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on A4) NCR PLACED ON ALERT LEVEL 3(Story AS PH LOGS 3 LOCAL OMICRON TRANSMISSIONS By Joyce Pangco Pañares

A Happy Happy and and A Prosperous New New Prosperous Year from from your your Year Manila Standard Standard Manila family!

THE Philippines confirmed its first three local cases of the Omicron variant, prompting the government to place Metro Manila under the stricter Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15 amid the sharp increase in COVID-19 infections. Acting Palace spokesman Karlo Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) made the Next page

VOL. XXXV • NO. 320 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

COVID blast ushers in 2022 DOH alarmed as daily cases soar to near-3k, infection rate over 10%

NEW YEAR ACCOMMODATIONS.

More than a hundred Overseas Filipino Workers who tested positive for COVID-19 arrive at the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital in Burnham Green in Luneta on Friday as the Department of Health tapped it as the new quarantine center for returning OFWs amid the Omicron threat. Danny Pata

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER MARTIN ROMUALDEZ

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE

Duterte, Romualdez wish better year in ‘22 By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz IN HIS final New Year’s Day message as Chief Executive, President Rodrigo Duterte urged all Filipinos to cherish their experiences in 2021, aim high and do things better in the coming year to overcome the coronavirus pandemic and the ravages of Typhoon Odette. Next page

1.5m seniors urged to get vaccinated

By Willie Casas

HE Philippines logged 2,961 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, as the positivity rate soared to more than 10 percent on New Year’s Eve, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

Friday’s tally was nearly double or 82 percent higher than Thursday’s count of 1,623 new cases, and brought the total number of cases to 2,843,979. The nationwide positivity rate—or percentage of people who test positive for COVID-19—rose from Next page

Palace warns protocol violators, raps set vs. ‘party girl’ the recent uptick in pandemic infections, Malacanang said. This as the government is poised to THE government will not hesitate to prosecute anybody found violating file a complaint against a Filipina traveler COVID-19 quarantine protocols amid who tested positive for COVID-19 and

By Vito Barcelo

skipped quarantine protocols to attend a The Department of Tourism (DOT) party in Makati City — amid a warning identified the woman as Ms. Gwyneth from the Palace that such violations Anne Chua, who had traveled from the would be prosecuted, according to acting US and was supposedly placed under Palace spokesman Karlo Nograles. Next page

By Willie Casas and Joel E. Zurbano THE government on Friday called on the 1.5 million unvaccinated senior citizens to get inoculated against COVID-19, saying they might put the country at risk. Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles made the appeal as new cases of COVID-19 doubled in the last few days. "We have 210 million COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered [so far]. The numbers speak for themselves. Get the message: it is time to get your jabs. The 1.5 million seniors who are unvaccinated, they can fill up our hospitals)," Nograles said in a mix of English and Filipino. "We cannot be complacent; we cannot take anything for granted. The Omicron threat is real,” he said, referring to the latest, highly infectious variant of the coronavirus. “Get vaccinated against COVID-19 so you won't end up in hospitals.” About 50 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, nearly reaching the government’s 54-million target by the end of the year, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez announced Friday. Next page Next page

New Year bash slashed as virus wave hits world

YEAR OF THE TIGER. Store owners display their miniature golden tiger figurines at shops along Ongpin St. in Binondo, Manila, while a calendar maker in Quezon City shows her improvised designs on Friday. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2022 is the Year of the Water Tiger, which symbolizes strength, exorcising evils, and braveness. Avito Dalan, Manny Palmero and Norman Cruz

Cracker injuries up ahead of revelry By Willie Casas HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III said Friday the number of firecrackerrelated injuries this year was higher – 86 percent – than the record in 2020, but lower than the five-year average at 71 cases during the comparative period. Duque said, with 26 firecrackerrelated injuries reported as of Thursday, it was still around 60 percent to 70 percent lower compared to the five-year average. “We are slightly higher compared to last year but still lower by 60 percent to

IMPLEMENTS OF PAIN. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (right) and Dr. John Chua show equipment used in cutting body parts damaged by firecrackers during the ‘Iwas Paputok’ hospital preparedness and response campaign at the Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Friday. Danny Pata

PARIS -- A New Year shorn of mass celebrations beckoned Thursday for millions around the world as the number of daily Covid infections, driven by the Omicron variant, surged through another symbolic high. Coronavirus, first detected two years ago and declared a global pandemic in March 2020, has killed more than 5.4 million people, triggered economic crises, and seen societies ricochet in and out of lockdowns. The latest variant, Omicron, while tentatively considered to cause milder illness, has pushed infection levels to record levels in recent days in the United States, Britain, France, and other European countries, forcing governments to reimpose restrictions. The number of daily new Covid cases worldwide crossed one million for

70 percent to the five-year average],” he said in an interview on Dobol B TV. The 26 firecracker-related injuries involved "boga," five star, piccolo, triangle, whistle bomb, baby rocket, kwitis, and other unlabeled or imported firecrackers. These victims sustained hand, head, eye, neck, chest, thigh, and foot injuries, according to the DOH. The incidents were reported from Western Visayas, Ilocos, Bangsamoro, National Capital Region, Cagayan, Next page

PETRON LPG PRICE ROLLBACK: P2.55 PER KILO NEWS / A2

2,843,979 2,961

14,233

51,504

132

2,778,242

481

(As of 4 PM, DECEMBER 31)

News

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Odette’ agri losses balloon to P9b Damage and losses have been reported in the regions of Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

About 132,658 farmers and fishers were seriously affected by the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in years. Based on the regional reports collated by the DA regional field units the volume of production loss was at 194,671

metric tons and about 351,932 hectares of agricultural areas suffered massive destruction. The values are still subject for validation since unreported cases may still bring damages to higher levels. Damaged commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, coconut, sugarcane, livestock, and fisheries. Damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructures, machineries, and equipment. values are subject to validation. Prior to the arrival of Odette, the 15th cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, farmers were able to harvest 34,433 MT of rice valued at P616.53 million total

DOH:...

people are very mobile, they can already go outside," he said. He said if the spike was due to the Omicron variant of thecoronavirus, infections could rise higher than the peak in September. “We might be expecting more people to be infected during the first (few) weeks of January 2022. We still need to wait for the DNA sequenced results from the Philippine Genome Center to really see if this is already Omicron. Remember (the) Delta (variant) is also very transmissible." The DOH reported 481 new recoveries, bringing the total” recoveries to 2,778,242. There were 14,233 active cases, of which 628 were asymptomatic; 8,365 mild; 3,197 moderate; 1,701 severe; and 342 critical. Nationwide, 20 percent of ICU beds, 22 percent of isolation beds, 12 percent of ward beds, and 11 percent of ventilators, were in use. In Metro Manila, 24 percent of ICU beds, 21 percent of isolation beds, 21 percent of ward beds, and 14 percent of ventilators, were in use. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday expressed alarm due to the recent doubling of daily COVID-19 cases during the holiday season. In an interview with Dobol B TV, Duque said the DOH would keep a close watch on whether the doubling will continue. “It is indeed alarming because there is no doubt that the cases are doubled in a single day,” Duque said in Filipino. The DOH reported 889 new COVID-19

cases on Wednesday, which doubled to 1,623 on Thursday. If the increasing trend continues, Duque said the compliance to minimum public health standards should be followed more strictly. Earlier, the OCTA Research group said the National Capital Region's new COVID-19 cases could soar to more than 2,000 on New Year's Eve after its positivity rate reached 14 percent. Health officials inaugurated the 344bed Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital Friday, which will be used to isolate and quarantine returning overseas Filipinos who test positive for the coronavirus disease. A total of 104 overseas Filipinos who yielded positive results in their reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests and have mild symptoms or were asymptomatic were brought to the Manila hospital for quarantine on Friday. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said the Manila Covid-19 Field Hospital was established at Rizal Park, a property of the national government, as part of the city's commitment in the fight against Covid-19. “We made a commitment to the national government. We told them that whatever we build in its property will be utilized and shared,” Domagoso said in Filipino. Duque said the city government of Taguig also made a similar commitment to help the national government by allowing their quarantine facilities to be used for the same purpose.

COVID-19 admissions at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), once on the wane, have doubled again since the start of December. According to a report on "24 Oras", the cases admitted rose from 30 at the start of the month to 65 at present. PGH spokesman Dr. Jonas Del Rosario said the hospital is ready to increase the number of its COVID-19 beds if necessary. Del Rosario, however, urged the public to rethink having family gatherings in the remaining days of the holidays. "We're not panicking but we're really watching it closely because for the last five days, it’s been increasing," Del Rosario said. Meanwhile, at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center in Tondo, Manila, the number of COVIDinfected patients rose to 23 after Christmas from zero in the previous two weeks. “During Christmas, actually on the 28th, we started receiving cases. As of this morning, we have 23 patients with COVID-19,” said Dr. Ted Martin, the hospital's OIC, in a separate interview over radio dzBB. None of the patients was in the intensive care unit, Martin said, as they are only mild to moderate cases. Meanwhile, 19 patients -- and even some health workers -- have pending test results. Martin said he feared that the increase may be due to the more transmissible Omicron variant. “Based on our estimate and on how contagious it is, this may be due to the Omicron variant,” said Martin.

said the incident was a clear violation of IATF protocols and the law on notifiable diseases, Republic Act No. 11332. Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said they would check the hotel’s CCTV footage to see if Chua indeed had left the hotel. “We have to make sure that there’s no room for doubt. So, we’ll check the hotel’s CCTV footage on the stay dates of the guest,” he said. He added that a team of police contact tracers from Caloocan City interviewed Chua's mother, who attested that her

daughter never went home to Caloocan City but was in constant communication with her while in isolation. Chua might have infected about 15 people with COVID-19 following her quarantine breach, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said. “We will not hesitate to prosecute those who are violating the law. We won't let this go. This is a public health emergency," Nograles said in a Palace press briefing. "You cannot let this go. It is important to follow the law for everybody's

protection and safety. Let us not think we can get away with it," Nograles added. Nograles reminded the public as well as establishments to strictly follow health protocols or risk facing sanctions. Carlos said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has been ordered to file appropriate charges against Chua, the hotel owners and management, and Bureau of Quarantine personnel responsible for the breach. Carlos said violators would be criminally charged immediately.

admissions, the NHS is now on a war footing," National Medical Director Stephen Powis said. Indonesia, which has reported more than 4.2 million confirmed cases, warned that foreign travelers may be deported from the resort island of Bali if they are caught violating Covid health rules that bar carnivals, fireworks and gatherings of more than 50 people over the holidays. "Get ready to be kicked out," said Bali immigration office head Jamaruli Manihuruk. Mexico City has canceled its massive New Year's Eve celebrations as a preventative measure after a rise in cases. "I feel that this casts doubt on a lot of what we thought was already secure, because it is scary, it is worrying," said engineering student Aaron Rosas. Israel meanwhile became one of the first countries to greenlight a fourth booster shot for immunocompromised people. Authorities in Saudi Arabia reimposed social distancing measures at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, after recording the highest number of infections in months. "I am highly concerned that Omicron, being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 'Brink of collapse' "This is and will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse." AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Duterte,... The year 2022 will give Filipinos a “fresh start and opportunity to aim higher and do things better,” Duterte said Friday, as the country ends another year under the shadow of COVID-19. Duterte will spend his New Year’s holiday in Davao “to be with his family and loved ones in Davao,” Cabinet Secretary and acting spokesman Karlo Nograles said. The COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette were among the things that challenged the nation this year, the President said in his annual message for the upcoming year. “Let all our aspirations and actions be guided by our strong sense of nationhood and our deep faith in the Almighty. May we also find a stronger and higher purpose in our lives so that we may pursue only what is good for our families, communities and the entire nation," he added. “Every day, we continue to witness the indomitable spirit of the Filipino that adapts, endures and triumphs over all adversities. The dedication and courage of our people—especially our medical and essential frontliners, uniformed services, civilian personnel and volunteers— demonstrate what great things we can achieve if we work in solidarity,” the President said. “As we take a whole-of-nation approach to recover and build back better, may we all be inspired by the promise of new beginnings that the New Year

brings,” he added. The President also praised the Filipino people's resilience in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez joined Filipinos in “ushering the New Year full of hope that the coming days will offer a better life for every Filipino family.” “The year 2021 may be unkind to some of us who lost family members due to the global health emergency caused by COVID-19. Our fellow countrymen in the Visayas and Mindanao have yet to fully recover from the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette,” the representative of the first district of Leyte added. “But I have reasons to believe that a brighter future awaits all of us in the year 2022,” Romualdez said. “For the past two weeks, I had the privilege of joining the BBM-Sara UniTeam in their Humanitarian Mission for victims of Typhoon Odette. The affected areas in eight provinces we had visited were almost flattened to the ground. I have seen up close, however, that despair does not have enough sting to kill the Filipino spirit,” he added. “Never have I seen a people so united in casting aside gloom to rebuild their lives and their communities. For once, our leaders set aside their political differences to join the people in bringing aid to the needy. No colors. No religion. Just the good, old Filipino spirit of bayanihan at work,” the president of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

In related developments, the Philippine National Police said it was closely coordinating with barangay officials and other village peacekeepers following the pronouncement of the Department of the Interior and Local Government giving village workers the authority to apprehend firecracker ban violators for the New Year revelry. “The Barangay and local PNP units’ partnership will ensure that there is proper enforcement of local Executive Orders and a strong system of shared responsibility. Their presence can expand

our monitoring deployment. They serve as our lookout in our blind-spot areas,” said PNP chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, in a statement. Carlos said the PNP adheres to the statement of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año that it is the PNP’s responsibility to enforce policies regulating the manufacture and use of firecrackers through the conduct of inspections, confiscation, and destruction of prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices. (See full story online at manilastandard. net)

By Othel V. Campos and Maricel V. Cruz

OTAL losses of the agriculture sector to killer Typhoon Odette ballooned to P9 billion as of December 31, 2021, in an updated report released by the Department of Agriculture Friday.

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6.6 percent to 10.3 percent, based on the test results of samples from 30,526 people on Dec. 29. The number of fresh infections was the highest since Nov. 10, when 2,639 new cases were reported, Health experts warned that another surge was likely due to increased mobility and relaxed health protocols. This was way above the World Health Organization's benchmark of 5 percent positivity rate or lower for at least two weeks. A relatively high rate means more people should be tested for the coronavirus. The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were Metro Manila or the National Capital Region (NCR) (1,981 or 68 percent), Region 4-A or Calabarzon (431 or 15 percent) and Region 3 or Central Luzon (179 or 6 percent). There were 132 new fatalities reported Friday, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 51,504. The recent increase in cases can be attributed to the public's increased mobility due to the holiday season, said Prof. Jomar Rabajante of the University of the Philippines (UP) pandemic response team. "Most of the people are coming from the working class age group,coming from millennials and Gen Z, 20s and 30s. Probably because ofmany reasons... front liners are also within this age range, these

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quarantine at the Berjaya Hotel in Makati on Dec 22. She was seen partying at a bar in the Poblacion district in the same city on Dec. 23. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the individual was able to skip the five-day mandatory quarantine due to "connections." Health Secretary Francisco Duque

New... From A1

the first time, according to an AFP tally Thursday, with more than 7.3 million in the last seven days. From Greece to Mexico, from Barcelona to Bali and across swathes of Europe, authorities have canceled or curtailed public gatherings, either closing or imposing curfews on nightclubs. Only South Africa, the first country to report the Omicron variant,was bucking the trend. It lifted a midnight to 4 am curfew to allow celebrations to go ahead, after health officials said that a dip in infections in the past week indicated the peak of the current wave had passed. In France, wearing masks outdoors will be compulsory while walking the streets of Paris from Friday for everyone over the age of 11. Nightclubs have been closed until well into January. In Spain, public festivities have been canceled across most regions and in the biggest cities except Madrid, where a stripped-down gathering is scheduled with the crowd limited to 7,000 people compared to 18,000 in 2019. Britain's National Health Service said it would start opening temporary field hospitals to contain a possible overspill of patients in England, where the government stopped short of mandating curbs on New Year festivities. 'War footing' "Given the high level of COVID-19 infections and increasing hospital

Cracker... From A1

Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Bicol, and Soccsksargen. Duque said the increase in firecrackerrelated injuries might be connected with the country being under Alert Level 2, the second lowest in the COVID-19 alert level system. “The public might assume that it is now okay to be relaxed, complacent, and neglectful. That's wrong,” he said.

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from 11,454 hectares of rice fields In have Mimaropa and Regions VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII. Harvested corn crop amounted to 6,965 MT with a value of P82.55 million in Region IV-A, Mimaropa, Regions VIII, IX, XI, and XIII. The Agriculture Regional Field Offices is still conducting assessment of damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector. The DA continuously coordinates with concerned government agencies, local government, and the Disaster Risk Management on the impact of Odette, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

NCR... From A1

decision as they projected cases to further spike in the coming days amid the high possibility of further local transmission of the Omicron strain. Nograles said the Philippines on Friday logged its first three local cases of Omicron, bringing the total number of infections with the highly-mutated strain to seven. "The epidemiological investigation on

DBM: ’22 budget can be modified for Omicron aid THE COVID-19 variant Omicron threat – which has raised a global health concern – was not considered in the P5.024trillion national budget for 2022, but the Department of Budget and Management said that allocations of agencies could be augmented or modified depending on the situation. At a Palace briefing Friday, DBM officer-in-charge Tina Canda said the budget was drafted when the Omicron variant had not yet been detected. Canda said: “We have no idea yet how much resources this Omicron variant will demand. But if our response to the new variant requires bigger resources, we will adjust through augmentations or modifications of [the budgets of] all the departments and agencies.” At the ceremonial signing of the 2022 national budget on Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte said the rising cases of the Omicron variant were bothering him, saying it could further strain government resources. "It might translate into for government to pour again the resources [due to] the resurgence of COVID-19 with another form. I’m leaving the office in a few months. I am worried for our] response na naman natin and how it would intrude into the budget," Duterte said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Petron reels in LPG prices by P2.55 per kilo By Alena Mae S. Flores PETRON Corp. announced it will implement a P2.55 per kilo rollback (VAT-inclusive) in its prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas effective January 1. This is equivalent to P28.05 per 11kilo tank used primarily by households. "AutoLPG prices will likewise rollback by P1.43/li at the same time. These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of January," Petron said in its advisory. Other oil firms are expected to follow. LPG contract price (CP), commonly called the “Saudi CP,” is the primary driver of LPG pricing in the Far East, including the Philippines. It is the international price benchmark set at the beginning of each month by Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco. Like all other petroleum products, the Department of Energy said the Philippines has no influence over the LPG CP, as the country’s domestic requirement is small versus the world demand. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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Galvez said the target could have been reached had it not been for Typhoon Odette's deadly onslaught. He said this target could be reached within the first or second week of January. Meanwhile, Galvez said at least 8 million adolescents have received at least one dose against COVID-19, while 5.2 million have been fully vaccinated. He said the government negotiated with Pfizer to deliver earlier the 15 million doses ordered for the 5 to 11 age group. The Philippine Food and Drug Administration has approved the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s vaccine for ages 5 to 11 years old. However, the government must procure separate vaccines for the age group. Some 609,570 additional doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday night, according to state media PTV. National Task Force against COVID-19 adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa and US Embassy Consul Michael William Leach welcomed the shipment of vaccines, which were procured by the government. This is the last delivery of the 40 million doses procured by the Philippine government from Pfizer. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) the three local cases indicates there is a high possibility of local transmission ng omicron," Nograles said. “There is a high probability of exponential growth with continued decreased adherence to MPHS [minimum public health standards] and the detection of local cases with Omicron variant,” the Department of Health said in a separate statement. The first four cases were all inbound travelers. No details were given on the first three local transmissions. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Opinion

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Make 2022 safe from COVID-19

JANUARY 1, 2022. A new year starts again as the country braces for a probable new surge of COVID-19 cases. Some advanced countries are recording record numbers of cases running into the hundreds of thousands. Omicron, the newest variant said to be much more contagious though less deadly than the Delta variant, is now considered as the dominant COVID-19 variant. This week, France reported 179,807 cases in one day, representing the highest number of cases in a single day for the country since the pandemic started. Last Monday, the USA reported 505,000 new cases. On Tuesday, the United Kingdom recorded 129,471 new cases. In the Philippines, very few Omicron cases have been detected so far but the number of new cases has been growing exponentially daily. On Thursday, December 30, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,623 new cases from the previous day’s 889 cases. Medical experts are again raising the alarm for another surge. Some say that it is just a matter of time before this happens. My family is again directly threatened by this virus. An immediate family member has been exposed to another family member who tested positive for COVID-19. He needed to be tested and was advised to isolate even from his household members. Because of this, our plans to celebrate New Year’s Eve together had to be cancelled to keep all the others in the immediate family safe. Being together to welcome the new year is a family tradition and for the first time, we needed to break this. It is quite sad for me because I had to miss two of my three kids and my two very smart, rumbunctious grandchildren. We are a small family and rare are those times that we are all together. My kids are all grown-ups now, living their own lives. Thus, it felt odd ushering in 2022 with just me and one son. Still, the first consideration is to keep safe. We still do not know if Omicron is now the dominant variant here because the confirmed cases are few. What we presently know is that Omicron is highly contagious and airborne. Particles are said to stay on air for hours and one can inhale these. Omicron is less deadly than other variants, and there may be less need for hospitalization especially among the vaccinated population. However, if a big number of our people get it like in other countries, the number of those who will need to be confined will also shoot up. Thus, we still should be concerned. We must remember that our health system, is, to be kind, weak. It cannot be compared to the health systems of many other countries. The logical rea-

son why France, UK, and USA are able to report the hundreds of thousands of cases is that their testing capacity is much better than ours. Mass COVID-19 testing has been the battle cry from the start of the pandemic, but government consistently refused to listen. Because Omicron is highly contagious, the DOH should be able to test more. Is the department capable? Imagine a surge of hundreds of thousands of cases, imagine how our health system will cope. At present, hospital utilization is still low, but warning signs are all over. Our health system must not be overwhelmed again. We certainly do not want a repeat of what happened in 2020. We do not want more of our people to succumb to this virus and other serious illnesses that were neglected because all our resources were focused on COVID-19.

Our health system, is, to be kind, weak. The thing to do is to keep safe. Get vaccinated if you have not been. If you are fully inoculated, check if you can already get your booster shots. Get it the soonest you can. Vaccines remain to be the best protection against this virus. Get everyone in your household vaccinated, including the children, as soon as the DOH gives the go signal for this. Keep your masks on especially when you are with other people outside of your household members. Use appropriate masks. Double mask if you can. Cloth masks do not work as effectively as medical grade masks. You may use this on top a surgical mask. Masks should be properly worn, and the fit should be good. Avoid crowds. Continue practicing physical distancing. Avoid enclosed spaces, especially air-conditioned places. Good ventilation is necessary to prevent transmission as droplets in the air will move out and not stay stagnant. If you must meet people, it is better to do it in open spaces with masks on. Sanitize frequently. Carry your alcohol wherever you go. When at home, wash your hands properly and frequently. Really, these are not new ways of protecting ourselves. We just need to be vigilant in continuing these practices and not let our guard down. We should not be complacent. After two years of this pandemic, we now know that this virus is here to stay. We need to learn to live with it while keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe. We now know more and hopefully, what we know can help us navigate 2022 and beyond, better in terms of protecting ourselves from COVID-19. Make 2022 a safe year for everyone. Happy New Year and cheers to better years ahead! @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Bitcoin faces uncertain 2022 after record year THE price of bitcoin hit record highs in 2021 thanks to support from traditional finance, but cryptocurrency specialists are struggling to predict next year’s outcome for the volatile sector. Having more than trebled in value to $60,000 between December 2020 and April, bitcoin has lost some shine to trade at under $50,000 heading into the new year. “The current choppy and directionless price action with a possibility of further pressure to the downside has introduced a lot of uncertainty to the digital asset market,” noted Loukas Lagoudis, executive director at cryptocurrency investment fund ARK36. He added, however, that “sustained adoption of digital assets by institutional investors and their further integration into the legacy financial systems will be the main drivers of growth of the crypto space” during 2022. Bitcoin’s rise in 2021 coincided with Wall Street’s growing appetite for cryptocurrency. The record high in April occurred with the stock market debut of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase. October’s peak above $66,000 followed the launch of a bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund (ETF), or type of financial instrument, on the New York Stock Exchange. Tesla boss Elon Musk helped the market rise – and fall – with controversial tweets about cryptocurrencies. The move by El Salvador in September to make bitcoin a legal tender also made an impression. But pressure has come from China’s crackdown on the trading and mining of cryptocurrencies, while the risk of wider regulatory action, from the likes of Europe and the United States,

weighs on bitcoin. “There is no certainty in crypto, never mind regulation,” said Huong Hauduc, general counsel at digital assets exchange Bequant. “However, one thing is certain, the

Bitcoin is at risk of increased competition as it enters 2022, especially from its closest rival ethereum, according to some analysts. voices calling for crypto regulation, whether it be for tighter consumer protection or just clarity of the rules for institutions, are getting much louder.” Created following the 2008 global financial crisis, bitcoin initially promoted a libertarian ideal and aspired to overthrow traditional monetary and financial institutions such as central banks. In more recent times, climate change watchers have shone a spotlight on the huge amount of electricity used to power computers required to unearth new bitcoin tokens. Bitcoin is at risk of increased competition as it enters 2022, especially from its closest rival ethereum, according to some analysts. In November, Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey announced his departure from the social media platform, leaving him to concentrate on his digital payments firm as it looks to expand into cryptocurrency. For now, bitcoin remains the domi-

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EDITORIAL

Hope for the New Year

E GREET the New Year today with renewed concern over the climbing number of fresh cases of COVID-19, and with outrage at the irresponsible behavior of an individual, just arrived from the United States, who felt entitled to flout health protocol just because she could – and at the system that enabled the violation.

The woman, who thought going on quarantine was beneath her, went on to party; she ended up testing positive for COVID-19 and infecting at least a dozen other people. Before this, Filipinos had been enjoying a reprieve from COVID-19 with lower alert levels,

greater mobility, and increased economic and social activity. We had even started pilot testing faceto-face classes in our schools. All these happened even with the threat of the Omicron variant in other countries.

It’s not wishful thinking. The reprieve, it turned out, was just that. Now that the rush of the holidays are over, we go back to the real-life concerns of containing the spread anew of the virus, inoculating as many Filipinos as possible, while also ensuring that the economy does not suffer and that people do not lose their jobs and go hungry. This Herculean task falls on the shoulders of a government that will spend no longer than six months in power, and takes place at a time when we are entering a

high-stakes campaign period. We wish we could sound more optimistic and less guarded, but all we could utter at this point is that the quality of this new year will hinge largely on the decisions we make and act upon right now. For instance, if we want a sound response to the protracted crisis, we should make the effort to examine each candidate’s credentials, track record and proposed programs for a preview of how the government would perform under that leader. And if we want to keep the devastation by the new COVID variant to a minimum, we should take precautions, ourselves, instead of relying on the often-confusing guidelines that we are being given. Hope is always a good thing. But for hope to amount to anything, it should be accompanied by a plan and a resolution to ensure the greatest likelihood of attaining the thing that is hoped for. Otherwise, everything is just wishful thinking.

Black propaganda against BBM has backfired

MANY voters completely forgot that Filipinos tend to side with the underdog. Marami sa mga ang kababayan natin ay dihadista. It is not love for the defeatist but an inexplicable sympathy for one bound to lose. Filipinos have been branded as lovers of the underdog, and this tendency has gained the support often suspected to possess some kind of “agimat” or amulet. The belief is that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is bound to win, which his followers are jubilant for, despite the black propaganda and legal impediments to prevent him from winning. His supporters continue to swell. The latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia from December 1 to 5, 2021 defy the expectations of many. First, the hysterical support of the Catholic Church for their not-so-honest candidate now appears to be a rematch of the 2016 vice presidential race. Second, the Church refuses to brag about the alleged victory of Robredo because they know the fraud was in tandem with the US intelligence operatives to do the job. Third, the Church persists in testing their mettle that if they can again allow the cheating, that will extend their dominant control in this part of the globe. Fourth, the Church and its umbilical partner failed to realize the backlash caused by the electoral fraud they committed. The Iglesia ni Cristo, in particular, is bitter for it seems almost all their followers were wiped out by fraudulent cheating to ensure the victory of candidates of the Church in the 2016 election. Fifth, most decisive is the endorsement made by Filipino-Chinese who provide employment to millions of our people. This could serve as a tilting point and not the demagoguery induced by religious organizations. The persistence of the clerics has put at stake the future status of religion in this country. The bigoted Catholic Church can never compare the role of the first protestant candidate Jovito Salonga to BBM. Salonga himself was startled to discover that from a consistent number one in the senatorial slate, he garnered fewer votes than their much-discredited Imelda Marcos in the 1998 presidential race. Many could not believe his popularity would melt under the searing heat of people’s mandate. Given its implication, the fanatical support given to their mediocre candidate now portends a serious backlash against the image and integrity of the Church. The Church itself has become a pariah for acting as peddler

nant player. According to the specialized site CoinGecko, the cryptocurrency sector has a market value totaling $2.36 trillion, with bitcoin worth a combined $900 billion.

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

of lies for their not-so-honest candidate. The dishonesty mouthed by her takes a far deeper contour in moral decency that even the unbaptized barbarians could not stomach. Everybody knows it was a Catholic university that funded the reprinting of the libelous anti-Marcos book to cast doubt on the integrity of BBM. The theist believers hope that BBM’s followers could be persuaded to vote

It is not love for the defeatist but an inexplicable sympathy for one bound to lose. against him possibly after reading the book of lies following the belief that the sins of the father can be transmitted to the son like a sin of blasphemy that even clerics cannot absolve. The survey conducted by Pulse Asia for December 6 to 11, 2021 indicating a 33 percent margin for BBM gives the would-be cheater a fair warning that could push the country to the precipice of social upheaval. Both sides in the economic bracket, whether coming from the poorest of the poor where BBM obtained 49 percent to the well-off ABC Class where he obtained 53 percent support, is something many find hard to justify, even via algorithmic cheating. If BBM remains on top with an average of 10 to 15 percent margin in every region with an overall lead of 33 percent, it is likely to move upward for practically all the 18 regions that made him their first or second choice. The percentage increase in favor of BBM is likely to increase in his favor because of the high rating obtained by her vice-presidential running mate, Sara Duterte. Whoever is behind the production of this nasty black propaganda is completely obfuscated with an evil mind. There is nothing positive about it. The Filipino people can never be mistaken that behind this libelous and malicious propaganda is the Church and the US, notwithstanding that the corrupt mastermind of Smartmatic has gone into hiding in the US. There is also that criminal intent to include a certain Maria Aurora Busoy Marcos as presidential candidate in the 2022 election. The Comelec knows that this certain Busoy is a nuisance candidate and has already been declared unfit to run for office. Those who worked for her reentry are doing a preparatory job of defrauding the electorate this coming 2022 presidential election. The strategy of this not so-honest candidate and her handlers is not to directly defraud the winner but to create a situation that would subject the election to tedious legal litigation to

For analyst Frank Downing, “bitcoin’s reluctance to evolve its design” compared to the likes of ethereum, is in fact “a feature that provides the stability and consistency required to serve as a true global money.” AFP

give Robredo the opportunity to question the votes cast in favor of BBM or to insist it was in favor of their nuisance candidate. This is to mislead the unenlightened voters that by just writing the name Marcos that could spell altogether the votes in favor of Busoy. The formula is to divide into two the large edge of the 33 percent in favor of BBM. That would make it less burdensome for the not-so-honest candidate to reach the “reasonable margin to cheat.” This is based on the presumption that a sizable portion of voters would wrongly vote for Busoy. Thus, whoever allowed Busoy to run should be criminally prosecuted. It was the same Comelec that delisted her in the 2016 election. The Comelec cannot claim negligence because the object is to create havoc to an otherwise clean and honest electoral exercise. Such a situation favors lawyers to fix the problem they created. This would disallow the votes that favor BBM or count them in favor of Busoy, thus opening the election to massive fraud. This will greatly enhance the chance of this pretending-to-be-honest candidate to hurdle just half of the 33 percent margin because the Comelec maliciously and criminally included Busoy as a candidate. The opposition opted to discard their official color as if to drop their pro-imperialist and pro- theocratic ideology. Note that retired general Parlade was delisted by the Comelec to run as independent but was given a paradoxical reason to allow Busoy to run. Many suspect Parlade is now looked upon as a loose cannon. Imagine a rabid anti-communist fighter suddenly disqualified without considering he was the former head of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC). Remember General Palparan? It was the CPP-NPA that hounded him to jail and even opposed his pardon. Many are inclined to believe American ideological handlers want Parlade to change his tenor because the wily CIA operatives have firmed up efforts to keep their empire in Asia. Their not-so-honest candidate together with the yellow opposition want the funds of NTF-ELCAC scrapped and to declare all the front organizations of the CPP-NDF legal. These are telltale signs that Parlade smells treachery to our people. (rpkapunan@gmail.com)

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A difficult but blessed year

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor

Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022

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BUT PEDIATRIC COVID CASES NOT MORE SEVERE

More kids hospitalized amid Omicron N EW pediatric COVID hospitalizations have hit a record-high in the United States, as children are increasingly swept up in Omicron’s lightning spread.

While experts are concerned, and stress the need to step up vaccination among kids, early indications suggest that the new variant’s rate of severe dis-

ease could in fact be lower, and its extreme contagiousness is behind the rapid rise. The raw data might also be muddied by coincidental infections that aren’t the main cause of a hospital admission. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, almost 199,000 children were reported infected with COVID-19 in the week ending December 23, the last week for which data is currently available, and a 50 percent rise on figures earlier in the month.

The seven-day-average of COVID hospital admissions for people aged 0-17 was 378 in the week ending December 28, a 66.1 percent increase on the prior week and the highest ever figure, surpassing the previous peak seen during the Delta wave on September 1, per official data. The only other age group where hospitalizations have hit a new peak are 18-29-year-olds. The rates of severe illness remain however much lower in absolute terms compared to older age groups.

There have been 803 deaths of people aged 0-18 from Covid in the US, out of more than 820,000, since the pandemic began. Early research out of Hong Kong based on lab testing of tissue samples has shown Omicron replicates up to 70 times faster in the bronchi, the airways leading into the lungs, compared to Delta, which may help explain its extreme spread throughout the population. “I think at this point, it’s a numbers game,” Jim Versalovic, a pathologist

Hong Kong ban on ivory sale comes into force

Omicron now main variant in France OMICRON has become the main coronavirus strain in France where the number of infections has surged in the last few days, the country’s public health agency has said. “62.4 percent of tests showed a profile compatible with the Omicron variant” at the start of this week, compared to 15 percent the previous week, the agency said in its latest weekly survey. The Omicron variant’s advance was expected because it is highly contagious and has become dominant in other European countries including Britain and Portugal. The strain has contributed to the current flare-up in cases, which topped 200,000 in the 24-hour period from Wednesday to Thursday. French hospitals are now caring for 18,321 COVID-19 patients, including 1,922 new admissions between Wednesday and Thursday, with more than 3,500 people in intensive care. Faced with the wave of infections, the government announced Monday new curbs to make people work from home and imposed limits on the numbers attending public events. The virus has claimed 123,552 lives in France since it was detected in China in late 2019. Meanwhile, South Africa, where the Omicron variant was detected in November, said its latest coronavirus wave had likely passed its peak without a significant increase in deaths and that restrictions would be eased. “All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave,” the South African presidency said in a statement that announced the end of the nightly curfew. Infections dropped by almost 30 percent last week compared to the preceding seven days, according to the presidency, while hospital admissions also declined in eight of the nine provinces. AFP

India says China ‘inventing’ names in disputed region INDIA hit out at China for giving “invented” names to several places in a disputed Himalayan region on their border as Beijing looks to assert sovereignty over the territory. Several stretches of the lengthy frontier are disputed and relations have soured dramatically since 20 Indian soldiers died in a brawl in June 2020 on one section between Ladakh and Tibet. Since then, both sides have reinforced the region with thousands of extra soldiers and military hardware as multiple rounds of talks have failed to de-escalate tensions. This week the Ministry of Civil Affairs said it had “standardized” the names of 15 places in Zangnan (“South Tibet”) – Beijing’s title for the region India calls Arunachal Pradesh – and gave them all formal Chinese names. The renaming of residential areas, rivers and mountains followed a similar move in 2017 involving six other locations in the same area. “Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always be an integral part of India,” India’s foreign ministry said. “Assigning invented names to places in Arunachal Pradesh does not alter this fact,” spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in a statement. Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said “Southern Tibet is in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, and has historically been Chinese territory,” adding the renaming came within “the scope of China’s sovereignty.” AFP

and immunologist at Texas Children’s Hospital, the largest children’s hospital in the United States, told AFP. “Based on what we’ve gathered today, Omicron is not causing more severe infections, but is infecting many more children. And hence we are seeing more children hospitalized with COVID,” he added. If anything, there appears to be a greater proportion of mild pediatric cases linked to Omicron – which is similar to what has been seen in adults, he added. AFP

BEARER OF GOOD WISHES. A kitemaker prepares kites in his workshop ahead of the New Year celebrations on the outskirts of Amritsar on December 31, 2021. AFP

Germany closes nuclear reactors despite energy crisis GERMANY will shut down three nuclear power plants on Friday even as Europe faces one of its worst ever energy crises, following Angela Merkel’s timetable for phasing out atomic energy. With energy prices already on the rise and tensions higher than ever between Europe and key gas supplier Russia, the closure of the plants in Brokdorf, Grohnde and Gundremmingen could well tighten the squeeze. The move will halve remaining nuclear capacity in Germany and reduce energy output by around four gigawatts – equivalent to the power produced by 1,000 wind turbines. Protests over the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 prompted former chancellor Merkel to set the wheels in motion for abandoning nuclear power just over 10 years ago.

Germany is planning to completely wind down atomic energy by the end of 2022, when it will shut its final three plants in Neckarwestheim, Essenbach and Emsland. But with energy prices soaring across Europe, the timing of the plans coming to fruition could hardly be worse. Europe’s reference gas price, Dutch TTF, hit 187.78 euros per megawatt hour in December – 10 times higher than at the start of the year – and electricity prices are also soaring. The spike has been fueled by geopolitical tensions with Russia, which supplies one third of Europe’s gas. Western countries accuse Russia of limiting gas deliveries to put pressure on Europe amid tensions over the Ukraine conflict. Moscow also wants to push through

the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, set to ship still more Russian gas to Germany. The end of nuclear power in Germany will likely push prices up even further, according to Sebastian Herold, a professor of energy policy at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. “In the long term, the hope is that an increase in renewable energy will balance things out, but this will not be the case in the short term,” he told AFP. Until Germany can really ramp up renewables, it will remain dependent on fossil fuels to plug the gap left by the nuclear exit. “This will make Germany more dependent on natural gas overall, at least in the short term, and thus also a little more dependent on Russia,” Herold said. AFP

A BAN on selling most ivory products in Hong Kong came into effect Friday, the culmination of a three-year process to eliminate the once rampant trade in the city. Hong Kong lawmakers in 2018 backed a bill opting for a gradual phasing out of the trade – a move some conservationists at the time criticized as a loophole that could be exploited. The city has been accused of playing an oversized role in the industry, with one 2019 report by a local conservation group saying it accounted for around a fifth of all global ivory seizures in the last decade. On the eve of the ban, small queues of shoppers were spotted outside some stores selling the product in the city’s Sheung Wan district, according to local media reports. Friday’s new rules ban the “import, re-export, and commercial possession of elephant ivory”, but make an exception for antique pieces dating from before 1925. Offenders could face a maximum fine of HK$10 million ($1.3 million) and 10 years’ imprisonment. With its busy port and other transport links, Hong Kong had thrived as a major transit point for illegal trade in parts of endangered animals like elephants, rhinos and pangolins – most of it headed for consumers in mainland China. Hong Kong authorities in 2017 made their biggest ivory bust in three decades, with the haul of 7.2 tons of tusks valued at around $9 million. Authorities seized another 2.1 tons in 2019 – after the phasing-out process had begun. African ivory was a sought-after status symbol in China and used to fetch as much as $1,100 a kilogram ($500 a pound). China’s own ban on the ivory trade has been in force since 2018. AFP

US drops charges against guards on duty when Epstein killed self US PROSECUTORS on Thursday dismissed charges against two New York prison guards who admitted to falsifying records on the night the US financier Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide in his cell in 2019. The decision came a day after Epstein’s long-time associate British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of recruiting young girls to be sexually abused by him. Federal prosecutors signed a “nolle prosequi” to drop charges against former guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas after the two completed community service work as part of an earlier legal agreement. The New York prison warders had been indicted in November 2019, three months after Epstein’s death by hanging in his cell in August as he was awaiting trial for sex crimes. They were accused of not having made their rounds on the night of August 9 to 10, 2019, and of having remained in their office, surfing the Internet.

Noel and Thomas admitted to forging documents to make it appear that they had made their rounds that night. Epstein, a multimillionaire financier and member of the US and international jet set, was found dead at dawn on August 10. The autopsy concluded suicide by hanging, although his sudden death in custody fueled widespread controversy and conspiracy theories. Then-US attorney general William Barr denounced “serious” lapses in the allegedly secure prison where Epstein had been held since his arrest in July 2019 and prosecuted for sex crimes, in particular against young girls. On Wednesday, Epstein’s companion and accomplice Maxwell was found guilty by a Manhattan federal court of a series of crimes including trafficking in young girls between 1994 and 2004 for the benefit of Epstein. Maxwell, 60, faces decades in prison although a sentencing date has not yet been set. AFP

WARM WINTER DAY. A man

walks through the fog as mountains are seen in the background near the small village of Ehrwald, Austria, during a warm winter day with temperatures by plus five degrees on December 30, 2021. AFP

NEW YEAR, NEW HOPE. Rohingya refugees sit on a wooden boat after they were rescued by Indonesia’s Navy in the waters off Bireuen, upon their arrival to Krueng Geukueh port in Lhokseumawe, on the north coast of Aceh province on December 31, 2021. AFP

Vietnam jails fifth activist for social media posts A COURT in Vietnam on Friday handed a five-year jail term to an activist for social media posts criticizing the government. Former middle school teacher Le Trong Hung is the fifth activist to be imprisoned in the last two weeks by the communist state, which tolerates virtually no opposition to its rule. The 41-year-old campaigned as an independent for the country’s national assembly election in May, but was rejected as a candidate by the authorities. He was arrested in March and tried on Friday for “making, storing, distributing or propagating information and documents aimed at opposing the socialist republic of Vietnam.” According to lawyer Ha Huy Son, Hung was given a five-year jail term and a five-year probation order at a trial in Hanoi lasting just half a day. Past state media reports said Hung

had used social media to “publish writing or livestream the distortion and disparagement of the government.” Hung is known for participating in anti-China protests and voicing critical views on social and environment issues, as well as supporting other activists. Human Rights Watch called on Vietnam to release Hung “immediately and unconditionally.” “Imprisoning activists like Le Trong Hung who dare to run as independent candidates for parliament shows what a charade Vietnam’s elections are,” the organization’s deputy Asia director Phil Robertson in a statement. Vietnam’s hardline administration often moves swiftly to stifle dissent, jailing activists, journalists and any critic with a large audience on Facebook. AFP

News

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Robredo cites renewed hope for Pinoys in the coming year

GOING HOME.

Passengers flock to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Friday, December 31, 2021, to go back home to their respective provinces and welcome the new year. An overseas Filipino worker hugs her husband as she prepares to enter the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. A family waits for their scheduled flight on Friday bound for Palawan. Danny Pata

By Rio N. Araja VICE President and presidential bet Leni Robredo on Friday said the new year brings “renewed hopes, renewed chances, and renewed strength to face what lies ahead,” as she wished the Filipino people a “blessed and hopeful 2022.” “This is a time for renewed hopes, renewed chances, and renewed strength to face what lies ahead. This is also a time to look back at the year that passed, and the lesson that came along with it: That despite the many difficulties we faced, we pulled through because we joined hands and helped one another,” she said. She wished that every Filipino would choose the path of sharing “each other’s burdens and opening our hearts to the truth that all of our experiences and futures are connected and intertwined.” “We look forward to a brighter and more prosperous 2022 because we understand that there is strength to be drawn from each other and that this strength will always be enough to get us through any challenge that lies ahead,” she said. Robredo also said she sees a more prosperous year for Filipinos in 2022, as she noted that Filipinos have the strength that can be drawn from each other during difficult times Robredo’s running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan meanwhile has continued to serve the interests of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and the agriculture sector through his legislative work amid the challenges and difficulties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be recalled that at the height of the price increase of basic commodities in January, Pangilinan immediately called on the national government to strictly monitor the same to ensure that all Filipinos will be able to afford food for their families.

Isko to hotels: Strictly follow IATF rules MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has warned hotels to strictly follow quarantine protocols or face the consequences. Moreno said he will be forced to close down establishments that will violate quarantine protocols for a fee. He said it won’t matter if the person involved is rich or prominent. Moreno made the warning following reports that certain hotels offer absentee quarantine packages to Returning Filipino Overseas (RFOs) that came to light after a balikbayan dubbed “Poblacion Girl” went viral on social media. The woman went to Poblacion in Makati to party with friends when she is supposed to be undergoing quarantine. He also reminded his constituents not to do what “Poblacion Girl” did. “Plain and simple reminder, there are existing laws in the country that you can be held liable for criminally. I just want to remind you that you be held liable” he said. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III assured that the incident is already being investigated by the Bureau of Quarantine and other concerned government agencies, including the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police. “We will hold people to account for the breach in the protocols. These are clear violations of established protocols…Anybody who will be found guilty of breaching them, violating these rules and regulations will be made to account to the fullest extent of the law,” Duque vowed.

With Rey E. Requejo

PH govt places 6 countries in ‘red’ list effective Jan. 1 By Vito Barcelo

IX countries under the red list will be barred from entering the country effective January 1, 2022, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, in an advisory, said they will be implementing the latest resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on the new red, yellow, and green lists. Morente said the new listing will be in place starting the new year, up until January 15, 2022. Under the red list are Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Spain. Foreign nationals coming from red list countries, or who have a travel history there within the last 14 days preceding arrival, shall be barred entry and be sent back to their point of origin. Filipinos coming from red list countries, on the other hand, may be able

to return via government- or non-government-initiated repatriation ﬂights or bayanihan ﬂights. Also updated is the green list of countries including Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, China (Mainland), Cote d’ Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Fiji, The Gambia, Guinea, Hong Kong (Chinese Special Administrative Region), Indonesia, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Montserrat, Oman, Paraguay, Rwanda, Saba (Special Municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), Saint Barthelemy, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Taiwan, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Togo, Uganda, and United Arab Emirates.

All other countries, territories, or jurisdictions not mentioned are under the Yellow List. Only Filipinos, balikbayans, and foreign nationals with long-term visas coming from green and yellow list countries may be allowed entry to the Philippines. Following the latest resolution, tourists are still not allowed to enter the country,” he clariﬁed. Meanwhile, despite the travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 Omicron variant, Morente shared that things are looking better in the international travel sector. “While the numbers remain lower than pre-pandemic ﬁgures, international travelers both inbound and outbound doubled as compared to 2020,” said Morente, adding that “little by little, the travel industry is recovering, and hopefully we see continued progress until 2022.” The government meanwhile placed Pakistan under its yellow list. Pakistan was previously included in the green

Bongbong vows to uplift lives of Pinoys in 2022 By Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said his New Year’s resolution is to make sure that every Filipino will have a better life in 2022 and be “free from all the hardships that we experienced this past two years.” “I am hoping for a better life for each and every one of us. Free from the economic

burden, free to pursue our hopes and aspirations, free from the debilitating effects of the pandemic, and most of all free to choose our leaders who will usher us to the next chapter of our country’s history,” Marcos said in his message. The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standardbearer said that while the country is still reeling from the damages brought by Typhoon Odette “and barely scratching the surface of

VISITING MANILA ZOO. Families of construction workers roam around the newlyrenovated Manila Zoo after Manila Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso reopens the zoo on Thursday night. Norman Cruz

our potential after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic”, it is imperative that we think beyond these griefs and focus our minds and energy as we look forward to a better New Year.” He said he had laid out his plan for the country as he seeks the highest ofﬁce next year, but these plans would only be possible if he is given the mandate by the people he wishes to serve. “The New Year will usher us into a new beginning. A new dream, a new hope. But in the end, all of these can only come true if we stand as one. One nation, one people. In the end, our dreams of rebuilding our country will only come true if we have the same aspirations and the same beliefs,” Marcos said. Marcos meanwhile hails the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed yesterday Republic Act 11641, also known as An Act Creating the Department of Migrant Workers Marcos congratulated both Houses of Congress for helping Duterte fulﬁll his promise to take care of the Filipinos abroad and their families back home. He said “after four decades of overseas employment, our modern-day heroes will now have their own home in the bureaucracy.” Marcos also urged the government to ensure that a fully functioning DMW would be ready early next year for the expected increase in deployment of migrant workers abroad amid the tapering threat of COVID-19.

IN BRIEF DAR continues talks with farmers in Quezon THE Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon province has conducted continuous dialogues with farmer-beneficiaries in Bondoc Peninsula. Cornelio Villapando, Quezon provincial agrarian reform program officer II, held a dialogue with agrarian reform beneficiaries and other farmers from Catanauan, Mulanay, San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, and Buenavista – all in District 3, Bondoc Peninsula of Quezon to practice constant communication between DAR and the farmers as well as the other stakeholders. The dialogue was organized with the Katarungan/Rights Inc., a non-government organization, held in Barangay Villa Reyes in San Narciso. “We will bring the public service closer to the farmers and we will make it a continuous relationship between the farmers and the government agencies. We must think and work together as promoters of land reform and social justice for rural development and prosperity of the people,” Villapando said. Rio N. Araja

Taguig City offers booster shots to non-residents THE Taguig City government continues its rollout for booster shots for all workers or employees even if they are not residents of the city. Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano said to avail of the booster shots, employers must prepare a master list and an attestation of the accuracy and correctness of all declarations made, to be signed by an authorized representative of the business or company. He added the focal person will be the one to coordinate with the Vaccination Task Force and send the master list to covidvaccine@taguiginfo.com and vaccinetaskforce@ilovetaguig.ph with the subject: Company Name – Booster. The worker must bring a valid ID, Trace QR, and proof of vaccination (Vaccine Card or Vaccine Certiﬁcate from VaxCertPh). Joel Zurbano

Lacson: Let’s fight ‘thieves’ in government PARTIDO Reporma chairman and standardbearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson vowed Friday to put an end to “thieves” in 2022 once he is voted into office. In a short New Year’s message on video, Lacson embodied his crime-fighting persona when he declared: “Ang dami pa ring magnanakaw—sa kanto, sa negosyo, sa gobyerno. Sa 2022, kung magtutulongtulong tayo, ang pagnanakaw, tapos. Ang magnanakaw, ubos.” [There are still so many thieves —on the street, in business, and in the government. In 2022, if we help each other, we will end thievery. We will wipe out the thieves.] The longtime public servant wasn’t merely referring to petty criminals who prey on people on street corners, but to unscrupulous businessmen who evade taxes or smuggle goods—and to corrupt government officials who continue to raid the national coffers and make life difficult for Filipinos. In a tweet on his @iampinglacson account, he explained: “I have practically spent my 50 years in public service chasing thieves both in the streets and in the government. There’s not much difference. They are all thieves, period. If it is my fate to catch more, with much authority and power, I will not stop until they’re finished.” In the Senate, he and his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, recently pointed the spotlight on agricultural smuggling, which not only denies the government billions in tax income but also depresses local prices of fruits and vegetables (thus cutting into local vendors’ profits) and deprives local farmers full earnings for all their hard work. This is apart from his past advocacies on the pork barrel, his exposure of the “tara” (payoff) system at the Bureau of Customs, and his detailing of the conflict of interest between the Department of Health and the state run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which he said was spending beyond its means while its higher-ups “seem to turn a blind eye” to the corruption in their system. Macon Ramos-Araneta

More LGUs resisting ‘reds’, task force says THE ﬁnal chapter of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army - National Democratic Front’s (CPP-NPA-NDF) reign of terror has now been written as more local government units (LGUs) have joined this administration in condemning the atrocities of these lawless groups, while declaring them persona non grata in their respective localities. At the weekly virtual press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conﬂict (NTF-ELCAC), Interior and Local Government assistant director Rene Valera revealed that 74 of the country’s 81 provinces already passed resolutions condemning the atrocities of the

Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) and declared them as persona non grata. Valera continued that the other LGUs who have echoed their support to the Whole of Nation Approach of the NTF-ELCAC and declared the CTGs as persona non grata are 26,353 barangays (villages), 1,436 municipalities, and 110 cities across the country. The NTF-ELCAC Representative from the Local Government Empowerment Cluster, Basic Services Cluster, and Local Peace Engagement Cluster and Barangay Development Program (BDP) also said the LGUs in the 74 provinces were also given orientations on how to process the BDP, which is intended for 1,406 barangays for 2022.

Valera added that 1,403 barangays have also undergone barangay development planning for these communities to choose their priority projects funded by the BDP. “Convergence initiatives like pulongpulong with local ELCAC task force, local peacebuilders dialogue,” Valera said were also conducted to improve the lives of the residents of the barangays “without” the CPP-NPA-NDF. On the other hand, Navy Capt. Ferdinand Buscato, Executive Director of the Task Force Balik Loob of NTF-ELCAC reported that a total of 20,579 former rebels (FRs) have already surrendered and are now living a normal life with full support from the government.

BANG OR BLAST. A vendor displays various plastic horns to get the attention of buyers in Bocaue, Bulacan. The Department of Health urged the public not to use illegal firecrackers and instead use “torotot” or horn to be safe. Cavite police provincial director P/Col Arnold Abad led the disposal of confiscated firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices confiscated in various towns and cities Cavite. The confiscated firecrackers were disposed at the Camp Pantaleon Garcia in Imus on Friday. Manny Palmero and Jr Josue

Business PSEi December 31, 2021

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 APX 1.61 0.16 11.03% 2 AB 6.05 0.45 8.04% 3 BCOR 7 0.6 9.37% 4 CLI 3 0.22 7.91% 5 FJP 2.6 0.22 9.24% 6 JOH 5.45 0.56 11.45% 7 MVC 4.28 0.48 12.63% 8 MA 0.011 0.0011 11.11% 9 PRC 7.8 2.05 35.65% 10 SLF 2788 288 11.52%

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 MAB 0.01 -0.001 -9.09% 2 OPMB 0.011 -0.001 -8.33% 3 CAB 55 -5 -8.33% 4 MB 0.415 -0.03 -6.74%

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market tumbles in last trading day of the year By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE stock market slumped Friday in the last trading of the year as a spike in daily COVID-19 cases sent investors scampering for safety.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index tumbled 33.90, while 211.93 points, or 2.9 percent, to 7,122.63 on a value turnover of P5.4 billion. Losers beat gainers, 111 to 73, with 49 issues unchanged. The bellwether PSEi closed the year nearly flat at 7,122.63, down 17.08 points or 0.2 percent from the 2020 close of 7,139.71, as hopes of economic recovery was hampered by the persistent threat of COVID-19. The All Shares index shed 10.6 per-

cent year to date after ending the year at 3,818.12 points. SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group fell 4.5 percent to P33.90, while parent SM Investments Corp. declined 2.9 percent to P943. BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, sank 5 percent to P120.70. PLDT Inc, the biggest telecommunications firm, dropped 3.1 percent to P1,812, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group lost 2.7 percent to P540. The county logged 1,623 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the highest since November 21, 2021. The positivity rate also jumped to 6.6 percent, the highest daily rate since October 31, 2021, due to increased mobility during this holiday season. The daily average value turnover for the year stood at P9 billion, up 22.5 percent from a year ago. Foreign investors were net sellers by P2.32 billion, narrower than last year’s P128.57 billion. Foreign investors ac-

counted for 36.1 percent of the trading value turnover. The robust capital raising activities in the stock market this year, meanwhile, made investors active. Eight companies conducted initial pubic offerings this year while 11 had follow-on offerings. Four firms also conduced stock rights offerings while seven had private placements. A 31-percent surge in retail investor participation was logged from 18.2 percent in 2019 and 26.9 percent in 2020. “The active participation of local retail investors will likely continue to next year especially as we expect the upcoming IPOs to attract new investors. While this is a much welcome development, we also hope to see the gradual return of foreign funds to the Philippine stock market,” said PSE president and chief executive officer Ramon Monzon. PSE will open 2022 with the back-toback IPOs of Haus Talk Inc. and Figaro Coffee Group Inc. With AFP

5 ECP 4.2 -0.3 -6.67% 6 AEV 54.45 -3.85 -6.60% 7 APC 0.22 -0.015 -6.38% 8 SGI 1.08 -0.07 -6.09% 9 DMPA1 9.4 -0.6 -6.00% 10 MEG 3.15 -0.18 -5.41%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME

VALUE (PHP)

1 ALI 2 TEL

9,961,600 357,753,675 184,670 338,516,645

3 BDO

2,103,610 259,715,280

4 MBT

4,646,300 256,559,022

5 ICT 6 SM

1,290,250 255,823,657 245,380 231,930,260

7 GTCAP 419,700 229,121,155 8 SMPH 6,543,800 223,440,530 9 MONDE 13,375,400 213,453,092 10 RLC 9,284,700 176,736,608

BUSINESS AS USUAL. A customer reaches for a display item at a street stall at Namdaemun market in Seoul on December 30, 2021. AFP

Foreign businesses worry as China food import law kicks in By Sebastien Ricci with Pascale Mollard BEIJING, China—Getting wine, chocolate, and coffee into China could get even harder from Saturday, with new import restrictions adding fresh hurdles for foreign companies bringing products into the world’s largest market for food and drink. Chinese consumers bought $108 billion worth of imported produce in 2020, with that number set to grow for 2021 as imports jumped nearly 30 percent year on year in the first three quarters. But under laws set to kick in on January 1, all producers of food shipped to China will have to register with the customs authority—yet another barrier for international companies that have long complained of being unfairly penalized. The extra hurdle was previously required only for products posing potential health risks, such as seafood. But now coffee, alcohol, honey, olive oil, chocolate and several other products will also be scrutinized. On New Year’s Day, “the import curtain will fall,” Alban Renaud, a China-based lawyer with the firm Adaltys, told AFP. But he said there were still many unknowns: “Will there be a margin of tolerance? What

This file photo taken on May 17, 2021 shows a cargo ship loaded with containers leaving a port in Haikou in China’s southern Hainan province. New legislation in China over imported food products is piling pressure on foreign companies already battered by restrictive COVID rules over bringing products into the country. AFP

about the applications that are in progress but not approved? What about those who applied too late?” One businessman involved in imports told AFP: “You need (certification) otherwise the goods will arrive at ports and you’ll have to pay penalties.” Companies without the right paperwork will face border hold-ups, he warned. Importers have complained that the new application details were published late and the website for registering only went online last month, adding that they faced frustrating hurdles trying to register, such as information not being available in English. Some companies were even given the wrong country code, a Beijing-based diplomat told AFP—such as a Portuguese importer being registered as Spanish. ‘Still waiting’ Food companies and importers have already been battered by control measures included in Beijing’s strict zero-COVID strategy, with China linking the virus to food ever since a Beijing outbreak last year was blamed on imported salmon. Products entering China are now subject to extra screening and repeated disinfection, with products often banned when a COVID

outbreak is discovered at the point of packing overseas. The World Health Organization has said the chances of COVID-19 being transported in food are slim. Just days before the new requirements come into effect, “many companies are still waiting to obtain their authorization,” the EU Chamber of Commerce in Beijing said. It “urged the Chinese authorities to provide approvals in a timely manner... to enable all qualified companies to make a smooth transition without suffering any disruptions to their food imports.” The European Union has formally requested that Beijing postpone the measure by 18 months, but without success. Unless the problems are smoothed out soon, China’s stream of imported food could feel the crunch a month down the line, the Beijing-based diplomat told AFP. China’s customs department did not respond to AFP’s request for comment. “The first products to arrive in China from exporting countries on January 1 will come from Korea and Japan,” another diplomat noted. “So it will be our friends who will have the privilege of testing the thickness of the wall.” AFP

Manila

Standard

Ikea to hike prices by 9% due to supply chain woes STOCKHOLM, Sweden—Ikea will hike its prices by an average of nine percent next year due to ongoing supply and transportation disruptions, the company that operates most of the Swedish furniture giant’s stores said. Thursday’s announcement comes as pandemic-fueled shortages and shipping challenges ramp up inflation and pinch economies globally, with consumers increasingly feeling the bite. “Like many other industries, IKEA continues to face significant transport and raw material constraints driving up costs, with no anticipated break in the foreseeable future,” Ingka Group, the holding company that owns 90 percent of Ikea’s stores, said in a statement. These higher costs—which are mostly being felt in North America and Europe—will now have to be passed on to customers, it added. “The average of the increase in Ingka Group is around 9% globally, with variations across Ingka Group countries and the range, reflecting localized inflationary pressures, including commodity and supply chain issues,” Ingka group said. According to the company, Ikea franchisor Inter Ikea Group absorbed costs amounting to 250 million euros ($283 million) across 2021 due to these logistical tensions, which were exacerbated by the rebound in demand after the first phase of the pandemic. Last month, Inter Ikea group reported a 17-percent drop in annual profits, attributing the dent to a steep increase in transport and raw material prices. Container transport prices are at record levels following the outbreak of the pandemic, which has disrupted maritime logistics. At the same time, the franchisor behind the world’s largest furniture seller reported higher sales for the year at 25.6 billion euros, up eight percent. But a global spike in energy prices, supply chain snags and surging demand has prompted runaway inflation. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Department of Finance TODAY SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, 1307 MARKETS AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT

IN THE MATTER OF

: : CENTURY PROPERTIES GROUP, INC. : (Registrant) : : : x------------------------------------------------------x

REGISTRATION OF DEBT SECURITIES (Shelf Registration)

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on December 17, 20211, a sworn statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of CENTURY PROPERTIES GROUP INC. (“Corporation”) for the Shelf Registration in the Philippines of Debt Securities in the aggregate principal amount of PhP6,000,000,000.00 to be offered within a period of 3 years or such period as the Securities and Exchange Commission may allow at an Issue Price of 100% of Face Value. The First Tranche of the Fixed Rate Retail Bonds is ₱2,000,000,000 with an Oversubscription Option of up to ₱1,000,000,000 5-Year Fixed Rate Retail Bonds due 2027 at an issue price of 100% of Face Value to be listed and traded through the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. According to the documents presented, the following persons are the directors and officers of the Corporation: Name of Director Amb. Jose E.B. Antonio John Victor R. Antonio Jose Marco R. Antonio Jose Carlo R. Antonio Hilda R. Antonio Ricardo Cuerva Rafael G. Yaptinchay Amb. Jose L. Cuisa, Jr. Stephen T. CuUnjieng Carlos C. Ejercito Aileen Christel U. Ongkauko David L. Almirol, Jr. Atty. Danny E. Bunyi Carlos Benedict K. Rivilla, IV Ponciano S. Carreon Julienne Cruz Atty. Isabelita Ching Sales Ritchelle T. Cordero

Position Executive Chairman Vice Chairman President and CEO Managing Director Managing Director Managing Director Managing Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Corporate Secretary Assistant Corporate Secretary Chief Financial Officer/ Corporate Treasuer and Investor Relations Head Group Head for Corporate Communications Group Head for Legal Services and Corporate Affairs, Chief Information Officer and Compliance Officer Group Head for Human Resources and Administration

In order to implement necessary health protocols consistent with the directives and guidelines of the relevant government agencies, the Commission hereby suspends, until further notice the physical inspection of the RS and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively referred to as “Documents”) as well as the provision of physical copies thereof to interested parties. In lieu thereof, the Commission has adopted an alternative mode of viewing and/or downloading the said Documents and any subsequent amendments thereto by enabling interested parties to access the same through the MSRD corner of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov.ph) or the Company’s website (http:// www.century-properties.com.).

signed VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director 1

The filing was paid on December 20, 2021 (MS-DEC. 25 2021 & JAN. 1, 2022)

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022

Business

LAST TRADING DAY.

Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. registers a new record for capital raised in the stock market at P234.48 billion in 2021, breaking the previous high of P228.33 billion in 2012, on the back of the biggest initial public offering in the history of the exchange and REIT listings. The PSE index closed at 7,122.63 points on the last trading day of the year, down 0.2 percent from the previous year. Joining the year-end closing ceremony of the stock market are (from left, by row) PSE finance division head Roberto Jose Jimenez and Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines chief operating officer Renee Rubio; PSE technology division head Philip Driz, PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran, PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon, PSE Capital Markets Division head Mark Frederick Visda and PSE Market Operations Division head Roel Villanueva.

AL Holdings Inc., the operator of Philippine Airlines, said Friday it filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise its capital to P30 billion from P13.5 billion to allow additional capital infusion by the Lucio Tan Group.

“The purpose of the proposed increase of authorized capital of the Issuer is to accommodate the fresh infusion of capital into the company by an affiliate company of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies,” PHI said. “The new capital will in turn be in-

vested into issuer’s subsidiary, Philippine Airlines, pursuant to the court-supervised reorganization of PAL,” it said. PHI said the business and operations of the issuer would not be affected by the proposed amendment of its article of incorporation. “Only the capital structure of the issuer will change to reflect the fresh infusion of cash into the company. The new shares in support of the increase of capital will be issued at a premium over par,” it said. The US Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York earlier approved the reorganization plan of PAL after receiving creditor support throughout the process. The consensual plan was accepted by 100 percent of the votes cast, which were from PAL’s primary aircraft lessors and lenders, original equipment manufacturers and maintenance, repair

and overhaul service providers and certain funded debt lenders. The plan provides for over $2 billion in permanent balance sheet reductions from creditors, allows PAL to consensually contract fleet capacity by 25 percent, improves PAL’s critical operational agreements and includes $505-million investment in long-term equity and debt financing from PAL’s majority shareholder. The effective date of the plan was expected to occur before the end of 2021. PAL continues to operate flights to 32 international and 29 domestic destinations from its hubs in Manila, Cebu and Davao. The flag carrier expects to restore more routes and increase flight frequencies as travel restrictions ease and borders reopen. Following implementation of the plan, PAL said it would be better positioned

to capture travel demand and serve the needs of global citizens, actively contributing to the Philippine economy. PHI reported comprehensive loss of P27.19 billion from January to September 2021, down 6.3 percent from P29.03-billion loss it incurred in the same period last year. Consolidated revenues fell 29 percent to P32.16 billion from P45.29 billion last year on the impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic that started in mid-March of 2020. Passenger revenue amounted to P21.76 billion in the nine-month period, lower from the previous year’s P35.55 billion while cargo revenue climbed 47 percent to P8.9 billion from P6.05 billion. Consolidated operating expenses fell 36.7 percent to P42.75 billion from P67.52 billion on the significant reduction in the number of flights operated.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

PNOC sells banked Malampaya gas to undisclosed parties

Friday, December 31, 2021

-211.93 PTS. 7,122.63

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

623,430,439 52,851

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) 5,384,074,574.05 ADVANCES 73 DECLINES 111 UNCHANGED 49

F oreign E xchange R ate

By Alena Mae S. Flores STATE-RUN Philippine National Oil Co. said Friday it delivered a part of the Malampaya banked gas to undisclosed buyers on Dec. 26. Banked gas refers to the accumulated unused gas of the Ilijan natural gas power plant as a result of the underutilization of the plant’s take or pay quantity from 2002 to 2007. PNOC officer-in-charge president and chief executive Graciela Barleta confirmed the company sold a part of the banked gas to the new buyers but did not provide details due to confidentiality agreements. She said PNOC would use proceeds from the sale to finance the company’s projects. PNOC and the buyers signed and executed the gas purchase agreement on Dec. 24. Prior to the consummation of the sale this year with another buyer, the remaining volume of banked gas was equivalent to 101.28 petajoules. “PNOC is in negotiation with other interested buyers of the remaining banked gas. We are hopeful that delivery of banked gas to the new buyers will resume before this year ends,” Barleta said earlier. PNOC signed a memorandum of understanding in June with Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. for the latter’s planned acquisition of the Malampaya banked gas. Meanwhile, Barleta said the company would continue with the company’s projects in 2022 such as the development of vital energy infrastructure, particularly the development and rehabilitation of the Energy Supply Base. “PNOC will also continue to pursue its commitment to provide energy infrastructure through the completion of the detailed feasibility study, environmental impact assessment and detailed engineering design for the Energy Supply Base Master Development Plan,” she said. The PNOC official said the company would continue with energy resource development projects such as the national strategic petroleum reserve project as mandated by the Department of Energy through Department Circular No. DC2021-09-0028, including the development of a storage depot, terminal and distribution system for crude oil and petroleum products.

Hot money posts $110-m net inflows

FOREIGN portfolio investments or hot money yielded net inflows of $110 million in November, resulting from $1.3 billion in gross inflows and $1.2 billion in gross outflows, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show. The net inflows in November represented a reversal from the net outflows of $221 million registered in October 2021. Majority of investments registered, or 94.1 percent, were in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities, while the remaining 5.9 percent went to investments in peso government securities. Hot money transactions from Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, 2021 yielded net outflows of $570 million, lower than the $3.7-billion net outflows noted in the same period in 2020. Foreign portfolio investments are also called “hot money” because of the ease they are invested in and taken out of the domestic financial markets. Julito G. Rada

NGCP energizes Bohol transmission facilities

Tan to infuse additional capital in PAL By Darwin G. Amojelar

IN BRIEF

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021

ABOITIZ RELIEF PACKS. Despite logistical challenges, the Aboitiz Group,

through social development arm Aboitiz Foundation Inc., flies in a thousand relief packs to Cebu from Manila with the help of the Philippine Akr Force Civil Military Operations Group for immediate distribution. As of Dec. 29, the foundation has allocated more than P15 million for the distribution of relief goods, including food packs, rice, water and other in-kind donations to the affected communities in Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, Agusan Sur and Bukidnon.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.7740

Japan

Yen

0.008691

0.4413

Pound

1.349800

68.5347

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128217

6.5101

Switzerland

Franc

1.094811

55.5879

Canada

Dollar

0.784929

39.8540

Singapore

Dollar

0.739645

37.5547

Australia

Dollar

0.724900

36.8061

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

134.6898

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266397

13.5260

Brunei

Dollar

0.736920

37.4164

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029949

1.5206

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.8251

Euro

1.132700

57.5117

Korea

Won

0.000841

0.0427

China

Yuan

0.156910

7.9669

India

Rupee

0.013441

0.6825

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239521

12.1614

New Zealand

Dollar

0.682900

34.6736

Taiwan

Dollar

0.036072

1.8315 Source: BSP

BSP: Economy resilient in 2021 despite prolonged health crisis By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Friday the country remained resilient in 2021 despite the prolonged global health crisis as he urged everyone to be vigilant so that the gains from the COVID-19 battle will not go to waste. Diokno said in a yearend message titled “The Past, The Present and The Future” the world made substantial progress in battling the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic forecast turned positive. “In the Philippines, we saw solid

recovery indicators. The economy expanded by 12.0 percent in the second quarter, ending the pandemic-driven recession. This was followed by 7.1-percent growth in the third quarter, prompting government to raise its growth assumption for the year to 5.0 percent to 5.5 percent,” he said. Diokno also cited the restoration of jobs, the decline in unemployment rate to 7.4 percent in October from the peak of 17.6 percent in April 2020, the rebound in manufacturing and the recovery in trade from last year’s contraction, as global demand increased and as local manufacturers anticipated rising consumption.

“The Philippines has gotten better at containing the virus, although we must all remain vigilant as new variants are discovered. The government’s viruscontainment strategy has shifted from wide-area to more targeted granular lockdowns,” he said. Looking forward to 2022 and beyond, he said the BSP was working incessantly toward a better-than-ever Philippine economy. “The goal is not to simply regain what was lost. Besides robust growth, we are gearing up for a post-COVID economy that is more technologically advanced, more inclusive, and more sustainable than ever before,” he said.

TRANSMISSION operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Friday it energized the Ubay-Alicia-Garcia 69kV line serving parts of Bohol Electric Cooperative. It said Power Barge 104 is available to supply power through NGCP’s transmission facilities, but the plant was put on shutdown at 6:56 p.m. due to low actual load. “Their current power consumption is insufficient to support the stable operation of PB 104,” NGCP said. Bohol is one of the hardest hit areas of typhoon Odette, and the Department of Energy and other energy stakeholders were working double time to restore electricity in the area. NGCP is also working on the partial restoration of transmission services to Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative. It is also looking at partial restoration of transmission services to Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative. Alena Mae S. Flores

LNG Terminal gets clearance from DOE

THE Department of Energy approved the application of Linseed Field Power Corp. to construct, expand, rehabilitate and modify its integrated liquefied natural gas import terminal in Barangay Ilijan, Batangas City. Sources said the application was approved by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi who is promoting the development of the LNG industry. The department previously approved the transfer of the project application from Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila Inc. to Linseed. AG&P will concentrate on being the project contractor. Documents submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that Linseed’s LNG terminal project would cost about P14.6 billion and would be completed by June 2022. The proposed project is adjacent to the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan combined cycle power plant. Alena Mae S. Flores

RCBC unveils plan to issue P3-b worth of fixed-rate bonds RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., a member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, said Friday it plans to issue at least P3-billion worth of conventional or sustainability fixed-rate bonds to support asset growth and general funding purposes. “Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. is looking to issue at least P3-billion fixed-rate bonds under a P100-billion bond program approved by the board on July 29, 2019. The bank intends to use the proceeds to support asset growth and re-finance maturing liabilities, as well as supplement other general funding purposes,” it said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. RCBC did not give the terms and timetable of the planned bond issuance. “The terms and timing of the proposed bonds transaction will be determined subject to the bank’s requirements and prevailing market conditions,” it said. RCBC is one of the largest banks in the country and remained resilient despite the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. RCBC posted an unaudited consolidated net income of P5.3 billion in the first three quarters of 2021, up 33 percent from a year ago on the strength of its core businesses. The bank’s business momentum continued to accelerate with strong double-digit growth of 13 percent in customer loans and 30 percent in low-cost CASA deposits, both metrics performing better than the industry. Investment securities jumped 2.9 times, and fee income increased by 39 percent, reflecting stable recovery in investments and retail transactions. RCBC saw significant expansion in its loan book across segments, led by the corporate loan portfolio growing by 17 percent and the SME portfolio by 18 percent. Julito G. Rada

Agriculture counselor asks Filipino food exporters to comply with China’s new rules By Othel V. Campos FILIPINO food exporters were told to comply with China’s new registration requirements that take effect on Jan. 1, 2022 to sustain smooth and hitch-free trading with the world‘s biggest consumer market. Agriculture counselor to the Embassy of the Philippines in Beijing Ana Abejuela said the General Administration of Customs of China issued on April 13, 2021 Decree 248 stipulates the regulations on

the registration and administration of overseas producers of imported food. The decree expanded the scope of registration to include all food manufacturers, processors and storage facilities, while product scope includes all food products except food additives and foodrelated products. Abejuela said the registration is done through the exporting country’s authority and self-registration. “What would be the implication if we

cannot comply with the requirements of [Decree] 248? I think it’s simple: no registration, then no trade. That is why, this is very, very important,” she said. Abejuela said product categories for registration include meat and meat products, casings, aquatic products, dairy products, bird nest and bird nest products, bee products, egg and egg products, edible oils and fats, stuffed pastry products, edible grains, milled grain industry products and malt, fresh and dehydrated veg-

etables and dried beans, condiments, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, unroasted coffee and cacao beans, foods for special dairy purposes and food supplements. The new regulation modifies and expands the conditions and procedures for registration as stated in Chapter II of the regulation. This includes the additional requirement that the food safety management system of the exporting country passed GACC’s equivalence assessment or review.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022

Embiid fuels 76ers past Durant’s Nets, 110 to 102 Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers prepares to shoot a free throw as Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center in New York City. AFP

Team Lakay’s Pacio to new challengers in ‘22: Bring it on O

NE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio closed a massive chapter in his young career this year when he stopped Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta for the second straight time to end their trilogy.

But he knows that there are more significant challenges ahead in 2022, especially in keeping his position as the best strawweight on the planet. Waiting for the wushu specialist is a murderer’s row of contenders led by #1-ranked Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane, #3-ranked Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks, and #4-ranked Hiroba Minowa. While all three present legitimate threats to his reign, Pacio isn’t too worried about them. “All of them are dangerous. Since I’m on the top of the food chain, I know all

Zverev eyes big season after breakout ‘21 campaign SYDNEY—Alexander Zverev had the best season of his career in 2021 and the world number three said Friday he plans to do even better in the coming year, starting at the ATP Cup. The German ace captured his second ATP Finals title in November, producing a brilliant performance to defeat world number two Daniil Medvedev, adding to the Olympic gold medal he won in Tokyo. That trophy in Turin was his sixth of the year and he is keen to carry the momentum forward, starting with a tough openAlexander Zverev ing clash of 2022 on Sunday against Britain’s 12th ranked Cameron Norrie at the ATP Cup in Sydney. “It is a great challenge. I will know exactly where I am at after the first few matches,” he said ahead of the 16-team event, which starts on Saturday. Zverev also won the ATP Finals title in 2018, only to have a poor 2019. But he said he had grown as a player and person since then and expects it to be a springboard for an even better season this time around. “I was a lot younger. I was 21 years old going into the 2019 season. It was my first very big title at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2018,” said Zverev. “I do feel I’m a little bit of a different player but also I’m a different person, I think. I’ve had a lot more experience on the court, I had a lot more experience outside the court. “I know how to handle maybe the media a little bit better. I know how to handle pressure maybe a tiny bit better, as well.” AFP

those guys you mentioned are working hard to beat me, but I’ve also kept an eye on them,” the world champion with a 20-3 mixed martial arts record said. “We’ve been reviewing their styles. We’ve been watching them, and all I can say is we’re ready for whoever is next.” The 25-year-old revealed that he has already done his homework on the three by scouting weaknesses he can exploit and dissecting their perceived advantages. It also helps that Team Lakay already broke down Brooks’ and Minowa’s game during their fights with Pacio’s teammate, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang.

Joshua Pacio

The volume of information at hand makes him prepared regardless of who he faces next.

“You guys know me. I don’t nitpick opponents. I don’t like saying who I want to face next,” the world champion with eight finishes in ONE said. “As I’ve said earlier, I’ve been reviewing all the fights of the top five [contenders] and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to be ready. Whoever it is, I’ll be ready.” When that time comes, the fighting pride of Baguio City hopes to showcase his new and improved skills in offensive grappling. With a 72.7 percent finish rate, the strawweight king plans to combine his devastating striking with more aggression in takedowns and submissions. “We’ve been working on it since the [COVID-19] pandemic [began]. We’ve been working on the confidence in the execution, especially against good grapplers,” Pacio said. “I can’t always say, ‘Oh, I’m facing a good grappler. I have to work on my defense.”

LOS ANGELES—Joel Embiid scored 34 points and Tyrese Maxey added 25 as the Philadelphia 76ers spoiled Kevin Durant’s return from the NBA’s Covid list with a 110-102 victory over the Nets in Brooklyn on Thursday. Durant, who hadn’t played since December 16 as the Nets grappled with a Covid spike that eventually saw three of their games postponed, picked up where he left off with 33 points. James Harden added a triple-double of 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. But it wasn’t enough for the Eastern Conference-leading Nets against a Sixers team that played without coach Doc Rivers on the sideline because of coronavirus concerns. Teams across the league were coping with Covid as the Omicron variant fueled a surge around the United States. The NBA cancelled Thursday’s clash between the Western Conference-leading Golden State Warriors and Denver because the Nuggets, hit by Covid and injuries, couldn’t field the requisite eight players. That decision sparked a sharp response from Warriors star Draymond Green, who would have been absent himself because of Covid. Green took issue with the 11th postponement of the season, saying cancelling games piecemeal as the league presses ahead with its season was unfair. “How do you continue to cancel games when you’ve implemented rules to prevent this from happening?” Green said on Twitter. “Is that not a competitive advantage for other teams? “The guys we didn’t have due to the protocol list played no role in Tuesdays loss? Pick a side but don’t straddle the fence.” Green was among the Warriors absentees when Golden State came up short in an 89-86 loss to the Nuggets in San Francisco on Tuesday. Now, he said, a rescheduled game will likely add a back-to-back to the Warriors schedule and let the Nuggets play the Western Conference co-leaders “at full strength ... But they got to sneak a win when we weren’t at full strength, only two days ago??? “Let’s make it make some sense here.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver has insisted he sees no reason to pause the season. And in a bid to keep teams on track the league has made it easier for teams to call up players on short-term contracts from the developmental league and reduced the number of days that vaccinated, asymptomatic players must isolate after a positive test. But the sheer number of cases means some teams have still been caught out as Covid combines with mid-season injuries to sideline players. AFP

Manglibo brothers dominate CTW Tennis Festival

BOOK LAUNCHING. Sportsman -businessman Alex Wang (2nd from left) recently launched his book "Basketball, Beyond Passion" chronicling the past 25 years of his Wang's Ballclub. Manila Standard columnist Lito Cinco (3rd from left) headed the book project team, in collaboration with Wang. Launching was held at the PuNta Resto Bar in Mandaluyong with owners Paolo Bediones (left) and wife Lara (right) hosting the event. All the proceeds from the book sales will be donated to Typhoon Odette victims.

ABRA—Brothers Paul Yannie Manglibo and Cyrus Manglibo II paired with different partners to dominate the recent CTW Philta Community Tennis Festival here at the Lawn Tennis Club Of Bangued. Paul and Alessandra Bayquen turned back Jeremy Florentino and Cedric Nipas, 4-2, to bag the 16-under mixed doubles’ division, while the younger Cyrus then paired with Ethan Chris Echave blank Stenton Llaneza and Brian Gregorio, 4-0, to capture the 14-under class. Other winners in the nationwide tennis activity sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis association (Philta) were Jommies Valera with Echave in the 12-under category, and Cheego Valera together with Sabbina Billaro in the 10-under group. The Abra tennis festival also featured the Green ball singles’ event won by Jarell Ballestra over Mark Artiaga, 10-1, and the Red ball by Vanellope

Abaya past Gener Pajara, 10-3. Over at the Alimodia Tennis Club located at the scenic coastal municipality of Alimodia in Iloilo Province, Dionne Rose Gomez and Anthony Bejorn Castigador defeated the Rich Salvador Gomez-Vynz Myk Carillon team, 8-4, in the mixed junior 12-under bracket. At the Puerto Princesa Sports Club shell courts, future stars Xian Ubay, Lev Aizenn Velasco, Jorge Manuel Matta and Andreaskoepf Ubay defeated separate rivals to capture their respective age groups. Xian nipped Lev Aizenn, 10-6, in the unisex 10-u; Velasco squeaked past Freyah Sofia Deladia 10-8 in the 12-u; Matta routed Azzenith Santos, 10-5, in the 14-u; and Russian named Andreaskoepf edged Miguel Javier Matta 10-8 in the 16-u. UST varsity standout Alexie Santos downed brother Sebastian Santos, 108, in the elite singles division.

PSC leaves lasting legacy in PH sports By Peter Atencio

Ramon Fernandez

A LASTING legacy will be left behind when the present administration of the Philippine Sports Commission turns over its responsibilities to the next batch of agency of officials. Commissioner Ramon Fer nandez gave this impression as he ref lected on the last three years of Philippine sports, which has been ver y productive. With weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz delivering the country’s first Olympic gold medal, the big support that the PSC gave to the athletes paved the way for the successes of the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games, the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and to their memorable performances in the Tokyo Olympics. “We’re happy that this will be our

lasting legacy. We are really humbled to have achieved that. I cannot really ask for more,” said Fernandez in a recent radio interview. The PSC executive said there’s no secret formula when it comes to the great performances of national athletes, except for the exposure and the financial assistance that is regularly given them by the sports body. “Iyung suporta lang talaga. Maipagcompete mo sila sa mataas na level, they will definitely live up to your expectations and they will definitely live up to their abilities,” added Fernandez. The Philippines finished with four golds, two silvers and 15 bronzes in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, with Diaz earning a gold in the women’s 53 kg. Diaz, golfers Bianca Pagdanganan, Yuka Saso and Lois Kaye Go and

skateboarder Margielyn Diaz hogged the spotlight by grabbing the golds in their respective events. When the country hosted the 2019 SEA Games, it claimed the overall honors with its 149-117-129 gold-silver-bronze haul, with Diaz once again leading the charge with a gold medal in the same event. The past year was a historic one for the Philippines after Diaz took home the country’s first gold off a recordbreaking lift in her event. “Dito nalagyan ng exclamation, ang pagsali natin sa Tokyo Olympics, being the best Southeast Asian performer,” said Fernandez. The Philippines went home with a gold, two silvers off boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and a bronze from boxer Eumir Marcial when it was over.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Home/Design

Filipino designs win big at WAF

HREE Filipino groundbreaking projects earned plaudits recently at this year’s World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2021, one of the world’s most prestigious annual festivals dedicated to the architecture and development industry.

Ar. William Ti of WTA Architecture and Design Studio was declared the Project of the Year at the World Architecture Futures (WAFX) for his Horizon Manila reclamation masterplan. Designer duo, Budji Layug and Ar. Royal Pineda of the BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design, were commended for their New Clark City Athletic Stadium project under the Completed Buildings – Sport category. Ar. Jason Buensalido of the Buensalido Architects was commended for his Interweave Building, which was shortlisted in two categories: Completed Buildings – School and Completed Buildings – Best Use of Color. Prior to the WAF 2021 event, This year’s WAF shortlisted the most number of Filipino projects, with nine Filipino design entries including Ar. Jaemi Cruz and Interior Designer Jesy Cruz of Alero Design Studio—second-timers of WAF— for their Memory Hall Imprints; Ar. Yonni Habulan of Habúlan and Ngo Design Studio Hands for their Farms of Feasts project and Ar. Jason Buensalido’s second entry Fragmented to Free. Also making it to the list is Ar. Jorge Yulo for La Cabaña de Resureccion. Lastly, Ar. Carlo Calma who received double nods for his projects, Cagbalete Sand Clusters and Museum for Architecture + Residences, with lead designer Sou Fujimoto Architects categories.

Gentrifying Malate TORRE Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC) recently turned over premium residential units in 3Torre Lorenzo on P. Ocampo Street (formerly Vito Cruz) corner Taft Avenue in Manila; and Torre Lorenzo Malate (TLM) on Malvar Street in Malate, Manila. TLDC held the inauguration ceremony to bless 3Torre Lorenzo, the newest residences in its portfolio. At the ceremony were TLDC chief executive officer Tomas Lorenzo; Ricardo Jacinto, executive committee consultant; Lalaine Regino, chief strategy officer; Cathy Casares-Ko, chief operations officer; and Emmanuel Rapadas, chief finance officer. Units are now move-in ready in the 37-storey building located in the Taft University area. Also ready for occupancy is the 45-storey Torre Lorenzo Malate.

PHIRST PARK HOMES OPENS BALIWAG PROJECT. More than its historical and cultural heritage, Bulacan is now cradling two PHirst Park Homes, Inc. (PPHI) projects – PHirst Park Homes Pandi, and recently, PHirst Park Homes Baliwag. The virtual primer of PHirst Park Homes Baliwag was well-received by audiences because of its unique take on introducing Baliwag’s rich culture. Robi Domingo, together with Makata, explored the beauty of Baliwag through a colorful talastasan, photowalk, and food crawl held recently (Shown here). PHirst Park Homes Baliwag is the 10th out of the 15 master-planned communities that PPHI is targeting by 2023. With 1,500 units, the 15 hectare Baliwag development has a total sales value of P2.79 B. PPHI is a joint venture between Century Properties and Mitsubishi Corporation.

Smart garden will travel

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS. Christmas got merrier recently for some 1,440 families from Bacoor City, Cavite with the turnover of housing units at a socialized housing project of the Social Housing Finance Corporation in Barangay Molino I. “Magandang regalo po ito sa amin ngayong Pasko at sa Bagong Taon,” said Ledger Padela after receiving the ceremonial key during the turnover rites of the Ciudad de Strike Homeowners’ Association Phase 1 on December 14. His family is among the beneficiaries who are set to move into the new housing units constructed under SHFC’s Vertical Community Mortgage Program (CMP). The construction of the P883-million project started in December 2019 and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Ciudad de Strike is composed of 20 three-story buildings, accommodating 72 families each. Every household will occupy a 24-square meter unit with a room for a loft. At the turnover ceremony were Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Sec. Eduardo del Rosario; Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla; and Cavite 2nd District Cong. Strike Revilla.

LG ELECTRONICS’ (LG) will update its concept of green living at CES 2022, with the launch of LG tiiun, its modern freestanding indoor gardening appliance. Tiiun, which means “to sprout” in Korean, enables even novice gardeners to cultivate vegetables, herbs and flowers in the comfort of their own homes all year long. This latest lifestyle innovation offers all the benefits of a full-featured garden without the worries of pests, or unfavorable climate. Home-grown goodness LG tiiun features two shelves that can each hold up to six all-in-one seed packages along with three different kinds of seed kits. Each seed package contains 10 holes for seed germination. Users can grow a variety of greens simultaneously for home-grown goodness in only four to eight weeks, faster with less mess thanks to the magic of technology and LG’s advanced know-how.Utilizing LG’s Inverter Compressor, the Flexible Weather Control System adjusts tiiun’s internal temperature to create the optimal conditions for organic growth. LG’s smart gardening system delivers water eight

times every 24 hours while its Auto Ebb & Watering System circulates the ideal amount of moisture to help transform the seeds into healthy greens and vibrant flowers. The internal structure of LG tiiun is designed to increase photosynthesis efficiency, amplifying the effect of the internal LED light source to speed up the growing process. Watch ‘em grow The transparent door lets users watch their plants grow while still providing an airtight seal to maintain a consistent internal temperature and keep pesky insects out. With LG’s mobile ThinQ™ app, users can monitor the entire germination process from afar, check or

change settings and receive notifications when the water tank needs refilling. “LG tiiun is a practical and convenient solution for busy consumers who want to enjoy a greener, healthier lifestyle at home,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “Our smart gardening system makes growing herbs, leafy greens and flowers fun and simple, even for those of us with zero gardening experience.” LG tiiun and LG tiiun mini will be on virtual display in LG’s digital exhibition booth during CES 2022 starting January 5. For more information on LG tiiun, visit LG Home. The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company manufactures home appliances, smart home solutions, air solutions as well as products featuring LG ThinQ AI.

Tech & Gadgets

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

2021: Year of space tourism, flights on Mars, China’s rise

ASHINGTON —From the Mars Ingenuity helicopter's first powered flight on another world to the launch of the James Webb telescope that will peer into the earliest epoch of the Universe, 2021 was a huge year for humanity's space endeavors. Beyond the science milestones, billionaires battled to reach the final frontier first, an all-civilian crew went into orbit, and Star Trek's William Shatner waxed profound about what it meant to see the Earth from the cosmos, as space tourism finally came into its own. Here are selected highlights.

Globalization of space

Red Planet robot duo

NASA's Perseverance Rover survived its "seven minutes of terror," a time when the craft relies on its automated systems for descent and landing, to touch down flawlessly on Mars' Jezero Crater in February. Since then, the car-sized robot has been taking photos and drilling for samples for its mission: determining whether the Red Planet might have hosted ancient microbial life forms. A rock sample return mission is planned for sometime in the 2030s. With its state-of-the-art instruments, "Percy," as the helicopter is affectionately known, can also zap Martian rock and chemically analyze the vapor. Percy has a partner along for the ride: Ingenuity, a four-pound (two kilogram) rotorcraft that in April succeeded in the first powered flight on another celestial body, just over a century after the Wright brothers' achieved the same feat here on Earth, and has performed many more since.

Forczyk, author of the forthcoming book "Becoming Off-Worldly," intended to prepare future space travelers. But it was William Shatner, who played the swashbuckling Captain Kirk on the 1960s TV series "Star Trek," who stole the show with a moving account of his experience. "What you're looking down on is Mother Earth, and it needs protecting," he told reporters. A Russian crew shot the ﬁrst feature ﬁlm in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021, and Japanese tourists made their own visit there on a Russian rocket. For a few minutes on December 11, there were a record 19 humans in space when Blue Origin carried out its third crewed mission, the Japanese team were on the ISS along with its normal crew, and Chinese taikonauts were in position on their station. The sight of wealthy elites gallivanting in the cosmos hasn't been to everyone's liking, however, and the nascent space tourism sector triggered a backlash from some who said there were more pressing issues to face, such as climate change, here on Earth.

Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin and space flight participants Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and production assistant Yozo Hirano attend a post-flight press conference in Star City. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa on urged the world's elites to visit space to give them a new perspective of Earth, speaking after his own voyage to the International Space Station. AFP

"Perseverance is sort of the ﬂagship mission, it's doing a long-term detailed investigation of this fascinating area of Mars," Jonathan McDowall, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, told AFP. By contrast, "Ingenuity, is one of these cute, small, cheap little technology demos that NASA can do so well," he added. The insights gained from Ingenuity could help scientists develop Dragonﬂy, a planned thousand-pound drone copter, to

search for signs of life on Saturn's moon While the British tycoon won that Titan in the mid-2030s. battle by a few days, it was Blue Origin Private spaceflight takes off that raced ahead, launching three more An American millionaire became the flights with paying customers and ceworld's first space tourist in 2001, but it lebrity guests. took 20 more years for the promise of priElon Musk's SpaceX entered the fray vate space flight to finally materialize. in September with a three-day orbital In July, Virgin Galactic founder Rich- mission around the Earth featuring an allard Branson faced off against Blue Ori- civilian crew on Inspiration 4. gin's Jeff Bezos to be the first non-profes"It's really exciting that finally, after sional astronaut to complete a suborbital so long this stuff is finally happening," spaceflight. said space industry analyst Laura Seward

Alibaba Group announces carbon neutrality goal by 2030 ALIBABA Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA and HKEX: 9988, “Alibaba” or “Alibaba Group”) recently announced a pledge to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030 and introduced a Scope 3+ target, a pioneering initiative aiming to facilitate 1.5 gigatons of decarbonization across its business ecosystem by 2035. Details about its goals, including thinking and definition of the newly introduced concept of Scope 3+, are shared in the inaugural Alibaba Carbon Neutrality Action Report. Alibaba aims to provide updates annually with progress verified by accredited auditors. “We aspire to be a force for positive, innovative change in society. Our ESG strategy is predicated on our mission to be a good company that will live for 102 years and it is the vital foundation for Alibaba's future development,” said Daniel Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Alibaba Group. “We will leverage our unique influence as a platform operator to mobilize actions and behavioral changes among consumers, merchants and partners in China and Alibaba’s Carbon Neutrality Targets around the world with our newly proposed Scope 3+ target of reducing 1.5 gigatons of carbon emistives. It includes leveraging energy-saving and effisions by 2035.” ciency-improving technologies to reduce emissions; Carbon Neutrality Roadmap Alibaba Group is committed to carbon neutrality actively transforming the energy structure with profor Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and has set gressive use of renewables; and exploration of carbon a 50% carbon intensity reduction target for Scope removal initiatives. As a general principle, the com3 by 2030 using 2020 levels as baseline. Alibaba pany prioritizes carbon reduction over removal, and Cloud will bear responsibility for a higher Scope 3 removal over offset. Pioneering “Scope 3+” Aspiration target and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 In addition, as a global leading platform company, in all three scopes. Alibaba Group has committed to join the Science Alibaba is committed to taking greater responsibility Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and has aligned its de- to pioneer the concept of “Scope 3+,” which refers to carbonization measures and strategy with the “Business the emissions generated by a broader range of particiAmbition for 1.5°C” pledge, a critical target to avoid the pants in the platform's ecosystem, currently outside of catastrophic impacts of climate change as outlined by the the Scopes 1, 2, and 3. It has initiated the “1.5 Gigatons for 1.5°C” project, committing to facilitate 1.5 giga2015 Paris Agreement. Alibaba will adopt a systematic and science-based tons of decarbonization in its ecosystem by 2035. “We believe the use of digital platforms can play approach to plan and manage decarbonization initia-

a significant role in empowering a low carbon circular economic model that can lead to achieving the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement. The concept of ‘Scope 3+’ is based on the potential of leveraging our digital platforms to influence and advocate for low carbon products, services and behavior among a wider group of stakeholders in our ecosystem, and share our energy-efficient technologies and innovative business tools with customers and business partners to reduce the carbon footprint together,” said Dr. Chen Long, Vice President of Alibaba Group and Chair of Alibaba’s Sustainability Steering Committee. Alibaba will continue to improve its carbon reduction measurement and metrics in Scope 3+ by working and partnering with leading expert organizations globally.

Dedicated ESG Governance Body

Alibaba also announced today a new three-tier ESG governance framework to oversee, enable and support the achievement of its carbon neutrality targets and broader ESG goals. The dedicated ESG governance body includes: 1. A Sustainability Committee at the board level chaired by Jerry Yang, an independent director. Other board members include Walter Teh Ming Kwauk, Joe Tsai and Maggie Wu 2. A Sustainability Steering Committee responsible for strategic planning, goal setting and management 3. An ESG cross-business action group consisting of representatives from each business unit at the working level responsible for coordination and execution Meanwhile, Alibaba aims to continue to improve information and data disclosure and reporting mechanisms. Starting in 2022, Alibaba will aim to release its ESG report annually, in which concrete and speciﬁc annual progress will be included. All reports will adhere to the most reputable metrics laid out in domestic and international standards and will be veriﬁed by accredited auditors.

During the Cold War, space was dominated by the United States and the former Soviet Union. Now, in addition to the explosion of the commercial sector, which is sending up satellites at a dizzying pace, China, India and others are increasingly flexing their space flight muscles. China's Tiangong (Palace in the Sky) space station—its first long-term outpost —was launched in April, while its first Mars rover, Zhurong, landed in May, making it the only the second country to achieve such an exploit. "In the past 20 years since China finally decided to go big on space, they've been in catch up mode," said McDowall. "And now they're kind of there, and they're starting to do things that the US hasn't done." The UAE placed a probe into Martian orbit in February, becoming the first Arab nation and fifth overall to reach the planet. Russia meanwhile launched a missile at one of its own satellites, becoming the fourth country to hit a spacecraft from the ground, in a move that reignited concerns about the growing space arms race. AFP

Xiaomi donates $200,000 for typhoon victims in PH, Malaysia XIAOMI Corporation today announced that World Vision Philippines and Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia will each receive a donation of one hundred thousand US dollars from Xiaomi Foundation Limited, to support those affected by Typhoon Rai in the Philippines and Malaysia. In the Philippines alone, based on the country's disaster council, more than 870,334 families or 23,380,167 individuals have been impacted by Typhoon Rai, and over 348,642 houses damaged. Hundreds and thousands of volunteers are working around the clock to help those affected and to provide survival essentials such as food and water, hygiene kits, kitchen and cooking sets, emergency shelter kits, and more. As a global company, we believe it is our duty to be responsible, and to give back to communities impacted by situations such as this.

Finding the quotient to digital divide THE need for a solution to the digital divide has never been more urgent, yet how exactly are we actively trying to solve this problem since it has surfaced? The digital divide is a problem that many countries have been facing since the advancement of technology and its integration into education. With the sudden need to shift to remote learning during the global pandemic, the gap between those with access to adequate technology and those among the disadvantaged sectors has grown. With the safety measures countries have been implementing to safeguard students and communities, the conversation on this divide is in the spotlight, and leaders beyond those in the education sector have come to recognize its impact on national development and the economy. This inequality in online education has skyrocketed not only as a result of the inaccessibility of students to materials but also because of the economic gap that affects both the teachers and parents that aid in student learning. Funds to provide materials to assist educators are inadequate, and a lack of proper training for educators from marginalized sectors also hinders the effective use of technology in distance and remote teaching.

It is important to recognize that steps to address such inequalities would need the involvement of multiple stakeholders. As the issue involves not just the students, but parents and educators as well, initiatives must also be guided by the problems they face to better grasp and comprehend the contexts of each sector to put forth sustainable and effective solutions. An example of such an initiative is the EdVision 2.0 Program. Highlighting collaboration between schools, educators, and other stakeholders, the program seeks to provide innovative solutions to support e-learning. In digitizing education, EdVision 2.0 works to promote the following: • Personalize Teaching • Engaged Learning

• Parent-Educator Collaboration To encourage a more personalized learning experience, the program provides educators access to both hardware and software that aid in the efficient preparation and execution of learning modules. Educators are also equipped with the proper training to support the transition from a classroom to a digital learning environment and are guided with strategies for establishing effective communication with students. Through Lenovo’s partnership with Microsoft, the program’s benefits include digital upskilling with Microsoft Certification Programs and educator support groups that will connect members of the academe around the globe. Transporting students beyond the walls of their classrooms, the introduction of immersive learning environments will also help to engage students in their learning. With VR technology made available to the schools under the program, teachers and students alike will be exposed to news ways of approaching and absorbing modules. In transforming the learning environment and processes, students will be able to experience a more immersive and holistic educational experience informed by their con-

text, with educators who are effectively guided. Yet, even with such initiatives in place, the fact remains that over 60% of households in the Philippines do not have access to the internet and digitalization. Students and teachers are still struggling to access the necessary resources to keep up with the fast-paced world of technology. It is imperative then that governments and private institutions initiate the necessary changes, and actively utilize programs such as EdVision 2.0 to better support the digitalization of education. More than just providing the hardware, solutions focused on informing and educating the necessary stakeholders would signiﬁcantly accelerate digital transformation. Smart technology has been proven across multiple studies to be an effective tool in education, especially now that we are in the digital age. With Lenovo’s goal of “Smarter Technology For All”, programs like EdVision 2.0 encourage the innovation and implementation of newer models of teaching and learning necessary for students to excel in the digital world. To learn more about the EdVision 2.0 Program visit www.lenovoedvision.com.

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022

Foton ends 2021 with wider, stronger nationwide presence R

ESOLUTE in its determination to advance and intensify its presence, FOTON Philippines Inc.(FMPI) concludes 2021 with strengthened fleet partnerships across multiple industries. Covering fleet clients ranging from start-up businesses, small to medium enterprises (SMEs), and all the way to big, multinational companies - the brand continues to attract more patronage all over the country.

Acclaimed as a one-stop-shop commercial vehicle brand, FOTON presents a wide array of commercial vehicles ranging from vans to midi trucks to light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks. What’s making the brand remarkable is its competitive performance

matched with longlasting durability that all comes at an unbeatable price value. E-Commerce Delivery Services As the public widely embraces online business platforms, e-commerce delivery services have become one of the most in-demand industries in 2021. With FOTON’s efficiency in transporting deliverables swift and fast, the pioneering brand J&T Express and the rapidly rising GoGo Xpress choose to trust FOTON’s light-duty trucks, the Tornado Series. To date, more than 500 units were turned over to J&T Express, greatly strengthening its nationwide operations and meeting–and surpassing–the logistics company’s strict mobility requirements. Trucking and Hauling Industry FOTON is one of the most in-demand brands in the

trucking and hauling Industries. It offers a complete selection of dump trucks with dump box capacity stretching from 4CBM up to a gigantic 30CBM. Moreover, the brand has a series of tractor heads under the EST series. Two of its loyal fleet partners in the industry are the Asian Ventures General Services, and the Cebu-based Arrow Go Logistics. Charity and Welfare Moving for charity and the greater good of the Filipino, the Philippine Red Cross trusts FOTON in delivering essential goods to indigents in times of disasters and conflicts. This 2021, the humanitarian organization acquired a fleet of Tornado Food Trucks equipped with kitchen equipment and tools, capable of preparing meals on site. Public Service In Emergency Response Preferred by Local Government Units (LGUs),

FOTON is also lined-up with emergency responding units. This 2021, units of TransVan HR Ambulance were turned over to the Provincial Government of Palawan. Ready for every emergency, the unit is equipped with medical tools and equipment that are vital in life-threatening scenarios. Public Transportation Supporting the national government’s campaign in innovating public transportation, FOTON Philippines completed the modernized jeepney line-up from class 1 to 3. The brand now offers 4 options for modernized jeepney namely F-Jeepney F11, F-Jeepney F24, F-jeepney F29 and F-Jeepney Class 3. In 2021, FOTON F-jeepneys even expanded its fleet and local government partners, acquiring more routes in Sta. Rosa Laguna, San Pedro Laguna, Gerona Tarlac, and Cebu Mandaue. Cold-chain and Pharmaceutical Deliveries With the emergence of transporting medical products such as vaccines and pharmaceutical essentials, the Pharmaserv Express trusts FOTON Tornado Refrigerated Vans in transiting products that are highly sensitive to temperature. Tapped with the best technologies including the Thermo King, a Tornado M4.2C Ref-Van can provide cold storage as low as -20 degrees Celsius. Feeds for Livestock The famous Pigrolac Premium Hog Feeds reaches new markets with FOTON as it launches its farmpenetration Mobile Action Team. Accompanied by its new fleet of Gratour MT Wing Vans, Pigrolac rolls in the last quarter of 2021 with fortified mobility. Last but not least, FOTON Philippines also invested 2021 in empowering after-sales performance and service, vending new programs including year-round discounts for spare parts, extended engine warranties, and more extensive on-site services.

Chery Auto PH extends help to Odette-stricken areas

As part of the company’s annual Pamaskong Handog program, the NLEX Community Engagement group spearheads the distribution of Noche Buena packages to Tullahan River volunteer cleaners from Quezon City, Valenzuela City and Caloocan City, and Aeta families in Pampanga.

NLEX provides Christmas packs to communities in typhoon-hit Visayas FULFILLING the essence of giving this holiday season, NLEX Corporation donated Php 1.5 million worth of goods and construction materials to typhoonstricken areas in Southern Leyte and Cebu. The tollway company also distributed Christmas packages to 350 members of its host communities in Quezon City, Caloocan City, Valenzuela City, and Pampanga. “Amidst the holiday rush, we would like to give back and be a channel of blessing to others. This way, we can somehow alleviate the burdens of our fellowmen who are going through difficult times,” said NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi Bautista. Immediately reponding to the devastation caused by the severe typhoon, NLEX Corporation sent bottles of water, boxes of assorted canned goods, sacks of rice, boxes of noodles, blankets, and galvanized iron sheets to Maasin, Southern Leyte. It also

provided Php 500,000 worth of relief packs to the local government units of Cebu and Cordova. NLEX’s PBA team, the NLEX Road Warriors, also contributed by donating their Christmas Party budget amounting to Php 100,000 to Alagang Kapatid Foundation’s

NLEX Corporation sends truckload of goods and construction materials for communities affected by Typhoon Odette in Cebu and Maasin, Southern Leyte.

relief efforts for the communities affected by the recent calamity. Aside from Typhoon Odette relief efforts, NLEX also fulfilled their continuous commitment in providing for the community by sending Noche Buena packs to 150 Tullahan River volunteer cleaners and 200 Aeta families from Porac, Pampanga in its yearly initiative of giving cheer during the holidays and as part of the MVP Group’s “Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko” campaign. The tollway company also organized a company-wide “Toys for Tots” project where employees may donate toys for children in Bulacan orphanages. Through the years, NLEX Corporation has always been committed to assisting those in need. It is at the forefront of helping communities especially during calamities--ensuring that immediate, appropriate, and efficient assistance is extended to them.

BOOSTING efforts to aid hundreds of families adversely affected by Typhoon Odette, CHERY Auto Philippines has sent over 30,000 bottles of drinking water to gravely affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao. After the devastation experienced by several regions in southern Philippines due to the strongest typhoon to hit the country in 2021, CHERY Auto PH took its part in providing immediate relief assistance to affected families, and to help them cope while they are slowly rebuilding their lives. “Amidst the crisis, we will not let our fellow Filipinos down. We are sending them essential goods as we are one with them in overcoming this disaster,” said CHERY Auto Philippines President, Erroll Dueñas. As we continue to bear witness to the extent of the damage brought about by the typhoon, CHERY Auto PH will also be unrelenting in providing substantial support to our countrymen in this time of need.