BusinessMirror October 22, 2021 by BusinessMirror

As the lead agency in implementing President Duterte’s flagship Build, Build, Build Program, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under recently resigned chief Mark Villar has undertaken and supervised the construction, maintenance, improvement, and widening of a total of 29,264 kilometers of roads since July 2016. The work, however, is not yet done, and the Duterte administration promises a “legacy of continuity.” Full report on A3.

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Friday, October 22, 2021 Vol. 17 No.14

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TO COST GOVT P131B–DOF Diokno: BSP keeps steady hand on policy levers

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE national government stands to lose P131.4 billion next year if fuel excise taxes are suspended in response to rising oil prices, according to the Department of Finance (DOF). In a memorandum to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, DOF Revenue Operations Group Undersecretary Antonette C. Tionko said the only way to suspend the fuel excise taxes under the TRAIN law is through legislation. Tionko added that the “substantial revenue loss” could affect the

By Bianca Cuaresma

real-estate market among young and single Filipinos who are still living at home with their parents. “It all started probably during the hard lockdown in March 2020. They were stuck at home with their parents. After that, suddenly there was a flood of inquiries from newly hired, starting [workers] and I think I saw on YouTube the youngest that I’ve seen was 19 years old. Graduated high school, went to a BPO and suddenly, wanted to own a house,” Olivares explained.

MID tighter global monetary policy, rising inflation and continued risk aversion to loans by banks, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday said it is staying the course in keeping the monetary policy in the Philippines accommodative to support growth. In a virtual briefing on the BSP’s quarterly inf lation report on Thursday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the BSP continues to be well-positioned in handling various economic developments in the global and local economic environment amid keeping the monetar y policy on record low levels for the rest of the year. “ Together with appropriate fiscal and health inter ventions, keeping a steady hand on the BSP’s policy levers amid a manageable inf lation outlook should allow the economic recover y to gain more traction,” Diokno said. In its latest inf lation report, the BSP said the balance of risks to the growth of commodity prices in the countr y has shifted towards the upside for the rest of 2021 but remained broadly balanced for 2022 and 2023.

See “Lockdowns,” A2

See “Diokno,” A2

government’s Covid-19 recovery measures for next year. “Any suspension of the imposition of excise taxes should be appropriately studied as the revenue to be foregone is substantial and may affect the government’s budget for Covid-19 recovery measures,” Tionko said.

See “Fuel,” A2

Workers at the Angono Catholic Cemetery have started cleaning the cemetery in preparation for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2. The government has declared all public cemeteries closed on said dates, when millions of Filipinos in prepandemic years used to flock to them to honor their dead during “Undas.” These days, people are offering flowers and candles to the departed earlier to avoid the government restrictions. BERNARD TESTA

Lockdowns boost desire for homes

OBILITY restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 which continue to be in effect today have made home ownership more attractive to Filipinos, according to the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP). In a briefing on Thursday ahead of its Affordable Housing Summit (AHS) this year, OSHDP National President Gino Olivares said lockdowns that forced Filipinos to stay home for almost two years have created a greater need for more

PESO exchange rates n US 50.8020

space in households. This has led to an increase in demand for single-detached homes with three to four bedrooms as well as prompted younger Filipinos, some as young as 19 years old, to start inquiring about being first time homeowners. “The family members inside the house are looking to have their own space so there was also a growth in demand for units that have three to four bedrooms,” Olivares said during the briefing. The need for their own space has also sparked interest for the

@BcuaresmaBM

n japan 0.4444 n UK 70.2592 n HK 6.5350 n CHINA 7.9457 n singapore 37.8273 n australia 38.1726 n EU 59.1843 n SAUDI arabia 13.5454

Source: BSP (October 21, 2021)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, October 22, 2021

Peza, IT-BPM firms to plan next move on work-from-home setup By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@TyronePiad

he Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is set to meet with information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) firms today (Friday) to discuss the next steps after the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) rejected its proposal to base the work-from-home (WFH) threshold on gross revenues instead of work force. Peza Director General Charito Plaza told the BusinessMirror they are meeting with the IT Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap) to discuss preparations for complying with the FIRB ruling putting a 90-percent WFH limit based on manpower deployment. “It’s best that we get their inputs first if we need to appeal to FIRB,” she said. On Wednesday, Finance Assistant Secretary and FIRB Secretariat Head Juvy C. Danofrata said that Peza’s plea was denied because it is “not consistent with the eco-

Lockdowns…

arrangement for work force but it also means that only 90 percent of the revenues of the activity will be subject to incentives. She said the proposal is also for the interim while the national state of calamity is in effect. “In addition, the very nature of the IT sector’s activity being ITenabled allows the IT companies to continue on with their business operations under a WFH arrangement. They have adopted this work scheme since day 1 and thus, they have been keeping the economy afloat with their continuous operations,” Plaza said. Still, Plaza said they “appreciate” the FIRB’s decision on 90-percent WFH cap proposed by Peza and Ibpap previously. “This is more a policy consideration and thus, it goes beyond what is strictly provided in the law—no arguments. And this is where government can be more responsive to the needs of the industry during the pandemic. After all, our bigger objective is how we can keep and nurture especially the existing investors and preserve the jobs, exports and other economic opportu-

nities created by the IT sector. This is the more effective stimulus for them to encourage their stay in the country,” she said. Meanwhile, Plaza said “we can be overly strict and legalistic with our regulations and in the end lose all our gains once IT companies shut down or downscale their operations in the country.” The FIRB co-chair, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), for its part agreed that the current WFH arrangement was “very reasonable already,” noting that the policy was based on consultations with the industries. “Moreover, you can see that the country is gradually and safely moving to more reopening of the economy into the new normal with increasing vaccination rate, the reduction in Covid cases and HCUR [hospital care utilization rate],” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez told the BusinessMirror. Lopez, as such, said they expect more employees reporting for work physically. Still, the trade official said the hybrid working scheme can improve productivity moving forward.

These trends are expected to continue due to work from home arrangements as well as the conduct of online classes. These, the OSHDP said, could already be part of

the new normal in the Philippines. Apart from greater space, the increase in demand for green homes has also risen. This has become more possible due to the availability of housing technologies. Emma Imperial of Imperial Homes said one of the more popular trends now is to go off grid by retrofitting existing homes or buying homes that already use solar power. She said using solar power in homes is now being supported by Pag-IBIG loans. However, she said these loans are extended provided that the house is included in the mortgage. “If your house is paid, Pag-IBIG requires your house to be part of the mortgage. It’s very difficult to push that to buyers who would like to buy solar and already paid for their houses, it’s very hard for them to accept that they’re going to get a loan again and put up their house just because of solar,” Imperial said. “We hope that Pag-IBIG will try to change it a little bit [to make it] a solar-friendly loan, that you don’t have to give your house which has already been paid for a solar solution,” she added. OSHDP said these are just some of the issues that will be tackled in the upcoming AHS which has a theme, “The Home EveryJuan Deserves.” Through the AHS, OSHDP hopes it can better contribute to placing a dent on the country’s growing housing gap— estimated to be at around 6.5 million. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and key shelter agencies have been able to build 1.076 million houses between 2016 and June 2021. This represents 84 percent of the 1.28 million PDP target. This means the DHSUD has a year to complete 203,976. Del Rosario said given that the annual accomplishment of the agency has reached an average of 195,687 houses per year since 2016, this is manageable and can be exceeded. Del Rosario highlighted the accomplishments of DHSUD and its key shelter agencies, including the finalization of the 20-year national housing road map and the formation of a task force to run after real-estate scammers. He added that the country’s housing need currently stands at 6.5 million nationwide and will most likely soar by next year, hence, the need to increase the government’s budget allocation. Since 2010, government allocation for the housing sector only stands at less than 1 percent of the national budget. For next year, the Department is proposing a P75.575-billion budget, but the recommended allotment by the Department of Budget and Management is only P6.39 billion. According to the housing czar, DHSUD is advocating passage of the National Housing Production and Development Financing Act, which will ensure a P50-billion annual appropriation for the next 20 years to address the rising housing need, as well as promote public housing development. Cai U. Ordinario

nomic strategy of the government to gradually and safely reopen the economy.” Danofrata described the FIRB resolution regarding the WFH scheme as already “reasonable,” noting that activities should be held in the economic zones in the first place. The FIRB has approved the extension until March 31, 2022, of WFH arrangements for up to 90 percent of employees in the IT-BPM sector. However, the regulator of ecozones offered an opposing sentiment. “Peza’s request is consistent with the IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force] objective to gradually and safely reopen the economy,” Plaza said. She stressed that requiring ITBPM workers to physically report for work may expose them to Covid-19 infection. The sector currently has a 22-percent vaccination rate, Plaza shared. The Peza proposal, which seeks to base the threshold on gross revenues, means the locators will be allowed to have 100-percent WFH

Continued from A1

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Diokno… Continued from A1

According to the Central Bank, upside risks could emanate from pressures on international commodity prices amid improving global demand and lingering supply-chain bottlenecks, the potential effects of weather disturbances and a possible prolonged recovery from the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak. The report also showed that banks continued to be riskaverse to lending despite improved conditions on the economy and on mobility. The BSP said their third quarter 2021 Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS) continued to reflect a net tightening of overall credit standards for loans to enterprises and households during the quarter using the diffusion index (DI) approach. For enterprises, banks said the reported tightening of overall credit standards was mainly due to a deterioration in the profiles of borrowers and in the profitability of banks’ portfolio, a less favorable economic outlook, and a reduced tolerance for risk, among other factors. On specific credit standards, the net tightening of overall credit standards was evident in terms of reduced credit line sizes; stricter collateral requirements and loan covenants; and increased use of interest rate floors. However, some form of easing in lending standards was identified in terms of longer loan maturities. Banks also specified a net tightening of overall credit standards for household loans, particularly for housing, auto, and personal and salary loans; while results for credit-card loans showed easing lending standards.

Fuel…

Continued from A1

Based on the estimates, Tionko said the bulk of the total foregone revenues if excise taxes are suspended will comprise incremental excise revenues under the TRAIN Law which amounts to P106.7 billion. The remaining P24.7 billion will be derived from baseline excise revenues. On Wednesday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi expressed hope that lower price adjustments in fuel prices would be possible in the next two months after increasing for the eight consecutive weeks. Since oil firms adjusted gasoline prices last August 31, this has gone up to P7.20 per liter while diesel shot up by P8.65 per liter. Kerosene also increased by P8.05 per liter for the past eight weeks. If excise taxes in petrol products are suspended, Cusi said, motorists could save P8 to P10 in fuel prices. Ibon Foundation said in a statement that because of the excise taxes under the TRAIN Law, a jeepney-route driver now pays P181.50 more for 11 liters of daily diesel, or about P5,445 more every month. Further, Ibon said farmers pay an average of P3,135 more for 190 liters of diesel per hectare per cropping season. “Oil prices including on sensitive products would be much lower without the oil excise taxes of the Duterte administration’s TRAIN Law which adds P6.72 to the price of diesel and P6.33 to the price of gasoline,” Ibon said. Last month, (BOC) seized 6,357 liters of unmarked diesel at one of the retail gas stations of a petroleum company in Pampanga as part of its efforts to curb oil smuggling in the country. The Bureau of Customs Port of Clark issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the operators of

Banks associated the overall tightening of credit standards for consumer loans with a less favorable economic outlook, a deterioration in borrowers’ profile, and a reduced tolerance for risk. For specific credit standards, the overall net tightening of credit standards to households was manifested in reduced credit line sizes, stricter loan covenants, and collateral requirements. Meanwhile, partial easing of lending standards for loans to consumers was reflected in forms of narrower loan margins and longer loan maturities. “The latest Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey showed a net tightening of banks’ overall credit standards for loans both to households and enterprises, indicating that banks remain risk-averse in lending,” Diokno said. On the global front, the BSP governor said while other central banks are rethinking their accommodative stance, the Philippines has enough tools in its arsenal to manage any volatility that may arise from global changes in monetary policy. “Many central banks in advanced and emerging economies have started reassessing their respective monetary policy settings in view of surging prices owing to strong demand and persistent supply constraints. The BSP, however, is confident that the Philippines is well-placed to recover over with a possible tightening of global financial conditions,” Diokno said. “We continue to have a full range of policy tools at our disposal. These include timely participation in the foreign exchange market to smoothen volatility as well as macroprudential measures to target specific imbalances and prevent the build-up of risks in the financial system,” he added.

Petromobil Corporation’s gas station in Arayat, Pampanga, after a field testing operation was done by the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue last September 3. The follow-up field testing operations resulted in BOC ordering the closure of another Petromobil retail station in Angeles City in Pampanga, while other stations of the oil company in Rizal and Bulacan were also found with deficient fuel marker levels of 20 percent and below. The BOC has also teamed up with the Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Industry Authority, and the Philippine Coast Guard to mobilize a Department of Energy (DOE)-led task force against petroleum smuggling done within the country’s territorial waters. The DOE-led Inter-Agency Task Force on Energy (IATFE) intends to include the Philippine Navy and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency in the group so that it would become the “umbrella” organization fighting petroleum smuggling, Guerrero said.

Other options

Also on Thursday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, citing the TRAIN Law, affirmed that the Duterte administration is not without options to mitigate the impact on continued oil price hikes. “The TRAIN Law that we passed a few years ago provides that the Department of Finance [DOF] may suspend the implementation of the increase of the excise tax on fuel upon the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee [DBCC] under certain conditions,” Lacson said in a statement Thursday. The senator suggested the Executive officials concerned should not readily give up. “I therefore urge the DOF Secretary to exercise that option under the law, given the unabated increase of the prices of fuel resulting in a heavy burden on the transport sector and the public in general,” Lacson added. With Butch Fernandez

A BusinessMirror Special Feature

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Friday, October 22, 2021

MARK VILLAR ASSURES DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION TO LEAVE

‘LEGACY OF CONTINUITY’

By Stephanie Joy Ching

S the lead agency in the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s flagship project, the Build, Build, Build Program, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has undertaken and supervised the construction, maintenance, improvement, and widening of a total of 29,264 kilometers of roads since July 2016.

Last June, Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects Vince Dizon, who is also president and Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), assured that while “Build, Build, Build” continues to make progress, it is also setting up the foundation in terms of infrastructure for the next administration and beyond. The projects range from airport roads, seaport roads, tourism roads to farm- to-market roads spanning a total 13,294.54 kilometers in Luzon, 5,427.06 kilometers in the Visayas, and 10,542.88 kilometers in Mindanao. As of October 2021, the DPWH has completed over 2536.5 billion pesos worth of projects and generated over 6.5 mil-

lion jobs for Filipinos. 1.6 million of which was achieved this year. The Build, Build, Build program also covered the building of national roads and bridges that would further connect the country. To date, there have been a total of 33,119.56 kilometers built, with 98% of it already paved. Meanwhile, the national bridges completed number at 8464, which numbers to 382,616 lm. These public infrastructure projects amounting to P2.5 trillion from 2016 to 2020 were accomplished under the leadership of Secretary Mark A. Villar, which, the agency noted, “has implemented almost threefold more projects than any administration in the last five decades.”

“A total of 6.5 million workers made ‘Build, Build, Build’ a reality. We are confident that President Duterte’s promise of decongesting EDSA by 2022 will become a reality. Before the term of the President ends, we will complete the construction of several big-ticket projects, including the Kalayaan Bridge linking Taguig and Pasig, Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, Mindanao Avenue Extension, Katipunan Avenue Extension, and the NLEXSLEX Connector project which will connect Skyway Stage 3 and NLEX Harbor Link," Villar further noted. On top of these, the DPWH has also made several strategic infrastructure programs. These include

traffic decongestion programs, integrated and seamless transport systems, convergence and rural road development programs, and livable, sustainable and resilient communities. These programs built many high standard highways and expressways, roads leading to growth corridors in Western Mindanao, upgraded access roads to ports, and created the integrated water resources management program. Another project highlighted in the DPWH report is the agency’s EDSA Decongestion Program which built 11 bridges for a total of 9,157 kilometers and 14 roads/ expressways for a total of 121.8 kilometers. Leading the list is the

Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, the elevated expressway from Buendia, Makati City, to the Northern Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City. Now fully operational, the travel time from Buendia to Balintawak is reduced from 2 hours to 20 minutes. The new skyway is expected to decongest EDSA and other major roads by as much as 55,000 vehicles a day. The economic cost of transportation clogging in Metro Manila has risen to P3.5 billion a day, and the situation can get worse, with the cost rising to P5.4 billion a day by 2035 if interventions are not made. This is according to September 2018 published study by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a long-time partner of the Philippines for its development program. In an effort to help other sectors, the DPWH also created several convergence programs with other departments such as the Department of Tourism, Department of Education, and many others. The Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) is a project created with the Department of Tourism. It is aligned with the strategic direction of National Tourism Development Plan to improve access and connectivity to tourism gateways, service centers and tourism sites. A total of PhP 121 billion was allocated from 2016 to 2021 for the construction, improvement and upgrading of about 4,268 km of roads leading to declared tourism destinations. To date, a total of 2,436 kilometers of roads have been completed that connect to prominent tourist spots. In November 2016, the ROLL-IT Program was developed to create and enhance industry-

developing infrastructure. As a convergence program with the Department of Trade and Industry, its priority is in economic and manufacturing zones in support of the Export Development Act, the SME Act, and the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy. From 2018 to 2021, a total of PhP 42 billion has been appropriated for the construction and upgrading of about 1,519 km of access roads leading to industries and trade corridors across the country. The Department has also completed 133 structures to enhance the capability and readiness of the military police under the TIKAS program (Tatag at Imprastraktura Para Sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad). At the same time, they also created a total of 150,149 classrooms to aid public schools with classroom shortages nationwide. School workshop buildings were likewise built all over the country to assist students and teachers with a total of 949 buildings in Luzon, 464 buildings in Visayas, and 651 buildings in Mindanao. In addition to these projects, the DPWH also did their part in helping the country overcome the pandemic. By building 770 We Heal as One Centers, which includes facilities for Mega Community Quarantine, Isolation, Off-site Dormitories and Modular Hospitals, the department has played a great role in the country’s COVID-19 mitigation process. The agency also completed 222 new evacuation centers that are now benefiting calamitystricken communities and areas with high cases of COVID-19. By the time the Duterte administration exits in 2022, the public may expect the completion of the Department’s ongoing projects which include 15,134 kilometers of road construction, rehabilitation, and widening; 1,859 bridge rehabilitation, retrofitting, replacement, and widening; 4,155 flood-control projects; 17,647 more classrooms, 186 school workshop buildings, and 99 evacuation centers. “Are we finished? Hindi 'ho. Dahil hindi tayo titigil sa pagtatayo at pagsasa-ayos ng mga airport, ng mga pantalan at mga infrastructure projects na magbibigay ng kaginhawahan sa mga Pilipino (Not yet. Because we will not stop building at rehabilitating airports, seaports, and infrastructure projects that will benefit Filipinos)," Transportation Secretary Art Tugade also noted. With the DPWH's robust pipeline of infrastructure projects, the Duterte administration is ready to leave the next administration with "a legacy of continuity" that will benefit many Filipinos for generations to come.

A4 Friday, October 22, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

The Nation BusinessMirror

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Philippines and Malaysia bemoan Chinese presence in disputed sea

ALAYSIA and the Philippines on Wednesday decried continued incursions by Chinese vessels in areas of the South China Sea they claim as their own in yet another sign of continuing tensions in the disputed waters.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it protested provocative actions by Chinese government vessels that used “the unlawful issuance of over 200 radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns” against Philippine authorities that were “conducting legitimate, customary and routine patrols.” “These provocative acts threaten the peace, good order, and security of the South China Sea and run contrary to China’s obligations under international law,” the agency said on its official Twitter account. Tensions between the two nations

over the disputed sea have escalated over the past months with the Philippines repeatedly protesting the presence of Chinese ships in the area. Manila has been backed by the US, while Beijing has said its actions were normal and legitimate. Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah warned separately on Wednesday during an event that his country could see more Chinese ships in its maritime territory so long as state-owned Petronas continues developing the Kasawari gas field located within its exclusive economic zone off the coast of Sarawak.

Malaysia earlier this month summoned the Chinese ambassador for the second time this year to protest the presence of ships in its territorial waters. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob previously warned there were be no compromises if there’s a threat in South China Sea. “I have lost count the number of protest notes we have sent to China,” Saifuddin said. “We will be steadfast and continue to respond diplomatically to them.”

AFP’s sea, air and land exercise

THE military officially opened on Thursday the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Exercise (AJEX) “DAGIT-PA,” its longest and biggest annual local exercise involving its forces. The DAGIT-PA, which stands for “Dagat-Langit-Lupa” seeks to further train and enhance the military’s land, air and maritime assets, including personnel in joint interoperability operations. Most of this year’s trainings will be held from November 4 to 18 in the areas under the jurisdiction of

A PHILIPPINE Coast Guard ship sails past a Chinese coast guard vessel during an joint exercise between Philippine and US coast guards in 2019. PHOTOGRAPHER: BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

the Visayas Command where the exercise was opened and at the AFP General Headquarters. The exercises, which will be participated by 1,533 personnel and 71 reservists, will include Air Detection and Interception, Live Fire Exercise, Urban Operations, Maritime Operations, Amphibious Operations, Cyber Defense Exercise, Territorial Defense, Internal Security Operations, among others. Joining the trainings are the

Philippine Army’s Light Armored Vehicles, and Howitzers; Philippine Navy’s frigate, patrol ship, landing dock, naval helicopters and fixed wing aircraft; Philippine Air Force’s FA-50PH, SF-260 Hermes 900, Black Hawk helicopters, Philippine Marines’ Amphibious Assault Vehicles, and M35 and KM450 trucks. All face-to-face activities during AJEX DAGIT-PA will be carried out with strict adherence to health protocols to prevent the spread of

Covid-19. Participants will undergo testing and shall be authorized by medical professionals prior to the start of the trainings. “Continuous military education and trainings are indispensable to the AFP. It is through the conduct of training exercises such as AJEX DAGIT-PA that we can truly guarantee our troops’ competencies and capabilities are enhanced and optimized in order for them to promptly respond to a wide spectrum of combat and non-combat requirements,” said military overall commander and AFP Chief of Staff General Jose Faustino. Meanwhile, the Navy will host the two-day 17th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) next week themed “Effective Ocean Governance for Regional Partnership and Stability.” 20 WPNS members and 8 WPNS observers represented by their chiefs of navies or designated representatives from countries within and bordering the Pacific Region will attend the virtual conference chaired by Navy Chief Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado. Bloomberg News with Rene Acosta

Steer clear of South Korea’s rocket launch path, public told By Manuel T. Cayon

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—Coastal residents along the country’s entire eastern seaboard have been advised to keep away from harm’s way as South Korea was expected to launch its space rocket, cruising on a path that includes the eastern coast side of the Philippines. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also said it would employ improved radar imaging system in its monitoring of illegal foreign fishing vessels on the other side of the Philippines,

the West Philippine Sea. BFAR said the space rocket “Nuri” of South Korea Aerospace Research Institute was scheduled for launch on Thursday. However, the BFAR advisory said there might be delays caused by weather and wind conditions and delayed launch period would be between October 22 and October 28. “Please stay away from and avoid fishing and other offshore activities in areas which may be affected by the launching of space rocket, ‘Nuri’ on October 21,” the BFAR advisory said. It said it got the advisory from the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). The PhilSA advisory said areas at risk were the offshore waters 730 kilometers from Sta. Ana, Cagayan and 383 kilometers from Tandag, Surigao del Sur. These areas were among the identified drop zones within the country’s territorial waters. “As per PhilSA report, the launch may cause the danger of falling rocket debris for ships, aircraft, and other vehicles that will pass through the identified drop zones. The rocket debris may also wash offshore towards the eastern seaboard in the future,” it said. Based on the recom mend ation of the PhilSA, the BFAR “advises all fishing vessels to stay away from the affected area and avoid fishing and other offshore activities from 2 p.m.6:30 p.m. on the identified locations and their corresponding coordinates.” T h e B FA R said, however, that the PhilSA has reported t hat t he r isk of rocket debris falling over the Philippine landmass was “minimal.”

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Friday, October 22, 2021 A5

Pandemic cuts PHL milk imports by 1% to 2.9 MMT-LME in ’21 By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

HE country’s total dairy imports this year may decline slightly to 2.9 million metric tons (MMT) in liquid milk equivalent (MMT-LME) due to lower domestic demand caused by various Covid-19 related quarantines and movement restrictions, according to an international agency. The United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) in Manila projected that the country’s dairy imports may decline by 1 percent from last year’s 2.936 MMT-LME. “Post sees total dairy imports in 2021 declining by 1 percent to 2.9 MMT-LME due to the slowdown in demand following the various quarantines and movement restrictions,” the USDA-FAS Manila said in its Global Agricultural Information Network (Gain) report published recently. “Post forecasts overall dairy imports to slightly recover in 2022, growing 2 percent as the economy reopens, most of the population becomes vac-

cinated, and Covid-19 restrictions are lifted,” it added. Latest National Dairy Authority (NDA) data showed that the value of dairy imports grew by 8.92 percent to $562.43 million from $516.36 million recorded in the first half of last year. “While overall dairy imports by volume are projected to decline in 2021, post sees a slight increase in imported value due to rising prices of dairy products, especially for milk powder, cheese, and liquid ready-to-drink [RTD] milk,” the USDA-FAS Manila said. “The average import cost of dairy products in the first half of 2021 was $0.38/li [liter] in LME. High value products were curd, liquid [RTD] milk, and cheese. NDA data showed an increase in the average unit cost of imported milk and dairy products in 2021, especially milk powder,” it added. The USDA-FAS Manila pointed out that dairy products remain as the third-largest agricultural export of the United States to the Philippines after soybean meal and wheat. “According to NDA data, the United States was the Philippines’s

top source of dairy imports in 2020, accounting for 38 percent of total volume in LME, followed by New Zealand. This is despite US exports facing a tariff disadvantage compared to New Zealand,” it explained. The USDA-FAS Manila also projected that Philippine milk output this year may decline by 2 percent year-onyear to 26,000 MT due to a “reduction of the dairy herd following the slaughter and retiring of older animals.” “In 2022, production is forecast to rebound 3 percent to 26,800 MT, boosted by more dairy animals and the active implementation of the Philippine government’s dairy development projects geared towards increasing milk production,” it said. “These projects will also contribute to improvements in milk yield among dairy cattle,” it added. Despite the noted improvement in domestic milk production, local output supplies only 1 percent of the country’s annual dairy requirement with the rest being imported, according to the USDA-FAS Manila report. “Production growth has been slow in

1,300 companies fail to settle workers’ 13th-month pay in ’20, DOLE exec says By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday said it would go after some 1,300 companies that may have been remiss in paying the 13th-month pay of their employees last year. In a television interview, Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione said these companies were among those they inspected last year. She said they would be issuing a compliance order to compel the said

companies to pay the benefit as mandated by Presidential Decree 851. Most or 16,000 of the inspected firms in 2020 were still able to pay the 13th-month benefit of their workers despite economic disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus disease pandemic. Dione said they hope these companies would still be able to pay the said benefit to their workers this year despite the lingering economic effects of the pandemic through the intervention of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI’s Small Business Corporation already announced it would once again extend this year zero-interest loans to micro and small firms to help them pay the 13th month of their workers. “To the employers, despite our hard situation this year, let us not forget this obligation [13th-month pay], which is stated under the law,” Dione said. The 13th-month pay is equivalent to the total salary earned by a worker in a year divided by 12 months. It should be paid before December 24 of every year.

Atienza outlines priority of Manny Pacquiao presidency By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

F elected into office in 2022, the tandem of boxing icon and presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao and vice presidential aspirant Lito Atienza can unite the Filipinos amid several issues that the country is facing. At the Kamuning Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, vice presidential aspirant Atienza sa id he and Pacquiao will focus on programs that will provide better life for all Filipinos. “Our government will focus on fighting corruption, home for the homeless, land for the landless and better income for all Filipinos…we have to provide better jobs for all Filipinos to stop their search [for the proverbial] greener pastures outside the country,” he added.

Atienza also expressed confidence that he and Pacquiao are the best among the candidates for president and vice president. “I am more experienced than them. I don’t want to be Vice President to any other president. I am running for Vice President, only because Manny Pacquiao has my full trust and confidence,” said Atienza, a former Manila mayor. “I only want to become Vice President to Ma nny Pacqu iao because simply I know him well, I know that he cannot fail the Filipinos. He will give them better life and a graft and corruption-free government. Pacquiao can unite the Filipinos,” he added. He a lso u rged t he Fi l ipino electorate not to vote for a mixed ticket, “so if you will vote for another president, don’t vote for me.”

Condemn

ATIENZA, in separate news statement, also strongly condemned efforts at “historical revisionism,” specifically to erase from the people’s consciousness and memory, the so-called atrocities committed during the martial law years. Atienza admonished presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. not to deny the sins committed under his father’s rule, and to stop acting as if he had no idea what was happening then. “I can’t change my sentiments about martial law kasi I suffered thru martial law twice. Mabuti ako nakauwi pa. But they warned me that on the third time, hindi na daw ako makakauwi. What will they tell the families of the more than 10,000 missing youth who most probably fell victim to torture and summary execution? I cannot and will never forget that. I want my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to never forget that!” Atienza added.

Freeze excise tax, revive OPSF–BBM

ARTIDO Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on Congress on Wednesday to suspend the excise tax on oil products to negate the impact of “runaway” fuel prices, particularly on the transport sector. The presidential aspirant’s urgent call to suspend excise tax on fuel, prompted by the surging oil prices in the world market, may significantly slash gasoline prices by P10.00 per liter and diesel products by P6.00 per liter. Kerosene will likely go down by P5.00 per liter, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a common fuel used by households for cooking, will be reduced by P3.00 per kilogram. “Amending the oil deregulation law with the intent of addressing the issue of runaway oil prices will take some time. This move to suspend the excise tax makes sense and will have an immediate positive impact on our

people,” Marcos stressed. Marcos, who met with leaders of various transport groups recently, lamented the impact rising fuel prices would have on the income of drivers and operators of publicutility vehicles. “We need to do something about this issue urgently because one sector that will be gravely affected has been suffering for the longest time in this pandemic. Transport workers and operators who depend on their daily operations for their livelihood are already in dire straits,” Marcos added. Transport groups who met with Marcos recently were: Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang Masda); Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP); Philippine Confederation of Drivers and Operators-Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization

(PCDO-ACTO); Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP); Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP); and Tiger in Asia. Marcos also called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to study the restoration of the defunct Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF) to cushion the economy from the inflationary effects of prolonged high oil prices. “I implore the DOE to make a careful study on the possibility of bringing back the OPSF to cushion Filipinos from the impact of rising oil prices,” Marcos said. Signed into law in 1998, RA 8479 otherwise known as the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 aimed to liberalize and deregulate the oil industry and ensure a competitive market.

previous years because of the inability to increase the dairy herd, mostly due to insufficient funding and little investment from the private sector,” it said. “Concerns with competitiveness and profitability also constrain further growth,” it added. The USDA-FAS Manila noted that local milk production is primarily sourced from cattle (64 percent) followed by buffalo or carabao (31 percent) and goat (5 percent). The USDA-FAS Manila added that the country’s dairy goat herd in the country is growing due to larger imports, while dairy cattle herd declined due to refreshing of old animals and slaughter of cows for meat. The USDA-FAS Manila said the Philippine average milk output is 10 li per day for dairy cows, 4.5 li/day for buffalo and 1.5 li/day for goats. “Production remains low mainly due to poor feeding and management practices as a result of high production costs and a lack of adequate dairy infrastructure. In comparison, the average daily milk yield in the United States is around 30 li/day,” it added.

Apeco chief urges senators to okay P153-M budget proposal for 2022 By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

HE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) urged lawmakers during a Senate committee hearing on Thursday to consider approving its initial P153-million budget proposal for next year. “If it is possible, we would like to appeal to the honorable chairman and the members of the committee to favorably consider our original opex [operating expenses] request and capital outlay in order for us to finance the operation and critical undertakings,” Apeco President and CEO Israel F. Maducdoc said. The National Expenditure Program has allocated P52.216 million for the ecozone regulator. Of the P153-million budget proposal, the bulk or P86 million, has been earmarked for opex, personal service costs and maintenance and other operating expenses. The remainder is capital outlay for construction of infrastructures. These include agri-aqua road and road network 2 for P25 million each and a P17-million health center. Maducdoc also reported that Apeco has 12 locators with projected investments amounting to P7.2 billion. Most of these are involved in information technology and online gaming support services. These include Lucky Dragon Online Solutions Corporation, T&D Asia Pacific Entertainment Group Inc., Pacific Seaboard Leisure and Entertainment Corp. and Smartinfo Philippines. Those involved in tourism and residential units are J-PEC Development Corp., Indus Pacifica Realty Corp. and Asia-Pacific Dragon Realty Corp. Other locators are TGV Development Corp. (aquaculture and processing), Yong Cheng Group OPC (leisure resort, hotel and casino), Winstep Industrial Corp. (electronics assembly), Veabor Aviation Support Corp. (aviation support, repair and maintenance) and Yangtze Teletech Support (business-process outsourcing).

Friday, October 22, 2021

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

US marks 200-M Covid shots shared with world

ASHINGTON—The US on Thursday donated its 200 millionth Covid-19 shot to help vaccinate the rest of the world, the White House announced.

The Biden administration aims to lead a global vaccination campaign even as it rolls out boosters for domestic use, which critics say diverts doses from those who are in greater need around the world. The donated doses include more than 120 million

in surplus from the US stockpile of shots, as well as the initial deliveries of the 1 billion doses the Biden administration has purchased from Pfizer for overseas donation by September 2022. More than 100 countries and territories have received the American doses, and the US

remains the largest vaccine donor in the world. “These 200 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have helped bring health and hope to millions of people, but our work is far from over,” US Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power said in a statement. “To end the pandemic, and prevent the emergence of new variants, as well as future outbreaks within our nation’s borders, we must continue to do our part to help vaccinate the world.” While aid groups have praised the US for leading the world in vaccine donations, they have criticized the US for approving booster doses for use in the country while many people in lower-income nations have no protection at all. The Food and Drug

Administration approved booster doses of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines Wednesday, following last month’s authorization of a third dose of the Pfizer shot. “The reality is, the more wealthy countries use booster shots, the further we will be from ending the pandemic,” said Tom Hart, acting CEO of the One Campaign. “While some argue that we can both administer boosters and vaccinate the world, the simple fact is that boosters divert supply from an urgent area of need—administering first shots around the world.” While half the planet has been vaccinated, there are massive geographic and wealth disparities. The majority of global shots have been administered in high- and moderate-income countries. AP

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph Republic of the Philippines

Mr. SHENGJIANG DAI Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner consistent with Chinese standards

Php40,000.00+++/month

Mr. DONGDONG CHEN Chinese

Php40,000.00+++/month

Mr. SHENGNING LYU Chinese

Php40,000.00+++/month

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. IV-A 4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362

14.

October 22, 2021

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP)

Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s. 15.

Name and Address of Employer: NAKASHIMA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 2nd St., North Drive, CEZ, Rosario, Cavite

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. HIROYUKI YAMAKAWA Japanese

Department Head Overall management of production department

Php3,264,000.00+++/annum

Name and Address of Employer: NIDEC PHILIPPINES CORPORATION SEZ, Laguna Technopark, Biñan City, Laguna

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. SHIGEO SUITA Japanese

Supervisor of Engineering Department Manage the engineering division in achieving the division goals

Php50,000.00+++/month

Mr. MAKOTO MURAKAMI Japanese

Technical Adviser Monitor the fabrication department in achieving the daily production targets

Php840,000.00+++/annum

10.

11.

12.

13.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Mr. LUNYING LIU Chinese

Salary Range

18. Php40,000.00+++/month

Mr. KAIKAI SUN Chinese

Php40,000.00+++/month

Mr. HAO SUN Chinese

Mr. CHUNXIANG LU Chinese

Mr. HUIRONG LIU Chinese

Mr. XIN LIN Chinese

Ms. OUQING LIN Chinese

19.

Php40,000.00+++/month

Salary Range

Mr. ROHAN KUMAR PATTNAYAK Indian

Php561,350.00+++/annum

Manager LNG Ensure that all deliverables will be completed within the schedule

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. MASAKI SHIMIZU Japanese

General Manager - Quality Assurance Provide supervision and performance management to the QA/QC team

Php60,000.00+++/month

Name and Address of Employer: TSUKIDEN ELECTRONICS PHILIPPINES, INC. Laguna Technopark-SEPZ, Biñan City, Laguna

20.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. KOJI YOSHIDA Japanese

Vice President in Manufacturing-2nd Division Create, communicate and implement the organization’s mission and vision

Php187,142.85+++/month

Name and Address of Employer: JT INTERNATIONAL ASIA MANUFACTURING CORP. LTC-SEZ, Malvar, Batangas Php40,000.00+++/month

21.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. BEH TENG FEI Malaysian

Tabacco Processing Instructor Support JT group personnel to work in the field of tobacco processing including operational and mechanical processes

Php215,430.00+++/month

Php40,000.00+++/month Name and Address of Employer: MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

22.

Mr. WENDING ZHENG Chinese

Customer Service Representative Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php50,000.00+++/month

23.

Mr. ZHIWEI ZHANG Chinese

Customer Service Representative Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php50,000.00+++/month

24.

Mr. HONGHUI XIE Chinese

Customer Service Representative Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php50,000.00+++/month

25.

Mr. CAN ZHOU Chinese

Customer Service Representative Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php50,000.00+++/month

Php40,000.00+++/month

Mr. XIAOYAN HE Chinese

Php40,000.00+++/month

Mr. RUIXIONG DU Chinese

Php40,000.00+++/month

Mr. SHENGQIANG LI Chinese

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

Name and Address of Employer: NIDEC SANKYO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION LISP I, Bo. Diezmo, Cabuyao, Laguna

Php40,000.00+++/month

17.

Name and Address of Employer: ATLANTIC GULF & PACIFIC COMPANY OF MANILA, INC. AG&P-SEZ, Brgy. San Roque, Bauan, Batangas

Mr. MUQIANG XING Chinese

Name and Address of Employer: CASTEM PHILIPPINES CORPORATION CEZ, Rosario, Cavite

Name and Address of Employer: SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. San Francisco (Halang), Biñan City, Laguna

16.

Friday, October 22, 2021

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication. Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph

Friday, October 22, 2021

The World BusinessMirror

FDA OKs mixing Covid vaccines; backs Moderna and J&J boosters U

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US, EU ambassadors: Enforce UN sanctions on North Korea

ASHINGTON—US regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending Covid-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially. The Food and Drug Administration’s decisions mark a big step toward expanding the US booster campaign, which began with extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month. But before more people roll up their sleeves, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consult an expert panel Thursday before finalizing official recommendations for who should get boosters and when. The latest moves would expand by tens of millions the number of Americans eligible for boosters and formally allow “mixing and matching” of shots— making it simpler to get another dose, especially for people who had a side effect from one brand but still want the proven protection of vaccination. Specifically, the FDA authorized a third Moderna shot for seniors and others at high risk from Covid-19 because of their health problems, jobs or living conditions—six months after

their last shot. One big change: Moderna’s booster will be half the dose that’s used for the first two shots, based on company data showing that was plenty to rev up immunity again. For J&J’s single-shot vaccine, the FDA said all US recipients, no matter their age, could get a second dose at least two months following their initial vaccination. The FDA rulings differ because the vaccines are made differently, with different dosing schedules—and the J&J vaccine has consistently shown a lower level of effectiveness than either of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. As for mixing and matching, the FDA said it’s OK to use any brand for the booster regardless of which vaccination people got first. The interchangeability of the shots is expected to speed the booster campaign, particularly in nursing homes and other institutional settings where residents have received different shots over time. FDA officials said they wanted to make the booster guidance as flexible as possible, given that many people don’t remember which brand of vaccine they received.

“Being able to interchange these vaccines is a good thing—it’s like what we do with flu vaccines,” FDA’s Dr. Peter Marks told reporters Wednesday evening. “Most people don’t know what brand of flu vaccine they received.” Still, he added that many people will decide to get a booster from the same company as their initial vaccination. The agency’s mix-and-match decision was based on preliminary results from a government study of different booster combinations that showed an extra dose of any type revs up levels of virus-fighting antibodies. That study also showed recipients of the singledose J&J vaccination had a far bigger response if they got a full-strength Moderna booster or a Pfizer booster rather than a second J&J shot. The study didn’t test the half-dose Moderna booster. Health authorities stress that the priority still is getting first shots to about 65 million eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated. But the booster campaign is meant to shore up protection against the virus amid signs that vaccine effectiveness is waning against mild infections, even though all three brands continue to protect against hospitalization and death. “Today the currently available data suggest waning immunity in some populations of fully vaccinated people,” said FDA’s acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock. “The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against Covid-19.” The Moderna booster decision essentially matches FDA’s ruling that high-risk groups are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, which is made with the same technology.

FDA recommended that everyone who’d gotten the single-shot J&J vaccine get a booster since it has consistently shown lower protection than its two-shot rivals. And several independent FDA advisers who backed the booster decision suggested J&J’s vaccine should have originally been designed to require two doses. Experts continue to debate the rationale of the booster campaign. Some warn that the US government hasn’t clearly articulated the goals of boosters given that the shots continue to head off the worst effects of Covid-19, and wonder if the aim is to tamp down on virus spread by curbing, at least temporarily, milder infections. FDA regulators said they would move quickly to expand boosters to lower age groups, such as people in their 40s and 50s, if warranted. “We are watching this very closely and will take action as appropriate to make sure that the maximum protection is provided to the population,” said Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine official. In August, the Biden administration announced plans for an acrossthe-board booster campaign aimed at all US adults, but outside experts have repeatedly argued against such a sweeping effort. On Thursday an influential panel convened by the CDC is expected to offer more specifics on who should get boosters and when. Their recommendations are subject to approval by the CDC director. The vast majority of the nearly 190 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while about 15 million have received the J&J vaccine. AP

NITED NATIONS—The United States and several European countries on Wednesday condemned North Korea’s recent missile tests and said Pyongyang’s technical advances demonstrate the urgent need to ramp up implementation of UN sanctions on its nuclear and missile programs and its economic activities. US Ambassador Linda ThomasGreenfield urged North Korea to stop its “reckless provocations” that violate Security Council sanctions resolutions. She said it should start talks with the Biden administration without preconditions toward the goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. She urged all countries to fully implement UN sanctions “so that we can prevent the DPRK from accessing the funds, the technology, the know-how it needs to further develop unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.” Thomas-Greenfield reiterated to reporters before an emergency closed meeting of the council on North Korea’s latest missile tests that the United States has offered to meet officials from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea—the country’s official name—“and we have made clear that we have no hostile intent toward the DPRK.” In a separate statement, the three members of the European Union on the Security Council—Ireland, France and Estonia—said Monday’s reported test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile “forms part of a pattern of provocations by the DPRK” in recent weeks, including launches of short-range ballistic missiles, longrange cruise missiles, “and what it has claimed to be a hypersonic glider.” They said the new submarine missile launch “underlines the continued enhancement of the nuclear and ballistic program of the DPRK, which stated the ambition to ultimately acquire sea-based nuclear capabilities.” The EU council members urged North Korea to immediately end its

“destabilizing actions and take concrete steps to abandon its ballistic missiles” and other weapons of mass destruction including its nuclear program “in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.” Ireland, France and Estonia also urged North Korea to respond positively to the repeated offers by the US and South Korea for dialogue saying “there is no other way to achieve peace, security and stability on the Korean peninsula.” The 15-member Security Council heard a briefing on the latest missile tests from UN Assistant SecretaryGeneral Mohamed Khaled Khiari, but did not issue a statement. The council has imposed increasingly tough sanctions on North Korea severely restricting its imports and exports while demanding an end to its nuclear and ballistic missile activities. But North Korea has repeatedly f louted council resolutions and continues to launch increasingly sophisticated missiles, escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the region. Thomas-Greenfield said the Biden administration is committed to working with the international community to reduce tensions and maintain peace on the Korean peninsula. And the US commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan “is ironclad,” she said. She criticized the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions on North Korea, saying it “is not doing its job.” “We must enforce these violations,” she said. “We need to ramp up the implementation of the sanctions and we’ve not done that. And particularly, we need to focus on those who are violating the sanctions and others who are engaging in activities that break the sanctions.” The US ambassador didn’t name any countries, but the panel of experts monitoring the implementation of sanctions has cited alleged violations by North Korea’s neighbors China and Russia. AP

India hits 1 billion vaccine doses, worries about gap between shots

EW DELHI—India has administered 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine, officials said Thursday, passing a milestone for the South Asian country where the Delta variant fueled its first crushing surge earlier this year. About 75 percent of India’s total eligible adult population have received at least one dose, while around 30 percent are fully immunized. The country of nearly 1.4 billion people is the second to exceed a billion cumulative doses after the most populous country China did so in June. Coronavirus cases have fallen sharply in India since the devastating months at the start of the year when the highly transmissible Delta variant, first detected in the country a year ago, was infecting hundreds of thousands daily, sending Covid-19 patients into overwhelmed hospitals and filling cremation grounds. Officials have bolstered the vaccination campaign in recent months, which experts say have helped control the outbreak since. The country began its drive in January. Still, there remains a worrying gap between those who have received one shot and those fully immunized. Ramping up the second dose is “an important priority,” V K Paul, the head of the country’s Covid-19 taskforce, said at a briefing last week. “We would like to see this number go up. Complete coverage is absolutely critical,” Paul said. India had earlier said it aimed to vaccinate all eligible adults by the end of the year, but experts say the current pace of the vaccination drive will need to increase to meet this goal. Officials plan to mark the milestone on Thursday at vaccination centers and hospitals where frontline and health care workers will be celebrated. The health minister will also launch a song and film to commemorate the achievement and an Indian flag will be hoisted at the historic Red Fort in the capital New Delhi, local media reported. India, an important supplier of

vaccines globally, halted exports in April as cases at home surged and only resumed exports earlier this month. The government is now optimistic that the country’s vaccine supply, which has seen a rise, will be enough to cover its international and domestic commitments. Both of the two main suppliers have ramped up production, with the Serum Institute now producing around 220 million jabs a month and some 30 million from Bharat Biotech, Paul said. Experts say the vaccine situation on the ground will need constant review. “There can be no written in stone rule—if infections rise drastically, they can again stop exports until there’s enough doses,” said K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India. On Wednesday, India confirmed over 14,000 new cases of infection. Its active cases make up less than 1 percent of its total caseload, now more than 34 million, including over 450,000 deaths, according to the health ministry. Serological surveys done in June and July showed that over 60 percent of the population had antibodies to the virus that causes Covid-19, reducing the likelihood of another massive surge in the coming months, according to some experts. Even states where infections were swelling a few weeks ago, such as Kerala along the tropical Malabar coast, have seen a sustained decline. “There is a sense of comfort that India has suffered the worst of the Delta variant, but this must be accompanied with a feeling of caution,” said Reddy. “Even if cases go up, we are unlikely to see the scale of the surge earlier—if that does happen, it would be fairly unexpected,” he added. In recent months, life in India has swung back to normal. Markets are buzzing with activity, tourists can enter the country after a 19-month hiatus and the country is gearing up to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. AP

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ADB’s new energy policy runs ‘short’ on fossil-free goals

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) warned that while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will no longer finance new gas and oil projects, the multilateral institution’s new energy policy may not lead to making developing Asia fossil-free.

On Wednesday, ADB announced that it has approved the 2021 Energy Policy, which seeks to guide Manila-based energy investments in the next five years. APMDD said the new policy will continue to finance midstream and downstream projects, which could continue fueling demand for these projects. “New energy policy but backing for fossil fuels remains. The ADB falls short in efforts to be fossil-free. It failed to go all the way in ridding the energy policy of the exceptions and loopholes that allow for fossil fuel financing,” APMDD Coordinator Lidy Nacpil said in a news statement. Nacpil also expressed concern over ADB’s plans to withdraw from coal projects. An earlier draft of the policy used the term “rapid” in reference to the phase out of coal, but the approved energy policy no longer describes the phase out of coal projects in this manner. APMDD also raised concerns that projects using thermal-based waste-to-energy; biofuels and biomass energy; and construction of large and mega hydropower and geothermal sources of energy will continue to be financed by ADB. These projects threaten to increase human-rights violations; displace communities and local livelihoods; and undermine staple food production and access. Nacpil said these projects also trigger land grabs and water and land use conflicts and threaten natural carbon sinks and ecological integrity. “We also find unacceptable ADB’s support for carbon capture, use, and storage technologies for power plants and industries. ADB ignored the fact that CCUS [carbon capture, utilization and storage] technology is capital intensive, unreliable, unproven,

and dangerous, even with objections raised by the CSOs [civil society organizations] on several occasions,” Nacpil said. On Wednesday, ADB Energy Sector Group Chief Priyantha Wijayatunga said the main feature of the policy is the bank’s decision to cease financing for new coal-fired generation capacity in the region. Wijayatunga said, however, that ADB’s last financing for coal-fired power plants was the Jamshoro Thermal Power Station in Sindh province in Pakistan. Based on ADB documents, the project is still active and has financing until June 2027. Apart from veering away from coal investments, Wijayatunga said the new Energy Policy aims to accelerate the development of sustainable and resilient energy systems that provide reliable and affordable access to energy for all. This is part of ADB’s commitment to foster inclusive economic growth and social development, as well as support the low-carbon transition in Asia and the Pacific. This, he added, will also ensure a just transition for those negatively affected by the energy transition. ADB said the new policy is based on these principles—Securing Energy for a Prosperous and Inclusive Asia and the Pacific; Building a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Future; and Supporting Institutions, Private Sector Participation, and Good Governance. ADB said the principles also include Promoting Regional Cooperation and Integration and Integrated Cross-Sector Operations to Maximize Development Impact. These principles will allow the new Energy Policy to meet the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 on achieving Universal Access by 2030.

Solons decry ‘no jab, no job’ policy of some companies By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

OUSE leaders on Thursday expressed their opposition to a proposal that would make Covid-19 vaccination a prerequisite to reporting for work, saying such is not only illegal but also uncompassionate and borders on unconstitutionality. Deputy Speaker and Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva and House Committee on Labor and Employment Chairman and 1PACMAN Party-list Rep. Enrico Pineda issued separate statements following recent reports of employers unlawfully withholding the salary of their unvaccinated employees. “While it has been made clear by DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment] itself that ‘no vaccine, no pay’ is illegal, I would like to add that, more importantly, such policy is devoid of compassion. Depriving laborers of salary they rightfully earned with sweat and blood is a spit on the face of human dignity and the dignity of work. CIBAC condemns the unlawful and ungodly practice, which must be publicly censured and stopped at this early stage of its emergence among a few companies,” Villanueva said. Villanueva acknowledged the necessity of vaccines in minimizing the impact of Co-

vid-19 to the country’s pandemic-induced economic woes and health-care system overloading. However, he emphasized that the proper way of convincing more people to get jabbed with Covid-19 vaccines is not coercion but education. “Vaccine mandates and other forms of coercion only engender vaccine suspicion and hesitancy. Let us not add fuel to the fire by resorting to tyrannical measures that impinge on people’s liberties,” the CIBAC lawmaker said. Villanueva also highlighted past news reports in which throngs of people flocked to vaccination centers, even without appointment, wanting to get jabbed. “Nineteen months into one of the longest series of lockdowns in the world, majority of Filipinos still find themselves struggling to achieve financial, psychological, and social equilibrium. May we as a nation collectively exercise greater levels of selflessness and compassion toward one another? May the challenges of the times drive us not to the realm of desperation and abuse of our fellowmen but toward the bettering of ourselves as compassionate neighbors to one another,” the Deputy Speaker for Good Governance and Moral Uprightness said. For his part, Pineda also strongly opposed the policy of “no jab, no job” being implemented by some businesses.

A10 Friday, October 22, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

Our digital future

he Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the process of digital transformation that is fundamentally upending traditional business models. The exponential growth in digital transactions placed greater demand on network infrastructure that needed to be strengthened and enhanced. Never before has the country seen an increased reliance on online services than during the long lockdown period, especially in Metro Manila. The pandemic unleashed the value of connectivity, which made the digital economy explode. The “new normal” of increased online business activities transformed the world of our entrepreneurs into an infinite marketplace where conducting business has become more convenient and efficient for both sellers and buyers. However, in the field of online education, there were a lot more misses than hits, which showed our school system was not prepared for the shift. The surge in online business transactions prompted the Bureau of Internal Revenue to issue Revenue Memorandum Circular 60-2020, dubbed “Obligations of Persons Conducting Business Transactions Through any Forms of Electronic Media and Notice to Unregistered Businesses.” The Circular mandated all business owners who are engaged in an online business platform in any form to register their businesses with the BIR and pay taxes on their sales. To find out how information and communication technology can boost the country’s economic development and innovation, Google Philippines commissioned AlphaBeta, a global strategy and economic advisory firm, to conduct a country study. Fraser Thompson, AlphaBeta founder and managing director, said “digital transformation can unlock up to P5 trillion worth of economic value in the Philippines by 2030, but the country needs to address roadblocks to fully take advantage of the opportunities.” (See, PHL digital economy may ‘unlock’ P5 trillion by 2030, in the BusinessMirror, October 19, 2021). The study said nearly a quarter of the forecast amount, or P1.22 trillion, will be driven by the consumer, retail and hospitality sectors. This is followed by the education and training sector; agriculture and food; and the government with P607.1 billion, P576.7 billion and 550.2 billion, respectively. The report said contributions from the health sector, transport services and financial services are pegged at P416.1 billion, P364.3 billion and P355.7 billion, respectively. Resources and infrastructure, meanwhile, are seen contributing P245.4 billion and P204.6 billion, respectively. “Of that total digital opportunity, 69 percent or P3.5 trillion will be driven by technologies that can help mitigate the impacts of Covid-19,” Thompson said. The AlphaBeta report said the Philippines has low digital adoption, in addition to lack of awareness about the digitalization on the part of the micro, small and medium enterprises. Thompson pointed out that only 32 percent of the households in the National Capital Region have Internet access. The figure is lower at 5 percent in some provinces. The Philippines lags behind its Asean peers on equipping its current and future workforce with technology skills, Thompson said, stressing the need to improve the digital skills training and education, in addition to accelerating the country’s digital adoption and innovation. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the AlphaBeta report can help in the country’s bid to boost its digital capabilities. “However, to fully unlock this potential, we need to overcome certain barriers such as the challenges surrounding our digital adoption and digital infrastructure,” he said. The AlphaBeta report exposed a vital issue we can’t afford to overlook— the existence of a digital divide that contributes to unequal access to services that are delivered via the Internet. For example, if “only 32 percent of the households in the National Capital Region have Internet access,” what do we do with the 68 percent that can’t afford to buy gadgets and pay for connectivity? We have a complicated problem, and we can’t accelerate our push towards a digital economy if we leave millions of our countrymen behind. This is a big challenge for the next administration. Since 2005

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Sonny M. Angara

Better Days

his October 23 marks the fourth year since Marawi City was freed from the lawless elements that sought to turn the locality into a wilayat or an “administrative division” of the ISIS caliphate. On that day, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana declared the city’s liberation marking the end of armed hostilities and violence between government troops and ISIS-inspired groups and, most importantly, the start of Marawi’s recovery. While we emerged victorious, there is no such thing as a war without death, damage, or destruction. The Marawi Siege resulted in at least 1,200 fatalities, property and potential economic losses worth P17 billion, and the displacement of more than 350,000 individuals. What has since ensued is a widespread, multi-stakeholder effort to rebuild and to rehabilitate the great city, through which the government has effectively funneled some P40 billion. This is evidenced by completed infrastructure projects such as the P1.12 billion Mapandi and Banggolo Bridges, government installations like police and fire stations, maritime outposts, solid waste management buildings, barangay complex with health centers and madrasahs. There is also no letup in the repair and reconstruction of damaged classrooms, public parks, including the

restoration of vital utilities such power substations and Abaca nurseries and warehouses. In addition, the private sector extended its hand in the construction of mosques funded through their donations. Despite the gains achieved, more work is still required to help Marawi residents return home permanently. An account by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism described how many residents found with nothing but rubble when they returned to the city, with some even reporting that their belongings had been looted. While the authorities have cleared unexploded ordnance since February 2020 and reconstruction efforts have since been underway, there are still some barangays without roads and access to water and electricity. Thus, one of the greatest challenges in Marawi’s recovery is how

to enable its people not just to come back, but also to restart their lives. We recently sponsored a measure (SB 2420), as authored by Senators Zubiri, Dela Rosa, Tolentino, Go, Marcos, Pangilinan, and Gordon, which seeks to prop up Marawi residents by providing tax-free compensation to any owner of a residential, cultural, or commercial structure within Marawi’s Most Affected Areas (MAA) and Other Affected Areas (OAA) that was destroyed during the siege or demolished to make way for the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (MRRRP). This measure also creates the Marawi Compensation Board to receive, evaluate, and process claims, and to disburse compensation. This Board, which is an independent and quasi-judicial body, shall be composed of nine members—at least three of whom should be members of the Philippine Bar, preferably Maranao lawyers with five years of practice, including a licensed physician, a certified public accountant, an educator, and a licensed civil engineer. Moreover, the Board’s operating budget shall be sourced from the current year’s Contingent Fund amounting to no more than P50 million annually and its Secretariat, who is tasked to provide technical assistance, shall consist of personnel from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). Claimants given a year from the Board have been duly organized to file their claims. By enacting this measure and by

An economic growth and development agenda for the next administration

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Senior Editors

Creative Director Chief Photographer

A new dawn for Marawi City

Dr. Fernando T. Aldaba

EAGLE WATCH

ere is an agenda for the next administration to sustain recovery and hasten economic development: 1. Strengthening the health-care system

The pandemic highlighted the need for more quality investments in health care to create greater resilience once shocks are experienced. The government needs to craft long-term plans and strategies for the healthcare system so that it will emerge from the crisis stronger than before. It should foster closer publicprivate collaboration to bring about innovations in the health sector and further develop the country’s healthcare infrastructure. In addition, it should increase investments in hu-

man capital, particularly in doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals. The universal health-care system must be overhauled. The use of digital and IT systems must be promoted to make health services readily available, particularly in remote areas. 2. Modernizing and boosting agriculture Low labor productivity has plagued the agriculture sector due to inefficient production methods, small average farm sizes, and low

investments in the sector. Property rights issues emanating from unresolved agrarian reform issues have resulted in uncertainty, so they must be resolved to increase private investments in the sector. Also, government funding to agriculture must be increased but should be well targeted to sub-sectors and goods that have comparative advantage. Agriculture policies should be insulated from politics; corruption in the sector should be eradicated. Modernizing agriculture will require upgrading R&D, investing in new and climatesmart technologies, and providing the right incentives for farmers and agricultural workers to increase productivity. 3. Promoting manufacturing through sound industrial policy Sound industrial policy focuses on innovation and new technologies at the national and regional levels. It must be based on rigorous economic analysis, transparency, and accountability to highlight the country’s comparative advantage. The gov-

making it a policy for the government to compensate Marawi Siege victims, we are making a decisive step towards ensuring that the people of Marawi —and by extension the rest of the Bangsamoro region—will never need to beat their ploughshares back into swords or guns. In fact, there are already significant strides towards restarting Marawi and one of them is the completion of the Grand Mosque’s rehabilitation by the Task Force Bangon Marawi. The bill that we are pursuing would further the gains we have achieved and hasten normalization of the war-torn city. The Marawi Siege is admittedly a very dark and bloody chapter in the attainment of self-rule and autonomy of our Bangsamoro brethren in Mindanao. But even the longest urban siege in the history of the Philippines could not stop the enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which opens an even brighter, more prosperous chapter not only for the BARMM region, but also for Mindanao, as well as the rest of the Philippines. Marawi’s streets may be empty today but hopefully with the help of our measure, it will soon be filled with life, laughter, and, most importantly, new hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Sen. Sonny Angara has been in public service for 17 years. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate. E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

ernment can promote manufacturing by supporting sectors that have strong backward and forward linkages. Manufacturers that have high labor absorption, especially those that can provide opportunities for less educated workers, must also be adequately supported. This industrial policy should also foster closer academe-private sector collaboration to maximize commercial returns to innovations resulting from R&D. 4. Accelerating Industry 4.0 adoption and digitization Faster adoption of technologies, known as Industry 4.0, should increase productivity in the industrial sectors, including manufacturing, power, mining, oil and gas, and agriculture. These technologies exploit improvements in data collection, computing power, and connectivity. They include IoT, advanced analytics, robotics, automation, and advanced engineering techniques like 3-D printing. Various programs can be implemented to help MSMEs See “Eagle Watch,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Greed during the pandemic

Friday, October 22, 2021 A11

Faking it Tito Genova Valiente

annotations

Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

ot everyone suffers from the onslaught of Covid-19. And I’m not referring to Pharmally and its cohorts. The greatest beneficiaries of the coronavirus pandemic are the multinational drug companies that have been cashing in on the vaccines they manufacture. For instance, Pfizer and its partner, BioNTech, made no bones of the fact that their Covid-19 vaccine has given them huge paydays. Pfizer, which did not avail itself of the US government’s financial assistance under the Operation Warp Speed to develop the antidote against the raging pandemic, had no intention not to amass huge revenues unlike many drug manufacturers that committed to forgo profits on their vaccines at least during the pandemic. Pfizer announced that its shot had brought in $3.5 billion in revenues during the first quarter of 2021, making the Covid-19 vaccine its greatest contributor to the company’s income. Its profit margin on the vaccine has been earlier predicted to be in the range of 20 percent. This is unconscionable in the light of the ravaging pandemic. Its vaccine, which is developed from an unproven technology, is acknowledged as one of the most efficacious shots against Covid-19. It has saved countless lives that were victims of the pandemic and is acknowledged to be effective even against the dreaded Delta variant. It is recommended that moderately to severely compromised Covid-19 patients need to get a booster shot at least 28 days after getting their second jab. Others should get a third shot at least six months after completing their second shot. Pretty soon after getting the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in August 2021 for persons at least 16 years of age, Pfizer may now commercially market its vaccine under the label “COMIRNATY”. Aside from the product name, there has been no change in the formulation of the vaccine. For those 12 years old but less than 16 years of age, the name Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine shall be retained. With this development, COMIRNATY will be distributed widely in the market and Pfizer expects to reap billions and billions of revenues in the coming years. In fact, it was reported that Pfizer hopes to generate $33.5 billion in sales this year alone. This is higher than its original projection of $26 billion, which was revised after posting a very successful second quarter earnings. Its customer base is also expanding. Aside from the booster shots which will soon be required for the adult population, Pfizer expects to get Emergency Use Authorization for children as young as six months to 11 years old. The company has successfully conducted a study to determine vaccine safety in very young children. It will not be a wild guess if its vaccine will be authorized for use to nearly the entire population of the world. No wonder that one analytics firm has recently predicted that Pfizer will be able to sell $54.5 billion worth of vaccines in 2022. I think this is even a conservative estimate. The company spokesman has proudly announced that “Pfizer and BioNTech have put in place a robust research program to ensure that our vaccine continues to offer the highest degree of protection possible.” But quality has its cost. There is no question that the Pfizer jab is the most coveted vaccine against the Covid-19. While the WHO does not prefer any particular type of vaccine, it is generally accepted that many people would rather wait for its availability rather than get an immediate jab provided by other drug companies. It has become one of the world’s most sought-after commodities even soaring higher than the most famous brand of Nike. So far, close to 4 billion doses of Pfizer vaccine have been purchased

Pfizer and all pharmaceutical companies producing Covid-19 vaccines should be wholly transparent in their dealings with their customers. We are confronting a pandemic that has caused untold suffering to the whole world. and administered to almost all nationalities around the world. Many governments, particularly those who could hardly afford the prohibitive amount needed to finance the purchase of the vaccine, are practically begging the company to sell them the vaccine. Poor countries, including the Philippines, have contracted massive loans to provide sufficient vaccines to their people. This has further exacerbated the ailing economies of developing countries. Pfizer has become enormously powerful. Since the sale of the vaccine is done through negotiation between the company and the countries involved, Pfizer is able to take advantage of the hapless countries. It transacts under a veil of secrecy and the terms of the contract are held under strict confidentiality. We have heard this statement from our own negotiators who have been directly dealing with Pfizer when they were asked about the cost of the vaccines. Pfizer defended its position by saying that confidentiality clauses are standard terms in commercial agreements intended to protect the confidential commercial information conveyed during the negotiations. However, one consumer rights group, Public Citizen, which has gained access to some agreements entered into by Pfizer, revealed that Pfizer places “its interests before public health imperatives.” In its report, Public Citizen revealed how Pfizer uses its power to “shift risk and maximize profits.” For instance, Pfizer invariably bar donations of Pfizer vaccines by the buyers. It also reserves the right to change terms of the contract such as the delivery dates and volumes of delivery by batches. Pfizer also requires indemnity against any damage, injury or suit and even immunity against seizure of its assets. Due to onerous terms, completion of the contracts is delayed and results in slower vaccination rollouts. Pfizer and all pharmaceutical companies producing Covid-19 vaccines should be wholly transparent in their dealings with their customers. We are confronting a pandemic that has caused untold suffering to the whole world. Millions have died and millions more have suffered from its virulence. Tom Wright of Transparency International Health Program lamented that “hiding contracts from public view or publishing documents filled with redacted texts means we don’t know how or when vaccines will arrive, what happens if things go wrong and the level of financing risk buyers are absorbing.” Moreover, it should adopt a tiered-pricing approach so that poorer countries can procure Pfizer vaccine at a lower price. Likewise, the company should proportionately allocate its vaccines among low, middle, and rich countries instead of giving priority to welloff nations that can pay any price. Paraphrasing one whistleblower, Pfizer should “moderate its greed.” It should be kept in mind that “the hottest place in hell is reserved for those who take advantage of the poor in times of calamity.”

If you add to the truth, you take something away from it.—A Jewish Proverb

ocal experiences of earthquake swarm in Bikol and the national events related to election made me rethink about the essence of truth and, therefore, of lie.

Long before these individuals came out to declare their candidacy, there were data about them. These were the perceived truths as regards these persons. These truths revolved around the past, the present and the future of the persons. Where were they born? How were they raised? Where did they go for education? What have they done for public service to merit them the attention of the public? These questions and many more demand the truths and, let’s rub it in, nothing but the truth. No one is supposed to tell lies about one’s past as this set of information is verifiable. Truth and lie are more contentious when they relate to the present life of the person. The fluidity of the present as time contiguous to the persona and character of the person allows manipulation and even distortion. Being in the present, the person running for office can improvise regarding the presentation of the self. In this situation, the public is not only forgiving but readily naïve. People are people, they would sigh. How about the future? Is it impermeable? Were the future a performance area, it would be one setting rife for all kinds of lies and manipulations. For one, no one could dispute the future being promised by a candidate until it has come to the present, and from there, viewed in hindsight, as part of the past. The verities of life as ranged over the time sequence of past, present and future can appear lucid at first. But a new field to communicate truths has been created online, in social media. It is a field that is natu-

rally fluid. Online, truths have become relative. Things depend on where you are viewing a statement. Context. Framework. How do we articulate contextualizing? How do we deconstruct words and phrases? By simply asking the question: Where are you coming from? The other event that challenged the notion of what was correct, as in true and verifiable, happened to the Bicol region. Having returned to the region to live in the city of Naga when the pandemic began, I, too, experienced on October 14, 2021, the beginning of earthquake swarm, quakes that lasted for four days (there are slight tremors even as I was writing this column). It is not that we had not experienced earthquakes but from 10 in the evening of that Thursday until the early morning of Friday, a series of earthquakes was not easy to take. It was abnormal, to say the least, and scary. Scientists would have explanations for earthquakes or a series of earthquakes. Faults, lineaments, etc. were all there online. We found them as soon as the Friday jolts happened. We began searching the Internet for information. We tried to make sense of the data. Epicenter some five kilometers from us! Then came the data on the depth of the quakes—some 4 or 5 kilometers from the ground. We conjectured. Was the upwarddownward movement caused by the shallow origin? Was the shallowness of the source of the tremors the reason for the eerie sound the quake produced?

Netizens were posting data and graphs via Facebook and tweeting their own idea of the earth disturbance. Everyone became seismologists. As there was no immediate active announcement from the local governments, an information gap was created at once. It was a huge fissure that needed to be filled—by anything, anything at all. Someone shared a page indicating a complex chart of arrows and lines. There were many facts being explained but what caught my attention (and I am sure of many) was the warning that bigger quakes were soon coming. There seemed to be a rush to contribute to the conversation, itself going rabid online. Another site made it to the scene. It had more complex answers but it opened with a firm declaration: This is what is happening in your place. Who can counter that? It went on to attribute to these quakes solar flares and cosmic energy. It added LPA to the factors aggravating the faults. LPA—Low-pressure area. I can imagine the rains falling hard on the ground and softening the cracks and enlarging them. I stopped myself. This was not science, I told myself. No probabilities? This was too sure of things. I read on. There were many grammatical lapses and errors in that web site. What do I tell the other netizens, check the grammar before accepting

their facts? I opted to contact friends who were in related disciplines: Volcanology, Geology, and Archaeology. They suggested that I better advise those within my circle of influence to wait for notices from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. While I was near frantic in finding ways to mediate online discourses, the cosmic explanation was getting tractions. People, it seemed, had forgotten that earthquakes could not be predicted yet. Netizens were hitching their fears on facile starry explanations. In the meantime, of course, there was a faction declaring all this could be either punishment from God or one of his mighty tests. This was even more difficult to contest or explain away. We are local news though, peripheral; the central government is not interested in us. It is obsessed with the national, with candidates now shooting truths and lies against each other. A fake diploma and a fake heroism of a father; the Golden Age of Martial Law; the report on infrastructures; the lack of statistics to show killings during an administration—these and more are circulating online. They are more viral than the present virus, more murderous, more earthshaking.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Jailed Russian opposition leader Navalny wins top EU prize By Raf Casert | Associated Press

RUSSELS—Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who narrowly survived a poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin, was awarded the European Union’s top human rights prize Wednesday in a clear slap at President Vladimir Putin. In awarding the Sakharov Prize to Navalny, the European Parliament praised his “immense personal bravery.” The 45-year-old activist fell ill from a nerve agent poisoning last year and recuperated in Germany, then was promptly arrested upon his return to Moscow and later imprisoned. “He has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putin’s regime, and through his social media accounts and political campaigns, Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilize the support of millions of people across Russia. For this, he was poisoned and thrown in jail,” parliament President David Sassoli said in a state-

Eagle Watch. . . continued from A10

benefit from these new technologies faster. One-stop platforms and training programs could also be created to ease the transformation of these businesses in areas like targeted marketing, consumer behavior insights, logistics, and procurement. 5. Advancing renewable energy sources DOE’s data show that renewable energy’s share in the power capacity mix as of 2020 stands at 29.2 percent, with hydro contributing the most (14.6 percent), followed by geothermal (7.5 percent), solar (4 percent), wind (1.7 percent), and biomass (1.4 percent). The govern-

ment. Sassoli called for the immediate release of Navalny, who is Putin’s biggest domestic foe. There was no immediate reaction to the award from the Kremlin, which denies any involvement in Navalny’s poisoning. Following his imprisonment, authorities unleashed a sweeping crackdown on his groups and associates. In June, a court outlawed Navalny’s Foundation for Fighting Corruption and a network of his regional offices as extremist organizations, a verdict that carries long prison terms for those associated with it. Several top allies have fled Russia, and courts have given suspended sentences and restricted travel to some others who remained. An Interior Ministry wanted notice said Wednesday it is searching for Lyubov Sobol, a top Navalny associate who received a suspended sentence and faced travel restrictions. Her whereabouts are unknown, but Russian news reports suggested she has left the country.

The European Union recognition of Navalny will further sour relations between the 27-nation bloc and Russia. These ties have been on the decline for years, especially following Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and its support for a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. The impact reverberated beyond the EU as well. Days after Russia suspended its mission at North Atlantic Treaty Organization and ordered the closure of the alliance’s office in Moscow in retaliation for Nato’s expulsion of Russian diplomats, the organization’s chief said he embraced the news. “I welcome the fact that a strong voice... in Russia has been awarded this prize,” Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, adding that the prize also was a call for “his unconditional release from prison” and to have an international investigation into it. Stoltenberg recalled that Nato considered the treatment of Navalny as part of a “pattern where we see that Russia has

become more oppressive at home and more aggressive abroad.” Russia’s treatment of Navalny has only exacerbated matters. The EU has called for his immediate and unconditional release in what it sees as a politically motivated imprisonment and has said it holds Moscow responsible for his health. The EU imposed sanctions last year on six senior Russian officials for their alleged involvement in the poisoning of Navalny. Amid the standoff between Brussels and Moscow, the move by European lawmakers to award Navalny the prize has returned the issue to the heart of the political debate. “It is an important signal, also to the Kremlin, that the EU will not give in to pressure and blackmail or be fooled by empty promises,” said Sergey Lagodinsky, a Greens/EFA MEP from Germany.

ment should raise the contribution of renewables to its total electricitygenerating capacity to 50 percent. Ensuring effective, efficient regulation and offering incentives for investment are among the measures needed to meet this goal. The government should also encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled. Efforts should be made to expand the market through incentives for buyers and manufacturers, as well as grants for R&D activities. 6. Preparing for a blended and hybrid educational system The quality of Philippine education had been in a deplorable state even before Covid-19 struck. Covid-19 derailed efforts to improve the quality of education. Significant

investments in blended learning must be made such that the most essential learning competencies are highlighted. A curriculum review towards rationalizing and strengthening the K-12 and tertiary programs must also be done. Investment in teachers’ training and professional development must also be increased. Collaboration of community, school, parents, and learners in school improvement plans and governance must be fostered. 7. Building a proactive social protection system For decades, poverty has not been eradicated because many are merely above the threshold; they move in and out of poverty once shocks hit them. A strong social protection system can shield them from this

occurrence. With digital technology and the national ID system, a more efficient targeting and distribution system can be put in place. The national ID system can serve as the backbone of the targeting system. Digital IDs can be authenticated remotely to provide ease and security for financial transactions and give Filipinos greater access to financial services. Unconditional cash transfers targeting the poor and marginalized must be the core of the social protection system, together with the universal health-care system and quality education for all.

Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov and Harriet Morris in Moscow, Thomas Adamson in Paris and Sam Petrequin in Brussels contributed.

Dr. Fernando T. Aldaba is Senior Fellow of Eagle Watch, Professor of Economics, and former Dean of the School of Social Sciences of the Ateneo de Manila University.

A12 Friday, October 22, 2021

BAP BACKS SUSTAINABLE FINANCE PHL ROADMAP

OC A L ban k s have pledged support to the government’s recently launched sustainable finance roadmap. In a statement on Thursday, the Bankers A ssociation of the Philippines (BAP) said they enjoin the vision of the government to finance more sustainable practices, especially as the Philippines remain one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change disruption. “ T he B a n kers A sso ciation of the Philippines supports the National Government’s Philippine Sustainable Finance Roadmap led by the Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” the BAP said. “Sustainable finance is a major keystone in our efforts to protect the environment and promote economic growth as long-term green investments will not just conserve our natural resources, but are envisioned to create jobs for the Filipino people,” it added. According to BSP data, $4.8 billion or 29 percent of

Asean-linked green, social, and sustainability bonds were issued by 15 Philippine companies from the banking, electric and water utilities, renewable energy, real estate, and supranational sectors as of September 30 this year. BAP also said the Philippine banking system has “proactively taken steps” to promote sustainable finance. Since 2017, seven local banks have already issued more than $1.15 billion of green, social, and sustainability bonds. “As a country with a high level of environmental vulnerability, the BAP joins the National Government on its strong resolve to promote sustainable finance,” the BAP said. “The Association will continue to work with the regulatory and other government agencies on policies and strategies that can bring the country forward to a better environmental, social and economic condition now and in the future,” it added. Bianca Cuaresma

Developing countries must boost logistics service–WTO

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

WORLD Trade Organization (WTO) official urged the developing countries to enhance their logistics industry in pursuit of better trade and economic development amid the pandemic.

WTO Deputy Director-General Ana-

bel González said in a recent webinar that logistics services are the “glue” that keeps the value chains intact and allows cross-border flows of goods. “Numerous studies have shown that a countr y’s competitiveness highly correlates with its logistics performance which relies on not only infrastructure, so-called hardware, but also software, namely, the ability to supply cost-effective logistics services and the enabling environment,” González said. “Developing countries urgently need to improve their logistics capacity in the pursuit of development goals,” she added.

She stressed that international logistics operations allowed for the delivery of medical supplies, Covid-19 vaccines, food and other essential goods during the pandemic. These include transport, storage and distribution, she said. While logistics are crucial in delivering Covid-19 jabs, González said the same are also necessary for production, noting the shipments of vaccine inputs. The rapid shift to digitalization also led to a boom in the e-commerce segment, the WTO official said, noting that this also has an impact on the logistics sector as a result. “To address deepened complexity and increased uncertainty in busi-

ness, digitalization is now seen as a must for any logistics operation and supply chain management,” she said. As an example, she said the “quick deployment of Internet of Things allows better track and trace shipment and enables the rapid exchange of information between all parties involved along a supply chain.” González pointed out that making the logistics sector resilient even after the pandemic lies on automation and digitalization. But the WTO official said the logistics industry is faced with challenges amid the accelerated digitalization, citing trade protectionism, new regulatory environment, cybersecurity and lack of interoperability among stakeholders’ platforms, among others. “Logistics services providers are also under tremendous pressure to meet customers’ ever-increasing demand,” she said. “For example, the world is expecting a quick solution to supply chain bottlenecks such as rising shipping rates, container shortage, port congestions, which are also some of the serious consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

As such, González said the policymakers should consider the digital transformation and challenges on the part of the logistics service providers. She said the ongoing trade negotiations should factor in paperless trading, market access, interoperability and digital platforms, among others, to make the industry resilient. “Policy-makers would appreciate having more clarity on how digitalization is transforming logistics services and where new challenges arise as governments are promoting digitalization and at the same time strengthening logistics resilience,” she concluded. A recent study commissioned by Google Philippines said the local digital economy may “unlock” P5 trillion in economic value by 2030. A b out P 3 3 4 . 2 bi l l ion of t h i s amount is expected to come from digitizing the supply chains amid the prolonged global shipment delays. Some of the technology applications for this are Internet of Things-enabled supply chain management in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors; and smart ports.

Bar topnotcher ‘Gibo’ eyes Senate DOE: Bulk of ₧2.13-B seat to revive Miriam legacy ’22 budget

is for MOOE

FORMER Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro is declared official candidate for senator in the 2022 May elections of the People’s Reform Party, the political party founded by the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Thursday, October 21, 2021. NONOY LACZA

HE People’s Reform Party, the political party founded by the late Sen. Miriam Defensor- Santiago, on Thursday declared that former Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro is the candidate who can continue the legacy she left behind in the Senate. In endorsing Teodoro for senator in the 2022 May elections under the PRP banner, party president Narciso “ Jun” Santiago Jr. said their party mates were thrilled to find “a new Miriam” who would fit in the Senate. “I know Gibo Teodoro to be an honest and wonderful person,” Santiago declared following Teodoro’s courtesy call at the PRP headquarters in Quezon City. “ Like Miriam, Gibo is brilliant and honest. He wants to prove his worth as a senator, that’s why we are giving our people time to examine his credentials so they could look for the very same qualities of a public servant that had endeared Miriam to many Filipinos.” Santiago said that Teodoro’s fight for good government is every Filipino’s fight. “He wants to champion laws in the Senate that would help uplift the lives of Filipinos in the new normal, and pave the way for the rebuilding of the economy so that we could all go back to the pre-Covid era,” Santiago further said. He urged Filipinos who loved and continue to love Miriam to give their full support for Teodoro for senator as “her chosen one.” “We’re confident that Gibo’s brilliance and soft heart for the people, especially the poor, would

shine upon the halls of the Senate, and bring more joy and wisdom in the lawmaking process,” Santiago said. Born in Manila, Teodoro, 57, finished at the top of his class and was awarded the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence at the University of the Philippines in 1989. He topped the Philippine Bar Examinations in the same year. He obtained his Master of Laws from Harvard University in 1997 and passed the State Bar of New York. Teodoro comes from a family of highly-respected public servants. His father was an administrator of the Social Security System while his mother was a member of Congress. As the youngest defense secretary at 43, Teodoro pushed for the Defense System of Management (DSOM) implementation which provided decision-makers with timely, relevant, and accurate information, thereby increasing efficiency and transparency in the defense sector. He assisted in the resolution of internal security threats and strengthened bilateral and multilateral security and defense cooperation with both regional and extra-regional states to further peace and combat non-traditional security threats. As a three-term representative of Tarlac in Congress, Teodoro authored several significant laws. He was the principal author of the Securities Code of 2000, which shifted the Philippine securities regulation system from a merit regulation system to a full disclosure system.

HE Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed a budget of P2.13 billion for 2022, bulk of which is allotted for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) of the agency. DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi, during a budget hearing on Thursday, said P1,026,991.00 has been earmarked for MOOE, P721,614.00 for personnel services, and P379,204.00 for capital outlay. In terms of funding source, 61.8 percent or P1.32 billion is under Fund 101 or the regular fund while the remaining 38.2 percent or P812.7 million is under Fund 151 for the Special Account in the General Fund. Cusi said the proposed budget is lower than last year’s budget. “The 2021 budget is 5.9 percent lower than the 2020 budget, while our proposed budget for 2022 is 3.2 percent lower than the budget in 2021.” He said the 3.2-percent decrease in the proposed budget is attributed mainly to the non-approval of the Information System Strategic Plan and the removal of the 2021 Congress-introduced increases for EVOSS, Energy Transition, Assessment of the Potential of Waste-to-Energy Technology in the country and Comprehensive Roadmap for E-Vehicles. During the hearing, the DOE reported that as of September this year, there were 25,813 poles that have been relocated, amounting to P910.52 million in moving costs. To complete the relocation of the remaining 56,166 poles, an additional amount of P4.35 billion is still needed. The additional budget is lodged with the Department of Public Works and Highways. “One of the major concerns discussed in the last Senate hearing was the issue of distribution poles that are obstructing roads nationwide. We would like to report the developments so far,” said Cusi. To recall, the DOE and the DPWH issued a joint circular, providing for the payment and cost recovery for the relocation of distribution or sub-transmission lines in 2017. In November 2020, as an immediate response to budget hearing inquiries, the National Electrification Administration endorsed to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian 59,640 electric poles that still need to be relocated and compensated. These posts have been classified as either obstructive or affected by the IATF Relocation. In March this year, the DOE and DPWH issued another joint circular which created the memorandum of agreement for the fund transfer between NEA and DPWH for the relocation of said poles, as well as their inspection and monitoring. Lenie Lectura

BusinessMirror

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION 66 A-IDEA CONSULTING INC. Rm. 404 Caeg Building, Dela Rosa St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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MENG, CHUNCHENG Chinese Customer Officer Brief Job Description: Handling inbound and outbound service support calls XU, BENRUI Chinese Customer Officer Brief Job Description: Handling inbound and outbound service support calls

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, writing and speaking in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, writing and speaking in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5/f To 10/f, Tower 4 Pitx #01, Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque TU MAN THANH Basic Qualification: Mandarin Customer Service Representative Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written 3. Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support Salary Range: and problem resolution to inquiries and order status Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION 10/f Unit A, 45 San Miguel Bldg., No. 45 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: NAKAMURA, TAKESHI Speaking and writing in General Manager Japanese (Native level) 4. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Manage the organizations in charge smoothly. Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: LE THI HAI Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 5. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU, JIE Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 6. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, QIAO Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 7. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 BACARDI-MARTINI PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 1701 & 1703 Trade & Financial Tower, 7th Ave. Cor. 32nd St., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig SHARATH GOPINATH Basic Qualification: Information And Technology (IT) Managing Director Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s/College 8. Brief Job Description: Degree in the related field Will serve as head of Enterprise Finance applications and Intelligent Automation CoE and Key member of Enterprise Salary Range: Architecture board Php 500,000 and above BL ASIA SUPPORT SERVICES INC. 3/f Pamcor Bldg., Pascor Drive, Santo Niño, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: Must possess any bachelor’s degree - minimum of fifteen LAM, STEPHANE CHARLES JACQUES (15) years work experience General Manager in a multi-cultural MNC environment. At least ten 9. Brief Job Description: (10) years work experience in Oversee the operations of the assigned local key account the logistics and forwarding of the company, securing operations productivity and business. Experienced work quality. in Chinese SOE a plus

WOON TAI HO, GODWIN Senior Operations Control Manager 10.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for performing complex data research and analysis to support business operations.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above Basic Qualification: Master’s degree in commerce, management, industrial technology or industrial engineering Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

CYANCLAY INC. Office Unit 909 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 1, 26th St. Corner 9th Ave. Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig YANG, LIANG Basic Qualification: Business Consultant (Mandarin) Excellent oral and written skills in English and Mandarin 11. Brief Job Description: Management of the compliance and regulatory Salary Range: requirements of the business Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St, , Binondo, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: Can contributes information CAI, SHAOXIONG ideas and research to help Marketing And Sales Agent develop marketing strategies: Can help to detail , design 12. Brief Job Description: and implement marketing Researches and develops various marketing strategies for plans for each product or products and services implements marketing plans and service being offered works to meet sales qoutas Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHONG PIK CHIN Marketing And Sales Agent 13.

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

LIU, CHUNTANG Marketing And Sales Agent 14.

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

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information ideas and research to help develop marketing strategies: can help to detail , design and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can contributes information ideas and research to help develop marketing strategies: Can help to detail , design and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EQUICOM SAVINGS BANK, INC. 6f Odc International Plaza, 219 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati VERMA, AJAY Head Of Transformation And Digital Experience Division 15.

Brief Job Description: Spearhead transformation and digital experience of the company.

Basic Qualification: MBA, Digital Banking Background Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Friday, October 22, 2021 A13

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

FAST RETAILING PHILIPPINES, INC. Sm Corporate Offices Bldg., A. J. W. Diokno Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City KUNIMATSU, MIYU Basic Qualification: Area Manager Bachelor’s degree; fluent in Nihongo 16. Brief Job Description: Capable of carrying out business along with their Salary Range: subordinates with a will Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: KOIKE, AI Bachelor’s degree; fluent in Senior Human Resources Manager Nihongo 17. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: High agility and strong passion for solution Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 FOKUSI CONSTRUCTION INC. #5 Carlo Drive Sta. Maria, Industrial Estate, Bagumbayan, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: LUO, WEIZHI Fluent in mandarin, both Project Manager oral and written 18. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Construction Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 FORD GROUP PHILIPPINES, INC. 8/f Filinvest I Bldg., Northgate Cyberzone, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa BREEN, MICHAEL ALLEN Basic Qualification: Director, Chairman Of The Board And President Bachelor’s degree, at least three years related Brief Job Description: experience and/or training; 19. Responsible for driving success, develop and define equivalent combination of the implementation of business strategy, maintain the education and experience. operational performance of the company; represent the company with government agencies, external Salary Range: organizations and suppliers. Php 500,000 and above GATEWAYSOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2306 Antel Global Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: Must be a college graduate; XIE, WEIXIAN can prepare product Customer Service Representative or service reports by collecting and analysing Brief Job Description: customer information; can A customer service representative supports customers contribute to team effort 20. by providing helpful information, answering questions, by accomplishing related and responding to complaints. They’re the front line of results as needed; can support for clients and customers and they help ensure manage large amounts of that customers are satisfied with products, services, incoming calls and features. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HTTITANS GROUP CORPORATION Lot 8, Jackson St., Don Galo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: MENG, ZHENGREN Proven experience as Mandarin Batching Plant Analyst Mandarin Batching Plant Analyst. Excellent Brief Job Description: communication, 21. The Mandarin Batching Plant Analyst will be strategist interpersonal and and a leader able to steer the company to the most presentation skills. profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WANG, ZHAO Proven experience as Mandarin Batching Plant Analyst Mandarin Batching Plant Analyst. Excellent Brief Job Description: communication, 22. The Mandarin Batching Plant Analyst will be strategist interpersonal and and a leader able to steer the company to the most presentation skills. profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: RONG, JIXING Proven experience as Mandarin Deputy Project Supervisor a Mandarin Deputy Project Supervisor. Brief Job Description: Excellent communication, 23. The Mandarin Deputy Project Supervisor will be interpersonal and strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the presentation skills. most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, PENG Proven experience as Mandarin Deputy Project Supervisor a Mandarin Deputy Project Supervisor. Brief Job Description: Excellent communication, 24. The Mandarin Deputy Project Supervisor will be interpersonal and strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the presentation skills. most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU, YANG Proven experience as Mandarin Finance Analyst Mandarin Finance Analyst. Excellent communication, Brief Job Description: 25. interpersonal and The Mandarin Finance Analyst will be strategist and a presentation skills. leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission Salary Range: and long term goal. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WANG, JUN Proven experience as Mandarin General Project Supervisor a Mandarin General Project Supervisor. Brief Job Description: Excellent communication, 26. The Mandarin General Project Supervisor will be interpersonal and strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the presentation skills. most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WANG, TUO Proven experience as Mandarin Operation Analyst Mandarin Operation Analyst. Excellent Brief Job Description: communication, 27. The Mandarin Operation Analyst will be strategist and a interpersonal and leader able to steer the company to the most profitable presentation skills. direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LI, NIANLONG Proven experience as Mandarin Quality Assurance/control Analyst a Mandarin Quality Assurance / Control Analyst. Brief Job Description: Excellent communication, 28. The Mandarin Quality Assurance / Control Analyst will interpersonal and be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to presentation skills. the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: JIANG, YANLEI Proven experience as a Mandarin Quality Inspector Mandarin Quality Inspector. Excellent communication, Brief Job Description: 29. interpersonal and The Mandarin Quality Inspector will be strategist and a presentation skills. leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission Salary Range: and long term goal. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 INSTITUTIONAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, INC. 15/f Solaris One Bldg., 130 Dela Rosa St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION KUSTANDI, FLORENCIA MARLIA Research Associate - Bahasa Speaker

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Brief Job Description: Gain understanding of investment and shareholder issues gathers through fundamental research. Answer internal or external issuer queries on research reports and able to discuss policy issues.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Excellent reading comprehension and writing skills in both written and oral, Required fluency in English and Bahasa Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

JEJUAIR CO. LTD. G/f Alcantara Bldg., 704 Pablo Ocampo St., 078, Brgy. 719, Malate, City Of Manila HAN, JIYOUN Customer Service Offer Basic Qualification: Native Korean to coordinate Brief Job Description: with passengers, monitoring Attend to passengers queries, concerns and complain and comply with Korea air 31. if and address the matter in accordance with the transport system. company’s rules and regulations support airport service material and stocks for airport Salary Range: branch. And internal quality auditor for airport service Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 station. KING-MERCHANT BUSINESS TRADING INCORPORATED Unit 2505-f, The Finance Centre 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: CAI, ZHITU Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 32. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Acknowledging and resolving customer complaints Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: MENG, QINGMING Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 33. mandarin Brief Job Description: Acknowledging and resolving customer complaints Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WEI, JUNJIE Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 34. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Acknowledging and resolving customer complaints Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHEN, QIANG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist reading and writing in 35. mandarin Brief Job Description: Conducting research and marketing strategies to Salary Range: develop areas of the business Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU, XIN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist reading and writing in mandarin 36. Brief Job Description: Conducting research and marketing strategies to Salary Range: develop areas of the business Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YANG, CHENGMING Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist reading and writing in 37. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Conducting research and marketing strategies to Salary Range: develop areas of the business Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg., Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City CHAN, CHING-WEN Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Proficient in speaking, Provider reading and writing in Mandarin 38. Brief Job Description: Open and maintain customer accounts by recording Salary Range: account information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHEN, MINGZHONG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service reading and writing in Provider 39. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

40.

HUANG, HANGYUN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

41.

LI, YANGLI Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

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LIM CHONG SEN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Open and maintain customer accounts by recording account information LIN, FU-YU a.k.a. LIN, GRACE Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Open and maintain customer accounts by recording account information QI, CHENG Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

45.

SHEN, YU Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

46.

WU, MINGXIA Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

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ZHAO, TINGMING Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

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

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

BusinessMirror

A14 Friday, October 22, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION DING, WEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires. CHEN, JUNJIAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires FAN, GANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SU, QINGBIAO Chinese Customer Service

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Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. WU, JINGJING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires ZENG, HONGMEI Chinese Customer Service

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Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. LI, QI Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. YI, XUPENG Chinese Customer Specialist

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

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Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services

LI, WEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LI, XIAODAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIN, FENGCENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services

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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

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

74.

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

MONDELEZ BUSINESS SERVICES AP PTE. LTD. PHILIPPINE BRANCH 6th Flr. Cyberpod Centris Three North Tower, Eton Centris Edsa Cor. Quezon Ave., Pinyahan 4, Quezon City ZULFAN ELLYSON CMAAS Capability Management Specialist Basic Qualification: Brief Job Description: Bachelor’s degree 56. To lead in the development of tools, frameworks and skills that ensure the effective delivery of the Salary Range: experience strategy for a specific process area (which Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 could be sales, finance, marketing, customer service and logistics, procurement, hr, etc. NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 1331 Pearl Plaza Bldg., Quirino Ave., Tambo, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in CHEN, JIANMING COmputer Applications Chinese Customer Service with Good Oral And Written 57. Communication Skills Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer CHEN, YUANWEN application with good oral Chinese Customer Service and written communication 58. skills Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in CHEN, ZAIWANG COmputer Applications Chinese Customer Service with Good Oral And Written 59. Communication Skills Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in DONG, LEI COmputer Applications Chinese Customer Service with Good Oral And Written 60. Communication Skills Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer FAN, TAO application with good oral Chinese Customer Service and written communication 61. skills Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer FU, LIBIAO application with good oral Chinese Customer Service and written communication 62. skills Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer HAO, SEN application with good oral Chinese Customer Service and written communication 63. skills Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in KANG, KAI Computer Applications with Chinese Customer Service Good Oral And Written 64. Communication Skills Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LAI, YONGJIAO Chinese Customer Service

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Applications with Good Oral And Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in COmputer Applications with Good Oral And Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LIN, MINGCONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIN, SHANHAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIN, SHAOJIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIN, WEIJIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services

LIU, BIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIU, JIAKUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIU, YANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIU, YONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LYU, QIAOYI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NIE, JIAHAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services

PAN, JINLONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services QI, TONG Chinese Customer Service

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills WANG, JIAWEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WANG, MING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WU, HAILIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YANG, JIAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services

YANG, MENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ZENG, TENGDA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ZHONG, JIANGMEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WONG HAK TECK Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

DAR WI Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Bases Services

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in COmputer Applications with Good Oral And Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Applications with Good Oral And Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Applications with Good Oral And Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Applications with Good Oral And Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Applications with Good Oral And Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HA VI DIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

THIEU GIA AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

OAMPI INC. 8/f 6780 Ayala Ave., Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati SHARAF, AMMAR KHALID HAMADI Arabic Content Moderation Analyst 92.

Brief Job Description: To organize by its community of users provide service support in variety of areas.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Question and answer flatform using English and Arabic language. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

PANPHIL MARINE SERVICES CORP. 2626 Maytubig St., Corner P. Ocampo St., 078, Bgy. 719, Malate, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: Familiar to record daily LI, XIAOXIONG deliveries and shipments Chinese Inventory Manager to reconcile inventor. Excellent in written and Brief Job Description: verbal communication in 93. Chinese Inventory manager will be in-charge of mandarin and basic English. monitoring inventory movement inside the warehouse, Vocational/College level or distribution center, monitors item for write off, disposal Graduate. and expired items. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Familiar to record daily YANG, XI deliveries and shipments Chinese Inventory Manager to reconcile inventor. Excellent in written and Brief Job Description: verbal communication in 94. Chinese Inventory manager will be in-charge of mandarin and basic English. monitoring inventory movement inside the warehouse, Vocational/College level or distribution center, monitors item for write off, disposal Graduate. and expired items. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Familiar to record daily ZHANG, WENQI deliveries and shipments Chinese Inventory Manager to reconcile inventor. Excellent in written and Brief Job Description: verbal communication in 95. Chinese Inventory manager will be in-charge of mandarin and basic English. monitoring inventory movement inside the warehouse, Vocational/College level or distribution center, monitors item for write off, disposal Graduate. and expired items. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 3/f Eco Plaza Bldg., 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extn., Magallanes, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: CHEN, YUFENG Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 96. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHENH SENH KIN Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 97. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer Service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: DING, HAIYANG Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 98. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HUANG, QIUQIAN Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 99. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HUANG, WENJIE Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 100. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer Service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU, JIANGGUO Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 101. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer Service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: MA, LEILEI Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 102. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN THI KHANH Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 103. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer Service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: PAN, ZHENGBING Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 104. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WENG, HUNG-YU Fluent in Mandarin both Mandarin Customer Service Specialist oral and written 105. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 SUMITOMO METAL MINING PHILIPPINE HOLDINGS CORPORATION 25/f, Nac Tower, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: SHIGETA, YOSUKE Degree in Business Advisor For Finance Administration. With effective management skills 106. Brief Job Description: and managerial and related Guidance and supervision in the execution of experience International Financing Report Standards (IFRS) transaction for parent company Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 T.A. GLOBAL SERVICES INC. Unit 946 9/f Filinvest One Bldg., Northgate Cyberzone Fcc, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa Basic Qualification: Bachelor degree in related fields / good verbal and written English PAEWBOONSOM, SARIT communication skills / high Field Specialist mobility, able to travel both domestic and international Brief Job Description: 107. to support business needs Perform jobs with assigned equipment safely and / min of 5 years work efficiently, provide services with flawless services experience from oil & gas quality and no HSE incidents in according with company industry performing the policies standards and procedures. same role Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 TELEPHILIPPINES INCORPORATED Edsa Central It Center 2, United Street Corner Edsa, Greenfield District, City Of Mandaluyong MALHOTRA, ANURAG Vice President, Client Services 108.

Brief Job Description: As VP, Client services he will will be responsible for managing different accounts across the business with the main focus on growth of accounts, client engagement & relationship management as well as governance of contract.

Basic Qualification: At least 10 years of experience in business process outsourcing, proficient in reviewing KPIs and margins of accounts assigned Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

BusinessMirror

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

TELOQUET OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. Upper 2/f Unit B, 2444-a Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave., 079, Bgy 727, Malate, City Of Manila Basic Qualification: TEOH YUEN CHUAN Project management Mandarin Operation Specialist experience. 109. Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Optimizing operational processes and procedures. Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TOTAL CREST BUSINESS SUPPORT, INC. 26/f & 27/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, Ayala Ave. Extn. Cor. Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: CHANG, YUEH-HSIN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Admin Officer reading and writing 110. mandarin Brief Job Description: Maintain the quality of customer service provided by Salary Range: the team Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHAY YAO HENG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Admin Officer reading, and writing in 111. mandarin Brief Job Description: Maintain the quality of customer service provided by Salary Range: the team Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHOY WEN HONG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Admin Officer reading, and writing in 112. mandarin Brief Job Description: Maintain the quality of customer service provided by Salary Range: the team Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HWANG, PIN-HSUN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Admin Officer reading and writing 113. mandarin Brief Job Description: Maintain the quality of customer service provided by Salary Range: the team Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: TAY KI TIAN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Admin Officer reading, and writing in 114. mandarin Brief Job Description: Maintain the quality of customer service provided by Salary Range: the team Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: THAI THANH MINH Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Admin Officer reading and writing in 115. mandarin Brief Job Description: Maintain the quality of customer service provided by Salary Range: the team Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: BONE MYINT Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing mandarin 116. Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: BUI CHI TRUONG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 117. mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHEN, TZU-YU Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing in 118. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHIU, YU-HAN proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing in 119. Mandarin Brief Job Description: prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: DINA HARYADI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 120. mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: DUONG HOANG KHUONG DUY Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing mandarin 121. Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: GUO, JIAN-YOU Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 122. mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HO THANH HUONG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 123. mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HOANG THI PHUONG THAO Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 124. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HUANG, JI-HONG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 125. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HUANG, ZHI-TI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 126. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: KOH CHINZEN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading, and writing 127. mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LAI, YI-HUA Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing in 128. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LEE PEI NEE Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 129. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LEE SI YING Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading and writing 130. Mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LEONG KAR SIONG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Specialist reading, and writing 131. mandarin Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analyzing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LIM CHEW YING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

132.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information LIN, HE-ZHAN a.k.a. LIN, KEN-FENG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

133.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information LOH HWEE PING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

134.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information LOHAKART, PHIANGJAI Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

135.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information LUONG GIA HUE Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

136.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information MOH PUI LING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

137.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information MYO AUNG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

138.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information NGUYEN THI THANH TUYEN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

139.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information SAMUEL HO JUN CHEN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

140.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information TAN SHEUE LING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

141.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information TAN BEE YEN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

142.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information TEH YIN PING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

143.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information TRAN MY HONG THAO Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

144.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information VO THI BICH HUYEN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

145.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information YEN YIK KIN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

146.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information YONG SOOK QUAN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

147.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information LE THI THANH HUYEN Mandarin Field Marketing Officer

148.

Brief Job Description: Define region-specific marketing plan that supports the regional sales strategy NGUYEN THU TRANG Mandarin Field Marketing Officer

149.

Brief Job Description: Define region-specific marketing plan that supports the regional sales strategy PHAM NGOC QUYNH Mandarin Field Marketing Officer

150.

Brief Job Description: Define region-specific marketing plan that supports the regional sales strategy TRAN CHIEN THANG Mandarin Field Marketing Officer

151.

Brief Job Description: Define region-specific marketing plan that supports the regional sales strategy CHAN, WAN KWAN Mandarin HR Officer

152.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the quality of customer service provided by the team JHANG, ER HAN Mandarin HR Officer

153.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the quality of customer service provided by the team CHEN, LIANG-YU Mandarin Site Technical Officer

154.

Brief Job Description: Providing guidance and resources on every aspect company policies and procedures

Friday, October 22, 2021

A15

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing Mandarin

HSIUNG, CHIA-HUNG Mandarin Site Technical Officer 155.

Brief Job Description: Providing guidance and resources on every aspect company policies and procedures

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

TRANSCOSMOS INFORMATION SYSTEMS INC. 11th Floor Commerce And Industry Plaza Bldg., Mckinley Hill Cyberpark, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: 2 years+ customer service experience; excellent communication skills (both in written and verbal; fluent in French)

GOZE, LAGO SERGE French Customer Service Representative 156.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing frontline customer support, technical support and e-commerce after-sales service via phone, chat and/or email.

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

UNITED MOTION BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. U-2215 22f Cityland 10 Tower 2, 154 H.v. Dela Costa Cor. Valero Sts., Bel-air, City Of Makati HENG LING LENG Malaysian Front-end Developer Basic Qualification: Brief Job Description: Preferably 6 months-1 year Translates the UI/UX design wireframes to actual code as web designer; fluent that will produce visual elements of the application in in Malaysian and English 157. English and Malaysian language. A front end-developer language in charge to combine the art of design with the art programming of the website of the company and its Salary Range: Malaysian client. A front end- developer implement Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 visual elements that users see and interact with in a web application for malaysian clients Basic Qualification: LE NGUYEN DAI DUONG Preferably 6 months-1 year Vietnamese Business Consultant as business consultant; fluent in Vietnamese and 158. Brief Job Description: English language Helps Vietnamese clients business owner to improve their business strategies and operations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LI, BIN Visa Consultant Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months-1 year Brief Job Description: as Visa Consultant; Fluent in Responsible that all the information from the Chinese Mandarin or Vietnam and 159. and Vietnamese client to local documentation officer English language are correct. Responsible to follow up local liaison officer of all immigration issues and operations remaining up Salary Range: to date with any changes to legislation and overseeing Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 all the aspects involved in processing a visa and immigration services. QIAO, LEI Visa Consultant Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months-1 year Brief Job Description: as visa consultant; fluent in Responsible that all the information from the Chinese mandarin or Vietnam and and Vietnamese client to local documentation officer 160. English language are correct. Responsible to follow up local liaison officer of all immigration issues and operations remaining up Salary Range: to date with any changes to legislation and overseeing Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 all the aspects involved in processing a visa and immigration services. WU, GUANGXIAO Visa Consultant Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months-1 year Brief Job Description: as Visa Consultant; Fluent in Responsible that all the information from the Chinese Mandarin or Vietnam and 161. and Vietnamese client to local documentation officer English language are correct. Responsible to follow up local liaison officer of all immigration issues and operations remaining up Salary Range: to date with any changes to legislation and overseeing Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 all the aspects involved in processing a visa and immigration services. URBANDIDEAS INC. Unit 17-m Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

162.

HUANG, CHAOQIN Mandarin Team Leader

Basic Qualification: Can speak mandarin

Brief Job Description: Maintain & drive program knowledge for self & team

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

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading, and speaking in bilingual languages

LYU, TONGTONG Bilingual Technical Support Specialist 163.

Brief Job Description: Evaluates expansions or enhancements by studying workload capacity of computer system

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

WHOLESOME CONSULTING SERVICES CORP. Unit Ug-02, Ug/f Cityland 10 Tower 2, 154 H.v. Dela Costa Cor. Valero Sts., Bel-air, City Of Makati XIE, ZHILONG Mandarin Coordinator

164.

Brief Job Description: Typically works under a mandarin manager to maintain office equipment, physical space and telecommunications systems for a single building . Mandarin coordinator handles building-equipment emergencies on an ongoing basis and serve, as a liaison between company employee and outside contractors called in to fix problem.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, Fluent in Cantonese, Taiwanese and Mandarin language. Excellent communication skills. Can juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. Must have excellent sense of priority. At least year experience as Coordinator. 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 JOHAN HARTANTO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 165.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amounts of incoming calls, handle customers concerns ROBIN NGADIMIN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

166.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amounts of incoming calls, handle customers concerns

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months to 1 year related experience, proficient in computer Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least 6 months to 1 year related experience, proficient in computer Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZTE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 1201 & 1202 12th Floor Fort Legend Towers, 3rd Ave. Corner 31st St., Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

167.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of any business course

HAN, PENG Project Delivery Manager Brief Job Description: Responsible for work allocation

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Oct 21, 2021

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

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.

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

Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

ERC: 3 gencos exceeded limit for unplanned outages By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

tate firm Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM), Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) and SPC Island Power Corp. (SIPC) exceeded the limit for the allowed number of days that power plants should undergo shutdown, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said in separate decisions released Thursday. The three firms are among the 17 power generation companies (gencos) that received show-cause orders from the ERC last June. They were asked why they should not be held liable for breaching the maximum allowable unplanned outage days for 2021. PSALM’s Malaya Thermal Power Plant (MTPP) Unit 2 was on unplanned outage for 49 days, 21.2 days more than the maximum allowable unplanned outage days for an oilfired thermal plant, from January 3 to April 25 this year. The cause of the incident, PSALM said, was “the AVR of the generator

excitation system of the MTPP Unit 2 switched to auto.” PSALM argued that repair “may no longer be necessary” because of the “successful negotiated sale and privatization” of the MTPP to Belgrove Power Corp. for P4.2 billion. The ERC found PSALM liable, saying the latter’s inaction and negligence in procuring the services of an AVR specialist cannot be justified merely on the basis of ongoing privatization negotiations. “PSALM’s negligence to timely and effectively respond to the outage incident since March 3 con-

stitutes a grave dereliction of its responsibilities to the public. Its attempt to rationalize its inattention and inaction highlights the fact that PSALM is shrinking from its duties and responsibilities as an agency involved in an indispensable industry,” it said. The ERC said it is PSALM’s duty to ensure that the MTPP is properly maintained given its crucial role in ensuring that it is able to deliver power, particularly during supply shortfall. “It cannot just simply shrink its responsibility without the risk of being called upon.” PSALM was ordered to pay the penalty of P980,400. “The penalty imposed on PSALM took into inconsideration the parameters for measuring reliability under ERC Resolution No. 21.” EDC was fined P1,022,400 for the 22.64 excess days of unplanned outage days of its Nasulo Geothermal Plant Unit 1 from January 3 to April 25 this year. Geothermal plants should not exceed 13.7 days of annual maximum allowable unplanned outage. EDC said the plant conked out due to “activation of the main transformer on land tap changer surge relay.” This incident, EDC added, was outside its management control. But the ERC said EDC’s argument “does not pass muster,” and that it failed to prove the existence

of due diligence and absence of negligence on its part prior to the unplanned outages. The ERC, in its findings, said necessary precautionary measures could have been exercised to prevent the auto-tripping incident and the defects of the main transformer could have been detected earlier if EDC had been prudent in its preventive maintenance. “Power plant outages are events foreseeable and avoidable with necessary and timely preventive maintenance, thus, these events are within management control,” the ERC ruled. SIPC’s Panay Diesel Power Plant (PDPP) Unit 3, meanwhile, went beyond the 14-day maximum allowable unplanned outage per year for diesel plants. From January 3 to April 25 this year, PDPP’s unplanned outage reached 98 days. It was ordered to pay P4,024,200. According to SIPC, PDPP Unit 3 has been on unplanned outage since July 23, 2016. In total, it incurred 113 days of unplanned outage. SIPC said the unplanned outage that continued up to this year was due to the allegedly steep cost of replacing the crankshaft of its PDPP Unit 3, the difficulty of finding a replacement for the said plant part, and the absence of opportunity to justify the repair. Continued on B2

‘Dollar strength to benefit D&L’ By VG Cabuag @villygc

hemical manufacturer D&L Industries Inc. on Thursday said its export revenues have already outpaced its import cost in dollar terms, which will allow the company to have a natural hedge against the depreciation of the peso. From being a net importer since its inception, the company is now a net exporter of goods and is positioned to benefit from a stronger US dollar. The peso closed at P50.80 against the US dollar on Wednesday. As of end-June, the company’s export sales accounted for 33 percent of its total revenues, while imported raw materials accounted for 47 percent of total raw material costs. “Our strategic focus on growing

Globe launches new unit

lobe Telecom Inc. on Wednesday introduced a new business unit that will help telecommunications providers accelerate their fiber rollouts nationwide. Fiber Infrastructure and Network Services Inc. (FINSI), which is the newest subsidiary of Asticom Technology Inc., will provide “endto-end services and industry-specific solutions to telco companies, towers, and infrastructure and technology, including construction, building, installation, and maintenance services.” “We are on a mission to accelerate the Philippines into a connected nation, using innovative, leadingedge technologies and world-class local expertise,” Marc Kerveillant, General Manager of FINSI, said. The new company operates with a license from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board. Lorenz S. Marasigan

our exports business has started to bear fruits. It is something that we take pride in. From a relatively small and unknown manufacturing and R&D [research and development] company in the Philippines, our export customers are starting to recognize us as a quality, reliable, and world-competitive supplier of various food and chemical raw materials,” Alvin Lao, the company’s president and CEO said. “Looking ahead, especially with the much anticipated commercial operations of our facility in Batangas, we see various opportunities that we can now take advantage of given the new capacity and capabilities that we will have. We see exports accounting for at least 50 percent of our total revenues in the next few years,” Lao said. The strong export performance and outlook were driven by products where the company has a competi-

tive advantage in, such as coconutbased products under food and oleochemicals, which continue to gain traction in the global market due to coconut oil’s perceived natural antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. The shift towards more sustainable consumption trends is also benefiting these products, as coconut derivatives serve as non-toxic substitutes for petroleum-based raw materials used in many applications such as personal hygiene and home cleaning products, the company said. “The essential nature of our businesses, our low fixed cost structure, and our ability to adjust our prices regularly places us in a very solid position to weather emerging risks to recovery,” said Lao. “While ocean freight has been historically high, we’re able to grow our exports business given the spe-

cialty nature of the products that we export and the strong demand from our customers, making freight costs a secondary consideration. In addition, as a percentage of our total costs and expenses, both our shipping costs and power costs only account for about 1 percent.” Lao said that while fresh risks have emerged, the company is optimistic that the Philippine economy has likely bottomed out. “We see various catalysts on the horizon that can support recovery in the near to medium-term such as the continued reopening and the anticipated spending boost coming from the presidential elections and Christmas season. The country’s vaccination rate has also been picking up,” he said. “Overall, we should still be on track to reach at least the same level of pre-pandemic income booked in 2019.”

Ayala aims for net-zero emissions by 2050

onglomerate Ayala Corp. on Thursday announced its commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Ayala President and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala said during the group’s Integrated Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and Sustainability Summit, that the company hopes to develop its greenhouse gas footprint that includes all relevant emissions from the value chain. These include its direct emissions from its units and indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity. Zobel said the move aligns Ayala with the global movement for climate action, using the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C compared to pre-industrial levels. “We believe that we have the capabilities and collective will to make this happen,” Zobel said.

“We are partnering with South Pole, a leading project developer and global climate solutions provider that has worked with some of the world’s largest institutions on their own climate ambitions. We will also regularly report our progress, share our learnings, and work with like-minded peers to develop collaborative and comprehensive solutions to present and future climate challenges.” Its business units will have their own net zero roadmap, which will be refined and validated regularly. It will have interim targets to achieve before the 2050 deadline, he said. Some of its companies have already taken steps to achieve this goal. For instance, AC Energy Holdings Inc. and Ayala Land Inc. have recently signed a power supply agreement. Under the deal, the energy company’s 120 megawatt solar plant in Alaminos, Laguna will supply Ayala Land’s commercial properties up to 2050.

AC Energy and Bank of the Philippine Islands, meanwhile, have agreed to work together towards the early retirement of its coal facility at South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. by 2040, 15 years ahead of its technical life, while the lender will stop financing new greenfield coal power generation projects. “We are excited at these bold steps by AC Energy, Ayala Land and BPI, and will share more about these in the next few days,” Zobel said. SLTEC is a 50-50 joint venture between AC Energy and Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. of the Phinma Group. Ayala’s announcement of its net zero ambition comes ahead of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom in November, where signatories to the Paris Agreement will be reporting back on progress made since 2015.

Friday, October 22, 2021

Medilines maiden offering gets nod T he Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has approved the P2.02-billion initial public offering (IPO) of Medilines Distributors Inc., a distributor of medical equipment in the country. The company, which will be traded under the ticker MEDIC, will sell some 550 million common shares on a primary basis and another 275 million shares in secondary offering being held by its chairman Virgilio B. Villar, at an indicative price of P2.45 apiece. Final pricing of its shares will be known on November 16, while selling of the shares will start from November 22 through 26 and its shares will be listed on the PSE for trading on December 7. “The healthcare industry has been in the spotlight since this pandemic broke out. We are pleased to see a company in this space tap the stock market for capital raising. We are hopeful that this IPO will pave the way for other companies in this sector to seek funding from the equities market,” PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said. Proceeds from the IPO will be

used by the company to procure existing products and build-up its medical consumables inventory and for debt repayment. Some 10 percent of the company’s offer shares will be reserved for local small investors, who may subscribe to the IPO through the PSE EASy website or mobile application. Medilines Chairman Virgilio B. Villar, brother of former politician and Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. Chairman Manuel B. Villar Jr., said the company’s working relationship with multinational medical device companies like Siemens Healthineers, B. Braun Avitum Philippines and Varian Medical Systems for the past several years will assure the supply of medical equipment. “Our long-standing relationships with these global industry leaders will continue to strengthen our market position in the medical equipment distribution space in the Philippines,” he said. “The established operations of our principals in the Philippines also enable our company’s operations to be lean and efficient.”

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, October 22, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

October 21, 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 PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

44.1 126.4 84.9 24.3 9.55 49.65 9.32 20.85 56.9 20 118.6 91 0.88 4.19 0.59 3.31 1.11 0.335 220 2,600 0.86

46.35 126.5 84.95 24.45 9.6 49.8 9.33 20.9 56.95 20.15 121.4 91.05 0.91 4.2 0.63 3.49 1.13 0.345 224 2,620 0.9

46.35 131 86 24.15 9.5 49.9 9.33 20.6 56.85 20.1 121.4 90.5 0.91 4.23 0.63 3.52 1.1 0.345 219.4 2,626 0.9

46.35 132 86.45 24.45 9.65 50 9.34 20.9 56.9 20.1 123.4 91.05 0.91 4.23 0.63 3.52 1.11 0.345 219.6 2,626 0.9

46.35 126.4 84.9 24.15 9.48 49.5 9.33 20.45 56.85 19.94 118.6 90.2 0.88 4.2 0.63 3.52 1.1 0.345 219.4 2,600 0.88

46.35 126.4 84.9 24.3 9.6 49.8 9.33 20.85 56.9 20 118.6 91.05 0.89 4.2 0.63 3.52 1.11 0.345 219.6 2,600 0.88

100 2,638,060 2,167,140 421,800 351,800 1,592,900 97,000 349,100 2,310 185,900 991,860 69,700 593,000 174,000 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 1,020 15 27,000

4,635 337,497,966 184,757,536 10,270,600 3,367,196 79,296,170 905,091 7,235,680 131,348.50 3,716,096 118,798,726 6,320,546 527,450 734,460 630 7,040 5,510 3,450 223,990 39,130 23,900

-67,493,003 -19,531,530.50 -282,510 3,703,920 -1,014,860 -36,645,326 -1,283,361.50 21,000 26,000 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 11.48 11.5 11.8 11.86 11.4 11.48 41,239,100 477,895,366 ALSONS CONS 1.12 1.14 1.12 1.16 1.11 1.12 194,000 218,040 ABOITIZ POWER 32.1 32.15 31.8 32.3 31.6 32.15 3,978,200 127,481,680 BASIC ENERGY 0.75 0.76 0.71 0.77 0.69 0.76 125,247,000 93,295,300 FIRST GEN 29.6 30 29.05 30 29 30 2,157,700 64,223,480 FIRST PHIL HLDG 75.3 75.35 75.6 76.05 75.25 75.35 12,540 945,703 296.6 296.8 296 296.8 294.4 296.6 348,810 103,406,858 MERALCO MANILA WATER 25.35 25.95 26 26 24.75 25.95 6,392,600 164,038,565 PETRON 4 4.01 4.03 4.07 4 4.01 3,936,000 15,920,750 PETROENERGY 4.31 4.45 4.3 4.46 4.3 4.46 108,000 477,650 PHX PETROLEUM 10.7 10.8 10.7 10.8 10.64 10.8 42,000 452,536 PILIPINAS SHELL 23.8 23.85 23.85 24 23.6 23.85 561,600 13,396,185 13.82 13.86 13.88 13.9 13.8 13.82 63,600 881,234 SPC POWER AGRINURTURE 4.81 4.9 4.98 4.98 4.6 4.9 130,000 622,850 2.82 2.84 2.82 2.84 2.82 2.84 406,000 1,148,140 AXELUM CNTRL AZUCARERA 13.84 14.4 13.84 13.84 13.84 13.84 3,100 42,904 CENTURY FOOD 26.15 26.2 25.7 26.2 25.5 26.2 1,828,000 47,697,620 DEL MONTE 14.84 14.92 14.48 14.92 14.32 14.92 39,400 572,338 DNL INDUS 8.37 8.39 8.37 8.4 8.37 8.39 6,950,400 58,317,640 18.2 18.26 18.16 18.3 18.1 18.2 632,100 11,466,042 EMPERADOR 77.5 77.6 77.5 77.5 76.65 77.5 270,010 20,918,994.50 SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT 0.6 0.62 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61 80,000 48,800 FRUITAS HLDG 1.33 1.34 1.36 1.37 1.32 1.34 18,972,000 25,371,680 GINEBRA 114 114.6 115 115 114 114 7,350 842,407 JOLLIBEE 230 231 229.2 231 224 231 696,540 160,209,484 MAXS GROUP 7.25 7.28 7.59 7.59 7.23 7.28 458,900 3,363,874 MG HLDG 0.19 0.191 0.179 0.214 0.177 0.191 3,070,000 567,030 MONDE NISSIN 16.44 16.58 15.76 16.64 15.6 16.58 31,870,600 518,424,530 SHAKEYS PIZZA 8.24 8.38 8.28 8.5 8.22 8.38 31,600 264,051 ROXAS AND CO 0.76 0.79 0.77 0.79 0.76 0.76 767,000 591,160 RFM CORP 4.54 4.66 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 2,000 9,200 ROXAS HLDG 1.26 1.29 1.26 1.26 1.26 1.26 75,000 94,500 SWIFT FOODS 0.116 0.12 0.121 0.121 0.12 0.12 200,000 24,100 UNIV ROBINA 140.7 141 140.5 141.2 140.2 141 1,050,980 148,058,687 VITARICH 0.75 0.76 0.75 0.76 0.75 0.76 645,000 485,050 VICTORIAS 2.35 2.41 2.41 2.41 2.41 2.41 10,000 24,100 CEMEX HLDG 1.3 1.31 1.28 1.31 1.28 1.31 3,778,000 4,907,820 EAGLE CEMENT 14.46 14.7 14.28 14.62 14.28 14.62 15,700 226,030 EEI CORP 6.74 6.75 6.34 6.89 6.34 6.75 1,011,200 6,819,570 HOLCIM 5.89 5.9 5.96 5.99 5.86 5.9 1,248,100 7,385,896 MEGAWIDE 6.35 6.36 6.19 6.37 6.17 6.35 515,700 3,241,862 PHINMA 14.58 14.6 14.78 14.8 14.58 14.6 188,100 2,750,722 TKC METALS 0.9 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.9 0.9 113,000 101,730 VULCAN INDL 1.19 1.2 1.18 1.21 1.18 1.2 2,759,000 3,297,850 CROWN ASIA 1.69 1.7 1.68 1.68 1.68 1.68 34,000 57,120 EUROMED 1.6 1.62 1.65 1.65 1.64 1.64 7,000 11,540 LMG CORP 3.45 4.28 2.93 4.05 2.93 4.05 451,000 1,337,180 MABUHAY VINYL 4.4 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 44,000 198,000 PRYCE CORP 5.42 5.48 5.42 5.42 5.42 5.42 100 542 CONCEPCION 22.4 23 22.95 22.95 22.4 22.4 800 18,095 GREENERGY 2.29 2.34 2.4 2.4 2.29 2.34 5,890,000 13,809,760 INTEGRATED MICR 8.69 8.7 8.7 8.8 8.69 8.7 168,400 1,472,022 IONICS 0.86 0.87 0.89 0.89 0.85 0.87 95,000 81,750 PANASONIC 6 6.03 6 6.03 6 6.03 4,000 24,018 SFA SEMICON 1.12 1.14 1.11 1.14 1.11 1.14 177,000 198,650 4.57 4.58 4.66 4.66 4.55 4.58 2,157,000 9,916,800 CIRTEK HLDG

88,171,680 -4,414,360 318,610 24,964,810 99,275.50 24,232,554 2,249,585 -969,060.00 -13,350 -115,560 2,686,940 22,950 -160,740 -41,520 95,050 -1,032,380.00 -5,164,284 3,499,997 -36,600 62,510 -157,533 74,834,850 -24,539,152 265,800 39,873,324 700,700 -13,158 -6,790 -1,705,151 449,937 14,600 -12,000 593,070 -110,980.00 8,550.00 -23,130

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.13 1.14 1.16 1.16 1.11 1.14 14,830,000 16,781,820 AYALA CORP 871 873 874 880 868.5 873 410,320 358,296,510 51.2 52.2 49.6 52.25 49.6 52.2 2,749,800 140,907,175 ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL 10.96 11 11 11.08 10.76 11 9,617,700 105,166,680 AYALA LAND LOG 5.36 5.37 5.42 5.47 5.3 5.37 2,189,500 11,741,194 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.92 337,000 310,300 ATN HLDG A 0.5 0.53 0.56 0.56 0.5 0.53 540,000 273,900 COSCO CAPITAL 5.09 5.1 5.1 5.13 5.09 5.1 1,639,200 8,360,452 DMCI HLDG 8.57 8.66 8.4 8.93 8.21 8.57 60,406,900 523,597,701 FILINVEST DEV 7.72 8 7.7 8 7.7 8 56,500 442,650 FORUM PACIFIC 0.295 0.305 0.29 0.31 0.29 0.305 720,000 214,000 GT CAPITAL 571.5 573 569.5 575 569 573 203,130 116,323,215 JG SUMMIT 65.85 65.95 66.5 66.8 64.5 65.85 1,656,760 109,109,622.50 KEPPEL HLDG A 5.99 6.2 6 6 6 6 5,900 35,400 KEPPEL HLDG B 5.99 6.84 5.99 5.99 5.99 5.99 400 2,396 LODESTAR 0.64 0.65 0.62 0.66 0.62 0.64 222,000 140,750 LOPEZ HLDG 3.25 3.31 3.3 3.31 3.3 3.31 27,000 89,170 LT GROUP 10.42 10.44 10 10.5 9.89 10.44 36,593,600 380,238,795 MABUHAY HLDG 0.42 0.455 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 80,000 33,600 METRO PAC INV 4.16 4.18 4.06 4.18 4.06 4.18 49,949,000 207,017,820 PRIME MEDIA 1.54 1.58 1.56 1.56 1.52 1.54 94,000 144,050 REPUBLIC GLASS 2.55 2.89 2.52 2.52 2.52 2.52 1,000 2,520 SM INVESTMENTS 1,024 1,038 1,025 1,038 1,015 1,038 205,110 211,961,570 SAN MIGUEL CORP 117 117.1 117 117 115 117 187,570 21,846,144 TOP FRONTIER 129 130 128 129 128 129 300,120 38,715,460 WELLEX INDUS 0.25 0.275 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 450,000 112,500 ZEUS HLDG 0.176 0.185 0.189 0.189 0.189 0.189 10,000 1,890

1,471,940.00 91,344,200 23,185,720 18,019,940 -173,881 460,249 59,894,736 45,023,370 19,691,186 57,809,710 99,018,150.00 71,434,780 10,311,894 -25,000 -

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.63 0.66 0.63 0.67 0.63 0.63 125,000 79,140 AYALA LAND 37.9 38.15 38.15 38.6 37.6 38.15 8,658,300 330,017,630 ARANETA PROP 1.04 1.1 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.06 100,000 106,000 AREIT RT 40.1 41.55 42.5 42.55 40 40.1 1,086,300 44,414,340 BELLE CORP 1.39 1.4 1.38 1.39 1.38 1.39 581,000 806,570 A BROWN 0.87 0.88 0.87 0.88 0.87 0.88 23,000 20,110 CITYLAND DEVT 0.75 0.76 0.75 0.76 0.75 0.75 696,000 522,110 CROWN EQUITIES 0.116 0.118 0.116 0.118 0.116 0.118 13,400,000 1,554,780 CEBU HLDG 6.28 6.98 6.22 6.28 6.22 6.28 8,200 51,016 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.99 3 2.94 3 2.94 3 1,923,000 5,721,740 CENTURY PROP 0.46 0.465 0.465 0.465 0.45 0.465 15,990,000 7,330,100 DOUBLEDRAGON 10.42 10.46 10.38 10.46 10.38 10.42 372,200 3,872,038 DDMP RT 1.8 1.81 1.8 1.81 1.79 1.81 5,603,000 10,082,240 DM WENCESLAO 6.84 6.88 6.84 6.88 6.82 6.88 19,700 134,860 EMPIRE EAST 0.275 0.28 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.275 90,000 24,750 EVER GOTESCO 0.335 0.34 0.33 0.35 0.33 0.34 13,700,000 4,636,850 FILINVEST RT 7.3 7.31 7.32 7.4 7.3 7.31 1,562,100 11,428,457 FILINVEST LAND 1.15 1.16 1.15 1.15 1.14 1.15 8,729,000 9,999,850 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.93 0.94 0.91 0.94 0.91 0.93 555,000 512,260 8990 HLDG 9.9 10 10.28 10.5 10 10 98,000 1,012,596 PHIL INFRADEV 1.2 1.22 1.25 1.26 1.2 1.2 657,000 804,420 CITY AND LAND 1.11 1.12 1 1.12 1 1.12 805,000 880,960 MEGAWORLD 3.1 3.14 3.17 3.17 3.07 3.14 30,087,000 94,141,510 MRC ALLIED 0.3 0.305 0.305 0.31 0.3 0.3 11,050,000 3,346,250 MREIT RT 17.76 17.8 17.78 17.8 17.74 17.8 2,554,000 45,422,582 PHIL ESTATES 0.52 0.53 0.55 0.55 0.52 0.53 2,773,000 1,451,770 PRIMEX CORP 2.19 2.2 2.37 2.37 2.2 2.2 469,000 1,064,350 RL COMM RT 6.78 6.79 6.73 6.79 6.69 6.79 9,381,000 63,265,244 ROBINSONS LAND 17.32 17.68 17.7 18.3 17.32 17.32 5,500,200 96,906,282 PHIL REALTY 0.24 0.242 0.242 0.242 0.24 0.242 930,000 224,860 ROCKWELL 1.52 1.58 1.52 1.58 1.52 1.54 30,000 46,490 SHANG PROP 2.65 2.67 2.67 2.67 2.62 2.67 27,000 71,940 STA LUCIA LAND 2.9 2.95 2.91 2.95 2.9 2.95 216,000 632,390 SM PRIME HLDG 36.1 36.2 36.2 36.25 35.85 36.2 16,363,600 591,510,125 VISTAMALLS 3.72 3.88 3.89 3.89 3.88 3.88 4,000 15,540 SUNTRUST HOME 1.46 1.47 1.48 1.48 1.47 1.47 149,000 219,100 3.78 3.79 3.78 3.79 3.7 3.78 1,258,000 4,727,800 VISTA LAND SERVICES ABS CBN 14.64 14.7 15 15 14.6 14.7 197,600 2,903,126 14.5 14.52 14.7 14.74 14.48 14.5 2,088,600 30,381,556 GMA NETWORK GLOBE TELECOM 3,000 3,040 3,060 3,100 3,000 3,000 131,665 397,139,710 1,619 1,640 1,645 1,665 1,619 1,619 306,310 499,287,175 PLDT 0.098 0.099 0.101 0.102 0.098 0.099 156,010,000 15,558,820 APOLLO GLOBAL 31 31.2 32.7 32.7 30.5 31 23,305,000 729,577,300 CONVERGE 3.02 3.04 3.15 3.15 3.01 3.04 1,499,000 4,547,590 DFNN INC 7.15 7.16 7 7.24 7 7.15 5,977,000 42,377,631 DITO CME HLDG 1.42 1.5 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.42 1,000 1,420 IMPERIAL JACKSTONES 1.95 2.09 1.94 2 1.94 2 3,000 5,880 NOW CORP 1.81 1.82 1.82 1.87 1.82 1.82 1,592,000 2,913,370 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.31 0.315 0.31 0.32 0.305 0.315 3,420,000 1,071,250 PHILWEB 2.24 2.27 2.26 2.28 2.24 2.27 109,000 245,500 2GO GROUP 8 8.1 8 8.12 8 8.12 3,000 24,012 1.98 2 1.97 2 1.97 2 885,000 1,758,780 CHELSEA CEBU AIR 43.65 43.7 44.75 44.85 43.6 43.65 334,800 14,759,425 INTL CONTAINER 182 183 178.8 183 175.4 183 999,000 181,050,445 19 20 20 20 19 19 3,700 71,100 LBC EXPRESS MACROASIA 5.52 5.53 5.55 5.64 5.35 5.53 1,696,200 9,400,346 1.69 1.74 1.6 1.75 1.57 1.75 168,000 281,880 METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 1.65 1.77 1.77 1.77 1.77 1.77 3,000 5,310 HARBOR STAR 1.05 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.05 1.05 104,000 110,150 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.21 2.27 2.22 2.32 2.2 2.27 1,218,000 2,691,570 WATERFRONT 0.53 0.54 0.54 0.55 0.53 0.53 280,000 149,640 FAR EASTERN U 555 599 580 600 555 555 230 135,130 IPEOPLE 7.1 7.26 7 7.29 7 7.29 4,600 32,229 STI HLDG 0.35 0.355 0.355 0.355 0.35 0.35 3,440,000 1,207,450 5.42 5.56 5.48 5.56 5.4 5.56 49,700 270,762 BERJAYA 6.5 6.55 6.8 6.82 6.48 6.5 34,082,500 222,518,799 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 2.07 2.14 2.14 2.14 2.08 2.14 22,000 46,280 LEISURE AND RES 1.66 1.69 1.65 1.72 1.65 1.69 227,000 383,150 PH RESORTS GRP 0.93 0.94 0.92 0.96 0.92 0.93 3,987,000 3,758,440 0.43 0.435 0.435 0.44 0.425 0.435 2,630,000 1,132,900 PREMIUM LEISURE ALLHOME 10.16 10.2 10 10.2 9.87 10.2 849,400 8,518,652 METRO RETAIL 1.35 1.38 1.36 1.4 1.33 1.38 1,002,000 1,375,890 PUREGOLD 40.6 41.5 41.8 42 40.6 40.6 3,522,300 143,773,435 ROBINSONS RTL 60 60.2 60.5 60.9 60 60 1,003,390 60,364,206.50 PHIL SEVEN CORP 94 97 97 97 97 97 10 970 SSI GROUP 1.25 1.26 1.23 1.27 1.23 1.25 1,948,000 2,433,230 WILCON DEPOT 28 28.95 29.2 29.2 28 28 2,715,300 76,873,355 APC GROUP 0.265 0.27 0.265 0.275 0.25 0.27 2,990,000 795,400 4.6 4.98 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 8,000 36,800 EASYCALL 522 539 539 539 539 539 40 21,560 GOLDEN MV IPM HLDG 7.05 7.06 7.06 7.06 7 7.05 9,500 66,810 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.89 0.9 0.94 0.94 0.88 0.89 20,932,000 18,954,600 4.21 4.39 4.2 4.21 4.2 4.21 206,000 866,200 SBS PHIL CORP MINING & OIL ATOK 6.85 6.89 6.84 6.91 6.68 6.89 148,200 1,014,464 APEX MINING 1.47 1.48 1.45 1.48 1.45 1.48 584,000 857,400 ATLAS MINING 6.68 6.69 6.41 6.7 6.37 6.68 2,096,600 13,671,620 BENGUET A 6.05 6.1 5.38 6.28 5.38 6.05 1,256,500 7,274,055 BENGUET B 5.78 5.87 5.3 5.8 5.2 5.78 371,000 2,075,480 0.29 0.3 0.295 0.3 0.295 0.3 310,000 91,500 COAL ASIA HLDG 2.7 2.78 2.7 2.78 2.7 2.78 10,004,000 27,010,960 CENTURY PEAK DIZON MINES 5.18 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 100 550 FERRONICKEL 2.16 2.17 2.15 2.2 2.15 2.17 5,254,000 11,428,600 GEOGRACE 0.213 0.214 0.213 0.215 0.213 0.214 80,000 17,150 0.134 0.135 0.135 0.136 0.134 0.136 920,000 124,370 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.139 0.143 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 1,600,000 224,000 MANILA MINING A 0.0093 0.0095 0.0093 0.0093 0.0092 0.0093 12,000,000 111,500 MANILA MINING B 0.0096 0.0099 0.0097 0.0097 0.0097 0.0097 3,000,000 29,100 MARCVENTURES 0.92 0.94 0.94 0.96 0.92 0.94 260,000 246,620 NIHAO 1.01 1.03 1.03 1.03 1 1.01 139,000 140,580 NICKEL ASIA 5.58 5.65 5.7 5.91 5.58 5.58 35,897,100 205,205,905 OMICO CORP 0.34 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 10,000 3,500 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.84 0.85 0.86 0.86 0.84 0.85 131,000 110,970 PX MINING 5.62 5.67 5.45 5.68 5.44 5.62 746,700 4,143,228 28 28.25 27.25 28.35 26.6 28.25 15,504,800 435,128,105 SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON 0.0067 0.0069 0.0068 0.0068 0.0067 0.0067 9,000,000 60,400 ACE ENEXOR 19.64 19.78 19.9 20.5 19.5 19.64 1,143,400 22,737,410 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 6,800,000 74,900 ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 100,000 1,100 PHILODRILL 0.0097 0.0098 0.0097 0.0097 0.0096 0.0097 37,000,000 358,500 PXP ENERGY 7.12 7.15 6.59 7.15 6.59 7.15 2,085,600 14,447,599 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 101.2 101.9 101.2 101.2 101.2 101.2 40 4,048 HOUSE PREF A 100.6 101 101 101 101 101 9,870 996,870 ALCO PREF B 101.5 102.6 101.5 102.6 101.5 102.6 11,650 1,184,290 AC PREF B2R 524.5 525 525 525 524.5 524.5 940 493,075 CEB PREF 43.45 43.5 44.45 44.45 43.45 43.5 14,500 633,370 DD PREF 101 102 102 102 102 102 3,990 406,980 FGEN PREF G 103.1 105.4 105.4 105.6 103 105.6 7,300 766,216 GTCAP PREF A 990 1,000 990 990 990 990 30 29,700 GTCAP PREF B 1,030 1,040 1,030 1,030 1,030 1,030 100 103,000 JFC PREF A 1,050 1,060 1,060 1,060 1,060 1,060 80 84,800 JFC PREF B 1,033 1,038 1,038 1,038 1,033 1,033 1,500 1,554,825 MWIDE PREF 100.2 101.4 100.6 101 100.1 101 1,520 152,357 MWIDE PREF 2B 101 102.8 102.8 102.8 102.8 102.8 10 1,028 PNX PREF 3B 105.5 106.5 105.6 106.5 105.6 106.5 260 27,483 PNX PREF 4 1,002 1,004 1,003 1,004 1,000 1,002 5,725 5,731,200 PCOR PREF 3A 1,111 1,120 1,111 1,111 1,111 1,111 200 222,200 PCOR PREF 3B 1,170 1,186 1,176 1,176 1,176 1,176 5 5,880 SMC PREF 2F 79.2 79.25 79.35 79.35 79.25 79.25 36,000 2,853,010 SMC PREF 2H 76.15 77.5 76.35 76.35 76.3 76.35 67,700 5,167,895 SMC PREF 2I 79.2 79.5 79.2 79.2 79.2 79.2 15,000 1,188,000 SMC PREF 2J 76.25 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 805,130 61,592,445 SMC PREF 2K 76.2 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 270 20,655 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 14.12 14.48 14.12 14.12 14.1 14.1 75,100 1,059,844 GMA HLDG PDR 14.22 14.5 14.22 14.22 14.2 14.22 23,800 338,172 WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 1.34 1.36 1.39 1.41 1.33 1.34 1,251,000 1,690,640

135,064,995 -3,011,090 8,800 13,500 39,780 -49,760 -107,320 177,550 559,738 100,740 -177,050 2,042,148 5,773,800 133,600 187,990 13,310 -33,940 4,778,420 -81,400 -3,946,264 -1,650 -17,380 -14,908,882 -23,726,276 108,900 -29,090 50,792,195 978,600 -64,772,690 -165,617,195 -74,850 -152,555,915 -57,570 2,268,691 -1,730 82,550 -38,000 -4,031,500 33,470,694 -54,730 4,400 21,100 -58,514,385 39,280 46,250 2,957,669 -439,800.00 -54,075,515 3,113,256 -970 -23,959,480 -30,100 -148,850 723,864 -26,989,040 -2,131,360 9,700 32,820 -102,257,912 -34,114 53,564,020 235,640 -9,700 -207,000 576,020 102,000 20,640 103,000 -516,825 10,030 - - 69,880

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART

17.14 1.88 3.95 3.38

FIRST METRO ETF

110.9

17.22 1.9 3.98 3.39

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

111

17.04 1.9 3.93 3.45

17.84 1.91 3.95 3.46

17.04 1.85 3.93 3.39

17.14 1.88 3.95 3.39

17,300 132,000 4,000 3,841,000

296,806 248,590 15,740 13,127,390

-17,040 -1,009,940

111 111 110.7 110.9 15,850 1,757,940 167,487

www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘Mobility curbs dampened demand for office space’

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

ffice demand could reach up to 500,00 square meters by the end of the year, still low compared with 1.7 million sq.m. in 2019, as the lockdowns halted the momentum of the property sector’s recovery, according to Leechiu Property Consultants. “While the recovery has not been as fast as earlier predicted, the worst appears to be behind us. We also note that government reforms have buoyed the industry,” David Leechiu, the company’s CEO, said. Office demand in January to September was still led by the business process outsourcing sector at 383,000 square meters, or 98 percent of full-year demand in 2020. The BPO sector will remain a

catalyst of growth for the office sector and accounts for 129,000 square meters of the live requirements likely to be closed in six months, he said. To date, the BPO’s take-up represents 44 percent of the demand or 169,000 square meters, and about a quarter of this figure, or 94,000 sq.m., have been in provincial locations. Iloilo took up 37,000 square meters of that number, outpacing

the combined demand year-todate of Clark, Laguna and Davao, Leechiu said. Metro Manila, however, should have enough office space for new entrants since these companies wanted to start their business in the country’s main cities instead of the provincial centers, the property consultant said. Many of the developers, however, have delayed their projects due to the pandemic as the government kept on implementing hard lockdowns that curb mobility. Compared to previous quarters this year, demand for the third quarter slowed due to mobility issues brought about by the rising cases and strict lockdowns of previous months, Leechui said. This has been offset by 228,000 square meters of active office leasing requirements seeking to be completed within the next six months, he said. He said the passage of Republic Act 11590 or the POGO Law, which clarifies taxation for Philippine offshore gaming operators, seemed to have halted their exodus.

“With travel restrictions easing up, we anticipate POGOs to start reopening their offices and begin to grow by the second quarter of 2022,” he said. The current vacancy rate across Metro Manila is at 17 percent, with Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Filinvest in Alabang enjoying low vacancy numbers and rents are expected to hold. Meanwhile, vacancy numbers in Ortigas, Quezon City and the Bay Area continue to increase, as rents decline. Capital values in the major central business districts of Metro Manila continue to strengthen with accommodation values peaking at P113,000 per square meter in BGC. Arca South ’s closing prices reached a record P51,000 per square meter. Only the Bay Area saw a decline in property values resulting from POGO vacancies but these are starting to rally again. “We may seem light years away from the pre-Covid era which saw the office market double and triple over just a few years. But markets continue to grow supported by strong fundamentals,” Leechiu said.

SEAOIL unveils fleet management solution By Lenie Lectura @llectura

EAOIL Philippines has partnered with fintech company LOCQ, OPC for a fleet management solution that allows customers to purchase fuel at today’s prices, store the fuel price in their virtual tank, and redeem it whenever they want to. PriceLOCQ is available for retail and corporate customers. “PriceLOCQ for Business is the only solution that allows businessmen to hedge against fuel prices - that is to lock in fuel prices when they are low and redeem at SEAOIL when prices go up,” said Glenn L. Yu, SEAOIL Philippines President and CEO. PriceLOCQ for Business works through a secure web portal where one can monitor and manage the driver, vehicle and fuel usage. One can issue fuel codes to drivers which station attendants can verify before gassing up. It also allows companies to view and download real-time reports to monitor transactions. This is also open for retail customers by downloading the app on their mobile, purchasing fuel at today’s prices, locking them in and gassing up at their preferred time. SEAOIL has also entered into a

line of vehicle servicing by opening its own branded service center, LubeServ. The first branch is in Anabu in Cavite, which is surrounded by residentia l developments. LubeServ offers automotive repairs and lubricant services using SEAOIL’s high-quality engine oils and ancillary products. LubeServ on Wheels is a variation of the service, bringing expert mechanics to the customer’s location. The service is currently available in the areas of Taguig, Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, and Cainta. “Like LubeServ and LubeServe on Wheels, PriceLOCQ is part of SEAOIL’s response to changing market needs. Concern for rising fuel prices, health safety, and greater convenience in repairs and maintenance are all addressed by these new services,” Yu said. SEAOIL aims to open 1,000 stations by 2023 and further improve its growing lubricants market share. “Our retail and terminal expansion have remained on-track. We opened our 500th station along Meralco Avenue in September last year, and this month we are opening our 600th station in Sepung Calzada, Tarlac City,” Yu added.

ERC: 3 gencos exceeded limit for unplanned outages Continued from B1

The outage was due to a major damage on its engine. However, the ERC said the prolonged outage was not solely because of the damage, but of SIPC’s clear refusal to repair it, and to instead put it “under preservation.” “The Commission finds [SIPC] to have failed in giving substantial explanation to warrant its non-liability. The cause of the outage was not force majeure. SIPC had the mandatory obligation to make the repairs but it evidently chose not to do so, resulting in the excess unplanned power outage. Hence, for lack of a substantial and

reasonable explanation, there can be no other result but to find SIPC administratively liable,” the ERC ruled. The commission earlier said 17 gencos breached their plant outage allowance, causing the unscheduled brownouts from May 31 to June 3 this year. The ERC is expected to issue similar orders against nine more gencos soon. “The others, at least three more, are being routed for signature already, while others are still being drafted. There are nine that were deliberated,” said ERC Commissioner Rexie Digal when sought for comment.

mutual funds

October 21, 2021

NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

231.45

16.04%

-1.61%

-2.88%

1.87%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.6428

48.78%

5.77%

3.26%

25.12%

-5.12%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2271

-5.56%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7501 8.22%

-4.83% n.a.

-7.71%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7838 13.81%

-0.77% n.a.

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

18.76%

5.1928

5.69%

21.02%

1.3%

-0.68%

5.09%

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

0.7824

16.62%

-0.77%

-4.28%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

101.38

17.68%

-2.92% n.a.

-0.48%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.925

19.07%

0.49%

-1.43%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

497.37

15.81%

0.39%

-2.01%

1.73%

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d

1.1501

23.59% n.a. n.a.

4.81%

2.32%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.2809

25.53%

1.72%

-0.11%

9.65%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.2512

20.97%

0.77%

-0.41%

4.26%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9427

19.18% n.a. n.a.

3.25%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.9358

20.05%

1.29%

-0.71%

3.02%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

824.08

19.87%

1.3%

-0.76%

2.8%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7504

19.97%

-3.07%

-3.82%

4.38%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7414

19.06%

-1.49%

-2.23%

3.24%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9404 19.4%

0.94%

-0.94%

2.47%

United Fund, Inc. -a

0.89%

0.06%

4.19%

1.48%

-0.26%

3.4575

20.12%

0.77%

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

110.8072

20.1%

3.02%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $1.1914

10.8%

8.04%

5.63%

-0.96%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.837

17.71%

14.05%

12.08%

9.82%

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

1.6922

8.51%

1.72%

-1.15%

1.41%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2474

8.84%

1.47%

-0.94%

-1.66%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6996

11.77%

3.14%

0.8%

2.77%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1979

8.02% n.a. n.a.

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

3.92%

2.0109

8.66%

1.12%

2.23%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7571

7.66%

3.47%

-0.2%

-0.87%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.8161

7.68%

3.28%

-0.21%

-0.73%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1145

9.5%

1.67%

-0.01%

1.12%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.6334 10.77%

0.7%

-0.86%

1.68%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.991

5.03% n.a. n.a.

-3.09%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9426

12% n.a. n.a.

-0.7%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9333

13.89% n.a. n.a.

0.02%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

16.22%

5.07%

0.9327

1.17%

-0.89%

-0.1%

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

$0.03759

-4.25%

2.76%

0.99%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0848

1.89%

4.91%

3.07%

-3.86% -4%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.782

12.4%

10.29%

8.41%

5.97%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.216

5.06%

5.72%

4.31%

1.15%

0.38%

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

372.54

1.01%

2.96%

2.45%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9237

-1.49%

1.19%

0.13%

1.23%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2423

1.17%

3.28%

4.11%

0.84%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2437

-2.38%

-2.11%

2.03%

1.24%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4208 -1.06%

3.06%

1.66%

-1.32%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

5.39%

1.17%

-4.84% -0.46%

4.4057

-4.83%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3152

0.23%

3.93%

2.58%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9581

0.06%

4.66%

2.36%

-1.07%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0227

-1.43%

5.57%

1.6%

-1.99%

0.03%

2.68%

-0.73%

-0.81%

4.18%

1.98%

-1.42%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1826 Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

1.7301

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

$488.08

1.5%

3.07%

2.15%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є219.91

0.98%

1.03%

0.76%

0.31%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1919

-4.68%

2.07%

1.22%

-6.87%

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

0.84%

1.46%

0.71%

-2.63%

-6.48%

-0.06%

-1.44%

-6.28%

$2.4771

-1.7%

5.09%

1.86%

-2.48%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0625182 1.05%

3.21%

1.97%

0.35%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1379 -2.21%

2.94%

0.73%

-2.66%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$1.0215

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

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

2.54%

0.79%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0563 0.99% n.a. n.a.

130.84

0.78%

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

1.15%

1.3118

1.16% 1.53%

2.95% 2.72%

2.54%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0591

0.83%

1.53% n.a.

0.52%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d 1.3599

30.56% n.a. n.a.

20.39%

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

$0.98

3.16% n.a. n.a.

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. 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

BIR Makati padlocks telcom-provider firm

BusinessMirror

Office 47 of the Bureau of Internal Revenue

HE Revenue District Office 47 of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced last Thursday it has padlocked a telecommunications provider company last October 20. A statement by the BIR-Eastern Makati said the “Oplan Kandado” was applied to the main office of Mobicon Networks Ltd. Corp. with address at Rufino Pacific Tower in Makati City. An online search yielded the information that a Mobicon Networks Ltd. is a company incorporated on December 29, 2009 (Tuesday) in Hong Kong as a private company limited by shares entity. The BIR-Eastern Makati said the padlocking of the Mobicon Networks office was led by Revenue District Officer Rufo B. Ranario, Assistant RDO Fidel V. Calvan and Assessment Section (CAS) Chief Marjorie Ando. Calvan explained they implemented the closure order against Mobicon for non-compliance of Section 115 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 (NIRC) and failure, refusal and/ or neglect. Section 115 of the NIRC gives the BIR Commissioner the power to suspend the business operations of a taxpayer for any of the following violations in the case of a valueadded tax-registered person: failure to issue receipts or invoices; failure

to file a value-added tax return as required under Section 114 or understatement of taxable sales or receipts by 30 percent or more of his correct taxable sales or receipts for the taxable quarter; and, failure of any Person to Register as Required under Section 236. Calvan said they gave Mobicon Networks five days to comply to which the BIR will allow the reopening of the padlocked office. Mobicon Networks is a provider of telecommunications-implementation solutions and offers network optimization and planning, field maintenance, outsourcing and consultancy and rollout services, among others. The BIR-Eastern Makati statement said the company communicated with them and expressed compliance with the requirements. “ They are cooperative, and reached us now,” Ranario was quoted in the statement as saying. Ranario reminds all the taxpayers to comply with the tax code in order to evade closures. The “Oplan Kandado” is an enforcement program of the BIR that which involves the imposition of administrative sanctions such as suspension and temporary closure of business for non-compliance with requirements.

Financial liberty to aid LGUs’ limpidity By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

ORMER Justice Secretary Alberto C. Agra believes that local government units (LGUs) will enjoy greater fiscal independence and bigger development fund and can undertake more hard and or soft projects. With such fiscal autonomy and bigger funds at their disposal, Agra said LGUs will have bigger responsibility and accountability, as well. With the signing last June 21 of Executive Order 138 by President Duterte, the full devolution of certain functions of the Executive Branch to the LGUs is set to take place. Last week, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III called on LGUs to prepare for the “seamless” transfer to their offices’ additional devolved functions, services, and facilities with the implementation of the Mandanas Ruling. The Mandanas Ruling by the Supreme Court in 2018 will take effect in 2022. This will raise Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA) by 55 percent in the 2022 national budget to P1.08 trillion or 4.8 percent of gross domestic product compared to the 3.5 percent in 2021. The decision basically raised the share of National Government tax revenue to local governments. As the transfer of resources strengthens decentralization and potentially improves social services delivery in the countryside, questions have been raised about LGU capacities, as well as the transparency and accountability of LGUs that will manage the funds.

Room for innovation

For LGUs who are innovative, Agra said the LGU will have bigger rooms for innovation and have substantial

contributions for Public-Private Partnerships or PPPs. Agra said during a webinar last October 20 on LGU finance and the Mandanas Ruling that “more [funds] means more resources and, at the same time, accountability.” He explained that LGUs have been deprived of fiscal autonomy for 34 years since the 1987 Constitution was put in place. “All LGUs, even barangays and the autonomous regions and provinces; they all enjoy local autonomy,” Agra, who currently teaches law at the Ateneo de Manila University, said. “Local autonomy consists of administrative and political autonomy.” Fiscal autonomy, like local autonomy, is a policy enjoyed by LGUs under the Constitution, he added. “There is no local autonomy without fiscal autonomy and vice versa,” Agra said. “You need funds in order for local government units to perform their mandate.” He added that “at the same time, local governments must be given broad latitude in terms of local autonomy in terms of how to use own funds.” “All LGUs are subdivisions of one state, hence, there’s no national development without local development and vice versa.” In fiscal autonomy, Agra said there are two important aspects: source and utilization. The lawyer said National Government Agencies can only supervise, but not impose limitations on, LGUs. “Only Congress can impose limitations on the power of the LGUs,” Agra said. “If the Executive Branch will impose restrictions when there is none imposed by law, [which] will amount to control, not just supervision.”

Duties collected from rice shipments hit ₧14.3 billion

D Bureau of Internal Revenue Assistant Revenue District Officer Rodrigo L. Rivamonte (second from left) and RDO Rufo B. Ranario (fourth from right) led BIR officials in padlocking the main office of Mobicon Networks Ltd. Corp., Rufino Pacific Tower in Makati City. Photo courtesy Revenue District

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, October 22, 2021

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

UTIES collected from rice shipments to the Philippines amounted to P14.3 billion as of October, according to data released by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The BOC said the tariff collections were obtained from the 2.18 million metric tons (MT) of rice shipments that entered the country from January 1 to October 8 this year. The BOC said revenues from rice imports during this period came from shipments worth a combined amount of P40.81 billion. “Due to the continuous decline of the price of rice in the world market

since May 2021, average value of rice per metric ton increased by only 0.2 percent versus last year,” Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero said. Guerrero said preliminary data showed that import duties between January 1 and October 8 increased 3.2 percent from P13.84 billion during the same period in 2020. He added that the average valu-

ation of rice for this period only slightly increased to P18,898 per MT in 2021 from P18,867 per MT in 2020. Due to the expected increase in rice production this year, the United States Department of Agriculture has projected that Philippine rice imports would decline by 14.28 percent to 2.1 MMT. Despite the contraction in volume, the Philippines will remain the world’s second-biggest buyer of rice for the second consecutive year. The Department of Agriculture earlier expressed confidence that the country would be able to achieve its target of producing 20.4 MMT of palay this year, barring adverse weather conditions. In May this year, President Duterte also signed Executive Order (EO) 135 to temporarily slash Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates

First 90 days of an association CEO Association World Octavio Peralta

HETHER you are a first-time association CEO or a veteran CEO moving to another association, the first 90 days are crucial in terms of taking stock, building relationships and setting directions and priorities. I can relate to this as I recall my situation decades ago when I became a CEO of an international association. So when I was invited to attend the “Association Insiders Series” webinar of the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE), I immediately grabbed the opportunity to relive my experience. In the session themed “New CEO: First 90 days,” a panel discussion shared their insights and experience as new CEOs and how they navigated their first 90 days. The panelists were: Outdoors NSW & ACT CEO Lori Modde; MND Australia CEO David Ali; and, Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia Ltd. CEO Michelle Rose. Moderating the session was AuSAE CEO Toni Brearley. Below are my takeaways: 1. First things first. The panelists agreed there is no such a thing as a “CEO playbook” and that situations vary from association to association with regard to organizational culture, board dynamics and member expectations. What was critical for them was creating the atmosphere of trust between them and the board members, staff and members. Open and frank communication was an essential part of their first few days on the job while keeping their “eyes and ears open” and with “feet on the ground.” 2. Relating with the Board. All concurred a good board-CEO relationship is key to a healthy and strong organization and that both sides need to understand their respective roles. One of the main functions of the CEO is to make sure there is alignment of organizational strategies, as well as that of the aspirations of the stakeholders. Other vital aspects of relating to the board are to make known what the CEO stands for, to demonstrate confidence to do what is required and to manifest the ethical dimensions that go with the job. 3. Facing challenges. They considered initial challenges as the “tricky bits” which mainly related to staff capacity limitation and financial and technology resource constraints, especially because of the pandemic. They agreed, however, that collaboration with association stakeholders, likeminded organizations and government is a critical aspect to mitigate these difficulties. 4. Working remotely. Other challenges revolve around the issue of engaging with, providing services to and retaining their members as exhaustion sets in due to multiple Zoom meetings with the board, staff and members, multitasking and pushing the change

agenda that they believe is needed under the circumstances. 5. Advice to aspiring CEOs: This includes understanding yourself first before others, being realistic of your own capabilities; having the confidence to do the job; and “building the bricks up.” I was happy I attended the webi-

nar and was able to reimagine going through the same situation again as what the panelists have experienced in their first 90 days on the job. If I have to pick one of the abovementioned facets of leading an association, I would choose board-CEO relationship as a pivotal consideration to focus on first.

for rice to 35 percent from 40 percent (in-quota) and 50 percent (out-quota) for a period of one year. Malacañang earlier cited a need to lower tariff rates for rice imports to offset the expected 10-percent shortfall in the local supply of rice this year. Import duties collected from rice imports beginning March 5, 2019, go to the annual P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) as provided under Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law. The RCEF is used to finance programs that will sharpen the competitiveness of palay growers by way of providing them easy access to fertilizer, farm machinery and equipment, high-yield seeds and cheap credit; and offering skills training programs on farm mechanization and modern farming techniques.

Column contributor Octavio Peralta is Founder and CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives. PCAAE is holding the Associations Summit 9 (AS9) on November 24 and 25, 2021. The two-day virtual event is supported by the Tourism Promotions Board. E-mail inquiries@ adfiap.org for more details on AS9.

Friday, October 22, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Relationships BusinessMirror

The pink spotlight

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, 46; Saffron Burrows, 49; Jeff Goldblum, 69; Christopher Lloyd, 83.

PHOTO BY ANGIOLA HARRY ON UNSPLASH

Happy Birthday: Keep an open mind, and be ready to compromise when dealing with domestic issues and family feuds. Take comfort in knowing your capabilities, and use your strengths personally and professionally to bring people together and maintain balance, integrity and peace of mind to you and all those you encounter. Intelligence and discipline, coupled with love and understanding, will help you excel. Your numbers are 7, 15, 21, 24, 31, 36, 42.

CTOBER is recognized globally as Breast Cancer Awareness month. And around the world, it is commemorated with a pink ribbon. According to several medical resources, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women around the world, as well as in the Philippines. While the five-year survival rate for breast cancer warriors living in the West is about 99 percent, in the Philippines it is only about 55 percent. This is primarily due to inadequate breast screening, or none at all. Let’s admit it. No one likes visiting doctors. Women especially would rather suffer and sacrifice in silence whatever pain we feel in our bodies (or minds), rather than seek medical attention. Even in urban areas like Metro Manila, the unfortunate sectors in our society who are hard pressed to make ends meet, will only consult a doctor when they feel really sick and are unable to work. Or, their symptoms have become too obvious that their other family members practically force them to see a doctor. By then, it may be too late. Certainly, Filipinas in general are also too timid to consult with a doctor when it comes to our reproductive system. Unless pregnant, we don’t bother going to an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN). Which is clearly distressing, since a regular medical checkup such as a physical breast exam, mammogram or breast ultrasound, plus pap smear are so important in the early detection of cancer and other ailments afflicting the female body. A number of OB-GYNs I know recommend a checkup once girls become sexually active. Aside from a physical exam, general counseling may be provided by the OB-GYN to protect the girls from unwanted pregnancies, for one. The doctor can prescribe the birth control method appropriate to their age, physical condition, and, yes, even religious beliefs. (Back in the day, those of us who were of a liberal bent would rely on our friends or any available medical literature on what birth-control pill to take. And I must admit, the only time I began consulting an OB-GYN was when I felt an excruciating pain in

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pay attention to how you look and present yourself to others. An offer will have more benefits than you anticipate, and your negotiation skills will help you get what you want. Don’t be shy; take charge. Celebrate with someone you love. HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Let your work speak for you. Putting pressure on someone who isn’t going to budge is a waste of time. Focus on your accomplishments and presenting what you have to offer with enthusiasm and facts to ensure success. Don’t spend unnecessarily. HHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take care of business, and show everyone your skills, intelligence and capability. Refuse to let anyone put you down or steal your thunder. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll make an exciting connection with someone who has the potential to influence your future. HHH

my side, which caused me to blackout. I was in my early 30s then and it turned out I had a misbehaving ovarian cyst and endometriosis that caused me debilitating periods. By the way, that’s another reason women need to visit an OB-GYN regularly— wrenching pain in the puson during one’s time of the month is not “normal”, as we have been led to believe.) Yes, a trip to the OB-GYN can be unpleasant. I often devote a day for such a visit, then pig out on a tasty meal as a “reward” afterwards. It is not just physically distressing but can be mentally taxing as well, since it is coupled by some irrational fear the doctor might find a problem with our girl parts. (Think of your exhausting Zoom meetings, and multiply that by 30.) For the initial exam, the doctor will first try feel any possible hardening of your breast tissue or some unexplained mass. Then you’re off for an ultrasound or mammogram, or both, depending on your OBGYN’s preference. Every time I have a mammogram, I have to go into a semi-meditative zone and steel myself to focus on one singular idea—the procedure is necessary and may save my life. The monstrous machine will squeeze the breast to flatten it somewhat, and because it is in an unnatural shape, it will hurt. Fortunately it lasts just about three

to five minutes, depending how quick the technician is with her fingers on the controls. The ultrasound is less of a bother—all you have to do is lie down on an exam table, then the technician will use the wand to get images of your breast. Your doctor will recommend an ultrasound when the mammogram doesn’t show up the mass or hardening she may have detected in your physical breast exam. Since you’re already at your OB-GYN for a breast exam, get a pap smear as well. That too, can be a terribly upsetting procedure. A woman will open her legs wide, put them in stirrups, while the doctor inserts a cold, steel speculum to slightly widen the patient’s vagina. This helps the doctor peer into a woman’s internal reproductive organs, like the uterus and ovaries. Afterwards, the OB-GYN will insert two fingers— gloved and smeared with a lubricating gel—in the patient’s vagina, and with her other hand press on the patient’s abdomen, checking for growths or some tenderness. After this, she will insert a swab to get tissue samples from the woman’s cervix, again to check for any changes.

Continued on B5

Eating right made easy, healthy and tasty NEVER before have we been more focused on our health, and that includes being mindful of what we eat. Good thing is eating healthier doesn’t have to be difficult, boring, or tasteless. Maya is giving breakfasts and baked treats a healthier twist with the

Maya ThinkHeart line is the tasty and easy way to be healthy, with the goodness of oats, whole wheat, and muscovado sugar. Enjoy the nutritious and delicious benefits of the Maya ThinkHeart line with these offerings: the all-new Maya ThinkHeart Oatmeal Pancake Mix and the tried-and-tested Maya ThinkHeart Whole Wheat Pancake Mix and Maya ThinkHeart Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Mix. The newest Maya ThinkHeart Oatmeal Pancake Mix combines the beloved flavor of the classic Maya hotcake mixes with all the benefits of another breakfast favorite: oats. These oatmeal pancakes may have the same Maya hotcake taste the entire family enjoys, but they’re now thicker and chewier because they contain real oats. Oats are among the most nutrient-dense food in the planet, loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients that can improve health. They are a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, and they also contain more protein and fat than

most grains. Oats can also help in the improve heart health by lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels in the body. Longtime favorites Maya ThinkHeart Whole Wheat Pancake Mix and Maya ThinkHeart Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Mix, moreover, contain whole wheat flour that’s an excellent source of some B-vitamins, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, and zinc. It can also prevent lower blood cholesterol and reduce weight because of its high dietary fiber content. Food made from whole wheat ingredients also have lower glycemic index than the usual counterparts, which can prevent blood sugar spikes and keep one satisfied for longer. To make Maya ThinkHeart Whole Wheat Pancake Mix even healthier, this mix also has muscovado sugar which is said to be the purest form of sugar. It contains antioxidants, minerals, proteins and vitamins which all play a role in decreasing risk of certain diseases and contribute to other health goals.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take your time, observe what others do and say, and make adjustments that will help you reach your objective. Let your creative imagination lead the way, and you’ll discover what brings you joy. Avoid unnecessary expenses and joint ventures. HHHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Concentrate on what matters to you. Don’t let the changes someone makes interfere with your train of thought or what you are pursuing. How well you perform and what you produce will be what count. HH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Expand your mind. Sign up for seminars, networking events, online presentations or anything else that will connect you to people you can learn from or count on for insight and knowledge. Keep up with technology and changes in your line of work. HHHHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Verify and disclose important information. Knowledge is power, and the more you know and understand what’s going on, the easier it will be to get others to see things your way. Set a budget, and say no to temptation. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): An unexpected change will take you by surprise. It’s better to be part of the solution than left behind. Listen carefully, and make valid suggestions. You’ll gain the confidence and respect of others. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Say no to temptation and risky offers. Sage advice will come from someone who has known you a long time. You’ll come up with a plan that can help boost your income or inspire better money management. Romance is encouraged. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Spend more time at home nurturing relationships and making positive changes that will make your life easier. Be innovative, put a budget in place and gather input from loved ones. Everything will go according to plan. Protect against illness and injury. HHHHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Refuse to let an emotional incident slow you down or ruin your plans. Dedicate your time and money to something that will satisfy you and make a difference. A kind of romantic gesture will ward off any opposition. HH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Examine the way you earn or handle your money, and you’ll come up with a plan that will help you save. Be careful how you treat others; a politically incorrect gesture will cause trouble that can affect your future. HHHH Birthday Baby: You are outgoing, imaginative and persuasive. You are generous and stylish.

‘you can say that again!’ by victor fleming The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Numbered composition 5 Auto pioneer whose name precedes “mobile” 9 Parts of pressure gauges 14 ___ in the shuffle 15 Something really funny 16 Turn out to be 17 On top of that 18 Popular float base 19 Red Sox Hall of Famer Martinez 20 Retired actor? 23 Positive aspect 24 Declare to be true 25 Laid eyes on 28 Animals sacred to Hindus 30 “Zinc” or “nitrous” follower 31 Chicken curry go-with 32 Tea made with cardamom 36 Many chicks and calves? 39 Filmmaking brother Joel or Ethan 40 Feels remorse for 41 “___ it!” (“Get moving!”) 42 Sardine holders

3 Doogie played by Neil Patrick Harris 4 44 Shortened facial hair? 48 Scores and scores 49 Kindhearted mixologist? 55 Irate 56 Letters meaning “Immediately!” 57 Icicle formation site 58 Hide the gray, perhaps 59 Celeb’s ride 60 Help for a short climb 61 Krispy ___ 62 Oklahoma-to-Arkansas direction 63 Sunbathes DOWN 1 Minnesota’s St. ___ College 2 Type of pony or shirt 3 Moscow’s country, once: Abbr. 4 Entered loudly 5 “Aw, fudge!” 6 Repeats, like an animated GIF 7 Fruit cup brand 8 Walk of Fame symbol 9 Storehouses 10 Nonreactive

1 Social media request 1 12 Bait and tackle shop array 13 Cricket or curling 21 Queen Bees actress Burstyn 22 Many are spotted in forests 25 Pear suitable for baking 26 Trade event 27 New employee 28 Places to order lattes 29 Uncouth ones 31 Either word in the clue “Sentence component” 32 Lookout perch on a ship 33 Joints in a Shakira title 34 Poker pot contribution 35 Composer Stravinsky 37 Pam of Bless This Mess 38 It can ring or ding 42 “___ all the same” 43 Chinese dish cooked in simmering broth 44 Pile of firewood 45 Good guy’s voice in opera, often 46 One may be acute

7 Floppy disk replacement 4 48 Cable cars 50 Bundle of alfalfa 51 ___ Minor (Ankara’s region) 52 Digital mining material 53 Smooth and flat 54 Sales folks, for short

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, October 22, 2021

Paranoid, personal view: Disaster films and realities New GTV news magazine show launched GMA Public Affairs brings both “Serbisyong Totoo” and good vibes to viewers as it launches the fresh and fast-paced news magazine program Dapat Alam Mo!, airing weekdays at 5:30 pm on GTV. The show made its debut on October 18. The show is anchored by Emil Sumangil, Patricia Tumulak and Kim Atienza. One of GMA News’ most senior reporters, Emil brings with him two decades of broadcast journalism experience. He is considered a veteran of the police beat covering exclusive after exclusive of the biggest headlines of the day. As news anchor of Dapat Alam Mo!, Emil not only delivers the news of the day but also extends “Serbisyong Totoo” to viewers in need of help. “Ever since I started in the industry, nais ko nang ipadama sa taumbayan na ang paghahatid ng balita ay hindi lang para sa impormasyon, kundi para maghatid din ng serbisyo publiko,” said Emil. “Dito sa programang Dapat Alam Mo!, naglaan kami ng oras para tugunan ang mga hinaing na ’yan ng ating mga kababayan.” Emil calls the attention of authorities and concerned groups to resolve concerns raised by viewers. And during calamities, he leads the show in coordinating with government and private groups for rescue and relief operations. Meanwhile, already a familiar face on television, Patricia embraces a new chapter in her career as one of Dapat Alam Mo! hosts. She gives viewers light, feelgood features that are sure to inspire and entertain. Patricia reveals she was elated when she found out about her latest show. “As soon as I got the call, I cried a bucket of tears. I went straight to my parents and told them the great news. Words cannot express how grateful I am for the opportunity!” For her, Dapat Alam Mo! is an answered prayer. “It’s always been my dream to become an anchor for GMA News and Public Affairs. This is what I’ve prayed for, envisioned, and dreamed about. I am beyond blessed,” shared Patricia, who has also appeared in other GMA shows, such as 24 Oras, Wowowin, Magkaagaw, Super Ma’am, and Contessa. Completing the fresh team-up of Dapat Alam Mo! is versatile host, triathlete, and wellness and biodiversity advocate Kim Atienza. In the show, he shares various trivia and knowledge to viewers. Kim sees the show as something he can really enjoy. “I look forward to years and years of fun and purpose and public service. This is not work—I can see that it will be so much fun,” he said, adding that he looks forward to spending every day with Emil and Patricia. “There’s also so much to learn from them. It’s the first time that I’m working with Emil and Patricia, and I can see that they are very skilled at their work as well. So we will all grow together,” he said, adding that Dapat Alam Mo! is a show he thinks viewers will enjoy watching everyday. “I’m really excited for it because the format is something else,” he ended. Viewers abroad can also watch the show on GMA Pinoy TV. More information can be found at www. gmanetwork.com.

The pink spotlight Continued from B4 The entire visit will probably take an hour or three, if you include the waiting time for the doctor or the medical procedures, but, yes, it will always leave an indelible mark on one’s emotional and mental state. Still, this should not scare you, ladies, from getting a checkup. When you get a clean bill of health from your OB-GYN, it will be cause for an immense joyful celebration. And if she does find a problem, then it’s better to know what we are dealing with and take the necessary steps to beat it. Thinking pink is not just about raising awareness about breast cancer. It is also about protesting against poor health, medical misinformation, and dismantling the same old structures that keep women “in their place,” unable to access adequate health care. Every day should be a pink day. n

HIS must be what I must call an immersive review. For the past three days, since Thursday, October 14, 2021, Naga City where I now live has been experiencing earthquakes. Bikolanos are not used to earthquakes; we are more typhoon people. We know the differences between a depression of the climatological kind and a typhoon; we are conversant about areas of responsibilities. But we are no experts about earthquakes. There could be exceptions and this would be those inhabiting the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon, they with the two most active volcanoes: Mayon and Bulusan. It was thus the beginning of sleepless nights when a strong earthquake jolted us at about past 10 of that Thursday, which was followed by more quakes at past one in the morning. All in all, people counted some nine quakes and online reports yielded 11. The next night could have been a relief from the stresses of Friday until more quakes hit the same areas, with the epicenter being placed in a quiet town only a few kilometers from the city. Out in the streets, people in my neighborhood were looking at each other even as a succession of jolts continued beneath us. We would learn that the depth of some of the quakes were only some 5 to 7 kilometers. What must be happening under this ground on which our homes rest? I could imagine rocks and boulders rolling past ancient stones. Is there an instrument available that could peer through the soil and show us, CT-scanned, the turmoil below? I must be watching too many bad films, I told myself. Then, it came, this realization...oh, let us use the apt word, epiphany! That when it comes to imagining how the fury of nature—be it a tidal wave, a volcanic eruption, or an earthquake—my reference (and I believe yours too) is always cinema. This is especially true with earthquakes. Television and documentarians have fully recorded all kinds of perfect storms already but we are wanting when it comes to fully documenting tremors and where they originate. On the third day of quakes, I began to turn to film. An older movie, the one that became part of the socalled disaster film genre, came to mind: Earthquake. At the core of this film is the story of a couple working on their disastrous marriage. There are other characters in the film, regular people going about

their ways, and this creates the suspense of the plot. Human beings are concerned with human concerns and only us in the audience know that something terrible is about to happen already. As with films belonging to this genre, a load of stars, ancient and new, is conscripted to fill the narrative. So there on the silver screen are giants of Hollywood: Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, Walter Matthau, George Kennedy, Genevieve Bujold (her appearance as title character Anne of the Thousand Days still clear in the minds of admirers). Earthquake would become a big hit, but it would only place second in box-office receipts to the top disaster film of the year, The Towering Inferno. The Golden Globe, however, would give Earthquake two nominations: Best Motion Picture (Drama) and Best Original Score (John Williams). It would also gain four Oscar nominations for Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Sound. It would eventually win for Best Sound: Earthquake introduced “Sensurround,” a kind of special sound effect where the rumblings onscreen were transferred to the theater chairs, creating vibrations that felt like tremors. The film would be given also a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects. Earthquake is directed and produced by Mark Robson with a screenplay by George Fox and Mario Puzo. A different kind of disaster drama was released in 1997: Volcano while volcanic activities make up the crucial elements in this film, it has its share of earthquakes. This brings me to this extremely personal ruminations of mine: are volcanoes the

Queen accepts medical advice to rest, cancels Northern Ireland trip LONDON—Queen Elizabeth II has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for a few days and has canceled a trip to Northern Ireland, Buckingham Palace said on Wednesday. The palace didn’t offer specifics on the decision, but says the 95-year-old monarch is “in good spirits,’’ and disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland for engagements Wednesday and Thursday. “The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future,’’ the palace said. She is resting at Windsor Castle, where she has stayed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last year. The decision to cancel the trip was understood to not be Covid-related. The decision comes just days after Elizabeth was seen using a walking stick at a major public event when attending a Westminster Abbey service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion, an armed forces charity. She had previously been photographed using a cane in 2003, but that was after she underwent knee surgery. Britain’s longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch, Elizabeth is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee—70 years on the throne—next year. The queen, who was widowed this year when Prince Philip died at age 99 in April, still keeps a busy schedule of royal duties. On Tuesday, she held audiences with diplomats and hosted a reception at Windsor Castle for global business leaders. Despite her great age, the monarch has politely declined the honor of being named “Oldie of the Year” by a British magazine. The Oldie magazine on Tuesday

published the queen’s response to its suggestion that she follow in the footsteps of former recipients, such as actor Olivia de Havilland and artist David Hockney. “Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such The Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept, and hopes you will find a more worthy recipient,” said a letter from her assistant private secretary, Tom Laing-Baker. He ended the letter “with Her Majesty’s warmest best wishes.” AP

cause of the numerous quakes felt in my city and in various parts of the region? Believe me, this is a serious question. Each time I checked the Internet about the quake I had just felt, the online notices would always have a line indicating how far or near the epicenter was to a volcano. Now, here is the fact: Bikol has a volcano in every province, with Albay having two to its natural credit! In Volcano, the story begins with an earthquake. The top officer of the city of Los Angeles’s Office of Emergency Management decides to go to work even though he is on vacation. Very ideal; this means the film is not realistic. In real life, no disaster officer would really care that much. Anyway, I am digressing. Against another city official, the man tasked with emergencies and his assistant check the subways of the city and there discover gases spewing out. A geologist says there is a volcano underneath Los Angeles. Is there a volcano under my city? They discover a lava flow beneath the metropolis. The next scene involves people trying to find channel for the lava so that it would not engulf neighborhoods and harm the greater population. As with any disaster film, the villain is in the form of a city or town official who refuses to investigate, and the heroes are many— policemen and brave souls willing to sacrifice for the city. Again, this is ideal; in real life, city officials never sacrifice their lives for the people. The catastrophes in disaster films are beyond anyone’s imagination. That means only films can capture these horrific scenes and make them even more realistic. Hey, there is a quake again. 11:30 pm. October 18, 2021. Another sleepless night? n

CNN’s John King says he has MS, grateful for vaccinations NEW YORK CNN’s John King revealed during an on-air discussion of Covid-19 vaccine mandates on Tuesday that he has multiple sclerosis. “I’m going to share a secret I’ve never spoken before,” King said while leading a panel discussion on his Inside Politics show. “I’m immunocompromised. I have multiple sclerosis [MS]. So, I’m grateful you’re all vaccinated.” King and his guests were talking about mandates in the context of the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died Monday of Covid complications despite being vaccinated because he had cancer that compromised his immune system. CNN mandates that all of its employees who come to work in an office or are out in the field with other people be vaccinated, and fired three employees this summer when they came to work unvaccinated. King, 58, said his 10-year-old son can’t be vaccinated yet, and he’s concerned about bringing the virus home to him. “I don’t like the government telling me what to do,” King said. “I don’t like my boss telling me what to do. In this case, it’s important.” King has worked as a political reporter, White House correspondent and national correspondent for CNN after joining the network from The Associated Press in 1997. AP

B6 Friday, October 22, 2021

Protect the unvaccinated, make inoculation mandatory in high-risk, laborintensive businesses

BBDO Guerrero wins Grand Prix at Kinsale Shark Awards 2021

BDO Guerrero won the Grand Prix for Design (Packaging) with The Dissolving Bottle at the Kinsale Shark Awards 2021, making it the first ever Philippine-based entry to ever win a Grand Prix. The Kinsale Shark Awards is an annual Ireland-based festival that rewards creative thinking and outstanding work in the field of advertising, digital, design, short films, and music videos. The intitiave features a clever redesign of the shampoo bar into the shape of a shampoo

bottle, differentiating it from soap bars that look the same. The campaign aims to reduce ocean pollution and promote more sustainable practices with a 100% plastic-free product. The shampoo bars are handmade by local artisans through a 3D mold and were distributed to hotels to raise awareness for environmental sustainability. This year, the Jury Presidents for the design category were Simon Elliott and Garry Blackburn - creative partners and owners

of Rose Design, a multi-award- winning design consultancy based in London. The campaign also won a Gold for Design and Packaging at the recently announced Cresta Awards 2021, a global awards show that recognizes creativity that generates positive impact. BBDO Guerrero was also named as one of the Top 50 Global creative agencies by Cresta, making it the only Philippinebased agency to make it on the list. The Dissolving Bottle also brought home the Silver award for the “Most Beautiful Solution” from BEYONDPLASTIC, a platform that recognizes eco-friendly initiatives that champion eco-responsibility. David Guerrero, BBDO Guerrero’s Creative Chairman, says: “It’s the first time we entered the legendary Kinsale shark awards so we are delighted and honored to receive a Grand Prix. It must be the luck of the… Filipinos.” The Dissolving Bottle has earned its fair share of accolades across the globe. The campaign received a Bronze Lion at the Cannes Lion 2021 aw ards show, a Bronze Pencil for packaging at The One Show Creative Week 2021, and 5 silver stars and 1 crystal star at the AdStars awards 2021.

RESIDENTIAL Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion reiterated his call that employees of high-risk, laborintensive business establishments should be fully vaccinated to prevent the unvaccinated from getting severe infection from COVID 19. “Now that only fully vaccinated can enter establishments like salons and restaurants, it is only ideal that workers and employees should be required to be vaccinated. Additionally, employees who work in laborintensive industries such as manufacturing plants, BPOs, POGOs, factories must require vaccination to protect unvaccinated employees to be at risk,” Concepcion said. “I hope that soon enough, as vaccine supply stabilizes, DOLE can look into making vaccination mandatory in these high-risk industries,” he said. He added that employers should not use the vaccination status of their workers against COVID-19 as basis for not getting their salaries. PA Concepcion issued the pronouncement after the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) revealed that some employers withhold the salaries of their workers because they are unvaccinated. “Employers should not use vaccination status as qualifier whether the employee will get his or her salary. All employees should be paid for their work and service. No ifs and buts,” he added. The Go Negosyo founder also called on employers and companies to help their

unvaccinated employees to get inoculated against the virus by referring them to the local government units (LGU) where they are located or providing private sector procured vaccines. He also noted that vaccine acceptance among Go Negosyo partner companies is very high. Through Go Negosyo’s “A Dose of Hope” program, Concepcion has embarked on a mission to have workers in the private sector inoculated against COVID-19. Through the initiative, some 3.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines have already been brought to the country for the vaccination of workers that would help pave way for the full reopening of the economy. “Having all of our workers vaccinated against COVID-19 will also contribute to the safe reopening of our economy that we are all hoping for in the last quarter of the year,” Concepcion said. More than 1,000 business owners and franchisees have expressed support for Concepcion’s suggestion, calling on the government to explore the possibility of providing incentives, including easing of guidelines, to fully vaccinated people.

Metrobank hailed the strongest bank in the Philippines

HE Asian Banker recently recognized the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) as the Strongest Bank in the Philippines in 2021. The award is part of The Asian Banker’s pioneering and most credible annual ranking analysis of all major banks in the Asia Pacific Region based on their strongest balance sheet performance. Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee attributes the award to the customers, “On behalf of all Metrobankers, especially those who are at the frontlines, ensuring that the flow of financial activity remains uninterrupted at the height of a global pandemic, we would like to thank our valued clients for their trust and confidence throughout our almost six decades of service. It is because of their continued support, that we have been ranked as the Strongest Bank in the Philippines by The Asian Banker.” The Asian Banker Strongest Banks ranking is based on six key areas of balance sheet performance: scalability, balance sheet growth, risk profile, profitability, asset quality, and liquidity. While Metrobank

performed well across these metrics, the Bank was recognized for its exceptional asset quality and liquidity amidst the pandemic as the key factors for its bolstered financial strength. “Compared to its peers in the Philippines, the winning bank showed stronger performance in capitalization and liquidity. Its capital adequacy ratio improved further from 17.5% in 2019 to 20.2% in 2020, while its liquid assets to total deposits and borrowings ratio rose to 54.5% from 31.5%,” The Asian Banker affirmed. “In addition, its loan loss reserves to non-performing loans ratio was the highest among its peers in the country, and it also had the second lowest gross NPL ratio, at 2.4%”, the premier financial publication added. “We are particularly proud of this recognition, as the assessment covered not only the quality of our balance sheet and

our competitive profile but perhaps more importantly, we were recognized for our commitment of keeping our customers and our people in good hands,” Dee pointed out. Metrobank was also recently recognized as the Best Domestic Bank in the Philippines at the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 2021, citing the bank’s “sheer resilience during tough times” as its defining trait. Dee stressed Metrobank’s emphasis on maintaining a “Fortress Balance Sheet”, which is structured to support the Bank’s business goals, maximize financial performance, and provide asset safety to its clients, regardless of any economic turbulence. “We are strong and resilient because we are proactive,” Dee said. “We knew we had to be prudent and practical during these uncertain times, so we took steps to ensure strong capital levels and to keep a healthy balance sheet with best-in-class asset quality,” he concluded.

Asia Diversity Forum 2021 highlights equity, inclusion

HE Asia CEO Forum Asia Diversity Forum 2021 recently featured industry experts and leaders to highlight the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Sitel Group®, one of the largest global providers of customer experience (CX) products and solutions, joined and shared the steps the company has taken to strengthen their Diversity and Inclusion roadmap for over 160,000 employees globally. “We pride ourselves on our values of Be Bold, Build Trust, Work Together and Wow Customers,” shared Erin Wallace, Sr. Director, DE&I, Americas. “And when we discuss diversity and inclusion, we need to include our company values in the discussion because these values capture who we are and what we want our culture to be. They drive us in creating our diversity and inclusion programs based on what we care about most.” Diversity and Inclusion are not just buzzwords but are connected and integrated into the company’s growing business. Through the various D&I initiatives, Sitel nurtures a welcoming and inclusive workplace enabling their people to create and deliver unique experiences where everyone’s voice is heard and acknowledged. The company launched MyID or My Inclusion and Diversity community to celebrate each unique voice and

GLOBAL BPO underscores the importance of encouraging authenticity and accountability at the core of their D&I efforts Erin Wallace, Sr. Director, DE&I, Americas, Sitel Group joins Asia CEO Forum Chairman Richard Mills to discuss diversity and inclusion in the workplace. experience. MyID includes various programs and employee resource groups for women, LGBTQ+, and persons with disabilities. The group has a wide variety of cultures, ethnicities and religions. Everyone has an integral role in driving diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Sitel understands that investing in equity is important as the best solutions are generated through collaboration with people who think differently and represent diverse opinions and experiences. This is why fostering inclusion is not just an employee engagement program. It is also an important aspect of growing the business, driving market growth, fueling innovation, attracting and retaining talent and improving communities. To ensure they meet their D&I goals, the BPO has broken the strategy down into three categories: Organizational Culture, Reinforcing Infrastructure and Creating Personal Accountability. A Diversity Council comprised of leaders was created to oversee D&I goals and create accountability. While

Human Resources is the culture architect or the program, all levels of operations have a stake in the D&I strategy. “Enhancing our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion is critical to our personal development as well as our future growth,” Wallace concluded. “It allows us to bring our best work to drive innovation, which in turn helps us better serve our customers. At the end of the day, it’s all about belonging. This is the key and endgame to D&I for Sitel. We want our associates to bring their authentic selves to work every day. This allows them to succeed and grow.” The Asia CEO Forum is the largest regular business event organization in the Philippines highlighting business leaders and in Asia Pacific. They regularly organize events such as the Asia Diversity Forum 2021 to promote the Philippines as a premier business destination to global decision makers by highlighting the business innovations and achievements in the region.

NET25 AIRS 'ANO SA PALAGAY 'NYO?' COMMENTARY SHOW EVERY MORNING. There‘s a new TV-radio experience from NET25 strating October 18 at 8:00 am. Veteran radio personality Ali Sotto is joined by Pat-P Daza to answer this question, Ano Sa Palagay ‘Nyo? Morning radio commentaries usually have men as broadcasters. Now comes two strong and pretty 'nanay na may say' when it comes to important issues in the community and the country as a whole. “Maiparamdam natin na first and foremost, Pilipino tayo,” Ali said. “I want to take it to a softer point of view. Maraming isyu na hindi natin pwedeng palampasin. We have to know what's happening para at least meron tayong kaalaman kung paano natin pwedeng labanan ang mga nangyayari,” Pat-P. added. Watch Ano Sa Palagay ‘Nyo? Monday to Friday, 8:00-10:00 am, at NET25 TV, Youtube channel and Facebook page; Radyo Agila 1062 Khz at Eagle FM 95.5. Commentaries are encouraged at NET25 Official Facebook page and Youtube channel, Twitter account @net25tv. Subscribe to NET25 Telegram channel for updates at t.me/ net25eaglebroadcasting. Or visit the official website: net25.com.

PLDT Group continues to embed sustainability

N 2020, the Philippines’ largest integrated telco reinforced vendor commitments to environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies by incorporating Sustainability Guidelines in its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which embodies the requirements for vendor qualification and renewal. The Code is reinforced by a Supplier-Contractor Relations Policy that promotes equal opportunity for, and honest treatment of all partners. In addition, it requires the vendor’s conforme and commitment to Sustainability Principles for Suppliers. “We aspire to maintain relationships with like-minded partners that uphold our core values of fairness, accountability, integrity, and transparency in their businesses. In addition, given the importance of sustainability not only to our business but society at large, we are using our voice to influence our stakeholders, including our supply chain partners, to share the responsibility of being stewards of this planet for the next generation,” says Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and Chief Executive Officer of PLDT and Smart.

Supplier-Contractor Relations Policy

AS a Philippine company listed in both the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: TEL) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI), PLDT abides by applicable laws and regulations, including the Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) Act and those on anti-corruption. This commitment has been communicated to, and has been affirmed by, 100% of PLDT’s and Smart’s business partners. “We are committed to pursuing sustainability in all facets of our business operations. We recognize that to effectively

manage our ESG impact, we must ensure that our suppliers are doing the same,” says Os Dela Paz, Chief Procurement Officer for PLDT and Smart.

Globally-recognized framework

ALSO in 2020, PLDT released its Child Safeguarding Policy which enjoins stakeholders to uphold the welfare of children in their operations, products, and programs. Already integrated into a significant number of supply chain contracts, PLDT’s Child Safeguarding Policy is part of the company's commitment to UNICEF’s Children's Rights and Business Principles framework. Mobile subsidiary Smart similarly requires its vendors and business partners to support Smart’s Code of Business Ethics, including the Sustainability Guidelines, its Child Safeguarding Policy, and other policies that uphold sustainability principles.

UN commitment

THE Group’s sustainability provisions for partners are aligned with its commitment to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. PLDT and Smart are the only Philippine telco UNGC Participants -- a tier higher than Signatories limited to local engagement--committed to integrate the organization’s Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. For more information, email sustainability@ pldt.com.ph.

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

6th AIMAG moved to November 2023

Sports BusinessMirror

Friday, October 22, 2021 B7

National swim trials on at NCC

TNT’S Mikey Williams leaves Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon behind.

HE Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) confirmed on Wednesday the new dates for the postponed sixth edition of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Thailand from November 17 to 26 in 2023. This was confirmed by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who earlier urged the House of Representatives and Senate to include the AIMAG as one of the budget priorities for 2022. The AIMAG were originally scheduled for March 10 to 19, 2022, but the Thailand’s government and its national Olympic committee (NOC) sought for the postponement because of Covid-19 pandemic concerns. “The OCA fully understands and respects the decision of the NOC of Thailand, Thailand AIMAG Organizing Committee and the Royal Thai government to postpone [the Games]…due to the Covid-19 global pandemic,” OCA acting president Raja Randhir Singh said in his letter to Thai NOC president Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon. The AIMAG are staged every four years and for the sixth edition, the games will be hosted by Bangkok and Chonburi. “The postponement would allow our athletes to be better prepared for the AIMAG, which ranks as one of the most important multi-sport competitions in the continent,” said Tolentino, who earler egged a 160-athlete delegation to the AIMAG who will compete in 21 of the 31 sports programmed by the Thai organizers.

Rondina focused on beach volley meet in Santa Ana

MOMENTUM ON TNT SIDE A

By Josef Ramos

ROUT in Game One two nights ago gave TNT Tropang Giga the momentum in the bestof-seven Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Finals. But Chot Reyes disagreed that their 88-70 victory will catapult them to the title that he last won when he last coached the TNT franchise nine years ago. “Our only concern now is how to get better each game, we wanted to be better in the Finals than we were in the semifinals,” Reyes said. “If we just put in the same game as what we did in the semifinals, then we’ll be in trouble.” Reyes steered the franchise to the

LAYING in a bubble environment is nothing new for Creamline beach volleyball ace Sisi Rondina. “It’s about familiarity playing in a bubble, without audience,” said Rondina, who will paired with long-time partner Bernadeth Pons at Creamline 1 in the Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour’s first of two legs in Santa Ana, Cagayan, on Friday. “It’s about staying focused on our goal,” she said. Rondina and Pons donned the country’s colors at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Continental Cup, a qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics last June in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. The BVR on Tour is part of Rondina and Pons’s preparations, along with the other national team members, for the Asian Seniors Beach Volleyball Championship set from November 23 to 27 in Phuket, Thailand. Rondina and Pons are among the 13 women’s pairs vying in the first leg tour which marks BVR’s return after a two-year hiatus. There are also 11 men’s squads in the event where matches start at 8 a.m. The second leg will be played on October 2831 at the same Santa Ana venue. “This tournament is all about another learning experience. We are happy that BVR is back,” said Rondina, who won the tour’s last leg in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, with Pons in September 2019. A bronze medalist in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and a three-time BVR champion, Rondina knows that being fan favorites with Pons will not result to another instant title. Also competing in the women’s division

Philippine Cup title in 2012 but was pulled out from the bench to tend to a higher mission of bringing the Philippines back to the basketball World Cup. He did in Spain 2014. But everything else, including the Game One mastery of the Hotshots, are thrown out the window in Game Two also set at 6 p.m. at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. “Same thing in Game Two…how can we be better than Game One,” he said. Rookie Mikey Williams continued to be a puzzle for every opponent he faces. He had 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against the Hotshots in Game One. “It’s definitely a confidence booster after an up and down performance in the semifinals with

are Creamline 2’s Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez, PLDT’s Ella and Nieza Viray, TM’s Mer Jauculan and Hannah Cabansay, Biogenic Alcohol’s Roma Joy Doromal and Heather Guino-o, ToyotaTuguegarao’s Nicole Tiamzon and Jho Maraguinot, Eastern Perlas Spikers’ Michelle Morente and Jules Samonte, Black Mamba Army 1’s Nene Bautista and Jeannie Delos Reyes, Black Mamba Army 2’s Jem Gutierrez and Audrey Paran, Good Health CDO’s Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor, Sta. Lucia 1’s Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontaño, Sta. Lucia 2’s Bang Pineda and Glaudine Troncoso and Delimondo’s MJ Ebro and Bianca Lizares. Seeing action in the men’s side are Creamline 1’s Jaron Requinton and Ranran Abdilla, Creamline 2’s Jude Garcia and Krung Arbasto, Creamline 3’s Pemie Bagalay and Jeffer Guerrero, PLDT’s Rancel Varga and Efraem Dimaculangan, Tuguegarao’s AJ Pareja and James Pecaña, EVI Construction’s KR Guzman and Jeremiah Barrica, Army-FSD Makati 1’s Randy Fallorina and Jason Uy, ArmyFSD Makati 2’s Joel Villonson and Joshua Barrica, DeliRush 1’s Evan Laraya and Julius Sioson, DeliRush 2’s Joven Camaganakan and Rhenze Hu and Negros Occidental Beach Volleyball Club’s Deanne Neil de Pedro and Eljhay Ronquillo. The BVR on Tour Santa Ana is supported by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and streamed live on the Puso Pilipinas and Smart Sports Facebook pages and YouTube channels.

Ramos, who is currently playing in the Japan B.League, shared how basketball brought a sense of purpose and happiness in his life. “Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve loved the game. It made me a better person. Before training and competitions, I like to think of my family, I’d like to think of the reasons why I made these sacrifices in the first place,” Ramos said. “My advice for those who want to be a professional athlete: always believe in yourself. There’s going to be a lot of ups and downs along the way. Believe in yourself, believe in your abilities.” The project is the third series under the program, following the success of Better Today Conversations in 2020 and Better Today Time

Capsule Project 2021 with more than 186,000 record views collectively. Better Today is a collaborative initiative and platform that concretizes PLDT and Smart’s commitment to promoting wellness, safe spaces, and changemaking in the digital world. “We are proud to be driving inter-generational conversations on mental health awareness anchored on our advocacy on sports through the Power Move Project,” Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT and Smart President and CEO, said. “We Filipinos love sports so much that it has the power to bring us together as a nation. It gives us a deep sense of community, camaraderie, and pride.” We want to share a message anchored on a deep sense of

MVP Kelly Williams, is a doubtful starter for Game Two after experiencing back spasms in the third quarter and had to be taken to a nearby hospital. “Kelly [Williams] was released from the hospital but he still needs to see a specialist. He’s doubtful tomorrow,” TNT team manager Gabby Cui said. Ian Sangalang, Magnolia’s most consistent threat the entire conference, also felt pain in his back. “We will try to see tomorrow if his back is okay,” Victolero said of Sangalang, who’s been averaging 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds for the Hotshots. Paul Lee also played with a bad shoulder and was limited to 12 points and Calvin Abueva had 11 points and 11 rebounds in Game One.

YULO ON TARGET AT WORLDS

Athletes promote mental health with Smart on TikTok ILIPINO athletes are actively taking part in meaningful conversations on TikTok through the Better Today program powered by PLDT Inc., (PLDT), Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF). Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalist Nesthy Petecio, basketball stars Dwight Ramos and Kai Sotto, esports player Jhayzee Rivera and PLDT Home Fibr Hitters’ primary setter Rhea Dimaculangan headline Power Move: Better Today conversations on sports and mental resilience. The program aims to encourage Filipinos to engage in sports and to recognize the role of sports in building mental resilience.

San Miguel Beer, but basketball is a [team], I just have to help my team win,” Williams said. “Coach [Reyes] gave me the freedom to play my game. So to build and work, we have to continue. We are going to get better, play more solid as a team,” he added. Magnolia Coach Chito Victolero, meanwhile, said that they cannot allow another bad start in Game Two. “Bad start, bad game. We will try to fix that today,” Victolero said. “Today is another day for us, we will forget the game yesterday [Wednesday] and we will move forward together.” “We will go back to Magnolia basketball tomorrow,” he added. The intensity of the Finals has tolled on both sides this early. TNT’s other Williams, former

ARLOS YULO was in his elements on Wednesday night to advance to the medal round of the men’s floor exercise, parallel bars and vault at the 50th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at the General Gymnasium in Kitakyushu, Japan. The Tokyo Olympian Yulo looked en route to retaining the floor exercise gold medal he won in Stuttgart two years ago by tallying a front-running 15.166 points. Italy’s Nicola Bartoloni and Japanese Kazuki Minami ranked second and third, respectively, with similar 14.966 points. Yulo, 21, also led the parallel bars with 15.566 points, with Chinese Boheng Zhang (15.300) and Xuwei Hu (15.233) trailing at

TOTAL of 71 athletes led by national record holder in breaststroke Joy Rodgers and collegiate standouts will vie in the Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) National Selection Bubble starting on Friday at New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac. Chloe Daos, a three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines MVP out of Ateneo, and young upstarts Xiandi Chua and Camille Buico are also set to swim in the three-day tryouts where Rodgers is a favorite in the 50- and 100-meter events where she holds national records. UAAP Season 82 Men’s Swimming MVP Sacho Ilustre heads the men’s field that also includes up-and-coming Ianiko Limfilipino and Miguel Barreto. Ilustre will compete in four events, two of which are set on Saturday. The tryouts are the first PSI competitions since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. The event is sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de Natation or Fina, allowing the swimmers to gain ranking points and a chance to qualify to the World Swimming (25 meters) Championships in December and next year’s World Aquatics Championships. “We hope that the event can show to the youth that we can rise again and recover from this pandemic,” PSI president Lailani Velasco said. “We hope to encourage current swimmers to train even more to reach their dreams.” The event is backed by Philippine Sports Commission, Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Clark Development Corp.

second and third, respectively. He was third in the vault with 14.808 points behind joint leaders Nazar Chepurnyi (14.833) of Ukraine and Hakseon Yang (14.833) of South Korea. “I feel all of this competition will be revenge, all of it,” Yulo told the International Gymnastics Federation website on Wednesday. “This is like the Olympics. Every competition—big or small—I am going to treat like it’s the Olympics.” “I wanted to step up my game and I don’t want to make the same mistakes [again],” he said. Yulo was a favorite in Tokyo but found the glare of being an Olympic first-timer pressing down on his performance. He didn’t advance to the floor exercise medal round and missed the podium of the vault at fourth place. Josef Ramos

PSC to rehab Mindanao State U swimming pool in Marawi City CARLOS YULO tackles the parallel bars in Kitakyushu.

connection, and more importantly, a message of hope that you are not alone,” added Panlilio, also MVPSF president and first vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. The Power Move Project also encourages Filipinos to join the #BetterTodayAffirmations Challenge on TikTok. Beginning October 25, TikTok users can do their part in spreading mental health awareness with their family, friends, and followers on the social media platform. PLDT and Smart seek to uplift and improve the overall physical and mental wellness of Filipinos through initiatives that ensure food security, improve nutrition, and create awareness online. These initiatives emphasize the commitment of PLDT and Smart to the UN Sustainable Development Goals #3: Good Health and Well-Being.

HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will refurbish the Mindanao State University’s (MSU) swimming pool later this year as part of the national government rehabilitation program for Marawi City. PSC Engineer Eduardo Clariza and Architect Noel Elnar already conducted initial inspections and assessed the status of the swimming pool, which played host to several national University Athletic Association of the Philippines competitions in the 1980s and other regional meets. “The plan is to rehabilitate the facility to meet international standards,” Clariza said. “A covered pool is being designed in consideration of the environment and cultural sensitivity of Islamic practices.” PSC technical staff also inspected the new rubber surface of the MSU athletics oval which was also refurbished

with PSC support. MSU President Dr. Habib Macaayong thanked the PSC and the national government and the people of Lanao del Sur during a courtesy visit of the PSC delegation to his office. “We are forever grateful for this assistance from the PSC,” Macaayong said. “MSU expresses full support to the sports development programs of the PSC.” MSU is intended to be the “Center for Sports for Peace and Development” in Mindanao. PSC Consultant and MSU Prof. Henry Daut, together with University Engineer Presciosa Dimaporo, assisted the PSC team during their visit. MSU Marawi Campus conferred Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa to PSC Chairman William Ramirez for his contribution to the Mindanao Sports for Peace movement during the university’s celebration of its 60th founding anniversary last month.

B8 Friday, October 22, 2021

Motoring BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Isuzu wants you to ‘Take the Lead’ with the All-New mu-X A

Story by Randy S. Peregrino

FTER the successful launch of the allnew D-MAX, we knew that it was only a matter of time its all-new SUV sibling would come out.

Completely redesigned interior with more tech features.

Until recently, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) finally ended the long wait and brought in the All-New mu-X in the country. Now on its second generation, this new seven-seater SUV exudes quintessential luxury while retaining the brand’s heritage when it comes to reliability and power. We could not agree more. “With the introduction of the New Isuzu D-MAX early this year, much anticipation and excitement have been created for the mu-X, which has become one of the leading SUVs in the market, due to its versatility, durability, and overall reliability,” said IPC president, Hajime Koso. “Finally, the long wait is over; get ready to be impressed and moved with a mu-X that will give you confidence and pleasure to drive. A mu-X that we’ve never seen

IPC Executive vice president Shojiro Sakoda (left) and IPC president, Hajime Koso with the all-new mu-X 3.0 4x4 LS-E AT in new Marrakesh Brown.

before, one that will definitely push you further to ‘Take the Lead,’” he added.

Fresh design concepts

The first is “Robust.” It is a concept highly reminiscent of toughness. It also represents the brand’s identity comprising of innovation, performance, and safety. Nest is “Exclusive.” Unique to the full model-change mu-X, it symbolizes precision, excellent craftsmanship, and the pleasure of ownership. As for its latest styling, the combined “Emotional” and “Solid” impressions capture the delight of owning an SUV. With enhanced levels of comfort and luxury, the All-New Isuzu mu-X conveys a feeling of la dolce vita inside and out to keep drivers excited wheth-

er they are on or off the road. Notably, the new “World Cross Flow” front grille design showcases the brand’s identity transitioning to a progressive but sophisticated character. More evidently, the rear end’s fresh look and bolder tailgate.

Lush and convenient

Inside, it is all about sophistication and intelligent design. It now has that appeal to human response sensors with pleasurable space for both the driver and passengers. With the driver in mind, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector designs convey that relaxed feel. Even the telescopic adjusted helm’s diameter was reduced for better positioning and maneuverability. The inner door trims and the door and console armrests now have thick, soft materials and were re-shaped to maximize comfort. As for the driver’s instruments, the gauges now have crystal-like scales similar to elegant timepieces.

Creating more space

Structurally, the B-Pillars were adjusted forward by 25-mm for additional legroom and now have assist handles. Whereas the C-Pillars are made narrower, its rear quarter bottom glass edge is lowered so there is continuity of visibility, favoring a more excellent driver’s field of view. Second and third-row seats are now wider with

The new 4JJ3-TCX turbo engine.

increased cushions and thickness. Headrests are now larger and with higher height adjust levels while still allowing child seat mounting.

Superior performance and a top-notch safety

Motivation comes from the new 4JJ3TCX turbo engine with six-speed automatic transmission. Power rating is at 187 horsepower and 450 N-m of maximum torque. As for some specific variants, the proven reliable and efficient RZ4E-TC engine has improved with better exhaust emission, providing a quieter with minor vibration powertrain. Chassis now has more oversized side rails reinforced through an eight-Cross

Tremendous jump in vehicle sales recorded

RADITION seems to be on course as September sales data provide a rosy picture for the industry in the year just nearly two months away from bidding farewell. Fond or folly, it’d be a goodbye still worth treasuring—if only because the pandemic appears to be waning, by our experts’ estimation. In times of gloom, better to be an optimist than a pessimist. Positivity promotes good health, remember? Even better than a vitamin, if you ask me. As we all know, buyers binge as Christmas approaches—a familiar scene we see not just on home shores but on worldwide markets as well. People seem to always have that extra appetite to acquire the dream car for the first-time owner, purchase the long-admired variant in the showroom, or simply go for the latest model to buttress the garage’s dwindling array of collectibles. And so, if only to spur glad tidings in the

air, September sales improved by a whopping 35.6 percent from the August mark, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA). Vehicle sales last month reached 21,493 units, which is a tremendous jump from the 15,847 units recorded in August. This definitely put smiles on the lips of the industry captains long agonizing from unsteady and slow trend of sales rebound 19 months into the pandemic that struck in March 2020. The uphill trend that somehow put yearend sales targets suddenly achievable was immediately attributed to “the favorable development” of business climbing out of the rut as the virus infections continue to decline. “Amidst the challenges, the industry’s optimism still lingers for a better sales performance in the fourth quarter this year,” said

Member design for increased torsional rigidity and added protection against side/ rear collisions. Further, both front and back suspensions have been tuned to minimize body rolls when cornering. Standing at 1,822-mm and 2,855-mm long, it has reliable steel underbody protection and a wading depth of up to 800-mm.

Pricing and variant

The top-spec 3.0L 4x4 LS-E AT retails at P2.450 million, while the 3.0L 4x2 LS-E AT is at P2.1 million. The 3.0L 4x2 LS-A AT retails at P1.9 million, while the RZ4E 4x2 LS-A MT is at P1.77 million. As for the RZ4E 4x2 LS AT variant, it sells affordably at P1.590 million. Shipping and handling charges are not included (provincial dealers). Rommel Gutierrez, the lawyer-president of CAMPI. “This double-digit growth is crucial in attaining the industry’s sales target by yearend.” He said the breast-beating sales growth is driven by the overall improved consumer confidence, resulting from a more buoyant economic condition and an exacting household spending. Year-to-date, Gutierrez said the industry has sold 191,605 units, a whopping 29.5-percent increase compared with the same period last year. It can then be said with certainty that the hump-and-bump thud is gradually being hurdled so that there is now reason to rejoice in the run-up to the Yuletide season. We are, indeed, slowly getting there— thanks to the Filipino’s time-tested resilience.

PEE STOP Toyota led September sales by a wide margin of 9,929 over Mitsubishi with 2,918, followed by Ford 1,783, Suzuki 1,491, Nissan 1,437, Isuzu 1,335, Honda 1,024, Hyundai 812, Sojitz 540 and Kia 311…The All-New 2022 Chevy Trailblazer will be launched on October 24, says Rayner Ranin, the brand manager of Chevrolet PHL…”The PM2.5+ vehicle cabin air purifier that filters external and internal pollutants including Covid-19 is still available at P950 only, said Che Cabotaje of Honda PHL.”