DBM releases P7.92 billion for COVID risk allowances

February 17, 2022 | 9:27 pm

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it has released P7.92 billion worth of allowances for workers involved in containing the coronavirus disease.

Eligible for the One COVID-19 Allowance are 526,727 healthcare and non-healthcare workers involved in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response, the DBM said in a statement on Thursday.

Of the total, P4.5 billion was allocated as COVID-19 benefits for Health department employees in public hospitals, offices, and rehabilitation centers. This includes personnel in military and state university hospitals.

The remaining P3.42 billion will be given to 426,414 health workers reporting to local government units and private health facilities.

Each worker will receive a monthly benefit of P3,000, P6,000, or P9,000 depending on the level of risk at their jobs.

“The benefit shall be given in full amount provided that the health professional physically reports to work for at least ninety-six hours per month, otherwise the benefit shall be prorated,” the DBM said.

Other than the P7.92 billion from the Health department’s budget, another P42 billion can be tapped from the unprogrammed appropriations for the allowance.

“The DBM will continue to ensure the timely and prudent approval of the budget releases to ensure the welfare of the frontliners as we bounce back from the impact of the health crisis,” it said.

Healthcare workers have been protesting the COVID-19 benefits prescribed under Bayanihan II, or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, with the One COVID-19 Allowance, calling them unequal because of the risk categories, and discriminatory.

Health workers have been calling for a P15,000 monthly special risk allowance. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Manila Water, MWSS delay start of new concession deal to March 18

February 17, 2022 | 9:26 pm

MANILA WATER Co., Inc. said that it has agreed to delay the start of the new concession deal with the regulator, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to March 18.

In a disclosure on Thursday, Manila Water said the delay was agreed to in a fourth amendment to the Revised Concession Agreement (RCA).

The delay allows “more time for the remaining condition precedent to the effectivity of the RCA” to be accomplished. No details were provided on the “remaining condition” that needed to be fulfilled.

The RCA, which was renegotiated after the government sought a new deal, claiming that the original agreement was disadvantageous, includes a tariff freeze until Dec. 31, 2022 and the removal of the foreign currency differential adjustment.

It also includes a tariff adjustment formula for inflation, which will be two-thirds of the growth reflected in the consumer price index.

The three previous amendments also involve postponements of the RCA effectivity date.

Manila Water provides water and wastewater services to the East Zone concession area of Metro Manila. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

2022 Trek UCI Gravel World Series to be held in Bongabon, N. Ecija

February 17, 2022 | 9:26 pm

THE Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is set to hold its inaugural sanctioned gravel world championships series, with the first event to take place in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija on April 3, 2022.

While the final list of locations is yet to be revealed, races will be held in select event venues in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

The Trek UCI Gravel World Series Philippines event will include an 85km (qualifier distance for 19 to 49) and 62km course (qualifier distance for 50 and above) — the majority of the race is flat and fast. Starting in Vega Grande, located north of Bongabon, the 85km course is a mix of flat gravel roads along the river, forest roads, and dirt roads. The shorter, 62km course includes a shortcut to the same finishing point of the 85km course.

The first race of the Trek UCI Gravel World Series will coincide with Bongabon’s festive season. The celebration is a form of thanksgiving for a bountiful onion harvest.

Growth in currency swaps seen reflecting greater economic integration within East Asia

February 17, 2022 | 9:25 pm

CURRENCY swap agreements are increasing in the region as a means of facilitating trade and stabilizing financial markets, and reflect the increasing trend in economic integration, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said.

Bilateral swap agreements (BSAs) in the ASEAN+3 region have amounted to $381.6 billion, up 15% compared to the end of 2020.

ASEAN+3 represents all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, along with China, South Korea, and Japan.

Bilateral currency swaps are essentially offsetting loans among the parties, with each side holding funds in the swap partner’s currency.

A swap participant’s possession of a partner currency is thought to facilitate bilateral trade while enhancing its banking system’s liquidity.

The implied valuation of the virtual loans also helps set a benchmark for the currencies, which could help stabilize foreign exchange markets during a crisis.

The bulk of the region’s swaps involve the People’s Bank of China’s agreements with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Bank of Korea, and Bank Indonesia, AMRO said in a note on Thursday.

Japan’s Ministry of Finance has a $12-billion currency swap agreement with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), representing just over 3% of the total in the region.

“Swaps among the ASEAN-5 countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) highlight the objectives of facilitating local currency settlements in trade and investment and stabilizing financial markets; given the deeper integration of trade and finance among such economies,” AMRO said.

The Philippines and Japan renewed the currency swap agreement to support financial stability and regional cooperation, the BSP said in January. Both parties can swap their currencies in exchange for the dollar, while the Philippines can swap pesos for yen.

The limits on the swap agreement remain at $12 billion or the equivalent in yen for the Philippines, while Japan can swap up as much as $500 million.

The BSP said the bilateral deal with Japan reflects changes to the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization agreement of the ASEAN+3, which strengthened coordination with the International Monetary Fund.

“The Philippines has access to similar facilities such as the Chang Mai initiative as well as other emergency lines with multilateral institutions. Although it would not hurt to have these swap lines in place, I believe the Philippines is well placed and has adequate arrangements in place to weather a potential liquidity crunch,” ING Bank N.V. Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said in an e-mail.

“It would be beneficial to have get such arrangements as additional safeguards in the future, but it may not be an immediate need as of the moment.”

AMRO said the BSAs have various aims, including easing pressure on currency funding markets, mitigating balance of payments needs, facilitating trade and investments, and promoting currency internationalization. — Jenina P. Ibañez

PSC’s Rise Up! Shape Up! features wrestling on Feb. 19

February 17, 2022 | 9:25 pm

WRESTLING will take the spotlight in the upcoming webisode of the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) Rise Up! Shape Up! on Saturday.

This weekly web series will feature Jonathan Arias on Feb. 19, and his sports program called, “Teach Me Wrestling” which won the “Proyektong Isport Pangkababaihan” award at the 2021 PSC Gintong Gawad.

Mr. Arias founded the program to challenge the status quo in a rural conservative community in Tabaco City, where wrestling is often perceived as a male sport. It encourages schoolgirls to learn the sport, build physical and mental strength, and allow them to break the mold in sports development.

PSC Commissioner Celia H. Kiram, who oversees the Women in Sports program, values the support of grassroots communities in helping the agency in its vision of promoting sports excellence nationwide and discover new talents that would soon wear the Philippine tricolors.

Mr. Arias is currently a DepEd Teacher II in Tabaco City and is consistently recognized for his significant contributions to school-oriented initiatives.

He was cited as one of the Top 5 Outstanding Teachers in the City in 2017. As a coach, Mr. Arias led his martial arts team comprised of young girls with 17 medals (4 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze) during the 2018 Women’s Martial Arts Festival and won 2 silver and 3 bronze medals during the virtual competition last year. Mr. Arias also led his team to back-to-back championships during the 2017 and 2018 Palarong Bicol.

Fun and friendship fuel Norway’s Olympic gold rush

February 17, 2022 | 9:25 pm

ZHANGJIAKOU, China — Norway could set a record for the total number of gold medals won by a country at a single Winter Olympics in Beijing but for chef de mission Tore Oevreboe, enjoying themselves and creating good relationships is more important than winning.

With Norway’s chances of claiming more gold in the remaining biathlon and cross-country races looking good before the Games close on Sunday, the record is within reach but Oevreboe and the Norwegians measure success in different terms.

“The main objective for us is to make the athletes have fun all the way through the Games,” he said as Norway won the men’s cross-country team sprint for a 13^th Beijing gold, one medal shy of the record jointly held with Canada and Germany.

The Norwegians put their winter sports success in recent years down to a three-pronged approach.

“One of them is to have a very high quality of daily training, which is the main thing to do to achieve development over time, and we are also very specific in the work with the competitions, preparations and execution,” he told Reuters.

“But there is a third area that we are very, very eager at working with — it’s to establish and develop good and safe relationships between the athletes themselves and also between the athletes and their coaches and the staff around.

“We are very occupied with creating a good environment, a stable environment, a safe environment, an environment full of fun, so they can really enjoy life when they are doing sport at a high level,” Oevreboe added.

Creating those conditions for success begins long before the likes of Olympic champions Johannes Klaebo and Marte Olsbu Roieseland get to the elite level.

“This is part of the Norwegian sports model, all the way from the start from childhood — it should be physical activity based on fun, many types of activities, variety, different sports,” the 56-year-old former Olympic rower said.

“Lots of small competitions, but we do not track the results of the athletes.”

Oevreboe prefers an approach whereby youngsters can try as many sports as possible before specializing at a later age, rather than hand-picking talented children for specific events.

He believes the aim should be not just producing great champions, but also good Norwegians at every level of society.

“Many of the kids have good opportunities to realize their potential in a variety of fields, and sport is one of them… and then they will develop their potential as humans and citizens,” he said. — Reuters

Atletico problems deepen with defeat to struggling Levante

February 17, 2022 | 9:24 pm

MADRID — LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid fell to a shock 1-0 defeat on Wednesday at home to basement club Levante, who picked up only their second win of the season.

Gonzalo Melero’s goal in the second half inflicted a sixth defeat in 10 league matches on Atletico, deepening their problems a week before they host Manchester United in a Champions League last-16 first leg.

Atletico had pulled off stunning comeback victories at home against Valencia and Getafe in the last month and thought they had grabbed an equalizer when Angel Correa netted with a spectacular overhead kick in stoppage time.

But the goal was ruled out for a foul by Jose Gimenez on Martin Caceres and Correa was shown a yellow card for his angry reaction to the decision.

Levante’s Mickael Malsa almost scored a second for the visitors with a spectacular effort from near the halfway line which hit the crossbar.

Atletico then came within inches of snatching a last-gasp leveler when goalkeeper Jan Oblak came up to contest a set-piece and headed just wide of the far post.

Diego Simeone’s side missed the chance to overtake Barcelona in fourth spot and were left fifth in the standings on 39 points. Levante stayed bottom of the table but moved on to 14 points, 10 from escaping the relegation zone. — Reuters

Legislator wants employment recovery plan to guide LGUs beyond pandemic

February 17, 2022 | 9:24 pm

THE National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) needs to be made permanent, continuing beyond the pandemic, in order to assist local governments in boosting employment, a Senator said.

Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva said in a statement on Thursday that NERS, which is due to expire this year, needs to continue in order “to provide guidance particular to the needs of every LGU (local government unit).”

The strategy, he added, should also be amended to encourage broader LGU participation.

Based on Executive Order 140, NERS is a medium-term plan to deal with “the changes in the labor market brought by the pandemic and the fast adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.”

A more local-centric approach will improve the distribution of employment opportunities across the regions, and ease population pressures in the cities, Mr. Villanueva said.

In addition, a coordinated local employment strategy will minimize the need for both international and local migration for job employment, and corresponding urban explosion problems such as congestion and the rising cost of living, he added.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Mr. Villanueva said the unemployed increased by 6.6% to 3.27 million in December.

“We must also insist that we do not have to move to another province or another country just to work, especially since we are recovering from the pandemic,” he said. “There must be a job for you wherever you are.”

The senator, who chairs the Senate committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources, noted that each jurisdiction has its own unique job market conditions, making LGU participation in national employment recovery “a no-brainer.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Rams celebrate Super Bowl title, prepare to ‘Run it Back’

February 17, 2022 | 9:23 pm

A SHIRTLESS Aaron Donald was at the podium outside the Los Angeles Coliseum on Wednesday afternoon after the Rams celebrated their Super Bowl title with a parade through nearby city streets.

The club had a “Run it Back” theme, an expression outlining the expectations of repeating as Super Bowl champions.

While Donald spoke, coach Sean McVay asked for the microphone and started chanting “Run it Back!” at Donald. McVay yelled it five times before Donald offered a response.

“We built a super team,” Donald said. “If we can bring the super team back and we can be world champions again, why not ‘Run it Back?’”

Perhaps right then and there was confirmation that Donald, widely considered the top defensive player in the National Football League (NFL), will return for a ninth season. There has been speculation that the 30-year-old might consider retirement.

On this day, Donald was more interested in enjoying the Rams’ 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

“We’re having a good time and we’re world champions! World Champions!” Donald punctuated loudly. “We were the last team standing. We’re the best in the world. This is for the city of LA. We did this at home.

“I want you guys to enjoy this — drink as much as we do tonight.”

McVay’s “Run it Back” chants also can be viewed as a sign he will be back with the team for a sixth season. There also has been speculation that the 36-year-old might not return.

But this festive day was more for celebratory exuberance than another day of football business as the players soaked in the atmosphere of riding in double-decker buses while interacting with fans.

Even the famous “HOLLYWOOD” sign on the hills was changed to say “RAMSHOUSE.”

“It’s unbelievable to be out there today with you guys,” Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “It’s been an unbelievable journey we’ve been on. You guys were right there with us and we appreciate you. Every step of the way. I’m so blessed to be a part of this team.”

Stafford is one of three Rams who are received keys to the city from Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti. The others are Donald and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp.

Kupp enjoyed one of the best seasons in history for an NFL wide receiver. He topped it off with two touchdown catches in the Super Bowl, including the decisive one with 1:25 remaining.

Kupp wore a Kobe Bryant Lakers’ jersey to the parade.

“Kobe is synonymous with LA.” Kupp said. “I feel it’s only right — we’re out here celebrating this championship. Kobe is a part of it. He belongs here. And I’ll tell you what: He set the standard.

“All I know, get back to work. Let’s ‘Run it Back.’”

Among the players who spoke at the podium was offensive left tackle Andrew Whitworth.

It has been a crazy month for Whitworth, who just completed his 16^th NFL season. He was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and won his first Super Bowl just days apart at age 40.

“Five years ago, I was told I was a little bit too old,” Whitworth said. “I was told that maybe my time was done. I will tell you this, for every single person that’s standing out there and they were doubted or someone doubted anything you have ever done — bet on yourself.

“It’s five years later and I’m holding this trophy up and I’m 40 years old.” — Reuters

DPWH, JICA pursuing disaster mitigation project for coastal areas

February 17, 2022 | 9:23 pm

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Thursday that it is currently collaborating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on a project to mitigate the impact of disasters in coastal areas.

The partnership involves “capacity development in coastal engineering for a disaster resiliency project, focusing on resilience of coastal communities against disasters,” the department said in a statement.

The objective, it said, is to “meet the challenges of climate change and build safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.”

The project will run for five years, from the date of first dispatch of JICA experts in July last year.

The project scope, the DPWH said, includes compiling coastal management case studies observed in the Philippines, where action taken may have involved improving laws and policies, strategies and regulations, land use, the definition of responsibilities of various organizations, enforcement, public awareness or education, and knowledge dissemination or training among technical staff.

The big-ticket projects in the Philippines backed by JICA include the Dalton Pass East Alignment Project, the Cagayan de Oro-Malaybalay section of the Central Mindanao Highway Project, the Parañaque Spillway/Tunnel Project, the Davao City Flood Control and Drainage Project, and the second phase of the Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Tiger Woods: ‘I wish I could tell you when I’m playing again’

February 17, 2022 | 9:23 pm

TIGER Woods admitted on Wednesday that he’s making slow progress with respect to the injuries sustained from his car wreck of nearly one year ago.

How slow? Well…

“I wish I could tell you when I’m playing again. I want to know, but I don’t,” the 15-time majors winner said during a news conference at the Genesis Invitational. “My golf activity has been very limited. I can chip and putt really well and hit short irons very well, but I haven’t done any long stuff seriously. I’m still working.

“I’m still working on the walking part. My foot was a little messed up there about a year ago, so the walking part is something that I’m still working on, working on strength and development in that. It takes time. What’s frustrating is it’s not at my timetable. I want to be at a certain place, but I’m not. I’ve just got to continue working. I’m getting better, yes. But as I said, not at the speed and rate that I would like. You add in the age factor, too. You just don’t quite heal as fast, which is frustrating.”

Woods, 46, is the tournament host of the event in Pacific Palisades, Calif. His single-car crash on Feb. 23, 2021, occurred not too far from the Riviera Country Club, site of the event.

Woods sustained open fractures in the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

“It’s altered,” Woods said. “My right leg does not look like my left leg, let’s put it that way.”

Woods’ activities have been limited outside of chipping and putting, save for a 36-hole PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, in mid-December. Woods mixed the use of a golf cart along with some walking at the 36-hole, two-man scramble event.

“I can walk on a treadmill all day, that’s easy,” Woods said. “That’s just straight; there’s no bumps in the road. But walking on a golf course where there’s undulations, I have a long way to go. My leg was not in very good position there about a year ago, and I’ve had to work through a lot of different operations and a lot of different scenarios.

“It’s been tough, but I’ve gotten here, I’ve gotten this far and I still have a long way to go. Each and every day’s a fight, and I welcome that fight. Get up in the morning, let’s go a few more rounds.” — Reuters

Employers call for more ‘social dialogue’ to improve rural labor conditions

February 17, 2022 | 9:22 pm

EMPLOYERS said increased engagement in the form of “social dialogue” between workers and management, with the possible involvement of the government, is needed to improve working conditions in the countryside.

“Social dialogue is not limited to negotiations or consultation. It also includes sharing of information,” Employers Confederation of the Philippines Director General Jose Roland A. Moya said at a virtual webinar earlier this week.

“It can be a tripartite process, wherein the actors are government representatives and employer’s and worker’s organizations. It can also include bipartite relations between trade unions and employer’s organizations to promote better living and working conditions and greater social justice,” he added.

Mr. Moya said that while tripartite engagement has been institutionalized, bipartite relations are less formalized and structured.

“Whether its tripartism, collective bargaining, labor-management or some other similar form of interaction, meaningful social dialogue is essential to enable employers and workers to… respond to competition, take advantage of opportunities, adapt to change and improve business performance.”

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has said that agriculture, fishing and mining are characterized by poverty and poor working conditions.

“It is usually linked with long working hours, low wages and other issues related to payment of wages, hazardous working environment, widespread informality, ambiguous employment relationships, non-standard forms of employment, among others,” the ILO said in a statement this week.

The ILO added that the government must promote responsible labor practices to achieve inclusive and sustainable business in the rural sectors.

“Globally, there is also a growing demand for businesses to ensure responsible business practices and due diligence within their supply or value chain. More and more countries are integrating labor provisions in trade policies and agreements, helping promote compliance to labor standards, including occupational safety and health (OSH) and gender equality,” Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines Khalid Hassan said. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson