BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 9, 2019)

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Mangoes to New Zealand DAVAO City — The mango industry in the Davao Region has formed an industry council to take advantage of export opportunities to New Zealand and other countries.

The Mindanao Fresh Mango Producers Forum, held Nov. 21 in collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of AgricultureDavao, discussed best practices and improving production, among other issues.

MinDA, in a statement, said the forum output will form part of the feasibility study on quality assurance systems for fresh mango being conducted by the New Zealand Embassy and NZ G2G Partnerships Ltd. (G2G) under a three-year coinvestment project.

Safe water BUTUAN City – The regular gathering of the members of the board of Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) indicates that authorities are working to protect the water source and ensure consumers here of its good quality and safety.

Albert Arcamo, the officerin-charge Regional Director of the Environmental Management Bureau in the Caraga Region (EMB-13), said this during the 4th Quarter WQMA board meeting on Friday to enhance the knowledge of the members of the board on water quality monitoring and surveillance.

Arcamo said every region in the country is mandated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to designate WQMA members.

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NEDA approves start of M’nao Railway project www.businessweekmindanao.com

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HE Phase-1 of the P81.686 billion Mindanao Railway Project (MRPTDD) gets a head start following the budget approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.

This covers the areas that would link three major cities – Tagum, Davao and Digos, (TDD), bringing the initiative “cl o s e r to re a l i z at i on”, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announced over the weekend. “ T h i s w i l l g e n e r at e development in Mindanao through an efficient rail system that will not only move people throughout the island of Mindanao, but will also generate needed economic growth,” he added as he thanked the NEDA Board.

In its meeting last Friday, November 29, 2019, the Board confirmed the earlier

approvals given by the NEDA Investment Coordination Committee – Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) for the TDD segment.

The MRP-TDD is the first phase of the proposed 830-kilometer MRP Loop.

It aims to establish a 74-km at-grade and 26-km elevated (viaduct) commuter railway from Tagum City in Davao del Norte to Digos City in Davao del Sur. Phase 1 will be funded via a Chinese Official Development Assist ance. Hence, t he project contract agreement needs to come first, unlike Japanese ODA, where the PROJECT/PAGE 11

CHRISTMAS IN GASTON PARK. Residents enjoy the light show “Symphony of Lights” at the Gaston Park, Cagayan de Oro City. The local government sponsors this annual Christmas light show. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

Gov’t issues building permits as Marawi IDPs plea for return

By JIGGER JERUSALEM, PNA

SOME 200 building permits have already been issued from about a thousand building permit applications

from Marawi City residents displaced by the conflict between state forces and armed extremists in Marawi

City in 2017.

This, as close to 400 residents have filed a class suit against government officials on Wednesday for the delay PERMITS/PAGE 11

Livelihood training in poorest Mindanao provinces set in 2020

By CHE PALICTE, PNA

CROSSING THE RIVER. Mothers and their babies cross the Rio Grande de Mindanao using a boat that also carries fresh bananas to be sold at the market in Pagalungan, Maguindanao. mindanews photo by ferdinandh cabrera

DAVAO City -- A team of agriculture experts will conduct a lecture series on l i ve l i h o o d proj e c t s

In a statement on Thursday, Mindanao Development targeting Mindanao's poorest Authority (MinDA) Secretary provinces, especially in the Emmanuel Piñol said a team conf lic t-af fe c te d are as, of agriculture experts will starting January 2020.

TRAINING/PAGE 11

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Local 2 PRRD hails 'hero' Misamis Oriental cop Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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By JIGGER JERUSALEM, PNA

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte hailed the police officer of the Misamis Oriental town of Initao who was killed in a grenade attack inside a college campus.

Duterte was in Initao on Thursday evening to visit the wake of Senior Master Sgt. Jason Magno, whose daring act to wrest the grenade from the attacker and using his body to shield the public when the grenade exploded, has been hailed as heroic.

The attacker, Ibhrahim Basher, was also killed in the explosion during the incident inside the Initao Community College

campus on November 28.

Another police officer, Master Sgt. Alice Balido, was injured along with 15 civilians.

Duterte has reminded law enforcers to be careful in handling lifethreatening situations to prevent loss of lives.

Brig. Gen. Rolando Anduyan, director of the Police Regional Office-10, said Friday the President instructed him and other officials to find ways to

avoid getting harmed while on duty.

Anduyan said Duterte also talked to Magno’s family and told their five children that “isog inyong papa (your father was brave)” and that the President has appreciated their father’s heroism.

Duterte also promised to help Magno’s wife who is set to undergo a medical procedure for an unspecified ailment.

“He (Duterte) had a heart-to-heart talk with Magno’s wife,” Anduyan said.

The President arrived in Initao at around 9:30 p.m. and left at almost 11:00 p.m., Anduyan said.

Before he left, Anduyan said Duterte

even managed to chat with Magno’s neighbors, while some of them had their photos taken with the President.

“He didn’t leave right away and took the time out to talk with the people there. He made the people there feel that he is one of them,” Anduyan said.

Duterte awarded the Medal of Valor to Magno through his family, aside from handing them the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag Medal.

Balido, meanwhile, received an Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan Medal.

The PNP Medal of Valor is the highest award it gives to police officers who have performed “a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuously as to distinguish him above his comrades”.

The Order of LapuLapu, Rank of Kalasag, is given to officials

and personnel of the government and private individuals who lost their lives as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

The Order of Lapu-

Lapu, Rank of Kapilan is bestowed upon individuals who were seriously wounded or suffered great loss of property as a result of their participation in activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President. (PNA)

COTABATO City – Public servants in the Bangsamoro government to be separated from government service as part of the transition period phase-out program will soon get their separation pay, an official said Friday.

Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has announced that national government has released

about P500-million in gratuity funds for the purpose.

The fund will finance the separation pay of employees of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Macacua, also BARMM environment secretary, said BARMM officials and the employees were thankful to President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado for the prompt releases of the service separation funds.

The BARMM phase out program affects more than 6,000 employees after they deemed to have lost their positions under the BARMM government.

On October 31, the first batch of employees ceased working while another batch also deemed to have retired on Nov. 30.

The last batch of the ARMM employees to end government service will have until Dec. 31, 2019.

(PNA)

BARMM gets P500-M to fund separation pay of ARMM employees

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Monday|December 9, 2019

Suzuki Invites Investor-partners to Venture in Car Dealership Business

D

RIVEN to further expand its presence in the country and riding on its growing business momentum, Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH), the country’s pioneer subcompact car distributor, continues its Dealer Expansion Program and invites more investors across the country into the car dealership business.

The program aims to open more dealerships in the country, in particular in areas with growth potential. The dealership partnership covers the construction and operation of new dealerships.

“With the milestones Suzuki Philippines has reaped, including the ones we’ve achieved so far this year, we believe we are

more equipped to grow the business further and spread to more areas in the country. We consider that now is the best time to work with more potential investors, and so we are looking for more business partners who share our vision, believe in our products and see the great possibilities in growing with the brand. We are eager to bring more of the award-winning Suzuki vehicles to more parts of the country so we hope to gain more partners to team up with and together achievesuccess,” Suzuki Philippines Director and General Manager for Automobile Division Keiichi Suzuki shares.

SPH invites investorpartners interested to venture in the car dealership business to take advantage of this

opportunity to open a Suzuki Auto dealership in the country. Interested parties may submit a letter of intent to sph_auto.dd@ suzuki.com.ph.

The following areas are currently available for opening a Suzuki Auto dealership: Luzon 1. Bulacan

2. Camarines Norte 3. Oriental Mindoro 4. Cagayan 5. Cavite 6. Ilocos Sur 7. Las Piñas

8. Oriental Mindoro 9. Quezon 10. Sorsogon 11. Taguig 12. Zambales SUZUKI/PAGE 11

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Opinion

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ALLAN MARIO MEDIANTE

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RUFINO T. MAGBANUA

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JOE FELICILDA

Vice President for Administration

JOHN AARON M. DEL BANDO

Vice President for Events and Promotions

JOE PALABAO

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE Cabin Crew Members are ambassadors of the airline and must display professionalism at all times.

Besides being a Safety Officer on board an aircraft, you will be a Customer Service

Vice President for Marketing

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

GILBERT Y. CHAO

Regional Editor - Caraga

MIKE BAÑOS Contributing Editors

ATTY. ANTONIO S. SORIANO

Feature Editor

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JUN AYENSA

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

Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Is today your last?

Think a minute…Have you ever heard anyone who was dying say: “I wish I had spent more time at the office!” I doubt it. If you knew that you were going to die tomorrow, how would you live your last 24 hours? Would you party until you drop and try not to think about your own death? Would you be filled with fear or anger at God? Would you do everything you could so your family could go on without you?

Those people who died on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center in New York City never knew they were going to die when they woke up that morning.

People who suddenly die in car accidents or drown in the ocean never know they’re going to die that day. Sixteen years ago my family celebrated Christmas in America, and the next day my father left on a business trip to the Philippines as he had done for 27 years. But this time he never came back. Just a few weeks later, he died from pneumonia in Hawaii. My father had no idea he would never come

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST home. And neither did we.

You see, this is why we must live today like it’s our last—because it just might be! Maybe you need to get things right in your life.

Maybe you need to ask someone’s forgiveness; or you need to forgive someone else who wronged and hurt you. Do it now. Don’t wait an ot h e r d ay. For you r own peace and safety, free yourself from the sin of unforgiveness. Jesus Himself said that our unforgiveness will stop you and me from receiving God’s forgiveness.

O r may b e you’ve b e e n dishonest, lied, cheated and stolen from someone.

Friend, it does not matter LAST/PAGE 11

Professional employed to fulfil the needs and requirements of your airline’s customers.

Your role will include all aspects of cabin safety, first aid and customer service.

Every day will hold a new and exciting challenge for you!

So, if you enjoy interacting with people and: • Are always well-groomed • Are Compassionate and Caring • Are Confident and Responsible • Have excellent Communication Skills • Have a good command of the English language, and • Have the ability to remain calm and controlled

when under pressure…

The Initial Cabin Crew Training Course is a 42day training programme.

It includes the following components: SAFETY & EMERGENCY P R O C E D U R E PRO GR AMME (SEPT) PROGRAMME: General Safety and Emergency Procedures Aviation Security Training Dangerous Goods Training (Category 11) Crew Resource Management S a f e t y M a n a g e m e nt Systems Training Flight and Duty Periods Aircraft Initial Training for 1 aircraft type

Aircraft Familiarisation Visits Practical Skills Practices Theor y and Practical Assessments A Flight Deck Observation Flight Aircraft Familiarisation Training Flights to any local or regional destination AV IAT ION M E DIC A L TRAINING PROGRAMME: First Aid Emergencies Effects of High Altitude On-board Medical Equipment Communicable Diseases Fatigue Risk Management Resuscitation Council of SA Accreditation Practical Skills Practices CAREER/PAGE 11

Let the facts speak

MIKE BAÑOS

Vice President for Digital

MONDAY|DECEMBER 9, 2019

Cabin crew as a career

BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO

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IGNACIO BUNYE There are three sides to any argument: 1. Your Side 2.

My Side and 3. The Correct Side.

Allow to present “My Side”, meaning Manila Water Side. In the interest of full disclosure, let me state that I am an Independent Director of Bank of the Philippine Islands which is related to Manila Water by virtue of their common ownership

by Ayala.

As a BPI Director, I am very familiar with the bank’s corporate governance culture which is ver y much aligned to that of Manila Water, as well as

to other members in the Ayala group. The Ayala Group culture emphasizes l e a d e r s h ip, e x c e l l e n c e , i n t e g r i t y, t e a m w o r k , customer orientation and sustainable development that goes beyond the bottom line.

From where I sit, these are t he pure, t r ue and unadulterated facts.

- I n 1 9 9 7 , t h e Philippine Government, led by President Fidel V. Ramos, solicited bids for concession agreements with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to address the water crisis in Metro Manila.

- At that time, MWSS w a s no l onge r c ap abl e of maintaining viable operations due to technical inefficiencies and enormous financial debts.

- The Government unilaterally determined the terms of the Concession Agreement, which were bidded out on a take or leave it basis.

- T h e C on c e s s i on

Agreement contains a procedure for the adjustment of the water rates in accordance with the MWSS Charter.

- The Republic of the Philippines undertook to respect the procedure which is under the full control of the MWSS from beginning to end.

- I n 2 0 0 9 , t h e administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo extended the Concession Agreement up to 2037 upon recognizing the compelling need for more water and waste water investments.

- Manila Water was one of many lo ca l and international corporations which responded to the G o v e r n m e nt’s c a l l f o r public-private partnership meant to solve the water crisis.

- M a n i l a Wa t e r offered the lowest fee to serve as concessionaire of MWSS, which decided to pay the fee with the water tariff to be collected by the concessionaire.

- Manila Water was subsequently awarded the Concession Agreement for the East Zone.

- Manila Water has diligently discharged its obligations as concessionaire of MWSS, spending over P166 billion to improve water and wastewater services. Under the extended agreement, Manila Water commits to spend another P458 billion all the way up to 2037.

- M a n i l a Wa t e r has installed over 5,500 kilometers of pipes and built 2 new filter plants, 32 reservoirs, 113 pumping and booster stations, 40 additional facilities and five times more sewer network capacity.

- This resulted in the expansion of the water service coverage in the East Zone from 67% coverage serving around three million people to 93% serving over seven million people.

- This includes an a d d it i ona l t wo m i l l i on FACTS/PAGE 11

The woman caught in adultery That’s in the gospel of St. John, chapter 8, verses 1 to 11. It’s a very nice story that shows us how Christ deals with sinners, teaching us a precious lesson of how we have to deal with others who may not even be sinners but who simply happen to differ with our opinion or even with the teachings of the Church.

Like Christ we have to be kind, patient, merciful, magnanimous, even with those who are clearly in error or who may have offended not only us but also God himself. To be sure, it is not a matter of erasing the difference between right and wrong, grace and sin.

Rather it is a matter of charity that corrects and heals the wrong and that overcomes sin with grace, since as St. Paul said: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (Rom 5,20) We should never forget this wonderful truth of our faith.

In that gospel episode, the

woman was dragged before Christ by the teachers of the law and some Pharisees with the intention of trapping Christ in something that can be used to accuse him.

There we already have what is usually wrong when we accuse others of something.

Our intentions are usually not pure.

Of course, they were trying to see if Christ again would declare himself as the Son of God who became man to redeem us, something that they could not accept.

They already had a fixed preconceived bias, an unbelief and even hatred against Christ, and they were just trying to justify their attitude toward him.

What Christ did baffled them because instead of replying to their tricky question of what to do with the adulterous woman, he simply kept quiet and bent down, writing something on the ground. But when they insisted on asking Christ, he stood up and plainly told

them that if any of them has not committed any sin, he may cast the first stone.

At that, they started to go away until no one was left.

And so when Christ noticed this, he asked the woman if anyone has condemned her.

When the woman said, “No one,” Christ simply said, “Neither will I condemn you. You may go, but sin no more.”

Th is gosp el e pis o d e somehow tells us that we should not be too fastidious about the sins and mistakes of people, especially if these sins and mistakes do not involve so much external harm or damage on others as to significantly disturb public order.

When mistakes and sins are hidden or are supposed to be hidden, our attitude should be to just be let the sinners be. What we have to do instead is to pray and to do whatever we can to help the person involved toward his own conversion.

Dragging them to public

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA notice will only make things worse and is often motivated by some self-interest. This way, we also avoid scandals that would unnecessarily stain others in some way.

We need to follow the example of Christ who, being God and our redeemer, must be the first one to be offended by the sin of the adulterous woman. If he, being sinless, could manage to be merciful and magnanimous, who are we to be any less?

We know very well that we are all sinners. We have ADULTERY/PAGE 11

5 Court issues TRO Imported vehicle sales up vs auction of AboitizPower properties 5% in October: AVID T

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ABOITIZ Power Corp. said on Tuesday that the court had issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of its subsidiary Luzon Hydro Corp. (LHC), stopping the municipality of Alilem in Ilocos Sur from auctioning off the unit’s real properties.

“AboitizPower was informed that the Regional Trial Court of the Province of Ilocos Sur has issued a TRO enjoining the Municipality of Alilem from selling at public auction LHC’s real properties located in Alilem, Ilocos Sur for a period of twenty (20) days.

Parties were also ordered to submit their position papers with ten (10) days,” the listed energy company told the stock exchange.

The court issuance came after LHC filed a petition for prohibition and mandamus, with prayer for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, to stop the municipality from auctioning its real properties in Alilem.

Before LHC’s filing, it received a notice of real property tax (RPT) delinquency from the Office of the Municipal

CorporateWorld

Treasurer of Alilem seeking to collect a total of P446,029,609.46 in unpaid RPT and accrued penalties from 2002 to August 2019.

“This was followed by a warrant of levy, and a notice of publication and auction sale covering the real properties of LHC, consisting of industrial machineries and buildings,” AboitizPower said.

Before Alilem’s notice of RPT delinquency, LHC had a standing offer to the provincial government of Ilocos Sur that it is willing to pay RPT computed in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order (EO) No. 60, series of 2018. The offer of payment was rejected.

EO 60 allows the reduction and condonation of RPT and penalties assessed on power generation facilities of independent power producers under build-operate-transfer contracts. The reduction and condonation cover all liabilities for RPT, including any special levies accruing to the special education fund for calendar year 2017 and past years.

HE Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) booked a 5-percent increase in the sales of imported vehicles in October, driven by a higher demand for light commercial vehicles and passenger cars.

In a statement, AVID said it sold 7,320 units in October versus the 7,000 units sold the previous month.

Sales, however, declined slightly by 3 percent or 71,396 units

sold year-to-date in October compared to the same period last year.

But AVID is optimistic the automotive industry’s performance will make headway in the last two months of the year.

“Lower inflation, interest rates, and fuel prices coupled with increased consumer spending with the start of the holiday season could boost industry performance. Increased government spending on key infrastructure

projects and the jeepney modernization program will further bolster demand, especially for light and heavy commercial vehicles,” AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.

Sales of light commercial vehicles (LCV) grew 6 percent month-onmonth with 4,689 units sold for October compared with the 4,413 units sold in the previous month.

However, a slight dip of 4.3 percent in year-to-date sales was recorded with

45,536 units sold versus the same period last year.

Ford leads this segment with 16,522 units sold, followed by Hyundai with 12,331 units, and Suzuki with 12,267 units sold since the start of the year.

Sales in the passenger cars (PC) segment also grew by 2 percent monthon-month (MOM) with 2,591 units sold in October. Hyundai maintains its industry leadership in this segment with 1,457 units sold in SALES/PAGE 11

NESTLÉ S.A. on Thursday announced a new global gender-neutral parental support policy, extending parental leave to a minimum of 18 paid weeks from 14 weeks.

Secondary caregivers are given four weeks, after having no previous global minimum.

“Every family is unique, so we have designed a parental support policy that is flexible enough to work for us all. Supporting the healthy

development of infants has been a core value of our company since our founding,” Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider said in the statement.

“Our new parental support policy is an important part of our efforts to provide children with the best start in life, by allowing parents to spend more time with their new child.”

Nestlé said that the new policy does not set limits, allowing some places to offer

additional weeks of paid leave. The company said that it will provide longer parental leave where local laws require it.

Philippine law requires private and government offices to give mothers 105 days of fully paid maternal leave.

The Expanded Maternity Leave Law also allows the mother to transfer up to seven days of her paid leave to the father, increasing

paternity leave to up to 14 days.

Nestlé’s new parental support policy also reinforces employment protection, non-discrimination, health protection, and the availability of flexible working options and breastfeeding support.

Policy implementation begins in 2020. Nestlé expects its global rollout to be completed by the end of 2022.

Nestlé to implement gender-neutral parental support leave policy

Nagpuli-puli ug pahulagway kon “groufie” kang Gob. Bambi Emano ang mga kawani ug opisyalis sa Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council) gikan sa dakbayan sa Butuan. Aminado sila nga daku ang ilang bilib kay Gob. Bambi Emano tungod kay napalambo niini ang Probinsya sa Misamis Oriental hilabi kung hisgutan ang Turismo sa maong probinsya. Mahinumduman nga mibista ang tanang opisyalis ug kawani sa Butuan City aron mag-benchmarking mahitungod sa pagpalambo sa turismo na pwede nilang magamit sa ilang dakbayan.

Butuan Councilors, gidayeg ang tourism program ni Gob. Emano GIDAYEG sa mga opisyales sa Butuan City ang programang turismo ni Gobernador Bambi Emano dinhi sa Misamis Oriental. Matud pa nila, dili tiaw ang kalamboan sa turismo sa lalawigan nga ilang sundogon pohon sa ilang pagpauli.

Sa ilang pagbisita dinhi sa Misamis Oriental alang sa benchmarking on tourism’s good practices niadtong Disyembre 3, 2019, nakurat kaayo ang kapin 150 ka mga delegado gikan sa Butuan City, lakip na ang mga konsehales sa nasangpit nga dakbayan, tungod sa ilang nasaksihan nga hilabihan ka anyag nga mga tourism destinations sa lalawigan.

Matud ni Butuan City Vice Mayor Jose S. Aquino II, kulang ang tulo ka adlaw kung mobisita sa nagkadaiyang tourist sites sa Misamis Oriental, kinahanglan kung mahimo usa ka semana tungod sa kadaghan nga tourist sites sa lalawigan.

Ingon pa ni Councilor Cherry May Busa, ang kasamtangang vice chairperson sa Committee on Tourism, mibisita sila sa Misamis Oriental human ma-intriga nga gidagsang sa dul-an milyones ka turista ang lalawigan matag tuig sukad mipungko si Gobernador Bambi Emano sa kapitolyo.

Gawas sa daghanang suroyanan, nag-enjoy kaayo ang nasangpit nga mga bisita sa lamiang pagkaon ug maabi-abihong pangagamhanan ni Gobernador Emano.

"Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa pag-welcome sa amoa diri, ug pag accommodate sa amo… good food, good entertainment, especially ang hospitality," saysay ni Konsehl Busa.

Bisan si Konsehal Rema Burdeos nakadayeg sa detalyado kaayo nga mga promotion materials sa Provincial Tourism Department sa pagpangulo ni Provincial Tourism Officer Atty. Jeffrey Saclot.

"Thank you very much for this warm welcome that you have allowed us to experience here in Misamis Oriental. You are all wonderful especially Gov. Bambi Emano," ingon pa ni Konsehal Burdeos.

Kung atong lantawon ug tutulimbangon, wala pay lider dinhi sa Misamis Oriental nga makatupong sa nahimo ni Gobernador Bambi Emano, hilabina sa pagpalambo sa industriya sa turismo, programa nga maoy nahimong tubag sa kalamboan sa edukasyon, panginabuhian, kooperatiba, transportasyon, imprustructura, agrikultura, kinaiyahan, ug kahusay ug kalinaw.

6

Banking&Finance

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BDO – VELEZ Velez-Rn Abejuela Street, Cdoc 2314246/8572075

METRO BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW, Cdoc 724461/8561721

BDO – SM G/F SM City, Master Son’s Avenue Upper Carmen Cdoc | 8592623/8592637

METRO BANK- OSMEÑA Brgy Osmeña St. Cdoc | 722014 /8800924

BDO – XU XU Lib. Annex Corrales St. Cdoc 8574108 / 8573796

METRO BANK- CORRALES Corrales Avenue, Cdoc | 8572635/728731

BDO – CDO HAYES Trendline Bldg.,Hayes Street, 8568151/727405

METRO BANK- GAISANO 8561720

BDO – COGON Sky hi Bldg JR Borja St. Cogon, Cdoc 8577963/ 725209/ 725203 BDO – OSMEÑA Osmeña corner Ramon Chavez St. Cdoc 724567/8563727 BDO – LAPASAN Lapasan Highway Cdoc 8563233 /8563234 / 725178 BDO – RN- PELAEZ George Town CyberMall Rn Pelaez Blvd Kauswagan Cdoc | 8562617/729052 BDO – CARMEN Maxsuniel cor.V Neri St. Carmen, .Cdoc 8584854 /8581133 BANK OF COMMERCE- VELEZ Akut- Velez St.Cdoc | 8564371 / 726880 BANK OF COMMERCE- LAPASAN

CM Recto Ave. Lapasan, Cdoc, 8563991/727731

BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK RER kauswagan,HW Cdoc 8573733 /722519 BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK Gaston Park Cdoc | 8801518 BPI – LAPASAN Cm Recto HW Lapasan Cdoc 724076/ 8524602 BPI- VELEZ Velez-JR Borja St.Cdoc 8564213/722406 BPI – CAPISTRANO Capistrano St. Cdoc 8574264/8574263 BPI- COGON Osmeña St. Cdoc 8571297/8571298 CHINA BANK –GAISANO 745887/745880 CHINA BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc 8572212/8573274 CHINA BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW Cdoc 8561325 /722240 CHINA BANK – CARMEN Max Suniel, Cor. Yakal St. Cdoc 8583903/723091 CHINA BANK – DIVISORIA RN Abejuela St. Divosoria Cdoc 8575759/722641 CITY SAVINGS BANK TS Fashion Ave.Justo Ramonal Corner St.Cdoc 2316060/ 2316059 CHINATRUST Suite U&5 G/LGateway Tower Lapasan Lkk Cdoc 8521846/8521844 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK HW. Lapasan Cdoc | 8564201/ 8564201 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK Vamenta Carmen Sts. Cdoc | 8585366 DBP – CORRALES Corrales Ave., St. Cdoc | 8572087/722649 DBP – CAPISTRANO JR Borja Capistrano St. Cdoc 8567776/722819

PBCOM Tiano-HayesSt. Cdoc | 726519/8571558 PLANTERS DEVELOPMENT BANK

Tiano Bros St. Cdoc | 727083 /727082 PHILTRUST BANK Ramonal OsmeñaSt. CDO 8807234/2316694/2316695 PNB- CORRALES Corrales Avenue Cdoc | 729500 / 729723

PNB- LKK MALL NORTH CONCOURSE

LKK Mall N.Concourse Cdoc 8574149/8575682

PNB- CARMEN Elipe Bldg.Carmen, Cdoc | 8583158/ 8584203 PNB- LKK LKK Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564347/722872 PNB CDO– DIVISORIA Tiano Bros.Cruz Taal St., Cdoc 722861 /722816 PNB CDO– LAPASAN LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564732 / 723992 PNB CDO– COGON LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc 8571991/ 723992 PHILIPPINE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK, INC. bels_domingo@yahoo.com.ph Rizal Chavez Cdoc 8572194/725438 PS BANK Velez Corner A. Mabini St., Cdoc 8574183/725184 PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK Tiano-Abejuela St. Cdoc 722644/8573386 QUEEN CITY DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC. Sacred Heart Mont. Cm RectoAve., Cdoc 8562390 RCBC- VELEZ Velez-Borja St. Cdoc | 8564982/8568888 RCBC- COGON Simplex Bldg. Osmeña St. Cdoc 8562888/725863/8521329 RCBC- LAPASAN Cm. Recto Lapasan HW. Cdoc 8561888/722449 RCBC- LKK Gateway, Tower 1 LkkCenter, Cdoc 8563707/722449 RCBC SAVINGS- CARMEN Walingwaling St.,Carmen St. Cdoc 8585793/ 8586248 RCBC SAVINGS- VELEZ Velez St. Cdoc | 729083/8562460 RCBC SAVINGS- AGORA 8807891/8807892 RURAL BANK OF CABADBARAN, Inc.

#58 Tiano FernandezSt.CDO 727215/ 8563552 *805

SECURITY BANK- OSMEÑA Osmeña St. Cdoc | 8563965/ 723411/728774 SECURITY BANK- LKK Limketkai | 8801258/8801625

EAST WEST BANK #5 Juan Sia Bldg. Apolinar Velez St.Cdoc 8578801/720081

SECURITY BANK- VELEZ Velez Montalvan St., Cdoc | 728334/856632

EAST WEST BANK Cogon De Oro Constraction Bldg. LKK Drive 8500339/8500331

STERLING BANK OF ASIA Tiano Velez St. CDO | 8528171/8528168

ENTERPRISE BANK INC. Centro Mariano Bldg Osmeña St. Cdoc 723869/ 3093395 FIRST CONSOLIDATED BANK CM Recto Ave., Cor.Agudo Road Cdoc 8565360/2316678 LBP – CAPISTRANO Capsitrano St. Cdoc | 8565515/727678 LBP – VELEZ LunaVelez St. | 723549/8563198 LBP – PUERTO Puerto Cdoc | 8558858 MAYBANK JR Borja Tiano Cor. Bldg. Cdoc 8574439/726060 METRO BANK- DIVISORIA Pabayo Abejuela St. Divisoria Park, Cdoc 724783/8576999 METRO BANK- VELEZ A. Velez St. Cdoc | 8561724/726054 METRO BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc | 8572999/724415

UCPB BANK- LAPASAN Osmeña Corner Lkk Drive, Cdoc 85771842/ 725135 UCPB BANK- VELEZ Velez Corner C. Pacana St. CDO 8564474/8564527 UCPB BANK SAVINGS-CAPISTRANO

Capistrano Corner CruzTaal St. CDO 8524099/722695

UCPB BANK SAVINGS- OPOL Gf forever Books Bldg.Bulua National CDO 754519/8588063 UNION BANK Lapasan Cm.Recto Cdoc | 8566847/8563805 WEALTHBANK Velez Gomez St. Cdoc | 8568942/722174 1ST VALLEY BANK Vamenta Blvd. CornerLirio St. Carmen, Cdoc 8501871/ 8584146 OROBANKERS CLUB Inc. Pnb Carmen | 09151850242

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 9, 2019

Nov. inflation 'major factor' in next BSP rate meet T HE rise of the November 2019 inflation rate will be among the factors that Philippine monetary officials will look into during their last policyrate setting meet for the year on December 12.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno, in a tweet after the release of the November 2019 inflation report Thursday, said the 1.3 percent inflation in the 11th month this year is within the central bank’s forecast.

He is referring to the 0.9-1.7 percent projection of the central bank for the November 2019 inflation rate.

He explained that the

latest figure, which is higher than the 0.8 percent last October, “accords with (the) outlook of a gradual pick-up to target midpoint in 2020-21.”

The policy-making Monetary Board (MB), in its rate-setting meet last November 14, slashed the central bank’s average inflation forecast for this year to 2.4 percent from 2.5 percent but kept the 2.9 percent average inflation forecast for the next two years.

“BSP’s Monetary Board will consider new data and potential risks at its meeting next week on 12 December 2019,” Diokno added.

Relatively, the BSP, in a statement, attributed the

faster inflation rate last November to higher prices of electricity, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), gasoline, and select food items.

The rate of jumps in the prices of these items was, however, offset by the tamed rice prices as well as a stronger peso, it said.

“The latest inflation outturn is consistent with the BSP’s prevailing assessment that inflation has bottomed out in October and is expected to gradually approach the midpoint of the target range in 2020 and 2021,” it said.

The statement said that “risks to the inflation outlook are on the upside for 2020, but are tilted to

the downside in 2021.”

Upside risks to inflation include those coming from the volatile global oil prices and the possible impact of the African Swine Fever (ASF) while downside risks include the “global trade and policy uncertainty as well as geopolitical tensions.”

“The BSP will consider all the latest economic developments here and abroad in the Monetary Board’s policy meeting on 12 December 2019 to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with the BSP’s price stability objective while being supportive of economic growth,” the statement added. (PNA)

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for promotion of the economic potential of the country’s creative industries in Southeast Asia to boost exports in services, as the Philippines aims to be the leading creative economy in the region in the next decade.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said industry players have mapped out a creative economy roadmap that intends to provide necessary support to creative services, including promotion budget.

Lopez said the country has stronger creative services, particularly graphic design, game development, and software development which have been identified as “service winners”.

“Please note without any support, the creative economy has basically accounted for about onehalf in value relative to the merchandise goods.

We can imagine the potential. That means that definitely, the creative services is a natural competitive advantage of the Philippines because

of the catapult of talents that we have in terms of creativity, design and other high-value adding services,” he said during the National Export Congress Friday.

“More so, pag sinusupport natin (if we provide support to the sector)... Even increasing budget so that we can promote them better and much stronger than before because before, halos walang (they had almost no) promotion budget,” Lopez later told reporters.

The country also wants to make its creative

talent pool competitive and attractive in the international markets, he said.

To achieve this goal, Lopez said the creative economy roadmap has outlined six priority initiatives and five priority subsectors wherein the public and private sectors need to work together to accelerate the growth of the sector.

The priority sectors are advertising, film, animation, game development, and graphic arts, and design, he added.

(PNA)

Promotion budget for creative industries eyed

Rural banks looking to digitize operations to boost efficiency RURAL BANKS are joining their larger peers as they go into digitizing their operations to improve efficiency and to ramp up their push for financial inclusion.

Without going into details, Fexco Philippines Chief Executive Officer Cathal Brendan Foley said a rural bank will launch its mobile app by January.

Aside from this, Mr. Foley added that the small countryside financial side institutions are also delving more into introducing cash-out schemes.

“And as I see it for know, we see a huge take up in the cash-out type products because there’s pretty much no ATMs (automated teller machines) [in rural areas],” Mr. Foley said in an interview on the

sidelines of their media briefing held at Makati last Thursday.

Fexco is an Irelandheadquartered financial technology firm which has processed about $15 billion worth of transactions in Asia.

It was established in the Philippines in 2015 and has officially launched its services for partner institutions in 2017.

Among its offerings is the EasyDebit launched in December 2017, which facilitates transactions that include cash-outs with convenience fees that average P30 from touchpoints with small merchants including groceries, sari-sari stores, and pawnshops.

“To date, EasyDebit processed P3.5 billion in terms of cash-out and transaction value and has

seen 200% year-on-year growth in transactions,” Mr. Foley said, noting that one of the main things that buoy its growth are cashouts from conditional cash transfers.

Moreover, Fexco is developing a bank app that can be white-labeled by lenders.

The firm is working with lenders particularly rural banks such as the Rural Bank of Rizal, Cantillan Bank and AlAmanah Islamic Bank and is also in touch with 1,300 merchants in the country through cash-in and cashout transactions.

Aside from cash-out schemes, Mr. Foley also

sees the potential of business in bills payment, loan applications.

“There’s currently about 11,000 bank branches in the Philippines for 110 million Filipinos.

There is never going to be a penetration of brickand-mortar. I think banks will allow agents to operate on their behalf,” Mr. Foley said.

For 2020, the fintech will launch its Springpoint venture which is a combination of solutions meant for nonbank financial players that would want to delve into cash-ins, bills payments, loans, and accounts opening.

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 9, 2019

7

Billboard

Images (Clockwise from L-R): Radisson Hotel Group’s Philippines hotels in operation - Façade of Radisson Blu Cebu, Park Inn By Radisson Davao’s outdoor pool, Park Inn

By Radisson Clark’s vibrant gym, Park Inn By Radisson Iloilo’s all-day communal open space and Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA’ comfortable Superior Room

Radisson Hotel Group enlarges footprint in the Philippines as part of global expansion

R

ADISSON Hotel Group continues to expand its footprint across the Philippines as part of “Destination 2022”, its transformational fiveyear plan, which will consolidate its position as one of the world’s top three hotel companies.

Radisson Hotel Group brings world-class operational excellence to key growth areas and urban centers in the Philippines, currently operating two of its

seven brands in the country. These include the stylish upper upscale Radisson Blu Cebu and the contemporary, upper midscale Park Inn by Radisson hotels, located in Clark, Pampanga and Davao City. The recent openings of Park Inn

by Radisson Iloilo and Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA added 446 guestrooms to the Group’s inventory. With a total of five hotels in operation, the Philippines now operates over 1,100

Suzuki Philippines bolsters presence in North Luzon, inaugurates 77th dealership in Ilocos Norte ADVANCING its commitment to deliver top-quality products and services to more Filipinos, Suzuki Philippines (SPH), the country’s pioneer compact car distributor, expands its reach in the northern part of the country with a new 3S dealership in Ilocos Norte.

Suzuki Auto Ilocos Norte is Suzuki’s 77th dealership nationwide and the 13th dealership under the supervision of Grand Canyon Multi-holdings, Inc., which has recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Suzuki Auto Tagum targeted to open by 2020.

Besides strengthening its presence in North Luzon, the new Suzuki dealership aims to engage in the local business and

culture of our fellow Ilocanos and contribute to further growing the livelihood industry of Ilocos region by providing convenient and accessible car dealership with variety of vehicles that suit the locales’ commercial and passenger vehicle needs.

“Continuing our business momentum this year, we are very pleased to prove to our Filipino market our commitment to bring Suzuki vehicles to more locations nationwide.

We have made it easier and more accessible for more Ilocanos to experience the Suzuki Way of Life through our awardwinning and engineeredfor-excellence Suzuki vehicles. We are excited to see them in the new SUZUKI/PAGE 11

rooms nationwide.

Looking ahead, Radisson Hotel Group will open the Park Inn

by Radisson in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental in 2020 and the Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue in 2022. This will add over 290 additional rooms to the Group’s inventory.

Cebu and Bacolod are two of the most populous cities in the Visayas. In recent years, both of these economic hubs have seen increased investment and infrastructure buildup in key sectors, including tourism, real estate, and information communication technology (ICT).

The expansion of Radisson Hotel Group in the Philippines aligns with the government’s

thrust to promote tourism as a key driver of growth. In addition to boosting domestic tourism, the country’s Department of Tourism aims to attract 8.2 million foreign visitors in 2019, representing a 15.5% increase from the prior year’s 7.1 million tourist arrivals.

Since the opening of Radisson Blu Cebu in 2010, Radisson Hotel Group’s first hotel in the Philippines, it has continued to develop and enhance Filipino talent in the hospitality industry, generating some 680 local jobs in the last decade. Capitalizing on the experience and local knowledge that Radisson Hotel Group has accumulated over the

years in the Philippines, it offers local and international travelers a hospitality experience that is consistent with global standards and enhanced with distinctive Filipino culture.

“The Philippines is a highly attractive market with a large population, rising affluence, and a strong tourism sector.

Radisson Hotel Group has a proven track record in operational excellence and providing global hospitality services that exceed our guests’ expectations. I am confident that we will continue to leverage opportunities to build up and deliver on our brand promises”, commented Andre de Jong, Vice President, Operations,

South East Asia & Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.

Radisson Hotel Group maintains operational excellence by continually investing in systems, innovative tools, and strategic partnerships.

Recently, the group made its array of hospitality experience more accessible to the public with the launch of RadissonHotels.com, an online reservation site that integrates its hotel brands into one platform with an improved interface and enhanced functionally.

The Group ensures consistent services across its properties through training and upskilling employees and offering global career opportunities.

Daphne Florshile Madrid of Bukidnon is crowned Miss Glutalight Mindanao 2019 during the competition held Thursday, December 5 at Ororama Center in Cagayan de Oro City. With this win, Madrid will compete in the national pageant to be held next month. Flanking her in this photo are (from left) Personal Collection regional business development manager for Mindanao Alvin Benasa, human resource manager Marjorie Alforque and one of the judges, restaurateur Jimbe Nanong. A product of Personal Collection, Glutalight is available in capsule, facial wash, lotion, body soap bar and roll-on deodorant forms. photo by mark francisco

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 9, 2019

LIST OF AWARDEES Best CSR Program:

Transport & Auto Industry Leaders:

Resort Industry Leaders:

CEPALCO STEAG State Power Inc. SM Cagayan de Oro

Pabama Transport Corp, Bukidnon MGM Motors Mindanao, Inc., Davao ISUZU Cagayan de Oro

Dahilayan Adventure Park, Manolo Fortich Club Tara Kampo ni Juan, Bukidnon

Outstanding Cooperatives:

Tourism Industry Leaders:

Agro-Industry Leaders:

ORO INTEGRATED COOPERATIVE, CDO TAGUM COOPERATIVE, Tagum City DEARBCI – Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Fantasyland Travel & Tours, Dipolog City Seagull Resort, Davao City Seven-Seas Resort, Cagayan de Oro City

REBISCO, Manollo Fortich, Bukidnon Bounty Fresh Corp., Cag de Oro TADECO (Tagum Agricultural Devt Corporation)

Electric Cooperatives:

Outstanding Women Business Leaders

Micro Entrepreneurs:

Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. Siargao Electric Cooperative, Inc.(SIARELCO) Outstanding Mega-Entrepreneur: Mags Lopez Calpito Cue Ms. Beverly Dayanan Jalosjos Group of Companies

Ms. Irene Floro, President, Oro Chamber, Ms. Sholai Lim, PWDC chair of Comval Ms. Jacintza Cellona, President of (RIC) Women Association (SIURICWA) Lanao Norte Hotel Industry Leaders: Mullberry Hotel, Cagayan de Oro Hotel Tavern, Surigao Margarette Business Hotel, Bukidnon

Cucina de Oro Pizarella, Cagayan de Oro Necy Ann Ty, Davao City Social Entrepreneurs: Len Cabili, Iligan City Joe Green Project, Davao City Anthill, Davao City

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 9, 2019

PRO 10 launches Higalang Pulis Mobile Library

P

OLICE Regional Office (PRO) 10 Director PBGen Rolando B. Anduyan led the launching of PRO 10 Higalang Pulis Mobile Library at Sitio Limunsudan, Brgy Rogongon, this city, on December 3.

The mobile library is targeting schoolchildren and out-of-school youth to help them gain basic knowledge, teach them good values and patriotism, and mold them to become good and responsible citizens of the society.

The Mobile Library was attached to a patrol car with a makeshift bookshelf placed at the back of the vehicle.

Accompanying the mobile library are police teachers that will assist the children on how to write and read, as well as guide them on what they want to learn.

The launching of the mobile library coincided with the launching of the Iligan City Task Force To End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ICTF ELCAC).

During the activity, PRO 10 distributed 200 bag packs with assorted school supplies, 347 hygiene kits, 270 medicine kits, 206 water containers, 89 rubber bands, and 200 key chains with PRO 10 hotlines.

Meanwhile, Provincial

and City Police offices in the region will replicate the Mobile Library program in their area of responsibility to maximize the number of children to benefit from the program.

"I conceptualized this idea to help the children become good citizens in the future and never be encouraged to embrace the ideology of communism and terrorism," Anduyan said.

PRO 10 also encourages the public to support the Mobile Library by donating books and any learning materials to help sustain the program and serve more children in the region. (PRO10)

DOH pushes to improve the nutritional status of children Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOHCHDNM) discussed the challenges of improving the nutritional status of children during “Talakayan sa PIA” media forum on 25 November 2019.

Accordingly, there is still a need to improve the nutritional status of children in the country.

Telesfora G. Madelo, nutritionist dietician of DOH-CHDNM said prevalent problems are the stunting (low in height for age) and obesity among kids in region 10.

She said, among the programs they are pushing for are the Infant Young Child Feeding Program (IYCF) and the Law on the First 1,000 Days.

She explained the importance of breastfeeding and giving children nutritious food using fruits and vegetables.

Through the new law RA 11148 “Kalusugan at Nutrition ng MagNanay Act” (The First 1000 Days Law), Madelo explained this will give local government units the financial support it needs to implement and provide health support to expecting mothers.

DOH said nutrition starts from conception.

While the baby is still inside, the mother should

already be given with necessary health support by the local government.

This could be through regular health checkups and the provision of folic acid and other supplements for free.

But it is still the responsibility of the mother to be careful of her proper nutrition during pregnancy.

Madelo said stunting is irreversible.

Similarly, Gilda C. Ajoc, Nurse V of DOHCHDNM said through this new law, they are now tasked to locate all pregnant mothers in the region.

In the Republic Act

mandated by the law, “We will make a track for the pregnant mothers, and that is called pregnancy tracking, and will look for those pregnant mothers, where do they live in our community, and it is a great challenge to look for them, and give them support and help on how to take care and give their babies a healthy life,” Ajoc said.

She added that apart from nutritious food, pregnant mothers should talk to their babies in the womb to develop mental and emotional well-being.

So far, DOH has been active to monitor government hospitals

to adapt Mother BabyFriendly facilities.

This include not just developing breastfeeding stations but particularly making the hospital exclusive only for breastfeeding.

It means that the hospital does not allow canned milk or bottle feeding to their newborns, Ajoc added.

Through the implementation of this law, the call of President Rodrigo R. Duterte for Filipinos to be one of the healthy nations in Southeast Asia by 2024 will be realized. (Jack Deniel V. Castillano-PIA intern)

Marygrace Cuerquis is crowned Mutya ng Bulua 2019. First runner-up is Nicole Justine Sampani while crowned second runner-up is Simran Singh, Ilma Joy Nacario (third runner-up) and Vina Christina Zamora (fourth runner-up). photo courtesy of bulua barangay council

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Markado goes home:

a Kagay-anon Filmmaker's homecoming Cine de Oro Film Festival and we are set to show Markado as the opening film in Limketkai Cinema 4 this December 15, 2019 at 10AM. We’re selling tickets at Kanto main branch for P145 and a discounted price of P100 for students. I am really hoping we can share this film to as many Kagay-anons as we can because this is what our festival is about. I believe we

By RODIELL VELOSO

K

agay-anon Film Marker Joe Bacus’ Markado: The Moon Devourer is the first ever fulllength film to be made in Cagayan de Oro decades after Lorenzo M. de la Serna’s Sa Imong Lawas ug Dugo.

A live action film combined with doll animation, the film follows the story of Sab, a transporter for local drug cartels.

Amidst an imminent war between her superiors, Sab also deals with her dying grandmother's last wish that she bear a child. When Sab learns that she's

barren, this leads her to darker practices and revelations.

The film boasts a mix of drugs, dolls, and aswang folklore resembling a smorgasbord

of influences and references from Bacus’ earlier works such as Ika-3 Putahi (2014), The End of War (2014), and his seminal short Happy Fiesta (2014), all of which have won awards and been programmed in national and international film festivals.

After the premiere of Markado at QCinema International Film Festival 2018, it has since been featured in a slew of film festivals such as Fukuoka International Film Festival 2019, Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival 2019, Binisaya Film Festival 2019, and Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival 2019.

I sat down and talked to Joe Bacus about his film and how this film developed into what it is.

RV: The most striking thing to me about your film is the mixture of live action and doll stop motion scenes. Would you care to elaborate about how this came to be?

JB: It was a creative choice I had to make

when we were having trouble with the live action unit. We ran short of time and some of the actors couldn’t be bothered outside the projected shooting schedule.

Recasting them wasn’t a choice either since our budget couldn’t allow for reshoots. So I decided to purchase dolls as actors and shoot the remaining scenes with them in place.

RV: Would you rather have shot everything in live action?

JB: At the time of production, I would have said yes. But now, I don’t think that would be the answer. The mixture of live action and stop motion scenes seems to add another facet of meaning to watching the film and I definitely like that about Markado.

RV: So the pressure was high for you since you were about to produce Cagayan de Oro’s first full-length feature film after decades?

JB: It was high but I try not to think about it a lot. As you know, I really advocate to put

Cagayan de Oro on the map in terms of filmmaking. But even then, the pressure that got to me was not about Markado being the first fulllength feature film to come from CDO after decades but rather, it was more about making a film that I can be proud of showing to the world.

After all, I am an artist first before being an advocate of CDO’s film scene.

RV: So I guess the last question would be what’s next for Joe Bacus?

JB: I am currently starting a homegrown film festival here in my hometown called

can start a new wave of filmmaking here in Cagayan de Oro. We already have some talented filmmakers here and the only thing that is lacking is our unity in making a movement.

So as a Kagay-anon filmmaker, I’ll do my very best to help make that happen.

Stay tuned for updates about Cine de Oro very soon.

Tickets for the screening of Markado: The Moon Devourer in Limketkai Cinema 4 on December 15, 2019 10AM are available for purchase in Kanto main branch and its off-site stall in front of Xavier University.

11

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MONDAY|DECEMBER 9, 2019

Suzuki... from page 3

Visayas 1. Antique 2. Lanao Del Norte 3. Masbate Mindanao 1. Agusan Del Sur 2. Bukidnon 3. Cotabato 4. Lanao Del Norte 5. Surigao Del Norte 6. Zamboanga Del Norte As it climbs up the industry ranking with its continuous positive growth throughout the years, SPH drives its goal of reaching more Filipinos through various marketing initiatives. SPH brings quality driving experience to local and provincial markets with its passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

“It has always been the brand’s commitment to introduce innovative vehicles and deliver quality service that is accessible and convenient.

It is our pleasure to offer our products and services to motorists in every major urban areas and provinces in the country so that we can share the Suzuki Way of Life with more Filipinos,” added Keiichi Suzuki.

international standards of water distribution efficiency.

- An ADB study says the reduction in system loss is equivalent to having built a new water dam!

- Dr. Raul Fabella, the only living National Scientist in Economics, once said: “The privatization of the MWSS was clearly a triumph of the principle of comparative competence – the private sector proved more comp etent at t he d e l i v e r y o f w at e r a n d sewerage services than the state. It is now considered a s i ng u l arly su c c e ss f u l structural reform in the annals of Philippine political economy.”

Question: Did Manila Water live up to its end of the Concession Agreement?

A s my g o o d f r i e n d and fellow former Press Secretary Chito Villanueva is fond of saying: “You be the judge!”

Note: Feel free to share the foregoing via Facebook, Twitter or Linked-In.

Adultery... from page 4

Theor y and Practical Assessments I N F L I G H T S E RV I C E TRAINING PROGRAMME: Image and Grooming Business Etiquette Overview of Cabin Crew Member Duties Over view of Aircraft Ser vice Procedures and Duties Wine and Bar Service Training Practical Skills Practices Theor y and Practical Assessments

f a r l e s s re a s on s , or n o reason at all, to find fault in others because of their mistakes and sins. Ours is simply to help one another.

That is simply because at the end of the day we are all brothers and sisters, all children of God, meant and b ou nd to l ove and help one anot he r. T h i s i s a f u nd ame nt a l t r ut h that cannot be erased by whatever mistakes and sins that we commit. If God could love us even more because of our sinfulness, who are we to refuse that l ove to t he ot he rs w ho may have fallen into sin?

from page 4

from page 5

Career... from page 4

Last...

what you’ve done wrong, do what you need to do to make it right today—before it’s too late. If you died tonight, are you 100% sure that you’re right with God your Maker and Judge? If today is your last, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven? If not, you can be sure right now. Just ask Jesus Christ to forgive you for all your wrongs and living your own way. Then ask Him to take charge of your life today and every day. That’s the only way you can be safe and sure you’re ready to die every day until your very last one. Just Think a Minute…

Facts... from page 4

customers from the poor and marginalized sector, who used to buy vended water in buckets or pails delivered by vendors in pushcarts.

- Pr i or to Man i l a Water, 63% of every liter produced never reached the intended customer because of broken MWSS pipes and pilferage. Manila Water was able to reduce “system loss” or non-revenue water to only 11%. This is at par with

Sales...

October alone, followed by Suzuki with 690 units.

AVID’s year-to-date sales for PC dipped by 3 percent with 25,133 units sold from 25,821 units sold during the same period last year.

Sales of commercial vehicles (CV) segment declined by 7 percent with 40 units sold in October.

But CV sales surged by 87 percent to 727 units in the first 10 months of the year compared to 389 units sold last year.

“Despite the challenges AVID faced in the past couple of years, the industry is poised to make a strong comeback as we are poised to step into a new decade. Our members continue to introduce new innovative models, valuepacked service offerings, and easier ownership schemes to support our collective goal, which is to give Filipino consumers smarter mobility options so they can live the way they want,” Agudo added.

(PR)

Suzuki... from page 7

Suzuki Auto Ilocos Norte,” shared SPH Director and General Manager for Automobile Division Keiichi Suzuki.

Suzuki Auto Ilocos Norte

is located at Brgy. 16, San Nicolas. All well-loved Suzuki vehicles, including the recently launched AllNew Carry together with the New Vitara, All-New Jimny, Suzuki Swift, Dzire, and the All-New Ertiga, will be available at Suzuki Auto Ilocos Norte.

“Aside from our firm belief in and reliance on Suzuki and its vehicles, we see a strong potential in Ilocos Norte to contribute to local economic progress not just as a tourist district but also, and more importantly, as a promising business zone,” shared Grand Canyon Chairman Peter Po. With the back-to-back dealership inaugurations and groundbreakings this year, SPH is optimistic about being able to share the Suzuki Way of Life with more Filipinos and taking a more active role in driving growth in the local automotive industry.

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

Project... from page 1

loan agreement comes first.

The Department of Finance (DOF) will obtain the loan, according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant S ecretar y for Mindanao Projects Eymard Eje. At present, the DOTr is waiting for the short list of Chinese bidders for the two project packages – the Project Monitoring Consultancy and the Design and Build Contractor. As soon as the Chinese government submits the list, the DOTr will immediately proceed with the bidding procedures.

The TDD will have eight stations located in Tagum, Carmen, Panabo, Mudiang, Davao, Toril, Sta. Cruz, and Digos.

This segment is designed to accommodate around 130,000 passengers per day in its first year of full operations.

Once fully operational, travel time between Tagum City to Digos City will be reduced from currently 3.5 hours to just 1.3 hours.

The TDD will break ground in the first quarter of 2020. It will be partially operational by the second quarter of 2022 for the Tagum-Davao line, while full operations for the TagumDavao-Digos line will be in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The rail line will be built with a single track, with provisions for future tracks and electrification.

It will have six 5-passenger trains (Diesel Multiple Units) with 3 spare cars, 4 locomotives and 15 freight cars.

Once t he proj e c t is completed, the DOTr expects the daily ridership of the TDD segment to increase to 134,060 by 2022, going up further to 237,023 by 2032 and 375,134 by 2042.

“As the first railway to be built outside of Luzon, the MRP will transform the socio-economic landscape of Mindanao,” remarked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary and Government Infrastructure Cluster head Mark Villar.

“This project will surely b enef it t hos e w ho call Mindanao their home, and also those doing business in the island,” he concluded.

Permits... from page 1

in the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the conflict in Marawi.

However, Roderick Ibañez, of the National Housing Authority, said the issues in the legal action are being addressed by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TBFM).

In a briefing here last week, Ibañez said they have received more than a thousand building permit applications from structure owners inside the "most affected area" (MAA) or "ground zero".

He said some 200 building permits have already been issued while the rest are still on process, with certain delay as clearing of unexploded bombs in the area continues.

He said that only property owners who are in the Kathanor system and the social cartography of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be granted the building permit.

In the same press briefing, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), also the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairperson, said those who can present proof of ownership will be given building permit to resolve the overlapping claims on properties in Marawi.

Del Rosario added the construction of new public infrastructure in the most

Republic of the Philippines Province of Lanao del Norte MUNICIPALITY OF BACOLOD OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR RA Form No. 101 (LCRO) R.A. 10172

affected area (MAA) in Marawi City will start this December as the retrieval and disposal of unexploded bombs is nearing completion.

After the filing of the class suit Wednesday, Atty.

Salic Dumarpa, chairman of Go Right Foundation Inc., said they filed the civil action directed to Secretary del Rosario and Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra, for "mandamus with prayer for writ of preliminar y mandatory injunction" before the regional court in Marawi.

“We hope that it will be acted upon immediately,” Dumarpa said, during a press conference here on Thursday (Dec. 5).

A mandamus is a judicial order to compel a person to perform government or statutory functions.

Dumarpa hopes the court will act on their legal action and order the government, through Del Rosario and Gandamra, "to facilitate the fast return of the IDPs to their respective homes in Marawi’s most affected area.

“We have more than s u f f i c i e nt e v i d e n c e t o convince the court that indeed it is about time that the government allows the immediate return of the IDPs,” Dumarpa said.

The petitioners said their “standard of living, work, business, livelihood and other sources of income have been seriously affected and many of their children have stopped schooling, this placing their future into uncertainty as a result of their present status as IDPs”. (PNA)

Training... from page 1

teach rural folks on raising native chicken and goat, cattle fattening, as well as vegetable farming.

“My advocacy is to achieve peace and prosperity in Mindanao through simple livelihood projects” said Piñol.

He said that a certain Arnel Corpuz, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who had long experience in cattle fattening in Australia and owns the Adelaide Farm, is joining this advocacy program of MinDA. The livelihood projects will be hosted under the Livelihood Opportunities

in Villages for Economic Up l i f t m e n t ( L O V E - U ) program, which aims to reduce poverty and contribute to attainment of peace and security in Mindanao. “ We w i l l i d e n t i f y priority areas for the lecture series which include the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Maguindanao and Saranggani, which are among the 10 poorest provinces in the country. These areas also were recently devastated by the series of earthquakes”, Piñol said.

The island provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, which are being positioned as the sources of supplies needed in reopening of the Barter Trade with Sabah, are also identified as priority areas for the LOVE-U program.

In a recent visit to Sabah, Malaysia late last month, Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal informed Secretary Piñol during a call with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Executive Director Paul Dominguez that the territory needs a supply of halal beef, goat meat, freerange native chicken, fruits, and vegetables for its growing tourism industry.

Piñol said that the Sabah chief minister agreed to engage the farmers from Mindanao, especially in the three island provinces, to supply the needed commodities.

He added that in order to supply the needs of the local people and the prospective Sabah market, MinDA will undertake the training of agriculture stakeholders, who will be organized and given production support.

"MinDA will be linking up with funding partners to support the organized farmers' group,” said Piñol.

Pinol also said that MinDA will lead an agriculture and trade mission to Sabah and Sarawak on the third week of January 2020. (PNA)

ALLAN'S LECHON

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that ROSA FUENTES BUNTAG has filed with this Office a petition for CHANGE OF FIRST NAME from “URSOLA” to “ROSA” in her Certificate of LIVE BIRTH who was born on SEPTEMBER 14, 1957 at RUPAGAN, BACOLOD, LANAO DEL NORTE whose parents are VECINTA HALATA FUENTES and ANSELMO LOREJO BUNTAG.

Main: Purok 4 Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City Cell #: 0928-616-4431 / 0905-777-0670

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office.

Branch: 31st Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City Cell #: 0926-594-9540

Branch: Casinglot, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental

BWM: December 2 & 9, 2019

(SGD) EMILY B. CABUG Municipal Civil Registrar

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Moreno creates City Cemetery and Memorial Park Board

M

AYOR Oscar S. Moreno has issued Executive Order 195 creating the City Cemetery and Memorial Park Board to ensure the maintenance of order and compliance with environmental sanitation standards at the Bolonsori public cemetery.

Headed by Engr. Almarco C. Brito with City Councilor Edgar Cabanlas as vice chairman, the Board recently conducted an ocular inspection at the site and reviewed the design for the redevelopment of the cemetery, including the resettlement of some settlers who are currently residing within the property.

The plan also covers the proper interment of human remains to prevent possible contamination of water sources within the cemetery and nearby areas.

The board’s membership consists mostly of leaders in the private and civic sectors in keeping with Mayor Moreno’s development agenda of inclusive governance.

Other members of the Memorial Park Board include Camaman-an Punong Brgy Pedro Arda; City Civil Registrar Evangeline Tapangan; Ramir Balquin of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO); Oliver Egypto of the Office of Community

Affairs; Dr. Adrian Suba-an of the Department of Health-10 (DOH 10); Environment Management Board (EMB)Region 10 Director Reynaldo Digamo; Mohammad Gondarangin of the Muslim Association of Cagayan de Oro; Abdul Nasser Masorong of the Commission on Muslim Affairs 10; Msgr. Perseus Cabunoc of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and Engr. Benjamin Nunag Jr. and Arc. Adolph Vincent Vigor and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), with the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO).

(ACM)