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D&L Industries sees 8% income growth to P637M

LISTED manufacturing firm D&L Industries, Inc. saw its fourth-quarter income rise by 8% to P637 million as the Philippines gradually eased its lockdown measures towards end-2020.

“What I want to highlight is really the performance in the fourth quarter. You can see that compared to last year’s fourth quarter, net income was up by 8% and [compared] to the third quarter of 2020, net income was up by 11%. [It] looks like [our] net income has almost fully recovered,” D&L  President and Chief Executive Officer Alvin D. Lao said in an online briefing on Wednesday.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the company’s net income was at P590 million. In the third quarter of 2020, it earned P573 million.

“That’s the big indicator to us that things look like they really started to get better now,” Mr. Lao said.

Sales for the fourth quarter were nearly flat at P5.82 billion while gross profit slowed by 2.4% to P1.14 billion.

The company reported that its non-food segments have already surpassed their performance before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis hit.

Chemrez, Specialty Plastics, and its consumer products ODM (original design manufacturer) accounted for 75% of total fourth-quarter earnings.

The company pointed to the easing of local quarantine restrictions that allowed industries such as transportation and construction to resume their operations as the reason behind the spike in demand for biodiesel and other products related to construction.

D&L’s consumer products ODM, previously called the aerosols segment, also performed well. Year on year, the company saw greater demand for products intended for general sanitation and hygiene such as alcohol, sanitizers, and disinfectant sprays.

The company’s specialty plastic products meanwhile attribute its recovery to the greater market demand for “additives and colorants for plastic packaging applications” amid the sudden increase in parcel deliveries amid the pandemic.

More people have also turned to buying their own cars.

“To a certain extent, the pandemic has increased the public’s interest in purchasing vehicles given the possibility of virus exposure when using public transportation,” the company said.

The company’s food segment meanwhile also reported a 7% recovery in the fourth quarter, as quarantine restrictions eased. Although, D&L noted that the segment’s earnings were still 45% lower year-on-year.

For full-year 2020, D&L’s net income decreased by 23% to P2.01 billion from P2.62 billion in 2019.

Annual sales declined by 3% to P21.74 billion from P22.39 billion, while the company’s gross profit posted dropped 15% to P3.99 billion from P4.67 billion.

Despite the decline, the company is keeping a positive outlook as it closed last year with a positive net cash flow.

“These extraordinary conditions further built our resilience and strengthened our conviction in our long-term strategies. It demonstrated the highly relevant nature of our businesses’ catering to basic industries, and our operational adeptness as even in the worst of times, even at the peak of the lockdown, the company never saw negative net income,” Mr. Lao said in a statement.

He also said the company is aiming to hit the same income levels it earned in 2019.

D&L shares at the stock exchange rose by 4.2% on Wednesday, closing at P7.44 apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Dining In/Out (03/04/21)

Spiral celebrates Japanese Spring Festival

SOFITEL Philippine Plaza’s Spiral welcomes the bloom of Spring in the Land of the Rising Sun with a series of gastronomic engagements that will immerse connoisseurs in the rich history and traditions of Japanese cuisine. Throughout March, Spiral features Japanese master chef Masahiro Mizumoto as he prepares bespoke menus for an exclusive sake dinner, sake and cheese masterclass, and Japanese cooking class. Mr. Mizumoto brings more than 35 years of culinary experience which he gained from working in Japanese fine dining restaurants in his hometown Fukuoka. Now Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila’s resident Japanese master artisan, he heads Spiral’s Japanese atelier and curates the Japanese menu for hotel banquets and events. The Sake Dinner will be held on Mar. 11 at the Indulgence, Decadence, and Epicure Private Rooms, featuring a six-course Japanese menu tailored with a selection of premium sake. Rate is set at P3,500 nett per person. The Sake and Cheese Masterclass will be held on Mar. 13 at Spiral’s Hidden Room. Slots are available at P2,000 net per person. A Japanese Cooking Class will be held on Mar. 27, featuring favorites such as Salmon Salad Roll, California Temaki, Mixed Okonomiyaki, Kani Salad, and more at the Boracay Room. Slots are available at P2,500 net per person. For reservations and inquiries, call F&B Reservations at 8832-6988 or e-mail H6308-FB12@sofitel.com. Follow the Facebook and Instagram pages of Spiral and Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila for more updates and fresh promotions.

Wine dinner at The Pen

PASSIONATE about collaborating with the world’s finest vintners, The Peninsula Manila is partnering with Spottwoode Estate, an award-winning California vineyard and winery, to bring Old Manila’s latest food and wine pairing dinner on March 17. Only 12 seats are available at this five-course dinner priced at P12,000 per guest. For reservations, call 8887-2888 or visit http://bit.ly/SpottswoodeWineDinner for more information.

Robinsons Magnolia’s outdoor dining experience

AS PEOPLE cautiously start to step out of their homes to dine out again under the new normal, Robinsons Malls has provided its patrons with a breezy al fresco dining area by launching The Garden at Robinsons Magnolia. The Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Mondays to Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays to Sundays. Guests can order takeout from any food kiosk, café or restaurant or have their food delivered straight to their table when they order from partner establishments that include Cibo, Max’s, Fiery Style, Mesa, Akira, Kamicos, Sumosam, UCC Park Café, Pho Hoa, Kaya Korean Restaurant, and Black Scoop. They just have to scan the QR code located at the tables to view the restaurant’s menu and contact details. The Garden can accommodate around 40 to 50 people with safe social distancing. One can also reserve a table before going to the mall by filling up the online reservation form or call/message Robbie and Rosie, the mall’s personal shoppers, at 0921-499-2958 and wait for confirmation. Aside from the comfortable outdoor dining experience, guests can also relax with their pets after taking them to the pet park or simply letting them run around the lush garden. There’s also a giant chess set nearby where one can practice your mental and strategic skills with friends and family. Too, since we are celebrating Women’s Month, a string quartet featuring women musicians performs on Mar. 7, 13, 20, and 27 at 3 p.m. Robinsons Magnolia ensures that chairs and tables are sanitized after every use. The wearing of face masks and face shields is required except when eating. To see the complete line-up of upcoming performances, events and promos, visit www.robinsonsmalls.com or its Virtual Directory bit.ly/RMallsVirtualMallDirectory; or follow RobinsonsMalls on Facebook; @RobinsonsMallsOfficial on Instagram; and @RobinsonsMalls on Twitter.

Century Park Hotel’s bucket specials

THE BEST beers are those drunk with family and friends, so Century Park Hotel invites groups to a chill out session at the Atrium Lounge with its special bucket offers. Complimentary bottles are up for grabs. Avail of the Beer na Beer 5+1 bucket for P595 net and the Heineken 4+1 special for P695 net. Pair it with pica-pica or any hearty dish served at the Atrium Lounge which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out the menu at bit.ly/AtriumLoungeMenu. This offer is ongoing until further notice. The Hotel strictly enforces stringent health protocols. For table reservations or advance orders, contact 8528-5924.

Chivas releases new Chivas Extra 13 collection

CHIVAS has created the new Chivas Extra 13 collection, a brand-new line of Blended Scotch whiskies with a variety of unique flavors and different finishes by Chivas Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and his team. Chivas Extra 13 is unique with its 13-year aging process (one more year than the usual 12) and distinct flavors from extra selective cask finishes. The line of whiskies come to the Philippines with two variants, with more to come. The first is the Oloroso Sherry flavor, a rich and intense interpretation of the Chivas house style of whisky that’s matured in Sherry Oloroso casks. Oloroso Sherry comes sweet, fruity, and spicy with notes of ripe pears in syrup, as well as vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and almonds. The other is the American Rye flavor, a mellow and generous take on Chivas Blended Scotch that’s finished in American Rye casks. This flavor is also sweet, fruity, and spicy with notes of orange, milk chocolate, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with a long, smooth finish. Chivas Extra 13 is now available at all S&R, Landers, Landmark, and Pioneer outlets starting at P1,199, and at Boozy.ph and Liquor.ph starting at P1,549. For more information on Chivas Extra 13 and other Chivas products, visit the Chivas website at https://www.chivas.com/en-PH, or follow Chivas on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chivasregalphils/, and on Instagram at @chivasregalph.

Fresh Benguet veggies at BGC

WITH a goal of helping displaced farmers earn a living, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) brings good quality Benguet staples at Bonifacio High Street through it’s My Street High Street initiative, which will run every weekend for the whole month of March. There will be a wide selection of fruits and vegetables straight from the Benguet Collective Producers. All-time favorites like the ube (purple yam) jam from Good Shepherd, brewed coffee, mixed greens, and fresh strawberries are also up for grabs. And since there’s no middle man costs involved, the farm to table goods are much cheaper. Order in advance through Jhona Bitan at 0961-294-3083 and pick up the items at the My Street High Street booth. For details, visit Bonifacio Global City’s official facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph.

Jollibee’s summer treat: Creamy Caramel Floats

SUMMER’S coming, and that means the heat is turning up. That’s why fast food chain Jollibee has come up with new, cool, and smooth Creamy Caramel Floats: coffee and choco drinks, topped with soft-serve vanilla sundae and drizzled with caramel syrup. The new Coffee and Choco Caramel Floats are now available at Jollibee stores for P49 solo or upgrade a value meal drink for P30. Jollibee’s Iced Coffee is now available for P39 in all stores nationwide. Have them safely delivered via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and foodpanda. It’s also available via drive-through and take out.

Season 8 of Sandy Daza’s FoodPrints

CHEF Sandy Daza takes viewers on a road trip from Manila to Ilocos to discover the best restaurants in the new season of FoodPrints, premiering on Metro Channel on Mar. 6 at 8:30 p.m. He will serve as a food guide once again for the show’s eighth season — a partnership between Metro Channel and the Tourism Promotions Board — highlighting culinary treasures in the metropolis and up north in Pampanga, Subic, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte that viewers can explore post-pandemic. In its premiere episode, Mr. Daza explores authentic Turkish cuisine at Feta Mediterranean in Greenhills. Then he visits Manila’s second Chinatown, Banawe, for dishes that will remind viewers of Hong Kong. He stops by BGC for bistro classics like escargot and foie gras reminiscent of a Parisian al fresco experience and ends the night at Caphe Saigon in Antipolo with a steaming bowl of pho. Viewers can also look forward to his top 10 favorite lockdown discoveries and a guide on how to order them. Upcoming episodes will show the chef exchange stories with locals, enjoy farm-to-table cuisine, and go pasalubong shopping. FoodPrints season 8 will air every Saturday on Metro Channel with simulcast on Metro Channel’s YouTube channel starting Mar. 6 at 8:30 p.m. Metro Channel is available on SKYcable channel 52 (SD) and channel 174 (HD), Cignal channel 69, and GSAT channel 70. For more details, like Metro Channel on Facebook www.facebook.com/metrochannelph and follow it on Instagram and Twitter (@metrochannelph).

Solane launches cooking show

LPG brand Solane is launching Solane Kitchen Moments, a unique cooking/talk show that is anchored on fond memories relived through great food. The limited series will air on Solane’s Facebook page and Youtube Channel, and will feature notable guests who will recreate dishes that defined specific stages in their lives. The show will be hosted by Suzi Entrata-Abrera, a cooking enthusiast and long-time Solane user herself.  The guests on Solane Kitchen Moments are being kept well under wraps, but Solane has said that the upcoming show will feature celebrated Filipino chefs and food enthusiasts. The pilot episode drops on Mar. 11.

A milky sort of soy milk

THE LACTOSE intolerant and vegans can try out something different Vitasoy Plus Milky, a product of Vitasoy-Universal Robina Corp. (VURC), which delivers the natural goodness of soy but with a milky taste, creamy texture, and healthy benefits. Vitasoy Plus Milky’s carefully crafted formula and special production process give it that milky taste and creamy texture, differentiating it from other soy milk products. It offers the same milk experience as regular milk, such that even vegans can’t believe it’s plant-based. Because of its special milky formula, Vitasoy Plus Milky can be enjoyed in several ways — as a beverage, paired with a breakfast meal, or as an ingredient to kitchen recipes. Check out what vegan family and YouTube content creators Team Malunggay created: vegan halo-halo, milky mango sago, and banana bread using Vitasoy Plus Milky. Vitasoy Plus Milky is high in calcium, is a source of quality, plant-based protein, has zero cholesterol, is low in saturated fat, and only has 2.4% sugar per serving. For lactose-intolerant dairy-lovers, Vitasoy Plus Milky can help satisfy milky cravings. Available in supermarkets nationwide, or order online via Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora, for P85. Know more about Vitasoy Plus Milky by visiting www.facebook.com/VitasoyPH/.

Nespresso’s new Lungo line travels the world

NESPRESSO’S World Explorations line of Lungo visits the coffee cultures and preferences in some of the world’s most vibrant cities: Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Shanghai, Stockholm, Tokyo, and Vienna. World Explorations Buenos Aires Lungo blends a gently roasted Colombian Arabica with Ugandan Robusta to deliver distinct cereal and sweet popcorn notes. Coffee lovers can enjoy their Lungo like a local by adding a generous drop of milk and sugar to their cup. World Explorations Cape Town Envivo Lungo is a blend of Indian Arabica and Robusta, resulting in Nespresso’s most intense Lungo — full-bodied and with a punchy bitter note and woodsy aroma. To enjoy it like a local, coffee drinkers can add a splash of milk to their long cup and thus unfold the Lungo’s smooth and roasty notes. The World Explorations Shanghai Lungo is an insight into the emerging Asian coffee culture. Crafted from Kenyan, Chinese, and Indonesian Arabicas, this distinctive light-roast blend has berry notes and fine acidity. Add a splash of cream to enjoy it like a local. World Explorations Stockholm Fortissio Lungo recreates the aromatic profile of Swedish coffee by coupling Monsooned Malabar with Colombian Arabica for an intense, sweet cup with a hint of bitterness. Pair it with freshly baked cinnamon rolls to enjoy the drink like true Swedes. World Explorations Tokyo Vivalto Lungo features refined Ethiopian and Mexican Arabicas — complex, floral, with a hint of acidity. The best way to enjoy this treat is by extracting the drink up to 150 ml and taking time to savor the aromas. World Explorations Vienna Linizio Lungo pairs sweet Brazilian and Colombian Arabicas, lightly roasted to enhance the malty and aromatic notes. Coffee drinkers can enjoy their Lungo best by extracting their cup to 150 ml and pairing it with a slice of cake. For more information on Nespresso products and promos, visit https://www.nespresso.ph.

LANDBANK offers loan for online class gadgets

LAND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) expanded the coverage of its lending program for students to offer them up to P50,000 in credit to buy electronic gadgets for their online schooling.

The state-run bank said in a press release on Wednesday that it extended its Interim Students’ Loan for Tuitions towards Upliftment of Education for the Development of the Youth or I-STUDY lending program to form a sub-credit facility where loans can be used to buy laptops, desktops or tablets.

A student can borrow up to P150,000 under the I-STUDY lending program while a parent-borrower can take out up to P300,000 for tuition and other enrolment fees. The maximum loanable amount already includes the allocation for the gadget purchase.

Students of legal age or those at least 18 years old can tap the lending facility directly, LANDBANK said. When the lending program was initially launched last year, only parents and guardians could apply for the loans.

“LANDBANK recognizes the need to support students in adapting to distance learning modalities. While we await the resumption of in-person classes, we hope that the I-STUDY Program can help students cover the financial requirements to purchase needed learning equipment and participate in online classes,” LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo was quoted as saying.

The state-run lender said it expanded the lending program as the government has continued to mandate remote schooling.

It also increased the maximum age of students looking to tap the facility to 50 years old from 30 and included scholar students.

As of Feb. 16, the bank had granted P531.5 million in loans to 16 schools under its “study now, pay later” program. — BML

Davao City chamber partners with Lazada to boost local businesses

THE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and e-commerce platform Lazada have teamed up to help local businesses through digitalization.

Under the partnership, Lazada will provide a learning program on online selling for chamber members, including product photography, marketing strategies, and live-streaming, among others.

The Davao City chamber, in a statement, said the initial rollout will cover 100 members and will be expanded later to Davao-based designers and businesses within the Davao Region.

“Lazada has already opened its platform not just to ready-to-eat meals, but even to fresh produce, or hotel and restaurant promos. And the long-term goal is to eventually go global with Lazada Global,” said DCCCII President Malou G. Monteverde.

In an online forum last Friday on “Strong Connectivity, Robust Economy,” Ms. Monteverde called on telecommunication companies to deliver their commitments on improved services.

She said poor internet connection is the leading problem faced by consumers and local small and medium enterprises as the coronavirus pandemic has prompted the need to adapt faster to digital systems. — Maya M. Padillo

Super-rich Filipinos seen to grow by 35% by 2025 — consultancy firm

THE number of super-rich Filipinos is likely to grow over a five-year period in line with a global trend, the annual wealth report from real estate consultant Knight Frank said. Read the full story.

Super-rich Filipinos seen to grow by 35% by 2025 — consultancy firm

How PSEi member stocks performed — March 3, 2021

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

PSEi rises further on vaccinations, firms’ earnings

LOCAL SHARES climbed further on Wednesday on last-minute bargain hunting as optimism over the start of the government’s vaccination program continued to lift the market.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) inched up by 23.22 points or 0.33% to close at 6,942.76 on Wednesday, while the all shares index increased 6.84 points or 0.16% to 4,186.76.

“With [the] majority of the regional markets on the uptrend as US bond yields stabilize and [the] upcoming US stimulus, [the Philippine] market followed suit despite the profit taking through most of the session,” Diversified Securities, Inc. Equity Trader Aniceto K. Pangan said in a text message.

AB Capital Securities, Inc. Junior Equity Analyst Lance U. Soledad noted that the market shifted between gains and losses throughout yesterday’s session.

“The market fluctuated between gains and losses as vaccine rollout optimism [waned],” Mr. Soledad said in a Viber message.

“The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is providing positive sentiment since the government is now considering shifting the entire Philippines into MGCQ (modified general community quarantine),” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Associate Claire T. Alviar said in a Viber message.

“They are also watching the full-year 2020 earnings result of the companies,” Ms. Alviar added.

“Briefing of earnings released by most listed companies manifested marked improvements in their bottom line from [the] fourth quarter as compared to [their] third quarter last year benefitting from the gradual reopening of the economy,” Diversified Securities’ Mr. Pangan said.

The Philippines kicked off its COVID-19 vaccination program on Monday, with health workers the first to be inoculated in a delayed campaign as the country tries to secure supplies to address one of Asia’s most stubborn coronavirus epidemics, Reuters reported.

Majority of sectoral indices closed in the red on Wednesday except for holding firms, which gained 51.65 points or 0.72% to finish at 7,166.25; and financials, which rose by 10.17 points or 0.69% to end at 1,479.77.

Meanwhile, mining and oil dropped by 70.63 points or 0.75% to 9,259.30; services gave up 4.73 points or 0.32% to close at 1,450.88; industrials declined by 19.19 points or 0.21% to 8,816.84; and property lost 5.3 points or 0.15% to finish at 3,522.96.

Value turnover soared to P34.09 billion on Wednesday with 221.53 billion shares switching hands, from the P9.89 billion with 126.72 billion shares seen on Tuesday.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 125 versus 101, while 40 names closed unchanged.

Net foreign selling went up to P350.57 million on Wednesday from P336.95 million on Tuesday.

“We still expect the index to retest the 7,000 resistance as vaccine doses continue to arrive in the country, which we believe will be the key to sustain sideways trading with an upward bias,” AB Capital Securities’ Mr. Soledad said. — K.C.G. Valmonte

Peso strengthens against the dollar as gov’t anticipates arrival of more vaccines

THE PESO strengthened further against the greenback on Wednesday following the government’s announcement that AstraZeneca vaccines will arrive in the country on Thursday.

The local unit closed at P48.48 versus the dollar on Wednesday, gaining 8.5 centavos from its previous finish of P48.565, based on data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines’ website.

The peso opened the trading day at P48.48 against the dollar. It logged an intraday best of P48.45 while its weakest showing was at P48.61 against the greenback.

Dollars traded climbed to $1.095 billion on Wednesday from $856.94 million on Tuesday.

The peso appreciated against the dollar on news that vaccines from AstraZeneca would be arriving in the country on Thursday, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

He said the peso closed at its strongest level in more than a week or since Feb. 19, but yesterday’s finish was still among the weakest in four months.

Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. said on Tuesday that more than 487,000 doses of AstraZeneca are expected to arrive in the country on Thursday evening, under the COVAX facility.

“The peso was also stronger after the downward correction in global oil prices to new one-week lows. [Other factors include] the recent gains in the local stock market for the fourth straight day to two-week highs on continued market optimism on COVID-19 vaccine arrivals and rollouts, as well as recent measures to further reopen the economy, even before the expected nationwide MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) that could happen around April-May 2021,” Mr. Ricafort added.

Meanwhile, a trader said the peso strengthened after US Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard noted rising asset prices “but ruled out any near-term policy tapering.”

“The local currency might depreciate amid expectations of a firm US non-manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers’ index) report tomorrow,” the trader said via e-mail.

Mr. Ricafort expects the peso to range between P48.40 and P48.55 per dollar on Thursday, while the trader sees it ranging from P48.40 to P48.60 against the greenback. — B.M. Laforga

Group warns of coronavirus variants’ spread

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporters

A RESEARCH team from the University of the Philippines has warned of rising coronavirus infections in Manila, the capital and nearby cities probably due to the spread of more contagious variants.

The virus reproduction rate in the capital region had reached 1.5, meaning an infected person can pass the virus to more than one person, the OCTA Research Team said in a March 1 report.

“Under the current trend, the number of new COVID-19 cases per day will increase from its current average daily value of 770 to 2,200 by the end of March unless the spread of the virus is curbed,” the researchers said.

Cases in the capital region could reach 280,000 by the end of the month from 234,754 cases now, while infections nationwide could hit 665,000, they said. The national death tally could reach 14,000 at the current reproduction rate of 1.2.

The research team cited a fresh surge in coronavirus cases in Pasay, Quezon City, Manila, Makati, Malabon, Taguig, Parañaque and Navotas.

OCTA Research fellow Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austrico said the rising infections in Metro Manila might be due to more contagious coronavirus variants. The increase has the “hallmarks of a variant-driven surge,” he told an online news briefing on Wednesday.

“When you see this pattern, especially if it is repeating itself in more local government units, you are very concerned that what you’re dealing with here is a variant,” he added.

The Health department on Tuesday reported the first six cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa, three of whom were from Pasay City.

It also reported 30 more people who got infected with a variant from the United Kingdom, bringing the total to 87.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 1,783 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total to 582,223. The death toll rose by 20 to 12,389, while recoveries increased by 330 to 534,778, it said in a bulletin.

There were 35,056 active cases, 90.1% of which were mild, 4.7% did not show symptoms, 2.2% were critical, 2.2% were severe and 0.84% were moderate.

The Health department said two duplicates had been removed from the tally, while 14 recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Seven laboratories failed to submit data on Mar. 2.

About 8.3 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of Mar. 1, according to DoH’s tracker website.

The coronavirus has sickened more than 115.3 million and killed about 2.6 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

About 91.2 million people have recovered, it said.

Meanwhile, the government will take delivery of half-a-million coronavirus vaccines from AstraZeneca Plc on Thursday in a boost to its immunization drive, according to the presidential palace.

“The Philippines is set to receive 487,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines tomorrow, Mar. 4,” presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday. The shots will come under a global initiative for equal access led by the WHO, he added.

A total of  525,600 AstraZeneca vaccine doses were supposed to be delivered on Monday, but these got delayed due to limited supply.

Mr. Roque earlier said the President was on standby to personally receive the AstraZeneca shots at Villamor airbase.

South Africa has stopped the rollout of AstraZeneca vaccines after a study showed that these were less effective against the new variant, which accounted for about 90% of new cases there.

Meanwhile, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Jose Maria C. Concepcion said the private sector would receive about 2.6 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine in the second half.

He said the private sector expects to receive about eight million vaccine doses from Moderna, Inc. in the third quarter.

Mr. Concepcion said more than 400 companies have donated 2.6 million vaccine doses to the National Government. The private sector expects to receive about 28 million doses this year, he added.

The government started its vaccination drive against the coronavirus on Monday after taking delivery of 600,000 doses of CoronaVac donated by China. The drug is made by Chinese drug maker Sinovac Biotech Ltd.

Regulator says it has not started reviewing Sinopharm application

THE LOCAL Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to start evaluating Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd.’s application for the emergency use of its coronavirus vaccine, according to the regulator.

The Chinese drug maker had only submitted a letter of intent and the results of its phase 1 clinical trials FDA Director General Rolando Enrique D. Domingo told a televised news briefing on Wednesday.

“We are still asking for additional documents before we can start evaluating their application,” he added.

Southmed Pharma Corp., a Philippine-based company, applied for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Sinopharm vaccine via e-mail, he said.

Mr. Domingo earlier said it would take as long as six weeks for the FDA to decide on Sinopharm’s application since it had not received an emergency use authorization from any stringent regulatory bodies in other countries.

“We are very objective in approving vaccines,” he said in Filipino. “We have a checklist on safety, efficacy and quality that must be ticked.”

Presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. this week said President Rodrigo R. Duterte would wait for the regulator’s approval of the Sinopharm vaccine before getting vaccinated.

The FDA is reviewing the emergency use applications for vaccines made by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute and India’s Bharat Biotech.

It has approved the vaccines made by Pfizer, Inc., AstraZeneca Plc and Sinovac Biotech Ltd. for local emergency use.

Meanwhile, Mr. Domingo said the Presidential Security Group had not responded to the agency’s queries about the unauthorized use of Sinopharm shots last year.

Ramon T. Tulfo, Jr., the country’s special envoy to China, earlier said he and other high-ranking government officials had been injected with the Chinese vaccine last year. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Philippines seeks Suu Kyi’s quick release after military coup

THE PHILIPPINES on Tuesday sought the immediate release of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi after the military declared a coup last  month.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said the government is “deeply concerned” about developments in the Southeast Asian nation, citing a need to return to the previous state of affairs there.

“Our call is for the complete return to the previously existing state of affairs,” according to a copy of a speech he gave during an informal online meeting with foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday.

“The first step should be for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and subsequent dialogue among the parties involved in their country’s destiny,” according to a copy of the speech e-mailed by the Foreign Affairs department.

Mr. Locsin said he is aware of the military’s role in preserving Myanmar’s national security, but Ms. Suu Kyi’s “unifying role” should also be recognized.

The military is back in charge and has declared a year-long state of emergency after seizing control on Feb. 1 after a general election that Ms. Suu Kyi’s NLD party won by a landslide. Ms. Suu Kyi and other officials were detained.

The armed forces had backed the opposition, which was demanding a rerun of the vote due to alleged fraud.

The United Nations Human rights Office in a statement on Sunday said at least 18 people have died and 30 more were hurt during protests.

“We worked hard to give Myanmar back the respect due a responsible member of the community of nations,” Mr. Locsin said, noting that the country was moving toward a fuller democracy. “This should not stop now.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Pandemic brought new hurdles to curbing lucrative illegal wildlife trade

THE GLOBAL health emergency made efforts to monitor and curb the lucrative illegal wildlife trade more challenging as fewer manpower could be deployed, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on March 3, observed as World Wildlife Day.

“The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has made it more difficult for us at the DENR to keep poachers and hunters at bay with less eyes and boots on the ground,” DENR Undersecretary Jim O. Sampulna said during the World Wildlife Day celebration on Wednesday.

Despite the challenges, however, collaborative programs kept wildlife protection active.   

Last week, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu lauded the inter-agency task force Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife (POGI) for winning the 2020 Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards conferred by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Mr. Sampulna, citing a 2019 Asian Development Bank (ADB) study, said wildlife crime was considered as the fourth most lucrative illegal business after the trafficking of weapons, drugs and people.

“Our country is losing an estimated 50 billion (pesos) yearly from wildlife crime alone (which is) not just destroying pristine habitats like our forests, lakes and coral reefs, but reducing their capacity to provide food, water, medicine, shelter and livelihoods for millions of our fellow Filipinos,” he said.

The ADB study identified the Philippines as a consumer, source and transit point for illegal wildlife trade, which posed a threat to economic development and biodiversity, among others.

Mr. Cimatu, in his keynote speech for the World Wildlife Day celebration delivered by DENR Undersecretary Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr., said the country must find ways to develop its economy while maintaining the integrity of its forest ecosystems.

“This step forward means effective collaboration by enforcement agencies… the creation of a sustainable model for managing our ecosystems; legislating pro-environmental rules; and establishing which would lead to efficient investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes,” Mr. Cimatu said.

In November, DENR Undersecretary for Environment and International Environment Affairs Jonas R. Leones said the department would continue efforts to stem illegal wildlife trade to prevent the spread of microbial infections from animals to humans. — Angelica Y. Yang

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