BusinessWeek Mindanao (August 25-26, 2021)

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Volume XII, No. 32

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Japan loan THE PHILIPPINES has received the fourth and last tranche worth ¥10 billion (P4.6 billion) from Japan’s standby loan facility for the government’s pandemic response, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said on Friday.

JICA, the lending arm of the Japanese government, has now fully disbursed the ¥50-billion (P23 billion) post-disaster standby loan package it extended to the Philippines in September 2020.

The last tranche was released amid the reimposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other parts of the country from Aug. 6-20 as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections spiked due to the more contagious Delta variant.

High MSMEs loans SMALL businesses continue to gain access to financing from banks, especially after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) used borrowings to the sector as alternative compliance to reserve requirements.

BSP data show that as of July 29, banks extended a total of P188.7 billion to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), way higher than the P8.7 billion as of end-April 2020.

“These numbers suggest that banks continue to extend financial relief to borrowers during this crisis,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a virtual briefing on Thursday.

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OTABATO City – Model banana farms are soon to sprout in about 5,000-hectares special geographic area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ( BA R M M ) i n Nor t h Cotabato province.

HOMECOMING. Tokyo Olympic boxing silver medalist Carlo Paalam (center) reunites with his parents, Jocelyn and Pio Reo, in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday (Aug. 24, 2021). The city government welcomed the hometown hero with a ceremony that included the handing of a PHP2-million cash incentive. (photo courtesy of ian fuentes/cdo-cio)

3 CDO boxers next Olympics hopeful: coach THE long-time coach of O ly mpi c b ox i ng s i lve r medalist Carlo Paalam said there are three more boxers here who have the potentials to represent the country in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Coach Elmer Pamisa said in an online press conference Tuesday that he will train Eljay Pamisa, Mark Lester Durens, and Jericho Acaylar

Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) - BARMM Member of Parliament Suharto Ambolodto said Tuesday the project aimed to alleviate the lives of farmers and to encourage more local businessmen to pour in capital.

“This activity is mainly to look upon the opportunities of local entrepreneurs to invest here since they would be investing for the future of our Bangsamoro people,” he said.

The SGA comprises the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato that opted to join the BARMM during the two-part plebiscite held in January BANANA/PAGE 7

for tournaments leading to the next Summer Games, as discussed with Ricky Vargas and Ed Picson, the president and secretarygeneral, respectively, of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP).

"I hope you will still support us in our HOPEFUL/PAGE 7 GOOD MORNING, LAKE SEBU. The boat tour of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato is back but minimum health protocols must be observed. The lake tour costs a minimum of 290 pesos per person, which includes breakfast or lunch. mindanews photo by jules l. benitez

DOH releases special risk allowance for CDO nurses, averts mass resignation

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

THE Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao (Region 10) has started releasing the Special Risk Allowance (SRA), averting the mass resignation of nurses in hospitals here caring for

COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Jose Llacuna, DOH10 director, said the money was already released to the JR Borja General Hospital and the state-owned Northern Mindanao Medical Center

(NMMC), where nurses attending to COVID-19 patients have earlier threatened to resign out of sheer exhaustion and meager pay.

Llacuna said the SRA funds would also include nurses in ALLOWANCE/PAGE 7

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2

Local

DA-BPI NorMin: No smuggled cabbage in the market

T

HE Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry, Plant Quarantine Services (DA-BPI-PQS) in northern Mindanao refutes the allegations of smuggled cabbage from China, which were transported from Cagayan de Oro City and distributed to Metro Manila markets.

Manuel A. Barradas, regional manager of DABPI PQS in Northern Mindanao bared, August 20, responding to said issue circulating in social media.

“Based on our Domestic Movement Report for the months of July and August of this year, there is no cabbage supply coming

from Region 10 for Metro Manila.”

For July, 1 metric ton of cabbage was shipped to Siquijor, and 12metric tons were shipped to Iloilo (10MT) and Negros Occidental (2MT) for the month of August.

Barradas further emphasized that DA-BPI Central Office in Manila has not issued a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) on the importation of cabbage.

“We have a strengthened quarantine measure in all ports (sea and air) of Region 10, complying with the Memorandum of DA Sec. William D. Dar in the intensification of the first border inspection, and mandatory (100 percent)

inspection of incoming plants and plant products in the second border,” he added.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director and Chair of the DA Regional Management Committee in Region 10 Carlene C. Collado directed a team to probe the said issue.

Lawyer Elvira Cruz, custom district collector, Bureau of Customs, Collection District-10 committed for a steadfast vigilance against smuggling in response to Barradas’ letter request on the full implementation of Customs Administrative Order No. 2-2017 on the rules and regulations implementing RA No. 10845 otherwise known as SMUGGLED/PAGE 7

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

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WED-THU|AUGUST 25-26, 2021

DA-BPI NorMin bares that no smuggled cabbage from China were transported from CdeO City and distributed to Metro Manila markets. (DA-10)

4.8K has. of agri land up for distribution in Lanao del Sur COTABATO City – Everything is set for the distribution of some 4,800 hectares of agricultural lands for Lanao del Sur farmers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Among the beneficiaries are displaced persons in Marawi City following the siege in 2017.

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

The distribution will start in October, as announced by Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones.

“We would distribute idle government-owned lands (GOLs) in Lanao del Sur, which include 1,300 hectares in Marawi City, 1,324.27 hectares in Piagapo, 1,396.05 hectares

in Marantao, and 780.02 hectares in Saguiran,” Castriciones said in a statement Monday.

The GOLs are undergoing surveys to process the deed of transfer to beneficiaries.

The basis for distribution is stated in Executive Order (EO) No. 75, signed by LAND/PAGE 7

THE Department of Health Region-10 (DOH10) is taking proactive steps to contain and control the spread of Covid-19 variants in Northern Mindanao.

Dr. Jose Llacuna Jr., DOH-10 Director, said they immediately send samples of close contacts of Delta variant cases back to the Philippine Genome Center.

Local government units will also be advised immediately so they can conduct more tracing and isolation of suspected carriers of the virus.

"Let us have an assumption that there is a local transmission already and this will not be solved by the local governments alone as it needs a whole of government approach," Llacuna said via Zoom on Saturday.

As of Aug. 21, DOH10 has recorded 15 cases of Alpha, 34 Beta, and 31 Delta variants.

In Lanao del Sur province, two Delta variant patients are admitted at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Marawi City although they are based here.

ISOLATION/PAGE 7

Intensified test, isolation vs.

Delta variant up in Normin

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF RIZALINO N. JACUTIN AND PASTORA M. JACUTIN KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late RIZALINO N. JACUTIN who died in Cagayan de Oro City without issue and intestate on 10 June 1978 while PASTORA M. JACUTIN also without issue and intestate on 22 March 2001 both the deceased at the time of their death left three parcel of land with Original Certificate of Title No. P-758 Situated Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 106,036 square meters, more or less, 2nd Parcel of land with Original Certificate of Title No. P-57, Homestead Patent No. V-3494 situated in Libona, Bukidnon, containing an area of 55,710 square meters, more or less, 3rd Parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. G-032198 situated in Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 349 square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF RIZALINO N. JACUTIN AND PASTORA M. JACUTIN, filed by the heirs of RIZALINO N. JACUTIN and PASTORA M. JACUTIN, per DOC #311; PAGE #63; BOOK #21; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ROBERT W. RAYPON. BWM: Aug. 18, 25 & Sep. 1, 2021

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WED-THU|AUGUST 25-26, 2021

CorporateWorld

PhilHealth remains viable: Dominguez THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) remains viable and can still bear massive spending but not for years, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said.

In a virtual briefing on Tuesday, Dominguez said

the state-owned health insurer has about P160 billion in reserve funds even as it is struggling with a P25.5-billion deficit as of last June due to increased insurance payouts and decreased contributions collections.

However, he said the

subsidy from the national government as of last June amounted to around P44.6 billion.

“So, PhilHealth is still very viable on the cash flow basis but again let us point out that PhilHealth has, in fact, incurred a drop in contributions because of the problems with Covid (coronavirus

disease 2019) and there's also experienced (an) increase in expenditures.

But so far, I believe they can handle the situation,” he said.

He said a couple of months in deficit is “okay.”

“If it goes on for five years, I’m telling you, everybody has to change VIABLE/PAGE 6

3 Vaccine manufacturers urged to expand in PH WITH the insufficient supply of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) globally, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has urged vaccine manufacturers to make the Philippines their additional production base.

“What the vaccine technology owners need is really to multiply their manufacturing capacity because if they will just depend on their existing capacity, the global supply

versus global demand is really insufficient,” Lopez said in mixed English and Filipino during a television interview Wednesday.

He said this type of investment is entitled to incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law.

Lopez added the country is also capable of handling Covid-19 vaccines with the available cold storage facilities as well as for distribution of EXPAND/PAGE 6

Cebu Pacific to strictly implement one carry-on baggage policy Fees to be collected beginning September 01, 2021

Cebu Pacific reminds its passengers to bring only one hand-carry bag during their travels to ensure a smooth and convenient flight experience. The carry-on bag must not exceed 7 kilograms in weight and its size must fit in the overhead bin or under the aircraft seat.

This strict implementation of the hand carry baggage policy is in line with the airline’s goal to improve its processes for a more efficient and seamless customer experience.

Beginning September 01, 2021, guests who do not comply with this rule will be charged with a gate baggage fee of P1,000 per person for domestic flights. In the coming months, the airline will also begin

charging for its international flights – P1,500 for short haul and P3,000 for long haul.

Cashless payments are also encouraged, in line with the airline’s contactless flight guidelines amidst operating during the pandemic.

“We have been continuously reviewing our processes to ensure we are able to provide the best customer experience for everyJuan.

This is being done to make sure CEB avoids any unnecessary flight delays as much as possible," said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience at Cebu Pacific.

Passengers who purchased additional items at the airport are

exempted and will not be charged with this fee, if they can show the official receipt from the store where they shopped at the airport.

Other items that will be accepted as extra free hand carry are equipment for medical needs or for infants.

"We also hope this will convince our passengers to become more mindful as we do not want them to shell out additional, avoidable fees,” added Iyog.

CEB reminds everyJuan to properly pack their bags and avail of additional prepaid baggage allowance to avoid any other additional fees at the airport. More information on this may be viewed on www.cebupacificair.com

4

Opinion

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Growing up too fast Think a minute… This is the true story of a teenage girl named Vicky who felt she was old enough to have her own room. It did not seem fair that she still had to sleep in the same room with her mother, especially now that she was 18-years-old. Then to Vicky’s shock, just 3 ½ weeks after her 18th birthday her wish came true, but not in the way she ever expected or wanted. Her uncle died, and because of this she finally got a room of her own.

So Vicky’s happiness was mixed with sadness since she knew the price of her privacy had been the death of her uncle. In fact, she not only got her own room, but a throne, when Vicky the teen became Victoria the Queen…of England. say, “Be careful what you wish for.” Vicky wanted so much for people to stop treating her like a little girl.

Then suddenly in one day she was forced to start carrying the heavy responsibilities of being the Queen of England as a teenager!

Sometimes children are forced to grow up too fast, either through the death of

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST a parent, or because of their parents’ own immaturity a n d i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y.

Consequently, the child has to become his own parent.

Tragically, shortcuts to adulthood usually leave you shortchanged in emotional maturity—like picking a fruit too soon before it is fully ripe and mature.

The world-famous King of Pop, Michael Jackson, said the most autobiographical song he ever wrote that best described his life was entitled Childhood. This is what Jackson said in his song: “People say I’m not okay, cause I love such elementary things...It’s been my fate to compensate for GROWING/PAGE 7

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WED-THU|AUGUST 25-26, 2021

Corporate Globalization Worse than COVID-19

Debunking Dominant Development Paradigm

It is business as usual and the consequences are fatal because such is anchored on a wrong development paradigm that calls for increases in GNPs (Gross National Domestic Products) yet destroys life support systems.

Indeed, the word d e ve l opm e nt h a s b e e n abused and mangled beyond recognition. Everything is done in its name and everyone claims to be doing just that, yet, the day to day life of the people speaks that it is not so.

That kind of development can be likened to the workings of an auto-immune disease syndrome (AIDS), where no less than the body’s defense mechanisms are attacking vital organs. We decimate our forest, we pollute our rivers and bays, we produce food yet contaminate our water table following costly agricultural technologies tied up to the heavy use of toxic chemicals, modern living means adopting lifestyle that what makes of a throw-awaysociety – all done in the name of development.

That kind of development can only be described as

ruthless and futureless which has made the impossible now possible, which is the end of life on earth. Biodiversity embracing the billions of life forms has tremendously decreased as these life forms which have evolved on earth for billions of years are now extinct. As the earth warms and the oceans rise, we are now confronted on how to feed, clothe and house the exponentially growing earthlings that will reach the 9.3 billion mark in 2050.

That kind of development must now be debunked.

There is now the increasing call to replace it with one that is sustainable, holistic and community-based that puts the people at the center and at the mainstream of development processes.

T h is is w hat is c a l l e d Sustainable Development which is defined as one that is responsive to the needs of the present generation without jeopardizing the capability of the future generations to meet their own needs.

In agriculture, we must now ask: WHO CONTROLS? WHO DECIDES? WHO PROFITS? The truth is, “cash-crop production and

food processing divert land and water resources away f rom sustenance needs and exclude increasing numbers of people from their entitlement for food.

The inexorable processes of agriculture – industrialization and internaliza5tions – are probably responsible for more hungry people then both cruel warns and unusual whims of nature”- to quote the world renowned environmentalist and a good friend, Dr. Vandana Shiva from Canada who visited me in the 90s at the height of the people’s direct actions against logging through human barricade.

We in the cooperative movement adhere to the United Nations’ definition as the full development of human potentials, the expansion of choices and opportunities.

For development to be so, it must pass a three-way test. First, is it ecologically sustainable, meaning, it does not harm the environment but instead nurtures it.

Second, does it benefit the people in whose name and for whose cause it is there for? And third, does it have people’s participation? We believe that unless people

KIM'S DREAM

ORLAN R. RAVANERA participate in development processes, all the outpourings of development programs will just be palliatives. All told, unless all these three criteria are satisfied, no development can take place, only maldevelopment.

Mahatma Gandhi had put it more succinctly when he said, “If man has to be saved from doom, development must be in harmony with nature and not at its own expense.” A Lumad leader was even more precise when he said, “when you have cut the last tree, when you have caught the last fish, when you have dried the last river, ONLY THEN will you realize that you cannot eat your money.”

In advancing sustainable DEBUNKING/PAGE 7

Education and the urgently required skills Education is the passport of the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare it today (Malcolm X: 19251965).

We have learned from the effect of COVID-19 on the global education system. It really makes us contemplate. The curriculums we had designed prior to the Covid-19 pandemic may now be blurring. The skills and knowledge in the planned learning process have changed dramatically. All have gone.

All have been replaced with digital practices.

What education prepares today must reflect tomorrow: the real future. The quotation above is taken from Malcolm X. He was born on May 19, 1925, and died on February 21, 1965, at the age of 39.

He was the nationalist, an

African-American, who lived in New York; America. He was well-known for his struggle for human rights. It is to live with the real lives and the same opportunities. To do this needs an appropriate education.

Education as Malcolm X perceived is the passport.

With the best education, the nations get access to the right moment and place. It is the place of tomorrow with the skills required for the future. They are prepared for adapting to live real lives.

Covid-19 pandemic has made the prescribed skills in the curriculum vanish. Skills that had been designed in the curriculum may not be used anymore tomorrow. No one could predict exactly that Covid-19 has devastated our lives today. What had been designed in the curriculums

is—now--not practically used.

Even a long time ago, the futurist, Alvin Toffler (1974) had warned us about the information era. It is the era of technology and information. According to Alvin Toffler, there are three types of societies. One is agriculture that had passed by. Second, the industry that had also in the process during the renaissance. The third is the information society has started in the 21st century.

And. A couple of years ago, we talked about the 4.0 industrial revolution era (the 4.0 IR).

Today, it is a digital society that was not yet predicted

by Alvin Toffler. But, it is the continuation of the information society. We are now living in this century: a digital society. What kind of knowledge and skill should education provide for the

DR. DJUWARI nations?

Research conducted by Tugce Akyazi et al., (2020) on the food industry provides us with new evidence. All skills are transformed into digital capacity, in that, the workforce must be prepared with digital skills. The process of working in the food industry is based on technology development such artificial intelligent (AI), EDUCATION/PAGE 7

God is attracted to the guileless T HAT a m u s i n g s t o r y about how Nathanael or St. Bartholomew became one of the apostles can only tell us that God is attracted to persons who are simple, childlike, without guile, and are so transparent that they are unashamed, like little children, to show their warts and other forms of human weakness. (cfr. Jn 1,45-51) “Can anything good come from Nazareth?,” he retorted when told by Philip that they have found the one foretold

by Moses. For that response, Christ who could read the minds of people, could not help but say, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”

And it’s very interesting to

note that this dubious quality of Nathanael must also have led him to quickly recognize Christ as the one foretold by Moses when Christ told him something.

Nathanael embodies the ordinary person who, in spite of warts and all, still has that basic, irreducible trait of exposing his heart, no matter how defective, to the truth.

He does not run away nor hide from it.

He is truly a man with no guile, no pretensions, no need for covering. Except for the normal need for discretion and modesty, he is completely transparent. What you see is what you get.

More, he is willing and eager to know the truth,

and to make the necessary changes and adjustments that such truth would require of him. He is humble enough to accept things as they are, never bending them to make the pieces fit his own ideas.

Rather, the contrary.

T h a t ’s w h y y o u immediately feel good every time you meet such persons.

They always exude such welcome and wholesome aura about themselves in spite of their imperfections.

They contribute in making society more at peace and in harmony.

Children are such persons, though their being guileless is due to their innocence and lack of exposure to the world.

When you see such quality

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA in a person who is already exposed to the world, then you would really feel good.

L e t ’s rememb er a nd imitate St. Bartholomew in his simplicity of heart and sincerity. His story shows that before we look for the truth, it is God first, Truth ATTRACTED/PAGE 7

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Banking&Finance Pandemic-related programs keys in economists' GDP forecasts WED-THU|AUGUST 25-26, 2021

T

HE implementation of pandemic-related programs will be among the drivers of economists’ growth outlook for the Philippines, a ranking Department of Finance (DOF) official said.

In an economic bulletin on Friday, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said “forecasters will be looking at the success of health interventions in curbing the virus when revising their forecasts.”

“They will be monitoring the growth of daily infections, which

has risen to more than 13,000 and the vaccination rate, which has peaked at about 700,000 per day. The performance of health interventions will determine the GDP (gross domestic product) outlook in the quarters ahead,” he said.

The economic growth returned to the positive territory in the second quarter after expanding by 11.8 percent from -3.9 percent in the previous quarter.

The second-quarter print ended the five-quarter contraction of the

domestic economy.

Economic managers have revised anew their growth assumptions for this year to 4 percent to 5 percent given the impact of the movement restrictions especially in Metro Manila, which has experienced two enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) so far this year to following the upticks in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

On Friday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a new record-high new Covid-19 cases at 17,231. (PNA)

BSP 28-day bills rate falls anew on strong demand STRONG demand for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 28-day bills resulted in another drop in its average rate on Friday.

Data released by the central bank showed that the debt paper was again offered for P100 billion

and bids amounted to P153.98 billion.

The auction committee made a full award.

The average rate of the paper slipped to 1.7309 percent from last week’s 1.7487 percent.

The bid coverage ratio stood at 1.5398, lower

than the 1.8325 during the auction on August 13 when bids amounted to P183.25 billion.

In a statement, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. traced the oversubscription in the debt securities to continued strong interest

for the BSP bill amid sustained ample liquidity in the financial system.

“Looking ahead, the BSP’s monetary operations will continue to be guided by its latest assessment of liquidity conditions and market developments,” he added. (PNA)

PayMaya says cashless transactions from regional MSMEs surged in Q2 DIGITAL PAYMENTS firm PayMaya Philippines, Inc. said on Monday that the volume of transactions it processed from micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) outside Metro Manila more than quadrupled year on year in the second quarter, suggesting that regional small businesses are quickly adopting digital payment technologies.

In a statement e-mailed to reporters, the company said its solutions enabled regional MSMEs to accept digital payments via QR or number linked to a PayMaya wallet, bank transfers, card payments, and other e-wallet payments.

PayMaya President Shailesh Baidwan said: “The demand for digital payment solutions continues to grow, and we’re very excited to see more MSMEs outside Metro Manila use

PayMaya solutions in their businesses.”

“Today, these MSMEs can enjoy best-in-class solutions at par with bigger merchants, and they can be as equally competitive as their peers in Metro Manila,” he added.

The company said the majority of MSMEs in the Philippines are located outside the capital region.

These firms have needed to go online and cashless amid the coronavirus pandemic, PayMaya said, “helping fast-track the digital transformation of these MSMEs with

business-in-a-box solutions that can readily be used to accept any form of digital payments for their online commerce or physical stores.”

To enable MSMEs to accept QR, bank transfers, and e-wallet payments via mobile phones, the company introduced last year its Paymaya Negosyo App, which also allows these small firms to become community outlets for bills payment and digital goods like telecom load and gaming pins.

PayMaya said it provides financial services

to over 38 million Filipinos. The company said its customers can pay, add money, cash out or remit through its more than 300,000 digital touchpoints across the country.

PayMaya is a subsidiary of Voyager Innovations, Inc., the digital arm of PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

HOW TEACHNOLOGY WORKS IN EDUCATION NORLYN P. SUNDO, Ed.D Aurora Regional Pilot School Ceniza St. Poblacion, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur

In the past 10 years or so, we’ve witnessed a pace of disruption in education that is unmatched in previous decades. Books, curriculums, and even teachers are r api d ly b e i ng re pl a c e d or complemented by online resources and digital tools such as tablets and mobile phones. Technolog y has always played a role in equipping students with timely skills and up to the minute ideas and discoveries. But now, we see innovations challenging even the very existence of fourwalled classrooms and teacherstudent ratios.

All of these benefit today and tomorrow’s students, as learning becomes cheaper, faster, and more a c c e ss ibl e. How is t he d i g it a l revolution transforming students’ learning experiences today? Through the Internet a student has virtually unlimited access to the latest versions of books and manuals as well as a wider variety of content. Insightful, shareable videos, and practical software make learning collaborative even beyond the classroom.

Gamif ication makes less ons more fun for students. Apps and web-based software are free and

easy to set up. Virtual reality (VR) makes learning more interactive and immersive. Instead of just reading about the Philippine History for example, a student can put on a pair of VR goggles and actually take a tour of the historic sites whatever and whenever he or she wants.

Students doing research today have access to a wider range of resources through the Internet. The information they need is readily available in seconds. Now, they can spend less time on the tedious search process, and more time absorbing and learning from the actual content.

5

6 Isolation... from page 2

The APMC management announced on Thursday that its critical care utilization rate has reached 90 percent after patients from nearby provinces or other regions kept on coming daily.

As of Aug. 19, APMC chief Dr. Shalimar Rakiin said they have 65 Covid-19 patients hooked on oxygen tanks -- 15 on high flow nasal cannula and three patients on mechanical ventilators, indicating they are critical.

"One patient on high flow mechanical ventilator would require 10 to 12 tanks a day. Half of our oxygen requirement is sourced out

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from Prycegas that delivers oxygen twice a day, bringing us 320 tanks a day, not to mention the requirement for non-Covid patients," Rakiin said. (PNA)

Expand... from page 3

the jabs.

He said eight pharmaceutical firms have expressed their interest to the government to put up their facilities in the country.

Two of these pharmaceutical companies, w hich are lo c a l f ir ms, are already in advanced discussion with their technolog y par tners in establishing fill and finish facilities in the country, Lopez

MR. WU FENG. A Chinese citizen, desire to apply as a Technical Supervisor in “Sinshin Enterprises” located at Purok 6, Brgy. Agay-ayan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

JOB DESCRIPTION: • Set goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicate them to subordinates • Organize workflow and ensure that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks • Monitor employee productivity and provide constructive feedback and coaching • Receive complaints and resolve problems • Maintain timekeeping and personnel records • Pass on information from upper management to employees and vice versa • Prepare and submit performance reports • Decide on reward and promotion based on performance • Hire and train new employees QUALIFICATION: • Chinese National • At least one year experience as a Technical Supervisor or any related work • Has good communication skills • Ages 40-50 years old, Male only.

SALARY • Php 20k monthly

MR. CHEN HOUJIE. A Chinese citizen, desire to apply as a Machine Technician in “Sinshin Enterprises” located at Purok 6, Brgy. Agayayan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

JOB DESCRIPTION: • Provide assistance to assemble, test and maintain company equipment • Analyze root causes of equipment failures and propose corrective actions.

• Provide 24×7 support to troubleshoot the equipment problems.

• Perform regular inspections to identify and correct equipment malfunctions, repairs and replacements.

• Provide assistance and job trainings to workers when needed.

• Maintain documentation of equipment maintenance and repair procedures for future reference procedures.

QUALIFICATION: • Chinese National • Has an experience as a Machine Technician • Has good communication skills • Ages 45-55 years old, Male only.

SALARY • Php 20k monthly

said.

Thes e f ir ms wi l l b e importing the vaccines in bulk and will repack in vials in its Philippine facilities, he said.

“These will be licensed vaccines and have emergency use authorization (EUA) here,” he added.

The trade chief said the vaccine manufacturers will not be limited in producing Covid-19 vaccines but will also cover regular vaccines, or those that are being used for the regular immunization program.

He added that aside from catering to the local demand, they will be allowed to export their vaccines. (PNA)

Viable... from page 3

their lifestyles,” he said.

Dominguez further said while PhilHealth “will not disappear” due to budgetary issues if the massive spending continues, “what will happen is some of the coverage might change.”

He said “it’s hard to tell exactly” what the future holds for PhilHealth but added “life changed in January or February 2020.”

“Things changed. We better get used to it. Moaning and groaning for 2019 is not going to help, you just have to change. It’s an accident that happened, it’s bad.

But you know, at least the factors of production, our people are still there, our factories, pent up demand is still there so it's just waiting for science to release us from these manacles that we have put ourselves in. It’s really difficult,” he said.

Dominguez said a study has been conducted by the Insurance Commission (IC) regarding the viability of PhilHealth and the former already came out with a preliminary report on this.

“A n d t h e y a r e i n dis c ussions again wit h (the) Philhealth board and PhilHealth management on their findings. This is the first time ever that IC has examined government institutions,” he said, without elaborating. (PNA)

Vivamax celebrates six months with incredible milestones

V

IVA launched Vivamax last January 29, 2021 to fulfill Boss Vic del Rosario’s dream of bringing entertainment directly to Filipinos here and abroad which they can enjoy anytime, anywhere.

The presence of global streaming platforms and local broadcast and telecommunication giants did not deter Boss Vic from pursuing his vision.

Six months later, we are proud to share that Vivamax is on its way to becoming an essential part of every Pinoy’s entertainment fix.

To date there are 600,000 Vivamax subscribers and within this short period of time is now the Number 1 entertainment app on Google Play, outdoing other long established local and international streaming brands.

Starting with over 500 titles, with a mix of Filipino content, Tagalized Hollywood and Asian content (including the biggest offering of Korean blockbuster films), Vivamax continues with its commitment to add at least 15 new content every week --- a combination of originals, premieres, exclusives and all-time favorites.

Priced at PHP149 per month, with TV casting on Smart TV via Chromecast or Apple AirPlay, the cost of unlimited viewing entertainment has never become this affordable to everyone.

Since its launch, Vivamax has featured originally-produced series, movies, documentaries, concerts starring some of the brightest and most exciting stars in the industry. Sarah Geronimo (Tala), Sharon Cuneta ( Revirginized), Vice Ganda (Gandemic), Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles (Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam, Ikaw at Ako at ang Ending, Pakboys), Xian Lim (Parang Kayo Pero Hindi), Kylie Verzosa (PKPH, The Housemaid), Marco Gumabao (Revirginized), Andew E., Dennis Padilla, Janno Gibbs (Pakboys), Rosanna Roces, Ara Mina, Maui Taylor, Alma Moreno (Pornstar), Lovie Poe (The Other Wife), Rhen Escano (The Other Wife, Paraluman, Adan), Candy Pangilinan (ABWP), Cindy Miranda (Nerisa, Adan), AJ Raval (Death of A Girlfriend, Nerisa, Pornstar), Sunshine Guimary (Kaka)

Eddie Garcia (Manoy).

But wait, there’s more!

Currently in various stages of production are films and series that will star Anne Curtis, Sarah Geronimo, Aga Muhlach, Bela Padilla, Cristine Reyes, Empoy, Alessandra, Julia Barretto, Toni Gonzaga, Alex Gonzaga, Matteo Guidicelli, John Arcilla, JC Santos, Xian Lim, Andew E, Diego Loyzaga, Barbie Imperial, Carlo Aquino, JM de Guzman, Sue Ramirez, McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, and many others.

The pandemic has not stopped Viva from actively producing content.

It is still the busiest studio in the country working with some of the most bankable directors, creative stalwarts and prolific showrunners in the industry such as --- Erik Matti, Jason Paul Laxamana, Paul Soriano, Irene Villamor, Mikhail and Jon Red, Yam Laranas, Pedring Lopez, Darryl Yap, RC delos Reyes, Lawrence Fajardo, Joel Lamangan, Roman Perez, GB Sampedro, Al Tantay, Prime Curz, Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone, Ricky Lee, Paul Basinillo, Paolo Valenciano and many others.

Also in place are several production and licensing deals with other top studios – Star Cinema, Regal, IdeaFirst, Project 8, Reality, Black Cap Pictures, BlackOps Asia, TBA, Cignal Entertainment, Brillante Mendoza’s Centerstage Productions, The Probe Team, etc. to deliver diversified shows that will appeal to various audience tastes.

Now available in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Middle East and Europe with plans to roll out in Australia, New Zealand and North America in the next few months, Vivamax is truly a global brand.

Access to the platform is made easier as Vivamax has also partnered with SM Retail (600 outlets), Globe Telecom and Grab Philippines. This is on top of other available payment gateways GooglePlay, Apple Appstore, Huawei Appstore, Vivamax.net, Gcash, Visa/ Mastercard., One Globe, Paymaya, Lazada, Shopee, Load Manna, cable operators and others.

It is time to get Vivamaxxed!

Subscribe now.

7

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Growing... from page 4

the childhood I’ve never known...the painful youth I’ve had…Before you judge me, try hard to love me.

Look within your heart, then ask, Have you seen my childhood?”

If you you rs e l f fe e l somewhat empty or wounded emotionally from not receiving the love and parenting you needed as a child, it can start changing today. If you ask Jesus to take charge of your heart and daily life—with His divine power, wisdom, and love He can help you complete your own parenting. He will start filling your emptiness, and help you become the secure, happy and successful man or woman He created you to be. Just think a minute.

Debunking... from page 4

development, let us reclaim back our lost indigenous culture that has given high reverence to nature and let us debunk a development paradigm which is based on growth-at-all-cost strategies that has consigned our country to be exporter of natural resources to satisfy the consumerist lifestyle in highly developed countries and dumping ground of imported goods and the non-essentials.

It has become imperative to democratize wealth and power in this highly skewed societal order. Indeed, “there is enough for everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed.”

The empowerment if the poor and the oppressed is now gaining momentum as no less than PERA MPC is providing today some P600,000 to the coopertives of the Indigenous People to transform IPs’ thousands of hectares of their Ancestral Domain lands for food production and to counter climate change.

We salute PERA MPC for its passion and love to liberate the Indigenous People from the quagmire of hunger, poverty and oppression. Let us serve notice to one and all that we will be judged not on how much wealth, fame or power one has but on how we serve the least of our brethren!

Education... from page 4

internet of things (IoT), Due to the increasing automation and digitalization of industrial processes, the workforce must be ready with more complex tasks. They do tasks that require numeracy, solid literacy, problemsolving, and information and communication technologies (ICT), and soft skills of autonomy, collaboration, and coordination. It also demands higher cognitive skills: creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, and lifelong learning.

Recently, McKinney University has also conducted research on this. There are 56 skills for the nations today. But, among the 56 skills, the new ones are

d i g it a l k now l e d ge and skills. There are three big divisions: digital fluency and citizenship, software u s e a n d d e v e l o p m e nt , and understanding digital systems.

D i g it a l f lu e nc y and citizenship include digital literacy, digital learning, digital collaboration, and digital ethics. Software use and development cover programming literacy and data analysis and statistics, and computational and algorithmic thinking. The understanding of digital systems entails digital literacy, smart system, cyber security literacy, and tech translation and enablement.

If the nations want to be employed, they must be prepared with the skills required in the digital society.

Education should change their process. They have to prepare their students with the required skills. All these must be represented in the curriculum. Otherwise, they will produce useless outputs.

Dr. Djuwari is an Associate Professor and the Director of Language Laboratory at Universitas Hayam Wuruk Perbanas Surabaya, Indonesia, the editor of some research journals in the Philippines and Indonesia. He is also a journalist in Indonesia Pos; the President of International Association of Scholarly Publishers, Editors, and Reviewers (IASPER).

Attracted...

from page 4 himself, who looks for us.

And we should just try to correspond as best that we can.

Once we find it, let’s earnestly engage ourselves to it, never playing around with it to serve our self-interest, but r at her con for m i ng ourselves steadily to its requirements.

This is when we can see more things, just as our Lord said: “Blessed are your eyes because they see…. For amen I say to you, many prophets and just men have desired to see the things you see, and have not seen them…” (Mt 13,16-17) Other wise, we would get our just deserts. Let’s remember St. Paul’s warning: “Because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved, God therefore shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying.” (2 Thes 2,10) Let’s see to it that even as we immerse ourselves in the increasingly complicated

world of our temporal affairs, we should remain and deepen our childlike simplicity, staying away from any trace of self-righteousness.

It’s actually only then t hat we wou ld be more able to properly deal with whatever complicat ions and complexities the world presents to us, since we would be with God, and therefore in the side of truth and charity.

Email: roycimagala@ gmail.com

Banana... from page 1

and February 2019.

Amb olo dto s aid t he signing of a memorandum of agreement with local investors further bolstered the endeavor with the initial set up of a banana plantation in a combined 5,000 hectares of farmlands in villages under the SGA in Kabacan.

Regional Board of Inv e s t m e nt s ( R B OI ) – BARMM Chairman Ishak Mastura said his office would facilitate the farmers’ link to the investors in terms of profit sharing and other concerns.

“We also need to link the farmers to local investors, not only in the government programs or services but also to private sectors that would give them direct assistance to start-up investments immediately in our region,” he said.

In a separate statement, RBOI Board of Governor Mohammad Pasigan said their office has been reaching out to farmers and local investors to expose them to investment opportunities in the region. “ The RBOI has even helped them connect to the tie-up 'Harvest Program' of Jap an Inte r n at i on a l Cooperation Agency and Land Bank of the Philippines that could fund both farmers and lo ca l investors on livelihood assistance through very reasonable forms of loan,” he said.

Local investors who signed the MOA were Engr. Kaiser Usman of Usman Banana Plantation in Matanog, Maguindanao and Datu Jabib Guiabar of Kabacan.

To drumbeat the initiative, both businessmen encouraged other local investors to do business in the region and help uplift BARMM’s economy.

“We are expecting to plant Cardava banana in the SGA to a farmland area of some 5,000 hectares,” Guiabar said.

(PNA)

Kagay-an Festival 1st Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion

for Orders, Contact Yoyong:

09354145759 09169249371

Hopeful... from page 1

preparations," Pamisa said.

The 23-year-old Paalam a r r i v e d h e r e Tu e s d ay, with the local government hand i ng h i m a PH P 2 million cash incentive and a commendation from the city council.

On Monday night, he joined gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, fellow silver medalist Nesthy Petecio, and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in Malacañang where President Rodrigo Duterte gave their cash rewards and citations.

The younger Pamisa, the coach’s nephew, was only 15 when he snatched silver in the pinweight division (44-46 kilograms) at the 2019 Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) Asian Men and Juniors Boxing Championships in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

Acaylar failed to get past the elimination phase of the 50-kilogram category of the same event while Durens reached the semifinals of the 49-kilogram category of the ASBC Asian Elite Men's and Women Championships in Dubai, also in 2019.

Pamisa said Paalam will have to rest for at least three months before he begins training for the rescheduled 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The biennial event was supposed to be held in November but was moved to next year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Paalam might also undergo a minor operation on his left arm because of some discomfort.

Mayor Oscar Moreno said Paalam may have lost the gold but he opened doors for potential medalists.

"I hope there would be more opportunities for him and others like him in the future. I also hope that Carlo Paalam’s experience will inspire Cagayan de Oro City’s boys and girls to aim high. Carlo’s future is bright and he has enough time and is young enough to fight for another Olympic gold," he said during the online briefing.

Paalam acknowledged the support of the local and provincial governments ever since he started boxing at eight years old.

"I missed Cagayan de Oro. I especially thank Mayor Moreno for his support ever since he was governor of Misamis Oriental even until today when he’s the mayor of Cagayan de Oro," Paalam said in the vernacular. (PNA)

patients alone in one day because my fellow nurses had gone absent,” Pam said.

Rodriguez said the DOH had promised to look after the hiring of more nurses during the congressional hearing.

from page 1

from page 2

Allowance...

private hospitals who are caring for COVID-19 patients in Northern Mindanao.

“All the private hospitals would have to do is bill the DOH and prepare the receipts,” Llacuna said during a press briefing on Saturday.

Mayor Oscar Moreno confirmed that the JR Borja General Hospital, which is managed by the city government, already received P9 million in SRA funds last week.

Moreno said the planned mass resignation of medical frontliners at the JR Borja General Hospital and NMMC would be “a great disaster” in the fight against COVID-19.

“God forbids if the mass resignation pushes through, it is not the NMMC and officials of Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao that would lose. It’s the people who will lose,” Moreno said.

Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez (2nd district, Cagayan de Oro) said Health Secretary Francisco Duque ordered the release of the money following the recent House committee hearing involving the DOH’s use of P6.3 billion funds.

“I appeal to the nurses not to resign and not give up their oath,” Rodriguez said.

Nurses from the JR Borja General Hospital and the NMMC have aired threats of resigning to news reporters, after complaining of meager pay and sheer exhaustion in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rodriguez said nurses caring for COVID-19 patients would each receive a special risk allowance amounting to P5,000.

At the NMMC, a nurse who wants to be identified only as “Pam” said the hospital administration is planning to open more floors for COVID-19 cases, but without hiring new nurses.

“We are already burdened by too much tasks. I had to tend to 20 COVID-19

Smuggled...

"Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016."

“DA-BPI ensures that incoming agri products must c omply w it h t he phytosanitary measures to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases as well as the safety of the consuming public,” Barradas said.

Meanwhile, Willie Mopon, chair of the Mindanao Agri Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative said Region 10 supplies Metro Manila market the Green Gold Variety from the municipalities of Talakag and Lantapan, Bukidnon, and Wakamine variety from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

He assures that cabbages sold in the markets are from local farms. (DA-10/PIA-10)

Land... from page 2

President Rodrigo Duterte on Feb. 15, 2019, t hat orders a l l dep ar t ment, bure aus, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government to identify lands owned by the government devoted to or suitable for agriculture for distribution.

“The EO enabled us to provide more lands to our farmers who are still landless,” Castriciones said.

The Secretary emphasized that GOLs awarded to the farmers are free "because the government owns these properties."

“This will empower the agricultural sector in the region,” Minister Mohammad Yacob of the BARMM’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform said in another statement. (PNA)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

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IN-DEPTH

Wed-Thu|August 25-26, 2021

8

The 7th PGBI Webinar Series:

GAINING GROUND TOWARDS ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS

AS A result of the pandemic, there is renewed interest in Healthy Buildings and the pursuit of healthy lifestyles. Insights and considerations into developing environmentally sustainable projects are presented from the architectural and interior design points of view.

Romolo Valentino Nati is a multi-awarded Italian architect and the Chairman and CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation, a publicly listed ItalianFilipino real estate development company that specializes in the design and development of sustainable buildings in emerging cities across the Philippines. Will be

sharing his knowledge regarding sustainability in the real estate industry in the upcoming 7th PGBI Webinar Series: GAINING GROUND TOWARDS ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS this August 27, 20212 Nati staunchly believes in working with materials available in the local site.

He explains in his previous webinars: “For a building to be green, it doesn’t need expensive technology or materials. However, software, together with the designer’s insight, can be used to address the unique conditions present in a particular location.” He cites significant details such as the angle of sunlight

during different times of the day, the wind factor, rainfall and possible efficiencies in water collection as well as a host of other elements.

IDC is committed to environmental sustainability through elegant architectural solutions and trademark contemporary Italian aesthetics. Nati said green and open spaces in a natural environment is good for mental health at a time where people’s lives are filled with anxiety and fear.

These design philosophies are showcased in Italpinas’ first visible presence in the Philippines—the

award-winning Primavera Residences and Primavera City in Cagayan de Oro. Primavera Residences bagged the Best MixedUse Development in the Philippines in the 20142015 Asia Pacific Property Awards, the Leadership in Sustainability Design & Performance Award in the Philippine Green Building Council Awards 2016 and a certification by EDGE (the IFC/World Bank green building-accrediting body).

Primavera City has also received EDGE accreditation, and has been awarded as the Best Mixed Use Building in the Philippines by the Asian Property Awards in 2017. The latest feather

on IDC’s cappello (hat) arrived in November 2018 with its Miramonti Green Residences winning Best Innovation Project of 2018 from Lamudi, the prestigious online real estate platform.

IDC is now taking steps to stay abreast of market sentiment so that it can continue to fine-tune product offerings and be even more relevant to the market in the postpandemic period than ever before.

Register now at https://forms.gle/ rXUizFgcpciCV8FN6 For inquiries: pgbi. secretariat@gmail.com, 0995-5603500 (Globe) or 0919-0028159 (Smart)