BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 26-27, 2021)

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Ecozones THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) aims to have more special economic zones in Mindanao by converting idle public lands in the southern part of the country.

In a statement Tuesday, PEZA director general Charito Plaza urged leaders of national government agencies and local government units in Mindanao as well as those in Congress to file a resolution requesting President Rodrigo Duterte to declare idle public lands in Mindanao as areas for ecozone development.

Plaza said this will be in line with the President’s Administrative Order (AO) No. 18 seeking to promote rural development and create economic activities outside Metro Manila.

Local coops DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has reiterated the agency’s support to local cooperatives as it helps the agriculture sector and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) survive amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

At the launch of the Agricultural Cooperative Development Agenda (ACDA) Wednesday, Lopez underscored the role of cooperatives in bringing inclusive growth at the grassroots level and their crucial part in helping the government in dealing with economic challenges brought by the pandemic.

“We reiterate our commitment to fully support our cooperatives who have been integral to the government’s efforts to deal with the economic and health challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

We strive for Excellence!

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

IN-DEPTH

Fri-Sat|February 26-27, 2021

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Bangsa region eyed as hub for Islamic banking Thank you for trusting us!

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OTABATO City – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has vowed to help promote the region as an investment destination for Islamic banking and finance, the Bangsamoro Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) chairperson said Friday.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI chief, said the regional investment board's initiative to provide fiscal and non-

fiscal incentives for investors has received a positive response from the BSP. BANKING/PAGE 10

SEC issues advisories vs. 5 investment firms

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cautioned investors against five companies that are soliciting investments from the public without

licenses in different parts of Mindanao.

The SEC-D avao has confirmed the presence o f t h e s e “ i nv e s t m e nt” ISSUES/PAGE 11

COPC relaunching of the Meet the Press program, at the SM Uptown, Cagayan de Oro City, February 24, (L-R) COPC president Dr. Manny V. Jaudian, COPC Exec. VP andf MDN Editor in chief Allan Mediante, and COPC Director Jao Gumapac of Jao TV/RMN.

COPC relaunches “Meet the Press” program, covered by MDNN, JaoTV, RMN, others

By JESSIE P. MONGCAL

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- The Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) under recently re-elected Club president Dr. Manny V. Jaudian, in cooperation with SM Cag de Oro has resurrected the past COPC program – Meet the Press.

In an elaborate ceremony held, February 24, at the SM Uptown Events Center, the COPC held the relaunching, with the presence of COPC exec vice president Allan Mediante, who is also editor in PROGRAM/PAGE 11

R-10 Customs head cited for fighting environmental crime

By MARK FRANCISCO, Reporter

ENSURED FOR THE DAY. A fisherman casts a net in the shorelines of Maitum, Sarangani.

He says his catch ensure the family’s meals for the day. mindanews photo by bong s. sarmiento

CUSTOMS 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 w i t h Un i t e d N a t i o n s 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 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 re-exportation of the 7,500 metric tons of illegally imported South Korean trash dumped in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

CUSTOMS/PAGE 11

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Local 2 SEC-Davao warns public vs. game, franchise scams D AVAO City -The Securities and Exchange Commission-Davao Extension Office (SECDEO) warned the public on Wednesday about the latest schemes of scammers to defraud those looking for investment opportunities.

In a statement, SECDEO said some of these fraudulent schemes involve games and franchise investment programs with a promise of huge profits.

“Illegal investment companies may have different business names, but the schemes employed are the same. The most common schemes used in the country are Ponzi and pyramiding schemes,” it said.

SEC-DEO said the first tell-tale sign an investment

scheme is fraudulent is that the entities involved are operating without a secondary license from the commission.

Aside from the absence of a secondary license, the extension office said scammers would usually present an investment contract, "but the entity that is behind it does not have any legal personality to instigate it."

SEC earlier flagged several entities for offering such suspect schemes.

Among these are the Masa Mart group--Masa Mart Business Center, Masa Mart Business Center, and Masa Mart Enterprise OPC--which lure investors with a guaranteed 300-percent return through its subscription program.

The program allows the

investor to put in between P1,250 and P500,000 with promises of profits, dependent on the period of investments, with ranges between P2,746 up to about P11.6 billion.

However, based on SEC documents, the group does not have any legal personality to solicit investments.

SEC identified the other entity as the Chiyuto Creative Wealth Documentation Facilitation Services, which the SEC eventually issued a cease and desist order on February 1 and a revocation order on February 15.

Unlike other entities, the scheme promises an investor to double his or her money through a “roulette game.”

The promise is for the

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

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OPINION:

Denormalizing corruption

investor to invest between “Denormalize corruption, PHP1 to PHP1 million get it out of our culture”. and profit from it in one Thes e are t he f inest day, 30 days, or 45 days words ever heard from an depending on the outcome anti-corruption champion, of the roulette. It also Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. offers investors additional He says he hopes to raise 5-percent commission and awareness in the fight to end raffle prizes for referrals. the rampant corruption in Another scheme is government. offered by the Royal O Indeed, fighting Financial Consultancy corruption is one hell of a Services, which offers fight, and raising awareness huge profits to investors might be of great help to curb through illegal online this menace in governance. cockfighting and other A n d t h i s aw a re n e s s income streams. could perhaps translate Just like Masa Mart, into a massive clean-up by Royal O claims it is a simplifying the bureaucracy, website offering a cofire all scalawags and replace ownership program where them with today’s new breed the money invested by the of millenials. public would, in turn, be Indeed, this call to arms invested in the businesses of ending corruption is a of a certain Dr. Campos. tall order in the bureaucracy.

Under its scheme, an A Sotto kind of investor can choose to g ov e r n a n c e mu l t i p l i e d SCAMS/PAGE 10 by the hundreds is what we need for this country to rise from the ashes of corruption.

And because corruption is mafia like no other, it remains a nightmare in the remaining two years of the DIVISORIA, CDO A. Velez St., Barangay 9, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Duterte Administration.

Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0917-841-4000 / 0933-823-3164 His mantra of not GINGOOG CITY G/F Wyne Militante Bldg., Lugod St., Barangay 22, Gingoog allowing even a whiff of City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 861-0104 corruption to prosper in Mobile No. 0933-823-3168 LAPASAN, CDO t he remaining ye ars of National Highway (FICCO Bldg.), Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental his administation is not Tel. No. (088) 231-6739 Mobile No. 0933-823-3160 working very well for him.

PUERTO, CDO C orrupt officials in Purok 6, Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 859-0574 Mobile No. 0943-708-7537 government continue to CAMIGUIN defy him frontally — and B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Telefax No. (088) 387-0491 unabatedly.

Mobile No. 0943-708-7539 That said, corruption

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA is still widespread in the bureaucracy, even as he reiterates to punish people in government who participate in corrupt practices.

Seemingly exhausted, he encourages people to Inform him right away when they encounter corruption during transactions with government offices.

Yet his 8888 hot line numbers are not working well for him as it were.

The people manning this Malacanang office are not dead serious.

They are completely dead — sleeping on the job in the supposedly 24-hour work shift.

Try calling them and you will receive this sad reply: “Please call later. Line is busy”.

Well, ending corruption in this country is a long journey to reality, unless a Sotto-kind of governance shall be completely put in place soon. The question is — when would that be. (ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo. com)

BARMM parliament okays civil service code COTABATO City – The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament has approved the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code (BCSC), parliament deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Sema said Thursday.

Sema said all the 67 Members of Parliament (MP) approved the passage of BTA Cabinet Bill No. 59 entitled “An Act providing for the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)” during Wednesday's session.

The measure was filed in the plenary in July last year, followed by monthslong consultations with various stakeholders.

MP Raissa Jajurie earlier said the consultations were necessary to “gather comments, position papers, and issues on the

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Lifestyle

SM CINEMA TO EXCLUSIVELY SCREEN STAND BY ME DORAEMON 2 Doraemon is back at the big screen! SM Cinema is exclusively showing Stand by Me Doraemon 2 this February in commemoration of Doraemon's 50th anniversary.

Stand by Me Doraemon was released in 2014, engulfing all of Japan in excitement. The incredible first Doraemon movie to use 3DCG animation and have a touching story that made even adults cry became phenomenal, with the box office revenue exceeding 8.38 billion yen.

This year, the sequel will finally be released in collaboration with director Ryuichi Yagi and screenwriter / co-director Takashi Yamazaki.

The film is based on Memories of Grandma, which is widely known as a masterpiece in the original story. “My hope for people who’ll watch the movie is that they can remember the milestones in their life, just like me. Stand by Me Doraemon

2 depicts such occasions that all generations who know Doraemon can sympathize with” says Director Yagi.

“When people see themselves and their families in the activities of the characters, I think they are moved,” says Director Yamazaki. “The original Doraemon work has that kind of power. Nobita is a character that has the power to make people relate to him, besides, I made this work while thinking about my parents and grandmother, so I think a lot of people can relate to their own stories as well. I hope they will think of their parents and family.”

Catch Stand by Me Doraemon 2 at the SM CDO Downtown Premier Cinemas starting this Friday, February 26. You may call 09055894234 for bookings or you may also check http://www.facebook.com/ SMCinemaCDODowntown/ for the latest updates.

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Opinion

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Sound of silence THINK A MINUTE

"Vaccinations will include expatriates and migrant workers. The government i nte nd s to of fe r e qu a l protection," she said.

According to Dr Apisamai, the government has three objectives for Covid-19 vaccination.

Firstly to reduce Covid-19 illness and deaths, vaccination will be for people older than 60 years and those with chronic diseases.

Secondly to protect the national health system, recipients will be medical personnel as well as workers and officials tasked with disease control or are in contact with patients.

Lastly to protect the n at i on a l e c on omy an d society, recipients will be the general public and workers in the service, tourism and industrial sectors. Employers

will co-pay for the vaccination of their migrant workers.

Vaccines will also be held in reserve for emergency use.

The first, limited delivery of vaccine would be on Feb 24. These doses would be used through into May to save lives and contain Covid-19 in the country, Dr Apisamai said.

L ater deliveries of vaccines, which would arrive in larger amounts, would reach workers in the service and tourism sectors.

Vaccination certificates would be issued to inoculated people who need to travel abroad. This would include business people and students, Dr Apisamai said.

She also said that the government agreed that private organisations should be able to acquire Covid-19 vaccines themselves.

However, they must be medical organisations with doctors and appropriate equipment available to save any recipients who may have an allergic reaction after the injection.

The vaccines they choose must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

"In other words, the private organisations that will directly procure vaccines are hospitals," Dr Apisamai said.

The government would announce details about Covid-19 vaccination later, she said.

Thai Airways Inter nat iona l li ke wis e announced on the same day that it would deliver the first 200,000 doses of vaccine, supplied by China's Sinovac Biotech Co, to Thailand last Feb 24.

WHF: More productive, healthier

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Think a minute . . . ”People would be happier if they were as good at silence as they are at speaking.” Studies have shown that constant noise is one of the biggest causes of our daily stress. “Silence is golden because there is so little of it.” Many of us don’t even realize how noisy our daily life is, and how it is robbing our peace of mind, family harmony, and health.

The problem is we have become so accustomed, even addicted, to continually hearing some kind of noise—whether it’s talking, news, music, television, the telephone, videos, and other sounds. In fact, many of us simply are not comfortable with silence. Even when we go away on holiday to relax, we still take our smart phone, iPad, laptop, or we watch TV in the hotel room. As someone said: “People today are in such a hurry that we hate to miss one panel of a revolving door.”

Sadly, we lose some of the best things in life because they are found only in the “sound of silence.” In silence we can think of what we need to improve and change in our

In a briefing last Friday at the Government House, assistant spokeswoman of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Aministration , Dr Apisamai Srirangson, gave the assurance on the availability Covid-19 vaccine.

Everyone in Thailand - Thais and foreigners, including migrant workers - will have access to quality and safe Covid-19 vaccines.

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COVID vaccinations for everyone in Thailand

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JAY LEDESMA A LMOST 12 mont hs of the pandemic. Almost 12 months of the work-fromhome (WFH) arrangement.

Employees who are into this setup are lucky that they get to keep their jobs while millions of Filipinos have lost their jobs amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. They’re even luckier that they don’t have to go out and be exposed to the virus to do their jobs.

Unlike our front-liners who have to go out on a daily basis and risk getting the virus in order to perform their jobs.

These workers from home are blessed to have been provided by their companies w it h t he faci l it ie s a nd platforms to do their daily

tasks in the comfort of their homes.

Almost 12 months of this arrangement, how are our workers from home?

While most employees have adapted and adjusted to the WFH setup, still we have a big chunk of our workforce who is overwhelmed by this new normal. I hear stories of employees breaking down to tears or being grumpy due to non-stop zoom meetings.

Or employees suffering from back pains and migraines also due to virtual meetings one after the other, at times from 7 am to 7 pm. Is it due to pressure or mere fatigue?

For most, t he line separating home and work is almost nil.

It is truly understandable why some bosses structure their virtual meetings in a way where “CR break” is the only break! With employees working remotely, away from their watch, t is expected that bosses had to make sure that their employees are really work ing and productive during their designated office hours. Under the new normal,

engaging them in virtual meet ings or conference calls is the best way to see and supervise them. In the company of my friend, one of their Key Performance Indicators is the number of hours spent in virtual meetings.

But while the intention is to make employees productive under the WFH setup, bosses and employees themselves have to be mindful that when not managed properly, this can affect the mental health of the employees, which can adversely impact their productivity. Let’s not overwhelm them to the point of counter-productivity.

T he b os s e s a nd t he employees shou ld work hand-in-hand to still create a work-life and a home life balance.

Obser ve work hours.

Personally, I don’t count the work hours I put in a day.

The people I worked with know that I usually come to the office very early and leave the office late. But that’s me. While this is my work discipline, I don’t impose this

on the people around me.

For as long as they render their required work hours, anything beyond is extra from their end. I take note of that and appreciate it.

There has to be an important reason why a meeting will be called at 7 am or 12 noon or 7 pm. But this should not be a regular thing. I know of some friends who had to attend regular virtual meetings during lunch or dinner time because this is the available time of the boss. We were not usually doing this when we were still reporting to the office.

Only because the virtual meeting is convenient, let’s not overlook the fact that our workers from home also need to have the lunch break and definitely dinner time with their family. Let’s observe and respect each other’s time.

Put a space bet ween meetings. If you are the one setting the meeting, consider putting a space or short break between meetings. This will not only allow you to prepare for your next meeting but will HEALTHIER/PAGE 11

Setting and pursuing goals JHAN TIAFAU HURST life, our family, our job and career, and our own personal character. Silence helps us think clearly so we can set goals and understand our life’s purpose. Yet silence can also give us time and freedom not to think at all, but enjoy life’s simple pleasures—like the waves of the ocean, the color and fragrance of flowers, a gentle breeze, or a beautiful sunset. It’s in these peaceful, powerful moments of silence that we can appreciate our beautiful world and begin to understand where we fit in it.

It’s only when we are quiet that we can begin to clearly hear and understand the SILENCE/PAGE 11

IF we want our life to be exciting, full of suspense, and yet sure of where it is going and how it is going to end, we should develop the habit of setting goals and pursuing them as actively as possible.

That way, we would never have a dull moment in life.

And if handled properly, such habit would protect us from any fear or doubt. We would always feel confident even if we have to go through the unavoidable difficulties, mistakes, failures, etc.

We should not allow ourselves to be floating and drifting aimlessly in life, since even in our worst condition, we would always have an objective purpose in life that can never disappear in our life.

And that is that whatever situation we may be in, we should always be focused on God, relating everything—the

good and the bad, the big and the small, the ordinary and the extraordinary—to him.

Obviously this ultimate and constant purpose of our life should be broken into the more immediate goals, or what we may call the shortterm and long-term goals, that should be subordinated and inspired by the ultimate goal.

That way, we will always have the confidence that we are on track and that we are making some progress.

That confidence alone is enough source of joy and sense of fulfillment and of being rewarded for all the effort, sacrifices, pain, etc. that would be involved in the pursuit of our goals.

Yes, we would always feel that everything then would be all worthwhile. We would most likely make St. Paul’s words also our own: “I do

not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air.” (1 Cor 9,26) We would be fighting to reach the finish line.

Everyday then, we should make some plan where we would be clear about the daily goal to reach. We need to bring this business to our prayer so that we can see things more clearly under the light of God’s presence and will, and minimize the possibility of being tricked by our tendency to fall into pure self-indulgence.

Let’s remember that God is always intervening in our lives and we should be most perceptive and prompt in knowing what he wants us to pursue in any particular day.

It could be some improvement or growth in our life of prayer, or sacrifice, or some virtues, or in the apostolate. Whatever it is, we should be clear

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA about the goal to reach for that day and start to set the appropriate things in motion.

And all throughout the day, we should pause from time to time to check if we are still on track, if there are things to correct or needed, etc. That way, we somehow would be less prone to get diverted by some distractions.

Hopefully we can exude the welcoming air of a man on the go, a man with a clear sense GOALS/PAGE 11

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CorporateWorld

PLDT, DITO ink interconnection deal

T

HE country’s oldest and newest telecommunications companies, PLDT and DITO Telecommunity, have entered into an agreement for the construction of a transmission facility that will serve as an interconnection point for both of their subscribers.

PLDT will establish and manage the interconnection facility that will operate as the primary physical interface for both companies.

“Through PLDT’s technology and expertise, the interconnection hub will deliver the intercarrier requirements of DITO which will benefit all fixed and wireless subscribers of PLDT and DITO by enabling them to communicate and connect to all the services needed,” PLDT said in a statement Tuesday, The facility is expected to be

completed by end of March in time for the commercial operations of DITO. Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart Communications president and CEO, emphasized the importance of interconnection between PLDTSmart and DITO “as mandated by the NPC” that allows their users to communicate with each other.

“During this pandemic, technology has been a lifeline for our customers so we want to make sure that our connectivity is solid in helping our fellow Filipinos and the entire nation during these critical times. We thank DITO for this partnership and I am looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship,” Panlilio said.

Dennis Uy, DITO chairman and

CEO, said working with the country’s other telecommunications companies was necessary and thanked those responsible for making the interconnection agreement possible.

“It’s been a privilege to work alongside all of you in providing the Philippines with the world-class connectivity that we all deserve,” Uy said.

Earlier, the National Telecommunications Commission said DITO is set for its commercial launch this coming March after passing its first network audit.

According to the results of the audit by R.G. Manabat & Co., DITO currently has a national population coverage of 37.48 percent and minimum average internet speeds of 85.9 megabits per second (Mbps) for 4G and 507 Mbps for 5G. (PNA)

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Coca-Cola investing P3-B in PH this year COCA-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) has announced that it is investing $63 million (about P3.06 billion) in the country in 2021 to upgrade its factories.

“The $63 million investment will primarily go to continuing to increase our capacity, specifically this time in Luzon. Last year, we invested heavily in Mindanao because we saw lots of growth potential in Mindanao. For 2021, we’re going to invest in more production capacity primarily in our Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant,” CCBPI president and chief executive officer Gareth McGeown said in a virtual media roundtable on Tuesday.

McGeown added that the investment is the “first tranche for 2021” as CCBPI is committed to continuing its investments to ramp up its production capacity in manufacturing, upgrading facilities and logistics.

Just last month, the beverage firm inaugurated new distribution hubs in Manila and Malabon, as well as its advanced glass bottle manufacturing line in its Davao del Sur plant.

Aside from its factory in Davao del Sur, CCBPI’s facilities in Misamis Oriental and Zamboanga increased the production capacity in the Mindanao region by 30 percent.

A new line in Luzon has been installed to INVESTING/PAGE 10

Yamaha allots nearly P3-B for manufacturing expansion YA M A H A M O T O R Philippines, Inc. has launched a P2.7-billion factory expansion at the Lima Technology Center in Batangas to increase its Philippine manufacturing operations.

The Japanese motorcycle manufacturer noted an increase in demand for its automatic models as fewer people used public transportation during the lockdown, the Philippine

Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said in a press release on Tuesday.

Yam a h a P h i l ippi n e s President Hiroshi Koike was quoted as saying: “Generating a huge number of products will result to creation of more jobs — roughly about 1,500 employees for old factory and additional recruitment of 1,300 workforce for this newly-built factory.”

Registered with PEZA since 2007, Yamaha announced the expansion project in 2019.

“PEZA welcomes YAMAHA’s Expansion Project, especially during this time that we are reeling from the uncertainties at hand,” PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said.

Overall motorcycle sales in the country decreased during the lockdown last year.

The Motorcycle D e v e l opm e nt P ro g r a m Participants Association (MDPPA) said that despite busy motorc ycle-b as e d delivery services during the lockdown, product sales fell 33.3% to 941,260 units in the first 10 months last year compared to the same period in 2019. The organization represents motorcycle brands in the Philippines: Honda,

If interested, contact:

Kawas a k i, Suzu k i, and Yamaha.

“While almost a millionunit sales is already a victory in itself, given the present state of the economy, it is by no means an indication of growth as some would speculate,” the group said in December.

“It does, however, suggest that even as the motorcycle industry suffered under the current business climate, it

DANICA SUDARIA

is coping as well as can be expected.”

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to issue an order against installment-only payment schemes for vehicles, including motorcycles. Consumers must have the choice to pay either the full amount in cash to avoid interest or by installment, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said in a recent Senate hearing.

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

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BDO posts P28.2 billion net income in 2020

B

DO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) posted a net income of P28.2 billion in 2020 from P44.2 billion in 2019, due mainly to pre-emptive provisions of P30.2 billion set aside against potential delinquencies from the pandemic. The Bank relied on its strong and resilient business franchise and balance sheet to support core business operations, despite significant hurdles from the pandemic and ensuing economic lockdown.

Net interest income (NII) grew by 12 percent to P133.7 billion. Loans managed to grow 3 per cent to P2.3 trillion driven by consumer and corporate accounts.

The Bank continued to assist its borrowing clients, ensuring their uninterrupted access to credit facilities, in addition to granting loan moratoria under Bayanihan I and II. CASA deposits continued to climb, growing 17 percent to P2.1 trillion, as clients were able to access BDO products and services through its branches, ATMs and digital channels even during quarantine restrictions.

Non-interest income

declined 8 percent and settled at P55.2 billion, supported by fee-based income, trading gains and insurance premiums.

Business volumes were initially impacted by mobility restrictions, but have since begun to recover gradually. Wealth management, on the other hand, remained resilient with trust volumes and fees sustaining growth. Trading gains increased as the Bank capitalized on favorable market conditions while insurance premiums grew modestly despite the initial impact of the lockdowns.

Operating expenses decreased 2 percent to P112.6 billion due to a reduction in marketing and volume-related expenses.

The Bank’s provisions of P30.2 billion were in line with prudent credit and provisioning policies, meant to further strengthen its balance sheet. The NPL ratio stood at 2.65 percent with NPL coverage at 109.5 percent. As of yearend, the Bank’s total Loan Loss Reserves were equivalent to 3 percent of Gross Customer Loans, and are considered more than sufficient to cover for potential losses.

The Bank’s capital base expanded to P393 billion with its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) at 14.4 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively, comfortably above minimum regulatory levels. The Bank’s capital increased by 6% despite the pre-emptive provisions and the business impact of COVID-19. Book value per share likewise increased 6% to P88.11 from P83.03 in 2019.

BDO/PAGE 10

A SPECIAL HEART FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BONILDA MAGSAYO-QUITARIANO Teacher III Initao, Misamis Oriental

The art of being different in the society is very difficult. Most people that surrounds us are quick to judge, ridicule others and we forget to show love. Yes, to show love to what we think as unreachable and unlovable. Many questions were asked when they talked about children with special needs. Many people were curious about them and they usually stare when they pass by the streets or roam around the school? Do we really need to put them in the corner because they are different? Is there a need for us to compare them to regular kids just like you?

Special Education teacher teach children with special needs. He/She is the one who will take a push for them to spread their wings and learn something. Maybe you will be asking if who are these children? They are the

children who learns above or below the regular students. They are the children who are slow to speak, cannot clearly see or hear, they cannot understand directions directly and they are the children whose saliva are drooling because they cannot control it. Have you see one in the school? Surely you already seen them and for sure you have a lot of why questions about them.

You might see them weird or odd because of their physical appearance or behavior. They are unlikely when you met them first because they usually hyperactive and roam around the classroom. They have the hard time to talk to others and prefer to run and play. Yes, it needs a lot of patience for them to understand and for you to love them. When you gain their trust, you will appreciate their soft spot that will

Self-learning module

Challenges of a school leader in the new normal education

By EVELYN YUSALINA Tubigan Elementary School

Mo d u l a r l e a r n i n g m o d a l i t y i s competency-based then detailed and there are parts or activities for the children to read and answer.

If your child/children learned independently prior to the pandemic, this is ideal because there is a lot of reading and activities to do.

Parents supervision is needed because there are 10 subjects in each grade level.

But under a modular setup, there are only two subjects are given per day.

Modular learning modality is effective because parents can focus more on their kids. Modular approach

to teaching enables the learner to have control over his/her learning and accepts greater responsibility for learning. It demands greater maturity on the part of the learner. Tthe modules are more appropriate for more mature students.

This refers to a learning delivery modality where learning takes place between the teacher and the learners who are geographically remote from each other during instruction. This modality has three types: Modular Distance Learning (MDL), Online Distance Learning (ODL), and TV/ Radio-Based Instruction.

Involves individualized instruction that allows learners to use self-learning modules (SLMs) in print or digital format/electronic copy, whichever is applicable in the context of the learner, and other learning resources like Learner’s Materials, textbooks, activity sheets, study guides and other study materials. Learners access electronic copies of learning materials on a computer, tablet PC, or smartphone.

CDs, DVDs, USB storage and computerbased applications can all be used to deliver e-learning materials, including offline E-books.

PANAGHIUSA SA BRIGADA ESKWELA SA MIDKIWAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DENNIS R. VIERNES

Pila ka katuigan nga nilabay, ang Midkiwan Elementary School usa lamang ka tunghaan na dili gakaadtuan kay tungod sudlunon kini sa Sitio sa Barangay Bayanga.

Sa dihang ginat agan ko ug higayon nga ipatudlo sa Midkiwan Elementary School, nasinatihan nako

ang kakulangon sa tunghaan ug mga angay nakong buhaton para sa kaayuhan sa eskwelahan. Tungod sa sitwasyon akong nahunahunaan ang paglambo pinaagi sa Brigada Eskwela.

Isip usa ka koordineytor sa Brigada Eskwela sa sulod sa duwa ka tuig (2017-2019)

melt your heart. Children with special needs are very lovable and cuddly. They love to be hug and assured that they are loved. They loved to be kiss on the cheeks and loves to have high five. They usually love to sing and dance. They usually memorize names of old friends, events and will not hesitate to call you by name when they see you.

Now, do you want to know more about them? You can visit their classroom or take time to approach them. Children with special needs just needs your love and understanding. They need a place where everyone will love them. They are not the persons that deserve your bully and humiliations. Take time to know them and you will learn to love them.

Somehow they will create a special place in your heart. A special heart for special people.

ang Midkiwan Elementary School kay napasindunggan na “BEST IMPLEMENTING SCHOOLS FOR BRIGADA ESKWELA 2018 UG 2019, SMALL SCHO OL CATEGORY” (DIVISION UG REGIONAL LEVEL).

Kani na pasundayag dili mahimong possible kong

wala ang mga tao o grupo na nagpaluyo ug nagsuporta sa maong kalihukan. tungod sa panaghiusa ug pagtinabangay nga mapalambo ug nailhan na ang pangalan sa tunghaan na BEST IMPLEMENTING SCHOOLS sa dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro City.

By REYNALDO MAGAN Principal Lagonglong Central School Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental

EDUCATION is key for generations of Filipinos to become full-fledged, productive members of society. This is why we should be looking at how the nation has come back to school.

We are beset by challenges as we come closer to that date.

As of the recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, 10 million learners— or 36 percent of potential enrollees—have signed up for the school year 2020-2021.

To address quarantine issues, the Department of Education (DepEd) will implement online learning resources such as the DepEd Commons website, which already has 8 million users.

Concurrent with this, TV and radio-based solutions will also be launched in areas with limited access to the Internet, through the implementation of RA 8375, which allots 15 percent of the total daily air t6ime in a broadcast network to child-friendly content.

Teachers will also be trained to use these new avenues for education.

And it all comes down to two major concerns: Internet connectivity, and the issue of the curriculum

and educational materials that have to be adapted for use with a blended learning environment.

As this is written, most p r i n c i p a l s c a n’t m a k e weather for their school communities. They aren’t even in the same building as their students; there are no hallways to walk down. How do you make the weather when it’s raining on one part of your virtual school and not on the other?

In distance learning, the way you dress, walk or project your voice aren’t as relevant.

But personal leadership i.e. setting an example in your own person or how you want your school to be, is as important as ever.

A school is a community because of shared values and good leaders try to convery those values in every interaction. Whether stopping by a teacher’s classroom early in the morning, greeting guardians at the door, comforting a faculty who seemed down or dealing with a student in trouble, you knew you were being watched by your district supervisor. If you have these values, it’s easy to transition remotely.

7

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DIRECTORY

"We have not seen a problem of such proportions as COVID-19. Hence, our response needs to be equally massive.

We can do this by working together - the private sector and the public sector - leveraging our unique resources and combining our strengths. We can collectively scale our response and multiply our results," said Ayala Corporation President and COO, Fernando Zobel de Ayala in a virtual turnover ceremony where P4.5-M worth of testing kits and other medical supplies from the Ayala group were formally handed over to the local government of Quezon City.

City Mayor Joy Belmonte was on hand to receive the donation that will help augment the city's mass testing efforts.

Ayala helps boost QC COVID-19 testing capacity

M

ANILA-- The testing capacity of the country's biggest city gets a boost as Ayala Group of Companies donates testing kits and other medical supplies via Ayala Foundation.

In a virtual turnover ceremony today, Mayor Joy Belmonte received P4.5-M worth of supplies that would further expand the city's mass testing efforts. Partners in this effort are Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation, Inc., who led the Pooled PCR Testing Program with QC LGU; and Assurance Controls Technologies Co., Inc., who assured the efficient supply of needed test materials and consumables to the accredited laboratories for the Pooled PCR testing.

"We appreciate the support that we have been receiving from many stakeholders, including the private sector who have been truly supportive and helpful throughout this ordeal," Belmonte said. "The Ayala group is not just among the top corporate icons in the country but is also one of the leading private organizations leading the COVID-19 response in our country. And Quezon City is

blessed to have received your generosity and kindness."

Last September 2020, the Ayala group, through Ayala Foundation, Inc., also donated a Bio Rad PCR machine to capacitate QC's first molecular laboratory, which passed the Department of Health's proficiency test last October 13. The Quezon City Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory obtained a perfect score after it obtained accurate results from five samples, as verified by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

"About 4 months ago, on September 18, we met with you, Mayor Joy, and your team to turn over our donation of a Bio Rad PCR machine for the newly constructed Quezon City BioMolecular Laboratory. At that time, our country badly needed to increase its testing, treatment, and tracing capacity," said Ayala Corporation President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala. "So we built facilities and procured equipment. And, while we have made significant progress since then, the need remains for continuous testing, treating, and tracing; the need remains for replenishment test kits and medical supplies."

According to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, QC reported 29,558 total COVID-19 cases as of January 21; 27,620 of these patients have already recovered. Such high recovery rate can be attributed to the city's testing, tracing, and treatment efforts.

The Ayala group has been actively helping boost the COVID-19 testing capacities of different LGUs. In partnership with the City of Manila, Ayala constructed a new molecular laboratory inside Sta. Ana Hospital, enabling the city to offer free serology testing to barangays and frontline workers.

Ayala also donated automated RNA Extraction machine and 2 RT-PCR machines to Davao City's Southern Philippines Medical Center, thereby increasing the city's daily testing capacity by 1,000 tests.

"We have not seen a problem of such proportions as COVID-19. Hence, our response needs to be equally massive. We can do this by working together the private sector and the public sector - leveraging our unique resources and combining our strengths. We can collectively scale our response and multiply our results," Zobel added.

A Challenge Towards Progress BONILDA MAGSAYO-QUITARIANO Teacher III Initao, Misamis Oriental

Every individual dreams of progress in life in whatever aspects they are inclined to. But can this be achieved?

In one of the the training I have attended it was greatly emphasized by then the regional director, Dr. Allan G. Farnaso of DepEd that the only way to attain progress is for us to carefully plan and build the structure to change and become better persons and later come out as winners in our chosen field of endeavor.

Campus journalism is one avenue

to test and prove to oneself what kind of a person he himself has built into and what can he be in the future.

But attending this kind of training is not a guarantee to win the writing tilt as they say. This cannot be done overnight. It is through commitment, focus and self-determination that one could be able to attain his/her pur p os e and l ater a l le v i ate into progress.

However we cannot deny the fact that gatherings like this can be of great

help to increase our knowledge in Campus Journalism especially when expert people in the field are there to share the information needed.

That is why whenever opportunities like this come, CJ advisers opted to join even if it would mean spending on their own pocket.

What we need is encouragement, guidance and a little coaxing from the higher ups for us to do better and build that structure to progress and excellence.

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

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FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

Fri-Sat|February 26-27, 2021

8

Filipino space engineers make history with Maya-2 CubeSat launch

T

HE country witnessed another historic moment as its second cube satellite (CubeSat) Maya-2 was successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 1:36 A.M. (PHT) aboard the S.S. Katherine Johnson Cynus spacecraft.

Sending the satellite into the ISS is the final step before the satellite reaches its targeted altitude in Low Earth Orbit, when the space station deploys it at a date to be determined later.

Maya-2 CubeSat was launched through the ISS along with Paraguay’s GuaraniSat-1 CubeSat, and Japan’s Tsuru CubeSat for the BIRDS 4 Satellite Project – KyuTech, aboard

the Northrop Grumman CRS-15 mission.

Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said Maya-2 is the country’s fourth satellite and was launched through the International Space Station (ISS).

“Since DOST started the Philippine Space Technology Development Program in 2014, we already sent two micro satellites, Diwata-1 and Diwata-2, and two nanosatellites Maya-1 and Maya-2, into space orbit,” de la Peña said. Two more (Maya-3 and Maya-4), are to be launched within the year.

Developed by three Filipino student engineers, Maya-2 CubeSat weighs 1.3 kilograms and is equipped with a camera for The Maya-2 Flight Model (FM). A 1U, 10x10x10centimeter CubeSat weighing 1.3 kilograms. ( photo courtesy of BIRDS4 Project)

image and video capture, attitude determination and control units for active attitude stabilization and control demonstrations, Perovskite solar cells and Latchup-detection chip, and an Automatic Packet Reporting System Message Digipeater (APRS-DP).

According to Professor Paul Jayson Co, project leader of the STAMINA4Space Space Science and Technology Proliferation through University Partnerships (STeP-UP), the satellite uses commercial off-theshelf (COTS) components to verify proper functions in space and the information gathered from BIRDS-4 will form the basis for usage of these COTS components for future space missions.

Co said the satellite also carry a store-andforward payload that can be used to gather data from ground sensors for more practical applications like for weather and infectious disease analysis.

The Maya-2 CubeSat team is led by BIRDS-4 Project Manager Izrael Zenar C. Bautista, with BIRDS-4 Project members Mark Angelo C. Purio and Marloun Sejera.

Bautista is an BS Electronics and Communications Engineering and MS Energy Engineering graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

As BIRDS-4 Project manager, he monitors the team’s planning, design, execution, implementation, and operations. He also

BIRDS 4 Satellite Project Team -Kyutech

supervises outreach, team events, and coordination between stakeholders.

Purio has an Electronics and Communications Engineering degree from Batangas State University, MS Electronics Engineering from De La Salle University and MA in Education from Adamson University. He is responsible for the Camera Mission (CAM) of the BIRDS-4 Satellite Project, which captures images using a commercial-ofthe-shelf (COTS) camera.

He assisted in the design and development of a standardized backplane board (BPB) which holds the boards together and serves as a bus for interboard connections and power supply.

Sejera earned his degrees in BS and MS in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the Mapúa Institute of Technology. He was charged with ensuring the satellite maintains LAUNCH/PAGE 10

The Maya-2 engineers. (Left to right) Mark Angelo Purio, Izrael Zenar Bautista, and Marloun Sejera. (BIRDS 4 PH Team Photo courtesy of BIRDS 4 2)

S.S. Katherine Johnson lifts off. Screenshot from NASA Live feed , February 21, 2021 (Sunday) PHT

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9

Banking&Finance

BSP creates currency-focused sector

T

HE need to manage digital and physical currency along with ensuring an inclusive payment system led to the creation of a new sector in the central bank, which is provided for under its Charter amendment.

In a virtual briefing Wednesday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said the newlyestablished Payments and Currency Management Sector (PCMS) will be led by Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan.

“The sector shall also ensure a well-functioning payment and cash ecosystem that supports long-run economic growth,” he said.

Diokno said creation of PCMS is in line with the central bank’s Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap for 2020-23 that targets to provide an efficient, safe, and efficient payments ecosystem.

“With PCMS, the BSP further promotes a safe, inclusive, and innovative payments and currency ecosystem for the benefit of Filipinos,” he added.

The BSP said Tangonan has more than 28 years of experience in digital and traditional financial services, telecommunications, technology, financial inclusion, and consulting services.

Before this stint at the BSP, he led a six-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for E-PESO Activity, a bilateral initiative aimed to increase electronic payments (e-payments) in the Philippines in a bid to have a more inclusive economic growth.

During the same briefing, Tangonan said studies have shown that digital payments help boost economic growth by

reducing inequality.

“Cash and digital payments will co-exist but BSP’s goal is towards a cash-lite society,” he said, citing this needs closer coordination between government agencies and the private sector.

Meanwhile, PCMS is the fourth sector of the BSP headed by a Deputy Governor.

Under the amended BSP Charter, the central bank can have five Deputy Governors.

Diokno said they continue to monitor developments and study whether there is an immediate need to form another sector to be headed by another Deputy Governor.

In terms of the impact of a cash-lite economy, studies have shown that this boosts gross domestic product (GDP) of mature economies by one percentage point while it is higher at more than

Forecasting education in 20 years

LORNA I. SOCO Assistant Public Schools District Supervisor of Consolacion 2 District, Consolacion, Cebu

The COVID-19 pandemic shows us we cannot take the future of education for granted. By imagining a lt e r n at i ve f utu re s for education we can better think through the outcomes, develop agile and responsive systems and plan for future shocks.

As we begin a new year, it is traditional to take stock of the past in order to look forward, to imagine and plan for a better future.

But the truth is that the future likes to surprise us.

Schools open for business, teachers using digital technologies to augment, not replace, traditional faceto face-teaching and, indeed, even students hanging out casually in groups – all things we took for granted this time

last year; all things that flew out the window in the first months of 2020.

To achieve our vision and prepare our education systems for the future, we have to consider not just the changes that appear most probable but also the ones that we are not expecting.

Imagining alternative futures for education pushes us to think through plausible outcomes and helps agile and responsive systems to develop.

The underlying question is: to what extent are our current spaces, people, time and technology in schooling helping or hindering our vision? Will modernizing and fine-tuning the current system, t he conceptua l equivalent of reconfiguring the windows and doors of a

house, allow us to achieve our goals? Is an entirely different approach to the organization of people, spaces, time and technology in education needed?

Modernizing and extending current schooling would be more or less what we see now: content and sp aces t hat are l argely standardized across the system, primarily schoolbased (including digital delivery and homework) and focused on individual learning experiences. Digital technology is increasingly present, but, as is currently the case, is primarily used as a deliver y method to recreate existing content and pedagogies rather than to revolutionize teaching and learning.

three percentage points for emerging economies, he said.

Diokno said financial inclusion means having more people becoming part of the formal financial system and more people, especially those belonging to the micro, small and

medium enterprises (MSMEs), benefiting from financial products that boost their livelihood.

Citing Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, Diokno said MSMEs account for about 99.5 percent of businesses in the country.

“When this important segment goes digital and begins to reap the benefits of cost savings, transparency, and easier access to finance, they become more empowered and active contributors to economic growth,” he added. (PNA)

DIGITAL push will continue to be among the major priorities of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) this year as more people realize the advantages of transacting using this mode.

In a virtual briefing Tuesday, RCBC Treasurer and Head of Treasury Group Horacio Cebrero said they remain confident that “the things that we have put in place in year 2020 will strongly benefit us in the coming years, especially with the focus on digitization, which greatly improves not only the transactional efficiencies by our customers but also efficiencies in our core operations.”

“This digital journey also gives us an opportunity to increase our reach to those who are still unbanked.

Again, responding to the call

of our regulators with the main objective of financial inclusion,” he said.

Last year, the bank recorded a 288-percent year-on-year jump in digital banking enrollment, with 55 percent active users.

Cardless withdrawal, which uses the bank’s mobile app instead of an account holder’s automated teller machine (ATM) card, increased by 2,790 percent in terms of transaction volume and 4,619 percent in terms of value or amount.

Transactions using InstaPay, which is one of the two electronic clearing houses under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) National Retail Payment System (NRPS), rose by 1,269 percent last year compared to 2019 levels. The other electronic clearing house is PESONet. Usage of the bank’s ATM

Go, a handheld ATM facility found in select RCBC partner institutions, jumped by 127 percent in terms of average daily transaction amount during the community quarantine compared to precommunity quarantine.

Download of the bank’s Diskartech app, a mobile application that, among others, allows an individual to open a savings account and deposit and withdraw from partner institutions, reached 3.5 million last year.

Cebrero said this year is expected to be a challenging year due to the pandemic.

“As in all our strategic plans, we also have included this scenario into the coming years with a positive goal and crafted our strategies in line with such that the consequence produces positive results for the bank,” he added. (PNA)

RCBC ramps up digitization efforts

Ways to conduct Home - Visits JANICE P. BAJUYO Writer

Teaching in the new normal.

A simple phrase that entails a lot of questions. The how will, how come, what if and many others. We all know that this year greatly affects daily living, not just our economy but also with our educational system.

But how, did I manage all these questions? Simply, home visitation. Yes! It is. As a teacher, I conduct home – visitation to meet and greet personally my pupils this year. Though a lot of protocols, obstacles, problems arise during the visitation but I enjoyed meeting my pupils. S ee their little cute faces and I can identify who are good readers, good handwriting, witty and smart.

What should you (we) do during a home – visit?

1. Parents should be informed ahead of time and should be given the option

to or not to participate.

2. You must ask specific address, landmarks, street names, zones and barangays.

3. You must visit based on the preferred time of the parents. Avoid home visits during late afternoon or evening, especially if you are visiting areas that make you uncomfortable.

4. Check first the area.

Notice anything disturbing.

If you do find something.

Just better stay near at their doorstep or gate. Your safety should always be your top priority.

5. Note details based on your Home Visit Sheet. Avoid a question that makes them uncomfortable (stick to your plan). Do not stay long hours in their place. 20 – 30 minutes is maximum to answer your queries’ regarding to the child’s progress.

6. Always bring your own essentials like food,

water, extra clothes, alcohol, face mask, face shields, gloves and umbrella.

7. Always take pictures for documentary reason but with the consents of the parents.

8.

Inform your colleagues, principals, family, where you are going or bring a friend with you.

9. And lastly, PRAY before going out in the house.

Only God knows what will happen to us on our daily living.

Remember, our institution does not really require us to conduct home – visitation in this time of pandemic. It is only an option. Though, home visits are the most effective way to communicate with your pupils, it creates a bond with students and parents. Although it takes time and effort to implement, but is very rewarding and satisfies your heart.

BWM: Feb. 26, Mar. 5 & 12, 2021

10

Launch... from page 8

reliable communications with ground stations for the continuous execution of its missions. He also handles the Automatic Packet Reporting System – Digipeater (APRSDP) mission which aims to demonstrate the functionality of low-cost Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) APRS digip eater and provide amateur radio service to the amateur radio community.

The three Filipino space engineers are now pursing doctoral degrees in Space Systems Engineering and Space Engineering at the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech).

The de velopment of Maya-2 CubeSat is part of the 4th Joint Global MultiNation Birds Satellite project BIRDS-4 Satellite Project, a cross-border interdisciplinary CubeSat project hosted by the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan, in collaboration with the three countries.

De la Peña said DOST’s Adv anc e d S c i e nc e and Te c h n o l o g y I n s t i t u t e (ASTI) and the University

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of the Philippines Diliman’s Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineering (UP IEEE) are the implementors of the satellite development projects in cooperation with two Japanese universities, Hokkaido University and Tohoku University.

This initiative is also part of the Stamina4Space Pro g r am of t he D O ST funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and implemented by the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI).

The Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program is a space research and development program which aims to further develop deep expertise to enable and sustain the growth of a local scientific-industrial base in space technology and applications in the Philippines.

Moving forward, these projects are seen to further intensify the efforts of the country to harness the power of satellite technology for other purposes such as

agriculture, forest cover and natural resources inventory, weather forecasting, and disaster damage assessment and monitoring, among others.

De la Peña revealed the Philippines is aggressively pursuing its space development program because of its many benefits to Filipinos.

“The succeeding micro satellites Diwata-3 and Diwata-4 and succeeding nanosatellites are now in various stages of development, now done completely in the Philippines,” he said in a press statement. (S&T Media Service)

Banking... from page 1

The foregoing initiatives of the BARMM are laudable and can greatly assist in the development of Islamic banking in the Philippines.

These initiatives are timely as they complement Revenue Regulation No. 17-2020 issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on 7 August 2020,” the BSP letter said, according to Mastura.

Mastura said RBOI's incentive scheme is provided under Republic Act No. 11439 entitled “An Act Providing for the Regulation and Organization of Islamic Banks.” “ T h e s a i d R e v e nu e Regulation, which implements the Tax Neutrality provision under R.A. No. 11439, essentially provides that Islamic banking transactions are taxed no more heavily (and no more lightly) than conventional banking transactions,” BSP added.

BSP said the issuance of the key regulatory frameworks, coupled with the BARMM incentive for Islamic banks, has made the Philippines a more attractive venue for Islamic banking.

“Rest assured that we will include the foregoing BARMM’s incentives for Islamic banks in our conversations with potential investors relative to Islamic banking,” the BSP letter said.

Mastura said the natural clientele and base of Islamic banking and finance operations in the Philippines is the BARMM considering that it is the only Muslim-majority region in the country with about four million population.

“With the assurance of the BSP that it will promote Islamic banking and finance investments in the region, we are in a good position to attract the first Islamic banking and finance investments in the country, or at the very least Islamic banking and financial services will reach the potential Muslim and even non-Muslim clients in the region,” Mastura said. (PNA)

Scams... from page 2

invest in either its "Daily Pro g r am " or " Mont h ly Program" where a guaranteed profit of 15 percent can be had in a week for 90 days, or 201 percent in investment returns in total, or 60 percent monthly in six months, or an equivalent of 360 percent in returns.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 awards 24 major and 30 special citation plaques and certificates to the most performing Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in northern Mindanao via virtual Zoom platform and Facebook live streaming. (DOLE 10)

DOLE-10 awards Northern Mindanao performing PESOs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 awarded 24 major and 30 special citation plaques and certificates to the most performing Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in northern Mindanao via virtual Zoom platform and Facebook live streaming.

DOLE-10 OIC-Regional Director Albert E. Gutib spearheaded the awarding recognition event highlighting the PESO’s implementation of the four core employment facilitation services including (1) Referral and Placement; (2) Provision of Labor Market Information (LMI); (3) Career Guidance and Employment Coaching; and (4) Livelihood and Emergency Employment program facilitation.

Likewise, Gutib gave importance to the PESO’s notable performance for CY2020 in the employment facilitation of 63,676 jobseekers and 173,495 clients reached with LMI (supply and demand of jobs).

Despite the limitation imposed by the government, he also commended the PESOs on their facilitation of 3,188 students employed under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) observing the strict implementation of COVID-19 pandemic safety and health protocols.

Furthermore, he praised the PESO’s support in the referral to employment of 162,800 job seekers and the placement of 143,006 job seekers to jobs appropriate to their skills and credentials.

DOLE Assistant Secretary for Employment and General Administration Dominique Rubia-Tutay supported the event and assured the PESO Managers to continuously strive for improved services in catering the Filipino people.

“This year brought many challenges on our shoulders such as the COVID-19 pandemic but despite all the challenges we remain steadfast in looking towards the Investors are also offered a direct bonus of 6 percent based on the investment of the ones they can recruit and another 0.5 percent up to 3 percent as a "Leveling Bonus" of recruits up to the 10th level.

SEC said all the entities "do not have any secondary licenses to solicit investments." (PNA)

Investing... from page 5

increase production capacity in the Greater Manila Area and south Luzon.

By the fourth quarter of 2021, CCBPI will start o p e r a t i n g P E T Va l u e

country’s recovery, which is also in line with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the PESO Act of 1999, which served as the landmark and the beacon of life to remind us of the value and significance of the DOLE and PESO’s partnership in service for years,” Tutay said.

Moreover, learning sessions centered on LMI updates and JobsFit report 2022 were discussed by DOLE-X Assistant Regional Director Estrella U. Pahalla.

The presentations were apt in this time of pandemic, which presented the dynamics of employment in this new normal thru the comparative employment situation from January and October CYs 2019 and 2020; Public Employment Information System (PIES) that is a database of active manpower supply containing information on the qualifications and skills of the applicants with the job vacancies posted by the employers; Industries with highest vacancies according to online job-search portals such as Philjobnet, workbank, and Jobstreet. com; industries with declining hiring activities; top 20 in-demand jobs; and the top 10 job roles in increasing and decreasing demand across industries in a national scope.

For her part, National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB)-10 Director Lawyer Ligaya R. Lumbay promoted the labor-management cooperation program, which is helpful to organizations in dealing with issues and problems in the workplace.

The NCMB facilitates the setting-up of the said functional mechanisms in the plant level.

With about 200 PESO League Officers and Local Chief Executives in the entire region, the 2020 Regional PESO Awards cum Learning Session is anchored on the theme, “PESO 2020: Dalawang Dekada ng Paghahatid Serbisyo sa Mangagawang Pilipino.” (DOLE10/PIA10)

Philippines, a polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottle recycling facility venture with Indorama Ventures.

The recycling facility can process 45,000 metric tons of plastic bottles annually.

“With people being at the center of everything we do, we at Coca-Cola continue to champion our People First philosophy, which centers around ensuring job security and the total well-being of our associates,” McGeown said. “We consider it our biggest win that we have left no one behind as we didn’t have to let go any one of our more than 10,000 associates.”

(PNA)

BDO... from page 6

BDO remains cautiously optimistic on a gradua l upturn in 2021. With its ex tensive ma rket reach and devoted workforce, the Bank remains committed to providing banking products and services attuned to its customers needs. These include digital upgrades that allow easier and safer access to services, such as QR code-based ATM and mercha nt t r a ns ac t ions .

These a re pa r t of t he benefits expected from its ongoing Next Generation IT upgrade.

11

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Sound... from page 4

feelings of those we love and care about. Most importantly, it is in our silence that we can begin to hear the voice of our Maker. He keeps waiting for us to be quiet long enough to listen, so we can start receiving His peace of mind and learn to live the right way He created us to enjoy each day of our life. So today, won’t you stop and listen to what He wants to say to you through “the sound of silence?” Just think a minute . . .

Goals... from page 4

of purpose, which would also inspire others.

As said earlier, this business of setting and pursuing goals would make our life meaningful, filling us with a sense of joy and confidence. And in today’s world where we see a lot of people idle or just coasting along, by developing this habit of setting and pursuing goals, we would be giving good example and spreading inspiration around!

Email: roycimagala@ gmail.com

Healthier... from page 4

also give you the chance to do some stretching. The few times I join zoom meetings, I already feel the toll on my back after just a few hours.

I can just imagine what 8 hours of continuous zoom meetings can do on one’s body. No wonder more are developing disc problems and related headaches. Time management is necessary.

Set up your own work area To maintain that line between work and home, you need to create that work atmosphere. You don’t need a room for your work area. If you can have one that’s good!

But having even that small corner or your own table in your home will do. As you spend most of your waking hours in your work area, it has to be as functional and as comfortable. Invest in the right chair. I know one company that allowed their employees to take home their office ergonomic chairs for their health and comfort.

I also strongly suggest that you dress up as if you’re going to the office. You feel the way you are dressed. Having your own work area and being in your work clothes will allow you to step into your workspace and have that work vibes and mindset. This will also signal to your family members when you’re “in the office” and when you’re not.

Do regular exercise and eat properly Sitting down for several hou r s , a nd not e at i ng reg u la rly a nd properly because of our online works can be bad for our health.

This WFH setup leads to a sedentary lifestyle which has been linked with a risk of heart disease. The son of a friend recently died of a heart attack. He was

in his early 30s and had no health problems. His lifestyle changed during the pandemic. His online work required him to work during unholy hours and caused him to miss his regular meal schedules and exercise. One day, he just vomited, rushed to the hospital, and declared dead on arrival.

We need to force ourselves and our employees to still be active and have a good diet.

Always have a glass/bottle of water and avoid binge eating.

Insert a few stretching during break time.

In one company that I know, they start each day with all employees doing 5-minute exercise via zoom.

Before any meeting starts, they require all employees to first attend the virtual exercise class. This is their way to help their employees still keep an active lifestyle.

Spend time for meditation and affirmations. With all the stress and pressures at work and negative news around us, we need to consciously make time to clear our minds from all these toxins. Best to this short meditation at the start of the day or at the end of your work shift to de-clog your minds of work stuff and ready for family time!

The company I mentioned above which starts their day with exercise, follows it up with a 5-minute group meditation. They just read one positive quote and ask two employees to share this.

Asked why they’re doing it, their manager said “we want our employees to start each day on a positive note because we don’t know what happened the night before.”

Makes a lot of sense!

Continue the office fun activities W FH shou ld not be boring. The Zoom apps should not only be limited to business meetings and learning sessions. It can be a medium for e-ntertainment! I have seen and joined several e-numa n, e-k wentu ha n, e-showdown, e-games, and e-parties. The creative juices know no pandemic. It almost requires no budget. With all these things happening around us, we need to do more small celebrations, recognize small victories and give lots of encouragement.

With the pandemic still far from being over, WFH is still the name of the game for a big part of our employee force. While employees wait for their turn to receive the vaccines, WFH is still the

normal setup for them. While this is such, let’s be mindful that we can make it both a productive and a safer work arrangement for our valued employees.

Program... from page 1

chief of Mindanao Daily News, and Ms. Ivy Guantero of SM Cag de Oro. Coverages of this weekly program (which would be held at the COPC bldg.. and SM malls) will be provided

by MDNN Digital Channel and Mindanao Dally News; Business Week, of the Sudaria Group of Publications); Jao TV and DearBC TV; RMN; the Rock FM under Philipp Ken Jaudian, and all other copc member radio and TV groups.

The weekly program, according to Dr. Jaudian would invite government officials, as well as business leaders who would shed light on their various on-going projects for the benefit of transparency for the public.

“We are not going to charge anything for the presence of invited guests whether from public or private institutions, not even sponsorships on food, snacks or lunch (as what could have been an unethical practice by some groups before), “Jaudian elaborated. He added that the COPC and sponsors like SM will handle the reception logistics.

Mediante, on the other hand, said the resurgence of the “Meet the Press” under the present COPC administration will help combat disinformation, fake news, and political exploit at ion. “Any b o dy from the highest echelons of governance in the public and private sectors, are free to join us, present their issues which are of prime importance to public knowledge and information dissemination,” he added.

The COPC “:Meet the Press” will be held every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12 noon, and will be anchored by COPC director Jao Gumapac.

Customs... from page 1

T h e Un ite d Nat i ons acknowledges the efforts of Collector Simon and the whole Bureau of Customs in t he Phi lippines t hat despite the pandemic which limits the movement o f c a r g o e s b e c au s e o f quarantine measures they

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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 t he 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 Gu e r re ro, S e c re t ar y of Finance Carlos Dominguez and Pre s i d e nt R o d r i go Duterte for inspiring him to never surrender to forces who are out there to destroy the country.

Other awardees of the Asia Environmental E n f o r c e m e n t Aw a r d s includes Police C entral 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 Environment- Malaysia, 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.

Issues... from page 1

companies within its area of responsibility, particularly Jamsmart in Davao de Oro, Solmax Global Limited and Igniter 100 in Tagum City in Davao Region and S o ccsksargen; Royal O F i n an c i a l C ons u lt an c y Services in Davao Region and Soccsksargen, and Bitaccelerate/ Bitaccelerateproject.com / BA/ Bitaccelerator.

The SEC-Davao covers Soccsksargen and Davao Region and the province of Maguindanao in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao “We are reminding the public to exercise caution when dealing with individuals or groups soliciting investments for and on their behalf,” the SEC-Davao office said.

Under the Securities Regulation Code (SRC), securities must be “duly registered and that the concerned corporation and/ or its agents have appropriate registration and/or license to sell such securities to the public.”

It said Jamsmart offers investments to the public through a “Franchise Investment Program” that promises investor an annual return of 300%, which allows investor to co-own an outlet by investing as low as P75,000 for an equivalent of 5% shares.

It added that for every 5% shares, there is a monthly 7% interest amounting to P5,250, a P4,750 allocated monthly sales shares, and a P4,750 fixed allocated dividend for a total annual return on investment of P225,000.

The company allegedly gives investors the option to avail of a 100% “Franchising Agreement” amounting to P1,500,000 that allegedly

earns investors a monthly interest equivalent to 10% and a monthly percentage earnings equivalent to 15% totaling 300% return on investment annually, according to SEC. It said Solmax Global Limited and Igniter 100 are based in London, United Kingdom but are soliciting investments from Filipinos through the assistance of their Filipino “Independent Marketing Partners.” Both firms are offering investment packages ranging from £25 to £5,000 with a total guaranteed passive income of 200% accumulated daily at 1% Return of Investment (ROI) for 200 days or at 2% ROI for 100 days in case the investor recruited at least three others to join the said scheme.

Also, the Commission said that Royal O Financial Consultancy Services claims to be a website portal for the “co-ownership program” where funds sourced from the public will be invested in various businesses.

Investor-members may avail of either its “daily” or “monthly” programs with guaranteed earnings of 15% weekly in just 90 days (a total of 201% return on investment) and 60% monthly in just six months (a total of 360% return on investment), respectively, the Commission added.

SEC said that the Bitaccelerate/ Bitaccelerateproject.com / BA/ Bitaccelerator claims to be designed as a “crowdfunding international platform” that runs on cr yptocurrency blo ckchain technolog y, providing a long-term active and passive income to investors through its crowdfunding referral system. Investors will be asked to download the “telegram” app before they can invest into the platform.

(Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

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Café de Silva – your newest cozy diner in CDO

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matcha green tea, cheesy and fruit tea OURMANDS from the western mango) (blueberry, lemon, part of Cagayan de Oro grapes).

Pair that with any of will now have another new the following: blueberry choice to satisfy their taste buds – cheesecake, triple introducing Café de Silva! chocolate cheesecake, Chantilly/revel bars, Café de Silva opened brighter. fudge brownies, oatmeal its doors just earlier Café de Silva offers cookies, messy burger, this month and it has the following: espresso, mojos (sou cream, already generated a latte, cappuccino, white barbecue cheese), steady flock of its diners chocolate mocha, since it started serving caramel latte, Americano creamy lasagna, nacho the yummiest munchies (and their iced versions), chips, buffalo wings and pizza. and drinks in this side of salted caramel, caramel Café de Silva is open Northern Mindanao. macchiato, frappucino, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 Strategically located vanilla, white caramel, along Pelaez Blvd. sugarcane double Dutch, p.m. near Liceo de Cagayan chocolate hazelnut, University main campus, choco strawberry, Café de Silva is where chocolate kisses, milk students, bank workers tea (wintermelon, and laundry shop Hokkaido, Okinawa, patrons converge and brown sugar, buko enjoy a sip of any of pandan, summer their hot drinks, iced cheesecake, black forest, coffee, frappes, milk tea truffles, dark chocolate, or fruit tea specials. Add cookies and creame, in a mouthful of snacks red velvet, banana, and your day gets even avocado, mango lychee,

By MARK FRANCISCO