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Halloween bling for that Zoom party

JUST because you’ll have to spend Halloween at home doesn’t mean you can’t spend it in style. As folks are arranging themed Zoom parties — with some asking participants to wear full-on costumes, to simple hat parties, to others encouraged to slather on the scary make-up — some may opt for a simpler but opulent way to mark this freaky Friday. Here are a few scary accessories we’ve found from both local and international brands that fit the bill.

HELENA ALEGRE
Helena Alegre Sculptural Jewelry is still at it with a new collection centered on bugs. A ring she presents in lapis lazuli has a Brachycerus weevil resting on a large sample of the semiprecious stone. She has other items like brooches, also centered on the theme of the creepers and the crawlers in nature. In a previous interview with BusinessWorld, she said that she started her line when a beetle appeared while she was thinking of a new collection; the deal was sealed when a lizard crawled up her neck while she was having her nails done.

Another ring features a Chalcosoma caucasus beetle resting on a large block of turquoise. The Chalcosoma caucasus is a beetle found in Southeast Asia with a fierce fighting spirit. Perhaps you can wear one to remind yourself of what you have during these trying times?

For orders, visit www.instagram.com/helenaalegresculpturaljewelry.

SCHIAPARELLI
In the 1930s, designer Elsa Schiaparelli, Coco Chanel’s greatest rival, had a flirtation with Surrealism. A friend of artists such as Salvador Dali and Man Ray, Schiaparelli included motifs such as eyes, insects, and moving body parts as part of her collections. The designer closed her doors in the 1950s, but has been revived in the 2000s. Daniel Roseberry has now been sitting as Creative Director for the Maison for almost two years.

While the clothes at last season’s Autumn/Winter show took center stage, we can’t help but note the accessories that are, mercifully, on sale (provided you have thousands of euros sitting prettily in your wallet). Schiaparelli presents earrings shaped like teeth clutching on to white baroque pearls (800 euros), and necklaces of enamel eyes that threaten to wink (1,900 euros). The eyes are repeated in bangles and earrings in gilded brass, inspired by the Surrealist Jean Cocteau.

View the rest of the collection (and maybe get a piece or two) at schiaparelli.com.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
Yep, him; the one and only. The late designer had long had a fascination with the mortality associated with the skeletal form — his graduate collection was based on Jack the Ripper (and it was the first time his signature skulls would be seen, in 1992). Other accessories featuring his skulls can be seen in the locks of his clutch bags and his scarves (a ubiquitous accessory during the great emo phase of the early 2000s). Today his brand carries a collection of spiders and skulls made with brass and Swarovski crystals.

Alexander McQueen is distributed in the Philippines by the SSI group, with a store in Shangri-La Plaza.

FAKE ALCHEMY
Handmade jewelry by local brand Fake Alchemy takes a creepy tone with pieces rendered in silver and gemstones. They’re shaped like eyes, the moon and the stars, and sometimes, the claws clutching the cabochon gemstones just look sinister. The use of cabochon gemstones (a rounded dome) also has a mystical air, as if looking into them can reveal a secret.

While custom orders are closed for now, some of their pieces are still available at www.instagram.com/fakealchemy. — Joseph L. Garcia

Socialized housing requirement lowered for BoI-backed projects

LOW-COST housing projects given tax breaks must now place 15% of their project area under socialized housing, lower than the earlier 20% requirement.

The Board of Investments (BoI) in memorandum circular 2020-012 signed on Oct. 15 revised several requirements in its investment priorities plan, under which registered enterprises are given tax breaks. BoI said that it made these changes amid economic disruptions during the pandemic.

All low-cost housing must fulfill the socialized housing requirement covering 15% of the project area or of the total BoI-registered project cost for subdivision housing. They must cover 15% of the total floor area of saleable housing of residential condominium projects.

Developers that don’t comply with the 15% requirement may be denied for succeeding projects.

They may develop new settlements directly or through joint ventures with local government, the social housing finance corporation, or with developers or non-government organizations accredited  by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, not the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

Amendments to Republic Act No. 7279, or the Urban Development and Housing Act, requires at least 15% of total subdivision area or project cost be made available to underprivileged families, reducing the requirement from the previous 20%. At least five percent of condominium area or project cost must do the same.

In addition, wastewater treatment projects now also qualify under the incentives program. Previously, only new bulk water treatment and supply qualified for registration. The wastewater enterprise must submit pollution control certification and wastewater discharge permits before commercial operations.

Other infrastructure and logistics projects that could register include airports and seaports, transport, natural gas storage, oil and gas pipelines, and tollways, among others.

Relocation of facilities from other countries to the Philippines or to less congested areas may utilize used capital equipment, revising an earlier rule requiring the use of brand new equipment, under the condition that foreign national employment is subject to existing labor laws.

Used capital equipment is allowed as long as they are up-to-date, market appropriate, and comply with environmental standards.

“Relocation of facilities from other countries into the Philippines or relocation within the Philippines from congested urban areas into the countryside and less congested areas shall be highly encouraged,” the memorandum said.

The BoI also added the definition for the official commercial start of biomass projects, which is the date the plant starts selling power to the grid and can attain its committed export capacity. This helps enterprises identify requirements that must be fulfilled prior to the start of commercial operations. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Manila FAME goes online

WHILE the pandemic has closed trade fairs around the globe, forManila FAME, the show must go on.

In lieu of the onsite show, the Philippines’ premier design and lifestyle promotion event has come up with FAME+, a new digital trade platform for the home, fashion, and lifestyle industries. Led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), FAME+ provides a new avenue for exhibitors to showcase their products and creativity to the world.

CITEM formally launched FAME+ with a virtual event on Oct. 22 over Zoom and streamed live on the Manila FAME Facebook page.

CITEM partnered with IPG Mediabrands to create the FAME+ platform. IPG Mediabrands is a global company with offices in the Philippines that specializes in creating automated and digital innovation solutions through its network of media agencies. For FAME+, IPG built the website from the ground up, including the product catalogues and digital storefront for exhibitors, and will be providing technical support to CITEM.     

“Manila FAME’s venture to digital is the new direction of Philippine design,” said CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan. “If Manila FAME were to grow and attract more buyers and more prestigious trade exhibitions abroad, we need to invest in and strengthen its digital presence. FAME+ is the realization of the government and private sector’s collective effort to become more competitive with the rest of the world.”

Presented during the FAME+ launch was the new online home of one of Manila FAME’s show highlights, Design Commune. The digital Design Commune is envisioned to be a pilot program that reimagines the process of product development through 3D rendering and virtual exhibitions. Design Commune featured designs and products developed for the Ambiente trade show and the Maison&Objet and More Digital Fair.

The PH x Tokyo 2020-2021 Program was also launched that day. This new initiative from CITEM is an offshoot of the partnership with the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC). PH x Tokyo is an incubation program that aims to help young and emerging Filipino designers introduce their brands to Japan’s thriving fashion market.

With FAME+ now up and running, CITEM is looking to build its community by onboarding exhibitors, getting buyers to register, and sharing stories and content through its online magazine Touchpoint. FAME+ will also host digital events focusing on information, creativity, and entertainment for its registered members, making sure that using the website will be an engaging experience.     

Among the benefits in joining FAME+ are 24/7 year-round promotion of products in a virtual showroom, a digital storefront for each exhibitor, complimentary digital content production and curation for 100 exhibitors, one-on-one consultations with product development specialists, and access to forecasts and industry insights to keep stakeholders updated on the latest trends.

The website also has messaging and conferencing features to connect exhibitors with buyers and other brands and manufacturers. Exporters can build their online presence and enjoy these benefits at no initial cost until October 2021.

Visit www.fameplus.com for more features and information.

Rates of T-bills likely to inch up as market tracks US Treasuries

TREASURY BILLS (T-bills) on offer this week are expected to fetch slightly higher rates as investors take their cue from offshore developments amid a lack of local leads.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) is looking to borrow P20 billion via the T-bills on Monday: P5 billion each in 91-day and 182-day papers and P10 billion in 364-day securities.

UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said T-bill rates may increase slightly, especially for the longer tenors, as investors take a cue from US markets.

“With muted threat of upside inflation risk, onshore liquidity may be taking its cue from offshore markets wherein liquidity has started migration from a defensive portfolio headlined by US treasuries into a cyclical risk-based portfolio,” Mr. Asuncion said in an e-mail.

He said the US presidential elections may boost government spending there as many Americans are hopeful that candidates from the opposition Democrat Party will lead the election results and fulfil its proposed recovery programs to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the world’s largest economy.

“As the markets price in a Democrat party sweep in the elections, it insinuates a condition of strong fiscal stimulus by which spending is likely to boost next year’s US prospects,” he said.

The US presidential elections on Nov. 3 pits Republican President Donald J. Trump and Vice-President Michael R. Pence against Democrat presidential candidate Joe R. Biden and his vice-presidential candidate Kamala D. Harris.

Meanwhile, a trader said in an e-mail that rates of the longer T-bill tenors may climb amid ample liquidity among investors and a benign inflation outlook.

The Treasury awarded P20 billion in T-bills as programmed last week as the offering was more than thrice oversubscribed, with total tenders amounting to P68.962 billion.

Broken down, the BTr borrowed P5 billion as planned via the 91-day T-bills, with tenders reaching P21.87 billion. The three-month debt fetched an average rate of 1.086%, inching down by 0.2 basis point (bp) from the 1.088% logged in the previous auction.

The Treasury likewise awarded the programmed P5 billion in 182-day debt papers as bids for the tenor amounted to P21.632 billion. The six-month papers were quoted at an average rate of 1.597%, slipping by 0.1 bp from the 1.598% seen in the previous offering.

Lastly, the government made a full P10-billion award of 364-day securities as tenders totaled P25.46 billion. The average rate of the one-year papers settled at 1.793%, unchanged from the previous auction.

At the secondary market on Friday, the three-month, six-month and one-year T-bills fetched yields of 1.124%, 1.571% and 1.808%, respectively, based on the PHL Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

The Treasury is looking to raise P140 billion from the domestic market this month: P80 billion in weekly T-bill auctions and P60 billion in fortnightly T-bond auctions.

The government wants to borrow around P3 trillion this year from local and foreign lenders to help fund its budget deficit expected to hit 9.6% of the country’s gross domestic product. — K.K.T. Jose

Davao City partners with tech firm Fusionex for e-halal hub

By Maya M. Padillo, Correspondent

DAVAO CITY has partnered with data technology firm Fusionex International to set up a digital platform for halal goods produced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Mindanao.

“By establishing the E-Halal hub, we are hoping to provide access to new markets for the SMEs within Davao and Mindanao area… with this technology they will be able to access markets outside and to be able to extend business beyond the Philippines,” Fusionex International Managing Director Thomas Khoo said during the Oct. 23 session of the Mindanao Business Conference webinar series focusing on halal industry opportunities.

Mr. Khoo explained that the Davao E-Halal Hub Platform will not just be a trading and marketing site, but will integrate the end-to-end supply chain “to make the entire process seamless and more efficient.”

It will be a digital ecosystem that will include information on suppliers along with product origin, warehousing and transport, business matching venue and virtual expo, finance and insurance, and permits and licensing.

Marilou W. Ampuan, vice chair of the Davao Regional Halal Committee, said the agreement for establishing the e-hub was signed August 25 by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of Davao City, the first local government to have an ordinance relating to the promotion of halal goods and services.

Ms. Ampuan said the initiative aims to strengthen the city’s positioning as a “halal-friendly” destination.

“We are happy to be working with the city of Davao for this exciting project,” said Mr. Khoo, noting that the venture contributes to both helping SMEs as well as the push for digitalization.

Fusionex International has offices in Europe, United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and the southeast Asian nations of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Raison D. Arobinto of the Export Management Bureau said the government’s halal development program has been getting a boost from technological innovations covering the global industry.

“The revolutionary factor here is the digital transformation that is taking place nowadays. Digitalization helps the halal industry. We have many halal apps now, halal content,” he said in the same forum.

Mr. Arobinto said the Department of Trade and Industry is continuously pursuing negotiations for mutual recognition arrangements with several countries such as Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates to ease the movement of halal goods.

He said aside from food products, there are also opportunities for manufacturing halal clothing, and pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Agri dep’t threatens pork price manipulators with prosecution

PHILSTAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) acknowledged the possibility of price manipulation in the market for fresh pork and threatened to prosecute farmers and dealers engaged in such activity.

Although the supply of frozen pork is ample, the stockpile has seen a “slow drawdown,” reflecting the market’s preference for freshly-slaughtered pork, whose supply traders may have been “deliberately” withholding “to artificially jack up prices,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.

He added that the DA’s investigation will also consider the role of supply chain inefficiencies in high prices.

As of Oct. 21, the price of pork shoulder, known in the market as kasim, was P320 per kilogram, while pork belly, or liempo, was at about P360 per kilogram in Metro Manila public markets.

Citing the National Meat Inspection Service, the DA said that as of the third week of October, the frozen pork inventory in government-accredited cold storage was up 55% year on year to 38,216 metric tons (MT).

The inventory of frozen dressed chicken and chicken parts rose 260% to 83,266 MT.

“We’re looking into reasons why there’s a very slow withdrawal of frozen pork products despite the availability of supply, and (as) demand has started to pick up as the government opens up the economy,” Mr. Dar said.

Mr. Dar said he will ask the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to conduct a parallel investigation on possible violations of Republic Act No. 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act, by traders that may be controlling the pork supply.

According to the DA, it has a standing agreement with the PCC on investigations, information sharing, and enforcement to deter anti-competitive practices.

In a statement, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) President Rosendo O. So said the problem lies in the distribution of pork products from the Visayas and Mindanao to Luzon.

“We have been urging the DA to bring 30% of live hogs from the Visayas and Mindanao to Luzon. There is no pork shortage,” SINAG said.

Early in October, the DA said that pork supply could end the year with a deficit of 231,030 MT or 45 days’ worth of consumption. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Ferragamo family explores stake sale to drive Italian fashion brand revamp — sources

LONDON/MILAN — The family owners of Italian fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo have held informal talks with financial investors to sell a minority stake in their holding firm as they seek to turn around the luxury brand and cope with the fallout of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), five sources told Reuters.

The company’s chairman Ferruccio Ferragamo, son of late founder Salvatore, held the discussions sometime after the summer, offering about a 20% stake in the holding vehicle that controls the Milan-listed business, banking and private equity sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the matter is confidential.

A spokeswoman for the company – which has a market value of 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) — denied that the Ferragamo family planned to sell the stake.

The sources told Reuters that the family is still in the preliminary stages of testing market appetite and that a deal might face resistance from investors since the family is not willing to give away any governance control.

Famous for shoes worn by Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn, the Florentine leather goods brand saw its revenues plunge 60% in the second quarter, piling pressure on its family members — who control an overall 65% — to turn around the business.

“They have been calling around for a few months, targeting both private equity investors and sovereign wealth funds for a minority deal,” one of the sources said.

A stake sale to deep-pocketed financial investors would help resolve internal disagreements over the company’s turnaround strategy, allowing some of its family members to cash out, the sources said.

The heirs of founder Salvatore Ferragamo, including his four surviving children and several grandchildren, are all invested in Ferragamo Finanziaria SpA, which owns 54.3% of the company. Other family members hold an additional 10.7%. — Reuters

Proposed increase in maximum deposit insurance to boost banks amid pandemic

INCREASING THE maximum deposit insurance for bank clients will benefit lenders and help them ride out the coronavirus pandemic, lawmakers said.

“The higher insurance coverage, the better. But it is something that has to be balanced with what the industry is willing to pay,” Chairperson for the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries and Quirino Representative Junie E. Cua said in a phone call.

Earlier this month, Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) Second Vice- President Francisco A. Dizon asked Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno in a CTB event about the possibility of a higher maximum deposit insurance coverage (MDIC) worth P750,000 to P1 million from the current P500,000. Mr. Diokno vowed to bring the matter to the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC).

CTB Executive Director Suzanne I. Felix said there will be further discussions on the issue next month.

Marikina Representative Stella Luz A. Quimbo said she fully supports the idea as it will benefit both banks and their clients.

“Risk aversion among depositors increases during an economic downturn, hence the increased demand for deposit insurance,” Ms. Quimbo, who is also a member of the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, said in a text message.

“Expanded insurance coverage is needed to encourage deposits, considering that savings have actually increased during the pandemic,” she added, noting a move to raise the MDIC will be a form of economic stimulus.

Mr. Diokno earlier said total deposits inched up 3% to P14.3 trillion as of end-July as Filipinos choose to set aside money amid the continued uncertainty caused by the coronavirus disease 2019.

He said he does not expect the trend to continue as consumption is likely to recover as things normalize.

Mr. Cua said they are working on a briefing to gauge the resilience of the banking industry during the pandemic with the BSP, PDIC, as well as banking groups. He said it could also be a venue where they could discuss the possibility of a higher MDIC.

The PDIC in an e-mailed response to questions reiterated the need for legislation amending its charter to raise the deposit insurance.

“The continuing review of the MDIC considers availability of more recent data and other relevant factors. At this point, any increase in MDIC should be strongly justified including serious consideration for cost and benefit to all stakeholders including regulators, banks and depositors,” the PDIC Corporate Affairs Group Jose G. Villaret, Jr. said.

The MDIC was adjusted to P500,000 in 2009 from P250,000 previously. — L.W.T. Noble

Appellate court affirms P127-M tax credit in favor of Ayala Corp.

THE Court of Tax Appeals affirmed the grant of tax credit certificate (TCC) to Ayala Corp. worth P127 million over its unutilized creditable withholding tax (CWT) for 2012 and 2013.

In a 10-page decision, the court, sitting en banc, denied the appeal of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, saying the arguments raised replicated those in its motion for partial reconsideration in the special first division.

The court said Ayala Corp established the fact of withholding and its entitlement to a TCC with presentation of Summary Alphalist of Withholding Agents of Income Payment Subjected to Withholding Tax (SAWT) and other relevant certificates of CWT at source, which are provided by withholding agents as proof of tax withheld.

“Therefore, respondent should no longer be burdened to show proof of actual remittance in his claim for the issuance of such TCC,” the court said.

“Wherefore, the foregoing considered, petitioner Commissioner of Internal Revenue’s Petition for Review filed on 23 August 2019 is denied,” it added.

The bureau claimed that the court erred in ruling that Ayala Corp. is entitled to refund of unutilized excess CWT “despite no evidence of actual remittance” to it. It said that taxpayer-claimant has to prove that the taxes withheld were actually remitted to the BIR by the withholding agents.

It argued that Revenue Regulations No. 2-2006 requires the submission of SAWT and monthly alphalist of payees.

Ayala Corp., claimed that it has “sufficiently proven its entitlement to its claim for issuance of a TCC.” It also noted that the withholding agents are the bureau’s agents

The court also cited a previous Supreme Court decision which favored the appellate court’s decision, rejecting the bureau’s contention that “proof of actual remittance is required before a refund of excess or unutilized creditable withholding taxes may be granted.”

The court said that the withholding agent’s receipt of tax withheld is tantamount to the BIR’s receipt. It added that failure on the part of the withholding agent to remit the amount withheld to the bureau “is a breach on the part of the agent and not by the taxpayer.”

The court’s division in February 2018, partially granted the claim of Ayala Corp, allowing only the amount of P81.7 million as tax credit certificate out of its P128.7 million claim.

On March 29, the court increased the grant to P127.3 million after the company filed its appeal. The court upheld the decision in July last year. — Vann Marlo Villegas

Honda Cars PHL says ‘konnichiwa’ to all-new City, new CR-V

 

Company’s first virtual launch comes as it marks 30th anniversary

HONDA CARS Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), the country’s official importer and distributor of Honda automobiles, showed its enthusiasm regarding the country’s potential for an economic comeback with the twin launch of two of its most popular models in the country: the new Honda CR-V and fifth-generation Honda City.

The double reveal was HCPI’s first-ever online launch event; and it coincides with the celebration of its 30-year anniversary in the Philippines this October.

The Honda CR-V was first introduced in the Philippines back in 1996, and has since become one of HCPI’s strongest sellers. It immediately became a favorite among Filipinos because the model combines the space and roominess of a large wagon with the mobility of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The CR-V has, in fact, now been sold in more than 130 countries, and is one of Honda’s main pillars.

This latest CR-V, which was first made available for viewing and purchase in dealerships nationwide beginning last Friday, showcases a newly designed exterior and several improvements in its cabin appointments. It carries a redesigned front bumper with chrome accents, new roof rails, and a redesigned rear bumper.

LED headlights and fog lights are now standard across all variants, as is a convenient power tailgate. The top-of-the-line variant offers a special, hands-free-access power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, and auto rain-sensing wipers.

Inside the new CR-V is a seven-inch touchscreen display audio system equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The driver can enjoy an eight-way, power adjustable driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar support; the front passenger can now also enjoy a four-way power adjustable seat in the top-of-the-line model. A wireless mobile charger made accessible to the driver is also a new plus.

The new CR-V’s third row is now fitted with additional air-con vents with controls, surely to the delight of rear seat passengers. It carries 50:50 split reclining seats, and can offer up to 472 liters of cargo space, if the third row is tumbled. For more versatility, the second row can additionally be tumbled to offer a total of 967 liters of cargo room.

While all its diesel variants are seven-seaters, the 2.0L S model can accommodate five passengers along with 522 liters of cargo space in the back.

Powering the CR-V is a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission (for the seven-seaters), which spits out 120ps of power and 300Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the five-seater CR-V is powered by a 2.0-liter i-VTEC gasoline engine mated to a CVT, delivering 154ps and 189Nm.

Certain models of the new CR-V also now carry the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistive functions, which rely on a monocular camera and wave millimeter radar installed on the vehicle to work together to monitor and assess the road conditions ahead. Based on the data it gathers, it then alerts the driver of potential dangers on the road. Included in this suite of driver-assists are: a collision mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, a lane-keeping assist system, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beam.

Delightfully, the new CR-V now only requires preventive maintenance checks twice a year. It also scored an impressive five stars on the ASEAN NCAP (17-protocol) safety rating.

The new CR-V starts at P1.678 million for the 2.0L S variant, and goes up to P2.158 million for the top-of-the-line diesel AWD variant.

Meanwhile, the Honda City, which was first launched in the Philippines back in 1996, has become HCPI’s top-selling sedan. It was conceived as a regional model to address the needs of the Asian market, and has always been praised most especially for its comfortable and spacious interior that excels over its competitors in the segment.

The new Honda City is now longer, wider, and lower by 10mm compared to its previous-gen model. It has a new front bumper with a chrome front grille, LED tail lamps, and features LED daytime running lights in certain variants. The subcompact now uses a one-push start system, carries an eight-inch touchscreen display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and uses rotary knobs with a digital display for its air-conditioning controls. As an upgrade, rear ventilation is now also available.

Moreover, the new Honda City boasts of expanded legroom and knee clearance, and significantly better NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), thanks to 3.5 times more sound absorbers applied to the area around the engine. Best of all, it now, for the first time, offers a sportier option with its new RS variant, which aims to be branded as a best-value sporty sedan to Filipinos.

The 1.5L RS CVT variant comes with a high-gloss black front grille, full LED headlights with daytime running lights, LED fog lights, a trunk spoiler, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The interior is gifted with leather and suede seat material accentuated with black and red stitching, sport pedals, paddle shifters, a multi-information display with red illumination, eight speakers (four of which are tweeters), and it also offers a remote-engine start (which is a first for the City).

The following safety features are also made available across all variants: vehicle stability assist, emergency stop signal, anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill-start assist, speed-sensing auto door lock, and side air bags. A multi-view rear camera is available in the top variants. The City also gets five stars from the ASEAN NCAP.

The new Honda City is now sold at special introductory rates which are valid until the end of the year. Its promotional price tag starts at P838,000; while its top-of-the-line RS variant will cost P1.048 million.

Through 2020, HCPI has remained among the top 10 motoring industry leaders in the Philippines. Happy 30th anniversary, HCPI!

Meat industry says ban on Brazilian poultry imports pose ‘additional burdens’

MEAT IMPORTERS said the current ban imposed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Brazilian poultry products represents an additional burden during tough times for the industry and the economy overall.

In a mobile phone message, Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) President Jesus C. Cham said the ban should be lifted unless the Philippines can properly justify the ban.

Brazil is in the process of filing a challenge with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding Philippine policy towards Brazilian imports.

Mr. Cham said the ban is worsening the impact on business which is already suffering the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The ban on Brazilian poultry is an added blow. Many are not counting on profitability these days but are just trying to stay in business,” Mr. Cham said.

On Oct. 19, the Brazilian Embassy sent a letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs, complaining about the two orders issued by the DA on poultry imports.

The Brazilian Embassy said that it is “determined” to use the appropriate methods to communicate their concerns regarding the ban, such as the filing of “Specific Trade Concerns” with the WTO.

“Brazil has always conducted its sanitary and phytosanitary dialogue with our trade partners in a frank, transparent, and constructive manner, supported by scientific evidence,” the embassy said.

“The clarifications already provided to the Philippine authorities, from a technical point of view, are more than sufficient to support the immediate and complete revocation of the barrier imposed against imports of chicken meat from Brazil,” it added.

The DA issued Memorandum Order 29 on Aug. 14 imposing a temporary ban after citing a Chinese report of traces of COVID-19 in a shipment of chicken wings from Brazil.

The DA released Memorandum Order 42 on Sept. 7 which lifted the ban on Brazilian poultry in the form of mechanically deboned meat, but maintained the ban on other poultry imports.

“Based on the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted via food products,” MITA’s Mr. Cham said.

According to Mr. Cham, the Philippines imported 800,000 metric tons (MT) of meat in 2019, with 20% coming from Brazil.

Asked to comment, Bureau of Animal Industry Director Ronnie D. Domingo said that the agency will seek clarification from Brazil on information sought by the Philippines, including a list of Brazilian meat establishments affected by COVID-19.

“Every country has the freedom to ask for information that will be helpful in making evidence — based decisions,” Mr. Domingo said in a mobile phone message.

“Brazil has to provide the entire information that the Philippines requested,” he added.

Mr. Domingo said that it is up to Brazil to comply with the requirements.

“Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply has always been informed by the DA about our actions and requests,” Mr. Domingo said.

In the same letter, Brazil maintained that it immediately forwarded the necessary information and clarifications as requested by the Philippine government.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the DA is still arriving at a decision on lifting the ban on Brazilian poultry imports.

“We will handle this properly and we are doing everything to help our farmers,” Mr. Dar said in a mobile phone message.

In early October, the DA said chicken supply is expected to be in surplus by 464,236 MT at the end of the year, equivalent to a 103-day stock. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Ortigas Malls celebrate Halloween with pets, costumes and TikToks

ORTIGAS MALLS are celebrating an all treats no tricks Halloweek Mask-erade from October 23 to 31. Visit Greenhills, Tiendesitas, and Estancia to take part in games, prizes, and promos. There are also stay-at-home options for the celebration.

Get a Treats No Tricks loot bag for every P2,000 single or accumulated receipt from any Greenhills, Tiendesitas, or Estancia store from Oct. 23 to 31. This includes orders from My Home Dasher, which is a personal shopper service of Ortigas Malls.

The Ortigas Malls will also be holding the Halloween Nook Photo Contest, in which participants can take a socially distanced selfie at any Ortigas Mall Halloween Nook for a chance to win more goodies. The selfie must be posted on the customer’s public social media profile between Oct. 25 and 30 with the hashtag #OrtigasMallsHalloweek2020 to qualify.

There will also be a Hooman and Pet Costume Contest. Mall visitors this week can celebrate Halloween with their pets by dressing up in matching costumes and posting the photo with the hashtag #OrtigasMallsHalloweek2020. Only three winners who post from Oct. 26 to 30 will win from each mall.

Finally, there is the TikTok Makeup Challenge for those who would rather stay at home. They can win prizes by posting a Halloween-themed makeup transformation video on TikTok. Follow the Ortigas Malls’ TikTok account and tag #OrtigasMallsHalloweek2020 on the video from Oct. 28 to 30.

Visit the Ortigas Malls’ Facebook pages for more updates and announcements.

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