BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 22-23, 2021)

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Volume XI, No. 109

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Briefly MSMEs support THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is continuously rolling out programs that will assist the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) survive and thrive amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The latest initiative of the DTI is its partnership with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to facilitate workshops and programs for entrepreneurs and provide them access to working capital loans and other financial services.

In a statement Wednesday, the DTI said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BPI Business Banking, adding that the latter will support the agency’s programs such as the SME Roving Academy, the Kapatid Mentor ME, and Youth Entrepreneurship Program, as well as regional trade fairs.

IN-DEPTH

Min-Vis power grids linkage faces delay www.businessweekmindanao.com

Market Indicators

Mon-Tue|February 22-23, 2021

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HE transmission project that will ultimately interconnect the Mindanao and Visayas power grids hits another delay after portions of fiber optic submarine cables were damaged, the grid system operator said over the weekend.

T h e Na t i o n a l G r i d Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that since the damage requires immediate repair an takes time, it might miss its schedule for the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), which was already

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pushed back after recent travel restrictions.

The project would connect the grids in Mindanao and Visayas, allowing excess power from both areas to be exported where it is needed, thus helping avoid shortages or thinning reserves.

M V I P, w h i c h t h e D e p ar t me nt of E ne rg y certified in 2018 as an energy project of national significance, was slated for completion by December 2020, but was extended to December 2021 due to DELAY/PAGE 7

MisOr town to build P400M public hospital

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Reporter

BARMM devt projects COTABATO City – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will begin the implementation next week of this year’s P15 billion worth of development projects, including in special geographic areas, the regional public works office announced Saturday.

"The region’s Ministry of Public Works (MPW) will build roads, bridges, flood control, and water supply projects, and other public works facilities all amounting to some PHP15 billion,” MPW Minister Edward Guerra said in a statement.

In support of the moral governance advocacy of the BARMM leadership, Guerra said his office is sticking to its commitment to deliver the utmost quality infrastructure facilities and services to constituents of the region.

We strive for Excellence!

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

MONITORING ‘AURING’. A team from the Cagayan de Oro Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office tracks the movement of tropical storm ‘Auring’ as it nears Carage region on Saturday afternoon. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

CONSTRUCTION of the P400 million public hospital will soon commence after local and national officials led the groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Looc, Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental on Friday.

Mayor Jennie Rosalie Uy-Mendez said the hospital is located on a one-hectare lot donated by the municipal government within the complex that houses the town hall and the future public market and bus terminal.

She said construction of the hospital, to be operated by the Department of Health,

will start anytime soon and is expected to be finished next year.

Aside from the usual amenities, the facility will also have services such as centers for heart, lung, dialysis, and a children’s hospital.

The Northeastern Misamis General Hospital is level two 100-bed capacity health care facility located in Barangay Looc, Villanueva, just a few meters from the municipal hall.

Uy-Mendez said the general hospital will decongest the overcrowded HOSPITAL/PAGE 7

NorMin raisers send 580 hogs for Manila markets WITH t he help of t he Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10), local suppliers managed to send at least 580 live hogs to fill in supplies in Metro Manila markets on Monday.

DA-10 Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said Tuesday the shipment was part of the agency's initiatives to provide transportation assistance to local hog raisers MARKETS/PAGE 7

CANE CUTTERS. These sugar cane cutters in Malaybalay City say they no longer receive daily wages. They are paid per truckload of canes. photo by h. marcos c. mordeno/mindanews

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Local 2 R-10 Customs head recognized by UN for fighting environmental crime C

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Region 10 Customs district collector John Simon receiving the award.

BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL National Highway Balingasag, Barangay 4, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Mobile Number/s: 0933-823-3161, 0933-823-3304 Tel. Number: 333-5161 CAGAYAN DE ORO P&J Lim Building, Tiano Kalambagohan St., Barangay 14, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel No. (08822) 727-829 / 231-6629 Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0933-823-3303 / 0943-708-7065 CAGAYAN DE ORO WAREHOUSE Warehouse 7, Bonbon Road, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Mobile No. 0917-825-4149 / 0943-708-7065 CARMEN, CAGAYAN DE ORO Vamenta Blvd., fronting CEPALCO, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 233-2011 Mobile No. 0933-823-3159 CORRALES, CDO Corrales Ave., Barangay 29, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 231-2055

AGAYAN DE ORO - District Collector John Simon has formally accepted in a virtual awarding ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand on February 17, 2021 the Asia Environmental Enforcement Award by the United Nations Environment Programme in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Customs Organization, Interpol and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

Collector Simon was among the eight awardees of the 5th

DIVISORIA, CDO A. Velez St., Barangay 9, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0917-841-4000 / 0933-823-3164 GINGOOG CITY G/F Wyne Militante Bldg., Lugod St., Barangay 22, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 861-0104 Mobile No. 0933-823-3168 LAPASAN, CDO National Highway (FICCO Bldg.), Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 231-6739 Mobile No. 0933-823-3160 PUERTO, CDO Purok 6, Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 859-0574 Mobile No. 0943-708-7537 CAMIGUIN B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Telefax No. (088) 387-0491 Mobile No. 0943-708-7539

Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards who recognized groups and individuals for their excellence in fighting Transboundary Environmental Crime.

Collector Simon was specifically recognized for the successful reexportation of the 7,500 metric tons of illegally imported South Korean trash dumped in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

The United Nations acknowledges the efforts of Collector Simon and the whole Bureau of Customs in the Philippines that despite the pandemic which limits the movement of cargoes because of quarantine measures they still triumphed to complete the re-exportation process

last September 15, 2020.

"Our victory here in our country will not be complete without the unending support of the brave and efficient men and women of the Philippine Bureau of Customs in Northern Mindanao. You are the very reason why we have defeated the enemy, you are the true champions of the earth for that I shall be forever grateful," said Collector John Simon in his acceptance speech.

He also thanked the local, national and international media for making the people aware on the evils of waste smuggling. Including BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Secretary of Finance CUSTOMS/PAGE 7

MinDA forms local body to monitor delayed infra projects in Mindanao DAVAO City – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will formally organize on Wednesday the Davao del Norte Infrastructure Monitoring and Advisory Group (IMAG) to oversee the implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the PHP20-B Davao City-

Samal Island Bridge.

MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the organization of the Davao del Norte IMAG was agreed upon during the meeting on Thursday between MinDA, Governor Edwin Jubahib, and project engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) involved in the Davao-Samal Bridge project.

“The Davao del Norte IMAG will be the first of the monitoring groups to be organized in the different provinces of Mindanao to monitor the progress and development of key infrastructure projects, many of which have suffered delays,” he said Sunday.

In Davao del Norte, the IMAG will be headed

by Jubahib along with different agencies of government, especially DPWH, the religious sector, the mayors of the towns where the project is located, and civic organizations as members.

“Institutionalized by the then Mindanao Economic and Development Council (MEDCO) in the mid1990s, I previously chaired the IMAG for the whole of Mindanao when I was president of the Mindanao Governors and Mayor's league in 1998,” he added.

Piñol said the IMAG proved to be a “very effective mechanism” in giving stakeholders greater involvement in the monitoring of major infrastructure projects by conducting quarterly MONITOR/PAGE 7

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MON-TUE|FEBRUARY 22-23, 2021

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CorporateWorld

Right information, science-based legislation, needed to accelerate end of cigarettes LEAVING cigarettes behind can be much faster if everyone plays a role, said a top-ranking Philip Morris International (PMI) executive.

This was the key message of Tommaso Di Giovanni, PMI’s vice president for global communications, during the 27th National Public Relations Congress held virtually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP). He said the ambition of PMI, the parent company of PMFTC Inc., is to replace all cigarettes with better alternatives based on science as soon as possible.

Di Giovanni said it’s no secret that

smoking causes diseases and is addictive.

Yet, the vast majority of smokers don’t quit. It’s estimated by the World Health Organization that there will be the same number of smokers around the world in 2025.

According to Di Giovanni, this is what prompted PMI to explore “creative solutions to the problem. We decided to think, is there anything that we can do to change our business and give all those smokers who would otherwise continue using cigarette a better alternative?”

“We started working at products that do not burn and therefore generate significantly lower levels of harmful

compounds. We call them heated tobacco. And that has been our focus since then,” he said.

Di Giovanni said more than 350 studies by PMI on these new products have been peer-reviewed, making PMI the fifth largest holder of patents filed with the European Patent office.

“Today, 99 percent of our R& D expenditures and 76 percent of our commercial expenditures are behind this huge effort to transform an industry into something that is much better, and we hope that it would not only be our company but the whole industry and the whole world that are behind it,” he said.

Having the capacity and the technology to do something different, and to do something that will benefit consumers, Di Giovanni said PMI invested over $8 billion in research and development, scientific substantiation and early manufacturing of alternatives to cigarettes. In 2015, PMI commercialized IQOS, a product that heats tobacco rather than burning it.

Understanding Nicotine “The vast majority of people simply don't understand what causes disease with cigarettes. The vast majority of people still think it’s nicotine. It’s not the CIGARETTES/PAGE 6

Cebu Landmasters exec optimistic Alsons picks Nicasio Alcantara as president, of biz growth amid pandemic board chairman

B

ANKING on the strong business results in 2020 amidst the pandemic, officials of Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) are optimistic for their operations postpandemic, citing that demand for housing remains.

In a virtual launch of the mixed-use, 32-floor Masters Tower Cebu on Friday, which the company targets to complete

by 2025, CLI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jose Soberano III said diversification efforts will continue to buoy them in the coming years.

“We will continue to go to our existing market here in VisMin (the Visayas and Mindanao) where we have very strong familiarity…

We do feel that the demand for housing is still underserved both for vertical and horizontal,” he said.

He explained that although it is going to be more difficult to go to second-tier cities this time “what we want for 2021 is to consolidate where we are.”

He said CLI currently has real estate projects in 15 key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao and “we would like to expand from that base.”

He said they continue to see “a lot more potential” in the next years

because of the company’s available real property assets.

He said they registered large reservation sales for their residential housing projects last year “and we continue to be bullish there.”

“We would like to blend that trust with the hospitality business because that is the strength that is so inherently here in Cebu, here in VisMin… GROWTH/PAGE 7

ALSONS Consolidated Resources, Inc. (ACR) on Thursday has named a new president and chairman to lead the firm starting March.

In a disclosure to the local bourse, ACR said that Nicasio I. Alcantara would be the next president and chairman of the company, which was helmed by Tomas I. Alcantara.

It said Tomas Alcantara decided to retire for health reasons, but would remain

a director of the company.

His retirement would take effect on March 1, the firm said.

Nicasio Alcantara previously led ACR as its chairman and president from 1995 to 2001. From 2001 to 2009, he was the chairman and chief executive officer of Petron Corp. At present, he is the chairman of ACR Mining Corp. and an independent director of Phoenix ALSONS/PAGE 6

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Opinion

The BusinessWeek Mindanao is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Corporation every Monday to Friday with office address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Company Registration No. CS201531633 with BIR Certificate of Registration No. 2RC0000831068, TIN No. 463-826-272-000 – VAT. Reg., and with Business Permit No. 2020-04015. Tel. Nos.: (088)856-3344, (088) 810-100, 0923-432-0687, 0917-7121424 Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com

BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO ALLAN MARIO MEDIANTE Vice President for Corporate Affairs RUFINO T. MAGBANUA Vice President for Business Development VICENTE C. DELA VICTORIA Vice President for Operations JOE FELICILDA Vice President for Administration JOE PALABAO Vice President for Marketing ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, PhD Vice President for Finance MIKE BAÑOS Vice President for Digital

When I listen and lock around, I would have to answer this question with a big yes. Several friends of mine started talking with me and mentioned the good old days. Yes, those were the days my friend! Well, we all know: times have changed drastically. More natural disasters, more wars that hardly anyone speaks of anymore, and a pandemic that I have purposely put at the end of this list.

To be or not to be. Sein oder nicht sein. Shakespeare.

To say it clearly: without faith and hope, we're really nothing.

Faith is belief; believe in us, in our works, talents and our personalities. We should also believe in our parents or much better, in our whole family including the black

JUN AYENSA

Regional Editor - Caraga

MIKE BAÑOS Contributing Editors

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Boredom Think a minute . . . Are you bored? It is a sad life when we “outlive our enthusiasm” for it. That is why “Our big challenge is not to add years to our life, but life to our years.” That way “Our spirit will not grow gray before our hair does.”

Did you e ver re a l ly want something such as a promotion or new job, a good education, or a nice house?

But after you got it, it lost its excitement and did not give you the lasting satisfaction you expected. Then you were left still wanting something more. And you wonder: “Is this as good as it gets?

Is this basically all I can expect in life?” A successful businessman said: “I climbed all the way to the top and found there’s nothing there!”

Even after he achieved everything he wanted, he was still empty and unhappy.

When you are bored and unsatisfied, nothing in life is really worth your full energy and time. You don’t have a real passion and purpose for living. Well, guess what? You’re normal!

We humans were made for such a high level of living

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THINK A MINUTE

sheep, which can be found everywhere.

We should believe in our friends, even if it seems to become very difficult nowadays. The pandemic kills many friendships.

Please remember, my dear readers: without faith and hope will we reach the rock bottom.

Don't say, it's a likely story.

The German poet Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1815) has mentioned in his drama "Maria Stuart": "Even the word might be dead, but faith keeps it alive!" Chapter I of Second Thessalonians gives encouragement to all Christians, who were undergoing persecution for or because of their faith. Yes, faith is really not everybody's

thing, or "not everyone has faith".

"If I have faith, that can move mountains" (First Corinthians 13,2).

Faith is a tantamount to convincing and conviction.

Richard Wagner (German classical composer and poet, 1813-1883) found the following lyric: "Blessed are those people, who know how to live their life in humility and faith."

So, let's even continue believing in our governments or the institution church. Faith means also a belief specially in a revealed religion. Faith is trust or reliance. Faith is indeed a pledged word. Yes, I know. Hope too.

People without faith and hope in themselves cannot or will never survive. Worth

IGNACIO BUNYE For two consecutive weeks, Muntinlupa City held virtual town hall meetings to drum up high participation in it s for t h c om i ng C ov i d vaccination program.

Invited to the separate meetings with the theme “Bakunado, Protektado” were representatives of homeowners groups, religious groups, civic groups, Sangguniang K a b at a a n , t h e G e n d e r Development Office and the City Administrator’s Office.

During the first meeting h e l d Fe br u ar y 1 0 , t h e

resource speakers were Infection Prevention and Control Committee Chair C h ar i s s a B or j a - Ta b or a of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and Jesusa Joyce Cirunay of the Food and Drug Administration.

M s . B o r j a - Ta b o r a underscored the safety of vaccines, the process of clinical trials, and the role of vaccines in protecting individuals and communities.

Ms. Cirunay discussed the FDA’s Emergency Use Aut h or i z at i on an d t h e stringent process and policies for the approval of vaccines.

During the second meeting held last Thursday, Dr. Jose Mari Castro of the Department of Health shared his insights on the nature of COVID 19, means of transmission and safeguards to protect oneself and the community.

A special feature of both town hall meetings was an AVP specially prepared by the Public Information Office, headed by Tez V.

Navarro, explaining the need to have oneself vaccinated.

The AVP also answered frequently asked questions regarding the safety of FDAapproved vaccines.

In a Februar y 11 C ovid sur vey involving 17,561 respondents from Muntinlupa’s nine barangays, 4,484 respondents or 24 percent indicated they were not willing to be vaccinated.

The most common reasons cited were fear of side effects, doubts about the efficiency rate of the vaccine and cost of vaccination, exacerbated obviously by conflicting information circulating in social media.

Dr. Teresa “Tet” Tuliao, Muntinlupa City CHO, is targeting 383,000 or 70 per cent of the entire city population - the minimum number for Muntinlupeños to be able to gain “herd immunity”.

D r. Tu l i a o s ai d t h e city has identified 6,758 medical front-liners from barangay health centers,

The quest for beauty

JHAN TIAFAU HURST and productivity that it is easy for us to get bored. And no one knows it better than our own Maker. That is why He gives us expectations and challenges to push us to reach our full potential. Animals can be satisfied just to eat, sleep, play a little and call that successful living. But we humans were made for much more than that!

This is why Jesus says the only way we can have a full, satisfying life is when we spend our time and talents loving Him and others. We were created to give and make a difference in the world with our own unique abilities and personality. And it is simply common sense that your BOREDOM/PAGE 7

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING to think about it! +++ Email: doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines. blogsp ot.com or w w w. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Muntinlupa City gears up for COVID vaccine rollout

Editor-in-Chief

GILBERT Y. CHAO

MON-TUE|FEBRUARY 22-23, 2021

Are we losing faith and hope already?

NELSON CONSTANTINO Motoring Editor

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DEEP within us, there is an undeniable yearning for what we consider to be beautiful.

Undeniable too is that fact that while many times such yearning is satisfied, there are also occasions, and they can be quite many also, that it is frustrated and disappointed.

But if we have the proper understanding of what beauty really is, then we will realize that beauty can always be found everywhere. Yes, even in situations where in our human estimation we consider as ugly, beauty can still be found.

The secret is to peg our quest for beauty on God. With him, everything is beautiful, or at worst, can be made beautiful. Without him, even what we consider in our human estimation as beautiful is actually not so. Beauty is where God is. And since God is everywhere, beauty can also be found everywhere. That is, if we know how to look for God. Our problem is that we often separate beauty from God. And

because of such separation, beauty has transformed, in the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, “into a path that leads to the ephemeral, into banal and superficial appearances, or even a flight toward artificial paradises, which disguise and hide interior emptiness and inconsistencies.

It’s a sense of beauty that is pegged merely on us, who in our limited and wounded nature, cannot find beauty everywhere, especially when some pain and suffering are involved.

We need to expand our understanding and appreciation of beauty. If by beauty we mean only the physical beauty of a scenic landscape, the romantic hue of a sunset, or a Miss Universe, then we are missing not only a lot of things but also the one thing that is most necessary to us.

There is beauty in persons, things and situations that otherwise are regarded as unbeautiful or ugly if seen only in the physical or strictly

human and natural level. It is the beauty that comes straight from God who offered his son on the cross as a ransom for our salvation.

We need to expand our understanding and appreciation of beauty by including the most important element of beauty.

And that is the love for God, and because of that love, it is also the love for others.

If we truly love God, then we should reflect his love and his attributes that can only be described, in the least, as beautiful. If out of his love for us, he sent his Son to us, and the Son had to become man and to suffer death on the cross, then we can say that there must be beauty in suffering and in death.

We need to understand and appreciate beauty from the point of view of our faith, more than simply from the point of view of our senses and our intelligence.

To be sure, our faith does not reject the standards of beauty that go along the lines of the

emergency responders, the Ospital ng Muntinlupa and 6 private hospitals, including Asian Hospital, who can inject the vaccines. They will be organized into 82 vaccinations teams and deployed in 35 vaccination posts. They have the capability of vaccinating 8,200 individuals per day.

Muntinlupa City will give priority to front-liners such as health workers and uniformed personnel. Next in line are indigent senior citizens, followed by other senior citizens.

Vaccination during Spanish times At v a r i o u s p e r i o d s during the Spanish era, the Philippines was hit by smallpox, bubonic plague, and cholera and it was interesting how the authorities dealt with them.

In the 1800s, smallpox infected most of the Sp an i s h t e r r it or i e s , i n South America and the Philippines. According to VACCINE/PAGE 7

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA senses and the intelligence, but it goes beyond them.

That’s why we have to learn to be quick to discern the elements of beauty in what otherwise are considered as ugly when seen in purely human terms. Physical pains, sicknesses, problems, difficulties, deaths, etc., while truly unattractive and worthy of avoidance, can possess a certain beauty if seen with the eyes of faith.

Again, the secret is to peg our sense of beauty on God. Email: roycimagala@gmail. com

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MON-TUE|FEBRUARY 22-23, 2021

Jalosjos group holds consultation in Sta. Ana, Tagoloan for township project

By MARK FRANCISCO

RGJ Realty Corporation, proponent of the proposed Valley View Residences in Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, held a public consultation with barangay officials and residents in the said area last Thursday (February 18, 2021).

The public consultation is one of the requirements for a developer to put up a housing project in a certain area.

During the public consultation, RGJ Realty Corporation vice president for marketing and sales Ritchie Salloman assured barangay officials and residents that each engineering and safety aspect of the 14-hectare mixed use township will be in place in all phases of the project.

Salloman said all such measures will be coordinated with the barangay officials of Sta. Ana led by chairman Elmo Ragandang.

Tagoloan Mayor Gomer Sabio himself earlier hailed the existence of the project, saying it will boost his town as an investment hub,

during an interview with Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Valley View Residences is composed of an 11-building condo row comprising of 360 units and a horizontal lowcost housing project, totaling 6,000 units. Spread around the campus are commercial spaces for lease as well as premium lots for sale.

Amenities of the township include allocated spaces carefully immersed with nature to stimulate the metropolitan way of living complemented with facilities vital for comfort and family leisure.

The master-planned township features socialized and mid-rise cluster units, premium lots, retail and commercial, secured main entrance with guard house, underground drainage system, perimeter fence, shuttle terminal, parking areas, man- made lagoon (water catchment), paved roads and curves, parks and picnic areas, sewerage treatment plant and water

Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental barangay chairman Elmo Ragandang talks to his constituents regarding the Valley View Residences project. photo by mark francisco

reservoir.

Its added amenities include event center, social hall, clubhouse, forest trail/ walk, open spaces, basketball court, children’s playground and chapel.

The next phase of the project will be another public comsultation, this time with DENR.

VIDEO GRAB COURTESY OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE

MisOr conducts COVID-19 vaccination simulation TO show that Misamis Oriental is fully prepared for the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, a COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Drill was held inside the Provincial Capitol Compound on Friday, February 19, 2021, under the supervision of Governor Bambi Emano and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) headed by Dr. Jerie Calingasan.

Following strict operating procedures and protocols, PHO personnel showcased their skills and knowledge in facilitating proper reception of vaccines transported using Vaccine Transport Boxes upon their arrival

including proper storage inside PHO’s Cold Storage Facility.

The Provincial IATF is now also ready for the actual Vaccination Campaign, evidenced by the tents for various designated stages of the vaccination erected in the Capitol grounds.

By these preparations, it is very clear that the Misamis Oriental, led by Governor Bambi Emano, has comprehensively prepared even prior to the arrival of the vaccines, proving that Misamis Oriental remains “One Step Ahead” against COVID-19. MISAMIS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE

If interested, contact:

DANICA SUDARIA

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

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MON-TUE|FEBRUARY 22-23, 2021

Cigarettes... from page 3

case,” Di Giovanni said.

He s a i d , t h e c au s e of diseases is found in harmful compounds that are in smoking, and that the vast majority of which are produced by burning tobacco.

“So when you eliminate the burning we realize you can do something that's much better than cigarette,” he said.

C it i ng t he Nat i ona l Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the United Kingdom, DI Giovanni said nicotine is addictive but it’s not the primar y cause of smoking-related diseases. “Virtually all health authorities around the world say this. And it’s something that the vast majority of smokers don’t know. And if they don’t know it. They simply won’t understand the value of the new proposition,” he said.

Despite the advancement in technology, however, Di Giovanni said major challenges remain, including the need to address the massive misinformation about nicotine, which the communications community can plays a big role.

“The biggest challenge

is that the vast majority of people don't know and don't understand the value of those alternatives because they haven’t been informed,” he said, adding that many people still believe that it is the nicotine that causes diseases when people smoke.

Di Giovanni also noted the need to update legislation.

“Legislation takes time. The fact of the matter is the vast majority of laws around the category were built in the 80s and in the 90s when the technology and the science we have today simply did not exist,” he said.

He acknowledge that many governments are acting, but “it takes time.” He cited the United States as the first country to act and change these laws to ensure there’s a review of any claim made on tobacco products that are better choice for smokers.

Di Giovanni said the US Food and Drug Administration last year authorized IQ OS for commercialization with claims of modified exposure, “and they do it because they believe this can, it’s their words, promote public health in the country.”

Currently, there are almost 18 million smokers worldwide

ASIA WORLD PAWNSHOP

Main: Osmeña-Cogon Market, Cagayan de Oro Branch: Ipil St.,Carmen , Cagayan de Oro NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE Starting March 5-6, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. to 12 noon, this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since October 2020 at Osmeña-Cogon Market and Ipil St., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO

Sa Marso 5-6, 2021 sa may 10:00 sa buntag paingon da alas 12 sa udto, ang Tanan nga penirenda nga wala malukat sa bulan sa Oktubre 2020 maapil sa subasta sa OsmeñaCogon Market ug Ipil St., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

BWM: February 22, 2021

ANG TAGDUMALA

who have switched to PMI’s heated tobacco products and about 25 percent of PMI’s revenues already come from these better alternatives to cigarettes today.

“Today, our leading heated tobacco product IQOS is sold in 64 countries around the globe. Almost 18 million smokers use (IQOS), and 72 percent of them abandoned cigarette completely. We’re now expanding the portfolio because we also know that smokers have dif ferent preferences,” he said.

PMFTC Inc., an affiliate of PMI, opened its IQOS stores in Metro Manila in September 2020 in a bid to reduce smoking rate in the country.

Di Giovanni said, however, that quitting smoking remains the best option. “If you don't smoke, don't start. If you smoke, quit. And if you don't quit, change. Because today, there are options that are much better choice for smokers.”

Alsons... from page 3

Petroleum Philippines, Inc. “We welcome Nicasio Alcantara and his many years of leadership experience in various corporations as he once again assumes the top posts in this company,” ACR Executive Vice-President Tirso G. Santillan, Jr. said in a statement.

Mr. Santillan said the outgoing president had “helped end the power shortage situation in Mindanao by bringing online two facilities, which added 313 megawatts (MW) to the island’s power supply.”

“It was because of his vision and guidance that ACR is now a major power generator with four power f a c i l it i e s s e r v i n g ov e r eight million people in 14 cities and 11 provinces in Mindanao. ACR will continue to benefit from his wisdom and experience as he continues to serve in the board,” Mr. Santillan

STAYING FIT AT SM SEASIDE CITY CEBU As part of its Stay Fit program to provide the community with a safe space for outdoor activities, the Skypark at SM Seaside City Cebu recently opened first-ever Roofdeck Ninja Obstacle Course in the Visayas in partnership with Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation and the United Vismin OCR (Obstacle Course Race) Community. This pop up facility includes an over 6 ft Wall with an Underwall, Through Wall, Pull ups, Monkey bars, Rings, Inclined Push Ups, Twister Rings, Dips, Traverse Wall, an Inverted Wall, and Rope Climbs.

Guided sessions are offered to the public at the 3F Amphitheater 2 beginning this February 13 and will be every Saturdays and Sundays at 5PM via pre-registration for limited slots. Photos show former PBA player and now Cebu City Councilor Dondon Hontiveros using the pull-up bar, and other members of the Obstacle Course Race community in Vis-Min area getting fit.

said.

ACR also announced that its board of directors named Alexander Benhur M. Simon as vice-president and group chief finance officer, and Antonio Miguel B. Alcantara as the chief investment and strategy officer.

The development comes as the Alcantara-led firm is in the middle of building its 14.5-MW Siguil run of river

hydro power plant in Maasim, Sarangani. The P4.5-billion project, which is expected to begin its commercial run next year, is ACR’s first foray into renewable energy.

One of the firm’s pipeline projects is the 105-MW San Ramon Power, Inc. baseload coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga City, which is scheduled to go online in 2024.

Last month, the listed firm said that it had earmarked P6.54 billion as capital expenditure budget for four projects under development, including the Siguil hydro plant and the San Ramon coal-fired power plant.

ACR, which claims to be the first private sector power generator in Mindanao, has an aggregate installed capacity of 468 MW.

Pagtuturo gamit ang radyo, tinatangkilik nga ba?

By JAYFFER G. REGIS Iligan City National High School Teacher II

BWM: February 8, 15 & 22, 2021

ANG paaralang Iligan City National High School ang nag-iisang pambublikong paaralan sa buong Mindanao na nagpatayo ng sariling istasyon ng radyo upang kahit papaano ay maihatid sa mga mag-aaral ang epektibong paraan ng pagtuturo gamit ang radio broadcast. Ika-20 ng Oktubre noong nakaraang taon nagsimulang umire sa himpapawid ang nasabing istasyon na tinawag na 106.3 Radio City High na may tag line na “You listen to learn”. Ang nasabing pagbubukas ay dinaluhan pa ni Regional Director Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO V at Division Superintendent ng Iligan na si Dr. Roy Angelo E. Gazo. Hangarin ng nasabing proyekto na maihatid sa mga mag-aaral ang maayos at epektibong paraan ng pagtuturo at nagsisilbing tulay ang istasyon upang maunawaan ng mga mag-aaral ang kanilang mga aralin o modyul.

Inisyatibo ng ICNHS principal na si G. Rex Lao Razo ang nasabing pagpapatayo ng istasyon na sinuportahan naman ng GPTA President Engr. Albert Monsubre,

gayundin ang suportang ibinigay ng station manager ng Brigada News FM na si G. Melvin Anggot upang mabigyan ng gabay nagsisimulang istasyon.

Apat na buwan na ang nakaraan simula ng ito ay magbroadcast, kwento pa ng Asst. Principal ng Senior High na si Dr Jose Salvador, maayos at matagumpay namang naihatid ng mga guro ang kani-kanilang mga aralin radyo dahil sa bawat salang nila sa himpapawid ay pinaghahandaan nila ito. Sinisiguro umano ng mga guro nila na ang ginagawang pagtuturo ay pasok sa hinihinging learning competencies sa bawat linggo. Bagama’t may mga agam-agam kung may nakikinig ba sa kanila sa radyo, sapagkat wala pa umanong instrumentong magagamit kung paano ma-monitor ang mga nakikinig sa radyo. Subalit sigurado naman sila na ang kanilang mga estudyante ay nanonood sa social media na Facebook. Nasabi nila ito sapagkat namomonitor nila ang kanilang mga mag-aaral kung nanonood ba o hindi. Hindi man

100% sa kanila ay nakapagfacebook, subalit sigurado naman sila na halos lahat naman.

Kwento pa ng isa sa mga guro ng paaralan na si Wilhelma Sampaco, ibayong paghahanda ang kanilang ginagawa para sa mga bata, doble ingat umano sila sapagkat bawal ang magkamali habang naka-on-air na.

Nakakatakot umano na ma bash ng mga tagapakinig sa radyo at manonood sa Facebook.

Ayon pa sa operator ng istayon na si G. Lluisma, bagama’t hindi ganoon ka lawak ang naaabot ng kanilang frequency, ay marami namang nanonood sa karatig bayan tulad ng Clarin, Ozamiz at marami pang iba na nanonood sa pamamagitan ng Facebook. Kahit hindi mga magaaral ng ICNHS ay nakikinabang rin sa nasabing broadcast ng isatasyon sapagkat halos magkakapereho naman ng aralin ang tinatalakay dito. Sa madaling sabi, kahit ang nasabing istasyon ay para sa lahat ng magaaral ng Iligan kahit ano pa man ang paaralan na kanilang kinabibilangan.

7

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MON-TUE|FEBRUARY 22-23, 2021

Boredom... from page 4

Maker is the only One Who can show you what is worth your time and abilities and how to fill your place in the world. Something that you know is making a difference in the lives of people around you.

Are you fully satisfied with your life? Do you love how you’re living? Won’t you ask Jesus to take full charge of your heart and way of life each and every day? He is the only One Who can give you your true passion and purpose for living—so you will not have to battle boredom in your life again.

Just think a minute . . .

Vaccine... from page 4

historian Ambeth Ocampo, the then reigning Spanish monarch, Carlos IV, ordered a vaccination expedition to head for the territories in 1803. The group was headed by Francisco Javier de Balmis.

In the late 1700s, Spain already had a vaccine for smallpox and in fact Carlos IV had his immediate family inoculated. But the problem was how to transport the vaccine because of the long voyage involved. Balmis came up with the novel idea of using live carriers. From Spain to Mexico and from Mexico to Manila, Balmis used orphans working a relay system. During the voyage, Balmis transmitted the vaccine in sequence, from child to child, arm to arm, along the way to their destination.

To c ut a long stor y short, Balmis and his boys eventually reached Manila DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late BENJAMIN EDUAVE BELISARIO, JR. , who died intestate on January 5, 2015 at Cagayan de Oro City, at the time of his death left a parcel of land with Tax Dec. No. G-126405 situated Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 120 square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an DEED OF ECTREA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE, and has been the subject of an DEED OF ECTREAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE, per DOC #449; PAGE #90; BOOK #45; Series of 2021, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ADONIS ARC P. GUMAHAD. BWM: Feb. 22, Mar. 1 & 8, 2021

EXTAR JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

in 1805. The Spanish Governor-General Rafael Aguilar immediately had his own children inoculated.

This softened the initial resistance of Bishop Domingo Collantes, the Archbishop of Manila, who was not keen on vaccination. Eventually, Balmis inoculated 20,000 inhabitants in Manila and environs. Balmis’ assistants later proceeded to Misamis and Z amb o ang a . From Manila, Balmis brought Filipino orphans to Macau and Canton for a similar inoculation exercise.

A bronze monument of Carlos IV, in front of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, and a historical marker at the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine commemorate the Balmis vaccination expedition.

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

Delay... from page 1

quarant ine rest r ic t ions caused by the global health emergency.

In its press release, NGCP said that it discovered that several portions of the submarine cable no. 1 of the MVIP’s Dapitan-Santander 350-kilovolt (kV) high voltage direct current (HVDC) line between Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte and Santander, Cebu were damaged.

“The submarine cable no. 1 portion of the MVIP’s Dapitan-Santander 350kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) line between Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte and Santander, Cebu, which was completed only on 15 Nov. 2020, was found to have been damaged in several locations,” NGCP said.

According to initial reports that the company received, there was a vessel roaming the area where the first cable was laid a month after the completion of the cable laying activity. NGCP discovered the damage to the first cable, while the second cable was being laid.

“This is an unfortunate circumstance, which may delay the MVIP timeline.

NGCP is working on a catch-up plan, given the fragility of handling fiber optic submarine cables,” the system operator said.

To repair the severed portions, NGCP would need to hold another round of procurement, awarding, scheduling of cable laying.

It noted that all of these were affected by the quarantine restrictions, which hampered the shipping of cables and the availability of foreign expertise.

It added that the cable laying activity could only be done when weather and tide conditions allowed for it.

NGCP said that it was conducting an investigation to find out if the vessel caused the damage, and who may be responsible for manning it.

Once completed, the MVIP will connect the Visayas and Mindanao grids through a high voltage direct current system with an initial capacity of 450 megawatts.

The project also covers 184 circuit kilometers (ckm) of submarine cables and 526 ckm of overhead wires, which would connect Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte to Santander, Cebu.

L a s t m ont h , G l o b a l B u s i n e s s Pow e r C o r p.

(GBP), which has an affiliate power company based in Mindanao, said that the timely completion of the MVIP would help power generators in Mindanao to sell excess capacities to wholesale and retail markets in Visayas and Luzon.

GBP earlier said that the projected delays of the MVIP would affect its operations in selling excess power.

Hospital... from page 1

DOH-operated Northern Mindanao Medical Center that will serve mostly people from the province’s eastern area.

She said the health care facility has now become a necessity for Villanueva, a second-class town being touted as Misamis Oriental’s industrial capital, due to the rising population and the establishment of industries in the municipality.

A huge portion of the economic zone being managed by the Phividec Industrial Authority is based in Villanueva.

Villanueva is home to the Phil. Sinter Corp., two coal-fired power plants, steel factories, a beverage manufacturer, and other large-scale industries.

“We must be prepared to serve the public with the best medical care. What is the use of our vibrant economy that provides jobs to our people and infrastructure projects if our people do not have access to the health care services? A public hospital

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late PRUDENCIA L. EMPALARAN, died intestate on January 3, 1994 at Lumba-Bayabas, Lanao Del Sur leaving an estate with Tax Declaration No. 0812001004455 situated at Claveria, Misamis Oriental, and has been the subject of an EXTAR JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY, filed by the heirs of PRUDENCIA L. EMPALARAN, in favor of SILVERITA M. FLORENTINO, per DOC #108; PAGE #22; BOOK #38; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. REYNALDO A. VITORILLO. BWM: Feb. 15, 22 & Mar. 1, 2021

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is a response to that need,” Uy-Mendez said.

She said construction will start soon and is expected to be finished sometime this year.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, the chairman on health in the Senate, said his committee has supported the putting up of a hospital in Villanueva.

Go, the groundbreaking’s guest of honor, said the facility will also have a Malasakit Center, a onestop shop for patients seeking assistance from concerned government agencies such as PhilHealth and the social welfare department.

For her part, Rep. Juliette Uy, of the 2nd District of Misamis Oriental, said she has been advocating for the putting of a hospital since 2014.

Markets... from page 1

to stabilize local retail prices of pork in Metro Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier issued an executive order mandating a price ceiling on select pork and chicken products in the National Capital Region.

“This is the first shipment of hogs for Metro Manila after the government set the price ceiling. DA will provide PHP21 per kilo as transport assistance, and we are hoping that this will continue after the 60-day period," Collado said.

He said the transported hogs, sourced from the commercial farms of Northern Mindanao Hog R ais ers Association (NorMinHog) members, were expected to arrive on February 17.

DA Assistant Sec. for Agribusiness Marketing, Kristine Y. Evangelista said that Visayas and Mindanao islands have been sending hogs since last year.

B ecause of the price ceiling and the consumers' buying capacity, Evangelista said DA stepped in again, this time through transport assistance. " T h e d e p ar t m e nt i s shouldering the expense of the logistics, bringing the hogs from CDO to Metro Manila para our meat dealers can get it at farm gate price,” she said.

She also said DA Sec. William Dar has been talking

to hog raisers all over the country to augment supply in Metro Manila that used to come from regions 4A and 3 that were affected with African Swine Fever (ASF).

Meanwhile, NorMinHog President Leon G. Tan said their shipment was their answer to the government’s call for patriotism.

“This is the support for the Filipino people from the Northern Mindanao Hog Raisers Association in Northern Mindanao. This will not be the last, and hopefully, we can support more,” Tan said.

NorMinHog is composed of 30 commercial farms.

(PNA)

Customs... from page 2

Carlos Dominguez and President Rodrigo Duterte for inspiring him to never surrender to forces who are out there to destroy the country.

Other awardees of the Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards includes Police Central Investigation Bureau - Nepal, Philippines Operation Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI) -Philippines, Department of Wildlife Peninsular Malaysia & Royal Malaysia Police Taskforce -Malaysia, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)India, Enforcement Division Department of EnvironmentMalaysia, Indonesian Police & Ministry of Environment & Forestry-Indonesia and Athgarh Forest Division India.

Recently, the Ecowaste Coalition also conferred the Environmental Justice Award to Collector John Simon for his environmental efforts.

Monitor... from page 2

meetings where all members, especially the construction company, report on the progress of the project.

After the organization of the IMAG for Davao del Norte, MinDA will move to other provinces and convene the same monitoring body, especially in the Panguil Bay Bridge construction, the Alicia-Olutanga Road in Zamboanga Sibugay, and other areas.

“When I was IMAG

chairman, a local contractor who was always behind in project implementation was banned by the DPWH on the recommendation of the IMAG. With 14 months left in the presidency of Rody Duterte, MinDA is closely supervising the completion of major projects in Mindanao,” he added. (PNA)

Growth... from page 3

We have not really scratched the surface in terms of the potential that we have as far as tourism is concerned, and travel,” he said.

Meanwhile, CLI Executive Vice President and COO Jose Franco B. Soberano, during the same briefing, said Masters Tower Cebu, designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) in tandem with GF Partners and Architects, is seen to be an iconic tower since it will be the first five-star luxury hotel in Cebu.

The project, to be utilized

by Sofitel Cebu City, will be operated by multinational chain Accor.

He said the project, which will cost more than PHP4 billion, is 100 percent owned

by CLI and is on a long-term lease.

He said ground-breaking is targeted around May or June this year.

“Right now, we are in the bidding process, getting the best contractors and a Filipino team to do the project,” he added. (PNA)

8

Feature Gatchalian seeks inquiry into PH energy transition plan Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

MON-TUE|FEBRUARY 22-23, 2021

PASAY CITY - Senate Committee on Energy chairman Senator Win Gatchalian at the Senate during the session, 15 Feb. 2021. Gatchalian said that investing in renewable energy is the win-win solution for sustained economic growth in the country that affords cleaner air at a much cheaper price. Photo by Mark Cayabyab/OS WIN GATCHALIAN

S

ENATOR Win Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the government’s energy transition plan following the Department of Energy’s (DOE) move last year banning new coal power plants to accelerate the country’s shift to cleaner energy.

The Senate Energy Committee Chairman underscored the importance of the country having a clear energy transition framework to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement which focuses widely on reducing Greenhouse Gases Emissions (GHG) through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) which aims to reduce the country’s GHG by 70% by 2030.

“Until when will the coal moratorium be?

How can other technologies fill in the gap left by coal and how do we ensure that power cost will not increase while ensuring continuous supply?”

Gatchalian raised, saying that at this point it is uncertain if the moratorium that was issued by the DOE is in the context of a larger energy transition plan and what the higher targets are for Renewable Energy (RE) and alternative fuels within a specific timeframe.

“Investing in renewable energy is the win-win solution for

sustained economic growth in the country. We can have cleaner air at a much cheaper price and RE investments can bring in lots of job opportunities especially since many of our kababayans lost their jobs during this pandemic,” he added.

Gatchalian took note that the country recorded a 5.4% jump in total GHG emissions from 123.3 million tons of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2018 to 130 million MtCO2e in 2019. As of 2019, the power generator sector has the largest share in total GHG emissions at 53.2% followed by the transport sector at 27.3%. Moreover, the percentage of coal in the power generation mix increased to 54.59% in 2019 from 26.6% in 2009 while RE’s share in the power generation mix decreased to 20.79% in 2019 from 32.6% in 2009.

A study by the American credit rating agency Fitch Solutions showed that the Philippines is expected to continue its dependence on coal in the coming years with coal accounting for 59 percent of the country’s energy mix by 2029.

“Thus, there’s a need to look into the country’s energy transition plan, or lack thereof, in aid of legislation, with the end view of developing and ensuring an equitable, secure and sustainable energy transition," Gatchalian said.