BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 5, 2018)

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume VIII, No. 108

Market Indicators

As of 6:00 pm February 2, 2018 (friday)

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Housing, agri fund DAVAO City -- President Rodrigo Duterte has allocated a total of P260 million as housing and agriculltural assistance for the lumads in Mindanao.

He announced this Thursday during the Panagtagbo Alang sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan at the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters before close to 1,000 lumad leaders from Regions 10, 11, 12, and 13.

It was the President’s initiative to meet with lumads to listen to their problems confronting their communities such as security and lack of economic opportunities.

The President said P100 million is allocated for agricultural assistance and P160 million for housing.

Economic freedom THE Philippine Embassy in Washington DC cited the country’s “moderately free” economic status in the Heritage Foundation 2018 Index of Economic Freedom (IEF) as “significantly better” than the global and regional averages.

On Saturday (Philippine Time), Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez reported to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano that the Philippines achieved an economic freedom score of 65.0 out of a possible 100, making the economy the 61st “freest” in the latest index.

While the country moved down slightly from its 58th ranking in 2017, its regional standing hiked by one rank to 13th among 43 countries in the Asia-Pacific that were surveyed.

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M’danao lumad leaders seek self-determination www.businessweekmindanao.com

Monday | February 5, 2018

P15.00

By LILIAN MELLEJOR, PNA

D

AVAO City -- Close to 1,000 lumad tribal leaders, elders and representatives from four regions in Mindanao on Thursday signed a manifesto to strengthen their push for selfdetermination according to their customary laws.

They also strongly declared support for President Rodrigo Duterte who can help them shape and achieve their destiny as United Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao in their ancestral domain.

The manifesto was reached after the Indigenous People (IP) Leaders Summit on January 31 and February 1 at Green Heights Convention Center here to resolve issues confronting their communities.

The summit was aimed at providing the lumads a venue to air their concerns to the national government.

According to them, the struggle and fight for self-determination is based on their customary laws, cultures and traditions passed by their ancestors that are deeply rooted in their communities.

In the manifesto, they vowed that they will not fail President Duterte in his peace and development program spelled out in the administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda. lumad/PAGE 11

IP SUMMIT. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chats with the guests during the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Leaders’ Summit at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City last week. Also in the photo is National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. richard madelo / presidential photo

Cag. de Oro gov’t posts P576-M from business permit renewal

By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer

THE CAGAYAN de Oro cit y gover nment has collected P576.4 million

from business permit renewals for 2017, which represents a 27.45 percent

Air Asia’s KL-Davao route expected to boost tourism

increase from the previous year.

City treasurer Ramon Mendoza attributed the increase to City Hall’s

automated system, which enables businesses and individuals to transact online.

permit/PAGE 11

By LILIAN MELLEJOR, PNA

DAVAO City -- The launch of the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia–Davao City air connection ha further boost this city’s tourism industry

and open more opportunities for interconnection within Asia.

“We do not only connect Davao boost/PAGE 11

Duterte to ‘choose investors’ for oil palm, mining in M’danao

By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS, MindaNews

DAVAO City — Addressing an Indigenous Peoples Leaders’ Summit inside a military camp on Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed

to personally choose the investors who would develop their ancestral domains that are presently under investors/PAGE 11

VACCINATION. A barangay health worker administers anti-measles vaccine to a child at Barangay 23-C, particularly in Isla Verde, Davao City. The City Health Office launched vaccination drive following the outbreak of measles in the city recently. mindanews photo

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Economy 2 P79.7-M Quarantine DA Caraga supports facility in Davao rice-corn blend campaign City soon to rise B Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

Monday|february 5, 2018

UTUAN City -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga vowed to support government’s effort to lessen the dependence of Filipinos on rice as staple food.

One initiative is to blend rice with corn or the so-called Rice Corn Blend (RCB) which was launched in Davao City.

DA Caraga is coordinating with the local government units to look for areas suitable for the establishment of white corn production as model farm that would showcase to the farmers the viability

of flint type white corn production.

Target areas for model farms are cluster areas with strong farmer associations. Other areas can also be tapped as long as potential for flint type corn production.

DA Caraga Regional Corn Coordinator Melody M. Guimary said that preferred sites for the model farm should be compact and not less than 50 hectares.

“The qualified farmers to participate on the model farm will be assisted with interventions such as technical training, inputs,

and farm machinery and equipment,” she said.

During the launching in Davao City, PhilMaize, a federation of corn farmer associations signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Agriculture and National Food Authority (NFA) for the processing and marketing of the product.

“The RCB is also a business opportunity for cooperatives, association or any private individuals who would like to invest in processing and marketing of the Rice Corn Blend,” Guimary added.

DA Caraga together with LGUs is benchmarking the local demand of flint type white corn in the region to ascertain local marketing opportunities.

According to Provincial Corn Coordinator Oscar Tuyor of Agusan del Norte, blending of rice and corn is not new for him as he is fond of eating such even when he was still a small boy.

“Rice can be blended with corn either on a ratio of 70:30 or 50:50 or depending on the preference of the campaign/PAGE 11

DAVAO City -- A five-storey Bureau of Quarantine building will soon rise in Davao City. It is designed as a quarantine facility for persons with suspected contagious diseases.

Groundbreaking rites for the building was held on January 12 at the 270 square meter property of the Bureau of Quarantine Regional compound at Ramon Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City.

Dr. Ferdinand Salcedo, Director IV of the Bureau of Quarantine said the plan to have the facility came in 2014 during the

Ebola scare in Davao City.

Suspected patients were quarantined then at the Southern Philippine Medical Center which had four isolation rooms for ebola patients.

Salcedo said the Bureau will prioritize six facilities across the country. This includes buildings in Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Batangas, Kalibo and Cebu.

The building will accommodate 20 patients and has isolation rooms with beds for quarantined persons it also has spaces for offices. facility/PAGE 11

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Oro Chamber members listen to a pep talk by Jesse Francis Rebustillo of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) last January 26 in Mallberry Hotel.

Rebustillo was introducing a new digitized HR assistant to the business community in Cagayan de Oro Citu. photo by mark francisco

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Opinion

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Duterte’s humor and fake news HOTLINE

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Ruffy magbanua HIS natural comic flair makes him alive and kicking. He throws antics and ad libs even in the most formal setting like no other.

President Duterte cracks jokes in between serious functions and meetings, his only weapon perhaps to brighten up his day in finding solutions to the nation’s

Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

The good-for-nothing think a minute

jhan tiafau hurst Think a minute…Guiseppe’s Papa came from a family of fishermen. In fact, for 300 years the men in his family had been fishermen in the country of Sicily. His Papa eventually moved to San Francisco where he continued their fishing business. Eventually they had 9 children. All the boys from the time they could walk helped Papa on his fishing boat. All the sons, except Guiseppe! Guiseppe simply could not go because he got so terribly seasick. His stomach just could not take the motion of the boat, or the strong smell of fish. But even when his dad saw how sick Guiseppe got on the boat, he did not accept it. He always told his son Guiseppe that he was good-for-nothing.

Guiseppe was very hurt by his father always criticizing

and putting him down. But he still tried his best to help his family in some way. So as a young boy he went out on the streets and worked every job he could find to bring money back to his father. But instead of his Papa being proud of his hard-working son, he kept telling Guiseppe he was lazy and good-for-nothing.

Finally, Guiseppe just gave up on ever pleasing his dad.

He got involved in sports and discovered that he was a very talented, natural athlete, especially in baseball. In fact, he became the most successful son in his whole family. That young boy whom his Papa had always called good-fornothing, became one of the greatest professional baseball players in history. You may have even heard of Guiseppe by his American name, Guiseppe…Joe…DiMaggio.

You see, Guiseppe Joe Dimaggio refused to believe all the bad things his dad said about him. He never stopped trying until he finally found his special abilities. So even if your own family has told you that you’ll never be successful and that you’re good-fornothing, don’t believe them.

Just forgive them and know that your heavenly Father created you for great things. hurst/PAGE 11

find his jokes nasty albeit obscene and sometimes scandalous, yet ordinary people love to hear those ad libs, very original, candid and outspoken as it were.

D ur ing t he ele c t ion campaign, Duterte even joked he will jetski to the South China Sea to plant the Philippine flag there. The folowing day, a national broadsheet carried an editorial cartoon showing Duterte jetskiing on the waters of the disputed islands in the South China Sea! This Duterte joke drew mixed reactions from netizens, and perhaps one of the ad libs that catapulted Duterte to Malacanang.

His knack on ad libs gave him the edge over his political opponents, even outpacing

signs that, unbeknownst to you, may provide a diagnosis as accurate as a doctor’s blood pressure cuff or heart rate monitor.

For those who see social media mainly as a place to share the latest cat video or travel snap, this may come as a surprise. It also means the platform has important – and potentially life-saving – potential. Following the BBC: in the US alone, there is one death by suicide every 13 minutes. Despite this, our ability to predict suicidal thoughts and behavior has not materially improved across 50 years of research.

Forecasting an episode of psychosis or emerging depression can be equally challenging.

But data mining and machine learning are transforming this landscape by extracting signals from dizzying amounts of granular data on social media. These methods already have tracked and predicted flu outbreaks.

Now, it’s the turn of mental health.

Studies have found that if you have depression, your Instagram feed is more likely to feature bluer, greyer, and

darker photos with fewer faces. They’ ll probably receive fewer likes (but more comments). Chances are you’ll prefer the Inkwell filter which converts colour images to black and white, rather than the Valencia one which lightens them.

Even then, these patterns are hardly robust enough in isolation to diagnose or predict depression. Still, they could be crucial in constructing models that can. This is where machine learning comes in.

While checking out all these details, I try to recall my last posts and reactions in social media. Maybe at this moment, you think about yours too.

A l l ow m e t o s h a r e more with you, my dear readers: researchers from Harvard University and the University of Vermont used these techniques in their recent analysis of almost 44,000 Instagram posts. Their resulting models correctly identified 70% of all users with depression. compared to a rate of 42% from general practitioners. They also had fewer false positives (although this figure drew

the late and charismatic Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

The President’s sense of humor appears to serve as his weapon to stay on course in the fight against illegal drugs, corruption in government, terrorism and restoration of the law and order.

He pokes fun at himself as well. During his visit at a military camp in Davao, the President flaunted he has two wives occupying his left and another on the right.

At one time, the President made the ire on the national press by his sharp side comments on media killings that eventually killed his ‘honeymoon’ with the Manila media.

With all its enigmatic outcomes, his humor is seen duterte/PAGE 9

Does social media betray our mood? have my say

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titanic woes --- verily not for the fainthearted.

Duterte’s jokes and ad libs may sound irritating and outmoded but these are his ways of fighting stress and pressures attached to his herculian job -- the presidency.

Duterte has his way of entertaining himself amid the many animosities of the day. Most often than not, he lightens the day by imself -- from serious to funny, shepherding the discussions with his profound thought process and candid inputs.

If God has a sense of humor, Duterte had his way too of making people laugh in the midst of national crisis --– serious at one moment and funny the next.

His critics presumably

klaus doring Clues to the state of your mental health may be hiding in plain sight – in the tweets you send and the Facebook updates you post. There it is in your Facebook timeline or Instagram gallery – a digital footprint of your mental health.

I was shocked but - on the other way also very interested checking out more on BBC. This February, BBC Future is exploring social media’s impact on mental health and well-being – and seeking solutions for a happier, healthier experience on these platforms.

One thing is really clear: it’s not hidden in the obvious parts: the emojis, hashtags and inspirational quotes.

Instead, it lurks in subtler

from a separate population, so may be an unfair comparison).

Depressive signals were evident in users’ feeds even before a formal diagnosis from psychiatrists – making Instagram an early warning system of sorts.

Meanwhile, psychiatrists have long linked language and mental health, listening for the disjointed and tangential speech of schizophrenia or the increased use of firstperson singular pronouns of depression. For an updated take, type your Twitter handle into AnalyzeWords.

It’s a free text analysis tool which fo cuses on junk words (pronouns, articles, prep ositions) to ass ess emotional and thinking styles. From my 1017 most recent words on Twitter, I’m apparently average for being angry and worried but below average on being upbeat – I have been pretty pessimistic about the state of the world recently. Enter @realdonaldtr ump into AnalzyeWords and you’ll see he scores highly on having an upbeat emotional style, and is less likely than average to be worried, angry, and mood/PAGE 11

Advice to young writers Speaking out

ignacio bunye Write to inspire, write to transform.

That was the message of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun) President, Dr. Elena E. Presnedi, to the awardees of the recently concluded 11th Cesar S. Tiangco Memorial Literary Awards.

Established in 2006, the Tiangco Awards recognizes budding young writers from

Muntinlupa and environs.

Originally open only to students from Muntinlupa City, the award has since expanded its reach to also include student writers from Makati City, Taguig City, and Pasig City .

Cash prizes, medals and certificates are awarded to winners in six genres: Tula, Maikling Kuwento and Essay for high school students; Short Story, Essay and Fiction for college students.

The award celebrates the legacy of Cesar Sioson Tiangco, pioneer principal of Muntinlupa National High School (formerly Muntinlupa High School). Tiangco served as school head for three decades (1945-1976). He later became the principal of his alma mater, the Rizal High School.

Presnedi paid tribute

to Tiangco who was not just an educator but also an accomplished writer.

“While ser ving his responsibilities in the schools he handled, he was able to produce and compile diverse literary works which led to awards and publications,” Presnedi said.

P re s n e d i u r g e d t h e awardees to be guided by the following principles: 1. Write to express, not to impress. 2. Write to innovate. 3. Write to inspire.

4. Use writing as a tool for transformation. 5. Use one’s skills in serving God and fellowmen, as well as our beloved City and Country.

Presnedi later presented the awards to the winners. She was joined by Engr. Romeo S. Navarro, Executive Director of the Tiangco Memorial Awards; this writer; Atty.

E le onor T. Her nande z, president of the Muntinlupa National High School Alumni Foundation; Madelyne Diaz, former principal of Muntinlupa Science High School and representative of Muntinlupa DepEd; Marilyn Bautista Latina, representative of Muntinlupa National High School; and Dr. Lucia B. Tiangco, representative of the Tiangco family.

In a fitting tribute to one of the Tiangco Awards founders, PLMun College of Arts and Science Dean Jaime G. Ang read “Lament of the Golden Jubilarians”, a poem written

by Romeo S. Navarro.

The awardees: High School Division Gantimpalang NavarroMartin sa Tula – 1st Place – Nicole Sophia Sebilio, St. Bernadette Alabang High writers/PAGE 9

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CorporateWorld Megaworld levels up development standards Monday|february 5, 2018

By NELSON BAGAFORO, PNA

DAVAO City – As competition grows stiffer in property development secior, property giant Megaworld is introducing its latest innovation in terms of aligning its development projects with the fast-changing digital world.

“We have assigned teams to study how we can seamlessly integrate smart technology and innovations into our townships. In this fastchanging digital world, we see the importance of aligning our developments to quickly adapt to the disruptions, which we perceive as opportunities,” Kevin L. Tan, Megaworld senior vice president, said in a statement e-mailed to Philippine News Agency Thursday.

In the wake of this development, the country’s top national developer

is pushing its companywide program called “iTownships” concept in a bid to “future-proof ” its developments across the country.

For the past 28 years, Megaworld Group has already built over 660 residential developments, 54 office towers and 15 lifestyle malls in 22 townships and integrated lifestyle communities across the Philippines.

In Davao City, Megaworld is developing the PHP15 billion Davao Financial District, a modern township in Lanang, which is expected to be completed before the year ends or early next year.

It can be recalled that Megaworld pioneered the so-called LiveWork-Play concept of property development in the Philippines which

gave birth to the socalled ‘Townships.”

The company is now elevating the standards of its developments by incorporating digital technology, design innovations and connectivity into its townships. “iTownships will become our new brand in creating the townships of the future.

It is about innovation, integration, internet and interconnectivity. Having these features in our townships does not only make our developments future-ready, but it also allows us to take greater steps towards sustainability and environmental responsibility,” Tan explained.

With this new concept, the company is embarking on including in its projects the digitization of customer service and payment processes,

integration of smart home technology in residential units, utilization of digital technology and energy-efficient materials in structural designs, creation of Township Operation Centers across all developments which maximizes 24/7 security and safety monitoring and emergency response in every township, urban art installations and creative pedestrian crosswalks, smart parking system including provision for electric vehicle charging in mall developments, among others.

Green and sustainable features will also be at the core of the program as some of the initiatives that will be implemented include the conversion of old streetlights to LED and solar-powered lights, green roofing for office buildings, provision of vertical green spaces across developments.

SM scraps acquisition of Goldilocks SM Retail, Inc. will no longer pursue the acquisition of Goldilocks Bakeshop, Inc., the country’s largest bakeshop chain, even after the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) recently approved the transaction.

“Regarding the proposed acquisition by SM Retail of Goldilocks, both SM and Goldilocks have jointly agreed not to pursue the transaction given changes in the general business environment,” SM stated Thursday.

On the sidelines of the Forum on Competition

in Developing Countries in Makati City, PCC Commissioner Stella Luz Quimbo told reporters that the PCC was notified that SM scrapped the acquisition of Goldilocks considering changes in the commercial aspect of the bakeshop chain.

“It is unfortunate it has ended this way,” Quimbo said.

The Commissioner noted that the changes seem to happen after the PCC approved the voluntary commitments submitted by SM to the antitrust body.

SM served its voluntary commitments to the PCC

December 29 of last year after the Commission has seen competition concerns with the transaction such as the possibility that SM may treat Goldilock’s competitors unfairly as well as issue on information firewall that SM may share other bakeshops’ information which are SM mall tenants to Goldilocks.

“They addressed that in their voluntary commitments. They assured us that they would give fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms to competitors of Goldilocks. They told us that there are existing information

firewalls already and they committed to keeping this. They agreed to be monitored for five years,” Quimbo noted.

She said this is also the first time that the PCC received a notification that parties will not push through a merger and acquisition deal after the anti-competition office approved the transaction.

“This is the first that we received notification that they will not proceed after we had actually issued the approval from our end,” the Commissioner said.

“However it is a business decision we respect,” she added. (PNA)

British companies eyeing opportunities in Visayas BRITISH companies are now eyeing business opportunities in Visayas as they a set trade and investment mission to Iloilo next month.

British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) Chris Nelson

said in a briefing Friday that the business group is organizing the business mission to Iloilo from March 8 to 9, in line with the British Embassy’s Great Festival.

Nelson said BCCP targets to bring in 50

firms based in the United Kingdom as delegates to the business mission in the Visayas.

He cited British companies that are interested to tap opportunities in the country’s infrastructure

sector -- be it transport infrastructure or ports, among others.

This is in line with the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build Program which accelerates infrastructure projects companies/PAGE 7

The love for being active

By ETHEL T. BOLO Teacher I Pagatpat Elementary School

FOR a MAPEH teacher, each student’s personal progress is the most crucial aspect of the class. The achievement must be a result for one’s passion for teaching. It’s what I love most. I can be a better role model at the elementary school and influence their lives. At this age, they’re fun, they want to do physical

education and they want to build relationships with their teachers.

To teach MAPEH, you must ensure first that the students know exactly what they’re supposed to do. They themselves will rate their efforts and set personal goals before the end of the class.

They own it after all. Here

in Pagatpat, we’re definitely not a roll the ball out school.

These kids come to learn.

After each practice session like badminton perhaps, the students come together and discuss their troubles and successes at each level.

While some students have a more difficult time than others, the point of teaching

is always to facilitate personal improvement specifically when more rigorous fitness activities come into play.

Ne ve r d is c ou r age a child about fitness. It’s not who’s best. It’s “have you improved?” This method resonates well with the students. I’m confident of that.

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Environment DENR to regulate tourism in El Nido Recognizing the gravity of problems that have cropped up in one of the world’s top tourist destinations in the country, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced today it will implement policies to help minimize the negative impact of tourism pressure in El Nido, Palawan.

Reports show that El Nido is beset with problems of diminishing water quality, biodiversity loss, flooding, and proliferation of informal settlers, business establishments, and structures without permit, and a host of other problems.

“I want people to experience the beauty of

Monday|february 5, 2018

El Nido and other natural wonders of our country for as long as possible,” explains DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu. “That is why I have instructed all personnel of the Department to address such priorities as clean water, clean air, and solid waste management – issues that are even more pressing for island tourist destinations like El Nido and Boracy,” he added.

In line with Cimatu’s directive, officials of DENR-MIMAROPA identified El Nido as a priority area. “We do not want El Nido to face the same problem as Boracay,” expressed DENR MIMAROPA Regional Director Natividad Bernardino.

Bernardino was referring to the mounting garbage problem and water contamination due to unregulated activities in Boracay, which Cimatu, together with the local government, confronted immediately after his assumption as environment secretary.

Within 20 days in June and July last year, 1,906 tons of garbage was hauled from Boracay to Aklan.

Two weeks ago, Cimatu and Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo agreed to step up efforts to save Boracay, including penalizing establishments violating environmental and other laws.

Bernardino explains, “we value El Nido’s contribution to the

economy of Palawan and of the country, we cannot help, however, but worry that the magnitude of tourist activities in El Nido is already way beyond its carrying capacity.”

According to the 2016 report of the El Nido Municipal Tourism Office, tourist arrival in the town has increased by more than 30 per cent annually in the last three years with last year reaching almost 200,000. This does not only mean increased revenue for the town but also increased demand for fresh water, timber, and other construction materials, use of fuel and consumer goods, and activities in the islands, all of which exert tremendous pressure on the rich

biodiversity of El Nido.

Bernardino explained that the Protected Area Management Board of El

Nido-Taytay Protected Area already passed a resolution that limits regulate/PAGE 7

DENR, FMB cited for millions of pesos in energy savings The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its Forest Management Bureau (FMB) have been recognized as among the 10 most energy efficient government offices in the country, having incurred a combined energy savings worth P6.6 million in 2016.

The recognition was given by the Department of Energy (DENR) under the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which tasks state agencies to undertake intensified energy efficiency and conservation measures to mitigate climate change impacts.

DENR Secretary

Roy A. Cimatu welcomed the citation as a “testament to the DENR’s commitment to promote environmental sustainability through various energy management programs and innovations.”

“We take this recognition as a challenge for the DENR to lead government efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change through minimizing energy consumption,” Cimatu said.

In 2016, the DOE noted that the DENR had successfully brought down its electricity consumption by 488,485 kilowatts per hour (kWh), resulting in savings on electric bills

worth P4.8 million.

The FMB, on the other hand, posted a savings of 186,500 kWh equivalent to P1.8 million.

A total of 140 government offices were monitored by the DOE in 2016 as part of the GEMP implementation.

These offices were required to submit their monthly electricity consumption bills in 2016.

Four major buildings inside the two-hectare DENR central office on Visayas Avenue in Quezon City went through spot checking and evaluation by the DOE. Also inspected were the FMB main and annex buildings, also

along Visayas Avenue.

DENR’s Administrative Officer IV Rico Manalo attributed the savings to energy efficiency and conservation practices institutionalized at the head office.

These measures include strict observance of operating time of all air conditioning units from 9 am to 4 pm, setting aircon thermostat at no lower than 25 degrees Celsius, replacing old aircons with inverter-type, and changing flourescent lights with LED lights.

According to Manalo, these interventions caused a significant drop in the DENR’s per energy/PAGE 7

DENR sends 100,000 face masks, hundreds of relief goods to Albay The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has begun its own relief efforts to help communities affected by the restiveness of Mayon Volcano.

Operation Mayon 2018-Tabang Kan DENR sa mga Bakwit (DENR helps evacuees) was set in motion on the orders of Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu following his visit to Albay province last Jan. 22.

Over the weekend, the DENR central office in Quezon City sent 100,000 protective face masks to the DENR regional office in Legazpi City for distribution to people in

evacuation centers.

Cimatu said the face masks will help protect affected residents from inhaling potentially toxic ash spewed out of the volcano.

Apart from shelter, food and water, Cimatu said the government’s priority is the safety of people who are exposed to volcanic ash that could cause a number of health problems, particularly respiratory illnesses.

“We believe that the best way to keep Albayanons safe is to provide them protection against the harmful effects of volcanic ash, so we decided to send them face masks,” Cimatu said

Cimatu had visited Albay to check on the air quality conditions in the towns of Camalig and Guinobatan and cities of Tabaco and Ligao, as well as the vicinities of the 6-kilometer danger zone and extended 7-km danger zone.

Cimatu then vowed to continue to monitor the air and water quality on affected areas and river systems to minimize environmental and health impacts of the volcanic eruption.

On Monday, the DENR Region 5 office led by Regional Director Oscar Dominguez started distributing over 2,000 face masks and more than 500 food

packs in two barangays in Guinobatan.

DENR employees and volunteers worked over the weekend to prepare the relief goods, each containing food items and a 5-liter bottled water.

A water tank with purifier was also installed at Guinobatan West Central School to benefit over 1,000 evacuees.

The DENR’s Operation Mayon 2018 is a collaborative effort among officials and employees of the DENR, Environmental Management Bureau, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and industry partners in the Bicol region.

7

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Monday|february 5, 2018

OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

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ASIA UNITED BANK Cor.Camp Alagar Road Lapasan, Cdoc 729678 / 8568893

METRO BANK- CARMEN Max Suniel St. Carmen, Cdoc 8581722/ 8585162

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

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

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

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

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

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

CM Recto Ave. Lapasan, Cdoc, 8563991/727731

BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK RER kauswagan,HW Cdoc 8573733 /722519 BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK Gaston Park Cdoc | 8801518 BPI – LAPASAN Cm Recto HW Lapasan Cdoc 724076/ 8524602 BPI- VELEZ Velez-JR Borja St.Cdoc 8564213/722406 BPI – CAPISTRANO Capistrano St. Cdoc 8574264/8574263 BPI- COGON Osmeña St. Cdoc 8571297/8571298 CHINA BANK –GAISANO 745887/745880 CHINA BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc 8572212/8573274 CHINA BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW Cdoc 8561325 /722240 CHINA BANK – CARMEN Max Suniel, Cor. Yakal St. Cdoc 8583903/723091 CHINA BANK – DIVISORIA RN Abejuela St. Divosoria Cdoc 8575759/722641

Companies... from page 5

across the country.

The BCCP chief considers the Visayas a new growth opportunity area for UK firms as this part of the country is expected to grow 7.7 percent to 8.3 percent in the next five years.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed t h a t f r o m Ja n u a r y t o September 2017, approved investments in investment promotion agencies from UK companies increased by 10.9 percent to PHP4.79 billion from PHP4.32 billion in the same period in 2016. (PNA)

Energy... from page 6

capita electric power consumption to a monthly average of 169.33 kWh in 2016 from 205.86 kWH in 2015.

This, despite the fact that the DENR workforce increased from 800 in 2015 to 1,095 in 2016 due to the implementation of the agency’s rationalization plan.

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 110 issued in 2004 by then President Gloria Arroyo, GEMP seeks to promote sensible use of energy resources through intensified conservation efforts and efficient utilization.

Aside from the DENR and FMB, other government entities that made it to the top 10 most energy efficient list were Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, Department of Agrarian Reform, Mariano Marcos State University, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, National Housing Authority, National Irrigation Administration-UPRIIS, and Philippine National Oil Company.

Regulate... from page 6

tourist entry and activity in three of the most visited places in El Nido.

In the Big Lagoon, only 60 guests will be allowed at any one time or a maximum of 720 guests per day. In the

Small Lagoon, a maximum of 30 guests will be allowed at any one time or a total of 360 persons per day. For the Secret Beach, only 12 visitors will be allowed at any one time or a total of 144 a day.

Limits on the number of conveyances have also been set – maximum of five boats in the anchorage area and 30 kayaks inside the Big Lagoon, only 15 kayaks inside the Small Lagoon, and two boats in the anchorage area of Secret Beach.

Moreover, activities such as fishing, cliff jumping, grilling of food, and playing of loud music have been prohibited in the three spots.

In another resolution, PAMB identified the Strict Protection Zone, areas with high biodiversity value, which shall be closed to human activity except for scientific research and/ or ceremonial use by indigenous communities.

This includes, among others, Helicopter Island, Balinaud Beach, Turtle Island, and

Pacanayan Island.

In the coming months, DENR also plans to conduct inspection of all establishments in El Nido and ensure compliance on the disposal of solid and liquid wastes, monitor air and water quality, validate tenurial instruments of business and residents, and monitor strict observance of environmental laws, and other measures that will help lessen the harmful impact of tourism activities on the environment, people’s livelihood, and tourism itself.

B e r nard ino e xpl ains t h at D E N R i s a l r e a d y working closely with the local government of El Nido and shall conduct public consultations regarding the implementation of new PAMB policies.

“We hope the public understands it is for the long term benefit of everyone if we preserve the natural beauty of El Nido, which is what attracts tourists there in the first place,” Bernardino said.

CITY SAVINGS BANK TS Fashion Ave.Justo Ramonal Corner St.Cdoc 2316060/ 2316059 CHINATRUST Suite U&5 G/LGateway Tower Lapasan Lkk Cdoc 8521846/8521844 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK HW. Lapasan Cdoc | 8564201/ 8564201 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK Vamenta Carmen Sts. Cdoc | 8585366 DBP – CORRALES Corrales Ave., St. Cdoc | 8572087/722649 DBP – CAPISTRANO JR Borja Capistrano St. Cdoc 8567776/722819

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

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

PNB- LKK MALL NORTH CONCOURSE

LKK Mall N.Concourse Cdoc 8574149/8575682

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8

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Monday|february 5, 2018

9

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Monday|february 5, 2018

Amid accelerated nationwide LTE/4G rollout

LTE device usage doubles, LTE data traffic triples year-on-year As PLDT wireless arm Smart Communication, Inc.’s (Smart) accelerated rollout of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology reaches more Filipinos, the number of LTE devices latched on the Smart network has doubled, while LTE data traffic has tripled as of end of 2017, compared to a year before.

Year-on-year, the number of LTE devices being used on the Smart network has jumped 102%, while LTE data traffic has also increased by as much as 204% nationwide.

Notable increases in LTE data traffic on Smart’s networks have been recorded in Cebu province, where it increased by as much as 219%, and in Davao del Sur, where it grew by 75% between December 2016 and December 2017.

PLDT and Smart have already completed its 3G and LTE rollout in these areas, particularly in Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, the country’s biggest urban hubs outside of Metro Manila.

PLDT also launched LTE support for Sun subscribers in Cebu, its main ‘Sun country’, last year.

Meanwhile, LTE data traffic in Pampanga likewise doubled (up by 130%), while LTE data traffic in Bulacan tripled (increased by 244%) between the same

period, also due to the ongoing rollout of LTE sites in the area.

The number of LTE devices being used on the Smart network in Cebu and Davao have also doubled year-on-year, increasing by 95% and 108%, respectively.

“The results of our network upgrades are evident. More and more customers are making the leap to LTE where they enjoy faster internet speeds,” said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Engineering.

“Our investments in improving our network have made world-class mobile internet connectivity within the reach of many Filipinos,” said Eric R. Alberto, PLDT Group Chief Revenue Officer.

“Alongside this rampedup LTE roll-out, Smart has also been setting the pace in helping our customers shift to LTE devices to experience our improved network by partnering with device makers,” Alberto added.

To make more LTE handsets available to the market, Smart has partnered with device manufacturers to encourage customers to shift to LTE handsets, particularly those running on 700 MHz. “Depending on their device, customers can

experience speeds of between 17 Mbps to 200 Mbps on Smart’s improved LTE network,” Tamayo said.

Smart is also helping customers upgrade to LTE SIMs through its free SIM Upgrade program, where customers can upgrade to LTE SIMs for free and retain their numbers. Smart also launched an LTE SIM check via SMS program, where customers can text SIMCHECK to 5832 to check if their SIMS are LTEcapable already or not.

“We are urging our customers to level up to LTE and see for themselves what they can do with our super-charged network.

Our efforts at continuously improving our services are geared toward making the best video, social media and gaming experience more accessible to them,” Alberto said.

To maximize their experience, Smart customers can also choose from a wide array of digital services and life solutions bundled with access, such as data offers with subscriptions to top streaming sites iFlix and iWant TV, for example.

Fastest LTE Smart LTE has consistently led in speeds across the country, according to data from international wireless

coverage research firm OpenSignal.

Last year, Smart’s LTE and 3G expansion program initially covered Metro Cebu, Rizal and Metro Manila and has since proceeded to other parts of the country. This has been complemented by a 3G rollout in several frequency bands as well. As a result, the company expects to fulfill ahead of schedule its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to cover over 90% of the country’s cities and municipalities with mobile broadband using LTE and 3G by 2019.

LTE is the best technology to help bring fast, affordable, and reliable internet services to as many customers as possible. It is also quickly upgradable to more advanced technologies like LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), which can provide even greater capacity and speeds to users with capable smartphones.

This year, Smart is expected to roll-out its LTE-A service with carrier aggregation in more areas of the country. Carrier aggregation involves combining two or more radio frequency bands to deliver bigger bandwidth and faster data speeds to mobile phone users.

Duterte...

Writers...

to buoy up the presidency -- uncover more scandals, corruption and ineptitude of people in government.

With all his toughness, Duterte has a soft heart for women. His charisma oozing with that manly appeal only a few of his age could still make a mark of adulation from his legion of female supporters, young and old alike.

Even his number one nemesis, detained Sen. Leila de Lima had good some words on him. Acting like a true gentleman, Duterte offered a hand to De Lima but not without returning a childish, skimpy grin. His body language says it all.

With his trademark rolled up barong sleeves, he shows a lot about him being the man of action – the working President look!

Duterte may go down in history not only as the toughtalking President but as a leader who rises above it all by cracking jokes and throwing ad libs the unorthodox way, and at the same time finding solutions to the worries of the State.

With mega problems whacking the country, a Duterte humor is indeed needed to lighten up his day. Now, if his humor is fake news, so be it. (ruffy44_ ph2000@yahoo.com)

School; 2nd Place (Joint) Beah Shekinah Aranjuez, Rizal High School (Pasig) and Jolina R. Abner, Pedro Diaz High School; Honorable Mention – Shantel Danizel Chavez, Western Bicutan Nat i o n a l H i g h S c h o o l (Taguig); Fritz Vincent Molina, Muntinlupa National High School ; Jomely R. B a l o l o y, M u n t i n l u p a Business High School; Daniel D. Macquian, Muntinlupa Nat i on a l Hi g h S ch o ol ; Adr i an Russ el l Maang , Muntinlupa Business High School Gantimpalang Romeo & Wilfredo P. Virtusio sa Maikling Kuwento – 1st Place – Juliette Bang-ay, Pedro E. Diaz High School ; 2nd & 3rd Places – None; Honorable Mention – Carisse Lavelle de Villa, Rizal High School (Pasig); Maricel B. Castro, We s t e r n Bi c ut an Hi g h School (Taguig), Alyana Marie Soriano, Southernside Montessori School; Adrielle P. Dollison, Pedro E. Diaz High School Eu s e bi a N . Ti b ay an Memorial Prize for Essay – 1st Place – Kyla B. Orbina, Muntinlupa Science High School; 2nd Place (Joint) – Anya Nikita Donato & Melvic Malonzo, Muntinlupa Science High School; Honorable Mention – Rafael Matthew Aq u i n o, S o u t h e r n s i d e

Montessori School; Lyca Joy Alba, St. Bernadette High School (Alabang); Annie Lyn Olgina, Muntinlupa National High School; Anne Therese Margareth Lopez, Muntinlupa National High School College Division The Sofia Rivera de Bunye Memorial Prize for Essay 1st Place – John Manuel B. Padre, University of Makati College of Education; 2nd Place – Jonathan S. Dellova, University of Makati College of Education The Silvestre-Navarro

Prize for Poetry – 1st Place – Jesse Isaiah Raymundo, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa College of Education; 2nd Place – None The Victoria Rivera Bunye Memorial Prize for Fiction – 1st Place – Juan Manuel B. Padre, University of Makati College of Education; 2nd Place – Geraldine E. Antonio, St . B e r na d e tte C ol l e ge Alabang.

Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail. com. You may also “like” us on Facebook at “Speaking Out”.

from page 4

from page 4

NEW LIGHT PAWNSHOP Main: Gen. Capistrano Neri St., Cagayan de Oro City Branch: Don S. Osmeña St., Fronting Public Market, Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF AUCTION Starting February 9, 2018 (Friday) at 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since September 9, 2017. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO Sa Pebrero 9, 2018 ang (Byernes) sa may 8:30 A.M. sa buntag paingon sa alas 5:00 sa hapon, ang tanan nga penirenda nga wala ma lukat sa bulan sa Septembre 9, 2017 maapil sa subasta.

Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

ANG TAGDUMALA BWM feb. 5, 2018 GREAT VALUE SHOP V. Castro St., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF AUCTION Starting February 9, 2018 (Friday) at 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since September 9, 2017. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO Sa Pebrero 9, 2018 ang (Byernes) sa may 8:30 A.M., sa buntag paingon sa alas 5:00 sa hapon, ang tanan nga penirenda nga wala ma lukat sa bulan sa Septembre 9, 2017 maapil sa subasta.

Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

ANG TAGDUMALA BWM feb. 5, 2018

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Monday | February 5, 2018

Apple Tree Resort and Hotel Celebrates its 10th Founding Anniversary A

By Joe Palabao and JB Elixalde

nostalgic night of Great Gatsby Themed Party reminiscent of the 1920’s jazz music and dance, Gatsby inspired suit for men, beautiful and lovely dresses and accessories for women, gourmet cuisine and wine parade highlighted the 10th Founding Anniversary of the premier Apple Tree Resort and Hotel held at the cozy Silawan Ballroom last February 1, 2018 at 6:00 PM. Premier and 3-Star Apple Tree Resort and Hotel celebrates an important milestone in the hotelier industry as they reached ten (10) years of their fruitful existence coupled with enormous improvements like the Sea Horse Shaped Infinity Pool, the only one in the Region, gourmet and yummy cuisines at their restaurant, A-1 hotel services, refurbished and relaxing rooms with great amenities, more state of the art function rooms to cater the needs of clients, the foreign, domestic and local tourists.

The great effort and the hard work of the different heads of department, the staff, the guidance of their dynamic General Manager Bjanesha Manigsaca Emphasis catapults the premier Apple Tree Resort and Hotel as one of the best and the finest Resort in Mindanao-thus during the 4th Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Awards 2015 received the prestigious award as Outstanding Resort for Tourism Promotion and Development in Mindanao.

And in 2016, the Department of Tourism X gave the resort as 3-Star Resort Category and chosen also as An ACADEO Resort of the Year.

Department of Labor and

Employment gave also Apple Tree Service Quality Seal of Recognition.

This 10th Founding Anniversary, premier and multi awarded Apple Tree Resort and Hotel gave Plaque of Recognition and Appreciation to the their clients, customers and institutions which have patronized the Resort. The guests were afforded tokens and received Gift Certificates from the hotel.

As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, and being part of the community of the progressive Municipality of Opol, premier Apple Tree Resort and Hotel have partnered with numbers of LGUs and organizations in holding sports competition, feeding programs, clean up drives, culinary Contest and other events. The resort also supports the Region, local, and National beauty pageants.

Over the years number of homegrown events were materialized. They have the Annual Skimboarding Competition, Romance by the Bay, Zumbathon and Beach Volleyball Competition, Endless Summer and Bohemian Night Events.

The President of the Kagay-an Travel and Tours Association (KOTTA) Jules Baril was the wacky Guest Speaker as he essayed the historical background of the Lauremar Hotel named after Laureana and Mariano Canoy owner of VIP Hotel. How it evolved and time came it was bought by Apple Tree sometime in 2008 and the rest is history with a period of ten (10) years.

Mabuhay!! Apple Tree Resort and Hotel.

The Staff and Employees of the premier Apple Tree Resort and Hotel

Angela Emphasis with debonaire Clement Dampal

Beautiful and lovely Miss Kuyamis 2017 and Miss Kuyamis 2018 with the General Manager Ms. Bam and Sir Clement-Marketing Officer

Guest Speaker of the Event President of KOTTA and owner of Santorini Santorini Jules Baril

The ever Beautiful and former beauty queen General Manager Bjanesha Manigsaca Emphasis-- Star of the Night

The Officers and Members of the Kagay-an Travel and Tours Association, Inc.

11

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Monday|february 5, 2018

Lumad... from page 1

Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander Lt. Benjamin Madrigal said it was President Duterte who wanted to convene the lumads to hear their concerns.

During the IP leaders’ summit, Madr iga l s aid the lumads cited security and livelihood as their top concerns. Madrigal said the summit was a good start to strengthen the lumad communities.

In his speech, Duterte expressed his commitment to help the lumads improve their lives. He has allocated P100 million for agricultural assistance and P160 million for housing if they want to relocate to an urban area.

He assured them of more assistance for health, education, jobs, and opportunities to become members of CAFGU.

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“For example, kung magkuha ka sa imo billing, dili ka na necessary moanha sa City Hall. You just have to do it online in the tips of your phones,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza pointed out that when the online transaction wasn’t fully implemented yet in 2016, the city’s collection from business permit renewals only stood at P452 million.

The local government has reported that it has already already collected P10 million from its online payment system since it became fully operational last year.

In addition, Mendoza said the City Treasurer’s Office is expecting a steady increase in collection for business applications in the years to come because of the recent reforms implemented by the local government.

These included the speedy approval process for business permits as well as the strict impl e me nt at i on of t he government’s anti-red tape campaign.

Mendoza said the City Finance Office has already wrapp ed up its annual pro cessing of business permits last January 31, with the final number of registered enterprises, both recurring and new, tallied at more than 14,000.

The figures represented an increase of 3,000 compared with the 2017 record of only 11,000.

Mendoza said the local government is now focusing on the renewal of business permits of the hundreds of concessionaires in its public markets and other LGUcontrolled enterprises.

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to Malaysia, but we also bring Davao closer to our extensive network of destinations in Asean, Northeast Asia, South Asia, Australasia, the Middle East and the US,” Aireen Omar, AirAsia Deputy Group CEO - Digital, Transformation, Corporate Services, said.

Omar, who led Air Asia team on Thursday night’s celebration of Air Asia’s launch of the KL-Davao flight in December last year, said the KL-Davao route is the third direct route from Malaysia to the Philippines after Manila and Cebu.

AirAsia also connects guests to other cities in the Philippines including Clark, Manila, Caticlan, Kalibo, Tacloban, Palawan, Cebu and Tagbilaran.

She said there is an average 80 percent load factor since its launching. Air Asia now flies four times weekly.

“Davao is a strategic gateway. Air Asia can connect Davao City to other (Asian) cities. We have our Asian network,” Omar said in an interview on the sidelines of the event at the Marco Polo Hotel.

In her speech, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio thanked Air Asia for believing in the capacity, potential and the promise of the city.

“We will do our best and we will not disappoint you,” Duterte-Carpio said.

Duterte-Carpio said the route would open up a window of various opportunities for many sectors.

She vowed that the city will do everything to make the Davao tourism experience as enjoyable covering all fronts from tourist sites, accommodations, dining options, peace and order, traffic and transportation and all aspects fundamental to a travelling experience.

The mayor announced that the city breached the two million tourist arrivals and hoped to achieve better numbers this year.

“Rest assured we in the city government will do everything to make the Davao tourism experience as enjoyable,” she said.

Omar said Air Asia is also committed to growing tourism beyond the most famous tourism hotspots.

Department of Tourism (DoT)-XI director Antonio Fernando Blanco, who has just assumed the Davao regional office, said the KLDavao direct connection will not only boost Davao tourism industry but other neighboring cities.

He s ai d t h i s wou l d even increase trade such as exporting tuna to Malaysia.

“Pwede naman kasi yung Gensan (tuna exporters) pupunta dito (This can be done because gensan (tuna exporters) come here)” he said in an interview.

Blanco said the KL-Davao City route will open up other market.

“Davao City is a natural magnet considering that this one of the ten most livable cities,” Blanco stressed.

Air Asia also announced it has opened the celebratory all-in-fares from PHP1599 (promotional all-in-fares for one-way travel only inclusive of taxes) one-way are available for booking online at airasiadotcom.

The promotional fare is open for booking from February 1 through February 18, 2018 for the travel period

between now until 31 July 2018. The promotional fares are also available on AirAsia’s mobile app on iPhone and Android devices.

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the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

He said Lumads may want oil palm and other agriculture-based projects or, if they agree, go into a mining partnership.

Duterte asked for a map showing the distribution of Lumads (Indigenous Peoples) in NPA-influenced areas and said “ako na mismo” (I will personally)… “ako na’y mamili sa investor” (I will choose the investor), he told the Panagtagbo alang sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan (Gathering for Peace and Progress): An Indigenous Peoples Leaders’ Summit, at the covered court of Camp Panacan.

“Ako na mismo para walang graft and corruption,” he said.

He pointed to where the Lumads in NPA-influenced areas: the Manobo, Ata, Matigsalug “dito sa bandang Apo, Talomo Mountain” and Manobo and Higaonon in Andap Valley Complex in Surigao del Sur. He said the Manobo and Higaonon Lumads in “Kitanglad mountain (in Bukidnon), Loreto, San Juan, Esperanza” in Agusan del Sur (there is no San Juan in Agusan Sur but San Luis, San Francisco and Santa Josefa), may, if they agree, enter into a partnership with mining firms while B’laans in Malapatan, Alabel and Maitum in Sarangani may want to focus on agriculture.

He acknowledged that government has neglected the Lumads but he is trying to find a way. “Karon, gitagaan mo’g ancestral domain. Ang problema, wala ninyo gamita” (You were given your ancestral domain. The problem is, you didn’t use it), he said.

He said he is aware of fighting within the tribes over prospective investors.

“I’m just being brutally frank with you.”

“Tinuod man na because it is owned in common.

Wala’y individual titles ang ancestral home” (It’s true because it commonly owned.

There are no individual titles for ancestral home), he said.

“Pero ug mag sige lang mo’g samok, wala g yu’y mahitabo. So ako’y mamili sa investor” (But if you keep on fighting, nothing will happen. So I will choose the investor), the President said.

In a statement, Jerome Succor Aba, co-chair of Sandugo Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination, said “it is your government and the corporations that are making trouble.”

Oil palm, Mining Duterte, who ser ved as mayor of Davao City for 22 years, recalled how Paquibato district, an area considered to be held by

the NPA, would have been developed now as investors wanted to put up an oil palm plantation there.

He said the people of Paquibato objected to the entry of oil palm allegedly because it will affect the water supply. But Duterte asked: “Unsaon man diay ang tubig? Pasagdan lang nimo na sa ilalom sa yuta? Ug makatabang nato na?” (What will we do with the water?

Leave it under ground? What if that can help us?).

“What’s the valid reason for disallowing the planting of (oil palm)? ” Duterte asked., adding palm oil has many uses, among them for biodiesel.

“So ako na’y mangita ug investor. Muingon mo’g dili mo’g mina, eh ‘di dili.

Wa’y mina. Ug muingon mo’g gihugaw-hugawan ang inyong lugar, barahon nato” (So I will look for an investor.

If you say you don’t like mining, then there will be no mining. If you say they are polluting your area, we will prevent them).

Duterte said Manobo and Higaonons in “Kitanglad mountain, Loreto, San Juan, Esperanza” can go into partnership with mining firms, if they agree.

“Imposibleng ‘di pud ka mag-mina. Pero muingon mo’g dili mo, dili nako pugson. So ibawal nako.

So mag-istorya ta” (It is impossible not to mine. But if you don’t like, I will not force you. I will not allow it.

So let’s talk), he said, as he called on Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario.

Del Rosario, concurrent chair of Task Force Bangon Mar aw i, org an i z e d t he Lumad leaders during his stint as commander of the 73rd Infantr y Battalion, 1003rd Infantr y Brigade and Task Force Davao.

Under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, entry of development projects r e q u i r e s t h e L u m a d s’ Free and Prior Informed C ons e nt ( F PIC ) w h i ch means the consensus of all members of the IPs or Lumads, to be determined “in accordance with their respective customary laws and practices, free from any external manipulation, interference and coercion, and obtained after fully disclosing the intent and scope of the activity, in a l ang u a ge an pro c e s s understandable to the community.”

Ancestral domains are communal property that “belongs to all generations and therefore cannot be sold, disposed or destroyed” and covers “sustainable traditional resource rights.”

Duterte asked the Lumads to tell them what they need.

“If you want agriculture alone,” Duterte said, he would have 100 million pesos released the next day (Friday).

MindaNe ws che cke d with Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol on the 100 million pesos and what crops will be planted where. Pinol has yet to send his reply as of 6 pm Friday.

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consumer,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Lydia Apatan, an agricultural extension worker of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte said that Rice-Corn Blend is a welcome initiative of DA. “Aside f rom helping lessen the dependency of rice among Filipinos, it is a healthy alternative since corn has low glycemic index and high in fiber,” she said.

Glycemic index is a number associated with the carbohydrates in a particular food that indicates the effect of these carbohydrates on a person’s blood glucose or commonly called blood sugar.

Und e r t h e Nat i on a l Corn Staple Development Plan, DA aims to increase production of quality flint corn for nutrition and food security, and increase income of farmers specifically to increase production of flint corn from 1.952M metric ton (MT) in 2017 to 4.91M mt by 2022.

Corn (flint type) serves as staple food of about 15% of the total population, mostly in the islands of Visayas and Mindanao in the form of corn grits. (APArais, DA-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga)

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The first phase with an allocation of P20-million will cover the foundation and the ground floor, while the P59.7 will cover the completion of the whole building.

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You CAN become successful and reach your full potential.

Just ask Jesus Christ to take control of your life every day, and He’ll help you to forgive and forget the past hurts, so you can move on to become all He made you to be. Just Think a Minute…

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depressed.

The behaviour we exhibit online can be used to inform diagnostic and screening tools – so the opinion of Chris Danforth, University of Vermont.

But far beyond this quick and sometimes amusing scan of emotional and social styles (AnalyzeWords tells you i f y ou’re m ore “Sp a c y / ValleyGirl” than average), researchers are exploring profound questions about mental health.

Te l l i n g s i g n a l s o f depression include an increase in negative words (“no”, “never”, “prison”, “murder”) and a decrease in positive ones (“happy”, “ b e a c h”, a n d “p h o t o” ) , but these are hardly d e f i n i t i v e . Ta k i n g i t a step further, researchers at Ha r v a rd Un i v e r s i t y, Stanford University and the University of Vermont extracted a wider range of features (mood, language and context) from almost 280,000 tweets. The resulting computational

model scored highly on i d e nt i f y i n g u s e r s w i t h d e pre ss i on ; it a ls o w as correct in about nine of every 10 PTSD predictions.

The ratio of positive to negative words was a key predictor within the model, says Chris Danforth, one of the researchers a n d F l i nt p r o f e s s o r o f mathematical, natural and technical sciences at the Universit y of Ver mont.

Other strong predictors included increased tweet word count.

What to do with all this information?

Empowerment would be a good start.

R e s e r v at i ons p e rs i st more broadly in this field, though, especially a r o u n d p r i v a c y. W h a t if digital traces of your mental health become visible to all? You might be targeted by pharmaceutical companies or face discrimination from employers and insurers.

In addition, some of these typ es of proj e c ts aren’t subj e c t to t he r igorous ethical oversight of clinical trials. Users are frequently unaware t heir d at a has been mined. Yes, include me in. And -maybe- you too!

As privacy and internet ethics scholar Michael Zimmer once explained, “Ju s t b e c au s e p e r s on a l information is made available in some fashion on a social network, does not mean it is fair game for capture and release to all”.

BBC news made me very thoughtful: Data mining and machine learning o f f e r t h e p o t e nt i a l f o r earlier identification of mental health conditions.

Currently, the time from on s e t of d e p re s s i on t o contact with a treatment provider is six to eight y e a r s ; f o r a n x i e t y, i t’s nine to 23 years. In turn, hopefully we’ll see better o u t c o m e s . Tw o b i l l i o n users engage with social media regularly – these are signals with scalability. As Mark Zuckerberg wrote recently while outlining Facebook’s AI plans, “there have been terribly tragic e v e nt s – l i k e s u i c i d e s , some live streamed – that perhaps could have been prevented if someone h a d r e a l i z e d w h at w a s happening and reported them sooner.”

Quoting BBC again and here, I really strong agree: mental health exists between clinic appointments. It ebbs and flows in real time. It lives in posts and pictures and tweets. Perhaps prediction, diagnosis and healing should live there, too.

S ee you in Facebook a n d Tw i t t e r. O r e m a i l me: doringklaus@gmail. com. And you can als o f o l l ow m e i n L i n k e d In - or just visit my www. g e r m a n e x p at i nt h e p h i l ippines.blogspot.com or -my relaxing place- www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com

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Monday|february 5, 2018