BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 21, 2020)

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Briefly Optimism COTABATO City– Investment officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are optimistic that the formal inclusion of Cotabato City to the BARMM will boost the region’s investment prospects.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, chair of Regional Board of Investments (RBOI), said cursory business surveys point out that Cotabato City, due to its strategic location is the “de facto” financial center of Central Mindanao, having the most number of banks and bank branches in the area.

“Cotabato City even has its own Central Bank regional office, which many other similar-sized cities cannot boast of,” Mastura said in a statement Tuesday.

No GC expiration CONSUMER advocacy group Laban Konsyumer, Inc. (LKI) is reminding the public that gift checks, gift certificates, and gift cards (GCs) have no expiry dates.

Citing Republic Act No.10962 or the Gift Check Act of 2017, LKI president Victorio Mario Dimagiba said issuing GCs bearing an expiry date is a violation of the law.

A hefty fine of PHP500,000 to PHP1 million shall be imposed to those found violating the Gift Check Act.

We strive for Excellence!

Philippine Press Institute Civic Journalism Community Press awardee for the following: 2013 Best in Business and Economic Reporting 2014 Best in Environmental Reporting 2017 Best in Business and Economic Reporting 2018 Best in Business and Economic Reporting

IN-DEPTH

Monday|December 21, 2020

P15.00

New NGCP project to stabilize power supply Thank you for trusting us!

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AVAO City– The Toril-Bunawan 230kV transmission line--the final component of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Mindanao backbone project--is seen to secure the reliability of power transmission services in the entire island.

NO DISTANCING. Residents, apparently oblivious to physical distancing, swarm the food stalls beside Plaza Rizal in Malaybalay City. mindanews photo by h. marcos c. mordeno

NBI-10 files charges vs. 'networking' firm A NETWORKING networking company has been charged after being flagged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly engaging in an illegal financial scheme, the National Bureau of Investigation-10 (NBI-10)

said Saturday.

NBI-10 said syndicated estafa charges were filed against Jocals688 Beauty and Wellness Products Trading Inc. (Jocals688) at the City Prosecutor’s Office on Friday.

Based on its promotional materials, the company is

into selling health products but would entice its members to invest with the promise of bigger returns, according to investigations of the SEC and NBI-10.

Jo c a l 6 8 8 ’s pr i n c ip a l headquarters is based in CHARGES/PAGE 8

Water is coming to Indahag THE Cagayan de Oro City Council Committee on Public Utilities has endorsed to the City Council plenary a private company’s proposal to supply and distribute potable water to households and establishments in Barangay Indahag.

With a population of 16,179 per the 2015 Census representing 2.4% of the city’s population, the upland barangay in the second congressional district may soon be one of its fastest growing.

In a statement Friday, NGCP said the Mindanao backbone would connect bulk generation from the northern and southern parts of Mindanao and ensure stable and continuous power from Lanao del Norte, passing through Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, all the way to Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental.

With an Energ y Regulator y Commission (ERC)-approved cost of PHP7 billion, the project involves the construction o f t h e M a t a n a o - To r i l 230kV and Toril-Bunawan 230kV transmission lines, the upgrade of the Baloi -Vi l l anue v a-Mar amag Bunawan line from 138kV

to 230kV, as well as the upgrade of its substations in Malita, Matanao, Toril, Bunawan, Balo-i, Villanueva, and Maramag.

Among the generating facilities which will connect to the line are the GNPower Kauswagan Clean Coal-Fired Power Plant, Therma South Incorporated Power Plant, and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation, with a total combined capacity of 1,440MW. The Matanao-Toril 230kV Lines 1 and 2 were energized in December 2019 and January 2020, respectively, while the Matanao-Culaman 230kV Lines 1 and 2 were energized in the same period.

STABILIZE/PAGE 8

Lately barangay officials estimate its population risen to approximately 21, 000.

In the committee meeting held Thursday, 17 December 2020 at the City Council Session Hall, council chair Kagawad Teodulfo E. Lao, Jr. endorsed the proposal to the plenary of the local legislative body for further consideration.

JE Hydro and Bio-Energy Corp.

General assemby at Bgy Indahag on Sept 9 with JE Hydro & BioINDAHAG/PAGE 9 Energy Corp.

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Local

Cotabato City now officially part of BARMM: Año

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OTABATO City– This city is now an integral part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

This came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, together with Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, led here Tuesday afternoon the city's administrative control from Region 12 to the BARMM. “The city is now under BARMM. Its project and programs now conform with that of BARMM,” Año said during a press briefing.

Also turned over to BARMM’s control

were the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato and the DILG field office in the city.

Año assured the national government would remain supportive of the fledging region's transition phase that was formed following the two-part plebiscite held in January and February of 2019.

Apart from the old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao set-up, the 63 North Cotabato villages that voted to become part of the new region in a plebiscite now form part of the expanded BARMM. The BARMM is the product of the comprehensive peace

agreement between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front aimed at ending the decadesold Moro struggle for self-determination in the south.

“As of now, we have to implement the law,” Lorenzana said, referring to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) that created the new region.

Minster Naguib Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) said under the BOL, government-line agencies in the city should be devolved to the BARMM as part of the region’s transition phase.

He said the BARMM

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

has long prepared for programs relating to the transfer of the government offices in the city to the region.

“No one will be left out. We will be much stronger in the BARMM as a united people,” Sinarimbo said.

The BARMM official said the city will remain an independent component of BARMM, with its internal revenue allotment (IRA) still under the national government's management.

However, he said the city’s IRA compliance with basic requirements for utilization will now be under the supervision of MILGBARMM. (PNA)

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

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 21, 2020

Coffee processing center to rise in Agusan Norte BUTUAN City – The local government unit (LGU) of Las Nieves town in Agusan del Norte has welcomed the establishment of the PHP19-million coffee processing center, which will start construction in the first quarter of next year.

The “Green Coffee Bean Production and Marketing" is a project jointly funded by the World Bank (WB), the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte, and Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) under the

Department of Agriculture (DA) that aims to establish a modern, value chainoriented and climateresilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

Seen to increase the coffee bean production and trade in the town and the nearby areas in the province, the processing center will be established with the Casiklan Wheels Farmers Association Inc., as the partner organization.

Benjie Duque, an officer of the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) PROCESSING/PAGE 11

Education in the Midst of Global Pandemic

By BLESSEL M. MATOS

The Pandemic situation is currently affecting the learners, families and communities. Educators around the globe are also experiencing the undulate effects of the novel corona virus. Many learners are coping with the pose challenges of the remote learning that we have right now. But, amidst thes e challenges, education never stops.

E du c at i on is one of the sectors that is being af fe c te d g re at ly by t he crisis, but despite of this, the Department of

Education with the help of the educators are doing its very best to continually provide quality education to the entire learners around the Philippines.

Ta b l o n E l e m e n t a r y S cho ol is one with the Department of Education when it comes to continuing its goals, vision and mission in this trying times. To cater remote learning, our school use the modular distance learning. Apart from that, the entire division also uses the television and radio based instructions to really make sure that all learners get the best education suited in this time.

The modular distance learning presently gives hope to the learners to continue their education no matter what happen. Some parents and even learners may have their hard times with this educational set up but then, they were all assure that the teachers will always be there, just a text and call away to attend to their learning needs.

Most of the teachers too are doing home visitation with proper health protocols as recommended by IATF to ensure that learners are doing well and at the same time assist those who are in dire needs to understand particular lesson.

This year may not be good for the entire Philippines in terms of education, but, the whole department is trying its best to provide and cover the lapses that are being brought by the pandemic.

Definitely, the pandemic is not something that can stop or even hinder the F i l ipi n o l e ar n e r s f rom learning and discovering, but this is just the beginning for our country in building the schools of the future.

Hence, education will continue to exist and operate to educate and teach the hope of our nation- the young ones.

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Building the Community with IDC & PAF TOG-10

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AGAYAN de Oro City - Green builder Italpinas Development Corporation recently partnered to support the Executive Order 70, “Whole of the Nation Approach” and in accordance with the “Development Support and Security Plan: Kapayapaan” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with the Philippine Air Force's Tactical Operations Group-10 (PAF TOG-10) in the inauguration ceremony of the tribal hall or "tulugan" for the Higaonon Indigenous People (IP) in the upland village of Bayanga

Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro. The tribal hall of the Higaonon Indigenous People stands overlooking the Higaonon community in the hinterland barangay of Bayanga, Cagayan de Oro City. The Philippine Air Force's Technical Operations Group-10 led the construction of the hall as a way of making government services more accessible to tribal communities in the area.

Italpinas has been a consistent ally with PAF TOG10 in building a better community in Cagayan de Oro. Gisselle L. Mantilla, IDC's HR & Admin Manager,

said that the company started its corporate social responsibility projects by helping the IP communities, and the construction of the tribal hall in Pigsag-an last December 2019.

"We see the IP community as a significant part of our development.

We should continue to support activities which focus on community unity and improvement as much as we can.

We applaud the dedication of PAF TOG-10 in its efforts to serve and support various communities,” she said As a sustainable developer, IDC invites everyone to come and take

part and stand up and make a positive impact on our environment and on the community.

Together, we can be a catalyst for a better community. With commitment, we can make a difference.”

said Frances Mae R. Galvez, IDC Brand Manager.

IDC has been investing in alternative locations where nature and the environment has been thoroughly preserved and optimized.

Primavera City and Primavera Residences are both located in a master-planned community in uptown Cagayan de Oro, and has been effectively leading in promoting green advocacies in Cagayan de Oro.

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Opinion

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Who said life isn't fair Think a Minute . . . ”Who said life’s fair!” I heard my grandmother say that a thousand times if I heard it once. There was a reason she said it often. When my grandmother was a little girl, one day her father just left her and her mother . . . and he never came back!

My grandmother fought that feeling of rejection and unfairness all her life. From an early age as a child she learned that life is not fair.

My guess is so did you.

Hop ef ully you did not experience such a painful injustice as that. But as a child your father punished you for something you didn’t do. Even worse, maybe your parents gave more attention and favor to your siblings than you. A neighbor blamed you for something that was someone else’s fault. You had a teacher in school who treated you unfairly. Now that you’re an adult, your boss is unfair.

Laws seem to discriminate.

Even your wife or husband may treat you unfairly, or accuse you unjustly. Who said life’s fair? Because it’s not!

So what can you do

THINK A MINUTE

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 21, 2020

Special reflections

Can you imagine that there are some benef its f rom ke eping old ne wsp ap er c l i p p i n g s ? I m e a n my old previously published columns. For me yes.

From life experiences, I see that progress and failure are both parts of my journey.

My columns are mostly a view into a mirror. I am reminded of God's grace when I read (and wrote before) how He helped me to find solutions to problems.

I also gained insight from past struggles that help with issues I am currently facing during this pandemic times. I remember one of my previous columns entitled

"If failures get results".

God has indeed been faithfully working in my life.

I read a story by Dennis Fisher, who didn't keep publishing clippings but a spir itu a l j ou r na l. He advised: "Journaling may be useful to you too. It can help you see more clearly what God is teaching you on life's journey. To begin a j ou r n a l, re c ord you r struggles, reflect on a verse that is especially comforting or challenging, or write a prayer of thankfulness for God's faithfulness."

Pandemic and Christmas.

The most awaited season

of the years has finally come. For many of us, December should still be a glow that blossoms across the eastern horizon bringing the promise of a new beginning. December and Christmas should be the song to awaken our hardened hearts, to touch those people around us, who might have waited a long time for such a move.

Let's become "new people" at last.

Yes, I won't lose hope and belief in a better next year.

The virus may be there but it can't erase Christmas. +++ Email: dor ingklau s@

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit www.ermanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot. com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot. com.

COVID-19: a stark reminder of the importance of universal health coverage As COVID-19 spread across Asia and the rest of the world earlier this y e a r, m a n y c o u n t r i e s moved quickly to address gaps in health coverage by extending entitlement to migrants, suspending the payment of health insurance contributions for low-income self-employed people, adding teleconsultations to the benefits package and offering free access to testing and treatment of the virus.

These actions demonstrate widespread acceptance of the need to ensure that everyone has access to health care and protection from outof-pocket payments in a pandemic. On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day last 12 December 2020 – WHO releases new analyses that underline the importance of extending this principle to all needed health services on a permanent basis.

Financial protection and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) A new factsheet sets out how failure to address

common gaps in health coverage before the pandemic was already undermining national and regional ability to meet targets to reduce poverty (SD G 1.1) and income inequality (SDG 10.1), and move towards UHC (SDG 3.8).

Two coverage gaps have even greater resonance now, in the context of COVID-19 and its economic impact.

First, countries that base entitlement to publicly financed health care on payment of health insurance contributions (rather than residence) find it hard to cover the entire population at the best of times, particularly if the informal economy is significant. This challenge grows in an economic crisis, as people lose jobs or suffer a drop in wages and can no longer afford to pay contributions.

Ensuring that everyone living in a country has health coverage is a precondition for UHC, not an optional extra.

Second, just being covered is not enough. User charges (co-payments) for covered

services are a key source of financial hardship in health systems in Asia and the rest of Europe. Countries can reduce access barriers and alleviate financial hardship by exempting poor households and people with chronic conditions from co-payments.

Redesigning co-payment policy allows the health system to target those most in need of protection.

Cyprus fixed its roof while the sun was shining New WHO analysis of financial protection in Cyprus shows how health budget cuts and coverage restrictions introduced in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis were associated with a rise in unmet need for health and dental care and a doubling in the number of households with catastrophic health spending. Before the economic crisis, Cyprus already had one of the largest gaps in population coverage because entitlement was linked to income and citizenship. This gap grew from 15% to 25% of the population during the years

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

of the economic crisis, as new rules linked entitlement to payment of social security contributions.

Cypr us has recent ly redesigned its coverage policy. The new General Health System implemented in 2019 changed the basis for entitlement to residence, allowing all legal residents to be covered for the first time. It also reduced user charges, particularly for lowincome people. As a result of removing many financial barriers to access, Cyprus was better prepared to meet the health and economic challenges of the pandemic.

REMINDER/PAGE 11

Dealing with the unavoidable fallouts JHAN TIAFAU HURST to handle the unfairness of people and life? Once again there is a person who has an answer to our life’s toughest questions. Talk about unfairness: He is the number one victim of injustice in history! Even people who did not like this man admitted that he was the last person in the world who should be executed and killed as the worst of criminals. If Jesus Christ was not a good and innocent man, then no one is! So next time you and I think we are being treated unfairly, just tell Him about it.

He knows exactly what you’re feeling and going through.

So how do you handle unfairness in life? With Jesus, FAIR/PAGE 11

HOW should we handle the inevitable fallouts of our new situation these days? I suppose the quick answer is not to mind them so much and to just move on. But such an attitude is definitely easier said than done. Not tackling this particular issue properly would be like the ostrich burying its head under the sand in the face of some danger.

We cannot deny that given the continuing crisis caused by this notorious COVID pandemic, many of us are at a loss as to how to deal with this predicament’s adverse side effects, consequences and implications.

Of course, we try to be resilient, looking for more ways of how to cope with the new situation. But for sure we cannot avoid having to deal with fallouts that pose new problems, difficulties, challenges.

We need, first of all, to

identify as clearly as possible these fallouts in the different aspects of our life—personal, spiritual, moral, family, professional, financial, social, etc. This is important because we tend to gloss over them, preferring to give knee-jerk reactions to problems rather than well-studied ones. As a result, we are likely to put ourselves in a greater, more formidable bind.

We already have heard that many people nowadays are falling into some mental and emotional conditions because of this pandemic.

Others are wasting time simply brooding, feeling depressed and unable to do anything.

Many are trapped in some distractions, like games and even pornography on the internet, as their way of escaping from boredom.

Worse, there are reports of a growing number of people, especially the young, going

into occult practices and witchcraft that are marketed on social media.

There seems to be a trend to escape the reality of things and to create some kind of fantasy world instead. As the anguish caused by the fallouts grows, the trend to escapism also grows, until one gets swallowed up by a completely unreal world, setting him up for a very bad, even fatal, fall.

We need to realize that in all these fallouts, the one basic, indispensable thing to do is obviously to go back to God, growing and sharpening our faith and hope. We have to realize that we are nothing and completely helpless without God. We have to overcome the thought that with our own powers alone, we can handle all these problems.

God takes care of ever ything. And he has reassured us that while we

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA will always have some trouble in the world, he already has overcome them. (cfr. Jn 16,33) We need to see the wisdom of these divine and redemptive words, finding why indeed God can do so. Obviously, we have to learn how to have some faith-based sporting spirit, one that includes the capacity to suffer the way Christ suffered.

With God, we would know that these fallouts a r e g i v e n , a l l ow e d o r FALLOUTS/PAGE 11

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 21, 2020

CorporateWorld

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Cebu Pacific offers antigen tests for P700

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EBU Pacific on Friday launched its “test before boarding” process for passengers flying from Manila, offering antigen tests for only P700 each.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said passengers from Manila can take an antigen test hours before the scheduled time of departure, with results released within 30

minutes.

The budget carrier said antigen tests are priced at P700, “the lowest rate in the industry.”

Cebu Pacific said the testing facility at the NAIA Terminal 3 is now open for walk-ins from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The airline’s passengers need to register onsite and pay the fee directly to the Philippine Airport

AC Energy approves nearly P11B in funding for solar, wind projects AYALA-led AC Energy Philippines, Inc. (ACEN) has approved a total of P10.81 billion in funding for a solar energy project and a wind farm, the firm told the local bourse on Thursday.

Its board of directors greenlit the financing of a solar plant project in Arayat and Mexico, Pampanga, through a secured loan, which would cover 100% of the project cost at P3.33 billion.

The firm also authorized the P7.48-billion funding of a wind farm project in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. This would take up 70% of the total project cost.

ACEN also approved the preparatory works needed for the planned follow-on offering, and a special audit of the company’s increase in authorized capital stock with multidisciplinary professional services firm SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. Last month, AC Energy President and Chief Executive

Officer Eric T. Francia said that the firm had plans to sell its investments in coal-fired power plant projects in Bataan and Lanao del Norte in line with its goal to generate more than half of its energy from renewables in five years’ time.

Mr. Francia earlier said that financiers of renewables were able to limit their financial risks because they could invest in smaller amounts in those projects.

“The advantage of renewables, I should say, is that you can do your investments in digestible, reasonable chunks, unlike a large scale thermal plant where you typically invest billions of dollars,” he said during a webinar organized by the Philippine Energy Independence Council and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines on Nov. 23.

Shares in ACEN on Thursday inched down by 0.16 % to close at P6.16 apiece.

Diagnostic Laboratory.

Cebu Pacific conducted a pilot run of its “test before boarding” process, with only three testing positive out of a total of 1,143 passengers. The three passengers who tested positive were not allowed to proceed with their flight.

At the same time, Cebu Pacific also offers reverse

transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for P3,300 through three partner laboratories, namely PADL, Health Metrics, Inc., and Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc. Passengers of Cebu Pacific and Cebgo can book appointments via https://bit.ly/ CEBFlightReminders.

Domestic tourists can also get

a subsidized RT-PCR test at the UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). Half of the original cost will be subsidized by the Department of Tourism through the Tourism Promotions Board, which means the passenger has to only pay P900. Passengers need to register five days before their trip via www.tpb.gov.ph/ rtpcrphtravel.

Pag-IBIG postpones increase in members’ monthly contribution PAG-IBIG FUND has decided to defer the increase in its members’ monthly contribution that was supposed to take place in January 2021, the agency said, adding the move came after consulting with labor and employer groups.

“We know that many of our members and employers faced financial challenges in the last few months because of the effects brought about by the pandemic to the economy. After consulting with our stakeholders, we will no longer push through with the increase of the members’ monthly contributions next year,” Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, said in a statement.

He said the decision was in

line with efforts of the Duterte administration “to alleviate the financial burden of our fellow Filipinos and help businesses recover.”

Mr. del Rosario heads the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees.

The agency’s statement said that in 2019, its officials approved the increase of members’ monthly contributions, which had remained unchanged since the 1980s.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti said that the projection at that time placed the amount of loans disbursed would eventually outpace the total collections from loan payments and members’ contributions each year.

“So, we proposed to increase the monthly savings by P50 to

have enough funds to answer the growing demand and maintain the low rates of our loans,” the official said.

But he said with the pandemic, the circumstances have changed.

“Rest assured, our financial position remains strong and that has allowed us to defer the increase in our monthly contributions by a year. What we are focused on right now is providing our members and businesses the assistance they need to cope with the effects of the pandemic,” he said.

Mr. Moti said home loan availment had been rising steadily with the easing of quarantine restrictions after the pandemic dampened demand early this year.

He said that as a signal of POSTPONES/PAGE 11

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Monday|December 21, 2020

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Suzuki Philippines Joins First Virtual MIAS Wired 2020

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UZUKI Philippines Incorporated (SPH), the pioneer in compact car distribution in the country recently participated in the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) Wired this 2020, as a beacon of their commitment to stay within reach of their patrons. During the previous months, different industries were affected by the pandemic, but for the automotive industry, companies like SPH proved that there is no slowing down among the industry players.

“We are more than joyful that we are able to participate in this year’s MIAS Wired. For the first time, the auto show loved by many car enthusiasts was done virtually, and we, Suzuki Philippines Incorporated, are proud to be part of this event. Aside from a chance to showcase our vehicles, we are also grateful that by joining, we were able to enliven the automotive industry by taking part in and supporting a sought-after event like MIAS,” says Mr. Keiichi Suzuki, Suzuki Philippines Incorporated Vice President, and Automotive Division General Manager.

Just recently, the All-New Suzuki XL7 and All – New S-Presso were made available in the country despite its hampered public launch. These two new models were well received by Suzuki fans and new customers because of their features that are uniquely Suzuki.

With the participation

of Suzuki Philippines in this year’s MIAS Wired, those who are looking to get these two new vehicles may do so by joining the auto show without leaving the safety of their homes. Alongside these two newest models, Suzuki’s full model line-up were featured in the virtual showroom,

highlighting the crowd favorites - the Suzuki Ertiga, Dzire, and the well-loved Jimmy.

In the Suzuki virtual booth an external link to the site’s Product Page, Get Quotes and Online Showroom were also made, making it the ultimate one stop shop for car buyers. Once you have filled out the inquiry

form, one can expect a reply from your preferred dealership; a seamless digital customer purchase journey.

As we enter into a new year, some of us might have pushed back plans of purchasing cars that will help us in our everyday lives. For Suzuki Philippines, joining this year’s

MIAS Wired and offering wide range of promos aim to give a ray of hope to people in need of transport options. SPH joins MIAS Wired 2020 to send the message that people may still have the chance to choose and canvass for their reliable partner on the road safely through digital. Remember, it’s the customer’s right to

scrutinize and review well the product before buying it. With Suzuki, you will never have to worry with your choice.

For more information about Suzuki visit http:// suzuki.com.ph/ auto/, like it on https://twitter.com/ SuzukiAutoPH and follow on Instagram at @suzukiautoph.

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Stabilize... from page 1

The final component, the Toril-Bunawan 230kV Lines 1 and 2, were energized in November this year despite the difficulties posed by the varying lockdown protocols implemented across the country.

“With this completion, the line will supplement the existing Davao-TorilMatanao 138kV transmission line in transmitting any and all available and incoming generation, ensuring transmission service reliability for the entire region,” NGCP said.

According to the company, the Mindanao 230kV Backbone project i s an i nt e g r a l p ar t of NGCP’s Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), which will link the Visayas and Mindanao islands and realize sharing of power within the entire country.

“The Mindanao Backbone is critical to the MVIP because, through this project, the new transmission line will accommodate the capacities needed to fully support and utilize the capabilities of the interconnection,” NGCP added. (PNA)

Charges... from page 1

Molave, Z amboanga del Sur, but the firm has many branches nationwide.

Patricio B ernales Jr., NBI-10 regional director, said some of the members of Jocals688 have sought the bureau’s help since October this year.

Bernales said Jocals688 was allegedly offering huge payouts by as much as 30 percent or more to members.

“Eventually, it came to the point that the company can no longer afford to pay its investors the promised amount prompting them to file a complaint,” Bernales said.

He said more members of Jocals688 are expected to

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 21, 2020

come forward to file charges against t he networking company.

E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, Jocals688 was on the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) radar following its issuance of a cease and desist order after the agency found out that the company has been engaged in illegal investment-taking activities.

In August this year, SEC directed Jocals688 to “limit its operation to the sale its registered products and to desist from implementing the ‘Buy and Earn Program’ which constitutes offering, soliciting and selling of securities in the nature of investment contracts until a Registration Statement has been filed and approved by the Commission.”

“The [cease and desist order] still stand as to investment taking activities.

The resumption of their business is only premised upon the condition that only and purely selling of their products will be undertaken,” Renato Egypto, SEC director for Northern Mindanao Caraga regions, said of Jocals688’s status, in a text message to the Philippine News Agency.

One of the complainants, who requested not to be named, said Jocals688 still owes him PHP300,000.

Joshua Calderon, Jocals688 chief executive officer, had yet to reply to a call and text message sent to him on Saturday.

In a comment he made on a post on Facebook that discussed the charges filed against his company last week, Calderon said it was expected for people to press charges.

“It’s normal that there are those who complain because they don’t know the status of the company. It's also normal for the court to entertain these complaints.

Let the court decide,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English. (PNA)

BRIELLE COSMETICS:

Lip g laze sh ad es fr om a t e e n e n t r epr e n eur

By MARK FRANCISCO

F

OR more than two centuries, women all over the world have used lipstick to make their lips shiny and beautiful.

But recent innovations in cosmetics for the past 20 years or so have led to women – most especially teens and the millennials – to ditch the traditional lipstick and tinker with more beautifying stuff such as lip gloss and lip tint and even lip balm and chapstick.

Now comes another new trend in how to make lips more beautiful – lip glaze.

This trend is so new that only 17-year-old Gabriela Radam has the first and only lip glaze line so far in Cagayan de Oro City.

“Lip glaze is better than traditional lipstick and even lip gloss and lip tint. Lip glaze doesn’t crack lips.

And Vitamin B is infused with the ingredients – which I may add – are all organic. Thus I can say that it is lip therapy,” Gab said.

At 17, Gab is undoubtedly one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the city today which could be an inspiration for all the youth out there to emulate that age doesn’t matter when it comes to making your own income.

She first hugged the local spotlight as one

of the dancers of the modeling group Cagayan de Oro Talent Center (CDOTC) under Daddy Gabby Bacarro. That was during her early high school years.

Now that she has blossomed as a 12th grader at Liceo de Cagayan University – Paseo campus, Gab has expanded her interests as well.

At the height of the pandemic last June, Gab made productive use of the time by training for one week online on how to mix homemade lip glaze.

PHOTO BY REGGAE MATISYAHU

Impossibly shiny and smooth as glass, lip glaze comes from a non-sticky moisturizing formula that gives a high-shine effect while hydrating and moisturizing one’s lips.

After completing her

tutorial and weeks of experimenting, Gab was ready by early December. It was the time for Brielle Cosmetics line of lip glaze to cocoon out.

Brielle Cosmetics has four shades to choose from – lei, junno, ivon and tirzah. All four are named after Gab’s cousins. Brielle comes in

5 mL size and is sold at P119 per bottle.

Today, Gab’s patrons come from as far as Iligan, Butuan and even Palawan aside from her hometown of Cagayan de Oro City.

Brielle Cosmetics is on Shopee (gabrielaardizaradamii), Facebook (Gabriela Ardiza) and Instagram (Brielle Cosmetics).

32-M customers benefiting from improved services in 80 provinces with network upgrades

MORE and more municipalities and cities all over the country are now experiencing the results of Globe’s aggressive builds and network improvement in the past 11 months. The new site installations and site upgrades are currently benefiting at least 32 million customers who use their call, text and data services.

Globe’s tower installations and site upgrades have prompted better call and data experience in at least 1,098 cities and municipalities located in Metro Manila and 80 provinces nationwide including Sulu, Dinagat

Islands, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Apayao, Abra, and Compostela Valley to name a few.

Quezon City has the most new site builds with 99 new installations with 20 other cities and towns in NCR, South and North Luzon have new site installations as well.

The new site builds and upgrades have improved the mobile experience of customers in these areas.

The company’s recent LTE expansion has benefited customers in 19 provinces in Mindanao with Davao del Sur having 12 site upgrades while Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay and

Sulu had two; Tawi-Tawi and the rest had at least one site improvement each.

LTE upgrades have also boosted the signal of 27 towns in Mindanao including Siasi and Pandami in Sulu, Albuera in Leyte, Initao in Misamis Oriental, Malapatan in Sarangani, Dangcagan and Malaybalay in Bukidnon to mention a few.

All in all, Globe has installed at least 1,050 new cell sites and has upgraded 10,876 sites to further improve its connectivity and expand its coverage to include even the remotest provinces.

“These network roll-

outs will be a big boost to communities that are still reeling from the demands and restrictions of the pandemic. By making 4G/LTE as pervasive as possible our customers will have better data experience and faster connectivity.

Our LTE upgrades will also improve the indoor voice experience of our customers as they start using VoLTE and VoWiFi,” said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group.

Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is the standard high-speed wireless UPGRADES/PAGE 11

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Indahag... from page 1

Chairman and CEO Engr. Joffrey E. Hapitan earlier sent a letter of intent to the Public Utilities committee to supply and distribute potable water to Indahag which has not had its own Level 3 water supply for the last 26 years.

Mr. Joel A. Baldelovar, Director for Business Development of JE Hydro, presented further details of the committee in behalf of Engr.

Hapitan.

Baldelovar explained in his presentation how despite already having a reservoir constructed 12 years ago during the term of former city mayor Constantino G. Jaraula, it has not been used for want of a viable water supply.

To remedy the situation, JE Hydro has proposed it would construct a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with a capacity to deliver 10 million liter daily (MLD) of clean and safe potable water at no cost to the barangay.

To realize this P160-million project, Baldelovar said JE Hydro aims to construct a water treatment plant with a capacity of 10MLD. In reply to a query from Kag. Roger Abaday, Baldelovar said the WTP will source surface water from Bubunawan River in Bgy Pualas, Baungon, Bukidnon with

water rights secured from NWRB for 10MLD. Baldelovar added the water pipes for the 10-kilometer pipeline which will convey raw water from Bubunawan River to the WTP in Bgy Indahag have already been delivered to JE Hydro’s office in Taguanao, Bgy Indahag and installation can start as soon as the city council approves the project.

JE Hydro has a proven track record of construction of Water Treatment Plants as well as operation and management of water distribution.

During its 17th regular session held Sept.7, 2020 the Indahag Barangay Council passed Resolution No. 175, series of 2020 “interposing no objection and expressing full support to the proposal of JE Hydro and Bio Energy Corp to construct a Level-3 water supply network and operate a water distribution business in Barangay Indahag, for the benefit of the residents of Barangay Indahag.”

This was in response to a letter of intent submitted to Barangay Indahag on Sept. 4, 2020 by JE Hydro Chairman and CEO Joffrey E. Hapitan to improve the water supply of Barangay Indahag through the construction, operation and maintenance of a Level-3 Water Supply and Distribution

Network with the barangay to augment the potable water supply for the benefit of its residents and neighboring communities.

On Sept 9, the LGU of Barangay Indahag passed Ordinance no.0082020 “allowing the operation of a water supply system for the barangay by a private entity” defined as “a private business player capable of shouldering its own financial expenses to run its business,” and to take effect upon its approval by the Cagayan de Oro City Council.

Baldelovar said once the City Council on Public Utilities and the City Council plenary approves the project, pipelaying can immediately start and the project can start operating before the end of 2021.

“We are concurrently applying for a Certificate of Public Convenience from the NWRB to distribute water in Bgy Indahag and the 10MLD will be sufficient to supply 10, 000 households in Bgy Indahag, which will catalyze the development of its economy,” he added.

Should the subsequent development of the barangay require additional potable water, Baldelovar said their WTP’s modular design can easily supply the additional volume by constructing another another module depending on the volume

Teaching strategy styles in the new normal

By THELMA D. MAGSINO Master Teacher I

Connecting with students is one of the most rewarding aspects of a teacher’s job.

Some faculty hesitate to teach online, frequently offering the rationale: “I want to connect with my students. There’s just not enough interaction and engagement online!” Faculty are not alone in yearning for this connection – students want it too!

Organization and course design are especially important in online environments. In designing your synchronous sessions, think through the pedagogical value of each component, placing your students’ learning and experience at the heart of your plan.

Part of being studentEXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late JACINTO BUSCAINO, who died intestate on October 1, 1997 in Simaya, Malaybalay City, that the deceased died without a Will and without any debt in favor of any persons or entity; that the decedent left a parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-61035 situated in the Barangay of Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY TWO (172) square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY, filed by the heirs of JACINTO BUSCAINO, per DOC #467; PAGE #94; BOOK #123; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. BUENAVENTURA E. SAGRADO. BWM: Dec. 7, 14 & 21, 2020

centered is recognizing their limited attention spans and planning accordingly. Online students are now multitasking more than ever, balancing the extra demands on their time. Running long sessions, especially past 60-90 minutes, increases the likelihood of competing distractions.

Carefully review your game plan before each session and create a minute-by-minute schedule. Sharing an outline at the start helps students

follow along and you can save valuable time by opening all files you will need ahead of time.

Being efficient requires the instructor to recognize as y nchronous p or t ions as complements to live engagement. Ask yourself, “Can I accomplish the same g o a l a s y n c h ron ou s l y ? ” For example, student introductions can be timeconsu m ing in a l arge r synchronous class.

required by the increased demand for potable water.

He also confirmed JE Hydro submitted their proposal to the Office of the City Mayor last September, which was subsequently referred to the City Council Committee on Public Utilities chaired by Kag. Lao. The City Council Committee on Public Utilities has Kag. Romeo Calizo as Vice Chairman and Kagawads Eric Salcedo, Roger Abaday and John Michael Seno as members, with Vice Mayor Rainier Joaquin Uy, and Kags.

Ian Mark Nacaya and Lordan Suan as ex-officio members.

Cheaper Water Besides a 24/7 supply of clean and safe potable water, the JE Hydro project also projects its distribution rate at P35 per cubic meter (cu.m.) compared to the P8085 per cu.m. Indahag residents now pay for water delivered by truck to the barangay.

Baldelovar said this can be reckoned at P7 per drum vs. the P18 per drum (at 5 drums of 200 liters each which is equivalent to one cu.m. of water) or a 60% reduction of their water expenses per drum.

Bgy. Indahag Kag. Carmelito Damo, who along with Bgy. Kag. Kag. Silvestrito Reyes represented Indahag Punong Barangay Jocelyn N. Dahino during the committee hearing, decried how Barangay Indahag has suffered for over two decades already with no steady and reliable potable water supply.

“Nalipay mi kay almost 26 years wala mi tubig gikan sa kagamhanan tungod kay layo kaayo among barangay ug dili makasaka ang tubig sa water district,” Damo, himself a former

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12th Judicial Region BRANCH 07 Tubod, Lanao del Norte IN RE: PETITION FOR REAPPOINTMENT AND RECOMMISSION AS NOTARY PUBLIC IN THE PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE UNDER THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURT PARTICULARLY IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF KOLAMBUGAN, TANGKAL, TUBOD, MAGSAYSAY AND BAROY FOR THE TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022

Pet. for Not. Com. No. 063-07-2020

ATTY. MYRAFLOR L. OPAY-ARMAS,

Petitioner. x----------------------------------------------/ IN RE: PETITION FOR REAPPOINTMENT AND RECOMMISSION AS NOTARY PUBLIC IN THE PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE UNDER THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURT PARTICULARLY IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF KOLAMBUGAN, TANGKAL, TUBOD, MAGSAYSAY AND BAROY FOR THE TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022

Pet. for Not. Com. No. 064-07-2020

ATTY. MARK CHRISTOPHER A. BABOR,

Petitioner. x----------------------------------------------/ IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF AN APPOINTMENT AS NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE

Pet. for Not. Com. No. 065-07-2020

ATTY. DOROTHEA SALIGAN-BASALO,

Petitioner. x-----------------------------------------------/

NOTICE OF HEARING NOTICE is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petition for notarial commission of ATTY. DOROTHEA SALIGAN-BASALO, ATTY. MYRAFLOR L. OPAY-ARMAS, and ATTY. MARK CHRISTOPHER A. BABOR shall be on January 19, 2021 at 1:30 in the afternoon at RTC, Branch 07, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto, received by the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing.

Done this 4th day of December, 2020 at Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

BWM: Dec. 7, 14 & 21, 2020

(sgd.) RICHIE GAY T. MENDOZA Presiding Judge

BWM: Dec. 7, 14 & 21, 2020

Indahag Punong Barangay said.

“Our general assembly of almost 1,000 residents unanimously agreed to accept the project tungod kay barato ra P7 kada drum. Affordable kaayo sa amo. Naghangyo mi sa JE Hydro nga dalian kay nadaghan na mga residente tungod sa nga relocation sites.”

“We have water now supplied from Mapawa to Indahag pero sad to say pag ulan murag sikwate among tubig. Dili ideal for drinking water. So among gigrab ang opportunity sa JE Hydro for potable water 24/7,” Kag. Reyes added.

East Lateral Expansion Project Meantime, the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) updated the committee on the status of its East Lateral Expansion Project also projected to serve Barangay Indahag.

According to Engr. Edward P. Tesoro, COWD Asst. Gen Manager Designate for Operations/ Production Dept., the COWD East Lateral Expansion from bulk water supplier COBI (Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc.,) is already commissioned and supplying 20MLD passing Indahag proper.

“It is now already serving Tipulohon, the highest part of Indahag. Although the Cagayan de Oro City Government has already committed P500-M support for the Indahag, Balubal and septage projects, its release has been delayed because of the pandemic.

Our transmission line is already passing Indahag proper, and it’s now a matter of implementing the transmission and distribution lines in that area.”

Water as Development Catalyst However, Indahag Kag.

Silvestrito Reyes pipeline clarified that the COWD pipeline is not actually in Indahag proper but adjacent between the boundaries of Macasandig-Indahag, and Camaman-an and Indahag although he confirmed COWD is now serving Tipulohon.

“However we are longing for that. Naa mi mga request sa COWD na tubigan kami kay along the road there is a big pipeline going to Camaman-an reservoir. We have surveyed the pipeline going to Indahag and it’s very costly because it needs two booster pumps to pump water to Indahag reservoir,” Reyes said.

“Kung kana mahitabo duha ka pump up to our reservoir, ang among constituents dako kaayo ang bayad kay 24 hours ang generating. So asa man na ihapak? So sa amo gihapon nga konsyumer. Kinsay mo suffer ani?

Kami gihapon.”

“Ang rate sa CDO ug ang rate sa Indahag, which is bound within CDO dili siya magkapareho kay sa pag deliver sa cost, dako kaayo.”

Reyes said Indahag’s population has been growing at an unprecedented rate, which has been spurred like the city’s Sendong relocation projects ( Habitat Phase1 and 2, over 1,000 HH ; Caritas Village, over 100 HH) and private subdivisions such as Mersville del Mondo which has not yet been occupied, and Villa Vita with over 1,800 units, but only has about 50 occupied because of the lack of water supply.

“If we already have water in Indahag, Cagayan de Oro will not be so congested. We are ood free. This will also help develop our barangay,” he added.

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Monday|December 21, 2020

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Libre na din ang toyo at calamansi pang sawsawan!

Matteo’s Siomai

From the Newsroom to the Kitchen W

By TITO MIKE

HEN Journalist Herbie Gomez had to start working from home because of the Covid-19 lockdown early this year, he started looking for ways to constructively use all the time he now had in his hands.

Then the family thought of offering their family recipe for siomai, first offering it to friends of their kids in the neighborhood, friends in media, councilors, then strangers who saw their FB posts.

“We were overwhelmed by positive feedbacks from friends, and people we didn’t know started ordering. Home-based lang. Family was surprised

kay usual man lang na sa amo ang taste kay naanad na mi.”

“But not to many who ordered who said it was the best siomai they ever tasted so far. Since March, daily ang orders namo. But we limit daily orders kay dili namo kaya kung sobra pod kadaghan. Besides, the secret is the freshness of the siomai. Ang among i-prepare based lang sa orders.

Dubbed Matteo’s Siomai after their first (and so far only) apo from their eldest daughter Bujie, their product sells for P300 per tub with 33 pieces of pork-shrimp siomai or 30 pieces of beef-shrimp siomai. However, these can also be ordered sans the

shrimp for those who are allergic to it. Orders can be personally delivered to your home or office in the morning or afternoon up to 4PM. However, orders have to be placed a day before to enable Herbie to plan his delivery route.

Now Gomez, who cut and sharpened his teeth as one of Cagayan de Oro’s leading journalists, is learning a new trade in the kitchen.

“Di man ko anad sa kitchen. Di gani ko kabalo luto. But my wife (who provided the fundamentals) and my son (who enhanced the formula) taught me.

Karon, akoy ga mix, galuto, ga package. Pati hugas plato, ako! Hehehe” So far, production is limited to 10 tubs daily,

it being a home-based enterprise.

“Basta sobra sa 10 tubs in a day, mo agay na ko, mobalibad na ko.”

The new enterprise has helped the tidy the family a lot with all the constraints on their usual income from the quarantine measurer as a result of the pandemic.

“Just enough for me not to touch my hard-earned savings. We did not save for covid baya. At least malibre na akong car and kitchen fuel, and daily needs,” Herbie admits.

However, the encouraging response to their initial efforts has got the family thinking.

“Kung mahuman ning covid, mag tukod na tingali ko tindahan,” the newsman turned kusinero mulls.

Ito si Matteo.

Invite niya kayo bumili ng masarap na Matteo's siomai na luto ng Lolo Herbie niya.

CEB now offers Antigen tests for only P 700 Affordable RT-PCR test option also available for only P3,300 THE Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), commercially launches its Test Before Boarding (TBB) process for passengers flying from Manila, after its successful pilot run with the local government of General Santos. This process makes use of an antigen test taken just hours before the scheduled time of departure, with results released within 30 minutes.

CEB offers this antigen test for only P700, the lowest rate in the industry.

The TBB testing facility at the NAIA Terminal 3 is now open for walk-ins

from 2AM to 2PM daily.

CEB passengers will only have to register onsite and pay the fee directly to CEB’s diagnostic partner, Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory (PADL).

Throughout the pilot run, CEB tested a total of 1,143 passengers, three of whom tested positive and were not allowed to proceed with their flight.

Only those who tested negative were allowed to board the aircraft.

Subsequently, based on the data provided by the local government of GenSan, CEB passengers were retested after their

7-day quarantine and results were still negative, showing consistency with the earlier results of the TBB process.

“Following the successful TBB pilot, Cebu Pacific is ready to offer this option to all their passengers. We are urging everyjuan to take advantage of this convenient alternative, especially since the testing site is strategically located at the airport, making the whole process easy and hassle-free for our residents,” said Mayor Ronnel Rivera of General Santos City.

ANTIGEN/PAGE 11

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Fair...

from page 4

you can handle whatever life and others do to you—since He has already cleared the way for you to follow. He’s “been there, done that.” And He gives His same power to anyone who will ask Him to take control of their life.

His own inner strength and peace that does not let the unfairness of others keep you down.

You will also become strong and free enough to forgive those who hurt and treat you unfairly—just as He forgives you for the times you yourself have treated others wrongly. Jesus’ love and power is yours for the asking. So won’t you ask Him to forgive you and take charge of your heart every day? Then, no matter how unfair people are to you, you will know that the One Who is in control of your life will always be more than fair to you—since He alone is completely full of grace and truth. Just think a minute . . .

Fallouts... from page 4

tolerated by God because we can make something good out of them. They can occasion a greater and more realistic understanding of our condition in this life as well as the development of more virtues or the refining, polishing and maturing of the virtues that we already have.

With God, we would realize that these fallouts are actually a blessing rather than a curse, another golden opportunity for greatness rather than a setback and a punishment!

Email: roycimagala@ gmail.com

Reminder... from page 4

The Republic of Moldova makes progress during the pandemic Over 10% of the population in the Republic of Moldova lacks health coverage because entitlement is linked to payment of health insurance c ont r i b ut i on s a n d t h e informal sector is significant.

Reforms introduced in the last ten years have led to greater use of health services and fewer people reporting unmet need due to cost, but better access to care has also increased people’s exposure to out-of-pocket payments – for example, through heavy co-payments for outpatient medicines and informal payments in hospital. New WHO analysis finds that poor households are at high risk of being uninsured, facing financial barriers to access and experiencing catastrophic health spending.

In working to control the pandemic, the Republic of Moldova has used reserve funds to guarantee free h o spit a l t re at m e nt for ever yone, regardless of health insurance status. As the longer-term economic disruption caused by COVID-19 becomes more evident, this short-term measure could be turned into a permanent feature.

De-linking entitlement to all health services – not just hospital care – from payment of contributions would ensure people do not lose coverage when they need it most.

Redesigning co-payment policy will also help to reduce financial hardship.

From crisis response to sustained progress towards UHC UHC is one of the three priorities in the WHO European Programme of Work . “C OV I D - 1 9 has caused enormous disruption and devastation, but it has shown us the importance of accessible and affordable health services. No one should be denied the fundamental right to health care,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “A commitment to universal health coverage is at the heart of our work at WHO/Europe. We need to mobilize the public and political will to make sure it remains a priority.”

Two policy responses to the pandemic stand out as candidates for permanent change in European health systems: breaking the link between entitlement to health care and payment of contributions, and exempting poor people and people with chronic conditions from copayments. WHO/Europe will support the efforts of Member States to put universal health coverage at the core of recovery from COVID-19.

Antigen... from page 10

Ap ar t f rom G enera l Santos, the local governments of Butuan, Dipolog, and Pagadian also accept negative antigen test results as a pre-travel requirement.

CEB passengers going to these destinations may also conveniently avail of the TBB beginning today.

Affordable RT-PCR tests To date, a number of local and international destinations require negative RT-PCR test results prior to entry.

As such, CEB has ensured this need is fully covered as it offers RT-PCR tests for only P 3,300 via its three partner laboratories, namely PADL, Health Metrics, Inc. (HMI), and Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc. (SDDI).

Passengers booked on Cebu Pacific and Cebgo can easily choose and book appointments via https://bit. ly/CEBFlightReminders. One will simply have to click on the “Testing Options” tab and choose from any of those

in the list. From there, they will be redirected to each laboratory’s page to finalize their schedule online.

“We remain committed to making flights affordable for everyJuan and seeing that testing is required by a number of destinations at the moment, we have partnered with accredited laboratories that may offer affordable testing options. We look forward to the day trust and confidence in air travel have been restored, but until then, let us all work together towards that,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for Marketing and Customer Experience.

Domestic tourists may also avail of a subsidized RTPCR test at the UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).

50% of the original cost will be subsidized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), leaving only PHP 900 to be paid for by the passenger. Those who wish to apply for this must register five (5) days before their trip via www.tpb.gov. ph/rtpcrphtravel Testing is just one out of the three key steps CEB strictly implements to regain passenger confidence. Other approaches include safety and sanitation, as well as track and trace. CEB continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety and has been rated 7/7 stars by airlineratings. com for its COVID-19 compliance. Passengers are also constantly reminded to register in the Department of Transportation’s Traze App for a more efficient contact tracing process.

Guests are still strongly urge d to a lways che ck with the concerned LGU for latest updates. For a list of travel requirements, testing options, flexibility options and frequently asked questions, passengers are encouraged to visit https:// bit.ly/CEBFlightReminders.

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in Agusan del Norte, said the project aims to increase the coffee trade in the town and further improve the production and marketing of green coffee beans.

“Through this project, we target to produce and sell 300 metric tons of green coffee beans annually. This will have a huge impact on the coffee growers as we aim for a 5-percent increase in their livelihood income,”

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Duque said Friday.

L eonito C. Pasquito, L a s N i e v e s Mu n i c i p a l Agriculturist of Las Nieves, said the facility would also strengthen the primar y producers by transforming them into consolidators of green coffee beans.

“The Robusta produced by the coffee growers within the cluster area will be s o l d t o a fo c u s g roup, w h i c h i s t h e C AW FA I (Casiklan Wheels Farmers Ass o ci at ion, Inc.). The CAWFAI will then serve as the consolidator and will be the one to market the coffee beans to various processors in Cagayan de Oro and Butuan City with whom they have partnered through marketing agreement,” Pasquito told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

The project involves constructing 60 units of allweather driers, which will be distributed to production areas in Barangay Casiklan, Durian, Ibuan, Balungagan, and Lawan-lawan.

Also included in the budget are howling trucks to be used for buying and selling of coffee beans and a milling machine.

CAWFAI, meanwhile, contributed to the land where the warehouse will b e constr ucted as their equity.

“O n c e t h e f a c i l i t i e s will be ready to use, the farmers will also undergo seminars, training, and capacity building on coffee production, processing, product development, and marketing to develop their farm enterprise and have prof it a b l e o p e r at i on s ,” Pasquito said.

He added that the project is among t he pr ior ities under the administration of Mayor Avelina Rosales and in line with the Plant!

Plant! Plant! and Process!

Process! Process projects of the provincial government.

L as Nie ves is one of the most suitable towns in terms of coffee production, specifically the Robusta variety.

During the 1st Caraga Cupping Competition in Butu an C it y l a st 2 0 1 8 , t h e C AW FA I w o n t h e competition and got the highest-grade Robusta scoring of 82.1. (PNA)

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early economic recovery, the agency released P44.16 billion in home loans this year, allowing 43,733 members to have their own homes.

For October alone, P7.7 billion in home loans were released, which equals prepandemic monthly takeout target for the month, he said.

Mr. Moti described the result as a “hopeful sign” that the agency was getting back on track.

“We assure our members that we will continue serving them, especially during these difficult times. While the pandemic could have been used as an excuse not to serve, we at Pag-IBIG Fund used it as a reason to serve our members better. That is the Lingkod Pag-IBIG way,” he said.

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communication for mobile p h on e s u s i n g 4 G LT E , w h i l e Voi c e ove r Wi F I (VoWiFi) or WiFi Calling helps address indoor mobile coverage problems.

Globe laid out a 3-pronged strateg y to improve customer data and internet experience, which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/LTE; and fast tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide.

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UN SDG No. 9 which emphasizes the ro l e s of i n f r a s t r u c tu re and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

ADDENUM TO THE EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF MICHAEL LEONAR LLUCH KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late MICHAEL LEONAR LLUCH who died on 19 July 2014 at Cagayan de Oro City; that MICHAEL LEONAR LLUCH died intestate, without a Will or Testament and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; that on 8 January 2015, we, the surviving heirs, executed an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL LEONAR LLUCH which includes real properties situated in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, and more particularly described as follows with 1) Tax Dec. No. 14-002401441 situated at Pala-o, Iligan City, containing an area of 445 sq.m, 2) Tax Dec. No. 14-002401442 situated at Pala-o, Iligan City, containing an area of 215.78 sq.m. (BLDG), 3) Tax Dec. No. 14-0024-01015 sitauted at Pala-o, Iligan City, containing an area of 396.92 sq.m. (BLDG), 4) Tax Dec. No. G-012480 Aguinaldo St., Cagayan de Oro, containing an area of 370 sq.m., 5) Tax Dec. No. G-012534 situated at Aguinaldo St., Cagayan de Oro, containing an area of 1,277 sq.m., 6) Tax Dec. No. G-012535 situated at Aguinaldo St., Cagayan de Oro, (BLDG), 7) Tax Dec. No. G-109265 sitauted at Carmen, Cagayan de Oro, containing an area of 256 sq.m., 8) Tax Dec. No. G-109266 situated at Carmen, Cagayan de Oro, containing an area of 256 sq.m., 9) Tax Dec. No. G-012554 situated at Mortola St., Brgy 40, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 66 sq.m., 10) Tax Dec. No. G-178389 sitauted at J.R. Borja St., Poblacion, Brgy 32, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 46.50 sq.m., 11) Tax Dec. No. G-269347 situatec at Tiano Brothers St., Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 33 sq.m., 12) Tax Dec. No. 063936 sitauted at Pinikitan, Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 26 sq.m., 13) Tax Dec. No. G-063327 situated at Pinikitan, Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 1297 sq.m., 14) Tax Dec. No. G-063774 sitauted at Pinikitan, Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 2759 sq.m., 15) Tax Dec. No. G-063774 situated at Pinikitan, Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 36 sq.m. and has been the subject of an ADDENUM TO THE EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF MICHAEL LEONAR LLUCH, filed by the heirs, per DOC #470; PAGE #94; BOOK #39; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MARIA LEONITA Q. GO. BWM: Dec. 14, 21 & 28, 2020

12 CREATING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS. Therma Visayas, Inc., facing the Toledo coastline, a resource for many residents to support their livelihood.

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

MONDAY|DECEMBER 21, 2020

Therma Visayas initiates Marine Conservation Strategy in Toledo A boitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI) is no stranger to visitors to the plant. TVI has welcomed a range of guests inside the facility, from business partners to government

officials, who have come to conduct inspections, strengthen relationships, or create opportunities for collaboration and benchmarking.

Even with the vast experience of the TVI team, nothing could have prepared them for their unexpected guest on November 6, 2020. They could only stop and stare, and take photos of who (or what) decided to casually pass by.

The whale shark, locally known as Butanding, is a migratory species that regularly passes through the coastal areas of South Luzon and the Visayan islands. These creatures frequent tropical waters and areas where plankton are abundant as these are their main source of food. Officially, the Philippines hosts the second largest known population of whale sharks in the world according to a study by Wildbook for Whale Sharks.

Though the visit was short and sweet, it echoed the AboitizPower group’s promise of providing reliable and reasonable power created in the most responsible way. Therma Visayas holds in high regard the impact of its operations and takes proactive approaches to ensure the wellbeing and preservation of its immediate environment.

The Coastal Resource Management Program (CRMP) is one of the initiatives implemented by Therma Visayas for the rehabilitation, enhancement, and preservation of its immediate coastal environment.

Along with other coastal resources management programs implemented around the country, Therma Visayas hopes that the implementation of this program enhances the livelihood support provided to Toledo communities while ensuring the longterm preservation of its coastal resources.

The CRMP includes

education and training, resource management, and livelihood development tailor-fit for Toledo communities.

Currently in its first phase, the CRMP is in the process of identifying the biophysical and socioeconomic profiles of Toledo and the status of its resources.

This initial phase is crucial to the overall impact of the project as it evaluates the current marine environment and its available resources.

It also involves the identification of community members from the local government and community groups to be part of a working group who will be consulted on the projects to be created for the Toledo community.

“Therma Visayas intends to continue its environmental responsibility not only in greening programs for the upland but also by managing its coastal resources. We plan to help equip our coastal community to have livelihood and other activities that can sustain the resources and natural productivity of the marine ecosystems for future generations,” TVI Safety, Health, and Environment Manager Argel Cabañero said.

AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas, Inc. is the operator of the 340-megawatt Toledo baseload Power Plant located in Brgy. Bato, Toledo City, Cebu. TVI is certified in three ISO standards, namely Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management (ISO 14001:2015), Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHSMS 45001:2018).

The facility is an 80-20 joint venture between Aboitiz Power Corporation and Vivant, Corp. respectively. Together with Therma Luzon, Inc. and Therma South, IncThe three primarily compose the Coal Business Unit of AboitizPower.