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Secret Pence-N. Korea meeting planned, then scrapped by Pyongyang

WASHINGTON — Mike Pence and North Korean officials had planned to meet secretly during the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, but Pyongyang scrapped the talks after the US vice-president denounced abuses from the “murderous regime,” US officials said Tuesday.

Mr. Pence did not interact with the North Koreans even though he was seated in the same box as them at the opening ceremony of the Games on Feb. 9 — nor did he shake hands with the North’s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam during an earlier leaders’ reception.

The North Koreans, who had sent Kim Yong Nam and leader Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo Jong to the Games, backed out of the planned meeting after Mr. Pence announced Washington would soon unveil its “toughest and most aggressive sanctions” against Pyongyang.

During his Asian tour, he also denounced the North’s nuclear drive and sought to shore up ties with regional allies — and longtime North Korean foes — Japan and South Korea.

Mr. Pence, who led the American delegation to the Games, said at the time he traveled with the father of late former prisoner Otto Warmbier to the South to “remind the world of the atrocities happening in North Korea.”

“North Korea would have strongly preferred the vice-president not use the world stage to call attention to those absolute facts or to display our strong alliance with those committed to the maximum pressure campaign,” Mr. Pence’s spokesman Nick Ayers said.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said only a “brief meeting” with leaders of the North Korean delegation had been on the table.

“The vice-president was ready to take this opportunity to drive home the necessity of North Korea abandoning its illicit ballistic missile and nuclear programs,” Ms. Nauert said in a statement.

“At the last minute, DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) officials decided not to go forward with the meeting. We regret their failure to seize this opportunity.”

‘MURDEROUS REGIME’
Mr. Ayers characterized the offer as the North having “dangled a meeting in hopes of the vice-president softening his message, which would have ceded the world stage for their propaganda during the Olympics.”

“As we’ve said from day one about the trip: this administration will stand in the way of Kim’s desire to whitewash their murderous regime with nice photo ops at the Olympics,” Mr. Ayers said.

“Perhaps that’s why they walked away from a meeting or perhaps they were never sincere about sitting down.”

Analysts say the North’s Olympic diplomatic drive sought to loosen international sanctions against it and undermine the alliance between Seoul and Washington.

Even as the US warned against falling for Pyongyang’s Olympic charm offensive, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued an invitation via his sister Kim Yo Jong, who was attending the Games, for a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

But on his return trip from the Games, Mr. Pence said there was “no daylight” between the US, South Korea and Japan on efforts to isolate Pyongyang economically and diplomatically until it abandons its nuclear and ballistic missile program.

Washington calls it a campaign of “maximum pressure.”

Mintaro Oba, a former State Department diplomat specializing in the Koreas, tweeted that “it’s entirely possible that North Korea scheduled the reported secret meeting with VP Pence fully intending to cancel so that they could play the blame game.”

“Sudden cancellations/withdrawals are a well-established part of the North Korean playbook,” added Mr. Oba, now a speechwriter in Washington.

DENUCLEARIZATION FIRST
Global alarm at the rapid advance of nuclear-armed North Korea’s weapons technology rose further last year when the regime tested its Hwasong-15 ballistic missile — theoretically capable of hitting the mainland US — in a challenge to Washington, which has threatened to “utterly destroy” the regime in the event of an attack.

President Donald J. Trump and the North’s leader Kim Jong Un have engaged in a series of personal insults.

But as tensions rose between the North and Washington, the Games triggered a rapid reconciliation between the two Koreas, who are still technically at war.

“The president made a decision that if they wanted to talk, we would deliver our uncompromising message. If they asked for a meeting, we would meet,” Mr. Ayers said, referring to Trump.

“He also made clear that until they agreed to complete denuclearization we weren’t going to change any of our positions or negotiate.”

Woodrow Wilson Center vice-president Aaron David Miller, a former advisor to Republican and Democratic diplomatic chiefs, highlighted the Trump administration’s conflicting messages on whether to talk or not with the North Koreans.

“Has the locked and loaded fire and fury Trump administration come to conclusion that it’s time to stop talking about North Korea and to start talking to them?” he asked. — AFP

Raul Castro receives US lawmakers on visit to Cuba

HAVANA — Cuban President Raul Castro Tuesday received a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers Tuesday, who are visiting the island with the alleged “acoustic attacks” against US diplomats on their agenda.

“During the meeting they discussed matters of interest to both countries,” the Cuban government said in a statement.

The delegation, led by Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, arrived in Cuba Sunday to address various issues including the mysterious supposed attacks in Havana.

The issue has hit US-Cuba relations, with Washington withdrawing half of its diplomats from Cuba and expelling 15 officials from the Cuban embassy in the US capital.

The Cuban foreign ministry’s US director, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, met with the congressmen Monday assuring them that “no evidence that attacks occurred against US diplomats in Cuba exists,” according to his deputy Johana Tablada.

Accompanying Mr. Leahy on the visit are senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Michigan’s Gary Peters, along with representatives Kathy Castor of Florida, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Susan Davis of California.

Mr. Leahy has been one of the most active politicians inside the Capitol in advocating the improvement of US-Cuba relations, which defrosted somewhat in 2014 under Barack Obama after half a century of tension.

The US delegation will end its stay in Cuba on Wednesday with a press conference.

At least 24 Americans, a mix of US embassy personnel and their dependents — suffered headaches, hearing loss, disorientation and some loss of cognitive ability between November 2016 and August 2017.

Some recovered from the most acute symptoms, but the severity, range and recovery time was mixed and it’s not yet clear whether any have suffered permanent injury.

US press reports suggest that FBI agents dispatched to Havana have been unable to find any evidence to support a theory that the staff were attacked with an acoustic or sonic weapon. — AFP

Trolls and mercenaries: How ‘Putin’s Cook’ fed US appetite for disinformation

MOSCOW — In November 2013, three Russian political operatives flew from Moscow to New York. Over the next few days, the men toured Manhattan, took side trips to Washington and Detroit, drank vodka at a Brighton Beach restaurant, and had a guitar sing-along with Russian emigres.

It was a whirlwind, but they had no time to waste. Their boss was Yevgeny Prigozhin. A lieutenant of President Vladimir Putin, he had ordered up a film depicting an impoverished and crime-ridden America. “We went to meet Russians who live in New York and find out what makes life painful there,” said Oleg Matveychev, a member of the group.

Mr. Prigozhin and three of his companies were named in the indictment announced last week in Washington by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The prosecutors said he was one of 13 Russian citizens who defrauded the US government in a multimillion-dollar conspiracy aimed at criticizing Hillary R. Clinton and supporting Donald J. Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders.

The 37-page indictment describes how hundreds of Russians used social media, fake rallies, and secretive operatives in the US to create “political intensity” among radical groups, opposition social movements, and disaffected voters. In 2014, the indictment says, several Russians traveled to the US under false pretenses “to collect intelligence for their interference operations.”

The 2013 journey, first reported by the Moscow newspaper Novaya Gazeta and confirmed by Bloomberg, shows that those efforts were preceded by at least one other project. It also offers a glimpse of the multifaceted nature of a propaganda machine built by Mr. Prigozhin. Mr. Matveychev said the New York trip, aimed at shoring up domestic support for Mr. Putin, was initiated by Mr. Prigozhin with no Kremlin involvement.

Such an operation, though, would likely have been backed by Russian intelligence, according to John Sipher, a retired senior Central Intelligence Agency agent who oversaw operations in Russia. “They wouldn’t waste that opportunity,” Mr. Sipher said. “You don’t travel to the US like that without the support of the intelligence agencies.”

‘PUTIN’S COOK’
A short man with a stony stare, Mr. Prigozhin is known as “Putin’s Cook” because one of his companies, Concord Management, provides food services to the Kremlin. The Mueller indictment names that company’s parent, a related catering firm, and another Prigozhin group called the Internet Research Agency that ran a vast troll operation designed to sow discord in the 2016 US presidential election.

Mr. Prigozhin has known Mr. Putin since the 1990s, when both lived in St. Petersburg and Mr. Putin was the city’s deputy mayor. Mr. Prigozhin ran a network of hot dog stands, and then launched one of Russia’s first grocery chains, according to the Medusa Project Web site. In 1997 he opened a restaurant on a ship docked on the Neva River, which became the go-to spot for hosting dignitaries such as George W. Bush and Jacques Chirac.

These days, Mr. Prigozhin can be seen departing Mr. Putin’s residences in a black SUV with flashing lights, a perk reserved for top brass. He’s chummy with business leaders such as Gazprom Chief Executive Officer Alexey Miller, who once was seen dashing through a Kremlin corridor to hug Mr. Prigozhin. He guards his privacy fiercely. At an event with Mr. Putin, a reporter spotted Mr. Prigozhin and called out to him by name. “Who are you?” the man replied. “You must be addressing the wrong person.”

The “Cook’s” reach extends beyond the Kremlin’s kitchens and internet trolling. According to three people familiar with the matter, Mr. Prigozhin controls a shadowy private military contractor called Wagner that maintains a training camp at a commando base in southern Russia and deploys mercenaries to eastern Ukraine and Syria. In 2016, Mr. Prigozhin was sanctioned by the US Treasury, which said he has “extensive business dealings” with the Russian Defense Ministry.

“Prigozhin is one of those people who managed to convert his personal relationship with Putin into economic and political influence,” said Valery Solovei, a researcher at the Moscow State Institute for International Relations. “Putin needs people to deal with delicate issues, and Prigozhin could deliver trolls, mercenaries, and all kind of services.”

Mr. Prigozhin has denied wrongdoing and any links to the Wagner mercenary operation. “Americans are very impressionable people,” he told news agency RIA Novosti in response to queries about the Mueller indictment. “If they want to see the devil, let them see it.” Mr. Prigozhin did not respond to e-mails seeking comment.

Around 2011, Mr. Prigozhin set up a web trolling effort with Mr. Putin’s approval, according to a former Kremlin official. Mr. Prigozhin was the wizard behind the curtain, shaping the narrative as internet use surged and state media’s influence began to wane. His machine was key in helping quell antigovernment street protests after contested Parliamentary elections in 2012, which paved the way to an extended term for Mr. Putin.

DIRT DIGGING
“He reads newspapers every morning, Web sites, watches TV,” said Mr. Matveychev, who was part of the 2013 New York trip. “Then he gives his assignments: ‘Look what happened in Syria. Write comments saying everything in Syria is OK.’”

The trip to the US was aimed at kicking off a series of anti-American films, according to Mr. Matveychev. They shot footage across Manhattan, looking for “disadvantaged areas,” homeless people, and what Mr. Matveychev called “dirt” that would cast America in a bad light. According to Novaya Gazeta, the team purchased US SIM cards for their phones rather than using Russian numbers, and Concord employees back home were instructed not to directly contact the men while they were abroad.

Mr. Matveychev characterizes the American adventure as a one-time assignment that fizzled out when Mr. Prigozhin lost interest. The footage was ultimately used in a 16-minute documentary that has garnered about 35,000 views since Mr. Matveychev posted it on YouTube in 2015. He’s working on similar projects to promote Mr. Putin’s campaign for next month’s presidential election, both at the Kremlin’s behest and on his own initiative.

“Do you think I get money from the Kremlin for creating propaganda every day from dusk till dawn?” Mr. Matveychev said of the popular blog he has published since 2010. “I am an officer of the information war.” — Bloomberg

The benefits of a cashless world

Money as a concept is almost as old as human civilization. Out of all the items commonly found in any individual’s pocket, cash is easily the one thing that has been in use for thousands of years. For good reason: money is portable, easily transferable, and it does its job of acting as storage of value quite well.

But times are changing. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Payments Management, Inc. with the aim of establishing the required infrastructure for a new retail payment system that would promote the use of cashless transactions in the country.

The new national retail payment system framework could see financial transactions in the Philippines transition from cash and check-based payments to electronic fund transfers and e-wallet disbursements. Another goal is the broadening of financial inclusion through the coverage of more unbanked and underserved areas through alternative and cheaper avenues for settlements. Cash, it seems, is due for an update.

Cashless and electronic transactions, which are increasingly becoming the norm in the Western world, present a massive opportunity for the continued growth of the Philippine economy. Mainly, these opportunities lie in the reduction of costs and the improvement of security of the exchange of goods and services.

But as of the most recent estimates by the BSP, the volume and value of electronic payments in the country make up a ‘negligible’ one percent of all financial transfers. The BSP hopes to raise that number to as much as 20% by 2020 through the new system.

According to a 2017 study published by Visa titled “Cashless Cities: Realizing the Benefits of Digital Payments”, Manila could stand to gain as much as $8.6 billion through the adoption of a cashless payment system.

The report, which analyzes the use, acceptance and cost-benefit impact of physical versus digital money in 100 cities all over the world, estimated that increasing digital payments across the 100 cities could result in total direct net benefits of US$470 billion per year.

“Consumers across the 100 cities currently spend an average of 32 hours a year — nearly a full work week — on cash-related payment activities,” Visa wrote in the report.

“Greater adoption of digital payments is estimated to reduce this figure to 24 hours a year, saving consumers in the 100 cities an average of over $126 million per year. When other benefits of digital payments are taken into account, such as reduction in cash-related crime, these savings could increase to $278 million per city, equivalent to about $67 per adult per year.”

For Manila, these benefits translate into a further $2.5 billion in business revenues, $11.6 billion in savings due to less paper processes, and about $100 million in time saved for consumers.

“From handling invoices and receipts to counting and transporting cash, businesses spend a huge amount of time processing paper. Digital payments, such as contactless cards and e-documents, create significant savings by handling these tasks in far less time,” Visa wrote.

The government could also potentially gain an additional $300 million in increased revenues due to higher sales, as well as $900 million in savings due to cheaper digital payment systems.

Visa has previously revealed its interest in increasing its presence in the Philippines by offering new and more affordable means of cashless transactions tailored towards the country’s unbanked sectors.

“We think electronic payments is good for the economy. It’s good for people. If you bring it down for the people, it’s great because it’s convenient, it’s more secure and it’s a great way to manage your budget,” Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam Stuart Tomlinson had told BusinessWorld. 

He noted that for this to happen, however, there needs to be a change in the perception of the mass market towards electronic payments and the financial technology industry.

“If we think about a country like the Philippines, we’ve got hundreds and millions of small businesses… so we’re sort of developing innovative ways to try and make cost of acceptance much lower for both the bank and the merchant. So basically, on our innovation front, we’re turning the cellphone into an acceptance device,” he said.

“When you get down to that sort of mass market, they want ease and convenience so we try to build innovative use cases around using the mobile phone for electronic payments… We’re working on this with the central bank, we’re working on this with our clients — which are the banks and the telcos — tempering new and innovative technologies to make them cheaper, easier and more convenient for the consumer, for the infra[structure] plans, which are the banks, and for us, Visa, because we’re the network so we can help sort of promote the thinking, innovation and technology,” Mr. Tomlinson said. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

Nine ways to cultivate a mentally healthy workplace

Work and mental health awareness are two things that don’t often mix. Many of us even forego our own mental health for the sake of work, pulling off overtime sessions and all‑nighters to slay those deadlines or nab that promotion. To the extremes, too much focus on your job can impact your physical health. Japan even coined the term karoshi, meaning “death by overwork”: a product of a culture of extreme workaholism.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Local and international organizations have been emphasizing the impact workplaces have on employees’ mental health, and conversely, the increased productivity of workers when they are healthy and happy. In fact, the World Health Organization’s theme for last year’s World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2017) was “mental health in the workplace.”

One of the local initiatives for this cause is Human Resources (HR) Mentoring, a five‑Saturday elective program on HR operations, by HR specialists in various fields. They held an elective specifically about mental health in the workplace last February 17 at UP Manila. HR Mentoring’s main aim is to equip HR practitioners with the right mindset to improve their services, and ultimately their companies, from the ground‑up: “This will lead to industrial peace through the promotion of social justice and responsibility. Industrial peace, on the other hand, contributes to nation‑building,” says Sonnie Santos, founder of HR Mentoring.

Come to think of it,HR practitioners have so much to say about shaping a company’s culture: they’re the first people everyone meets upon entry, after all—an initiative to make HR professionals more considerate of mental health is a major game‑changer to most companies.

The talk was given by Andrea B. Martinez, MA Ed, a professor and mental health professional from UP Manila. Here are her nine things you can do for a mentally healthy workplace:

 

1. Acknowledge stressors and mental health problems while on the job.

Whatever job you may have—be it a 9‑to‑5 office job, part‑time job or unemployment—has a direct connection to your well‑being, and the same goes for everyone else. Just because somebody is currently unemployed doesn’t mean that they are having the time of their lives. In fact, they may be racked with pressure and uncertainty. Even freelancers and those who work from home experience invalidation, even if they have to take their work home with them and juggle deadlines.

Martinez cites a study wherein 32% of government employees in 20 agencies in Metro Manila have reported experiencing mental health problems at least once in their lifetime, with the most common diagnoses being specific phobias (15%), alcohol abuse (10%) and depression (6%). Even with these statistics, it doesn’t seem like mental health issues are given quite enough consideration in the workplace: mental health disorders are still not yet included in occupational and compensable diseases under the Employees’ Compensation Program by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Thankfully, we’re close to a National Mental Health Law—but recognition of these issues on the job is long overdue. Acknowledge that mental health is an important factor in job performance and satisfaction. Utilize job orientations, seminars and workshops as opportunities to promote positive attitudes and facts about mental health, but awareness is only the first step. Have a concrete program, policy, and if possible, facility for promoting mental health in your workplace.

 

2. Check yourself.

Mental health begins with yourself. You can’t help others effectively if you yourself are feeling down. Martinez shares that a mentally healthy person is:

a. Reality‑oriented, fairly realistic in appraising and interpreting events, reactions and capabilities,

b. Positive, experiencing many positive emotions and attitudes towards themselves, others, and life in general,

c. In control of oneself, with the confidence to make voluntary decisions rather than making uncontrollable reactions during moments of tension and anxiety,

d. Flourishing, productive and flexible in lifestyle, able to adapt amidst adversity and able to cope in a variety of situations,

e. Able to develop trusting, affectionate and satisfying interpersonal relationships,

f. Emotionally stable, not easily upset or anxious, and able to channel negative emotions into productive pursuits,

g. Life‑oriented, interested in and enthusiastic about life and living,

h. “Spiritual,” not necessarily in the religious sense, but able to develop meaning, direction and a sense of purpose in their lives.

 

3. Recognize some common warning signs of mental health problems at work early enough.

Statistically speaking, young professionals should be especially wary of their mental health, as, according to Martinez, 75% of mental health problems emerge before the age of 25. She added that depression is the leading cause of death for young professionals, from 19‑25 years old. Martinez underscores the importance of checking up on each other, and recognizing that there is a problem before it greatly affects one’s well‑being: “Malaking bagay ang kamustahin mo ang tao, lalo na sa mental health concerns. The way we greet people as Filipinos is ‘kumusta?’ and our default answer is ‘ok lang.’ (…) But you may be broken inside, although you are projecting that everything is okay.”

Some signs to watch out for are feeling low, difficulty in performing ordinary tasks, risk‑taking behavior, withdrawal and self‑isolation, substance use, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, loss of interest in activities, and becoming too preoccupied with a sense of imperfection. It’s at this point that one must seek the help of a qualified mental health professional.

 

4. Be professional when it comes to handling the mental health concerns and history of employees.

Despite the exponentially heightened awareness of mental health in the country, it’s still a sensitive topic, especially at work. Provide support and accommodation to those with mental health problems, but also learn how to traverse the thin line between acknowledgement and patronization. Treat mental health issues just as seriously as physical health issues, but without any hint of coddling or babying.

Another concern that prevents people from disclosing their history of mental illness is the fact that in some cases, it’s not kept a secret. It may even go back to them in the form of distasteful office gossip. The rule of thumb here is confidentiality. Employees should also give their informed consent if they’re compelled to disclose information about their mental health history. Even then, asking about somebody’s mental health history is important only if disclosure is required by law, if there is a life‑threatening emergency, or if it involves a minor (e.g. if there is child abuse, you will have the duty to disclose to law enforcement). There must already be an existing case, or you must have reason to believe it is in the interest of public safety to disclose the employee’s mental health history.

 

5. Promote the positive aspects of work and the workplace.

So much of what we do for work is tied to our identity—promoting all the positive aspects of the work they do, as well as giving them incentives and a clear sense of what the company is about/what the company does will greatly benefit the mental health of employees. After all, everyone wants to feel appreciated and accomplished from time to time.

Martinez mentions that the four key elements of a good workplace include: a positive physical work environment, a positive psychosocial work environment, enterprise community involvement and personal health resources.

 

6. Recognize—and do something about—risk factors for mental health problems in your workplace.

Studies in the US suggest that mental health disorders have an economic burden of about 45%, computed in terms of productivity, lost quality of life and lost money. No employer wants to admit that their workplace has potential risk factors for mental health problems, but some self‑reflection or company appraisals may do wonders not just for the employees, but for the productivity of the company as well.

Common risk factors in the workplace include stressful working conditions, harassment and bullying, inadequate health and safety policies, poor communication and management practices, limited participation in decision‑making, low control over one’s area of work, low levels of support for employees, workload, inflexible working hours, unclear tasks and unclear organizational objectives.

 

7. Equip employees with positive coping mechanisms and opportunities to unwind.

Employees may cope in negative ways, such as by drinking, smoking, gambling drug use, too much sex, aggression and violence, absenteeism and even workaholism. Despite how much we glorify productivity these days, that last bit is not something to be lauded: it is, more often than not, a way for employees to cope with some other stressor in their life (e.g. a stressful home life).

Team building activities and opportunities to socialize with each other outside of the work context may greatly help the mental health of employees. Martinez mentions that some companies even hire masseuses to visit the office, so that their workers can unwind in the convenience of their workplace.

Orientations or workshops may also help, such as stress management, anger management, assertive communication, work‑life balance, meditation, life skills coaching and peer counseling.

 

8. Update company policies and management styles to include mental health in the picture.

Again, have policies and programs in place to benefit the mental health of employees. Review policies on the aforementioned risk factors, as well, such as company policies against bullying and harassment.

Management styles may also need to be adjusted, especially if it isn’t a good fit for the workers. Overly authoritative or overly complacent management tactics may be causing avoidable stress to a company’s workers.

 

9. Have an HR department equipped to handle mental health issues.

But this is not to say that they should shift their specialization to clinical psychology. Human resources aren’t just for recruitment and training—they’re the ones we go to if we have concerns or grievances, as well. Giving the HR staff (or even the entire organization) basic psychological first aid training will help prepare them in the event of a mental health crisis. Nobody expects these things, after all.

Martinez’s tips for administering basic psychological first aid are: nonjudgmental listening if the person wants to talk, identifying and addressing basic practical needs, discouraging negative coping strategies, encouraging (but not forcing) the company of family and friends, maintaining confidentiality, and culture sensitivity. The key point is not to do any further harm to the person, so as to avoid re‑traumatization.

Whether you’re in the HR department or not, you can do something to make your own workplace more attentive to mental health—and your awareness is a great first step. The workplace should be treated like our second home, and action must be taken from wherever you are in the organization or company to keep it that way.

Ten Philippine universities offering UK master’s degrees

Students from 10 higher education institutions in the Philippines will soon get the chance to get United Kingdom postgraduate degrees without having to leave home.

This year, the partnership signed between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the British Council two years ago will take effect. Filipino students will get access to UK postgraduate programs while staying enrolled at selected universities through double and dual degree programs that will be available as early as next school year.

University representatives from both nations, who attended the press conference on February 16 at the Makati Shangri‑La Hotel, hoped that this Joint Development of Niche Programmes (JDNP) project will strengthen linkages between our two countries. There are ten participating Philippine universities, nine participating UK universities and seventeen degree programs between them.

The following are the participating Philippine universities, their partnered UK institution, and degree programs offered:

1. Ateneo de Manila University and Queen Mary University of London

Dual degree ‑ Master of Science Innovation through Media Arts Technology

Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Data Science

 

2. Bicol University and University of Liverpool

Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems

 

3. Central Luzon State University and the University of Liverpool

Dual degree ‑ Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Food Systems by research

 

4. De La Salle University and Liverpool Hope University

Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Computer Science

Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Data Science/Data Engineering

Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Robotics Engineering

Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Nutrition

 

5. Miriam College and Goldsmiths University of London

Dual degree, Postgraduate Certificate and Master of Arts in Designing Education

 

6. Saint Louis University and Coventry University

Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

 

7. Siliman University and Newcastle University

Double degree, Newcastle University ‑ Master of Research in Marine Ecosystems and Governance

Double degree, Siliman University ‑ Master of Research in Tropical Biological Oceanography

 

8. University of the Philippines‑Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology and University of Reading

Dual degree ‑ Doctor of Philosophy (by research) in Meteorology

 

9. University of the Philippines Los Banos and University of Reading

Dual degree, Doctor of Philosophy (by research) in Horticulture

 

10. University of San Carlos and Coventry University

Dual degree, Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering

 

11. University of San Carlos and Cardiff Metropolitan University

Joint degree, Master of Arts and Design

 

12. University of Santo Tomas and University of Reading

Dual degree, Doctor of Philosophy in Built Environment/Architecture

 

13. University of Santo Tomas and University of Leeds

Ladderized program, Master in Public Health (International) with UST to a Postgraduate Certificate with University of Leeds

 

Enrolment in the above degrees in the Philippines ensures your registration in their counterpart UK universities. Depending on the program you enrol in and the requirements set by both universities, you may be required to briefly go to the UK for a few months to a few years to get your degree.

The programs were selected based on the perceived need of experts in the above fields in the Philippines. For example, the natural science degrees offered will help our country when it comes to coping with climate change, food security, and disaster risk management.

“I think the strategy of many developing countries is that if we want to develop these niche programs is to partner with other institutions that are very strong in these programs,” said Dr. Cynthia Bautista, vice‑president for academic affairs of the University of the Philippines (UP), citing UP’s partnerships in horticulture and meteorology. “That’s the fastest way. So that’s helpful to the country, and we’re working for the common interest of the universities.”

But it doesn’t stop here. CHED officer‑in‑charge Prospero De Vera III said that they are working on forging more partnerships between other Philippine universities and their counterparts not just in the UK but also in Canada. “We are in the process on looking at the policy of transnational education (TNE) and looking at the next batch,” said De Vera during the press conference. “We are committed to continuing the partnership on the side of the Philippine government.” ‑Lucia de Guzman

Potent commercial vehicles

Deciding which commercial vehicle to buy for your business can get very confusing. For one, there is an overwhelming abundance of options. And there is the temptation to choose either the cheapest or the most expensive model, a decision that often leads to regret. Below is a list of the offerings by some of the country’s best-known commercial vehicle manufacturers that you might want to take a closer look at.

Kia K2700

The K-series truck from Kia Motors Philippines has an ambitious goal: to change the way truck is perceived. “With greater utility and a level of refinement you would expect to find in only a passenger car, the K-series truck not only makes getting the job done easier, it lets you do it in comfort,” the company says. Its exterior features a rear gate chain that is covered to protect against corrosion; a catcher that promises better grip; and a round-edged brim cover that allows easier loading and unloading. Driving the truck is made comfortable by the steering wheel whose height can be adjusted. And for storage needs, the glove box provides up to 11.13 liters of space. Powering the K2700 is the 2,665 cc J2 engine that is capable of producing 80 pferdestärke (ps) at 4,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 16.8-kilogram meters (kg m) of torque at 2,400. The truck is also equipped with a number of safety technologies, like the back warning system that alerts the driver to the obstacles behind the vehicle.

Hyundai H350

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.’s H350 model of light commercial vehicle showcases the South Korean brand’s modern family aesthetic, as well as its practical and sophisticated styling — from the front fog lamps set back into the front bender to ensure maximum visibility to the aerodynamically sculpted side mirror housings that minimize wind noise. H350’s interior boasts of advanced ergonomics and driver-focused efficiency. “Driver-focused H350 remains true to Hyundai’s core design principles of safety, ease-of-use and simplicity. With its spacious cabin, clear visibility and supreme car-like comfort, there’s always room for all,” the company says. A 2.5 CRDi diesel engine, with a six-speed manual transmission for rear wheel drive, powers the H350, allowing it to maximize drivability and deliver an efficient and safer ride. Seventy-five percent of the chassis of the H350 is made from high tensile steel to achieve optimum crew and cargo protection. And with the vehicle dynamic control system that triggers relevant brakes, the driver wouldn’t have to worry about keeping the H350 on course.

Tata Ace

Tata Motors Philippines describes its Ace model of small cargo truck as having “superior safety, versatile performance and ease of maintenance.” The company adds that it has changed the face of sub 1-ton goods carriers. Among Ace’s key exterior features are the wide-angle outer rear view mirror and a headlamp. Meanwhile, the interior highlights of the vehicle are the ergonomic steering wheel and the classy dashboard. Ace is powered by a 2 cylinder water-cooled engine capable of producing a maximum output of 16 horsepower (hp) at 3,200 rpm, and a maximum torque of 38 Newton meter (Nm) at 2,000 rpm. It also has a four-speed manual transmission and single plate dry friction diaphragm type of clutch. Ace can reach a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour (kph) and carry up to 70 kilograms of payload.

Nissan NV350 Urvan

The NV350 Urvan of Nissan Philippines boasts a sturdy construction, with a clean, modern look. The cargo van variant of the Urvan has a long body and a high roof that adds extra headroom as well as interior space for hauling big loads and large volumes. “Engineered with the worker in mind, NV350’s cabin was constructed for roominess and ease of use,” the company says. The cabin contains multi-function display that provides real-time fuel efficiency information, and odometer and trip meter data. To ensure, the NV350 Urvan is equipped with Supplemental Restraint System airbags and seatbelts. It also has an anti-lock brake system and a brake assist system that together assist the driver during braking, preventing tires from sliding and increasing braking pressure in emergency situations. The diesel 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that is inside the Urvan does not only offer high torque output but is also fuel-efficient and produces low noise.

On upward trajectory

The government has long considered the automotive industry as one of the key drivers of the country’s economy. In the past years, the industry showed no signs of slowing down, and has seen a steady growth of sales over the past years, with the bulk of it attributed to commercial vehicles (CV).

In 2014, a total of 234,747 auto units were sold according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) — 90,287 units of which were passenger car (PC) segment sales, while the 144,460 units were CV segment sales. On the other hand, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) reported a total of 35,565 auto sales, which is comprised of 18,467 units sold in the passenger car (PC) segment and 17,098 units sold were CVs, particularly in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.

Continuing its upward trajectory, a total of 288,609 auto unit sales were reported by CAMPI and TMA in 2015 with PC and CV segments indicating notable increase in sales. The former segment recorded 116,381 number of units sold while the latter segment recorded a total sale of 172,228 units. In the same year, AVID also indicated a sales take-up of 58,712 units; with total sales of 22,386 units for the PC segment and 36,326 units for the LCV segment.

In 2016, according to a joint report of CAMPI and TMA, the Philippine automotive industry indicated a 24.6% growth in sales, recording a total of 359,572 units sold, with CV segment getting the bulk of sales (226,384 units) compared to number of units sold by the PC segment which is 133,188 units. AVID also reported a 60% increase in sales with a total of 93,179 units of autos sold, where majority of the sales were from the category 2 (LCV) segment (57,409 units) ; while the PC segment recorded a total of 35,770 units sold.

Keeping a bullish stance in 2017, CAMPI and TMA reported that the industry indicated an 18.4% increase in sales with a total of 425,673 units sold; 286,249 units of which belong to the CV segment while the remaining 139,424 units were attributed to PC segment. On the other hand, AVID recorded a total of 106,286 units sold in 2017, which is 14% higher than the previous year, with the LCV segment recording total sales of 66,564 units while the PC segment recorded a total of 39,722 units sold.

As indicated in the report over the past years, CAMPI, TMA, and AVID noted a continuous growth from the CV segment. Vehicle brands such as Toyota Motors Philippines Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., Ford Motor Company , Honda Cars Philippines, Inc., Isuzu  Philippines Corporation, and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) are consistently listed top performers in general.

Optimism despite challenges

While the auto industry continues to be bullish, 2018 poses some challenges with the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which took effect Jan. 1 of this year. The law reduces the personal income tax rates, however, imposes higher excise tax on automobiles, petroleum products, and sugar, among others

Both CAMPI and TMA noted a slower growth in sales of automotive vehicles at the start of the year. Their joint report indicated only 4% growth in sales compared to the 27% growth in the same period of last year.

In a separate media report, CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said: “We started the year with a modest growth of 4% in January 2018 against the same period last year. While this is considerably low compared to the growth rate of January 2017, we still consider January 2018 sales as satisfactory and a good start for the auto industry. We will continue our efforts in sustaining the growth momentum of past years.”

On the other hand, AVID President and concurrently HARI President and Chief Executive Officer Ma. Fe Perez Agudo, said in a statement, “For the year ahead, we remain optimistic as we expect short-run market adjustments resulting from the TRAIN. Nevertheless, the new automotive landscape opens waves of opportunities for the luxury, e-vehicles, and hybrid vehicles market. Thus, AVID will continue supporting efforts to sustain inclusive growth and build a positive environment for business.”

Despite these hurdles, industry experts remain positive as the Philippines continue to be one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. Moreover, opportunities are on the way especially now that the government, under President Rodrigo Duterte, is aggressively pushing for its infrastructure projects under the ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program.

These infrastructure projects can encourage a surge in sales in the CV segment. As stated in Fitch Group Co. unit’s industry trend analysis released in March 2017, “CV demand is closely linked with the performance of a country’s construction sector.”

HARI, the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, noted in a statement that they expect the economy to continue its impressive growth for 2018, anchored on sound macroeconomic fundamentals and the current administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program, which is expected to pump prime the economy.

“With the passing of the TRAIN into law, pressure for further price increase, particularly in the automotive sector, is likely inevitable. Nevertheless, the automotive sector remains optimistic that the additional disposable household income of taxpayers resulting from TRAIN and the technology-driven value proposition of car players would likely to sustain high demand for automotive vehicles,” the statement added.

Commercial vehicle as a trend

Meanwhile, car companies like Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) are seeing the potential in commercial vehicles, specifically pickups as the preferred vehicle by consumers.

NPI President and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan said in separate media reports: “The pickup truck is going to grow given the excise tax exemption.” — Romsanne R. Ortiguero

Indian firm wants to join PH telco market — Duterte

By Arjay L. Balinbin

President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced on Tuesday, Feb. 20, that an Indian firm is seeking to invest in the Philippines’ telecommunications industry.

“So, we now talk about why we are here. Most of you are here because you are in business. And in this world of big business now, most of you or some of you are already in the Philippines, even in the construction business. There’s a new application from an Indian company,” Mr. Duterte said during his speech at the induction ceremony of the new board of directors of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Phils. Inc. (FICCI) held at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday evening.

He added: “India is also interested to enter into the telecom industry, and we are considering… I invited them during my talks with the businessmen in India during my official visit.”

The selection of a third telecommunications service provider is one of the top priorities of Mr. Duterte’s administration for the first quarter of the year.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has recently released the draft criteria for the selection of the third telco player, and it is set to be presented to the stakeholders in a consultation on Feb. 27.

Also during his speech, the President reminded the Filipino-Indian businessmen that he has “opened up the third frequency for telecommunications.”

“If you are the representative there, you can always go to them and discuss business. But if you are asked to shell out money or there is a transaction which involves corruption for a favor or for a permit, then let me know,” Mr. Duterte said. “Unless you are ready to give it, then just shut up because it’s yours. But you are not supposed to spend for anything unless it’s part of the official fees and the collections of government, regulatory fees most of it.”

 

DoF mulls 3 kinds of tax amnesty offer

THE GOVERNMENT is considering three kinds of tax amnesty as part of an overall bid to overhaul taxation in the country, the Finance chief said on Tuesday.

“There are three kinds of amnesty we want,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the Philippines’ hosting of the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in May.

“We want to give an amnesty for the estate taxes that were not paid so that assets will become developable,” Mr. Dominguez explained.

“Second, we want amnesty for those who have not paid the correct taxes in the past, and that will be based most likely on your total declared assets,” he added, referring to a planned general tax amnesty.

“You’ll know if you paid the right taxes and we’ll not ask you what you did not pay. Based on your assets, you’ll pay this amount and we’ll not look anymore into your accounts.”

Already being implemented starting January is Republic Act No. 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act that is the first of up to five planned packages designed to shift the burden to those who can afford to pay more and cover about a fourth of the government’s P8.13-trillion infrastructure development program until 2022, when President Rodrigo R. Duterte ends his six-year term. Among others, that first package imposes a flat six percent estate tax. Before that, the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 exempted from tax a net estate value of up to P200,000, and levied 5%, 8%, 11%, 15% and 20% depending on which bracket the property belonged.

Settling unpaid estate tax will unlock properties with such liabilities for development for residential or commercial purposes, Mr. Dominguez said.

Collection of appropriate estate taxes has been elusive for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, with the past administration estimating that annual take could actually go up to P10-50 billion from less than P1 billion currently.

The Department of Finance (DoF) previously said it was supporting House Bill No. 7105 general amnesty measure pending in Congress.

The department is also considering a form of amnesty that will cover existing tax evasion cases, saying it will seek authority from Congress to collect tax settlement amounts “below what is allowable in the law.” — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

Mr. Dominguez said the department expects “quite significant” collections from tax amnesty, even as he said: “It’s not so much the amount — it’s the fact that we start with a clean slate.”

The department also wants Congress to prescribe a moratorium period for amnesty, saying it was an offer that should not be used often.

Easing rules on deposit secrecy would likewise help the government go after tax evaders and money launderers after the amnesty period.

“If they pay (under) the amnesty then wala na ‘yun (we can no longer run after them),” Mr. Dominguez said.

“But if they didn’t (pay appropriate taxes) and they didn’t avail of the chance (for amnesty), then we can look (into their accounts) if we have suspicions.”

The planned amnesty forms part of tax reform “Package 1-B” that is expected to bring additional revenues this year to P130 billion from P89.9 billion under the first package enacted as RA 10963. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

Bourse expected to weather global volatility

By Krista A. M. Montealegre
National Correspondent

PHILIPPINE EQUITIES are unlikely to return to bear territory for some time despite volatility in global markets, with the country’s long-term economic growth prospects remaining intact against a backdrop of normalizing interest rates and mounting inflation pressure, stock market analysts said on Tuesday.

After a dizzying ascent to record levels at the start of the year, global equity markets have recently succumbed to a sharp sell-off after the United States Treasury yields hit a four-year high.

This revived concerns of a repeat of the 2013 “taper tantrum” that prompted the Federal Reserve to gradually scale back its monetary stimulus program, eventually roiling worldwide financial markets.

The local market was not spared, with the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) — a barometer of investor confidence — erasing its gains early this month at the height of the correction.

During the BusinessWorld Stock Market Roundtable at the Makati Shangri-La, COL Financial Group, Inc. Vice-President and Head of Research April Lynn L. Tan said the online brokerage downgraded its 2018 forecast for the PSEi to 8,750 from 9,300 after factoring in the impact of higher borrowing costs.

Philstocks Financial, Inc. Head of Research and Engagement Justino B. Calaycay, Jr. also hinted that a revision of its base-case forecast of 7,900-8,200 and best-case projection of 10,700-11,000 is in the cards after the release of the first-quarter corporate earnings.

Taking into account past corrections, COL Financial’s Ms. Tan expects the PSEi to bottom out at the 7,881 and 8,062 levels around March and May. The benchmark PSEi added 0.14% to close at 8,722.70 on Tuesday after spending most of the day in the red.

“Those waiting for a bear market, I’m sorry, I think you will be disappointed,” Ms. Tan said.

The Philippines, while vulnerable to wild price swings because of the sharp rally at the start of the year, deserves to trade at a premium over other Asian markets, said Michael Gerard D. Enriquez, chief investment officer at Sun Life of Canada Philippines, Inc., citing the robust domestic economy, acceleration of the government’s infrastructure program and the passage of other tax reform packages.

“As a long-term investor, we are excited about how infrastructure will play a role in the GDP. Right now, it’s 70% consumption, but if the government starts to spend and investments come into play, we can see our (gross domestic product) growth breaching seven percent,” Mr. Enriquez said.

First Metro Asset Management, Inc. President Augusto M. Cosio said the global asset allocation for emerging markets has been increasing in recent years, even as international fund managers are still underinvested in the Philippines.

“Emerging markets are the trade of the decade. Emerging markets, indeed, are the place to be,” Mr. Cosio said.

Another key risk this year is higher inflation as a result of weak peso and a new tax reform law, which threatens to dent consumer spending, Ms. Tan said. Consumption is one of the key drivers of the economy, accounting for two-thirds of gross domestic product (GDP).

The central bank expects inflation to average 4.3% this year, topping the 2-4% target range due to price pressures from fuel, cars, tobacco, coal and sugar-sweetened drinks.

“This too will pass. It is not a runaway inflation,” Ms. Tan said. “The Bangko Sentral has the tools to control inflation. It is not a long-term problem. It is a short-term issue.”

Aside from the possibility of more aggressive pace of rate hikes by the Fed and faster inflation, Sun Life’s Mr. Enriquez tagged the peso’s depreciation, worsening current account deficit and government execution of projects as the other key risks.

“There’s a lot of near-term potential disruptors, but over the medium-term, we continue to be constructive on equities market in general,” Mr. Enriquez said.

The analysts were overweight on banks because of rising interest rates, lower reserve requirement and fast loan growth.

The consumer sector may be “challenged” because of quickening inflation, and the infrastructure sector faces some “uncertainty” over how the government pursues big-ticket projects, they said.

“Whether the world is going up or going down, there are always opportunities out there. It’s only a matter of looking for them,” Philstocks’ Mr. Calaycay said.

Kuwait extends amnesty for overstaying OFWs

By Arjay L. Balinbin

The Kuwaiti government has granted the Philippines’ request to extend its amnesty program for Filipino workers who have overstayed their visa, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro O. Villa said.

In a statement on Tuesday night, Feb. 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that the “amnesty program for Filipinos in Kuwait has been extended by two months until April 22.”

The information, according to the DFA, is based on Mr. Villa’s latest report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano.

“Ambassador Villa informed the Secretary that the order for the extension of the three-week amnesty that was supposed to end on Thursday was signed today by Kuwait Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah,” the foreign affairs department said.

This decision, according to the DFA, “came less than a week after Mr. Cayetano formally conveyed the extension request to Kuwaiti Ambassador Mousaed Al-Thwaikh in Manila.”

Mr. Cayetano said “the extension is being requested to allow the Embassy to accommodate more of the 10,800 Filipinos believed to have overstayed their visas or ran away from their employers as only close to 3,000 of those qualified have applied so far.”

“[The] DFA remains in close coordination with Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III and the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to ensure a successful outcome of negotiations with the Kuwaiti Government to improve protection mechanisms for the more than 250,000 Filipinos working there,” he added.

For his part, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he is not yet ready to lift the OFW deployment ban to Kuwait.

“I’m not ready to lift it now. I was outraged by what happened there… We will have to come up with a[n] agreement. Like passports taken by the employer, no day off, they are only allowed to sleep for almost four hours, three hours, and sometimes their meals are garbage. These are the things that have to be sorted out before I will agree to deploy Filipinos outside,” Mr. Duterte said during his speech at the induction ceremony of the new board of directors of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Phils. Inc. (FICCI) held at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night.

The President also noted that the Philippines has been losing skilled workers.

“Problem is there are constructions that have stopped building and everything and even in my place, Davao, because we have lost our skilled workers. They are trained but they are all in the Middle East, so we do not have the workers now,” Mr. Duterte said.

He added that the government is currently “trying to entice [the skilled Filipino workers] to come back to the Philippines to work.”

[Come back to the shores…The Philippines is growing a little bit, moving faster than usual,” he said.

“So these are the things which should [be solved]. There’s a dearth of skilled workers. And it’s because of the many years of hardships, they were forced to migrate to other places,” the President added.

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