BusinessWeek Mindanao (April 30 - May 1, 2021)

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume XI, No. 135

Market Indicators

AS OF 6:00 PM APR. 29, 2021 (THURSDAY)

FOREX US$1 = P 48.315

PHISIX 6,487.51

X X Briefly

16.20

18.37

cents

points

Davao GDP shrinks DAVAO Region’s gross regional domestic product contracted by 7.6 percent in 2020 from a positive growth rate of 7 percent in 2019 owing to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to Philippine Statistics Authority-Davao director Ruben Abaro Jr. During the virtual news conference on the 2020 economic performance of the region on Thursday, Abaro said the region’s economy was estimated at P832.1 billion, lower by P68.8 billion as against P900.9 billion reported in 2019.

Of the 11 major industries, he said the “other services,” which include recreation, gambling, and personal services, incurred the biggest contraction at 38.2 percent. This was followed by accommodation and food services activities as well as transportation and storage at 34.7 percent and 34.5 percent, respectively.

‘Economic saotage' THE power generation companies (GenCos) that are experiencing prolonged outages on their generation facilities could face anticompetitive behavior and economic sabotage raps because they have been violating government-enforced laws and policies, according to the Department of Energy.

According to Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, the department already engaged the help of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) an the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to determine the culpability of the power companies whose facilities are on extended shutdowns –including those which preventive maintenance schedules are already going beyond committed timeframes.

“The DOE asked for assistance from the ERC, PCC and DOJ for enforcement assistance and case build-up on any violation of laws and other policies by the industry players,” he said, and that shall include the department’s Circular DC2020-02-0004 which casts the Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP) or the policy guide on the scheduling of preventive maintenance of electric generating facilities.

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MINDANAO RAILWAY PROJECT

Right of way issues seen finished by Q3

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV MindaNews

COVID TESTING DRIVE THRU. Public utility and food delivery drivers queue for Covid-19 swab tests at the drivethrough testing center of the local government at the Crocodile Park grounds in Davao City. mindanews photo

D AVA O C i t y – T h e Department of Transportation (DOTr) targets to complete the acquisition of the road right of way (RROW) for the 102-kilometer phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project by the third quarter of 2021.

During the virtual news conference on 2020 economic performance of Davao Region on Thursday, Maria Lourdes Lim, regional director of National Economic Development AuthorityDavao, said the negotiation for the acquisition of RROW for the depot and stations sites of the Tagum CityDavao City-Digos City (TDD) segment of the railway project is ongoing with the property owners.

ISSUES/PAGE 10

6 CDO, MisOr churches Rufus' bats scholarship for closed due to Covid-19 coco farmer's children in CDO

THE Catholic archdiocese of C agayan de Oro on Tuesday announced it will temporarily close six of its churches here and several towns in Misamis Oriental following the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections among its parishioners and clergy members.

In a statement, Archbishop Jose Cabantan said the closure will last for 10 days, from April 28 to May 7, to disinfect these churches.

The churches temporarily closed are the Jesus Nazareno Shrine, and San Isidro parish in this city; the Lady of Candelaria parish in CHURCHES/PAGE 10

By CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor

CAGAYAN de Oro second district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has batted for scholarship of children of coconut farmers in the country.

In a statement, Rodriguez, who is also Deputy House Speaker, said the Philippine

Coconut Authority (PCA) has a P70 billion revenue out of the coco levy fund.

"Part of the P70 billion coco levy fund could finance the scholarship program for

children of cococut farmers, especially in Cagayan de Oro City," Rodriguez said.

He said that he made the appeal during the hearing on Committee Mindanao Affairs with the PCA Administrator FARMERS/PAGE 10

Over 5k vacancies await job-seekers on Labor Day job fair: DoLE-10 THE Department of Labor and Employment in Region 10 (DOLE-10) said Wednesday it will host a regionwide job fair with 4,987 local and 498 overseas job vacancies in line with the 119th Labor Day celebration on May 1.

DOLE-10 OIC-Director Albert E. Gutib said this is

the second-time online job fair for local placement is in collaboration with the digital portal Mynimo.com. The first collaboration was during DOLE’s 87th Anniversary job fair in December last year.

“Since this will be an online job fair, applicants must prepare in digital copies

their resume or they can make one thru Mynimo’s online template,” Gutib said.

Job seekers must first register and post their credentials and application cover letters at http://bitly. ws.cWcy. The applicants have the LABOR/PAGE 10

BOAT BUILDERS. It's a busy Thursday afternoon (April 29, 2021) for these pump boat makers in Mabua, Surigao City. They can finish one boat in a week. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto

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Local

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FRI-SAT|APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 2021

DOH-10 sends 12-member medical team to assist Calabarzon

T

HE Department of Health in Region 10 (DOH-10) deployed Monday another 12-member team to help medical front-liners in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon) in their coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response.

The volunteers, who will be deployed to Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center at Tanauan, Batangas consisted of Dr. Emerald Holly B. Tago, a medical officer from Clarin, Misamis Oriental, and 11 nurses from this city and Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental.

DOH-10 Director

Jose Llacuna Jr. said the group is the fourth batch of front-line healthcare volunteers dubbed "Covid-19 Legionnaires" to the Calabarzon area.

They will assist health workers in Calabarzon from April 25 to May 31.

Llacuna said the deployment is in response to the call for help from

other regions to augment manpower shortage.

Llacuna said he was elated knowing that the healthcare workers volunteered to help other regions, even amid the risk.

“We are very proud of you. I can see that even there is also a need here, you still have the courage

to volunteer; that we really appreciate. I am honored and feel proud of you,” he said to the volunteers prior to their departure.

He said DOH-10 expects its volunteers to return "home the same way that they have left the region: alive, healthy, and negative for" the virus.

(PNA)

PSA to update list of Caraga establishments BUTUAN City – All is set for 2021 Updating on the List of Establishments (ULE) in the Caraga Region, the Philippine Statistics Authority in Caraga (PSA-13) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, PSA13 Regional Director Rosalinda C. Apura said the ULE updating, set to start on May 10, seeks to "provide a reliable directory of establishments that will be

used as a statistical frame for establishment-based surveys and censuses."

Apura said the list of establishments is a comprehensive statistical business register that will guide the private sector

BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL National Highway Balingasag, Barangay 4, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Mobile Number/s: 0933-823-3161, 0933-823-3304 Tel. Number: 333-5161 CAGAYAN DE ORO P&J Lim Building, Tiano Kalambagohan St., Barangay 14, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel No. (08822) 727-829 / 231-6629 Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0933-823-3303 / 0943-708-7065 CAGAYAN DE ORO WAREHOUSE Warehouse 7, Bonbon Road, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Mobile No. 0917-825-4149 / 0943-708-7065 CARMEN, CAGAYAN DE ORO Vamenta Blvd., fronting CEPALCO, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 233-2011 Mobile No. 0933-823-3159 CORRALES, CDO Corrales Ave., Barangay 29, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 231-2055

in marketing plans and strategies.

The updating also aims to capture the changes in the distribution and characteristics of establishments and business units in the

DIVISORIA, CDO A. Velez St., Barangay 9, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0917-841-4000 / 0933-823-3164 GINGOOG CITY G/F Wyne Militante Bldg., Lugod St., Barangay 22, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 861-0104 Mobile No. 0933-823-3168 LAPASAN, CDO National Highway (FICCO Bldg.), Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 231-6739 Mobile No. 0933-823-3160 PUERTO, CDO Purok 6, Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 859-0574 Mobile No. 0943-708-7537 CAMIGUIN B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Telefax No. (088) 387-0491 Mobile No. 0943-708-7539

region.

Apura said the updating will cover 22 data items, among which are the business name, registered name, tax identification number, address, and contact

information.

It will also cover information on the economic activity or business, the number of employees paid, and the total assets of establishments. (PNA)

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) 10 (Northern Mindanao) on Thursday distributed more than P14.6 million of indemnity payments to at least 575 hog raisers in Iligan City who were affected by the African swine fever (ASF) last year.

Angie Cabig, DA-10

information officer, said the hog raisers were paid P5,000 per hog.

"The local government unit also gave additional cash (aid) as their counterpart," Cabig said, referring to the P2,000per-hog payment received by hog raisers.

Since 2019, DA-10 and local veterinary offices have been monitoring the ASF status in the region when the disease began in Luzon.

In Northern Mindanao, Iligan City was the first local government announced to have been affected by ASF in November last year.

ASF in MisOr, CDO Meanwhile, Cabig said the first batch of indemnity payments to affected hog raisers in Misamis Oriental province and this city is already with the DA central office for processing.

In Misamis Oriental, an estimated P4.2 million was requested to pay for the ASF-affected raisers.

The Misamis Oriental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported that seven municipalities and 30 barangays in the province have been affected by ASF. “We have Opol, El Salvador City, Alubijid, Laguindingan, Libertad, Initao, and Manticao are infected already,” Dr. Benjamin Resma, the provincial veterinarian, said.

Resma cited the ASF could be spread through swill feeding, the illegal movement of sick pigs, and INDEMNITY/PAGE 11

DA completes P14.6-M indemnity payment to Iligan hog raisers

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FRI-SAT|APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 2021

DTI wants to reopen personal care, dine-in services DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez is recommending a flexible modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the NCR Plus to gradually reopen laborintensive sectors.

In a radio interview Thursday, Lopez said the agency is eyeing to reopen personal care services with a limited capacity of 20 to 30 percent as well as dine-in services in food establishments by 10 to 20 percent.

“Ni-recommend ho kasi naming ‘yong MECQ with flexibility. We are just after sa pagbabalik ng trabaho, pero yung higpit naman ng mobility ay nandoon pa rin. Ang importante lang ay itong trabaho. We’re talking about opening the

SMIC maintains ‘cautious optimism’ for year ahead SM Investments Corp.

(SMIC) on Wednesday said it would maintain “cautious optimism” while focusing on safety and innovation as the company moves forward in 2021.

“We maintain cautious optimism as we navigate the many uncertainties, but where we can move with flexibility and [with] less restrictions, we will proceed with expansions in the pipeline,” SMIC President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said during the company’s virtual stockholders’ meeting on Wednesday.

The company said it would remain open to working with small businesses in “high growth potential sectors” and is continuing to look at potential candidates.

“We are always open to potential acquisitions and minority stakes fit with our objectives,” Mr. DyBuncio said.

SMIC has also developed new channels to reach its customers through different touchpoints, both online through social media platforms and through mobile phones.

Essential and nonessential products were made available via ShopSM, with SM Store’s MAINTAINS/PAGE 11

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CorporateWorld

sectors na sarado pa rin (We recommended the MECQ with flexibility.

We are just after bringing back jobs, but the strict mobility will still be there.

What’s important is the jobs. We’re talking about opening the sectors that

are still closed),” he said.

He added that the gradual reopening of the personal care and dinein services was “partially discussed” with the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

“Iko-confirm na lang mamaya sa IATF kung ilang porsyento [The IATF will confirm later the percentage (of capacity)],” Lopez said.

An estimated 200,000 workers in personal care REOPEN/PAGE 11

AboitizPower eyes 3,900 MW of RE by 2030 ABOITIZ Power Corp. is looking to build around 3,900 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) in about a decade as it seeks to reach an equal sharing of renewables and thermal energy capacity in its portfolio.

“I think that 50-50 ratio in 10 years is an aspirational target but we will get there with our aim to bring our renewable capacity estimates [to] around 3,900 MW by year 2029 to 2030,” AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said during a media briefing after listed firm’s annual stockholders meeting on Monday evening.

He explained that the target capacity is an estimate of how much the firm can capture with the implementation of the renewable portfolio standards (RPS) program,

which mandates electricity suppliers to source agreed portions of their energy supply from renewable resources.

Mr. Rubio earlier said that AboitizPower was working on a pipeline of 1,600 MW worth of hydro, wind and solar projects.

“The 1,600 [MW] is part of the 3,800 to 3,900 [MW] that we’re looking at in the next 10 years,” he said. “[On] the first few projects that we’ll start — we will be starting with solar. We’ll be groundbreaking hopefully within the year for a [solar] project in Cayanga, Pangasinan for 73 MW.” While the firm does not have a definitive position on generating power from coal, Mr. Rubio said that AboitizPower has “always looked at the option of choosing gas” for the country’s baseload requirements. He said the ABOITIZ/PAGE 11

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Opinion

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THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST selfish pride and blindness to his own character faults that everyone could see but him.

Many of us go through our entire lifetime hurting ourselves and others by the way we handle our marriage, raise our children, and treat the people around us, yet never seeing ourselves as we really are. So we never change and correct our wrong, hurtful attitudes, thinking and behavior. Remember: “Character building begins when we are babies and continues to the day we die.”

The famous philosopher S ocrates said: “Know yourself...The unexamined life is not worth living.” When SPOTS/PAGE 11

FRI-SAT|APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 2021

Does your QSR's delivery provider pass these food safety tests?

Ensuring the quality and safety of your QSR's delivered food goes well beyond preventing third-party delivery drivers from swiping a French fry or two. And like it or not, the responsibility of ensuring this level of safety still falls on the restaurant brand. So then, can your providers pass these tests?

Prior to COVID-19, many restaurant brands mig ht have considere d third-party food delivery a "nice-to-have" service.

But during the pandemic, these ser vices became a necessity and somewhat of a lifeline for those eating establishments that were forced to temporarily close their indoor dining rooms.

However, one year into the global pandemic, there are still concerns about these services, as well as risks and issues to overcome. Beyond the financial issues that these partnerships often pose, there are even more pressing guest experience and food safety concerns that restaurant brands must consider.

Even though the end of the pandemic might be in arm's reach, the growing tension between restaurant owners and the leading food delivery services must be resolved because there is a lot at stake. If both sides don't come to terms soon, the ongoing conflict has the potential to not only tarnish restaurant brand reputations, but cause food quality and safety to suffer as well.

The use of third-party food delivery apps doubled du e to t h e C OV I D - 1 9 pandemic. In fact with that, the food deliver y business in the Philippines

Blind spots (Pt. 2) Think a minute...The famous blind woman, Helen Keller, said: “It is better to be blind and see with your heart than to have two good eyes and not see yourself as you truly are.” Remember: “No one is as blind as those who refuse to see.”

A man told me that in nearly 40 years of marriage his wife has never once said, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.” And on the rare occasion that she does recognize a possible weakness in her character or personality, her answer is always: “I can’t help it.

That’s just the kind of person I am.” In her mind, she is never wrong or responsible to change anything in her character, because “that’s just the kind of person she is.”

A counselor who met with a man I know suggested some areas the man needed to improve and grow in, but he replied: “I don’t want to change anything! I like the way I am.” Only a couple of years after, that this man’s wife divorced him and took their children leaving him all alone. Both he and his family paid a high price for his

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has grown, amounting to a total of $1.2 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) at the end of 2020 with the overall food delivery sector across Southeast Asia (SEA) enjoying an exponential 183 percent growth in 2020.

As the popularity of food delivery grew, so did the pushback from restaurants who felt they were being "gouged" with fees, leading to the demand for more control over the services delivered on their behalf. What followed was a flurry of legislation that capped delivery fees.

Dozens of U S cities , counties and states (68 localities) passed legislation that caps food delivery service commissions at 15% of the total cost of orders. As of midMarch, Uber reported it was facing 78 caps nationwide.

While fo o d deliver y services are here to stay, restaurant brands should keep these three key issues in mind as they grapple with not only how to build a working relationship with third-party delivery companies, but also how to protect their brand reputation while ensuring food quality and the optimal customer experience.

Food safety risks associated with 3rd-party delivery While drivers might think pilfering food from a delivery is no big deal, it could lead to food contamination.

After all of the steps dining establishments take to ensure quality and food safety, once a meal leaves the restaurant, it's anyone's guess whether it will arrive at its destination as originally packaged at the restaurant.

It's critical to protect

ready-to-eat foods from being tampered with and from contamination in order to ensure both brand reputation and the customer's health and safety. One way to accomplish this is to establish a set of safety guidelines, a "delivery HACCP" (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), if you will, to help identify and mitigate the major food safety risks that may occur during the transport, delivery and handling of customer orders.

Another strategy brands should consider is creating a separate menu for food delivery. Some foods travel better than others, so it makes perfect sense to offer a second menu featuring items with ingredients that are less fragile, don't require constant refrigeration, and won't break or get soggy en route.

C a l i f o r n i a i n i t i at e d legislation related to food safety, quality and "ownership" of the customer relationship and responded with the Fair Food Delivery Act of 2020 in September 2020. The Act established a set of guidelines that govern not only how food delivery companies handle food, but also prevent a food delivery platform from arranging for the delivery of an order from a food facility without first securing an authorization agreement.

This act not only helps to ensure food safety but protects brands' reputations and rel at ionships w it h customers.

Packaging's importance to food safety, quality Using proper packaging can protect your customer from potential harm caused

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

by contamination. Many quick-service brands, have already started using tamperproof packaging. And in California, it's the law as part of the Fair Food Delivery Act which dictates that ready-toeat foods must be protected by tamper-evident packaging.

Restaurant brands should adopt the following packaging best practices to protect food quality and safety: • Use containers that maintain food integrity during transport to prevent physical and chemical contamination.

This packaging should be suitable for travel and capable of withstanding heat and humidity.

• Us e s ep arate compartments to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Avoid the temptation of using the cheapest container available. It could end up being the reason for food contamination or spoilage.

• Verify food delivery partners are only using secure, insulated boxes for transport.

The third-party delivery customer communication imperative While labels may not seem all that important to food quality and safety, PROVIDER/PAGE 11

Beware of the IAD I don’t mean the Integrated Access Devices like the smartphones, though they are very much related to what I would like to bring up here.

I am referring more to the Internet Addiction Disorder that is becoming a big, albeit silent, menace in our society today.

Initial statistics regarding this matter already indicate an alarming rate of people affected by this disorder. This is now a huge worldwide challenge to face, and it would be good if we start with our own selves.

How do we describe persons who are affected by this disorder? They are persons who are not able to disconnect from the Internet. They live a life which is absolutely dependent on the web. Their entire way of life is shaped by being in front of the computer at the expense of their family, friends, work and even their health.

To them, the Internet has become their outlet to relieve stress or to alleviate anxiety.

They have reached the point at which they are not capable of controlling their use of it,

even losing sleep because of it.

The signs of this addiction are actually quite easily observable. They include large amounts of time spent on the Internet, neglect of important commitments, not paying attention to or denying the complaints of others who express concern about Internet use, constantly thinking about the Internet.

Other signs can be an inability to limit time or keep track of time online, lying about the time spent on the Internet or with videogames, becoming socially isolated, an increased tendency to anger, the lowering of quality of one’s study or work, and a great feeling of euphoria when one is in front of a computer.

There are a variety of factors behind this sad phenomenon.

The most obvious is that the Internet and the allied devices can be so irresistibly attractive and engaging. While these technologies offer a lot of good, when one is not properly prepared to handle them, he can easily fall into excessive use that can inhibit the development of authentic

relationships. He falls into pure self-indulgence and fails to attend to other more important areas of his life.

For the specific forms of IAD, we can cite the fol l ow i ng : c y b e rs e x u a l a d d i c t i o n , c o mp u l s i v e online gambling, multiusers dimension addiction which involves a form of role playing, cyber relationships which involves establishing affective relationships that are exclusively online and which allow the person to maintain an idealized image of the other, and information overload addiction.

C e r t a i n p e r s on a l it y characteristics and emotional states also make one vulnerable to IAD. These characteristics can include excessive shyness, low self-esteem, insecurity, and melancholy. Also previous psychiatric problems like depression, attention deficit disorder, anxiety or a stressful environment can increase the risk of IAD. Other predisposing factors can include impulsiveness, b eing in a b ad mo o d, frustration in the face of physical or psychological

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA problems, or the exaggerated search for strong emotion.

Added to these conditions is the easy access to the Internet, plus the possible anonymity that the Internet provides together with its affordability. All these can create a perfect storm for anyone to fall into IAD. We need to see to it that we are aware of this danger and be prepared to tackle it.

Obviously some virtues would be needed like temperance and prudence. At bottom, we really need to invigorate our life of faith and piety not only to protect ourselves from this danger but more to give ourselves the proper sense of direction in our life.

5

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FRI-SAT|APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 2021

NCIP Commissioner Jennifer Pia S. Las, joined by NCIP Comm. Norberto Navarro, NCIP ED Rogelio Francisco Bantayan, Jr., Cong. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, SM Supermalls SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, DILG Mr. Pablo de Castro, NSA Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., DSWD Dir. Janet Armas, DA Ms. Cheryl Suarez, AFP Vice Chief of Staff, and LtGen Erickson Gloria PAF, led the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Opening of Photo Exhibit as part of the Launching of the Three (3) Coffee Table Books under Project Epanaw of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples last March 14, 2021.

Indigenous peoples’ own story takes spotlight as NCIP unveils coffee table books

T

HE indigenous cultural communities/ indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) have led the charge in paying tribute and memorializing their identities and rituals as the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on Sunday launched three coffee table books under Project “Epanaw” or “Journey,” showcasing the story of ICCs/IPs through their own eyes.

The three coffee table books “Pagkilala” (Recognize), “Paggalang” (Respect), and “Pagtaguyod” (Promote) were simultaneously unveiled at SM Aura Premier and SM Lanang Premier, along with a month-long photo exhibit that features the profiles and lives of ICCs/IPs. NCIP Commissioner Norberto Navarro, a member of the Ivatan tribe himself, touted the uniqueness of the coffee

table books describing them as “probably the most comprehensive anthology of ethnographic information we have.”

“This one is different because these were authorized by the communities themselves.

These were approved by them. While it might be the most comprehensive, it is by far the most authoritative anthology of ethnographic information,” Commissioner Navarro said in a speech.

NCIP Chairperson Sec. Allen Capuyan said Project Epanaw seeks to “memorialize the identities and rituals of the indigenous peoples as well as highlight the importance of protecting their ancestral domains.”

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the NCIP’s partner in the publication of the coffee table books, expressed commitment in sustaining its partnership

with the Commission in strengthening programs geared towards the recognition and promotion of ICCs/IPs. “Ang aking hangad at dasal ay sa pagpapatuloy ng ating shared advocacy dito sa movement na

ito ay hindi lang marerecognize natin ang uniqueness ng iba’t ibang tribo, kundi titignan natin bilang mga Pilipino – isang tribo tayo at the end of the day,” said Atty. Maria Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones, TPB Chief Operating Officer.

Atty. Allones said immediately after assuming her post in TPB, Project Epanaw was the first project she committed as she sought to help realize the vision of documenting the “richness of the diversity and uniqueness of our ICCs/IPs across the country.”

‘Shake off misinformation, untrue myths’ For her part, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat stressed the importance of scaling up documentation of ICCs/

IPs through their own perspectives to “shake off the misinformation and unjust stereotypes.”

“While much has been accomplished in the 24 years since Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act came into being, it has been hard to shake off the misinformation, untrue myths, or unjust stereotypes that the general public has about indigenous peoples. It will take a monumental effort to reshape the old and entrenched ways of thinking but Project ‘Epanaw’ bids to accomplish exactly that and in the process, encourage more Filipinos to protect and stand up for the rights of all IPs in this great diverse nation,” Sec. Romulo-Puyat said in a video message.

DSWD Director Janet Armas shared the

same sentiments as she expressed the need to give a boost to the rich and robust history of tradition-based culture and political autonomy of ICCs/IPs through documentation.

“Oftentimes, it is the indigenous peoples who are at the receiving line, forcing them out of their ancestral lands, isolated from government services, further marginalized by unequal distribution of social and economic privileges,” Director Armas, a member of the Kalanguya and Kankanaey tribe, said in a speech. “There are a lot of IP families and children struggling and they are still in this situation. And this is the very reason why I committed to really be an advocate of the IP.” ‘Milestone achievement’ The Commission on Human Rights has also lauded the NCIP for this “milestone achievement of memorializing history, culture, and identities of ICCs/IPS.” CHR Chairperson Chito Gascon described the project as a “concrete step in recognizing their rights and empowering them by letting them tell their narrative through their own eyes and with their own voice.”

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. described the launching of the books as a “good start” in empowering the voices of the ICCs/IPs. “By knowing who are our ancestors – the real ancestors – then probably we could put ourselves BOOKS/PAGE 11

6

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DOF open to alternative policies vs. pork supply constraints

D

EPARTMENT of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III is open to any options that will address pork supply problems in the country, citing that Executive Order (EO) 128 is a temporary measure targeted to address the constraints.

“Again, our minds are not closed. We want to achieve together our goal of making sure that there is a reasonable and affordable pork and other feedstock for our consumers, our inflation rate is not damaging to our economy in the long run, and that definitely there is

support to the porkproducing industry,” he said during the virtual hearing of the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday.

The hearing was held to discuss EO 128, which temporarily cuts import duty on fresh, chilled, or frozen swine meat for a year to help address supply

issues brought about by the African swine fever.

The EO, which President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed last April 7, reduces levy on pork imports under the minimum access volume (MAV) from 30 percent to 5 percent for the first three months upon the EO’s effectivity,

and 10 percent in the succeeding nine months.

Tariffs of pork imports outside of MAV were proposed to be reduced from the current 40 percent to 15 percent for the first three months, and 20 percent for the succeeding three quarters.

Dominguez said the

EO is an emergency measure targeted to ensure adequate supply of pork in the country and to help stabilize pork prices.

This as prices of pork has risen to over P300 a kilo from around P200 before the supply issues and has contributed to the elevated domestic inflation rate. (PNA)

THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) will continue to be on guard against any money laundering and terrorist financing activities, and is closely coordinating with various government agencies for any assessments and reports.

This, after a police officer and a government executive recently questioned the motive of a community pantry organizer, claiming that Patricia Non is linked with leftist groups.

Non started a fundraising drive for Community Pantry PH through Paypal and has raised about US$20,000 so far.

“Incidentally, we cannot disclose whether

the AMLC checked the financial transactions of the subject,” the AMLC Secretariat said Tuesday night in a reply to emailed questions from the Philippine News Agency.

The AMLC Secretariat said the AMLC, under Section 10 of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012, or Republic Act (RA) No. 10168, has been authorized to investigate either on its own initiative or at the request of the Anti-Terrorism Council any property or funds that are related to financing of terrorism or acts of terrorism, and any property or funds of any person or persons in relation to whom if "there is probable cause to believe that such person or

persons are committing; attempting or conspiring to commit; or participating in or facilitating the financing of terrorism or acts of terrorism.”

“In addition, law enforcement agencies (such as the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines) and other government agencies also make referrals to the AMLC if there are results of their initial investigation or if there have been cases filed against the subjects,” it said.

Amid allegations that some of these community pantries are being used as front by leftist groups, the AMLC Secretariat said it analyzes financial information and disseminates financial intelligence reports to law enforcement offices and

other financial intelligence units (FIU) here and overseas.

“The AMLC also releases proactive risk assessments, studies, and reports, which have become tools to inform stakeholders, such as law enforcement, supervising authorities, and the private sector, on the risks to money laundering and terrorism financing of certain sectors and to guide decision-makers in crafting policy initiatives,” it said.

It also “investigates suspicious transactions; covered transactions deemed suspicious; money laundering and terrorism financing activities; and violations of anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing (AML/ CTF) laws, rules, and regulations.”

It added the Council has adopted an inverted triangle approach to supervision since 2017, with it on top followed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Insurance Commission FIGHT/PAGE 11

CONTINUED reopening of the economy, along with spending on the government’s infrastructure program, are expected to counter the impact of the rise in budget deficit as of March 2021, a bank economist said Tuesday.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Tuesday reported the 167.34-percent year-on-year rise of budget gap last month to P191.4 billion.

As of end-March this year, the budget gap reached P321.5 billion, 273.11 percent higher than year-ago level.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said that once cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections decline, easing of quarantine restrictions and reopening of the economy are structural solutions to the hikes in budget gap because these “increase the capacity, production, sales, income, employment of many businesses and industries, and also help in increasing the tax revenue collections of the government.”

Ricafort said government spending, particularly on infrastructure projects, is a plus because this is an important pillar of the economic recovery program to pump-prime the economy.

These factors, along with other measures such

as roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination program and the implementation of stimulus programs, are expected to boost economic activity and help lift government’s revenue generating capacity, he added.

Ricafort said “structurally, faster economic recovery that effectively increases the GDP (gross domestic product) base would help address this in the coming months/ years, alongside with fiscal reform measures especially if economic conditions improve further.”

“Thus, there is a need to prudently use the government’s financial resources and ensure there would be enough in the coming months/years, given the uncertainties on how long Covid-19 pandemic would linger and would continue to have adverse effects on the economy, especially on the most vulnerable sectors,” he added.

BTr data show that revenues last March declined by 17.37 percent to P216.2 billion, while expenditures rose by 22.33 percent to P407.6 billion.

For the first three months this year, government revenues amounted to P696.5 billion, 8.73 percent down year-onyear while spending rose by 19.86 percent to P1.017 trillion. (PNA)

economy, AMLC further beefs up fight Reopening infra spending to counter vs. laundering, terror financing budget gap hikes

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS WITH SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late SPOUSES TEOGENES RANIDO, who died intestate on July 18, 2011 at Provincial H os pi t al B al i ngas ag, M i s am i s Oriental and LILIA T. RANIDO, who died intestate on April 26, 2017 at Mandangoa, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, that Spouses TEOGENES RANIDO and LILIA T. RANIDO died intestate without leaving any Last Will or Testament, and without any outstanding debt, at the time of her death left two (2) parcels of land with Parcel I- Tax Declaration No. 0810002207006 situated at Barangay Mandangoa, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY FIVE (1,655) SQUARE METERS, more or less and Parcel II- Tax Declaration No. 0810002206998 situated at Mandangoa, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of THREE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY (3650) square meters, more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS WITH SALE, filed by the heirs of SPOUSES TEOGENES RANIDO and LILIA T. RANIDO, in favor of EFFIE S, GADAGA, per DOC #306; PAGE #62; BOOK #20; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ALMIRA B. VALDEZ. BWM: Apr 23, 30 & May 7, 2021

BWM: Apr. 30, May 7 & 14, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late ALBERTO NOVO SALAS who died on January 15, 2020 at Tibasak Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City, without Will or Testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; at the time of his death left a parcel of land with Orihinal na Titulo Blg. 2017000008 situated at Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FORTY TWO (1,442) square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of ALBERTO NOVO SALAS, in favor of MARIA ROWENA R. RAFLORES, per DOC #87; PAGE #18; BOOK #119; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. RAMIL PAO ACOL. BWM: Apr. 30, May 7 & 14, 2021

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF REGINA FRIAS-DAOMILAS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late Spouses GALICANO DAOMILAS and REGINA FRIASDAOMILAS, who died in Cagayan de Oro City on July 8, 1952 and December 21, 1977, at the time of her death, left the following paraphernal properties with OCT/TCT # T-18572 situated at Camaman-an, CDO containing an area of 500 sq. m. (Residential) and 2,078 sq.m. (agricultural) and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF REGINA FRIAS-DAOMILAS, filed by the heirs of Spouses GALICANO DAOMILAS and REGINA FRIASDAOMILAS, per DOC #165; PAGE #33; BOOK #XXIII; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. FULGENT THOMAS T. GARAY. BWM: Apr. 30, May 7 & 14, 2021

DEED OF EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late ANTONIO BANIEL SR., who died intestate on January 4, 2002, in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, at the time of his death left a certain parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-14-0001-01112 situated in Poblacion, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY NINE (289) square meters, and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF SALE, filed by the heirs of ANTONIO BANIEL SR., in favor of EFFIE S. GADAGA, per DOC #53; PAGE #11; BOOK #21; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of JOHANNE EMMANUEL G. AGUSTIN. BWM: Apr. 30, May 7 & 14, 2021

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Tagoyaman flies back to his forest home on Earth Day, 22 April 2021 (Photo from PEF)

Tagoyaman Fernando, estimated to be four years old, was named after its Indigenous rescuer, Datu Tagoyaman Sinangkap. On Earth Day, 22 April Tagoyaman was released to its forest home by the Philippine Eagle Foundation with support from the local government and the Australian Embassy. (Photo from PEF)

Philippine Eagle released back into the wild in San Fernando, Bukidnon O n 22 April 2021 (Earth Day 2021), a rescued and rehabilitated Philippine Eagle was released back to its forest home.

Tagoyaman Fernando is among the seven Philippine Eagles that were rescued last year – the highest rescue rate recorded in the history of Philippine Eagle conservation – and the first Philippine Eagle to

be released back to the wild this year.

Tagoyaman’s release was made possible through the support of the Australian Government, Whitley Fund for Nature, Jurong Bird Park, DENR Region X, and the local governments of San Fernando and Bukidnon.

“Rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing Philippine Eagles in the middle

of a pandemic is very challenging. It’s difficult to mobilize field operations when travel restrictions are imposed and sources of funds are shut down.

Still, we are able to persevere, thanks to the support of the Australian Government and other conservation partners,” said Dennis Salvador, Executive Director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

The short program in honor of Tagoyaman’s release was attended by the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson AO, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, San Fernando Vice Mayor Norberto Catalan, and Philippine Eagle Foundation Trustee Mr. Francis Ledesma.

“The Australian Embassy is proud to continue our support

Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri with the Indigenous Manobo-Tigwahanon community (Photo from the Australian Embassy in the Philippines)

to the Philippine Eagle Foundation for the protection and preservation of the Philippine Eagle. I travelled to Bukidnon to witness Tagoyaman’s release because it is an important milestone in the Philippines’ efforts in conserving local wildlife biodiversity. Australia stands with our friends in the Philippines as they protect their natural resources, in their lands or seas. This initiative reinforces our deep and expanding relationship as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Robinson said.

Tagoyaman was retrieved on October 2020 in San Fernando, Bukidnon, after getting accidentally caught in a native trap intended for other animals. The bird was then brought to the Philippine Eagle Center for further check-up and rehabilitation.

“We hope to see Tagoyaman successfully breed and contribute to his species’ wild population in the future. His release on Earth Day is also our resounding call for long-term solutions

to our problematic relationship with nature and wildlife. We believe that by conserving the Philippine Eagle and the biodiversity it represents, we can avoid another disease outbreak,” Salvador said.

The PEF, through the support of its conservation partners took measures to improve Tagoyaman’s chances of survival in the wild. An education campaign targeting communities surrounding the release site was conducted and Indigenous forest guards were trained to perform voluntary forest patrols and monitor Tagoyaman’s movements using the GPS transmitter attached to its back for the next six months.

“Collaborations and partnerships play a big role in Philippine Eagle conservation.

The PEF can’t save the eagles alone. We need the help of our local communities, government agencies, the private sector, and the Filipino people so that one day Philippine Eagles will thrive in the wild,” Salvador stressed.

(Australian Embassy in the Philippines)

8

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Asialink Finance Sets 2021 Expansion Goals

A

SIALINK Finance Corporation lays out their plan for 2021 following nationwide operational expansions.

As one of the leading and fastest-growing finance companies in the Philippines, Asialink Finance Corporation has ramped up operations to accommodate more clients throughout the country.

With a promising company growth of 32%

(vs Q3 2020) recorded in the 4th quarter of 2020 amounting to PHP1.328B, Asialink now hopes to utilize their resources to make finance services more accessible among SMEs and individuals in the country.

“Despite the pandemic, our team made sure that we successfully helped thousands of Filipinos in their financing needs last year. Now, we’re gearing up to extend our

Innovation in Education during Pandemic

LEA L. LABIAL SST-III Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School Don A. Velez Street, Cagayan de Oro City

During the delivery of education in the ne w normal, Technology has bridged the need of reaching out s tu d e nt s w it h out physical interaction. This is when we can say that continuous research and innovation in education is necessary to meet the challenges of mo dern times and overcome the threats that may disrupt the learning of our students.

One of the mechanism that Department of Education adopted is the Internet-based learning or e-learning. This make use of computers and other gadgets that are connected to the Internet. In each computer, there is uniquely designed and programmed online applications to teach and equip children with lessons. Few of these online platforms are DepEd’s on l i ne p or t a l, Z o om , Google Meet and meeting applications that makes discussion online possible.

The challenges in Education that the country have right now are beyond ordinar y. However, in DepEd, we can know that years before, scholars has already studied the

deliver y of e ducat ion through Internet, in an aim to come up a solution for the problems caused by a challenging world.

Even before, DepEd introduced the establishment of an E-Library. They also partnered with LGUs and other private entities.

Putting up of these libraries of this kind of learning center that houses a number of computer units useful to students. E-Librar y functions like a library, but instead of physical books, it offers electronic data that can be accessed through entering a couple of terms. This learning technique further saves time and effort.

Supplemental learning in young age have become consistent achievers.

It has been a challenge to education sector to meet the expectation posted by the advancement of times for along with this, is the change of attitude and set of mentality among students that are quite challenging to train. Thus, schools adopted innovation that would serve as instrument to bridge solutions to these challenges.

reach to help even more in 2021,” says Asialink Finance Corporation General Manager Eillen B. Mangubat.

Currently, the flagship of the Asialink Group of Companies has over eighty branches nationwide to serve diverse markets especially the unbanked and underserved sectors offering a wide array of secured financing solutions in real estate, car and truck mortgage, brand new and pre-owned car and truck financing, and doctor’s loans among others.

With over hundreds of personnel and thousands of independent loan consultants across key cities in the Philippines, Asialink Finance Corporation seeks to further expand finance

centers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Throughout the year, the corporation hopes to achieve its development target of 100 branches in the country and employ over 900 personnel with focus on Visayas, Mindanao, and North Luzon to provide secured business financing and personal financing in these markets. They recently opened a branch in Solano to further accommodate north Luzon markets while new branches have also opened in Consolacion, Bacolod east, Buhangin in Davao City, Gingoong, Tacurong, Mati, and Surigao to serve more clients in Visayas and Mindanao.

Branches in Catbalogan, Kabankalan, Maasin, Molo in Iloilo

SRMES “May Modyul na, May Painit Pa”

By MILLIE JOY O. HERBIETO, Teacher

Mo du l e re t r ie v a l and d i st r i but i on s ch e du l e in Servillano G. Reuyan Memor i a l E lement ar y School is scheduled every Monday. Parents and guardians continued support to the school paves way to the launching of “May Modyul na, May Paninit Pa”.

Juliet M. Mariquit, the designated School Head of the said school initiated the program as a way of t h an k i ng t h e p are nt s become the teachers of their own children which the teachers can’t be able to perform.

Along with her moves were the stakeholders who shared their blessings to the school in a way that the parents will go home with a happy heart while getting the modules of their kids.

“We are thankful that

we come to school with a free breakfast”, said Elma Mo s q u e d a , p a re nt of Servillano G. Reuyan MES who is diligently coming to school every Monday submitting and retrieving the modules of her children.

“Even before I was assigned in this school, I promise to myself that I will initiate this kind of program that will help parents to continue to go to school and get the modules of the learners so that parents will be motivated to continue the journey of the learnings of the children”, as what Ma’am Juliet said.

The program will continue until the last module will be submitted for the school year and surely this will return success for the school, teachers and most especially for the learners of Mibolo.

City, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, and Calinan in Davao City are also soon to begin operations within the year.

This is to achieve Asialink Finance Corporation’s business goal to be a key driver of economic growth and expand help to individuals in achieving their dreams.

They aim to disburse over 15 billion pesos in loans and serve over 60,000 clients in 2021.

“Part of our commitment is to streamline financing services in the country

and reestablish Asialink as a trusted Filipino-owned financing company for Filipinos”, says General Manager Mangubat.

Banking on its 24 years of service and focus on inclusive financing access, the company has seen a consistent increase in annual production and disbursements as well as an increase of sales associates, loan consultants, and financial experts across the country. Visit the Asialink Finance Corporation’s website at https://www. asialinkfinance.com.ph/ for more information.

3 Misamis Oriental Micro-Enterprises Receive P2.79 M from DOST-10 Three micro-enterprises from Misamis Oriental received a total of Php 2.79 million as technology funding from the Department of Science and Technology 10 (DOST 10) last April 14, during the ceremonial turnover of Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) project funds conducted via Zoom conferencing.

These three firms are Folder and Goods Trading, Trunk to Gold Agribusiness Corporation, and Rite Home Modular Systems, under the Manufacturing, Food Industry, and Furniture Industry sectors, respectively.

SETUP is a flagship program of DOST mandated to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve their productivity. Through a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), each firm received funding to acquire

equipment addressing their production gaps and improving product quality.

Folder and Goods Trading is a microenterprise in Cagayan de Oro City that produces customized office supplies.

The firm will be able to shift from manual processing into semiautomation with their new spine pocket welding machine that will semiautomate the placing of pockets on the spines of binders and folders.

Another assisted enterprise is Trunk to Gold Agribusiness Corporation in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. The Php 1.66-million assistance they received is intended to equip them to produce high-quality coco sugar and other coconut byproducts. It will also help them acquire a License to Operate from the Food and Drug Administration.

This assistance will increase the enterprise’s productivity by 37 RECEIVE/PAGE 11

Positive Reinforcements: A Must during Modular Learning Modality ADONIS M. AWITIN, T-III Lumbia Central School

Most of the parents nowadays faced different challenges and disputes on educational issues about their child’s schooling during this pandemic. This is because parents are the ones who make sure that their children have finished the modules given by their teachers.

Several parents reported that their children display inappropriate behavior throughout the day which interrupts the completion in answering the modules. On the other hand, others who reported that their children are very reluctant and passive to finish the tasks in the modules. This is how conflict being started to middle to parents since they are the immediate channel to take the first action in assuring that the academic modules has been taken into its expected used.

Consequently, parents have to offer various strategies to keep tract and be on time to achieve the learning

objectives which are already set for the day across all subject areas. They have learned to used one out of the four types of conditioning namely: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and extinction but a few parents have used and utilized the positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement is a term described by Burrhus Frederic Skinner in his theory of operant condit ioning. According to Mahzarin R. Banaji, Professor of Social Ethics in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University “In positive reinforcement, a reaction or behavior is strengthened by rewards, leading to the repetition of desired behavior. The reward is a reinforcing stimulus.” Positive reinforcement is often used by the teachers because of the remarkable effect to the learner in performing beyond the set expected goal .

Aside from this remarkable effect teachers opted to use positive reinforcement to boost learner’s morale and maximize student’s determination to be recognized.

There are numerous of related study that provide a proof that the use of positive reinforcement will help school children. Rumfola 2017 stated in his study, that through her research it is proven that students have benefited from positive reinforcement. This effect is noticeable in the change of the behavior of the learner. The study of Diedrich 2010 found out that use of rewards and positive reinforcement was an effective method for teaching and encouraging students to display age-appropriate behaviors and social skills, more specifically manners. Her study was supported

by Rafi, Ansar, Sami 2020, in the use of a positive reinforcement strategy

to manage disruptive behavior in the classroom. The positive reinforcement strategies identified were praise (41%), feedback (33%), and other classroom management studies (25%). The result of the study has a significant improvement of behavior after implementing the positive reinforcement.

In Courtney E. Ackerman’s article Positive Reinforcement in Psychology (Definition + 5 Examples) 2021 , she has transcript that Amy Morin at VeryWell Family outlines some of the different ways to manifest the positive reinforcement gestural example.

These are giving a high five, giving a thumbs-up, offering praise, giving a hug or a pat on the back, clapping and cheering, telling another adult how proud you are of your child’s behavior while your child is listening, giving extra privileges, and giving tangible rewards. The

reinforcement provided motivates the learners to learn, actively engage in academic discussion and be more participative. This approach is very feasible and can be converted to home learning set up specially during modular mode of learning. Parents may apply this technique every day after each completion in answering the modules. The amount and type of reinforcement and/or rewards varied daily. No matter what type of positive reinforcements is being used, it is important to pair the reinforcement with specific verbal praise. Instead of giving a simple thumbs-up, accompany it with doing a thumps-up and verbal praise “Good job for analyzing and answering your module!” This enhances the child’s awareness of his compliance, which increases the likelihood of the desired behavior happening again.

9 Cebu Pacific transports 500,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines from China Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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Expects more doses in the coming weeks

THE Philippines’ leading carrier Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) delivers its first government-procured vaccine shipment from Beijing, China to Manila today, April 29, 2021, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH). A total of 500,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) earlier at 7:18AM via 5J 671.

The continuous arrival of vaccines underpins the Philippine government’s commitment to curb the cases of COVID-19 in the country as it paves the path to herd immunity.

“Our number one

priority is to get the country back on track, and we are doing all we can to secure millions of vaccines from various sources all over the world. Collaborating with airlines in this endeavor is of utmost importance – the sooner we secure the vaccines and the faster these are distributed, the quicker we can finally get past this pandemic,” said vaccine czar, Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force against COVID-19.

“We remain optimistic about the Philippines’ vaccine program and look forward to working even

more closely with Cebu Pacific and our other Philippine carriers for future vaccine shipments,” added Galvez.

“This delivery marks our first international vaccine shipment and we are grateful for the trust and confidence of the DOH. More importantly, we remain steadfast in our commitment to support our country’s recovery efforts in every way possible,” says Michael Ivan Shau, Chief Operations Officer at Cebu Pacific.

These vaccines, carried via a chartered A330 flight, were immediately VACCINES/PAGE 11

Smart expands 5G network to over 2,600 sites, leads with most powerful Unli 5G offer PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. forges on with the nationwide rollout of its commercial 5G service as it expands the country's most extensive 5G network to over 2,600 sites nationwide.

This comes as Smart unveils its most powerful 5G offering dubbed 'Unli 5G' and ramps up its 5G outdoor coverage in the

National Capital Region to more than 90%.

These developments come on the heels of Smart’s recognition for having the fastest 5G network in the Philippines

by Ookla®, the global leader in internet testing and analysis. Based on consumer-initiated tests taken using Speedtest®

by Ookla, Smart has consistently posted the

fastest 5G speeds for Q1 2021, with median download speeds of 190 Mbps, more than double the competition's speeds for the same period*.

"We continue to upgrade and expand our network in order to deliver the best data experience to our customers, as fresh community quarantine measures require them to conduct most of their

day-to-day tasks online in order to stay safe," said Mario G. Tamayo, Head of Technology at PLDT and Smart.

"Connectivity is even more crucial now that many have turned to the Internet to keep updated with the latest news about the pandemic and the vaccines, as well as keep in touch with their EXPANDS/PAGE 11

Education System in the New Normal

By TITCHIE NEE F. ROLOMA ESP-I Lorenzo Tan Memorial Central School Tangub City

The system of education in the new normal is confronted with varied issues brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is addressing the challenges in the basic education.

Education authorities aim to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the learners, teachers, and personnel in the time of COVID-19, while finding ways for education to continue amidst the crisis. They are designing with a legal framework that is responsive to the “new normal.”

This is in consonance with the constitutional mandate which upholds the right of all citizens to quality education at all times, even in the post-pandemic’s new normal situation.

Suggestions say that schools can adopt may be one or a combination of the following, depending on the local health conditions, the availability of resources, and the particular context of the learners in the school or locality: Limited Face-to-face classroom sessions is considered but which depends on the students and the teacher health conditions when they are physically present in the classroom.

This system provides opportunities for active engagement, immediate feedback, and socio-emotional development of learners. However, education authorities say that this is feasible only in very low risk areas

with no history of infection, easily monitored external contacts, and with teachers and learners living in the vicinity of the school.

In Distance learning, sessions take place between the teacher and the students who are geographically far from each other during instruction.

This modality has three types, namely: Modular Distance Learning, Online Distance Learning, and Television/ Radio-Based Instruction. This is most viable for independent learners, and learners supported by periodic supervision of parents or guardians.

Blended Learning combines faceto-face with any, or a mix of, Modular Distance Learning, Online Distance Learning, and Television/RadioBased Instruction. This system will enable the schools to limit face-to-face learning, ensure social distancing, and decrease the volume of people outside the home at any given time, according to experts.

Homeschooling aims to provide learners with quality basic education that is facilitated by qualified parents, guardians, or tutors who have undergone relevant training in a home-based environment.

All these are still subject to ongoing reviews.

Children are very imitative and curious by nature. They want to explore things which are totally new to them with utmost curiosity and

anxiety. Same is applicable when it comes to ‘Virtual Learning’, according to en educator.

“Over a period, we have observed that clever integration of games has demonstrated higher engagement and increased motivation towards learning especially among younger students, making them truly fall in love with learning”.

In the new normal education systems have become a necessary selection for many students to carry on their learning due to many plus factors such as: Time saving which gives them enough time to complete assignments and tests they’re given.

Social distancing and physical d ist anc i ng p ol i c i e s have b e e n implemented in many countries for some time in the face of a COVID-19 pandemic. The new policy that has been adopted by many countries is "New Normal".

New Normal is a scenario to accelerate the handling of COVID-19 in health and socio-economic aspects.

New normal scenarios suggest guides that consists of three stages, namely before opening, entering the opening process, and when opening has been carried out. Research on the planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation of New Normal in the field of learning and teaching needs the attention of all parties, including academics.

Sociological Imagination Among Homeschooling Students By: WILSON C. ALVIAR

One of the teaching strategies that we make use in handling social sciences subj e c ts is ter me d as “Sociological Imagination”.

Sociological imagination is the practice of being able to “think ourselves away” from the familiar routines of our daily lives to look at them with fresh, critical eyes.

Sociologist C. Wright Mills, who created the concept and wrote the definitive book about it, defined the sociological imagination as “the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society." The sociological imagination is the ability to see things socially and how they interact and influence each other. To have a sociological imagination, a person must be able to pull away from the situation and think from an alternative point of view. This ability is central to one's development of a sociological perspective on the world. As commonly used by teachers, it is believed to see oneself in a situation where students enable to empathize scenarios or putting oneself in a certain scene. It usually encourages critical thinking ability of students on how to handle situations as based on his/her imagination and respond to it according to his / her perception based on learned information and knowledge as discussed in the classroom. The society itself plays an influence of the real scenario just as how we normally face and handle situations with different views and responses. Its importance allows students to expound and elicit their thoughts and ideas that reflects their characteristic, behavior,

and attitudes to stimulus.

Moreover, the so ciety allows them to explore by experiential learning; learning by experience could not be possible if it not done by means of exposure or exploration.

Homeschooling is one that we implement as our learning continuity plan in response to the effect of the pandemic that is to mitigate the possible spread of the said disease present in our society. Students are expected to accomplish learning areas within their household premise only, and that deters and alters their learning experience and ideas that dwell with limitation. We tend to ask how students be able to learn with this homeschooling?

Is homeschooling effective in some sense? Schools have mostly implemented distance learning, but until when it will be? These are just some few queries but remains unanswered at this point of time.

Basically, the objective of this homeschooling is to get rid of socializing to different people that increases susceptibility to the pandemic disease.

T he n , stu d e nt s c ou l d not really explore by not exposing them to learning stimulus. Group activities, open forums, round table discussions, brainstorming and more are just some few means of sociological imagination that enhances and enriches their thinking ability. It is indeed important that students are learning by empathizing and reflect based on what they have imagined. The concept of the sociological imagination can be applied to any behavior.

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Issues... from page 1

She said acquisition rates vary in Tagum City, Carmen, and Panabo in Davao del Norte, Santa Cruz and Digos City in Davao del Sur, and Davao City.

Once completed, Lim said actual construction of phase 1 is expected to begin by the fourth quarter of this year or only months away before President Rodrigo R. Duterte steps down on June 30, 2022.

“How e v e r, t h e l o a n negotiation between governments of Philippines and China – this is an ODA (official development assistance)-funded project – is still being perfected,” she said.

The cost of the TDD segment is pegged at P81.7 billion, according to DOTr. The TDD segment is the first phase of the 1,550-kilometer MRP that aims to connect the key cities of Davao, Butuan, Surigao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cotabato, Zamboanga and General Santos.

Lim said the Chinese government will still have to identify three shortlisted Chinese bidders that will participate in the “tendering pro c e ss for t he a c tu a l construction of the railway TDD segment.”

Alt houg h t he ent ire phase 1 may not be fully operational by the end of Duterte’s administration, D OTr secretar y Arthur Tugade promised “partial operability” of the TDD segment, she added.

Last Februar y, DOTr assistant secretary Eymard EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late NORMA GAA VILLASOTO, who died on 22 March 2002 in Cagayan de Oro City; that the said deceased died intestate, without any Last Will or Testament and without any outstanding debts or accounts; that the deceased left a certain parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. G-228709 situated at Vamenta Blvd., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR Square Meters (124 sq.m), and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of NORMA GAA VILLASOTO, in favor of MA. CECILIA A. DELGADOCARBAJOSA and ROLANDO D. CARBAJOSA, per DOC #185; PAGE #37; BOOK #XXI; Series of 2018 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MART DAMIAN B. MAANDIG. BWM: Apr 23, 30 & May 7, 2021

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Eje said the government hopes to operationalize the section between Panabo City and adjacent Carmen town in Davao del Norte.

The “flat terrain” along the Panabo-Carmen line is a good launching pad for the highly-anticipated railway project, he said.

The two areas, along with Tagum City in Davao del Norte, Mudian, Davao Terminal, and Toril in Davao City, and Santa Cruz town and Digos City in Davao del Sur, will host stations of the railway.

D OTr said the TDD segment will reduce travel time from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours between Tagum and Digos Cities and will provide “passengers safe, fast, and reliable transport options on the TDD commuter line.”

It is expected to serve approximately 134,000 riders a day by 2022, up to 237,000 by 2032, and 375,000 by 2042.

Farmers...

from page 1 Benjamin Madrigal last week saying the coco levy trust fund now totaled P70 billion.

According to Rodriguez, the scholarship program is one of the benefits that the coco farmers could avail as mandated under RA No. 11524, the Coconut Levy Trust Fund Act, that President Duterte recently signed into law.

Rodriguez is the co-author of the coco levy trust fund.

The PCA Administrator assured that the coconut farmers in Cagayan de Oro City and their families could avail of the benefits of the P70B fund once the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA with the various government line agencies is signed, Rodriguez said.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

Aside from the scholarship, the coco levy fund was intended for the training of farmers and their families on coconut production and processing, c rop i nsu r an c e ; c re d it program, and infrastructure program, he said.

Churches...

from page 1 Tagoloan town, Immaculada Concepcion parish in Jasaan, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Bobuntugan, and Santa Cruz Parish in Laguindingan, all in Misamis Oriental province.

"This is also our way of showing that we are one with the people, the government, and ever y other person or entity concerned with overcoming the spread of the virus of Covid-19," Cabantan said.

He also asked the public for their understanding especially those who were directly affected especially those priests who were infected with the virus.

In the recent tally by the City Health Office, Dr. Joselito Teodulfo Retuya on Monday read the profiles of Covid-19 patients who had activities related to church services, including burial rites.

As of April 26, the active cases in the city stood at 318, with 4,147 recoveries since March last year. (PNA)

Labor...

from page 1 option to either post their updated resume or they can create one on the Mynimo site.

If interested, applicants should click the submit button. It will automatically add in their “My Application” option. To see the application details, applicants should click the view button.

DOLE-10 sai job seekers may only submit their local jobs application during the two-day fair, but they can

That the late PELAGIO MIYAKE who died last December 28, 1992 at Zone 2, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City, at the time of his death left a certain parcel with Beginning at a point marked “I” of Lot No. 148 of Cas 135, being; N. 49-29 E. 1501.37 m.from B.L.L.M. No. 61, Css-135, situated at Pongol, Libona, Bukidnon, containing an area of FORTY-NINE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIVE (49,345) SQUARE METERS, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of PELAGIO MIYAKE, per DOC #73; PAGE #15; BOOK #73; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JOHN ALDRICH D. BONETE.

AFFIDAVIT OF SOLE ADJUDICATION

That the late JUAN LABIS, who died last June 26, 2016 in Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), Capitol Compound, Cagayan de Oro City, that the said deceased, at the time of his death left personal Bank Deposit under Account No. 31410394-30 with the Land Bank of the Philippine (LBP) - Carmen Branch, Cagayan de Oro City, and has been the subject of an AFFIDAVIT OF SOLE ADJUDICATION, filed by the heirs of JUAN LABIS, per DOC #303; PAGE #60; BOOK #XIX; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EMELITO J. MARQUIÑO.

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verify the status of their applications beyond May 1, 2021.

An initial of 498 overseas job listings are accessible through Philippine O v e r s e a s E mp l o y m e nt Administration's (POEA)’s website at www.poea.gov.ph from five licensed manpower agencies.

Overseas vacancies are mostly for registered nurses, restaurant workers, waiters, and laborers, mostly bound to Middle-East countries.

Moreover, DOLE-10 will host a three-segment Webinar Special, in convergence with partner line agencies, intended for the displaced/ underemployed workers in the formal and informal sectors, April 29. It will highlight jobs and businesses in the new normal.

Interested participants are all invited to listen and know more on the webinar topics through the live streaming in DOLE-10's Facebook pages - DOLE NorthMin and DOLE-X Labor and Employment Education Services LEES. Participants are urged to press “like” in the said official social media pages to be in the know on labor and employment rules and various programs.

This virtual job and business fair system is in compliance with the gover nment s afety and health restrictions on mass gatherings in preventing the spread of Covid-19.

The 119th Online Labor D ay Trab a ho-NegosyoKabuhayan Job and Business Fair celebration in the region is anchored on the theme, “Mayo Uno s a b agong panahon – Manggagawa at Mamamayan Babangon, Susulong!” (PNA)

Expands... from page 9

f am i l i e s , and c ont i nu e working and op erating their businesses from the safety of their homes. With 5G, our customers can also take their favorite online activities, like streaming Ultra-HD videos, playing high-bandwidth games, making video calls, and uploading and downloading heavy files quickly, to the next level," he added.

'Most powerful offer' Unli 5G, Smart's most powerful offer on its fastest technology yet, provides customers with non-stop data access at select Smart 5G-covered areas, with no data-capping or speed-

throttling for a superior and reliable 5G experience.

Initially available at strategic urban centers, including Metro Manila, Angeles City, Baguio City, Cavite City, Cebu City, Clark City, and Davao City, Unli 5G also comes with additional data for non-5G use so subscribers can stay connected even when they move from a 5G-covered area to a non-5G-covered site.

Smart subscribers can avail of Unli 5G exclusively via GigaLife App, which is downloadable on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Offers start at Php299 for Unli 5G valid for 7 days plus 2 GB data for non-5G use.

Customers can also avail of Unli 5G valid for 30 days plus 12 GB data for non-5G use for Php599, and Unli 5G valid for 30 days plus 24 GB data for non-5G use for Php799.

Other innovative data products available in the GigaLife App include All Data, which offers shareable data for all sites, and Magic Data, which offers nonexpiring data for all sites.

Fastest and most extensive 5G network in PH To e n j o y Un l i 5 G , subscribers should have a Smart 5G-certified device and Smart 5G-ready SIM and in a Smart 5G-covered location.

Smart 5G sites have been fired up at strategic locations nationwide including in all of Metro Manila's cities and municipalities, and in the provinces of Benguet, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Rizal, Cebu, Iloilo, Aklan, Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Davao.

Along with its continuous 5G roll-out, Smart has also widened its array of Smart 5G-certified devices to make 5G easier to access and enjoy.

Recently, Smart launched Rocket WiFi, the country’s first and fastest 5G Pocket WiFi. Smart also introduced Smart Signature 5G Plans, the country’s first postpaid plans that feature generous data allocations so customers can make the most of Smart 5G. 5G, the latest evolution in wireless technology, is expected to make Smart, the fastest mobile network in the Philippines, even faster.

Smart 5G complements Smart’s continuous expansion of its 4G/LTE network, which has been recognized by Ookla as the fastest mobile network in the country for three years in a row starting in 2018.

Smart’s mobile network, which covers 96% of the population from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi, is enabled by PLDT's fiber infrastructure, the country's most extensive at 429,000 kilometers.

11

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Spots... from page 4

we are blind to ourselves, we cannot see what we need to change in our character and life. Our blindness blocks us from ever reaching our potential and living our life to the fullest.

“Ev e r y on e w ant s t o change the world, but no one wants to change himself.”

The fact is the only person in the world you can change is yourself. So won’t you start today? Ask the One Who created you and all of your potential to help you start seeing your blind spots: your character faults, wrong thinking, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, words, habits, and relationships that you need to change. Jesus will forgive you for your sinful heart and way of living. Then, He will free you with His power to start seeing and being all He created you to be. Just think a minute.

Provider... from page 4

they're actually a great way to communicate with customers, as well as the delivery driver. Labels can inform the delivery driver about the recommended transport temperature, while providing customers with guidance for safe storage and preparation (eg. "Keep ref r igerate d"), a l lergen information, directions for use and even instructions on how to give feedback on delivered orders. Labels are one way that brands can demonstrate they care about the quality of their products and the customer experience they provide.

Regardless of the voluntary steps third-party delivery companies take to ensure food safety, the responsibility (and most likely the blame for a bad experience) still remains with the restaurant.

While brands cannot control how food delivery companies wi l l hand le c ustomers' orders, restaurants must be diligent and proactive in the implementation of these measures in order to protect customers and brand reputations.

Finally, restaurant brands must vet third-party delivery partners by first doing research to find out how they handle food and how they approach customer service, as well as their average delivery times and whether they track their deliveries.

More importantly, find out whether they meet general food safety requirements and only choose third-party delivery services that consider themselves to be part of the food supply chain since these operators are demonstrating they are invested in food quality and safety.

Insulated transportation carriers, safe food handling inst r uc t ions and st r ic t delivery vehicle cleanliness standards are just a handful of the things restaurant operators need to look for in their third-party delivery partners. Their presence, or lack thereof, speaks volumes about whether any individual

delivery provider will truly be a worthy partner of your brand.

Receive... from page 8

percent, and will provide sustainable livelihood to toddy tappers and coconut farmers who work with the business.

“This Php 1.66-million assistance is a huge amount that would help us generate additional employment and would help propel a vibrant economy in the coconut industry within the province and in the region.

Our partnership with DOST 10 has just begun. There are so many things to do ahead and we look forward to more fruitful and meaningful social enterprise endeavors with you (DOST),” said Mr. Joel V. Zamayla, president of the enterprise, during the online ceremony.

R ite Home Mo du lar Systems, a rising manufacturer of modular furniture products in Cagayan de Oro City, has received the same opportunity to upgrade their processing through the acquisition of a singleline boring machine. This technology intervention aims to increase the enterprise's production volume by 26 percent.

The three assisted firms expressed their gratitude for the funds as they welcome innovative solutions to their production problems. Indeed, DOST is committed to its mandate enabling MSMEs to increase their productivity and product competitiveness through SETUP. (Mary Claire A. Estoque/DOST-Misamis Oriental)

Indemnity... from page 2

the use of contaminated vehicles.

“LGUs are encouraged to put up a functional animal checkpoint in every barangay border to minimize (the) illegal movement of hogs and products,” he said.

As of April 21, at least 1,939 hogs have been culled in the province, affecting 466 raisers.

Resma said the provincial government also distributed P2,000 additional cash aid to the affected hog raisers.

The city government has released P4.8 million in cash assistance has been released to 783 affected raisers from the 22 barangays here.

Mayor Oscar Moreno said he has ordered the

City Veterinarian Office to investigate the cause of ASF contamination in the city's slaughterhouse.

"If there are people liable (for the spread of ASF inside the slaughterhouse), then we will prosecute (them)," Moreno warned. (PNA)

Reopen... from page 3

s er vices and 1 million fast-food and restaurant crews were affected during the stricter community quarantine measures in National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal and about PHP60 billion worth of wages were lost during the two-week MECQ, Lopez said.

The current MECQ also shed P120 billion in gross domestic product, on top of the P180-billion economic losses during the two-week ECQ. (PNA)

Aboitiz... from page 3

group was considering gasrelated projects in Luzon.

“We already have a team looking at our gas option.

We’re doing very early… feasibility studies for gas on at least two locations… We have communicated that in RP Energy (Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc.), we will not be building coal anymore, but we [are] actually reserving that side for a possible gas option,” he said.

RP Energy is a consortium composed of AboitizPower, Meralco PowerGen Corp., and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp.

On using coal for power generation, Mr. Rubio said that the fuel source will remain competitive in specific niches “but market forces will decide on that at the end of the day.”

AboitizPower produces its Cleanergy brand from its hydro, geothermal, and solar power generation facilities.

The firm aims to significantly expand its Cleanerg y portfolio in the next 10 years.

By 2030, renewables are seen to account for 65% of the firm’s new capacities.

Maintains... from page 3

call-to-deliver service.

SM Markets launched smmarkets.ph, which allows customers to order online for delivery or through a pickup option. WalterMart also made expanded ordering options through call or text and pickup.

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for Orders, Contact Yoyong:

09354145759 09169249371

The company said these new initiatives allowed the company to provide more jobs, offering roles such as delivery personnel and personal shoppers.

The online facilities were supported by SM’s logistics businesses 2GO Group, Inc. and Airspeed Philippines, Inc. “We continue to work hard to develop innovative online and offline delivery channels that are integrated into our business while enhancing c ustomer s er v ice,” Mr. DyBuncio said.

Meanwhile, the company has offered its facilities to be used as vaccination sites to local government units.

Some SM malls have been converted into vaccination sites, namely those located in: Pulilan, Olongapo, Marilao, C a b a n at u a n , C au ay a n , Tu g u e g a r a o, M a s i n a g , San Mateo, Paranaque, Mu nt i n lup a , A nt ip ol o, North EDSA, Taguig, Trece Martires, Rosario, Calamba, San Pablo, Lemery, Lipa, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Ormoc, Butuan, and General Santos.

Fight...

Vaccines...

(IC) at the middle level, and the covered persons like banks, trust entities, and pawnshops, at the bottom.

“In other words, the AMLC partners with supervising authorities and appropriate government agencies to ensure covered persons under their respective jurisdictions comply with AML/CTF (antimoney laundering/counterterrorism financing) matters,” the AMLC Secretariat said.

However, it said “covered persons, such as banks and financial intermediaries, is the first line of defense in executing AML/CTF preventive measures as they have direct contact with their customers.” (PNA)

released to the DOH upon arrival at the NAIA. These are expected to be strategically distributed to v ar i ous prov i nc e s i n the archipelago in the coming days, which CEB can fully support through its widest domestic ne t work .

To date, C ebu Pacif ic has a lre ady t ransp or te d more than 760,000 doses of vaccines, ap p r ox i m at e l y 2 6 4 , 0 0 0 of w hich were delivere d to s i x ke y c it i e s i n t he Philippines, namely Bacolod, Cotabato, Puerto Princesa, Ta c l o b a n , Tu g u e g a r a o, and Z amb o ang a .

from page 6

from page 9

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG HEIRS WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS OVER MOTOR VEHICLES KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late FAIDAH M. GURO who died on April 13, 2018, the deceased owned private motor vehicles, more particularly described as

Books... from page 5

into better starts. And these coffee table books are a good start,” Gen. Esperon said.

Project Epanaw’s photo exhibit will tour select SM malls across the country beginning March 21, and will stay in each mall for two weeks at a time.

“We hope that through the photo exhibit, along with the launch of the three coffee table books, more people will be more aware of the rich heritage of our indigenous brothers and sisters and their significant contributions to our country,” SM Supermalls president Steven Tan said.

During the launching, the NCIP also kicked off the second phase of Project Epanaw which pushes to ramp up research and documentation of indigenous knowledge systems and practices.

The Indigenous Peoples Research Development Project (IPRDP) focuses on deepening studies on the baseline data and information gathered through the coffee table books.

Under IPRDP, Secretary C apuy an s ai d t h e I Ps themselves will be “trained to participate as primary researchers in coming up with their own ethnographies.”

And has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG HEIRS WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS OVER MOTOR VEHICLES, filed by the heirs of FAIDAH M. GURO, in favor of FAISAMI M. GURO, per DOC #413; PAGE #83; BOOK #16; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry ATTY. ISIDRO Q. LICO. BWM: April 16, 23 & 30, 2021

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12

Bridgestone Philippines’ Safer Road for All: Always in All Ways 2021 Campaign

A

YEAR later into the pandemic, we are still struggling from the ravages brought by the crisis of COVID-19.

And just when we are getting back on our feet, cases rose rapidly again. Now, we are back to quarantine and many of us feel helpless. The pandemic has disrupted our economy, communities, and lives for the second time.

2021—a repeat of last year? Lockdown Déjà vu? Bridgestone Philippines refuses we are back to square one.

Recovery may seem far away from where we are standing, but we are

persevering and racing towards the finish line.

There may be times that we need to slow down and walk, but we are definitely moving forward together.

We have learned time and time again the importance of safety in all aspects of our lives. The pandemic has taught us to make it a priority and Bridgestone Philippines is embracing it.

“Safer Road For All: Always in All Ways” Bridgestone welcomes us with a campaign to look out for the remainder of 2021. This signifies the brand’s leadership on road

safety—as they take to greater heights last year’s campaign on “A Safer Road

For All.” Bridgestone Philippines aims to elevate the coverage and importance of

road safety in the lives of Filipinos, hence, “Always in All Ways”. Serving society

with superior quality tires has always been Bridgestone’s mission since its foundation.