BusinessMirror November 23, 2021 by BusinessMirror

Foreign govt buyout to speed up coal exit? By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Department of Finance (DOF) is looking to fast-track the shutdown and repurposing of coal-fired power plants in the country by getting foreign governments to buy out shareholdings of their citizens with a significant stake in the continued operations of these facilities. Finance Secretar y Carlos G. Dominguez III, who broached this possibility in a recent forum, noted that the proceeds from the wouldbe buyout can then be donated to help mobilize funds for the finance vehicle created for the Philippines

under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) initiative. The latter is meant to accelerate the transition from coal to clean energy of Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines. “If we can get the foreign governments to buy out those shareholders and donate the shares of that company to a government—to our government—or to a group, including ADB and other agencies, we can actually shut down that plant. And that foreign government would actually be making a contribution to reducing a coal-fired power plant,” said Dominguez at the recent Green

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 Vol. 17 No. 46

“If we can get the foreign governments to buy out those shareholders and donate the shares of that company to a government—to our government—or to a group, including ADB and other agencies, we can actually shut down that plant.” —Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III

Finance Session jointly hosted by TIME Magazine Singapore and the Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) in Glasgow, Scotland. Those employees operating coal-fired plants lined up for decommissioning will also be retrained to work in other energy projects, Dominguez said. “First of all, there are not a lot of people actually working in that particular coalfired power plant, or in any coal-fired power plant. So it’s very easy to retrain them to do other projects,” he said. For instance, Dominguez said, a coal plant in Mindanao is among those up for decommissioning under the partnership forged by the Philippines and ADB through the new ETM facility. See “Foreign government,” A2

MONETARY POLICY HIKE IN 2022, SAYS FITCH UNIT w

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 18 pages |

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

Duterte raps China’s shoal attack, but cites pandemic role

@Tyronepiad

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expected to raise the key interest rates by 75 basis points (bps) next year after keeping them at recordlow for eight consecutive times, Fitch Solutions said.

In a commentary on Monday, the think tank said the BSP will likely start increasing policy rates in 2022, seeing the figure rising to 2.75 percent by end of next year from the current 2 percent. Overnight deposit and lending interest rates stand at 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively. “The BSP’s decision to maintain its key policy rate at 2.0 percent was widely expected given the Philippines’s economic challenges through 2021. Indeed, despite financial markets becoming increasingly hawkish over the Philippines monetary policy tightening cycle, expectations are for hiking to begin in 2022,” the Fitch unit explained. The think tank noted that keeping the interest rates at the same level has driven the real policy rate into negative at -2.6 percent. Fitch Solutions said the BSP is likely to look past the higher inflation figure for now amid the signs of economic recovery. The report cited the improving mobility data and expansion of the country’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in October as indications that the country is doing better amid the pandemic. IHS Markit reported that the Philippines’s PMI in October rose to 51, the highest in seven months, from 50.9 in September. “In addition, we expect credit demand to pick up heading into 2022, reducing the need for the u nprecedented monet a r y accommodation from the BSP,” the report said.

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

AN online meeting of the Asean-China special summit is seen at Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, November 22, 2021. Despite regional frictions, Chinese leader Xi Jinping says his country will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia or bully its smaller neighbors. Xi spoke at the virtual conference with 10 Asean members, marking the 30th anniversary of relations between the sides. Xi’s remarks followed a water cannon attack by Chinese coast guard ships that blocked two Philippine boats on a resupply mission to soldiers at Ayungin Shoal. President Duterte said: “We abhor the recent event in the Ayungin Shoal and view with grave concern other similar developments. This does not speak well of the relations between our nations and our partnership.” Stories at right, and on page B7. AN KHOUN SAMAUN/NATIONAL TELEVISION OF CAMBODIA VIA AP

‘PHL TO SEE SMALLEST INCOME GROWTH FROM RCEP’ By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

OINING the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will only increase the country’s income by less than a percent in 2030, according to data released by economists from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In an Asian Development Blog, economists led by CynYoung Park who is the Director for Regional Cooperation and Integration for ADB’s Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department said the Philippines will see its income increase by $3 billion or 0.39 percent in 2030 due to the RCEP. Compared to the Asean-5 econom ies, t he Ph i l ippi nes will see the smallest increase in income while Malaysia and Thailand will see the highest

increase at $7 billion each. China, Japan, and Korea will see the largest increase in incomes by 2030. “By 2030, RCEP will increase the income of member economies by 0.6 percent while adding $245 billion and 2.8 million jobs to the regional economy,” the economists said. “This is especially welcome given the pandemic has dampened economic growth and caused job losses in many countries.” RCEP is expected to take effect on January 1, 2022. The economists said the regional trade pact will take effect after at least six Asean members and three non-Asean countries ratify it. They said as of the start of November, six Asean members have already ratified the agreement. These countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Repub-

lic, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Further, four non-Asean countries—Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and New Zealand—have also ratified the agreement. “While further work is needed to match its potential, RCEP holds promise if participating economies are motivated to undertake greater economic liberalization to support the post-pandemic recovery. As the pandemic dissipates, RCEP may well act as a catalyst for greater regional cooperation,” the economists said.

Farm sector

EARLIER, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned that the local farm sector, which has opposed the RCEP, may miss out on the opportunity to export more products via the world’s biggest trade pact. Trade Secretary Ramon M.

Lopez said in a virtual event on Wednesday that RCEP, which accounts for about 30 percent of the global GDP, will provide the agriculture sector “good market” access for their products. In a recent position paper, representatives of farmers, fishers, workers, civil society organizations and private sector said they were against the ratification of RCEP. (Read related article: Position Paper on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership T rade Agreement,https:// businessmir ror .com. ph /2021 /11 /16/po s it ionpaper-on-the-regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-trade-agreement/) They said the trade deal was finalized without consultations with the agri-fisheries stakeholders and now, there is “no more opportunity” to possibly suggest revisions.

R ESIDEN T Duter te has called on China to respect international law following the recent attempt of the Chinese Coast Guard to stop the resupply mission for Filipino forces stationed in Ayungin Shoal last week. During his virtual speech at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-China Special Summit on Monday, Duterte did not mince words when he condemned the incident, calling it unacceptable. “We abhor the recent event in the Ayungin Shoal and view with grave concern other similar developments. This does not speak well of the relations between our nations and our partnership,” Duterte said. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) lodged a strong protest with the Chinese embassy and the foreign ministry, when the Chinese coast guard vessels blocked and fired water cannons for an hour on two Filipino supply boats last Tuesday. In response, the Chinese government said it is within its rights to drive away the Filipino sea vessels for supposedly entering its territory. Ayungin Shoal of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is part of the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, which is also being claimed by China. The KIG is a municipality of Palawan.

Peaceful resolution

DUTERTE rejected the attack by the Chinese Coast Guard and sought the “peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law” instead. “ UNCLOS [United Nat ions Convention on the Law of the S e a] a nd t he 2016 A r b it r a l Award provide legal clarity for all countries that subscribe to the majesty of the law. These two landmark documents are beacons pointing us to a just and fair solution to our disputes,” Duterte said.

See “Monetary policy,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.3320

See “Duterte,” A2

n JAPAN 0.4418 n UK 67.7368 n HK 6.4609 n CHINA 7.8809 n SINGAPORE 36.9762 n AUSTRALIA 36.3951 n EU 56.8349 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4183

Source: BSP (November 22, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, November 23, 2021

BOC exceeds 10-month target, collects ₧525.3B

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz & Bernadette D. Nicolas

@joveemarie @BNicolasBM

ESPITE the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the overall trade environment, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday announced that it collected P525.3 billion from January to October this year, exceeding its target collection for the period. But for October 2021 alone, the bureau’s Public Information and

Assistance Division told the BusinessMirror that the BOC has only

Duterte… Continued from A1

China for the creation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Arbitral award, which favored the Philippines, effectively nullified the nine-dash line introduced by China to claim most of the South China Sea. “We must fully utilize these legal tools to ensure that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, stability and prosperity,” Duterte said. He also reiterated his appeal to

THE coalition of the country’s labor group on Monday urged Duterte to recall the Philippine Ambassador to China as a diplomatic protest against the recent incursion of Chinese forces within the country’s territorial waters. “These high-handed, unfriendly and unlawful acts must now be stopped. The Philippines must re-

Diplomatic protest

collected P55.9 billion, missing its target of P57.6 billion. In a briefing with the House Committee on Public Accounts, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the bureau exceeded by 2.4 percent or P12.1 billion its P513.2-billion collection target for January to October this year. “For this year, from January to October the collection efficiency is 102.4 percent based on the collection of P525.3 billion [surpassing] the P513.2 billion collection target this year,” Guerrero told lawmakers. “The collection is also 17.1 percent higher than the collection of the same period last year,” he added. The BOC targets to collect

P616.7 billion this year. This is significantly higher by 21.84 percent than the downgraded target set for the BOC at P506.15 billion last year. The bureau’s total revenue collection last year reached P539.8 billion, above its full-year revenue collection target by 6.6 percent. The downgraded goal for BOC last year was a 30.76-percent cut from the original target of P731 billion. For 2022, Guerrero said the bureau is projected to collect P671.7 billion based on the emerging revenue program approved by the Development Budget Coordination Committee last July 19. The program is 8.9 percent higher than the revenue program for this year.

spond with bolder diplomatic actions,” the Nagkaisa labor coalition said in a statement last Monday. “Other than note verbale, let us recall...to Manila our ambassador to China,” it added. Nagkaisa also urged the government to raise the issue in the next United Nations General Assembly.

“When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, China was the first Dialogue Partner that Asean engaged. When vaccines were scarce, China was among the first to provide,” Duterte said. He also recognized China’s economic role among Asean membercountries especially after it ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. “We also look forward to further strengthening the already robust Asean-China economic relations,” Duterte said.

Important partner

DESPITE the recent incident, Duterte noted that China remains an important partner of Asean in fighting the pandemic.

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DOLE LISTS OPTIONS FOR UNVACCINATED WORKERS RETURNING TO OFFICES

MPLOYEES who must be on onsite duty by next week but still refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 will be given several options before being stopped from going to work by their employers, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). In a virtual press briefing on Monday, Labor Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco said a “no work, no pay” scheme will only serve as a last resort for employers to compel their workers to get vaccinated. She said the affected workers may avail themselves of a work-from-home arrangement if it is available in their company; and if not, they could make use of their leave credits to continue getting paid. “Once it [leave credit] is exhausted, then that is the time they have to go through a no work, no pay [scheme],” Cucueco said. For unvaccinated employees who want to work onsite, the labor official said they could still do so if they undergo regular Reverse Transcription —Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or through antigen test at their own expense.

Not a mandated vaccination

DOLE issued the statement as labor leaders warned that workers may question the le-

Monetary policy… According to BSP, bank lending grew by 2.7 percent year-on-year in September, which is quicker than the 1.3-percent spike in the previous month. The Central Bank attributed this to “improved economic prospects owing to the gradual lifting of pandemic containment measures.” “The rebound in credit growth, alongside economic normalization, should boost demand-side inflationary pressures, which have largely been subdued in the Philippines since the onset of the pandemic,” it explained. The Fitch unit said the BSP is seen to still keep the key interest rates at 2 percent during the last policy meeting next month.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Continued from A1

Inflation forecast FOR next year, the think tank projects inflation to average at 3.7 percent, which is at the upper bound of the government target range. The return of demand for credit, along with the heightened energy prices and supply chain disruptions, will translate to inflationary pressures, Fitch explained. “Were core inflation to climb higher [from 3.4 percent yearon-year in October] and producer prices recover strongly through 2022 [producer prices have been in deflation since the onset of the pandemic] then we could see a more aggressive monetary tightening cycle from the BSP,” it added. The Fitch forecast is higher than

Foreign government… Dominguez has described the ETM-supported project in Mindanao as “one of the practical projects we are ready to implement to fully realize our ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent in 2030.” As it is in the process of improv-

gality of the new policy for being discriminatory against unvaccinated workers. To recall, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) issued Resolution No. 148-B, series of 2021 earlier allowed employers to “require” their onsite workers to be inoculated against Covid-19 starting on December 1, 2021. The issuance, however, bans companies from firing their unvaccinated workers. Last week, IATF issued Resolution 149, series of 2021, which allows even partially vaccinated employees to work onsite. Cucueco defended the legality of both IATF resolutions by noting the two issuances do not “mandate” inoculation for onsite employees, since its provides them with other options to continue their work even if they remain unvaccinated. Thus, she said, they do not violate Republic Act 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which bans making vaccine cards an additional “requirement” for education and employment. She also said the government had to resort to the said “required vaccination” policy, which she said is the first of its kind, due to the threat posed by Covid-19 in workplaces.

ing the generating capacity of the Agus-Pulangi power plant complex composed of seven hydropower plants, the government can proceed with its plan to gradually acquire coal-fired power plants in Mindanao and repurpose them through the ETM facility, Dominguez said.

BSP’s, which sees inflation slowing down to 3.3 percent next year from 4.4-percent projection for 2021. However, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno recently said there are still upside risks for next year, citing potential impact of weather disturbances on the prices of key food items, petitions for transport fare hikes and the possibility of a prolonged recovery of domestic pork supply. “The BSP will continue to prioritize providing policy support for the economy while keeping an eye on the potential risks to future inflation,” Diokno added. In October, inflation decelerated to 4.6 percent from 4.8 percent a month earlier, averaging at 4.5 percent in the first 10 months.

Continued from A1

The ETM is a public-private finance vehicle seen to both reduce coal-fired power generation through accelerated plant retirement and boost the growth of renewable energy (RE) using an equitable, scalable, and market-based approach. Under this innovative financing strategy, the partners in the ETM will jointly conduct a thorough feasibility study on the optimal business model for pilot countries —so far including the Philippines and Indonesia. The ETM will bring together concessional resources from donor governments and philanthropies, in close coordination with global climate changefocused funds, to leverage large amounts of commercial capital to trigger a decisive shift towards decarbonization. A s it s Nat ion a l l y D e t e r mined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement, the Philippines has committed to a projected GHG emission reduction and avoidance of 75 percent from 2020 to 2030 for the sectors of agriculture, wastes, industry, transport, and energy despite being among the countries with the smallest carbon footprints.

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The Nation BusinessMirror

FLAG urges ICC to proceed with drug war probe vs Duterte administration By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to reconsider its decision to suspend its investigation into the killings related to the ongoing anti-illegal drug war of the Duterte administration. In a five-page letter signed by FLAG chairman and senatorial aspirant Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno addressed to ICC Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan, the group questioned the ICC’s decision to temporarily halt its probe based on the representation made by the Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands that cited the Department of Justice’s thorough investigation into the 52 killings, which took place from 2016 until 2020 in relation to the anti-drug war. The FLAG insisted that it was misleading to label as “investigation” the action conducted by the DOJ on the 52 cases and that the number covers only a small fraction of the killings or attempted killings within the scope of the ICC investigation. Of the 52 cases allegedly investigated by the DOJ, the FLAG said, only 36 occurred within July 1, 2016 and March 16, 2019, the period covered by the ICC investigation. The figure is only 0.12 percent to 0.3 percent of the 12,000 to 30,000 persons killed during the period. The FLAG further told the ICC that not a single killing that occurred between November 1, 2011 and June 30, 2016 in Davao was included among the 52 cases allegedly investigated. “While FLAG is aware that the DOJ has reportedly reviewed some 300 cases, the parameters, scope and results of such review have been withheld from the public,” the group stressed. “In FLAG’s view, it is misleading to label the DOJ action as an ‘investigation’ since it appears that the DOJ merely conducted a review of the documents provided by the Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police [PNP-IAS],” it added. The FLAG noted that that the DOJ did not confirm the documents, and merely relied on them; did not identify others who were responsible for the killings, including officials in the chain of command who were complicit in the deaths; did not identify the failure of police authorities to

take reasonable measures that could have prevented the killings; and did not identify policies and systemic failures that may have contributed to the killings. “These are the minimum standards for investigating potentially unlawful deaths, which also apply to any investigation conducted by the DOJ, contained in the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigations of Potentially Unlawful Deaths [2016, The Revised United Nations Manual on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions],” FLAG said. Furthermore, the human rights group also pointed out that the DOJ’s “investigations” also did not comment on the penalties meted by the PNP-IAS against its police officers. Out of the 36 cases covered by the ICC investigation, only four cases resulted in the dismissal from service of the erring police officers. Majority of the cases resulted only in suspension of the officers, ranging from 22 days to 180 days. One case only led to reprimand and another case was dismissed. “The imposition of IAS/PNP penalties—and the DOJ silence on the penalties imposed by the IAS/ PNP —reveals how the Philippine government views the killings,” FLAG said. FLAG also said the DOJ also did not interview witnesses or survivors or family members of the alleged suspect-victims in the anti-illegal drugs operations. It has not yet referred a case for prosecution and instead referred the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for further investigation and case build up for the possible filing of criminal charges against erring police officers. It noted that the DOJ did not give instructions, parameters and a deadline to the NBI. “The DOJ ‘investigations’ also contravenes Philippine laws which require the PNP and the DOJ to immediately cause the prosecution of erring police officers whenever a police officer invokes official duties as an excuse to kill a suspected criminal,” it said. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra reiterated his call on Monday for the families of persons believed to be killed by law enforcers during anti-illegal drug operations to go directly to the DOJ and file their complaints or for any related assistance that they would need.

No existing order yet to test 2022 polls bets for drug use–PNP chief

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday there is no existing order that can direct the police to conduct mandatory drug test on candidates running for public office. “The most that we can do is to support the suggestion for political aspirants to submit themselves to a voluntary drug test to prove to their followers and supporters that they are clean,” PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos said during a news briefing. This developed as the Partido Reporma tandem of Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo M. Lacson underwent drug tests at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday, saying they wanted to send a signal that all public servants, especially aspirants for high office, “should be beyond rebuke.” The two senators arrived at PDEA offices past 2 p.m. and underwent what they described as a battery of tests, noting that the PDEA uses a “multi-test” process that screens not just for shabu and marijuana— the most widely used among illegal drugs—but other prohibited drugs as well. The results came back after five hours: the senators tested negative.

President Duterte earlier claimed that a presidential candidate who comes from a wealthy family is an illegal drugs user. He did not name the candidate whom he said uses cocaine. Duterte’s revelation is already being looked into by the police and PDEA. The PNP said it would take the cue from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the possible procedural guidelines regarding the conduct of drug tests on candidates. “We will be ready to facilitate, and we can use our PNP Forensic Group, but let us cross the bridge when we get there,” Carlos said. Once the result is out, the PNP will immediately submit it to the requesting body. An investigation will follow if someone will test positive for drug use. Under Section 15 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, “A person apprehended or arrested, who is found to be positive for use of any dangerous drug, after a confirmatory test, shall be imposed a penalty of a minimum of six [6] months rehabilitation in a government center for the first offense, subject to the provisions of Article VIII of this Act.” Rene Acosta and Butch Fernandez

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, November 23, 2021 A3

‘Tandem vote’ law for next President, VP bets pushed By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

EN. Sherwin Gatchalian is asking Congress to consider an enabling legislation mandating Charter change to allow “tandem vote” for presidential and vice presidential candidates in the next national elections. The senator stressed the need to hold the election for president and vice president patterned after a similar practice in the United States in order to “ensure that the selection of the two highest officials of the

country will come from the same political party or affiliation.” In pressing for a tandem vote option in electing the next president and vice president, Gatchalian said this will effectively avert the top two officials of the land pushing separate development agenda. In the first place, the senator suggested that it is “much better [for the top two leaders] to be pushing similar platforms in order to maintain solid management of the administration.” Reminding that the next round of electoral exercise is just around the corner, the senator said this was

why he is pursuing the amendment in the 1987 Constitution for future national elections. “This won’t happen in the forthcoming elections owing to lack of material time. But I would like open this proposal for debates and study by the next leaders of the land,” the senator said in Filipino. Gatchalian clarified that instead of split voting, “selecting a single ticket would be easier for the voters as a vote for a particular presidential candidate would also mean casting a vote for his or her vice presidential running mate.”

He pointed out that under Section 4, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, “the President and the Vice President shall be elected by direct vote from the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the 30th day of June next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six years thereafter.” The senator added he is studying an option to introduce a piecemeal amendment to the Constitution to pave the way for the election of the two highest government officials as a single ticket.

‘Epidemic of scams:’ Solon presses privacy DOJ chief weighs body to crackdown on SMS text fraudsters in on possible

HE National Privacy Commission (NPC) was pressed Monday to mount a crackdown amid rising cases of “budol text scams” perpetrated under the guise of offering jobs using dubious advertisements. Sen. Joel Villanueva prodded the commission to go after the perpetrators of the “epidemic of text scams,” particularly the kind in which cell phone numbers are barraged with job ads or offers. Villanueva, chairman of the Senate labor committee, cited reports reaching his office that social media has been flooded with complaints of duped citizens who have been “bombarded with job offers or sales work that promises huge commissions.” Describing the text scam as “the new budol in town,” Villanueva not-

ed that apparently “robo texts are being blasted to be the forbidden fruit of a data breach or data sale somewhere.” The senator suggested to the privacy commission to coordinate with the National Telecommunications Commission to work out “how this illegal and irritating intrusion into one’s privacy can be stopped.” In a news statement, he described the so-called robo texts as “a variant of fake news, which many people can fall for.” Villanueva voiced concerns that “in a nation where unemployment and digital disinformation are high, these kinds of messages can mislead many.” “Maraming kababayan po natin, lalo na ang mga naghahanap ng trabaho ang ma-si-swindle nito,” the

lawmaker warned. At the same time, the senator asked concerned government agencies and telecommunications firms to “work together in preventing citizens from being victimized by smishing,” a form of text message phishing, where criminals lure consumers into giving away personal or financial information. Villanueva reminded that the so-called budol text scam “falls well within the area of consumer protection that is the task of government authorities concerned.” The senator added that “text offers on overseas jobs violate laws in labor placement, an activity that is tightly regulated by the government to shield job seekers from being victimized by illegal recruiters.” Butch Fernandez

New Subic investments top ₧16.2 billion in Q3 By Henry Empeño

Correspondent

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—New investment commitments approved by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in the third quarter of this year reached P16.2 billion, as Subic made a comeback as a preferred business destination following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions here. A total of 40 companies that registered their businesses from July to September pledged a total of P16.15 billion, while three existing locators committed a total of P49.44 million for their expansion projects to bring the overall investment haul to P16.2 billion, said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma. Most of the new investments made were under the leisure sector with a total of 15 projects, while general business followed with 13, logistics with 11, and information and communications technology with one. All the expansion projects, meanwhile, were under the manufacturing sector. Eisma said the new investments are projected to generate a total of 71,522 new jobs in the Subic Freeport, while the expansion projects will bring in additional employment of 1,200. SBMA records showed that 40 projects were approved in the third quarter of 2021 represented a 233percent increase over the 12 new proposals in the same period last year. In terms of new jobs, the variance showed thousands-fold increase over the 163 posted in 2020. SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business Renato Lee III said the biggest investment proposals came from Subic Supreme Industries Inc., which committed P15.5 billion for a leisure project; Empress Maritime Subic Inc., with P201.2 million for another leisure project; Bicol Oil (International) & Shipping Corp., with P179.3 million

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma addresses business locators during the opening of a new commercial complex. Eisma revealed more investors are now setting up businesses in the Subic Bay Freeport despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

in logistics; SBGP Food Services Inc. with P74.62 million in leisure; and Da Fu Yuan Corp. with P57.28 million in general business. Subic Supreme also topped the employment department with 71,250 projected jobs. Meanwhile, among the three expansion proposals made in the third quarter, the P37.45-million project by Philippine Easepal Technology Ltd. was the biggest. Easepal, which manufactures sports and leisure articles and apparel, also committed to hire 810 more workers for its expansion. Lee also said in the third quarter report of the SBMA Business and Investment Group that at least 18 new projects, including co-location agreements with the country’s three leading telecommunications players, are under consideration by the Subic agency. He said SBMA is also reviewing and amending business processes, including the omnibus policy on the imposition of performance bond, to further reduce the pe-

riod for processing and issuance of business permits and ensure efficient monitoring of development commitments by business locators here. Eisma said on Friday that the continuing health crisis may have initially caused the closure of some companies in Subic, “but we’re definitely making a comeback as a preferred investment destination.” “Aside from sound economic policies that gave investors much-needed support and respite during the pandemic, Subic’s superb safety record, which is due to the cooperation of stakeholders in observing health measures, also played an important part in gaining the trust of new investors,” she added. Eisma pointed out the SBMA has been a favored destination for “bubble events” like business conferences, sports tournaments, and stay-cations at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as a hub for international crew change and the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers.

extradition of Quiboloy to US

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said extradition proceedings are no longer necessary if the person subject to such proceedings would decide to voluntarily surrender to the jurisdiction of the requesting state. Guevarra issued the statement amid reports on the possible extradition of Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy to the United States following the filing his indictment by a federal grand jury with child sex trafficking along with two co-defendants identified as Teresita Tolibas Dandan and Felina Salinas. “All talks about possible extradition will be mooted if the person sought to be extradited opted to voluntarily surrender to the jurisdiction of the requesting state and defend himself/herself with the assistance of counsel in the appropriate legal proceedings in the requesting state,” Guevarra said. However, Guevarra immediately clarified that his statement should not be considered as a hint on the possible scenario in the case of Quiboloy. “Just informing you of the theoretical legal framework,” he told reporters. Earlier, Guevarra said Quiboloy could still extradited to the US despite the pendency of the appeal filed before his office in connection with the dismissal of criminal charges for rape, child abuse, ill treatment, trafficking in persons through forced labor, and trafficking in persons through sexual abuse filed against him before the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office by a female complainant. A female complainant in Davao City filed the complaint in 2020 against Quiboloy but it was dismissed by the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office. The complainant has appealed the dismissal before the Office of the Secretary of Justice and is still pending. At the same time, the DOJ secretary noted that an extradition proceeding is a long and tedious process that would involve court proceedings. He said the DOJ and the Department of Affairs would have to evaluate first and determine if the US case is covered by the existing extradition treaty. If it is established that the US case is covered by the treaty, the DOJ will file a petition for extradition before a local court. “If granted, and the judgment became final, the respondent may then be physically turned over to the requesting state for further legal proceedings,” Guevarra added.

Economy BusinessMirror

A4 Tuesday, November 23, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Peza keeps $100-B export revenue goal By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

ITH 2021 nearing its conclusion, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is still upbeat with reaching its $100-billion export revenue target for the year. Peza Director General Charito Plaza told the BusinessMirror that her outlook is supported by the improving Covid-19 situation in other countries, which can boost the country’s exports. “Yes, we’re positive in the increase of export sales [because] of the opening up of the world economies caused by the massive vaccinations and the new normal,” she said. It has been addressing its company locators’ worries over the con-

straints in the delivery of raw materials and other goods as well, which is seen as a threat to export revenue growth, she told the BusinessMirror in an earlier interview. Peza, Plaza said, has been working with the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Ports Authority and other agencies handling transportation of shipments to resolve the matter. In January to August, the regulator registered $40.692-billion export income, which showed a 17.35-percent growth. “Peza continues to contribute 65 percent of export income on commodities and goods, and export service income of 85 percent from IT-BPO [information technology and business process outsourcing] and tourism-oriented companies registered with Peza,” Plaza said earlier.

However, in terms of investment approvals, Peza downgraded its growth target to 5 percent this year from 7 percent previously. It sees better performance next year with 6-percent growth projection. Plaza said Peza saw a slow down in investment approvals by mid-2021 due to the pandemic. “Due to the strict lockdowns implemented last year, the approval of projects filed in early 2020 were delayed until mid to late last year. Business groups, entrepreneurs, and exporters were on a wait-and-see mode and had lower risk appetite in their investments during the pandemic,” she said previously. “Hence, the impact of the pandemic was really felt this year,” she added. In the first 10 months, Peza in-

vestments dropped by 13.66 percent to P62.722 billion from P72.644 billion in the same period last year. These include 215 projects, with most or P28.754 billion of them coming from ecozone development. Investments from the manufacturing sector, meanwhile, reached P24.127 billion. Recently, Peza announced that it would be able to issue two-year visa for foreign investors and workers in economic zones after inking a partnership with the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Beginning December 1, Peza and BI will cut the processing period of visa approval from 1 month to 10 days. Both agencies will set up a one-stop shop that will expedite the processing, approval and issuance of the visas.

LRT 1 upgrades signaling system ahead of dispatch of 4th gen trains By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

IGHT Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) is upgrading the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1’s signaling system, prompting it to temporarily suspend the train system’s operations on three separate dates. Enrico R. Benipayo, COO of LRMC, said the line will be temporarily closed on November 28, January 23, and January 30 to “complete the necessary works for the upgrade of its existing signaling system,” including test and trial runs. “We look forward to the many exciting developments lined up for LRT 1 in 2022. The migration to the new signaling system underscores LRMC’s commitment in modernizing the LRT 1 and delivering better service to our customers. We would like to request the understanding of our passengers for this temporary inconvenience, and would like to assure them that this will be beneficial in the long-run,” he said. LRMC is upgrading the train line’s signalingsystemtothenewAlstomSignaling

DOH-Calabarzon launches new Covid-19 isolation facility in Tagkawayan, Quezon

System,whichwillbecrucialto“accommodate the commercial use of 4th Generation train sets on the existing system.” The train line is taking delivery of 18 4th Generation train sets through 2022. Benipayo advised train commuters “to plan trips ahead of time and be guided accordingly on passenger advisories from LRMC.” LRMC is currently building the Cavite Extension of the LRT 1. Targeted for completion in about four years after the delivery of right of way, the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will connect into the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran Station and run in a generally southerly direction to Niyog, Cavite. It will consist of elevated guideways throughout the majority of the alignment, except for the guideway section at Zapote, which will be located at grade. The new stations will be accessible to and from nearby community facilities, such as shops, schools, stadium and park, and will be located to suit passenger-flow routes from residential areas.

Makati Business Club, KAS to hold webinar on inclusive capitalism on November 23

HE Makati Business Club (MBC) in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) holds a webinar on “Inclusive Capitalism Goes Global” on November 23, 2021, via Zoom at 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in New York). Key speaker Meredith Sumpter, CEO of the Council of Inclusive Capitalism, will discuss the private sector role in supporting democracy, political and business risk of democratic decline, strategies for inclusive capitalism, and the US-China relations. Sumpter believes there is a moral and market imperative to extend the benefits of our economic system to all people while protecting the planet. She was formerly head of research and strategy at Eurasia Group, a political risk advisory firm, and a US diplomat in Beijing, among other roles. She also serves as CEO of the Council’s sister organization the Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism. The Council for Inclusive Capitalism is a non-sectarian global collaboration of leaders in business, investment, and public sector organizations The Council works to address this challenge by taking concrete actions to build more inclusive, sustainable, dynamic, and trusted companies. The Council was founded by businesswoman Lynn Forester de

Rothschild and has a related Council for Inclusive Capitalism with the Vatican initiative. Some 50 individuals from the Philippine private sector, including C-suite members, start-ups, incubators, business students, and civil society have been invited in this event which has Coco Alcuaz, MBC Executive Director, as emcee, and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman, Ayala Corporation, as Q&A Moderator. Ayala, also popularly known as Jaza, is also tasked to deliver the event’s welcome remarks and the introduction of the keynote speaker. This Zoom event is part of the Global Freedom & Democracy Series, an annual series, which aims to inform and inspire the Filipino business community to continue protecting and repairing Philippine freedom and democracy by connecting them with global thinkers. The series started in 2020 in a partnership with KAS, a political foundation, closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). The series has “brought in” Taiwan Digital Minister Audrey Tang, bestselling democracy scholar Larry Diamond, and HK activist Emily Lau. The MBC is a private nonprofit business association in the Philippines founded in 1981 to promote the role of the business sector in national development efforts.

Petro firms roll back gas, diesel, kerosene pump prices By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

IL firms will slash pump prices this week. They announced Monday that gasoline prices will go down by P0.85 per liter, diesel by P1.20 per liter and kerosene by P1.30 per liter. The price rollback takes effect at 6 a.m. of Tuesday, November 23. Seaoil, Petron, Shell, PTT, Total, Cleanfuel announced their price ad-

justment Monday afternoon. Cleanfuel, meanwhile said it would adjust its pump prices at 8:01 a.m. Other oil firms are expected to follow suit. The latest round of oil price rollback reflects movement in the world oil market. Seaoil said the price rollback for gasoline is lower than that of diesel because “there’s an increase in import premiums related to freight and refining.”

We need ‘honorable merchants!’

EPARTMENT of Health (DOH) -Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) recently inaugurated a new isolation facility at the Maria L. Eleazar General Hospital (MLEGH) in Tagkawayan, Quezon, that will serve as temporary treatment and monitoring facility for Covid-19 cases. “This is another example of the saying ‘kung gusto ay may paraan’ at kasama dito ang pagtutulungan ng ating lokal na pamahalaan at ng komunidad upang maisakatuparan ang ganito kahalagang mga proyekto para sa ating bayan,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated in his message during the blessing of the facility. “Konting panahaon na lang at matatapos na natin at makukumpleto ang mga bagong pasilidad na siyang magbibigay ng karagdagang serbisyong medikal para sa mga residente ng Tagkawayan.” The MLEGH Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF) was constructed and funded Under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act of DOH-Calabarzon with a budget of P9,306,000.00. It has an area of 446.05 square meters, which includes a five-bed-mild case ward with toilet and bath, four-bed severe case ward with ante room with toilet and bath, decontamination room, nurse station with toilet and bath, doffing/donning room, medical supply room and a staff pantry. Aside from the TTMF, a six-unit modular temporary facility was also inaugurated with three isolation rooms with toilet and bath, patients waiting area, consultation room, PWD toilet, doctors’ quarters and staff toilet and bath. It has an area of 74.77 square meters and has a budget allocation of P2,387,704.72.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

By Henry J. Schumacher

N a world where short-term gain seems to be more attractive than long-term sustainability, in a business environment where a business deal needs endless pages of legal language that can easily be circumnavigated if anybody wanted to, it may be necessary to focus attention on the historic principle of the “honorable merchant” and “preserve the virtues and decency” of the honorable merchant. The term honorable merchant describes the mission statement for responsible stakeholders in economic life. It stands for a sense of responsibility for one’s own company, for society, and the environment. An honorable merchant bases his/her behavior on virtues, which aim for a long-term economic success without opposing society’s interests. This concludes sustainable business. But what makes a merchant honorable? The roots of the principle can be traced back to the early mid-

dle-ages. A merchant could call himself “honorable” and benefit from this reputation if he acted in compliance with the developed rules. He became honorable through virtues such as integrity, honesty and decency. The honorable merchant stood out because he always kept his word and others could rely on him. The merchant’s reputation was intertwined with his commercial success, and therefore represented a crucial asset for his business. Nowadays, the notion of the honorable merchant appears rather oldfashioned, but numerous development trends in society, politics and business illustrate that decency also plays a major role in the 21st century. Globalization increases the competitive pressure as counties and companies with a different understanding of integrity compete; the same is true for Asean integration where competition will increase and good companies and not-sogood companies will clash. Luckily, the public gets more and more critical and social media raises the bar. People have very high expectations when it comes to assumptions of responsibility and respectability regarding companies. In the financial market, the demand for sustainable investment increases continuously. Some funds only invest in companies that fulfil, besides economic, also social and environmental criteria. In the middle-ages, the merchants proved that the collective establishment and implementation of the principle of the honorable merchant could generate benefits for both companies and society. Globalization and the resulting

loss of influence of governmental control mechanisms, puts more pressure on companies and their management (executive and supervisory) to create preconditions that enable sustainable and successful business activity. The honorable merchant as a person: has a tolerant and liberal attitude, keeps his/her word with the handshake as a binding act, and develops commercial judgment capabilities. The honorable merchant in his/ her company: acts as a role model through all actions, promotes honorable behavior in the business, and aims at long-term and sustainable business objectives. The honorable merchant in society and the economy: heeds the principle of equity and good faith, recognizes and takes responsibility for the economic and social order, and always advocates values both in domestic and foreign trade. The honorable merchant became the guiding star when the Integrity Initiative in 2009, joining hands with the Makati Business Club in 2010, and organizing the Integrity Initiative Inc. in 2015. We are committed to ethical business. We are calling on people in business, government and civil society to join us. Feedback is more than welcome; contact me at hjschumacher59@ gmail.com

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL logs big jump in Delta variant cases

OV ID -19 Delt a va r ia nt cases detected in the country jumped from 5 percent in June to 99 percent of lineages detected in October, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the latest batch of whole genome sequencing conducted by the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) also showed the detection of additional 426 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, 18 Beta (B.1.351) cases, and 10 Alpha (B.1.1.7) cases. “Latest run comprised of 506 samples collected in March, April, September, October and November [November 20],” Vergeire said wherein 1.98 percent is Alpha (10 cases), 3.56 percent (18 cases), and 84.19 percent (426 cases). Of the 20,561 samples sequenced by the PGC since March, 18,383 samples (89.41 percent) were detected to have lineages. “Delta variant is the most common lineage [38.29 percent] nationally among sequenced samples. Once detected in a region, it becomes the more common lineage,” Vergeire said. The Beta variant comprises 19.56 percent among all samples sequenced, making it the second most common lineage. Of the 3,139 or 17.08 percent samples positive for the Alpha variant and 0.02 percent or three samples positive for the Gamma variant. “All regions and all NCR [National Capital Region] city/municipality either have Alpha or Beta variants detected,” the DOH official said adding that the Delta variant, initially detected from Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs), is now detected in all 17 regions and all NCR city/municipality as well. The P.3 variant, while initially observed in only one region, is now detected in all regions. Local cases of Alpha and Beta, Vergeire added, can be directly linked to an introduction by an incoming international traveler. Of 1,178 ROF samples sequenced, 811 (68.8 percent) were positive for a variant of concern. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 A5

DOT chief warns Aklan of Christmas tourist surge By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

OURIST arrivals on Boracay Island, the acknowledged crown jewel of Philippine tourism, surged to 187,583 from January to November 20, 2021. Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed, however, this was still some 41 percent off the arrivals in the same period in 2020, eclipsed by the 270,904 arrivals in the first two months of said year, before C ovid-19 forced lockdowns in March. The DOT also reported 37,900 tourists arrived in Boracay from November 1 to 20, 2021, of which, 53.4 percent were from the National Capital Region. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat told the BusinessMirror “there could have been more,” if it were not for the problems encountered in the issuance

by Aklan of tourists’ QR codes. The Aklan local government no longer requires RT-PCR testing for vaccinated tourists, thus the increase in QR code requests. (See, “Boracaybound tourists frustrated with QR code delay,” in the BusinessMirror, November 18, 2021.) But she expressed hope, with new measures put in place, the problems experienced by travelers to Boracay Island would soon be eased. Based on the DOT’s meeting on November 17 with Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores, she said, “The province has updated its system; they now prioritize the issuance of the QR code based on the scheduled date of arrival of the tourist. They also procured additional computers and four mobile phones to augment their ICT equipment requirement. In addition, the province hired more manpower support.” The DOT chief added, the Aklan

Gordon refuses to lift arrest order on ex-DBM exec Lao

EN. Richard J. Gordon, chairman of an ongoing Senate inquiry into alleged anomalies in the Duterte administration’s purchase of anti-Covid supplies, rejected an appeal by the former Officer-in-Charge of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (DBM-PS) to lift an arrest order earlier issued after he skipped four hearings. The Gordon-led Blue Ribbon Committee is set to resume the inquiry on Friday (November 26) to dig deeper into the case, with the chief prober, expecting all resource persons invited, will appear and testify to avoid being cited in contempt, including Lloyd Christopher Lao. The former DBM undersecretary was pivotal in the awarding of bulk of P42 billion in pandemic-response funds moved by the Department of Health (DOH) to PS-DBM, to which it outsourced its bidding chores. That fund transfer was flagged by the Commission on Audit for not being covered by a memorandum of agreement, sparking the Senate inquiry. Past BRC hearings have focused much on a total of P10 billion in contracts that Lao awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp., a low-capital

start-up believed funded by President Duterte’s friend and former presidential adviser Michael Yang. For his part, Lao aired an appeal and said there was no need for Gordon’s committee to enforce an order to have him arrested by Senate process servers as he intends to attend the next hearing of the Blue Ribbon inquiry. Until it is lifted, however, the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSSA) process servers are duty bound to enforce the order to ensure Lao’s presence at the inquiry. Earlier, Lao wrote Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Gordon after the Blue Ribbon issued a Senate arrest order on November 5, dismayed by Lao’s failure to attend, even virtually, four committee hearings on the case. In his letter, Lao noted he had been present in nine hearings, as a sign of respect for the authority of the Senate. He also assured senators he was “more than willing” to attend the next committee hearing, but hoped the proceeding would be “non-hostile.” He added he would not put himself in a firing line at the hearing where his constitutional right would be discarded. Butch Fernandez

province has also agreed that “accommodation establishments will assist their guests in ensuring the completeness of requirements in securing a QR code.”

‘Simplify, simplify, simplify’

THE DOT was flooded by complaints from travelers to Boracay starting the weekend of November 13, saying they had not received Aklan’s QR code, leading to missed flights to Caticlan. “These are improvements, yes, but they have to step up more. They need to simplify the process. This is nothing compared to the Christmas season, when more tourists are expected to spend their holiday in Boracay,” said Romulo Puyat. She added, the Aklan local government should also be preparing for the “eventual reopening of the country to international travelers.” Prior to the pandemic, Chinese

and Korean tourists accounted for the largest chunk of foreign travelers in Boracay. China is on the Green List of countries, from which quarantine is no longer required of vaccinated tourists. The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is expected to approve guidelines for the entry of vaccinated tourists from Green List countries, which also includes Japan and India—which are among the Philippines top 12 inbound tourism markets. (See, “Green-list leisure tourists green-lit ‘before Dec,’” in the BusinessMirror, November 22, 2021.) On the arrival of vaccinated leisure tourists from Green List countries, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Brigido Dulay separately said, “The guidelines are still being finalized. There are still a number of administrative is-

sues that need to be fixed, aligned and reconciled.” As for the Aklan QR code system, DOT Assistant Secretary Christopher Morales said in a Viber message, “From the usual 2,500 daily request, it shot up to 5,000 plus daily on November 15 and 16. Then we were told they [local government unit] lost 10 staff before November 15 and then some went AWOL.” He added, if Aklan insists on using their QR code system, “They should strictly implement it in all establishments [on Boracay], otherwise, it’s useless.” The Aklan QR code, which appears on the online health declaration card issued to Boracay visitors after having submitted complete documentary requirements, is scanned upon arrival and departure at the Caticlan airport for contacttracing purposes. But no establishment on the island actually scans it for said purpose.

Govt rolls out Covid-19 booster shots for elderly By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

HE rollout of the administration of booster doses for senior citizens and third doses for immunocompromised individuals belonging to A2 and A3 categories, respectively, kicked off on Monday. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that senior citizens should be given booster shots and not third doses following the discussion with vaccine experts last week. Vergeire noted that on October 4, the World Health Organization (WHO) interim recommendations stated that immunocompromised individuals, couldn’t mount that adequate immune response that they need so they should be given the third dose. Immunocompromised individuals have either of the following conditions: Immunodeficiency state HIV Active cancer/malignancy Transplant patients Patients under immunosuppressive treatments The DOH and National Vacci-

nation Operation Center stressed that the administration of booster doses is conducted in a phased approach and is not yet available for the general population. Senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals may receive a booster shot at least 6 months after being fully vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, and Gamaleya, and at least 3 months after inoculation with single-dose Janssen. The Priority Group A1 (A1 to A1.7) shall receive a single dose of Covid-vaccine as a booster dose, either a homologous or a heterologous dose. Heterologous dose refers to the administration of a Covid-19 vaccine of a different brand from the vaccine that was used to complete the primary vaccine series. The homologous dose refers to the administration of a Covid-19 vaccine of the same brand from the vaccine that was used to complete the primary vaccine series. As a homologous booster dose: Individuals given with Sinovac Covid-19 primary dose series may be given with a Sinovac vaccine dose as a booster dose. Individuals given Pfizer

may receive Pfizer as a booster dose Individuals given Moderna may receive Moderna as booster dose Individuals given AstraZeneca may receive AstraZeneca as booster dose As a heterologous booster dose: Individuals inoculated Sinovac as primary dose series may be administered with AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or a Moderna Covid-19 vaccine dose as a booster dose. Individuals given AstraZeneca shots may be given a Pfizer or a Moderna shot as a booster dose Individuals given with Gamaleya Sputnik V may be given AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or a Moderna Covid-19 vaccine dose as a booster dose Individuals given with Janssen may be administered with AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or a Moderna Covid-19 vaccine dose as a booster dose Individuals given with Pfizer may be given AstraZeneca or a Moderna Covid-19 vaccine dose as a booster dose Individuals given with Moderna may be given AstraZeneca or Pfizer as a booster dose.

DOJ chief seeks inclusion of 30,000 more Bangsamoro govt also eyes wider digitalization inmates in three-day inoculation drive By Manuel T. Cayon

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said he would ask the National Task Force Against Covid-19 to include all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in its three-day mass vaccination program dubbed as “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” considering that the country now has a steady supply of vaccines. If approved by the task force, more than 30,000 PDLs may be included in the program. Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) data showed that out of the 48,689 total population of PDLs in the seven penal farms in the country, only a total of 17,295 PDLs or 35.52 percent of the population have been inoculated, mostly first dose. Guevarra said that he intends

to ask Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., who is the chief implementer the National Task Force Against Covid-19, to include the PDLs detained in penal farms as among the beneficiaries of the government’s mass vaccination scheduled from November 29 to December 1, 2021. He added that the PDLs could be accommodated since there would be enough vaccines that would be used during the scheduled threeday mass vaccination. “I understand that we have millions of doses available for this big event, so this is the opportune time to consider the health of our PDLs who are at risk of infection due to prison overcrowding,” Guevarra said. BuCor data also showed that of the 28,516 PDLs inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), only 10 of them from

the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) have been fully vaccinated, while 10,987 PDLs have only received the first dose. On t he ot her hand, 7,955 PDLs or 99.51 percent of those inside the National Bilibid Prison’s medium security compound and 1,402 PDLs or 88.57 of those staying the minimum security compound have received their first dose. None of the convicts in the maximum security compound and extension facility have received even a single dose of the vaccine. There are around 17,329 PDLs housed in the maximum security compound and 105 PDLs in the extension facility. The Iwahig Penal Colony in Palawan province also reported that none of their 2,729 PDLs has received a shot.

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—The Bangsamoro Region is not going to lag behind in digital connectivity. With lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic, the regional government has instructed all its agencies to explore digitalization to its hilt. Last week, it convened information technology (IT) enthusiasts and information officers from different ministries, agencies, and offices of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to formulate “responsive” policy papers. These papers would be sent to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim Parliament of the region, to legislate digital connectivity. Based on the policy research conducted by the private group, Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS), it said “digital connectivity is not just lim-

ited to Internet connectivity but also involves ‘physical’ way of connecting people through transactions or fasttracking the transfer of goods and services through connectivity.” Dr. Norodin Salam, IBS consultant, said “generally, the challenge on connectivity are adoption of a comprehensive and strategic approach that will lead coordination, radio frequencies that enable mobile connectivity, addressing gaps between needed and actual financing investments.” She said the elements of digital connectivity are digital communication, Internet, and digital economy. The research findings and recommendations would be sent to the BTA for its legislation. The IBS and the Bangsamoro Information and Technology and Communications Office (Bicto) led the roundtable discussion during last week’s gathering of BARMM agencies. The Asia Foundation (TAF) provided support to the program. Jonathan Mantikayan, executive

director of Bicto, said the studies and the result of the roundtable discussion last week may be converted into a policy recommendation. Currently, the Bicto was formulating the creation of the Bangsamoro e-Government Master Plan (BEGMP) to serve as the blueprint “for a harmonized government information system in the region.” “We are going to complete the formulation of BEGMP within the transition period, but deliverables should be under way within the three-year bracket,” Mantikayan said. Among the considerations was the geographical feature of the region, of which the BEGMP would identify “the strategic and applicable methods to improve the connectivity in BARMM mainland and islands such as installation of a cell tower, internet satellite, and through fiber optic cable [land] or submarine cable [sea],” said Ralph Sinsuat, Bicto acting chief of ICT Infrastructure and Services Division.

Davao City Overland Transport Terminal resumes 24-hour operations amid influx of passengers

AVAO CITY—Bus companies are testing the waters anew of the 24-hour operation they had before the Covid-19 pandemic as this city also opened its main terminal here in Ecoland Subdivision to a full day and night operation. Aisa Saumay Usop, general manager of the Davao City Overland

Transport Terminal (DCOTT), said all bus companies were fielding more bus trips and extending their operations way into the night and dawn after the DCOTT began its 24 hours of daily operation on November 15. Among the bus companies were the Bachelor Express with more trips to its destinations in Ormoc, Leyte

and Tacloban, Leyte via Butuan City and Surigao City in northeastern Mindanao. These destinations in Visayas have to take the barge from Lipata, Surigao City to Leyte. TheRuralTransithasfieldedbusesfor its 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. trips to Cagayan de Oro City in northern Mindanao via the centralMindanaoprovinceofBukidnon.

The Mindanao Star trips to the cities of General Santos and Koronadal in South Cotabato would now begin at 3 a.m. from its 10 a.m. schedule during the pandemic. Its other route to Cotabato City would begin at 1 a.m. Last week, only 27 new trips were activated mostly at one-hour interval due to the limited number of passengers.

A day later, the frequency had increased to 405 bus trips, Usop said. She said the DCOTT was seeing an average of between 700 and 800 bus trips a day before the pandemic. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 11 would also be launching later this month the Davao City-

Marawi City route through Maramag town in Bukidnon going to the interior Wao town of Lanao del Sur. The route would take only about five hours, as compared to the much longer route through Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro, then to Iligan City and finally to Marawi City. This current route takes 11 hours. Manuel T. Cayon

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION QUALIFICATION AND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION SALARY RANGE 3O BPO INCORPORATED 2/f Lcs Bldg South Super Highway, San Andres Cor Diamante St, 087 Bgy 803, Santa Ana, City Of Manila PETROVSKI, TOMAS KRISTOF Customer Service Agent Swedish Basic Qualification: Native speaker Brief Job Description: 1. Customer Service Agent interacts with the customer on Salary Range: behalf of the organization, Provide information about the Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 products and services, responds to customer complaints as well. ADVANCED OPTRONIC DEVICES (PHILIPPINES), INC. Unit 402, 4th Flr. Textron Bldg., 168 Luna Mencias St., Addition Hills, City Of San Juan LU, BRIAN LONG Basic Qualification: Chairman Of The Board, President And/or Chief Executive Must be a member of the Officer board of directors 2. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide inspired leadership company wide and report to Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 the board of directors and keep them informed ANDA MOTORS INCORPORATED 333-339, Quezon Avenue, Lourdes, Quezon City WANG, MINGWEI Automotive Quality Control Specialist Basic Qualification: College graduate, Mandarin Brief Job Description: speaking 3. Keeps equipment available for use by inspecting and testing vehicles across all stages of production; completing Salary Range: preventive maintenance such as, engine tune-ups, oil Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 changes, tire rotation and changes, wheel balancing, replacing filters. ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: SEDI HARTONO Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 4. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 BF JADE E-SERVICES PHILIPPINES INC. Mcx E-commerce Center, Daang Hari And Daang Reyna Junction Muntinlupa-cavite Expressway (mcx) Rotunda, Poblacion, City Of Muntinlupa Basic Qualification: VAZQUEZ AYALA, JULIO CESAR Prior experience in project Associate Director Of Operations management and cross5. functional collaboration Brief Job Description: Managing, leading, recruiting, and developing a team of Salary Range: 3-8 managers/supervisors Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 CHILDFUND PHILIPPINES, INC. 8th Floor Strata 100 Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: 10 years and above VISHWAKARMA, ANAND KUMAR experience in a similar senior Country Office Director management position in the development sector, Brief Job Description: preferably outside of the The country office director (cd) is responsible for strategic country of origin. Good leadership and oversight of Childfund operations in the understanding of child assigned country office, based in manila, Philippines. rights and major child This includes strategy development and implementation, 6. development issues. Strong resource mobilization and business development, leadership skills in areas external engagement, country management, advocacy such as: fostering teamwork; and communications, partnership portfolio management, developing and motivating program delivery, monitoring & evaluation, research and others; managing change; knowledge management, administration and support, conflict resolution; initiative enterprise risk management, disaster risk management and flexibility, among others. & response and ensuring safety and security of staff and agency assets. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 CHINA CONSTRUCTION FRONT GENERAL DEVT. CORPORATION Unit 3001, Atlanta Center, 31 Annapolis St., Brgy. Greenhills, City Of San Juan Basic Qualification: ZHANG, GAOLEI Rich experience in Financial Chief Financial Officer management; College graduate and fluent in 7. Brief Job Description: Mandarin and English Analyze financial statement’s performance and preparing financial reports to TOP management. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YANG, HANCI Completed Bachelor’s Degree General Manager in Business Administration or 8. related area. Brief Job Description: Oversee daily operations of a business organizations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 CHN-PHL HUAIYUAN INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION Unit A&b 20/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Avenue, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati No.

LUO, JUN Mandarin Assistant Project Supervisor 9.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring both individual and team job performance metrics.

ZHANG, QIANG Mandarin Assistant Project Supervisor 10.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring both individual and team job performance metrics.

ZHANG, HOUZHOU Mandarin Bricklayer Specialist 11.

Brief Job Description: Analyzing and interpreting building plans interpreting work orders of determining the materials required

ZHANG, RENFENG Mandarin Bricklayer Specialist 12.

Brief Job Description: Analyzing and interpreting building plans interpreting work orders of determining the materials required

GUO, JUNGUANG Mandarin Heavy Equipment Installation Officer 13.

Brief Job Description: Diagnosing faults using computerized testing equipment. Adjusting equipment and replacing faulty parts

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION MENG, XIN Mandarin Heavy Equipment Installation Officer

14.

Brief Job Description: Diagnosing faults using computerized testing equipment. Adjusting equipment and replacing faulty parts HUANG, MINGFU Mandarin Insulation Specialist

15.

Brief Job Description: Read the blueprints and talk with supervisors at the start of every project to better understand the insulation needs for the specific building, based on the characteristics of the space and the heat-retention abilities of the materials ZHU, WEIDONG Mandarin Insulation Specialist

16.

17.

Brief Job Description: Plan risk control measure and safe lifting procedure before the commencement of any lifting operation

XIAO, JIAZHAO Mandarin Lifting Specialist 18.

Brief Job Description: Plan risk control measure and safe lifting procedure before the commencement of any lifting operation ZHANG, JIALU Mandarin Structural Erector Specialist

19.

Brief Job Description: Read and interpret construction designs and schematics to determine what type of support is required determine the type and amount of required materials and labor and make arrangements to acquire both. ZHANG, JUNMIN Mandarin Structural Erector Specialist

20.

21.

Brief Job Description: Lays out parts dimension on worktable using square chalk line and soaps tone positions parts in jigs and files chisels and grind parts as indicated to fit them together LUO, WENCHUN Mandarin Structural Fitter Specialist

22.

23.

Brief Job Description: Ensure that all machinery is set aligned and leveled attach and detach loads properly

YU, JIANCANG Mandarin Structural Rigger Analyst 24.

Brief Job Description: Ensure that all machinery is set aligned and leveled attach and detach loads properly

25.

Brief Job Description: Renders spoken message accurately, quickly, and clearly.

DATACLICK INTERNATIONAL CORP. E. Rodriguez St., Roxas Blvd. St., Barangay 003, Pasay City

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

26.

27.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

28.

CHEAH SHEAU BOON Customer Service Officer Brief Job Description: Converse and interact with the customer HOANG VAN MEN Customer Service Officer Brief Job Description: Converse and interact with the customer LU THANH VAN Customer Service Officer Brief Job Description: Converse and interact with the customer

EAST CARAVAN TRADING AND SERVICES CORP. 668 Del Monte Avenue, 1, Talayan, Quezon City

No.

Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With good oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: fluent in speaking, writing and reading (mandarin, folkien & cantonese) atleast college graduate, 2-3years work experience or fresh graduates Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With god oral and communication skills in English and Mandarin language familiar in the field of construction works

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

COSMOLINK GLOBAL SOLUTIONS INC. Flr. No. 6th, 7th & 8th Bldg., No. 100 Necc Bldg., Andrews Ave. St. Newport City Subd., District 1, Barangay 183, Pasay City

GU, PENGBO Admin Officer (mandarin Translator)

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language

LIANG, JINSHUAI Administration Manager

29.

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing and verbal communication skills. Excellent in time management skills and able to prioritize. Motivated to take on additional projects and solve problems. Able to organize and manage large amounts of files, tasks, schedules, and information. Self-directed and able to work without supervision.

EASTVANTAGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INC. Unit 2400 24/f Fort Legend Tower, 3rd Ave. Cor. 31st St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: FOPPA, OSWALD Mid senior position; 2 years Business Dev Associate or more experience with product dev. sales and 30. Brief Job Description: marketing Implement growth and sales strategies; identify new business opportunities Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 FLASH EXPRESS SOFTWARE (PH) CO., LTD. INC. 9th Flr. Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, 5th Avenue 30th Street Cor. 4th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig LIU, JUNWEI It Manager 31.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating planning, and leading computer-Related activities in an organization HU, HAICHAO Planning Manager

32.

Brief Job Description: Performs and manages complex and sensitive professional planning projects research and analysis

Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree / 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/Managerial experience in logistics or operations / multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree / 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/Managerial experience in logistics or operations / multilingual Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FOOD PANDA PHILIPPINES, INC. Penthouse 1, 6780 Ayala Ave. Bldg., 6780 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: DIXIT, DEEP KUMAR Job relevant degree/5-10 Lead, Online Marketing years supervisory or managerial experience/ 33. Brief Job Description: multilingual. Planning online marketing campaigns, including web, email, social media and display advertising. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 HA LONG PILIPINAS INC. San Luis St., Barangay, 011, Pasay City Basic Qualification: NING, SHANQUN Fluent in Mandarin and Purchasing Supervisor English language both in written and verbal, must Brief Job Description: familiar in expert numeracy. 34. Ensuring the confidentiality and security of files and Problem solving reporting filing system. Coordinates schedule arranging meetings skills distributing memos and reports. Operating equipment and fax machine Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HAMMERTIME CONSTRUCTION INC. Unit 203-s3 2nd Flr., Fbr Arcade Bldg., #317 Katipunan Ave. Loyola Heights 3, Quezon City Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with at LI, YIHANG least 3-5 years of working Mandarin Project Supervisor experience in the related field; fluent in Mandarin / 35. Brief Job Description: basic English Responsible for coordinating all labor needs for a given project Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with at LI, YUSHAN least 3-5 years of working Mandarin Project Supervisor experience in the related 36. field; fluent in Mandarin / Brief Job Description: basic English Responsible for coordinating all labor needs for a given project Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 INFINITECHNOLOGIES VENTURES INC. Room 506 Estuar Building, #41 Timog Ave., South Triangle 4, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: ZHANG, LIPING Proven customer support Operations Manager experience as a client service representative & ability to 37. Brief Job Description: adapt. Manage appointments or complaints from customers & abetted in the analysis and evaluation of communication Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION IN THE PHILIPPINES Unit 8b, 8/f Belverdere Tower #15 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: DAVID, MARIE FRANCES THERESE LIGON Demonstrated proficiency Research Associate in STATA and experience with data management 38. Brief Job Description: and data cleaning is a must. Supporting developing the instruments for data collection Proficiency in R is a plus. and back checks, in close coordination with the PIs and the Research Manager. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor, Eight West Campus Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: LIN, ZHILONG Able to speak and write in Mandarin Customer Support Representative MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with 39. Brief Job Description: related BPO experience. Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZHAO, YING Mandarin Customer Support Representative 40.

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

Brief Job Description: Able to comply with the Company’s Code of Conduct. Devoted time, attention and abilities to the Company’s business. Able to carry the duties in a proper, loyal manner and use your best endeavors to promote the interest and reputation of the Company. To be familiar, comply and observe to all reasonable requests, made by the Company.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

NILAR AUNG Myanmari Customer Support Specialist 41.

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

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

JDB MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANCY CORP. 107 T & D House, Magallanes St., 069, Bgy. 655, Intramuros, City Of Manila

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FAN, WENJIN Strategic And Facilitation Officer

42.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Salary Range: chinese clients to generate more income for the company Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 JIDA COMMUNICATION (PHILIPPINES) INC. 99 Comclark Reliance Center, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Ugong, City Of Pasig XU, DINGQIN Basic Qualification: Technical Consultant Preferably have vast knowledge and experience 43. Brief Job Description: related field To ensure success as a technical consultant, you should exhibit extensive experience in providing information Salary Range: technology support in a demanding environment Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.- PHILIPPINE GLOBAL SERVICE CENTER 23/f Net Plaza, 31st St. E-square Zone, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: expert knowledge in fund accounting and YADAV, MOHAN LAL trade processing. expert Fund Servicing Manager Ii knowledge of transaction lifecylces of different market Brief Job Description: products Good knowledge of Leading the Manila FS Trade operations team for client trade instruction lifecylces. 44. aligned model. Responsibilities include : Work Planning knowledge of SWIFT & other & managing daily BAU operations, Working with instruction types. Good tech stakeholders to resolve key business issues, Driving key literacy, well versed with use business projects, Maintaining business metrics and of MS office & other tech working with management to maintain SLAs, Working on tools other priorities for Manila GSC Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 K.B.C. DREAM TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION CONSULTANCY CORPORATION (K.B.C. TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION CONSULTANCY) U-ug02 Cityland 8 Condo., 98 Sen Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: ZHAO, MENG With good oral and written Chinese Travel Consultant communication skills. Knowledge in computer 45. Brief Job Description: application Research destination and travel prices, customer weather conditions, review etc. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LOGICDOSE INC. 19f Marco Polo Ortigas, Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: LIU, XIAODONG Can speak Chinese language It Support Specialist (Chinese Speaking) and knowledgeable in information technology 46. Brief Job Description: system Installing and use of software for data encryption to protect sensitive information Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MACH 86 TECHNOLOGIES CORP. 5th-13th Flr. Workspace Bldg., 1419 Industry St. Corner Finance St. Mbp Ayala Alabang, Ayalaalabang, City Of Muntinlupa Basic Qualification: CHENG, LONG Fluent in Chinese dialect Customer Service Representative (Mandarin, Folkien, Cantonese) 47. Brief Job Description: Interacting with customers via email, assist with Salary Range: complaints, orders, and other queries. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MAXISPACE INC. #705, Unit 252 Lee Gardens Condominium, Shaw Blvd. Cor. Lee, Addition Hills, City Of Mandaluyong FARDEBRAHIMI, ABOLFAZL Basic Qualification: Assistant To IT Specialist/Art And Design Director IT, Animation and rendering 48. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Assist the IT and Design Director Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: FARDEBRAHIMI, HOSSEIN Skills in IT, Animation and IT Specialist/art And Design Director And Vice President rendering 49. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Head the Art and Design Team Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Brgy. 076, Pasay City Basic Qualification: CHEN, XIAOLI Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 50. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: DING, XIN Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 51. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LE DUC TRUNG Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 52. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LE TUAN ANH Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 53. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LUU BA LONG Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 54. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGO VAN TIEN Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 55. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN CHI DIEM Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 56. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN GIA QUY Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 57. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN KHAC THAO Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 58. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THIEN QUOC Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 59. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN VAN HAI Able to speak, read and write Chinese Customer Service Chinese language 60. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

61.

62.

63.

SU, HAODONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VU VAN BACH Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XING, XUE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

No.

64.

65.

66.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHAO, SHANQIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, JIANGSHAN Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, XINGGUI Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

NESTLE PHILIPPINES, INC. Rockwell Center 31, Plaza Drive, Poblacion, City Of Makati MILLET, CAROLE Internal Control Center Of Competence Manager

SONG, XIAOWEN IT Consultant 83.

Brief Job Description: Provide strategic advice on using technology to achieve goals.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

84.

Brief Job Description: Establishes and maintains an effective system of communication.

No.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: IS/IT, Globe, SAP Experience; Minimum 5 years experience in Finance & Control; Use of analytic data tools such as Idea, Power BI

Basic Qualification: At least three (3) years of working experience as it consultant; fluent in mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Provide internal control first line of support to Markets and NBS on Internal Control issues, with an end to end across Market view; Give added value insight on controls and compliance with strong focus on leveraging Data Salary Range: Analytics Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 PHILIPPINES QIAN JIA SERVICES INCORPORATED 10/f Fort Legend Tower, 3rd Ave. Cor. 31st St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig LIU, HUANGANG Basic Qualification: Operation Manager Fluent in mandarin language and college level 68. Brief Job Description: Manage overall operations, ensure safe and efficient Salary Range: operations. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 XU, JINQUN Basic Qualification: Operation Manager Fluent in mandarin language and college level 69. Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials, Salary Range: equipment used on projects. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZENG, BAOHUA Basic Qualification: Operation Manager Fluent in mandarin language and college level 70. Brief Job Description: Manage overall operations, ensure safe and efficient Salary Range: operations. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HU, WEIHAN Basic Qualification: Project Manager Fluent in mandarin language and college level 71. Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials, Salary Range: equipment used on projects. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LIU, XUDONG Basic Qualification: Project Manager Fluent in mandarin language and college level 72. Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials, Salary Range: equipment used on projects. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZHANG, CHENGJIN Basic Qualification: Project Manager Fluent in mandarin language and college level. 73. Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials, Salary Range: equipment used on projects. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 SA RIVENDELL GLOBAL SUPPORT, INC. 9-11 Flr., The Biopolis Bldg., Macapagal Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City SISKAWATI TJIU Basic Qualification: Customer Service Representative Customer support and data base services 74. Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral Salary Range: and written communication skills Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 SEATRACE INTERNATIONAL INC. 8310, Sampaguita Street, Santo Niño, City Of Parañaque KOH, DANIEL SUNG PIL Basic Qualification: Business Development Manager Expertise in seafood business 75. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Responsible for sales, marketing, and import Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 SEWON INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION INC. Penthouse I, One Corporate Center, Meralco Ave., Cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: CAI, SHANYING Must have vast experience Consultant in construction industry specially in Chinese interior 76. Brief Job Description: design concept. Work directly with the clients and the construction team to progress the project in a timely manner Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HAN, HYEWON Must have vast experience Consultant in construction industry specially in Chinese interior 77. Brief Job Description: design concept. Work directly with the clients and the construction team to progress the project in a timely manner Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LEE, DONGJUN Must have vast experience Consultant in construction industry specially in Chinese interior 78. Brief Job Description: design concept. Work directly with the clients and the construction team to progress the project in a timely manner Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: TAN, FANGYAN Must have vast experience Consultant in construction industry specially in Chinese interior 79. Brief Job Description: design concept. Work directly with the clients and the construction team to progress the project in a timely manner Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 20/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: HE, XIN Fluent in mandarin both oral Mandarin Customer Service Specialist and written 80. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer Service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HU, ZHONGCHANG Fluent in Mandarin both oral Mandarin Customer Service Specialist and written 81. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 SUPREME CHENGHAO MANAGEMENT OPC Level 26-a Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: LIU, HAILIANG At least three (3) years IT Consultant of working experience as it consultant; fluent in 82. Brief Job Description: mandarin/basic English Provide strategic advice on using technology to achieve goals. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 67.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHEN, GENGMIN Mandarin Customer Support Representative

85.

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

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

VOLENDAY INC. U1406 14/f Pacific Star Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati WEN, SHILONG Project Control Manager Basic Qualification: To provide consulting Brief Job Description: technical and advisory 86. Identify and clear duplicate purchase requirements/ services purchase orders in all domains of the smart FTK; Assist the technology director in completing the bill handles the Salary Range: issuance check and spot check the site completion; design Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 changed sites and difficult sites WORLD MEDICAL RELIEF-PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BUSINESS AND COORDINATION CENTER FOUNDATION, INC. 14-d 14/f Ocean Tower, Condo. Roxas Blvd., 077, Bgy. 701, Malate, City Of Manila WANG, HAIBIN Basic Qualification: Executive Assistant Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks 87. Brief Job Description: Develop and sustain level of professionalism among staff Salary Range: and client Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 WANG, XIAOMEI Basic Qualification: Executive Assistant Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks 88. Brief Job Description: Develop and sustain level of professionalism among staff Salary Range: and client Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 YI HAOJI INC. Ub 111 Paseo De Roxas Bldg., Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: SHEN, BINGFEI Bachelor’s degree in Business General Manager (Chinese) Management or related field. Fluent in Mandarin and 89. Brief Job Description: English Defines and sets sales strategy for the local team. Develops strategy that leverage the core capabilities of Salary Range: the company Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZAPPORT SERVICES, INC. 36/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati DEVIN TEHERI Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 90. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties ERIC Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written Brief Job Description: 91. Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties RICKY FERNANDO CHANDRA Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 92. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties SUWANTO Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written Brief Job Description: 93. Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties CANDRA RAMADANU Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer INDONESIAN SPEAKING AND WRITTEN 94. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties. DAVIN ISKANDAR Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 95. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operation of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties ERIGSON KASIO Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 96. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties. KARTIKA WIJAYA Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 97. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties. KELVIN Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 98. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties. KELVIN KASIO Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 99. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties. MICHAEL RINALDY Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 100. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties. WILLIS STEVEN Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 101. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties. WINDA Basic Qualification: Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer Indonesian speaking and written 102. Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call Salary Range: center activities performing customer oriented telephone Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities and various background operation duties. ZENROOMS SERVICES PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 206 2/f Villa Bldg., 78-80 Jupiter St. Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: PEREVALOV, ANDREI 5-10 yrs experience. Good Regional Human Resource Generalist people-management skills, with industry-related Brief Job Description: 103. expertise, experience living Will run the daily functions of the human resources abroad is advantageous department including hiring and interviewing staff, administering pay, benefits, leave & enforcing company Salary Range: policy Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 *Date Generated: Nov 22, 2021 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.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A8 Tuesday, November 23, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Choosing the next Malacañang tenant

hen he was in office, US President Richard Nixon has a “Nixon’s Enemies List,” which started as a list of his major political opponents. The list became public knowledge on June 27, 1973, when John Dean mentioned during hearings with the Senate Watergate Committee that a list existed containing those whom the president did not like. The official purpose, as described by the White House Counsel’s Office, was to “screw” Nixon’s political enemies, by means of tax audits from the Internal Revenue Service, and by manipulating “grant availability, federal contracts, litigation, prosecution, etc.” In a memorandum to Lawrence Higby (assistant to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman) on August 16, 1971, Dean explained the purpose of the list: “This memorandum addresses the matter of how we can maximize the fact of our incumbency in dealing with persons known to be active in their opposition to our Administration; stated a bit more bluntly—how we can use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies.” Filipino politicians may or may not have their own Enemies List, but it is common knowledge that most of them want to destroy their political enemies. In August, President Duterte ranted about a local chief executive in Metro Manila, without naming the mayor, for having previous photos in bikini and for having the training of a “call boy.” While the President fell short of naming the official, people know he was referring to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno—the only Metro Manila mayor who had sexy roles as an actor in the 1990s. The attack came following a Pulse Asia survey showing that Moreno was the second most preferred potential candidate for president with a rating of 14 percent. The first was President Duterte’s daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio, who had a 28 percent rating. In a televised speech on Thursday, President Duterte said a candidate for next year’s presidential election was a cocaine user. He added that the person he was referring to comes from a wealthy family and has an influential last name but with a “weak character.” Reacting to the President’s exposé, Vice President Leni Robredo urged the government to file charges against the presidential aspirant allegedly involved in illegal drugs. If there’s evidence, that person should be charged, she said. Robredo also declared her willingness to submit to a drug test. “If that would be required, fine. We should come clean,” she said. Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is also in favor of requiring drug tests for candidates, according to his spokesperson. The other presidentiables—Senators Bong Go, Manny Pacquiao, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson echoed their support for requiring drug tests. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also agreed, saying it is dangerous to have a drug addict as a president. Is there a drug addict running for president? Perhaps, all presidentiables need to submit themselves to a drug test? The Commission on Elections clarified that substance abuse is not included among the grounds for disqualifying an aspirant for public office. “In any case, the Comelec did try to require candidates to submit a negative drug test several elections ago,” said Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, “the Supreme Court disapproved the move.” Under the Omnibus Election Code, a political aspirant could be disqualified if a competent authority declared the candidate insane or incompetent; or if a candidate has been sentenced by final judgment for subversion, insurrection, rebellion, or any offense leading to the candidate’s incarceration of more than 18 months; as well as for a crime involving moral turpitude. Why don’t we test all presidentiables on these specific grounds for disqualification? Better still, why don’t we evaluate them the way we assess a job applicant to determine which one has the skills required for the job? Or, we can test our presidentiables by measuring them against the current Malacañang occupant.

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Economic booster Manny B. Villar

THE Entrepreneur

he improved vaccination rollout has certainly revived business activities in the Philippines and translated into the slower transmission of the Covid-19 in recent weeks. If this momentum is sustained toward the three-day national vaccination drive from November 29 to December 1, and the Department of Health starts providing booster shots to health workers and seniors, we are in for a more festive celebration of the Christmas season. Booster shots will give an added lift to the economy during this period, as they will contribute to higher business and consumer confidence. It is reassuring to know that the government has enough vaccine doses for the massive vaccination program, with nearly 60 million doses in its warehouses. We are doing well in the vaccination rollout that explains the consistent decline in our Covid-19 cases. Over 71 million doses have been administered in the country since the start of the year, with over 32 million Filipinos receiving two doses for full protection. I am confident the government will achieve its target of inoculating at least half of the target population by the end of November and ramp

up the program to administer 1.5 million doses daily to attain the population protection by the end of 2021. The vaccination program has already bore fruits in the form of slower transmission of the virus. This, in turn, allowed the health-care sector to handle the situation and encouraged the government to ease lockdown measures that dragged the economy in the past quarters. The positive health data will be a boon to economic recovery. Daily new cases on November 16 fell below the 1,000 mark for the first time in months, with the Department of Health reporting 849 new infections. The next day, new cases slightly increased to 1,190, but the higher number of recoveries brought down

the total number of active cases nationwide to 23,846. We should aim to reduce the number of active cases to less than 10,000 next month so that we can better manage the situation. The increasing vaccination rate is good news to the tourism sector that suffered the brunt of the pandemic. With more people getting vaccinated, tourism is beginning to show recovery. Several domestic destinations already lifted the swab test requirement for fully vaccinated air passengers. I hope more destinations will follow suit. Tourism directly creates jobs and livelihood opportunities in the destination sites. The rising vaccination rate, meanwhile, is allowing us to reopen some of our schools to ensure the productivity and mental health of our labor force in the future. This reopening will further provide stimulus to the economy and expand the consumer base. The economy needs more support from the government in order to recover from the impact of the health crisis and regain its pre-pandemic growth levels. I am in sync with the moves of business groups such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to push for the further reopening of the economy and the creation of more jobs. I believe we can further relax the restrictions as long as establishments observe health protocols, like

requiring customers to wear face masks, conducting regular temperature checks and discouraging overcrowding in enclosed areas. We should take lessons from other countries that relaxed the face mask mandate, only to pay the price in terms of a new infection surge and the return to strict quarantine measures. If the population continues wearing face masks despite being fully vaccinated, we can significantly reduce the risks of infection and allow more economic activities to function. In Metro Manila, we can shift to the looser Alert Level 1, which means businesses can operate at full-site capacity, subject to minimum public health standards. The 90-percent vaccination rate in the National Capital Region, which is higher than in most countries, justifies the lifting of economic restrictions that hurt the poor more. A strong consumer spending in the fourth quarter will enable the economy to regain some of the losses in the past quarters and grow within the target range of 4 percent to 5 percent in 2021, after contracting 9.6 percent in 2020. A more buoyant fourth quarter will certainly give us the momentum to grow faster than expected and give more joy to the Yuletide season. For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar. com.ph

Biden’s political standing fuels Democratic worry about 2024

By Steve Peoples | AP National Politics Writer

OLUMBUS, Ohio—It was supposed to be a moment of triumph for Joe Biden. The Democratic president had just signed into law the most significant infrastructure package in generations. And he had done it by bringing Democrats and Republicans together, just as he promised during last year’s campaign. But when Biden arrived in New Hampshire last week to promote the $1 trillion package at the foot of a crumbling bridge, not all of his VIP guests were in the mood to celebrate. “Democrats are concerned,” former state House Speaker Steve Shurtleff, a longtime Biden supporter who attended the ceremony, told The Associated Press when asked about Biden’s political standing. “I’m concerned about where we may be in another couple of years when people really start to gear up and start making trips to New Hampshire.” Shurtleff was openly saying what a growing number of Democrats have been whispering for months: Biden’s political standing is so weak less than a year into his presidency that he may not be able to win reelection in 2024 if he were to run again. Such anxiety-fueled parlor games are common among Washington’s political class, but this one has spread to the states and constituencies that will play a central role in the next presidential election.

Vice President Kamala Harris is facing her own political conundrum with polls suggesting she may be less popular than her unpopular boss. A dynamic leader who made history by becoming the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to step into her office, Harris has been given few opportunities by the Biden White House to shine. She delivered her first solo speech to promote the new infrastructure law on Friday in Ohio’s capital city, addressing a mostly empty union hall largely absent of political dignitaries at roughly the same time Biden was issuing the White House’s annual turkey pardon in Washington. “In America, we have the courage to see beyond the crisis—to believe that the future and a future we imagine is possible—and then, to build it,” Harris said to a smattering of polite

applause in Columbus. At least for now, there’s little to suggest the legislation, which will strengthen infrastructure in every state and potentially create hundreds of thousands of jobs, will quickly improve Democrats’ political standing. As Biden struggles, speculation has intensified about the short list of would-be successors should Biden not seek reelection, although the 79-year-old president has said publicly and privately that he will. The list is led by Harris, of course, but includes other 2020 presidential candidates such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Just last week, Booker announced plans to appear at a party fundraiser next month in New Hampshire, which traditionally hosts the nation’s first presidential primary election. Booker’s team sought to tamp down chatter that he was positioning himself to run in 2024, and allies say he is very close to Harris and would not challenge her in the event Biden retires. Still, the mere existence of such conversations so soon into a new presidency is unusual. The frustrations boiling over now may be long forgotten by the time Biden—or another Democrat—leads the party in the 2024 presidential election. The truth is, no one knows

what the standing of Biden or Harris will be next year, never mind in three years. While Biden’s approval ratings are hovering in the low 40s, they are better than Donald Trump’s at the same time of his presidency. Barack Obama also faced headwinds at the end of the first year of his presidency. His party would go on to suffer historic losses in the 2010 midterm elections. But Obama recovered in time to win a second term. Bill Clinton similarly overcame setbacks, including a devastating midterm cycle in 1994, to win reelection in 1996. Democratic strategist Bill Burton, who worked in the Obama White House, noted that any number of factors could completely upend the political climate, such as Trump’s reemergence, a Supreme Court decision ending or dramatically limiting abortion rights, an improving economy and the end of the pandemic. “There’s such a unanimity around the idea that Democrats are completely doomed. These are the same people who brought us President Hillary Clinton,” Burton said. “Maybe things aren’t as bad as the entire chattering class seems to think they are.” The White House is working to quash speculation that Biden may not seek reelection in 2024 given his current struggles. See “Biden’s,” A9

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Implementing the tax incentives provisions of the Sagip Saka Act

Cecilia Muñoz-Palma: The First Woman Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

Atty. Rodel C. Unciano

Tax Law for Business

espite rapid urbanization and industrialization, agriculture remains to be the backbone of our economy. In recognition of the significant role of agriculture in our economic system, we have a law called the “Sagip Saka Act” [Republic Act (RA) 11321], which aims to strengthen farmers and fisherfolks by extending help to agricultural and fishing communities, including the grant of tax incentives and exemptions to covered activities.

Under the Sagip Saka Act, exemptions from income tax may be provided for income arising from the operations of an accredited enterprise. To qualify for exemption, the enterprise must register as barangay micro-business enterprise pursuant to RA 9178, otherwise known as the “Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act of 2002.” Under Revenue Regulations 192021 which recently implemented the tax incentives provisions of the Sagip Saka Act, the exemption from income tax shall apply to accredited farmers and fisherfolk enterprise engaged in agriculture and fisheryrelated economic activities, including producer groups, fisherfolk organizations/cooperatives, cluster of growers or fishers and other similar enterprises whose products are included in the priority commodity value chains, have potential to increase their marketable surplus, and willing to undergo capacity building on enterprise development and management. The income tax exemption shall only apply during the period in which the accredited farmer and fisherfolk enterprise is registered as BMBE. It must be issued with Certificate of Authority by the Department of Trade and Industry, through the Negosyo Center in the city or municipality where the business is located. In order to avail itself of the income tax exemption, the accredited business entity or enterprise must have a total assets of not more than P3 million, subject to revision of the appropriate government agency or council. This is, however, exclusive of the value of the land on which the particular business entity’s office, plant and equipment is situated. In addition, gifts and donations of real and personal properties to an accredited farmers and fisherfolk enterprises shall also be exempt from donor’s tax. To qualify for the exemption, the donee must be an accredited farmers and fisherfolk enterprise

Biden’s. . .

Continued from A8

Noting that Biden has declared his intent to run publicly and privately, his aides say the Democratic National Committee and Biden’s political team inside the White House are actively moving forward with the assumption he will seek a second term. They believe Biden’s position will improve as voters digest the new infrastructure law and the $2 trillion social spending and climate bill currently moving through Congress. Already, the DNC and its allies are focusing significant resources on selling the Democrats’ accomplishments in key states before the 2022 midterm elections—states such as Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin that will also be top battlegrounds in the 2024 presidential election. Despite their optimism, tensions inside the White House are real as the new leadership team learns to work together. Harris’s allies are especially frustrated that Biden seems to have limited the vice president to a lowprofile role with a difficult policy

as certified by the Department of Agriculture. Also, the donee should be among the proponent groups or beneficiaries of “The Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program,” as certified by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Sagip Saka-Program Management Committee. The donation must be made for the accomplishment of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program, consistent with its objectives to develop enterprises for farmers and fisherfolk towards a sustainable modern agriculture and food security. The application for exemption from donor’s tax shall comply with the guidelines in the processing of requests for rulings set forth in Revenue Memorandum Order 9-2014. The donations made are deductible from the gross income of the donor subject to compliance with the ordinary rules of deductibility under relevant provisions of the Tax Code, as amended. Finally, under the law, the local government unit shall exempt structures, buildings, and warehouses utilized for the storage of farm inputs and outputs from real property taxes, provided that the assessed value of the property does not exceed P3 million. The grant of tax incentives to covered farmers and fisherfolks enterprises is consistent with the State’s objective of achieving sustainable modern agriculture and food security in the country. The author is a partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a member-firm 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 rodel.unciano@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 140.

portfolio—led by voting rights and immigration. She was traveling with reporters in Ohio on Friday when Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges in last year’s deadly shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin, that became a flashpoint in the debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice. But she had to wait until Biden had addressed the case before she could weigh in, saying “the verdict really speaks for itself.” And when she delivered her speech on the infrastructure law, there was little sign of Democratic enthusiasm. The crowd of invited guests barely filled one-quarter of a local union hall. Almost none of Ohio’s top Democrats attended the event, including Sen. Sherrod Brown or the high-profile Democrats running for governor. Rep. Joyce Beatty, who represents the district where Harris spoke, was the only member of Congress in attendance. “Because of our work together, America is moving forward,” Harris declared, explaining that the infrastructure law would “make the most significant investment to fix our road and bridges in 70 years.” Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth contributed to this report

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 A9

ustice Cecilia Muñoz-Palma was born on November 22, 1913 in Bauan, Batangas. Her father was a former congressman of Batangas. She was intellectually gifted and topped all her classes in all levels. She was the high school class valedictorian of St. Scholastica’s College in 1931. She was the first woman to be elected president of the UP Student Council of the College of Law in 1936. She won gold medals in debate and oratory. She was awarded the coveted Dr. MendozaGuanzon medal for excellence in oratory, as well as the Justice Abad Santos medal as outstanding debater. She earned her law degree at the University of the Philippines and placed No. 1 in the Bar Examinations of 1937, only the second woman bar topnotcher after former Senator Tecla San Andres Ziga, also of UP, in 1931. She completed her Master of Laws degree from Yale Law School. As a female lawyer, she established many “firsts” in our legal history—the first woman prosecutor of Quezon City in 1947 and the first female RTC Judge. She was the second woman appointed to the Court of Appeals. In 1973, she was the first female appointed as associate justice of the Supreme Court (SC). She was named to the SC on October 29, 1973 by President Ferdinand Marcos. She was one of the independent members of the highest court. She rendered dissenting opinions that were critical of the regime and strongly opposed the abuses of the martial law government. In Aquino v. Comelec, GR L-40004, January 31, 1975, criticizing the referendum conducted to ratify the 1973 Constitution, Justice Muñoz-Palma held that “a referendum under martial rule can be of no far-reaching significance as it is ac-

complished under an atmosphere or climate of fear as it entails a wide area of curtailment and infringement of individual rights…. This is a matter of grave concern which necessitates full, mature, and sober deliberation of the people but which they can do only in a climate of freedom without the restraints of martial law.” She proposed the lifting of martial law instead of allowing then President Marcos to propose amendments to the Constitution. She reiterated this in Peralta v. Comelec, et al., GR L-47771, March 11, 1978, where she stated: “The only possible measure that can lead our country to normalcy is the lifting and ending of the state of martial rule…” In yet another dissent, she renounced martial law in strongest terms by asserting that “martial law connotes power of the gun, meant coercion by the military, and compulsion and intimidation.” Together with Justice Claudio Teehankee, and sometimes joined by Justice Jose Abad Santos, Justice Palma challenged the decisions that affirmed the decrees and orders of President Marcos during the perilous years of martial law. Her numerous dissents stood out in stark

contrast to the fawning opinions of her male colleagues who were subservient to power. After her SC stint, she continued her opposition to Marcos and refused to be cowed by the authoritarian regime. Her soft but brave voice had rallied and inspired the political opposition forces, which was galvanized by the assassination of Ninoy Aquino in 1983. Together with other prominent anti-Marcos personalities like Senators Doy Laurel and Gerry Roxas, she sought to unify all opposition elements. This eventually led to the formation of the United Nationalist Democratic Organization initially co-chaired by Senator Gerry Roxas and Speaker Jose Laurel, Jr. In the 1984 election for the members of the Batasang Pambansa, Justice Muñoz-Palma ran as an assemblywoman under the UNIDO banner. She led the opposition slate in Quezon City and succeeded in electing three members of the opposition—Orlando Mercado, Alberto Romulo and herself. On August 13,1985, 56 opposition members, including Justice Muñoz-Palma, signed a resolution impeaching the president for graft, high crimes and abuse of power but it was rejected by the majority of the 183 members of the National Assembly. Although outnumbered, Justice Muñoz-Palma was undaunted in her efforts to protect the interest of her people against the tyranny of authoritarian rule. She served in the unicameral legislature from June 30,1984 to March 25,1986 when it was dissolved by Proclamation No. 3 issued by President Cory Aquino, otherwise known as the 1986 Freedom Constitution. She was one of the influential leaders who was instrumental in convincing the housewife Cory Aquino to challenge Marcos and run for the presidency in the snap election of 1986. When the Constitutional Commission was cre-

ated by President Cory Aquino after the Edsa revolution, Justice MuñozPalma was appointed as one of its members. She was later elected by her peers as its Chairperson and led the drafting of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which the framers completed in record time. The current 1987 Philippine Constitution that remains in force up to now is a testament of her leadership and dedication. During her presidency, President Cory named Justice Muñoz-Palma as a member of the Council of State, the highest consultative body to the president. At the age of 85, Justice Muñoz-Palma was appointed as chairman and general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office by President Joseph Estrada. This was her last official government position, which she served with utmost dedication. She died on January 2, 2006 at the age of 92. In 2009 after her death, the International Women’s Forum inducted Justice MuñozPalma into its International Hall of Fame, a distinct honor conferred only to a woman of great substance and distinction. She lived a long life but every minute of it was spent in the service of her country and its people. In retrospect, let us take comfort from her dissent in Sanidad and Sanidad v. Comelec, et al. where she acknowledged the risk of crossing swords with the majority of the Court and the powers-that-be when she wrote: “Generally one who dissents from a majority view of the Court takes a lonely and at times precarious road, the burden being lightened only by the thought that in this grave task of administering justice, when matters of conscience are at issue, one must be prepared to espouse and embrace a rightful cause however unpopular it may be.” In all her years at the SC, she never wavered nor balked to thread that lonely and precarious road.

In Africa, Blinken sees limits of US influence abroad

By Matthew Lee | AP Diplomatic Writer

AKAR, Senegal—Traveling across Africa, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw firsthand the limits of America’s influence abroad.

Blinken confronted authoritarianism, growing threats from newly energized extremists, and persistent challenges posed by Covid-19 and climate change, all of which have stubbornly resisted various US interventions. And, nowhere on his three-nation tour last week—to Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal—was he able to escape obvious signs of the intense competition between the US and China: a geopolitical power struggle that has been playing out largely in China’s favor for the past two decades, especially in Africa. Before leaving the continent at his last stop in Senegal, Blinken said he had been well received by all three leaders he met. But, he allowed that “we have to be judged on what we do, not simply on what I say.” The limits of Washington’s reach have been evident for some time but have been highlighted in recent months as President Joe Biden has promoted an “America is back” narrative, intended to signal a US return to the international arena and institutions that his predecessor had eschewed. In Nairobi, much of the secretary’s visit and drives through the Kenyan capital took place in the shadow of or literally underneath a massive, Chinese-financed elevated expressway construction project. In Abuja, Blinken’s motorcade from the airport passed the giant and unmissable headquarters building of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, where a top official spoke only partially in jest of playing the US and China off of each other and China’s attractiveness as a partner. And, in Senegal, the capital, Da-

kar, was gearing up to host a major China-Africa trade and investment event less than 10 days after Blinken’s departure on Saturday. While the Biden administration’s efforts to help African nations combat the coronavirus pandemic and encourage climate-friendly policies appear to be making some initial progress, the broader picture is less encouraging. A new wave of authoritarianism has reversed some positive democratization trends despite very public US appeals and protests that have been ignored or only partially heeded by leaders in Ethiopia, Sudan and elsewhere, who have appeared unconvinced or uninterested in the administration’s message. “Governments are becoming less transparent,” Blinken said in the Nigerian capital on Friday. “We see this happening across Africa — leaders ignoring term limits, rigging or postponing elections, exploiting social grievances to gain and maintain power, arresting opposition figures, cracking down on the media, and allowing security services to enforce pandemic restrictions brutally.” He cited Ethiopia and Sudan as prime examples. While Blinken did not go to either country on his trip, he raised the crises at each of his stops and, while he was traveling, top American envoys visited both Khartoum and Addis Ababa to press authorities there to back down on anti-democratic actions. And yet, despite an agreement in Sudan announced on Sunday after Blinken returned to Washington, neither yielded unvarnished success. In Sudan, conversations between

military leaders and the top US diplomat for Africa, Molly Phee, were followed by a new and deadly crackdown on opposition protesters that Blinken was compelled to formally condemn in a statement. In a hopeful sign, the country’s deposed prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, then signed a deal with the military that will see him reinstated almost a month after a military coup put him under house arrest. But a key pro-democracy group dismissed it as “a form of betrayal” and Blinken himself was cautious, saying he was “encouraged” but still wanted to see more. “I urge all sides to further talks and redouble efforts to complete key transitional tasks on a civilianled path to democracy in Sudan,” Blinken said in a Tweet. “I also reiterate our call for security forces to refrain from excessive force against peaceful protesters.” In Ethiopia, the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman, was rebuffed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in calls for an end to a humanitarian blockade of the northern Tigray region, home to rebels who are now advancing on the capital. Meanwhile, perennial corruption, abuses of power and a lack of transparency continue to hobble African infrastructure, development and poverty alleviation initiatives championed by the United States. And, although Biden has spoken of returning Africa to a place of prominence in US foreign policy, other priorities and urgent developments, including pressing matters in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, have often crowded it out in the administration’s first 10 months in office. On Friday, the White House announced that Biden would convene a US-Africa leaders’ summit next year “to strengthen ties with African partners based on principles of mutual respect and shared interests and values.” But the announcement

was short on key details such as who would be attending and when it would occur. And, it came as Blinken reached Senegal, the third and final stop on his first official trip to sub-Saharan Africa, which had been postponed from August, in a telling sign of priorities, during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Apart from the attention it absorbed in Washington, the implications of the Afghan exit have left some of America’s friends, including in Africa, wondering about the resiliency of their relations with Washington. That has been a particular concern as China has swept in to fill a perceived void in US interest in Africa and a preoccupation with other parts of the world. That perception, fueled by the Trump administration’s indifference to Africa except through the prism of China’s rapidly expanding power, is something Biden and Blinken are hoping to change. For example, Blinken did not once mention China by name in what was billed as a major speech on Biden administration policy toward Africa that he delivered on Friday. Yet China was never far from the top of the agenda. “Our engagement in Africa, with Africa, is not about China or any other third party,” Blinken said in Nigeria. “It’s about Africa.” “Our purpose is not to make our partners choose, it is to give them choices,” he said in Senegal. “And when people have choices, they usually make the right one.” Senegalese Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall, who will co-host the November 29 to 30 Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation with her Chinese counterpart, nodded approvingly at Blinken’s remark. “We have a diplomacy of sovereignty from which we do not exclude anyone,” she said. “There is not only one choice. We have many choices.”

A10 Tuesday, November 23, 2021

₧3.4-B revenue losses from pork tariff cuts draw concern

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE government’s revenue losses due to reduction of pork tariffs have reached P3.4 billion as of mid-November, the customs bureau said, amid concerns over the effectiveness of the measure. In a statement, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the government has foregone some P3.4 billion in revenues since tariffs were slashed from April 7 to November 12. The BOC added it had collected P3 billion in revenues from 197,000 metric tons (MT) of pork imports during the reference period. “To compute the effect of the two EOs, we multiplied the dutiable value of meat by 25 percent—less 5 percent and 15 percent—which were already paid for EO 128, and multiplied the dutiable value by 20 percent and 15 percent for EO 134. The result showed a revenue loss of P3.4 billion,” BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero told a recent Department of Finance (DOF) executive committee meeting. Last week, lawmakers raised concerns on the effectiveness of the twin measures to address elevated pork retail prices: the reduction of tariffs and expansion of the pork minimum access volume (MAV). A joint hearing by the House Committee on Agriculture and

Committee on Trade and Industry saw lawmakers grilling agriculture officials on whether the twin measures have lived up to their promise seven months after. “Maybe the EOs we made were mistakes because the measures we hoped to be the solution to the high prices of pork, as it turns out—fast forward today after six months, did not pull down pork prices to August 2020 levels,” Deputy Minority Leader Stella Luz A. Quimbo said during the hearing. “We lost a lot of tariff revenues,” noted Quimbo, adding that “maybe,” giving “those losses as ayuda to hog raisers” is a better option. “Perhaps, we made a mistake with that policy and we better look for alternative solutions because clearly we have not received any reprieve at this point in time,” Quimbo added. Agriculture officials defended the twin measures and explained that the benefits are not yet fully realized because numerous nontariff measures delayed and derailed the arrival and distribution

of imported pork in the market. National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) President Chester Warren Y. Tan concurred in Quimbo’s statements, saying the measures may be deemed a success if consumers indeed benefited from them. “There is no problem if the consumers really benefited from it, but they did not. We lost government revenues, the consumers did not benefit, and the private hog industry stakeholders are affected,” Tan told the BusinessMirror.

Wrong tariff rates

AN initial analysis by BusinessMirror of publicly available customs data—validated by the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF)— showed the government incurred about P3.3 billion in losses from April 7 to end-October. In arriving at the estimate, the BusinessMirror calculated the difference between the duty paid by importers under the lower tariff rates and the duty owed to the government at a regular tariff level. The dutiable value of imported pork was then used in computing the losses, the same figure used by BOC. Customs’ data sets on import filings showed that certain imports were assessed with tariffs that should have been phased out during a given period. For example, some 434.815 MT of pork imports worth P35.344 million were filed by importers under the 5-percent tariff rate from June to August. The 5-percent tariff rate on in-quota imports, through Executive Order EO 128, only lasted from April 7 to May 14, following the issuance of EO 134 that superseded earlier rates.

Based on BOC data, government lost some P93.859 million of revenue due to incorrect tariff rates applied for certain pork imports from June to October, nearly equivalent to onefourth of the government’s P400million swine repopulation program. Industry groups such as FFF, Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) and NFHFI have urged customs to investigate the discrepancy in tariff rates to ensure the government gets the correct revenue, which could be used to bankroll programs to revive the domestic hog industry. FFF National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said the BOC must explain why there were incorrect tariff rate applications when in fact import filings are made electronically. “Someone has been remiss in their duty. It could be the one on top or people on the ground are not following orders. We need every centavo of revenue right now and they should not sit with this problem as if it does not mean anything,” Montemayor told the BusinessMirror. In previous years, his group learned that certain rice imports were levied the wrong tariff rates but these have been resolved already by the BOC. The BusinessMirror sought BOC’s comment on the incorrect tariff rate applications but it has not responded as of press time. Based on BusinessMirror analysis, the average landed cost of pork per kilogram under the lower tariff rates is P101.09 per kilogram. The government loses about P18.24 per kilogram of imported pork due to lower tariff rates.

NEDA PUSHES SHARED TRADE DATABASE WITH STATS BODY By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) is seeking data sharing and greater disaggregation of the International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In a data dissemination forum on Monday, the Chief Eco-Development Specialist of the Neda Trade, Ser vices, and Industr y Staff said the IMTS informs the Neda in the for mu lation of polic y and in the preparation of positions related to tariffs, among others. As such, Cecilia Angela D. Labadan said, Neda’s recommendations to improve the IMTS includes the creation of a shared IMTS database for quick updating and greater disag gregation for key commodities. “Instead of Neda requesting for the updated tables which can cause delay in report preparation, it may be better if there is access to a database where the updated numbers can be accessed right away,” Labadan said. “The IMTS could be of further use if certain data could be disaggregated. This would help create a more accurate picture of the trade levels of products of interest,” she also said. Labadan said these improvements can help provide technical support to the Committee on Trade and Related Matters (CTRM), one of the seven interagency committees under the

Neda Board. The CTRM advises the President and the Neda Board on the effects on the country of various international developments; coordinates and recommends national positions for international economic negotiations; and rationalizes programs for the country’s tariff structure. Labadan said the IMTS is also needed for tariff modification and proposed free trade agreements (FTA) as well as briefings for the country’s trade partners.

Trade performance

TRADE Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said the country’s import performance was still below prepandemic levels. “Looking now at Philippine trade for exports, we have already recovered but not for imports which are still below their prepandemic levels,” Aldaba said. Based on 2021 first-semester data, PSA Assistant National Statistician Divina Gracia L. Del Prado said the country’s imports reached $53.99 billion in the first semester of 2021 and grew 31.4 percent. The highest total imports of $9.97 billion was posted in June 2021. The highest growth was recorded at 153.2 percent in April 2021. The country’s total exports reached $35.98 billion in the first semester, or a 21.1-percent growth. The highest total exports reached $6.77 billion in March 2021. PSA data also showed the highest growth for 2021 was at 74.1 percent in April 2021.

House OKs ’21 budget extension, hike in IRA By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

HE House of Representatives on Monday approved on second reading the proposal extending the availability of the 2021 General Appropriation Act and a bill increasing the current Internal Revenue Allotment (IR A) share of local government units. Through viva voce voting, lawmakers approved House Bill 10373 and House Bill 10296. These bills are expected to be approved on third and final reading next week. House Bill 10373, authored by House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Rep. Eric Go Yap, seeks to amend Section 62 of the General Provisions of Republic Act 11518 or the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2021. Yap said extending the availability of the 2021 appropriations until next year would allow the agencies to fully utilize the allocated budget for 2021. According to Yap, the pandemic curbed the opportunities for socioeconomic growth and development and also disrupted the operations of government, which then caused delay in the release and issuances of budget allocations. Under the bill, the appropriations for infrastructure capital outlays, including those subsidy releases to GOCCs for infrastructure projects, shall be valid for obligation until December 31, 2022, while the completion of construction, inspection, and payment shall be made not later than

December 31, 2022. On the other hand, appropriations for MOOE and other capital outlays shall likewise be valid for obligation until December 31, 2022, while the delivery, inspection and payment shall be made not later than December 31, 2022. The bill said the Department of Budget and Management is authorized to issue the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the cash budgeting system.

Increasing IRA

THE lower chamber also approved House Bill 10296 to increase the current share of the local government units in national taxes by modifying the current formulation of the IRA. The measure also seeks to include all forms of national taxes in the computation of IRA and enable local government units to provide better services and create more development projects. The bill increases the local government share of national taxes from 40 percent to 50 percent— based on the collection of the third fiscal year preceding the current fiscal year and thereafter. It also changes the term the internal revenue allotment to national tax allotment of local government units. The bill amends Section 284 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. In a separate approval, lawmakers also approved on second reading House Bill 10392, requiring LGUs to earmark at least 15 percent of their national tax allotment share for health services.

A MAN brings his used face shield in exchange for free face masks and vitamins at a makeshift station in Quezon City, on Monday, November 22, 2021, as the group encourages residents to dispose of their face shields properly due to environmental concerns. The government made it optional to wear face shields in public areas as it eases safety measures while Covid-19 cases continue to decline in the country. AP/AARON FAVILA

Senators chide DOTr for ‘low’ disbursements By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

ESCRIBING the fiscal performance of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as “slow” and “dismal,” senators on a subcommittee level approved on Monday a P120-billion budget for the agency next year. The amount is 36 percent higher than the P88 billion allocation for 2021, but is P1.5 billion lower than

the amount proposed under the General Appropriations Bill and more than P33 billion lower than the National Expenditure Program. “The agency’s low disbursement rate has always been a point of contention, but we cannot disregard the services that our countrymen need now more than ever as we recover together from the pandemic,” Senator Grace Poe said. The P120-billion proposed budget will be used to fund six rail projects,

18 airports, 46 ports, and eight road projects,. It also includes salary adjustments for the agency’s employees to comply with the salary standardization program as well as the hiring of more coast guards. The House of Representatives approved in late September a P151.34billion budget for the DOTr for 2022. For his part, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto said the transportation department and its attached agencies failed to properly spend the

P88-billion budget for 2021, citing its spending and obligation ratios. “We are looking at the absorptive capacity and the type of projects that DOTr is undertaking and whether or not they would be able to spend this appropriation,” he said. “It’s not improved—its absorptive capacity is dismal.” Transportation officials have yet to respond to the BusinessMirror’s request for comments as of writing time.

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

DMCI bags ₧4.5-B new construction deals

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

.M. Consunji Inc., the construction arm of engineering conglomerate DMCI Holdings Inc., on Monday said it secured new contracts worth P4.5 billion and P2.6 billion worth of additional work from ongoing projects in January to September, which raised its order book to P51.7 billion.

The new contracts include a mall, medical building, power plants and train depot, the company said. Ongoing DMCI projects include the North-South Commuter Railway for its viaduct and depot, section 1 of NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Skyway Stage 3 Quirino Ramp, Poblacion Water Treatment Plant, CAMANA Water Reclamation Facility, Estate Makati, Empress and Maven at Capitol Commons. Some of its recently completed major contracts include the Anchor Piers for Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway together with Acciona

of Spain, Ikea Pasay City together with SM Prime, Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Mamplasan to Silang East), Bued Viaduct and Roadway, Viridian in Greenhills and Royalton at Capitol Commons. “Private construction remains sluggish because of weak economic conditions. Bidding for big-ticket infrastructure projects is starting to pick up, and we hope to benefit from this soon,” DMCI President and CEO Jorge A. Consunji, said. In January to September 2020, DMCI had an order book of P63.4 billion, of which P958 million was a newly-awarded project and P245 million were change orders.

On a stand-alone basis, DMCI recorded a net income of P143 million in the third quarter compared to a net loss of P155 million last year. For the nine-month period, its bottom line saw a turn-around from a net loss of P76 million to a net income of P785 million. The rebound was mainly attributable to higher construction accomplishments owing to easing quarantine restrictions and lower extraordinary costs related to Covid-19 containment. DMCI Holdings reported that it more than tripled its nine-month consolidated net income to P13.5

billion from P3.9 billion last year, due to soaring coal prices. Revenues for the period swung to an all-time high of P80 billion, an 82-percent increase from P44 billion last year, mainly as a result of the strong rally of coal, nickel and electricity prices, coupled with the steady increase in construction accomplishments. For the third quarter alone, DMCI Holdings saw its consolidated net income and core earnings growing by 113 percent to P4 billion from P1.9 billion, as revenues for the period rose by 46 percent to P26.4 billion from P18 billion.

‘Share sale to boost Converge bid for MSCI index inclusion’ be included into the MSCI index at the upcoming index reviews,” she said. Warburg Pincus-controlled Coherent Cloud Investments BV sold on Friday 420 million of its shares in Converge for P12.6 billion. This reduced Warburg Pincus’ stake in Converge to 10.25 percent from 15.8 percent. “The transaction was very well received both globally and domestically. Demand for the base size of the transaction was welloversubscribed. There was strong

Converge’s first “Fiber Fast” business center in Greenhills. Photo from www.convergeict.com By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

arburg Pincus’ block sale of its Converge ICT Solutions Inc. shares has placed the fiber broadband provider in a “stronger position”

PHL Estates to raise ₧1.4B from SRO

hilippine Estates Corp. on Monday said the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has approved the company’s application for the listing of some 1.44 billion in common rights shares to cover its stock rights offering (SRO). In its disclosure, the company said it is selling 1.44 billion common shares to existing stockholders as of December 2 at P1 apiece. The said shares will be listed on the main board of the PSE. Its shares closed on Monday at P0.54 apiece, up by 17 percent from its previous close. “The net proceeds from the rights offer will be used for the acquisition of land properties for the company’s pipeline of projects and the remaining balance to be used for general corporate purposes,” the company said in its preliminary prospectus. The company said it will use some P957 million of the proceeds for land acquisition and P466 million for general corporate purposes. The rights shares, which will be issued out of its unissued capital stock, will represent half of the issued and outstanding common shares of the company after the rights offer. The company’s board in March approved the said stock rights offer. It was re-approved in June to comply with its application for registration. VG Cabuag

and may result in the company’s inclusion in the Morgan Stanley Capital Inter national (MSCI) index. Converge President Grace Uy said the sale resulted in an increase in Converge’s public float, thereby improving its trading li-

quidity. This also allows Converge to strengthen its bid to be included in the MSCI, which requires companies to have a wide public float. “ The transaction increases Converge’s public float from 20.4 percent to 26 percent, putting Converge in a stronger position to

reception from high-quality investors that enabled us to increase the base size of the transactions to accommodate the robust investor interest,” Uy said. Warburg Pincus continues to be highly committed and involved in working together with Converge, Converge Chief Financial Advisor Matthias Vukovich said. “Now, with our investible market cap increased by 5.6 percent, we believe that it will significantly improve our trading liquidity allowing for greater investor

participation and trading of our stocks,” he added. Shares in Converge ended Monday’s trading at P31.80 apiece, up by 1.76 percent from Friday’s close. In May, the company said it expects to maintain its growth trajectory throughout the year, as the demand for broadband services continues to “explode.” With the sustained demand for connectivity, Converge expects to end the year with about 1.6 million to 1.7 million subscribers.

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

ACEN, partner complete 2nd phase of Vietnam wind farm

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

C Energy Corp. (ACEN) and its partner, The Blue Circle, announced Monday the completion of Phase 2 of their wind power project in Vietnam. “We are very pleased to have been able to build, connect and reach commercial operations of this second phase of our Mui Ne site. 2021 has been undeniably a record year for the expansion of wind power in Vietnam and we are proud to have contributed with this project,” said Olivier Duguet, CEO of The Blue Circle. The Mui Ne Project in the Binh Thuan Province of South Vietnam consists of eight turbines, with a

unit capacity of 5 MW for a total of 40 MW. The project consists of the largest rotor diameter for an onshore wind project in Asia and is the first to use blades in two pieces assembled on site. Construction was completed after only eight months with over 450 construction staff involved in the difficult context of Covid-19 throughout the construction process. “This two-pieces blade technol-

ogy is a game-changer for onshore sites as it will allow larger capacity machines, lowering our cost of energy and enhancing competitiveness of wind energy. I am proud of our team for managing to achieve the project construction in time while facing exceptional constraints during a global pandemic,” said Hervé Grillot, chief operating officer of The Blue Circle. The Mui Ne wind project site has a total expansion potential of up to 170 MW in one of the best wind resource areas in continental Vietnam. The project’s estimated cost is around $70 million, which is financed by debt and equity, and has qualified for the wind feed-in-tariff of 8.5 US cents per kWh. It is assumed that roughly 130,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions will be avoided annually, contributing to a cleaner energy mix for the country.

“We are delighted by the completion of Phase 2 of the Mui Ne Project, and the overall progress made in expanding our renewables presence in Vietnam. We are thankful to our long-standing partners at The Blue Circle for seeing this project through amidst the pandemic, and we are encouraged that ACEN’s other partnerships across Vietnam will likewise bring to fruition more renewable energy projects in the country,” said Patrice Clausse, Head of International Group of ACEN. ACEN, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, has about 2,900 MW of attributable capacity in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Australia. The company’s renewable share of capacity is at around 80 percent. ACEN’s goal is to reach 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025.

House greenlights Air PHL franchise bill By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

he House of Representatives on Monday endorsed for Senate approval a bill renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Air Philippines Corp. This after lawmakers—voting 168 affirmative, 0 negative, and 0 abstention—approved House Bill 10442 or the act renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Air Philippines Corp., doing business under the name and style of Airphil Express, PAL Express and Philippine Airlines. The bill seeks to allow the Air Philippines Corp. to continue providing air transport services in the Philippines. The bill mandates the grantee to secure the appropriate permits and licenses for the construction, development, establishment, operation, and maintenance of its airport properties or facilities from the CAB and CAAP. It also mandates the grantee to maintain scheduled or nonscheduled or chartered local and international air transport services, and that at least 25 percent of all its frequencies shall be for domestic market.

Under the measure, the grantee must fix “ just and reasonable rates” for its commercial operations, subject to the regulations and approval of the CAB and other proper regulatory agencies of the government. The bill also reserves the right of the President of the Philippines to temporarily take over and operate the airport properties or facilities of the grantee, to temporarily suspend the operation of the Airport in the interest of public safety, security and public welfare, or to authorize the temporary use and operation thereof by any agency of the government in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order. It also mandates the grantee to create employment opportunities and to comply with the applicable labor standards and allowance entitlement under existing labor laws. Meanwhile, it prohibits the grantee from leasing, transferring, selling nor assigning the franchise or the controlling interest thereof without the prior approval of the Congress of the Philippines. The bill requires the grantee to offer to Filipino citizens at least 30 percent of its outstanding stock in any security exchange in the Philippines or through other methods of encouraging public participation by citizens and corporations operating public utilities as allowed by law.

mutual funds

November 22, 2021 NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

232.8

3.46%

-1.8%

-0.97%

2.46%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.666

34.75%

7.42%

3.95%

26.88%

3.81%

-5.24%

-3.79%

3.16%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.756 -3.72%

-4.75% n.a.

-6.99%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.8017 8.84%

-0.29% n.a.

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2319

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

5.1984

6.8%

0.53%

0.82% -1.57%

8.1% 5.2%

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

0.7791

3.27%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

97.56

5.53%

-3.67% n.a.

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.7863

3.92%

-0.15%

0.6%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

500.16

3.3%

-0.07%

2.3%

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d

1.1643

11.21% n.a. n.a.

6.11%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3248

16.09%

2.54%

2.11%

13.41%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.4444

7.32%

0.62%

1.33%

4.82% 3.02%

-2.84% 0.35% -4.23% 2.02%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9406

3.89% n.a. n.a.

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.9236

4.75%

0.65%

1.27%

2.76%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

822.1

4.57%

0.64%

1.21%

2.56%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7573

5.81%

-3.31%

-1.82%

5.34%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.747

5.11%

-2.07%

-0.39%

3.4%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9377 4.14%

0.29%

0.97%

2.18%

United Fund, Inc. -a

0.42%

1.92%

3.94%

3.4493

5.94%

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

110.5647

4.65%

0.86%

1.7% 2.8%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities $1.1689

1.51%

7.88%

6.61%

-2.83%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.8836

ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

18.38%

17.56%

13.01%

12.6%

2.18%

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

1.7049

4.08%

1.48%

0.19%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2671

1.71%

1.47%

0.26%

-0.8%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.701

3.9%

3.01%

1.98%

2.82%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2042

3.71% n.a. n.a. 3.08%

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

2.0072

2.99%

3.37%

2.36%

2.04%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7576

0.12%

2.76%

1.27%

-0.85%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.8207

0.19%

2.52%

1.16%

-0.7%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.118

2.04%

1.47%

0.99%

1.29%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.6333 2.82%

0.26%

0.68%

1.68%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9893

-1.94% n.a. n.a.

-3.26%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9396

0.41% n.a. n.a.

-1.01%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9302

1.19% n.a. n.a.

-0.31%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

7.94%

0.9446

0.84%

6.41%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities

$0.03788

-3.32%

2.98%

1.57%

-3.12%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a

$1.0795

-3.52%

4.93%

4.16%

-4.47%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.8611 12.55%

12.52%

9.44%

7.72%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.2249 4.58%

7.01%

5.01%

1.89%

0.49%

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

372.92

0.96%

2.89%

2.55%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9232

1.4%

1.42%

0.41%

1.21%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2437

1.11%

3.14%

4.01%

0.88%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2426

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

November 22, 2021

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE PHIL STOCK EXCH

35,770 268,820,800 157,794,549 5,405,120 1,396,938 77,550,622 415,820 4,503,500 520,138 1,077,020 34,182,553 19,309,061 833,430 27,890 8,780 274,470 40,340 78,000 30,000 1,240,512

26,890 24,130,043 -106,272,181 15,170 21,274 2,670,163 239,120.00 -1,377,175.00 41,375 -2,731,285 -1,691,491.50 159,000 -5,450 -1,178,742

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 11.9 11.92 11.9 11.98 11.84 11.9 20,400,100 243,030,600 ALSONS CONS 1.1 1.15 1.1 1.14 1.1 1.11 50,000 55,220 ABOITIZ POWER 30.1 30.3 30.6 31 30.1 30.1 2,421,700 73,193,725 BASIC ENERGY 0.63 0.64 0.62 0.64 0.61 0.63 11,701,000 7,332,220 FIRST GEN 29.5 29.8 29.8 29.95 29.1 29.8 1,041,900 30,550,450 FIRST PHIL HLDG 73 73.05 73 73.5 73 73 1,114,680 81,371,833 MERALCO 295.8 296.2 296 300 295.6 296.2 167,190 49,582,064 MANILA WATER 24.15 24.2 24.2 24.5 23.9 24.2 359,900 8,714,740 PETRON 3.33 3.37 3.49 3.5 3.33 3.33 2,970,000 10,026,930 PETROENERGY 4.28 4.3 4.31 4.31 4.3 4.3 59,000 253,720 PHX PETROLEUM 11.22 11.48 11.2 11.48 11.18 11.48 14,200 161,856 PILIPINAS SHELL 21.5 21.6 22.1 22.1 21.1 21.5 444,500 9,550,905 SPC POWER 13.82 13.84 13.84 13.84 13.82 13.84 55,100 762,362 AGRINURTURE 4.09 4.18 4.2 4.2 4.03 4.18 70,000 290,240 AXELUM 2.75 2.76 2.76 2.76 2.71 2.76 263,000 720,980 CNTRL AZUCARERA 13.72 14.3 13.74 13.74 13.74 13.74 200 2,748 CENTURY FOOD 25.55 25.95 25.05 26 24.7 25.95 961,800 24,599,775 DEL MONTE 14.76 14.8 14.68 14.86 14.68 14.8 17,500 259,202 DNL INDUS 9 9.05 8.9 9.09 8.89 9 9,591,400 86,401,264 EMPERADOR 18.06 18.2 18.1 18.32 18 18.06 3,071,000 55,818,150 SMC FOODANDBEV 75.9 75.95 75.9 75.9 75 75.9 8,460 640,052 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.59 0.6 0.59 0.59 0.59 0.59 43,000 25,370 FRUITAS HLDG 1.24 1.28 1.21 1.3 1.21 1.28 24,207,000 30,422,850 GINEBRA 103.9 104 104.5 106.7 104 104 28,020 2,920,255 JOLLIBEE 244.6 245 248.8 248.8 244 245 475,760 116,735,940 MAXS GROUP 6.85 6.87 6.81 6.92 6.8 6.85 89,400 609,979 MG HLDG 0.163 0.172 0.163 0.163 0.163 0.163 120,000 19,560 MONDE NISSIN 18.6 18.62 18.2 18.68 18.14 18.62 70,329,400 1,298,826,214 SHAKEYS PIZZA 9.18 9.2 9 9.3 9 9.18 624,100 5,670,782 ROXAS AND CO 0.7 0.72 0.7 0.72 0.7 0.72 2,520,000 1,778,310 RFM CORP 4.55 4.59 4.59 4.59 4.59 4.59 1,000 4,590 SWIFT FOODS 0.114 0.117 0.114 0.115 0.114 0.114 710,000 81,240 UNIV ROBINA 133 134 132.5 134 131 134 1,351,400 179,083,447 VITARICH 0.75 0.76 0.75 0.76 0.75 0.76 794,000 596,560 CEMEX HLDG 1.19 1.2 1.19 1.19 1.17 1.19 2,594,000 3,065,940 EAGLE CEMENT 14.14 14.34 14 14.38 14 14.34 14,300 202,934 EEI CORP 6.43 6.51 6.5 6.52 6.41 6.52 57,700 370,944 HOLCIM 5.36 5.37 5.4 5.4 5.35 5.37 420,900 2,263,220 KEEPERS HLDG 1.62 1.63 1.75 1.77 1.62 1.62 217,363,000 364,513,040 MEGAWIDE 5.71 5.76 6.02 6.04 5.62 5.71 4,151,300 24,117,836 PHINMA 16.12 16.5 16.5 16.7 16.1 16.5 32,500 532,270 TKC METALS 0.82 0.84 0.9 0.9 0.82 0.82 15,000 12,540 VULCAN INDL 1.08 1.1 1.09 1.1 1.08 1.09 1,830,000 1,992,050 CROWN ASIA 1.71 1.73 1.73 1.73 1.73 1.73 32,000 55,360 EUROMED 1.48 1.52 1.52 1.52 1.49 1.49 44,000 66,020 MABUHAY VINYL 4.1 4.35 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 1,000 4,200 PRYCE CORP 5.8 5.85 5.85 5.87 5.77 5.85 100,000 585,233 CONCEPCION 21.65 21.95 21.95 21.95 21.95 21.95 500 10,975 GREENERGY 2.35 2.36 2.36 2.41 2.32 2.36 1,039,000 2,480,920 INTEGRATED MICR 8.81 8.82 9.04 9.04 8.81 8.81 508,900 4,534,038 IONICS 0.76 0.77 0.75 0.77 0.74 0.76 125,000 95,380 PANASONIC 5.66 6.02 6.04 6.04 5.6 6.02 14,800 85,538 SFA SEMICON 1.05 1.08 1.07 1.08 1.05 1.05 1,002,000 1,067,770 CIRTEK HLDG 4.24 4.25 4.23 4.3 4.22 4.25 1,648,000 7,057,390

77,090,524 5,747,180 -393,040 18,012,065 -435,086 -25,216,404 -1,095,420 -418,830 8,620 1,484,590 -29,360 -239,905 133,246 -19,595,812 -2,788,576.00 249,487.50 -1,414,200 -55,280 -30,203,768 -90,105 159,601,860 2,081,700 921,860.00 -5,832,521 -54,720 112,100 37,294 -898,329 13,002,480 115,981 -206,770 -96,278 1,187,050 1,753,502 -200 10,700 -21,500

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

44 127.6 89.35 25.15 9.61 50.85 8.7 20.25 55.6 20.35 121 98 1.75 3.98 0.59 3.25 1.09 0.29 985 208.4

1 880 50.2 11.22 5.61 7.64 0.94 0.475 5.16 7.68 7.8 588 56.55 0.63 3.13 10.74 0.41 3.96 3.01 1.29 15.06 972 114.4 122.7 0.24 0.181

44.9 128 89.6 25.2 9.68 50.9 8.99 20.35 57.7 20.4 122 98.2 1.77 3.99 0.63 3.3 1.1 0.3 1,000 209

1.01 882 50.9 11.24 5.62 7.8 0.95 0.48 5.17 7.69 7.85 588.5 56.8 0.65 3.15 10.76 0.425 4 3.26 1.3 15.08 975 114.6 127.7 0.265 0.188

44.8 126.1 90.05 25.3 9.74 50.1 8.54 20.4 57.5 20.35 120.5 95 1.74 4 0.59 3.26 1.09 0.3 1,000 213

0.98 878 50.8 11.24 5.56 7.6 0.94 0.48 5.27 7.83 7.8 590.5 57.5 0.63 3.15 10.5 0.41 4 3.03 1.26 14.92 975 117.3 127.9 0.245 0.19

44.9 128.5 90.5 25.4 9.74 51.5 8.7 20.4 57.75 20.4 122 98.5 1.77 4 0.63 3.44 1.1 0.3 1,000 213

1.03 893 50.9 11.26 5.67 7.75 0.95 0.5 5.3 7.83 7.8 591.5 58.3 0.65 3.15 10.82 0.41 4 3.04 1.3 15.24 975.5 117.3 127.9 0.245 0.19

44 125.9 88.5 25.15 9.61 50 8.54 20.2 55.6 20.35 119.5 95 1.71 3.98 0.59 3.2 1.09 0.3 1,000 209

0.97 872 49.5 11.1 5.56 7.6 0.94 0.48 5.16 7.62 7.79 585.5 56.4 0.63 3.15 10.5 0.41 3.94 3 1.24 14.74 965 114 127.6 0.24 0.19

44.9 128 89.6 25.15 9.61 50.9 8.7 20.25 55.6 20.4 122 98 1.77 3.98 0.63 3.25 1.09 0.3 1,000 209

1 880 50.9 11.22 5.62 7.64 0.94 0.48 5.17 7.69 7.79 588 56.55 0.65 3.15 10.76 0.41 4 3.01 1.29 15.06 975 114.6 127.8 0.245 0.19

800 2,111,600 1,765,390 214,600 144,400 1,522,760 48,500 222,000 9,320 52,800 283,210 197,830 479,000 7,000 14,000 85,000 37,000 260,000 30 5,920

7,204,000 151,900 1,662,880 1,630,100 1,385,400 29,000 227,000 160,000 1,631,000 2,923,900 44,900 104,110 2,235,300 104,000 10,000 15,651,700 10,000 12,881,000 34,000 179,000 12,645,700 160,950 209,820 271,550 320,000 20,000

7,220,600 133,539,520 83,456,171 18,229,434 7,758,959 221,672 213,420 77,525 8,443,568 22,482,040 350,108 61,196,295 126,842,319.50 65,600 31,500 167,159,610 4,100 51,075,290 102,530 227,510 189,166,068 156,314,720 24,122,019 34,730,990 77,100 3,800

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.63 0.65 0.66 0.66 0.63 0.63 32,000 20,310 AYALA LAND 36.65 37.1 37.15 37.15 36.65 37.1 4,135,900 152,741,525 ARANETA PROP 0.99 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 2,000 2,080 AREIT RT 48.2 48.25 48 48.25 47.8 48.25 376,000 18,105,635 BELLE CORP 1.37 1.39 1.37 1.37 1.37 1.37 69,000 94,530 A BROWN 0.8 0.83 0.84 0.84 0.8 0.8 998,000 805,120 CITYLAND DEVT 0.73 0.76 0.75 0.75 0.73 0.73 189,000 139,130 CROWN EQUITIES 0.102 0.107 0.109 0.109 0.102 0.107 850,000 87,260 CEBU HLDG 6.27 6.49 6.27 6.27 6.27 6.27 23,500 147,345 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.84 2.85 2.84 2.86 2.82 2.84 534,000 1,514,950 CENTURY PROP 0.435 0.44 0.44 0.445 0.435 0.435 5,080,000 2,225,050 DOUBLEDRAGON 8.87 8.88 9.07 9.12 8.86 8.87 2,052,200 18,379,288 DDMP RT 1.83 1.84 1.84 1.84 1.81 1.83 10,069,000 18,343,550 DM WENCESLAO 6.87 6.92 6.78 6.91 6.78 6.89 31,100 214,433 EMPIRE EAST 0.27 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.275 100,000 27,500 EVER GOTESCO 0.3 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.3 0.3 8,340,000 2,525,700 FILINVEST RT 7.85 7.94 7.9 7.96 7.85 7.85 4,593,700 36,396,263 FILINVEST LAND 1.11 1.13 1.12 1.13 1.1 1.13 2,056,000 2,297,160 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.87 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.87 0.87 1,961,000 1,710,060 8990 HLDG 9.8 10.2 10.44 10.46 10 10.2 459,700 4,706,558 PHIL INFRADEV 1.15 1.18 1.13 1.2 1.13 1.15 171,000 196,330 CITY AND LAND 0.9 0.93 0.92 0.93 0.9 0.91 214,000 194,890 MEGAWORLD 3.28 3.3 3.3 3.31 3.28 3.3 4,975,000 16,382,540 MRC ALLIED 0.28 0.285 0.285 0.285 0.28 0.28 7,100,000 1,997,050 MREIT RT 18.3 18.32 18.3 18.34 18.3 18.32 1,295,800 23,755,244 PHIL ESTATES 0.53 0.54 0.485 0.54 0.48 0.54 22,570,000 11,956,800 PRIMEX CORP 2.01 2.02 2.09 2.09 1.92 2.02 1,529,000 3,050,800 RL COMM RT 7.28 7.31 7.28 7.33 7.26 7.31 2,385,700 17,434,780 ROBINSONS LAND 18.36 18.4 18.4 18.44 18.3 18.4 1,564,900 28,758,136 PHIL REALTY 0.229 0.23 0.233 0.233 0.22 0.23 460,000 103,880 ROCKWELL 1.5 1.52 1.49 1.52 1.49 1.52 84,000 125,680 SHANG PROP 2.58 2.62 2.62 2.62 2.58 2.62 918,000 2,368,980 STA LUCIA LAND 2.86 2.98 2.98 2.98 2.85 2.98 207,000 606,480 SM PRIME HLDG 35.2 35.9 35.5 35.95 34.6 35.9 7,337,400 260,304,180 VISTAMALLS 3.74 3.87 3.77 3.87 3.74 3.87 45,000 170,200 SUNTRUST HOME 1.36 1.37 1.33 1.39 1.33 1.36 589,000 804,110 VISTA LAND 3.76 3.77 3.8 3.82 3.72 3.76 350,000 1,321,320 SERVICES ABS CBN 13.52 13.54 13.98 14 13.5 13.54 550,300 7,504,966 GMA NETWORK 13.7 13.74 14.02 14.02 13.5 13.7 4,135,700 56,705,040 MANILA BULLETIN 0.405 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.405 0.405 130,000 53,100 MLA BRDCASTING 8.2 10.4 10.8 10.8 10.4 10.4 4,000 41,840 GLOBE TELECOM 3,600 3,620 3,520 3,630 3,520 3,620 51,735 186,332,830 PLDT 1,670 1,700 1,700 1,720 1,670 1,670 171,405 290,108,530 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.07 0.071 0.073 0.073 0.07 0.07 90,220,000 6,364,990 CONVERGE 30.8 30.95 31.2 32.75 30.5 30.8 32,567,700 1,032,665,690 DFNN INC 2.9 2.91 2.93 3.03 2.81 2.91 1,157,000 3,409,230 DITO CME HLDG 5.56 5.57 5.1 5.6 5.07 5.57 14,202,300 76,920,642 IMPERIAL 1.42 1.5 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.42 7,000 9,940 NOW CORP 1.61 1.64 1.64 1.68 1.6 1.61 1,069,000 1,729,680 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.315 0.32 0.32 0.325 0.31 0.315 2,640,000 833,550 PHILWEB 2.07 2.1 2.11 2.16 2 2.06 354,000 732,790 2GO GROUP 7.78 7.99 8 8 7.99 7.99 4,600 36,778 ASIAN TERMINALS 14 14.1 14 14 14 14 1,800 25,200 CHELSEA 1.72 1.74 1.8 1.8 1.68 1.74 2,520,000 4,311,470 CEBU AIR 47.35 47.7 47.95 47.95 47.35 47.35 169,800 8,088,535 INTL CONTAINER 191.1 193 190 193 190 193 577,650 111,112,847 LBC EXPRESS 20.1 21 20.05 21 20.05 21 300 6,205 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.91 0.98 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.91 48,000 43,680 MACROASIA 6.21 6.22 6.06 6.31 5.99 6.22 2,865,300 17,777,311 HARBOR STAR 0.97 0.98 1 1 0.98 0.98 399,000 394,010 ACESITE HOTEL 1.42 1.46 1.46 1.54 1.46 1.54 13,000 19,160 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.12 2.14 2.11 2.14 2.11 2.14 13,000 27,670 WATERFRONT 0.48 0.495 0.49 0.49 0.48 0.48 1,460,000 700,900 STI HLDG 0.345 0.35 0.345 0.35 0.34 0.34 940,000 322,500 BERJAYA 6.46 6.5 6.4 6.7 6.4 6.46 167,400 1,084,657 BLOOMBERRY 7.66 7.67 7.66 7.66 7.47 7.66 3,003,500 22,831,219 LEISURE AND RES 1.56 1.59 1.55 1.6 1.5 1.59 1,616,000 2,569,670 MANILA JOCKEY 1.81 2.08 2.08 2.08 2.08 2.08 25,000 52,000 PH RESORTS GRP 0.82 0.84 0.79 0.84 0.75 0.84 3,531,000 2,721,660 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.435 0.44 0.45 0.46 0.42 0.44 14,630,000 6,455,000 PHIL RACING 5.75 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 51,500 298,700 ALLDAY 0.75 0.76 0.74 0.77 0.72 0.76 120,665,000 89,970,530 ALLHOME 8.76 8.86 9.14 9.18 8.75 8.76 342,000 3,042,260 METRO RETAIL 1.4 1.41 1.44 1.44 1.4 1.41 946,000 1,338,250 PUREGOLD 40.4 40.6 42 42 40.4 40.4 713,700 29,208,680 ROBINSONS RTL 64.4 65 63.95 65 63.15 65 994,960 64,437,392.50 PHIL SEVEN CORP 90 91 91 91 90 90 730 65,725 SSI GROUP 1.22 1.23 1.23 1.25 1.23 1.23 903,000 1,114,190 WILCON DEPOT 30.05 30.15 30 30.4 29.7 30.05 1,362,400 41,001,175 APC GROUP 0.23 0.245 0.236 0.236 0.23 0.23 3,860,000 901,090 EASYCALL 4.05 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.1 4.1 22,000 91,560 GOLDEN MV 490 540 530 540 530 540 540 291,300 IPM HLDG 6.95 7 7 7 7 7 2,000 14,000 PAXYS 2.07 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 15,000 31,500 SBS PHIL CORP 3.96 4 4 4 4 4 104,000 416,000

-921,900 -4,314,335 1,920,330.50 -1,025,376 -514,957.00 -12,160 377,106 -4,772,993 20,190,850 -55,399,703.50 -2,600 31,500 -9,184,290 950,280 -63,000 -36,551,586 -30,852,360 -17,756,923 5,096,840 7,675,840 23,770 10,950 -42,009 -354,810 -594,100 -5,903,506 10,624,480 -995,100 -2,474 220,560.00 -280,000 643,608 -1,882,140 -15,787,336 -90,600 627,261 -5,954,230.00 31,610 2,950 -451,365 75,850 5,920 45,972,570 -106,575,780 15,020 -495,750,890 1,201,690.00 -4,942,644 -32,900 26,780 12,600 -149,880 -2,018,060 37,558,369 -184,384 4,900 20,550.00 9,674,885 2,439,230 -456,560 108,250 10,218,900 111,337 -23,970 -4,946,905 13,129,065 -4,500 -26,250 10,955,205 -23,000 -31,500 -

MINING & OIL ATOK 6.1 6.14 6.1 6.19 5.91 6.19 36,900 223,873 APEX MINING 1.37 1.4 1.41 1.41 1.37 1.37 1,985,000 2,740,070 ATLAS MINING 6.3 6.33 6.36 6.4 6.26 6.3 857,000 5,431,001 BENGUET A 5.8 5.9 6 6.33 5.75 6 229,600 1,381,097 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.28 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.28 0.28 70,000 20,100 CENTURY PEAK 2.42 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 15,000 39,000 DIZON MINES 5.12 5.49 5.12 5.12 5.12 5.12 100,000 512,000 FERRONICKEL 2.07 2.08 2.1 2.1 2.05 2.07 964,000 1,989,660 GEOGRACE 0.21 0.219 0.211 0.211 0.21 0.21 1,370,000 288,000 LEPANTO A 0.127 0.128 0.129 0.13 0.126 0.127 5,800,000 741,500 LEPANTO B 0.134 0.135 0.133 0.133 0.13 0.13 1,110,000 145,780 MANILA MINING A 0.009 0.0091 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.009 25,000,000 225,000 MANILA MINING B 0.0091 0.0093 0.0092 0.0092 0.0092 0.0092 10,000,000 92,000 MARCVENTURES 1.32 1.33 1.2 1.36 1.12 1.33 16,775,000 21,224,430 NIHAO 1.02 1.03 1.01 1.02 1.01 1.02 348,000 352,030 NICKEL ASIA 5.15 5.19 5.1 5.21 5.05 5.15 2,067,300 10,660,543 OMICO CORP 0.325 0.36 0.37 0.37 0.325 0.325 680,000 230,650 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.72 0.73 0.75 0.75 0.73 0.73 324,000 237,620 PX MINING 4.98 5.03 5.05 5.06 4.97 5.02 827,000 4,142,760 SEMIRARA MINING 21.95 22 22.7 22.75 22 22 1,061,300 23,478,165 UNITED PARAGON 0.0064 0.0067 0.0066 0.0067 0.0066 0.0067 5,000,000 33,400 ACE ENEXOR 21.85 21.9 20.85 22.15 20.8 21.85 968,100 20,919,940 ORNTL PETROL A 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.01 43,700,000 442,000 ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 42,600,000 468,600 PHILODRILL 0.0091 0.0092 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 7,000,000 63,700 PXP ENERGY 6.22 6.26 6.19 6.26 6.18 6.26 147,700 917,411 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 100 101.4 100.1 100.1 100.1 100.1 580 58,058 HOUSE PREF A 100 101 100 100 100 100 500 50,000 AC PREF B1 520.5 526.5 520 526.5 520 526.5 2,380 1,238,055 AC PREF B2R 511 520 510 510 510 510 1,010 515,100 CEB PREF 47.8 47.85 47.85 47.9 47.8 47.8 4,500 215,310 DD PREF 100.9 101 100.9 100.9 100.9 100.9 120 12,108 FGEN PREF G 105.4 108 108 108 105.4 105.4 190 20,052 JFC PREF A 1,006 1,010 1,010 1,015 1,010 1,010 875 883,775 JFC PREF B 1,030 1,039 1,030 1,030 1,030 1,030 120 123,600 MWIDE PREF 2B 99.95 100 101 101 100 100 19,700 1,970,700 MWIDE PREF 4 99.8 100.5 99.9 100.6 99.9 100.5 5,200 519,610 PNX PREF 3B 102 103.5 103.6 104.8 102 102 1,820 188,086 PNX PREF 4 996 999 1,000 1,000 999 999 390 389,630 PCOR PREF 3A 1,093 1,116 1,105 1,105 1,100 1,100 2,100 2,312,650 PCOR PREF 3B 1,150 1,170 1,155 1,170 1,150 1,170 395 454,550 SMC PREF 2F 79.3 79.7 79.3 79.3 79.3 79.3 1,000 79,300 SMC PREF 2H 75.9 76 75.9 76 75.9 75.9 6,210 471,564 SMC PREF 2I 79.4 79.5 79.8 79.8 79.35 79.5 48,490 3,851,411 SMC PREF 2J 76.5 77.2 76.4 76.5 76.4 76.5 741,830 56,749,962 SMC PREF 2K 75.85 76 75.85 75.85 75.75 75.8 8,150 617,705.50 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS GMA HLDG PDR 13.24 13.38 13.68 13.68 13.2 13.5 37,400 494,442 WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 1.01 1.04 1.01 1.05 1 1.01 667,000 688,090

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

-2.05%

1.82%

1.71%

-2.42%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4194 -1.11%

3.15%

1.89%

-1.38%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.3909

-4.84%

4.28%

1.81%

-5.16%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3159

0.1%

3.79%

2.59%

-0.41%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9496

-0.32%

4.34%

2.67%

-1.29%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0229

-1.2%

4.92%

2.17%

-1.97%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1778

-0.2%

4.89%

3.74%

-0.88%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-0.9%

4.12%

3.08%

-1.73%

1.7247

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

$488.52

1.39%

3.03%

2.5%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є219.9

0.69%

1.15%

0.96%

0.93% 0.31%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2015

-4.85%

2.3%

1.75%

-6.12%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.026 -1.89%

1.59%

1.03%

-2.26%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$1.0184

-6.65%

-0.2%

-0.71%

-6.57%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.4891

-1.33%

5.25%

2.79%

-2%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0624165 0.59%

3.14%

2.03%

0.19%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1562 -1.95%

3.24%

1.64%

-2.09%

2.54%

0.89%

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

130.98

1.16%

2.88%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0566 0.96% n.a. n.a.

0.81%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3134

1.27%

1.51%

2.65%

2.53%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0599

0.82%

1.48% n.a.

0.6%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d 1.3779

26.69% n.a. n.a. 21.98%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a,d

$0.97

0% n.a. n.a.

-1.02

1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.).

"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."

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS MERRYMART

17.88 1.74 3.11

FIRST METRO ETF

110.4

18.02 1.77 3.12

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

110.5

17.9 1.71 3.06

18.06 1.8 3.16

17.88 1.71 3.06

17.88 1.74 3.11

76,000 227,000 3,243,000

1,359,456 397,040 10,089,590

-41,070 -22,958 39,000 23,030 -78,300 -114,600 -2,414,735.00 5,400 -23,360 -1,127,540 -5,755,260 388,300 -97,382 133,940 878,700 - 137,472 -16,800 -51,854 455,360

111 111 110.2 110.5 10,300 1,138,931 39,810

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Customs bureau cites gains vs fuel smuggling

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

he Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported last Monday its task force against fuel smuggling has progressed with 81,000 liters of smuggled petroleum seized since it was created months ago. This was what BoC officials told lawmakers during a hearing of the House of Representatives tax committee. House Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said he was informed that the BOC’s anti-fuelsmuggling task force has already been launched and has already successfully apprehended suspected smugglers. Last February, Salceda

proposed the creation of the task force to curb smuggling amid increasing oil prices. “During periods of high prices, the incentive to smuggle also increases. That is why I would like the [BoC] and the DOF [Department of Finance] to update me on its fuel enforcement measures,” the lawmaker was quoted in a statement last November 8. “Earlier this year, we agreed that we will

Treasury raises ₧15B from T-bills auction By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of the Treasury fully awarded P15 billion in Treasury Bills (T-bills) on Monday. Rates across all tenors of the security were also higher compared with those recorded from the previous auction. All the rates were lower than secondary-market benchmark rates. The auction was more than twice oversubscribed as total bids submitted reached P33.76 billion. National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon did not respond to queries following the auction. The 91-day T-bills fetched an average rate of 1.178 percent, up by 2.8 basis points (bps) from the previous auction’s 1.15 percent. Tenders for the security amounted to P8.782 billion, exceeding the P5 billion offering. As for the 182-day T-bills, the average rate rose by 3 bps to 1.443 percent from 1.413 percent in the last auction. Bids submitted for the debt paper hit P10.866 billion,

more than twice the P5-billion offering. The rates for 364-day T-bills averaged 1.628 percent, inching up by 0.7 basis points from the previous auction’s 1.621 percent. The tenor attracted P14.12 billion worth of bids, nearly thrice as much as the P5-billion offering. For this month, the Treasury is set to borrow P200 billion from the local debt market, the same amount it programmed to borrow last month. The Treasury aims to raise P140 billion through auctioning off Treasury Bonds (T-bonds) while another P60 billion is programmed to be borrowed through Treasury Bills (T-bills). The national government’s outstanding debt as of end-September this year ballooned to another record high of P11.92 trillion, already breaching the government’s expected level of debt stock of P11.73 trillion by the end of this year. This was also higher by 27.2 percent or P2.55 trillion than P9.37 trillion in the same period in 2020.

PHL venture capitalist raises $12-M funding By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

HILIPPINE-focused venture capital firm Foxmont Capital Partners Pvt. Ltd. announced last Monday the completion of its second early-stage fund-raising round with $12 million in committed capital. In addition, the company expects to raise $20 million in the final closing. Foxmont said the Venture Fund II was completed last November 1 after receiving support from a variety of Philippine industry leaders and institutional investors. Established in 2018, Foxmont is an “angel” funder focused on Filipino entrepreneurs. The firm’s first fund has reached a return of more than three-fold, with early investments in live-streaming application “Kumu,” cloud kitchen “Kraver’s Canteen,” e-commerce enabler “Etaily” and mother-centric community-driven marketplace “edamama.” The company said their success at the initial close and the fund-raising rounds of its portfolio companies include Kumu’s Series C raise, notably the largest equity financing of an independent Filipino startup to date. The success validates that the Philippines is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for venture

capitalists, Foxmont said. The firm said it has made over 25 investments thus far, with recent additions to its portfolio from social-commerce platform operators to export-enablers. With Fund II, we will continue investing in Philippinefocused and Filipino-founded early stage startups that have proven that they can scale effectively and lead the Philippine digital evolution, the company said. The firm also announced the appointments of Kenneth Albolote as venture partner and Anthony Oundjian as senior advisor. Albolote has over 25 years of experience in private equity and investment banking, and was previously managing director and partner at Baring Private Equity Asia. Oundjian is the founder and current managing director of the Boston Consulting Group. Foxmont said the country’s growing young tech-savvy population, English-proficient talent pool and emerging sources of early stage funding have created a fertile environment for startups to thrive. The company’s statement read its executives “recognize this opportunity and, with Venture Fund II, the firm will continue to pave the way for the country’s young venture capital industry.”

create a Task Force Paihi to combat fuel smuggling in our ports. I would like updates on that.”

Compliance

A report by the BoC during the House committee meeting last November 22 that they complied with the lawmaker’s request. “In compliance, a coordination meeting between the BOC, BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue], DOE [Department of Energy], PCG [Philippine Coast Guard] and the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] was conducted on February 23, 2021, where the members agreed to provide its representatives to the task force,” the customs report read. According to the BOC, a Joint Fuel Integrity and Field Testing (FIFT) Task Force was proposed to be created with representatives from the said agencies. During the House committee hearing, Customs officials reported

to Salceda that the operations of the task force resulted to the seizure of 79,740.80 liters of diesel, 2,016 liters of kerosene and two tank trucks with an estimated value of P11.3 million. The BOC said members of the task force conducted joint field testing operations against retail stations, storage facilities, tank trucks and vessels found without fuel markers. Follow-up operations were also coordinated with the DOE to verify compliance with regulations, Customs officials said.

Fuel marking

MEANWHILE, Salceda asked the BOC to strengthen its fuel-marking operations. “I was insistent that we ensure that the mechanisms against fuel smuggling are in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or Train Law [Republic Act 10963]. Fuel marking is the most salient of these measures. I urge the BOC to make

sure we optimize this tool,” he added. BOC representatives reported that marking operations are conducted in 28 of a total 50 terminals. The bulk of marking operations are conducted in 14 terminals and one refinery in Luzon, three terminals in Visayas and ten terminals in Mindanao. Marked fuel in Luzon is subsequently distributed to secondary depots of oil companies in Visayas and Mindanao. The BOC also reported that in terms of volume of fuel marked per region, 73 percent or 23.74 billion liters of fuel were in Luzon, 21 percent or 6.85 billion liters in Mindanao and 6 percent or 1.76 billion liters in the Visayas. In terms of the product type, 61.07 percent of the volume marked was diesel with 19.76 billion liters. Gasoline follows with 38.39 percent or 12.42 billion liters and kerosene with 0.53 percent or 173 million liters.

Duties, taxes

THE BOC has earlier announced that after two years since launching the fuel-marking program, the government was able to collect P315.64 billion in duties and taxes. As of November 11 this year, the BOC said it raked in P285.83 billion while the BIR’s tax haul hit P29.81 billion. T he fuel-mark ing program was launched with the aim of halting illegal importation, manufacturing and other fraudulent activities relating to the use and sale of petroleum products in the country. Fuel marking makes use of a unique chemical marker that can be embedded at a molecular level in petroleum products—gasoline, diesel and kerosene—thereby enabling authorities to test, identify and distinguish petroleum products with paid excise taxes.

BSP urges Pinoys to send cash gifts via digital wallets

IGITAL wallets are the way to go when sending cash gifts this holiday season, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a statement issued last November 22. “Digital wallets offer a safe, secure, efficient and convenient way to transfer funds to family and friends during this season of giving,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno was quoted in the statement as saying.

Diokno said using e-wallets is seen by the BSP as a “highly recommended” alternative to giving cash gifts as this eliminates physical contact. “This will allow the Filipino tradition of giving aguinaldo to family, friends and significant others to continue despite restrictions on mobility and face-to-face gatherings,” it added. This call is parallel with the BSP’s digital-payment transformation and

Prudent holiday spending

ECEMBER is traditionally a special month for many Filipinos. The cool weather and vibrant lights usher in a month of festivities. It is a month filled with celebrations and gifts. It is a month when families get to be together. Given the challenges brought about by the reeling effects of the pandemic, it is a month that can be seen to provide a ray of hope for the coming year. Still, holiday spending must not be wanton and must not be irresponsible. There are a number of ways to make holiday spending a lot more manageable. Income must be the first consideration. The Philippine economy has been in bad shape due to the negative impact brought about by the pandemic. Many businesses have suffered and many Filipinos have been displaced. The tough economic conditions adversely affect income. The lack of an emergency fund among individuals and businesses makes matters worse. Therefore, if income is lowered, then spending must be lowered too. Spending more than income will most likely lead to debt and this will just exacerbate things.

Genesis Kelly S. Lontoc

personal finance A budget for holiday spending must be determined at the start of every year. It is okay to do holiday spending but it must be budgeted. A total holiday spending budget can be developed and it can be a reasonable percentage of actual income and expected income. A holiday spending list can then be developed to identify the pertinent details of spending like recipients and amounts. Having a budget makes holiday spending strategic and organized. Having a budget makes holiday spending easier to do. Time is a great ally in holiday spending. The key is to plan early and execute early. Being able to look around for the best deals with respect to product, price, place and promo can possibly lead to gains in terms of both price and quality. For pricing, there may be items that can probably be bought at cheaper prices if they are purchased dur-

financial-inclusion goals. Its latest report showed that 20 percent of the payments volume last year were conducted digitally, driven by electronic fund transfers. The Central Bank aims to have at least half of all transactions by 2023 completed via digital platforms. According to the BSP, setting up interoperable payment systems has been crucial amid the accelerated adoption of digital payments in pandemic.

ing non-peak seasons. For quality, being able to compare the various features, advantages and benefits across brands and categories can lead to the best purchases being done. Research can help. Identifying trends on gifts has been made easier due to advances in technology. While traditional gifts are still valued, there may be alternative emerging trends that are taking place. For example, the pandemic has led to many Filipinos engaging in do-it-yourself activities. It may be possible that a do-ityourself gift may be cheaper and be also more appreciated given the personal touch. Gifts that support the environment also help remind recipients of bigger societal causes like saving the earth. In terms of payment, cash would still be king or queen. Cash makes it easier to track expenses against budgets. It also helps avoid impulse purchases and debt. However, in the event that credit cards will be used, one should be cognizant of the right ways of managing credit cards. Late payments will just lead to cumbersome debt. Only paying the minimum balance is not recommended since higher interest rates will be most likely forthcoming. One

“Even before the pandemic, the BSP was able to lay out the critical foundations to an interoperable National Retail Payment System that allowed payment-service providers to innovate and offer responsive digital payment products and services,” Diokno has said. “These helped ease the burden of Filipinos given the social mobility restrictions brought about by the health protocols,” he added. Tyrone

Jasper C. Piad

has to be on top of credit transactions so that there are no loose ends. Holiday spending is usually done for families and friends. However, the pandemic makes us realize that we need to go beyond our social circles. Given the struggling economy, a certain part of holiday spending can be allocated to helping our fellow Filipinos who are finding a way to survive and pivot. Our economy is only as strong as its weakest citizenry. No Filipino must be left behind in good times and bad times. Government already has its hands full in managing our nation. Every contribution we make matters. Experiencing December festivities with the reality of a lingering pandemic is an opportune time for us to take stock of what we need to continue doing, stop doing and start doing with respect to our personal finance situation. Spending wisely will go a long way as right decisions pave the way toward a good future. Genesis Kelly “Gemmy” S. Lontoc is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personal-financial planning, attend the 93rd RFP program in January 2022. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

Ty family-led groups extend assistance to families in Maring-hit provinces

etrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) announced that it and GT Foundation Inc. (GTFI) partnered with the Metrobank Purple Hearts Club (PHC), Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) Foundation and Alagang Kapatid Foundation to distribute relief packs worth P1.5 million to 3,000 families in Ilocos Sur, Cagayan and Benguet affected by Severe Tropical Storm Maring. MBFI, established on January 8, 1979 by George S. K. Ty, said that through the Metrobank branches—Candon, Tagudin, Vigan and Vigan-market—and local PHC chapters, relief packs composed of rice, assorted canned goods, coffee and six gallons of water were given to a thousand families residing at the municipality of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. Established in 2009, GTFI is a nonprofit organization that serves as the family foundation of the Ty family. MBFI was established 16 years after Ty

This photo courtesy of the Metrobank Foundation Inc. shows some of the 3,000 families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Maring in Ilocos Sur, Cagayan and Benguet who received relief assistance from the organization worth P1.5 million. Metrobank Foundation Inc. founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank). The MBFI said Mayor Brigido Ca-

marillo, Jr. and Vice Mayor Michael Florendo formally received the goods last October 31.

The MBFI said the same assistance was rolled out by RMN Foundation through their “Oplan Tabang in Benguet” program to another 1,000 families impaired by flash floods in the municipalities of Bakun, Kibungan and Tuba, Benguet Province. Personnel from the Philippine Military Academy’s Office of the Civil Military Operation, Public Affairs Office, Headquarters Support Group and Office of the Command Chaplain helped in the logistical needs of the program that ran from November 8 and November 9, according to the MBFI. Lastly, a thousand families from corn and rice farming communities Cagayan Province received rice, assorted canned goods and locally-sourced vegetables— all packaged in reusable pails. Distributions at Tuguegarao City and municipalities of Baggao, Gattaran, Gonzaga and Santa Teresita were implemented by Alagang Kapatid Foundation from October 25 to October 28, the MBFI said.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Art

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

❶ JAZZ Interlude

#8, Edwin Wilwayco

By Eugenia Last

❷

NOCTURNE Interlude #21, Edwin Wilwayco

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Miley Cyrus, 29; Salli Richardson-Whitfield, 54; Robin Roberts, 61; Bruce Hornsby, 67. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Pick up the pace, and knock off all the items on your to-do list this year. The time has come to act responsibly and put unfinished business to rest. Concentrate on gaining freedom to live life in a manner that is meaningful to you. Relieve stress by putting health, finances and promises to rest. Pursue your dreams. Your numbers are 3, 12, 20, 28, 37, 43, 49.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You can think what you want, but don’t blurt it out. Diplomacy will help you get things done. Focus on the result, and stay away from anyone looking for a fight. Don’t take a risk with your health, position or reputation. HH

❶

❷

Wilwayco solo opens new Galerie Joaquin space in BGC

N expansive one-man exhibition of noted abstract expressionist Edwin Wilwayco serves as the maiden presentation of the equally expansive new Galerie Joaquin branch in BGC. Known for the electricity of his vibrant abstracts and exhibitions that pay homage to classical music, Wilwayco goes for a different direction in Jazz/ Nocturne Interlude. In the two simultaneous solo shows, presenting a total of 35 works, the artist drains out the color from his canvasses, but not the movement, while switching his musical muse to jazz.

“It was in the studio in Providence while listening to jazz, particularly Dave Brubeck Quartet’s [1950’s hit] ‘Take Five,’ when it dawned on me: Since I’ve been inspired by classical music for a long time, why don’t I try jazz?” said Wilwayco in a recent online interview. For all the vivacity and transcendence of the genre, however, the abstractionist visually equates jazz’s complex harmony and syncopated rhythms to a grayscale image—black and white, nothing more. It is an impression manifested not from the lack of drama but the abundance of it, as Wilwayco sees color even where there’s none. When the artist was a young moviegoer, watching old westerns in all its black-and-white glory, Wilwayco says he “could still feel the colors, even in the mountains and trees, as well as the clothes of the cowboys.” “Black and white,” he adds, “does not lack color.” The statement rings true in the artist’s twin solo exhibitions. While Jazz/Nocturne Interlude deviates from the artist’ signature explosion of colors, the pieces presented in the show draw the viewer in as only a superb Wilwayco abstract can. Jazz Interlude presents 16 works, while Nocturne

Interlude comprises 19. Both exhibitions are products of Wilwayco’s exclusive listening to jazz for five months, evident in each stroke that crescendos, improvises and flows. Jazz Interlude deals with muted earth tones and more lines that go straight or curve. Meanwhile, Nocturne Interlude’s subjects flow more freely, similar to the movement of water, with touches of midnight in violet and blue to go with the black and white. Wilwayco says in the exhibition note that he draws together “the properties of musical sound and paint” to create his masterpieces. “It’s so powerful that sometimes, I wonder if art is using us to reproduce itself.” The artist added that “there’s a supreme hand that guides” his own. “I always tell myself that I cannot repeat the paintings that I’ve done,” he said, crediting the external force as art itself or a supreme being. Could it possibly be music? “Very much so,” he said. Edwin Wilwayco: Jazz/Nocturne Interlude is on view since the weekend at the new Galerie Joaquin One Bonifacio High Street Mall.

conditions wrought by the present scourge of the Covid-19 virus.” This is only the second time the CCA collaborated with NMC as a group after launching its physical exhibit To Differ, Digitally: Calls for Change Through New Media in 2017. “The themes that have emerged deliver a viable spectrum of perspectives and concerns arising from the pandemic. One realm would be about connecting place and passage. At the herald of such works is a memorial for the fallen heroes, mostly medical practitioners who fought the mostly unknown effects of the SARS-Covid virus. The museum conceived as a monument by Benjie Marasigan Jr. presents to us the necessity to both grieve and never forget those who perished so that others may live,” Flores explained in the exhibit brief found at CCA’s web site (bit.ly/3HDC4wq). Aside from being a tribute to frontliners and the fallen heroes of the pandemic, Marasigan’s digital creations also serve as his reaction to the government’s response, amid volunteerism and bayanihan efforts.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Learn from your experiences, and avoid putting your reputation at risk. Don’t share personal information if you don’t want to end up in a vulnerable position. Look for an opportunity that will allow you to use your skills more to your liking.HHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Do something that makes you think and prompts you to get involved in events that reflect your concerns. Speak up and become part of the solution, and you will make new contacts. A romantic encounter will lead to personal gain. HHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Check due dates. Don’t feel pressured to make a change or move because someone else does. Look for healthy alternatives when faced with choices. Physical and mental activity are encouraged. Revamp the way you approach your responsibilities. HHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Reach out to someone who always lifts your spirits. A networking function will lead to information that will help you redefine what you have to offer. Pick up skills that will round out your qualifications for something that interests you. HHHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take a moment to find out how others feel and think, and it will change how you respond and spare emotional upset. Don’t give up; find common ground that gives everyone you need to pitch in a reason to participate. HH

Continued on B5

Memorial for fallen pandemic heroes in Benilde online art exhibit FALLEN heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic are at the center of an online animated museum that is part of the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde Center for Campus Art’s ongoing digital art exhibition. Hall of Heroes is Benjamin Marasigan Jr.’s contribution to the online art exhibit To Differ, Digitally 2 (TDD2): Love and Dissent in the Time of Pandemic. The Center for Campus Art (CCA) led by Architect Gerry Torres and the New Media Cluster headed by associate dean Maria Sharon Mapa Arriola called on faculty members for “works in digital media that will venture to engage with and generate new content from its audiences online.” Marasigan, founding chairman and full-time instructor of the DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts Animation Program, is among 17 artist-educators and industry practitioners who heeded the call. Curator Karen Ocampo-Flores describes TDD2 as “a fresh opportunity to deliver messages of social commentary through the digital medium” and “a timely response to

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll be ready to make a change, but before you do, consider the pros and cons, along with the cost involved. Turn your vision inward; consider starting small and with personal improvements that will make your life easier or more meaningful. HHHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Embrace what life has to offer, and explore the possibilities that come your way. Personal growth due to circumstances will lead to a lifestyle change or force play to make a move. Have faith, and go with the flow. HHHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Look over your finances and consider what you can do to achieve the life you want. Contemplate how to sell off what you no longer need, and invest in something that brings you joy. Personal gain is within reach. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put everything into doing the best job possible. An energetic approach to life, love and happiness won’t disappoint you. Make positive changes at home and work that will give you a new lease on life. Turn your dream into a reality. HHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Listen and learn. Don’t fall prey to a fast-talking sales pitch. You don’t have to make a move if you aren’t ready. Following someone will not help you achieve what you want out of life. Focus on fulfilling your needs. HHH

“As I was watching the news about the deaths and difficulties faced by the frontline health workers, I felt helpless, frightened, sad and guilty—guilty of not being able to help because I couldn’t get out of the house. I tried to think of ways to best contribute to the effort against Covid-19, given the limitations of the situation,” said Marasigan,

who has been teaching in Benilde for 20 years now. “Since the start of the pandemic up to the present, I have tried to document what was happening in our country through my digital illustration and paintings.” More information can be viewed at youtu.be/qm21uNkLTjg.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’ll get a financial boost if you are energetic in your pursuits. Adapt what you learn by watching others who help you reach your goal. A physical improvement will draw attention and the interest of someone you love. HHHHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are sensitive, encouraging and proactive. You are secretive and insightful.

‘bursting with pride’ BY ALEX EATON-SALNERS The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Swanky 5 Light-headed 10 Candy in a dispenser 13 “Eso Beso” singer Paul 14 Dressed like, for a costume party 15 Big name in body spray 16 Fortune-teller’s device 18 Stimpy’s pal 19 Sinks, as a short putt 20 ___ carte 21 Computer that runs Monterey 22 Pick up dinner, perhaps? 23 Desire to be on stage 26 Second-to-last Greek letter 27 Animal pairs’ boat 28 Behave theatrically 29 The Lion King queen 31 Org. that regulates cosmetics 33 Apt-sounding name for a gardener 34 Fare served with beer 37 Minor role 39 Covid vaccine molecule 40 Pair of roommates? 41 Person you revere

42 K.T. of country 44 Comedian Margaret whose surname is hidden in “Watch out!” 45 Org. for drivers 48 Shoe honoring NBA great O’Neal 51 Matches up 53 One of 78 in this puzzle: Abbr. 54 Wiimote batteries 55 Worship 56 “Best in Show” org. 57 Same-sex marriage and others, or a hint to the last letters of both words of 16-, 23-, 34-, 37- and 48-Across 59 Golf peg 60 Wheel for hoisting things 61 The Music Man state 62 Conclude 63 Cheetah’s pride 64 “Well done!” DOWN 1 International agreements 2 Highway entrance 3 Chats with online, in a way 4 Pestering 5 Gadot of Wonder Woman

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 17 21 23 24 25 27 30 31 32 34 35 36 38 43 44 46

“Me again!” Had to do (with) ___ Lama Haute couture initials Arch shape, maybe Person with will power? Buddhist sect Food bank container “Shop ___ You Drop” Studio that coproduced No Time to Die Kuwaitis, say “Peachy keen!” Gallant guy Reunion attendee, for short Concert setting Anti-crime org.’s DC base One-named “Thank You” singer Opposite of cons Still steady Equally weighted Put on a show Stats that geniuses may compare Himeji structure with moats “As I was sayin’...”

47 When Juliet asks “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” 49 Touch base again 50 Billiards surface 51 ___ Lanka 52 “What a shame!” 55 Use a crowbar 56 Put away dinner, perhaps? 57 DJs once spun them 58 Abbr. in a proof Solution to today’s puzzle:

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, November 23, 2021

A celebration of art that heals, strengthens and reforms CECILLE GUIDOTEALVAREZ and Viktor Sebek

Duchess of Sussex gets goofy on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show NEW YORK—It was the Meghan hour thursday on the talk show of her friend, Ellen DeGeneres, as the Duchess of Sussex helped welcome a special guest, hit the studio lot to prank vendors, and said she’ll be cooking thanksgiving dinner herself. “I love to cook. We’ll be home and just sort of relax and settle in,” Meghan said of her second thanksgiving in California with Prince Harry and, now, their two kids. Meghan and DeGeneres, who met at a pet store more than a decade ago, chatted about Halloween (Archie was a dinosaur and baby Lili a skunk), and more serious issues like Meghan’s work to push for federal paid family leave. And she said Harry has taken nicely to the California lifestyle in Montecito, where Ellen is one of their neighbors. “He loves it,” Meghan said. “We’re just happy.” Meghan got Ellen-style goofy when she donned an earpiece so Ellen could tell her what to say and do as she perused the wares of three vendors on the studio lot. Meghan mewed in cat ears, devoured hot sauce on crackers like a chipmunk and held a huge crystal to her face—all after a pretend assistant told the trio of sellers to treat her just like everybody else. they could barely keep from laughing. “Let Mommy taste some. My boo loves hot sauce,” Meghan told one seller with a table full of hot sauces. “Mommy wants some heat.” Later on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ellen and Meghan welcomed Brittany Starks, a tennessee mother and hairdresser who gave back after being helped herself through hard times by braiding the hair of schoolchildren for free. Since then she has started a charity, A twist of Greatness. the show and philanthropy partner tisBest donated $20,000 to her cause. Meghan and Harry matched it with another $20,000. “We were so touched by your story,” Meghan told Starks, giving her hug. AP

WILWAYCO SOLO OPENS NEW GALERIE JOAQUIN SPACE IN BGC Continued from B4 According to Jack teotico, Galerie Joaquin Group managing director, the decision to have a Wilwayco show open the new space aligns with the group’s branding, which is to be continuously associated with the country’s top artists. the gallery has exhibited top modernist and fine art masters over the years. the rich list includes National Artists Federico Aguilar Alcuaz and Abdulmari Imao, as well as works by Ramon Orlina, Michael Cacnio, Mario Parial, Dominic rubio and Presidential Medal Awardee for Art Juvenal Sanso. the Wilwayco exhibition, teotico adds, serves as a prelude to the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Galerie Joaquin Group next year. In the pipeline is the opening of another branch, to be set in Rockwell, plus an assortment of high-profile exhibitions. “We’re coming up with some very interesting projects,” teotico said. “We’re trying to get our top artists to work together or to present simultaneous shows in our venues.” the manager director hinted at another Wilwayco showcase of colorful artworks, a Dominic rubio exhibition, a “big show” by Ramon Orlina, and a presentation of select vintage Sanso pieces, among others. “It should be a very, very exciting year,” teotico said. For more information about Edwin Wilwayco: Jazz/Nocturne Interlude or Galerie Joaquin One Bonifacio High Street Mall, contact 0917-534-3942 or info@galeriejoaquin.com. n

rt stalwart, theater impressario and wellloved culturati Cecille Guidote Alvarez is spearheading a huge cultural and heritage adventure come December, billed as the ResiliART Earth Saving Event in Manila. With an official endorsement under the Unesco Patronage Programme, this event will finally see the light after so many postponements, largely due to the still ongoing global pandemic. the event will coincide with the celebration of the United Nations Human Rights Week and will be strengthened by the combined forces of the Earthsavers, the Unesco Artist for Peace, and the Philippine Center for the International theatre Institute Social Change Network. “this coming together of organizations, groups and individuals that have a deep love and concern for the arts in all its scope, splendor and spectrum will be a culmination of so many meetings and plans to put Manila at the center of the universal arts community, and will harness the power of theater arts to bring about change, healing and reform, especially during these very trying times,” Alvarez intoned. Acclaimed dance groups, musicians, singers, poets, painters and other artists from all over the globe will come together and grace the festival of performances, which is one of the main highlights of this arts festival in Manila, and it is where a harvest of artistic expressions and manifestations on the sustainable development goals will be set to stage. Discussions to forge a platform of action for actualizing these goals that are focused on people, the planet, peace, and prosperity through partnerships are part of the forum, discussions and idea exchange program components of the festival. “there is a regional Art Camp that will be held at the Philippine Normal University. Filipino and foreign visual artists will collaborate in the creation of murals and the exchange of best visual arts practices will also be an integral part of the agenda,” Alvarez shared. there is also an outreach program component wherein cultural immersion and interaction of delegates and performing groups in

the Visayas and Mindanao hubs will be made possible. Viktor Sebek, chairman of the South-South Cooperation Council and the copresident of the International theater Institute Colombian Centre, is already in the country and looks forward to many activities planned for the big arts event in December. “this is huge and I am happy to be in Manila to be part of the event. the workshops will serve as a medium of transformation and healing, and the activities lined up will also strengthen the ties of art representatives from all over the world. Reformative theater has now taken a completely different meaning because of what is happening everywhere at this time.” Alvarez, who is tougher than ever after surviving Covid-19 last year, also shared: “ResiliART will incorporate the best practices from the participating continents and these documents will contain examples of how the arts, with main emphasis on

Rabiya Mateo continues her reign SEt to conquer new horizons is Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo, who signed a contract with GMA last November 18. After shining in the international pageant scene, the 25-year-old model and beauty queen looks forward to honing another set of skills. “I’m very happy. I can’t believe I’m officially signed with GMA, and I can now say that I’m a Kapuso,” said Rabiya. “After Miss Universe Philippines, I’ve been asking myself, ‘What’s next? What am I going to do? Babalik na ba ako sa pagiging Physical therapist?’ I’m happy the people in GMA did see my potential as an actress, as a host, and I’m excited sa mga parating na projects.” the beauty queen expressed her gratitude to the network for seeing her potential, and she considers it as the perfect door for her. “My heart is full of endless gratitude to everybody who saw my potential. I came from a simple life, I had humble beginnings, I have my struggles. But I realize I had to go through those hardships because God will open that perfect door for you. today, I can say that door is my GMA family.” Rabiya was welcomed by GMA executives via Zoom, video messages and their presence at the Marquee tent of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. GMA chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, executive vice president and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Network Films Inc. president and programming consultant to the chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, senior vice president for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, first vice president and head of Regional tV and Synergy Oliver B. Amoroso, and GMAAC assistant vice president and head for talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun S. Ferrer welcomed Rabiya as part of the Kapuso family. Rabiya’s comanagers from Empire, Jonas Gaffud and Mau de Leon, were also present during the event. Atty. Gozon is confident that Rabiya will be a wonderful addition to the network’s roster of talents. “Last year, she made us proud when she represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe competition.

MISS Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo

Now, we are proud that she’s joining us here in GMA,” he said. Yalong also wishes Rabiya the best of luck in this new chapter of her career: “Congratulations, Rabiya. We wish you all the best as you begin your Kapuso journey.” Gozon-Valdes is elated to have GMA viewers watch her grow as an actress: “We are delighted to have Rabiya join our stable of stars. I am sure the fans and Filipino viewers worldwide are thrilled to watch her onscreen.” Meanwhile, Rasonable expressed her enthusiasm in welcoming Rabiya: “We are looking forward to the projects that we will do with Rabiya which will showcase her talents in acting and hosting.” An Iloilo native, Rabiya graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Physical therapy. Earlier this year, she represented the Philippines in the prestigious 69th Miss Universe pageant and secured a spot in the top 21 finalists. After her guestings in The Boobay and Tekla Show and Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, she is gearing up for her debut series Agimat ng Agila Book 2, and guesting in Wish Ko Lang! soon.

the reformative power of the theater, will be able to build bridges between countries and areas of conflict and encourage similar exercises across the globe in the future. this is a strong implementation of the sustainable development goals through the powerful medium of art, camaraderie, communications and media.” Supporting this reformative artistic and theater undertaking are the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines, with a grant from the Office of the Senate President Vicente Sotto III with the participation of relevant Congressional Committees, an endorsement by Foreign Affairs Secretary teddy Boy Locsin and affirmed by the Office of the President; a city ordinance proclamation from the City Government of Manila, Office of Mayor Francisco Domagoso, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Normal University, and former senator Joey Lina who is now the president of the Manila Hotel. n

HELEN MIRREN TO GET ACTORS’ GUILD LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

tHE Screen Actors Guild has selected Dame Helen Mirren as their 57th Life Achievement Award Recipient, the union said on thursday. the 76-year-old English stage and screen actor has credits spanning over 50 years and has played everything from a gangster’s girlfriend in The Long Good Friday to Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen. Mirren will be adding this latest honor to a robust collection of awards including an Oscar, a tony, and multiple SAG, Emmy and BAFtA Awards. “I am honored to have been chosen to receive the SAG Life Achievement Award,” Mirren said in a statement. “Since I was a young actor starting out, I have always been inspired by and learned from American screen acting, so this award is particularly meaningful for me.” With 13 SAG Awards nominations and five wins, Mirren is also the most decorated SAG Life Achievement recipient, the union said. “Dame Helen Mirren is quite simply a brilliant and luminous talent,” said SAG-AFtRA president Fran Drescher in a statement. “She has set the bar very high for all actors and, in role after role, she exceeds even her own extraordinary performances. I’ve always felt a kinship with Helen. She’s the Queen of England and I’m the Queen of Queens. She won an Oscar and I’m left-hander of the year. It’s uncanny.” the 28th annual SAG Awards will be broadcast live from Santa Monica, California, on February 27 on tNt and tBS at 8 pm Et. AP

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BBDO Guerrero helps Pepsi pledge 10,000 meals to Rise Against Hunger

EPSI Philippines partnered with Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAH) to provide meals for families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The 10,000 meal pledge was made at a live “online handaan(celebration)” virtual event created by BBDO Guerrero which drew a combined audience of over 1.3 million.

Rise Against Hunger is an international and non-profit hunger relief organization. It is the first established foodbank in the Philippines and part of the Global Foodbanking Network. The event was hosted by DJ Suzy and Turs Daza and by leading stars from showbiz and entertainment including Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla,

SB19, Mimiyuuuh, Ricci Rivero, Alyssa Valdez, Pam Swing, and Jayda. Dom Layugan, CSD Brand Manager said “In the face of the Covid-19 crisis, Pepsi and Rise Against Hunger, are working together to find ways to support affected Filipino families and children. These meals will be distributed for an entire month in the communities that need it the most.” Jomar Flores, Executive Director, Rise Against Hunger said “The meals will go a long away in helping communities that have been drastically affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This Christmas time, these meals that will be donated will mean a big thing to these families.” David Guerrero, Creative Chair of BBDO Guerrero, said “It is great to be a part of a campaign that brings the community together. And we are happy to be a part of Pepsi’s partnership with Rise Against Hunger to help draw attention to this cause at this time of year.”

Unfiltered peels off its latest skin care set for a holiday-ready skin

UST in time for the coming of the Christmas breeze, UNFILTERED, a revolutionary skin care brand, launched today a new collection that features products for a complete and effective gentle skin-peeling experience to get everyone ready for the holidays. Introducing the Gentle Peel Kit, the latest addition to Unfiltered’s evergrowing health and wellness array of products, this kit offers a mild approach to guaranteeing that your skin will achieve exactly what it deserves. More than exfoliation and moisturization, the rejuvenating kit was carefully developed by top skin specialists to primarily renew and reveal blemish-free skin. Packed in an easy-to-navigate, seethrough pouch, the Gentle Peel Kit is complete with a brightening soap, toner, peeling, firming, and whitening creams. What’s more, all products are formulated with skin-friendly active ingredients to nourish and gently exfoliate impurities to keep the skin healthy and glowing giving the full protection from day to night.

What’s inside?

BRIGHTENING and Pore Refining Soap contains Kojic, Canica Papaya, and Lactic Acid. It removes dead cells to reveal renewed skin. It helps lighten hyperpigmentations and stimulate collagen production. Activating Toner is enriched with Niacinamide, Alpha Arbutin, and Salicylic Acid that are responsible in initiating skin exfoliation, clearing up clogged pores, and preventing breakouts. Peeling and Renewing Cream has a nice blend of Vitamin C, Beta Arbutin, and Aloe Vera working together to deeply exfoliate the dead skin. It helps improve the appearance of skin imperfections. Firming and Age Defying Glow Cream has Vitamin E, Collagen, and Elastin, which provide skin lifting benefits for a smooth, refreshed, and young-looking complexion. It doubles down on the antiaging job as it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Whitening with SPF 45 is infused with Arbutin, Glutathione, and Plant

Extracts. It has SPF that shields skin and protects it against the harmful effects of UV rays. It works to fade sun and age spots as it whitens and brightens skin. What better way is there to welcome Christmas than to UNFILTER to a new you with a gentle skin-peeling experience. Get this kit for only Php 899.00 to put your best skin forward this holiday season! For more information, visit www.unfilteredskinindustry.com. Call 0917-8845698 (0917-8UGLOW8) or send an e-mail to info@ unfilteredskinindustry.com.

Subway offers extra fun with more cheese and meat with the Italian B.M.T. Plus!

ROM November 17, 2021 to January 18, 2022, Subway is adding on their menu a cheesilicious and packed with more meat Italian B.M.T.™ Plus! Have the motivation to push through a busy day with a satisfying sub filled with your favorite ingredients which can be enjoyed on-the-go, in the office, or at home! The Italian B.M.T. is an old-world favorite and is topped with sliced genoa salami, pepperoni and ham and your choice of vegetables and condiments served on freshly baked bread. The B.M.T. stands for the biggest, meatiest, and tastiest sub that Subway offers and the “Plus” means we've

added even more of your favorite cheese and meat in your sandwiches! The a la carte prices start from Php 165 for the 6-inch sub, Php 320 for a footlong, Php 175 for the 10-inch wrap, and Php 260 for the salad. Subway also offers regular meals with the Italian B.M.T. Plus where customers can pair their subs with a 22oz drink and 2 Cookies! Prices start at Php 250 for the 6-inch sub, Php 405 for the footlong, Php 260 for the 10inch wrap, and Php 345 salad. For delivery orders, the Italian B.M.T.™ Plus prices start from Php 189.10 for the 6-inch, Php 390.40 for the footlong, Php 201.30 for the 10-inch

wrap, and Php 317.20 for the salad. The regular meals with the 22oz drink and 2 cookies starts at Php 292.80 for the 6-inch sub, Php 494.10 for the footlong, Php 305 for the 10-inch wrap, and Php 420.90 for the salad. Order now and enjoy everyone’s favorite with more cheesy and meaty Italian B.M.T.™ Plus! This is valid for dine-in and takeout transactions. Subway cares about your health and safety during this pandemic, this new item in the menu is available for delivery via Facebook Messenger BOTTY www.m.me/ SubwayPhilippines or via GrabFood. You can also do a takeout from any Subway branch near you. www.m.me

ENCHANTED HOLIDAYS AT SM CITY NORTH EDSA. Everything was enchanted during SM City North EDSA’s recent lighting of 45-feet Enchanted Christmas tree at The Block Atrium with a magical storytelling performance by singer and theatre actress Ataska. She is shown (middle) with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (2nd from left). They are joined by 1st District Representative Anthony Peter "Onyx" Crisologo(right), SM SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin (left), and SM AVP for Mall Operations Jocelyn Clarino (4th from left). The tree is embellished with elegant botanicals, and is surrounded by a large Victorian Greenhouse, which offers a freshly instagrammable walk-through experience for families to enjoy.

Fight environmental problems with Project Aircare

“I

T is now more than ever that people should have more knowledge and better appreciation of the need to keep our environment clean and safe, whether in the house, offices or manufacturing plants, even public elevators and smoking areas,” said Benjamin Hwang, CEO of Gridpoint Technologies Group. His company is one of the pioneers in this relatively new industry seeking to ensure air quality and proper indoor environmental management whuch recently launched its Project Aircare program for this purpose. Hwang added that the present pandemic has highlighted more clearly the need to look for solutions to indoor environmental concerns like air quality, bio security, odor problems, and humidity among others. “Actually, the biggest challenge for us when we opened the business in 2015, particularly in our first two years of operations, was that most people did not understand what we were talking of about these invisible indoor environmental problems. We needed to evangelize so people can fully appreciate these problems and how they affect everyday lives, even the future of our children,” said Hwang,

whose son suffers from a seemingly perpetual case of allergic rhinitis caused by the environment, making him decide to do something about it. Presently the company has grown modestly from its humble beginning and counts residences, offices, banks, BPO’s, manufacturing plants and hotels as clients with hotels the most appreciative and responsive to what Project Aircare offers because of the inherent need for quality in the hospitality industry. Among the solutions being offered by the company portable cooling, heating, and drying, humidity management, air and particulate filtration, fogging and misting, and kitchen exhaust, odor and grease removal using the latest technology available in the market. “We believe our competitive edge in this growing industry, aside from our application of modern systems, machines, and equipment, is the fact we can offer from the basic to the most complete programs, addressing both general and specific problems, allowing our clients to manage their budgets, We also have gone beyond being a one product company as we started evolving and expanding our product lines and services,” concluded Hwang.

SSS releases P869.99 million unemployment benefits in January to September 2021

HE Social Security System (SSS) granted P869.99 million worth of unemployment benefits to 67,937 members for the period of January to September 2021. “We fully understand the plight of our private-sector workers who have been laid off from their jobs. With this milestone benefit, we remain committed in providing financial aid amid the pandemic. Al-so, with the inclusion of the unemployment benefit application in the E-Services Tab of the My.SSS portal, involuntary separated members have a more convenient option to submit their application online,” said SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio. The unemployment benefit is an additional benefit to the SSS-administered programs as mandated under Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018. This covers employees including Kasambahay and OFW members who were separated from their respective employments. Members affected by involuntary separation due to installation of laborsaving devices, redundancy, retrenchment or downsizing, business closure or cessation of operation, and disease/illness of the employee whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his or his co-employee’s health may apply for this benefit. Economic downturn and natural or human-induced calamities/disaster such as the Covid-19 pandemic are also considered as involuntary separation. A member should not be over 60 years old at the time of involuntary separation.

As for underground/surface mine workers and racehorse jockeys, they should not be over 50 years old and 55 years old, respectively. A member must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 months of which should be within the 18-month period immediately preceding the month of involuntary separation. To avail of the unemployment benefit, members can log in using their My.SSS account in the SSS website and submit the necessary information. Member likewise will be asked to enroll a valid/active/ correct disbursement account to ensure the proper crediting of their benefit proceeds once their claim is approved. For inquiries and other information on unemployment benefit, please visit the official SSS accounts on Facebook and YouTube at “Philippine Social Security System,” Instagram at “mysssph,” and on Twitter at “PHLSSS,” USSSap Tayo Portal crms@sss.gov.ph and in the SSS Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”

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

TheWorld

Austria begins national lockdown to fight surging Covid infections

IENNA—Austria went into a nationwide lockdown early Monday to combat soaring coronavirus infections, a step being closely watched by other European governments struggling with national outbreaks that are straining health-care systems. The measures are expected to last for a maximum of 20 days but will be reevaluated after 10. They require people to stay home apart from basic reasons like getting groceries, going to the doctor and exercising. Restaurants and most shops must close and larger events will be canceled. Schools and day care centers can remain open, but parents are encouraged to keep their children home. Austria hopes to lift the measures on December 13 but may keep a further lockdown on the unvaccinated. The new lockdown measures kicked in a day after many Austrians hurriedly enjoyed a last day out at coffeehouses and Christmas markets across the country. Christmas markets across central Vienna were packed Sunday with people eager to buy gifts and enjoy one last round of warm drinks and food. At the Freyung Christmas market in Vienna, Alexandra Ljesevic and her sister Anna sipped mulled wine and punch amid wooden stands and under sparkling holiday lights. “It’s the last chance to feel the Christmas time and vibes,” Alexandra Ljesevic said. The sisters said they feel luckier than most, since their jobs won’t be affected by the lockdown. But they’re not optimistic that things will reopen as quickly as authorities hope. “It would be weird if in 20 days they said, ‘Okay, for vaccinated people, you’re free to go,’ if the hospitals are still overwhelmed,” said Anna Ljesevic. “That’s the only reason why we even need the lockdown.” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg also announced Friday that Austria will also introduce a vaccine mandate as of February 1. The details of how the mandate will work aren’t yet clear. In an interview Sunday in the Kurier newspaper, Schallenberg said it’s “sad” that the Austrian government had to resort to a mandate in order to ensure that enough people get vaccinated. Just under 66 percent of Austria’s 8.9 million people are fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in Western Europe.

On Saturday, Austria reported 15,297 new infections, after a week in which daily cases topped 10,000. Hospita ls, especia l ly those in the hardest hit regions of Salzburg and Upper Austria, are overwhelmed as the number of coronavirus patients rises in intensive care units. Schallenberg said he and other officials had hoped this summer that a new lockdown would not be necessary and it was a tough decision to impose one that affected vaccinated people. “That people’s freedoms need to be restricted again is, believe me, also difficult for me to bear,” he said. The new measures, especially the vaccine mandate, have been met with fierce opposition among some Austrians and vaccine skeptics. A Saturday protest in the capital of Vienna drew 40,000 people, according to police, including members of far-right parties and groups. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said Sunday that the country’s anti-coronavirus protest scene is radicalizing. An “extremely diverse group of people” took part in the antivaccination protests, Nehammer said, according to the Austrian Press Agency, adding that included concerned citizens but also rightwing extremists and neo-Nazis. The lockdown is the strictest measure Austrian officials have introduced to combat a fourth surge of infections and deaths. Earlier this month, the government first tried to pressure unvaccinated people to get the jab, barring them from restaurants, hotels and large events. Then officials implemented lockdown measures just for unvaccinated people. Nehammer said Sunday that police performed 150,000 checks in just one week to see if people outside of their homes were complying with the new rules, according to APA. At the Christmas market Sunday on Vienna’s iconic Rathausplatz square, Rene Schlosser and Silvia Weidenauer sipped mulled wine from heart-shaped red mugs. They came for the day from their home in Austria’s Waldviertel region to get a glimpse of the markets before everything shut down. “You have to accept it,” Weidenauer said of the lockdown. “There’s no other option. All you can do is hope that these days when everything is closed actually have an effect.” AP

BusinessMirror

categories by January, he said. Vaccinated citizens of Japan and South Korea will also be allowed in without quarantining, as well as people on humanitarian visas. But the government has yet to decide when general tourists will be allowed to return. “I think Australians are very keen to see us take this step-by-step approach,” Morrison said. “They’ve been through a lot and they’ve sacrificed a lot to ensure that we can open safely so we can stay safely open,” he added. While vaccinated travelers will be able to arrive without quarantining in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia’s most populous states, parts of the country with lower vaccination rates still impose pandemic restrictions at state lines. After a troubled and

China will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia: Xi Jinping

EIJING—Chinese leader Xi Jinping says his country will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia or bully its smaller neighbors, amid ongoing friction over the South China Sea.

Xi made the remarks Monday during a virtual conference with the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, marking the 30th anniversary of relations between the sides. “China resolutely opposes hegemonism and power politics, wishes to maintain friendly relations with its neighbors and jointly nurture lasting peace in the region and absolutely will not seek hegemony or even less, bully the small,” Xi said, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. China has repeatedly sought to overcome concerns about its rising power and influence, particularly its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea that overlaps with the claims of Asean members

Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines. Xi’s remarks came days after Chinese coast guard ships blocked and sprayed a powerful stream of water at two Philippine boats carrying supplies to troops at a disputed South China Sea shoal. China has sought to strengthen its presence in the waterway, home to crucial shipping routes, fish stocks and undersea oil and gas deposits, by building airstrips and other features on islands created by piling sand and concrete atop coral reefs. China’s powerful navy, coast guard and maritime militia have also sought to block moves by regional countries to exploit resources within their exclusive

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends an event commemorating the 110th anniversary of Xinhai Revolution at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 9, 2021. Chinese leader Xi Jinping says his country will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia or bully its smaller neighbors, amid ongoing friction over the South China Sea. AP/Andy Wong

economic zones, and it strongly objects to operations by the US and other foreign militaries in the area. China and Asean have for years been negotiating a code of conduct for handling matters in the South China Sea but those talks have made little progress of late. China remains a crucial market for Southeast Asian countries as well as a source of investment, and Asean has sought to avoid conflict with Beijing. China also has strong ties with Asean members Cambodia and Laos and has refrained from criticizing Myanmar, where military ruler Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has cracked down relentlessly

on the opposition since ousting the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February. Min Aung Hlaing was barred from representing his country at the last Asean summit, and it wasn’t immediately clear who attended Monday on behalf of Myanmar. The censure came after an Asean envoy was prevented from meeting Suu Kyi and other political detainees as part of a proposed dialogue on easing the crisis, in which security forces are estimated to have killed almost 1,200 civilians. The government has claimed a lower death toll. In other comments, Xi said peace was the “greatest common interest” of all sides and China would exert its utmost to avoid conflict. “We must be the constructors and protectors of regional peace, insist on dialogue instead of confrontation, partnership and nonalignment, and join hands in dealing with various negative factors that threaten to undermine peace,” Xi said. “We must practice true multilateralism and insist on handling international and regional matters through negotiation,” Xi said. AP

Tens of thousands protest Belgium’s virus restrictions

RUSSELS—Tens of thousands of people demonstrated through central Brussels on Sunday to protest reinforced Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Belgian government to counter the latest spike in coronavirus cases. Many among the police estimate of 35,000 at the rally had already left for home when the demonstration descended into violence as several hundred people started pelting police, smashing cars and setting garbage bins ablaze. Police, responded with tear gas and water cannons and sought to restore order as dusk settled on the Belgian capital. Three police officials and one demonstrator were injured in the clashes. In addition, 42 protesters were detained and two were arrested and charged in the violent spree that followed the march, said police spokesperson Ilse Vande Keere. T he ma rc hers ca me to pro test t he gover nment ’s st rong

Riot police use water cannon against protestors during a demonstration against the reinforced measures of the Belgium government to counter the latest spike of the coronavirus in Brussels, Belgium, on November 21. Many among them also protested against the strong advice to get vaccinated and moves to impose mandatory shots. AP/Olivier Matthys

adv ice to get vacc inated a nd a ny possible moves to impose ma nd ator y shots. Shouting “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!” and singing the antifascist song “Bella Ciao,” protesters lined up behind a huge banner saying “Together for Freedom”

Australia to welcome vaccinated foreign students, skilled workers ANBERRA, Australia— The Australian government expects 200,000 vaccinated foreign students and skilled workers will soon return without quarantining when the country further relaxes pandemic restrictions next week. From December 1, students, skilled workers and travelers on working vacations will be allowed to land at Sydney and Melbourne airports without needing to seek exemptions from a travel ban, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday. “The return of skilled workers and students to Australia is a major milestone in our pathway back, it’s a major milestone about what Australians have been able to achieve and enable us to do,” Morrison said. The government expects 200,000 arrivals in the two

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

faltering start, Australia’s vaccine rollout has gathered pace. More than 85 percent of the population aged 16 and older is now fully vaccinated. Australia first reopened its border to quarantinefree travelers on November 1 after 20 months of some of the most draconian pandemic restrictions adopted by any democratic country. Arrivals were first restricted to Australian citizens and permanent residents. The first flights in an Australia-Singapore quarantine-free travel bubble began on Sunday. Some Australian farmers have left fruit and vegetables to rot in fields because the backpackers who provide the seasonal work force of pickers have been absent. The backpackers were some of Australia’s highest yielding visitors, spending 3.2 billion Australian dollars

($2.3 billion) a year before the pandemic. They also made up a substantial part of the seasonal work force, Business Group Australia executive director John Hart said in a statement. Universities Australia chief executive Catrina Jackson said her sector lost AU$1.8 billion ($1.3 billion) last year because foreign students were locked out. “We’ve got 130,000 students waiting to get back into this country. They’ve been so patient and they’ve been so resolute. They’ve been studying online for... almost two years now,” Jackson told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “Some of them have just got a year left of their degree. It really is time to get them back into the country so they can finish their degree and get on with their lives,” Jackson said. AP

and marched to the European Union headquarters. Amid the crowd, the signs varied from far-right insignia to the rainbow flags of the LGBT community. The World Health Organization said last week that Europe was the hot spot of the pandem-

ic right now, the only region in which Covid-19 deaths were rising. The autumn surge of infections is overwhelming hospitals in many Central and Eastern Eu ropea n nat ions, inc lud ing Ukraine, Russia, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Over the past several days, there have been many anti-vaccination marches in European nations as one government after another tightened measures. Dutch police arrested more than 30 people during unrest in The Hague and other towns in the Netherlands on Saturday, following much worse violence the previous night. Austria is going into a 10-day national lockdown on Monday for everyone after first imposing a lockdown on the unvaccinated. Christmas markets in Vienna were packed Sunday with locals and tourists taking in the holiday sights before shops and food stalls are forced to close. AP

China’s hypersonic test shows unprecedented capability–FT

hina fired a missile from a hypersonic weapon as it approached a target during a test in July, the Financial Times reported, adding the Pentagon was surprised because no nation was known to have the capability. A hy personic glide vehicle launched by China fired the projectile over the South China Sea while moving at five times the speed of sound, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the intelligence. Some militar y ex per ts believe an air-to-air missile was fired, the newspaper said. Others thought it was a countermeasure that could hurt the ability of missile defense systems to knock out the hypersonic weapon, which can carr y a nuclear warhead, in a battle. The Financial Times reported last month that China conducted hy personic weapons tests on July 27 and again on August 13,

raising concern in Washington about Beijing’s advancing militar y capabilities. China’s Foreign Ministr y said the nation had tested “a routine spacecraft” to see if it was reusable. If C h i n a’s tests of hy per sonic weapons are confirmed, it would suggest that President X i Jinping may be exploring orbital strikes as a way to counter American advancements in shooting down ballistic missiles before they can threaten the US homeland. Last year, the US Nav y successfully intercepted a mock intercontinental ballistic missile. “I certainly can’t think of any technical precedent to a hypersonic glide vehicle releasing some sort of payload—implied to be a missile by the FT story,” said Ankit Panda, the Stanton senior fellow in the nuclear policy program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Bloomberg News

Sports BusinessMirror

| Tuesday, November 23, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Evangelista tops para chessfest

ARK CHRISTIAN EVANGELISTA swept all his five games—including a final round win over Ali Mohamed Charistma—to reign supreme in men’s B2 of the 2021 Pilipinas Para Games (PPG) online chess competition on Sunday night. Evangelista beat Martin

Lucero, Ireneo Melchor Pizzaro, Jr., Abraham Peligro and Charles Vincent Talusan to claim the gold medal and pocket the top purse worth P30,000 courtesy of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Pizzaro and Peligro bagged silver and bronze, respectively and banked P20,000 and P10,000. They also got

KALEI MAU and the Cargo Movers are going strong in the Champions League.

the chance to make the national para team as they face the country’s top players before the year ends. “We thank the PSC for supporting our grassroots development program of the national para chess team,” tournament director James Infiesto said. “The future of Philippine para chess could come from this new batch players.” John Franz de Asis ruled the men’s P1 division section followed by Eric Abanco and Jordaine Tupaz.

PATAFA UNYIELDING, EJ GAINS ALLIES

TNT prevails in PBA 3x3 inaugural leg

NT Tropang Giga swept its way to the championship of the Philippine Basketball Association 3x3 Lakas Ng Tatlo maiden leg capping its domination with a 21-18 victory over Meralco in Sunday’s finale at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Filipino-American Jeremiah Gray showed the way for the Tropang Giga with 11 points, including four in a row that pushed his team at match point, 20-17, inside the final 1:50 of the winner-take-all match. The Bolts made one final push behind Dexter Maiquez, before Almond Vosotros sealed the deal for TNT by nailing the second of his two free throws, sparking an on-court celebration by the Tropang Giga. The victory was worth P100,000 for the winning team, which completed a seven-game romp of the two-day meet. The championship was the second in almost a month for the TNT franchise after its 5-on-5 team ruled the Philippine Cup to end a six-year title drought. “It was tough. Never did we imagine that we would win it all or never lose a game,” said TNT coach Mau Belen, the pioneering lady head coach who won the title in her pro league debut. “We only had two or three weeks to train together and one week with Jeremiah, so there’s nothing really to expect. But the boys just gave it their all.” Samboy de Leon added four, while Vosotros and Lervin Flores each had three to round out the scoring for the Tropang Giga, who made the finals by beating Purefoods TJ Titans, 20-16, in the semifinals. Tonino Gonzaga carried the fight with eight points for Meralco, which settled for the runner-up purse of P50,000. The Bolts, coached by Patrick Fran, made some noise in the other semis pairing when they upended title contender Platinum Karaoke, 18-14. Joseph Eriobu scored eight points in a 22-16 Purefoods romp over Platinum Karaoke in the battle for third place worth P30,000. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and 3x3 Chairman Richard Bachmann handed out the giant replica cheques to the top three finishers, along with Tournament Director Joey Guanio and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas 3x3 Program Director Ronnie Magsanoc. During the knockout quarterfinals, Purefoods edged Terrafirma, 20-19, Meralco ousted Cavitex, 22-19, TNT whipped Barangay Ginebra, 21-14, and Platinum Karaoke barely survived San Miguel Beer in a low-scoring game, 9-8. The second leg will be held on November 24 and 25.

MAU, CARGO MOVERS IMMACULATE IN LIPA

THE Athletes Commission comes to Ernest John “EJ” Obiena’s rescue.

By Josef Ramos

HE Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) on Monday maintained its stand against Asian pole vault champion Ernest John Obiena, who a day after slamming his federation, started to gather allies from the athletes’ front.

The Patafa said in a statement released on Monday that it took exception to Obiena’s threat of retirement after he was compelled to return €85,000 (P4.8 million) in financial assistance for his Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov’s salary. The Patafa rebuffed Obiena’s claim of “character assassination,” stating that the investigation conducted by the federation Board “was purely internal and kept away from the public.” It was, however, leaked to the media. The federation said that it acted on a statement signed by Petrov, who informed the Patafa that he did not receive payment for his services to Obiena. Petrov’s earlier claim was backed by a signed affidavit by Sergey Bubka, the former superstar pole vaulter who is now president of the Ukraine Olympic Committee. Bubka is also the senior vice president of World Athletics. “Instead of facing the committee, however, Obiena organized a virtual press conference to press ‘the full and public withdrawal of the investigation and a full public apology from the

Manila five forces do-or-die Game 3

authorities involved’ in the probe,” the Patafa statement also said. The statement added: “The Patafa, however, is bent on asking Obiena if he had paid Petrov on time, as he had claimed in various liquidation reports he submitted to the association.” The Athletes Commission of the Philippine Olympic Committee, meanwhile, called Obiena’s feud with his federation as a “national issue that needs to be resolved soon.” “I consider this as a national issue and that’s a big loss for our country if we don’t resolve it,” The Athletes Commission said. Commission chairman Nikko Huelgas, a champion triathlete, said. “Time is running out for our athletes who need to train for upcoming events, especially in the case of EJ who has a chance of winning a medal.” Obiena, a Tokyo Olympian who is now ranked No. 5 in the world in men’s pole vault, threatened to retire from the sport if Patafa doesn’t retract and make a public apology. He is based in Italy and was in Rome with Petrov when he made the online press conference on Sunday evening. Huelgas said that Obiena is virtually guaranteed to win gold medals at the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in May and the Hangzhou Asian Games in September. The Athletes Commission, Huelgas

said, already filed Obiena’s grievances to the POC Ethics Committee chaired by Patrick “Pato” Gregorio of rowing. “We are always here for the athletes and we are trying our best to support them,” Huelgas said. “He wanted the POC’s help so we assisted him in filing an incident report.” Huelgas revealed that this isn’t the first time that the Patafa feuded with its athletes. He said Rio de Janeiro Olympic marathoner Mary Joy Tabal also sought the Athletes Commission’s help regarding her personal sponsors that ran against Patafa’s marketing policies. Huelgas, however, clarified that the Athletes Commission’s actions are “recommendatory” and that the POC has the final say. Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz expressed support for Obiena and posted “Support” on her Facebook account from her base in Malacca, Malaysia. Senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao released a statement on Monday in support of Obiena, saying“as a fellow athlete, I feel what EJ is feeling at the moment. I’ve been in his shoes many times.” “Patafa officials, please fix this,” said Pacquiao, who tried to woo Obiena not to retire and continue competing for the country. “There will always be people who want to stop you from succeeding but we will continue rooting for you.”

of the game. But San Juan refused to give up the fight and drained eight straight points led by Paolo Hernandez, Alvin Abundo and Orlan Wamar to cut the deficit to nine, 69-60, with 2:38 left. The Knights even came close in the last 1:40 after Rhenz Abando’s triple to trail 70-65, but the Manila dribblers protected their lead for good as San Juan ran out of time.

Manila and San Juan go for all the marbles Monday night for the inaugural title. Jessie James Collado also contributed 11 points and six rebounds for Manila, while Michael Mabulac added 10 boards on top of seven points. Abando and Adrian Nocum were the only double-digit scorers for San Juan with 16 and 11 points.

ICC Manila outlasted San Juan City’s late surge to post a 74-70 victory and forge a winner-take-all match for the FilBasket title at the Subic gym on Sunday. Still reeling from an 80-74 Game One defeat in their best-of-three

championship affair Saturday, the Manila dribblers got back into business with Chris Bitoon and Hesed Gabo leading the assault. Bitoon finished with 13 points while Gabo chipped in 12 points for Manila, who led by as many as 17 points, 67-50, in the last 5:54

TIGER WOODS: MAKING PROGRESS

NE swing, two words and three seconds of a video was all it took from Tiger Woods to get everyone talking Sunday about his future on the golf course. Woods had not made a public comment about injuries from his February 23 car accident in Los Angeles since May, and he didn’t have a lot to offer on Twitter. “Making progress,” was all he said, accompanied by the video of a smooth swing with a wedge. Woods was wearing a black compression sleeve on his right leg, with a large bucket halffilled with golf balls on a practice range. He also had a launch monitor behind him that measures such metrics as distance and ball speed. Woods was recovering from

another back procedure at the start of the year when he ran his SUV over a median and it toppled down a steep hill on a winding, sweeping road in the Los Angeles suburbs on his way to a television shoot at a golf course. Doctors said he shattered tibia and fibula bones on his right leg in multiple locations. Those were stabilized by a rod in the tibia. A combination of screws and pins were used to stabilize additional injuries in the ankle and foot. In an interview published May 27 in Golf Digest, with which Woods has a financial deal, he described the rehabilitation from this surgery as “more painful than anything I

have ever experienced.” He said at the time his top priority was “walking on my own.” He took care of that already, with videos on social media in the last month showing him walking on golf courses during junior events. Woods has not played since the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, last December. His last full tournament was the Masters one year ago in November. AP TIGER WOODS posts a short video of him swinging a wedge. AP

Avaricio, Uy aim high at Riviera Ladies Challenge

THE Tropang Giga are having fun after their winning run.

WO talented players still in pursuit of a breakthrough on the Ladies Philippines Golf Tour (LPGT) seek to finally hit paydirt as Chanelle Avaricio and Daniella Uy step up their drive for the elusive win in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Riviera Ladies Challenge beginning on Wednesday at the Couples course in Silang, Cavite. Avaricio earned a crack at an LPGT diadem twice but got foiled by Princess Superal at Sherwood and Eagle RidgeNorman last July, settling for a pair of runner-up finishes that only made the Alabama State U alumna, who placed

fourth at Eagle Ridge-Aoki last March and wound up fourth and sixth at Eagle Ridge-Aoki and Tagaytay Highlands, respectively, recently hungrier for recognition. Uy has contended in a number of LPGT chases, even leading a couple of tournaments but just couldn’t put up that strong finishing kick needed to anchor one’s title drive. But after finishing tied for second with multi-titled Chihiro Ikeda in wicked conditions at Highlands, the former Junior World champion hopes to seal the deal this week. But the rest in the 20-player roster

are also going all out for top honors in the P750,000 championship, the first two of bubble events set at Riviera and the third-to-last in a five-tournament swing marking the third restart of the tour put up by ICTSI and held under strict health and safety measures. Riviera’s Langer layout will host the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Championship from December 1 to 3 before the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-organized circuit heads back to Tagaytay for the ICTSI Midlands Ladies Classic, which Ikeda ruled via playoff over Pauline del Rosario in 2019.

2 LOGISTICS remained invincible for the third straight game by outplaying Petro Gazz, 25-16, 25-23, 25-14, to keep the solo lead in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League at the Aquamarine Recreational Center in Lipa City on Monday. Star spiker Kalei Mau torched the Angels with 18 kills and two blocks for 21 points, while Aby Maraño and Kianna Dy added nine points each to guide the Cargo Movers to a 3-0 win-loss card, putting them two games away from sweeping the weeklong tournament. “I think we did pretty good. For me individually, I can’t say that I did a good job but it’s all my teammates who made this win,” the 26-year-old Filipino-American Mau said. “[Setter] Iris [Tolenada] and I are really working hard on our connection during training.” “I am really proud of her. Without her, I couldn’t make those points,” added the 6-foot-2 Mau of Tolenada who dished out 22 excellent sets. “I am also proud of my teammates for playing scrappy defense.” F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus didn’t expect the result to end in straight sets saying that Petro Gazz always fights for every possession. “We didn’t expect that straight set win. I think they were just tired,” said de Jesus, referring to Petro Gazz’s five-set win over Chery Tiggo last Sunday. “But we respected every team here whether it’s professional or not.” F2 Logistics’ faces Tuguegarao Perlas at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Marivic Meneses led the Angels with 11 points as Petro Gazz fell to its first defeat in three matches. Chery Tiggo banked on its strong defense behind Justine Dorog to stave off the challenge of California Precision Sports (CPS), 25-22, 27-25, 25-23, and recover from a stinging five-set defeat to Petro Gazz the night before. Dorog, playing out of University of the Philippines, came up with 15 receptions, 10 digs and seven kills to support Mylene Paat’s 17 points she highlighted with 16 kills that handed the Crossovers their second victory against one loss. The Premier Volleyball League Open Conference champion Crossovers opted to sparingly use Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who booked a tournament-high 37 points on top of 35 kills and two blocks in their 25-22, 20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 1115 loss to the Angels last Sunday. Joy Docoron had seven points, while Manabat added seven points along with 10 receptions in the game that lasted one hour and 26 minutes. The week-long tournament is supported by Rebisco, Pitmaster Foundation Inc., Top Speed, 1Pacman Partylist, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee as platinum sponsors and F2 Logistics, Asics, PLDT, MVP Sports Foundation and Mikasa as gold sponsors and BCDA, Philippine Red Cross, Lipa City, Davis Paint and Emerald PVC Pipes, Fittings and Doors as silver sponsors and PNVF godfather Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. Casiey Dongallo posted 23 points, including two blocks, and Jelai Gajero with 14 points on top of 13 digs and seven receptions for CPS. The Tuguegarao Perlas Spikers claimed their second victory in three matches by routing winless Baguio City, 25-10, 25-5, 25-14, behind Jho Maraguinot’s 10 points on top of six service points. Cza Carandang contributed nine points, Roma Joy Doromal added eight points, while Norielle Ipac had six points. The games are live streamed over the PNVF official web site volleyballphilippines.com, iWantTFC for local and international audiences, Puso Pilipinas and Smart Sports Facebook pages and YouTube channels and Gigaplay. Josef Ramos