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Briefly No operations HOLCIM Philippines Inc. reported that it has suspended operations in its Davao City plant in compliance with the City government’s order imposing an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). In a disclosure to the P h i l i p p i n e S t o ck E x c h a n g e, Holcim said the suspension in operations will be from April 4, 2020 until April 19, 2020, or until the ECQ is lifted or withdrawn. “Our Lugait Plant in Misamis Oriential will continue to operate and serve the requirements of our business partners and customers in Northern Mindanao and the Visayas,” the firm said.

Tax payment extended FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has issued the revenue regulations extending t h e d e a d l i n e s fo r f i l i n g o f tax retur ns, submission of documents, and the payment of taxes, pursuant to Republic Act 11469, otherwise known as “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.” According to Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 7-2020 dated March 30, 2020, the extension aims to relieve Filipino taxpayers who will not be able to prepare, let alone file, the necessar y documents under the Tax Code because of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and other restrictions on the personal movement being implemented by the national and local governments to prevent community transmission of the coronavirus disease. Section 4(z) of the Bayanihan Act, which placed the Philippines in a state of national emergency, grants the President the authority to “move statutor y deadlines and timelines for the filing and submission of any document, the payment of taxes, fees, and other charges required by law.”

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IN-DEPTH

Monday | April 27, 2020

P15.00

Gov’t starts handing out cash aid to poor families Thank you for trusting us!

By MARK FRANCISCO Reporter

HE Cagayan de Oro City ’s social welfare department has already started the distribution of the g o v e r n m e n t ’s S o c i a l Amelioration Program (SAP) to qualified beneficiaries which has b e en rel e as e d in four phases, City Social Welfare and Development officer Michael Christopher Fabello said over the weekend. The first phase started Thursday (April 23) which prioritized the hinterland b ar ang ay s of t h e c it y. IATF MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management Fabello explained that of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang. Duterte has extended the enhanced community quarantine in the NCR and parts of Luzon until May 15. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

FAMILIES/PAGE 10

Davao derby-goers from AgSur negative of virus in rapid test By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, MindaNews S A N F R A N C I S C O, Ag u s a n the results of the rapid testing del Sur -- All 32 cockfighting by the Provincial Health Office. aficionados here who went to The derby-goers voluntarily the six-cock derby in New Davao submitted themselves on Friday Matina Gallera last month tested to a blood sample rapid testing negative of coronavirus based on procedure at the Rural Health TEST/PAGE 10

UP Mindanao eyes opening of COVID-19 test lab by June By MINDANEWS

M A L AY B A L AY C i t y – Mindanao will have its second COVID-19 testing laboratory by June this year, University of the Philippines Mindanao

said in a press release Friday. “We are looking at a time frame for the COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory to be operational by June,” said Dr. Lyre Anni Murao, a JUNE/PAGE 10

A stevedore carries a box of tomatoes at the Bulua vegetable landing area in Cagayan de Oro City. Northern Mindanao supplies four shiploads a week to Cebu and other areas in the Visayas but recent quarantine measures set up by various local government units against COVID-19 are causing delays. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

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MONDAY | APRIL 27, 2020

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY JAIL NAKADAWAT OG TABANG GIKAN SA KAPITOLYO PROBINSYAL

WALAY duha-duha nga gidawat sa mga personahe sa Cagayan de Oro City Jail ang lima ka mga Personal Protective Equipments kon PPE’s, 500 ka facemask, 30 ka face shields, ug lima ka sako sa commercial nga bugas gikan sa Kapitolyo Probinsyal ubos sa liderato ni Governor Bambi Emano. Gilantaw sa amahan sa lalawigan nga gikinahanglan kini og maayo sa mga frontliners diha sa City Jail niining dili tiaw ang dala sa Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) dili lang tibouk nasud apan tibouk kalibutan hinungdan nakahuna-huna kini nga maabtan kini sila deretso og tabang. Abril 24, 2020 sulod sa Provincial Governor's Office personal kining gitunol ni Dr. Jerie Calingasan, ang Chief sa Misamis Oriental Provincial Task Force for Covid 19 kauban ang Vice Chairman sa Commitee

on Peace and Order sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan nga si Board Member Dexter Yasay, Provincial Jail Warden Dominador Tagarda, Provincial Veterinary Office Head Dr. Benjamin Resma ug gisaksihan ni Governor Bambi Emano pinaagi sa zoom video conferencing. Malipayon nga gidawat ang maong mga ekipo nila ni SJO4 Gener GalambanSecurity and Control Officer/ Team Leader Outside quick response team ug ni SJO3 Joel TanInvestigator ug Assistant Team Leader sa outside quick response team sa CdeO City Jail. Panagana ang gisiguro ni SJO3 Joel Tan sa kahadlok nga ang siyudad sa Cagayan de Oro masusama sa Cebu City nga nasudlan og Covid ang prisohan ug aduna nay mga natalang piniriso nga nataptan. Ngani mapasigarbuhon kining

E-dalaw ug napasayon ang komunikasyon sa mga priso ngadto sa ilang pamilya ning panahon nga gidili usa ang pisikal nga pagbisita kanila. Sa iyang bahin ni Dr. Jerie Calingasan iyang gipaabot nga niining krisis

sa panglawas nga nasinati daghan ang nagsalig sa administrasyong Emano tungod sa mga lakang nga gihimo niini ug pag siguro nga ang katawhan sa Misamis Oriental luwas sa makamatay nga virus.

Lanao Norte agri chief pushes for backyard farming miingon nga pabiling covid free ang City Jail. Dugang sab niini nga sa pagkakarun wala sa gayud politika sa kalisod nga gi-atubang sa katawhan hilabina ang mga piniriso ug frontliners nga naningkamot nga batukan kining virus. Gipasalamatan og maayo niini ang kagamhanan sa lalawigan labina si Governor Bambi nga tungod niini

mahimong komportable ang ilang adlaw-adlaw nga panikay-sikay sulod sa prisuhan kay aduna na silay protective gear nga magamit aron mas ma protektahan ang mga piniriso sa sulod sa bilanggoan. Gitanyag ug gisugyot sab ni Governor Bambi ang E-Dalaw alang sa mga piniriso sa City Jail aron makita nila ilang minahal sa kinabuhi pinaagi sa internet ug sila makasiguro nga anaa sa luwas nga kahimtang ang ilang tagsa tagsa ka pamilya nga anaa sa gawas. Bag-ohay lang gilusad sa Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) ang

THE chief of Lanao del Norte's provincial agriculture office has encouraged residents to do backyard farming while on community quarantine to ensure sufficient food supply and save expenses. Letecia Ditucalan, Lanao del Norte Provincial

Agricultural Officer, said Friday her office has been distributing various vegetable seeds to the different municipalities in coordination with the Department of Agriculture Region 10 (DA-10). FARMING/PAGE 11

PCOO chief hands out rice aid to journalists BUTUAN City – Recognizing that members of the press in Caraga are also affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Presidential

Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar distributed on Friday around 500 packs of rice to media personalities in the region. Coursed through the Philippine Information Agency in Caraga (PIA13), each pack of five-kilo rice was distributed to media workers in all of the region's five provinces. Caraga was placed under ECQ in Midmarch following the confirmation of the first 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infection in the area. PIA-13 said Caraga is the second region in JOURNALISTS/PAGE 10

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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MONDAY | APRIL 27, 2020

CorporateWorld

Fruitas Holdings partners with Mindanao dairy farm operator FRUITAS Holdings, Inc. has teamed up with a Mindanao-based dairy farm operator to be the exclusive carrier of its products. The food and beverage kiosk operator told the stock exchange on Wednesday it forged a partnership with Bukidnon Milk Company to have the rights to carry its products via carts, kiosks and stalls. Before this partnership, Fruitas has been carrying Bukidnon Milk Company’s fresh milk and yogurt products through its delivery platform. “We have received very positive feedback on Bukidnon Milk Company products from

our customers… [W] e are glad to partner with a top-notch local producer of fresh dairy. This new collaboration is in line with our vision for Fruitas to be synonymous with fresh products and become an essential part of Filipinos’ daily lives,” Fruitas President and Chief Executive Officer Lester C. Yu was quoted in the statement as saying. Products of Bukidnon Milk Company will now be featured in Fruitas’ fresh store concept under the Babot’s Farm brand. As announced in March, the company wants the new concept to carry three major verticals of fresh products: a buko beverage line, a soy-based products

line and a fresh dairy line. “(The fresh store concept) will prominently feature Bukidnon Milk Company products alongside Fruitas’ leading buko beverage line, and Soy & Bean’s soy-based products,” it said. Partnerships such as this is part of Fruitas’ strategy to generate revenues amid the challenges brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. “As constraints brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges to all businesses from large conglomerates to small operators, Fruitas commits to mitigate the impact by adding

CebuPac cancels all flights from May 1-15 due to ECQ extension CEBU Pacific announced on Friday, April 24, that all domestic and international flights from May 1 to 15, 2020 are canceled, following the extension of enhanced community quarantine in the most part of Luzon and the implementation of “general community quarantine” over other provinces. “We will provide updates on when we

will restart passenger operations as soon as possible,” Cebu Pacific said in a statement. The local airline assured the public that they will continue to mount all-cargo flights of vital goods, including medicine and personal protective equipment (PPE) across the country. Passengers on canceled flights are encouraged to manage their bookings

online through the airline’s website before the scheduled travel dates. For those passengers with booked flights from May 16 to September 30 can also manage their bookings online and can rebook to any other travel date within one year or place the full cost of the ticket in a travel fund valid for one year.

new revenue and profit streams,” it said. It also assured investors that it has “more than sufficient funds” to survive the pandemic, noting it raised P820 million when it did an initial public offering last year.

“Since its initial public offering, Fruitas has completed the acquisition of Heat Stroke Grill, Kuxina, The Tofu Store, and CocoDelivery and forged partnerships with Pan de Manila and Bukidnon Milk Company, which have made the

company bigger and stronger,” it said. Fruitas has not disclosed its earnings for 2019 yet, but in the year prior, its consolidated revenue stood at P1.58 billion to increase 37% year on year.

PSALM hands over P46M to LGUs to lower power rates GOVERNMENT-LED Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) on Thursday said it remitted its quarterly share in the national wealth to local government units (LGU) hosting renewable power plants to bring down electricity costs. The agency tasked to privatize the government’s power assets handed over P46 million to host LGUs in Luzon and Mindanao, 80% of which must be used to lower costs of electricity, as called for by Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. “We did our best to process the releases immediately and we even coursed them through bank transfers in order for the LGUs to access the funds and perhaps utilize

them for their Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) response activities,” PSALM President and Chief Executive Officer Irene B. Garcia said in a statement. LGUs in Benguet, Laguna, Pangasinan, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur are beneficiaries of the PSALM shares. According to the Local Government Code, LGUs are entitled to a 40% share of proceeds from energy assets, such as petroleum, coal, geothermal, hydrothermal, and wind resources, collected in the past fiscal year. These proceeds are directly routed to treasurers of concerned provincial, city, municipal, or barangay. The agency’s shares in national wealth are

released quarterly, with the next remittance to be done in July. Recently, PSALM extended its order putting on hold the payments of fees on power billings and ancillary services which due dates fall during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), following the recent advisories of the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission on bills settlements within the energy sector. It has provided distribution utilities, industries, ecozones, and government entities with a grace period for paying said fees. It likewise allowed them to pay the deferred bills in installments in the next four billing months starting mid-May.

Opinion

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Learn the easy way Think a minute . . . Some time ago a small town in California needed a new water pipe system. Someone suggested that they ask the city of Los Angeles for advice since the large city of L.A. was more experienced. He said, “If we can profit from another city’s mistakes, I think we should do so.” But another town member jumped to his feet and with great pride in his little town exclaimed: “Why should we have to profit from the mistakes of Los Angeles! I say our town is big enough to make its own mistakes!” He preferred to learn the hard way. We have good advice around us all the time. There are many good books full of wisdom for living. We learn in school the knowledge that mankind has worked for thousands of years to acquire. Not to mention our own wise parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, older brothers and sisters, friends and business people. An African

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST proverb says: “When an old person dies, a library of wisdom burns down.” But all the advice in the world is not worth anything unless it is actually used and followed. Someone said: “Everyone receives advice, but only the wise use it.” If we are too proud and stubborn to learn from others, then we will never learn how to live better, happier lives. No one can live long enough to make all the mistakes in life there are to make. There is no reason to keep WAY/PAGE 11

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MONDAY | APRIL 27, 2020

Banking during the best and worst of times For the first time in its history, Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI) met its shareholders for the annual stockholders meeting in virtual format. Current lockdown protocols have prevented an in-person meeting so last Thursday, t h e b a n k’s d i r e c t o r s , officers, employees, business partners and thousands of stockholders listened to the reports of Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (JAZA) and President/CEO Cezar P. Consing from the comfort of their homes. Corporate Secretary Angela P. Maramag just had to make sure that prior clearance for the virtual ASM was made with the SEC and that all reportorial requirements were uploaded to the company website prior to the meeting. Earlier, we had a foretaste of the virtual ASM, when the immediately preceding monthly BPI board meeting was also conducted via ZOOM. Much, much earlier, the board decided to forego the distribution of hard

copies of the 2019 Annual Integrated Report and to just distribute the same online. Both JAZA and Bong Consing were very pleased with 2019’s financial and operating performance given the operating environment. By all metrics, BPI did quite well as evidenced by significant increases in profitability, asset base, loan portfolio, deposits, net income, net interest income, trading gains, net interest margin, return on equity and asset quality. (See uploaded audited financial statements). JAZA added that BPI also got very good marks from the regulators. Consing talked of strategic directions and milestones during the year just ended. He talked of significant strides made in order to make BPI more financially inclusive. He discussed the progress of BPI Direct BanKo, which in less than three years has risen to become the No. 2 Microfinance Bank, and of the bank’s SME lending business. He t a l ke d ab out BPI’s

corporate social responsibility objectives (accomplished through BPI Foundation) and the bank’s support for the UN Sustainable D e vel opme nt G o a ls as reflected in its loan portfolio. Consing reported that BPI actively tapped the debt and equity capital market “to increase the efficiency of our balance sheet…. reduce our funding costs…. diversify funding sources and take advantage of lending and investing opportunities.” Consing proudly proclaimed that BPI has become one of the most digitalized banks. “Online transactions were up 50 per cent. 40 per cent of bank customers are enrolled in one or more of our digital channels, 25 per cent are regular digital transactors.” Both JAZA and Consing see COVID-19 as the greatest challenge for the global and domestic economies. “In the near term, Covid 19 has presented operational challenges to the banking

How Travel Agents Can Prepare for a Post-Coronavirus World Life after Enhanced Community Quarantine. We’re all thinking about it, dreaming about doing the activities we used to call normal but now seem so foreign. Some people are longing to get back on a plane and fly to their next new destination; others are hoping to get back to their local gyms and see groups of friends, and some people simply want to get back to a normal work routine. For t ravel agents, a “normal work routine” will most likely not be something

they are going back to. It’s important to begin preparing now for a new normal in a post-coronavirus world. Although this is s omet hing t hat shou ld always be in a travel agent’s repertoire, now more than ever agents will need to be able to accurately stay up to date on what is happening around the world. This includes travel restrictions, resorts closures, changes in airline procedures, etc. Figure out what your trusted sources are and keep yourself informed with the

latest updates so you can keep your clients properly advised with anything they need to know regarding future trips. And it is crucial that you share the facts with your clients. In addition to staying informed, travel agents need to have solid partners to work with. By this time, most agents have figured out which suppliers they are going to continue working with and which ones they may choose to not book with moving forward. This is all based on how suppliers are helping both agents and their clients during

Fighting boredom and dryness IT cannot be denied that even with all our best efforts, the danger of slipping into boredom and dryness is always there, what with all this somewhat ‘forced’ stay-at-home dispensation we are having these days. It’s truly a big challenge for us to be resilient and practical, but we know that we have our limitations. Unless we let it, this should not be a big problem. We just have to be constantly aware of that danger and do something about it. There is always hope. As St. Paul said, “God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Cor 10,13) So, let’s not exaggerate our predicament. But, yes, we have to learn how to fight boredom and dryness. They usually come when the heart is not anymore beating with love, or is weakening in that vital function. What we have to do is to stir it

up again, asking first for God’s grace but without ever neglecting the appropriate human effort we have to exert. Of course, the effort we are expected to exert is no walk in the park. We have to be ready to be heroic, to go to the extreme of our self-giving. Let’s take comfort in the thought that God cannot be outdone in generosity. If we are heroically generous with him, you can just imagine how generous he will also be with us! Let’s always remember that he promised to give a return of a hundredfold to whatever we give him and others out of love. (cfr. Mk 10,30) But, yes, we have to be practical in this. What comes to my mind is, of course, to see to it that we are always praying whatever we may be doing at any given moment. Every activity that we do should somehow be a form of prayer. And let’s see to it that our prayer is a real encounter and conversation with God. It should not be

just a make-believe thing. Concretely, we have to see to it that our awareness of the presence of God is constant. For this, we may have to do many acts of faith, hope and charity, some short ejaculatory prayers or aspirations that truly voice out what is in our heart. God, being a father, will always understand us, no matter how much we complain in a filial way. It will also greatly help if we can have a list of intentions to pray for and to offer our tasks for. These days, these intentions are endless. There are just so many people in great need of things, both material and spiritual. We have to do whatever we can to help them meet those needs. Of course, real love is not just a matter of good intentions and sweet words. By its very essence, it has to be expressed in deeds. And nowadays, despite the stay-at-home order, there will always be things to do. Usually they are small

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE industry. 20 to 25 per cent of the industry’s employees are at work either in the head office or in the branches. Consing also reported that BPI granted 30-day deferrals of payment ( 90 days for COVID front-liners} even before the passage of the Bayanihan Act. BPI also donated a substantial sum to the Philippine Red Cross for the purchase of face masks and PPEs for COVID front-liners. What does the banking industr y expect in the TIMES/PAGE 11

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

the COVID-19 outbreak. You might have found that some airlines, resorts and tour operators have been extremely responsive and helpful, and others have been impossible to even get hold of, let alone help with any of your clients' issues. Make a note of WORLD/PAGE 11

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA t a s k s , e ve n m e n i a l i n character. But if done out of love for God and for others, they can acquire tremendous power to help people in their needs. God’s mysterious ways and the Christian doctrine about the communion of saints will see to it that even in our hidden work done with love can reach out to people we may not even know. It is also good that we come out always with some plan or schedule of activities during the day, so that we do not get lost and confused easily, and so that DRYNESS/PAGE 11

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MONDAY | APRIL 27, 2020

OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

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PNB- LKK MALL NORTH CONCOURSE

LKK Mall N.Concourse Cdoc 8574149/8575682

PNB- CARMEN Elipe Bldg.Carmen, Cdoc | 8583158/ 8584203 PNB- LKK LKK Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564347/722872 PNB CDO– DIVISORIA Tiano Bros.Cruz Taal St., Cdoc 722861 /722816 PNB CDO– LAPASAN LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564732 / 723992 PNB CDO– COGON LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc 8571991/ 723992 PHILIPPINE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK, INC. bels_domingo@yahoo.com.ph Rizal Chavez Cdoc 8572194/725438 PS BANK Velez Corner A. Mabini St., Cdoc 8574183/725184 PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK Tiano-Abejuela St. Cdoc 722644/8573386 QUEEN CITY DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC. Sacred Heart Mont. Cm RectoAve., Cdoc 8562390 RCBC- VELEZ Velez-Borja St. Cdoc | 8564982/8568888 RCBC- COGON Simplex Bldg. Osmeña St. Cdoc 8562888/725863/8521329 RCBC- LAPASAN Cm. Recto Lapasan HW. Cdoc 8561888/722449 RCBC- LKK Gateway, Tower 1 LkkCenter, Cdoc 8563707/722449 RCBC SAVINGS- CARMEN Walingwaling St.,Carmen St. Cdoc 8585793/ 8586248 RCBC SAVINGS- VELEZ Velez St. Cdoc | 729083/8562460 RCBC SAVINGS- AGORA 8807891/8807892 RURAL BANK OF CABADBARAN, Inc.

#58 Tiano FernandezSt.CDO 727215/ 8563552 *805

SECURITY BANK- OSMEÑA Osmeña St. Cdoc | 8563965/ 723411/728774 SECURITY BANK- LKK Limketkai | 8801258/8801625

EAST WEST BANK #5 Juan Sia Bldg. Apolinar Velez St.Cdoc 8578801/720081

SECURITY BANK- VELEZ Velez Montalvan St., Cdoc | 728334/856632

EAST WEST BANK Cogon De Oro Constraction Bldg. LKK Drive 8500339/8500331

STERLING BANK OF ASIA Tiano Velez St. CDO | 8528171/8528168

ENTERPRISE BANK INC. Centro Mariano Bldg Osmeña St. Cdoc 723869/ 3093395 FIRST CONSOLIDATED BANK CM Recto Ave., Cor.Agudo Road Cdoc 8565360/2316678 LBP – CAPISTRANO Capsitrano St. Cdoc | 8565515/727678 LBP – VELEZ LunaVelez St. | 723549/8563198 LBP – PUERTO Puerto Cdoc | 8558858 MAYBANK JR Borja Tiano Cor. Bldg. Cdoc 8574439/726060 METRO BANK- DIVISORIA Pabayo Abejuela St. Divisoria Park, Cdoc 724783/8576999 METRO BANK- VELEZ A. Velez St. Cdoc | 8561724/726054 METRO BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc | 8572999/724415

UCPB BANK- LAPASAN Osmeña Corner Lkk Drive, Cdoc 85771842/ 725135 UCPB BANK- VELEZ Velez Corner C. Pacana St. CDO 8564474/8564527 UCPB BANK SAVINGS-CAPISTRANO

Capistrano Corner CruzTaal St. CDO 8524099/722695

UCPB BANK SAVINGS- OPOL Gf forever Books Bldg.Bulua National CDO 754519/8588063 UNION BANK Lapasan Cm.Recto Cdoc | 8566847/8563805 WEALTHBANK Velez Gomez St. Cdoc | 8568942/722174 1ST VALLEY BANK Vamenta Blvd. CornerLirio St. Carmen, Cdoc 8501871/ 8584146 OROBANKERS CLUB Inc. Pnb Carmen | 09151850242

Banking&Finance

ADB okays $1.5-B financing to Support PH Covid-19 response THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $1.5-billion loan to help the Philippine government fund its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response program and strengthen the country’s health care system in its fight against the pandemic. “This assistance is our largest budget support loan to the Philippines ever and reflects our strong commitment to providing cornerstone assistance swiftly and effectively to help the country mitigate the pandemic’s devastating impact on Filipinos, particularly the poor and vulnerable, including women,” ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said in a statement Friday. Asakawa said the most vulnerable are developing countries, especially those with densely populated cities such as the Philippines, amid the global pandemic. “We commend the government for its leadership and clear actions in containing the spread of Covid-19, including scaling up its

health response, enforcing an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon to save lives, and rolling out subsidy programs to affected segments of the population,” he said. The Philippines was among the first set of countries to implement strict social distancing measures through its enhanced community quarantine when it temporarily shuttered schools, government, and private businesses, while closing the borders on the entire Luzon island, where the capital Manila is located, starting 16 March. The Luzon region accounts for 50 percent of the Philippines’ total population and generates more than 70 percent of gross domestic product. These measures have been effective in slowing the spread of the disease in the local community. “We thank the ADB under the leadership of President Masatsugu Asakawa for swiftly responding to the Philippines’ call for funding support in

this time of crisis. We thank the bank as well for streamlining its operations to quickly deliver its assistance and for tripling the size of its response package from $6.5 billion to $20 billion to help developing member countries combat Covid-19,” Philippine Finance Secretary and ADB Governor Carlos Dominguez said. ADB’s Covid-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program will support the government’s measures to help its citizens overcome the health, economic, and social costs of the pandemic by helping finance the country’s Covid-19 response programs. Government actions include increased funding for social protection, especially for women who are primary household and family caregivers; small business relief assistance; and wider health measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the country. The government’s Covid-19 relief package

includes well-designed and targeted support to Filipino families, including a P205 billion (USD4 billion) emergency subsidy program covering 18 million families engaged in the informal sector and a P51-billion small business wage subsidy to provide a lifeline for 3.4 million workers in the formal sector. These programs cover 85 percent of all Filipino families. The CARES Program will establish a country engagement framework focused on supporting policy dialogue with the government as it implements its fiscal response program and bounce back strategy. ADB coordinated with other development partners in preparing the CARES Program for the Philippines. The new financing is part of ADB’s $20-billion expanded assistance for developing member countries’ Covid-19 response, which was RESPONSE/PAGE 11

SMC to buy 4 million kilos of surplus corn from DA, to utilize its Petron stations as outlets for farm produce San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is teaming up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to mass purchase agricultural produce, starting with four million kilos of surplus corn, to provide a lifeline to farmers and help secure the country’s food supply in the midst of COVID-19. The surplus corn is enough to produce feeds for over 7 million live broilers that can eventually feed 4 million families in one day. SMC is also in talks with the DA to utilize strategic Petron stations nationwide as outlets for government’s “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” rolling store program, to make farm produce such as fruits and vegetables accessible to consumers. The program is the market system project of the DA that links local farmers to consumers to ensure the sale of agricultural produce at reasonable prices.

“Through this program with the Agricultural department, we will be able to keep our farmers afloat as we navigate these uncertain times. At the same time, we also help people stay safe, healthy and nourished by providing them a convenient way to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from our local farmers,” SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang said. Petron stations that will be initially tapped as venues for Kadiwa stores are Filinvest, Dasmarinas/ Edsa and Katipunan/ La Vista. The company said that more gas stations will be added in the coming days. Currently, SMC’s Petron stations also serve as sites for SMC’s Manukang Bayan refrigerated vans, which bring fresh chicken and other refrigerated and canned meats closer to consumers. He thanked the DA for offering its network of corn and cassava

farmers to supply its San Miguel Foods, Inc. with raw materials for continuous food production. “We thank the DA for helping us identify possible sources of corn and cassava and farmers who are in need of help. By helping them, we will also ensure that we get the needed raw material supplies for our various food products,” he said Among these are some 25,000 hectares of corn farms in Cagayan, where much of the surplus corn will come from. The company is also looking to the DA to link it with cooperative heads in Tuguegarao for sourcing of cassava. SMC said it will buy the produce at pre-agreed prices and volume, as part of a long-term partnership. The company has also reiterated its call to farmers nationwide to supply rice, corn, cassava, sweet potato, coconut oil and other farm products that will be bought at

guaranteed prices for the farmers benefit. Ang emphasized the need to sustain economic activity in the food value chain, which includes agricultural products suppliers, processing, and shipping to retailers. SMC has assured a stable food supply for at least six months even beyond the ECQ with the 24/7 operation of its food facilities. SMC’s food facilities can produce a daily output of 1.96 million kilograms of fresh meats (poultry, beef, and pork); 524,000 kilograms of processed meats (canned meat, nuggets, and hotdogs); and 2.11 million kilograms of flour/ baked goods (flour, biscuits, pandesal, and nutribuns). It also continues to donate food products, rice, and flour to vulnerable communities in support of the government’s Covid-19 relief efforts.

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Monday | April 27, 2020

Suzuki Philippines Deploys Vehicles to Aid Frontline Workers in the Fight Against Covid-19

rontline health workers face the daily challenge of commuting to and from their stations to provide service to COViD-19 patients on top of their daily hospital responsibilities.

Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH), the country’s pioneer in compact car distribution has taken the opportunity to extend assistance, reaching out to participate in the Free Bus Ride for Medical Workers Program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that will be an avenue to lend All-New Carry UV units to transport frontliners from different location points, helping ease the burden of their day-to-day commute Last April

15, 2020, SPH turned over ten (10) Commercial Vehicles to the DOTr, nine of which are Carry Utility Vans (UV) for the use of frontline health workers, and one Super Carry CV will be allocated for logistics and delivery use. The pick-up and dropoff points cover a considerable area in Metro Manila in an effort to accommodate frontline health workers from different communities. The eight routes include: SM City San Jose Del Monte to Centris

Station (EDSA, Quezon Avenue), SM City Masinag to The Medical City, Ortigas, Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center to Rizal Medical Center, Centris Station (EDSA, Quezon

Avenue) to Cubao-Arenta Center MRT 3 Station, SM City Taytay to De Los Santos Medical Center and St. Luke’s Medical Center along E. Rodriguez Avenue, SM

City San Mateo to Robinsons Galleria and lastly, SM City San Jose Del Monte to SM Fairview and Commonwealth Avenue. “During these challenging times, we in Suzuki Philippines Inc. understand the impact that we can make as part of the automobile industry. We are more than willing to provide assistance to our frontline health workers for their unwavering commitment to continue serving the Filipino people especially at the current time. We are grateful for their solid dedication and we thank the DOTr as well for opening up

a window for us to be of help,” says Suzuki Philippines Inc. President, Akira Utsumi. Suzuki Philippines specifically selected the AllNew Carry as the perfect reliable workhorse for these times that look for truly efficient and agile solutions. With this, SPH will continue to strive and take part in the community as we are currently experiencing a major speed bump worldwide. As Team Suzuki, their participation goes beyond not just by producing reliable products but being able to assist in continuing the way of life of our people.

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MONDAY | APRIL 27, 2020

CDO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947

DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

8 SM FOUNDATION DONATES PPEs TO VISMIN HOSPITALS

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MONDAY | APRIL 27, 2020

In line with its commitment to be of service to the Filipino public, its hospitals, and its government during the coronavirus pandemic, SM Foundation Inc. recently donated Personal Protective Equipment and medical supplies to hospitals in the Visayas & Mindanao areas. These include PPEs, N95 and surgical masks, gloves, raincoats, goggles, as well as alcohol and hygiene kits, which are part of the P170 million SM has allocated for this

purpose. In the Visayas area, these were donated to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City and the West Visayas State University Medical Center in IloIlo City; as well as 15 other hospitals in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod City, Dumaguete City, Roxas City, Tacloban City, Ormoc City, and the province of Samar. In Mindanao, beneficiaries included the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and the Nothern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan

de Oro City; as well as the Amai Pakpak Hospital in Marawi City and Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.

Other initiatives of the SM Group in response to the crisis are the waived rentals of all tenants of SM Supermalls

nationwide, continued compensation of employees, and the extension of an Emergency Financial

Assistance to its front liners, security guards and janitorial staff during the Enhanced Community Quarantine period.

CAGAYAN DE ORO - Frontliners from Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City thanks SM Foundation, Inc. for their donation of PPEs and medical supplies to help fight the pandemic.

CEBU - Medical personnel from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City receive the PPEs and medical supplies from SM Foundation, Inc.

ILOILO - ICU-grade ventilator, PPEs, and medical supplies arrive at the West Visayas State University Medical Center in IloIlo City.

DAVAO - Medical supplies and PPEs are donated to Southern Philippines Medical Center on April 8 and 14, 2020.

MESA Centrio under the generosity of proprietor Mags Cue donates CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City 200 food packs to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) Tel. # (088) 231-2011 and checkpoint frontliners at the outskirts of Cagayan de Oro City. PHOTO SUPPLIED

CDO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947

DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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MONDAY | APRIL 27, 2020

Families... from page 1

due to the volume of family beneficiaries (113,206 families in total), the department has not been able to deliver the payouts door to door. The distribution is being done in public school campuses in their respective barangays. Fabello clarified that they are still enforcing social distancing during the payouts and only those with barangay exit passes are allowed to proceed. He also clarified that beneficiaries during this first phase are those who qualify under the conditional cash transfer but are not yet 4Ps beneficiaries yet i.e. poor and near poor. They will fill out the SAP forms on the spot and receive the payouts in return, totaling P6,000 for each beneficiary-family. On April 24, Friday, the CSWD team covered the first district downtown barangays and last Saturday, they proceeded to c ompl e te b ar ang ay s in t he s econd distr ic t. The second batch of the amelioration will be for those under the Listahanan 2015 of the Department of S o c i a l We l f are an d D e velopment (DSWD). Fabello also clarified that although this Listahanan was conducted in 2015 and validated in 2018, it has already been updated and endorsed by the city government to DSWD for cross-checking and listing.

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The third wave will be for the beneficiaries of DAFAC or the disaster assistance family access card. Qualified under DAFAC are the vulnerable poorest of the poor, irregular earners (indigents), porters, scavengers, (habal-habal, trisikad and motorela drivers) and ambulant vendors. The fourth batch are for those who have applied for the COVID-19 intake card under DSWD’s appeal system. Qualified to apply under this scheme are those who have not been included in the earlier batches but who deem themselves as qualified to receive social amelioration in this crisis.

Test... from page 1

to determine if they have been infected with the virus. Of the 32, eight were newcomers whose addresses during their 28-day quarantine were not listed by the barangay health workers. Dr. Eddie Cabanban, municipal health officer of S an Fr an c i s c o, s ai d there is no more need for a reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction for conf irmator y result since the blood samples did not show any reaction during the lab tests. He said it is mandatory for the Davao derby-goers to surrender and submit to tests after the appeal by Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. over social media that the Provincial COVID-19 Task Force offered free testing

especially intended for them. The task force received on Wednesday 225 testing kits donated by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri which were distributed to the five provinces of Caraga region. Cane has assured the identities of those who w i l l avai l of t he blo o d s amp l e t e s t i n g w i l l b e treated with confidentiality. Cabanban said the derby-goers personally went to the RHU for the testing by medical technologists wearing proper personal protective equipment to ensure that the performance of the blood sample collection would be safe. He earlier asked the derby-goers to go on a 28day quarantine pending the arrival of COVID testing kits. T h e d e r by att r a c te d thousands of cockfighters, breeders and handlers from all over the country vying for the 26-million peso prize pot, 17 million pesos of that for the champion. The cockpit became the epicenter of COVID-19 cases not only in Davao but also in Mindanao as several confirmed cases had b een traced to the Mat ina Ga l lera cluster. C a r a g a’s s e c o n d confirmed COVID-19 case, a 65-year old male from Butuan City had no preexisting medical condition and no history of travel but had close contact with his son and his driver who went to the Davao derby. (Chris V. Panganiban/MindaNews)

June... from page 1

a professor of virology at the university and director of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Mindanao. The testing laboratory will be built at the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City. It will supplement the testing being done at the Southern Philippines Medical Center, currently the only recognized subnational referral center for the disease in Mindanao, UP Mindanao said. “ The initial staff for the said lab will include the laboratory personnel from PGC Mindanao and DRMC, as well as trained v o l u nt e e r s ,” i t a d d e d . “We already have the go signal of DOH (Department of Health) to proceed with the project, and engineers are making the plans that will be submitted to DOH for review and approval. When the plans are approved, construction can proceed,” she said. She said that once the DOH grants the accreditation there will be no need to send swab samples to Manila for testing. “The lab can produce results for priority patients, such as probable cases, within twenty-four hours. When fully operational, it is projected that the laboratory can handle 110 tests per day or 550 tests in a week [10 personnel per shift]. If DOH will approve mass testing, we can do that. The accreditation will also allow the laboratory to accept

samples from any requesting h o s p i t a l ,” s h e a d d e d . Murao said the project will need P15 to 16 million for initial setup cost and an additional P8 million for mont h ly op e r at i on cost. “DRMC will shoulder t he mont h ly op erat ion cost. For the set-up cost, we have f unding f rom the Davao del Norte LGU and the private sector.” Since March, university officials have been meeting with local government units, DOH-11 and the private sector to tackle the proposal to build another testing laboratory i n t h e D av a o R e g i o n . The parties are yet to sign a memorandum of agreement on the project. (MindaNews)

Journalists... from page 2

Mindanao to benefit from the relief packs from Andanar. Earlier this week, media persons from Region 10 received their packs of rice from the communications secretary, the statement added. “Experiencing before the nature of work among the people from the media industry, I can truly empathize with their plight especially during this time of Covid-19 crisis and I am more inclined of helping them as my way of thanking them also for their great effort in the delivery of vital information and

Covid-19 updates to the public,” Andanar said in a statement. PIA-13 said Andanar recognized the "invaluable contributions of the frontline media members who have risked their lives" as they continue to inform the public on relevant updates pertaining to the pandemic. “We pray that our fellow journalists will continue to be motivated to perform their duties as truthful and responsible despite the threat posed by Covid-19. Your safety is also our primordial concern. We could not afford to see you in a critical situation when there is something that we can really do to keep you safe and secure,” Andanar said. (PNA)

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MONDAY | APRIL 27, 2020

Farming...

city. Johanie Buawaya of from page 2 the Canitoan Farmer’s The move, she said, Association Multiis part of the provincial Purpose Cooperative is government's strategy thankful that they were to mitigate the impact able to dispose their of the 2019 coronavirus produce. disease (Covid-19) “Before, our crisis on poor families. eggplants rotted since "We encourage the we have difficulty people in the province in disposing them. to plant even in their Through DA’s Kadiwa backyard. Their on Wheels, we earned vegetable garden can be around PHP40,000 a essential food source day.” in case the quarantine The same response or lockdown will last was also shared by longer," Ditucalan said. True Chef Sales She also Representative Regel acknowledged the help Capuyan, who said provided by the Rice that Kadiwa on Wheels Farmers Financial helped them with their Assistance (RFFA) of sales when they had an DA-10, saying it has oversupply of goods. provided significant "We sought DA’s agricultural assistance assistance for possible for rice farmers in the market and Kadiwa province. was the answer," he "We are thankful to said. (PNA) DA-10 for this financial assistance, which is a from page 4 big help for our rice farmers. Through this, medium term? “The our farmers can buy industry expects fertilizers and spend credit losses to go up it for farm labor since as businesses and retail it is almost planting customers will all be season," Ditucalan said. impacted in several ways "The farmers and in various forms by can now buy their this crisis. Fortunately, daily needs with this the industry is in very assistance while they strong shape. Capital are under quarantine or adequacy ratios are so lockdown," she added. high so the industry Audy G. Maagad, c an w it hst and t h i s Meanwhile, DA-10 pandemic. There will officer-in-charge, obviously be a little bit said he hopes the of reticence as more RFFA initiative would care is taken with credit encourage Lanao del risks getting higher.” Norte's farmers to Consing noted an "continue with their appropriate response farm works" amid the from the Bangko Covid-19 crisis. Sentral. “The monetary Maagad led the authorities have distribution of DAresponded by increasing 10 RFFA to 3,719 liquidity and providing rice farmers in the 12 regulatory forbearance. municipalities of Lanao T h e c e n t r a l b a n k del Norte on from governor introduced April 20-23, 2020. provisions that will 'Kadiwa on Wheels' encourage SME lending. continues Hopefully, that will help Meanwhile, farmers balance things out.” and consumers So what will BPI focus continue to benefit on in 2020? “The year from the Kadiwa will require continued on Wheels program emphasis on managing by DA-10 in two risks as we expand our barangays in Cagayan SME and consumer de Oro City this week. businesses for the long Spearheaded by term, an invigorated the Agribusiness and focus on CASA deposit Marketing Assistance growth, a moderating Division (AMAD), of exp ens e growt h, DA-10 continues its continued reallocation collaboration with of resources in favor of the City Agriculture technology, and digital Office and farmerand new consumer space, associations in and a determination to bringing agri-fishery continue to upgrade products directly to the c u s t o m e r s e r v i c e .” consumers in barangay E l e c t e d t o B P I’s Balulang and Gusa, this 15-member Board of

Times...

Directors were Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Fernando Z ob el de Ayala, Cezar P. Consing, Romeo L. Bernardo, this writer, Ramon R. Del Rosario, Jr., Octavio V. Espiritu, Rebecca G. Fernando, Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco, Xavier P. Loinaz, Aurelio P. Montinola III, Mercedita S. Nolledo, Antonio Jose U. Periquet, Eli M. Remolona, Jr., and Maria Dolores V. Yuvienco. JAZA thanked Gerardo Ablaza for his support since 2017. Ablaza has stepped down but will remain in the board of BPI Family Bank. Former Finance Secretar y Ramon R. Del Rosario fills the position of Mr. Ablaza. Atty. Angela P. Maramag was designated Corporate Secretary. Former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, Oscar Reyes and Delfin Lazaro, meanwhile, will continue to serve in the bank’s Advisory Council. Note: You may wish to share the foregoing article via Facebook, Twitter or Linked-In.

World... from page 4

which companies you trust and will continue working with post-coronavirus. Travel agents might also need to adjust their day to day procedures. When the world “opens back up,” a lot of things are going to be done differently, and this will include how travel agents consult with clients. If you work at a storefront agency or offer in-person c o n s u l t at i o n s w i t h clients, this will change the most for you. Even when businesses open after the Safer at Home orders, many people may still choose to social distance for a while. E m a i l correspondence and phone calls usually do the trick, but you m i g ht w ant to consider offering video consultations. Figure out a method that works for you and become comfortable with using it, so you are ready to go when inquiries begin coming in again. Becoming familiar with this new normal now will ensure you are fully prepared for when travel bounces back.

Dryness... from page 4

manage our energies properly. We have to realize that while God’s grace can make the impossible possible, we continue to remain human with our natural limitations. Let’s hope that in the end, we are always on the move, acting with zeal. That way, we can effectively fight boredom and dryness!

Way... from page 4

re p e at i ng t he s ame mistakes millions of others have already made and paid for! It a l l st ar t s w it h correcting the biggest mistake we all have made: our choice not to live t he way our Ma ke r d e s i g n e d u s to live correctly for ou r ow n h appi n e s s and good. We have to be willing to live His way before we can start enjoying the good life He made and wants us to have. So today, why not start learning the easy way? Ask Jesus to forgive you for all of your past wrongs and sins from living your own way. Then ask Him to take charge and help you start living His true and only way that can give you real and lasting peace, p u r p o s e , a n d l ov e . Just think a minute .

Response... from page 5

announced on April 13. It also builds on the $5-million grant approved on March 18 to deliver nutritious food baskets to up to 140,000 vulnerable households in Metro Manila and neighboring areas, in collaboration with the government and the private sector. On March 13, ADB approved a $3-million grant to help the Philippine government purchase emergency medical supplies and set up a new laboratory that will increase the country’s Covid-19 testing capacity by 3,000 tests per day. The new laboratory is expected to be fully functional by midMay 2020. ADB is also preparing additional financing for social protection and health projects in April and May this year, respectively. (PR)

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Monday | April 27, 2020

Bukidnon, Lanao Norte rice farmers extended P65-M aid from DA-10 Some 13,036 rice farmers in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte will receive P5,000.00 each from the Department of Agriculture â€“ Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) on April 20-24, 2020. The P65.18 million financial aid was granted to bonafide rice farmers in the two provinces through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement

Program (RCEP) of DA. The aid is due to small-scale rice farmers tilling rice field two hectares and below. "The rice farmers entitled to this grant are duly validated and registered with DA's Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA)," said DA10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado. "This assistance is given to eligible rice farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) due to

Department of Agriculture Region 10 has launched a joint project with Central Mindanao University (CMU) i Bukidnon for f a 100-hectare model farm for hybrid rice.

Kapatagan is one of the major rice producing towns of Lanao del Norte. Photo by Josefino Saavedra Bascug

low buying price of palay" said DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga. She added that the aid is intended to support the farmers in procuring farms input and food during this trying time. The initiative aims to encourage Bukidnon and Lanao rice farmers to continue farming while undergoing

quarantine and lockdown. This is crucial to ensure rice production and supply in the two provinces and the entire Region 10 remains unhampered despite the COVID-19 crisis. The aid is handed to the farmers by commissioning the service of a remittance company. Eligible rice farmers

are given official endorsements containing the RFFA reference code to be used in claiming the monetary assistance. RCEP financial aid is simultaneously released to rice farmers in the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte - the two largest riceproducing provinces in Northern Mindanao.