BusinessMirror October 19, 2021 by BusinessMirror

‘No policy rate tweaks anymore for 2021’ By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

ITH the last two monetary policy meetings in 2021, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is likely to maintain the interest rates for the rest of the year amid the manageable inflation level. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a TV interview on Monday that their accommodative monetary policy settings will stay until the end of the year. “It appears that there won’t be any policy rate adjustments between now and the end of the year,” he said. In the last monetary policy meeting, the Monetary Board kept the in-

terest rate on the overnight reverse repurchase facility at 2 percent. Overnight deposit and lending facilities were also untouched at 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively. This is in contrast with what is happening for some other central banks, which have decided to increase their interest rates. “They fear inflation and...they see their exchange rate deteriorating so fast. As a result, some of them have adjusted the policy rates,” Diokno said. He reiterated, however, that the country has a “hefty” gross international reserves amounting to $108 billion, in addition to inflow of overseas Filipino remittances, receipts

from the business-process outsourcing sector and exports. “We are fairly comfortable that we don’t need to raise interest rates at this time,” he said. In addition, Diokno maintained that the inflation this year is expected to average at 4.5 percent. This is seen to further ease to 3.3 percent and 3.2 percent in the next two years. “That is within our target band of 2-4 percent. That’s what we mean that it is transitory,” he said. Consumer prices in September eased to 4.8 percent from 4.9 percent a month earlier, bringing the average figure to 4.5 percent. The BSP chief, who shrugged off concerns over stagflation, said they

are also sticking with the economic growth forecast of 4 to 5 percent this year by the Development Budget Coordination Committee. “Stagflation means low growth and high unemployment. That is not within our prognosis,” he stressed. “The economy will pick up in the fourth quarter of this year. In fact, there may be some good numbers that will come out from third quarter,” he added. He said the GDP will continue to be supported by exports, imports, foreign direct investments and OFW remittances. The last two monetary policy meetings are scheduled in November and December.

SPENDING ON INFRA UP 60.2% TO P70.9B IN AUG

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 Vol. 17 No. 11

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 20 pages |

Govt has no funds for firms’ 13th mo subsidy

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

TATE infrastructure spending in August surged by 60.2 percent year-on-year to P70.9 billion on the back of implementation of various projects.

Latest data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed the government disbursed more on infrastructure and other capital outlays in August this year compared to the same month in 2020 when it spent P44.3 billion. The pickup in infrastructure spending was also one of the main growth drivers of overall government spending during the month. Overall government spending in August hit P380.2 billion, rising by 34.2 percent from P283.3 billion in the same period a year ago. “Infrastructure and other capital expenditures will continue to drive government disbursements for the remaining months as payables for completed and partially completed infrastructure activities become due and demandable, alongside the regular operating expenditures of various line departments,” the DBM said in its report. Among the infrastructure projects that were implemented were various road infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways such as construction/completion/repair/ rehabilitation/improvement of government buildings, access, bypass, and diversion roads, bridges, flood mitigation structures and drainage systems and aviation sector infrastructure projects of the Department of Transportation in particular the Tacloban, Kalibo, and Bukidnon Airport Projects. Apart from these, projects under the Revised AFP Modernization Program of the Department of National Defense; and capital outlay projects of State Universities and Colleges such as the Smart Campuses Program were also implemented. For January to August, state infrastructure spending also jumped by 44.6 percent to P570.4 billion from last year’s P394.5 billion. Mainly due to higher infrastructure spending, overall government spending also picked up by 10.9 percent to P2.96 trillion from P2.67 trillion in the same eight-month period in 2020.

PEOPLE flock to the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach on Roxas Boulevard in Manila early Monday morning. The project was opened to the public on October 16, 2021, the same day the IATF placed Metro Manila under Covid-19 Alert Level 3. NONIE REYES

BEST TO PREPARE FOR CHINA FALLOUT–SALCEDA By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

HE Philippines’s economic managers should stay vigilant as China’s third quarter growth slowed to a disappointing 4.9 percent amid the debt crisis surrounding that country’s largest property developer Evergrande, the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means said on Monday. Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, an economist, said the Philippines should now have contingencies to insulate the country from spillover effects. “I don’t think we are headed for disaster, but it’s best to prepare,” he said in a statement. “ There are signs that the

situation with Evergrande is systemic. New construction in September slowed down for a sixth straight month in China, that country’s longest period of monthly declines since 2015. There is also another real-estate company that defaulted on its debts,” said Salceda. Although the Chinese economic authorities are trying to allay market fears, he said, “I would be on high alert, especially since many of our big conglomerates have exposure in the Chinese realestate market.” Salceda was referring to a liquidity crisis at China Evergrande Group, which has more than $300 billion in liabilities. The development has rocked global markets.

“Evergrande is not the only company in trouble. The South China-based luxury real-estate developer Fantasia Holdings also said it failed to make a $206-million US dollar bond payment two weeks ago. This is even when the company reported revenue of about $1.7 billion for the first six months of 2021, an 18.5-percent increase from a year earlier, and net profit of $23.7 million,” Salceda added. Earlier, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Evergrande’s default would have no direct impact on Philippine banks and the economy. “Philippine banks are largely domestic-oriented with cross border exposures or claims from

counterparties in other countries at 9.4 percent of total banking system assets,” he added.

Prepare early

ACCORDING to Salceda, the country’s experience with global systemic risks is that the “earlier it prepares, the better it performs.” “That’s what we did during the Global Financial Crisis. In January 2008, back when people were still debating whether there was a real recession, we already prepared a package of agriculture projects, front-loaded infrastructure, cash-for-work, and other programs to stimulate the Philippine economy and insulate it from any spillover effects from the West,” Salceda said. See “China fallout,” A2

HE government lacks funds to grant the proposed cash subsidy to help companies pay the 13th-month pay of their workers, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III issued the statement after Vice President Leonor “Leni” Robredo urged the government at the weekend to give a stimulus package for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) so they could afford giving the 13thmonth benefits. As early as last year, Bello said they had requested the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for a P60-billion budget to give a wage subsidy to firms heavily affected by the business disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “But we were told the government cannot afford the budgetary requirements so we no longer reiterated our proposal for the wage subsidy for employers,” Bello said during a virtual press briefing on Monday. Instead of the wage subsidy, the government opted to extend “soft loans” to MSMEs to pay the 13th-month pay of their employees through the Small Business Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). For this year, DTI already announced it will initially allocate P200 million to once again provide a similar zero-interest loan to qualified establishments. Despite the onset of the pandemic last year, Bello said they did not get any mass reports of companies which failed to pay the 13th-month pay of their workers. “In fairness to the employers, in 2020, we did not get any complaints of non-payment for the 13th month. If there were, it may only be isolated cases,” Bello said. Earlier this month, some business leaders said many companies will have a hard time paying the mandated benefit under Presidential Decree 851 due to the prolonged disruptions caused by quarantine restrictions on their operations. Samuel P. Medenilla

See “Spending,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.6860

n JAPAN 0.4436 n UK 69.7338 n HK 6.5179 n CHINA 7.8754 n SINGAPORE 37.6093 n AUSTRALIA 36.5634 n EU 58.8160 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5137

Source: BSP (October 18, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, October 19, 2021

BOI greenlights ₧549-M irradiation facility in Rizal

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@Tyronepiad

HE Board of Investments (BOI) greenlighted the P549-million irradiation facility in Tanay, Rizal, which qualifies for incentives under the tax reform package. In a statement on Monday, the BOI said it approved the project of Irradiation Solutions Inc. (ISI) as a new operator of essential services under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. The investment by ISI will cover the construction and operation of a commercial irradiation facil-

ity. It will use an electron-beam technology, technically known as Corad UELR-1015S-10 MeV Linear Accelerator. The facility is slated for operations by June 2023, employing up to 43 workers. The facility will mainly service the local importers, exporters and traders, earning through irradia-

China fallout… Salceda was an economic adviser to then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Salceda said she instructed her advisers to prepare a package for the country as soon as she returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos

Continued from A1

in January 2008. “The President sensed from her meetings with world leaders that time that the world was headed for trouble. So, we crafted contingencies early,” he said. “China is closer to home, so I

tion treatment fee charge. The BOI said that “irradiation is a recognized processing and preservation technique wherein food and non-food products are exposed to ionizing radiation such as gamma rays, x-rays or accelerated electrons from electron beam machines.” “This technology is responsible for the reduction of microbes or decontamination [among spices, herbs, cosmetic raw materials], quarantine treatment [fruits and vegetables], elimination of pathogens [frozen/chilled meat], sprout inhibition [onions, garlic, potatoes] and sterilization [in medical devices, packaging, bone grafts],” it added. The attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry explained that the facility will boost the country’s food irradiation capacity. Currently, the only e-beam ir-

would be a bit more proactive than when we were in 2007 to 2008,” Salceda added. Meanwhile, Sa lceda said a low-hang ing pac k age to prepare the Philippines from poss i ble sho c k s shou ld i nc lude f a st - t r ac k i ng i n f r a st r uc t u re next year; increasing food production; a proactive rol lback of polic y rate reductions early

radiation facility in the country is owned by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute with an annual capacity of 440 metric tons (MT). The ISI’s facility adds 25,000 MT annual capacity. “The project is aligned with the government’s Covid-19 response in building food resilience through the adoption of innovative technologies to reduce postharvest losses and increase shelflife of agri-fisheries products and food commodities. It will also promote muchneeded additional economic activity throughout the agriculture value chain through increased quality of production as well as enabling local products to be of export quality and thus be able to access wider international markets,” Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said. next year so the countr y can adjust them dow nward again should it encounter the threat of a slowdow n later next year; and continued spending on programs like Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPA D) of the Department of Labor and Employ ment. “We are starting from a low base so we should grow quickly next year,” he said. “I also hope the Financial Stability Coordination Council assesses the risk soon and assures us that there is nothing much to worry about. I think we will be okay, especially with contingencies in place,” Salceda added.

Opportunity

MEANWHILE, Salceda said waning confidence in Chinese growth could also be an “opportunity in disguise” for the Philippines. Salceda said, however, the Philippines should now open its economy to more investments, including from companies seeking to diversify supply chains. “CREATE [Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises law] is the greatest tool in this regard, but we also need to enact the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Public Service Act, and the Foreign Investments Act this year,” Salceda said. “If some sort of capital flight happens in China, it will all have to go somewhere. If our economy is not open enough, it will be like catching rainwater with a thimble. Let’s open some of our archaic restrictions, so that when it rains, we have something bigger to catch water with,” Salceda added.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DOLE leases temporary shelters for distressed OFW wards in Saudi By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) rented temporary shelters in the city of Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to accommodate additional numbers of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFW). Labor Secretar y Silvestre H. Bello III said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Jeddah adopted the measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in its half-way home. “We have to recourse or resort to this measure because of the increasing cases of Covid. Right now we are talking about 253 wards in our shelter in Jeddah. That is overcrowded already,” Bello said in an online press briefing last Monday. The labor chief issued the explanation after migrant advocates and labor groups raised concern

over the announcement of the POLO-Jeddah that it stopped accepting distressed female OFWs last Thursday “in compliance [with] the health protocol” set by the Saudi government. In an advisory, the POLOJeddah instructed relatives of the distressed OFWs “to contact the foreign recruitment agency of the said worker to provide the needed accommodation.” Bello, however, said he also instructed officials to allocate an additional budget to the concerned POLO so it could rent additional shelters. He said the measure is only temporary until they could bring home some of the current wards of the said shelter. “We just have to resort to a creative approach by renting additional venues that could accommodate additional wards,” Bello said. “Hopefully, this October 27, the 253 [wards] will be repatriated,” he added.

“We just have to resort to a creative approach by renting additional venues that could accommodate additional wards.”

SILVESTRE BELLO III

SECRETARY OF DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

As Duterte signs LPG industry law, DOE registration required

ULK suppliers, refillers and bulk consumers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) must now get the necessary registration and licenses from the Department of Energy (DOE) to operate. This after President Duterte finally signed Republic Act (RA) 11592 or LPG Industry Regulation Act last Thursday. Under the new law, LPG industry participants (LIP) must register with DOE before they could start constructing LPG terminals and refilling plants. They will also be mandated to get a license to operate from DOE, which will remain valid for three years or for any period as may be determined by the said agency. Those parties which will engage in the importation, requalification, manufacture, or repair of LPG pressure vessels must also obtain the applicable

certificates from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). LIPs, which are already operating prior to the passage of RA 11592, are given six months from the promulgation of the said law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to comply with the requirements. Violators of the provision of RA 11592 could be fined from P5,000 to as high as P20,000 for each day of operation without the required licenses, permits and certificate or registration, depending on the number of their offenses. DOE and DTI are required to come out with the IRR of the new law 60 days after its effectiveness. RA 11592 will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation. Samuel P. Medenilla

RITM CLEARS RED CROSS Spending… IN COVID-TESTING CASES Continued from A1

For this year, the government has programmed to increase its spending for infrastructure to P1.019 trillion, equivalent to 5.1 percent of the country’s GDP. Last year, it spent P869.5 billion on infrastructure, or 4.8 percent of the country’s GDP. The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee also further raised the infrastructure program to P1.29 trillion in 2022. It will then slightly taper off to P1.28 trillion in 2023 following the updated projections for the National Tax Allotment and the block grant to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao before reaching P1.35 trillion in 2024.

Continued from A12 The PRC also disclosed that it immediately conducted test re-runs at its own cost “due to the unusually high positive results; although the output remained the same. It further stated that the timing of tests done relative to exposure is a factor that may produce different results; thus, re-tests done in a different laboratory from samples taken three days after the first test could very well produce negative results since the clients could already be negative by the time the second samples were taken.” The PRC lamented that it has found itself a victim of

“unsubstantiated allegations” in recent months, expressing belief that it has something to do with the evidence against involved parties in the awarding of more than P8.7 billion in contracts for alleged overpriced medical supplies to an undercapitalized company under the Bayanihan to Heal Act. PRC currently has 14 molecular laboratories throughout the country and can run up to 48,000 tests a day. Its laboratories account for more than 21 percent of all tests conducted in the Philippines. To date, PRC has conducted more than 4.6 million tests. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

The Nation BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Julian Ongpin indicted for cocaine possession By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

PA NEL of prosecutors formed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted Julian Roberto Ongpin, son of billionaire and former trade chief Roberto Ongpin, for possession of illegal drugs (cocaine). A criminal complaint for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against Ongpin before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in San Fernando, La Union. The justice department said the criminal offense is non-bailable and that a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) has earlier been issued by the executive judge of the RTC last October 8. “The panel of prosecutors assigned to conduct the preliminary investigation of the complaint entitled Philippine National Police [PNP] San Juan La Union vs. Julian Roberto S. Ongpin issuedresolutiondated18October2021 andresolvedtoindictrespondentJulian Roberto Ongpin y Stone for possession of dangerous drugs [i.e. cocaine] under Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” the DOJ said. The panel of prosecutors conducted two preliminary investigation hearings, which were both attended by Ongpin, before issuing its ruling. The case stemmed from the recovery of 12.6 grams of cocaine in the room that Ongpin shared with his girlfriend 30-year-old Bree Jonson at Flotsam and Jetsam Resort in La Union. The cocaine was discovered after authorities responded to a report of attempted suicide at the resort and found Jonson unconscious in a room. Jonson was brought to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Ongpin claimed that Jonson committed suicide as he found her hanging inside the bathroom, prompting him to seek assistance in bringing the latter to the hospital. Both Ongpin and Jonson reportedly tested positive for illegal drug use. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is still conducting an investigation to determine Jonson’s cause of death and Ongpin’s possible liability over the incident.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, October 19, 2021 A3

Four Chinese slain in Angeles City drugs ops; 38 kilos of shabu seized By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

ILI TA RY intel l igence agents and anti-illegal drugs operatives killed four Chinese men and seized at least 38 kilos of shabu during an operation in Pampanga on Monday. A report by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 3 said its agents in tandem with policemen and military intelligence agents recovered the drugs worth P262 million during the drug sting

at Punta Verde Subdivision Barangay Pulong Cacutud, Angeles City. The composite team also killed Cai Ya Bing, 29, native of Yuncheng City, Shanxi; Erbo Ke, 34, of Quanzhou City, Fujian; Huang Guidong,44, of Zhang Zhou, Fujian; and Wuyuan Shen alias Jinpeng Zhang, 41, of Zhang Zhou, Fujian, all of China. Authorities said that PDEA agents secured a drug deal from the group that resulted in the conduct of the anti-drug operation and armed encounter. Aside from the drugs, the operating team also recovered four .45

caliber pistol; two mobile phones; a weighing scale with charger; and marked money used by the PDEA operatives.

ASG nabbed

IN Zamboanga City, members of the Philippine National Police-Anti Kidnapping Group (AKG) arrested a member and negotiator of the Abu Sayyaf Group in its kidnapping activities. AKG Director Brig. Gen. Rudolph Dimas reported to PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar that Adzrimar Sali

4 minors may have experienced adverse effects after vaccination By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

OUR children have experienced adverse effects after the rollout of the Covid-19 pediatric vaccination of the government on October 15, based on an “unofficial” report gathered by the Department of Health (DOH). Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire clarified that the initial report on adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is not yet official. “Let me caution all of you, it’s not official yet,” Vergeire said during the DOH Beat Covid-19 Media Forum, stressing that official reports will be coming from the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) VigiFlow, the national database of adverse reactions.

These children, she said, have experienced high blood pressure, stress and allergic reaction. Vergeire also stressed that these adverse reactions were “managed” immediately. A total of 1,509 minors, aged 12 to17, have received the Covid-19 vaccine doses as of October 16. Participating hospitals for the pediatric vaccinations are: Philippine Heart Center, Makati Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City, Pasig City Children’s Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, and National Children’s Hospital. There are around 1.2 million children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 in the country, according to the DOH.

Second phase commences

OVER 144,000 minors are expected

to be vaccinated in the second phase of the government’s pediatric vaccination drive this week, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya disclosed the second phase will cover 144,131 children in the 15 to 17 years old age group. The second phase will run from October 22 to 31, 2022. “Our priority will be those who have comorbidities,” Malaya said in a television interview last Monday. Last week, the government started administering novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) jabs to 1,151 minors in eight Metro Manila hospitals managed by the Department of Health (DOH) hospitals. With Samuel P. Medenilla

Ammat alias Abu Omar, 30, resident of TabuBatu,Maimbung,Suluwasarrested over the weekend in Barangay Kampo Islam,LowerCalarian,ZamboangaCity. Dimas said Abu Omar negotiated for the ASG in the case of Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall who were held by the local terrorist group. Ridsdel and Hall were beheaded by the ASG in Talipao, Sulu, on April 25, 2016 and June 13, 2016, respectively. Norwegian Kjartan Sekingstad and Filipino Maritess Flor, who were also among those taken, were released on June 24, 2016. The kid-

napping happened on September 21, 2015 at the Holiday Oceanview Resort in Samal, Davao del Norte. Dimas said two more kidnap victims, who requested anonymity, pointed to Abu Omar as their kidnapper. One of the two kidnap victims was released in December 2015, while the other was released on June 2, 2014. The warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention against Abu Omar was issued by Judge Abdulmoin Pakam of Regional Trial Court, Branch 5 in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, on September 2, 2019.

DOH records addl 633 Delta, 6 Beta, 3 Alpha variant cases By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

HE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported the detection of additional 633 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases, six Beta (B.1.351) variant cases, and three Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant cases in the latest batch of whole genome sequencing conducted by the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC). “Very recent ’yang mga ’yan [That report on variants is very recent],” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at an online media forum, referring to the latest 748 samples in September and results were released on October 16. The Delta variant is the most common lineage (29.2 percent) among sequenced samples nationally. “The Beta variant comprises 21.8 percent among all samples se-

quenced, making it the second most common lineage, 19.4 percent or 2,935 samples positive for the Alpha variant, and 0.02 percent or three samples positive for the Gamma variant,” Vergeire said. “All regions and all National Capital Region [NCR] city/municipality either have Alpha or Beta variants detected,” Vergeire said. The P.3 variant, while initially observed in only one region, is now detected in all regions. “Local cases of Alpha and Beta can be directly linked to an introduction by an incoming international traveler,” Vergeire said noting that the Delta variant, initially detected from ROFs (returning overseas Filipinos), is now detected in all 17 regions and all NCR city/ municipality as well. Of 961 ROF samples sequenced, 645 (67 percent) were positive for a variant of concern.

Guevarra seeks inclusion of PDLs in immunization of general public

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said he would talk with National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. to explore the possibility of including persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the vaccination of general public considering the steady supply of vaccines against Covid-19. The justice chief admitted that congestion in various prisons facili-

ties necessitates the attention of government agencies tasked to control the Covid-19 pandemic. “We will make proper representation with the office of Secretary Galvez.... In addition to what the LGUs [local government units] can provide the crowded condition in prison facilities makes it necessary to give attention to the PDLs plight,” he said. Based on the Bureau of Corrections

data as of October 18, 2021, there are a total of 1,414 PDLs out of the 28,499 PDLs at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa have either been fully vaccinated or received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. For the Correction Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City with a population of 3,341 PDLs, a total of 3,100 PDLs have already been fully vaccinated. In San Ramon Prison and Penal

Farm in Talisayan, Zamboanga City, 214 PDLs out of the total 2,264 PDLs have been fully vaccinated. In Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte, 60 PDLs have been vaccinated out of the 7,195 total PDLs. None of the PDLs in Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro (with a total of 2,409 population), Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

(with a total population of 2,723) and the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte (with 2,080 total population) has been inoculated. On the other hand, out of the 2,218 BuCor personnel assigned at the NBP, a total of 965 have been vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines. Out of the total of 1,682 BuCor personnel in other penal colonies, a total of 588 have been vaccinated. Joel R. San Juan

Passage of Marawi Compensation bill pushed METRO SOUTH, CAVITE BRACE FOR WATER-SERVICE HITCH

N the occasion of the fourth year commemoration of the “liberation of Marawi” from an extremist siege, a party-list lawmaker on Monday urged Congress to fast-track the promised rehabilitation to the war-torn city through the immediate passage of the Marawi Compensation bill. Anak Mindanao Party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan, in a news statement, said the passage of the Marawi Compensation bill or House Bill 9925, will help the immediate return of the people to their homes. The lawmaker said rebuilding the lives of the displaced families should be given utmost importance. Sangcopan also asked President Duterte to certify as urgent the compensation bill, which has been passed on third and final reading in the House of Representatives. Lawmakers passed House Bill

9925 to create and institutionalize the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) to achieve the objectives set in the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program (MRRRP). The TFBM and its subcommittees shall function until the completion of the MRRRP and the fulfillment of the provisions of this proposal. The bill also grants private property owners a replacement cost for loss or destruction of property resulting from the MRRRP. The replacement cost shall be based on the current market value of the improvements and structure as determined by the implementing agency, a government financial institution with adequate experience in property appraisal, or an independent property appraiser accredited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). “One doesn’t have to experience

war to identify with the hardships of the people of Marawi. As a member of Congress, we are hoping and praying that the Marawi Compensation Act be legislated and commuted to Malacañang to become a law before the end of the year,” said Sangcopan. Sangcopan also lauded members of the Senate for the approval at the committee level of the Marawi Compensation bill, a measure calling for the provision of just compensation to the victims of the 2017 siege, including the damage and destruction to their property. “We wanted the basic principles and guidelines of international human rights and humanitarian laws on the right to remedy and reparation of persons whose rights were violated and whose economic, social and cultural rights were affected by armed conflicts are present,” she said. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

ARTS of Las Piñas, Makati, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Bacoor, Cavite City, Imus, and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario in Cavite province will experience water service interruption ranging from 25 to 85 hours between 11 a.m. of October 25, 2021 (Monday) and 11:59 p.m. of October 28, 2021 (Thursday) due to a flood-control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The DPWH project is designed to address the perennial flooding in Manila. It involves the installation of a drainage line along Cristobal St. in Sampaloc, Manila. However, there’s an existing water pipeline along Sobriedad corner Cristobal Street that is directly in the way of the drainage line to be laid by DPWH. Maynilad has to cut

off a part of its existing pipeline and replace it with a cross-under pipe. Due to the massive size of the affected water pipeline, estimated to be 7 feet in diameter, its realignment will take almost four days or 85 hours. Maynilad said in a news statement that while the service interruption due to this pipe realignment is in place, the company will also take the opportunity to conduct other smaller, parallel activities—including leak repairs in other areas and maintenance works in several pumping stations—which would otherwise require the implementation of separate service disruptions. To mitigate the impact of the pipe realignment activity, Maynilad is installing 14 stationary water tanks and deploying 60 mobile water tankers to serve areas that will experience three

straight days of interrupted supply. It will also tap the assistance of local government units and local fire bureaus to expand the available fleet of water tankers that can help deliver water to affected communities. The complete list of affected areas and their corresponding water inter r uption schedules may be viewed in Maynilad ’s web site (https://www.mayniladwater.com.ph/) and social-media accounts, Facebook (www.facebook.com/MayniladWater) and Twitter (@maynilad). Maynilad is also publishing a copy of the interruption schedule in select newspapers and tabloids (one on October 16, 2021, another on October 20, 2021), distributing flyers in the affected barangays, and disseminating SMS and email advisories to customers enrolled in Maynilad Alerts. Jonathan L. Mayuga

‘Balancing act’: DOTr eyes subsidy for PUV drivers amid fuel pump price increases By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

HE Department of Transportation (DOTr) will be doing “balancing act” in address-

ing fare hike petitions amid the continuous increase of gas prices in the market. Transportation officials said on Monday that they are now coordinating with concerned government

departments to create a subsidy program to cushion the impact of the oil price hikes to public-utility vehicle (PUV) drivers. “We have to find the right balance between the needs of the drivers and

the welfare of passengers, especially during the pandemic. So instead of an across the board increase, we are proposing subsidies for both drivers and passengers,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Last week transport groups filed before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) a joint petition for fare adjustment for jeepneys from P9 to P12. “The petition filed last week is be-

ing studied by the LTFRB. This will go through hearings so that LTFRB will be able to determine if there’s a need for a fare adjustment,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor said.

Economy

A4 Tuesday, October 19, 2021 Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL urged to review consumer laws By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@TyronePiad

PEER evaluation has revealed that the Philippines needs to review and amend its existing consumer laws based on the trends in the Asean region and focus on regulating digital transactions.

The Philippines is the first country to undergo the Asean Peer Review on Consumer Protection, which seeks to examine and enhance the current consumer protection systems. Atty. Anthony Abad, one of the country experts for the Philippine peer review, said the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the Product Safety and Standards and the related laws should be revisited and revised to improve consumer protection in the country. “It needs to be brought up to date,” he said. In doing so, Abad said, the country should study the consumer protection laws and regulations of its Asean neighbors and consider them when amending to further the cooperation in the region. “You have to harmonize any effort towards a holistic approach— the whole Asean dealing with consumer protection,” he added. The country expert also pointed out the need to create regulations for digital transactions amid the surge in e-commerce sales due to mobility restrictions amid the pandemic. He said these should include

the responsibility of the digital platforms, product inspection, product warranty and jurisdiction over cross-border transactions involving foreign sellers. “The way we regulate in order to regulate consumer protection must consider that large portion of transactions are in digital form. The responsibility of digital platforms, and the means by which we ensure the public of the integrity and safety of the products that are being sold have to be done with the means to apply these laws, even reaching out to digital transactions,” he explained. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently released a draft of a joint administrative order (JAO) aimed at enhancing consumer confidence in e-commerce transactions. The draft seeks to instruct the online merchants and e-commerce platforms to adhere with relevant laws, including the rules and regulation on the sale, distribution, production, importation, marketing, sale and transport of products. It was also recommended to have more product testing centers outside the major cities, in addition to clarifying the rules regarding mandatory product testing. “We have very few testing centers, and the most reliable testing centers are only here in Metro Manila, which means you are limited to coming to Metro Manila in order to test products, even if it is random testing,” Abad shared.

What should we be worried about as we move closer to 2022?

to web sites asking victims to provide their personal and banking information to complete the transaction. The Facebook personal data breach and the examples of fraud highlighted by the NPC are clear signs that we have to be much more aware of fraudsters and have to protect our personal data.

The new energy crisis hitting the world

By Henry J. Schumacher

VER 1.5 billion Facebook users’ personal data found for sale on hacker forum. ARE you scared about the latest bad news about Facebook that private and personal data from more than 1.5 billion Facebook users was found for sale on a hacker forum? I am! Reported by privacy research company Privacy Affairs, the data found for sale doesn’t indicate that the seller actually broke into Facebook’s systems, nor that its data tied to any other data breach. Instead, Privacy Affairs said that the data was allegedly obtained by scraping publicly available data shared by Facebook users. The fact that the data stolen and for sale is publicly available shouldn’t ease anyone’s fears: That data can still be used to compromise users’ security and privacy. In particular, the stolen data contains names, e-mail addresses, locations, gender, phone numbers and Facebook User ID information. Each bit of that data could clue an attacker into password challenge answers, allow them to intercept one-time login codes, phish, send scam text messages and more. If you are scared also, be very careful in sharing your data on social media!

Privacy Commission is telling the public to be more vigilant of cyber-security attacks

THE Philippines is the top target of bank trojan in Asia-Pacific, especially after the country ramped up the digitalization of its financial system. In this context I am happy that the National Privacy Commission (NPC) ordered 58 local government units (LGUs) to comply with the privacy laws in their enforcement of contract tracing efforts amid recent reports of “smishing” attacks. Smishing happens when fraudsters send mobile text messages to victims, tricking them into clicking malicious web sites. These sites may steal users’ personal data, introduce mobile malware, and even commit fraud. The NPC noted that smishing can also be present in online shopping or delivery, sending a shortened link that leads

ENERGY experts have been reporting dramatic figures for days: the price of Brent oil has doubled within a year, the price of gas rose by 130 percent, and that for coal by as much as 342 percent. The figures show: The world is facing a new energy crisis—a crisisthataffectsalmostalleconomicareas. From an economic point of view, a dangerous mixture is brewing here. Because it is energy prices that drive inflation rates up month after month. This will obviously affect us in the Philippines too.

Supply chain disruptions are slowing global recovery

FLUCTUATING demand, supplier disruption, and new routes to market all require agile supply chain responses that keep goods flowing and customers happy. Covid-19 has accelerated digitization to help with these responses, but supply chain and aftersales operations still face an uncertain future. Should companies reduce cost and complexity or maximize sales? Which supply chain investments will deliver the quickest returns? Covid-19 has forced supply chains to reimagine manufacturing operations. It involves tracking production, inventory, suppliers, and logistics to restore local, regional and international operations without disrupting current trade. This massive move requires elaborate data processing and analytics to move and manage supply chain operations. A typical transportation management system only does half the job. But, a holistic logistics intelligence system with operational modeling capacities helps business to reassess operational decisions based on inventory data and real-time status because smart shipping decisions are datapowered. Having instant and accurate access to distribution center activity, real-time carrier delivery status helps to mitigate the financial risks involved in supply chain management. A logistics intelligence system not only helps you optimize your supply chain networks but also optimize packages for healthy shipping rates and reduced overhead costs and penalties. Need help setting up a logistics intelligence system to expand and profit from your supply chain operations? Take proactive steps to optimize your supply chain today. Feedback is appreciated; please contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

TB care in PHL declines–WHO

HE Covid-19 pandemic may have reversed the gains in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment, including in the Philippines, which is one of the highest TB burden countries in the world, according to the World

Health Organization (WHO). In its Global Tuberculosis Report 2021, the WHO TB treatment in countries like the Philippines have become “worryingly low” in 2020. WHO said the Philippines is one

of the eight high TB burden countries in the world and which has seen an estimated treatment coverage of only 50 percent in 2020. “Eight high TB burden countries had worryingly low levels of treat-

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 A5 ment coverage in 2020, with best estimates of below 50 percent: Central African Republic, Gabon, Indonesia, Lesotho, Liberia, Mongolia, Nigeria and the Philippines,” WHO said. “The major reversals of previous

progress in increasing the number of people newly diagnosed with TB each year have badly impacted progress towards the global TB treatment targets set at the UN high-level meeting,” it added. Cai U. Ordinario

BusinessMirror

A6 Tuesday, October 19, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

24/7 BUSINESS PROCESSING INC. 5th-6th-7th Flr., 81 Newport Bl Newport City, Brgy. 183, Pasay City

LIANG, NAN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) Brief Job Description: Assist clients will all their concerns

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

14.

PANG, HUAJUN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 2.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

15.

SHAO, JUNTAO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 3.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories

PAN, NA Chinese Speaking Business Consultant Brief Job Description: Plan, Organize and Manage Business Projects for Clients

WAN, KUN Chinese Speaking Business Consultant 16.

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

GU, AIGUO Chinese Production Planner Technician

Brief Job Description: Act as communication Liason between Low-Leval Employees and Senior Management

HUANG, BIAO Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 17.

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

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues co workers have with their IT Systems and Software

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. B21 Three E-com Moa Complex, Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore, Brgy. 076, Pasay City PLAIKAEW, SIRAPRAPA Investigation Specialist I 4.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for a wide range of duties related to the investigation and elimination of online ecommerce risk.

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Thai and English language

LIN, WEIHONG Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 18.

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

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

AMDOCS PHILIPPINES INC. 23rd, 25th, And 26th Floors Eco Tower, 32nd St. Cor. 9th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

CHANDARANA, CHETAN KANTIKUMAR Solution Manager 5.

Brief Job Description: Leads the solution continuous scoping to achieve an effective solution that meets the customer’s needs

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with experience in managing, leading designs of solutions and providing customer value and addressing customer’s KPI

PARK, JIYOUNG Office Manager 6.

Brief Job Description: Manages and approves administrative concerns and coordinates with head quarter all issues and concerns regarding the company operations, system, requests and website.

Brief Job Description: In charge of monitoring the progress & report to the management about the result of the project

Brief Job Description: Performs variety of complex paraprofessional duties GUO, SHANCHAO Chinese Equipment Supervisor

Brief Job Description: Overseeing the equipment being use to its maintenance and safety aspect. JIANG, GAOFENG Chinese Equipment Supervisor

10.

Brief Job Description: Overseeing the equipment being use to its maintenance and safety aspect. LI, MINQING Chinese Equipment Supervisor

11.

Brief Job Description: Overseeing the equipment being use to its maintenance and safety aspect XIA, ZHONGDONG Chinese Equipment Supervisor

12.

Brief Job Description: Overseeing the equipment being use to its maintenance and safety aspect. ZHU, CAIBAO Chinese Equipment Supervisor

13.

Brief Job Description: Overseeing the equipment being use to its maintenance and safety aspect

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

PENG, BO Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 20.

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 WU, GANG Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 21.

Basic Qualification: W/ at least 10 yrs. Experience in construction or related industry & Japanese national Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

CENTURY PEAK CEMENT MANUFACTURING CORP. U-1403/140 14f Equitable Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati ZHANG, LEI Chinese Administrative Technician

19.

Basic Qualification: Must be Bachelor’s/College Degree in any field.

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

NING, CHAO Chinese Speaking IT Specialist

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

ATOMY PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION TRADING INC. U5007, 12/f A-place Bldg., Coral Way Drive, Cbp 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

WU, YUNHAO Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 22.

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking.

XING, ZHIMING Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 23.

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

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking

YANG, HAO Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 24.

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English and Mandarin Language and with Analytical Mind and Analysis Skills Taguig CIty Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate Outstanding Leadership Fluent in Mandarin and English Preferably with 5yrs of Experience as Project Supervisor Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent In Mandarin and English with Good Communication Skills and Preferably 2 Years of Experience as Chinese Speaking IT specialist Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT specialist Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT specialist Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT specialist

YE, FENG Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 25.

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ZHANG, XIN Chinese Speaking IT Specialist 26.

Brief Job Description: Resolving all issues coworkers have with their IT Systems and Software

HE, JINLUO Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 27.

Brief Job Description: Act as communication Liason between low-level employees and senior management

LYU, HUANING Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 28.

Brief Job Description: Act as Communication Liason Between low-level Employees and Senior Management

SUN, FEI Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 29.

Brief Job Description: Act as Communication Liason between Low-level Employees and Senior Management

TAO, RUI Mandarin Speaking Project Supervisor 30.

Brief Job Description: Act as communication Liason between low-level employees and senior management

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT specialist Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, outstanding leadership skills, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably with 5 yrs experience as project supervisor Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate Outstanding Leadership skills in Mandarin and English Preferably with 5 yrs of Experience as Project Supervisor Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate Outstanding Leadership Skills Fluent In Mandarin and English Preferably wih 5yrs of Experience as Project Supervisor Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, outstanding leadership skills, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably with 5 yrs experience as project supervisor Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

COLDSTREAM MARKETING SOLUTION INC. 603-4 Eastfield Ctr., Moa Comp. Macapagal Ave., Brgy. 076, Pasay City CHE NHUT PHOONG Customer Service Representative 31.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for a variety of customer service functions for the company’s Chinese clientele. HO LE QUYEN Customer Service Representative

32.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for a variety of customer service functions for the company’s Chinese clientele.

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in mandarin, Cantonese, and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in mandarin, Cantonese, and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT specialist

33.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT specialist

WEI, WANYU Customer Service Representative

34.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin And English with Good Communications skills and preferably 2 years of experience as CHinese Speaking IT Specialist

LIANG, JIANWEI Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 35.

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

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

ZHONG, DONGPING Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 36.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT specialist

Brief Job Description: To lead the technical training team in the design and delivery of technical development activities across the group

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in mandarin, Cantonese, and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Candidates must have 1500 hours of project management experience or 23 hours of project management education Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

CRONYX INC. No. 4th-10th Flr. Yinhope Bldg., Dela Rama Cor. Zoili Hilario St., Seascape Village, Ccp Complex Subd. Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English, with good communication skills and preferably 2 years of experience as Chinese speaking IT specialist

Brief Job Description: Responsible for a variety of customer service functions for the company’s Chinese clientele.

MORGAN, LAWRENCE NOBLE Training Manager

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

MU, SHASHA Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 37.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

CHINA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 12/f One/neo Bldg, 26th St. Cor 3rd Ave., Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1, Pitx Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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

CHEN, XIAOFEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 38.

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

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WU, HEFU Chinese Speaking Program Designer

39.

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

XIA, CHAOCHAO Chinese Speaking Program Designer 40.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

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

No.

54.

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

Brief Job Description: Collecting customer information and analyzing customers needs

LAI THI YEN Customer Service Representative-Vietnamese Speaking 55.

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

DINGRONG TRAVEL AND TOURS INC. 4/f Pcci Corporate Center, 118 L.p Leviste St., Bel-air, City Of Makati LIN, LIN Mandarin Marketing Manager 41.

Brief Job Description: Plan communicate, execute and report of local marketing campaigns

Basic Qualification: College graduade with 2 years experience in Marketing Manager. Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EMERALD WIRELESS TECH INC. 28th/f Arthaland Century Pacific Tower E-square Information Technology Park, 25th St. Cor 5th Ave., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig CHEN, SHAOPEI Chinese Regional Sales Manager 42.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the development and maintenance of regional customer relations; Assist customer with inventory management; Maintain regional market order DONG, RONGWEI Chinese Regional Sales Manager

43.

44.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the development and maintenance of regional customer relations; Assist customer with inventory management; Maintain regional market order

NGUYEN THU HA Customer Service Representative-Vietnamese Speaking 56.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English language, Bachelor’s degree in business administration, 3 years experience in the same field

45.

Brief Job Description: Liaising with existing staff members, managers, supervisors, and clients in order to achieve set goals

46.

Brief Job Description: Collecting Customer Information And Analyzing Customers Needs

DONG, MINGYU Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking 47.

Brief Job Description: Collecting customer information and analyzing customers needs

HE, XIN Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking 48.

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

HLAING HLAING MYINT Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking 49.

Brief Job Description: Collecting customer information and analyzing customers needs

SONG, ZHENGPU Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking 50.

Brief Job Description: Collecting customer information and analyzing customers needs

WANG, LIYUAN Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking 51.

Brief Job Description: Collecting customer information and analyzing customers needs

ZENG, HUAN Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking 52.

Brief Job Description: Collecting customer information and analyzing customers needs

ZHANG, BIAO Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking 53.

Brief Job Description: Collecting customer information and analyzing customers needs

Basic Qualification: Proven wrong experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communications skills.

LI, HONG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 57.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking

Basic Qualification: Proven wrong experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communications skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven wrong experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communications skills.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English language, Bachelor’s degree in business administration, 3 years experience in the same field

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

58.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English language, Bachelor’s degree in business administration, 3 years experience in the same field

LIU, YUEYING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 59.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Proven wrong experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communications skills.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking

WANG, JIALE Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 60.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result

61.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help customers, Give customers information about products and services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven wrong experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communications skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven working experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven wrong experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communications skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven wrong experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communications skills.

QIAN, QIAO Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 62.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help customers, Give Customers information about products and services

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

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

SORIMACHI, AKIHIDE Japanese Marketing Specialist 63.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for a day-to-day administration, analysis and communications concerning Japanese product marketing commerce.

Basic Qualification: Expertise in Japanese Marketing Specialist, Expertise in 3 different Japanese language

73.

64.

YOO, CHANGHYUN Korean Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls & Korean customer inquiries

Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks & write fluently (Korean and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION MANILA OFFICE U-903&904 9/f Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati TATSUGA, MISAKI Assistant Manager 65.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining an overall management style that follows company best practices.

74.

75.

76.

77.

ZHANG, HUIJIE Chinese Sales Manager

66.

Brief Job Description: Build and maintaining client relations. Monitor’s market trends, competitor’s activities and recommend strategies to counter competition. Train individual sales representatives to help improve sales performance. Proactively pursue new business and sales opportunities. Resolve escalated customer issues and customer complaints.

78.

79.

MALUBIANBIAN SPICY RESTAURANT Unit 102-103, The Strip At Shores 2 Bldg., Seaside Blvd., Cor Sunrise Drive St., Moa Subd., Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

JUNAIDI Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service LIU, DAJUN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

Brief Job Description: To support the company’s archiving relevant marketing material

HUANG, WENJIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KANG, TIANCHANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, CHUNYAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIU, TIANSHENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

WEN, JINDUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

BONG LEE SZE Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 80.

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

BUI THI HUE Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 81.

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

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

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

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Be able to display leadership abilities while being able to handle multiple responsibilities at once. Can work closely with other members of the organization to create an environment where their sales team can succeed. Has necessary computer skills to be able to track and quantify sales statistics.

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

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: College Graduate

LITUO GROUP INC. #8, Don Pablo St., Brgy. Rincon, City Of Valenzuela

JIANG, MINGJIAN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

XIE, CHUNHAO Marketing Assistant - Mandarin Speaking

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

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

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

WANG, JUN Marketing Assistant - Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer’s questions about services or products/ Excellent Mandarin Communication skills

DU BOI VAN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

KE, DANHUI Marketing Assistant - Mandarin Speaking

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

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer’s questions about services or products/ Excellent Mandarin Communication skills

Basic Qualification: Highly technical knowledge and skill; familiarity of the ingredients/herbs/extracts/ condiments and other food

MAX INFOTECH ACCENT INC. 18th Flr. Vector 3 Bldg., Northgate Cyberzone, Fcc Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

GULLIVER INTEGRATED OUTSOURCING INC. 21/f Oledan Square Bldg., 6788 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven wrong experience in digital marketing particularly within the industry and good communications skills.

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the Marketing plans and project. Recommend optimization to Senior Management

Brief Job Description: Over seeing Chinese cuisine and high technical knowledge in Chinese food

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

MARKETROLE ASIA PACIFIC SERVICES, INC. 26/f, 27/f, 28/f The Enterprise Center Tower 1, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

GRAND PREMIUM CREST HOLDING INC. 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

HE, YI Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

67.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YANG, TAO Chinese Lead Cook

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

LI, QIONGHUA Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

No.

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

GENX SPORTS & MEDIA PRODUCTION CORP. 11/f Aseana I Bldg., Bradco Ave. Aseana City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

HUANG, ZHENYIN Customer Service Representative - Chinese Speaking

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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 ZHANG, KEXIN Head Of Department

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHOU, JINYAN Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

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

HE, SHIYA Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 82.

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

TONG, TIANJIE Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 83.

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

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

BusinessMirror

A8 Tuesday, October 19, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WANG, BO Chinese Speaking Business Analyst

84.

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

WEI, BINGBING Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 85.

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

ZHENG, YULONG Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 86.

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

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

No.

99.

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

87.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LEE, HEE JIN Business Manager For Display Solutions Team 101.

88.

Brief Job Description: Application support/incident management

Basic Qualification: Management

SATO, KEI Executive Vice President 102.

HEFFAT MBOUM, PAUL CYRILLE Multilingual Helpdesk Technician Support

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 103.

89.

90.

Brief Job Description: provides extremely flexible web development services, from full stack solutions to updating existing content, CHANG, YI-CHEN Mandarin Speaking Web System Development Consultant Brief Job Description: provides extremely flexible web development services, from full stack solutions to updating existing content,

Basic Qualification: 18-55 Y/O, WITH ATLEAST 6 MONTHS EXPERIENCE, WITH GOOD ORAL ANDITTEN

Brief Job Description: Executive vice president of the company who is responsible for ensuring that the company achieves its financial goals and objectives and increase its operating performance.

Brief Job Description: Provide professional end-user support via telephone, email, or web. Must correctly track incidents and calls, including but not limited to entering data into the database timely and accurately.

Basic Qualification: 18-55 y/o, with atleast 6 months experience, with good oral anditten Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HOUANG, FABRICE MAXIME THOMAS Senior Commissioning Engineer 104.

Brief Job Description: Manage commissioning of a wastewater treatment plant, including for its design and construction phases, and coordinate with French and Regional headquarters.

PHILIPPINE PLAZA HOLDINGS, INCORPORATED Ccp Complex, Roxas Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

91.

SHIBUYA, KAZUHITO Director-treasurer Brief Job Description: Monitors & provides directions to the hotel operations

Basic Qualification: Extensive years of experience in property development

PHILIPPINES COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CONSTRUCTION INC. Unit E-2004a East Tower, Psec Exchange Road Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

LI, GONGJIAN Mandarin Network Cabling Specialist 92.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for having the knowledge of cable installations of voice, data, fiber optics and coax cables.

PI, KAI Mandarin Network Cabling Specialist 93.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for having the knowledge of cable installations of voice, data, fiber optics and coax cables.

QIN, HAO Mandarin Project Consultant 94.

Brief Job Description: Contribute their operational, strategic, or technical expertise to projects.

WEI, RAN Mandarin Project Consultant 95.

Brief Job Description: Contribute their operational, strategic, or technical expertise to projects.

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 5 years of experience in telecommunications or related technical field; fluent in mandarin/basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 5 years of experience in telecommunications or related technical field; fluent in mandarin/basic English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 3 years of consulting experience in projects; fluent in mandarin/basic English.

105.

106.

Brief Job Description: Preferably with 6mos - 1year experience; fluent in mandarin and English speaking.

WANG, BAISONG Mandarin Speaking Client Coordinator

107.

97.

Brief Job Description: Preferably with 6mos - 1year experience; fluent in mandarin and English speaking.

CHEN, FAN-KAI Mandarin Speaking Finance Team Leader 98.

Brief Job Description: Comply with all financial & legal requirements, responsibilities and obligation ; fluent in mandarin and English speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Assist in the management of all accounting procedure and system used by the organization. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

116.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Preferably 1-4 yrs. Experienced employees specializing in it/computer hardware or equivalent.

117.

Brief Job Description: Human resources, deposit, foreign exchange and money market

Brief Job Description: Provide expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers

118.

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

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers needs to achieve satisfaction. JOHAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

119.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers needs to achieve satisfaction. RUSLAN MARWAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

120.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers needs to achieve satisfaction. RUTH AGUSTINA TOBING Indonesian Customer Service Representative

121.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers needs to achieve satisfaction. SURYADI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

122.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers needs to achieve satisfaction. TRI HASTOMO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

123.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 124.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 125.

Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Facilitate coordination of all marketing activities

IWAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Professional experience in the related field

PARK, DEOKGON Marketing Representative

HENDRIK Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Must have a minimum 6-year experience; Experience on at least 3 international Design & Built large projects of water treatment plants (treatment capacity over 100,000 m3/day); Ideally previous work experience in China; Experience in design & installation of UV disinfection systems is necessary.

CHEN, SIXUAN Customer Service Representative (Mandarin Speaking) 108.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help request from user via both telephone and work orders in courteous manner CHEN, SUQING Customer Service Representative (Mandarin Speaking)

109.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help request from users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner CHENG, JIAHAO Customer Service Representative (Mandarin Speaking) Brief Job Description: Field incoming help request from users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner QIU, HONGZHI Customer Service Representative (Mandarin Speaking)

111.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help request from users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner SONG, HUIMIN Customer Service Representative (Mandarin Speaking)

112.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help request from user via both telephone and work orders in courteous manner SUN, KEWEN Customer Service Representative (Mandarin Speaking)

113.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help request from user via both telephone and work orders in courteous manner. XIA, HONGXIA Customer Service Representative (Mandarin Speaking)

114.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help request from users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin, English.

126.

127.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin / English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

128.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin / English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

129.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin / English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin, English. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin, English.

Basic Qualification: Join the communication, align the work plan and progress, attend the routine meeting Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Korean fluently Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZONAC AND SHIBATA SERVICES INC. 4/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Elected as director of smypc and appointed as executive vice president.

Brief Job Description: To provide consulting technical and advisory services

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

CHAN YONG SHERN Mandarin Speaking Finance Officer Brief Job Description: Responsible in creating marketing campaigns

SANG, YU-CHI Mandarin Speaking HR Manager Brief Job Description: Responsible in creating marketing campaigns

LAI, YUNG-CHING Mandarin Speaking HR Officer Brief Job Description: Responsible in creating marketing campaigns

VALUESERVICESTECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED G/f Horizon Bldg. Andrews Ave., Newport City St. Zone 20, Barangay 183, District 1, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Schedule meeting or telephone conference between clients and management.

Brief Job Description: Foreign exchange, accounting, treasury supervisor

BARRY, ABOUBACAR BAILO French Operations CSR II

110.

96.

Basic Qualification: University graduates with at least ten (10) years of relevant experience

LI, XIAOLIANG Site Design Team Lead

VTS TRAVEL AND TOURS AGENCY INC. Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Meralco Ave., Ugong, City Of Pasig

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

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre, Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

QNECT INC. Unit 2105 The Finance Centre, 26th St. Corner 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

PEI, JUNJIA Mandarin Speaking Client Coordinator

SHEN, TSUNG-CHING Assistant General Manager

HUANG, WEI-TING Banking Officer

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

Basic Qualification: Schedule meeting or telephone conference between clients and management.

Basic Qualification: Coordinating activities resources, equipment and information.

TAIWAN COOPERATIVE BANK-MANILA OFFSHORE BANKING BRANCH 26/f Bdo Towers, Valero & Villar Sts., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 3 years of consulting experience in projects; fluent in mandarin/basic English.

115.

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

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

SUEZ INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINE BRANCH Unit Lz-2 19f Tower 1 Highstreet South Corporate Plaza, 9th Ave. Cor. 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

STEFANINI PHILIPPINES, INC. 3f, 5f, 6f Imet Bpo Tower Metro Bldg., Metrobank Ave. Roxas Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

OKKDA ASIA TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit 5b 5/f Marvin Plaza, 2153 C. Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati ANDY Mandarin Speaking Web System Development Consultant

Brief Job Description: Responsible to provide direction in the development of the overall business strategy that covers sales, sales operation marketing and general operations for display solutions team.

No.

Basic Qualification: Ensure legal compliance by monitoring and implementing human resources federal and state requirements.

SAN MIGUEL YAMAMURA PACKAGING CORPORATION 10/f Smpc (san Miguel Prop. Ctr.) Bldg., St. Francis, Brgy. Wack-wack, City Of Mandaluyong

NTT PHILIPPINES DIGITAL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC. Unit-b 10/f Of Cyber Sigma Lawton Ave., Mckinley West, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig ANNADURAI, VICTOR DAS Assistant Vice President - Head Of Operations And Delivery

Brief Job Description: Preferably with 1- 3years experience; fluent in mandarin and English speaking.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 7th-10th Floor Science Hub Tower, 4 Mckinley Hill, Pinagsama, City Of Taguig

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque AUNG NAING Myanmari Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Preferably with 3- 5years experience; fluent in mandarin and English speaking.

ZHANG, BOWEN Mandarin Speaking Specialist 100.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HSU, HSIAO-WEN Mandarin Speaking HR Manager

www.businessmirror.com.ph

130.

GAO, LU Mandarin Speaking IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Responsible in creating marketing campaigns

XIAO, WENSU Mandarin Speaking Marketing Officer Brief Job Description: Responsible in creating marketing campaigns

XIA, XUEYING Mandarin Speaking Quality Assurance Officer Brief Job Description: Responsible in creating marketing campaigns

CAI, LIN Mandarin Speaking Software Development Officer Brief Job Description: Responsible in creating marketing campaigns.

Basic Qualification: Great communication skills and must be fluent in English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communication skills and must be fluent in English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communication skills and must be fluent in English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communication skills and must be fluent in English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communication skills and must be fluent in English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communication skills and must be fluent in English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communication skills and must be fluent in English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Oct 18, 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.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin / English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

POEA and DFA: OFW deployment to Guinea continues despite coup By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ESPITE a recent military coup, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has announced it will continue to deploy overseas Filipino workers (OFW) on Guinea. In its Governing Board Resolution 8, Series of 2021 issued on Wednesday last week but released to the media on Monday, POEA said it made the decision upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). In the said issuance, POEA said it would continue the deployment of OFWs bound for Guinea but “subject to the issuance of appropriate advice to Filipino workers therein to take precautionary measures for their safety and well-being.”

Last September 5, Guinea junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya launched a successful coup against Guinea President Alpha Conde. Doumbouya took over the leadership of Guinea earlier this month as its interim president. The incident prompted POEA to seek the guidance of DFA to determine if it will suspend the deployment of Guinea-bound OFWs. “In a letter dated 15 September 2021, the DFA has informed the POEA that Guinea is under Alert Level 1 [Precautionary Phase],” POEA said. “It mentioned that the Philippine Embassy in Rabat, Morocco is monitoring the developments regarding the coup and is communicating with the Filipino community to ensure their safety thereat,” it added.

Gas, diesel, kerosene prices climb for eighth straight week

‘Maring’ crop loss reaches ₧2.1B as DA assures ample food supply By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

“These [products from nearby provinces] will be good enough to handle these damages and losses caused by Maring,” he added. Prior to Maring, the DA data showed a total area of 28,952 hectares of rice has been harvested from Regions 1 and 2 with an equivalent production of 141,635 MT amounting to P2.08 billion. As for corn, a total of 13,776 hectares have been harvested from Region 2 with an equivalent production of 55,654 metric tons amounting to P779.15 million. “The farming and fishing communities have been advised early enough [against the tropical storm]. As a result, we have saved P2 billion worth of products,” he added. The agriculture department also assured that the agency will provide P1.5 billion worth of interventions and assistance to affected farmers

and fishers, which include P172 million worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas; P296 million, worth of free seeds of rice, corn and assorted vegetables for distribution to affected farmers; P19 million worth of fingerlings and assistance to affected fisherfolk; P1 million worth of drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs. The agency said P650 million worth of emergency loan assistance, where each affected farm and fisher household can borrow up to P20,000, at zero-interest, no-collateral, and payable in 10 years; and P370 million worth of indemnity from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) for 44,208 affected farmers in CAR, Regions 1, 2, 3 and Mimaropa are also part of interventions and assistance for farmers and fishers.

Travel plans of Metro Manila residents involve road trips, staycations in city

Government urged to adopt new inventory, storage system

@joveemarie

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday reported that the damages and losses to farmlands due to Severe Tropical Storm “Maring” have now reached P2.1 billion affecting 76,442 farmers and fishers. In a news conference, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said these damages and losses were recorded in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas and Soccsksargen. According to DA’s data as of 9 a.m., October 18, these damages and losses have been reported from 85,744 hectares agricultural areas of the said regions. Maring caused a production volume loss of about

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

M By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

UMP prices are on the rise for the eight straight week. Effective Tuesday morning, gasoline prices will increase by P1.80 per liter, diesel by P1.50 per liter and kerosene by P1.30 per liter. Since oil firms adjusted gasoline price last August 31, this has gone up to P7.20 per liter, while diesel has shot up by P8.65 per liter. Kerosene also increased by P8.05 per liter for the past eight weeks. The latest oil price hike brings the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P16.9 per liter for gasoline, P14.45 per liter for diesel and P11.95 per liter for kerosene. Seaoil, Phoenix Petroleum, Petron Corp., PTT Philippines, Caltex, Total Philippines and Pilipinas Shell said they will implement their respective

price increase adjustments at 6 a.m. of October 19. Cleanfuel, on the other hand, said it would adjust its pump price at 4:01 p.m. Oil firms adjust their pump prices every week to reflect movements in the world oil market. Based on DOE monitoring, Dubai crude has increased last week by $3 per barrel. MOPS gasoline and MOPS diesel have also increased by almost $4per barrel and $ 4.40 per barrel, respectively. Crude oil prices rose steadily on the persistent supply squeeze amid improving global demand and high liquefied natural gas and coal prices boosting demand for oil products in meeting energy needs. Amid tightness in the global energy market, OPEC+ stuck to its scheduled increase of 400,000 barrels per day for oil production quotas.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 A9

ETRO Manila residents are making their travel plans and top on the list are destinations more accessible via land trips instead of air routes. The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Inc. (HSMA) has just concluded its month-long September Online Sale (SOS), and about 32 percent of the purchases were for hotels in the Batangas/Cavite-Tagaytay/ Laguna cluster. HSMA President Benjamin Martinez (The Bayleaf Hotels) also revealed that Boracay Island and Iloilo were in second place at 32 percent of total travel vouchers purchased. This was followed by the Manila/Pasay/ Parañaque area at 14 percent, Clark/ Bataan/Ilocos/Banaue at 12 percent, Cebu and Bohol at 9 percent, Palawan and Davao at 5 percent, Makati/ Bonifacio Global City/Alabang at 3 percent, and Ortigas/Pasig/Quezon City at 2 percent. Gross sales recorded in this year’s SOS was some P29.23 million in hotel vouchers, a two-fold increase from the P14.51 million worth of vouchers sold in 2020. Last year,

101,818 metric tons (MT). Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and fisheries, and irrigation and agri-facilities.

Enough supplies

DESPITE these damages and losses, Dar assured the public that the country, particularly the National Capital Region, will have enough food supplies in the coming months. Dar said the agency is expecting areas around Metro Manila, including Rizal, Batangas, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan to mobilize their products to the country’s capital. “We will mobilize more of these products, which badly affected by Maring like vegetables and fruits, from other provinces not affected by the typhoon,” said the agriculture chief.

however, the SOS was only for two weeks, where 1,752 vouchers were purchased, compared to this year which ran from September 15 to October 15, where 5,153 hotel vouchers were purchased. The last day of the sale broke the record with close to P5 million in vouchers sold in a single day.

Boracay edged out this year

ON a singular destination basis, top sellers this year were hotels in Batangas, Parañaque, Pampanga (Clark), and Boracay. Last year, top destinations were Manila, Boracay, and Batangas. Martinez said, “Boracay Island still did very well this year. In fact five from the top 20 [destinations] are from Boracay. T�� he Batangas/Tagaytay/Cavite/Laguna cluster fared better because it is just driving distance from Manila. Many are curious with Twin Lakes Hotel since it is new and they have compelling promos, while Acuaverde and Acuatico are beach resorts in Batangas. Majority of the buyers are from Metro Manila.” He expressed gratitude to the participants for their support and involvement in this year’s SOS. There were 80 hotels who participated this year, and featured not just hotel stay vouchers, but also food and beverage

packages as much as 70-percent off. “Their compelling and creative promos attracted the buyers to patronize our online sale. The overwhelming results inspire us to do even better in all our projects that we are planning in the future,” he said, adding that more than 67,000 visitors in HSMA’s page were recorded.” The Department of Tourism, its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board, Isentia and Cebu Pacific, were partners of HSMA in this year’s online sale. All vouchers, said Martinez, were good for one year, and rebookable. HSMA earlier said the travel restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic have dented hotel revenues by as much 70 percent. Most of its members in Metro Manila are registered as quarantine hotels, with room rates being cut. T heir revenues could tur n around especially since staycations are now allowed in Metro Manila under Alert Level 3, with age restrictions eased. Government has also eased the arrival requirements for balikbayans vaccinated abroad. (See, “State vaccination certificates now recognized for entry into the PHL,” in the BusinessMirror, October 15, 2021.)

Christmas displays lift Subic’s early Yuletide spirit

THE giant yellow pineapple provides an inspiring sight that lift people’s spirit despite the pandemic By Henry Empeño Correspondent

U BIC B AY FR EEPORT— You really can’t take your eyes off that giant lighted

pineapple display at the Subic Bay Yacht Club when you pass along Rizal Highway, Subic’s main stretch of malls and restaurants that takes you from the end of Tipo Road from Manila to Kalak-

lan Gate going to Zambales. The giant pineapple stands two-story high from its bulbous yellow fruit to its spiky crown of luminous green. And, surrounded by glowing tiki masks and il-

luminated palm trees, it forms the centerpiece of a Hawaiianinspired Christmas display that kick-started the Christmas season in this free port. But more than the pineapple’s traditional symbolism for welcome, friendship and hospitality—a fact born of its historical rarity—the Christmas display here provides a daring, nay rebellious, counterpoint to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted both the health and livelihood of stakeholders in the community. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, together with SBYC Commodore Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, switched on the Christmas lights last Friday and watched as the outdoor displays brightened one block of Subic’s central business district. During the ceremonial switchon, Arroyo stressed that the intention of the displays is to lift the spirits of residents despite the pandemic. “For us, the lighting of the Christmas tree in Subic, specifically the Subic Bay Yacht Club, has been an uplifting experience spiritually because it connotes the coming of the

Christmas season,” Arroyo said. “During this season, we are reminded of God’s glory. And we need it more than ever due to Covid.” Eisma, meanwhile, expressed hopes for a better holiday season celebration this year, pointing out that the continuous vaccine rollout by the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the SBMA had resulted in more free port workers and residents being vaccinated. “I am very, very happy to note that Covid has not stopped us from observing this tradition, which has always ushered the Christmas season here in Subic. And this is a very, very good sign because it points us to one direction—and that is, to try to get back to what normal is,” Eisma said. The Christmas display is an annual project of SBYC employees, with support from some corporate sponsors in the free port. Aside from the two-story high pineapple, the lighted displays included a native-themed Nativity scene. T he Subic Bay Yac ht C lub Christmas displays are lighted each day at 6 p.m. and are open for public viewing.

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

HE Duterte administration was prodded to seriously consider adopting a unified and automated (cloud-based) warehousing and inventory system to be set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) “for all government entities involved in the procurement process.” Sen. Francis N. Tolentino conveyed the suggestion over the weekend through Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones to “tap the help of the DOST and the DICT to create an automated and cloud-based warehousing and inventory system.” “This would not be based on papers, ledgers, charts, etc.,” Tolentino explained to Briones, adding: “This would involve the DOST; perhaps the DICT with you [Briones] at the helm and making the initiative.” In turn, the senator said Briones indicated she is amenable to the suggestion, noting this should help “put an end to the decades-old inventory problem,” not just of DepEd, but other government agencies, as well. Embodied in Senate Bill (SB) 2431 filed by Tolentino, the enabling legislation aims to amend Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and establish a “warehousing and inventory system” for all government procuring units. Once enacted into law, the senator said the remedial legislation will “mandate the Government Procurement Policy Board [GPPB] to promulgate a standard operating procedure manual on proper warehousing and inventory of acquired and purchased items to be used by procuring government institutions.” Earlier, Tolentino prodded the Department of Education (DepEd) to enter into a partnership with the DOST and the DICT to create an inventory management system for the DepEd’s assets. At last week’s Senate hearing of the DepEd’s proposed 2022 budget, the senator raised the suggested remedial legislation when Tolentino tackled the Commission on Audit (COA) report flagging the agency’s inventory system. “My attention was called on several items referring to inventories. It is a tough matter to discuss and implement and perhaps concur with the suggestion of the COA,” he noted.

A10 Tuesday, October 19, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Substitution is evil?

enate President Vicente Sotto III last week declared there is a need to review the provision on substitution in the Omnibus Election Code, saying that it has been abused. “The problem in the law is the third option, which is when a candidate withdraws. That is what is being abused. We should amend that and remove it completely. If you are not ready and unprepared, why are you running for public office?” Article IX, Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code says, “If after the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy, an official candidate of a registered or accredited political party dies, withdraws or is disqualified for any cause, only a person belonging to, and certified by, the same political party may file a certificate of candidacy to replace the candidate who died, withdrew or was disqualified….” This election rule, which allows last-minute political aspirants to join the race through substitution, was the avenue taken by then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to become one of the presidential contenders in 2016. Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez sees the Omnibus Election Code’s rule on substitution via withdrawal a “mockery of the election process,” which prompted him to file a bill pushing to prohibit candidate substitution due to withdrawal. Under House Bill 10380 that Rodriguez filed on Wednesday, a political party would be prohibited from substituting any candidate, unless for the reason of death or disqualification. “While there is nothing wrong with substitution in case of death or disqualification which is justifiable, substitution because of withdrawal, or what others call voluntary substitution, may pose serious questions and may lead to the manipulation and mockery of the election process,” Rodriguez said. Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon told CNN Philippines in an interview that there is nothing wrong with the substitution option for candidates. Asked if the substitution rule can be removed, she said: “We cannot do that. Why will you not allow them to substitute? Even before our 1987 Constitution, substitution was already allowed.” Guanzon cited the case of the late Senator Gaudencio Antonino, who died in a plane crash during an election year in 1967 and had to be replaced by his wife. “They should be allowed to substitute. What is wrong with that? The people will vote for whoever they want anyway,” she added. We don’t understand why many of our politicians are against the substitution rule. Perhaps, some of them are thinking the playbook is being adopted again to push the candidacy of people close to the President? Assuming they do it again, that’s not illegal. And it’s definitely not a “mockery of the election process.” Why? Because the substitute candidate is not assured of a win in the polls, and the rule does not hamper the other candidates’ ability to fairly compete in the electoral process. Everybody needs to respect the country’s electoral laws. Attacking the rules only weakens the people’s confidence in the election results, which may create chaos. Assuming there’s another one fielded in the May 2022 presidential election, let the substitute candidate present himself/herself to the electorate. If he/she wins in an honest, orderly and peaceful election, consider the result providential and accept it. As an old saying goes, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.” Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor

T. Anthony C. Cabangon Lourdes M. Fernandez Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Senior Editors

Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso

Online Editor

Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Creative Director Chief Photographer Chairman of the Board President Advertising Sales Manager Group Circulation Manager

The looser rules, per the estimate of the Department of Trade and Industry, will add 300,000 workers to the active labor force in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. The DTI figure may still be an underestimate—the reopening of more business establishments will create a multiplier effect on suppliers and service providers.

The improving Covid situation is serving as the go-signal to adopt more dynamic or flexible health rules that support the reopening. I am confident the easing of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 starting Saturday and the shorter curfew hours since Wednesday last week will lead to a faster economic recovery. Allowing business establishments to accommodate up to 50 percent of their capacity, for one, will have an immediate impact on the economy. We should encourage more business establishments to reopen in order to increase the confidence of consumers—the main economic driver. The reopening will greatly help many small entrepreneurs who have been long sidelined by the pandemic. It is for this reason that I welcome the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerg-

business establishments will create a multiplier effect on suppliers and service providers. I am also pleased to learn that the more relaxed rules will benefit our neglected tourism industry, a major job generator. Allowing Department of Tourism-certified hotels to operate at 100-percent capacity and offer staycation activities will be a boost to the industry. Filipinos who have been cooped up during the long lockdown period can now rejoin the economic recovery. More importantly, the resumption of tourism-related activities in select areas will directly translate into job generation in the sector. The reopening of the tourism industry is also serving as a vehicle to vaccinate more Filipinos. I agree with the decision of the IATF to require the full vaccination of tourism workers against Covid-19. The same is true with the reopening of movie theaters. Vaccinating all the cinema workers and limiting the moviegoers to the vaccinated public are one way of containing the virus spread and

Manny B. Villar

THE Entrepreneur

he increasing vaccination rate and falling daily Covid-19 cases in the Philippines are clearly the best argument for a substantial reopening of the economy. The world will not totally eradicate the virus but our recent experience in the Philippines, especially with regard to the government’s decision to impose selective instead of widespread lockdowns, has shown that we can live with the virus while reopening the economy at the same time.

D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025. (Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807. (Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news@businessmirror.com.ph.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Printed by brown madonna Press, Inc.–Sun Valley Drive KM-15, South Superhighway, Parañaque, Metro Manila

ing Infectious Diseases to loosen the restrictions on dine-in restaurants and outdoor activities. The relaxed guidelines now cover venues for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, social events such as family reunions, weddings, parties and tourist attractions such as public gardens, museums, parks plazas and other scenic viewpoints. Operators of these establishments will now be allowed to operate at a maximum of 30 percent of their indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals, and 50 percent of the outdoor venue capacity for individuals regardless of vaccination status. The looser rules, per the estimate of the Department of Trade and Industry, will add 300,000 workers to the active labor force in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. The DTI figure may still be an underestimate—the reopening of more

Everybody knows

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror

MEMBER OF

Dynamic Covid rules

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

inge listening to the music of Leonard Cohen on a Sunday afternoon is good for both mind and soul. Cohen and others like Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Joan Baez, and many more who performed their lyric poetry to music were the troubadours and trobairitz of the late 1960s to the late-1980s. That was a time when the something-twenty and something-thirtyyear-olds were triggering the establishment with their free speech. I find it amazing that a generation later, it is this same age group that

are the triggered. But there was a lot of hate-speech back then. The songs spoke of hating famine, government interference, war, and limits on free expression. Today that age cohort wants lim-

Individually, people are not easily manipulated by others. However, we do fool and manipulate our own selves. But collectively, a group of cockroaches is usually smarter than a group of humans. its on speech, wants as much government interference (except for abortion) as possible (as long as recreational drugs are legal), and finds war acceptable depending on who is leading the charge into battle from behind a big desk of course. When Al “I Know Something Is Wrong With The Climate” Gore was US Vice President, his wife Tipper had already started the Parents Music Resource Center. The PMRC fought long and hard for labeling of album record covers featuring profane language,

keeping the economy open. I am optimistic that the further reopening of the economy will not result in an undue increase in Covid-19 cases, as long as local government units enforce minimum public health standards, such as frequent washing of hands, wearing of face masks or face shields, and reasonable social distancing. Sustaining the vaccination program to cover a greater majority of our population will ensure lower infection rates in the reopened sectors of the economy. We can always calibrate our response in cases of an unusual rise in Covid-19 cases, as we have done in the past. Dynamic health rules, instead of a general lockdown, will help the Philippines contain the virus spread without harming further the economy. The Philippines has managed to keep daily Covid-19 cases to around 7,000 to 8,000 last week. Metro Manila is now classified as moderate risk after the virus reproduction declined to 0.60, with the health care utilization rate at a “low risk” of 50.92 percent and the intensive care unit occupancy at a “moderate risk” of 66 percent. The Philippines, as in the case of other nations, cannot completely eliminate Covid-19. But as long as we can perform a strong balancing act however difficult it may be, we will survive and win the battle against the virus. For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar. com.ph

especially in the heavy metal, punk, and hip-hop genres. She wrote Raising PG Kids in an X-Rated Society in 1987. Interestingly—or not—Ms. Tipper has not said anything about Rap lyrics in the 21st century. Rap music listeners would vote for her candidates anyway. Cohen wrote lyrics like this released in 1988. “Everybody knows that the dice are loaded, Everybody knows the fight was fixed. Everybody knows that the boat is leaking, Everybody knows that the captain lied. And everybody knows that the Plague is coming, Everybody knows that it’s moving fast.” By 1992, Cohen was writing “There’s no one left to torture, Give me absolute control, Over every living soul. Things are going to slide, See “Mangun,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 A11

Modern-day dictatorships The political merry-go-round Manny F. Dooc

Lyca Balita

TELLTALES

Onwards

‘W

hy do you think it’s important for society to allow trans women to enter the Miss South Africa competition?” This was a question in the 2021 Miss South Africa pageant, and Zimi Mabunzi’s viral answer blew me away. She said, “I honestly think that shouldn’t even be a question. I think that as [a] society, we really need to release ourselves from the authority that we tend to exercise over other people’s lives.” Now that’s an answer. To emphasize: “We really need to release ourselves from the authority that we tend to exercise over other people’s lives.” Not just over the lives of trans people, but of everyone else. This is important. This answer reveals the root of all this recent division, especially on social media. It really boils down to our strange obsession with controlling the lives of others. We can’t pretend we aren’t part of this, too. For a long time, we’ve all been trying to control how others think, what they should enjoy, and more relevantly, who they should vote for. So we feel a mix of “anyone who doesn’t think like me is an enemy,” and “I’m scared of posting online because I might get attacked.” It’s a dangerous combination that recognizes a power play between sides obsessed with controlling everyone else, yet we take part in it. We forget that social media isn’t just a bunch of ideas talking. These are real people communicating with each other. Here’s the thing: It would almost be understandable to some extent if our desire to control was rooted in genuine concern for the controlled. But what is currently happening is we attempt to force everyone else to think the way we do, for our own convenience and ego. It’s easier and it feels better when everyone agrees with us anyway. So we try to control the lives and the minds of complete strangers, and get frustrated yet more determined when they don’t budge. All this, under the guise of the common good, when it’s all really rooted in something more selfish. There’s a difference between education and control. Education is good and honest. We present facts, contextualize, and allow others to form their own opinions. This means we allow ourselves to be educated, too, so we share and open our minds so we can all achieve what’s best for

Mangun. . .

Continued from A10

Slide in all directions. Destroy another fetus now, We don’t like children anyhow.” By 1994, because of Congressional hearings the previous year, the Entertainment Software Rating Board was created allowing parents to make “informed choices” in video games. Doom was extremely violent as players controlled “Doom Slayer,” “fighting his way through hordes of invading demons from Hell.” Has much changed in 40 years? Caitlin Johnstone is a “rogue journalist, bogan socialist, guerilla poet and utopia prepper living in Australia with her husband and two children.” She writes for Scoop news out of New Zealand. Ms. Johnstone: “The oligarchic empire is working harder and harder to bolt down our minds in service of its agendas. Power is controlling what happens; absolute power is controlling what people think about what happens. History shows us that rulers do not fare well after a critical mass of the population has turned against them. They work so hard to manufacture our consent for the status quo because they absolutely require that consent; It takes a lot of educating to keep us

There’s a difference between education and control. Education is good and honest. We present facts, contextualize, and allow others to form their own opinions. This means we allow ourselves to be educated, too, so we share and open our minds so we can all achieve what’s best for everyone. We want others to learn, rather than simply obey, because we recognize each other as equals. There’s no forcing of beliefs down another’s throat. everyone. We want others to learn, rather than simply obey, because we recognize each other as equals. There’s no forcing of beliefs down another’s throat. On the other hand, control is completely different. Here, we manipulate, intimidate, and brainwash so we get what we want. We silence everyone else. This is all over social media, which is full of fake news, bandwagons, and cancel culture— the modern-day weapons of dictatorships. So we criticize dictators but end up being one anyway. We become what we hate, and we don’t even realize it. Thus, we really have to step back, relax our tense shoulders, unfurrow our eyebrows, and look around. Are we doing this right? Are we educating or controlling? We’ve been fighting for equal rights, democracy, freedom, and the good of everyone. Why achieve that using iron fists, which we swore should never be used again? The goal was to educate, not to silence. Messages survive the messengers, but education kills false messages at their roots. So let’s regroup and focus on the real goal: Educating real people so that harmful, controlling ideologies die out naturally. After all, people are not pawns, and we are not dictators. We are equals. Wouldn’t it be nice for social media to be healthy again? For feedback, send an e-mail to lyca.balita@ gmail.com

this stupid.” Individually, people are not easily manipulated by others. However, we do fool and manipulate our own selves. But collectively, a group of cockroaches is usually smarter than a group of humans. This formula never fails. Create fear about an issue, any issue. Overpopulation was popular in the 1960s, as was the pesticide DDT. “We’re all going to die!” Then create mass guilt. “Only a foolish uncaring person would not be vitally concerned.” Then place the responsibility. “If nothing changes for the better, it is your fault because you did NOTHING.” Replace “overpopulation” with “climate change,” “violent video games,” “hate speech,” “muslims,” “Christians,” “Buddhists,” “unneutered house pets,” and—last but not least—the name of your favorite political candidate. Leonard Cohen wrote, “Give me back the Berlin Wall, Give me Stalin and St. Paul, And now the wheels of heaven stop. You feel the devil’s riding crop. Get ready for the future, It is murder.” Welcome to Mr. Cohen’s future. E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

T seems that the party system in our country has stopped gasping for breath and is now buried six feet under the ground. Nowadays, political parties are no longer defined by party ideology and principles but by colors. They are blue, orange, green, pink, yellow and more colors than the rainbow. This state of affairs highlights the fact that our politics is based on personalities rather than on issues. During the Commonwealth years when our leaders were being trained for leadership and the art of government, there was a strict dichotomy between opposing parties. One is either an “anti” or “pro,” for independence or federalism and statehood, and a “unipersonalista” or “collectivista.” This was the time of Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña, Sr., Manuel Roxas and Claro M. Recto, Jose P. Laurel and Camilo Osias and Juan Sumulong when the word of a politician was bankable. At present, it is easier to run under more than one party since there are no fundamental differences in terms of party platform and programs among the various parties. The practice of inviting guest candidates has been in our system for sometime now, as in the case of Claro M. Recto who was a guest candidate of the Liberal Party following his feud with President Ramon Magsaysay who was the titular head of the ruling Nacionalista Party in 1955. When Senator Lorenzo Sumulong was dislodged from the Nacionalista senatorial slate by the very popular Doy Laurel in 1967 since only one of them could represent Southern Tagalog, Sumulong, a reelectionist, was invited by the LP to be its guest candidate, but he politely declined and remained a loyal member of the NP. He was returned to the Senate in 1969. Sumulong was one of the honorable and principled politicians at that time. His species

became extinct after he died in 1997. That rare display of statesmanship won’t happen today. While some parties have not yet completed their senatorial lineups, like the Aksyon Demokratiko of Mayor Isko Moreno, the Liberal Party of VP Leni, and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas of former Senator Bongbong Marcos, it is notable that the slates presented by the Lacson-Sotto, VP Leni-Pangilinan and Pacquiao-Atienza tickets share common names. Binay, Gordon, Escudero, Villanueva and Zubiri appear in the three lineups. Legarda is named in both Lacson and Pacquiao slates, while Honasan is included in the PDP-Laban and Lacson lineups. Now a candidate will jump from one party to another and join their slates to increase his chance of being catapulted to the Senate. Yesterday, his hand was raised by one presidential candidate. Today, he will join the rally of the standard bearer of another party. Tomorrow, he will appear on the political stage of a different presidentiable. Never mind one’s principles and ideology. If that is not opportunism, even Webster would be out of his mind finding the right word. Conviction and principles are the first to be jettisoned whenever personal interests come in. Aside from their own party members, a political party offers slots to guest candidates and independent candidates. One may run as an official candidate of his

With candidate substitution still coming up and the final realignment of political forces still underway, it will be risky to place one’s bet this early. own party but still be included as a guest candidate of another party or parties. In the past, this was done but one only sought an elective office under one political banner. Politicians of yore had more scruples than their current counterparts. They may also form coalitions and endorse a multi-party slate of senatoriables. VP Leni’s senatorial lineup takes this form, more or less. She has only included three LP stalwarts in her ticket and the rest come from various parties. The Philippine Senate has 24 members voted at large. Every three years, half of the seats are contested with each voter entitled to 12 votes where one can choose one to 12 candidates. Next year, the 12 seats to be vacated by the senators elected in 2016 will be disputed but three of them, Senators Franklin Drilon, Tito Sotto and Ralph Recto will be completing their consecutive 2-six-year terms and therefore barred from running for a third term. The three currently hold three of the top positions in the Upper Chamber—Senate President, Senate President Pro tempore, and Minority Leader. Thus, three pillars of the institution are graduating and they will leave a void that will be hard to fill. Of the nine incumbents who are still qualified for another term, Gordon, Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima are running for reelection. Senators Panfilo Lacson, Kiko Pangilinan and Manny Pacquiao are seeking higher offices. The reelectionist senators are household names and their chances of retaining their seats are great. However, it is noteworthy that several comebacking former senators who had a record of distinguished service in that august body are also leading the charge. Among them are former solons Chiz

Escudero, Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Gregorio Honasan and Antonio Trillanes. Most of them are shoo-in to make it to the magic 12. If you throw in former VP Binay who has his own core supporters, the remaining slots still open for grabs are getting limited. Entrenched political families like the Estrada/Ejercito who are fielding half brothers JV and Jinggoy and former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, although a newcomer in national politics, will have an edge over those entirely coming in from the cold. Celebrities like Raffy Tulfo and Robin Padilla will enjoy strong name recall, which will definitely boost their chances. Tried and tested public servants with solid experience in the government represented by former Justice Secretary, former Congressman and current Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, will have better chances than others. But the official campaign period has not even commenced. At this period in 2016, the eventual presidential winner had not even declared his candidacy. He was still in denial mode as his sight was still focused on the mayoralty seat of Davao City. And no one had any inkling that Martin Diño’s name would earn a footnote in our political history. So many events will still unfold between now and May 9, 2022. Who is ahead now may be the last and the last may be the first when the votes are finally counted. With candidate substitution still coming up and the final realignment of political forces still underway, it will be risky to place one’s bet this early. Who knows if Senator Bato de la Rosa may stay in the race backed up by Senator Bong Go and his 14 senatoriables, plus the formidable machinery of the administration. Where does it leave former Senator Bongbong Marcos without a running mate and with Atty. Larry Gadon leading his Senate slate? November 15 has become the most heavily circled date in the calendar. Until then, we won’t know who are the Jokers and the Batmen.

Revisiting the tax implications under the PERA law Atty. Donato U. Vergara III

Tax law for business

he Personal Equity and Retirement Account Act (Republic Act 9505) was enacted in 2008 to provide legal and regulatory framework for retirement plans, especially for individuals considering voluntary personal savings and investments. The law provides a mechanism for the voluntary establishment of a retirement account called Personal Equity and Retirement Account for the exclusive use and benefit of the contributor for the purpose of investing solely in PERA investment products in the Philippines. The contributor retains the ownership of the funds placed in the PERA, including all earnings of such funds. A contributor may create and maintain a ma ximum of five PERA, at any one time. But there should be only one administrator designated by the contributor for all his PERA. All investment decisions pertaining to the PERA shall be retained by the contributor, with or without the aid of an investment manager. The fund may be invested only in approved PERA investment products. Contribution to the PERA is not without limitation. A contributor can make an aggregate maximum contribution to his PERA of only up to P100,000 per year, subject to possible adjustment by the Secretary of Finance after considering some factors. An overseas Filipino is allowed to make maximum contribution double the allowable maximum amount. For married individuals, each of the spouses shall be entitled to the maximum contribution to his/ her respective PERA. This does not mean though that a contributor is prohibited from making contributions to his PERA in ex-

cess of the allowed contribution in a year. The only consequence is that the additional contribution shall not be entitled to the tax credit. And speaking of taxes, the contribution, the income from the investment of the contribution as well as the distributions made to the contributor are entitled to certain tax benefits. Insofar as the contribution is concerned, he is entitled to an income tax credit equivalent to 5 percent of the total PERA contribution made in one calendar year. The tax credit is available against the income tax liability of an employed and self-employed contributor provided that a certificate of entitlement or tax credit certificate is issued to support the credit. The tax credit cannot be used to offset against other types of taxes. However, for overseas Filipinos, the tax credit may be applied against any of his national internal revenue taxes, other than withholding taxes. Should there be unutilized tax credit, the same shall not be refunded to the contributor. Neither is this

Contribution to the PERA is not without limitation. A contributor can make an aggregate maximum contribution to his PERA of only up to P100,000 per year, subject to possible adjustment by the Secretary of Finance after considering some factors. An overseas Filipino is allowed to make maximum contribution double the allowable maximum amount. For married individuals, each of the spouses shall be entitled to the maximum contribution to his/her respective PERA.

transferrable. As to the income of the PERA, no tax is imposed on the income generated from the investment and reinvestment of the PERA fund. This exemption from tax covers both the income generated from the investment of the PERA assets as well as the reinvestment of the income. Thus, no final taxes shall be imposed on the passive income of the PERA, such as interest from bank deposits, capital gains from the disposal of capital assets, and dividends derived from investment in equities. Similarly, no regular income taxes shall be imposed on other regular income of the account. Qualified distributions from PERA are also exempt from tax. Any amount received by the contributor, either in lump sum or through periodic pension, shall be excluded from the gross income of the contributor. Similarly, in case of his death, the amount received by the heirs or beneficiaries shall not be taxable to them. Neither shall this be included in the taxable estate of the contributor. For employed individuals, the

private employer may contribute to its employee’s PERA but still subject to the maximum amount allowed to the contributor. This shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the employer’s share in the social security contributions and obligations for retirement benefits. But the employer shall not be entitled to the 5 percent tax credit. Instead, the 5 percent tax credit pertaining to the contribution of the employer shall inure to the benefit of the employer. This shall not, however, form part of the taxable compensation of the employee and should not be subjected to withholding taxes. But as any valid expense, the qualified contribution of an employer shall be allowed as deduction against the taxable income of the employer, but only to the extent of the contribution that will complete the maximum allowed contribution of the employee to his PERA. Recent changes in the rules on PERA did not substantially change the basic rules for the entitlement to the tax benefits. If at all, the changes only pertain to the procedures to be observed by the concerned parties, including the observance of the prescribed rules for the application and issuance of tax credit certificates. PERA could be a good alternative in planning for your retirement. Should you need advice, we can help you. The author is a senior associate of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a memberfirm of WTS Global. The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at donato.vergara@bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 320.

A12 Tuesday, October 19, 2021

RITM CLEARS RED CROSS IN COVID-TESTING CASES

HE Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has stated that it found “no evidence of contamination” for the 48 cases tested by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Subic laboratory and the results were found to be “valid and reliable” following their investigation that was ordered by President Duterte. In a letter to PRC on October 13, 2021, the RITM said it has completed its investigation and issued the results to the PRC. With this development, the PRC said that they are grateful to the RITM for its “unbiased investigation” into the matter. “As it is auxiliary to the government, they fully support its testing and vaccination program. At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, when the RITM could only conduct up to 300 tests a day, PhilHealth [Philippine Health Insurance Corp.] approached PRC to establish molecular laboratories to address the need for more extensive testing,” PRC recalled. It may be recalled that in late September, Duterte allies

in the House of Representatives questioned the 45 false positive results out of 48 RTPCR swab tests administered in September 2020 at the Subic Baypointe Hospital and tested at the PRC Molecular Laboratory in Subic. The House hearings coincided with Duterte’s mounting of attacks on Sen. Richard J. Gordon, PRC chairman, who also heads the Blue Ribbon panel leading the Senate inquiry into questioned multibillion contracts for pandemic supplies where a businessman-friend of the President was implicated. The RITM, which oversees all molecular laboratories, was then tasked to investigate the suspected PRC testing contamination incidents. In defending their laboratories, the PRC immediately issued a statement that the test methodology and procedures were standardized in all its laboratories which were given a 100-percent rating when subjected to RITM proficiency tests.

Textile-firm TCCs voided by COA in 6 yrs now ₧3B

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Commission on Audit (COA) has so far invalidated P3 billion in tax credits that were found to have been illegally issued to several textile companies from 2008 to 2014. Citing a report from COA Special Audits Office, the Department of Finance (DOF) said another set of tax credit certificates (TCCs) worth P412.77 million was disallowed. This is on top of the previous batches of TCCs that COA has invalidated, amounting to P2.6 billion.

This brings the total value of illegal TCCs issued by the One-StopShop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center (OSS) to these textile firms to P3 billion as of September 21. The new batch of invalidated TCCs was issued to “errant” tex-

tile firms Silvertex Weaving Corp. (SWC), Knitech Manufacturing Inc. (KMI), Capital-Roll Knit Corp. (CRC), Uni-Glory’s Knitting Corp. (UKC), Primeknit Manufacturing Corp. (PMC), Tai-Cheng Integrated Resources Inc. (TICIRI), Miskhu Industrial Corp. (MIC), and Universal Pacific Knitting Mills Inc. (UPKM). Still leading the list with the largest amount of illegal TCCs is SWC with P906.80 million. This is followed by CRC with P664.92 million worth of illegally issued TCCs, MIC (P451.98 million), PMC (P312.08 million), UKC (P241.68 million); TICIRI (P198.81 million), UPKM (P127.81 million); and KMI (P114.20 million). COA has held liable several past officials and employees of the DOF, Board of Investments, Bureau of Customs, and OSS who were re-

sponsible for processing and approving the illegal TCCs issued between 2008 and 2014, as well as the recipients and claimants from the six companies. Approved applications meant tax credits on the duties and taxes that exporters supposedly paid. They could then use the amount to pay other tax liabilities due to the government. The practice of these alleged exporters who illegally obtained TCCs was to sell the certificates to other companies at a discount. The latter would then use the TCCs to pay their own tax liabilities. The COA found that the OSS issued TCCs to either ghost exporters or real companies that were not in the export trade or did not deserve the tax credits issued to them, such as these six textile companies.

Continued on A2

Next 6-yr blueprint for PHL to focus on environment By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE country’s next six-year socioeconomic blueprint, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), could focus on the environment, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said one of the possible recommendations he can make in terms of crafting the PDP is to adopt the theme, “saving our planet, saving our country.” This is one of the ways that intergenerational fairness can be promoted in the Philippines, he said. In a recent Senate hearing, Chua agreed with Senator Pia Cayetano that achieving intergenerational equity is going to be very important moving forward. “Neda has that intergenerational aspect in mind. I love that principle. In fact, what we need to do is to cost all our actions today and [determine] how that may benefit or how that may harm the future,” Chua said. “I’m thinking about the next Philippine Development Plan theme. One idea I had is about saving our planet, saving our country. The best way to give intergenerational equity is to give our children a planet that is better, not worse,” he added. Chua added that this means Neda also needs to adapt to the times and modernize. With this, the priorities of the oversight agency next year are on five key areas: the country’s economic recovery, smart infrastructure, innovation, regional equity, and climate change. The Socioeconomic Planning secretary said the Neda will undertake studies, researches, surveys, and craft master plans to support the country’s next planning process. Chua said he has requested the staff to focus on agriculture, human development, government organization, and the labor market for the next planning process. He added the Neda will also improve efficiency in terms of gover-

nance statistics framework; create a contract price escalation database; study the creative industries; measure awareness and perception with regards to AmBisyon Natin 2040; and tackle non-tariff barriers on food to address the inflation issue today. Chua added that Neda will also provide macroeconomic analysis for all post-disaster needs assessment, and reformulate the country’s rehabilitation and recovery programs. The Neda will also spearhead the formulation and implementation of the national innovation agenda and strategy document in line with the Innovation Act. Chua said the agency will also start working on the SDG acceleration roadmap to allow the Philippines to catch up with the goals given the pandemic. Further, Chua said Neda will also help strengthen Regional Development Council (RDC) proposals and the support to their devolution transition. “I [also] mentioned the introduction of a unique project ID for all projects, whether emanating from the national or the local level. So we can keep track and monitor and evaluate all the way from the conceptualization to the end of the project, including accounting for the results,” he added. The Senate Finance Committee earlier endorsed the 2022 budget of the Neda and its attached agencies, at P14.126 billion. The bulk of the budget will go to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) with P11 billion, followed by the Neda Office of the Secretary with P1.8 billion, and the Commission of Population and Development with P537 million. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center has a proposed budget of P217 million; Philippine Institute for Development Studies, P259 million; Tariff Commission, P103 million; the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute, P67 million; and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, P36 million.

OVERSEAS Filipino workers line up at the entrance of Naia Terminal, as security guards inspect their documents before they are allowed inside the airport. Overseas Filipinos sent more money to their loved ones in the Philippines in August, as remittances climbed to $2.88 billion during the month. NONIE REYES

Molnupiravir seen accessible as talks with MSD on track By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco Correspondent

OLNUPIRAVIR, an oral antiviral drug clinically proven to reduce by half the risk of hospitalization or death from known variants of Covid-19, is expected to be readily available in the country once discussions with Merck (known outside the US and Canada as MSD) to have Philippine manufacturers produce it come to fruition. While it is still under discussion, MSD Philippines President and Managing Director Dr. Beaver Tamesis said they are confident that with the partnership with RiteMed for the distribution of the game-changer drug, Molnupiravir will reach health-care facilities throughout the country faster at accessible prices. “They have a very wide network. I’m sure they’ll be able to do what they need to do,” Tamesis said in a virtual forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP)

on Monday. RiteMed, one of the companies under UnitedHealth Group, has been appointed by Faberco Life Sciences, Inc. (Faberco) as distributor of Molnupiravir in hospitals, medical institutions, and treatment sites in the country. This, once compassionate special permits (CSP) are filed with and approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Faberco, meanwhile, is the appointed Philippine distributor of Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., a partner manufacturer of Merck & Co., which developed the Molnupiravir capsule. Tamesis said several Philippine drug makers have started discussions with Merck on the possibility of obtaining voluntary licensing agreements for the local production of Molnupiravir in the country. He said it is a good thing that local companies have expressed strong interest to produce Molnupiravir. “They have reached out to us and already we have elevated it. Defi-

nitely, this is under discussion,” Tamesis said. He stressed that it is really Merck’s intention to have licensing agreements with many manufacturers as this is the best way to make Molnupiravir more accessible and cheaper, especially in countries like the Philippines. This, he said, is the reason Merck has signed licensing agreements with seven Indian companies already. Hopefully, Tamesis said, Molnupiravir will be available in the Philippines by next month, although this would still depend on whether Indian authorities allow exports of the antiviral medicine. “While there are already local partners, at the end of the day, they have to get first the exports from India.” He also dismissed reports that a Molnupiravir in the country would cost patients around $700, saying, “I have great confidence, there is no way we will be at $700.” He also reminded Filipinos to only get the medicine from official distributors and health-care

institutions that have secured CSPs from the FDA. This, he noted, makes the partnership with RiteMed and other distributors critical. “I don’t know what channels of distribution they plan to go through. But having heard about hospitals applying for CSP, the hospitals can get to the patients,” he added. Molnupiravir will help alleviate the burden on the health-care system as it allows health-care workers in hospitals to focus on severe and critical in-patients. During the trials, the drug regimen was given twice a day for five days to patients diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus. An analysis of 775 patients in the US found that only 7.3 percent of those given Molnupiravir were hospitalized, compared to the 14.1 percent of patients who were given a placebo or dummy pill. There were also no reports of deaths in the Molnupiravir group, whereas eight patients who were given a placebo in the trial later died of Covid-19.

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

AC Energy, AMI get grant to put up BESS in Vietnam By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

MI AC Renewables, the joint venture between AC Energy (ACEN) and AMI Renewables, has been awarded a $3-million grant by the United States Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City to develop a battery energy storage system (BESS) in Vietnam. AC Energy said Monday that Vietnam’s pilot utility-scale BESS will soon take shape in Khanh Hoa Province after an agreement was signed between AMI AC and the US Consulate. “The ACEN and AMI joint ven-

ture has been awarded a $2,962,000 grant by the US Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City,” said the power unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp. The 15 MWh/7.5 MW Khanh Hoa Energy Storage project will be integrated into the 50 MW solar

farm of AMI AC. Official said the BESS project is meant to maximize the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy towards helping Vietnam achieve its sustainability goals. “Energy storage is the key to unlock the potential of renewables and is a vital component of the energy transition,” said Patrice Clausse, chief operating officer of AC Energy International cum chairman of the AMI AC Renewables Board of Directors. “We are very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in harnessing this enabling technology, and together with AMI, we will aim to secure Vietnam’s renewable energy sources while helping the country achieve its sustainability goals.” Nguyen Nam Thang, CEO of

AMI AC Renewables, said the solar plant in Khanh Hoa province is an ideal place to demonstrate how energy storage can help Vietnam reach its full renewable energy potential. “We’re delighted to be entrusted by the US Consulate General to pilot and spearhead battery energy storage systems in Vietnam,” added Thang. Marie Damour, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, said the BESS project aims to show how cutting-edge US energy storage technology can advance these goals, and catalyze Vietnam’s transition to a clean energy economy for a climate-resilient future. “We are pleased to support Vietnam’s efforts to expand renewable energy generation, and reduce reliance on coal,” said Damour.

Villar: Start a career in real estate By VG Cabuag @villygc

anuel B. Villar Jr., a former politician who now chairs the Villar Group, encouraged Filipinos both here and abroad to join the company’s pool of real property agents, licensed brokers and referral partners to sell the company’s wide range of housing portfolio. “There has to be ViCon meetings like this one, we owe this to our brokers, our friends, our agents so that they will know that they are welcome; everybody’s welcome to sell for us,” he said during the Villar Convention, which showcased the group’s various products. He said one can turn the pandemic into an opportunity to establish a career in the real estate business or shift to this sector to earn a living. Villar said he has been “very

hands-on” on the property developments, especially after his retirement from politics. The Villar Group showcased its housing brands—from social housing to the most expensive projects during the event, including Bria, Lumina, Lessandra, Camella, Camella Manors, Vista Residences, Crown Asia and Brittany. Golden MV, the country’s biggest development in the death care sector, was also part of the expo. Villar said his company wants to help Filipinos realize their dream of owning a home. He also said he is happy about their projects in Baguio and Tagaytay, which are upscale condominiums and houses that are good investments and eventual vacation homes. “Right now, we want to build a very good relationship with everyone, especially in the industry,” he said.

Villar said the company was able to overcome the challenges of the pandemic by pursuing more projects despite the various community lockdowns. “What we did in the last six quarters, we completed the unfinished houses... We improved our services further... We have improved significantly our property management. We have improved our customer care, and physically, we have improved our model houses and our subdivisions,” he said. “The more I am amazed by the breadth and depth of our projects. So, I say, we have to share this with our friends.” He said the Villar Group’s property development covers all segments from lower middle class to upper class. “If you look at the subdivisions, you would be impressed. I’m willing to compare our projects with the other developers. Maybe, in the last

two years, they were more popular than us because we were focused on low cost [housing], but we really have beautiful projects,” he said. “Even our malls are the most beautiful in the Philippines. Even our restaurants and coffee shops, they are the nicest [shops] around. “Even our supermarkets and home improvement stores, they are very nice, very pretty, most complete, that is why, I said, we should make them more beautiful. I said, it would be unfortunate if we would be unable to share this with our friends.” Villar said the 2nd ViCon is “a beacon of strength” for both the company and its roster of real property agents and business partners who continue to thrive despite the challenges of the pandemic. The first ViCon was launched in June. The convention was attended by about 3,000 interested buyers, sales agents, brokers, students and young professionals.

Richest families in SE Asia look for the next unicorn

ome of Southeast Asia’s oldmoney tycoons are boosting investment in technology startups, looking to ride a wave of surging valuations as they seek to counter the fallout of the pandemic on businesses ranging from retail to hospitality and manufacturing. Holding companies, family investing arms and other vehicles of moguls from Thailand’s Dhanin Chearavanont to the Philippines’ Lance Gokongwei are either plowing millions of dollars directly into promising companies or setting up venture capital funds. Partnering with Silicon Valley venture capital firms is also gaining popularity. With the flurry of investments, these traditional brick-and-mortar business empires are also transitioning to a new world of e-commerce and digitization, paving the way for fresh revenue streams after being crippled by months of lockdowns and travel restrictions. The pivot has gained even more urgency under a new crop of leaders—in some cases younger, third-generation heirs. “The universe of family money in Southeast Asia has become very alive to what technology and tech investments are bringing because of recent startup successes,” said Vishal Harnal, managing partner of 500 Startups Southeast Asia, which was an early investor in ride-hailing giant Grab and online marketplace Carousell. “There’s a lot more family money coming in to chase that, and

the pandemic’s accelerated that race.” The conglomerates, which have helped power Southeast Asia’s economies for decades, are now facing some tough challenges as governments still battle to contain Covid-19 infections. The Asian Development Bank last month slashed the 2021 growth outlook for the region to 3.1 percent, saying “developing Asia remains vulnerable” to the pandemic. Although Covid-19 has decimated tourism and retail in Southeast Asia, the region is home to some of the fastest-growing internet markets. Venture backers made a record 393 deals in the first half of 2021, raising $4.4 billion by investing in startups across Southeast Asia, according to a separate research by Cento Ventures. Among the leaders in the race is Charoen Pokphand Group Co., a 100-year-old Thai conglomerate spanning agri-food to retail and telecommunications. The group’s senior chairman is Dhanin, the head of Thailand’s wealthiest business dynasty. Bangkok-based CP Group led a series C investment round in startup Ascend Money in September—backed by Jack Ma’s Ant Group Co.—that spawned Thailand’s first fintech unicorn with a valuation of $1.5 billion. CP Group also partnered with Siam Commercial Bank the same month to set up a $800 million emerging-technologies venture fund, seeding it with $100 million each. “CP Group is actively embracing

innovation and exploring advanced technologies such as robotics, logistics, cloud and other digital technologies,” said Yue Jun Jiang, CP Group’s chief technology officer. “Southeast Asia is going into a golden era of transformation where corporations are upgrading with advanced technologies and new business models, and the pandemic has further accelerated digitization.” In Indonesia, Intudo Ventures raised $115 million to close its third fund in September to focus on the region’s biggest digital economy. Investors in the fund include more than 30 Indonesian families and their conglomerates, according to the company.

Plug and play

Plug and Play Tech Center, a Sunnyvale, California-based early-stage investor that’s backed more than 20 unicorns including PayPal Holdings Inc., has signed on more than a dozen partners in Southeast Asia, most of them family-controlled groups. They include Philippine construction-topower conglomerate Aboitiz Power Corp. in the Philippines, Thailand’s CP Group and Indonesia’s Astra International. While the surging valuations may be alluring, the groups face some risks as they embrace the tech strategy. Early stage companies typically burn a lot of cash before showing any signs of gaining traction in their businesses. They also require a

Basic Energy to buy stake in Filoil Energy

asic Energy Corp. (BEC) is acquiring up to 60 percent of Filoil Energy Co. Inc. In a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday, the board of Basic Energy has given its go-ahead to proceed with the company’s equity investment in Filoil Energy. “After further presentation to the Board, the members of the Board of Directors resolved to approve the proposed equity investment in Filoil Energy Company Inc. and acquire interest therein of up to 60 percent,” it said. Out of the 10 directors, eight voted to approve while the two directors abstained upon declaring their direct and indirect interest in Filoil Energy. The company also disclosed the members of the Related Party Transaction (RPT) Committee. Former Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares is the committee chairman while Reynaldo Gamboa, Andres Reyes Jr., and Jaime Martirez are the committee members. “After review and discussion by the Risk Committee, approval, and endorsement to the RPT

Committee for further deliberation and review, both Committees have unanimously approved the same and recommended the matter for Board approval,” Basic Energy said. Last month, Basic Energy secured regulator y approva l to increase its authorized capital stock (ACS) to P5 billion from P2.5 billion. “The increase in the authorized capital stock is to provide sufficient shares of stock for subscription by potential strategic investor/s in the company and to provide flexibility to the company in the issuance of additional shares in the future to raise capital to fund new projects and any possible expansion plans without having to secure SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] approval again for an additional increase in capital stock,” it said. BEC is a publicly listed holding company in the Philippines, with business interests in various fields of renewable energy and alternative fuels, and oil and gas exploration and development. LenieLectura

AirAsia X proposes paying creditors 0.5% of $8B owed

irAsia Group Bhd.’s longhaul arm has offered to pay creditors just 0.5 percent of the more than $8 billion total debt they are owed and terminate all existing contracts as it tries to restructure, a document seen by Bloomberg shows. The carrier, AirAsia X Bhd., told creditors it is unable to meet immediate debt and other financial commitments based on its financial position and industry outlook. The low-cost airline has barely flown in 19 months, since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Half of the 36.6 billion ringgit ($8.1 billion) liability is the cost of terminating orders with Airbus SE, its largest creditor, for 78 A330neo and 30 A321neo aircraft, according to the document. “To avoid a liquidation and to allow the airline to fly again,

the only option is for AA X to undertake the proposed debt restructuring, proposed corporate restructuring and proposed fundraising and update its business model to survive and thrive in the long term,” the airline said. An Airbus spokesperson declined to comment, citing the on-going debt restructuring process. An AirAsia X representative declined to comment. AirAsia X has set November 12 for creditor meetings to vote on the restructuring proposal, according to an exchange filing. Reuters first reported on the proposed payment plan earlier Monday. The carrier posted a record quarterly net loss of 24.6 billion ringgit in the three months ended June, mainly on provisions for the amount payable to creditors. Its shares fell 5 percent to 9.5 sen at the close. Bloomberg News

lot more support and guidance than established corporations may be willing to offer. Plus, the conglomerates also have to jostle with investors with deeper pockets and longer experience such as sovereign-wealth and venture capital funds. But many family-owned businesses are undaunted by the challenges. Some have started pilot projects with tech startups with the aim of investing in those with promising technologies. They are seeking deals and partnerships that run the gamut from manufacturing automation to sustainable innovations, as well as fintech, health tech and electrical vehicles. “They’re looking at what will impact their business, like the pandemic, and they need to develop new ideas,” said Shawn Dehpanah, Plug and Play’s executive vice president and Asia-Pacific head of corporate innovation and investment. “These big corporations are the pillar for speeding up innovation among startups now.”

Tech park

Even Thailand’s state-owned oil and gas company PTT Pcl doesn’t want to be left behind. It’s signed a partnership agreement with Plug and Play, and this month, one of its units, teamed with 500 Startups to set up a $25 million fund to invest in early-stage businesses in Thailand and Southeast Asia that can help the group expand its own footprint. Bloomberg News

SARANGANI HYDRO POWER PLANT The Alsons Power group’s 14.5 megawatt

(MW) P4.5-billion run-of-river hydroelectric power plant at the Siguil River basin in Maasim, Sarangani Province is on track to begin operations in 2022 to provide a source of renewable power to key areas of Mindanao. Photo shows ongoing work on a 786-meter tunnel to complete a 21.6-kilometer headrace or waterway that will convey water from the Siguil River and control water pressure to power the plant’s turbine and generator. Alsons Power—Mindanao’s first private sector power generator—plans to develop at least seven more run of river hydro power facilities in different parts of Mindanao and Negros Occidental. Contributed Photo

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

October 18, 2021

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND IREMIT NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH VANTAGE

45 133 85.65 24.1 9.47 49.8 9.32 17.82 21.1 55.6 20 124.2 91 0.91 4.26 3.25 6.8 1.12 0.63 220 0.85

45.95 133.4 86 24.4 9.48 49.95 9.88 18.5 21.2 56.85 20.3 125.8 91.05 1.05 4.27 3.45 7.97 1.13 0.69 226.8 0.89

46.4 132.5 85 24.65 9.76 50.2 9.36 18.3 21.95 56.8 20.3 120.1 90.05 0.91 4.27 3.5 7.93 1.11 0.64 228.8 0.86

46.4 135 86 24.75 9.76 50.2 9.36 18.3 21.95 56.8 20.4 127 93.5 0.91 4.27 3.5 7.93 1.26 0.64 228.8 0.86

45 131.5 84.95 24 9.44 48.7 9.32 18.3 20.6 55.6 19.9 120.1 90.05 0.91 4.26 3.19 6.6 1.11 0.63 227.8 0.85

45 133 86 24.1 9.48 49.8 9.32 18.3 21.2 55.7 20 125.8 91 0.91 4.26 3.47 6.6 1.12 0.63 227.8 0.85

83,700 3,877,020 4,053,920 541,231,131 5,311,210 454,102,675 76,100 1,857,650 873,800 8,359,207 4,144,720 206,013,638.50 5,000 46,648 2,700 49,410 423,200 9,005,375 1,650 93,327.50 75,500 1,509,954 1,453,140 180,274,491 128,950 11,752,787.50 50,000 45,500 105,000 447,910 143,000 458,530 200 1,453 25,000 29,050 11,000 7,030 40 9,142 43,000 36,850

1,811,300 250,352,153 11,369,944 -837,830 -1,013,105 60,410,261 -1,139,325 7,794 10,000 102,345,233 -6,007,426.50 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 10.78 10.8 11.26 11.26 10.7 10.8 58,119,600 633,539,212 ALSONS CONS 1.12 1.14 1.11 1.14 1.11 1.14 159,000 178,880 ABOITIZ POWER 31.25 31.3 31.75 32.45 31.25 31.3 3,924,900 124,757,660 0.59 0.6 0.57 0.62 0.56 0.6 42,902,000 25,972,890 BASIC ENERGY 29 29.05 28.5 29.2 28.5 29.05 1,756,900 50,697,900 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 75.9 76.1 75.5 76.7 75.5 76.1 45,470 3,455,318.50 MERALCO 298.6 299 299 301.4 297 298.6 193,230 57,853,876 24.75 24.9 26.1 26.45 24.6 24.9 3,631,000 90,939,250 MANILA WATER 3.64 3.65 3.66 3.72 3.62 3.65 2,928,000 10,719,740 PETRON PETROENERGY 4.26 4.36 4.29 4.35 4.21 4.35 20,000 85,360 PHX PETROLEUM 10.9 11.24 10.82 11.42 10.82 11.24 74,500 842,134 PILIPINAS SHELL 23.9 23.95 22.75 24 22.75 23.95 1,310,400 30,921,390 13.94 13.96 13.96 14 13.94 13.96 103,500 1,445,452 SPC POWER AGRINURTURE 4.85 4.95 4.94 4.95 4.9 4.95 112,000 553,070 AXELUM 2.82 2.83 2.78 2.83 2.78 2.83 198,000 559,010 CNTRL AZUCARERA 13.86 14.4 14.2 14.2 13.84 13.84 4,500 63,540 26 26.1 26 26 25 26 5,111,800 129,960,530 CENTURY FOOD 14.38 14.4 14.34 14.4 14.2 14.4 186,000 2,656,054 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 8.26 8.28 8.26 8.29 8.1 8.28 4,650,300 38,201,934 EMPERADOR 18.18 18.2 18.1 18.3 18.04 18.2 2,607,700 47,394,058 SMC FOODANDBEV 76.85 76.95 76 76.95 75.5 76.95 28,220 2,155,661 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.62 0.6 0.62 330,000 200,940 ALLIANCE SELECT 1.34 1.37 1.36 1.38 1.33 1.37 8,684,000 11,786,270 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 114.5 114.9 117 117 111.6 114.9 88,960 10,248,399 JOLLIBEE 226.8 229.4 229.8 231 218.2 229.4 767,380 172,546,910 6.55 7 7 7 7 7 1,000 7,000 MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP 6.87 6.98 7.05 7.1 6.86 6.87 438,500 3,045,815 MG HLDG 0.176 0.18 0.176 0.177 0.176 0.177 260,000 45,900 MONDE NISSIN 15.2 15.22 16.36 16.38 15.08 15.2 88,249,700 1,352,277,012 8.6 8.68 8.76 8.76 8.35 8.6 186,000 1,589,404 SHAKEYS PIZZA 0.77 0.78 0.78 0.8 0.77 0.77 2,045,000 1,597,030 ROXAS AND CO 4.54 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.53 4.53 7,000 31,890 RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG 1.26 1.28 1.27 1.27 1.26 1.26 26,000 32,960 SWIFT FOODS 0.115 0.118 0.12 0.12 0.115 0.118 1,490,000 172,700 136.5 136.8 135 137 133.9 136.8 1,266,430 172,576,314 UNIV ROBINA 0.75 0.76 0.77 0.77 0.75 0.76 2,276,000 1,728,820 VITARICH VICTORIAS 2.42 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 2,000 4,960 CONCRETE A 47.05 48 47 47 47 47 1,000 47,000 1.27 1.28 1.28 1.29 1.26 1.28 1,810,000 2,304,690 CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT 14.36 14.42 14.48 14.48 14.28 14.36 60,500 869,390 EEI CORP 6.29 6.3 6.49 6.49 6.28 6.29 4,063,900 25,685,942 HOLCIM 6.1 6.12 6.16 6.16 6.1 6.12 1,198,600 7,340,777 MEGAWIDE 6.07 6.1 6.27 6.3 6.07 6.07 3,385,800 20,757,511 14.52 14.6 14.6 14.6 14.58 14.6 16,500 240,890 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.9 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.9 0.9 108,000 98,150 VULCAN INDL 1.11 1.13 1.1 1.16 1.1 1.12 1,153,000 1,301,680 CROWN ASIA 1.68 1.69 1.7 1.71 1.68 1.68 148,000 251,470 1.61 1.63 1.63 1.63 1.61 1.63 50,000 81,300 EUROMED PRYCE CORP 5.41 5.48 5.4 5.48 5.4 5.48 55,900 301,888 CONCEPCION 22.35 23 23 23 23 23 3,600 82,800 GREENERGY 2.27 2.28 2.27 2.3 2.18 2.28 5,531,000 12,515,570 INTEGRATED MICR 8.65 8.83 9.1 9.1 8.48 8.65 1,008,500 8,826,754 0.85 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.85 0.86 179,000 152,570 IONICS PANASONIC 5.92 6 6.02 6.02 5.92 6 9,500 57,088 SFA SEMICON 1.12 1.14 1.12 1.17 1.11 1.12 802,000 905,160 CIRTEK HLDG 4.27 4.28 4.35 4.35 4.25 4.28 1,301,000 5,566,070

15,737,224 -19,349,345 -2,196,750 17,101,190 88,148.50 15,167,514 -41,490,430 406,110 282,100 -1,218,400 276,480 56,400 123,270,020 763,651 -1,287,490 629,472.50 -7,320 -27,200 2,459,644 49,964,168 10,530 -370,326,706 360,896 -253,280 -9,200 70,290,361 10,500 -19,514,073 -1,889,450 -4,271,251 -43,560 16,900 4,594,140 -18,304 -109,760 -13,480

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.13 1.08 1.12 9,927,000 10,923,930 ASIABEST GROUP 5.32 5.6 5.8 5.8 5.26 5.6 20,600 111,620 AYALA CORP 859.5 860 860.5 870 856 860 371,110 319,552,370 48.5 48.65 48.5 48.95 48 48.5 1,124,800 54,612,765 ABOITIZ EQUITY 10.46 10.52 10.52 10.8 10.34 10.46 9,605,300 100,858,844 ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG 5.06 5.1 5.72 5.72 5.06 5.06 18,415,100 97,164,037 ANSCOR 7.01 7.25 7.25 7.25 7.25 7.25 29,900 216,775 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.91 0.91 554,000 506,370 ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A 0.49 0.5 0.5 0.52 0.475 0.5 113,000 55,890 COSCO CAPITAL 5.05 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.05 5.05 1,125,900 5,704,752 DMCI HLDG 9.31 9.32 9.22 9.42 9.17 9.32 17,174,000 159,937,415 FILINVEST DEV 7.68 7.85 7.7 7.9 7.7 7.7 202,200 1,558,940 2.49 2.8 2.79 2.8 2.79 2.8 6,000 16,760 FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC 0.29 0.305 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.29 210,000 60,900 GT CAPITAL 577 578 579.5 579.5 562 578 260,780 149,628,090 JG SUMMIT 64 64.25 62.25 64.4 62.25 64.25 935,300 59,830,212.50 5.31 5.45 5.45 5.45 5.45 5.45 500 2,725 JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A 6 6.2 6 6 6 6 14,500 87,000 LODESTAR 0.63 0.66 0.63 0.66 0.62 0.66 744,000 467,640 LOPEZ HLDG 3.2 3.21 3.3 3.3 3.21 3.21 160,000 514,430 9.78 9.79 9.94 10.04 9.64 9.79 5,898,900 57,781,689 LT GROUP 4.02 4.03 4 4.05 3.99 4.02 20,722,000 83,221,730 METRO PAC INV 1.48 1.5 1.55 1.55 1.48 1.5 55,000 83,000 PRIME MEDIA SM INVESTMENTS 969.5 970 980 980 960 970 335,180 325,275,640 SAN MIGUEL CORP 115.3 116.8 115.8 116.8 114.4 116.8 171,670 19,954,355 0.66 0.71 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 68,000 45,560 SOC RESOURCES TOP FRONTIER 130 131.8 130 130 130 130 970 126,100 WELLEX INDUS 0.25 0.26 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 80,000 20,000 ZEUS HLDG 0.179 0.18 0.179 0.18 0.179 0.18 60,000 10,780

-201,530 -37,074 101,786,690 15,081,460 -50,938,790 1,208,018 -1,950,934 88,450,916 64,759,530 4,368,319.50 3,300 17,045,941 24,094,780 3,724,820 -616,867 -

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.64 0.65 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.64 67,000 42,880 AYALA LAND 38 38.05 37.2 38.4 37.1 38 12,726,300 482,605,965 ARANETA PROP 1.02 1.05 1.07 1.07 1.02 1.02 30,000 31,050 39.95 40 41.8 42 39.95 40 558,000 22,911,495 AREIT RT 1.35 1.38 1.39 1.39 1.35 1.38 167,000 231,450 BELLE CORP A BROWN 0.88 0.89 0.88 0.9 0.87 0.9 142,000 124,460 CITYLAND DEVT 0.75 0.77 0.76 0.77 0.75 0.75 322,000 244,010 0.117 0.119 0.12 0.121 0.116 0.119 4,570,000 535,050 CROWN EQUITIES CEBU HLDG 6.16 6.38 6.11 6.16 6.11 6.16 7,300 44,613 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.93 2.94 3.07 3.07 2.92 2.94 2,773,000 8,153,520 CENTURY PROP 0.46 0.465 0.46 0.47 0.455 0.465 21,230,000 9,796,550 DOUBLEDRAGON 10.18 10.2 10.26 10.36 10.18 10.2 202,300 2,069,700 1.8 1.81 1.82 1.82 1.8 1.81 17,074,000 30,801,380 DDMP RT 6.42 6.75 6.58 6.78 6.3 6.75 205,800 1,348,093 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.275 0.28 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.275 220,000 60,500 EVER GOTESCO 0.295 0.3 0.31 0.31 0.29 0.295 16,880,000 5,029,000 7.4 7.41 7.4 7.42 7.38 7.41 3,270,100 24,232,318 FILINVEST RT 1.13 1.14 1.13 1.15 1.12 1.14 9,571,000 10,875,340 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 0.88 0.9 0.89 0.9 0.87 0.89 583,000 515,530 8990 HLDG 10.5 10.78 10.4 11.1 10.4 10.78 1,289,300 13,716,824 PHIL INFRADEV 1.18 1.19 1.19 1.19 1.14 1.19 983,000 1,143,210 0.93 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.93 0.94 164,000 154,170 CITY AND LAND 3.06 3.07 3.12 3.15 3.02 3.06 24,603,000 75,418,340 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED 0.275 0.28 0.28 0.285 0.275 0.28 20,790,000 5,841,550 MREIT RT 17.62 17.7 17.62 17.82 17.62 17.7 2,006,200 35,577,218 0.49 0.495 0.49 0.5 0.49 0.49 3,988,000 1,976,295 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 2.11 2.13 1.97 2.15 1.97 2.13 1,161,000 2,441,670 RL COMM RT 6.69 6.7 6.75 6.8 6.69 6.7 12,839,300 86,339,610 ROBINSONS LAND 17.32 17.4 16.28 17.6 16.12 17.4 17,540,200 299,255,144 0.243 0.25 0.241 0.241 0.241 0.241 10,000 2,410 PHIL REALTY 1.53 1.58 1.58 1.58 1.53 1.58 36,000 56,570 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 2.62 2.66 2.66 2.68 2.6 2.66 284,000 741,270 STA LUCIA LAND 2.87 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.89 2.9 206,000 597,210 SM PRIME HLDG 36.55 36.6 35.9 36.8 35.1 36.6 13,055,600 474,605,160 3.69 3.87 3.86 3.87 3.69 3.87 65,000 245,150 VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST HOME 1.43 1.44 1.44 1.46 1.44 1.44 214,000 308,930 VISTA LAND 3.74 3.75 3.66 3.77 3.66 3.74 2,400,000 8,947,710 SERVICES ABS CBN 14.32 14.4 14.6 14.6 14.2 14.32 975,300 14,049,210 GMA NETWORK 14.46 14.48 15.3 15.32 14.2 14.48 8,765,300 128,923,972 MANILA BULLETIN 0.41 0.435 0.445 0.445 0.405 0.445 90,000 39,250 3,198 3,210 3,210 3,220 3,120 3,210 81,435 260,012,270 GLOBE TELECOM 1,630 1,635 1,658 1,673 1,630 1,630 97,475 160,041,425 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.095 0.096 0.1 0.1 0.095 0.095 293,680,000 28,406,810 CONVERGE 28 28.15 32 32 27.9 28 41,741,200 1,204,517,905 3.05 3.1 3.11 3.2 3.06 3.06 1,024,000 3,150,220 DFNN INC 7.09 7.1 7.25 7.25 7.05 7.09 8,160,100 58,007,312 DITO CME HLDG IMPERIAL 1.42 1.5 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.42 170,000 241,400 NOW CORP 1.88 1.89 1.91 1.91 1.88 1.88 1,064,000 2,015,430 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.305 0.295 0.3 2,940,000 875,650 2.21 2.25 2.21 2.28 2.21 2.25 59,000 131,730 PHILWEB 2GO GROUP 7.96 8.1 8 8.11 7.95 7.95 30,700 245,114 ASIAN TERMINALS 14.02 14.2 14.2 14.2 14 14.2 41,400 582,600 CHELSEA 2.04 2.06 2.11 2.11 2.02 2.06 873,000 1,785,190 44.85 45 45.8 46.3 43.1 44.85 1,322,700 59,676,020 CEBU AIR 182 183.4 177 184.6 176.6 183.4 1,410,120 255,155,082 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 19 20.25 20 20.25 19 19 64,700 1,294,195 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.92 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 100,000 94,000 5.18 5.2 5.4 5.5 5.2 5.2 1,739,300 9,221,362 MACROASIA 1.55 1.59 1.66 1.66 1.55 1.55 58,000 90,830 METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 1.6 1.62 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1,000 1,600 HARBOR STAR 1.04 1.06 1.05 1.06 1.03 1.06 375,000 391,590 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.26 2.32 2.39 2.39 2.25 2.32 159,000 369,460 0.52 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.52 0.52 441,000 229,480 WATERFRONT 555 580 555 555 555 555 10 5,550 FAR EASTERN U STI HLDG 0.355 0.36 0.36 0.365 0.355 0.355 1,780,000 641,300 BERJAYA 5.45 5.5 5.4 5.58 5.38 5.5 113,100 610,482 6.37 6.4 6.32 6.51 6.13 6.4 5,711,800 36,462,910 BLOOMBERRY 1.95 2.1 1.97 2.1 1.97 2.1 48,000 97,690 PACIFIC ONLINE LEISURE AND RES 1.67 1.7 1.68 1.7 1.65 1.67 271,000 452,110 MANILA JOCKEY 1.76 1.8 1.78 1.8 1.78 1.8 604,000 1,075,200 PH RESORTS GRP 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.03 1.05 1,588,000 1,655,400 0.425 0.435 0.43 0.435 0.43 0.43 2,290,000 987,400 PREMIUM LEISURE 10 10.02 10.48 10.48 9.55 10 2,018,300 20,266,472 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.35 1.36 1.35 1.36 1.34 1.36 361,000 487,740 PUREGOLD 42.3 42.35 42.8 42.8 42.15 42.35 1,855,200 78,659,805 58.45 58.5 61.3 61.5 58 58.5 1,482,360 87,272,703 ROBINSONS RTL 92.05 95 93 96 90.5 96 15,210 1,403,472 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.22 1.23 1.25 1.26 1.18 1.23 4,692,000 5,743,850 WILCON DEPOT 28.45 28.6 29.45 29.45 28.25 28.45 1,918,900 54,699,705 APC GROUP 0.247 0.249 0.25 0.25 0.247 0.249 4,640,000 1,155,320 4.6 4.8 4.6 4.8 4.6 4.8 3,000 14,000 EASYCALL IPM HLDG 6.95 7.05 7.05 7.05 7 7.05 8,500 59,650 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.78 0.79 0.82 0.85 0.79 0.79 16,926,000 13,743,930 MINING & OIL ATOK 6.61 6.72 6.8 7 6.6 6.72 160,500 1,087,505 APEX MINING 1.45 1.46 1.48 1.48 1.42 1.45 1,050,000 1,536,340 6.56 6.58 6.7 6.78 6.56 6.56 1,478,800 9,867,092 ATLAS MINING 5.25 5.33 5.31 5.35 5.2 5.33 29,300 155,590 BENGUET A BENGUET B 5.01 5.3 5.01 5.01 5.01 5.01 4,000 20,040 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.29 0.295 0.29 0.3 0.29 0.295 190,000 55,650 5.26 5.5 5.51 5.53 5.25 5.25 75,200 408,192 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 2.2 2.21 2.2 2.25 2.19 2.21 2,562,000 5,694,070 GEOGRACE 0.212 0.216 0.221 0.221 0.211 0.212 3,190,000 688,550 LEPANTO A 0.133 0.135 0.136 0.136 0.133 0.135 8,660,000 1,157,510 LEPANTO B 0.138 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 1,190,000 166,600 0.0092 0.0093 0.0094 0.0094 0.0093 0.0093 26,000,000 242,900 MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES 0.91 0.94 0.92 0.95 0.92 0.92 459,000 425,000 NIHAO 1 1.02 1.02 1.02 1 1 180,000 182,130 NICKEL ASIA 5.68 5.7 5.65 5.75 5.64 5.68 7,670,800 43,561,888 0.33 0.35 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.33 70,000 23,100 OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA 0.83 0.85 0.84 0.84 0.83 0.83 52,000 43,510 PX MINING 5.45 5.48 5.6 5.6 5.4 5.48 652,800 3,599,219 SEMIRARA MINING 29.8 29.9 30 30.6 29.5 29.8 6,091,500 182,877,475 UNITED PARAGON 0.0067 0.0068 0.0066 0.0069 0.0066 0.0067 6,000,000 40,300 16.88 17 17.38 17.4 17 17 129,200 2,203,760 ACE ENEXOR 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 21,800,000 240,200 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 15,200,000 179,900 PHILODRILL 0.0098 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.0097 0.0097 6,000,000 58,900 6.38 6.49 6.61 6.79 6.3 6.38 773,000 5,088,513 PXP ENERGY PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 101.2 101.9 101.5 101.9 101.5 101.9 550 55,845 HOUSE PREF A 100 101.5 100.1 100.1 100 100 18,000 1,800,350 AC PREF B2R 524.5 525 525 525 525 525 810 425,250 44.1 44.8 44.8 45.05 43.85 44.8 105,900 4,736,185 CEB PREF 104 104.9 104.9 104.9 104.9 104.9 100 10,490 CPG PREF A DD PREF 101.6 102.3 101.6 101.6 101.5 101.5 9,650 979,481 GTCAP PREF A 990 1,018 991 991 990 990 2,000 1,980,010 1,010 1,050 1,020 1,050 1,010 1,010 1,645 1,691,950 JFC PREF A JFC PREF B 1,020 1,027 1,028 1,028 1,020 1,020 2,555 2,613,495 MWIDE PREF 2B 101 102.8 101.2 101.5 101 101 25,500 2,575,990 PNX PREF 3B 106.5 107 107.5 107.5 107 107 300 32,200 PNX PREF 4 1,005 1,010 1,007 1,010 1,005 1,010 4,325 4,352,310 1,111 1,130 1,110 1,110 1,110 1,110 30 33,300 PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B 1,180 1,187 1,185 1,185 1,185 1,185 2,000 2,370,000 SMC PREF 2F 79.05 79.35 79.3 79.35 79.05 79.05 94,810 7,498,445.50 SMC PREF 2H 76 76.35 76.3 76.3 75.95 75.95 25,600 1,944,495 79.25 79.5 79.4 79.5 79.4 79.5 15,000 1,192,225 SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2J 76.25 77 76.25 76.25 76.25 76.25 3,000 228,750 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 13.32 14 14.12 14.12 13.2 13.32 96,000 1,321,790 GMA HLDG PDR 14.24 14.48 14.7 14.7 14.16 14.24 156,200 2,229,792 WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 1.23 1.25 1.28 1.28 1.23 1.23 2,664,000 3,333,580

289,859,140 2,043,685 -27,800 10,500 -43,381 -3,832,090 -60,650 -159,020 32,550 52,190 171,700 5,793,901 75,640.00 -77,160.00 18,800 -1,255,020 519,600.00 -2,213,010 -18,610 -27,233,889 24,107,212 -2,410 -202,110 111,769,030 18,720 3,009,650 -8,531,540 10,679,230 -151,770 -200,905,880 389,230 4,663,120 -218,480 -392,500 10,300 -17,161,320 111,605,545 -120,000 -369,479 -26,000 14,400 -16,259,484 33,000 21,650 -137,600 10,155,193 -6,750 -36,451,190 -20,272,687 29,575 -105,640 16,515,530 14,980 -249,470

17 1.82 3.81 3.21

17.26 1.85 3.98 3.22

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

109.6

109.8

17.22 1.8 3.87 3.3

17.3 1.89 3.87 3.3

17 1.78 3.8 3.2

17 1.85 3.8 3.22

32,000 256,000 10,000 7,781,000

545,242 462,620 38,400 25,146,820

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

he Department of Energy (DOE) has approved the request of power firms to proceed with their grid impact studies (GIS) on their proposed power projects with over 4,000 megawatts (MW) of power generation capacity. For September, the agency approved the 200MW wind power project of Solar Philippines Calatagan Corp. in Batangas; 8.1MW hydro project of Century Peak Energy Corp. in Iloilo; the 2x 30MW

Malaya diesel power of Belgrove Power Corp.; 5.15MW hydro power of Zak Green Energy in Ilocos Norte; 510 MW wind power project of Earth Sol Power Corp.; and the 7.4MW hydro of Zak Green.

Emmanuel Juaneza is new NEA chief

HE National Electrification Administration (NEA) has named Emmanuel Juaneza as its new administrator, the agency announced Monday. The NEA Board of Administrators (BOA), through a special board meeting presided by NEA Chairman and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, officially elected NEA Board Member Juaneza as the NEA Administrator on Monday. Prior to this, Juaneza served as DOE Undersecretary. President Duterte signed last October 13 the appointment paper of Juaneza as member of the NEA BOA and his nomination as the NEA Administrator. Juaneza, in his message during the agency’s flag raising ceremony on Monday via Zoom, enjoined the NEA employees to work together and execute the agency’s mandate. “The job is challenging and I am enjoining everyone that we work together to execute the mandate of the National Electrification Administration with focus on the total electrification of the

remaining households across the nation,” he said. “We are given a certainly daunting schedule, telling us to accomplish 100-percent total electrification by end of President Duterte’s office.” Juaneza, a professional mechanical engineer, served as the DOE Undersecretary supervising the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau and the Renewable Energy Management Bureau. He was also designated as Cusi’s Alternate Chairman to the NEA BOA and Alternate Representative to the Boards of National Power Cor p., National Transmission Corp., Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management and the National Renewable Energy Board. Before his stint at the DOE, he was a Board Member of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority from September 2016 to September 2019. The NEA, an attached agency of the DOE, is tasked to pursue total electrification of the country, in partnership with the 121 electric cooperatives. Lenie Lectura

1,277,510 -68,000 1,373,900.00

109.4 109.9 109 109.8 16,840 1,842,893 119,014

The agency also approved the 17MW diesel power project of La Pampanga Energy Corp.; 1400MW hydro power project of JBD Management and Consulting Services, Inc. in Laguna; 500MW wind power of Earth Sol in Bataan; 2x70MW LNG (liquefied natural gas) power project of Converge Power Generation Corp. in Cebu; 1200MW LNG of Belgrove Power in Rizal; 79.46MW solar power of Shizen Inc. in Zambales; and the 22.5MW hydro project of Pan Pacific Renewable Power Philippines Corp. in Kalinga. The GIS is necessary in determining if the electricity to be generated by the power project can be absorbed by the country’s transmission system. Belgrove will refurbish the Malaya thermal power plant which has two units—300MW unit 1 and

350MW unit 2—but could not be utilized due to damaged turbine and air pre-heater. The MTPP was recently sold to Belgrove Power via a negotiated sale. The company is embarking on a rebuilding program for MTPP to bring back its reliable capacity to 650 MW. Belgrove has informed the Department of Energy about its intent on the MTPP which is to “immediately repair Unit 2 of Malaya with a rated capacity of 350 MW and bring in two new modular aeroderivative gas engines for an additional capacity of 60 MW” by end of 2021. From July to August this year, the DOE also cleared the power projects of 12 firms for the conduct of GIS. These projects have 1,797.17MW of installed capacity.

mutual funds

October 18, 2021

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

229.95

-2.19%

1.21%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.6386

51.85%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.1921

20.98%

5.84%

3.78%

24.8%

-5.31%

-4.93%

1.89%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7508 11.68%

-4.72% n.a.

-7.63%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7863 16.7%

-0.55% n.a.

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

5.165

18.01%

-1.67%

23.47%

1.28%

-0.06%

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

0.7738

18.57%

-0.97%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

6.03% -3.92% -0.33%

100.39

18.26%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.3917

21.12%

0.3%

-0.74%

1.18%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

494.17

17.73%

0.35%

-1.31%

1.07%

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d

26.97% n.a. n.a.

1.1497

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.289

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.0112

-3.14% n.a.

29.11%

2.1%

0.76%

23%

0.73%

-1.45%

4.78% 10.34%

0.22%

3.57%

21.52% n.a. n.a.

2.49%

4.8805

22.11%

1.1%

1.86%

814.78

21.94%

1.11%

-0.06%

1.64%

0.7431

22.16%

-3.2%

3.37%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7172

21.31%

2.57%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9357

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

-1.53%

-1.48%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9299 21.49%

0.75%

-0.25%

1.33%

United Fund, Inc. -a

0.83%

0.87%

3.83%

1.29%

0.44% 1.86%

3.4457

22.83%

ALFM

4.53%

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

109.551

22.23%

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

$1.1638

7.41%

6.82%

5.4%

-3.25%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.805

14.27%

13.53%

11.79%

7.9%

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

1.6841

8.41%

1.66%

-0.75%

0.93%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2356

9.82%

1.38%

-0.57%

-2.18%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.69

12.87%

3.13%

1.29%

2.4%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1995

10.4% n.a. n.a. 0.71%

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

2.0004

9.29%

3.79%

1.51%

1.69%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7429

8.69%

3.41%

0.2%

-1.24%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.7512

8.77%

3.21%

0.21%

-1.11%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1021

10.44%

1.49%

0.32%

0.53%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.6199 11.96%

0.68%

-0.39%

1.3%

5.94% n.a. n.a.

-3.56%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9862 Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9347

13.53% n.a. n.a.

-1.53%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9246

15.58% n.a. n.a.

-0.91%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

17.56%

4.58%

0.9284

0.99%

-0.44%

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

$0.03746

-4.41%

2.61%

0.94%

-4.19%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0682

0.05%

4.45%

2.91%

-5.47%

10.3%

10.03%

8.27%

4.87%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.2104 4.02%

5.61%

4.28%

0.68%

0.27%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.7324

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

372.13

0.94%

2.91%

2.44%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9227

-1.53%

1.16%

0.16%

1.18%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2419

1.18%

3.28%

4.12%

0.82%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2423

-2.44%

-2.22%

1.95%

1.26%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4212 -1.18%

3.06%

1.7%

-1.3%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

5.34%

1.24%

-4.79%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

4.4082

-4.92%

1.3164

0.35%

3.97%

2.62%

-0.37%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9655

0.18%

4.69%

2.37%

-0.89%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0215

-1.57%

5.46%

1.62%

-2.11%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1842

0.05%

5.02%

2.74%

-0.68%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-0.74%

4.22%

2.06%

-1.32%

1.7319

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

$487.97

1.47%

3.06%

2.18%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є219.92

1.03%

0.79%

0.32%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1901

-4.79%

2.02%

1.16%

-7.01%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0259 -2.26%

0.82%

1.46%

0.79%

-2.63%

$1.0163

-7.05%

-0.25%

-1.5%

-6.76%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.4754

-1.82%

5.03%

1.9%

-2.54%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.0625064

1.1%

3.2%

1.97%

0.33%

-2.6%

2.91%

0.75%

-2.66%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1378

4,024,575 4,790,430 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART

Power firms get DOE nod for grid impact studies

33,140 2,900 916,629 20,040 -587,720 -1,900 7,594,539 590,271 26,552,950 200 1,700 4,800 -9,800 -127,550

1,460

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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

2.53%

0.76%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0559 0.97% n.a. n.a.

130.81

1.19%

0.74%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3114

1.12%

1.53%

2.95% 2.71%

2.54%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.059

0.84%

1.53% n.a.

0.51%

Feeder Funds

GGDC RECEIVES SAFETY SEAL CERTIFICATION. Clark Development Corp. (CDC)

conferred a safety seal certification to Global Gateway Development Corp. (GGDC). GGDC Safety Officer Reinier Guiban (left) received the certification from CDC-Health and Sanitation Division Manager Dr. Clemencita Dobles (2nd from right) and CDC-Investment Promotions Division Assistant Manager Erwin Pattaui (rightmost). The certification indicates that the establishment follows the health and safety protocols set by the government. Contributed Photo

Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d 1.3345

26.94% n.a. n.a. 18.14%

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

$0.97

2.11% n.a. n.a.

-1.02%

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). 1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.).

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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Govt sells add’l ₧3B in securities amid high rates

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) opened the tap facility to sell an additional P3 billion in government-backed securities despite a slight uptick in rates—prompted by the central bank governor’s policy signaling. National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon the Treasury decided to open the tap facility auction for an addi-

tional offering “to take advantage” of the non-competitive bids given the “good” rate.

The additional offering came even after the Treasury fully-awarded P15 billion in Treasury Bills (T-bills) on Monday’s auction, which saw rates moving sideways and ended more than twice oversubscribed. Total submitted bids reached P36.1 billion. The rates for all tenors were also lower than secondary market benchmark rates. De Leon said rates moved sideways following the statement of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno that an early rate hike would do more harm than good to the economy. Diokno expressed his views as monetary authorities in other economies used such tool to fight off steadily-rising inflation, brought about by a “normalization” in trade

and consumption. Speaking to reporters last Sunday, Diokno said while central bankers and policy-makers seem divided on the path of inflation, the BSP’s assessment continues to show inflation retreating to within target levels in the coming months. “The BSP staff forecasts that average inflation this year will be about 4.5 percent, slightly above the upper range of the target 2-to-4 percent,” Diokno said. “Inflation is expected to settle at an average of 3.3 percent in 2020.” While the country’s average inflation of 4.5 percent from January to September exceeded government’s target band, the central bank chief said he still believes the elevated

inflation in the past months is still “transitory.” Investors may have taken the cue and stuck to the longer tenor, ushering a slight uptick in the rate fetched by 364-day T-bills. These debt papers capped at an average rate of 1.604 percent, a 1.7-basis point (bps) rise from 1.587 percent in the last auction. The tenor attracted total bids of P10.54 billion, which is twice the equivalent of the P5-billion offering. The 91-day T-bills fetched an average rate of 1.113 percent, up by 1.8 bps from the previous auction’s 1.095 percent. Tenders for the tenor amounted to P8.68 billion. For the 182-day T-bills, the rate was almost unchanged at 1.39 per-

cent. This was slightly lower than 1.391 percent previously. Bids for the security reached P16.87 billion, more than thrice the P5 billion offering. For this month, the Treasury is aiming to raise P200 billion from the local debt market to help the national government meet its programmed borrowing for this year of P3.1-trillion. As of end-August this year, the national government’s outstanding debt has hit a new record-high of P11.64 trillion, up by more than a fifth from P9.62 trillion a year ago. Last week, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III reiterated that posting a 60-percent debt-toGDP (gross domestic product) ratio is “manageable.”

Practical financial goals for Finance officials to roll out ‘green finance’ roadmap every decade of your life

HAT financial goals should you strive for in your 20s, 30s and until you retire in your 60s and beyond? Here’s a list that can serve as your guide. In your 20s Build an emergency fund. Ideally, this should be at least 6-months’ worth of your necessary expenses. If you achieve this, you would have also learned the habit of saving, which is essential for attaining financial independence. Be a responsible credit card user. Being responsible means paying your credit card balance IN FULL every month and neither just a portion nor the minimum required amount. This will teach you how to properly manage debts. Understand how paper assets work. I’m referring to time deposits, government and corporate bonds, UITF and mutual funds and the stock market. Learn what they are, how they work, why they exist and how you earn (and lose) money from them. Establish a healthy lifestyle. Your unhealthy habits during your 20s will come back to haunt you down the road. Medical expenses are one of life’s biggest stressors; minimize them by taking good care of your body. Start your retirement fund. Yes, start building your retirement fund as soon as you have income. It doesn’t have to be a lot; just an amount that’s comfortable for you. Put it in an equity fund. In your 30s Establish a strong and steady cashflow. People buy a car, get married, secure a home and start a family during this decade. You’ll need money to do all those things, which a strong and healthy cash flow from a career or business can provide. Get insured. If you haven’t yet, then it’s time for you to secure the necessary life insurance and longterm healthcare insurance, especially if you already have your own family. Build your paper assets portfolio. It’s now time to apply what you learned and build your investment portfolio. It’s best to diversify with low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk types of investments; as well as a good mix of bonds, stocks and investment funds. In your 40s Create passive sources of in-

Fitz Gerard Villafuerte

personal finance come. You can’t work forever; that’s why you need to do this. Popular sources of passive income are real estate rentals, business dividends, royalties and commission income. Design your retirement. At this time, you may already have a good idea of where you want to retire. Take it a step further and create a retirement plan; and see how much it will cost to turn your dream retirement lifestyle into a reality. In your 50s Work on your retirement plan. How do you see yourself when you retire? Running a small business? Traveling the world? Pursuing a new career? Whatever it is, it’s time to prepare your mindset and your finances for that chapter in your life. Have no more liabilities. Retirement is just around the corner. Make sure that your debt obligations, particularly any loans you have, are paid in full before you retire. Build enough passive income to cover your necessary expenses. You cannot depend on your retirement benefits alone. That is often not enough for your cost of living expenses. Augment your cash flow with passive income sources for a worry-free retirement. In your 60s and beyond Do estate and legacy planning. Memento mori; “Remember you must die.” It will eventually happen to each of us. Make sure that our loved ones won’t become financially burdened when it happens. Realize your retirement plan. Whatever, wherever and however you wanted your retirement to be, it’s time to follow your plan. Don’t be afraid to redeem investments and surrender insurance policies, if needed. This is, after all, the ultimate time to enjoy all the money you’ve saved and invested through the decades. Fitz Villafuerte is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personalfinancial planning, attend the 93rd RFP program this January 2022. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

HE Inter-Agency Technical Working Group (TWG) for Sustainable Finance led by the Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), is set to roll out this week the “Philippine Sustainable Roadmap and Guiding Principles” on the use of low-carbon energy. The master plan to be presented this Wednesday includes policy and regulatory gaps in promoting sustainable investments through finance, implementing sustainable government initiatives, facilitating

investments in public infrastructure and developing projects that promote sustainable financing in the Philippines. The blueprint is also expected to spur investments in the country coming from various financing sources to support the country’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent over the next decade as its Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement. Under the roadmap, the development of sustainable financing on green policies and programs is built

on three strategic pillars, namely: policy (creating a conducive environment); financing (mainstreaming sustainable finance); and, investment (developing a sustainable pipeline). There will also be a set of guiding principles that will serve as taxonomy for the sustainable finance ecosystem in the Philippines, the TWG’s statement read. These principles have been aligned with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Standards for Green Bonds, the European

Union Taxonomy and other internationally-accepted standards for green taxonomy. The roadmap was developed under the auspices of the United Kingdom government’s Asean Low Carbon Energy Programme, according to the TWG. The Alcep is a regional technical assistance project designed to help Asean member-countries harness the benefits from using low carbon energy by leveraging UK’s extensive expertise on green finance and energy efficiency. Bernadette D. Nicolas

BSP cites media’s role in bringing CB closer to Pinoys

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) emphasized the vital role of the media in achieving its strategic goal of making the BSP more accessible to a greater majority of Filipinos. “We count on you to help us bring the BSP closer to the people. As our allies in this pursuit, we cannot overemphasize the crucial role of the media in our economic recovery and development plan,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said during the recently concluded Media Lectures for members of the Northern Luzon press. The 2-day virtual-learning session tackled economic updates in North Luzon and the rest of the country, recent developments and trends in the digital payments space; proper handling of Philippine currencies, and BSP’s gold operations. The BSP Governor underscored that in the time of a public health crisis, the media is a source of critical information. “Through media, government can get a clear picture of what is happening on the ground, en-

Photo shows (top left) Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno together with Monetary Board Members Anita Linda R. Aquino and V Bruce J. Tolentino, other BSP officials and media attendees during the Online Media Lecture held last October 7 to October 8. CREDIT: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

abling the development of sound economic policies,” Diokno explained. Beyond day-to-day economic and business reportage, the Governor encouraged members of the media to help put context to these statistics and explain how they translate into a better quality of

life for Filipinos. “As we make our way towards a technologicallydriven, inclusive, and sustainable post-Covid-19 economy, let us work together in bringing the BSP closer to the people we both serve—the Filipino people,” Diokno said.

Tala bags $145M funding to boost ‘inclusion’ plans

HE local business of Santa Monica, California-headquartered Tala Mobile LLC. announced the parent firm raised $145-million Series-E fundraise led by Upstart with participation from the Stellar Development Foundation Inc. New investors Kindred Ventures Inc. and the J. Safra Group, along with existing investors including IVP, Revolution Growth, Lowercase Capital and PayPal Ventures also joined the round, bringing Tala’s total funding to more than $350 million, the company’s statement read. Tala said it will use the investment “to accelerate the rollout of its new financial account experience,

which provides customers with tools to borrow, save and manage their money, all through Tala’s consumer finance app.” The company added that it also plans to “grow its team across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, India and the United States and pull forward plans for both geographic and product expansion, including crypto offerings”. In addition to payments and savings, Tala said its “evolved account will offer an expanded range of personalized credit options, including longer-term loans and credit that can be configured to match customers’ income cycles.” Since launching in Nairobi in

2014, Tala said it has delivered more than $2.7 billion in credit to more than 6 million customers across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico and India. More than 12,000 new users sign up for its services every day, the company claims. Tala said it will also leverage the funding from Stellar to develop the first mass-market crypto product for emerging markets, “advancing a core promise of digital currency ecosystems by making more affordable and equitable financial tools available to populations that can benefit the most from the crypto economy.” As part of the fundraise, Upstart Holdings Inc. Co-founder Paul Gu and Stellar CEO and Executive Direc-

tor Denelle Dixon have joined Tala’s board of directors. “Tala has spent the past seven years delivering critical and valued services in markets where the financial system is fundamentally broken for millions of people,” Tala Founder and CEO Shivani Siroya was quoted in the statement as saying. “This new investment will accelerate our path to becoming the primary financial account for the global underbanked and helping millions more people make progress in their financial lives.” According to Tala Financing Philippines Inc., the company has already provided service to 1.6 million Filipino borrowers through its innovative mobile application.

Exotic world of ESG derivatives triggers warning from markets regulator

S some of the world’s biggest banks start experimenting with complex ESG derivatives, Europe’s markets regulator says it’s time to impose new rules to protect investors from greenwashing. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) says it’s hard to verify the positive impact of derivatives sold under environmental, social and governance labels. The watchdog says standardized criteria should be met before firms can add

ESG tags to products such as forwards, options and swaps. The term ESG derivative “captures very different products, and each market participant seems to have their own view as to the reasons why their product is ‘ESG’,” ESMA told Bloomberg News in a written response. “The absence of disclosure requirements or recognized labels with minimum sustainability criteria implies that claims as to the impact of these instruments cannot be substantiated.”

The ESG market has enjoyed almost unfettered growth in recent years, mushrooming into a $35 trillion hodgepodge of products that have reshaped the financial industry. The more recent spread of ESG into the world of derivatives is being led by a small group of Wall Street and European banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co., ING Groep NV and Deutsche Bank AG. While the over-the-counter nature of such transactions makes it difficult to estimate the exact size of

the ESG derivatives market, its rapid growth has caught the attention of regulators. That’s amid growing concern that the ESG label is being too liberally applied in general. In Europe, the financial industry is already being forced to rein in ESG claims as a new framework for sustainable investing, banking and business goes into force. And asset managers have started scaling back earlier ESG claims as an anti-greenwash rule book—the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation—

forces transparency on the industry. Proponents of ESG derivatives argue that an expansion of the market will help channel much needed private finance into green activities. That’s as the European Union estimates it will require an extra 350 billion euros ($405 billion) a year to pay for infrastructure and clean energy production. And expanding the pool of financing for green projects will be a key focus of United Nations climate talks next month in Glasgow, Scotland. ESMA says it hasn’t yet developed

a “focused view” on ESG derivatives, because it needs more time to study the market. Even at this early stage, though, the regulator says the absence of standardized definitions is grounds for concern. A first step will be defining the size and scope of the market. The International Swaps and Derivatives Association says the sheer speed with which the ESG derivatives market has mushroomed makes compiling a list of the different types of structures “very challenging.” Bloomberg News

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Art

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Gillian Jacobs, 39; Roger Cross, 52; Jon Favreau, 55; John Lithgow, 76. Happy Birthday: Speak up and offer suggestions. It’s time to be bold and upfront and to find out exactly where you stand. Put your plans in play. Take charge of your happiness, and you will discover a way to reach your goal. Life is about living, not just existing. Stand tall, be counted and do your part to secure your lot in life. Your numbers are 6, 13, 22, 26, 34, 40, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Trust in your ability to get things done. A chance to invest in enhancing your skills and knowledge looks promising. A commitment from the heart will change the way you live. Romance is on the rise, and personal benefits will be yours. HHH

‘The National Art Fair’: ManilART 2021 opens this week

anilART returns for the 13th year from October 20 to 24 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier in Taguig City, with the theme “Continuing Legacies.” Touted as the longest-running visual arts fair in the Philippines established in 2009, ManilART serves as the flagship event of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Museums and Galleries Month, celebrated every October.

This year, ManilART reinforces its claim as “The National Art Fair” by presenting exhibitions in regional venues that feature local artists. The satellite sites include Balai Kalipay in Davao, Likhang Silangan in Rizal, Tarlac Art in Tarlac, and Ricardo’s in Cavite. ManilART 2021 can also be accessed online with virtual events and exhibitions on www.manilartfair. com. Fairgoers can experience a 360° walkthrough synchronously with the fair opening, where they can view every presentation of the 22 participating galleries. This year’s exhibitors include Galerie Raphael, Galleria Nicolas, Annual Sculpture Review, G9 Online, Art For Space, Nemiranda Arthouse, Ysobel Art Gallery, Galerie Du Soleil, A. Tolentino Art Gallery, Historia Arts, Galerie Artes, Village Art Gallery, 371 Art Space, Renaissance Art Gallery, Galerie Francesca. Presenting as well are Artes Orientes, NQC, Artologist Gallery, Espacio Manila by CMG, Robles Museum, and Art Lounge Manila. “The exhibitors are more confident of participating this year, given the current community quarantine

protocols,” said Rio Ambrosio of the ManilART Exhibitor Relations Committee. “We’re also expecting to have far more [visitors] than we had last year.” ManilART 2021 was originally scheduled from October 13 to 17, but was moved “in anticipation of a more open BGC.” Malacañang announced last week that Metro Manila will be placed under a less restrictive Alert Level 3 until the end of the month. Ambrosio added that, the current alert level notwithstanding, this year’s fair will continue to observe proper health and safety protocols. “Safe Hours,” for instance, will be implemented for select onsite activities, with available slots requiring the presentation of a vaccination card. Other measures include the observance of social distancing, one-way directionality of tour, and the wearing of face masks and face shields. “Art will always be around,” Ambrosio said when asked of art’s importance amid challenging times, given that this will be the 2nd edition of ManilART under the ongoing pandemic. “It’s art that soothes the soul.” n

Brother-artist exhibit of sketches still on view Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC, a devoted member of the Christian Brothers Community, is an engaged individual. After all, he is the president of both the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and La Salle Green Hills. “There is always work to be done,” he says. Nevertheless, he finds time—in a sort of a compromise—for his dedication toward art. This culminates in his ongoing solo exhibit, titled Drawings: From Residences in Japan and France. Armed with a degree in Fine Arts Major in Painting from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Br. Dodo is no stranger to the visual field. In fact, he has been a guest of several art houses in foreign countries. In his very first immersion in Vermont, USA, he hoped to do paintings. But he ultimately gravitated to pencil-on-paper sketches, with the subject seemingly removed from its context—just on a blank slate. “The object is presented as they are,” he asserted. At the Shiro Oni Studio in Gunma, Japan, he had the occasion to contemplate on life and war. He explored the mental images of the helplessness and

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Be cautious of offers that sound too good to be true. Research, and opt-out if you feel uncertain. Play it safe, sit tight and don’t allow changes that take place to push you in a direction not suited to your schedule. HHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Speed up, and you’ll reach your destination with plenty of time to spare. Your initiative will help encourage your pursuits. Expand your mind and skills, and good things will transpire. Make self-improvement a priority. Romance is in the stars. HHHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Do something that brings you joy. The time you take to relax and rejuvenate will help you rethink your next move. A positive change is within reach if you reach out to someone who can help you with your objective. HH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Study something that intrigues you and engages your mind in ways you never thought possible. How you approach partnerships, business and money matters will prove beneficial if you are true to yourself and your long-term goals. HHHHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Set up a reasonable budget. Consider investing in something that will help you bring in more cash. Adding to your qualifications or skills is favored. Stick close to home, and avoid the possibility of being subject to a health risk. Avoid temptation. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take a positive path that allows you to explore exciting avenues. Put the utmost into getting what you want, and refuse to let anyone stand in your way. Anger won’t solve anything, but accomplishing what you set out to do will. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stick to the rules, and avoid confusion and setbacks. Take a path that allows you to use your creativity to overcome indecisiveness. A change will daunt you, but in time and with patience, you will recognize benefits. Be open to suggestions. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Set high standards, and live up to your expectations. How you present what you want to do will activate and inspire others to pitch in and help. Use your intelligence and connections appropriately, and success will follow. Romance is featured. HHHHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll face opposition and lots of questions that will be emotionally draining if you aren’t swift to explain your actions and present reasonable solutions. Take control, but don’t put demands on others. Handle change with optimism and finesse. HH

desperation that led people to the jump from the Twin Towers during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the emaciated bodies of the unfortunate victims of the Holocaust. Meanwhile, in a commune of Caylus, France, he focused on the controlled illustration of a nautilus shell and eventually unconstrained portrayals of dead flies. All these come together in his ongoing show, which exemplifies 21 of his most-cherished pieces. Each study is simply tagged “Drawing No. 1,” “Drawing No. 2” and so on, as the Brother-artist sees

these as exercises. When asked why he only draws in isolation—away from the worries and distractions of city life—Br. Dodo says these sabbaticals grant him time to focus on his craft. “When I am at residences, I am an artist. Afterward, I resume my duties as a Brother-Leader. They may be different and opposing aspects that are difficult to merge,” he concludes. Edmundo Fernandez’s Drawings: From Residences in Japan and France is on view at the Tall Gallery of the Finale Art File until Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’ll have the stamina to get things done quickly and efficiently. Your progress and gains will help fund something you want to pursue or purchase to advance your agenda. Your power of persuasion will get results. HHHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Put your effort into self-improvement. Update your image, raise your awareness and do something that matters. How you use your time and clout will determine how much help others are willing to offer. Build a team you can trust. HHH Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, creative and passionate. You are friendly and spirited.

‘standard procedure’ by ross trudeau The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Border 5 Two twos, for one 9 Place for eyebrow threading 12 Beginnings of ideas 14 Academy Award nomination 16 They’re in charge of landscaping 18 “For me...” online 19 Calorie or kilogram, e.g. 20 Genre to mosh to 22 They’re in charge of routes 26 Move quickly? 27 Secluded valley 28 Clumsy person 30 The Matrix character who says “I know Kung Fu” 31 Prefix for “gender” 34 Affliction that rhymes with the affected body part 35 Sound of rebuke 36 They’re in charge of desserts 39 www.spelman.___ 41 Must have 42 Words exchanged at an altar 43 Limb attached to a trunk

4 Gossip that’s “spilled” 4 45 “Sacre ___!” 49 A.O.C. and Ayanna Pressley, e.g. 51 They’re in charge of syllabi 56 Bread boxes? 58 “Chopped” creation 59 “Let’s go, team!” 60 Natural outcome, and something the people in the starred clues’ answers attend to 64 “Yeah, I guess” 65 More arid 66 Soccer goal attachment 67 ___ is more 68 Famous loch DOWN 1 Messy Halloween prank 2 Skin-related 3 Get into the music 4 Bird that dingos prey on 5 Theorize 6 Invite for 7 Diamonds, in slang 8 The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl author Issa

9 Contemptuous smile 10 Black cats and blood moons, for some 11 Facebook’s primary revenue source 13 Like a bug in a rug 15 Tach reading 17 “I just took a ___ test / Turns out I’m 100%...” (Lizzo lyric) 21 Style 23 Ancient Peruvian 24 Campus military grp. 25 “Go stop in for a chat!” 29 Chicken dinner? 32 “___ it romantic?” 33 Like a black diamond slope 34 Name hidden in “oopsy daisy” 36 Shooting guard’s feint 37 Caboose 38 Watch chains 39 “Folded” parts of a Scottish Fold cat 40 “Not in a million years!” 46 Country singer Morgan 47 Wipes out 48 They might show you to your seat 50 Go after

2 Litter box emanations 5 53 High-pitched flutes 54 “Exit full screen” key 55 Equipped with footwear 57 Where slop is served 61 Subj. for some aspiring bilinguals 62 Really regret 63 Large coffee vessel

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Kit Thompson strives to always be a better version of himself “I was surprised when I learned that I won best actor at the WorldFest Independent Film and Video Festival in Houston. It’s a totally unexpected career milestone that is a constant reminder that I must have made the right decision to come back and continue finding my place in the acting business.” Since his lauded performance in that movie, Thompson’s career has taken a different turn because producers are now assured that this hunky actor can be brave, bold and brilliant all at the same time. As this pandemic lingers, major movie studios have started churning out modern-day versions of the pitopito movies, where productions are given an average of seven days to get done before they are uploaded in different viewing platforms, like Vivamax, where Thompson’s latest film has started streaming. Megged by Darryl Yap, the movie is titled Sarap Mong Patayin, and it explores the stories of people caught in the web of catfishing, a contemporary online term when a person lures others into relationships by creating a false identity. Beauty queen Ariella Arida and comedian Lassy Marquez are his coactors. Thompson said yes immediately after an inquiry about this movie came in. “I always ask for the theme, the story, how the narrative is going to progress, who are my coactors. I want to have fun while working on the set, I want variety. So even if there are sensitive scenes in this movie where I will be molested, I agreed, trusting that my director, who is also the scriptwriter, knows what he wants from the material he has created.” There is no room for actors to be too choosy these days, said Thompson. He recalled a French actorfriend he met in New York that gave him this piece of wisdom: just keep working, just keep doing what you’re doing, then one day you will land a role that will define you, a film to which your name will be associated with when you grow old or retire from acting. “That is my goal now, “ he affirmed. Knowing that he should strike while his iron is hot, Kit Thompson constantly works on himself, his mind, his body, always strengthening his core. “I want to always be a better version of myself so I can always remind myself to choose the better option available.” n

LMOST 10 years after he was first introduced to the public through the local edition of the Big Brother TV show, Kit Thompson has achieved what many of his former housemates have failed to pull off in this cutthroat world of show business: a good measure of success. Thompson has been elevated to leading man status in projects for movies and TV, a few years after he took on a much needed break which he described as a “calculated risk.” “I went overseas and tried to recharge. I wanted some kind of normalcy. I worked and studied at the same time. I also had a lot of time to prioritize what I really wanted in life, like what things within myself to correct and improve, and decide on what will make me truly happy as a person. I felt I needed to learn more about acting if I really wanted to pursue it as a career,” he said. Thompson enrolled at the popular New York Film Academy School, and took courses on film and acting for about a year. Wanting to learn more, he also took a six-month acting course at the Susan Batson Studio, also in New York. “I was only 15 when I was thrown into the Pinoy Big Brother house, and although I don’t really regret anything that has made me who I am and what I am today, I felt that I didn’t quite have much of an educational foundation, that’s why I opted to study again and become a student,” he added. The half-Filipino, half-New Zealander actor has won an international acting award for an independent movie, Belle Douleur, playing a role that required him to show not just his acting chops but also a lot of skin.

Alden Richards renews contract with GMA WITH an impressive thread of local and international recognitions, box-office hits, top-rating series and chart-topping albums, Alden Richards has seen his cachet grow even more formidable in recent years. On October 15, Alden renewed his contract with GMA Network, proudly continuing his more than a decade-long journey with the media giant. “I’m a homegrown Kapuso at isa ’yun sa pinagmamalaki ko because my dreams came true sa tulong ng GMA. It’s an honor to be part of people’s lives and I get to do it because of GMA,” Alden said during the contract renewal ceremonies. He added that he has always considered GMA his second home. “I would like to celebrate this kasi every year na nadagdag sa taon ko with GMA is a milestone for me and it makes me feel that I am in the right place. Isang malaking karangalan po talaga maging parte ng GMA for 10 years. Here’s to another 10 and I’m really looking forward to more beautiful projects and opportunities with the network.” During the contract-signing, top GMA executives showed their full support

to Alden via Zoom, video messages, and their presence at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. This executive team was led by GMA chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, president and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., executive vice president and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Films president and programming consultant to the chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, and senior vice president for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable.

Also on hand were GMA senior vice president for corporate strategic planning and business development, concurrent chief risk officer, and head of program support Regie C. Bautista, first vice president for drama productions Redgie A. Magno, first vice president for program management Jose Mari Abacan, vice president for corporate affairs and communications Angela Javier Cruz, GMA Artist Center assistant vice president and head for talent imaging and marketing unit Simoun S. Ferrer, and GMA Artist Center consultant Johnny Manahan. Gozon had only praise for the actor: “Alden’s passion, hard work and dedication are truly admirable. He deserves to be called Asia’s Multimedia Star. Pinagpapala siya ng Diyos dahil sa kanyang magandang pag-uugali. Alden, sana ay tuloy-tuloy ka naming makasama sa marami pang taon sa paghahatid ng saya sa ating mga Kapuso hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas, kundi pati na sa buong mundo.” Duavit, on the other hand, is proud that Alden has remained grounded and humble despite of his many achievements: “Sa kabila ng lahat ng

Netflix employee fired in wake of Chappelle special furor LOS ANGELES—Netflix said on Friday that it had fired an employee for disclosing confidential financial information about what it paid for Dave Chappelle’s comedy special The Closer, which some condemned as being transphobic. The employee, who wasn’t named, shared “confidential, commercially sensitive information outside the company,” a Netflix statement said. “We understand this employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with Netflix, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company,” the statement said. The statement said the information was referenced in a Bloomberg news article, which reported that Netflix spent $24.1 million on The Closer, which first aired last week. The article also mentioned the lower budgets for a 2019 Chappelle special, a Bo Burnham special and the nine-episode hit Squid Game. Netflix said a review of its internal access logs pinpointed the information to a single person, who “admitted that they

downloaded and shared sensitive company information externally.” The Closer, first aired on October 1 and had gained at least 10 million views. However, Chappelle’s remarks about the transgender community raised protests within Netflix and from LGBTQ activists. The media watchdog group GLAAD said that “anti-LGBTQ content” violates Netflix’s policy to reject programs that incite hate or violence. However, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told managers in an internal memo that the show doesn’t cross “the line on hate” and will remain on the streaming service. Several Netflix employees, including a software engineer who identifies as transgender, had criticized the special. Transgender employees and their co-workers are being urged to stage a walkout next Wednesday in protest. “Our leadership has shown us that they do not uphold the values for which we are held,” said a Monday post on a public company Slack channel, the Los Angeles Times reported. AP

tagumpay, sa kabila ng pag-aangat mo ng antas mo, ng husay mo, isang bagay ang kapunapuna na ibig kong banggitin ngayon—you are the same person that I knew when you started. This is very rare. Ang gusto kong iparating sayo ay ang taos puso naming pasasalamat because of the pride and the joy you bring all of us bilang isang Kapuso.” Yalong affirms: “Alden is undeniably one of our biggest homegrown talents and he continues to give honor to the network. I’m sure he will receive more blessings in the coming years.” Meanwhile, Rasonable expresses her appreciation for Alden’s professionalism and kindheartedness: “From the very beginning, you have shown passion and dedication to your work. But more than that, there is your good heart, your kindness and your concern for everybody that you work with and for others, especially during this pandemic. That’s why the network is always entrusting you with many major projects. We are so proud of you and we look forward to many years of working with you. We are proud to be your Kapuso.” Manahan, in turn, is all praises for Alden’s accomplishments in the industry:

“I’m sure GMA is so lucky to have you among its roster of stars because at such an early age, you have become an icon, the stuff of legends. Totoong icon ka. You proved that you can do it but through it all, you have remained humble and dedicated to your craft.” Last June, Alden’s Reality: The Virtual Reality Concert earned a finalist slot at the prestigious 2021 New York Festivals’ World’s Best TV and Films competition. On top of being a trusted brand ambassador, Alden has been recognized as one of the 10 Most Influential Celebrities of the Decade at the 10th EdukCircle Awards. He was recently given a Plaque of Appreciation for his participation in the benefit concert, Awit sa Pandemya, at the 12th Star Awards for Music, and won as Movie Actor of the Year at the recently held 36th Star Awards for Movies by the Philippine Movie Press Club. Alden is currently gearing up for the return of GMA’s top-rating series The World Between Us on GMA’s prime-time block on November 15. Fans are also looking forward to his movie team-up with fellow GMA actress Bea Alonzo.

RWM WINS CONCERT OF THE YEAR AWARD AT PMPC STAR AWARDS FOR MUSIC RESORTS World Manila (RWM, www. rwmanila.com), the Philippines’s first integrated entertainment and tourism destination, bagged the prestigious Concert of the Year Award for Lea Salonga Perfect Ten: A Gala Performance at the Philippine Movie Press Club’s 12th Star Awards for Music. Theater royalty Lea Salonga performed two nights of enchanting music at the award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater in celebration of RWM’s 10th anniversary, and was joined by her handpicked guests for Perfect Ten which include Esang de Torres, Nicole Chien, stage actress Tanya Manalang, and singer, stage actor and writer Michael K. Lee, who starred alongside Lea in Miss Saigon and Allegiance. “Resorts World Manila has always been

a firm believer and supporter of world-class Filipino talent. No other artist exemplifies that talent more than Lea, who helped pave the way for homegrown performers on the global stage,” says RWM president and CEO Kingson Sian, who received the award on behalf of the production team. “We have been trying to get her to perform a major solo concert in our theater for quite some time, and to finally have her grace our stage for this Perfect Ten concert was truly the perfect highlight to our 10th anniversary celebration.” Perfect Ten was presented by Resorts World Manila in cooperation with Ultimate Shows and Full House Theater Company, featuring stage direction by Floy Quintos, musical direction by Gerard Salonga. Performing alongside Lea was the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.

B6 Tuesday, October 19, 2021

#BestTimeWithGlobe: Get the all-new iPhone 13 and iPad lineup with the undisputed leader in mobile postpaid

Turbo-charge your holiday, get awesome deals plus your Car-Regalo from Hyundai

YUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) caps its 20th year celebration with awesome deals on its premium model lineup and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to drive home a Hyundai VELOSTER. Here’s how: From October 15 to November 30, 2021, buy the Hyundai model of your choice on these easy and flexible terms: Choose from Hyundai TUCSON, REINA, ACCENT, H100 and get Zero DP + Free Amortization, or Low Down payment, or Low Monthly Payment Choose from Hyundai GRAND STAREX, KONA, VENUE, IONIQ and get Low down payment, or Low Monthly Payment. Every purchase qualifies you for an exclusive raffle draw and the chance of winning a Hyundai VELOSTER!

A high-performance hatchback that boasts speed, sportiness, and practicality

VELOSTERVOLUNTEERS comes with an unconventional style that turns heads for a second, closer look. It has aosymmetrical three-door layout makes for hassle-free entry for rear passengers. It has 1.6L GDI engine (Turbocharged-Gasoline Direct Injection) mated with 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission cranks out up to 204 horsepower while giving you up to 11.4 km/L of fuel savings (for city driving) and 18.5 km/L (for highway driving). Veloster is armed with the latest technology in car entertainment and connectivity—Radio + RDS with 8” INT Display, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition,

Seize every moment with the iPhone 13 series on GPlan

and Wireless Smartphone Charger. It is onsistently cited among the Top Safety Picks of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS rating for the American car market includes a) crashworthiness, or how well a vehicle protects occupants in a crash; and, b) crash avoidance and mitigation, or technology that prevents or lessens the severity of a crash.

‘Tis the season of cool deals and you don’t want to miss out on this one GET your Car-Regalo from Hyundai now! Raffle draw is on December 10, 2021. The

winner will be announced on December 14, 2021 on Hyundai.ph and Hyundai Philippines on FB. See posters and announcements on www.hyundai.ph and www.facebook. com/hyundaiph for the complete promo mechanics. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB129077 Series of 2021. Visit www.hyundai.ph to learn more about Hyundai’s passenger cars. Request for a quote or apply for an auto loan through the Hyundai Online Market Experience (HOMEPage) at www.hyundai. ph/shop/HOME.

Experience splendid lifestyle as Grand Summit Hotels opens in General Santos City this October

ATTENDING THE OPENING RITES, FROM LEFT: Grand Summit Hotel General Manager, Jesse Chua; RHR SVP and BUGM Arthur Gindap; First Lady Mrs. Jane Rivera; Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera; Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas- Nograles; RLC President and CEO Frederick D. Go; Summit and Go Hotels Group General Manager Annalyn Yap.

ET in the bustling city of General Santos City, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts’ newest and very first 4-star local brand Grand Summit Hotels held its soft opening last October 13, 2021. The intimate event was attended by Robinsons Land Corporation’s (“RLC”) President and CEO, Mr. Frederick D. Go, Robinsons Hotels and Resort’s (“RHR”) Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager, Mr. Arthur Gindap, Group General Manager, Ms. Annalyn Yap, Group Director of Sales and Marketing, Ms. Joy de Mesa, and government officials, South Cotabato 1st District Representative Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas – Nograles, General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and First Lady Mrs. Jane Rivera. Adhering to the safety and security protocols set by the city, only the hotel and casino’s employees, and PAGCOR officials were present during the ceremony. A simple luncheon took place at the hotel’s all-day restaurant, Café Summit, right after the blessing presided by Fr. Ricky Legario. Grand Summit Hotel is the smart choice for travelers who are looking for more than just a place to stay. More than a destination, Grand Summit Hotel offers an experience. With its distinctly “Filipino” warmth and flair coupled with intuitive and personalized service, the hotel aims to build meaningful connections with its guests. Every touchpoint of your stay is as unforgettable as the beauty and warmth of GenSan and its people. Arthur Gindap, Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager of Robinsons Hotels and Resorts said, “We, at Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, remain steadfast in our vision of extending our brand of hospitality and service all throughout the country and beyond. Ours

GREAT postpaid plan is best paired with the finest smartphone. This is why Globe Telecom, the brand that first launched the iPhone in the country years back, is offering Apple’s best-ever iPhone and iPad lineup through GPlan. Through the telco giant’s most innovative and value-rich line of subscription plans, users can enjoy bigger data allocation, get access to the ultra fast Globe 5G network, and discover limitless options to lifestyle perks. Customers can call dibs and pre-order the iPhone 13 with GPlan starting October 15, 2021. Under GPlan, the luxurious and state-ofthe-art iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max and the updated iPad (9th gen) and iPad mini (6th gen) are made accessible through exciting plans filled with life-enabling perks for new and re-contracting subscribers.

is a vision built on a tradition of solidarity and perseverance, and this is what the Grand Summit stands for - a brand that can withstand the weathers of the highs and lows of economies - always at the forefront of what hotel service ought to be.” Grand Summit Hotel puts premium hospitality within reach. An exquisite balance of style and comfort awaits the guests of Grand Summit Hotel. Equipped with world-class facilities and premium amenities, all 102 rooms and suites at the hotel are carefully-designed to meet the evolving needs of its guests. Dine in style every day at the Grand Summit Hotel, and enjoy a wide range of cuisines at Café Summit. The all-day dining restaurant brings the best of the region to give you a dining experience unlike any other. Situated in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines – General Santos City, Café Summit does not only offer this local favorite but provides a variety of choices from regional delicacies to international cuisines, catering to the different tastes and preferences of its guests. Apart from the exquisite dishes, they also boast of its signature drinks such as Whisper of the Hill, Summit Lady and Mango de Papa. For intimate gatherings, business luncheons or any exclusive dining, private dining is available for the guests’ convenience. With multiple function rooms and a ballroom, Grand Summit Hotel is the ideal venue for business meetings, exhibits, training and social gatherings. Function rooms can conveniently accommodate up to 30 guests while the spacious, pillarless and elegantly-designed Grand Summit Ballroom can comfortably fit up to 500 guests (banquet set-up) and 700 guests (theatre set-up). Each room are equipped with top-of-the-line audio-visual and technical facilities to make your event a success.

Grand Summit Hotel also puts convenience and leisure at its priority. The hotel offers leisure facilities including a spa, gym, and a swimming pool. Guests can enjoy the pool and suite facilities by December 2021 while the Grand Summit Ballroom, spa, and fitness center are scheduled to be open by 2nd quarter of 2022. How safe is it to travel in the time of the pandemic? Robinsons Hotel and Resorts and Grand Summit Hotel understand the concerns of its guests when traveling in the new normal. Robinsons Hotel and Resorts implement safety protocols in every touch point from pre-arrival to post-departure to ensure a worry-free and safe experience for all guests. Grand Summit Hotel General Santos follows the Circle of Clean (COC) protocol, which is modeled after the World Health Organization’s hygiene and cleanliness standards as well as the Department of Health New Normal protocol. Aside from common precautions seen in almost every establishment today, the COC has extra safety measures including a seamless online check-in, luggage disinfection upon check-in and checkout, COC ambassadors stationed in common areas ready to assist, and also rigorously conducts effective food handling hygiene. “This is not a mere hotel opening for us and the residents of General Santos, but a testament of the wonderful things to expect in the coming days here in our beloved city.” states Annalyn Yap, Group General Manager Grand Summit Hotels is another homegrown brand of Robinsons Hotel and Resorts, the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corporation. It is the first 4-star hotel of the RHR group that opens to public starting October 15, 2021. It offers an impressive 102 deluxe rooms and suites, world-class dining experience and top-of-the-line amenities and services. Experience the beauty of Grand Summit Hotel with its Introductory Offer of Php3,988nett per room per night when you book and stay from October 15, 2021-December 31, 2021. To book, visit www.grandsummithotels.ph or contact reservations@summithotels.ph | +63 998 888 7788 | +63 917 888 7788.

IPHONE 13 users will be able to maximize all that the new series can deliver with Globe's massive 5G footprint, available in 95% of the NCR and several other major areas nationwide. Under the Unli 5G 599 GPlan offer, postpaid customers can truly maximize everything that their new iPhone13 has to offer by staying digitally connected 24/7. As a bonus, users who have signed up for pre-orders will enjoy complimentary unlimited 5G within 5G areas for up to 6 months, depending on the plan they have subscribed to. Current Globe Postpaid subscribers can get a good deal from GPlan 1799, which offers Apple’s latest top-of-the-line smartphones at prices within the range of P16,800 and P69,600 in one-time cash-outs,

which can also be spread throughout the contract period, charged to the monthly bill. Offering more flexibility in terms of payment, Globe has drastically reduced cash-out by giving subscribers the option to expand their contract period to 36 months for the new iPhone models. With GPlan’s extended lock-up program, customers pay only P9,000 in one go for an iPhone 13 (64GB) or P250 a month on top of the monthly plan under GPlan 1799. An iPhone Pro Max under the same scheme would only cost P32,400 in one-time pay or an extra P900 in the monthly bill. Subscribers are entitled to a full range of life-enabling essentials that will help them power through the rapidly changing digital world. GPlan is bundled with unlimited calls and texts to all networks, larger data allocations, 24/7 access to teleconsultation with KonsultaMD, and free three-month insurance coverage for COVID-19 and dengue through GInsure and life insurer Singlife.

CWS leaders protects construction workers

HE Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) partylist recently filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2022 national elections. Partylist aspirants were headed by Tirso Edwin Gardiola and Engr. Earel Benedicto Gardiola, who both hail from Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, along with Melanie Joy Momo-Guno of Tandag, Surigao Del Sur. Guno is the daughter of incumbent Congressman Romeo Momo, CWS partylist representative. The CWS partylist was founded with the goal of assisting and protecting construction workers by ensuring that they are treated equitably and that their needs and construction-related concerns are addressed by their employers and the government. At the height of the

lockdown last 2020, hundreds of laborers and construction workers were stuck at construction sites and barracks as a result of a national directive for a hard lockdown. During that period, they had to endure months without income and other means of livelihood. They also received limited assistance from the local government. In order to alleviate their woes, the CWS Partylist assisted workers in the affected areas in addition to giving other types of assistance to LGUs and the public nationwide. With the national government’s Build, Build, Build program, CWS partylist promises that they will be more active in ensuring the welfare of construction workers in the country who remain an unprivileged sector at large.

CCP hosts the 16th Virgin Labfest in November

HE Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Writer’s Bloc and Tanghalang Pilipino host the 16th Virgin Labfest on the digital platform anew. The festival will be streamed from November 24 to December 5, 2021 on the CCP, VLF, and Tanghalang Pilipino Facebook Pages. Established in 2005, the Virgin Labfest is the premier playwrights festival in the country producing untried, untested and unstaged works. It is known for programming and providing support for the development of plays that dare define and defy the times. In 2020 at the early stages of the global pandemic, the Virgin Labfest spearheaded processes and new possibilities of staging and presenting performances for audiences across the Philippines and the World. It was a dream to bring the works onstage and document the works for audiences to watch online this year. Given the rising number of cases and the precarity of the situation, the organizers chose to prioritize the safety of performance-makers and make use of the time to pause, reflect, look back and move forward.

For 2021, the festival takes on the theme of “Yakap” (embrace) as its catchphrase. This year, the festival strives to embrace the artistic community as it strives to survive the terrible pandemic; embrace new possibilities and new narratives emboldened by the times and embrace the audience with works that have provided comfort and enjoyment in the past. The Fellowship Writing Program will be conducted from November 16 to December 5 under the tutelage of award winning playwright Glenn Sevilla Mas. The Culminating Activity which will be streamed for public viewing on December 5 will be directed by Dennis Marasigan. Meanwhile, the Playwrights Fair will be held from November 24 to December 5 featuring conversations with playwrights from all over the country. As part of the Fair, the 4th Edition of the VLF Anthology and Elemental, a book of plays by women playwrights will be launched. For more information, follow VLF on CCP Social Media platforms, or visit www. culturalcenter.gov.ph.

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

TheWorld

New Zealand extends Auckland lockdown for at least two weeks

ew Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended a lockdown in Auckland for at least another two weeks, but said a vaccination target would be introduced on Friday to give people an indication of when restrictions could be eased. Auckland will remain at Alert Level 3, meaning people cannot leave the city and should stay at home where possible, Ardern told a press conference Monday in Wellington. She said a vaccination target will provide the city, which has already been locked down for two months, a pathway out of restrictions. “We need to keep going with both tools, restrictions and vaccinations, because with Delta we cannot rely on just one,” Ardern said. “If we get this right, if we keep case numbers low while we vaccinate people, then it makes it easier for us to keep control of Covid while we ease restrictions in the future.” Ardern has previously resisted introducing in a target—a tool used in Australia to signal when restrictions will be eased—but the government is coming under pressure to provide more certainty as Auckland’s outbreak drags on. While she refused to be drawn further on the target today, Ardern has indicated in the past that officials want to see a vaccination rate

of over 90 percent. “The target will be high, to give us the greatest confidence possible,” Ardern said. “We’ve looked closely at the evidence overseas. “We’ll be aligning our target with those countries that have managed the transition from restrictions to vaccination in the safest way possible.” Around 66 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, while 85 percent has had at least one dose. The Ministry of Health reported 60 new cases of Covid in the community on Monday—57 in Auckland and three in the neighboring Waikato region, parts of which also remain in lockdown. The government wants to “avoid a spike in case numbers and hospitalizations and protect vulnerable communities as much as possible in the coming weeks while we keep lifting vaccination numbers,” Ardern said. Cabinet considered imposing even stricter Level 4 restrictions in Auckland as a “circuit breaker,” but decided against it after public health advice that it was unlikely to significantly reduce new infections, she said. The Northland region will exit lockdown at midnight Tuesday, joining the rest of the country on Alert Level 2. Bloomberg News

US, Haiti pursue release of 17 missionaries snatched by gang

ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—US officials are working w ith Haitian authorities to try to secure the release of 12 adults and five children with a US-based missionary group who were abducted over the weekend by a gang notorious for killings, kidnappings and extortion. The group was snatched by the 400 Mawozo gang, which controls the Croix-des-Bouquets area east of the capital of Port-au-Prince, police inspector Frantz Champagne told The Associated Press on Sunday. The abduction happened Saturday in the community of Ganthier, which lies in the gang’s area. It was blamed for the kidnapping of five priests and two nuns earlier this year. As authorities sought the release of the 16 Americans and one Canadian with the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries, local unions and other organizations expected to launch a strike Monday to protest Haiti’s worsening lack of security. The Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation is again struggling with a spi ke in gang-related k idnap pings that had diminished in recent months, after President Jovenel Moïse was fatally shot at his private residence on July 7 and a magnitude 7.2 earthquake killed more than 2,200 people in August. “Everyone is concerned. They’re kidnapping from all social classes,” Méhu Changeux, president of Haiti’s Association of Owners and Drivers, told Magik9 radio station. He said the work stoppage would continue until the government could guarantee people’s safety. The kidnapping of the missionaries came just days after high-level US officials visited Haiti and promised more resources for Haiti’s National Police, including another $15 million to help reduce gang violence, which this year has displaced thousands of Haitians who now live in temporary shelters in increasingly unhygienic conditions. The US State Department said Sunday that it was in regular contact with senior Haitian authorities and would continue to work with them and interagency partners. “The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State,” the agency said in a statement. Christian Aid Ministries said the kidnapped group included seven

women, five men and five children, including a 2-year-old. The organization said they were taken while on a trip to visit an orphanage. “Join us in praying for those who are being held hostage, the kidnappers and the families, friends and churches of those affected,” Christian Aid Ministries said in a statement. “As an organization, we commit this situation to God and trust him to see us through.” An annual report issued last year by Christian Aid Ministries said its American staffers had returned to their base in Haiti after a ninemonth absence “due to political unrest” and noted the “uncertainty and difficulties” that arise from such instability. Nearly a year ago, Haitian police issued a wanted poster for the alleged leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, Wilson Joseph, on charges including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, auto theft and the hijacking of trucks carrying goods. He goes by the nickname “Lanmò Sanjou,” which means “death doesn’t know which day it’s coming.” Amid the spike in kidnappings, gangs have demanded ransoms ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to more than $1 million, sometimes killing those they have abducted, according to authorities. At least 328 kidnappings were reported to Haiti ’s National Police in the first eight months of 2021, compared with a total of 234 for all of 2020, said a report last month by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. Gangs have been accused of kidnapping schoolchildren, doctors, police officers, busloads of passengers and others as they grow more powerful. In April, a man who claimed to be the leader of 400 Mawozo told a radio station that it was responsible for kidnapping five priests, two nuns and three relatives of one of the priests that month. They were later released. The spike in kidnappings and gangrelated violence has forced Haitians to take detours around certain gangcontrolled areas while others opt to stay home, which in turn means less money for people like Charles Pierre, a moto taxi driver in Port-au-Prince who has several children to feed. “People are not going out in the streets,” he said. “We cannot find people to transport.” AP

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

China’s economic growth crippled by real estate fallout, power crisis

EIJING—China’s economic growth is sinking under pressure from a construction slowdown and power shortages, prompting warnings about a possible shock to its trading partners and global financial markets. The world’s second-largest economy grew by a weaker-than-expected 4.9 percent over a year ago in the three months ending in September, down from the previous quarter’s 7.9 percent, government data showed Monday. Factory output, retail sales and investment in construction and other fixed assets all weakened. Manufacturing has been hampered by official curbs on energy use and shortages of processor chips and other components due to the coronavirus pandemic. Construction, an industry that supports millions of jobs, is slowing as regulators force developers to cut reliance on debt that Chinese leaders worry is dangerously high. “Ripple effects to the rest of the world could be significant” due to weaker Chinese demand for raw materials, said Mo Ji of Fidelity International in a report. “Even developed markets, including the US, would not be immune to a significant tightening in global financial conditions as a result of a negative China growth shock accompanied by financial stress.” Compa red w it h t he pre v iou s quarter, the way other major economies are measured, output barely grew in the July-September period, expanding by just 0.2 percent. That was down from 1.2 percent in the April-June period and one of the past decade’s weakest quarters.

The slowdown adds to pressure on Beijing to prop up activity by easing borrowing controls and spending more on building public works. But forecasters said even if that happens, activity will weaken before policy changes take effect. “Growth will slow further,” Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics said in a report. Chinese leaders are trying to steer the economy to more sustainable growth based on domestic consumption instead of exports and investment and to reduce financial risk. Construction and housing sales, an important source of demand for steel, copper and other industrial imports, have slowed since regulators ordered developers to reduce their debt levels. One of the biggest, Evergrande Group, is struggling to avoid defaulting on $310 billion owed to banks and bondholders. That has fueled fears about other developers, though economists say the threat to global financial markets is small. Factories in some provinces were ordered to shut down in mid-September to avoid exceeding official goals for energy use and energy intensity, or the amount used per unit of output. Some warned deliveries of goods might be delayed, raising the possibility of shortages of smartphones and

People walk along a riverbank near rows of commercial office buildings under construction in Tongzhou, outskirts of Beijing on October 4. China’s economy is losing steam as President Xi Jinping’s government cracks down on corporate debt and energy use in pursuit of more stable, sustainable growth. AP/Andy Wong other consumer products ahead of the Christmas shopping season. Factory output barely grew in September, expanding by only 0.05 percent compared with August. That was down from the 7.3-percent growth for the first nine months of the year. Private sector forecasters have cut their growth outlook this year for China, though they still expect about 8 percent, which would be among the world’s strongest. The ruling Communist Party’s official target is “more than 6 percent,” which leaves Beijing room to keep its controls in place. The near-term outlook “remains difficult,” said Rajiv Biswas of IHS Markit in a report. Real estate also is suffering from “fears of contagion to some other property developers.” This year’s economic figures have been exaggerated due to comparison with 2020, when factories and stores were closed to fight the coronavirus. Output grew by a record 18.3 percent in the first quarter of 2021, but forecasters said the rebound already was leveling off.

In September, growth in retail spending weakened to 4.4 percent over a year earlier, down from 16.4 percent in the first nine months. Investment in real estate, factories, housing and other fixed assets rose 0.17 percent in September, down from 7.3 percent for the first nine months. The latest figures indicate “the property sector fallout will be a significant drag on growth in the coming quarters,” said Fidelity’s Mo. “Even significant policy easing now, which is still unlikely in our view, will take time to propagate into the real economy.” Auto sales in the global industry’s biggest market fell 16.5 percent in September from a year earlier, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The group said production was disrupted by shortages of processor chips. Imports, an indicator of Chinese domestic demand, rose 17.6 percent in September over a year earlier, but that was about half the previous month’s 33-percent growth. AP

Bill Clinton back home after hospitalization from infection

R A NGE , C a l i for n i a— Bi l l Clinton arrived Sunday at his home in New York to continue recovering from an infection that left him in treatment for six days at a Southern California hospital, officials said. The former president left the University of California Irvine Medical Center around 8 a.m. with Hillary Clinton on his arm. Dressed in jeans and a sports coat and wearing a face mask, he made his way out of the hospital slowly and stopped to shake hands with doctors and nurses lined up on the sidewalk. He gave a thumbs-up when a reporter asked how he was feeling, and he and Hillary Clinton then boarded a black SUV. They departed in a motorcade escorted by the California Highway Patrol and headed to the airport.

Bill Clinton’s “fever and white blood cell count are normalized, and he will return home to New York to finish his course of antibiotics,” Dr. Alpesh N. Amin said in a statement shared on Twitter by a Clinton spokesman. Clinton, 75, was admitted Tuesday to the hospital southeast of Los Angeles with an infection unrelated to Covid-19. He arrived Sunday evening at his home in Chappaqua, New York, to continue his recovery. Spokesman Angel Ureña had said Saturday that Clinton would remain hospitalized until at least Sunday to receive further intravenous antibiotics. But all health indicators were “trending in the right direction,” Ureña said. Hillar y Clinton had been w ith her husband at the hospital and

was accompanied there Saturday by daughter Chelsea. President Joe Biden said Friday night that he had spoken to Bill Clinton, and the former president “sends his best.” “He’s doing fine; he really is,” Biden said during remarks at the University of Connecticut. An aide to the former president said Bill Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream but was on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially lifethreatening condition. The aide, who spoke to reporters at the hospital on the condition his name wasn’t used, said Clinton was in an intensive care section of the hospital but wasn’t receiving ICU care. In the years since Clinton left the White House in 2001, the former

president has faced health scares. In 2004, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery after experiencing prolonged chest pains and shortness of breath. He returned to the hospital for surgery for a partially collapsed lung in 2005, and in 2010 he had a pair of stents implanted in a coronary artery. He responded by embracing a largely vegan diet that saw him lose weight and report improved health. Clinton repeatedly returned to the stump, campaigning for Democratic candidates, most notably Hillary Clinton during her failed 2008 bid for the presidential nomination. A nd in 2016, as Hillary Clinton sought the White House as the Democratic nominee, her husband—by then a grandfather and nearing 70—returned to the campaign trail. AP

India and China deadlocked over troops near key Himalayan pass

hinese and Indian military commanders are deadlocked over the best way to pull back troops from a strategic area in the Himalayas, people familiar with the discussions said, raising the prospect for another tense winter along the border. China insisted last week that India pull back thousands of reserve troops and weaponry it brought to the border last year, including in the high-altitude Depsang Plains, amid the worst violence between the nations in decades, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions were private. India rejected the request during the 13th round of talks to resolve the border standoff, and saw the demand as a setback after the two sides made steady progress in disengagement, the people said. The Depsang Plains is split by the

Line of Actual Control—a disputed but de facto boundary between India and China that runs along the Himalayas—and had previously been patrolled by both Indian and Chinese troops. China last year positioned troops at key location in the plains, denying India access to 300 square kilometers (116 square miles) of land ever since, the people said. India wants to move soldiers away from all key disputed areas along its border with China, but not all the way back to their original bases, the people said. That’s because it’s difficult for India to put them back in place in the event of a conf lict, as each soldier must go through a threestage acc limatization t hat lasts about a month. Chinese soldiers, by contrast, can retreat to high-altitude locations on the expansive Tibetan Plateau, the people said. The Indian army and the Defense

Ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment on the details of the border talks. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian referred to a statement last week from Colonel Long Shaohua, a spokesman for the Western theater of the People’s Liberation Army. The Chinese side “made great efforts” to calm tensions during talks between military officials at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point in the Ladakh region, Long said in the statement. “But India still stuck to unreasonable and unrealistic demands, which added difficulties to the negotiation,” he said. Beijing expressed concern w ith I nd i a n V ice P re s ide nt M . Ve n kaiah Naidu’s v isit to A runachal Pradesh border ing Tibet on the same day as the 13th round of border talks, a move the China Daily called “provocative.”

“Given the current low level of mutual trust between the two sides, Beijing has a good reason to demand New Delhi stop taking any actions that may complicate the border issue and undermine bilateral ties,” the editorial said. Before the latest round of talks, China agreed to disengage from other friction points along the 2,167-mile (3,487-kilometer) border except for the Depsang Plains, officials said. The 972-square-kilometer area holds key roads leading to the K arakoram Pass, which prov ides access from China’s X injiang prov ince to areas of Pakistan. T he I nd i a n de ploy me nt a l so poses a threat to a Chinese highway along the border that connects Tibet and Xinjiang, according to Yun Sun, a senior fellow and director of the China Program at the Washingtonbased Stimson Center. Bloomberg News

Sports BusinessMirror

| Tuesday, October 19, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

HANOI SEAG ON IN MID-MAY ’22

IETNAM organizers agreed that the Hanoi 31st Southeast Asian Games will open in mid-May next year.

Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino made the confirmation following Monday’s online SEA Games Federation meeting among

the games’ 11 member countries. The Vietnamese organizers, according to Tolentino, were amenable to any date for the opening ceremony in mid-May.

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino attends the Southeast Asian Games Federation online meeting on Monday.

PBA eyes import-laced 2nd conference

HE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is bound to hold a second conference to ice the 46th season with 6-foot-6 foreign imports adding spice to the action, according to league chairman Ricky Vargas on Monday. A small window will separate the Philippine Cup Finals and the second conference which has yet to be christened as

the Commissioner’s Cup or Governors’Cup. Vargas, TNT Tropang Giga’s representative to the league’s board of governors, also hinted that the second conference could be held in Metro Manila, pending the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Some teams, however, are now busy shopping for reinforcement

Abueva continues to lead conference best player race

ALVIN ABUEVA solidified his bid for the Davco-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Best Player of the Conference award after retaining the top spot in the race for the Philippine Cup top individual honor at the end of the semifinals. The Magnolia forward posted an average of 34.2 statistical points (SPs) after the Hotshots booked a berth in the best-of-seven Finals by eliminating No. 2 seed Meralco Bolts in six games. In 19 games he played in his first season with the Purefoods franchise, the “Beast” averaged a double-double of 15.2 points and 10.0 rebounds, while adding 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocked shots. Magnolia teammate Ian Sangalang loomed as the biggest threat to Abueva’s bid in winning his second award since the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup as the 6-foot-7 center ranked third with 33.0 SPs. The 29-year-old Sangalang lagged behind prolific NorthPort guard Robert Bolick, who sits in second spot with 33.7 SPs, but whose personal bid suffered a heavy blow following the early ouster of the Batang Pier in the quarterfinals where they lost to the San Miguel Beermen. Sangalang has been a steady presence for the Hotshots in the middle, averaging 16.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in helping his team reach the all-Filipino Finals for the third time in the last four years. Rookie Mikey Williams fell from second place to No. 4 after struggling early in TNT Tropang Giga’s semifinals series against San Miguel. The 28-year-old Filipino-American

guard totaled 32.0 SPs behind averages of 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 18 games, though he played his best game of the series when it mattered most, tallying 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists as TNT slammed the door on the Beermen, 97-79, on Sunday in the door-die Game 7. Six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo closed out the top 5 candidates for the individual honor with 31.8 SPs on double-double norms of 13.5 points and 10.8 rebounds.

The Cambodians, he said, took some convincing. “Cambodia will host the 32nd edition in 2023 and they want to have at least a year’s window for them to prepare,” Tolentino said. “Initially, they wanted the opening ceremony to be on May 5 or earlier.” Cambodia will host its first SEA Games and has set its opening ceremony on May 5, 2023. “As the debate went on, I suggested for a May 12 opening ceremony, a Monday, stressing ‘what difference can one week make?” he said. “And they [Cambodians] agreed.” The Hanoi SEA Games were originally scheduled from November 21 to December 2 this year, but Vietnam’s government postponed them because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The Vietnamese organizers will confirm the specific dates soon,” Tolentino said. There will be 40 sports but consisting of 520 events in Hanoi. There were 54 sports with 530 events in the 30th SEA Games which the country hosted and dominated in 2019. The Hanoi SEA Games opening ceremony comes three days after the general elections and Tolentino said the Philippine delegation will fly to Vietnam in batches depending upon the events schedules. The POC submitted a 626-athlete entry by numbers for the Hanoi Games. They will compete in 39 sports. Among the SEA Games Federation members who attended the online meeting were Major General Charouck Arirachakaran, Dr. Varin Tansuphasiri, Professor Charoen Wattanasin, Dato Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat and Thana Chaiprasit of Thailand, Dato Norza Zakaria and Dato Nazifudin of Malaysia, Ferry Kono of Indonesia, Chris Chan of Singapore and Tran Van Manh of Vietnam.

YULO MOTIVATED IN WORLDS

By Josef Ramos

ARLOS “CALOY” YULO goes for redemption as he defends his men’s floor exercise gold medal at the 50th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships that started on Monday in a bubble setup at the Kitakyushu General Gymnasium in Japan. A world champion in 2019 in Stuttgart, Yulo couldn’t get to gold medal form at the Tokyo Olympics in July and August as the glare of the “Greatest Games on Earth” was too much for the 21-year-old from Leveriza in Pasay City. Taking the words of Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion-Norton, who is with Yulo in the northern Japanese city, the Filipino youngster could be well on his way to another successful campaign. “He [Yulo] is really motivated to

TNT Tropang Giga’s Mikey Williams is the Best Player of the Week.

according to Coach Tim Cone, will be bringing back Best Import Justin Brownlee. “Justin’s return will really help. He sets a great tone and work ethic whenever he is with us,” Cone said. “Lots of things to fix. We’re hoping to return to workouts this week, but we need to get to contact drills and scrimmaging soon so that we can work on things.” Newly-appointed Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia said the Bossing are eyeing Aaron Fuller,

Para dance champs in forum

EMBERS of the Philippine Para Dance Sport Team will recount their journey in the recent Polish Open World Qualifying Round as they serve as special guests in the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday. Appearing in the 11 a.m. public sports program are coach Genice Bong Marquez and the two-time world champion pair of Julius Obero and Rhea Marquez. The team bagged seven gold,

four silver and eight bronze medals during the qualifier in Lomianki, Poland, last week to earn berths in the World Para Dance Sport Championships in Ulsan, South Korea, from November 26 to 28. All Filipino podium finishers, including Obero and Marquez, who won golds in the Latin Combi Class 2 and Freestyle Combi Class 2, respectively, are

TO say that Canadian Olympian women’s canoeist Haley Daniels has had an eventful 19 months is an understatement. The past 19 months, in my opinion, have been the most challenging and difficult for an athlete. With the all the uncertainty surrounding the opening of the Tokyo Olympics, the 2015 Pan-Am Games bronze medalist had to keep training and working as if the Olympics were pushing through. She travelled across three continents to look for areas that simulate the canoeing conditions in Tokyo. The 30-year-old narrated that they’d land in one country then fly to the next looking for the best conditions and environment closest to Tokyo. In the midst of all the preparation and training, Haley’s father made a life changing decision to transition to being a woman. There was no manual

win…to defend his title. He really looks good so let’s pray that he will do in the competition proper what he did in the podium training,” CarrionNorton told a phone interview, adding Yulo impressed in Monday’s podium training. “When Caloy performed, everyone watched in complete silence and then a roaring applause,” Norton said. “He was the only one that was being applauded and his fellow athletes were taking photos with Caloy.” There are 600 gymnasts, including 269 men, from 60 countries in Kitakyushu. Yulo, according to CarrionNorton, will start competing in the men’s qualification on Wednesday and will focus on the floor, vault and parallel bars. Medals will be contested in floor exercise, pommel horse and rings on Saturday, and in vault, parallel bars and horizontal bars on Sunday.

Decisive week belongs to Mikey

although there’s no formal decision yet. “I already told the coaching staff to find an import,” said Magnolia team governor Rene Pardo, who added that his team’s best-of-seven Finals duel with TNT Tropang Giga will still be played in Bacolor, Pampanga. “Actually, we can hold the finals in Manila but the government wanted a pure bubble setup which is going to be tough and expensive on everyone,” he said. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel,

Haley, equality and inclusivity

CALVIN ABUEVA is piling up the numbers with Magnolia.

CARLOS YULO strikes a pose with (from left) long-time coach Munehiro Kugumiya, Gymnastics Association President Cynthia Carrion-Norton and therapist Jumpei Konno.

the team’s import in the 2019 Governor’s Cup. “Fuller is one of the candidates. He’s playing in a Mexican league which is about to end,” Vanguardia said. The other teams have yet to reveal their choices as reinforcements. Vargas said all imports must be fully vaccinated. Josef Ramos

all competing in the world meet. The session is presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. The weekly Forum is also livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and also shared by Radyo Pilipinas 2 Facebook page.

to prepare the Daniels family for what happened. Nothing in life prepares you for a loved one’s decision to transition to the opposite gender. Mr. Duncan Daniels is now Ms. Kimberly Daniels. What I sensed from Haley is that nothing changed, Kimberly is still her father and nothing will change that. Ms. Daniels became the first transgender woman judge in Olympic women’s canoeing. It took a lot of courage for Ms. Daniels to acknowledge her truth, as a brother of an advocate for LGBTQ rights, we support the men and women who acknowledge who they are, and make the agonizing and difficult choice to transition to the opposite gender. Agonizing and difficult because of society’s judgement and the difference in their awareness. Haley, along with other women canoeists, fought for the inclusion of women’s canoeing in the Tokyo Olympics. The ethos of the Olympics, according to Olympics.com, “The three values of Olympism are excellence, friendship and respect. They constitute the foundation on which the Olympic Movement builds its activities to promote sport, culture and education with a view to building a better world.” Part of the ethos should include equality and inclusivity. We wish Haley the best of luck as she begins preparing and training for the Olympic qualifiers. Our hope for her is to win an Olympic medal in Paris. Erratum: We apologize to Coach Chris Daleo for the error in last Tuesday’s column, “No dallying with Daleo” where yours truly wrote, “Thai basketball officials have reached out to him, but nothing is definite.”

S good as advertised, Mikey Williams is living up to the lofty billing as so far the best rookie in his class. And if there’s any doubt on it, the TNT Tropang Giga neophyte went up a notch and made a case as one of the league’s rising stars following a stellar performance in the biggest stage of his young career thus far. Up against no less than former five-time champion San

Miguel Beer in the semifinals, the spitfire guard initially struggled, but found his groove in the nick of time as the Tropang Giga earned a gritty win in a best-ofseven series that went the full route to reach the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals. The No. 4 overall pick in the last draft was a steady presence in the team’s last two wins in the semifinals, adding an all-around effort to his scoring prowess for the Tropang Giga, who booked a second straight All-Filipino championship appearance. They will face the Magnolia Hotshots in the title series that starts Wednesday. Williams averaged 15.7 points spiked by an impressive 45-percent clip from downtown (10-of-22) on top of 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds, making him the last Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week this conference. Williams rifled 18 points on four triples, four assists and a steal in the Tropang Giga’s huge 110-90 win over the Beermen in Game 5 for a 3-2 series lead. Williams was held to nine points in TNT’s 103-90 loss in Game 6, before saving his best for last in the rubber match with an all-around 20-8-6 line in 42 minutes of action as the Tropang Giga ran away with a 97-79 victory. He poured 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists of his total output in three quarters alone as TNT held SMB to its lowest scoring output thru three quarters in the series (55), before the rest of the Tropang Giga took over and put the finishing touches in the final period of the blowout win. Williams prevailed over teammates RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario as well as Magnolia’s Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva and Jio Jalalon for the weekly honor being handed by the group covering the PBA beat.