BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 5-7, 2021)

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Briefly Youth devt COTABATO City – Youth leaders in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are eyeing development programs for the region that would benefit young constituents.

This came as newlyappointed commissioners of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) gathered on Wednesday afternoon at the BARMM center here to discuss programs towards youth development in the region.

The newly-appointed commissioners included Marjanie Macasalong for Lanao del Sur; Nasserudin Dunding for Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and 63 barangays in North Cotabato; Moh. Faizal Alih for Sulu; Hamdie Tanjil for Basilan; and Pratima Samsaraji for Tawi-Tawi.

IN-DEPTH

Fri-Sun|February 5-7, 2021

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ABINET Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the Department of Energy (DOE) to extend the no disconnection policy for lifeline consumers.

“ The Department of Energy recommended to the President that the no disconnection policy for lifeliners be continued, and the President readily agreed given that electricity

is a basic necessity that our countr ymen cannot live without,” Nograles said in a virtual presser.

On Wednesday, Duterte convened his Cabinet officials LIFELINE/PAGE 10

Ingenuity in time of crisis:

Malagos Farmhouse now offers fresh goat’s milk, yogurt drink

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO C it y – A r t i s an cheesemaker Olive Puentespina is hoping that things will become rosy for Malagos Farmhouse this year with the havoc wreaked by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis since

almost a year ago.

Puentespina, founder of Malagos Food, Inc., said that Malagos Farmhouse found an opportunity, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to diversify its dairy-based FARMHOUSE/PAGE 10

TULIP. Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano takes a look at the tulip flowers during the inauguration of the tourism complex and botanical garden in the boundary of Gingoog City and Claveria town on Tuesday. photo by gerry lee gorit

MSMEs, academe biz link-up DAVAO City – Various micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are being linked up with academe experts to help them address business challenges.

A statement from the Department of Trade and Industry in Region 11 (DTI-11) said Thursday MSMEs are one of the hardesthit by the pandemic, following lockdowns and restrictions that have been going on for almost a year.

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P16M tourism destination in Mis. Oriental unveiled

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Reporter

THE provincial government of Misamis Oriental has inaugurated the P16 million tourism complex and botanical garden on Tuesday (Feb. 2).

The inauguration has coincided with the commemoration of the Cebu Pacific Flight 5J387 crash that killed 104 passengers and crew in Mt. Sumagaya mountain range, on the boundary of Gingoog City and Claveria town, on Feb. 2, 1998.

Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano said what was opened to the public was the first phase of the tourism-boosting project, the funds of which was mainly sourced from the local government’s share of the sales from power producers operating in the province through the Energy Regulation (ER) 1-94.

At least two large-scale companies, Ste ag St ate Power Inc. and FDC Misamis Power Corp., both located in TOURISM/PAGE 9

FISH TRAP. A fisherman checks his fish trap in Barangay Caub in Del Carmen town, Siargao Island. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto

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CDO dads eye February as 'Covid Front-liners' Month'

A PENDING measure before the Cagayan de Oro City Council here seeks to declare February as "Covid-19 Frontliners' Month," drawing praises from public health officials.

The proposed ordinance aims to designate the last Monday of February as a day of remembrance for "the sacrifices and efforts of both medical and nonmedical front-liners in the city´s campaign against the pandemic," said Councilor Edgar Cabanlas, co-author of the measure.

"The pandemic caused an upheaval not experienced since World War II. Let´s not forget but remember those who sacrificed much, including their lives for us,” Cabanlas said.

Dr. Bernard Julius Rocha, a liaison officer of the state-run Northern Mindanao Medical

Center (NMMC), described the move admirable, "especially that government healthcare workers did not ask anything in return from the public, as they understand that it's a public service."

"This is the life we chose. To a doctor or a health care professional, helping people and saving people´s lives is its own reward. Especially in government service, we don't really ask for compensation; we ask our patients if they are satisfied with our service," Rocha said.

Acting city health officer Dr. Lorraine Nery also thanked the City Council for proposing the remembrance day.

"Since February is marked as the Love Month, it's time we express our love for our health front-liners," Nery said.

COVID/PAGE 10

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Mineral processing plant turns over P13-M infrastructure projects SURIGAO City -- A village in the mining town of Claver, Surigao del Norte, received four "high-impact" infrastructure projects worth PHP13 million from a nickel smelting plant early last week.

In a statement Tuesday, Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (THPAL) said Barangay Urbiztondo received a health center and birthing facility, a building for Alternative Learning System, a Tanod (village watchers) outpost, and a pavement concreting project.

THPAL said the projects, sourced from the company's Social Development Management Program (SDMP) funds, were received by barangay officials on January 26.

Urbiztondo Barangay Captain Larry G. Escutin said the company's SDMP and corporate social responsibility funds have

enabled the village to transform into a developed barangay, with all the amenities that benefit the locals.

“Aside from the infrastructure projects, THPAL also provided us high-impact projects to improve health and education.

More importantly, the company has assisted in various ways for us to cope with the adverse effects of the (coronavirus disease) pandemic," Escutin said in the dialect.

Meanwhile, ALS teacher Vilma Abad said the school facility would provide students a "safe and conducive" place for adults and out-of-school youths.

"Now that we have our own building, we don't have to scratch our heads where to hold our next classes. This is really a big help for our students in the community," Abad said.

Through its annual SDMP

funds, THPAL has been providing its four host and 10 neighboring communities with basic health care services, scholarship programs, livelihood projects, wellness programs for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and other development initiatives.

THPAL, a hydrometallurgical processing plant operating inside the Taganito Special Economic Zone in the town of Claver, converts low-grade nickel laterite ore to produce nickel and cobalt mixed sulfide, the end products of which are exported to Japan for further processing.

The final products are used as inputs to produce medical tools and equipment, electronic batteries, and other industrial materials.

THPAL started operations in 2013 with an investment value of USD1.6 billion. (PR)

New tourist site to open in Lake Sebu in March 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

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

GENERAL Santos City – A new tourist attraction featuring popular recreational water sports activities will open in March in one of the scenic mountain lakes of Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato.

Argie Asaria, South Cotabato’s senior tourism operations officer, said Friday preparations are ongoing for the soft

opening of the Lake Lahit Water Park and Recreation under the “new normal” in the wake of the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He said it would open ahead of the planned grand launch of the facility in April and the expected influx of tourists during the summer season.

The soft opening will serve as the pilot testing of its services and amenities as well as the flow of visitors, he said.

Developed by the municipal government of Lake Sebu, Asaria said the water park and recreation spot will mainly offer various water sports and adventure activities.

“Tourists will get to experience sports recreational activities like kayaking and riding a water bike, as well as try out the traditional Tboli canoe called the owong,” he said in a statement.

He said visitors may also spend their time fishing on the lake or go trekking and sightseeing around the area.

Asaria said the place will have a restaurant that will mainly offer various delectable tilapia dishes, a “must-try” for visitors of Lake Sebu.

The restaurant will be managed by community residents and supported by the Department of Tourism-Region 12, the provincial government of South Cotabato and the municipal government of Lake Sebu.

The 24-hectare Lake Lahit is the smallest of the three lakes of the town, which is dubbed the summer and ecotourism TOURIST/PAGE 11

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CorporateWorld

PAL retrenches 30% of workforce

F

LAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced Tuesday the retrenchment of 30 percent of its workforce or about 2,300 employees.

The affected workers, combined voluntary separations and involuntary retrenchment, will remain employed until mid-March 2021, the carrier said.

“This has been an extremely difficult and painful decision. For our colleagues who are leaving, rest assured that we are

committed to support you through this transition. We extend to you our deepest gratitude for your years of hard work and dedicated service and we will always cherish the ties you have established with the PAL family,” PAL president Gilbert Santa Maria said in a statement.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic hit hard the global aviation industry, the retrenchment is part of the carrier's overall recovery initiatives, PAL said.

The current number of flights being flown by PAL is still far from what it had pre-pandemic, with operations less than 30 percent of its normal weekly flights due to travel restrictions and low travel demand.

"Since March 2020, PAL has suspended capital expenditures, reduced management salaries, deferred lease payments, and slashed non-essential expenses," it said.

Flexible working arrangements were PAL/PAGE 11

THE government’s 2021 infrastructure program is expected to partly boost Philippines’ manufacturing sector this year and help address the contraction in domestic growth and economic activities because of the pandemic.

In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the infrastructure program, aimed to be around PHP1

trillion annually from 2016-2022, is expected to support the expansion to 52.5 of the Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI).

Citing government data, he said the rise in the PMI last December is “a pleasant surprise” and is the highest in more than two years or since December 2018.

He said this development transpired even amid the movement

restrictions to address the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections. “(This is) a leading indicator that could suggest further pick-up in business/economic activities even after the Christmas season in December 2020,” he added.

The uptick in the PMI last December is better than the 49.2 last November.

An index below 50

AllHome opens Gov't infra program to 4th Mindanao site boost manufacturing sector in General Santos indicates contraction while figures 50 and above shows growth.

“For the coming months of 2021, increased infrastructure spending, as part of the priorities of the economic recovery program, would benefit contractors and manufacturing industries that are part of the supply chain/value chain,” Ricafort said The government’s PROGRAM/PAGE 10

ALLHOME, the country’s pioneering one-stop full line home center, continues to expand its store network as it marks the opening of its fourth branch in Mindanao, bullish about a market recovery.

“AllHome’s expansion is fueled by our optimism on the recovery of the market this year. As we continue to navigate the new normal, we deem it

important to reach outside Metro Manila to cater to new markets,” AllHome chairman Manny B. Villar Jr. said in a statement Wednesday.

Bolstering its presence in southern Philippines with the launch of the large free-standing store with a new 7,600-squaremeter location in General Santos City, its newest store brings to four the ALLHOME/PAGE 10

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Opinion

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Sam the changed man Think a minute . . . This is the true story of a man named Sam who joined the American army in 1812. He was such a great military leader that he became a major general. Eventually he became successful in politics also and was elected governor of Tennessee. When he was running for a second term, Sam married a girl named Eliza Allen. But the marriage only lasted 11 days!

It is not clear whether Sam’s drunkenness drove them apart or whether the divorce drove him to drink.

Sam later resigned as gover nor of Tenness e e and went to live with the Cherokee Indians. He became an alcoholic and stayed for years under the influence of alcohol, or “firewater” as the Indians called it. Sam went downhill fast as drinking burned up years of his life.

One day Sam was back in America’s capital of Washington D.C. on a mission for the Cherokee Indians.

He was walking down the main street when he saw a Congressman who in the past had publicly accused Sam of stealing and fraud.

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST Well, Sam decided this was his chance for payback, so he physically beat the man for slandering his name.

In the days following, this Congressman whom Sam had beaten got his own payback when Sam was publicly penalized and his entire political career destroyed.

Or so everyone thought.

Then a surprising thing happened. Sam changed his ways! He realized that he ne e de d to l e ar n to control himself physically, emotionally and mentally.

In fact, he continued to completely prove his selfcontrol so that eventually America trusted him as the leader of a large part of CHANGED/PAGE 11

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FRI-SUN|FEBRUARY 5-7, 2021

Pandemic fuels worst year on record for tourism with one billion fewer international arrivals Global tourism suffered its worst year on record in 2020, with international arrivals dropping by 74 per cent, according to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Destinations worldwide welcomed one-billion fewer international arrivals in 2020 than in the previous year, due to an unprecedented fall in demand and widespread travel restrictions. This compares with the four-percent decline recorded during the 2009 global economic crisis.

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the collapse i n i nte r nat i ona l t r avel represents an estimated loss of US$1.3 trillion in export revenues — more than 11 times the loss recorded during the 2009 global economic crisis. The crisis has put between 100- and

120-million direct tourism jobs at risk, many of them in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, many countries are now re - i nt ro du c i ng st r i c te r travel restrictions. These include mandatory testing, quarantines and, in some cases, a complete closure of borders — all weighing o n t h e r e s u mp t i o n o f international travel. At the same time, the gradual rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to help restore consumer confidence, contribute to the easing of travel restrictions and slowly normalize travel during the year ahead.

“While much [progress] has been made in making safe international travel a possibility, we are aware that the crisis is far from over,” says Zurab Pololikashvili,

secretary-general, UNWTO. “The harmonization, coordination and digitalization of COVID-19 travel-related risk-reduction measures, including testing, tracing and vaccination certificates, are essential foundations to promote safe travel and prepare for the recovery of tourism once conditions allow.”

The latest UNWTO Panel of Experts survey shows a mixed outlook for 2021.

Almost half of respondents (45 per cent) envisaged better prospects for 2021 compared to last year, while 25 per cent expect a similar performance and 30 per cent foresee a worsening of results in 2021.

The overall prospects of a re-bound in 2021 seem to have worsened. Fifty per cent of respondents now expect a rebound to occur only in 2022, as compared to 21 per cent in October 2020. The

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

remaining half of respondents still see a potential rebound in 2021, though below the expectations shown in the October 2020 survey (79 per cent expected recovery in 2021). And, when tourism does re-start, the UNWTO Panel of Experts foresee growing demand for open-air and naturebased tourism activities, with domestic tourism and ‘slow-travel’ experiences gaining increasing interest.

Be part of the solution IT’S almost one year since the Covid-19 pandemic ruled the world. By now, we should already be experts and masters of what to do and not to do amidst the pandemic. We should already be used to living under the new normal and observing the proper protocols.

But after almost a year, here I am still writing about the negligence, disobedience, mishandling, and mismanagement of the pandemic situations around us. That after almost a year now, while our other Asian neighbors have managed to lower down their new cases, the Philippines' daily new Covid-19 cases continue to rise.

Davao Region, where am based, has consistently landed on the daily Top 5

cities with new cases.

But why is this happening?

We know the rules, we know the drills, we know the protocols. But we also don’t obey, are still not clear on the protocols and are inconsistent on our applications of the rules.

We are still prohibited to have big gatherings. But in our own subdivision, we have seen some of our neighbors throwing parties. Basing on the rows and rows of cars parked along the streets and people coming in and out, the number of guests was definitely beyond the maximum allowed. Since it’s an exclusive subdivision, it’s not easily seen by the local authorities. The subdivision administration and the Homeowners Association are helpless. Perhaps, if not

yet done, we can already deputize subdivision admin and homeowners officers so they can give warning or notice to the residents. Or better yet, residents should do self-regulation. Let’s not wait for authorities to still call our attention when we already know the right thing to do. Let’s not be another Pimentel or Sinas or Tim Yap. Let’s not cause or add to the increasing numbers anymore.

All Davao residents and visitors are required to get QR codes for easy contract tracing. The protocol is very simple and clear... QR code is supposed to be presented/ scanned when entering and exiting an establishment. But this simple protocol is not consistently followed by the different local establishments.

MINDFUL

JAY LEDESMA For i nst ance, Abre e z a, GMall, and NCCC Malls are implementing the QR code system but this is absent in the big SM malls here in Davao.

Why are they exempted?

But even within the malls, it’s still inconsistent. In some gates of Abreeza, QR code is scanned going in and out, but from the grocery to SOLUTION/PAGE 11

Loving in good times and bad THAT’S how our love should be. It should be stable and firm in all kinds of weather and season in life. It should remain alive and throbbing in any circumstance and condition. It should be universal in scope, excluding no one in its concern.

Whether at work or at play, at home, in the office, church or beach, the loving should continue to beat.

Whet her we are doing something intellectual or manual, technical or artistic, we have to see to it that it’s love that drives us. Or as expressed in the marriage vows, it should remain unfading “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health… till death do us part.”

When we do our daily accounting in the examination of conscience before going to bed, we should see to it that through all the drama of the day, whether things went well or not, the net effect or the

bottom line should be that there is growth in our love.

It’s like having a profit or at least a make-even in our business transactions. We should try to avoid incurring some loss.

We would know that a growth of love is achieved at the end of the day because when things are going well, we would be most thankful to God and to everybody else, and resolve to do more things, more self-giving.

We avoid getting selfcontented that would put a stop to our serving God and others which is how love is concretely expressed. When love is genuine and strong, it will never say enough in its self-giving.

Also, when love is genuine, it will never count the cost involved in self-giving, even when not only is it rejected but also when it is violated.

When love is genuine, we would consider what would appear in human terms as a loss as actually a gain,

following what Christ said that he “who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or field for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Mt 19,29) And when times are bad as when we committed a mistake or even a sin, love is shown when we are quick to ask forgiveness from God and from anybody whom we may have wronged in some way. More than that, love is also manifested when we have the desire to make up for whatever mistake, failure or sin we may have committed.

Or when we find ourselves in some difficult situation as when we are in some crisis, love is shown when we are willing to bear it, convinced that by so doing we would actually be identifying ourselves very closely with Christ in his redemptive passion and death on the cross. Love is also shown when we are convinced that

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA by bearing these difficulties, we would be helping others in their spiritual struggles.

Love is also manifested when in spite of being misunderstood, insulted and given unfair treatment, we still continue to think and act well towards those who may have done these things.

We would be quick to forgive and be magnanimous, never wanting to give in to the urge for revenge or to make even.

We should be loving in both the good times and bad!

Email: roycimagala@ gmail.com

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FRI-SUN|FEBRUARY 5-7, 2021

Gov't still has leeway on debt-to-GDP ratio: economist

OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

By JOANN VILLANUEVA

M

ANILA – An economist said the Philippine government continues to have leeway on the proportion of debt to gross domestic product (GDP) despite hitting a 14-year high in 2020 on account of pandemic-related borrowings.

In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the rise of government debt-to-GDP ratio to 54.5 percent last year from 39.6 percent in end-2019 remains below the international acceptance threshold of 60 percent of domestic output.

The current ratio, he said, gives the

government “greater leeway to increase spending, budget deficits, and increase the overall debt stock.”

Data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) Tuesday showed that the government’s outstanding debt as of end-2020 amounted to PHP9.795 trillion, higher than the PHP7.73 trillion in end-2019.

The bulk of the liabilities is accounted for by domestic borrowings at PHP6.694 trillion, while the balance of PHP3.1 trillion is accounted for by foreign currencydenominated loans.

The BTr attributed the rise in the government’s outstanding debt to higher requirements

for programs related to programs that will address the impact of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Citing economic managers’ target, Ricafort said the government’s debt-toGDP ratio target for this year is 58.1 percent or total outstanding liabilities of around PHP11.982 trillion, while it is targeted to rise further to 59.9 percent in 2022 with the liabilities seen to increase to PHP13.6 trillion.

The government’s borrowing plan this year amounts to PHP3.025 trillion, while it is PHP2.32 trillion next year.

“The Philippine national government debt-to-GDP ratio is

expected to hover/move towards the 60 percent threshold from 20212022, after the 14-year high of 54.5 percent of GDP in end-2020, but still better/lower compared to other Asean/Asian countries,” Ricafort said.

Amidst the programmed increase in government borrowings this year, he said “gross international reserves (GIR) provide more than enough buffers for managing external/ foreign debt.”

As of end-2020, the government’s foreign reserves reached USD110.12 billion, which is equivalent to 11.8 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

(PNA)

Dynamics in Distance Learning: Getting connected

By FELICIDAD BALODO ORONG Head Teacher 1 Medina National Comprehensive High School Medina, Misamis Oriental

THE emergence of coronavirus since a year old continues to ravage the entire world. It changes our outlooks in life -- the way we live and the way we impart learnings as the education sector is one of the most affected by the crisis because of the lockdowns it caused.

This gave rise to the online learning platform as the best method to pursue one’s education.

This has been a trending topic of discussion among educators, parents and g ov e r n m e nt a g e n c i e s , such as the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education, while the media has been pointing to the nation’s unreadiness in the so-called new normal.

In today’s technological world, there are a lot of benefits in using blended learning tools that leverage the internet to offer students a more personalized learning experience. They learn, in one part, through online learning and, in another, in a super vised, brickand-mor t ar cl assro om setting. Blended learning works based on how it is implemented, and provided it is designed to address the subject’s special concerns.

But the current reality i mp o s e s a f u l l on l i ne learning platform, and there lies the problem — it came as a surprise.

Online learning requires

planning, preparation, diligence and a degree of expertise not just for the teacher, but especially for enabling and support systems. How many institutions would invest in a technology backbone that assists both teachers and students grappling with the problem? Are the resources readily available?

Would there be adequate preparatory training?

Because online learning is now being forced, the tendency is for educators to translate or migrate their face-to-face learning techniques to the online environment. But this new system will require a transformation mindset.

What normally works in the classroom would not necessarily be so in distance learning.

This presents quite a challenge to the instructor making the first shifts online. Instructors must adapt intelligently with a keen sense of sensitivity to the online format. The challenge is to build rich activities that keep students engaged.

A lot of things are lacking in the virtual world. Like the chatter of the physical cl ass ro om , l o ok i ng at our students all at once, hearing their reactions to an important insight or even a joke, engaging in dis c ussions and in

friendly banter, sensing their reaction to lessons through body movements, and observing both the wide-eyed and the bored.

And this is not a solitary or unique experience.

T h e bi g c h a l l e n g e , however, is to be able to ef fe c t ively conne c t with students, and viceversa. Learning is a twoway process of sharing experiences and exchanging ideas.

It is a challenge that must be accepted upfront.

Today’s teachers will have to embrace and master the technology that would establish connection and interaction at a different level toward a rich learning environment. Mastering meeting applications, like Zoom and Google Meet, is not simple. Add to that l e a r n i n g m a n a g e m e nt systems, like Canvass and Moodle, that one needs to be familiar with, depending on what the institution has subscribed to. New adopters will have to face their learning curves.

Let’s assume the teacher is able to adjust. There are noncontrollable elements he or she cannot just ignore.

With the Philippines’ slow and intermittent Wi-Fi internet connection, he or she must be ready for interrupted classes and dropped students. One might think his or her delivery is

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getting on smoothly, but at the students’ end, there may be occasionally timeoffs. With the pandemic affecting the economy and causing a recession and unemployment to rise, some families might not even afford the gadgets and internet speed needed for smooth interconnection.

Assessment is one of the most challenging aspects in online learning, especially in courses where evaluation is normally done with direct objective measurement tools. Proctoring a test is impractical and exams are necessarily on an openeverything basis. It is not easy to discriminate student scores because of the wealth of reference mater ia ls available.

Teaching is an online environment poses a lot of challenges to course design. Dr. Michael Allen has described four elements that will contribute to ef fe c t ive inst r uc t iona l design. First, if the content is not meaningful to the individual, the learner will have trouble maintaining focus. Second, learning activities must leave a lasting imprint or be memorable to the learner. Third, learners must have the motivation to learn, or they won’t.

And fourth, he or she talks about measurably improved performance that produces the needed results.

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FRI-SUN|FEBRUARY 5-7, 2021

DSWD turns over 1.8 million washable face masks to Davao City

D

AVAO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI led the turnover of 1.8 million washable face masks to the City Government of Davao on Wednesday,

February 3 at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Command Covered Court, Barangay Panacan.

The washable face masks are under the Libreng Face Mask Para sa Masa program initiated by the Office of the President. The

DepEd distributes equipment to schools offering TVL tracks

By ARNEL LOMOCSO Teacher II Marcelino C. Regis Integrated School Kinuman Norte, Ozamiz City

THE Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has earmarked P11 million in distributing equipment to senior high schools offering TVL tracks.

TVL is short for technicalvocational-livelihood and is meant to inject learning to the students so that they will be equipped to work already sans college education by the time they graduate.

Here in the country, TVL encompasses so many fields. These are just some of them: agricultural crops production, animal health care management, animal production, aquaculture, artificial insemination for ruminants, fish capture, fishing gear repair and maintenance, fish products packaging, fish wharf operation, food processing, horticulture, landscape installation

and maintenance, organic agriculture, pest management, rice machiner y op erat ion, rubber processing, rubber production, slaughtering operations, home economics, information a n d c o m mu n i c at i o n s technology, industrial arts and maritime.

For home economics alone, there are a lot of subjects, all of them leading to an NC II certificate.

In short, no one’s being left behind. Each student is assured of skills that employers need. That’s why senior high schools offering TVL tracks are always budgeted by DepEd such as the distribution of equipment for instance.

That also depends on which tracks and NC II subjects the senior high school is offering.

program aims to advocate the use of face masks as a primary defense against COVID-19, and to help the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) whose operations were greatly affected by the pandemic.

The washable face masks, which arrived in Davao City last January 30, intend to serve 360,000 poor families identified by the city government.

Representing the DSWD in the ceremonial turnover is Regional Director Raquel Nuñez, and representing Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is Atty. Marlisa Gallo, Head of the City

DSWD XI Regional Director Raquel Nunez [right] hands over the washable face masks to Atty. Marlisa Gallo [left], Head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, with DOH XI Regional Director Dr. Annabelle Yumang [center].

Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Also present in the turnover ceremony are representatives from the different partner-agencies in the initiative: Regional Director Dr. Annabelle Yumang from the Department of Health (DOH), Mr. Marvin Samson from

the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Mr. Christopher Dalhog from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Ms. Zinica Maeve Santos from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Ms. Maritess Cabuenas from

the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Chief of Staff Mr. Ruben Niel Ibuyan from the Office of Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Hon. Edgar Ibuyan and Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, Jr. (PA) of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

Meal planning is life saving – educating our learners to prevent COVID-19

By AIRENE JANE A. SIMENE SST-I Ozamiz City

MEAL requirements encompasses standards for school meals that are used to develop menus that are consistent with Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Targets. They comprise standards for meals as offered by the school canteen and standards for meals as selected by students.

As offered meal standards are applied in the development of menus for school breakfast and lunch and thus may be called standards for menu planning. As selected meal

standards are used by the cashier to determine whether the student has selected a meal.

A food-based approach relies on the use of an approved meal pattern to serve as the basis for menu planning. The pattern specifies that the menu must include minimum amounts of food from selected food groups. The approach does not require the use of computer analysis to ensure that the existing Nutrient Standards are met but some school

food authorities supplement their food-based approach by conducting computerized analysis of some nutrients. Food-based approaches are the most common method of menu planning in current use.

A nut r i e nt - b a s e d appro a c h focuses on nutrients rather than food groups. The menu planner uses a computerized process to ensure that the nutrient content of the menus conforms to the existing Nutrition Standards.

Class Observation Continues in the New Normal

By MARIA CHRISTINA N. GANAS

The National Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers through Department Order 42 series 2017 steers the organization to focus on teacher quality in lined with the vision to learner’s achievement. The Department of Education recognizes the importance of professional standards in the continuing professional development and advancement of teachers based on the principle of lifelong learning. It is committed to support teachers and take cognizance of unequivocal evidence that good teachers are vital in the realization of every child’s full potential.

But the world is struck with a pandemic that kept everyone apart (at least one-meter apart) and education cannot wait.

If learning stops, we will lose human capital (UNESCO).

So, the Department of Education gathered its resources to pursue the opening of the school year (2020-2021) while following the health protocols. It reengineered its learning platforms from face to face to various responsive modes like online learning, digital instruction, television-based instruction, radio-based instruction and blended learning.

Among all these platforms, the digital or commonly called as the modular instruction is widely-used. Self-learning modules were prepared to be performed by learners at home.

How then can a classroom observation be done? The Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads domain 3 is geared at focusing on teaching and learning. With this,

school heads are mandated to ensure quality instruction amidst the evolution of teaching-learning approach.

School heads must have a full grasp of the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in all grade levels. This is the indispensable part of the teaching-learning process.

This shall guide teachers on the design of activities to facilitate mastery of these competencies. Yet, the mastery level is highly dependent on teacher quality thus classroom observation has also evolved to fit in the circumstance of time. The Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development enumerated the indicators to be observed and allowed flexiblity in the platforms for observation.

OBJECTIVE 1: Applied knowledge of content within and across curriculum teaching areas OBJECTIVE 2: Uses a range of teaching strategies that enhance learner achievement in literacy and numeracy skills OBJECTIVE 3: Applied a range of teaching strategies to develop critical and creative thinking, as well as other higher-order thinking skills.

OBJECTIVE 4: Established a learner-centered culture by using teaching strategies that respond to their linguistic, cultural, socioeconomic nd religious backgrounds.

OBJECTIVE 5: Planned and delivered teaching strategies that are responsive to the special educational needs of learners in difficult circumstances including: geographic isolation, chronic illness, displacement due

to armed conflict, urban resettlement or disasters, child abuse and child labor practices.

OBJECTIVE 6: Uses strategies for providing timely, accurate and constructive feedback to improve learner performance.

OBJECTIVE 7: Selected, developed, organized and used appropriate teaching and learning resources, including ICT, to address learning goals OBJECTIVE 8: Set achievable and appropriate learning outcomes that are aligned with learning competencies.

OBJECTIVE 9: Built relationships with parents / guardians and the wider school community to facilitate involvement in the educative process.

OBJECTIVE 10: Participated in professional networks to share knowledge and to enhanc practice OBJECTIVE 11: Developed a personal improvement plan based on reflection of one’s practice and ongoing professional learning.

OBJECTIVE 12: Performed various related works/ activities that contribute to the teaching-learning process (Plus Factor).

Only objectives 1,5 and 7 needs COOT rating, all the rest, pertinent documents are required.

These means assessing teachers will bring forth continuous improvement in the ability of teachers to perform even in these times of pandemic. (source: RPMSPPST)

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FRI-SUN|FEBRUARY 5-7, 2021

Data Science, AI to accelerate Aboitiz businesses’ growth

T

HE Aboitiz Group is fully embracing the use of digital technology, pushing for further innovation, a change in the way that it operates its various businesses through the use of data-driven solutions and Artificial Intelligence.

For a hundred yearold company that has witnessed how technology has progressed from the beginning of the 20th century to what it is today, Aboitiz has no plans on stopping.

“Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) are transformative capabilities that will accelerate the Aboitiz Group’s productivity, drive business value, and open up new revenue streams,” Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin M. Aboitiz said.

A strong advocate of innovation, Aboitiz believes that DSAI will become a permanent aspect of the business landscape of each of the conglomerate’s strategic business units (BU), to develop and support its business models and decision-making capabilities.

Aboitiz also recognizes the potential of the data science workforce as it

reorganized its DSAI talents across the group.

“This new structure helps create a better alignment of standards, processes, and policies, within the Group and, at the same time, moves us closer to our DSAI ambitions by nurturing our Aboitiz talent through experience and exposure in our different businesses,” Aboitiz shared.

The company formed working groups on Data Governance, Data Science, and Innovation, which will serve as avenues for alignment, consultation, and discussions to maximize and optimize the reuse of DSAI solutions, knowledge, and source sharing among SBUs. At its helm is global data science expert Dr. David R. Hardoon, UnionBank Senior Advisor for Data and AI and Aboitiz Group Data Committee Chairman.

“DSAI is a core differentiator enabling organisations to flourish digitally. Our focus within the Group is to innovate and systematically operationalise DSAI benefits for all BUs in areas such as customer engagement, operations and in materialising ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate

PIONEER IN DIGITAL BANKING. UnionBank is at the forefront of leveraging DSAI in banking solutions

Governance) goals, ” Dr. Hardoon said.

DSAI across business units Banking and Financial Services Aboitiz banking subsidiary Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) pioneered in leveraging DSAI in banking solutions as part of its digital transformation. The bank saw a surge in digital banking transactions over the years due to evolving consumer behavior.

And with the lockdowns brought about by the

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12th Judicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF Tubod, Lanao del Norte NOTICE OF EXTRA – JUDICIAL SALE (EJF No. 227-07-2021) Upon the Extra Judicial Petition for Sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the 1st VALLEY BANK, A DEVELOPMENT BANK, Baroy Branch, Baroy, Lanao del Norte against SPS. RUTH B. EPE and SAMUEL EPE, of legal age, married and a resident of Poblacion, Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte, to satisfy the indebtedness which as of September 30, 2019, amounting to NINETY THREE THOUSAND PESOS (P93,000.00) ONLY excluding penalties, charges, attorney’s fee and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned or his duly authorized deputy will sell at Public Auction on 10th day of March, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 07, Provincial Capitol of Lanao del Norte, Pigcarangan, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s check and in Philippine Currency, the following property with all its improvements, to wit: LIST OF MORTGAGED PROPERTY OCT No. (2017000073) 149-2017000153 Lot No. 565 PLS-588 “A parcel of residential lot situated in Barangay Poblacion, Municipality of Magsaysay, Province of Lanao del Norte, Island of Mindanao containing an area of TWO HUNDRED NINETY SEVEN (297) SQUARE METERS, more and less, including all the improvements found thereon, more particularly described and bounded as follows; Bounded on the Southwest., along lines 1-2-3 by road; on the Northwest., along lines 3-4-5 by road; on the Northeast., along line 5-6 by Lot No. 564, Pls-588; on the Southeast., along line 6-1 by Lot No. 570, Pls-588.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and time.

In the event that the Public Auction cannot take place on the said date, it shall be held on April 7, 2021 without further notice.

Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, this January 27, 2021.

ATTY. AISA B. MUSA-BARRAT Clerk of Court VI and Ex-Officio Sheriff

By: ROY B. MADRONA Sheriff IV

BWM: Jan. 29, Feb. 5 & 12, 2021

pandemic, consumers were forced to embrace digital banking.

In 2019, UnionBank encouraged aspiring data scientists to elevate the profession with the launch of its own Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute, which is aimed at producing and nurturing big data professionals to help usher innovations at the bank.

To date, more than 65 future data scientists are part of a learning program that covers data processing, programming visualization, analysis and

mining, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

PETNET, a financial services unit under UnionBank, has one goal in mind: ensure that team members are data-driven and analytically capable in running the business.

Hence, the company formed a Data Analytics team which will help in reading trends and drawing insights to make data-driven and informed decisions to provide better customer service.

Power For the Aboitiz Group’s energy arm, Aboitiz

Power Corporation (AboitizPower), DSAI will play an integral role in driving the company’s 10-year growth strategy.

This is to address the energy trilemma of the availability, cost-efficiency, and sustainability of the country’s energy supply.

DSAI will be a key component of AboitizPower’s 1AP Digital Strategy, called DigitaLeap, which aims to implement several initiatives as part of its digital transformation. These include remote plant operations, convergence of information and operational technologies, next-generation energy trading capabilities, and advanced metering infrastructure, among others.

Food For its DSAI implementation, the Food Group built a tool called Analytics Central - a onestop portal that not only addresses ease of access to data-driven solutions, but also data security by using a double-layer solution.

Current applications available in the tool are Pilmico’s retail meat shop “The Good Meat,” the Food Group Covid-19 ABOITIZ/PAGE 11

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FRI-SUN|FEBRUARY 5-7, 2021

PH posts most improved 5G video experience, among most improved in 5G Download Speed -Opensignal

E

Smart accelerates 5G deployment in 2021, making PH's fastest mobile network even faster with 5G

MERGING markets such as the Philippines have posted the biggest improvements in mobile experience with 5G, according to independent mobile analytics firm Opensignal.

In its latest 5G Insight "Benchmarking the global 5G experience", which covered the period Oct 1 to Dec 29, 2020, Opensignal found that the Philippines was among countries that posted the greatest improvements in Download Speed and Video Experience with 5G. According to Opensignal, 5G Video Experience in the Philippines was at 77.1, 40% more than its 4G Video Experience, topping the list of the world's most improved countries in terms of 5G Video Experience, which included Thailand, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, United Kingdom and Australia. Meanwhile, 5G Download Speed in the Philippines was at 117.2 Mbps.

To elevate its quality of

service to be at par with other countries, mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), wireless arm of the Philippines' leading integrated telco PLDT, is further ramping up its 5G deployment, as well as improving its product and service offers.

Recently, Smart fired up 5G in Malacanang Park, where a recent internal test using a Smart 5G-certified handset showed Smart 5G speeds breaching 720 Mbps.

"This is testament to our commitment in providing a superior data network and the most relevant content to make the experience of our customers better than

ODL Storytelling Improves Mainstream Pupils

By JUVY A. ALABA

Last January 28, 2021, the Division of Cagayan de Oro had their virtual congress where one of the presenters was Mr. Michael E. Ecoben.

He is the grade six Online Distance Learning (ODL) teacher from City Central School who presented his innovation on big books containing stories to be used for mainstream pupils. His design is the product of his research. According to Mr. Ecoben, storytelling helps some of the behavioral characteristics of autistic pupils.

The following describes how the teacher delivered the story effectively to the participant: First, the storyteller used an expressive tone in his voice to hold the listeners’ attention. The speed at which the story was narrated changed now and then. At times, he lowered his voice, and at other times, he raised it when necessary. He expressed delight and surprise when it was appropriate to do so.

Second, the storyteller made eye contact with each pupil.

It was also vital for him to sit at the pupils’ eye level.

Third, after slowly opening the book to the right page, the storyteller held the book on his lap or displayed visual

aids in front of the pupils.

Fourth, the storyteller made sure he caught the pupils’ attention with his first sentence. Fifth, the pace of the story or its timing was altered. This was to avoid monotony, which resulted in the pupils getting bored.

Sixth, characters and events were portrayed by changing one’s voice and using gestures that distinguished them. The storyteller kept in mind that gestures were to be simple and not exaggerated. Lastly, the story was linked to the lesson. In a sentence or two, the storyteller explained to the participant the moral of the story. He kept it brief.

He allowed the story to be absorbed in his listener’s minds. He let the story speak for itself. He asked at least three questions, which always deals with the lesson of the story.

Storytelling plays a big part in therapy for autistic children. Storytelling can be used in conjunction with songs, and the mainstream pupils are encouraged to enact the roles of different characters from stories.

Stor ytelling helps the mainstream pupils master language skills, improves listening skills, increases attention span, and develops their curiosity and creativity.

anybody can offer," said Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart Communications President and CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer, adding that Smart's commercial 5G rollout has opened the door to a higher level of customer experience.

"This year, we said we will invest more than P90 billion for network investments, so that we can continue to improve customer experience," Panlilio said. "With this, we are making the Philippines' fastest mobile

network--as recently awarded by another third-party analytics firm Ookla--even faster with 5G." Mario G. Tamayo, Head of Technology for PLDT and Smart, said these network investments over the past years have allowed PLDT-Smart to level up customer experience using the latest technologies available.

"Over the years, we have invested in providing our customers with the best LTE

ARALTRABAHO,SABAYGABAY: School Initiative to Help Working SHS Students CATHERINE T. PASIGNA MARCELINO C. REGIS IS

Kinuman Norte, Ozamiz City. Marcelino C. Regis Integrated School one of the schools in the Division of Ozamiz City that offers Senior High School Program and is located in Barangay Kinuman Norte. Its feeder barangays, apart from Kinuman Norte, are Gala, Guimad, Kinuman Sur- are considered as third class barangays. Thus, most the residents of these barangays demographically are those that belong to below the poverty line. Students who go to MCRIS-SHS (Marcelino C. Regis Integrated SchoolSenior High School) belong to family who are financially struggling. Any help coming from the members of the family to augment the family’s income is badly needed. It is a reality in school that students juggle work and studies to meet the needs of the family. I come up with this project to bridge the gap between the school’s working students’ work life and academic life.

This project would provide assistance to ease them from the hardship of having to find means for their family while fulfilling their dreams of finishing their studies. “I am proud that one of our teachers in Marcelino C. Regis Integrated School, Maam Catherine T. Pasigna, took

the initiative to come up with a project like this that is very helpful to our Senior High School students,” Dioselyn P. Patiluna, the school principal, said in her interview. “The project aims to: a. provide assistance to identified senior high school students who are working specially those who are remotely working from their homes; b. inspire working students to finish their studies,” she further shares.

Melgan Alduheza, a Grade 12-TVL student shares, “Daku kayo nakatabang ni na programa sa amoa labina karon nga adunay pandemic ug walay face-to-face. Makahigayon mi sa pagpanarbaho ug makapadayon mi sa amo mga bulohaton sap ageskwela. Salamat kayo nila Maam ug Sir sa Marcelino C. Regis Integrated School kay wala sila kapuya sa paghatod ug kuha sa ako modules bisan layo ako gitrabahoan.(The program has been a big help specially now that there is a pandemic and face-to-face classes are suspended. We have the chance to work and study at the same time. Thanks to our teachers in Marcelino C. Regis Integrated School who tirelessly bring and get my modules even if my place of work is far.)”

experience, which is the most pervasive in the Philippines right now in terms of both network and device. Moving forward, our 5G rollout will build on this LTE network to provide an even better experience to our customers," Tamayo said.

These latest developments are part of Smart's strategy in deploying 5G across the country. Smart, which launched its 5G service commercially in July, was the first to roll out Smart 5G nationwide.

In December, Smart unveiled its new Signature 5G Plans, which are specially designed with generous data allocations to unlock the capabilities

of Smart 5G’s superfast speeds, ultra-low latency, and higher efficiency.

Smart also recently upgraded its Smart Signature SIM-Only Plans by exclusively bundling them with a Netflix Mobile Plan subscription to provide better experience to customers and more relevant content.

5G milestones Smart is at the forefront of the 5G revolution in the Philippines with the continued nationwide roll-out of its ultrafast 5G network, which includes strategic sites in Metro Manila, Boracay, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Laguna, New Clark City in Pampanga, and Rizal.

IMPROVED/PAGE 11

COVID-19 and its awareness

By DAISY P. OCAB

COVID-19 has been dominating the headlines r e c e nt l y. W h i l e i t i s spreading quickly across parts of Asia and beyond, there are simple precautions you can make to reduce the risk of infection and transmission.

COVID-19 is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as SARS and some types of common cold.

The virus is transmitted through direct contact, respiratory droplets like coughing and sneezing and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. It is not yet known how long the virus survives on the surfaces but simple disinfectants can kill it.

Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath and in more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal.

To a v o i d r i s k o f infection, wash your hands clean. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze with the inside of your elbow or handkerchief. Don’t get close to anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms.

Go to the doctor if you have fever, cough or feel that it is difficult to breathe. If you go to the market, don’t touch animals or anything in the area they stay.

Effective Use of Classroom Management ROBOMAFEL EXCHAURE VENIALES Teacher III of Camp Evangelista Elementary School

Classroom management as we all know are varieties of strategies as teachers use to be able to handle s tu d e nt b e h av i or an d attitude. The effectiveness of these strategies w i l l dep end up on t he teacher's creativity and resourcefulness.

One of the few effective classroom management techniques is to have a classroom seat plan. A teacher must know where he/she should place the slow le ar ners and t he average ones regardless of their behavior. This is to ensure that the slow learners can cope with the lessons and the average ones can improve their potentials. This is also for the silent type students to motivate them to speak

and for the talkative ones to control their talks.

If only classroom m a n a g e m e nt s h a l l b e made effective in every classroom, learning should be inevitable and more reliant. Sometimes it is not just about the students innate potential but it is also about how the teacher can bring out the best in all of his students.

With regards to the pandemic that we are all going through, classroom management still exist and is necessary. Through the platforms that the schools use, there are particular materials and applications that we can use to monitor t he student's le ar ning behavior and for them to make their learning continuously with quality.

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Tourism... from page 1

Villanueva town, engaged in electricity generation have power plants in the province.

Sitting on a twohectare land, the tourist site has coffee shops, fruit st ands , c amping are as, flower gardens, and other amenities to help promote food tourism, and historical and cultural tourism in the province, said provincial tourism officer Jeffrey Saclot.

With the completion of the complex’s first phase, Saclot said they expect more tourists to come to Misamis Oriental, although he assured that the health protocol set by the national government will be strictly implemented as preventive measure to prevent the coronavirus infection from spreading.

He s a i d t h e t ou r i s t d e s t i n a t i o n “a i m s t o encourage people to have a wider array of options when visiting the area by boasting of amenities and attractions previously known to be available only from neighboring provinces.”

Saclot added expansion of the complex is still in the pipeline.

Branding it with “Explore MisOr More,” promoting and developing the tourism industry in the province has been one the governor’s priority programs since he assumed office in 2013.

In his message during the tourism site’s inauguration,

Emano said the project is a “milestone that will cement Misamis Oriental into the tourism map of the Philippines.”

The complex, Emano said, “will also present new opportunities for livelihood for many Misamisnons due to the expected influx of tourists.”

Due to the area’s cold weather, the governor said the stretch of land located along Highway 955 between Gingoog and Claveria might as well become the summer capital of Misamis Oriental, if not the whole of Mindanao.

Since the highway was opened a few years ago, it served as diversion road that cuts short travel time from western Misamis Oriental to the province’s eastern towns and vice versa.

Establishments such as restaurants, coffee shops and other places of interest have also opened near or beside Highway 955.

A l s o l o c ate d i n t h e complex is the 20-foot Flight 5J387 shrine, a structure dedicated to those who perished in what is now considered as one of the worst air disasters in the country’s aviation history.

Since it was erected about 20 years ago, the families of those who were killed during the crash and groups of volunteers who helped in the retrieval of the passengers’ remains have visited the shrine during the anniversary of the tragic event.

Cagayan de Orobased designers Gil Macaibay III and Ann Semblante showcase their creations during the Filipino Fashion Fair from February 1 to 4 at Ayala Malls Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City. photos by mark francisco

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Program... from page 3

infrastructure spending is also expected to boost economic activities, especially in rural areas, “given (the) high multiplier effects on real estate/property and in many other related/allied industries,” he said.

Its impact is likewise seen to boost the other expected growth drivers this year that include the continued re-opening of the domestic economy, eventual availability of Covid-19 vaccines, and the impact of monetary easing last year. (PNA)

AllHome... from page 3

comp any’s branches in Mindanao.

Three others are located in Cagayan de Oro, Butuan City, and Koronadal City.

This also increases the store network of AllHome to 51 locations spread across 30 cities and municipalities nationwide as of the first month of 2021.

“A l l H o m e a i m s t o bring world class shopping experience to more locations across the Philippines. We want every Filipino to have the best choices in building and furnishing their homes,” AllHome vice chairman Camille Villar said.(PR)

Covid... from page 2

Me anw hi le, t he city registered only three Covid-19 positive cases on Tuesday -the lowest singledigit ever recorded since January 1 this year.

The city has a total of 3,332 total cases since March last year, of which 259 are active, with 2,904 recoveries, and 169 deaths, Nery said. (PNA)

Lifeline... from page 1

for their 51st Cabinet meeting.

Lifeliners, or lowincome consumers, consume electricity within the threshold level set by t he Energ y R egu l ator y Commission (ERC).

For instance, in one distribution utility, lifeline consumers are those consumers with monthly electricity consumption of 100 kilowatt-hours and below.

“A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Department of Energy, while lifeliners comprise 32 percent of the customer base, they

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only account for 3 percent of electricity sales. So, this is very doable,” Nograles said.

Man i l a E l e c t r i c C o.

(Meralco) spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said the company will comply with the directive of the government. “(We) will wait for the specific guidelines from the Department of Energy.

We would like to assure our customers that we will continue to assist all of them in addressing their billing issues," Zaldarriaga said in a statement.

Nograles said Duterte also urged the Congress to pass legislation that will extend the benefits enjoyed by lifeline consumers like discounts in electricity bills ranging from 20 to 100 percent depending on a benchmark set by ERC. He a d d e d t he re are pending bills in Congress to extend the lifeline rate implementation.

Section 73 of the Republic Act (RA) 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), provides benefits for low-income consumers for 10 years starting 2001.

The period was extended for another decade through the Republic Act No. 10150.

However, this will expire by mid-2021, Nograles said.

“The bills we are seeing are just for another 10 years,” he added. “Ang hinihingi ng Pangulo sa Kongreso ay muling i-extend yung lifeliners’ benefits from 2021 to 2051 (The President calls on the Congress to extend the lifeliners’ benefits from 2021 to 2051).” (PNA) EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH A DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PARCEL OF LAND KN OW AL L M EN BY TH ESE PRESENTS: That the late ANACLETO ASENTISTA, who died on June 23, 1975 and FELIZA YAÑEZ, who died on October 12, 2006 both died at Baungon, Bukidnon, that the said deceased at the time of their death left a parcel of land with TCT No. T-25242 situated at Liburan, Baungon, Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FIFTEEN THOUSAND (15,000) SQUARE METERS, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH A DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PARCEL OF LAND, filed by the heirs of ANACLETO ASENTISTA and FELIZA YAÑEZ, in favor of NELSON ASENTISTA SABINAY AND FLORIFE BRAZIL SABINAY, per DOC #419; PAGE #83; BOOK #XVIII; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EMELITO J. MARQUIÑO

Farmhouse... from page 1

products, to include natural yogurt drink and bottled fresh goat’s milk, to meet the growing demand of the public for healthy products that increase immunity.

“People need more of these alternative products for good gut health. Yogurt answered that and also (fresh goat’s) milk for general wellness,” she said.

Last year, she said that sales went down by 90% as restrictions were imposed on areas where they supplied artisan cheeses.

Malagos distributes its products nationwide, and as quarantine restrictions eased, resumed shipment to Manila weekly, according to Puentespina.

When the Malagos Farmhouse was just starting out in raising dairy animals in early 2000, they only had 25 goats in their farm.

With Puentespina, an alumna of the University of Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) with a degree in Agriculture major in Animal Science, and veterinarianhusband Rob er to, t he y managed to increase the population to over 300 at present.

As the pandemic affected their artisan cheese market, Puentespina said they had to refrain some of the goats from producing milk as these could not be processed due to their scaled down cheese EXTRA JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE K N O W A LL M E N B Y T H E S E PRESENTS: That the late JHONNY V. EMMANUEL, who died on October 19, 2019 and intestate which has residence at the time of his demise, leaving certain parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. 137-2020002448 situated in Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT (188) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS, and has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of JHONNY V. EMMANUEL, in favor of NILO C. ANTATICO and RUTH D. ANTATICO, per DOC #328; PAGE #66; BOOK #VII; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MANNYLYN J. PUYALES.

production operation.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Malagos Farmhouse processed 350 to 800 liters of cow’s and goat’s milk daily to make 35 to 150 kilogram of cheeses.

The company has 27 different types of artisan cheeses, many of theme European-style, available at over 90 establishments nationwide, including highend restaurants, hotels and resorts. The Malagos Farmhouse “Sublime Line” cheese is ser ved in the business class of flag carrier Philippines Airlines.

The Puentespina clan also produces the worldclass, award-winning Malagos Chocolates, which put the Philippines in the map of artisan chocolates.

After long lean months, she said that sales are finally picking up for their artisan cheeses.

“I would say it picked up and I hope we don’t go back to where we were (last year) — a “really dark time,” she said

K N O W A LL M E N B Y T H E S E PRESENTS:

That the late SALVADOR UY, SR., who died intestate in Guihulngan, City, on April 17, 2017 that during the lifetime of my late parents, they were the lawful and absolute owner of property with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-30433 situated in the District of Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED (200) square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION OF SOLE HEIR WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY, filed by the heirs of SALVADOR UY, SR., in favor of CYNTHIA C. UNDA, per DOC #128; PAGE #25; BOOK #92; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. QUINTILIANITO S. BABARIN, JR. BWM: Feb. 5, 12 & 19, 2021

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF BLASITO BENTULAN BAGUIO WITH WAIVER AND ASSIGNMENT IN FAVOR OF CONCEPCION RAGO BAGUIO KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late DELFIN SERIÑA ESPEDIDO who died on August 12, 2007 in Cagayan de Oro City, that said deceased left a certain parcels with Tax Declaration No. G-170457 situated in Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 2,433 square meters, more or less and Tax Declaration No. G-164548 (Building) situated in Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 835 square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION OF SOLE HEIR, filed by the heir of DELFIN SERIÑA ESPEDIDO, per DOC #277; PAGE #56; BOOK #XXXII; Series of 2015 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MARIA NORA L. GONZALES CAGANG.

That the late PEDRO L. CABALING who died on February 15, 2016, at the time of his death left a parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 02-004572 situated in the Barangay of Cogon, City of El Salvador, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FIFTEEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY EIGHT (15,578) SQUARE METERS, more or less, and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF THE LATE PEDRO L. CABALING WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS, filed by the heirs of PEDRO L. CABALING, in favor of FELIX Y. CABALING, JAYGER C. DABLIO, GINA C. DATA, ARLENE C. MENDOZA, DESIDERIO Y. CABALING, MARIDEL E. ELMEDULAN and LOZINO Y. CABALING, per DOC #125; PAGE #25; BOOK #VIII; Series of 2019 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JENNY G. UPLINGER, CPA.

BWM: Jan 22, 29 & Feb 5, 2021

BWM: Jan 22, 29 & Feb 5, 2021

BWM: Jan. 29, Feb. 5 & 12, 2021

BWM: Feb. 5, 12 & 19, 2021

Republic of the Philippines City of Cagayan de Oro

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION OF SOLE HEIR

AFFIDAVIT OF SOLE ADJUDICATION

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late FLORENDO O. PAILAGAO who died single and without issue on July 5, 1990 at Malaybalay City, Province of Bukidnon, That at the time of his death Florendo Pailagao left two (2) parcels of land with Lot 2536, Cad 867 situated at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, containing an area of 2.9647 hectares, Lot 2538, Cad 867 situated at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, 2.3324 hectares, and has been the subject of an AFFIDAVIT OF SOLE ADJUDICATION, filed by the heirs of FLORENDO O. PAILAGAO, per DOC #78; PAGE #16; BOOK #38; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. REYNALDO A. VITORILLO. BWM: Jan. 29, Feb. 5 & 12, 2021

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF THE LATE PEDRO L. CABALING WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

a year ago.

Puentespina said the company is working on strengthening their social media presence to reach their customers again. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

COVID-19 vaccine

By MARIA TERESA O. APARRE

A C OV I D - 1 9 v a c c i n e does not provide full or i m m e d i ate prote c t i on w h i ch me ans it’s st i l l possible to get infected and test positive for the virus.

It takes a few days to a few weeks for the vaccine to work, according to CDC. You can test positive before the vaccine kicked in.

It takes a while for the immune response to develop. The first dose may provide some protection but we really just don’t have any data to prove that at this point. For Pfizer, the first dose was 52 percent effective at preventing disease after 14 days.

You can still test positive after being vaccinated

AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION OF SOLE HEIR WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

That the late BLASITO BENTULAN BAGUIO died on November 23, 2020 in Cagayan de Oro City, died intestate with no will and left no payable debts, and upon his death he left considerable estate comprising of Five (5) Banks, Pensions, and Savings Accounts with 1. VETERANS BANK ACCOUNT NO. 0023-375463-101, Branch: Tiano Bros., Cagayan de Oro City, Description: Old Age Pension, 2.

LAND BANK ACCOUNT NO. 0156271-918, Branch: Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Description: Regular Pension, 3. AFPSLAI ACCOUNT NO. 612-001-0187458-5, Branch: Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Description: Capital Contribution Account, 4.

AFPSLAI ACCOUNT NO. 930-0020027985-9, Branch: Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Description: Savings Account, 5. FICCO ACCOUNT NO. 048054, Branch: Corrales-Dolores Sts. (Main), Cagayan de Oro City, Description: Savings Account/ Share Account, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF BLASITO BENTULAN BAGUIO WITH WAIVER AND ASSIGNMENT IN FAVOR OF CONCEPCION RAGO BAGUIO, filed by the heirs of BLASITO BENTULAN BAGUIO, in favor of CONCEPTION RAGO BAGUIO, per DOC #440; PAGE #88; BOOK #54; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JUVY IND V. ARUBIO.

BWM: Feb. 5, 12 & 19, 2021

She said the Malagos Farmhouse had to work doubly hard to promote their artisan cheeses to regain the lost retail market when COVID-19 reared its ugly head in the country almost

since the vaccine is not 100 percent effective. The two US-authorized vaccines are highly effective but they don’t provide total protection. The Pfizer vaccine was 95 percent effective at preventing illness in clinical trials after people got two doses.

The Mo der na vaccine was 94 percent effective at preventing illness in people who got two doses in clinical trials.

Vaccination prevents disease but it’s still unclear if or how much the vaccine prevents all infections. The information is less clear whether the vaccines will prevent the virus from infecting us and we can remain without symptoms.

Bridging the Gap in Education

ROBOMAFEL EXCHAURE VENIALES Teacher III of Camp Evangelista Elementary School

What would our education system be like in the absence of t e c h n o l o g y ? Wh at does technology bring to education nowadays?

Te c h n o l o g y m ov e s all over the world. From traditional materials through high end gadgets, and only few do not know that these objects were designed for civilization.

Our education system was long been described as not being able to produce globally competitive individuals due to the fact that we are lacking effective learning techniques and platforms. Many experts concluded that technology brings several advancements to achieve better education.

Though pros and cons i n p at r o n i z i n g t h e s e

materials are observable, we cannot deny the fact that technology-based education is a lot more beneficial to different generation of learners, as well as for the teachers. It promotes students’ engagement and makes learning far better, faster, and effective. It also allows teachers to be connected all over the world that could give them an access to meet the needs of their learners such as quality pieces of information, knowledge, and skills.

Moreover, technology is a great means of bridging the gap in education brought by this pandemic. Through which, all is possible since we know that majority of the learners are more attracted to technology nowadays.

Publication Notice R.A. 10172 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In Compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. __I__, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A 10172, Notice is hereby served to the public that EDNA ANDUGO-GULLE, has filed with this Office a petition for CHANGE OF FIRST NAME of child from _____x_______ to _______x_____ in the Certificate of Live Birth of EDNA RATILLA ANDUGO, at Talisayan, Misamis Oriental and whose parents are GERMAN ANDUGO and CARIDAD RATILLA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than February 9, 2021.

BWM: Jan. 29 & Feb. 5, 2021

(SGD) ERMES A. OMONDANG SR. (Signature over printed name of the C/MCR)

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Changed... from page 4

the nation. This man, Sam Houston, who had lived as a drunk, totally changed and became the first president of the great territory of Texas; and later returned to Washington as a respected U.S. Senator. To this day, Sam the changed man is remembered with one of America’s largest cities named after him: Houston, Texas.

Everything changed for Sam when he made the decision to change. And so can you today. Won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for your wrong, sinful living?

If you ask Him to take full control of your heart and way of living, He will help you start changing to become the successful man or woman of character He created you to be. Just think a minute . .

Solutions... from page 4

parking, it’s only required when entering. Some store outlets inside the malls are doing the QR scan while others are not. Not even manual logging. Again, why are others allowed not to have QR code scanners? Now the impact of this inconsistency is a long time and more effort spent during contract tracing.

When one mall goer of Mall X tested positive with the virus, everyone who went to the mall on that same day got an SMS alert. Because Mall X has a QR code system, they easily reached and alerted the concerned mall-goers.

But it would have been much better if all the store outlets inside Mall X has a QR code scanner. The contract tracing will be more targeted and efficient since they can trace where he specifically went and spent more time in.

Now, imagine if an SM mall goer tested positive, how will contact tracing be done and for how long, only because they didn’t install a QR code scanner? All establishments, especially the big ones like SM, are called on to support all initiatives aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.

When a co-employee or a relative of a co-employee tested positive with the virus, what should the local management team do? Should they inform all employees in the same workplace or keep it a secret?

Who will be required to de self-quarantine and swab testing, and when? This is one area where there’s still some confusion. Managers and supervisors should be clear with the guidelines when such

things happen. There should be a clear communication plan ready to be shared with the concerned employees at the right time so everyone will be guided accordingly. The lack of clear guidelines and proper communications will resort to employees making their own speculations and taking the wrong actions. Management should provide clarity and not confusion.

When my son went home to Davao for Christmas, he took the swab test. He got the results after two days. This was also the experience of my other friends who took the swab test.

Results are out after a max of 3 days. For urgent cases, results can be out the same day or the following day. That’s why am shocked to learn about this employee whose swab test has not been released after 6 days (as of the time of this writing).

The employee’s spouse is sick with the virus. The couple is from Panabo (part of the Davao Region). Not only is the result delayed. It also took one week from the time the spouse was confirmed positive and taken for the necessary quarantine and treatment, before their LGU scheduled the employee for a swab test.

Should it really take that long?

Is it not an emergency case that needs immediate attention since the spouse is already a COVID patient? Good thing the employee already did selfquarantine. But what if the employee did not have selfdiscipline and continued to go out during the waiting period?

Perhaps the Panabo LGU is already overloaded with swab test requests. Whatever the case may be, it’s the lookout of any LGU to ensure that Persons of Interest should be attended to immediately to contain the probable spread of the virus. More swab test facilities, perhaps.

It is providing a solution to a gap that’s been existing.

With the UK variant already in our country and the fact that vaccines may not reach every Filipinos sooner, we can still expect an increasing trend in our COVID cases.

Let’s be mindful that the government, private corporations, leaders, and ordinary citizens like us, have roles to play in all of these. We can either be contributing to or preventing the increase of new COVID cases. We can either be part of the problem or part of the solution. The choice is ours to make. What’s your choice?

Tourist... from page 2

capital of South Cotabato.

The local government, through Mayor Floro Gandam, pushed for the development of the site to open additional attractions, which include the main 354-hectare Lake Sebu, 48-hectare Lake Seloton and its seven waterfalls.

The Lake Sebu tourism office conducted the initial inspection and testing of the site’s water sports facilities in March last year but its opening was delayed due to the onset of the pandemic.

(PNA)

Improved... from page 8

Recently, Smart with its technology partners Ericsson, Huawei and a leading 5G smartphone vendor, also successfully tested 5G Carrier Aggregation (CA), making it one of the first mobile operators in Asia Pacific to test CA in the live 5G network. CA combines two or more separate bands of radio frequencies to create a bigger pipe for even faster data rates, increasing the capacity thus improving the overall 5G user experience.

5G has been embedded in Smart’s network planning over the past five years, with Smart conducting tests with 5G starting in 2016.

In 2018, it fired up the country’s first 5G base stations in Makati with Huawei and the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga with Ericsson. In 2019, Smart also launched the first Smart 5G Lifestyle hub and 5G-enabled shopping mall in Araneta City, as well as the first Smart 5G campus at the Ateneo de Manila University with Nokia. These multi-vendor collaborations bring global use cases for Enterprise customers to innovate and fast-track their digital transformation journey.

It also recently fired up 5G at the Gariath Concepts esports venue in Quezon City, the first 5G-powered esports hub in the country, and at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City, the first 5G Media City. It also recently brought the country’s first 5G-powered sports broadcast at the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

Steady investment effort These initiatives form a large part of the PLDT Group’s sustained investments in

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ANG GO HOC consisting of real properties located in Cagayan de Oro City, Manticao, Misamis Oriental, and Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental, was extrajudicially settled and distributed among his heirs, Lolita Ang, Sonny Ang, Jeremy Ang, Joel Ang, Frances Ang, Nicolle Stephanie Ang, and Florence Ang, by means of a public document executed on January 28, 2021 and ratified before Atty. Ian Sol C. Llego, as per Doc. No. 339, Page No. 68, Book No. VII, Series of 2021 of his Notarial Register.

BWM: Feb. 5, 12 & 19, 2021

Kagay-an Festival 1st Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion

for Orders, Contact Yoyong:

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their network, which totaled some Php260 billion from 2015 to 2019. With the surge in demand for data, PLDT and Smart are prepared to invest between Php 88 billion and Php 92 billion in capital expenditures in 2021 to meet the requirements of mobile and fixed line customers.

PLDT's fiber infrastructure, which is the most extensive in the country, is at more than 429,000 kilometers as of December.

This fiber network supports Smart's 5G, 4G, 3G and 2G networks, which cover 96% of the population and are present in 95% of cities and municipalities.

As of December, Smart has also increased the number of its base stations to over 59,000. Smart has also rolled out additional 5G sites as it accelerates its 5G commercial services nationwide.

Independent data referenced with consent from Opensignal, “Benchmarking the global 5G experience - February 2021" © 2021 Opensignal Limited.

Hedcor... from page 12

objective is an even safer, more reliable and highly available operations,” shared Leo Lungay, Assistant Vice President for Operations in Mindanao.

“With lessons from 2020 and the previous years under our belt, we look forward to not only ‘keeping the lights on’, but to also thrive and excel in doing so amid any possible adversities,” Lungay added. *** About Hedcor Hedcor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower.

It specializes in generating renewable energy from runof-river hydropower systems.

Today, Hedcor manages and operates 22 hydropower plants located in Ilocos Sur, Mt. Prov i nce, Beng uet, Dav ao, a nd Bu k id non .

They continue to supply the country with 278 MW of clean and renewable energy.

With 42 years of experience, Hedcor is one of the leading run-of-river hydropower operators in the Philippines.

About AboitizPower Aboit i z Power i s t he holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments

i n power generat ion, d ist ribut ion, a nd reta i l e le c t r ic it y s e r v ic e s . It adv a nc e s bu si ne s s a nd communities by providing reliable and ample power supply at a reasonable and competitive price, and with the least adverse effects on the environment and host communities.

The company is one of the largest power producers in the Philippines with a balanced portfolio of assets located across the country.

It is a major producer of Cleanerg y, its brand for clean and renewable energy with several hydroelectric, geothermal, and solar power generation facilities. It also has thermal power plants in its generation portfolio to support the baseload and peak energy demands of the country.

The company also owns distribution utilities that operate in high-grow t h areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including the second and third largest pr ivate ut i l it ies i n t he country.

In the next 10 years, A b oit i z Power lo ok s to signif icant ly expand its Clea nerg y por t fol io, i n support of the government's efforts to promote renewable energy in the country and as the company's contribution to the global renewable energy targets. Sixty-five percent (65%) of AboitizPower's new capacities will be sourced from renewables, resulting in an almost 50:50 Cleanergy and thermal capacity mix by 2030.

Aboitiz... from page 7

Hea lt h Pass, Feeds a nd Farm Division’s operational dashboards, and budget presentation for management meetings.

Infrastructure Meantime, Aboitiz cement manufacturing unit Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. (Republic Cement), sees the value of DSAI in operations planning and optimization of production costs. The precision that data science of fers w i l l not only provide Republic Cement with data-driven insights but also allows it to remain steadfast in delivering consistent and high-quality products for the Philippine

market.

Republic Cement teamed up with UnionBank’s Data Solutions Team to create a tool that predicts cement quality based on historical chemical concentration combinations.

It helps oper ators a nd quality managers optimize c onc e nt r at ion s of r aw materials and efficiently save t i me, resu lt i ng i n better resource management and increased operational efficiency.

Land Real estate unit AboitizLand is jumpstarting its journey into DSAI as it prioritizes providing better services to its customers.

The launch of its contactless homebuying campaign at the onset of the pandemic marked its successful pivot into the digital sphere.

The company recently teamed up with UnionBank for an improved customer prof i l i ng system a nd a predictive model that will detect construction delays.

Also in the pipeline is the update of its Sales and Vecino Portal for a smoother endto-end home-buying process making it easier for buyers to reserve units, track payments made, monitor construction milestones and easily apply for a housing loan.

PAL... from page 3

implemented during the height of the pandemic.

The retrenchment program was communicated to employees in October 2020.

Affected employees will continue to receive their salaries and medical benefits until the effective date of separation, according to PAL. The airline, meanwhile, assured its customers and partners that current operations would continue without disruptions.

As demand recovers, it assured to continue increasing international and domestic flights.

To recall, local carriers last year sought P8.6 billion in monthly subsidy from the government in anticipation of declining revenues as a result of the pandemic. (PNA)

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CONTINUED OPERATIONS. Amid the pandemic, Hedcor made it its primary priority to provide electricity to households and establishments.

Hedcor generates over 900 GWh in 2020, highlights reliability performance W ITH the new normal caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the things that

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remained constant was the country’s need for electricity. Serving as the backbone that powers the communities’ various

DANICA SUDARIA

functions, Hedcor, the run-of-river hydro arm of AboitizPower, found a bigger responsibility in keeping the lights on.

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

In 2020, Hedcor recorded an Annual Generation of 956,514,413 kWh (kilowatt hours), or 956 GWh (Gigawatt hours). This is able to power around 400,000 households across the country, year-round.

Hedcor also recorded its lowest Weighted Unplanned Outage Factor (WUOF) at 0.73 percent for 2020, Hedcor’s best record in the past five years. This emphasizes the steady improvement of Hedcor’s plant reliability as it recorded the lowest number of unexpected shutdowns of its hydropower units in recent memory.

“For 2020, we really utilized the ‘Doing more with less’ mindset,” shared Rey Rafael, Assistant Vice President for Operations in Luzon.

“While we had to work with a leaner workforce in facility quarantine, we

were able to work around the limitations through proper communication, maximization of digital platforms, and simplification of processes,” Rafael added.

This is in line with Hedcor’s operations and maintenance teams (O&M) opting to divide their workforce, placing teams on alternating 14day facility quarantine, as a precautionary measure to avoid possible exposure to the coronavirus.

Beyond continuously meeting the energy needs of the community, the pandemic has not stopped Hedcor from innovating and meeting global standards.

Just recently, Luzon Hydro Corp. located in Ilocos Sur, as well as the Davao-based Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. and Hedcor Tudaya, Inc. were recertified for ISO 22301:2012 Business

Manolo Fortich 2 Hydro Powerhouse in Bukidnon.

Continuity Management System.

The aforementioned, along with Hedcor, Inc., and Hedcor Sabangan, Inc. in Mt. Province were also recertified for ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, ISO 9001:2018 Quality Management System and ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System.

On top of this, Hedcor also took a big step towards digital operations by inaugurating its firstever Regional Control Center in Southern Mindanao.

This control center is able to connect Hedcor’s five hydro facilities in Davao City and four hydro facilities in Davao del Sur, allowing all nine plants in Southern Mindanao to be operated remotely in a single control room.

“For 2021, the main HEDCOR/PAGE 11