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Agriculture loan repayment rate falls due to calamities

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the repayment rate on its loan program for farmers fell this year because of damage to crops caused natural calamities last year.

In a social media post Saturday, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said environmental conditions in 2018 put borrowers in an unfavorable position to repay debt incurred under the government’s Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) program.

“The national repayment rate is 91%, down from 98% last year, mainly due to the damage caused by typhoons,” he said.

Mr. Piñol said PLEA has disbursed P1.7 billion worth of loans to farmers since it was launched in June 2017.

The loan program is intended to assist farmers in remote locations with little to no access to banks. It offers an annual interest rate of 6% to borrowers with no collateral.

Mr. Piñol said this year, the DA has a budget of P3.4 billion for its Easy Access Credit Program, which it wants to use as a mechanism to eventually phase out farm subsidies.

“For this year, the Easy Access Credit Program has a budget of P3.4-B with four program components all aimed at helping farmers and fishermen improve their productivity,” he said.

The DA remains positive of the program’s viability as a means of assistance to farmers, with the department recognizing three farmers from the Dumagat and B’laan tribes Friday for being able to repay 100% of their loans.

“The loan program has benefitted first-time borrowers like the three tribal families and penetrated 54 unbanked areas,” Mr. Piñol said. — Denise A. Valdez

Aboitiz group bullish on Cebu power projects

ABOITIZ Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) is on track to completing several power projects undertaken by its Cebu-based units this year.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the Aboitiz group said Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI) expects the second 170-megawatt (MW) unit of its baseload plant in Toledo City to come online this May. The first unit with the same capacity was launched on April 6.

It also looks to complete the third phase of Visayan Electric Co., Inc.’s (VECO) underground distribution system (UDS) spanning 890 meters within the year. This will augment the UDS that runs from Cebu Provincial Capitol site to Fuente Osmeña as part of the first phase, and all the way to P. del Rosario Street for the second phase.

VECO launched UDS back in 2015, as part of its goal to rid Cebu City’s streets of “unsightly wires, reduce outages and operational costs caused by vegetation, and increase VECO’s overall customer reliability.”

TVI and VECO are both subsidiaries of listed firm, Aboitiz Power Corp.

“AboitizPower expects that its existing distribution utilities will continue to realize modest growth. It continuously seeks efficiency and improvements in its distribution utilities’ operations in order to maintain healthy margins,” AboitizPower Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer-Distribution Business Group Jaime Jose Y. Aboitiz said in a statement.

The company is also currently rehabilitating the 153.1-MW Naga Power Plant Complex in Naga City. Therma Power Visayas, Inc., which handles the facility, looks to rehabilitate six bunker C-fed power units in the facility by the second half of 2020.

Apart from power projects, the Aboitiz group is also expanding its banking, property, and construction units based in Cebu.

Aboitiz Land, Inc., for instance, plans to launch more projects in Cebu in addition to its five ongoing residential developments in the area. Union Bank of the Philippines, meanwhile, plans to begin offering motorcycle loans and loans for pensioners, seafarers, and overseas Filipino workers. — Arra B. Francia

Piaggio unveils APÉ 3-wheeler diesel, Piaggio Porter 1000

By Manny N. de los Reyes

IN THE late 1940s, the Italians were reeling from the effects of WWII. Knowing that people lacked the ability to acquire and pay for the upkeep of four-wheeled vehicles, aircraft designer Corradino D’Ascanio — creator of the Vespa — came up with a solution. He designed a small, three-wheeled commercial vehicle that could help rebuild Italy’s economy from the ground, giving small entrepreneurs a chance at surviving the new financial environment.

This vehicle was the Piaggio APÉ.

Today, in a world where small-scale entrepreneurship thrives, the APÉ remains true to what it set out to do when it first came out: help the economy from the ground.

Now with three new models and a wide range of customization options, the APÉ is the most adaptable small-scale platform around.

SMALLEST DIESEL ENGINE
The APÉ packs a single-cylinder, naturally aspirated, direct injection, 4-stroke, 435cc diesel engine — the smallest in the world. With a highly efficient rate of consumption — 36km/l on primary and secondary roads — it’s cost-effective and easy to maintain. It’s also EURO 4-compliant and classified as a non-polluting vehicle, even when carrying its maximum capacity, lessening its impact on the environment.

HIGH LOAD CAPACITY
Capable of bearing half a ton, the APÉ 3-wheeler is especially convenient for hauling cargo over narrow, crowded streets, with a footprint that measures 3144 mm x 1490 mm and carry load of 435-600 kg.

HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE
The APÉ can be configured for basically anything — Drive Away Chassis, City, Passenger, Long Deck, Closed Van, and 3-Wing Van — allowing it to adapt to whatever you need.

EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH GRAB
Partnering with foremost ride hailing service in the country, the APÉ can also offer alternative transport solutions to an underserved sector.

3 new models

Piaggio APÉ 4PIAGGIO APÉ AUTO DX
A passenger platform that can carry up to four passengers and a driver, the Auto DX comes in Blanco White, Western Red, Eco-Green, Charming Blue, Jet Black and Golden Yellow.

SRP: P218,000
Piaggio APÉ 5
APÉ XTRA LDX
With a 3-sided cargo deck opening that can carry 535kg, the Xtra LDX is the basic cargo model, and is both reliable and efficient. Comes in Blanco White and Charming Blue.

SRP: P248,000
Piaggio APÉ 6
PIAGGIO APÉ AUTO DAC
The Auto DAC’s 5×5 flatbed gives it a lot of space for cargo. You can also turn it into a closed van or a 3-wing van: café, bar, support vehicle, or whatever you can imagine. It can also be turned into a small jeepney, patrol car, or even a fire truck, making it a good solution for local government units. Comes in Blanco White, Western Red, Eco-Green, and Jet Black.

SRP: P218,000

Piaggio Porter

Piaggio Porter 1000 (4-wheeler): A compact solution

THE Piaggio Porter 1000 combines the toughness of a truck with the size of a city car, making it a handy solution for cargo while efficiently using space. Coupled with the ease maintaining a small vehicle, the Porter gives you the option to carry larger loads while avoiding the costs of a full-scale truck.

The Porter’s front engine and rear wheel drive allow it to maximize its load capacity, letting you carry a little over a ton in cargo. With its 185mm ground clearance, it can handle most terrain with ease.

It’s also Euro 4-compliant, with a top speed of 70 km/h and low fuel consumption of 20km/l. Cost-effective and a great solution for larger deliveries, the Porter comes in Eco Green, Blanco White, and Western Red.

Piaggio APé is distributed by Autoitalia Philippines Enterprises, Inc. Contact (02) 251-0563, visit their showroom at 138 Brgy. Tatalon St., Quezon Ave. cor. Araneta Ave., Quezon City or check out their Facebook page: Piaggio Apé Philippines, Instagram: @piaggioape_ph and www.piaggioape.com.ph.

Philippines among top US markets for soybean cake, meal

THE United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said that the net sales to the Philippines of US soybean cake and meal as well as wheat increased during the week of April 12-18, 2019.

According to USDA’s export sales report, net sales of 329,100 metric tons (MT) for delivery in 2018 to 2019 increased by 11% from the previous week, and was 82% higher than the prior 4-week average.

“Increases were reported for the Philippines (139,100 MT), Colombia (89,800 MT)… Italy (38,000 MT)… and Mexico (32,400 MT), USDA said in the report.

For delivery between 2019 and 2020, the Philippines was also one of the top destinations with 52,100 MT. Others were Poland (64,400 MT), Mexico (51,600 MT), Ecuador (26,300 MT), and Canada (22,400 MT).

For wheat, it estimated net sales of 425,300 MT overall for delivery in 2018 to 2019, up 34% compared with the previous week, but 4% down compared to the average in the prior 4 weeks.

“Increases were reported for Mexico (160,800 MT)…, Nigeria (80,900 MT)…, Mozambique (52,800 MT)…, Tanzania (45,000 MT), and the Philippines (37,900 MT).

The Philippines was not listed as one of the primary destinations for exported wheat for 2019-2020. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Treasury bill rates likely steady

RATES OF Treasury bills (T-bill) on offer today will likely move sideways as market participants await a slew of domestic economic data in the next few weeks.

The Bureau of the Treasury is offering P15 billion worth of T-bills on Monday, broken down into P4 billion and P5 billion via three- and six-month papers, respectively, and P6 billion from the one-year debt papers.

Kevin S. Palma, Robinsons Bank Corp. peso sovereign debt trader, said yields on the T-bills will likely be flat to five basis points (bp) higher from the previous auction.

Last week, the government partially awarded the T-bills it offered, raising just P7.1 billion out of the P15 billion programmed, as it rejected all bids on the 364-day papers amid weaker demand.

The BTr accepted P4 billion as planned for the 91-day papers, fetching an average rate of 5.608%. Meanwhile, the Treasury partially awarded the 181-day IOUs, accepting only P3.1 billion and raking in a 5.996% yield.

At the secondary market on Friday, rates of the three-month, six-month and one-year papers stood at 5.732%, 5.964% and 6.105%, respectively, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates.

“The market is still cautious ahead of key data to be released in the next few weeks such as April CPI (consumer price index), Philippine GDP (gross domestic product) growth in the first quarter, and the much awaited Monetary Board meeting on May 9,” Mr. Palma said in a Viber message on Friday.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. economist Michael L. Ricafort said food costs likely eased further in April, especially rice prices, even as the mild El Niño phenomenon is expected to continue until August.

The downward trend of inflation gives the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) some support to start easing monetary policy on its May 9 meeting.

BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said earlier this month that a cut in benchmark interest rates will be considered on its meeting next month, given that inflation is “right now… under control.”

“We’re considering it. I’m sure that will be on the agenda in the next policy meeting,” Mr. Diokno said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release April inflation data on May 7.

Meanwhile, another trader said rates of the T-bills will likely move sideways across all tenors amid “continued strong demand” on the short end.

“If the bids are higher than the rates in the secondary market or higher than expected, the BTr may still opt to reject,” the trader said in a phone interview on Friday.

The government plans to borrow P315 billion from the domestic market this quarter, broken down into P195 billion in T-bills and P120 billion through Treasury bonds. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

Udenna-China Telecom deal may prompt more Chinese firms to enter Philippines

By Denise A. Valdez
Reporter

THE $5.4-billion deal signed last week by Udenna Corp. and subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. with China Telecommunications Corp. for a telecommunications joint venture may prompt more Chinese firms to pour investments in the Philippines.

“[T]he huge investment is significant because it represents a long-term commitment by China to the Philippines and indicates that China desires warmer relations with the Philippines beyond the Duterte administration,” Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) President Calixto V. Chikiamco said in a mobile message Sunday.

Global research firm Fitch Solutions had said in a report in November the entry of a new telco player joined by a Chinese company is a “clear sign” of the Duterte government’s “warming posture towards China.”

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in an e-mail the investment between Udenna and China Telecommunications may prompt other firms to follow suit.

“This huge foreign direct investment (FDI) from China, a manifestation of improved diplomatic ties/relations between Philippines and China over the past 2-3 years especially in terms of increased business transactions between the 2 countries, would send a strong positive signal for other large Chinese companies to follow by also putting/locating huge investments in the Philippines…,” he said.

“Further increase in FDIs from China presents a huge opportunity for the Philippines, going forward, as China has yet to become a major source of FDIs for various industries…” Mr. Ricafort added.

The investment agreement signed by members of the Mislatel consortium in Beijing last week formalizes its earlier commitment to invest $5.4 billion (about P279 billion) in Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, Inc. (Mislatel), which is the group’s franchise holder to operate as a telco in the Philippines.

When Mislatel consortium joined the government’s third telco player auction last November, the group committed a combined capital and operating expenditure of P257 billion over a five-year period.

“The investment by China Telecom into Udenna will help strengthen the technical and financial capabilities of Udenna to enter the telco market and give competition to the entrenched players Globe Telecom, Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc.,” Mr. Chikiamco said.

Asked if more deals between Chinese and Philippine companies will come soon, the FEF president said, “yes.”

“The Philippines is an attractive investment destination for Chinese businessmen as it is with Japanese and other foreign investors because of the country’s high growth rate, very favorable demographics, and untapped potential in terms of tourism, infrastructure needs, mining, etc.,” he said.

20 Isuzu jeepneys turned over to Tarlac co-op

By Kap Maceda Aguila

BY VIRTUE of Department Order No. 2017-11, the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) was construed in June 2017 by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) as it envisioned a “restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely, and comfortably.”

Beyond being a modernization program, the PUVMP is fancied as a “comprehensive system reform to entirely change the public land transportation industry.” A major component of the program is, of course, a re-fleeting of the old clunkers and smoke-belchers (including some 250,000 jeepneys) on the road with safer, more comfortable, and environment-friendly vehicles.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) recently turned over 20 Philippine National Standards (PNS 2126:2017)-compliant jeepneys geared for “passenger safety and added convenience in fare collection” to one of Pasang Masda’s umbrella organization, the Paniqui Gerona Tarlac Transport Services Cooperative (PGT Transeco). This was done in cooperation with the DoTr, Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Isuzu jeepneys 2
(L-R) Mario Ojales — IPC Sales Department head, Joseph Bautista — IPC Sales Division head, Raymond Jarina — INTECO CEO and president, Martin Delgra III — LTFRB Chairman, Conrad Almazora — Almazora president

Present during the formal presentation were LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, Almazora President Conrad Almazora, INTECO CEO and President Raymond Jarina, and IPC Sales Division Head Joseph Bautista. The purchase partnership between IPC and PGT Transeco was facilitated by the Isuzu Quezon Avenue dealership. Atty. Delgra declared, “Automakers like Isuzu Philippines Corporation play a key role in the modernization program since they provide the units that we need to make this program move forward.”

IPC reported that the modernized PUVs “have been assembled using the Isuzu QKR77 platform, and the rear body (was) designed and manufactured by Almazora Motors Corp. These are air-conditioned Class 2 vehicles with a side-facing seat configuration.” The platform is assembled in the Philippines and carries a Euro 4-compliant 4JH1-TC diesel power plant promising enhanced fuel economy and cleaner emissions. The automaker also extends a three-year/150,000-km warranty for the cab and chassis, and a separate warranty for the body, air-conditioning, and accessories.

“The turnover is seen as IPC’s headway into the largely untapped modernized PUV market in the province, and the leading Japanese truck manufacturer’s clear show of support for the government’s ongoing PUVMP,” said Mr. Bautista.

ADM’s move to spin off ethanol assets speaks to industry’s woes

NEW YORK/CHICAGO — Biofuels pioneer Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) took another step toward abandoning its pure-play ethanol assets on Friday, the latest sign of the industry’s struggles with US President Donald Trump’s trade wars, thin margins, and overproduction.

US law requires ethanol to be blended into gasoline but domestic demand for the biofuel added to gasoline has flatlined in recent years as consumers have opted for greater fuel-efficiency and electric vehicles. Ethanol producers have been forced to look abroad for demand growth.

They had banked on China to buy excess capacity, but punitive tariffs in the last two years have halted buying, exacerbating the industry’s substantial overcapacity. ADM executives acknowledged that problem on Friday when the company reported that profit tumbled 41 percent in the first quarter.

ADM said it may spin off three large dry mills, which primarily produce only ethanol, after unsuccessfully searching for a buyer for those mills since 2016. At the time, its move to exit ethanol shocked the industry due to ADM’s status as a leading biofuels producer.

ADM Chief Financial Officer Ray Young said on an earnings call that the industry must stop the self-inflicted wounds.

“Our decision to monetize the dry mills is frankly a strategic decision on our part to basically help the industry consolidate,” Young said.

Last week, US ethanol production hit 1.05 million barrels per day, highest in at least five years seasonally, according to US Energy Information Administration data. Inventories climbed to 22.75 million barrels, not far from the record of 24.45 million hit in March.

Producers such as Green Plains and Pacific Ethanol have laid off workers and idled or sold plants to stay afloat during the sustained downturn. Ethanol prices are down 42 percent in the last five years, while Green Plains and Pacific Ethanol have seen their shares fall 33 percent and 92 percent, respectively, in that time.

“We don’t have a demand problem as much as we have a supply problem. There are just too many inefficient plants out there, and they need to go before we see a rebound,” said one ethanol trader on Friday. “It’s not like we are producing DVDs or CDs that no one wants.”

China emerged in 2015 as a significant buyer for the first time, and subsequent plans to use ethanol in gasoline nationwide by 2020 raised hopes that the world’s second largest economy would scoop up excess US supply.

But Beijing hiked import taxes on the biofuel in 2017, and then twice in 2018 as the United States and China ratcheted up the stakes in a trade war that has killed demand for US imports. The two countries are still negotiating a trade deal that would end the tariff conflict.

Young said margins will improve with resolution of the trade dispute and purchase commitments from China expected to accompany any pact.

Still, some say that will be a temporary boost.

“Exports may provide some temporary relief,” said Scott Irwin, an agricultural economist at the University of Illinois. “(But) without substantial growth from higher ethanol blends you are looking at situation where the US ethanol industry has to shrink” over the next 5-10 years.” — Reuters

Yields on gov’t debt flat

By Christine J.S. Castañeda
Senior Researcher

YIELDS on government securities (GS) were flat last week as investors await the release of major economic data in the coming days.

On average, debt yields — which move opposite to prices — went down by 0.5 basis point (bp) week on week, the PHP Bloomberg Valuation (BVAL) Service Reference Rates as of April 26 published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website showed.

In an email, Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc., said: “The market has been quiet with domestic major economic data still to be released on the second week of May.”

“Players were looking at international events to help move the local market but the average yield decline showed marginal movement,” Mr. Asuncion said, adding that the announcement of first quarter inflation may have also contributed to the flattish yield last week.

For his part, Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa, senior economist at ING Bank N.V.’s Manila branch, said in an email: “Market players were in consolidation mode in a calamity-shortened trading week with investors lacking any sort of impetus to push market either way.”

“Investors did react to the surprise rejection of the 20-year auction but even this reaction was muted with investors looking to fresh clues on inflation and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP),” he added.

Meanwhile, Michael L. Ricafort, economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said in an email interview: “The latest week-on-week declines in most local interest rate benchmarks largely reflect the similar easing in the government bond yields in the US and other developed countries after global oil prices corrected lower from six-month highs specially in the latter part of the week after bigger-than-expected increase in US crude oil inventories.”

“Local interest rate benchmarks also mostly eased week-on-week after the narrower budget deficit data for [the first quarter of the year], largely brought by slower growth in government spending after the delays in the 2019 national budget,” Mr. Ricafort added.

Headline inflation for the first quarter of the year slowed to 3.8% from the previous quarter’s 5.9%, the central bank’s quarterly Inflation Report released last April 26 showed.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) rejected bids for its P20-billion offer of reissued 20-year bonds last Wednesday as yields sought by investors were higher than secondary market rates.

At the secondary market on Friday, at the short end, the 91- and 182-day Treasury bills (T-bill) went up by 4.1 bps and 0.2 bp to yield 5.732% and 5.964%, respectively. The 364-day T-bill yielded 6.105%, up 0.3 bp.

At the belly of the curve, the rates of the two-, three-, and four-year debt papers lost 1 bp (5.961%), 0.3 bp (5.912%) and 0.5 bp (5.892%). Yields on the five- and seven-year bonds also went down by 1.9 bps (5.89%) and 6.6 bps (5.916%).

At the long end, the 10-year bond saw its rate go down by 10 bps to 5.965% while the 20- and 25-year papers gained 1.5 bps and 8.7 bps to yield 6.066% and 6.267%.

For this week, Mr. Ricafort said: “Local interest rate benchmarks (PHP BVAL yields) could continue to ease [this] week amid expectations of easing inflation trend in view of the release of the latest inflation data on May 7, 2019, followed by a possible easing of monetary policy as early as May 9, 2019.”

“Players are expected to rely on outside market drivers [this] week while waiting for huge data releases next [week],” said UnionBank’s Mr. Asuncion.

April inflation and first quarter gross domestic product will be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on May 7 and May 9, respectively.

For ING’s Mapa: “Investors will likely take their cue from fresh supply as well as the BSP’s inflation forecast for April.”

Fashion and sustainability from the grassroots to the world

By Maya M. Padillo
Correspondent

DAVAO CITY — Global Shapers Community-Davao Hub, a network of young leaders which was started by the World Economic Forum, has taken a global campaign to link fashion and sustainability to Mindanao through “Unstitch: A Fashion and Sustainability Fair.” Jesse B. Madriaga of Global Shapers Davao said the definition of fashion has been changing, with more and more conversations revolving around clothing and accessories that “value people, planet, creativity, and profit in equal measures.”

“More than ever, there is a growing number of people who are becoming interested in how their clothes are made and the story behind it,” he said at the Kapihan sa Davao forum last week to promote the Unstitch fair which was held on April 27 and 28, at the Philippine Women’s College (PWC) of Davao and the Lara Mia Café and Bistro across the PWC campus.

The fair was timed to coincide with the global Fashion Revolution Week.

“We are doing this fair to take the global movement at the grassroots…,” said Dianna U. Santiago, another member of the Global Shapers Community, who noted that this was the first time that the fair was held in Davao, after previously having been held in Cebu and Manila. “We are trying to introduce these aspects (of sustainable fashion) to the Davaoeños, as well as serve as platform to meet other sustainability advocates,” she added.

The two cited as an example the Akaba brand, which works with different communities in the Philippines such as the T’boli in Mindanao and Ifugao in Luzon to produce bags and other items that are available at the Go Lokal stores in the country as well as being exported to the United States and Canada.

“When I posted these (Akaba products) on Facebook, a lot of Davaoeños wanted to buy it because it’s new,” Ms. Santiago said.

Mr. Madriaga said the growing market for sustainable designs is largely composed of the younger generation which is becoming more conscious of the link between sustainability and what they wear and other consumer goods they use.

“Sustainability is multifaceted, it includes cultural sustainability and being aware of the situation of indigenous people, and be aware of what they need to sustain (their culture and traditions),” Ms. Santiago said.

“We need to think of the long-term effects of our clothes and also the social aspect of sustainability: Who made our clothes, are they paid well, received benefits?” she added.

The fair featured pop-up shops, workshops, talks, and networking. One of the main activities of Unstitch over the weekend was the forum “Clothing and Community: Artisan Storytelling.”

This put the spotlight on Mindanao fashion makers such as Sesotunawa, a community of artisans and cultural workers who bring together the culture, arts, and stories of the T’bolis of Lake Sebu, and Nurainie D. Ampatuan, who describes herself as a “modest fashion” designer who celebrates her culture by incorporating Maguindanao’s traditional woven cloth, inaul, in her pieces.

“As most of us know, Mindanao has a lot to offer when it comes to cultural heritage. And to continue the enthusiasm and promote inaul, I made it as our brand (Hilyah’s) signature and combined it with imported materials,” Ms. Ampatuan said.

“I want to give more meaning on how we use or wear inaul and change the mindset of how our community (traditionally) wears it… And I think it is the best way to promote not just the product itself but also our identity as Maguindanaon and as a Muslim Filipino,” she said.

UPS sets sights on catering to small enterprises based in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY — UPS Philippines is aiming to provide shipping and logistical services to more small-and-medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Mindanao, which the company sees as a growing sector.

“We want to partner with as many SMEs in Davao. We have a lot of customers in Davao who want to work with us and we are happy to support any customer. UPS does not discriminate when it comes to businesses in Davao and we look forward of tapping all possible enterprises that we can work with,” said UPS Philippines Managing Director Chris Buono in a video conference following a workshop with SME representatives in Davao City last Friday.

Mr. Buono said bananas, coconuts, and chocolates are the common goods from Davao delivered to Japan, US, and Hong Kong. He said they see a growing market of handwoven blankets from Marawi City.

“What I’d see personally is a growing market for handmade woven blankets from Marawi brought to Manila and other countries,” he said.

The workshop, held in partnership with logistics firm Air21, was intended to help small businesses, which have limited resources, break into global commerce through market identification and assistance in delivery services.

“The export market is very positive. We are seeing growth in the last few years and more likely it will continue not just in Davao but other areas in the Philippines,” Mr. Buono said.

UPS has more than 1,800 worldwide operating facilities and 150,000 entry points. — Maya M. Padillo

Cebu Pacific cancels several flights amid ‘unprecedented level of disruption’

CEBU PACIFIC is canceling several flights scheduled until Tuesday due to an “unprecedented level of disruption” in its operations since last week.

In a statement on Sunday, the Gokongwei-led budget carrier said it has canceled a total of seven flights yesterday, nine flights today and seven flights on Tuesday to “help stabilize flight timings, improve on time performance and reduce inconvenience to our passengers.”

“Efforts have been made to minimize the disruption to our passengers in the past week. However, we realize that current operating conditions, particularly in our Manila hub, necessitate a temporary reduction of flights,” it said.

The canceled flights on Sunday were from Manila to Legazpi, Tacloban, Davao, Bacolod, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Dumaguete and Cagayan de Oro.

For Monday, Cebu Pacific canceled flights between Manila and Butuan, Dipolog, Cebu, General Santos, and Puerto Princesa. It also canceled flights between Cebu and Zamboanga, and Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi.

On Tuesday, the affected flights are between Cebu and Iloilo, Tacloban, and Dipolog. It also canceled flights between Manila and Cebu, Ozamiz, Roxas and San Jose.

Passengers are allowed to rebook their flights within 30 days from schedule, get a full refund or re-route to and from alternate airports.

Cebu Pacific is also offering one round-trip travel voucher to affected customers.

“Passengers booked on these canceled flights don’t need to go to the airport and instead, they can utilize self-management of their bookings,” it said. — D.A.Valdez

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