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Latvian team Riga tops FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters in Doha; Manila Chooks TM at 11th place

THE International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 World Doha Masters concluded on Saturday with Latvian team Riga fashioning out an impressive comeback to rule the tournament.

Showed tremendous determination, Riga, the number three-ranked team in the world, pulled the rug from under Serbian squad and top seed Liman, 21-20, in the finals held at the state-of-the-art Al Gharafa Sports Complex in Qatar.

The team from the Philippines, Manila Chooks TM, meanwhile, failed to advance from the group stage and finished 11th in the field of 14 teams.

Down, 20-15, at one point in the championship game, Riga wilfully charged back, capped by a buzzer-beating two-pointer from Karlis Lasmanis to send his team to the victory.

Mr. Lasmanis, 26, stepped up in the final with a game-high 11 points. For the tournament, which ran from Nov. 20 to 21, Riga, which grabbed the $40,000 top prize, went 5-0 to solidify its claim to the title.

Sharpshooter Edgars Krumins topped all scorers with 34 points for the duration of the tournament while speedy Nauris Miezis received the most valuable player trophy.

Despite losing in the finals of the Doha Masters, Liman has the chance to redeem itself in the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Final to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 18-19, 2020.

Meanwhile, Manila Chooks TM offered no excuses as it was swept in its two-game assignment in Pool A of the tournament.

“No excuses,” were the only words said by top Philippine 3×3 player Joshua Munzon as their team lost to Liman, 15-22, and hometown team Lusail, 14-19, in that order.

Mr. Munson top-scored for Manila Chooks TM with an average of 9.5 points in their two games.

Other members of the team were Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan, and Troy Rike. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Pacquiao is now Mobile Legends: Bang Bang PH ambassador

THE WORLDS of boxing and esports connected recently with Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao agreeing to be the Philippine ambassador for the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

Coinciding with the game’s milestone of one billion downloads worldwide, the people behind MLBB in the country said they are proud to welcome the boxing legend to their family, seeing the eight-division champion as embodying qualities that make one succeed in the game.

“We’ve been working on this partnership for more than a year. Based on the studies we’ve done, 70% of our users are big fans of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has a lot in common with boxing. Like boxing it requires skill, determination, physical effort, and most importantly, mental toughness. You can’t beat your opponent just by being strong, you have to also be smart,” said William Mei, marketing manager of MLBB for the Philippines, in a statement.

It is an involvement that Mr. Pacquiao, for his part, welcomed, highlighting, among other things, how the game touches him through his son, Jimuel, who plays and is a fan of MLBB.

“It was easy for me to say yes when Moonton approached me to be their Philippine ambassador. I already know of Mobile Legends even before they got in touch because my son, Jimuel, plays the game on his phone and regularly streams with friends. So, why not be a part of what my son loves?” he said.

Since developer and publisher Moonton released MLBB, the game has been picked up by gamers tremendously.

MLBB has over one billion installs and 100 million monthly active users. It has reached top 10 grossing rank in more than 50 countries and is a MOBA game which covers most countries, including Southeast Asia, Middle East, and India.

In last year’s Southeast Asian Games held here, MLBB was one of the featured titles as esports made its debut in the biennial Games, with the team from the Philippines bagging the gold in it.  

In the country, too, the number of Mobile Legends users increased during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, officials said, with over 100 million registered users and 25 million monthly active users.

“On behalf of the MLBB team, we can assure you that you can expect more surprises from us in the coming months. And to everyone who wants to venture into professional gaming or just wants to be the best version of themselves—be focused, keep pushing, and keep reaching for your dream because everyone can be a legend,” said Mr. Pacquiao.

For more on the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, follow its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MobileLegendsOnlinePH/. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

PSC moves to assist athletes hit by Typhoon Ulysses

The Philippine Sports Commission will come to the aid of athletes affected by Typhoon Ulysses.

In a statement released on Sunday, the sports agency said it has coordinated with the different national sports associations on the status of their member athletes following Ulysses, which battered a large part of Luzon two weeks ago, and financial assistance is being readied.

The PSC said it has received reports of athletes and coaches, numbering  57 from nine sports, as of this writing, being evacuated or lost their homes due to torrential rains and flash floods in Metro Manila and nearby areas.

“It might not be substantial but we will do our best we can to help them,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez, who underscored that the processing of the financial assistance is being expedited so as to reach those affected the soonest.

“We will have this rolled out the soonest. We are just waiting for the final report from the NSA affairs so we can finalize everything,” added PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr.

The aid for athletes hit by Typhoon Ulysses is a continuation of the PSC’s commitment to looking after its ranks despite the budgetary constraints presented to it by the coronavirus pandemic. — MASM

Djokovic, Nadal fall as Thiem, Medvedev advance to finals

LONDON — Rafa Nadal’s dream of a first ATP Finals title and Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record-equalling sixth vanished in defeats by Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem in two seismic semi-finals on Saturday.

As the curtain comes down on London’s 12 years as host of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour’s prestigious season-ender, it would have been fitting for Nadal and Djokovic to face off for the 57th time in their glittering careers.

But times are a changing, or so it seems, and Medvedev and Thiem had not read the script.

Nadal, seeking the one major pot missing from his vast collection of silverware, must have seen the door creaking open when Thiem produced a staggering fightback to beat Djokovic 7-5 6-7(10) 7-6(5) in a classic contest lasting almost three hours.

He had beaten Medvedev in each of their three meetings, including a memorable US Open final last year.

It seemed like he had exhausted the wily Russian’s box of tricks when he served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but Medvedev, 10 years his junior at 24, stormed back to win 3-6 7-6(4) 6-3.

To put world number four Medvedev’s win into perspective, Nadal had triumphed in the last 71 matches in which he had taken the first set.

Medvedev looked the more likely winner as he raced through his service games in the opening set while Nadal laboured.

But the Spaniard pounced as Medvedev suffered a momentary dip at 3-4 and suddenly he was a set to the good.

Undeterred, Medvedev kept hammering away and Nadal dipped at the start of the second set, dropping serve with a double fault. Medvedev squandered a point for a 5-1 lead and paid the price as Nadal hurtled back to stand on the brink of victory.

Medvedev broke to love, though, and the set moved into a tiebreaker. A flukey forehand winner helped Medvedev into a 5-3 lead and he stayed composed to take it.

Earlier in the empty arena, the 27-year-old Thiem saw four match points vanish in the second set tiebreak against Djokovic, one with a nervy double-fault, and it seemed he would pay a heavy price.

Djokovic, who is one short of Roger Federer’s titles record at the ATP Finals, led 4-0 in the deciding set tiebreak.

But US Open champion Thiem unleashed a stunning counter-attack to reel off six points, reaching match point with a ripping crosscourt backhand. — Reuters

Busy Lakers

Free agency in the National Basketball Association has turned competition into a year-round affair. Once upon a time, the off-season used to give players and fans alike a respite from the challenges of keeping up with, and keeping tabs on, movements in the league, actual or prospective. Not anymore. Instead of quiet moments enabling protagonists to take stock of their accomplishments, or lack thereof, flurry after flurry of activity now mark campaigns and turnarounds. The hectic schedule in the midst of the pandemic serves only to accentuate the speed with which changes occur; in one particular case, eagerness got the better of trade partners to the point where the Commissioner’s Office has had to step in and probe its beginnings, its seeming consummation even prior to the start of the official negotiating phase, and its equally abrupt end.

Considering the stakes involved, the Lakers arguably stand as the prime example of the franchises’ need to keep pace with each other. Fresh off a bubble-accentuated championship run, they have been compelled to hit the ground running in their quest to put up the best-possible title defense. In part, it’s because they know their window is relatively short; LeBron James, while still the best of the best in the NBA, is turning 36 next month, and history has invariably dealt precipitous falls to supposed rocking-chair candidates defying the odds; in larger measure, it’s because they have no choice; in the modern era, doing nothing means falling behind. Even with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in hand—or, perhaps, precisely with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in hand given the targets on their backs.

So the Lakers got busy as soon as free agency began. And, in doing so, general manager Rob Pelinka proved relentlessly ruthless. He sent erstwhile starter Danny Green packing for Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Dennis Schroder. He then one-upped himself, netting actual SMoTY winner Montrezl Harrell (which then forced successful reclamation project Dwight Howard to delete a tweet announcing a return to the purple and gold and promptly move to the Sixers). For good measure, he tapped Wesley Matthews as the designated three-and-D appointee and secured the return of vital cog Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. All while he remains on the lookout for more productive deals to make. Not bad for a honcho who was publicly pilloried by living legend Magic Johnson just last year and who finished no better than seventh in the Executive of the Year sweepstakes.

Not surprisingly, the Lakers aren’t done. They may already have enough talent to let Avery Bradley walk away and join the Heat, their Finals foils, but they’re keen on staying active in free agency and, in the process, becoming even better. Whether they continue to have the financial flexibility to maintain their relevancy in the market remains to be seen; from the outside looking in, their deal with Matthews involved the use of their bi-annual exception, thus placing them in a hard cap. Creative sign-and-trade propositions, coupled with their unique status to lure title-hungry players with bargain-basement salaries, figure to keep them pushing to improve their lineup.

Which, in a nutshell, means the Lakers are poised to begin the 2020-21 season as heavy favorites. Never mind that they’ll have little rest and no time to enjoy the fruits of their previous labor. With James and fellow All-NBA First Team member Anthony Davis leading the way, they’re where they deservedly are: on top, surveying the jockeying for position at their feet. And, certainly, it helps that projected threats have become weaker even with the start of the season still a month away. The Warriors have lost Klay Thompson to injury. The Bucks have failed to add Bogdan Bogdanovic due to overeagerness and loose lips. The Clippers have become weaker following key departures.

Indeed, the Lakers are right where they want to be: first among equals.

 

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.

COVID-19 tally nears 420,000; 8,123 dead

THE DEPARTMENT of Health reported 1,968 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the country’s total to 418,818.

The death toll rose to 8,123 with 43 new fatalities while recoveries increased by 10,957 to 386,486, it said in a bulletin.

There were 24,209 active cases, 82.5% of which were mild, 8.2% did not show symptoms, 5.8% were critical, 3.2% were severe, and 0.28% were moderate.

Cavite reported the highest number of new cases at 107, followed by Quezon City at 97, Davao City at 86, Laguna at 84, and Quezon at 77.

A total of 5.1 million individuals have been tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of Nov. 20, according to the Health department’s tracker website.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte last week approved the emergency use of coronavirus vaccines in the country.

This would cut the approval process to 21 days from six months.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Rolando Enrique D. Domingo on Thursday said five vaccine manufacturers intend to conduct clinical trials in the Philippines.

About 58.5 million were infected and about 1.4 million people died of coronavirus worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

About 40.5 million people have recovered, it said.

COLD STORAGE FOR VACCINES
At the House of Representatives, a bill seeking to determine the specifications of the cold storage facilities needed for the COVID-19 vaccines has been filed.

Quezon City Rep. Precious H. Castelo filed House Bill No. 8000 or the proposed Vaccine-Ready Philippines Act of 2020, which mandates the Health department to provide sufficient and appropriate cold storage equipment for storage and safekeeping of the vaccines prior to arrival in the country.

“This pandemic has taught us many things, one of which is the importance of preparation. While this pandemic is something that caught many countries and governments off guard, this is not sufficient excuse not to prepare,” the bill’s explanatory note stated.

“Considering that the Philippines is also a relatively populous nation, a safe and effective mass distribution of the vaccines require ample planning and preparation.”

The measure also tasks the Health department, in coordination with the Inter-Agency Task Force  (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of the law.

Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., IATF chief implementer, has been designated by the President as vaccine czar, giving him authority to lead and coordinate all aspects of the vaccine procurement and distribution.

ASEAN
A senator, meanwhile, called on southeast Asian leaders to agree on a global price ceiling and even a waiver on patents for vaccines.

Senator Imee R. Marcos, chair of the Senate committee on economic affairs, urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to use “its clout to start a new way of doing business in the manufacture, patenting, pricing, and distribution of vaccines for COVID-19 and future pandemics.”

“We need a global accord on COVID-19 vaccines, a standard ceiling on vaccine prices, diversified manufacturing and supply in all world regions,” Ms. Marcos said in a statement over the weekend.

“The ASEAN can initiate a new normal for patents and copyrights, a world order of fairness, compassion and commitment to the common good,” she said.

Leaders of the 10-member ASEAN held a Special Summit on COVID-19 in April to discuss a “collective response” to the pandemic.

In the joint declaration issued on April 14, the member nations resolved to “remain united and vigilant against COVID-19 and commit to work closely with the WHO, ASEAN’s external partners and the international community” to stop the spread of the pandemic and “protect people’s lives and livelihoods.”

ASEAN is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Filipino scientist cites rising diseases due to warmer temperature

CONCRETE action is needed now to address the climate crisis so that nations across the world, particularly in southeast Asia, can prevent the emergence of diseases, a Filipino doctor said on Friday.

In a virtual briefing, Renzo R. Guinto, chief planetary doctor of think-and-do tank PH Lab, said a planet vulnerable to the effects of climate change will lead to the rise of more illnesses amid the new normal brought on by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“A warming planet is conducive (to) the reemergence of all diseases and the emergence of new ones,” he said during the launch of the RISE-Southeast Asia Alliance for Health and Climate.

Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, are hotspots for emerging infectious diseases and are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change as well, Mr. Guinto said, citing data from Asian Scientist and the Multiple Climate Hazard Index.

Around 250,000 climate-related deaths are projected from 2030 to 2050, the World Health Organization (WHO) said six years ago. The causes of these deaths may be related to heat-related illnesses, diarrhea, malaria, and malnutrition.

Mr. Guinto noted that these are but “gross underestimates” as they only cover diseases that could be quantified.

“We’re afraid of the COVID-19 numbers but these are the additional numbers that we expect from 2030 to 2050. We should start thinking about the health consequences of climate change in the years and decades to come,” he said.

Mr. Guinto also emphasized the predicament of the recent typhoon victims in the Philippines who had to choose between protection from climate-related diseases or health security from COVID-19.

On Thursday last week, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III urged the Climate Change Commission to “be more aggressive” in mitigating the impact of climate change in the country. — Angelica Y. Yang

SEC warns against text scams using Duterte’s name

THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warning the public against text scams that use the name of President Rodrigo R. Duterte relating to a charity raffle where the message recipients is supposed to have won thousands in pesos.

In an advisory on its website, the corporate regulator said it has received reports that a certain foundation, claiming to be named President: Rodrigo Duterte Charity Foundation, is sending text messages that it is giving away P750,000 through an electronic raffle.

“…President: Rodrigo Duterte Charity Foundation is not registered with the commission as a corporation. Further, the Policy and Specialized Supervision Sector of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has confirmed that the alleged electronic raffle is a fake,” the SEC said.

Based on its investigation, the SEC said that the text scams claim to be working with the central bank for a “Handog Maagang Pamasko Pangkabuhayan” and “Handog Pangkabuhayan” program.

It gives an approval number by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and tells the recipients to contact a hotline number to claim the prize.

A similar scam had been found by the SEC earlier this year, and accordingly, it issued an advisory against it on Apr. 2.

“[T]he public is hereby advised not to reply or call the hotline numbers given,” it said. “Should you receive any text scam, you are advised to report the matter to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Department of Trade and Industry, or this commission.”

The people behind the text scams are warned of criminal prosecution and penalties under Republic Act No. 11469 or the Cyber Crime Law and Data Privacy Act. This includes a two-month imprisonment, a fine of P10,000 to P1 million, or both. — Denise A. Valdez

Nationwide round-up (11/22/20)

Probe on safety of resettlement sites sought in House

A RESOLUTION calling for an inquiry into the safety of relocation sites and structural integrity of housing units in areas vulnerable to natural hazards has been filed at the House of Representatives. “There is a need to inquire into the safety of the relocation sites and the integrity of the housing units and other infrastructure in the resettlement areas in the country in order to create laws and regulations that will effectively and efficiently promote the disaster resiliency of our housing resettlements,” Bahay Party-list Rep. Naealla Bainto-Aguinaldo said in a statement over the weekend. Ms. Aguinaldo, who co-chairs the House committee on housing and urban development, filed the still unnumbered resolution after residents of resettlement sites such as Kasiglahan Village in Montalban, Rizal were forced to flee due to severe flooding during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) in the second week of November. “There is also information that some structures in the village collapsed during the surge of said typhoon,” the lawmaker said. Ms. Aguinaldo said the government needs to assess whether resettlement sites in the country are “indeed safe… If they are not, then the government may need to consider relocating these communities or take steps to mitigate the threats posed by natural calamities brought about by storms like Typhoon Ulysses.” She noted that Kasiglahan Village was also flooded in 2014 due to Tropical Cyclone Luis. In recent years, there have been multiple flooding incidents reported in the same area. Ms. Aguinaldo also cited in the resolution that Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, mandates the creation of coordination mechanisms and programs “with continuing budget appropriation on disaster risk reduction from national down to local levels towards building a disaster-resilient nation and communities.”— Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Almost 320,000 OFWs back to hometowns

PHILSTAR/EDD GUMBAN

ALMOST 320,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) have returned to their home provinces as of Nov. 21 since the start of the coronavirus pandemic early this year, the Labor department reported on Sunday. In a statement, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said “319,333 OFWs were transported to their respective provinces as of Saturday,” with assistance from the government. The DoLE provided coronavirus RT-PCR testing, a requirement by most local governments for returning residents and OFWs displaced by the global pandemic. Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the OFWs who have come home will also be given support through livelihood programs. “We have also enhanced our livelihood programs for the reintegration of our returning heroes,” Mr. Bello said. — Gillian M. Cortez

House to propose P5-B increase in 2021 calamity fund

THE HOUSE of Representatives will seek an increase of at least P5 billion in the 2021 calamity fund for the reconstruction of areas devastated by recent strong typhoons, Speaker Lord Allan Q. Velasco said over the over weekend. Mr. Velasco said the House will propose the increase during the bicameral conference on the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for next year. The two chambers of Congress will convene after the Senate approves its version of the budget. Mr. Velasco noted that the House passed the 2021 spending bill before typhoons Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses (international names: Molave, Goni, and Vamco) wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, especially in Luzon. “Given the tremendous damage caused by these successive strong typhoons, it is imperative that we augment the calamity fund in next year’s spending plan. We have to help our people rebuild their lives and their communities,” he said. Mr. Velasco noted that government agencies have so far estimated the damage caused by the three typhoons to infrastructure and agriculture at around P35 billion. Under the budget submitted by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to Congress in August, the calamity fund amounts to P20 billion, up by P4 billion from this year’s P16 billion. Of the total, P5 billion will go to the reconstruction of Marawi City while P6.25 billion would be augmentation for the quick response funds of six agencies. Of the P6.25 billion, P2 billion will go to the Department of Education, P1.25 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P1 billion to the Department of Agriculture, P1 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways, P500 million to the Department of Health, and P500 million to the Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense. “That’s a total of P11.25 billion that is specifically appropriated, leaving a balance of P8.75 billion President Duterte could use to help victims of calamities and other disasters. That balance is not even enough to rebuild Bicol, which was hard hit by Typhoon Rolly,” Mr. Velasco said.

ALTERNATIVE
If the calamity fund could not be increased, he said, additional allocation could instead be given to agencies involved in the rehabilitation of typhoon-damaged communities. “Alternatively, we can allocate the additional money in the budgets of the agencies involved in reconstruction and helping typhoon victims,” Mr. Velasco said. “There are enough appropriations in the proposed budget from which the needed funds could be taken,” he added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Regional Updates (11/22/20)

Abu Sayyaf members surrender

FOUR members of the Abu Sayyaf, a kidnap-for-ranson group that has pledged ties with the extremist Islamic State, surrendered on Saturday in Sulu after another one turned himself in to the military in Tawi-Tawi on Friday. The Western Mindanao Command, in a statement on Sunday, reported that those who surrendered said “their group was greatly weakened by the (recent) neutralization of their leaders and their comrades.”

JICA to review 37-month construction period for Davao Bypass project’s tunnel segment

RDC-XI

THE original 37-month construction period for the first 10.7-kilometer segment of the Davao City Bypass project, which includes a 2.3-km mountain tunnel, will be reviewed in consideration of adjustments arising from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Kiyo Kawabuchi, senior representative for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Philippines, said health-related restrictions may cause delays in procurement, among other factors. The bypass is being funded under Japanese Official Development Assistance through JICA, with the 34.830 billion yen (about P16 billion) loan agreement signed June 16. “Lockdown measures and border controls which prevented the travel and movement of Japanese nationals to the Philippines at the early stages of the pandemic affected the timely processing of the contract for (the first package),” Mr. Kawabuchi said in an email interview. Nonetheless, he said JICA, the Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways, and the contractors and consultants are determined to fast-track the construction. “Despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), JICA together with DPWH and other government agencies, the contractors and consultants, are all committed to work together to address the pandemic’s impacts and complete the project as soon as possible for the benefit of the Dabawenyos and the entire Mindanao,” he said. The contract for the initial civil works was signed Oct. 29, 2020 by DPWH and the joint venture of Shimizu Corporation, Ulticon Builders, Inc., and Takenaka Civil Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. “It is expected that Japanese technology such as excavation techniques for tunnel construction will be applied and our Filipino engineers and skilled workers may take advantage of acquiring technical knowledge and expertise in the building of the tunnel that will be the longest in the country once completed,” DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said during the contract signing. — Maya M. Padillo

7 unserviceable DoE vehicles up for bidding

THE Department of Energy (DoE), through its Disposal Committee (DC), is again inviting interested parties to bid for the agency’s seven units of unserviceable vehicles with an estimated appraised value of P118,260. In an announcement posted on its website last week, the agency said the vehicles are located within its main premises in Metro Manila. The sale of the properties will be on an “as-is-where-is” basis. Interested bidders can submit their sealed bids at the department’s Supply and Property Management Division on or before December 7, 2020, the same day of bid opening. Bidders must pay a non-refundable fee of P1,000. Before the opening of bids, they must also pay a 10% bid bond in either cash or cashier’s/manager’s check to the Treasury Division. The winning bidder’s bond will be considered as partial payment, and the balance will have to be paid within five working days after receiving the Notice of Award. “The DoE-DC reserves the right to reject any or all bids with or without cause, to waive any defect in them and to award the bidder whose offer is the most advantageous to the government,” DoE-DC Chairperson Robert B. Uy said in a statement. — Angelica Y. Yang

Biden ‘outsourcing tax’ promise clouds outlook for BPO industry

By Jenina P. Ibañez, Reporter

A PROTECTIONIST stance by a Biden administration could come in the form of a tax on outsourced operations, which may dampen the prospects of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, the head of an industry advisory firm said.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, the apparent winner of the Nov. 3 election, has floated an offshoring tax penalty, tax credits for investment that creates domestic manufacturing jobs, and the closure of tax loopholes on foreign profits.

Outsource Accelerator Chief Executive Officer Derek Gallimore in an online interview said if disincentives to outsourcing become a “significant policy” of a Democratic government, it could have a short to medium-term effect on Philippine BPOs.

“With COVID, we’re going to go into probably the biggest economic depression the world has ever seen. So that means people will be justifying or looking to save domestic jobs, so that might motivate (Mr. Biden),” he said.

He said outsourcing, however, still has the potential to grow.

“Fundamentally I don’t think a president changes that much,” he said, adding that the pandemic could also motivate global companies that are cutting costs to consider outsourcing.

Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) once again reduced its revenue and employment targets up to 2022, as growth is expected to be flat for the rest of the year due to the ongoing quarantine.

The potential effects of US policy on BPOs will still depend on actual measures taken by any incoming administration, delaying any sense of clarity on which particular outsourcing sectors could be affected by reshoring.

“It’s popular for all politicians to say that we’re going to keep jobs at home,” Mr. Gallimore said, but noted that the Biden campaign promoted specific policies on offshoring.

“Whether he follows through on that is a different thing,” he said.

BPO sector remains ‘robust’ during quarantine

By Gillian M. Cortez, Reporter

THE business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is getting by during the lockdown with “robust” growth, if continued hiring activity is any indication, according to tech hiring company Kalibrr.

In an interview with BusinessWorld last week, Kalibrr CEO Paul V. Rivera said the BPO industry “has been growing during this pandemic.”

“We still have a very robust BPO industry and if anything…and we are seeing new job opportunities that are remote job opportunities,” he said.

He added that opportunities are emerging from the BPO sector especially during the COVID-19 crisis, with 50,000 to 75,000 job openings so far in Metro Manila alone.

Mr. Rivera said job posts for the Philippines in general are still down and the rate of recovery has yet to improve. Small and medium enterprises were the most affected, which contributed to the decline in employment. However, Mr. Rivera said like BPOs, other industries saw significant growth like logistics, e-commerce, digital payments, and other allied sectors.

Jobseekers are also increasingly trying their hand at freelance work, Mr. Rivera added.

“BPOs give one view of the employment opportunities but there are many more employment opportunities and freelance opportunities that may not be fully visible in one place but can provide significant livelihood,” he said.

Employers use the free Kalibrr service to find suitable candidates for their job availabilities.

“We want to be the platform where they can discover employment opportunities,” he said.

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