Makati City News February 2017

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Monument of Ninoy Aquino

Gov't to hire 230,000 teachers, health professionals 'til 2020

By Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas (JVDC/ALG, GMA News)

A lawmaker on Sunday said the government plans to hire more than 230,000 professionals in the education and health sectors until 2020 to improve public schools and the delivery of medical services in the country.

Makati City Representative Luis Jose Angel N. Campos Jr. said the government intends to hire 181,980 teachers and 52,562 health practitioners.

"We are releasing these figures to help graduating high school students as well as first- and second-year college students decide on what courses they may take or shift to, if they are considering future employability in the public sector as a factor," he said.

Campos said the Department of Education (DepEd) has allocated some P15.5 billion to fill up 53,831 new teaching positions for this year alone.

"The fastest-growing profession in the years ahead will be teaching, as DepEd steps up hiring to cope with the demands of a rapidly expanding public school system," he said.

"The need for Math and Science teachers in particular will be exceptionally strong," he added.

According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the DepEd has been given a budget of P543.2 billion in 2017, the biggest allocation among all the executive departments this year.

In his statement, Campos said teachers in public schools currently receive a monthly salary ranging from P19,077 for entry-level teachers under Salary Grade 11, and as much as P39,768 for a Master Teacher III under Salary Grade 20.

"These pay rates will increase every year until they reach P20,754 for Teacher 1 and P51,155 for Master Teacher III starting January 1, 2019 under Executive Order 201 of 2016," the statement read.

Meanwhile, for those under the medical field, Campos said the government is looking to hire the following:

• 39,466 nurses
• 3,288 pharmacists
• 2,862 medical technologists
• 2,497 universal health care implementers
• 2,424 physicians
• 1,114 dentists
• 911 public health associates

Security Bank, MUFG-hosted biz matching registers almost 200 meetings

(PNA), LGI/JSV/EDS

MANILA (PNA) -- Nearly 200 meetings among clients of Security Bank Corporation (Security Bank) and Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) were held during the one-day business matching event in Makati Shangri La Wednesday.

Businessmen who attended the matching are from various sectors such distribution and manufacturing of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), healthcare and medical equipment, real estate development, agriculture and seafood products.

Security Bank President and CEO Alfonso Salcedo Jr. said its tie-up with Japan’s largest lender and among the world’s leading financial entity enables the local bank’s clients to have access to more foreign investors.

”Our partnership with MUFG helps facilitate cooperation and provides access to the global marketplace for our clients; our combined strengths now serve as an avenue for Japanese and Filipino businesses to meet and discuss how to further develop opportunities that will help our economies,” he said.

MUFG Manila Branch General Manager Tadahiro Miyamoto said the Tokyo-headquartered bank’s partnership with Security Bank allows it to further widen access both for Filipino and Japanese businessmen.

He said the “Philippine market is very important to MUFG” and that the partnership “helps us better reach out to local corporates here and support Japanese investment within the country.”

”By jointly hosing this first-ever networking session, we hope to foster new relationships and contribute to greater business collaboration between companies from both countries,” he said.

MUFG holds a 20 percent share in Security Bank after investing PHP36.9 billion in the domestic universal bank in 2016.

16 MakSci Math wizards earn Youth Excellence in Science Medal of DOST

(ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY (PIA) -- Sixteen students from the Makati Science High School (MakSci) have received the prestigious Youth Excellence in Science (YES) medal from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in an awarding ceremony held recently at the Philippine Convention Center in Pasay City.

The YES medal is an institutional award of the DOST given to Filipino students for their exemplary achievements in international individual or team competitions in Mathematics and Science in the past year. The said competitions have been duly registered with DOST Science Education Institute (SEI).

Makati Mayor Abby Binay congratulated the young Math wizards for their achievement, and assured them of continued support from the city government.

“Their achievements should inspire their fellow students to strive for academic excellence. It validates the value of supporting public education with investments that enable our young Makatizens to achieve their full potential,” Binay said.

The latest DOST YES Awards recognized a total of 821 students from 238 different schools, the biggest batch of recipients since its inception. They consist of 446 students from the National Capital Region and 375 from other regions.

The 16 awardees from MakSci included five Grade 7 students, namely, Josh Kelvin Aguda, Joshua Clarke Bautista, Reighne Clarence Evangelista, Mark Andrei Elpedes and Lesmon Saluta. The two Grade 8 awardees were Al Patrick Castro and Paul Samson Topacio.

Other YES medal awardees from MakSci included eight Grade 9 students, namely, Jan Paul Aplacador, Trisha Denise Castillo, Albert Timothy Go, Miguel Gomez, Josua Padua, Kenneth Gabriel Rojas, Nathaniel Franz Rustia, and Patricia Ina Tañada, and Christopher Banzon, Grade 11.

Meanwhile, MakSci principal Mr. Samuel Bulan expressed his gratitude to the city government for its unwavering support to the students of MakSci.


“We are grateful to the city government of Makati for supporting our students every time they compete abroad, as well as our programs aimed at further developing their mathematical skills,” Bulan said.

Programs of the city science high school include the Mathematical Challenge for Filipino Kids Training Program (MCFKTP), Young Mathematicians In-House Intensive Training Program (YMIITP), and Mathematics Olympiad Summer Training Program (MOSTP).

DTI, P&G tie up for MSME program

(PNA), RMA/KMC

MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and personal and household care manufacturer Procter and Gamble (P&G) Philippines have partnered for a micro-entrepreneurship development program called “P&G Angat Kita”.

In a statement on Monday, DTI said P&G Angat Kita program aims to reach 20,000 to 30,000 micro entrepreneurs nationwide to help them develop their business skills and provide startup capital.

Under the program, DTI will give trainings and seminars to micro entrepreneurs, particularly sari-sari store owners through its Go Negosyo Centers.

To date, there are 448 Go Negosyo Centers in the country.

On the other hand, P&G will provide Php 2,500 worth of products as startup capital and will provide network linkage to entrepreneurs.

“This agreement is a huge lift for our micro entrepreneurs especially that we are targeting those who are at the bottom of the pyramid. We are a step closer to achieving the “trabaho at negosyo” (jobs and entrepreneurship) agenda of the administration,” DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said.

“This is a welcome agreement for us. After the launching of the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso or P3, we hope that more industry partners link up with DTI to come up with Business Models specially for budding micro-entrepreneurs,” she added.

DTI and P&G initially launched the P&G Angat Kita program in Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, Marikina, and Quezon City.

Fuji Xerox PHL bullish, launches cloud, mobility-ready printers

By Rizal Raoul Reyes

FUJI Xerox Philippines (FXP) Inc. sees a bright scenario for its local operations, as its executives said the economy shows “good indicators of sustained growth and determined leadership”.

“We see outstanding opportunities in the Philippines mainly because of the decisive style of the President, the high growth of the gross domestic product and the great performance of the stock market,” Ken Kozak, FXP printer channel sales general manager, said in an interview at the sidelines of the launching of its two new color printer models in Makati City.

Citing International Data Corp. (IDC) data, Kozak said Fuji Xerox’s sales rose to 20 percent in 2016, from 3 percent in the previous year in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region. This indicates a growing consumer confidence on the brand, he said.

In anticipation of a greater need from the local market, Kozak said the local office of the Minato, Tokyo, Japan-headquartered firm expanded its manpower from eight to 21 people. “We will also build a robust dealership network and expand our channel to cover a big part of the country.”

For a closer focus on their target market, Kozak said FXP will be adding teams in scanners, printers and government accounts to push their respective products.

Kozak said FXP has also bolstered its service centers to 122. “We have a service center as far as Puerto Princesa in Palawan.”

The company said the newly launched printers is positioned in the small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) market segment.

Ayala Land sets Php88-B capex this year; nets Php20.9B in 2016

By Leslie D. Venzon (PNA), RMA/LDV

MANILA (PNA) -- Property giant Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) earmarks Php88 billion in capital expenditures (capex) in 2017 after its profit surged 19 percent last year on the back of its property development business.

“We are optimistic about 2017 (as) we work towards our 2020 growth plan… We feel that the company continues to be well positioned to capitalize on the growth of the economy primarily because we have a land bank in placed,” said ALI President and Chief Executive Officer Bernard Vincent Dy in a press briefing.

Dy said the company would launch Php100-billion worth of projects for sale this year, bulk of which are residential projects.

ALI launched Php61.5 billion worth of residential and office for sale products in 2016 through its five residential brands Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Avida, Amaia and BellaVita.

ALI chief financial officer (CFO) Jaime Ysmael said of this year’s Php88-billion capex, about 47 percent, or Php45.7 billion, had been allotted for residential development.

Ysmael said the remaining amount would be earmarked for offices and hotels businesses, acquisitions and other corporate purposes.

ALI’s net income grew 19 percent to Php20.91 billion in 2016 from Php17.63 billion the previous year.

Consolidated revenues reached Php124.6 billion last year, 16 percent higher from Php107.2 billion the previous year, on the back of the stable growth of its property development business, balanced with the steady performance of its leasing portfolio.

Property development revenues grew 17 percent to Php79.2 billion, driven by the steady traction of its residential and office for sale segments, complemented with commercial and industrial lot sales.

Commercial leasing revenues grew 8 percent to Php26.6 billion as its portfolio of malls, offices, and hotels and resorts continue to expand within the Philippines.

For the fourth quarter alone, net income surged 22 percent from Php4.8 billion to Php5.8 billion, the fastest for the year.

“2016 marked another banner year for Ayala Land. We achieved a higher level of profitability coming from the sustained growth of our estates and core businesses. Further, we executed our investment program to ensure continued growth in the coming years,” Dy further said.

The company plans to complete seven shopping centers this year with a total gross leasable space of 224,000 square meters.

These include the recently opened Ayala Malls The 30th in Pasig, as well as Ayala Malls Vertis North in the Quezon City CBD, Ayala Malls Feliz in Cainta, and Ayala Malls One Bonifacio High Street in BGC, among others.

It also plans to complete a total of 185,000 sqm of gross leasable office space in locations like Vertis North, Circuit Makati, and The 30th in Pasig within the year.

Sustaining its contributions to the tourism sector after launching two new bed and breakfast offerings in El Nido, Palawan and Sicogon, Iloilo last year, ALI will mark the opening of its largest Seda hotel at Vertis North in Quezon City with 438 rooms and its first resort-type hotel, Seda Lio in El Nido, Palawan with 153 rooms in 2017.

ALI aims to breach a net profit of Php40 billion by the year 2020.

Dy said net income should grow 18 percent annually over the next four years to reach the Php40-billion profit goal.

DOT eyes greater air access for tourists

(PNA), RMA/ANP-PR

MANILA, Feb 16 (PNA) -- The Philippine government is decisive in its move to improve and upgrade air access into the country to boost international tourism, as well as spur business activity.

“Our country, being an archipelago of over 7,100 islands which obviously do not enjoy the cross-border passage like our neighbors, it's inevitable to recognize the urgent need for improved international air access to facilitate tourists’ entry into the country,” said Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr.

The DOT official made the assertion during the media conference on Airport Policy Brief, sponsored by the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce, on Wednesday at the AIM Center in Makati City in which he touted the vital of role of air travel services in the tourism industry that generated over Php 230 billion revenues last year.

Thailand ranked first with 32,589 million visitors; followed by Malaysia, 26,520 million; Singapore, 16,403 million; Indonesia, 11,284 million; and Vietnam, 10,013 million, among others.

“In the absence of border-crossing travels as in those in Indo-China, we need more direct flights to visitor destinations all over the country under more liberal civil aviation,” Bengzon said.

The recent opening of new air routes to secondary gateways and increased frequencies of flights by foreign and local carriers have resulted in continued growth of tourist influx from Korea, United States, China and Japan, among others.

He reiterated that the DOT, headed by Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo, is working closely with other agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to improve airport facilities, such as those in the cities of Cebu, Kalibo, Clark, Iloilo, Davao and Puerto Princesa.

Bengzon also noted the increased high-level talks with partner countries on improving air access, including China from which the DOT looks to increase visitor arrivals from 35 to 50 percent.

The DOT targets an annual 12 million international visitor arrivals under the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) for 2016-2022.

Various stakeholders attended Wednesday's forum, including airport officials, travel and tour executives, airline officials and DOT officials.

MMDA opens EDSA-McKinley access road to traffic

By Aerol B. Patena

MANILA, Feb. 15 (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will open the EDSA-McKinley Access Road into a two-way traffic to allow public utility jeepneys (PUJs) bound for the Makati Central Business District in Ayala and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig to load in the area, and private vehicles to use the other lane to bypass the EDSA-McKinley intersection.

The MMDA will open the service road to private vehicles coming from Mckinley, allowing them to turn right to get to Edsa-northbound. Private vehicles on Edsa-northbound going to BGC will also be allowed to use the Mckinley access road.

MMDA will conduct a week-long dry run on Saturday, February 18, 2017. As to its implementation, MMDA said they still cannot give a definite date yet as this will depend on the outcome of the dry run.

The agency decided to come up with the rerouting scheme to address the heavy traffic situation on the EDSA-McKinley intersection during rush hours.

Under the re-routing plan, MMDA enforcers will only allow three PUJs at a time at the loading bay on the side of Shell gas station to pick up passengers.

All PUJs will unload passengers at the BGC bus terminal where drivers will wait for their turn to queue at the loading bay. Around 120 PUJs operating in the area will be affected by the new re-routing scheme, the MMDA said.

At present, the access road is only used by PUJs as loading bay.

The MMDA-Traffic Engineering Center (TEC) has requested the management of both the Ayala and BGC business districts to let their traffic personnel undergo training and to be deputized by the agency to maintain the flow of traffic in the area.

Its personnel have already put markings and directional signs on the access road in preparation for the test run.

MMDA General Manager Tim Orbos has expressed gratitude to the Ayala group, which owns the private access road, for their cooperation and support in solving the traffic problem in the area.

“I am also thankful to the jeepney operators and drivers who readily agreed to this scheme,” Orbos added. (PNA) FPV/ABP

Makati hikes Cash Gift for Senior Citizens by P1,000

(Makati City Government Official Website)

Following the approval by the City Council of a P1,000-increase in the annual cash gift of BLU Card holders last December, the city government of Makati is set to distribute P500 as additional year-end cash gift to some 75,565 qualified BLU Card holders starting Wednesday, February 15.

“We hope that the additional allowance will help our senior citizens cope better with the troubles of aging. Since the city government already provides them monthly supply of maintenance medicines, free hospitalization and other medical services, they could use the extra money for their other needs,” Mayor Abby Binay said.

City Ordinance No. 2016-A-043 has granted an additional P1,000 to the annual cash gift given in two tranches of P500 each to BLU Card holders. BLU Card holders aged 60-69 will now receive an annual cash gift of P3,000 each; 70 to 79 years old, P4,000; and 80 and above, P5,000. The cash gift for all age groups will still be given in two equal instalments every June and December.

The yearend cash gift will also be distributed to the second batch of recipients composed of 1,401 seniors whose BLU Cards were released from October 17 to December 31, 2016.

The BLU Card program was launched in 2002 as a burial assistance program providing P3,000 to beneficiaries of a deceased BLU card holder. It was later expanded to grant financial assistance to senior citizens during their lifetime through an annual cash gift to help defray their daily expenses, especially on food and medicine.

In a report to Mayor Binay, Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) officer-in-charge Ryan Barcelo said the distribution of additional and updated yearend cash gifts will be done from February 15 to March 7, 2017 on designated periods and venues in each barangay.

The distribution on February 15 will be done from 9am to 4pm at Brgys. La Paz (covered court), Sta. Cruz (barangay hall), Bel-Air (covered court), and Magallanes (barangay hall).

From February 15 to 16, distribution will done from 9am to 3pm at Brgys. Tejeros (Elderly Wellness Center), and Guadalupe Nuevo (covered court). On February 16 only, from 9am to 4pm, distribution will be done at the covered court of Brgy. Valenzuela.

On February 17, Friday, distribution will take place in Brgy. West Rembo covered court (9am-3pm), and Brgy. Pinagkaisahan barangay hall (9am to 4pm). Beneficiaries of Brgy. Northside can claim their cash gift at Makati City Hall Building II on February 17, from 9am to 4pm.

On February 18, Saturday, from 9am to 3pm, distribution will be done at the barangay hall of Brgy. Bangkal and the covered court of Brgy. Pembo.

From 9am to 3pm on Monday, February 20, the distribution will resume in Brgys. Bangkal (barangay hall) and Pembo (covered court), and held at the covered court of Brgy. West Rembo.

On February 21, from 9am to 4pm, distribution will be done at the barangay halls of Brgys. Forbes Park and San Isidro. For Brgy. Olympia, distribution will be from February 21 to 22, 9am to 3pm at the covered court.

On February 22, from 9am to 4pm, distribution will be done at the barangay halls of Brgys. Carmona and Singkamas. From February 23 to 24, 9am to 3pm, it will be done at the covered court of Brgy. Palanan. On February 23, from 9am to 4pm, distribution will take place at the barangay hall of Brgy. Dasmariñas, and the covered court of Brgy. Comembo.

On February 24, Friday, slated are Brgys. Southside and Urdaneta at their barangay halls, from 9am to 4pm. On February 25, Saturday, scheduled are Brgy. East Rembo from 9am to 3pm (covered court), and Brgy. Pio del Pilar from 9am to 4pm at San Isidro National High School Annex.

For Brgy. Rizal, distribution will take place from February 27 to 28, 9am to 3pm at the barangay hall. Brgy. Distribution at Brgy. East Rembo is slated for February 27 only, from 9am to 3pm at the covered court.

On February 28, the barangay halls of Brgys. San Lorenzo (9am to 3pm) and Pitogo (9am to 4pm) will serve as the venues for cash gift distribution.

On March 1, Wednesday, from 9am to 3pm, cash gift distribution will resume at Brgy. San Lorenzo, and will be done at Brgy. San Antonio covered court. On the same day, distribution will be done at the barangay hall of Brgy. Kasilawan, from 9am to 4pm.

Cash gift distribution at Brgy. San Antonio covered court will resume on March 2, 9am to 3pm. On the same day, distribution will be done at the barangay hall of Brgy. Guadalupe Viejo and at the covered court of Brgy. South Cembo from 9am to 4pm.

For Brgys. Poblacion and Cembo, the cash gift distribution will be done on March 6 and 7, from 9am to 3pm at their covered court and barangay hall, respectively.

KSA needs 200 medical personnel including female nurses

(PNA), FPV/FGP/EDS

MANILA (PNA) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is in need of over 200 medical workers including female nurses for deployment to their various cardiac centers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced on Friday.

In a health ministry advisory, the host country said they will be needing 200 critical care nurses with monthly salary of 4,110 Saudi riyals, SR295 yearly increase, free food and lodging, and paid annual vacation with free round trip plane ticket.

The POEA is currently accepting applicants for the said position while the interview is set on February 20-24, 2017 at the 18th Floor, BDO Plaza Center Building, Paseo de Roxas corner Makati Avenue, Makati City. Registration starts at 7:00 A.M.

Aside from nurses, the MOH-KSR also in need of 10 Perfusionists (Male/Female); 10 for Catheterization Laboratory (Male/ Female); 10 Cardiac Technicians (Male/ Female); and 10 for Echo Cardiology (Male/ Female).

Applicants must be graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with board license, Prometric passer, not be more than 45 years old and with work experience of not less than three years.

Qualified applicants are required to register online at www.eregister.poea.qov.ph and personally submit a detailed resume with job description, school credentials, employment certificates, copy of passport and two (2) pieces of 2x2 recent picture fastened in a folder with the marking “MOH-Cardiac Center" at the Manpower Registry Division, Window T, Ground Floor, Blas F. Ople Bldg. (formerly POEA Bldg.), Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

POEA reminded applicants to bring their original documents for authentication of written information before forwarding the resume to the employer.

Colliers sees softer residential property prices ahead

By Keith Richard D. Mariano

RESIDENTIAL property prices in business districts may begin tapering off within the next four years if rental rates continue to decline while more housing developments go live, a consultancy flagged yesterday.

Colliers International Philippines, in a quarterly property market briefing, projected a 2-6% decrease in rents in major business districts over the next 12 months because of slow absorption and delivery of new units in the fringes.

Last quarter, rents for premium three-bedroom units in the business district of Makati City declined 1.4% to P837 per square meter (/sq.m.) from the preceding three months. Rates in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City likewise slid 1.5% to P833/sq.m. With more units expected to enter the market, Colliers projected a further 5-7% decrease in rental rates in both business districts in Makati and Taguig cities over the next 12 months.

“We’re seeing some weakness in the rental rates because the supply that’s going to come in in the next four years is still big,” Colliers Deputy Managing Director Richard T. Raymundo told reporters after the briefing in Makati City.

Selling prices of condominiums should nevertheless remain strong, according to the property consultancy, with the low interest rate environment allowing pre-selling activities to rebound from four years of decline.

“Prices are still going up because interest rates are still low and we’re not saying there are massive drops in rents.”

But an extended decline in rental rates could eventually discourage homebuyers -- investors, in particular -- acquiring condominium units priced above their potential yields from leasing such properties out.

“Eventually the prices need to be capped at a certain point. It just can’t increase because the prices right now is pretty expensive so at a certain point it will get capped,” Mr. Raymundo said.

Asked how soon a downtrend in rental rates can weigh on selling prices, Mr. Raymundo replied: “If you look at the supply in the next four years, that’s where the supply comes from; so, probably within that next four years.”

Colliers estimates that 140,061 residential units will have come online by 2020. For this year alone, the residential market will have 22,890 units of fresh supply mostly in the Fort Bonifacio are in Taguig City (8,566); Bay Area in Pasay City (5,507) and Makati Business District (4,784).

Vacancy rates may accordingly widen to 12-16% over the next 12 months from 10% at end-2016. The business districts in Makati and Taguig are expected to register 15% and 14% vacancy rates.

In 2016, pre-selling activities in the residential market bounced back with an uptake of around 38,800 units.

Sales in the secondary market, however, dropped to 2,000 units or 70% below the year-ago level and 66% behind the all-time high recorded in 2012.

The high-sales volume in the pre-selling market should allow condominium prices to continue rising over the next 12 months. In Makati and Fort Bonifacio, prices may increase 14% and 8-10% in that period.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, capital values in Makati and Fort Bonifacio actually increased 2.3% to P180,300/sq.m. and 2.2% to P163,200/sq.m., respectively.

“I think it’s still strong because, if you talk to developers, they’re still bullish. Borrowing interest rates are still low and... as a developer you strike while it’s hot. If you launch a project and it’s still selling, why not?” Mr. Raymundo said.

As residential property prices continue to increase in business districts, demand has shifted a little to the fringes offering halfway houses to millennials and other professionals at 10-15% lower rental rates, according to Colliers.

“I think what we’re seeing are satellite communities and you see it now: you see Vertis in Quezon City, you see Circuit in Makati, you see Capital Commons, you see Rockwell,” Mr. Raymundo said.

“They’re actually starting to become smaller satellite communities.”

Property developers are expected to embark on more and more developments outside but near the business districts.

“It’s also in recognition of the limited landbank because Makati is done. It’s so expensive and where can you find large land to develop in Makati? It’s the same with Ortigas. Fort Bonifacio is very expensive now to buy a property. So, they do it differently now,” Mr. Raymundo said.

New eats: Makati finally has a food park

By Jeeves de Veyra

MANILA — What started out as a big patch of idle land has now become a sprawling complex that combines two Filipino favorites: food and basketball.

Buendia Food By The Court, which opens to public Friday, is the first food park in Makati and the first to have a basketball court right beside it.

“The original concept was a dampa-like food court. The millennials in the company brought the seniors to a food park and convinced the board. It’s now the next generation running this food park,” recalled SUDECO vice president for marketing Jocelyn De Leon.

Besides food, company president Paul Elauria also saw a demand for basketball courts. This was also a way for the company to turn their idle land into a contributor to the community. The fully covered basketball court is open on all sides. Featuring a shower and flooring made out of vinyl laminates to create a hardwood effect, this is a first-rate sports venue available for rent.

The star of this complex is, of course, the food park. The tenants are a mix of some familiar names from other foodie pop-ups in the metro and some first-timers. Even though not all of the spaces in the food park are occupied at this time, each and every culinary craving is covered by the purveyors in the food park.

Buendia Food By The Court is open from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight and is located at the corner of Bautista Street and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue.

Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on the property block

(Manila Standard)

Lawmakers, ex-athletes, heritage advocates seek to save ‘field of dreams’

Being a neophyte lawmaker, former Olympian and now Makati representative Monsour del Rosario admits he is loath to give speeches at Congress while he learns the ropes of legislative work.

But the former movie actor and city councilor told the Manila Standard he had to “jump the gun” in Congress last week when rumors broke out that the City of Manila was already “favorably looking” at the real estate deal offered by businessman Enrique Razon to buy the 9.6-hectare Rizal Memorial sports Complex (RMSC) for a P10 billion.

An earlier statement from the Razon group said Manila would benefit from “urban renewal” and unlock more revenues from the preservation and redevelopment of the 82-year-old RMSC.

The statement came on the heels of an online signature campaign among heritage conservation advocates, now backed by ex-athletes and lawmakers such as Del Rosario, opposing the conversion of the sports complex, – cited as an “architectural and historical gem” into a shopping mall.

Originally built in 1934, RMSC was destroyed during World War II, reconstructed in 1953 and renovated in 2011. The complex is owned by the City of Manila and managed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Unsuitable, unsafe

In its statement, the Razon group said that for the longest time, RMSC had not undergone any structural and facilities improvements or upgrading, rendering it “virtually unsuitable and unsafe not only for training athletes, but especially for holding not only local but also international games.”

“The City has had no income from RMSC for years now, leaving the city with no funds to modernize facilities,” the statement said.

Of late, the Razon group noted that the PSC had been considering to transfer the RMSC to a different location, possibly Clark, in order to build the Philippine Olympic Village. This new sports complex is envisioned to be a larger and more modern sports complex complete with training facilities for national athletes as well as facilities to host large sports meets.

This is expected to happen when funding for the relocation is complete. In the meantime, the group said the City of Manila had not generated any income from the RMSC which could have been used to preserve the complex.

Save RMSC

Del Rosario acknowledged that he is no architectural or heritage conservation expert.

“But being a former athlete, and current sports advocate, I voiced out my sentiments since a lot of our NSA (National Sports Association) friends feel the same way as I do, and so do members of the House of Representatives who love sports,” said the 1988 Taekwondo Olympian.

Del Rosario added that the Philippine Olympians Association, a group of active and retired athletes who competed in the Olympics, is against the tearing down of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex following a meeting with the group last week.

Del Rosario claimed among colleagues who support his call to save the sports complex are Manila Rep. and former boxing chief Manny Lopez, Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo, Makati Rep. Luis Campos, Quezon City Rep. Bingbong Crisologo, Buhay party list Rep. Lito Atienza, Paranaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, and Sen. Migs Zubiri.

Cultural landmark

Heritage columnist Paulo Alcazaren likewise lamented the possible conversion of the historic sports complex into a commercial development.

“The fear of most conservation advocates is the threat to architectural heritage in a city that is fast losing its historical character and identity,” Alcazaren told the Manila standard in a phone interview. “The fear is that the complex will be turned into a mixed-use, high-density development; all this in an area already filled with malls, supermarkets and high-rise towers.”

Alcazaren maintained that the RMSC is an important cultural landmark, this importance covering both the four original heritage structures and their sites.

“Heritage laws and definitions of heritage covers both sites and structures. In the case of the RMSC structures (the stadia) have no context without their indoor and outdoor spaces - the sports fields, play courts, pools, etc.,” he said.

The heritage advocate likewise dismissed claims that the RMSC is too unsafe to serve its intended purpose as a sports facility. “Pre-war structures were made of solid poured concrete, and are generally robust,” said. “That’s why they were so difficult to destroy in the war. They have been and are being used, so any safety concern would have been raised years ago. There have been no structural, engineering or architectural audits released to validate these claims.”

Alcazaren stressed to the Manila Standard that the RMSC “can and still should” function as a sports complex “because it is needed as one by citizens of Metro Manila in the many universities around it.”

Adaptive re-use

“The city of Manila, private developers, NGOs and the diverse community around it should consider, instead, “adaptive re-use” for the RMSC,” he said. “This is the use of a heritage building for a contemporary function other than the one it was designed for.”

Alcazaren cited examples such as a post office building in Singapore turned into a five-star hotel, a power station in London turned into a museum, a Villa in Venice turned into an indoor basketball facility. “In the case of the RMSC, a portion of it can still be used as a sports complex while the rest of the area is developed creatively to retain its art deco look-and-feel, as well as historical significance,” he said.

Heritage conservationists such as Alcazaren point out that the RMSC contains significant structures and spaces over 50 years old. This means they are protected by the National Cultural Heritage Act (RA 10066).

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) requested the National Museum recently to assess RMSC and consider it for declaration in December. Jeremy Barns, head of the National Museum, told the Manila Standard that the expectation is for the declaration of the four original stadia as Important Cultural Properties (ICP) due to their exceptional cultural and social significance.

The fear of heritage advocates led by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) were actually confirmed by the statement from the Razon group.

The press release stated that (although the historic facades will be preserved), “… within the façade and walls will rise contemporary buildings that will house modern offices and commercial areas run by smart technologies, replete with modern amenities and green open spaces.”

The HCS immediately took issue with the couched reference to replacing the playing fields with office and commercial buildings.

Alcazaren said on this important point, he is in complete agreement with Del Rosario: the playing fields are at the heart of the legacy of the RMSC. They are the fields of dreams of generations of Filipino athletes.

Lab services at Ospital ng Makati restored

(PNA), BNB/CLTC

MANILA, Feb. 9 (PNA) -- Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Thursday announced that routine laboratory examinations are now available at Ospital ng Makati (OSMAK) for all types of patients, including outpatients.

“I am pleased to inform our constituents that laboratory examinations are now available at the Ospital ng Makati. We are exerting all efforts to restore basic services that have been compromised by inefficiencies and irregularities under the previous administration,” Mayor Binay said.

Laboratory services at the city-run hospital include CBC Platelet Count, Peripheral Blood Smear, PT/PTT (Prothrombin time/Partial thromboplastin time), Routine Blood Chemistry, and Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)-Pulmonary Laboratory.

Available tests for Routine Blood Chemistry include Glucose/OGCT; BUN, Creatinine; Blood Uric Acid; Lipid Profile (complete); AST, ALT, AlkPhos; Na, K, Cl, Ionized Calcium; Total Protein, Albumin; HbA1c; Magnesium, Phosphorus; Amylase, LDH; Bilirubin (Total & Direct); Total Calcium; CSF Glucose & Protein; Troponin I; Pro-BNP; and D-Dimer.

Under the previous administration, the services of the ISO-certified OSMAK deteriorated. Its laboratory and medical supplies suffered serious shortages while its major diagnostic equipment and airconditioning system had broken down and were not repaired.

“The failure of the previous administration to address these problems caused severe discomfort and inconvenience not only for patients and relatives, but for hospital personnel as well,” the lady mayor said in a statement.

Binay said her administration has already taken urgent measures to “restore efficiency and compassion” in the services of the hospital.

Dr. Vergel Binay, OsMak medical director, has reported certain innovations put in place in the past few months primarily for the convenience of the patients. These include the introduction of the Bar Code System in the registration process, which is being done by phase. Old patients already registered in the hospital’s electronic database have been given their own bar code attached to their Yellow Card so that when they come back, their cards will just be scanned to activate their registration.

The new hospital management also established a Self-registration Kiosk for computer-literate patients, and an Assisted Registration Kiosk for those who need assistance in using the facility.

The OsMak now also has Physician Assistants who are nurses trained to assist and act like physicians, focusing on only two to three patients at a time. Their functions are clearly limited to educating and explaining to patients their condition and following up diagnostic work-ups. Their main purpose is to alleviate the anxiety of patients and relatives while doctors are attending to other patients.

At the Emergency Room, task parallelism, monitoring system and alert status have been strengthened to improve the efficiency of laboratory and radiologic tests on patients, ensure prompt action on test results, and immediate feedback to relatives of patients at the waiting area, respectively.

To facilitate the admission process and resolve overcrowding at the ER, the hospital has opened a Discharge Lounge for ambulatory patients waiting for their relatives to fetch them. It has also provided home conduction for non-ambulatory patients who are Makati residents. The hospital has been able to list down non-ambulatory patients to be included in the Home Care Service being rendered by the Makati Health Department.

For 2017, the City Council has approved a total budget allocation of PHP2.79 billion for the operations of Ospital ng Makati. It consists of funding for Personal Services, PHP951.19 million; Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, PHP1.47 billion; and Capital Outlay, PHP375.13 million.

Megaworld to spend Php60 B, mostly for project expansion in 2017

By Leslie D. Venzon [(PNA), RMA/LDV]

MANILA, Feb. 8 (PNA) - The Megaworld Group of billionaire Andrew Tan is earmarking Php60 billion in capital expenditures (capex) this year, mostly for accelerating and expanding projects in various townships across the country.

Megaworld, along with its subsidiary brands Empire East Holdings, Inc., Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) and Suntrust Properties, Inc., has set 80 percent of the capital spending for expansion, particularly on the construction of new residential condominiums, office towers, commercial centers and hotels.

The remaining 20 percent will be used for land acquisition and investment properties.

“Since our company’s cash position remains healthy, we will mostly utilize internally-generated funds to finance our capital spending for the year, and we will also tap the debt market through the proceeds of the first tranche of our Php30-billion retail bond program,” said Megaworld treasurer Francis Canuto.

This year, the Megaworld Group is set to fast-track most of its developments in existing townships, particularly in McKinley West, Uptown Bonifacio, Davao Park District, Iloilo Business Park, Boracay Newcoast, Twin Lakes and Alabang West.

The group is set to launch 20 residential projects with a combined sales value of Php31.2 billion in Fort Bonifacio; Iloilo City; City of San Fernando, Pampanga; General Trias, Cavite; Antipolo, Rizal; Boracay Island; and near Tagaytay.

“While we expand our existing residential properties and introduce more residential products in our townships this year, we continue to focus on our goal towards doubling our rental revenues by 2020. The country’s sound business climate allows us to further grow our office and commercial leasing businesses towards a strong and stable recurring income base,” explained Canuto.

Megaworld is the country’s largest developer of integrated urban townships.

It is one of the biggest property developers in the Makati Central Business District, the country’s premier financial center, with a total of 27 residential and office towers built today.

Megaworld owns 100 percent of Suntrust Properties, Inc., 82 percent of GERI and 82 percent of Empire East Holdings, Inc.

It has already built over 350 residential, office, commercial and hotel towers across the country.

MMDA, barangay officials dialogue on clearing, anti-illegal parking operations

(PNA), FPV/ABP

MANILA (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has initiated meetings with barangay officials as part of efforts to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of roads and sidewalks in their respective localities.

The MMDA started talking with the heads of Barangay Guadalupe in Makati City and Barangay Loyola Heights in Quezon City.

Among the issues discussed during the meetings were the intensified clearing operations of all road obstructions.

“It has been long established that local village officials’ cooperation and support for the undertakings and projects of the national government is essential to make it a success. We only have to engage them again and remind them of their responsibility to implement and sustain these programs,” MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said.

Aside from the continuous clearing operations in their localities, the barangay officials also agreed to write commercial establishments within their jurisdiction particularly supermarkets and restaurants which are guilty of allowing vehicles to park illegally.

Loyola Heights barangay officials led by its chairman Caesar Marquez have also agreed to revoke the business permit it issued to establishments violating road and traffic regulations.

For his part, Chairman German Sunga of Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City committed to support the MMDA in the clearing of sidewalk vendors and illegally parked vehicles particularly in the commercial areas.

“Holding them accountable for their inaction on such programs of national importance is only proper since they are the ones on the ground who should safeguard the welfare of their constituents,” Orbos said.

MMDA is expected to hold similar dialogues and meetings with officials of at least three barangays per week.

Business groups back 12 reforms

By Othel V. Campos

Local and foreign businessmen on Monday asked the Duterte administration to support 12 economic legislative reform measures.

The Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. and Joint Foreign Chambers made the request in a letter to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

“We understand that your office, along with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office under Secretary Sitoy and Neda [National Economic and Development Authority], are coordinating proposals of the various departments and cabinet clusters in preparation for consideration by the Ledac [Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council] and President Duterte,” the business groups said in the letter.

The groups said many of the measures were considered in the last Congress but were unable to complete the legislative process.

These measures included the Bank Secrecy Law amendment, emergency powers to address traffic and transportation crises and the Retail Trade Act amendments.

Three more measures – the Public Service Act amendments, telecom reforms and the Water Sector Reform Act – were also regarded as exigent.

The groups also pushed for BOT [build-operate-transfer] Law amendments, Freedom of Information Act, Corporation Code amendments, apprenticeship program reforms, Comprehensive Tax Reform Package and constitutional amendments on foreign equity restrictions.

MMDA eyes regulating jeepneys along EDSA

By Aerol B. Patena [(PNA), FPV/ABP]

MANILA (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be regulating jeepneys that traverse through EDSA.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the initiative is part of efforts to further ease the congestion in the major thoroughfare.

Orbos said the agency has coordinated with jeepney groups particularly the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operator sa Pilipinas (LTOP).

MMDA will initially focus on jeepneys which pass through Guadalupe to EDSA.

It has coordinated with Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay and Barangay Capt. German Sunga of Guadalupe Nuevo to clear the side streets within the barangay.

“We aim to clear the streets of sidewalk vendors by next week,” Orbos also said in an interview with reporters.

The MMDA is also eyeing to designate a lane for jeepneys from Pasay Rotonda to Magallanes through the installation of orange barriers.

It will also urge jeepneys stationed at the Ayala Terminal in McKinley Road not to pass by EDSA anymore.

“We are optimistic that jeepney organizations will cooperate with us,” according to Orbos.

He stated that around 1,000 jeepneys will be affected by the regulation.

MMDA expects that this initiative as well as the continuing implementation of the nose in nose out policy for provincial buses and the no window hour policy of the number coding scheme will help reduce the vehicular volume in EDSA.

Makati grants amusement tax exemption on cultural shows of non-profits

(InterAksyon.com)

MANILA - The Makati City Council has passed City Ordinance No. 2017-008 exempting from the payment of amusement tax those presentations sponsored by non-profit organizations chiefly aimed at promoting language and culture, and showcasing the works of Filipino filmmakers.

Mayor Abby Binay said in a statement she has pushed for the amendment of certain provisions of the Revised Makati Revenue Code (City Ordinance No. 2004-A-025) in response to the clamor of various non-profit organizations that their presentations or activities in the city be exempted from the amusement tax.

“We fully support initiatives that promote Filipino cultural heritage and raise public consciousness and appreciation of the world-class talents of Filipinos in various arts, including filmmaking,” Binay said.

The mayor said her administration, through the city Museum and Cultural Affairs Office (MCAO), puts a premium on the preservation of Filipino customs and traditions and the development of home-grown artists, particularly among today’s youth.

This year’s total budget allocation of almost P187 million for that office covers the rehabilitation of Museo ng Makati, acquisition of two heritage sites, staging of traditional events, such as Caracol Festival this February 26, Flores de Mayo, and Sampiro de Makati Festival marking the city’s 347th Foundation Day on June 1, among others.

Passed last January 18, City Ordinance No. 2017-008 specifically amends the amusement tax provision in sections 3F.01 (Imposition of Tax) and 3F.03 (Exemptions) of the Revised Makati Revenue Code.

As amended, Section 3F.03 now reads: “The holding of operas, concerts, dramas, recitals, paintings and art exhibitions, flowers shows, musical programs, literary and oratorical presentations including presentations sponsored by non-profit organizations collecting minimal fee for its operation and with the main purpose of promoting language and culture or discovering and showcasing the works of Filipino filmmakers, except pop, rock, or similar concerts, shall be exempt from the payment of the tax imposed herein subject to permits and regulatory fees imposed in the Makati Revenue Code.”

Meanwhile, consistent with Republic Act No. 9640 (An Act Amending Section 140 (A) of the Local Government Code of 1991) reducing the maximum allowable local amusement tax rate from 30 percent to 10 percent, the City Council also amended Section 3F.01 of the city revenue code.

Section 3F.01 as amended now states, “There is a levied tax to be collected from the proprietress, lessees, or operators of theaters, cinemas, concert hall, circuses, boxing stadia, and other amusement places at the rate of ten percent (10%) of the gross receipt from admission fees.”

The Revised Makati Revenue Code was enacted in 2005. At present, it governs the levy, assessment and collection of all city taxes, fees and other charges imposed within the territorial jurisdiction of Makati.

Makati allots P1.5-billion budget for education

(ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY (PIA) -- Education remained as one of the top priorities of the city government of Makati with a budget allocation of P1.5 billion for the year to fund programs, services and innovations to be implemented across all levels in the city’s public schools.

Speaking before participants of the 2017 National Convention of the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) held at the University of Makati (UMak) recently, Mayor Abby Binay has expressed her commitment to provide quality education that is “accessible and highly relevant” to the youth of Makati.

“This year, we have allocated P1.56 billion for Youth, Culture and Education Services. Fifty three percent, or P824.91 million, will go to UMak programs and operations,” Binay said.

The mayor has also asked concurrent UMak and ALCU president Tomas Lopez to study the possibility of opening two new courses at the university to address the need for more social workers and emergency medical technicians (EMT) and paramedics.

“I am proposing that the university open a two-year certificate course on Social Work that will eventually lead to a bachelor’s degree because our country is in need of more social workers,” Binay said.

She also asked the UMak administration to consider opening an EMT Paramedic course, in light of the worsening impact of climate change not only on Makati, but the entire country. “We ought to be more responsive and train more EMTs and paramedics to address the growing need for highly-capable emergency and disaster response personnel,” the mayor said.

Binay said her administration will provide UMak with adequate funding to promote more innovative programs and curriculum enhancement, and strengthen partnership with the private sector to increase the employability of UMak graduates.

“Today’s industries and enterprises are largely driven by technology. We need to make sure that students of our public schools would possess skills tailor-fit to the demands of the job market,” she said.

“We will continue upgrading our facilities and providing free school supplies, books and uniforms, and other needs of our schoolchildren. We will strengthen connectivity through internet facilities in our public schools and make sure that each Makati student receives cutting edge and relevant education, at no cost to them or their parents,” she added.

The mayor also vowed to continue supporting and improving the K to 12 program, which she considered “crucial to the empowerment of the youth.”

In 2012, UMak pioneered the implementation of the Department of Education’s K to 12 program in the National Capital Region, and two years later produced the largest first batch of graduates of senior high school in the country. Today, K to 12 is fully implemented in seven more public schools of Makati.

Other guest speakers at the ALCU Convention included Representative Ann Hofer, chairperson, Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives; Mayor Philip Tan of Tangub City and Mayor Arman Panaligan of Calapan City; and Dr. Patricia Licuanan, chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Through UMak, the country’s first ISO-certified local university, quality tertiary education has been made accessible to all, including children from poor families in the city. The city government has invested billions in modernizing its facilities and expanding its course offerings to keep abreast of prevailing trends in the workplace.

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