BusinessMirror November 11, 2023 by BusinessMirror

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10 YEARS AFTER SUPER TYPHOON YOLANDA:

Are we prepared for more Yolandas?

NOVEMBER 16, 2013, file photo shows the widespread devastation caused by Supertyphoon Yolanda in San Jose, Tacloban City. BERNARD TESTA

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

sign na yon na okay na siya pero hindi talaga namin nakita yung katawan niya [Maybe it’s a sign that he’s okay, but we haven’t seen his body],” she said. Supposedly, her father will celebrate his birthday today (November 9), the day after he died (November 8). Bravely recounting how the typhoon devastated their lives, Ortiz told the BusinessMirror they were inside their house and the weather was fair. “Parang hindi babagyo [Like a typhoon won’t land],” she said. She said they were watching the news and it said “the strongest typhoon in the world” would hit their city. Urging her father to evacuate immediately, he said to her: “Wag kang maniwala. Magtiwala ka lang sa Diyos [Don’t believe that. Just trust in the Lord].” At midnight, the storm’s eye engulfed Tacloban City. She described how the robust winds obliterated the walls of their home, and suddenly, colossal waves, towering like a three-story house, surged in, tearing their family apart.

ACLOBAN, Leyte—It’s been eight days since All Saints’ Day has passed, but for those in Tacloban City, it’s been extended until November 8.

THE mass grave at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Tacloban City. REINE ALBERTO

The rain just stopped when we arrived in the city, and the car window was moist due to the cold, providing a foggy view of the outside. As we pass through the street, specks of light that resemble Christmas lights flicker. The days of the saints and souls are over, and the Christmas spirit is finally here. But the Christmas lights are too low if it were to be displayed like that, I thought to myself. And so, I was wrong. As I looked intently, I realized those weren’t Christmas lights. Those are candles lit up outside of houses and in the streets to remember the people who lost their lives and went missing after the tragedy brought on by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). “Paraan yon ng pag-alala namin sa mga namatay dahil sa Yolanda [It’s our way of remembering those who died because of Super Ty-

THE memorial marker for those laid to rest in the mass grave. REINE ALBERTO

Continued on A2

phoon Yolanda],” said 38-year-old Roxanne Ortiz. Since 2014, when marking Yolanda’s first anniversary, it’s been a tradition for Taclobanons to light candles and line them on the streets—the same place where the piles of uncollected dead bodies were lined up 10 years ago. The typhoon left a trail of destruction in the country claiming the lives of more than 5,000 people and leaving 1,613 people missing.

Yolanda is still fresh

TEN years after the typhoon struck the city, Ortiz said: “Fresh pa rin yung nangyari kasi hindi mo naman talaga siya makakalimutan [What happened was still fresh because you cannot forget an event like that].” “Lalo na may namatay sa pamilya namin—yung papa ko,” she revealed and stared at the tombstone of her father in the mass grave at

THE names of those who lost their lives due to Super Typhoon Yolanda. REINE ALBERTO

the Holy Cross Cemetery. However, he wasn’t buried there because they hadn’t found or retrieved his body since the tragedy happened. They just pre-

sumed that he was dead because he hadn’t returned for years. Their family had a dream many times about their father just happy and smiling, “baka

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 55.9190 n JAPAN 0.3695 n UK 68.3610 n HK 7.1620 n CHINA 7.6770 n SINGAPORE 41.1078 n AUSTRALIA 35.5924 n EU 59.6656 n KOREA 0.0424 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.9086 Source: BSP (November 10, 2023)

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Are we prepared for more Yolandas? Continued from A1

To survive, her parents sought refuge atop a tree, while she and her siblings were carried away by the waves, miraculously staying afloat amidst the debris.

Hazard-prone coastal city

TACLOBAN, being a coastal city, is susceptible to various hazards and risks, with one of them being the storm surge unleashed by Super Typhoon Yolanda. A storm surge occurs when powerful winds force ocean water onto low-lying coastal areas, resulting in flooding during severe storms or typhoons. Ortiz recounted that due to the powerful winds, the waves reached the shores and eventually engulfed their community. She emphasized that this was an unprecedented event, as even during typhoons with Signal No. 3 warnings before, the intensity was never as formidable as that of Yolanda. It was also the first time they encountered the term “storm surge,” a phrase unfamiliar to them when barangay officials advised evacuation. They found it hard to believe that the typhoon could bring down heavy equipment, and the waves could reach the height of a small building, considering their past experiences of enduring storms inside their houses. “Hindi namin naisip na ganon kalakas yung bagyo [We didn’t think the typhoon would be that strong],” she said.

Lessons learned

BUT 10 years later, she said Taclo-

banons have learned their lesson. “Kahit Signal No. 1, natuto na yung mga tao dito sa Region 8 na lilikas talaga sila [Even if it’s only Signal No. 1, people here in Region 9 learned that they have to evacuate],” she said. Adding that, “Ayaw na nila mangyari yung nangyari dati [They don’t want a repeat of what happened before].” Now, whenever a storm approaches the region, they would compare it to the strength of Super Typhoon Yolanda if it’s strong because when they hear “Yolanda,” they would evacuate, she said. They also have an emergency kit and grab-and-go bags to take with them if they have to leave. Over 60 km away from Tacloban, in Villareal, Samar, disaster risk reduction and management projects include the construction of flood control measures, sea walls, and drainage systems. Additionally, community initiatives focus on information dissemination and orientation programs for disaster preparedness. This was reported by Villareal, Samar Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Chief Nerissa Mustacisa to the BusinessMirror. On the evacuation of coastal residents when storms come, she said: “Sila na mismo ang nag e-evacuate dahil sa experience sa Yolanda [They evacuate themselves because of their experience in Yolanda].”

NOVEMBER 16, 2013, file photos show the devastation wrought by Supertyphoon Yolanda on Tacloban City. BERNARD TESTA

Is the Philippines ‘handa’? THE 10th-year commemoration of Yolanda concurs with the Visayas leg of Handa Pilipinas which exhibited the technologies and innovations that the Department of Science and Technology has created or funded for disaster risk reduction and management. With all these technologies and innovations to mitigate, prepare and respond to natural disasters, hazards and risks, Ortiz said “Kahit ano pang technology ang ma-imbento, walang makakalaban sa Yolanda [Whatever technology is invented, nothing can withstand

Yolanda].” Hence, underscoring the great need to be “handa” or prepared for the other Yolandas that will come in the country. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said in Filipino: “Nothing can withstand but you can prepare for it,” further emphasizing the importance of constant communication because people tend to forget about it. “We have to bombard [them with] information and every now and then, we remind them that there’s always these hazards that can happen to us and we have to prepare for them,” he said. At the “Maghanda” forum, Science Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized that the event aims to increase public awareness on preventable and solvable problems that the country faces and there are innovations in reducing disaster risks, disaster management, and to be prepared in disaster response. “It is critical that the risks of these natural hazards be known to people and more importantly, [for them to know] the actions they should take so that we can achieve the ‘Handa Pilipinas’ state,” Solidum enthused at the Handa Pilipinas press conference on November 9.

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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PAL nets $98M in Q3, invests in fleet and product upgrade

HILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) reported a net income of $98 million (P5.4 billion) and operating income of $130 million (P7.2 billion) for the third quarter of 2023. These represent improvements from the $63 million (P3.5 billion) net income and $87 million (P4.9 billion) in operating income realized in the third quarter of 2022. The positive financial performance reflects the continuing growth of passenger travel and the corresponding expansion of flights across the flag carrier’s global network, with PAL carrying 4 million passengers in third quarter of 2023, a 54 percent increase from the 2.6 million flown in third quarter of 2022. Accordingly, third quarter passenger revenues grew to $749 million (P47.5 billion) vs. the $610 million (P40.8 billion) earned in the third quarter of 2022, while cargo revenues declined by 35 percent due to a softening in the air cargo market. Building on the gains registered in the first half of the year, PAL has now logged a net income of $348 million (P19.2 billion) for the full January to September 2023 period vs. $133 million (P7.2 billion) for the same period in 2022. PAL’s operating income was $ 444 million (P24.6 billion) for January-September 2023 vs. $212 million (P11.5 billion) in 2022. Altogether, PAL flew 11 million passengers for the first nine months of 2023, improving on the 6.4 million carried in the same period of 2022. Passenger revenues for Januar ySeptember 2023 grew to $2.17 billion (P120.1 billion) vs. $1.47 billion (P79.5 billion) last year. “We are immensely grateful for the support of our faithful customers and all our employees, partners and stakeholders. We assure them that

we will continue investing in brandnew aircraft, upgraded products and digital innovations that will help us deliver better service and a more satisfying experience for the people who entrust their flights and shipments to Philippine Airlines,” said Capt. Stanley K. Ng, President and CEO of Philippine Airlines. “At the same time, we have to be ready to face potential major challenges in the coming months, as geopolitical upheavals drive up fuel prices and threaten economic disruptions.” “We will continue to fortify the Philippine Airlines Group against external headwinds, such as volatile fuel prices and the impact of world events, while building up PAL as a resilient and dynamic competitor,” said Mr. Lucio Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings Inc., PAL’s parent company. “We reaffirm our commitment to provide safe, reliable and efficient service in line with our mandate as the nation’s flag carrier, looking forward to the coming peak travel season.” PAL’s fleet expansion and service enhancements include the recently announced acquisition of A irbus A350-1000 long-range aircraft valued at a list price of over $3.2 billion (P176.6 billion) for the nine aircraft ordered; the expansion of the airline’s Cebu hub network; an all-new customer relations management system offering more personalized selfservice options for PAL customers; and continuing increases in staffing of customer care personnel. In addition to an extensive network to 33 domestic destinations, PAL operates the largest network of nonstop flights from the Philippines to North America, Japan, the Middle East and Australia.

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Saturday, November 11, 2023

FDI inflows in August decline 0.3% to $789 million–data By Cai U. Ordinario

NCERTAINTIES in the global economy continued to pummel the country’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in August. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed net FDI inflows declined 0.3 percent to $789 million in August 2023 from $792 million in August 2022. Nonetheless, BSP said FDI net inf lows amounted to $5.5 billion, a 12.9 percent decline from the $6.3 billion recorded in the same period last year.

“The continued FDI net inflows reflect the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals. Nonetheless, the recorded slowdown may be due largely to investor concerns following the sustained uncertainty surrounding the global economy,” the BSP said. The decline in FDI net inflows reflected the 7.8 percent contraction in nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments to $537 million in August 2023 from $582 million in August 2022. However, this decline was tempered by the expansion in nonresidents’ net investments in equity capital by 13.3

the enabling legislation that would institutionalize and guarantee the continuity of the consolidated guidelines set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for electric motor vehicles. The bill covers all types of motor vehicles powered by electric motors, with the power storage charged directly from external sources. It excludes hybrid vehicles, however. Road v iolations involv ing emotor ve h ic les a re p e n a l i z e d w ith fines ranging from P1,500 to P10,000 and other applicable penalties set by the Department of Tra n s por t at ion ( DO Tr) for violations on licensing, registration, operation, weight or load l imits, and f ranc hise requ irements, as out lined in the bil l filed by Duterte, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT- CIS Party-list Rep. Edv ic Yap. Under HB 8974, electric vehicles with motors that can reach maximum speeds of 25 kilometers per hour (kph) or less and e-bikes that can reach maximum speeds of 50

By Samuel P. Medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the country is now eyeing several bilateral agreements with Timor-Leste on civilian commercial aviation, social security agreement, and educational cooperation. The Chief Executive made the announcement during his joint news briefing with Timor-Leste President José Ramos Horta last Friday. Horta is currently on a four-day State Visit in the country upon the invitation of Marcos. “We took the opportunity to study our existing platforms of cooperation and of partnerships, as well as we discussed matters of great importance

kph do not require a driver’s license to operate, but all riders are required to wear protective helmets. These include personal mobility scooters designed for short trips, electric kick scooters, L1a vehicles or two-wheeled e-bikes, L1b vehicles or e-bikes that can go up to 50 kph, and L2a vehicles or three-wheeled e-vehicles with maximum speeds of 25 kph. Based on their classification, these vehicles are limited to private roads, barangay roads, and local roads. Except for personal mobility scooters and electric kick scooters, all other vehicles not requiring a driver’s license to operate can pass major thoroughfares, but for crossing purposes only and subject to certain conditions. Vehicles classified as L2b or three-wheeled e-vehicles reaching maximum speeds of 50 kph; L3 (emotorcycles); L4 (e-tricycles); L5 or 3-wheeled vehicles with a minimum rated power of 1000 watts, maximum speeds of 50 kph, and a maximum curb weight of 600 kilograms;

‘Kamandag’ not aimed at any specific country or issue, Marine official says

HE ongoing “Kamandag” exercise between the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and their US counterparts and its other military allies is not aimed at any specific issue or nation. “The particular exercise will not be directed against a particular issue, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. The exercise is not designed to prepare for a very particular country but the exercise is designed to prepare our Marines to prepare for operational readiness and any kind of challenges from any aggressors,” PMC deputy commandant and Kamandag exercise director, Brig. Jimmy Larida,

said Thursday. “Kamandag” is short for “Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma mula sa Dagat,” which translates to cooperation of warriors of the sea. “I would like to point out that Kamandag 7-23 is not an exercise that is prepared specifically for a particular country,” Larida said. Meanwhile, PMC commandant Maj. Gen. Arturo Rojas said “Kamandag” is part of the Navy and Marines’ commitment towards enhancing its capabilities and promoting interoperability among the country’s allies. “We have steadfastly determined to ensure that our forces are always

percent to $36 million from $31 million, and their reinvestment of earnings by 21.4 percent to $217 million from $179 million. In August, equity capital placements emanated mostly from Japan, the United States, and Singapore. These were channeled primarily to the manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade; and information and communication industries. The BSP said FDI includes investment by a nonresident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent, and investment made by a nonresident

subsidiary/associate in its resident direct investor. FDI can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings. The FDI statistics from BSP are distinct from the investment data of other government sources. BSP FDI covers actual investment inflows. By contrast, the approved foreign investments data that are published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which are sourced from Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), represent investment commitments, which may not necessarily be realized fully, in a given period.

PBBM seeks to elevate PHL-Timor Leste ties to both our nations, particularly in the fields of political cooperation and in people-to-people exchanges,” the President said. A mong the Phi lippine-TimorLeste agreements, which are now undergoing negotiations is an Air Services Agreement that will allow direct flights between the two countries. Also in the works is a Bilateral Social Security Agreement, which will provide professionals from both countries with a “safety net.” There are an estimated 1,480 Filipinos in Timor-Leste as of February this year. Both countries are also studying education cooperation, which will enable the higher learning institutions

Rep. Duterte files bill on e-vehicle regulation AW M A K ER S proposed a measure to regulate the operation of personal mobility scooters, e-motorcycles, and other electric motor vehicles as well as enforcing penalties on riders who violate road and traffic rules. In House Bill (HB) 8974, Davao C it y R e p. Paolo D uter te sa id that while electric kick scooters and other similar vehicles were allowed on major roads by authorities during the Covid-19-induced lockdowns as these provided mobility and convenience to commuters, the same should now be strictly regulated with the return to normalcy and traffic congestion back to prepandemic levels. “The mounting complaints about the use of electric-powered vehicles on main thoroughfares, along with ensuring the safety of all motorists and commuters, necessitate the passage of a law that would regulate the use of these vehicles and penalize their riders who violate traffic rules and regulations,” Duterte said. The proposal aims to provide

ready, capable, and prepared for any challenge. This exercise enhances our regional readiness and contributes to a secure and stable environment. We showcase our ability to work side by side in pursuit of our shared objectives,” he added. Rojas stressed that Kamandag also sends a powerful message to those planning to disrupt the peace. “That our partnership is unbreakable, our resolve unyielding, and our commitment to defending our nations is always unwavering. This exercise has been an excellent platform to deepen our understanding of one another’s capabilities.

L6 and L7 (e-quads or four-wheeled microcars); M (e-Car, e-SUV, e-Utility Vehicle, e-Jeepney, and e-Bus); and N (e-trucks) all require an appropriate driver’s license to operate. L2b vehicles, which can travel beyond barangay roads and can pass main thoroughfares subject to certain conditions, cannot be used for public transport. All other e-vehicles requiring an appropriate driver’s license are allowed on all types of roads, subject to certain conditions, and can be used for public transport when applicable. The bill also requires all manufacturers, assemblers, and/or importers of electric vehicles to submit to the LTO the specifications of their new e-vehicle models not later than three months prior to their introduction to the market to enable the agency to determine their classification. The LTO will also set the rate of the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC), which is applicable to vehicles classified as L2b and above. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

It provides us an avenue to learn from each other, exchange ideas, and foster a spirit of innovation and excellence. As we engage in joint and combined training, we strengthen our ability to operate seamlessly together, further enhancing our interoperability and coordination,” he added. A round 1,732 personnel from the Philippine Marine Corps will be participating in Kamandag while 902 will be coming from the US Marine Corps. Meanwhile, 57 personnel will be coming from the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and along with another 50 from the Japan Ground SelfDefense Force, while eight military personnel from the United Kingdom will act as observers. Kamandag will run from November 9 to 20 in various locations in Luzon and the Visayas. Rex Anthony Naval

of both parties to increase their exchange students. Philippines is currently providing Timor-Leste with assistance in training its citizens about food processing through the Department of Science and Technology. “We committed to increase [our] engagements in such technical cooperation and we have tasked our respective Ministries to explore and enhance future partnerships on this matter,” Marcos said. Currently, the country has 11 signed agreements with Timor-Leste on economic and technical cooperation, higher education cooperation, and military cooperation, among other matters.

Marcos is looking forward to more bilateral exchanges with Timor-Leste. The President also reiterated his support for Timor-Leste’s Asean membership bid. During the 42nd Asean Summit in Indonesia, leaders of the regional bloc adopted the roadmap for Timor-Leste to become their member. Horta said they are aiming to implement the roadmap set by Asean in the next two years. “We are now working around the clock to fulfill—implement milestones and we feel confident that we could join a place between myself… We have established for ourselves, 2025 we should be ready to fully be member of the Asean,” Horta said.

PNB posts 19% growth in net income in first 9 months of ’23

HILIPPINE National Bank (PSE: PNB) registered a consolidated net income of P13.5 billion for the first nine months of 2023, 19 percent higher compared to its earnings for the same period last year. The stronger performance year-on-year was attributed to the growth in the bank’s core lending and fee-based operations. The bank’s net interest income rose by 23 percent to P33.0 billion from year-ago level of P26.8 billion, driven by higher loan volumes coupled with improving net interest margin of 4.2 percent as compared with previous year’s 3.4 percent. Gross loans amounted to P635 billion as of end-September 2023, up 4 percent from the end-December 2022 level on the back of the bank’s sustained growth in corporate loans, and expanded reach to the commercial and retail lending spaces. Deposit liabilities, on the other hand, increased by 5 percent as the bank continued to build up its CASA portfolio, while offering other deposit products with competitive rates. Net fee-based income likewise grew by 21 percent year-on-year, buoyed by higher volumes of lending and deposit-related transactions. Despite the limited trading opportunities and market liquidity, the PNB managed to improve its treasuryrelated income by 36 percent as it took advantage of the rate movements in the market during the period. The bank also continued its strategy to dispose of and monetize the values of its foreclosed properties in the first nine months of 2023, albeit lower than the gains posted a year ago. The Bank ’s operating expenses amounted to P21.4 billion for the first nine months of 2023, a 4 percent reduction year-on-year due to prudent spending despite the continued business growth. On the other hand, the PNB continued to set aside additional provisions of P5.2 billion given the prevailing uncertainties in 2023. As of end-September 2023, consoli-

dated assets stood at P1.18 trillion, up by 3 percent from end-December 2022 level, primarily driven by higher loans and investment securities. The bank’s total equity also expanded by 10 percent year-on-year, bringing its Capital Adequacy Ratio to 16.6 percent and Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio to 15.7 percent, both of which remained well above the minimum regulatory requirement of 10.0 percent. “We continue to be focused on sustaining our profitability, while enhancing our efficiencies,” said PNB President Florido P. Casuela. “We aim to be responsive to the needs of our customers and help them achieve their financial and business goals as our economy continues to recover.” PNB won the “Philippines Digital Experience of the Year—Banking” award at the Asian Experience Awards 2023 for its PNB Digital App. The application was cited for offering clients a superior banking experience with its fresh look, intuitive design, and quick access to frequent banking transactions via a customizable dashboard. PNB also received the prestigious Four Golden Arrow Award during the 2023 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard Golden Arrow Awards held last September 2023. This is in addition to the two awards received by the Bank as “Best Collection Partner” for the Overseas Bank category and “Best Disbursement Partner” for the Universal Bank category during the SSS Balikat ng Bayan Awards held last September 2023.

Saturday, November 11, 2023

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Philippines says China fired water cannon at supply vessel

HE Philippines said a Chinese coast guard vessel on Friday deployed a water cannon at a ship bound to supply provisions to a military outpost near a disputed reef in the South China Sea (SCS). Manila’s embassy in Beijing protested the latest action with the Chinese foreign ministry, a Philippine government task force said in a statement. China’s coast guard said that it has taken “control measures” against Philippine ships near the Second Thomas Shoal after they entered without permission, according to a separate statement. Chinese vessels “reck lessly harassed, blocked and executed dangerous maneuvers in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission” to Philippine ship BRP Sierra Madre in the shoal which is claimed by both countries. Manila

grounded the World War II-era ship in the shoal since 1999. The encounter is the latest in a series of recent incidents that has raised tensions in the SCS as Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. becomes more assertive against Chinese incursions in disputed waters. The Philippines said on Friday that its two supply boats were also subjected to “dangerous harassment” by Chinese coast guard ships inside Second Thomas Shoal lagoon during their approach to BRP Sierra Madre, adding it eventually reached the ship.

‘Trespassed’

CHINA’S Coast Guard, on the other hand said it took “regulatory measures” on three Philippine Coast Guard vessels and two Filipino boats, which were conducting resupply missions again to the Filipino troops stationed

in Ayungin Shoal. Gan Yu, a spokesman for the China Coast Guard, said the Philippine vessels “trespassed” near the waters of Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea or what they call Ren’ai Jiao. “The China Coast Guard tracked and monitored the ships, took regulatory measures, and made temporary special arrangements for the Philippines to deliver food and other daily necessities,” Gan said in a statement. Beijing reiterated that it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the West Philippine Sea or what it calls Nansha Islands. “The Philippines’ act infringes upon China’s territorial sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and breaks its own promise. “We urge the Philippine side to stop its infringement behavior

immediately,” it said. The China Coast Guard said they would continue to carry out “law enforcement activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law, and resolutely safeguard China’s national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.” The Philippines said it condemns Beijing latest moves, adding it “puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue.” In August, the Philippines sa id a C h i n e s e c o a s t g u a r d ship blocked and fired water cannons on a supply vessel bound for Second Thomas Shoal, prompting Manila to issue a diplomatic note. Last month, ships from the two countries collided on two separate occasions during another resupply mission by the Philippines. Bloomberg News and Malou Talosig-Bartolome

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Palace creates SWANC for 650th anniversary of the Philippine Muslim History and Heritage

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday tasked the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to lead a committee that will organize the commemoration of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage. In his five-page Administrative Order (AO) No. 10 issued through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, the Chief Executive constituted the Situmiayat Wakhamsun Aldhikraa National Committee (SWANC). “It is imperative to constitute a National Steering Committee that shall organize, coordinate and synchronize programs, projects and activities for the said commemoration rites,” Marcos said. Led by NHCP, the SWANC will be also co-chaired by the secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and chairperson of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage. The members of the committee are the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Education, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Interior

and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Department of Tourism, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity. The SWANC was tasked to come out with a comprehensive plan for the commemoration of the 650th anniversary event within six months from the effectivity of AO 10. It will lead in the implementation and dissemination of information on the said plans. The committee could also undertake fund-raising activities if necessary as well seek the assistance of other government agencies and the private sector for the preparation and celebration of the historic event. The said activities aim to recognize the role of Muslim Filipinos in shaping Philippine history, promote local and national tourism, and reignite nationalism. The 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage celebration will start next year and last until 2030. Samuel P. Medenilla

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Muntinlupa City seniors get free flu vaccines and maintenance medicines

By Roderick Abad Contributor

LWAYS on top of the city government’s priorities, senior citizens in Muntinlupa City are well taken cared of with various health benefits accorded to them. The “Love ko si Lolo, Love ko si Lola, Libreng Gamot para sa Senior Citizens” program was launched recently to support the city’s elderly population with free maintenance drugs for diabetes and hypertension. “What we want to achieve under the health component of our 7K Agenda is to support our senior citizens with a regular supply of maintenance medicines amid the rising cost of medication for diabetes and high blood pressure. With the help of our City Council, we will set aside funds so that we can provide medicines for our senior citizens,” Mayor Ruffy Biazon said. This initiative helps provide free monthly supply of losartan, amlodipine, and metformin for the elderly populace registered under the program. To enlist, qualified residents may visit the nearest Barangay Health Center either on Wednesday or Friday. They may also visit the Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs (OSCA) in Bayanan or the Kalingang Munti

Action Center at the City Hall from Monday to Friday. Applicants must bring their OSCA or any valid identification (ID) card with their current address and birthday, as well as the original and photocopy of the prescription for their maintenance medicine issued within the last three months. Meanwhile, Mayor Biazon urged them, as well as the rest of the public, to get the free flu vaccine this flu season. This is available for the general population aged 18 and above. The fluvax caravan is going around in all barangays to bring the program closer to the people. To avail themselves of the free flu vaccine, members of the general population must bring a valid ID with Muntinlupa address and birthdate. The elderly must bring their Senior Citizen IDs or any valid identification with address and birthday. Pregnant women ought to present a medical certificate issued within the last three months stating they have reached 20 weeks or more in their term, as well as a valid ID with their address and birthday. Would-be recipients are advised to eat a meal before getting a jab to avoid nausea. If they have previously received a flu shot, this should have been done not less than a year ago to avoid any untoward side effects or reactions.

US Social Security benefits will increase by 3.2% in 2024 as inflation moderates By Fatima Hussein The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—Millions of Social Security recipients in the US will get a 3.2 percent increase in their benefits in 2024, far less than this year’s historic boost and reflecting moderating consumer prices. The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, means the average recipient will receive more than $50 more every month beginning in January, the Social Security Administration said Thursday. The AARP estimated that increase at $59 per month. “This will help millions of people keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Social Security’s acting commissioner. About 71 million people—including retirees, disabled people and children—receive Social Security benefits. The announcement follows this year’s 8.7 percent benefit increase, brought on by record 40-year-high inflation, which pushed up the price of consumer goods. With inflation easing, the next annual increase is markedly smaller. “Compared to last year’s 8.7 percent increase, this is going to feel small and the perception is that its not keeping up with the inflation and the higher costs that retirees are still seeing,” said Martha Shedden, president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts.

On top of that, an anticipated increase in Medicare premiums for 2024 will eat into the Social Security cost-of-living bump. Medicare hasn’t announced the increase for traditional Medicare, but said the cost of Medicare Advantage plans is expected to remain stable. Still, senior advocates applauded the annual Social Security adjustment. “Retirees can rest a little easier at night knowing they will soon receive an increase in their Social Security checks to help them keep up with rising prices,” AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins said. “We know older Americans are still feeling the sting when they buy groceries and gas, making every dollar important.” Social Security is financed by payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers. The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes will be $168,600 for 2024, up from $160,200 for 2023. Retirees whose sole income comes from Social Security are not subject to taxes on that income. Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an advocacy group for the social insurance program, said that the COLA is a “reminder of Social Security’s unique importance” and that “Congress should pass legislation to protect and expand benefits.” However, the program faces a severe financial shortfall in the coming years.

Physically frail senior citizens, PWDs receive food packages

G Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon (center) confers with his elderly constituents about the city government’s health initiatives catered to them.

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, November 11, 2023

By Miguel Gil

ASAN, Marinduque—The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) here announced that the distribution of much-needed grocery items to the elderly and disabled is still ongoing and will continue until all the intended beneficiaries have received their share.

An elderly lady from Gasan, Marinduque receives grocery items from a municipal employee in this undated photo. The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office said on November 6, 2023 it has focused its efforts on giving material aid to bedridden senior citizens and the handicapped. Photo courtesy of Gasan Public Information Office

In an interview on Monday, Jhaneth Navarro, who serves as the outreach program’s focal person, said the MSWDO’s effort focuses mainly on senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are already bedridden, and those that are terminally ill. “The municipal government has been doing this [aid distribution to senior citizens and PWDs] for over five years. This year, however, we are more focused on persons who are al-

ready very physically frail,” she said. Navarro said the distribution of goods officially began on October 16 as part of a belated celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week. Initially, the goods were being handed out at the municipal hall but then it became apparent that many of the intended beneficiaries were no longer strong enough to receive their goods personally, she said. “We found out that some of the

beneficiaries on our list had already passed away,” she added. Navarro said municipal employees have resorted to delivering the groceries to the beneficiaries’ residences to ensure the timely delivery of the goods. The grocery packages contain rice, powdered milk, oatmeal and adult diapers, among other items. So far, some 100 senior citizens and 26 PWDs across Gasan’s 25

barangays have benefited from the municipal government’s “Assistance to Bedridden Senior Citizens and PWDs” initiative this year. For his part, Mayor Rolando Tolentino said in a social media post that “this assistance comes with the municipal government’s continued efforts to provide service with a heart to every sector of our society, especially to bedridden PWDs and senior citizens.” PNA

Yawning may be rude but it’s also good for you By Nick Tayag

my sixty-zen’S WORTH

E know that babies yawn and it delights us to see them do so. But did you know that infants yawn even while inside the womb? Everybody yawns. Some animals yawn too. It’s one of the most ordinary, commonplace things we do in life. Yet like a careless whisper, one untimely yawn can do harm to someone. I still remember what happened to my creative teammate during my ad agency days some years ago. During a critical pitch for a major new account, as my peer was presenting his concepts, the client yawned suddenly and tactlessly without covering his mouth. A tense pause. Then as my colleague tentatively resumed his presentation, the client yawned a second time although he tried to stifle it. In a few seconds after that, others from the client’s panel caught the yawning virus. Terribly unnerved, my poor teammate unraveled thereafter and it goes without saying, we didn’t win the pitch. Was it deliberate? Was that the client’s way of saying cut the b.s.? I don’t know, although I vaguely remember the client making a lame apology, saying he didn’t have enough sleep the night before. Even before that, I already knew that the said colleague was a touchy fellow, with self-confidence problems. But that unfortunate yawning incident was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back, so to speak. It wounded his self-esteem so deeply that even today he gets the jitters when he is asked to go on stage, or say a few words in front of people. Ever since then, he had become more withdrawn; probably seeing himself as an irredeemable loser. His intimate friends (very few) make it a point not to yawn whenever he’s present. It’s

unfortunate because the guy has a brilliant mind. If you yawn in the presence of others, the message it carries is that you’re bored or you’re not interested. For instance, when you suddenly yawn in meetings or lectures or while in a conversation it usually comes across as impolite, rude and vulgar, especially if you won’t even cover your mouth. In general, it would be seen as a sign of disrespect or poor upbringing. That being said, the negative message a yawn imparts can sometimes be useful. It can serve as a cue for someone to stop, such as a resource speaker who has digressed too far from his topic or a talking head who is so carried away that he keeps chattering interminably long after he has made his point. Truth be told, I too had my share of humiliation seeing wide-open yaw ns in my classes as a trying hard lecturer some years ago. I took it as a measure of my poor performance as a speaker. I quickly got the message (stick to writing) and just swallowed my pride. But some choose to lash back against yawners. Several years ago, a Cornell University professor was offended by a yawning student and said this to his class: “If I hear one more of these overly loud yawns, get up and walk the hell out! Yawn outside! ...You should be asking yourself. Why am I the one loser who has to yawn and 220 other people know better?” That brief tirade was caught on video and uploaded on YouTube where it got more than a million

views. It even inspired a line of Yawn Outside shirts. Was the offended professor right to demand better behavior from his students? Or was he just over reacting and should have just ignored the yawning? Instead of heaping scorn on the yawner, shouldn’t he not selfreflected on his skill as a teacher? Or maybe the student was merely a convenient outlet for his personal problems that day? Does yawning really and automatically mean someone is bored or disengaged? What does science say about yawning? Here’s the kicker. While yawning is associated with sleepiness and boredom, some researchers say that yawning is not a sign of sleepiness or boredom. It is actually an involuntary reflex response to lack of stimulation. Watching television, listening to a lecture, studying, reading or long distance driving are tasks or circumstances that put you in a low-active state that can make you yawn. What happens is that when you yawn some hormones are released that briefly increase the heart rate and alertness. Your brain is just trying to wake you up and make you pay attention and focus even if only for a brief time. Yawning is cool, says Dr. Andrew Gallup, a yawning expert and assistant professor of psychology at the University at Albany. He says that when people yawn, they’re cooling off their brains. He explains: “Brains are like computers. They only operate efficiently and effectively when they’re cool.” He said many things associated with yawning, like being tired or not sleeping for extended periods of time, can actually raise brain temperature, and yawning can alleviate the heat. In other words, think of the yawn as the brain’s air conditioner. Thus, contrary to our impression that yawning is rude and insulting, Dr. Gallup asserts that “yawning is really a compliment, because it suggests that brain mechanisms have kicked in to reinstate and optimize mental processing.” As proof, he says that elite ath-

letes often yawn immediately before competition, and public speakers yawn prior to giving a presentation. Do you think these people are dis-engaged or bored? They yawn because they are mentally stimulating themselves. So next time a friend yawns while you’re talking, don’t take offense too readily. Choose to believe that he’s just trying to stimulate himself to listen more intently to what you’re saying. Oh yeah? The cynical half of me says that’s just denying the obvious. But here’s something that can’t be denied. Yawning is good exercise. It helps stretch your mouth muscles, as well as lung tissues. When you yawn, extend your arms at the same time. Doing so helps flex your muscles and activate your joints while quickening your heart rate. Furthermore, you’ll also feel more awake and re-invigorated. The curious thing about yawning is that it’s contagious. For some reason, seeing another person yawn can cause others in the room to yawn themselves. Knowing that yawning is catching, here’s a naughty thought. Why not employ the contagiousness of yawning to serve a social purpose? For crying out loud, why not use the rudeness of yawning for something productive for the good of all? Why don’t we organize a people’s movement to yawn out the corrupt and incompetents out of government, called “Hikab ng Sambayanan Movement”? This is similar to the “tang ping” or lying in movement in China in which young people choose to “lie down flat via a low-desire, more indifferent attitude towards life” as a protest against lack of social mobility and economic stagnation. It could be an ingenious new weapon of protest in the arsenal of non-violent change. Imagine this for a moment. Every time a corrupt or incompetent politician spews lies and hollow promises, instead of clapping, why don’t we all yawn and groan loudly? Let’s use the act of yawning to send a clear “no” message to the unwanted and the unqualified. Let’s harness yawn power to bring down the degenerate and dishonorable and usher in a new and better generation of leaders our nation has long hoped for and truly deserves.

Education BusinessMirror

A6 Saturday, November 11, 2023

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Young leaders to represent PHL in Asean-Japan exchange project

UST, Climate Change Comm. seal pact for climate innovation, sustainability

This year’s exchange program also marks five decades of Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. “What can the youth do in the new era of cooperation commemorating the 50th Year of Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation?” will be this year’s theme, as major United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be discussed—including quality education, gender equality and women’s empowerment, energy, climate change, economic growth and sustainable communities, as well as good health and well-being. This year’s Philippine Participating Youths (PPY) introduced the batch name “Silay” —a Filipino expression that signifies the pinnacle of anticipation for the dawn of a promising future after a period of hardship. According to a statement, Silay is a poignant reminder that SSEAYP’s return to a face-to-face format gives a sense of renewed hope, as the Filipino youth involved in the program are given access to new avenues for

growth and great expectations of catching a glimpse of what lies ahead through this diplomatic exchange. Batch Silay brings together a diverse delegation, representing various sectors such as educators, students, government employees, and nongovernment organization officers. It is headed by National Leader Jogepons Ruloma: a public servant, registered environmental planner, and a licensed professional teacher from Bohol. He will be joined by PPY representing the three major island-groups of the Philippines. For Luzon: Verna Abby Catusalem (Aurora, appointed youth leader), Aldrine Anzures (Manila), Brian de los Santos (Masbate), and Justine Angelica Orbe (Bataan). For Visayas: Leyden Sta. Isabel (Negros Occidental), Kingsley De Los Santos (Iloilo), and Wilfred Paller (Aklan).

CCC vice chairperson-executive director Robert E.A. Borje (fifth from left), with UST rector and president Fr. Richard Ang (fourth from right), hold the cooperation agreement for climate innovation and sustainability. PNA/CCC

Stock Knowledge is one of WEF’s 2023 ‘tech pioneers’

Tesda ties up anew with PNP to train IPs, ex-rebels, marginalized Pinoys

leven promising leaders will hoist the country’s flag in the 47th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) in Tokyo from November 29 to December 8.

HILIPPINES-based edtech startup company Stock Knowledge, which provides a gamified immersive and adaptive-learning platform, was selected among hundreds of candidates as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “Technology Pioneers.” This as the WEF announced its selection of the “100 Most Promising Technology Pioneers:” companies that are tackling issues such as sustainability, climate change and health care. Stock Knowledge was among the winners of this year’s cohort, which included representation of 31 economies from six continents. Stock Knowledge utilizes augmented reality, virtual reality, games and artificial intelligence to create a fun, engaging, interactive and effective learning experience. It also helps teachers deliver lessons efficiently, as it reduces the need for extensive unpaid private consultations from students, as well as discussions outside classroom hours while streamlining lesson preparation. The WEFs Technology Pioneers are earlystage firms driving new technologies and innovation, and are poised to significantly impact businesses and society. “We are excited to welcome Stock Knowledge to our 2023 cohort of Technology Pioneers,” said Verena Kuhn, who is the WEF’s head of Innovator Communities. “Stock Knowledge and its fellow pioneers are at the forefront of innovation and disruption needed to help us solve the world’s most pressing issues. We look forward to their contribution to the forum’s content work that brings together the public and private sector in [jointly tackling] these global issues.” As a Technology Pioneer, Stock Knowledge CEO Anna Marie Benzon was invited to engage with the WEF and work with global leaders in helping address key industry and societal issues. Other pioneers will also be invited to join the forum’s events and discussions throughout the year, which will bring together leading stakeholders from the public and private sector. Stock Knowledge said it remains steadfast in its commitment to help and empower students, teachers, as well as local and global education decision-makers. This year’s Technology Pioneer cohort included startups from 31 economies, with a third led by a woman-chief executive. China had the second-highest representation with 12 technology pioneers, behind the United States with 29.

By Roderick L. Abad

HE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has renewed its linkage with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in continuously training indigenous peoples (IPs), former insurgents, and residents of far-flung communities nationwide. To formalize this endeavor, Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu of Tesda and Police Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at Camp Crame in Quezon City. The partnership aims to provide upskilling and lifelong learning of police officers via technical-vocational (tech-voc) education and training (TVET), which includes

47th SSEAYP Philippine delegation

For Mindanao: Raymark Estael (Agusan del Sur, appointed assistant youth leader), Abdulfarid Guinomla (Cotabato), and Hilton Soberano (Davao). The country, through the National Youth Commission, will be sending these Philippine Youth Ambassadors of Goodwill to Japan. The young “envoys” will participate in a wide range of activities for 10 days, including homestays, immersion programs, cultural presentations, field studies, collaborative discussions with international counterparts,

learning in specialized or specific qualifications crucial to their job performance, such as the conduct of community-based learning for IPs, ex-rebels, identified drug dependents, and other community members. The pact also covers skills training and other capability-development programs for beneficiaries of PNP personnel who were killed in action or police operations. As the government’s arm tasked to manage the country’s tech-voc training, Tesda will facilitate and hold skills training, assessment, and certification to identified personnel and prospective trainers from PNP who will conduct community-based knowledge transfer. The PNP, on the other hand, will

courtesy visits, and attendance at the anniversary reception marking the Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation’s 50th year. Established in 1974 and organized by Japan’s Cabinet Office, in cooperation with the region’s member-states, SSEAYP is an international cultural-exchange program cultivating an enduring spirit of camaraderie and linkages among participating nations. Follow SSEAYP Phils. on Facebook, or e-mail sseaypph47@ gmail.com and be updated on its activities.

provide Tesda with personnel who will undergo skills training, and then teach members of the marginalized sector. According to Mangudadatu, both parties have a longstanding partnership that brings community-based training into remote areas, and allows the sharing of their resources to upskill and reskill those belonging to the marginalized. “ W it h [a mple pa r t ner] sup port, we will be able to reach more Filipinos, and further promote the power of…TVET in providing training for our beneficiaries, so that they will become quality and skilled workers who are empowered to help themselves, their families, and their communities,” the Tesda official said.

Pacific Link College, Benilde forge pact for Canadian internships

OTIVATED by a mutual pursuit of honing future hospitality industry leaders, the Pacific Link College (PLC) and the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) sealed an academic cooperation that allows Filipino students to train in Canada. A Vancouver-based institution, PLC’s faculty of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Programs is recognized for its supportive environment in preparing international learners for the competitive labor market. Meanwhile, the Benilde School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) is the first and only hotel-school in the country to be awarded a Level-IV accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PA ASCU). It was considered as a “Center for Excellence in Hotel and Restaurant Management” by the Commission on Higher Education and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s “Certified Guest Service Property.” T he alliance was formalized through a memorandum of agree-

PLC’s international director Isaac Oommen (from left), managing director Roden Santos Mama, founder and CEO Tarun Khullar, with DLS-CSB’s vice chancellor Angelo Lacson and director Sherlo Reyes after the MOA signing. ment signed by PLC’s founder and CEO Tarun Khullar, international director Isaac Oommen and managing Director Roden Santos Mama, with DLS-CSB’s vice chancellor for Academics Angelo Lacson, as well as Center for External Linkages and School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies Center for Partnership and Development director Sherlo Reyes. Through the collaboration, Benilde SHRIM students may now pursue their extensive internship in the North American country through the “Canadian Workplace Skills: Tourism, Hospitality, and Service Co-op Diploma (CWTSHS),” which will commence in January 2024.

The apprentices will undergo two months of upskilling, settlement, cultural exchange, and professional simulation at the PLC campuses in Metro Vancouver. A 10-month internship in Canada’s five-star hotel properties and resorts will follow suit. CWTSHS is open to qualified undergraduate and graduate applicants who meet the cumulative grade-point average and are currently enrolled in their respective practicum courses. Alumni from Benilde SHRIM are likewise welcome. Upon completion, applicants will be conferred a postgraduate diploma from PLC.

HE University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC) have agreed to solidify their commitment to drive climate innovation and sustainability. As the lead government agency mandated to coordinate and monitor climate-change programs in the Philippines, CCC has teamed up with UST—one of the country’s top educational institutions—to strengthen efforts in addressing the impacts of climate change, while enhancing the climate resilience of local communities. T h roug h lec t u res, sem inars and workshops, the CCCUST partnership will facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity-building to enhance climate literacy, as well as nurture future leaders in the field of climate science. The linkage will also be a platform for sustainable entrepreneurship, fostering tie-ups and initiatives that will promote environmentally conscious business practices. “Through capacity building and education, CCC and UST will collaborate to create educational programs that equip our youth with the knowledge and skills needed to raise awareness about climate change and empower them to take action toward a more sustainable future—making that all-important link between technological development, innovation, research and development from the academic community to the local communities,” Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje of CCC said during

the signing of the agreement in mid-October. “Our key areas of collaboration include research, knowledge-sharing, and expert exchanges through academic lectures, seminars, training workshops, and even short courses,” UST rector and president Fr. Richard Ang said. “We can make a big difference in climate-change mitigation and adaptation strategies through our joint efforts.” After the cooperation-agreement signing, the commission gained insights into UST’s restoration efforts and witnessed the dedication of its experts in preserving historical library collections, which falls under noneconomic loss and damage. Non-economic loss and damage is a term referring to the intangible and irreplaceable cultural, historical, and social heritage that are lost or damaged due to climate-change impacts. “Our partnership with UST can go beyond research and development. It can also include preserving our cultural heritage in the face of climate challenges,” Borje said. “Witnessing the restoration efforts first-hand [boosts our determination to safeguard our historical collections and ensure] they will be seen by generations to come.” The collaboration brings together the commission’s expertise in policy formulation and program implementation, plus the university’s renowned faculty and research community. Both institutions endeavor to drive transformative climate actions, support local communities, and foster a more sustainable future for all. PNA

Smart gets Southern Tagalog HEIs online

MART Communications recently boosted the digita l capabilities of the st udent-act iv it y centers of Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite (EACC) and Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU)-San Pablo City in Laguna with free Smart Bro-powered Wi-Fi hubs. “Smart empowers students to live their passions through digital connectivity,” said Senior Manager for Go-To-Market and Subscriber Management Antonette Orpilla at Smart. “The Smart Bro hangout spot not only gives them the platform to showcase their creativity, but it also helps them with school requirements.” Orpilla added that the telco firm provided the higher educational institutions’ (HEIs) starter kits that include a foldable back wall, charging stations and Wi-Fi table toppers to enable students to surf the Internet easily through Smart Bro Pocket Wi-Fi. The Smart official claimed that the Wi-Fi gadget is the students’ greatest companion for their on-the-go digital lifestyle, providing them great freedom

and mobility to connect anytime, anywhere. Further, she shared that students may connect a maximum of 10 devices at a time to a Smart Bro Pocket Wi-Fi. She said it is best loaded with packages like “UnliData 699,” which boasts of unlimited data for 30 days through the new Smart App. “Fast and stable Internet connection inside the school is important for our blended learning needs,” said Shane Steven Harold Tamil, who is the EACC Central Student Council ’s president. “The Smart Bro Hangout gives me access to connectivity, and a spot to charge my devices.” “The student activity center has been the go-to-place for our students to work on their assignments in-between classes,” said Dr. Alberto Castillo, who is LSPU-San Pablo City’s Office of Student Affairs chairperson. “We are grateful that Smart has also provided Smart Bro Pocket Wi-Fi devices that give them Internet access.” T he telco had prev iously rolled out Smart Bro Hangout Spots in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Saturday, November 11, 2023 A7

LIKE FINDING NEVERLAND Discovering Port Barton through Holiday Suites

onsidered as the largest province in the Philippines, Palawan is very popular among tourists as this is where some of the world’s first-rate beaches and islands are found. While three popular destinations easily stand out in Palawan: the highly urbanized capital, Puerto Princesa and the enchanting municipalities of Coron and El Nido, there is one other

destination in the province that while considered as underrated, is lately emerging as the preferred stop of tourists who wish for a more serene and laid-back getaway.

Site of what is considered as the longest beach in the Philippines, San Vicente, like Coron and El Nido, is a first-class municipality in Palawan that thrives on fishing and farming. Its long beach simply known as well, Long Beach covers four barangays and is already in the process of being transformed into an emerging tourist destination even as it has already attracted its fair share of tourists. San Vicente is also home to Port Barton, perhaps its most popular barangay and regarded by not a few to be a smaller and more tranquil alternative to El Nido. As I personally found out for myself during a recent media familiarization tour hosted by Holiday Suites Port Barton resort, almost all of the activities you can do in El Nido, you can also engage in here at San Vicente including boat tours and the usual island hopping, kayak rental, scuba diving and snorkeling and perhaps even more. If you’re traveling from Manila to Puerto Princesa airport as in our case, getting to Port Barton should only take less than three hours by land. As we

took an early morning flight, we had to stop for breakfast at Holiday Suites in Puerto Princesa (yes, there are two of them in Palawan) before proceeding to Port Barton. According to one of its proprietors and chief operating officer Ana LustreMalijan, Holiday Suites Port Barton is actually their second resort as part of the expansion of Holiday Suites brand. She said they decided on Port Barton due in large part to its natural wonders, picturesque landscapes and yes, tourism potential. “We could have expanded in El Nido but the potential of Port Barton was something I could not resist. It has a wonderful beachfront and the sunset was simply beautiful. It was love at first sight the first time I laid my eyes here,” Lustre-Malijan enthused. The term “best kept secret” would be an understatement to sum up Port Barton’s appeal. In addition to its white sand beaches and Instagram-worthy sunsets, the boat and island tours hosted by Holiday Suites provide an opportunity to bask in the pure and mostly untainted appeal of the Fantas-

tic or Twin Reef with visible glimpses of sea turtles and starfish. Stops like Maxima Beach, Exotic Beach, Paradise Island and Calipayan Camp Site also provide the kind of visual spectacle we only get to see in National Geographic and Discovery Channel documentaries. And even with its seemingly remote location, Port Barton is hardly “technologically-challenged” as guests who want to stay in touch with what’s happening with the rest of the “outside world” are not out of the loop, so to speak. This is thanks in large part to Holiday Suites’ reasonably fast internet connection enjoyed by both guests and diners alike. We were not surprised to frequently see a good number of foreign guests at this resort. As the only DOT-accredited resort in its category in the area according to Lustre-Malijan, it’s also no surprise that Holiday Suites offer a diverse selection of accommodation options including Family rooms for big groups as well as Deluxe and Superior rooms with balconies that provide scenic views of Pagdanan Bay.

Ganano Falls in Diffun

Governor’s Rapids in Maddela by Harvey Tapan

The always inviting poolside and beachfront bar and restaurant of the resort (“poolside na, beachfront pa!”) doesn’t just offer good food (the sinful lechon kawali is my particular favorite) as well as a fine selection of beverages and spirits. There is also entertainment provided by live performers alternating with DJs that starts as early as the sun begins to set. Despite the not-so-welcome drizzle that somewhat cut short our islandhopping adventure as well as the limited duration of our trip, I’ll concede that the paradise appeal of Port Barton and by extension, San Vicente and of course, Holiday Suites has easily won me over. Now I know there’s more to Palawan than the usual destinations. I came here with the intent of simply recharging my batteries and to find some measure of respite from work. The pleasant discoveries, however, made me want to come back for more. I can imagine that there’s still a lot to explore here and of course, I’m already looking forward more wonderful surprises should I get the chance to return.

Quirino’s quaint quintessence Story & photos by Bernard L Supetran

here’s an age-old idiomatic expression which says “don’t put your eggs in one basket.” But when Quirino Province reopened its local tourism industry last year, it challenged conventional wisdom and put all it had into one proverbial basket to offer visitors a loadful of happy experiences and fond memories. With the Department of Tourism’s help, it crafted the Basket of Happiness Circuit composed of must-see spots which were already emerging tourist drawers. Regarded as a tourism frontier in northern Luzon, this quaint destination may not be your usual go-to place, and it takes a special breed of travelers to venture into this rather crude but exciting hideaway. The good news is that the provincial government and community stakeholders have made tourism among its priority programs, and that it’s accessible by public transport via the Cagayan Valley Road or the less-traveled road of Aurora province. If you’re wondering what’s in store for you, below are the quintessential “goodies” it has placed in one basket for every traveler’s enjoyment.

Ganano Falls. Situated in the gateway town of Diffun, it boasts of a voluminous 100-foot drop and passes through three smaller cascades which have wide and deep cool basins. The trek starts at Baguio Village where visitors pass through Bagnes Nature Park for a lunch of Kankanaey tribal specialties such as tinumbo (rice steamed in bamboo) and

kiniing (smoked meat) after the tour. You can also sink your teeth at tubikoy, a local pie which is a mix of tupig, biko and tikoy. Quirino Watersports Complex. Tucked in the 110-hectare provincial center in Cabarroguis, this recreational enclave is a fullcourse world-class and tournament-grade spring-fed wakepark, with lodging, pavilion and infinity pool, and needless to say, the best of its kind in the north. Further up is the Motocross Mountain, the playground of extreme motorcycle riders in the crowd-drawing Quirino Motorismo which roared to a grand comeback last summer. The core of the sprawling complex is the tree-lined hilltop Capitol Building whose sunlit atrium dome bears the bust relief of former President Elpidio Quirino, to whom the province was named after. On top of being a government hub, the spic-and-span property is also a nature center with its vast green spaces and facilities, such as the Orchidarium, Tree for Legacy Park, Bamboo Eco-Park, plant nurseries, and lake which is tempting for a kayaking nirvana. Also within the vast enclave is the new rubberized track oval which is the venue for province-wide sporting meets and the annual Panagdadapun Festival which marks the provincial foundation day celebrations. For a glimpse of Quirino’s checkered past, walk into the Provincial Museum and Library which has a decent compendium of ethnographic items and memorabilia of prominent locals. For the obligatory pasalubong for family and friends, fill your basket with native crafts and food stuff at the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Center which gathered all the local products under one roof.

Aglipay Caves. Named after the revolutionary priest Gregorio Aglipay who is believed to have hidden here during the Filipino-American War, it has eight mapped chambers which are ideal even for newbie cavers. The caves have hollow and fragile draws, amazing drapers and stunning stalactites which attest to the area’s healthy ecosystem. Complete your adventure and sleep under the stars at the campsite which has a gazebo, toilet and bathrooms, and cooking area. After your caving escapade, swing by the nearby Quirino Experiment Station which produces and sells healthy and organic food items, dragon fruit ice cream and dairy products. Governor’s Rapids. Quirino’s poster image situated in the rugged edges of Maddela town, this is sought-after for the heartpounding two-hour motorized canoe cruise at a panoramic tributary of the Cagayan River. The rapids ride treats you to amazing sights of massive rockscapes, jagged limestone formations, and rock platforms ideal for river diving. Midway into the cruise, the boatman will take you inside a cavernous icy spring pool for a rejuvenating dip. If the adrenaline rush is making you yearn for more action in the water, go whitewater tubing and kayaking which are as exciting as the boat ride itself. Siitan River Park. Nestled in the outer town of Nagtipunan, it offers a similar escapade where you can marvel at the Bimmapor rock formation which resembles

Quirino Provincial Capitol Building

Quirino Watersports Complex

Aglipay Caves

Panagdadapun Festival Street Dance presentation

a ship’s hull, and other geological wonders formed by the mighty Sierra Madre mountain ranges. The spot is superb for motor camping and

rugged adventures because of its stunning riverine environment which is punctuated by Landingan Viewpoint, the town’s highest vantage point.

After traversing the circuit of Quirino’s Basket of Happiness, you’ll realize that putting all your eggs in one basket isn’t a bad idea after all.

Saturday, November 11, 2023 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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Shein addresses controversies regarding sustainability and copyright infringement DHL Supply Chain allocates €80 million for digitalization, expansion in PHL

YOUNG actress Belle Mariano is the ambassador of Shein in the Philippines (left). Melai Cantiveros-Francisco with Korean actor Do Ji-han. PHOTOS FROM @MRANDMRSFRANCISCO ON INSTAGRAM AND @BELLE_MARIANO ON INSTAGRAM

ITHOUT a doubt, Shein is the most controversial fashion brand in the world. The brand has been accused of wasteful throwaway fashion, of maintaining sweatshops, and low pay and long hours for its workers, including children. Another issue against Shein is copyright theft. While Shein is a web-based brand, it is also on the Internet that it is often called out. Founded in 2008 in China, Shein is one of the biggest online shopping platforms, with a whopping $100 billion in sales in 2022. Some members of the Philippine media got to meet Shein’s global PR director Charlene Lee and she answered some of our questions. First, Lee said the brand doesn’t own any factories and is working with third-party manufacturers. She said the company employs third-party auditing firms to make sure the workers are working under humane conditions via unannounced audits. These auditing companies, said Lee, are SGS, Openview Service Limited, Intertek, and Bureau Veritas. “There is a Shein Supplier Code of Conduct that includes compliance requirements related to health and safety, environment, labor, and social welfare,” said Lee, who categorically said that Shein’s manufacturing facility partners do not employ children. “The Code of Conduct ensures the vendors in our ecosystem provide safe and dignified working and living conditions for their workers,” she said. Lee also pointed out that Shein is headquartered in Singapore and while it sells to many territories, China is not one of them. As for copyright infringement, Lee had this to say: “The moment somebody actually says, ‘Oh, you know, this looks like a copy of something else,’ we immediately take it down. And then we do our investigation. “How IP tracking works around the world is that there are databases. If you’re not registered in the database, it’s very difficult because the world is huge. We have no more geographical boundaries. There are situations where things might slip through the cracks. But what we do is the moment we’re alerted to this, we take it down, even before investigating and

BY RODERICK L. ABAD Contributor

things like that.” Lee also talked about sustainability. “We are reducing the amount of plastics. We are increasing the number of what we call ‘preferred materials.’ Preferred materials could be things like recycled polyester. It could be fabrics that we sourced that are left over from other brands. We have an exchange [program] that’s currently in the US and it’s being trialed for Europe as well. Bit by bit, we’re going to roll it out around the world. And this is the platform that allows for second-hand exchange, barter, and sale of our products,” said Lee. In the Philippines, Shein is seeing growth in the homeware and beauty segment under the brand Sheglam.

PULP STUDIOS PRODUCES 1ST MOVIE

A DISTINGUISHED entertainment brand with a 25year legacy in the Philippine music industry, Pulp recently launched Pulp Studios, its first venture into producing films. Pulp began in 1999 with the launch of Pulp Magazine, a music magazine. Its first decade in the industry was marked by memorable music events such as Pulp Summer Slam, now Southeast Asia’s longest-running rock and metal festival. Pulp also established a subsidiary, Pulp Live World Productions Inc., in 2010. It was also the year that the company staged the first K-pop concert in the Philippines. I will never forget that my daughter and I got to watch

K-pop boy group Super Junior, which was the first time a group from Korea performed in a concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Pulp Live World made its mark by organizing unique, themed shows and festivals. They’ve hosted global music icons such as Aerosmith, Cyndi Lauper and Kelly Clarkson, introduced bands like All Time Low and The Maine, and showcased K-pop sensations including BTS, BLACKPINK, Super Junior, Stray Kids, NCT and Enhypen. Pulp has also brought international actors like Kim Seon Ho and Lee Jongsuk to the Philippine stage. By the way, my daughter and my best friend Gianna were in the audience at the Kelly Clarkson concert when Vernon Go proposed to Happee Sy. Who are Vernon and Happee? We’ll get to that later. I am inserting myself in this narrative to show how Pulp has touched my family’s life. Pulp Studios wants to be a significant player in the global film industry. Central to Pulp Studios is its commitment to storytelling. The company’s debut film Ma’am Chief is inspired by the rich tapestry of stories shared between artists and fans. It is an original creation by Pulp COO Happee Sy Go, who is now married to Vernon Go. The film introduces a novel hero to the Philippines and the world and features a stellar cast, including comedy sensation Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, Alora Sasam, and Karylle Tatlonghari, complemented

SEE “PRIMETIME,” A9

ERC pursues digitalization program to address efficiency, backlogs BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES MONALISA DIMALANTA, Energy Regulatory Commission chairman

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will pursue its own digitalization program to enhance its operating efficiency and help their manpower to handle effectively its huge tasks and responsibilities. Monalisa Dimalanta, ERC chairman, told reporters in a recent breakfast forum held in Quezon City, that they have requested P15 million for the Department of Budget and Management to fund their digitalization program. She said the ERC proposed a P1.2 billion budget for 2023. “The bulk of the budget goes to the salaries of personnel and followed by the minimum operating expenses (MOE). So far, 40 percent of the digitalization budget will go to data that needs to be

digitized. We also need to digitalize so we can handle the 2,824 pending cases,” Dimalanta explained.

To stress her point that ERC needs to go digital, Dimalanta said it took a long time for ERC to resolve a single case “One complaint filed in 2003 was resolved in 2023,” she said. “We need to digitalize our approach. There are cases that don’t require lengthy trials,” she added. In the age of automation, Dimalanta said the ERC needs to step up and utilize digital technologies as enablers in doing their jobs. “If you rely on human beings on a 24-hour job program, they can do so much in 24 hours. If we multiply 313 x 24 hours, you can only do so much.” ERC has a total of 313 personnel. Digitalization of the ERC will be in three phases. The first stage will involve digitizing the data, and the ability to develop reports based on the data. The goal is to provide real

time information on quarterly reports on the generation rates because prices of coal go down. She said this is important because the reports are done on a regular basis. The second aspect will deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning to help ERC personnel settle the pending cases. The final phase will involve the teaching, promoting and implementing cyber hygiene to the stakeholders as a proactive measure to minimize cyber-hacking against the threat actors. According to Dimalanta, going digital will help the ERC “to create a regulatory environment that is democratic and transparent, and one that equitably balances the interests of both the consumers and the utility investors.”

UPBEAT on further expansion of its local operations, DHL Supply Chain is allotting €80 million in the Philippines, or over a quarter of its €350 million investment in Southeast Asia over the next 10 years to broaden its storage capacity toward digitalization, workforce and green initiatives. “We see many growth opportunities in the Philippines, especially in its strong retail market. Our investments in warehousing and transport capabilities are tailored to support this sector’s growth,” said DHL Supply Chain Southeast Asia chief executive officer (CEO) Andries Retief. The global market leader for contract logistics solutions plans to add over 70,000 sqm of warehouse space in the country in the coming years. This includes the 50,000 sqm Sta. Rosa Logistics Hub, its biggest facility here that will serve as a storage center and the country head office. It will be a pioneer site for future digitalization initiatives domestically. The company rolls out SmartOps, a suite of digital applications that links DHL’s employees to its data and information technology systems, providing real-time information via its enabled wearable devices. This seamless integration enhances decisionmaking, increasing productivity in its network of warehouses. As part of its facility expansion, DHL Supply Chain plans for another 20,000 sqm site in 2025. To improve its transport network reach, Retief bared they have tied up with JG Summit via their joint venture DHL Summit Solutions Inc. (DSSI). “This partnership combines JG Summit’s market knowledge with our specialized logistics expertise, positioning us ahead of the curve to support our customers’ demands,” he said. “DSSI also plans to expand its transport fleet by more than 25 percent to over 2,000 trucks. These vehicles will primarily serve major clients in the consumer and retail sectors, and will help facilitate the expansion of DSSI’s delivery networks to achieve nationwide coverage in the Philippines,” DSSI managing director Joseph Aguilar added. For a future-ready supply chain, the firm is growing its manpower with the addition of 1,000 new roles mainly in warehouse and transportation to support its growing business and facilities. “We have a comprehensive career development program for our employees, with 35 percent of our current leadership roles fulfilled by our graduate program. Two of them are with the local senior management board, as we always look to provide existing employees with upward mobility opportunities. In fact, a number of the new roles created as part of the investment would be leadership roles,” said DHL Supply Chain Philippines country managing director Bevan Williams. Sustainability-wise, the investment will also cover the installation of rainwater harvesting and solar panels at the Sta. Rosa facility. It will also have a built-in electric vehicle charging stations for future “green” car use of the DHL Supply Chain. “We have a global mandate to reduce our carbon emissions, and we will support that when the right technology is made available to us. We have taken our first step with the Sta. Rosa facility, and will look to replicate it across the Philippines,” he said.

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Apple’s sales fall for the fourth straight quarter despite strong start for latest iPhones

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Saturday, November 11, 2023

Nurturing a nation of ‘iponaryos’

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE The Associated Press APPLE’S sales remained on a downward slope during the summer, resulting in a full year of declining revenue at the technology trendsetter with a long history of steady growth that turned it into the world’s most valuable publicly traded company. The slight sales deterioration announced on Thursday for the July-September period marked the end of Apple’s fiscal year—a stretch that saw the company suffer a revenue decrease from the prior year in each quarter. Although this past fiscal year’s revenue only dipped by 3 percent from the previous fiscal year, it was still a noteworthy anomaly in a business that has been so successful that Apple became the first US company to be valued at $3 trillion earlier this year. It’s the first time Apple’s fiscal year revenue has dropped since 2019 when sales fell by 2 percent. Although Apple’s revenue in the latest quarter deceased 1 percent from last year to $89.5 billion, its profit rose 11 percent to $22.96 billion, or $1.46 per share. Both figures eclipsed analysts’ projections, according to FactSet Research. “We continue to face an uncertain macroeconomic environment,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during a conference call with analyst. Apple’s stock price fell 3 percent in extended trading after the results came out. The shares have fallen by nearly 10 percent from their all-time highs reached in July, but are still up by more than 30 percent so far this year. The erosion during the past few months have been largely driven by worries about the sales slowdown and that China may prohibit purchases of iPhones by government workers amid rising tensions with the US, at the same time China’s Huawei rolls out new smartphones that pose tougher competition. The Cupertino, California, company didn’t fare as well in China as analysts had hoped in the most recent quarter, with revenue in that region declining 2 percent from the same time last year. Cook suggested during a conference call on Thursday that Apple is gaining market share in China, but a sluggish economy in that country is causing consumers to curb their spending. “I view China as an incredibly important market and I am very optimistic about it,” he said. Apple’s overall revenue regression stems largely from the longer periods consumers are holding on to their iPhones in an era of incremental improvements to the newest models, as well as the ongoing pressures on household budgets from still-abnormally high inflation. “The big question is if this is just a blip, or signs of a bigger shift among consumers as rising interest rates and a weaker economic backdrop discourage consumers from making pricey purchases,” said Investing.com analyst Jesse Cohen. To help juice its revenue, Apple has been raising some of its prices. The starting price for its top-ofthe-line iPhone 15 Pro Max unveiled in September is $1,200, a $100 bump from last year’s version of that device. Just last week, Apple raised the prices for several of its subscription products, including its video streaming service, which boosted its monthly fee 43 percent to $10 per month. In a bright spot, Apple’s iPhone sales climbed 3 percent to $43.8 billion—a sign the company’s latest models are being well received heading into the holiday shopping season. Apple’s service division also turned in a robust quarter with revenue of $22.31 billion, a 16 percent increase from last year. A big chunk of that revenue flows from Google, which pays Apple for its search engine to be the automatic option for responding to queries made on the iPhone and the Safari browser—a deal that is now the focal point of an antitrust trial over whether the alliance between the two tech powerhouse stifles competition and innovation. Evidence submitted during the trial has revealed that Google paid more than $26 billion to Apple and other companies to put its search engine in a privileged position during 2021. Analysts now estimate that Apple, on average, receives somewhere from $4 billion to $5 billion each quarter from Google—a stream of revenue that could evaporate if a judge rules the payments are anticompetitive.

ET’S be honest, not everyone can become a millionaire in their lifetime, but an “iponaryo”? Well, that’s something that we can easily and should aspire to be. “Iponaryo” is a term that comes from the Filipino word “ipon,” which means “to save,” and is a play on words that could be likened to “saver” or “one who saves” in English. It’s been popularized by Cebuana Lhuillier in the Philippines as part of their initiative to encourage more Filipinos to save money and promote financial literacy and inclusion, particularly among unbanked and underbanked populations. The “iponaryo” narrative began with the launch of the Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings product, a service specifically designed to reach the unbanked and underserved. This initiative marked a pivotal moment in the Philippines’ financial inclusion journey, breaking down barriers that once kept millions from participating in the banking system. But the story of the “iponaryo” extends beyond a mere transaction. It’s become a symbol of hope and progress in the Philippines’ countryside and urban centers alike. Cebuana Lhuillier Bank (CL Bank) has been on a determined journey to improve its existing products and services through digital technology and digital bank product innovations that make banking more affordable, more accessible, and more convenient. They know fully well that they play a very crucial role in empowering the unbanked and underbanked members of society. And this includes offering and servicing credit and savings accounts to individuals and MSMEs in rural areas where over half of the Philippines’ 113 million population reside. CL Bank has augmented its digitized banking efforts to help “iponaryos” in the rural areas. One significant leap is the partnership with BancNet, giving “iponaryos” an expansive reach to their funds through a network of 21,000 ATMs and 114 member banks. Furthermore, through a collaboration with UnionPay, CL Bank has opened the doors for accountholders to a vast array of payment options across 350,000 POS terminals, while ushering in the era of enhanced payment security with contactless technology. The eCebuana app is the bank’s digital nerve center, empowering “iponaryos” with the prowess of online banking. Features like money transfers via Instapay, utility payments, insurance services, and the upcoming integration of pawning ticket renewal, and jewelry purchases make the app a holistic banking tool. Adding to the digital suite is the integration of QR Technology within the eCebuana app, streamlining money transfers and retail payments with a secure, seamless experience. In tandem, the provision of debit cards linked to BancNet and UnionPay networks signifies a massive reduction in transaction costs, liberating “iponaryos” from the constraints of physical branch banking. “Financial inclusion has always been at the core of who we are at Cebuana Lhuillier, and this is reflected in the products and services that we offer the many communities we serve nationwide. The introduction of Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings highlighted the importance of accessibility in order to save money, and we made it possible through the many branches of Cebuana Lhuillier nationwide. This allowed many of our kababayans to start saving for their future, no matter how small the amount may be—ultimately taking their first step towards being financially included,” shared Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier and vice chairman of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank. The iponaryo campaign is more than just a set of digital tools—it’s a holistic approach to financial wellness. Through comprehensive literacy programs and community outreach, CLB educates and equips Filipinos with the knowledge to manage their money

wisely. Their innovative BrickTech strategy—melding a robust network of brick-and-mortar branches with cutting-edge technology—ensures that the spirit of the iponaryo reaches every corner of the nation. Dennis Valdes, president of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, adds, “When Cebuana Lhuillier Bank was founded more than 20 years ago with its first location in Southern Luzon, we saw first-hand the need for accessibility to financial products and services especially in rural communities. Our micro savings product was our way of ensuring that every Filipino, especially if they live in rural communities or faraway locations, will still have access to a bank, and will still have the opportunity to save for their future. While the recognition we receive is a huge honor, it also encourages us at CLB to further push forward to bring more banking products that continue to be the right fit for every Filipino.” To support its digital banking innovations, CL Bank conducts “iponaryo” campaign initiatives through more than 3000 Cebuana Lhuillier branches across the country and through CLB’s social media sites. CL Bank also holds out-of-branch activities and financial literacy and wellness programs for the unbanked and underserved Filipinos in remote areas. Through its exclusive BrickTech strategy, an extensive and robust brick-and-mortar footprint expansion combined with the rapid integration of technological innovation to improve services and increase range of products, CL Bank is already playing a major role in the development of countryside communities. Another company that’s been proactively striving to enhance the accessibility of crucial digital services for Filipinos is Smart Communications. With the Philippines’ digital economy set to grow 20 percent year-on-year between now and 2025, mobile connectivity plays an increasingly central role in how Filipinos access essential services like food, transport, and the purchase of daily items. Smart Communications and Google Cloud recently announced its collaboration, with Searce providing technical implementation support. Under this collaboration, Smart will become one of the first communication services providers (CSPs) in the Asia Pacific region to adopt Telecom Subscriber Insights, Google Cloud’s AI-powered solution that ingests data

from various sources, provides contextual insights on subscribers’ propensity to consume services, and presents personalized recommendations to their devices for activation. By leveraging Telecom Subscriber Insights to analyze customer data securely hosted on Google Cloud, Smart will gain a richer perspective into how Filipinos interact with digital services and the pain points they face in everyday usage—informing the development of services that equip Filipinos to better understand, manage and optimize their mobile data consumption. Smart will also use Telecom Subscriber Insights to design more inclusive mobile services for subscribers by identifying both patterns and gaps in connectivity. With real-time insights from customer data, Smart could, for instance, help subscribers optimize their data consumption while streaming content by alerting the user to adjust the resolution of their video. Subscribers could also be prompted to top-up their prepaid plan on their device through integrations with local digital payments services, instead of having to locate a physical store to purchase a prepaid load. ■

Primetime... CONTINUED FROM A8 by surprise cameos. The action-comedy follows a policewoman on a secret mission to South Korea, disguising herself as a tour guide to apprehend a fugitive. Scheduled for release on November 15, 2023, Ma’am Chief represents a pivotal moment for PULP Studios as it debuts in filmmaking. “Working on Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul has been an exhilarating journey. The fusion of Filipino and Korean cultures in this film is something truly special. I’m thrilled about how it turned out and am very eager to share this unique cinematic experience with the public. I genuinely hope audiences will embrace the film with as much love and enthusiasm as we poured into creating it,” said Happee. ■

Sports BusinessMirror

A10 Saturday, November 11, 2023

Senators Go, Angara, Cayetano seek additional budget for sports in 2024

ENATORS are appealing to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to put more premium on sports by increasing the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) 2024 budget. Senate Committee on Sports chair Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, along with Senators Sonny Angara and Senator Pia Cayetano agreed during Wednesday’s plenary discussion for the 2024 budget that the country needs to invest in sports programs given its crucial role in nation-building. “We just notice every time they submit a P3-billion budget to the DBM, the Committee on Finance will tell us that only less than P200 million will be approved,” Go said. Go, also the vice chair on Finance, questioned the measly yearly allocation citing the significant role of sports in the nation-building and the high expectations from the Filipino athletes competing abroad. He explained that despite the PSC’s request for P3 billion, DBM approved only P174 million for 2024, a mere 0.004 percent of the national budget. Last year, the proposed budget for the PSC was only approximately P200 million, but the Senate pushed for an additional P1 billion to significantly enhance the financial support for athletes in global competitions. The senator also pointed out that the National Sports Development Fund, primarily sourced from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., remains insufficient. He stressed the government’s lack of support for athletes, who often face public backlash when they fail to win, despite the inadequate funding they receive.

Angara, chair of the Committee on Finance, praised Go for consistently supporting increased sports funding and expressed hope for the DBM to prioritize sports in future budgets. Angara acknowledged Go’s strong advocacy for the sports sector and his deep understanding of its challenges. He noted the difficulty in increasing the sports budget due to competing demands from other agencies and the limited growth in the national expenditure program year on year. “I think the PSC is lucky to have you as a very strong advocate. Not only are you the chair of the Subcommittee of the Committee on Finance handling PSC, but you’re also the Chairman of the Committee on Sports,” Angara said. “You really understand the problem of the sector. From a few sports associations, it really increased. I think there are 80 or 70 sports associations which need support. So, we thank you for the good work you’re doing.” “The support coming from the government is not enough, only 0.004 percent that are allocated to the budget to the sport,” Go lamented. “We are hoping they give importance to our athletes who give honors for our nation. We expect our athletes to give honor, but it’s not given importance to the budget.” Cayetano supported Go’s statements, stressing the value of sports in nation-building and the potential impact on youth development. She emphasized the importance of tracking the benefits of sports engagement in preventing drug addiction and fostering national unity, as evidenced during international competitions.

GAP’s eyeing another Japanese coach for Yulo

CARLOS YULO (center) during fun times with Japanese coach Munehiro Kugiyama (left) and physiotherapist Junpei Konno.

By Josef Ramos

NOTHER Japanese is in line to coach world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo as he journeys back to the Olympics in Paris next year. “We’re looking for the best foreign coach to guide Carlos during

his training and conditioning for the Paris Olympics and we have a few names but I can’t divulge for now,” Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion Norton said on Friday. Yulo parted ways with Japanese trainer and coach Munehiro Kugiyama since four months ago. As a result, the former vault and

Del Rosario shares 7th spot, Chen wins in Taiwan golfest

AULINE DEL ROSARIO steered a demanding round with finesse then checked an impending skid with a last-hole birdie to salvage a 73 and finish in joint seventh place in the Party Golfers Ladies Open won by local Ling-Jie Chen in wire-to-wire fashion in Hsinchu county in Chinese Taipei on Friday. Del Rosario’s closing feat from 30 feet saved what would’ve been a disastrous ending for the top Filipina campaigner, who recovered from a twoover frontside card with birdies on Nos. 11 and 14, but dropped out of the top 10 with missteps on Nos. 15 and 17. Counting her 69s at the up-anddown Lily Golf and Country Club course, del Rosario pooled a 54-hole total of 211, 10 strokes off Chen and in a tie with Taiwanese Cheng-Hsuan Shih, Hsin Lee, Yu-Ju Chen and former Ladies Philippine Golf Tour winner Ching Huang. “I had three birdie chances that could’ve gone in, but the putts, they weren’t falling as much as they did yesterday,” said del Rosario, who also flubbed par-saving putts inside six feet on Nos. 2, 15 and 17. She found her touch on No. 11, which she drilled in from six feet and her second birdie on No. 14 from just about the same distance sparked hopes of a strong finish for the International Container Terminal Services Inc.-backed ace, who is building up for the Ladies Professional Golf Association Q-Series from November 30 to December 5 in Alabama. But a mishit led to a third bogey on the par-three 15th and after a missed birdie chance on the last long hole, she yielded another stroke on the 17th before rolling in a monster putt from way out on the last. Shih sizzled with a 66, Lee shot a 70, Yu-Ju Chen hobbled with a 74 and Huang eagled No,. 14 to likewise rescue a 73. Earlier, Florence Bisera blew a one-under card after seven holes with a bogey on No. 8 and a wet double-bogey on the next. But the Davaoena shotmaker battled back with two birdies in the last nine holes and finished with a 72 for a 215 as she posted a tied for 18th finish in her first overseas foray in the NT$4 million championship co-sanctioned by the Taiwan LPGA and the LPGT. Amateur Mafy Singson, a twotime LPGT winner, shot four birdies against three bogeys but yielded another stroke on the 16th for a 72 and a share of 21st at 216 while Daniella Uy, who placed fourth

when the LPGT last played here in 2019 before the pandemic, tumbled to joint 26th at 217 after a birdieless 75 marred by two bogeys in the last five holes. Amateur Laurea Duque shot a 73 for a 221 and tied for 45th, Chihiro Ikeda also made a 73 for a share of 48th at 222 and Chanelle Avaricio closed out with no birdie to show in a 76 and finished at 56th with a 225. Ling-Jie Chen, meanwhile, marked her maiden win in big fashion, breaking out of a tight endgame battle with a fiery four-birdie spree from No. 14 for a 67 and a 201, beating TLPGA Order of Merit (OOM) frontrunner Ya-Chun Chang by four. Chang pulled to within one off Chen with an eagle on the par-five No. 14, which the latter birdied in the last flight, and the former failed to

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

match Chen’s scorching windup and finished with a 68 for a 205. “Two weeks ago, I missed the cut and I was very nervous this week and I will be very said if I would fail to advance

again here,” said Chen, who didn’t only make the grade but also dominated the field with her A-game that included a 66 and 68. “I missed the chance to play with a Filipina player this week but I would love to in future TLPGALPGT tournaments,” added the bespectacled Chen. Erstwhile joint leader Babe Liu sputtered with a 74 and slipped to joint third with Thai Mim Sangkapong, the reigning Thai Ladies Masters champion, who shot a 70, at 208. Four strokes off the leaders at joint sixth after 36 holes, del Rosario had hoped to replicate her TLPGA success six years ago when she rallied from six shots down in the final round and won the TLPGA and Royal Crown at the Royal KuanHsi Golf Club, also in Hsinchu, to highlight her standout rookie season that also netted her four LPGT victories and the OOM title.

PAULINE DEL ROSARIO’S putts aren’t sinking in the final round.

floor exercise world champion forfeited his training and academic scholarships in Tokyo. “He’s in our Intramuros gym training,” said Carrion of Yulo. Kugiyama, or Coach Mune, honed Yulo from a national champion to a world champion and Tokyo Olympian. They stuck together like glue for more than seven years. Under Kugiyama, Yulo won 17 gold medals in foreign competitions since 2016—including the floor exercise and vault world championships crowns in Germany

Gilas, billiards, jiu-jitsu golden run in October gets sports scribes’ nods

HE Philippines enjoyed a banner month in October with Gilas Pilipinas and female aces in billiards and jiu-jitsu greasing the drive. The national men’s team ended 61 years of futility with a storybook conquest in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, a feat highlighted by an epic comeback win against host China in the semifinals, 77-76, and a payback 70-60 victory over eliminations tormentor Jordan in the final. The nationals’ well-celebrated triumph complemented the gold medals collared by jiu-jitsu stalwarts Meggie Ochoa (-48 kgs) and Annie Ramirez (-57 kgs) also in Hangzhou. Together with the golden exploit of pole vault star EJ Obiena in late September, the Philippines hauled four gold medals along with two silvers and 12 bronzes in the Asian Games. Absent in the Asiad, Chezka Centeno brought pride and honor in a different front as she ruled the Predator Women’s World 10-Ball Championship in Klagenfurt, Austria, to join the elite club of Filipino world pool champions led by the great Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit. Gilas Pilipinas, Ochoa, Ramirez and Centeno headline the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s top achievers for October. Taking the cue from the champions, muay thai aces Rhichein Yosorez and Alyssa Kylie Mallari (mai

Youngsters plunge into action in Ironkids Puerto Princesa City

HE future of local triathlon showcase their wares ahead of the elite pack of international triathletes in the Ironkids Philippines Saturday at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa City. A total of 125 kids clash in the swim and run event that ushers in the centerpiece Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa Sunday with four individual titles up for grabs in what promises to be a competitive and at the same time fun event among youngsters aged 6 to 15. The 6-8 years title will be contested over a 100-meter swim and 1-km run distance, the 9-10 crown over 150m swim and 1.5-km run, the 11-12 over 200m swim and 1.5-km run and the 13-15 trophy will be disputed over 250m swim and 2-km run. Also up for grabs in the event are the relay trophies, including the mixed team for 11-15 years old over 200m swim and 1.5-km run and

the mixed team for 6-10 over 100m swim and 1-km run. The swim start for 13-15 will fire off at 6 a.m., while those in the 11-12 age group and the relay 11-15 category are set at 6:20 a.m. Those in the 9-10 and 6-8, along with relay 6-10 classes will start at 6:40 a.m. and 7 a.m., respectively. Through the years, the Ironkids has provided the steady flow of triathlon talents while contributing to the growth of the sport. It also helps develop values like discipline, sportsmanship and respect for others and at the same time it encourages the youngsters to live an active lifestyle. The Princesa Run, a 5K fun run event, kicked off the Ironman 70.3 weekend Friday. Meanwhile, John Alcala is coming into his defense of the IM 70.3 crown in high spirits, armed with the progress of his buildup and a purpose to excel again in the premier 1.9-km

(2019) and Japan (2021). T he breakup, rumored to be caused by Yulo’s personal life, also saw the Filipino g y mnast cutting ties w ith physiotherapist Junpei Konno. Carrion hinted that they are eyeing another Japanese, a former Olympic champion, for Yulo. “There’s a Japanese coach that we are considering, an Olympic champion, but we cannot divulge his name for now,” Carrion said. “The Bulgarian coach that eyed before was too expensive, so we just let go of him.” Carrion-Norton, however, clarified that Yulo and Kugiyama remain civil to each other. “In fact, Coach Mune wanted to fly to Antwerp after Carlos fumbled in his routines,” she said. “They are good. Caloy even went recently to Japan to formally say goodbye to them.” Yulo didn’t medal in the world championships last October in Belgium, placing only fourth in his pet floor exercise and had forgettable performances in the other apparatuses. He, however, formally qualified for the Paris Olympics as the highest-ranked eligible athlete in each apparatus in the worlds. Carrion-Norton said the GAP intends to send the 23-year-old Yulo to training camps in England and compete in the World Cup series together with Paris qualifier Aleah Finnegan ahead of the Olympics.

IRONKIDS participants get their racing kits at registration booth.

muay event), jiu-jitsu’s Kaila Napolis (52 kgs) and taekwondo’s Darius Venerable (men’s individual poomsae) won gold medals at the World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They anchored the Philippine contingent’s 3-5-5 (gold-silver-bronze) haul in the competition featuring 16 martial arts or combat sports. Para athletes continued the Philippine roll by winning 10 gold, four silver and five bronze medals at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games to finish ninth overall for the country’s best showing in the competitions. Boxer Eumir Marcial and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan booked their tickets to the Paris Olympics one after the other—Marcial qualified with his silver in Hangzhou while fellow Tokyo Olympian Yulo earned his at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, where Filipino-American Finnegan clinched hers. Krizziah Macatula and Grace Gella were also a source of pride as they captured the women’s doubles bronze medal at the International Bowling Federation World Championship in Kuwait for the country’s first podium finish in the event since 1979 when current Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo and Lita de la Rosa made their legendary marks in Manila.

swim, 90-km bike and 21.1-km run race. While he looks forward to scoring back-toback romp after a surprise win in the event’s inaugurals last year, the Dipolog City ace also expressed guarded optimism given the depth of the competing field, including a slew of foreign bidders from 38 other countries. “I am strategizing regarding my game plans on race day since there are quite a few strong foreigners participating. Mas marami tayong babantayan at hahabulin,” said the spearhead of Team Tri SND Barracuda. The Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa, the last of five top endurance races in The Ironman Group/Sunrise Events Inc. calendar this year, also serves as first-time host to the Asia TriClub and Relay Championship with Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron putting up a juicy P500,000 purse for the winning triathlon club. The points will be counted based on results and number of participants from each tri team. Meanwhile, The Ironman Group said RLC will be the title sponsor of next year’s Ironman 70.3 both in Cebu and Davao.

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14 Pinoys quit repatriation as Palestinian relatives were denied exit from Gaza Strip By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

VEN in the face of death, 14 Filipinos turned back on the chance to be freed from war torn Gaza Strip as their Palestinian relatives were denied permission to exit at the border of Egypt. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said 56 Filipinos were allowed to exit the Rafah Crossing, at the Palestinian border side when the border was reopened Thursday. Accompanying this third batch of Philippine evacuees are 17 Palestinians who are relatives of the Filipinos. However, after walking a few miles and reaching the Egyptian border, the nine of 17 Palestinians were not allowed to exit. “The 14 [Filipinos] were already through Egyptian border but decided at [the] last moment to stay when their Palestinian relatives were not cleared by Egyptian authorities at border,” de Vega said. The eight other Palestinians were cleared by the Egyptian border patrol and

joined the bus arranged by the Philippine Embassy in Egypt. Foreigners were allowed to exit Gaza and Filipinos were given priority after prodding from the Philippines government. Early this week, Israel said they would allow Palestinian spouses of Filipinos if cleared by the Israeli security forces. Aside from Israel, Egypt also has a say on who among the evacuees they are willing to accept. De Vega said there will still be another round of repatriation from Gaza although he reckoned that not all the remaining 53 Filipinos in Gaza would be willing to go home. Meanwhile, 35 Filipinos and one Palestinian woman from Gaza have arrived today in Manila. Six of the Filipinos decided to stay in Cairo for the meantime. A family of three—a mother and 2 children—wishes to stay in Egypt with the Egyptian husband/father, while a Filipina woman who is nine months pregnant is not allowed to travel. Her relative will also stay with her.

Senate probers prodded to ensure ‘deeper investigation’ into reported passport racket By Butch Fernandez

ENATE probers of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Public Accountability were prodded to dig deeper into a lucrative passport racket involving foreign nationals. Stressing the need that “heads must roll,” Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda she expects the investigating Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to dig deeper into reports that foreign nationals are illegally obtaining Philippine passports and other documents in the country. Legarda aired the call as she took the

floor in plenary session, endorsing the proposed P24.06-billion budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) during the plenary session Thursday, November 9. Legarda believed that the DFA is not the only agency involved in this case. “We will not let this pass and I would welcome the resolution that your honors [Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa] and Sen. [Francis ‘Tol’ N.] Tolentino will file to look at it through the Blue Ribbon Committee,” the senator vowed. Moreover, Legarda affirmed, “I share your [Dela Rosa] outrage that this happened.”

New DA chief urged to prioritize food security, address fisheries sector issues

NVIRONMENTAL groups urged Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., newly designated Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), to buckle down to work and address food security issues and help the fisheries sector, which belongs to the poorest of the poor sector in the Philippines. “Every person that takes over the post of Department of Agriculture is faced with the task of, first and foremost, being the champion of our farmers and fisherfolk to whom we owe our food security. We are an agricultural country yet the government has historically neglected the sector’s development and the people who serve as the backbone of this industry. They remain considered to be among the poorest sectors in the country and, ironically, they are also the ones providing food to our tables for our daily sustenance,” Father Edwin Gariguez, convenor of Protect VIP, s aid in a statement. Gerry Arances, co-convenor of Protect VIP, expressed hopes that the new Agriculture chief will recognize the vital role marine resources play in ensuring food security in our country. “With the impacts of climate change getting more frequent and intense year after year, the new secretary should prioritize investing in research to make the agricultural sector climate-resilient to secure the produce and livelihood of the farmers and fisherfolk and to promote sustainability. This should go hand-in-hand with ensuring that the health of our fisheries sector is maintained by protecting it from destructive activities, such as the case of the Verde Island Passage [VIP] and the fossil gas boom around its vicinity,” said Arances. The country’s total fisheries production in 2020 was 4.4 million metric tons (MMT), which is down from the 2021 production of 4.25 MMT, according to the Philippine Fisheries Profile 2021 of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. For his part, Aldrin Villanueva, fisherfolk leader from Pola, Oriental Mindoro, and leader of the Oriental Mindoro Fisherfolk Federation of Oriental Mindoro said with a new Cabinet secretary taking the helm of the agriculture department, they are hoping that the fisheries sector will finally get much-needed help and support from the government. “Protecting and preserving our vital ecosystems, such as the biodiverse VIP, is not only an environmental imperative but also an essential strategy to safeguard the nation’s

food security as well as the economic wellbeing of our fisherfolk, who are considered as one of the impoverished sectors in the country. We urge Secretary Laurel to place strong emphasis on creating comprehensive policies and initiatives that include protecting vital marine ecosystems and empowering fisherfolk and coastal communities to ensure a resilient and equitable food system for all Filipinos,” added Gariguez.

Long-overdue appointment

M E A N W H I L E, the international nong ove r n m e nt o rg a n i z at i o n , O ce a n a , welcomes what it calls the long-overdue appointment of a permanent Secretary of Agriculture and extends its hands in partnership with Tiu Laurel for the full enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations, and the mainstreaming science-based, participatory, transparent, and accountable fisheries governance. “It is our fervent call to the new secretary to strengthen the reforms for evidencedbased, transparent, and sustainable management in addressing the challenges faced by the fisheries sector, including overfishing, declining fish production, and worsening poverty in the fisherfolk sector and coastal communities,” Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana vice president, said. “The tall order should not stop in reducing the prices of food commodities. We are in an archipelagic country, blessed with the longest coastline and declared as the world’s center of marine biodiversity. We should be able to feed Filipinos with fish and seafood that are accessible to all, especially the nutritionally and foodinsecure coastal communities. We have progressive laws that are set to protect our marine environment and restore our fisheries abundance and we look forward to having these fully implemented,” she added. For his part, Pablo Rosales, President of PANGISDA Pilipinas said they are committed to protecting the ocean and their fishing ground and called on the new DA chief to do the same to bring back the richness of the country’s coastal and marine resources. To recall, Oceana and municipal artisanal fisherfolk groups expressed their opposition to the plan to amend the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 10654). Instead, they called for the comprehensive and full implementation of key reforms that were introduced by the law.

Saturday, November 11, 2023 A11

Govt, private sector told to secure vital infra from future cyber attacks By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

HE public and private sectors are encouraged to band together to protect the country’s physical and digital critical infrastructures from more possible cyber threats in the near future. “The Philippines is already compromised. The reason being is that the network that we have now is not trusted,” NOW Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Henry Andrews Abes told reporters at a recent media briefing in Makati City. According to him, online attacks like ransomware from foreign-speaking i n d i v i d u a l s h a ve i n f i l t r a t e d v i t a l infrastructures of some government agencies and business entities in the past three to five years. In fact, some banks and state agencies were recently reported to have been breached by criminals on the web. “So expect more hacking because we are at the center of a geopolitical crisis right now. Our military camps have towers and listening posts right in their vicinity. We have problems in the West Philippine Sea, and we rely on the Coast Guard, the Navy, and the Marines,” NOW Group Chairman Mel Velarde said. “Second, our grid is also owned

by majority of China. Our telecom companies are ran by hardware and software banned in the United States [US]. So in short, we’re a checkmate. And there’s already a digital war going on, as we’re being attacked.” Recognizing that the government cannot address the growing cybersecurity concern alone, he rallied the business community’s support, saying, “we, the players, have to come up with alternative solutions. The government is supposed to protect itself and the people, but it’s now becoming the prey. So we need to help each other. It’s a collective effort now.” The NOW Group has come up with the “Respond and Replace” program, a complete end-to-end solutions for enterprises and governments in the Indo-Pacific region to confront threats to physical and digital infrastructures. This may include cloudbased enterprise endpoint devices, sensors, handheld devices, and video security systems that are user-friendly, efficient and easy to handle. Managed by “Technologies on Demand Assist You,” it kicks off with a Cyber Threat Assessment Program designed by NOW and trusted partners to help enterprises have an in- depth analysis of their information technology infrastructure,

discover areas of vulnerabilities, and empower them to fortify against these potential malign actors. With the debut of the program’s three new model solutions, NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom co-implement a secure seamless integration of a digital bank’s value chain that capitalizes on office and remote workforces, a combined human-machine cybersecurity prevention program for a large enterprise, and a technology upgrade contract from an American outsourcing firm that needs complete sensor and video surveillance solutions to track the movement of data, objects and people linked to its command and control headquarters in the US—all using only trusted equipment as defined by the US government. NOW’s Respond and Replace program gathers global tech and telecom giants, in collaboration with the Philippine military, the Cybercrime Investigation Coordinating Center, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, UnionBank of the Philippines, and other organizations. They are aligned with the Trusted Network initiative to work only with trusted vendors in building and maintaining telcos and infrastructure so as to reduce vulnerabilities that malign actors could

exploit. The network is comprised of around 180 telco firms and 60 nations, including the US, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Australia and India. “Our response is to cleanse the network. As much as possible, those untrusted vendors, we take them out. We put in a new one from the premises of the client and we assess the vulnerabilities. Our premise is right now we are all compromised already. So we’re just minimizing until we have established and rolled out that network that will provide an end-to-end trusted infrastructure. That’s the only time we probably can optimize 80 to 90 percent of them,” Abes explained. In November 2022, US Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the US government intends to partner with NOW Telecom to deploy a nationwide and secured 5G network and a Nationwide Backbone Network in the Philippines. “We need a separate communications network that has zero untrusted hardware and software. That’s what we’re working on with the US government. And we’d like the Philippine government to allow us to do that. Otherwise, we won’t have an alternative network. That’s the long-term solution [for cyber breach],” Velarde stressed.

Go pushes classroom improvements, lauds VP’s decision to drop claim on confi funds

ENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, during the Senate plenary deliberation for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2024 budget on Thursday, November 9, stressed the need to prioritize the construction of classrooms to help improve the country’s education infrastructure after DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte dropped an earlier request to have confidential funds allotted to the department. He also highlighted the proposed increase in the budget for basic education facilities, which is set to increase by P10 billion—a 44 percent increase compared to the current year’s budget. “Importante po ito para matugunan ang kakulangan sa mga classroom lalo na ngayong balik face-to-face na po ang mga estudyante at ang mga guro,” he emphasized, pointing

conditions, and unhygienic restrooms, among other issues. Go also shared his personal observations during the last barangay elections, particularly the dire state of educational facilities at the Buhangin Central Elementary School in Davao City. “I just want to share that when I voted recently po…last October 30, I witnessed first-hand the sorry state of the facilities in Buhangin Central Elementary School, may sementado, may kahoy po. Paano makakapag-aral ng maayos ang mga bata kung yero lang ang bubong, napaka-init niyan kapag tanghali at hindi rin makakatulong ‘yan kapag umuulan,” Go recounted. “That is why I am with the Vice President and the DepEd in their efforts to improve basic education facilities. And I support, Mr.

President, increases in the budget for this program,” he continued. Go took note of the Senate’s proposal to add P3 billion to DepEd’s budget. He then lauded Vice President Sara Duterte’s decision to forego the request for confidential funds. “Isisingit ko na rin po...hinahangaan ko po si Vice President Sara Duterte for no longer pursuing the request for confidential funds so that we could already settle this divisive issue. Nananatili po ang aking tiwala sa ating Bise Presidente at sa ating Secretary po ng DepEd,” said Go. He asserted that any deduction from DepEd’s budget should be reinstated through programs that benefit the educational sector, particularly addressing the backlog of classroom construction.

JOINT CONGRESSIONAL PANEL TO ASSESS PHILIPPINE HEALTH SYSTEM PUSHED

Quimbo also shared alarming statistics to prove her point, saying that current trends show that four out of 10 registered deaths occur outside the care of a medical professional and that almost 93 percent of Filipinos choose to self-medicate instead of seeking professional help when they are sick. According to Quimbo, these figures clearly indicate a lack of access to medical professionals, even when dealing with lifethreatening medical conditions. Without a much-needed reform, Quimbo warned that the country is facing a resurgence of HIV infections, continued failure in the treatment of tuberculosis, a rise in the number of deaths of children from malnutrition, and a continuing failure to meet targets in efforts to address infant mortality rates and teen pregnancy. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

LEADER of the House of Representatives is proposing the creation of a joint committee from the Senate and the House of Representatives to evaluate and help find a targeted solution to the nation’s ailing health care system, including the shortage of doctors and nurses. In a resolution, House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson Stella Luz Quimbo underscored the need to urgently address the dire state of the Philippine healthcare system, characterized by “poor health outcomes, lack of access to quality care, and inefficient allocation of resources.” The proposed committee will be responsible for a thorough review, assessment, and evaluation of the performance of the

out the direct impact that such shortages have on students’ education. Based on earlier discussions, he said, the Philippines faces the daunting task of constructing approximately 159,000 classrooms to bridge the current gap. Go underscored the significance of addressing this deficit, since the nation’s future hinges on the quality of its educational programs. “In fact, sa pag-iikot ko po sa buong bansa, halos inilalapit po sa atin ng mga teachers, kulang ang kanilang classrooms lalung-lalo na po sa liblib na komunidad, marami pong nagpapatulong sa atin at inilalapit naman natin ito sa departamento,” Go shared. Reflecting on his experiences, Go pointed out the current state of some schools, with dilapidated roofs, unsatisfactory classroom

offices involved in providing access to and financing health care and will serve as the first step toward a potential overhaul of the system. Quimbo lamented what she termed as inequities and inefficiencies that continue to plague the health-care system, even with the implementation of landmark health care reform pieces in the last three decades. These reforms include the establishment of the National Health Insurance Program (R A 7875), the decentralization of healthcare to local governments (RA 7160), the promotion of generic drug usage (RA 6675), and the expansion of PhilHealth coverage (RA 11223). Additionally, other reform initiatives like the Department of

Paul Soriano quits post as presidential adviser

ALACAÑANG confirmed Thursday the resignation of Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano due to “personal commitments.” In a message to reporters, evening, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil confirmed Soriano’s departure from the Cabinet. “Presidential Adviser Paul Soriano took a well-deserved break to spend time with his

family and newborn daughter,” Garafil said. “He has since submitted his resignation to prioritize his personal commitments,” she added. Soriano’s wife, actress and host, Celestine “Toni” Gonzaga-Soriano, gave birth to their daughter, Paulina Celestine, last August. Prior to the announcement from Garafil, Soriano’s resignation was already announced

Health’s “Health Sector Reform Agenda,” “FOURmula One (F!),” and “F1 Plus for Health” have been implemented. Q uimbo emphasized challenges, such as a shortage of medical personnel, inadequate hospital capacity, insufficient focus on preventive care, unsuccessful e f f o r t s to co m b at H I V, a d o l e s ce nt pregnancy, and infant mortality rates. These challenges collectively indicate a struggling health-care system in the country, she said. “Almost half of patients covered by PhilHealth pay for their medical expenses out-of-pocket, and any reimbursements by PhilHealth are insufficient to cover hospital expenses,” she said.

at the budget hearing of the Senate. The President has yet to appoint the replacement of Soriano. Pre s i d e nt Fe rd i n a n d R. Marcos, Jr. announced the appointment of the multi-awarded director in October 2022. Soriano was supposed to direct the State of the Nation Address of the President for the second time last July, but

he was unable to do so after the Palace announced he went on leave due to “personal matters.” Samuel P. Medenilla

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Israel commits to more limited pauses in Gaza Strip fighting

SRAEL said it agreed to limited pauses in fighting in the Gaza Strip so civilians can flee its war with Hamas, a description that fell short of what the US hailed as a significant agreement for daily, four-hour halts.

Israel will enact “tactical local pauses for humanitarian aid, which are limited in time and area,” Israeli Army spokesperson Richard Hecht said. He played down the importance of the announcement as Israel presses ahead with a campaign against Hamas in the wake of the group’s October 7 attack on Israel. Hours before, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Israel had agreed to d a i ly, fou r-hou r pauses t hat would start the same day. US officials hailed the move as a major development, with one senior administration official saying it was the result of meeting last week between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “We understand that Israel will begin to implement four-hour pauses in areas of northern Gaza

each day, with an announcement to be made three hours beforehand,” Kirby told reporters. “We’ve been told by the Israelis that there will be no military operations in these areas over the duration of the pause, and that this process is starting today.” T he conf licting messag ing highlighted the disconnect that has emerged between the Biden and Netanyahu administrations with the war in its fifth week. Israel has launched an air and ground campaign to root out Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union. The October 7 attack killed some 1,400 people, and Palestinian authorities say the death toll from Israel’s response in Gaza now exceeds 10,000 people. President Joe Biden later in the day called the corridors a “step in

the right direction” and said they had already enabled thousands to reach safety. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement 50,000 Gazans used the passages on Wednesday to move away from the fighting. But Biden, in a series of posts to X, the social media site previously known as Twitter, stressed the US wanted to see an increased flow of humanitarian supplies and assistance and said Israel had “an obligation to distinguish between terrorists and civilians and fully comply with international law.” The President said his goal was that at least 150 trucks of aid would enter Gaza every day - up from the 106, which entered the territory on Wednesday. I n a n i nter v ie w w it h Fox News’s Special Report that was set to air later Thursday, Netanyahu denied there would be a stop in the fighting but said Israel would help civilians f lee. “The fighting continues against the Hamas enemy, the Hamas terrorists, but in specific locations for a given period, a few hours here, a few hours there, we want to facilitate a safe passage of civilians away from the zone of fighting,” Netanyahu said, according to excerpts released by Fox. Hecht said the plan would allow civilians in Gaza to move from the

territory’s north, where the heaviest fighting is taking place, to the south. He said the pauses don’t represent a shift in strategy and Israel was already taking similar action to allow people to leave the conflict zone. The US and its allies have been calling for such humanitarian pauses as they press Israel to avoid targeting civilians and allow aid to get to the Gaza Strip even as it proceeds with the military campaign meant to root out Hamas. Biden spoke to Netanyahu on Monday amid efforts to secure the release of some 200 hostages seized by Hamas in the attack. Asked Thursday if he is seeking a longer-lasting halt to the fighting to secure the hostages’ release, Biden told reporters, “I’ve asked for a pause longer than three days.” Biden ack nowledged g rowing US consternation over Netanyahu’s resistance, saying “it’s taking a little longer than I had hoped” when reporters asked if he was frustrated Netanyahu hasn’t agreed to do what he asked. Calls have grown in the Arab world and elsewhere for a ceasefire. Netanyahu has rejected that idea, saying Israel must root out Hamas in the wake of the attack. Bloomberg News

Russia says it test-fired ICBM missile from a new nuke sub

OSCOW—The Russian military on Sunday reported a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads from a new nuclear submarine. The report comes as tensions are soaring between Russia and the West over the fighting in Ukraine. Adding to those tensions, President V ladimir Putin

last week signed a bill revoking Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban in a move that Moscow said was needed to establish parit y w ith the United States. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Emperor Alexander III strategic missile cruiser fired the Bulava missile from an underwater position in Russia’s northern White

Sea, and hit a target in the fareastern region of Kamchatka. It wasn’t immediately clear from the statement when the test launch occurred. The Emperor Alexander III is one of the new Borei-class nuclear submarines that carry 16 Bulava missiles each and are intended to serve as the core naval component of the nation’s nuclear forces in the coming decades.

US Census Bureau estimates world population has breached 8B mark

HE human species has topped 8 billion, with longer lifespans offsetting fewer births, but world population growth continues a longterm trend of slowing down, the US Census Bureau said Thursday. The bureau estimates the global population exceeded the threshold September 26, a precise date the agency said to take with a grain of salt. The United Nations estimated the number was passed 10 months earlier, having declared November 22, 2022, the “Day of 8 Billion,” the Census Bureau pointed out in a statement. T he d iscrepanc y is due to countries counting people differently—or not at all. Many lack systems to record births and deaths. Some of the most populous countries, such as India and Niger ia, haven’t conducted

censuses in over a decade, according to the bureau. While world population growth remains brisk, growing from 6 billion to 8 billion since the turn of the millennium, the rate has slowed since doubling between 1960 and 2000. People living to older ages account for much of the recent increase. The global median age, now 32, has been rising in a trend expected to continue toward 39 in 2060. Count r ies suc h as Ca nad a have been aging with declining older-age mortality, while countries, such as Nigeria have seen dramatic declines in deaths of children under 5. Fertility rates, or the rate of births per woman of childbearing age, are meanwhile declining, falling below replacement level in much of the world and contribut-

ing to a more than 50-year trend, on average, of slimmer increases in population growth. The minimum number of such births necessary to replace both the father and mother for neutral world population is 2.1, demographers say. Almost three-quarters of people now live in countries with fertility rates around or below that level. Countries with fertility rates around replacement level include India, Tunisia and Argentina. About 15 percent of people live in places with fertility rates below replacement level. Countries with low fertility rates include Brazil, Mexico, the US and Sweden, while those with very low fertility rates include China, South Korea and Spain. Israel, Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea rank among countries with higher-than-replacement fertility rates of up to 5. Such countries have almost one-quarter of the world’s population. Only about 4 percent of the world’s population lives in countries with fertility rates above 5. All are in Africa. G lob a l fe r t i l it y r at e s a re projected to dec l ine at least through 2060, w ith no countr y projected to have a rate higher than 4 by then, according to the bureau. AP

A ccord i ng to t he Defen se Ministry, launching a ballistic missile is the final test for the vessel, after which a decision should be made on its induction into the f leet. The Russian navy currently has three Borei-class submarines in ser v ice, one more is finishing tests and three others are under construction, the Defense Ministr y said. AP

Workers will spend at least 20% less time in the office than pre-pandemic

ORKERS will likely spend 20 percent to 25 percent less time in the office than before the pandemic, according to the head of real estate brokerage CBRE Group Inc. CEO Bob Sulentic said companies such as CBRE are seeking to balance in-person work with the recognition that people don’t want to spend hours in traffic. “We’re still trying to figure out what the optimal place is,”he said during a panel Thursday hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber. The rise in remote work since the pandemic has had far-reaching implications for the real estate industry, including property owners that Sulentic’s company counts as clients. Office landlords have been confronting declining tenant demand as more companies adopted remote-work policies. That’s pushed the office vacancy rate in the US up to 18.4 percent in the third quarter, according to CBRE. Landlords have also been pressured by the rise in borrowing costs, which has contributed to a nearly 21 percent decline in office prices in the 12 months through October, according to real estate analytics firm Green Street. Investors, including Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., have defaulted on debt and walked away from buildings. Sulentic said higher borrowing costs have dented commercial real estate valuations more than his firm originally forecast. “We thought values may come down 15 percent, 20 percent. We now think that may be another 10 percent,” Sulentic said. He noted price declines were “most acute” for office buildings. Bloomberg News

A PROTESTER wrapped in an Israeli flag during a rally for the release of hostages in Gaza held by Hamas operatives in the Times Square neighborhood of New York, US, on Thursday, October 19, 2023. The Qataris have been negotiating with Hamas to try to secure the release of around 200 people captured from Israel on October 7 and taken to Gaza, according to officials familiar with the discussions, who asked not to be named. BLOOMBERG

NYC’s anti-Jewish hate crimes jump 214 percent in October, NYPD says

IAS incidents against Jews in New York City more than tripled in October, according to preliminary data from the New York Police Department. There were 69 anti-Jewish incidents probed by the NYPD last month, up from 22 a year earlier. The NYPD investigated eight hate crimes against Muslims in that period, up from none a year prior. The data is still subject to change upon further investigation. The October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the Jewish nation’s response has roiled the New York metro area, home to a quarter of US Jews. There have been almost daily protests on its streets and campuses, and the city’s Jewish community has been rattled by antisemitic events that have included swastikas etched on storefronts, assaults and harassment. Hamas is classified as a terrorist group by the US and European Union.

Columbia University, where an Israeli student was attacked outside the library, said it’s providing expanded safety escort ser v ices a nd for m ing a t a sk force on antisemitism following “a series of antisemitic incidents” on campus. New York University released a 10 -point plan after hearing from many “ deeply concerned ” about their safety. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she’s ordered an investigation into discrimination and antisemitism at City University of New York, and set aside $75 million for local police and houses of worship in response to antisemitism and hate crimes. “You can vigorously oppose Israel’s response following the attack on their people, but still be vigorously opposed to terrorism, Hamas, antisemitism and hate in all of its forms,” Hochul said last month. Bloomberg News

China banks rush to raise funds after cash crunch spooks market

HINESE banks have ramped up their borrowing of short-term funds, a sign that fears of a cash crunch still loom large, even as Beijing sought to calm traders after a recent liquidity squeeze. Onshore lenders this week doubled their issuance of so-called negotiable certificates of deposit, a form of debt with maturities from one to 12 months, to more than 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion). That’s the largest weekly issuance of such debt on record, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The rush is taking place despite borrowing costs at a six-month high in the NCD market. Even some state-backed banks—which typically enjoy cheaper rates due to a lower chance of a default— opted to pay more. The world’s largest lender by assets, Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., sold a six-month note at the highest yield in 2023. For a brief moment last week, the nightmare of a dramatic liquidity squeeze became reality, when some smaller financial institutions had to borrow shortterm cash at a rate of 50 percent. Though the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sought to calm nerves by saying the spike in rates was temporary, worries over scarce cash persist as the government crowds out the market with bond issuance through year-end to support the economy. “China’s bank ing sector is still in large need of cash ” after they increased loans and bought more government bonds, said Ming Ming, chief economist at

Citic Securities Co. That motivates them to sell more NCDs and funding costs may stay at elevated levels, he said. The PBOC is in a much better position than peers to ease policy, as China has slipped back into deflation. But the sheer size of Beijing’s government bond sales are enough to drive money market volatility. In October, China’s central and local governments sold debt at the fastest pace this year, according to Bloomberg calculation of official data. And a rare mid-year revision to the fiscal budget allowed authorities to sell 1 trillion yuan of additional sovereign bonds to support growth in 2023. “The accelerated bond issuance by the government is equivalent to a huge liquidity withdrawal from the banking system into the fiscal pocket,” and policymakers may want to keep an close eye on funding stress, said Serena Zhou, a senior China economist at Mizuho Securities Asia Ltd. PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng looked to reassure the markets again this week, reiterating at a forum in Beijing that China will use multiple monetary tools to keep liquidity reasonably ample. The central bank will likely reduce the reserve-requirement ratio by 25 basis points to add liquidity by the end of the year, Mizuho’s Zhou said. It will also inject cash through open market operations and medium-term liquidity facilities, she added. “The economy is still at an early stage of a recovery and a liquidity crunch may derail all this,” she said. Bloomberg News

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong

AUNG KYAW HTAY Burmese Customer Service Representative 10.

PHAM THI DIEM LOAN Contract Senior Analyst 1.

Brief Job Description: Contract senior analysts assist with managing clients in a manner that maximizes value for Accenture and our clients.

Basic Qualification: Commercial and Contract Management Knowledge and Experience: Min 2-year post-graduation work experience in a professional capacity. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

11.

LAM GIA HUE Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

12.

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

13.

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

LAM, GIA GIA Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently, preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience and detail-oriented and has the ability to multi-task.

NGUYEN THI LAN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

TANG, HOA THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

THEIN AUNG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

14.

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

15.

WANG, YANG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently, preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience and detail-oriented and has the ability to multi-task.

16.

XIONG, MINXIU Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking) Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

17.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/ Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

SANG, YU-CHI Chinese Visa Consultant Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/ Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

WU, QINGLIANG Chinese Visa Consultant 19.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/ Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

YAN, SHULI Chinese Visa Consultant 20.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/ Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

YUAN, FENGJIAO Chinese Visa Consultant 21.

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

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/ Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

ADI RISKI AMRULLOH Indonesian Visa Consultant 22.

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

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/ Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

MO, FEIFEI Chinese Visa Consultant

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

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. Preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/ Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

LUO, SHIJIE Chinese Visa Consultant

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently, preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience and detail-oriented and has the ability to multi-task. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

HOU, LIANGJIN Chinese Visa Consultant

18.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

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

23.

24.

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

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Indonesian client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

26.

WEI, QINTUAN Chinese Site Supervisor 27.

28.

29.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English Language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English Language.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Bahasa and English Language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Bahasa and English Language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Bahasa and English Language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Setting goals for performance and deadline in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision. Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as supervisor or relevant role. Familiarity with company policies and legal guidelines of the field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YANG, PING General Manger Brief Job Description: Set up and Manage the Branch.

Basic Qualification: University/Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; Minimum 7 years of people management experience; Ability to travel up to 50% ; Proficiency in Business Chinese and English.

CASPO INCORPORATED 43/f, 45/f, 49/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

DIEP VI HUNG Operations Analyst 30.

Brief Job Description: Provide data analytics and data management job in actual business operation, leads in the implementation of system/operations solutions.

Basic Qualification: Has the extensive experience in data analytics and data management; is proficient and able to communicate in Mandarin or any Chinese language. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

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

31.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Bahasa and English Language.

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

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English Language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Bahasa and English Language.

C.H. ROBINSON PHILIPPINES INC. 4/f 2c One E-com Bldg., Ocean Drive, Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

ZHANG, RUIZHE Chinese Site Supervisor

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English Language.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Indonesian client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

BLUEFIELD GENERAL MERCHANDISE INC. Unit A Mezzanine, Richfield Tower, 319 San Nicolas St. Cor. Madrid St., Barangay 284, San Nicolas, City Of Manila

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English Language.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Indonesian client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

MURNI NURJANAH Indonesian Visa Consultant

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English Language.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Indonesian client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

HENDRAWAN SARMADA Indonesian Visa Consultant

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate: Preferably 6 months -1year as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English Language.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Indonesian client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

ELISSA Indonesian Visa Consultant

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION COLIN POWELL SUMARLIN Indonesian Visa Consultant

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

BEAUTIFUL PHILIPPINE TRAVEL AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES, INC. Unit Ug-50 Cityland Dela Rosa Condo., Dela Rosa St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

WANG, WENYONG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

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

TRUONG THI THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently, preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience and detail-oriented and has the ability to multi-task.

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

A13

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

25.

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

NGUYEN, TRONG LONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently, preferably 6 months to 1-year customer service experience and detail-oriented and has the ability to multi-task.

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

YAN CHWAY CHAN Burmese Customer Service Representative

ALTERA KARNA BUSINESS CORP. 5th, 6th, 7th Flrs. Eighty-one Newport Blvd., Newport City St., Barangay 183, Pasay City

CHUNG NHOC PHENH Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Saturday, November 11, 2023

32.

TE, GEXI Site Supervisor Brief Job Description: Supervise in day to day operation in jobsite.

KUANG, ZENGXIAN Technician Brief Job Description: Monitor and install various substation equipment.

Basic Qualification: Experience in site management. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Experience in construction equipment and other tools. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

CHROMELAB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 25/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

BusinessMirror

A14 A6 Saturday, November 11, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LIEW CHUN LIANG Bi-lingual Speaking Customer Service Officer 33.

Brief Job Description: Resolves product or service bt clarifying the customers complaint

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa, Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YEE MOOI THEENG Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 34.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

No.

WANG, ZHIQIANG Chinese Marketing Specialist 46.

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese

NAGASHIMA, DAISUKE Department Head - Powertrain System Various

36.

Brief Job Description: responsible for overall planning, leading, organizing, and controlling various activities in software development projects for the Powertrain System Division, especially on car meter systems which include overall project management, group management, business planning, and review.

ZHANG, WEIFANG Chinese Marketing Specialist

37.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in managing the team which involves managerial skills and exercise discretion and decision making in all matters involving the team.

38.

Brief Job Description: grow company revenues by developing new products. LIAO, PENG Mandarin Technical Support

39.

Brief Job Description: monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks.

40.

41.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

EDDY SUSANTO SOFJAN Indonesian Financial System Consultant Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

STEVANY Indonesian Financial System Manager 42.

43.

44.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate w/ top mgt., to develop compelling contents to publish through corporate & media collaboration.

CINDY MARANTIKA Indonesian It Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

RONALD ANGGARA PUTRA Indonesian It Support Specialist Brief Job Description: maintaining hardware and software installations.

45.

Brief Job Description: Provides strategic, financial and operational leadership for the company.

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize, and direct the activities of a construction project, under the direction of a general manager.

CHEN, SONGJIANG Chinese Project Coordinator 49.

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize, and direct the activities of a construction project, under the direction of a general manager.

WANG, WEIMIN Chinese Project Coordinator 50.

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize, and direct the activities of a construction project, under the direction of a general manager.

57.

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook. Knowledge of file management, transcription, and other administrative procedures. Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and specifications.

JINLONG CONSULTANCY INC. Unit 25a 2/f Aseana Powerstation Bldg. D, Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Bradco Ave., Tambo, City Of Parañaque

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

LI, QIANG Marketing Consultant 51.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in defining Marketing strategies in business.

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries. LIU, QUAN Marketing Consultant 52.

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible in defining Marketing strategies in business.

ZHANG, CHAO Marketing Consultant 53.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in defining Marketing strategies in business.

Basic Qualification: With excellent communication skills in mandarin and English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With excellent communication skills in mandarin and English language.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. KANG, JIANBO Customer Service Representative

58.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

LIN, MEIYAN Customer Service Representative 59.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. NGUYEN THANH QUYEN Customer Service Representative

60.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. NGUYEN THANH PHONG Customer Service Representative

61.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. PHUNG MANH LINH Customer Service Representative

62.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.. TRUONG HOANG VU Customer Service Representative

63.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. VU THI VUI Customer Service Representative

64.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. WANG, GUOWEI Customer Service Representative

65.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in both Indonesian & English languages.

Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin is an advantage. Must be an aggressive salesperson.

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. HUYNH HY LOC Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin

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

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

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

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

Brief Job Description: provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

66.

67.

68.

HUANG, BOWEN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: manage incoming calls and inquiries.

TAO, TAO Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: manage incoming calls and inquiries.

XIE, BAODUAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: manage incoming calls and inquiries.

Basic Qualification: With excellent communication skills in mandarin and English language.

YANG, HAO Chinese Customer Service Representative

69.

Brief Job Description: manage incoming calls and inquiries.

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

Basic Qualification: exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

LASAPPHIRE CORPORATION Unit No 26h 26th Floor Fort Palm Spring Condominium, 30th St. Cor. 1st Ave. Bgc, San Miguel, City Of Taguig

CAN, MANH LINH Customer Service Representative 70.

TEO HUI XIEN Marketing Manager 54.

Brief Job Description: Evaluating and optimizing marketing and pricing strategies.

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience

55.

OU, XIAOYUN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers queries.

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

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

MACH 86 TECHNOLOGIES CORP. 6th-13th Flr. Workspace Bldg., 1419 Industry St. Corner Finance St. Mbp Ayala, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

CHEN, XIAOFANG Customer Service Representative 71.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese dialect (Mandarin, Folkien, Cantonese). CHU HOANG LONG Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 72.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak Chinese / mandarin fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

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

HC CONSUMER FINANCE PHILIPPINES, INC. 15th Floor, Ore Central, 9th Ave. Cor 31st. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig MINOL, DAVID Chairman/president & Chief Executive Officer

48.

Basic Qualification: High level of knowledge of BPO industry to efficiently manage the business

GIGA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT INC. 31/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor. V.a. Rufino St.,, Bel-air, City Of Makati

ALPIAN SOPIANDI Indonesian Financial System Consultant

CHEN, LINMEI Chinese Project Coordinator

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

Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin

No.

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

Basic Qualification: At least six years’ experience in software development for cars as a Software Engineer and at least six years in a supervisory/managerial capacity.

FLYING FUTURE SERVICES INC. 21/f Yuchengco Tower 1 Rcbc Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave, Bel-air, City Of Makati CHEN, XI Mandarin Product Developer

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

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

FIRSTSOURCE SOLUTIONS LIMITED 22f Century Diamond Tower, Lot 3, Kalayaan Ave. Cor. Salamanca St., Poblacion, City Of Makati BIYALA, BIKASH MURARI Vice President - Operations

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

Basic Qualification: Degree graduate and with strong communications skills

DENSO TECHNO PHILIPPINES INC. 2/f Sm Jazz Residences, N. Garcia Cor. Jupiter Sts., Bel-air, City Of Makati

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

CTFJ PHILIPPINES INC. 28th Floor Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Monitor Performance to proactive identify efficiency issues and propose solutions

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

56.

47.

35.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

HWA LUN CORPORATION Unit 1606 B, Sunjoy Bldg., Barangay 271, San Nicolas, City Of Manila

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

ZIMMERMAN, JAKE AUGUST Jewelry Consultant

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: college graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

DUONG, VAY MINH Customer Service Representative 73.

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

HA, THI THANH MAI Customer Service Representative 74.

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

HO, CONG THAI Customer Service Representative 75.

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

HOANG THI UYEN Customer Service Representative 76.

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

HUYNH THI KIM MONG Customer Service Representative 77.

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

JING, XIANLIANG Customer Service Representative 78.

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

LAI, HUI Customer Service Representative 79.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English.

No.

PHAN THI NHU THAO Customer Service Representative 86.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English.

87.

88.

89.

90.

91.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: college graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and basic English.

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

WANG, XIANG Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: college graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and basic English.

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

TRINH, QUOC HIEP Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English.

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

TRAN, XUAN BACH Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: college graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and basic English.

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

PHAN, VAN QUI Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

92.

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

80.

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

NGO QUOC TUAN Customer Service Representative 81.

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

NGUYEN NGOC ANH Customer Service Representative 82.

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

NGUYEN, QUANG TAM Customer Service Representative 83.

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

NGUYEN, QUANG TUNG Customer Service Representative 84.

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

PHAM GIA NHAT DUY Customer Service Representative 85.

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

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English.

93.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

ERNES TESIA GOUW Indonesian Customer Service Representative 94.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

FERRY BAGUS ALFIAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative 95.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

FRENKY Indonesian Customer Service Representative 96.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

JONI SURYA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 97.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: college graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

100.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

CUI, SHENBO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English.

101.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

102.

103.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: college graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and basic English.

104.

105.

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

106.

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

107.

DAI, LUE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

FENG, GUANGLONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

FENG, ZHUOBIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

GENG, DEWEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

GONG, YUHAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HU, ZHIJIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base service.

HUANG, YIFAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

MPOTECH DIGITAL SYSTEM INC. 2/f 331 Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

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

ADRYANZCY HILKIA PHILIPPE Indonesian Customer Service Representative

LAN, HAIYING Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/ Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English.

Brief Job Description: manage incoming calls and inquiries.

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

Basic Qualification: college graduate/ level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and basic English.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Brief Job Description: manage incoming calls and inquiries.

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

108.

JIN, DASHUANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

109.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

110.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

111.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

112.

LI, FEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

LIN, LONGXIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

LONG, XIAOQIONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NIU, LONGFEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque 1331 Pearl Plaza Bldg., 133 Quirino Ave., Tambo, City Of Parañaque

98.

99.

AI, TIAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base service.

CHEN, GUANGYI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

A15

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

CHI SAC MUI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

HUYNH THI Y NHU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

113.

NIU, ZHIHUI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE 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. 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. 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. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications 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.. 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. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications 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. 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

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

114.

PANG, YUE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A16 A6 Saturday, November 11, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

115.

116.

117.

118.

119.

120.

121.

122.

123.

124.

125.

126.

127.

128.

129.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QIN, SONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

SONG, XIAOFENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

WU, QIUPING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

ZHOU, XIANGYANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

GOMES SANTOS, JOSE GABRIEL Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

LABRES ROHDE, LUIS RICARDO Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

LY, CHEVKANG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

PEREIRA, VICTOR HUGO Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

PHAN, SREYROTH Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

JEPPY Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

KENNETH AARON Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

SATRIYA WIJAYA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

SELLA FEBTIA RATNA SARI Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

VANNESS Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

MICHELL JOHNNY CHAI Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

No.

130.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

131.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

132.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

133.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

134.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

135.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

136.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

137.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

138.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

139.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

140.

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

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

141.

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

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

142.

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

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

143.

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

144.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

AUNG KYAW SAN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services..

EINGYIN KHINE Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

HTET ARKAR Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

MYO MYINT TUN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base service.

PYAE PYAE PHYO Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

SU MON MON KYAW Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

ZAW MIN OO Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

CHU, WENG PO-HSUN Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

HSIEH, I-LUN Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

LIAO, CHIH-WANG Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

LIN, TZU-NAN Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

CHAIWUT, NUTDANAI Thai Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHANPHENG, SIRICHAI Thai Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SOMYUNG, KEOWALI Thai Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

SRITHEP, KARNPONG Thai Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

No.

145.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

146.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

147.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

148.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

149.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

150.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

151.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

152.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

153.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

154.

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

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

155.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

156.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

157.

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

158.

159.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

AU, THI HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

BUI, NGUYEN DANG TRUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

BUI, THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

DAM THANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

DANG VAN THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DIEP HOANG TRUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DO, THI THUY LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base service.

DUONG, VAN CHUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HO NGOC MAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base service.

HOANG, BICH LY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

HOANG, THI MAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

HOANG, THI THUY DUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

HOANG, VAN SY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

HUYNH, LONG PHUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

HUYNH, NGOC THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base service.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE 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 applications with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications 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. 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. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications 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. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications 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. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

160.

161.

162.

163.

164.

165.

166.

167.

168.

169.

170.

171.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LAY, PHUOC TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, THUY HANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, VAN HUU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base service.

LY THUY BINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN HUU AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN CHI HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN MINH QUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THI KHANH HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THUY THUY LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN VAN CHIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, HUU NHAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, NU LINH CHI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

No.

175.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

176.

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

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

177.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

PHONG KIM LIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHU HONG HA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

SU TU NHI Vietnamese 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.

178.

TA, HUYNH MINH THAO Vietnamese 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.

179.

THANG THI TRANG Vietnamese 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.

180.

TRAN VAN THANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

181.

TRENH Y DONG Vietnamese 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.

182.

TRIEU, THI VAN Vietnamese 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.

183.

TRUONG CONG TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base service.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

184.

VO THI BICH NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

185.

VO VAN HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

186.

NGUYEN MANH HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

Saturday, November 11, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE 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.

No.

DING, HONGYAN Mandarin Technical Support 190.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

172.

NGUYEN, THI MINH THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

187.

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

LIU, CHAN-JEN Head Chef Brief Job Description: Prepares and Cooks Authentic Taiwanese Dishes.

191.

173.

174.

Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, THI THUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Long term planning to create initiatives that further the company’s overall goals. Coordinating different teams to foster exchange of ideas and provide crossteam learning opportunities.

TANG, PING Multilingual Account Manager 192.

193.

Brief Job Description: Manage critical escalations and collect feedback from customer and market.

DA SILVA, CARLA VIOLETA Multilingual Bahasa Client Support Agent Brief Job Description: Client support agent.

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

194.

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

195.

Brief Job Description: Technical support specialist.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all installation, repair, and upkeep operations of the company’s facilities. You will be the one to ensure that your colleagues have the best physical resources available to complete their duties according to their budget.

TAN CHEE WEI Mandarin Language - Support Head of Department 196.

Brief Job Description: Managing clients, meeting investors to discuss investment strategies.

DIEC MY PHUNG Sales and Marketing Agent 197.

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

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

Basic Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in business administration, facility management, or a similar field is preferred. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluently speak and write mandarin language to cater foreign markets Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the planning and execution of ecommerce initiatives for an organization or within an agency.

Basic Qualification: Should possess a strong knowledge of the ecommerce space including competitive strategies, marketing strategies, product development, consumer research and industry trends. 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

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

POCKETMARKET INTERNATIONAL ECOMMERCE CORP. 11/ef Cyber One Plaza Bldg., Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Strong interpersonal, communication and project management skills.

PHOENIXFIELD, INC. 7/f Iacademy Plaza, 324 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

HUANG, SHIH-CHI Multilingual Technical Support Specialist

MENG, XUN Construction and Maintenance Deputy Manager

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

PHILIPPINES FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK LTD., INC. Unit 2802-2803, 28th Floor, The Podium, Adb Avenue, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong

Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both verbal and written.

ONWARD WORLDWIDE MANAGEMENT & CONSULTANCY SERVICES CORP. 5/f Greensun Bldg., 2285 Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Magallanes, City Of Makati

DUONG NGOC PHUONG Sales and Marketing Agent 198.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the planning and execution of ecommerce initiatives for an organization or within an agency.

Basic Qualification: Ability to Cook Authentic Taiwanese Dishes. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LY THI THANH HOA Sales and Marketing Agent 199.

NGUYEN, THI NGOC TRAM Vietnamese Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Provide specialized services to assist end-users in technology needs.

LEE, SIYOON Planning Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

OGROUP FIRSTONE ENTERTAINMENT CORP. Units 2108 2109 & 2110 Park Triangle Corporate Plaza Building, 32nd Street Corner 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

OCTAGON PRIME OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. 30/f Tower, 6789 Ayala Ave.,, Bel-air, City Of Makati

NINETEA 19 RESTAURANT INC. Unit 5137, 5139, 5140, 5142 5/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Area, D. Macapagal Avenue, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

OCEANIC SYMPHONY SERVICES INC. 17/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, 7232 Ayala Ave. Extn., Cor Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the planning and execution of ecommerce initiatives for an organization or within an agency.

188.

YAN, CHAOLONG Mandarin Operations Specialist

Basic Qualification: Can speak mandarin.

Brief Job Description: maintain accurate sales record.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LY, VINH TUAN Sales and Marketing Agent

LAI, YI-HSIEN Mandarin Technical Support 189.

Brief Job Description: monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks.

A17

Basic Qualification: Can speak mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

200.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the planning and execution of ecommerce initiatives for an organization or within an agency.

BusinessMirror

A18 A6 Saturday, November 11, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

VONG CAM DINH Sales and Marketing Agent 201.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the planning and execution of ecommerce initiatives for an organization or within an agency.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

202.

Brief Job Description: Translate written documents, audio recordings, or spoken conversations accurately and efficiently from one language to another.

211.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality with excellent verbal communication skill specially in Indian Hindi & English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MOHAMED ABDELRAHMAN ELHAG MOHAMEDKHAIR Reservations Team Manager - Arabic

203.

Brief Job Description: Provide supervision to a team of Consultants/Agents in order to ensure adherence to Performance Management and Quality Control Processes and Procedures, with the overall aim of achieving key Center targets. Ensure resolution of customer issues.

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

Brief Job Description: Support the Project Manager in project management and execution of the wind power plant project. Manage the TBCPH Project Team in ensuring the quality, cost, schedule, and HSE of the works, according to all standards and requirements and ensure the quality of the works and the project in general. Manage the development of the Kalayaan 2 Wind Power Project in close coordination with the Project Manager of the Owner’s Engineer. Participate in the procurement of Contractors for the Project – Manufacturer, Civil Contractor, Electrical Contractor and Operation & Maintenance contractor. Liaise with the Project Designer and Owner’s Engineer. Participate in the formulation of Civil and Electrical design. Leads the review and approval of major work methodology. Liaise with the Project Contractors, Designers, TBC Development Team and other project stakeholders. Interface with the Vietnamese Installation Contractor and O&M Contractor during the erection and commissioning of the WTG. Liaise within the TBC Group / Department.

KISHIMOTO, KAZUSHIGE Construction Manager 212.

Brief Job Description: Overall site management of civil and marine works under JICA STEP Loan Project

204.

Brief Job Description: Provide leadership and direction to a project team in the planning, scheduling, and work organization, construction, and monitoring of an assigned project based on agreed budgets and timeliness, and within approved design plan, company policies and guidelines, and provisions of law.

HEW MEOW HON Project Head 205.

LIN WOEI CHYAN Project Head 206.

YONG LENG SIEW Project Head 207.

PANG CHUN LEONG Quantity Surveying Head 208.

Brief Job Description: Manage all project costs; proactive involvement in procurement and reporting.

Basic Qualification: Must have 12 years of relevant experience in the development of highend to luxury projects and 8 years as a project manager.

DANG NGOC SANG It Specialist 213.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

DIEP VAN HUAN It Specialist 214.

209.

Brief Job Description: Direct and lead several project teams in planning and developing design, cost, and construction strategies, in line with management directives and in consultation with design consultants in order to ascertain project feasibility, and achieve project timeliness and costs.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree from a reputable educational institution 20 years of relevant work experience and 12 years’ senior management role.

DUONG THI NU It Specialist 215.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree from a reputable educational institution 20 years of relevant work experience and 12 years’ senior management role.

LE VAN DO It Specialist 216.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree from a reputable educational institution 20 years of relevant work experience and 12 years’ senior management role.

LY THI HON It Specialist 217.

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

Basic Qualification: At least 15 years of relevant experience and 8 years in a management role.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

NGUYEN THI HUYEN It Specialist 218.

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

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

NGUYEN THI THU HANG It Specialist

Basic Qualification: 20 years of relevant work experience and 12 years in a senior management role; preferably with project management knowledge and have handles multiple projects. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

NGUYEN VAN SANG It Specialist 220.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

TRAN CONG MINH It Specialist

210.

Brief Job Description: To implement financial and operational controls by reducing demand supply gaps for Tata consultancy services (Philippines) inc’s different customers and maintain optimal utilization levels in the organization.

Basic Qualification: With at least 18 years of I.T experience with specialization in resource management group, bench management, talent acquisition.

221.

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

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

TRAN THE TAI It Specialist 222.

THE BLUE CIRCLE PHILIPPINES HOLDINGS CORP. Unit C 3/f Makati Stock Exchange Bldg., 6767 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

VO THI THU THUY It Specialist 223.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

VU THI THU THUY It Specialist 224.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

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

WANFANG TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 6-9/f Tower 2 Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Cor. Macapagal Ave., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in Japanese language, oral & written

SAEYANG, PIMPA Thai Admin Support Specialist 225.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

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

WHITERAIN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC. 20/f Zuellig Bldg., Makati Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, Urdaneta, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.

INTIA HENDRIYANTI Admin Officer - Bilingual Speaking 226.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Supervising day to day operations of the administrative department and staff members.

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

ZAPPORT SERVICES, INC. Unit Aro1-03 B,c,m,n,o,p,q 28th/f & 14/f U-c, B, Ar03, Ar02, Q,p,o,g,h,i,j01,02,03, K&l, Burgundy Corporate Tower 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati 22/f & 36/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ASTRIA ANGGUN NOVANI Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES (PHILIPPINES) INC. 8th-12th, 14th & 15th Floor, Panorama Tower, 34th Street Corner Lane A, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

GANGULI, DEEPMALA GOUTAM Lead - Workforce Planning, Management

No.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

219. TEH WEN CHONG Senior Project Quality Control Head

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or a related field. Able to communicate in English and Vietnamese. Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in wind energy infrastructure development. Strong working knowledge of project management tools and excel. Strong interpersonal, communication, responsibility, and selfmotivation skills.

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

SHANG PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. Level 5 Shangri-la Plaza, Edsa Cor Shaw Boulevard, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong GOH KHYE HOE Project Head

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

TOYO CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. 3/f Planters Products Bldg., 109 Esteban St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

SC RESERVATIONS (PHILIPPINES), INC. 27/f, 28/f & 29/f Tower Ii Rcbc Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills in Arabic and English for the purpose of providing information to clients, vendors, senior management and staff. Demonstrated understanding of Quality control and assurance guidelines.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NGUYEN, VAN DUC Wind Site Manager

S-W TRADING CORP. Unit 101, #393 Mindanao Ave. 6, Talipapa, Quezon City

GANDHI, MUTHURAAJALASHMI Translator

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

227.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

KOEN DJATI AFIDHU QISTHI Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer 228.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

SHILVIA Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer 229.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

230.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices. 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.

TIURMA NATALIA CHRISTINE JAPARDI Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer 231.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties.

SOFIAN OKTAVIANUS Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, Fluent in mandarin and gaming devices.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call center activities performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties.

YOGI ADITTIA Indonesian-speaking Customer Service Officer 232.

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

*Date Generated: Nov 10, 2023 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.