Issuu

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume XI, No. 29

Market Indicators

AS OF 6:00 PM AUGUST 11, 2020 (TUESDAY)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P 48.920

5,953.94

X X Briefly

cents

23.02 points

Railway delayed

YOUR MINDANAO-WIDE BUSINESS PAPER

RELIABLE

www.businessweekmindanao.com

IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|August 12, 2020

Mindanao bizmen seek speedy release of loans T

DAVAO City -- President Rodrigo Duterte has declared August 24, 2020, as a special non-working holiday in celebration of the Indigenous People’s Day during the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City. The Indigenous Peoples’ Day, one of the major highlights of the Kadayawan Festival is celebrated in Davao City every third Friday of August. The day is a tribute to the 11 tribes of Davao City, to preserve their history and culture. In Proclamation No. 991 released by the Office of the President on August 7, 2020, Dabawenyos will be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in Kadayawan activities but observing public health measures such as social distancing and wearing masks.

By JUDY QUIROS, PNA

HE government can help struggling micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs) that are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) by devising ways to speed up the release of loans and other economic reliefs, a business leader said.

THE start of the construction of the China-funded Mindanao railway phase 1 has been moved to the first quarter of 2021, with the government yet to decide on a contractor. The Transportation department is targeting the start of construction for the Mindanao Railway ProjectTagum-Davao-Digos (MRPTDD) by the first quarter of 2021, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region XI said in a recent statement. The Transportation department said in December that the groundbreaking for the project would be in the first quarter of 2020, but it did not happen.

Aug. 24 is holiday

P15.00

Marian Mahinay Comilang, the executive director of Mindanao Trade E xp o Found at ion, Inc.

(MTEFI) said the business sector was "encouraged" by the recent State of the LOANS/PAGE 7

Misor eyes pandemic shelter to address surge in Covid-19 By GERRY LEE GORIT, Reporter

MORNING CANVAS. Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, as photographed Tuesday, is a magnificent canvass for a stressed-out Pinoy who wants to take a break from the stress of COVID-19 scare. This hinterland municipality remains coronavirus-free and has carefully opened its tour business following minimum health standards. mindanews photo by jules l . benitez

MISAMIS Oriental Provincial Board Member Dexter Yasay yesterday cited the need to construct more pandemic

shelter to address the possible surge of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the SHELTER/PAGE 7

Agri, aquaculture to boost Mindanao economy: MinDA DAVAO City – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said it will focus its efforts on the region's agriculture and fisheries sectors over the next five

years as it aims for immediate recovery to counteract the economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. In a statement Monday,

MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the agency will pursue several agriculture and aquaculture projects funded by the European Union that ECONOMY/PAGE 7

Local execs verdict: Retain lower half portion of iconic Toog tree By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, Contributing Editor

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur--- Local government officials here have decided

to just cut down the upper half portion of the iconic giant 300-year-old Philippine

Rosewood tree (Petersianthus quarialatus) or locally known as Toog and let the lower portion continue to stand TOOG/PAGE 7

TOURIST DECK. The proposed design of the triangular retrofitting structure two elevated platform levels that will served as a view deck for tourist and visitors to get a panoramic view of the magnificent Mt. Magdiwata presented by Engr. Marjun Ursos, a structural engineer and a member of Save the Toog tree Please (STOP) movement. chris v . panganiban

Editorial and advertising email : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com • Cell Number : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

Local

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|AUGUST 12, 2020

NGCP backs up Covid-19 testing in gov’t hospitals

OWER grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) donates 6 sets of real time-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) machines to government hospitals in the National Capital Region, as the country continues to grapple with increasing numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases. As part of its P1 Billion donation for COVID-19 response

and relief efforts, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) received two (2) sets each of RT-PCR machines from NGCP on 01 July 2020, while the V. Luna General Hospital (VLGH) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory also received one (1) set of PCR machines each on 05 August 2020. A complete set is

composed of an ABI 7500 FAST RT-PCR machine, a desktop computer, and UPS. RT-PCR tests, which are described by the Department of Health (DOH) as the gold standard in testing for COVID-19, are confirmed through an RT-PCR machine by detecting the actual presence of the virus even when a person is asymptomatic or does not register any of the common COVID-19 symptoms. One

machine costs around P2.4 million. "NGCP recognizes that the availability of vital medical equipment plays a huge factor in the government's COVID-19 response efforts particularly in large government hospitals. We hope that our donation of 6 sets of RT-PCR machines to RITM, LCP, VLGH, and PNP Crime Lab will expedite the confirmatory process for COVID-19 testing. NGCP's stakeholders and the public can be assured that the company will continue to fulfill its commitment

of supporting the country's efforts to combat this pandemic," stated NGCP. NGCP's P1 Billion donation includes grocery items to over 1,000 LGUs and medical equipment such as mechanical ventilators, ultrasound machine, portable x-ray machine, and PPEs to more than 300 hospitals and city/municipal/rural health units across the country. Five (5) brand new ambulances were also turned over to UP-PGH, Philippine Orthopedic Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Heart

Center, and Binan Doctors Hospital. NGCP also donated 10,000 rapid test kits and 50 testing booths to the local government of Quezon City, and another 500 test kits to Navotas City. More projects aimed to help the country in its fight against the virus are currently in the works, including the donation of four donning and doffing chambers and five isolation rooms for several government hospitals. The company also donated P5 million to Project Ugnayan which gave supermarket vouchers to families in Metro Manila, initiated the Meals on Wheels feeding program for indigent communities, and donated PPEs to LGUs and medical frontliners. NGCP is a Filipinoled, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy, Jr. and CoVice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr.

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

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 â€¢ 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|AUGUST 12, 2020

Opinion

The BusinessWeek Mindanao is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Corporation every Monday to Friday with office address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Company Registration No. CS201531633 with BIR Certificate of Registration No. 2RC0000831068, TIN No. 463-826-272-000 – VAT. Reg., and with Business Permit No. 2020-04015. Tel. Nos.: (088)856-3344, (088) 810-100, 0923-432-0687, 0917-7121424

KIM'S DREAM

BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO

VICENTE C. DELA VICTORIA Vice President for Operations JOE FELICILDA Vice President for Administration JOHN AARON M. DEL BANDO Vice President for Events and Promotions JOE PALABAO Vice President for Marketing ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, PhD Vice President for Finance MIKE BAÑOS Vice President for Digital

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

GILBERT Y. CHAO

JUN AYENSA

Motoring Editor

Regional Editor - Caraga

MIKE BAÑOS Contributing Editors

ATTY. ANTONIO S. SORIANO

Feature Editor

2f, ICS Building Tel.No.: 881-0176 Tiano cor. Montalvan sts. Legal Counsel

CLIFFORD SANTILLAN

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

CHAINCERLIE SUMALPONG Advertising

Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

JOE PALABAO Layout Artist

Cell No: 09352379999

MANILA OFFICE: 9th Floor, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino Cor. Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City Tel. # : 5555392,Cell No.: 0977-152-8860 LANI VALLIDO-Marketing Manager

DAVAO MARKETING OFFICE Door 223, Doña Segunda Bldg., CM Recto Ave., Davao City Telephone #: (082) 298-8815 Regional Mktg Manager-JOE PALABAO- 0926-8430152 Circulation-JOHN PAUL AQUINO, 0907-331-5640

Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

The right motivation Think a minute… A school teacher was complaining about a little boy in her class who was not showing any interest in learning. She said: “David will not do his school work. He’s not even motivated to try!” But that same boy, David, will jump out of bed early in the morning to go fishing or play with his friends. He just needs the right motivation. Ever yone can be motivated. Just watch people leaving work on Friday. Even at the end of a long week of work, they still have plenty of motivation and energy to party that evening and throughout the weekend! Maybe you had a school teacher who made a certain subject interesting and exciting to you. He or she inspired and gave you the desire to learn. They explained things so you could clearly understand, and as a result you did much better in that teacher’s class than the other ones. But we parents are our kids’ most important teachers. We are the main ones responsible to motivate our children, so they want to learn to succeed

THINK A MINUTE

WEDNESDAY|AUGUST 12, 2020

God's Book, the Holiest What the Cooperatives Must Read!

Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com

ALLAN MARIO MEDIANTE Vice President for Corporate Affairs RUFINO T. MAGBANUA Vice President for Business Development

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

ORLAN R. RAVANERA Being members-owned (no one shall be left behind), value-based and principledriven (giving high adherence to spirituality) and sustainability (for social inclusion and ecological i nt e g r i t y ) a s i t s D NA , cooperativism has come of age in a world immersed in gross inequalities and now facing its 6th extinction. In the darkness caused by coronavirus pandemic, let us reflect for a while and read the book that God Himself has written. That ref lection has become imperative in the frenzied pace to accumulate whatever it is to amass in a throw-away, materialistic and consumerist society. Let us pause for a while. Let us detach ourselves temporarily from the mundane and reflect on the sublime to imbibe new spiritual consciousness on the essence of our ver y own existence. To partake of that consciousness, it behooves upon all of us to read seriously the book that God has authored, written in His own handwriting. That book is opened 24 hours a day and has no literacy requirement for it is not written in alphabets and can be well understood using

not one but five senses. That book is said to be a manifestation of the Unseen using the great void as its pages and the four elements of the Universe as its alphabets, namely, Fire, Water, Earth and Wind. It is called the B ook of Nature written through the ages that contains all the mysteries of life and the laws that must be obeyed irrespective of race, color, belief, gender and class. The 250 million stars in the cosmos can well speak of that element called Fire that touches us through the glorious sun. Every time the sun proclaims a new day, that bursting of the light in the horizon shows that darkness can only be had in the absence of light and no way can the darkness defeat the light. In the same breath that truth always prevails over lies, righteousness over diabolic acts, love over hate, the just over the unjust, and life over death. But we also read in that book that even the darkness has some good in it because it shows us the stars. From that element called Water we have learned that flowing is the essence of life as to stagnate means diseases, sorrows and death. For it to flow, it must seek a lowly path as it gains more power by falling down. In the 70s during the height of the First Quarter Storm, we always heard the adage, “Let not a single drop of rain go out to the sea without ser ving the people.” There is also that cleansing and healing power of water. It has been said

that sometimes the passions of the heart emit so much heat which only dies down through the cooling effect of the water we drink. From the lowly Earth grows the mighty tree and the beautiful flower. It may contain all that rot but even the wise, the powerful and the beautiful have to return to the earth as their final destiny. The message is resoundingly clear: man has to continuously move on to seek his destiny but o n l y by b e i n g hu m b l e can he be exalted. Once he flaunts his arrogance in utter disregard of the book of nature, he dictates his own death sentence. He cannot continuously arrogate upon himself that false belief that he has been bestowed dominion over G o d’s cre ation. On t he contrary, there is now the increasing consciousness of bio-equality recognizing the right to life of all God’s creation. Collective insanity has been f launted time and again that has caused so mu c h d e s t r u c t i o n a n d suffering through world wars when the egoic mindset and arrogance of leaders like Hitler, Pol-Pot and Stalin violated that law that only by being humble that man can be exalted Let us therefore be connected with the Unseen Being by freeing ourselves from the control of the egoic mind! Deep inside, feel the deathless and unmanifested Essence of the Being by connecting to the Power of Now! That is the liberating force! . O f t e n d i s r e g a r d e d , even the unseen Wind has

its own story to tell as its fundamental role is only recognized in its absence. How can one live without air to breath yet it is always taken for granted, like our love ones whom we have more often than not, taken for granted, yet so integral to us that we cannot live, in fact, without them. T h e b o o k of n atu re presents laws which are very easy to understand but have been violated all these years. It says that everything is inter-connected. When forests are denuded, soil erodes forming silts which are carried by the rivers to the sea, destroying the coral reefs which are the habitats of fish and other marine life. This scenario gives credence to that saying that what evil deeds man does in the uplands are felt by those in the coastal communities. The worsening ecological disasters are the concrete e vidence of w hy it has become imperative for us to now give high reverence to that book as indeed, there is no such thing as free meal in nature. Knowing the essence of that “Book,” the 18,581 cooperatives with some 11.5 million members must now be that long awaited robust movement to claim back the lost ecological integrity and be a counter vailing force against climate change and violent extremism. This is our response to the United Nations’ call to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and b ecome Transformative Cooperatives for People, P l an e t , Pro s p e r it y an d Peace!

Going beyond but not against

THIS is an unavoidable reality in our life. There will always be people whom we find hard if not impossible to like, let alone, love, for a number of reasons. Their weaknesses and defects, let alone, their mistakes and offenses, can seem to us to be unbearable, if not unforgivable. They can even appear to us as if JHAN TIAFAU HURST they are glorying in these conditions even as we sink and become their best in life. in morbid anguish. But to do that we cannot just To be sure, the problem is tell our kids, we also must not so much with them as it show them that we believe is with us. That predicament in them. We must spend of ours can only mean that time watching and listening we are not yet like Christ who to our children, so we can even went to the extent of help them know what their telling us to love our enemies, natural, unique talents are. and to bear all the sins of men Then we need to encourage by going through his passion them in that area so they and death on the cross. can fully develop their own It can mean that we lack special abilities—whether it is patience, understanding and academics in school, business, compassion. It can also mean social skills and relating to that we lack the courage not people, sports, music, or only to bear what we consider whatever they naturally enjoy to be the burdens of others and do well. but also to help them correct You and I can motivate themselves, if that possibility our children by always loving is still practicable. and accepting them without It can also mean that conditions, no matter what we really have to humble RIGHT/PAGE 7 ourselves, so as to fight that

pride and conceit that keeps us from being resilient and adaptable to everyone as he is, warts and all, and so we can be as St. Paul once said, “all things to all men.” (1 Cor 9,22) This is actually the ideal meant for us, if we have to follow Christ. When we find ourselves in that kind of situation where we find someone hard to like and to love, we are actually being challenged and invited to make another step forward in our spiritual life, in our effort to be like Christ who, after all, is the model we have to follow. We have to overcome the thought that we are meant simply to be ourselves. Let’s be careful when we start rationalizing by saying that “this is just the way I am” or that “I am just being true to myself.” To be true to oneself actually means to be “another Christ.” We have to be clear about this fundamental truth. Yes, we are meant to be ‘another Christ’, an ideal that while definitely requiring God’s grace in the first place, would also demand our utmost cooperation. In

this life we are always being called to continually grow in our spiritual life, and these situations of finding someone unlikeable and unlovable are definitely the occasions to do so. That’s why we can never overemphasize the need to pray, to have recourse to the sacraments, to make sacrifices, to wage a lifelong ascetical struggle, developing virtues and resisting temptations and sins. To be sure, that effort to be like Christ who tells us to love everyone, including our enemies, would truly enrich our personality and character. It certainly would make us more likeable, amiable and lovable to others who would somehow notice that we seem not to have enemies and that we like and love everyone as we continue to be friendly to everyone, regardless. It would also go a long way in creating an atmosphere of unity among ourselves, where the social principles of the common good, solidarity and subsidiarity would be better lived. S o, instead of being

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA trapped in anguish when we meet someone hard to like or to love, we should rather welcome that occasion. It’s a golden opportunity to become a better person and to help others to be better persons as well. Together we would be building up a better society, which we should try to aim at always. The world today is in great need of becoming a better world where love, friendship, understanding, compassion reign amid our unavoidable differences and conflicts. Let us do our part, starting in the place where we are at the moment and with the people with whom we interact everyday.

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 â€¢ 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|AUGUST 12, 2020

6 NCIP reaches out to IP communities amidst pandemic

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|AUGUST 12, 2020

DAVAO del Norte -- The National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) continues to hit the road travelling to indigenous peoples (IP) communities despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Days before the International Indigenous People’s Day on Aug. 09,

NCIP Secretary Allen Capuyan spent sorties to IP communities in Davao Region for his series of inter-agency Visitation to Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICC/IPs). He had gone to Talaingod, New Corella and Tagum City in the

province of Davao del Norte, and then swung to the municipalities of Laak, New Bataan, Compostela and Monkayo in the province of Davao de Oro before proceeding to Paquibato and Marilog in Davao City to wrap up his Davao Region sortie on Sunday, the International

Toog... as an ecotourism heritage of the townsfolk. The verdict on the fate of tallest and the oldest Toog tree in the country was handed down by Mayor S ol omon Ru f i l a and Sangguniang Bayan members in a consultative meeting on Monday who decided for the retention of about 30 meters tree trunk. Moves to cut down the tree which has developed advancing decay on its buttress due to fungi and termite infections have been pushed since last week allegedly because it already put the houses near it in jeopardy and the hazard it poses to motorists along the Agusan del Sur-Surigao del Sur highway. But a known tree s u r g e o n , D r. A m a n d o Palijon, former forestr y professor of University of the Philippines –Los Baños (UPLB), has recommended the landmark tree can still be saved through appropriate technological interventions if comprehensive assessment proves despite its defects. He howe ver s aid he still needs assessment by personally seeing the tree in its actual condition. For her part, Dr. Jurgene Primavera, a Pew fellow and pioneering member of Philippine Native Tree Enhusiasts (PNTE) , said the tree can be cured with best scientific expert advice as she recommended tree surgeons like Palijon and his colleagues at the UPLB to examine the tree. Local officials at the meeting reached a consensus to pres er ve half of the trunk in the lower portion of t he t re e as her it age

landmark that will serve as memorabilia of residents w it h out c omprom i s i ng public safety. Rufila said the findings by t h e D e p a r t m e nt of Environment and Natural Resources that tree is already at t he hig h r isk st atus prompted the Sangguniang Bayan to pass an ordinance expressing their no objection for the cutting down of the Toog. The cutting of the Toog tree was approved by the Sangguniang Bayan’s Resolution No. 127 on June 15, 2020 after they agreed with the findings of DENR’s Forest and Wetland Research Development and Extension Center (FWRDEC) in Bislig City that the hardwood species poses high potential hazard with a rating of 5.4 based on biomechanical and structural analysis. It was not however clear during the discussions if they will still pursue the treatment of the fissure of the buttress even as they agreed to retain the lower part of the trunk to remain standing. Palijon has warned the tree will gradually die if the upper portion will be cut. “ If you notice the tree is devoid of lateral branches from the base to the general crown level which is normal architecture of the tree. This means that this will not assure the tree will produce sprouts that will develop into branches that will subsequently form the crown that is needed to make it function physiologically," he said. A local environmental movement called Save the Toog tree Please (STOP) led by Engr. Mauro Bravo Jr., a retired district engineer at the Department of Public Works

and Highways and a longtime local resident, has asked the local officials during the meeting to preser ve the tree by following the recommendation by experts to pursue the scientific treatment to cure the tree. STOP even presented at the meeting a proposed retrofitting structure with t w o e l e v at e d p l at f o r m levels that will served as a view deck for tourist and visitors to get a panoramic view of the magnificent Mt. Magdiwata. Dr. Marcelina Pacho, a tree surgeon who was a former pathologist of DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, last year said the tree can still be treated by pruning the branches and cleaning the cavities with fungicide. Pacho made this recommendation during her visit here in September last year per upon the request of the local government to let her personally see the state of the giant Toog tree. For ten months, there was no intervention undertaken by the local government to treat the tree except from the spraying of the fungi at the decayed buttress twice in December last year. Elmer Luzon, general manager at the San Francisco Water District, has called the preservation of the tree rather than cutting down the half of it. “Let’s exhaust all means to save the three,” Luzon said as he suggested during the meeting to consider a third party that will reexamine and revaluate the real situation of the Toog tree.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late GUZMAN C. ABUHAN who died on July 31, 2009 at Cagayan de Oro City, the deceased at the time of his death left a parcel of land, with Tax Declaration No. G-138583, situated in the Barrio of Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of Four Hundred Seventeen (417) Square meters, more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of GUZMAN C. ABUHAN, per DOC #372; PAGE #75; BOOK #200; Series of 2020, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. GIL U. BANAAG.

That the late MARIA ANGELES J. PACAMO, who died on __________ at ___________; the deceased at the time of his death left a parcel of land, with Lot 4498-C-4, being a portion of Lot 4498-C, Psd-10-0522381,situated at Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 167 square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of MARIA ANGELES J. PACAMO, per DOC #374; PAGE #75; BOOK #200; Series of 2020, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. GIL U. BANAAG.

That the late RICARDO A. CLAVEJO and JESUSA CLAVEJO, who both died on March 21, 2001 and July 10, 2012, respectively, at San Antonio, Talakag, Bukidnon; to the best of our knowledged and information of the parties hereto the deceased left no will nor no known debts which remain unpaid whatsoever; the deceased at the time of their death left a parcel of land with OCT NO. P-46348, situated in the San Antonio, Talakag, Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of 86,233 square meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION AMONG HEIRS, filed by the heirs of RICARDO A. CLAVEJO and JESUSA CLAVEJO, per DOC # 171; PAGE #35; BOOK #184; Series of 2018, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. GIL U. BANAAG.

BWM: July 29, Aug. 5 & 12, 2020

BWM: Aug. 12, 19 & 26, 2020

from page 1

EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION AMONG HEIRS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

IP Day. “Ito’y pagbibigay assurance sa ating mga pamayanang tribo sa Mindanao na ang presencya ng gobyerno ay patuloy na ipinapakita natin kahit sa ano mang sitwasyo lalo na sa pandemya,” he said in an interview with PIA XI. “The presence of government must be felt sa mga communities lalo na sa panahong ito at yon ang pinaka main reason, tayo ay bumaba,” he added. NCIP has predetermined 120 tribal communities to visit to deepen discussion on IP rights as laid out in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of

1997 or Republic Act No. which aims to "Recognize, Protect and Promote the Rights of Indigenous cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPS) and for other Purposes." During his visits, Capuyan also brought out the need to productively use ancestral domains in support to food security thrust of the local and the national government to “address hunger” amidst the pandemic. He urged tribal leaders to put their acts together and move as one for the common cause of strengthening solidarity, which according to him can serve as foundation

against exploitation of interest groups. As Executive Director of the National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), Secretary Capuyan also explained to tribal leaders how the communist insurgency groups including its legal fronts, have misled people behind their “intention to topple the government.” In his talk to Dibabawon and Mangguangan tribes during his visit in Barangay Limbaan in the Municipality of New Corella, Capuyan expressed concern over NCIP/PAGE 7

“Meant to be a life saver" By: AGNES P. CLAPANO T-III/ ALS Coordinator Sinacaban District Division of Misamis Occidenta

I finally found myself as an implementer in the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education. Where I found my potentials, my joy, and inner peace in teaching the out-of-school youth and adults in the remote and underserved communities in the country. T h e s u c c e s s of my previous learners inspired me to continue develop myself as an effective ALS Implementer in my assigned district. The beginning was indeed a chance. I was invited to be with ALS family during their Division ALS Year End Meeting and Christmas Party from the invitation of Mrs. Gloria Tiu, the outgoing ALS Supervisor that time to share some business matters when she suddenly asked me if am I interested to be part of the team since Mrs. Helen Mercado, ALS Coordinator of Sinacaban District is going to retire. As a woman who is always on the go, without any hesitation, I grabbed the opportunity and immediately submitted my application for the said position. Luckily I was choosen as an ALS Coordinator of Sinacaban District last June 2, 2015. It was really hard at the beginning dealing with older learners since I came from a Grade I teacher of Katipunan Elementar y S chool for almost 8 years. I could say a tough adjustment period. As I stepped into ALS journey, I was able to experience different things such as riding motor on a bumpy road going to remote areas, dealing with adults of different behaviors, even encounter accidents and other matters that would really test my patience and endurance. I even faced a great responsibilities during my first three months when our Municipality was assigned to host Division

Wide ALS Graduat ion Ceremony and Monthly Meeting. Though I’m a beginner, I was able to help the event successful which made me realized that I can able to welcome more challenges by conquering my dreams of becoming a LIFE SAVER. Our team started coordinating with TESDA Offic of Misamis Occidental and they had provided us with different scholarship training skills such as Beauty Care NCII and Housekeeping NC II particularly in Barangay Libertad Alto which produced a total of 50 ALS passers. For the school year 2015-2016, there were about 65 learners from different Barangays of Sinacaban who graduated A&E ALS Secondary and received National Certificates from TESDA through Barangay Pangkabuhayan Training Skills under the supervision and approval of the LGU of this municipal headed by Mayor Crisinciano E. Mahilac. The skills training given were SMAW NC I, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration NC II, Automotive NC I and Food Processing NCII. Most of our completers are now working here and abroad. For our Indigenous ALS Learner, I proposed a project under SAVELIFE c a l l e d “Pa l a i s d a a n s a Pa m ay a n a n” Fo c u s i n g Indigenous Community at Brgy. San Lorenzo Ruiz, the farthest Barangay of Sinacaban for them to earn income while doing their studies in ALS Literacy. With the partnership of PNP, Municipal Agriculture and Municipal Engineer Department, we were able to allocate funds. From LGU General Fund P10,000.00, ALS DepEd Education Special Fund P5,000.00 and SAVELIFE Fund Raising Fund P5,000.00. With the

total amount of Twenty thousand pesos we were able to finance the said project. With this innovation,I was given a recognition during a Kabalikat Award from TESDA Region X because of the positive outcome of the program. As ALS implementers, we are not only after of academic achievements of our learners, we also strongly support the environmental concerns of the DENR and Municipal Agriculture. Last June 2017 during the Environmental Month Celebration, we were able to plant 500 seedlings of trees in Barangay San Lorenzo Ru i z i n c o ord i n at i on with PENRO, AFP, and LGU Officials. . Almost three thousand mangrove seedlings were also planted in the coastal area of our district during ALS Summer Learning Camp. For my self development a s A L S Imp l e m e nt e r, I e ar ne d my Master’s Degree in Bishop Han The olog ica l S eminar y last April 2017 taking up Master of Ministry major in Guidance Counseling. With this achievement it made me more determined to continue my journey as LIFESAVER. No amount can compare the greatest satisfaction in seeing my learners whose lives were transform from nothing to something. As long as there are out of school youth and adult who are left behind, we will not stop our endeavor in reaching and assisting them in gaining self-direction through Alternative Learning System for the fulfillment of my dream.

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|AUGUST 12, 2020

Right... from page 4

they do. We must understand the dif ference b etween approval and acceptance. Even when we do not approve of everything they do, our kids need to know we still always accept and love them without conditions. Then when our children do something well and right, we need to motivate and help them to become more confident by encouraging them. Maybe you yourself never had someone who motivated you to become your best. But today, if you will ask Jesus to take full charge of your heart with His real love and power, He can start changing your life. He wants to show you the special abilities He gave you, plus, He will help you fully develop them. Then as you become your best, you can share His love by encouraging and motivating others to become their best. Just think a minute…

Loan... from page 1

Nat ion Address of t he President Rodrigo Duterte, which underscored the role of MSMEs in the country's recovery efforts from the pandemic. Comilang's group organizes the annual Mindanao Trade Expo, where the island's MSMEs’ products and services are showcased. “We mu s t f a c i l it at e the countr y’s economic recovery. I call on Congress to fast-track the passage of proposed measures such as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Ac t . T h is i m me d i ately cuts the corporate income levy from the current 30 to 25 percent and give the government flexibility to grant a combination of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, among others," the President said in his SONA. "We pump-primed the recovery and rehabilitation of MSMEs. The DTI, through the Small Business Corporation, set up the P1billion COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises or CARES Program to provide zero-interest loans for MSMEs affected by the pandemic,” Duterte added. Comilang said the local business sector was buoyed when "President Duterte gave emphasis on the recovery and rehabilitation of MSMEs through SB Corp. loan at zero interest rate. The CARES Program is there. It has been offered." However, Comilang said the government's recovery initiatives would be further accelerated if the government tackled the issues surrounding the "difficulty" in accessing the credit window mentioned by the President. "Given the numerous nu m b e r o f b u s i n e s s e s affected, MSMEs are worried about the perennial problem of accessing the assistance in relation to processing, s e c u r i n g re qu i re m e nt s and most importantly, the

urgency of fund release," she said. “The business sector would like to appeal to fasttrack processing and more importantly the release of funds. She added: "A loan is loan. At no interest or a minimal interest, enterprises have to consider longterm sustainability plan considering the drastic decline on sales and profitability performance that affects closure or slowdown of business operations." Comilang said she and the other leaders in the MSME sector remain optimistic that small businesses could we at her t he imp ac t of Covid-19. Her optimism, she said, lies on domestic consumers who she believes would greatly help raise the falling economy through the government's “BuyLocalGoLokal” campaign. "Thriving MSMEs will definitely survive in this trying time. It needs suppor t f rom domestic consumers. The industry is backing on the campaign for “BuyLocalGoLokal," she said. She also called on the public to "patronize local products and services." “ We a r e o p t i m i s t i c of government’s plan for inclusive recovery to consider equally the health of the citizen and the health of the economy as well, she added. Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president John Carlo B. Tria agreed with Comilang, saying the latest SONA contained "measures to help businesses to bring the country’s economy back on its feet." “The major part of the president's SONA stressed the economy and measure to help it, and our businesses and livelihoods recover. I think the proposed stimulus programs, and the CREATE bill need to be passed by Congress. i believe these are big helps especially for small businesses, and restoring livelihoods,” Tria said in a recent interview. In addition, Tria said DCCCII has been helping promote the programs of Small Business Corporation (SBC). Tria also sees improvement of internet connectivity as key to help revive the businesses. “ The call for b etter internet also helps many of our businesses especially the small ones since they can transact with more customers and reach out to more markets,” he said. (PNA)

Shelter...

from page 1 province. Misamis Oriental Provincial Board Member Dexter Yasay said the Moving Urban Poor Communities in Mindanao Towards Resilience (MOVE UP Mindanao) has proposed to give pandemic shelter worth P300,000 should the provincial government purchase Community Quarantine Prototypes. "We need to plan one-step

ahead of the pandemic kay kinabuhi biya ni sa mga tawo ang atong gi protektahan," Yasay said. Misamis Oriental had already nearly dozen of Covid-positive cases most of them are teenagers. Yasay said the isolation facility will serve as part of coningency plan of the province should there will be surged on Covid-19 cases. He said Covid-19 cases continue to increase thus there is a need to have more isolatio facilites. He said the province had budget or Covid-19. "Anytime, we (the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan) submit to the governor sa iyang mga request in line with the pandemic kung moingon siya nga mag re-align walay problema sa amoa kay we know nga kung mogasto si gobernador Bambi it is for the people and is for the prublic service," said Yasay.

Economy...

from page 1 would address pover ty, improve productivity, and trigger economic recovery. “MinDA's interventions will be mainly on valueadding on its major products to create more job opportunities and increase producers' earnings. Mindanao's agriculture and fisheries sector was the bright spot in the region's economy as it showed resilience by posting positive growth, even as the industry and services sectors were badly battered by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Piñol said. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that in the second quarter of t he ye ar, Mi nd ana o a g r i c u l t u re g re w by a measly 0.1 percent, while industry and services sectors contracted by 6.9 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively. Despite a 16.5 percent drop, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second

quarter this year -- the worst since 1981, MinDA projected that Mindanao can withstand Covid-19's impact on the economy. “While major growth drivers succumbed to Covid-19 pandemic, agricultural sector output for domestic consumption and exports of top Mindanao agricultural products stood strong against the insane waves of adversity, showing Mind anao’s resi lienc y,” MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro said. “Regardless of the situation we are confronted with, calamities, disasters, conflict, pandemic, and the likes, we all need food to survive. So if the focus i s g i v e n t o i mprov i n g Mindanao's agri sector, which is an inherent st rengt h, towards s elfsufficiency, food security, and sustainability, then we become more resilient and can stand better chances of overcoming internal or external shocks and recover faster,” Montenegro explained. Montenegro said the agriculture value chain cuts across sectors as hotels and malls sell agri-products, some construction activities are related to agri-facilities, l o g i s t i c s f l o w c o nt a i n agriculture products, raw or processed, domestic or for export. Mindanao supplies over 40 p ercent of the country's food requirements and contributes more than 30 percent to the national food trade. The Mindanao Peace and D e vel opme nt R is e Program (MINPAD-Rise) under the European Union Fund Grant amounts to PHP 2.1-billion, which MinDA said will be used to establish an integrated value chain and implement rural development projects across Mindanao. (PNA)

NCIP... from page 6

a number of IPs being recruited to join the New People’s Army (NPA). He was bringing along representatives from other national line agencies to create a “learning experience” for tribal leaders to pick up information and lessons beyond their communities, “on what right actions to take during this time of crisis”. Providing his initial assessment drawn from his sorties, Capuyan said the tribal communities need continued explanation of the current situations. “But I’m happy to note that the local government ay napaka aktibo pala sa mga programa sa community. So ang ginawa natin ngayon ay reinforcing dahil ang ating national government ay bumaba pati ang ahenisya ng gobyerno,” he said in an interview.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH QUITCLAIM AND WAIVER KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late ANTONIO C. ONG, who died on September 2, 2018 at CUMC, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, without any will, that the said deceased ANTONIO C. ONG died intestate without leaving any known debt which has remained unpaid or unsettled up to the present, and all the obligations incurred during their death were all paid and/or settled; that the said deceased at the time of their death, left a parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-159287, Situated in the District of Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED FORTY FOUR (244) SQUARE METERS, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of ANTONIO C. ONG, in favor of JOCELYN NAMOCATCAT PAGUTE, per DOC #06; PAGE #02; BOOK #50; Series of 2020, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EDGARDO Y. RAAGAS.

That the late MARIA ANGELES J. PACAMO, who died on __________ at ___________; the deceased at the time of his death left a parcel of land, with TAX DECLARATION NO. G-137258,situated in Sili-Sili, Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, Province of Misamis Oriental, island of Mindanao containing an area of SIXTY THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY (63,820) square meters, more or less, herein HEIRS-VENDORS hereby SELL, DISPOSE and CONVEY actually SOLD, DISPOSED AND CONVEYED the Portion of the above-mentioned of Parcel of land with an area of 314 Square meters, more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT/ PARTITION AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE (PORTION ONLY), filed by the heirs of MARIA ANGELES J. PACAMO, in favor of JOB S. CAAGBAY, per DOC #235; PAGE #047; BOOK #250; Series of 2020, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. GIL U. BANAAG.

That the late GABRIEL S. SIVILA, who died on March 13, 2006 at Cagayan de Oro City; that to the best of our knowledge and information, the deceased died intestate, without testament and without leaving any debts whatsoever; that said deceased left a Real Properties, A. Transfer Certificate of Title No. AT-18203, situated in the Barangay of Imbatug, Municipality of Baungon, Province of Bukidnon, containing an area of TWENTY ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN (21,457) square meters, more or less, B. Transfer Certificate of Title No. AT-18202 situated in the Barangay of Imbatug, Municipality of Baungon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN (716) square meters, more or less, C. Tax Declaration No. 21-011-05020, situated at Dagondalahon, Talakag, Province of Bukidnon, containing an area of Agricultural 3.000000 HA., D. Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-66484, situated in the Barrio of Kauswagan, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH QUITCLAIM AND WAIVER, filed by the heirs of GABRIEL S. SIVILA, per DOC #219; PAGE #44; BOOK #LVIII; Series of 2020, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. GEORGINA P. SUMICAD-HUERBANA.

BWM: July 29, Aug. 5 & 12, 2020

BWM: Aug. 5, 12 & 19, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT/PARTITION AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE (PORTION ONLY) KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF CONRADO S. ODCHIGUE WITH ADJUDICATION OF OWNERSHIP BY SUCCESSION KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the deceased CONRADO S. ODCHIGUE died in Mambajao, Camiguin which is his address at the time of his death and who demised without leaving a will nor incurred indebtedness during his lifetime and he remains the declared owner of real properties with Tax Declaration No. 3684 situated in Catuhogan, Mahinog, containing an area of 4,401 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 4071 situated in Balintunga, Catuhogan, Mahinog, containing an area of 3,139 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 4137 situated in Catuhogan, Mahinog, containing an area of 945 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 5013, situated in Hubangon, Mahinog, Containing an area of 415 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 8225 situated in Balintunga, San Isidro, Mahinog, containing an area of 1,641 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 6410 situated in Magkanaway, Anito, Mambajao, containing an area of 1,784 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 3000 situated in Binaliwan, Mahinog, containing an area of 675 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 4076 situated Catuhogan, Mahinog, containing an area of 971 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 4501 sitauted in CDO MAIN BRANCH Mahinog, Bugwac, Catuhogan, P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers containing an area of 942 square Kalambagohan Sts., meters, Tax Declaration No. 4750 Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * situated in(088) Hubangon, Mahinog, Telefax # 856-1947 containing an area of 3,393 CAMIGUIN BRANCH square meters, Tax Declaration B. Aranas St., Poblacion, No. 5331 situated in Hubangon, Mambajao, Camiguin Mahinog, containing Tel. # (088) 387-0491 an area of 1,202 square meters, Tax CORRALESNo. BRANCH Declaration 5699 situated in Corrales Ave., Hubangon, Mahinog, containing Oro City anCagayan area ofde 1,861 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 100579 situated in Poblacion, Mambajao, containing an area of 107 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 104071 sitauted in Anibongan, Poblacion, Mambajao, containing an area of 10,215 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 104074 situated in Anibongan, Poblacion, Mambajao, containing an area of 9,093 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 104075 situated in Anibongan, Poblacion, Mambajao, containing an area of 7,435 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 100560 situated in Lagunde, Pobalacion, containing an area of 74 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 100565 situated in Lagunde, Poblacion, containing an area of 863 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 100566 situated in Lagunde, Poblacion, BLDG., Tax Declaration No. 100567 situated in Lagunde, Poblacion, BLDG., Tax Declaration No. 103683 situated in Panasan, Poblacion, containing an area of 4,416 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 102680 situated in Centro, Poblacion, containing an area 355 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 93712 situated in kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 221 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 11748 situated in Tupsan Pequeño, Mahinog, containing an area of 1,075 square meters, Tax Declaration No. 11988 situated in Tupsan Pequeño, Mahinog, containing an area of 4,550 square meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF CONRADO S. ODCHIGUE WITH ADJUDICATIO N O F OWNERSHIP BY SUCCESSION, filed by the heirs of CONRADO S. ODCHIGUE, per DOC #56; PAGE #12; BOOK #57; Series of 2017, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. VITO M. CARRILLO. BWM: Aug. 12, 19 & 26, 2020

D A # C T

L L C T

C V T

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

RELIABLE

Editor: GILBERT Y. CHAO

FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|August 12, 2020

Coca-Cola Misamis Oriental plant marks 9 years of service to Mindanaoans

MONG the milestones in the over 100-year history of Coca-Cola in the Philippines is the inauguration of its Misamis

Oriental plant, located in the municipality of Villanueva, back in 2011. Warmly welcomed by the community, the plant—one of the Company’s newer

Food supply and distribution center in Misor proposed By MARK FRANCISCO

NOW more than ever, Filipino constituents need to be economically bolstered to combat the dire financial effects of the pandemic in their respective families. It is in this premise that the office of Misamis Oriental first district Rep. Christian Unabia together with the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Misamis Oriental chapter led by Magsaysay Mayor Rey Buhisan has hatched a plan to establish a food supply and distribution center in the province. In an interview, Buhisan said the LMP Misamis Oriental chapter is in full support of the project because it will benefit farmers in this agricultural-rich province especially in this time of pandemic. This, even as he

BUHISAN

added that even though the proposed facility will be erected in Unabia's district particularly in the municipality of Balingoan, constituents in the second district are welcome to avail of its offerings. Under the proposal which was formulated last week, the food supply and distribution center will have its own food terminal, processing zone and cold storage facility. It was conceived following a meeting between Unabia and representatives of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP).

facilities—has since stood as a significant presence in the region, serving an increasing number of customers and creating positive inroads in the local economy, local job creation, environmental sustainability, and community development. The plant has been resolute in fostering the growth of the communities that surround it. The stateof-the-art plant employs more than 500 regular associates—440 of which hail from Misamis Oriental. It sits on an 11-hectare area, and is the biggest facility of Coca-Cola outside of Luzon. With the celebration of the Misamis Oriental plant’s 9th anniversary, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) reiterated its commitment to the residents of Villanueva and the surrounding communities. “In the face of the numerous challenges brought on by the pandemic, not to mention its inevitable aftermath, we remain committed to empowering local communities such as the municipality of Villanueva, and the whole of Misamis Oriental. As such, we will strive to remain a source of livelihood and local job creation, as well as help small businesses restart and rebuild,” said Zarahmie Vergara Trania, Plant Manager. Leading a continuous transformation The Misamis Oriental plant is a greenfield operation of Coca-Cola and is considered as one of the most operationally advanced plants, with features including stateof-the-art technology for wastewater treatment, and high-efficiency equipment to reduce air pollution. Moreover, as part of the Company’s national roadmap toward the use of greener energy, the Misamis Oriental plant has installed 7,000 solar panels to support its electricity needs, thereby helping reduce costs and advancing more sustainable plant operations. Apart from contributing to the regional economy by being one of the top taxpayers and job generators, the plant has

Zarahmie Vergara Trania, Misamis Oriental Plant manager, takes a hands-on approach in making sure that the facility stays up and running during the pandemic to produce essential hydration needs. Foremost among her responsibilities is to ensure the health, safety, and total wellbeing of the plant’s associates.

been supporting grassroots programs and projects that benefit the environment and the locals. Since 2012, the plant has been participating in International Coastal Clean-Up Day, where plant personnel undertake clean-up activities in a number of barangays, in addition to conducting river and estero clean-ups. In 2019, the plant partnered with the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) for an adopt-an-estero program for the Tag-anga creek. It has also been a partner of the Department of Education for the annual Brigada Eskwela since 2012, with employees cleaning and preparing classrooms before the opening of classes. Similarly, as part of its own Lovedrive feeding program, plant employees have also participated and donated beverages to various school feeding programs since 2016. Additionally, since the Misamis Oriental plant started operations, the number of micro and small retailers in the area—sarisari stores and carinderias, and the like—began to flourish. In these businesses, Coca-Cola products have become more accessible, while new wholesalers and delivery partners have also opened for business.

Strengthening people-first commitment amid the pandemic Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the plant has sustained operations— having been identified by the government as an essential goods manufacturer—and has promised to protect jobs. The company has allocated almost Php2 billion for its employee assistance fund, ensuring that associates were paid during quarantine. Moreover, those part of the skeleton workforce deployed onsite and on the field were provided with additional allowances. Other monetary and non-monetary employee support have also been provided, such as the deferment of loan payments to cooperatives and the advanced partial pay-out of 13th month pay, along with full HMO coverage in the event that any associates or dependents contracted COVID-19. With a high priority placed on employee wellbeing, plant operations adopted even stricter safety protocols, which include the accomplishment of a health declaration form, daily temperature checks, the installation of handwashing stations and foot baths plus, the disinfection of surfaces and trucks. The Company’s people-first approach has characteristically gone beyond plant walls, having

allotted Php150 million toward COVID-19 relief efforts. Thus far, over 25,000 cases of CocaCola beverages have been provided to various institutions who serve at the frontline of Misamis Oriental’s COVID-19 efforts, such as the municipality of Villanueva, the city health office in El Salvador, the Brgy. Barra police station, and Polymedic Medical Center in Tagoloban. CCBPI has also recently announced that it will invest an additional $22M (approximately PHP1.1B) this 2020 to further expand operations via the installation of new production lines across the country, and as well as people development through job protection and job generation. “We at Coca-Cola remain inspired to do even more for our associates, the community, and the region at large,” said Trania. “As we look forward to many more years here in Misamis Oriental, we know that we must carry on with our efforts to help sustain the local economy and help vulnerable communities. We are committed to continuously work together with our partners, consumers, and the local government so that we can create a lasting, positive impact here in Villanueva, and in the whole of Misamis Oriental.”