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GT Capital allots P52B for capital expenditures

By Arra B. Francia
Reporter

GT CAPITAL Holdings, Inc. will be spending P51.7 billion in capital expenditures (capex) this year, primarily to fund the expansion of its automotive and property business units.

This year’s programmed capex brings the company back to its average annual spending of P50-60 billion, as compared to its 2018 budget which reached P112 billion. The elevated spending last year took into account GT Capital’s participation in the P60-billion stock rights offer of banking unit Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company.

The listed conglomerate said in a presentation last week that bulk of the capex will be spent at the parent level, as it will invest P27.8 billion for its partnership in used car auction house operations and other investments.

GT Capital’s unit, GT Mobility Ventures, Inc. has recently partnered with auction house operator Japan Bike Auction Co., Ltd. to form JBA Philippines. This will handle its business in used car auctions and is scheduled to start operations by the third quarter of this year.

“The idea is to have the auction in order for us to extend the value chain for financing, for parts and maintenance, for insurance, extending that product offering into the used car market,” GT Capital President Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said in an analyst and media briefing in Taguig City last week.

Mr. Bautista said they may set up an online platform for the bidding process of used cars, which will pave the way for more transparency in pricing repossessed assets.

Asked if the capex at the parent level will include its entry into other sectors, Mr. Bautista said they are exploring opportunities.

“It’s more of a war chest, we’re in early discussions with parties looking for partners looking to invest in the Philippines,” Mr. Bautista told reporters after the briefing, although declining to specify which sector they will invest in.

Meanwhile, GT Capital has set a capex of P12 billion for Federal Land, Inc., to be used for land banking purposes and the construction of office buildings. This supports its plan to launch five to eight new projects this year, after unveiling eight projects in 2018 valued at about P30 billion.

Its other property unit, Property Company of Friends, will be allocating P2.3 billion as capex.

Mr. Bautista said they are looking to grow its property business to contribute to about 15-20% of its net income in the next five years, as it currently accounts for 10.5%.

“The aspiration is to grow it to 20% so that we’re not overly dependent on one sector…Ideally we are able to diversify the portfolio so we don’t have as many shocks,” Mr. Bautista said.

Toyota Motor Philippines has allotted P6.8 in capex this year for new models and logistics expansion. The company has recently acquired a 30-hectare property in Batangas for its logistics expansion in order to better manage the vehicles being shipped from abroad and going to dealerships.

Its dealership unit, Toyota Manila Bay Corp., will get about P300 million to expand and renovate its existing dealerships. The company currently has 70 dealerships, with one upcoming branch in Valenzuela and Lucena.

Metrobank will have a capex of P2 billion for IT system upgrades, expansion of electronic banking channels, ATM installation, and renovation or relocation of branches.

Insurance provider AXA Philippines will get about P200 million for computer and IT upgrade, as well as office equipment.

GT Capital’s net income stood at P13.4 billion in 2018, six percent lower year on year following a 10% decline in consolidated revenues to P215.8 billion.

High hopes for ONE Championship in Japan

TOKYO — The long-sought and awaited debut of ONE Championship in Japan came to fruition yesterday as its “A New Era” event was held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan here.

It was a realization of ONE officials’ dreams of sharing their kind of mixed martial arts brand in a country with a rich martial arts history and something they hope would complement the steady growth of the promotion the past few years.

“ONE: A New Era” was boasted by four world title fights, including that of the headlining fight of world lightweight champion Eduard Folayang of the Philippines and his teammate Kevin Belingon, the bantamweight champ, as well as the promotional debut of MMA legends Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and “The Underground King” Eddie Alvarez.

“We have been lucky as an organization. We are now the world’s fastest-growing sports media property. If you look at our matrix on the last four years alone [you’ll see the steady growth],” said ONE Championship chairman and chief executive officer Chatri Sityodtong, touting growth in TV ratings, social media platforms, corporate partnerships they have inked and roster of athletes, among others.

“We believe that our first event in Japan will break our records and set a new high because of our heroes, their values and incredible stories,” he added.

It is tack that they hope to bank on as they build their brand in Japan.

“How we intend to build Japan is through values, heroes, and stories. Japan has some of the best martial arts and martial artists in the world. And we’re going to celebrate their values and their stories,” Mr. Sityodtong said.

The ONE chairman went on to say that for next year they plan to stage four events in the “Land of the Rising Sun” and eventually settle for 12 events per year.

“As a lifelong martial artist, I want the world to see the true beauty of martial arts. Our heroes, our world champions, they exemplify the very best of humanity. I am very excited to be here in Japan. It is not only a new era for Japan but also for martial arts in the whole world,” Mr. Sityodtong said.

Also part of ONE: New Era was the champion-versus-champion battle between women’s strawweight world champion Xiong Jing Nan of China and women’s atomweight champion Angela Lee of Singapore for the former’s belt as well as the middleweight world championship collision of champion Aung La N Sang of Myanmar against Ken Hasegawa of Japan.

Meanwhile Mr. Johnson was to see action in the ONE flyweight grand prix against Japanese Yuya Makatmatsu while Mr. Alvarez was to see action in the lightweight grand prix against Timofey Nastyukhin in an American-versus-Russia encounter.

Filipino flyweight Danny Kingad was also set to see action in one of the brackets in the flyweight grand prix. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

El Niño crop damage estimate expanded to P4.35 billion

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) expanded its estimate for El Niño crop damage, mainly to rice and corn, to P4.35 billion as of March 31, from P1.33 billion on March 19.

On Sunday, the DA said in a report that the damage covers lost output of 233,007 MT, affecting 149,494 hectares and 138,859 farmers and fisherfolk.

Rice damage amounted to P2.69 billion on lost volume loss of 125,589 MT, affecting 111,851 hectares and 108,845 farmers.

Damage to the corn crop on the other hand was P1.65 billion, on volume of 107,416 MT, affecting 37,642 hectares and 30,014 farmers.

Areas declared to be under a state of calamity are Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Negros Occidental.

Earlier in the week, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said pending validation of the damage estimates, particularly those from local government unit sources, the department will maintain the 2019 rice production estimate at P20.085 million metric tons (MMT).

“Still 20.085 million MT,” Mr. Piñol told reporters in Makati on Thursday evening. At the time, the DA’s rice loss estimate was just over half the Sunday total at around 120,000 MT.

“Babawiin natin sa wet season (We will try to make up for it in the wet season),” he said Thursday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported crop damage of P2.67 billion as of March 27, which the DA’s latest estimate has since surpassed.

“We have asked the field offices to validate the numbers because these came from Local Government Units. And we have to understand that (during elections), everybody wants to declare a state of calamity. It will give them access to calamity funds,” Mr. Piñol said

“We are not saying it’s inaccurate but we have to validate that because we will use the estimates (for insurance claims),” Mr. Piñol added.

Former Agriculture Secretary and current President of Inanglupa Movement William D. Dar said the rice output target is challenging but he is hoping for interventions that can be funded by the Rice Tariffication Law.

“It’s a big challenge and hoping that the interventions by government as per the rice tariffication law will help a lot,” Mr. Dar said in a mobile message.

Rolando T. Dy, Executive Director and Full Professor of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) Center for Food and Agribusiness added that much will depend on late-year planting decisions, which are influenced by perceptions of competition from liberalized rice imports.

“Mahihirapan. (It will be hard to meet the target). First semester is nearly here. So it will be dependent on main plantings mid-June onward for October to December harvest. The peak harvest comprises about 40% of annual [production],” Mr. Dy said in a mobile message.

“Baka bumaba ang plantings (Planting activity may fall) due to El Niño and lower palay prices (due to) cheaper imports,” Mr. Dy added.

Marites M. Tiongco, Dean of the De La Salle University (DLSU) School of Economics, said if farmers fail to produce 20 million MT this year, imported rice can cover demand.

“Any shortage will be covered by importation, more sources of cheaper rice. That is the purpose of the law,” she said in a text message.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has said that the El Niño damage will have minimal impact on economic growth, and any rice lost to the dry spell will be made up for with imports.

“Timing of imports will be right on the dot especially as private importers are quite adept at responding to perceived shortages. They are better at estimating when it is profitable to import and when it is not,” Ernesto M. Pernia, NEDA Secretary, has said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), rice production in 2018 declined by 1.1% to 19.07 million MT.

The PSA estimated that output of palay, or unmilled rice, was 4.62 million MT in the first quarter, below the 4.65 million MT estimated for the quarter in January.

The Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that rice imports by the Philippines are expected to hit 2.3 million MT annually between 2019 and 2020. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

Bjerregaard’s dreams come true with win against Tiger

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Lucas Bjerregaard fulfilled a childhood dream with his victory over his idol Tiger Woods at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Tournament in Austin, Texas on Saturday.

Bjerregaard, who said he had dreamed of playing against Woods since he was 10, relished the challenge of facing him in person and never looked intimidated as he completed a 1-up victory over the 14-times grand slam winner.

“Yeah, I dreamt about it. I didn’t think it was ever going to come true,” the Dane said after the victory that set up a semi-final with Matt Kuchar on Sunday. “But I’ve definitely seen myself on the practice putting green when I was 10 years old making a putt to beat him or in a major or something like that.

“Obviously didn’t know if it was ever going to come true. And just to get to play him was an experience for me.”

The 27-year-old Bjerregaard might be unknown to the American golfing public but he does have two European victories including a win in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course at St. Andrews last year.

He also finished 13th on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings last year, but said on Saturday that he had never experienced the noise or support that Woods attracted in his eight-year professional career.

“It was loud,” Bjerregaard said. “It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.

“I’ve played with a lot of good players but nothing can compare to that. You can see, like he’s not just my idol, but a lot of other people.”

Bjerregaard, who met Woods for the first time on the practice tee, nearly fell three holes behind on the front-nine against the American before mounting a charge and producing clutch putting down the stretch.

He eagled the 16th hole to tie, then birdied 17 to remain level and watched Woods miss a putt on the last to end it.

“He hit it well,” Woods said. “He hit a lot of good shots today.

“These are not easy conditions out here. The wind is all over the place. He was flighting it well. His natural ball flight is pretty flat. It’s advantageous in these conditions.”

Thomas Bjorn, last year’s Ryder Cup captain, tweeted his pleasure with his Danish compatriot’s success.

“16 and 17 showed the whole golfing world what (he) is all about,” the Dane said. “Big moment in this guy’s career so far.

“Go on Luke.” — Reuters

CLI mulls P2.5-B loan for Davao Global Township

DAVAO CITY — Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI), through its joint venture firm YHEST Realty and Development Corp., is looking at borrowing P2.5 billion for the first phase of its P33-billion Davao Global Township project.

Jose R. Soberano III, CLI president and chief executive officer and YHEST chair, said while the company currently has enough funds for the initial P10 billion needed for phase 1, there have been several loan offers from financial institutions.

“To a certain extent possible, of the P10 billion for the initial phase, maybe 25% of it maybe borrowed,” he said during Friday’s unveiling of the project design.

“There are those (lending institutions) that are knocking on our doors. But since at this stage we have yet to need more funding, we are just doing our internal (funding) generation. We will have enough time (to secure more funding),” Mr. Soberano said.

He added that they are also currently pursuing purchase deals for adjacent properties to expand the project to 30 hectares.

The township, which broke ground in November 2018, is being developed on a 22-hectare area that used to be a golf course.

The first phase, targeted for completion by 2022, covers the construction of a corporate center, two premier residential towers, a retail strip with a cineplex, outdoor retail shops, and a civil center that will be named the DGT Gallery.

Part of the corporate building is being offered to the De La Salle University for a graduate school.

YHEST President Frederick H. Yuson said they are now finalizing the deal with the university.

OPEN SPACES
CLI Chief Operations Officer Jose Franco B. Soberano, meanwhile, said about 40% of the township’s area is envisioned to be open spaces, including a park that will be open to the public.

“It’s a very generous ratio. There will be sidewalk cafés, wonderful views, space for walking and jogging. We will make sure that there will be more trees… It is a former golf course with so much to remember about it from the past,” said Mr. Soberano, son of the CLI president.

“It is a commitment of the company for the people of the city,” he added.

The elder Soberano added that they are exploring the possibility of including a bulk water source component into the project, which they will be discussing with distributor Davao City Water District (DCWD).

“We will not take away the water needed by the city but we will provide more water. We’re not officially talking about this with DCWD but this is something that we want to explore to address the matter of providing water… But all of this will have to follow regulations and we will have to make necessary permits from the National Water Resources Board and the like,” he said.

“This is a real addition to Davao City and this can only happen with all the conviction that we will be putting together in terms of sustainability,” he added.

The Davao Global Township is the third and biggest project of CLI in partnership with YHEST Realty, a group of the Yuson, Huang, Tan and Villa-Abrille families of Davao City.

The other two are the Messa Tierra condominium and the mixed-use The Paragon Davao. — Carmelito Q. Francisco and Maya M. Padillo

Things are different when women make the first move

WE’RE almost done with the second decade of this millennium, and while women have made strides in the world, are we making sure that the field is level for them when it comes to the dating game?

Swipe over to Bumble, a social and dating app introduced in 2014. The app was launched in the country last week in Makati, but it has been present on the smartphones of singles for at least two years now. Bumble was created by Whitney Wolfe Herd, a co-founder of dating and social app Tinder. Michelle Battersby, Associate Marketing Director for APAC, said that the app was created by Ms. Herd, driven by personal experience. “She had seen misogyny existing in the world, and she didn’t like that, and she wanted to do something about that.”

While Bumble may work mostly the same way as Tinder does (swiping right to approve a match, and left to reject it) there’s a difference: the responsibility to make the first move is on the woman in heterosexual settings. Matches are also given 24 hours to talk to each other, or else the match disappears. As for singles in the LGBTQ+ spectrum, the same rules remain, but no one has to wait for the other, but the 24-hour rule stays. “You’re not going to wait five days to hear from a guy you’ve matched with.”

Asked if it made any difference when a woman made the first move, Ms. Battersby said, “Men have often approached women first, and women have sat back and waited for the man to approach them. If the man is faced with rejection, often, aggression is the behavior that follows.”

Around the world, crimes related to dating apps have been reported, ranging from theft and extortion to rape and murder (as was the case for American Sydney Loofe). When a woman takes the lead, does it save her life? “We can’t comment explicitly on safety. However, the way that Bumble is… we find that that sets a different tone for the conversation.

“When a woman makes the first move, it actually takes the pressure off from guys. They’re not the ones having to face that rejection, and it means that that aggression doesn’t end up formulating.”

Bumble also has two other settings, both aimed at advancing a person’s goals: there’s Bumble BFF, where a person can find a platonic relationship, perhaps to have a travel or a shopping buddy. And there’s Bumble Bizz, intended to enlarge a person’s professional network, and maybe even find a work mentor.

“On Bumble, we’re all about empowering women to go after what they want.” — Joseph L. Garcia

Japan assured of spots in Olympic basketball events

TOKYO — Japanese basketball will be represented in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after world basketball governing body FIBA decided to grant it automatic places in various events.

In a release shared to members of global media, FIBA said its Central Board, in its meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, had moved to grant Japan’s men’s and women’s national teams automatic places to compete in the Olympic Basketball and 3×3 Basketball Tournaments.

The decision was arrived at, FIBA said, after the board found the Japanese Basketball Association’s (JBA) application having met various sporting requirements needed to get the FIBA nod.

Among the reasons cited were continuous stream of positive developments in Japan’s basketball landscape in recent years, including the on-court success of the men’s and women’s senior national teams, the revamp of the B. League (the national top-flight men’s competition), and making history by being part of the first-ever successful multiple countries bid — together with Philippines and Indonesia — to be awarded the hosting rights for a FIBA Basketball World Cup for the 2023 edition.

For 3×3 Basketball, meanwhile, FIBA said host nation Japan will be represented by both men’s and women’s teams subject to approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

FIBA’s urban discipline, 3×3 Basketball is set to make its historic debut as part of basketball’s Olympic program in next year’s edition of the Games. Japan’s has been creating waves in 3×3 Basketball with its men’s and women’s teams ranked inside the top 10.

The country, too, has been hosting a World Tour event for seven years and this year will host the World Tour Final in November in Utsunomiya. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Davao specialty coffee group eyes extra 200 hectares to service export market

DAVAO CITY — A group in Davao del Sur province that produces specialty coffee is aiming to expand its current 400-hectare farm by at least another 200 as foreign markets start to recognize the Philippine product.

Marivic C. Dubria of the Balukatay Coffee Farmers Association said one buyer wanted to order 20 tons a year after she participated in the Specialty Coffee Expo 2018 in the US.

She (Ms. Dubria) is again going to the United States next month, this time to Boston, for the Specialty Coffee Expo 2019 after recently winning the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition 2019 for Arabica.

“(Last year American buyers) did not know about the Philippines, (but) they are learning about it now,” according to Terrence John Ryan, chief of mission of the Philippine Coffee Advancement and Farm Enterprise project, which is helping the Balukatay group.

The project is backed by the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance, which in turn is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Ms. Dubria said the current output of about 30 tons a year is fully taken up by two domestic buyers with a combined order of 16 tons, with the rest purchased by buyers in Japan and Canada.

Mr. Ryan said while the group works on expanding and increasing output, exposure to such international events like the one in Boston “will be very exciting for Philippine coffee producers.”

Melani A. Provido, regional coordinator for the Department of Agriculture’s High Value Crops, said the department has also been helping other coffee groups break into the international market.

Among these groups, said Ms. Provido, is the Alegre Vegetables and Arabica Growers Association, in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

“We hope that they can also penetrate the international market,” Ms. Provido concluded. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Treasury bill rates likely to drop

YIELDS ON Treasury bills (T-bill) on offer today will likely decline following the release of the government’s borrowing schedule for this month.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) is offering P15 billion worth of T-bills on Monday, broken down into P4 billion and P5 billion in three- and six-month papers, respectively, and P6 billion in one-year debt papers.

A trader interviewed on Friday said yields on the T-bills on the auction block today will likely decline by five basis points across all tenors from the previous offer.

Last week, the Treasury made a partial award of the T-bills it offered, accepting only P17.455 billion out of the P20 billion programmed.

Rate of the 91-day securities barely moved to 5.787%, while the 182- and 364-day IOUs slid to 5.927% and 6.044%, respectively.

At the secondary market on Friday, three-month, six-month and one-year rates stood at 5.799%, 5.94% and 6.097%, respectively.

The trader said rates this week will likely decline due to the new borrowing schedule of the BTr for the April-June period.

“Supply and demand… Kung babawasan yung (If they will reduce the) supply, we can expect stronger demand from investors. Yields will be a bit lower,” she said.

The government plans to borrow P315 billion from the domestic market this quarter, broken down into P195 billion in T-bills and P120 billion through Treasury bonds.

In the new borrowing schedule, the weekly auction volume for the T-bills was reduced to P15 billion from the P20 billion in the previous quarter.

“We’ll see the yield curve correct a bit because for the second quarter… The auctions are skewed towards the long-end,” the trader added.

Meanwhile, another trader said rates of the T-bills on offer today will decline by up to 20 basis points across the board due to the lower supply.

“No other news except for CPI (consumer price index) which is expected to be lower,” the trader said.

Analysts in a BusinessWorld poll said inflation maintained its descent in March, yielding a median estimate of 3.5%, as rice and food prices dropped further.

Inflation data for the month of March will be released on Friday, April 5.

The government plans to borrow P1.189 trillion this year from local and foreign sources to fund its budget deficit, which is expected to widen to as much as 3.2% of the country’s gross domestic product. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

BAR hoping to promote more cattle insemination

THE Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) said it hopes to expand the use of artificial insemination in cattle to increase herd sizes at lower cost.

In an interview on March 25, Glacelle Alyne C. Malinao, BAR Coordinator for Livestock, said that compared with normal mating, a single bull’s ejaculation can be used on 20 cows via artificial insemination. The process allows farmers to skip the process of raising stud bulls..

The study was conducted by the Isabela State University (ISU).

According to Ms. Malinao, the method is not widely accepted by Philippine farmers due to its 40% to 45% success rate. She said researchers hope to improve this rate using improved methods.

“Researchers are looking for ways to improve the chance of fertilizing the cattle,” Ms. Malinao said.

Bernalin P. Cadayong, Senior Economic Development Specialist with the BAR Technology Commercialization Division, said semen can be collected from a bull once a day.

Ms. Cadayong said artificial insemination is available to farmers via local government units (LGUs), with technicians on call to provide the service to cows.

Ms. Malinao said that BAR is also looking for cooperatives that can conduct the processing of semen for artificial insemination. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

Aranar, Nualla lead SEA Games qualified athletes for DanceSports

SEAN Micha Aranar and Ana Leonila Nualla led all the qualified dance athletes for the 30th Southeast Asian Games late this year after topping their respective disciplines in the 2019 DanceSports Council of the Philippines Inc.’s (DSCPI) 1st quarter ranking and selection recently at the Valle Verde Country Club, Pasig City.

Aranar and Leonila, the champion in the standard discipline event, will join first runner-up Mark Jayson Gayon and Mary Joy Renigen as the other qualified pair for the SEA Games in the standard discipline event.

For the Latin discipline event SEA Games qualifiers, Michael Angelo Marquez and Stephanie Sabalo topped the category while Wilbert Aunzo and Pearl Marie Cañeda settled for first runner-up but qualified too.

The DanceSports competition will be held in Clark, Pampanga.

DSCPI President Becky Garcia also announced that Yer Lord Ilyum Gabriel will be representing the country as well in the Bboy Breaking event and Alyanna Talam was chosen for the BGirl Breaking competition.

AirAsia Philippines to fly to Osaka in July as more Filipinos travel to Japan

AIRASIA PHILIPPINES is finally launching its first direct flight from the Philippines to Japan in July, as it aims to tap the growing market for Filipino travelers visiting the East Asian country.

The budget carrier said in a statement it will start offering daily services from Manila to Osaka on July 1.

“Being able to travel directly and affordably to Osaka is fantastic news for Filipinos and we’re confident this new route will serve as a gateway for guests to connect to other popular destinations in Japan such as Kyoto and Nara,” AirAsia Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Dexter M. Comendador said in the statement.

The flight will depart Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 8:30 a.m. every day and arrive at 1:15 p.m. at the Kansai International Airport. The return flight will leave Osaka at 1:50 p.m. every day and land at NAIA at 4:55 p.m.

“This international route will contribute to the government’s target of 8.2 million visitors this year,” Mr. Comendador added.

AirAsia has long been planning to launch a direct flight to Japan as it started to become a popular tourist destination for Filipinos. Airport slot allocation became its problem, but Mr. Comendador said in late 2017 they have earned entitlements for Osaka already and initially planned to launch the flights by second half of 2018.

“The launch of direct flights between the Philippines and Japan is a milestone occasion, and we’re excited to connect our capital, Manila with Osaka,” the AirAsia Philippines chief executive said.

Based on data from the Department of Tourism, Japan is the fourth biggest market of tourists to the Philippines, growing 7.3% to 485,121 Japanese travelers in the country from January to September 2018.

Aside from Osaka, AirAsia also offers flights from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok, Bali, Seoul, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau and Ho Chi Minh City. — Denise A. Valdez

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