BusinessMirror September 28, 2021 by BusinessMirror

PHL ODA loans for Covid hit $9.1B in ’20 By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Philippine government contracted $9.08 billion in Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans in 2020 for the government’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). In its 2020 ODA Portfolio Review, Neda said the government signed a total of 25 ODA loans for Covid-19 response. T his comprised 20 program loans amounting to $8.16 billion or 89.9 percent of the total, and five project loans worth $915 mil-

lion or 10.1 percent. Of the $9.08 billion, 64 percent or $5.82 billion was disbursed as of end-2020. On top of this, another $200 million was also disbursed from a program loan signed in 2019 to support Covid-19 response. Including the one signed in 2019, total ODA loans for the government’s pandemic response have reached $9.28 billion. Of these, $6.02 billion has been disbursed as of end-2020. The ODAs secured were used for the procurement and delivery of vaccines, support for emergency cash assistance program, provision of medical supplies and equip-

ment, construction of isolation and quarantine facilities, and capacity strengthening for existing health facilities. Neda said the country’s overall active total ODA portfolio has amounted to $30.69 billion as of end-2020, a 46.63-percent surge from $20.93 billion in 2019. Apar t f rom prog rams and projects for Cov id-19 response, the ODA portfolio size increased to suppor t inf rastr ucture development, gover nance and institutions development, socia l refor m and communit y development, food secur it y and env ironmental protection, and trade and investment.

Taking the bulk of the ODA portfolio are the 106 loans worth $29 billion; while 251 grants amounted to $1.69 billion. Among these, 59 loans and grants were signed in 2020, consisting of 20 program loans ($8.2 billion), 14 project loans ($2.9 billion), and 25 grants ($140 million). Various project implementation issues have also prompted agencies to seek restructuring of 26 projects in 2020, with another 21 projects likely to be restructured this year. The rest of the implementation issues would only require project-level and agency-specific interventions. See “PHL ODA,” A2

‘LOOSE MONETARY, FISCAL POLICY SPACE HAS LIMITS’

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 349

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 20 pages |

PHL banana exports dip 44% from Jan to July

By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

HE Philippines continues to have ample fiscal and monetary space to support economic recovery, but Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said this space for accommodative monetary policy is not “unlimited.”

Speaking at the 2021 BSP-Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee (RBWC) International Research Conference on Monday, Diokno said central banks, especially those from emerging market economies, must explore better ways to prepare against possible economic scars arising from lockdowns and other mobility restrictions to protect lives. “Unlike in past crises, we [the Philippines] enjoy both monetary policy and fiscal policy space needed to spur recovery from the Covid19-induced economic recession,” Diokno said. “In our case, while our monetary and fiscal space is ample, we are aware that our current policy space is not unlimited,” he added. T he BSP gover nor has been voca l in keeping t he monetar y polic y rate env ironment of the countr y at its most accommo d at ive to s up p or t e conom ic recover y. In 2020, the BSP moved to cut rates by a total of 200 basis points to bring the interest rate to an all-time low of 2 percent to support the economy. For this year, the BSP has so far kept this rate steady amid rising inflationary pressures and the impending US Federal Reserve monetary policy normalization.

‘Potential bubbles’

IN his speaking engagement on Monday, the governor said loose monetary policy, and accommodative macroprudential policy and regulation tend to “engender potential bubbles in markets that could lead to macrofinancial risks and instability.”

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

C-5 ROAD, a key transportation corridor in Metro Manila, traverses the cities of Taguig and Makati. The cave-like structure seen at left is the San Pedro Calungsod Chapel, located at the SM Aura Premier mall’s top level, in Taguig. Metro Manila may ease to a looser quarantine after the two-week pilot implementation of Alert Level 4 if Covid-19 indications continue to improve. NONIE REYES

BSP, PAYMENTS FIRMS SET DIGITALIZATION SCHEMES

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that it, along with the payments systems industry, is set to roll out an array of initiatives expected to further advance payments digitalization and financial inclusion in the country. These initiatives include the full launch of QR Ph for personto-merchant (P2M) payments, the higher frequency of PESONet settlements, advancements to debit and payment service facilities. The BSP said the full launch of the QR Ph for P2M payments is expected to be rolled out “in the coming days.” Quick Response or QR technology entails code scanning and benefits consumers through faster, easier, and cheaper payment options with greater convenience. “I am confident that this initiative will facilitate efficient

See “Loose monetary,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.4220

digital payments to unbanked micro-entrepreneurs such as sari-sari store owners and tricycle drivers,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said. The BSP and Philippine Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) are also collaborating on implementing the PESONet Multiple Batch Settlement (MBS) by year end. This means that from the current once a day, MBS will increase the frequency of PESONet settlements to two times a day. “This will speed up the payment process for high-value transfers and support funding requirements for businesses,” Diokno said. The interoperable bills payment facility is also on the works to enable billers to collect from their customer through digital means, even if the payment service providers of the billers

“I am confident that this initiative will facilitate efficient digital payments to unbanked microentrepreneurs such as sari-sari store owners and tricycle drivers.”

BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO

Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

are different from those of the customers. PPMI, likewise, is working on the onboarding of more PESONet participating banks and e-money issuers to the EGov Pay ecosystem, an e-payment facility for taxes, permits, fees and other government obligations. The BSP and the payments industry are also working on the

direct debit service initiative, which will enable the payer to send the payee an electronic authority to draw funds directly from the payer’s account on a regular basis. This is ideal for recurring payments such as monthly rentals, periodic loan amortizations, and quarterly insurance premiums. Bianca Cuaresma

HILIPPINE banana exports from January to July plunged by 44 percent to 1.376 million metric tons from 2.484 MMT recorded volume in the same period of last year, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed. PSA data showed the value of banana exports during the sevenmonth period declined by 40.5 percent to $625.747 million from last year’s $1.052 billion. Historical PSA data showed this is the lowest volume and value of banana exports recorded by the Philippines in a January-to-July period in the past five years. PSA data also showed the country’s banana exports in its four key markets (Japan, China, South Korea and Iran) declined year-on-year both in terms of value and volume of shipments during the reference period. The country’s banana exports to Japan, the top destination for Philippine bananas, declined by 39.5 percent to $261.616 million from $463.585 million while volume of shipments plunged by 45.32 percent to 508,890.569 MT from a year ago, based on PSA data. China imported 508,460.651 MT of bananas from the Philippines during the sevenmonth period, which was almost 30 percent lower than the 723,635.002 MT it bought a year ago. The value of Philippine banana exports to South Korea declined by 38.6 percent to $83.411 million from last year’s $135.921 million while volume of shipments fell by 44.37 percent to 165,552.779 MT. Philippine banana exports this year has been anemic due to erratic production caused by Panama disease, coupled with domestic logistical woes arising from Covid-19related restrictions worsened by global shipping problems.

Shrinking market share

ON top of these problems, the country is also losing market share in key Asian banana markets as well as prospective investments to Latin American producers, as earlier revealed by the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA). See “PHL banana,” A2

n JAPAN 0.4555 n UK 68.9269 n HK 6.4763 n CHINA 7.7970 n SINGAPORE 37.2558 n AUSTRALIA 36.6013 n EU 59.0996 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4441

Source: BSP (September 27, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, September 28, 2021

DepEd, DOH craft rules for pilot face-to-face classes

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco | Correspondent

HE Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday identified mechanisms to ensure safety of participating learners, teaching and nonteaching staff, and their families in the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in select low-risk areas.

At the virtual signing and press briefing on the DepEd-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) for the Pilot Implementation of Faceto-Face Learning Modality, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said DepEd has been “proactive” in planning for safe return to schools. “The operational guideline for the pilot run of face-to-face classes is a product of our collaboration with DOH, in consultation with various stakeholders, including child health experts,” Briones said. Their utmost priority is the health and safety of learners and teachers while ensuring that learning happens and learning gaps are addressed, she added. “This will only be applicable for the schools that passed the strict vetting process by DepEd and DOH, and have the support of their re-

spective local government units,” Briones said. She said DepEd’s duty “is to see to it to make sure that we secure the consent of the local government units where the pilot studies will be conducted.” Second, they must secure the parents’ written consent to the participation of their children in this pilot study. DepEd will ensure that classrooms and facilities used for the pilot study will conform to the standards and the risk assessments of DOH, according to Briones. “Finally, we are campaigning for the full cooperation of the public, especially those who render services to the schools like transportation, canteens, books, uniforms and all goods which are utilized in the education process,” Briones stressed. The pilot implementation will be done in a maximum of 120 schools

—95 elementary schools, 5 senior high schools that need workshops and laboratories, and 20 private schools will be part of the pilot studyacross the country, prioritizing Key Stage 1 learners (Kinder to Grade 3), after passing the School Readiness Assessment by DepEd and LGUs. DepEd and DOH crafted the operational guidelines on the pilot implementation of face-to-face learning. DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff of the Office of the Secretary Nepomuceno A. Malaluan said 638 schools are undergoing validation by the DOH in terms of health-risk assessment. Schools that will participate will be named once the list is released by DOH. Briones said the pilot will feature a combined implementation of face-to-face classes and distance learning.

Guidelines

THE DepEd and DOH said the guidelines for the pilot implementation sets standards on the readiness of schools for reopening. It implements the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate framework highlighting the importance of availability of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, proper ventilation in classrooms, ensuring that classroom layouts enable physical distancing between persons, prioritization

of students who will benefit most from limited face-to-face learning modality, management of foot traffic, and conduct of simulation activities prior to implementation of the pilot, among others. “We want to ensure that we provide safe learning spaces for children during this pandemic. The pilot run will be a shared responsibility among DOH, DepEd and local government units to ensure that mechanisms are in place from prevention of Covid-19 infection to reintegration of recovered patients,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said. DepEd also drafted a contingency plan with recommended actions for different scenarios. The scenarios range from where there is a suspected case presenting symptoms, to a scenario of a resurgence of Covid-19 cases in multiple barangays. This sets the policy on when schools should impose a lockdown. Besides the JMC, guidelines on the contingency plan in carrying out the pilot face-to-face classes will also be issued, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. “So we are now anticipating that if ever there would be infections, we would be able to manage because of the protocols that we are going to institute,” Vergeire said. Meanwhile, DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Anne Sevilla assured the public that D e p E d has funding cover and authorization to spend for prevention, protection and compliance with Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) protocols under limited pilot implementation.

Teachers vaxxed

THE two agencies also agreed that teachers joining the pilot implementation should be vaccinated against Covid-19. While vaccination is not mandatory, Duque stressed, classroom learning will be “limited to vaccinated teaching personnel.” “So as not to disenfranchise unvaccinated teachers, they may teach using distance or online modules. This also presents options for parents who are still hesitant to send their children to school,” Duque said.

PHL banana… Continued from A1

The PBGEA said in July that the total value of country’s banana exports this year could show nearflattish growth from last year’s $1.644-billion level since there is no “new big expansion” in the domestic banana industry. The BusinessMirror earlier reported that the government must shell out at least P4.088 billion over the next four years to bankroll interventions to increase local banana production and maintain the Philippines’s status as one of the leading banana growers in the world. Based on the initial draft of a new road map for the banana sector, the government must set aside P2.541 billion for the proposed Cavendish industry action plan. It also calls for the allocation of P741 million and P806 million for the lakatan and saba industry plans, respectively. The action plans for the three banana varieties outlined interventions to expand and rehabilitate plantations affected by Fusarium wilt and improve yield and quality and reduce wastage through the establishment of post-harvest facilities. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/09/27/govtmust-spend-%e2%82%a74b-tohike-banana-output/)

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Loose monetary… On the other hand, premature tightening could forestall recovery and leave a trail of economic scars, the governor also said. In its latest monetary policy meeting, where they raised inflation forecasts above the 2 to 4 percent target range for this year, Diokno said the BSP “stands ready to take appropriate measures as necessary to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains in line with its price and financial stability mandates.”

‘Premature removal’

IN a separate commentary, ING Bank economist Nicholas Mapa warned against the “premature removal” of Covid-19-related economic measures which can delay the country’s recovery. “Calls for a hurried removal of policy support stem from unwarranted fears of asset price bubbles formed by months of negative policy rates . . . Just like a wound that has yet to completely heal, the Philippine economy remains stuck in low gear and clearly in need of additional support,” Mapa said. L atest d at a f rom t he BSP showed that residential property prices declined for the second consecutive quarter in April to June this year, driven by the downtrend in real-estate prices in the National Capital Region (NCR). The BSP attributed the decline to the “continued effects of the pandemic on the residential property demand” as well as high base effects. “A premature reversal of support at this time of the healing phase will result in even deeper and uglier economic scars as gains from previous accommodation are reversed, sending the economy into a tailspin destined for economic depression,” Mapa said. “Patience and determination throughout the recovery and healing phase will be crucial as we avoid costly removal of support just when the economy needs it the most. If we can’t ignore the itch, we may be in for an even longer recovery cycle as we delay the return to pre-Covid levels of growth further and further into the future,” he said.

Fitch research arm weighs in

ALSO on Monday, meanwhile, international think tank Fitch Solu-

PHL ODA… “Project restructuring requests cover changes in cost and scope, extension of loan/grant and implementation duration period, and loan reallocation that are submitted by the agencies to approving bodies such as the ICC [Investment Coordination Committee] and the DBCC [Development Budget Coordination Committee],” it said. The list of projects likely to be restructured this year included those funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), the largest source of the country’s ODA loans; Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEDCF), International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad), Chinese government, Italian government, and Australian government. With community quarantines, implementation of 59 ongoing ODA programs and projects were affected last year. “Out of the 97 Covid-19-related issues which affected project implementation, 40 were already resolved,” Neda said in its report. Of the 60 loan-assisted projects by implementing agencies in 2020, five were also completed, 24 were on schedule while 28 were behind schedule. Projects were stalled by Covid-19 restrictions, issues on site condition/availability, site condition/availability, procurement, government/funding institutions

Continued from A1

tions said it expects the Philippines to normalize its accommodative monetary policy stance “sooner and faster” in 2022. In a research analysis published on Monday, Fitch Solutions—the research arm of the Fitch Group— said that while they expect BSP to keep its record-low monetary policy rate on hold for the rest of 2021, it now expects 75 basis points (bps) of hikes in 2022 to 2.75 percent. This is an upward revision from their earlier forecast of 50 bps of hikes next year to 2.5 percent. “While we maintain our view that the BSP will look past elevated headline inflation readings in the near term and the shift towards monetary policy tightening by the US Federal Reserve [Fed], we flag the BSP could begin to normalize its monetary policy as early as the second quarter of 2022,” Fitch Solutions said. The research group’s forecast was an expectation of hikes towards the latter part of 2022. The expectation for a more hawkish BSP stance comes as external monetary policy conditions add pressure to the more dovish emerging market (EM) central banks, said Fitch Solutions. “The BSP has sought to look past the external pressures and support fragile domestic demand given the still-significant disruptions from Covid-19 in the Philippines. However, we expect that as the economy begins to rebound, the BSP will seek to normalize sooner rather than later to anchor investor appetite for Philippine assets and temper demand-side inflationary pressures,” the think tank said. Fitch Solutions thinks pressure could rise for the BSP to hike if inflation proves more sticky and external financing conditions tighten sharply. “On the inflation front, continued supply-side disruptions and a pick-up in domestic demand could see inflation expectations begin to climb, requiring a sooner and more aggressive monetary tightening cycle from the BSP,” the think tank said. The country’s inflation accelerated to 4.9 percent in August 2021 from 4 percent in its previous month. This is the highest inflation recorded since January 2019.

Continued from A1

approvals, budget and funds flow, design/scope/technical specifications, performance of contractors/ consultants, institutional support, inputs and costs, and other implementation issues. Of projects implemented on schedule, three are expected to be completed in 2021, four in 2022, and 17 in 2023 onwards. Citing agency forecasts, Neda also said about P1.08 trillion would be needed to finish 57 ongoing projects as of end-2020. As Manila’s top ODA provider, Japan had a 36.4-percent share worth $11.2 billion for 45 loans and grants. This was followed by the ADB with 28.5 percent worth $8.75 billion for 52 loans and grants; and World Bank with 21 percent or $6.4 billion for 29 loans and grants. Cornering the bulk of programs and projects under the country’s active ODA portfolio as of end2020 is the infrastructure development sector, accounting for 47.4 percent or $14.55 billion. This is followed by the Governance and Institutions Development sector with 24.34 percent or $7.47 billion, and Social Reform and Community Development with 19.9 percent or $6.12 billion. Other areas were agriculture, agrarian reform, and natural resources sector with 7.46 percent or $2.29 billion; and the industry, trade, and tourism sector with the remaining 0.88 percent or $269.5 million.

The Nation BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Govt told: Review decision to allow black sand offshore mining in Lingayen Gulf By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

DVOCACY group Tugon Kabuhayan on Monday joined calls for the government to reconsider its decision of approving an offshore mining project in Lingayen Gulf, which it argued would be detrimental to the country’s food security and fish production. The group argued that the project that seeks to extract 25 million dry metric tons of black sand per year in Lingayen Gulf would endanger the aquaculture and fisheries industries in the area, affecting the livelihood of a lot of fisherfolk. The group explained that the Lingayen Gulf has around 3,000 cages for bangus, thousands of hectares and fishponds, hundreds of fishpens with an estimated production from bangus cages alone at 125,000 to 150,000 metric tons. The group added that the gulf is one of the country’s major fishing grounds covering 2,064 square kilometers of water, surrounded by the towns of Agoo, Alaminos, Anda, Aringay, Bani, Bauang, Binmaley, Bolinao, Caba, Dagupan, Labrador, Lingayen, Rosario, San Fabian, San Fernando (La Union), Santo Tomas, and Sual. “At a farm-gate price of P110 per kilo, revenue from bangus production in Pangasinan alone is at least P16.5 billion. We’re very much concerned about the danger that this project poses to both the aquaculture and fisheries industries and the livelihood of fishers and aquaculture operators in the gulf,”

said Norberto Chingcuanco, Tugon Kabuhayan’s co-convenor. “We’re asking the national government to reconsider its decision to approve the project’s implementation. It will adversely impact the livelihood of fisherfolk especially since excavation will be allowed from 500 meters from shore seaward,” Chingcuanco added. On top of this, the group argued that the gulf is home to coral reef, sea grass, and a spawning and nursery grounds for various important fish species. “If we do not prevent the possible destruction of our coral reefs, livelihood and food security will be threatened,” it said. “It’s difficult to comprehend why some government agencies would allow a project that will further compromise our fish food security especially since the government is projecting that we need to import fish in the coming months,” it added. The group noted that former President Fidel Ramos declared Lingayen Gulf, through Proclamation 156 of 1993, “as an area to be devoted to sustain production of fish and other marine products, preserve genetic diversity, protect natural features, and enhance outdoor recreation.” “The sand and other raw materials where magnetite will be extracted also contains eggs, larvae and fry which are abundant in the gulf,” it said. “It is fair to assume that suctioning and processing raw silt along with sea water from where the magnetite will be taken are likely to kill the eggs, larvae, fry as well as small fishes,” it added.

SC sets rule on COA audit of Pagcor funds By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court has ruled that the Commission on Audit (COA) has no authority to conduct an audit of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (Pagcor) account beyond its 5-percent franchise tax and 50 percent of the government’s share in its gross earnings. In a 12-page decision penned by Associate Justice Edgardo delos Santos, the Court en banc unanimously granted the petition for certiorari with application for the issuance of temporary restraining order and/or a writ of preliminary injunction filed by former Pagcor Chairman Efraim Genuino against COA’s rulings issued in 2015 and 2017 that disallowed the P2-million financial assistance

granted by Pagcor for the construction of a flood control and drainage system project for Pleasant Village Homeowners Association (PVHA) located in Barangay TuntunginPutho, Los Baños, Laguna in 2013 due to its failure to submit certain documentary requirements. The COA also argued that the financial assistance violates Presidential Decree 1445 for being spent for a private purpose. In its petition before the SC, Pagcor argued that COA’s jurisdiction over the agency is limited to 5-percent franchise tax remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and 50 percent of its gross earnings remitted to the National Treasury. It stressed that since the P2-million financial assistance to PVHA was sourced from Pagcor’s operating expenses, in particular its market-

@joveemarie

HE Department of Health (DOH) is now looking into the revelation of an official of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. that the company had altered the expiry date of face shields that it supplied to the national government. During the hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on the alleged overpriced Covid-19 supplies, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told lawmakers the matter is already being looked into by the health department. But Duque also clarified that the established shelf life of medicalgrade face shields is 36 months or three years. “There was no [mentioned of] expiry date, but I’m still having that investigated because of the revelation of the officer of the Pharmally. We’re checking on this,” Duque said. “The shelf life is 36 months, according to our Disease Prevention and Control Bureau director Beverly Ho. There is a component of the face

shield that has a styrofoam,” he said. Asked by committee chairman DIWA Party-list Rep. Michael Edgar Aglipay if there is a case where a health worker died for using the face shield, DOH Undersecretary Carolina Taiño replied: “No one, as far as we know.” During the recent Senate hearing, Pharmally official Krizle Grace Mago revealed that the expiry dates of the face shields were tampered with by changing the expiry date from 2020 to 2021. Meanwhile, the committee has issued a subpoena to compel Mago to testify before the House panel on October 4 after she failed to appear in Monday’s hearing. It was earlier reported that Mago could no longer be contacted after her revealing testimony in the Senate.

Properly distributed

DUQUE said all the 2 million face shields were “properly distributed to and utilized by the health workers.” He added that none of the health workers complained about the face shields delivered to them. “I would like to set the record

ing expenses, it was beyond COA’s audit jurisdiction. In ruling in favor of Pagcor, the Court held that COA acted with grave abuse in ordering the disallowance of the Pagcor’s financial assistance to PVHA. “By law, COA’s audit jurisdiction over Pagcor is limited to the latter’s remittances to the BIR as franchise tax and the National Treasury with respect to the government’s share in its gross earnings,” the SC noted. The SC said based on Section 15 of Presidential Decree 1869 (COA’s Charter), COA’s audit jurisdiction is limited to the 5-percent franchise tax and 50-percent share of the government in its gross earnings. “Here, the P2,000,000.00 financial assistance granted by Pagcor to PVHA was sourced from Pagcor’s operating expenses, in particular, its

marketing expenses. It is, thus, clear that the audit conducted by COA in this case was not made in relation to either the 5-percent franchise tax or the government’s 50-percent share in its gross earnings and therefore, beyond the scope of COA’s audit authority,” the Court stated. The Court added that unless otherwise repealed by a subsequent law or adjudged unconstitutional by the court, a law will always be presumed valid and must be applied. “It is, thus, apparent that COA’s actions in this case, from the issuance of Notice of Disallowance 2013-002 [10] and correspondingly, the assailed decision and resolution, are null and void. They create no rights and produce no legal effect. Thus, we find that a reversal of the assailed COA decision and resolution is in order,” the SC declared.

DTI CHIEF URGES GYMS TO CREATE MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged gym operators to create outdoor activities to allow more operation capacity under the Alert Level System (ALS). Trade Secretar y R amon M. Lopez said in a briefing on Monday that it is now essential to reopen gyms at limited capacity to strengthen the health and boost immunity against Covid-19. “As much as possible, mag-develop kayo ng outdoor activity na pang-exercise na gym [As much as possible, you should develop outdoor activity

for exercises],” he said. Outdoor exercises are allowed at 100 percent capacity for all alert levels except Alert 5. Under Alert 4 in the National Capital Region, indoor sports, courts or venues, fitness studies, gyms, swimming pools and other indoor leisure centers or facilities are not allowed. However, those conducting a bubble-type setup as provided by relevant guidelines are permitted. The same facilities are not allowed as well under Alert 5. Operational capacity is limited at 30 percent and 50 percent for Alert 3 and Alert 2, respectively. Full capacity is permitted under Alert 1.

DOH probes admission of Pharmally exec on alteration of face shields’ expiry date By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, September 28, 2021 A3

straight, the 2 million face shield, and based on the report to me, all 2 million have been distributed to the different regions,” Duque added. This was corroborated by Undersecretary Taiño, who added that the face shields were of “great help to health workers.”

‘Produce Ong’

MEANWHILE, House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chairman Aglipay directed the committee secretariat to write a letter to the Senate to produce in the next House hearing on October 4 Pharmally director Linconn Ong, who has been taken into custody by the upper chamber for his “evasive” answers during the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Aglipay said that the House probe was meant to “thresh out the truth, without political bias or agenda.” The committee vice chairman and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel also said during the two previous hearings conducted by the House, “we were able to clarify some issues regarding some misconceptions.”

He noted that it was already established that the procurement process was legal and aboveboard considering that the procurement process was based on the provisions of Bayanihan 1 law, which exempts Covid-19 goods and services from the coverage of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. Pimentel also noted that there was no overpricing on goods procured under Bayanihan 1, as no less than Commission on Audit Chairman Michael Aguinaldo, as corroborated by his staff, that the issue at hand is not the overpricing. “In fact, in their report, they never mentioned the overprice of the goods,” he said. The controversial Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. secured P8.6 billion worth of the government contracts for the PPEs in 2020 and P2.9 billion in 2021. Pharmally was registered in September 2019 with the Securities and Exchange of Commission with a paid in capital of P625,000. The Senate is also investigating the procurement of allegedly overpriced Covid-19 emergency supplies.

Earlier, Lopez shared that the Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is studying the inclusion of gyms as essential sector to allow more mobility in said industry. The DTI chief said that if the discussion on the matter is concluded by September 30—last day of ALS pilot testing in NCR—the new guidelines for the reopening of gyms might be released by October 1. Lopez proposed that 20-percent indoor capacity for fully vaccinated customers be allowed for gyms during Alert 4. This should be complemented with minimum public health stan-

dards such as no removal of masks and physical distancing at all times, in addition to improving ventilation and installing air purifiers. “Things like these can also be done para lang mapanatiling safe ang lugar na yun. Kaya, naniniwala kaming may solusyon naman pagdating sa indoor [We can do things like these to keep the vicinity safe. We believe there is solution to allow indoor capacity],” Lopez said. “So we should manage how to function in a very safe manner and save small businesses and jobs,” he added. For now, Lopez said that no changes in guidelines would be implemented during the pilot test.

Cauayan launches NCAP for road traffic violators

AUAYAN, ISABELA— Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy, on the 11th commemoration of the birth anniversary of the late Mayor Benjamin G. Dy, formally launched the No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP), a traffic camera management system that has the capability to accurately apprehend erring motorists who traverse the roads and major thoroughfares of Cauayan City. “Inaasahan po natin ang awareness ng ating taong bayan to be responsible drivers and responsible citizens. Ang isang motorista na nasa kalsada ay hindi niya nilalagay sa alanganin ang sarili niyang buhay kundi ’yung mga mamamayan rin, NCAP is for the safety of not only our motorists, but for the general public as well,” Dy announced. The roads of Cauayan City, along with other areas of Isabela and nearby provinces are regularly traversed by trucks and other large vehicles that transport goods

throughout the region that are notorious for overspeeding. These vehicles are known to travel mostly at night to avoid traffic and apprehension. Mayor Dy is confident that with the installation of NCAP cameras, motorists will follow all traffic rules and regulations 24 hours a day. Cauayan City is the first city outside Metro Manila that has implemented NCAP as Mayor Dy believes that the launching of NCAP is vital to the City’s move to become a Smart City in the North. The NCAP program utilizes cameras with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology that can accurately capture the conduction sticker and plate number of erring motorists. When the system detects a violation, a Notice of Violation will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle upon review and approval of the LGU which also shows the place and time a violation was committed along with the corresponding fine to be paid.

DA creates task force to dig deeper into proliferation of ‘contraband’ carrots in local markets By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

& Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

N inter-agency task force is now investigating the reported entry of smuggled fresh carrots in local markets, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). In a television interview on Monday, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said the task force includes the DA, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Reyes said the task force would

look into reports of smuggled fresh carrots, which are reportedly being sold in Divisoria public market in Manila. He noted that the Bureau of Plant Industry only issues importation permits for frozen and mixed vegetables. “This is only for embassies and hotels so it is very limited,” Reyes said. The DA official is it would file the necessary charges against the people who may be behind the said smuggling. During the weekend, Highland Vegetable Multipurpose Cooperative said it received reports that the smuggled carrots were being sold in several key market nationwide.

PNA file photo

It noted there is some evidence that the said goods came from China.

The group said the spread of the contraband items are currently mak-

ing it harder for local farmers to sell their vegetables. Reyes warned against the public from purchasing smuggled vegetables since it did not pass through the necessary food safety regulations. “We don’t know if it has any pest or disease as well as a pesticide residue level,” Reyes. In a related development, lawmaker asked the DA to act swiftly on the reported flooding of smuggled carrots in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. In a news statement, Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said immediate government intervention is needed amid complaints of affected farmers and

agricultural traders. “We should be alarmed with all these reports. Our farmers are still reeling from the effects of low demand due the pandemic-related economic slowdown, and then unfair competition suddenly slaps them,” he said. “This is too much for Philippine agriculture and we are hoping that the Department of Agriculture will act swiftly,” added Nograles. Citing Lorna Menzi, a vegetable dealer from Benguet, the lawmaker said the demand for carrots dwindled and farm-gate prices decreased due to the proliferation of cheap smuggled carrots.

A4 Tuesday, September 28, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

DOTr chief may raise passenger arrival cap for homebound OFs By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

HE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning to increase the arrivals cap for international passengers to accommodate more returning overseas Filipinos (OF). Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said his group is now exploring alternative gateways to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), Clark International Airport, and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to increase the arrivals cap. “The capacity today is around 2,000 passengers…if we’re going to increase the capacity from 2,000 to say 3,000 passengers, we have to add more gateways. We have to stop limit-

ing the arrivals to Naia, Cebu, and Clark. Let’s explore if we can open arrivals to General Santos, Panglao, Ilocos, Laoag, or Vigan,” he said during the online Pandesal Forum hosted by Kamuning Bakery on Monday. Tugade said he has already instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) to “explore the adding of more gateways.” “If we can add more gateways, we can add more capacities. This will also benefit the local economy of the airports,” he said. “These are subject to the approval and coordination of the local government.” Local carriers have been seeking the increase in arrivals cap for international passengers to accommodate the demand from overseas Filipinos who want to come home. There is also demand from a market of “stranded” Filipinos abroad.

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

OR the fifth consecutive week, oil firms are raising petroleum products on Tuesday morning. In separate announcements, they said gasoline prices would go up by P0.55 per liter, diesel by P0.90 per liter and kerosene by P0.95 per liter. Seaoil, PTT Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum, Total Philippines, Caltex Philippines, Pilipinas Shell said they will raise pump prices at 6 a.m. of September 28. Cleanfuel, on the other hand, will implement the same price increase at 4:01 p.m. Other oil firms have yet to announce their price adjustment, but are expected to implement Tuesday morning the same price increase. The latest oil price hike brings the year-todate adjustments to stand at a total net increase

of P15.1 per liter for gasoline, P12.95 per liter for diesel and P10.65 per liter for kerosene. Oil firms adjust their pump prices every week to reflect movements in the world oil market. Based on DOE monitoring, Dubai crude has increased last week by around $2.15 per barrel. MOPS gasoline and MOPS diesel have also increased by almost $2.40 per barrel and $ 2.30 per barrel, respectively. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a circular meant to intensify the compliance of oil firms in the implementation of existing rules and regulations and requiring the submission of requirements pursuant to Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act. The circular applies to all refiners, importers, bulk distributors, terminal operators/lessors, bunker traders, haulers and own users of crude oil and finished petroleum products as well as all blenders, marketers and own users

Business continuity management–preparing for an unpredictable future

Currently, returning OFWs are being accommodated through repatriation flights mounted by local airlines. Caap Chief of Staff Danjun G. Lucas noted that his group has started exploration talks with airlines and local governments. “Earlier this morning [Monday], we met with PAL [Philippine Airlines] for the possible exploration of flights. PAL said there are possible flights to Panglao in October. We are also exploring other airports for international arrivals,” he said. This move also entails the adding of quarantine facilities, customs facilities, as well as immigration facilities within and around the possible gateways. The international arrivals cap was introduced last year as part of the pandemic mitigation efforts of the government.

OIL COMPANIES RAISE FUEL PUMP PRICES FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE WEEK of base oils and lubricating products under the Philippine Downstream Oil Industry. The circular provided rules on the submission of documentary requirements and reportorial templates regarding acknowledgement or registration requirements of downstream oil industry participants. It also governs the matter of required submission of notices and reports by downstream oil industry participants. Under the circular, participants are required to regularly submit to the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) of the DOE their monthly, quarterly, and annual reports about their profile, activities and inventory flow. They are also directed to submit reports on maintenance shutdown, oil spill notification, weekly oil spill progress report, as well as calamity or emergency damage assessment and daily progress report on such matters.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

By Henry J. Schumacher BEING deeply involved in data management and data privacy protection, it is my pleasure to share information provided by Straits Interactive and its DPEX Network on the above subject. We need to realize that regardless of the size of the organization, unforeseen incidents can have massive implications. From the loss of revenue to damaged brand reputation, the consequences can be potentially catastrophic, especially if the business is unprepared. Business continuity management (BCM) is an essential component of any business that wishes to continue its operations in the face of a disaster. At its core, BCM is about creating and maintaining a plan that allows the business to continue business processes even if some or all its resources are lost for an extended time. To avert disaster and ensure business survival, it is critical to understand the full scope of risks at every level in the organization.

What exactly is BCM?

BCM is a process that identifies potential threats to an organization, their impact on business operations and creating plans to mitigate these risks. These threats might cause a negative impact on the interests of its key stakeholders, reputation, brand, and value-creating activities. BCM provides a framework for building organizational resilience and effective response that safeguards an organization’s interests. It integrates the disciplines of emergency response, crisis management and disaster recovery to ensure business continuity.

Data protection laws and business continuity

WITH the implementation of data protection laws such as the European Union’s GDPR, the Philippines’ Data Protection Act and Singapore’s PDPA, it may be required for organizations to report data breaches depending on the jurisdiction that it operates in. Also, the fines for breaches will depend in part on the effectiveness of the company’s response to the breaches. Thus, it is vital for the business continuity plan to be in sync with the organization’s breach response plan since the breach will inevitably have an impact on operations. For Data Protection Officers (DPO), disaster preparedness and incident response are vital responsibilities. What does a business continuity plan include?

The main aspects and good practices of a continuity plan include: Identification and analysis of potential threats—The first step in developing a plan is to identify potential threats and develop a suitable strategy to mitigate them. Management’s commitment—It is vital for the organization’s management to be committed to managing business continuity and appoint appropriate personnel with the designated power and create the business continuity plan and policy. BCM team—It is necessary for roles and responsibilities to be established in the BCM team so that people are aware of what they need to do in the event of a disaster. Plans to address and mitigate the risks—The organization should determine and provide the resources needed for the establishment, implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of the BCMs. When planning, it is also essential to factor effective crisis communication to internal employees as well. Employees are deeply involved in the data processes in an organization and therefore need to be specially trained. It is essential to realize that many data breaches are “created” by people in operations. Business Impact Analysis (BIA)— The BIA predicts the consequences of disruption of a business function and process and gathers information needed to develop recovery strategies. It also quantifies the impacts of disruptions on service delivery, risks to service delivery, recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs). These recovery requirements are then used to develop strategies, solutions, and plans. Recovery procedures—At this stage, the organization should identify and select business continuity strategies and solutions that help to mitigate the risks identified earlier. The organization should implement and maintain a response structure that will enable timely warning and communication to relevant interested parties and provide plans and procedures to manage the organization during a disruption. After the plan has been developed, it is vital for the organization to evaluate it through internal audits, management reviews, and so forth. After identifying gaps and areas that need more support, it is necessary to improve the plan accordingly. With the rapidly changing world that we live in, BCM is an integral part of any organization that wants to survive through periods of change or disruption. In conclusion, allow me to reiterate that employees are the company’s biggest risk and greatest assets as many data breaches happen in operations. This means that a major component in BCM must be the training of employees and providing the data protection management with automation processes. Extensive training for employees is readily available. Excellent automation of data processes for Data Protection Officers is available from Straits Interactive (DPOinBox) too. Let me know whether you need assistance. Feedback and requests for support can be directed to hjschumacher59@gmail.com

JFC lauds RTL ratification

EVERAL foreign business groups lauded the ratification of the bicameral report for the bill liberalizing the retail trade industry of the country. In a news statement issued on Monday, the Joint Foreign Chambers said that the bill amending the Retail Trade Liberalization (RTL) Act of 2000 could bring in more foreign direct investments (FDI) moving forward. “The 18th Congress has recognized the potential contribution to Philippine economic growth and job creation of allowing more foreign investment in the dynamic retail trade sector, both as sole owners above $500,000 and potentially as minority owners with Filipino partners below that amount,” they said.

The signatories include the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Australian-New Zealand Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines and Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc. The bill seeks to lower the capitalization requirement for foreign retailers to $500,000 (P25 million) from $2.5 million (P125 million) to attract more companies to set up shop locally. This revision is higher compared to the House proposal of lowering the threshold to P10 million. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

TWO CREWMEN FROM SUNKEN FISHING BOAT REMAIN MISSING By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

EARCH, rescue and retrieval teams from the Philippine Coast Guard continued to dive into the sunken FB St. Peter the Fishermen II in search of its two crewmen still missing following the retrieval of six bodies. The fishing boat, with its nine crewmen, including the captain, sank on Friday last week in the waters between Tanguingui Island in Northern Cebu and Gigantes Island in Iloilo. It was believed that the crewmen went down along with the boat. Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said that two bodies—that of sonar operator Norberto Parlotzo and Piscador Rommel Engle—were recovered by local divers from Bantayan, Cebu on Saturday and have been turned over to their family members. He said that on Sunday, teams from the Coast Guard Special Operations Unit—Western Visayas retrieved the bodies of Piscador Julit Salvo and Steersman Victor Calvo from the sunken boat before the diving operations were temporarily terminated at 3 p. m. However, about three hours later search and rescue teams from the Coast Guard Sub-Stations Estancia and Carles SAR retrieved an unidentified floating body at the sunken site. It was later identified as that of Chief Engineer Hermoño Ronamo. Balilo said that at past 9 a.m. on Monday, divers from the Coast Guard Special Operations Unit Western Visayas recovered another body from the sunken boat and it was later identified as that of boat Captain Frankie Chavez. More than two hours later, the same team of divers retrieved the body of Steersman Renante Forsuelo. All of the crewmen are from Negros provinces. Balilo said only two crewmen remained missing and they are the subjects of the continuing search, rescue and retrieval operations of the Coast Guard.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 A5

DOLE pushes lifting of freeze on operation of nursing schools amid global HCW shortage By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ROMPTED by the rising globa l more hea lth-care workers (HCW) amid the pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now pushing for the lifting of the moratorium on the operation of some nursing schools. At a briefing during the launch of DOLE’s online Career Information System (CIS) on Monday, Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique R. Tutay disclosed this was part of their recommendation to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to boost the country’s pool of HCWs.

She explained the operations of several nursing schools were suspended by CHED due to concerns on the quality of some of the said educational institutions as well as the surplus of nursing graduates in previous years. “We just said they can allow other universities or schools to offer nursing courses already because of the perceived drop in the labor market for nurses,” Tutay said. CHED has been waiting for the “labor market signal” to justify the lifting of the said moratorium, according to Tutay. Last May, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said they are already mulling over a “targeted lifting” of the said moratorium.

Overseas opportunities

EARLIER this year, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) imposed a deployment cap for HCWs, including nurses, to ensure the country will have sufficient personnel for the country’s response to the contagion. Initially, the deployment cap was at 5,000 for this year, but was increased to 6,500. In a Viber message, POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia told the BusinessMirror there are only 500 remaining slots left for the deployment cap this year. The cap exempts HCWs who are deployed to the United Kingdom and those covered by the government-togovernment hiring arrangement.

Currently, more countries like Brunei and even the US are considering hiring more medical workers, but DOLE earlier recommended against increasing the said cap until more HCWs become available.

Pandemic trend

ASIDE from medical profession, Tutay said other professions, which students could consider during the pandemic are those related to information technology as well as construction like carpentry and masonry. She also advised students to shun courses related to the tourism industry. “I would not really encourage our students to take for instance ’yung hotel and restaurant management

or anything related to hospitality because it will be struggling to recover,” Tutay said. The said labor trend, Tutay said, may persist in the coming years since government economic managers project the impact of the pandemic on the economy may last for a decade. DOLE is eyeing to come out with a new labor market forecast next year. Tutay said their newly launched Career Information System, which currently contains labor market information on 123 occupations could provide guidance to educational institutions and students during the pandemic. The CIS is expected to benefit each year 2 million students, who are considering future careers.

Pharmally’s Linconn Ong retreats, won’t NYC recognizes Filipino testify in Blue Ribbon executive session youth peace ambassadors By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

HARMALLY executive Linconn Ong has backed out of an earlier plan to speak before an executive session of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee. Ong wrote the Blue Ribbon on Monday, September 27, 2021, to say he was advised against speaking in an executive session. “I regret to inform you that, acting upon advice of counsel, I am declining your invitation for me to participate in the executive session regarding the matter under investigation,” Ong wrote. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, meanwhile, has sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look for Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. executive Krizle Grace Mago, who has gone incommunicado since testifying virtually at the September 24 Senate hearing. In a letter to Atty. Eric B. Distor, officer in charge at the office of the

NBI director, the Blue Ribbon’s Director General Rodolfo Noel S. Quimbo asked NBI to provide them with any information they could turn up on the whereabouts of Mago. “The chairman and the committee is worried as to the safety” of Mago, wrote Quimbo, “after her damaging testimony against probable co-conspirators” in the case being built up by Senate probers against Pharmally and officials of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the Department of Health. On Sunday, after confirming that Mago had gone missing despite informing him Friday night she was already “in touch” with Blue Ribbon staffers and will decide shortly on the offer of enrollment under the Witness Protection Program, Blue Ribbon chief Sen. Richard J. Gordon expressed concern for her safety. Ong has been in Senate custody since being cited in contempt for evasiveness in answering ques-

tions on over P8-billion PPE supply contracts won by Pharmally, a low-capital start-up. Ong averted being transferred to Pasay City Jail at the last hearing on September 24 after saying he would consider speaking in an executive session. Earlier, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Ong had sought permission to leave the Senate premises and go home to retrieve certain Pharmally documents, but was not granted permission. Lacson added that senators are aware Ong already has in his possession a USB containing all key information and documents on Pharmally. Ong was first cited in contempt for refusing to provide further details of how newly incorporated Pharmally, which is not a manufacturer and is just a middleman with only P625,000 paid-up capital, secured the financing needed to deliver on its commitments to supply various PPE items, as well as Covid-19 test kits, to the DOH through PS-DBM.

VISUAL artist, beauty queen-athlete-actress and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation officer were recently chosen as the National Youth Commission’s (NYC) Youth Peace Ambassadors. Award-winning artist Worth Lodriga, showbiz celebrity Michelle Gumabao and SK Federation Vice President Fran Liam Arabia were chosen as ambassadors because they are role models for the youth. Gumabao and Arabia were named youth ambassadors to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ECLAC) campaign, which aims to fight communist rebels in the country and promote peace building, especially in areas infested by insurgents. It also aims to thwart deceptive recruitment of the youth by communist front organizations. Gumabao, Lodriga and Arabia got plaques of recognition from NYC chairperson, Undersecretary Ryan Enriquez in a ceremony held at the Semicon Corporate Building recently. Lodriga, known as the “Young Picasso of the Philippines,” said children like him can make a difference and inspire others. Gumabao founded the Your 200 Pesos campaign that provided relief goods to victims of typhoon Ulysses. She also helped the Hunger No More Foundation and the Virlanie Foundation. Arabia organized various Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) events. He has seen former young rebels return to the fold of the government. He observed that the youth needs a sense of belonging so they can devote themselves to a good cause. Melanio Santella, NYC Youth Development Division Chief was also present in the ceremony. The NYC is a government office tasked to develop and implement programs for the Filipino youth. It supervises the SK chapters nationwide.

3 Australian warships hold maritime exercises with Navy frigate in Mindoro

ROYAL Australian Navy (RAN) vessels, Her Majesty’s Australian Ships (HMAS) Canberra III, Anzac, and Sirius, dock at the Manila North harbor in Manila on Monday, September 27, 2021, as they arrive to the country for Australia’s flagship annual engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21). NONIE REYES

HREE Australian warships docked in Manila after holding maritime exercises with a Philippine Navy vessel in the waters near Mindoro Island under Australia’s Indo-Pacific Endevour 2021 (IPE21), the Australian Embassy and

the Philippine Navy said. The Philippines is the last stop for the IPE21 this month, Canberra’s flagship regional engagement activity and Australia´s “demonstration” of “steadfast support for a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific

region, with Asean at its core.” The HMA Ships Canberra, Sirius and Anzac docked on Sunday for a three-day port visit following the holding of “Exercise Lumbas” between the Australian Defence Force and the Philippine Navy in the waters near Mindoro. The Australian Embassy said Exercise Lumbas is a bilateral Australia-Philippines training focused on high-end maneuvers and interoperability. The embassy said that since late last month, the IPE21 task group has engaged in a program of “mutually supportive at-sea activities, training programs and capacity building with several partners in the region.” The deployment involved around 700 people, including Australian defence and civilian personnel and participants from partner-nations. Capt. Constancio Reyes of the Philippine Navy served as the IPE21’s deputy commander. “While modified Covid-19 conditions have required a contactless port visit, Australia and the Philippines will conduct seminars, workshops and other virtual exchanges

on important regional issues such as maritime security, women, peace and security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during the IPE21 task group’s time in Manila,” the embassy said. “This visit reflects the spirit of ‘mateship’ and bayanihan during our 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations. It also demonstrates the increasing mutual trust and cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO. Philippine Navy spokesm a n Cd r. Benjo Negranza said the Navy’s frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) joined Australia’s naval task group during the series of exercises held near Cabra Island before the Australian warships proceeded to anchor in Manila.

Senate panel okays ₧7.47-B budget increase for Judiciary By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Senate Finance subcommittee approved the request of the Judiciary to increase by P7.47 billion its P44.98 billion proposed budget allotted earlier by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for 2022. During Monday’s budget hearing, the subcommittee chaired by Senator Sonny Angara vowed to back the plea made by the judiciary through its Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez

before the plenary. Marquez reiterated to the committee that the budget being proposed by the DBM for 2020 is unconstitutional because it is lower compared to its P45.31 billion budget this year. “For the current year 2021, the entire judiciary was given P45.31 billion and then we were proposing P67.28 billion for 2022. However, the DBM is just giving P44.98 billion that means, there is actually a variance from our proposed 2022 of P67.28 billion to

what is being given by DBM of P44.98 billion: There is a variance of P22.3 billion,” Marquez explained. “What is equally telling is I think the proposed DBM budget is lower than the current 2021 budget of the Judiciary…. It is lower and it is actually in violation of the Constitution, specifically of Section 3 of Article VIII,” he added. Marquez said Section 3 of Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that the judiciary cannot be given a budget lower than what it had been

given for the previous year. Out of the P22.3 billion variance, Marquez said the judiciary is requesting Congress to reconsider or give back P7.47 billion to the judiciary in addition to the P44.98 billion proposed budget by DBM. The amount being sought for reconsideration, according to Marquez, would address the supposed constitutional violation on the DBM’s proposed budget as this would peg the judiciary budget for 2022 at P52.37 billion, which is higher than last year.

“IPE21 aims to strengthen Australia’s partnership with the region and across Southeast Asia by conducting a broad range of cooperative bilateral training and engagement events. The Philippines serves as IPE21’s final stop for September,” Negranza said. “The participation of the PN in IPE21 demonstrates its unwavering commitment and steadfast dedication towards promoting regional cooperation and strengthening ties with other navies,” he added. Rene Acosta

BusinessMirror

A6 Tuesday, September 28, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

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

AGNES LING SOK JING Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns

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

14.

FAN, YU Chinese Customer Officer Brief Job Description: Handling Inbound and Outbound Service Support calls

ZHANG, TIANQI Chinese Customer Officer Brief Job Description: Handling inbound and outbound service support calls

NGUYEN VO HOAI, TRAM Marketing Manager-Vietnamese Speaking 15.

Brief Job Description: Primarily responsible for taking in phone/email/ chat interactions in order to meet customer needs and expectations. Functionally and technically skilled in providing support in resolving customer’s issues. Provides guidance in resolving customer concerns while ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction and consistent compliance on quality standards in every interaction.

ANONGSATHAPORN, SOONTHORN Marketing Officer - Thai Speaking 16.

Brief Job Description: Delegate different customer service duties to team members to ensure a faster and smoother flow of operation through division labor JESSICA Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered PENNY Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered LOR, SREYPICH Customer Service Officer-Khmer Speaking

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered HONG, SEONGJIN Customer Service Officer-Korean Speaking

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered DOAN THI THANH MINH Customer Service Officer-Vietnamese Speaking

10.

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered NGUYEN KHAI HOAN Customer Service Officer-Vietnamese Speaking

11.

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered TA PHUONG THAO Customer Service Supervisor-Vietnamese Speaking

12.

Brief Job Description: Train staff to deliver a high standard of customer service and investigate and solve customers’ problems

HOANG YEN VY Customer Service Team Leader-Vietnamese Speaking 13.

Brief Job Description: Delegate different customer service duties to team members to ensure a faster and smoother flow operation through division of labor

Brief Job Description: Monitoring, analyzing and managing a monthly advertising campaign visa Google ad words

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Reading writing and Speaking in Mandarin

SEPTIAN CAHYADINATA Marketing Officer-Indonesian Speaking 17.

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

18.

Basic Qualification: Minimum 2+ years’ work experience required with at least 1 year experience in a similar role. Fluent in both French and English language.

19.

21.

22.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

23.

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Pro active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and other performance targets

CHEN, TENGFEI Sales And Marketing Officer 24.

Brief Job Description: Provides first class service in order to push the sales of a certain product. LIN, XIAOBO Sales And Marketing Officer

25.

Brief Job Description: Provides first class service in order to push the sales of a certain product. XUE, ZHANGYI Sales And Marketing Officer

26.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

No.

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

FENG, MEIFANG Chinese Marketing Manager

Basic Qualification: Extensive knowledge of Marketing strategies, channel, and branding Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Thorough understanding of social media and web analytics Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through understanding of social media and web analytics Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent data correction and analysis skills

30.

31.

32.

33.

Brief Job Description: Provides first class service in order to push the sales of a certain product. ZHANG, LUOLUO Sales And Marketing Officer

27.

Brief Job Description: Provides first class service in order to push the sales of a certain product.

34.

28.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the efficient, effective, and accurate processing and monitoring of invoices and credit notes, in line with tax, legal requirements and bi internal guidelines

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

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

CHEN, GUO Chinese Speaking Program Designer 35.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

CHEN, KUI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 36.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

E, DONGYANG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 37.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

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

HUANG, YIFENG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 38.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

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

LI, GUANGYUAN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 39.

BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM BUSINESS SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. L-2-3, Blk. 45, Alabang Zapote Road, Cor. North Bridgeway, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa HU, HONGQIONG Specialist, Accounts Payable

Brief Job Description: Assist customer information about product and services

CHANG, CHIEH Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

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

DAI, XING Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

WU, JUNDOU Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

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

Brief Job Description: Handle production high severity incidents and provide appropriate solution with root cause analysis within the specified SLA’s (Time) and to meet up with Client Satisfaction

PENG, HUIWEN Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

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

Basic Qualification: Experienced accounting knowledge, preferably in the accounts payable area/ basic sap-fi-mm and accounts payable interfaces Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate with at least 2 years experience as marketing Manager. Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Master of Technology Degree with Analytical skills to monitor and resolve Production related issues in supported Applications Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

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

Brief Job Description: Coordinating multiple channels of marketing strategies. Managing budgets for marketing campaigns.

NAGAPPAN, MUTHU RAMAN Senior Associate - Projects

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. 2nd, 3rd, And 4th Floors, Science Hub Tower 4 Bldg., Mckinley Hill Cyberpark, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

CHINA GEZHOUBA GROUP CO., LTD. (PHILIPPINES BRANCH) 916 High Street South Corporate Plaza, Tower One 26th Street, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

ARTSOFT CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT CO. INC. Unit 25d, 2/f Zeta Ii Bldg., 191 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Pro active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and other performance targets NGUYEN HUYEN THY Telesales Marketing Officer-Vietnamese Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Pro active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and other performance targets LE THI YEN HOA Telesales Marketing Officer-Vietnamese Speaking

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Pro active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and other performance targets LE THI QUE CHI Telesales Marketing Officer-Vietnamese Speaking

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

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered NGAMSUD, KRISKASEM Telesales Marketing Officer-Thai Speaking

20.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Manage the day-to-day activities of QA Team members, including scheduling and managing on going projects NIA CHRISTIANI Senior Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Monitoring, analyzing and managing a monthly advertising campaign via Google ad words

SUTHIPANICH, TEERAWARIN QA Assistant Team Leader-Thai Speaking

APRICUS TECHNOLOGY INC. 8/f Aguirre Building, 107 Aguirre St. Legaspi Village, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati NGIN, RIYA Customer Service Assistant Team Leader-Khmer Speaking

Brief Job Description: Develop and implement market strategies to effectively reach target market, communicate value proposition of the product and influence (purchase) and reach of brand

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

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

SINDOH, EVELYNE MAGLOIRE SW/APP/Cloud Tech Support Analyst

Brief Job Description: Delegate different customer service duties to team members to ensure a faster and smoother flow of operation through division labor

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

29.

66 A-IDEA CONSULTING INC. Rm. 404 Caeg Building, Dela Rosa St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Proficient in Reading , Writing and Speaking in Mandarin

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN LE HA VY Customer Service Team Leader-Vietnamese Speaking

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

LIU, KONGLONG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 40.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

Basic Qualification: with atleast 6months customer service experience/good communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral and Written Communication Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral and Written Communication Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral and Written Communication Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN THI NGOC ANH Chinese Speaking Program Designer

41.

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

PHAM VIET CHUNG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 42.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

WANG, HAOQIANG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 43.

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

WANG, HUAIMIN Chinese Speaking Program Designer 44.

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

WU, LEHUA Chinese Speaking Program Designer 45.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With At least 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral and Written Communication Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

56.

CHEN, JI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 57.

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

58.

46.

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

59.

ZHANG, XIAOXIA Chinese Speaking Program Designer 47.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Products and Services

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral and Written Communication

61.

62.

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

DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue, Project 7, Bungad 1, Quezon City 63. CUI, YUXIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 48.

Brief Job Description: Delivering Excellent customer Service and Managing the needs of customer Through Phone Calls and Emails

LIU, ZIXUE Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 49.

Brief Job Description: Delivering Excellent customer Service and Managing the needs of customer Through Phone Calls and Emails

WANG, BAOYUAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 50.

Brief Job Description: Delivering Excellent customer Service and Managing the needs of customer Through Phone Calls and Emails

YANG, CHENG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 51.

Brief Job Description: Delivering Excellent customer Service and Managing the needs of customer Through Phone Calls and Emails

ZHANG, HUAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 52.

Brief Job Description: Delivering Excellent customer Service and Managing the needs of customer Through Phone Calls and Emails

Basic Qualification: Ability to Communicate in Mandarin Chinese with Customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to Communicate in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

53.

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

ZHANG, JIABIN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 54.

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

64.

65.

66.

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

67.

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

XU, MENGLONG Customer Service Representative 71.

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

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

72.

LI, XINYU Customer Service Representative 73.

Brief Job Description: Provide and maintain customer service

YUAN, JIASHENG Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Provide and maintain customer service

YUAN, TIANGANG Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Provide and maintain customer service

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

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

SONG, JINGYU Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing various customer issues depending on account assignment

LIAO, DONG Customer Service Representative 74.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing various customer issues depending on account assignment

LIU, CHANGMEI Customer Service Representative 75.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in managing incoming calls

Brief Job Description: Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing various customer issues depending on account assignment

MA, SHUANGFENG Customer Service Representative 76.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing various customer issues depending on account assignment

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in managing incoming calls

QI, SUOJIN Customer Service Representative 77.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in managing incoming calls

78.

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

OU, YANGWENMING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 79.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

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

XIAO, JUNXIAO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 80.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing various customer issues depending on account assignment

LIU, YUNSHENG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

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

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

68.

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

SUN, SIYI Customer Service Representative

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

YAO, SHUANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 81.

Basic Qualification: College/Graduate.Level and Fluent in Mandarin Basic English

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

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

Brief Job Description: Customer Service

TRAN THI THO Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

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

Basic Qualification: College/Graduate.Level and Fluent in Mandarin Basic English

82.

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

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

CHEA JIAN BIN Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 83.

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Have Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Have Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZHOU, LIU Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

XIAO, GUOHUA Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

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

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

FUWEALTH SERVICES INC. 18/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in managing incoming calls

ZHANG, YUAN Customer Service Representative

YEE CHUN BIU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

70. DIGIVIRTUAL TECH CORPORATION 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg., 8747 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

XU, XIAOYONG Mandarin Customer Service

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

69.

55.

Brief Job Description: Provide and maintain customer service

NGUYEN THI THUY TRANG Customer Service Representative

DIGICHROM INC. Unit 2602 & 2603 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

HUNG, PEI-YU Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

LIU, LIJIAO Mandarin Customer Service

LUO, NI Customer Service Representative

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

DEXIN 999, INC. Red Hotel No. 345, Edsa Cor. Don Carlos Revilla St., Barangay 147, Pasay City

KOH, MINCHAN Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

GUO, ZHEN Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Ability to Communicate in Mandarin Chinese with customers

Basic Qualification: Excellent speaking, writing and reading in Chinese

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. 4th-11th Floor Aseana 3 Building, Aseana Avenue Corner Diosdado Macapagal, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

Basic Qualification: Ability to Communicate in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

FIRST GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. Lot 5, Sta. Agueda Cor. Queensway Pagcor Drive, Sto. Niño, City Of Parañaque

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

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

CHEN, GAOXIANG Chinese Speaking Marketing Assistant

60. XU, XIAOLIN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

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

LU, FENG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

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

Brief Job Description: Investigate user problems and prepare reports for developers.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

EAST CATALYST TRADING CORPORATION 3/f Salcedo One Center, 170 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, CHONGBIN Mandarin Speaking Computer Support Specialist

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

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

84.

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

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GOLDEN TOPPER EQUITY HOLDINGS (PHILIPPINES) INC. 12/f Cocolight Bldg., 39th St. Cor. 11th Ave., Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

BusinessMirror

A8 Tuesday, September 28, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HU, CHUAN International Engineering Specialist

85.

Brief Job Description: work with various clients to provide engineering advice technical solutions

ZHAO, LITING Investment Specialist 86.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Share expertise and guide local investments team to lucrative expansion of corporate portfolio

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: international engineering background with strong interpersonal and project management skills

No.

WEI, CHANGAN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 99.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: 20 years or more experience in international real estate investment ventures

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

XING, XIANGDONG Mandarin Customer Support Representative 100.

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

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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

No.

116.

HE, MAOGANG Procurement Specialist 87.

Brief Job Description: Analyze costs, negotiate contract details and offer strategies and solutions to help

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

117.

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

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

MAERSK GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRES (PHILIPPINES) LTD. Levels 5-8 North Wing, Estancia Offices, Capitol Commons Meralco Ave., Oranbo, City Of Pasig

GONZALEZ CARILLO, JORGE ANTONIO DE JESUS Collector 101.

GOLDROAD2020 CORPORATION 1719 Adriatico St., 076, Bgy. 699, Malate, City Of Manila

LEE, JU RAN General Manager 88.

Brief Job Description: All duties necessary for operation of offline stores, trading and general management of the whole company.

Basic Qualification: Major; Rich in Experience with Korean Company as management; 3 Language Speaker.

89.

GONZALEZ GARRIDO, ALBA Process Expert 102.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

HAN SUNG GLOBAL TRADING INC. Unit 209 Frdc Bldg., 106 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Ugong, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: fluent in Korean and English

Brief Job Description: Communicate with Korean customers

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

HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. 1128 University Parkway, North Bonifacio, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

90.

Brief Job Description: Assists in completing engineering projects by organizing and controlling project elements.

Basic Qualification: With at least 15 years of working experience in the engineering and construction industry.

105.

INFOVINE INC. 8th, 9th, 10th/f Aspire Corporate Plaza Bldg., Macapagal Blvd. St., Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City

AUDREY STEVENSON Chinese Speaking Program Designer 91.

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

WU, HAOHUA Chinese Speaking Program Designer 92.

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

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

INSIGHT DIRECT PHILIPPINES, LLC. 10f-11f Robinsons Cyber Omega, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, City Of Pasig

MAXELL, GARY GENE Operations Consultant 93.

Brief Job Description: Represents the interest of insight during the build out process

Basic Qualification: Advance analytical, problem solving and decision making skills

DENG, WENJING Mandarin Customer Support Representative 94.

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

LI, JUNTING Mandarin Customer Support Representative 95.

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

106.

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

107.

96.

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

LUO, XIAOLI Mandarin Customer Support Representative 97.

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

Brief Job Description: Provide timely feedback to customers regarding disputes, queries, and invoice information

108.

109.

110.

CAI, YANZHU Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

HE, FANGXIN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

HUANG, LIN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

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

111.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Monitor disputes and review on account payments

119.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Assist customers with their issues and inquiries

120.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Support customer from lam in end to end process from export to import side and land services

113.

114.

LAU LIEN DIN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

LEI, GUOGEN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

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

NGUYEN HAI LY Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Assist customers with their issues and inquiries Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Attend to export or import specific processes as assigned in the team

121.

SUN, JINGYU Mandarin Customer Support Representative 98.

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

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

115.

WANG, WENWEN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

YANG, SHI Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

YUN, HONGYAN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

ZHANG, JIANGBEI Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

ZHONG, YUBIN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

KANDA, TAKUMI Representative To Axia Power Holdings Philippines Corporation Brief Job Description: Lead and direct the Business Development of Axia Power Holdings Philippines Corporation

122.

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

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Assist customers with their issues keeping close communication with our coworkers locally or overseas in order to ensure prompt handling of expectations and concerns Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

123.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese/ Mandarin fluently

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

124.

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

Basic Qualification: Actively follow with payments and assists with the disputes handling process Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

125.

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

126.

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

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

127.

128.

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

129.

130.

131.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese/ Mandarin fluently

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Confidential Employee appointed by the head office in Japan Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg., Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

132. Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

MARUBENI CORPORATION 8/f L.v Locsin Bldg., Ayala Cor. Makati Aves., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

112. LIN, JIANXING Mandarin Customer Support Representative

Brief Job Description: Review statements of accounts and ensure appropriate attention detail and that they fall in line with SLAS and client requirements

CHALA DELGADO, ANUAR Spanish Speaker Collector - Spain

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

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor, Eight West Campus Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: In charge of collection of accounts from Mexico, some countries of Central America

PINZON GRANADOS, LAURA ALEJANDRA Senior Process Expert

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

Brief Job Description: Managing the request of key clients for Mexico, Guatemela, Nicaragua, and Hondura

SANCHEZ MIRANDA, FRAN OLIVER Senior Collector

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

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/Good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Support customer from lam in end to end process from export to import side, land services, invoice amendments, payment applications etc.

VICENCIO SOCHTING, CLAUDIO IVAN Process Expert 104.

KIM, SOOHYUN Assistant Supervisor

Brief Job Description: Deliver execution of processes and transactional task and being accountable for end results

MORALES DE MENA, LILIAN CLARIBEL Process Expert 103.

PARK, SONGHYUN Korean Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Initiates and receives business to business collection calls

YANG, PENGHAO Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

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

118. Basic Qualification: strong industry knowledge followed by impeccable negotiation skills and rapport building

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ZHAO, ZHIMIN 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

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 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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

133.

134.

135.

136.

137.

138.

139.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LIANG, ZHENHONG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

LIU, YANJIE Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

PHAM MY LINH Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

VUONG THI THOM Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

WANG, JINGJING Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

YE, CHUNHUA Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ZHONG, HANJIE Customer Service Representative 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

140.

Brief Job Description: Handle the full operations in Philippines

149.

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

150.

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

151.

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

152.

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

153.

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

154.

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

MONEYCAT FINANCING INC. Unit 1701 Tycoon Centre Bldg., Pearl Drive,ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

DMITRISHENA, DARIA Country Manager

No.

Basic Qualification: Bachelors degree and with a decade of experience in a financing and fintech company Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

155.

LE THANH BINH Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 141.

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

156.

157.

143.

144.

145.

146.

147.

148.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

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

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

QIU, XIANXIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

ZHENG, HEFANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

LUONG THI GUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN HOANG LAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI MY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

VY VAN SON Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

Brief Job Description: Perform testing, Monitoring , Verifying checks research and analyzing of account issues

PHELAN, PAULA MARY Brand Ambassador 159.

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

Basic Qualification: Any Nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently knowledgeable in computer business applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any Nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently knowledgeable in computer business applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any Nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently knowledgeable in computer business applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Represent leading international scotch and gin brands; bring to life local marketing and bar trade initiatives to inspire, engage and win share of mind for the brand with the local market company and its sales team, as well as local bartenders and consumers.

Basic Qualification: Degree holder with comprehensive knowledge in market sales, retail business, liquor, luxury and FMCG industry; at least 2 years of work experience; advanced to fluent in an international language (French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese or Korean)

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

GUO, YITAO Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 166.

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

WU, QIANGQIANG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 167.

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

YU, MENGLONG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 168.

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

BONG QIAN HUI Malaysian Customer Support Representative 169.

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

WANG, XU Mandarin Customer Support Representative 170.

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 5 years relevant experience, can speak and understand the French language

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

161.

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

Brief Job Description: Provide functional assistance to the kitchen operation

YIM, SEOK EUI Vice President/director Under Consumer Electronics Team Brief Job Description: Responsible for the development of the overall business

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

JIN, DANDAN Mandarin Speaking Property Consultant 171.

Brief Job Description: Manages the team in handling end-to-end property requirements from Chinese speaking clients

GRIFFO, KEVIN DOUGLAS Operations Manager 172.

LE DUC HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 162.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer question about services or products excellent Mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer question about services or products excellent mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer question about services or products excellent Mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer question about services or products excellent Mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Basic Qualification: Able to background check and coordinate with clients in Southeast Asia. Can write and understand Mandarin and Fookien excellently Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Establish a high standard for productivity, quality and customer service

Basic Qualification: 1-2 years related working experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

173.

174.

175.

Basic Qualification: College graduate/expertise in sales, marketing and general operations

SOMI UNLIMITED SOLUTIONS, INC. 10/f Tower 2 Double Dragon Plaza Bldg., Edsa Corner Macapagal Ave. St., Zone 10. Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City

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

URBANFLIX OUTSOURCING PHILS. INC. 11/f Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan, Brgy. Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

LUO, XUEBIN Chinese It Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

LYU, XIAOFENG Chinese It Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer question about services or products excellent Mandarin communication skills

UPLEADING INC. 20th Floor Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, 4th Avenue Cor. 31st St., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

PHILIPPINE PLAZA HOLDINGS, INCORPORATED Ccp Complex, Roxas Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City LECOMTE, JULIEN CAMILLE X Sous Chef - Western Cuisine

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

165.

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

Brief Job Description: Prepare and maintain company documents and reports and coordinate for daily administrative reports

CHEN, HAOJUN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

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

160.

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

164.

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

WEN, TAO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

No.

PERNOD RICARD PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 509 & 510, Five E-com Center, Moa Complex Bldg., Pacific Drive St., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHAIYANA, SUPAWADEE Thai Accounts Officer 158.

142.

LUONG HUU NAM Vietnamese Customer Service

MUANSUWAN, AUNGSUMARIN Thai Accounts Leader

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

DENG, DEFAN Chinese Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

KENNEDY Indonesian Accounts Leader

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

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

DANG MINH PHUOC Vietnamese Customer Service

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

OPTIMUS SYSTEM SOLUTIONS INC. 8/f Alphaland Makati Tower 3, 7232 Ayala Ave. Extn. Cor. Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

176.

HOANG CHI THO It Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

NGUYEN KHAC HIEN It Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices; Fluent in Mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices; Fluent in Mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices; Fluent in Mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices; Fluent in Mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Sep 27, 2021

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

SPEEDWELL INC. Unit No. 2-c, Flr. No.4/f, One E-com Center Building, Ocean Drive St., Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City TRAN QUANG HUY Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 163.

Brief Job Description: Prepare and maintain company documents and reports and coordinate for daily administrative reports

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer question about services or products excellent Mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A10 Tuesday, September 28, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

‘We’re giving love in a family dose’

ilipinos are known for their close family ties that results to extended family structure. We are family-oriented, and most households in the Philippines are commonly made up of extended family members, which may include grandparents, parents, children, aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces. It does not end there: The traditional Filipino family recognizes and accepts the importance of both consanguineal (related by blood) and affinal (connected by marriage) ties. Thus, the extended family can expand some more when in-laws live with their married children in an extended family. One of the reasons why Filipino families live together is that it is often a more affordable option. For example, married children live with their parents as they start off their careers to help them save money to buy their own house in the future. Meantime, grandparents are just so happy taking care of their grandchildren. As the family is the basic social unit of society and the nucleus of civilization, strong families make great nations. Aristotle wrote that the family is nature’s established association for the supply of mankind’s everyday wants. He said that the ancient Greek polis or city-state is the natural end of human beings; they start in family groups, progress naturally to forming villages, and finally come together in cities. Thus the family forms the root of human relationships. In the Philippines, we celebrate the National Family Week every year in the last week of September, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 60 issued on September 28, 1992 by President Fidel V. Ramos. As chair of the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), the Department of Social Welfare and Development spearheaded the 29th National Family Week celebration on September 20-27, 2021. This year’s theme is “Pamilya at Teknolohiya: Magkabalikat na Mapagtagumpayan ang Hamon ng Pandemya,” which aims to stress the importance of technology, whether modern or indigenous, in helping Filipino families cope with the effects of the pandemic. The theme explains how modern technology such as the use of online communication platforms and the like, has been assisting Filipino families in strengthening family relations amid the pandemic. In addition, other indigenous technology were also given recognition in the observance of the National Family Week, such as the Balai House Farming, which provides the family an activity to spend time together, at the same time yielding crops to help with food sustenance amid the pandemic. An online activity led by the DSWD served as the kick-off for the weekly celebration on September 20, followed by various family-focused activities conducted by the NCFF member-organizations, along with the Pasig City government as this year’s host local government unit. The DSWD also emphasized the need to raise awareness in observance of the “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day” every 4th Monday of September as declared by Presidential Proclamation No. 326 in January 2012, in conjunction with the annual celebration of the Family Week. For this year, the advocacy for the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day was observed yesterday, September 27. We thank the DSWD for spearheading this year’s celebration of the National Family Week. In the time of the pandemic, the celebration is doubly important because it serves to remind all Filipino families that there is nothing more important in our lives than our families. And we should take the time and effort to strengthen family relationships and values so we can all come out of this health crisis as a stronger and more intact unit. An old song says, “We are family…. all of the people around us they say/Can they be that close/Just let me state for the record/We’re giving love in a family dose…” The Filipino family is the best thing one could ever wish for. Living with your family means you are part of something wonderful. Since 2005

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Manny B. Villar

THE Entrepreneur

he shift to the Alert Level Systems for Covid-19 Response from the Enhanced Community Quarantine went on smoothly in the third week of September, without any significant surge in new infections, contrary to the prediction of several health experts. It is the government’s more proactive response to addressing the pandemic as it removes fear or panic from the equation. The result is a reduction in new daily cases to below the 20,000 mark. The number of recoveries also exceeded the number of new cases for several days last week, resulting lower Covid-19 active cases in the country. The Alert Level Systems, first tested in Metro Manila, is a more innovative and scientific approach that is better than a general lockdown. It allows business establishments to sustain their operations, albeit at a limited capacity and subject to strict health protocols. Of course, we need to continue to be cautious and follow the mask mandate at all times. We now know that even fully vaccinated individuals may catch the virus, including asymptomatic ones, if directly exposed to infected people. The key is to put on our mask every time we talk to other people, including our

close relatives and friends. The good news is that the pace of vaccination is picking up. More than 40 million vaccine doses were already administered in the country, mostly in the National Capital Region and surrounding areas. We could see a further reduction in new cases if more provinces and cities receive the vaccine doses. Data from the Department of Health points to a downtrend in active Covid-19 infections in Metro Manila, where the vaccination rate exceeded the 67-percent mark among the target population. The National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 attributed the declining cases to the faster vaccination program. Now that we have the current data, we can more effectively assess our next steps and not depend on panic or fear. A targeted vaccination campaign will help reduce the outbreak in populous areas with a high virus reproduction rate. The government expects an addi-

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tional 22 million doses in the coming weeks. With more vaccine shipments due to arrive, it is time to open the inoculation to the general population. The vaccination so far has been limited to the elderly, people with comorbidities, health and economic frontliners, and the poor. A majority of the population remains unvaccinated, especially the young people who are more mobile and active. If vaccination sustains its momentum, we may indeed celebrate a “happy Christmas,” as predicted or hoped for by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion. OCTA Research fellow Guido David added the Philippines may already be seeing “the end game of the Delta variant,” judging from the decline in the infection rate. But this should not lull us into complacency. Some of the early recipients of the vaccine received their second dose in March, which means they may need booster shots soon. Several vaccine manufacturers, including Moderna, confirmed that the effectivity of the vaccine may be waning over time. Our government should prepare to place orders for booster shots once they become available. We should use data and innovation to guide our way out of the pandemic and into the new normal. Now that health care became the most dominant need of our society in the past year and a half, we should expand and invest in the sector. In the world’s most livable cities, health care is the biggest employer and economic contributor. It has prepared urban centers well for

Productive value and speculative value

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror

MEMBER OF

Innovation is key to new normal

OUTSIDE THE BOX

round 1560, an Italian couple, the Bernacottis, made the first blueprint for the modern, wood-encased pencil. Their concept involved hollowing out a juniper wood cylinder and inserting a graphite stick. In 1858, American Hymen Lipman received the first patent for attaching an eraser to the pencil. Leonard Read, founder of the Foundation for Economic Education, wrote an essay titled I, Pencil in 1958. He tells of the complexity of the creation of a pencil and that no one individual could “make a pencil.” It requires many components (wood, lacquer, graphite, pumice, wax, and glue) and numerous people, from lumberjacks and miners to the janitor in the factory and the sailor guiding the shipment into port. The point is that when you purchase a pencil, you are paying for a lengthy and complicated chain of value-added services. Once you buy the pencil, you now have “invested”

in something that will give “productive value” because in using it— whether you are doodling or writing a symphony—you create value of some sort, even if it is not necessarily monetary value. This is important to note. Something can have productive value even if it is not the “end” of a productive value-added chain. I have a rather large smooth river rock that I found walking near Wawa Dam that has great productive value to me as a paperweight. Most everything that we buy is for its productive value. The opposite is “speculative value”—that is,

to make money. You buy a pair of shoes for the productive value. You buy a shoe manufacturing company for its speculative value. There can at times be a blend of the two. You buy a home to live in but in the future you may extract speculative value from it by selling to another person at a higher price than what you paid for it. However, those things that we call “investments” are in virtually all cases for the purpose of gaining speculative value. But we must also realize that even an investment can have productive value for an economy as a whole. The siomai kiosk franchise that you bought is part of a long productive value-added chain from the piggery to the mall. But you purchased that business for speculative purposes, to make money. However, by its nature—paying employees and taxes—it is providing productive value to the economy. Some investments like the stock market and cryptos are universally and almost exclusively created to provide speculative value. The origins of the stock market—from the share ownership of tradecraft cooperatives in ancient Greece—were never to buy low/sell high.

the Covid-19 pandemic. Investing in health care will allow us to emerge stronger from the global health crisis. The economic recovery from the 9.6-percent contraction last year won’t happen this year, as the government expects the gross domestic product to grow by at least 4 percent to 5 percent. What will help us to attain full recovery, hopefully by 2022, is innovation. We already started with digital technology, as seen in the dramatic rise of e-commerce, virtual business meetings, hybrid learning modules, work-from-home, and financial technology transactions. If we could spread these new technologies to more economic segments and to more communities, it would help us improve our Global Innovation Index ranking of 51st out of 132 economies. Results of the Global Innovation Index 2021 show the Philippines is already a leader in high-tech exports (ranked 1st in the world), utility models by origin (8th), creative goods exports (10th) and ICT services exports (13th). The improved ranking implies the Philippines produces more and higher-quality innovation outputs despite limited resources and pandemic-induced setbacks. With innovation, we can regain our pre-pandemic growth momentum and continue our journey to become an upper-middle-income economy in the new normal. For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar. com.ph

The money you spend to purchase stock shares—other than during an Initial Public Offering—creates little if any (other than broker commission) productive value for the economy. Eventually converting shares to cash may have a positive economic effect. The problem that the world currently faces is that going for “speculative value” is much greater than the desire for “productive value.” The part of economies that creates jobs (productive value) crashes and burns even as the stock market (speculative value) booms to historic highs. Global governments have spent trillions of dollars (and yen, euros, renminbi) to support and enhance the speculative-value economy. Why do you think Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg make a zillion times more than their lowest employee? Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, 1957: “When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing.... You may know that your society is doomed.” E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

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FREE-SIDENTIABLES: Pacquiao–Stretch before you box! Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

A series on the freedom to choose vis-à-vis the candidates for President in next year’s elections. “In the space between stimulus [what happens] and how we respond, lies our freedom to choose… We may have limited choices but we can always choose.”—Stephen R. Covey

N September 19, 2021, Senator Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao Sr., byname Pac-Man, officially announced his candidacy in the 2022 Philippine presidential election as a nominee of a political faction within PDP-Laban. This news may have been forthcoming especially since the good senator has been in the headlines of late, unwittingly inviting naysayers into questioning his motive for raising grievances against the administration. From Pambansang Kamao to a Presidentiable, from boxing phenomenon to a public figure, Manny Pacquiao is in for the biggest fight of his life. He may have handily won a congressional and a Senate seat, but a presidential race is an entirely different arena, one where he has never fought in before and might never fight again.

While his campfire may have crafted a working “textbook” from a considerable number of years in government service as a Congressman and a Senator, there appears to be no ready manuscript for the highest leadership position of the land. Knowing that Pac-Man is always ready to box against anyone, he knows he needs to “stretch” first and prepare for this biggest fight in his life. After all, he has emerged as world champion in eight different weight divisions through hard work. There must be something in Pacquiao that made him earn this feat, which may not be broken in boxing history, of becoming the only boxer to hold world championships across four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s). From being an impecunious 14-year-old newcomer in Manila, haggling construction work and unorthodox boxing, to transforming into a 42-year-old politician, Pacquiao has attempted to beat the odds of winning against much younger opponents. The years in between this transformation from a pauper to a public figure may have defined and stretched him into a God-fearing fighter. The four-decade period spent in boxing has stretched his skills, yet he never allowed his inadequacies to keep him from achieving his potential. As money and fame in the early years of his victorious life stretched his self-image, throwing him into the cubicles of gambling, partying, and womanizing, Pac-Man eventually found God. And as work in the government stretched his knowledge and patience, he refused to give up and be branded as a fool by studying the law of the land and the law of the Lord. For instance, he bravely raised a voice against divorce, same-sex marriage, and abortion, often using Biblical passages to support his point. Whether or not we concur with his positions in these sensitive topics or with his stance in favor of the death penalty, Pac-Man, as by all indications, is studying, learning and investigating. His loyalty to the President may likewise have been stretched. From being a “Duterte ally” and staunch defender to becoming a “Duterte enemy,” Pacquiao has become an outspoken critic of the President’s drug war and policy on the West Philippine Sea. So far, throughout this accusatory process, Pacquiao has condemned not the person but the acts or omissions of the President. These “stretching exercises” which has reinvented “Pac-Man” can be attributed to TEACHABLENESS and FAITH—two things that Pac-Man can exude and display in the presidential contest, win or lose. Manny Pacquiao maintains a semblance with the Biblical King David, a hero far from perfect yet called as “the man after God’s own heart.” King David likewise experienced several “stretching exercises” in his

Like King David, Manny Pacquiao has a capability to be taught, the willingness to learn from his mistakes and inadequacies, and the desire to please his Creator. Pacquiao’s life, stretched many times, remains to be a model of how our faith can be tested and rewarded. career, marriage, parental duties, and leadership skills, to name a few. Being human, King David made many mistakes. For incalculable times, he reached the end of himself because of extreme challenges. What sets him apart, however, is his desire to learn from his mistakes and be in an intimate relationship with God— definitive elements that model for us the values of TEACHABLENESS and FAITH. Like King David, Manny Pacquiao has a capability to be taught, the willingness to learn from his mistakes and inadequacies, and the desire to please his Creator. Pacquiao’s life, stretched many times, remains to be a model of how our faith can be tested and rewarded. American pastor Jentezen Franklin says that a rubber band faith is “the kind of faith that allows the Lord to stretch and expand you. God does His greatest work when we reach the end of ourselves. We seek comfort, but the Lord desires to grow us, and growth requires stretching.” Pacquiao has laid for us a landscape to rise above our faults and frailties and to reach for God’s hand in life’s seasons of “stretches.” Stretching, physically and psychologically, can be strenuous yet necessary to avoid breaking our bodies and minds! Sensibly and suitably, we remember King David’s song in Psalm16:8, “I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Being a southpaw, Pacquiao’s left hand may hold his power punch while his right hand, figuratively speaking, holds his power faith in the Creator. In Pacquiao’s career, marriage, and political life, stretching to his limit should have made him quit. Surprisingly, Pacquiao has summoned the collectivity of his past challenges, in his presidential bid. As to whether he will bend or break, only God knows. And Pacquiao knows that turning a free-sidentiable into a president requires a rubber band faith! A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 A11

Poverty as a political weapon Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

have written not too long ago in this column that rags-to-riches stories never fail to captivate an audience. The rise from penury to wealth, from ignominy to glory is a surefire formula to achieve fame in politics. But success comes only to people with exceptional gifts in business, acting, sports and other fields. In contemporary times, this is best exemplified by former Speaker and Senate President Manny Villar, Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao. They were all born and raised from the wrong side of the tract— Pacquiao in the slum of GenSan while Villar and Yorme in the squalid district of Tondo. They took different paths, but they all attained success. They became unbeatable in their game and they parlayed their popularity to get elected into public office. But this is not where their common narrative ends. They also shared the greatest dream of becoming the president of the Philippines. Villar had been there before but failed in his quest. Yorme and Pacman are still at it and only fate can tell if one of them can make Malacañang his home for the next six years. Can they follow the trail blazed by an exceptional man who had risen from poverty to become a president of our country? Sixty years ago, Diosdado P. Macapagal, dubbed as the Poor Boy from Lubao, was elected as the 9th President of the Philippines. He was born in Bo. San Nicolas, Lubao, Pampanga exactly 111 years ago today to a peasant couple. Urbano Macapagal, his father, was an impoverished Pampango poet and playwright who traveled from town to town whenever he was not at the farm. Diosdado’s mother was a share tenant’s daughter who did laundry work and other odd jobs in the neighborhood to help put food on their table. But Diosdado’s

abject poverty was compensated by a brilliant mind and a determined will to overcome his wretched existence. He graduated class valedictorian from the Lubao Elementary School and class salutatorian at the Pampanga High School. W hile working as a clerk at the Bureau of Lands, he earned his Associate in Arts degree at UP in 1932, which was still then located in Padre Faura, Manila. Awarded a scholarship grant, he supported his law studies at the Philippine Law School by working part time. Unfortunately, he got sick and was forced to quit school. He returned to Lubao to recuperate. To earn a living, he teamed up with his boyhood friend, Rogelio de la Rosa, in producing and acting in local zarzuelas that they showed around the province. De la Rosa became a famous actor in Philippine cinema and was later elected senator. Diosdado returned to Manila to resume his interrupted studies with the help of a philanthropist from Pampanga, Don Honorio Ventura, who volunteered to finance his legal education. Ventura, his benefactor, asked him to transfer to his Alma Mater, the University of Santo Tomas, where he earned his law degree in 1936. That year, he topped the bar examination with a rating of 89.95 percent, the second UST law graduate to place No.1 after former Chief

Justice Roberto Concepcion. His love for learning was insatiable. He completed his Master of Laws, Doctor of Civil Law and Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, all with distinctions. His doctoral dissertation dealt with the “Economic Development of the Philippines,” which served as his blueprint in undertaking economic reforms when he became president. He joined the leading law firm in the country and eventually set up his own law office after the war. He was a successful and respected practitioner that he was elected as the first president of the Philippine Lawyers Association, the forerunner of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, in 1947. He left his lucrative practice and joined the Department of Foreign Affairs to be of greater service to our nation. He became the Chief Negotiator in the transfer of the Turtle Islands from the United Kingdom to the Philippines. Turtle Islands, a group of more or less 400 small islands that are now part of Sulu Archipelago, added more than 200,000 hectares to our territory, with almost 300 hectares of land. Eventually he ran for Congress representing the 1st District of Pampanga in 1949. He bested Representative Amado Yuson of the Nacionalista Party by an overwhelming 20,000 votes, the largest margin of victory in the country’s congressional elections. He was reelected in 1953 despite the landslide victory of President Ramon Magsaysay, which swept the polls. He was consistently voted Most Outstanding Congressman by the Congressional Press Club during his entire term. His records as a lawmaker marked him for a greater role in government. This came to fruition when he was tapped to be the running mate of LP presidential candidate Jose Yulo in the 1957 presidential election. Yulo lost to President Carlos P. Garcia but Macapagal trounced Speaker Jose P. Laurel, Jr. to be the first vice president of the Philippines who was not a partymate of the elected president.

And the rest is history. I will not dwell on his achievements as our president for much has been said about it by both his political friends and foes alike. But three things stood out until today: Macapagal loved the poor where he came from; he was a man of the masses whose welfare was primordial in his program geared to help the common man; and lastly, he was incorruptible. The defunct Philippine Free Press once called him “a ruthlessly honest public official.” He is a distinct species of a government official that has gone extinct after Macapagal vanished from our political scene. Overcoming poverty and all its travails is always a compelling narrative. I have written before that being born poor is not a sin; dying one is. Many are born in deprivation and want; only very few are to a manor born. As Abraham Lincoln said: “God must love the poor that He created multitudes of them.” The poor soul must weave his dream and work hard to rise from his dire straits. Only a few succeed through honorable means and leave inspiration to others. They triumphed over adversities without losing their soul. Otherwise, their story is not worth a grain of salt. Instead of cultivating industry and honest work, they abet moral depravity and corruption. In their struggle to succeed, they should keep their moral compass, their honor and integrity intact. Otherwise, in peddling their fraudulent story, they have no moral ascendancy to weaponize poverty to enter into public service. In Matthew 16:26, Jesus tells the crowd: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Let this be a reminder for us as we discern those who seek our mandate in the guise that they sprang from the bosom of the poor masses. Like Macapagal, they should attain success through hard work, sheer intelligence and unblemished integrity in order to deserve our trust.

How do work-from-home arrangements affect tax incentives of registered business enterprises? Atty. Jomel N. Manaig

Tax Law for Business

re you one of the companies registered with an investment promotion agency and enjoying certain tax incentives? If so, you must be aware that there are certain terms and conditions stated in the Certificate of Registration or in your Registration Agreement with the concerned IPA attached to the registration. Compliance to these terms is necessary for the continuous enjoyment of the approved tax and non-tax incentives. Registration Agreements usually specify the areas where the registered project or activities shall be conducted. The specification of the area is not without any purpose. Conducting business outside the specified area could be considered as a violation of the agreement. As this is beyond the coverage of the registered activity, there is a possibility that incentives may be denied and other sanctions imposed resulting from the violation of the registration. This rule is more pronounced with the introduction by the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act of the new Section 309 of the Tax Code and reiterated in Rule 19 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Title XIII of the said Code. The rule strictly requires that a qualified registered project or activity under an IPA administering an economic zone or freeport shall be exclusively conducted or operated within the geographical boundaries of the zone or freeport being administered by the IPA in which the project or activity is registered. The registered business enterprise may conduct or operate more than one qualified registered

project or activity within the same zone or freeport under the same IPA. But any project or activity conducted or performed outside the geographical boundaries of the zone or freeport shall not be entitled to the incentives, unless such project or activity is conducted or operated under another IPA. Clearly, registered projects or activities must be conducted within the area administered by the IPA to which the enterprise is registered. Business activities done outside the area will be denied the supposed incentives. What is the repercussion of this requirement in relation to the constraints brought by the present pandemic? This pandemic has forced employers, including business enterprises registered with IPAs and enjoying incentives, to allow their employees to work-from-home (WFH). Certainly, work conducted at home is work conducted beyond the boundaries of economic zones or freeports. Will the transactions related to the work done at home by these employees be denied the supposed incentives simply because they are conducted outside the economic zones?

The Implementing Rules of the tax incentives under CREATE recognizes the possible implementation of temporary measures due to exceptional circumstances to support the recovery of registered business enterprises, subject to the approval by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB). The temporary measure will, without diminution of incentives, cover all registered business enterprises affected by such exceptional circumstances. The measure will cover a specific time period and only be limited to the duly approved incentives. As a temporary measure, the FIRB recently issued Resolution 19-21 allowing the Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector to continue implementing WFH arrangements until March 31, 2022, without affecting their incentives. There are, however, certain conditions that must be satisfied by these RBEs. For the number of employees allowed under a WFH arrangement, it should not exceed 90 percent of the total workforce of the concerned enterprise. This shall be reduced to 75 percent beginning January 1, 2022, unless the state of calamity is extended beyond this date, in which case the 90 percent ceiling will be maintained. Aside from the allowed number of employees, the number of equipment, such as laptops, brought outside the ecozone should not exceed the number of employees working from home. In fact, bonds are also required to answer for the taxes and duties brought outside the ecozone in case equipment is not returned to the site of the RBE after the WFH arrangement. Other conditions include compliance with certain reportorial requirements by the RBE. RBEs need to submit to their concerned IPAs on or before September 30, 2021 the following:

n list of equipment brought outside of the ecozone. n total number of employees. n number of employees under WFH arrangement. n a certification that the export requirement and number of employees will be maintained. This will be followed by a report after the end of each month as to the additional equipment brought outside of the ecozone, the total number of employees and the number of employees under a WFH arrangement. With the relaxation of the rules, enterprises under the IT-BPM sector are expected to comply with the conditions, including the submission of reportorial requirements. Compliance is necessary; otherwise, this may lead to the suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of the incentives. Tax incentives are granted not without conditions. These conditions include the place or area where registered projects or activities must be conducted. For IT-BPM, this is temporarily relaxed because of the current pandemic situation. Nonetheless, there are still limitations and conditions, including reportorial requirements, that must be observed and RBEs should comply with these to continuously enjoy the tax incentives.

The author is a senior associate of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a memberfirm of WTS Global. The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at jomel.manaig@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 403-2001 local 380.

A12 Tuesday, September 28, 2021

PANDEMIC DELAYS NCR HOTEL OPENINGS By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

HE Covid-19 pandemic continues to delay the opening of new hotels in the National Capital Region, according to a leading real estate services company. Data provided by Santos Knight Frank to the BusinessMirror showed 7,400 hotel rooms in the Metro Manila pipeline have been projected to be fully operational by the end of 2021 to 2025. Of these, however, some 4,300 rooms have been delayed. “They were initially scheduled to operate in late 2019 to 2020, but construction and launch had to be pushed back due to the pandemic,” said Rick Santos, Chairman and CEO of Santos Knight Frank. Investors hoping to capitalize on the rebound of the tourism industry can look into distressed hotels to purchase during this downtime, he added. “The hotel and tourism sectors are some of the worst-hit real estate asset classes across the world. Hotels have been forced to pivot, innovate, and explore financing options to sustain their operations,” he noted. “We have seen an increasing number of hotels in the Philippines, which are now looking at repurposing their spaces for other uses, such as office and residential, and retrofitting their facilities to address safety and health protocols,” said Santos.

Banks unwilling to finance deals

IN a recent webinar on “Hotel Outlook: The Road Back to Business” co-hosted by Santos Knight Frank with the British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, James Kaplan, CEO of Destination Capital, said: “Hospitality is an asset class that people like.” But he pointed out that not many acquisitions or investments are being made in Southeast Asia “partly [because] owners are finding it challenging to navigate in a

zero cashflow environment.” But the biggest obstacle to these hotel deals is “bank forbearance” i.e. the financial institutions themselves are holding back on financing such deals. Still, he expressed optimism that hotel acquisitions and investments will turn a corner next year. “We believe that early next year, lenders and governments will realize that paralysis is not a sustainable economic model. They have to do something and kicking the can down the road is not the answer, because even when travel starts it’s not like flipping a switch. Today is Thursday and tomorrow is Friday, and [hotels will] be fully occupied. It’s going to take years to recover, years to hire and retrain people, and years to pay down this mountain of debt that’s been accruing. I think you’ll start seeing more transactions in the first, second quarter.”

Hotel owners told to offer buy-back options

KAPLAN said in the first half of 2021, there were about 60 hotel deals done in Asia Pacific. “It was just short of US$4 billion of transactions, that works out to about 10,000 rooms … 85 percent of those deals happened in three markets — Japan, Korea, China.” His advice to hotel owners looking to recapitalize or leave the business? “There are private equity players out there who want to invest in this business, but not necessarily want to own forever. So selling to them should have buyback options. [With leisure resorts predicted to be the first to rebound], resort owners are in a good place to talk to private equity about selling a bit or part of their business or selling all, with a buy-back in, or they just want to go out. There’s a lot of money out there in hospitality, and resorts are an asset class I like and an asset class I want in 2022.” Destination Capital is a private equity investment firm, which focuses on real estate.

Comelec meets as solons OK voter listing extension

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

S lawmakers rushed legislation to compel it to extend voter registration, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to decide on the matter on Wednesday—a day before the deadline for listing. High-ranking Comelec officials met last Monday to determine the feasibility of extending the deadline of voter registration beyond September 30, 2021 as requested by several lawmakers and groups. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the meeting was attended by all Comelec commissioners and regional directors. “They [Comelec commissioners] are all there and they listened to the arguments and participated in the discussions, but they reserved judgement until later, when they are alone,” Jimenez explained. He said the Comelec en banc will meet on Wednesday to finally decide on the matter. “We are preparing the recommendation now and it will be submitted to the banc on Wednesday,” Jimenez said.

The Comelec en banc had earlier thumbed down the proposal to extend the voter registration deadline, saying such delay its preparations for the 2022 National and Local elections. However, it decided to review its decision after some senators delayed the approval of the 2022 budget until it commits to extend the voter registration. Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas said they may consider extending voter registration by another week after the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) from October 1 to 8, 2021.

3rd reading in Senate, House

ON Monday (September 27), the Senate and the House of Representatives separately approved on third reading a bill mandating the extension of voter registration amid

repeated rejection by the Comelec of their appeals to stretch the registration to another month. Senate Bill No. 2408, an Act Extending the Registration of Voters for the 2022 National and Local Elections, was unanimously approved by all senators in virtual and physical attendance. The measure was signed by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy S. Binay, Pia S. Cayetano, Leila M. De Lima, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Win Gatchalian, Christopher Lawrence Go, Richard J. Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo M. Lacson, Lito M. Lapid, Imee R. Marcos, Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, Francis Pangilinan, Grace Poe, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino, Joel Villanueva, and Cynthia A. Villar. Zubiri, principal author of the bill, said the Senate will adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the bill, which says the last day of registration will be 30 days from the effectivity of the proposed measure. This will do away with the bicameral conference committee meeting to reconcile the two bills. Then, the final version will be sent to the President for signature. “Hopefully the President will sign this request,” Zubiri said. The House vote was 193 affir-

mative, 0 negative and 0 abstention on the bill filed by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco—along with Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano. It set the last day of registration for next year’s polls “30 days after the effectivity” of the proposed measure. Senator Zubiri, in his own sponsorship speech, said the monthlong extension could make a big difference in accommodating people who want to register for the 2022 elections. He said the extension would prevent the disfranchisement of about 12 million eligible voters. Senators stressed that almost six months of the registration period was eaten up by stringent lockdowns forced by the pandemic. Comelec resolutions dated July 18, 2019 and January 10, 2020 set voter registration for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections from January 20, 2020 until September 30, 2021. T he Comelec, the senators stressed, set the September 30, 2021 deadline before the pandemic happened, and should have adjusted it. For his part, Velasco prodded the Comelec to put in place measures to make it easier for Filipinos to register and vote, such as fixing long lines at voter registration centers. With Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz and Butch Fernandez

DA vows to disburse balance of RCEF By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday vowed to disburse the remaining P20 billion of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) after questions on the department’s spending of the six-year fund were raised during the plenary debate on its 2022 proposed budget. Agriculture Secretary William Dar made a commitment after Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo noted the slow disbursement of the RCEF amid the Covid-19 pandemic and amid the impact of Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to local farmers. RCEF is a six-year P10-billion rice production development program created under the RTL law, or Republic Act 11203, which deregulated the rice industry. The law mandates that P5 billion would be allocated for farm mechanization, P3 billion for inbred seed distribution, P1 billion for credit and P1 billion for extension. Documents provided by Quimbo showed that Notice of Cash Allocation issued regarding RCEF has reached P25.9 billion as of end August. However, Quimbo said the disbursement made by the agencies concerned in implementing the RCEF only reached P10.8 billion since the program started three years ago. In 2019, Quimbo said the government’s rice tariff collection has reached a total of P12.1 billion from rice importation; of which the P10 billion was allocated to the RCEF regular programs, and the remaining

P2.1 billion was appropriated to rice farmers’ financial assistance under the GAA of 2021. In 2020, she said the total collection reached P15.4 billion. Of the total collection, P10 billion was allocated to the RCEF regular programs. The remaining P5.4 billion was appropriated to the rice farmers financial assistance. During the hearing of DA’s proposed P91 billion budget for 2022, Secretary Dar through House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairman Teodorico Haresco Jr. said the whole amount would be utilized this year. “We now have the personal commitment from good Secretary Dar that he will do it within the year,” said Haresco, also the sponsor of the DA’s budget. According to Haresco, the funding has already been downloaded to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech). PhilMech, an attached agency of the DA, failed to complete by April the delivery of all farm equipment financed by the 2019 and 2020 RCEF. However, PhilMech assured beneficiaries of the mechanization program that the machines pending under the 2019 RCEF would be distributed, and that delivery of equipment funded by the 2020 RCEF would be completed by the first quarter of this year. Data showed the government distributed 13,441 items of farm mechanization as of September 12, 2021. The government is also targeting to deliver another 6,688 units.

CYCLISTS take selfies in front of the newly installed Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach archway on Roxas Boulevard, which leads to a stretch of artificial white-sand beach on Manila Bay. ROY DOMINGO

‘Let families under lockdown get goods from their LGUs’

NLESS the Commission on Elections issues an exemption order, households stuck in granular lockdowns might not be able to get essential goods from local government units. The chances of this scenario happening are very high, since there is no end in sight yet for the Covid-19 pandemic, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday. Marcos thus urged Comelec to allow families under granular lockdowns to continue receiving relief

packs from their LGUs. The former senator asked the poll body to issue an exemption order to its Resolution No. 10695 which set the calendar of activities for the May 9, 2022 presidential elections, particularly the prohibition on giving donations or gifts, in cash or in-kind, from the start of the campaign period for national positions to election day. “In my view the pandemic won’t be over yet by that time, so we will still have some places under granu-

lar lockdown. I’m thinking more of those people affected by these lockdowns during the campaign period, rather than the candidates like myself. What happens to those families in areas under granular lockdown?” he asked, in a mix of English and Filipino. Under the said resolution, giving donations or gifts, in cash or in-kind, is prohibited from February 8 to May 9, 2022. Marcos pointed out that unless the Comelec issues an exemption order, residents of areas under

granular lockdown, who are barred from leaving their homes, may not be able to get aid, in the form of relief goods, from their LGUs. “Parang may tali ang kamay ng mga taga-LGUs. Pero ang mas kawawa ay ang mga pamilyang hindi mahahatiran ng ayuda na hindi pa pwedeng lumabas sa kanilang mga tahanan [It’s like the LGUs’ hands are tied. But the ones most disadvantaged are the families who cannot leave their homes, but to whom the LGUs cannot deliver ayuda],” he said.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

SC nullifies open access rules issued by DOE, ERC

By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

he Supreme Court (SC) has unanimously declared void for lack of legal basis the regulations issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) which limit the accredited suppliers for big power consumers.

It was supposed to take effect on February 26, 2017 but was derailed due to the issuance of a temporary restraining order by the SC. The ERC resolutions were issued to resolve any displaced contract capacity or energy that the distribution utilities may experience due to the mandatory migration of their customers to RCOA. The petitioners claimed that the circular is unconstitutional for usurping legislative authority, violating the right to due process, equal protection clause, and non-impairment clause, as well as being an unreasonable exercise of police power. They argued that the RCOA violated the basic constitutional right to freedom of choice of electricity consumers as it deprived them of the right to choose RES outside ERC’s listed firms. They stressed that the new regulations do not actually open the power industry nor do they create a fair competition. They argued that imposing man-

datory contestability to electricity consumers would limit their choice of suppliers as it prohibits distribution utilities from participating in the contestable market even if the distribution utilities can offer the lowest price to consumers. The petitioners added that the assailed circular and regulations violate not only the Constitution but also Republic Act 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), because it will lead to higher prices of electricity and will have a negative impact on the economy. They also warned that the regulations could lead to an increase in the cost of their power requirements which could translate to an increase in the prices of goods and services. In granting the petition, the Court agreed that the assailed issuances violated the provisions of EPIRA and its policy of promoting competition through greater end-user choice.

In a 39-page decision penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Court en banc granted the consolidated petitions filed by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, electricity consumer groups, electric cooperatives, school institutions and several business groups seeking to nullify DOE Circular No. DC201506-0010 and ERC Resolution No. 5,

10, 11, and 28 all series of 2016 for being unconstitutional. The DOE circular provided policies for the full implementation of Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) which compel electricity end-users with at least 1 megawatt of peak demand to choose from the 23 retail electricity suppliers (RES) designated by the ERC.

AirAsia: Scrap swab tests for vaccinated flyers

AEV to sell 25% stake in power unit

irAsia Philippines supports calls to scrap the required negative RT-PCR test for incoming visitors who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, saying that it further discourages passengers from flying. Ricky Isla, the airline’s president, said the RT-PCR test disincentives fully vaccinated passengers, as it only adds to the cost of air travel. Local government units (LGUs) such as those in Palawan, Aklan, and Cebu have asked the national government to scrap the RT-PCR test result before entry for fully vaccinated individuals. “AirAsia is 100 percent behind our LGUs in calling for a more relaxed travel restriction and requirement for fully vaccinated individuals to lessen the cost of air travel. It is also one way to incentivize those who took the shot and encourage more to do the same,” said Isla, who is also the president of Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP). He added: “It’s Christmas season in the Philippines, and after almost 2 years of not being able to travel due to the pandemic, Filipinos would surely want to spend time with family in the provinces or just simply enjoy the beach and the sun in the many leisure destinations in the country.” Isla noted that AirAsia has been implementing measures to strengthen its operations while ensuring that each flight is safe from Covid-19. It recently added a health travel tile on its app, integrating the Department of Health’s VaxCertPH to quickly verify the legitimacy and certify a passenger’s vaccination status. “We are in the final stages of integration and once completed we shall roll out the health travel icon on the airasia Super App for easy vaccination verification among LGU’s who would accept fully vaccinated individuals. This definitely will hasten the recovery of not only the airline industry but the tourism sector as a whole,” Isla added. Aside from this, AirAsia is also advocating for the removal of quarantine periods for fully vaccinated international passengers. Lorenz S. Marasigan

By VG Cabuag @villygc

boitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) on Monday said it will sell 25.01 percent of its stake in its power unit for at least $1.46 billion in cash to JERA Asia Pte Ltd., Japan’s largest power generation company. In its disclosure, AEV said it is selling some 1.84 billion common shares in Aboitiz Power Corp. to JERA. “The transaction and the resulting interest allow Aboitiz Power to benefit from the experience and expertise of Japan’s largest power generator, and releases significant cash proceeds to AEV that allows it to pursue the Aboitiz group’s growth objectives,” the company said. JERA will make a onetime payment in cash to Aboitiz Group at the close of the transaction. The Aboitiz family’s privately held parent company has also agreed to sell an additional 1.99 percent stake in AboitizPower, bringing JERA’s total ownership to 27 percent. AEV will retain a controlling stake of 52 percent in AboitizPower upon completion of the transaction, down from the previous 77 percent. AEV said the valuation of the shares was undertaken by JERA

following due diligence review of AboitizPower’s assets. The deal, however, will still have to undergo the approval process of the Philippine Competition Commission and also of AEV’s shareholders through a special stockholders’ meeting called by the company on December 9. “This transaction unlocks significant capital that will be used toward fueling the AEV group’s growth initiatives. Most importantly, we look forward to the new strategic partnership with JERA as we welcome their trust, expertise, and commitment to help the AEV group drive change for a better world by accelerating Philippine economic growth and promoting the development of clean energy,” AEV President and CEO Sabin M. Aboitiz said in a statement. AboitizPower and JERA have identified potential areas for collaboration across multiple fronts including joint development of LNGto-power projects, the fuel sourcing and management of LNG (liquefied natural gas), potential participation in aspects of plant O and M (operations and maintenance), and exploration of the use of new generation technologies. “We look for ward to work-

Continued on B2

ing collaboratively with JERA to achieve our 10-year vision of increasing our generation portfolio to 9,200 megawatts, by adding 3,700-MW of RE [renewable energy] capacity resulting in a 50:50 balance between our Cleanergy and thermal portfolios,” AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio said. JERA was established in 2015 as an equal joint venture between two major Japanese electric companies—TEPCO Fuel and Power Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co. It has a global reach and strengths across the entire energy supply chain from participation in fuel upstream projects and procurement through fuel transportation and power generation. Looking toward 2025, JERA focuses primarily on energy solutions in two areas—large-scale renewable energy centered on offshore wind power generation and LNG value chains. To further drive existing initiatives and clarify its long-term vision, JERA established its “JERA Zero CO2 Emissions 2050” objective in October 2020 based on the development of renewable energy and zero-emission thermal power generation using ammonia and hydrogen.

Electric coops told to stop RFSC collection By Lenie Lectura @llectura

wo electric cooperatives (ECs) were ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to immediately stop collecting additional Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capita l Ex pend itures (R FSC) from their consumers. The RFSC is envisioned to fund the amortization of the debt of ECs used for the expansion, rehabilitation or upgrading of their existing electric power system in accordance with their ERCapproved capital expenditure (capex) plan. The ERC directed Camiguin Electric Cooperative Inc. (CAMELCO) and Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative Inc. (BUSECO) to cease from collecting any additional R FSC, pending their compliance with the regulator’s directive to submit an update on

their respective RFSC collection as approved by the Commission. “In view of the said directive of the Commission to cease the collection of any additional RFSC, CAMELCO’s RFSC rate shall be pegged at P0.5324 per kilowatt hour ( kW h), while BUSECO’s RFSC shall be pegged at P0.2508/ kWh until further notice of the Commission,” ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes Devanadera said. CAMELCO, based on records submitted to the ERC, has not complied with the directive for it to submit a third-party audit report with respect to the additional RFSC rate that is being collected from its member-consumers. It was also directed to submit an update on its capex projects, including sufficient justification for each project, and an update on its RFSC collection as approved by the commission pursuant to Resolution No. 20, Series of 2009 or the Rules for Setting the Elec-

tric Cooperatives’ Wheeling Rates (RSEC-WR). Meanwhile, BUSECO has already complied with the submission of its third-party audit report concerning the additional RFSC collected by it from August 2011 to July 2014. Hence, BUSECO was directed to submit to the ERC its update on the additional RFSC collected from August 2014 up to present and an update on its RFSC collection as approved by the commission pursuant to the RSEC-WR. “ T he Commission w il l not tolerate any stakeholders’ noncompliance of our directives. We will closely monitor the respective compliance of CAMELCO and BUSECO on the submission of the required documents. Their failure to comply with the said directives shall constrain the Commission to impose the appropriate sanction/s, if warranted,” Devanadera added.

JFC to start selling preferred shares J ollibee Foods Corp.’s (JFC) offer period for its P12-billion perpetual preferred shares, which it will list on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) next month, will start on Tuesday. The company said the preferred shares offering is part of the P20 billion in shelf registration approved recently by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Jollibee may issue the preferred shares in one or more tranches within a period of three years. For the first tranche, the company will offer up to P8 billion worth of preferred shares, with an overallotment option of up to P4 billion. The first tranche of offering will be under the trading symbol JFCPA for the series A preferred shares, which will have a fixed rate of 3.2821 percent per annum, and JFCPB for the series B which will have a fixed rate of 4.2405 percent. The offer period will start at 9 a.m. on September 28 and end at 12 noon on October 4, subject to the right to extend or terminate the offer period with the approval from the SEC and PSE. Jollibee’s share sale is composed of 3 million in series A preferred shares and 9 million in series B preferred shares both at an offer price of P1,000 apiece. The company intends to use some P9.91 billion of the proceeds to buy back a portion of the outstanding $600 million or about P30.58 billion in senior perpetual securities issued by Jollibee last year. The company, through Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd., issued the said security on January 23, 2020 and was listed in the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. The securities offered an initial distribution rate of 3.9 percent, noncallable in five years and payable semi-annually. This offer was

not registered with the Philippine SEC because the offer involved an entity outside of the Philippines and the shares were offered outside of the Philippines. Proceeds from issuance of the senior perpetual securities were partially used to refinance the shortterm debt from the acquisition of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The securities are guaranteed by the company. Meanwhile, about P1.09 billion of the proceeds will be used as its capital expenditures for the commissary operations of Jollibee’s wholly owned subsidiary, Zenith Foods Corp. which is planning to build a new commissary in Cebu to support its growing business in the Visayas and Mindanao. The new commissary will support the requirements of various brands including Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking and Red Ribbon. The funds shall be provided by Jollibee Group through an equity infusion. Some P893 million will be used for the new stores of its units Fresh N’ Famous Inc., Red Ribbon Bakeshop Inc. and PERF Restaurants Inc. The funding shall be given to the subsidiaries in the form of equity infusion. In the fourth quarter of 2021, the group targets to open between 15 to 25 company-owned stores in Luzon, while there will be a total of between three to seven companyowned stores to be opened in Visayas and Mindanao. Next year, about 40 to 60 company-owned stores are planned to be opened with roughly the same new store count mix by region. BPI Capital Corp. was hired as the issue manager for the transaction, which will also serve as joint lead underwriter and bookrunner alongside with BDO Capital and Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. VG Cabuag

D&L to beef up R&D programs

hemical manufacturer D&L Industries Inc. said it will further increase its investments in research and development (R&D) following the completion of its Batangas plant expansion to create more products. The company said it will use some of the proceeds of its P5-billion maiden bond offering to finance its Batangas expansion plant. This new facility is envisioned to be a world-class manufacturing plant which will have R&D and innovation capabilities. “Innovation is the foundation of our business. This is how we were able to grow the company to where it is today—from a small business venture in 1963 with an initial capital of just P2,000 which my uncle and father founded, to a listed company in the Philippines valued today at almost P60 billion. Two of my uncles as well as my father are chemical engineers and that is why R&D, engineering and chemistry are at the core of our business. We continue to see this as

a key strength and the main driver of growth moving forward,” company president and CEO Alvin Lao said. With the company’s R&D and innovation capabilities, it was able to help its various customers stay ahead of trends as well as adapt to changing regulatory landscape. For instance, the company has developed Biorez and Biomate, two of its proprietary lines of plastic materials and additives that can make plastics compostable and biodegradable. As a big proponent of green chemistry in the country, D&L is also capable of assisting its customers make their products sustainable to stay ahead of the shift in consumer preference towards sustainability. The company offers sustainable product solutions from coconut-derived raw materials for personal and home care products, environmentally-friendly chemicals for industrial and construction applications, organic fertilizers to wholesome food ingredients. VG Cabuag

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

‘Many firms extended health, financial aid to employees’ By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@TyronePiad

any local businesses were able to extend support—in terms of health, financial and work arrangements—to their employees amid the pandemic, and had even retained or added workers despite the decline in their earnings. In a survey conducted by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Institute of Corporate Directors and Makati Business Club (MBC), company executives said health support for regular employees is the top priority for them, with 68 percent affirming the sentiment. Their health support includes free vaccine; free or subsidized test-

ing, treatment and medicines; and provision of personal protective equipment. In terms of financial assistance, 43 percent said they extended advances and loans while below 10 percent provided specific allowances (work-from-home subsidy, hazard pay) and quarantine leaves, among others. Meanwhile, 45 percent said

they continued to pay non-reporting employees. Some 18 percent allowed the shift to part-time work while 10 percent provided support for their employees’ work-from-home arrangement. In-kind assistance, meanwhile, includes transportation, meal and accommodation. Some companies were also able to provide the same support for their contractual and agency employees. “The survey results show that Philippine business, in this pandemic, is a caring, nurturing and compassionate sector in our society,” said Rex Drilon, chairman of MAP’s Shared Prosperity subcommittee. While 61 percent of the respondents experienced a decline in earnings, 55 percent said they kept or even increased the number of their employees. “A key objective of businesses is to create jobs and in a crisis like this, businesses’ top priority is to protect jobs and the health and safety of our people,” MBC Chairman Edgar Chua said. “I’m extremely proud to say that businesses are fulfilling that commitment during this crisis.”

Assistance to clients

A third of the respondents said they provided support to their suppliers and contractors while more than half extended assistance to their clients and customers. About half of the companies gave support in terms of payment obligations, including advanced payments. They also provided material, logistical and other operational support, in addition to transportation and accommodation arrangements.

Some 10 percent also extended financial assistance (advances, loans) and health and wellness support. For the clients, 58 percent extended payment terms while 20 percent waived payments and rental fees. Nearly 40 percent offered discounts. Only 4 percent waived fees and other requirements. Majority, or 73 percent, also provided support for healthcare workers, including provision of PPE; medical, testing, quarantine/isolation facilities; meals and accommodations; and other donations. Over 70 percent also held donation drives for low-income communities amid the pandemic. “Companies tend to partner with existing charities, foundations or projects in providing support for low-income communities and other groups,” the report said.

Other findings

About 85 percent said work-fromhome and flexible work arrangements are here to stay. Meanwhile, 65 percent said they need to assist in the procurement of more Covid-19 doses. Some 41 percent said they must be involved in vaccine administrations. “Regardless of financial performance during the pandemic, businesses still found different ways to help different stakeholders,” the report said. “Majority of the actions taken are intended to give assistance to the stakeholders or at the very least allow them to continue to function.” The survey has 200 respondents from 178 companies and 34 business groups.

SC nullifies open access rules issued by DOE, ERC Continued from B1

“The EPIRA champions customer choice and allows contestable customers to choose from either franchise holders who have unbundled their business or non-regulated electricity suppliers. Clearly, as respondent Department of Energy itself admits, the mandatory migration of qualified end-users to the contestable market required in the assailed issuances finds no basis in the law they seek to implement,” the SC said. “Undoubtedly, the assailed issuances are ultra vires for going beyond the limits of authority conferred to respondent administrative agencies. They should, therefore, be struck down,” it added.

‘Implement DOE circulars’

The Court also did not give credence to the claim of the DOE that the petition is already considered moot with its issuance of Department Circular Nos. 2017-12-0013 and 2017-120014, which supposedly revoked and rectified the policies in Circular No. 2015-06-0010. Both circulars were issued by the DOE as a result of the Court’s TRO on the assailed issuances, to provide guidance to the affected end-users and suppliers. Circular No. 2017-12-0013 allowed the voluntary participation or voluntary migration of end-users with a monthly average peak demands of 750 kW and above and 500 kW to 749 kW into the contestable market. Circular 2017-12-2014, in turn, modified the assailed DOE circular by repealing the prohibition on distribution utilities to supply electricity beyond its captive customers. The Court noted that a case is rendered moot when there is no longer a

conflict of legal rights which would entail judicial review. In this case, the SC noted that while the repealing two DOE circular may have modified or repealed portions of the assailed circular, respondent ERC continues to assert that distribution utilities should be prohibited from participating in the contestable market, and that the migration of qualified end-users to the contestable market is mandatory. “Clearly, there remains a continuing controversy which requires judicial resolution,” the SC said. It pointed out that with Circular 2015-06-00l0 having been repealed, the assailed ERC resolutions, which were regulatory guidelines to the assailed circular, have become “bereft of legal basis.” The Court noted that the DOE has the power “to supervise the restructuring of the electricity industry” and to formulate the rules and regulations to implement the EPIRA law while the ERC is obliged to enforce the circulars and regulations issued by the DOE. Thus, the SC directed the ERC “to promulgate the supporting guidelines to Department Circular Nos. DC2017-12-0013 and DC2017-120014.” “Clearly, then, respondent Department of Energy, with its mandate of supervising the restructuring of the electricity industry, is the agency tasked with formulating rules and regulations to give life to EPIRA’s policy objectives,” the SC pointed out. “Respondent Energy Regulatory Commission, for its part, is tasked with implementing the rules and regulations formulated and issued by respondent Department of Energy. It cannot supplant respondent Department of Energy’s policies, rules, and regulations with its own issuances.”

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

September 27, 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 PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND IREMIT MEDCO HLDG NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

44 113 80.3 24 9.06 44.5 17.06 20.9 19.3 104.2 84.05 0.9 4.32 3.19 6.54 1.2 0.33 0.63 225.2 2,400

44.5 113.3 80.5 24.05 9.08 44.6 18 21.2 19.5 104.8 84.5 0.95 4.33 3.28 7.97 1.26 0.345 0.66 232 2,500

44.1 113.4 82.5 23.95 9.06 45 18 20.55 19.2 108 85 0.95 4.33 3.19 6.54 1.15 0.35 0.66 225 2,400

44.1 115 82.55 24.05 9.08 45.4 18 21.35 19.78 108.4 85.05 0.95 4.34 3.28 6.54 1.26 0.35 0.66 234 2,400

44.1 112.8 80.25 23.95 9.04 44.4 18 20.55 19.14 104.2 83.55 0.9 4.3 3.19 6.54 1.14 0.325 0.66 225 2,400

44.1 113 80.3 24 9.04 44.5 18 21.2 19.3 104.2 84.05 0.9 4.32 3.28 6.54 1.26 0.345 0.66 225.2 2,400

800 1,833,670 4,715,640 72,200 134,400 3,129,500 400 597,000 46,300 1,184,930 50,600 1,334,000 44,000 4,000 600 66,000 370,000 35,000 200 5

35,280 207,925,088 380,563,767 1,734,985 1,217,339 139,920,805 7,200 12,546,795 895,946 125,391,432 4,287,592 1,228,720 190,110 12,850 3,924 77,650 121,200 23,100 46,230 12,000

-14,089,527 -170,862,048 149,639 -59,415,285 -604,600 -21,420 -35,725,356 1,102,254 12,990 12,000

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 12.08 12.1 11.7 12.12 11.54 12.1 47,737,900 571,496,296 ALSONS CONS 1.15 1.17 1.16 1.17 1.15 1.17 89,000 102,890 ABOITIZ POWER 34.2 34.25 33.7 35.1 33.55 34.2 8,806,800 302,402,870 0.53 0.54 0.55 0.56 0.53 0.54 5,142,000 2,790,680 BASIC ENERGY 33 33.35 32.2 33.5 32 33 3,358,000 110,606,965 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 74.05 74.15 74.05 74.9 74.05 74.05 35,130 2,603,457.50 MERALCO 296.2 296.4 292 296.2 290 296.2 169,430 49,775,612 18.2 18.24 18.2 18.3 18 18.24 1,590,100 28,937,632 MANILA WATER 3.07 3.08 3.07 3.09 3.05 3.08 1,894,000 5,825,020 PETRON PETROENERGY 3.99 4.05 4 4.05 4 4.05 104,000 419,900 PHX PETROLEUM 11.78 12.06 11.62 12.06 11.56 12.06 67,500 805,294 PILIPINAS SHELL 19.54 19.56 19.52 19.6 19.52 19.56 190,000 3,721,390 14.54 14.76 14.3 14.88 14.3 14.76 353,700 5,146,052 SPC POWER 14.02 16.48 14.02 14.02 14.02 14.02 1,800 25,236 VIVANT AGRINURTURE 4.93 5 5.1 5.3 4.93 5 429,400 2,152,993 AXELUM 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.7 212,000 562,070 13.54 14.3 14.3 14.3 14.3 14.3 100 1,430 CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD 28.7 28.8 29.25 29.35 28.7 28.7 602,800 17,572,730 DEL MONTE 14.72 14.8 14.62 14.74 14.56 14.72 129,900 1,903,642 DNL INDUS 7.71 7.78 7.8 7.85 7.71 7.71 6,735,300 52,573,401 17.88 17.94 18 18.38 17.82 17.88 7,942,300 143,911,004 EMPERADOR 76.2 77.1 76 77.1 76 77.1 68,090 5,221,082.50 SMC FOODANDBEV 0.63 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.62 0.63 13,000 8,230 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.25 1.26 1.3 1.3 1.26 1.26 3,833,000 4,872,770 GINEBRA 104.3 104.9 102.9 105 100.4 104.9 69,150 7,200,734 197.2 198.2 202 202.8 197.2 197.2 509,270 101,626,721 JOLLIBEE 6.3 6.36 6.5 6.5 6.1 6.3 307,300 1,920,855 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.192 0.195 0.199 0.199 0.19 0.192 980,000 187,330 MONDE NISSIN 20.2 20.25 20 20.7 19.98 20.25 22,916,700 465,113,245 7.7 7.85 7.64 7.8 7.6 7.8 18,800 144,571 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.74 0.75 0.81 0.82 0.75 0.75 9,801,000 7,571,970 4.53 4.6 4.55 4.55 4.54 4.54 7,000 31,800 RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG 1.3 1.36 1.37 1.37 1.37 1.37 10,000 13,700 SWIFT FOODS 0.119 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.112 0.119 4,670,000 545,250 130 131 134 135.4 130 130 2,050,930 271,514,901 UNIV ROBINA 0.77 0.78 0.78 0.79 0.76 0.77 5,218,000 4,001,970 VITARICH CEMEX HLDG 1.25 1.26 1.24 1.26 1.23 1.26 3,262,000 4,072,080 EAGLE CEMENT 15.06 15.08 14.56 15.1 14.56 15.08 212,400 3,166,426 7.2 7.33 7.21 7.22 7.2 7.2 122,000 879,605 EEI CORP 6.27 6.28 6.45 6.45 6.27 6.28 190,300 1,196,003 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 6.1 6.15 6.25 6.25 6.06 6.1 390,500 2,411,417 PHINMA 14.52 14.6 14.6 14.7 14.3 14.5 39,300 569,920 TKC METALS 0.91 0.93 0.94 0.94 0.91 0.91 44,000 40,380 1.16 1.18 1.23 1.23 1.16 1.16 6,343,000 7,520,170 VULCAN INDL 1.81 1.88 1.7 1.87 1.68 1.87 736,000 1,320,400 EUROMED LMG CORP 4.34 4.57 4.41 4.41 4.31 4.34 35,000 153,170 MABUHAY VINYL 5.31 5.44 5.44 5.44 5.31 5.44 8,100 43,973 5.4 5.44 5.41 5.45 5.4 5.4 67,900 367,020 PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION 22.55 24.2 22.55 22.55 22.55 22.55 100 2,255 GREENERGY 2.2 2.28 2.46 2.46 2.2 2.2 9,680,000 22,152,490 INTEGRATED MICR 8.04 8.05 8.21 8.21 8.02 8.05 589,300 4,755,149 IONICS 0.86 0.89 0.88 0.88 0.85 0.88 371,000 319,560 5.79 5.96 5.9 5.96 5.68 5.78 3,200 18,686 PANASONIC SFA SEMICON 1.15 1.19 1.17 1.19 1.16 1.16 481,000 559,660 CIRTEK HLDG 4.39 4.4 4.42 4.43 4.38 4.39 1,528,000 6,725,660

59,374,186 8,190 -6,695,265 -9,280 31,956,575 -857,262 8,188,048 4,119,622 719,760 -233,546 145,000 -50,710 -2,280,515 11,800 -27,133,050 -9,396,696 82,395.50 1,280 90,994 -39,355,709 323,030 -35,386,198 -291,750 13,700 -8,330 -100,665,068 329,540 -57,840 303,920 -855,115 -611,539 -29,970 -247,410.00 150,980 -216,929 93,000 -127,300.00

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.11 1.12 1.09 1.12 1.07 1.12 20,680,000 22,800,360 ASIABEST GROUP 5.2 5.54 5.54 6.09 5.5 5.5 28,500 157,453 AYALA CORP 814 815 817.5 818.5 806 815 195,970 159,893,230 53.1 53.3 52.15 54.05 52.15 53.1 972,930 51,808,152 ABOITIZ EQUITY 10.14 10.18 10.4 10.42 10.14 10.14 6,673,000 68,534,712 ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG 5.79 5.8 5.7 5.86 5.68 5.8 5,035,200 29,174,693 ANSCOR 6.85 7.2 7.24 7.3 6.8 7.2 17,000 119,082 0.93 0.94 0.92 0.94 0.92 0.94 1,423,000 1,328,900 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.52 0.53 0.53 0.54 0.52 0.54 1,072,000 561,260 ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL 4.99 5.02 4.99 5 4.97 5 384,000 1,914,500 DMCI HLDG 6.9 6.93 6.87 7.04 6.86 6.9 10,334,900 72,015,098 FILINVEST DEV 7.57 7.78 7.57 7.78 7.57 7.57 22,100 170,260 2.8 2.94 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 5,000 14,000 FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC 0.29 0.31 0.29 0.31 0.29 0.29 400,000 116,900 GT CAPITAL 527.5 528 532 535 523.5 528 261,850 138,437,390 JG SUMMIT 64.7 64.8 63.2 64.95 62.7 64.8 1,480,480 95,163,499 5.97 6.2 5.97 5.97 5.97 5.97 100 597 KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR 0.68 0.7 0.67 0.7 0.67 0.68 472,000 325,360 LOPEZ HLDG 3.18 3.26 3.22 3.22 3.17 3.18 380,000 1,209,940 LT GROUP 10.02 10.08 10.4 10.48 10 10.02 12,710,700 128,783,352 0.45 0.51 0.445 0.445 0.445 0.445 100,000 44,500 MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV 3.71 3.72 3.8 3.81 3.71 3.72 18,820,000 70,374,820 3.05 3.14 3.06 3.06 3.06 3.06 3,000 9,180 PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA 1.86 1.88 1.86 1.9 1.83 1.88 229,000 427,930 REPUBLIC GLASS 2.6 2.77 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 1,000 2,500 960 963 965.5 977 953.5 960 226,980 217,927,880 SM INVESTMENTS 113.9 114 113.8 114 112.5 114 172,070 19,535,465 SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES 0.65 0.75 0.67 0.75 0.65 0.75 571,000 397,810 TOP FRONTIER 130.1 134.2 130.1 130.1 130 130.1 15,210 1,978,816 0.26 0.275 0.265 0.265 0.265 0.265 50,000 13,250 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG 0.19 0.198 0.199 0.199 0.199 0.199 20,000 3,980

524,040 -143,460 -58,199,245 -152,090.50 -14,977,278 858,472 23,072 -120,900 -1,031,200 4,436,968 -53,682 -42,819,700 2,288,592 -858,080 -7,311,040 -21,303,640 43,120 -59,650,125 -6,199,736 52,000 -

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.65 0.66 0.63 0.66 0.63 0.65 121,000 78,600 AYALA LAND 33.75 33.9 33.95 33.95 33.65 33.9 6,644,200 224,766,640 ARANETA PROP 1.04 1.08 1.03 1.08 1.03 1.08 15,000 15,500 38.7 38.75 38.75 39.1 38.65 38.75 647,900 25,161,190 AREIT RT 1.35 1.36 1.35 1.39 1.35 1.35 66,000 89,590 BELLE CORP A BROWN 0.86 0.9 0.91 0.91 0.89 0.9 1,761,000 1,582,710 CITYLAND DEVT 0.77 0.78 0.77 0.78 0.77 0.78 187,000 144,460 0.122 0.123 0.118 0.124 0.118 0.123 640,000 78,240 CROWN EQUITIES CEBU HLDG 6.1 6.15 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 5,600 33,880 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.89 2.9 2.93 2.93 2.88 2.89 1,249,000 3,616,330 CENTURY PROP 0.425 0.435 0.425 0.435 0.425 0.435 5,840,000 2,531,350 DOUBLEDRAGON 10.76 10.78 11.58 11.62 10.74 10.78 1,230,800 13,530,754 1.8 1.81 1.81 1.81 1.79 1.8 6,943,000 12,510,930 DDMP RT 6.78 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.78 6.8 38,000 258,126 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.27 0.275 0.27 0.28 0.27 0.27 1,190,000 321,600 EVER GOTESCO 0.385 0.39 0.42 0.435 0.39 0.39 50,650,000 20,556,200 7.2 7.25 7.22 7.28 7.19 7.2 6,089,500 43,942,167 FILINVEST RT 1.1 1.11 1.11 1.11 1.1 1.1 3,173,000 3,496,170 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 0.96 0.97 0.96 0.98 0.95 0.97 750,000 721,040 8990 HLDG 9.13 9.2 9 9.2 9 9.2 620,000 5,638,959 PHIL INFRADEV 1.15 1.17 1.2 1.2 1.14 1.17 1,404,000 1,622,740 1.1 1.11 1.09 1.1 1.06 1.1 260,000 279,400 CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 2.83 2.84 2.86 2.86 2.8 2.83 33,004,000 93,321,030 MRC ALLIED 0.29 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.29 0.295 3,490,000 1,023,300 PHIL ESTATES 0.485 0.49 0.5 0.51 0.485 0.49 3,929,000 1,927,475 1.75 1.78 1.8 1.8 1.75 1.75 154,000 275,220 PRIMEX CORP 6.58 6.6 6.5 6.64 6.5 6.58 7,769,600 50,929,149 RL COMM RT ROBINSONS LAND 15.92 15.94 16.06 16.4 15.86 15.92 2,789,600 44,771,252 PHIL REALTY 0.243 0.249 0.255 0.255 0.243 0.249 750,000 184,960 1.51 1.53 1.53 1.55 1.53 1.53 58,000 88,760 ROCKWELL 2.63 2.65 2.63 2.63 2.63 2.63 108,000 284,040 SHANG PROP 2.76 2.84 2.85 2.86 2.75 2.84 453,000 1,270,450 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 32.6 32.7 33 33.1 32.6 32.6 4,124,600 134,840,905 SUNTRUST HOME 1.53 1.6 1.65 1.65 1.53 1.6 222,000 349,500 3.43 3.44 3.45 3.49 3.42 3.44 2,851,000 9,805,050 VISTA LAND SERVICES ABS CBN 13.38 13.44 12.86 13.48 12.86 13.38 672,900 8,896,326 GMA NETWORK 15.6 15.62 14.1 15.68 14.1 15.6 13,638,400 205,525,604 MANILA BULLETIN 0.405 0.41 0.4 0.405 0.4 0.405 130,000 52,500 2,950 2,954 3,000 3,028 2,950 2,950 35,405 105,114,610 GLOBE TELECOM 1,699 1,700 1,699 1,702 1,670 1,699 170,720 289,015,710 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.111 0.112 0.113 0.115 0.107 0.112 489,480,000 54,323,300 CONVERGE 37.45 37.5 36.8 38.35 36.8 37.5 10,255,900 388,194,125 3.71 3.79 3.7 3.83 3.65 3.79 251,000 931,020 DFNN INC 7.52 7.53 7.7 7.79 7.51 7.52 7,833,300 59,307,332 DITO CME HLDG JACKSTONES 2 2.11 2.11 2.11 2.11 2.11 2,000 4,220 NOW CORP 1.85 1.86 1.94 1.97 1.86 1.86 1,971,000 3,727,490 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.355 0.36 0.35 0.36 0.35 0.355 3,220,000 1,142,650 2.25 2.31 2.33 2.35 2.25 2.25 658,000 1,523,020 PHILWEB 8.1 8.19 8.22 8.22 8.08 8.1 12,100 98,125 2GO GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS 13.8 14.08 13.8 13.8 13.8 13.8 700 9,660 CHELSEA 2.28 2.3 2.35 2.35 2.27 2.31 319,000 731,880 39.95 40.1 40.5 40.5 39.95 39.95 459,300 18,420,650 CEBU AIR 202.4 204 194 213.6 193.2 204 2,876,830 583,714,440 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 16.5 16.72 16.74 16.74 16.7 16.7 400 6,684 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.93 0.96 0.93 0.93 0.93 0.93 5,000 4,650 MACROASIA 4.32 4.33 4.44 4.44 4.31 4.33 1,253,000 5,433,640 1.51 1.59 1.51 1.51 1.51 1.51 173,000 261,230 METROALLIANCE A HARBOR STAR 1.03 1.05 1.03 1.07 1.03 1.03 248,000 257,280 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.075 0.076 0.075 0.077 0.074 0.076 49,190,000 3,708,370 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.13 2.24 2.15 2.24 2.1 2.24 50,000 108,700 0.51 0.52 0.51 0.52 0.51 0.52 51,000 26,020 WATERFRONT FAR EASTERN U 590 593.5 590 590 590 590 80 47,200 STI HLDG 0.36 0.365 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 540,000 194,400 BERJAYA 5.58 5.59 5.63 5.63 5.45 5.59 69,700 385,766 5.82 5.83 5.9 5.98 5.81 5.83 4,201,400 24,589,068 BLOOMBERRY 1.98 2.03 2.06 2.06 1.98 2.03 21,000 42,060 PACIFIC ONLINE 1.68 1.72 1.74 1.75 1.68 1.72 476,000 816,710 LEISURE AND RES PH RESORTS GRP 1.26 1.27 1.25 1.27 1.23 1.27 1,365,000 1,697,980 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.41 0.415 0.415 0.42 0.41 0.415 580,000 240,350 5.8 5.95 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 3,600 20,880 PHIL RACING ALLHOME 8.73 8.74 8.95 8.95 8.69 8.73 994,600 8,693,629 METRO RETAIL 1.28 1.29 1.27 1.3 1.27 1.28 323,000 415,180 PUREGOLD 43.3 43.35 42.95 43.4 42.7 43.3 1,782,000 76,864,735 49.95 50 50.7 50.7 49.9 50 997,700 49,881,760 ROBINSONS RTL 86 87 86.1 87 86 87 2,550 220,155 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.13 1.14 1.12 1.14 1.1 1.14 1,356,000 1,525,540 WILCON DEPOT 28.5 28.7 29.3 29.45 28.5 28.5 2,720,700 78,897,335 APC GROUP 0.275 0.28 0.28 0.29 0.275 0.28 4,890,000 1,369,650 5.1 5.2 5 5.2 5 5.1 20,000 102,788 EASYCALL 7.04 7.08 7.06 7.08 7.06 7.08 10,000 70,700 IPM HLDG PRMIERE HORIZON 1.01 1.02 1.08 1.08 1 1.01 23,592,000 24,178,270 SBS PHIL CORP 4.4 4.6 4.4 4.59 4.4 4.59 13,000 57,390 MINING & OIL ATOK 6.7 6.8 7.03 7.03 6.6 6.8 218,600 1,470,232 APEX MINING 1.41 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.4 1.41 6,584,000 9,222,880 6.14 6.15 6.25 6.25 6.11 6.14 744,400 4,574,247 ATLAS MINING 4.96 5.19 5.2 5.2 4.96 5.19 27,200 136,279 BENGUET A BENGUET B 4.75 4.9 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 1,000 4,800 CENTURY PEAK 2.75 2.76 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 15,000 41,250 6.01 6.24 6.01 6.01 6.01 6.01 18,700 112,387 DIZON MINES 2.2 2.22 2.25 2.25 2.17 2.2 2,121,000 4,656,780 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.245 0.255 0.245 0.245 0.245 0.245 190,000 46,550 LEPANTO A 0.134 0.135 0.135 0.135 0.133 0.135 3,340,000 448,430 MANILA MINING A 0.0098 0.0099 0.0098 0.0099 0.0098 0.0098 13,000,000 127,700 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 2,800,000 29,300 MANILA MINING B 0.95 0.98 0.95 0.97 0.94 0.94 143,000 135,830 MARCVENTURES NIHAO 1.06 1.09 1.08 1.08 1.06 1.06 129,000 138,660 NICKEL ASIA 5.49 5.52 5.73 5.74 5.48 5.49 7,665,900 42,547,722 0.88 0.89 0.88 0.88 0.88 0.88 170,000 149,600 ORNTL PENINSULA PX MINING 5.12 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.1 5.12 503,300 2,587,985 SEMIRARA MINING 18.74 18.76 18.94 19.08 18.74 18.76 2,592,900 48,795,950 UNITED PARAGON 0.0071 0.0073 0.0071 0.0073 0.0071 0.0071 18,000,000 128,200 ACE ENEXOR 15.1 15.18 15 15.5 15 15.1 85,000 1,300,728 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 107,900,000 1,186,800 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 12,000,000 133,000 PHILODRILL 0.0099 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.01 27,700,000 278,000 PXP ENERGY 6.26 6.28 6.35 6.38 6.28 6.28 151,300 956,734 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 101 101.8 101 101 100.5 101 13,910 1,398,220 AC PREF B1 510 519.5 510 510 510 510 100 51,000 AC PREF B2R 521 522 520 520 520 520 1,200 624,000 39.95 40 40 40 39.85 40 202,600 8,103,545 CEB PREF 102 103.5 103.4 103.5 103.4 103.4 1,290 133,406 CPG PREF A DD PREF 101.2 102.3 101.2 102.3 101.2 102.3 980 99,616 GTCAP PREF A 1,001 1,039 1,039 1,039 1,039 1,039 10 10,390 101.1 101.9 101.4 102 101 102 61,520 6,231,101 MWIDE PREF MWIDE PREF 2A 98.1 104.4 97.5 97.5 97.5 97.5 850 82,875 PNX PREF 3B 106.2 106.3 105.4 106.2 105.4 106.2 850 90,262 PNX PREF 4 1,012 1,014 1,013 1,013 1,013 1,013 270 273,510 PCOR PREF 2B 1,020 1,027 1,027 1,027 1,027 1,027 170 174,590 1,142 1,145 1,145 1,145 1,140 1,142 105 119,825 PCOR PREF 3B SFI PREF 1.62 1.99 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 5,000 8,100 SMC PREF 2F 78.65 79.4 79.45 79.45 79.2 79.45 4,700 373,165 SMC PREF 2H 76.3 77 76.4 76.4 76.1 76.1 3,100 235,919 78.55 78.8 78.25 78.5 78.25 78.5 6,000 470,250 SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2J 76.25 76.7 76 76 76 76 16,730 1,271,480 SMC PREF 2K 76 76.2 76.05 76.5 76 76.2 27,010 2,058,252.50 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 12.62 13 12.5 12.98 12.5 12.98 34,600 433,460 GMA HLDG PDR 14.52 14.7 13.26 14.7 13.26 14.52 1,032,900 14,378,214 WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 1.49 1.5 1.5 1.53 1.47 1.49 4,030,000 6,084,200

39,227,525 -13,235,600 -21,800 -61,830 25,410 247,010 -4,300 -1,344,814 329,550 -68,000 194,150 -11,471,983 -536,900 151,790.00 -3,254,020 -135,700 9,700 -24,790 -12,420,632 6,306,890.00 -48,960 -218,290 278,760 -29,711,945 2,831,930 -29,325,730 80,028,440 -463,550 1,339,570 144,210 5,605,047 -206,500 621,500 -299,100 29,140 -11,922,965 -35,344,148 -4,330 750 11,200 82,800 560 1,304,599 2,000 -13,660 8,300 5,972,843.00 12,587,105 7,265,945 4,305 -4,560 -33,809,285 -7,112 -5,495,680 11,654 5,640 -105,323 41,250 -82,337 589,900 1,100 4,750 3,729,790 -56,911 6,582,760 -24,352 -12,000 16,940 -7,987,575 -20,260 158,900 -106,549 -38,000 -6,740,926 -2,390

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE MERRYMART

17.5 1.93 4.12 2.4 4.01

FIRST METRO ETF

105

17.86 1.95 4.18 2.75 4.02

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

105.6

17.44 1.95 4.2 2.4 4.12

18 2.02 4.2 2.4 4.17

17 1.9 4.2 2.4 3.93

17.4 1.95 4.2 2.4 4.01

51,300 292,000 1,000 9,000 7,772,000

893,026 566,160 4,200 21,600 31,582,250

-21,576 -755,760

105.4 105.9 104.6 105.6 15,300 1,614,234 -142,328

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Govt raises ₧17B after sale of ‘upsized’ T-bills

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of the Treasury awarded P17 billion in Treasury bills (T-bills) on Monday, an upsize from its P15 billion initial offering. The auction was more than four times oversubscribed, with the tenors attracting a total of P63.9 billion

in total bids. This prompted the auction committee’s decision to double the non-competitive bids for the

Micro and macro tips on online shopping

S the pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the economy and as mobility restrictions continue to be enforced, many Filipinos have turned to electronic commerce for the purchases of goods and services. In spite of the pressing challenges in infrastructure and connectivity, online platforms have allowed consumption expenditures to continue and address constrained opportunities faced by businesses. To be able to maximize the micro and macro benefits of online shopping, certain tips can be considered. The total of both the active income and passive income of individuals must be the starting point. Online shoppers should still live within the means. We should not spend what we do not have. If we spend more than our income, we might end up accumulating cumbersome debt and find ourselves in a vicious debt cycle. Raising income can be achieved through a combination of professional development and multiple income streams. Essential online purchases can be addressed through a sufficient emergency fund. O n l i ne shoppi ng mu st be aligned with our goals and priorities in life. Online shopping must be based on a budget. Resources in our country are finite. The same holds true for the amount of money we may have at any point in time. In budgeting, allocation must be done first for savings and investments. The next sets of allocation would be for needs and then whatever is left would be for wants. The distinction between needs and wants must be clear. Needs are things in life that are essential while wants are like luxuries. Tracking of expenses can help. By reviewing expenses, we shall be able to get an idea of what kind of lifestyle we are living and hopefully adjust accordingly. Tracking of consumption patterns helps in making sure that what we order online would be the right amount. Shortage can imply problems like hunger while excess stock can lead to problems like wastage. Ordering the right amounts online can also help protect the environment as purchases that use items which potentially damage the environment will be lowered. Before online purchases are made, consumers must first do a survey of the market. Haste makes waste. Planned purchases are generally better than impulse

Genesis Kelly S. Lontoc

personal finance purchases. Time is a good ally in making decisions. One needs to be informed of various options so that the best products, prices, places and promos are tapped. Periodic monthly sale campaigns have been quite a hit but prudence is still the better part of valor when doing online shopping. Negotiation for better deals must be explored whenever applicable. An economic transaction like online shopping has risks of market failures like quality and safety concerns. Therefore, shoppers must be aware of the national standard guidelines of the Department of Trade and Industry with respect to electronic commerce. In terms of the pre-purchase, functionality, benefits, prices and supplemental information must be present. In terms of purchase, payment options, delivery options, refunds and exchange policies must be declared. Postpurchase accountability must also be observed. Online shopping can also be a tool toward economic development. Consumers can patronize businesses that pursue the triple bottom line objectives of people, planet and profit. Consumers can patronize businesses that have shown exemplary efforts in supporting customers, employees and the environment with the onslaught of the pandemic. Consumers can support micro, small and medium enterprises since they constitute the bulk of businesses in the country. Indeed, the right choices have positive ripple effects. The great access provided by online shopping must be balanced with the need for more responsible and sustainable living. Online shopping must be more strategic. Online shopping must be more disciplined. Online shopping must lead to better choices to achieve financial freedom and economic development. Gemmy Lontoc is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personal-financial planning, attend the 92nd RFP program this October 2021. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

364-day T-bills to P4 billion. Meanwhile, rates also moved ended up moving sideways during the auction. National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said “it seems” the rates moved sideways pinning the trend on investor behavior as remaining unfazed of forecasts inflation is rising faster. Likewise, De Leon sees the market is still swimming in cash— “Liquidity very much around”—with P22 billion in maturities this week. The Treasurer note, however, that “placements remain in short tenor buckets.”

Asked whether the Treasury will be taking advantage of strong liquidity for its borrowings from the local debt market in October, De Leon said volume “may still be the same.” For this month, the Treasury is set to borrow a total of P250 billion from the local debt market, higher than the P200 billion program in August. Broken down, P175 billion will be raised through auctioning off Treasury bonds while the remaining P75 billion will be generated via the sale of T-bills. In Monday’s auction, the 91-day T-bills fetched an average rate of

1.06 percent, a slight increase from 1.07 percent. Tenders for the tenor reached P17.24 billion, more than thrice the P5-billion offer. As for the 182-day T-bills, the average rate settled at 1.385 percent, a 0.4 basis point drop from 1.389 percent. Total submitted bids for the debt paper amounted to P21.51 billion, more than quadruple the P5billion offer. Likewise, the 364-day T-bills’ average rate slipped to 1.582 percent, falling by 1.5 basis points from previous auction’s 1.597 percent. Bids for the security hit P25.12 billion, five

times the equivalent of the initial P5-billion offer. This year, the national government programmed to borrow a total of P3.1-trillion, most of which is expected to be raised through domestic sources. The government borrows to meet its spending requirements as well as to finance its budget deficit. As of end-July this year, the national government’s outstanding debt has already piled up to a new record-high of P11.61 trillion, swelling by 26.7 percent from P9.16 trillion a year ago.

BAP supports giving greater mobility for vaccinated By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

HE Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) expressed “strong support” to efforts granting greater mobility to fully vaccinated individuals in the country. BAP President Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso was quoted in a statement the association issued last Monday as saying that greater mobility for this sector will be one step towards the country’s economic recovery as this is expected to spur activity in various sectors.

Veloso said that with more than 50 percent of the population vaccinated in the metropolitan and adjacent areas where most business activities are situated, “spurring economic activity can be best achieved” if those fully vaccinated are given greater mobility. According to the National Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard, 26.33 percent of the national eligible population are already fully vaccinated as of September 26. For the National Capital Region (NCR), 71.86 percent of the eligible adults are already fully vaccinated. “The mobility of fully vaccinated

Peza asks FIRB to reset WFH threshold’s base By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

HE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has asked the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) to base the threshold of the workfrom-home (WFH) arrangement to gross revenues of the locators again, instead of workforce, to protect the employees amid the pandemic. In a statement on Monday, the ecozone regulator said that doing so will help the information technology (IT) enterprises recover and safeguard their employees from risks of Covid-19 infection. Recently, the FIRB approved the extension until March 31, 2022, of WFH arrangements for up to 90 percent of the employees in the ITbusiness process management (ITBPM) sector. Basing the threshold to gross revenues instead will allow IT enterprises to have 100-percent WFH arrangement for workforce but it also means that only 90 percent of the revenues of the activity will be subject to incentives. The Peza law states that all activities of registered locators must be within the ecozones for them to avail of the incentives. “The present appeal of the IT enterprises is anchored on the threat posed by the Delta variant of Covid-19 to its employees, which is considered more contagious,” Peza Director General Charito B. Plaza said. “Many of our locators are reeling from the effects of this pandemic, but they are continuing operations to comply with the global supply and demand. This

continues to help us to keep the jobs of our people and our economy afloat,” Plaza added. “The little we can do is to assist them in matters such as this.” The directive of the recent FIRB resolution maintains at least 10-percent onsite employees, which worries the employees amid the surge in Covid-19 cases and high hospital utilization rate, Plaza said. “This will defeat the purpose of the extension of the WFH arrangement which is to limit the mobility of workers and lessen the pressure on public transport because they will contribute to the number of people outside even if it is possible for them to perform their jobs within the confines of their respective homes,” she explained. For its part, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap) said they are placing as many employees as possible under the WFH arrangement to reduce the risk of infection. “Our members are registered enterprises that aim to maintain their export revenue commitments and keep their people to ensure seamless delivery of services,” the Ibpap said. “However, there are factors affecting revenue and employee attrition that are beyond the control of the enterprise.” With this, the ecozone regulator also asked for leniency on the imposition of related penalties given that locators find it challenging to meet the directive. “We need to unite all our efforts to combat this crisis and to help revive our economy,” Plaza said. “Let us do our best to provide assistance to our investors and merge our collaborative initiatives for our country and our people.”

Filipinos will encourage spending on various goods and services including in tourism, hospitality, and transport industries that are among those hit the hardest by this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” Veloso said. “Domestic consumption is a good first step in the road towards the country’s recovery.” Earlier this month, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released the results of its latest Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) showing that the availability and rollout of vaccines in the country has led to Filipino consumers’ more optimistic outlook for the Philippine economy

in the coming months. “Our fellow Filipinos protected by the vaccine are key to surpassing this health crisis,” Veloso said. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. L. Concepcion Jr. earlier this month said areas in Metro Manila with high vaccination rates can be turned into “bakuna bubbles” where residents can move freely and enter establishments. Inside these bubbles, he added, unvaccinated residents should be required to present a negative Covid-19 test before entering high-risk establishments such as restaurants, salons and gyms.

SSS receives over 17,726 maternity benefit filings

month after its initial implementation last May 31, the Social Security System received over 17,726 maternity benefit applications online through the My.SSSPortal on the SSS web site. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said that the online submission of Maternity Benefit Application (MBA) was implemented to provide faster, easier and more convenient options for female members to transact with the SSS. “As one of the vulnerable sectors of our society, the SSS immediately responded to the needs of our pregnant members especially during this pandemic,” Ignacio said. Qualified to submit MBA online are the following: female self-employed; voluntary; overseas Filipino worker; non-working spouse members; and, members who are separated from employment and have not receive any advanced payment of maternity benefit from their previous employers, including household employers. They should also meet the standard qualifying conditions including the contribution requirement of at least three monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of the childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy (ETP). They may submit their maternity notification via the My.SSS portal on the SSS website or through the SSS Mobile App. “We would like to remind our members that only contributions paid prior to the semester of childbirth, miscarriage or the ETP will be considered in determining eligibility for maternity benefits,” Ignacio added. “That’s why it is very important for individual members to pay their

contributions regularly.” In the case of employed members, they should notify their employers upon learning about their pregnancy. Meanwhile, employers should pay them their maternity benefits in advance and file for maternity benefit reimbursement application online through the My.SSS Portal in the SSS website. The SSS Chief also reminded its members and employers to enroll their bank accounts first in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module before submitting their applications and reimbursements. Covered under the online MBA are initial or new maternity benefit claims, as well as adjustments for the following scenarios: member being a solo parent; correction on the type of delivery from normal to caesarian delivery or from miscarriage to ectopic pregnancy with operation; SSS computation is higher than the employer’s computation; additional posted contributions will increase the benefit amount, correction of the approved number of compensable days from 60 (normal delivery) or 78 (caesarian section delivery) to 105 days; and allocation of leave credits not used due to separation from employment of child’s father or qualified alternate caregiver. Uploading of supporting documents are required for the filing of MBA online. Members are reminded to ensure that the uploaded documents are complete, properly scanned and clear, and not altered or tampered to avoid rejection of the claim. The mandatory implementation of MBA online took effect last September 1, 2021, where over-the-counter applications or filing through drop box in SSS branch offices are no longer accepted.

BSP sees issuance of RDBs to provide opportunities for small investors

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) lauded the National Government’s first-ever issuance of retail dollar bonds (RDBs). The BSP said the issuance is expected to provide investment opportunities to small investors like overseas Filipinos and will eventually provide “various benefits for the economy.” “[RDBs] provide a special oppor-

tunity for small and mid-sized investors to earn and, at the same time, help fund the government’s recovery and resiliency programs,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said. “[RDBs] could be particularly attractive to our overseas Filipinos who have funds to invest. This bodes well for them and their families,” he added. Last September 15, the Bureau

of the Treasury (BTr) sold a total of $866.2 million worth of onshore RDBs from the maiden issuance— more than twice the originally programmed USD 400 million— amid high demand. Proceeds are expected to help augment the government’s resources for pandemic response. RDBs are accessible to small investors, as these require a minimum

investment of only $300. “These funds [from RDB issuance] will serve as additional source for stimulative fiscal policy which, together with the current accommodative monetary policy, will remain crucial in restoring confidence and reviving domestic demand,” the governor said. “Taken together, these initiatives will help the national govern-

ment fight the adverse effects of the pandemic through targeted fiscal interventions, which are aimed at boosting market confidence and safely reopening more sectors of the economy,” he added. The BSP chief also said various BSP initiatives implemented over the years have helped make investing in securities like RDBs much easier.

He cited regulations that eased the process of opening bank accounts, such as the use of electronic Know-Your-Customer verification process; liberalization of foreign exchange rules that facilitate transactions of banks, overseas Filipinos, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the general public; and promotion of financial digitalization. Bianca Cuaresma

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Art

BusinessMirror

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Hilary Duff, 34; Ranbir Kapoor, 39; Mira Sorvino, 54; Janeane Garofalo, 57. Happy Birthday: Plunge into opportunities without hesitation, and learn all you can as you strive to be at the top of your game. Impress those around you with your stamina and undying desire to make a difference to the causes you believe in and the people you love. Mark your destinations. Proceed with enthusiasm, an open mind and hope for a better future. Your numbers are 5, 19, 23, 28, 32, 36, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Target what you want to accomplish, and don’t stop until you reach your destination. Falling short will lead to criticism or an emotional scene that will leave you feeling down. Don’t overreact; take the initiative, and set out to achieve your goal. HH

Introflexion by Chiara Daez Capony

Escape The Night and Follow the Light by Corina Borromeo

Grounded’s maiden online group show takes off

‘H

olistic arts and culture studio” Grounded opened its first online group exhibition last week that presents the creations of grassroots and emerging artists. States of Cadence: Exhibit 1 showcases a gamut of artworks from 19 up-and-coming artists from the Grounded Artist Network (GAN), a community of artistic individuals from various creative subcultures and practices, aiming to reinvent the experience for both artist and collector through innovative and dynamic ways. The show will run until November 15 at www.groundedph.com, with all pieces priced between

P5,000 and P25,000. GAN is part of the lifestyle brand and consultancy Grounded, which founders Marika ManglapusLedesma, Bianca Yuzon-Henares and Carina Alejandrino-Arenas fondly refer to as a “holistic arts studio.” The group focuses on designing a “sensible, well-balanced life where the mind, body and spirit can work integrally toward a deeper sense of purpose” through different projects and advocacies. For States of Cadence: Exhibit 1, 19 artists were chosen in line with Grounded’s focus on a holistic lifestyle and community, as well as its ocean environmental awareness advocacy. The artists were asked to create a series that reflects the way they see the collective energy of today’s world. Among the featured artists is Archie Geotina, who presents limited-edition prints of Pearls, or a series of black-and-white photographs of Filipina surfers surfing in traditional terno or the Filipiniana gown. Also part of the show are ocean photographer Michael Eijansantos, who published Locals Perspectives, the country’s first surfing coffee table book; Siargaobased film photographer Natalia Larrauri, who aims to normalize the expression of the woman’s body; and artist-designer Mikee Silva, whose works take

an optimistically comical look into our everyday existence. Grounded has also connected with Filipino artists living abroad, such as husband and wife artistduo Christopher and Maddie Camcam from the US, and Chiara Daez Capony from Belgium. Featured as well in the show are Alecca Adarna, Corina Borromeo, Nikki Ocean, Camilla Öster Yu, Ana Abigail, Luis Antonio Pastoriza and Gringo Benedicto, Melissa Lara, Lucia Fischer, JP Sarmiento and Jof Sering. Grounded is dedicating a portion of sales from the exhibit to the projects of Oceanus Conservation, a Philippine non-profit organization that conserves and restores blue carbon habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves. Alongside the versatile artworks available for purchase, States of Cadence also presents short films from @globestudios’ Independent Film Festival (GIFF). There is also a virtual wellness space to accompany the show as part of Grounded’s mission to bring a more holistic approach to arts and culture. States of Cadence: Exhibit 1 is the first of a twopart series. The second edition will be launched in December and will be running until March, with plans of a physical show during the first quarter of next year. n

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Emotional spending won’t make you feel better. Use your knowledge and intelligence to help you make better decisions that will encourage you to earn and save more. Be open to suggestions, but in the end, do what works best for you. HHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Say little, do a lot. What you accomplish will be what makes a difference. Change your outlook to help overcome any adversity you face or trouble someone causes. Anger will solve nothing, but actions will speak louder than words. HHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Minimize health risks. Avoid crowded events, groups or activities, regardless of who is attending. Spend more time with close friends and family who look out for your best interests. Refuse to let a job or domestic change disrupt your plans. HHHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make adjustments to how you deal with friends and relatives. Be ready to compromise if necessary, but don’t give in to emotional blackmail. Try to enforce equality and fair play, and you will come out on top. HH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t give up; see what you can do, push the envelope and make your dreams come true. Show passion in all that you do, and you will surpass your expectations and gain respect and support as you move forward. Avoid overspending. HHHHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Emotional spending will leave you without money. Generate a system that makes good sense and is financially smart. Knowing where your money is going will make you feel better about your future and eager to plan and set new goals. HHHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take care of all the details yourself, and you will not be disappointed in the outcome. Speak up and position yourself for advancement. A diligent yet unique approach to how you earn your living will fetch the results you desire. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): An emotional incident will make you look bad if you are insensitive. Take a moment to put yourself in someone’s shoes before you say something you regret. A positive attitude at home and work will get better results. Romance is favored. HHH

‘Collectors Plus’ exhibition at Silverlens SILVERLENS presents the second edition of Collectors Plus. For this edition, the gallery is presenting as its core Philippine contemporary art from the years 2005 to 2019, from four collectors based in Hong Kong and Manila. The core collection was put together by an early patron of southeast Asian art who traveled the region extensively in the early 2000s from his base in Hong Kong. The show includes early pieces by Maya Muñoz, Elaine Navas, Nona Garcia, Winner Jumalon, and Yasmin SisonChing, among others. There are two works from Yayoi Kusama’s Night Flowers series, early pieces by Pow Martinez, and Norberto Roldan signature altars. Accompanying the show is an early large five-panel painting by Bernardo Pacquing, a rare pastel painting of Chati Coronel, and an impressionist piece by Mit Jai Inn. The first edition of Collectors Plus was in 2020, and its popularity among audiences was palpable from the moment it was

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get together with someone who boosts your morale and encourages you to follow your heart. A change of plans will play in your favor by allowing you to do something you’ve been putting off. Enjoy and live in the moment. HHHH

announced. Alongside Collectors Plus, Silverlens will be installing its Art Basel OVR pieces. The gallery is participating at the Basel show of Art Basel with a solo booth of Pacita Abad. The presentation features three pieces from her Abstraction series and additionally includes an OVR of works that will be featured on the Art Basel web site, and physically onsite in Manila. Three contemporary artists will be featured alongside the late Filipina-American artist through the Art Basel OVR. Artists who are connected to the artist either in form or in history—Pio Abad, Patricia Perez Eustaquio and Nicole Coson—will be showing curatorially relevant pieces, including new works. The Collectors Plus exhibition is ongoing until October 2 at Silverlens Galleries, 2263 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Think twice before spending on something you don’t need. Organize your bills, and reconcile your bank account. Knowing exactly where you stand financially will bring you peace of mind and allow you to plan for the projects you want to pursue. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Follow your heart, do something creative and fix up your space. Do whatever it takes to ease stress. Make yourself comfortable, and set goals that encourage happiness and peace of mind. Commit to someone you love, and work as a team player. HHHHH

da soul 1, Pow Martinez, 2020, oil and acrylic on canvas, 24"x24"

Birthday Baby: You are outgoing, entertaining and chatty. You are curious and adaptable.

‘make yourself heard’ by emily carroll The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 The Little Red Hen denial 5 Touch on 9 Lion in 2015 headlines 14 Accrue, as interest 15 It’s a wrap in Bollywood 16 ___ acid (protein part) 17 Channels of information that women share privately 20 Underlying meaning 21 “Help!” 22 Long-running CBS drama 23 The Problem With ___ (film named for a Simpsons character) 24 Orca appendage 25 Destruction 26 In the style of 29 1989 rom-com about an underachiever and a valedictorian 32 Most optimal 34 Boy 35 Word after “power” or “strong” 36 “How unfortunate” 38 First name of two Spice Girls 40 Garden creature 43 Upscale hotel chain

5 Canola ___ 4 47 Couple’s pronoun 48 Actress typecast in slasher flicks 52 Have a little liquid 53 Conical items at birthday parties 54 Place 55 Roadside purchase 57 It has a humerus and a funny bone 58 Perceive 59 File away 63 Revealing a lot, or a theme hint 66 Dance that takes two 67 Henhouse 68 Canvas cover 69 Tweak 70 Fine-tune 71 Picture of health? DOWN 1 It may be breaking 2 Diamond Head’s island 3 Chi-Town paper, with “The” 4 App for sharing pics 5 The “A” in LGBTQIA+ 6 Rail system that serves S.F. 7 Caterer’s dispenser 8 Has a marketing connection

9 Ravens’ calls 10 Angsty music genre 11 Roundabout 12 Finishes, like a tattoo 13 Behind on points 18 Livens (up) 19 Jagged Little Pill was nominated for 15 in 2020 24 Slowly disappear 25 Heavy charger, for short? 26 Planking targets 27 It comes before Virgo 28 Mixed bag 30 Orange or purple vegetable 31 ___-of-war 33 Makes less feral 37 Chromosome molecule 39 Whopper 41 Noninvasive hosp. procedure 42 Clairvoyant’s claim: Abbr. 44 JFK Library architect 46 Surfer’s tether 48 Soda brand named for a California peak 49 Relating to the wristbones 50 Satisfy, as one’s thirst

1 Salt, in the lab 5 56 Closes 58 Hershey toffee bar 59 Cosmetics giant 60 Apple desktop 61 Designer Wang 62 Monday Night Football broadcaster 64 Improve in a wine cellar, maybe 65 Sticky stuff

Solution to today’s puzzle:

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Show BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, September 28, 2021

‘To Have and To Hold’ makes prime-time debut Ben Platt in a scene from Dear Evan Hansen. The actor originated the role in the celebrated Broadway musical, which took home several Tony Awards.

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ opens second to ‘Shang-Chi’ at box office

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press

ear Evan Hansen may have been a hit on Broadway, but the filmed adaptation of the Tony-winning show is off to a slow start at the box office in its first weekend in theaters. The Universal musical that’s playing exclusively in theaters grossed an estimated $7.5 million from 3,364 locations, according to studio estimates on Sunday. First place again went to Disney and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which added $13.3 million in ticket sales in North America, bringing its domestic total to $196.5 million. The superhero pic has topped the charts for four consecutive weekends and this weekend surpassed

Black Widow to become the highest domestic earner of the pandemic. With little in the way of high-profile competition this weekend, Dear Evan Hansen’s $7.3 million was enough to land it in second place. While critics were less than impressed, audiences that did turn out this weekend were fans and gave it an “A-” CinemaScore. Women made up an estimated 62 percent of the audience according to exit polls. Directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Steven Levenson, Dear Evan Hansen is about a high-school student with social anxiety disorder. “We are tremendously proud of Dear Evan Hansen and everything about it,” said Universal’s head of distribution Jim Orr. “With an exceptional film and great audience scores, we think that’ll lead to a betterthan-normal run at the domestic box office.” Despite its prestigious pedigree and star-studded cast including Julianne Moore and Amy Adams, Dear Evan Hansen has become somewhat of a punching bag on social media since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month. At the heart of the jokes is the fact that the film has a 27-year-old Ben Platt, who originated the role, playing a teenager. “Musicals have always had mixed results at the box office,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for comScore. “It’s really difficult to pin down and project what a musical might earn on opening weekend, especially in this marketplace.” Earlier this year, the adaptation of Lin-Manuel

Miranda’s In the Heights underwhelmed at the box office despite stellar reviews—but it was also streaming on HBO Max simultaneously. The single-digit opening weekend of Dear Evan Hansen reminded some of Cats which opened to $6.6 million in December 2019. But Dear Evan Hansen cost significantly less—$28 million vs. $95 million—in addition to the fact that Cats launched to worse reviews in a pre-pandemic environment. “Cats is a completely different movie released in a completely different marketplace. I don’t think comparisons are necessarily fair,” Dergarabedian said. “It’s more about the audience making a choice.” There is also The Greatest Showman exception. The Hugh Jackman musical defied all box office logic in 2017 and 2018 when it opened to a deathly $8.8 million but went on to gross over $434.9 million globally. Justin Paul and Benj Pasek were the songwriting duo behind both The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen. Bigger blockbusters are coming to North American theaters starting in October, with the Venom sequel out this upcoming Friday, the James Bond film No Time to Die following on October 8 and Dune on October 22. “This is the proverbial calm before the storm. October looks to be perhaps one of the biggest months of the year at the box office,” Dergarabedian said. “It’s going to be like summer in October in movie theaters.” And Dune is already up and running in 32 markets overseas. The adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel has grossed $76.5 million in two weeks. n

THEY say that if you love someone, you set them free. But if they come back, can you find it in your heart to forgive and forget? GMA Entertainment Group brings a compelling story of marriage and love that knows no bounds in To Have and To Hold, which made its debut on prime time last night, September 27, and airs weeknights on GMA after Legal Wives. The series is top-billed by Carla Abellana as Erica Gatchalian, Rocco Nacino as Gavin Ramirez, and Max Collins as Dominique Ramirez. The series tells the story of Dominique (Max) and Gavin (Rocco), a couple who has been married for years but is now on the brink of separating. After an unexpected turn of events, Gavin finds himself unraveling a web of lies and deceit with a woman named Erica (Carla), whose husband Tony (Rafael Rosell) shares an untold connection with Dominique. When the bad starts to outweigh the good, is love truly enough to uphold the sacred vows of marriage? Carla says her character is far from her personality: “She’s more different from me. We both love and fight for our families but when it comes to love, she loves only with her heart. The circumstances toward the end for Erica were a first for me. It was difficult to bear and accept.” For his part, Rocco says: “The story reveals what goes on in a husband’s mind, and how self-esteem affects his decisions. A boyfriend, fiancé, or a husband will be able to relate because the issues the show explores are those men tend to hide or not talk about with their spouse. In a way, this will open the eyes of men who feel they have come to a plateau in their relationship.” Meanwhile, Max reveals that in some ways, she relates to her character: “Dominique is brave and confident, but at the same time she has many flaws and is trying to find herself. I can relate to her in those aspects. It’s the first time I’ve ever over-prepared for a role. I embraced every part of her, the good and the bad.” Also in the cast are Roi Vinzon, Ina Feleo, Valeen Montenegro, Bing Pimentel, Gilleth Sandico, Luis Hontiveros, and Athenah Madrid. The series also features the special participation of Rafael Rosell and Dion Ignacio. Directed by Don Michael Perez, the original series is under the supervision of the GMA Entertainment Group headed by SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, FVP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, SAVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, senior program manager Cathy Ochoa-Perez, and executive producer Nieva S. Magpayo.

Jao Mapa is grateful for life’s many second chances

THE last time actor Jao Mapa took on a lead role was almost 25 years ago, when he shared stellar billing with then hotshot and no-holds-barred actress Rosanna Roces in the Romy Suzara film Matrikula. Between 1997 and the present, there were many “lost years” in Mapa’s life, and his career as an actor would shift from floating to fading to frozen. We would just hear and read about him joining group painting exhibits or appearing in some forgettable role in a movie or TV project. But the good thing about life is that it often gives us many opportunities to bounce back, to have a second wind, to make a comeback. And so it happened to Mapa when he got a call from veteran showbiz scribe Aster Amoyo asking him if he’d consider to be co-

managed by Amoyo and the bigwigs of Viva Artists Agency. “I did not waste a minute and immediately said yes to Tita Aster. And she did not waste any day also and scheduled a meeting with the bosses of Viva right away, and before I could even collect my thoughts, I found myself signing a co-management contract with Viva,” Mapa volunteered, sounding excited with this new turnaround in his life. He recalled consulting his wife before he went to the Viva offices. “My wife is very supportive. She has always been all these years that we have been together, through ups and downs, and I so love her for that, and I always try to make her feel that she’s very special to me.” Mapa and his wife Cecille have three children: Benjamin, Caleb and Amber. And because Viva Entertainment is on a producing spree with the successful launch of its one-stop entertainment hub, called VivaMax, which gives access to the biggest library of Philippine-produced movies and TV programs, Mapa found himself being offered a lead role in the movie Paraluman, a contemporary love story that has some deep but relevant sexual content. “I asked the basic questions actors ask, like, who is directing and who will be my coactors, and after reading the script, I agreed without hesitation,”

he said. “I feel that as an actor during this time of pandemic, I should be more aggressive and open to explore new content and new ways of making movies.” And Mapa certainly has no regrets. “I feel very good that we were able to finish the film without any hitches. And I admire my co-actor Rhen Escaño for being such a gracious leading lady and inspiring me to give the best in portraying my character.” We learned that the sex scenes of Mapa and Escaño were smoothly executed in just one take. Mapa, whom we knew since the late ‘90s when he was still under the care of the late ace manager-star discoverer Douglas Quijano, is vocal that he feels blessed with this huge door that has been opened for him. “Who would have thought that I will be able to get my biggest comeback break during a time like this when most people are scouting for jobs just to make ends meet? In all the years that I have been absent as an actor, I tried to just hang in there and keep my faith even if there were many periods when there seemed to be no answers to my prayers. I guess everything happens in God’s perfect time.” Now 45, Jao Mapa is thankful for life’s little surprises, and he remains grateful for the many chances he has received. “It’s like some sort of a rebirth as an actor!” he told us.

ROCCO NACINO and Max Collins

B6 Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Concepcion calls for protection for the unvaccinated

Watsons and Grab launch Philippine online partnership on health and beauty

.S. Watsons Group, world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, and Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp have launched their Philippine partnership, making essentials such as medicines and self-care products more accessible to Filipinos. The partnership aims to provide consumers with a safe and seamless online shopping experience, along with a faster and more reliable delivery service. Watsons’ extensive online and offline network, now joined by Grab’s on demand delivery fleet, play an important role in the customer journey and form a critical foundation for making express delivery possible.

Watsons Online x GrabExpress

CONSUMERS can order their health and beauty essentials online and have them delivered in 5 hours or less through Watsons App’s Express Delivery service. This service is copowered by Grab’s delivery service, GrabExpress. Watsons x GrabPay Shoppers can also use Grab’s in-app wallet, GrabPay, to pay for their Watsons purchases both online and offline.

Watsons x GrabMart: Consumers can enjoy more ways to shop for Watsons health and beauty products online through GrabMart. The tie-up is initially available in Metro Manila and Cebu but it will also expand to all Grab serviceable areas soon. Danilo Chiong, Watsons General Manager, says that “this partnership allows our customers to conveniently shop for their essentials without having to worry about their safety. Grab indeed is the ideal partner to complete the purchase journey allowing Filipinos to continue to look good and feel great during these challenging times and beyond.”

Anton Bautista, Head of Deliveries for Grab Philippines, adds that “ Grab’s technology and GrabMart’s wide reach, our partnership with Watsons not only brings well-loved and trusted health-care and beauty brands closer to our customers but also helps in keeping them safe while staying at home. Through this, we stay true to our promise of providing Filipinos with more convenient ways of shopping for their every need and want.” Stay updated on the latest promos and deals of Watsons and GrabMart by following Watsons’ and Grab’s Facebook and Instagram.

RESIDENTIAL Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to review the guidelines on access for fully vaccinated individuals under the new Alert Level System. In a letter addressed to Sec. Karlo Nograles and IATF-EID Chief Implementer Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., Concepcion pointed out that although the national government, under guidelines in its new Alert Level System, clearly stated that only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to engage in indoor activities in select business establishments under Alert Level 4, it did not make clear the qualifying conditions for Alert Levels 2 and 3. “This can present a risk both to the unvaccinated customers and the employees of the establishment,” stated Concepcion in his letter, a copy of which was also given to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez. Concepcion went on to ask the government to review and consider “(1) allowing ONLY fully vaccinated individuals for indoor business transactions across the alert levels (4-2), and (2) increase the capacity of businesses allowed to open.” “We have to be consistent and extend privileges for the fully vaccinated across all alert levels as the goal is to reopen safely. If we reach Alert Level 1 where it is deemed safe, then anyone can freely move. But if there are risks, let’s protect those who have not received the vaccine,” Concepcion stressed. Concepcion earlier proposed that indoor

businesses such as dining and personal care services be allowed to take in more fully vaccinated customers once areas are placed under Alert Levels 2 and 3. “We can increase the capacity even further for the fully vaccinated as we move to lower alert levels. A higher percentage means more chances for the businesses to gain back months’ worth of losses so they can pay back their financial obligations,” Concepcion said. Under the current system, the capacity for restaurant indoor dining and personal care services are set at 50 and 30 percent, respectively. Outdoor dining capacity, meanwhile, is set at 100 percent regardless of customers’ vaccination status. He said that allowing more mobility for the fully vaccinated will make it possible to safely ease the economy into recovery. “In this way we can capture the safe reopening of the economy while preventing surge of cases brought by unvaccinated individuals,” he stated in his letter. Concepcion pointed out that unvaccinated persons are vulnerable to severe infection from COVID-19, citing hospital data that show that 70 to 80 percent of COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated. Concepcion had been proposing a similar scheme called Bakuna Bubble where fully vaccinated persons are granted more mobility to help restart the economy. Nevertheless, he remained optimistic that these restrictions are only temporary. He cited recent reports that say 42 million Filipinos are already vaccinated, and 23 million doses are in stock and ready to be used. Around 61 million doses of vaccines are expected to arrive by end-October.

Base Bahay builds better homes with bamboo

S the Philippines’ infrastructure industry continues to turn to sustainable solutions, one humble building material remains underutilized: bamboo. And with September as World Bamboo Month, a pioneer in bamboo construction renews its call for architects, engineers, and developers to reconsider this highly resilient and locally available raw material to create “a better future today.” “By using local resources customized to local needs, we can improve local economies, aid in the pursuit of a cleaner environment, and make good quality housing available to everyone regardless of social status,” says Pablo Jorillo, general manager of Base Bahay Foundation, a socially oriented nonprofit established in 2014 as an initiative of the Hilti Foundation. Base utilizes local, renewable raw materials to create sustainable and resilient housing solutions, providing training, planning, supervision, and quality control across the value chain.

Alternative building technology that enables partner network builds

THE organization is also a pioneer in bamboo construction, and particularly advocates for the use of Cement-Bamboo Frame technology, a combination of bamboo housing and conventional technology, which makes for a permanent and durable structure. The Cement-Bamboo frame technology merges Philippine tradition and innovation with Latin American and European engineering and is accredited by the Accreditation of Innovative Technologies for Housing (AITECH). The abundance of bamboo in the country is what makes it

an ideal housing material--specifically, the species called Bambusa Blumeana, or more commonly known locally as Kawayang Tinik, and Dentrocalamus Asper or Giant Bamboo. “The bamboo pole, as a structural component, is selected according to specific requirements such as age, diameter of pole, thickness of skin, and must be free of cracks and insect infestation. The bamboo is treated in an environmentally safe and effective method to provide long-term resistance against insects and mold,” says Jorillo, describing Base’s method. “Aside from bamboo, we use cement, hollow blocks, and metal rods and clamps to build a Base Bahay house. The homes are built complete with plumbing and electrical connections” Base Bahay houses go to communities being supported by their partner organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, which built over 300 houses for families who belong to the urban poor. So far, Base has been able to build 800 permanent homes using bamboo--the most any organization has been able to accomplish--and, together with a coalition led by the Hilti Foundation and Habitat for Humanity, plans to put up 200 more by the end of the year, and 10,000 by 2025. Base’s efforts have impacted the lives of over 4,000 individuals in the past seven years, says Jorillo. They have partnered with local governments and non-government organizations to build communities in Iloilo, Quezon City, Samar, Tacloban, Sorsogon, Bacolod, Eastern Samar, Negros Occidental, and Batangas; last year, the organization even went international by building a

community with Habitat for Humanity in Nepal.

Driving a sustainable industry model

BASE is also working on creating a sustainable industry, by, first and foremost, involving homeowners from the very start of the construction process wherein the hours they spend building their houses count as payment. To help the rest of the country’s housing ecosystem understand the benefits of bamboo, Base is also offering this year a Continuing Professional Education (CPD) program for Engineers and Architects on bamboo construction. They are working with the ASEP for the Philippines to have its own National Structural Code for Bamboo, using the International Organization on Standardization (ISO) new standard on structural design with bamboo poles as the jump off point of national design code. On the supply chain side, Base has established a network of supply facilities for structural grade bamboo in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Early this year, they also launched the BASE Innovation Center, a testing and research facility for constructing with bamboo and other alternative building materials, opening a whole new world of possibilities for the use of this species of grass. “Our vision is to be a catalyst for the creation of more sustainable and disasterresilient communities through our affordable housing technology solutions,” says Jorillo. For more information on Base Bahay Foundation and ongoing projects, visit http://www.base-builds.com.

IN one of their many ongoing builds, Base Bahay and Habitat for Humanity recently completed 322 new units of permanent housing for the Katuwang Community in Silay, Negros Occidental. Base Bahay expects to build 1000 sustainable and resilient homes built by end of 2021 through partner organizations.

TOYOTA SUPPORTS HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL WELFARE OF ADOPTED SCHOOL. Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF), the social and humanitarian arm of Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP), continues its commitment and assistance to its adopted school, Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School (PSCES) during the pandemic. To keep track of the overall health status of PSCES, TMPF sponsored the Annual Physical Examination (APE). Laboratory tests such as complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, fasting blood sugar (FBS), uric acid test, visual acuity and ECG were made available for members of PSCES faculty and staff. Moreover, with the aim of inspiring and motivating PSCES students to uphold excellence in academics, TMPF recognized the school’s top five graduates in a separate event. Given the new reality brought by the pandemic, TMPF even furthers its assistance by helping the school maintain its operations through the provision of laptop computers for teachers, learning modules for the students and sanitation materials for the school’s facilities. In photo are PSCES top 5 graduates together with TMPF assistant vice president and operations manager Ronald Gaspar (left) and PSCES principal Benjamin P. Ongteco, Jr. (right).

PELÍCULA-Spanish Film Festival goes virtual from October 1-10

INEMA enthusiasts are in for a treat this year as PELÍCULA-Spanish Film Festival returns to virtual screens from Oct. 1 to 20, 2021, which expands to the AsiaPacific region to make the films available to movie lovers in Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. “We believe that culture and cinema are important tools against the isolation and sometimes the alienation that the pandemic has brought. Films and visual arts are indeed good refugees, and PELÍCULA is the perfect festival to share that kind of content and to be a shelter in these trying times,” Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines Jorge Moragas said. Aside from Moragas, Spain’s ambassadors to the participating countries led the launch of PELICULA, as well as representatives from Instituto Cervantes and film directors such as Guillermo Rojas of Una vez más and Arvin Belarmino of the short film “Tarang.” Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair Liza Diño also expressed her vision to leverage the opportunity for the new generation of filmmakers and producers to collaborate with their international peers to create films that would be seen all over the world. Instituto Cervantes de Manila Cultural Department Manager José María Fons Guardiola also pointed out that amid all the cinematography skills and talents he has seen in Spain and other countries, it is the resilience of Filipino filmmakers that struck him the most. “What we have learned best from the Filipino filmmakers is the toughness that they have and their attitude to overcome every difficulty, mainly economic ones, to go ahead and move forward,” he said. Opening the festival on October 1 is “El Cover” (2021), a musical comedy starring Secun de la Rosa. An total of four short films and 16 contemporary Spanish and Latin American feature films will be available for free streaming with English subtitles at

www.pelikula.es within 48 hours from their scheduled release. An Audience Choice Awards will be voted in by spectators. The winning film will be rescreened on Oct. 10 at 6 pm. Also to celebrate the 20th edition of the cinematographic showcase, there will be a special selection of films that have won the PELíCULA Audience Choice Award. These films are Fuera de carta (2008), El secreto de sus ojos (2009), También la lluvia (2010), Un cuento chino (2011) and Campeones (2018). On October 4, a round-table discussion among film stakeholders on co-production of Asian films in Europe and Spanish films in Asia. Spanish, Thai, and Filipino producers will be mounted. On October 7, the webinar “En corto: Short films in the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, and Spain will feature four short films from these countries, along with an online discussion among the films’ directors. For further information, visit www.pelikula. es, or the Facebook page of Instituto Cervantes: www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila

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

TheWorld

Germany embarks on tricky search for post-Merkel govt

ERLIN—Germany is embarking on a potentially lengthy search for its next government after the centerleft Social Democrats narrowly beat outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right bloc in an election that failed to set a clear direction for Europe’s biggest economy under a new leader. Leaders of the parties in the newly elected parliament were meeting Monday to digest a result that saw Merkel’s Union bloc slump to its worst-ever result in a national election, and appeared to put the keys to power in the hands of two opposition parties. Both Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, who pulled his party out of a years-long slump, and Armin Laschet, the candidate of Merkel’s party who saw his party’s fortunes decline in a troubled campaign, laid a claim to leading the next government. Scholz is the outgoing vice chancellor and finance minister and Laschet is the governor of Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. Whichever of them becomes chancellor will do so with his party having won a smaller share of the vote than any of his predecessors. Who gets the job looks likely to depend on the decision of the prospective junior partners, the environmentalist Greens and the business-friendly Free Democrats—parties that traditionally belong to rival ideological camps. “Voters have spoken very clearly,” Scholz said Monday. “They strengthened three parties—the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Free Democrats—so this is the visible mandate the citizens of this country have given: these three parties should lead the next government.” The only other option that would have a parliamentary majority is a repeat of the “grand coalition” of the Union and Social Democrats. That is the grouping that has run Germany for 12 years of Merkel’s 16-year tenure and has often been marred by squabbling, but this time it would be under Scholz’s leadership with Merkel’s bloc as junior partner. There is little appetite for that, however. Scholz said the Union “received the message from citizens that they should no longer be in government, but go into opposition.”

Merkel’s outgoing government will remain in office until a successor is sworn in, a process that can take weeks or months. Merkel announced in 2018 that she wouldn’t seek a fifth term. The Greens traditionally lean toward the Social Democrats and the Free Democrats toward the Union, but neither ruled out going the other way on Sunday night. The Greens made significant gains in the election to finish third but fell far short of their original aim of taking the chancellery, while the Free Democrats improved slightly on a good result from 2017. Julia Reuschenbach, a political analyst at the University of Bonn, told ARD television that a Laschetled government “isn’t excluded in principle,” though the Social Democrats will push the argument that the result shows Germans want them to lead the new administration. “Ultimately, the parties will of course have to agree on matters of substance,” she said. Final official results gave the Social Democrats 25.7 percent of the vote and the Union 24.1 percent. Four years ago, they won 20.5 percent and 32.9 percent respectively. The Union—made up of Laschet’s Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister, the Christian Social Union—had never previously polled below 31 percent in a national parliamentary election. The Greens took 14.8 percent, the Free Democrats 11.5 percent and the far-right Alternative for Germany 10.3 percent—a decline from the 12.6 percent it took to enter parliament for the first time in 2017. The smallest party in the new parliament is the Left Party, which won just 4.9 percent of the vote. The new Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, will have a record 735 lawmakers. The parliament varies in size because of a peculiarity of Germany’s electoral system, which means that it can be considerably bigger than the minimum 598 seats. The Social Democrats took 206 seats, the Union 196, the Greens 118, the Free Democrats 92, Alternative for Germany 83 and the Left Party 39. One seat went to the Danish minority party SSW, which will be represented for the first time in decades. AP

India’s farmers renew protests, call for nationwide strike

EW DELHI—Thousands of Indian farmers blocked traffic on major roads and railway tracks outside of the nation’s capital on Monday, marking one year of demonstrations against government-backed laws that they say will shatter their livelihoods. The farmers have renewed their protests with calls for a nationwide strike on the anniversary of the legislation’s passage. The drawnout demonstrations have posed one of the biggest political challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who swept the polls for the second time in 2019. Waving colorful flags and distributing free food, hundreds of farmers gathered at one of the protest sites on the edges of the capital, New Delhi. The mood on Monday was charged with determination to keep the protests going—some even brought mattresses with them, camping out as the day went on. Along New Delhi’s southwest and eastern fringes, protesting farmers crowded highways, choking traffic and cutting off access from the capital to neighboring states. Police were deployed to three main protest sites on the outskirts of the city to maintain law and order. A coalition of farmers’ unions— known as the Samyukta Kisan Morc h a , or Un ited Fa r mers’ Front—has called on shops, offices, factories and other institutions

to shut their doors in solidarity for the 10-hour strike. All emergency services, including hospitals, pharmacies and relief work, will continue, they said. The government has defended the legislation, saying it is necessary to modernize agriculture and that the laws will boost production through private investment. But the farmers say the new legislation will devastate their earnings by ending guaranteed pricing and force them to sell their crops to corporations at cheaper prices. In neighboring Punjab and Haryana states—which are the country’s the two biggest agricultural producers—thousands of demonstrators also blocked highways, bringing traffic to a halt in some areas. In the eastern state of Bihar, trains were halted as farmers squatted on railway tracks. Protesters also took to the streets, raising slogans against the Modi government, burning tires and blocking roads across the region. Police said some 500 protesters had been taken into custody, but added that the shutdown remained peaceful. In the southern city of Bengaluru on Monday, hundreds of people marched in support of the protest against the government. In the sout her n st ate of Kera l a, t he r u l i n g L e f t D e mo c r at i c Front ca l led for a tot a l shutdow n, repor ted loca l med ia. AP

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

CDC head sees health-care strain as states set to ration medical care

arts of the US health system “are in dire straits,” as the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant forces some states to prepare for rationed medical care, said Rochelle Walensky, head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “That means that we are talking about who is going to get a ventilator, who is going to get an ICU bed,” Walensky said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “Those are not easy discussions to have, and that is not a place we want our healthcare system to ever be.” Idaho, among the US’s leastvaccinated states, and Alaska have said that hospitals can begin to ration medical care if needed. A major hospital in Montana also implemented so-called “crisis of care standards” to prioritize who is treated. Health officials warned the measure could be widened across the state. Meanwhile, American men lost 2.2 years of life expectancy last year because of Covid-19, the biggest decline among 29 nations in a study of the pandemic’s impact on longevity. Deaths among working-age men contributed the most to declining lifespans in the US, according to research led by demographers at the U.K.’s University of Oxford. Only Denmark and Norway, who have excelled at controlling their outbreaks, avoided drops in life expectancy across both sexes, the study published Sunday in the International Journal of Epidemiology found. Key developments:

Thailand to reopen regions including Bangkok

Thailand’s government is reopening 10 more provinces, including Bangkok, for vaccinated foreign tourists from November 1. The mandatory quarantine period for vaccinated travelers will be cut to seven days from 14, the government said in a statement. More places and businesses, including theaters and nail salons, will be allowed to reopen from October 1, the government said. A nighttime curfew will be shortened by one hour, it said.

Taiwan eases restrictions

Taiwan will allow some recreational facilities, including karaoke and video game venues, to resume operation conditionally from October 5, according to statement from Taiwan Centers

for Disease Control. The easing comes as Taiwan reported zero new daily infections. Partition or separated seating at the venues is required, and no dining will be allowed. Bars and nightclubs will remain shut.

South Africa exits third virus wave

South Africa has officially exited its third wave of coronavirus infections, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases said. New infections fell to below 1,000 on Sunday and the positivity rate of tests was 5 percent, the institute said in a statement. With almost 2.9 million confirmed infections and over 87,000 deaths, South Africa has been worse hit by the virus than any other country in Africa.

New Zealand’s pilot program for travelers

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a small pilot program will begin soon to trial self-isolation for returning international travelers. Those arriving in New Zealand are allowed to isolate at home for 14 days as an alternative for managed isolation. The program will be capped at 150 people and focus on those required to travel for work. Participants must be New Zealand citizens and residents and fully vaccinated.

More freedoms in New South Wales

New South Wales will roll back more restrictions for fully-vaccinated adults and raise caps on international arrivals once 80 percent of the adult population has received two shots at the end of October, as it unveils the next stages of its path out of Covid lockdown. State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the next phase of the re-opening will include increased access to hospitality venues, the ability to travel freely throughout the state and eased limits on the number of guests able to visit homes once the 80-percent threshold is reached, which she expects will come at the end of next month.

China infections tailing off

China reported 16 infections on Monday, as the spread of Delta variant appears to be tailing off. The cluster in southeastern province Fujian dwindled to two cases, all in Xiamen, a city of 5.2 million and a manufacturing hub for electric components that was placed under lockdown following detection of cases in early September. The Northeastern city of Harbin reported 13 infections, including two asymptomatic cases, while a smaller city in the north called Suihua reported one infection, raising concern that the virus is spreading within the broader Heilongjiang Province.

Korea cases set to rise after holiday

South Korea reported 2,383 new cases after hitting a record of 3,272 on Saturday. Health authorities expect infections to rise sharply from the middle of this week in the aftermath of the Chuseok holiday. The country will begin administering booster shots for people aged 60 or older and those at high risk from October 25. Pregnant women and people aged 12 to 17 will begin receiving vaccinations on October 18. South Korea aims to achieve its goal of inoculating 80 percent of adults by the end of October to prepare for gradual return to normal life.

Singapore strategy unchanged

Singapore is moving on a journey toward living with Covid-19, and right now the country needs to ensure that the health system can handle an increased number of daily cases, Singapore Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said in an interview with Bloomberg TV’s Haslinda Amin. Singapore added 1,939 new cases, almost doubling from a week earlier, the latest in a string of daily records in the past week ahead of new curbs kicking in on Monday. Two more deaths were reported, both elderly with underlying conditions who were not vaccinated, bringing the death toll to 78. A total of 30 people are in the ICU.

Indonesia’s shot progress faces hurdles

A shortage of hea lt h- c a re workers and logistical flaws are hampering Indonesia’s efforts to inoculate its people against Covid-19, leaving the world ’s largest archipelago trailing its neighbors despite being among the first in Southeast Asia to start the program. Only 17.9 percent of Indonesia’s 270 million people are fully vaccinated, behind almost

ever y major economy in the region, according to Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker.

Japan weighs lifting all restrictions

The Japanese government is making final arrangements to lift all coronavirus states of emergency in the nation as scheduled at the end of this month, the Asahi newspaper reported Monday, citing several unidentified officials. Daily coronavirus cases have been steadily coming down in Japan since its peak in mid-August when it saw more than 25,000 cases, according to data compiled by public broadcaster NHK. The cases dropped to 2,134 Sunday. Tokyo is considering keeping some restrictions on bars and restaurants serving alcohol even if the state of emergency is lifted at the end of the month, broadcaster FNN reported, citing an unidentified person.

WHO starts new team to probe Covid origin

The World Health Organization is reviving its investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 virus by building a new team of about 20 scientists, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. The previous team, which had been disbanded after a visit to Wuhan, had said data provided by Chinese scientists was insufficient to reach a conclusion. Members of the new team will be chosen by the end of this week, and the team’s “priority needs to be data and access in the country where the first reports were identified,” WHO officials told the Journal. The Chinese government declined to say if the new team will be allowed to enter the country.

Australian PM defends strict border closures

Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended Australia’s strict antivirus measures, including shutting the borders since the start of the pandemic. “I’ll tell you what shutting those borders did,” Morrison said on CBS’s “Face the Nation”. “It saved over 30,000 lives in Australia...About 1,200 Australians have lost their lives to Covid. That is what is lost in a day here in the United States.” He said measures would ease as Australia continues to vaccinate its population, with three quarters of the nation having received a first shot. In an earlier appearance on Australian television, he said state premiers must not keep internal borders closed once vaccination targets are reached. Bloomberg News

China’s power crisis moves from the factories to homes

hina’s energy crisis is beginning to hit people where they live, adding the risk of social instability to an economic slowdown and global supply chain disruptions. Residents in several northern provinces have already been dealing with blackouts, while traffic lights being turned off are causing chaos on the roads in at least one major city. Guangdong, a southern industrial hub with an economy bigger than Australia’s, is asking people to use natural light in homes and limit air-conditioner use after implementing big power cuts to factories. The impact to people’s homes shows how quickly the power crisis is escalating, as China typically first asks large industrial users to curtail consumption

when supply gets tight. Economists at Nomura Holdings Ltd. and China International Capital Corp. have downgraded their growth forecasts for the economy due to the electricity shortages, and cuts to factories are raising concerns of yet another wrench thrown into the works of global supply chains. China is facing power issues on two fronts. Some provinces have ordered industrial cuts in order to meet emissions and energy intensity goals, while others are facing an actual lack of electricity as sky-high coal and natural gas costs cause generators to slow output amid high demand. T he shortages would force companies to raise pr ices of goods for Chinese consumers and quicken inf lation, the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of

the Chinese Communist Party, said in an editorial published on Sunday. This would bring unnecessary disorder to the economy and society, it said.

Wreaking havoc

The northern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang all suffered blackouts over the weekend, Caixin reported, with cuts to traffic lights wreaking havoc during rush hour. Jilin Vice Governor Wu Jingping on Monday called for ensuring residential electricity needs and avoiding power cuts by all means. Power restrictions are likely to continue until March next year, and residents should prepare for water cuts to become normal, according to a report in the province’s local media. Guangdong’s provincial energy

administration issued a notice on Sunday calling for all walks of society to pitch in to prevent widespread outages. Large-scale cuts to factories have already been implemented, it said, and now it’s asking office workers to use stairs for the first three floors, shopping malls to keep advertising signs on fewer hours, and for homes to use natural light as much as possible and to keep air-conditioners above 26 degrees Celsius. T he power cuts w ill likely cut China’s growth rate by 0.1 to 0.15 percentage point in the third and fourth quarters, CICC economists said in a report. Nomura cut its full-year expansion estimate to 7.7 percent from 8.2 percent on Friday, and now sees a possibility of further cuts to the forecasts due to the power shortages. Bloomberg News

Sports

SAN MIGUEL Beer’s CJ Perez is named Best Player of the Week.

BusinessMirror

| Tuesday, September 28, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

PEREZ SOARS HIGH FOR BEERMEN S

AN MIGUEL Beer is one win away from a return trip to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinals, and though it has a number of capable closers to thank, a neophyte silently and steadily stepped up to bring it closer to a place once familiar to the team. Playing his first conference with the Beermen, quick-fire guard CJ Perez did not disappoint and served as the quiet but lethal operator for the team’s resurgence after being dethroned in the Clark bubble last season. Perez, the two-time scoring champ from Terrafirma, averaged 17.0 points on a 44-percent clip from the three-point range, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals

in the Beermen’s last two wins which ended dramatically behind the game-winners of veterans of Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot. Behind his steady numbers, Perez, a native of Pangasinan, was adjudged the Cignal Play–PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period September 22 to 26, bridging the tail-end of the eliminations and the start of the quarterfinals. Perez is seeing action in his first playoffs appearance since emerging as the top pick in the 2018 draft. The third-year pro top-scored in San Miguel Beer’s 101-100 win over Alaska with 20 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists, including the clutch corner swing pass to Lassiter for the game-winning trey. The win sealed the Beermen’s

spot in the upper bracket of the standings at No. 4, putting themselves in prime position of reclaiming lost glory after an early quarterfinal exit in last year’s allFilipino conference. In the Beermen’s thrilling 8887 win in Game 1 of the playoffs over fifth seed NorthPort behind Cabagnot’s clutch game-winner, Perez also made his mark with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists as the moved on the cusp of a semifinals return. Perez beat out teammates Mo Tautuaa, six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, and Chris Ross, Meralco’s Mac Belo, Alvin Pasaol, Allein Maliksi, and Bong Quinto for the weekly honor being handed out by the group regularly covering the PBA beat. Josef Ramos

Go asks colleagues’ support for 2022 budget for PSC, GAB

By Josef Ramos

ENATE Sports Committee chairman Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go asked his colleagues to support the 2022 budget proposal for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB). “I would like to express my full support to the proposed budgets of the three agencies [including the

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office] who are here with us today,” Go said in his manifestation during the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on Monday. “As chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and as a passionate advocate for sports development in the country, I believe that investing in sports will not only allow our country to develop more world-class athletes…but will also

help us in keeping our youth away from illegal drugs and other harmful vices,” Go said. Go stressed that the PSC and GAB “need budgetary support from us now, more than ever, as they are finding it difficult to keep our sports program afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic.” He said that outside of the budget deliberations, he sought assistance from the private sector to help finance the training of promising Filipino athletes.

ORMER House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has clarified anew that the construction of the P50-million cauldron used during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA) Games was funded by the private sector. Cayetano, who was the chairman of the Philippine South East Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) in 2019, said the government did not pay for the construction of the cauldron, which was labeled as “overpriced” and “extravagant” by critics. “People will be surprised because the government didn’t spend a single cent on it. Because the private sector paid for it,” Cayetano told a tell-all interview

with television host Boy Abunda on recently. The cauldron was designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa, who is regarded as one of the most influential Filipino architects of the 20th century. Cayetano said the cauldron was much cheaper than the ones used in the previous editions of the SEA Games. “I could have come up with a more humble one. But this is our debut to the world. We wanted to show that our facilities are world-class,” he said. The former PHISGOC chair also said unfounded accusations of corruption about the cauldron pushed sponsors to withdraw funding for the 2019 SEA Games. “Much more would have been paid by the private sector if only the crab mentality and mudslinging of some had not prevailed. A

EN. Joel Villanueva reiterated the importance of weeding out alleged game-fixing incidents in professional sports leagues, illustrating how integrity in sports could affect the lives of athletes and workers in the sports sector. “It’s the livelihood of the athletes, coaches, support staff and the whose sports sector that’s on the line here,” Villanueva said in a statement. “Any action that will cast doubt on the integrity of professional sports jeopardizes the livelihood of our athletes, coaches and support staff.” At the budget deliberations of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on Monday afternoon, Villanueva sought updates on the board’s efforts to crackdown on alleged game-fixing incidents in professional sports leagues, particularly in the Vis-Min Super Cup two months ago. “We were disgusted when we saw the video, and imagine my disappointment as a basketball player. I know for a fact that you are going to do something about it. It is challenging because you have to gather pieces of evidence.... Even if you’re not a professional player, you

Go said that he advocated for Republic Act No. 11470 that established the National Academy for Sports at New Clark City with the help of Senator Pia Cayetano, as well as for the inclusion of P100 million, which was later increased to P250 million, to support Filipino athletes’ preparations for the Tokyo Olympics and other international competitions. “I am asking for the support of my fellow senators to support the PSC and GAB budget in order for our country’s sports development to go unabated,” he said.

lot of sponsors retracted their commitments,” he added. Cayetano also said he never profited from the SEA Games. More than 5,000 athletes from 11 countries participated in the 2019 SEA Games. Breaking its previous records, the Philippines emerged overall champion and secured a total of 387 medals, 149 of which were gold, when the games drew to a close in December 2019.

HILIPPINE National Volleyball Federation Honorary Chairman Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano led the sendoff for the national men’s and women’s national teams competing in two continental club tournaments in Thailand starting next week. The sendoff was held last Saturday at the De La Salle Sentrum in Lipa City with Taguig City District 2 Rep. Lani L. Cayetano, along with PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Secretary General Don Caringal and National Team Commission chairman Tonyboy Liao also attending the afternoon affair. The women’s teams, represented by Team Rebisco and Team Choco Mucho, have just wrapped up their month-long bubble training in Lipa City and will leave on Tuesday (September 28) to compete in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship slated from October 1 to 7 in Nakhon Ratchasima. The men’s squad, which will carry the name Team Rebisco, will wind down its bubble training in Lipa City this week and will

France’s Julian Alaphilippe celebrates his second consecutive men’s road race crown at the World Road Cycling Championships in Leuven, Belgium, on Sunday. AP

Coach Dan Pfaff AS a former Math and Science teacher, Dan Pfaff dealt and taught an abundance of analysis, science and critical thinking which carried over to almost 50 years of coaching in athletics, specifically track and field. When he speaks, the track and field community

HE country’s national sports association for cycling yesterday welcomed the inclusion of dedicated bike lanes in the soon-to-be-constructed Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) as it will extend the existing bike lane network laid out by the government, even as it emphasized efforts to ensure the protection of cyclists and bikers who are using

listens, and listens intently. Pfaff’s resume includes coaching, teaching and mentoring 49 Olympians—nine of them medalists—51 world championships competitors—and five world record holders. Any lesser man with that body of work would be content and stop learning, but for Coach Pfaff, he’s not just a teacher of the sport, after 50 years of coaching, he’s still learning as coaching continues to evolve with the changing times. Dan started his career with Coach Tom Tellez, world and US track and field legend Carl Lewis’s coach, and the rest as they say, is history. I asked him last Sunday about the many records that were broken in track and field at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics and the super track shoes the athletes were using. After hearing him go into detail after detail about track shoes being a factor in sprinting, there are the little things that you take for granted sometimes because your awareness about track shoes is different. Coach Dan sees that at some point, World Athletics, formerly the International Association of Athletics

fly to Thailand on October 4 for the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship set from October 8 to 15 also in Nakhon Ratchasima. Former House Speaker Cayetano of Taguig City, reaffirmed his being the federation’s “godfather” as he rallied the athletes to represent the country well despite the tremendous challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. All three teams’ preparation and participation for the Asian championships are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco and Taguig City. The two women’s teams is made up of 24 athletes, eight coaches and one referee, while the national men’s squad is composed of 18 athletes, seven coaches and one referee. Aby Maraño is the team captain of Team Rebisco, with Brazilian consultant Jorge Souza de Brito as its head coach, while Iris Tolenada will be the skipper for the Odjie Mamonmentored Team Choco. Handled by coach Dante Alinsunurin, Johnvic de Guzman is Team Rebisco’s team captain.

FORMER Speaker, Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Rep. Lani Cayetano send off the national volleyball teams led by Aby Maraño, along with (from left) Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) secretary general Don Caringal and president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, women’s coach Odjie Mamon and National Team director Tonyboy Liao.

PHILCYCLING SUPPORTS SMC’S PAREX BIKE LANES WORLD CHAMP X 2

could see in the video that there’s something wrong,” said Villanueva, chair of the Senate finance subcommittee deliberating the budgets of GAB and the Philippine Sports Commission. GAB chairman Abraham Mitra said that the board was in the final stages of its case buildup, vowing to file charges against individuals who had a hand in the incident, which first came to light on social media. “Yes, we are doing something about it,” Mitra said. “We are going to file cases against them.” Villanueva also commited to source funds to enable the country to send delegations to international sporting competitions, citing the recent achievements of Filipino athletes at the Tokyo Olympics where the country hauled four medals—the most by any Southeast Asian nation—including its first gold in nearly 100 years. “Our medalists in Tokyo and in other international competitions showed the importance of sports development in the country,” he said. “As a former national athlete myself, I have seen the power of sports to unify a nation.” “I hope that the budgets of our sports agencies next year will be an instrument to seek, train and support more athletes who will bring honor and glory to our country,” he added.

3 national squads in harness for Asian club championships

Cayetano breaks silence on Clark SEAG cauldron By Jovee Marie Dela Cruz

Villanueva urges GAB to quash game-fixing in pro hoops ranks

these thoroughfares to go to work or for fitness and leisure. Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (Philcycling), welcomed the possible inclusion of San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) 19.37-kilometer PAREX to the 313-kilometer Metro Manila Bike Lane Network that cuts through the

cities of Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Taguig. This bike network, inaugurated last July, is part of nationwide 497-kilometer network that also includes Metro Cebu and in Metro Davao and touted to be longest in the country. “We thank San Miguel Corp.

Federations, the world governing body for athletics, will have to step in at some point and set some parameters and limitations on these track shoes and maybe even, the track surface as well. We went into a discussion on the showdown in 1996 between Atlanta Olympics men’s 100 meters gold medalist Donovan Bailey of Canada and men’s 200 meters gold medalist Michael Johnson of the US. Then IAAF President Primo Nebiolo said, “This is not sports as entertainment, but more like something out of a circus, and we’re not interested in it.” At the time, Dan Pfaff was Donovan Bailey’s coach, and he advised Donovan not to do it because his hip issues may bother him at the turn in the 150 meters. Bailey won with a time of 14.99 seconds, together with the prize money amounting to $1 million. Johnson suffered an injury and was visibly dejected after the race. A few years after the one-on-one, Bailey suffered a torn achilles tendon, he completely tore his achilles. Coach Pfaff’s specializes in post injury recovery and together with Bailey’s team, the Canadian recovered and

for the inclusion of bike lanes in this transport infrastructure that will also benefit cyclists and leisure bikers along with car users and commuters,” said Rep. Tolentino, who is also Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president. “The pandemic has rekindled the Filipinos’ love for cycling and biking and it is now one of safest ways to go to work and one of the easiest ways to get fit to protect and gain immunity against Covid-19.”

in no time was clocking below 10 seconds in the 100. New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown was a client of the Hall of Fame coach. Coach Dan worked on his speed and explosiveness. Pfaff believes there are American football players who can do well in the 100 and 200, one of them may be Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf who’s been going back and forth on social media with Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt. If and when their own showdown pushes through, Pfaff says it is going to be interesting. At 6-foot-4 and 200+ lbs, how does a man of Metcalf’s size run the 100 in below 10 seconds? Going back to Coach Pfaff, speaking to him from what seemed to be his library at home in Texas, he opines that he’s still learning and when you’re learning, you still have a lot to give to the sport. You still have a lot of aspiring track and field athletes to teach and guide and to replicate yourself through them. Coach Dan is not just a track and field Coach, to his athletes, he’s also a coach of life. If you look at his achievements and accomplishments, he coaches life as if it is a marathon, not a sprint.