BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 27-28, 2021)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Volume XII, No. 85

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By RUBEN A. VEGAFRIA President, 2021

Briefly

In January 2022, three-time Oro Chamber President Ruben A. Vegafria formally turns over the gavel of leadership to incoming president Raymundo G. Talimio, Jr. during the Oro Chamber’s 4th

Help for workers

Aid for orphans COTABATO City – A member of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament has filed a bill before the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to establish a regional system for accredited orphanages.

The 80-member BTA is the interim lawmaking body of the BARMM. “This is to institutionalize support for the welfare of orphans in the Bangsamoro region,” said BTA–BARMM Member of Parliament (MP), Atty. Maisara Latiph, in a statement Thursday.

Anti-insurgency funds AN official of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army said on Saturday that the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) has identified 160 conflict-free villages across Northern Mindanao eligible for anti-insurgency projects in 2022.

During an interview in the CORDS X podcast on Saturday night, Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., 4ID commander, said efforts are underway to include the identified villages for project funding under the National Task Force (NTF)-ELCAC’s banner program, Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP).

He assured that the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ support and commitment is unwavering.

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Oro Chamber Scales Greater Heights with Response to the Challenges of the New Normal

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THE Department of Labor and Employment in Northern Mindanao (DOLE-10) will be extending help to workers affected by Typhoon "Odette."

DOLE-10 Director Albert Gutib said during a press forum Tuesday that qualified individuals will get assistance under the agency's "Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers" (TUPAD) program, which helps workers affected by calamities, typhoons, or man-made disasters.

"Our affected workers due to the said typhoon will just have to go to our Public Employment Services Office or PESO, which are established at the local government units like in the city, municipality or province, and are handled by the PESO managers," he said.

IN-DEPTH

Our Year Together – Highlights of 2021

AS OF 6:00 PM DECEMBER 23, 2021 (THURSDAY)

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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

Quarter General Membership Meeting, Awards Night and Fellowship.

Among the highlights of the occasion is Vegafria’s presentation of the President’s 2021 Annual Report, and he shared with BusinessWeek Mindanao some salient points of

the year’s accomplishments among of which are the following: For the first time, NONTRUSTEES of the chamber were appointed to chair Permanent Standing Committees, which allowed them to submit activity RESPONSE/PAGE 11

ERC orders ‘relaxed’ power bill payments

By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

T

H E E n e r g y R e g u l at o r y C ommissi on (ERC) has ordered at least two-month leeway on the electric bill payments of consumers in the typhoon-affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

This order came a longside its call for speedy restoration of electricity services in the affected areas. The power industry regulator POWER/PAGE 11

BARMM exceeds 2021 investment target COTABATO City – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has exceeded its investment generation target by more than P300 million this year, the Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) said Thursday.

In a statement, the BBOI-BARMM said P2.8 billion worth of investments TARGET/PAGE 11

CHRISTMAS IN SURIGAO. Catholics in Surigao City, one of the areas hardest hit by super typhoon ‘Odette’ on December 16, 2021. find time to attend mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral on Christmas eve, 24 December. The typhoon left thousands of residents homeless. mindanews photo by ivy marie mangadlao

Sister cities Davao, Zambo among country's richest

By FRENCIE CARREON, MindaNews

RUSH TO MARKET. Hundreds flock to the Bankerohan Market in Davao City Friday morning (24 December 2021) for their last minute Christmas shopping. mindanews photo

ZAMBOANGA City – The local governments of the sister cities Davao and Zamboanga are the only two in Mindanao that made it to the country’s 10 richest cities, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

In its consolidated 2020 Annual Financial Report for the Local Government, COA said that Davao’s wealth was at P23.664 billion with current assets (CA) of P14.172 billion and non-current assets (NCA) of P9.493 billion while Zamboanga had total assets of P19.775 billion (CA P8.145

billion and NCA of P11.630 billion).

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco signed on behalf of their respective local governments a city sisterhood agreement on July 2021.

The two lady mayors were the country’s representatives in the United States’ Visiting International Leaders Program in 2017.

According to the COA report, the leading city assetswise is Quezon City, led by RICHEST/PAGE 11

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BARMM builds homes for ex-rebels, IDPs

COTABATO City Seen as clear evidence of the dividends of peace in Mindanao, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has stepped up its housing program for settlement by former Moro combatants and internally displaced persons in the region.

In a statement Friday, the region’s Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), there is no letup in expanding the construction of housing units for resettlement projects intended for ex-MILF combatants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other needy sectors across the region.

On Thursday, the MHSD held separate

groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of 150 units of housing projects for the villages of Buricain and Simsiman in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato; and for Barangay Nabalawag in Barira, Maguindanao.

Funded under the Special Development Fund (SDF), each of the 50-units of resettlement housing projects for Barangays Buricain and Simsiman are worth P28,722,864 and P27,839,114, respectively.

On the other hand, for Barangay Nabalawag, MHSD-BARMM has earmarked P25,475,931 for the establishment of another 50–unit housing project with land development, subsidized under the General Appropriations Act of the BUILDS/PAGE 10

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NorMin police wish public a safe holiday season T HE Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO10) on Friday sent its wishes to the public with a hope of a peaceful Yuletide season despite the global pandemic and the recent onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., the PRO-10 director, said in his video message on Facebook that the police force will continue to "give an utmost service, dedication, to the community despite the pandemic".

He also extended his well-wishes to those affected by Typhoon Odette, as some police units in the region were

deployed to collect and distribute relief goods in Northern Mindanao and Caraga, both heavily affected by the weather disturbance.

Acorda said during a recent media forum that the PRO-10 is already on "Red Alert" since the start of this month.

However, he clarified that the color code does not necessarily mean an aggressive response against armed groups,

but rather an alert level that requires heightened vigilance for the safety of civilians. "(We impose) red alert almost every year just to maximize not only armed threats (against civilians) but also on gatherings like the 'Simbang Gabi' (dawn mass) and other activities with mass gatherings. We should be on our guard," he said.

Acorda also said the deployment of police units

is on "full utilization," which requires "full attendance" of its personnel.

Responsible firearm use Col. Aaron Mandia, director of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), also said in an earlier interview he was confident all police personnel will abide by the rule against indiscriminate firing during this holiday season.

SAFE/PAGE 10

Strengthening Community Ties. A total of 70 children received early Christmas gifts, warm meals, and entertainment while their parents were given Christmas gift packs containing goods for the Noche Buena festivities. (58IB)

58th IB holds Christmas outreach in Claveria

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental--The 58th Infantry "Dimalulupig" Battalion (58th IB) in collaboration with the Agila Shriners held a Christmas Outreach Program at Sitio Tuganay, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Claveria, here, amid the coronavirus disease

(COVID)-19 pandemic.

A total of 70 children received early Christmas gifts, warm meals, and entertainment while their parents were given Christmas gift packs containing goods for the Noche Buena festivities.

"This holiday reminds us of the true spirit of

Christmas: giving, caring, and sharing, we hope that these simple gifts from us bring you joy as you welcome and celebrate the Christmas season," said Municipal Trial Courts Opol Presiding Judge Isagani Ravidas said.

Meanwhile, 58th IB Commander Ricky L Canatoy expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the event's sponsors and commended the community for their unwavering support in maintaining Sitio Tuganay's peace and order.

“Padayon lang ta sa atong matinud-anay na pagtinabangay ug pagpaningkamot para sa kalambuan ug kahusay ug kalinaw sa atong komunidad para ang inyong panginabuhi dili mabalda, ang mga kabatan-onan makaeskwela. Kay lahi ra gyud ang komunidad na gubot, ug wa'y pagtinabangay,” he said.

(Let us continue on helping one another, and work on development and peace for our community so your livelihood won't be affected and the chidren will be able to continue their studies. It is really difficut to live in a community with chaos and no cooperation among people). (58IB/ PIA-Misamis Oriental)

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CorporateWorld Coco oil records biggest jump in PH export value MON-TUE|DECEMBER 27-28, 2021

G

ROWTH in the coconut industry is apparent after data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Friday showed that of the 10 major commodity groups in terms of the value of exports, coconut oil recorded the highest annual increase of 76.9 percent.

Cathodes and sections of cathodes and refined copper (56 percent), and chemicals (53.7 percent) were the next top performers.

The country’s total external trade likewise increased.

“For October 2021, the total external trade amounted to USD16.84 billion. It grew at an annual rate of 15.2 percent. In the previous month, the annual increase was recorded at 17.1 percent, while a decline of minus 10 percent was recorded in October 2020,” the PSA data stated.

By commodity group, electronic products continued to be the top export in October with total earnings of USD3.65 billion, or 57 percent of

the total exports during the period.

This was followed by other manufactured goods with an export value of USD350.18 million (5.5 percent) and other mineral products worth USD298.48 million (4.7 percent).

Exports to China comprised the highest export value amounting to USD1.01 billion or a share of 15.8 percent of the total exports in October.

Other major export trading partners with their export values and percentage shares were the US with USD962.31 million or 15 percent, Hong Kong with USD865.62 million (13.5 percent), Japan at USD859.67 million (13.4 percent), and Singapore at USD390.59 million (6.1 percent).

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) reported earlier that coconut oil and crude coconut oil are two of the top US imports from the Philippines.

Commissioner Eric Elnar of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Los Angeles, California

previously said the Philippines accounts for 60 percent of US coconut oil imports and 73 percent of US crude coconut oil imports.

The rise in demand was due to changes in US trade policy, market trends, and dietary guidelines, he explained.

For one, a surge in consumption followed the withdrawal of US guidance that implicated coconut as a source of allergies.

Market demand for organic products and improved awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle also contributed to the coconut oil boom.

“To meet the changing market demand, the office took advantage of the online shopping market trend that had become mainstream during the pandemic, while still maintaining distribution among traditional physical stores selling coconut products. Another avenue tapped was the growth of the reseller market led by Filipino-Americans running micro, small and medium enterprise caravans,” the PCA said in a previous statement. (PNA)

DIRECTORY

Foreign ownership liberalization seen to boost FDIs to PH FOREIGN direct investments (FDIs) to the Philippines are expected to increase following the passage in the Senate of a measure to liberalize several sectors including the telecommunication industry.

In a commentary issued on Wednesday, Fitch Solutions said the measure is seen to improve investors’ appetite for the Philippines.

“The country has a highly conducive environment for technological uptake but is held back by nascent digital infrastructure.

Increased foreign investment in the telecoms and tech sectors will serve the growth of such assets, particularly terrestrial fiber networks

where coverage is particularly limited,” it said.

To date, foreign ownership in public utilities in the country is only allowed up to 40 percent.

The commentary noted that “downside risks to foreign investment and improvements to fixed networks include the Philippines' proximity to escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, as well as the appeal of mobile broadband.”

It said the government has been enticing foreign investors through continued liberalization of FDI policies.

Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data, it said FDIs have slipped for the third consecutive

year in 2020, by nearly 25 percent.

With favorable demographics for having a large number of young population, the report said: “the Philippines is largely held back by underdeveloped digital infrastructure.”

“Liberalising the environment for foreign investors is likely to encourage greater investment into maturing the country’s digital infrastructure, a requirement for techplayers looking to successfully capitalize on the Philippines’ conducive demographics,” it said.

Allowing greater foreign investors’ participation in the domestic telco industry is seen to boost the country’s capacity to

be among the fastestgrowing cloud market in the region over the medium to around USD1.36 billion market size by 2024.

The commentary said that “despite the rapid increase in investment, the Philippines will remain one of APAC’s smallest cloud computing markets, with recent activity insufficient to significantly improve the country’s scarce terrestrial digital infrastructure.’

“That said, liberalizing the market should see an influx of international tech-players looking to monetize the Philippines’ long-term growth opportunity and we could see the country’s cloud computing market forecasts revised upwards,” it added. (PNA)

Mitsubishi UFJ targets Asia unicorns with debt-finance fund MITSUBISHI UFJ Financial Group Inc. is preparing to launch a fund that provides debt financing to Asian startups in an effort to win investmentbanking business through subsequent initial public offerings.

Japan’s largest lender will start a $300 million fund early next year after upsizing its first joint-venture fund earlier this year, Chief Executive Officer Hironori Kamezawa said in an interview. It will specifically target so-called unicorns, companies with a valuation of at least $1 billion, or those nearing that stage, he said.

“If these companies become successful, they will go on to do an IPO,” he said.

The fund, mostly aimed at firms in the informationtechnology sector, is another demonstration of Kamezawa’s endeavors into new territory for his sprawling megabank.

After taking the helm last year he’s sought to replace physical banking services and prioritize areas such as digital lending to generate new avenues of expansion to offset the tough growth outlook in Japan.

Last year, MUFG invested $700 million in ride-hailing giant Grab

Holdings Ltd. and made a business tie-up with the Singapore company. He said the Grab deal was aimed at complementing its traditional retail banking network in Asia with a digital channel.

IPO NEXT MUFG’s aim is not limited to debt financing to these startups. Kamezawa said he hopes MUFG and its alliance partner Morgan Stanley can offer investment-banking services when the startups later undergo IPOs. “We are also thinking about teaming up with Morgan Stanley in

supporting their IPO process,” he said. “There are such possibilities if Asia’s fintech industry makes further growth.”

Kamezawa said its Singapore joint venture set up last year with Israeli company Liquidity Capital M.C. Ltd. has seen strong demand for loans by startup companies in the region and was expanded to $200 million in September. The second fund, launching early next year, will operate in addition to that, with Liquidity Capital using its expertise to assess the creditworthiness of the target startups.

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Success starts today Think a minute… In 1951 a nuclear disaster almost took place at a nuclear power plant in Canada. The core reactor had melted down, so it had to be taken apart before more deadly radiation escaped into the community. The challenge was to quickly find the right person who was both highly trained and also willing to do such a dangerous job that could kill him.

We l l , a 2 6 - y e ar- o l d lieutenant in the United States Navy who was highly trained in nuclear physics and reactor technology was willing to rise to the challenge. He had top security clearance at the headquarters of the Atomic Energy Commission in Washington D.C., so he was flown to the nuclear power plant in Canada where the accident had happened.

There he led a team of trained technicians as they promptly practiced each precise step of taking apart the melted down reactor.

Finally, wearing special radiation-resistant clothing and armed with only the tools in his hands, the lieutenant went where no human being had ever gone: a melted-down

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST nuclear reactor core.

He had to take the reactor apart perfectly, with each step taking no longer than one minute and 30 seconds.

In that amount of time this young lieutenant’s body was exposed to the maximum allowable radiation for a human being for an entire year! So his swift and skillful work was crucial to his own survival. He had no time for even one small mistake of fumbling for a bolt or valve connector. Both his life and the lives of many others were depending on him.

But he not only survived, he succeeded! And not only at that challenging job, but many others throughout his life. For SUCCESS/PAGE 10

MON-TUE|DECEMBER 27-28, 2021

Between the years

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BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO ALLAN MARIO MEDIANTE Vice President for Corporate Affairs

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KLAUS DORING Many times we are really in too much of a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we notice how time flies.

Yes, my late grandmother was right, when she said: The older you become, the faster time passes by. My late mother told us the same.

Yes, I am 68 now. I can only strongly agree with them.

When I was still a teenager, I was longing to

be an adult already. Later, I enjoyed listening to my late grandmother (born 1898!) stories such as "Once upon a time" or "When I was young" from her life yesterday's life... .

After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a racket to the moon, I also have the same question in mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable?

Of course, each day has its own set of happiness and trials. But it also holds very high possibilities of how we take the initiative to do or to move something, if ...!

Yes, the luring term IF lets us look into the future with an overblown "glistening" eye: IF I will finish my studies - IF my children become adults - IF I might

become rich and win in the lottery, yes IF! And then?

Christmas is gone, if you might read this. The next turn of the year is just around the corner. For most of us it's time to come to our senses. The future prospects smile at us already. What might the New Year bring us? Is life in the future easier, nicer, more charming and more fulfilled compared to the present or the almost finished 2021? The thoughts fill me with horror, because tragicomic future visions can easily blur away our present day.

A possible topsy-turvy world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past has had its shares of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, tricky as well as desperate days...

yes, lost days, irretrievable t i m e . . . . We d re am ou r impossible dreams from last year, this 2021 to the future and vice versa. We forget that between yesterday and tomorrow is our valuable presence. Well, now well then - if we know how to fulfill this period.

I will be taking a short break from many tasks and appointments. I will be trusting in God, because He takes care of me and my future. Don't allow the daily hectic and stress of this season kill your senses. +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot. com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

A wish list for the incoming President

My good friend and fellow BPI Director, Romy Bernardo, recently shared with me a ten-point policy wish list for the incoming president.

Ac c ord i ng t o D i re c t or Bernardo, who served as f inance unders e cret ar y during the Cory and Ramos presidencies, the wish list was put together by experts from the Foundation for Economic Freedom, the Management Association of t he Phi lippines, t he Makati Business Club and the Philippine Disaster Resiliency Foundation.

I am impressed at the clarity and doability of the proposals. The future president and his/her cabinet would do well to study and implement them when the time comes.

O f c ou rs e, D i re c tor B ernardo emphasizes that these are polic y recommendations. What will really count will be the execution which can only be assured if the future president

appoints “a first-class team equal to the most challenging circumstances facing our country, committed to the rule of law, and genuine s e r v a n t l e a d e r s h i p .”

The 10 Point Wish List 1 . C r e a t e a Na t i o n a l Recovery and Resilience C o unc i l and a He alth Security Council Create a National Recovery and Resilience Council (NRRC), headed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and assisted by an Advisor y Committee including the private sector, to manage the tradeoffs between job creation and social protection, versus COVID-19 mortality rates.

Downscale the IATF and create a Health Security C ou nc i l ( H S C ) t hat is composed of the Departments of Health (DoH), Interior and L o cal G overnment (DILG), Information and Communications

Technology (DICT), and Budget and Management (DBM), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), with a mandate for emergencies, with oversight over pandemic control, and empowered to tap other government agencies and private sector entities as resources.

2. Rapidly upg rade the country’s healthcare system R apidly upgrade the c o u n t r y ’s h e a l t h c a r e system to manage against an endemic situation by increasing hospital bed and manpower capacity, refor ming t he national i ns u r an c e s y s t e m , an d guaranteeing a steady supply of vaccines and medicines.

3. Resolve the worsening learning crisis Prioritize and address with utmost urgency resolving our worsening Learning Crisis by restarting face-to-face classes, reconstituting the Education Commission, and providing connectivity support for remote learners.

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE

4. Liberalize segments of the economy Liberalize segments of the economy such as importation and foreign investment restrictions, with the aim of lowering prices to stave off inflation and improving competitiveness by lowering costs.

5. Address the country’s energy security Address the country’s f utu re e n e rg y s e c u r it y situation to ensure continued access to cleaner forms of energy, future exploration of offshore resources which LIST/PAGE 10

2021: From worst to good IN just a few more days, we draw the curtain for 2021.

Coming from a year that gave us the covid-19 pandemic outbreak and brought almost everyone in a downward spiral, we started 2021 still with an ounce of pessimism.

As much as we wanted to face it more positively, we were still carrying much of the pandemic baggage.

While 2020 was a straight downward spiral, it was a roller coaster ride this 2021.

The first few months were down just like in 2020. Then we were up to when we saw a ray of hope with the arrival of the first batch of vaccines.

We were down again when the new covid variants came out. But with more people getting vaccinated, resulting to fewer new cases, our economy started perking up. However, we face again another potential threat of a more contagious variant, Omicron, which as of the time of this writing, has already been detected locally. But

we learned our lessons from the Delta variant.

The first few months of 2021 were nothing different from 2020. In fact, for many, the first half of the year was even worst as the virus was hitting close to home. The infected were just not mere numbers but with faces and names. We were losing family members, relatives, and friends to the virus. I personally dread to check my FB news feedback then as posts from friends mourning the loss of a loved one came one after the other. Sadly, the vaccines came too late for them.

Still, there is no doubt that the biggest headline of 2021 is the availability of anti-covid vaccines. All nations raced to secure their supply of vaccines. The richer countries got their hands on the vaccines first while for 3rd world countries like the Philippines, we had to patiently wait for our turn. The first batch of the

vaccines, mostly donations from China and WHO, came to us sometime in March.

Vaccination was done by priority group (from groups A to C) as vaccine supplies came in a trickle at the start.

But as months progressed, supply improved. Regardless of the source and the brand, we are just thankful that we now have a steady supply of vaccines. As of the latest count, around 40.69M Filipinos (or 36.9% of the population) have been fully vaccinated while another 54.5M (or 49.5 of the Filipinos) have been partially vaccinated.

What’s good about this, is that these numbers now include children above 12 years old.

The number significantly increased due to the 3-day national vaccination drive of the government which churned a total of 7.6M vaccinated Filipinos. A 2nd run of the 3-day nationwide vaccination drive was held Dec 15-17 which aimed to inoculate another 7M

MINDFUL

JAY LEDESMA Filipinos.

With more people getting fully vaccinated, we saw a steady decline in our new cases while most of those being infected showed mild symptoms. This prevents death and hospitalization, removing pressure on our health systems, as well. A welcome respite for our health workers. We hope that with the roll-out of the booster shots, we can better protect ourselves even from new variants that may still come out. Indeed, vaccination is the key!

GOOD/PAGE 10

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MON-TUE|DECEMBER 27-28, 2021

Screen capture from the film “Sinag,” which looked at the science behind solar power, featuring Richelle Joan Gareza Enriquez of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (NCR).

Screen capture from the Best Film in the Youth Category entitled “Snooze,” a documentary on the science of sleep, created by Micah Paulina C. Limlengco of Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus.

Young filmmakers explore science mysteries th amid pandemic in 5 Indie-Siyensya

F

ROM the mundane mysteries such as sleep and solar power to social issues such as vaccine hesitancy to environmentallysustainable fishing traditions, everyday science comes to life with the able explorations of young documentary filmmakers of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI’s) 5th IndieSiyensya Filmmaking Competition.

Over five dozen entries from schools and individuals all across the Philippines, from Abra to Maguindanao, joined the contest. Their entries consisted of short documentaries relevant to the theme “The Scientist in Me,” aimed at explaining the science

behind everyday things.

DOST-SEI specifically chose this theme in response to the need for public safety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a way to encourage the youth to see science as an essential part of their everyday lives.

“Science is so much more than just a set of facts: it is a way of life, a way of seeing the world,” said DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo. “This innate ability to see the world anew is a philosophy of hope that is much needed, especially in these times. It is for this reason that we chose the theme, ‘The Scientist in Me.’” Despite the constraints of the pandemic and the limitations, all the entries were done well noteworthy of praise, but in any

contest there has to be winners.

For the “Youth Category” for high school, tertiary school, and out-of-school youth aged 13-20, the winners were: 1. “Snooze,” a documentary on the science of sleep, by Micah Paulina C. Limlengco of Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus 2. “Agam- Agham,” a Filipino-language investigation of vaccine hesitancy, by Mary Antonette G. Agapito, Malena Riz C. Ballon, Juliana Krishna W. Guevarra, Val Allen U. Eltagonde, and Divine Mae R. Manadong of Rizal National Science High School (Region 4A) 3. “Marvels of Science: Non-Newtonian Fluid,” an exploration of the strange properties of a homemade

material, by De La Salle University Integrated School Manila (NCR) For the “Open Category” for college students, teachers, and S&T professionals, the winners were: 1. “Sinag,” a look at the surprising science of solar power, by Richelle Joan Gareza Enriquez of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (NCR) 2. “Super Sci Yan,” an exploration of alternative energy sources, by Kenneth Peterson F. Leviste of Arkos Digital (NCR) 3. “Yankaw,” an investigative documentary of a sustainable traditional Filipino fishing practice, by Khristine L. Sandoval of NU Sports Academy (Laguna, Region 4A) The films were judged based

on scientific content, idea execution, and filmmaking technique. The winners in each category were given trophies and cash prizes worth P100,000 for the Best Film, P50,000 pesos for the second prize, and P30,000 for the third prize.

In addition, both “Marvels of Science: Non- Newtonian Fluid” and “Yankaw” also received the Viewer’s Choice Award, amounting to an additional P20,000 each.

Indeed, this initiative of DOST-SEI brings out the best in the Filipino where they get to show that science and art or art and science can be mixed and complement each other to create beautiful masterpieces. The winning entries may be viewed for free at the following link: https://bit.ly/5thIndieWinners.

DOLE-10 urges business owners to comply labor standards

On the COA Report Flagging P1.44 Trillion in 'Idle' Projects WE OWE it to the next generation of Filipinos to act now with strong political will in addressing corruption.

It is high time for government prosecutors from the Ombudsman or Department of Justice (DOJ), as well as investigating agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to give utmost importance

and attention to the regular and special Commission on Audit (COA) audit reports if we intend to be serious in stamping out corruption in the country.

For one, the audit reports provide very good leads in identifying misuse and abuse of public funds and pursuing cases against erring public officials as well as their cohorts in the private sector including contractors

and suppliers.

So much is lost to corruption, oftentimes committed with impunity by shenanigans who continue to laugh their way to the banks while we, the taxpaying public, are left with the proverbial empty bag. We are already neck-deep in debt without seeing the commensurate programs, projects and activities (PPAs) designed to uplift the lives of Filipinos.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 urged business owners to comply with labor standards especially in the release of 13th month pay to workers on or before December 24.

Atheneus Vasallo, director II of DOLE-10, shared during Talakayan sa PIA, media forum, December 14 at SM City Cagayan de Oro that the release of 13th month pay after December 24 would mean violation of labor standards.

“We are advising management to voluntarily comply so that our workers will be happy and we are compliant to the law. The computation is one month's salary divided by 12 months x (total months of service in the company or establishment),” he said.

Just in case, the employer cannot pay the 13th month on time but both parties (employer and employee) have a written agreement as to when, then it will not be a violation, Vasallo added.

Further, businesses have availed of the loan facility under SB Corporation, a lending facility for MSMEs, for this specific payout. According to Julie Nieva, information officer of the Department of Trade and Industry, 66 loan applications have already been approved worth P15 million.

“Our mandate is to protect workers but we also encourage partnership between workers and management to continue employment and improve working conditions. If there are violations, we advise management that a

dissatisfied worker is non-productive. It is a must to comply with labor standards, so we can expect a productive worker,” he shared.

Preservation of employment is one of the concerns of DOLE. At the start of the pandemic in March and April, from 95% employment rate, it plunged down to 88%. It only came back up to 95% not until July this year.

Through COVID Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), DOLE gave out P5,000 assistance to affected workers.

A total of P600 million were released benefitting around 100,000 workers.

Meanwhile, DOLE is continuously implementing Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa mga Disadvantaged and Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

In the forum, Vasallo said displaced workers and those in the informal sector such as the fisherfolk, farmers and women who have no income can avail of the emergency employment for a period of 10 to 30 days. So far, DOLE has provided temporary employment to 90,000 individuals.

As to the re-opening of businesses, DOLE is guided by Inter-Agency Task Force for COVID 19 (IATF) resolution 148B which states all establishments can now open provided that all their workers should be vaccinated. However, those who will not subject themselves to vaccination will be respected but they are required to present an RT-PCR test once every two weeks at their own cost or expense. (JMOR/PIA-10)

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Feature Sta. Rosa City's Santa Village brings joy to locals MON-TUE|DECEMBER 27-28, 2021

By AZER PARROCHA, PNA

I

F THE Christmas spirit hasn't quite kicked in yet, consider visiting this plaza in Santa Rosa, Laguna that

has set up a variety of life-size Santa statues.

The Santa Claus Village in the city plaza located in Barangay Kanluran is quickly attracting locals looking

for a way to safely enjoy the holidays with their friends and families.

Lights go up starting at 7 p.m., but there’s plenty of time to take morning walks in a plaza where

Jesus is the reason for the season. (Photo courtesy of Sta. Rosa City Cultural Affairs Office)

there’s no shortage of Santas.

There’s one statue of Santa with elves, Santa reading his naughty and nice list, Santa on his sleigh, and Santa coming out of a chimney, and much more.

Organized by Santa Rosa’s City Cultural Affairs Office, the pictureperfect display started welcoming guests in November and will run until the city's annual Sikhayan, a festival in January that honors the perseverance and determination of their people.

Santa Claus displays are not new in the plaza, but organizers decided to take it up a notch by increasing the number of Santa statues for public viewing.

“It’s about time kasi medyo nagluwag nanaman

Christmas Message 2021 ni ABP. JOSE A. CABANTAN, D.D.

“Pagkadako sa atong kalipay sa pagpasalamat sa Ginoo kay karong adlawa natawhan kita sa Dios, ang atong Manunubos.”

Kini ang mensahe sa mga anghel ngadto sa magbalantay sa karnero sa panahon sa pagkatawo sa atong Manunubos. Mianhi Siya aron makiguban kanato sa atong managkadungan nga pagbaktas sa dalan.

Ang dalan mao gayod ang atong Ginoo mismo, ang dalan sa kinabuhi, kapuno sa kinabuhi.

Pinaagi sa iyang pagkatawo, Siya nakig-uban sa pagpanaw sa atong kinabuhi ug wala kita maginusara niining atong pagpanaw. Uban gayod Siya kanato kanunay.

Mao nga magpasalamat kita niining panahon sa Pasko sa gasa sa iyang gugma nga gipaambit nganhi kanato. Ania pa kita karon sa pagsaulog gihapon sa 500 Years of Christianity. Sa atong Arkideyosesis sa umaabot nga tuig, magsaulog usab kita sa 400 years sa pag-abot sa atong pagtoo ug Christianismo diri sa Cagayan de Oro. Niining panahon diin usab atong ipadayon ang atong gitinguha nga magdungan magbaktas sa dalan sa atong Ginoo, ang dalan sa kinabuhi isip

usa ka Sinodal nga Simbahan.

Gidapit kitang tanan nga mangadto kita una sa tanan isip hiniusang katilingban ngadto sa Bethlehem, kon ang Pan sa Kinabuhi.

Buot ipasabot magkahiusa kita kanunay diha sa atong pag-ampo ug pagsimba sa Ginoo kay kini man ang maghatag kanato ug kusog sa pagpadayon sa pagpanaw diin niining dalan nga atong ginalaktan.

Ikaduha kini usab ang atong pagkahiusa diha sa pag-ambit sa Pan sa Kinabuhi, modala unta kanato kanunay sa usa ka Misyon labi na gayod ang pagsangyaw sa gugma ug kamatuoran ug gisangyaw sa atong Ginoo kanato. Hilabi na niining panahon sa fake news.

Hapit na ang adlaw sa piniliay, modagsang usab ang fake news. Atong responsibilidad ang paghagpat sa mga balita o mga nakit-an nato diha sa social media una kita mo-like o ug una kita mopaambit niini ngadto sa uban.

Hinaut pa unta niining panahon sa Pasko nga diin gipahinumdoman kita nga managkahiusa kitang magbaktas sa dalan sa atong Ginoo ang dalan sa kinabuhi, tagaan usab kita ug dugang grasya sa Ginoo ug kusog sa pagpadayag sa atong Misyon, pagpaambit sa maong gugma ngadto sa usag-usa, pag-atiman sa atong mga kaigsoonan nga nagkinahanglan sa atong panabang nga anaa sa kadaplinan.

Niining Pasko karon, gitawag usab kita sa pagtabang sa atong mga kaigsoonan nga naapektahan pag-ayo sa bagyo nga Odette, sa Surigao, Bohol, sa Cebu ug sa lain-laing mga dapit nga dako kaayo’g kadaot nga nahimo sa bagyong Odette ngadto kanila.

Dako usab gayod nga hagit dire sa atong arkidiyosesis karon niining Pasko. Usa ka pinaskohan nga nagtangag ug dako nga hagit isip Kristohanong katilingban, ang kalit natong nahibaloan nga pagbukas sa casino dinhi sa Taboc, Opol Misamis Oriental.

Hinomdoman nato niadtong Junyo 1993, gisupak nato ang pagbukas sa casino dinhi pinanguluhan atong kanhi Arsobispo Jesus B.Tuquib. Padayon kitang mutotul niiini, mobabag niini taliwala nga kalit lang kining gibuksan ug kalit nga nahibaloan nga mibukas na ang maong casino diha sa maong lugar. Padayon nato ang pagsupak niini nga mga balay sugalanan nga maghatag unya ug kadaot sa atong pamilya.

Apan taliwala sa tanan manghinaut kita nga niining panahon sa Pasko, ang gugma sa Ginoo maghatag kanato ug dugang kusog, kaisog ug kaikag, pagsangyaw ug pagmantala sa iyang way sukod Niyang gugma alang kanatong tanan isip iyang katawhan.

Mga igsoon Malipayong Pasko ug Bulahang Bag-ong Tuig Kaninyong Tanan!

Get in! We're going Christmas shopping. (Photo courtesy of Donel Lijauco)

yung ating Alert Levels so kaya nag-decide ang City Cultural Affairs Office na pagandahin yung plaza para kahit papaano yung mga tao na medyo nabo-bore ay malibang naman (It’s about time because the Alert Level has lowered. This is why the City Cultural Affairs Office decided to adorn the plaza with more decorations so that residents would be able to have fun),” Jerry Lapinid, Administrative Assistant, said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.

Lapinid said the statues of Father Christmas, which are made of fiber resin, were purchased in the municipality Kalayaan that is known for supplying Christmas decorations.

Compared to last year, he said the city is starting to snap back into prepandemic normalcy with the exception of people still being required to wear their face masks and keep their distance.

“Every night nga ang dami-daming tao sa plaza para mamasyal doon nagpo-photo ops, mga pamilya, barkada (there are lots of people in the plaza to take a walk and take photos with their family and friends),” he said.

“Mas dumami ngayon yung tao compared nung last year. Siguro dahil matagal ngang hindi nakalabas, walang mapasyalan, magalaan kaya sinusulit nila hangga’t maluwag yung ating alert levels (There are more people now compared to last year.

Maybe it’s because they weren’t a lot of places to go that’s why they’re making the most out of lower alert levels),” he added.

To ensure everyone’s safety, Lapinid said their office sought assistance from several Kanluran barangay tanod (village watchmen) to implement minimum public health standards.

According to locals, statues of the chubby, jolly, rosy-cheeked old man with a white beard are more uplifting than ever, especially at a particularly

trying year for many Filipinos.

Donel Lijauco, who hails from Barangay Tagapo, said he was pleasantly surprised to see over a dozen statues of the legendary figure when he went to the plaza for a jog.

“They’re cute. It’s making children happy.

Kahit hindi ako bata, ang saya nila tingnan tapos ang dami nila (I’m not a child anymore, but they just look so cheerful and there’s a whole lot of them),” he said.

Of course, the big, jolly man in the red suit with a white beard isn’t the only star of the plaza.

Lapinid said a Christmas belen or Nativity scene was intentionally installed to remind people that baby Jesus should be placed at the center of the celebration.

Aside from the Santa Claus Village, Santa Rosa’s City Cultural Affairs Office has also prepared a line-up of virtual activities and events throughout the month including community fireworks displays authorized by the city government.

“Nung di pa nagpapandemic every night mayroon kaming Christmas and New Year presentations sa plaza, pero since pandemic pa, yung presentation naming ay pinalalabas nalang naming virtually (Before the pandemic we would have Christmas and New Year presentations in the plaza, but since we’re still in a pandemic the presentations are shown virtually instead),” he said.

All activities and events will be live streamed on the official Facebook page of the City Government of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

As Christmas draws closer, Lapinid hopes strolling through the plaza would inspire others to do their part in bringing the season of joy to others, especially the less fortunate.

For him, the holidays should serve as a reminder of the importance of not just giving gifts, but giving back to the community.

(PNA)

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Mon-Tue|December 27-28, 2021

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Tzu Chi Foundation, industry leaders collaborate for strategic response to Odette victims Beyond donations, with preparations for future calamities

A

WEEK shy from Christmas, the devastation wrought by super typhoon Odette has leveled large parts of the central and southern Philippines, placing six regions under a state of calamity: Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

However, the lack of communications within the affected regions and the unpassable roads between the various towns have made the urgent distribution of assistance an enormous challenge. This prompted a call from and for business and NGO leaders to collaborate to get the communities back on their feet, as well as to form strategic responses for future calamities.

Bro. Henry Yunez, Country CEO of the humanitarian organization Buddhist Compassion Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, welcomed the “chance to connect to these groups.”

Referring to the faith on which their group was founded, he added that they welcome volunteers and resources from all sectors because “there is no religion involved in what we are doing.”

Since the clearing of the weather which has allowed volunteers and rescue missions to enter the affected regions, Tzu Chi has visited nine municipalities in Bohol and 15 in Southern Leyte.

They have sent gallons of water and medicines to these provinces, while looking for more generators that can help in the pumping of water. There are plans to distribute rice to around 20,000 families soon after December 26.

Technology and transparency When the Philippines was struck by 2013’s Yolanda, one the strongest typhoons in history, Tzu Chi’s response to the relief operations was considered to be one of the most impactful by civil society and government.

Beyond the collection and transportation of relief goods for the Odette victims, help is also needed for “heavy equipment

Tzu Chi Foundation, Digital Pilipinas, and industry leaders discuss a strategic response to Odette victims – and for future calamities.

and the construction side of things,” said Amor Maclang, Digital Pilipinas Convenor.

A more “participative and transparent” collaboration of partners can tap fast-rising technology like fintech, e-commerce, and logistics to “move money faster” to the recipients who need them the most. Digital Pilipinas, a movement which addresses business and social challenges through technological adoption, has helped the Tzu Chi Foundation previously “even before Odette, to tech up their organization,” said Maclang. “Most importantly, we can leverage technology to show transparency of where the money is going.”

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippine and Digital Pilipinas’ recent meeting, “Typhoon Odette Relief Briefing and Response Planning,” was attended by industry leaders from the real estate, logistics, construction, financial services, payments, and retail spaces. It encouraged ‘Bayanihan’ and a wholeof-nation, whole-ofsociety approach towards addressing the situation in the Odette-struck areas.

Cherrie Rose Ang, Admin Senior Officer of Tzu Chi’s

Admin and Volunteer Affairs Department, acknowledged that the “meeting is not just for awareness, but for support, cooperation, and unity.” Days after Odette has made nine landfalls across Visayas and Mindanao, Filipinos find themselves staying in temporary shelters or evacuation centers. Ang described the situation their volunteers reported: “Children are going out to the streets to beg for help. People are desperate to salvage whatever items they can get from their ruined houses.”

Various businesses represented in the webinar are already helping out in the relief efforts. Gladys Pascual, Etiqa Head of Strategy and Transformation, said that their program EtiqaCares is supporting the rehabilitation programs. Kim Lato, Founder of Kimstore, is opening their platform to collaborate with the Tzu Chi Foundation to launch a fundraiser.

Meanwhile, Coins.PH CEO Nauman Mustafa shared that “instead of buying Christmas gifts for our partners, we will be donating instead.”

Even those struck

by Typhoon Odette themselves are organizing relief operations. Roy Miclat, President of 1 Cooperative Insurance

System of the Philippines, said that his team is serving “in the remote areas, even though hundreds of our members have been affected by Odette.”

Long-term solutions Meanwhile, in response to concerns about restoring communications and internet connectivity, Yoly Crisostomo, Globe SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer, said that the telecom giant is “doing what we can to make sure all the provinces struck by Odette become online and connected again.” She also pointed out that the increasing threats against climate change will only spur more and stronger typhoons especially for vulnerable countries like the Philippines. She said, “The challenge of our time is what are we going to do to become better the next time we are faced with the same situation.”

Miclat agreed that forward-looking activities “should not focus on one-time activities, like donation drives.”

One solution is the collaboration between Coins.ph’s Mustafa and Donna May Lina, Director and Executive Board of the OneLGC Lina Group of Companies.

Both companies will be tokenizing the

efforts for tree planting to better encourage Filipinos to take part in the rehabilitation of the environment. With the Lina organization’s expertise in disaster preparedness, they are looking to onboard more people who can become better equipped when the next disaster strikes.

Marco Santos, representing the Mapua University and the Yuchengco group, said that the country can prepare the future architects, engineers, and other professionals with the knowledge to create resilient structures against calamities. He described it as “producing people who are ready for the job. We produce good engineers. Our first patent is called Project Usher and it enables us to monitor buildings during an earthquake.”

Technology will also be vital not only for the operations in response to Typhoon Odette but for the future. “We can align all our groups to make technology and our systems relevant,” Georgia Martelino, Philanthropist Lead of Microsoft Philippines, said. “Let us pool our resources and label it as a Tzu Chi platform so people can access it for free. We can start with digital literacy.”

Leveraging on its worldwide network of

volunteers and employees, Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines is aiding in the rehabilitation, recovery, economic, and educational resumption of the areas affected by Typhoon Odette. They involve the communities themselves in various operations, which is also a way to provide them temporary sources of income.

“With love in our hearts, there is nothing we cannot overcome.

We can come together and build again,” Anton Lim, OIC of Tzu Chi Zamboanga Liaison Office, said.

Maclang affirmed that the collaboration will continue because it not just “about Odette but about humanity.” There are plans for Tzu Chi, Digital Pilipinas, and the other companies to hold more meetings with more action plans as the situation develops.

The Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines is open for donations which can be sent through the following: Account name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines; BDO Account number: 011978001800; Metrobank Account number: 1633-16307190-9. Send soft copy of deposit slips at donations@tzuchi.org.ph or through Viber/Line/ WeChat: +639672110940.

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MON-TUE|DECEMBER 27-28, 2021

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MON-TUE|DECEMBER 27-28, 2021

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Success... from page 4

that young Navy lieutenant who saved countless lives by skillfully and bravely going where no human in history had gone before, went on to become president of the United States: Jimmy Carter.

Rememb er, w hat we become in the future is determined by the choices we make today—and every day. We must choose to do the right thing and be our very best, no matter what the cost or risk. When that becomes our daily habit and character, then it continues to bring us greater success in life. So won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for not living the way you know you should, and to help you start living His right, best way every day?

Just think a minute.

List...

from page 4

do not place the country at political or national security risk, and the provision of affordable secure energy and power.

6. Uphold the rule of law Up h o l d t h e r u l e o f l aw t h rou g h i n c re a s e d transparency in government, successful prosecution of erring individuals, and restore and strengthen faith in our institutions.

7. Revive the PPP model of infra development Revive the PPP model of infrastructure development to accelerate both physical and digital infrastructure investments.

8. Craft industry roadmaps in 10 key sectors Craft industry roadmaps in the 10 sectors with the most potential for massive job generation, such as tourism, BPO (business pro cess outsourcing), agriculture, forestr y, manufacturing, construction, responsible mining, MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), among others.

9. Institutionalize labor flexibility Institutionalize labor flexibility both through executive action and through legislation for quick employment generation especially in depressed areas, through win-win solutions.

10. Improve ease of doing business and public service delivery Improve the ease of doing business and delivery of public ser vices through e - g ov e r n m e nt a n d t h e National ID System.

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MON-TUE|DECEMBER 27-28, 2021

Amending the Public Security Act of 1936 A recent very welcome development was the approval by the S enate of the bill amending the P u b l i c S e r v i c e Ac t o r Commonwealth Act No. 146 which was passed in 1936.

The bill sought to distinguish between public utilities and public ser vices allowing f u l l fore i g n ow ne rsh ip for t he l atte r c ate gor y which includes airlines, r a i l w ay s a n d s u bw ay s , domestic shipping firms and telecommunications companies. A House version was approved in 2020 and the Senate approval paves the way for the amendment to be signed into law soon.

Here is the take of the resource speakers during the Ayala-UPSE Economic Forum held December 15.

Dr. Ma. Joy V. Abrenica, Dean of the UP School of Economics: . “(T) he perseverance of our legislators to see through the amendment is due to the common recognition of the need to bring down barriers to cross-b order capit al flows, expand investment opportunities in the country and improve quality and make services affordable and accessible to a broader segment of society.”

D r. R a m o n e t t e B .

Serafica, Research Fellow , Philippine Institute of Development Studies: “Amending the PSA is an opportunity to introduce structural reforms to vital sectors of the economy… The goal should be to develop forward-looking policies and regulations that would maximize the economic and social benefits from new technologies and business models.”

Former Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla shared his insights on the historical context of CA 146 and several salient issues including the definition of public services and public utilities to remove ambiguities and the nationality of ownership as a regulatory tool.

Note: You may wish to share the foregoing article via Facebook, Twitter or Viber.

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However, the early part of the vaccination program was threatened by the discovery and arrival to the Philippines by the new covid Delta variant which was found

to be highly transmissible and more dominant. we are racing to have more vaccine supplies and have more people vaccinated, the Delta variant was racing to get more people infected. And it was winning the race for a while. We saw the daily new cases spiked to about 26K in September. Once again, hospitals were full and deaths increased anew. Lockdowns and quarantines were done.

Economic activities slowed down again.

But vaccinations continued even at a faster rate. Somehow, the scare of the Delta variant pushed more people to get vaccinated and obser ve health protocols. That is two months' time, we were able to contain the spread of the Delta variant which is now down to hundreds/day only.

The steady decline in the new covid cases prompted the government to rethink its quarantine and lockdown protocols. From ECQ or MECQ or GCQ, the government rolled out the 5-tier alert level system sometime in September to balance health amid the covid pandemic and our badly-hit economy. It is based on the covid transmission rate and healthcare utilization in the area. Alert Level 1 is the most relaxed while Alert Level 5 is the strictest and is compared to the Enhanced Community Quarantine. It was approved for national rollout but is to be done in 4 phases. For now, only Alert Level 2 has been given to any city. Under Alert Level 2, movements are less restricted, senior citizens and children are allowed to go out, more businesses are allowed to operate and with higher capacity, and face-toface classes have resumed in some schools. And finally, the lifting of the mandatory use of face shields (we were the only country who required this).

With most of the major cities are now under Alert Level 2, we see perkier economic activities around us. Supermarkets and malls are full again with people shopping and eating out.

Traffic jams are in sight again in major thoroughfares. Travel bugs are on the road (or sky) to their much-awaited vacation destination. Hotel occupancy rates are increasing and airlines are all out with their seat sale promos again.

Salons, spas, and derm clinics are teeming with appointments. Of course, the economic hype is boosted by

the fact that it’s the Filipinos’ most favorite time of the year: the Christmas Season.

When Filipinos are extra generous and big spenders.

With these positive economic activities, investment analysts are optimistic that our local stock market can still breach a new threshold by the end of the year.

Amidst the twists and turns and the dramas that go with it, the filing of the candidacy by our May 2022 election hopefuls was met with enthusiasm and optimism by most Filipinos. Regardless of our political party and color, we always look forward to this important first step of the national election, as this presents to us the roster of candidates to choose from come May 9, 2022. Fortunately or unfortunately, we can only select from among those on the menu. Already, they are doing the rounds both virtually and face-to-face and making those promises again. We can just hope and pray that each one of them has the best interest of our country and our countrymen in their hearts and mind. And that we will be guided when we cast our votes next year.

With the looming threat of an Omicron variant outbreak, we are again made to be more cautious and vigilant. But we certainly cannot afford to go back to those ECQs or Alert Level 5. Initial studies in South Africa, where it originated, showed that while this variant is more transmissible, it causes less severe infection.

There are also findings that vaccines, such as Pfizer works against the virus. Meaning, while the inoculated can still be infected, symptoms will be mild or can even be asymptomatic. So the message is clear… get vaccinated. And observe the proper health protocol. We may not be able to stop the covid-19 virus and its variants but we can learn and manage to live with it.

The virus has mutated itself to exist and survive… so must we!

We h a v e s e e n a n d experienced the worst of this pandemic in 2020 and the first half of 2021. We started managing it this year, through vaccines and strict observance of health protocols and have seen and experienced the good things it brought us. As we end 2021 and welcome 2022, let’s not only hope but work together towards a better, safer, and healthier year!

Happy Holidays!

Builds... from page 2

Bangsamoro (GAAB) for the fiscal year 2021.

All the 150 units of resettlement housing projects are expected to be completed within 200 days or mid-2022.

MHSD Minister Hamid Aminoddin Barra said the housing project for the ex-rebels is just one of the deliverables that their office is doing to help Bangsamoro communities that suffered decades of armed hostilities to recover.

“As we go on with the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), we will be doing more development. In the case of MHSD – including our 2022 projects – we will be constructing more than 2,000 houses,” Barra, a lawyer, said.

Barra said four towns in Lanao del Sur have benefited from the same project, including the provincial islands of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as the city of Cotabato.

“By next week, we will be signing a contract with the island provinces for the construction of 600 housing units,” he said.

The selection of target beneficiaries for the project is in the hands of MILF contingents, he added.

Yasser Rapun, chief of the housing and human settlements division, said in the case of Barangays Buricain and Simsiman, each project’s lot area has two hectares, and each house has an area of 42 sq. meters.

“In the terms of land acquisition, we have some projects where we bought parcels of land or otherwise they are donated,” he said.

(PNA)

In previous years, police f i re ar ms we re ord e re d muzzled to avoid incidents of indiscriminate firing that may result in civilian injuries or deaths.

The police here urged the public to report such incidents of indiscriminate firing.

Meanwhile, the COCPO's police Stations 1, 3, and 5 were named as the three child-friendly stations by the local government here during the "Oro Kasanag Awards" on Thursday night.

The three stations were given the Two Stars Satisfactory Performance Award, w it h St at i on 1 receiving another two awards for Best Child-Friendly Space and Most Child-Friendly Initiative.

Police Station 5 also received a special award for Best Coronavirus Disease 2019 Response Unit.

Before the year ends, the COCPO also registered the highest crime solution efficiency (CSE) among all the cities and provinces in Northern Mindanao, according to the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division.

The COCPO registered a 61.68 percent CES rate from January to December 2021, with 301 of the 488 crimes solved, and 153 cases cleared.

(PNA) DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE DORCAS L. CODILLA KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late SEVERINO OMAC ECHEM JR., died intestate on November 14, 2018 in Cagayan de Oro City, the deceased at the time of his death left behind his petition differential with the Philippine National Police; That to the best knowledge and information of the parties hereto, the deceased left no debts; and has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of SEVERINO OMAC ECHEM JR., per DOC #107; PAGE #22; BOOK #216; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EMMANUEL A. GAABUCAYAN.

That the late DORCAS L. CODILLA, died on October 25, 2021 in Initao, Misamis Oriental without any will or testament and without any outstanding debts in favour of any person or entity, at the time of the decedent death she left as forced heirs the following real properties a. Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-12289 situated in the barrio of Pendolonan, Municipality of Baroy, Province of Lanao del Norte, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWENTY EIGHT THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FORTY THREE (28, 343) SQUARE METERS, more or less, b. Original Certificate of Title No. (P-22130) 136-2020000008 situated in the Barrio of Punta Silum, Municipality of Manticao Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FORTY EIGHT THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY NINE (48,159) SQUARE METERS more or less, c. Metrobank-JR Borja Branch, address: Cagayan de Oro City, Account Name: Dorcas L. Codilla, Account Number: 435-3-435439498, d. Land Bank of the Philippines, Velez Branch Cagayan de Oro City, Account Name: Dorcas L. Codilla, Account Number:2411-0501-76 and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE DORCAS L. CODILLA, filed by the heirs of DORCAS L. CODILLA, per DOC #424; PAGE #85; BOOK #60; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. CASTOR Q. ROXAS, JR.

BWM: Dec 13, 20 & 27, 2021

BWM: Dec. 20 & 27, 2021 & Jan. 3, 2022

Safe... from page 2

"It's about mind-setting, if possible they should not carry (the guns while not on duty)," he said.

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

11

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MON-TUE|DECEMBER 27-28, 2021

Response... from page 1

d e s i g ns and to re p or t accomplishments during the monthly board meeting.

“The underlying purpose is to make the committee a training ground for future leaders of the chamber,” Vegafria noted. “The incoming president is a product of this initiative.”

Strengthened and expanded the areas for collaboration of the Orobest Innovation Program through government-industr yacademe partnership and e st abl i she d a dy n am i c and inclusive innovation ecosystem. “ The success of the Orobest Innovation Program led to the establishments of another innovation hubs, the ILIGANIZE of Iligan City led by MSU-IIT, and soonto-be formed BUKIDNON PRIDE, to be led by a group of chambers in Bukidnon,” the outgoing president explained.

Orobest Innovation has become the exemplar of the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) which according to DOST Regional Director Alfonso Alamban, may soon be adopted by all the regions nationwide, he added.

Notably, the Orobest Innovation Program was cited

by DOST as a contributor to the rise of the Philippines in the Global Innovation Index from 100th place in 2014 to 50th in the 2020 global ranking.

In r e s p o n s e t o t h e pandemic, Orochamber geared up its Orobest Bridge Program to help members and non-members alike navigate the crisis brought about by the Covid-19 crisis.

To date, the program has assisted 88 MSMEs to stay resilient and relevant as t he y nav i g ate t he i r o p e r at i on s u n d e r t h i s Covid-19 setting. It also has facilitated 7 industry-driven R&D Projects which provided enterprises technologies to increase productivity and competitiveness.

Orochamber was officially admitted as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro Master Plan to establish strategic partnership with NEDA, Consular Office of Japan in Davao, USTP and LGU-CDO and other stakeholders.

It conducted 14 good business forums webinars during the year and participated in more than 400 zoom meetings.

Lifetime Honorar y Membership was bestowed upon Mr. Guillermo D. L u c h a n g c o, C h a i r m a n of the Board and CEO of Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation in grateful recognition of his donation of 2,800 sq. meter property where the Orochamber Business Development Centre is now located, and honoring him by naming the board room as the Guillermo D. Luchangco Hall.

For the first time ever, the Oro Chamber joined the CDO Business Month celebration in October, and

conducted, after a 2- year break due to pandemic, the 1st virtual 5-day Oro Best Expo 2.0, the region's largest and longest running business trade exposition.

“For the first time, the five (5) sectors of the chamber presented a well-curated webinar with the assistance of its innovation partners – DOST, DTI, USAID-STRIDE a n d No r M i n C I E E R D,” Vegafria noted.

Not the least, the chamber forged a partnership agreement with DOST, DTI, USTP, and USAID-STRIDE to establish the Orobest Innovation Management Board, and signed MOUs with USAID-AER for COLLABDev; TESDA-10 and SBIR with LGU-CDO. All told, a performance worth celebrating, as Covid-19 cases decline all over the country, and the economy slowly reopens to recover its pre-pandemic levels under the New Normal.

Power... from page 1

primarily mandated that “leniency” or “relaxation” to be accorded when it comes to the electricity bill payments of consumers in these domains.

“We direc t t he DUs (distribution utilities) to relax their collection policies to consumers in their franchise area, at least within the next two months, to give people time to recover from the effects of the typhoon,” ERC Chairperson Agnes T. Devanadera said.

Apart from the DUs, the ERC chief emphasized t hat “lenienc y” in bi l l collections shall be similarly applied by all the relevant stakeholders in the supply chain – including the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), generation companies as well as the operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

The ERC has also been demanding tangible and fast action on the restoration of electricity services in t he dis aster-hammere d jurisdictions.

“We are reminding both the NGCP and the distribution utilities of their mandate for immediate restoration of lines and power supply to their consumers after the onslaught of typhoon Odette,” Devanadera stressed.

The ERC chief further asserted “we expect that all their efforts now are

concentrated on ensuring that supply will be restored at the earliest possible time.”

The regulator y body indicated, in particular, that it required NGCP “to provide the Commission with the status and extent of its transmission lines restoration efforts in the aftermath of typhoon Odette.”

The ERC similarly apprised the regulated power utilities that “during force majeure events, the NGCP and affected distribution utilities, may immediately implement t heir c ap ex (capital expenditure) projects for the restoration of power without seeking prior approval from the ERC,” and that is consistent with the prescriptions of the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR) as well as the Amended Rules for the Approval of Regulated Entities’ Capital Expenditure Projects.

Devanadera specified that the affected regulated power utilities may just subsequently “seek the ERC’s confirmation of the implementation of the capex projects arising from such (force majeure) event.”

The ERC further pointed o u t “s i n c e i m m e d i a t e reporting may hamper the restoration work, a force majeure event notice is only required within three (3) months from the occurrence of the force majeure.”

Devanadera further gave assurance to the public that “there are mechanisms in place that allow the concerned electric power stakeholder to immediately respond and address the electricity needs of those affected by force majeure events.”

Richest... from page 1

Mayor Joy Belmonte, having total assets worth P452.333 billion in 2020.

Quezon City was followed

by Makati under Mayor MarLen Abigail Binay with total assets of P238.465 billion, next is the City of Manila under Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso with total assets of P76.547 billion, Pasig City under Mayor Victor Maria Regis “Vico” Sotto with P49.548 billion, Cebu City then led by the late Mayor Edgardo Labella with P34.754 billion, Mandaue City under Mayor Jonas Cortes with P32.571 billion, Taguig City headed

by Mayor Lino Cayetano having total assets worth P30.682 billion.

Davao City followed at

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eighth place, and Zamboanga City at 10th. In between them, at ninth, is Caloocan City under Mayor Oscar Malapitan with PP22,203 billion assets.

No mu n i c ip a l it y i n Mindanao was noted to be among the 10 richest municipalities in 2020.

Among the provinces, Davao de Oro led by Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy was fourth richest with assets of P20.391 billion while and Surigao del Norte under Gov. Francisco Matugas was eighth with P15.737 billion. Surigao del Norte was among those badly hit by super typhoon “Odette.”

The 2020 Report, which was submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, was signed by COA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo on November 25, 2021. (Frencie L. Carreon / MindaNews)

also recorded a 2,287 increase i n t h e e mp l oy m e nt of workers due to the growth of investments this year.

The BB OI has b e en p r o m o t i n g i nv e s t m e nt activities by conducting BARMM-wide Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) consultations and other i nv e s t m e nt p r o m o t i o n activities.

The IPP, w hich will be the SIPP or Strategic Investment Priorities Plan by next year as provided by the CREATE law, is the list of all industries and sectors wherein investments in these industries are given fiscal incentives, such as income tax holiday and reduced duties and tariffs for capital equipment, by investment promotion agencies.

The increase in

investment this year has prompted the BBOI to work harder in improving the business and employment generation that will benefit every Bangsamoro in the long run.

“For the coming year 2022, there is a growing clamor for the passage of a BARMM investments and incentives law to put investments in the BARMM on a more stable footing and to meet the challenges of competition for investments with other regions, especially after the ravages of typhoon Odette,” Mastura said.

He added that BARMM needs to allocate more personnel for investments and provide a more efficient st r uc ture conducive to facilitating investments in the region. (PNA)

Target... from page 1

were generated by the region this year, exceeding its P2.5 billion target for 2021.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, BBOI-BARMM chair, said the approved and registered companies that invested in the BARMM included the Al Muzafar Agriventure, Inc. with P950 million worth of investments; ES Maulana Global Ventures Company, Inc. (P998 million); Eight Z’s Building Property Rental (P398 million); Lanao del Sur C orn Development Corp. (P408 million); and the Prime Certification and Inspection Asia Pacific, Inc. (P49 million).

“The total amount is a strong rebound from the P14 million investments registered in 2020 and this despite t he cont inuing struggles of investors and companies to survive the economic crisis brought about by the pandemic,” Mastura said.

A decline in investments was experienced by the region last year due to RBOI issues on continuity under the new BARMM and the adjustments of investors due to the impending passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE law, not to mention the lockdowns instituted by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Mastura said the region

DA-10 through the RCEF-RFFA releases cash subsidies to around 357 rice farmers in Claveria, MisOr. (DA-10)

DA NorMin releases P1.8-M subsidy to rice farmers in Claveria town CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL--Around 357 rice farmers of Claveria, Misamis Oriental received its financial assistance through the Department of Agriculture’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) program, December 10, 2021.

DA-10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado has released a total amount of P1.8 million to the farmerbeneficiaries from the town’s 19 barangays who were enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) with landholdings of two hectares and below.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga led the

distribution of the Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC) that will serve as identification and cash cards of the farmerbeneficiaries.

“Malaking tulong sa aming sakahan ang natanggap kong pera para sa abono at binhi (The money I received is a big help for our farm particularly for the fertilizer and seeds),” shared Arlene P. Adina of Barangay Punong.

Claveria is a landlocked municipality in the province of Misamis Oriental with an estimated area of 420 hectares for rice farmlands.

Supporting Madriaga during the distribution were DA-10 Provincial Operations Center Chief of Misamis Oriental, Chona H. Nacalaban with the PLGU MisOr and MLGU of said town. (DA-10/PIA-10/ Misamis Oriental)

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RC CDO Centerpoint – helping hydrocephalus kids live better

By MARK FRANCISCO

EVEN in this pandemic era, the Rotary Club of CDO Centerpoint continues to execute its mission in providing service to others, fighting disease and saving

children.

On December 21 this year, the club turned over ventriculoperitoneal shunts to the pediatric ward of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in Cagayan de Oro City. The shunts are

used to drain fluid from the brain of patients with hydrocephalus. The donated equipment were received by no less than NMMC director Dr. Jose Chan.

According to Rotary Club of CDO Centerpoint

immediate past president Zarah Lynn Rotoras, the club chose the project because hydrocephalus is very serious and takes lives of children.

“What we are doing extends their lives. Children will have the opportunity to do what other children regularly do. This is for their future,” Rotoras said.

Donating the ventriculoperitoneal shunts are just one of the many projects of RC CDO Centerpoint for this year and for RY 2020-2021 under Rotoras’ reign (together with Rotary International District 3870 under District Governor Johnmark Sarraga) but this is the biggest since it is a Rotary Global Grant.

The Rotary Global Grant is handed out by The Rotary Foundation which was created as an endowment fund by Rotary International in 1979.

For this particular project, the proposal of RC CDO Centerpoint was approved for Rotary Global Grant in the amount of US$43,000 (P2 million) for the purchase of the ventriculoperitoneal shunts.

The benefactor clubs in this case were Rotary Club of Daegu-Cheongryong, Rotary Club of Geochang-Arim,

Rotary Club of Weonju-Jeil and Rotary Club of Nam Wonju.

It met the qualifications of a global grant which are sustainable and measurable outcomes that address real community needs.

The Rotary Club of CDO Centerpoint was chartered in 1997. It currently has around 50 active members.