How PSEi member stocks performed — December 20, 2021
Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Friday, December 20, 2021.
Stocks drop on typhoon damage, Omicron fears
STOCKS dropped on Monday as investors assess the damage caused by Typhoon Odette, which may affect economic growth, and amid the spread of the Omicron variant.
The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 60.05 points or 0.82% to close at 7,237.61 on Monday, while the broader all shares index went down by 23.21 points or 0.60% to 3,828.38.
“Share prices opened the week on a sour note as the local market weakened amid the damage caused by Typhoon Odette in the Vis-Min area, particularly in the agriculture and manufacturing industries,” Papa Securities Corp., Equities Strategist Manny P. Cruz said in a Viber message.
Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) brought heavy rains and destructive winds over central and southern Philippines. It first made landfall in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on Thursday. Surigao del Norte may have suffered around P20 billion in damage, according to provincial officials.
The Agriculture department on Monday said damage to crops in these areas is estimated at P333.40 million. Agriculture typically makes up around 10% of overall economic output, and a fourth of the country’s jobs.
“The local bourse joined its regional peers in the decline as worries over the Omicron variant disrupting the global economic recovery weighed on sentiment,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.
Asian share markets fell and oil prices slid on Monday as surging Omicron cases triggered tighter restrictions in Europe and threatened to drag on the global economy into the new year, Reuters reported.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.4% and Japan’s Nikkei 0.7%.
The spread of Omicron saw the Netherlands go into lockdown on Sunday and put pressure on others to follow, though the United States seemed set to remain open.
The Philippines on Monday also reported another case of the Omicron variant, bringing the total to three.
Sectoral indices ended in the red on Monday except for financials, which went up 7.86 points or 0.48% to 1,629.78.
On the other hand, mining and oil declined 110.98 points or 1.21% to 9.003.95; industrials decreased 119.13 points or 1.14%; holding firms tumbled 78.94 points or 1.10% to 7,051.95; services went down 21.28 points or 1.05% to 1,997.47; and property retreated 26.10 points or 0.80% to 3,203.54.
Value turnover plunged to P6.70 billion on Monday with 1.09 billion shares traded from the P14.47 billion with 3.08 billion issues that switched hands on Friday.
Decliners outnumbered advancers, 112 against 57, while 51 names closed unchanged.
Foreigners turned net sellers on Monday, recording P237.48 million in net outflows versus the reversal of the P333.22 million in net purchases seen on Friday.
Diversified Securities, Inc. Equity Trader Aniceto K. Pangan pegged the PSEi’s immediate resistance at 7,300, while immediate support is at 6,920. — M.C. Lucenio with Reuters
Peso climbs vs dollar on remittances
The peso strengthened against the dollar on Monday as remittances enter the country amid the holiday season and following the destruction caused by Typhoon Odette.
The peso closed at P49.93 per dollar on Monday, gaining nine centavos versus its P50.02 finish on Friday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.
The local unit opened Monday’s session at P50 against the dollar. Its intraday best was at P49.90, while its lowest point for the session was at P50.02 versus the greenback.
Dollars traded declined to $887.35 million on Monday from $900.65 million on Friday.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the peso closed stronger against the dollar on Monday due to increased remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFW) following the typhoon and amid the holiday season.
“Storm damage from Typhoon Odette especially in hard hit areas in the Visayas and Mindanao could lead to the sending of more OFW remittances to finance repairs,” he said.
Financial aid from the international community would also partially support the peso, he added.
Meanwhile, a trader in an e-mail said the peso appreciated amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease 2019, which affected demand for the dollar.
For Tuesday, Mr. Ricafort said he expects the peso to trade within P49.80 to P49.98 per dollar, while the trader gave a forecast range of P49.85 to P50.05. — JPI
Typhoon not expected to have big impact on agriculture output
ANY BLOW to rice production caused by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) was softened by the timing of the storm, which hit the Philippines after much of the previous harvest had been brought in and as the new planting cycle was beginning, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
“As we reported, the main wet season is over, and dry season (from 2021-2022) has just started in affected regions,” Assistant Secretary Noel O. Reyes said via chat. “Thus, there was minimal damage on palay (unmilled rice). And we will do ‘quick turnaround’ planting, providing affected farmers free palay seed (worth) P148 million.”
“Therefore, the damage done by Typhoon Odette will not affect much the fourth quarter and over-all 2021 agriculture performance,” he added.
In August, the DA lowered its production growth target to 2% from the initial 2.5% due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown took a toll on agricultural production, particularly on the hog and poultry industry.
In the first quarter, agricultural output declined 3.3%, led by livestock and poultry, which offset increased fisheries and crop production.
Agricultural output accounts for about 10% of gross domestic product while farmers represent 25% of the workforce.
The latest estimate for storm damage in the provinces along Typhoon Odette’s track is P333.4 million, affecting 12,750 farmers and fishers across 23,198 hectares of farmland.
Lost production volume was estimated at 19,640 metric tons.
The DA damage reports took in information from Bicol, Western and Central Visayas, Calabarzon, Central Mindanao, Davao, and the Caraga region.
The affected crops included rice, corn, seafood, and other high-value commodities. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
Boracay rehabilitation on track to finish by early 2022 — DENR
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it expects to complete the rehabilitation of Boracay Island by the first half of 2022, after an overhaul of the island’s environmental and land use practices that required a full closure to visitors in 2018.
“To reverse the degradation of the island, we have to work on all issues that caused its deterioration. These include recovering the beach areas and cleaning its waters, regaining the wetlands which are the island’s ‘kidneys,’ restoring ecosystems, and clearing and paving the roads that are designated for public transport,” Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said in a statement.
The entire island will be declared a land reform area, he added.
The DENR will inspect the Lugutan and Tulubhan Bay areas, due to reports of illegal water discharge from households not yet connected to the island’s sewage network.
To address continuing water supply problems, the DENR’s Western Visayas office is working on a proposal to build a water tank that will supply potable water to a portion of Barangay Balabag, on the east coast of the island, and all of Barangay Yapak, which is to the north.
The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, which is in charge of the rehabilitation, is also evaluating a pumping station with a capacity of 800 cubic meters of raw water to be brought in from Malay, Aklan, on the Panay mainland, and supply raw water to the Angol Treatment Plant. It will also provide water to Barangay Manoc-Manoc in the south of the island, and to the rest of Balabag.
Demolition orders and notices to vacate were issued to owners in the remaining commercial and residential structures deemed too close to beach easements.
The enforcement of the “25+5-meter” easement rule is about 85% completed, and operations to clear beachfront are expected to finish by April.
Certificates of land ownership have distributed to the Ati indigenous people, the island’s original inhabitants.
By early next year, the DENR is expecting to complete its study on the carrying capacity of dive sites around the island.
“Aside from White Beach, Boracay is also known for its dive sites. This is the reason why we have to establish their carrying capacities — to regulate the number of divers at any given time,” Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group General Manager Natividad Y. Bernardino said. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
PEZA pitches PHL to more potential Japanese locators
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it is making a bid for more Japanese investment in the Philippines as the pandemic disrupts supply chains for manufacturers worldwide.
“The Philippines takes pride in our young Filipino workforce with high proficiency in the English language, are college graduates, dependable and hardworking,” PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said in a statement on Monday.
Japanese companies consider job one to be building new supply chains, with their Manila-based ambassador calling tech, communications, and startups their key focus areas.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko was quoted as saying that the priority for Japanese companies is “building a strong supply chain and realizing a free and fair trade and investment environment,” which he said “Japan and the Philippines (need to work on in order to) solve the universal problem of economic recovery brought by the ongoing pandemic.”
“We want to take investment opportunities in the field of science and technology, as well as in semiconductors and communication fields, promote startup support, and develop human resources,” he added.
Ms. Plaza met virtually with the Japanese business community during a forum late last week.
She told Japanese businesses that the Philippines’ goal is to “catalyze industrial growth” by establishing more economic zones.
“To date, we have 962 Japanese locator companies among our 4,670 registered companies,” Ms. Plaza said.
“These companies are engaged in warehousing and storage, fabricated metal products, rubber and plastic products, radio, television, and communication equipment and apparatus, as well as software development,” she added.
Ms. Plaza noted that PEZA-registered Japanese businesses account for P727.679 billion in investment and employ 353,763 workers.
They also “contribute $11.065 billion in exports” to the economy, she said.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V said Japan is one of the Philippines’ “most significant” trade, investment, and development assistance partners.
“For the first semester of 2021, year on year, Japan was our second (largest) trade partner, the second-largest investment source, and the top official development assistance (ODA) bilateral contributor,” he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
Vietnam cement importer calls dumping charges discriminatory
AN IMPORTER of cement from Vietnam said the industry is being treated unfairly because anti-dumping duties have been imposed on such imports even though the investigation into the actual harm done to domestic producers is only in its preliminary stages.
“(The Department of Trade and Industry [DTI] has imposed) the dumping duty even though the investigation is ongoing. It’s prejudice against foreign cement producers,” Joel R. Butuyan, counsel for Omanco Material Vietnam Ltd. Co., told BusinessWorld by telephone.
Mr. Butuyan had represented his company virtually Monday in a preliminary conference before the Tariff Commission.
The Tariff commission said at the conference that it does not have the authority to revoke the anti-dumping duty order issued by the DTI.
Omanco Material Vietnam is one of the Vietnamese cement companies subjected to four-month temporary anti-dumping duties imposed by the DTI on December 6.
The department was reacting to a petition filed by domestic cement manufacturers Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc., CEMEX Philippines Holdings, Inc. subsidiaries Solid Cement Corp. and Apo Cement Corp., and Holcim Philippines, Inc. The domestic companies submitted the results of their preliminary investigation on Vietnamese cement.
The estimated dumping margin for Type 1 cement (also known as Portland) imports from Vietnam ranges from $1.02 per metric ton (MT) to $10.53 per MT, equivalent to 2.69%-31.87% of the export price. — Marielle C. Lucenio
Malaysian manufacturers fear heavy losses from floods
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s manufacturers association said on Monday that floods which cut off roads and led to mass evacuations over the weekend have likely resulted in heavy losses for firms in the affected areas.
Soh Thian Lai, president of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, said damage to property, other assets and products, as well as production disruption impacted industries in Shah Alam and Klang districts.
The districts located within the Selangor state were among the worst-hit by floods. Nationwide, tens of thousands were evacuated by emergency services and civilian volunteers.
Many workers have not been able to get to work or return home, Soh said.
“The losses could be in the millions of ringgit but companies are probably only in the midst of assessing the exact damages after the floods subsided,” he told Reuters.
Dutch chipmaking equipment supplier BE Semiconductor lowered its fourth-quarter revenue outlook on Monday due to flooding affecting its main production facility in Shah Alam.
Malaysia’s semiconductor assembly industry is an important part of the global high-tech supply chain and makes up a tenth of global trade in the sector.
Blocked roads had also severely affected warehouse and logistics operations and shipment delays can be expected, Soh said.
Shipping was brought to a standstill over the weekend but floodwaters have started to recede and recovery work is underway, Shipping Association Malaysia Chairman Ooi Lean Hin said.
Authorities at Port Klang, the country’s main port, said it had not sustained damage by the floods but some of its staff had not returned to work.
Some deliveries at a retail furniture store in Kuala Lumpur were delayed by several days due to flooding at one of the chain’s warehouses in Klang.
“Any deliveries due on Monday or Tuesday had to be pushed back to the end of the week,” a salesperson there told Reuters, declining to be identified. — Reuters
Rebirth of Digitalization: A booster for taxpayers and the government
Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus and is observed every Dec. 25. A few days more, and we will be officially celebrating the holiday most associated with giving. And despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like the long-awaited recovery is taking hold.
Many changes have transpired since COVID-19 upended our lives. The vaccination campaign has really had an impact on the economy’s revival, and the campaign for booster shots might do even more.
As it reforms basic services delivery, revenue collection, and investment generation, the government is also offering boosters that would help taxpayers and businesses get through their digitalization initiatives.
Recently, the Finance Secretary, during the BLGF Stakeholders Recognition Program, called on local government units (LGUs) to adopt digital technologies in tax administration and their business processes to build their revenue generation and mobilization capacity in the new normal. To accomplish these tasks, the Department of Finance (DoF) wants LGUs to adopt electronic platforms for business registration and renewal, as well as for the assessment and collection of local taxes, fees, and other charges. Moreover, local treasurers, for their part, have been urged to start linking up their systems with online payment facilities already offered by government financial institutions (GFIs) which also serve as their depository and servicing banks, to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient ways of transacting with LGUs. In time for the LGU Renewal of Business Registration for the following year, various LGUs like those of Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Cebu, and Davao, among others, have implemented online filing and payment systems. However, the migration to online and digitalization for permit processing has had its birth pains. Taxpayers and businesses are required to upload the necessary documents, wait for the application to be evaluated, and re-upload documents, if needed. Although delays are expected in review and processing, this process may still be improved by the LGUs as they develop their familiarity with the system. In the meantime, it would be best for taxpayers and businesses to file applications for LGU renewals in advance in order to save time and as a precaution against delays beyond anyone’s control.
Other digitalization initiatives include the enhancement of the DoF’s Tax Exemption System (TES), which was replaced by the web-based TESlite to make it more convenient for importers to apply for tax and duty exemptions with the department’s revenue office.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also sped up digitalization programs to improve ease of doing business and spur the growth of domestic enterprise that allow companies to register, file their reporting requirements, and pay fees online. Among the latest digital transformation initiatives are the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC) that was launched in April; the One-day Submission and E-registration of Companies (OneSEC), which is a subsystem of eSPARC in which company information is already pre-loaded; and the Online Submission Tool (OST), used for filing the AFS, GIS, Sworn Statement for Foundation (SSF), General Form for Financial Statements (GFFS), Special Form for Financial Statement (SFFS), and other reporting requirements.
This year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) also issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 43-2021, which provides the revised guidelines on the use of the eAFS facility in the submission of duly filed Income Tax Returns (ITR) and their attachments, including BIR Form No. 1709. The eAFS was launched with the goal of encouraging every taxpayer to use digital channels in complying with tax responsibilities. Also, with the BIR’s EFPS, the filing of tax returns and payment of tax liabilities by large corporate taxpayers, professionals, and individuals may now be done through BancNet’s multi-bank payment gateway, in which transactions are done through the internet, doing away with the traditional paper-based filing of tax returns and offering convenient payment channels for the various monthly and quarterly taxes. However, there are still some issues in the filing of returns, especially during tax season. The BIR’s platform may still have bugs or delays in accepting the duly filed and paid returns online. These areas can still be improved upon. Again, it is still a good practice for taxpayers to file their taxes in advance.
On Oct. 22, the BIR issued an advisory on an additional ePayment channel apart from AABs, LANDBANK, DBP, UnionBank, PesoNet, Globe GCash, and PayMaya. This is the I-Pay MYEG Philippines, Inc. (IPMP) Online Payment Facility, a certified Taxpayer Software Provider and a taxpayer agent using credit cards and mobile wallets. Just a reminder for taxpayers using these channels: a minimal fee may be imposed for each transaction.
On Dec. 16, the BIR also issued RMC 125-2021, which served notice that tax payments on electronically filed One-Time Transactions (ONETT) may now be paid through LANDBANK’s Liz.Biz Portal, DBP’s Pay Tax Online, and UnionBank’s Online Web and Mobile Payment Facility.
The rebirth of digitalization during the pandemic is really about improving government efficiency. Such initiatives should serve as a booster for taxpayers and businesses seeking to meet their tax and compliance responsibilities. Despite the inevitable birth pains, taxpayers must take advantage of these boosters, but also take care to file the necessary applications and taxes in advance.
Let’s Talk Tax is a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.
Ma. Jessica A. Guevarra is a manager from the Tax Advisory & Compliance division of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.
pagrantthornton@ph.gt.com
Mordido, Fronda share national women’s chess tournament lead
By Joey Villar
Kylen Joy Mordido isn’t being groomed to become the country’s next Woman Grandmaster (WGM) for nothing.
The 19-year-old Ms. Mordido has shown flashes of brilliance as she smashed Ruelle Canino in 37 moves in a King’s Indian duel to leapfrog to the top of the 2021 Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship.
A third and final norm away from earning the WGM title, Ms. Canino has shown she’s within reach of that goal as evidenced by her performance in this tournament at the PACE where she shares the lead with former national champion Jan Jodilyn Fronda after four rounds.
Ms. Fronda, the winner of the 2019 edition, stayed on top alongside Ms. Mordido with three points apiece by blasting Francois Marie Magpily in 46 moves of a French Defense.
“One of my dreams is to become a WGM,” said Ms. Mordido, who will embark on a campaign here and abroad next year to achieve the WGM feat.
Against a younger and talented prospect in Ms. Canino, Ms. Mordido has shown the grasp of the positional game and methodically launched an attack with surgical precision to open up the former’s kingside for the kill.
When it was over, Ms. Mordido was left a rook and two pawns up and an indefensible onslaught.
Interestingly, Ms. Mordido’s true worth will be proven when she faces the player she has strived to become — the country’s first and only WGM Janelle Mae Frayna— in the fifth round at press time.
Ms. Frayna has overcome her near catastrophic opening round defeat to the 13-year-old Ms. Canino by scoring 2.5 points in the last three rounds including a more recent 80-move win over Lexie Grace Hernandez in a game where the former displayed superb endgame technique.
Thanks to the win, Ms. Frayna has crept closer to the leaders and a favorable result over Ms. Mordido should keep her in the race for the top prize amounting to P50,000 and a berth to the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in May next year.
Also in the chase group were Shania Mae Mendoza and Marie Antoinette San Diego, who drew with Allaney Jia Doroy and Bernadette Galas, respectively.
Rinoa Mariel Sadey outwitted Marian Calimbo in 40 moves of a Benoni in the only other result to hike her total to two points.
The event is backed by PSC chair Butch Ramirez, Chess Movement, Inc. chair Dr. Ariel Potot, PCSO general manager Royina Garma, Endgame Sports founder Atty. Cris Aspiras, POC President Bambol Tolentino, NCFP chief Butch Pichay and Atty. Roel Canobas.
Kylen Joy Mordido defeated Ruelle Canino in 37 moves in a King’s Indian duel to share the women’s chess championship lead with Jan Jodilyn Fronda.
Legendary San Beda HS coach Ato Badolato, 74, passes away
Legendary coach Edmundo “Ato” Badolato, considered the greatest Filipino high school (HS) basketball coach, has passed away on Sunday night due to cardiac arrest. He was 74 years old.
Tributes from mostly his players he once coached were posted on social media for Mr. Badolato, who transformed the San Beda junior program as the yardstick in the country.
“Sad news. The winningest high school coach, my mentor, Coach Ato Badolato passed away this evening (Sunday),” said Brgy. Ginebra stalwart LA Tenorio. “Will miss you, Ato. Ikaw ang malakingrasonbakitakonanditosaposisyon ko ngayon (You are the big reason why I’m here in my position now).”
Also posting tributes were champion coach Eric Altamirano, Borgie Hermida, Benjie Paras, Dindo Pumaren, Ronnie Magsanoc, JVee Casio and Baser Amer among others.
Mr. Badolato has also served as UAAP commissioner and national team coach in the past.
Details of his wake have yet to be finalized. —Joey Villar
Devin Booker returns in Suns’ rout of Hornets
JaVale McGee scored 19 points to lead nine Suns in double figures as Phoenix cruised to a 137-106 win over the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Devin Booker returned from a seven-game absence and scored 16 points for Phoenix, which led by as many as 29 in the first half and set season highs in points scored, assists (35) and made 3-pointers (20).
Mikal Bridges scored 16 points and Landry Shamet had 15, while Deandre Ayton tallied 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Jae Crowder and Chris Paul scored 14 points apiece for the Suns, who have won 23 of their past 25 games, including 14 straight at home.
Booker, who had been out due to a left hamstring strain, made four 3-pointers and had six rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes. Cameron Johnson added 12 points, his ninth straight game in double figures, and Cameron Payne contributed 11.
Miles Bridges scored 26 points and Kelly Oubre, Jr. had 18 to lead Charlotte. P.J. Washington added 13, Jalen McDaniels had 10 and LaMelo Ball recorded nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
The Suns have won three straight and own the league’s best record at 24-5. The Hornets lost for the eighth time in their last 11 games.
Charlotte trailed 37-15 after the first period, matching its lowest output in a quarter this season.
Phoenix extended its lead to 48-19 on McGee’s dunk with 8:19 left in the first half, and the Suns held a 69-47 advantage at the break.
The Hornets shot 26.4% from the field in the first half, including 4 of 22 (18.2%) from 3-point range.
Phoenix kept the pressure on in the third quarter and led 101-65 after McGee scored with 2:50 left in the period.
The Suns carried a 28-point lead into the final period, leading both teams to rest their starters.
Phoenix led wire to wire and shot 56.8% from the field and 20 of 41 (48.8%) from 3-point range.
Charlotte, which fell to 1-3 on its six-game road trip, was without forward Cody Martin, who was placed in the league’s health and safety protocols prior to the game. — Reuters