Hong Kong pet funerals aim for respectful farewell rather than landfill waste

September 7, 2021 | 12:02 am

HONG KONG — In Hong Kong, where land is at a premium and burials are expensive, pet owners can choose “green burials” at more than a dozen animal crematoriums — an option that Kent Luk, who runs a dog shelter, says brings compassion to their deaths.

Mr. Luk, owner of the city’s Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter, takes care of about 500 strays at a time. Mr. Luk ends up caring for many of the dogs until they die.

He says arranging a respectful funeral for his strays adds dignity at the end of their lives. If he handed their bodies over to the government, they would end up at one of the city’s landfills.

“We don’t want them to end up with the trash. We want them to be treated with some respect,” he told Reuters.

The cremations take place at a nearby animal funeral parlor, which charges him a “symbolic” fee. Other pet owners pay higher rates, from HK$1,400 ($180) or higher for larger animals.

Owners can say goodbye to their pets in a designated room. Later, they can choose to bring home the ashes or have them scattered in a garden at the funeral facility.

Joey Wong, who chose cremation for her cat, Suet Suet, said she wanted to spread the cat’s ashes at the foot of a palm tree on her balcony.

Ms. Wong said she wanted Suet Suet to have funeral rites, just like a human.

“She can look back at us from the balcony … And she can remain part of our lives and be together with the children as they grow older,” Ms. Wong said. — Reuters

Satellite voter registration booths open at malls

September 7, 2021 | 12:02 am

TOP MALL OPERATORS have partnered with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to set up satellite voter registration booths at malls nationwide.

This as the government seeks to ramp up voter registration efforts ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline.

SM Supermalls said COMELEC has opened satellite registration centers in its 47 malls nationwide in order to give the public a safer, more convenient option amid the pandemic.

In a separate statement. Robinsons Malls said voter registration can be done at any of its 35 malls located nationwide. It said information on the schedule at Robinsons Malls branches can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/rmalls-lingkodpinoy/voter-registration.

Ayala Malls also set up satellite voter registration booths in 22 malls around the country.

The COMELEC recently announced that it is unlikely for the voters’ registration period beyond Sept. 30.

Diokno backs financial consumer protection bill

September 7, 2021 | 12:01 am

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) has backed a measure that seeks to improve complaint and resolution mechanisms for financial consumers, saying this will help protect them amid the rise in online payments.

“This legislative initiative has far-reaching benefits to consumers especially amid the rise in digital transactions. The proposed reforms in the financial sector will enhance the authority of regulators and ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place to safeguard the interest of financial consumers,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said in a statement on Monday.

“Consumer welfare is a continuing agenda of the BSP. We enjoin financial institutions, bank organizations, and relevant partners and stakeholders to push consumer protection initiatives forward as the responsibility is too great for any entity to take on singly,” Mr. Diokno added.

House Bill 6768 or the proposed Financial Consumer Protection Act was passed on third reading in June, while its counterpart Senate Bill 1739 is pending at the committee level.

The bill gives financial regulators like the BSP the power to issue a cease-and-desist order without the need for a hearing for unfair collection practices involving threats or harassment.

The measure will also make reparations easier as it removes the need for consumers to go to court if their claims involve a financial service provider.

The bill provides that in cases of undispensed automated teller machine ATM (ATM) withdrawals, the responsibility will be shared by both the depository bank as well as the lender operating the ATM.

It also slaps fines, suspensions, and penalties for financial service providers found responsible for credit card fraud.

FintechAlliance.Ph Chairman Angelito “Lito” M. Villanueva said the proposal will help protect consumers amid rising online fraud.

“While we have seen exponential growth in digital transactions, we have also seen the proliferation of cyber fraud,” Mr. Villanueva said in a Viber message. “Financial education and digital literacy are critical to promote consumer protection and the proposed Financial Consumer Protection Act will surely fortify Filipinos’ trust on digital transactions.”

The central bank targets to have 50% of transactions done digitally by 2023.

In 2020, the BSP received about 20,000 concerns from financial consumers. Around 13% were related to fraud and unauthorized transactions and financial products of financial service providers, such as deposits, credit card, e-money services and remittances. — LWTN

Coins.ph, 7-Eleven bring back cash-in partnership

September 7, 2021 | 12:01 am

BLOCKCHAIN-BACKED digital wallet Coins.ph said on Monday it partnered with 7-Eleven, operated by Philippine Seven Corp., for cash-in transactions at the latter’s more than 3,000 stores nationwide.

“With this collaboration, over 15 million Coins.ph customers can add funds to their wallet in real time via 7-Eleven,” Coins.ph said in an e-mailed statement.

“This partnership is aligned with Coins.ph’s mission to increase financial inclusion across Southeast Asia and supports the company’s ongoing efforts in making the wallet services more accessible for both the banked and unbanked,” Coins.ph added.

Philippine Seven President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jose Victor P. Paterno said the two companies are just actually “bringing back” their cash-in partnership.

Coins.ph CEO Nauman Mustafa said: “We are continuously adding new services within Coins.ph to help Filipinos complete their transactions conveniently using their phone as their wallet.”

Coins.ph’s services include prepaid loading for Philippine and international mobile numbers, bill payments, local and international remittances, game credits purchase, online shopping, and buying and selling virtual assets.

“All cash-in transactions via 7-Eleven are subject to a minimal partner fee equal to 2% of the transaction amount for service maintenance,” it said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Entertainment News (09/07/21)

September 7, 2021 | 12:01 am

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GTV increases coverage areas across the country

GTV, GMA Network’s second free-to-air channel, has been expanding its coverage and signal around the country, and now reaches the provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay in the Bicol Region. This is following the strengthening of its coverage in Northern and Central Luzon as well as in Southern Tagalog last July. Bicolanos, which include residents of Naga City, Iriga City, Pili, Calabanga, Ocampo, Bulan, Libmanan, Sipocot, Magarao, Pamplona, Cabusao, Gainza, Milaor, Camilagan, and nearby towns in Camarines Sur; as well as in Albay province, namely Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig, the City of Ligao, Libon, Polangui, Santo Domingo, Oas, Jovellar, Bacacay, Manito, Pio Duran, and nearby towns in Masbate and Sorsogon in the southern part of the region can now watch GTV programs. The network earlier announced the enhancement of the GTV signal in North Central Luzon including the provinces of Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Ilocos Sur; as well as in Southern Tagalog which covers Batangas and parts of Quezon Province. Aside from original GMA shows, GTV viewers will be able to watch a mix of animated series, foreign series, as well as local and Hollywood movies on movie blocks “Siesta Fiesta Movies,” “Afternoon Movie Break,” and “G! Flicks.” GTV is on Channel 22 in Northern and Central Luzon, Channel 26 in Southern Tagalog, Channel 28 in Camarines Sur, and Channel 27 in Albay, or on digital broadcast via GMA Affordabox and GMA Now as well as on other digital TV receivers. More coverage areas will be announced soon as GTV continues its analog upgrades in various parts of the country.

Little Mix releases new single

AWARD-winning British girl group Little Mix returns with their new single “Love (Sweet Love).” It is a soaring pop anthem about love and passion, featuring the trio’s vocal harmonies. It is the first single off Little Mix’s first greatest hits album, Between Us, which the girl band considers as a “celebration of 10 years of hits, friendship and new tracks.” All of their biggest hits are featured on the album including No.1 singles “Wings,” “Black Magic,” “Shout Out to My Ex” and “Sweet Melody,” alongside “Touch,” “Move,” “Power,” “Salute,” and their latest Top 3 song “Heartbreak Anthem.” Little Mix — whose members are Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Perrie Edwards — has sold over 50 million records worldwide, collected over 19 million Spotify listeners, received over 3 billion YouTube views, and collated 12 billion streams worldwide. “Love (Sweet Love)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

Netflix to release Red Notice in November

WHEN an Interpol-issued Red Notice — the highest-level warrant to hunt and capture the world’s most wanted —goes out, the FBI’s top profiler John Hartley (played by Dwayne Johnson) is on the case. His global pursuit finds him in the middle of a daring heist where he’s forced to partner with art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) to catch the world’s most wanted art thief, “The Bishop” (Gal Gadot). Red Notice will premiere on Netflix on Nov. 12.

David Bay launches cover of Joy Division song

WITH a stamp of approval from remaining members Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook of acclaimed English rock band Joy Division, singer David Bay has released an indie-pop cover of “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” the 1980 post-punk hit that was called the “greatest single of all time” by NME in 2002 and “one of the 500 best songs ever” by Rolling Stone in 2004 and 2011. “I think, if you do a cover, you really have to give the track your spin and I really hope I managed to do just that,” said Mr. Bay in a statement. “From a new-wave ’80s classic, I’ve changed the song into an electronic disco blend that could fit into a playlist right next to artists like Franc Moody, Roosevelt or Purple Disco Machine.” “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is available to stream at David Bay — Love Will Tear Us Apart (playgroundmusic.org).

TV5 launches ‘Atin Ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid’

TV5 kicked off the world’s longest Christmas celebration and the official start of the “-ber” months with a tree-lighting ceremony held at the network’s home studio in Mandaluyong on Sept. 1. “With the theme ‘Atin Ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid,’ TV5’s Christmas campaign marks its commitment to create a meaningful Yuletide season for Filipinos and spread inspiration despite the countless challenges of the past year,” said a network statement. As part of this campaign, TV5 will bolster its program line-up with two family-centric shows starting Sept. 18. First, iconic singing variety show Sing Galing will be extended to Saturdays with Sing Galing Sing-lebrity Edition, where celebrity contestants get to showcase their hidden singing talent and join the Sing-lebrity Edition’s regulars Dingdong Avanzado, Ethel Booba, Rey Valera and Allan K for some music and comedy. The second is a romantic drama, Di Na Muli, featuring Julia Barretto and Marco Gumabao. Come October, TV5 will launch its “Watch & Win” promo, which lets viewers guess the missing words of Christmas carols to be played every day. Viewers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao can win cash prizes weekly and during the Grand Draw.

Robinsons Homes holds K-pop open house

September 7, 2021 | 12:01 am

ROBINSONS HOMES is tapping into the Korean culture craze by holding a K-pop themed open house to attract young home buyers.

Robinsons Homes held its first-ever nationwide open house, “K-Tastic Open House,” which sought to attract Filipino fans of Korean dramas and pop groups.

Open house events were held at Brighton Baliwag in Bulacan, Brighton Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Grand Tierra in Capas, Tarlac, Hanalei Heights in Laoag City, and Terrazo at Robinsons Vineyard in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Robinsons Homes said the events attracted married couples, families and investors, with eight clients making purchases on the spot.

A residential brand of Robinsons Land Corporation, Robinsons Homes offers a portfolio of horizontal projects. Its three sub-brands include premium Bloomfields, the mid-level Brighton, and the affordable Springdale.

Following the success of the K-Tastic Open House, Robinsons Homes will hold a Mooncake Fest Open House on Sept. 18. Registration is still open.

For more details, visit http://www.robinsonshomes.com or e-mail homes@robinsonsland.com.

How does the Philippines stack up with its neighbors in terms of manufacturing value?

September 7, 2021 | 12:00 am

How PSEi member stocks performed — September 6, 2021

September 7, 2021 | 12:00 am

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, September 6, 2021.

US firms’ cost-cutting driving growth in health outsourcing

September 6, 2021 | 9:01 pm

HEALTHCARE OUTSOURCING growth is being driven by demand from US companies which are seeking to cut costs, the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP) said.

The Board of Investments (BoI) in a statement Monday said the industry is expected to see strong growth this year despite the pandemic.

“The Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector remains one of the top industry investments in the Philippines by US firms, with Health Information Management Services as one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors achieving double-digit growth despite the global economic slowdown brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” BoI Chairman and Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said.

HIMAP Vice-President Vincent Remo has said that US companies continue to outsource to the Philippines due to the cost advantage and the local talent pool.

He said that the Philippines is able to provide healthcare outsourcing through a nurse and pharmacist workforce that are licensed in the US.

An accelerated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rollout, he added, would help support the expansion of US companies.

“Our highly skilled talent pool remains our key advantage in attracting global IT-BPM companies,” he said.

The healthcare information management sector is expecting between 5-10% revenue growth to $3.4 billion in 2021.

The overall business process outsourcing industry revenue projection stands at 3.2-5.5% compound annual growth to $27.88-$29.09 billion for 2022, a forecast that was lowered to reflect the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. — Jenina P. Ibañez

ARTA presses ERC to act on petition to nullify FiT hike

September 6, 2021 | 9:01 pm

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) issued notice to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of an eight-months-delayed Laban Konsyumer, Inc. (LKI) petition to nullify feed-in tariff (FiT) increases.

The LKI petition sought the withdrawal of an ERC resolution last year clearing the way for an increase in the FiT, a fixed payment to renewable energy developers that is passed on to electricity end-users in the form of the FiT-Allowance.

According to documents obtained Monday by BusinessWorld, the red-tape regulator took note of LKI’s complaint through a notice of referral e-mailed to ERC Commissioner-in-Charge Floresinda G. Baldo-Digal.

“We are referring the above complaint to your office for your appropriate action. Kindly furnish us your acknowledgement and action taken within three days from receipt of this notice,” ARTA Director for Investigation, Enforcement and Litigation Jedrek C. Ng said in a letter dated Sept. 2, 2021.

“Please take note that failure to notify the Authority regarding your action taken on this matter will amount to a violation of R.A. No. 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018),” he added.

In a statement issued Monday, LKI President Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba said the ERC has not yet issued the order to hear the group’s petition to nullify the FiT increases.

Last year, the FiT rate for solar projects was P11.2758 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), up from the 2014 level of P9.680/kWh. Meanwhile, the FiT rate for wind projects was at P9.8976/kWh in 2020, against the 2014 rate of P8.5300/kWh.

LKI’s Mr. Dimagiba has said that the FiT adjustments in solar and wind last year contributed to higher electricity bills as the state-run National Transmission Corp. recovered the allowance paid by consumers.

BusinessWorld asked the ERC to comment, but it had not replied at deadline time. — Angelica Y. Yang

PSEi drops as PAL files for bankruptcy in the US

September 6, 2021 | 9:00 pm

SHARES declined on Monday on profit taking and as Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went down by 20.03 points or 0.29% to close at 6,877.10 on Monday, while the all shares index shed 5.96 points or 0.14% to 4,255.73.

“Market went on profit taking today after [two] days [of] consecutive [gains], after PAL filed for bankruptcy protection or Chapter 11 in the US,” said in a text message on Monday.

“The PSEi corrected slightly lower today… after near record-high new COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases, PAL filed for Chapter 11 over the weekend, and after the softer-than-expected US nonfarm jobs…,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message on Monday.

PAL filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York with a lender-supported plan that helps the country’s main carrier recover after the pandemic devastated global travel, it said in a statement on Saturday.

Meanwhile, US Labor department data showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 235,000 last month, its smallest rise since January, Reuters reported.

“However, these are offset by the easing of NCR’s (National Capital Region) quarantine classification to GCQ (general community quarantine) proposed granular lockdowns, with guidelines being awaited, to be piloted in NCR,” Mr. Ricafort said.

“Going forward, easing of NCR to GCQ and the granular lockdowns could be de facto measures to further reopen the economy from lockdowns and mitigate the drag on the economy,” he added.

“Others are keeping an eye out for the August inflation data and July unemployment data [that] will be out [on Tuesday],” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a separate Viber message.

Headline inflation likely quickened in August and settled above the central bank’s official target range anew, as a weaker peso pushed food prices up, according to analysts.

A BusinessWorld poll of 16 analysts yielded a median estimate of 4.4% for August inflation, near the lower end of the 4.1% to 4.9% estimate given by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Most sectoral indices started the week in the green except for holding firms, which lost 53.81 points or 0.77% to finish at 6,921.08, and services, which inched down by 5.98 points or 0.33% to 1,762.74.

Meanwhile, mining and oil gained 203.50 points or 2.14% to 9,689.72; financials went up by 6.68 points or 0.46% to 1,457.29; property improved by 0.92 point or 0.03% to end at 3,076.83; and industrials rose by 1.49 points or 0.01% to close at 10,139.45.

Value turnover declined to P5.30 billion with 1.8 billion issues switching hands on Monday, from the P6.45 billion with 1.58 billion shares traded on Friday.

Advancers beat decliners, 95 against 86, as 57 names closed unchanged. Net foreign buying increased to P263.06 million yesterday from P242.74 million on Friday. — K.C.G. Valmonte with Reuters

Peso declines on rising cases, inflation bets

September 6, 2021 | 9:00 pm

THE PESO retreated versus the dollar on Monday due to rising coronavirus infections ahead of the release of August inflation data.

The local unit closed at P49.925 per dollar on Monday, weakening by 8.5 centavos from its P49.84 finish on Friday, based on data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

The peso opened Monday’s session at P49.92 per dollar. Its weakest showing was at P50.035, while its intraday best was at P49.82 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged dropped to $717.4 million on Monday from $924.2 million on Friday.

The peso declined versus the greenback as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases continued to surge, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said.

Active cases rose by 22,415 to 159,633 on Monday, based on data from the Department of Health. This marked the fourth consecutive day that new infections breached 20,000.

Peso-dollar trading was also affected by market expectations of faster inflation in August, a trader said.

A BusinessWorld poll of 16 analysts yielded a median estimate of 4.4% for August headline inflation. If realized, inflation will again surpass the central bank’s 2-4% target following the 4% print in July and will be faster than the 2.4% logged in August 2020.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release inflation data on Sept. 7.

For today, Mr. Ricafort gave a forecast range of P49.80 to P50 per dollar, while the trader expects the local unit to move within P49.85 to P50.10. — LWTN