NOVEMBER was a busy stretch for world basketball governing body International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as it hosted a number of Continental Cup qualifiers; an effort it took pride in as these were successfully staged despite a myriad of challenges.
Done in extraordinary circumstances because of the ongoing situation with the global coronavirus pandemic, FIBA pushed through with the continental qualifiers last month after action was suspended early this year.
Seventy-eight qualifying games, which featured 72 teams and 870 players from around the world, were played in protected environment “bubbles” across 15 different cities in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Under the bubble, tournament participants were holed up in a specific area to allow them to have a close contact in a very defined and exclusive setup to guard against the spread of the coronavirus and so as to have less disruption.
Guided by health and safety protocols it has set up, done in consultation with various groups, particularly the World Health Organization, FIBA was happy to report that extensive precautionary measures were successfully and consistently implemented throughout the staging.
In all bubbles, it reported, only four games were postponed as protocols were applied.
FIBA said it was a testament to its “capacity to organize operations safely on such a large scale with its regional offices.”
PRECAUTIONS DONE In the lead-up to the qualifiers, where the Philippines participated in (Asia) and went 2-0 in its games in Bahrain, FIBA made sure it covered all the bases with the health and safety of all participants in mind.
In preparation for the qualifiers, 18 webinars were organized to increase the understanding and awareness of the coronavirus protocols among the hosts, participating national federations and local authorities, with more than 400 participants in total.
To ensure a safe environment in the bubbles, all athletes and team members had to present two negative coronavirus tests before travelling to the bubbles — with one test done no later than 72 hours before the departure and another one five days previously.
Participants were tested again upon arrival. More than 5,000 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests were submitted before travelling and more than 4,000 PCR tests were organized on-site.
To help it in its conduct of the Continental Cup Qualifiers, FIBA drew from its experience previously of hosting events in bubbles from the FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2020, the Basketball Champions League Qualifiers and Final 8, as well as the recently concluded FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers.
Next for FIBA is the third and final window of the Continental Cup Qualifiers in February next year, which will also be done in bubbles.
PHILIPPINES AS HOST Meanwhile, the country serving as host for one of the bubbles in the third window could be a possibility after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas offered the Philippines as a site.
SBP said it has reached out to FIBA and is eyeing Clark, Pampanga, as the bubble venue.
The local basketball federation has also talked to officials of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the bubble hosting, similar to what the Philippine Basketball Association has done. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
That was the appeal made by national tennis players Treat Huey and Johnny Arcilla to the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) after the body was suspended for two years by the sport’s international governing organization, jeopardizing the participation of Filipino netters in future competitions.
Recently, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) moved to suspend PHILTA for two years over the latter’s refusal to submit reportorial requirements, including amendments to its constitution to diversify its membership.
PHILTA reportedly continued to refuse to heed the long-standing request, leaving the ITF with no choice but to hand down the tough decision.
Messrs. Huey and Arcilla have added their voices in calling out PHILTA for its failure to avert the suspension, more so since it comes amid very tough times for tennis, and sports in general, because of the global coronavirus pandemic.
“If my fellow players are barred from the Davis Cup and other international team competitions, it would be a huge blow to our livelihood in an already-trying time,” said Mr. Huey in a statement.
“The athletes should not suffer because of the shortcomings of PHILTA which we have no control over and are not even made aware of. I really hope that there will be positive changes moving forward, starting off with the holding of an election. My ultimate hope is to have a unified and a more efficiently run organization that will ensure that all the tennis players in the country will be properly taken care of,” added the long-time national player, who also expressed longing to get back into action after the forced layoff this year because of the pandemic.
Similar reforms are also being asked by Mr. Arcilla, a veteran campaigner for the country in the Davis Cup.
“PHILTA must fix its affairs and address this issue. It has to make positive changes for the betterment of Philippine tennis by instituting programs for national athletes,” he said.
Adding, “Players like us are the ones suffering, especially the juniors players who are affected by this suspension.”
ITF President David Haggerty said they gave PHILTA the chance to address the issues before handing down the decision, but nothing came out of it.
The ITF and the local tennis stakeholders are now awaiting the next moves of PHILTA. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is set to hold the Second Professional Sports Summit on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Done via Zoom Teleconferencing to adapt to the existing conditions with the coronavirus pandemic, the one-day virtual event, with the theme “Leadership in Crisis,” will gather anew experts and stakeholders to discuss various matters geared towards shoring up different facets of the local professional sports scene.
The summit will be divided into two parts, with the morning session focusing on different topics related to boxing rules, mental health, and laws related to professional sports, among others.
In the afternoon, there will be a live session, where different sports icons and national leaders are expected to attend and share their thoughts and experiences.
Senator Sonny Angara, who is also the chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), is expected to be back in this year’s edition of the summit.
Invitations were also extended to Sen. Bong Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports; Sen. Joel Villanueva and Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
Some of the country’s sports icons such as former world boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa, pool legends Efren “Bata” Reyes and Django Bustamante, Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre, and former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Best Import Sean Chambers will also be gracing the event.
The summit comes at a time where professional sports is trying to get back on track after being sidelined for months by the pandemic.
Since October, leagues like the PBA, Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Pilipinas and Philippines Football League have successfully resumed activities but operated under strict health and safety protocols that GAB and other regulating and government bodies crafted. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
FORTY-EIGHT NBA players tested positive for COVID-19, the league said on Wednesday, as players returned to their team’s home markets for the start of the 2020-21 season on Dec. 22.
The NBA said it tested 546 players as part of its “initial return-to-market testing phase,” which kicked off between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30. Anyone who tested positive was placed in isolation until cleared under league rules.
The league had few issues keeping its “bubble” environment at Walt Disney World free of the novel coronavirus as it carried out the end of their delayed season earlier this year, but now faces many of the same challenges other North American leagues have playing in the COVID-19 era.
With the exception of the Toronto Raptors, teams will play in their home markets this season, with individual player workouts starting this week and group workouts beginning Sunday.
The Raptors, the only Canadian team in the league, will start their season in Tampa, Florida, due to tight international travel restrictions, as COVID-19 cases soar in the United States, where hospitalizations hit a record for a fourth consecutive day on Tuesday.
The NFL, which is currently playing, and MLB, which wrapped its truncated, delayed season with the World Series in October, both grappled with numerous game postponements and COVID-19 positives, as players traveled from city to city to compete in a sports landscape thoroughly upended by the pandemic. — Reuters
THE Houston Rockets made a blockbuster deal on Wednesday night, trading disgruntled Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall in an exchange of All-Star point guards, the Wizards announced.
The Wizards also received a lottery-protected first-round draft pick. According to The Athletic, the draft choice is for 2023.
Westbrook reportedly became dismayed with the direction of the organization after the recent departure of coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey. Rockets star James Harden also reportedly wants out.
Westbrook averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and seven assists in 57 games with the Rockets in his one season with the franchise. He was acquired from Oklahoma City as part of a deal that sent point guard Chris Paul to the Thunder in July 2019.
The nine-time All-Star was NBA MVP for the 2016-17 season when he posted a record 42 triple-doubles. Westbrook averaged a league-leading 31.6 points that season to go with 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game.
The Wednesday trade also reunites Westbrook with Scott Brooks, who was the Thunder coach for all, but 13 games of Westbrook’s first seven seasons with that franchise.
“Russell’s accomplishments and honors on the court speak for themselves, but his drive and will to win are what separate him as a truly unique player,” Brooks said in a news release. “As much as I’m looking forward to reuniting with him, I’m equally sad to say good-bye to John. He is one of the toughest and most gifted players I’ve ever been around and we all wish him nothing, but the best moving forward.”
Westbrook has career averages of 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 878 games (861 starts). He has 146 career triple-doubles, which ranks second all-time behind Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson’s 181.
Westbrook, who turned 32 last month, is slated to make $41.4 million in 2020-21 and $44.2 million in 2021-22. He has a player option worth $47 million for 2022-23.
Wall, 30, is scheduled to make similar salaries. He is set to earn $41.25 million this season and $44.3 in 2021-22 with a player option worth $47.4 million in 2022-23.
Wall, a five-time All-Star, hasn’t played in a game since December 2018 due to injuries. He missed the entire 2019-20 season because of a ruptured left Achilles tendon.
The Achilles injury occurred in at accident at home in February 2019 while he was recovering from left heel surgery.
Keeping Wall healthy has been a chore in recent seasons as he has also endured two surgeries on his left knee and one on his right knee since the end of the 2015-16 season.
Wall has career averages of 19 points, 9.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 573 contests (561 starts).
Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, is Washington’s all-time leader in steals (976) and assists (5,282) and ranks fourth in points (10,879).
“Having the opportunity to acquire a player of Russell’s caliber and character was something that we could not pass up when looking at both the immediate and long-term future of our team,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said. “With that said, the decision to part ways with John, one of the greatest players in franchise history, was extremely difficult. What he has meant to our organization and our community is immeasurable and will not be forgotten.” — Reuters
TURIN, Italy — Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 750th goal of his remarkable career in a 3-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday as Stephanie Frappart became the first female referee to take charge of a Champions League match.
Federico Chiesa, with his first-ever Champions League goal, and Alvaro Morata were also on target while Ronaldo reached another milestone, although it was far from his most spectacular goal as the ball appeared to go in off his shin.
The 35-year-old has scored 450 goals for Real Madrid, 118 for Manchester United, 102 for Portugal, 75 for Juventus and five for his first club, Sporting.
Ronaldo said on Instagram: “750 goals, 750 happy moments, 750 smiles on the faces of our fans. Thanks to all the players and coaches who have helped me reach this incredible number, thanks to all my loyal opponents who have made me work harder and harder every day.”
“NEXT STOP: 800.” With Juventus already qualified from Group G and Dynamo Kyiv already eliminated, the main interest was focused on Frappart, but the Frenchwoman was barely noticed — usually regarded as a good sign for a referee’s performance.
Frappart, who made her Ligue 1 debut in April last year, booked three players and ignored one penalty shout from the Ukrainians in the first half when Benjamin Verbic went down under a challenge from Leonardo Bonucci.
Juve, second in the group with 12 points and three behind Barcelona, went ahead in the 21st minute when Chiesa scored with a textbook downward header from Alex Sandro’s teasing cross.
His first goal in the competition came just over 20 years after his father Enrico scored his last, for Fiorentina against Bordeaux.
Ronaldo side-footed against the bar before halftime but, as usual, the Portuguese was not to be denied and was on target in the 57th minute with his tenth goal in eight games this season.
Chiesa whipped in a low cross, goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan palmed it against Morata and Ronaldo scored from close range. The goal was confirmed after a VAR review.
Chiesa was also involved in setting up the third goal for Morata in the 66th minute to round off a convincing Juventus display.
“I can’t say we played well, but our defensive mistakes did cost us a lot,” said Dynamo coach Mircea Lucescu. “It’s very hard when you have players aged 21 and 18 in your back line. Those errors were costly for us. It’s just a lack of experience.” — Reuters
For the third time in as many years, Russell Westbrook will have a new home. As in the previous offseason, the transfer comes at his behest. He thought he would thrive with the Rockets, only to find his small-ball partnership with top dog James Harden crash and burn at the hands of the rampaging Lakers in the second round of the playoffs. And, based on information making the grapevine, he bristled in the absence of organizational and personal accountability — made all the more evident with the departures of head coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey — enough to push for yet another change of scenery.
Demanding to be dealt and actually being dealt are, of course, two different things. And, in Westbrook’s case, it wasn’t simply because he comes with a prohibitively expensive contract that any potential trade partner for the Rockets would need to match. More importantly, it was due to his advancing age and diminishing effectiveness; for all the upward ticks in his numbers while playing Robin to Harden’s Batman, he remained a polarizing presence in the face of his poor shooting and ball-dominant predilections.
In this regard, the Rockets were fortunate to have latched on to a deal that granted Westbrook his wish. The Wizards just so happened to be in the same boat, with erstwhile foundational piece John Wall likewise wanting out. And, lo and behold, the salaries and contract duration even match. It didn’t even matter much that the latter hasn’t suited up in close to two years and will be coming off rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon; a heavily protected first-round pick was all it took for franchise owner Tilman Fertitta and the new dispensation to agree to the trade.
And so Westbrook will once again be in a novel situation with the Wizards. On second thought, perhaps it won’t be too much of an adjustment; as was the case during his time with Paul George and Harden, he’ll be playing second fiddle in the offense he’s joining, what with Bradley Beal already the established centerpiece. Not that anything has ever really stopped him from being, well, himself. On the court, he has continued to do what he wants while in the moment, with little or no regard to the system he’s in.
Clearly, the Wizards are hoping Westbrook has learned from his experience — at least to the point where he’s willing to make concessions in pursuit of collective objectives. As well he should; after all, his future is at stake. There’s a reason the market reacted tepidly when his desire for new digs made the news last month, and while he remains confident of his capacity to deliver, he cannot possibly be blind to the increasing gap between belief and reality. The question, to be sure, isn’t if he will finally admit to his frailties. It’s when — which makes the answer anybody’s guess.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
Stoked by extreme heat, wildfires flared across Australia, Siberia, and the United States this year, sending smoke plumes around the globe.
GENEVA — This year is on track to be the second hottest on record, behind 2016, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Wednesday.
Five data sets currently place 2020—a year characterized by heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and raging hurricanes—as the second warmest since records began in 1850.
“2020 is very likely to be one of the three warmest years on record globally,” the Geneva-based United Nations (UN) agency said in its State of the Global Climate in 2020 report.
Stoked by extreme heat, wildfires flared across Australia, Siberia, and the United States this year, sending smoke plumes around the globe.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech at Columbia University in New York that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are to blame and policies have yet to rise to the challenge.
“To put it simply the state of the planet is broken,” Mr. Guterres said. “Humanity is waging war on nature. This is suicidal,” he said.
A less visible sign of change was a surge in marine heat to record levels, with more than 80% of the global ocean experiencing a marine heatwave, the WMO said.
“2020 has, unfortunately, been yet another extraordinary year for our climate,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas, urging more efforts to curb the emissions.
Greenhouse gas concentrations climbed to a new record in 2019 and have risen so far this year despite an expected drop in emissions due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the WMO said last month.
The latest WMO report said the global mean temperature was around 1.2 degrees Celsius above the 1850–1900 baseline between January and October this year, placing it second behind 2016 and marginally ahead of 2019.
Hot years have typically been associated with El Niño, a natural event that releases heat from the Pacific Ocean. However, this year coincides with La Niña which has the opposite effect and cools temperatures.
The WMO will confirm the data in March 2021.
A climate pact agreed in Paris five years ago compels countries to make efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, above which scientists warn of catastrophic climate change.
While it is not the same as crossing that long-term warming threshold, the WMO says there is at least a one in five chance of temperatures temporarily, on an annual basis, exceeding that level by 2024.
Mr. Guterres said that last year natural disasters related to climate change cost the world $150 billion, and that air and water pollution are killing 9 million people annually. He urged world leaders to align global finance behind the Paris pact, to commit to reaching net zero emissions, and to fund efforts to adapt to climate change. — Emma Farge/Reuters
BP, Royal Dutch Shell, and Total all say they are betting on higher profits from sales of groceries and snacks at their retail networks, which will still be an essential port of call for motorists in an electric era. Image via Photographic Services, Shell International Limited
LONDON — For Big Oil, coffee and chocolate could be the new black gold.
Under pressure from investors and governments alike to cut emissions, major European oil companies are plowing billions into renewable energy but are struggling to craft business plans that promise the returns shareholders have come to expect.
Europe’s big oil firms, however, have another card to play: their vast global networks of filling stations.
BP, Royal Dutch Shell, and Total all say they are betting on higher profits from sales of groceries and snacks at their retail networks, which will still be an essential port of call for motorists in an electric era.
Paying at the pump to fill up with gas may only take a few minutes, but even with the fastest electric vehicle (EV) chargers, customers would have at least 10 to 15 minutes to kill—plenty of time to grab a coffee and do some shopping.
While the so-called marketing operations of big oil firms—retail sales of fuel, lubricants, groceries, and TV dinners—usually contribute a smaller slice of profits than oil and gas production, they typically have higher margins.
The renewable energy and power businesses oil companies are moving into, however, tend to have lower returns on investment, making it important for firms such as BP and Shell to find ways to boost their overall returns in low-carbon economies.
That’s why Shell plans to expand its retail network by more than 20% to 55,000 sites worldwide by 2025. BP aims to increase its network of filling stations by nearly 50% to 29,000 by 2030 and boost its EV charging network to 70,000 points.
Total, meanwhile, is planning to increase its EV charging network in Europe to 150,000 points by 2025 from 18,000 now.
Subway and McDonald’s, the world’s two biggest food chains, both have fewer outlets than Shell. US giant Walmart, the world’s biggest retailer by sales, has 11,510 stores globally.
BP and Shell are also betting that daily contact with tens of millions of customers will give it masses of data that it can use to tailor sales for shoppers in small towns, cities, or even specific gas stations throughout the world.
LOCKDOWN PREVIEW While there are relatively few electric cars on the road now, oil companies have already had a glimpse of the potential of their retail networks during coronavirus lockdowns this year.
Fuel sales slumped as travel restrictions kicked in, but people still nipped to nearby gas stations with convenience stores to stock up on daily necessities.
In fact, Shell’s retail division, known as “marketing”, which has the world’s biggest network of filling stations, had its best quarter on record in the three months to Sept. 30, bringing in $1.6 billion in adjusted earnings.
So far in 2020, Shell’s marketing division has contributed 60% of its overall earnings, which are traditionally dominated by its upstream oil and integrated gas businesses.
Huibert Vigeveno, Shell’s head of refining, chemicals, and marketing, said the company holds a daily call to check on customer preferences for anything from engine oil to croissants so it can constantly adapt.
“Having 45,000 retail sites over more than 80 countries allowed us to learn very fast,” he told Reuters.
“It started in January, when we saw what was happening in China and how consumers were behaving. And we shared that immediately with all the 80 countries in which we operate.”
Shell’s marketing profits were also helped by strong sales of premium fuels, which have higher margins, and lubricants.
BP and Total benefited from a boost at their retail divisions during the pandemic months too, helping to plug revenue shortfalls from lower fuel sales and reinforce their plans to expand rapidly into convenience stores and EV charging.
“We saw during the pandemic people shopping online and topping up in local stores like ours, but it’s a long-term trend, too,” said Emma Delaney, BP head of customers and products.
Total’s Chief Financial Officer Jean-Pierre Sbraire told investors in October that retail sales in Europe were back at pre-pandemic levels in the third quarter, even though fuel sales remained very weak.
LOW VOLATILITY BP’s profit margins from convenience stores have risen 8% a year since 2015 and they delivered a gross margin of more than $1 billion in 2019, a figure the company aims to more than double by 2030, Ms. Delaney told Reuters.
BP’s return on investment—or the return on average capital employed—at its convenience and mobility business, which includes sales of fuel and lubricants as well as its stores, was more than 20% in 2019.
Shell too had a return on investment of over 20% at its marketing division, which includes retail, business-to-business fuel sales and lubricants, and Mr. Vigeveno said it expects the business to grow 6% to 7% a year until 2025 and beyond.
“The volatility in retail is very low … but the margin is high,” said Mirko Rubeis of the Boston Consulting Group.
Return on investment has been in the spotlight since oil majors such as BP announced this year that it plans to cut its fossil fuel production and invest more heavily in low-carbon energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Shell is also looking to accelerate its shift towards low-carbon energy and is due to announce its long-term transition strategy in February.
While big oil firms typically target a return on oil investments of about 15%, returns on low-carbon electricity are expected to be far lower and investors are wondering how they will square the circle.
IS DATA THE NEW OIL? When it comes to retail, fuel sales already produce lower profit margins than convenience stores sales, which are often in partnership with well-known grocery brands, and that’s one of the reasons for the push into areas dominated by supermarkets.
“Redefining convenience is about much more than fuel. Sure, convenient fuel payment via our app works, but customers on the go want much more than fuel. And so we bake pastries, brew coffee, package deliveries for customers,” Ms. Delaney said.
BP works with Marks & Spencer in Britain while Shell has a partnership with British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to offer a range of deli food. In the United States, BP has teamed up with food and drink outlet ampm.
During the months of the pandemic, convenience sales at hundreds of sites were also helped by deliveries to homes using online apps such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats, Mr. Vigeveno said.
BP estimates that more than half the customers who visit Marks & Spencer at its filling stations come for convenience shopping only. Shell’s Mr. Vigeveno, meanwhile, said half of their sales in northwest Europe were non-fuel.
Even with a retail push, fierce competition among power companies, supermarket giants such as Tesco in Britain or Carrefour in France and new entrants in the EV charging sector could also narrow profit margins in the future.
And with oil consumption possibly already near its peak, energy companies will need to radically rethink their retail businesses to keep making money.
“To successfully adapt, fuel retailers must embrace a new mindset. Making modest changes or tweaks to the business will not suffice,” said Boston Consulting Group’s Mr. Rubeis, adding that the customer data they amass could be crucial.
BP aims to double the daily number of “customer touchpoints” in its retail business over the next decade to 20 million while Shell is aiming for 40 million by 2025 from 30 million now.
“Retail is the only thing in the oil and gas value chain that gets you closer to the customer. If you want to have insight into the future trends of mobility, energy transition, and so on, that’s the only thing that can get you data,” Mr. Rubeis said. “Customer data is the new oil.” — Ron Bousso/Reuters
To complement the efforts of local governments to provide education for gainful employment, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) together with SM Foundation, Don Bosco One TVET Phils. Inc and the City of Pasay launched the SM – Pasay Tech-voc Scholarship Program in line with the celebration of Pasay Day on December 2. Present during the event are Siegfred Ramon B. Mison, Senior Vice President for Special Projects of SM Prime, Eleanor Lansang, Assistant Vice President – Scholarship Program of SM Foundation, Carlo Sigua, External Relations Officer of Don Bosco Technical Institute and Pasay City Mayor Imelda G. Calixto-Rubiano.
Since 1993, SM, through SM Foundation has provided college scholarships to the residents of Pasay City and was able to produce more than 40 college scholar alumni with 29 current scholars.
The quadripartite partnership initially intends to offer a full technical vocational (tech voc) scholarship to 20 competent students from financially challenged families residing in Pasay City. Aside from free tuition fees, the program will also provide monthly allowance and enrichment activities to successful applicants.
The 15-month training is composed of 10 months in-campus academic learning and 5 months On-the-Job Training (OJT) and will start June of 2021 for the following tech-voc courses:
Automotive Servicing NC I;
Electrical Installation & Maintenance NC II;
Machining NC II; Mechatronics Servicing NC II;
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II; and
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning NC II.
The SM – Pasay Tech-voc Scholarship Program is open to 17 – 30 year-old residents of Pasay city who have finished at least the 10th Grade (For graduates of the new DepEd curriculum) or HS graduate (For graduates of the old DepEd curriculum), Single, and with a total household income less than PHP150,000 per year.
Interested applicants may get the SM – Pasay Tech Voc Scholarship Program application form and apply through the Pasay City Mayor’s office from January 4, 2021 to February 28, 2021.
SM, through SM Foundation, has been providing deserving and qualified students with access to technical-vocational studies since 1993. To date, SMFI has produced almost 5,500 tech-voc scholar graduates nationwide.
GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday tightened guidelines on wearing face masks, recommending that, where COVID-19 is spreading, they be worn by everyone in health-care facilities and for all interactions in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
In June, the WHO urged governments to ask everyone to wear fabric masks in indoor and outdoor public areas where there was a risk of transmission of the virus.
Since then, a second global wave of the epidemic has gathered pace. In all, more than 63 million people globally have caught COVID-19 and 1.475 million died of it, according to a Reuters tally.
In more detailed advice published on Wednesday, the WHO said that, where the epidemic was spreading, people—including children and students aged 12 or over—should always wear masks in shops, workplaces, and schools that lack adequate ventilation, and when receiving visitors at home in poorly ventilated rooms.
Masks should also be worn outdoors and in well ventilated indoor spaces where physical distancing of at least one meter (3 ft) cannot be maintained.
In all scenarios, masks—which protect against transmission of the virus rather than infection—needed to be accompanied by other precautions such as hand-washing, the WHO said.
In areas of COVID-19 spread, it also advised “universal” wearing of medical masks in health care facilities, including when caring for other patients.
The advice applied to visitors, outpatients, and to common areas such as cafeterias and staff rooms.
Health-care workers could wear N95 respirator masks if available when caring for COVID-19 patients, but their only proven protection is when they are doing aerosol-generating procedures which carry higher risks, the WHO said.
It recommended that people doing vigorous physical activity not wear masks, citing some associated risks, particularly for people with asthma.
Adequate ventilation, physical distancing, and disinfection of “high-touch surfaces” in the gym must be maintained, or their temporary closure should be considered, it added. — Stephanie Nebehay/Reuters
LATEST official labor data showed the ranks of jobless Filipinos, as well as those wanting more work to augment income decreasing in October compared with those seen in July and the record-high in April, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported earlier this morning.
The October rates, however, were still higher when compared with those seen in the same month a year ago.
Preliminary results of the PSA’s October 2020 round of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) put the unemployment rate at 8.7%. This was lower compared with the unemployment rate of 10% in July 2020, but still higher than the 4.6% in October 2019.
This is equivalent to 3.813 million jobless Filipinos, lower than 4.571 million in July, but higher than 2.045 million in October 2019.
Nevertheless, this marks a continuing trend towards recovery in the job market following the peak unemployment rate of 17.6% in April, equivalent to 7.228 million individuals unemployed.
Likewise, the underemployment rate, or the proportion of those already working but still looking for more work or longer working hours, was 14.4% in October, down from 17.3% in July, but worse than the 12.8% a year ago.
This is equivalent to 5.747 million underemployed Filipinos compared with 7.137 million and 5.438 million in July 2020 and October 2019, respectively.
The size of the labor force was approximately 43.649 million out of the 74.307 million Filipinos aged at least 15 years old in the October round of the LFS. This means the labor force participation rate stood at 58.7%, lower than the 61.9% in July 2020 and 61.4% in October 2019.
The employment rate, which is the proportion of the employed to the total labor force, inched up to 91.3% in October from 90% in July 2020 and 95.4% in October 2019. This corresponds to 39.836 million employed Filipinos as compared with 41.306 million in July round and 45.537 million the previous year. — Ana Olivia A. Tirona
