BusinessMirror November 21, 2023 by BusinessMirror

Shortages in key food stocks seen by yearend By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T WORLD | A12

HEAVY FIGHTING ERUPTS AROUND ANOTHER GAZA HOSPITAL AFTER BABIES EVACUATED FROM SHIFA

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HE Philippines could end the year with thin or deficit stocks in key commodities like pork, fish, corn and onion as overall supply falls short of the country’s total demand. The country may suffer shortages in corn, onion and fish while it could face a thin supply of pork by the end of the year, according to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) presentation during a House Committee on Agriculture and Food hearing. The DA’s presentation showed that the country would have a 712,206 metric tons (MT) deficit in corn supply

intended for feed consumption at the end of the year, which is equivalent to 31 days of stocks. The country’s total corn supply, which takes into account both local production and imports, is estimated at 7.667 million metric tons (MMT), 8.5 percent lower than the 8.379 MMT overall estimated demand of the feed industry. Broken down, 5.379 MMT would come from local corn production while the remaining 2.287 MMT would be imported feedstock, a combination of both yellow corn and feed wheat. The country is estimated to import 505,195 MT in yellow corn and

1.782 MMT in feed wheat this year to somehow fill the gap in its shortfall of feed supply, according to the DA. The DA presentation indicated that the country could face a 38-day shortfall in fish supply. Based on the department’s estimates, total fish supply this year is pegged at 3.267 MMT, insufficient to meet the 3.625 MMT estimated total demand. The DA’s presentation pegged local production at 2.928 MMT while imports could reach 338,798 MT. For onion, the country is expected to suffer a three-day shortage as total supply of 285,781 MT falls short of meeting the 288,018 MT total es-

timated demand, DA presentation showed. The country’s estimated onion supply deficit is at 2,237 MT. For the first time in history, the Philippines suffered an “onion crisis” late last year until earlier this year due to “insufficient” stocks, causing retail prices to shoot over P500 per kilogram. Meanwhile, the country’s pork supply would just be ample to meet the population’s total demand, ending the year with a surplus of 4,907 MT or good for one day stock. Based on the DA’s estimates, total pork supply this year is around 1.624 MMT while demand is at 1.62 MMT.

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PHL OCT BOP POSITION POSTS $1.5-B SURPLUS w

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Vol. 19 No. 41

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 24 pages |

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

OREIGN borrowings by the national government and higher remittance inflows were among the drivers of the country’s Balance of Payments surplus in October, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The BSP said the country’s overall balance of payments (BOP) position posted a surplus of $1.5 billion in October 2023, higher than the $711- million BOP surplus recorded in the same month last year. This is the highest since the $3.081-billion surplus recorded in January 2023. This makes the October surplus the second highest for the year and one of only three months when the country recorded a surplus this year. “Largely brought about by the proceeds of the national government’s retail dollar bonds [RDBs] worth $1.26 billion during the month; so higher national government foreign debt partly led to the latest increase in the BOP and in the gross international reserves or GIR; as well as some investment income from abroad,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said. See “PHL,” A2

COMMUTER WOES Monday morning commutes in Parañaque City turned chaotic due to a transport strike, leaving passengers anxiously awaiting public transportation to reach their workplaces and appointments. In a desperate turn, some passengers even resorted to hanging on to jeepneys, putting their safety at risk. Responding to the three-day strike by transport groups, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) took proactive measures by deploying light-duty trucks and buses to provide complimentary rides to those affected. NONIE REYES

PBBM LOOKING TO U.S. AS PHL CRAFTS OWN POLICIES ON A.I. By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his administration will look at the United States experience in crafting the country’s policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The chief executive said he wants to study the US experience as it implements the Executive Order signed by President Joe Biden last month containing guidelines to balance the needs of AI developers with national security and consumer rights. “So we will continue to look to the United States...to provide the guidance and the lessons... And hopefully apply that in the Philippines,” Marcos said during his participation at the foMARCOS rum organized by the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii last Monday. See “PBBM,” A2

Price hikes not seen to slow, India rice export ban is key

S the year of high inflation comes to a close, Filipinos may not be able to see price increases slow down next year, especially with the recent decision of India to extend its rice export ban to 2024. Rice, the country’s food staple, could remain expensive next year given the ban on exports of the commodities. The ban imposed by India could make the international prices of rice elevated, at least by the middle of 2024. Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Senior Research Fellow Roehlano Briones said, however, that this

is not considered a major shock since current prices have already incorporated this. “This was expected owing to the timing of their election. The high price limits imports which domestic production has been unable to compensate for. Rice prices will remain elevated and temporar ily boost inf lation,” Briones told BusinessMirror on Monday. “Nothing much to do except perhaps [provide] targeted food safety net for the poor such as food stamp. In the long run, pursue productivity growth in rice industry,” he added. See “Price,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 55.6450 n JAPAN 0.3719 n UK 69.3615 n HK 7.1386 n CHINA 7.7140 n SINGAPORE 41.4180 n AUSTRALIA 36.1637 n EU 60.7310 n KOREA 0.0430 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.8379 Source: BSP (November 20, 2023)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, November 21, 2023

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DOJ wants DFA out of visa PHL... issuance to Chinese visitors

Continued from A1

By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

USTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday the Department of Justice (DOJ) will recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) be stripped of the responsibility to issue visas to Chinese nationals entering the country. At a press briefing, Remulla said the issuance of visas for Chinese nationals should instead be transferred to the Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Global for proper handling and scrutiny of documents submitted. “We are currently reviewing the visa issuing system and we will be recommending to the President to transfer the authority to issue visas for Chinese nationals to the VFS which has the capability to check the authenticity of the data submitted by those applying for visa,” Remulla stressed. He said various governments

PBBM...

Continued from A1

have already tapped VFS to screen visa applicants. VFS Global, founded 20 years ago, is an outsourcing and technology services company which offers consular services on behalf of governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. “The issuance of a visa is a very clerical function. It is about submitting data that you are qualified to enter the country and then for us to validate if the data submitted is valid or not. It would be easy for VFS to look into this, to validate from Chin,a not unlike the DFA which has no capacity to do so,” Remulla pointed out. Despite the “sinister” use of AI, he said the country cannot afford not to use the technology that can help in the economic transforma-

Remulla noted that the influx of Chinese nationals in the country, some even carrying Philippine passports and legitimate government identification cards, has raised national security concerns amid the escalating tension between the two countries over the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS). He said the DOJ has received reports that there are Chinese nationals who have no legitimate reason to be issued visas yet managed to get one, including through illegal means. “We really need to be extra vigilant because there are many undesirable things happening in our seas and inside our jurisdiction. We really have to be very careful,” Remulla warned.

Investigation ordered

REMULLA said he has also ordered an investigation on the possible involvement of some travel agencies in facilitating the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals by submitting spurious documents. Furthermore, the DOJ secretary said, he found out that these documents are being submitted to the legal department of the Bureau of tion of the economy. “We have to pay a good deal of attention [to AI] because we can be easily left behind if we will rest

Immigration (BI). He advised immigration officials involved in the scheme to start contemplating about leaving the agency. “I am having this investigated because based on the information I received there are lawyers and travel agencies who are being used as a conduit for the entry of these individuals and most of those benefiting from these illegal activities are those coming from China,” he said. In May 2021, the DFA inked an agreement with VFS Global on the Outsourcing of the Non-Sensitive, Non-Discretionary and Non-Complex Elements of Passport Renewal covering areas under the jurisdiction of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United Arab Emirates and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The DFA then said that similar arrangements can be made for other countries. Remulla earlier asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate how some foreign nationals managed to acquire Philippine passports from the DFA and other government-issued identification cards. on our laurels and say we got this figure out,” Marcos said. Among the risks of AI use is how it can be biased due to its algorithmic design, its implication on privacy, security risks and the job displacements it can cause. However, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said AI can also be used to boost labor productivity. “We have seen rather more sinister uses of artificial technology. On the other hand we must always remember it is a doubleedged sword. It can swing in a way that will help us,” he said. “We have to be cognizant of what other risks are involved. And the reason why it is difficult is because these things never existed before in human history and we are making this up as we go along,” he added. During the sidelines of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco last week, the President said the government is still crafting its National AI Strategy (NAS). The NAS will focus on identifying investment opportunities related to AI and empowering the local workforce so they can effectively use the new technology.

Villar’s initiative

RELATEDLY, Senator Mark Villar commended the President for leading the Philippine government’s efforts in securing partnerships on AI and cybersecurity from Silicon Valley companies. He noted, however, that the Philippines has a lot of work to do for the adoption of AI as no other measure or action has been made for its regulation or development except for the 2019 Philippine AI Roadmap. “[There have been] developments with AI in the past four years since the 2019 Roadmap. It has since boomed into heightened use across different sectors. It’s time have a framework regulating the use and development of AI for the welfare of employees in industries using AI,” Villar said. The senator filed Senate Resolution No. 588, directing the proper Senate committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the emerging use of artificial intelligence in different sectors and/or industries, and for the establishment of a framework related to the adoption, promotion, development, and fair use of AI in the Philippines.

BSP said the BOP surplus in October brought the current year-to-date BOP level to a $3.246-billion surplus, a reversal from the $7.1 billion deficit recorded in the same period a year ago. This is the highest since the year-to-date BOP surplus of $3.305 billion recorded in the January to April period. The data from the central bank showed that in the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS), the trade deficit for January-September 2023 reached $39.8 billion, down from the $46.7 billion deficit posted in the same period last year. “ T his development reflected mainly the improvement in the balance of trade alongside the higher net inflows from personal remittances, trade in ser vices, and foreign borrowings by the NG. Further, net inflows from foreign direct investments contributed to the surplus, albeit lower during the period,” BSP said in a statement. With this, BSP said the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) level increased

Price...

to $101 billion as of end-October 2023 from $98.1 billion as of end-September 2023. The latest GIR level represents a more-than-adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.5 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. Moreover, it is also about 5.8 times the country’s shortterm external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity. Ricafort said the latest GIR at $101 billion as of endOctober 2023 is equivalent to 7.5 months of imports, or still more than double the acceptable minimum international standard of 3-4 months. He added that this is also equivalent to about 5.8 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity. “Going forward, any improvement in BOP data and in GIR data for the coming months could help provide g reater cushion/suppor t / buffer for the peso exchange rate vs. the US dollar especially vs. any speculative attacks,” he also said.

Continued from A1

Mo ne t a r y B o a rd Me m b e r Bruce J. Tolentino noted that the elections in India is within the April-May period in 2024. He expects that once the election blows over, the ban could be lifted and international rice prices could ease. Tolentino said, however, that the ban is not a total ban. He said the Government of India decided to honor its existing contracts. This includes government-to-government discussions that it has had with its partners. The Philippines is one of those who will benefit from this arrangement. Tolentino, therefore said, it remains imperative for the country to “keep and even deepen diplomatic discussions with India to ensure continued supplies.” This should cushion the impact of expensive imported rice from hurting Filipino consumers too much in 2024. Tolentino also said the “very good harvest” will also mute the impact of high rice prices due to the ban. “Global as well as domestic price levels for food as well as non-food items are always a factor to be monitored and considered [by the Monetary Board]. If India continues the

Amend...

general ban on rice exports, that will keep global prices elevated,” Tolentino told BusinessMirror on Monday. Rice has a weight of 8.87 percent in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Income Households and as much as 17.87 percent in the basket of goods for the Bottom 30 percent of households. In October, amid the slowdown in inflation to 4.9 percent, rice prices increased 13.2 percent for the All Income Households. Rice inflation for the Bottom 30 percent of households was higher at 14.8 percent. Bloomberg reported that India is expected to extend its export ban for rice to 2024. This is expected to keep grain prices elevated “to its highest price levels since the food crisis of 2008.” Howe ve r, P r i me M i n i ste r Narendra Modi, who will seek reelection next year, has repeatedly tightened restrictions on shipments in a bid to curb domestic price rises and shield Ind ian consumers (Full story: https://businessmirror. c o m .p h / 2 0 2 3/11 / 2 0/i n d i as e e n - k e e p i n g - r i c e - e x p o r tbans-into-2024-holding-upglobal-prices/). Cai U. Ordinario

Continued from A16

“The Development Budget Coordination Committee [DBCC] shall ensure that programs and projects that result in the enhancement of the capabilities of local enterprises to produce and offer increasingly sophisticated products, goods and services shall be included in the expenditure priorities and the national government fiscal program.” In government procurement activities, the bill gives preference to “domestically-produced and manufactured goods, supplies and materials” which meet the specified or desired quality. Aldaba stressed that startups, which do not usually generate more sales compared to big firms, should not be burdened by requirements especially in the preliminary assessment stage. “There are a lot of new platforms being introduced by startups which can be utilized by the

government for as long as we’re able really to come up with a more flexible system that would enable us to procure from these new startups that are entering the market,” she said. “So can you imagine the revenue impact and the economic impact that can be created if we’re able to support the products coming from our startup community?” She also noted. Aldaba said the value of Philippine startups is currently at $3.5 billion. “Of course we are expecting it to grow. In the next five years, we want it to double, maybe around $10 billion by the end of the administration.” “We are hoping to reach it, with all the different programs and policies, and infrastructure being built, in order for us to create a more dynamic and vibrant and robust startup ecosystem,” the Trade official said.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

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

Navy receives two more SC to hear today fishing companies’ arguments FAICs from Israeli firm to stop implementation of IUUF, VMS measures

wo more fast attack craft interdiction (FAIC) vessels were delivered to the Philippine Navy (PN) by Israel Shipyards Ltd. last Saturday, November 18, bringing the number of such vessels in the country’s inventory to six. “Two more FAIC platforms for PN were delivered to the country from Israel on November 18 aboard the general cargo ship Koga Royal,” Philippine Fleet (PF) spokesperson Lt. Giovanni Badidles said in a statement Sunday. He added that these two newly-delivered FAICs are now at the Commodore East Posadas Wharf in Cavite City where it will be subjected to “begin the mandatory enhancement, maintenance, and training prior to commissioning them as PG-906 and PG-907” under the Acero-class patrol vessels of the PF’s Littoral Combat Force. The first two Acero-class gunboats, BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902), were delivered in September 2022 and commissioned in November of the same year. While the third and fourth FAICs, BRP Gener Tinangag (PG-903) and BRP Domingo Deluana (PG-905) were delivered this April and commissioned last May. “Their delivery is part of the FAIC Acquisition Project of the Revised AFP Modernization Program Horizon 2 contracted with Israel Shipyards, which include a total of nine platforms, and the transfer of

technology to bolster the PN’s shipbuilding capability,” Badidles said. He added the arrival of these FAICs are aimed at reinforcing the country’s littoral/coastal defense with modern fast patrol combat vessels that have proven to be highly reliable in addressing current and emerging threats, and transnational crimes. Another three more FAICs are expected to be constructed and delivered within the next two years. The Acero-class gunboats are also known as the Israel Shipyard Ltd. Shaldag Mark V of which four are now in active service with the PN. Four of the FAICs will be armed with non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 kilometers, while the other five will be armed with typhoon-mounted 30mm main cannons and .50 caliber heavy machine guns. These ships have a displacement of 95 tons, a maximum speed of 40 knots, and a range of 1,000 nautical miles. The acquisition of these FAICs is among the 2019 projects approved by former President Rodrigo Duterte under the Horizon 2 List of the AFP Modernization Program. The notice of award for the FAICM project, worth around P10 billion, was issued on January 5, 2021. These are expected to replace PN’s medium-sized patrol craft fleet. Rex Anthony Naval

DA chief urged to ‘withdraw’ reclamation project allegedly controlled by his family

isherfolk g roup Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged Department of Agriculture (DA) chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to “withdraw” a 420-hectare reclamation project in Bacoor City, Cavite allegedly controlled by his family. Pamalakaya made the call despite Tiu Laurel’s earlier statement that he has divested from his business interests. Tiu Laurel was the former President of the Frabelle Fishing Corp., the alleged proponent of the aforementioned reclamation project in Manila Bay. The reclamation has reportedly displaced more than 700 fishing and urban poor families in Bacoor City, while at least 1,000 fishing households are still under the threat of displacement, according to Pamalakaya. “He might have personally divested from Frabelle Fishing Corp., but that doesn’t mean that he has completely lost influence over his family-owned business. We urge Agriculture Secretary Tiu-Laurel Jr. to withdraw Frabelle’s reclamation project in Manila Bay because

of its adverse impacts on fishing communities and fishing waters. Since the project officially started in 2020, fishers have experienced a significant loss of income,” Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya vice chair and spokesperson said in a statement. As DA secretary, Arambulo said it should be the utmost priority of Tiu to ensure that sources of our agri-fisheries products are intact. “It should be a no-brainer for Secretary Tiu-Laurel Jr. that dumpand-fill activities and massive displacement of fisherfolk are a scourge to local food production,” Arambulo said. Fishers and coastal residents have been fighting the Bacoor reclamation project, which has led to the lodging of an Ombudsman complaint against then-Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla in 2019 due to her “approval of the destructive project and violation of several environmental laws.” Aside from the Bacoor City reclamation project, the fishers’ group also called on the DA to reject all the reclamation projects across the country, which has been affecting fisheries production. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Group calls for cease-fire amid Israel-Palestine war By Patrick V. Miguel

religious organization in the Philippines called for a “humanitarian cessation of hostilities” or cease-fire amid the conflict between Israel and Palestine. According to religious group One Faith One Nation OneVoice, the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles of proportionality and distinction between civilians and combatants have already been “grossly crossed.” “As people of faith, we cannot stand idly by as an onslaught of bombings, injuries and destruction rain down upon the people of Gaza,” said One Faith One Nation One Voice in a statement. The root causes of the armed conflict between Palestinian and Israeli parties must be addressed, the group added. “The ballyhoo of ‘annihilation as a means of defense’must be condemned as inhuman, as the

resultant war footings are sure to spur further violations of IHL,” it stated. The group has called to stop the siege of Gaza and the bombings, and to uphold human rights and IHL. According to a report by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), 11,078 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip as of November 10. Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals killed. Earlier in October, Filipino Catholics residing in Israel have asked for prayers for their safety amid the continuing violence between the Israel and Palestinian conflict. “As people of faith, we urge that religion, and the practice thereof, should call us to building peace that is based on justice,” said One Faith One Nation One Voice.

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court (SC) will resume today, Tuesday, the oral argument on the petition filed by the government, through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), seeking to set aside a 2021 ruling issued by the Regional Trial Court of Malabon City,which declared theFisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266, unconstitutional. FAO No. 266 mandates fishing vessels to report their catches through a vessel monitoring system (VMS) and an electronic reporting system (ERS)in order to curbillegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUUF). The respondents fishing companies—Royal Fishing Corporation, Bonanza Fishing and Market Resources Inc. and RBL Fishing

Corporation—through theircounsel, lawyer Arnold D. Naval are expectedto be interpellated by the magistrates on their position that FAO No. 266 is unconstitutional. The fishing companies argued that information on the fishing grounds of fishing companies constitute trade secrets and the mandatory installation of real-time VMS under FAO 266 violated the

fishing companies’ right to privacy and unlawful searches. He added that FAO 266 violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution by regulating only commercial fishing vessels and leaving the regulation of municipal fishing vessels to the discretion of local government units. Likewise, they maintained that FAO 266 violates the constitutional right against unlawful searches, noting that the constant real-time monitoring facilitated by VMS amounts to an unwarranted and unconstitutional intrusion, conducted without probable cause or judicial authorization. However, OSGwarned resources in the country’s fishing grounds would continue to decline dueto IUUF if FAO No. 266 is not immediately implemented. Solicitor Genera l Menardo Guevarra noted that the value of Philippine exports of fishing products amounting to around $1 billion in 2021hassignificantly declined over the years. He added the country has a

‘Wing of hope’: Boeing SEA chips in $135K for Philippine eagle conservation drive By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

oeing South East Asia (SEA), through its president Alexander Feldman, recently turned over $135,000 to support the development of a new breeding facility for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle in Davao City. The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), which runs the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, Davao City launched a campaign to build a separate breeding facility in another location in Barangay Eden to secure its actively breeding birds against events like epidemics and other catastrophes. Current trends in the spread of avian influenza across the country gave further impetus for this campaign to come to fruition. With help from the city government of Davao, which allocated 13.40 hectares of land, construction of

aviaries and other structures have begun in earnest. Capital funds direly needed for the construction phase have trickled in from Boeing-SEA, Mandai Wildlife Group, PK Holdings, Ulticon Builders, Maria Mitchell Association, Michelle Hershberger, Animal Behavior & Conservation Connections, International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators, and a host of anonymous individual donations. Their support helped build the initial infrastructures to facilitate the immediate transfer of some of the breeding birds from the Philippine Eagle Center from Malagos to Eden, also located in Davao City. More structures need to be built to complete the facility. In a statement, Boeing-SEA president, A lex Feldman, expressed, “Amazement at the majesty and beauty of the Great Philippine Eagle.” Boeing as an aviation company and the Philippine

Eagle are natural partners. He expressed support for the work of the PEF, adding he “…looks forward to more collaborative projects in the future.” The new breeding facility, now named the Philippine Eagle Conservation Breeding Sanctuary, is nestled at the boundaries of the Mt. Apo Natural Park. It is in the final completion phase and will be launched in February next year. The new breeding facility will be used exclusively for breeding the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and secure this gene pool from stochastic threats. Meanwhile, the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos will continue to serve as the home for its current animal collection, including aging Philippine Eagles. It will also continue operating as Mindanao’s sole center for wildlife education. In recent years, breeding eagles in Malagos proved to be difficult primarily due to human distur-

commitment under various treaties and agreements to implement conservation and management measures for the protection of the marine environment and the long-term sustainable use of living marine resources. Guevarra said the countrystands to lose access to foreign markets for its fish exports if we fail to comply with our obligations under these treaties and agreements. He said around $320 million worth of fish products bound to Europe every year are in danger of being rejected if the Philippinegovernment fails to certify that such fish products were not caught through IUUF. Guevarra also denied the claim of the respondents that FAO 266 violated their right to privacy and unreasonable searches. He said a fishing vessel’sfishing area, fish catches and spoilage, landing points and estimated quantity and value of fish caught have long been required to be recorded and reported to the Bureau of Fisheriesand Aquatic Resources. bance. Increased agriculture-related activities, such as clearing, land preparation, harvesting, hauling, etc., have impacted the species adversely being sensitive to disturbance, especially during breeding season. Even more alarming is the proliferation of poultry and game farms around the center. These farms pose a clear and present danger to the captive population of Philippine Eagles in the face of epidemiological threats like bird flu. As avian flu can potentially wipe out the entire captive population, representing nearly 8 percent of its global population, prudence dictates that securing the breeding birds to safer havens is the PEF’s only option. As the time to move some of the eagles draws near, PEF executive director Dennis Salvador conveyed gratitude for Boeing-SEA’s support. “This contribution not only helped us act immediately against a grave threat to our national bird but will, hopefully, accelerate captive breeding success for the species. Boeing has literally given us wings to take Philippine Eagle conservation to a new level.”

Go to DSWD: Don’t forget BP2 program beneficiaries

enator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his support for the continuation and expansion of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa (BP2) program. Go reminded the Department of Social Welfare and Development during Thursday’s Senate plenary deliberations for their proposed 2024 budget to ensure that BP2 beneficiaries receive all the support and assistance due to them in accordance with the program guidelines. The senator raised concerns

regarding reports that families who have returned to the provinces through the BP2 program only received transportation allowance and are still waiting for the livelihood grants committed to them by DSWD. In response, the DSWD assured that they would act on the matter and provide the support needed to the qualified BP2 beneficiaries in coordination with the respective local government units. Families returning to their provinces under the BP2 program may

also receive community grants for livelihood, with local government units monitoring and supporting their progress, the DSWD explained. Go emphasized the importance of the BP2 program, noting that it was established through Executive Order (EO) No. 114, which was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte. The Senate adopted a resolution in 2020, principally sponsored by Go, urging the Executive department to formulate and implement a “Balik Probinsya”

program given its significance in decongesting urban areas, promoting equitable opportunities and wealth distribution nationwide, and providing essential social services for those who wish to return to the provinces. During the plenary session, Go engaged in a discussion with DSWD Secretary Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian, through Sen. Imee Marcos, who was sponsor ing DSWD’s budget, to also seek clarification on the program’s continuity beyond the pandemic.

NDRRMC now validating reports of 9 deaths after Sarangani quake

he National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Counci l (NDR R MC) on Monday announced that it is now validating reports that nine people were killed while another 15 were hurt following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that rocked Sarangani last Friday, November 17. In its Monday update, the agency said that nine fatalities, now undergoing confirmation, could be broken down into eight for Region 12 and one in Region 11. While those injured can be divided

into 11 for Region 12 and four for Region 11. Mea nwh i le, t he NDR R MC placed the number of affected families to 2,849, which is equivalent to 12,885 persons residing in 43 barangays in Region 11 and 12. Damaged houses were placed at 826 and these were recorded in Region 11 and 12. Earlier, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) raised the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center’s (NDRRMOC) alert status to “Blue”

to closely coordinate, consolidate, and report all related incidents as well as to ensure prompt coordination with concerned agencies and offices following the earthquake that hit Sarangani. “Civil Defense officials at the national and regional level are closely monitoring the progress of the operations, coordinating with the local government unit d i sa ster m a n agers. We h ave placed the NDRRM Operations Center under ‘Blue’ Alert, requiring the AFP [Armed Forces of

the Philippines], PNP [Philippine National Police], PCG [Philippine Coast Guard], and BFP [Bureau of Fire Protection)]to render duty to support response activities,” OCD administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, said. “We want to assure the residents of affected areas that, as instructed by President [Ferdinand] Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the national government is on board and ready to provide necessary assistance,” he added. Rex Anthony Naval

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Economy

Oil firms roll back fuel pump prices for 3rd consecutive week By Lenie Lectura @llectura

UEL pump prices will go down starting Tuesday morning, oil firms announced Monday. This is the third consecutive week of oil price rollback. In separate advisories, oil firms

said they would slash gasoline prices by 75 centavos per liter, diesel by 65 centavos, and kerosene by 60 centavos. Petron, Shell, Caltex, Unioil, Total, PTT, Phoenix, Seaoil, Jetti will implement the price adjustment at 6 a.m. today, Tuesday, November 21. Cleanfuel, meanwhile, will adjust its

prices at 12:01 a.m. Other oil firms are expected to follow suit. Last week, oil companies implemented price rollbacks for gasoline, diesel and kerosene by P0.70, P3.00 and P2.30 per liter, respectively. The price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net increase of P13.05/liter for

Davao Light cuts Nov power rate By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox

AVAO CITY—The Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. announced a reduction in electricity rate this month due to lower supply price in the spot market, including coal. It said electricity rate is now at P9.12 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), from P9.21 last month. The Davao Light said this translates to P18.98 difference from the previous billing of households, whose average monthly electricity consumption is 200 kWh. “This rate applies to bills received from

November 11 to December 11, 2023,” it said. The reduction, Davao Light said, could be “attributed to the decrease in power supply prices from both the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market [WESM] in Mindanao and a coal power supplier, from which the company sources a portion of its power requirement.” But it admonished consumers that “market prices are volatile thus changes in the power rate are expected every month.” Moreover, it added, “the distribution utility reminds customers to properly manage their energy consumption, especially now that it is the holiday season.”

“During this period, people decorate their homes with Christmas lights and other electrical decorations, and they hold gatherings at home leading to higher usage of electrical devices and appliances. These contribute to higher power consumption and consequently higher monthly bill,” it said. “Aside from the power rate, another important factor that contributes to our monthly bill is our energy consumption,” said Fermin Edillon, head of the Davao Light Reputation Enhancement Department. “While the power rate remains beyond our control, our ability to regulate and manage our power usage also dictates whether our electricity bill

gasoline, P6.35/liter for diesel and P1.69/liter for kerosene. Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rodela Romero had said there could be more oil price rollbacks in the weeks to come due to oversupply of approximately 120,000 barrels per day in the world market. Still, she cautioned motorists to be prepared, as oil prices remain volatile despite a projected downward trend. Oil firms adjust their prices every week to reflect movements in the world oil market. will be high or low,” he said. The company said “there are several simple ways to conserve power at home and one is to make a habit of unplugging unused electric appliances that act like energy vampires, sucking power even when they are not in use.” Customers should also lessen the number of hours or days used for a particular appliance. “By using them for shorter durations or less frequently, one can reduce energy consumption.” Davao Light is the third largest privatelyowned electric distribution utility in the country in terms of customer size and annual kWh sales. It holds the franchise for the cities of Davao and Panabo of Davao del Norte, and the province’s municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas, with a population of approximately 2.23 million.

Clark aims to become PHL’s motorcycle racing hub in ‘24 By Roderick L. Abad

Contributor

ABALACAT, PAMPANGA—Clark is on its way to becoming the capital of two-wheel racing events in the country, while pushing further adventure tourism in Central Luzon. “This is the most ideal place, which should be declared as the motorcycling hub of the entire Philippines,” Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President Atty. Agnes Devanadera said during the opening of the first Clark International Festival of Speed (CIFOS) held at the Clark International Speedway (CIS) last Friday. This Freeport and special economic zone, according to the CDC chief, has a strong potential to be a center for motorsports due to its good infrastructure, unique terrain, and secured environment. “Motorcyclists not only look for the good roads, but also no roads and even jumpy roads. So there’s so much adventure. Our signal is okay, so they can be contacted anytime, anywhere. Since this is a fence community, so it’s safe,” she told the Business M irror on a sideline interview. “While some of the sports are only

appealing to the youth, motorcycle is one which appeals even to the senior citizens. So this is one thing that we would like to promote and push. Also, there is so much passion for motorcycles in the Philippines. It has reached a very highlevel, considering the number of people using motorcycles,” she added. Proof of which is the success of the just-concluded inaugural CIFOS organized by Mad Dog Motorcycle Club. Philippines in collaboration with CIS. This three-day event gathered together speed enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies here and from abroad to showcase their racing prowess and stunts to local and international spectators. “Revenge travel is very real. With the turnout of the tourists here, we can really see that we’re all set again to reintroduce tourism activities. Given the right promotional activities and, of course, connection with all those who are enthusiasts of the said activity, I guess we will not be shortchanged of that promise by Atty. Devanadera,” said Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region 3 Director Richard Daenos. “I think this milestone event will have to grow year after year. This might be the first event that we could introduce as a way to bring out adventure tourism [in the central part of Luzon],” he noted.

Apart from being a hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions or MICE industry, Region 3 has quite a number of tourism products to offer to travelers, whether in terms of waters activities, culinary, and nature trips. “Motorcycling will be an added attraction and, at the same time, part of another portfolio that we can offer in terms of tourism activities,” Daenos said.

Future plans

AMID the upbeat outlook on the future of its local adventure tourism, what challenges CDC’s vision to make Clark a haven for motorcycling is the lack of accommodation, per Devanadera. In fact, she cited that their total inventory now stands only at 4,007. “We need more hotel rooms because when the motorcyclists come to Clark, they always look for accommodation. Now, we’re looking for boutique hotels because these are the no-frills hotels. Motorcyclists usually are not looking for fancy hotels. They just want a place where they can sleep at night,” Devanadera said. To continue to develop its full potential, she bared that they will start planning a full year-round of promoting, supporting and

holding the motorcycle festivals in Clark, particularly in the Speedway, in the first quarter of 2024. The CDC chief, likewise, revealed that they already discussed with the Kilton Group to come up with an initiative to upskill mechanics or support people who will keep motorbikes in top shape. In line with this, she said that they would ask the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to come up with a training program for them. Given that motorcycles in the country have so far outnumbered four-wheel vehicles like cars and jeepney, the Department of Energy (DOE) is putting up electric charging stations in Clark for these dual wheel vehicles. Devanadera said: “We’re in talks with the DOE [regarding this], and they are looking at the first quarter of 2024 for the installation of the fast charging station.” Industry-wise, the ecozone is becoming a destination of choice for electronic vehicle (EV) manufacturers. She mentioned that there’s already an EV locator in Clark. “We’re inviting more because we want to be able to have sustainable programs here. We hope that manufacturers of EVs, including motorcycles, continue to come here,” she stressed.

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

Crimes against journalists

By Henry J. Schumacher

GAIN, impunity! Just days after the observance of the International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against journalists, the impunity was again manifested in the Philippines. A popular radio commentator died in a daring gun attack (which is still investigated!) Is it?? Let’s clearly understand that journalists are more than just storytellers! They are the defenders of truth. And the protection of media independence, freedom of expression and access to information are critical pillars for upholding democracy. We must reflect on the challenges faced by journalists—in the anti-corruption sphere and beyond—and continue to fight back against the escalation of violence and repression against them. We must take this time to remember brave investigative reporters who were killed for holding power to account and who lost their lives for exposing high-level corruption and financial crime. This year’s theme of this year’s International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against journalists, focused on the role of a safe and free press in ensuring the integrity of elections and democratic systems. While journalists already face many challenges in their daily work, election periods bring extra risks—especially when reporting in authoritarian and oppressive regimes. In fact, between January 2019 and June 2022, attacks against journalists related to elections occurred in at least 70 countries around the world. And where the suppression of freedom of the press occurs, corruption will closely follow.

When citizens cannot access the media and independent journalism—especially during elections—democracy fails. And with violence against journalists on the rise all around the world, urgent action is needed. Strong partnerships between journalists and civil society organizations are crucial, and countries like the Philippines must uphold their obligation to protect independent press so that journalists can work openly and without fear of retaliation. It’s only when these rights are safeguarded that democracy stands a chance. Talking about effective journalism, it’s hard to read any media without running into a new story about different kinds of corruption, collusion, and rule breaking. The explosion in digital data, and a more-complex risk ecosystem are presenting serious cost, resource, and efficiency challenges for compliance. As businesses go global, many are confronted with complexities of international regulations and distinct cultures. As a result, new technologies are emerging to help consolidate compliance functionality. To help realize a more transparent and fair business climate companies and tech innovators will need to work closely together to change their industries. They can do so by investing in new technologies that make corruption more visible and easier to address. One of the best ways to avoid t hese sor t s of cont roversi a l mistakes is by evaluating where other companies, brands, and organizations have gone wrong to develop measures to prevent your company from doing the same. In the past reviewing compliance and corruption blunders was more difficult but as we all know with the advance of digital media and research tools, understanding the complexities of existing cases has never been easier. And in this process, journalists are partners in highlighting what is going on in national and local governments, and in the private sector. It seems clear that there is much work to do not only in taking corporate ethics and compliance to the next level and protecting journalists, but also in raising the moral consciousness of societies. I look forward to your comments; please email at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

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

News BusinessMirror

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

PBBM: China land reclamation coming ‘closer’ to PHL territory P

‘VP Sara does not deserve to be impeached’

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

ITH China’s reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) allegedly getting closer to the country’s coastlines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he is now pushing to upgrade local defense and civilian and law enforcement capabilities as well as rally the international community to condemn such encroachment.

During his participation at the forum organized by the AsiaPacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii last Monday, the Chief Executive expressed concern on how China’s People’s Liberation Army has been building bases on more

atolls and shoals within the WPS. “The nearest one is now around 60 nautical miles [NM] from the Philippine coastline,” Marcos said. He noted this was on top of the “coercive tactics and dangerous maneuvers” of the Chinese coast

guard and maritime militia vessels, which led to collision incidents to Philippine ships conducting regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions in Ayungin shoal last month. The presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels Escoda (Sabina) and Romulo (Iroquois) Reef have also caused damage in the said features, according to the President. “The situation is not improving. The situation has become more dire than it was before,” Marcos said.

Bilateral planning

FACED with the “persistent unlawful threats and challenges” in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the WPS, the Chief Executive said the country is now engaged in “bilateral planning” with the United States to improve the capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). He said the planning aims to “accelerate concrete and substantial capability development investments and activities” of AFP and PCG in the next five years. While in Hawaii, Marcos visited the US Indo-Pacific Command

(USINDOPACOM) headquarters where he met with its commander, Admiral John Aquilino. He noted Aquilino showed him a model of the extent of Chinese construction of military bases in the WPS. “We had a very productive and useful exchange on regional developments and the critical role of the Philippine-US alliance to promote peace, and to safeguard the international law-based order to ensure resilient, sustainable, and inclusive growth for our economies and our communities,” Marcos said.

International support

ASIDE from improving the country’s defense capability, the Chief Executive is also determined to resolve the territorial issues in the South China Sea by gaining international support. He lauded how other countries like Australia, South Korea, and Japan have joined the US in condemning the aggression of China in the WPS. “The more allies that we find, to speak up whenever such incursion occur, incidents or events occur,

then I think the stronger that voice will be. So we have encourage that,” the President stressed. The government, he said, is still open to resolving such territorial issues in the WPS through a code of conduct (COC) based on international law between Asean and China. But since the COC is still pending, Marcos said the Philippines is now engaged in bilateral talks to resolve its territorial issues with other Asean countries in the WPS. “We have taken the initiative to approach those other countries around Asean with whom we have existing terr itor ial conf licts. Vietnam being one of them and Malaysia being another to make our own code of conduct and hopefully this will grow further and extend to the other Asean countries,” Marcos explained. He assured the country will “not cede any territory” in its territorial disputes in the WPS. “As I have said before, and I will say again, the Philippines will not give up a single square inch of our territory to any foreign power,” Marcos said.

Transport, labor groups support jeepney strike called by PISTON

HE International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (K MU ) e x pressed support to the transport strike on Monday, citing the importance on public transport and the rights of jeepney drivers. Jeepney drivers and operators under the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) are opposing the imposition of a deadline for the consolidation of traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJ) on December 31. Since t hen, PISTON and other concerned groups have called against the phase out of traditional jeepneys. “A n y mo d e r n i z at i o n a n d investment in public transport must contribute to overcoming existing inequalities and achieving economic and social justice for the working class,” said ITF Director for Urban Transport Alana Dave. Dave said they support the demand of jeepney workers for a “pro-people just transition in public transport,” citing that workers keep cities moving every day. Meanwhile, KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis said the consolidation is meant to phase By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

SIDE from upgrading the countr y’s transmission grid, the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. must also address its energy security capabilities to ensure investors will park funds in the Philippines StratbaseADRInstitutePresident Victor Andres C. Manhit pointed out last Sunday that the government should work hand-in-hand with the private sector in pursuing a long-term energy exploration and transition objective, and open itself to domestic and foreign investments in infrastructure.   “This includes building more power plants, modernizing the electricity distribution system, expanding transm ission ne t work s, a nd enhancing energy storage,” Manhit was quoted in a statement as saying. “Energy cost and stability are a significant determinant of the level

out jeepneys. “Ito ay direktang pag- agaw s a k a bu ha yan ng at ing [mga] driver at operator. Mawawalan sila ng trabaho. [This is a direct deprivation of jobs of our drivers and operators. They will lose their jobs],” said Adonis during the transport strike on Monday. He added that the modernization of jeepneys would only lead to transportation fare hikes. Adonis’ remarks echoes the sentiments of ITF, stating that workers and trade unions “must be involved in decision making about public transport reform.” T he L a nd Tra nspor t at ion Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), during a dialogue with PISTON, clarified that the program is not meant to phase out jeepneys, but rather to upgrade it. However, PISTON said that the consolidation program would lead to the phase out of the franchise of jeepneys.

Normal Monday morning rush

METRO Manila Development Aut hor it y A c t i ng C h a i r m a n R om a ndo A r tes on Mond ay described the start of the three-day transport strike staged by transport

group PISTON as just a “normal Monday morning rush.” T he MMDA c h ief a l so categorically said that the group failed to paralyze the transportation in the metropolis. “We think that it might be just normal Monday morning rush hour foot traffic,” Artes said. Artes also noted that the agency doesn’t want to have a build-up of stranded passengers hence the immediate deployment of prepositioned assets.

VP extends support to MMDA

MEANWHILE, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte extended its support to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority amid the strike. “We are ready to support the MMDA in their transport strike response. We are also appealing to the group staging the protest to have a d ia log ue w it h t he gover n ment a nd br i ng t hei r concerns to the negotiation table,” Duterte said as she oversaw the agency’s monitoring of the strike at the MMDA Communications and Command Center, which s e r v e s a s t h e i nt e r - a g e n c y monitoring and command center for the protest action.

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) deployed their buses to augment and serve as rescue vehicles for affected commuters. Also, Artes said that the MMDA has readied 686 service vehicles. As of 3:30 pm the MMDA has dispatched 79 vehicles and served 1,980 commuters. “We are ready for the threeday strike and we will respond depending on the situation,” Artes said.

No violence please—LTFRB

LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz, meanwhile, said that there is a scheduled dialogue between agency officials and PISTON on Monday to hear their issues with regards to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. He also said that the LTFRB is lenient on suspension of franchises of those who will participated in the strike, stressing that they recognize the right of the protesters to air their opinions. “We will let them use their freedom of expression, however, they will be penalized if they resort to violent means such as throwing of stones and spikes to force others to

join their protests,” Guadiz warned.

PNP vehicle deployment

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deploying 920 vehicles nationwide to help ferry commuters who might be affected by the threeday transport strike set by PISTON from November 20 to 22. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, in a radio inter v iew Sunday, said these 920 police vehicles will augment efforts of local government units to serve routes that might be paralyzed by the transport strike. Aside from the vehicles, around 9,000 police personnel will also be deployed to monitor the effects of the transport strike. Faja rdo sa id t hese pol ice personnel would see to it that nothing untoward would happen between drivers participating in the transport strike and those who would not. She added that the PNP would be on heightened alert in the areas where strikes or protests will be conducted. Fajardo added that “reactionary standby support forces” are on standby for any eventualities. Patrick V. Miguel, Claudeth MoconCiriaco and Rex Anthony Naval

Energy security capabilities must be ensured–analyst of interest of businesses to set up shop in the country. Investments mean jobs, income, spending power, technology transfer, and, ultimately, economic activity and growth,” he added.   M a n h it e mph a s i z e d t h at investment-driven growth will minimize the country’s vulnerability to external developments and enable itself to better assure Filipinos of a better quality of life.   “But this type of growth can only take place with energy security already in place. Thus, it is important that we address costs, stability, accessibility, and reliability of power anywhere in the Philippines at the soonest possible time,” the analyst said.   Meanwhile, the country’s energy security roadmap received a huge boost when Manila and Washington signed on November 16 several

agreements on nuclear energy cooperation that is quite important for the Philippines in pursuing lower energy costs. Right now, power rates in the Philippines are the highest in Asia next only to Japan, according to Manhit. “President Marcos has set an ambitious goal: cutting the Ph i l ip pi nes g re e n hou se g a s emissions by 75 percent by 2030 and increasing the production of clean energy so that 50 percent comes from renewable sources by the year 2040. The United States is committed to working with the Philippines so that it can meet those targets—using platforms like the very first US-Philippines Energy Policy Dialogue, which we hosted in Seattle back in August,” US State Secretary Antony Blinken said during the signing ceremony held in San Francisco, California.

Meanwhile, InfraWatch PH Convenor Terry Ridon stressed the important role of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in crafting and implementing proconsumer policies. “ T he ERC shou ld t ighten oversight on the completion of these critical infrastructure projects, which would hopefully strengthen the electricity value chain and prevent higher electricity cost for consumers,” Ridon said during a forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute. Ridon has enumerated various ways to address the critical issues s u r rou nd i n g t he Ph i l i p p i ne energy grid. These include ensuring the i nde pendence of reg u l ator y agencies, developing clear and specific standards and performance metrics for energy companies to

follow, and harsher penalties for non-compliance to these standards.   “This will serve as a strong deterrent for companies considering cutting corners or violating regulations. To further promote accountability, compliance data should be publicly accessible to promote transparency. This will allow the public to be informed about the operations of energy companies and their adherence to regulations,” Ridon explained. The InfraWatch PH Convenor emphasized that the commitment of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to invest P300 billion in grid improvements is a step in the right direction. “However, juxtaposed with the delayed implementation of projects critical to the integration of renewable energy, this figure is not as reassuring as it might initially

R ESIDEN T Ferd ina nd R . M a rc o s Jr. s a i d h e is aga inst any move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte from his post. In an interview with reporters in Hawaii on Monday (Philippine time), the Chief Executive said he was aware of the ongoing efforts to oust Duterte. “We are closely monitoring it because we don’t want her to be impeached. We don’t want her to [and] she does not deserve to be impeached. So, we will make sure that this is something that we will pay very close attention to,” Marcos said partly Filipino. T h is a f ter Hou se Spea ker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez denied reports of an ongoing move in the House of Representative to remove Duterte from her post amid the ongoing issue related to the confidential and intelligence funds of her office. Marcos said he would not support such impeachment moves based on some “elements wanting to change the outcome of the elections.” “That’s not a reason to be impeached,” the President stressed. He also denied claims by some groups that there is already a “crack” in the UniTeam Alliance, which propelled their victory in the 2022 polls. T he Un iTe a m a l l i a nce i s comprised of the following political parties: the President’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas; Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago; LakasChristian Muslim Democrats and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. “These are the same people that talk about impeachment. They are the same people that talk that UniTeam is already disintegrating. That is not true. Just look at the political developments in the past few months,” Marcos said. As early as May, Makabayan bloc lawmakers claimed there were already cracks in the UniTeam following the demotion former president now Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo as senior deputy speaker. Arroyo is a chairperson emeritus of the Lakas-CMD. The claims were recently revived after Arroyo was removed from her position as deputy house speaker earlier this month after she did not sign a resolution upholding House’s “dignity, integrity and independence.” Macapagal-Arroyo later explained she was not able to sign the resolution because she was then on a foreign trip. Despite the incident, Arroyo said she stil l suppor t the administration of Marcos as well as the leadership of Romualdez. Samuel P. Medenilla

appear,” Ridon said. “As the country moves toward renewable energy sources, the speed and efficiency with which the NGCP operates will be crucial in determining the success of this transition.”   Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship SecretaryGeneral Felix Jose M. Vitangcol concurred with R idon say ing upgrading the grid infrastructure to accommodate the increasing penetration of renewable energy would allow it to become “more agile, adaptive, and robust.”  “It will boost economic development and promote a conducive investment-led sustainable environment for businesses and the like. This then results in job creation and better public services for industries like telecommunication and digital services,” he explained. The Department of Energy earlier said that it aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the power generation mix to at least 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

66 GLOBAL SOLUTIONS INC. 9th & 11th/f Ssk Building, Block 7 Lot 5 Kennedy Road Corner Mindanao Avenue, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque LIANG, WENJUN IT Technical Mandarin 1.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all support and clerical work within a company.

MYA YIN IT Technical Mandarin 2.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all support and clerical work within a company.

XIE, LING IT Technical Mandarin 3.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all support and clerical work within a company.

YIN, JING IT Technical Mandarin 4.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all support and clerical work within a company.

ZHENG, CHAOWEN IT Technical Mandarin 5.

Brief Job Description: Oversee all support and clerical work within a company.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

No.

BENZAKOUR, YANIS Technical Officer 17.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. BAGUS APRIANDA PRASETYO Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. CELVIN Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. IRWAN LUHUR Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. JODI ANANDA PRATAMA Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

10.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. MOHAMMAD RAFLY RAMADHAN Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

11.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. STANFIELD Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

12.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. SYAHRUL RIZKI Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

13.

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

18.

14.

Brief Job Description: To be the main point of contact between external and internal stakeholders. SAADI, SAMIA Junior System Supervisor

15.

16.

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

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

22.

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

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service to clients.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

HONG, LIDAN Chinese Marketing Specialist 23.

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

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

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 language is an advantage. Must be an aggressive salesperson.

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

YAN, DAXING Chinese Marketing Specialist Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

YANG, TING Chinese Marketing Specialist 31.

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

HUANG, WEIBIN Chinese Marketing Specialist 24.

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree holder and 7 years of relevant work experience.

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

WU, ZHIFENG Key Accounts Specialist Consultant 32.

Brief Job Description: A key accounts specialist consultant is an individual dedicated to marketing, selling, and supporting a specific type of customer.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

ZHOU CHENJUAN Planning Manager

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder and, 10 years of relevant work experience. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

WANG, FEIXIA Warehouse Logistics Manager 33.

LI, MEILAN Chinese Marketing Specialist 25.

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

Brief Job Description: Are responsible for ensuring that the supply chain is efficient and effective throughout their organization.

Basic Qualification: Can develop strong positive relationships with executive and management contacts. Can develop Annual revenue and sales plans for assigned location. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Strong understanding of warehouse operations and procedures. Excellent organizational and timemanagement skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. 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 language is an advantage. Must be an aggressive salesperson.

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

YAN, BAOCHANG Chinese Marketing Specialist

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

AM-PRO IMPORTS MARKETING CORP. 16e Residenza Suites, 429 Shaw Blvd., Addition Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

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

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

XUE, XIAOLING Chinese Marketing Specialist

30.

SUN, HE Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

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

27.

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

LYU, BENZAO Chinese Marketing Specialist

29.

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

Brief Job Description: Chinese Marketing Specialists develop and execute effective marketing strategies to promote products or services.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

28.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LIANG, HUA Chinese Marketing Specialist

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

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

No.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Produce the customer requirements specification and the requirement file.

Brief Job Description: Management of both external and internal planning.

CHEN, QINGJIN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Speaking)

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

26.

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

ALSTOM TRANSPORT CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit No. U-2c, 4f, One E-com Center Moa Bldg., Ocean Drive St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

MYSORE SHIVABASAPPA, MURALIDHAR Deputy Project Manager

Brief Job Description: Manage contract requirements, data and procedure outputs as required.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

7 PRIME TECH, INC. 10/f Ewestpod, Eton Westend Square, Yakal St. Cor. Don Chino Roces Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati ANDRE TRISTANTO DUHA Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

KYAR YAW Burmese Customer Service Representative 34.

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

WIN PAING Burmese Customer Service Representative 35.

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

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

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, JIAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

36.

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

37.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires. XIONG, YUANZHU Chinese Customer Service Representative

38.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. YANG, RUI Chinese Customer Service Representative

39.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires. ZHOU, QIAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

40.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. OLIVEIRA DOS SANTOS, THIAGO Customer Service Representative

41.

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

PONZI, GUILHERME OTAVIO Customer Service Representative 42.

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

LIM JINQ HOWN Malaysian Customer Service 43.

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

DICKY NGU LIE RUNG Malaysian Customer Service Representative 44.

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

CHAU HON KIET Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 45.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

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

GAO, YIFEI Investment Analyst 54.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese languages. 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 and Vietnamese languages.

55.

46.

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

DIP KHI DIN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 47.

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

DOAN THI LE Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 48.

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

LAU NHUC CHAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 49.

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

DAM, TRI OAI Client BPO Executive 56.

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

50.

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

LY NGAN BINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 51.

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

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

DONG PHU KIET Client BPO Executive 57.

52.

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

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

CHEN, ERKANG Head - Transaction Banking Unit 58.

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

BAI, XUEMENG Customer Service Representative

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

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

60.

61.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for overseeing the creation of new products or services. Communicating with team members to ensure they are meeting deadlines, resolving issues, and following procedures.

Basic Qualification: Must be native Indonesian/Vietnamese/ Singaporean/Korean/ Malaysian /Taiwanese/Indian/ Cambodian/Thai/Chinese and fluent in English and respective native language. With at least a year of experience in a similar field.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in both Mandarin/English language and with at least 5 years related work experience in transaction banking business.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 63.

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

70.

Brief Job Description: To support Multilingual Service Desk.

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

Brief Job Description: Provides support to troubleshoot equipment problems in the jobsite.

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

Brief Job Description: Ensure that the jobsite has the adequate and suitable resources to complete its work.

WANG, JINYI Finance Officer Brief Job Description: Assists in budget preparation and management activities.

SHUI, YUANPING Mechanical Technician 66.

Brief Job Description: Installing and performing diagnostic tests on mechanical system.

Brief Job Description: Manage all customer retention activities. Take initiative in customer satisfaction via process improvement plans and efficient reporting and flow of information.

PENG, XIAOYONG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 71.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for many clerical tasks to ensure the staff can communicate.

ZHU, YANBO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 72.

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operation of sales training department.

TRAN THI THUY TRINH Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 73.

Brief Job Description: Assist with drafting business plans, sales pitches, presentations, reference material, and other documents as required.

Basic Qualification: Experience in project management. Fluent in Chinese and English languages.

76.

78.

79.

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

Brief Job Description: Keeping up to date with design and software trends.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

Brief Job Description: Planning concepts by studying relevant information and materials.

NGUYEN THI HUYEN Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 80.

Brief Job Description: Planning concepts by studying relevant information and trends.

TAN CHUN HONG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 81.

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

Basic Qualification: Experience in handling site equipment. Fluent in Chinese and English languages.

LE DUC ANH Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

NGUYEN DINH DAI Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Experience in Finance Management. Fluent in Chinese and English languages.

Brief Job Description: Planning concepts by studying relevant information and materials.

LUC TIEU HUNG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Experience in Management. Fluent in Chinese and English languages.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

DANG THI NGHIA Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Experience in handling site equipment and fluent in Chinese and English languages.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

ZHOU, XIANG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 75.

Basic Qualification: Language proficient.

Basic Qualification: Experience in Project Management. Fluent in Chinese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Experience in superintendent. Fluent in Chinese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Experience in Survey Management. Fluent in Chinese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With proven track record of at least 5 years in a related industry. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

CRONYX INC. 6-12, 15-19/f Royal Peak Tower A, 485 Quirino Avenue, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

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

WITCZAK, MALGORZATA BOGUMILA Multilingual Service Desk Member

LU, HUAJIE Deputy Business Manager

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

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

TURAZASHVILI, NIKOLOZ Retention Operations Manager

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin language, both verbal and written.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

COLEWELL MARKETING PHILIPPINES, INC. 8/f Petron Megaplaza Bldg., 358 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

74.

Brief Job Description: To support Multilingual Service Desk.

ZHOU, JIANJUN Chief Technician

Brief Job Description: Prepare sketches and notes and perform electronic data collection.

TRUONG THI THUY LINH Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Basic Qualification: Language proficient.

Brief Job Description: Support the project supervisor in the planning and execution of project.

Brief Job Description: Direct and supervise superintendent, foreman and workers

XIE, CHENGLING Surveyor

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

SØFTING, DAN MICHAEL Multilingual Service Desk Member

LIU, ZHIHONG Assistant Project Supervisor

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Art, Graphic Design or Business Management and several years of industry experience.

68.

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

65.

53.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end-users via both telephone and work orders.

Brief Job Description: Manages a team of subcontractors, suppliers, and other parties involved in the project.

WANG, DEMING Site Senior Superintendent

77.

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

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

67.

69.

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

CHEN, CHEN Project Supervisor

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s or graduate degree in a financerelated discipline such as accounting, business, or economics.

BLUE-CHIP CENTRAL INC. 8/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Brief Job Description: In charge of the manual update for all products and services in the branch, and complete manuals for new products.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

BANK OF CHINA (HONG KONG) LIMITED - MANILA BRANCH G/f, 2/f, 28/f, West Retail The Finance Centre, 26th St. Cor 9th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Basic Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Investment Banking, Or Accounting. At least 2 years of work experience in a similar role.

No.

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

AP ADVISORY INC. 10/f 8 Rockwell, Hidalgo Cor. Plaza Drive, Rockwell Center, Poblacion, City Of Makati

GUO, JINGHUA Design And Project Manager

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

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

64. PHAM LE VAN DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

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

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

62. LUONG, THU HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Formulating investment strategies based on client goals. Managing client documents for tax reporting.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

59. CHU, NGUYEN HOANG DUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Develop complex financial models and analyze legal documents, liaise with fund managers and network with industry professionals. Look back at previous investment decisions and the thought process of making the investment decision.

WANG, GE Investment Consultant

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

TRAN THI HANG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 82.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

A6 A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION TRUONG VONG THE LONG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

83.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

VI VAN IEP Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 84.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

YANG, HANCHENG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 85.

Brief Job Description: Planning concepts by studying relevant information and materials.

HUANG, ZHENYIN Chinese Speaking HR Associate 86.

Brief Job Description: Managing HR records including, résumés, applicant logs, and employee forms.

SHI, DABO Chinese Speaking HR Associate 87.

Brief Job Description: Managing HR records including, résumés, applicant logs, and employee forms.

NGUYEN DUC HIEU Chinese Speaking Program Designer 88.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers; and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written.

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

89.

Brief Job Description: Performing basic admin duties including printing, sending emails, and ordering office supplies. CHEN, XIAOYU Bilingual Field Marketing Officer

90.

Brief Job Description: Provide valuable information about products and services to consumers. LIU, YU Bilingual Operations Manager

91.

Brief Job Description: Improve operational management systems, processes and best practices.

98.

99.

100.

101.

102.

92.

Brief Job Description: Prepare airline and custom documentation.

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

LIU, SONGPO Marketing And Sales Agent 103.

93.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming and outgoing calls, chats, and emails.

SAI SAI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 94.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers need to achieve satisfaction.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in bilingual languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SINGH, AMITDEEP Vice President - Transitions 104.

95.

Brief Job Description: Prioritizing your workload to ensure the most critical issues are resolve first.

105.

106.

107.

108.

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

109.

96.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

LEONG KIET WENG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 97.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

113.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the financial health of our company by managing financial procedures.

ANGGA CATUR SISWOYO Indonesian Account Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

KELVIN Indonesian Account Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

NG KUANG SIONG Indonesian Account Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

TASIYAH Indonesian Comptroller 110.

111.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Indonesia through blogs, micro blogs and forums.

HENDRI YANTO MANALU Indonesian Financial System Consultant Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HENDRY CHANDRA Indonesian Financial System Consultant Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

JIMMI CHANDRA Indonesian Financial System Consultant Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

114.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies; and can help to detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

Basic Qualification: With 20 years of shared services experience in Migrations, consulting, business transformation, mergers and acquisition.

115.

116.

117.

118.

119.

120.

121.

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

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months of experience with the position. Can multi-task and keen on details. Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese language fluently.

122.

123.

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

Basic Qualification: Create and implement financial policies to guarantee operational efficiency.

124.

125.

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

126.

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

127.

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

128.

129.

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

131.

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YOHANA ZEFANIA Indonesian Financial System Consultant

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

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

ANDRE LUKAS HUTAHURUK Indonesian IT Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

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

ANDREAN WINALDI Indonesian IT Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

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

CYNTHIA Indonesian IT Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

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

EDDY SUKAMTO Indonesian IT Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

ERWIN Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

EZA ORERA AGATA Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

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

RANDY GILANG NOVENTA Indonesian IT Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

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

RICKY STEFANUS WIDJAJA Indonesian IT Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

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

SANDRA WIJAYA Indonesian IT Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

SUWANTO Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

WILLY NICHOLAS ALWIJAYA Indonesian IT Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korea through blogs, micro blogs and forums.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Indonesian through blogs, microblogs and forums.

RIZKY ANANDA Indonesian Quality Control 130.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables.

EKO PERATAMA Indonesian Quality Control

Basic Qualification: Fluent in both Indonesian and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Maintaining hardware and software installations.

ANDY SETEFEN HALIM Indonesian Quality Control

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

WILLY WISON Indonesian Financial System Consultant

WINNIE Indonesian Financial System Consultant

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

GIGA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT INC. 31/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor. V.a. Rufino St.,, Bel-air, City Of Makati 2/f Lipam’s Building, 40 Presidents Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque

DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. 5th To 8th/f & 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

LI, LI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Brief Job Description: Execute transition of processes with end-to-end accountability. Establish Robust Project plan, clearly specifying various tollgates, tasks, planned/actual start and closure date, responsibility and completion status.

JIA, TAO Administrative Manager

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in Mandarin language.

112.

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

GH EXCELLENT CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Unit 1709 One Park Drive 9th Avenue Corner 11th Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

No.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in Mandarin language.

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

EXLSERVICE PHILIPPINES, INC. 6th Floor, One E-com Center, Harbor Drive, Mall Of Asia Complex, Pasay City

LAI, PING-HUA Marketing Consultant (Mandarin Speaking Clients) Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Chinese documentation.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent in bilingual languages.

DRAGONFLY TECHNOLOGIES INC. Unit 602 6/f Itc Bldg., 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

TANG, XIQIN Mandarin Support Specialist

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in bilingual languages.

DIGICHROM INC. 25/f Yuchengco Tower, Rcbc Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave. Cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati PUNG HEE YONG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers; and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St., Barangay 289, Binondo, City Of Manila

DEXIN INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CORP. 534, Tomas Mapua St., Barangay 298, Santa Cruz, City Of Manila LAN, JIABIN Chinese Cargo Office Agent

Brief Job Description: Planning concepts by studying relevant information and materials.

LI, JIANZHONG Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

YUAN, GUANGYOU Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

Brief Job Description: Entering and updating information into relevant databases.

THARAPHU HTOO AUNG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

Brief Job Description: Entering and updating information into relevant databases.

LIU, WEIGANG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good in verbal communication and written.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, JIE Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

CURRENTCORE SERVICES INC. Five Ecom Center Building, Block 18, Pacific Drive, Moa Complex, Barangay 76, Pasay City CHEN, JINGWEI Bilingual Back Office Manager

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Indonesian through blogs, microblogs and forums.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Exceptional ability to provide technical support and resolve queries. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in both Indonesian and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

UMMU ABDIRROHMAN ZULFA AL Indonesian Quality Control

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of incoming phone calls.

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION JEFFRY HALIM Indonesian Retention Specialist

132.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional, teams to translate digital, strategies into product deliverables. MUHAMMAD AJI WALUYO Indonesian Retention Specialist

133.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional, teams to translate digital, strategies into product deliverables. SUWANDY Indonesian Retention Specialist

134.

135.

136.

137.

138.

139.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional, teams to translate digital, strategies into product deliverables.

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

KIEVINDRA MANURUNG Indonesian Trainer

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Supervises the performance of training activities.

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

MAHES SUARAN Indonesian Trainer

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Supervises the training activities in the company.

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

MALVIN Indonesian Trainer

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Supervises the training activities in the company.

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

ROSMANITA Indonesian Trainer

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Supervises the performance of training activities.

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

148.

TAM ZHENG YANG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 149.

150.

Brief Job Description: Provide technical support for clients when necessary. Service existing clients and maintain business relationship. Established new accounts/client for the company. Provide report on clients, sales and product strength.

151.

152.

153. Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

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

LIU, YUNQING Chinese Marketing Specialist 144.

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

ZHANG, QIAN Chinese Marketing Specialist 145.

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

HYUNDAI ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. Unit 803 8th Floor, The Bonifacio Prime, Lot 14 Block 2 Mckinley Business Park,, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

HEO, JOONHO Construction Manager 146.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring of compliance for construction and safety regulations.

Basic Qualification: With a minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in railway constructions. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions.

ZHU, HEYI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 155.

Basic Qualification: With a minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in railway constructions.

No.

Basic Qualification: With a minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in railway constructions. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions.

WANG, YUE Chinese IT Specialist 162.

SUSANTI Indonesian Customer Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Experts at their product, and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

LE VAN QUANG Vietnamese Customer Support Representative 157.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints. THONG HENH PHU Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

158.

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

Basic Qualification: Ability to concentrate for lengthy periods. Good in verbal communication and written.

159.

Brief Job Description: Manage the WFM team. Provide effective coaching and feedback to the Assistant Managers and/or WFM Senior Executives to enable them to improve their performance.

164.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 3 years of work experience in managing workforce operations with the client and/or senior management interaction.

165.

160.

Brief Job Description: Coordinate between local professionals and clients regarding key business initiatives to consistently execute client relationship strategy, business development strategy and sales framework to help deliver value.

166.

161.

Brief Job Description: Leadership in health and safety planning, project management.

167.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for overseeing the design, installation and supply of electrical systems.

YAP FONG FAI Senior Interior, Design Manager 168.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s/college degree in any field. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Ensure all deliverables, deadlines and budgets are met. Managing project team, both internal and external, to ensure proper coordination with all consultants and project team members, where required. Oversee the review of shop drawings.

Basic Qualification: College degree in related field, and 3 years working experience. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: College degree in related field, and 3 to 4 years working experience. With multilingual competence. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: College degree in related field. 3 to 4 years working experience with multilingual competence. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

MARUBENI PHILIPPINES CORPORATION L.v. Locsin Building, Ayala/makati Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati KATO, AKIRA Assistant General Manager 169.

Brief Job Description: Lead and direct the consumer products and materials department of Marubeni Philippines corporation.

Basic Qualification: Confidential employee appointed by Japan head office. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

MINGFEI SERVICES INC. 5/f Phinma Plaza, 39 Plaza Drive, Poblacion, City Of Makati

SHU, JINGWEN Mandarin Computer Programmer 170.

Brief Job Description: Write programs in a variety of computer languages especially in Chinese-Mandarin language. Compile and write documentation of Mandarin program development.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 2 years of work experience in a similar position. Fluent in Chinese-Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

171.

172.

173. Basic Qualification: Fluency in Japanese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 174.

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

Brief Job Description: Directly handle complex individual projects and manage a group responsible for numerous construction contract actions involving contract development, awards, or change order processing, including negotiation and developing board briefing materials as necessary.

LUI, MAN LUNG Project Manager, Electrical

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

Basic Qualification: Master’s Degree holder.

Brief Job Description: Improving system efficiency by consulting with endusers and providing innovative solutions.

KIM, HANG A AVP-Contract & Bidding

JACOBS PROJECTS (PHILIPPINES), INC. 16/f South Tower, Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

SANTIAGO GONZALEZ, ANGEL ANTONIO Sector Lead - Water

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

MARINA SQUARE PROPERTIES, INC. 5/f Ag New World Manila Bay Hotel 1588, 1588 Mh Del Pilar Cor. P Gil., 076, Barangay 699, Malate, City Of Manila

ISLA LIPANA & CO. (PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS) 29/f Philamlife Tower,, 8767 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati YOSUKE, AKAHANE Senior Associate - Japanese Business Development

Brief Job Description: Research and develop core product differentiators, positioning and competitive analysis.

HUANG, MINFANG Chinese Speaking Technical Consultant

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

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

Brief Job Description: Providing leadership to the board and oversee budgeting, reporting, planning and auditing.

JIANG, MENGPENG Chinese Speaking Solutions Consultant

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven graphic designing experience. Good in verbal and written communication.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese language (writing and speaking).

MACRO EXCEL CONSULTANCY INC. Unit 606 6/f Vicente Madrigal Bdg., 6793 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

IOPEX TECHNOLOGIES PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 12b, 12th Flr, Net Lima Bldg., E Square, 5th Ave. Cor. 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

NARASIMHAN, RANGARAJAN WFM Manager

163.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven graphic designing experience. Good in verbal and written communication.

Brief Job Description: Exercise of discretion in the application of the principles, practices and techniques related to planning and analysis; design; development and implementation; maintenance; support; and management of information technology functions.

YOUN, OU SUP Operations Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven graphic designing experience. Good in verbal and written communication.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

LAYOSU CORPORATION U-403 La Sema Bldg., 8846 Sampaloc Cor. Estrella Sts., San Antonio, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LAN TIAN ZI XUN INC. Natividad Almeda Lopez St Unit 205 2/f Zen Tower, 1111, First District, 1000, Barangay 659, Ermita, City Of Manila

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

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Floor Building E, Six West Campus, Le Grand Avenue, Mckinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions.

SUN, YONGPENG Chinese Speaking Program Designer

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

143.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions.

SHIH, PEI-RONG Chinese Speaking Program Designer

156.

CAI, FUQU Chinese Marketing Specialist

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale, and budget.

LIN, CHIA-CHI Chinese Speaking Program Designer

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

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale, and budget.

WU, WEI Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

HEBE BEAUTY COSMETICS INC. 20th Floor Two Neo Building, 3rd Avenue Corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

142.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale, and budget.

WANG, YUSHENG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

154.

WANG, QIUHONG Technical Sales Engineer

Brief Job Description: Monitoring of compliance for construction and safety regulations.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

INFOVINE INC. 9/f Y Tower, Moa Complex, Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s/College Degree in Computer Science, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering or equivalent. At least 2-3 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required to this position.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring of compliance for construction and safety regulations.

LIM, NAMGYU Construction Manager

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

Brief Job Description: Answering employee questions regarding computer system.

147.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION KANG, YUNSEOK Construction Manager

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Supervises the training activities in the company.

Brief Job Description: Answering employee questions regarding computer system.

No.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

WOO, CHANGSIK Korean IT Support Specialist 141.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

BUKHARI NURMAN Indonesian Trainer

HWANG, ILJOONG Korean IT Support Specialist 140.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

175.

AUNG MYO HTAY Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

BUI VAN NAM Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DOAN XUAN QUYET Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DUONG VAN HIEU Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

GONG, LIN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

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

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

BusinessMirror

A10 A6 Tuesday, November 21, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

176.

177.

178.

179.

180.

181.

182.

183.

184.

185.

186.

187.

188.

189.

190.

191.

192.

193.

194.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HA, THI TRANG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

HOANG THI NGA Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

HOANG, NGOC DU Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LE FAR SI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LIANG, DESHE Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LIAO, DUZHEN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LUONG VAN HUONG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

MA, LI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NAY MYO SAT Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN MANH TOAN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN QUOC HUY Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN THI TUYEN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN TRONG NGHIA Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN, NGOC QUANG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN, THI HOI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN, VAN MINH Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN, VAN SON Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NONG, THI QUYNH DAN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

PHAM NGOC DIEP Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

No.

195.

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

196.

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

197.

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

198.

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

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

199.

200.

201.

Brief Job Description: Customer service.

VI, VAN CU Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

VO THI TUYET Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

WEI, YONGLI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

ZHANG, JIANFENG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

Brief Job Description: Feel comfortable navigating and managing Linux and Kubernetes systems. Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines using Gitlab CI or other automation tools.

DAO DUY KHOI Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 202.

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operation of sales training department.

LAI YEN PHUONG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 203.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for many clerical tasks to ensure the staff can communicate.

LE THI NGUYEN Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 204.

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

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operation of sales training department.

LE THI VAN Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 205.

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operation of sales training department.

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

NGUYEN THI LAN THO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 206.

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

207.

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operations of sales training department.

PHAM VAN THANG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 208.

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operation of sales training department.

PHAM THI THU THUY Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

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

No.

DOAN THANG LONG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 211.

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

212.

213.

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

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operation of sales training department.

LI, XIAODONG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 215.

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

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

PHAM VAN TU Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 216.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. With at least 5 years of work experience in a related field.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

PHAN THANH DAN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 217.

Brief Job Description: Provides administrative support to ensure efficient operation of sales training department.

THANT ZIN OO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 209.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team he/ she will be assigned to.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

PHAN THI NGOC DUNG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 218.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

219.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

WANG, CHENYUE Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 210.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team he/ she will be assigned to.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

VO SY NGUYEN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 220.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Assist with drafting business plans, sales pitches, presentations, reference material, and other documents as required.

TRAN THI HONG TRINH Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

WEE JEN JYE Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 221.

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

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

ZHANG, DEDI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

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

222.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

HOANG THI HUE Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 223.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

NGUYEN, DUC ANH Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 224.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

TRAN MANH TOAN Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 225.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

LE CONG DAT Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

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

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

GIENG XUAN PHUONG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

Brief Job Description: Assists with drafting business plans, sales pitches, presentations, reference material and other documents as required.

FAN, ZHINING Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

TRAN THI KHANH LINH Call Center Agent

LAKSHAY MOHANLAL BADLANI Systems Operations Senior Specialist

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

Brief Job Description: Customer service.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

NASDAQ TECHNOLOGY AB PHILIPPINES BRANCH 18th Floor Bgc Corporate Center, 30th Street Corner 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

SAKUNCHAROENWONG, WISITSAK Call Center Agent

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

214.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

AUNG KO MYO Chinese Speaking Program Designer 226.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers; and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong organization and project management skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organization and project management skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHEN, GUIWEN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

227.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers; and create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team. DINH, NHAT KIEN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

228.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians to deliver software solutions.

LEW WEN LONG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 229.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians to deliver software solutions.

LIN, ZIYANG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 230.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians to deliver software solutions.

LIU, JIE Chinese Speaking Program Designer 231.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with other IT specialists, technicians, etc., to deliver software solutions NGHIEM VAN QUYNH Chinese Speaking Program Designer

232.

233.

Brief Job Description: Scanning through information to identify pertinent information. TRINH DUC LINH Chinese Speaking Program Designer

234.

235.

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

236.

Brief Job Description: Recruit, support, train, and place employees of a company. Depending on the company’s size, a human resource department may have multiple specialists to perform specific tasks including overseeing performance reviews and maintaining employee records. TANG SZE MARN Mandarin Speaking HR Specialist

237.

238.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin operations supervisor will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

CHENG, LONGXIANG Mandarin Operations Supervisor 239.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

240.

Brief Job Description: SAP and Microsoft products and services sales.

241.

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

Brief Job Description: Mechanical technicians optimize the performance of mechanical products, machinery, and equipment.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin language is an advantage. Experience with welding, fabricating, and machining. Excellent problem-solving skills. Documenting machine safety and maintenance. Communicating with and supporting engineers.

PACIFIC SEA BPO SERVICES, INC. 16/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

DALA, IDALINA ROSARIA Data Analyst Officer 243.

Brief Job Description: Multilingual customer support, specifically for other Asian language.

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

Basic Qualification: Must be 21 years old and above. Graduate of any Vocational or Bachelor’s Degree Course. At least 1-year experience as Data Analyst or Customer Service. With good verbal and written communication 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

244.

MUIS Indonesian Language - Support Officer

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

245.

246.

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

Basic Qualification: 18-55 years old. With at least 6 months of work related experience. With good verbal and written communication skills. Knowledgeable in computer applications. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 18-55 years old. With at least 6 months of work related experience. With good verbal and written communication skills. Knowledgeable in computer applications.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation.

HOU, XUEKE Mandarin Language - Marketing Officer Brief Job Description: Create specific promotions for affiliates.

247.

KOIKE, YUICHI Nihongo Program Coordinator Brief Job Description: Overall in charge handling Nihongo department.

248.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Excellent in Mandarin language.

Brief Job Description: Create website layout/user interface by using standard HTML/CSS practices.

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

VCUSTOMER PHILIPPINES, INC. 3/f E-commerce Plaza Garden Road, Eastwood Cyberpark City, Bagumbayan 3, Quezon City GUERRA SANTOS, CHRISTOPHER WILFREDO Senior Associate - Quality (Spanish) 256.

Brief Job Description: Review standard quality working procedures to identify and address process gaps and raise red flags for possible risk issues.

257.

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 WESUPPORT, INCORPORATED U-d 25/f Bdo Towers Valero, 8741 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

KIKUDI, PATRICK LACORTE Service Desk Specialist - French Speaker

258.

249.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contract for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignments. WILLIAM JOHANNES Indonesian-language Customer Support Staff

250.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignments.

TIAKO, ARSENE KEVIN Service Desk Specialist - French Speaker

259. Basic Qualification: Strong project management, multitasking and decision making.

SCOTTLAND INC. 80 E Rodriguez, Jr. Ave., Bagumbayan, Quezon City

Brief Job Description: Directs and oversees revenue cycle management functions.

STRUIJK, JAN CORNELIS Manager For Product Development 252.

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

Brief Job Description: Develop and oversee the pastry program for all Lind Hotels locations. Train and mentor pastry team members to ensure quality and consistency. Ensure that the assigned team meets financial targets.

Basic Qualification: A native speaker of Vietnamese and fluent in English language (spoken and written).

Basic Qualification: A native speaker of Bahasa Indonesia and fluent in English language (spoken and written). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: 10 plus years of experience in BPO Operations. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Ability to lead and train a pastry team. Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with other teams. Experience in managing program budgets. Able to speak at least 3 foreign languages. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

253.

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

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation.

Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write Vietnamese language to cater foreign markets. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SOLIDLEISURE SOLUTIONS INC. Unit 1803a, 1803b, 1804a, 1804b & 1805a West Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig CHUNG, HSIN-YI Mandarin Project Manager 254.

Brief Job Description: Managing customer satisfaction within the project transition period.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in business or computer science or at least an associate’s degree in computer science or information systems. Significant proficiency in French and English language. Advanced computer literacy skills. Ability to adapt to a range of offer. 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: Outstanding organizational and time management skills.

KHENGSARIKIJ, JIRAPHON Digital Marketing Consultant - Bilingual Speaking 260.

Brief Job Description: Developing suitable digital marketing strategies based on clients business models.

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

WORLD & SCHEDULE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 10-e Fort Palm Spring Condominium, 30th St. Cor. 1st Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig YOO, JUNG A General Manager

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

SMARTMONETA INC. 6/f Iacademy Plaza, 324 Sen Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati ARIESTA APRILIA HENJAYANI Indonesian Language - Support Supervisor

Brief Job Description: Service Desk Specialist – French Speaker are information professionals who help French users resolve their issues with computer hardware and software. By responding to user inquiries, you shall assess problems and issues with IT equipment and applications.

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

261.

Brief Job Description: Overseeing daily business operations, develops strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s/college degree in any field. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Y N S PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 2102 21/f Antel Corporate Center, 121 Valero St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

SALES RAIN BPO, INC. 11th Floor One Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig PUNIA, SUNIL KUMAR Director For Operations

RUNNINGMAN CORPORATION 8/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati TO THI NGAN Customer Support Staff - Vietnamese Language

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

Basic Qualification: Must develop skills in areas like problem-solving, communication, and attention to detail. Strong communication skills are a critical component of an auto mechanic’s abilities. Time management also helps mechanics estimate how long each repair will take.

LI, BIN General Automotive Mechanic

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

Basic Qualification: 3 or more years of relevant previous customer service experience.

VEHICLE MASTER SERVICE CORP. #27, T. Santiago St., Canumay West, City Of Valenzuela

Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write Mandarin language to cater foreign markets.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of incoming phone calls.

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

255.

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

251.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin language both verbal and written.

Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write Indonesian language to cater to foreign markets.

WANG, WEI Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin operations supervisor, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Basic Qualification: MBA and extensive experience in handling and knowledge on SAP and Microsoft.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HUANG, FRED KUOWEI a.k.a. HUANG, KUO-WEI Mandarin Web Developer

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

RIDGE OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. 46/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin operations supervisor, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write Indonesian language to cater foreign markets.

PJ LINK LANGUAGE CENTER INC. 4/f Ricogen Bldg., 112 Aguirre St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation.

TIARA ARYUNI Indonesian Language - Support Officer

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of work experience and good verbal communication and written.

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

SUN, LIBO Customer Service Representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

NTT DATA PHILIPPINES, INC. 88 Corporate Centre, Valero St. Cor. Sedeno St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

SHARMA, RAHUL Senior Account Manager

242.

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

NEPC POWER CONSTRUCTION CORP. 15/f Cyber One Bldg., Eastwood Cyberpark City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City ZHAO, ZEYU Mandarin Deputy Project Supervisor

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

YIN, JIAJUN Chinese Mechanical Technician

A11

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

ORIENTAL POWER EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 1717 San Marcelino St., 075, Barangay 694, Malate, City Of Manila

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

NEO TERRA SERVICE CORP. 2/f Filipino Bldg., 135 Dela Rosa Cor. Legaspi And Bolanos Sts., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati DAM TUAN THANH Mandarin Speaking HR Specialist

No.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

262.

KUME, CHIKAU Senior Programmer Brief Job Description: Plan organize programming project for the team.

Basic Qualification: Excellent skills in managing task. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

YUKI SERVICE CORP. Unit 1206, 12th Floor Trade And Financial Tower, 7th Avenue And 32nd Street Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

LIN, WEIBIN Support Assistant 263.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for supporting office staff and performing administrative tasks.

Basic Qualification: Can speak, write, and type in Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Nov 20, 2023

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 17, 2023, the position of JOHAN under the company CASPO INCORPORATED, should have been read as OPERATIONS ANALYST and not as published. In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 18, 2023, the position of LAI, THI MAI under the company NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION, should have been read as VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE and not as published. Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

A12 Tuesday, November 21, 2023

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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

Heavy fighting erupts around another Gaza hospital after babies evacuated from Shifa By Najib Jobain & Samy Magdy

Hamas official Osama Hamdan dismissed the latest announcement, saying “the Israelis said there was a command and control center, which means that the matter is greater than just a tunnel.”

The Associated Press

HAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip— Heavy fighting erupted Monday around a hospital in northern Gaza where thousands of patients and displaced people have been sheltering for weeks, as Israeli forces focus on clearing out medical facilities that they say Hamas militants use for cover. The advance on the Indonesian Hospital came a day after the World Health Organization evacuated 31 premature babies from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the territory’s largest, where they were among more than 250 critically ill or wounded patients stranded there days after Israeli forces entered the compound. The plight of Gaza’s hospitals is at the focus of a battle of narratives over the war’s brutal toll on Palestinian civilians, thousands of whom have been killed or buried in rubble since the six-week-old war was sparked by Hamas’ October 7 rampage into southern Israel. Israel says Hamas uses civilians as human shields, while critics say Israel’s siege and relentless aerial bombardment amount to collective punishment of the territory’s 2.3 million Palestinians. Marwan Abdallah, a medical worker at the Indonesian Hospital, said Israeli tanks were visible from the windows. “You can see

them moving around and firing,” he said. “Women and children are terrified. There are constant sounds of explosions and gunfire.” Abdallah said the hospital had received dozens of dead and wounded in airstrikes and shelling overnight. He said medical staff and displaced people fear Israel will besiege the hospital and force its evacuation. Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra, who is now based in southern Gaza, said Israeli forces struck the hospital, killing at least 12 people. It was not possible to independently confirm the report. He said some 600 patients, 200 healthcare workers and 2,000 displaced people were sheltering there. The Israeli military, which rarely publicizes troop movements, had no immediate comment.

Babies evacuated

UN bodies were able to safely evacuate the babies, who were in

Three in four people displaced

MEDICAL staff care for prematurely born Palestinian babies that were brought from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to the hospital in Rafah, Gaza Strip on Sunday, November 19, 2023. AP/HATEM ALI

critical condition, from Shifa to a hospital in southern Gaza, and plan to transport them to a hospital in neighboring Egypt. Four other babies died in the two days before the evacuation, according to Mohamed Zaqout, the director of Gaza hospitals. Over 250 patients with severely infected wounds and other urgent conditions remain in Shifa, which could no longer provide most treatment after it ran out of water, medical supplies and fuel for emergency generators amid a territory-wide blackout. Israeli forces battled Palestinian militants outside its gates for days before entering the facility last Wednesday. Israel’s army said it had strong evidence supporting its claims that Hamas maintained a sprawling command post inside and under the hospital’s 20-acre complex, which includes several buildings, garages and a plaza. The military released a video showing what it said was a tunnel

discovered at the hospital, 55-meter (60-yard) long and about 10 meters (33 feet) below ground. It said the tunnel included a staircase and a firing hole that could be used by gunmen, and ended at a blast-proof door that troops have not yet opened. The Associated Press couldn’t independent ly ver if y Israel ’s findings, which included security camera video showing what the military said were two foreign hostages, one Thai and one Nepalese, who were captured by Hamas in the October 7 attack and taken to the hospital. The army also said an investigation had determined that Israeli army Cpl. Noa Marciano, another captive whose body was recovered in Gaza, had been injured in an Israeli strike on November 9 that killed her captor, but was then killed by a Hamas militant in Shifa. Hamas and hospital staff have denied the allegations of a command post under Shifa. Senior

ISRAEL has repeatedly ordered Palestinians to leave northern Gaza and seek refuge in the south, which has also been under aerial bombardment since the start of the war. Some 1.7 million people, nearly three quarters of Gaza’s population, have been displaced, with 900,000 packing into crowded UN-run shelters, according to the UN. Doctors Without Borders, an international aid group, said 70 people were killed and at least 52 wounded, including children, in strikes in the southern town of Khan Younis on Saturday. It said it was performing 10 burn surgeries a day at the town’s overwhelmed Nasser Hospital, where hundreds of people who need such surgeries must wait for care. More than 11,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities. Another 2,700 have been reported missing, believed buried in rubble. The count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, and Israel says it has killed thousands of militants. About 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mainly civilians during the October 7 attack, in which Hamas dragged some 240 captives back into Gaza. The military says 63 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Hamas has released four hostages, Israel has rescued one, and the

bodies of two were found near Shifa. Israel, the United States and Qatar, which mediates with Hamas, have been negotiating a much larger hostage release for weeks. Israel’s three-member war cabinet is to meet with representatives of the hostages’ families on Monday evening.

Yemen rebels seize ship

YEMEN’S Houthi rebels seized a Israeli-linked cargo ship in the southern Red Sea and took its 25 crew members hostage Sunday, raising fears that regional tensions heightened by the war were spilling into the seas. The Iran-backed rebel group said it would continue to target ships connected to Israel. No Israelis were aboard the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader, which was operated by a Japanese company with crewmembers from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Mexico. Public shipping databases associated the ship’s owners with Ray Car Carriers, a company founded by Abraham Ungar, who is known as one of the richest people in Israel. Ungar told The Associated Press he was aware of the incident but couldn’t comment as he awaited details. A ship linked to him experienced an explosion in 2021 in the Gulf of Oman. Israeli media blamed it on Iran at the time. The Galaxy Leader was taken to Yemen’s port city of Hodeida, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. Japanese officials were negotiating with the rebels for the release of the ship and its crew, said Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

Rosalynn Carter, outspoken former first lady, dies at 96 By Bill Barrow & Michael Warren The Associated Press

TL A NTA—For mer f irst lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as US president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, has died at the age of 96. The Carter Center said she died Sunday after living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. The statement said she “died peacefully, with family by her side” at 2:10 p.m. at her rural Georgia home of Plains. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” the former president said in the statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.” President Joe Biden called the Carters “an incredible family because they brought so much grace to the office.” “He had this great integrity, still does. And she did too,” Biden told reporters as he was boarding Air Force One on Sunday night after an event in Norfolk, Virginia. “God bless them.” Biden said he spoke to the family and was told that Jimmy Carter was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Later, the White House released a joint statement from the president and first lady Jill Biden saying that Carter inspired the nation. “She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for every person; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of

our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities,” the statement added. Reaction from world leaders poured in throughout the day. The Carters were married for more than 77 years, forging what they both described as a “full partnership.” Unlike many previous first ladies, Rosalynn sat in on Cabinet meetings, spoke out on controversial issues and represented her husband on foreign trips. Aides to President Carter sometimes referred to her—privately—as “co-president.” “Rosalynn is my best friend ... the perfect extension of me, probably the most influential person in my life,” Jimmy Carter told aides during their White House years, which spanned from 1977-1981. The former president, now 99, remains at the couple’s home in Plains after entering hospice care himself in February. Fiercely loyal and compassionate as well as politically astute, Rosalynn Carter prided herself on being an activist first lady, and no one doubted her behindthe-scenes influence. When her role in a highly publicized Cabinet shakeup became known, she was forced to declare publicly, “I am not running the government.” Many presidential aides insisted that her political instincts were better than her husband’s—they often enlisted her support for a project before they discussed it with the president. Her iron will, contrasted with her outwardly shy demeanor and a soft Southern accent, inspired Washington reporters to call her “the Steel Magnolia.” Both Carters said in their later years that Rosalynn had always been the more political of the two. After Jimmy Carter’s landslide defeat in 1980, it was she, not the

former president, who contemplated an implausible comeback, and years later she confessed to missing their life in Washington. Jimmy Carter trusted her so much that in 1977, only months into his term, he sent her on a mission to Latin A merica to tell dictators he meant what he said about denying militar y aid and other support to v iolators of human rights. She also had strong feelings about the style of the Carter White House. The Carters did not serve hard liquor at public functions, though Rosalynn did permit US wine. There were fewer evenings of ballroom dancing and more square dancing and picnics. Throughout her husband’s political career, she chose mental health and problems of the elderly as her signature policy emphasis. When the news media didn’t cover those efforts as much as she believed was warranted, she criticized reporters for writing only about “sexy subjects.” As honorary chairwoman of the President’s Commission on Mental Health, she once testified before a Senate subcommittee, becoming the first first lady since Eleanor Roosevelt to address a congressional panel. She was back in Washington in 2007 to push Congress for improved mental health coverage, saying, “We’ve been working on this for so long, it finally seems to be in reach.” She said she developed her interest in mental health during her husband’s campaigns for Georgia governor. “I used to come home and say to Jimmy, ‘Why are people telling me their problems?’ And he said, ‘Because you may be the only person they’ll ever see who may be close to someone who can help them,’”

she explained. After Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election, Rosalynn Carter seemed more visibly devastated than her husband. She initially had little interest in returning to the small town of Plains, where they both were born, married and spent most of their lives. “I was hesitant, not at all sure that I could be happy here after the dazzle of the White House and the years of stimulating political battles,” she wrote in her 1984 autobiography, “First Lady from Plains.” But “we slowly rediscovered the satisfaction of a life we had left long before.” A fter leav ing Washing ton, Jimmy and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in Atlanta to continue their work. She chaired the center’s annual symposium on mental health issues and raised funds for efforts to aid the mentally ill and homeless. She also wrote “Helping Yourself Help Others,” about the challenges of caring for elderly or ailing relatives, and a sequel, “Helping Someone With Mental Illness.” Frequently, the Carters left home on humanitarian missions, building houses with Habitat for Humanity and promoting public health and democracy across the developing world. “I get tired,” she said of her travels. “But something so wonderful always happens. To go to a village where they have Guinea worm and go back a year or two later and there’s no Guinea worm, I mean the people dance and sing—it’s so wonderful.” In 2015, Jimmy Carter’s doctors discovered four small tumors on his brain. The Carters feared he had weeks to live. He was treated with a drug to boost his immune system, and later announced that

doctors found no remaining signs of cancer. But when they first received the news, she said she didn’t know what she was going to do. “I depend on him when I have quest ions, when I ’m w r it ing speeches, anything, I consult with him,” she said. She helped Carter recover several years later when he had hip replacement surgery at age 94 and had to learn to walk again. And she was with him earlier this year when he decided after a series of hospital stays that he would forgo further medical interventions and begin end-of-life care. Jimmy Carter is the longestlived US president. Rosaly nn Carter was the second longestlived of the nation’s first ladies, trailing only Bess Truman, who died at age 97. Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains on August 18, 1927, the eldest of four children. Her father died when she was young, so she took on much of the responsibility of caring for her siblings when her mother went to work part time. She also contributed to the family income by working after school in a beauty parlor. “We were very poor and worked hard,” she once said, but she kept up her studies, graduating from high school as class valedictorian. She soon fell in love with the brother of one of her best friends. Jimmy and Rosalynn had known each other all their lives—it was Jimmy’s mother, nurse Lillian Carter, who delivered baby Rosalynn—but he left for the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, when she was still in high school. After a blind date, Jimmy told his mother: “That’s the girl I want to marry.” They wed in 1946, shortly after his graduation from

Annapolis and Rosalynn’s graduation from Georgia Southwestern College. Their sons were born where Jimmy Carter was stationed: John William (Jack) in Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1947; James Earl III (Chip) in Honolulu in 1950; and Donnel Jeffery (Jeff) in New London, Connecticut, in 1952. Amy was born in Plains in 1967. By then, Carter was a state senator. Navy life had provided Rosalynn her first chance to see the world. When Carter’s father, James Earl Sr., died in 1953, Jimmy Carter decided, without consulting his wife, to move the family back to Plains, where he took over the family farm. She joined him there in the day-to-day operations, keeping the books and weighing fertilizer trucks. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business,” Rosalynn Carter recalled with pride in a 2021 interview with The Associated Press. “I knew more on paper about the business than he did. He would take my advice about things.” At the height of the Carters’ political power, Lillian Carter said of her daughter-in-law: “She can do anything in the world with Jimmy, and she’s the only one. He listens to her.” Ceremonies celebrating the life of Rosalynn Carter will take place after the Thanksgiving holiday in Atlanta and Sumter County, Georgia, the Carter Center announced Sunday evening. The repose on November 27, at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, is open to the public. A private funeral and interment will take place Nov. 29 but the services will be broadcast on TV and streamed online, the center said.

TheWorld BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 A13

Fiery populist Javier Milei wins Argentina’s presidency and promises ‘drastic’ changes By Daniel Politi & David Biller

The Associated Press

UENOS AIRES, Argentina— Populist Javier Milei resoundingly won Argentina’s presidential election Sunday, swinging the country to the right following a fiercely polarized campaign in which he promised a dramatic shake-up to the state to deal with soaring inflation and rising poverty.

With 99.4 percent of votes tallied in the presidential runoff, Milei had 55.7 percent and Economy Minister Sergio Massa 44.3 percent, according to Argentina’s electoral authority. It is the highest percentage that a presidential candidate has received since the South American country’s return to democracy in 1983. In the streets of Buenos Aires, drivers honked their horns and many took to the streets to celebrate in several neighborhoods. Outside Milei’s party headquarters, a hotel in downtown Buenos Aires, a full-on party kicked off with supporters singing, buying beers from vendors and setting off colored smoke bombs. They waved Argentine flags and the yellow Gadsden flag, emblazoned with the words “Don’t Tread On Me,” which Milei’s movement has adopted. Inside, the self-described anarcho-capitalist who has been

compared to former US President Donald Trump, delivered his victory speech, saying the “reconstr uction of A rgentina begins today.” “Argentina’s situation is critical. The changes our country needs are drastic. There is no room for gradualism, no room for lukewarm measures,” Milei told supporters, who chanted “Liberty, liberty!” and “Let them all leave” in a reference to the country’s political class. Massa of the ruling Peronist party had already conceded defeat, saying Argentines “chose another path.” “Starting tomorrow...guaranteeing the political, social and economic functions is the responsibility of the new president. I hope he does,” Massa said. With a Milei victory, the country will take an abrupt shift rightward and a freshman lawmaker who got his start as a television talking head blasting what he

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Javier Milei, right, celebrates with his sister Karina Milei during his victory speech after winning a presidential runoff election in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sunday, November 19, 2023. AP/NATACHA PISARENKO

called the “political caste” will assume the presidency. Inflation has soared above 140 percent and poverty has worsened while Massa has held his post. Milei has said he would slash the size of the government, dollarize the economy and eliminate the Central Bank as a way to tackle galloping inflation that he blames on successive governments printing money indiscriminately in order to fund public spending. He also espouses several conservative social policies, including an opposition to sex education in schools and abortion, which Argentina’s Congress legalized in 2020. “This is a triumph that is less due to Milei and his peculiarities and particularities and more to the demand for change,” said Lucas Romero, the head of Synopsis, a local political consulting firm. “What is being expressed at the polls is the weariness, the fatigue, the protest vote of the majority of Argentines.”

Massa’s campaign cautioned Argentines that his libertarian opponent’s plan to eliminate key ministries and otherwise sharply curtail the state would threaten public services, including health and education, and welfare programs many rely on. Massa also drew attention to his opponent’s often aggressive rhetoric and openly questioned his mental acuity; ahead of the first round, Milei sometimes carried a revving chainsaw at rallies. “There were a lot of voters that weren’t convinced to vote Milei, who would vote null or blank. But come the day of the vote, they voted for Milei because they’re all pissed off,” Andrei Roman, CEO of Brazil-based pollster Atlas Intel, said by phone. “Everyone talked about the fear of Milei winning. I think this was a fear of Massa winning and economy continuing the way it is, inflation and all that.” Milei accused Massa and his

allies of running a “campaign of fear” and he walked back some of his most controversial proposals, such as loosening gun control. In his final campaign ad, Milei looks at the camera and assures voters he has no plans to privatize education or health care. Milei’s screeds resonated widely with Argentines angered by their struggle to make ends meet, particularly young men. “Incredibly happy, ecstatic, it’s a global historical phenomenon!” Luca Rodríguez, a 20-year-old law student, said outside Milei’s headquarters after spraying a bottle of champagne into the air onto those around him, who squealed with glee. “I want to break free from this ridiculous elite that takes away all our rights, all the tax money that pressures us and doesn’t let us live in peace.” Two Milei supporters in the raucous crowd were 32-year-old identical twins, both dressed in matching grey tank tops with Argentine flags draped over their shoulders. “We want a change, we want everything to improve,” Amilcar Rollo said beside his brother, Gabriel. “It’s the hope for something new from someone who hasn’t been there and has different ideas. Otherwise, it’s just the same as always.” Most pre-election polls, which have been notoriously wrong at every step of this year’s campaign, showed a statistical tie between the two candidates or Milei slightly ahead. Underscoring the bitter division this campaign has brought to the fore, Milei received both jeers and cheers on Friday night

at the legendary Colón Theater in Buenos Aires. The acrimony was also evident Sunday when Milei ’s running mate, Victoria Villaruel, went to vote and was met by protesters angry at her claims that the number of victims from Argentina’s bloody 1976-1983 military dictatorship is far below what human rights organizations have long claimed, among other controversial positions. T he vote took pl ace a m id Milei ’s allegations of possible electoral fraud, reminiscent of those from Trump and former far-r ight Bra zi l ian President Jair Bolsonaro. Without providing evidence, Milei claimed that the first round of the presidential election was plagued by irregularities that affected the result. Experts say such irregularities cannot swing an election, and that his assertions were partly aimed at firing up his base and motivating his supporters to become monitors of voting stations. Many have expressed concerns they undermine democratic norms. Both Bolsonaro and Trump congratulated Milei on social media. “The whole world was watching! I am very proud of you,” Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social. “You will turn your Country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!” And posting on X, formerly Twitter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also commended Milei. “We look forward to continuing bilateral cooperation based on shared values and interests,” Blinken wrote.

Fires in Brazil threaten jaguars, houses and plants in the world’s largest tropical wetlands By Lucas Dumphreys & Diane Jeantet The Associated Press

OCONE, BRAZIL—Firefighters in Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands earlier this month celebrated the end of the fire season on Facebook, saying in a November 7 post that “it is a relief for everyone who lives in the region.” They spoke too soon. In the first two weeks of November, fires fueled by unusually dry and hot weather destroyed nearly 770,000 hectares (1.9 million acres) of the world ’s largest tropical wetlands, preliminary figures from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro show. This accounts for 65 percent of the damage done by fires in the region this year. Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, a federal agency, detected 3,380 fires in the Pantanal in the first 17 days of November, compared to just 69 in the same period a year ago, and well beyond previous fire season records dating back to 1998. The Pantanal holds thousands of plant and animal species, including 159 mammals, and it abounds with jaguars, according to the World Wildlife Fund. During the rainy season, rivers overf low their banks, flood the land and make most of it accessible only by boat and plane. In the dry season, wildlife enthusiasts flock to see the normally furtive jaguars lounging on riverbanks, along with macaws, caimans and capybaras.

Much of the Encontro das Aguas (Meeting of the Waters) park, located at the border of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states—known for its large jaguar population—had turned from emerald green to dark brown. A team of Associated Press journalists on the ground spotted a large jaguar licking its paws by the river banks, lying on a bed of burnt vegetation. “If this continues every year, there won’t be anymore (jaguars), they’ll go away, they’ll find a way, like people and run to the city,” said Leonisio da Silva, a 53-year-old resident of the park. “It is going to end.” Jaguars in the park, which covers more than 1,000 square kilometers (over 400 square miles), are accustomed to human observation and have been a top ecotourism draw for more than 15 years. Their preservation and that of their natural habitat are essential in a region. Firefighters, troops and volunteers are working night and day to try and stop the fires, which are threatening not only the region’s rich fauna and flora but also houses and touristic guesthouses. And there is little outlook for any near-term help from rainfall. “This is so atypical,” said Renata Libonati, who coordinates the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro’s alert system for fires in the Pantanal. The fire season usually ends in October, when the air gets more humid and it begins to rain. “What we’re

WILDFIRES consume an area near the Transpantaneira, also known as MT-060, a road that crosses the Pantanal wetlands, near Pocone, Mato Grosso state, Brazil on Saturday, November 18, 2023. AP/ANDRE PENNER

seeing is an extension of the fire season.” Libonati said the heat wave that swept through much of Brazil this week, combined with the El Niño phenomenon led to higher temperatures and drier weather conditions, both favorable to fires. Firefighters and authorities in the Pantanal region are also faced with a logistical nightmare. Angelo Rabelo, president of a local environmental group that oversees a protected area of about 300,000 hectares (1,160 square miles), runs his own fire brigade, currently comprised of eight members, working alongside a small team of national

forest firefighters. “Access to some areas, especially the fire heads, necessarily implies...the arrival of helicopters,” he said. The state of Mato Grosso do Sul launched on November 14 a joint task force, mobilizing the state’s entire fleet of aircraft to help firefighters, either dropping water on fires or flying out firefighters to the region’s most remote locations. It also declared a state of emergency in four municipalities most affected by forest fires and where parks and protected areas were particularly at risk. The neighboring state of Mato Grosso said it had also strengthened its workforce, with about 200 federal and state

firefighters on the ground. The state’s Secretary of Environment said it will invest an additional 6.4 million reais (1.3 million dollars) in the region. Intense fires were reported around the main access ways to the biome, or area classified according to the species that live in that location. Videos shared on social media showed a car driving down the BR-262 highway, with flames on each side, as if passing through a corridor of fire. Thick smoke emanating from the fires reduced visibility this week, with the Federal Highway Police closing the BR-262 at one point, and reports of a small private plane crashing, injuring

four. Lack of visibility also hindered rescue efforts, firefighters said. Some on the ground were also growing frustrated with authorities’ seemingly slow response. Enderson Barreto, a 25-year-old veterinarian in Porto Jofre, a small municipality close to the Meeting of the Waters park, said his and other colleagues’ pleas for help weeks ago were left unanswered, until it was too late. “We alerted several times in relation to the fires,” Barreto said, adding that people told them they were being too alarmist. “Greater energy should have been put out when the fires were not in such large proportions. Today it is totally out of control.” When he is not rescuing animals from the fires, Barreto is helping firefighters combat the flames. He said the impacts were “unmeasurable.” Fires are frequent in the Pantanal and vegetation can regenerate quickly with rain. But when the fires are too intense, or attack more densely forested areas, the wildlife that survive are left stranded without habitat. This year’s fires, for now, are not as dramatic as those of 2020, when flames engulfed more than 3.5 million hectares of wetlands, or about 30 percent of the Pantanal, killing and injuring countless animals, including jaguars. From where he was standing, Barreto said, small reptiles and amphibians seem to be the main victims in this year’s tragedy. “They are invisible victims, but they are the base of the chain, for the balance of this ecosystem,” the young veterinarian said. Jeantet contributed from Rio de Janeiro.

A14 Tuesday, November 21, 2023 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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US-PHL nuclear deal has myriad benefits

uring the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries imposed an embargo against the United States in retaliation for the US decision to re-supply arms to the Israeli military. The price of oil per barrel first doubled, then quadrupled, imposing skyrocketing costs on consumers. The embargo brought the economies of oil-importing countries like the Philippines to their knees. President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos pushed for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country in response to the 1973 oil crisis. Construction work for the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant started in July 1976. The plant was completed in 1984 at a cost of $1.9 billion. However, due to safety concerns related to earthquakes, the nuclear plant was never operated. Following the April 1986 Chernobyl accident, President Corazon Aquino decided to mothball the plant. Fast forward to November 2023: Under the administration of the late former president’s son and namesake, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippines and the United States signed in San Francisco on Thursday an “Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy,” or the so-called 123 Agreement. This revives a 1968 nuclear cooperation agreement signed during the administration of the late strongman allowing the US to share its technology to the Philippines for peaceful purposes. The signing of the agreement marks the culmination of negotiations between the two governments launched less than a year ago. The landmark nuclear deal, signed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, will facilitate US exports of nuclear equipment and materiel to the Philippines for peaceful uses. “I believe congratulations are in order for the work of our respective negotiating teams, especially to the teams from the US as I am only just been informed that this is the fastest 123 Agreement that the US has come to and for that, we are very grateful,” President Marcos said. The President added that the administration will be very glad in pursuing nuclear energy as part of the country’s energy mix by 2032 through the partnership forged with the American providers. “We see nuclear energy becoming a part of the Philippine energy mix by 2032, and we would be more than happy to pursue this path with the United States as one of our partners,” Marcos said in his remarks during the signing ceremony. “The signing of the 123 Agreement is the first major step in this regard, taking our cooperation on capacity building further and actually opening the doors for US companies to invest and participate in nuclear power projects in the country,” he added. The President said that he is pleased to witness another milestone towards a more energy-secure and green Philippines as he recalled his first State of the Nation Address where he laid out plans for ensuring an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy supply in the Philippines. In his message, Secretary Blinken thanked President Marcos and the Philippine government officials for the continued relations between the US and the Philippines and for the expanded partnership to meet the biggest challenges that the people are facing. “Today, we take another step to do that. By deepening our cooperation to accelerate the transition to clean energy in the Philippines,” Blinken said, as he recognized President Marcos’ efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030 and increasing the production of clean energy. The 123 Agreement comes at a time when the country is looking for clean and sustainable energy options. As Philippine energy demands are expected to quadruple by 2040, nuclear power can efficiently supplement the country’s critical energy needs without emitting more greenhouse gases. The nuclear deal has myriad benefits, Lotilla said. “Beyond nuclear power applications to combat climate change, the new agreement facilitates bilateral cooperation in a wide array of other peaceful uses of atomic energy—all supportive of various Sustainable Development Goals—including plant breeding, livestock production, insect pest control, soil and crop management, water use efficiency, plastic waste disposal, food safety, health and medicine.”

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hen credit rating agencies give a nation a thumbs up, it means it is doing good and on the right track, notwithstanding the challenges facing the global economy.

Fitch Ratings, one of the major international debt watchers, affirmed its investment-grade credit rating of “BBB” for the Philippines with a stable outlook, despite the global economic headwinds such as China’s growth slowdown, the elevated interest rates in the United States and the geopolitical tension in the Middle East and Europe. This is a vote of confidence by Fitch on the economic fundamentals of the Philippines, whose economy grew 5.9 percent in the third quarter and 5.5 percent in the first nine months of 2023, among the highest in Southeast Asia. An overlooked number is the gross national income (GNI), which expanded 12.1 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, as net primary income (NPl) from the rest of the world surged 112.5 percent during the period. GNI is a broader measure of the economy because it sums up the gross domestic product and income from overseas sources. This is highly ap-

plicable to the Philippines because of the impact of remittances from overseas Filipino workers and the business process outsourcing receipts on domestic output. Our economy achieved this growth despite the surge in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ overnight borrowing rate—from 2 percent at the height of the pandemic to 6.5 percent today. The overnight lending rate is now at 7.0 percent. Hopefully, the softening of inflation to 4.9 percent in October from 6.1 percent in September will provide the BSP elbowroom to pause and eventually exit its monetary tightening cycle. Companies need low-interest loans to support expansion, hire additional workers and meet rising consumer demand. If the interest rates are higher than the projected increase in profit and previous financing terms, businesses will be discouraged from taking out bank loans or repaying old debt. Individual borrowers also wait

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Fitch, in keeping the credit score of the Philippines, noted the economy’s strong medium-term growth prospects, declining liabilities, macroeconomic stability and sound economic rules. It expects economic growth in the country to average more than 6 percent in the medium term, which is slightly below the government’s target range of 6.5 percent to 8.0 percent for 2024 to 2028.

Keep your pessimism porn

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Fitch’s vote of confidence

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

S I pass another “timeline” milestone this week, I will admit that 40 years ago I genuinely thought that by this time I would be “mellow.” The word comes from the Late Middle English period from the 14th century and until the 15th century and meant “ripe, sweet, and juicy.” I am far from that, but it is not my fault. There is an inherent goodness in humans that historically expected the world to be better tomorrow than it is today. Most of the predictions for the 21st century going back 100 years painted a rosy future like with flying cars. Nikola Tesla wrote in a 1935 magazine article that by the 21st century it simply would not be “sophisticated” to poison our systems with “harmful stimulants like caffeine and nicotine.” Then again,

he called alcohol an “elixir of life.” Smart man. He also predicted that newspaper headline news would, “give a mere ‘stick’ in the back pages to accounts of crime or political controversies.” The front pages would mostly cover science. Maybe he was correct. ABC News headline: “Here’s a List of 58 Gender Options.” Moving in to the 2000s, one respected geopolitical think-tank leader strongly believed (‘The Next 100 Years’ by George Friedman-Geopolit-

for more favorable rates to start purchasing homes, cars and gadgets. Fitch, in keeping the credit score of the Philippines, noted the economy’s strong medium-term growth prospects, declining liabilities, macroeconomic stability and sound economic rules. It expects economic growth in the country to average more than 6 percent in the medium term, which is slightly below the government’s target range of 6.5 percent to 8.0 percent for 2024 to 2028. The government’s growth projections considered the risks posed by the El Niño drought and other natural disasters, global trade tensions and value chain disruptions. Fitch is generous in heaping praises on the government’s performance so far. “The Marcos administration, in office since June 2022, has continued with structural economic re-

The flagellants are ignorant of where we came from. As a result, we are all getting increasingly large amounts of “Pessimism Porn.” Like sex porn, it makes you feel superior. A former editor of The New York Times Magazine wrote this. Pessimism porn “feeds a powerful sense of intellectual vanity. You walk the streets feeling superior to all these heedless knaves who have no clue what’s coming. Its main message is suffering.” No thanks. I am more of a “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” guy. ical Futures) that by now both Russia and China would be mere shadows of their former selves. From a synopsis: “In the early 2020s, the New Cold War will end when the economic strain and political pressure on Russia, coupled with a declining population and poor infrastructure, cause the federal government to completely collapse.” Friedman also guessed that

forms, passing a new law streamlining PPP [public-private partnerships] processes in September 2023, which could help catalyze private investment to address the Philippines’ large infrastructure gaps. This follows the foreign investment act and public service act passed in 2022, which opened up more areas of the economy to foreign and private investment,” Fitch says in its report. It describes the BSP’s inflationtargeting framework and foreign exchange policies as “credible.” The peso has been stable in recent weeks averaging about 56.0 against the US dollar. Per BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr., the central bank will continue to be data dependent in managing inflation expectations to avoid the second-round effects of supply shocks. This proactive policy of the BSP aims to avert any further price spikes and is seen as a better step than just responding to a development after it happened. The repercussion is that the BSP measures may take longer to untangle, like its monetary tightening cycle. The BSP does not want sudden policy changes so as not to confuse the financial markets. Fitch also expects the gradual reduction in government debt to GDP ratio over the medium term, after it rose during the pandemic years when the government strengthened its social protection and unleashed economic stimulus programs to revive the economy. It sees the government debt-to-GDP level improving See “Villar,” A15

China would fragment, with “the central government gradually losing much of its real power and the provinces becoming increasingly autonomous.” How can I be mellow without my flying car, “strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries as large as apples,” knowing that soon AI will control everything except Elon Musk? Over the past 20+ years there has been a disturbing trend in the West. Repeated surveys of younger generations show a depressing belief that life on earth is getting worse, not better. Yet by virtually every quality of a life measure, both on the global average and country-specific, human life has never been any better. Absolute poverty based on $2.00 PPP per day in 1950 was 80 percent of the world. It is now 10 percent. Life expectancy, daily calories per person, access to clean water/electricity, literacy, maternal/infant/childhood mortality, average length of education, the list is extensive. Seventy-three years ago, a total See “Mangun,” A15

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South Korea warns Kim Delinquent corporations Jong Un to halt imminent Atty. Mabel L. Buted satellite launch Tax Law for Business

By Jon Herskovitz & Seyoon Kim

orth Korea could try to put a satellite into orbit within the next week or so, a South Korean official said, as Seoul warned Pyongyang to halt a rocket launch it sees violating UN Security Council resolutions. Kang Ho-pil, the chief director of operations at South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Pyongyang “to immediately stop” preparations for another launch after two previous efforts failed. “If North Korea goes ahead with the military spy satellite launch despite our warning, our military will come up with necessary measures to protect the lives and safety of our people,” he was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency on Monday. He did not elaborate on what measures South Korea had in mind. The North Korean launch could come before South Korea’s planned launch on November 30 of its first home-grown spy satellite, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said on a KBS television program Sunday. The South Korean satellite is set to be fired from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, he said. While officials in Seoul have said they believe a North Korean spy satellite would be rudimentary at best, it could help Pyongyang refine its target lists as it rolls out new missiles designed to deliver nuclear strikes in South Korea and Japan. Those nations host the bulk of the US’s military personnel in the region. North Korea’s first attempt this year to put a spy satellite in orbit took place on May 31 and the rocket failed a few minutes into flight when the second stage engine did not ignite. South Korea salvaged the wreckage from international waters in the Yellow Sea, giving it a rare look at North Korean rocket technology. North Korea also tried and failed to put a spy satellite into orbit on August 24. The state’s official media said the rocket had trouble with its third stage. Leader Kim Jong Un then made a rare trip abroad to Russia for talks in

Mangun. . .

Continued from A14

of 35 nations had decriminalized same-sex relations. Now it is 135. Since 1970, global tree cover has increased by a net of 3 million square kilometers or some 40 percent. You may argue against the “improving life” thesis for your own particular political/social/economic agenda, but you cannot change the facts. What I see that has dramatically changed in my lifetime is a move to increasing “Flagellantism.” Flagellantism was a 14thcentury movement, consisting primarily of penitents in the Catholic Church. The first recorded incident was in Central Italy in 1259, the year after severe crop damage and famine throughout Europe, when adherents “began beating their flesh in a public penitential ritual in response to war, famine, plague and fear engendered by millenarianism (“The End Is Near!”). The flagellants were infused with a fiery, apocalyptic passion that they could see terrible realities to which others were blinded. They would show up at any public celebration with a message: Your happiness is causing our suffering. Your joy is prolonging the suffering of the world.

Villar. . .

Continued from A14

to 61 percent by 2025. The national government deficit is seen narrowing to 4.9 percent of

While officials in Seoul have said they believe a North Korean spy satellite would be rudimentary at best, it could help Pyongyang refine its target lists as it rolls out new missiles designed to deliver nuclear strikes in South Korea and Japan. Those nations host the bulk of the US’s military personnel in the region. September with President Vladimir Putin, who pledged to help North Korea with its space program. The US has for months accused Kim’s regime of supplying weapons to help Putin in his war on Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Seoul this month that Russia is providing technology to help North Korea with its military program. North Korea is barred by UN Security Council resolutions from conducting ballistic missile tests. The US and its partners have warned that technology derived from North Korea’s space program could be used to advance its ballistic missiles and warned any help Putin offers Kim would violate measures that Russia had voted to approve. North Korea and Russia have denied the US accusations of arms transfers. On Monday, a North Korean official blasted Japan’s planned purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US. Tokyo intends to use the missiles to boost its countermeasures against Pyongyang’s military and address other regional security threats. A Ministry of National Defense official was cited by the Korean Central News Agency as saying that the more profits the US made with such weapons deals, the more its security will suffer. Bloomberg

ur government is continuously instituting reforms aimed at making the entry of investments easier and simplifying the procedures and requirements for starting and doing business. For instance, the establishment of new corporate entities has become relatively easier and faster with the digitalization and streamlining of the procedures, processes, and requirements relating to the registration of companies. At the same time, the government is implementing countermeasures to prevent abuses of the improved system and to avoid the use of corporate entities that can be utilized as vehicles for committing fraud and other illegal activities. In this respect, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is taking the lead, being the government agency charged with the supervision and regulation of corporate entities and the protection of the investing public. Recently, the said agency issued guidelines providing details for the revocation of registration and declaration of delinquent status of corporations that are non-compliant and non-operational. Based on the said guidelines, the SEC may deem as revoked the certificate of incorporation of a company that fails to formally organize and commence its business within five years from the date of its incorporation. A corporation is considered to have formally organized if it has (a) adopted its Bylaws; (b) elected the members of its

Board of Directors and officers; (c) established its principal office; and (d) taken the necessary steps to prepare the entity to transact the purposes for which it is created. On the other hand, an entity is considered to have commenced its operations when it has performed initiatory acts geared toward the fulfillment of its purposes. Examples of these preparatory acts are: (a) entering into contracts or negotiations for the lease or sale of properties to be used as office, business, or factory sites and making plans for the construction of such; (b) entering into contracts and negotiations for the sale or purchase of goods, services, properties, or equipment; and (c) entering into contracts to pursue the purposes, projects, and activities for which the corporation was organized. By “deemed revocation” means that the SEC can revoke the registration of a company at an instant, without notice and hearing, if after the end of the five-year period, the corporation fails to formally organize and commence its operations.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 A15

To avoid disruptions in operations through the revocation of registration or being declared as delinquent—an entity should immediately start operations, avoid long-time interruptions in the conduct of its business, and comply with regular reportorial requirements. The SEC may also declare as delinquent a corporation that already commenced its business but subsequently becomes inoperative for a period of at least five consecutive years. In this case, the SEC shall issue first a show cause order to the corporation, directing it to explain why its status should not be declared delinquent. If the corporation fails to submit any valid justification within 30 days from receipt of the show cause order, its status shall become “Delinquent” in the records. A corporation may also be declared delinquent if it fails to file its financial statements and/or General Information Sheets (GIS) three times, consecutively or intermittently, within a period of five years. Corporations with “Delinquent Status” may not have their transactions (e.g., application for amendment of articles and license) accepted or approved by the SEC. Delinquent corporations shall not also be entitled to the issuance of a Certificate of No Derogatory Information by the Commission. In addition, the corresponding fines and surcharges shall be imposed. Delinquent corporations may, within a certain period of time, redeem their active status. An entity which has become delinquent

The author is a junior partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a memberfirm of WTS Global. The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at mabel.buted@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 160.

Europe’s battered wind sector starts to find hope in year of crisis By Priscila Azevedo Rocha

he crisis engulfing Europe’s wind industry is proving to be a wake-up call: things have to change radically to make progress on what’s a key part of the climate transition.

Last week, the UK took direct action to help with funding, bumping up the support price for new offshore wind farms. The European Union says “immediate action” is needed and plans to speed up permits for wind projects, and Germany will make it easier for green energy firms to get on the grid. That’s all intended to keep investment flowing and, more broadly, keep countries on the road to their netzero targets.

week. A further boost for the sector came from Octopus Energy announcing on Friday it will launch a £3 billion ($3.7 billion) fund to invest in offshore wind by 2030. Orsted, which has been at the center of the wind crisis, has also moved off its lows in recent weeks after suffering a sharp selloff.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

Floods of negative headlines have dominated recently, the fallout from soaring raw-material prices, higher borrowing costs and long-running supply-chain issues. As those ripped through the industry, causing project failures, multi-billion dollar writedowns and disastrous wind farm auctions, it all looked increasingly bleak. Then, Vestas Wind Systems A/S shifted the narrative, announcing a big increase in orders and boosting its outlook. At the same time, the reality that getting projects off the ground will cost more and needs more support appears to be getting through. Governments in Europe are already reacting, giving some hope that this is the nadir. Last week, the UK took direct action to help with funding, bumping up the support price for new offshore wind farms. The European Union says “immediate action” is needed and plans to speed up permits for wind projects, and Germany will make it easier for green energy firms to get on the grid. That’s all intended to keep investment flowing and, more broadly, keep countries on the road to their net-zero targets. “We need to recognize this is where we are right now and we need to find ways to get that investment into the market,” Alana Kuhne, head of new markets Europe at Orsted A/S, said at a conference. “Policy makers have started to recognize this challenge.” Shares in Vestas, the world’s biggest wind turbine maker, have rebounded about 30 percent from their low in early October. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded the stock to “neutral” from “underweight” last

Offshore wind is extremely capital intensive, and the squeeze on costs has made it difficult for developers and suppliers to secure financing for projects at profitable margins. Many locked in contracts years ago to deliver power at specific prices, but after inflation drove up costs, those deals were no longer viable. “Offshore projects are walking on very thin ice,” said Xabier Viteri Solaun, director of Iberdrola SA’s renewables business. “Reaching a final investment decision is much harder today.” Raising prices paid for wind power is one solution, but that will ultimately mean higher bills for consumers, who are still reeling from the energy price and inflation shock of 2022. So far, the nascent revival for offshore is centered on Europe. Wind energy is particularly important in the region, both economically and in terms of energy security. Equipment makers are huge employers, and wind accounts for more than 30 percent of electricity generation at times. Companies are still working through issues in the US, where developers including Orsted and BP Plc. have taken more than $5 billion in writedowns on offshore wind projects.

Some companies, including Avangrid Inc., say they plan to bid for new contracts, though they will need to seek higher prices. But the risk is that will make projects uncompetitive. That’s what happened in July, when Orsted and its partner Eversource Energy failed to win a contract to supply power to Rhode Island because their offering was too expensive. Meanwhile, the European Commission has acknowledged the troubling situation and published an action plan late last month. It estimates the EU needs more than 500 gigawatts of wind power by 2030 to meet renewable targets, up from 204 GW in 2022, something that won’t happen “without a healthy, sustainable and competitive wind supply chain.” “Both interest rates and inflation seem to have reached a plateau, which provides some certainty in costs, favoring investment,” said Carla Ribeiro, head of offshore wind advisory for UK and Ireland at consultancy Ramboll. “However, the recovery is likely to be slow” and “investor confidence needs to be re-established.” On top of the industry-wide problems, there have also been companyspecific issues. Siemens Energy AG has had to seek government help as

GDP by 2025, after hitting 7.3 percent of GDP in 2022. “The gradual pace of consolidation reflects the authorities’ focus on fostering economic growth and development,” according to Fitch’s report. I think that overall, Fitch has a

positive message for the Philippines, which outperforms many of its ratings peers in terms of economic growth despite its per capita income status. Many countries in the “BBB” ratings category belong to the uppermiddle-income and high-income

groups, while the Philippines has a lower-middle-income status with a gross national income per capita of $3,950 as of 2022. Per the estimate of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Philippines should post a GNI

per capita of about $4,500 to achieve its desired upper-middle-income status. The Department of Finance sees this happening by 2025, but this will largely depend on sustained economic growth and stable foreign exchange rate.

Does that sound familiar? Your car, your “too many” children, and your house are killing our planet. Author Jeffrey Tucker writes, “We learn less, read less, write less, create less, love less. Personal trauma is everywhere.” “Degrowth” is the economic model of flagellantism, reducing consumption, embracing privation, agreeing to austerity. Animal meat is bad. Farming is bad. Pets are bad. Religion is bad. Tradition is bad. Gadgets are bad. The ozone hole is bad. No, wait. In 2019, NASA reported that the ozone hole was the smallest ever since it was first discovered in 1982. The flagellants are ignorant of where we came from. As a result, we are all getting increasingly large amounts of “Pessimism Porn.” Like sex porn, it makes you feel superior. A former editor of The New York Times Magazine wrote this. Pessimism porn “feeds a powerful sense of intellectual vanity. You walk the streets feeling superior to all these heedless knaves who have no clue what’s coming. Its main message is suffering.” No thanks. I am more of a “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” guy.

by reason of its continuous inoperation for five years may, within a period of two years, resume its operations by submitting any two of the following documents: (a) income tax returns; (b) mayor’s or business permits; (c) contracts; (d) receipts evidencing real property tax payments; (e) certifications/ recognitions/annual conventions; and (f) any other similar or related documents. On the other hand, an entity that has become delinquent for failure to comply with the reportorial requirements has a period of six months to submit the financial statements and GIS. The SEC may only revoke the registration of a delinquent corporation if it fails to redeem its status and submit the required documents within the specified period of time. A corporation with a revoked status may, at any time, file a petition with the SEC to lift the order of revocation. To avoid disruptions in operations through the revocation of registration or being declared as delinquent—an entity should immediately start operations, avoid long-time interruptions in the conduct of its business, and comply with regular reportorial requirements.

Cost squeeze

it deals with faults in turbines made by a Spanish business it bought. “The proposed actions around accelerating digitalization for permitting, improving non-price criteria in auctions, and providing new funding channels for factory expansions offer the most hope. However, some suggested actions still lack clarity and concrete guidance,” the BNEF said. And in a world of higher-for-longer interest rates and raw material prices, securing financing for offshore wind is still a challenge. Government guarantees can drive some capital into projects, but for offshore wind projects in particular, money is only one part of the equation. Companies need to have their access to the grid in place, the contracts with all the suppliers signed and there is a specific order that things need to happen. If one gets delayed, the project as a whole faces delays and cancellations. The UK will announce an overhaul of how it prioritizes connections to the country’s power grid this week, Bloomberg has reported. That’s part of a broader plan to get clean energy into homes and businesses. In Poland, where Vestas said it secured a big order in the third quarter, projects are keeping to schedule because the government chose to link its support price to inflation, which is helping to cover the rising costs. “Although there are tough market conditions at the moment, it’s clear that offshore wind is going to be in the backbone of our future energy systems,” said Adam Morrison, UK country manager at Ocean Winds, a joint venture of EDP Renewables and Engie. “Offshore is very suited to doing a lot of the heavy lifting of large scale power generation.” With assistance from John Ainger, Francois De Beaupuy, Thomas Gualtieri, Maciej Martewicz, Petra Sorge and Will Wade/Bloomberg

I believe that with the cooperation of everyone, we are on track to achieving this national target. For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar. com.ph

A16 Tuesday, November 21, 2023

‘AMEND PROCUREMENT LAW TO EASE THE WORK OF STARTUPS’

AWMAKERS should amend the Government Procurement law given the existing “difficulties” of startups to participate in government bidding, according to an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). “This is really crucial because the government is one big customer. And since we’re promoting all these new products, creation of new services, government should be the first one to procure these products and this is actually being done in other countries,” Rafaelita M. Aldaba, DTI Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Group, told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Startup Week 2023 in Makati City on Monday. Given the “existing difficulties” of startups to participate in government bidding, Aldaba said, “It’s almost impossible for them given all these constraints. Hence, it’s important that we be able to amend the procurement law.” The Trade official pointed out the gap in the situation between startups and big firms in terms of complying with the necessary requirements to be able to participate in government bidding. “We have these startups and they’re not comparable to large companies. The big companies— they have their own teams, legal teams who are preparing all

the necessary requirements and documents for them to be able to participate in government bidding,” Aldaba stressed. As to the progress on the amendments in the Congress, Aldaba said, “We’re discussing with Senator Angara the possibility of amending some of the provisions through the Tatak Pinoy bill because it’s in the advanced stage. It’s already approved [on] third reading... So [the next stage is with the] House [of Representatives] and then [the] plenary, so it’s more advanced compared to the Government Procurement.” “Hopefully, we’ll be able to come up with some solutions that would support the participation of startups in government procurement through the Tatak Pinoy Bill,” the Trade official also noted. Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2218 or the Tatak Pinoy Bill aims to ensure that “existing gaps in the industry can be addressed effectively, including the immediate needs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), such as to global markets, improvements in manufacturing processes and digital transformation of businesses, among others.” Section 5e of the SB 2218 or the provision on Public Fiscal Management and Government Procurement states: See “Amend,” A2

DA: Importers lose SPSIC if rice not here in 30 days

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

GRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday warned that he will cancel all the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) of rice importers if their approved import volume would not arrive in the country in the next 30 days. Laurel made the warning during a House Committee on Agriculture and Food after lawmakers asked him about the country’s rice import situation. Laurel disclosed that there are about 1 million metric tons (MMT) of rice issued with sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) that are valid to enter the country. “I actually asked the Bureau of Plant Industry how many applications are pending for rice imports and what they told me is that about 1 million metric tons are for importation. I asked them when it was

issued and they said it was issued from time to time because it is already liberalized. When I asked when it is going to be imported, they could not provide an answer,” he told the committee on Monday, speaking partly in Filipino.

Ultimatum to importers

LAUREL revealed that he has instructed someone from the agriculture department to meet the rice importers to discuss the rice import situation. “I said if they will not import those within 30 days, if they will not give a [purchase order], I will

LAUREL

cancel all the [SPSICs] because I do not want to be held hostage by permits that were issued to them upon their request,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English. Since the passage of Republic Act 11203 or the rice trade liberalization (RTL) law, the country’s rice trade regime has been deregulated and opened up to foreign competition. Under the landmark legislation, eligible rice importers would only need to secure a SPSIC from the BPI to be able to bring in foreign rice in the country. A SPSIC is a document that certifies that an inbound shipment is safe to human and animal health.

The same law stipulated that an import application must be acted upon by the BPI within seven days. If there are no justified reasons to reject an importer’s SPSIC application, then their applications are automatically approved after the above-stated time period. The past leaderships of the agriculture department tried to manage the arrival of rice imports in the country by not issuing SPSICs to importers, a move that was questioned by pundits. Latest BPI data showed that it formally issued 3,591 SPSICs with a total equivalent import volume of 3.341 million metric tons of rice. Laurel’s 30-day deadline to rice importers is way shorter than the prevailing must-arrive period set by the agriculture department. Under Memorandum Circular 43 series of 2020, rice imports coming from Asean countries except Myanmar must enter the country within 60 days from the issuance of their respective SPSICs. Rice shipments from Myanmar and other outside Asean nations must arrive within 90 days. The country’s rice imports as of November 9 has reached 2.858 million metric tons, latest BPI data showed.

Global body cites PHL as regional leader in fight vs counterfeiting By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

HE Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (Tracit) has cited the Philippines as a “regional leader” in promoting domestic cooperation in the fight against counterfeiting, according to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). “The Philippines has emerged as a regional leader in promoting domestic cooperation, particularly in IP coordination because of the successful enforcement work done by the IPOPHL and the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR),” the Tracit report noted. In addition, the report noted that the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between IPOPHL and Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) to train airport personnel to spot counterfeit and pirated goods is “an example of how collaborations can improve detection and enforcement efforts.” The report pointed out that strengthening interagency and interdepartmental cooperation is “essential” in the fight against illicit trade. Another initiative that signified “great progress,” which the Tracit report cited, is the MOU that IPOPHL signed with brand owners and platforms in 2022. IPOPHL said the E-Commerce MOU is a commitment between e-commerce platforms, including Lazada, Shopee, Zalora and several global and local brand owners and business associations. The E-Commerce MOU membership recently grew to 34 with the signing of TikTok, Greenstone Pharmaceutical and Quadgen Pharmaceutical at the IP Enforcement Summit last week, the attached agency of the Department of Trade

and Industry (DTI) also noted in a statement on Monday. While the IPOPHL has made “significant strides” in improving Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement, the report said the proliferation of counterfeit and pirated goods remains a “persistent” problem in Philippine markets. The report listed the factors driving counterfeit trade in the Philippines, which include “limited law enforcement resources, corruption, and consumer demand for cheaper products—even if counterfeit.” Moreover, the surge in counterfeit goods being sold through e-commerce and social media platforms “confuses” the origins of these illicit products. “The Philippines is also one of the world’s largest sources of pirated digital content, with illegal copies of movies, music, and software readily available online and in street markets,” the Tracit report also noted. Moving forward, the report unveiled its policy recommendations to combat illicit trade: to strengthen the customs environment; tighten enforcement on transshipment, goods in transit, illicit trade in Free Trade Zones (FTZ); and intercept the export of illicit goods. The report also recommended that the country fast-track the legal process, reduce “lengthy” timelines and minimize associated costs. In terms of its structural capability to effectively protect against illicit trade, the Tracit report noted that the Philippines ranks 64th out of 84 countries evaluated by Global Illicit Trade Environment Index. “With an overall score of 49 (out of 100), this is slightly above the Asean average (46), but still well below the global average (60),” the report said.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, Sunday, November 19, 2023. Marcos said the situation in the South China Sea "has become more dire" as China expands its presence in an area where multiple nations have competing territorial claims. The visit held both geopolitical and personal significance for the leader. Marcos's father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was forced into exile in Hawaii in 1986 after he was ousted in an army-backed “people power” uprising in the Philippines. AP/AUDREY MCAVOY

Senate eyes 2024 budget bill OK next week

HE Senate is targeting to approve in plenary all agency budgets in time for approving the 2024 General Appropriations bill on second and third reading by next week, the chair of the lead Finance committee said on Monday. Since resuming sessions two weeks ago, senators have tackled the individual budgets of agencies in a bid to finish all deliberations after the House of Representatives transmitted its version of the annual money measure. Senators were momentarily delayed by discussions on the controversial requests for confidential

and intelligence funds (CIF) of certain agencies that do not have national security mandates, but the issue was settled last week after Vice President Sara Duterte withdrew requests for CIF both for her OVP and the Department of Education. Angara said several big agencies’ budgets still have to be tackled, such as those of the Commission on Elections, Department of Defense, Commission on Elections, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of

Tourism, etc. adding: “Malalaking mga agencies so hopefully efficient kami sa pagtanong…magsasubmit yung members ng amendments [They’re key agencies, so hopefully, we’re good at crafting the questions. The membrs will submit amendments].” Meanwhile Angara indicated they are targeting, “I think first or second week of December,” to submit the budget to the President.” Their “self-imposed” deadline is meant to beat the deadline before the Christmas holiday recess and avoid a reenacted budget. The work f low follows the schedule of past years, which “is

dictated by the legislature calendar,” he said, indicating that “we can’t stray too far from that, we are adjusting. The adjustment is that we’re holding sessions until late nights,” even on Thursdays and Fridays. “We can do the second and third reading on the same day,” he said, signalling it could be “next week.” Still, he declined to give a categorical answer when asked if he anticipates there would be no more controversial issues in the bicameral talks to clear the way for the final version to be submitted to Malacanang for signing into law by the President. Butch Fernandez

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

JG Summit to infuse more PAL will expand flights to Toronto funds into petrochem unit

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

G Summit Holdings Inc. on Monday said it is infusing an additional P11 billion into its petrochemical operation under JG Summit Olefins Corp. (JGSOC), which will be used to pay off debt and support its operations.

In exchange for its investment, JG Summit will get 1.67 billion shares, valued at P6.57 apiece. It is equivalent to 20.73 percent of the petrochemical company. “JGSOC will use the funds to pay off its expansion project obligations and to support its operations during a period of declining market demand and rising input costs,” the company

said in its disclosure. The investment will be done via a one-time cash infusion basis. JGSOC is engaged in acquiring, designing, constructing, erecting, assembling, rehabilitating, expanding, commissioning, operating and maintaining a naphtha cracker plant and related facilities for the production of polymer grade ethylene,

polymer grade propylene, pyrolysis gasoline, mixed C4, pyrolysis fuel oil and their by-products. In January to September, it recorded losses of P8.8 billion and revenues of P25.5 billion. The company said JGSOC sold 493,000 metric tons of its products for the period, up 13 percent from last year. “However, revenues for the period remained largely flat at P25.5 billion as increased volumes, especially in the third quarter after its cracking operations resumed in June, cushioned the impact of lower petrochemical selling prices compared to last year,” JG Summit said. JG Summit said its petrochemical unit is focused on increasing its sales volumes, improving pricing strategies, and managing its costs. “The operations restarted in

phases, beginning with the polyethylene [PE] 1 plant in April followed by the PE2 plant in May. The polypropylene (PP), naphtha cracker, aromatics and butadiene extraction units restarted last June and the PE3 plant in August.” Last March, JG Summit reported that its income plunged 86 percent to P700 million last year, despite a double-digit increase in its revenues. The company said last year’s attributable income included the P6 billion in gains and contributions from its food manufacturing arm’s discontinued Oceania operations. JG Summit said its core income, which included the portfolio management gain that the parent company realized from the sale of some of its shares in Manila Electric Co., registered a twofold increase to P6.2 billion.

AEV, CCEP ink deal on Coke PHL A

boitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) on Monday said it has signed a definitive agreement with European firm Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Plc. (CCEP) to jointly acquire bottler Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI). It will acquire the local Coke bottler from United States-based The Coca-Cola Co. AEV said it hopes to close the deal during the first quarter next year. CCBPI is the exclusive bottler and distributor of the Coke products in the Philippines and benefits from attractive profitability and growth prospects. AEV will only own 40 percent of

the local Coke bottler while 60 percent will be owned by CCEP. It values CCBPI at $1.8 billion on a debt-free, cash-free basis. “Final cash consideration will be subject to cash, debt-like items and working capital adjustments at completion of the transaction,” AEV said in a statement. AEV will have to shell out $720 million (P40 billion) to cover its share of the deal. “Shareholders’ agreement between CCEP and AEV with comprehensive governance terms will take effect at closing.” AEV said it will need clearance from the Philippine Competition

Commission. “The proposed acquisition would build on AEV’s portfolio diversification strategy to enter the branded consumer goods space. AEV is well positioned to support CCBPI’s growth ambition due to the synergies which could be generated from AEV’s other business interests in the country,” it said. “The proposed acquisition would also build on CCEP’s successful expansion into Australia, Pacific and Indonesia in 2021.” Once completed, the two companies will gain a foothold in an operation that has a supply chain footprint of 73 production lines and

19 plants, which enjoys a strong customer base, servicing more than 1 million outlets. The Philippines is Coca-Cola’s second largest market in Southeast Asia. AEV reported that its income in January to September declined by 16 percent to P18 billion from last year’s P21.4 billion. The company said it recognized non-recurring gains of P738 million for the period, lower than the previous year’s P5.3 billion. Without these one-off gains, the company’s core net income during the period would have settled at P17.3 billion, an 8 percent increase year-on-year. VG Cabuag

SEC chief Ascott sets sights on PHL expansion receives Mansmith S award By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

ecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Emilio B. Aquino has been named as the first-ever public sector innovator awardee during the 2023 Mansmith Innovation Awards, in recognition of his digital transformation efforts in the country’s corporate regulator. Aquino was recognized alongside five other top innovators for their contributions in microlending, product innovation in food supplements, product innovation as a nongovernmental organization, online stock trading and innovative business model. “I am honored to be the firstever recipient of the Public Sector Innovator Award, a recognition that affirms the positive impact of the innovations that we at the Securities and Exchange Commission have advanced over the last few years,” Aquino said during the awarding ceremony. “More than that, I hope that this recognition will also inspire future innovators both in the public and private sectors, who can contribute more to the realization of our shared aspirations as a nation, that is, a strongly rooted, comfortable and secure life for every Filipino.” VG Cabuag

INGAPORE-BASED hospitality chain The Ascott Limited is targeting to have 31 properties in the Philippines by the year 2028, with an eye toward expanding its portfolio to include hotels and resorts. In an interview with the BusinessMirror, The Ascott Limited Philippines Country General Manager Philip Barnes said, “Potentially we will be 31 properties by 2028, if all goes to plan in terms of construction and turnover. But of course, we still want to do more. That’s why we’re also moving into the hotel and resorts component…. The Ascott Limited has always been known as predominantly residences. But as our Singaporean company transforms into a lodging component, hotels and resorts make sense for us in terms of our growth strategies.” Ascott is a unit of CapitaLand Investment, a global real estate investment manager with properties mainly in Asia. It has expanded its portfolio to the United States and Europe. Ascott’s purchase of a stake in an Indonesian regional hotel operator in 2018, and acquisition of servicedapartment brand Oakwood Worldwide in 2022, have given the company an inroad into the hotel business. “So that gives us about 14 brands that we can now launch into the country,” said Barnes. The company is currently looking at Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Mactan, and Siargao for its resorts business,

Ascott Philippines Country General Manager Philip Barnes

“as well as urban resorts, or inland resorts,” he said. It has already signed on its first resort property, which will be launched by 2028.

Partnerships

Most of Ascott’s projects in the country are under management contracts or franchise contracts, he clarified, although the company does own the Ascott Makati building and has a stake in the Somerset Millennium Makati property. “We’ve got about 18 different owners across our portfolio,” he said, and credited Cebu Landmasters, specifically, for the company’s expansion into the Visayas and Mindanao regions. “We have a substantial partnership with Cebu Landmasters. We have four projects with them, and hopefully in the future, we look [forward to] more.” Another major partnership is with Double Dragon Properties for the Ascott DD Meridian Park Manila, set to open next year. At present, Ascott is evaluating what brands it will bring into the country, said Barnes. “We’re strategically looking at what is best to bring in,” but sees Harris Hotels an important brand that will cater specifically to the country’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) market.

Ascott may also bring in its fivestar hotel brand Vertu, and its luxury band, the Crest Collection, “where we either can do a takeover of an existing building, or heritage building,and convert that into a luxury accommodation. We just did one in The Robertson House, [a heritage house] in Singapore, and The Grand Mansion [Menteng] in Jakarta,” also an historic house, he added.

Projects in the pipeline

Other brands that could be introduced are Fox, for local communities, and Preference, where property owners are free to design their brand, “articulating what they want to do and storytell,” said Barnes. Ascott currently operates 14 properties in the country, mainly located in Metro Manila under the Ascott, Citadines, Oakwood, Somerset, The Suites, and Lyf brands, as well as in Cebu and Iloilo, under the Citadines brand. Opening between now and into 2024 are Citadines serviced residences at Roces Ave. Quezon City, Davao City, and Greenhills; Somerset serviced apartments in Gorordo Ave. Cebu City and Valero, Makati; Oakwood Makati Avenue; and Lyf, a co-living space brand, is also opening in Cebu. The rest of the openings beyond 2024 will be under the Citadines brand in Southwoods, Binan; Mandaue, Cebu; Leviste, Makati; Malate, Manila; and Connect River Park in Mandaluyong. The company also recently signed on a property in Cagayan de Oro for its Citadines brand, although no opening date has yet been announced.

Photo from www.philippineairlines.com

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

egacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is set to increase the frequency of its ManilaToronto route, as demand for flight services to and from the Canadian East Coast region continues to grow. The airline will start operating its third weekly nonstop flight between Manila and Toronto on April 5. This, according to PAL’s Chief Commercial Officer Eric David Anderson, will result in a 50-percent increase in capacity for the route, which is “part of a long-term investment by the Philippine flag carrier in developing business and tourist travel flows between Canada and the Philippines.” “Our expansion of flights to Toronto highlights the importance of the Canadian market in the Philippine Airlines network. We want to make it easier for businesses to establish commercial relations, for Canadians to plan holiday trips to the Philippines, and for Filipino Canadians to visit their families back in the homeland. Canada is among the top 10 sources of foreign tourists to the Philippines, with more than 180,000

Canadians visiting the Philippines during the first 10 months of 2023. Additionally, the new frequencies will bolster connectivity between Southeast Asia and Canada via PAL’s Manila hub,” he said. Anderson added that the expanded schedule highlights the importance of Toronto in PAL’s global network, as it is Canada’s largest city and home to the biggest Filipino community in Canada, estimated at over 350,000 ethnic Filipinos in Ontario province. Toronto is the gateway to Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and other areas in the Eastern seaboard of Canada. PAL is the only airline offering nonstop flights between the Philippines and Canada and also serves Vancouver with daily flights from its Manila hub. “We are thrilled that Philippine Airlines is increasing frequency between Toronto and Manila, a destination in very high demand,” said Khalil Lamrabet, Chief Commercial Officer, Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “With this additional flight, more passengers will be able to fly directly, reducing their total travel time by more than 25 percent compared to a connecting itinerary.”

Zuellig facilities will use RE from ACEN

CEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), the retail electricity arm of ACEN Corp., will supply renewable energy (RE) to Zuellig Pharma Philippines’ two major distribution facilities. ACEN RES said in a statement it recently signed a new strategic partnership with Asia’s leading healthcare solutions company Zuellig Pharma to supply 100-percent RE to power the latter’s Santa Rosa Distribution Center and Canlubang Distribution Center. Jannette Jakosalem, market managing director of Zuellig Pharma said the switch to RE for two key distribution facilities is an important milestone for the company as it works towards reducing impact on the environment and carbon footprint across its operations and supply chains. “This is a clear testament to our dedication in combating climate change. We have a long- standing commitment to build a healthier and more sustainable future for all in Asia and will continue our efforts in making an impact on climate action,” she said. The Santa Rosa and Canlubang Distribution Centers combined will reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 10,600 tons each year, equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by 92,739 trees in their lifetime, or approximately 30 years. This partnership falls under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program of the government.

Under the RCOA program, consumers that meet a certain threshold of electricity consumption are allowed to choose their electricity suppliers. The RCOA gradually reduces the energy threshold level of the program until it reaches the household demand level. It started with one megawatt (MW) and above, and was subsequently brought down to 750kW to 999 kW. The threshold was further brought down to 500kW to 749kW. RCOA provides businesses, such as Zuellig Pharma the opportunity to opt for RE supply, solidifying their commitment to sustainability. “ACEN is thrilled to join forces with Zuellig Pharma, a company that shares our robust commitment to sustainability,” said Miguel de Jesus, chief operating officer of ACEN’s Philippine operations and head of the commercial operations group. The partnership with Zuellig Pharma extends the client sectors of ACEN RES further, now covering educational institutions, industrial plants, fast-moving consumer goods businesses, and office buildings. It represents an important step in ACEN’s mission to foster a sustainable, low-carbon future for the Philippines and the broader Southeast Asian region. ACEN has significant RE assets in the Asia Pacific region consisting of mostly solar and wind plants in Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Lenie Lectura

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Marcos US trip yields $672M in investment pledges–PCO

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

ollowing the participation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the United States last week, the country has received over $672 million worth of business pledges from foreign investors. The bulk of the said investments were signed by the private sector. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) had announced that $400 million of the pledges

will come from the signed deal between Astranis and Orbits to launch two internet satellites dedicated to the Philippines. It also includes the $20-million partnership of Filipino firm Lloyd

Laboratories and US-based DifGen Pharmaceutic to construct a manufacturing facility based on the standards of the US Food and Drug Administration. A $2-million deal was finalized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and ATMO Inc. to establish an AI-based highresolution weather forecasting system. Also signed was the partnership between Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the Ultra Safe Nuclear Cooperation (USNC) for a Pre-Feasibility Study on MicroModular Reactors (MMRs). The project will cost $300,000. The remaining $250 million in pledges were for the semiconductor and electronics industries. “Additional investment of $1 billion for the semiconductor in-

dustry is also up for discussion with US companies,” PCO Secretary Cheloy V. Garafil said in a statement last Monday. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez lauded Marcos, who is also his cousin, for being able to secure more investments during his third visit in the US since assuming the presidency last year. “The $672.3 million in pledges is a testament to the international community’s confidence in the President’s leadership. This accomplishment underscores his dedication to advancing the economic interests of the Philippines and fostering partnerships on the global stage,” Romualdez said. The lawmaker was among the delegates who accompanied the President in his US trip.

Bayer suffers worst day ever after Roundup verdict

ayer AG suffered its biggest drop ever, losing about €7.6 billion ($8.3 billion) in market value, after major legal and drug-development setbacks that raise pressure on its new leader to outline a turnaround plan. The German pharma and agriculture company stopped the main study of its top experimental medicine due to a lack of efficacy and lost a key trial in the United States against its weed killer Roundup. The shares fell as much as 19 percent in Frankfurt trading to the lowest level in more than a decade. The events raise the stakes for Bill Anderson, who took over as chief executive in June and said this month he’s weighing a breakup of the pharma and agriculture conglomerate. Anderson joined as Bayer confronts a thicket of challenges after the $63-billion takeover of Monsanto turned sour and its pharma unit faces patent expirations for some key treatments. The German company said Sunday it had ended a late-stage test for the anti-thrombotic drug asundexian— a therapy billed as a potential blockbuster—due to a lack of efficacy. “Asundexian was the pearl of Bayer’s pharma pipeline,” said Markus Manns, a portfolio manager at Union

Investment and a shareholder. Bayer should have found a partner to share development costs and risks with, he said.

Roundup verdicts

The announcement came two days after Bayer’s Monsanto unit was ordered by a Missouri jury to pay more than $1.5 billion to three former Roundup users who blamed their cancers on the controversial product in one of its largest trial losses over the herbicide. Monsanto has been hit with a recent spate of jury verdicts finding Roundup contains carcinogens. The more than $1.5 billion verdict is one of the largest damage awards handed down against a US corporate defendant this year. Bayer said it will appeal the verdicts and insists the product is safe. Two years ago, the company set aside as much as $16 billion to resolve more than 100,000 cases over Roundup’s health impact. The conglomerate now faces a second wave of lawsuits. The legal risks could complicate Anderson’s efforts to spin off the agriculture division, if he opts for that path, Sebastian Bray, an analyst with Berenberg, said in an email. Bloomberg News

MUTUAL FUNDS

November 20, 2023

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 202.8 -0.53% -3.41% -3.82% -1.38% -2.74% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.3989 6.84% 4.2% 0.57% 1.29% 4.07% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.8069 -0.89% -3.4% -5.93% -3.05% -3.71% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.667 -1.1% -5.29% -5.27% n.a -4.62% First Metro Consumer Fund, Inc. -a 0.6123 -6.95% -5.97% -5.45% n.a -5.6% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.4628 -1.56% -2.85% -2.74% -1.03% -4.03% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.6649 -3.01% -4.12% n.a n.a -5.16% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 84.49 10.39% -2.96% -4.88% n.a 12.18% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 41.2613 -2.04% -3.55% -2.99% n.a -4.47% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 430.39 -0.94% -3.85% -3.01% -1.33% -3.15% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.1572 -0.73% 0.47% -1.25% n.a -1.52% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 32.4734 -0.23% -1.48% -1.96% 0.63% -2.47% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8271 -0.22% -2.97% n.a n.a -2.56% Philequity PSE Index Fund, Inc. -a 4.3386 -1% -2.63% -2.13% 0.43% -3.49% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 721.75 -1.12% -2.81% -2.21% 0.34% -3.63% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.6535 0.23% -2.99% -4.87% n.a -3.06% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2259 -1.62% -3.27% -4.19% -1.39% -4.37% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8185 -1.48% -3.13% -2.52% n.a -3.92% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.0094 -1.21% -2.59% -2.51% -0.36% -2.73% Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) COL Equity Index Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 1.0159 -1.52% n.a n.a n.a -3.82% COL Strategic Growth Equity Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a,20.9929 n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a 0.9793 -3.14% -2.2% n.a n.a -6.41% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 875.94 -1.28% n.a n.a n.a -3.69% Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c97.9579 -0.55% -2.49% -1.9% n.a -3.13% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $0.8104 -3.97% -11.05% -3.29% -1.9% -4.88% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.5725 8.13% -0.39% 5.62% n.a 10.43% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.4445 -2.18% -4.11% -2.41% -2.13% -2.71% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.118 5.38% -1.69% -0.52% -0.17% 0.6% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.4319 -1.16% -2.2% -0.39% -1.34% -2.93% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.185 -2.01% -2.06% n.a n.a -4.39% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.8859 1.13% -1.09% 0.74% 0.75% -0.06% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.4425 1.61% -2.84% -0.1% -0.17% 0.07% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 15.0703 0.58% -3.54% -0.68% -0.48% -0.46% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 1.9848 1.14% -1.48% -0.44% 0.68% -0.09% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.3032 1.06% -2.22% -1.74% -0.76% -0.79% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8675 1.43% -0.29% -1.1% n.a -1.3% Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a 0.9202 2.76% -3.02% n.a n.a 0.55% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a 0.8115 0.01% -4.64% n.a n.a -2.88% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a 0.7918 -0.78% -4.85% n.a n.a -3.73% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03191 -0.44% -6.61% -1.63% -0.23% -1.51% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $0.8811 0.74% -7.66% -1.32% -1.46% 4.89% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.0588 4.32% -2.05% 3.11% 2.55% 5.54% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $0.9855 1.07% -4.64% 0.08% n.a 1.43% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 388.35 3.28% 1.68% 2.56% 2.09% 2.74% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.899 1.59% 0.04% 0.5% -0.12% 1.29% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2935 2.5% 0.88% 2.18% 3.71% 2.64% Ekklesia Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 2.2443 4.17% -0.66% 1.11% 1.05% 2.7% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 2.4227 1.58% -0.33% 1.92% 1% 1.32% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.1854 1.55% -3.2% 1.62% 0.29% 1.1% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.36 3.23% 1.14% 2.93% 1.67% 3.07% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.9742 4.08% 0.1% 2.71% 1.18% 2.73% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0424 3.07% 0.23% 3.37% n.a 2.54% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.2557 4.36% 0.74% 3.42% 1.7% 3.5% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7403 3.44% 0% 2.65% 1.11% 2.63% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $490.73 2.6% 0.61% 1.9% 2.43% 2.21% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є211.88 1.46% -1.01% -0.08% 0.73% 1.05% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.0171 0.13% -6.96% -1.95% -0.11% 0.76% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0242 1.68% -2.98% -0.49% n.a 2.11% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $0.8363 -2.35% -8.48% -3.98% -3.36% -7.08% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.1898 2.69% -4.61% 0.49% 1.41% 0.45% Philequity Dollar Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.0607521 1.99% -0.7% 1.32% 1.56% 1.76% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.6406 -1.93% -6.39% -1.65% -0.05% -2.97% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 136.3 2.43% 1.73% 2.53% 2.01% 2.29% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.1038 3.12% 1.79% n.a n.a 2.81% Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a 1.3708 2.71% 1.94% 2.46% 1.97% 2.42% Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 104.04 3.96% n.a n.a n.a 3.55% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0921 2.26% 1.28% 1.5% n.a 2.14% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a 41.6344 -5.75% n.a n.a n.a -2.45% Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.382 7.13% 8.31% n.a n.a 12.17% Sun Life Prosperity World Income Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.9642 n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (Units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.7711 -2.77% -7.36% n.a n.a -2.39% a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. 1 - Launch date is August 22, 2023. 2 - Launch date is October 6, 2023. “While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www.

pifa. com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU.”

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PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

November 20, 2023

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

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

22,500 416,301,537 57,105 69,037,692 3,053,865 2,152,664 95,423,179.50 301,000 741,606 8,892 2,838,703 902,317 319,690 129,950 19,850 1,062,250 1,153,240 1,560

-4,500 -52,335,206 -2,652,456 -990,785 876,355 -56,404,855.50 -1,911,312.50 439,143.50 896,000 1,113,000 -

INDUSTRIAL ACEN CORP 4.88 4.89 4.9 4.98 4.88 4.88 5,075,000 24,889,000 ALSONS CONS 0.55 0.57 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56 100,000 56,000 ALTERNERGY HLDG 0.83 0.85 0.85 0.87 0.83 0.83 1,215,000 1,021,140 ABOITIZ POWER 36.25 36.45 36.4 36.4 35.9 36.25 1,206,000 43,718,355 BASIC ENERGY 0.178 0.183 0.185 0.186 0.177 0.178 850,000 151,790 FIRST GEN 18.1 18.12 18.48 18.48 18.1 18.12 513,900 9,318,080 FIRST PHIL HLDG 63.35 63.4 63.2 63.35 63.2 63.35 9,100 575,470.50 MERALCO 376.4 377.2 378 378 372.2 377.2 119,510 45,053,630 MANILA WATER 17.1 17.26 17.42 17.42 17.1 17.1 191,400 3,290,132 PETRON 3.24 3.25 3.25 3.25 3.22 3.24 650,000 2,106,010 PHX PETROLEUM 5.1 5.28 5.09 5.28 5.09 5.28 4,600 24,269 REPOWER ENERGY 6.63 6.69 6.75 6.75 6.7 6.7 84,600 566,965 SYNERGY GRID 6 6.09 6.29 6.29 5.81 6 1,508,600 9,064,737 SHELL PILIPINAS 12.28 12.4 12.78 12.78 12.24 12.4 64,400 792,850 SPC POWER 7.77 7.79 7.8 7.8 7.6 7.79 23,200 179,139 VIVANT 14.86 15.48 15.48 15.48 15.48 15.48 100 1,548 AGRINURTURE 1.3 1.32 1.34 1.34 1.31 1.32 970,000 1,290,600 AXELUM 1.8 1.85 1.84 1.85 1.8 1.85 265,000 484,330 CNTRL AZUCARERA 10.68 11.16 10.72 11.18 10.62 11.18 7,700 82,476 CENTURY FOOD 29.4 29.85 29 29.9 29 29.85 4,578,300 136,447,365 DEL MONTE 7.2 7.3 7.32 7.32 7.2 7.2 7,300 52,924 DNL INDUS 5.98 5.99 6.08 6.08 5.93 5.99 10,455,200 62,526,483 EMPERADOR 20.75 20.8 20.7 20.95 20.7 20.8 2,419,500 50,194,550 SMC FOODANDBEV 49.9 50.25 49.95 50.25 49.9 50.25 40,430 2,024,646 FIGARO COFFEE 0.63 0.64 0.64 0.65 0.63 0.63 985,000 629,360 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.475 0.51 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 300,000 144,000 FRUITAS HLDG 1.21 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.21 1.25 3,922,000 4,845,390 GINEBRA 165.1 168.8 167 169.9 167 168.8 41,120 6,938,124 JOLLIBEE 227 227.8 230 230 226 227 346,560 78,876,118 KEEPERS HLDG 1.44 1.45 1.48 1.48 1.44 1.44 511,000 738,010 LIBERTY FLOUR 13.08 16.72 11.2 14.9 11.2 14.9 1,000 12,418 MAXS GROUP 3.68 3.73 3.75 3.75 3.67 3.69 63,000 232,860 MG HLDG 0.091 0.095 0.1 0.1 0.09 0.095 1,200,000 109,200 MONDE NISSIN 7.75 7.78 7.91 8.01 7.74 7.75 11,687,400 91,686,697 SHAKEYS PIZZA 9.21 9.32 9.21 9.33 9.2 9.32 20,600 189,828 RFM CORP 2.98 2.99 2.98 2.99 2.98 2.99 50,000 149,420 ROXAS HLDG 0.52 0.61 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 1,000 520 UNIV ROBINA 112.2 113.5 111.8 113.5 110.9 113.5 543,560 61,231,496 VITARICH 0.5 0.53 0.5 0.53 0.5 0.53 82,000 41,060 VICTORIAS 3.1 3.3 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 6,000 18,600 CONCRETE B 37.8 48.8 49 49 49 49 200 9,800 CEMEX HLDG 0.79 0.8 0.78 0.8 0.78 0.79 96,000 76,560 EC VULCAN CORP 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.85 0.81 0.81 873,000 720,480 EEI CORP 5.92 5.99 5.79 6 5.79 5.99 2,444,300 14,554,208 MEGAWIDE 3.05 3.12 3.19 3.19 3.04 3.05 416,000 1,278,330 CROWN ASIA 1.55 1.58 1.57 1.6 1.55 1.55 26,000 40,890 PRYCE CORP 5.19 5.2 5.3 5.3 5.19 5.2 365,100 1,898,808 CONCEPCION 13.52 14.86 13.52 13.52 13.52 13.52 1,000 13,520 GREENERGY 0.26 0.265 0.255 0.27 0.255 0.26 38,210,000 10,133,750 INTEGRATED MICR 3.4 3.48 3.43 3.43 3.4 3.4 10,000 34,130 IONICS 1.12 1.13 1.16 1.18 1.12 1.12 1,111,000 1,265,520 PANASONIC 4.58 4.9 4.57 4.57 4.57 4.57 1,000 4,570 SFA SEMICON 1.9 1.99 1.87 1.99 1.87 1.99 377,000 737,340 CIRTEK HLDG 1.68 1.72 1.75 1.78 1.65 1.72 568,000 967,760

-18,298,480 4,250 -21,398,110 -8,060,298 4,815,356 270,824 -324,000 -8,448 -6,785 -1,784,096 499,958 -54,530 -202,000 -87,360 77,337,750 -52,924 -7,384,927 40,147,260 -1,332,245.50 -1,280 144,000 129,780 3,536,184 -7,804 -80,930 -140,200 -24,277,861 9,210 -125,580 11,495,989 16,770 -2,325,680 15,250 -1,385,950 -19,900 27,080

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LT GROUP PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS

30,769,310 -1,187,235 -542,474 -4,233,890 -6,476,573 -10,146,015 3,527,690 -3,208,654 900 -43,056,575 53,182,675 -

HOLDING & FRIMS

45.05 129.4 7.5 104 30.2 8.8 51.5 8.6 18.44 54.3 72 59.05 2.79 880 0.36 175 2,652 0.78

1.01 647 47.25 10.34 11.3 0.485 0.38 4.58 9.2 5.12 564 3.35 38.1 4.6 8.97 2.8 0.9 829 106.8 98 0.25

45.4 129.9 7.68 104.5 30.45 8.81 51.85 8.8 18.58 56 72.9 59.5 2.8 1,100 0.39 175.7 2,696 0.82

1.02 648 47.8 10.4 11.32 0.49 0.385 4.62 9.3 5.13 566.5 3.52 38.7 5.58 8.98 2.84 0.97 834 107 104.3 0.275

45 129.2 7.11 105.1 30.3 8.81 52.1 8.6 18.64 56 73.4 59.95 2.81 1,030 0.395 175 2,700 0.78

1.03 645 47.5 10.5 11.3 0.49 0.38 4.7 9.36 5.13 563 3.4 38.5 5.58 9.1 2.85 0.9 854 104.2 100 0.275

45 130.5 7.5 105.5 30.45 8.99 52.3 8.6 18.66 56 73.4 60.05 2.81 1,050 0.4 175 2,700 0.78

1.04 647 47.95 10.5 11.32 0.49 0.38 4.7 9.39 5.13 572.5 3.5 39.3 5.58 9.1 2.89 0.96 854 108 106 0.275

45 129.1 7.11 103.8 30.2 8.8 51.5 8.6 18.4 54.3 72 58.55 2.79 1,030 0.395 175 2,650 0.78

1.01 636 47.25 10.22 11.3 0.49 0.38 4.56 9.17 5.13 557.5 3.35 37.9 5.58 8.95 2.8 0.9 829 104 95.5 0.25

45 129.4 7.5 104 30.2 8.81 51.5 8.6 18.58 54.3 72 59.5 2.8 1,050 0.4 175 2,650 0.78

1.02 647 47.25 10.4 11.32 0.49 0.38 4.57 9.2 5.13 564 3.35 38.7 5.58 8.98 2.8 0.96 829 107 98 0.25

500 3,207,660 7,900 663,120 100,800 244,400 1,843,100 35,000 40,100 160 39,250 15,150 114,000 125 50,000 6,070 435 2,000

1,606,000 180,280 229,400 374,200 15,500 8,000 770,000 4,168,000 2,465,500 100 63,710 20,000 517,500 2,000 3,788,400 170,000 2,000 235,580 732,720 4,270 420,000

1,636,380 116,039,865 10,846,040 3,873,486 175,404 3,920 292,600 19,507,940 22,803,396 513 35,992,725 69,350 19,998,250 11,160 34,207,409 477,890 1,860 197,402,715 78,118,850 446,710 105,500

PROPERTY

AYALA LAND 29.85 29.9 29.4 29.85 29.25 29.85 6,522,400 194,075,700 AYALA LAND LOG 1.62 1.64 1.65 1.65 1.62 1.64 602,000 980,250 ALTUS PROP 9.02 9.03 9.02 9.03 9.02 9.03 5,400 48,742 ARANETA PROP 1 1.02 1.01 1.03 1 1.02 195,000 196,430 AREIT RT 30 30.05 31.95 31.95 30.05 30.05 13,060,800 401,057,840 A BROWN 0.65 0.68 0.7 0.7 0.68 0.68 5,000 3,440 CITYLAND DEVT 0.69 0.72 0.74 0.74 0.68 0.68 8,000 5,800 CROWN EQUITIES 0.061 0.071 0.07 0.071 0.07 0.071 70,000 4,910 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.53 2.55 2.56 2.57 2.53 2.55 91,000 231,170 CENTURY PROP 0.305 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31 50,000 15,500 CITICORE RT 2.52 2.53 2.54 2.54 2.51 2.53 3,347,000 8,431,030 DOUBLEDRAGON 7.7 7.74 7.58 7.76 7.58 7.74 233,300 1,804,233 DDMP RT 1.21 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.21 1.21 903,000 1,094,790 DM WENCESLAO 6.26 6.3 6.29 6.29 6.28 6.29 14,400 90,571 EMPIRE EAST 0.137 0.139 0.145 0.145 0.139 0.139 1,860,000 260,600 EVER GOTESCO 0.285 0.295 0.285 0.295 0.285 0.295 470,000 136,050 FILINVEST RT 2.9 2.94 2.89 2.94 2.86 2.9 222,000 645,750 FILINVEST LAND 0.55 0.56 0.58 0.58 0.55 0.56 4,758,000 2,670,730 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.75 0.8 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76 298,000 226,480 8990 HLDG 8.4 8.65 8.32 8.75 8.31 8.74 2,900 24,598 GOLDEN MV 785 815 783.5 819 783.5 786 390 307,060 CITY AND LAND 0.76 0.77 0.76 0.76 0.75 0.76 90,000 67,900 MEGAWORLD 2.04 2.05 2.03 2.06 2.02 2.05 21,614,000 44,066,910 MRC ALLIED 1.52 1.6 1.63 1.63 1.55 1.6 1,217,000 1,931,650 MREIT RT 11.9 12 12.14 12.14 11.88 12 1,047,300 12,521,872 OMICO CORP 0.228 0.23 0.228 0.228 0.228 0.228 60,000 13,680 PREMIERE RT 1.51 1.53 1.51 1.53 1.51 1.53 87,000 131,720 PRIMEX CORP 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.49 2.6 13,000 33,590 RL COMM RT 4.69 4.73 4.81 4.81 4.68 4.69 1,524,000 7,198,900 ROBINSONS LAND 14.48 14.58 14.5 14.6 14.46 14.48 880,900 12,763,710 ROCKWELL 1.35 1.41 1.35 1.35 1.35 1.35 5,000 6,750 SHANG PROP 3.6 3.61 3.7 3.7 3.61 3.61 61,000 221,360 STA LUCIA LAND 3.2 3.27 3.27 3.27 3.27 3.27 7,000 22,890 SM PRIME HLDG 31.65 31.7 31.65 31.75 31.35 31.7 3,192,600 100,895,405 VISTAMALLS 2.32 2.42 2.42 2.42 2.32 2.32 9,000 20,980 SUNTRUST RESORT 0.75 0.8 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 7,000 5,530 VISTA LAND 1.64 1.65 1.64 1.65 1.63 1.64 67,000 109,870 VISTAREIT RT 1.67 1.68 1.69 1.69 1.67 1.67 179,000 301,250 SERVICES ABS CBN 3.5 3.57 3.53 3.6 3.51 3.57 67,000 238,970 GMA NETWORK 8.23 8.24 8.22 8.3 8.22 8.23 83,800 690,359 MLA BRDCASTING 7.4 8.55 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.4 1,000 7,400 GLOBE TELECOM 1,720 1,727 1,720 1,729 1,713 1,720 16,830 28,916,460 PLDT 1,243 1,246 1,243 1,246 1,231 1,246 37,285 46,305,420 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.014 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.012 0.015 342,800,000 4,662,300 CONVERGE 7.99 8 8.07 8.13 7.97 8 7,663,100 61,449,841 DFNN INC 3.07 3.1 3.07 3.07 3.07 3.07 48,000 147,360 DITO CME HLDG 2.33 2.34 2.49 2.49 2.28 2.34 6,796,000 16,094,440 NOW CORP 1.23 1.25 1.27 1.3 1.23 1.23 1,566,000 1,952,000 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.132 0.138 0.141 0.141 0.141 0.141 30,000 4,230 ASIAN TERMINALS 15.46 15.92 15.94 15.96 15.92 15.92 1,300 20,738 CHELSEA 1.27 1.3 1.26 1.3 1.25 1.3 179,000 229,020 CEBU AIR 32.8 32.95 32.15 32.95 32.15 32.95 419,800 13,797,785 INTL CONTAINER 211 212 212 212.4 209 212 899,270 190,017,742 LBC EXPRESS 17.1 18.82 17 17 17 17 100 1,700 MACROASIA 4.15 4.16 4.15 4.22 4.1 4.15 1,029,000 4,272,210 METROALLIANCE A 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 33,000 16,500 PAL HLDG 5.15 5.25 5.25 5.25 5.25 5.25 400 2,100 HARBOR STAR 0.76 0.8 0.77 0.8 0.77 0.8 101,000 77,800 ACESITE HOTEL 1.78 1.88 1.88 1.88 1.88 1.88 1,000 1,880 WATERFRONT 0.4 0.42 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 30,000 12,000 CENTRO ESCOLAR 8.28 8.94 8.24 8.28 8.24 8.28 1,400 11,579 FAR EASTERN U 571 628 571.5 571.5 571.5 571.5 70 40,005 IPEOPLE 6.34 7.39 7.47 7.47 6.34 6.34 2,600 19,104 STI HLDG 0.455 0.46 0.445 0.46 0.44 0.46 2,530,000 1,138,400 BELLE CORP 1.16 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.16 1.16 2,000 2,330 BLOOMBERRY 9.76 9.8 9.51 9.83 9.51 9.76 8,202,200 80,118,586 PACIFIC ONLINE 3.25 3.39 3.4 3.4 3.26 3.39 43,000 144,730 PH RESORTS GRP 0.9 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.88 0.9 770,000 687,890 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.59 0.6 0.6 0.61 0.59 0.6 2,705,000 1,627,380 DIGIPLUS 6.51 6.52 6.68 6.7 6.51 6.51 1,285,100 8,483,933 PHILWEB 1.78 1.82 1.77 1.83 1.77 1.82 109,000 196,290 ALLDAY 0.169 0.17 0.169 0.17 0.169 0.169 3,080,000 520,840 BERJAYA 7.13 8 8 8 8 8 100 800 ALLHOME 1.23 1.24 1.2 1.29 1.01 1.23 23,493,000 28,685,020 METRO RETAIL 1.18 1.21 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.17 8,000 9,360 PUREGOLD 28.45 28.5 28.5 28.9 28.45 28.45 942,100 26,960,420 ROBINSONS RTL 38.35 38.45 38.9 38.95 38.1 38.35 460,200 17,662,955 PHIL SEVEN CORP 76.4 81.5 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 1,000 76,050 SSI GROUP 2.71 2.78 2.76 2.83 2.71 2.71 453,000 1,253,780 UPSON INTL CORP 1.69 1.75 1.77 1.77 1.69 1.75 5,000 8,730 WILCON DEPOT 19.7 19.9 19.8 20.1 19.64 19.9 2,012,300 39,685,890 EASYCALL 2.29 2.49 2.24 2.29 2.24 2.29 8,000 18,170 IPM HLDG 3.65 4.5 3.7 3.7 3.68 3.68 5,000 18,420 MEDILINES 0.34 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 70,000 24,500 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.19 0.192 0.18 0.192 0.18 0.192 1,030,000 192,950 MINING & OIL ATOK 4.7 4.99 5 5 4.7 4.7 4,900 23,470 APEX MINING 2.63 2.64 2.63 2.66 2.62 2.63 2,323,000 6,126,240 ATLAS MINING 3.02 3.1 3.02 3.02 3.02 3.02 30,000 90,600 BENGUET A 4.66 4.7 4.84 4.96 4.67 4.67 218,000 1,030,630 CENTURY PEAK 3.07 3.17 3.08 3.17 3.07 3.17 105,000 329,130 FERRONICKEL 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.43 2.36 2.41 259,000 616,850 GEOGRACE 0.031 0.033 0.033 0.033 0.033 0.033 100,000 3,300 LEPANTO A 0.077 0.079 0.081 0.081 0.077 0.078 2,260,000 177,350 LEPANTO B 0.068 0.08 0.067 0.08 0.067 0.068 520,000 41,350 MANILA MINING A 0.0044 0.0047 0.0044 0.0047 0.0044 0.0047 6,000,000 27,600 MARCVENTURES 1.02 1.03 1.02 1.03 1 1.03 714,000 721,620 NIHAO 0.54 0.6 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.53 30,000 15,900 NICKEL ASIA 5.11 5.12 5.15 5.15 5.11 5.12 943,300 4,830,164 PX MINING 2.81 2.83 2.81 2.83 2.81 2.83 276,000 776,360 SEMIRARA MINING 28 28.2 28.25 28.6 28 28 1,398,100 39,362,280 UNITED PARAGON 0.0041 0.0047 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 1,000,000 4,800 ENEX ENERGY 5 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 500 2,550 ORNTL PETROL A 0.0082 0.0083 0.0082 0.0083 0.0082 0.0083 2,000,000 16,500 PHILODRILL 0.0081 0.0082 0.0082 0.0082 0.0082 0.0082 21,000,000 172,200 PXP ENERGY 3.9 4 3.97 4.1 3.86 3.9 658,000 2,628,340 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 94 97.5 96.8 96.8 96.8 96.8 3,000 290,400 ACEN PREF A 1,010 1,039 1,006 1,039 1,006 1,039 105 105,795 ACEN PREF B 1,030 1,039 1,030 1,039 1,030 1,039 66,000 68,509,200 AC PREF AR 2,450 2,480 2,480 2,480 2,450 2,480 740 1,820,670 ALCO PREF D 455 461.8 455 455 455 455 230 104,650 AC PREF B2R 485.8 499 487.6 487.6 485.6 485.6 10,000 4,860,960 BRN PREF A 96.05 98.9 96.5 97 96.05 96.05 1,990 191,717.50 CEB PREF 31.45 32 32 32 31.45 31.45 50,800 1,597,820 DD PREF 91.05 93.1 93 93.1 91 91.05 18,810 1,744,412.50 GTCAP PREF B 935 950 940 940 935 935 40 37,450 JFC PREF A 941 949.5 941 941 941 941 10 9,410 JFC PREF B 901 920 901 925 901 925 100 90,340 MWIDE PREF 4 92.05 93.8 93.95 93.95 93.8 93.8 120 11,259 PNX PREF 3B 23.25 30.95 31.6 31.6 31.6 31.6 100 3,160 PNX PREF 4 230 257.4 260 260 260 260 10 2,600 PCOR PREF 3A 980.5 995 985 985 980 980 1,000 980,300 PCOR PREF 4C 900.5 999 999 999 999 999 1,160 1,158,840 SMC PREF 2F 72.5 72.9 73 73 72.5 72.5 11,350 828,275 SMC PREF 2J 65.1 67.95 65.15 65.15 65.15 65.15 30,000 1,954,500 SMC PREF 2K 65 66.6 66.65 66.65 66.65 66.65 280 18,662

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

WARRANTS

TECH WARRANT

3.27 8

3.58 8.5 -

0.33

0.365

10,000

98,087,170 188,510.00 -122,957,370 -479,570 -113,299 -533,050 -15,091 -5,900 21,690 -371,180 19,630 -7,744,670.00 -146,050 26,000 -4,857,400 -1,363,078 58,400 4,732,705 -36,050 -3,802,040 24,824,820 -8,000 -5,934,754 -1,026,900 13,940 -8,971,895.00 18,879,616 709,870 12,000 -35,800 1,170 122,536 3,087,714 76,000 -18,634,890.00 7,765,205 -13,394,665 -701,250.00 -7,040 -17,034,062 -41,460 734,760 329,130 90,350 15,900 -3,233,758 154,750 -10,227,425 -2,060,000 -975,060 -

3,650

SMALL, MEDIUM & EMERGING

0.43 0.46 0.43 0.46 110,000 48,500 0.76 0.79 0.76 0.77 17,000 13,100 0.97 1.03 0.97 1.01 4,435,000 4,470,090 0.73 0.73 0.67 0.7 117,000 80,520 1.08 1.1 1.05 1.08 2,636,000 2,843,720 -50,670 0.201 0.205 0.2 0.205 450,000 91,180 -

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

98.1 98.1 97.6 97.6 7,130 697,688 157,789

BALAI FRUITAS CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS MERRYMART XURPAS

FIRST METRO ETF

0.43 0.77 1.01 0.68 1.07 0.205 97.5

0.455 0.79 1.02 0.7 1.08 0.222 97.6

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, November 21, 2023 B3

BTr doubles take from tokenized bonds issue

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE national government on Monday borrowed P15 billion through its maiden offering of tokenized version of Treasury bonds (TTBs), 50-percent higher than its initial target, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) announced Monday.

The Treasury said it upsized the target issue amount of P10-billion worth of tokenized debt instru-

ments following an overwhelming demand from the domestic market. Total bids from domestic inves-

tors for the 1-year TTBs reached P31.426 billion, more than triple than the initial programmed issuance. “The BTr saw strong demand from qualified institutional investors for the TTBs, with the size of the book reaching P31.426 billion, more than three times the target issue size of P10 billion,” the Treasury said in a statement. “This allowed the BTr to upsize the issue to P15 billion at 6.50 percent, aligned with the prevailing 1-year secondary market rates despite the non-tradability of the TTBs,” it added. The TTBs will be settled on November 22 and will be issued in

the form of digital tokens, which will be maintained in the BTr’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Registry. The Treasury said the issuance of the TTBs is part of the national government’s thrust to promote “greater” financial inclusion and “broader” participation in the bond market by modernizing its financial platforms and reducing friction costs. “The bond tokenization program is anchored on the national government’s long-term vision of a financially-inclusive domestic capital market,” Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said. “Through streamlining settlement procedures and minimizing

friction costs, this initiative is a huge leap towards our end goal of democratizing investment and empowering our small investors,” Diokno added. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said the issuance of the TTBs fits well with the central bank’s push for “broader” digital transformation and capital market development. Remolona said he is hopeful that the TTB sale would be expanded in the future to retail investors. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/11/17/ phl-to-start-selling-tokenizedtreasury-bonds/) “Our goal is to expand invest-

ment options so that more Filipinos can grow their money through these fixed-income investments while contributing directly to economic growth,” the central bank governor said. “Right now, the focus is on institutional investors but hopefully, we can expand this project to retail investors over time,” Remolona added. An assessment by the Asian Development Bank Institute in 2020 has shown that tokenized securities “are limited by immature infrastructure and regulatory uncertainty, while promising significant potential benefits compared to conventional financing mechanisms.”

Six ways to manage yuletide spending LGUs to get higher tobacco tax share

HE yuletide season is a joyful season in the Philippines. It is a season of many parties and gifts. A survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in November 2022 reveals that half of the respondents in the Philippines stated that they intended to or had already spent less money on holiday shopping compared to 2021. The same survey reveals that the most popular items bought during the period are apparel, footwear, toys, games and consumer electronics. Given rising prices, it is timely to discuss ways to manage expenses. One way to manage yuletide spending is to develop yuletide lists. These lists help us take stock of our various social relationships. One list is for the anticipated parties and celebrations in December. Having this list will allow us to prioritize and ensure presence in the important occasions. Another list is for gift distribution. Gifts are usually given to loved ones like family members, relatives, friends and colleagues. These lists have to be developed early so that we have more than enough time to plan and prepare. One way to manage yuletide spending is to develop a budget. Once the yuletide lists have been finalized, the corresponding budget must be determined. Having a budget makes spending more strategic and efficient. Yuletide spending must not exceed income in order to avoid the debt burden. Use of the popular envelope budgeting system can be applied where there will be separate budget envelopes

Genesis Kelly S. Lontoc

personal finance for parties and gifts. It is important to stick to the lists and budgets. Financial discipline must happen for budgets to work. One way to manage yuletide spending is to do purchases early. When we have the luxury of time, we will be able to scout for the best deals in terms of product, price, place and promotions. When we have the luxury of time, we will be in a better negotiating position. Time allows us to save on cost especially if the items are purchased during non-peak periods. The problems with last-minute shopping are the risks that the items we need are insufficient in supply and that prices may be way beyond what we budgeted for. One way to manage yuletide spending is to explore alternative gifts. It is really the thought that counts in gifts. A relevant gift may be appreciated more by a recipient than an expensive gift. We can put our creative juices into play. A doit-yourself gift can be a good alternative to traditional gifts that are found in malls and other shopping centers in terms of cost and impact. The time and effort we invest in the creation of the do-it-yourself gift are the intangibles that can make the gift even more unique and special. One way to manage yuletide spending is to explore the use of

reputable online platforms for parties and gifts. In the case of parties, apart from beating the expected December heavy traffic, reputable online platforms allow the participation of family members and friends who are not that proximate to us in terms of location. In the case of gifts, reputable online platforms can potentially save on costs like transportation expenses. Many online platforms provide discounts and deals for purchases which yield good savings. One way to manage yuletide spending is to monitor actual spending. We need to be on top of our finances and be organized. A budget is only as good as its execution. Actual spending has to be systematically and regularly tracked against the budget. Doing this allows us to know where we are. Doing this allows us to make the necessary spending adjustments. The good news is that there are many platforms that can be used to assess spending levels. These include simple notebooks, spreadsheets and mobile applications. As the year draws to a close, we take time to reconnect with our families and friends. However, even during festive seasons, we must be mindful in managing our finances well. It is okay to have fun so long as we exercise financial prudence. May the Lord grant us more financial blessings in the coming year. Gemmy Lontoc is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personalfinancial planning, attend the 105th RFP program this January 2024. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

Xendit joins BSP's Open Finance project By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

AYMENT gateway operator Xendit Philippines Inc. announced last Monday it is participating in the Open Finance Pilot of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as both provider and user of application programming interface (API) technology. In this capacity, Xendit is lending its startup prowess in building financial infrastructure that will facilitate the free flow of data between and among its existing partners and other stakeholders to achieve the full promise of an open finance ecosystem, the firm’s statement read. Financial institutions can also leverage this infrastructure to address issues such as process efficiency, long approval periods, online availability and overall accessibility, it added. The firm cited the BSP as saying that “open finance will empower consumers to consent to the use of their personal and financial data to gain better access to credit and other financial products and services they can use to uplift their lives.” “In turn, financial institutions can use this permissioned-access data to create even more customized financial products and services that address actual market needs,” the BSP was quoted by Xendit as saying. “This helps accelerate financial inclusion in the country, thus providing the unbanked, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises, more visibility in the formal financial system.” Xendit Product Innovation Head Jon Trinidad said through the statement

that their participation in the Open Finance Pilot supports the firm’s “mission of building digital infrastructure with a network effect, one that enables other platforms and services.” “Imagine we’re creating a toolbox, wherein anywhere you are and whoever you are, you can utilize its contents and build upon them to solve your own problems. This is how we take capacitybuilding to heart—by using technology to democratize services and ensure we do not leave behind the smaller financial institutions and the unbanked and underserved Filipinos,” Trinidad added. The BSP’s Open Finance Pilot is currently ongoing and targeted to undergo evaluation by the end of the year. It features a holistic approach that covers not only the technology aspect involved in implementing open finance, but also the policies that have to be drafted to ensure its success, including but not limited to consumer’s rights and data security. Xendit is also part of the BSP’s Open Finance Oversight Committee Transition Group, before solidifying its commitment to the initiative by volunteering to participate in the Pilot. “Xendit is committed to advancing the BSP’s Open Finance roadmap because it will provide access to financial services to the underserved, and will build the foundations for the next frontier of financial innovations,” Xendit Compliance and Government Relations Head Guada Vergel de Dios was quoted in the statement as saying. “We believe strongly that fintech players should prioritize data security and infrastructure

resilience in future-proofing the design of Open Finance initiatives so that the Philippines can set a new standard of excellence in data exchange.” During this current phase, Xendit’s main contribution is its expertise on API design, characterized by a customercentric approach. It has been providing insights with practical use-cases that stem from its broad understanding of local customers. On the back-end side, it prioritizes legibility to empower stakeholders to understand use-cases right away and be able to build services that provide more value for their own customers. This will also ensure that interoperability, one of the hallmarks of the open finance ecosystem, is efficiently achieved. Notwithstanding other external variables such as access to stable internet, Xendit believes that the Philippines is getting there when it comes to readiness for an open finance ecosystem. The robust regulatory support from the central bank and its partners is a positive nudge that steers the country towards its financial inclusion vision. It will now take strong collaboration and competition among stakeholders, and their ability to build on each other’s capabilities, to accelerate progress that is inclusive and equitable for all Filipinos. “Moving forward, our goal is to first establish this capability and indeed prove that the ecosystem works, without sacrificing the integrity of our financial system. And then it is an iterative process, which means that we will keep finding the next pain point to address and tweak from there,” Trinidad said.

HE excise tax share that tobacco-producing local government units (LGUs) would receive this year would be at P21 billion, about 10.52-percent higher than the P19 billion they received last year, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). In a recent local budget memorandum, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman outlined the guidelines on the release and utilization of the tobacco excise taxes by LGUs. For this year’s utilization, the LGUs would be receiving their share from the tobacco excise taxes collected by the national government in 2021 and prior years. The memorandum stipulated that the LGUs would be receiving a total of P21 billion in excise tax share, which is the limit stipulated under prevailing rules and regulations. Under Republic Act 11346, LGUs where Virginia tobacco is grown are

entitled to receive 15 percent of the total excise tax collection on locally manufactured Virginia-type cigarettes. However, their share must not exceed P17 billion. Meanwhile, 5 percent of the excise taxes collected from tobacco products will be allocated and divided among LGUs producing burley and native tobacco. The total share shall not exceed P4 billion. The DBM memorandum indicated that the Virginia tobacco-growing LGUs would receive P17 billion this year while burley and native tobaccoproducing LGUs would get the maximum P4 billion. Last year, total excise taxes earmarked to tobacco-producing LGUs reached P19 billion. “The programs and projects to be implemented by the beneficiary LGUs from their respective shares from tobacco excise taxes shall be included in their respective duly

approved local development investment programs and annual investment programs,” Budget Memorandum 89 read. The DBM also reminded the LGUs that their programs and projects must be aligned with the policies set by the national government such as the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Program and the roadmap for the Philippine Tobacco Industry. The memorandum indicated that the P17 billion excise taxes from Virginia tobacco would be allocated to four provinces based on their respective volume of production. Ilocos Sur would receive the highest LGU share at P10.407 billion. For the P4-billion burley and native tobacco excise taxes allocation, 16 LGUs would receive allotments led by Isabela, which will get P2.027 billion in funds. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

BIR chief grateful for $400M ADB loan

UREAU of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. announced his commitment to pursue the digitalization plans of the BIR together with Asian Development Bank after the ADB approved a $400-million loan to help the efforts of the Philippines and the BIR to modernize tax administration, systems and processes. “The BIR commits to pursuing the digitalization and modernization of its services. We commit to being a service-oriented agency,” Lumagui was quoted in a statement the BIR issued last Monday. “We thank the ADB for being a partner in nationbuilding.” The BIR cited a press release by the ADB that specifically mentioned the digital transformation initiative of the agency. Among the reforms pursued by the government in line with the DRM

[domestic resource mobilization] program is the digital transformation initiative of the BIR, read the November 14 statement of the ADB cited by the BIR. “The project aims to modernize key taxpayers’ services, including online tax registration, return filing and payment.” The ADB said it expects the project “can potentially increase the ratio of actual tax revenues to tax potential, from 75 percent in 2020 to at least 85 percent by 2026.” The ADB aims to foster economic growth and co-operation in the region of Asia and the Far East and to contribute to the acceleration of the process of economic development of the developing member countries in the region, collectively and individually. In 2021, the BIR’s digital transformation program secured a grant of $809,450 from the United States

Trade and Development Agency. The grant aimed to assist the BIR in undertaking an in-depth technical assessment of its current ICT environment, developing an enterprise architecture roadmap/framework, and assessing the organizational framework of its Information System Group, including recommended restructuring and training programs. As part of the BIR’s long-term digital transformation program, it has also launched that year its “Internal Revenue Integrated System,” which will serve as the agency’s central tool and repository to process taxpayers’ information. In his speech at the launch of the 2023 National Tax Campaign Kickoff last February, Lumagui said that the agency would focus on the implementation of various digitalization programs.

GSIS opens loan window after quake

HE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced last Monday it has opened an emergency loan window starting November 21 for GSIS members and pensioners adversely affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that jolted Saranggani Davao Occidental and the rest of Regions 11 and 12. A total of 171,341 members and 27,962 pensioners who are either working or residing in Regions 11 and 12 may apply for the emergency loan, according to the GSIS. It added that the loan will be available to members and pensioners in the following areas: South Cotabato (including Koronadal City); Sultan Kudarat (including Tacurong City); Sarangani Province; General Santos City (including Kidapawan City); Davao Del Sur; Davao City; Digos City; Davao del Norte; Tagum City; Davao De Oro; Davao Occidental; and, Davao Oriental (including Mati City). GSIS President and General

Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso was quoted in the statement as saying the state pension fund has earmarked a total of P6 billion for its emergency loan budget this year. “This is to ensure that we have an adequate amount of funds to assist those who need help after the earthquake,” Veloso added. Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the calamity areas may also avail of the loan provided their net monthly pension after availing of the loan is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension. Members with existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to clear the balance of their previous emergency loan and receive a maximum net amount of P20,000. Meanwhile, pensioners and those without existing emergency loan may apply for a P20,000 loan. The loan offers a low-interest rate of 6 percent and has a repayment period of three years. It also includes redemption insurance

coverage, which will pay off the loan balance in case of the borrower’s death during the loan term, for as long as the payments are updated. To qualify for the GSIS emergency loan program, active members must be residing or working in the calamity areas. They should not be on unpaid leave, have no pending legal cases, have paid premiums within the last six months and their net take-home pay should not be lower than P5,000, the amount required under the General Appropriations Act after all monthly obligations are deducted, the GSIS said. “Binuksan agad natin ang emergency loan ng GSIS sa mga naapektuhan ng malakas na lindol upang maaga nating matugunan ang kanilang pangangailan. Ang agarang pagbibigay ng pampinansyal na suporta ay malaking bagay para sa kanilang pangangailangan sa pagkain, gamot o pangkukumpuni ng nasirang tahanan,” Veloso said.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Art

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Flowers, chances bloom in Joseph Tecson’s ‘Quatervois’

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Carly Rae Jepsen, 38; Jena Malone, 39; Michael Strahan, 52; Goldie Hawn, 78. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: It’s time to get moving. Put together your to-do list and start heading in a direction that makes you feel good about yourself, what you do and the goals you set. Change begins with you and how you live. Set up guidelines based on what makes you happy. Don’t wait for opportunities if creating them will speed things up and be selfgratifying. Your numbers are 8, 14, 24, 28, 32, 37, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take the initiative to pick up information to help you get ahead. Visit someone who can offer inside information about a person, company or pursuit you want to infiltrate. A short trip, meeting or reconnecting with someone will pay off. Romance is favored. ★★★

HE personal journey to spiritual growth and artistic transformation of Joseph Tecson continues in his 16th solo exhibition, opening today at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt. The show, titled Quatervois, takes inspiration from the word with French origins that refers to a turning point in one’s life. Showcased are Tecson’s artworks that pay homage to the important moments that shaped his life, from his flowery introspections in recent years to finding new life and freedom in the past decade. The artist found solace amid the global pandemic in his father’s budding flower farm. The sprawling scenes bursting with vibrant life protected him from the illness that hounded the world, developing his affinity for flora. Thus, seen in Quatervois is Tecson’s conscious abstraction of flowers. “I want to represent what my dad did in the farm.” Tecson said, before highlighting his personal touch to the depictions. “I tried to make it as abstract as possible.” Tecson’s intention somehow resulted in even more figurative pieces. That is not to suggest the artist failed, but, in his boldness, he managed to achieve an effective result nonetheless. His impasto breathed palpable texture and realism in the petals. In Clementine, hanging red and yellow flowers come on strong while strong branches strike through, while Leave It in My Dreams presents an enchanting collection against a whimsical pink background. Quatervois also proves that the self-taught artist has come a long way since finding his way into the arts during another critical point in his life. Tecson spent four years and 20 days in incarceration until 2012 for a high-profile drug trafficking case that he was later acquitted of. While inside, his brother insisted he pass the time productively by painting.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Doors will open if you promote yourself. Be bold and negotiate, and you’ll impress the right people. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Make changes in your life that will alleviate what’s holding you back and elevate what will advance your efforts. ★★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Someone will use emotional tactics and twist your words around. Ask questions, get the truth and distance yourself from people trying to exploit you. Educate yourself, substantiate right from wrong and follow what accommodates you. ★★

LEAVE it in My Dreams, Joseph Tecson

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Pay attention to detail, and you’ll gain recognition for your astute and unique approach to what you do and how you handle matters. Embrace change or an offer you receive; it will enhance your security and put your mind at ease. ★★★★★

CLEMENTINE, Joseph Tecson

He listened, picked up the paintbrush, and has been holding it ever since. Tecson called the ordeal a “beautiful disaster,” which led him to realize the transformative power of art. He said, “I wouldn’t be an artist today if I didn’t go through that experience.” When Tecson was acquitted of the charges, he had already been part of numerous exhibitions, including his first solo at Mag:Net Gallery in Quezon City. The show, titled Inmates, featured 50 portraits of convicts and detainees from where he was imprisoned. Since then, Tecson has mounted several solo exhibitions in and out of the country with a thought-provoking style. His concepts range from the traditional themes of portraiture to the dynamics of societal contexts. Tecson’s Quatervois will be on view from today, November 21, to December 4, 2023, at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt. The gallery is located at 3rd Floor, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact 0936-2251226 or gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com. ■

MAJOR SOLO EXHIBITION BY GERALDINE JAVIER SILVERLENS announces a major solo exhibition by Geraldine Javier, which opened on November 18, 2023 at Silverlens Manila. A Tree is Not a Forest is presented in all three spaces of the gallery. As an artist-farmer, Geraldine Javier explores the processes of nature every day. Her recent investigations have expanded to contemplate the work of historically significant naturalists David Attenborough, Maria Sibylla Merian, Leonard Co, and Jane Goodall. How are important discoveries in the natural sciences relevant to our current environmental concerns? Through paintings and textile installations, the artist responds with a plethora of mediums and techniques, and the potential of flora as collaborator in storytelling. A Tree is Not a Forest, a major solo exhibition by Geraldine Javier, is on view until December 20 at Silverlens, Manila.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t stress over the little things or let someone’s decisions ruin your mood. Stay in tune with what’s important to you and use your skills and experience to perpetuate what you want to pursue. Don’t squander money or buy into someone else’s dream. ★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The more you achieve, the better you’ll feel about yourself. Don’t wait for someone to make the first move. If you want to stay ahead of the competition, take the initiative to get things done. Be careful not to give someone the wrong impression. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep your emotions in check. Don’t give anyone a chance to take advantage of your vulnerabilities. Keep your home life private and your money matters to yourself. Invest time and money in yourself and the required knowledge and skills you need to reach your goal. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t take anything for granted. Do your due diligence to ensure you get what you want. A passionate approach to life, love and happiness will give you the spark to convince others to help you on your journey. Follow your dreams. ★★★★★

FORMER CEO AT CENTER OF FAKE BASQUIATS SCANDAL COUNTERSUES MUSEUM, CLAIMING HE IS BEING SCAPEGOATED

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be careful who you trust. Don’t share personal information or let anyone scam you into something you don’t need or want. Focus on self-improvement, health and securing your position. Concentrate on what you do well and how to use your skills effectively. ★★

ORLANDO, Florida—A former executive director of a Florida museum that was raided last year by the FBI over an exhibit of what turned out to be forged Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings filed counterclaims Tuesday against the museum, claiming wrongful termination and defamation. The countersuit comes months after the institution sued him and others over the scandal. Former CEO Aaron De Groft said in court papers in Orlando, Florida, that the board chairman and outside lawyers for the Orlando Museum of Art had signed off on the exhibit, even after the FBI had subpoenaed the museum’s records over the exhibit in July 2021. De Groft said he was being made a scapegoat and that the museum’s lawsuit against him was a public relations stunt to save face and make him “the fall guy.” De Groft was fired in June 2022 after the FBI raid. After reviewing documents and interviewing De

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Seize the moment and let your mind wander and your heart race. Do whatever motivates your enthusiasm for life, love and happiness. Don’t wallow in someone else’s misfortune or disdain when your state of mind and accomplishments are up to you. ★★★★

Groft and other staff members, the outside lawyers told the executive director and chairwoman that there was no reason to pull the plug on the exhibit, as did FBI investigators, De Groft said in court papers filed in state court. “These two statements fortified Defendant’s belief that the 25 paintings were authentic Basquiats,” said the former museum CEO. De Groft is seeking more than $50,000 for wrongful termination, defamation and breach of contract. An e-mail seeking comment was sent on Tuesday evening to a spokeswoman for the Orlando Museum of Art. In the museum’s fraud, breach of contract and conspiracy lawsuit against De Groft and others, the institution claims its reputation was left in tatters, and it was put on probation by the American Alliance of Museums. Basquiat, who lived and worked in New York City, found success in the 1980s as part of the neo-

Expressionism movement. The Orlando Museum of Art was the first institution to display the more than two dozen artworks said to have been found in an old storage locker decades after Basquiat’s 1988 death from a drug overdose at age 27. Questions about the artworks’ authenticity arose almost immediately after their reported discovery in 2012. The artwork was purportedly made in 1982, but experts have pointed out that the cardboard used in at least one of the pieces included FedEx typeface that wasn’t used until 1994, about six years after Basquiat died, according to the federal warrant from the museum raid. Also, television writer Thad Mumford, the owner of the storage locker where the art was eventually found, told investigators that he had never owned any Basquiat art and that the pieces were not in the unit the last time he had visited. Mumford died in 2018. AP

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Capture what matters to you and what you want to achieve. Use your connections and communication skills to help you pursue your dreams. Don’t give in or get trapped by emotional blackmail. Make decisions based on what’s best for you. ★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Learn and adjust to ensure that you get things right. Find what motivates you most, and don’t lose sight of your goal. An energetic approach to your pursuits will help build momentum and interest. Change begins with you; become the master of your destiny. ★★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are entertaining, aggressive and persuasive. You are energetic and helpful.

‘focus, focus’ BY REBECCA GOLDSTEIN

The Universal Crossword • Edited by David Steinberg/Anna Gundlach/Adrian Johnson/Jared Goudsmit ACROSS 1 Long jump 5 Zany 11 Hypotheticals 14 Arizona county known as the Winter Salad Bowl Capital 15 Women’s World Cup chant 16 Nada 17 Edge edge? 19 “Ur right” 20 Highest part of the Statue of Liberty 21 Dog that may undergo DNA testing 22 Visionary? 23 Sighed sound 25 Expedition expedition? 27 Sleeveless summer shirt 31 Pieces by Ocean Vuong or Maya Angelou 32 Moisturizer additive 33 Corned beef ___ 36 The “)” in :-) 38 Vinyl records, for short 39 Escape escape? 41 Loosey-goosey 42 Accept eagerly

44 Trig function 45 2022 Best Director Campion 46 Hollowed, as an apple 48 “Maybe, maybe not” 50 Fiesta fiesta? 53 “When you ___ it that way...” 54 Leather-worker’s tools 55 Thaw 57 Bombards with email 61 The Simpsons bartender 62 Explorer explorer? 64 “___ favor” 65 “You’re right!” 66 Flavor of a bottle-shaped gummy 67 ___ Toy Barn (fictional store that has Pixar’s address) 68 Features of male turkeys 69 Clove hitch or butterfly loop DOWN 1 Ride-hailing app with a pink logo 2 Irish currency 3 Latin love 4 Silver dollar in a stack, say 5 Horde 6 Grad

7 Take exception 8 Admit guilt in 9 Handle at the pub 10 For each 11 Coppa Italia champions in 2023 12 Gay “hot spot” in New York 13 Consume noodles noisily 18 “Well, ___ escalated quickly” 22 Education acronym that encompasses chemistry 24 Twinkie alternative 26 Two tablets, maybe 27 Like most WNBA players 28 Soft sweater strands 29 “I haven’t seen it yet!” 30 Foots the bill 34 ___ Lanka 35 Like rear legs 37 They used to date 39 GIF alternative 40 Not superficial 43 Web addresses 45 Equipment for flying solo? 47 Make a dent in, maybe 49 Shove

50 Sarah Paulson’s Florida hometown 51 ___-cotta 52 Bull on a glue bottle 56 Ticked (off) 58 Author unknown: Abbr. 59 Name found in “Demi Lovato” 60 “Shoo!” 62 Taxi 63 They can be upcycled into a disco Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Roderick Paulate resonates with calming positivity

MICHAEL V with Kim Atienza in Bubble Gang.

‘Bubble Gang’ celebrates 28 years of fun and laughter THEY say that laughter is the best medicine, and surely Bubble Gang has provided a weekly dose of joy to several viewers for the past 28 years. To celebrate this milestone, Bubble Gang brings a two-part anniversary special on November 19 and 26. Bringing unlimited laughter and good vibes with the theme “Bente O-Chew” is the powerhouse cast led by award-winning comedian and Bubble Gang pioneer Michael V. a.k.a. Bitoy, together with mainstays Paolo Contis, Betong Sumaya, Chariz Solomon, Analyn Barro, EA Guzman, Buboy Villar, Matt Lozano, Cheska Fausto, and Kokoy de Santos. Making the anniversary episodes even more exciting is the first-ever guest appearance of Boy Abunda, Kim Atienza, and Jillian Ward. Also joining them in the fun celebration are Herlene Budol, Isko Moreno, and the comedic duo of Cookie and Belli, played by Pekto and John Feir. Completing the “Bente O-Chew” special are the viral parodies of Michael V. as Bubble Gang’s very own Ninong Cry meets content creator Ninong Ry. Viewers must also watch out for Lolo Kanor and Hilaw in a never-before-seen collaboration with the phenomenal OPM bands Lola Amour and Dilaw. When the comedy show reinvented itself with a new format and time slot last July, Michael V. admits that it is somewhat different in flavor. According to him: “For the longest time, I was also the creative director of Bubble Gang, and so for the longest time I knew the flavor of the show. But this time around, nagbago ng konti. That, for me, is the biggest change.” Since then, the program has also been more open to collaborations not only with celebrities but also with online influencers. Bitoy explains: “Social media is a big part of mainstream television and entertainment. If it’s a gem, talagang dapat you have to do something about it. Pero hindi mo dapat gayahin. You have to do something better and improve.” Some of the special guests of the anniversary episodes also reminisced about their unforgettable experiences in Bubble Gang. Says Boy Abunda: “I will always remember it because this is the first time I’ve done a gag show. And what an honor it is that my first gag show is Bubble Gang. Dumating ako sa set na sobrang tiwala na I was in good hands, I was in a happy and safe territory. Hindi rin naman lingid sa publiko ang paghanga ko kay Michael V at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng programang ito.” Don’t miss the two-part anniversary special of Bubble Gang on November 19 and 26, 6:35 pm, on GMA Network and Pinoy Hits. Global Pinoys can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. More information is available at www.gmanetwork.com.

OW a senior citizen, Roderick Paulate first forayed into acting at a tender age of four, and his role was as the young Fernando Poe Jr. in the movie Matimbang ang Dugo sa Tubig. “If I remember it right, Mama had a friend, a director of FPJ movies back then, who came to the house. Usually, part of entertaining our visitors, the family would always make me perform a song number or do an acting monologue, and when he saw me, he told my Mama that he will cast me in a new movie and so it happened,” he recalled. But it was in LEA Productions’ Kaibigan Ko’ng Santo Niño where Paulate first made noise as a child actor, starring opposite Gina Alajar who was being launched as a child actress then in this heartwrenching movie directed by Armando de Guzman. “Gina played my sister in this movie, and we were pitting talents with the likes of Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Eddie Garcia, Roger Calvin and Bella Flores. I was initially rejected during auditions but I was called back and eventually got the part,“ he shared, adding that he still remembers the names of his and Gina’s characters: Bong and Oreng. Paulate will soon be seen on the big screen after years of absence. He plays the brother of Maricel Soriano in a new drama movie, titled In his Mother’s Eyes, directed by Eric Reyes, produced by a new film outfit, 7K Entertainment. When the official poster of the movie came out on social media a few weeks ago, many eyebrows were raised because Paulate’s image is nowhere in the layout, considering that he got top billing over the other actors. The poster only had the images of Soriano and LA Santos, who incidentally is the son of the producer-financier of the movie. Showbiz insiders are one in saying that Paulate, who has been in the business for 57 years, should have been accorded much more importance he so deserves. Ever the gentle and highly educated person that he is, Paulate just shrugged this “discourtesy” off and flashed out a rather wry smile when asked, so as not to stir any unnecessary controversy. “I accepted this project because it allowed me to work with one of my good friends, Maria [Soriano], and the character I play is interestingly deep, and has many layers that I can explore as an actor.” When asked if he ever gets tired of playing gay characters, Paulate was quick to reply that these characters have made him what he has become as an actor, that has yielded him the longevity and stability he is now enjoying. “You know, I always weigh in on the essence of the character every time I am being offered one. Once the character is presented as a caricature, then I say no. I guess I have worked so long—and hard—to be able to demand that the characters I give life to should have integrity, respect and truth,” he intoned. He has another film in can, titled Mudrasta, which is also just awaiting a playdate. Despite the challenges that life has been throwing at Paulate these past years, especially when he started embracing politics, he has remained steadfast and resilient. “Many are not aware that I like being alone, that I am not combative. If I can resolve things myself, I do. I am also prayerful and I just put all my trust in

God because nowadays, it is not easy to give your trust to people.” He added, “Oh yes, I also feel sad, and lonely, but my faith in God keeps me afloat and allows me to move forward, knowing that I am not really alone. I admit that life was never the same again when my Mama passed on in 2009, but she would want me to be strong and independent and happy, and that is the reason why I continue to work toward these goals. I am also fortunate to have true friends in the industry whose friendships have strengthened over the years.” Paulate mentioned these names: Amy Perez, Maila Gumila, Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano, Rita Avila,

Carmi Martin. We noticed that even on topics that are not necessarily engaging, Paulate exudes a certain kind of calmness that is admirable, a kind of positivity that takes years to master, if not innately within him ever since. He doesn’t put others down just to pull himself up, nor does he talk nasty about others, especially those he knows very little about. No doubt Roderick Paulate is an industry icon but more than that, he said he simply wants to be someone whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of people and be an instrument of joy for others. n

A hat worn by Napoleon sold for $2.1 million at an auction of the French emperor’s belongings PARIS—A faded and cracked felt bicorne hat worn by Napoléon Bonaparte sold for $2.1 million at an auction on Sunday of the French emperor’s belongings. Yes, $2.1 million. The signature broad, black hat—one of a handful still in existence that Napoléon wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe—was initially valued at €600,000 to €800,000 ($650,000 to 870,000). It was the centerpiece of Sunday’s auction in Fontainebleau of memorabilia collected by a French industrialist who died last year. But the bidding quickly jumped higher and higher until Jean Pierre Osenat, president of the Osenat auction house, designated the winner. ‘’We are at €1.5 million for Napoleon’s hat...for this major symbol of the Napoleonic epoch,’’ he said, as applause rang out in the auction hall. The buyer, whose identity was not released, must pay 28.8 percent in commissions according to Osenat,

bringing the overall cost to €1.9 million ($2.1 million). While other officers customarily wore their bicorne hats with the wings facing front to back, Napoleon wore his with the ends pointing toward his shoulders. The style—known as “en bataille,” or in battle—made it easier for his troops to spot their leader in combat. The hat on sale was first recovered by Col. Pierre Baillon, a quartermaster under Napoléon, according to the auctioneers. The hat then passed through many hands before industrialist Jean-Louis Noisiez acquired it. The entrepreneur spent more than a halfcentury assembling his collection of Napoleonic memorabilia, firearms, swords and coins before his death in 2022. The sale came days before the release of Ridley Scott’s film Napoleon with Joaquin Phoenix, which is rekindling interest in the controversial French ruler. AP

Hollywood’s feast and famine before Thanksgiving, as ‘Hunger Games’ prequel tops box office

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press THE Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes topped the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters with $44 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates on Sunday.

It was a busy weekend at the multiplex, leading into the often lucrative Thanksgiving corridor. And while there was plenty to choose from at the buffet, not everything could be a hit. Audiences had The Marvels, which plummeted a record 78 percent in its second weekend, as well as the nationwide debuts of the family-friendly Trolls World Tour, Taika Waititi’s soccer comedy Next Goal Wins and the R-rated slasher Thanksgiving all in wide release. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is an interesting case study for a franchise that’s been dormant for 8 years and is testing the waters for a new era. Its $44 million from 3,776 locations, including 1,610 premium screens, marks a low for films carrying The Hunger Games in the title. The four Jennifer Lawrence films all broke $100 million in their first weekends (the high point was the first with $158 million in 2013, the low was the last one with $102.7 million in 2015). But it’s a more nuanced story for Lionsgate, which operates differently from legacy studios by licensing its titles to international distributors which helps cover a significant portion of the film’s budget. The filmmakers kept this around $100 million, which was also offset by tax credits for filming in Germany.

With an added $54.5 million from 87 international markets, the film has already earned $98.5 million out of the gates. The studio considers it a strong start for the prequel, set 64 years before Katniss Everdeen entered the picture, with a new cast led by Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler. “Historically attempting to do prequels, especially with no returning cast, can be a very challenging proposition,” said Adam Fogelson, the vice chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “The fact that we’re sitting here at basically $100 million on opening weekend around the world is, I think, a testament to the quality of the movie, the quality of the talent that worked on the movie and a campaign that was both successful and efficient.” For Fogelson and the filmmakers, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes represents something completely new, darker and more dramatic that opens up new possibilities, provided author Suzanne Collins wants to tell more stories. To judge it against the Jennifer Lawrence movies at the height of Collins’ books popularity, he said, would be “a complete disservice to this movie as a standalone.” Also, he noted, “From a pure crass business perspective,

it’s going to end up being an incredibly successful proposition for Lionsgate.” However, critics were mixed on this one, which is an origin story about future Panem president Coriolanus Snow. It currently carries a 61 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were more positive and moviegoing behavior around holidays can be skewed. Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for comScore, said that some audiences might also be waiting to watch it with their families during days off around Thanksgiving. And after its rough start last weekend, the outlook for The Marvels keeps getting worse. It made only $10.2 million from 4,030 locations in weekend two, to take third place. Its 78 percent drop is a historic low for Marvel and modern superhero pictures. Internationally it added $19.5 million, bringing its global total to $161.3 million. The Walt Disney Co. is also struggling with Searchlight Pictures’ Next Goal Wins, its underdog soccer movie starring Michael Fassbender, which made $2.5 million from 2,240 locations in its first weekend for a seventh-place spot. Directed by Taika Waititi and based on a true story, the film had its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and was not well-received by critics. AP

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

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PHILIPPINES DEBUTS BEHAVIORAL DESIGN® INNOVATIONS AT WSMC

JOHN LEINARD RAMOS and Claire Elizabeth Lim of AHA! Behavioral Design® at the World Social Marketing Conference in Colombia.

HA! Behavioral Design® (AHA! BD), the pioneer and practice leader in Applied Behavioral and Decision Sciences (BeSci), especially Behavioral Economics, has made history as the only agency from the Philippines and Southeast Asia to be featured in the prestigious 8th World Social Marketing Conference (WSMC) at the Spiwak Hotel in Cali, Colombia, from November 1 to 3, 2023. With a diverse assembly of over 30 countries and representatives from every continent, the event provided a melting pot of ideas and practices designed to address critical global challenges. Under the event theme “Inclusion, Equity and Equality: Fostering societal transformation through behavioral influence,” AHA! BD presented select behaviorally driven projects implemented and executed in the Philippines, highlighting the fusion of social development and marketing strategies. This unique approach not only catalyzes societal change in the Philippines, but also offers new pathways for marketing practitioners to enhance consumer engagement and business growth. AHA! BD’s Head of Marketing and Social & Behavior Change Communication, John Leinard A. Ramos, commented, “Participating in the 8th WSMC has reinforced the potential of Social Marketing as

a pivotal strategy for advancing civic engagement, public health, financial inclusion, environmental sustainability, and even brand or corporate agendas in the Philippines. It’s a tool not just for societal betterment, but also a strategic asset in business—enhancing customer experiences and brand loyalty. We’re proud to demonstrate how BeSci and Behavioral Economics can shape marketing strategies, making them more effective and resonant.” Co-organized by the International Social Marketing Association (iSMA) and the Latin American Social Marketing Association (LAMSO), the WSMC featured 107 submissions reviewed by an esteemed panel of practitioners and academicians—with all four entries from AHA! BD being chosen and highlighted prominently in the conference. Among the AHA! BD projects selected as case study presentations for the WSMC were “Leveraging Behavioral Communication Inter ventions to Nudge Condom Use & Discussions among Filipino Males” (a project with Roots of Health) and “Redefining Influencers: Mobilizing Filipino Mothers to Champion RightsClaiming Behaviors in the Communities” (in partnership with The Asia Foundation, supported

by USAID). WSMC-selected posters were “Social Media-Based Behavioral Design Intervention to Battle Social Isolation among Female Public School Students in the Philippines” and “Nudge to Vote: A Gentle Push for Voter Registration in the Philippines,” the latter garnering the highest accolades, and winning the title of Best Poster among all submissions at the conference. “Our work at AHA! BD is about creating world-class, impactful programs that influence and empower both communities and businesses through healthier, more sustainable behaviors,” said Claire Elizabeth S. Lim, Program Operations Head at AHA! BD. “Integrating Social Marketing with Behavioral Design® aligns with global trends and demonstrates potential in both social and corporate arenas. The recognition from the WSMC is both an honor and a testament to our methods—driving profound and lasting positive change across communities, businesses, and countries.” Looking ahead to 2024, Applied Behavioral and Decision Sciences (BeSci), especially Behavioral Economics, and Social Marketing are rapidly emerging as key trends that fundamentally transform the way organizations influence behavior—blending social good with commercial success. iSMA President Jeff French stresses the importance of this shift: “The goal is to capture and spread good practice in the application of Social Marketing to promote more citizen-focused approaches to developing and delivering effective, efficient, and ethical community-wide social, economic, environmental, and health programs and policy.” “The synergy of Social Marketing and Applied Behavioral and Decision Sciences, through Behavioral Design®, is an invitation to government bodies, NGOs, international organizations, foundations, and marketing practitioners alike to develop societal and business solutions that are inclusive, equitable, and sustainable,” said Ramos. “As the world anticipates the possibility of hosting the next WSMC in Southeast Asia, we hope to see more Filipino and Southeast Asian representation—bringing together communityfocused and market-driven methodologies to create human-centric designs that meet the complex needs of our time.

It’s A Meaningful Holiday Celebration with Paskonstelasyon at Marriott Hotel Manila

LEADING Marriott Manila’s Paskonstelasyon Christmas Tree and Marriott Bonvoy Lantern Lighting were, from left, Cluster Director of Marketing Communications of Marriott Hotel Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo Archie Nicasio, Cluster Director of Engineering Marc Creencia, Resident Manager Melvyn Angeles, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Geneva Cruz, Department of Tourism NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Multi-property Vice President-The Philippines, Marriott International Bruce Winton, CJ Jaravata Aldaba with husband Chris Aldaba, Save the Children Representative Alessandra Alberto, Rotary Club Passport One President Ben Calderon, Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing Lala Quilantang, Cluster Director of Human Resources Cora Aguillon, and Market Director of Sales and Distribution and National Director of Sales Sophia Altamirano

ARRIOTT Philippines welcomed the joyous holiday season with a grand week-long event called “Paskontelasyon,” a unique and heartwarming fusion of two significant words: “Pasko” (Christmas) and “Konstelasyon” (Constellation). The Paskonstelasyon is a market-wide initiative, a concerted effort of all properties of Marriott in the Philippines to bring a constellation of options for guests and partners looking for ways of having a meaningful holiday celebration. Multi-property Vice President–The Philippines of Marriott International Bruce Winton added, “We’ve had a great year! Collectively, with our Marriott hotels around the country, we have seven properties operating right now and we’re very excited because we are going to open three new hotels around the country before the end of the year. Look out for those Marriott Bonvoy lanterns that you see outside our hotels, and if you happen to drive pass on it in Pampanga, Cebu, Iloilo or wherever you might be, it’s offering you a warm welcome and a constellation of options this holiday season.” Each of the property’s Marriott Bonvoy Lantern or Star represents a specific attribute of the travel program: Clark Marriott as The North Star, Sheraton Manila Hotel as The Soiree Star, Sheraton Manila Bay as The Gathering Star, Sheraton Cebu Mactan as The Destination Star, The Westin Manila as The Wellness Star, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo as The Fiesta Star, Four Points by Sheraton Puerto Princesa

as The Discovery Star, Four Points by Sheraton Boracay as The Paradise Star, Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mandaue as The Celebration Star, and Marriott Hotel Manila as The Wonderful Star. During the event, Cluster Director of Marketing Communications of Marriott Hotel Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo Archie Nicasio, Cluster Director of Engineering Marc Creencia, Resident Manager Melvyn Angeles, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Geneva Cruz, Department of Tourism NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Multi-property Vice President-The Philippines, Marriott International Bruce Winton, CJ Jaravata Aldaba with husband Chris Aldaba, Save the Children Representative Alessandra Alberto, Rotary Club Passport One President Ben Calderon, Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing Lala Quilantang, Cluster Director of Human Resources Cora Aguillon, and Market Director of Sales and Distribution and National Director of Sales Sophia Altamirano led the Christmas Tree and Marriott Bonvoy lantern lighting with Rizza Diaz hosting the event. All this wouldn’t be possible without Kyno Kho Events, Stage Riggers, LuChris Printing, Pix Republik Studios, Lecea BTY, Emperador Distillers, Liese, Biore, Caronia, Lumi Candles, Perfume Dessert, Lucky Me! Milky Me, Nissin Waffer, Nips Minis - Pops of Choco Rainbow - #PopsOChocoRainbow, Pretzels, Nissin Bread Stix, Primo, and Sticker Camp. In the true spirit of Christmas, Marriott is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. As part of “Paskontelasyon,”

Marriott Manila launched the 3rd season of The Art of Giving, an initiative of the Marriott Worldwide Business Councils—Philippines in partnership with Rotary Club Passport One and local artists, where a piece of art will help raise funds for Save the Children Philippines (STC) and Pasay Social Welfare and Development Department (PSWDD). Later in the afternoon, The Golden Santa Story Coloring Activity took place where 20 kids and associate volunteers and Rotarians gathered for an afternoon of fun and learning. Dinner was served later, which was sponsored by Rotary Club Passport One. In addition to the initiative, “Charity Ornaments” are on sale at the Marriott Bakery for only P150 per piece. All proceeds from the sale of these ornaments will go to STC, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children and creating a brighter future for them. As the lights of “Paskontelasyon” continue to twinkle throughout the holiday season, Marriott’s Holiday Treats promise to deliver a touch of holiday magic to your celebrations. Indulge in delightful Holiday Cookies with charming Christmas-shaped cuts and colorful festive frosting, priced at P650 nett for eight pieces. For a show-stopping centerpiece at your holiday gatherings, the White Chocolate, Coffee, and Mango Yule Log, boasting white chocolate whipped ganache, mango confit, coffee syrup, and Viennese sponge at P1,400 nett. Chocolate lovers will be delighted by the Triple Chocolate Yule Log, a decadent creation featuring layers of chocolate biscuit, white chocolate mousse, and milk dark chocolate mousse, also available at P1,400 nett. For an edible holiday decoration and treat in one, Marriott presents the classic Swiss Gingerbread House, complete with frosting sheet walls and roof, priced at P950 nett. For a Christmas Feast at home, Marriott Manila offers a Grand Lechon Fiesta that includes a Roasted Whole Pig (5kg to 6kg) served with Shrimp Fried Rice, Pinakbet, Filipino-style Macaroni Salad, Liver Sauce, and Homemade Pumpkin Pie for P10,888 nett (whole) and P7,988 nett (half ), and more for Christmas treats, feast packages, and hamper, you may check Manila Marriott’s Christmas Brochure 2023.

1834 Premium Distilled Gin kicks off its series of masterclass, food pairing

FTER the successful World Gin Day celebration where the product excellence of 1834 Premium Distilled Gin was featured, Ginebra San Miguel Inc. now showcases its 1834 through a series of intimate masterclass and food pairings titled, “Discover Excellence: An 1834 Experience.” The first masterclass series was held in The Bevvy, a hidden gem nestled in Makati, where food and gin experts were treated to a meal curated around the taste of 1834 Premium Distilled Gin prepared by award-winning mixologist Niño Cruz. Niño has graced countless competitions, occasions, and momentous events throughout the Philippines and different parts of the world and is a former brand ambassador of prestigious global brands. The event was hosted by 1834 Premium Distilled Gin brand ambassador Paolo Abrera. 1834 is the year everything started for Filipino gin. Inspired by Ginebra’s history and the tempting flavor of 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, Niño crafted three exclusive cocktail concoctions, each using 1834 Premium Distilled Gin as its base. The first of these creations was Jardin Mejor, a gin cocktail with Tomato Water, Capsicum, and Tonic as ingredients. Though seen as an unusual mix, it paired best with roast chicken, bringing out the hidden umami and mirroring the mingling of traditions and flavors in Manila during 1834. The second drink was called Heneral, a harmonious fusion of White Negroni, White Wine, and Dry Vermouth. The Heneral drink was paired with a succulent Pan Roasted Ribeye Steak. Host and ambassador Paolo Abrera shared, “I usually pair my steak with wine, but this pair surprisingly goes so well together! And this drink will indeed make you brave like a general, ramdam mo yung tapang ng mix!”

For the last pairing, Sol de las Islas was featured, a mix uniting Lychee and Dark Chocolate, Grapefruit Bitter Calamansi Juice, and Sampaguita. The drink was garnished with the “Face of the Sun,” an ode to the Katipunan Flag, and was paired with the exquisite Shrimp a La Plancha, grilled to perfection on a skewer. The impressive curation and construction of the cocktail recipe left a lasting impression on the guests’ palate and was made even more special by the 1834 Premium Distilled Gin. This carefully crafted gin is made using only the finest ingredients, including unique Philippine botanicals, balancing the uplifting flavor of calamansi and the floral finish of Sampaguita. It is available in The Marketplace, Mitsukoshi Fresh, select SM Supermarkets, hotels such as The Marriott Manila, Sheraton Manila, Westin Manila, Edsa Shangri-La Manila, and bars in the metro: James & Daughters, Neo Café and Bar, Saikou Bar & Café, Flora Gin Bar. Also available online: LazMall, Shopee Supermarket, and Singlemalt.ph. Josephine Caldo, Ginebra’s Group Product Manager for White Spirits shared that “1834 is a product that is truly Filipino, made by Filipinos, for the Filipino... and the rest of the world. It is rightfully the gin the world has waited for. In fact, in the first-ever Manila Gin Fest held recently at the BGC, 1834 Premium Distilled Gin was honored as the second most enjoyed gin, besting the better-known gins from US, France, and the UK.” The 1834 Premium Distilled Gin is steeped in history and heritage, and its allure continues to captivate gin aficionados. Ginebra San Miguel will continue to take enthusiasts on an enchanting journey back to the golden era of the 1800s, where gin found its place in every Filipino home, by hosting more masterclass and food pairing events.

EK’s Eldar the Wizard brings yuletide cheer and magic for the holiday season

NCHANTED Kingdom (EK), the first and only world class theme park in the Philippines, brightens the holidays with An Enchanted Christmas Story starting with the Christmas Tree Lighting and launch of EK’s Giant Parol on November 26, 2023 Sunday. EK tapped renowned lantern maker from Pampanga, Eric Bondoc Quiwa, in the creation of the 22-foot parol to be installed at the Agila Grounds. This will be the centerpiece of the theme park’s holiday events along with 100 parols around the park. Quiwa will share this bright and colorful tradition in creating the biggest parol thus far in the country. Additionally, EK and Firefly Lighting CeleBrights moments with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony for all to enjoy at the Spaceport. According to EK President and Chairman Mario Mamon, EK is committed to showcase the Filipino Christmas tradition of parols and local decorations to bring nostalgia during the holiday season. “It is no doubt that Christmas is the most festive and magical time of the year in the Philippines. As a proud Filipino

company, EK is the ideal place where Filipino families can create more magical experiences and reminisce about their most enchanted Christmas stories,” Mamon further explained. EK is also set to showcase their homegrown talents through their Christmas shows such as the plays Christmas At The Kingdom (EK Story) and Brooklyn Diaries: Oh Paskong Maligaya (OPM). The Eldar’s Christmas Parade will feature Eldar the Wizard and the Royal Family with the storybook characters as they dance and prance around Enchanted Kingdom to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. EK’s very own vocal groups Victoria’s Way and The Kingsmen together with P-pop girl group SMS will serenade guests with Christmas Songs at EK’s bandstand. For more information about this celebration and other upcoming events, visit https://www. enchantedkingdom.ph/ and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and Tiktok, and @ek_philippines for Twitter and Instagram.

Hilton Hotels in PHL Illuminate host communities with week-long Travel With Purpose campaign

N a heartwarming display of commitment to their communities, Hilton Hotels in the Philippines (Conrad Manila, Hilton Manila and Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort) recently participated in Hilton’s worldwide Travel with Purpose (TWP) campaign held last October 7 to October 14, 2023. Their dedication to social and environmental responsibility shone brightly during this impactful week of giving back. Travel with Purpose is Hilton’s global corporate responsibility strategy, driven by their promise to “fill the world with the light and warmth of hospitality.”This pledge extends not only to their guests and staff but also to the rehabilitation of the environment and the enrichment of the communities they serve. Conrad Manila, led by General Manager Fabio Berto, wholeheartedly embraced the Travel with Purpose spirit. They initiated the week with a lively mural painting event at the Philippine Institute of the Deaf, showcasing their commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. The team then went on to brighten children’s day at the Social Development Center of Pasay City with meals, clothing and engaging activities. In partnership with Scholar of Sustenance Philippines, they donated surplus food to marginalized urban communities, further emphasizing their dedication to sustainability. To end their weeklong ESG campaign for 2023, the luxury hotel collaborated with Rise Against Hunger Philippines to plant 120 seedlings in Magdalena Laguna, promoting sustainable agriculture and food security, ultimately nurturing the Earth and local farmers. Guided by General Manager John Lucas, Hilton Manila undertook a series of meaningful initiatives for the Travel with Purpose week. The hotel team members created an Edible Garden Wall of fresh ingredients to elevate the quality of food served in the property, successfully planted 1,000 trees in partnership with the Briquettors Association highlighting their commitment for environmental rehabilitation, organized an uplifting event for underprivileged children at the Pasay Social

Development Center, and hosted ‘Interns Interact’ to inspire future hoteliers with an exciting cook-off to end the event. Lastly, all team members had a refresher course on Hilton’s Travel with Purpose campaign to further instill the brand’s commitment to community, sustainability and employee development. Under the leadership of General Manager Denise Molintas PhD, Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort spearheaded various community-oriented efforts. They opened their kids’ activity area for the children of Duyan ni Maria, a local children’s home in Pampanga, organized the ‘Terak at Saya’ Zumba event for senior citizens, and facilitated a blood donation drive in collaboration with the Philippine Red Cross while donating pre-loved items to support Duyan ni Maria. The hotel also joined hands with Scholars of Sustenance and Paraluman Care Foundation to provide meals to families in need, expressed gratitude to teachers through personality development training led by none other than their general manager, and engaged in plastic recycling and watershed tree planting initiatives. These comprehensive efforts underscore the resort’s dedication to making a positive impact and fostering social responsibility within their community. The weeklong Travel with Purpose campaigns at all three properties were not just a corporate initiative, but a heartfelt mission embraced by the general managers themselves who actively participated in these activities. Hilton’s devotion to the communities they serve and their commitment to making the world a better place shines as a beacon of hope and compassion. In this endeavor, Hilton Hotels in the Philippines remind us that the promise of hospitality extends beyond their doors and lights up the world with the warmth of their heart. For more information about Hilton’s Travel with Purpose campaign and its ongoing efforts in corporate responsibility, visit https://esg.hilton.com.

World Features

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

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Rosalynn Carter: Advocate for Jimmy Carter and many others, always leveraging her love of politics By Bill Barrow

The Associated Press

LAINS, Ga.—The Washington chattering class, often unsure what to make of outsiders, dubbed Rosalynn Carter the “Steel Magnolia” when she arrived as first lady. A devout Baptist and mother of four, she was diminutive and outwardly shy, with a soft smile and softer Southern accent. That was the “magnolia.” She also was a force behind Jimmy Carter’s rise from peanut farmer to winner of the 1976 presidential election. That was the “steel.” Yet that obvious, even trite moniker almost certainly undersold her role and impact across the Carters’ early life, their one White House term and their four decades afterward as global humanitarians advocating peace, democracy and the eradication of disease. Through more than 77 years of marriage, until her death Sunday at the age of 96, Rosalynn Carter was business and political partner, best friend and closest confidant to the 39th president. A Georgia Democrat like her husband, she became in her own right a leading advocate for people with mental health conditions and family caregivers in American life, and she joined the former president as co-founder of The Carter Center, where they set a new standard for what first couples can accomplish after yielding power. “She was always eager to help his agenda, but she knew what she wanted to accomplish,” said Kathy Cade, a White House adviser to the first lady and later a Carter Center board member. Rosalynn Carter talked often of her passion for politics. “I love campaigning,” she told The Associated Press in 2021. She acknowledged how devastated she was when voters delivered a landslide rebuke in 1980. Cade said a larger purpose, though, undergirded the thrills and disappointments: “She really wanted to use the influence she had to help people.” Jimmy Carter biographer Jonathan Alter argues that only Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton rival Rosalynn Carter’s influence as first lady. The Carters’ work beyond the White House, he says, sets her apart as having achieved “one of the great political partnerships in American history.” Cade recalled her old boss as “pragmatic” and “astute,” knowing when to lobby congressional brokers without

her husband’s prompting and when to hit the campaign trail alone. She did that for long stretches in 1980 when the president remained at the White House trying to free American hostages in Iran, something he managed only after losing to Ronald Reagan. “I was in all the states,” Rosalynn Carter told the AP. “I campaigned solid every day the last time we ran.” She flouted stereotypes of first ladies as hostesses and fashion mavens: She bought dresses off the rack and established an East Wing office with her own staff and initiatives—a push that culminated in the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980 to steer more federal money to treating mental health, though Reagan reversed course. At The Carter Center, she launched a fellowship for journalists to pursue better coverage of mental health issues. She attended Cabinet meetings and testified before Congress. Even when fulfilling traditional responsibilities, she expanded the first lady’s role, helping to establish the regular music productions still broadcast as public television’s “In Performance at the White House.” She presided over the inaugural Kennedy Center Honors, prestigious annual awards that still recognize seminal contributions to American culture. She hosted White House dinners but danced only with her husband. Her approach befuddled some Washington observers. “There was still a women’s page in the newspaper,” Cade recalled. “The reporters who were on the national scene didn’t think it was their job to cover what she was doing. She belonged on the women’s page. And the women’s page folks had difficulty understanding what she was doing, because she wasn’t doing the more traditional first lady things.” Gra nd son Ja son C a r ter, now Carter Center board chairman, descr ibed her “ deter mination that never stopped.” She was “physically small” but “the strongest, most remarkably tough woman that you would ever hope to see.” I nc lud i ng a s Ji m my C a r ter ’s pol it ic a l en forcer.

JIMMY CARTER, right, and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, wave together at the National Convention in Madison Square Garden on July 15, 1976, in New York. Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as US president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, died Sunday, November 19, 2023. She was 96. AP She “defended my grandfather in a lot of contexts, including against Democrats and others,” confronting, in person or via telephone, people she thought had damaged his cause, Jason Carter said. “There are certainly stories out there of her—despite her reputation as quiet-spoken—cursing a blue streak at folks who said bad things about my grandfather,” he added, laughing as he imagined his grandmother threatening befuddled power players with “a string of F-bombs.” The younger Carter, himself a onetime Georgia state senator and unsuccessful candidate for governor, called her “the best politician in the family.” Yet she nearly always connected politics to policy and those policy outcomes to people’s lives—connections forged from her earliest years in the Depression-era Deep South. Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born August 18, 1927, in Plains, delivered by nurse Lillian Carter, a neighbor. “Miss Lillian” brought her son, Jimmy, then almost 3, back to the Smith home a few days later to meet the baby. Not long after, James Earl Carter Sr. moved his family to a farm outside Plains. But the Carter and Smith children attended the same all-white schools in town. Years later, Rosalynn and Jimmy would quietly support integration—and call for it more vocally at Plains Baptist Church. But growing up, they accepted Jim Crow segregation as the order of the day, she wrote in a memoir. Rosalynn and Jimmy each endured challenges of rural Depression life. But while the Carters were considerable landholders, the Smiths were poor, and Rosalynn’s father died in 1940, leaving her to help raise her siblings. She recalled this period as inspiration for her emphasis on caregivers, a way of classifying people that Alter, the biographer, said was not used widely in

discussions of American society and the economy until Rosalynn Carter used her platform. “There are only four kinds of people in this world,” she said. “Those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” As she grew up, Rosalynn became close to one of Jimmy’s sisters. Ruth Carter later engineered a date between her brother and Rosalynn during one of his trips home from the U.S. Naval Academy during World War II. Jimmy, newly commissioned as a Navy lieutenant, and Rosalynn were married on July 7, 1946, at Plains Methodist Church, her home church before she joined his Baptist faith. Rosalynn had been a bright student in high school and at nearby Georgia Southwestern College. She contemplated becoming an architect but explained later that, beyond simply falling in love with Jimmy, marrying a Naval officer was the best path for what she wanted most: to leave her hometown of about 600 people. As Jimmy’s career advanced, Rosalynn took care of their growing family. When Earl Carter, by then a state lawmaker, died in 1953, Jimmy decided to leave the Navy and move the family home to Plains. He did not consult Rosalynn. On their long car ride back from Washington, she gave him the silent treatment, talking to him only through their eldest son. What they would later call a “full partnership” did not sprout until a few years later, when a desperate Jimmy asked Rosalynn to answer phones at the peanut farm’s warehouse. She was soon managing the books and dealing with customers. “I knew more on paper about the business than he did, and he would take my advice about things,” she recalled to the AP.

The lesson did not immediately carry over to Jimmy’s political ambitions. Already an appointed school board member, he decided to run for state Senate in 1962, again without consulting Rosalynn. This time, she embraced the decision because she shared his goals. Four years later, Jimmy ran for governor, giving Rosalynn the first chance to campaign by herself. He lost. But they spent the ensuing four years preparing for another bid, traveling the state together and separately, with a network of friends and supporters. It would become the model for the “Peanut Brigade” they used to blanket Iowa and other key states in the 1976 Democratic primary season. Those campaigns for governor solidified mental health as Rosalynn’s signature issue. Voters “would stand patiently” waiting to tell of their family struggles, she once wrote. After hearing one overnight mill worker’s story of caring for her afflicted child, Rosalynn decided to take the issue to the candidate. She showed up at her husband’s rally that day, unannounced, and stood in line to shake his hand like everyone else. “I want to know what you are going to do about mental health when you are governor,” she asked him. His reply: “We’re going to have the best mental health system in the country, and I’m going to put you in charge of it.” By the time they got to the White House, Rosalynn had distinguished herself as the center of Carter’s inner circle, even if those beyond the West Wing did not appreciate her role. “Unlike many first ladies, she didn’t quarrel with the White House staff, because they thought she was fantastic,” Alter said, calling her relationship with staff smoother than the president’s. Carter sent her on diplomatic missions. She took Spanish lessons to aid her Latin America voyages. She decided herself to travel in 1979 to Cambodian refugee camps. Spurred by a Friday briefing, she was on a plane the next week, having put together an international delegation to address the crisis. “She wasn’t just going to have pictures made...she watched people die,” Cade said. The first lady worked closely with policy chief Stu Eizenstat on mental health legislation but did not confine herself to her own priorities. “She did a lot of very quiet and behind-the-scenes lobbying” of congressional figures concerning the administration agenda, Cade recalled, but she “was very firm about the fact that we never talked about who she was calling” so that she would never upstage the president.

She traveled to US state capitals and urged lawmakers to adopt vaccine requirements for schoolchildren, winning over converts to policies that largely remain intact today, recent fights over Covid-19 vaccine mandates notwithstanding. She was involved throughout intense negotiations at Camp David with Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin, both of whom warmed to the first lady. Jimmy’s mother, who lived at the White House, sometimes rankled her daughter-in-law by seeming to posture as the home’s lead hostess. But Lillian Carter plainly acknowledged the pecking order. The president “listens to her,” Miss Lillian told reporters. Not always, of course. Rosalynn wanted her husband to delay the treaty ceding control of the Panama Canal, pushing it to a second term. She met regularly, without the president, with pollster Pat Caddell. They discussed a reelection path she knew was perilous on the heels of inflation, rising interest rates, oil shortages and the Iran hostage situation. Distraught upon their return to Plains in 1981, she dived back into the farming business. But the void would not begin to close until the former president conceived The Carter Center. In their Atlanta outpost, she found an enduring platform from which to travel the world, pushing to eradicate Guinea worm disease and other maladies in developing countries, monitoring elections, elevating discussion of women’s and girls’ rights and continuing her mental health advocacy. All while living in the same Georgia village she once wanted to leave forever. “My grandparents, you know, have a microwave from 1982. ... They’ve got a rack next to their sink where they dry Ziploc bags, reuse them,” Jason Carter said recently, explaining their “simple” and “frugal” style in the same home where the Carters lived when Jimmy was first elected as a state senator. There, the former first lady welcomed foreign dignitaries, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, aspiring politicians seeking advice and, as her health declined, a new generation of Carter Center leadership. She liked to serve pimento cheese sandwiches, fruit and, depending on the guest list, a few glasses of wine. And she came with an agenda. “Mrs. Carter would always be the first one at the door, and she would insist on walking me to the door at the end,” Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander said of her sessions in Plains. “That final walk...so she could get her last points in was, I think, quite indicative of the relationship that they had and how she managed it from the Governor’s Mansion all the way through.”

Reactions to the death of Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and global humanitarian

TLANTA—Reactions to the death of Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and global humanitarian:

President Joe Biden

PRESIDENT Joe Biden said the Carters “brought grace” to the White House. “He had this great integrity, still does. And she did too,” Biden told reporters as he was boarding Air Force One to leave Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday night. “God bless them.” Biden said he spoke to the family and was told that Jimmy Carter was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Later, the White House released an official joint statement from the president and first lady Jill Biden saying that Carter inspired the nation. “She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for every person; and a supporter of the often unseen

and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities,” the statement said.

Former President George W. Bush

FORMER President George W. Bush called Carter a woman of dignity and strength. “There was no greater advocate of President Carter, and their partnership set a wonderful example of loyalty and fidelity. She leaves behind an important legacy in her work to destigmatize mental health. We join our fellow citizens in sending our condolences to President Carter and their family,” Bush said in a statement with former first lady Laura Bush.

Sen. Jon Ossoff

US Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia said Carter would be remembered for her compassionate nature and passion for women’s rights, human rights and mental health reform.

“The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of Rosalynn Carter,” Ossoff said in a statement. “I join all Georgians and Americans in mourning her loss. May Rosalynn Carter’s memory be a blessing.”

Vice President Kamala Harris

VICE President Kamala Harris said Rosalynn Carter redefined the role of first lady and lived a life of service, faith, compassion, and moral leadership. “As a humanitarian, a public servant, and a global leader, Mrs. Carter improved the lives of millions—and inspired countless more to dedicate their lives to service. Her legacy will be a beacon for generations to come,” Harris said in a statement.

Former President Donald Trump

FORMER President Donald Trump said Carter “earned the admiration and gratitude” of the nation. “From her days as a US Navy spouse,

to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, to her tenure as First Lady of the United States, and her later work at the Carter Center and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, she leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary accomplishment and national service,”Trump said on Truth Social. In a separate statement, former first lady Melania Trump said Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy. “We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace,” Melania Trump said on X, formerly Twitter.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

FORMER House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Carter was a “saintly and revered public ser vant” driven by faith, compassion and kindness. “On the world stage, First Lady Carter was a pioneer. Her historic,

high-stakes diplomatic mission to Latin America in 1977 ushered in a new era of engagement in the region. Two years later, she became the first sitting First Lady to address the World Health Organization, where she argued that mental health was an aspect of physical health – and that health is a human right,” Pelosi said in a statement offering condolences to the Carter family.

Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton

FORMER President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton called Carter a champion of human dignity. “Thanks to her mental health advocacy, more people live with better care and less stigma. Because of her early leadership on childhood immunization, millions of Americans have grown up healthier. And through her decades of work at the Carter Center and with Habitat for

Humanity, she spread hope, health, and democracy across the globe,” the former president and former secretary of state said in a joint statement. “Rosalynn will be forever remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose.”

Former first lady Michelle Obama

FORMER first lady Michelle Obama said Rosalynn Carter sometimes offered advice during their periodic lunches at the White House. “She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity,” Obama said in a statement. “Today, Barack and I join the world in celebrating the remarkable legacy of a First Lady, philanthropist, and advocate who dedicated her life to lifting up others. Her life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch.” AP

PBA referees suspended for ‘non-call’ T By Josef Ramos

HE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) suspended the entire crew that officiated the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel-Magnolia match on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for a non-call in the dying seconds. Deputy commissioner Eric Castro, who primarily handles the PBA’s technical committee, said on Monday that chief official Peter Balao and referees Mardy Montoya, Joel Baldago and Julius Medillo were suspended indefinitely. “Unacceptable,” Castro said in a statement. “There was a contact and we failed to make a call.” The game result, however, remain and there won’t be a re-play. A review of the game’s video on Monday revealed that the referees failed to call a foul on Magnolia Mark Barroca against driving

Scottie Thompson of Ginebra with 11.5 seconds left and the Gin Kings trailing, 91-92. The non-call forced Christian Standhardinger to foul Jio Jalalon, who split his free throws for the final 93-91 count with six seconds left. Castro said the game officials admitted to the blunder. “During the game, in real time while the play was on, the game crew did not see a foul,” Castro added in the statement. “The officials failed to call a foul [missed call] on Barroca against Thompson in the last 11.5 seconds of the fourth quarter.” Ginebra was in full control most of the way and led by as many as 25 points, 51-25, in the second quarter. But Magnolia, behind import Tyler Bey and Jalalon, clawed their way back to send the game to a thrilling finish. Ginebra went 1-1 won-lost posting its first victory in the Commissioner’s Cup, 100-86, against Converge last Friday.

Sports

IT’S helter skelter for the loose ball among Ginebra and Magnolia players during their games Sunday night.

BusinessMirror

B8 | T

uesday, November 21, 2023 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Bey led Magnolia with 31 points, 16 he made in the fourth quarter, to go along his 10 rebounds and five steals while Jalalon had 15 points. Maverick Ahanmisi and Tony Bishop led Ginebra with 21 points each. The NLEX Road Warriors , meanwhile, confirmed that Kevin Alas suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) as revealed by the MRI results obtained on Monday and confirmed by well-known orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raul Canlas. “The team is currently assessing the extent of the injury and formulating a plan for Alas’s recovery,” an NLEX statement said. “Our thoughts are with Kevin Alas, and we wish him a speedy and successful rehabilitation process.” Alas sustained the injury during NLEX’s 113-112 loss to Terrafirma last Saturday.

“It was a foul based on the replay,” said Thompson, who had 12 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in the game. “But maybe it was not clear on the referees, they saw it differently.” Four referees supervise every PBA game with the chief sitting on the officials’ table and the three manning the court.

Harmie-Mikha face off looms at TCC

HARMIE CONSTANTINO is the tournament top seed.

ARMIE CONSTANTINO and Mikha Fortuna face off in what looms as a furious battle for ball control and putting as the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) The Country Club (TCC) Match

Play Invitational unfolds Tuesday at the TCC course in Laguna. Back-to-back winner at Luisita and Villamor in the recently-concluded Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (PGT), the top-seeded Constantino is all primed against the title-hungry Fortuna, who narrowly missed a breakthrough victory at South Pacific last September. But in knockout duels, focus will be on winning individual holes, thus putting more accent on aggressiveness and strategic play in the face of the demanding TCC layout. As contenders navigate the long and exacting course, they must balance assertiveness with caution, given the lurking challenges on every hole, especially with the unpredictable wind conditions. With a total prize fund of P1.5 million at stake in the ladies division,

each duel becomes a crucial battle for supremacy and the quest for an early advantage will be paramount, setting the stage for eight compelling matches in the tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. which features the Top 16 in the Order of Merit rankings after the 10-leg Ladies PGT season. Top amateur Mafy Singson, already winner of two LPGT titles, including the Valley leg last June, collides with young Korean Seoyun Kim in one of the featured matches at 7 a.m. on No. 10, while Apple Fudolin and Rev Alcantara tangle at 7:08 a.m. Gretchen Villacencio and Christine Fleetwood mix it up at 7:16 a.m. to be followed by the Pamela MarianoLovelynn Guioguio clash at 7:24 a.m., the Chihiro Ikeda-Eva Miñoza match at 7:32 a.m., and the Sarah Ababa-Lucy Landicho collision at 7:40 a.m.

Top guns, young turks clash in as PGT Match Play unfolds

HE International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) The Country Club (TCC) Match Play Invitational gets going Tuesday with a mix of experienced players and rising stars slugging it out for early survival in a format that also provides a platform for Asian Tour campaigners to spice up the title chase in head-to-head clashes. Defending champion Tony Lascuña draws Gab Manotoc, Elmer Salvador duels with Keanu Jahns, Michael Bibat tests Korean Hyun Ho Rho and Frankie Miñoza faces Ira Alido in top matches ushering in the P2 million championship at the TCC course in Laguna. The four-day tournament also sees the return of Miguel Tabuena, Justin Quiban, Angelo Que and Lloyd Go, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition in a clash of generations with the seasoned campaigners relying on experience and the younger talents eager to make their mark. Among the anticipated matchups in the event which features the Top 32

players on the Order of Merit after the 10-stage PGT season is the 7:20 a.m. clash between Tabuena, winner at Luisita and No. 2 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit derby, and fellow Asian Tour regular Go. But a slew of riveting matches are also on tap, including the Lascuña-Manotoc duel at 8:52 a.m., while Jahns, who lost a 4&3 verdict to Lascuna in the event’s inaugurals at Villamor last year, is eager to kick off another title run against former OOM winner Salvador, who tied for seventh in the last two PGT events at Del Monte and South Pacific. They tangle at 7:16 a.m. while Bibat, who nipped Lascuna and Reymon Jaraula by one to capture the Eagle Ridge crown last year, braces for a showdown with Rho, this year’s Q-School topnotcher who is still in search of a big finish, in their 7:56 a.m. clash. While Alido, who opened the PGT season with a comefrom-behind victory in Bacolod, hopes to bank on his power and energy against Miñoza in their 8:28 a.m. encounter, the golfing legend looks to lean on his sheer talent and experience in a bid to progress in the knockout format on a course that puts premium on skill, strategy and nerves. Jhonnel Ababa, meanwhile, tangles with former amateur hotshot Ferdie Aunzo in the last pairing at 9 a.m. with the ace Davaoeño shotmaker eyeing to cap a successful season after ruling the Mimosa Plus leg last September on his way to securing his first OOM crown in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. In other matches, Jaraula, winner at Valley last June, faces Gerald Rosales at 8:44 a.m. after the 8:36 a.m. duel between Iloilo leg runaway champion Rupert Zaragosa and Mars Pucay, while Dino Villanueva and Joenard Rates collide at 8:12 a.m.

NU sweeps Pool B in Challenge Cup

EAVY title favorite National University (NU) swept Pool B after rolling past Arellano, 2517, 25-12, 25-16, in the men’s Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Challenge Cup on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. The three-time reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions encountered little to no resistance from the Chiefs to bag their fourth straight win in only 60 minutes and top Pool B of the elimination round heading into the quarterfinals. NU also carved out easy wins against Rizal Technological University-Basilan, 25-15, 25-17, 25-19, and University of the East-Cherrylume, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20, with its lone gritty win coming against Pool B second-seed VNS Asereht (3-1), 25-23, 2225, 25-21, 25-27, 15-6. The Bulldogs thus joined other fancied squads in Cignal (4-0) from Pool A, PGJC Navy (4-0) from Pool C and UAAP runnerup University of Santo Tomas (3-0) from Pool D as unbeaten squads and top-seeds in the knockout quarterfinals of the tourney supported by

the Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Rebisco, Akari, Foton and CBPI. PGJC Navy also completed a perfect slate in Pool C on Sunday night with a 26-24, 2516, 22-25, 25-9 win over Jose Rizal U (2-1), which despite the loss maintained its place at No. 2 with still a game to go for the second quarterfinal ticket from the group. UE-Cherrylume, on the other hand, finished its campaign in style despite already being out of the race in Pool B with a 2-2 record after sweeping RTU-Basilan (0-3), 25-18, 25-16, 25-19. In other games, Kuya JM-Davao City and Sta. Rosa City scooped up big wins against separate foes to stay in contention in Pools A and D, respectively, of the 20team men’s division. Davao City routed the University of Batangas (2-2), 25-20, 25-19, 25-17, for a 2-2 record in Pool A as Sta. Rosa climbed to 1-2 in Pool D with a 25-23, 18-25, 25-20, 25-21 win over Tacloban City-EV (0-2) in Pool D. Action continues today with a five-game bill at the crucial tailend of the single-round elimination play for both the men’s play and the 16-team women’s division of the penultimate tourney by the PNVF headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

NATIONAL University’s Jade Disquitado is a beast at the net. NONIE REYES