Cement industry warns of layoffs amid dumping by Vietnam competitors

January 23, 2024 | 8:18 pm

THE cement industry warned of further layoffs and reduced operations, citing declining demand and competition from imports being “dumped” onto the Philippine market from Vietnam.

“As it stands, the Philippine cement industry has been forced to downscale operations as imports continue to cannibalize the market, and in certain cases lay off workers due to the worsening market situation,” said Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP) in a statement on Tuesday.

“With the projected increase of cement imports, manufacturers will be forced to further downscale operations until demand recovers or importers cease dumping and exploiting the local market,” it added.

According to CEMAP, the production capacity of the cement industry far exceeds expected demand in 2024.

The industry increased capacity by 17 million tons per annum over the last five years, bringing capacity to 53 million tons in 2024.

Meanwhile, CEMAP said demand continues to contract and is currently forecast at 34.5 million tons in 2024.

“Despite the more than adequate supply, the industry continues to be plagued by continuing influx of imports, mostly from Vietnam, despite the imposition of dumping duties on certain manufacturers and exporters,” it added.

In 2023, importers brought in 7 million tons, which CEMAP said is expected to increase amid the 6% contraction of the Vietnamese cement market, which could result in the shipment of more of Vietnamese output to the Philippines in the coming months.

According to CEMAP, the cement industry accounts for at least 1% of gross domestic product and employs 130,000 directly and indirectly. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Philippines seeks to double halal industry output

January 23, 2024 | 8:15 pm

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is aiming for a doubling in the halal industry’s output with the launch of the Philippine Halal Industry Development Strategic Plan 2024-2028.

“Our strategic plan is to transform the Philippines into a premier halal hub in the Asia-Pacific over the coming four years,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said at the launch event at the World Trade Center on Tuesday.

“The execution of our Halal Strategic Plan will see a doubling of our current 3,000 halal-certified products and services to 6,000, catering to both the burgeoning domestic demand and the global halal market,” he added.

“Last year, we imported halal products worth $120 million, indicating a substantial market we could satisfy domestically,” he added.

The plan also includes a P230-billion foreign-investment target and a 120,000 new-jobs target over the four years.

“Our approach invites global participation in Philippine industry development and encourages major local manufacturers to produce halal goods, thus meeting the rising demand at home and abroad,” said Mr. Pascual.

“The confidence in our plan stems from undeniable statistics that tell a compelling story of growth and potential,” he added.

Muslims currently account for 25% of the global population, or 1.9 billion people. This is projected to grow to 2.8 billion by 2050.

“The halal market is poised for remarkable growth, expected to reach a staggering $7.7 trillion by 2025, (against) $3.2 trillion in 2015,” said Mr. Pascual. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Ernst and Young unit to increase PHL headcount to 7,500

January 23, 2024 | 8:13 pm

ERNST and Young unit EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) said it is planning to increase staffing to 7,500 in the next few years.

“We have a two- to three-year target of getting to 7,500 here in the Philippines. That would be across all of the service lines here,” EY GDS Philippines Tax Co-Leader EY Asia-Pacific and EY Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Lead Andrea Catte told reporters on Tuesday.

EY GDS is a knowledge process outsourcing firm delivering tax, assurance, strategy, and consulting services to EY member firms.

The firm currently employs 5,000, mainly located in Metro Manila.

Ms. Catte added that the firm will also focus on upskilling and reskilling its workforce during the next few years.

“But the key focus for 2024 is adaptability and growing the skill sets and services that we are offering,” she said.

In October, the firm opened a Cebu office to increase its capacity to deliver more services to member firms.

“More and more opportunities are being directed to us here… definitely the growth will happen. But it is not only the growth in terms of numbers but what we can (provide),” Raymond Go, EY GDS Philippines consulting leader, said.

“The company also plans to leverage emerging technologies (artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics) for better service delivery, strengthen industry partnerships, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and adaptability,” it said.

Mr. Go said that close to 50% of its business is mainly business assurance, while 20–25% is consulting services, with its tax practice accounting for the remainder is for its taxation services.

He described consulting as one of its “fastest-growing” segments by headcount. — Adrian H. Halili

Legislators seek more funding, bigger role for industry in upgrading vocational programs

January 23, 2024 | 8:10 pm

LEGISLATORS said they support more funding and industry participation in developing technical-vocational education and training (TVET) to improve enrollees’ job prospects.

A report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), a panel composed of legislators and educators tasked to review the education industry after the pandemic, cited the need to review TVET scholarship policies to be more responsive to the needs of learners, and to rationalize enterprise-based learning policies.

EDCOM II also sought increased funding for training programs and scholarships.

At a House plenary session on Monday, Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo said that community-based training programs for 3.7 million TVET learners are non-compliant with training regulations, citing the absence of proper government assessment and certification standards.

He added that less than 15% of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) 2,203 programs lead to a national certification.

“This underscores the critical gap in aligning skills acquisition with recognized standards, hindering the advanced of our large — but mostly uncertified — skilled workforce,” Mr. Romulo said.

EDCOM II called for an “industry-driven incentive framework” for industry to help in enhancing the skills of TVET learners.

“Industry participation remains limited and prohibitive,” Mr. Romulo told the plenary, citing stakeholders’ issues on paperwork and delays by government agencies.

“We must invest in higher-level qualifications that align with the dynamic demands of the labor market. This requires a transformation in bureaucratic systems, making them more agile and responsive to the rapidly changing needs of industry,” he added.

The report also called on TESDA to centralize its management information system to track its respective programs and trainees.

TESDA had 1.26 million enrollees and 1.23 million graduates last year, according to its 2022 annual report. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Insurance regulator collections up nearly 4% to P518.69M

January 23, 2024 | 8:10 pm

PHILSTAR

THE INSURANCE regulator said fee collections rose 3.83% in 2023 to P518.69 million, citing strong growth in product registration fees.

The Insurance Commission said the increase in fees collected is “attributable to the 10.04% increase in Registration Fees for Product Approvals and the 14.12% increase in Examination Fees.”

Registration fees for product approvals amounted to P61.9 million, up from P56.25 million a year earlier.

Of the total, P52.57 million was generated by pre-need and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), while P9.34 million was paid by life and non-life insurers.

Meanwhile, examination fees amounted to P148.59 million last year, up from P130.21 million in 2022. All examination fees were collected from life and non-life companies.

Certificate of authority fees fell 3.39% to P188.31 million, with P180.19 million paid by life and non-life insurers and P8.13 million generated by pre-need companies and HMOs.

Processing fees declined 7.19% to P11.96 million. Of the total, P11.72 million came from life and non-life insurance companies, and P238,000 from pre-need companies and HMOs.

Meanwhile, supervision fees rose 3.02% year on year to P25.02 million. Some P22.1 million was generated by the life and non-life sector, while the remaining P2.92 million was raised from the pre-need and HMO industries.

Certification fees rose 2.01% to P73.66 million in 2023, of which P73.6 million were raised from life and non-life insurers, while P55.23 million came from the pre-need and HMO sector.

Filing fees rose 0.81% to P6.63 million, with P5.63 million collected from life and non-life insurers, and P995,000 from the pre-need and HMO industry.

Accreditation fees rose 22.53% to P1.8 million, with P1.71 million generated from life and non-life insurance companies and P82.5 million from pre-need and HMO firms. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

UNDP touts ‘sponge city’ model amid looming regional water scarcity

January 23, 2024 | 8:10 pm

Sponge cities — WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM/CHAPMANTAYLOR

THE “sponge city” model has been put forward as a possible strategy to deal with water scarcity in Southeast Asia, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“It is important to develop local urban climate adaptation strategies while ensuring national and provincial plans include cities. While doing so, it is important to be able to identify vulnerabilities of urban systems,” it said in its ‘Building climate-resilient and inclusive cities’ policy brief.

“Early identification will help solve vulnerabilities enhancing synergies between solutions of these specific vulnerabilities and broader sustainable and low-carbon development plans,” it added.

The Philippines continued to be the most at-risk country in the world in 2023, according to the latest World Risk Index.

The UNDP said that cities are now facing severe stress on resources; natural disasters; socio-economic issues such as inequality and unemployment; and uncertainty from other emerging risks.

It said sponge cities “enable draining systems that can make better use of rainwater thanks to porous areas and storage.” This model can also help save water and reduce emissions.

“As countries, especially China and in Southeast Asia, are experiencing severe and increasingly pressing water scarcity, sponge cities can help in accumulating, storing, and reusing water,” the UNDP said.

“In this way, cities are able to address increasingly urgent demand for external water resources. This would improve the city’s water resilience, and also the water resource resilience of the entire region, a crucial and increasingly pressing issue,” it added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Gauff survives Kostyuk test to reach Australian Open semis

January 23, 2024 | 7:44 pm

MELBOURNE — US Open champion Coco Gauff came through a huge test at the hands of Ukrainian world number 37 Marta Kostyuk 7-6(6) 6-7(3) 6-2 to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open for the first time on Tuesday.

The fourth-seeded American will rarely play as badly and still progress but prevailed after more than three hours on a blistering hot Rod Laver Arena to fulfil her coach Brad Gilbert’s famous maxim by “Winning Ugly.”

“I’m really proud of the fight I showed today, Marta’s a tough opponent, every time we play it’s a tough match,” she said.

“Yeah, I really fought and left it all out on the court today.”

Ms. Gauff, playing her final Grand Slam as a teenager, had swept into the last eight on a nine-match winning streak as she looked to back up her first major success in New York last year.

Ms. Kostyuk got right in the American’s face from the off, however, and stormed to a 5-1 lead, serving twice for the opening set as well holding a set point on Gauff’s serve.

The 19-year-old American knew she was up against it and, problem-solving on her feet, battled her way back into the contest by rattling off five successive games to serve for the set herself. “I was playing not great. I was just missing everything on both wings and not serving well. I was just trying to win one extra game,” Ms. Gauff recalled.

“I believe every point, every game matters, and eventually the score started to get closer.”

Ms. Kostyuk had been looking increasingly frequently at her coach as her confidence waned but she earned three break points off Ms. Gauff’s forehand and forced the tiebreak when the American double-faulted.

The Ukrainian was revived by treatment on blisters on her feet before the tiebreak but blew her second set point, allowing Ms. Gauff to come racing into the net to go a set up.

The players traded breaks throughout a second set featuring some lengthy rallies but it was Ms. Gauff who was able to edge ahead and serve for the match at 5-3.

Again, however, a combination of Ms. Gauff’s frail second serve and Ms. Kostyuk’s ability to conjure up winners — she fired 39 across the contest — allowed the Ukrainian to get back on serve and then level up the contest at one-set all.

Ms. Gauff found the fix as Ms. Kostyuk tired in the third set by ramping up the pace of her first serve and backhand but was broken when serving for the match for the second time.

She finally got over the line at the third time of asking to move into a semi-final against either Aryna Sabalenka — a rematch of last year’s Flushing Meadows final — or Czech ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova.

Ms. Kostyuk, who was playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, was remarkably upbeat despite the defeat.

“For me, it’s a win because I was playing one of the best girls in the world. Managed to be still very close,” the 21-year-old said.

“It feels far but also very close. This whole tournament I think is a big win for me.” — Reuters

PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals battle royale at Big Dome

January 23, 2024 | 7:44 pm

Games Wednesday
Smart Araneta Coliseum
4 p.m. — Phoenix vs Magnolia
8 p.m. — Ginebra vs San Miguel

THE BATTLE royale for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup is fittingly down to the four squads that have essentially been the most dominant of the tournament.

Top seed Magnolia, owner of a sizzling 7-0 start and leader throughout, and No. 4 Phoenix, a youth-laden crew on a “fairytale” run highlighted by a six-game run early in the campaign, lock horns in one end of the explosive best-of-five semifinal stage.

On the other, it’s No. 2 San Miguel Beer (SMB), last season’s Philippine Cup kingpin, and No. 3 Barangay Ginebra, the defending champs, in a fierce duel between titanic brothers that haven’t tasted defeat in their last six and five assignments, respectively.

The last four standing fire the first salvo Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Magnolia and Phoenix take the battlefield at 4 p.m., both intent on pushing their bids to crash the party of recent winners like SMB and Ginebra.

The Hotshots, whose last championship was back in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, have reached the semis in four of the last five conferences but got stuck in this stage three times and settled for runner-up the one time it made the finals.

The Fuel Masters are gunning for a franchise breakthrough in only their third Final Four appearance.

“We’re always here, every conference. We talked about it. We go to the semis, we go to the finals (only to fall short) but hopefully this time, we go all the way,” said Magnolia’s Chito Victolero after his wards dispatched No. 8 TNT, 109-94. “But again it’s very hard.”

As Phoenix mentor Jamike Jarin called it, “the fairytale continues” for the crew led by Johnathan Williams III, Javee Mocon, RJ Jazul, Tyler Tio and Ken Tuffin. But Mr. Jarin admitted the road got a lot tougher with the stacked Magnolia side of Tyler Bey, Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon, Calvin Abueva and Mark Barroca as opposition.

“They are the favorites even before the start of the conference and we’ll get our hands full. But the pressure is on them,” said Mr. Jarin of Magnolia.

Ginebra’s Tony Bishop, Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo and Maverick Ahanmisi and SMB’s Bennie Boatwright, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perz, Chris Ross and Don Trollano open fire at 8 p.m.

“In my mind, among the four, they’re the team to beat,” Ginebra tactician Tim Cone said of the Beermen.

“We know it’s going to be a hell of a series and pretty much a championship-level series,” seconded Mr. Malonzo. “These are the games we want to play in.” — Olmin Leyba

Strong Group Athletics eyes sweep of Group B at Dubai basketball tourney

January 23, 2024 | 7:43 pm

STRONG Group Athletics tries to zero in on a group sweep when it tackles Beirut Sports Club in the resumption of its campaign in the 33^rd Dubai International Basketball Championship Wednesday at the Al Nasr Club.

Coming off a two-day break, Strong Group wants no let-up against another Lebanese ball club at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday in a bid to go 4-0 in Group B with a game left in its schedule.

Strong Group over the weekend scored a gritty 104-95 win over Lebanon’s Homenetmen for its closest win so far in the 12-team Dubai joust after drubbing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team, 82-66, and Al Wahda of Syria, 89-67.

Kevin Quiambao, who attracted massive interest to play for the UAE national team, has been tasked to carry the fight for the Philippine representative anew with a team-high scoring average in the first three matches.

The UAAP Season 86 and Finals MVP has stamped his class as Strong Group’s strongest weapon so far despite the presence of four quality imports led by Dwight Howard with norms of 18.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Against Homenetmen, Mr. Quiambao poured in 19 points, four rebounds and four assists to provide coverage for Mr. Howard, who finally had his breakout performance with 32 points, seven rebounds and five blocks.

Andray Blatche, Andre Roberson and McKenzie Moore are also expected to continue their steady play as the charges of head coach Charles Tiu eye to prime up for a heavy collision against fellow Group B leader Al Ahly Tri Sports Club of Libya Thursday.

Like the Filipino team owned by Frank and Jacob Lao, the Libyan ball club took care of its first three assignments against Beirut, 81-75, Homenetmen, 93-71, and UAE national team, 94-79.

Strong Group is looking for a stronger outing in Dubai this time around after falling short in the quarterfinals against reigning champion Al Riyadi, which has been dominating Group A with a similar 3-0 slate. — John Bryan Ulanday

Raffy Mosuela named interim coach of Akari Chargers

January 23, 2024 | 7:43 pm

AKARI will give assistant coach Raffy Mosuela a chance to prove his real worth as he was named interim mentor of the Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference starting Feb. 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The team made the announcement on Tuesday through its social media account as Mr. Mosuela filled in the spot vacated by their former Brazilian bench tactician Jorge Souza de Brito.

“Charging into an exciting new chapter with a new interim head coach leading the way. Coach Raffy Mosuela has taken on the role of interim head coach for the Akari Chargers,” the team said.

Mr. Mosuela will get the opportunity to handle a team that has improved a lot following the acquisitions of two new stars in Grethcel Soltones from Petro Gazz and Ced Domingo from Creamline.

The two joined Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma and Bang Pineda in a club that could legitimately challenge for a potential podium finish. — Joey Villar

NCAA S99 beach volleyball kicks off in Subic Freeport

January 23, 2024 | 7:42 pm

COLEGIO de San Juan de Letran eyes to defend its women’s title while San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC)seeks to foil it as National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 (S99) beach volleyball comes off the wraps Wednesday at the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales.

The Michael Inoferio-mentored Lady Knights have brought in Lara Silva, rookie Gia Maquilang and alternate Angel Afogao with an aim of replicating their dream title run orchestrated by eventual Most Valuable Player Chamberlain “Cha” Cunada and Lara Mae Silva a season ago.

The Dominican school has so far collected two titles including its first 21 years ago. Out to challenge them are the San Sebastian Lady Stags of Kat Santos, Juna May Gonzales and Von Dimaculangan.

SSC, under multi-titled Roger Gorayeb’s tutelage, is out to reclaim the title it last won seven years ago when it completed an amazing four-peat feat that hiked its title haul to a league-best seven. “We’re ready,” said Mr. Gorayeb.

Letran squares off with Jose Rizal University at 2 p.m. while SSC tangles with College of St. Benilde (CSB) in the morning matches unfolding at 7:30 a.m.

University of Perpetual Help, meanwhile, aims to replicate its championship conquest from a year ago and hiked its total titles won in the men’s side to four and close in on the league-high seven owned by CSB. — Joey Villar

Joel Embiid scores franchise-record 70 points as 76ers beat Spurs

January 23, 2024 | 7:42 pm

JOEL Embiid scored a career-high and franchise-record 70 points to go along with 18 rebounds as the host Philadelphia 76ers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 133-123 on Monday.

Embiid, the reigning Most Valuable Player, became the third player in Philadelphia franchise history to produce at least 60 points in a game, joining Wilt Chamberlain (three occasions) and Allen Iverson.

Embiid surpassed Chamberlain’s previous franchise mark of 68 points set on Dec. 16, 1967, at the Chicago Bulls.

Embiid shot 24-of-41 from the field, 1-of-2 from 3-point range and 21-of-23 from the free-throw line.

Tyrese Maxey added 18 points and eight assists and Tobias Harris had 14 points and six assists for the Sixers, who won their sixth in a row.

The short-handed Sixers were severely depleted without Patrick Beverley, De’Anthony Melton, Marcus Morris Sr., Jaden Springer, Robert Covington and Mo Bamba.

Prized No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama scored 33 points for the Spurs. Devin Vassell added 22, Jeremy Sochan contributed 14, Doug McDermott had 13 and Julian Champagnie and Tre Jones each finished with 12.

The Sixers led 110-91 with 10:32 left when Maxey tossed an alley-oop pass to Kenyon Martin Jr., who finished with a thunderous dunk.

McDermott banked in a 3-pointer with 8:26 remaining to bring the Spurs within 116-104.

With the fans on their feet, Embiid knocked down an 18-foot jump shot for his 65th point with 4:51 left for a 124-109 lead.

The Spurs managed to close within 127-118 when Vassell scored with 2:37 left. Kelly Oubre Jr. responded with a layup and Embiid scored the next four points to seal the victory.

After the Sixers pulled out to a 55-47 lead, Champagnie responded with a four-point play with 4:08 left in the second quarter.

Embiid tipped in his own miss with 1:14 remaining an added a 10-footer in the final seconds for a slim 62-58 halftime lead.

Embiid had 24 points in the first quarter alone and finished the half with 34 and 10 rebounds. It marked the second time this season that Embiid at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a half.

Wembanyama was also effective with 18 points in only 14 minutes.

When Embiid scored in the lane for a 72-66 lead with 9:20 remaining in the third, he had already reached the 40-point mark.

Wembanyama stayed aggressive, was fouled on a 3-pointer with 7:32 left and made 2 of 3 free throws to close within 77-70.

Embiid’s three-point play with 4:58 remaining gave him 50 and a 92-78 Sixers advantage. — Reuters