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20 PHILHEALTH OFFICIALS, 24 HOSPITALS ACCUSED OF IRM FUND MISUSE By Rio N. Araja

VOL. XXXV • NO. 207 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

OFFICIALS of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. as well as hospitals are facing complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with supposed misuse of the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) for cases in 2018. The NBI-Dagupan District Office sued 20 PhilHealth officials and hospitals in the Ilocos region on the orders of

NBI chief Eric Distor. Included in the complaints were exPhilHealth President and chief executive officer Ricardo Morale, five officers from PhilHealth’s main office, and five others from the region – ex-regional vice president Alberto Manduriao, Healthcare Management Division chief, former and current Fiscal Controller chief of Fund Management Section, and the senior social insurance officer. As early as July, the NBI filed comNext page

99 kids infected in QC orphanage PH logs 22,820 new record-high cases Facade of the virus-infected halfway house Gentle Hands Orphanage in Quezon City.

By Rio N. Araja

INETY-NINE children aged 18 and below from a Quezon City orphanage tested positive for COVID-19, the city government said Thursday, as the country reported another record of 22,820 new infections in a single day. Twenty-three others, presumably personnel at the Gentle Hands Orphanage in Barangay Bagumbuhay in Quezon City, also were infected, said Dr. Rolly Cruz, chief of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU). Cruz said an asymptomatic adult

could have unknowingly brought the virus during a visit but managers of the orphanage said it allows no visitors. “Closed long-term care facilities such as this should be able to strictly impose the protocols because even a single en-

34,733

By Jimbo Gulle and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE League of Cities of the Philippines appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday to extend the country’s state of calamity until June 30, 2022 to ensure that city governments “can respond to the threats of COVID-19 and facilitate local economic recovery.” In a letter to Duterte, LCP President

and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio LeonarCities would be able to undertake dia noted that Presidential Proclamation “critical, urgent, and appropriate 1021 is set to expire on Sunday, Sept. 12. Next page “If not extended, this will cripple the ability of cities to respond to COVID-19,” Leonardia said. He said that by extending the state of calamity, local government units in the LCP’s 145 member cities would still be authorized to use funds for development, special education, local disaster risk and NEWS / A2 reduction, and other available resources.

‘PRODUCTIVITY LOSSES: P11 T’

‘Kiko’ threatens Northern Luzon

2,161,892 22,820

Cities urge Duterte: Prolong ‘state of calamity’

By Rio N. Araja and Alena Mae S. Flores cal and Astronomical Services AdminisTYPHOON Kiko is forecast to spawn heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands and northern Isabela this Friday afternoon. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysi-

166,672

tration warned the residents of scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides, especially in highly or very highly susceptible areas as identified in hazard maps. Next page

1,960,487 12,337 (As of 8:30 PM, September 9)

Ease restrictions on fully-vaxxed citizens—mayors By Joel E. Zurbano, Othel V. Campos and Macon Ramos-Araneta METRO Manila mayors on Thursday urged the government to consider easing quarantine restrictions for fully-vaccinated people in the National Capital Region (NCR) to bolster economic activities there. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos, who chairs the Metro Manila Council (MMC), said the mayors believed that easing restrictions for fully vaccinated people in the NCR would help the government’s campaign to inoculate the rest of the population and boost the economy, particularly industries that were greatly affected by the Next page

CLEANUP. After widespread flooding brought on by typhoon Jolina that turned residential areas into mudhouses in Batangas, residents began to clean up and clear the road of obstructions but the Lobo Senior High School would remain inundated with knee-deep floodwater for several days. In Manila, the local disaster rescue and risk management office started gearing up -- with life vests, ropes and other equipment -- for any adverse impact another typhoon ‘Kiko” could inflict on the metropolis. Norman Cruz, Arlene Diona Gusto. Lobo PIO

Vaccine czar appeases House on supply delay By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Willie Casas, Joel E. Zurbano LAWMAKERS on Thursday asked vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. why there were delays in the signing of tripartite agreements for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines by local govern-

ments and the private sector. At a hearing conducted by the House committee on economic affairs, Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus expressed dismay over Galvez’s failure to act on the requests of local governments and private companies, despite the need for a steady supply of vaccines. “I am really concerned, there are

pending [agreements] with you and you have not signed [them]. The cities, the provinces.. [are] receiving no answer from your office,” Rodriguez said. The multi-party agreements should be signed to help local government units (LGUs) and private companies get good pricing and a steady supply of Next page

Lorenzana: PH-US defense pact must be updated amid sea row DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said key areas in the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States must be updated to make it more current and relevant in the existing security situation. Speaking at a forum on Wednesday night (Manila time) organized by the

Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies for the 70th anniversary of the Philippines-US MDT, Lorenzana said these include the reiteration and further clarification of the precise extent of the Washington DC’s commitments to Manila under the Next page

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Productivity losses: P11 trillion

Over a 40-year span as in-person classes halted for a year – NEDA By Julito Rada

OCIOECONOMIC Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said Thursday the absence of face-to-face learning for a year due to the pandemic will cost the economy P11 trillion over the next 40 years.

Chua presented the estimate in a Senate hearing as the Commission on Higher Education said it submitted a proposal to President Rodrigo Duterte to allow limited face-to-face classes in modified general community quarantine (MCGQ) areas and include other courses aside from health allied programs. CHED chairman Prospero De Vera III told House members the proposal

was already endorsed by the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases but is still awaiting the President’s approval. De Vera is seeking to expand face-toface classes for the following courses in MGCQ areas: engineering, hospitality/ hotel and restaurant management, tourism and travel management, marine engineering, and marine transportation.

Ease... From A1

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COVID-19 pandemic. “With the NCR being considered right now to be the epicenter of this pandemic and the region with the most number of vaccinated individuals, we are confident that we can find the right balance between safeguarding the public’s health and reviving the economy,” Abalos said. About 56 percent of the eligible population or 5,492,344 people in Metro Manila were fully vaccinated as of Sept. 8, while 84.21 percent of the eligible population or 8,262,558 people have already received their first vaccine shot. “Administering first dose of the vaccine is crucial, but approximately a month from now, since most of the COVID-19 shots have a three- to four-week interval from the first shot, those who got their first jabs will eventually complete their vaccination,” said Abalos. “By next month (Oct. 8), we are expecting that we will reach 77.57 percent or 7,601,685 of the total eligible population… to be fully-vaccinated. The more people who complete their inoculation, the sooner we can achieve population protection,” he said. “And since the AstraZeneca vaccine has an interval of 12 weeks at most between the first dose and the second dose, we expect 87 percent of the eligible population in NCR to be vaccinated in three months time or not later than Dec. 8,” he added. Metro Manila remains under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the second strictest quarantine level, until Sept. 15. Business groups, meanwhile, urged the government to take a serious second look at the protocols enforced to contain the pandemic and change the ineffective responses. According to Interior Undersecretary Martin Diño, authorized personnel outside of residences (APOR), including health workers, will not be allowed outside their homes if these are located in areas under granular lockdown. “If they are under granular lockdown, there will be no APOR. That is the difference,” he said. “A lockdown, whether region-wide or granular, is not a solution, it is a problem,” said Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) acting president Edgardo Lacson at the opening of the two-day 2021 Metro Manila Business Conference (MMBC). “COVID-19 is a pharmaceutical problem which we try to solve with a militaristic solution like lockdown,” he added. He said business people are still waiting for the official declaration that will place the National Capital Region under a general community quarantine (GCQ) where businesses will be allowed to fully operate whether people are vaccinated or not subject to the strict observance of prescribed health protocols. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), said there are continuing discussions within the policy-making body.

try of a positive case may already infect everyone,” Cruz said. Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city government immediately sent paracetamol, vitamins, hygiene kits, face masks, alcohol, and food packs to the orphanage. She ordered the CESU to closely monitor everyone’s health, especially the children, and also conduct active surveillance of all the other closedsetting facilities in the city such as nursing homes. Belmonte reiterated her call for the strict implementation and observance of minimum health and safety protocols, especially since COVID-19 cases are rising due to the highly transmissible Delta variant. Belmonte added that the outbreak could have been prevented and “the children could have been saved from the life-threatening risks of Covid-19 [if the health protocols have been strictly observed]”. The city government had ordered swab tests for 143 people from the Gen-

‘Kiko’... From A1

ness of up to 240 km/h and central pressure of 930 hPa, it was moving west northwestward at 20 km/h. Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi directed the Task Force on Energy Resiliency to coordinate and ensure quick power restoration to affected areas of tropical storm Jolina while initiating preparations for Kiko. Cusi asked energy utilities as well as other industry players to intensify their preparation and readiness to respond and help the affected areas as soon as possible. Tropical storm Jolina is itself on its way out of the country, and was estimated to be at 145 kilometers West Northwest of Iba, Zambales.

“Based on the latest track and intensity forecast, tropical cyclone wind signal no. 4 remains the highest wind signal that will be hoisted for this typhoon,” it stated in its Thursday’s 5 p.m. bulletin. Signal no. 1 was raised in Batanes; Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands; the northeastern portion of Apayao, and the northeastern portion of Isabela. The center of the eye of Kiko was at 550 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora. Packing maximum sustained winds of 195 km/hour near the center, gusti-

Cities... From A1 disaster response aid and eliminate the threat of COVID-19” that depends on the continued existence of the calamity state, Leonardia added. “Without such a declaration, the LGUs are constrained to work with limited funding for their COVID-19 programs and related expenses,” he told the President in the letter. An extended state of calamity would also allow cities to implement programs

Vaccine... From A1 COVID-19 vaccines, he added. But Galvez said the absence of a direct contract prevents him from signing an agreement. And even if he signed the deals, he said, there is no guarantee that there will be a steady supply of vaccines. “One, you cannot sign an MPA without a direct contract. That is due diligence. I cannot sign any document without a direct contract. Second, even if we have signed our contract, no supply will come and help our governors to vaccinate because the supply will come in 2022,” Galvez said. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged rich countries to impose a moratorium on third vaccine shots until the end of the year to guarantee enough vaccines for developing and poor countries. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that some wealthy nations are moving ahead with booster shots to protect their populations due to the recent surges in coronavirus cases with the emergence of the highly-contagious Delta and other variants. He said booster shots are intended

Ombudsman: Jail-time for commenting on SALN

“Some courses that need hands-on experience will be able to continue faceto-face,” said De Vera, warning that the “competency” of graduates of these courses might be “questioned” if they continue without face-to-face classes. For his part, Chua said the lack of face-to-face classes would limit the learning abilities of students and that would have a permanent effect over the lifespan of the students while they are in the labor force. “With the best data that we have, we have an estimate that productivity loss over the next 40 years is going to be P11 trillion for the one year where we had no face-to-face classes,” he added. Chua cited a number of studies globally that measured the impact of the

pandemic on productivity. “This is not only in the Philippines. It is in the US, India. So for instance, there is an ADB [Asian Development Bank] study [showing] that each year of no schooling translates to 10 percent lower permanent wages in the future,” Chua said. He said there was also a study in the US showing that online learning was just equivalent to 52 percent of actual learning. “In the Philippines you have to adjust that. These are the inputs that led us to compute the P11-trillion less productivity,” Chua said. Chua said the National Economic and Development Authority actually discussed this with ADB and there were some assumption differences.

tle Hands Orphanage, which yielded 118 positive results, plus four index cases. Testing was conducted on Sept. 6 and the results were released the following day. The orphanage, meanwhile, denied Cruz’s assertion that the outbreak was caused by a visitor. “It is not true that an asymptomatic visitor spread the virus because we have not received any visitors at all, due to the fact that some of the children are immunocompromised and we have prohibited non-members of the staff from going inside the facility,” executive director Charity Graff said in a statement. “While it is true that several individuals have tested positive in our facility, the source of the infection is still being traced,” she added. She said no patient “is suffering from respiratory distress.” She also said they have been following strict health protocols “beyond the minimum” to safeguard the children and their personnel. Those staying within the facility are under quarantine for 540 days, she said, adding that they did not allow any person to go in or out of the orphanage

prior to the vaccination of their personnel last August. “In the discussion with the Quezon City government, we were directed not to disclose the situation publicly, and we have faithfully complied with this directive. However, recent inaccurate news, made without verification with us, have left us no choice but to publicly clarify matters. We are very concerned because we are a child caring agency and we have exerted all efforts to protect the privacy of our children,” the private organization’s statement read. The Philippines logged a new record high in its daily tally of COVID-19 cases on Thursday with 22,820 fresh infections. The tally surpassed Monday’s total of 22,415 new daily cases and brought the total number of infections to 2,161,892. The Department of Health said cases may still increase within the next few days. The DOH also corrected Wednesday’s data, reporting an additional 5,132 cases that were not included. This brought the total cases on Sept. 8 to 17,883 instead of the earlier reported 12,751, the DOH said Thursday.

that can lower the current case rates of COVID-19, open more COVID wards and critical care units in medical facilities, contain the surge of the coronavirus Delta variant, and supplant the requirements of the ongoing vaccine rollout, Leonardia said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been ravaging the world for almost two years, and cities’ resources are already depleted,” the Bacolod mayor said. “We need support from the national government by issuing relevant policies and a steady supply of vaccines to continue our fight and recover as one,” he

appealed to the President. Meanwhile, as COVID-19 infections continue to rise in the country, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry to put in place mechanisms that will oversee compliance of testing laboratories on the reduced price cap for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or swab tests. He said this measure was very timely due to the increasing number of people infected with coronavirus because of the highly-transmissible and highlyinfectious virus.

to strengthen vaccine efficacy, but the WHO would not propose them under the present circumstances because of the lack of sufficient data on efficacy and potential side effects of the coronavirus vaccines. A temporary halt to booster shots, Tedros said, would also allow every country to vaccinate at least 40 percent of its population. “A month ago, I called for a global moratorium on booster doses at least until the end of September, to prioritize vaccinating the most at-risk people around the world who are yet to receive their first dose,” Tedros said. Since the situation has changed little, Tedros asked the moratorium be extended at least until the end of the year. Although 5.5 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered globally, Tedros said 80 percent of these have gone to high- and uppermiddle income countries. At the same time, Tedros asked advanced countries to fulfill their dosesharing pledges to developing countries by the end of September. Hd said high-income countries had promised to donate more than one billion vaccine doses to poorer countries, he said -- “but less than15 percent of those doses have materialized.”

“We don’t want any more promises. We just want the vaccines,” he said. “I will not stay silent when the companies and countries that control the global supply of vaccines think the world’s poor should be satisfied with leftovers,” he said. He also sought wealthy countries and vaccine makers to prioritize getting the first jabs to health workers and vulnerable populations in poorer nations over boosters. “We do not want to see widespread use of boosters for healthy people who are fully vaccinated,” he said. In other developments: * The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said 15.2 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sept. 7. Speaking during a budget briefing, NEDA Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua told the Senate that since the vaccine rollout last March, 36.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered. He said 20.9 people got their first dose while 15.3 million got their second dose. To date, he said 52.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to the Philippines. He said this included the vaccines procured by the Philippine government and donations through the COVAX facility of the WHO.

plaints against Region 1’s Balaoan District Hospital, Blessed Family Doctors Hospital, Caba District Hospital, Candon St. Martin de Porres Hospital, Corpuz Clinic and Hospital, Dr. Bonifacia V. Albano Memorial Hospital, Elguira General Hospital, Gaoat General Hospital, Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr.Memorial Hospital; Ilocos Sur District Hospital-Magsingal, Jesus Nazarene General Hospital, Judge Celestino Guerrero Memorial Hospital, La Union Medical Center, La Union Medical Diagnostic Center and Hospital, Lorma Medical Center, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, Nuestro Señor Santo Niño Hospital, Pangasinan Doctors Hospital, Pira Hospital; Socony Medical Group, Sta. Teresita Hospital, Sto. Cristo Milagroso Hospital, Sto. Niño Hospital and Tayug Family Hospital. The respondents allegedly violated Section 44 of Republic Act 10606 or the National Health Insurance Act of 2013, Section 3 (e), (g), and (j) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and committed administrative cases of grave misconduct, gross dishonesty, gross negligence, conduct prejudicial to best interest of service and technical malversation. The NBI accused them of improper utilization of PhilHealth’s IRM, the program handling emergency cash advances for medical facilities during “fortuitous events.” The COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in March 2020. But according to NBI-DADO chief Rizaldy Jaymalin, several hospitals applied the IRMs for cases that happened in 2018 and 2019.

tures within the Philippine continental shelf and control, the issue of alliance commitments will become even more important,” Lorenzana said. Signed on Aug. 30, 1951, the MDT is an accord that stipulates that the Philippines and the US would support each other if either of them were to be attacked by an external party. Lorenzana added that revisions and additions in the MDT and other relevant Philippines-US defense agreements are essential to ensure maximum possible cooperation and interoperability to deal with so-called “gray zone” threats, namely state-sanctioned/supported maritime militia forces, that have been intimidating smaller claimant states

and their fishermen in recent years. “The US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim has publicly suggested that the MDT could also apply to this type of hybrid warfare strategy deployed by the likes of China. But we need more specific operational discussions and, eventually, joint activities within the bounds of our existing defense commitments,” Lorenzana added. As the Armed Forces of the Philippines embarked on a multi-billion dollar modernization program aimed at addressing current and future security concerns in its vast maritime domain, the defense chief added that it is about time for the US to provide more assistance to the Philippines, which has been its long-time ally.

Lorenzana:... From A1 MDT and other issues in accordance with the 2016 arbitral tribunal award by the Hague. Lorenzana said this was “immensely relevant” amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, including a possible Chinese Air Defense Identification Zone declaration, forcible expulsion of Filipino troops stationed over the Second Thomas Shoal (part of Philippine continental shelf), or reclamation and militarization of the Scarborough Shoal. “As we ramp up our efforts to improve our facilities in the Spratly fea-

By Maricel V. Cruz OMBUDSMAN Samuel Martires said he wants jail time of not less than five years for those who will make public comments on the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of elected and appointed officials. He said Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees as well as Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act must be reconciled. “I want to reconcile 6713 with 3019 on the SALN and provide safety nets so that a SALN can be published but no person should be allowed to comment on the SALN of a particular government official or employee,” Martires told members of the House Appropriations Committee during deliberations for his agency’s proposed 2022 budget. Martires said RA 6713 does not allow public comment on any SALN as he suggested “stringent penalties” of not less than five years imprisonment. “What is happening right now is we compare the SALN of this government official, current year and the previous year. If there is an increase, they will immediately say why did the net worth increase?” he said. “I am a victim of that. I had wanted to prove to my staff what the media can do to destroy a government official. I gave my SALN. What happened? The following day, it was the banner story in one of the leading newspapers. ‘Ombudsman richer by P15M in five months.’ It was as if I earned P5 million per month.” “I don’t know if they [media] understand English also. But the provision of 6713 is very clear. Only for publication. No commentary,” Martires added. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate questioned the Ombudsman’s position, which he described as “very dangerous.”

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Sara sticks to deal with dad, won’t run in ‘22 Go says still ‘uninterested’ S in prexy bid By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

TRONGLY adhering to an agreement with her father, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Thursday she will no longer run for President in next year’s elections.

“Yes, I am not running for a national position, as we both agreed only one of us will run for a national position in 2022,” stressed Duterte-Carpio in an interview with ABS-CBN News. The mayor said she and President Rodrigo Duterte had agreed that only one from their family will run for a national position in next year’s polls. She noted her decision not to join the presidential run in 2022 was due to her father’s acceptance of the nomination from his partymates in the ruling PDPLaban to seek the vice presidency. Meanwhile, the citizens’ movement urging Duterte-Carpio to run for

president in May 2022 is hoping they will be able to convince the President’s daughter to still bid for the country’s highest position. Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, spokesperson for the Hugpong Para kay Sara movement, said this in response to reports the Davao Mayor will no longer run next year. “Mayor Sara said that she is not running for national position as she agreed with her father that only one of them will run in 2022. HPS still believe that Mayor Sara is the most qualified to run for president,” Herrera, nominee of the Bagong Henerasyon party-list group, said.

HPS will proceed with its scheduled official launching on Monday, Sept. 13, the lawmaker added. The mayor, who has been leading all presidential surveys, is eligible for reelection in Davao. She also emphasized that her relationship with her father is fine “and it’s just the same as it was before.” “Our politics do not interfere with our familial relationship. Iba ang trabaho, iba ang pamilya. Walang personalan (Work and family are different. Nothing personal),” she related. The President has accepted the nomination of the PDP-Laban wing led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to run for vice president. According to the President, he agreed to join the vice presidential race to ensure continuity in the programs and reforms of his administration, which included the fight against corruption, terrorism and insurgency. Although he will not be the one giving

directions as Vice President, Duterte said he might be able to help the government. Meanwhile, the president’s daughter said she is happy their family is united in their desire to see a better Philippines in the future. “I will be eternally thankful for your trust and confidence,” said DuterteCarpio, who dismissed claims she will resort to a similar ploy as her father, who repeatedly denied running for President in 2016. At the last minute of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy, Duterte showed up at the Commission on Elections Office in Intramuros and substituted Martin Dino as the party’s presidential bet. Duterte-Carpio said having Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, her father’s longtime aide, as PDP-Laban standard bearer was the plan all along. “From the last time PRRD (Duterte) and I talked, this was their Plan A. The Plan B was for SBG (Go) to run as VP,” the mayor disclosed.

Group backing Isko for president launches in Cavite TANZA, Cavite—A multisectoral group pushing for Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso to run for President in the May 2022 elections launched its Cavite chapter in a hybrid event at the Oasis Hotel here on Thursday. The “Ikaw Muna” (IM) Pilipinas movement debuted in Cavite after its successful national launching, held in the same hybrid fashion, at the University of the Philippines-Diliman last July 2, where some 200 leaders from 16 provinces attended. The group is composed primarily of farmers, workers, tricycle drivers and operators, small business owners, professionals, health workers, schoolteachers, women, youth, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, and the private sector.

IM is rooting for “Yorme Isko” to run for the highest position as “we need a new brand of leader and leadership,” said Tim Orbos, the former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager who also served as Undersecretary of the Department of Transportation. “He did a great job with his governance in Manila, what more for the Philippines?” stressed Orbos, the group’s lead convenor, as he justified their choice of President in the upcoming elections. The group highlighted Domagoso’s unique qualities that endear him to the masses and said “Yorme” is different from the rest. “He is a rare breed of leader that is very down to earth and will reach out to

the poor not because he remembers them but cares for them. Thus, it is no wonder why the underprivileged and poor sectors are asking him to run for President,” their statement said. The group is “astonished” by how Domagoso has administered the capital city despite “fallacious accusations” from the present administration. They referred to the recent comment of Malacañang on Yorme’s suggestion to improve the government’s pandemic response by purchasing remdesivir, tocilizumab, and ventilators instead of buying more face masks. “It was unfortunate that ‘politicking’ is the only known answer of the present administration amidst the pandemic,” IM said.

“The vulgar incompetency, corruption, and hunger for power of the present administration make it more tactical and strategic for ordinary people to regain what truthfully belongs to them,” it added. The worsening split on the administration-led Super Block, on the other hand, paves the way for the opposition and all its allies “to restore a pro-people democracy.” Orbos was joined by the movement’s national convenors such as Phillip “Dobol P” Piccio, IM-P head for political affairs Bong Mangahas, and Secretary General Elmer S. Argaño, with provincial convenors like Bryan D. Briones, Nelson Louie E. Genido, and Manny Capiral, President/Founder of the Philippine Eagles Riders Club.

SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday appealed to his partymates in the ruling PDP-Laban to respect his decision not to run for president along with President Rodrigo Duterte, who will seek the vice presidency in the 2022 elections. While expressing his gratitude to his partymates for their trust and support, Go repeated—hours after the party’s national assembly in Pampanga on Wednesday—that he remained uninterested in joining the presidential race. Instead, Go urged his fellow party members to support people “who are keen on running and share Duterte’s political will to continue the change he has already begun.” Go said the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will prove to be challenging for the next president, which is why he is committed to assisting them in helping the country recover from it. The former presidential aide said he had already respectfully declined the party’s endorsement through a letter he sent earlier. Addressing party president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in a letter on August 30, Go said he was “deeply honored by the trust and confidence” of PDP-Laban to be endorsed as its presidential candidate and run with President Duterte as his vice presidential candidate. The senator, however, emphasized that he respectfully declined the endorsement. Macon Ramos-Araneta

World

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Thai mobile device tests for COVID in armpit sweat

OR Bangkok market sellers, the armpit sweat soaking their T-shirts during the humid monsoon season may contain subtle signs of coronavirus infection, local scientists have said. Thai researchers are developing a sweat-based mobile virus detector, and road-tested it on shopkeepers at a Bangkok food market this week. “From the samples, we found that people infected with COVID-19 secrete very distinct chemicals,” said Chadin Kulsing from Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.

“We used this finding to develop a device to detect the specific odors produced by certain bacteria in the sweat of COVID-19 patients. Chadin—who said the test was 95 percent accurate—hopes it might be rolled out as an affordable alternative to more expensive swab tests that require lab processing.

It is however still in the development stage, and the research behind it is yet to be published or peer-reviewed. The scientists adapted a device usually used to detect toxic chemicals in the environment. Subjects place a cotton swab under their arms for 15 minutes, before the swab is put in a glass vial and sterilised with UV rays. “The technician then draws an appropriate amount of the sample using a suction hose, and pressurizes it into the analyzer to check the results,” Chadin said. Sample collection takes 15 minutes and the results are ready in 30 seconds.

The sweat tests received the thumbsup from Bangkok market vendors, who said it was much more pleasant than nostril swab tests. “This sweat test is more convenient because I get to work while waiting for the results,” a 43-year-old watermelon seller told AFP. “With the PCR test, I’d have to be at a testing center, sit and wait for the result and it just wastes my time.” Thailand, battling its third and worst COVID wave, reported 16,000 new cases Thursday, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to nearly 1.34 million. AFP

Gaming giants told to resists ‘effeminacy’ CHINESE authorities have ordered gaming giants Tencent and NetEase to end their focus on profits and cut content perceived to be breeding “effeminacy” as Beijing tries to direct youth culture, gender ideals and the reach of big tech. The move is the latest by authorities to tighten their grip on the embattled technology sector and sent shares in some of the industry’s biggest names plunging. Officials on Wednesday summoned gaming enterprises including Tencent and NetEase, the two market leaders in China’s multi-billion-dollar gaming scene, to discuss further curbs on the industry, which has already been ordered to limit gaming time to three hours a week. Among the new targets are media representations of men, which experts say are a cause for anxiety among the conservative, older generation of Communist Party leaders. In recent days, regulators have ordered broadcasters to resist “abnormal aesthetics” such as “sissy” men, calling for more masculine representations in programming. Late Wednesday official Xinhua news agency reported the latest edicts against gaming. “Obscene and violent content and those breeding unhealthy tendencies, such as money-worship and effeminacy, should be removed,” it said. Enterprises who flout rules will be punished, authorities warned. The target is driven by a perception among sections of the political class that “effeminate men are physically weak and emotionally fragile,” University of Hong Kong associate professor Geng Song said, with the inference that “feminine” men cannot defend the nation. AFP

REMEMBRANCE. People help with the display of US flags to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with the annual Waves of Flags display at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California on September 8, 2021. For the fourteenth year, the university situated next to the Pacific Coast Highway along the Pacific Ocean is commemorating the event by flying some 3,000 American flags, including international flags for each foreign country that lost a citizen in the attack. AFP

Two decades after 9/11, Saudi seeks softer image TWO decades after Saudi Arabian militants masterminded and carried out the September 11 attacks, the desert kingdom is striving for change in a reform drive aimed at updating its ultra-conservative image. Women can drive and cinemas have reopened in the “new” Saudi Arabia under crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman, among many modernizing reforms that some believe can be linked to the trauma of 9/11. The initiatives are “one of the longterm consequences” of the worst terrorist attack on US soil, Yasmine Farouk of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told AFP.

Fifteen Saudis were among the 19 hijackers in the plane attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which left nearly 3,000 dead and were plotted by Saudi-born Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The kingdom, a long-time American ally, denied any involvement but faced harsh US rhetoric over its social and education systems that critics said promoted extremism. More pressure could follow in the coming months after US President Joe Biden ordered the declassification of secret documents from a US investigation into the attacks. Biden was responding to pressure from families of some of those killed on

9/11 who have long argued that the classified documents may contain evidence that the Saudi government had links to the hijackers. In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Washington embassy, Saudi Arabia said it “welcomes” Biden’s move. It said it “can only reiterate its longstanding support for the full declassification” of any documents with the hope they “will end the baseless allegations against the kingdom once and for all”. Saudi Arabia’s austere image was rooted in the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, a puritanical doctrine it was accused of exporting around the world. AFP

Fourteen dead in fire at COVID hospital in North Macedonia

MASKLESS. Students return to school for the new semester as schools reopen after a COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Nanjing, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province on September 9, 2021. AFP

FOURTEEN people have died in a fire at a hospital treating coronavirus patients in North Macedonia, authorities said on Thursday. The fire broke out late on Wednesday following an explosion in a COVID-19 clinic in Tetovo in the northwest of the Balkan country, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, who immediately headed to the town. “A huge tragedy has occurred in the Tetovo COVID-19 centre,” Zaev said on Twitter overnight. “An explosion caused a fire. The fire was extinguished but many lives were lost.” At least 14 people died in the disaster, the prosecutor’s office later said in a statement, raising the toll from the 10 deaths confirmed overnight. “Prosecutors have ordered autopsies to identify the bodies of the 14 people who died in the fire and we are looking

into whether there are others dead,” the statement said. Health Minister Venko Filipce had earlier expressed “profound condolences” to the victims’ families on Twitter. The fire broke out as the former Yugoslav republic celebrated the 30th anniversary of its independence, with festivities in the capital Skopje, including a military parade. The blaze destroyed part of the modular units recently built in front of the hospital to accommodate COVID patients. Several hours after the disaster, people walked past charred containers while stretcher bearers went back and forth to rescue vehicles. Investigators have gone to the site to try to determine the cause of the disaster. AFP

Machines, not missiles, at Nokor parade NORTH Korea has put tractor-towed artillery, fire engines and health personnel in orange hazmat suits on show at a parade in Pyongyang early Thursday, rather than the more usual tanks and ballistic missiles. Pyongyang has continued to pursue its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes – for which it is internationally sanctioned – during the diplomatic engagement of recent years and often uses military parades to show off its latest developments. At the last one in January—days before Joe Biden’s inauguration as US president —submarine-launched ballistic missiles rolled through Kim Il Sung Square in front of a grinning Kim Jong Un, with the official KCNA news agency describing them as the “world’s most powerful weapon.”

But Thursday’s “paramilitary and public security forces” event was significantly less assertive, including detachments from the railways ministry, Air Koryo and the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex, according to KCNA. The pageant featured rifle-carrying students, personnel in gas masks and orange protective suits, and mechanized paramilitary units, with none of the participants or audience wearing facemasks, images showed. The biggest weapons on display were small artillery pieces dragged by tractors, with KCNA saying they were driven by co-operative farm workers “to pound the aggressors and their vassal forces with annihilating firepower in case of emergency.” AFP

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HK police raid now-shuttered Tiananmen exhibit house HONG Kong security police on Thursday raided the museum that houses exhibits commemorating Beijing’s deadly crackdown on Tiananmen Square in 1989, a day after they arrested four members of the group that ran the venue. Officers from the city’s newly setup national security police went into the now-shuttered June 4 museum Thursday morning for a search and cordoned off the building entrance. In the afternoon, officers moved out multiple exhibits including the giant logo of the museum, a paper model of the Goddess of Democracy – a symbol of the 1989 pro-democracy student movement in Beijing – photos of each year’s candlelight vigils the alliance held in Hong Kong and at least 36 of boxes of materials from the museum to a truck. The Hong Kong Alliance is the latest target of a sweeping national security law that China imposed on the city last year to quash dissent after huge and often violent democracy protests. The raid came a day after security police arrested Chow Hang-tung, vice-chairwoman of the alliance, and three other leaders for “not providing information” according to the national security law. The four are currently detained for investigation. Last month, police ordered the group to hand over financial and operational details, accusing it of working as a “foreign agent.” The request included the personal details of all members since its founding in 1989, all meeting minutes, financial records and any exchanges with other NGOs advocating for democracy and human rights in China. On Tuesday, the day of the information handover deadline, alliance members handed police a letter saying the request was illegal, arbitrary and that no evidence of their wrongdoing had been presented. AFP

Astronauts smell smoke, burning on Russian ISS module A SMOKE alarm sounded Thursday in Russia’s segment of the International Space Station (ISS) and astronauts smelled “burning” on board, Russia’s space agency and NASA said. The incident, which the Russian space agency Roscosmos said happened at 01:55 GMT ahead of a scheduled spacewalk, is the latest in a string of problems to spur safety concerns over conditions on the Russian segment. “A smoke detector was triggered in the Zvezda service module of the Russian segment of the International Space Station during automatic battery charging, and an alarm went off,” Roscosmos said in a statement. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet said “the smell of burning plastic or electronic equipment” wafted to the US segment of the station, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing a NASA broadcast. The Russian crew turned on a filter and after the air was cleaned up the astronauts went back to sleep, Roscosmos said. The space agency said that a planned spacewalk would go ahead as scheduled. Russia’s Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov are scheduled to leave the station to continue work on the Nauka science module that docked in July. “All systems are operating normally,” Roscosmos said. AFP Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

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ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA) for its consent on the nomination of: Department of Foreign Affairs Mr. MARIO FONTANILLA CHAN as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federative Republic of Brazil with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Colombia, the CoOperative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Suriname, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above nominations in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

MILITARY MIGHT. This picture taken on September 9, 2021 and released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows a parade of ‘paramilitary and public security forces’ to celebrate the 73rd founding anniversary of North Korea at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. AFP

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 88311824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 8551-1989. 9 September 2021. (MS-SEPT. 10, 2021)

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Romualdez lauds Ombudsman, DOJ for justice amid pandemic By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Thursday praised the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman for ensuring the

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that ROBINSON LAND CORPORATION with office address at 43rd Floor, Robinson-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue corner Poveda Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Tourist Accomodation Facility (Grand Summit Hotel General Santos) with a capacity of 102 rooms under R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) and the Special Laws-Tourism-Hotel of the 2020 IPP, with project site located at G. Catolico corner Lagao Bula Road, General Santos City,South Cotabato. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-SEPT. 10, 2021)

dispensation of justice during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our justice system has been working despite the health risks posed by the COVID-19. The operationalization of the courts continued even during times of emergency,” Romualdez, representative of Leyte’s first district and chairman of the House Committee on Rules, said. Romualdez made the statement after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Ombudsman Finance Director Weomark Ryan Layson paid him a courtesy call at Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. Guevarra and Layson attended the House committee on appropriations briefing on the proposed budget of the DoJ and Ombudsman, respectively, under the 2022 P5.024trillion national budget.

BUDGET TALKS. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep Martin Romualdez (left), assisted by Cagayan Rep. Joseph Lara (2nd left) and Pangasinan Rep. Tyrone Agabas (seated, partly covered), talks with Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello (right) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero” Popoy” De Vera lll (2nd right) during a courtesy call at the Majority office on Thursday. Bello and Devera presented to the House Committee on Appropriations their proposed 2022 budget. Ver Noveno

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Witness vs. Pharmally set to appear in Senate probe

In SB 2389, the senator said the PITC has been weakened with the passage of Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government ProcureO ADDRESS the “systemic corruption” in the Procurement Service of the Department ment Reform Act passed in 2002, which of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the Philippine International Trading Corp. strengthens the procurement service of nagovernment agencies. (PITC), Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday filed separate measures for their abolition. tional Marcos said the 1987 Constitution and theCYAN M passage of RA 9184 has made the mandate of Manila Meanwhile, a witness will soon reveal in- PS-DBM “archaic and irrelevant.” ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. StandardORIENTAL MINDORO (O R M E C O, Inc.) formation on the alleged syndicate behind TODAY Regarding PITC, Marcos said the agency ✉Brgy. Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., the company was originally crafted as a mechanism to for☎043.288.7801 / 288.7802 / 288.7803 Fax No. 043.288.7804 involved in the government’s procurement malize trade with planned economies through E-mail: ormeco_coop@yahoo.com Website: www.ormeco-inc.com of overpriced COVID-19 pandemic supplies government-to-government procurement. INVITATION TO BID through PS-DBM, Senator Panfilo Lacson said. “However, as of today, only two centrally1. ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ORMECO, INC.), through its BIDS Also, the Department of Justice on Thursday planned economies are in existence, which AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC), hereby intends to apply the sum of Fourteen Million Two Hundred Ninety-One Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-Seven Pesos and Thirty Cents Only CYAN YELLOW revealed that the tripartite agreement between areMAGENTA Cuba and North Korea,”BLACK she related. (₱14,291,757.30) funded under PNB Loan and Ten Million Nine Hundred Eighteen Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Pesos Only (₱10,918,950.00) funded by 5% Reinvestment Fund inclusive the DOJ, Commission on Audit, and the Office The investigation of the Senate Blue Ribof all applicable taxes and fees, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), for the procurement, supply, and delivery of materials/supplies/equipment for the Technical Services of the Ombudsman has been signed that would bon Committee is looking into the DepartDepartment; authorize the deployment of prosecutors and ment of Health’s transfer of P42 billion to the 2. ORMECO, INC. now calls for the submission of Letter of Intent by interested bidders thru email state auditors to government agencies prone to PS-DBM to buy face masks and face shields at ormeco.bac.official@gmail.com. The list of the ORMECO, INC. Eligibility Requirements may be viewed at www.ormeco-inc.com, https://web.facebook.com/OrmecoOGMOfficial, corruption. from different suppliers at the onset of the and may be requested through email ormeco_coop@yahoo.com, including the numbers listed above. An amount of two hundred fifty pesos (₱ 250.00) is required as Accreditation Fee; In a statement, the DOJ stressed that under COVID-19 pandemic last year. 3. ORMECO, INC. now invites suppliers for the following: the memorandum of agreement, DOJ prosecuPharmally bagged billions of pesos worth of ABC COST OF BID tors and COA auditors will be deputized as resi- government deals to procure COVID-19-related FUNDING LOT ITEM DESCRIPTION (INCLUSIVE DOCUMENTS SOURCE dent Ombudsmen in graft-prone agencies. medical supplies for health workers. OF VAT) (NONIn Senate Bill 2388, Marcos stressed the PS“Apparently, there is really a syndicate Supply of Street Light (LED) 60 watts with photo switch sensor – (30 set), Bulb spiral 60 watts (CFL) DBM “has become a fertile breeding ground involved and you will be surprised. We – (120 pcs), Photo switch (120 pcs), of graft and corruption” and as such should be are working on something that would furFuse Links 2/3/5/6/8/10/12/15/25/30 amp – (600 pcs each), 100 amp – (130 pcs), Clamp hot line abolished, as it has outlived its functions in the ther open up this case on Pharmally,” said I ₱ 1,786,605.00 ₱ 5,000.00 #2 - #4/0 ACSR Main to #2 - #4/0 – ( 175 pcs), national government. Service clevis #6 – (2,000 pcs), Insulator spool 1 Lacson.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

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NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given that during the duly constituted meeting held electronically through a zoom conference on May 11, 2021, the Board of Directors of DyZUM DISTILLERY INC. (the “CORPORATION”) approved the dissolution of the Corporation in accordance with Section 136 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines. For this purpose, a special meeting of the Stockholders was likewise held on even date and took action on the above resolution. JOSEPHINE G. BAUTISTA Corporate Secretary

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 223, QUEZONCITY

IN RE: PETITION TO USE THE SURNAME OF THE FATHER OF RENAN SAMARITA RENAN SAMARITA (minor) a.k.a. RENAN SAMARITA NALING. Represented by: NELIA SAMARITA NALING (mother) and RAMONITO N. NALING(father). Petitioner, -versusSpecial Proc. Case No. 19-04518-SP For: USE OF FATHER’S SURNAME THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OFQUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA,THE ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS OFFICE (PSA) Formerly National Statistics Office (NSO) and ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAVE INTEREST OR CLAIM TO THIS INSTANT PETITION. Respondents. x---------------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

This is a verified Amended Petition to Use the Surname of the Father of Renan Samarita dated October 16, 2020, file by petitioners Nelia Samarita Naling and Ramonito Naling, which was received by the Court on October 22, 2020. The petitioner alleges that, he was born on 25 July 2002, to Ramonito Naling and Nelia Samarita Naling; that his parents were admittedly not married at the time or Renan’s birth; that it was only on 13 July 2009 that his parents got married: that although admittedly, when he was born, his mother Nelia Samarita Naling was still married to his first husband, Zosimo Furto Sadicon, the latter passed away on 08 August 2006; that while Ramonito Naling was not married when he was born; that at the time he was born, his father Ramonito Naling duly acknowledge his paternal filiation as it appears on the second page of his birth certificate: that his parents, Ramonito Naling and Nelia Samarita Naling duly subscribed the Affidavit of Acknowledgment/Admission of Paternity as reflected in his Live Birth from the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, Metro Manila; that moreover, he had been using the surname Naling, with the acknowledge and consent of his father Ramonito Naling, since he was young; that thus, he used the name Renan Naling in all his transactions and dealings, as it appeared in his school records, baptismal certificate and other documents; that the following are some of the documents where the Petitioner’s name is reflected. Certificate of Baptism issued on 17 July 2018, Form 137-A, and School Identification Cards; and that the petitioner’s seek the indulgence of this Honorable Court to grant the Petition and correspondingly issue an Order allowing Petitioner Renan to use the surname of his father and correction of entry as to his middle name. Petitioners prayed to this Honorable Court to issue an Order granting this amended petition and to issue an Order allowing him to use the surname of his father, to the end that he be allowed to use the name of Renan Samarita Naling.

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4. Due to COVID-19, in compliance with the Community Quarantine (CQ), Online/Virtual Bidding Conferences will be conducted. Stable internet connection is required to all prospective bidders during the conferences. BAC shall not be liable in any unexpected disruption due to poor/ unstable signal which may cause loss of connection and inability of Bidders to engross with the conferences. For Additional info please be guided in the following: (please refer to Online Bidding procedures) a. Payment of bidding documents shall be deposited to BAC bank account (to be email by BAC secretariat). b. Prospective bidders must submit to the BAC via email the scanned copy of validated bank deposit slip / screenshot of successful electronic fund transfer as proof of payment. c. Scanned copy of Bidding Documents will be sent by the BAC secretariat upon validation that the payments are credited to the coop’s bank account. d. ID number or link of the Online/Virtual conference will be provided by BAC secretariat 5. Online Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the NEA Memorandum NO. 2017-019: Revised Procurement Guidelines and Simplified Bidding Procedures for Electric Cooperatives, IRRRA 10531 (2017); All video conferences shall be recorded in CD/DVD for reference and other purposes. 6. The schedule of bidding activities is as follows:

ACTIVITIES

SCHEDULE

Release of Invitation to Bid

10 September 2021 (Friday)

Submission of Letter of Intent thru email / Availability of Bidding Documents

11-17 September 2021 Office Hours, at ORMECO, INC. Office (ormeco.bac.official@gmail.com)

Online/Virtual Pre-Bid Conference

11:00 am for Lot II

WHEREFORE, finding the verified amended petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is re-set for hearing on September 20, 2021 at 2:00 in the afternoon. Session Hall of Branch 223 of this Court, at which date and time, petitioner and counsel are directed to appear to substantiate the allegations of the amended petition and for any interested persons may appear and show cause why the amended petition should not be granted.

20 September 2021 (Monday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room

9:00 am for Lot I

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioners in a newspaper of daily circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1079, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing.

Deadline of Bid Submission (ormeco. bac.official@gmail.com), Opening and Evaluation of Bids (Online/Virtual)

5 October 2021 (Tuesday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room 6 October 2021 (Wednesday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room

9:00 am for Lot III

Let a copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General, Office of the City Prosecutor, the Civil Registrar of Quezon City, and the Registrar General, Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly National Statistics Office), who are directed to file their opposition to the amended petition within fifteen (15) days from the last date of the publication of this Order. The petitioners are hereby directed to furnish the said government offices with a copy of the petition and its annexes within five (5) days from the receipt of this Order and manifest to this Court his compliance herewith. Parties and counsels are likewise directed to submit within five (5) days from receipt of this Order, their official e-mail addresses and contact numbers where the Court can send notices, Orders and other Court processes, and manifest their willingness to present evidence in chief through video conferencing using the Microsoft Teams application. SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers. Quezon City, Philippines, November 27, 2020.

(Sgd.) HON. CARIDAD M. WALSE-LUTERO Copy furnished: Presiding Judge The City Prosecutor’s Office DOJ Building, Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Hall Quezon City Hall Complex, Diliman, Quezon City Office of Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City The Local Civil Registrar Quezon City The Registrar General Philippine Statistics Office (formerly National Statistics Office) East Ave., Quezon City Renan Samarita, Nelia Samarita Naling and Ramonito N. Naling Petitioners Blk. 12, Lot 10, Kaunlaran St., Brgy. Commonwealth Quezon City Atty. Nicu Dela Merced 6th Floor, DOJ Building Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Hall Quezon City Hall Complex, Diliman, Quezon City (MStandard-Aug. 27. Sep. 3 & 10, 2021)

9:00 am for Lot I 1:00 pm for Lot III 3:00 pm for Lot IV 1:00 pm for Lot II

1:00 pm for Lot IV

Post-Qualification

11 (Monday) October 2021

Approval through Board Resolution and Issuance of Notice of Award

Board Meeting for the Month of October 2021

Signing of Contract

After Issuance of Notice of Award

Delivery Schedule

To be announced during the Pre-Bid Conference

7. Only those who have bought the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to attend or participate during the Online/Virtual Pre-Bidding Conference, where their presence is MANDATORY; 8. All bids shall be opened and read in the presence of Bidders or their duly authorized representatives. All bids shall be accompanied by a scanned copy of validated bank deposit slip or screenshot of successful electronic fund transfer representing payment of bid bond equivalent to 2% of ABC. 9. The winning bidder shall issue Performance Security in the form of Cash, Cashier’s Check, Manager’s Check, issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank, equivalent to five percent (5%) of the Contract Price; and 10. ORMECO, INC. reserves the right to accept or reject any bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, INC. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids. Certified by: (Signed) LINA C. YUMANG Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)

Noted by: (Signed) ATTY. NORBERTO M. MENDOZA Head Of Procuring Entity (HOPE)

(MS-SEPT. 10, 2021)

CSC, JobStreet offer 24k jobs thru 5-day Virtual Career Fair By Othel V. Campos THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) will open up at least 24,000 new jobs to Filipino jobseekers during the five-day run of the Virtual Career Fair on September 20 to 24, in coordination with JobStreet.com. JobStreet Philippines country manager Philip Gioca said the virtual job fair is in line with the platform’s continued commitment to provide jobs that matter “during these increasingly unpredictable times, empowering candidates that were affected by the pandemic and the recent strict implementation of community quarantines.” “It has always been JobStreet’s advocacy to provide every Filipino with jobs that matter, and it’s an honor that the CSC trusted us again to be a part of this initiative to help candidates rebuild themselves and find an

opportunity to be of service to our nation,” Gioca said Thursday. Over 130 government agencies are participating in the Virtual Career Fair, offering various specializations such as security/ armed forces/protective services, education clerical/administrative support, general work such as housekeeper, driver, dispatch or messenger and healthcare like nurses, medical support, and medical assistant, among others. Central Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, and Cordillera Administrative Region are the top locations for the government posts. According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), around 90,000 workers were affected by the recent Enhanced Community Quarantine. They have either permanently lost their jobs or are under flexible work arrangements.

PH welcomes Afghan refugees By Rey E. Requejo

Thank you, Sonny and Paul Dominguez, Vince Dizon for bringing the matter of the refugees to DFA & DOJ attention,” Locsin said in a Twitter post Wednesday. However, Locsin declined to give further information about the Afghan refugees to ensure their safety and privacy. “The matter is closed. We’re not interested in publicity or thanks. This is done so one can look at himself in the mirror. Period,” he stressed. The DFA chief revealed that gave instructions to the DFA to “follow this bare minimum of information” concerning the arrival of Afghan refugees in the country. When the evacuation in Afghanistan ended on August 30, Locsin pointed out that the Philippines would only accept refugees on a “government to government” basis, or between the respective Foreign and Justice ministries of two governments.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the arrival of an undetermined number of Afghan refugees, including women and children, to the Philippines. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. confirmed this Wednesday night, saying the Philippines is open to those fleeing conflict and persecution. Locsin thanked the Dominguez brothers – Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Paul Dominguez – for bringing the matter of the Afghan refugees to the attention of the DFA and the Department of Justice. “We stay steady where others waver: tonight, we welcome Afghan nationals including women and kids seeking refuge. Our doors are open to those fleeing, conflict, persecution, sexual abuse, and death. CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK CYAN

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Controversial AFP general back in harness By Joel E. Zurbano

ONTROVERSIAL general Antonio Parlade Jr. was appointed as deputy director general of the National Security Council, Malacañang announced on Thursday.

MOBILE STORE. People shop for vegetables at a parked truck ‘Kadiwa on Wheels’ at the corner of Chico and Kabuli Streets, Barangay Quirino 2A, Quezon City on Thursday (Sept. 9, 2021). Kadiwa On Wheels, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Services, has provided local farmers a ready market and the public easy access to these products during the period of lockdowns. Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

IN BRIEF Navotas names 122 scholars THE city government of Navotas welcomed 28 new beneﬁciaries of the Navotas Academic Scholarship for school year 2021-2022. Of the 28, 15 are incoming high school freshmen, 11 are incoming college freshmen, and two are teachers seeking higher education. “We wish to congratulate our new academic scholars as well as their parents. While the pandemic has brought about overwhelming challenges to our school sector, our scholars persevered and strived to excel in their studies. They truly deserve the educational aid they will be getting from our city government,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said. Scholars underwent a qualifying exam in July and an interview in August. High school scholars will receive P18,000 per academic year for book, transportation, and food allowance. Scholars of the Navotas Polytechnic College will get P22,000 per academic year for tuition, book, transportation, and food allowance. Scholars of other colleges or universities will receive P262,000 for the same. Meanwhile, teacher-scholars will get P75,000 every academic year for their tuition; book, transportation, and food allowance; and research grant. Jun David

COCOPEA installs new set of officers for 2021

“The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the appointment of Mr. Antonio G. Parlade, Jr. on September 8, 2021, as Deputy Director-General of the National Security Council,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said. “Deputy Director-General Parlade faithfully served the Armed Forces of the Philippines for many years until his retirement from the service. We are therefore confident that his length of fruitful service in the military would immensely contribute in the crafting of plans and policies affecting national security. We wish DDG Parlade well in his new assignment,” he added. Parlade’s new assignment came two months after his resignation as one of the spokespersons of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Parlade said he quit the post to ease pressures on NTF of-

Voter’s listing in malls on Sept. 11 THE Commission on Elections will conduct a nationwide synchronized voter registration activity in selected malls on Sept. 11. In an advisory on Thursday, Commissioner Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio said malls in Metro Manila cities will participate in the activity where the Offices of the Election Officer will accommodate applicants in selected malls of Robinsons Malls, Ayala Malls and SM Supermalls only up to 5 p.m. on Saturday. “We value not only the comfort and convenience of the public, but also the safety and security of everyone, especially in the last days of registration. That is why the Comelec is very grateful that we have joined the private sector and other government agencies in successfully achieving this goal,” the poll official added. Ferolino-Ampoloquio led the security conference for National Capital Region (NCR) held on Thursday in preparation for the activity. Temie Lambino, NCR Regional Election Director, highlighted the key value of the continued support of the mall partners and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring the successful conduct of mall registration, particularly the assistance that will be extended in order to properly manage the queues and ensure physical distancing. On the other hand, Col. Luis Maria Pascual from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) committed that an initial 351 policemen will be deployed on Saturday to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of voter registration and strict implementation of health and safety protocols. Metro Manila remains under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until Sept. 15. The schedule of mall registrations in Metro

AMID a vigorous campaign to secure a new law that would secure fair tax rates for private schools, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines formally installed new ofﬁcers in online ceremonies last Sept. 4. Installed as the new COCOPEA chairperson is Dr. Anthony Jose M. Tamayo, President of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) and the University of Perpetual Help-DALTA System. In his inaugural address, Dr. Tamayo said that his term will push for the passage of the law clarifying the tax rate for proprietary educational institutions before the end of the sessions of the 18th Congress. On Aug. 3, the House of Representatives’ ways and means committee headed by Rep. Joey Salceda passed House Bill 9913, or “An Act Clarifying the Income Taxation of Proprietary Educational Institutions, Amending for the Purpose Sec. 27 (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.” The Lower House passed the bill on third reading on August 23. A counterpart bill in the Senate is still pending.

Manila in the region on Saturday are as follows: --Caloocan City (1st and 2nd Districts), SM Sangandaan; --Las Piñas City, SM Southmall (Sept. 10 to 11); --Makati City (1st and 2nd Districts), Ayala Malls, Glorietta and Ayala Mall Circuit Makati; --Malabon City, Robinsons Town Mall; --Mandaluyong City, SM Megamall; --Manila (1st and 2nd Districts), Tutuban Mall; 3rd District, SM San Lazaro; 4th District, SM Manila; 5th District, Robinsons Place Manila; 6th District, Robinsons Otis; --Marikina City (1st and 2nd Districts), SM Marikina. --Parañaque City (1st District), Ayala Malls By the Bay; 2nd District, SM BF; --Pasay City (1st and 2nd Districts), SM Mall of Asia; --Pasig City (1st District), Ayala Malls the 30th; 2nd District, Ayala Malls Feliz. --Quezon City (1st District), Trinoma; 2nd, 5th and 6th Districts, Fairview Terraces; 3rd and 4th Districts, UP Town Center; --San Juan City, Greenhills Mall; --Taguig City, Bonifacio High Street; --Valenzuela City (1st and 2nd Districts), SM Valenzuela. Other mall registration schedules throughout September in other areas are posted on the ofﬁcial website and social media accounts of the Commission, as well as in the bulletin boards of district, city or municipal halls and OEOs. The nationwide voter registration will end on Sept. 30.

ON A ROLL. Fresh from a series of drug buy-bust operations in Zambales and Bataan early this week, Operatives of PDEA Region 4A scored another hit involving 13 parcels with a combined weight of 1.2 kilograms of illegal drugs. They were tipped off Sept. 8, 2021 by a unanimous caller who said the drug parcels were inside the J&T Express Warehouse in Dasmarinas City, prompting them to deploy K9 sniffing dogs at the scene. An operative later took an inventory of the seized items from the warehouse. JR Josue

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation

TOLL REGULATORY BOARD

5th Floor The Columbia Tower Ortigas Avenue, Barangay wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City 1555, Philippines

NOTICE OF TOLL RATE ADJUSTMENT IMPLEMENTATION (VAT lnclusive) (R-1 Expressway) Conformably with the Consolidated Resolution dated 19 August 2021 issued by the Toll Regulatory Board ("TRB") covering the 2011 and 2014 Petitions for Approval of Toll Rate With Application for Provisional Relief for R-1 Expressway of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP) filed by Philippine Reclamation Authority and UEMMARA Philippines Corporation (UMPC, now Cavitex lnfrastructure Corporation, CIC), the following toll rate adjustments for the use of the R-1 Expressway of the MCTEP are approved and allowed to be implemented immediately, inclusive of Value Added Tax: Vehicle Class Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

The SC said under the doctrine of strained relations, the payment of separation pay is considered an alternative to reinstatement only when the latter option is no longer desirable or viable. “(T)he doctrine of strained relations should not be used recklessly or applied loosely nor be based on impression alone. It cannot be applied indiscriminately,” the court said. “Strained relations must be demonstrated as a fact. It must be adequately supported by substantial evidence showing that the relationship between the employer and the employee is indeed strained” the court added, noting that in Candelaria’s case, there was neither a dismissal by the employer nor an abandonment by the employee. Candelaria had been a project employee in

KECI until 2018 when he was asked to reapply following his transfer to another project of the ﬁrm in Laguna. Candelaria claimed that he need not reapply because he had been a regular employee continuously for nine years. He then ﬁled a complaint for illegal dismissal. The employer, for its part, said Candelaria’s employment was co-terminus with the project and when the last project neared completion and his services were no longer needed, he was transferred to its other construction project in Laguna but the latter went on leave without informing KECI. The SC said under the present circumstances, the CA’s directive ordering KECI to accept Candelaria to his former position without payment of back wages and deleting the award of separation pay is proper.

R-1 Expressway (Seaside to Zapote), 6.475 kms. Php 31.00 Php 62.00 Php 93.00

SO ORDERED By Authority of the Board: (Sgd.) ATTY. ALVIN A. CARULLO Executive Director/Hearing Officer

Date of First Publication: SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Republic of the Philippines

COMMISSION ON AUDIT

Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines CIRCULAR

No.:2021 – 007 Date:September 06, 2021

All Heads of Local Government Units (LGUs); Commission on Audit (COA) Assistant Commissioners, Directors and Auditors; and All Others Concerned

SUBJECT

Deferment of the Implementation of COA Circular No. 2020-004 dated January 31, 2020, prescribing the use of the Government Accounting Manual (GAM) for LGUs

1.0

RATIONALE

The GAM for LGUs has been prescribed to ensure the proper accounting of all financial transactions of the local governments. It took effect 15 days after its publication on August 28, 2020. However, the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), declared as a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, led to the imposition by the National Government, just like in other countries, of restrictions and precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. These measures include community quarantine, total movement control, adoption of alternative work arrangements, suspension of face-to-face briefings and trainings, among others. The LGUs are at the forefront in the various government response and recovery measures during this pandemic. With the issuance of COA Circular No. 2020-004 dated January 31, 2020, they are required to implement the GAM for LGUs. To ensure proper implementation, the LGU officials and personnel have to undergo capacity building and introduce changes in their processes to conform to the GAM. Thus, the implementation of the GAM for LGUs at this most challenging time may not bring the results so desired. Further, the policy changes introduced in the GAM for LGUs would necessitate a calibration and enhancement of the electronic New Government Accounting System (eNGAS) and electronic Budget System (eBudget) currently installed in several LGUs nationwide. System enhancements would entail adequate time and effort to accomplish. 2.0

GUIDELINES a. b.

High court explains ‘strained relations’ in labor The Supreme Court has clarified “the doctrine of strained relations” between employers and their workers in labor cases and when such may merit the payment of separation pay in lieu of reinstating an employee. In a resolution recently made available online, the court made the clarification in a case where it denied the petition filed by a plumber, Daniel Candelaria against his employer, air conditioning and industrial ventilation firm Kalayaan Engineering Co. Inc. (KECI). The SC’S Second Division upheld a Court of Appeals ruling, saying the latter did not err in directing Candelaria’s reinstatement to his former position “without back wages, there being neither dismissal nor abandonment” and deleting the award of separation pay of P59,940 by the National Labor Relations Commission.

ﬁcials being questioned by lawmakers about his designation as spokesman. Parlade recently drew criticism from various organizations and lawmakers for alleged red-tagging or linking groups, schools and personalities, including actresses Liza Soberano and Angel Locsin, to communist rebels. He and fellow spokesperson Presidential Communications Operations Ofﬁce undersecretary Lorraine Badoy have also been directed to stop making comments about community pantries. The “gag order” was to avoid giving the impression that they were against the concept of bayanihan (community sharing), which is the basis for the community pantries. It was also Parlade who, during a Senate hearing, called some senators ‘stupid’ for their failure to recognize the fact that the budget of the much- maligned agency was passed upon and approved by the legislators.

3.0

The implementation of the GAM for LGUs, prescribed through COA Circular No. 2020-004 dated January 31, 2020, is hereby deferred. The following issuances shall continue to be enforced: i.

COA Circular No. 2015-009 dated December 1, 2015Prescribing the Revised Chart of Accounts for Local Government Units;

ii.

COA Circular No. 2016-004 dated September 30, 2016 on the Guidelines on the conversion of the chart of accounts from the Philippine Chart of Accounts under COA Circular No. 2004-008 dated September 20, 2004, as amended, to the Revised Chart of Accounts for Local Government Units under COA Circular No. 2015-009 dated December 1, 2015, and Guidelines on the Preparation of the Calendar Year 2015 Year-End Financial Statements and Reports; and

iii.

Other COA circulars, memoranda and issuances prior to the issuance of COA Circular No. 2020-004 dated January 31, 2020.

LGUs that have already implemented the GAM for LGUs shall revert to COA Circular No. 2002-003 dated June 20, 2002, prescribing the Manual on the New Government Accounting System,and comply with the COA circulars and issuances enumerated in Item 2.b of this Circular.

The existing versions of eNGAS and eBudgetSystem for LGUs shall continue to be used. SAVING CLAUSE

Any clarification or request for assistance on the implementation of this Circular or cases not covered in this Circular shall be referred to COA for resolution, through the Government Accountancy Sector. 4.0

EFFECTIVITY This Circular shall take effect immediately.

MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO Chairperson

(MS-SEPT. 10, 2021)

ROLAND C. PONDOC Commissioner

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Eala makes quarterfinals of singles, doubles ALEX Eala went the extra mile as she worked her way up the competition ladder of the 2021 US Open Tennis Tournament girls’ action. First, Eala earned her place in the singles’ quarterfinal round after pushing away Greece’s Michaela Laki, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. Then, Eala teamed up for the first time with Hanne Vanderwinkel of Belgium and fought off fatigue in the girls’ doubles, where they reached the last eight after standing their ground against Laki and Radka Zelnickova of Czechia, 6-3, 3-6, (10-6). The world no. 2 took the 10th game of the third set of the singles after Eala unleashed a pair of crosscourt volleys, which Laki was not able to retrieve. It took Eala two-hour, 23-minutes to get past Laki and make it to the quarterfinals against Switzerland’s Sebastianna Scilipoti. In the doubles, Eala took charge in getting the last three points of the third set super-tiebreak, after holding on to a slim 7-6 lead. The 16-year-old Filipino slammed in a strong backhand winner past Zelnickova before forcing Laki to a net error. After that, Eala closed out their hourlong contest with an ace that allowed her and Vanderwinkel to advance to the quarterfinals against Elizabeth Coleman and Madison Sieg of the United States. Sieg had a memorable stint with Eala back in July when they conquered the girls’ doubles of a Milan Junior Grade A tournament in Italy. The 18-year-old Sieg and Coleman are coming off a 6-4, 6-4 win over Croatian Petra Marcinko and Hungarian Natalia Szabani. Two months ago, Eala and Sieg played to a 6-4, 4-6, 13-11 triumph over Lucija Bagaric of Croatia and Belgian Sofia Costoulas in the Milan finals. Peter Atencio

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez (right) reacts after winning her 2021 US Open Tennis tournament women’s quarterfinals match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in New York. At left is Emma Raducanu, a British 18-year-old, who like the 19-year-old Fernandez, also reached the last four. AFP

Thais to pattern AIMAG’s protocols after Olympics’ H By Randy Caluag

AVING learned a lot from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics’ experience, organizers of the 2021 Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games appear more conﬁdent holding the event without further delay on March 10 to 20, 2022 in Thailand’s two major cities of Bangkok and Chonburi.

In a document obtained by the Manila Standard, the first online zoom meeting among Chef de Missions from member countries of the Olympic Council of Asia, will be held on Sept. 15. Included in the agenda are the aspects of the games like competition and venues, accreditation, accommodation, transportation, volunteer, protocols in arrival and departure, opening and closing ceremonies, sports and technical, security, finance, and COVID-19 measures. A Philippine official, who was in the Tokyo Olympics as part of the Team Philippines, said it is most likely that the protocols to be used in Bangkok are primarily the same as what was implemented in the last Summer

Games held last July 23 to August 8 in the capital city of Japan. “Teams (per sport) should arrive at least two days before and are free to leave a day after. I think the NOC will arrange a different date for different teams,” the official said. In the Tokyo Games, all participants were required to have COVID-19 testing before flying in, but not after filling up details about their daily schedules and destinations and submitting them on a daily basis for approval. COVID-19 tests were also conducted daily. The 2021 Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games Organizing Committee (AIMAGOC) of Bangkok has already

started sending letters to various member NOCs, the last one indicating the Nov. 10 date as the last day of submission of entry by number. That means all National sports Associations are required to submit the final number of participating athletes. The AIMAG 2021 was postponed to be held in March next year from the original date of May 21-30, 2021. Just like the Tokyo 2020, OCA has no intention of changing the year in the main tag and logo. Thirty sports, including two demonstration events, were lined up in the event’s program, with the Philippines bringing home two gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals in the 2017 edition held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Richard Lim, president of Karate Pilipinas, was designated the country’s Chief of Mission to the AIMAG 2021. The Philippine Sports Commission has initially given the NSAs to begin their bubble-type training starting in August but the sudden surge of the COVID-19 delta variant in the country has put the plan on hold.

Phoenix Fuel Masters halt Terrafirma’s winning streak By Peter Atencio MICHAEL Calisaan played for a limited time. But his small contribution turned heads as the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters stopped Terrafirma’s winning run at three games. The 6’3” Calisaan struck hardest at the beginning of the second period as he helped hand the Fuel Masters a big 96-84 beating of Dyip on Thursday at the at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. Calisaan came into the picture in the third period and joined hands with the topscoring Jason Perkins as the Fuel Masters launched a big assault. Together, Calisaan and Perkins took turns with Matthew Wright in moving the Fuel Masters away from a from a slim 48-47. Playing for only 18 minutes, Calisaan chipped in only nine points and seven rebounds. But he was most helpful in the

THE BOTTOM LINE LITO CINCO DON’T look now but from my perspective, it looks like the Philippine Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association are both rebuilding, but in different ways. Whereas the latter has already concluded two seasons, one a shortened bubble tournament and earlier this year a near-regular season, won by the LA Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, respectively, the PBA, meanwhile, has completed its own bubble competition, but is now struggling with its new season, still under bubble conditions in Bacolor, Pampanga, with games being postponed because of health protocols under this pandemic situation. In short, the NBA has already shifted to a team-rebuilding with a lot of major and minor player transfers concluded, while the PBA is still on its brand rebuilding stage.

last 4:33 in the third canto where Calisaan knocked in nine points during two big scoring runs that allowed the Fuel Masters to gain a decisive 13-point spread. “He knows his role. His teammates trusted him. He does a lot of dirty work for us and his teammates rewarded him with those passes,” said Fuel Masters’ coach Topex Robinson. Perkins showed the way for the Fuel Masters with 28 points, with a career-high 20 coming in the first half. The Fuel Masters took off on a 9-0 blast at the start of the third canto, with Perkins initiating the first breakaway with a layup in the last 11:10. Calisaan followed it up with a drive and triple for a 53-47 spread in the remaining 8:44. Vic Manuel added 18 points, with his jumper and trey in the final 11:11 of the fourth keeping the Fuel Masters on top, 73-64. Aldrech Ramos made 13 points for the Dyip, who fell behind at 3-5 in a tie with the Fuel Masters.

OLYMPIANS LAUDED. Speaker Lord Allan Velasco presents a copy of the House Resolution 198 to Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham Tolentino, congratulating and thanking the members of Team Philippines for their successful campaign in the Tokyo Olympics during Tuesday’s plenary session at House of Representatives in Quezon City. The House also rewards gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz P3 million, silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam P2 million each and Eumir Felix Marcial P1 million.

Different rebuilding for PBA, NBA And definitely, it is a bigger battle for the local league. Even before the pandemic, the league was already suffering from a continuous dip in live attendance, forced to compete with a lot of newer entertainment available to sports fans, plus traffic problems to boot going to its regular playing venues. This is compounded by the perception among local basketball fans that the league has become a rivalry not between two teams like Crispa and Toyota, but between the groups of Manny Pangilinan’s MVP Group, and that of San Miguel Corporation, headed by Ramon Ang. Add to this the fact that an all-amateur Gilas side beat a Korean team in the Asian FIBA competition did not help the cause of the PBA. I will admit that I grew up in the 70s, 80s and 90s as a sportswriter with the PBA as my beat and I will always look back to those days with fond memories and a lot of personal friendships made that have lasted up to now. Basketball and the PBA have been good to me, and even as I may have stopped watch-

ing live games for a long time, traffic being a factor as I live in Taguig, far from Cubao, I still follow the league on TV, but not with the same passion as before. Actually, the Fil-sham issue then in the late 90s also affected my way of thinking towards the PBA, and I did not like what I saw and heard about these shameful foreign players, who swooped down on our shores to play, hoodwinking fans that they did have Filipino blood. Does it mean I do not love the PBA anymore? Not really, I have spent too much time in the league for it to disappear completely from my heart, and it saddens me to see the present situation of the struggling league. And how I wish that this pandemic, as former American President Donald Trump put it, disappears like a miracle in the future as COVID has affected not only basketball but the whole world of sports as well. The recently concluded people-less Tokyo Olympics is the perfect example. Ironically, it

was also our most successful stint in the Olympic Games with a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal brought home by our national athletes. So what happens now? As long as the pandemic is here and uncontrolled, the PBA will continue to suffer. And first things first, COVID either disappears or at least put under control by authorities, then the PBA can address the other concerns concerning its viability as a business. After all, the PBA is business, right? Allow me to digress then. I tested negative in my swab re-test, but still staying put in the house amidst the frightening surge of the Delta variant of the virus. My family is still not allowing me to venture outside for the meantime. Unfortunately, it has also affected our Ayuda Sa Atleta program for our national athletes as we had to curtail our activities. But even then, the national Sports Associations can get in touch with me to coordinate pick up of their eco bags from Annette Nelmida in Alabang. My number is 0920 9241981.

Teen titans Fernandez, Raducanu near finals

NEW YORK—Teen powerhouses Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu are each one victory from reaching their first Grand Slam final at the US Open, displaying the next generation’s formidable talent. Raducanu, a British 18-year-old who became the first US Open qualifier to reach the last four, and Fernandez, a Canadian who ousted Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber before turning 19 on Monday, have starring roles in Thursday’s women’s semi-finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Fernandez, a 73rd-ranked lefthander, will face second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who has matched her deepest Slam run from July at Wimbledon, while 150th-ranked Raducanu faces Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari, who matched her best Slam run from June’s French Open. “I think we all have equal chances of winning the semifinals and then winning the title,” Sakkari said. “We are all for a reason here. We’re all playing well.” One of the four will capture her first Grand Slam title in Saturday’s final, which could be an electrifying prodigy battle. “I’ve known Leylah since we were juniors, in Under-12s,” Raducanu said. “We played Orange Bowl and all of those tournaments. I played her in Junior Wimbledon, actually. “The fact we’re both in the semifinals of the US Open after having played each other from the early days, it’s very cool to see just how far we have come. She’s a really cool person.” Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion who turns 40 later this month, won her first major title at the 1999 US Open at age 17, three years before Raducanu or Fernandez were born. Raducanu, only the fourth qualifier in the semis at any Slam, could become the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final. “We’re all just super hungry to make a difference in the tennis world,” said Fernandez. “I’m just glad we’re doing such great jobs and doing just that. “We want to make an impact. This tournament just proves how well we’re adapting to everything.” Tokyo Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, beaten by Raducanu in a quarterfinal, hopes the rising stars will receive a nurturing environment to develop. “It’s great for tennis. It’s obviously great stories,” she said. “I just really hope that everyone will protect them and will hope the best for them and not try to put so much pressure and so much hype around them so it just gets too much... so they can just develop in peace also a little bit.” Sabalenka, 23, is looking forward to facing crowd darling Fernandez, whose poise under pressure and powerful shotmaking have produced shock upsets. “She’s playing well, moving well. I would say it’s nothing to lose for her,” Sabalenka said. “She’s a great player. She’s fighting for every point. The crowd are there and they are supporting her really loud. “It will be interesting one. Really looking forward for this match.” Sabalenka hopes for a breakthrough title of her own in her 16th Slam start. “Hopefully I can keep it up,” she said. “I’m really proud of myself. I’m here in the semifinal and I have another chance to show my best.” AFP

Business AC Motors eyes P50-b in annual revenue by 2025 By Othel V. Campos AC MOTORS Automotive Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Group, plans to expand its annual revenue to P50 billion by 2025, with a net revenue projection of P1.3 billion, as it aims to become a pioneer in energy vehicles in the Philippines. AC Motors chief executive Arthur Tan said the company continued to pursue its goal of becoming the “preeminent auto group” in the Philippines. “This is because we were able to prove that we can produce a 2-wheeled vehicle here in the Philippines and export it to China competitively. The largest export of our factory right now is about 70 percent, and the majority of those products that we actually produce here is exported and sold in China, on a competitive basis,” Tan said Wednesday in a forum on future mobility organized by the Liveable Cities Challenge PH. The automotive firm aims to capture 10 percent of the market for the five automotive brands it exclusively distributes in the Philippines in the next five years. AC Motors owns the dealership for Honda, Isuzu, Kia, Volkswagen and German-made Maxus. It plans to sustainably recover from slow sales after the entire Philippine automotive industry sustained massive losses in 2020 amid the health crisis. Integrating core operations helped the company move quickly from manufacturing to distributorship, retail and after-sales service, Tan said. He said the company was leaning more on developing alternative mobility technologies that would spare the environment. “This initiative resonates even further not only because of the effects of climate change to people and businesses but the pandemic has also changed how people move about,” Tan said. “The acceleration of this is actually happening due to the pandemic, because of the mobility of the entire world, how they look at mass transfers and personal mobility,” he said.

DITO Telecom to spend P4b in undersea cable By Darwin G. Amojelar DITO Telecommunity Corp. is investing P4 billion in a submarine cable to expand capacity as it prepares to roll out fixed broadband services using 5G wireless technology by the fourth quarter this year. “We’re going to service the home using our fixed wireless. In fact, we are about to conduct our friendly users test for our fixed wireless access using our 5G network,” said DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago Thursday in a virtual briefing. “I would say it’s better if not comparable in speed to the fixed wired using fiber optic cable because of the nature of the networks that are existing,” he said. Adel Tamano, chief administrative officer of DITO, said the launching of the fixed wireless broadband service may take place in the fourth quarter. “We are in the friendly users test. It is ongoing now in NCR and Davao. It will launch this year,” he said. DITO has 3,096 4G cell towers and 604 5G towers. DITO said the P4-billion investment would be used to expand its capacity. Santiago said the first phase of its submarine cable linking Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao became operational in March this year. Phase 2 of the submarine cable linking Palawan to the rest of the Philippine islands and providing redundancy to Visayas and Mindanao loop will start construction by October or November. It is expected to be competed by the first quarter of 2022. DITO has 953 kilometers of submarine cable and 18,074 km. of land-based fiber optic cable. It also has 4,384 towers under mobilization, of which 3,094 towers are integrated.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, September 9, 2021 -25.37 PTS.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

July exports jumped 12.7% to top pre-pandemic levels By Julito G. Rada

XPORTS rose 12.7 percent in July from a year ago and exceeded the pre-pandemic levels in 2019 on the back of the gradual recovery in global trade and the unimpeded export manufacturing activities despite the different levels of quarantine restrictions in the country. The Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday exports reached $6.42 billion in July, higher than $5.7 billion a year ago and the pre-pandemic value of $6.25 billion in 2019. Total exports in the first seven months also climbed 19.5 percent to $42.39 billion, exceeding the recorded $40.82 billion in 2019. “Our sustained export growth rate can be attributed to the recovery in the global markets, coupled with our efforts in ensuring that the exports manufacturing sector operate at 100-percent capacity even during the ECQ [enhanced community quarantine],” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. Exports were driven by increased global uptake of semiconductors, electronic data processing products, consumer electronics and telecommunication products. The Semiconduc-

tor Industry Association reported that global semiconductor sales grew by 29 percent in July to $45.4 billion. China, the world’s largest copper importer, bought over 555,000 metric tons of copper in July, up 14.24 percent from the previous month and 89.93 percent from a year ago. The Philippines also benefited from the increase in the US production of motor vehicles and parts with US companies cancelling their usual factory shutdowns in July. The export performance was largely influenced by the robust growth in Asia. Asian economies exhibited impressive export performance, reflecting a strengthened optimism in economic recovery. Philippine exports to China grew by 30.7 percent from January to July compared to the same period last year. Shipments to Hong Kong, Sin-

gapore and Japan in July grew by 13.4 percent, 9.8 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively. “The Philippines is clearly benefitting from its integration in Asia’s supply chains and the strong economic rebound in the region. With our market access reach, resilient supply chains, geographic location, and enhanced investment incentives, the Philippines is an ideal investment destination for manufacturing firms who wish to take advantage of Asia’s growth,” said Lopez. Imports also grew by 24 percent in July to $9.71 billion and by 30.2 percent in the first seven months to $63.70 billion. Data showed that import value for personal protective equipment and medical supplies, including COVID-19 vaccines, reached $123.52 million in July, up by 256.2 percent from the same month last year. The country imported $104.20 million worth of COVID-19 vaccine doses during the month. The trade deficit amounted to $3.29 billion in July and $21.3 billion in the first seven months. ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said the latest trade numbers reflected the gradual reopening of the economy although the figures might have been bloated because of the base effects.

6,924.02

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

920,409,043 63,462 4,385,928,040.46 94 96 44

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.1360

Japan

Yen

0.009069

0.4547

Pound

1.377600

69.0674

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128599

6.4474

Switzerland

Franc

1.084952

54.3952

Canada

Dollar

0.788084

39.5114

Singapore

Dollar

0.743218

37.2620

Australia

Dollar

0.736600

36.9302

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653576

133.0397

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266631

13.3678

Brunei

Dollar

0.740466

37.1240

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.030534

1.5309

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.6514

Euro

1.181800

59.2507

Korea

Won

0.000857

0.0430

China

Yuan

0.154775

7.7598

India

Rupee

0.013556

0.6796

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240790

12.0722

New Zealand

Dollar

0.710300

35.6116

Taiwan

Dollar

0.036139

1.8119 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF United Airlines boosts Manila-Guam service

UNITED Airlines on Thursday said it expanded its Manila-Guam service from five times weekly to daily in a bid to meet the growing demand from returning overseas Filipinos. “This expanded service conveniently connects to United’s daily Guam-Honolulu flights at Guam International Airport for both ways, allowing passengers from the Philippines to travel to many cities in the US such as Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco via Guam and Honolulu,” the airline said in a statement. It also conveniently connects to United’s daily Guam-Saipan service. The additional flights will meet growing passenger demand as more Filipinos travel to return to the Philippines and visit friends and relatives abroad. This also expands options for travelers to visit destinations such as Guam that are open for a vaccine tourism program that allows international visitors to receive a COVID-19 vaccine while enjoying a stay. “United is always ready to add capacity whenever we see increased demand,” said United managing director of sales for Greater China Korea, and Southeast Asia Wally Dias. Darwin G. Amojelar

MrSpeedy changes name to Borzo

FRIESLANDCAMPINA’S 150TH YEAR. To celebrate 150 years of cooperative heritage from international dairy cooperative Royal FrieslandCampina, a flag is raised at all production locations all over the world, including at Alaska Milk Corp. in the Philippines. As an operating company of FrieslandCampina, AMC honors the years of sustainability and innovation they have taken to produce quality nourishment with the theme ‘150 years from Grass to Glass.’ Joining the virtual event are (from left) National Dairy Authority Administrator Marilyn Mabale, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Dutch deputy head of mission Pieter Terpstra, AMC managing director Tarang Gupta, corporate affairs director Maria Angela Esquivel and manufacturing plant director Marietta Feliciano.

Henry Sy’s heirs lead Forbes PH billionaires list in 2021 THE Sy siblings, heirs to the group built by the late tycoon Henry Sy Sr., took the top spot in Forbes’ Philippines 2021 rich list with a combined net worth of $16.6 billion, up $2.7 billion from the previous year. Based on Forbes Asia’s September issue, property tycoon Manuel Villar retained the second spot with a net worth of $6.7 billion, up $1.7 billion from the previous year as his housing and office businesses remained resilient despite the pandemic. Port and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. booked a $1.5-billion increase in his wealth to remain the third richest with $5.8 billion. Despite the devastation caused by the pandemic on the economy, the

Philippines’ top 50 billionaires managed to post a strong recovery as their collective wealth jumped 30 percent to $79 billion, according to Forbes. “Despite the ravages of COVID-19, the economy notched up double-digit growth in this year’s second quarter. Investor sentiment remained buoyant, fueling a 13-percent rise in the benchmark stock index from a year ago. The wealth of more than half the list members was up this year, with four listees adding over $1 billion each,” Forbes said. Rounding up the list of Philippines 10 richest billionaires are Lance Gokongwei and siblings with ($4 billion), Jaime Zobel de Ayala ($3.3 billion), Dennis Anthony and Maria Grace Uy ($2.8 billion), Tony Tan Caktiong

($2.7 billion), Andrew Tan ($2.6 billion), Ramon Ang ($2.3 billion), and Ty siblings ($2.2 billion). Betty Ang, co-founder and president of newly-listed Monde Nissin Corp., emerged as the biggest percentage gainer. Ang climbed 20 spots to No. 18 with net worth of $1.4 billion after her company raised $1 billion from an initial public offering in June. Other newcomers are Luis Yu Jr. (No. 32 with $445 million) and Mariano Martinez Jr. (No. 49 with $205 million), owners of mass housing firm 8990 Holdings, and Benedicto and Teresita Yujuico (No. 48 with $210 million) who benefited from the listing of DDMP REIT, an office landlord they co-own with fellow listee Edgar Sia II.

MRSPEEDY recently changed its name to Borzo, patterned after its global brand that has already been proven effective in its fast and cost-efficient delivery services. As the demand for fast and hassle-free delivery grows in the Philippines, MrSpeedy PH rebrands into Borzo, the new brand name of a global company providing its services in 10 countries in the world. MrSpeedy has already carved a name among the efficient delivery services in the Philippines for several years now. With the rebranding, Borzo can now be accessed very easily through its new app via borzodelivery.com/ph and continues to assure of its fast and flexible intra-city delivery with any route, with any transport, and with any weight or size. Customers can also easily access the 10 countries or wherever Borzo is present, with just a single app to download. “MrSpeedy is a trusted name in the Philippines. With the global direction to unify its name into Borzo, it intends to bring a worldclass caliber to the local courier delivery business,” said Beatrice Puyot, marketing manager of Borzo Philippines.

AC Energy raises close to $1b in fresh capital

AC ENERGY Corp., a unit of the Ayala Group, said Thursday it raised close to $1 billion in fresh capital in 2021, which it can use to fund its goal of 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. AC Energy disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange wholly-owned subsidiary ACEN Finance Ltd. successfully issued US dollar-denominated Green Bonds amounting to $400 million, with a fixed coupon of four percent for life, no step-up and no reset and priced at par. “The success of this fixed-for-life offering highlights the international investor community’s continuing confidence in ACEN and in our strategic objectives. We believe that this Green Bond issuance will further empower us to scale up RE investments and achieve our vision of becoming the largest listed renewable energy platform in Southeast Asia,” said ACEN president and chief executive officer Eric Francia. The fresh capital included a P5.4-billion (US$111.2 million) stock rights offering, ₱10.3 billion (US$212.2 million) follow-on offering, and ₱11.9 billion (US$244.2 billion) in primary share investment by GIC affiliate Arran Investment Pte. Ltd. (Arran). Alena Mae S. Flores

Pag-IBIG Fund makes cash loans more affordable PAG-IBIG Fund made its cash loans more affordable by lengthening its payment term to three years, top officials said Thursday. “During these difficult times, we continue to improve our programs to respond to the needs of our members. Last year, we launched special programs such as a payment moratorium and grace periods in accordance with the Bayanihan Acts, to help our borrowers with their finances. This year, we are lengthening the term of our cash loans from two years to three years to give borrowers more time to pay off their loans, and more importantly, to make its monthly payments lower,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. “This is our response to the call of President Duterte to provide the necessary services to help more Filipinos to recover from the pandemic,” said del Rosario who is also the chairman of the 11-member

Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees. Pag-IBIG Fund’s cash loans come in the forms of multi-purpose loan and calamity loan for areas under a state of calamity. Also known as short-term loans, the MPL and CL serve as affordable and readily accessible sources of funds for its members. Qualified members can borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG regular savings, which consist of their monthly savings, their employer’s counterpart contributions and dividends earned annually. The proceeds can then be used to pay for tuition, medical expenses, minor home improvement, capital for small businesses, or as emergency fund during calamities. “Pag-IBIG cash loans are paid over the course of 24 months. And now, our members have the option to extend the term to 36 months. By choosing the longer payment period, members can enjoy significantly lower monthly payments,” said Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti.

RESILIENT COMMUNITIES. Barangay officials and community leaders nationwide gather to join the Barangay Resilience Exchange program online, held by Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. and in partnership with Ashoka Philippines. The three-day exchange aims to connect barangay leaders with organizations and thought leaders in support of community-driven innovations and to put the spotlight on new and innovative approaches to accelerate barangay resilience in the country.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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Business

TODAYSEPTEMBER 10, 2021 B2 || FRIDAY, extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks down; PLDT, Wilcon Depot decline S HARE prices retreated Thursday on profit taking and on worries about the impact of stringent lockdown measures on the economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 25.37 points, or 0.4 percent, to 6,924.02 on a value turnover of P4.4 billion. Losers edged gainers, 96 to 94, with 44 issues unchanged. PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, fell 2.2 percent to P1,439, while Wilcon Depot Inc., a leading retailer of home and construction supplies, dropped 4.4 per-

cent to P26.30. SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group declined 1.7 percent to P1,008, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group was down 1.4 percent to P566. The rest of Asian equities fell Thursday on growing concerns about the impact of the Delta coronavirus variant, while tech giants drove a sharp sell-off in Hong Kong after China further tightened its grip on the gaming sector. After enjoying a broadly healthy run-up at the start of September, markets were again on the back foot as traders reassess their growth outlook for this year in light of the fastspreading Delta variant. Wall Street’s three main indexes

ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. 8th Floor, 8 Rockwell Building, Hidalgo Drive,

finished well in the red after the Federal Reserve’s closely watched Beige Book on the state of the US economy pointed to a slowdown caused by COVID-19 as well as problems with supply and a lack of workers. It said growth had “downshifted” in July and August, which was “largely attributable to a pullback in dining out, travel, and tourism in most districts, reflecting safety concerns due to the rise of the Delta variant”. “Looking ahead, businesses in most districts remained optimistic about near-term prospects, though there continued to be widespread concern about ongoing supply disruptions and resource shortages,” it added.

Analysts pointed out that while COVID remained a major headwind, the issue of supplies and cost pressures was noticeably prominent in the report. “Momentum definitely seems to be slowing as far as the recovery is concerned,” said Fiona Cincotta, at City Index. “Before we’d been hearing that the Fed would tighten monetary policy and that’s what was unnerving the market. Now, it’s actually slightly softer data and also rising COVID cases.” Tokyo ended down with profittaking playing a part after the Nikkei rose around five percent over the previous four days, while Sydney, Seoul, Wellington, Mumbai and

ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. Unit 10A, 5th Ave. cor. 26th Street, E-Square

Rockwell Center, Makati City, Metro Manila Tel. No. 8814-7800; Fax No. 8814-7820

Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila Tel. No. 8814-7800; Fax No. 8814-7820

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (ASM) of the aforementioned Corporation will be held virtually or via remote communication on 6 October 2021 at 3:00 PM via Zoom webinar. Stockholders can register at https://bit.ly/ATRAMDollarMFASM. Webinar password will be sent via email after registration.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (ASM) of the aforementioned Corporation will be held virtually or via remote communication on 5 October 2021 at 3:00 PM via Zoom webinar. Stockholders can register at https://bit.ly/ATRAMPesoMFASM. Webinar password will be sent via email after registration.

The Agenda of the Meeting is as follows:

1. Call to Order 2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on 2 December 2020 4. Management Report 5. Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements as of 31 December 2020 6. Ratification of the Corporate Acts of the Board of Directors since the last annual stockholders’ meeting 7. Election of Directors for 2021 to 2022 8. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation 9. Amendment of the By-laws 10. Appointment of Standard Chartered Bank as Primary Custodian and Fund Accountant 11. Appointment of External Auditor for 2021 12. Other Matters 13. Adjournment

1. Call to Order 2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on 28 September 2020 4. Management Report 5. Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements as of 31 December 2020 6. Ratification of the Corporate Acts of the Board of Directors since the last annual stockholders’ meeting 7. Appointment of ATRAM Trust Corporation as Fund Manager, Principal Distributor, Fund Administrator, and Transfer Agent, subject to SEC approval 8. Election of Directors for 2021 to 2022 9. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation 10. Amendment of the By-laws 11. Appointment of Standard Chartered Bank as Primary Custodian and Fund Accountant 12. Appointment of External Auditor for 2021 13. Other Matters 14. Adjournment

Only holders of issued stocks of record as at the close of business hours on 12 August 2021 and whose status as stockholders on that date has been satisfactorily established in accordance with the corporate records of the Stock and Transfer Agent and the Corporate Secretary of the Company, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the scheduled stockholders’ meeting. Given the current circumstances and in order to ensure the safety and welfare of our stockholders in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation will dispense with the physical attendance of stockholders at the meeting and will allow attendance only by remote communication and by voting in absentia or voting through the Chairman of the meeting as proxy. Stockholders who intend to participate in the meeting via remote communication and to exercise their vote in absentia must notify the Corporate Secretary by registering through the Company’s website for the 2021 annual meeting of the stockholders on or before 24 September 2021. All information submitted will be subject to verification and validation by the Corporate Secretary by 1 October 2021. Successful registrants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access an online web address which will allow them to join the meeting and cast votes in absentia or by proxy in favor of the Chairman of the meeting. The procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and for casting their votes in absentia are set forth in the Information Statement. Makati City, Philippines, 07 September 2021.

Only holders of issued stocks of record as at the close of business hours on 11 August 2021 and whose status as stockholders on that date has been satisfactorily established in accordance with the corporate records of the Stock and Transfer Agent and the Corporate Secretary of the Company, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the scheduled stockholders’ meeting. Given the current circumstances and in order to ensure the safety and welfare of our stockholders in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation will dispense with the physical attendance of stockholders at the meeting and will allow attendance only by remote communication and by voting in absentia or voting through the Chairman of the meeting as proxy. Stockholders who intend to participate in the meeting via remote communication and to exercise their vote in absentia must notify the Corporate Secretary by registering through the Company’s website for the 2021 annual meeting of the stockholders on or before 24 September 2021. All information submitted will be subject to verification and validation by the Corporate Secretary by 30 September 2021. Successful registrants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access an online web address which will allow them to join the meeting and cast votes in absentia or by proxy in favor of the Chairman of the meeting. The procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and for casting their votes in absentia are set forth in the Information Statement. Makati City, Philippines, 07 September 2021.

(Sgd.) ATTY. MA. ALICIA G. PICAZO-SANJUAN Corporate Secretary (MS-SEPT. 10 & 11, 2021)

(MS-SEPT. 10 & 11, 2021)

Bangkok also fell. Shanghai, Singapore, Jakarta and Taipei edged up. But the standout was Hong Kong, which sank more than two percent, dragged by tech giants after Beijing again cracked the whip. Chinese authorities summoned gaming companies to demand they not focus on profits and “resist unfair competition to prevent excessive market concentration or even monopolies in the industry.” The state-run Xinhua agency reported that officials also called for the companies—which included Tencent and NetEase—to remove “obscene and violent content” and avoid “unhealthy tendencies, such as money-worship and effeminacy.” With AFP

(Sgd.) ATTY. MA.ALICIA G. PICAZO-SANJUAN Corporate Secretary

CONCEPT CAR. An Audi Grandsphere concept car is on display at the booth of German carmaker Audi at the International Motor Show (IAA) Germany, on September 8, 2021 in Munich, southern Germany. Germany’s revamped IAA auto show, one of the world’s largest, is celebrating all things car-related, but climate concerns and pandemic woes threaten to spoil the party. AFP

China’s factory gate costs hit 13-year high in August BEIJING, China—China’s factory gate inflation jumped in August to a 13-year high, with data on Thursday showing a surge in commodity prices as the global emergence from the pandemic sees demand picking up but supplies limited. The producer price index (PPI), which measures the cost of goods at the factory gate, rose to 9.5 percent last month from 9.0 percent in July, the National Bureau of Statistics said. The reading was above forecasts for 9.0 percent and is the highest since 2008, when the figure hit 10 percent. The surge was “affected by a rise in prices of coal, and chemical and steel products,” NBS senior statistician Dong Lijuan said in a statement. Industries have seen “strong demand and tight supply overall,”

pushing up prices in coal mining, while earlier pick-ups in costs of crude oil and coal have weighed on other production costs. The rises come despite government measures to ease pressure on factory costs such as cracking down on firms hoarding goods and ramping up supplies. However, the spike in manufacturing costs is still to filter through to shoppers as Thursday’s data also showed the consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of retail inflation, dipped to 0.8 percent from one percent in July and below expectations. The drop came on the back of cooling food costs, with pork prices sinking 44.9 percent on-year. Analysts also said the recent coronavirus resurgence that forced parts of the country into lockdown also likely had an impact. AFP

ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. Unit 10A, 5th Ave. cor. 26th Street, E-Square

ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC. 8th Floor, 8 Rockwell Building, Hidalgo Drive,

ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC. Unit 10A, 5th Ave. cor. 26th Street, E-Square

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (ASM) of the aforementioned Corporation will be held virtually or via remote communication on 5 October 2021 at 2:00 PM via Zoom webinar. Stockholders can register at https://bit.ly/ATRAMPesoMFASM. Webinar password will be sent via email after registration.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (ASM) of the aforementioned Corporation will be held virtually or via remote communication on 6 October 2021 at 2:00 PM via Zoom webinar. Stockholders can register at https://bit.ly/ATRAMDollarMFASM. Webinar password will be sent via email after registration.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (ASM) of the aforementioned Corporation will be held virtually or via remote communication on 5 October 2021 at 4:00 PM via Zoom webinar. Stockholders can register at https://bit.ly/ATRAMPesoMFASM. Webinar password will be sent via email after registration.

The Agenda of the Meeting is as follows:

1. Call to Order 2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on 28 September 2020 4. Management Report 5. Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements as of 31 December 2020 6. Ratification of the Corporate Acts of the Board of Directors since the last annual stockholders’ meeting 7. Election of Directors for 2021 to 2022 8. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation 9. Amendment of the By-laws 10. Appointment of Standard Chartered Bank as Primary Custodian and Fund Accountant 11. Appointment of External Auditor for 2021 12. Other Matters 13. Adjournment

1. Call to Order 2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on 29 September 2020 4. Management Report 5. Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements as of 31 December 2020 6. Ratification of the Corporate Acts of the Board of Directors since the last annual stockholders’ meeting 7. Election of Directors for 2021 to 2022 8. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation 9. Amendment of the By-laws 10. Appointment of Standard Chartered Bank as Primary Custodian and Fund Accountant 11. Appointment of External Auditor for 2021 12. Other Matters 13. Adjournment

1. Call to Order 2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on 28 September 2020 4. Management Report 5. Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements as of 31 December 2020 6. Ratification of the Corporate Acts of the Board of Directors since the last annual stockholders’ meeting 7. Election of Directors for 2021 to 2022 8. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation 9. Amendment of the By-laws 10. Appointment of Standard Chartered Bank as Primary Custodian and Fund Accountant 11. Appointment of External Auditor for 2021 12. Other Matters 13. Adjournment

Given the current circumstances and in order to ensure the safety and welfare of our stockholders in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation will dispense with the physical attendance of stockholders at the meeting and will allow attendance only by remote communication and by voting in absentia or voting through the Chairman of the meeting as proxy.

Stockholders who intend to participate in the meeting via remote communication and to exercise their vote in absentia must notify the Corporate Secretary by registering through the Company’s website for the 2021 annual meeting of the stockholders on or before 24 September 2021. All information submitted will be subject to verification and validation by the Corporate Secretary by 30 September 2021. Successful registrants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access an online web address which will allow them to join the meeting and cast votes in absentia or by proxy in favor of the Chairman of the meeting.

Stockholders who intend to participate in the meeting via remote communication and to exercise their vote in absentia must notify the Corporate Secretary by registering through the Company’s website for the 2021 annual meeting of the stockholders on or before 24 September 2021. All information submitted will be subject to verification and validation by the Corporate Secretary by 1 October 2021. Successful registrants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access an online web address which will allow them to join the meeting and cast votes in absentia or by proxy in favor of the Chairman of the meeting.

The procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and for casting their votes in absentia are set forth in the Information Statement.

Makati City, Philippines, 07 September 2021.

Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila Tel. No. 8814-7800; Fax No. 8814-7820

Rockwell Center, Makati City, Metro Manila Tel. No. 8814-7800; Fax No. 8814-7820

(Sgd.) ATTY.MA. ALICIA G. PICAZO-SANJUAN Corporate Secretary

(Sgd.) ATTY. MA.ALICIA G. PICAZO-SANJUAN Corporate Secretary

(Sgd.) ATTY. MA. ALICIA G. PICAZO-SAN JUAN Corporate Secretary (MS-SEPT. 10 & 11, 2021)

Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila Tel. No. 8814-7800; Fax No. 8814-7820

(MS-SEPT. 10 & 11, 2021)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

SEIZE LIFE, SERVE LOVE

‘Table Love by Pinky’ ends warm

TFC and iWantTFC air the last two episodes of the lifestyle show ‘Table Love by Pinky’ featuring cosmetic surgeon Vicki Belo and Mayor Chavit Singson and family (inset).

LED by the “Queen of Tablescaping” Chemist Pinky Tobiano, TFC-airing lifestyle show, Table Love draws near to its finale, now down to its last two episodes featuring renowned cosmetic professional, Dr. Vicki Belo, and Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson. With its take on transforming a simple dining experience to an exquisite escapade, Table Love by Pinky is a tablescaping lifestyle show that aims to bring people closer together through well-loved table arrangements. Along with crafts and design, the show celebrates people’s big and small life victories, takes a walk down cherished memory lanes, and toasts to years of fruitful friendships. From the opulent abodes of socialites like Tim Yap and Francis Libiran, to the

encourages public to share resiliency stories online

VERY WANG

Kai Sotto shares his thoughts on resiliency he applied on the court and in life.

support of his family and friends. “For me, there are times na maraming magda-doubt sayo. No one would believe you except yourself and your family,’ Sotto said. He especially places a premium on the love and belief of his family. “Talagang family is a big word, probably the biggest word in my vocabulary.” Lastly, Sotto believes that failure is a key component to success. Without it, one would not learn important lessons that would eventually help them succeed. “Don’t be afraid to fail, it’s part of your journey, kung paano ka magiging mas mabuti at mas magaling,” he ended. Watch Sotto’s latest video in collaboration with Smart Prepaid: https:// fb.watch/7tzJCmYxGU/

Intense action and drama in crime thriller ‘On The Job’ HBO Asia premieres 'On The Job,' an original series directed by Erik Matti starring starring Joel Torre, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez, Piolo Pascual, John Arcilla, Dennis Trillo, and Christopher de Leon.

HBO Asia Original series from the Philippines, On the Job, starring Joel Torre, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez, Piolo Pascual, John Arcilla, Dennis Trillo, and Christopher de Leon, begins streaming this Sunday, Sept. 12, on HBO GO via SKY. The six-part crime thriller from acclaimed filmmaker Erik Matti brings to life stories of corruption and violence in today's society inspired by true events with prisoners Tatang (Joel Torre) and Daniel (Gerald Anderson) carrying out dangerous missions to assassinate high-profile political figures, ordered by mysterious crime syndicates. But the law enforcement is on their tail with cop sergeant Joaquin (Joey Marquez) and bureau agent Francis (Piolo Pascual) tracking them down to put an end to these brutal killings. Meanwhile, the series will also tackle another real-world predicament in today's media as journalists Sisoy (John Arcilla) and Arnel (Christopher de Leon) try to seek the truth of fake news and how easily the truth can be manufactured and disseminated to the public in today's age

Now airing its last two season-ender chapters, Table Love by Pinky brings us the colors of festive Spring, as we sit down with Dr. Vicki Belo this coming Saturday, Sept. 11. A safari-inspired epilogue awaits this Sept. 18, featuring the father of Ilocos Sur, Mayor Chavit Singson, in an up-close one-onone talk. Plus, don’t miss the first-ever and exclusive interview with Mayor Singson’s children, Chelsea and Christian Singson. Behind the art of tablescaping is a tender heart that aims to connect people together, past decadent designs, but through the meaningful conversations shared over the table. As the show’s catchphrase goes, “Seize life and serve love.” Table Love by Pinky is available to view on TFC and iWantTFC.

Making audiences win in GMA Network, Regal Entertainment partnership

KAI SOTTO

APART from physical skills and talent, the game of basketball and challenges in life are also won through the mental aspect. Here’s where resilience comes to crucial play—a pivotal element to have on your side when it comes to grinding out wins on and off the court, says Filipino basketball phenom Kai Sotto. “Believe in yourself, just put the work in. Sa basketball court, ‘di ka dapat maggi-give up agad-agad. It’s the same in life,” said Sotto in a video interview for Smart Double Giga Stories. At a young age, Sotto has overcome various career obstacles and challenges to be where he is now: A key component of the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s National Team and soon to play for the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian National Basketball League. “As time goes on, you’ll improve. ‘Yung mga makakalaban mo, ‘yung expectations, ‘yung makakaharap mo, ‘yung challenges, magiging mas tough pa,” he carried on. The 7-foot-3 center managed to find his place in an international basketball career by believing in himself and through the

warm homes of KC Concepcion and the Pangilinans; from the pristine white sands of Boracay, to the unparalleled serenity of The Farm at San Benito, and into the chic and cozy ambience of newly opened restaurants, Table Love by Pinky has been taking its viewers both into a gastronomic adventure with favorite celebrities, and onto a feast for the eyes with the tablescaping ideas it has been sharing. The show has dined with some of the Philippines’ biggest stars such as Ruffa Gutierrez, Erik Santos, Yeng Constantino, Alex Diaz, Nicole Cordoves, Markki Stroem, Jason Dy, and Roxie Baeyens. The love stories of celebrity couples like Moira and Jason Marvin as well as KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde were also featured here.

of information. When eight individuals, all linked to a newspaper, disappear one day, another hired killer on the loose, inmate Roman (Dennis Trillo), holds vital evidence to this dark incident. Its director Erik Matti urged people to see the six-part series even if they have seen its original film version. "I still urge you to go and see the series because it has a totally different flavor to it. It's the same story but it was designed as a series, which is episodic. And the kind of excitement it gives in every episode, it's different. It hits differently and that we are really proud of," Matti, who is currently in Italy for this year's Venice Film Festival, said during the virtual press conference for the movie. The newest six-episode HBO Asia Original crime thriller series to premiere on HBO GO is a combination of Erik Matti's masterpiece of the same name, which screened as a film at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival with never-beforeseen episodes. It is in competition at the prestigious 78th Venice Film Festival as On the Job: The Missing 8.

NICKIE WANG

ELEVISION stars Sanya Lopez and Ken Chan felt honored to headline “That Thin Line Between,” the opening salvo of Regal Studio Presents. Screen tandems Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos and Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay were equally delighted to top bill episodes in the weekly anthology. Regal Studio Presents is a product of a landmark collaboration between industry giants GMA Network and Regal Entertainment. They sealed the partnership for a series of big-ticket collaborations via a virtual contract signing ceremony held on Sept. 7. Premiering tomorrow, Sept. 11 on GMA-7, Regal Studio Presents is a weekly anthology that features feel-good, romantic, exciting, and entertaining stories starring various Kapuso artists. A variety of content to air across GMA channels is already in the execution stage. On GTV, viewers can catch Regal classic movies via Regal Treasures every Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Heart of Asia is set to bring the hit BL series Ben X Jim starting Sept. 26. Apart from these, loyal viewers who are craving for fresh content can expect new movie features from Regal to be seen on GMA’s various platforms in years to come. “The talk about the partnership started during our regular lunch meetings. It was just a conversation and I told Roselle Monteverde if we could put some of the films we grew up with on GTV,” First Vice President for Program Management Department Jose Mari R. Abacan told Manila Standard Entertainment in a virtual interview. “Our partnership with Regal has always been intact. Now combining the brand of storytelling that is uniquely Regal, with the reach and broadcast capability of GMA, we can assure that a lot of audiences will benefit from this partnership,” Abacan added. In turn, Monteverde said that Regal Entertainment wanted to take the opportunity to further strengthen their partnership with GMA that started during the ‘80s with Mother Studio presents that aired for eight years and Regal Shocker that aired for five years. “It has been proven that throughout the years, we are unbeatable and our partnership is mutually beneficial. With the ever-evolving preference of the audience’s taste for entertainment, rest

Ken Chan and Sanya Lopez headline ‘That Thin Line Between,’ the opening salvo of ‘Regal Studio Presents,’ a weekly anthology on GMA.

Industry giants in broadcasting and film - GMA Network and Regal Entertainment sealed their partnership on Sept. 7.

assured our current collaboration will create new, innovative, appealing, and exciting stories, that will touch not only here in the Philippines but the heart of every Filipino globally. And with these projects, the audiences will always be the winner,” Monteverde stated. Present in the momentous event were GMA Network, Inc. Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Films, Inc. President and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Assistant Vice Presidents for Program Management Department Mitzi Garcia and Concie Agnes, and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Jojo Aquio. Representing Regal Entertainment, joining Roselle Monteverde, was CEO & President of Regal Entertainment, Inc.

Mother Lily Monteverde. ***

Artist on Mission Kristine Lim enters the palace

Kristine Lim's artworks are now officially part of the National Archives of the Philippines and the Presidential Museum and Library of the Malacañan Palace. The "Artist on a Mission" was commissioned by a group of supporters of the Dutertes to paint portraits of President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go. The artworks were given to express the group's gratitude to the two leaders for their effort in leading the country during these trying times. The official turnover of Lim's works was attended by Sen. Go and the President himself, and their supporters. Lim, being not just an artist but also a missionary, took the opportunity to pray over the president and the senator.

‘Artist on a Mission’ Kristine Lim with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

Crowning Mrs. Universe Philippines 2021 at Okada Manila

Mrs. Universe Philippines 2021 18 finalists vying for the coveted crown

ALL ROADS lead to Okada Manila for the grand coronation of Mrs. Universe Philippines 2021 with 18 driven and empowered married women vying for the titles Mrs. Universe Philippines 2021, Mrs. Pacific Continental 2021 and Mrs. North Pacific Asia 2021. The finals night was originally set on Sept. 4 but was postponed to a later date to be announced when COVID-19 situation improved. Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019 Maria Charo Laude Calalo,

PAGEANT CONCEPT ETON CONCEPCION National Director of Mrs. Universe Philippines, said the advocacies of the candidates will be a major factor in deciding who will take the crowns. Mrs. Universe Philippines 2021 will earn the right to compete

at the Mrs. Universe International pageant to be held in Seoul, Korea in December 2021. At the press presentation held recently, Monique Cantalejo-Rivera of Laguna, Michelle Lucas of Rizal, and Heaven Peñaflorida of Makati City were voted Darling(s) of the Press. To know more about the 18 candidates and their chosen advocacies, read full story on manilastandard.net.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

TRAVEL AND LEISURE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

CHECK-IN.

Clockwise: Casa Santa Barbara in Bohol, Mutya’s guest house in Bacolod, Villa Tulua in Siargao, Nacpan Glamping in El Nido, Julia’s threebedroom chalet in Quezon, and Nature Lodge in Tagaytay.

WHERE TO:

Instagram-worthy, pet-friendly getaways

barkada – making it a perfect location for reunions and endless group photos.

By Steph Llarena

RAVEL preferences vary. When planning a vacation, some ‘Paw-fect’ destinations look for family friendly spots, others pick either an off-theWhat wins a pet-parent when it comes beaten-path or accessible-to-all destination. Other top choices to accommodation? When it allows pets, are “picture-perfect”, where photo-ops abound, and “pet-friendly”, obviously. In fact, according to Airbnb, searches made with the “allows pet” filter so holiday-makers can bring their furry plus one.

For Siargao-based photographer Oli Bayer and wife Elaine, capturing travel photos is a great way to immortalize precious family moments. “Traveling as a family is important for us because we get to share new experiences together – even if it’s just a staycation in the same town or country,” says Oli. He adds, “With our 2-year-old daughter, everything happens so fast and becomes a blur even without realizing it, so it’s really nice to have photos to look back on about the wonderful experiences we shared as a family.” It is definitely a plus if the place makes for a wonderful backdrop for those family photos.

Picture-perfect stays

One of Bayer family’s recommended locations is Villa Tulua, a native modern villa in Siargao. Featuring Filipino-Balinese elements and tucked deep in the jungles of Gen-

eral Luna, Villa Tulua conserves much of the area’s natural aesthetic. It offers a luxurious getaway for families to enjoy island life, and comes fully furnished with its very own private pool and three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. It accommodates six guests. Those looking to experience – and upload lots of photos – ‘glamping’ (glamorous camping) on the beach, the Nacpan Glamping in El Nido, Palawan offers state-of-the-art tents surrounded by trees a few meters away from the blue waters. Each tent is fitted with furnishings and plush beds, and some even come with its own private pool. A tent sleeps two guests. Go back in time at the six-bedroom Casa Santa Barbara in Bohol. The Spanish-style villa is made with authentic clay roof tiles and Machuca tiles. It has an infinity pool and spa, and a small private beach is just 80 steps away. It can comfortably house a 16-member family or

increased 65 percent this year compared to the same period last year. “I love traveling and exploring new places with Luffy, it makes my travel experiences so much more memorable when I get to share it with my best friend,” shares Sarah Jayne Balbidadez, the ‘hoomom’ or ‘mami’ of the adorable and always-smiling shih tzu, Luffy. A social media darling, Luffy went viral this year when Balbidadez shared a video of his huge grin when she picked him up from a dog grooming parlor in Imus, Cavite. The cheerful dog currently has over 1.5 million followers on TikTok. Sarah and Luffy shared their wish list of pet-friendly vacation spots. Hosted by Tamara and her three dogs, Garden Nest in Subic Bay Freeport Zone is a dreamy abode with rustic interiors. The house is filled with novels for the ‘hooman’s’ reading pleasure, and has a hammock, an outdoor bathtub, and a small garden. It sleeps three people. Nature Lodge in Tagaytay has a spa-

Oli and Elaine Bayer with their 2-year-old daughter at Villa Tulua.

Smiling shih tzu Luffy approves of the petfriendly Garden Nest studio in Subic.

cious garden where fur-parents and their pets can lounge or play. In fact, this Luffy-approved destination also caters to intimate weddings and other small events. The modern bungalow is surrounded by mahogany and mango trees and is perfectly tucked away from the city’s madding crowd. It accommodates six guests. Airbnb host Mutya’s guest house in Bacolod is a charming location for fun getaways with pets. Inside, guests can curl up on the sofa with a book or enjoy

the host’s artworks on display. Outside, they have a huge space where they can play with their furry companions. Four dogs and three cats welcome guests. For big families with pets, the three-bedroom chalet hosted by Julia in Dolores, Quezon offers a peaceful stay complete with stylish interiors, private jacuzzi, and large outdoor patio. It has three bedrooms that can sleep up to 12 guests. The aforementioned destinations are all listed on Airbnb.

Getting on with our lives

Illustrator and muralist Mia the Hoooman is one of the artists who painted uplifting messages on the columns of SM Aura Skypark.

Painted positivity

ILLUSTRATORS and muralists took over the columns at a mall in Taguig to spread uplifting messages. Mia the Hoooman, Alex Esguerra, and Pulido Mural Arts, in partnership with Boysen, painted the columns of SM Aura Premier’s Skypark with colorful and inspirational messages. “The pandemic has been a challenge for all of us,” says Mia the Hoooman. “It limited everything we can do, especially physical interactions with family

and friends.” She adds that “through this project, I was able to reach out and share some light to other people. I believe that uplifting each other especially during this pandemic is very important as most of us have been encountering our own struggles and self-doubt.” The paint used, 100 percent acrylic latex paint from Boysen’s Permacoat Color Series, is dirt pick-up resistant and uses fewer coats.

(NCR) because boosting businesses in the NCR will have a significant impact on the country’s coffers as it is responsible for onethird of our country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The good news is, by the middle of this month, more than 50 percent of the NCR population will already be vaccinated, paving the way for these “bubbles” to come to life. AT THIS time of the pandemic, it is very These “Bakuna Bubbles” will certainly difficult to find the ideal balance between benefit micro, small and medium enterprises caring for our health and safety, and jump(MSMEs) severely affected by the series of lockstarting our economy. But I praise presidendowns and other quarantine restrictions. In fact, tial assistant Joey Concepcion for coming Joey Concepcion, president and chief a lot of them are on their way to extinction, so we up with a win-win solution to this very dif- executive of RFM Corporation and founder have to do what we can to stop that from happenficult predicament we’re in. ing because these MSMEs comprise more than of Go Negosyo. As an alternative to lockdowns, which 95 percent of businesses in our country, and are prevent all of us, vaccinated and unvacci- themselves vaccinated. responsible for approximately 63 percent of our nated, to get on with our lives, consequently In effect, these “Bakuna Bubbles” protect country’s employment. forcing enterprises to suffer dismal losses, the unvaccinated residents by restricting The business from the vaccinated popuConcepcion’s proposal to establish “Bakuna their movements until they get vaccinated, lation will fuel these “bubbles” and bolster Bubbles” in the metro is gaining ground and minimizing their chances of being infected MSMEs towards jumpstarting our econois definitely worth a try. and hospitalized. It has been reported that my. If we do not find a way to help these This state of “micro herd immunity” 85 percent of COVID-19 patients in hos- businesses now, our economy may no longer comes about when vaccinated people will pitals are unvaccinated individuals, as the have time to recover. be allowed to do their usual daily activities, absence of protection makes them most vulTo the unvaccinated who point out that from their homes to their workplaces, to nerable to this virus. this strategy reeks of discrimination becommercial establishments, or to the malls. cause it restricts their mobility, In other words, they will be free it has been announced by legal to do what they used to do beexperts that our Constitution alYOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE fore the pandemic. lows this restriction because it This excites those of us in the is for the common good. It’s the A DRIVER’S PLIGHT: Why is it that when you’re driving, tourism industry even more besame reason why nobody made stuck in traffic, and decide to change traffic lanes, the cause we can then replicate this a fuss when the past lockdowns lane you were in always moves faster than the lane you in our domestic tourist destinarestricted everybody’s mobility. transferred to? tions. More people getting vacSo, let’s get on with our lives cinated means there will be more through these “Bakuna Bubof these “bubbles”. bles”. Let’s start our journey What happens to those who have not yet What does the Inter-Agency Task Force back to making this pandemic’s “new realbeen vaccinated? They will also be allowed (IATF) think of this proposal? The experts ity” as close as possible to the beautiful life entry to these bubbles, but they have to pre- in the agency are open to this suggestion but we had before this dreadful virus turned our sent proof of a recent negative RT-PCR test. they feel more confident that the desired re- world upside down. Then, 106 days from Although this procedure will give them ac- sults will be achieved only when the local now, God willing, we will once again have a cess to the same places as those available to government units have vaccinated at least really MERRY CHRISTMAS! the vaccinated population, it certainly is not more than 50 percent of its residents. a guarantee that they will be protected from For feedback, I’m at The proponents of this strategy want to try the virus, so it would still be best to have it out first here in the National Capital Region bobzozobrado@gmail.com