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Cruising in safety: Genting launches Taiwan cruise

DREAM CRUISES, the Asian-centric premium brand of Genting Cruise Lines, is resuming its operations with the launch of a Taiwan itinerary for its Explorer Dream ship starting July 26, but with more health and safety restrictions onboard and a Taiwan-only market.

The cruise will have its homeport in Keelung and include several Taiwan destinations (the islands of Penghu, Matsu, and Kinmen and Hualien county) for a two to four-night trip exclusive to the local Taiwanese market.

Taiwan has been lauded as one of the few countries that have managed to halt the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), recording only 451 cases most of which have already recovered. The country’s low numbers of cases and effective response to the pandemic also contributed to the decision to resume cruise operations in Taiwan, according to a Genting Hong Kong statement.

“After months of detailed planning with the authorities to ensure the safety and health of guests and crew, we appreciate the approval of Explorer Dream resuming cruise operations in Taiwan. Dream Cruises will be the first cruise line in the world to begin sailing after the global cruise industry was shut down due to the pandemic,” said Tan Sri KT Lim, chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong, in the statement.

The pandemic, which has been raging for half a year, put to a stop a number of industries including the cruise industry after Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess and Grand Princess, among other cruise ships, had COVID-19 outbreaks onboard, with Diamond and Grand recording more than 800 cases and 10 deaths among passengers and crew.

The resumption of cruising serves to show the “highly resilient” nature of the cruise industry, said Jan Lynch Imbat, assistant manager for marketing and communications at Genting Cruise Lines, in an e-mail to BusinessWorld on July 3.

“The outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus and its rapid spread around the world have had an unprecedented impact on the travel industry, including the cruise industry. The cruise business is highly changeable, but at same time, it is also highly resilient, for it has always recovered from adversity — thanks to a loyal customer base and the value that cruise vacations provide travelers,” Mr. Imbat said before adding that the pandemic allowed the company to “re-examine our operations, challenge traditional business models, and potentially curate new strategies.”

And in response to health and safety protocols, the Explorer Dream will only take on half the number of passengers that it can accommodate (it has a passenger capacity of 1,856), guest seating at food and beverage outlets will be limited to follow social distancing measures, and several venues onboard will not open including the spa and Resorts World at Sea casino. Crew members will also undergo 21 days of isolation. Measures were also taken to ensure “100% fresh air ventilation in state rooms and operations throughout the ship,” according to the release.

Explorer Dream is said to also be the first cruise ship to obtain a Certification in Infection Prevention for the Maritime industry (CIP-M) from Norwegian classification society, DNV GL. The certification is valid for three years and is said to “demonstrate an organization’s commitment to prevent, control and mitigate infection risks, [and] vulnerabilities,” according to the DNV GL website. The certification requirements are said to be based on “leading health care standards and guidelines” including those from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the ISO 9001 Quality Management System Standard.

All the added health and safety measures will not affect pricing, said Mr. Imbat.

So, with the return of the Explorer Dream to the seas, does this mean Genting will introduce more itineraries? Not exactly, as Mr. Imbat said that they “cannot predict yet which countries will be potential avenues for cruising as their travel restrictions vary.”

“What we are seeing though is a trend of globalization to regionalization and, as an extension, from regional to domestic,” he said. — Zsarlene B. Chua

ALI counts on residential segment for Q2 sales growth

AYALA Land, Inc. (ALI) is optimistic its residential business will cushion the decline from other segments as it recorded growth in sales during the second quarter.

In a statement over the weekend, the listed property developer said it was “seeing encouraging signs” in its residential business, as this segment showed increasing sales from April to May and April to June despite the strict lockdown.

“We’re seeing a pick-up in activity in residential sales as early as now. We hope that positive trend will continue,” ALI President and Chief Executive Officer Bernard Vincent O. Dy was quoted in the statement as saying.

The company noted its mall segment continues to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as malls remained closed for most parts of the second quarter, and to date, are still on limited operations.

ALI’s hotel and resorts segment likewise remain dampened as travel is still restricted to contain the coronavirus.

In the first quarter, ALI’s earnings fell 41% to P4.3 billion due to lower bookings and project completions, which it attributed to the Taal Volcano eruption in January and the lockdown in mid-March.

Nearly all its business segments recorded revenue declines during the period, except for its office leasing business, which posted a 15% revenue growth to P2.5 billion due to the sustained operations of the outsourcing industry.

Despite this backdrop, Mr. Dy said the company remains hopeful it will weather the coronavirus storm on the back of the Philippine’s strong economy, citing low interest rates, low inflation rate and stable exchange rates.

“If you look at long term trends of property, taking into account various economic cycles, I believe property continues to be one of the best, if not the best, performing asset class,” he said.

Mr. Dy added ALI has yet to see a meaningful price correction, and believes there would not be price reductions as large as during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, when capital values fell as much as 14% and office rents by 16%.

Last week, ALI received the go-ahead from the Securities and Exchange Commission to do a P15.1-billion real estate investment trust (REIT) offering by July 27-31.

If it proceeds, this would be the country’s first REIT offering in history, and the shares will start trading at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Aug. 7.

Shares in ALI at the stock exchange dropped 95 centavos or 2.88% to close at P32 each on Friday. — Denise A. Valdez

Designers get creative for couture under lockdown

PARIS — Confronted with problems in fabric deliveries and supplier closures during France’s coronavirus lockdown, fashion designer Alexis Mabille had to improvise to salvage his next collection, turning to materials he had to hand.

Like peers unveiling their creations at Paris’s Haute Couture showcase last week — an online-only format — Mabille began confectioning his looks before restrictions on movement in much of Europe were lifted.

That derailed everything from the availability of made-to-order embroideries to the process of casting models who usually fly around the world for fittings, but provided couturiers with novel forms of inspiration too.

“I worked in the opposite direction — instead of working on the design, the material and the color, I started from the color of the fabric and then the collection,” Mabille told Reuters, adding that he had sought to project a “bright view on things” with dresses that ranged from vivid purple to yellow and shimmering animal-style prints.

Haute Couture Week features one-of-a-kind outfits stitched by hand, presented by a select club of designers.

Even for the biggest brands with huge means, however, Europe-wide lockdowns proved a challenge.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, who designs womenswear for Christian Dior, owned by the LVMH conglomerate, coordinated her collection from Rome via video calls with seamstresses and production teams working at home.

The label also faced some lost or delayed deliveries as it tried to bring its concept for a collection presented on mini-mannequins together — and Chiuri said she had had to readjust to life without office staff.

“I used my daughter a lot,” she joked.

Dior’s teams of taylors and seamstresses — all wearing face masks — came together in early July to put the final touches on looks in the brand’s atelier in Paris.

LINGERING UNCERTAINTY
For some designers, the uncertainty is far from over, even as coronavirus lockdowns ease and Paris prepares to host fashion shows again from September.

Couture labels, which sell a small number of outfits to the uber-rich, are unsure when their clients will be able to travel again or what demand will be as the pandemic rattles economies the world over.

“We must propose to the buyers a balance, meaning a good price, good quality and exceptional product and expertise,” said designer Stephane Rolland.

Designing had proved an escape from the stresses of lockdown, Rolland added, a sentiment shared by many peers, including Chiuri.

“At one point, I decided to listen to the news for only one hour a day because the risk was that I would spend a lot of time in front of the TV,” Chiuri said.

“For the other people of the atelier, to work, to have a project to make together was helpful.”

Julien Fournie, a French couturier who spent lockdown largely centered on his Paris atelier, said he was even relieved to have a moment to create a collection without distractions.

“For the past decade, I was like a hamster who didn’t stop running,” Fournie said, ahead of unveiling his looks, which include flowing silk gowns with kimono-style sleeves.

“I no longer had the time to enjoy my team, not even to see a dress being set up or take time to choose an embroidery or to design a print.” — Reuters

LBC stops cargo shipment services for 5 days

LBC Express, Inc. will temporarily stop its cargo shipment services for five days, from July 12 to 16, as its capacities have already been exceeded.

“While putting all [the] safety and logistics measures in place, our capacities were exceeded and have created backlogs,” LBC Express said in a statement e-mailed to reporters late Saturday.

It added: “To bring us back to speed, we will temporarily pause cargo acceptance in certain areas from July 12 to 16, 2020.”

Affected areas are National Capital Region (NCR), North Luzon, South Luzon (all domestic cargo), Visayas (domestic cargo to NCR, North and South Luzon), and Mindanao (domestic cargo to NCR, North and South Luzon).

LBC’s money and bills payment services will continue, which means that all branches will remain open.

The company said it opened three new warehouses to ensure social distancing among its workers.

There have been “frequent rapid testings to protect us all from the pandemic,” it added.

LBC also assured the public that it has equipped its branches with protective shields, disinfection booths, and new online touch-points to provide contactless options.

The company did not stop operations during the lockdown period. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Kia PHL more keenly addresses ‘new normal’ mobility needs

AMID the troublesome pandemic that continues to shake and challenge the Philippine economy, Kia Philippines still cites various opportunities for relative growth, plus identifies ways how the company could further contribute to reinvigorating the local economy and help ease the struggles of some Filipinos.

While we have all together witnessed the hardships of essential travel without mass transportation in full operating capacity, the advantages of owning a private vehicle have now been highlighted more than ever.

However, with many citizens dealing with employment uncertainty or already suffering from massive pay cuts, the tendency for buyers to turn to more affordable, entry-level vehicles for purchase only sounds logical.

And this is where Kia Philippines can help contribute some solutions. For instance, the Kia Picanto and Soluto are very cost-friendly — small vehicles that are extremely practical for personal travels within the Metro. For business owners who need to source vehicles for their deliveries or who need them for shuttle services, Kia Philippines also has the K2500 Karga, which in fact, already comes with plastic dividers installed to help protect its occupants. And to further sweeten deals, Kia is also offering low down payment financing schemes and large cash discounts for certain models, including the vehicles I mentioned above. These tempting payment scheme opportunities are available until the end of the month.

Moreover, Kia’s special vehicle promotions also extend to their other models, including the bigger Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento. The Rio hatchback and Forte likewise qualify for similar deals. And so do even the people-moving Grand Carnival, or the performance-savvy Stinger.

As an example, a purchase of a standard Sorento this July may qualify the buyer for a P370,000 discount off its retail price; or the purchase of a 4×4 Sorento may qualify for a whopping P430,000 discount. These price incentives are on top of Kia Philippines’ five-year/160,000-km (whichever comes first) warranty plus 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance, applicable to all of its vehicles.

And to improve waiting times for parts and service, Kia Philippines has also announced that it will soon be quadrupling its parts inventory to maximize service efficiency.

When asked if the company might soon offer car leasing or a used-car certification program, Kia Philippines President Manny Aligada explained that such programs may someday be considered upon the fulfillment of certain parameters, although this will probably not be a priority anytime soon. “As opposed to Western consumers who are quite savvy in leasing products, Southeast Asians typically like to own their cars,” he pointed out.

Cacao farmers organize to directly sell to Puentespina, Kennemer

Cacao beans
LEAN S. DAVAL, JR.

CACAO SMALLHOLDERS in Davao Oriental have organized to directly sell their produce to Kennemer Foods International, Inc. and Puentespina Farms, maker of the Malagos Chocolate brand.

The cacao farmers hope to deliver 227 metric tons of dried fermented cacao beans in the first year of their new direct-sale arrangement and increase this by 85% by the third year, according to Provincial Agriculture Office head Rotchie M. Ravelo.

“While, in process, also increasing the farmers’ income by 37.17%,” Mr. Ravelo said in a statement from the provincial government.

The 924 farmers are beneficiaries of a P14.5 million program under the Philippine Rural Development Project’s (PRDP) Investment for Rural Enterprise for Agricultural Productivity.

The World Bank-funded PRDP is implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA), with required counterpart funding from the local government and beneficiaries.

Under the program, the farmers are getting post-harvest facilities along with production and marketing support.

The first batch of facilities and equipment turned over to one of the seven cacao cooperatives on July 1 include a solar tunnel drier, fermentation facility, storage, cargo truck, weighing scale, and a moisture meter.

“The project aims to produce fermented dried beans that command a higher price than the traditional and sometimes poor-quality dried beans produced by farmers… the fermentation facility will lessen the impurities of the beans and bring out its most desirable flavor, a quality which chocolate manufacturers are looking for in cacao beans,” Mr. Ravelo said.

DA-Davao Regional Director Ricardo M. Oñate said despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis, “there is a clear and sure market for the cacao beans.”

“While the province now has a local market, the DA hopes to secure export markets for the cacao industry. This is the reason why we are enhancing the production and our marketing strategies,” he said.

Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang said boosting the province’s cacao industry is also a means of providing alternative livelihood to coconut farmers.

“We don’t want our farmers to rely solely on coconut. Currently, we are embattled due to the low price of copra. We must be resourceful in augmenting our income, try other possible means, like intercropping cacao,” he said. — Marifi S. Jara

T-bill rates seen sideways ahead of retail bond offer

THE STEADY DROP in yields of Treasury bills (T-bills) is expected to ease this week as market participants gear up for the upcoming retail Treasury bond (RTBs) sale.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) is auctioning off P20 billion in T-bills on Monday, broken down into P5 billion each for the 91- and 182-day debt papers and P10 billion in 364-day securities.

However, it canceled the scheduled auction for 35-day papers on Tuesday to give way for the RTB offering on Thursday.

Traders said rates for the T-bills on offer today will continue to decline but only marginally or around 5 to 10 basis points (bps) lower against last week’s rates.

“I think yields for the T-bills will move sideways to downward by 5 bps. It seems like downward momentum for the T-bills has slowed down since there’s also the RTB issuance coming up soon that traders are considering when it comes to purchasing T-bills,” the first trader said via Viber.

Robinsons Bank Corp. peso sovereign debt trader Kevin S. Palma said strong demand for government securities will persist this week “as dealers and investors alike continue to hunt for yields to put their excess liquidity to work.”

Last week, the BTr awarded P24 billion in T-bills versus the programmed P20 billion as total bids hit P117 billion.

Broken down, it raised P7 billion each in three-month and six-month debt papers — more than the P5-billion programmed for each tenor — and accepted P10 billion as planned in one-year securities.

Yields dropped across-the-board from the previous auction, with the 91-, 182- and 364-day papers fetching average rates of 1.649%, 1.75% and 1.855%, respectively.

Meanwhile, the first trader said the coupon of the five-year retail Treasury bonds (RTBs) could range between 2.375% and 2.625%, while a second trader said it might settle within a lower range of 2.25%-2.5%.

At the secondary market on Friday, the 91-, 182- and 364-day T-bills were quoted at 1.695%, 1.735%, and 1.879%, respectively while the five-year Treasury bonds fetched 2.363%, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates.

The BTr will hold the rate-setting auction for the five-year retail Treasury bonds on Thursday, July 16, for an initial P30-billion offer.

Both traders said the RTB offer will likely be met with strong demand as the market remains flush with cash.

“The upcoming RTB has all the caliber to be a jumbo bond issuance. The timing is just right with the elevated liquidity and the relatively low yield backdrop while we all combat and try to rebound from this pandemic,” Mr. Palma said.

The upcoming retail bond issue will be the government’s second offer for the year and 24th overall, following its offer of three-year RTBs in February where it raised a record P310.8 billion.

The RTB offer is set to run for three weeks: from July 16 until Aug. 7. The BTr said it can increase the award volume and may also close the offer period earlier as needed.

THE TREASURY
It also gave retail investors more options to access the debt papers, introducing the BONDS.PH mobile application by the UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. This is in addition to other electronic payment facilities and participating banks.

The bonds will be issued on Aug. 12 and mature on Aug. 12, 2025.

The government has set a P205-billion borrowing program for July and will offer P145 billion in T-bills via weekly auctions and P60 billion in T-bonds to be auctioned off every other week.

It borrows from local and foreign lenders to plug its budget deficit seen to hit 8.4% of gross domestic product this year. — B.M. Laforga

With miniature mannequins, Dior unveils post-lockdown collection

PARIS — French couture house Christian Dior upended its traditional catwalk show last week, presenting its intricate designs on miniature mannequins in a twist brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Brands had to unveil their collections online and through film as part of Haute Couture week in Paris, a showcase of high-end craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind outfits, after the presentations usually attended by fashionistas from around the world were canceled in the wake of the outbreak.

Dior’s gowns were inspired by female surrealist artists such as photographer Lee Miller and featured intricate embroideries as well as head-to-toe feathers in one lilac look.

The looks were fitted onto 37 tiny dressmaker’s mannequins, which will later be dispatched to top clients around the world, and were presented to the public last Monday through a whimsical film shot by Gomorrah director Matteo Garrone.

“We made this project in a very particular moment of our lives,” said designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, who began working on the show remotely under lockdown in Rome, coordinating with seamstresses and production crew who were also at home.

The traveling miniatures echoed a format French couture houses last used during World War Two to try and keep collections going and reach customers.

Chiuri said the label had sought to send the message that “traditions were alive” in Paris.

“It’s a different experience. But I think it’s a beautiful experience,” Chiuri said of working on the film, which featured nymphs and mermaids mesmerized by the couture gowns. — Reuters

Franchisers group launches buy local campaign as businesses try to bounce back from lockdown

THE Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI) launched a campaign backing local consumption to support small businesses affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

AFFI in a virtual launch of its “BUYanihan” campaign on Friday presented stakeholders offering services to micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME), including mobile application and financial service companies.

Startup company LOCQ, for example, presented its Price LOCQ mobile application for monitoring fuel prices and buying fuel at the preferred price for future redemption.

“As you know, the prices [of oil have] been increasing a lot over the last few weeks and if you had the app then you would’ve been able to save a lot already. You can fix your opex (operation expense) on fuel and control your budget,” LOCQ Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark L. Yu said.

The program also presented an online business loans platform, transportation services, and health services.

The BUYanihan campaign is AFFI’s multisectoral campaign supported by the Trade department, the intellectual property office, and in cooperation with the Philippine Marketing Association.

MSMEs make up more than 99% of Philippine businesses. Based on 2018 Philippine government statistics, they generated more than 5.7 million jobs or more than 60% of local employment.

The businesses, after suspending operations throughout the stricter lockdown, are seeking funding assistance.

Applications for loans from the Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.), the financing arm of the Trade department, has reached double its current available funding.

Applications have already reached more than P2 billion, but initial funding is only at P1 billion while the department awaits government economic stimulus packages.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said that there is an ongoing nationwide buy-local campaign.

“This is really to renew the consumer confidence and kasama din dito ’yung kampanya natin na (this includes our campaign) Go Lokal at OTOP hub kung saan fine-feature natin ang mga product ng (where we feature the products of) micro SMEs. In promoting BUYanihan we are increasing and improving consumer confidence,” he said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Kia’s Aligada proffers hope amid industry gloom

IMAGE FROM KIA PHILIPPINES

IF THERE’S anything I’ve learned over the last few months of interviewing auto executives and dealer principals, it’s that the renaissance of the industry is more of a group project. The business of selling cars doesn’t only hinge on making digital showrooms available, or equipping salespeople with gadgets and the resources to reach out to prospects in this new normal, or even the rollout of enticing promos.

While these are obviously good to have in the pocket, the chief enabler of growth will be the banks — particularly since about 70% of vehicle purchases involve some form of financial instrument or car loan.

Having said that, Kia Philippines President Manny Aligada said that we should see (and expect) “a very cautious approach” for banks, such as enacting measures to “ascertain liquidity of customers who are applying” for loans. The Bayanihan to Heal As One Act certainly helped to ease payment woes for those affected by the lockdown, but if we get down to the brass tacks, this buys a grace period and not much else.

The Philippines, the executive averred, is in recession, and a full recovery isn’t expected until the fourth quarter of next year. He added that household spending is weak, and that we might still see companies closing down.

Mr. Aligada is one of those people to talk to if you want straight answers and, to be honest, hope. And who can’t benefit from a dose of that right now? But don’t get me wrong, though. It’s not false hope he’s peddling but one based on empirical data (see the graph he presented to media).

That’s a pretty steep and optimistic upward trend, but he thinks it can be realized. “We think the economy is resilient, (much like) Filipinos,” he said, and added that total vehicle sales are expected to end at 275,000 units (or 35% below the original 420,000 projection). In concert with a market decline, Kia Philippines is expecting a shift to “entry segments and commercial vehicles due to the need for personal mobility and movement of essential goods.” Indeed, from an all-time low of 133 units in April sold for CAMPI and TMA members, a 3,500% jump was registered the next month — due in no small part to a (limited) reopening of showrooms.

But this was no surprise.

To be honest, this is consistent with what many in the industry are divining as well. Because of the continued limitations of public transportation and the uncertainty (i.e. risks) with taking it, personal mobility is seen to grow. And while the dire economic effects of pandemic cannot be discounted, it’s becoming apparent that there is still, as in other markets and territories, pent-up demand.

However, what is a yellow light for unmitigated growth is the aforementioned (expected) cautiousness of banks.

Having said that, aside from entry-level personal mobility, Mr. Aligada said that the “new star” of this COVID-19 period is logistics, so Kia Philippines is covering those bases (see Angel Rivero’s article) to make the affordable even more accessible.

Kia Philippines is also busy adjusting to the new normal in other ways, while soldiering on ahead as planned in areas such as the opening of additional dealerships (Kia Marikina, Kia Fairview, Kia Isabela, and Kia Bonifacio Global City) in Q3 — bringing the total to 34. Isn’t this counterintuitive, we asked. The executive said it’s still about widening the reach of the brand to reach underserved or unserved markets. Four more facilities are planned to go up by the end of the year or early 2021. It’s also about “mimicking” the anticipated rebound of business.

One of the uncertainties that the company had prepared for is a disruption in parts supply. Mr. Aligada boasts that they have bolstered their inventory from 2,000 to 8,000. All told, 14 containers of parts are now awaiting distribution to dealerships for both current and future models.

Speaking of future models, Kia is set to unveil a new model in the last quarter of 2020. The company isn’t confirming just yet but, based on the teaser graphic, the vehicle in question might be the Kia Stonic crossover. I took a different tack and asked, “So, how many variants of the Stonic will you be bringing in?” The Kia executives in the Zoom call laughed heartily and said we’ll know soon enough. It was worth a shot, right?

The firm also intends to unveil its virtual showroom by the last quarter, as it is cognizant of how “customers “will increasingly prefer to do their product research online.” Meanwhile, “traditional customer interactions” such as during test drives, showroom visits, and coordination with sales agents will be done via “digital touchpoints” to promote physical distancing.

“All these are designed to not only jump-start our brand but the economy as well,” concluded Mr. Aligada.

Vivant Energy unit taps Wärtsilä for 23-MW Bantayan power plant

CEBU-BASED Vivant Energy Corp. said its subsidiary had tapped Finnish firm Wärtsilä to provide the engineering and equipment for a 23-megawatt (MW) power plant that will supply power to Bantayan island.

“The new power plant is an essential element for a secure economic future for Bantayan island. We are, at the same time, actively seeking to deliver electricity to small islands throughout the region, and a capable, reliable partner, such as Wärtsilä, is needed for this,” said Emil Andre M. Garcia, chief operating officer of Vivant Energy, in a statement.

The company said the power plant under its unit Isla Norte Energy Corp. would supply electricity to the entire island in northern Cebu, which experiences frequent power interruptions because of the lack of a reliable power supply.

The power plant is expected to be completed in 2021.

Isla Norte is a joint venture of Vivant Energy and Gigawatt Power Corp. It was awarded a 15-year power supply agreement by the Bantayan Electric Cooperative, or Banelco.

Vivant Energy described Bantayan as having a population of about 80,000. It also said the area is a major tourist destination with a growing trade and commerce.

It quoted Frederic Carron, vice-president of Wärtsilä’s Middle East and Asia energy business, as saying: “We have enjoyed a long-term relationship with Gigawatt and Vivant, and are pleased to be again providing a power plant solution tailored to the specific requirements of the project.”

“The Wärtsilä solution features the latest technology with high efficiency engines, and it will certainly add reliability to the local supply system and another addition to the growing installed base in the off-grid areas in the Philippines,” he added.

Wartsila provided the engineering and equipment for Delta P, Inc., which operates a 47-MW diesel-fired power plant in Puerto Princesa, and the Calamian Islands Power Corp., which supplies power to the off-grid areas of Coron and Busuanga through the Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative.

Pest control funds mobilized to contain armyworm infestation

FARMERS received P150 million worth of assistance to help control infestation by the fall armyworm, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

DA Corn Program Director Lorenzo M. Caranguian said: “We have provided affected farmers with 63,017 packs of Pheromone lures, 86,983 liters of pesticide and biological control agents such as Trichogramma chilonis to control fall armyworm eggs and earwigs, and Metharhizium species against fall armyworm larva.”

The DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and regional field offices will also conduct seminars on integrated pest management practices, pest control techniques, and good agricultural practices.

“We are deploying crop experts and procuring needed crop protection chemicals and biocontrol agents to effectively manage, control and contain fall armyworm that has to date infested 8,000 hectares planted to corn nationwide,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.

As of June 30, the DA reported that the fall armyworm has damaged crops in Cagayan Valley, affecting 4,214 hectares, followed by SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City), where 1,730 hectares were affected.

Areas in Northern Mindanao reporting damage totaled 882 hectares, and the Zamboanga Peninsula 665 hectares.

Mr. Dar said the fall armyworm infestation was monitored in 208 municipalities across 47 provinces, based on reports from the BPI, the DA Corn Program directorate, and DA regional field offices.

The appearance of the fall armyworm was first reported in June 2019 in Piat in Cagayan Province.

The fall armyworm larva feeds on corn, rice, and other crops, affecting yields. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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