Fruitas hikes 2021 capex, readies expansion abroad
Fruitas Holdings Inc. is preparing for a strong rebound this year with the possibilitity of expanding abroad......»»
CLI allots higher capex, partners with Japan firm
Cebu Landmasters Inc. is hiking its capital spending to P14.5 billion this year as it gears up for growth and expansion following a strong financial performance in 2023......»»
Jordin Sparks, LorinAllred, OPM greatsin Troy Laureta’snew album ‘Dalamhati’
Award-winning Filipino musical director Troy Laureta has released his latest album Dalamhati, which contains fresh covers of OPM classics and contemporary hits and some of his original songs. The album includes 24 tracks featuring outstanding musical artists from the Philippines and abroad, such as Regine Velasquez (“Huwag Mo Kong Iwan”), Ogie Alcasid (“Pangarap Ko’y Ibigin Ka”), Jed Madela (“The Memory”), Loren Allred and Pia Toscano (“Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw”), Katharine McPhee-Foster (“Kailan Kaya”) and many more. “Being able to collaborate with amazing artists singing our songs will always be one of my greatest accomplishments,” said Laureta. Dalamhati also serves as the final installment of the “Troy Laureta OPM Collective” album trilogy which began with Kaibigan and Giliw, released in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In the key track “Akin Ka Na Lang,” Laureta introduces a fresh and interesting twist to the famous ballad by teaming up with singer-songwriter and American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks. Laureta also produced the track while Kikx Salazar composed its lyrics. Prior to the album launch, Laureta dropped his collab with Martin Nievera, “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” which is also part of the album. Aside from being a musical director, Laureta is also an internationally renowned keyboardist and producer who has worked with numerous artists including Ariana Grande, Deborah Cox, Melanie Fiona, Cheesa, Tommy Page and Iggy Azalea. He was mentored by Canadian musician and composer David Foster and is known for the lush sound and classical influences of his contemporary pop works. Dalamhati is available now on various music streaming platforms. The post Jordin Sparks, LorinAllred, OPM greatsin Troy Laureta’snew album ‘Dalamhati’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Energy sector workers run out
Amid the energy transition frenzy, listed Aboitiz Power Corp., or AboitizPower, recognized a growing scarcity of skilled power industry workers. It is thus necessary to develop a workforce that can adapt and implement energy security, affordability, and sustainability. “There has to be a workforce now and in the future that will keep our energy system functioning and serve the needs of our country,” AboitizPower chief people officer MaLu Inofre said. “Among our most difficult challenges is building a skilled talent pipeline that can effectively adjust and work with the fast-paced transformation within the industry’s energy mix, digital systems and regulations,” she said. Power forum held “It has become exceedingly vital to ensure that workforce skills align with the changes of the times,” she further explained. “In the same way, attracting talent in a competitive global market is crucial to a sustainable, efficient, and innovative Philippine power sector that meets our country’s growing energy demands and sustainability objectives.” Inofre made her remarks during the first Philippine Power Industry HR Forum at Shangri-La The Fort, Taguig City. The event was presented by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc., or AmCham, in partnership with AboitizPower. In the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment said that an estimated 1 million skilled workers in engineering, architecture, and construction are lacking. They cited “Power Plant Maintenance Engineer” and “Maintenance/Powerplant Engineers” as among the most challenging occupations to fill up. This can be due to a lack of qualified applicants or brain drain (or when better opportunities abroad are taken advantage of by skilled locals). “Between 2016 and 2021, the employment in the power industry declined by 15,444 individuals,” said DoLE Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick Patriwirawan Jr. during the same event. “The Philippines saw an increase in the employment in the renewable energy industry last year but could have employed more if not for the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on various project developments in the sector.” Inofre added that a major factor influencing the labor shortage is the shift in the type of skills sought by employers, especially as the sector tries to balance the entry of renewable energy whilst maintaining traditional energy systems. “Knowing this, upskilling will be key to facilitating a just transition for those who will be affected by the transition to a greener economy, as well as the new generation of workers. It is imperative that we successfully cultivate both thermal and renewable energy, so that we can ensure reliable and affordable energy supply for the country,” she said. Meralco Power Academy program management director Engr. Marc Lester Malibiran explained that, on top of upskilling the workforce, the industry should also help develop interest for the sector, especially in the youth. “The Philippines boasts a young and vibrant population, brimming with innovative potential. By investing in talent development, we tap into this dynamic workforce, harnessing their fresh ideas and energy,” he said. “Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in both take-up and completion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), averaging only a 21 percent completion [rate].” Intimidating STEM “Young Filipinos avoid STEM as it is seen to be an intimidating course of study. This is important to know as this signals us to develop programs that remove this preconceived notion,” he added. Young academic and professional achievers were recruited and trained by AboitizPower to operate, monitor, and control the company’s National Operations Control Center, which oversees over 20 renewable energy facilities spread across the country all from one central location. The forum served as an avenue for human resources professionals in the Philippine power industry to connect, collaborate, and communicate ideas, knowledge and best practices. Sentiments from the breakout sessions revealed that skills and competency gaps or mismatch, a limited external talent pool, and difficulty in retaining talent due to global and local competition are the most cited challenges in the human resources field of the energy sector. The post Energy sector workers run out appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A skilled workforce — a critical component of Phl energy transition
Amid the Philippine energy transition, Aboitiz Power Corporation recognized the growing scarcity of skilled power industry workers and, hence, the necessity of developing a workforce that can adapt and willingly carry the important task of ensuring energy security, affordability, and sustainability for today’s and tomorrow’s Filipinos. “There has to be a workforce now and in the future that will keep our energy system functioning and serve the needs of our country,” said AboitizPower chief people officer MaLu Inofre. “However, among our most difficult challenges is building a skilled talent pipeline that can effectively adjust and work with the fast-paced transformation within the industry's energy mix, digital systems and regulations.” “It has become exceedingly vital to ensure that workforce skills align with the changes of the times,” she further explained. “In the same way, attracting talent in a competitive global market is crucial to a sustainable, efficient, and innovative Philippine power sector that meets our country’s growing energy demands and sustainability objectives.” Inofre made her remarks during the first Philippine Power Industry HR Forum at Shangri-La The Fort, Taguig City. The event was presented by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. in partnership with AboitizPower. Young academic and professional achievers were recruited and trained by AboitizPower to operate, monitor, and control the company’s National Operations Control Center, which oversees over 20 renewable energy facilities spread across the country all from one central location. In the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment said that an estimated one million skilled workers in engineering, architecture and construction are lacking. They cited “Power Plant Maintenance Engineer” and “Maintenance/Powerplant Engineers” as among the hard-to-fill occupations in the country. This can be due to a lack of qualified applicants or brain drain (or when better opportunities abroad are taken advantage of by skilled locals). “Between 2016 and 2021, the employment in the power industry declined by 15,444 individuals,” said DOLE Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan Jr. during the same event. “The Philippines saw an increase in the employment in the renewable energy industry last year but could have employed more if not for the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on various project developments in the sector.” Inofre added that a major factor influencing the labor shortage is the shift in the type of skills sought by employers, especially as the sector tries to balance the entry of renewable energy whilst maintaining traditional energy systems. “Knowing this, upskilling will be key to facilitating a just transition for those who will be affected by the transition to a greener economy, as well as the new generation of workers. It is imperative that we successfully cultivate both thermal and renewable energy, so that we can ensure reliable and affordable energy supply for the country,” she said. Meralco Power Academy Program management director Engineer Marc Lester Malibiran explained that, on top of upskilling the workforce, the industry should also help develop interest for the sector, especially in the youth. In a panel discussion, AboitizPower Chief People Officer MaLu Inofre (2nd from right) said that the energy industry must come together to craft and implement programs that strengthen the talent pipeline for the Philippine power industry. “The Philippines boasts a young and vibrant population brimming with innovative potential. By investing in talent development, we tap into this dynamic workforce, harnessing their fresh ideas and energy,” he said. “Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in both take-up and completion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), averaging only a 21 percent completion [rate].” “Young Filipinos avoid STEM as it is seen to be an intimidating course of study. This is important to know as this signals us to develop programs that remove this preconceived notion,” he added. The Philippine Power Industry HR Forum served as an avenue for human resources professionals in the Philippine power industry to connect, collaborate and communicate ideas, knowledge and best practices. Sentiments from the breakout sessions revealed that skills and competency gaps or mismatch, a limited external talent pool and difficulty in retaining talent due to global and local competition are the most cited challenges in the human resources field of the Philippine energy sector. A panel discussion moderated by Atty. Jose Layug Jr. of Divina Law saw Michael Page regional director and country head Albert Perez, Meralco chief HR officer Edgardo “Egay” Carasig, Philippine Independent Power Producers Association, Inc. president Atty. Anne Estorco Montelibano and ACEN chief HR officer John Philip Orbeta discuss the need to calibrate existing government programs to be more in sync with the needs of the energy industry. This includes building competencies within communities to turn locals into more competitive applicants. Meanwhile, another panel discussion moderated by AmCham Human Capital & Resources Committee co-chair Ernie Cecilia had Global Business Power Corporation VP-Human Resources Maria Luz Blanco-Uriarte, One Renewable Energy Enterprise, Inc. founder and president Erel Narida and AboitizPower’s Inofre talk about how retaining workers involves investing on their skills, ensuring talent mobility opportunities and giving them a sense of purpose. “The energy industry must create an acceptable, progressive plan to resolve the talent crisis. AboitizPower, for one, makes an effort to resolve the shortage of estimated skilled workers in our industry by maintaining academic-industry linkages with universities in the country, providing long-term scholarships [and] establishing programs with TESDA that help promote electrical engineering skills at the grassroots level, among other initiatives,” Inofre said. “Through similar initiatives, I believe we can successfully empower a community of like-minded individuals who work towards implementing human resource programs that strengthen the talent pipeline for the Philippine power industry,” she concluded. The post A skilled workforce — a critical component of Phl energy transition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHEd eyes internationalized Phl higher education schools
The Commission on Higher Education has been conducting various initiatives to promote the internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions, its chairperson Prospero de Vera III said during the launching of this year's European Higher Education Fair at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City on Friday. "We engaged in international benchmarking activities and assessments by reputable international brands. We linked Philippine HEIs with international university networks through participation in training programs, summer schools, forums, cross-visits and faculty and student mobilities," De Vera said. "We have forged educational partnerships with various foreign educational institutions to expand educational opportunities and enhance professional development," De Vera added. De Vera said the EHEF helps in linking Philippine universities to the best higher education institutions from the European Union. "It allows Filipino participants to have an opportunity to explore and master their chosen fields of study from the best universities and colleges in Europe proving that education knows no geographic bounds," he said. "Through our collective action with our partners in Europe, we look forward to reengineering Philippine higher education for the better, learning more relevant innovations and helping reimagine higher education -- here and abroad, working on the premise that the pursuit of higher education paves the way for a better future," the CHED chief added. In 2021, around 9,710 students, academicians, researchers and university officials from across the country attended the virtual EHEF launch. In 2022, in a hybrid setup, it gathered 1,900 on-site participants and 6,000 online participants. "These figures show that EHEF and our pursuit of academic excellence for higher education in the Philippines can surmount the limitations of the pandemic," De Vera said. "This year, our coming here together means that we continue to create a more diverse and more connected classroom of global citizens working together to redefine higher education under the new normal," he added. According to De Vera, the EHEF 2023 indicates the European Union’s continuing commitment to extending a trail or platform for Filipino students to explore diverse fields of study on a global scale. "It reinforces the mission of the Commission on Higher Education to globalize and internationalize the higher educational institutions and students in the country," he said. De Vera likewise said that CHED has already been implementing Transnational Higher Education or TNHE. "Now this has become a declared national policy and priority since the TNHE Act was enacted," he said. Under this law, higher education is eyed as a means to build the capacities of Philippine students, especially in underserved and niche areas. "While it is seen as a means to introduce new technologies and knowledge into the country, TNHE can also be used as a tool to spur foreign investment in the Philippines. The law, even before the pandemic, also explores new modes of delivery," De Vera said. "TNHE partnerships give Filipino students access to foreign credentials, even as they enter programs at Philippine universities," the CHED chief added. The post CHEd eyes internationalized Phl higher education schools appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Balik-Tanaw | The Parable of the Vineyard Workers and the plight of migrant workers
In 2021, the Philippine Statistic Authority estimates that about 1.83 million OFWs worked abroad from April to September of the same year. The same data reveal that about “four in every ten” OFWs work low-status or ‘elementary’ jobs, such as street vendors, construction and factory workers, cleaners, domestic helpers, and agriculture laborers. They are the hired workers, doing the 3Ds works, (dirty, dangerous, and demeaning). It was recorded that the majority of OFWs work in Asia, specifically Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore, and Qatar. The post Balik-Tanaw | The Parable of the Vineyard Workers and the plight of migrant workers appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
TOFA honors this year’s Presidential Volunteer Service awardees
The Outstanding Filipinos in America, an organization that honors the achievements of Filipinos in the USA, named the 2023 Presidential Volunteer Service Awardees during the recent awarding ceremony at the Triad Theater in New York City. Founded by New York-based journalist Elton Lugay, TOFA acknowledged individuals who rendered their talents and skills, expertise and wisdom in diverse community events around the United States. The distinction was acknowledged by the office of The White House in Washington, D.C. This year’s recipients included senior creative manager Angelene Coronel, healthcare worker Richie Garcia, special education teacher Deirdre Levy, public health expert Rachelle Peraz Ocampo, civil rights advocate Clifford Robin Temprosa and digital creators Dennis Almario, Chris Labaco, Jonathan Maravilla, Erwin Pajarillo and Eric Relucio. Dominating the roster were artists and performers Arianne Aldecoa, Denise Kara Almario, Bernice Bernabe, Eric Celerio, Marga Empress, Manilyn Gemproso, Asia Guzman, Melody Himarangan, Erno Hormillosa Jr., Gene Juanich, Hansel Mendoza, Morris Montilla, Marcus Oche, Bobby Ramiro, Ellis Young, Hannah Zapanta and Mark Anthony Atienza. Atienza, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Music Production from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, recalled that he was surprised with the recognition. He thought he was just only attending the affair. “I feel honored and blessed to receive this award. It continues to motivate and inspire me to constantly give back to the community,” he said. Since residing in the US since 2021, he sang in Filipino restaurants, including Kabayan and Kusina Pinoy Bistro. Atienza was the opening act of some biggest celebrities’ concerts, such as Morissette Amon, Marcelito Pomoy, Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano and KZ Tandingan. He likewise has been part of special traditional Masses such as Simbang Gabi and social gatherings of the Philippine consulate and the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. With his determination and passion, Atienza, along with his fellow TOFA singers Almario, Guzman, Relucio, Young, Zapanta, Neeko Delos Santos and Geo Rebucas, showcased their vocal prowess with the US National Anthem during the Filipino Heritage Night at a National Basketball Association game at Madison Square Garden in November 2022. They were also invited to serenade the White House for its Christmas Open House in December 2022. Despite missing his home country, Atienza shared that he temporarily decided to stay abroad because of the opportunities which opened up for his career. “As an independent artist during the pandemic, it was really hard for me because I had no place to perform,” he stated. “No way to somehow make a living with my music.” He lauded all musicians and digital creators in the industry for inspiring him to become a better person. “I hope and pray that with your art and contents that you’re making, you’ll continue to use it to make an impact on our society.” Atienza wrote songs for multimedia companies GMA Music and Viva Music. His original pieces were also featured in the movie Walwal, which was directed by award-winning filmmaker and Benilde Digital Filmmaking chairperson Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes. He recently released his debut album 20/20, which was based on his own experiences of love and heartbreak during the coronavirus pandemic. The post TOFA honors this year’s Presidential Volunteer Service awardees appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mapúa leads health sciences studies in Mindanao
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics states that employment in the healthcare field is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2021 to 2031. [caption id="attachment_172840" align="aligncenter" width="777"] MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences boast of immersive simulation where students can work on 3D anatomical models.[/caption] This increase indicates the creation of two million jobs over a span of 10 years, a much higher than the average for all occupations. With this, students who wish to pursue a career in the medical field have a plethora of options waiting for them locally and abroad. Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao establishes its mastery in the said field through its College of Health Sciences. Programs include BS Biology, BS Psychology, BS Pharmacy, and BS Physical Therapy. Opportunities provided to students encompass global learning, advanced research,and digital technology. Mapúa MCM’s College of Health Sciences has collaborated with Arizona State University to hone pre-med students to be globally ready, be proficient with advanced and immersive facilities and digital mastery. Arizona State University is ranked #1 in the US innovation ahead of MIT and Stanford for eight consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report. ASU is also among the top one percent of universities worldwide, ranked by the Center for World University Ranking 2022-2023 and among the top 150 universities worldwide by the Shanghai Ranking, 2022. MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences is one of the few schools in the region that boasts of immersive simulation rooms where students can work on 3D anatomical models, virtual dissection tables and human body projections via AI. But above and beyond technological innovations, MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences ensures that their students are anchored on solid ethics and human values through hands-on experience and real-world exposure. Its students undergo internships in hospitals, clinics and community centers where they learn about promotion, prevention, treatment and intervention as they get to interact with real patients. “The medical field is an ever-evolving industry, and the demand for healthcare workers is stronger now than ever. We build our capacity to address this gap through a collaboration with the Healthway network, wherein we streamline the career path of our students — from school to internships and hands-on clinical rotations, straight to career opportunities,” Dr. Adorico M. Aya-ay, dean of the MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences, said. MAPÚA MCM also substantiates its faculty members by sending them to train and seminars abroad to learn from experts worldwide. The post Mapúa leads health sciences studies in Mindanao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Country Garden: China’s under-pressure property giant
Concerns are mounting in China around Country Garden, a major property developer whose colossal debt raises fear of a bankruptcy that could spell wider economic turbulence, two years after the unravelling of its competitor Evergrande. Country Garden shares plunged by more than 18 percent in Hong Kong on Monday after it missed bond payments and warned of multibillion-dollar losses. Its billionaire boss Yang Huiyan has said the firm is "facing the greatest difficulties since our establishment". Here's what you need to know about Country Garden: Family business Country Garden is run by Yang Huiyan, who until recently was one of the richest women in China and Asia. Yang, now in her early forties, became a billionaire when she inherited shares from her father in 2005, two decades after he founded the company. But her fortune has dwindled since 2021 as China's real estate crisis dramatically weakened the sector. Yang, who lost nearly $29 billion in two years according to a Bloomberg ranking of billionaires, has an estimated wealth of $5.3 billion. To support Country Garden, she and her family have chipped in the equivalent of $4.9 billion in personal funds, according to the group. Real estate heavyweight The top seller of real estate in China last year, Country Garden was named in Forbes' list of the 500 largest companies in the world. Based in the southern Chinese city of Foshan, the group employed nearly 70,000 "full-time" staff members at the end of 2022, according to the most recent figures from the company, which has long been deemed financially solid. It also has operations abroad, including a gigantic real estate project in Malaysia involving artificial islands. Under pressure But recent sluggishness in the Chinese real estate market has caught up with the company. According to media reports, Country Garden was unable to make two bond payments on 6 August. It has a 30-day grace period, but if it does not pay within that time it risks default. Adding to the pressure, 31 billion yuan ($4.27 billion) in the firm's bonds are set to mature in 2024, according to rating agency Moody's. Another Evergrande? Like its competitor Evergrande, which owes more than $300 billion, any collapse of Country Garden would have damaging repercussions on the Chinese financial system and economy. It is due to publish its half-year results by the end of the month, and says it expects a net loss of 45 to 55 billion yuan (about $6.2 billion to $7.6 billion). And its situation is particularly precarious because around 60 percent of its projects are located in small Chinese cities, where property prices have fallen the most and where customers have weaker purchasing power. Country Garden announced over the weekend it would suspend trading of onshore bonds from Monday, a decision likely to cause concern in the markets as the company said that its debt was estimated at some 1.15 trillion yuan ($159 billion) at the end of 2022. Additional liabilities have brought other estimations of its overall debt as high as 1.4 trillion yuan ($193 billion), according to Bloomberg. Robotics In addition to its core focus on real estate, Country Garden has been developing robots for the catering industry since 2019. The firm has produced designs for different types of mechanized food processors, and last year it opened an expansive, fully automated restaurant in Foshan. The restaurant, which accommodates up to 600 people, is staffed by 20 robots that can prepare three types of dishes including Chinese hot pot, the firm said at the time. The post Country Garden: China’s under-pressure property giant appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fan power: SB19’s A’TIN routs global fanbases
P-Pop sensation SB19 recently clinched victory in the Billboard Fan Army Face-Off 2023, thanks to the unrelenting loyalty and support of their fans, called A’TIN. SB19 emerged as the eventual champions of the annual face-off, which pits artists’ supporters against each other. The quintet climbed to the top of the 64 participating acts, outperforming worldwide powerhouses such as BTS, Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Ariana Grande. The competition, designed to determine the most formidable fanbase, commenced on 5 July and culminated on Tuesday, 8 August. The ultimate battle matched SB19’s A’TIN against SEVENTEEN’s CARATs, devoted fans of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN. In the end, SB19’s A’TIN received 51.1 percent of the vote, while SEVENTEEN’s CARATs received 48.9 percent. Following their historic victory, SB19’s official Twitter account congratulated the group’s fans: “Congratulations, A’TIN! You’ve once again proven the power that you hold. Maraming salamat!” Member Josh expressed his pride in the fandom, acknowledging their hard work and dedication. This landmark victory marks a significant milestone for SB19’s A’TIN, making them the first Filipino fandom to secure the Billboard face-off title. They join the likes of Super Junior’s E.L.F, TARA’s Queens, BIGBANG’s V.I.Ps and Stray Kids’ STAYs as previous champions. SB19’s A’TIN had finished second in the previous year’s tournament, trailing Stray Kids’ STAYs. SB19’s rise to prominence has been a sequence of triumphs. They were the first Filipino act to be included in Billboard’s Social 50 list in 2020, and their fame continued with a nomination in 2021. The group broke another record in 2021 with their song “Bazinga,” which ruled the Hot Trending Songs Chart for an unprecedented seven weeks, breaking the previous record established by BTS’ “Butter.” Recently, the quintet made their presence felt on Hollywood Boulevard with an electrifying street performance and a special appearance on the KTLA Morning Show. The group has just begun their world tour, with performances around the Philippines and select cities abroad in support of their second EP, PAGTATAG! which includes the chart-topping single “Gento.” The group’s headline performance at the recent PPOP CON was but the latest affirmation that in the world of P-pop, SB19’s Josh, Justin, Stell, Ken and Pablo are now the kings. And the world is fast taking notice. The post Fan power: SB19’s A’TIN routs global fanbases appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
D& L expects capacity, income boost via Batangas plant
With its Batangas plant up and running since July, listed chemicals manufacturer D&L Industries, Inc. expects to double its existing manufacturing capacity in the coming years — a move that will also perk up the company’s financial backbone. “The plant that we have built is not just another plant. Specced to the highest standards and equipped with new capabilities, our Batangas plant will elevate the company to operate on a whole new level,” D&L President and CEO Alvin Lao said at a press briefing on Wednesday. D&L’s Batangas plant sits on a 26-ha property in First Industrial Township - Special Economic Zone in Batangas. It will mainly cater to D&L’s growing export businesses in the food and oleochemicals segments. The facility will also add the capability to manufacture downstream packaging; thus, allowing the company to capture a bigger part of the production chain. While the company primarily sells raw materials to customers in bulk, the new plants will allow it to “pack at the source.” This means that D&L can efficiently process the raw materials and package them closer to finished consumer-facing products. Relatedly, it will enable D&L to move a step closer to its customers by providing customized solutions and simplifying its supply chain, which is of high importance given ongoing logistical challenges. However, Lao pointed out that the high volume of orders from prior periods coupled with the lingering effects of high inflation and generally cautious consumer sentiment slightly took a toll on the company’s profits. During the first half of the year, D&L’s earnings annually declined by 28 percent to P1.24 billion. Notably, in the second quarter, there was a subtle but continued sequential recovery with quarterly earnings growth of 9 percent to P646 million. Additionally, Lao noted that incremental expenses were booked in the first semester because of the new plant in Batangas. Excluding the Batangas-related expenses, first-half income would have fallen by just 13 percent yearly to P1.5 billion. “Similar to what we have seen with the various plants that we have built over the past 60 years, the commercial operations of a new plant will mean incremental expenses that may affect near-term income,” Lao pointed out. As the company moves past peak capex with the completion of its Batangas plant, coupled with the normalization of commodity prices, the company’s free cash flows, or FCF turned positive for the first time in two years. From January to June, the company’s FCF stood at positive P2 billion vs negative P1.7 billion and negative P3.4 billion booked in 2022 and 2021, respectively. With improving FCF, falling debt levels, and continued business optimism, D&L conveyed having “the highest confidence in its ability to service bonds maturing in 2024 and 2026.” The post D&L expects capacity, income boost via Batangas plant appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jing Sararaña’s way to healing through art
Angeles City-based visual artist Jaysil “Jing” Sararaña has already established a name in the art scene despite being a “late bloomer,” having started her artistic career only in 2020 during the lockdowns and restrictions imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Born in Tulunan, in the province of North Cotabato, Sararaña, with her own family, now lives in Pampanga, the province that first embraced her as a visual artist. Her parents are originally from the towns of San Joaquin and Miag-ao in Iloilo but moved to Mindanao in search of better opportunities like other migrants from the Visayas and Luzon. Sararaña is an abstractionist, a self-taught artist influenced by Pampangan visual artists Arnel Garcia and Aurelio de Guzman and abstractionist Kenneth Montegrade. She describes her style as “hyper creative and spontaneous,” her subjects inspired by her emotions, the poems she writes and her stories. “I paint as I go,” she said. “I usually just create a sketch of an idea but the details come after I’m done with the background.” Sararaña further explained that her art is “exactly how I feel at the moment. I like to be in my art.” “My art is me [and] it usually shows my character, my feelings, my story or my dreams,” she explained. [gallery size="full" ids="167793,167792,167791"] [caption id="attachment_167789" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Dancing On My Own’ (2022).[/caption] [caption id="attachment_167788" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘A Woman Who Weaves Life’ (2022).[/caption] Saved from depression For her, art is heart, which is the most important factor in creating works. Art also saved her from depression brought about by many things including the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. “Art saved me from the shambles of depression. If you feel alone and misunderstood, let art make them hear. Let art explain your emotion,” Sararaña said. Her art journey was accidental, and friends are calling her an accidental artist. “I never really thought of making art as a career as I wanted to study abroad to be a lawyer but it’s very difficult when you have no means and opportunities especially for a mom like me,” she said. “And I met art accidentally. The art community here in Angeles has been very welcoming. I enjoyed the new family I made through art, and I want to keep them so I continue making art.” Big break In March 2021, a big break came when she joined the art group Pilipinta, which mounted an inaugural exhibit at Robinsons Galleria’s Artablado that year. She mounted a mini exhibit at Okada Manila in October the next year after her collaboration with a fashion designer for the Manila International Fashion Week, where she painted a barong Tagalog worn by a participant from Singapore. She had her first solo exhibit in December 2022 in Pampanga. Sararaña is now a full-time mother of two while juggling being an artist after working in the business process outsourcing industry for years. “We transferred here in Pampanga five years ago for a new beginning, and we had to start from scratch,” she revealed. “I did not know anybody here, I don’t have someone to talk to and that is also the reason why I got depressed.” But it “made me discover art.” “I talk a lot but at the same time, I am also a loner and those undisclosed stories in my mind that I used to write in a blog, made a big impact in my works,” she said. The post Jing Sararaña’s way to healing through art appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Saudi women jailed for Twitter use should be freed
Two Saudi women sentenced to decades in prison over social media use have been held arbitrarily and should be released, according to UN expert findings seen Saturday by AFP. The lengthy jail terms handed down last year to Salma al-Shehab and Nourah al-Qahtani, primarily over Twitter posts criticizing the government, have heightened global scrutiny of repression under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is trying to rebrand the Gulf kingdom as open for business and tourism. In a report dated 19 June and shared with AFP, the UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent expert panel, determined the women had been held arbitrarily and that "the appropriate remedy would be to release" them. They should be given "an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law", it said. The UN experts also said there was credible evidence Shehab had faced "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" while in custody. The alleged abuses against her include "threats, insults, harassment and improper methods used during her interrogation", such as taking "advantage of (Shehab's) depression by interrogating her in the middle of the night, shortly after she had taken her antidepressant and sleeping pills". Sources for the report included five groups representing the two women, among them the rights organization ALQST, Democracy for the Arab World Now, and MENA Rights Group. In its response to the expert panel, Saudi Arabia rejected the findings as "unfounded" and said they lacked "supporting evidence". The kingdom said the judicial process had been fair and denied Shehab had been mistreated. Saudi officials did not respond to a request for comment from AFP on Saturday. Shehab, a member of the Shiite minority in the majority Sunni kingdom, had been studying for a doctorate in Britain when she was arrested in January 2021 while on holiday. She has said she was held for 285 days in solitary confinement before being convicted in March 2022 by a court that tries terrorism cases. The evidence against her included posts championing women's rights and retweets of a prominent Saudi women's rights activist. In August, she was sentenced to 34 years in prison and banned from traveling abroad for a further 34 years. Qahtani received a 45-year sentence last year for using Twitter to "challenge" Prince Mohammed and his father King Salman. A court document seen last year by AFP described an anonymous account in which Qahtani criticized the government and retweeted posts warning of attempts to arrest those behind public protests, which are not tolerated in Saudi Arabia. The post Saudi women jailed for Twitter use should be freed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bright future for PEZA and ecozone industry
I never dreamed of being at the forefront of an agency that contributed much to nation-building and has had a huge impact on the lives of many Filipinos, simply because job opportunities were created for them and their families. A probinsyano and son of a public servant, I grew up in the Bicol Region, in the capital town of Pili in Camarines Sur. My Father was a judge, hence a disciplinarian. My siblings and I were raised in an atmosphere of seeking excellence for that was what he demanded. It was my mother, a public school teacher, who tempered the strictness with love, understanding, and compassion – traits that I inherited and honed the person that I am today. Having been educated in Catholic schools in Naga City for elementary and high school, and at the premiere state university for college and graduate studies, had likewise molded my character into being a man for others and striving for integrity and excellence as core values. Coming from a family of public servants strengthened my resolve as well to pursue a career in government service. One day in January 1998, as I was walking along Roxas Boulevard after coming from a meeting, my curiosity was piqued by a government office that had a “For Hire” sign. I walked in, applied, and was admitted by the same agency in February 1998. This is how my journey in the Philippine Economic Zone Authority or PEZA began. Since my first day in office, I knew that the PEZA was the ideal agency for me given its exemplary performance as a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the Department of Trade and Industry. Rising through the ranks and having been immersed in various facets of the agency’s operations had encouraged me to excel in my work and aspire for Career Executive Service Officer eligibility and various foreign training for my career advancement. Beyond these personal gains, the long years of training and working with PEZA provided me the unique opportunity to contribute to propelling the nation’s growth by helping our agency achieve its mandate of attracting investments in the ecozones to be able to generate jobs, exports, and other economic opportunities for the country. As I am now at the helm of PEZA after having been appointed as its Director General by the President last 23 March, I realized that my real calling as a public servant is to continue embracing transformational leadership as I motivate and inspire my fellow PEZAns to give their best for PEZA and the country. In the short period when I assumed office, we have accomplished so much already as I employed a high-involvement and teamwork approach in mobilizing the support of the management and employees, valued ecozone investors, and industry partners as we collectively promote and facilitate investments through the ecozone program. We have doubled our investments in 2002 vs. 2021, where much of the investment pledges came in when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assumed office. We have sustained the growth momentum for the first five months of 2023, with PEZA’s approved investments reaching P48.03 billion which is 2.5 times higher compared to the same period last year. Ecozone manufactured goods/commodities and IT services account for 53% share of the total country’s annual exports. With 20 new ecozones awaiting Presidential Proclamation, PEZA can help accelerate countryside development to increase further the current 422 operating ecozones hosting 4,372 locator companies and providing 1.8 million direct jobs for our “kababayans.” We laid down some key policy reforms and other initiatives to further ease doing business and enhance our competitiveness as an investment destination. PEZA is among the first few agencies in government that have rolled out a cashless and paperless system for facilitating locators’ permits and other transactions. Moreover, we will automate this year our visa, building permit, letter of authority, financial management, and EPAMs, and launch our digital marketplace for the integration of local producers and suppliers into the ecozone value chain. Together with the DTI, Board of Investments, and Fiscal Incentives Review Board, we have restored the fiscal incentives of our RBEs under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Law. We have partnered initially with the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Information and Communications Technology in promoting new frontiers in ecozone development and got the Commission on Elections to exempt the locators from the long-standing clearance requirement for the movement of regulated commodities during an election period. We have also been actively involved in investment missions abroad and where we have been reaping the benefits from realized new investment sources and a mix of product sectors, with no less than the President taking the lead in promoting the Philippines as the smart destination in the region. We commit to advancing industry development as we pursue the creation of industry excellence centers for enhanced local value and global value chains and engage with higher educational and vocational and technical training institutions to prepare the Filipino workforce for advanced manufacturing and frontier technologies. We will work on the amendment of the PEZA law to make our agency more responsive and agile to keep up with the demands of our valued ecozone investors. These proactive measures we will undertake, including the improvement of our public ecozones to be more resilient and smarter, while maintaining our agency’s minimum of one billion pesos in annual tax payments and dividends to the national coffers. In forging a promising future for PEZA and the ecozone industry, we will continue to be agents of change and push for continual improvement with our delivery of services and the creation of ecozones in rural and new growth areas. Foremost in our strategic plan is to anchor the ecozone program on inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainability. We will strengthen our strategic alliances with public and private sectors to amplify ease of doing business and adherence to sustainable development goals across all ecozones nationwide and their linkages with the host LGUs and communities. Having spent 25 years in PEZA, I can only thank my fellow PEZAns first for being steadfast in performing their duties. Second, much credit should go to the Industry Leaders who have always been committed to the success of PEZA. My appointment into Office is a testament to the excellence that the civil service and its members uphold as stalwarts and front liners in achieving national progress for our Nation. In all these, I owe PEZA my career advancement and to the ecozone industry for our huge contributions to the country’s local and national development all these years. As we look to the future, we envision PEZA to be the nation’s primary catalyst for sound and balanced development by promoting viable and sustainable economic zones and by bringing in targeted investments to generate jobs, exports, and economic opportunities, especially in the countryside. The post Bright future for PEZA and ecozone industry appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Preempting ‘nurseless’ Phl
For thousands of Filipino nurses, working abroad can offer exciting opportunities to further their careers, gain new experiences, earn higher salaries, and work under better conditions than they would otherwise have in the Philippines. My late mother, a former head nurse at the Philippine General Hospital, was almost among them. One of the first batches of nurses who were offered an attractive employment package in the United States back in the 1970s, she processed the documentary requirements with eagerness only to defer at the last minute. Deciding not to be away from two children was easy at a time when the peso-dollar exchange rate was around P6.40. Rina’s case is different. As one of the 3,246 who failed the last two nursing licensure exams, Rina would rather keep her job as a BPO agent where she earns more or less P28,000 monthly, excluding benefits, rather than work as a nursing aide in a government hospital that gives lower pay. A nursing graduate in 2020, she plans to work abroad as a caregiver, which pays almost P100,000 a month. Just like all the other nursing graduates, they want to help their families, send children and siblings to school, and have a better future. Who wouldn’t be enticed by the direct hiring of foreign employers, where you don’t need an employment agency, which means no additional fees or charges? The brain drain of Philippine nurses, licensed or not, to the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, or any country, is a several decades-old phenomenon driven by a combination of economic, social, and political factors. Locally, our nurses are forced to work long hours for low pay in both public and private facilities. This sorry state drives them to jobs not at all related to nursing. According to the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc., at least 40 percent of nurses in various private hospitals resigned in the last two and a half years. Neither private nor public hospitals can match the salaries being offered to nurses abroad. The unabated brain drain of Philippine nurses will inevitably lead to a shortage of nurses in the country that will, in turn, affect the quality of healthcare services and create challenges for the government in providing adequate healthcare to its citizens. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa’s proposal to hire unlicensed nursing graduates to work in public hospitals earned the private sector’s support. These graduates would be given scholarships to study and pass the board exams. Should the plan push through, they will have to repay the government with four years of service. It looks doable but we will lose the trained nurses again after four years. It will be a vicious cycle of providing nursing board scholarships for a return of service, only to later lose the nurses. Professional Regulation Commission’s chief Jose Cueto Jr. has a different point of view — that there may be no need to hire flunkers of the nursing boards to fill the vacancies in government-run hospitals. PRC data, he said, has shown a higher passing rate in the Nursing Licensure Examination since last year. The passing rate in the NLE for the past six years was only 60 percent with only 70,000 passing the exams out of 130,000 examinees. He said there can be no shortage because approximately 80,000 nursing students graduate each year (Dahl et al., 2021) from 470 universities in the Philippines that offer nursing programs. How about the shortage attributed to the continuous migration of licensed nurses abroad for higher pay? While we take pride in the country’s focus on education, our high level of English proficiency, and the strong work ethic ingrained in Filipino culture, we should confront with practical and pragmatic solutions the imminent threat of a “nurseless” Philippines by 2026 or 2028. Unless the national government addresses the depressing pay and benefits for nurses in the private and public sectors, and even if they double or triple the existing 4,500 vacant plantilla positions for nurses in government hospitals across the country, the Philippines will continue to be the largest supplier of nurses to the world. The post Preempting ‘nurseless’ Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shares flock back abroad
Slowing inflation in May made investors turn to the United States anew, resulting in the negative close of most counters in the local bourse but the peso barely moved against the greenback. The Philippine Stock Exchange index shed 1.12 percent, or 73.2 points, to 6,434.06 points. All Shares followed with a decline of 0.87 percent, or 30.21 points, to 3,437.04 points. Most of the sectoral gauges also ended the day down, led by Services after it slipped by 2.04 percent. Trailing behind were Property, 1.59 percent; Holding Firms, 1.27 percent; Mining and Oil, 1.13 percent; and Financials, 0.55 percent Only the Industrial index managed to end with gains although minimal at 0.003 percent. Volume reached 1.16 billion shares amounting to P11.45 billion. Decliners led advancers at 118 to 72 while 41 shares were unchanged. “Investors pulled back into the US, as the latest inflation data showed that price pressures continued to slow down in May, fueling optimism that the Fed (Federal Reserve) may skip a rate hike in upcoming policy-setting meeting,” Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales, said. The US inflation rate posted its slowest since March 2021 when it decelerated to 4 percent on an annual basis in the fifth month this year compared to 4.9 percent in April. On a month-on-month basis, the rate of price increases jumped by 0.1 percent, slower than the 0.4 percent rise in the previous month. The post Shares flock back abroad appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Salient rights of OFWs (1)
Whether it is to find greener pastures or provide for their families, many Filipinos have been compelled to pursue employment opportunities abroad. In fact, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs has increased throughout the years. In 2021 alone, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that there are over 1.83 million OFWs. Under Republic Act 8042, as amended, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, an OFW is any person engaged, is engaged, or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a citizen or on board a vessel navigating the foreign seas other than a government ship used for military or non-commercial purposes or in an installation located off-shore or on the high seas. It is important to note that the constitutional protection granted to labor under Article II, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution likewise extends to OFWs regardless if they are working outside the Philippine jurisdiction. Here are the salient rights of an OFW pre-employment, during employment, and post-employment. Pre-employment: The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency requires that every employment contract of OFWs must contain the following minimum provisions: Complete name and address of the employer/company; Position and job site of the Overseas Filipino Worker; Basic monthly salary, including benefits and allowances and mode of payment. The salary shall not be lower than the prescribed minimum wage in the host country or the prevailing minimum wage in the National Capital Region of the Philippines, whichever is higher; Food and accommodation or the monetary equivalent which shall be commensurate to the cost of living in the host country, or off-setting benefits; Commencement and duration of the contract; Free transportation from and back to the point of hire, or off-setting benefits, and free inland transportation at the job site or off-setting benefits; Regular work hours and days off; Overtime pay for services rendered beyond the regular working hours, rest days, and holidays; Vacation leave and sick leave for every year of service; Free emergency medical and dental treatment; Just/valid/authorized causes for termination of the contract or of the services of the workers, taking into consideration the customs, traditions, norms, mores, practices, company policies, and the labor laws and social legislations of the host country; Settlement of disputes; Repatriation of worker in case of imminent danger due to war, calamity, and other analogous circumstances, at the expense of employer; and In case of worker’s death/repatriation of OFW’s human remains and personal belongings, at the expense of the employer. The licensed recruitment agency shall, prior to the signing of the employment contract, inform the OFW of their rights and obligations, and disclose the full terms and conditions of employment. It shall likewise ensure that the OFW is provided a copy of the POEA-approved contract to give the OFW ample opportunity to examine the same. Any changes to provisions of the signed employment contract, whether done in the Philippines or abroad, must be approved by the POEA. Otherwise, the alteration, substitution, or change shall be considered null and void. (To be continued) For more of Dean Nilo Divina’s legal tidbits, please visit www.divinalaw.com. For comments and questions, please send an email to cabdo@divinalaw.com. The post Salient rights of OFWs (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Proper authentication, must in recognition
As I have always emphasized in my articles, it is of utmost importance to strictly follow our rules of procedure in court. No matter how meritorious your case may be, you will not attain victory simply because of technical infirmities. Or you may achieve victory but once challenged, may lose it. It will be short-lived, which just sorely dampens your elation. Consider this case I will discuss with you. Petitioner Maricel L. Rivera was the wife of a Korean national, respondent Woo Namsun. The husband obtained a divorce in South Korea. To capacitate her to remarry, the petitioner-wife filed a petition for recognition of a foreign decree — the divorce judgment, with our courts in Quezon City. Petitioner attached to her petition the required documents for the grant of recognition. After due proceedings, the trial court gave her the nod. The Office of the Solicitor-General, representing the State, however, did not agree. It asserted that the petitioner did not follow the technical requirements as mandated. Accordingly, the court must reconsider its decision and deny recognition. Over the objection of the OSG, the court stood pat on its decision. It decreed that it would be unfair for the petitioner to stay married simply because of technicalities. Dissatisfied, the OSG posed the question before the Court of Appeals. The appellate court reversed the trial court. It opined that if technical rules are not followed, the recognition of the foreign judgment must be denied. It was thus the petitioner-wife’s turn to seek relief from the Highest Court. The Supreme Court, after looking into the issues, had this to say. “As the foreign divorce decree allegedly issued by the Seoul Family Court, as well as the Civil Act of South Korea, purports to be official acts of sovereign authority, they may be established by complying with the requirements of Section 24 and 25, Rule 132 of the Rules of Court. Otherwise stated, to prove the foreign judgment and the law on which it was based, the Section requires proof, either by (1) official publications; or (2) copies attested by the officer having legal custody of the documents. Should the copies of official records be proven to be stored outside of the Philippines, they must be accompanied by a certificate issued by the proper diplomatic or consular officer in the Philippine foreign service stationed in the foreign country in which the record is kept; and (2) authenticated by the seal of his office. “If copies are offered into evidence, the attestation: (1) must state that is a correct copy of the original or a specific part thereof; and (2) must be under the official seal of the attesting officer, or if he be the clerk of a court, under such seal of said court. In the instant case, petitioner failed to satisfy the foregoing requirements. To prove the fact of divorce, petitioner presented notarized copies of the said judgment with both English and Korean translations. Attached thereto is a letter of confirmation by the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea in the Philippines, which was signed by Chin Hyuun Yong, as counselor and consul, as well as an Authentication Certificate by the DFA. This Court cannot deny the insufficiency of the evidence presented. “While Chin Hyun Yong may be a counselor or consul of South Korea, his capacity as such cannot be construed by this Court to mean that he is an officer having legal custody of the judgment of divorce. In fact, the Authentication Certificate issued by the DFA only certifies that the latter was, at the time of signing, a counselor and consul of the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea. “Glaringly, nothing in the submitted documents would even lead this Court to assume that he was indeed the legal custodian of the judgment of divorce as contemplated by the Rules. Woefully, Chin Yun Hong is, therefore, in no position to attest that the judgment of divorce as found in the records is a genuine and correct copy of the original or a specific part thereof. Contrary to petitioner’s insistence that the records are found in the Philippines, it cannot be denied that the judgment of divorce is found abroad, being an official record of the Seoul Family Court. Being stored outside of the Philippines, the said judgment should have been accompanied by a certificate issued by a Philippine diplomatic or consular officer stationed in South Korea, which must be authenticated by his seal – this, petitioner failed to attach. “On the other hand, to prove the law of South Korea as a fact, petitioner offered in evidence a copy of the Civil Act of South Korea, a letter of confirmation from the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea in the Philippines, and an Authentication Certificate for the DFA. The law suffers the same fate as the judgment. Aside from being authenticated by Chin Hyun Yong, who to reiterate, is in no position to ensure its existence, there is no implication that the signature appearing thereon is genuine.” As can be gleaned above, petitioner Maricel already had the favorable judgment in her hands. And yet, of failure to comply with proper authentication, she lost her victory and had to go through this long process. In the end, the Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeals. It, however, gave her a second chance by remanding the case back to the trial court for further proceedings. This time, she is given a chance to do it right. And do it right she must. The facts and quoted decision are from Maricel Rivera v. Woo Namsun (G.R. No. 248355 promulgated on November 23, 2021) The post Proper authentication, must in recognition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wage hike tunnel vision
The Senate is expected to pass before adjourning sine die in June a P150-a-day, across-the-board wage hike after a bill mandating just that was approved “in principle” by its labor panel. That bill had been simmering before a technical working group, being cooked to make it palatable to employers, especially to micro, small, and medium enterprises that employ 5.4 million Filipinos. The few but noisy militants in the labor sector have derided the Senate panel’s wage bill and its counterpart House measure as too paltry against the skyrocketing prices of goods and services. Businesses had always been opposed to the shotgun approach of legislating wage hikes because a bearable imposition on one company may just be what would tip another enterprise to going into the precipice and seizing operations. In the latter example, workers, due to the actions of politicians pandering to what they think would earn them “pogi” points in the next election, could suddenly find themselves without jobs. It is for this reason that business groups like the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines had been steadfast in keeping the status quo of raising salaries through the regional wage boards. The boards oversee relatively smaller regions and as such can listen to affected parties, both from the labor and employer sides, thereby coming up with increases acceptable to both. As things stand relative to Congress’ clear intent to ram the P150/day wage hike maybe in time for the President’s second State of the Nation Address in July, there are two sides. The first backs the measure to address the rising cost of living, while the second group had been arguing that it is inflationary, or that it will lead to further increases in the prices of goods and services. Theoretically, wage hikes could be inflationary because they can lead to an increase in the demand for goods and services. When workers buy more goods and services, the sudden or artificial increase in demand can put upward pressure on prices. In addition, wage hikes can also lead to an increase in the cost of production as businesses may have to pass on higher wage costs to consumers in the form of higher prices. Abrupt legislated wage hikes may, however, not impact inflation in a robust economy where businesses may be able to absorb the higher costs of labor without passing them on to consumers. But in an economy like ours that is just now getting out of the pandemic, wage hikes may further increase prices as businesses may be less able to absorb the higher costs of labor and instead pass them on to consumers. In both types of economies, legislated wage hikes are one-size-fits-all solutions that could be bearable to some businesses but catastrophic to others, leading to some companies letting go of their workers. In looking at the wage bills, legislators should take off their blinders and look at the big picture and past our borders where companies are laying off workers left and right. In the United States alone, in the technology and digital sector which supposedly made a killing during the pandemic due to the lockdowns and mobility restrictions, layoffs are leaving a bloody mess. This month, Amazon announced the layoff of 16,000 from a combination of factors like diminishing revenue stream and increased competition. Google’s parent company Alphabet earlier announced dropping 12,000 employees. The list goes on and on with Microsoft also giving 10,158 workers the pink slip, and Facebook’s Meta paring down its labor pool by 10,000. Amid the layoffs abroad, the number of unemployed Filipinos in 2022 dropped by 1.04 million to 2.99 million, compared to the 3.96 million jobless Filipinos in 2021. Those numbers represent an unemployment rate of 6.4 percent in 2022 from 8.8 percent in 2021. The decline in unemployment can be attributed to the Philippine economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic with gross domestic product increases that had been the envy of our Asian neighbors. This is something that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not failed to point out in his many trips abroad to lure in foreign capital and investments. More than raising wages, the bigger challenge for the country is to further reduce unemployment by, among other things, addressing the mismatch between the skills of the unemployed with the skills required by the available jobs. Jobs generation is one aspect of the economy that lawmakers should focus on, one that would really impact the quality of life of Filipinos, and maybe even make the many Filipinos working abroad decide to come home since there are jobs for them locally. The post Wage hike tunnel vision appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
France to try 19 men over 2019 migrant lorry deaths: source
France is to try 19 men over a people-smuggling plot that led to the 2019 deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in the back of a lorry, a source familiar with the matter said Wednesday. The trial is the latest of several in Europe over the tragedy. The migrants -- the youngest of whom were two 15-year-old boys -- suffocated in the refrigerated container as they were being transported across the Channel to what they had hoped would be new lives in Britain. Their lifeless bodies were discovered inside the sealed unit at a port near London in October 2019. French investigating magistrates on Tuesday ordered the trial of 19 suspects aged 21 to 58 over the tragedy, the source said. A transnational investigation points to the suspects -- of Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Algerian and Moroccan origin -- being part of a large network smuggling people from Vietnam to Europe, it said. They stand accused of organizing the transport of migrants and driving taxis or owning flats where they could hide them in the Paris region, it added. According to wiretapped phone calls, these men referred to their victims as "merchandise" or even "chickens". They will all be tried for enabling the illegal entry and stay of foreigners on French territory and banding together with a view to committing crimes, which could carry up to 10 years in jail, the source said. Four will also be judged for manslaughter for failing to ensure duty of care during the smuggling operation, which could lead to punishment of three years behind bars. The cross-border probe revealed that migrants were loaded into a truck in northern France, before being driven to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge to cross the Channel. The tragedy shone a spotlight on the extraordinary dangers migrants are willing to risk to reach Britain, with some paying smugglers up to $40,000 for the perilous journey. Post-mortem tests found the victims died from lack of oxygen and overheating, and one sent a poignant text message to her family in Vietnam as she lay dying in the truck. The victims came from poor and remote corners of central Vietnam, a hotspot for people willing to embark on dangerous journeys in the hope of a better future abroad. Many are smuggled illegally through Russia or China, often left owing huge sums to their traffickers and ending up working on cannabis farms or in nail salons. There was no immediate date set for the French trial, which follows several convictions in other countries. A Belgian court last year sentenced a Vietnamese man to 15 years in prison after convicting him of being a ringleader in the trafficking operation. A British judge in 2021 convicted two men on 39 counts of manslaughter over the lorry tragedy, jailing them for 27 and 20 years. He also handed two truck drivers 13-year and 18-year sentences. The post France to try 19 men over 2019 migrant lorry deaths: source appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»