the Solomon Islands, sending political shock waves through Australia and New Zealand.

Foreign Ministry’s Wang Wenbin said the agreement with the Solomon Islands will become “an example of political mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries.”

He added that Beijing and Honiara have agreed to

build some flagship projects under the Belt and Road Initiative and make use of a zero-tariff policy for sending products from the Pacific nation to China.

‘True partnerships’

In her speech, without mentioning China directly, Wong said Australia wanted “true partnerships” with Pacific nations.

“We are a partner that won’t come with strings attached, nor impose unsustainable financial burdens. We are a partner that won’t erode Pacific priorities or institutions. Instead we believe in transparency,” she said.

Wong, who was sworn in on Monday, announced a last-minute visit to Fiji on Wednesday. She will meet with the country’s prime minister as well as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna.

Wong’s speech came after Australia’s new prime minister Anthony Albanese warned that China’s government is planning to make its security pact with the Solomon Islands the “first of many,” as both Canberra and Beijing send their top diplomats to the Pacific to shore up support in the region.

Speaking on Australian television on Thursday, Albanese said the deal with the Solomon Islands was only the start of the Chinese government’s ambitions for the Pacific. “We know that China sees that as the first of many which is the context of their foreign minister’s visit to the region,” he said.

Albanese wants to strengthen relations with the Pacific by increasing foreign aid funding and infrastructure support. He has also pledged more action on climate change, a topic on which Pacific leaders were critical of his predecessor Scott Morrison.

The Australian leader said the former government had “dropped the ball” in its engagement with the Pacific. “We can’t afford to do that. We need to reengage with the region,” he said. “They are sovereign nations, of course. And we need to respect that. But we need to be offering more support.” Bloomberg News

Lawmakers: Fiscal consolidation must not cause needless misery Continued from A2

“I have some points for discussion, especially regarding the VAT exemptions. I believe we need to work on the VAT gap first—revenues we should be collecting anyway, before we work on withdrawing some exemptions,” he said.

Lacson also noted that the finances of the Philippines’ neighbors are doing better even with lower VAT rates—but with fewer exemptions.

Malaysia has a VAT rate of 6 percent but VAT exemptions are given only to 14 entities; Thailand has a 7-percent VAT rate but gave exemptions to 25 firms.

Yet, “here in the Philippines, we have around 143 companies enjoying VAT exemptions” while the rate is higher at 12 percent, he noted.

Meanwhile, for Salceda, “it has always been the major flaw of our tax system that we have hundreds of lines of exemptions on all sorts of taxes, but very high rates. That hurts the middle class, who have to foot the bill.”

In the view of the Albay representative, ”for businesses to afford the imposed VAT exemptions, they have to raise general prices for everyone, since they cannot really get refunds out of VAT exemptions at the final consumer level.”

That means, he added, “ the middle class, who are not senior citizens, not PWDs, or not exempt from VAT, pay for the price increases. For the government to afford these exemptions, we also have to keep VAT at 12 percent, which is the highest in the region. Again, that hurts the middle class the most—who have enough income to be within the VAT threshold, but who are vulnerable enough to feel the tax pinch.”

‘Anti-poor, anti-consumer’

House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate slammed the package.

“This is a very regressive and antipoor proposal. If the incoming government wants to increase its revenues, it should embark on a progressive tax system that taxes the rich more rather than the poor,” he said.

“A wealth tax of 1 percent, for example, can be levied on every million earned by an individual, family of corporation owns or something to that effect. It can also vigorously go after the

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and have them pay their billions worth of accrued taxes,” said the Davao-based solon.

“It is tragically ironic that the government wants to tax more the poor but it rushed the passage of the CREATE law that would lower the income tax rate of corporations and the rich and will result [in] an estimated P259-billion revenue loss for the government; this is the tax measure that should be deferred instead,” he added.

Leakages

Salceda said the government must reduce first the leakages first, including fraudulent issuance of VAT exemption IDs, inaccurate sales invoices, excessive declaration of input VAT on capital goods, and underdeclaration of value in Customs.

“My proposal for how we should phase tax reforms is this: Fiscal protection, fiscal consolidation, then fiscal expansion,” he added.

On fiscal protection, Salceda said that basically means a “first-do-noharm” rule.

“So, let’s make sure we don’t pass too many new exemptions first, and we prevent a deficit of confidence in our tax authorities. Over the next six months, we should be focused on that,” he said.

Second, let’s do fiscal consolidation. “I understand fiscal consolidation to mean the strengthening of existing tax bases and tax rates. The DOF has a different conception of the term—extending it to mean the overall expansion of fiscal space. For me, fiscal consolidation just has to mean strengthening our existing tax structure—through administrative action and enforcement. The first year of the Marcos administration can be devoted to that: streamlining tax collection, improving tax administration, and making tax compliance easier,” he added.

Salceda, finally, cited fiscal expansion.

“That means new taxes and the lifting of old exemptions. With the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, we took about 18 months to legislate the first package. So, that’s the timeline you’re probably looking at for new laws as well.

Otherwise, the public might not be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to sustain our public investments in the future,” he said.

A10

Pe

A BusinessMirr

Friday, May 27, 2022 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

Keep your pets healthy through spaying, neutering

C

By Leony R. Garcia

ARING for your best pet buddy nowadays calls for more. It’s no longer just committing to daily walks, proper diet, grooming and hygiene maintenance, regular vet visits, or getting pet insurance.

After all, your animal friends have become a source of emotional support, especially during the pandemic. So, they deserve all the care they need in the new normal, too, to give them a better pet life.

Most vets and animal behaviorists agree that a daily walk is crucial to your dog’s or cat’s mental and physical health. But for the pets to have a truly full life, they also need enrichment – basically anything that makes their days more interesting.

Pet owners can do this by spending a few minutes a day teaching them new tricks, buying them new toys as a treat, taking them to an off-leash park or new place once a week, socializing them with other dogs or animals, or, in the case of cats, setting up their play areas with new scratch poles and perches.

However, keep in mind that your pet’s poop is 100 percent your responsibility. Attach a poop bag dispenser to your dog’s leash or keep your old newspapers/ broom by the door so you always have pooper scoopers handy whenever you take your dog out. Cat owners, on the other hand, need to change their kitty’s litter every day to ensure that their potty time is always pleasant.

Treats are great, especially during training or on special occasions.

But generally, pets are better off eating an appropriate amount of nutritionally balanced meals every day.

Make sure to consult with your vet about what is best to feed your pet.

And if you have the means – and to spare yourself the stress of worrying about vet bills -- get your

pet an insurance plan. Nowadays, several companies offer comprehensive plans that cover emergency vet visits, accidents, death, and even damage caused by your pet.

Low animal population With the number of stray dogs and cats out on the street needing homes, perhaps it’s best to keep the animal population low and leave the breeding to the professionals.

Good thing, many pet owners nowadays see the benefits of spaying and neutering. While it could really keep the pet population low, it also lowers the risk for a number of diseases and can also improve some behavioral issues of your favorite home buddies.

Speaking before the online audience of the BusinessMirror Coffee Club’s online forum titled “Looking After Your Pet and You,” Dr. Mace Licuanan, Veterinarian and Founder of the Philippine Pet Birth Control Center (PPBCC) Foundation, said, “We want to educate people that by spaying and neutering their pets, we are doing something for their health, too.

Through neutering or spaying, we lessen the risk of cancer and other illnesses for the pets. By doing so, pet owners are also doing their social responsibility of lessening the number of stray dogs and cats in the Philippines.”

“In our data, 200 to 300 Filipinos die of rabies every year. And that is because of the uncontrolled dog and cat population in the country. So, one of our advocacies is to provide a low-cost spaying pro-

THE guests and host agreed that pets helped their fur parents adapt to the changes brought about by the lockdowns.

gram. Included in the program is a free spay service for pets of indigent owners. We do our services for free through partnerships with local government units all over the Philippines since 2017. We also conduct free training for quick spay-neuter for veterinarians in the country,” Dr. Licuanan added.

Founded in 2017, PPBCC’s main goal is to help the government eradicate rabies by controlling the dog and cat population. “Rabies is still endemic here in the Philippines. In fact, we are one of the few countries that still have rabies cases. In reality, we want to prevent human deaths because of rabies,” she stressed.

Here are some interesting questions that Dr. Licuanan answered during the online forum: PPBCC has been in operation since 2017. How many pets have been neutered since then?

Since 2017, around 140,000 have been neutered already. I have been in practice for 20 years now, so, I guess we’ve done a lot. We have a great team of veterinarians in our facility. So, every day that’s what we do, we spay and neuter.

You’ve also set up hospitals for pets?

Currently, we have the PPBCC Veterinarian Hospital, a dog and cat hospital located at No. 155 Boni Avenue where we offer a complete range of veterinary services for dogs and cats. This hospital is actually one of our main sources of funding for our foundation which does the free services. We are currently expanding to cater to our growing market and, of course, we are hoping by doing that, we would be able to sustain our foundation.

Also, we have the Philippine Feline Center Cat Hospital which is

based in San Juan City. As its name suggests, it’s dedicated to cats.

Just curious, is there really a need to set up a center solely for cats?

Actually, there has been a great increase in cat ownership, especially during the pandemic. Many people preferred their cats as their pets which require lesser maintenance than dogs. And we are very happy because people are now starting to own not just dogs and cats with breeds but also aspins and puspins.

Do you also rescue? Can the rescued dogs be adopted?

Yes, we also rescue dogs and cats, and our facility is located at Karatungan Street. Soon we will be coming up with a shelter in Cavite.

We rescue aspins and puspins every day. For adoption, please watch out for the announcement on our Facebook page. We will be coming up with an adoption program and hopefully, many people will be interested to join in our efforts to rescue and adopt our furry friends.

Can you also give us tips on how we can take care of our pets?

You have to be responsible when taking your pets out. Go for morning or late afternoon walks. But the one thing that I would like to tell our pet owners is for them to be proactive. For one, please take vaccination and deworming programs for your pets seriously.

Why? Because preventive care is cheap. Listen to your veterinarians, don’t just Google or anything. Find a vet that you can trust and who would explain to you how to really take care of your pets properly.

Can you share with us some treats for dogs?

A lot of pet owners now are very particular about their pets’ diet.

There are special diets available for pets but some pets are allergic to several ingredients. So pet owners are really into their pets’ nutrition nowadays and that is very good.

Basically, food that is made of real meat is really safe for dogs.

Cheese and baked chicken or liver are safe for pets, too.

What can you say about breed discrimination, especially towards aspins? Is it contributing to the local overpopulation?

Yes, I would say that it is really a contributing factor to the local dog overpopulation. If we will consider the number of stray dogs here in the Philippines, it is really impossible to have all of them adopted. Even if there are many animal advocates who are willing to adopt aspins or puspins, this is still not enough.

The Foundation is not antibreeding. In fact, we support dog and cat breeders. We don’t discriminate. We are not in a position to discriminate against a dog with the breed or an aspin.

There’s really no comparison with the aspin/puspin or a dog/cat with the breed because they’re both dogs and they’re both cats. We have to correct our perception that they are different. We are trying to remove that Filipino mentality that a dog with the breed is special. You’ll be surprised that many of our patients are aspins and puspins which are well taken care of and loved by their owners.

Therefore, they are receiving the same amount of treatment that a bred dog would have. I think, slowly, we are changing the mindset of the Filipinos about their pets.

I have a 10-year-old chihuahua who has not yet spayed and I noticed that it has a small lump near the private part. Is spaying safe for a senior dog?

For a senior dog, we will require a complete check-up: blood works and X-ray so that we would be able to determine the extent of the lump or the mass so we can address it properly. Yes, we can spay a 10-year-old chihuahua as long as the blood works are okay and there are no other existing conditions. There is no limit with spaying. However, some of the disease conditions are associated with having an impact dog (meaning not yet spayed or neutered).

For a female dog, we recommend spaying as early as one year of age. For cats, they are ready for spaying at six months of age. In fact, we’ve been doing a lot of spaying in Cebu but we just have to stop during the pandemic. We’ve been to Cebu like eight times already. Cebu City is really doing a great job for its pet population.

Does spaying affect life expectancy?

When you spay or neuter your dog, the likelihood of your pet having pyometra or cancer related to the reproductive system becomes slow.

Its life expectancy is really dependent on its nutrition, lifestyle, and how you take care of your pet.

Do we have to make an appointment at the clinic or we can just drop by?

We are now accepting walk-ins but it is better to visit our Facebook page, PPBCC, and then register.

We have a link there for the whole month of May and pre-register there. It would be more convenient for you. Pet owners may also call Telephone No. 562111 for our clinic in Katarungan St.

ets

ror Special Feature

www.businessmirror.com.ph |Friday, May 27, 2022 A11

Traveling with your pets in the new normal M

By Leony R. Garcia

ANY people turned to pets to help them endure probably one of the most challenging times in history – COVID-19 and the lockdown it brought about.

According to PetPoint, a web-based management data system in the US, the demand for adopting or fostering pets, particularly dogs, had risen worldwide, from Canada to India, as people remain stuck at home. Between March and September 2020, the number of foster pets in US homes increased by eight percent.

Indeed, while the health benefits of having a pet are well-known -- from lowering blood pressure to reducing stress -animals have become a source of emotional support, too, during the pandemic.

Substantial support

PETPOINT added that researchers in Spain, Israel, and the United Kingdom conducted online surveys of pet owners in their countries. Their studies, published in three separate scientific journals, found that overall our animal friends have provided “substantial support” during the pandemic.

Pets often served as built-in friends— and are the best kind! They can alleviate loneliness, especially for kids who struggle to make friends or do not have many children in their neighborhood.

They not only provide companionship and friendship, but they also can become confidantes for kids who feel like they have no one else to talk to.

Animals also serve as a source of comfort and support. That’s why there are therapy dogs that are allowed to be brought into hospitals or nursing homes to help reduce patients’ stress and anxiety.

Pet friendly establishments

NOW that we are coming out of the pandemic, our pets have found allies in various establishments that accept them with their owners. Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay City is one pur-fect place that accommodates humankind’s pet friends.

Twin Lakes Hotel Director for Sales and Marketing Rowena Samonte has this to say:

FUR parent and Fur Babies bonding with nature and enjoying the sunrise ith a view of greenieries, Taal Volcano and Taal Lake. JENNY LAGUNDAY

LOVELY fur babies posing with fur parents’ breakfast by the veranda.

“Filipinos are natural pet lovers. Almost everyone I know grew up with a pet or two. As anyone who grew up with pets would say, a home without a pet is almost unthinkable.

Over the years pets have become an important part of the family. Based on the statistics, 65 percent of the residents said having pets around help build social connections and 49 percent of the resident said they are more likely to visit business that is pet friendly.”

Sharing her insights during the BusinessMirror Coffee Club entitled Looking After Your Pet and You, Samonte added, “That’s why we thought of offering petfriendly rooms and I believe that there’s a huge market for pet-friendly hotels. When I joined Twin Lakes, I recommended to our general manager to make Twin Lakes be one. And after six months of training, after all the preparations and consultations, we open our doors to our fur babies.”

Pool deck

ACCORDING to Samonte, fur babies are allowed to go to the pool deck. They are also allowed for al fresco dining with their fur parents al fresco so they can enjoy dining together at the hotel. The botanical garden is also open for them for a leisure walk. In fact, the hotel encourages pet owners to bring their pets to the garden around the estate, especially for early morning walks.

Before checking in, a pet agreement form is sent to the client – which is also available on the property’s website -- so fur parents would know the rules and regulations for bringing pets. Vaccination cards for both pet owners and for fur babies are also required.

The hotel also has veterinarians on call should pet owners need them.

The hotel, located just a few kilometers away from Tagaytay, has 122 tastefullyappointed rooms with views of the majestic Lake Taal. The hotel has allotted all the 20 premier rooms as pet friendly rooms located at the amenity floor closest to where the heated infinity pool, gym, kid’s corner and spa are all located.

Twin Lakes Hotel offers several room packages for Fur-Parents. The Fur Getaway is an all in, value for money package at P11,600 net inclusive of an overnight stay in a Premier Room with breakfast for two, dining credit worth P1,000, massage for two at L’Uva Vineyard Spa, Ollie Bear plush town and waived pet fee.

“The pet’s bed may be requested although most of our guests bring their own. So, there’s real value for money for the fur getaway package that we offer,” Samonte said.

Twin Lakes Café recently unveiled its new men offerings with the Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ Signature Dishes. Celebrate the day indulging in freshly baked pastries,

FUR baby relaxing with Ollie Bear.

colorful and delectable lunches, specialty coffees and handcrafted cocktails while savoring the view of the vineyard with your fur babies at Al Fresco Dining. By night, enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced meal with one of the restaurant’s fine wines and something irresistibly sweet as a finishing touch.

Cebu establishment

MEANWHILE, Savoy Hotel Mactan readily transitioned into a pet-friendly facility in January 2020. “We start our day with a morning huddle with different department heads and our front office manager. We’ve been receiving lots of calls asking if we accept dogs or cats inside the property. This inquiry kept on coming especially after the pandemic when we started opening our doors to the public. And we realized that all the department heads love the idea: a hundred percent of them are pet owners while 80 percent of our staff are pet lovers! So, everybody was just excited to open our door for our fur friends. Moreover, the entire Mactan also happens to be a pet-friendly estate,” shared General Manager Josef Victor A. Chiongbian.

“Further, we have access to Mactan New Town Beach which also allows pets.

So, I thought it was a perfect time for us to transition into a pet-friendly property. And we were able to get lots of bookings immediately when we rolled out. Our transition

was very easy for the reason that we have a lot of pet lovers here in the hotel. So, a lot of our staff have great ideas and we rolled it out in less than a month,” Chiongbian added.

Savoy Hotel has specific pet-friendly floors where all amenities for pets can be found. There are places that are pretty close to the pool and the atrium, and also an outdoor dining area for the guests and their pets. During the day, some areas serve as play areas for the pets, too. Aside from these, according to Chiongbian, Savoy always encourages its guests to go around and visit the beach with their pets.

The resort also did try to offer treats, food, and some toys to furry guest friends but the staff found out guests are very particular about what to give to their dogs. “So, we have those treats available only if the pet owner allows it. Most of the pet owners that stay in the hotel bring their own food and water for their pets. Just to make it easier for our guests, we provide food bowls and water bowls for their pets. These are available upon request from all hotel outlets,” he said.

Hassle free experience

For a hassle-free and pleasant experience both for owners and their pets, Savoy encourages guests to call them prior to checking in. This is just to ensure they have all the necessary documents to avoid queuing at the reception counter. Aside from check-in guidelines, a pet agreement form needs to be filled up along with their vet cards.

Savoy has partner veterinary clinics nearby for emergency purposes which are open 24/7.

“Our partner hotels in Boracay, both Savoy Hotel Boracay and Belmont Hotel Boracay would be transitioning to pet-friendly hotels anytime soon. Our partners in Manila are expected to follow soon. You’ll be surprised,” Chiongbian said.

“We don’t have an exclusive pet package. What we usually do, is anyone can avail of any package online plus an additional pet fee starting for as low as P500. That already includes room cleaning.

Pets have their own beds, too. Once requested, we will set up the bed,” the Savoy GM said.

Phantom–rescued dog turned guest relation officer Plant based waterless shampoo is pet friendly

I

F you happen to be a guest at the Savoy Hotel Mactan and you check in on a Friday, chances are you will come across the hotel’s very special employee. His name is Phantom, an English bulldog, who just happens to be the hotel’s Pet Guest Relations Officer. He is usually on board during the weekend to welcome fur guests to the hotel.

Earlier this year, Savoy Hotel Mactan had transitioned into a pet-friendly hotel in keeping with the practices of Mactan Newtown. The Mactan Newtown is Megaworld’s first township development outside of Metro Manila. This mega community boasts of all the makings of an ideal live-work-playlearn community.

Savoy Hotel Mactan General Manager Josef Victor Chiongbian related that a few months ago, the hotel received a call informing them that two English bulldogs needed rescuing because a pet shelter had to be closed because of the pandemic.

“I consulted the team and they were very open to the idea of adopting the dogs. We informed the shelter owner that we were interested in adopting the English bulldog and the owner agreed. We eventually named him Phantom. The other bulldog, however, did not make it,” he said.

When he was taken from the shelter, Chiongbian

recalled that Phantom was not in very good shape, was very anxious and in much pain. He was brought to Bethpage Veterinarian Clinic where he was treated

by Dr. Gilbert Ian Paclipan.

“After a few days, Phantom was finally brought to Savoy Hotel Mactan. We have a volunteer from Saving Stray Cebu who visited him on a regular basis to make sure that he is eating well and is regularly taking his vitamins and medicines,” Chiongbian said. “He was able to adapt to his new environment very quickly and he received a lot of tender love and care from our staff.”

Since the hotel had transitioned into a pet friendly hotel, Chiongbian decided to make Phantom their Pet Guest Relations Officer.

“He is on duty starting Friday afternoon until Sunday and he makes it a point to welcome all our pet guests. For his services, he gets a lot of treats. For now, we have Phantom coming in during the weekends because that is when we have more fur guests,” Chiongbian said.

While Chiongbian is very proud of the hotel’s decision to rescue and adopt Phantom, it was Phantom who actually rescued the hotel.

“The current circumstances haven’t been the best for all of us. But Phantom has definitely made each day the best and the happiest day possible,” he said.

A

PHANTOM receiving a lot of love from Chiongbian.

RE you looking for a more environmentally and pet friendly shampoo for your fur baby? Are you always on the go and do not have time to groom your dog? Introducing Happy Life’s Waterless Shampoo, the first product of its kind in the Philippines which is 100 percent natural and pet friendly. It’s an innovative and plant bath alternative to the chemicals that are usually found in shampoos for pets.

The product provides less effort and less time in every bath. It saves 70 percent of bath time every time you use Happy Life Waterless Shampoo. The product is perfect for a quick bath and for those on the go. You can still groom your pets even if you are in a hurry.

What’s nice about the product is that it helps relieve pets that suffer from skin and fur irritations such as but not limited to wounds, bad odor, itchiness, scaling, manage allergies, dandruff, hotspots, inflammation, ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, redness, viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Using the Waterless Shampoo is as easy as one, two, three. nShake and spray generously directly on your pet’s fur and skin from head to paws to tail. nRub, lather and enjoy this special bonding moment with your pet. nWipe dry with a clean towel and be amazed by the benefits you provided and the time that you saved.

The Waterless Shampoo is one of the many products developed by Happy Life Organics Inc., a Philippines based

company that promotes innovative and eco-friendly solutions for your home, pets and unwanted pests.

Happy Life Organics provides all natural, sustainable eco-friendly solutions to homes across the country.

The company promotes a healthier lifestyle based on a plant based organic view and by bringing home and pet product alternatives that are changing and improving lives for the better.

For more information about Happy Life’s Waterless Shampoo and their other products, you can visit www.happylifeph.com.

BusinessMirror

A12 A6 Friday, May 27, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

3O BPO INCORPORATED 2/f Lcs Bldg South Super Highway, San Andres Cor Diamante St., 087, Barangay 803, Santa Ana, City Of Manila EMBRETSEN, LARS HAKAN INGEMAR Customer Service Agent Swedish 1.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service Agent interacts with the customer on behalf of the organization. Provide information about the products and services, responds to customer complaints as well.

14.

Basic Qualification: Native speaker.

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

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

LISANIAS Mandarin Speaking Online Payment Specialist 2.

Brief Job Description: Assist internal and external customers with questions related to payments.

ANANDA ANG EE LOV Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 3.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

VU MAI ANH Mandarin Customer Service 16.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications.

At least 6 months work related experience.

Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

PHUNG THUY MINH Mandarin Customer Service 15.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

ZHANG, SHA Mandarin Customer Service 17.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

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

CHI COOC MINH Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 4.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications.

At least 6 months work related experience.

Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin.

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

JAMES Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 5.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications.

At least 6 months work related experience.

Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin.

18.

DONG, JIAOJIAO Mandarin Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

RINA HERYANA Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 6.

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

19.

HU, XIULI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

20.

WEI, QING Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

7.

PHILLIPS, DAVID GEOFFREY Seaplane Pilot Brief Job Description: SEAPLANE PILOT

21.

Basic Qualification: C208 float plane rated, min. Of 2,000hrs total flight hours Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

8.

Brief Job Description: Handles the concerns of the people who buy their company’s products or services.

DAO THI TRUC THO Mandarin Customer Service 9.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

DINH VAN TUYNH Mandarin Customer Service 10.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

HUANG, ZELONG Mandarin Customer Service 11.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

LY THI LAN Mandarin Customer Service 12.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

NGUYEN THANH TUNG Mandarin Customer Service 13.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

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

WEI, XIAOJIAO Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

DAO QUANG HUY Bilingual Marketing Officer 22.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials being used on projects

CHEN, JIANZHONG Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 28.

Brief Job Description: Act as Project Supervisor on capital construction and renovation projects

Brief Job Description: Contribute in the implementation of marketing strategies

MIZUNO, RYOICHI Project Manager 23.

Brief Job Description: In charge of the overall execution of the Project and Reports to the Management about the result of the Project

CHEN, XIAOFANG Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 29.

24.

Brief Job Description: Ensure that sdts service desk fulfils all its service process obligation to cgi in a professional, cost effective, and timely manner; establish and maintain good working relationships with the customer, supplier, and other stakeholder.

25.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for making overall project planning

HE, SHIYIN Finance Manager 26.

Brief Job Description: Supervise accountants, support budget and forecasting activities

Basic Qualification: College graduate, outstanding leadership skills, fluent in Mandarin and English preferably with 5 years of experience as Project Supervisor

Brief Job Description: Act as Project Supervisor on capital construction and renovation projects

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, outstanding leadership skills, fluent in Mandarin and English preferably with 5 years of experience as Project Supervisor.

HAN, JINYANG Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 30.

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

Brief Job Description: Act as Project Supervisor on capital construction and renovation projects.

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

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

HUANG, HAIZHOU Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 31.

Brief Job Description: Act as Project Supervisor on capital construction and renovation projects

Basic Qualification: College graduate, outstanding leadership skills, fluent in Mandarin and English preferably with 5 years of experience as Project Supervisor

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, outstanding leadership skills, fluent in Mandarin and English preferably with 5 years of experience as Project Supervisor

SHAO, HEZHANG Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 32.

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

Brief Job Description: Act as Project Supervisor on capital construction and renovation projects

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

XU, MEICHAO Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 33.

Brief Job Description: Act as project supervisor on capital construction and renovation projects

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

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

ZHANG, XIANGGUO Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 34.

Brief Job Description: Act as Project Supervisor on capital construction and renovation projects

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 10 years’ experience in construction or related industry and 10 years managerial position

CHINA ROAD AND BRIDGE CORPORATION Unit 2605, 2607, 2608, & 2609, High St. South Corporate Plaza, Tower 1, 9th Avenue Corner 26th St. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

35.

YANG, QING Interpreter

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in either Swedish language or in English; vocational diploma, short course certificate undergraduate, or bachelor’s/college degree; background and knowledge in it is preferred.

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

36.

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

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

CHU, PENG Site Supervisor Brief Job Description: Supervise Day To Day Operation In Jobsite

LU, HOU-LIN Farm Automation Technician 37.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Experience In Site Management/Fluent In Chinese And English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: To manage and check daily the automation of farm equipment

Basic Qualification: with Automation engineering background 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 KO, DOYEON Process Executive

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

Brief Job Description: Translating and interpreting Chinese to English and vice versa

Basic Qualification: Experience in language arts/fluent in chinese and english

CHIU-NICHI AGRO RESOURCES PHILS., INC. S-202 Cortijos Condominium, #25 Eisenhower St., Greenhills, City Of San Juan

CHINA CAMC ENGINEERING CO. LTD. PHIL BRANCH Unit 2104-a West Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Ctr., San Antonio, City Of Pasig WANG, LEI Deputy Project Manager

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

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

CGI (PHILIPPINES) INC. 2/f One World Square, Mckinley Hill, Pinagsama, City Of Taguig

STRINDIN, BRIAN YNGVE CHRISTER Multilingual Service Desk Operational Lead

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

CCT CONSTRUCTORS CORPORATION 3/f Planters Products Bldg., 109 Esteban St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

27.

BLUE NIGHT LIVING SERVICES INC. Block 1 Lot 2-a, 3rd Floor Afpovai, Western Bicutan, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LIU, HAO Project Manager

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

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center, Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City

LIANG, FUBEN Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

No.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 AIRTRAV CORPORATION Metro Asia Hangar Bldg., Domestic Road St., Barangay 191, Pasay City

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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 work related experience.

Good oral and written communication skills in Mandarin.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN THI XUAN HUONG Mandarin Customer Service

www.businessmirror.com.ph

38.

Brief Job Description: Carefully assess, review and evaluate the legal complaints, in order to stimulate whether the allegedly violating copyright content must be considered blocking, removing or restricting access to as a legal approach to act in accordance with notices of copyright breach

Basic Qualification: High School Graduate, to work on various queues and complete the assigned tickets on a daily basis within the TAT Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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

DEXIN INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CORP. Lot 3 E&e Cmpd., F. Santiago St., Parada, City Of Valenzuela

39.

QIN, WANXIANG Chinese Cargo Office Agent Brief Job Description: Prepare airline and custom documentations

Basic Qualification: Have skills in documentations

HA VAN CHIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 52.

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

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

ZHANG, ZHAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 40.

Brief Job Description: Recommends potential products or services to management by collecting information and analyzing customer needs

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

NGUYEN XUAN QUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 53.

FIBERHOME PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati WU, MING Project Manager 41.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials, equipment being used.

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

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

FILFLY CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT INC. #1295, G. Araneta Ave. Cor. N.s. Amoranto, Santo Domingo, Quezon City PENG, DEZHONG Marketing Officer 42.

Brief Job Description: Supporting the marketing manager in overseeing the departments operation

Basic Qualification: With solid knowledge of marketing techniques and principles Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

LE THI PHUONG THU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Build sustainable of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

LI, GANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Build sustainable of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

NGUYEN LUONG THANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Build sustainable of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

TRAN VAN TRUNG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Build sustainable of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

WU, GUIXIN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Build sustainable of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

YANG , ANDONG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Build sustainable of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

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

49.

Brief Job Description: Optimize crm campaigns & newsletter based on performance and engagement data.

54.

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

55.

56.

50.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for developing business strategies to promote sales

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

57.

JUNG, SUNGHOON Korean Customer Service Representative 51.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls & customer service inquiries

58.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries KYAN HWE PAIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

59.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires MYO AUNG Burmese Customer Service Representative

60.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NANG HSENG LAUNG Burmese Customer Service Representative

61.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NANG KHAM LIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

62.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NANG NYEIN CHAN AYE Burmese Customer Service Representative

63.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SAI AIKE LIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

64.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

SAI AUNG MYINT Burmese Customer Service Representative

65.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

SAI KYAW NAING SOE Burmese Customer Service Representative

66.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

SAI TUN KYAW Burmese Customer Service Representative

67.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries SAI WIN KYAW Burmese Customer Service Representative

68.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

SAN THAW TAR Burmese Customer Service Representative

69.

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

JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. U-2801 28/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries AUNG SEIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg., #48 President Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: Managing incoming calls & customer service inquiries

Brief Job Description: Ensure full compliance of procurement activities in compliance with our Code of Ethics, Procurement policies and procedures; Support our entities in their PWP process using the ERP system thru

CHAN KWE CHEIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

INTERPORT TRAVEL & TOURS, INC. G/f Chemphil Bldg., 851 Arnaiz Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

AYMAN ABDELALIM ABDALLA ELBORAEY Overseas Marketing Officer

71.

72.

73.

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

74.

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor degree from an accredited institution is required with Engineering or Business related courses Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

SU MAR WIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

70.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries GUO, WANXUAN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires HOU, DONGDONG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, SHUYANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

75.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent to Chinese Mandarin is an advantage

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION XU, HAOLIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, TING Chinese Customer Service Representative

76.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SONG, XIAOQIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

77.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

SU, CHI Chinese Customer Service Representative

78.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

WAN, DEYAO Chinese Customer Service Representative

79.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Can contribute ideas and researches to help develop marketing plan and strategies to detail and design and implement plans for any product

Brief Job Description: Maximize profits through developing sales strategies that match customer requirements and by promoting services.

JUN, HYEON SEOB Senior Procurement Specialist

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

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent to Chinese Mandarin is an advantage

No.

MERCK BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ASIA INC. 36th To 39th Floor, The Finance Centre Condominium, 26th Street Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig

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

Brief Job Description: Maximize profits through developing sales strategies that match customer requirements and by promoting services.

ZHANG, AIHUA Marketing Officer (mandarin Speaking)

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

INQUICK SERVICES INC. Unit 606 6/f Itc Bldg., 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati THONG YUEN SEONG Mandarin Speaking Marketing Officer

HONG, ZHIHUA Marketing Officer (mandarin Speaking)

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

JOBHUB INC. Phil Song Te Temple Inc, 4/f 900-910 Reina Regente St., 028, Barangay 292, Binondo, City Of Manila

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

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

A13

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

EASYTECH SUPPORT INC. 9-11/f, 14/f Capella Bldg., Asean Drive Filinvest, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

Friday, May 27, 2022

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

80.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

WANG, ZEDONG Chinese Customer Service Representative 81.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

WU, ZHENQIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative 82.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

YIN, BINGBING Chinese Customer Service Representative 83.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

YU, JINSUO Chinese Customer Service Representative 84.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

YU, JINYONG Chinese Customer Service Representative 85.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

YU, XINYONG Chinese Customer Service Representative 86.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

YU, YAODI Chinese Customer Service Representative 87.

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

ZHANG, GUODONG Chinese Customer Service Representative 88.

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

89.

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

90.

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

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

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

91.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

ZHANG, XU Chinese Customer Service Representative 92.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires AGUS RIYANTO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

93.

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

A14 A6 Friday, May 27, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ALEXANDER GIANNINI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

94.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries CANDRA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

95.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DARVID Indonesian Customer Service Representative

96.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DONNIE YO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

97.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires DWI JOE LEE OWAM Indonesian Customer Service Representative

98.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires ELEN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

99.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ERVIN CHANDRA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

100.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries GRACIELLA KINTAN PATTY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

101.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

HENDRI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

102.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HERRY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

103.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HERY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

104.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries IRIAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

105.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries JASMINE Indonesian Customer Service Representative

106.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires JINDY CHUA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

107.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires JULIANA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

108.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires KENNY YOUNG Indonesian Customer Service Representative

109.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LAURENT Indonesian Customer Service Representative

110.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries MERY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

111.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

MICHAEL Indonesian Customer Service Representative

112.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

ONDY PHEN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

113.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

ORANRO STEVEN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

114.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

PERNANDO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

115.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

RICARDO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

116.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

No.

SANTO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 117.

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

118.

119.

120.

121.

122.

123.

124.

125.

126.

127.

128.

129.

130.

131.

132.

133.

134.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LEE WAI HONG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

135.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LAU RUI QI Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries JACKSON CHAN TIEN WEN Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ENG WEI HONG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries DOMINIQUE LIM TZER YOUNG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHIEW WUI HING Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHIEW SUE HUI Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries ALVIN HU KAE SHYANG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries AARON LIONG WEI CHUN Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHONG SAI HOW Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WINDY WIJAYA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries WENDY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WENDI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TOMI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

SUWANDI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

SUPARNA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

SUMITO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

STELLA KENIFER Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries MU JIA LING Malaysian Customer Service Representative

136.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

NELSON CHAN TIEN WU Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

137.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TEH CHONG YEE Malaysian Customer Service Representative

138.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

THIEN PHEK YING Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

139.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

No.

YAP JING TECK Malaysian Customer Service Representative 140.

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

141.

142.

143.

144.

145.

146.

147.

148.

149.

150.

151.

152.

153.

154.

155.

156.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LY THI VAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

157.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LE XUAN BAC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LE THI TUONG VI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KONG NHOC LAY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires HTIN AUNG KYAW Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG VAN PHI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG VAN CUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG THI THANH HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires HA QUANG LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires DUONG VAN THANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires DUONG THI MY TU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires DO THI LAI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires DO THI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires DINH TRUNG THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries DINH NHU DUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires BUI THI NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HO VAN LUAN Vietnam Customer Service Representative

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGO VAN TRONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

158.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

NGUY DINH TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

159.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM DUY HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

160.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

PHAM NGOC QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

161.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

PHAM THI TUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

162.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

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 PHAN CONG CUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

163.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

PHAN THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

164.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

PHAN THI THUY TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

165.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

PHI KHAC DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

166.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

TA THU HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

167.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRAN QUYEN TRINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

168.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN THI LY LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

169.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRAN THI NGA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

170.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRAN THI NGOC PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

171.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRAN THI THU MAI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

172.

Brief Job Description: \Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries VU THI MY DIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

173.

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 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

181.

MOON, JUNG HEE Korean Customer Care Representative 182.

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

PICHLER, PAUL Senior Project Manager 183.

174.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems.

184.

IWANAGA, MASAAKI Senior Manager 175.

Brief Job Description: 1. Acceleration of future opening of new and bigger MUJI store with using of MUJI Japan knowhow to expand MUJI business in Philippines.

2. Increasing sales of existed stores much using Japan know-how and those ways.

Basic Qualification: 1. More than 3 years of experience as store Manager of various stores include large stores.

2. Excellent communication skills (Nihongo and English) Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

176.

177.

178.

179.

180.

LAM ZHEN TAO Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

185.

LEE CHEE HOW Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

OOI YONG ZHOU Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

SOONG CHAI SEE Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

KHIN THIDAR AYE Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

186.

187.

188.

189.

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

197.

Brief Job Description: Develops key projects for building systems and all target market business by attaining turnover and sika share targets in the Philippines

Basic Qualification: Preferably engineering background, in general construction or construction material

198.

CHU, HOYONG Korean Technical Support Staff Brief Job Description: Apply diagnostic utilities to aid in troubleshooting.

KIM, DONGGEUN Korean Technical Support Staff Brief Job Description: Can speak and write fluent Korean language

KIM, SUNCHAE Korean Technical Support Staff Brief Job Description: Apply diagnostic utilities to aid in troubleshooting.

YU, CHANGSEOK Korean Technical Support Staff Brief Job Description: Apply diagnostic utilities to aid in troubleshooting

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

199.

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language / preferably six (6) months experience in office staff.

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

200.

JIANG, CHENGFEI Mandarin Asset Management Analyst 190.

Brief Job Description: The MANDARIN ASSET MANAGEMENT ANALYST 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.

ZHU, YI Mandarin Quality Inspector 191.

Brief Job Description: The MANDARIN QUALITY INSPECTOR 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.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Asset Management Analyst, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Quality Inspector, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

201.

HUYNH THI THUY TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 192.

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other products and Services LE MINH TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

193.

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other products and Services NGUYEN DINH KHOI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

194.

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

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

202.

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

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other and services PHAM TIEN TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

203.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other and services PHAN THI TUYET SUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

204.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other and services PHU VAN KHOI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

205.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other and services TRAN HUU Y Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

206.

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

207.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other and services TRAN MINH CHIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

208.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other and services TRINH VAN LUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

209.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STAR-FINDER OPTICS CORP. 2/l Style Boulevard, Space 2123 & 2125 Festival Supermall, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa KIM, GEUNHEE Area Manager 210.

Brief Job Description: To monitor and report on competitor activity related to Korean brand awareness

Basic Qualification: Graduate of bachelor’s degree, must be fluent in English and Korean brand awareness Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA (STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA PHILIPPINE OFFICE) Unit 2 Level 21 Ibp Tower, Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other products and Services NGUYEN TRONG THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other products and Services NGUYEN TRONG TAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language / preferably six (6) months experience in office staff.

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

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

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

SNPDRI PHILIPPINES CORP. Unit 622 Bsa Twin Tower Bldg., J. Vargas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

196.

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

SKYLUCK CORPORATION #360, Unit 243 Shaw Center Mall, Shaw Blvd. Penthouse Shaw I.t. Center, Addition Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description: Responsible for its system management

PEREZ GALLARDO, DANIEL KPM & Technical Sr. Manager

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

FANG, RONGJIAN Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

Brief Job Description: Attracts Potential Customers by Answering Product and Service Questions Suggesting Information about other products and Services NGUYEN SI HAI AU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

SIKA PHILIPPINES INC Unit A & B 888, M. Alvarez Ave.,, Talon Singko, City Of Las Piñas

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

MUJI PHILIPPINES CORP. 5f Midland Buendia Bldg.,, 403 Gil Puyat Ave.,, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Support the Project on delivering Site Implementation according to the Client’s quality standard and timeline

Basic Qualification: Engineering graduate or related discipline, min 10 yrs. management experience preferably in a telecommunications industry

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

MPOTECH DIGITAL SYSTEM INC. 47/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati JERRY FERNANDO WONGKAR Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Process sales orders, provide phone and email support to both customer and sales team.

195.

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

Basic Qualification: Native Korean, conversational language proficiency in English, 2 years experience in customer service and order management or order entry.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN MINH THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

QROI NETWORK SERVICES INC. Unit 16a 16/f Pet Plans Tower, 444 Edsa, Guadalupe Viejo, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

No.

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

QIAGEN BUSINESS SERVICES (MANILA), INC. Units A & D 12th Floor, Cyber Sigma, Mckinley West, Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services.

A15

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

NGUYEN VAN TAM Vietnamese Customer Service

Friday, May 27, 2022

DU, YU Account Executive 211.

Brief Job Description: Provide support on high level accounts, assisting the chief representative and chief manager in all areas clients; to be a champion on key projects to help improve internal processes.

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

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree; fluent in mandarin Chinese, full professional proficiency in English; ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals at all organizational levels.

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

BusinessMirror

A16 A6 Friday, May 27, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

YANG, WENYI Project Coordinator 212.

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize, and direct the activities of a construction project, under the direction of a general manager

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field of study; Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook; Knowledge of file management, transcription, and other administrative procedures or a related field; Good communication and interpersonal skills

No.

KIM, WHOA SUK Marketing Manager 222.

SU, CHENGWU Chinese Language - Marketing Staff 223.

TANZILA TRADING INC. U-29, 3/f Baclaran Bagong Milenyo Bldg., F.b. Harrison St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

213.

Brief Job Description: Develop, implement and communicate metrics reporting processes and documentation across plants and companies in collaboration with operations, marketing and sales functions, fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a must.

AN THI THUY Financial Services Consultant 214.

Brief Job Description: A commendable sales performance specializing in Financial Services and in Corporate Banking or Wealth Management/ Financial Planning services to high net worth clients. Fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a must.

224.

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

226.

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

KANG, TAEYOON Financial Services Consultant 215.

Brief Job Description: A commendable sales performance specializing in Financial Services and in Corporate Banking or Wealth Management/ Financial Planning services to high net worth clients. Fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a must.

Basic Qualification: Excellent Communication, Interpersonal and Listening Skills, the Capability to Explain Complex Information Simply and Clearly, the Ability to Network and Establish Relationships With Clients, Negotiation and Influencing Skills as Well as Determination and Tenacity. Fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a Must.

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

LI, PAN Financial Services Consultant 216.

Brief Job Description: A commendable sales performance specializing in Financial Services and in Corporate Banking or Wealth Management/ Financial Planning services to high net worth clients. Fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a must.

Basic Qualification: Excellent Communication, Interpersonal and Listening Skills, the Capability to Explain Complex Information Simply and Clearly, the Ability to Network and Establish Relationships With Clients, Negotiation and Influencing Skills as Well as Determination and Tenacity. Fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a Must.

217.

Brief Job Description: Developing and implementing marketing plans, undertaking competitor research and analysis , conducting market research to establish customer trends and habits , establishing goals and objectives in order to reach our customers through appropriate marketing channels ( digital and traditional ) building and maintaining relationships with new and existing customers through prospecting and networking . Must be fluent in English and mandarin Language NGUYEN THI KIEU OANH Trade Marketing Specialist

218.

Brief Job Description: Creating and implementation of a trade marketing strategy. Managing brand awareness across various categories and products. Develop, implement and communicate metrics reporting processes and documentation across plants and companies in collaboration with operations, marketing and sales functions, fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a must.

225.

219.

Brief Job Description: Recommend legal procedures against difficulties encountered by Japanese doing business in the Philippines.

220.

Brief Job Description: Market Philippines to Japanese investors and encourage them to set up their business here in the Philippines to create more opportunities to Filipino.

227.

221.

Brief Job Description: Analyze foreign trade and the global economy and uses the insight they glean to advise and guide strategic business decision

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

NGUYEN THI HONG THAM Vietnamese Language - Marketing Staff

228.

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

SU MY CHANH Vietnamese Language - Marketing Staff

229.

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

TRAN QUAN HY Vietnamese Language - Marketing Staff

230.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Can Understand Speak Korean and Foreign Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

MATHUR, ANSHUL Sr. Group Manager - Operations 231.

Brief Job Description: Customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience continuous improvement experiments through your team harvest ideas YADAV, ROHIT Sr. Group Manager - Workforce Management

232.

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

HAN, SANGCHUL Bilingual Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Build strong and lasting relationship with customer and provide excellent customer service experience.

YOUBIN CONSULTANCY INC. 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg., Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

234.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

243.

244.

245.

246.

TRAN YEN LINH Mandarin Marketing Assistant

247.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for assisting with the setup, facilitation and completion of marketing events.

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

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

BELLA REGINA HANDAYANI Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer 235.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties HENDRY WIJAYA Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

236.

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

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties ANDRE TANJAYA Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

237.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

BUTET SETIANINGSIH Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer 238.

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

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

DERRY SULISTIO Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer 239.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and written

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing

248.

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

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties ORLANDO CRISTOVEL WAHANI Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

249.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties RIVALDY FARDHAN AZMIL Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

250.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties ROBY KURNIAWAN Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

251.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties SELLA MARGARETHA Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

252.

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

Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

KRISTIN KASIH Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

Basic Qualification: Excellent in bilingual languages speaking.

Basic Qualification: Proficiency speaking, reading and writing in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

JUNIWATI Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

Basic Qualification: Black belt experience of 2 years and above

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

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

JOCELINE SETIAWAN Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

Basic Qualification: Black belt experience of 2 years and above

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

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

JANES HARIANDI Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

IWAN SYAHPUTRA Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

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

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

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

IRVAN DARMAWAN Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

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

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

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

242.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

GERALDO YOSUA MANAYANG Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

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

ZAPPORT SERVICES, INC. 36/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Can Understand Speak Korean and Foreign Language

241.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ERNA Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Basic Qualification: Strong Knowledge of Consumer Industry, Ability to Think Critically and Creativity, Fluency in English and Mandarin Language Is a Must.

Basic Qualification: Postgraduate/Master’s Graduate; Preferably with experience in dealing with executive level documents, transactions, and scheduling for Japanese officers.

240.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ERIK TANTIAWAN Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

XUSHENG TECHNOLOGY CORP. Flr. No. 1-5 Bldg., No. 0050 F.b. Harrison St. Cor. Williams And Roberts St. Zone 4, District 1, Barangay 13, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: Strong knowledge of consumer industry, ability to think critically and creativity; Fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a must.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communications, interpersonal and listening skills.

No.

WNS GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 9/f 1880 Bldg., Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

WINNERS ENERGY SOLAR INC. Unit 1102 11/f Coherco Financial Tower, Mbp Ayala Alabang, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa LIM, BYUNG GEON International Trade Specialist

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

HO VI CHI Vietnamese Language - Marketing Staff

233.

TOKYO CONSULTING FIRM - PHILIPPINE BRANCH Unit 801 8/f Bank Of Makati Bldg., Ayala Ave. Extn. Cor. Metropolitan Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

MUKAIYAMA, MASAYUKI Assistant General Manager

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

BANH KHAI MINH Vietnamese Language - Marketing Staff

THE JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. 22/f Trident Tower, 312 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati FUJII, NOBUO Vice President / Adviser

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

WANG, XIAOYU Chinese Language - Marketing Staff

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HO MY HONG Marketing Specialist

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

SUN, WEI Chinese Language - Marketing Staff

Basic Qualification: Must be flexible, analytical and good communicators. In the next few sections, we look at the academic requirements, professional certifications and soft skills requirements for BA roles, Fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a must.

Basic Qualification: Excellent Communication, Interpersonal and Listening Skills, the Capability to Explain Complex Information Simply and Clearly, the Ability to Network and Establish Relationships With Clients, Negotiation and Influencing Skills as Well as Determination and Tenacity. Fluency in English and Mandarin Language is a Must.

Brief Job Description: Promote business, services, products, or brands.

Develop marketing and pricing strategies

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

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

NGUYEN VAN THUAN Business Development Analyst

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties SEPTI ANDRYAN Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

253.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: May 26, 2022 Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and writing Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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.

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DOH designates RITM compound in Muntinlupa as main isolation facility for monkeypox cases

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

T

HE Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday designated the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa as the main isolation facility for suspect, probable, and confirmed monkeypox cases.

According to DOH Department Memorandum No. 2022-0220 Interim Technical Guidelines for the Implementation of Monkeypox Surveillance Screening, Management, and Infection Control, During the activation of Doors 1 and 2 of DOH’s 4-Door Alert System, “the RITM is hereby designated as the main isolation facility for suspect, probable, and confirmed monkeypox cases.”

The DOH added that the agency’s Field Implementation and Coordination Team and the One Hospital CommandCenterareworkingonthespecific designation of isolation facilities.

“The priority now is to ensure

compliance with requirements. We will be updating the public as the information comes in,” the DOH said.

Meanwhile, regional isolation facilities/hospitals catering to other international points of entry “shall be designated by the DOH Field Implementation and Coordination Team [FICT] and One Hospital Command Center [OHCC]; All Government hospitals shall prepare an area for isolation and treatment facilities in the event that Doors 3 and 4 are activated; Cases shall be immediately isolated in a private room, preferably with negative air pressure, until signs and symptoms have been resolved.”

Earlier, the DOH assured the public that no case of monkeypox has been detected yet in the country or in its territorial borders.

Monkeypox, a viral infection common in West and Central Africa, has been recorded in nearly 20 countries. It can spread from animals to humans and can also spread between people.

Friday, May 27, 2022 A17

Farmers urge President-elect BBM to prioritize review of RTL law

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T

HE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) on Thursday urged President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the review and amendment of the rice trade liberalization (RTL) law to pave the way for the reversion of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) function of selling rice in the market.

The FFF reminded Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar that his proposal of allowing the NFA to sell cheaper rice to poor consumers requires an amendment of the rice trade liberalization (RTL) law.

The RTL law did not just convert the country’s quantitative restrictions on rice imports into tariffs, but also deregulated the rice industry by removing several functions of the NFA, including the sale of staple in the domestic market.

Under the RTL law, the staterun NFA has been reduced to a buffer stocking agency that only responds to emergency situations and relief programs of government agencies.

“The DA [Department of Agriculture] and NFA will be violating the law if they pursue their proposal without the justifications stipulated by the RTL,” FFF National Manager Raul Montemayor said.

“We must remember that the law took away NFA’s original mandate to stabilize or influence rice prices and limited the agency’s role to maintaining buffer stocks for emergencies. The law has to be amended first before NFA can start selling subsidized rice again to consumers,” Montemayor added.

To this extent, the FFF urged Marcos Jr. to prioritize the amendment of the RTL law to “remove legal impediments to providing cheaper rice to poor consumers.” The group

also pointed out that the amendment of the RTL law would allow revisiting certain provisions to “protect” rice farmers “from excessive imports and rising fertilizer and other production costs.”

Nonetheless, FFF also criticized Dar’s plan of reviving the NFA’s commercial functions, claiming that the scheme would just push the state-run food agency into huge debts like in the past.

“The NFA would lose at least P11.60 for every kilo of rice sold at P27 per kilo, if it buys palay from farmers at P19 per kilo. This loss does not yet include the NFA’s processing, marketing and overhead costs,” the group said.

“Selling NFA rice at a very cheap price could inadvertently depress farm-gate prices, which will in turn force the government to again allocate scarce resources to prop up palay prices through NFA buying,” it added.

The FFF also raised concerns about Dar’s proposa l, noting that it does not tune well with recent “claims” by the economic managers that the RTL law was “successful in bringing down the prices of rice.”

“The RTL’s proponents promised that rice prices would go down if we allow imports to come in freely without any restriction and competition from the government. Why are they now proposing to bring back NFA rice?”

Montemayor said.

T he FFF, mea nwh i le, pro posed that the government consider hiking its cash transfers to 4Ps beneficiaries in lieu of providing them with rice. The group explained that this would “ free the government from logistical headaches and the corruption and leakages that have hounded similar programs in the past.”

Three Rizal Napolcom holds PNP special qualifying exam for MILF, MNLF members in Basilan quarry firms lose mining T permits

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has suspended the Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) granted to three large-scale mining companies that encroached into the Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal.

DENR Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna on Wednesday said he has signed the separate orders suspending the MPSAs of Rapid City Realty and Development Corp., Quimson Limestone Inc., and Quarry Rock Group Inc. These companies have not been operating since 2004.

“I am suspending the operation of those three MPSAs, and removing the companies’ authority to operate in order to remove the public’s speculation and ease their worries,” Sampulna announced in an online news conference Wednesday.

At the same time, he urged environmental support groups and advocates to be proactive and report illegal activities to the DENR for immediate and appropriate action.

In a news statement, DENRMines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Wilfredo G. Moncano said the MGB-Calabarzon would conduct an investigation into other alleged illegal quarrying activities within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL).

“We will be ordering an investigation if there are any ongoing illegal quarrying operations despite the suspensions,” Moncano said.

In 2017, former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez and Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc. signed a memorandum of agreement covering the 2,798 hectares of land situated inside the UMRBPL. The UMRBPL, in accordance with the passage of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems Act or ENIPAS Act, was declared as a protected area in 2018. Jonathan L. Mayuga

HE National Police Commission (Napolcom) has announced the holding of a Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination (NSQEE) given exclusively to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Lamitan, Basilan, on May 29, 2022.

T he Napolcom had ea rl ier administered the NSQEE in Cotabato City and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Napolcom stressed that members of the MILF and MNLF who aspire to join the police service shall need to submit a certification issued by the Chairman of the MILF or MNLF validated by the Ad Hoc

Office on Bangsamoro Policing, as prescribed under Executive Order No. 0003, Series of 2022, by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Office of the Chief Minister entitled “An Order Creating and Organizing an Ad Hoc Office on Bangsamoro Policing under the Office of the Chief Minister, Defining its Functions, and for Other Purposes” dated March 7, 2022.

The Ad Hoc Office on Bangsamoro Policing shall provide general administrative support in the application process set forth by the Napolcom and shall be responsible for the initial screening of applications for the NSQEE. It shall coordinate with relevant National Government and Bangsamoro Gov-

Senate ratifies bicam report harmonizing bills on mgmt of waste plastic packaging

T

HE Senate on Monday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of bills institutionalizing the mechanism of extended producers’ responsibility (EPR) on waste plastic packaging.

Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, during the Senate plenary session, pushed for the ratification of the report on Senate Bill No. 2425 and House Bill No. 10696.

Villar said the bill would institutionalize EPR as a practical policy approach for efficient waste management.

“The proposed legislation focuses on waste reduction, recovery and recycling and the development of environment-friendly products that advocates the internationallyaccepted principle on sustainable consumption and production, circular economy and producers’ full responsibility throughout the life cycle of their products,” Villar said in her sponsorship speech.

She said EPR mandates large enterprises, also referred to as obliged enterprises, to establish

or phase-in programs for the plastic packaging of their products in order to efficiently manage plastic packaging waste and reduce the production, importation, supply or use of plastic packaging.

“The obliged enterprises may voluntarily organize themselves to form or authorize a producer responsibility organization for the purpose of establishing a viable platform to implement their EPR program,” Villar said.

Under the reconciled version of the two bills, target dates were set for the recovery of plastic product footprint generated during the immediately preceding year upon the effectivity of the act as follows: • 20 percent by December 31, 2023; • 40 percent by December 31, 2024; • 50 percent by December 31, 2025; • 60 percent by December 31, 2026; • 70 percent by December 31, 2027; • 80 percent by December 31, 2028; and every year thereafter.

For this purpose, obliged enterprises are also mandated to submit the report of their compliance including appropriate documentation to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Two injured in Koronadal City bomb blast

A

N explosion hit on Thursday a passenger bus while traversing along a busy street in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, wounding at least two people, the military reported.

T he v ictims, both tr ic yc le drivers, were trailing a unit of the Yellow Bus Line with body number 2108 that came from Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat

when it was hit by the blast at around 12:20 p.m.

The military said investigators were still probing the explosion that hit the rear portion of the bus as well as looking into the possible motive and even suspects.

A unit of the Yellow Bus Line was also bombed in January last year in Tulunan, North Cotabato that killed four people. The motive of the Tu-

lunan bombing, the military said, was terrorism.

Another unit of the bus company was burned in June, also last year, in M’lang, North Cotabato.

Both attacks have been attributed to the group of the former emir of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI), Salahudin Hassan. The DI is allied with the Islamic State.

Rene Acosta, Manuel T. Cayon

ernment agencies in the processing of paper qualification requirements of applicants; shall authenticate Certificates of Membership issued by the authorized signatories of the MILF and MNLF; and shall endorse and submit applications for the NSQEE to the Napolcom. The Ad Hoc Office on Bangsamoro Policing shall also validate and verify information of applicants, as may be requested by Napolcom; and shall submit updates, reports and recommendations to the Chief Minister and the BG-Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB).

To facilitate the entry into the Philippine National Police (PNP) of MILF and MNLF members, the Napolcom was mandated to grant age,

height and educational waivers, for a period of five years from the ratification of Republic Act No. 11504, otherwise known as the “Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

Eligibility, however, as one of the minimum qualification standards for appointment in the PNP, is not covered by a waiver provision as provided for under paragraph 3, Section 2, Article XI of RA 11504. Hence, the need to administer the NSQEE. Passers of the NSQEE would be conferred by the Napolcom with eligibility which can be used solely as appropriate eligibility for the rank of Patrolman/Patrolwoman in a temporary appointment. Permanent appointment may only be given

upon satisfaction of the prescribed educational requirement of baccalaureate degree, which they have to obtain within 15 years upon entry to the PNP, as prescribed under Section 14 of RA 8551, on the general qualification for appointment into the PNP. The NSQEE, also, shall not automatically entitle the holder to an appointment in the PNP as further prescribed in Napolcom Resolution No. 2022-0081 entitled “Prescribing Napolcom Special Qualifying Eligibility as Appropriate Eligibility for Temporary Appointment to the Rank of Patrolman/Patrolwoman in the Philippine National Police for Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front.”

DENR chief highlights CBO resiliency in conservation, livelihood programs

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

D

EPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna on Thursday highlighted the importance of building the resilience of community-based organizations (CBO) in undertaking conservation and livelihood interventions.

This is as the Philippines launched the Seventh Operational Phase of the United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP-7) recently.

SGP-7 empowers CBOs, including women, indigenous peoples, and youth through community-led projects that aim to achieve global environmental benefits while improving livelihood and reducing poverty.

It is being implemented by the UNDP-Philippines through the Foundation for Philippine Environment and with support from the GEF and DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau.

Since 1992, SGP has implemented 26,429 projects in 136 countries. In the Philippines, over $11 million in grants have been distributed in over a span of 25 years.

With the launch of the SGP-7 on April 8, 2022, Sampulna said that a more holistic landscape strategy would be implemented for the project sites in Aurora province, Catubig Watershed in Northern Samar, Calamianes Group of Islands in Palawan, and Siargao Protected Landscape and Seascape in Surigao del Norte.

“It is urgent that we strengthen the resilience of our CBOs as they are the frontliners in undertaking conservation and livelihood interventions. In this period of climate

change and biodiversity degradation impacts on communities and ecosystems, a more integrated effort of weaving together interventions is essential,” Sampulna said.

SGP-7 targets to support community organizations in enhancing the socio-ecological resilience of the four target landscapes through community initiatives to produce global environmental and sustainable development benefits. The seventh operational phase also targets to effect change towards strengthening governance systems even for disaster response, recovery and resilience building.

“Catastrophic incidents like the onslaught of typhoon ‘Odette’ highlight the urgent need to continue our efforts on disaster risk reduction and resilience building,” UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ra-

machandran said. “These devastating events exacerbate the already limiting and unpredictable situation brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. The promising changes being offered by SGP-7 are expected to effect change towards strengthening governance systems even for disaster response, recover, and building resilient communities,” Ramachandran pointed out.

The strategies that will be used for implementing the program will include expanding the coverage of protection mechanisms over actual Key Biodiversity Areas and critical habitats; maximizing the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems or E-NIPAS law; and increasing the support for indigenous peoples’ socio-cultural values about biodiversity through support for local community managed areas.

A18 Friday, May 27, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Interactive games: Key to prosperity?

R

alph Henry Baer, widely acknowledged as “the Father of Video Games,” is the son of a Jewish shoe factory worker in Germany. In 1938, the Baer family fled from Hitler and immigrated to the Bronx in New York where he gained an interest in electronics. Baer was working as an engineer at Sanders Associates (now BAE Systems) in Nashua, New Hampshire, when he conceived the idea of playing games on a television screen in 1966. He filed the first video game patent in 1971. In February 2006, Baer was awarded the National Medal of Technology for “his groundbreaking and pioneering creation, development and commercialization of interactive video games, which spawned related uses, applications, and mega-industries in both the entertainment and education realms.”

Since then, video games have become a ubiquitous, billion-dollar industry, thanks to the Internet. Last year, the top five games alone raked in a staggering total income of $120.22 billion. Their individual performance: Dota 2, $47,780,465; Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, $21,171,751; PUBG MOBILE, $17,871,679; Arena of Valor, $17,365,745; PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, $16,031,339. The monetary rewards in the video game industry are astounding if you can land a hit.

Even the wildly popular mobile game Candy Crush Saga, which is free, has found a way to generate income by leveraging on the “addiction” of its over 250 million loyal fan base. The game is free, but players can pay for tools that help them finish levels or advance to the next level. Players spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year on those tools.

Closer to home, the Philippine eSports market is home to over 43 million active gamers, steadily increasing by 12.9 percent yearly since 2017. This growth is supported by the growing accessibility of smartphones and mobile Internet.

Mobile eSports account for about 35 percent of the total gaming market in the Philippines. As of the first half of 2019, the country’s mobile eSports revenue amounted to $24 million.

The promise of the country’s eSports sector can best be seen in the results of the recently concluded 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Philippine eSports team SIBOL bagged two gold medals and two silver medals. With their medals, SIBOL placed third in the eSports division, with Vietnam at the top spot followed by Indonesia. SIBOL fielded a total of 54 eSports athletes across 10 events for titles such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, FIFA Online 4, Crossfire, Free Fire, League of Legends (Wild Rift, PC), and PlayersUnknownBattlegrounds (PUBG).

Here’s another gaming application: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced on Monday that it is launching a financial education game for local fisherfolk, targeting to educate over 1.9 million fishers nationwide. The game— which is called “Fish N’ Learn”—was developed under the BSP’s Financial Education (FinEd) Program for fisherfolk, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-Fish Right Program, and BDO Foundation (Read, “Central bank hopes game can teach fishers finance,” in the BusinessMirror, May 23, 2022).

According to the BSP, Fish N’ Learn simulates real-life events that influence the financial behavior of fishermen and their families. It aims to empower the agri-fisheries sector by reinforcing positive money habits and values among fisherfolk through a fun and interactive game.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the creation of the game highlights the important role of our fisherfolk, who serve as food security frontliners in the ongoing pandemic. “Fish N’ Learn is meant to give our fisherfolk the primacy that they deserve by focusing on improving their financial health and overall quality of life, which helps to foster a financially healthy citizenry. Strong public-private partnerships are instrumental to achieve sustainable and scalable programs such as this one,” Diokno said.

We commend the BSP and its partners for coming out with a novel idea of empowering our fishermen through an interactive game. If the BSP’s Fish N’ Learn becomes extremely successful and popular among our fisherfolk, then we can replicate this kind of initiative in other sectors. Who knows, a more practical version of FarmVille that teaches users how to make money in the real world may arouse the Filipino youth’s interest in agriculture.

Interactive games may just be the key to open the potential of other economic sectors, and strengthen the country’s economy.

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

Continuity in our economic policy Sonny M. Angara

Better Days

E

lections, given that they mark transitions in our society, do often trigger periods of soul-searching and reflection. They can also be very emotional affairs, not least because the prospect of new political leaders taking the helm can elicit either anticipation or anxiety.

So in the weeks following the recent elections, many asked about my thoughts on what will happen to the country based on the results.

Such affairs are not new to me after all, given that in my youth, I have campaigned for my father in four national elections and that as a public servant since 2004, I have had to do my own share of campaigning.

This amount of experience notwithstanding, I do not claim to be an expert or profess that I can explain everything that happens in our political world especially with new developments like social media and the emergence of new types of propaganda and information dis-

Economic pace and space

✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua

Dr. Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes

Founder Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Senior Editors

Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso

Online Editor

Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Creative Director Chief Photographer Chairman of the Board President Advertising Sales Manager Group Circulation Manager

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines.

Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025.

(Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807.

(Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news@businessmirror.com.ph.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Printed by brown madonna Press, Inc.–Sun Valley Drive KM-15, South Superhighway, Parañaque, Metro Manila MEMBER OF

EAGLE WATCH

T. Anthony C. Cabangon Lourdes M. Fernandez

semination.

But having been active in politics under three presidents already—Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, and Rodrigo Roa Duterte—I have come to realize that one thing has remained true underneath all the political travails.

Our economic policies, specifically towards keeping our fiscal house in order, have not fundamentally changed. And because of that, the country has been able to enact some very bold reforms and make longterm investments in our people.

This trend started with President Macapagal-Arroyo. Her administration successfully enacted difficult

‘P

ace and space” is a popular trend in basketball today. It is worth recalling that before 1979, every shot in basketball, no matter the distance, was simply worth two points. When the three-point line was introduced in 1979, the three-point shot was merely a novelty shot, and teams still heavily favored dominant lowpost players over outside shooters and guards. Thus, a big man who could post up was often the most valuable player to a team. This trend continued its dominance until the mid-2000s, when coaches such as Mike D’Antoni and Erik Spoelstra introduced the concept of “pace and space” into the game.

In essence, “pace and space” is an offensive philosophy that revolves around pushing the ball up the floor as quickly as possible while spreading the floor with three-point shooters in as many positions as possible. For example, under Steve Kerr’s mentorship, the Golden State Warriors have an elite playmaker in Stephen Curry, who is surrounded by undersized three-point shooters and a center whose main responsibilities are to run the pick-and-roll, collect rebounds, and protect the rim. Using screens set up by supporting players, the primary ball handler tries to at-

tack the paint, set up the roll man, or dish out to a shooter on the perimeter when a wing defender comes to provide help defense.

So, in basketball, pace refers to the speed at which a team executes its offense, while space refers to the optimal placement of players that will give scorers the best opportunities and the hardest coverage for defenders. Similarly, in economics, pace can refer to the speed at which the economy grows, while space can refer to the room created in the public budget that allows the government to provide resources for various desired

Because of the proper handling of our macroeconomic affairs over the past two decades, only 10 to 15 percent of our national budget now goes to paying our debts. Meanwhile, our good credit ratings have ensured that the interest we’re paying is the lowest it’s ever been. fiscal reforms like the expanded value added tax (E-Vat) in 2005. At the time, the country was still reeling from the effects of the Asian Financial Crisis where the consolidated budget deficit rose from 1 percent of GDP in 1997 to 5.8 percent in 2003, with the stock of public debt and contingent liabilities reaching up to 137 percent of GDP. On top of that, at least 30 percent of all government revenues had to be devoted to making interest payments for our debts, instead of other priority expenditures.

Understandably, enacting new taxes had negative political ramifications. But by biting the bullet at the time, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration helped set the basis for the investments that the succeeding administration of President Aquino III was able to make in education,

Indeed, as the “pace and space” philosophy suggests, the country needs to make all the three-point shot attempts that it can quickly manage to create to boost investor confidence, maintain good credit ratings, reduce the debt overhang, and preserve future growth prospects. The gameplan must be executed well. purposes without jeopardizing the sustainability of its financial position or the stability of the economy.

Recent pronouncements by government officials somehow allude to a “pace and space” strategy aimed at strengthening a Philippine economy that is struggling with pandemic scars, externally driven inflation, and huge debts.

Regarding pace, as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua notes, the government will continue stimulating aggregate demand to prevent stagflation, which is the unfortunate combination of high unemployment (stagnation) and high inflation. The United States, for instance, is already experiencing such an episode.

Hopefully, robust economic growth that outpaces externally driven inflation can be achieved through Executive Order No. 166, which spells out a 10-point policy

health, and infrastructure.

President Aquino then built on the gains of his predecessor towards strengthening our government’s fiscal affairs, by enacting the first set of sin taxes (which helped start the expansion of PhilHealth coverage to more Filipinos) and pushing for better, more transparent administration of our existing tax laws.

The Duterte administration then continued this effort for improved government revenues, as evidenced by the comprehensive tax reform packages that were presented for public scrutiny. These packages were needed given that the avowed policy direction was to usher in a golden age of infrastructure. They would also be instrumental to funding such big reforms like the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, underpinning free tuition in all State Universities and Colleges, and the Universal Healthcare Act, which grants health insurance coverage to all Filipinos (though has yet to be fully implemented on account of the pandemic).

Because of the proper handling of our macroeconomic affairs over the past two decades, only 10 to 15 percent of our national budget now See “Angara,” A19

agenda to accelerate and sustain economic recovery: 1) strengthening healthcare capacity; 2) accelerating and expanding the vaccination program; 3) further reopening the economy and expanding public transport capacity; 4) resuming face-to-face learning; 5) reducing restrictions on domestic travel and standardizing LGU requirements; 6) relaxing requirements for international travel; 7) accelerating digital transformation through legislative measures; 8) providing for enhanced and flexible emergency measures through legislation; 9) shifting the focus of decision-making and government reporting to more useful and empowering metrics; and 10) preparing for pandemic resilience in the medium term.

Regarding space, reelected Albay Rep. Joey Salceda notes that the next administration must find ways to shore up revenues to sustain the stimulus program and pay off debts to preserve good credit ratings. By his estimates, the government needs at least P325 billion in new revenues each year to cover principal and interest payments (P144 billion and P181 billion, respectively) for debts incurred during the pandemic. He warns that budget cuts are not a wise option if the government wishes to sustain growth. Also, borrowing See “Eagle Watch,” A19

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The city surviving

The politics of Susan Roces

Tito Genova Valiente

annotations

Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

S

he could have been an outstanding First Lady—a paragon of beauty, virtue and moral courage. Susan Roces, or just plain Inday Susan, led a full and remarkable life both in the real and make-believe worlds in which she lived in perfect splendor. She died on May 20, after she was brought to the hospital on May 17. Senator Grace Poe, her only child, told the media that Inday Susan died peacefully of cardiopulmonary arrest, surrounded by her family and close friends.

Early this year, after President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed into law RA 11608, which renamed Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City as Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue (FPJ Avenue), Susan issued a statement: “Maraming salamat sa inyong pagkilala at pagpapahalaga sa aking kabiyak sa pagpapangalan sa kanya ng FPJ Avenue. Maging inspirasyon sana ang kababaang loob, malasakit sa kapwa, at pagmamahal sa sining ni FPJ sa bawat daraan sa abenidang ito.” What she said could very well apply to Susan as well—humility, human compassion and love for the arts. I am certain that from now on everyone who passes by FPJ Avenue would also remember Inday Susan as the loving and devoted wife of FPJ. Despite all the awards and achievements she won as an actor, she had remained modest and unpretentious. Just like Ronnie Poe, she had not published nor bragged about the charity works that she had done to help the less privileged members of our society, particularly her co-workers in the movie industry. She never talked about her generous donations and gifts; instead, she let her actions do all the talking. Hundreds of institutions that have benefited from her charities can attest to this. Among her colleagues in show business, she and her late husband started the practice of doing charity work every time each of them celebrated their birthday anniversary, aside from their annual gift giving, which they conducted without any fanfare or media coverage. They had extended financial assistance to distressed workers in the industry and had provided jobs to thousands of workers in the movie industry. Her passion and dedication to her craft after doing over 150 movies and countless roles in TV sitcoms had not waned despite spending more than seven decades of her life in front of the camera. Even at her late age, she had immortalized the iconic character of Lola Flora in the top-rated TV program, Ang Probinsyano, who had showered the principal character, Cardo Dalisay, with her grandmotherly love and nuggets of wisdom as Cardo battled his implacable foes. Inday Susan fitted her role to a T because she oozed with overflowing love and wisdom in real life.

Inday Susan fiercely loved her family and defended the members against anyone who belittled and demeaned her beloved FPJ’s qualifications, ability and sincerity to serve our people. She brooked no quarter against those who assailed her unica hija’s citizenship. It was widely believed that the nationality question that hounded Senator Grace Poe throughout the 2016 presidential campaign had distracted her from more critical issues and derailed her race to Malacañang.

In the middle of the campaign, she wrested the lead from VP Jojo Binay but only to lose her momentum towards the tail end of the presidential contest. And it was Susan who bore the brunt of the tirades hurled against FPJ in 2004, and the brickbats thrown at Grace in 2016. When FPJ died from cerebral thrombosis seven months after he lost the election, she pursued the electoral protest filed by FPJ before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. When the taped conversation allegedly between Comelec Commissioner

We buried her mortal remains yesterday but Inday Susan’s spirit lives on. She who could have been a great First Lady and a Presidential Mother had Fate been kinder at a time when we needed a genteel First Lady with a moral compass.

Virgilio Garcillano and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the socalled “Hello Garci” tape scandal, came out, she led the call for the resignation of President Arroyo. Inday Susan conducted a press conference and denounced the president for destroying our people’s trust. And she was merciless and unforgiving when she accused then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of election fraud, which up to now rings loud and clear to the Filipinos: “The gravest thing that you have done is that you have stolen the presidency, not once but twice!” Only Inday Susan could utter such an irreverent remark with such force and conviction. It was a daring and combative stance born out of personal tragedy and grievances.

People rallied to her and even egged her to take a more active and leading role against the ruling regime. But she was not one who would easily fall for and plunge head on into a popular cause in a moment of frenzy. She was equanimity personified, and she knew her proper place.

We buried her mortal remains yesterday but Inday Susan’s spirit lives on. She who could have been a great First Lady and a Presidential Mother had Fate been kinder at a time when we needed a genteel First Lady with a moral compass. She could have been the antidote to the deception and corruption that infested our body politics. As her friend and fellow actor Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo has said, Inday Susan has a “sense of righteousness, without being self-righteous, she always practiced that. She was a very decent person. She did not talk about what’s right or wrong, she just did that.” She could have been the better version of Nancy Reagan to her president-spouse, Ronald Reagan. She was the RiteMed to our ailing society and the Champion Detergent to the repugnant and decadent politics that prevails in our country. As an honoree of the Philippine Postal Corporation, which issued a special-edition stamp in her honor, Susan did not only leave a stamp in letter envelopes but in our character as a people. Her humility, love for her fellowmen and most of all her quiet courage make us sublime. Mary Anne Radmacher had once written: “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” She was not just the Queen of Philippine Movies but also the People’s Queen. Indeed, she’s a national treasure that every Filipino should cherish.

And let me end this tribute by lifting from the lyrics of Maruja, the theme song of the movie of the same title where Inday Susan starred in: “Maruja, ang busilak mong puso/ Sagisag ng tapat na pagsuyo/ Hanggang wakas pag-ibig nami’y di magmamaliw/ Kahit mamatay man ikaw.”

Inday Susan, your death will not erase you from our mind.

I

T was almost six in the morning when the bus entered the city.

It has been two years and nearly three months that I have been away from this city. Has it changed? Have the people shifted in their ways? But why even ask the question, you might say.

I was on my way to the first faceto-face meeting of our group, the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

In the first few months, we believed in the lockdown until we opted for the new method. We started meeting online. It was possible to do that because by that time there was technology that would allow us to see each other, ask each other questions. The first time we did that we shared our anxieties. We questioned this isolation. But we soldiered on. In those two years, we did not miss a year to hand out the Gawad Urian, still the most prestigious prize a filmmaker can receive locally.

Now, I am back in the city and there are different forms of barriers.

Buses were no more allowed to enter the center of the city. A huge, sprawling terminal was built at Parañaque that could allow an ease of welcoming travelers; contrary to this aim, the place is disorderly. Where the sign said “Unloading,” the place was “Loading.” The area that was meant for private cars was blocked by motorcycles offering rides. There were signages all over the place but they were of no help. I found my way by breaking the rule.

I was back in the city then. Nothing has changed. This place was bad with the system but no virus cleared it of that flaw.

Lodging in the hotel, I spent the first few days looking over the roofs of the houses in front. Was the silence imagined? How many died from that household? How many survived?

At the beginning of the pandemic, we humans felt we were threatened.

Nature was against us. The forces of the universe worked opposite where the forces of one’s life were going.

That threat was no more. The cafes have opened and restaurants dared to offer new cuisine.

I had to see the place where I lived.

I needed to look at least at the gate to the compound where for more than

Angara. . .

continued from A18

goes to paying our debts. Meanwhile, our good credit ratings have ensured that the interest we’re paying is the lowest it’s ever been.

This long-term trend of fiscal consolidation is not always discussed, especially in mainstream outlets.

What gets highlighted, such as what we are seeing today, is how our debt is at the highest level it’s ever been. This distracts from the fact that our national budget—the investments that our government is able to make for the benefit of our people—is also the highest it has ever been.

Of course, this isn’t to say that

Eagle Watch. . . continued from A18

more to cover past borrowings will mean a downward spiral to fiscal hell, as creditors will likely impose higher interest rates.

According to Rep. Salceda, it would be best to focus the limited budget on agriculture (to contain inflation) and social safety nets and get growth from foreign direct investments, which amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investment Act, and Public Service Act aim to attract. The next administration also has much political capital to quickly enact smart tax and economic policies to address the debt problem.

Additional tax revenue sources could include the digital economy, gam-

three decades I thrived, despairing at the incongruousness of the lifestyle in the city, celebrating with bravado my own little victories. But there were neighbors, too, I missed.

Is Loida still there, with her amazing barbecue and endless updates on who are new arrivals? On the blistering rumors across the street. The night I was rushing to catch a car for the bus terminal, she was there telling me of medicine that could counter any virus. Serpentina it was called. She asked why I was leaving. Is it safer in the province? Who will take care of your things in the apartment? There is my Grab. See you soon. Prof (that was how she addressed me always), I am leaving for Tarlac. Soon.

If this were a cinema, Loida’s last shot was of the sheen on her eyes looking over the meat and blood she was ministering over with her special sauce, the embers from the coals casting deep, deep folds over the rotund face.

Do I say goodbye to Oning, the sweet and tough sari-sari store owner, and assure her things will be alright? Things are never “ok” for her always. She thinks through events, a natural critical thinker she is. Her case is an example of how one need not be over-educated to possess a mind ready to analyze things, to break the elements of a discourse, and appraise them for what they are —a charlatan’s weave or a pedant’s exorbitant exercise in academicism.

Her back turned to me (as was her habit), Oning waved as she held a dustpan, her hand dismissive and yet aware of my fare-thee-well.

My cab was now crossing Roces.

Too many bakeries and they are all there aren’t any clouds on the horizon. Definitely, the new administration will have to face some very serious challenges. But in the wake of recent announcements of who we can expect to be our economic managers under the incoming Marcos administration, there is some assurance that there will be continuity in our economic policies. And in my opinion, that should elicit anticipation—not anxiety.

Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 15 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 6 as Senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 250 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.

E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

bling (notably e-sabong), high-end goods, and plastic bags. Programs that strengthen tax enforcement (Run After Tax Evaders, Revenue Integrity Protection Service, and Run After The Smugglers) could also be pursued more vigorously.

Indeed, as the “pace and space” philosophy suggests, the country needs to make all the three-point shot attempts that it can quickly manage to create to boost investor confidence, maintain good credit ratings, reduce the debt overhang, and preserve future growth prospects.

The gameplan must be executed well.

Dr. Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes is the Associate Director of the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development. He thanks his friend and Ateneo Grade School classmate, Mr. Larry Alexander N. Fonacier, for valuable inputs to this article.

Friday, May 27, 2022 A19

bannering their entrepreneurial spirit. Boutique stores selling everything from T-shirts and dresses were standing side by side with spa and more eateries. Many humans perhaps died, and yet businesses that allowed families to live thrived.

The wide squatters’ territory bisecting two major Scout streets stand. Nothing informal about this habitat. They too confronted the virus and, perhaps, suffered more economically. Are they all vaccinated?

Where before power was about solidarity and organizing, in the post- or near-post pandemic era, social structures uphold inequalities and the system favoring the dynamism of hunger vis-a-vis surplus.

Nothing much has changed about the poor. They are still viral as economic plagues but virulent as elements for votes. The talks continue of them as threatening the social equilibrium

but when time for major decisions arrive (as in elections), they are the pawns, the cogs that move the machine for a while but disposable when the well-oiled machinery could run already on golden capital.

The street where I used to live was one of the first to be barricaded, with the health and barangay officials thinking that physical barriers could stop the spread of the dreaded virus. Those blockades never helped in arresting any virus from infecting a household, and another household, till the diseased felt uncountable.

Nothing of these gatekeeping

constructions could be seen now.

The sensed standard of maintaining distance from each other seemed to be a thought of an era quickly gone.

My village was no different from the rest. The health officials had not yet declared the end of that era where the immaterial got hold of our souls and blew them away. But we somehow feel it.

I am back. In fact, if I had not given up the place I was renting, I could always open that old, green gate and enter my room, and start all over again. Or live again in a world where no masks are required, where shields, additional cover for the face had not yet manifested its presence as a prophylactic against the spread of anything that is windborne or contacted through skin-toskin tactility.

And yet the fact is we have reached a world development where countries mark or make boundaries, where the underdeveloped countries do not have the monopoly of being bearers of viruses or other infirmities.

My cab continued its tour. This time, I called the attention of the taxi driver to the fact of my return. I wanted him to show surprise, or display happiness for this passenger who may have been his customer days back when no disease could ever hold the world hostage. He showed, however, no interest. I felt silly. I thought all the while some random individuals would be amazed at what happened to me. But people who left the city were all coming back and there is no gift from that process.

He would not be happier just because we came back. I do not even see why it would matter to him that we had come back.

Am I back in Baudelaire’s city, where “all we need to do is stroll about with our eyes open,” where “Life swarms with innocent monsters?”

I know now why this city survives.

It is because it never gets to know its beastly mark. It continues on with its innocence, that which frames our lives and makes our death recognizable and acceptable. And ohso-well-human.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

UK unveils plan to boost aviation industry, passenger rights

By Siddharth Philip & Charlotte Ryan Bloomberg Opinion

B

ritain set out plans to bolster airlines and airports roiled by the coronavirus pandemic, while emphasizing that growth must be in line with steps to slash carbon emissions and promising a charter for traveler rights.

The ten-point strategy revealed by the government Thursday lists ambitions including sustainable growth in both passengers and cargo and the addition of airport capacity where justified, while committing to net zero emissions from UK aviation by 2050 and improvements in the “customer experience.”

The Flightpath to the Future plan also targets job creation and a skills upgrade to accommodate technologies resulting from the drive toward decarbonization, including drones, flying taxis and electric planes, and stresses that benefits must be spread across the country as part of a so-called leveling-up agenda.

London Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest prior to the pandemic, welcomed the proposals and opportunities for closer contact with ministers, while saying the government must “bring pace to the policies” in order to fulfill its ambitions.

Planemaker Airbus SE separately provided a boost for Britain’s aerospace manufacturing sector, saying it will open a hydrogen-technology center in the country to help develop a zero-emission plane by the middle of next decade.

The government’s aviation roadmap is partly an attempt to restore relations

with a sector that complained of being cut adrift during the pandemic, as state aid fell short of the support seen elsewhere despite some of the most stringent travel curbs anywhere. It’s also aimed at assuaging consumer concerns after thousands waited months for compensation when flights were canceled.

Aviation Minister Robert Courts said that while the pandemic posed an “existential threat” to aviation, it also presents a chance “to build back better than ever before” now that the recovery has begun.

The plan, first mooted in 2020, includes two central measures, one aimed at industry and the other at the public.

Key initiatives: n Aviation Council—the new body, uniting government ministers and officials with airline and airport representatives, will seek to “bring the aviation sector together to learn the lessons of the pandemic and grow back sustainably,” the Department for Transport says. n Aviation Passenger Charter—to be developed by industry and customer groups for launch later this year, and touted as a “one-stop guide for consumers informing them of their rights and what they can reasonably expect of the aviation industry when flying.”

Industry lobby groups welcomed the blueprint, but said that direct government support will be critical.

The Airport Operators Association said ministers should “not only provide policy certainty to achieve a UK-wide recovery but also back their ambitions with funding.”

A20 Friday, May 27, 2022

Marcos wants to hold off on RCEP, but DTI warns vs it

P

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla & Andrea E. San Juan

RESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. wants to hold off the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) until he completes the study on its effects.

Marcos said he wants to ensure the trade agreement will not be detrimental to local industries particularly, in agriculture.

“I do not know if our agricultural sector is sufficiently robust to take on the competition that the opening of the markets will cause RCEP. So let us have a look at it again,” Marcos said in a televised interview on Thursday.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, however, warned against rejecting RCEP, saying the Philippines could lose foreign investments if it does not ratify the trade deal.

Lopez also said the RCEP is “safe” for the agriculture sector, “mainly because no new sensitive agriculture products were included in RCEP.”

Marcos Jr. had noted that the country should learn from the pandemic which, according to him, exposed the looming food crisis in the country. Hence, he said, “we want to beef up the agriculture sector, we want to have sufficient food supply for the Philippines in case of any crisis.”

The country risks losing its local agriculture sector if it ratifies the RCEP without ensuring that its agriculture sector is prepared for the effects of the trade deal, according to Marcos.

“We want to beef up the agricultural sector. We want to have sufficient food supply for the Philippines in case of any crisis,” Marcos said.

“Once we ensure our farmers can handle it or they already got the

support from the government, then we can ratify it [RCEP],” he added.

President Duterte in September last year signed the ratification of RCEP, but it still needs concurrence from the Senate before it can become fully effective.

Currently, the Senate has yet to give its concurrence on the ratification of RCEP. Upon taking effect, RCEP will liberalize the tariffs for several goods, including agricultural products, which will help in lowering its prices among its signatories.

Aside from the Philippines, other countries which are part of RCEP are the nine other Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) members as well as Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

What’s needed

FOR his part, Lopez emphasized that “what the agriculture and even other local production sectors need is a strong support, such as agriculture inputs, fertilizers, feeds, mechanization, training, financing, to help improve productivity and competitiveness.”

Lopez also stressed that the Philippines needs to nurture its local production capacities and not delay the ratification of the regional

economic deal.

The outgoing trade chief said “we hope that the next administration will recognize that stopping RCEP will not do any good. Again because no major sensitive products were included.”

Meanwhile, the president-elect was keen on studying the regional economic deal first before the ratification of the trade deal, taking into consideration the farmers’ welfare and capacity to “compete.”

The trade chief, however, pointed out that there would be consequences if the ratification of the trade deal would be delayed, citing its impact on the foreign direct investments (FDI) growth momentum and losing potential investments to the RCEP member countries, among others.

“As mentioned before, if we don’t ratify, some investments will also shift towards RCEP-participating countries because those countries will enjoy market concessions in other RCEP countries. This will affect our very good FDI growth momentum and job generation goals after the pandemic,” said Lopez.

Lopez further emphasized that “each day we delay, there is a threat to missing trade and investment opportunities.”

SOME PINOYS LAND ON FORBES MAGAZINE UNDER-30 ASIA LIST

BY VG Cabuag @villygc

F

ORBES Magazine has released its list of 300 young entrepreneurs and leaders under 30 years old from Asia Pacific, including a handful of Filipinos, as it said the pandemic has not stopped these people from trying new ideas, and in some cases starting their own business at the height of lockdowns and massive fears of the Covid-19 infection.

Over 4,000 nominees applied to be on this year’s list of Forbes' “30 under 30 Asia” (https:// w w w. f o r b e s . c o m / 3 0 - u n der-30/2022/asia/), which the magazine said was a record number for the Asia list.

“The final 300 were selected and vetted by our reporters and a group of respected judges, including some of the most active venture capitalists and successful business leaders in the region,” it said.

India had the most number of entries at 61, followed by Singapore with 34, Japan with 33, Australia with 32, Indonesia with 30 and China with 28.

Among the Filipinos on the list are Justin Banusing, 22; Kevin Hoang, 29; and Ariane Lim, 28. They founded AcadArena, a local e-sports startup that

helps student gamers in Southeast Asia to compete in international esports tournaments.

Founded in 2019, AcadArena has partnered with more than 600 schools, covering some 100,000 students, to create and support gaming clubs and communities. In December last year, AcadArena raised $3.5 million in seed funding.

Also on the list were Jeth Lorenz Ang, 27; Renz Carlo Chong, 26; and Nicolo Alfonso Odulio, 28.

They co-founded BreederDAO, a startup specializing in breeding and crafting NFT characters and game items to be used play-to-earn games like Axie Infinity, Sipher, Cyball and Crabada.

“The startup charges players or game guilds to create the desired traits for the playable NFT to win the game. In January, just two months after its launch, the Philippines-based startup raised $10 million in series A funding through a token sale co-led by Andreessen Horowitz's a16z and Delphi Digital,” the magazine said.

In the field of retail and ecommerce, the magazine cited Victor Lim, 28, a co-founder of Kraver's Canteen, a multi-brand cloud kitchen network.

Continued on A4

Continued on A4

FAREWELL TO THE QUEEN Relatives and friends of Susan Roces, the “Queen of Philippine Movies” for seven decades, say their goodbyes to the much-loved actress as she is brought to her final resting place on Thursday (May 26, 2022). Leading the mourners is her daughter Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, son-in-law Neil and grandchildren Brian, Nikka and Hanna Llamanzares. Ms. Roces, who died on May 21, was laid to rest beside her husband, “Action King” Fernando Poe Jr., the multiawarded producer, director and actor, who died in 2004, just months after filing an election protest in the presidential race he lost to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. NONIE REYES

DOT to boost promotion of PHL as medical, wellness destination

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

T

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) will boost its promotion of medical tourism in the country, as the recent Covid-19 pandemic further put into focus the wealth of knowledge and skills of local medical frontliners.

In a news statement, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said, “We see so much untapped potential in the health and wellness industry.

With world-class hospitals and facilities, skilled doctors and nurses, and the Filipino brand of hospitality, the Philippines is poised to become an attractive destination for medical tourism.”

She added, the DOT is currently implementing measures to further develop the country as a medical tourism destination “in a calibrated approach, including the development of an internal ecosystem and network of facilities in the country to accommodate concerns and issues surrounding this tourism product.”

As of 2020-2021, the Philippines was ranked no. 24 out of 46 destinations in the Medical Tourism Index, coming after other Asia-Pacific neighbors like Singapore (no. 2); Japan (no. 3); India (no. 10); South Korea (no. 14); Taiwan (no. 16); and Thailand (no. 17).

Cost challenges

SEVERAL research studies have

shown, among the challenges in boosting the medical tourism industry in the Philippines are the high cost of airfare and hotel rooms, and the non-transparency in cost of treatments. Popular dermatologist Dr. Reena Corona also told BusinessMirror that the cost of cosmetic treatments in other cities, like Bangkok, for instance, is “more than” 30 percent cheaper than what doctors charge in the Philippines.

She added, it was also “less expensive to go on tours, shopping, and eat the delicious local food” in Bangkok, the Philippines’s main competitor in Southeast Asia for medical and wellness treatments.

Continued on A4

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Friday, May 27, 2022

Alsons sets 3-year capex, eyes more RE investments

By Lenie Lectura

A

@llectura

lsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR), the publicly-listed company of the Alcantara Group, is setting aside P6 billion in capital expenditures (capex) for three years to finance various power projects.

“Estimated capex for the group is around P6 billion. As our previous strategy of funding these projects, we shall be funding them through a combination of project finance as well as internally generated funds,” said company chief financial officer Alexander Benhur Simon during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting held Thursday afternoon.

ACR has a portfolio of four power

facilities with an aggregate capacity of 468 megawatts (MW) serving over 8 million people in 14 cities and 11 provinces in Mindanao, the country’s second largest island.

In the next five years, ACR will undertake more renewable energy (RE) projects such as solar and hydro.

“We are planning to embark on a 21 MW hydro project in the Sindangan River in Zamboanga del Norte,

42 MW hydro along the Bago River in Negros occidental. Both are at advance stages of project development. Those two projects form part of eight potential hydro projects we are developing.

Aside from these, we are also aggressively developing suitable sites to harness solar energy. There are promising sites with highest irradiance levels in the Philippines,” said ACR Deputy Chief Executive Officer Antonio Alcantara during the meeting.

Its 14.5 MW Siguil hydroelectric power plant in Sarangani Province, meanwhile, experienced delays in construction due to challenges brought about by the pandemic.

However, the construction of the P4.5-billion hydro project is now in full swing.

“Expected commercial operations date has been updated and now projected for May 2023,” said ACR Executive Vice President Tirso Santillan.

Also, Alcantara added that ACR is considering opportunities in contestable markets; Green Energy Auction Program; VisayasMindanao interconnection project, which is expected by the end of 2022; and the upcoming launch of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in Mindanao as possible new markets that will hasten the development of the planned hydro and solar projects.

In 2021, ACR reported a 24-percent jump in its net income to P405 million from P325 million in 2020.

ACR’s 210MW Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC) baseload power plant continued to be the key revenue and income driver for the company.

ACR’s revenues last year grew by 6 percent to P10.05 billion from P9.47 billion in the prior year. SEC currently provides power to key areas in Mindanao including Sarangani Province, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan.

‘Ginebra reinforces market lead’

By VG Cabuag @villygc

G

inebra San Miguel Inc. strengthened its lead in the hard liquor category for the first quarter with a market share that is 10 percentage points ahead of its nearest competitor, according to data from research company Nielsen.

Strong marketing campaigns along with on-ground activities

VistaREIT sets IPO price

V

istaREIT Inc., the real estate investment trust led by the Villar Group, has priced its initial public offering (IPO) at P1.75 per share.

The said price is lower than its indicative price of P2.50 per share.

It will sell a total of 2.75 billion secondary common shares, composed of 2.5 billion in firm shares and 250 million shares as its overallotment option.

The company earlier said it will sell up to 3.33 billion firm shares and up to 333.75 million over-allotment option shares.

At the new price and offer size, the company will raise some P4.81 billion.

The company will be listed under the stock symbol VREIT. The company is expected to conduct its IPO from May 30 to June 3 and will list its shares on the PSE on June 15.

VistaREIT is a real estate investment trust sponsored by Villar-led companies Masterpiece Asia Properties Inc., Manuela Corp., Vista Residences Inc., Crown Asia Properties Inc. and Communities Pampanga Inc. The sponsors will receive the entire proceeds of the offer, which shall be reinvested in the Philippines, pursuant to the revised implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9856, or the Real Estate Investment Trust Act of 2009.

The company engaged BDO Capital and Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., PNB Capital and Investment Corp., RCBC Capital Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. as joint lead underwriters for the offer, with Abacus Capital and Investment Corp. as participating underwriter. VG Cabuag

and aggressive selling contributed to its strong performance, the company said.

Its latest campaigns include “Hanggang Huling Patak ng Bagong Tapang,” which mirrored the real-life struggles, sacrifices, and never-saydie spirit of Filipinos during the pandemic; “Choose What’s True” for GSM Blue and “Salamats, Pri” for Primera Light Brandy, the company said.

The company sustained growth

momentum from last year, driving revenues to P12.6 billion, 11 percent higher than previous year’s P11.33 billion. With better margins, net income reached P1.4 billion, a 34-percent increase compared to the same period in 2021 at P1.03 billion.

For 2021, Ginebra recorded a revenue of P42.5 billion, 17 percent higher than last year’s figure, while operating income registered an increase of 39 percent to P5.3 billion.

Despite the pandemic persisting in 2021, the company delivered strong sales to close at nearly 42 million cases—the highest sales ever in a single year, and posted a full-year net income of P4.2 billion, 52 percent higher than the prior year, setting a new record for the company.

Ginebra San Miguel is the world’s largest-selling gin, according to leading global drinks journal Drinks International.

‘Economic team will boost confidence in PHL’ L

oc al business groups and analysts welcomed the nominees of President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his economic team, saying they have the requisite skills and experience to address the fiscal challenges created by the pandemic.

Makati Business Club (MBC) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) issued separate statements hours after the President-elect bared the other members of his economic team.

Felipe M. Medalla has been nominated as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor; BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno has been named as Department of Finance chief; and Management Association of the Philippines President Alfredo Pascual, Trade chief.

Marcos had earlier announced that he is tapping Philippine Competition Chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan for the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

MBC E xec ut ive D i rec tor Coco Alcuaz said “the appointment of these ex perienced, wel l-k now n leaders shou ld boost the confidence of local and foreign businesses, from MSMEs [micro, small and medium enterprises] to big players, that the new administration will promote liberalizing

but inclusive policies that will accelerate job creation, competition, and economic recovery.”

MBC also welcomed the nomination of Manuel M. Bonoan as chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways; Bienvenido E. Laguesma, chief of the Department of Labor and Employment; and Susan Ople as secretary of the new Department of Migrant Workers.

PCCI said Marcos’ economic managers will be taking on a critical job as the government faces heightened fiscal challenges due to the pandemic and other economic issues.

“They are all seasoned and competent economic leaders.

We believe they would do well in managing our fiscal affairs.

As you know, we are faced with critical issues, such as the huge debt deficit, and the need for post pandemic reforms and programs to sustain recovery, among others,” said PCCI President George T. Barcelon.

“We are fortunate that we have a strong foundation and we remain among one of Asia’s fastest-g row ing economies.

There remain some policy issues that need to be addressed to accelerate our growth momentum.”

‘Solid background’

Lu is Limlinga n, Ma naging Director of Regina Capital

Development Corp., told the BusinessMirror that the nominees for the president-elect’s economic team are all “very qualified.”

“As expected, the presumptive President’s economic team offers a promising display of solid work background supported by years of experience. It would be interesting to see how they can manage the country’s post-pandemic economy.”

Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financials Inc., noted that the nominees all have strong economic and finance background.

“Their work experiences are also relevant to the positions that they will be assuming. Diokno has experience with fiscal policies through his work at the DBM [Department of Budget and Management]. Medalla is currently a member of the Monetary Board and Balisacan has been NEDA chief before while Pascual has much experience with the business sector.”

Conrado F. Bate, president and CEO of COL Financia l Group Inc., said he is “pleased” with the economic team of the president-elect. “They definitely bring with them the wealth of knowledge and experience needed for the position. Overall this was taken positively by the market.” VG Cabuag and Andrea E. San Juan

B1

Jet flights to connect BARMM areas–PAL

L

EGACY carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said on Thursday it will start regular jet flights between Cotabato City and Tawi-Tawi in June, marking the first air link within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

PAL will start its Cotabato-TawiTawi route on June 9, operating twice weekly using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

It features both business and economy class seats.

Stanley K. Ng, the company’s president, said the new service connects BARMM’s mainland areas to its island region, with Cotabato’s Awang Airport and Tawi-Tawi’s Sanga-Sanga airport as travel gateways.

“We are honored to make history by operating the first flight within the new Bangsamoro region, giving us a new opportunity to serve its 4.9 million people,” he said. “We look forward to contributing, in our own way, to the development of tourism and com-

merce in Bangsamoro through regular flights that help promote unity and economic activity in this dynamic region as well for the rest of Mindanao.”

Before the service was introduced, travelers had to first fly to Manila or other domestic gateways outside BARMM to fly to a city within the region. Sometimes, this means passengers had to do an overnight stop.

“We in the Bangsamoro government, together with the Mindanao Development Authority and the concerned local government units, are happy that Philippine Airlines has announced this long-awaited service between Cotabato and Tawi-Tawi in support of the economic and tourism development of BARMM,” said BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim.

“We have high hopes for success, and we will do all possible to support this historic venture for the benefit of our constituents.” Lorenz S. Marasigan

TAP2PAY LRT-1 private operator, Light Rail Manila Corp.

(LRMC), has rolled out its Tap2Pay campaign with more LRT-1 merchants as new channels for beep loading and payment services as it intensifies contactless transactions. The initiative allows more uses of beep cards for passengers as they can now use it to buy goods at merchant kiosks at different LRT-1 stations. Photo shows LRMC Automatic Fare Collection System Head John Philip Delos Santos during the launching. NONOY LACZA

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, May 27, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Megaworld expects sales of Cavite asset to hit ₧6.5B

NGCP activates Mariveles-Hermosa transmission line

roperty developer Megaworld Corp. on Thursday said it expects some P6.5 billion in revenues from the sale of its first upscale residential village inside the 140-hectare Maple Grove township in General Trias, Cavite.

P6-billion transmission facility is now ready to accommodate more than 2,500 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacities for the Luzon grid.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said Thursday it has energized the MarivelesHermosa 500 kiloVolt (kV) transmission line, which was earlier certified as an Energy Project of National Significance by the Department of Energy in January 2019.

The project involves the construction of a 49.2-kilometer transmission line connecting Mariveles to Hermosa, Bataan, and the construction of substations in AlasAsin, Mariveles and Balsik, Hermosa.

The transmission line will expand the existing capacity of the transmission facilities to accommodate more than 2,500MW of incoming generation from the Bataan Peninsula, including the GN Power Dinginin Coal-Fired Power Plant and the Mariveles Power Generation Corporation.

“NGCP’s mandate is to ensure that all capacities are capable of be-

P

By VG Cabuag

The 22-hectare Maple Grove Park Village will be a luxury resort-inspired residential community that will sell 377 lots, ranging in size from 280 square meters up to more than 500 square meters.

Eugene Em Lozano, the company’s first vice president for sales and marketing, said the company

@villygc

is selling the lots at an average of P50,000 to P53,000 per square meter. This translates to P14 million per lot to about P27 million.

The houses that will be built should follow the modern contemporary design, he said.

“Maple Grove Park Village is inspired by contemporary tropical

architecture that naturally exudes a sense of ease and warmth perfectly suited for a resort-style residential setting. The village will be strategically located in the more secluded part of Maple Grove to give residents utmost exclusivity and privacy, while still allowing them to have access to all the modern conveniences that the township has to offer,” Lozano said.

The village was designed by global design firm Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo (WATG) , the same group behind some of the world’s most extraordinary resort destinations like Shangri-La Maldives, Sofitel Bali in Indonesia, Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, as well as Shangri-La Boracay and Hilton Manila here in the Philippines and Crimson Boracay.

The exclusive, gated Maple Grove Park Village will be highlighted by up to 10 different lush parks and communal gardens inspired by spa and wellness landscapes and activities for its future

residents, the company said.

These include Color Gardens (Chroma-therapy) featuring colored trees and alleys filled with flowers; a Garden of Tranquility featuring an enclosed reflection lawn, an open lawn and herbs and vegetable plots; Edible Gardens that come with fruit- bearing trees, picnic tables, and play structures; an Aromatherapy Garden with aromatic plants, picnic areas, and yoga and meditation platforms; among others.

Another highlight of Maple Grove Park Village will be the village clubhouse that includes a floating garden, an aromatic and sensory garden, al fresco lounge deck, as well as a wellness pool, pool deck with loungers, a lap pool with pool beds, kids pool, Jacuzzi, a kid’s club and an outdoor kid’s play area, lawn areas, cabanas and a barbecue and picnic area.

Some 38 percent of the property will be allocated to green and open spaces. It will also have an underground cabling system, with provisions for fiber-optic cables.

Lots will be ready for turnover to owners by 2026.

Maple Grove township, for which Megaworld is spending some P15 billion, features residential condominiums, office towers, a soon-to-rise lifestyle mall, a transport hub and its McDonald’s store known as the biggest in Cavite.

By Lenie Lectura

ing delivered to load centers across the Philippines. It is important that we remain ahead of the curve by ensuring that lines are more than capable of delivering incoming power. NGCP is dedicated to doing its part in ensuring energy stability and resiliency, by making sure the power highways are always ready,” the company said in a statement.

The new Hermosa (Balsik) Substation will house 2000 MegaVolt Ampere (MVA), the largest MVA capacity of any NGCP transformer bank to date, with the capability to expand to up to 4000MVA with the entry of bulk generation in the coming years.

“The capacity of the new Balsik Substation will ensure that more power can be dispatched by the transmission system, and will greatly improve the overall grid reliability and stability of the 500kV network,” said NGCP. The grid operator said the completion of these high voltage facilities would expand the country’s transmission system. “We continue to ask for the support of all our stakeholders to fast-track the completion of our other critical projects as we create a better and more resilient grid across the country.”

@llectura

A

mutual funds

May 26, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

212.42

5.98%

-6.59%

-4.95%

-8.87%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.4075

13.82%

-4.13%

-2.22%

-15.42%

6.6%

-10.28%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.9298

-7.42%

-9.51%

-8.02% n.a.

-4.24%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6747 -0.98%

-7.96% n.a.

-12.48%

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

7.9%

-4.03%

-2.33%

-7.67%

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

0.7105

12.92%

-6.39%

-5.59%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

78.25

-16.6%

-14.21% n.a.

-17.13%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7244 1.83% 4.7851

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

43.6109

6.69%

-5.41%

-3.55%

-9.38%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

455.34

5.62%

-5.36%

-3.61%

-9.06%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3097

22.77%

0.07%

0.08%

-3.44%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

33.3094

7.79%

-4.61%

-2.45%

-8.98% -8.78%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.8587

7.78%

-5.98% n.a.

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.5075

7.56%

-4.79%

-2.94%

-9.14%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

751.65

7.28%

-4.82%

-2.98%

-9.28%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.6768

5.88%

-9.88%

-5.7%

-10.07%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.395

6.16%

-7.41%

-4.29%

-10.08%

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

0.8558

7%

-5.13%

-3.23%

6.19%

-5.38%

-2.21%

-8.61%

United Fund, Inc. -a

3.1415

-9.29%

-9.39%

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

1.0832

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

916.36 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

9.2% n.a. n.a.

-6.84%

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

101.324

7.79%

-4.61%

-2.58%

-9.11%

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

$0.926

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.5088

-25.72%

-1.05%

-1.01%

-17.8%

-13.22%

6.06%

5.54%

-18.28%

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

1.5573

-3.32%

-3.02%

-2.67%

-7.96%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.1382

1.54%

-2.26%

-1.96%

-6.28%

4.06%

-0.82%

-0.24%

-5.07%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5546

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1994

8.43% n.a. n.a.

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

2.61%

-0.14%

0.04%

1.9087

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.5052

1.01%

-1.48%

-1.28%

-6.9%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

15.7071

0.97%

-1.71%

-1.34%

-6.76%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0035

3.09%

-2.06%

-1.36%

-5.56%

2.5%

-4.1%

-2.22%

-7.38%

8.76%

-3.52%

-1.82%

-7.85%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.378 Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

0.8793

-4.59%

-5.36%

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

0.9141

-2.9%

-2.79% n.a.

-7.65%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.8498

1.6%

-4.99% n.a.

-10.03%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

0.8394

2.72%

-5.31% n.a.

-10.12%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03381 -10.91%

-2.57%

-1.01%

-10.89%

-16.46%

-0.31%

-0.45%

-11.82%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.0707 -12.02%

3.55%

3.68%

-15.23%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.0438 -11.68%

0.01%

0.75%

-12.92%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$0.941

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

372.58

0.35%

2.22%

2.29%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8886

-1.4%

0.05%

0.13%

-0.46% 0.21%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2247

-0.01%

2.06%

3.36%

-0.59%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.1864

-3.19%

0.29%

0.81%

-2.89%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.411 -0.97%

2.04%

1.71%

-0.62%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.2175

-5.81%

1.19%

0.77%

-4.05%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3107

-0.89%

2.91%

2.68%

-0.64%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.8808

-2.4%

2.27%

2.24%

-2.14%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0065

-1.94%

2.93%

1.68%

-2.11%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1357

-1.91%

2.59%

2.71%

-1.62%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-2.55%

1.81%

2.03%

-1.83%

1.6989

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

$482.27

-0.48%

1.91%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є213.19

-2.93%

-0.44%

0.21%

-3.1%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.0726

-8.89%

-2.89%

-0.87%

-10.91%

-1.2%

-0.32%

-5.77%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0245 -5.41%

1.9%

-1.49%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$0.9066

-13.61%

-5.35%

-3.31%

-11.36%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.2442

-9.85%

-0.56%

0.29%

-10.44%

$0.0608802

-3.06%

1.3%

1.29%

-2.27%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.7993 -11.05%

-2.24%

-1.19%

-12.42%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

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

131.76

1.26%

2.32%

2.51%

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

1.0626

1.04%

1.65% n.a.

0.43%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3238

1.53%

2.23%

2.49%

0.46%

0.62%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0631

0.58%

1.2% n.a.

0.24%

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

43.1546 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

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

1.185

-4.47% n.a. n.a.

-14.31%

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

$0.8494

-15.06% n.a. n.a.

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

c - Listed in the PSE.

-12.43%

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

Dominguez open to sell NAIA to pay govt debts

F

INANCE Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said he is open to selling Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to raise the much-needed revenues to help pay for debts the government incurred after it imposed lockdown measures against Covid-19.

While the privatization of government assets was not listed in the Department of Finance’s (DOF) proposed fiscal consolidation and resource mobilization plan for the incoming administration, Dominguez said selling NAIA is possible but they have to ensure first the development of alternative international airports.

“That [selling NAIA] is a definite possibility. Actually we have thought about that since 2016? But we have to see first how the development of the alternative to NAIA,” he told reporters during a news briefing.

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Albay Rep. Joey Salceda earlier urged the next administration to privatize NAIA and some parts of Manila Bay as a means to raise P500 billion to pay for its debts.

Last Wednesday, the DOF unveiled its proposed fiscal consolidation plan, which contains a set of measures aimed to generate an annual average of nearly P350 billion per year from 2023 to 2027 to help the country outgrow its debt at a faster rate. The plan included the following: imposition of several taxes; 3-year deferment of the second tranche of reduction of personal income tax rate from 2023 until 2025; the expansion of value-added tax base; removal of VAT exemptions except for some sectors; and, possible VAT-rate reduction among others.

According to the Bureau of the Treasury, the government needs at least P249 billion in incremental revenues every year to wean the bureaucracy from more borrowing to pay for a debt bill that has hit P3.2 trillion.

As of end-March, the national government is staring at a record-high debt of P12.68 trillion as it resorted to more borrowings amid weak revenue collections and increased spending.

The national government’s debt-toGDP ratio has also risen to a 17-yearhigh at 63.5 percent, above the internationally recommended 60-percent threshold by multilateral lenders for emerging markets like the Philippines. This is also the highest since the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio hit 65.7 percent in 2005 under the Arroyo administration.

To recall, the government in December 2020 revoked—for reasons officials have yet to say—the original proponent status (OPS) granted to Megawide Construction Corp. and its partner GMR Infrastructure Ltd. for their P109-billion proposal to redevelop the NAIA. It was in July 2020 when the Manila International Airport Authority issued the OPS to Megawide. This came a few weeks after the NAIA Consortium—a group of conglomerates that proposed to redevelop the airport—backed out of the project.

Bernadette D. Nicolas

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

T

B3

Govt to borrow ₧250B from local sources

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE government intends to locally borrow P250 billion in June, the last month before President Rodrigo Duterte formally steps down from office.

Broken down, the national government plans to borrow P175 billion through auctioning off Treasury Bonds (T-bonds) and another P75 billion through selling Treasury Bills (T-bills).

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon told reporters that the domestic

borrowing program was “calibrated based on domestic requirement and past rejections,” referring to the results of the recent government securities auctions.

Of the P200-billion domestic borrowing program that the government set this month, the Bureau of

the Treasury sold P141.3 billion in government securities.

In recent auctions, investors have been demanding higher rates on the back of expectations that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the US Federal Reserve will be continuing to raise interest rates in a bid to ease inflation’s impact on economic recovery.

Based on the schedule of offerings released by the Treasury last Thursday, a combined P15-billion worth of 91-day, 182-day and 364-day tenors per day will be auctioned off on May 30 and all the four Mondays of June.

Meanwhile, P35 billion in T-bonds per auction day will be offered on May 31 (Tuesday) and all succeeding Tuesdays.

For this year, the government is expected to borrow a total of P2.2

trillion, around 75 percent of which is expected to come from domestic sources. Reissued 3-year T-bonds will be offered on May 31 while 5-year debt papers will be sold on June 7.

Apart from these, 7-year T-bonds each will be auctioned off on June 14 and June 28 and 10-year notes on June 21. As of end-March, the national government’s outstanding debt has hit a new record-high of P12.68 trillion as it resorted to more borrowings after revenue collections remained weak while government spending grew.

The national government’s debtto-GDP ratio has also risen to a 17-year-high at 63.5 percent, above the internationally recommended 60-percent threshold by multilateral lenders for emerging markets like

the Philippines. It is also the highest since the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio hit 65.7 percent in 2005 under the Arroyo administration.

During a virtual briefing last Wednesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said the Philippines going the way of Sri Lanka in terms of debt is improbable: “Super malabo.”

“We have a very strong economy that can bring down that debt level.

And we also need to manage our fiscal resources and raise revenues,” Chua said. “Raising revenues [will] primarily [be] driven by making the economy grow stronger, then supported by tax policy and administration measures. So that is how over the medium term we will bring down our debt levels.”

Use of eGov Pay jumped by 467% to nearly 100,000 transactions

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

D

IGITAL payment usage for government services grew by 467 percent in 2021, indicating consumers’ “shift of preference” towards online transactions, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) chief reported on Thursday.

In an online news briefing, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said the use of EGov Pay—a system that enables digital payment for gov-

ernment services—grew to over 91,000 transactions at end-2021 from around 16,000 transactions a year earlier.

Diokno added that the value of EGov Pay transactions increased by 300 percent, from around P 61 million in 2020 to nearly P 246 million in 2021.

“The sustained increase in the use of EGov Pay, even after mobility restrictions were lifted, proves the shifting preference of consumers towards greater adoption of digital

payments,” the BSP chief said.

The most common payments processed through EGov Pay are fees for government clearances as well as taxes.

From only two government billers when the facility was launched in 2019, 484 billers have been onboarded to EGov Pay at end-April this year.

The billers include provincial and local government units, state colleges and universities, water districts, and other government agen-

Understanding DEI in Associations

I

first came to know about the term “diversity and inclusion,” or “D&I,” as a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). In August 2011, its board of directors approved a 3-year D&I strategic plan anchored on the principle that a diverse and inclusive organization is one that can attribute high performance to composition, culture and infrastructure for collaboration.

There are several phrases, acronyms and words associated with D&I, such as DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), DIB (diversity, inclusion and belonging) and DEB (diversity, equity and belonging). Probably the most commonly used in the association community is DEI. Diversity acknowledges the ways which people differ, such as in race, culture, nationality, gender, physical abilities/disabilities, age, education and ways of thinking. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Inclusion is the act of establishing behavior, philosophies, policies, practices and procedures that ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources that support individuals in contributing to an organization’s success.

To understand DEI better in the association context, we at the PCAAE invited Washington,

Association World Octavio Peralta D.C.-based Sharon Newport, organizational consultant, facilitator and executive coach, for a webinar on “DEI for Associations: An Introduction.” Below are key principles and practices on I’ve picked up from her presentation: 1. Ownership and leadership. Your board owns and creates the DEI mission, vision and strategy and this can be done through informed conversations, education, data, impact potential and bravery. The CEO may need to guide the board on their journey and education, as well as to provide support for the organization’s evolution.

2. Organizational culture and implementation. DEI is woven into everything—from mission, vision, strategy, to operational plan, policies, practices and programs. DEI committees or task forces support implementation and there is a return on investment across all areas.

3. Membership involvement. DEI should be undertaken with member involvement as a community of a whole, the guiding principle of which is “don’t build for us without us.”

4. “Allyship.” There is also

room for promoting “allyship,” the goal of which is to create a culture in which a marginalized group feels valued, supported and heard.

So how do you start DEI in your own organization? Here’s what Sharon suggests: n Note with curiosity what’s happening in your association in terms of DEI; n Expand your relationships, network and influences, including your board and staff; n Take responsibility for your own education and become conversant on it; n Create a focus group to share the journey; and, • Learn your dominant identities and transfer your privilege to marginalized groups.

In its 2020 report, “Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters,” McKinsey & Company cites that the business case for DEI, despite the pandemic, is stronger than ever. Findings show that organizations which invested in and committed to, DEI initiatives stand to gain, not only social benefits, but also robust financial outcomes.

The bottom line is that DEI is good for all the organization’s stakeholders, as well as good for the bottom line.

Octavio Peralta is currently the executive director of the Global Compact Network Philippines and founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” E-mail: bobby@pcaae.org.

PDIC to hold e-bidding for Luzon, Mindanao lots HE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) is set to sell 29 residential and commercial lots with aggregate minimum disposal price of P43.8 million through electronic public bidding (e-bidding) on June 24, 2022.

To be sold on an “as-is, whereis” basis, these corporate and closed bank-owned assets include 17 vacant residential lots, two of which will be sold as one, nine residential lots with improvements and three commercial lots with improvements. Said properties are located in different parts of Luzon and Mindanao: Metro Manila; Apayao; Bataan; Batangas; Bukidnon; Cagayan; Camarines

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, May 27, 2022

Sur; North Cotabato; Pampanga; and, Quezon.

The PDIC said in a statement issued last Wednesday that the property sizes of the residential lots range from 50 square meters (sqm) to 1,000 sqm with minimum disposal prices between P165,000 and P3.2 million. The sizes of commercial properties range from 259 to 314 sqm. with price tags between P1.1 and P20.5 million.

Interested buyers may send their bids online through PDIC’s e-bidding portal starting at 9:00 a.m. on June 23, 2022, until 1:00 p.m. on June 24, 2022. Bids will be opened at 2:00 p.m. on June 24, 2022, the PDIC said.

A one-time registration is required from interested buyers, which may be completed via the e-bidding portal. Bidders may observe the ebidding proceedings on the same portal that can also be accessed by clicking the “Assets for Sale” icon on the PDIC website’s homepage.

The complete list and description of the properties, requirements, e-bidding process and Conditions of Bid are posted on the same portal. Bidders are reminded of their responsibility to determine the actual condition, status, ownership and other circumstances of the properties they wish to acquire.

As the mandated liquidator of

closed banks, the PDIC disposes of their assets through public biddings and negotiated sales. Proceeds from the liquidation of closed banks’ properties are added to the pool of liquid assets of these banks for distribution to uninsured depositors and other creditors subject to the rules on concurrence and preference of credits. The disposal of these assets increases the chances of recovery of uninsured depositors and creditors of their trapped funds in the closed banks.

Meanwhile, proceeds from the sale of corporate assets are added to the Deposit Insurance Fund, PDIC’s main fund source for payment of valid deposit insurance claims.

cies and offices.

“By participating in EGov Pay, government institutions can efficiently collect revenues, which are crucial to their delivery of public and social services. Moreover, the government may curb revenue leaks through efficient collection means, a better audit trail, and enhanced transparency,” Diokno said.

Earlier this month, the BSP expressed its support for the issuance of the executive order mandating all departments, agencies, and in-

strumentalities of the government, including state universities and colleges and government-owned or -controlled corporations, and enjoins local government units to utilize digital channels in the disbursement and collection of payments.

“Digital collection of payments will expedite transactions, generate savings for the government and the public, and reduce the risk of graft and corruption,” Diokno earlier said.

DBP to use ₧12-B bond gain to buttress future programs

S

tate-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) announced it has successfully raised P12 billion in fresh funds through its latest bond issuance.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel G. Herbosa reported last Thursday that the bank’s 2.5 YearFixed Rate Series 3 Bonds, or “Primus 3,” issuance was four-times oversubscribed of its P3-billion target.

In a statement, the DBP said the funds raised will be used to support various developmental projects and initiatives in its priority sectors.

“We have raised over P12 billion after a one-week offer period and this reflects the debt market’s confidence in DBP as a stable financial institution,” Herbosa was quoted in the statement as saying.

DBP is the fifth largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy: infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; environment; social services; and, community development.

Last year, the bank’s second offshore

bond offering raised $300 million and was rated “BBB” by credit rating agency Fitch Ratings.

“The vigorous demand for the bonds would enable the Bank to support and buttress both ongoing and future programs,” Herbosa said.

The CEO also added that unlike the previous Primus 1 and 2 bond issuances of DBP, the distribution of Primus 3 was via private placement, with participation limited to Qualified Institutional Buyers.

He said the bonds were offered at par value with an interest rate of 4.05 percent per annum with a tenor of 2.5-year tenor, which is set to mature in November 2024, adding that the “…bonds were enrolled and traded through the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.”

“DBP’s latest bond is a tangible manifestation of the Bank’s proactive stance to offer investors an opportunity to be part of the noble goal of supporting efforts to stimulate the economy and actively contribute to the country’s steady recovery,” Herbosa said. Bianca Cuaresma

BPI tweaks ‘green’ finance

B

ANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) announced that it has consolidated its Sustainable Development Finance program to accelerate investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building and sustainable agriculture.

In a statement, the bank said this is in response to the growing need for creating sustainable businesses in the country.

Through the consolidation, the bank offers free technical consultation services which include the evaluation of project feasibility studies, technical training and validation of energy savings and production projections before financing.

“These services ensure that the projects of BPI’s business clients are technically feasible and financially viable,” BPI said.

The bank also said it is ramping up its efforts to promote sustainability and improve business resiliency across various sectors. BPI said it aims to guide its clients on how they can future-proof their companies and enable an energy-secure future for their businesses.

“We have seen that our lives can also be threatened by extreme weather conditions such as what Cebu, Bohol and Siargao have experienced when they were hit by Typhoon Odette.

Energy security should be at the forefront not only of the country’s development and resiliency agenda but also of every business,” BPI Corporate Credit Products Group Head Roland Gerard Veloso Jr. was quoted in the statement as saying.

Engineer Silverio T. Navarro Jr., BPI’s long-time consultant for renewable energy, said that the use of renewable energy protects businesses from price hikes of imported fuel during instability and peak demands.

Navarro added that it makes sense to invest in renewable energy and battery technologies now, in combination with existing back-up solutions, as a cost-effective measure.

Earlier this year, BPI said it has embedded Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics in all employee performance evaluations. Employees will be aided by specialized and mandatory trainings on ESG global standards and best practices. Bianca Cuaresma

B4

Friday, May 27, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Relationships BusinessMirror

New Pinoy thrills in a world of Dreams

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Chris Colfer, 32; Shanola Hampton, 45; Jack McBrayer, 49; Paul Bettany, 51.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Pull out all the stops, and force issues that will clear up unfinished business. Cutting ties with the past will give you the freedom to try something new or encourage you to use your knowledge, skills and experience to branch out and do something interesting.

Protect your health, position and reputation. Your numbers are 3, 10, 18, 25, 28, 33, 47.

A FESTIVE mural by Yana Ofracio anchors the main dining area of Haliya, the newest restaurant at City of Dreams Manila’s Nüwa Hotel that takes familiar Filipino dishes to the next level. PHOTO BY STELLA

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be careful not to let your emotions take over if someone uses force.

Be smart and deliver precise information to avoid being blamed for spreading falsehoods. Look for opportunities that offer financial freedom. HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Decisiveness will be mandatory to get where you want to go. Leave nothing to the imagination or to chance. Know what and who you are up against, and do your best. Don’t let someone break your confidence using manipulative tactics. Believe in yourself. HHH

ARNALDO

D

ECADENT comfort food.

That’s how I would describe the dishes served at Haliya, the newest restaurant at City of Dreams Manila’s Nüwa Hotel.

A recent dinner with COD Manila’s energetic Vice President for Public Relations Charisse G. Chuidian was indeed a showstopper of familiar Filipino dishes taken to the next level.

Charisse credits the new exciting dining experience at Haliya to Chef Edmundo San Jose, who apparently had been working at their banquet services for years. Prior to joining COD Manila, however, he had cooked extensively in the Middle East “where he won culinary competitions,” she says.

Working side by side other foreign cooks, coupled with Chef Ed’s exposure to the palates of international clients have enabled him to give a new dimension to Filipino dishes.

What we ate: n LUMPIA DINAGAT—Its main ingredients are lobster and crab meat, drizzled with kalamansi aoili, topped by a crystal clear malunggay chip, and sits on a wafer-thin bed of crispy lumpia shaped like a cup.

Its dip is made of aligue, which gives a counterpoint to the briny sweetness of the seafood. n BINALOT NA COCHI—It makes use of slivers of cochinillo, red onion and atsara, which rest on a bed of butter lettuce. Think of it like your second-way peking duck but with pork instead. A salsa of tomato gives it a Mexican twist. n HALIYA ADOBO—twice-cooked chicken with grilled pineapple, and slices of sumptuous foie gras elevate it to an indulgent dish far beyond your usual family favorite. It is also served with baby bokchoy and marble potatoes with golden crispy garlic chips, making it a complete meal in itself if you so wish. n CRISPY PATA—served with an array of dips made of pork liver, soy-vinegar sauce, and a kinchay salsa like a chimichurri sauce.

All these viands are perfectly complemented with rice coated in aligue and a tinapa salsa.

Chichingka capped off our ingenious indulgent meal. It is like a Burnt Basque Cheesecake, with itlog na maalat and coconut, cooked on a bed of banana leaves, much like a bibingka. It checks all the flavor profiles—sweet and creamy, salty, and earthy—and makes for a luscious, dreamy treat.

All the dishes are good for sharing so you must bring your appetite with you to ensure not one bite is left on your plate. You can’t bring home extras or take out leftovers as the chef insists the food is best consumed as soon as these are cooked. Book reservations via www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/en. nnn ALSO good news from the integrated casino resort is that it is on track to meet its sustainability targets by 2030, in line with the “Above and Beyond” goal of its parent firm, Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Melco).

A testament to the resort’s commitment to sustainability is the 2022-2024 Asean Green Hotel Award presented to the three luxury hotels in the property (Nüwa Manila, Nobu Hotel, Hyatt Regency

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take a leadership position, and find a way to express your beliefs, opinions and plans. Show compassion, and offer solutions that will help you gain support. Don’t sit on the sidelines when you have so much to offer and plenty to gain. HHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Keep life simple, your responsibilities doable and your spending moderate. You don’t have to impress anyone; you have to be yourself and let the experiences you encounter lead to the right decisions. Don’t fear change; embrace new beginnings. HHHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pay attention to what you say and do to avoid jeopardizing your position or reputation. Living up to your promises and emphasizing personal improvements will help expand what you have to offer. If you want to excel, updates are necessary. HH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be the instigator, and you’ll gain points. Your suggestions and the changes you initiate will stimulate conversation and help you make headway regarding things you want to pursue. Put your energy and intelligence to work, and something good will transpire.

HHHHH

establishment of an herb garden; recycling of used coffee capsules with Nespresso; elimination of soap waste through its “Soap for Hope” program; and recycling of used kitchen oil from F&B outlets to be used as biofuel, among others.

COD Manila practices sustainable sourcing by supporting local small and medium enterprises that are socially, ethically and environmentally responsible. It has partnered with local coffee farmers through the Philippine Coffee Board Inc; procures rice that is 100-percent chemical-free through Chen Yi Agventures; sources fresh hydroponic vegetables from Aba Pardes Agritech Corp,; and purchases responsibly-sourced seafood from local fisheries and farms through sustainable seafood companies such as Meliomar and SeaTraceability, Inc. A more recent initiative is COD Manila’s switch to Bounty Fresh cage-free eggs across all its restaurants, as part of its tieup with Lever Foundation, an international animal welfare non-profit organization that helps leading food companies in the Philippines and across the Asia Pacific in upgrading their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain.

Property president Geoff Andres said, “We are committed to seamlessly integrate sustainability in our guests’ experience whether it be in our restaurants, in our hotel rooms, even in our gaming and entertainment facilities. Inspired by the ‘Above and Beyond’ ethos, we will continue to progress further with our green undertakings and soldier on contributing to a more sustainable future.” n

Manila) for their environment-friendly principles that include resource consumption reduction and local community involvement. Melco has also been recognized at the 2019 Sustainable Business Awards Philippines for its talent development program for its workforce in both Manila and Macau, as well as its energy-efficiency efforts to tackle climate change at COD Manila.

Among the resort’s sustainability efforts is the installation of 3,120 PV solar panels at the topmost floor of its parking building, which can generate 1.2MWh at full capacity. It has reduced water consumption by reusing treated greywater in the property’s cooling towers. Laundry wastewater is also being reused to flush toilets in the employees’ locker rooms.

The property has already reduced its plastic waste by using sustainable alternatives like bagasse (sugarcane pulp) packaging materials for take-away boxes, resealable paper pouches for chocolates, cardboard boxes in place of acetate boxes, greaseproof paper for sandwiches, among others.

Single-use plastic bottled water in all gaming areas have been eliminated, and small toiletry amenity bottles in hotel rooms have been replaced with reusable, refillable, and convenient pump bottles. The resort has also installed an onsite water filtration plant and a Nordaq bottling system, which is projected to eliminate more than 4 million singleuse plastic bottles per year.

Previously announced include an onsite vermicomposting system to reduce food waste;

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Push for what you want. Expand your interests and offer more to those you wish to work alongside.

The information you accumulate will help you craft an impressive strategy. Personal growth, self-improvement and romance are on the rise. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Address your responsibilities, and search for a way to delegate some of the work. It’s up to you to say when something is too much or ask for help. Speak up and defend your position; positive changes will occur. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take it upon yourself to get things done. If you count on someone other than yourself, you will be disappointed, causing consequences that can be costly. Channel your energy where it will do its best, and take credit for your contribution. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Spend more time nurturing meaningful relationships and making your home comfortable and convenient.

Don’t hesitate to initiate change or to do things differently. A situation will lead to an insight regarding money management. Keep a strict budget. HHHHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Disregard what others do; focus on what’s important to you. Changing how you use your money, skills and intelligence to get ahead will lead you in an entertaining and fruitful direction. Make romance and personal gain your priorities. HHHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): It’s OK to dream, but don’t lose sight of what’s tangible.

Ask someone trustworthy for advice before buying something you don’t need or that cannot help you. Get your facts straight and put a budget in place.

HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are dedicated, effective and intelligent.

You are self-sufficient and accomplished.

‘liquid assets’ BY MATT WESTMAN The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Scoped out 6 Former Swedish automaker 10 Play on repeat 14 Plentiful 15 Boundary 16 Present opener?

17 Self-serving use of government funds 19 Sobbed 20 Basketball legend Bird 21 Camembert cousin 22 Highest grade 23 Replacement on the mound 27 Affirmative votes 28 Hosp. diagnostic scan 29 Covers in Cottonelle, briefly 31 Co. leader 33 Short ___ (beef cut) 34 Shout of disapproval 35 Icon in Wikipedia’s search bar 40 3-letter “Wow!” 41 Fed a line to 42 Resource to refine 43 Church bench

44 45 48 53

Ctrl-___-Del Moreover He finds a Willy Wonka golden ticket One may be stuffed at a Greek restaurant 54 Corporate symbol 55 Sashimi tuna 57 Participate in the 2022 midterms 58 Seems valid, or what the end of 17-, 23-, 35- or 48-Across does 61 Previously owned 62 Toddler’s injury 63 Alpaca relative 64 Flat-topped landform 65 “___ of the D’Urbervilles” 66 What aptly bookends “satisfies” DOWN 1 Baseball players’ headwear 2 Love, in 24-Down 3 Buying binge 4 Antlered animal 5 Singin’ in the Rain star Reynolds 6 What Helvetica and Arial lack 7 TV spot seller

8 Get more mature 9 ___ Canto (Ann Patchett novel featuring an opera singer) 10 Highly acidic 11 Hotel brunch station 12 Deliberately 13 Peach parts 18 2D measurement 22 Scoring on a serve 24 French city with a big cat on its flag 25 “It’s showtime!”

26 Math course featuring angles 30 Distress signal 31 Almost made it 32 Clear ingredients at an 11-Down 33 Pot top 35 Floor cleaner 36 “Why should ___?”

37 F, on a gas gauge 38 Cryptozoological beast 39 Appearance 45 Dwellings 46 Carries with difficulty 47 Grumpy expressions

49 50 51 52 53 56 58 59 60

Vegan beauty brand Historic New York island Really annoy Crossword feature, often Female gamete Some Fidelity plans, briefly Sweltering Be in debt In the manner of

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

GMA’s ‘Legal Wives’ now streaming on Netflix Philippines; Denise Barbacena gets musical THE top-rating family drama series, GMA’s Legal Wives, captivates the hearts of more viewers making its debut on Netflix Philippines on May 20.

The groundbreaking program, directed by Zig Dulay which aired in July last year, is the seventh GMA content on the globally popular video streaming platform. It joins the growing list of the media giant’s shows and movies that viewers can binge-watch on Netflix Philippines, including Descendants of the Sun, I Can See You, Love of My Life, Owe My Love, Heartful Café, and Family History.

The original series is headlined by Dennis Trillo as Ismael Makadatu, an honorable man from a well-off Mranaw family who will equally love three women out of obligation, dedication, and compassion; Alice Dixson as Amirah Alonte, the virtuous and pious daughter of a sultan and Ismael’s first wife; Andrea Torres as Diane San Luis, Ismael’s second wife who is a feisty modern Catholic woman who will go to great lengths to fight for herself and Ismael’s love; Bianca Umali as Farrah Valeandong, a smart and innocent lady who becomes Ismael’s third wife in hopes of saving her family’s reputation.

Set in Lanao del Sur, the story begins with a Mranaw, Ismael (Dennis) from the affluent and noble family of Makadatu. Although a devout Muslim and a muezzin (server of the mosque), Ismael falls for Diane (Andrea), a dentist who is part of the Catholic minority in their province, and whom he keeps from his family as she is considered a non-believer.

In a sudden turn of events, Ismael gets entangled in a clan feud which leads to his marriage with his brother’s widow, Amirah (Alice). Ismael follows the disheartened Diane in Manila and tries to woo her unbeknownst to his parents. Just when the two are starting to build a happy marriage, Ismael is met with another conflict. Upon his return to their province, his friend—who he is greatly indebted to—seeks his help in saving their family’s reputation by marrying Farrah (Bianca), his daughter who is involved in a scandal.

How will Ismael’s three wives deal with each other’s socio-cultural differences along with the idea of them sharing one husband? Is the idea of a man loving more than just one woman, equally and all at the same time, really possible?

All scenes, creative processes, and executions for the series are with the guidance of Muslim consultants Sohaimen Agal, Imam Mohammad Miphantao, Imam Abu amen Abdullah, and Ustadh Alinor Pansar; Islamic Script Editor Salem Guimba; and Costume and Muslim Language Consultant Princess Nurfathma Egypa Balindong.

Meanwhile, in the music front versatile GMA actress Denise Barbacena, largely known for her comedic turns, shares her musical side in her latest single, titled “Last Thing I’d Do” under GMA Playlist. “‘Last Thing I’d Do’ is a love song. It could be a love toward a special someone, a family member, or even the love we feel during a spiritual journey. The listener can interpret it however they want because it’s about love and there are so many ways of showing love,” says Denise.

The new song took months in the making as Denise first heard it at the height of the pandemic.

“At the time, everyone was so uncertain about what’s going to happen, parang everyone felt hopeless and there’s so much negativity on the Internet and in the outside world because we were locked-in. So nung na-pitch siya sa akin, I was moved. Na-touch ako...and this is what I want to share out there, to offer something na may love and hope. I want them to feel what I felt when I first heard it,” says Denise.

The song has also released its official music video on GMA Playlist’s YouTube channel featuring GMA actor Anjay Anson as Denise’s leading man. It exudes Denise’s jolly personality while showing relatable scenarios that happen in a relationship.

Denise’s newest single “Last Thing I’d Do” is now available on digital streaming platforms worldwide.

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, May 27, 2022

B5

‘Squid Game’ star Lee Jung-jae debuts as director in Cannes C

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press

ANNES, France—Lee Jung-jae, the awardwinning star of Netflix’s Squid Game, spent years developing the 1980s-set Korean spy thriller Hunt before electing to direct himself. He did it a little reluctantly, without big plans to continue filmmaking. But Lee did have a vision for what it could be—and where it could premiere.

“Before deciding to direct, I thought I just wanted to make a very fun film,” Lee says. “After I got my hands on it and started writing the script myself, I actually wanted to come to Cannes. Because I wanted to come to Cannes, I had to find the subject matter that would resonate with the global audience.”

Few actors know more about capturing the attention of the global audience than Lee. Already one of Korea’s top movie stars, the 49-year-old Lee is at the nexus of the Squid Game phenomenon, starring in the dystopic series that—subtitles and all—became Netflix’s most-watched show in some 90 countries.

Now, Lee is in Cannes to premiere Hunt, which is playing in Cannes’ midnight section and being shopped for international distribution. The film will test how far Lee can further extend his already borderless career. Earlier this year, Lee signed with the Hollywood powerhouse agency CAA. And he grants that he has some Hollywood ambitions.

“Working in Hollywood would definitely be a good experience for me,” Lee said in an interview in Cannes shortly before Hunt premiered.

“If there was a good fit for me, a good character, I’d definitely like to join. But right now, I feel like global audiences are wanting more Korean content and Korea-made TV shows and films. So I would work in Korea as well very diligently. I might seem a little greedy, but if there was a role for me in Hollywood, I’d definitely like to do that, too.”

But if Lee’s ascension to being an increasingly world-renowned actor typifies the pop-culture power of today’s Korea, his film is set in an earlier, less harmonious chapter in Korean history. Hunt takes place several years after South Korean president Park Chung-hee was assassinated in 1979 by the chief of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, a coup that ushered in the military dictatorship of Chun Doohwan. Hunt is loosely inspired by his subsequent 1983 assassination attempt orchestrated by North Korea.

“The 1980s in Korea was when we had the rapidest growth ever,” says Lee. “But democracy didn’t grow as much because there was a military dictatorship and the media was under full control of the government.

So I did hear a lot from the older generation and my parents about those government controls. I also witnessed myself college protests.”

Hunt grippingly follows a pair of agents (one is played by Lee, the other by Jung Woo-sung) who are both assigned to uncover a North Korean mole within the agency. Lee—not merely dipping his toe into a modest directorial debut—proves skilled at mounting large-scale action sequences and marshalling a dense plot while managing to keep the suspense up.

LEE JUNG-JAE, the award-winning international Korean star of Netflix’s Squid Game, in Cannes. AP

“A lot of people told me that I should change the setting to now,” Lee said, speaking through an interpreter. “But in the 1980s, there was a lot of control of information and people were trying to benefit from fake information and misinformation. I think that still exists now in 2022. Still there are groups that try to benefit from these controls of information and propaganda.

“We now live in a global world that’s connected,” he adds. “We don’t have any silos between us. If there’s a problem or issue, we have to all work on it to overcome it.”

Lee is often asked how his life has changed since Squid Game by Western journalists who might be less familiar with his nearly three decades as a top star in Korea in films, like An Affair, New World and The

Housemaid.

Lee laughs. “It’s natural because a lot of people in the West might not have known me before Squid Game.”

That’s changing rapidly, though. Lee will return for season two of Squid Game, which the series’ creator Hwang Dong-hyuk recently said should be expected in 2023 or 2024. The first season already led to Lee becoming the first Asian actor win the Screen Actors Guild Award for best male performer. Lee was so surprised—aside from considering himself an underdog, he’s a big Succession fan—that he never managed to pull out the speech he had written in his pocket.

“It still,” Lee says smiling and shaking his head, “seems like a dream to me.” n

day every 7 am. Then at lunch time, Mayor TV, Abby Trinidad, Ruth Paga, Sunshine Teodoro, Inah Evans, Patsy Reyes and Coco Cordero will be your noontime buddies in Barangay PIE where they give you off-center news in amusing and witty ways.

At 4 pm, PIEgalingan, a different kind of talent variety show, airs to celebrate the uniqueness of

contestants not usually highlighted on TV. PIEgalingan is hosted by Ralph Malibunas, Samantha Bernardo and Eris Argoza.

Aside from nonstop fun and entertainment, PIE’s winning block PIEnalo offers an interactive experience wherever you may be in the Philippines, with numerous prizes at stake.

You can enjoy this interactive experience via your mobile phone too with the PIEnalo jocks Eian Rances, Nicki Morena, Kevin Montillano, and well-loved chef Ninong Ry. These PIEnalo jocks understand how difficult certain choices can be and the realities of those from various backgrounds.

To celebrate the launch, PIE is giving away P10 million in cash prizes to viewers for three months, starting from its launch date.

The channel will also launch its official song and station ID on May 22, featuring artists KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, P-pop girl group BINI, Renee Dominique and John Roa. If you’re curious already and want to experience PIE even before its grand launch, the channel is now on its test broadcast and will be accessible to an estimated 11 million households with digital TV boxes in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Naga, Baguio and nearby provinces. Just rescan your digital box to access it. Meanwhile, if you’re one of the 85 million digitally-connected Pinoys, you can also stream PIE via YouTube.

ABS-CBN takes aim at ‘tradigital’ future

WHO says there’s nothing new to be introduced in the TV and digital viewing landscape? Who says it can’t be more exciting? A new era will dawn in Philippine entertainment as content provider ABSCBN, entertainment company KROMA, and corporate venture builder 917Ventures, introduce “tradigital” viewing to Filipinos through PIE, the Philippines’s first real-time and multi-screen interactive channel that will officially launch on May 24.

PIE, or Pinoy Interactive Entertainment, offers Filipinos a digital upgrade to their traditional media consumption habits by allowing them to watch TV shows, join all-day contests, build following, and even steer the storyline of a teleserye across multiple screens, including TV sets, laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.

The channel roster include a number of

exciting programs hosted by famous social-media personalities soon to be famous TV personalities.

Programs to watch out for in PIE include PIESILOG, featuring Mayora Frances Cabatuando (of Home Buddies Facebook page fame) as she and Sela Guia, Tristan Ramirez, Raco Ruiz, Jae Miranda and Eryka Lucas bring relevant information and tips to face your

FROM left: Nicki Morena, Ninong Ry, Eian Rances and Kevin Montillano

B6 Friday, May 27, 2022

Feel the love through a culinary experience in Boracay

Fill in all the best moments with Suzuki’s subcompact hatchback

T

HE Suzuki Celerio has been one of the crowd favorites due to its compact size yet spacious interior. As some would say, it's small yet incredible. The All-New Suzuki Celerio, just like its predecessor, takes pride in having a subtle design that beams power, vitality, and exterior refinement along with a spacious interior and nimble handling which makes the driving experience worthwhile.

“The All-New Celerio has evolved into a compact car that will make people's life easier, more convenient, and will allow to express ones personality in an age where diversity is expected’, shared Mr. Norihide Takei, Suzuki Philippines’s General Manager for Automobile.

The Suzuki Celerio showcases threedimensionally curved surface with a “liquid expression” resembling a water surface, deviating from its previous boxy-type body. Together with the rear combination lamps placed on the shoulder lines, the flared rear fenders emphasize wideness and stability. The car also flaunts 15-inch black alloy wheels, which are an inch larger than the previous model.

It is equipped with a 6.2-inch Touchscreen Audio Unit with a clear and responsive anti-Glare Touch screen, Weblink 2.0, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and audio controls on steering wheels which ensure convenience while driving. The new Celerio offers a lot of room inside, both for the passengers and luggage. The car provides a 295-liter luggage capacity with a 60:40 split folding rear seats to produce more space for storing bigger items.

Fuel Efficient, Powerful Performance

UNDER its hood is a 1.0-litre K10C DUALJET engine which produces 67 horsepower and 89 Nm of torque. The 1.0L DUALJET engine delivers comprehensive advantages in thermal efficiency resulting from a better compression ratio, dual injection system and friction reduction, realising a high-level of balanced dynamic performance and efficiency. To back it up, the All-New Celerio achieved a 28.25 km/L fuel efficiency rating as observed by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).

This fuel-efficient hatchback comes in 5-Speed manual transmission and Auto Gear Shift (AGS) which is an automated manual transmission featuring Intelligent Shift Control Actuator that automatically operated the shift and clutch to bring convenience to manual driving.

The Engine Auto Stop Start System (EASS) feature shuts off the engine when the vehicle is in idle and meets certain conditions to prevent unnecessary fuel consumption and help limit exhaust emissions and engine noise. The new Suzuki hatchback also comes with a

number of advanced safety features. The body design centers on Suzuki’s TECT (Total Effective Control Technology) concept, resulting in a structure that efficiently absorbs and disperses the energy in the event of collision. It comes with Anti Lock brake system (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to help the driver stay in directional control during sharp turns and wheel slippage.

In addition, the All-New Celerio also has Dual Airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, rear parking sensors and Hill-Hold Control to keep the vehicle from rolling backwards on steep slopes. All these features are engineered to embrace all types of journeys with no worries.

The All-New Celerio is available in Arctic White, Glistening Gray, Fire Red, and Speedy Blue Metallic that are all set to make a mark in the subcompact hatchback segment. Price starts at Php 708,000 and will be available at Suzuki Philippines’ 73 auto dealerships nationwide.

Come check out the online showroom at https://auto.suzuki.com.ph/ or may visit your nearest Suzuki dealership.

DOT and Mickey Go PH introduce Pinoy Mickey Funko Pops This new line of Mickey-themed Funko Pops were specially created together with Disney and Funko, featuring Mickey Mouse in a barong tagalog, the national attire of the Philippines, an embroidered long-sleeved shirt commonly used as a formal outfit. The package also contains a postcard from the country’s major tourist magnets Boracay, Baguio, Cebu, Manila, and Siargao Island.

The items are now in the market starting May 18, 2022.

AT PARTNERSHIP MEETING, FROM LEFT: Ban Kee Trading, Inc CEO Eric Bautista, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Funko Funatic Philippines founder Nikko Lim, and DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Howard Lance Uyking.

T

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) has teamed up with Funko and Disney to bring one of the world’s most iconic and beloved characters, Mickey Mouse, to the Philippines via Funko Pops – with a locally inspired design for the first time!

E

Salmone E Tonno Crudo, Grigliato Panzanela, and Frutti De Mare ala Milanese e Bisteca Con Salsa Al Funghi. Each dish will be paired with premium wines by Jim Barry, a boutique winery from Australia.

This event is sponsored by Cebu Pacific, as the official airline, and Philippine Wine Merchants.

For information, contact the Food and Beverage Team at (63) 917-6258506 / (63) 917-723-8794 or email dsbfood.bev@discovery.com.ph. Visit www. discoveryshoresboracay.com or call (632) 7720-8888.

Sign up for better choices at The Goodwill Market

T

HE online home for Better Choices now offers more perks and privileges!

The Goodwill Market not only makes it more convenient to order healthful products to fit different lifestyle needs, it now offers customers a better shopping experience with the exclusive E-Perks promo.

In celebration with its third anniversary, The Goodwill Market is offering up to 50% exclusive discounts to customers who will subscribe to the free online HealthStyle newsletter that is available on the website.

The first E-Perks promo program runs until June 30, 2022, and it offers exciting promos for the extensive array of premium healthy lifestyle products for the whole family.

The Goodwill Market’s online catalogue features different categories of world-class products that include baby care, healthy snacks for kids, pantry items, immuneboosting health aids, skincare, and even household items. Each item is carefully vetted

to ensure that they offer the best benefits.

With the E-Perks promo, online shopping at The Goodwill Market is not only super-easy with the safe and convenient doorstep delivery, the discounts you get from simply signing up for the monthly newsletter will help you enjoy more deals and discounts with your purchases. Say hello to a healthier lifestyle with your favorite products, and find useful tips in the newsletter that can help fuel your passions and increase your resistance against the stress of the daily grind.

The Goodwill Market is an e-commerce platform from Dyna Drug Corporation that was launched with a mission to give Filipino consumers a one-stop-shop for better health and wellness choices.

Alternatives. “By offering the E-perks promo to celebrate our third anniversary, we are giving our customers more access to products that promote holistic wellness and sustainability, along with information from our e-newsletter and in-site lifestyle articles that can help them make heathy lifestyle choices for themselves and their loved ones,” says Kit Santos, Digital Commerce and Marketing Head To find out more about promo and to stay updated for the E-Perks Part 2 run in July, visit www.goodwill.market and follow its official social media pages.

70th Palanca Awards issues last call for entries

“We believe that having a global icon like Mickey Mouse will help promote the Philippines, and its tourist destinations, to the world. This collectible will not only be enjoyed by children, but also adults who want to reminisce about all the good times they had with their favorite Disney character,” DOT Sec. Bernadette Puyat said, citing that this collection would also contribute to the recovery of the pandemic-hit tourism industry.

Last November 2021, the DOT collaborated with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia for the Mickey Go Philippines campaign, which included the production of various digital content featuring local travel destinations, and Mickey-inspired versions of local delicacies such as arroz caldo, halo-halo, and Vigan empanada.

Mom-fluencers share best baby care practices

VERY mom has her own parenting style, but one thing they have in common is they all go an extra mile to ensure they could provide the best way to take care of their babies.

For Danika Nemis (@danikanemis), a surfer mom to her 4-year-old daughter,playtime is very important. She explains that these activities are learning experiences: “It is important that she learns from first-hand experience and then we supplement with screen time by showing her surf videos and other content that is aligned with our values and lifestyle."

For foodie/beauty blogger and mom of 2, Maite Cruz (@mommygives), a clean baby means less worry. “As an OC mom, I make sure that my daughter is kept clean thru proper hygiene, regular washing of the whole body, and the use of necessary baby essentials that help in keeping her clean throughout the day.”

Meanwhile, content creator, Roxanne Montealegre (@roxannemontealegre) shares that she’s excited every time she prepares

T

RAVELING to Boracay, Aklan, brings out the adventurous side in travelers.

With its various activities and breathtaking views of different islands and beaches, it is indeed the perfect escape from the busy Metro.

Another huge part of the Boracay experience are the culinary delights that await its visitors. This May, combine a delightful culinary experience with the beautiful scenery of Boracay through Discovery Shores Boracay’s (DSB) “Guest Chef Series”, one of the key events under the resort’s “Happy Summer” promo.

Enjoy some of the most exquisite meals crafted by powerhouse couple, chefs Lau and Jackie Laudico.

Kicking off the series on May 26, the Laudico's specialties will be featured at the buffet section of the Sands Restaurant.

Then witness them turn fresh market finds into coastal cuisine at Indigo Restaurant on May 27. Lastly, as a culminating event for the series, Forno Osteria will feature the couple’s delectable Italian wine dinner on May 28, at 7 PM. At the Forno Osteria, guests will be served a five-course meal that includes

the food for her babies. “As someone who used to just dine/take out, I also just bought from baby stores online ready to mix or cereals and cookies but when my baby started getting sick, I started to research and learn how to prepare from scratch!”

On average, babies need 14-18 hours of sleep every day, which means a sleepless baby often makes a sleepless mommy.

Thankfully, a lot of gentle and calming tricks are available to help the little ones catch the uninterrupted and better Zzz’s. Dab cologne or rub a bit of lotion to keep them feeling cool, fresh, and comfortable.

“This has worked for me for years, a simple bedtime routine for Geof,” recounts Kaycee Enerva (@themachomom) when it comes to sleepy time with her son. “I snuggle him in, I massage his legs and arms with baby lotion (which now he can’t live without!), and then I play ambient music with matching bedtime story.”

With entrepreneur Tanya Marie Aguila (@tanyamairaaguila), she only trusts proven and tested quality products to provide the

best care for her baby, especially as a firsttime mom. “I made it a point to seek advice from “seasoned” moms when it comes to choosing products for my baby. I want the very best for my little one so not only do I do my research on ingredients and claims, I also make sure to listen to real mom feedback so I’m 100% sure it’s a brand I can trust.”

Trusted baby care brands such as Avon Care Baby are suitable even for newborns, and offer a wide array of Baby Skin essentials made with everything moms trust to provide gentle care for babies’ sensitive and growing skin—Wash & Shampoo, Lotion, and Cologne—all available in Calming and Gentle variants.

Clinically and dermatologically-tested, Avon Care Baby products are free from allergens, alcohol, dye, and parabens and contain natural active ingredients.

Shop for the Avon Care Baby and more of your favorite Avon Care products at www. avonshop.ph.

Check out Avon Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.

T

HE Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc., the sponsor and organizer of the 70th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, is reminding aspiring Palanca awardees to submit entries before the deadline on 31 May 2022.

This year’s comeback edition of the country’s longest-running and most prestigious literary contest is accepting entries in all of its 22 categories: Novel and Nobela categories: English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play; Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tula Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula.

Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano; Kabataan Division – Kabataan Essay and Kabataan Sanaysay: Kabataan Essay: “Life in the Midst of the Pandemic and Coping in the New Normal”; and Kabataan Sanaysay: “Buhay sa Gitna ng Pandemya at Pagharap sa ‘New Normal’”

Participants may submit only one entry per category. Published/produced works which were first published or first produced between 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2022 and/ or unpublished/unproduced works may be entered in the contest. For the Novel and Nobela categories, published works which were first published within a period of two (2) years prior to 31 May 2022 and unpublished works may be submitted. Only unproduced works may be entered in the Dulang Pampelikula category. A work which has been awarded a prize in another contest before 12 midnight of 31 May 2022 is not qualified.

Contest rules and official entry forms are available at Palanca Awards’ official website, www.palancaawards.com.ph Entries must be submitted online. The Carlos Palanca Foundation will NOT accept printed and email submissions for all categories.

All winners will be honored in a special online ceremony later this year. Contact the CPMA office at info@palancaawards.com.ph or at (632) 8843-8277 / (632) 8478-7996.

Ask for Ms. Leslie Layoso or Ms. Susan Castillo.

Sports BusinessMirror

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

Friday, May 27, 2022 B7

Mondilla hangs on to two-stroke lead at Splendido golfest

C

LYDE MONDILLA kept the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Splendido Taal Championship under control despite a late frontside stumble, recouping at the finish to salvage a 72 and move 18 holes away from ending up on top after back-to-back runner-up finishes on the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT).

But an uncharacteristic triple-bogey on the par-five No. 9 nearly ruined the day of the stocky Del Monte ace, who birdied Nos. 3 and 10 then bounced back with back-to-back birdies from No. 16 from close range after dropping another stroke on the 14.

From seven-up over Tony Lascuña halfway through the P2 million event, Mondilla saw his once formidable lead reduce to two with a 14-under 202 aggregate as Guido van der Valk took the challenger’s role with a solid eaglespiked 66 in a separate flight for a 204.

Lascuña cashed in on Mondilla’s early meltdown with a fiery 33 to move within two but the multi-titled campaigner slowed down with a one bogey-one birdie card at the back for a 69 and a 206, four strokes behind.

“It happens,” said Mondilla, referring to his solid drive on No. 9 that sailed straight and long but failed to clear a fairway hazard on his 6-iron second shot. He took a drop and overshot the green then three-putted.

“There was pressure but I was able to endure it. Just had an unlucky bounce on No. 9,” added Mondilla, who lost to Miguel Tabuena on the second playoff at ICTSI Luisita last March and then lost by four to Zanieboy Gialon in last month’s ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship.

In both events, he anchored his strong finishes on final day rallies. But he made sure to start out strong this week although he yielded the first round lead to Tabuena’s late surge Tuesday.

But the 2019 Philippine Open champion, whose campaign is backed

by Luisita Golf and Country Club, took control after 36 holes, dominating the Greg Norman-designed layout with a blistering 63 in the second round.

“At least, I’m still in the lead although it’s now a close fight,” he added.

Van der Valk rode on an eagle feat on No. 2 and birdied four of his last 10 holes for a pair of 33s that pulled him within two and a chance to end a long title drought on the circuit organized

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. “I hit the ball pretty well and hit 17 greens. I had many birdie chances,” said van der Valk, who hopes to translate the big opportunity into a winning attack in the last 18 holes.

“I’ll try again to do the same thing tomorrow (today),” he added, while stressing the need for patience in tackling a challenging course as Splendido.

Six down, Lascuña remained confident of pulling off a comefrom-behind win, saying he had overhauled a deficit of as many as six strokes to win at Eagle Ridge a decade ago.

“It’s a big lead but can still be done,” said Lascuña.

“But I need to put it all together tomorrow (today) and hope to gain on Mondilla and van der Valk early on.”

Meanwhile, a bogey on No. 16 stymied Tabuena’s charge, ending up with a 70 for a 208, six strokes off Mondilla, while Eric Gallardo and Sean Ramos pooled identical 210s after a 68 and 71, respectively.

Carl Corpus birdied three of the first five holes then rebounded from a bogey on No. 8 and a double bogey on the next with two backnine birdies.

He finished with a 70 to join former Masters titlist Jerson Balasabas, who rallied with a 68, at seventh at 211 and close in on the low amateur honors in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. Marvin Dumandan, whose second round 66 sparked hopes for one of the Tour’s longest hitters to snap a long spell, holed out with a double-bogey for a 72 and dropped to joint ninth with Dan Cruz, Reymon Jaraula, Gerald Rosales and Rupert Zaragoza, who all carded 70s, Albin Engino, who shot a 71, and Art Arbole, who faltered with a 73.

MAFY SINGSON finally snares the elusive victory at the Splendido Taal Championship. ROY DOMINGO

SINGSON STUNS PROS IN LAUREL A

MATEUR Mafy Singson finally nailed the elusive win by upsetting the pros— including Sunshine Baraquiel, Chanelle Avaricio and Harmie Constantino—to snare the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Splendido Taal Championship by one stroke on a 71 in hot conditions in Laurel, Batangas, on Thursday.

Not even a bogey-bogey skid from No. 14 could stymie the rising Davaoeña star’s stab at the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) glory as erstwhile leader Baraquiel faded with double bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14 and blew a two-stroke lead and Avaricio and Constantino fell short of their playoff bids with pars on the last two holes.

“I didn’t really expect to win.

I want to catch up with them (pros) and it was really a close fight, especially at the back,” said Singson, who battled back from two down, went two-up after Baraquiel’s misses and held sway the rest of the way with gutsy pars to prevail with a 215 total.

“I just tried to keep (my lead) and tried to make birdies but they didn’t drop,” added the ICTSIbacked shotmaker, who hones his shotmaking skills under swing coach Bong Lopez at the Manila Southwoods.

But those of her rivals’ didn’t drop as well, enabling the member of the team that snatched the bronze in the recent SEA Games in Vietnam to emerge on top after putting herself in title contention in

at least four LPGT events last year.

But late-hole stumbles kept the 17-year-old shotmaker out of the top podium finish while settling for low amateur honors.

But with 71 and 72 in the first two rounds of this P750,000 event put up by ICTSI, she stayed in the hunt, bounced back from a bogey on No. 2 in the final round with birdies on Nos. 3 and 4, fell by one as Baraquiel birdied the 10th but surged ahead as the latter fumbled with her first double bogey coupled with Singson’s birdie on No. 10.

“I learned a lot from the them (pros),” said Singson, whose victory augured well for her next campaign in the US Girls’ Junior qualifying and in a number FCG tournaments in the US. Two behind Baraquiel after 36 holes, Constantino fell farther back with two bogeys in the first three holes but bounced back with three birdies to salvage a 71 and tie Avaricio and Baraquiel, who hobbled with 73 and 74, respectively, at 216.

Recent Mount Malarayat leg winner Chihiro Ikeda matched par 72 for a 222 as she tied for fifth with Pamela Mariano, who carded a third straight 74, while Florence Bisera shot a third 75 in row for a 226.

The victory also netted Singson another low amateur honors that won her an IPad Pro 11 with Constantino, Avaricio and Baraquiel splitting the combined P204,750 purse.

“I felt I could’ve done better. I hit a lot of greens but missed a lot of putts, too,” said Constantino, winner of two legs in her rookie season last year to bag the Order of Merit title. “I still need to work on my putting.”

Baraquiel also rued the missed chance to claim a second win after topping the Highlands leg last year, saying: “It could’ve gone better. I made a lot of mistakes on the closing holes. But I’m proud how I handled myself after those double bogeys.”

After failing to make it threein-row at Mount Malarayat, Hallow Ridge and Caliraya Springs legs champion Avaricio said she was disappointed with her performance this week, particularly on her putting.

“I didn’t finish strong and ended up not too well. I had a lot of missed putts,” she said.

6 Filipino boxers vying in Athens tournament

By Josef Ramos

A

CLYDE MONDILLA survives the pressure in the third round. ROY DOMINGO

SIX-MEMBER boxing team will fly to Athens to participate in the 26th International Boxing Tournament Acropolis Men’s and Women’s Invitational Cup set from June 15 to 20 at the Panathenaic Stadium in the Greek capital.

Hergie Bacyadan was disappointed for missing the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi because her weight category in women’s boxing was scrapped by the host because of lack of participants.

The 27-year-old fighter from Kalinga Apayao has moved on and is excited on her Athens stint.

“I am hoping to finally fight there after failing to see action in the SEA Games,” Bacyadan, a former sanda fighter in wushu, told BusinessMirror on Thursday.

Bacyadan said she wasn’t able to fight in Hanoi because only two boxers were entered in the 69-kg weight class.

Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam, who gave way to eventual gold medalist Rogen Ladon in the SEA Games, will be fighting in Athens.

The other members of the team are Hanoi SEA Games women’s lightweight bronze medalist Risa Pasuit, world championship veteran Aira Villegas (bantamweight), John Paul Panuayan (men’s

light welterweight) and Mario Fernandez (featherweight).

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines training director Don Abnett said that the Athens tournament is aimed at keeping the boxers in top shape.

“It’s a strong tournament where we need to enhance our boxers’ skills,” Abnett said.

Filipino boxers earned three gold medals—Ladon, Ian Clark Bautista and Eumir Felix Marcial— one silver—Tokyo Olympian bet Irish Magno—and five bronze medals in the Hanoi SEA Games’recent biennial meet.

Laure, Golden Tigresses survive Lady Falcons in tough 5-set duel

U

NIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) rallied from a two-set deficit to beat Adamson University, 2426, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-12, in the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Eya Laure, the league’s leading scorer after the first round, scored 21 big points with 13 excellent receptions to help the Golden Tigresses clinch their third consecutive win and keep their hold of the second spot with a 6-3 win-loss record.

“The players got tired, but the bottom line is a win regardless of how many sets,” UST head coach Kungfu Reyes said.

“It’s a lesson on not letting the win slip away,” Reyes said. “But I raise my hands to Adamson, they’re a difficult team to beat.”

Trailing 11-12 in the final set, Kecelyn Galdones blocked Lorene Toring’s quick attempt to forge a 12-all score. Kate Santiago then failed to get the ball over as Laure and Galdones went for the jugular with a block on May Ann Nuique and an ace, respectively.

UST’s supporting cast showed up to support Laure with Camille Victoria pouring 16 points off 13 attacks and three blocks. Ysa Jimenez also finished in double figures with 13 points while Ypril Tapia and Kecelyn Galdones added seven points each.

Janel Delerio manned the floor for the Golden Tigresses with 11 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions while Bernadette Pepito got 12 excellent digs.

UST also came out on top in a hardfought 12-25, 25-19, 25-22, 18-25, 15-9 win in their first-round match last May 17.

The Lady Falcons went on a 9-1 run

to erase a six-point deficit and take the opening set.

Adamson University took the second set with ease before the Golden Tigresses snagged the next two to send the game to a decided.

Trisha Genesis delivered 23 points on 18 attacks, four aces and an ace while Santiago and Nuique added 18 and 16 points, respectively, for the Lady Falcons dropped to a 4-4 record.

Lucille Almonte played libero for the first time this season and tallied 14 excellent receptions also for Adamson University.

Five players finished in double digits for the Lady Falcons with Rizza Cruz and Toring finishing with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

EYA LAURE again shows why she’s the league’s leading scorer.

PSC praises AFP support in SEA Games campaign

P

HILIPPINE Sports Commission (PCS) Chairman William Ramirez thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday for the contribution of military-athletes that were crucial to the country’s campaign in the recent 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippine Air Force, trackster Clinton Bautista of the Philippine Navy and boxers Ian Clark Bautista (Navy) and Eumir Felix Marcial (Air Force) delivered gold medals in their respective sports.

Joining them are muaythai’s Phillip Delarmino of the Navy and women’s basketball players Janine Pontejos and France Mae Cabinbin of the Army and Marizze Andrea Cabinbin also of the Navy.

“We thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines for these athletes,” Ramirez said. “The contributions of the AFP proved vital to our success in the SEA Games.’’

Team Philippines brought home 52 gold, 70 silver and 104 bronze medals and wound up fourth overall in the medal standings, the best finish of the nation in games held outside of the Philippines since also finishing second overall in 1983 in Singapore.

The six gold medals from these soldier-athletes gave Team Philippines enough cushion to stave off Singapore, which had 47 gold medals and settled fifth overall in the medal tally.

“The AFP has been very supportive, not only in our SEA Games campaign, but every time we carry our flag in international competitions,’’ said Ramirez, who also thanked the rest of the 117 enlisted athletes and coaches from the three branches of military service who competed in Singapore.

Military-athletes also grabbed 11 silver and 16 bronze medals courtesy of rowers Cris Nievarez (Army) and Joanie Delgaco (Navy) and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna (Air Force) in chess.

Other silver medalists from the AFP were decathlete Aries Toledo, boxer Irish Magno, Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, Russel Misal of table tennis, Jeson Patrombon of tennis and wrestlers Alvin Lobreguito, Ronil Tubog and Jhonny Morte.

Also claiming bronze medals were militaryathletes Sonny Wagdos and Jelly Dianne Paralige of athletics, boxer Riza Pasuit, rowers Roque Abala and Nicanor Jasmin, sepak takraw’s Jason Huerte and Rheyjey Ortouste, beach volleyball’s Alnakran Abdilla and Jovelyn Gonzaga and wrestlers Jason Balabal and Noel Norada.

Motoring Make way for the all-new Honda HR-V BusinessMirror

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

B8

Friday, May 27, 2022

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

general and daily driving, and Sport Mode (V Turbo CVT Honda) for that spirited driving.

Story and photos

by Randy S. Peregrino

S

INCE its Philippine debut, the HR-V achieved more than 7,000 units sold.

Globally, Honda sold around 3.5 million units as of December 2021. These figures only show the warm reception of the brand’s subcompact crossover. Recently, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) finally unveiled the latest generation HR-V possessing significant enhancements that the Japanese automaker claims to surely “Heighten your Senses.”

Honda Sensing

The all-new HR-V 1.5-liter turbo and 1.5-liter all-motor variants

Looking fresh and sharp

Developed under the concept of “Amp Up Your Life,” the latest generation HR-V ultimately departed from its predecessor’s concept design. Honda incorporated three core values in the design Pleasure (enjoyable), Confidence (reliable), and Aesthetics (in style).

At a glance, the fresh look features an aggressive character highlighted by newly shaped LED headlights and fog lamps (with auto on/off function), integrated with LED turn light signals and Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Another significant change is the pronounced grille.

The top-spec variant V Turbo CVT sports mesh type patterns, while the base S CVT received a black bar type grille. The top spec’s sport-type bumper is notable with

Completely redesigned interior the Amp Up Line design.

Overall, the latest generation’s frame transformed from curvy to chiseled, with a sharp body line complementing the coupe-like profile. Both variants have a shark fin antenna and 17-inch alloys

The top variant’s 1.5-liter VTEC turbocharged engine wrapped 215/60 tires (gray finish for the V Turbo CVT and black/silver finish for the S CVT). Another striking cue is the LED Tail Light Bar complements the two variant’s contrasting rear bumpers, with the top-spec receiving a dual tailpipe finish.

Completely redesigned

The all-new HR-V’s interior is also a complete overhaul. Now present is a humancentric cabin with good ergonomics and quality materials. The center dashboard highlights an eight-inch touchscreen display infotainment system paired with a six-speaker sound system and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity functions. Other features include a push start system, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and single-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents featuring the new air diffusion system. Available as standard is the remote engine start function.

The leather-draped and the received fabric seats are exclusive to the V Turbo CVT. As for the instrument cluster, the top-spec features a seven-inch digital display, while the entry variant comes with a 4.2-inch digital display.

Like other Honda vehicles, the all-new HR-V features ULT seats function composed of three

adjustable modes. The Utility mode lets the two rear seats fold to increase cargo space.

The Long mode, on the other hand, creates a lengthy space by folding the front and rear seats. As for the Tall mode, Honda’s unique versatility is shown in the tip-up rear seats for more vertical space—a segment-exclusive.

VTEC Turbo

One of the all-new HR-V’s highlights is the exciting 1.5-liter VTEC Turbocharged engine fitted to the V Turbo CVT, making it the firstever turbo-powered HR-V. Power output is at 174 hp and 240 N-m of maximum torque on paper. Meanwhile, the S CVT Honda also received a new engine option of a 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine producing 119 hp and 145 N-m of maximum torque on paper. Both new mills are paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Of course, there is the ECON Mode for fuel-efficient driving, the Normal Mode for

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

D

ANNY “Sir John” Isla, the founding president of Lexus Philippines, writes about his vacation in his birthplace.

He has been living with his entire family in Auckland, New Zealand, since he retired some years back. Here: “AFTER living in New Zealand for over two years now, I finally made it back to Manila for a short stay to look after a number of unfinished business. My wife, Joy, and I did not plan to be away for a long time but NZ closed its borders as a fast response to the pandemic. No regrets being locked down there—we were with family, it was safer and it gave us a sense of security knowing that whatever happened, we would be well taken care of.

“While NZ is comfortably cool even in summer, Manila is hot and humid that even a short stay out of the house makes me feel very exhausted.

“Driving here is not so pleasant with people unmindful of road courtesy and discipline (it’s right-hand drive in NZ). Here, I have to anticipate people crossing the street anywhere they please, motorcycles overtaking left and right, drivers staying on the wrong lanes when turning.

“The benefits that Manila offers, however, far outweigh the inconveniences. We have a kasambahay who looks after us and the household chores, and there are people whom we could readily call for errands. Food is so much cheaper here, especially the senior

discounts applied on meals.

“Malls in NZ are much smaller that they can easily fit into major malls in Manila boasting of more stores and product assortments.

Five-star hotels in Manila are bigger, grander and more imposing.

“Social life in Manila is more bustling.

This is not to say, though, that there is no social life in NZ but you would have to go to the city to enjoy it. Mostly, it would be the young people staying out unlike here in Manila where social life cuts across all age groups.

“Life in NZ is more quiet and conservative. You’d see people spending time with family having picnics in the parks and by the beaches, just about anywhere.

“A significant difference I see is, in the area of golf. Over there, I play regularly with a group of friends. In NZ, however, a golf game ends just as fast as a round is completed. Unlike here, when my golf game with my Alabang 515 Club buddies is over, the fellowship that follows will last longer than the 18-hole game itself.

“But NZ wins hands down insofar as providing us health and medical benefits is concerned.

“Now, do I like one country over the other?

“Honestly, I must say I have the best of both worlds and I am extremely grateful.”

You can say that again, Sir John. Joy, the love of your life, must be in eternal bliss, too—but, of course.

In pursuit of Honda’s global goal to realize zero traffic collision fatalities by 2050, the all-new HR-V now offers the Honda SENSING feature to both variants, joining other Honda models providing the same safety feature. Part of this Honda proprietary suite of safety features are Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW), Auto High-Beam (AHB), and Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN).

Like the all-new Civic, the fitted Honda Sensing system utilizes a camera with a broader field of view combined with improved software. This updated safety tech achieves better vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and road marking recognition.

Other standard safety features are smart keyless entry, security alarm and immobilizer, All Passenger seatbelt reminder, front and side airbags, speed-sensing door locks, ISOFIX child seat anchors, rear seat reminder, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), and Hill-Start Assist (HSA), among others. Of course, the G-force Control (G-CON) body structure enhances impact absorption for the added protection of passengers in the event of a collision occurs.

Colors and pricing

The all-new HR-V is available in Ignite Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Premium Opal White Silver Pearl (New color; V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING only with additional P20,000 premium) Meteoroid Gray Metallic.

Pricing starts at P1.250 million for the HR-V S CVT variant, while the top-spec V Turbo CVT retails at P1.598 million. Customers can now inquire in all 37 Honda Cars dealerships nationwide or access through the virtual showroom at www.hondaphil.com.

Campi pitch

ROMMEL Gutierrez, the lawyer-president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (Campi), writes to say they support the proposed suspension of Most-Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs on completely built-up electric vehicles (EV).

“It is consistent with and complementary to Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Evida),” Gutierrez said, adding he also supports all EV technologies including hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV).

Gutierrez said Campi is looking at the gradual electrification of the private vehicle segment with its members offering a whole range of OEM EVs. He said Campi has been promoting the adoption of all EV technologies since 2009 and participating in various governmentindustry fora on EV. “The zero percent tariff proposal puts the automotive industry in the right direction in terms of vehicle electrification,” Gutierrez concluded.

Campi is the leading automotive industry organization in the Philippines founded in May 1995. It has 20 members representing 24 global automotive brands that account for 85 percent of the total market sales in 2021.

PEE STOP A humble friend of mine, a fellow

Beatlemaniac, invites you to transact your driver’s license needs at SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM San Jose del Monte, SM Marilao, SM Cabanatuan, SM Masinag, SM Angono, and SM Seaside Cebu. When you do, I swear you’ll enjoy a public service treat of a lifetime...Hooray to the opening of Abel Manliclic’s famous Tiong Bahru, the famous Michelin-awarded Singapore restaurant noted for its Hainanese boneless chicken, whose BGC branch is at Uptown Place Mall, 9th Ave. cor. 36th St. Cheers!