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Entertainment News (07/16/21)

Chae Jung An Monthly Magazine Home

Monthly Magazine Home on iQiyi

JUNG So Min and Kim Ji Suk reunite in the drama Monthly Magazine Home, streaming every Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. on iQiyi & iQ.com. Jung So Min plays a veteran magazine editor who finds herself jobless after the publication closes down. Kim Ji Suk plays the magazine’s CEO who is also a real estate developer who kicked the editor out of her rented home.     

Revenge story Sweet Girl on Netflix

AMERICAN action-drama thriller Sweet Girl follows Ray Cooper (Jason Momoa) who vows justice against a pharmaceutical company that pulled a potentially life-saving drug from the market just before his wife (Adria Arjona) dies from cancer. But when his search for the truth leads to a deadly encounter that puts Ray and his daughter Rachel (Isabela Merced) in harm’s way, Ray’s mission turns into a quest for vengeance in order to protect the only family he has left. Sweet Girl is directed by Brian Andrew Mendoza. It premieres Aug. 20 on Netflix.

OPM Fresh Songwriters Series EP out

JONA, Kyla, Bugoy Drilon, Liezel Garcia, Trisha Denise, and Maris Racal have given life to five original songs from an ABS-CBN employee songwriting competition that now comprise the new extended play (EP) record called OPM Fresh Songwriters Series Vol. 1. The company-wide employee contest, “Kapamilya Himig Handog,” a version of the country’s biggest songwriting competition “Himig Handog,” showcased the songwriting talents of employees Jane Abaday, Mark Marcos, Michelle Saubon, Christine Estabillo, and Mycah Borja through their respective entries “Kaya Pala,” “Sleep Tonight,” “Mahiwaga,” “Ikaw Na Lang Ang Kulang,” and “Stop Missing You.”  Abaday’s entry, “Kaya Pala,” performed by Jona, was named Best Song. All five tracks were produced by ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo. OPM Fresh Songwriters Series Vol. 1 can be heard on music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music, and more.

Tickets to Viu Original Still series available

STILL is an eight-episode musical narrative series about a group of aspiring artists who get stuck in a music camp during the first couple of months of the pandemic. Still is slated to be the first Filipino Viu Original musical narrative series, produced by Viu Philippines and This Side Up (Respeto, Apocalypse Child, and Kano: An American and His Harem), in collaboration with Arkeofilms, TheaterFansManila.com, Flip Music, and Black Box Collab. Viu is a leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service that provides premium Asian content in different genres, from top content providers with local languages and subtitles. Palanca-award-winning playwright Pat Valera is the primary creator and showrunner, in collaboration with Giancarlo Abrahan and Nicco Manalo. The series is directed by Treb Monteras (Respeto) and produced by Monster Jimenez. The music and lyrics used in Still are by Nica Del Rosario (“Tala”), Matthew Chang (the musical Dekada ‘70), and Mike Shimamoto. The cast includes Julie Anne San Jose, Christian Bautista, Bituin Escalante, Gab Pangilinan, Gabby Padilla, Lance Reblando, and Abe Autea. Still will have a limited-time release on Ticket2Me before its scheduled showing on Viu. The Exclusive PreViu tickets will allow buyers to watch the episodes earlier and they will also enjoy a six-month Premium subscription to Viu Philippines and a digital Still chord book containing the songs from the Viu Original series. The Exclusive PreViu tickets are now on sale at https://bit.ly/ViuStillSeries.

PHL AirAsia says more flights operate with fully vaccinated crew

AIRASIA.COM
Fully vaccinated crew onboard AirAsia flight. — AIRASIA.COM

LOW-COST carrier Philippines AirAsia, Inc. said on Thursday more domestic flights now operate with fully vaccinated crew.

AirAsia Philippines targets to have a fully vaccinated work force by the fourth quarter of the year, the company said in an e-mailed statement.

“To date, Philippines AirAsia has recorded a majority of 60% among its 1,500 Filipino [employees] who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),” it added.

The low-cost airline had flights between Manila and Cebu on Wednesday with “fully vaccinated crew.”

“We are optimistic that by August, those who directly interact with our guests such as pilots, cabin crew, ground staff and ramp agents will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” Philippines AirAsia Spokesperson Steve F. Dailisan said.

AirAsia Group Berhad has said it expects its Philippine unit’s operations to “be below 25% of pre-COVID levels, until at least September 2021, while more of the population are receiving their vaccinations.”

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Anthony Francis “Tony” Fernandes said the group also aims to raise new capital in the Philippines.

“We are also keenly exploring opportunities to gain market share, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines,” he said in a statement in May.

“Once borders are lifted, our robust business model provides confidence for a fast and strong recovery in our overall performance given our low-cost model and dominant positioning in Asean,” he added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Improving market sentiment

THE business climate in the country has improved somewhat over the past two months. As COVID-19 cases are going down in the National Capital Region coupled with an accelerated vaccine rollout, the short-term economic outlook foretells a merrier Christmas 2021 compared to last year’s bleak holiday season.

For companies in essential industries such as power and energy, this means good news since a further reopening of our consumption-driven economy would translate to higher revenues. Case in point is South Pacific, Inc. (SPI), a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) company that has steadily risen in industry rank from the time it started operations in 2015 up to the current pandemic era.

In the first quarter this year, SPI’s total volume of 105,049 metric tons jumped 22.2% over the 85,988 metric tons recorded during the comparative period in 2020. Its market share also rose to 24.0% in January to March 2021 from the year-ago level of 18.7%, when it was only ranked third behind Petron Corp. and Liquigaz Philippines Corp.

By the end of 2020, both Liquigaz and SPI had overtaken Petron to capture the top two positions in the LPG industry at 23.6% and 22.2%, respectively. They were neck-and-neck in terms of market share during the first quarter of 2021 with Liquigaz at 24.4%, slightly ahead of SPI’s 24.0% share. At the rate SPI is growing, it would be just a matter of time before it becomes the market leader in a highly competitive industry.

RESIGNING EN MASSE
Factional infighting is not only confined to the ruling coalition after PDP-Laban acting president Senator Manny Pacquiao broke ranks with the party vice chairman, Energy Secretary Al Cusi, regarding allegations of corruption in the current administration.

Over at the state-run Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), a crisis is brewing after the mass resignation of the agency’s special bids and awards committee (SBAC) members, who conducted the public bidding of the P6.5-billion supply contract for the Nationwide Online Lottery System project.

The five SBAC members are not withdrawing their second resignation submitted last month to the PCSO board of directors chaired by Anselmo Simeon Pinili. “It was an irrevocable resignation. They cannot force these people to do what they think is against their will. These are veterans and experts in government procurement laws. That’s why they resigned for a second time,” said a PCSO officer who has knowledge of the issue.

It was learned that five SBAC members, of whom two are lawyers and another two are engineers, jointly submitted their letter of irrevocable resignation last June 25. This developed after the PCSO board allegedly ordered them to reverse their second disqualification of the bid submitted by the Chinese-led joint venture (JV) of Genlot Game Technology Co. Ltd., Digi-Specs IT Corp., and Philippine United Technic Corp.

Previously, the Genlot consortium had been disqualified but supposedly upon board instructions, the SBAC members reversed the first disqualification with serious misgivings followed by their verbal resignation, which they were persuaded not to pursue by the board. The second resignation came after they were summoned to a board meeting where they felt “marginalized” and “unfairly reprimanded” by Mr. Pinili and PCSO Director Ramon Seneres.

PCSO General Manager Royina Garma told reporters at a recent press conference that the board resolved the impasse through a resolution not to accept the mass resignation of the SBAC members. It may be recalled that two groups submitted tenders in the bidding conducted by PCSO last April 20. One is a combine of the two existing PCSO lotto equipment suppliers, Philippine Gaming Management Corp. (PGMC) controlled by Filipino-Malaysian listed holding firm Berjaya Corp., and listed gaming technology operator Pacific Online Systems Corp. (POSC) along with US-based International Lottery & Totalizator Systems, Inc. (ILTSI).

After the Genlot-led group’s bid to supply new lotto machines was disqualified, the PGMC-POSC-ILTSI megaconsortium was declared the lone qualifying bidder. The former protested and paid a non-refundable protest fee of P6.5 million. Acting as the Head of Procuring Entity, the PCSO board ruled in favor of the disqualified consortium.

Upon further evaluation, the SBAC again disqualified the bid of the Genlot JV, which paid a second non-refundable protest fee of P6.5 million. This protest was likewise elevated to the PCSO board, which again ruled to overturn the SBAC decision — prompting the resignation of the five SBAC members.

What will happen next to the popular lotto operations from which the PCSO generates a considerable portion of its revenues? Would this impasse affect the state lottery firm’s health programs and medical assistance funds aimed at uplifting the social welfare of indigent Filipinos?

 

J. Albert Gamboa is the chief finance officer of Asian Center for Legal Excellence and co-chairman of the FINEX Week Committee. The opinion expressed herein does not necessarily reflect the views of these institutions and BusinessWorld.

Victorias Milling net income up 79.3% in Q3

VICTORIAS Milling Co., Inc. (VMC) posted a 79.3% year-on-year increase in its attributable net income to P332.2 million for the third quarter of its fiscal year that began in September 2020 on the back of higher sugar sales.

The listed sugar miller said in a stock exchange disclosure that its attributable net income during the March-to-May period is an improvement from the P185.25 million it earned last year.

VMC’s revenue for the quarter went up 57.8% to P2.24 billion, of which P1.4 billion came from sale of goods while P837.88 million came from service income.

Its operating expenses for the quarter fell 81.7% to P51.52 million from P281.56 million in 2020.

For the nine months into its fiscal year, VMC said its attributable net income rose 14.5% to P636.86 million against the P556.37 million last year.

Its revenue during the September-to-May period rose 47.8% to P6.31 billion from P4.27 billion in 2020.

“The group’s revenue increased by P2.1 billion than last year mainly due to the increase in raw sugar sales and the recognition of the milling service revenue of P1.4 billion, which was a result of the adoption of the revenue recognition guidance for sugar millers that became effective Sept. 1, 2019,” VMC said.

“The adoption of the new standard also increased cost of sales and services by P1.3 billion and increased gross profit by P48.4 million,” it added.

Operating expenses of the company for the nine-month period fell 28% to P392.60 million on the back of lower provisions for losses and professional and contracted services cost.

“Protecting the group’s liquidity remains to be a top priority with the continued uncertainty brought by the pandemic,” VMC said.

Recently, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved VMC’s proposal to establish transmission facilities that will connect its 40-megawatt biomass-fired cogeneration power plant to the grid operator’s 69 kilovolt Victorias-Silay sub-transmission line.

ERC said the proposal will allow flexibility in exporting energy to Bacolod City when nearby solar plants are producing power at their peak.

On Thursday, shares of VMC at the stock exchange fell 7.60% or 19 centavos to close at P2.31 apiece. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Questions to ask before accepting a job offer

This is my first time to be offered a new job elsewhere, after spending more than 10 years with my current company, which I joined after graduating from college. I was interviewed for the new job and my prospective boss has extended an attractive package of pay and perks. It’s a new experience for me and I don’t know what to do, given that I’m happy with my current job. Please help me make an intelligent decision. — Orange Lily.

A truck driver was backing his dump truck full of construction materials when the truck tilted towards the rear due to the excess weight of its load, lifting the front several feet off the ground. Both the driver and his assistant jumped out.

“What do we do?” the assistant asked. The driver grabbed some tools and went under the truck. “I guess this is the best time to grease her as I have not the chance to do it before,” he said.

It’s difficult to make a decision when an opportunity that big comes before you. It’s either you take the opportunity or you don’t. The trouble is that you don’t know what the future will bring. Your current company could merge with another entity that may result in job losses; you may have a falling out with your current boss; or your company may fold due the prolonged effects of the pandemic.

I was in your shoes decades back. I was an incurable job hopper that I’ve accepted every offer that came my way resulting in me being employed by three organizations during a five-year period. It was easy to make a decision at the time. Job offers came from different sectors that offered me attractive compensation package. That gave me enough confidence in myself.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
It’s easy to be tempted with job offers when you’re young and appear to be ready to take on the world. In my case, however, reckless job-hopping provided me many painful lessons. As I begin to answer your question, I can’t help but remember these lessons and reflect on what I’ve learned during those years with the following questions:

One, what are my career aspirations and goals? This boils down to weighing all the pros and cons of pursuing your professional interests and the accompanying material rewards. So, which is important to you — career or material rewards? Sometimes, an organization can’t give you both unless you’ve proven yourself as an indispensable asset or a hot talent that can’t be found in other organizations.

Two, what if my personal values conflict with the new boss? What if your boss tells you to do something illegal or immoral by forcing you to terminate the employment of some people without just cause or due process? What if your new organization violates certain tax laws and you’re made part of the scheme? If that’s possible, what will your next move be?

Three, what are my career prospects with my current employer? If I stay for now, what are the chances that I will receive reasonable pay and perks corresponding to my experience, capacity, and potential? Am I receiving the right training, mentoring, and guidance from my boss and other work colleagues so I can achieve my goals? If yes, then I suggest that you stay put and enjoy your non-material perks.

Four, what is the reason they are hiring an outsider? It is a must for you to discover the history of the job that’s on offer. What happened to the previous occupant or occupants of that job? Was there an honorable separation like voluntary resignation, incapacity, retirement, or death? Why can’t they promote someone from within? Is there an objective succession plan in place that you can benefit from?

Last, what’s the organizational culture like? Is it being run by professional managers and key players in the industry? Or is it being run by family members of the stockholders who can make your life difficult? How is the company mission, vision, and value statements being implemented?

CAREER PLAN
You can make an intelligent decision based on your overall plan, which I did not have when I was a job hopper. That means you need to broaden your horizons with your current organization. At your age (I would guess you’re around 31 years old), the best approach is to improve your work performance so that you can be noticed by your boss.

Ask the boss for challenging assignments and give it your best shot. If there are none, your next option is to discover operational problems and solve them without requiring the company to spend money, like what I’ve been advocating with Kaizen and Lean Thinking.

Learn much from the boss and adjust to their management style. Focus on actual results rather winning the perfect attendance award by staying long inside the office. Challenge yourself to come out with milestones and not mere average performance. While you’re at it, enroll in a weekend or evening post-graduate course that could offer you different perspectives.

Whatever you choose, give your current employer the chance to help you pursue your professional goals. Give yourself at least two more years. And if your desired goals are not achieved during that time, then better think of a career move, this time with another employer.

 

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

PSE posts market cap gains in June (2021)

PSE posts market cap gains in June (2021)

How PSEi member stocks performed — July 15, 2021

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, July 15, 2021.

Peso rises as gov’t eases restrictions in Metro Manila

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO climbed versus the greenback on Thursday as the government further eased restrictions and as the US Federal Reserve chief said the central bank will continue to support the world’s largest economy.

The local unit closed at P50.22 per dollar yesterday, gaining eight centavos from its P50.30 finish on Wednesday, based on data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

The peso opened Thursday’s session at P50.23 against the dollar. Its weakest showing was at P50.42 while its intraday best was at P50.09 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged increased to $1.409 billion on Thursday from $1.173 billion on Wednesday.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort attributed the peso’s strength to the lifting of more restriction measures in Metro Manila.

Presidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr. on Thursday said Metro Manila will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) until July 31 but eased some restrictions that were in place previously.

The Health department reported 5,221 new infections on Thursday to bring active cases to 45,495.

Meanwhile, a trader attributed the peso’s appreciation to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s semi-annual testimony to the US House of Representatives.

The US job market “is still a ways off” from the progress the Federal Reserve wants to see before reducing its support for the economy, while current high inflation will ease “in coming months,” Mr. Powell said in remarks prepared for delivery at a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

For today, Mr. Ricafort gave a forecast range of P50.00 to P50.30 per dollar, while the trader expects the local unit to move within the 50.10 to 50.30 band. — LWTN with Reuters

Shares drop on COVID-19 worries, lack of leads

COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.

PHILIPPINE shares declined on Thursday amid a lack of fresh leads and as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in some Asian economies surged.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went down by 107.48 points or 1.57% to close at 6,727.93 on Thursday, while the all shares index declined by 44.46 points or 1.05% to end at 4,183.02.

“The local market was back in the red on lack of positive catalysts,” AB Capital Securities, Inc. Junior Equity Analyst Lance U. Soledad said in a Viber message.

“The surging virus cases in Asia is concerning, especially for the Philippines, as positivity rate and daily COVID-19 cases continue to be high,” he added.

The Health department reported 3,806 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, bringing active cases to 44,408 and the country’s total case tally to 1,485,457.

Meanwhile, Indonesia reported a record single-day tally of 54,517 new infections on Wednesday. Singapore also logged its highest number of local COVID-19 cases in the last ten months on Wednesday with 56 new community infections.

“Philippine shares slid while investors focused again on the US as [Federal Reserve] Chairman [Jerome] Powell’s two-day testimony before Congress started,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a separate Viber message.

Mr. Powell on Wednesday pledged “powerful support” to complete the US economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, but faced sharp questions from Republican lawmakers concerned about recent spikes in inflation, Reuters reported.

In testimony to the US House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, Mr. Powell said he is confident recent price hikes are associated with the country’s post-pandemic reopening and will fade, and that the Fed should stay focused on getting as many people back to work as possible.

Any move to reduce support for the economy, by first slowing the US central bank’s $120 billion in monthly bond purchases, is “still a ways off,” Mr. Powell said, with 7.5 million jobs still missing from before the pandemic.

Back home, majority of sectoral indices closed in the red on Thursday except for mining and oil, which went up by 88.88 points or 0.9% to 9,881.65.

Meanwhile, holding firms shed 126.65 points or 1.83% to 6,762.06; services declined by 24.08 points or 1.49% to 1,584.75; financials went down by 21.22 points or 1.43% to 1,455.09; industrials lost 97.75 points or 1.01% to end at 9,510.37; and property decreased by 32.54 points or 1% to finish at 3,202.33.

Value turnover inched up to P4.89 billion with 982.45 million issues traded on Thursday from the P4.37 billion with 1.02 billion shares logged on Wednesday.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 121 against 70, while 57 names closed unchanged.

Net foreign selling increased to P551.11 million on Thursday from the P170.11 million on Wednesday.

“For now, we expect the market to trade with a downward bias,” AB Capital Securities’ Mr. Soledad said. — K.C.G. Valmonte with Reuters

Court challenge looms for DENR waste-to-energy rules

BREAK FREE FROM PLASTIC PHILIPPINES

ENVIRONMENT ADVOCATES filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to nullify the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) current guidelines on building waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities.

Petitioners including the Ecowaste Coalition, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability, and five individuals, filed the petition Thursday seeking to bar Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu from implementing the rules.

“(DENR Administrative Order) 2019-21… is an invalid administrative order and, more importantly, its implementation will cause irreparable harm to human health and the environment,” Senior Policy Officer of the Ecowaste Coalition Lievj Raoni B. Alimangohan said in a statement.

The petitioners claim that implementing the DAO will result in “grave violations” of the people’s right to health and the right to a balanced and healthful environment.

The petition, obtained by BusinessWorld, asks the SC to release an environmental protection order, alleging that the DENR violated the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Air Act and other laws by issuing its order.

“The DENR violated the public trust doctrine when it issued and implemented the administrative order,” the Philippine branch of global movement Break Free from Plastic said.

Rei Panaligan, the national coordinator of the Plastic-Free Pilipinas project, said that WTE facilities transform waste into other harmful substances, including dioxins and furans.

“Dioxins and furans are highly toxic substances that cause cancer, diabetes, and chloracne. Also, WTE facilities emit high volumes of greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change. This is why we really need to immediately stop the implementation of the DENR’s WTE guidelines,” he said.

According to DAO 2019-21, WTE facilities convert waste into heat, electricity or fuel using “various technologies.” The guidelines, which were signed by Mr. Cimatu, detailed the conditions which must be met before a WTE plant can be built. — Angelica Y. Yang

Biofuel content hike closer to 10% blend seen reducing fuel consumption by 80 million liters

VECTORPOUCH-FREEPIK

THE ENERGY Department’s revised guidelines on biofuel accreditation will help the Philippines reduce its fuel consumption by 80 million liters while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the foreign agriculture unit of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.

“(We) believe the revised measure has the potential to increase the Philippines’ historical average ethanol blend rate of 8.7% closer to its 10% mandate, which in turn would reduce gasoline consumption by 80 million liters and positively contribute to Philippine (greenhouse gas) reductions,” the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) said in an analysis posted on its website this week.

This month, the Department of Energy (DoE) announced that it will soon be releasing a department circular (DC) which will strictly monitor the downstream oil industry, including those from the biofuel sector.

Under the Biofuels Act of 2006, a minimum of 10% of bioethanol must be present in all gasoline fuel.

“Meanwhile, (FAS) does not expect an impact on biodiesel demand given its understanding of corresponding blend rates,” it said.

DC 2021-06-0014 or the revised circular for the accreditation and submission of notices and reports of the Philippine downstream oil industry pursuant to the Biofuels Act, proposes to establish enhanced reporting procedures in regard to “critical information” on the mandatory blending of ethanol and coco methyl ester, and requires notices of importation and distribution.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has said that the new circular will benefit consumers, secure a portion of the country’s fuel supply through the use of indigenous biofuels, and help coconut and sugarcane farmers tap into the market created by the new rules. — Angelica Y. Yang

PSA finds 3 in 10 required time off due to illness, injury

PHILSTAR

MORE THAN THREE in 10 workers and students fell sufficiently ill or suffered injury recently that required taking time off from school or work, or were otherwise hindered from performing daily activities, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday.

According to the PSA’s 2020 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS), 34.6% of those five years and older who fell ill or sustained injuries took time off in the previous month. The survey was conducted in June.

The 2020 APIS included questions related to health status to help planners draft their public health programs.

Ten of the 17 regions returned above-average rates: Cagayan Valley (55.7%), Zamboanga Peninsula (49.7%), Eastern Visayas (47.3%), Bicol (45.3%), Mimaropa (44.5%), Central Visayas (41.6%), Northern Mindanao (40.6%), Davao (39.9%), Cordillera Administrative Region (36.6%), and Western Visayas (36.2%).

Below-average regions were the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (21.5%), Caraga (22.3%), Ilocos (25.6%), Calabarzon (26.7%), the National Capital Region (31.6%), Soccsksargen (33.3%), and Central Luzon (33.9%).

Absences attributed to illness or injury were higher among rural residents (37.3%) compared with urban dwellers (31.5%). Males were more likely to require time off (38.1%) than females (31%).

Around 25.2% were absent for four to seven days during the month preceding the survey period. By duration, respondents saying they took two days off accounted for 20.3%, followed by three days (16.9%), 22-30 days 16.5%), one day (10.9%), 8-14 days (7.3%), and 15-21 days (2.9%).

Urban dwellers were most likely to require two days off (22.1%) and rural residents four to seven days 28.4%.

NUTRITION STATUS AMONG CHILDREN
The survey also included information on the number of family members aged up to five years that were weighed during the 12 months preceding the survey and the number of times they were weighed in government facilities, private clinics, hospitals, or in the family residence. The questions were included in support of Operation Timbang, the government’s annual weighing program that looks to detect malnutrition in children.

About three in four (76.3%) children aged 0-5 years were weighed in the past 12 months preceding the survey period.

“The (pandemic) and the accompanying lockdowns may have contributed to these trends as Filipinos were forced into their homes to help stop the spread of the virus. The inability of many to secure a stable source of income has led to poor nutrition and thus poor health as well,” ING Bank NV Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said in an e-mail.

Mr. Mapa added the lack of access to income “may have also lowered the ability of households to secure medicine and vitamins, contributing to this trend.”

He noted that the “eventual fallout from the lack of healthcare” during the period was a “likely contributing factor” to these indicators.

“(T)he lockdowns also prevented regular or routine checkups from taking place either due to restrictions or reluctance to see a doctor during lockdowns or quarantine,” Mr. Mapa said.

UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion noted the urban-rural disparity in time taken off due to injury or illness.

“It highlights the difference between being ill in rural versus in urban areas. This shows greater availability of health services and support in urban areas compared to rural ones,” Mr. Asuncion said in an e-mail.

Mr. Asuncion expects “better results” such as “shorter times of missing work or being sick” as the economy adjusts from the impact of the pandemic.  

The APIS is intended to provide non-income indicators related to poverty. The 2020 iteration of the survey had around 44,000 sample households. — Nadine Mae A. Bo

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