Acciona offers solutions to address PHL water problems

March 22, 2022 | 12:05 am

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

AMAR MORKANI
Acciona Regional Director for
Development for Southeast Asia

THE Philippines should invest in rain harvesting and other sustainable water solutions to combat the impact of climate change and secure clean water for its population, an Acciona executive said.

“We have to understand the reason for those droughts is the impact of climate change. The rain pattern is changing and the drought season is much longer. It rains more in a shorter time, which then creates flooding and landslides,” Acciona Regional Director Development South East Asia Amar Morkani said in a virtual interview.

The unit of the Spanish infrastructure giant Acciona offers sustainable, end-to-end water treatment and management solutions.

Mr. Morkani cited water harvesting and the desalination of seawater, among many sustainable solutions.

“The first thing is to enhance rain harvesting and storage. Harvesting rain from areas where pollution isn’t that present, like the forest. Its side effect is that you will decrease the probability of flooding and landsliding. It is essential to study the rain pattern in the necessary facilities, in order to help during the drought season,” he said.

“It is also difficult to handle the degradation of the water quality in the water table. You need to decrease the stress in the water table, meaning to pump in deep wells less than what we used to, in order for the water table to regenerate through the rainy season and harvesting season,” he added.

Water scarcity, which affects 40% of the population, is increasing due to global warming.

Mr. Morkani said that water desalination, which is a treatment process that converts seawater or brackish water into drinking water, may help boost water supply.

Acciona has been working on local projects such as Maynilad Water Services, Inc.’s Putatan Water Treatment Plant 2 in Muntinlupa City. The plant treats up to 150,000 cubic meters of water daily from Laguna de Bay.

“Acciona has sustainable solutions not only for the treatment of water but as well for the implementation. We have very strong engineering to develop water storage. We work with the government to fund the plan since each region has its complications, like the solution for Cebu may not work for Palawan,” Mr. Morkani said.

Wastewater must be treated sustainably through recycling, so that it can be released into the environment, he said.

“We have to treat wastewater. We must recycle the water in two steps: the first is the industrial (sector), all the wastewater produced must find a way to be recycled in the facilities. Then, release it to the environment so it can be used for agriculture watering, municipal watering of gardens, and the like,” Mr. Morkani said.

In the future, Mr. Morkani said that the water treatment technology will only become cheaper and consume less energy.

27 national athletes, 11 coaches support the PATAFA leadership

March 22, 2022 | 12:04 am

Chairman Rufus Rodriguez — PHILIPPINE STAR FILE PHOTO

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TWENTY-SEVEN national athletes including five Southeast Asian Games gold medalists and 11 coaches rallied behind the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association in the aftermath of its 90-day ban slapped by the Philippine Olympic Committee recently.

Decathlete Aries Toledo, marathoner Christine Hallasgo, heptathlete Sarah Dequinan, hurdler Clinton Bautista and javelin thrower Melvin Calano, who struck gold in the 2019 SEA Games at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac were among the signatories who signed the petition supporting the PATAFA leadership.

Other notable signatories are SEAG medalists Harry Diones, Mariano Masano, Anfernee Lopena, Francis Medina, Edgardo Alejan, Michael del Prado, Frederick Ramirez, Joyme Sequita and Janry Ubas.

Among the members of the national coaching staff who also inked the letter were Eduardo Buenavista, Jobert Delicano, Arniel Ferrera, Danilo Fresnido, Sean Guevarra, John Lozada and Julius Nierras.

“We are giving our whole-hearted support to PATAFA headed by chairman Rufus Rodriguez and president Philip Ella Juico and the rest of the board of trustees in this critical times,” said the athletes.

“We hope that they wouldn’t forget that we’re also national athletes and the majority, and we’re directly affected by this decision.

“However, of all the tests that our federation is facing, we remained focused in our training so that we can deliver our best performance in our forthcoming competitions and with a full mind, we’re determined to give our country honor in spite of the bad things that happened recently,” they added.

According to PATAFA officials, more athletes could have signed including Fil-foreigners but they are busy training abroad. — Joey Villar

Berlin concert draws 10,000 in solidarity with Ukraine

March 22, 2022 | 12:04 am

FRANKFURT — Some 10,000 people attended a concert in solidarity with Ukraine in Berlin on Sunday, police said, with the crowd waving Ukrainian flags or holding banners with slogans opposing the Russian invasion.

Gathering near the Brandenburg Gate, symbol of a divided Germany during the Cold War, many performers on the stage wore shades of blue and yellow, the colors of the flag. Musicians included Natalia Klitschko, a Ukrainian singer who is married to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko.

Jamala, a Ukrainian singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “1944” in 2016, was broadcast via videolink on a big screen, telling attendees that “music is a peaceful force.”

“I think if all the musicians united it would be the strongest peace army in the world,” she said to the crowd, listening under clear blue skies. — Reuters

Rising mortgage rates won’t be enough to end US housing boom

March 22, 2022 | 12:04 am

residential home-for sale — A “For Sale” sign is posted outside a residential home in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, U.S. May 14, 2021. — REUTERS/KAREN DUCEY

RISING mortgage rates are already pricing out first-time homebuyers, but it’s not enough to extinguish the US real estate frenzy.

US mortgage rates crossed 4% last week for the first time in nearly three years, a rapid ascent that has taken some industry experts by surprise.

While higher borrowing costs may cool the pace of price increases modestly in some markets, the severe housing shortage and intense pent-up demand for real estate — from both traditional buyers and investors — will continue to drive housing costs higher, according to economists.

“Even if a number of buyers get knocked out of the running or put their plans on hold, some will still be forging ahead,” said Jeff Tucker, senior economist at Zillow. “There are a lot of people determined to make that home purchase — and because there are so few homes available, it doesn’t take that many determined buyers to keep the gears in motion.”

Tucker acknowledged that the quick increase in borrowing costs this year has been a humbling reminder that the housing market and rates are notoriously hard to predict, especially in a tumultuous global economy.

While Zillow’s most recent model had home-price appreciation peaking at 22% in May and then gradually slowing to 18% by February 2023, the recent spike in rates has led Tucker to cut his forecasts. The pace of price growth is more likely to slow to about 13% by early next year, he said.

So far, rising rates have stoked demand as buyers rush to lock in purchases before borrowing costs move higher. Nearly 70% of offers written by Redfin agents in February faced bidding wars, according to the brokerage’s seasonally-adjusted measure of competitiveness. That’s the highest level in data dating back to April 2020, just before the pandemic housing rally began.

“It’s the most competitive time in history to purchase a home because mortgage rates are rising from historic lows amid a worsening supply shortage,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “Bidding wars intensified this year after rates started spiking, which lit a fire under buyers.”

With home prices rising at a record-breaking 19% in 2021 and the highest inflation in 40 years wearing down budgets, many would-be buyers have given up. The percentage of people who think now is a good time to buy has plummeted, even from the depths of the 2008 financial crisis.

Higher rates are likely to keep some buyers on the sidelines. But the US housing market is being driven by supply and demand, and prices will be pushed higher as buyers keep bumping into the shortage of available homes.

Right now, homes are being snapped up almost as soon as they’re listed, leading to critically low inventory. In places like Austin, Texas, that have seen an influx of tech workers with hefty salaries and stock options, it’s hard to imagine prices cooling off, according to Ryan Leahy, regional president of Hometown Lenders in Austin.

“That won’t happen here,” Leahy said. “There’s no way on God’s green earth.” — Bloomberg

Vivant says power generation drives 23% rise in net income

March 22, 2022 | 12:04 am

CEBU-BASED Vivant Corp. on Monday reported a 23% increase consolidated net income attributable to the parent firm to P1.78 billion in 2021 driven by its power generation segment.

Excluding a one-time gain, the listed firm with interest in the energy sector posted a 25% increase in its core income to P1.73 billion, it said in a media release.

“We’re proud of what we have accomplished amid the challenges brought by the pandemic. As we see businesses adapt to the changed landscape, we expect a demand for forward-looking, customizable solutions that will help them thrive in the new environment,” said Vivant Chief Executive Officer Arlo Angelo G. Sarmiento said.

Mr. Sarmiento added that government policies during the pandemic helped the company to survive.

Vivant recorded a one-time gain of P44.96 million in 2021 on the back of unrealized foreign exchange gains and its share in the fair value re-measurement of investment properties.

The company’s power generation business was the major driver of its earnings with a 69% share in the company’s total income from its business segments after its contribution increased 11% to P1.70 billion.

“The favorable spot market prices and the fresh contributions of newly acquired generation companies in 2021 led to the enhanced profit performance of the group,” the company said.

Meanwhile, its electricity distribution business contributed P745.57 million, 29% higher than its P579.02 million share in 2020.

“Although electricity sales for the year only grew marginally, Vivant’s improved bottom line performance was driven by reduction in systems loss, reduced tax payments under the Republic Act 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises, and effective management of doubtful accounts,” the company said.

The retail electricity group’s share also soared to P64.40 million last year from the P3.93 million in 2020.

The firm said the increase in contribution was due to the expansion in the customer base of wholly owned subsidiary Corenergy, Inc., which now realized the importance of energy engineering solutions in its operations.

Vivant earlier invested in water solutions and saw the commissioning of a combined septage and sewage treatment plant in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

“The plant, a private-public partnership project with the City Government of Palawan, will help rehabilitate the Puerto Princesa Bay,” it said.

Vivant shares at the stock exchange on Monday were unchanged at P14.02 apiece. — Marielle C. Lucenio

LBC Ronda Pilipinas returns to South next year

March 22, 2022 | 12:03 am

BAGUIO CITY — The LBC Ronda Pilipinas is going back to Visayas and Mindanao next year after a memorable 11^th edition that was ruled by new millionaire king Ronald Lomotos of Navy Standard Insurance.

“We’re happy to announce that there will be a Ronda Pilipinas next year and LBC is targeting Visayas and Mindanao as venues,” said LBC Ronda Pilipinas executive project director Bernadette Guerrero in Sunday’s awarding rites hosted by city Mayor Benjamin Magalong at the Baguio Convention Center here.

It marks the first time the annual race will go to Mindanao since holding a five-stage leg from Butuan to Cagayan de Oro six year ago.

Ronda’s last sortie in the Visayas came three years back — a five-stage, UCI-sanctioned edition that started in Iloilo and wound up in Antique.

There were initial plans to hold its 10^th anniversary race two years ago but it did not come to fruition.

But next year, expect a smashing return to the South by Ronda.

Meanwhile, Ronald Lomotos and his powerhouse Navy Standard Insurance squad are looking forward to defend their individual and team crowns next year.

“After a break, we hope to return to training to prepare for 2023,” said the 27-year-old Mr. Lomotos.

The proud son of San Felipe, Zambales pulled off one of the most shocking comebacks in Ronda history in topping this year’s 10-stage race that opened in Sorsogon and concluded here.

Mr. Lomotos came out of nowhere to rule the ninth and penultimate stage, erase the nine-minute lead by teammate and Navy captain Ronald Oranza and snatch the crown.

“The feeling is still unreal,” said Mr. Lomotos.

Navy Standard Insurance, also composed of runner-up and King of the Mountain winner Ronald Oranza, third placer El Joshua Carino, and fourth placer and Best Rookie and Under-23 awardee Jeremy Lizardo.

“The key is training hard and staying disciplined. If we keep that mindset, we’ll have a chance to win again next year,” said Navy coach Reinhard Gorantes. — Joey Villar

Ukraine band adds new meaning to Clash hit with ‘Kyiv Calling’

March 22, 2022 | 12:03 am

LONDON — Ukrainian punk band Beton have reworked the Clash’s famous song “London Calling,” turning it into “Kyiv Calling” to highlight events in Ukraine and raise funds for a resistance movement.

The three-piece band, comprising an architect, orthopedist, and businessman, recorded their reworded take on the 1979 Clash hit in a studio in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

They hope it helps raise funds for the non-military operations of the Free Ukraine Resistance Movement (FURM), a publicist for FURM said, adding the Clash have agreed to donate all royalties raised to the movement’s communications department.

“Kyiv calling to the whole world …Come out of neutrality, you boys and girls,” read the new lyrics. The song is accompanied by a video of the band with clips of battle damage in Ukraine.

“Many Ukrainian musicians are now on battlefields or in territorial defense. This time they’ve changed guitars to guns,” said Beton lead singer Andriy Zholob. “We hope this song shows Ukrainians’ spirit and our defiance to Russian aggression.”

The Clash were one of the biggest bands to emerge from Britain’s punk scene in the late 1970s and had several hits, including “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah.” — Reuters

Gov’t partially awards T-bills as rates rise further

March 22, 2022 | 12:03 am

THE GOVERNMENT partially awarded the Treasury bills (T-bills) it offered on Monday as rates continued to rise on expectations of further rate hikes from the US Federal Reserve.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised just P13.9 billion via the short-term securities auctioned off on Monday or less than the programmed P15 billion, even as the offering attracted P25.91 billion in bids.

Broken down, the Treasury awarded just P4.87 billion in 91-day T-bills versus the P5 billion on offer, even as total bids reached P9.47 billion. The average rate for the three-month T-bill climbed by 23.1 basis points (bps) to 1.536% from the 1.305% fetched during the previous auction.

The government also made a partial P4.03-billion award of 364-day papers versus the P5-billion offer even as bids totaled P7.7 billion. The average yield on the one-year paper went up by 5.8 bps to 1.792% from the 1.734% fetched previously.

Meanwhile, the BTr borrowed P5 billion as planned via the 182-day T-bills that attracted P8.74 billion in tenders. The tenor fetched an average yield of 1.607%, up by 14.9 bps from the 1.458% seen previously.

At the secondary market prior to the auction on Monday, the 91- 182- and 364-day T-bills were quoted at 1.2005%, 1.4172% and 1.7486%, respectively, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon said in a Viber message to reporters that T-bill rates continued to rise on expectations of further actions from the US Federal Reserve to curb inflation.

Still, the climb in yields was “tempered by expectations that BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) will keep rates steady,” Ms. De Leon said.

Meanwhile, a trader said via Viber that the T-bill yields were within expectations as the country moves towards policy normalization.

“While (the) market is pretty much assured of steady policy rate domestically, the indicators for consumer price index (are) not that favorable moving forward,” the trader said.

The trader noted that Dubai crude averaged at $95 per barrel year to date, which could make inflation to come in at 4%, based on the BSP’s sensitivity analysis.

“That, coupled with aggressive Federal Open Market Committee guidance, there will be continued pressure on domestic rates.”

The Fed last week raised rates by a quarter percentage point, the first time since 2018, to help combat rising inflation. It penciled in six more increases for the rest of 2022.

The US consumer price index was at 7.9% year on year in February, the fastest in four decades.

Global oil prices have been surging after the Feb. 24 Russian invasion of Ukraine, further raising inflation concerns here and abroad.

Despite inflationary pressures, the BSP is expected to keep benchmark interest rates steady at its March 24 meeting as it supports economic recovery, 15 out of 17 analysts polled by BusinessWorld said.

The BTr wants to raise P250 billion from the domestic market this month, or P75 billion via T-bills and P175 billion from T-bonds.

The government borrows from local and external sources to help fund a budget deficit capped at 7.7% of gross domestic product this year. — Jenina P. Ibañez

PHirst Park Homes eyes P3.5-B sales from Naic project

March 22, 2022 | 12:03 am

PHIRST PARK HOMES, Inc. (PPHI) is looking to generate P3.5 billion in sales from its new project in Naic, Cavite.

The joint venture of Century Properties Group and Mitsubishi Corp. is developing PHirst Park Homes Naic, a 21.2-hectare project with 1,948 units. The project is located along Governor’s Drive in Brgy. Halang, Sabang, and San Roque, Naic, Cavite. This is PHirst Park Homes’ 11^th project, and third in Cavite.

“One of the country’s most historic provinces is also one of its fastest-growing as its economy is driven by many sectors — from agriculture, industrial and economic zones, to residential developments, making it a perfect place to settle down or begin a family,” PPHI President Ricky M. Celis said in a statement.

PHirst Park Homes Naic offers house-and-lot packages: the Calista townhouse and Unna single-attached. The Calista unit has a floor area of 40 square meters (sq.m.) on a lot area ranging from 44-60 sq.m. The Unna single-attached house has a floor area of 54 sq.m. on an 88 sq.m. lot.

Ipsos launches Asia-Pacific online market research platform

March 22, 2022 | 12:03 am

GLOBAL market research company Ipsos has launched an online market platform in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in a bid to provide fast and high-quality data for its clients.

Ipsos said in a statement on Monday that the platform, named Ipsos.Digital, will be accessible in markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong SAR, China, and New Zealand. The company added that the platform is already accessible in Australia.

“The intuitive, self-service, end-to-end platform offers clients fast, simplified access to Ipsos’s global research capabilities and insights. It provides access to Ipsos’ fully integrated online panels of consumers,” the company said.

The features of the platform include FastFacts, which is a do-it-yourself (DIY) research tool that helps users build their own surveys, InnoTest (innovation testing), and creative assessment tools (Creative|Spark, and Creative|Spark Digital).

“Ipsos.Digital’s main benefits are its speed with the ability to access research responses within 24 hours; simplicity of use with DIY functions and the ability to access a research expert at any stage; security with time efficiencies without compromising quality and substance of being able to design bespoke surveys or a specialized Ipsos solution,” the company said.

Yang Kil, Ipsos chief growth officer for Asia-Pacific, said the online platform provides real-time and self-serve consumer research.

“Our clients need to make faster decisions (more) than ever to cope with rapid changes in consumer behavior and Ipsos.Digital answers these needs. Its fast turnaround time, from set-up to delivery, ensures high data quality,” he said.

“It reflects our commitment to outstanding research quality and turning data into actionable insights. In an ever-growing DIY market, we bring a unique alternative that combines technology with state-of-the-art knowledge and applies our principles of security, simplicity, speed and substance,” he added.

Ipsos.Digital Chief Executive Officer Andrei Postoaca said the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of market research.

“We are delighted to launch our digital platform in Asia, the power of Ipsos.Digital is its ability to streamline processes and enable clients to access insights in hours rather than days or weeks. Platform users can work on their own or obtain assistance from relevant Ipsos experts around the world,” he said.

According to the company, Ipsos.Digital is currently available across 40 markets including United States, Australia, Czech Republic, Peru, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, Turkey, Chile, and Colombia. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

‘We are overwhelming underdogs,’ says coach Guiao

March 22, 2022 | 12:02 am

THE GREENEST among the lot, the NLEX Road Warriors accept the reality that odds are against them in their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals matchup with seasoned defending champion Barangay Ginebra.

But the troops of veteran mentor Yeng Guiao are firm in their desire to prove they can compete against the battle-hardened Gin Kings and possibly pull off an underdog triumph en route to a historic finals appearance.

“We’re the overwhelming underdogs. Aside from being the new players among teams competing in the semifinal round, Ginebra has the crowd support and the experience,” said coach Yeng Guiao.

The win-once Road Warriors took two games to beat No. 7 Alaska in the quarterfinals and advanced to the Final Four for only the second time after their breakthrough in the 2017-18 Philippine Cup. NLEX lost to Magnolia in six games in a best-of-seven affair that time.

On the other hand, the Gin Kings toppled twice-to-beat No. 3 TNT to get their usual spots at this stage of the tourney. Prior to this duel, the crowd darlings captured the crown in two of the last three conferences.

For Mr. Guiao and the Road Warriors, the best approach is to just concentrate on getting themselves well-equipped for the best-of-five series that begins tomorrow at the MOA Arena.

“We’re focused on our improvement, our progress,” said Mr. Guiao. “We don’t want to focus on Ginebra because the more you worry about them, the more pressure it is for us.”

The NLEX Road Warriors coaching staff is pleased with the progress of the squad especially with new additions like Kris Rosales, Matt Nieto, Justin Chua, and import Cameron Clark starting to blend in.

Still, they will have their hands full against Ginebra’s resident reinforcement Justin Brownlee and reliables like Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar and Christian Standhardinger. — Olmin Leyba

The Batman N. American box office again

March 22, 2022 | 12:02 am

LOS ANGELES — Robert Pattinson’s gritty superhero adventure The Batman is the No. 1 movie at the domestic box office for the third weekend in a row.

That feat is not surprising because March has been relatively light in terms of new releases. But even though there hasn’t been much competition, The Batman has managed impressive week-to-week holds. The movie collected $36.8 million from 4,302 theaters between Friday and Sunday, a 45% decline from last weekend.

Those ticket sales push The Batman past $300 million in North America, making the comic book adaptation only the second pandemic-era movie to cross that benchmark. — Reuters