AC Energy, unit subscribe to shares of solar project developer

December 22, 2021 | 12:06 am

AC Energy Corp. and its subsidiary ACE Endevor, Inc. have entered into an P8.25-million agreement to acquire 60% of the common shares of a renewable energy project developer, the Ayala-led listed company said on Tuesday.

In a stock exchange disclosure, AC Energy said it had subscribed, along with its unit, to 82,500 common shares in Nature’s Renewable Energy Dev’t. Corp. (NAREDCO) for P100 apiece.

The subscription price will be used by NAREDCO to fund the development of a 200-megawatt direct current (MWdc) solar power project in Lal-lo, Cagayan. The project is seen to add around 100 MW of renewable capacity to AC Energy’s power generation portfolio.

AC Energy currently has approximately 3,000 MW of capacity spread across the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Australia. Around 80% of the capacity is renewable energy (RE) as the company committed to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050.

It also targets 5,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2025 and aspires to become the largest renewables company in Southeast Asia.

NAREDCO5 is a special purpose vehicle in the Lal-lo solar power project, which is a joint venture of AC Energy and CleanTech Global Renewables, Inc. subsidiary CleanTech Renewable Energy 4 Corp.

Special purpose vehicle companies are subsidiary companies used to take over a specific business purpose.

In October, AC Energy said its shareholders approved the joint venture with CleanTech, with the intent to co-own NAREDCO.

Meanwhile, AC Energy said on Monday that it had signed an agreement to subscribe to 3.6 million redeemable preferred shares of its wholly owned subsidiary Ingrid3 Power Corp. The shares will come from Ingrid3’s unissued capital stock.

The shares comprise 47.37% of Ingrid3’s total outstanding shares, priced at P1 apiece.

Ingrid3 is under ACE Endevor and serves as a special purpose vehicle for AC Energy’s development projects. The funds from the subscription will be used by Ingrid3 for future projects. — Marielle C. Lucenio

NEA doubtful of power returning by year’s end to 3 areas hit by ‘Odette’

December 22, 2021 | 12:06 am

THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) said on Tuesday that it does not expect to restore power in Bohol, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte before the end of 2021.

“it is quite impossible to restore power in… Bohol, Dinagat Islands (and) Surigao del Norte before the year ends,” the head of NEA, Ernesto O. Silvano, said in a news conference with the Department of Energy (DoE).

The NEA damage assessment means the DoE may not be able to meet its commitment to restore power to hard-hit areas by Dec. 25.

Around 939 municipalities were affected by the typhoon, as well as 95 transmission lines, of which 22 have been repaired.

The NEA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department estimates around P300 million worth of damage sustained by nine cooperatives as of Monday. The tally is expected to rise when more cooperatives file their reports.

Mr. Silvano said transmission lines in Bohol are still 100% nonoperational.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella said power restoration in Leyte is “challenging” and could not provide a timeline for the return of electricity.

“Bohol (is) connected to Leyte and we have two tall towers, according to the NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines) that were hit by the typhoon. The NGCP is targeting that now,” he said.

Mr. Fuentebella added that although the NGCP can restore transmission lines, there is no assurance normal levels of power will be supplied. — Marielle C. Lucenio

Major business chamber sees 2022 GDP growth at 6.5%, minimal impact from Omicron

December 22, 2021 | 12:05 am

Taytay Tiangge-shoppers — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE ECONOMY is expected to post gross domestic product (GDP) growth of at least 6.5% in 2022, with minimal impact from the new coronavirus variant and the national elections providing a boost, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) said on Tuesday.

FFCCCII President Henry Lim Bon Liong said at the Pandesal Forum on Tuesday that “2022 will be a good year for economic recovery for Asia, especially for the Philippines.”

“Actually ’yung 6.5%, conservative pa nga ’yun eh. (The 6.5% estimate is conservative) We are looking at 7.5% …we don’t rely on statistics, but we rely on the (input) of our friends from business because FFCCCII is an umbrella of 70 different business organizations,” he said at the forum in Quezon City.

“Everybody has been optimistic regarding our recovery next year…. Itong bagong variant na ito, ’di talaga ito aapekto sa Pilipinas (This new Omicron variant will not have much of an impact on the Philippines).”

“Nakikita natin na medyo bumababa ang mga COVID (We are seeing the decline of COVID cases) and hopefully this will continue. And then there will be also (an) election.”

Asked what the federation is expecting from the next government, Mr. Lim Bon Liong said: “We are looking for a President that will give the priority to agriculture and education.”

Mr. Lim Bon Liong said the federation has so far raised P12 million for victims of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), with its member associations dispatching relief packs containing rice, instant noodles and canned sardines to Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, Western Samar, Surigao City and Cagayan de Oro City.

Last year, FFCCCII’s Chinese Community Calamity Fund raised P300 million for COVID-19 relief nationwide, providing face masks and other medical supplies to individual beneficiaries as well as laboratory equipment for the Philippine Red Cross. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

The key to a COVID-free Christmas: Assume everyone has it

December 22, 2021 | 12:05 am

By Brontë H. Lacsamana

WITH the Department of Health (DoH) reporting on Monday three cases of Omicron, the latest coronavirus variant of concern, the Philippines must be cautious about gathering over the holidays.

“[We should be concerned] because even if a person is fully vaccinated, they can still acquire the infection — but milder — and be a carrier to others,” said Dr. Kiara Marie H. Padua, a senior resident of internal medicine at the Makati Medical Center (MMC), via Messenger. “We have to take into account that present vaccines may not be as effective with the Omicron variant.”

Last week, the country’s nationwide mass vaccination campaign was affected by Typhoon Odette, which hit areas in Visayas and Mindanao and delayed inoculation. It also resulted in the Philippines’ lowest daily tally of cases since May 2020 due to multiple laboratories’ inability to submit data amidst the typhoon.

Despite this downward trend, families and friends must follow recommendations by the Inter-Agency Task Force in order to prevent a surge.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire also said in a media forum on Monday that the decline of national admissions and severe cases since October doesn’t mean people should be lax about the minimum public health standards.

Mutations have possibly made Omicron more infectious and more resistant to vaccines, according to various research fellows. Hence the safest bet is little to no contact with anyone, vaccinated or not.

KEEP IT SMALL

MMC’s Dr. Padua still prefers virtual Christmas parties on video conferencing platforms like Zoom. However, after two years of intermittent lockdowns, Zoom fatigue, and the increasing need for physical interaction, Filipinos are itching to gather face-to-face.

In that case, the key is to keep gatherings small.

“Current recommendations of the DoH at Alert level 2 for indoor and outdoor gatherings is 50% and 70% respectively, so the number will primarily depend on the space provided,” she said.

This means an entire space’s seating capacity should only be half-filled if indoors, and less than three-fourths filled if outdoors.

DISTANCE, VENTILATION

If dining out, people should look for alfresco areas with social distancing, said Dr. Padua.

Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion III, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship and founder of Go Negosyo, said in a Dec. 15 webinar that the private sector has committed to follow all protocols.

“They have pledged to uphold public health standards and safe places in their establishments, to keep watch and enforce these among their members,” he said, adding that the Filipino public should seek out these places and remain vigilant as to whether social distancing and good ventilation are maintained or not.

TEST, ISOLATE

Dr. Padua also advised testing as a precaution before and after a trip or gathering.

“Possibly isolating before and after with at least an antigen swab can help — but not totally lower the risk,” she said. “Again, antigen swabs are not highly specific. This means that once you are antigen negative, you are not necessarily negative.”

It is best to assume that everyone, even oneself, may be infected. Isolation despite testing negative would be wise.

The usual practice is to take the tests 48 hours prior to the event provided that the person will quarantine from the time of swab, she added.

A safe but happy Christmas season without a serious surge can be possible — as long as Filipinos take a proactive stance on their health.

IMI installs first EV charging, transport system for Ayala

December 22, 2021 | 12:05 am

Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI) installed an electric vehicle (EV) charging and transportation system for its listed parent firm, Ayala Corp.

In a disclosure to the exchange on Tuesday, IMI said the EV charging and transportation system was placed at the Ayala 30^th Mall last week, on Dec. 17.

“We have been part of this ecosystem on a global basis; and now that we’re contributing locally, we are all the more proud to be deeply involved [in] this major disruption here in our country,” IMI Chief Executive Officer Arthur R. Tan said.

The company brought TGOOD LINCHR’s EV chargers for the project. It said IMI China builds the electronics and assembles the power supply systems of the EV chargers.

TGOOD LINCHR is said to be the largest EV charging infrastructure provider in the world.

The company worked with Ayala Land, Inc., TGOOD, GREENSTRUM, and Global Electric Transport for the new charging station. IMI said the project is done in support of the Ayala group’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“We hope to be a catalyst for technology that drives carbon neutrality,” Mr. Tan said.

IMI shares at the stock exchange went up 4.45% or 37 centavos to close at P8.68 apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Converge gets top rating for maiden bond offering

December 22, 2021 | 12:04 am

Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. announced on Tuesday that the Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings) had assigned it a PRS Aaa rating with a stable outlook for its planned maiden bond issuance worth P5 billion.

“The Converge maiden bond offering has been granted a ‘PRS Aaa rating with stable outlook’ due to its position in the fixed broadband market following its spectacular growth in recent years and its strong cash flow that provided the company flexibility in its network rollout,” Converge said in an e-mailed statement.

On its website, PhilRatings says that a company rated PRS Aaa has a “very strong” capacity to meet its financial commitments “relative to that of other Philippine corporates.”

“A PRS Aaa is the highest Corporate Credit Rating assigned on the PRS scale.”

Converge, which aims to cover 55% of Philippine households by 2023, said the funds to be generated from the proposed bond offering would be used to support its capital expenditures.

The bond issuance has up to P5-billion oversubscription option.

“We’re pleased that our prudent fiscal management, coupled with a strong operational performance, throughout the year has garnered us the highest credit grade from PhilRatings,” Converge Chief Executive Officer Dennis Anthony H. Uy said.

For her part, Converge President Maria Grace Y. Uy said: “Gaining this seal of approval from PhilRatings signals that our debt papers pose minimal credit risk.”

“Our strong liquidity and market position should give confidence to potential investors,” she added.

Converge’s attributable net income for the first nine months of the year went up by 137% to P5.20 billion from P2.19 billion in the same period in 2020.

January-to-September revenues increased by 76% to P18.83 billion from P10.68 billion last year.

Converge ICT shares closed 0.31% higher at P32 apiece on Tuesday. — Arjay L. Balinbin

WHO sounds warning over fast-spreading Omicron

December 22, 2021 | 12:04 am

GENEVA — The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading faster than the Delta variant and is causing infections in people already vaccinated or who have recovered from the COVID-19 disease, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan added it would be “unwise” to conclude from early evidence that Omicron was a milder variant than previous ones. “… With the numbers going up, all health systems are going to be under strain,” she told Geneva-based journalists.

The variant is successfully evading some immune responses, she said, meaning that the booster programs being rolled out in many countries ought to be targeted towards people with weaker immune systems.

“There is now consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading significantly faster than the Delta variant,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the briefing.

“And it is more likely people vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 could be infected or re-infected,” Dr. Tedros said.

Their comments echoed the finding of a study by Imperial College London, which said last week the risk of reinfection was more than five times higher and it has shown no sign of being milder than Delta.

WHO officials said however that other forms of immunity vaccinations may prevent infection and disease.

While the antibody defenses from some actions have been undermined, there has been hope that T-cells, the second pillar of an immune response, can prevent severe disease by attacking infected human cells.

WHO expert Abdi Mahamud added: “Although we are seeing a reduction in the neutralization antibodies, almost all preliminary analysis shows T-cell mediated immunity remains intact, that is what we really require.”

However, highlighting how little is known about how to handle the new variant that was only detected last month, Dr. Swaminathan also said: “Of course there is a challenge, many of the monoclonals will not work with Omicron.”

She gave no details as she referred to the treatments that mimic natural antibodies in fighting off infections. Some drug makers have suggested the same.

ENDING THE PANDEMIC

In the short term, Dr. Tedros said that holiday festivities would in many places lead to “increased cases, overwhelmed health systems and more deaths” and urged people to postpone gatherings.

“An event canceled is better than a life canceled,” he said.

But the WHO team also offered some hope to a weary world facing the new wave that 2022 would be the year that the pandemic, which already killed more than 5.6 million people worldwide, would end.

It pointed towards the development of second and third generation vaccines, and the further development of antimicrobial treatments and other innovations.

“[We] hope to consign this disease to a relatively mild disease that is easily prevented, that is easily treated,” Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergency expert, told the briefing.

“If we can keep virus transmission to minimum, then we can bring the pandemic to an end.”

However, Dr. Tedros also said China, where the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was first detected at the end of 2019, must be forthcoming with data and information related to its origin to help the response going forward.

“We need to continue until we know the origins, we need to push harder because we should learn from what happened this time in order to [do] better in the future,” he said. — Reuters

ARTA: Construction permit process streamlined at national, LGU level

December 22, 2021 | 12:04 am

SEVEN government agencies signed an agreement on Tuesday signifying their intent to reduce the steps and processing time for obtaining construction-related permits.

“The new policy reduces the steps in securing construction-related permits from four to three steps and the processing time for simple transactions from five days to three days,” Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Deputy Director-General Ernesto V. Perez said during the virtual signing of the joint memorandum circular (JMC).

The JMC also removes the notarization requirement for application forms. The memorandum circular covers all cities, municipalities and relevant National Government agencies.

The JMC, which updates the 2018 guidelines on the processing of construction-related permits, sets the standards for processing construction-related permits such as building permits, certificates of occupancy and other ancillary and accessory permits issued by local government units (LGUs).

It also provides guidelines on the streamlining of local government processes related to the issuance of construction-related permits and certificates.

Under the JMC, LGUs are directed to classify construction-related applications for building permits and certificates of occupancy into simple, complex, and highly technical.

Simple applications cover the construction of private garages (not more than 90 square meters), carports, sheds, agricultural buildings, fences over 1.80 meters in height, and tanks and towers, among others.

Complex applications cover the construction of multiple-unit residential houses, single detached residential houses, commercial buildings, warehouses, and market buildings, among others.

Highly-technical applications cover the construction of buildings exceeding nine storeys such as commercial and market buildings.

“This means that the processing time for simple transactions will be reduced from five to three days,” ARTA said in a statement.

“There will also be a set processing time of seven days for complex transactions and 20 days for highly technical transactions in alignment with Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,” it added.

The JMC also calls for the setting up of a one-stop shop for construction permits in all cities and municipalities.

An oversight committee on construction permit reform will also be formed to ensure compliance.

Signatories to the JMC were Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, ARTA Secretary Jeremiah B. Belgica, Information and Communications Acting Secretary Emmanuel Rey R. Caintic, Professional Regulation Commission Chairman Teofilo S. Pilando, Jr., Public Works and Highways Acting Secretary Roger G. Mercado, and Bureau of Fire Protection Director Louie S. Puracan.

Mr. Caintic replaced former Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II, who filed his certificate of candidacy for senator on Oct. 8. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Nation rebuilding depicted in art

December 22, 2021 | 12:04 am

Pintura_1st Place_Digital Fine Arts — Pintura 1st Place in Digital Fine Arts Category

1 of 3

The winning works in this year’s Shell National Students Art Competition included an image of unseen emotions under a face mask, frontliners, and a new take on bayanihan.

Because of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, for the second year in a row, the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.’s 54^th National Students Art Competition (NSAC) awarding ceremony was held online.

“As we bravely continue to navigate through this pandemic, and look forward to recovery, we believe that art could spark change and progress,” Lorelie Quiambao-Osial, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., said in her opening speech on Dec. 10.

“We challenged our young artists with this year’s theme: RestART. We tasked you to create art that inspired us to rebuild the nation and keep the Philippines moving forward. Thank you for sharing your talents with us and for your commitment to your craft and to the art community,” she said.

This year’s competition attracted 1,746 entries nationwide from 398 participating schools. Winning pieces were selected for the following categories: Digital Fine Arts, Sculpture, Watercolor, and Oil and Acrylic.

The top winners in each category had recurring messages of resilience, hope, and courage.

The winners all gave short speeches on video when accepting the awards.

In the Digital Fine Arts Category, Gerard Lynn Mara Santos of the Technological University of the Philippines won first place for his work, Pintura, which depicts colorful portraits covered in face masks. Speaking about her work, Ms. Santos said that she thought of what our future would be like after the pandemic. “Magiging masaya ba tayo (Will we be happy?) or do we still feel the same [as] before the pandemic?”

Panibagong Umaga by Jarren Dahan from the University of Mindanao won the Oil-Acrylic Category. The piece depicts a closely gathered group of smiling people, their face masks lowered to their chins. Mr. Dahan described the smiles in his painting as a “metaphor for hope.”

In the Watercolor category, Ranier Angelo Bolivar from the GK College of Business, Arts, and Technology won for his painting titled Moving Forward. The piece presents frontliners as modern-day heroes. He said that he used a contrast of light on dark hues to depict optimism in turbulent times.

University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Maica Rozel Borlagdan won first place in the Sculpture category for her work titled, If Only We’ll Unite and Conquer. She said that we need to realize the problem and know how to act on it. “Hindi naman natin masasabi na need nating mag-restart kung hindi natin nakikita na walang problema sa dapat nating pagsimulan muli (We cannot say that we need to restart if we do not see that there is a problem that needs a reset),” she said.

The 2^nd and 3^rd place winners are: Pagtanggap Mo sa Aking Pagkukulang by Mary Franz Salazar, and Tayo’y Makakahinga Muli by Ralph Enzo Rabaya in the Digital Fine Arts category; Regrowth by Ranier Angelo Bolivar, and Puhon by Gyles Maverick Abac in the Oil/acrylic category; Sa Dibdib Mo’y Buhay by Patricia Serrano, and Progresibong Papel ng Pagkatao by Elaiza Judilla in the Watercolor category; and Laban Lang! by Mark Eclipse, and Future on Our Fingerprint by Zoe Manigan in the Sculpture category.

The winners each received a cash prize, a limited Shell NSAC shirt and jacket, a medal, a plaque, or a Certificate of Merit. The respective school or university of the first prize winners receive a special grant of P20,000 in support of their Faculty Development Program.

This year’s judges were all artists: Ross Capili, Dopy Doplon, and Pablo Biglang-Awa, Jr. for the Digital Fine Arts category; Edgar Fernandez, Antipas Delotavo, and Renato Habulan for the Watercolor category; Isko Andrade, Kenneth Esguerra, and Alfredo Esquillo, Jr. for the Oil/Acrylic category; and Paul Quiano, Toym Leon Imao, and Reggie Yuson for the Sculpture category.

Launched by Pilipinas Shell in 1951 as a search for art for its calendar grew to become the longest-running Philippine student art competition. Among NSAC’s winners were Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, and Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera — all National Artists today.

For updates on the virtual gallery of winners, visit Pilipinas Shell’s social media accounts and website https://pilipinas.shell.com.ph/. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

SPNEC to use IPO funds for land bank, capex

December 22, 2021 | 12:03 am

The board of directors of Leviste-led Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. (SPNEC) has approved the use of its initial public offering (IPO) proceeds for land acquisition and capital expenditures (capex) effective Jan. 19.

In a disclosure on Tuesday, SPNEC said that the board also approved to allocate its IPO proceeds for bid bonds, bid security, and other expenses for potential offtake agreements, during a meeting on Dec. 20.

The move will enable the company to be responsive to contracting opportunities in the future, SPNEC said.

The company earlier said it would use the net proceeds of its P2.7-billion IPO to finance the development of 50-megawatt (MW) solar project, the first phase of its 500-MW solar power plant in Nueva Ecija province, the construction of transmission line, lease for 2022, and general corporate purposes.

On its market debut on Dec. 17, SPNEC inched up 1% from its IPO price of P1.00 per share. Up to 1.72 billion shares worth P1.61 billion were traded that day.

“Subject to applicable law, rules and regulations to be clarified, the incorporation and funding of wholly-owned subsidiaries to hold the IPO’s use of proceeds and to receive instructions from the company for the use of such proceeds,” the company said.

The board also approved the incorporation and the transactions with banks to secure bid bonds and bid security for the company’s projects.

SPNEC is the first company to be listed in the exchange without conducting commercial operations.

On Tuesday, SPNEC shares gained four centavos or 3.6% to close at P1.15 apiece. — Marielle C. Lucenio

P390 million more in illegal tax certificates discovered by CoA

December 22, 2021 | 12:03 am

CoA-Commission on Audit — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Commission on Audit (CoA) said it discovered another P390 million worth of tax credits to textile companies that were improperly granted, bringing the total irregular credits in the six years to 2014 to P3.41 billion.

According to a CoA report to the Department of Finance (DoF), the Commission said it found P214.38 million in invalid tax credit certificates granted to Primeknit Manufacturing Corp., along with P175.66 million given to Tai-Cheng Integrated Resource, Inc.

The illegal tax credit certificates were granted between 2008 and 2014, the DoF said in a statement on Tuesday.

Tax credit certificates are typically given to exporters registered with the Board of Investments (BoI). Through these certificates, exporters can obtain refunds on raw materials taxes they paid by offsetting the tax credits against other taxes due.

However, some companies that illegally obtained tax credit certificates sold them on to other companies at a discount, allowing companies not entitled to them to reduce their own tax liabilities.

The Commission found that the One-Stop-Shop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center issued illegal certificates to either ghost exporters or real companies that were not in the export trade, such as the textile companies.

Other textile firms with invalidated tax credit certificates were Silvertex Weaving Corp., Knitech Manufacturing, Inc., Capital-Roll Knit Corp., Uni-Glory’s Knitting Corp., Miskhu Industrial Corp., and Universal Pacific Knitting Mills, Inc.

Silvertex had the largest tally of improperly-granted tax credit certificates at P906.8 million, followed by Capital-Roll at P664.92 million.

The One-Stop-Shop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center is attached to the DoF.

The CoA said representatives from the DoF, BoI, Bureau of Customs, and the One-Stop-Shop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center responsible for the approval of the illegal certificates, along with the recipients and claimants, are potentially liable for the illegal issuance of such certificates. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Sit-down is better than buffet-style, and other pandemic holiday tips

December 22, 2021 | 12:03 am

THE Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) shared healthy living tips for this year’s holiday season and beyond.

“We can still make Christmas happy. Just follow the minimum health standards,” said Dr. Ma. Encarnita B. Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, in the vernacular in a Dec. 21 webinar.

Here are a few tips for holiday feasting:

Sit-down meals are better than buffet-style ones.

The advantage of a sit-down noche buena (the traditional Christmas Eve feast) is that there’s no need to line up for food, thus promoting physical distancing. The other advantage is that — since there’s no need to help one’s self to a serving — fewer hands touch the serving spoons of each dish.

For air circulation purposes, an outdoors venue is also more preferable to an enclosed one.

Take your mask off only when you’re about to eat.

“I want to call the attention of mall owners,” Dr. Limpin said. “Ang daming tao sa mga restaurant na hindi pa kumakain e wala ng suot na mask [There are so many people in restaurants who take off their masks even before they start eating.]” Masks need not be removed when conversing, she added.

The reason COVID-19 cases are again rising in other countries is because people stopped following health protocols after being vaccinated, and after noting the initial drop of cases in their area.

The Philippines is doing it right by continuing to encourage mask wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing, Dr. Limpin said.

Mind your portions — especially if you’re diabetic.

Feeling deprived of a specific type of food might encourage an individual to gorge on it later on. A way to quell cravings is to enjoy food in moderation.

Diabetics in particular need to be careful about their serving portions, Dr. Limpin said. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body’s blood glucose is too high.

She recommended the following portions for diabetic patients: one mango cheek, seven grapes, and half a large apple or orange.

Diabetics with controlled sugar levels who crave Filipino Christmas staples like leche flan and fruit salad may have a teaspoon and three teaspoons of the desserts, respectively. “Para lang matikman mo [Just so you can have a taste of it],” she added.

Keep moving throughout the day.

Prioritizing physical movement during this festive season helps burn the energy gained from the food one consumed at social gatherings. It also helps keep the body in tip-top shape.

Pencil pushers are advised to take regular breaks away from their desk to stretch and walk. Dr. Limpin said that the PCP will recommend to the Department of Labor and Employment to make it an office policy for workers to take a break every hour to move. “You can achieve the ideal 10,000 steps a day if you do that [in addition to your] other regular activities,” she said. — Patricia B. Mirasol