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April 4 -10 2011 Email:businessmatters@hotmail.ph Vol. IV No 0044

Oil, ME crisis hit


PH eco outlook
By Lito U. Gagni
Filipino households have become economic prospects for the rest of In Australia and New Zealand, the
pessimistic over their prospects for the year. negative expectations arose from the
the coming year as the rise in oil BSP data showed that 23.2 disasters that hit these countries.
prices, and that of basic goods and percent of the respondents were Households see their
commodities , coupled by the Middle not optimistic over their economic expenditures going up on basic goods
East crisis darkened their economic outlook compared with just 8.5 and services principally because of
outlook reversing in the process their percent in the last quarter of last year. the surge in oil prices. The increase
optimistic outlook in the last quarter The mood was in fact aggravated by in the oil price has already worsened
of 2010. the “tensions in the Middle East and even the expectations on three THE purchase of an entry level supercar led to President Benigno
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas North Africa,” BSP added. aspects: economic condition of the Simeon Aquino III’s entry into the arena of falling satisfaction
(BSP) bared this following its The CES survey actually country,family income and family ratings as the Social Weather Stations reported the findings of its
Consumer Expectation Survey(CES) mirrored the same pessimistic financial situation. First Quarter 2010 survey.
done from March 14 to 21 in a sentiments in the United States, Respondents even anticipate the In a statement posted at its website, the SWS said the survey,
nationwide scale where it found United Kingdom, Thailand and Japan rise in the ranks of the unemployed conducted from March 4 to 7, 2011, found 69 percent satisfied and
that majority of the Filipino families where the high fuel prices accounted as the Middle East crisis results in 18 percent dissatisfied with Aquino’s performance, for a net rating of
indicated their pessimism over the for much of the negative outlook. more than three million extra job +51 (percentage of satisfied minus percentage of dissatisfied).
Pres. Aquino’s new net satisfaction rating is 13 points down
from his net satisfaction rating of +64 in November 2010 (74 percent
satisfied, 10 percent dissatisfied). Both scores are within the SWS
term for very good which ranges from +50 to +69.
The survey had also paid particular attention to purchase of a
2007 Porsche GT3 last year and found that 48 percent agreed and 33
percent disagreed to this statement – “Pres. Aquino’s purchase of an
expensive car such as a Porsche, even if through his own money, is
not a good example for a President of a country like the Philippines”;
the remaining 19 percent were undecided.
A majority, which the SWS termed as pluralities, of the
respondents in most areas think Aquino’s purchase of an expensive
car such as the Porsche – barely a year into his term – was not a
good example for a President of a country like the Philippines; Metro
Manila and the upper classes ABCs are mixed about this matter.
The March 2011 survey found that more than half or 52 percent
in the Visayas and 51 percent in Mindanao, and nearly half or 46
percent of Balance Luzon said buying the Porsche, even through his
personal money, was not a good example.
However, opinion is mixed in Metro Manila where 44 percent
agreed, 44 percent disagreed, and 13 percent were undecided that
buying the Porsche was not a good example.
By class, 50 percent in class D and 45 percent in class E disagreed
with the purchase of the Porsche.
In class ABC, opinion was split between the 48 percent who
disagreed and 46 percent who agreed that buying the Porsche was not
a good example; the remaining 6 percent were undecided.
The net satisfaction rating of Pres. Aquino remained very good
in the Visayas and Mindanao, but declined to good levels in Metro
Manila and the rest of Luzon.
The SWS uses this criteria to described net satisfaction
(Turn to page 2) (Turn to page 2)

FINRA warns against Facebook-linked Pre-IPO scams


THE Financial Industry Regulatory are legitimate, some are frauds in
Authority (FINRA) in the US has which con artists sell shares they do
issued a warning about scams that not actually have.
purport to offer investors’ access Recently,FINRAbecameaware
to pre-IPO shares of well-known of potentially fraudulent schemes to
social media companies, including sell purported shares of Facebook.
Facebook. Additionally, the Securities and
In a statement, FINRA said the Exchange Commission recently
con artists behind these scams seize settled a civil action against a self-
upon investor demand for shares employed securities trader who
of the private stock of high-profile allegedly bilked more than 50 US
companies and are swindleng the and foreign investors out of more
public by peddling non-existent than $9.6 million in a series of pre-
shares of these companies. IPO scams involving purported
As FINRA’s Investor Alert shares of Google, Facebook and
“Pre-IPO Offerings – These other well-known companies.
Scammers Are Not Your Friends” “Investors might think they
explains, pre-IPO speculation are getting in on the ground floor of
involves buying unregistered shares innovative social media companies,
in a private company before the but instead find that they may have
initial public offering (IPO) of handed over real money for non-
securities. existent shares. Any investor who
While a company can sell receives an unsolicited offer to
its unregistered shares in private invest in a pre-IPO company should
transactions, often called “private walk away,” said John Gannon,
placements,” these investments FINRA Senior Vice President for
can be fraught with risk and are Investor Education. avoiding any unsolicited pre- being alert to persuasion tactics you act quickly;
typically open to a select group of Pre-IPO Offerings helps IPO offer – investors should ask – virtually all pre-IPO scams rely on verifying whether the person
investors who meet certain income investors separate legitimate private themselves, "Why would a total the same recipe for a con: dangling touting the stock or investment is
or asset thresholds. placements from pre-IPO scams stranger tell me about a really great the prospect of exclusive access to
While most pre-IPO offerings by: investment opportunity?"; eye-popping returns at a discount if (Turn to page 3)
2   April 4 -10 2011

Oil (From page 1)

seekers from among those to be displaced by Filipino consumers also believe that
the crisis playing out in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain the inflation outlook would hit 9.8 percent,
and other countries. indicating the kind of pessimism that they
“According to respondents, their views harbor because of the rise in oil prices. Also,
about the their family income and financial they believe that the peso will weaken against
situation were dampened by the rising the dollar on account of the pessimistic
cost of basic commodities, expected high economic outlook.
unemployment rate and low income,” the BSP But the BSP believe that the inflation
said. outlook will be managed at just the high end
One positive aspect of the survey results of its target , which is 5.8 percent. The BSP
showed that some respondents believe that it mandate has been to take account of price
is now the best time to buy “big-ticket” items stability and toward this end, it has just raised
but even on this, the BSP data showed, the the interest rate by 25 basis points to arrest
number of those who may buy the said items inflation pressure.
declined from the previous last-quarter survey. On the matter of the peso-dollar rate, the
“Consistent with the decline in the buying Filipino households see the depreciation of the
conditions, outlook for the current quarter, peso vis-a-vis the dollar because of the projected
the number of respondents who intended to decline in remittances from overseas Filipino
purchase big-ticket items in the next 12 months workers (OFWs) as many of them are displaced
dropped ,” the BSP said. from the Middle East and North Africa.

Fast (From page 1)

ratings as briefly as
possible: +70 and
above, “excellent”;
+50 to +69, “very
good”; +30 to +49,
“good”; +10 to +29,
“moderate”, +9 to -9,
“neutral”; -10 to -29,
“poor”; -30 to -49,
“bad”; -50 to -69,
“very bad”; -70 and
below, “execrable.”
Compared to the
previous quarter, it Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy presides
stayed very good in over a session at the House of Representatives as part of the lower
the Visayas, up by 4 chamber's activities in celebration of the Women's Month. Before
points from +56 (71 Rep. Herrera-Dy, Pangasinan Rep. Gina De Venecia, who heads the
percent satisfied, 15 Association of Lady Legislators, also presided at a session.
percent dissatisfied)
in November 2010

FINRA
to +60 (75 percent
satisfied, 15 percent dissatisfied) in (From page 1)
March 2011.
It fell by 12 points but remained licensed;
very good in Mindanao, from +65 (74 determining if you’re being conned by a convicted criminal by using the
percent satisfied, 9 percent dissatisfied) Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator;
to +53 (69 percent satisfied, 16 percent using search engines to learn as much as you can about a solicitation and
dissatisfied). those behind it; and
It switched from very good to good getting an unbiased second opinion from a licensed investment
in Balance Luzon which fell by 21 points, professional or an attorney.
from +69 (77 percent satisfied, 8 percent FINRA is asking investors who believe they have been defrauded – or
dissatisfied) to +48 (68 percent satisfied, treated unfairly by a securities professional or firm – to file a complaint.
20 percent dissatisfied), and in Metro It’s no secret that when a promising company emerges or an industry
Manila which fell by 18 points, from sector becomes “hot,” investors typically flock to get a piece of the action.
+59 (72 percent satisfied, 13 percent But what happens when the company is privately held and investors
dissatisfied) to +41 (62 percent satisfied, can’t readily buy shares because the company has not conducted an initial
21 percent dissatisfied). public offering of its stock?
Investor demand for shares of the private stock of high-profile social
media companies—such as Facebook, Groupon, Twitter and Zynga—has
from +63 (74 percent satisfied, been surging in recent months.
11 percent dissatisfied) to +51 These companies have millions of subscribers and have dramatically
(69 percent satisfied, 18 percent changed the way people interact. But social media has also become the
dissatisfied). latest hook on which con artists can hang a scam. In this case, fraudsters
It fell by 14 points but stayed dangle the promise of wealth from the sale of “pre-IPO” shares.
very good in class E, from +64 In general, offerings of securities must either be registered with the
(74 percent satisfied, 9 percent SEC or meet an exemption under the federal securities laws—otherwise
dissatisfied, correctly rounded) to the offering is not legal.
+50 (67 percent satisfied, 17 percent "Pre-IPO" speculation involves buying unregistered shares in a private
dissatisfied). company before the initial public offering of securities—and it can range
Compared to the previous from risky deals to outright frauds.
quarter, satisfaction with Aquino On the legitimate end of the spectrum, a company can sell its
among men fell from 76 percent unregistered shares in private transactions – often called private placements
to 67 percent, while dissatisfaction – and such sales to investors are an essential source of capital for American
rose from 10 percent to 20 percent, business, particularly small firms.
bringing his net satisfaction rating But these Investments can be fraught with risk—including the fact
down by 18 points from a very good that you can’t be certain the company being touted will actually complete
+65 to a good +47. an IPO.
Among women, satisfaction This means you cannot be sure whether you will ever be able to sell
with Aquino went from 73 percent the shares you purchased.
to 70 percent, while dissatisfaction Separately, the fair market value of your shares may be based solely
Rural satisfaction with the President fell rose from 10 percent to 16 percent, bringing his net on speculation.
from 76 percent in November 2010 to 71 percent rating from a very good +63 to a very good +55. And privately purchased shares typically come with restrictions, such
in March 2011, while dissatisfaction rose from 8 as lock-up periods that prevent you from selling your shares for up to a year
percent to 16 percent, bringing his even if the company goes public in the interim.
rural net rating down by 12 points, On the other end of the spectrum, the unregistered shares offered to
from a very good +67 to a very you could be part of a fraud. The company might not exist—or, if it does,
good +55. the promoter might be offering shares he doesn’t have or that he acquired
Urban satisfaction fell from in a questionable transaction.
73 percent to 66 percent, while The fraud could also involve misrepresentations about the company
dissatisfaction rose from 12 and its prospects, including the likelihood, timing and pricing of any
percent to 20 percent, bringing his potential IPO.
urban net satisfaction 14 points The bottom line is that many pre-IPO scams involve unlicensed
down from a very good +61 to a individuals selling unregistered securities—that’s why it’s critical to check
good +47. out both the promoter and the investment. And pre-IPO offerings that target
By socioeconomic class, the general public—especially those that are publicized through "spam"
Aquino’s net satisfaction rating emails—often violate the federal securities laws.
fell by 26 points in class ABC, Fraudsters would have investors believe that virtually anyone can
from an excellent +75 (82 percent get in on pre-IPO deals of small, little-known start-ups as well as those
satisfied, 7 percent dissatisfied) in of large, popular companies. One sure-fire way to avoid being taken in
the previous quarter to a good +49 by an unsolicited offer is to ignore it—regardless of how you heard about
(67 percent satisfied, 19 percent it. Someone claiming to have shares of Facebook or some other social
dissatisfied) now. networking company may very well be a paid promoter or, more likely, a
It fell by 12 points but stayed con artist trying to take your hard-earned money.
very good in class D or the masa,
April 4 -10 2011 Stocks 3

First Gen 2010 attributable net income


up 319 percent at $70.2 million
PLDT, JG Summit
First Gen Corporation (First Gen) reported sharply by US$8.4 million from US$1.5 million in 2009
higher attributable net income to parent of US$70.2 to US$9.9 million in 2010. This increase was due
million for 2010, up by 319% from US$16.7 million to better prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot

in P69 billion share swap


posted last year. First Gen’s consolidated revenues Market and higher dispatch of the hydro plants.
likewise jumped by US$222.1 million, or 22% to The increase in EDC and FG Hydro’s earnings
US$1.2 billion in 2010 from last year’s US$1.0 contribution was coupled with the lower interest
billion. BOTH Digitel, a subsidiary of JG Summit Holdings, Inc., and the Philippine Long
“The substantial Distance Telephone Company have ended up acquiring ownership interests in
increase in earnings each other’s telecommunications subsidiaries which have been locked in a fierce
was driven by the strong price competition for several years.
operating performance The share swap will mean JG Summit acquires shares in PLDT in exchange
of the First Gas group, for its stake in Digitel (Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc.). They expect
First Gen Hydro to secure the share swap by June 30.
Power Corporation The P69.2 billion investment of PLDT into Digitel for a controlling interest
(FG Hydro) and in the company includes : 3,277,135,882 common shares in Digitel, representing
Energy Development a 51.55 percent equity stake; zerocoupon convertible bonds issued by Digitel
Corporation (EDC). and its subsidiaries to the JGS Group which are assumed to be convertible into
These developments approximately 18.6 billion shares of Digitel by June 30.
were complemented The deal also includes assumption by PLDT of the intercompany advances
by the positive effects of P34.1 billion made by the JGS Group to Digitel and its subsidiaries.
of the Company’s PLDT will be required as well to undertake a mandatory tender offer for
deleveraging all the remaining common shares of Digitel held by minority shareholders. The
program,” First Gen tender offer price for Digitel shares will be P1.60 per share, which will be paid in
President Giles Puno the form of either PLDT shares issued at P2,500 per share or cash, at the option of
said. the Digitel shareholder.
The reliable Should all the minority shareholders accept the offer, PLDT will issue a
dispatch of first Gas’ total of 29.65 million new shares, representing 13.7 percent of the enlarged share
1,000MW Santa Rita capital of PLDT. Assuming full acceptance by the minorities of Digitel, the total
and 500MW San transaction consideration would be P74.1 billion.
Lorenzo natural gas- JG Summit is expected to own approximately 12.8 percent of PLDT’s
fired power plants were enlarged share capital with the completion of the deal and expects a representative
the main contributors to to join the Board of Directors of PLDT.
the increase in revenues from the sale of electricity by expenses at Red Vulcan Holdings Corporation (Red In its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, JG Summit said
US$222.1 million or 22% to US$1.2 billion in 2010 Vulcan), the company that directly owns 40% of the transaction will mean substantial benefits for consumers because the
from US$1.0 billion in 2009. The higher revenues EDC. In 2010, Red Vulcan reduced its debt by 40% combined expertise of the PLDT Group and Digitel will create a more capable
were offset by corresponding increases in the pass- or Php 5.5 billion, from P13.8 billion to Php 8.3 telecommunications company which will be better-positioned to provide higher
through fuel charges to its electricity offtaker and billion. quality and even more affordable services to fixed line, wireless, and broadband
higher operations and maintenance (O&M) fees The increase in earnings contribution from subscribers addressing a wide range of consumer demand – from voice to SMS to
paid to Siemens Power Operations, Inc. For 2010, affiliates was supplemented by the Company’s data and Internet and video services.
the First Gas plants delivered stable earnings of lower interest expenses. First Gen’s total debt The same disclosure said the mobile operations of Digitel will remain
US$130.1 million. decreased by US$115.1 million or 10%, from separate and intact, to maintain and capitalize on Sun Cellular’s specific segments
There was a notable increase in equity in net US$1.2 billion in 2009 to US$1.1 billion in 2010. of the market.
earnings from associates; namely, EDC and FG Other than its scheduled debt amortizations, First Aside from the share swap, an associate company of First Pacific will enter
Hydro, in 2010. EDC, the country’s largest operator Gen also bought back and retired US$74.0 million into a put and call option agreement with JGS that will allow such associate
of geothermal-fired power plants, provided higher in face value of its convertible bond in 2010 and company to acquire 5.81 million PLDT shares from JGS at a price of P2,500 per
earnings to First Gen of US$52.5 million in 2010, paid off its Php5.0 billion bond. The paydown of share.
up by US$21.5 million, as compared to US$31.0 debt at First Gen resulted in lower interest expenses JG Summit expects to own approximately 10.1 percent of the total share
million in the previous year. This improvement in 2010 US$104.0 million, in comparison to 2009’s capital of PLDT after the option is exercised.
resulted from the full year effect of the 192.5MW total interest expense of US$112.1 million. Part of “In making this decision, JG Summit went through a rigorous review of its
Palinpinon and 112MW Tongonan geothermal power the proceeds from First Gen’s P15.0 billion rights strategic options and concluded that PLDT is the best partner for all our stakeholders
plants, EDC’s receipt of VAT Tax Credit Certificates, offer last January 2010 was used for the loan - Digitel subscribers should reap benefits from PLDT’s sizeable infrastructure and
and its lowered deferred taxes. The improvement prepayments. leading-edge platforms. The transaction should also bring significant value to JG
in earnings was, however, partially offset by the First Gen’s consolidated net income in 2010 Summit’s shareholders without relinquishing our participation in the Philippine
impairment booked for EDC’s 49MW Northern increased by US$26.0 million or 27% to US$121.0 telecommunications industry,” said James Go, JGS Chairman and CEO.
Negros geothermal power plant and lower revenues million, compared to the net income of US$95.0 “For PLDT, this transaction fortifies its position as the leading
from EDC’s Unified Leyte geothermal power plant million in the previous year. The Company’s net telecommunications company in the Philippines,” PLDT chairman Manuel V.
complex. Adding to the positive variance was FG income attributable to the Parent company of Pangilinan was quoted in the disclosure as saying.
Hydro’s income contribution, which increased US$70.2 million is net of minority interests.

Globe Business supports Jollibee acquires


the 5th Int’l ICT Awards majority stake in US
business
Globe Business, the enterprise field. Winners of this award are As it further sustains strong
and corporate client servicing unit recognized for their significant partnerships with BPOs, Globe
of Globe Telecom, took part in investments in human resources, offers end-to-end solutions that Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd.
the 5th International ICT Awards exemplary practices and can serve as effective tools for (“JWPL”) acquired from Aspen
as it continues to contribute in commitment to corporate social companies to further attract and Partners, LLC 2,400 shares in
advancing the country’s BPO responsibility, among others. retain their assets. Globe Business’ Chow Fun Holdings, LLC (“Chow
sector. “We have remained strong in Employee Prepaid Plus service, Fun”) for $3,240,000, bringing up
Globe Business has been the BPO industry and they have for instance, enables customers its equity share in Chow Fun to
an ardent supporter of the ICT our support as we collaborate to to deploy communications 80.55 percent.
Awards since 2008 and remains further enhance the position of allowance as part of their company JFC (through JWPL) had
a strong partner of the Canadian the Philippines in the international benefits that employees can value previously acquired in July 2008
Chamber of Commerce of the markets,” said Jesus C. Romero, and enjoy. Globe Business is also a 12 percent equity share in Chow
Philippines and the Business Enterprise Segments Head of focused on providing the sector Fun for $950,000.
Processing Association of the Globe Business. “We are pleased with reliable and diverse domestic Chow Fun is the developer
Philippines in this annual event. to be part of the 5th International and international backbone and owner of Jinja Bar and Bistro
The International ICT ICT Awards – Philippines 2011 networks. It assures BPOs and in New Mexico, USA. It presently
Awards honors individuals and as we recognize and honor the enterprises that it delivers telecom has three restaurants in New
organizations for their outstanding achievements of BPOs that solutions that are certified with Mexico, two in Albuquerque and
performance in promoting the continue to provide its employees international standards. one in Santa Fe. Jinja Bar and Bistro serves Asian cuisine adapted to
country as one of the top BPO with the best possible working “For us, it’s all about Western preferences to mainstream American consumers.
destinations around the globe. It environment where they can supporting the industry and our As previously disclosed, JFC’s objective in this venture is to
aims to continuously improve ICT develop both professionally and role as telecom service providers enhance its capability in developing Asian food restaurant concepts for
in the Philippines by encouraging personally.” is to invest in our infrastructure the mainstream consumers in the United States as part ofits long-term
innovation and excellence among “At Globe Business, we to provide the best customer strategy.
BPOs. The awarding was held lat understand that an enterprise’s experience. But we don’t stop there. JFC operates the largest food service network in the Philippines.
March 31 at Dusit Thani Manila. most important asset is its people. We also bring world-class services As of December 31, 2010, it was operating a total of 1,921 stores in the
For four years now, Globe The customer service sector is an that are certified by international country: Jollibee brand with 717, Cowking with 400, Greenwich with
Business has been presenting industry that heavily relies on the standards. Certifications are part 223, Red Ribbon with 221, Mnaong Pepe Karinderia with 12, Caffe Ti-
the “BPO Employer of the skill and capabilities of its human of our support system that ensures Amo with 3 and Mang Inasal with 345. It was also operating 395 stores
Year” award, an honor given to resources, hence, we are honored customers what they get are at par abroad: Yonghe King in the People’s Republic of China with 200 stores,
organizations in the local customer to be given this opportunity to with global standards. The effect Jollibee 67 (mainly in the United States with 26, Vietnam with 22 and
service industry who contribute to recognize the commitment of has been tremendous and it has Brunei with 11), Red Ribbon 38. all in the US, Chowking 38 (mostly in
the Philippines’ global recognition BPOs to their employees,” added allowed us to continue to invest in the US with 19 and Dubai with 15) and Hongzhuangyuan 52 for a total
and competitiveness in the Romero. the industry,” Romero said. of 2,316 worldwide.
4   Environment April 4 -10 2011

Amazon drought can


Mideast water be seen from space
shortage may fuel THE verdancy of the Amazon's lush tropical forests visibly drained away, during last
year's severe drought, according to satellite-image analysis from a study funded by the

unrest, oil hikes


National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) .
And the view from space showed that the rain forests failed to bounce back
again in the autumn, suggesting longer-term effects from this record-breaking drought,
EarthTimes.org reported.
The news of the browning of the Amazon basin was released yesterday, as a snapshot
from a study of a decade's worth of data from 2 of NASA's orbiting satellites - known
as MODIS (the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and TRMM (the
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission. The team studying the data - drawn from expert
fields across the globe - was attempting to assess the impact of climate change one of the
planet's largest terrestrial stores of carbon.
They wanted to measure the drought sensitivity of the region, as climate models
predict an increasingly dry time in the Amazon. The TRMM satellite helped them to
map out areas where rainfall is low, and the MODIS looked for two different levels of
greenness - one to indicate the leaf area, and another to measure the how well trees were
functioning under water stress.
The drought of 2010 had levels of the Amazon's rivers falling below levels see on any
historical records. And it was all the more worrying for following a supposed 'once in a
century' drought in 2005. Many rivers dried up completely, and the Brazilian government
had to put together an aid package, and supply airlifts, for afflicted communities.
The severity of the drought was clearly picked up by the study. Close to a million
square km of vegetation showed reduced levels of greenness - four times the 2005 dry-
out area.
One of the lead authors of the study, Arindam Samanta, said '' The MODIS vegetation
greenness data suggest a more widespread, severe and long-lasting impact to Amazonian
vegetation than what can be inferred based solely on rainfall data.''
The close association of two severe droughts, in the last decade, has many worried
that global warming has hit the regional climate system.
Both droughts were linked to unusually warm Atlantic sea temperatures, off of the
east coast of Brazil. That is worrying on two levels.
Large amounts of carbon are currently locked in the vast biomass of the tropical rain
forests, and so kept out of the atmosphere.
THE publication of the latest Water Al Bowardi, Secretary-General of the Abu Climate models suggest that decreased rains will turn the rain forest to savanna,
Security Risk Index from Maplecroft has Dhabi Executive Council and Managing devastating an incredibly diverse ecosystem - and also unleashing a torrent of CO2. The
shown that many oil producing countries Director of the Environment Agency said: last thing we need is for Mother Nature to start increasing her CO2 emissions, as we
are rated 'extreme risk' when it comes to ''Irrigation accounts for 76 per cent struggle to cut ours.
the stability of their water supplies. of water use in the country. With growing
EarthTimes.org said the Water population demands and large economic
Security Risk Index is an annual report development plans, our water scarcity
produced by Maplecroft that measures problem may grow more acute.''
the future stability of water supplies A recent survey in the country showed
across 162 countries. This year six OPEC that a quarter of UAE couples fear there
countries; Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, United will not be enough water for their children's
Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Libya needs in the future.
were rated 'extreme risk', while Iran and There's the added problem of civil unrest.
Qatar were rated 'high risk'. Many of these Middle Eastern counties
The danger is that disruption to water are already experiencing increased public
supplies could, in turn, lead to higher oil demonstrations due to increasing food prices
prices, as high volumes of water are needed and it's thought that the possibility of water
in the oil production process. Huge quantities shortage could further fuel this unrest.
of 'lift water' are often used to force oil from In addition, disputes over transboundary
wells with insufficient geological pressure water supplies could be a source of wider
to bring the oil to the surface. If sufficient political trouble. The River Jordan, for
water is unavailable, then this could result example, has been the cause of several
in interruptions in production, oil shortages conflicts between Israel and Jordan. As
and inevitable hikes in the cost of a barrel water becomes scarcer in the Middle East,
of oil. it is inevitable that countries will take steps
The UAE in particular faces growing to secure water supplies that may be seen by
challenges with water usage. Mohammed their neighbors as an act of provocation.

Arctic winter ice ties lowest level ever


IF there's one part of the world that could be considered the canary in the coal-mine record, last set in 2006.
of climate change, it's the frozen ice sheets of the Arctic. That's where temperatures are The tracking of sea-ice changes over time is a tricky business, because of the natural
rising fastest, and where the effects, in a visibly shrinking ice-cap, are most dramatic. see-sawing, with the seasons. In winter the ice area tops 15 million square kilometers,
And the apparent flooring of Arctic sea-ice levels this decade, has just been reinforced by whereas in winter it plunges to less than 5 million square kilometers. So scientists
news from the NSIDC - this March's ice area is tied for the lowest March maximum on monitoring the levels compare the yearly peaks and troughs, to get an idea of the longer
term trend in sea-ice levels.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) is one a
several groups monitoring sea-ice levels, using microwave sensors
on polar satellites. March is the time when the sea-ice flips from
its winter growth to a summer slide-down; and this maximum
is looked out for, keenly, each year. The NSIDC has just 'called'
the maximum for the 2010-11 winter, based on the last 5 days
showing falling sea-ice levels; the provisional numbers come out
at 14.64 million square kilometers.
This is a whopping 1.3 million square kilometers below the
average March maximum seen from 1979-2000, and ties the
lowest previous maximum, seen in 2006. This only confirms
the strong downward trend in the Arctic ice-sheet, when looked
at over a number of years. Tracking the differences from the
average, for each year, shows an accelerating rate of ice-loss
growth, especially in summer. Some scientists project an ice-free
Arctic within our lifetimes - and possibly even within a decade
or so.
Not only does the shrinking polar ice-cap demonstrate the
very real effect of global warming, right here and right now - the
consequences may be colossal, if this continued ice-loss takes us
towards open water at the North Pole. There could be massive
unforeseen changes in everything from oceanic current flows, to
regional climate, and it may even cause the release of climate-
shaking levels of methane.
Some consequences may already be showing themselves
in the snow-chaos of the last 3 winters. Climate scientists have
noticed that these exceptionally cold and snowy winters, for
North America and Europe, appear related to the weakening of
the 'polar vortex'. Those spinning winds usually keep Arctic air
locked up around the poles. Sea ice melting could be undermining
that cold air 'fence'. So it seems that the canary is tweeting louder
and louder. The question is - is anyone listening?
April 4 -10 2011 Science
5

American geophysicist claims no link


between earthquakes, volcanic eruptions
THERE is not enough evidence to the earthquake, it is really hard to the extent of the rupture) was directly trigger swarms of small earthquakes conversely, volcanic activity is
show that large earthquakes like say that volcano was triggered by beneath Kilauea Volcano. Also, at in active hydrothermal systems, such known to trigger earthquakes.
what happened in Japan would the earthquake, because that volcano the time of the earthquake, Kilauea as those in Yellowstone and Long For example, swarms of small
trigger nearby volcanic eruptions, a would erupt anyway. was showing signs of pressurization Valley calderas. This phenomenon earthquakes, rarely larger than
US geophysicist said recently. He said there are a few and was likely poised to erupt soon has been observed at many volcanoes M5, can accompany the upward
After the devastating earthquake examples in the historical record that anyway. following large earthquakes; the movement of magma through the
in Japan, people are worried that suggest a connection between large According to Cervelli, Kilauea M-7.9 Denali Fault earthquake in Earth's crust.
the earthquake may trigger the is one of the most active volcanoes Alaska is a good example, he said. Also, large volumes of magma
volcanic eruptions, but Peter in the world, and erupted However, small earthquake that rise from deep within the lower
Cervelli, geophysicist at the frequently in the decades before swarms such as these are typically crust to shallower depths are thought
US Geological Survey Volcano and after the 1975 earthquake. only recorded by sensitive seismic to perturb the stress field around a
Science Center told Xinhua in Another example of instrumentation and certainly do not volcano, possibly triggering small
an interview that he does not possible triggering occurred after fall into the category of an eruption. earthquakes up to 25 km away.
believe people have reason to the M-9.5 Chile earthquake on According to Cervelli, (PNA)

US earthquake
be concerned. May 22, 1960, Cervelli said.
"From time to time in About 38 hours after the
the historic record we have mainshock, Puyehue-Cordon

resilience needs
observed a few cases where Caulle in Central Chile erupted
volcanic eruptions have violently after being inactive
followed large earthquakes. for more than 25 years. In this

strengthening – report
However, in most of those instance, as at Kilauea above,
cases, it was a situation where it is likely that the fault rupture
the fault was large and directly extended beneath the volcano,
under the volcano in question," said the geophysicist.
said Cervelli. According to Cervelli, A new National Research Council provides magnitude and location
He admitted that establishing a statistical report presents a 20-year road alerts within a few minutes after
geophysicists still do not correlation between large map for increasing US resilience an earthquake as well as the basic
understand this relationship earthquakes and subsequent to earthquakes, including a major data for many of the road map
perfectly, it is a continuing volcanic eruptions requires a earthquake that could strike a tasks; evaluate, test, and deploy
scientific research. long and accurate record of both highly populated area. earthquake early-warning systems;
"However, of all the seismic and volcanic activity. The report was mostly written complete coverage of national and
possible consequences of this The global record of such prior to the March 11 earthquake in urban seismic hazard maps to
earthquake, the one that I will be earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, activity is sparse, especially for Japan, but the committee of experts identify at-risk areas; develop and
most worried about, I would not but even these, on close inspection, events that occurred before 1900. who authored it noted that the implement earthquake forecasting
include among them the chances do not show a simple causative While there are hints of connections Japanese experience is a reminder to provide communities with
of increased volcanic activity in the relationship. in some cases, and a few convincing of the devastation that can occur information on how seismic
near future," said the geophysicist. Cervelli said the most anecdotes, statistical analyses to date even in a country acknowledged hazards change with time;
In the case of Japan, Cervelli unambiguous case of triggering is have shown only a weak correlation, as a leader in implementing develop scenarios that integrate
said: "So far we have seen no probably the November 29, 1975 said Cervelli. earthquake-resilience measures. earth science, engineering, and
indication of any obvious triggering magnitude 7.2 Kalapana, Hawaii And, even if a statistical In recent decades, destructive social science information so
of volcanic activity." earthquake, which was immediately correlation is shown, working earthquakes in the US have only that communities can visualize
He said there are some volcanoes followed by a small, and short-lived to establish and explain a causal been moderate to strong in size earthquake and tsunami impacts
in Japan that erupt very frequently, eruption at Kilauea volcano, Hawaii. connection is another matter. or have occurred in sparsely and mitigate potential effects;
so if one of those happens to erupt However, he said, in this case, There is clear evidence that populated areas; the country has integrate science, engineering,
at the same time or before and after the fault plane of the earthquake (i.e., large, distant earthquakes can, and do, not suffered a truly devastating and social science information in

NASA scientists developed


earthquake in more than a hundred an advanced GIS-based platform
years. to improve earthquake risk
Because of this, the assessment and loss estimation;
committee expressed concern that model expected and improvised

UV-blocking lenses
many people have been lulled emergency response and recovery
into a false sense of security that activities and outcomes to
the nation already is earthquake improve pre-disaster mitigation
resilient. and preparedness; capture,
HAWKS and other birds of prey The committee highlighted disseminate, and create a repository
have some of the sharpest eyes the results of a recent earthquake- of the critical information that
in the animal kingdom, with the scenario exercise in Los Angeles, describes the geological, structural,
ability to spot a mouse scurrying which indicated that a magnitude- institutional, and socio-economic
through brush from perhaps a 7.8 earthquake would result in impacts and disaster response
half-mile away. staggering losses, and noted after earthquakes occur.
These birds owe their the lack of disaster resilience The remaining nine tasks are:
legendary visual acuity to demonstrated by Hurricane support social sciences research to
several different factors. Hawks Katrina. evaluate mitigation and recovery;
and eagles have about five times The report identifies an 18- establish an observatory
as many photoreceptors in their task road map for implementing network to measure, monitor, and
eyes as humans do, for examplae. the strategic plan adopted by the model the disaster vulnerability
And raptors' eyes also contain oil National Earthquake Hazards and resilience of communities;
droplets that filter out harmful Reduction Program (NEHRP), integrate the knowledge gained
radiation, letting through only which would make the nation from many of the tasks to enable
specific wavelengths of light. earthquake resilient. Established accurate simulations of fault
Researchers at the National by Congress in 1977, the rupture, seismic wave propagation
Aeronautics and Space multiagency program is led by through bedrock, and soil-structure
Administration picked up on the the National Institute of Standards interaction to understand the
latter fact and used it to humans' and Technology and includes the response of buildings and other
advantage. Their work ultimately Federal Emergency Management structures to shaking and compute
led to the development of Agency, National Science reliable estimates of financial
sunglasses that protect against Foundation, and US Geological loss, business interruption, and
eye damage by blocking out the Survey. casualties; develop new techniques
most harmful wavelengths of The report endorses NEHRP's for evaluating and retrofitting
solar radiation. 2008 strategic plan and stresses existing buildings to better
In the early 1980s, that the road map tasks are required withstand earthquakes; enhance
researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory damage — so-called "arc-eye" — in many to develop the nation's capacity to performance-based engineering
in Pasadena, California, were studying how the welders, NASA officials said. maintain important community to achieve better building design
human eye is damaged by radiation – both solar The scientists then turned their attention to functions and recover quickly and enable improved codes and
radiation and the artificial light produced by adapting the technology for sunglasses, so those following damaging earthquakes. standards for buildings and other
lasers and industrial welding operations. non-welders among us could reap the same The committee also structures; review and update
Ultraviolet (UV) light from these sources can protective benefits. emphasized that a dedicated and standards so that critical "lifeline"
harm the human eye in a number of ways. The In short order, a company called SunTiger strategic effort is needed to diffuse infrastructure -- such as electricity,
high-energy wavelengths can cause cataracts, was formed to market a line of sunglasses based knowledge gained by the NEHRP highways, and water supply
for example, and macular degeneration, which on the NASA hawk-eye breakthrough. into communities. -- can function following an
damages the center of the eye and makes it SunTiger eventually became Eagle Eyes Funding for NEHRP totaled earthquake ; develop and deploy
difficult to see fine details. Optics, based in Calabasas, California. The $129.7 million in 2009. The the next generation of "green"
The JPL researchers learned of the raptors' company's sunglasses block the vast majority committee estimated that the high-performance construction
oil droplets, which protect the birds' eyes and of harmful UVA and UVB radiation, as well cost for its earthquake-resilience materials and components for
enhance vision at the same time. Intrigued, the as similarly damaging high-energy blue light. road map would be $306 million use in buildings' seismic framing
scientists developed their own light-filtering Blocking out bad light also provides a bonus annually over the first five years. systems; encourage and coordinate
system, which employed dyes and tiny particles service — it enhances visual clarity, NASA The first nine of the 18 tasks technology transfer between the
of zinc oxide. (Zinc oxide, which absorbs UV officials said. are: undertake additional research NEHRP and the private sector;
light, is also found in many sunscreen lotions.) Millions of people now wear Eagle Eyes to improve understanding of initiate earthquake resiliency pilot
Eventually, the researchers created and sunglasses, according to NASA officials. While earthquake phenomena and to projects in local communities
commercialized a welding curtain, which these folks still can't see as well as hawks, the increase earthquake-prediction to improve awareness, reduce
blocked out much of the UV light that causes space-ace technology is helping keep their eyes capabilities; deploy the remaining risk, and enhance emergency
corneal inflammation and long-term retinal safe and healthy. 75 percent of the Advanced preparedness and recovery
National Seismic System, which capacity.
6   April 4 -10 2011

Producer Price Index maintains


THE Producer Price Index (PPI, 2000=100) for the manufacturing
industry decelerated at a slower rate of -3.6 percent in January 2011,
according to the preliminary results of the monthly Producer Price
Survey. This was attributed mainly to two major sectors namely:
electrical machinery (-15.6%) and paper and paper products (-14.4%).
However, increases in prices were observed in thirteen major sectors
led by petroleum products (12.2%) and leather products (10.9%).
Refer to Tables 1 and 1-A.
On a month-on month basis, PPI posted a 1.3 percent increase in
January 2011, which is the same rate of increase during the previous
month. The price increases were observed in 14 major sectors led by
furniture and fixtures and rubber and plastic products that registered
increments of 3.7% and 3.3% respectively. Refer to Tables 1 and
1-B.
• Response Rate The response rate for January 2011 is 80.7 percent, which
corresponds to the retrieval of 259 sample establishments reports.
Refer to Table 2.
• Technical Notes
The National Statistics Office generates various price indices,
one of this is the Producer Price Index. (PPI). The PPI is generated
through the results of the Producers Price Survey (PPS) conducted
nationwide. The survey gathers monthly actual producer prices of
selected products included in the market basket.
PPI utilizes the Paasche-type method of index computation
with weights computed from the production concentration ratio of
the Census of Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI)/ Annual
Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI). The weights
are updated as soon as new results of the ASPBI/CPBI are available
and applied at the beginning of each survey year.
Hence, the weights of the major sectors and sub-sectors for
the 2009 PPI were computed from the results of the 2006 CPBI
for Manufacturing Establishments of total employment of 20 and
over, which is the latest census results.
Moreover, for industry classification, the 2010 PPI utilizes
the amended 1994 Philippine Standard Industry Classification.
There are 20 major sectors covered by the 2010 PPS with three
consisting of subsectors.
Non-responding sample establishments are estimated using
cold-deck imputation method. Revisions to the preliminary
estimates are done upon receipt of actual reports from late
respondents.
Sectors are ranked according to their contribution to the
overall 2000-based growth rate.
Year-on-year growth rates are computed by dividing the
current month index by previous year same month index less 1.
Month-on-month growth rates are computed by dividing the
current month index by previous month index less 1
April 4 -10 2011 7

s negative trend for January 2011


8  
Opinion April 4 -10 2011

EDITORIAL
Samsung ‘victim’ speaks out
Once in a while, we get feedbacks from readers, and this particular letter stands out for
the veritable angst one sees all over. The story is compelling and for one accustomed to
pounding the beat, so to speak, the letter writer pours it out, and it would be better for the
reader to see through that anxiety gnawing at this businessman who says he now finds
himself a victim of an injustice that may unwittingly run its course if he is not given what
is due in the papers.
We checked on the allegations against Temps and Staffers Inc. (TSI) and even went to
its web site. And from what we have gathered, the company that used to provide support staff
to Samsung is tops in the business of the outsourcing industry. We have found out that this
all-Filipino company that dabbles in providing temporary staff to local and foreign firms has
a client base that bespeaks its worth in the outsourcing industry.
We understand that its client base includes a leading universal bank, a fast-rising Filipino
food company, a world-renowned shipping company, a Japanese sea/air freight forwarding
firm, a top bakeshop, a broadcast company and one of the top three cell-phone firms, among
others. This client base goes to show that Temps and Staffers is not a run-of-the-mill company
that Samsung wants to portray it to be. Anyway, we are reprinting herewith the letter from the
firm’s chairman Arturo Guerrero. Read it and judge for yourself:
“I am writing this letter because I wish to correct the misinformation being spread by
Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. about me, my wife Vivian and our small business,
Temps and Staffers Inc. We have been much maligned by their stories portraying us as
abusive employers and disgruntled former service contractors.
“Actually sir, all we want is to be left alone to do our business, to make our living in
peace, as we have been doing the last 20 years TSI has been in existence. We thought it
better to just keep quiet and fight it out in court. Truth and justice will eventually prevail,
we said. But to remain silent when such blatant lies are being said of me and my family and
View from the East
By Jesus T. TAnchanco SR.
the business we have poured our lives into would be wrong.
“In 2005 our manpower agency was hired by Samsung to provide them with
promoters. We call them promoters but they are actually the sales people you see in retail

We should buy local


appliance stores like Abenson and SM. Their job is to sell Samsung products and we train
them to be good at it. There are promotions people for all the appliance brands that you
see in these stores. We started off providing Samsung about 200 promoters in 2005 and by

to spur economy
2010 we had 700 of our people working for them. By June 2010, we were informed by
Samsung’s local executives that they were not renewing our contract. There was no formal
notice of contract termination, we were just told so. They said the head office in Korea
wanted Samsung Philippines to hire a local agency that is run by Koreans, following the
so-called ‘Thailand model,’ whatever that means. President Aquino’s announcement of are making their own industries continue
“We were fine with that. These things happen in any business and partnership. There’s
engagement and disengagement. But what we couldn’t agree to and, indeed, couldn’t even a fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles to hum and in the process neglecting our
fathom, was their request for our company to transfer the 700 people we had working for - - for a month—can temporarily ease the very own.
them—which at the time was 60 percent of our work force—to their new agency of choice, plight of the bus, jeep, and taxi drivers. We remember when we were in
SD Human Tech, which is owned by two Koreans and three Filipinos. But, perhaps, the government would do Denmark as part of a government
“Never mind the illegal nature of SD Human Tech (which is the subject of an well to come up with a long-term solution mission. Our hosts in Denmark, coming
antidummy case our lawyer filed) but no self-respecting business would accede to
Samsung’s outrageous request of handing over our own people, our most valuable assets, that is now bedevilling the country with from their own local chamber there, were
to a direct competitor. If you don’t want our people working for you, then okay but why the surge in the price of oil products, the profuse with apologies when they told us
would you get them—all 700 of them—from us when we could assign them to our other financial hiccup that hit many investment that they cannot serve their local drink as
clients? Naturally, we refused. and banking houses that affect the there was a strike that day. Imagine our
“What we didn’t know, though, and what we only found out later was that as early local economy and now, the Japan twin surprise when the host from Denmark
as 2009 they were already calling our people and recruiting them, telling them that if they
don’t want to be jobless they have to sign on to another agency of Samsung’s choice and disasters that are threatening to engulf us was very apologetic when he served
leave our company. Eventually, by spreading such lies, they were able to get our people and also. foreign drinks.
transfer them into other manpower agencies. And what better way can the Aquino Here, sad to say, many households
“What Samsung did severely crippled our business, sir. If you were in our shoes administration spur the economy than continue to serve foreign drinks. This
what would you do? We filed a case against Samsung (syndicated and large-scale illegal to pitch for the Filipinos to buy local should not be the case. There is a big
recruitment involving economic sabotage) because we had no choice. We are fighting to
keep our business alive. It’s not about getting back at them or getting more money from goods . Making the Filipino households economic benefit for all of us when the
them, or harassing them. patronize local products will redound to households buy local goods. That is what
“We don’t want anything from Samsung except the P10 million (P10,310,252.91 to a huge multiplier effect. Come to think the Aquino administration should aspire
be exact) they still owe our company for past services rendered. We certainly do not want of it, when Filipino households prefer for. But first, the government should
them to reengage our services and in hindsight, had we known what we know now, we local to foreign brands, they are actually really make it a habit to buy local items
wouldn’t have done business with them at all.
“There are also these letters from some of our former employees that Samsung is helping out the local industries to continue for the government machinery.
spreading which are meant to portray us as abusive employers for not paying benefits and producing that in turn lead to the creation The most difficult thing in every part
money owed to workers. Allow me to respond to these as well. Of the 700 of our former of jobs, the rise of small and medium of a campaign is to ensure that everyone
employees only 60 have still to be paid termination benefits because they refuse to sign the scale industries in the countryside and subscribes to the concept of buying local.
cessation of contract notices and go through the usual process of securing their clearances, even help the incrase the coffers of the There is no better way for the Aquino
a process every company requires of departing employees.
“The rest of our former employees, around 600 of them, were given all that was due local goverment units. administration to propagate this concept
to them, including their final pay, 13th month pay, cash bond and the tax refund, which Why, when this buy local campaign than to allow the citizenry to see the
they could get by April. Why do these 60 refuse to secure their clearances so they could becomes part of the national psyche, then government potentates patronizing local
be paid is beyond us, although we have been told that some of them have been asked by we may eventually end the export of our goods. The first step is crucial for the
Samsung to intentionally withhold their clearances so they could be made as ‘examples’ to overseas Filipino workers who toil in citizenry to get a hold onto the idea.
specifically portray us as abusive employers. This is the first time we’ve ever encountered
a problem like this with any of our client-companies in our many years in the industry. foreign lands to earn for their families There is a need to change the Filipino’s
“I trust in your sense of fairness and I thank you for hearing me out.” here. A paradigm shift in the Filipino mindset on the matter of buying local
households will let our industries hum goods. The stakes are high especially now
and even lead to a big economic gain for that there is an emerging consensus from
all of us. This is what the administration other countries like the United States,
should think about: not just a temporary Germany and Japan to prod their own
solution to the prevailing economic woes local industries by similarly patronizing
but a permanent one. their own products.
The subsidy angle is just temporary; It is not yet late in the game for us to
the buy-local paradigm is a permanent also buy local. The economy is at stake
LITO U. GAGNI solution to the economic woes that here and this, more than anything else,
Editor
CEFERINO M. ACOSTA III now threaten us. We suggest that the should prod President Aquino and his
News government citizenry create a core cabinet to give a meaning to the buy local
JAMES U. GAGNI group that will internalize this concept campaign.
Researcher of buying local. And while at it, perhaps As we have said earlier, the subsidy
RAMIL T. SARMIENTO the government would do well to start is but a temporary solution to the
Layout
RAUL S. GONZALEZ, BERNARDO PACHECO, the buy-local campaign by having economic woes that now are hurting
ALFRED SANTIAGO JR., GEORGE T. SIY this implemented at all levels of the our industries. But when we buy local,
Contributing Editors government. when the government makes a mandate
The government should start buying to internalize this buy-local concept, a
Business Matters is published every Monday by Grandbooks Publishing
Inc. with editorial and business address at 50 M.R. Flores St. Ext., local products since this is the key to permanent solution is at hand.
Sto. Rosario Kanluran, Pateros, M.M. making the economy resilient. When We should then buy local for it would
Telephones: (632) 628-43-48 Fax: (632) 628-38-82 households prefer foreign to local goods, mean spurring the economy and shielding
E-mail: businessmatters@hotmail.ph
we are actually supporting their industries. it from the economic malaise that hurt
Everytime we buy a foreign product, we that the developed world.
April 4 -10 2011 9

PH fetal deaths in 2007


The information presented herein was obtained from the
fetal death certificates (Municipal Form No. 103A) submitted
by the City/Municipal Registrars from all over the country
to the Office of the Civil Registrar General for processing
and archiving purposes. There was no adjustment done for
underregistration in the presentation

Number of fetal deaths decrease


The Philippines registered a total of 8,191 fetal deaths
in 2007. The figure is 267 less (3.2%) from a total of 8,458 health professionals most
of whom were medical
doctors.
It is interesting to
note that in MIMAROPA,
the number of fetal deaths
attended by hilots and
medical practitioners were
equal at 103 cases each.
22 fetal deaths occur daily
On the average, 22
fetal deaths occurred per
day. The months of January
and July registered a daily average of 755 and 754 fetal deaths, respectively.
It was during the third quarter of the year when the highest number of fetal deaths was
recorded (2,133 or 26.0 percent of the total). The last quarter of the year was not far behind
with 2,083 or 25.4 percent.
The month of November registered the highest daily average fetal deaths with 25
cases, followed by January, May, July and October with 24 fetal deaths recorded daily.
Meanwhile, six out of the twelve months of the year recorded daily indices higher
than the national value of 100.0. These were January (108.5), May (104.8), July (108.4)
September (104.0), October (105.9) and November (109.8).

fetal deaths reported in 2006.


Of the total registered fetal deaths, about 1,796 (21.9%) occurred in the National
Capital Region (NCR). Second in rank with a difference of only 3.0 percentage
points from NCR was CALABARZON with 1,545 fetal deaths (18.9%). In third
place was Central Visayas with 1,052 reported fetal deaths (12.8%).
On the other end, the least number of fetal deaths was recorded in Caraga and
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with only 80 (1.0%) and 7
(0.1%) cases, respectively.
Almost three out of four fetal deaths are medically attended
A total of 6,036 or 73.7% of the registered fetal deaths were attended by medical
practitioners. Of these, 5,422 or 66.2 percent were under the care of physicians.
Records show also that, only one of every four fetal deaths (2,095 or 25.6%)
were attended by traditional birth attendants or hilots.
Nine out of ten fetal deaths in NCR (91.6%) and CAR (90.3%) were attended by

Mothers at age group 20-34 years old are most vulnerable to fetal deaths
The median age of mothers with fetal death occurrences was 29.0 years.
Mothers at ages 20-34 years accounted for 5,491 or 67.0 percent of fetal deaths. The
figure signified that two out of three mothers who had fetal deaths in 2007 were from
same age group.
Out of 8,191 fetal deaths in the country, 2,878 or 35.1 percent were first born, 994 of
which belong to expectant mothers aged 20-24 years.
On the other hand, mothers aged 45 and over recorded 62 fetal deaths. Almost half
(28 cases) of these deaths were on their eighth child and over.
Almost three out of four fetal deaths are due to the ten leading causes of death
Almost three-fourths (6,003 or 73.3%) of fetal deaths in 2007 were brought about
by the ten leading causes of death. The remaining 26.7 percent were caused by other
illnesses.
Consistently on top of the list was disorders related to short gestation and low birth
weight not elsewhere classified which accounted for more than half (4,289 or 52.4%) of
fetal deaths in 2007. Way behind on second and third places, were intrauterine hypoxia (728
or 8.9%) and other congenital malformations, not elsewhere classified (330 or 4.0%).
10   Motoring April 4 -10 2011

WITH technology at their Drivers can be distracted by "Drivers simply do not their cell phones and wait until driving. The tour will include
fingertips, drivers are constantly conversing with other passengers, realize the dangers that are they arrive at their destination a driving simulator that allows
faced with distractions such as eating, smoking, manipulating posed when they take their eyes to use their phone. Although users to experience the effects of
talking or texting, putting their dashboard controls, reaching for and minds off the road and their cell phone use is the most easily distracted driving in a controlled
safety and that of others at serious something in the vehicle, and hands off the wheel and focus recognized distraction, all in- environment.
risk. talking or texting on a cell phone. on activities other than driving," vehicle distractions are unsafe and The Texas Department of
April is National Distracted Among the many distractions said Carol T. Rawson, TxDOT's can cause crashes or fatalities. Transportation is responsible for
Driving Awareness Traffic Operations Division TxDOT through a partnership maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of
Month and the Director. " 'Talk. Text. with Nationwide will be road and for supporting aviation,
Texas Department Crash.' reminds Texans conducting a four-market tour to rail and public transportation
of Transportation of the consequences spread the word about distracted across the state.
(TxDOT) is associated with distracted

Crisis raises already


launching the driving. Eliminating
“Talk.Text.Crash.” distractions and putting
campaign to raise away their cell phones

high used-car prices


awareness of the while driving can and will
dangers associated
with distracted
driving and to
encourage Texans
to put down their THE crisis in Japan is pushing prices of fuel-efficient used vehicles
cell phones while -- which were high already -- even higher, analysts say, Automotive
driving. News reported.
Distracted Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. are among the
driving is becoming Japanese manufacturers that closed factories in Japan after the March
increasingly 11 earthquake and tsunami, halting production of vehicles such as the
common and dangerous, causing drivers face Toyota Corolla and Prius and the Honda Fit.
traffic crashes and fatalities. Data on the road, The threat of a shortage of new vehicles, coupled with rising
from the National Highway Traffic cell phone gasoline prices and a tight supply of used vehicles, sharply increased
Safety Administration (NHTSA) use is one prices of used small cars and hybrids in mid-March, according to data
shows the proportion of fatalities of the most from NADA Used Car Guide and Black Book.
reportedly associated with driver common and Take the Prius.
distraction increased from 10 a major cause Prices of the used hybrid have been increasing steadily since the
percent in 2005 to 16 percent of distracted beginning of the year.
in 2009. In fact, 20 percent of driving traffic Ricky Beggs, managing editor of Black Book, says prices of
injury crashes nationally in 2009 accidents and used 2009 and 2010 Prius cars increased $1,900 to $2,400 from mid-
involved reports of distracted fatalities. At February though mid-March. Half of the increase was recorded the
driving. any given week of March 14-21.
This deadly trend is mirrored m o m e n t Beggs says the Prius typically would have appreciated about $500
in Texas, where nearly one in four during the to $800 from mid-February to mid-March, given the strong spring
crashes involves driver distraction, daylight hours, over 800,000 save lives." market.
according to TxDOT. In 2009 vehicles are being driven by The “Talk. Text. Crash.” He says used-Prius prices started to rise in January with gasoline
alone, over 100,000 vehicles were someone using a hand-held cell campaign aims to reduce distracted prices, and the threat of a shortage of new Prius cars caused prices to
involved in crashes where distraction phone, according to NHTSA. In driving, not only for National jump in mid-March.
in vehicle, driver inattention or cell 2009, 3,308 crashes in Texas were Distracted Driving Awareness The NADA guide shows the average price of a used 2008 Prius
phone use was cited. Sadly, 408 of attributed to cell phone use and Month, but throughout the year. rose almost 4 percent to $15,450 the week ending March 22. On that
those crashes were fatal. 41 of those crashes were fatal. TxDOT asks drivers to put away day, it was up 9 percent from a month earlier. The average price of

Japan disaster impacts a 2009 Prius the week ending March 22 was $17,090, a five percent
increase for the week and up 12 percent for the month.
Jonathan Banks, senior director of editorial and data services

on autos supply chain


at NADA Used Car Guide, says new Prius cars already are in short
supply.
If fuel prices continue to rise and Toyota cannot resume production,
Banks says, "there is room for that vehicle to keep going up."
JAPAN’S catastrophic earthquake, tsunami and nuclear Auto parts, tires, engines, and motors account for In contrast, prices of used large trucks are virtually flat, says Alec
crisis have had far-reaching effects on the supply more than 40 percent of U.S. containerized imports from Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation at Kelley Blue Book.
chain, stretching beyond major manufacturers and Japan, according to PIERS, a sister company of The From January 1 through March 18, prices of the used large SUVs
transportation hubs to suppliers' suppliers and local Journal of Commerce and a division of UBM Global were up almost 2 percent, and used full-sized pickups were unchanged.
transport congestion. Trade. But this catastrophe halted production at nearly In the first quarter of 2010, used large SUVs jumped 8 percent, Gutierrez
"We no longer have supply chains. We have supply two-thirds of Japan's 72 engine and transmission plants, says, and used full-sized trucks increased seven percent.
networks, and those networks are vast and clearly global," reported forecasting firm IHS Automotive. Even Japanese
said Jim Rice, deputy director for Massachusetts Institute plants outside of the damage zone were affected by electric
for Technology's Center for Transportation and Logistics. power restrictions, disrupted local transportation and their
"You can be a small company in Des Moines, Iowa, that own suppliers' shortages. These crises have echoed across
depends on a product that's made from a component that a wide range of industries, impacting companies from
comes from overseas somewhere." Boeing to Caterpillar to Sony and Nokia.
Within a week, General Motors announced Whether the Japan calamity will create permanent
the temporary idling of a Shreveport, La., plant and and drastic changes to business practices is yet to be seen,
curtailed production at two European plants because but it's certain that its lessons for resiliency planning
of parts shortages. Toyota, which makes 43 percent of are already advancing industry thinking. This week's
its vehicles in Japan, told US dealers that its production Cover Story, written by Senior Editor Joseph Bonney,
stoppages would reduce March deliveries by 17,400 examines the ripple effects for production, as well as the
vehicles. recovery outlook for the world's third-largest economy.

More start-ups and shutdowns


THE first auto assembly plant in of a key pigment additive used produces the pigment is located
the United States that was forced in metallic automotive coating near the coast and was suffered
to cease operations because of a systems. The pigment, called damage from the earthquake and
parts shortage caused by the March Xirallic, is only made at Onahama, tsunami. Toyota Prius
11 earthquake in Japan was set to Japan by Germany's Merck Ford Motor Co. announced
restart by the first week of April. KGaA. over the weekend that it will be
General Motors said it plans According to reports, forced to curtail production at its
to restart its Shreveport, Louisiana, many of the world's automobile Genk, Belgium, assembly plant
plant this week, recalling about manufacturers use Xirallic and because of a parts shortage. The
925 employees that work a 10-hour some have already been forced to plant will be idled on April 4,
shift. look for alternatives and in some one month ahead of a planned
GM confirmed that the reason cases have stopped taking orders five-day shutdown, because of an
for the shutdown was because of for vehicles with metallic paint. impending parts shortage. About
depleted inventory of a Japanese- Indeed, Ford Motor Co., 5,500 workers are employed
made part but the company would Chrysler Group LLC, Volkswagen there.
not identify the part. The company AG, BMW AG, Toyota Motor Mitsubishi Motors issued a
warned that other assembly Corp. and General Motors all report this morning stating that
operations could be impacted by use Xirallic in metallic paint all of its three assembly plants in
parts shortages in coming weeks. formulations. According to Japan are back up and operating,
One key issue that arose over The Wall Street Journal, the but it will idle one plant because
the weekend was the unavailability manufacturing plant where Merck of a part shortage. Honda Fit
April 4 -10 2011 Health & Wellness 11

House okays bill for hospitals to display price list


THE House of Representatives has provider upon the patient’s admission, practices, he said. a complete price list, to include all a conspicuous place within the
passed on third and final reading a bill and any price increase would take "This will also facilitate sound incidental charges for room and healthcare provider’s grounds.
that seeks to mandate hospitals and effect only after proper posting. choice by end users of hospitalization amenities, meals, medicines, and Violators face fines of up
other healthcare providers to clearly House Deputy Majority Leader and other healthcare services," he use of medical equipment and to P25,000 per instance, without
display in their premises a full price and Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, added. technology, would enable patients prejudice to administrative
list of their services and products. author of the proposed measure, on Romulo pointed out that to compare costs and freely decide sanctions such as the suspension of
The compulsory posting of an Monday said the bill "gives more patients invariably get billed for the where best to obtain the services or their professional licenses for up to
exact price list under the proposed meaning to the State's avowed policy flimsiest expense while being treated supplies that they need. 60 days.
"Healthcare Services Price Disclosure in The Consumer Act to protect the in hospitals and other healthcare "For instance, once the patient If the offender is a firm, it faces
Act" would cover hospitals, interests and general welfare of buyers, facilities. becomes aware that he could get a fine of up to P50,000 per instance,
ambulatorysurgicalcenters,diagnostic and to establish the fair standards of In some cases, he said, "without charged for hospital toilet paper that plus suspension of its license to
and laboratory clinics, medical offices conduct for business and industry." their prior knowledge, patients even is five times more expensive, then operate for up to 60 days.
and related facilities, including those An absolutely transparent get charged for the extra cotton he might just opt to bring his own The firm's officers directly
providing dental services. and readily available price index balls or toilet paper they use in the supply," he said. responsible for the infraction also
The displayed price schedule would safeguard consumers against hospital." Romulo's bill requires the face fines and suspension of their
would be binding on the healthcare misleading and unfair sales acts and The Pasig City solon said that posting of the price catalogue in licenses. (PNA)

Incredible!
More young people Healthy Sleep Advice
If you are having problems sleeping, the National Sleep Foundation suggests the following

wait before having sex


THE percentage of teens and young adults The researchers say the patterns look similar
to improve your sleep:
Set and stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same times each day.
Expose yourself to bright light in the morning and avoid it at night. Exposure to bright
morning light energizes us and prepares us for a productive day. Alternatively, dim your
refraining from sex has increased, researchers to what was found in an earlier 2002 survey -- lights when it's close to bedtime.
found recently. although in the most recent survey, the researchers Exercise regularly. Exercise in the morning can help you get the light exposure you
In the agency's most recent survey on the broke down same-sex sexual activity by general need to set your biological clock. Avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime if you are having
subject, 27 percent of males and 29 percent of and more specific scenarios. problems sleeping.
females ages 15 to 24 reported never having For instance, among the 12.5 percent of Establish a relaxing bedtime routine. Allow enough time to wind down and relax before
any sexual contact with another person, Anjani women ages 15 to 44 who reported any same-sex going to bed.
Chandra, PhD, of the National Center for Health experience, 9.3 percent reported it to be oral sex. Create a cool, comfortable sleeping environment that is free of distractions. If you're
Statistics, and colleagues reported in a data brief. They noted that this may be the more finding that entertainment or work-related communications are creating anxiety, remove
That's up from 22 percent of both sexes in comparable figure to match with the 5.2 percent these distractions from your bedroom.
2002. of men who report any oral or anal sex with a male Treat your bed as your sanctuary from the stresses of the day. If you find yourself still
The researchers also found that more than partner because it focuses on specific behavior, the lying awake after 20 minutes or so, get up and do something relaxing in dim light until you
half of people ages 15 to 24 reported having oral researchers noted. are sleepy.
sex prior to ever having vaginal intercourse. Still, women were less likely than men to Keep a "worry book" next to your bed. If you wake up because of worries, write them
The lifetime median number of sexual report that they were only attracted to the opposite down with an action plan, and forget about them until morning.
partners has remained nearly unchanged, the sex – 83 percent versus 94 percent, again, similar Avoid caffeinated beverages, chocolate and tobacco at night.
researchers said, with women hovering at around to earlier data. Avoid large meals and beverages right before bedtime.
three and men surpassing them with about five. More women than men reported being No nightcaps. Drinking alcohol before bed can rob you of deep sleep and can cause you
The data come from a 2006 to 2008 in- bisexual (3.5 percent versus 1.1 percent), and to wake up too early.
person survey of 13,495 men and women ages younger women were more likely to identify Avoid medicines that delay or disrupt your sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, ask your
15 to 44. themselves as such than older women. doctor or pharmacist if your medications might be contributing to your sleep problem.
The researchers also found that women "I read a lot about the notion that younger No late-afternoon or evening naps, unless you work nights. If you must nap, keep it
appear to be far more open to same-sex people in general are more comfortable with under 45 minutes and before 3:00 pm.
encounters than men. the notion that they can be sexual in ways older
More than twice as many females as males people don't feel they can be," Drescher said.
reported some type of sexual encounter with a "That may indeed be the case for younger
member of the same sex at some point in their women, if that's what the data show."
lifetime (12.5 percent versus 5.2 percent). Educational achievement appeared to
"There's a popular sense that women have be associated with the likelihood of same-sex
more fluidity in their sexual attraction than men do, experience among both men and women. But
and this provides empirical data that might support while women with more education were less
that idea," Jack Drescher, MD, a psychiatrist likely to report same-sex encounters, more
in private practice in Manhattan who was not highly educated men reported more sex with
involved in the study, told MedPage Today. men.And only women had a correlation between
It's not clear why that's the case, Drescher the number of opposite-sex partners they've had
said, although it could be that males are more and their likelihood of having sexual relations
guarded about their sexual identity -- "that whole with a same-sex partner. Those with four or
notion of macho posturing, the way men fling the more male partners were more likely to report
word 'girl' at each other as an insult." hooking up with a female.

Physical activity decreases


effect of salt on blood pressure
THE more physically active you are, the less sodium, adjusted for age and gender, were:
your blood pressure rises in response to a high- 5.27 mm Hg in the least active group; 5.07 mm
salt diet, researchers reported at the American Hg in the next-to-lowest activity group; 4.93
Heart Association's Nutrition, Physical Activity mm Hg in the next to highest activity group;
and Metabolism/Cardiovascular Disease and 3.88 mm Hg in the most active group.
Epidemiology and Prevention 2011 Scientific Compared with the sedentary group, the odds
Sessions. of being salt-sensitive, adjusted for age and
"Patients should be advised to increase gender, fell:
their physical activity and eat less sodium," 10 percent in the next-to-lowest activity
said Casey M. Rebholz, M.P.H., lead author of group; 17 percent in the next-to-highest
the study and a medical student at the Tulane activity group; and 38 percent in the most
School of Medicine and doctoral student active group.
at the Tulane University School of Public "In all the analyses we found a dose-
Health & Tropical Medicine in New Orleans. response relationship with the more activity,
"Restricting sodium is particularly important the better," Rebholz said.
in lowering blood pressure among more The participants were 1,906 Han Chinese
sedentary people." adults (average age 38) in the Genetic
Investigators compared study participants' Epidemiology Network of Salt Sensitivity
blood pressure on two one-week diets, one low (GenSalt), a large project to identify genetic
in sodium (3,000 mg/day) and the other high in and environmental factors contributing to salt
sodium (18,000 mg/day). sensitivity. Siblings and their parents were
The American Heart Association invited to become involved in GenSalt if at
recommends consuming less than 1,500 mg/ least one sibling had pre-hypertension (blood
day of sodium. pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 mm Hg)
If a person's average systolic blood pressure or stage-1 hypertension (between 140/90 and
(the top number in the reading, measured when 159/99 mm Hg). No one was on blood pressure
the heart is contracting) increased 5 percent or medication during the study.
more from the low-sodium to the high-sodium The GenSalt project is located in rural
regimen, the researchers labeled them as high China because the homogeneous population
salt-sensitive. makes it more likely that genes influential to
Based on physical activity questionnaires, blood pressure control will be identified.
researchers divided participants into four "The study needs to be repeated, but I
groups ranging from very active to quite suspect that the relationship between physical
sedentary. activity and salt-sensitivity will apply to other
The average increases in systolic blood populations," Rebholz said in a story published
pressure after switching from low to high by Science Daily.
12   April 4 -10 2011

Airport scanners: Much ado about very little


AIRPORT body scanners are expected to be in operation radiation each year, an amount on a six-hour flight, she will be skin exposure and the risk of
pose no significant radiation by the end of 2011, the authors equivalent to 0.1 microsievert exposed to approximately 14.3 skin cancer. Moreover, the
threat, even to frequent flyers wrote in their introduction. per minute, according to the microsievert of radiation from the distribution of exposure differs
who are exposed to far more Two types of scanners are National Council on Radiation flight and 0.03 to 0.1 microsievert from that of the whole-body
radiation during travel at high in use. The millimeter-wave Protection and Measurements. from passing through the scanner exposure assumed by available
altitudes, said the authors of a scanner emits low-energy waves The two most common sources of at the airport," the authors wrote. mathematical models.
review published by MedPage estimated as a fraction of the radiation are medical procedures "Thus, the scan will increase Noting that 100 million
Today recently. energy emitted by a cell phone. and environmental background her exposure by less than 1 people have a total of 750
The scanners expose The more commonly used radiation. percent." million flights per year, Smith-
people to less than 1 percent of backscatter x-ray scanner emits Backscatter whole-body Given those calculations, Bindman and Mehta estimated
the radiation associated with concerns that that radiation exposure from
cosmic rays at typical flight vulnerable airport scanners would cause six
altitudes. A single exposure individuals should excess cancers.
to a backscatter x-ray scanner avoid the scanners In contrast, 40 million
is equivalent to three to are unwarranted, cancers would be expected over
nine minutes of radiation they added. the same individuals' lifetimes.
encountered in normal daily Offering other Frequent flyers represent
living. common examples one population potentially
Nonetheless, deployment for context, Smith- vulnerable to radiation exposure
of whole-body scanners at Bindman and from airport scanners. Assuming
airports should not proceed Mehta noted that one million of these passengers
in the absence of definitive a person would take 10 six-hour trips per week
studies to determine more have to pass for a year, airport scanners would
precisely the risks and through an airport cause four cancers.
benefits, according to an article scanner 50 times That compared with an
published online in Archives to get the same estimated 600 excess cancers
of Internal Medicine. radiation exposure from radiation exposure during
"In medicine, we try to associated with a the flights and 400,000 cancers
balance risks and benefits of single dental x-ray, over the passengers' lifetimes.
everything we do, and thus 1,000 times to Young children who fly
while the risks are indeed equal the exposure frequently are another potentially
exceedingly small, the scanners of a chest x-ray, vulnerable population. Using a
should not be deployed unless 4,000 times to five-year-old girl as an example,
they provide benefit-improved equal the exposure the authors estimated that two
national security and safety of a mammogram, million girls flying once a week
-- and consideration of these and 200,000 would have one excess breast
issues is outside the scope times to equal cancer. In contrast, 250,000 of
of our expertise," Rebecca the exposure of a the girls will develop breast
Smith-Bindman, MD, and Pratik low-dose x-rays, which are scanners expose individuals single combination abdominal- cancer over their lifetimes owing
Mehta, of the University of absorbed entirely by the most to 0.03 to 0.1 microsievert per pelvic CT scan. to the 12 percent lifetime risk of
California San Francisco, wrote superficial layers of the skin, the scan, the equivalent of three to Estimating the cancer risk the disease.
in conclusion. authors continued. nine minutes of radiation from associated with airport scanners "Based on what is known
"Issues have been raised Although the detailed natural sources. is even more difficult than about the scanners, passengers
regarding the efficacy of images generated by both Levels of naturally quantifying the exposure, the should not fear going through
scanners, and if the scanners types of scanners have raised occurring radiation are increased authors continued. the scans for health reasons, as
are not deemed efficacious, they privacy issues, the potential at higher altitudes, such as those Risk estimates normally rely the risks are truly trivial," the
should not be used." health risks center on the x-ray used by airliners. Although the on extrapolation from published authors wrote in conclusion.
On Dec. 25, 2009, a Detroit- scanners, which employ ionizing levels change with altitude, studies of higher-dose exposures. "If individuals feel
bound passenger smuggled radiation. radiation exposure during a Such extrapolation from the vulnerable and are worried
plastic explosives aboard an But the radiation doses flight averages about 0.04 scanners' exceedingly small about the radiation emitted by
airliner, revealing a limitation of emitted by the scanners are microsievert per minute of flight radiation doses is questionable the scans, they might reconsider
current airport screening devices. so low that the potential risks time. Thus, backscatter x-ray and perhaps inappropriate. flying altogether since most of
Since then the Transportation are unknown and difficult to scanners deliver an amount of Radiation exposure from the the small, but real, radiation
Security Administration has quantify, the authors wrote. radiation equivalent to one to scanners is concentrated in the risk they will receive will come
installed almost 500 whole- Individuals in the US three minutes of flight time. skin. No accepted mathematical from the flight and not from the
body scanners at 78 US airports, are exposed to an estimated "Put into context of the models exist for determining exceedingly small exposures
and twice that many devices 6.2 millisieverts of ionizing entire flight, if a woman embarks the relationship between from the scans.”

Survey shows heavy burden of nasal allergies


Adults and children with nasal perform their work well because repeated sneezing, watery eyes,
allergies or allergic rhinitis have of discomfort. The largest fall in red or itchy eyes, nasal congestion
impaired quality of life because average productivity in the Asia- and itching, throat itching,
of the symptoms associated Pacific was registered in Australia, headache, runny nose, coughing,
with the disease, results of the China, and the Philippines. postnasal drip, and reduced sense
Allergies in Asia-Pacific (AIAP) Respondents in these countries of smell.
survey showed. said that their productivity Work and school productivity
More than 400 million dropped by 31 percent when they is also affected by allergic rhinitis
people worldwide are affected were experiencing their worst episodes. The productivity of
by allergic rhinitis, and in Asia- nasal-allergy symptoms. those surveyed drops to 60 percent
Pacific, the incidence of nasal For children and adolescents, from 92 percent when they are
allergies is estimated to be as high academic productivity dropped experiencing symptoms at their
as 48 percent as societies become by 20 percent on average when worst. Moreover, 35 percent of
more urbanized and adopt urban their nasal allergies were at their Filipinos surveyed said that nasal
lifestyles. worst. More than 40 percent of allergies affect their lives a lot.
On allergic rhinitis parents surveyed reported that Diagnosis and treatment
Otherwise known as nasal their child had missed school options
allergy or sometimes referred to because of nasal allergies in the When it comes to discomfort
as sinus disease, allergic rhinitis past 12 months. during nasal-allergy attack,
is triggered when an individual Allergic rhinitis undermines 45 percent of the Filipinos
inhales allergens such as pollen the quality of life as nasal surveyed said that they cannot
or dust, causing severe swelling allergies affect the psychosocial tolerate allergic rhinitis without
or inflammation of the nasal well-being, according to the treatment. One treatment option
airways. This leads to such study. More than 60 percent of available for people suffering
symptoms as itchy and runny adults reported that their daily from allergic rhinitis is steroid
nose and mucus production. life is affected by their allergies. nasal spray. But more than 50
Allergic rhinitis may be Thirty-nine percent of children percent of the Filipinos said they
seasonal or perennial. and adolescents and 45 percent of have never used a nasal spray
AR by the numbers adults said that they usually feel before.
According to the survey, two depressed, tired, and miserable, A total of 33,986 households Gil M. Vicente, MD
out of five parents with children while 58 percent and 68 percent, across nine Asia-Pacific Dr. Vicente is the current chief of the rhinology section at St.
who have nasal allergies said respectively said that their countries – Australia, China, Luke’s Medical center and Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical
that their child go through severe allergies prevented them from Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Center Department of Dermatology. He is also the past
allergy episodes that cannot be sleeping well during the night. Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, president of the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology Head
tolerated without treatment. They AR prevalence in the and Vietnam – took part in the and Neck Surgery.
also reported that their children Philippines AIAP survey. Sponsored by Ivor A. Emanuel, MD
experience runny nose almost In the Philippines, seventy- global pharmaceutical company He is a clinical assistant professor in otolaryngology at the
everyday. four percent of the respondents Nycomed, the survey assessed the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Emanuel is also a
The work productivity of claimed that they experience effects of nasal allergies on the member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head
adults who suffer from nasal seasonal or intermittent allergic mood, sleep, work productivity, and Neck Surgery, the American College of Allergy, Asthma
allergies dropped by 24 percent rhinitis, while the remaining 25 and ability to perform daily and Immunology and the Pan American Otolaryngology
on average, and more than percent experience symptoms all tasks of the subjects. The Society. At present he is the chair of the corporate relations
45 percent of those surveyed year round. Some of the worst survey can be viewed at www. committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngic
reported that they were unable to symptoms they feel include allergiesinasiapacific.com. Allergy.

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