China Bank makes employees eligible for LinkedIn upskilling

August 19, 2022 | 12:02 am

CHINA Banking Corp. (China Bank) said it has purchased licenses to use LinkedIn Learning for all its 9,800 employees, to help with their upskilling and reskilling via the professional networking platform.

Starting Aug. 16, all China Bank employees will have access to LinkedIn Learning, an online educational platform with more than 18,000 courses covering hard and soft skills.

“As we pursue our digital transformation, investing in new technologies to make China Bank an agile, modern organization, we are not forgetting that people are the catalysts of this transformation,” China Bank Chief Finance Officer Patrick D. Cheng said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The business landscape is changing faster than ever; thus, it’s crucial that we continuously upskill China Bankers to stay competitive and relevant in this digital age,” Mr. Cheng said.

LinkedIn Learning makes those who complete its coursework eligible for certification and professional credit.

China Bank calls its program Learning EDGE (Empowered talents Driving Growth and Excellence), with the main benefit seen as the efficient upgrading of skills at scale.

“Ease of use and mobile capabilities are essential in training. Learning EDGE, available anytime on any device, will help us keep our people stay sharp with the skills needed for their roles now and in the future,” China Bank Human Resources Group Head Maria Rosanna Catherina L. Testa said.

The bank conducted a trial run of the platform in July with over 500 employees.

“As the world recovers from the fallout of the pandemic and looks towards a skills-first economy, companies like China Bank are future-proofing their businesses and helping employees to be successful through continuous learning,” LinkedIn’s Head of Asia, Talent & Learning Solutions Frank Koo said.

“LinkedIn’s unique position as the world’s largest professional network allows us to quickly spot market trends and create relevant content for learners. By investing in its people, China Bank can effectively and efficiently plug any vital skill gaps, retain and attract top talent, and be at the forefront of navigating change in these fast-evolving times,” Mr. Koo added. — Keisha B. Ta-asan

Stuff to do (08/19/22)

August 19, 2022 | 12:02 am

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MaArte Fair returns to The Pen

Manila welcomes back MaArte Fair, the fundraising bazaar that benefits the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, on Aug. 19 to 21. The foundation’s mission is to raise funds and awareness for the National Museum of the Philippines and its network. The overarching theme of MaArte at The Pen 2022 is to celebrate the Filipino creative soul. MaArte will recognize not just traditional Filipino craft and design but also bring to the fore contemporary Philippine design in the fields of fashion, furniture, and accessories. The fair’s highlights include apparel and accessories, contemporary furniture and home décor, and heirloom, jewelry, and traditional textiles. Part of MaArte is “SLIM at The Lobby: A Special Exhibition,” curated by Mark Lewis Higgins, which will be on view until Aug. 27. The exhibit features a vignette of ensembles by National Artist for Fashion Design Salvacion Lim Higgins (Slim), with dresses dating from 1952 to the early 1980s. Also, part of the fair are a number of talks which will be held at the hotel’s Salon de Ning. On Aug. 19 (2 p.m.) Sheryl Ebon-Martinez give talk titled “A Teapot’s Journey: A Brief History,” about her fascination with tea and how this led her to become a potter at the age of 40. On Aug. 20 (2 p.m.), Nazareno/Lichauco’s Rita Nazareno (Zacarias 1925) and Gabby Lichauco (Open Studio) will share their insights, experiences, and practices regarding today’s Philippine contemporary craft and design landscape in a talk titled “Philippine Design and Craft by Nazareno/Lichauco.” On Aug. 21 (2 p.m.), Mark Lewis Higgins will facilitate a talk titled “Paris and Manila: A Tale of Two Cities: The Golden Age of Haute Couture on the Opposite Sides.” Admission to the talks is free.

Pawchella: A Benefit Concert in honor of Animal Welfare

PAWSSION Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of rescued animals, is holding a benefit concert on Aug. 20 at Bonifacio Global City to raise funds for and awareness of stray animals in the country. The concert will be held at 5^th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig from 2-9 p.m. on Aug. 20. Sud, Orange and Lemons, and Bini among others, have agreed to perform for free in support of the cause. While the concert is free, patrons can register here at https://www.jotform.com/221738904606459 and pledge a month’s worth of food, shelter, and medicines for P1,500 and get access to the VIP area during Pawchella and a bottled coffee flask from Stay Up Espresso Bar. Founded in October 2018, Pawssion Project has since sheltered, rescued, spayed & neutered, and rehomed over 5,000 animals. The organization is now appealing for funding through various activities in celebration of International Homeless Animals Day (IHAD). Pawssion Project’s IHAD campaign and festivities began with a kick-off event on Aug. 14 in the BHS Central Amphitheater featuring, sunset yoga, acoustic sets, and demos of low-cost services, accompanied by a special IHAD Adoption Drive in Market! Market!. An Art Exhibit featuring the harsh realities of stray animals was set up in Bonifacio High Street on Aug. 15 and will run until Aug. 20. For more information on Pawchella and Pawssion Project, follow Pawssion Project on Facebook and Instagram.

Newport World Resorts hosts Star Wars exhibit

NEWPORT MALL’S latest exhibition “Far, Far Away” features a unique toy and art collection by Imagine Nation Studios (INS). Characters from the Star Wars films are reimagined as toys, decked out in street culture outfits. Among the figures are Trooper Boy, Vader Boy, Fett Boy, C-3PBoy, and Spray2-D2. The large figures are made of fiberglass, while their smaller counterparts are resin. Adding to the intergalactic experience are contemporary paintings inspired by the film franchise such as Trooper Money, Vader Money, and Dog Day After. The “Far, Far Away” exhibition is open until Sept. 4, at the GF Newport Mall. Selected pieces are available for purchase through the INS contact person at 0905-410-9411 or e-mail ins.designteam@gmail.com.

Spending a day at Tiendesitas Pet Village

SINCE IT opened in 2005, the Tiendesitas Pet Village has earned a reputation as a pet paradise with its clusters of stores that cater to pet needs. It suggests one’s pet get a health check at Animal Care Specialists; then go pet shopping at Pet Co., which offers pet furniture, wet and dry food, starter kits for new puppies and kittens, pet accessories, diapers and clothing, health supplies, and grooming products. The Tiendesitas Pet Village also has an open space for pets called the Paw Park, where it hosts regular play dates like Pet Meetup events with dog trainer Lestre Zapanta. Pets can be groomed by professionals at the DivineLife where staff will trim their excess floof, cut their nails, detangle matted fur, clean their ears and sacs, and brush their teeth. There is also Petville by Purple Groom where pets can have a nap while you shop. Petville will look after pets on an hourly basis, daily, or weekly. Pets get perks when they become a member of the Ortigas Malls Elite Pet Society. Applicable in all Ortigas Malls — Tiendesitas, Greenhills and Estancia Mall — the membership gives pets their unique pet ID, exclusive freebies, pet shopping discounts, and a cake on their birthday when a stamp card is completed. Download the Ortigas Malls mobile app available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store to register.

Mondelez partners with Megaworld for waste collection drive

August 19, 2022 | 12:01 am

FOOD manufacturer Mondelez International has partnered with Megaworld Corp. for a waste collection initiative involving the latter’s malls.

The new partnership launched on Aug. 17 will involve a year-long waste collection drive in five Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, particularly Eastwood Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, McKinley Hall, Uptown Bonifacio, and Arcovia City. The collection drive began on Aug. 15 in Eastwood Mall.

“Our goal is to make snacks with better packaging, to make it easier to recycle; to use less packaging by optimizing our pack sizes; and supporting improved systems through the collection of as much plastic as we put into the environment,” Mondelez International Country Manager for Corporate and Government Affairs Joseph R. Fabul said in a statement on Thursday.

Further, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Head Graham Coates said that the company is continuously looking for ways to incorporate environmental consciousness in its township and lifestyle properties.

“Sustainability is in one of our core thrusts as a company, we are always open to collaborating with organizations which promote the same values,” Mr. Coates said.

The new partnership is a continuation of the initiative started by Mondelez and social enterprise Plastic Flamingo (PLAF) in 2020.

Mondelez and PLAF have collected 43,000 kilograms of post-consumer plastic that were repurposed into upcycled products from 2020 to 2021.

“We have worked with the PLAF since 2020 to collect post-consumer plastic for reuse and recycling. Since then, the plastic we have collected has been turned into outdoor furniture which were donated to the City of Parañaque and into eco-boards which are sold by the PLAF to fund further collection activities,” Mr. Fabul said.

For 2022, the partnership is eyeing to collect and recycle another 20,000 kilograms and turn them into usable eco-boards.

“Our work at PLAF consists of collecting, segregating, transforming and designing plastic for reuse. We make practical construction materials out of plastic, like eco-lumber and eco-boards. This ensures that we are able to recycle plastic and at the same time help reduce the use of precious resources like wood or minerals to make furniture or even shelters,” PLAF Chief Operating Officer Erica A. Reyes said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

General retail price index in the National Capital Region

August 19, 2022 | 12:01 am

METRO MANILA’S retail price of goods in April grew at its fastest pace in three and a half years, preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. Read the full story.

What to do when workers issue death threats

August 19, 2022 | 12:01 am

This week, a janitor reported scribbling in a toilet cubicle which contained a death threat against the human resource (HR) department head. The threat, addressed to the department head, was worded as follows: “Your days are numbered. Beware!” As the manager in charge of janitorial services, I took a photo of the graffiti and instructed the janitor to keep it secret. We locked the cubicle until the completion of an investigation. Management has no clue who might have done it, but suspects the employees’ union, which could be playing mind games during the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, which have run to an eighth meeting. What would you advise our management? — Lone Ranger.

I wrote about this topic in this space on May 25, 2018 in a column, “Death threats from sacked workers? Here’s the cure.” That article is about 18 dismissed workers who were suspected of having issued threats. The situation mirrors your current predicament with a union that could be taking a hardball approach in CBA negotiations.

Read that article online and connect the dots with the advice I’m about to give here.

Closing the cubicle is a good step. But don’t be complacent. Even if the janitor has been told to keep the incident a secret, there’s no guarantee rumors won’t spread. You can’t count on his loyalty especially if he’s employed by a manpower agency or if he turns out to be a union sympathizer.

Regardless of the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators, the HR head and the management members of the CBA panel must take the matter seriously. Your suspicions are based on sound logic. The union may be resorting to brinkmanship to unsettle management into fast-tracking the negotiations and extend a solid counter-offer.

MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
CBA negotiation is often described as a “love-hate” relationship between labor and management. When this relationship involves death threats, it becomes a far more complex issue. However, management need not to be intimidated. It must remain sober and consider the following steps:

One, take the matter seriously without being emotional. Don’t be fearful but be extra careful. Otherwise, management could turn paranoid and not exercise its best judgment during negotiations. It should still perform its daily tasks, while changing its routines, like reporting early to work coming in late. Management schedule must be unpredictable, with working remotely an option.

Two, inform top management and the security manager. They’re the best authority to decide on a safety and security protocol. The measures might include providing your HR head a security detail, an armored vehicle, and a bullet-proof vest. It may not be wise to issue firearms to people not used to them.

Three, inform the union representatives. Do this face-to-face and shortly before you adjourn a negotiation session. This should be the last item on the agenda. Be brief. Don’t accuse anyone. Simply let them know that management is implementing security measures within the office or factory premises and the vicinity. The union could come to realize that its threat has backfired.

Four, file a report with the police. Have it on a police blotter. Cite the circumstances surrounding the CBA negotiations. Get a police report for the company’s records, but keep the matter confidential. Think hard before reporting to the police the names of union negotiating panel members or any union official.

You don’t want to complicate the CBA negotiations should the union dig up a copy of the blotter which is a public record. Many union officials will not take it sitting down if they discover that management has linked them to death threats.

Last, negotiate with the union as if there is no death threat. You want management to present a brave front when negotiating. If you show any sign of weakness, chances are the union will know the threats got to you. Go ahead with management’s original proposal and take it from there.

GOOD-FAITH BARGAINING
A successful negotiation of a new CBA that mutually satisfies both labor and management requires good faith in bargaining. The trouble is that management can’t dictate terms to the union. The union can do almost anything short of filing a notice of strike. Just the same, even without an impending strike, management can only act on things it can control.

Good faith enhances management credibility, which includes a sincere desire to agree to a new CBA that is within the capacity of the organization to pay. While some trade unions can resort to dirty tactics, management shouldn’t do the same thing. Never leave home without good faith as it attracts positivity, even when other people are unwilling or incapable of doing good.

Have a chat with Rey Elbo via Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or send your questions to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.com

Protecting domestic industries against dumping

August 19, 2022 | 12:01 am

THE controversy surrounding the importation of sugar amid soaring prices and a looming supply shortage has hogged the headlines these past two weeks. It has all the elements of high drama with characters from the top echelons of government getting embroiled in a series of plot twists and turns.

But the sugar industry is not alone in its predicament. Local cement producers have also been up in arms against the alleged dumping of imported cement from Vietnam that threatens to undermine the domestic manufacturing industry.

Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP) executive director Cirilo Pestaño said predatory pricing by Vietnamese exporters is jeopardizing the contributions of local industry players to the economy in terms of revenue generation, job creation, natural resources utilization, additional investments, and improving the balance of payments.

Last June, CEMAP member firms such as Apo Cement, Holcim Philippines, Republic Cement, and Solid Cement reportedly filed an anti-dumping case against certain cement importations from Vietnam. Even non-members like Eagle Cement and Northern Cement supported the petition lodged with the Tariff Commission.

According to the petitioners, “the continuing rise in volume of certain exported Vietnamese cement to the Philippine market at dumped prices puts at risk our domestic industry and adversely impacts our country’s economic recovery.”

Republic Act No. 8752 or the Anti-Dumping Act of 1999 protects domestic industries that are likely to be materially injured by the dumping of articles imported into or sold in the Philippines. Based on the Department of Trade and Industry’s guidelines on anti-dumping, an exporting company is said to be dumping when exporters sell their product to an importer in the Philippines at a price lower than its normal value and is causing material injury to the industry producing a similar product.

Mr. Pestaño noted that Vietnam accounted for 91% of the Philippines’ cement imports as of 2021, versus 61% in 2017 and almost zero in 2013. This rapid increase was higher than the growth rate of the local market, and the continued influx of cement imports has resulted in the domestic manufacturers’ loss of sales volumes.

“Like our peers in the sugar sector, we welcome President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s action against the flood of imported products. We hope that the Marcos administration would extend this policy to other local industries that are facing equally serious threats from the influx of imports,” CEMAP’s statement implored.

GREEN OASIS EMERGING
The hilly municipality of Dupax del Sur in Nueva Viscaya province is fast becoming a travel destination for food and nature lovers, thanks to its beautiful sceneries and a new attraction called the Green Oasis of Dupax.

A unique dining concept that combines the freshness of the farm-to-table approach with Italian-inspired cuisine, Green Oasis is situated at an ancestral farm in the town known for its 18th-century church and the oldest acacia tree in Northern Luzon. The restaurant-cum-garden is managed by John Lacanlale Danao, whose Tagbanua ancestors hail from El Nido, Palawan. It features a shop for native goods and organic products as well as a reflexology walk and a children’s playground

This development is in line with Nueva Viscaya’s aim to become a premier ecotourism destination and not just a transit point to the Banaue Rice Terraces in neighboring Ifugao province. Blessed with a temperate climate and bountiful agricultural land, it is a major producer of high-value crops, vegetables, and cutflowers.

Also known as the “Citrus Capital of the Philippines” and the “Watershed Haven of Cagayan Valley,” Nueva Viscaya offers cascading mountains, unspoiled caves, historic churches, and a unique cultural experience with its multi-ethnic and indigenous people.

***

The opinion expressed herein does not necessarily reflect the views of these institutions and BusinessWorld.

J. Albert Gamboa is the chief finance officer of Asian Center for Legal Excellence and chairman of the FINEX Media Affairs Committee. #FinexPhils

www.finex.org.ph

Entertainment News (08/19/22)

August 19, 2022 | 12:01 am

ANO_PR_Photo — FILIPINO alternative pop band Any Names Okay

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A night with Daddy Kool

TWO years after his sold-out show in Manila, CEO-turned-stand-up comedian Atul Khatri returns with a whole new set and a whole lot of jokes with Daddy Kool, in September at the Sheraton Hotel Manila in Pasay City. “Now that I’m back with Daddy Kool, expect new jokes about my COVID-19 experience, my new dog, my daughters, and my family,” he said in a statement. Ten years ago, he was the CEO of an Indian IT company and tried out stand-up comedy as a way to break the monotony of his life and try something new, and is now one of India’s top stand-up comedians. Daddy Kool will be held on Sept. 2, 9:15 p.m. (cocktails begin at 7:30 p.m.). Tickets are priced at P3,000 (Silver), P3,500 (Platinum), and P4,000 (VIP Black). Daddy Kool is produced by Primei Events, Inc. and presented by Esquire Financing Inc. and Collabera. For more information and inquiries, contact 0928-503-0545 or 0917-148-0545.

Any Names Okay releases new EP

FILIPINO alternative pop band Any Names Okay released their sophomore EP, Leaving Home, via Sony Music Philippines. The six-track release digs deeper into the journey of navigating adulthood and embracing the uncertainty that comes with the process. “As a band, we’re maturing in our songwriting and the way that we operate as creatives,” the five-member group said in a statement. “We want to grow old with our listeners — which can be scary, but very exciting. A lot of those fears and joys can be found in this collection of songs.” Its focus track, “Takbo,” tackles breaking free from burnout and hustle culture. The EP launch on Aug. 20 at Dirty Kitchen (Gravity Art Space), Quezon City is already sold out. Leaving Home is available on all digital music platforms worldwide.

Shanti Dope releases new single

RAPPER Shanti Dope releases his new single, “Tricks,” a song that revels in one’s need of an emotional connection and the magnetic sexual attraction that might develop into something more. Co-written by Lester Paul Vano, “Tricks” is Shanti Dope’s take on an easygoing yet more mature manner of delivering his perspective and storytelling. The song’s official lyric video gained over 100,000 views on YouTube. “Tricks” is available on all digital platforms.

Smile the opening film at Fantastic Fest 2022

PARAMOUNT Pictures’ new horror feature Smile is set to make its world premiere as the Opening Night Film at the Fantastic Fest 2022, running from Sept. 22-29 in Austin, Texas. Smile has been described as the intensely creepy debut feature from Parker Finn that will have even the seasoned Fantastic Fest crowd gripping their armrests in genuine fright. Held every September in Austin, Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the US, specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world. Smile follows Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) who, after witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality. Written and directed by Parker Finn, the film stars Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Robin Weigert, Caitlin Stasey with Kal Penn and Rob Morgan. Smile will be shown in cinemas across the Philippines starting Sept. 28, distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

How PSEi member stocks performed — August 18, 2022

August 19, 2022 | 12:00 am

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

Filipinos ‘most optimistic’ about metaverse in SEA — survey

August 18, 2022 | 9:21 pm

Filipinos are the “most optimistic” in Southeast Asia when it comes to the implications of the metaverse, a survey showed.

The Digital Frontiers 4.0 survey by multi-cloud service provider VMware found that 55% of consumers in the Philippines — the highest in the region — are aware of the metaverse and are optimistic about its implications, with 43% saying they believe it will be favorable for society.

A majority of Filipinos, or 78%, also believe that technology is a key driver of business transformation.

“Fostering digitalization and modernization requires more than the ability to acquire immersive technologies. It also means creating environments where businesses can leverage innovation by delivering meaningful change to drive the best results for the customers,” said Walter So, VMware Philippines’ country manager, in a statement.

The survey highlighted Filipino shoppers’ preference for an immersive and meaningful digital consumer experience, coming in second in the region to Thai shoppers.

This tech savviness is also reflected in Filipino consumers citing internet service (76%) and better connectivity (68%) as contributing factors in buying homes in the future.

“As the Philippines assesses the implications of COVID-19 and the economy shows a strong growth momentum, enterprises must equip their customers with secure digital offerings by strengthening their ability to develop and deliver superior digital experiences that are easily accessible on any app, any cloud, and device,” Mr. So said.

However, Filipinos were found to prefer digital innovation in some sectors over others. They showed little enthusiasm for robotics in healthcare (21%) compared to the rest of SEA (25%), but said they rely heavily on technology for managing finances (67%).

VMware highlighted in the study that the Philippines’ accelerated digital economy post-pandemic reflects “the need of rapid business transformation to meet the evolving needs of the customers.”

The VMware Digital Frontiers 4.0 Study, conducted this April, surveyed 9,728 consumers from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

PHL stocks flat as investors remain on sidelines

August 18, 2022 | 9:00 pm

LOCAL stocks were flat on Thursday, as investors remained on the sidelines ahead of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) widely-expected rate hike.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) inched up 0.08% to close at 6,824.63 on Thursday, while the broader all shares index was flat at 3,619.77.

AB Capital Securities, Inc. Vice-President Jovis L. Vistan said the stock market moved sideways on Thursday, “losing some momentum after gaining for seven straight sessions.

“Market participants were also on the sidelines waiting for the BSP’s decision on the benchmark interest rates,” he said in a Viber message.

The Monetary Board raised its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) at its Thursday meeting.

The BSP made the announcement at past 3 p.m., after the market closed.

“Investors remained vigilant ahead of the BSP meeting… Note that the street widely expects a 50-bp rate hike in the Monetary Board’s policy review meeting following an off-cycle 75-bp rate adjustment last July,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

Sectoral indices were mixed on Thursday. Industrials went up by 89.22 points or 0.90% to close at 9,991.07; while financials climbed 9.21 points or 0.57% to 1,608.15. Services also rose by 6.19 points or 0.35% to finish at 1,750.56.

Meanwhile, mining and oil declined 155.95 points or 1.29% to close at 11,921.01; while property shed 37.29 points or 1.21% to 3,035.36. Holding firms dropped 7.26% or 0.10% to finish the session at 6,660.93.

“Among PSEi members, Universal Robina Corporation (URC) jumped by 4.17% while Aboitiz Power Corporation (APC) was at the bottom, losing 3.20%,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Analyst Claire T. Alviar said in a Viber message.

On Tuesday, URC through its collaboration with Asahi Beverages Philippines (ABP) announced the rollout of “Goodday,” a cultured milk drink, in the country.

Value turnover surged to P13.76 billion on Thursday with 909.51 million shares changing hands, from P8.04 billion with 1.17 billion issues seen on Wednesday.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 104 versus 96, while 40 names were unchanged.

Net foreign buying reached P696.10 million on Thursday, lower from P857.07 million seen on Wednesday.

Regina Capital’s Mr. Limlingan said that investors are waiting for US economic data such as weekly jobless claims and existing home sales due on Thursday evening.

Philstocks’ Ms. Alviar placed the PSEi’s immediate support at 6,600 level and resistance between the 7,000-7,100 range, while AB Capital Securities’ Mr. Vistan put support at 6620 and resistance at 6900 level. — J.I.D. Tabile

Agents seize P220 million worth of sugar in three separate raids

August 18, 2022 | 8:30 pm

Sugar-warehouse-customs — BUREAU OF CUSTOMS FACEBOOK PAGE

CUSTOMS agents seized 44,000 sacks of hoarded sugar worth P220 million in separate raids north of Manila, the capital on Wednesday and Thursday as part of a crackdown amid rising sugar prices and tight supply.

The agents and police raided two warehouses in Bulacan province and another in Pampanga on orders of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who is also Agriculture secretary, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) said in a statement.

“The BoC’s Pampanga sugar warehouse raid may very well serve as a warning to unscrupulous traders who are currently hoarding their stocks of sugar in order to profit from the current artificial sugar shortage situation,” Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez said in a separate statement.

The government might visit more warehouses in the coming days, Press Secretary Trixie-Cruz Angeles told a news briefing.

Mr. Rodriguez earlier said the government was investigating reports that certain traders were pushing the imports of 300,000 metric tons of sugar so they could use it as a cover to release hoarded sugar, which they have not sold for fear of lowering prices.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration had authorized the imports, which Mr. Marcos later rejected. Three of the officials who signed the order have quit their jobs.

“Reports reaching the Office of the Executive Secretary said such massive importation of sugar could result in windfall profits for the traders of at least P300 million with a portion of the amount earmarked as lobby money,” Mr. Rodriguez said.

The Customs bureau is investigating reports that the Pampanga warehouse had long been smuggling sugar from Thailand, repacking and then selling it as local sugar, the presidential palace said.

Like the Pampanga warehouse, the two warehouses in Bulacan were also suspected of storing smuggled goods.

The agents also found imported corn starch from China, sacks of imported flour, plastic products, oil in plastic barrels, motorcycle parts and wheels of different brands, helmets, LED TVs and paints inside the Pampanga warehouse.

Authorities have given the warehouse owners 15 days to present import documents, the palace said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Angeles said Mr. Marcos, Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and sugar stakeholders have agreed to import 150,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar.

“That’s the proposed quantity for importation given the need of the industrials,” she said. “They are the ones who use sugar in commercial quantities and some jobs are dependent on their continued production.”

The president in a YouTube video on Sunday said he might allow as much as 150,000 MT of sugar imports in October due to tight supply. He also said he might let food manufacturers import sugar directly.

Mr. Marcos took the helm of the Agriculture department in June, vowing to boost food production and limit imports as much as possible.

Analysts have said the president would probably pursue free trade deals despite his protectionist stance, noting that he has yet to push changes to policies that have liberalized the Philippine economy.

Also on Thursday, Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel urged Mr. Marcos to appoint an Agriculture chief who could focus on the sector to avoid another fiasco.

“This fiasco with the Sugar Regulatory Administration is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the chaotic organization and operation of the Department of Agriculture (DA),” she said in a statement.

“The president should reconsider his position and appoint a competent person who would take charge of the DA, end all controversies in the department, and focus on helping farmers and ensuring adequate food supply in the country,” she added.

Ms. Hontiveros said the sugar debacle presented a “deeply problematic” leadership issues at the Agriculture department and its attached agencies.

“It is clear by now that having the president also perform the tasks of a DA secretary only causes confusion and dysfunctionality in the bureaucracy,” she said. “This took place within the first 100 days of the current administration.”

The lawmaker said the public would continue to suffer from more of these blunders if the agency’s leadership structure is not reformed.

She noted that the president handles several offices and juggling responsibilities together with the issues encountered by the Agriculture department would be “very difficult.”

“Focusing on this crisis cannot be a part-time job,” Ms. Hontiveros said. “We need a good and proper DA Secretary who will help farmers and consumers full-time.” — Norman P. Aquino, Alyssa Nicole O. Tan and K.A.T. Atienza

Marcos, Chinese envoy meet to discuss relations

August 18, 2022 | 8:30 pm

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has met with China’s envoy to the Philippines in a bid to improve ties between the two nations, he said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

“We are very grateful for the visit, and we look forward to further strengthening the relationship between China and the Philippines for the benefit of both our peoples,” he said.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said in a Facebook post on Thursday he is confident that China-Philippines relations would further grow “under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Marcos.”

Mr. Huang also met with Mr. Marcos in May to congratulate him on his presidential win on behalf of Mr. Xi.

Mr. Marcos earlier said he would enter into government-to-government deals with China and other countries to secure fertilizer supply for the Philippines. Mr. Huang’s Wednesday visit came weeks after tensions between China and the US over Taiwan.

The conflict was triggered by US House Speaker Nancy Patricia Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which China claims as a territory. Her visit angered China, which cut off talks on military issues and climate change.

Mr. Marcos this month told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a meeting in Manila that Ms. Pelosi’s Taiwan visit “did not raise the intensity” of a situation that was already volatile.

Mr. Blinken assured the Philippines the US would come to its defense if attacked in the South China Sea, seeking to allay concerns about the extent of the US commitment to a mutual defense treaty. He said a 70-year-old defense pact with the Philippines was “ironclad.”

“An armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels and aircraft will invoke US mutual defense commitments under that treaty,” Mr. Blinken told a news conference. “The Philippines is an irreplaceable friend, partner, and ally to the United States.” — KATA