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Meal replacement targets diabetics

PIXABAY

We know that it might be easy to constantly give in to one’s urges especially during such trying times, but if one wants to get past this pandemic, surely it’s in our best interests to take care of our bodies? A meal replacement product called Diabetasol from Kalbe International, the makers of Extrajoss energy drink, says it can help with keeping diabetics nourished through the pandemic (while also helping those on the path to diabetes).   

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms can be worse and can lead to more life-threatening situations when an infected person has pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation said in an article, “Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the COVID-19 virus. When people with diabetes develop a viral infection, it can be harder to treat due to fluctuations in blood glucose levels and, possibly, the presence of diabetes complications.” It continues: “There appear to be two reasons for this. Firstly, the immune system is compromised, making it harder to fight the virus and likely leading to a longer recovery period. Secondly, the virus may thrive in an environment of elevated blood glucose.”   

The federation defines diabetes as “a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.” This occurs due to genetics, lifestyle choices, age, and many other factors. Complications include (according to the American Diabetes Association) eye problems, skin complications (such as impaired healing), neuropathy, an increased risk of stroke, and cardiovascular disease. In the Philippines, diabetes was the fourth leading cause of death (with a body count of 37,300, ranking below ischemic heart diseases, cancer, and cerebrovascular diseases) in 2020, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.   

Diabetasol is a meal replacement nutrition powder with 11 vitamins and minerals, counting Vitamins A, C, D, E, and Zinc. It helps regulate blood sugar and hunger pangs because it has VitaDigest, a combination of inulin fiber and slow-digesting carbohydrates. It comes in three flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and cappuccino; in four sizes: 180 gm, 360 gm, 600 gm, and 800 gm. These range in price from P299 to P889.   

Kalbe International has its headquarters in Indonesia and has a presence in Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Nigeria; among others. According to the brand, Diabetasol can be taken twice a day as a meal replacement, best taken in the morning and evening.   

“As a meal replacement, one serving is equal to 260 kcal, which can replace a full meal following a recommended 1,500 kcal meal plan for diabetics,” they said. Formulating a meal plan including Diabetasol is a discussion best left to a healthcare provider or a registered nutritionist-dietitian, said the brand.    

However, the powder isn’t limited for diabetics: it can also be used as a meal replacement by those who are at risk for diabetes, and for those aiming to lose weight. A Kalbe representative said in an e-mail to BusinessWorld that a serving of Diabetasol (four scoops in a 250 mL glass) can already stand in for one meal, and its Vita Digest ingredient prolongs the feeling of satiety.   

Diabetasol is available in supermarkets, and online through Lazada and Shopee. — JLG  

Globe bests competition on 5G with over 770K devices connected to network

Globe’s aggressive expansion of its 5G network in more areas across the country has resulted in a richer, fuller experience for customers benefiting from the advantages and opportunities offered by the latest global wireless standard.

The country’s mobile leader has more than 770,000 5G devices connected to its network as of June 2021, beating competition’s 520,000 as reported.

“This number is a validation that we are doing the right thing when it comes to our efforts in making 5G technology more pervasive and accessible to our customers. It is also proof that a growing number of our customers now realize the promises of 5G to deliver a better mobile experience,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

5G is the fifth generation mobile network. It promises unbeatable speeds and almost real-time latency, opening a world of countless possibilities that Filipinos can look forward to as more and more areas are transformed into 5G-powered smart cities, delivering new experiences in retail, entertainment, gaming and healthcare.

Devices on the network will be able to work en masse in large crowds and transfer information in a fraction of the time. A customer can download a two-hour movie in just seconds on a 5G network compared to several minutes on a 4G network. Due to Globe’s relentless expansion, at least 92 percent of the National Capital Region now has Globe 5G outdoor coverage. In Visayas, 5G is now accessible in 85 percent of Cebu City; 77 percent of Boracay Island; 75 percent of Bacolod City and 66 percent of Iloilo City. Globe also has 5G coverage in 77 percent of Davao City and 80 percent of Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.  More 5G network rollouts are underway including the installation of seven new 5G cell towers in General Santos City and four more in Zamboanga City.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and contributes to the 10 UN SDGs.

To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Japan to extend COVID-19 emergency lockdown as cases surge

TOKYO – Japan was set on Tuesday to extend its state of emergency in Tokyo and other regions to Sept. 12 and widen curbs to seven more prefectures, as COVID–19 cases spike in the capital and nationwide, burdening the medical system.

The current state of emergency is due to expire on Aug. 31, but a continuing surge in coronavirus cases has spurred calls to extend it. Tokyo announced 2,962 new daily cases on Monday, after a record 5,773 on Friday.

The government will expand the state of emergency to the prefectures of Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is in charge of Japan‘s pandemic response, told reporters.

“Many experts expressed an extremely strong sense of crisis about the medical care situation and the status of infections,” Nishimura said after getting approval from a panel of public health advisers for the government’s plan.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to formally announce the move later on Tuesday and then hold a news conference at 9:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) to explain the decision.

The coronavirus curbs include asking restaurants to close early and stop serving alcohol in exchange for a government subsidy.

The expert advisers also approved the government’s plan to expand less strict “quasi-emergency” measures to 10 additional prefectures, Nishimura said.

Dai-ichi Life Research Institute estimated in a report the government’s extended and expanded state of emergency would lead to a total economic loss of about 1.2 trillion yen ($10.98 billion) and could slash 66,000 jobs.

That was about 60% higher than an expected economic loss of about 750 billion yen if the emergency remained at its current scope and schedule.

Repeated states of emergency have had limited effect in slowing the spread of the virus in Japan as cooperation is voluntary.

Pandemic fatigue and summer vacations have also been blamed for contributing to the latest COVID–19 surge in a nation where only around 37% of people have been fully vaccinated. – Reuters

Hong Kong’s Lam tells solicitors’ group to stay out of politics

HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s government may cut ties with one of the city’s key legal profession associations if it gets involved in politics, leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday in her latest warning to civil society groups.

Ms. Lam‘s comments come before an Aug. 24 election for five seats on the council of Hong Kong’s Law Society, the professional association and regulator for the city’s 12,000 solicitors.

Ms. Lam said in April the government could intervene if necessary in the Bar Association for barristers, whose chairman Paul Harris has been labelled an “anti-China” politician by top Beijing officials after he criticised jail terms handed to some pro-democracy politicians.

Although the Law Society is seen as more conservative than the Bar Association, debates in its recent elections have focused on a more liberal agenda. This year, four of the candidates are considered outspoken, raising fears among some government officials of a political agenda.

“If the Law Society’s professionalism is trumped by politics, the government will consider cutting ties with it,” Ms. Lam told reporters at her regular weekly news conference.

On Saturday, China’s People Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, called on the Law Society not to become a “politicised group” and show it was different than the Bar Association, which it described as a “running rat.”

“While there may be some different political views on the Council, even if the four of us all win, the balance will be held by those who are really politically neutral and will not allow the Council to be outspoken in a way that would cause concern to the government,” candidate Jonathan Ross said.

Key institutions of Hong Kong’s civil society have disbanded in the past week, citing political pressure, further cementing the former British colony’s authoritarian turn since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in June 2020.

Civil Human Rights Front, the pro-democracy group that organises Hong Kong’s annual July 1 rally and galvanized millions to take part in street protests in 2019, said on Saturday it had disbanded.

The Professional Teachers’ Union, which had around 95,000 members, said last Tuesday it would disband after criticism by Chinese state media and Hong Kong authorities.

The democracy movement in the city has crumbled in the past year, with the most prominent activists and politicians in prison or in self-exile and popular anti-government tabloid Apple Daily forced to close amid a national security probe.

Ms. Lam also said on Tuesday she did not have an explicit timetable for the implementation in Hong Kong of a mainland Chinese law that retaliates against foreign sanctions. – Reuters

China issues draft rules banning unfair competition in the internet sector

STOCK PHOTO

SHANGHAI – Chinese regulators on Tuesday issued a lengthy set of draft regulations for the internet sector, banning unfair competition and restricting the use of user data, the latest move in a crackdown on the country’s powerful tech companies.

China has been tightening its grip on internet platforms, citing the risk of abusing market power to stifle competition, misuse of consumers’ information and violation of consumer rights.

It has issued hefty fines to companies including e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and social media company Tencent Holdings in recent months.

Shares in Hong Kong-listed internet stocks fell following the rules‘ publication. Video platform Bilibili Inc fell more than 5%, while Tencent, Alibaba, and food-delivery service Meituan dropped 3.5%, 2.6%, and 1.4%, respectively.

Internet operators “must not implement or assist in the implementation of unfair competition on the Internet, disrupt the order of market competition, affect fair transactions in the market,” the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) wrote in the draft, which it published on its website.

Specifically, the regulator stated, business operators should not use data or algorithms to hijack traffic or influence users’ choices. They may also not use technical means to illegally capture or use other business operators’ data.

Companies would also be barred from fabricating or spreading misleading information to damage the reputation of competitors and need to stop marketing practices like fake reviews and coupons or “red envelopes” used to entice positive ratings.

The draft rules also called for a ban on “two-choose-one,” a practice e-commerce companies used to ban merchants from listing on rival platforms.

The rules are currently open to public feedback before a Sept. 15 deadline. SAMR has imposed various restrictions and punishments on tech giants in an effort to restrict anti-competitive or monopolistic behaviour.

In April, following a months-long probe, SAMR fined Alibaba a record $2.5 billion for engaging in unfair competition.

In July, the regulator ordered Tencent to end exclusive licenses for certain songs on its music streaming service, and also blocked a an merger between two game streaming companies Tencent had led. – Reuters

Malala Yousafzai urges world leaders to take urgent action on Afghanistan

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai said she was deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan, particularly the safety of women and girls, and called on Monday for world leaders to take urgent action.

Ms. Yousafzai said U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. “has a lot to do” and must “take a bold step” to protect the Afghan people, adding she had been trying to reach out to several global leaders.

“This is actually an urgent humanitarian crisis right now that we need to provide our help and support,” Ms. Yousafzai told BBC Newsnight.

Ms. Yousafzai, 23, survived being shot in the head by a Pakistani Taliban gunman in 2012, after she was targeted for her campaign against its efforts to deny women education.

She had become known as an 11-year-old, writing a blog under a pen name for the BBC about living under the rule of the Pakistani Taliban.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan right now, especially about the safety of women and girls there,” Ms. Yousafzai told Newsnight.

“I had the opportunity to talk to a few activists in Afghanistan, including women’s rights activists, and they are sharing their concern that they are not sure what their life is going to be like.”

Ms. Yousafzai said she had sent a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan asking him to admit Afghan refugees and ensure that all refugee children “have access to education, have access to safety and protection, that their futures are not lost.”

Ms. Yousafzai moved to England after she was shot, where she received medical treatment and last year graduated from Oxford University with a Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree. – Reuters

Sen. Villar sets out a mission to save planet Earth, pushes for more protected areas under E-NIPAS

“We are very happy to come up with this legislation ensuring protection for more areas in our megadiverse country. We have to take action about this protection because any damage or loss will cost too much for a country such as ours.”

A staunch environmentalist, Senator Cynthia A. Villar has been leading the campaign in the conservation of the environment to even hold at bay climate change that could endanger all forms of life on earth.

The senator has embarked on legislation to protect and conserve biodiversity.

Protecting the environment and preserving ecosystems

Sen. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, noted that under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is a declared state policy that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, in line with safeguarding a healthful ecology.

She said the Constitution likewise mandates that Congress shall determine the national parks, which shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished except by law.

NIPAS Act builds system of protected areas

The National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) was established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 7586 on June 1, 1992, as amended by RA No. 11038, known as the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018.

The NIPAS Act of 2018 provides the state policy “to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of comprehensive system of integrated Protected Areas (PAs).”

Under Sec.3 of the NIPAS Act, there are at least seven categories of PAs. They are the Strict Nature Reserve, Natural Park, Natural Monument, Wildlife Sanctuary, Protected Landscapes and Seascapes, Resource Reserve and Natural Biotic Areas. Other categories established by law, conventions or international agreements which the Philippine government is a signatory.

Because of this, Sen. Villar cited the need for stricter implementation of environmental laws especially in protected areas that serve as natural habitats for wildlife, including endangered animals that contribute significantly to biodiversity.

Sen. Villar asserted they should not be damaged or destroyed, but protected instead, not only for the animals’ sake but for our sake as well.

13 Protected Areas under Original NIPAS Act

Region Protected Areas Province
2 1.     Bangan Hill National Park N.Vizcaya
2.     Batanes Landscape and Seascape Batanes
3.     Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park Isabela
4A 4.     Mt. Banahaw – San Cristobal Protected Landscape Laguna & Quezon
4B 5.     Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Palawan
6 6.   Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park Negros Occidental
7.     Sagay Marine Reserve Negros Occidental & Oriental
7 8.     Central Cebu Protected Landscape Cebu City
10 9.     Mt. Malindang Natural Park Misamis Occidental
10. Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park Bukidnon
11. Mimbilisan Protected Landscape (protected landscape), Misamis Oriental Misamis Oriental
11 12. Mt. Apo Natural Park Davao del sur
13. Mt. Hamimguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary Davao Oriental

Warnings vs environmental destruction

Despite the Philippines being biodiversity-rich, the country is also among the world’s biodiversity hot spots or those areas experiencing high rates of habitat loss.

Expanding NIPAS Act

Due to this, Sen. Villar led legislative efforts to amend RA 7586 or the National NIPAS Act of 1992. She was principal sponsor of RA 11038 or the law expanding the National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) that President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed into law last June 22, 2018.

The law provides the legal framework for the establishment and management of protected areas in the country. NIPAS refers to the classification and administration of all designated protected areas to preserve genetic diversity and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent possible. The Expanded NIPAS Act was passed in 2017 to include more areas.

The Expanded NIPAS Law facilitated the legislation of 94 more protected areas through the effort of Sen. Villar:

To date, Sen. Villar said there are 107 protected areas in the country that have been so declared through legislation.

Sen. Villar said at least six of these are internationally recognized: RAMSAR Sites: Las Piñas Parañaque Wetland Park, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Tubbataha Reefs. Heritage Sites: Mount Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok and Mount Iglit-Baco. Malaysia-Philippines Heritage Parks: Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area.

However, based on the records and suitability, assessments by the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the DENR, she emphasized there are still numerous sites in the country that have to be given ‘protected area’ status.

94 Protected Areas under Republic Act 11038 or E-NIPAS

Region Name of Protected Area Province
1 1 Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park Ilocos Norte
2 Libunao Protected Landscape Ilocos Norte
3 Bessang Pass Natural Monument/Landmark Ilocos Sur
4 Bigbiga Protected Landscape Ilocos Sur
5 Lidlidda Banayoyo Protected Landscape Ilocos Sur
6 Salcedo Protected Landscape (formerly Sta. Lucia Protected Landscape) Ilocos Sur
7 Agoo Damortis Protected Landscape and Seascape La Union
8 Manleluag Spring Protected Landscape Pangasinan
2 9 Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Cagayan
10 Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape Cagayan
11 Tumauini Watershed Natural Park Isabela
12 Salinas Natural Monument Nueva Vizcaya
13 Casecnan Protected Landscape Quirino, Nueva Vizacaya, and Aurora
3 14 Amro River Protected Landscape Aurora
15 Dinadiawan River Protected Landscape Aurora
16 Simbahan Talagas Protected Landscape Aurora
17 Talaytay Protected Landscape Aurora
18 Bataan Natural Park Bataan
19 Roosevelt Protected Landscape Bataan
20 Masinloc and Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape Zambales
NCR 21 Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), also known as Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park Las Piñas City and Parañaque City
22 Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Quezon City
4A 23 Mts. Palay-Palay-Mataas-na-Gulod Protected Landscape Batangas and Cavite
24 Taal Volcano Protected Landscape Batangas and Cavite
25 Buenavista Protected Landscape Quezon
26 Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape Quezon
27 Quezon Protected Landscape Quezon
28 Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape Rizal
29 Pamitinan Protected Landscape Rizal
30 Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape Rizal
4B 31 Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary Marinduque
32 Apo Reef Natural Park Occidental Mindoro
33 Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary Occidental Mindoro
34 Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park Occidental and Oriental Mindoro
35 Mt. Guiting-Guiting Natural Park Romblon
5 36 Mt. Mayon National Park Albay
37 Ticao Burias Pass Protected Seascape Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon
38 Abasig-Matogdon-Mananap Natural Biotic Area Camarines Norte
39 Bicol Natural Park Camarines Sur
40 Buhi Wildlife Sanctuary Camarines Sur
41 Lagonoy Natural Biotic Area Camarines Sur
42 Malabungot Protected Landscape Camarines Sur
43 Mt. Isarog Natural Park Camarines Sur
44 Catanduanes Natural Park Catanduanes
45 Bongsanglay Natural Park Masbate
46 Bulusan Volcano Natural Park Sorsogon
6 47 North west Panay Peninsula Natural Park Aklan and Antique
48 Sibalom Natural Park Antique
49 Northern Negros Natural Park Negros Occidental
7 50 Albuquerque-Loay-Loboc Protected Landscape and Seascape Bohol
51 Chocolate Hills Natural Monument Bohol
52 Panglao Island Protected Seascape Bohol
53 Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape Bohol
54 Talibon Group of Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Bohol
55 Camotes Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Cebu
56 Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary Cebu
57 Tañon Strait Protected Seascape Cebu, Negros Occidental and Oriental
58 Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Negros Oriental
59 Balisasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park Negros Oriental
8 60 Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape and Seascape Leyte
61 Lake Danao Natural Park Leyte
62 Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park Leyte
63 Guiuan Marine Resource Protected Landscape and Seascape Eastern Samar
64 Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape Northern Samar
65 Calbayog Pan-as Hayiban Protected Landscape Samar
66 Samar Island Natural Park Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar
9 67 Basilan Natural Biotic Area Basilan
68 Aliguay Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Iablea City
69 Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Tawi-Tawi
70 Great and Little Sta. Cruz Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Zamboanga City
71 Pasonanca Natural Park Zamboanga City
72 Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape Zamboanga del Norte
73 Murcielagos Protected Landscape and Seascape Zamboanga del Norte
74 Selinog Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Zamboanga del Norte
75 Siocon Resource Reserve Zamboanga del Norte
76 Dumanquillas Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape Zamboanga del Sur
77 Mt. Timolan Protected Landscape Zamboanga del Sur
78 Buug Natural Biotic Area Zamboanga Sibugay
10 79 Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park Bukidnon
80 Mt. Timpoong Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument Camiguin
81 Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park Lanao del Norte
82 Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape Misamis Occidental
83 Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape Misamis Oriental
84 Mt. Balatukan Range Natural Park Misamis Oriental
11 85 Mabini Protected Landscape and Seascape Compostela Valley
86 Mainit Hot Spring Protected Landscape Compostela Valley
87 Aliwagwag Protected Landscape Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley
88 Mati Protected Landscape Davao Oriental
89 Pujada Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape Davao Oriental
12 90 Saragani Bay Protected Seascape General Santos City and Sarangani
91 Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape South Cotabato and Sarangani
13 92 Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary Agusan del Sur
93 Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Surigao del Norte
94 Tinuy-An Falls Protected Landscape Surigao del Sur

 

Sen. Villar said additional six protected areas to be legislated by the Senate Committee on Environment which she chaired during the 18th Congress. These are:

Region Protected Areas Province
CAR/R2 1.     Mount Pulag Benguet, Ifugao and N. Vizcaya
2.     Banao Protected Landscape Kalinga
1 3.     Tirad Pass Protected Landscape Ilocos Sur
3 4.     Mount Arayat Protected Landscape Pampanga
6 5.     Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary Iloilo
9 6.   Naga-Kabansalan Protected Landscape Zamboanga Sibugay

Mount Pulag, Banao, Tirad Pass, Mount Arayat, and Naga-Kabasalan are all protected landscapes while Sicogon is a wildlife sanctuary.

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Tata Consultancy Services: A growth and transformation partner of Filipino enterprises

As Filipino enterprises work towards growth and transformation, they can find a partner in Tata Consultancy Services, Inc. (TCS), a multinational company from India.

TCS has been helping the country since 2008 through its products, models, and expertise involving business and technology. Currently, the company has more than 4,500 employees in its three offices in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig and one in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Worldwide, TCS is known for its consulting-led approach to the enterprise value chain and domain-led organization structure that lets the clients access particular industry solutions in a single window. It also forms teams tailored around the domain and technology needs of the clients.

Ensuring the delivery of services is the company’s significant investment in digital platforms and products. It also partnered with business software providers, niche technology developers, and platform and IT infrastructure vendors.

With such solutions, TCS has been supporting various industries in the Philippines. TCS HOBS, for example, serves as a platform for subscription, data, and device management offered in a SaaS model for its partner telcos and broadband providers. Financial services, meanwhile, benefited through TCS Bancs, a product suite designed for the sector to improve end customer experience and enable them to adopt open and innovative technologies. And as a leader in Worldwide SAP S/4HANA application services, TCS effectively implemented SAP S/4HANA to several large companies in the country.

TCS also assures to continue supporting its clients in their mission-critical operations, and growth and transformation journeys even amid the pandemic by creating Secure Borderless Workspaces™ (SBWS™), its new operating model that also prioritizes the health and well-being of its employees.

The SBWS™ encompasses human functions such as infrastructure; talent management and employee engagement; processes, tools, and governance mechanisms; and collaboration and engagement practices.

Furthermore, as TCS Philippines trains the local talent pool and establishes Center of Excellence servicing global clients, it leverages the multinational company’s over 500,000 professionals, who contain abilities across information technology, infrastructure services, and business processes.

TCS Philippines aims to consistently invest in fostering local competency maximizing the global talent to present value-add services and support clients around the world.

Such expertise of TCS in the said fields does not stop at providing advanced and specially made solutions to clients. It further helps to shape the digital future of the Philippines through its goIT program, an initiative acting out Tata Group’s philosophy of creating sustainable businesses that are deep-seated in the community.

The company launched goIT in the country last year for students, especially those from local communities in remote areas. It aims to enlighten students on computer science, encourage them to take up STEM education, and eventually become technology leaders in the future.

Moreover, in the time ahead, TCS sees the accelerating need for technology investments to strengthen operations and enrich customer experience in digital channels. It also looks forward to the rapidly evolving business landscape. Thus, at present, the company works as a visionary to empower that future.

SLMC Bonifacio Global city MAB Corp. announces schedule of stockholders’ meeting

SLMC Bonifacio Global City MAB Corp.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

To:                     The Stockholders
From:                 The Corporate Secretary

Please be notified that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of SLMC Bonifacio Global City MAB Corp. (the “Corporation”) will be held on September 8, 2021, 12:00 noon through teleconference. The access to the meeting and the relevant Definitive Information Statement, Management Report, Annual Report (SEC Form 17-A) will be distributed prior to the meeting.

CONRADOS.DARSANTOS
Corporate Secretary

 
 
 
 
 

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
September 8, 2021
12:00 noon
Through teleconference

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order
  2. Certification of Notice and Quorum
  3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on September 9, 2020
  4. President’s Report
  5. Financial Report
  6. Election of Directors
  7. Approval of the Audited Financial Statements for Year Ended December 31, 2020
  8. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
  9. Ratification of Acts of Management and Board of Directors
  10. Appointment of External Auditor
  11. Other Matters
  12. Adjournment

Register for a spot in Alibaba Cloud’s Global Startup Accelerator Demo Day

Demo Day is a program for startups to gain a spot on Alibaba Cloud’s radar and even join the company’s Global Startup Accelerator.

During its annual summit on June 8, 2021, Alibaba Cloud announced its new Project AsiaForward initiative to bring digital transformation to enterprises in Asia and nurture fresh talent. Alibaba Cloud also shared its plans to invest USD 1 billion across six Southeast Asian markets, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, within the next three years. 

As part of Project AsiaForward, Alibaba Cloud will launch the Global Startup Accelerator. A series of Demo Days will be held, presenting startups the chance to be selected for the program and become part of Alibaba Cloud’s global ecosystem. 

Registration for the inaugural Demo Day is open from August 16 to August 25, 2021. Alibaba Cloud welcomes startups from any country, industry, and operating at any stage.

The Alibaba Cloud Global Startup Accelerator brings together new technologists, venture capitalists, and other ecosystem players across Asia to identify startups that are compatible with Alibaba’s ecosystem. 

Startups that join Demo Day stand to win the following prizes: 

  • USD 60,000 in Alibaba Cloud credit
  • 1-on-1 technical support for setup and migration
  • Connections to top VCs in Southeast Asia and China 
  • Opportunities to work with Fortune 500 companies in Alibaba’s ecosystem
  • Published profiles in English and Chinese by KrASIA and 36Kr Global

Upon successful registration, startups will also receive USD 3,000 in Alibaba Cloud credit.

Here’s what you need to provide for registration: 

  • Your startup’s name
  • Main point of contact’s details: full name, mobile number, business email address
  • PDF of your corporate deck

The selection process begins after you’ve successfully registered. The judges include representatives of Alibaba Cloud, venture capitalists, and research experts from 36Kr Global. They will consider the company’s corporate deck when selecting startups for Demo Day. The full selection criteria is available on the program’s official website. 

Visit https://alibabacloud.kr-asia.com/  to learn more and register for the Alibaba Cloud x KrASIA Global Startup Accelerator Demo Day.

Scan this QR code to join the program’s DingTalk Group and stay updated with all program-related announcements. 

Remittances hit 6-month high in June

REUTERS
Cash remittances rose by 7% to $2.638 billion in June, the central bank said. — REUTERS

MONEY SENT HOME by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) reached a six-month high in June, as more host countries gradually reopened their economies amid the rollout of coronavirus vaccines.

Cash remittances rose by 7% to $2.638 billion in June from $2.465 billion a year ago, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

This was attributed to a 7.1% increase in money sent by land-based workers to $2.13 billion, and a 6.5% rise in remittances by sea-based workers to $502 million.

June marked the fifth consecutive month of year-on-year growth and the biggest inflows since the $2.89 billion recorded in December.

Month on month, cash remittances increased by 10.7% from $2.382 billion in May.

This brought inflows in the first half to $14.918 billion, up by 6.4% from $14.019 billion in the same period of 2020.

Filipino migrants sent more money as restrictions were gradually eased around the world, ING Bank N.V. Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said.

“Flows continue to improve as the global economy reopens, and most notably the strong recovery in the US where a bulk of the flows come from,” Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces said in a Viber message.

The central bank said growth in cash remittances in January to June came mostly from the United States, Malaysia and South Korea.

By source country, the US continued to have the biggest share of overall remittances followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, South Korea, Qatar and Taiwan. Together, these countries accounted for 78.4% of total cash remittances.

Meanwhile, personal remittances, which include inflows in kind, jumped by 7.3% to $2.936 billion in June from $2.737 billion a year earlier.

Personal remittances increased by 6.7% to $16.616 billion in the first half of 2021 from $15.573 billion a year earlier.

While remittances have been resilient during the pandemic, it is uncertain whether these inflows will be enough to provide support for the peso, Mr. Mapa said.

“[Amid] increased corporate demand on improving imports coupled with the financial account now showing more outflows than inflows, we expect the peso to be on the back foot for the rest of the year,” he said.

The peso on Monday closed at P50.645 a dollar, shedding 16.4 centavos from its P50.481 finish on Friday, based on data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The local unit has weakened by P2.622 or 5.45% this year from its P48.023 a dollar close on Dec. 29, the last trading day of 2020.

This year, the BSP expects cash remittances to grow by 4%, a turnaround from the 0.8% decline in 2020.

While remittance is likely to grow this year, analysts flagged the uncertainty from emerging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variants and the reimposition of lockdowns to contain the pandemic.

“Downside risks in the near to medium term include the Delta variant’s spread globally which could be a dampener not only on remittance flows but also towards consumption,” Mr. Roces said.

UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said risks from possible restrictions in other countries would not be as drastic as what was seen at the onset of the pandemic.

“I think that the Delta and Lambda variants may affect initially the inflows but it was tougher last year. The lockdowns imposed recently are also more relaxed than what we’ve seen before,” he said in a Viber message.

The Delta variant is driving a surge in infections in countries like the United States and United Kingdom, even as vaccination rates have gone up. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

Overseas Filipinos’ Cash Remittances (June 2021)

BIR beats July collection target

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) exceeded its collection target by 3.64% in July as economic activity picked up, preliminary data showed.

BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnel SD. Guballa told BusinessWorld the agency collected P171.85 billion in July, surpassing its P165.82-billion revenue target by 3.64%.

The July tax take was also 7.03% higher than the P160.57 billion collected in July 2020, and 7.8% bigger than the P159.364 billion revenues in June.

Tax collections started picking up this year as economic activity increased and lockdowns were eased.

BIR operations generated P165.25 billion in revenues in July, exceeding its goal by 4%. This was also 8.68% higher year on year.

The increase was driven by higher collections from BIR’s regional offices, but was partially offset by the lower tax haul from Large Taxpayers Service (LTS).

Collections from LTS totaled P104.12 billion last month, falling short of the P107.64-billion target by 3.3%. It was also 0.11% lower than its year-ago collection.

Revenues generated by BIR’s regional offices stood at P61.12 billion, exceeding the P51.25-billion goal for the month and also 28% bigger year on year.

Meanwhile, revenues from non-BIR operations missed the P6.92-billion target by 4.6% at P6.61 billion in July. Compared with the same month last year, this was also 22.5% less than P8.52 billion.

The BIR is tasked to collect P2.081 trillion this year.

The Bureau of Customs, the second-largest revenue-generating body of the government, also beat its collection target in July by 8.2% after raking in P58.183 billion in duties and taxes.

This brought Customs’ tax collections in the seven months to July to P359.93 billion, which was 4.15% higher than its goal for the period. It is expected to collect P620 billion this year. — Beatrice M. Laforga

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