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Title race alive as Man City loses to Spurs and Liverpool beats Norwich

LONDON — Harry Kane’s double gave Tottenham Hotspur a shock 3-2 win away at leader Manchester City after Liverpool came from a goal down to beat Norwich City 3-1 on what could prove to be a pivotal day in the Premier League title race on Saturday.

Man City seemed to have salvaged a point when Riyad Mahrez fired home a penalty in stoppage time at the Etihad, but Kane capped a superb display to head home a dramatic winner three minutes later.

Chaser Liverpool had earlier been give a fright when they trailed struggling Norwich midway through the second half at Anfield. But goals by Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz allowed Juergen Klopp’s side to close the gap to six points at the top, and they also have a game in hand over Man City.

With 14 wins from their last 15 games and facing a Tottenham side on a three-match losing streak, City was expected to regain their nine-point advantage. But Antonio Conte’s side had other ideas and claimed a league double over the champions.

“Sometimes, you have these kind of games and you need to learn from it. It’s a wake-up call for us. There’s still a long way to go,” Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan said.

A week after becoming world club champion third-placed Chelsea got back to domestic duty with a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace, with Hakim Ziyech scoring late on.

In the race for a top-four finish, West Ham United faltered in a 1-1 home draw with resurgent Newcastle United, a result that prevented them moving back above fourth-placed Manchester United, who are in action against Leeds United on Sunday.

Man United has 43 points from 25 games, one more than West Ham and Arsenal who beat Brentford 2-1. Arsenal has three games in hand compared with West Ham and two over United.

Tottenham moved back into seventh spot with 39 points and also has games in hand over West Ham and Man United.

It was a big day at the bottom as well with Burnley moving off the foot of the table with a 3-0 win at Brighton and Hove Albion, new signing Wout Weghorst scoring one and creating another.

Watford earned a first win under new manager Roy Hodgson, Emmanuel Dennis securing the 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

Norwich are now bottom on goal difference behind Burnley with both on 17 points, although Burnley have three games in hand. Watford are a point better off, four points behind Newcastle, for whom Joe Willock grabbed the equalizer at West Ham.

Frank Lampard’s Everton lost 2-0 at Southampton and are only four points above the relegation zone.

Kane had appeared close to moving to Man City in the summer, and how the champions might wish they had sealed the deal.

It was his pass that sent away Son Heung-min in the fourth minute to roll the ball in to Dejan Kulusevski to slot home.

Gundogan capitalised on a fumble by Hugo Lloris to equalize before half time, but Kane produced a silky 59th-minute finish from Son’s pass to restore Tottenham’s lead.

It was the 36th time the two had combined for a Premier League goal, equalling the record of former Chelsea players Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

Kane had another goal ruled out for offside before a handball by Cristian Romero in the 90th minute allowed Mahrez the chance to equalise from the spot.

But Kulusevski then set up a late headed winner from Kane, opening the door for Liverpool in the title race.

With a game in hand and a trip to City in April, Juergen Klopp’s side are now serious contenders again having fallen 12 points behind in January.

They were made to work hard by battling Norwich, but they eventually made sure of their eighth successive win in all competitions, with Salah scoring his 150th goal for the club and Diaz his first.

Joel Matip had deflected in Milot Rashica’s shot to give Norwich the lead, but the visitors could not hold back the red tide as Liverpool cranked up the pressure on them — and on Man City. — Reuters

Nantes stuns wasteful PSG with 3-1 home win

NANTES — Nantes stormed into a three-goal half time lead and then rode their luck to win 3-1 at home on Saturday and hand runaway leader Paris St.-Germain (PSG) their second Ligue 1 loss of the season.

Nantes saw little of the possession, had a player sent off only to see the red card overturned on VAR review and then watched as Neymar squandered a penalty in a thrill-a-minute clash at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

But they came away with a full haul of points in a surprise reversal for the star-studded PSG line-up.

Randal Kolo Muani put Nantes ahead within four minutes after a storming run down the left wing by Moses Simon, and they were 2-0 up some 12 minutes later when teenager Quentin Merlin scored his first goal for his hometown club with a rasping left-footed shot.

Nantes defender Dennis Appiah was sent off two minutes before the break for tripping Kylian Mbappé as he headed goalwards. But the referee was asked to review his decision by the VAR and changed it to a yellow card when replays showed the clash was not as cynical as first presumed.

VAR then intervened again in stoppage time before the break when Georginio Wijnaldum handled the ball in his own penalty box, handing Nantes a spot kick which Ludovic Blas converted for a stunning half time lead.

PSG, who started the game 13 points clear of second-placed Olympique de Marseille, pulled a goal back a minute into the second half as Lionel Messi set up Neymar for a clinical finish.

The Brazilian, back in the starting lineup for the first time since November, then had a chance to further reduce the deficit when Appiah again brought down Mbappé, but Neymar’s penalty was a weak effort straight at Alban Lafont.

Mbappé then produced an uncharacteristic miss from point-blank range in the final 20 minutes as PSG kept up the pressure but were unable to make use of their numerous chances.

The win saw Nantes leap from 10th to fifth in the Ligue 1 standings as they push for a spot in next season’s European club competition.

Earlier on Saturday, Olympique Lyonnais came from a goal down to hold hosts Racing Lens to a 1-1 draw as striker Tino Kadewere scored his first goal since March.

Lens took a 13th-minute lead through Jonathan Clauss and had the ball in the net again in the 37th minute, but Seko Fofana’s effort was ruled out after a VAR check. Kadewere’s equalizer came on the stroke of half time. — Reuters

Tiger Woods won’t commit to 2022 PGA Tour return

TIGER Woods reiterated on Saturday that he fully intends to return to the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour, he just doesn’t know when.

Woods is serving as tournament host for The Genesis Invitational, where earlier this week he said he wished he could say when he’ll return to competition. Asked by CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz during Saturday’s third round whether it was “fair” to say that he would play on the PGA Tour in 2022, Woods declined to commit to a timetable.

“You’ll see me on the PGA Tour, I just don’t know when,” he said. “I’d love to tell you that I’ll be playing next week, but I don’t know when.

“It’s frustrating in that sense, because I’ve been down this road before with my back when I didn’t know when I was going to come back. It’s hard, because it’s hard not to have goals out there — you know, ‘I want to play this event so I can set myself up for that mentally and physically and emotionally.’ I don’t have any of those dates in my head. I don’t know yet.”

Asked specifically about playing the Masters in April, Woods said, “I don’t know.” Pressed by Nantz whether we can expect to see him play the par-3 tournament the Wednesday before the start of the Masters, Woods laughed and said, “Slow down, Turbo.”

The 46-year-old is continuing his recovery from last year’s car accident two days after the Genesis that nearly cost him his right leg.

“It could have been far worse,” Woods said of the accident. “I am so lucky and thankful to all of the doctors here that put the leg back together again. Because I could have easily lost it. I still have my own limb, so I’m really thankful for that.”

Woods is playing casual rounds at Medalist near his home in Jupiter, FL., but said he’s not ready to walk courses on the PGA Tour while competing against the best players in the world.

He did play in the 36-hole PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, in December, but that was with the use of a golf cart.

“I can hit balls, the hard part is actually walking. So, that’s going to take some time,” he said. “The ankle mobility. Over time, the ankle swells, the foot swells, the leg swells.

“That’s just time.”

When Nantz said that he would like to see the 15-time major winner back on the golf course, Woods smiled and said, “I would like that, too.” — Reuters

James wants to play final NBA season with his son

LEBRON James wants to spend his final year in the National Basketball Association (NBA) playing on a team alongside his son Bronny, according to an interview with The Athletic published on Saturday.

The four-time NBA champion, in Cleveland for this weekend’s All-Star Game, is not interested in accepting a discount after his current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expires but said in the report he would make an exception.

“My last year will be played with my son,” James said in the report. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”

The younger James is a point guard playing high school basketball and, based on current rules, would be eligible to be drafted by an NBA team in 2024, when LeBron will be 39.

James, whose contract with the Lakers runs through the 2022-23 NBA season, has averaged a team-high 29.1 points per game this season. — Reuters

Team Cavs win Skills Challenge on long heaves

EVAN Mobley hit a halfcourt shot as part of the Skills Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend, giving Team Cavs the victory on Saturday night at Cleveland.

Team Cavs needed one basket in the half-court shot phase and Mobley drained it. After Jarrett Allen missed wide left, Mobley swished the team’s second attempt, so the group didn’t even have to use the rest of its attempts.

Earlier, Darius Garland and Mobley of the hometown Cavaliers combined to give Team Cavs the early lead in the skills competition in the jump shot portion of the event.

Still, Team Rooks — comprised of rookies Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham and Josh Giddey — surged into the lead with 200 points compared with 100 points each for Team Cavs and Team Antetokounmpos.

Team Cavs made it to the final when Garland hit a 3-pointer to break the tie with Team Antetokounmpos.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had a solid beginning in the shooting category.

This was a new event that featured three three-man teams. It involved shooting, passing, a relay and, as the final, the half-court shooting drill. — Reuters

LeBron with Bronny

LeBron James did not mince words when he was asked about the possibility of returning to the Cavaliers anew. Caught in a wave of goodwill borne of the enthusiastic reception he received from hometown family members, friends, and fans, he replied to the query of Jason Lloyd of The Athletic with matter-of-fact resolve. “The door’s not closed on that,” he said, fresh off a practice session with other Western Conference All-Stars at Cleveland State facilities. “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing. I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t even know when I’m free.”

James is being disingenuous, of course. Of all the marquee names in the National Basketball Association, he’s arguably the most knowledgeable about his status, and on how he can best maximize it. The increased mobility players enjoy these days is largely because he dared challenge the status quo, and succeed in so doing. And, if nothing else, he’s certainly aware he will again be a free agent after the 2022-23 season. So while he’s right in saying he doesn’t know what the future holds, it’s not because of ambiguity insofar as his contract with the Lakers is concerned.

Interestingly, James isn’t so much as exhibiting wanderlust as showing disappointment in his current plight. For all his machinations behind the scenes, the roster the Lakers assembled heading into the current campaign is far from thriving. He hasn’t been to the All-Star break with a losing record in 18 years, and he was still a rookie back then. And the irony is that all the setbacks have come with him setting personal milestone after personal milestone. He’s doing his best, but his best hasn’t been enough in the face of the frailties of those around him.

There are, to be sure, two sides to every coin, and it’s fair to argue that the Cavaliers will not want to take him in, the reverence with which the wine and gold regard him notwithstanding. They’re doing all right on their own, rising the wave of a youth invasion slated to keep them competitive for some time to come. Those strides would most definitely be sacrificed if the welcome mat is spread for him. And, make no mistake, he’ll see the third time as the charm only if it leads to the opportunity of burning rubber with Bronny, his son — as is his publicly stated intent.

“My last year will be played with my son,” James told Lloyd. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.” So there. At this point, nothing else matters. And considering how he continues to wreak havoc on the court, the bet looks like a safe one.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Philippines’ January BoP deficit smallest in 10 months

The Philippines balance of payment (BoP) position stood at a $102-million deficit in January — the smallest in 10 months — as the government continued to service its foreign debt.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday evening showed BoP in January was slimmer than the $752-million gap in January 2021. However, it was a reversal from the $991-million surfeit in December.

This was the smallest BoP deficit in 10 months or since the $73-million gap in March 2021.

“The BoP deficit in January 2022 reflected outflows arising mainly from the national government’s (NG) payments of its foreign currency debt obligations,” the central bank said in a statement.

Last year, the country’s outstanding debt reached P11.7 trillion, rising by P2 trillion or 19.7% from its level as of end-2020, based on data from the Bureau of the Treasury. About 30% or P3.56 trillion were foreign debt.

Latest data from the Treasury showed principal payments to foreign creditors in November amounted to P6.95 billion.

The January BoP deficit also comes after the influx of remittances in December, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricofort said in a Viber message. December sees higher inflows as overseas Filipino workers send more to their families back home for the holidays.

At its end-January level, the BoP reflects a final gross international reserves of $107.69 billion, which is down by 1% from $108.79 billion a month earlier.

The country’s dollar reserves are enough to cover 8.4 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.7 times based on residual maturity. It is also equivalent to 10.2 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

The BoP gives a glimpse into the country’s transactions with the rest of the world. A deficit means more funds left the country, while a surplus shows that more money came in.

“Going forward, any improvement in BoP and GIR for the coming months could help provide greater cushion for the peso exchange rate versus the dollar especially versus any speculative attacks,” Mr. Ricafort said.

The peso has been weakening versus the greenback as the market priced in signals on impending monetary policy tightening of major central banks like the US Federal Reserve.

The local unit closed 6.2% weaker year on year to P50.999 a dollar on Dec. 31, its last trading day in 2021. It closed stronger at P50.95 on Jan. 31, but has been trading weaker within the P51 a dollar level in previous weeks.

The BSP projects the BoP position to reach a $700-million surfeit by the end of 2022, which is equivalent to 0.4% of the gross domestic product. It posted a $1.35-billion surfeit in 2021, the smallest since 2008 amid a wider trade deficit.

Fitch keeps negative outlook for PHL amid debt, growth concerns

Fitch Ratings affirmed the Philippines' investment grade rating. -- Photo by Michael Varcas, The Philippine Star

By Jenina P. Ibañez, Senior Reporter  

Fitch Ratings affirmed the Philippines’ investment grade rating but also maintained the negative outlook, as it flagged uncertainties to the country’s medium-term growth trajectory and hurdles to bringing down debt. 

“The negative outlook reflects uncertainty about medium-term growth prospects as well as possible challenges in unwinding the policy response to the health crisis and bringing government debt on a firm downward path,” the credit rater said in a note on Friday. 

A negative outlook means Fitch could downgrade the Philippines’ credit rating in the next 12 to 18 months. The outlook was revised to negative from stable in July 2021 due to the impact of the pandemic on the economy. 

Fitch Ratings said it maintained the “BBB” credit rating as the Philippines balances strong external buffers against lagging per capita income and governance indicators. 

“It also reflects weak government revenue mobilization compared with peers and government debt/GDP (gross domestic product) that rose sharply from pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels but is forecast to stay close to the ‘BBB’ median over the next few years,” Fitch Ratings said. 

A “BBB” rating indicates low default risk and adequate capacity to pay, although some unfavorable economic conditions could impede said capacity. 

The Philippines ended 2021 with P11.73 trillion in outstanding debt, up 19.7% year on year as the government continued to ramp up borrowings to finance its pandemic response. 

The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 60.5% as of end-2021, a tad higher than the 60% threshold considered as manageable by multilateral lenders for developing economies and the highest since the 65.7% seen in 2005. 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in a statement said the Philippines has maintained the same rating throughout the pandemic, in contrast to ratings downgrades seen by many other countries. 

“Besides improvement in the COVID situation amid rising vaccination rates, we also see that rising credit activities and a favorable inflation outlook will support growth moving forward,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said. 

“The Philippine banking system has kept the impact of the crisis manageable. Philippine banks continue to serve the rising demand for credit. We also expect inflation to stay well within the target range of 2%-4% this year up to 2024, which will provide an enabling environment for consumption and investments,” he added. 

Fitch Ratings also retained its Philippine GDP forecast for 2022 at 6.9%, but cut the estimate for 2023 to 7% from 7.1% previously. 

It said risks that could lead to a credit rating downgrade include reduced confidence in returning to strong medium-term growth and the failure to cut the debt-to-GDP ratio. Potential failure could be caused by a reversal of tax reforms or a far from prudent macroeconomic policy framework. 

In contrast, a ratings upgrade could stem from stronger public finances backed by a broader government revenue base that cuts down the debt-to-GDP ratio. 

“Fitch upholding the current rating was expected. The true test would be to retain our rating by June as this would be one year from Fitch downgrading our outlook to negative,” ING Bank N.V. Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said in an e-mail. 

He said medium-term growth prospects are still far from positive given the economic scars caused by the pandemic and the debt-to-GDP ratio. 

“Unwinding the extraordinary stimulus carried out during the pandemic will likely be more challenging than anticipated with BSP extending the cash advance to the national government into 2022,” he said. 

UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion meanwhile said the country is at a pivotal point due to the upcoming change in administration. The national elections is scheduled on May 9. 

“We have to see a credible fiscal reform strategy from the incoming administration and Congress that will support an already precarious economic recovery and consequently deal with rising debt-to-GDP ratios and other important fiscal metrics,” he said in a Viber message. 

Although the country will be led by a new administration by June, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said the “deep bench of technocrats” guiding the country’s economic policies will stay beyond June and will continue pursuing structural reforms. 

“These, in turn, will help the Philippines sail through its next stage of economic development as we expect the Philippines to transition from lower-middle-income to upper-middle-income status this year.” 

Philippines seeks European investors’ support for green bonds

REUTERS

The Department of Finance (DoF) has pitched its maiden green bonds set to be offered “in the coming weeks” to European investors as the government seeks to finance clean energy projects.  

In a news release, the DoF said Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III sought European investor support for the Philippines’ maiden green bond offering of at least $500 million.  

The offering will raise funds for the Philippines’ clean energy projects and other climate change mitigation initiatives.  

Mr. Dominguez said the offering is one of several government initiatives to fight climate change after wealthier economies failed to fulfill a $100 billion pledge to help developing nations tackle climate change each year by 2020.  

“We cannot wait for the bureaucrats in the industrialized world to take their sweet time splitting hairs on the idea that the countries that polluted and continue to pollute the most must bear the greater part of the financial burden of reversing global warming that they started 175 years ago,” he told the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in a recorded message.  

“This is, for us, the essential meaning of climate justice.”  

Funds raised from green bonds are used for climate mitigation and environmental projects.  

Mr. Dominguez recently said that the DoF is in talks with banks on the appropriate structure of its maiden ESG (environmental, social, and governance) offering. The department is assessing the size, tenor, and currency markets.  

On Wednesday, fixed-income news provider IFR reported the Philippines had mandated Bank of China, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Bank, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered and UBS for a potential US dollar bond offering in the ESG format.  

Citing a source aware of the development, IFR said the Philippines was looking to raise $1 billion to $2 billion from medium- to long-term bonds.  

“The timing of the issue, of course, will depend on prevailing market conditions and investor sentiments,” Mr. Dominguez told CNBC on Friday.  

“We are in deep conversation with our bankers, and as soon as the market conditions are ready, we will make the appropriate announcement as to the exact timing and size of our sustainability bond issue.”  

The Philippines has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% from 2020 to 2030. Of the 75% target, just 2.71% can be achieved with internal resources, while the remaining 72.29% is conditional on international assistance.  

China emitted 27% of the world’s greenhouse gas total in 2019, followed by the US at 11% and India at 6.6%, think tank Rhodium Group said.  

“We are disappointed, however, that the Western countries with the greatest volume of emissions were far less ambitious in their commitments to the global effort to rescue the planet. This includes many European countries,” Mr. Dominguez said.  — Jenina P. Ibañez 

BSP says won’t revise inflation target range

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) plans to retain its 2-4% inflation target even after changes to the base year. 

“We do not anticipate any revision to the government’s 2-4% inflation target range in light of the shift to the 2018 base year,” BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. said in a briefing on Thursday. 

“While changes in the CPI (consumer price index) basket affect actual and forecasted inflation, the BSP is of the view that such changes have no material impact on the choice of the appropriate inflation target.” 

The Philippine Statistics Authority changed its base year for the CPI to 2018 starting in January to reflect changing Filipino household consumption patterns.  

Mr. Dakila said the shift will not affect the target range because it “represents the optimal level of inflation.”  

This level, he said, is consistent with the BSP’s aim of ensuring price and financial stability that would support the sustainable growth of the Philippine economy. 

This “optimal level”, he added, is determined regardless of the composition of the CPI basket and the weights of the various CPI components. 

He noted that the inflation target is set by the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), in consultation with the Philippine central bank. 

“We also know that the inflation target is subject to the DBCC’s periodic review,” Mr. Dakila said. 

BSP raised its inflation forecast for 2022 to 3.7% from 3.4% previously, staying within its 2%-4% target. It also increased its 2023 estimate to 3.3% from 3.2%. 

Shortages of pork and fish supply, along with the effect of higher oil prices on transport fares, remain risks to the inflation outlook, BSP said. 

The country’s headline inflation slowed to 3% year on year in January, easing from the 3.2% in December and the 3.7% print in January last year.  

The BSP on Thursday kept its key rate unchanged, but hinted at an “eventual normalization” of policy once recovery is sustained or inflation risks rise. — Jenina P. Ibañez 

IATF now accepting national COVID-19 vaccination certificates from 15 more countries

Hundreds of Filipinos wait in line at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Pasay City, Jan. 16. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) will now be accepting the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of 15 more countries, the Presidential Palace said on Friday.

The proof of vaccination of the following countries — Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Indonesia, Macau SAR, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and Syria — will now be recognized in the Philippines, said Acting Presidential Spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles at a televised news briefing.

He also noted that 455,140 Pfizer vaccine doses that were purchased by the national government for the adult population arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 on Thursday night. On Wednesday, 780,000 Pfizer vaccine doses, purchased through the financial assistance of the World Bank for five- to 11-year-old children, were received.

During the same briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said that over 329,000 children between five to 11 years old have been vaccinated against the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as of Thursday.

“We are expecting more parents to register their children in the coming days as they realize how COVID-19 vaccines help keep their children safe and protected against the virus,” she added.

Ms. Vergeire also said that over 3 million Filipinos nationwide have received their primary doses and booster shots under the third Bayanihan, Bakunahan program, which ends today.

She noted that 2.67 million jabs were administered to the general population, 551,392 of which were the first dose, 1.08 million were the second, and 167, 677 were single-shot doses. A total of 864, 287 booster shots were given.

“Vaccine efficacy after a booster dose shows significant impact on preventing severe diseases and hospitalizations,” the health undersecretary said. “It also provides 25 times more protection against the Omicron variant.”

As of Thursday, 62.2 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 61.55 million have received their first dose. 9.49 million have received their top-up shots.

IS A 2ND BOOSTER NEEDED?

Meanwhile, infectious diseases expert Dr. Edsel Maurice T. Salvaña said that they are still looking into the need for second booster shots.

“We all know that vaccines protect us in three ways: first they can decrease transmission, number two is they can decrease infection… and the third is the protection against severe disease,” he said in a televised news briefing on Friday.

Mr. Salvaña said that while the first three doses assured the recipients of those benefits, a second booster shot will barely increase protection against severe diseases. In this case, it’s likely that it will only be used for the most vulnerable population, including the old and those with comorbidities, as well as individuals who are highly exposed to the virus such as healthcare workers.

The highest priority should still be given to the primary series of the vaccines – the first two doses – he added, because these provide the most significant protection against COVID-19.

“Do not get the fourth dose – a second booster – first because its efficacy is still uncertain as well as any possible side effects, said Mr. Salvaña, noting that there may also be more advanced vaccines in the future that become better alternatives for a fourth shot.

COVID-19 ALLOWANCE

Meanwhile, Ms. Vergeire clarified that the P7.92 billion released by the budget department to the health department on Thursday for the One COVID-19 Allowance is a streamlined version of the allowances already received by healthcare professionals in the past.

With this, she said the validation and computation process will be lumped according to their classification, making the process faster and ensuring that chances will be lower of delays in providing benefits to the healthcare workers.

Eligible for the allowance are 526,727 healthcare and non-healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 response. The allowance will be providing each worker with P3,000, P6,000, or P9,000 monthly depending on their level of risk at their jobs.

Now that the budget has been released, Ms. Vergeire said, benefits will be distributed to health professionals as soon as the processing is completed. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

EU tells Philippines to enhance efforts to comply with STCW convention

https://marina.gov.ph/

THE EUROPEAN Union (EU) late Thursday told the Philippines to enhance its efforts to comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention (STCW Convention), after it warned the agency that failure to meet requirements before the deadline will result in Filipino marine officers being barred from working on EU-flagged vessels.

A delegation led by Vice-Admiral Robert A. Empedrad, the head of the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) met with European Commission Director-General Henrik Hololei and other officials of the European Commission (EC) Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) in Brussels on Feb. 8.

“While Director-General Hololei was grateful to Vice-Admiral Empedrad for meeting informally in Brussels and for his oral presentation, he made clear that the Commission’s assessment would solely be based on the written reply to the Commission notification, to be provided no later than 10 March 2022,” the EU said in a statement.

“He reiterated that this formal reply should contain concrete evidence of the measures already taken by the Philippine authorities to ensure compliance with the country’s obligations under the STCW Convention,” it added.

Following an inspection conducted in 2020, the EC had notified the Philippines of a number of deficiencies — including serious ones — identified in the Philippine seafarers’ education, training, and certification system.

An earlier EU statement noted that “inconsistences have been identified in relation to the competences covered by the education and training programs leading to the issuing of officers’ certificates, as well as in several approved programs regarding teaching and examination methods, facilities and equipment. Inconsistencies have also been identified in the monitoring of inspections and evaluations of the schools. In addition, there have been concerning findings as regards simulators and on-board training.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had urged Marina, which is responsible for the implementation of the convention, to address deficiencies identified by the EU since 2006. “We strongly urge Marina to comply. The livelihoods of thousands of our seafarers are at stake.”

“I warned Marina and sent a memo to Art Tugade and the Palace. I will stand by the EU or EC which invited me in Brussels away from a useless conference to tell me what was up: 16 years of no action from Marina and the impending doom of our maritime industry,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said in a previous tweet.

According to Marina’s data, there are about 50,000 Filipinos working in EU-flagged ships, mostly from Malta, Greece, Norway, and Germany.

During the meeting, the EC also explained to the Philippines’ relevant authorities, specifically the Commission on Higher Education and Marina, the procedure to follow in the notification letter and the next steps following the Philippines’ reply. They provided concrete examples of what it expects to receive in the response.

In a previous release, the EC said it will assess the reply of the Philippines before determining its next course of action. “In case of a negative assessment, the European Union might eventually withdraw the recognition of the Philippines STCW system and, therefore, the certificates for masters and officers delivered by the Philippine maritime schools.”

“In that case, existing certificates for masters and officers would continue to be recognized until the time of their natural expiry, but new certificates would not be recognized to work on EU-flagged ships,” it added.

The EU maintained its hopes that the country would conduct the necessary internal reforms and amendments to comply fully with the STCW requirements by the indicated deadline, as it is aware of the contribution of seafarers to the Filipino economy.

Filipino seafarers, it added, are equally important to them since one of five foreign seafarers on EU-flagged ships is Filipino. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

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