BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 31 - January 3, 2022)

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Briefly High hopes for BARMM COTABATO City – Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are keeping their hopes up to weather all difficulties brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

This came about as BARMM officials said they are doing everything they can to help the region keep up with the “new normal” pace amid the pandemic.

“We have to live and be attuned to this new way of life.

As leaders, we have to live by example to the Bangsamoro that there is this hope that we can rely on and assure them that everything will be alright,” Naguib Sinarimbo, the region’s interior minister, said during an interview with reporters Thursday.

Rehab fund THE Department of Finance (DOF) will draw this week $80 million (about P4 billion) of the World Bank’s (WB) $500 million standby credit line extended to the Philippines to support the national government’s disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts in provinces devastated by Typhoon Odette.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the WB’s 4th Disaster Risk Management Development Program with a Catastrophic Deferred Drawdown Option (CAT-DDO4) would provide the government immediate access to funds for its ongoing efforts to aid the recovery of “Odette”-hit areas.

"This week, the DOF will draw $80 million from the World Bank disaster financing loan to fund the amount with cover in the 2021 budget," Dominguez said.

Income survey BUTUAN City – The Philippine Statistics Authority in Caraga (PSA-13) on Friday urged the residents in the Caraga Region to support the scheduled 2021 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) Visit 2 from January 11 to 31, 2022.

In a press statement Friday, Rosalina Apura, the PSA-13 director, said around 8,616 households will be involved in the conduct of the FIES Visit 2.

“The FIES Visit 1 was already conducted last July 2021 with the first semester or January to June as the reference period. The second semester of 2021, or July to December will be the reference period for the FIES Visit 2 in January,” Apura said.

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By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

HE Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is up in arms against a casino that has opened i n t h e n ei g hb or i ng municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental.

In a pastoral letter, Archbishop Jose Cabantan decried the opening of a casino in Barangay Taboc, Opol town along the Cagayan de OroIligan highway.

Whatever “economic development or revenues” the casino may bring could not be justified as it would lead to the breakup of families, Cabantan said.

He said the casino would just create a culture of gambling and CASINO/PAGE 11 EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE. BusinessWeek Mindanao Editor-in-Chief Nelson Constantino (right) receives his Editorial Excellence award from Publisher/CEO Dante Sudaria (center) and Mindanao Daily News Comptroller Danica Sudaria Hallasan during the 3rd Mindanao Governance and Excellence Awards held at Ayala Centrio on December 29, 2021. photo by gerry lee gorit

NorMin 2021: From viruses, storms to peace and order, global fame

By PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

S OM E wou l d c ons i d e r 2021 to be an unfortunate extension of 2020 as the country continued to fight off the coronavirus disease 2019.

But not everything in 2021 was bad news for Northern Mindanao as the year also saw milestones in peace and order in the region, and homegrown talents conquering the global stage.

Aside from the pandemic, another health obstacle faced by the region was the African swine fever (ASF).

First reported in 2020 in Iligan City, ASF cases were eventually recorded in February 2021 in the hinterland barangays of this city and some municipalities in Misamis Oriental province, with two municipalities in

Lanao del Norte also affected in November.

With this, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mi nd ana o ( DA- 1 0 ) , i n coordination with respective agriculture offices of local governments, depopulated about 13,223 ASF-infected hogs, mostly from backyard hog raisers.

Hog raisers were given indemnification of P5,000 NORMIN/PAGE 11

PNB extends P2.4-B loan to hydro project in Bukidnon

By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

KALIRING. Boys play “kaliring” in Barangay Asinan in Pilar town in Siargao Island on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. A telecommunications tower in the background collapsed when typhoon “Odette” hit the island. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto

TAN-led Philippine National Bank (PNB) has extended P2.4 billion loan to bankroll the construction of the proposed 12-megawatt Mangima runof-river hydropower project to be sited in Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon province.

The omnibus loan and security agreement was signed this December between project developer Mangima Hydro Power

Corporation (MHPC) and lender-bank PNB. Signing the loan deal were PNB President Wick Velos o and PNB Executive Vice President Cenon Audencial Jr. and MPHC Chairman Nicandro Linao, who is also the head of Sta Clara International Corporation (SCIC) that has been engaged as engineering, procurement LOAN/PAGE 10

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FRI-MON|DEC 31 - JAN 3, 2022

BARMM keeps high hopes amid pandemic

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OTABATO City – Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are keeping their hopes up to weather all difficulties brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

This came about as BARMM officials said they are doing everything they can to help the region keep up with the “new normal” pace amid the pandemic.

“We have to live and be attuned to this new way of life. As leaders, we have to live by example to the Bangsamoro that there is this hope that we can rely on and assure them that everything will be alright,” Naguib Sinarimbo, the region’s interior minister,

said during an interview with reporters Thursday.

“You see, there is no room for discouragement here as the more than twoyear-old BARMM region is moving forward despite the pandemic,” added Sinarimbo, a lawyer and concurrent spokesperson of the region.

He said they have so much to thank the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte for, mainly for giving them the chance to govern the Bangsamoro through the creation of the fledgling region.

On October 29 this year, the President signed Republic Act 11593 that reset the first regular election in the region and extended the term of the 80-member Bangsamoro

Transition Authority, the BARMM’s provisional lawmaking body, from 2022 to 2025.

“The national government believes that we have to finish many projects we have started for the Bangsamoro that was hindered by the pandemic and we have to keep that trust given to us by President Duterte,” Sinarimbo said.

Regional investments To prove that they have to keep the promise they gave to the Bangsamoro of a better life for everyone, the BARMM had never stopped inviting investors to the region despite the threats posed by Covid-19.

As a result, the region generated a total of P2.8 billion worth of investments this year,

surpassing its target of P2.5 billion for the period by about PHP300 million.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, chairman of the Bangsamoro Board of Investments – BARMM, said top investors for the region this year are the Al Muzafar Agriventure, Inc. with P950 million worth of investments; the ES Maulana Global Ventures Company, Inc. (P998 million); the Eight Z’s Building Property Rental (P398 million); Lanao del Sur Corn 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 came despite the

continuing struggles of investors and companies to survive the economic crisis brought about by the pandemic,” Mastura said.

The BARMM comprises the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi; and the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato.

The BARMM replaced the 29-year-old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as part of the final peace agreement between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a breakaway faction of the Moro National Liberation Front, which also inked a final peace accord with

the government on Sept. 2, 1996.

Travel and tourism With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions lately, the BARMM also opened its doors to tourists this month but with minimum health protocols maintained.

On December 15, the region’s Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism (MTIT) launched its Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, ending its twoyear hiatus on welcoming visitors due to the pandemic.

The colorful festival marked the arrival of Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan, the missionary from Johore who brought Islam to mainland Mindanao via the Rio HOPES/PAGE 10

Ping: Digitalization to speed up recovery efforts Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson to end the government’s sluggish action on urgent problems through digitalization.

With the damage left by Typhoon Odette, and as the country continues to face problems on corruption, health and the economy due to the pandemic, there is a need for a quick response from government agencies.

But despite modern technology, the government’s response to the country’s urgent problems remains to be slow.

This is the system that Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Lacson wants to end through the digitalization of government services. This will not only

eliminate corruption but will also pave the way for effective assistance to the

people.

Under Lacson’s ‘digital reform’ program, communication infrastructure across the country will be expanded to strengthen mobile and internet connectivity. There will be interoperability across government agencies and the National ID system database will be organized.

"This will speed up the distribution of aid as well as contact tracing in this pandemic," Lacson said.

The legislator stressed that if government services are digitalized, there will be no human intervention or control of a single individual or organization, which causes corruption.

"To prevent 'red tape' and corruption, let's digitize the transaction with government agencies. The process will be simplified and ‘fixers’ will be avoided if we pay taxes, collect, and submit government application forms, all online,” the legislator said.

In this way, he said, Filipinos can immediately monitor government projects — how the people's funds are spent and what the benefits are for everyone.

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FRI-MON|DEC 31 - JAN 3, 2022

Lifestyle

New Year, new ways of shopping with SM Appliance Center

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S IT helps more Filipinos transition to a digital home, SM Appliance Center offers customers a better, faster and easier way of shopping online through its newly revamped website, The New SM Appliance at www.smappliance. com.

The new website layout is more intuitive and allows for easier navigation through various filters.

Apart from a zoom-in feature on product images, customers can examine the products better through the comprehensive and updated product features and benefits.

There is also a tab dedicated for promos where customers can quickly view special collections. The new website generally loads faster, making shopping online more fun and convenient. New payment option like installments is now also available using BDO and other selected credit cards.

Now is the best time to tr y the new website and shop online for your favorite appliances with SM Appliance Center's Libreng Appliances Araw Araw promotion, which is now ongoing until Januar y 15, 2022. Customers are entitled to a raffle entr y for ever y P1000 purchase for the chance to win exciting prizes during the raffle draws.

Planning a new look for your

home for the New Year? There are state-of-the-art home entertainment systems like the amazing Samsung's TV Frame that will bring not only the cinema experience to your home but also the art galler y with its 4k QLED display and Art Mode features.

It has over 1200 pieces of art with a customizable frame of your choice.

It's TV when it's on. Art when it's off.

There are also high performance air filtration systems like the LG inverter split type air conditioners with energy saving dual compressors that refresh and renew the air in your room and Sharp innovative purifiers with built-in dust and odor sensors, keeping your family's safe from any virus.

You'll be feel like a kitchen queen with LG inverter refrigerators with Hygiene Fresh features to keep your food items fresher and odor free; and the Beko Kitchen Range with advance precision in cooking your family's favorite meals.

Check out these new appliances and shop for your digital home anytime at the new SM Appliance at www.smappliance.com. For more updates, like us at facebook. com/smappliance or follow us at instagram.com/smappliance/ or join SM Appliance Center’s Viber community at https://bit.ly/3uNzk8V

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Enjoy a cleaner and safer environment at home with the Sharp Air Purifier with Humidifier.

Give your kitchen an elegant new look with this LG 15.4 Cuft Two Door Linear Inverter Refrigerator. Its Hygiene Fresh feature will keep your food longer, fresher and cleaner with energy savings.

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Opinion

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From the Mundane to the Sublime

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No greater love Think a minute… A fouryear-old girl was terribly hurt in a car accident and going to die—unless the doctors quickly found a person with her same rare blood type who was willing to give her their blood. Then they discovered the girl’s seven-year-old brother had the same blood type as her.

The doctor led her brother into his office and told him that his baby sister was very sick and unless she received blood she would probably die. Her brother’s eyes filled with tears, and after a few moments he bravely said to the doctor: “I’ll give my blood to my sister.”

Later as the young boy watched his blood going through a tube into his sister’s body, his fear reached a point of panic. The doctor saw the terrified look on the little boy’s face and said: “It’s OK, son, it will all be over soon.” The boy started to cry: “So now is when I’m going to die?” When the doctor had first asked this young boy to give his blood to his sister, the boy thought it meant he was giving ALL of his blood, and that he would die so his

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST sister could live. Yet because he loved his sister so much, he still chose to give his life for her.

We often do not know how much people really love us until their relationship with us costs them something.

S ome f r i e nds are on ly friends to us as long as it is convenient for them, or if they get some advantage from our friendship. But Jesus taught and showed us that “There is no greater love than when someone gives his life for his friend.”

Amazingly, even when we rejected Him and wanted nothing to do with Him, Jesus still gave His own perfectly innocent life for LOVE/PAGE 10

FRI-MON|DEC 31 - JAN 3, 2022

Wind of Change

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ORLAN R. RAVANERA How time flies! . . . like running ripples in that brook called life aptly described by Shakespeare as “like a walking shadow, a poor player who struts and frets his hours upon the stage and then is heard no more, a story told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Some new philosophers called time as just an illusion, what matters is the NOW. To quote Echart Tolle, the new spiritual leader, “there is no other time but now, thus, live in the present moment and harness the power of now.

Breathe and feel the life deep within and connect with the Formless, the Unseen Being, the Source of all life” Indeed, do not allow the chattering

egoic mindset to control your life because dwelling in the past and the future is just a waste of time.

As we welcome 2022, may I share a poem entitled, “Wind of Change” which in 2013 was converted into a song and won a national award.

“The wind of change now hovering from the mountains to the cities; from the hills to coastal communities, it is the dawn of a new day, in the land of the free. For the people to be freed from hunger and poverty, that’s the vision of the cooperatives. Amidst the darkness of helplessness and inequities, we will light the candle of social justice and progress. We are one cooperative family, highly committed the poor and the oppressed, working for their liberation, through cooperative revolution.

We will harness collective p ote nt i a ls , ra l ly ing a l l st a keholders. We wi l l advocate, we will empower, we stand as one dedicated to s er ve. Now s o cial transformation is in the offing, gaining headways, taking responsibilities. Let

us all be reminded of our impending victor y, the people united can never be defeated!” This poem/song embodies the essence of transformative cooperative for people, planet prosperity and peace which somehow reverberated throughout the land which is dedicated to some 18,000 cooperatives throughout the country with some 15 million members.

Let notice be ser ved to one and all that change should not only be on dates but for the people buried in so much consumerism and materialism to now evolve from the mundane to the sublime through the evolution of new collective consciousness. The call now is to evolve or die! From the mundane to the sublime. Such is the kind of spirituality, a new kind of consciousness which is now in the offing as taught to us by ancient wisdom. It is the teaching of all major religions that there is someone coming to liberate us and all the while, we have been waiting. The truth is, what we have been waiting for is really ourselves, the

arising of new consciousness, our spiritual awakening to harness our inner power in that realm of heightened spiritual consciousness. That new consciousness will be the dawning of a new day to unfetter a human being from just being identified as a form but is in fact an eternal awareness even before becoming form (body).

Can you not feel that? My lawyer-sister, Atty. Marilou Ravanera Ares, feels that very well as she wrote in her 2nd book, entitled, A Book to be True, “Our awareness is enlightenment for it is when we are detached from heavy thoughts that we flow with our Spiritual Being, and lighten up with knowing.

That our awareness is life, for it is wholly processed and perfectly displayed in the moment, now. Once we are aware we’d realize that our minds and psyche had been controlled and chained thru pride, bombarded and fed with physical and material desires and lies, that only rendered us with temporal highs, tied in the patterns CHANGE/PAGE 10

A fitting tribute to an outstanding jurist and patriot I missed its actual showing on GTV last December 5 but fortunately I received a few days later, as a Christmas gift, both an audio and a video recording of “Ageless Passion 3”. “Ageless Passion 3” is a musicale featuring the life and works of Artemio V. Panganiban, the 21st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

I found the musicale very touching, inspiring and uplifting – a very fitting tribute to an outstanding jurist and patriot.

The musicale captures important milestones in CJ Art’s colorful life – as a newsboy, as a bright and active campus leader (He co-founded the National Union of Students in the Philippines.), his courtship and marriage to an equally bright colegiala Leni Carpio, as head of his own law firm, as Primus Inter Pares in the Supreme Court, as a prolific writer, and as a director –

post SC - in more than 20 corporate and NGO boards.

“Age l e s s Pa s s i on 3 ” features 18 original music

by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab. The libretto prepared by rising lyricist Jeff Agustin - very accurately portrays the honoree’s judicial philosophy – Liberty and Prosperity under the Rule of Law. The musicale was headlined by artists Topper Fabregas, Cris Villonco, Michael Williams, Lynn Sher man, Juan Gabr iel Tiongson, Hazel Grace Maranan, Redemptor Nuestro and Raymond Conception.

It was produced by Donna May Lina and co-directed

by Bart Guingona, Louie Ignacio and Rember Gelera.

Timed to celebrate the 85th birthday of CJ Art, the musicale was introduced with tributes from his peers and members of the academe who had these to say of CJ Art.

“With an optimistic outlook in life, he has not aged a bit in his devotion to safeguard liberty and nurture prosperity under the rule of law.” Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo “He extricates the possible f rom t he hyp ot het ica l, the emerging from the established, the literature in science and the law in art.” Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. “He leapfrogged the social and economic barriers of Philippine society… (and ) in the Supreme Court, best blossomed for God and country.” Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno “A renaissance man… a nobly-souled and gifted jurist.” Chief Justice Renato C. Corona “Undoubtedly the most prolific writer of the Court, bar none.” Senior Justice Antonio T. Carpio “… C h i e f J u s t i c e

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE Panganiban possesses this unique quality to resonate with all kinds of people...

(A) beacon of justice on his own.” Senior Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe “While we may have had our differences regarding some of the cases decided by the Court, he remains a titan in the legal profession.”

Senior Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen “An avatar of Themis herself, CJ Art’s judicial legacy will surely live on TRIBUTE/PAGE 10

A mistaken belief A mistaken belief accompanies each and every one of us daily. Incorrect decisions and wrong doings are part of our daily life.

It is almost a ridiculous fact that man wants to know certain truths about mundane things. But really he seems least interested in even mundane truths as can be read many times in newspapers for example. There seem to be too many rash judgments, and the readers absorb these and make these their own. A fatal attraction!

This is sometimes referred to as journalistic mentality wherein accusations are generously made without

proof. Evolution started this trend, when scientists stated for example that man evolved from the apes, without proof.

The only proof they had was the missing link, and if I am not mistaken, it's still a missing proof until now.

To look for proofs is a mental activity, which is no longer a common thing nowadays, because it takes really time, effort and is too serious to think about. Yet in Christian education, thinking right is very important.That's why Philosophy is important in Christian life. To avoid error in thinking, the rules of right reasoning must be studied and mastered. Is it

really totally neglected in today's modern education?

Thinking is actually an enjoyable activity but when one is pressured to get a good job for one's sustenance, then the other more mundane becomes attractive. After all, great thinkers often do not get (good?) jobs... .

Spiritual writers like the British Samuel Taylor C ol e r i d ge ( 1 7 7 2 - 1 8 3 4 ) noticed that mankind had stopped thinking even two centuries ago. That was during his age. Man probably stopped thinking even earlier.

He has ceased many times to search for the truth. It's easier to listen to gossip and

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING believe in it. What a sign of weak minds!

Too often are we blind to the truth and as a consequence we easily believe in lies we only have to like it. Too bad, if people always like BELIEF/PAGE 10

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FRI-MON|DEC 31 - JAN 3, 2022

Veterans Bank Lends a Hand to LGUs Affected by Typhoon Odette

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas receives the cash donation from PVB represented by PVB Iloilo Branch Head Elsa Peregil (rightmost) and PVB Loans Officer Jo Ann Cheng (leftmost). The cash donation will be used by the LGU in aiding those affected by typhoon Odette.

NTRC boosts incentives application portal for investors THE National Tax Research Center (NTRC) is further developing the functionalities of its existing incentives application portal for investors to allow the electronic submission in the future of reports that would enable the government to better review and analyze the economic impact of investment incentives.

In a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the NTRC said this online portal —Fiscal Incentives Registration and Monitoring System (FIRMS)— is currently being used by potential investors to submit their applications for incentives in any of the investment promotion agencies (IPAs).

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law, the NTRC serves as the secretariat of the

reconstituted Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) and is tasked to craft the application forms of business enterprises who wish to avail of tax incentives.

Dominguez chairs the reconstituted FIRB, with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez as cochairman.

Dominguez ordered all agencies attached to the Department of Finance (DOF) to implement their respective digital transformation programs long before the pandemic.

The NTRC launched the FIRMS last June 14, 2021 to comply with the provisions of the CREATE law.

On top of being an application portal, the FIRMS will be used by the IPAs and the FIRB to review, approve/reject, and monitor activities/projects.

The NTRC said that in the future, FIRMS will be able to generate the

electronic Certificate of Registration (COR) and Certificate of Entitlement to Tax Incentives (CETI) of approved investments.

The NTRC is encouraging existing businesses already receiving tax incentives from the government to also create their accounts in FIRMS. It will soon allow business enterprises to electronically submit their reports on the fiscal incentives they have received, in compliance with the provisions of CREATE, the NTRC said.

These electronic submissions will enable the government to better monitor, review, and analyze the economic impact of tax incentives.

Under CREATE, the FIRB shall conduct an impact evaluation, such as a cost-benefit analysis, on investment incentives to determine the impact of such incentives on the Philippine economy.

Parents' urges for face to face classes this year

By LORNA D. OGAO-OGAO

WHAT I see is that the new normal would be a combination of the schoolbased and home-based.

While the Philippines will be reopening up to 120 schools for limited faceto-face classes in a pilot run approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, millions of Filipino students would likely not experience the same learning setup even after the pandemic.

The new normal in education would not be a purely classroom setup.

For two pandemic school openings, students had to stay at home as they continue their education via the distance learning system. There has been an ongoing debate about opening schools during a pandemic. While most students and parents have been urging the government for a gradual reopening of schools, a number of them are also anxious about this move, considering the health risks involved.

Though the classroom

setup is known as the best way for students to learn prior to the pandemic, things could have changed after months of learning through a remote system.

Let’s see after so many months that our children are learning from their homes.

We cannot hide forever.

This endeavor is a calculated risk that all schools in the country must take to begin the transition from distance learning to limited face-toface learning.

The CREATE law provided for a three-tiered framework in the grant of incentives to qualified industries under the BOOSTS/PAGE 11

MAKATI CITY -- As its own way of giving aid to Filipinos affected by the devastation of typhoon Odette, Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) has handed over financial assistance amounting to over P1.0 million to various local government units in the Visayas and in Palawan. These include Cities, Municipalities and Barangays in these areas.

The PVB cash donations are intended to help the LGUs located in Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol and Palawan and fund their respective relief operations and rebuilding efforts.

In Cebu, one of the hardest hit by the typhoon, among the LGUs that received the donations were the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga, Lapulapu, and Toledo as well as the municipalities of Cordova, Consolacion, and Liloan. Several barangays also received cash assistance from the bank.

In Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas personally received the cash donation from PVB Iloilo Branch

Head Elsa Peregil and PVB Loans Officer Jo Ann Cheng. Other LGUs in Iloilo Province that also received assistance from the Bank included the municipalities of Oton, Tigbauan and Miagao.

Meanwhile in Negros Occidental, among the LGUs that received the Bank’s financial aid included Bacolod City, Bago City, La Carlota City, Kabankalan City and the municipalities of San Enrique, Ilog, Hinigaran, Pulupandan, and Binalbagan.

In Bohol, aside from Tagbilaran City, also receiving aid from PVB were the municipalities of Panglao, Calape, Loay, Albuquerque, Anda, Antequera, Sikatuna, Balilihan and Corella.

On the other hand, while the Palawan municipalities of Roxas and San Vicente were identified as recipients of the cash aid, several barangays in Puerto Princesa also received direct aid from PVB such as Langogan, Mandaragat, San Pedro, Kalipay and Mangingisda.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Branch 19 Cagayan de Oro City IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF MINORS, JOHN DAVE DELGADO AND MAE VON DELGADO, WITH PRAYER FOR CHANGE OF NAME FROM JOHN DAVE DELGADO TO JOHN DAVE ACAIN MCGINNIS AND MAE VON DELGADO TO MAE VON ACAIN MCGINNIS IRA ACAIN MCGINNIS, Petitioner. x------------------------------------/ ORDER The Court takes notice of the Home and Child Study Reports submitted by CSW Melinda C. Macumao-Nacario, in compliance with the Order of September 17, 2021.

Let the Initial Hearing be set on January 17, 2022 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court located at Hall of Justice-Cagayan de Oro City, Goldridge Building, Masterson Avenue corner Pedro N. Roa Avenue, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. Interested persons may file their opposition on or before the aforesaid date of hearing and to attend the hearing of the Petition.

At the expense of the Petitioner, let this Order be published once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Cagayan de Oro City and the Province of Misamis Oriental.

Petitioner is likewise ordered to have all its documentary evidence including its Judicial Affidavits and that of its witnesses pre-marked before the Acting Branch Clerk of Court to establish compliance with jurisdictional requirements on January 6, 2022 at 2:000 o’clock in the afternoon, failing which this shall not be calendared for initial hearing and/ or appropriate sanction imposed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Done this 10th day of December, 2021 in the City of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.

(SGD) EVELYN J. GAMOTIN-NERY Presiding Judge

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Loan... from page 1

and construction (EPC) contractor for the hydro project.

The hydropower project has an annual electricity generation of 64.12 gigawatt hours. It is targeted to be on commercial stream by year 2024.

According to Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who is also the president and CEO of MHPC, the development of the greenfield hydropower facility is part of the overarching goal of “making Bukidnon a sustainable, energy-secure, renewable energy-powered province – and this project is our big step towards that vision.”

The Mangima hydropower project is a joint venture between SCIC’s affiliate P h i l n e w R i v e r Po w e r Corporation and the Zubiri-led Green Renewable Holdings Corporation.

Zubiri cited that “Bukidnon is one of the richest provinces in the country in terms of natural resources, so it’s a perfect area for developing renewable energy.”

Veloso, for his part, noted that through the Mangima hydro project, PNB would be able to “contribute to M i n d a n a o’s e c o n o m i c growth,” with him adding that their bank is well into “supporting green projects and paving the way for a sustainable tomorrow.”

The PNB executive stressed that with this new venture, “we look forward to taking the next steps toward safeguarding our environment for future generations and leading the reform process for sustainable power,” which he claimed is a marching order from their main principal, Dr Lucio Tan. L i n a o qu a l i f i e d t h e propounded hydro project will help thwart the country’s dependence on fossil fuels; and will also usher in a future geared towards “energ y independence and a cleaner tomorrow for the Philippines.

He added “the construction of this project will create jobs and opportunities for various localities in Bukidnon and nearby provinces.”

In Zubiri’s view, the future of the energy sector will heavily lean on RE and sustainability, and harnessing indigenous resources will be paramount “particularly in the countryside and especially in Bukidnon, where to this

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day, some towns and even cities like Malaybalay often face power supply problems.”

Apart from his job as a lawmaker, Zubiri is also at the forefront of advancing investments in the clean energ y space – and the Mangima hydro plant is already the fifth venture he is spearheading in the RE development sphere, a follow-through to the initial solar farm installations that already reached commercial operations.

Hopes... from page 2

Grande de Mindanao River in the 14th century.

The Guinakit fluvial parade highlighted the festival on December 19, featuring bancas – Moro boats colorfully decorated with Maguindanaon-inspired cloth in vivid colors of yellow, red, and green – that entered the bucana (mouth) of the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

The festival also featured authentic dishes and delicacies to the delight of hundreds of both foreign and domestic visitors.

“Health protocols were strictly observed amid the revelries,” MTIT Director General Rosslaini AlontoSinarimbo said.

Peace and order Me anw hi le, mi lit ar y and police authorities in the region, particularly in Central Mindanao, have reported a continuous flow of surrenderers from the lawless groups of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the Dawlah Islamiya (DI), and the communist New People’s Army (NPA) this year.

In a report, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) based in Central Mindanao said 162 BIFF, 37 DI, and 154 NPA rebels surrendered before the Army-led Task Force Central since January this year.

“We welcomed all the surrenderers and they are now reunited with their families with livelihood packages from both national government and local government units,” said Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the 6ID commander.

The 6ID covers t he provinces of Maguindanao, Su lt an Ku d ar at , S out h Cotabato, Sarangani, parts of North Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur in Central Mindanao.

Looking ahead BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim, in recent interviews, has

repeatedly stressed one thing – that no Bangsamoro should be left behind.

“With the BARMM, it is time to move forward. It's time to help one another in transforming the Bangsamoro for all,” he said in one of his recent speeches for the region.

Ebrahim also stood by the principle of “moral governance” for the region, one t hat is h i nge d on transparency and free from corruption.

“It has always been our desire in making sure we have a strong regional bureaucracy that can address our decadeslong challenges to make sure that a brighter future awaits of us,” he said.

On December 28, BARMM lawmakers passed the proposed P79.862 billion budget for 2022, amounting to P79.8 billion.

Ebrahim said with the passing of the budget, more development projects and pro-people initiatives are assured of implementation next year. (PNA)

Change... from page 4

of highs and lows in that same rhythm of the dualitystream. We dived deep and wallowed in egoistic and separate lives that had bred envy, greed, hatred and the like, that had also led us to materialize a dark world filled with imbalance and discoed, and in all terms synonymous as inequality, injustice, disparity, duality polarity, lunacy, sickness, malady, instability, and destruction.”

Well, Atty. Malou’s book has really enlightened me on the roots of the painful realities besetting humanity on climate change, gross inequities as the total wealth of the one percent is greater than the combined assets of the ninety-nine percent of the world’s population, why in the world of abundance, there are still some 821 million people hungry and living in extreme poverty under the economic regime of one percent, why there is so much investment on militarization, with nuclear armaments that can kill humanity 33 times over.

That discovery of that new collective awareness will be the key on the establishment of a new order and a new paradigm that will provide the nurturing spirit for humanity and Mother Earth to survive from the pains inflicted Her and the people because of a

collective insane mindset. It is in this light that the wind of change is now hovering upon the earth, debunking the mundane through awareness to leap to the sublime. The collective consciousness and spirituality of all the peoples of the world must now heal the wounds of Mother Earth and those of Her children, damaged all these years through fals e religions and neo-liberal capitalism paradigm promoting consumerist and materialistic society, sacrificing the people and nature to the altar of greed and profit based on collective egoic mindset.

We now welcome 2022 with courage and with our abiding faith that in truth humanity is now evolving with a new consciousness, that in truth human beings are not just form but eternal awareness connected to the Source of all life, giving credence to the sacredness and oneness of life to establish a new earth!

Love... from page 4

us. He, our Maker Who created us to share and enjoy life with Him, did all of this for us. But He will never force you to love Him in return. Otherwise, it would not be love, since love must be freely chosen. He will always respect your freedom to choose—especially since He is the One Who gave it to you.

Won’t you ask Him once and for all to become your Rescuer, Lord and closest Friend? Seriously ask Jesus to forgive you for all of your wrongs and sinful living, and to become your Lord as you start truly living His way each day. He promises He will never leave you, and that you will never regret having Him as your very best Friend—now and forever.

Just think a minute.

Tribute... from page 4

through the ages.” Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando “One book a year and no cases left undecided. This is Mr. Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban’s unsurpassed record. It has also been the best summation of judicial reform.” Justice Romeo J. Callejo, Sr. Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez lauded his “pre-eminent judicial craf tsmanship, s o ci a l philosophies and literary style”.

“The way CJ Panganiban writes is a reflection of what he is - brilliant without being flashy, authoritative without being pompous, straightfor ward without being drab.” Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra.

“He perfected preserving the independence of the Supreme Court, having a working co-equal relationship with the Chief Executive, and getting his own Supreme Court justices to work as a team.” Aurelio Montinola III, Chairman, Far Eastern University.

“One of the best UP law alumni we almost had!”

Dean Danilo L. Concepcion, President, University of the Philippines.

“As Chief Justice, he distinguished himself in that he strove as much unanimity as possible … painfully conscious that “the least dangerous branch” speaks loudest when it judges wisely in one voice.” Dr. Raul Pangalangan, Retired Judge, International Criminal Court, The Hague.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle added his own accolade by singing The Prayer of St. Francis, set to music by Ryan Cayabyab and played by the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

I was so glad to have watched a recording of this musicale. Truth to tell, I owe CJ Art a huge debt of gratitude. On May 5, 1999, in a case entitled Bunye v. S an d i g anb ay an ( G R 122058) CJ Art, together with Associate Justices Fidel Purisima (the ponente), Fler ida Rut h-Romero, Minerva Gonzaga-Reyes, and Jose Vitug unanimously voted to overturn the

Sandiganbayan, a decision which proved life-changing for me and a dozen coaccused. The facts of the case are too long to narrate here.

Suffice it to say that had the SC justices voted otherwise, I and my co-accused, including incumbent Muntinlupa city mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi, would now be languishing in jail. When I had the opportunity to thank CJ Art, he replied that he simply did his job of interpreting the law as he saw fit and just.

Years later, our paths would cross again. In 2016, he completed his term as an Independent Director of Bank of the Philippine Islands. I was nominated to fill his very big shoes in the board of BPI. Note: You may wish to share the foregoing via Facebook, Twitter or Viber.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

That the late PRUMENCIO A. PELIÑO who died intestate on April 16, 2002 in Cagayan de Oro City the decedent at the time of his death left a certain parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-26762 situated in the District of Camaman-an, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED SIXTY (160) SQUARE METERS, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of PRUMENCIO A. PELIÑO, in favor of YVES JAY P. PELIÑO, per DOC #64; PAGE #3; BOOK #59; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MARISSE GAY G. LICO-ARALDE.

That the late ISIDRO G. DADULAS, who died on __________________ at________________; that the said deceased died intestate without leaving any known debt which has remained unpaid or unsettled up to the present, and all the obligations incurred during his death were all paid and/or settled; that the said deceased at the time of his death, left a one (1) MOTOR VEHICLE more particularly described as follows, to wit; make: CHEVROLET SAIL, Type: SEDAN; Model No.: 2018; Plate No.:, Serial No.: LSGHD52H4JD078304; Engine No.: L2B*173464174*, Color: SILVER METALLIC; C.R No.: 100100000340935, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTELEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS (MOTOR VEHICLE), filed by the heirs of ISIDRO G. DADULAS, per DOC #71; PAGE #15; BOOK #CLIV; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JORGE S. MAGDAONG, JR.

BWM: Dec. 24 & 31, 2021 & Jan. 7, 2022

BWM: Dec. 31, Jan. 7 & 14, 2022

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

Belief...

from page 4 to close their eyes and ears especially while experiencing the delusion of error. +++ Ad multos annos? No, just for 2022: Happy New Year to all of you, my dear reader. May the Lord shower you with all his blessings. Sursum corda!

Let's lift up our hearts! +++ Email: doringklaus@gmail. com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTELEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS (MOTOR VEHICLE) K NOW A LL ME N B Y THE S E PRESENTS:

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Casino... from page 1

and “breed a network of corruption that feeds itself ” to the detriment of taxpayers and the poor.

He said the people need better laws, not gambling in the casino, to uplift their economic lives.

“Gambling is addictive.

We oppose the operation of a gambling casino even if it’s legal and much more it is clandestinely constructed in the archdiocese,” Cabantan said.

T he Archd i o c e s e of Cagayan de Oro covers the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Camiguin as well as the cities of El Salvador, Gingoog and Cagayan de Oro. Opol town Mayor Max Seno told a local radio station that he and the municipal council approved the operation of the casino owned by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

“We were caught by surprise. We will vigorously oppose its operation and would even resort to picketing its entrances,” Monsignor Rey Monsanto, a staunch anti-gambling leader, said.

Monsanto said they came to know of the operation of the casino only after Fr. Joel Oga, parish priest of Opol, informed the archdiocese.

He s aid Archbishop Cabantan had called the priests to a meeting to discuss what actions they would take against the casino.

“I don’t discount the possibility of mobilizing mass actions to stop the operation of the casino. We can lie down at the entrance to stop any of their clients from going inside,” Monsanto said.

This is not the first time the archdiocese battled PAGCOR’S attempts to open DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE DORCAS L. CODILLA KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: 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. 20 & 27, 2021 & Jan. 3, 2022

a casino in Cagayan de Oro. On June 15, 1993, the archdiocese led by the late Archbishop Jesus Tuquib blocked the opening of a casino in the city by holding protest actions at its entrance for a month.

T h e prote st a c t i ons convinced former president F i d e l R a m o s t o ord e r PAGCOR to stop the casino operations.

In 2017, Archbishop Emeritus Antonio Ledesma le d t he archdio ces e in stopping another attempt to open a casino in Cagayan de Oro.

NorMin... from page 1

per hog by the DA-10.

Overall, a total of PHP66.1 million worth of indemnities were released by the agency, covering 3,294 farmer-hog raisers.

But this will be the last time the DA-10 will pay for indemnification because the agency encouraged raisers and farmers to get their hogs insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

In an interview in October, DA-10 Executive Director Carlene Collado said the PCIC's coverage is higher than that of the DA's, going from a minimum of P10,000 to as much P34,000 based on PCIC's classification.

Covid-19 vaccination campaign As soon as the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines arrived in March this year, the Department of Health Region (DOH) - 10 distributed them to different local health units across the region.

The first to receive the jabs were medical frontliners, under the A1 list, then followed by Senior Citizens and persons with comorbidities, under A2 and A3 respectively.

To be fully vaccinated, an individual needs to get vaccinated with two dosages, with a minimum interval of three weeks between the first and second dosage.

Unlike other vaccine brands, only Johnson and Johnson's "Janssen" requires one shot.

At t h e s t ar t of t h e vaccination rollout, some local health officials admitted that they had a hard time convincing their constituents, especially senior citizens, who believed fake information on social media that the vaccines cause harmful effects.

Eventually, the number increased at the beginning of the fourth quarter

of 2021, after President Rodrigo Duterte repeatedly implored the public to get vaccinated, and local g ov e r n m e nt s l au n c h e d extensive campaigning.

"Pediatric" vaccination to minors aged 12 to 17 years old started in November.

I n o c u l at i o n f i g u r e s also increased when the DOH launched "Bayanihan Bakunahan" in November and December with "booster shots" introduced later in the year.

As of December 30, the DOH-10 recorded a total of 2,064,645 vaccinated recipients, both second and single doses, or 58.12 percent of the total qualified population of 3,552,194.

Brawner, Ka Oris, and ELCAC In this region, President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order (EO) No. 70 and subsequent creation of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) has mobilized t h e " Wh o l e of Nat i on Approach," mandating all government agencies to work together.

The Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID), through its infantry brigades and battalions, not only went into the field facing skirmishes with communist rebels, but also accommodated surrenderers within its areas of responsibility in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

The TF-ELCAC strengthened the Army's social relations in the communities under Community Support Programs and Barangay Development Programs (BDPs).

At the height of criticisms of "red-tagging" and budget cuts for the TF-ELCAC, then 4ID commander, Lt Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., said in November that about 160 barangays in Northern Mindanao region would be affected if Congress will defund the task force.

B r aw n e r s a i d t h e s e 160 barangays which were supposed to receive P20 million each will be deprived of their development projects.

He also said barangays that have benefitted from the projects have started “to enjoy benefits of a peaceful community," because BDPs are important even for former rebels who have surrendered as part of their reintegration to find alternative livelihood in their communities.

Brawner, a Marawi siege veteran, even cemented his

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military career, when troops under the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the 4ID were able to neutralize Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos in an encounter in October in Impasugong, Bukidnon.

Madlos was a top-ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the National Democratic Front, and the New People’s Army.

Because of this, Brawner became the Commanding General of the Philippine Army in December, replacing Gen. Andres Centino, who was also once a commander of the 4ID and now the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Brawner's last days as commander of 4ID were highlighted by the successive surrenders of former rebels, especially in the Caraga R e g ion , and Bu k id non p r o v i n c e i n No r t h e r n Mindanao.

“Let’s put forward the agenda of peace among the people. We shall work together for a just and lasting peace without the use of arms and violence,” Brawner said on one of the occasions when former rebels surrendered.

Typhoon Odette With an average wind speed of 190 kilometers per hour (kph), Typhoon "Odette," international name "Rai," made renewed fear among people in the region, especially in this city and Iligan City, as it coincidentally made landfall on December 16, exactly 10 years after Tropical Storm "Sendong" destroyed houses and left at least 2,500 deaths in the region.

Odette was considered the strongest typhoon this year, with the region reporting the displacement of 53,340 individuals, with five deaths, and an estimated PHP81 million worth of damage to properties.

Despite this, the destruction wrought by the typhoon in Northern Mindanao was somehow much lesser compared to severely-hit areas in the Visayas and the Caraga Region.

This prompted organizations and volunteer groups to launch fundraising events and call for donations to help those affected by the typhoon.

Even during the holidays, the Police Regional Office -10, the 4ID, and the and

region’s TF-ELCAC extended help along with other private partners.

Olympics and Intercontinental beauty tilt For Northern Mindanao, the year was a combined achievement of "beauty and brawn" with Carlo Paalam winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and Cinderella Faye Obeñita being crowned Miss Grand Intercontinental 2021.

The 23-year-old Paalam, whose childhood was spent scavenging in the city's landfills, worked his way up to become a boxing champion.

He is a product of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno's sports development program, which he started then as governor of Misamis Oriental.

“It doesn’t matter that he ended up with a silver medal.

For us, my son will always be a gold medalist,” Paalam’s father, Pio Reo, said in the vernacular minutes after the first-time Olympian’s split decision loss to Great Britain’s Galal Yafai in the flyweight division in August.

Aside f rom Paa l am, Philippine athletes winning three other medals at the Olympics was a historic victory for Mindanao as well, including victories from weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and boxing bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, both from Zamboanga City, and boxing silver medalist Nesthy Petecio coming from Davao del Sur. Paalam and other winning athletes received rewards both from the government and the private sector.

In November, Obeñita, 25, brought the city and Misamis Oriental province pride when she won the international pageant.

Currently working as head of planning and events division of the Misamis Oriental provincial tourism office, Obeñita bested 70 other candidates from around the world to become this year's titleholder of the prestigious beauty-and-brains competition, which is now on its 49th edition.

Before winning an international title, she was crowned Miss Cagayan de Oro in 2019, and Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental this year, which automatically qualified her to represent the country in the Miss Intercontinental pageant.

Obeñita's alma mater Liceo de Cagayan University posted on its website: "Cindy, a wildcard during the Bb. Pilipinas 2021 in July and now Miss Intercontinental, has brought home honor to the nation and to Liceo U, where she also finished her secondary education." (PNA)

Farmers... from page 2

S eed Quality C ontrol Services.

“These seeds can also withstand different rice diseases. Certified inbred rice seeds have no seed-borne diseases,” Varquez said.

He noted that more rice farmers in the region are expected to engage in certified inbred rice farming for the 2022 cropping season.

Va r q u e z s a i d t h e anticipated increase in the harvest of certified inbred seed users in communities is expected to induce more farmers to venture into inbred rice seed farming and production in the region.

(PNA)

Boosts... from page 5

gove r n me nt’s St r ate g i c Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), which aims to attract high-value, labor-intensive investments that will create more j obs and f ur t her sharpen the Philippines’ competitiveness in the global market.

Likewise, under the law, the Board of Investments (BOI) in coordination with the FIRB, the IPAs, and other stakeholders shall formulate the SIPP which will be submitted to the President for approval.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Investment Priorities Plan of the Board of Investments (BOI) serves as the transitional SIPP until such time that the initial SIPP is issued.

As proposed by the BOI and approved by the FIRB, activities under the 2020 IPP may be eligible for incentives under the Tier I classification, without prejudice to upgrade to Tiers II or III if qualified under the new SIPP. (PR)

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Cebu Pacific mounts relief efforts for Typhoon Odette-stricken communities Transports over 235 tons of free cargo from December 18 to 26

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) continues its various relief efforts for people and communities that were affected by the recent Super Typhoon Odette, transporting since December 18, 2021, various essential goods and volunteers free-of-charge, to destinations including Cebu, Bohol, Siargao, and Surigao.

To further drive help to those devastated by the typhoon, CEB has partnered with both national and local governments, and private entities, such as Philippine Red Cross, UNICEF, World Vision Philippines, and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Inc. On December 29, CEB flew 32 medical workers from Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, mobilized by the Department

of Health (DOH) Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB), free-ofcharge to Siargao and Dinagat Island, where they provided free medical assistance to the victims of the natural disaster.

“This would have not been possible without the coordination between the DOH, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Inc., and CEB. With this, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the support that these agencies have provided to ensure the speedy arrival of the different DOH teams to the areas affected by typhoon Odette,” said Dir. Arnel Rivera, MD, FPAFP, MHA, IDHA - OIC Director IV of Health Emergency Management Bureau, DOH. The airline has also made sure it took care of its own people who are based in areas

devastated by the typhoon.

More than 1,600 Cebu Pacific employees across its 16 stations that were affected

by Odette needed assistance.

Relief goods and emergency cash were provided to them, while other CEB employees in Manila also extended helping hands to assist in operations at the Cebu and Manila Airports.

Apart from the free

transport of essential cargo during this time, CEB has also mounted 12 sweeper flights to bring home stranded passengers from Siargao and Puerto Princesa. To date, it has already safely flown more than 500 individuals from Siargao to Manila.

"We know that the areas severely affected by the Super Typhoon Odette need a lot of assistance as they work

towards recovery, and we are here to support however we can. We in CEB ensured our cargo operations remain unhampered so we can fly in supplies, resources, and much-needed humanitarian assistance at the earliest opportunity; at the same time, mount rescue flights wherever it’s needed most," said Michael Ivan Shau, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Cebu Pacific.

As of December 26, CEB has already transported more than 235 tons of humanitarian cargo, mostly composed of water, sacks of rice, other food items like canned goods, water purifiers / filters, health kits and shelter items, medicines and other necessities.

“This will be a long continuing process of coordination and partnership among these agencies, and we hope for their continued support,” added Rivera.

“It has always been part of the airline’s core purpose to give back to its community in any way it can, and this is one of the times we can all come together and show BayaniJuan for our kababayans. We will continue to closely coordinate with government agencies, organizations, and partners to aid in air transport services,” added Shau.

For those interested to partner with CEB, requests may be sent to socialresponsibility@ cebupacificair.com.