BusinessWeek Mindanao (January 10-11, 2022)

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Volume XII, No. 90

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Briefly Send-off ban DAVAO City - The city government here on Friday reminded the public about the ban on group welcome and send-off in the city’s airports, seaports, and bus terminals as the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) active cases started to increase anew.

“It is not only because of Covid-19 but for reasons of safety and security.

Only employees, workers, drivers, and passengers are allowed in these places,” Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said in a statement.

In February 2020, the mayor announced the permanent ban on greeters or send-off groups in transportation hubs here.

Gun ban THE Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) on Friday announced its implementation of a gun ban as well as the identification of "hotspots" ahead of the national elections in May. In an interview Friday, PRO-10 spokesperson, PLt. Col. Michelle Olaivar, said the gun ban will be implemented on January 9 based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution Numbers 10741 and 10728. "(Also included in the) violation of gun ban are bearing of (other) deadly weapons, which can be considered an election offense," she said.

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BARMM off to good start, gets P200-M investments www.businessweekmindanao.com

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Mon-Tue|January 10-11, 2022

By BONG S. SARMIENTO, MindaNews

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ORONADAL City — The investment climate in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is off to a good start in 2022 with local investors pouring a combined investment worth P200 million in Cotabato City, the seat of government of the Bangsamoro region.

Ishak Mastura, chair of the Bangsamoro Regional Board of Investments (RBOI), said they approved the registration of Pagana Kutawato Corp. (PKC) and Hanabana Construction and Equipment Corp. (HCEC) on Wednesday, January 5.

“This is a good start for the year and we hope that more investments will come to BARMM this year in order to make up for the jobs lost and economic activity curtailed by the (COVID-19) pandemic,” he said in a statement.

Last year, Cotabato City, which voted for inclusion in the BARMM during the 2019 plebiscite to ratify Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM, registered investments worth almost P400 million, Mastura said.

BARMM/PAGE 6

GOOD SAMARITAN. Residents in Barangay San Mateo in the municipality of Burgos in Siargao Island receive relief goods from Good Samaritans who visited the area Wednesday, January 6. Typhoon “Odette” devastated many parts of the island. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto

2 'Omicron' cases tagged in NorMin, DOH-10 confirms THE Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) on Friday confirmed that two of the 43 recently recorded Omicron variant cases in the country are constituents of the region.

DOH-10 Director Jose Llacuna Jr., in an online conference, said the two patients – a student and a seaman - are residents of this city and nearby Iligan

City, respectively.

D r. St e p h a n i G r a c e Zamora, cluster head for D OH-10's Regional Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU), said the Iligan case was a 40-year-old seaman who arrived in the Philippines via Qatar Airways on December 16, 2021.

"He tested positive on December 20 in an isolation TAGGED/PAGE 6

No 'Traslacion' during Feast of Black Nazarene in CDO

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

FOR the second straight year, the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9 will be sober due to a spike in local COVID-19 cases.

Church officials canceled the “Traslacion” or procession of the image of the Black Nazarene, pre viously a yearly ritual that started at

the Nazareno parish church and ended at the Cagayan de Oro Metropolitan Cathedral.

M o n s i g n o r Pe r s e u s Cabunoc, parish priest of the Nazareno church said the religious activity will start instead at 3am on Sunday.

Cabunoc said the image of the Black Nazarene will be

brought out of the Nazareno church for a motorcade around the city.

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Jose Cabantan will also break tradition by saying the Mass at the Nazareno church instead of at the cathedral.

In previous years, thousands of devotees would TRASLACION/PAGE 6

Cash aid for rice farmers PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a bill authorizing direct monetary assistance to rice farmers, who are among the hardest-hit members of the industry as a result of the pandemic.

Republic Act No. 11589 or the Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act will support rice farmers tilling two hectares or less until 2024.

The law noted “the urgency of intervening for our farmers in light of the current state of declining palay prices and the crippling effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ma Dinah Niña T. Vicera is an 18-year-old student at MOGCHS. She wants to become a soldier just like her father, Staff Sgt. Renante T. Baculi, a member of the Phil. Army's Scout Ranger, from Butuan City. At a young age, she is already learning how to use a handgun and shoot it at a target range inside Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro. on Jan 7. 2022. photo by gerry lee gorit

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Another P600-K smuggled cigarettes seized in Zambo Peninsula ZAMBOANGA City – Security forces have intercepted another shipment of smuggled cigarettes worth P590,000, bringing to more than P2.4 million the contrabands seized during the past two days in Region 9, authorities said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Franco Simborio, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) director, said the latest batch of assorted smuggled cigarettes shipment was seized on midnight Thursday in Barangay Buenavista, this city.

“Before the confiscation, troopers from the Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Company were conducting a checkpoint in Barangay

Curuan when a speeding vehicle passed by and did not stop,” he said.

The troops alerted their companions stationed at the detachment in Barangay Muti but the vehicle did not show up prompting the 74th IB troops to launch a search.

Simborio said the vehicle along with its cargo was later found abandoned in nearby Barangay Buenavista, which is located between Curuan and Muti.

The troops turned over the vehicle and the contraband to the Zamboanga City Police Office’s (ZCPO) Station 2, which in turn handed the seized commodities to the Bureau of Customs (BOC SEIZED/PAGE 6

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Distribution of relief packs in Siargao unhampered B UTUAN City – The distribution of relief packs in the different municipalities in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte remained unhampered as support continued to grow from different sectors, both in the government and private sectors.

Surigao del Norte First District Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II, in a statement Friday, said the number of relief packs delivered to distressed residents in the island has increased since December 30 last month.

From 81,000 relief packs on December 30, the number of deliveries

has doubled to 190,000 relief packs as of Friday, Matugas reported.

“We have built more fluid supply links to sites hard to reach, such as Socorro. The distribution rate there has moved up from December’s 83 percent to the recent rate of 202 percent,” Matugas said.

Data provided by the office of the solon showed that 20,543 relief packs have already been delivered to Socorro town as of Friday benefitting around 10,143 families.

The same data also indicated that 20,691 relief packs have been distributed as of Friday to 2,980 families in Santa Monica town; 6,652 packs to 1,876 families in San Benito; 28,659 packs to 8,441 families in Del Carmen; and 7,414 packs to 1,405 families in Burgos; and 9,440 packs to 2,302 families in San

Isidro.

The data added that 16,988 packs have already been given to 3,539 families in the town of Pilar; 24,994 packs to 8,383 families in Gen. Luna; and 57,908 packs to 14,153 families in Dapa.

Matugas also clarified that since December 30, distribution rates in the towns in Siargao have increased as more relief assistance has arrived on the island.

In Santa Monica, as of Friday, six rounds of relief distributions have already been conducted; five rounds in Burgos; four rounds in the towns of San Isidro, Dapa, and Pilar; three rounds in Del Carmen and San Benito; and two rounds in Gen. Luna and Socorro.

“Big thanks to our partners and all the workers on the ground.

We are mobilizing relief goods non-stop, inspired

by our communities’ will to move beyond damage,” Matugas said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 13 (Caraga) said 2,500 additional family food packs (FFPs) have arrived in Siargao Island on Friday through the support of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The additional FFPs will be distributed starting Saturday in the towns of Gen. Luna, Pilar, Burgos, and San Isidro.

“Despite the ongoing challenge of transporting the goods into the island municipalities, in coordination with PNP, BFP, and the PCG, the said FFPs were transported and are now in transit to each municipality,” the DSWD13 said. (PNA)

The most effective teaching strategy for the 21st century learners

By GLORIA B. SAYSON Secondary School Teacher III Ozamiz City National High School

AS to how important any subject is, teachers create an impact as to whether or not students have captured the concepts of the said subject every time they deliver certain topics. The interest felt by the students for the subject is generated by the teacher. If TLE is taught in an interesting and inviting way, it is certain that students will gain at least enough interest to listen and learn from the lessons discussed.

Group learning is the main approach to organize collaborative learning. There are many collaborative learning methods which also can be considered as group learning methods and popularly used in a

classroom-based environment. A common approach must be found which can be used to stimulate a small learning group based on different collaborative learning methods.

On the other hand, the optimal solution is to model any small group learning method.

Some experiences can be applied to the small common group learning process.

Collaborative learning is often used as synonym for cooperative learning when in fact, it is a separate strategy that encompasses a broader range of group interactions such as developing learning communities, simulating students and faculty discussions and encouraging electronic exchanges.

School Children Health Problems Need Solution SITTI WADZNA H. SENTILLAS, Master Teacher-I Kibungsod Central School Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental

The health problems of our school children nowadays could be compared as a national emergency which re a l ly ne e d im me d i ate attention by the concerned officials and government agencies. Childhood obesity and children showing signs of future illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other ‘flagship’ symptoms related to poor

nutrition and lack of exercise are mushrooming each and every day. This concerning trend must be reversed by finding solutions to the vexing problem of getting children to eat healthier meals regularly.

But it is not a simple as putting a healthy and balanced meal in front of a child. There is a lot more things that need to be done.

Study shows that less

than half of the pupils in our country today to use school canteens. Many of them bring packed lunch often unhealthy, buy junk food from local shops or go without a meal during the day when they need to take in healthy food to supplement their concentration and over-all wellbeing. My research shows that a large number of pupils spend the money given to them by their parents on sweetstypically a chocolate bar, bag of crisps and soft drinks.

Traditional school vendors are likely to be blamed. They usually sell outside public schools’ vicinities where they are always after of the profit just to survive even though they are missing the point of good nutrition.

Thus, many pupils are not eating properly, leaving school premises, not arriving on time for lessons and have poor concentration.

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MON-TUE|JANUARY 10-11, 2022

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MFTC, Inc. said it would invest P10 billion into agriculture and outsourcing development in the Philippines.

“In 2022 and 2021, we have pledged to invest P10 billion into creating about 1,000 jobs in the economy, on top of what we pay in excise taxes,” PMFTC President Denis Gorkun told ABS-CBN News Channel on Thursday.

“This will go directly to supporting agriculture improvements. We invest in the BPO (business process outsourcing) sector as well as giving direct help to small and medium enterprises here

in the Philippines.”

The Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International has not yet responded to a request for details on the investments.

Excise taxes on cigarettes this year went up by P5 to P55 per pack compared to 2021.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2019 signed Republic Act No. 11346, which gradually raises cigarette excise tax to P60 per pack by 2023, and then by 5% every year thereafter.

Smuggling and illegal manufacturing of cigarettes have been increasing as excise taxes rise.

Mr. Gorkun said there should be a balance between increasing the government’s revenue stream and stopping illicit cigarette trade.

“The key is, in 2024 — when this excise tax law-prescribed increases that are there come to an end — of course is to craft a new road map with gradual, well balanced tax increases that provide a predictable revenue stream yet avoid some of the bigger pitfalls of increasing smuggled goods.”

He said the pandemicrelated lockdowns and job losses affected industry sales as consumers flock to

Literacy of children amidst pandemic

By PHOEBE MARIE G. ENGUITO

THE shift from offline to online classes in the past 20 months has not only changed the learning experience for schoolchildren but also the way educational institutions are run.

The early winners have clearly been those who have invested in infrastructure to boost their network capability while retraining their teachers to handle the new normal. At the same time, the pandemic has also revealed how lack of digital access has created a new class of haves and have nots in the educational scenario.

While we switched to online education due to Covid-19, many other countries have

already made it part of their curriculum.

We can move ahead only once we realize that digital literacy is inevitable and that teachers will have to adapt their attitude and methodology accordingly.

Parents and DepEd may still be figuring out the nuances of online education but children are far ahead of the curve. The kids are quick enough to learn on their own today. Their teachers have to update to match them. The age of children plays a role in how they absorb information online. At the primary level, the students use online classes more as a way to connect with their teacher and classmates rather than to learn.

cheaper products.

“The illicit sector, of course, is benefiting from that because those products don’t pay tax.

That’s why they are significantly cheaper.”

The Department of Finance has said that it estimates illicit cigarettes account for up to 10%

of the market, quoting industry figures.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said most illicit cigarette sellers are caught by the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, reducing the number of illicit cigarettes sold in the country.

Excise tax collections on cigarettes rose 31% to P83 billion as of July in 2021 as tax rates increase and sales figures recovered.

PMFTC contributed to half of the total, or P42.04 billion in excise tax payments in the sevenmonth period.

THE will no longer be hard lockdowns amid the spike in cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), made worse by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

In a statement Friday, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said they were assured by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials that the government will not implement massive lockdowns anymore.

Instead, restrictions will be focused on the unvaccinated.

Newly elected PCCI officials paid a virtual courtesy call on DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and other trade officials on Thursday.

George Barcelon was

elected PCCI president anew after his previous term in 2015.

Other elected PCCI officials that joined the courtesy visit were architect Felino Palafox, vice president; engineer Eunina Mangio, vice president; Perry Ferrer, vice president; Sergio Ortiz-Luis, director and treasurer; Samie Lim, director; Alfredo Yao, director; Alegria Sibal Limjoco, former president and chair; Dr. Alberto Fenix and Edgardo Lacson, past presidents; Sallie Lacson, area vice president for South Luzon; Tess Ngan Tian, area vice president for NCR; and Ruben Pascual, secretary general.

The other DTI officials in the meeting were

Undersecretaries Ceferino Rodolfo, Rafaelita Aldaba, Blessy Lantayona, and Ireneo Vizmonte, and Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty.

“We are happy that the government is no longer imposing hard lockdowns as a safeguard measure against increasing Omicron cases. Otherwise, it would be difficult again for our economy to recover if businesses will be shut down,” Barcelon said.

He also extended the request of the largest business group for inclusion in the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases so they can properly relay the issues and recommendations of the ASSURES/PAGE 7

No more massive lockdowns, DTI assures business sector

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Opinion

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Stick out your tongue Think a minute… Has your doctor asked you to stick out your tongue? Often that is one of the first things doctors examine in a patient, because sometimes they can know what is wrong with you simply by looking at your tongue.

Our tongue also gives away other things about us.

For example, our accent and way of speaking shows what country and region we come from, as well as the kind of family in which we were raised. But most importantly, our tongue shows what is inside our heart and mind.

We usually talk about the things we enjoy and care most about—whether it is money, family, friends, hobbies, sports, parties, gossip, politics, religion or other things.

A wise man said: ”Don’t let your tongue cut your throat.” If that small, twoounce piece of flesh in your mouth is not controlled, it can actually destroy your relationships and life.

Most of the time, we act well and control our tongue. We choose our words carefully so we can

THINK A MINUTE

MON-TUE|JANUARY 10-11, 2022

Amazing & Compassionate Arch. Tony Ledesma, S.J.

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ORLAN R. RAVANERA When people are informed and conscienticized, collective actions follow.

This had been the case of the ecological people in the uplands of Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon when upon knowing that indeed, there was no such thing as rule of law in environment, they readily took direct actions through human barricades to stop the massive flow of illegally-cut logs.

No less than His Eminence Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, S.J., who was then a priest and the Director of SEARSOLIN in 1991 reported to us that

some fifty ten-wheeler trucks carrying illegally cut logs were passing Cagayan de Oro from twelve midnight to four o’clock in the morning as he instructed his staff to monitor. When a security guard took pictures of these trucks, an armed escort ran after the guard. Thus, no way can deforestation be stopped but through people’s direct actions.

For ten-years, human barricades went on, beginning first in 1991 with some 300 farmers, Indigenous People and fisherfolk, lying in the street and dared logging trucks to run-over them before these 50 logging trucks every night could pass. Then, in 1999, the number of barricades went up to 6,000 and finally, we put in clear categorical term the statement, “The people united can never be defeated.”

Finally, the rule of law won.

Why? This time, the people d i re c t a c t i ons are n ot

anymore on barricading logging trucks. This time, the actions are long term on a much broader context but the strategy remains: mobilize the collective power of the people, especially those in the margins so that they can be drawn into the mainstream of development processes.

Yes, for those who have dreamt, advocated, sacrificed, and even died for it, social change has been so elusive all these years, despite 14 years of Martial Law and two people-powered revolutions.

The systems and structures that perpetuate oppression, social injustice and poverty are still as formidable as ever.

Three questions should now be asked: Who Controls?

Who Decides? Who Profits?

Yes, only a few oligarchs.

How do we then democratize wealth and power in a highly skewed societal order? Only by putting power where it rightfully belongs – to the people. But first the people must be awakened.

But, when Veritas is spoken or written, there will always be corresponding countermeasure from those who cannot moderate their greed. This is true in the 70’s in Panalsalan, Maramag, Bukidnon where the Higaonons, who were once masters of the land became the slaves of a powerful rancher.

This is even truer now in the life of some 13 million member-consumer-owners (MCOs) of so-called Electric Cooperatives who until now are deprived of ownership of their respective ECs. Such is the height of social injustice, a Trojan Horse perpetuating a historical deception to some 13 million MCOs with a critical mass of 55 million people in a family of five.

For a nation that is still in deep slumber, the reason why social injustice committed against the Indigenous Peoples or the MCOs (memberconsumer-owners) of socalled electric cooperatives LEDESMA/PAGE 7

Omicron variant: close to home WITH Level 3 now in place in vulnerable areas where the latest Omicron variant is spreading its sting like wildfire, Cagayan de Oro may soon join the fray if the surges are not controlled, nor squared off to a manageable level.

As a drastic measure, Malacanang had ordered the arrest of unvaccinated individuals who violate the IATF’s stay home policy.

Already the world have made tremendous strides against coronavirus disease, yet new variants are keeping us at bay as we straddle for herd immunity.

That said, the newest variant is on a rampage and without let up.

And new cases have been recorded and had hit a thousand-fold, worldwide.

But here’s the catch: this Omicron variant from Africa may become a source of herd immunity, according to a Filipino-American Priest turned Biologist who was earlier offered by Malacanang to lead the country’s health agency.

Omicron is milder, and once felt, anyone could be immune of getting Covid 19 virus.

Filipino-American s c i e nt i s t Fr. Ni c a n or Austriaco sees this scenario of Onmicron presence as prelude to the end of corona virus.

He also hopes to beat the

coronavirus with a vaccine being developed by his team using baker’s yeast.

By using bio-engineered yeast, the common singlecelled f ungal cells, Fr. Austriaco, a Catholic priestturned Scientist hopes to transform Covid 19 into a common cold.

The goal from this scrappy vaccine is not to prevent us from getting Covid, he says.

It’s actually to prevent us from getting severe Covid that will require hospitalisation.

With all sorts of vaccines coming in by plane loads, pretty soon, life will be back to old normal.

But health experts say it will take a year and a half before a normalcy is felt and

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA enjoyed on a global scale.

It is unclear though what percentage of our population needs to be vaccinated, or recovered from COVID-19 before herd immunity kicks in.

Between 60-70 percent and then as high as 90 percent OMICRON/PAGE 7

Bunye v. Sandiganbayan

JHAN TIAFAU HURST impress other people with our kind, polite manner and way of speaking. But then if somebody wrongs or hurts us, watch out! It’s then that we quickly react out of pride and anger to lash out and hurt them in return.

It is in those unexpected pressure times that what is really in our heart comes out in our words. In that moment, the real you comes shining through. Your reactions reveal your true feelings of anger, pride, prejudice, pain or bitterness. It is then that we show what we really are—underneath the nice, controlled person we act like in front of others. It is our “re-actions” that show TONGUE/PAGE 7

L a s t we e k’s ar t i c l e on former SC Chief Justice Art Panganiban elicited quite a few queries about how CJ Art and other SC justices, saved me from going to prison in 1999. Allow me to reprise the story, which earlier appeared in my latest book “Mira and Other Essays”.

For me, the Alabang public market never ceases to evoke mixed memories, initially of defeat and rejection but finally, of triumph and vindication.

On July 26, 1995, the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan, composed of Associate Justices Romeo M. Escareal, chairman; Minita Chico-Nazario and Roberto M. Lagman, rendered the following decision involving me, then-Vice Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi and some members of the Muntinlupa local council, to wit: “WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered finding accused Ignacio Bunye y Rivera, Jaime Fresnedi y de

la Rosa, Carlos Tensuan y Gutierrez, Roman Niefes y Esporlas, Nemesio Mozo y Rillana, Rufino Joaquin y Bunye, Nolasco Diaz y Lampitoc, Roger Smith y de la Cruz and Rufino Ibe y Lacanilao GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt as coprincipals in the violation of Section 3, paragraph (e) of …. the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and each of them are hereby sentenced to …. imprisonment ranging from SIX (6) YEARS and ONE (1) MONTH, as the minimum, to TEN (10) YEARS and ONE (1) DAY, as the maximum, to indemnify, jointly and severally, the offended party, the Kilusang B ay an s a Pag l i l i ng ko d Ng Mga Magtitinda ng Bagong Pamilihang Bayan ng Munt in lup a, Inc. (KBMBPM) in the amount of P13,479,900.00 as actual damages, and to pay their proportionate share of the costs of this action.”

I just could not believe

it. Here I was, the son of a former prisons director, now possibly going to prison.

Earlier, my co-accused and I suffered the humiliation of being jailed overnight at the NBI detention cell until we posted bail. Subsequently, while the case was on-going, we were also preventively suspended for a period of 90 days.

We were charged for alleged violation of the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. To the laymen, graft and corruption automatically meant we made money.

My political opponents immediately went to town proclaiming: “Si Bunye mapi preso na. Nagnakaw kasi!”

But it was farthest from the truth. In fact, my coaccused and I were protecting the interest of the municipal government by trying to undo what was evidently and manifestly a grossly disadvantageous contract which was entered into by my immediate predecessor.

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE Without public bidding, my immediate predecessor leased the Alabang public market to KBMBPM, a cooperative, for a period of 25 years, automatically renewable for another 25 years. The whole public market, with a footprint of 1.6 hectares, was leased for a measly P35,000 a month, with no escalation from the 6th to the 25th year. Immediately thereafter, KBMBPM flipped the contract and subleased market stalls for a total of P700,000 a month.

T h e Me t ro Man i l a BUNYE/PAGE 7

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Duterte signs amended Philippine Veterans Bank charter PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed the revised charter of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) to provide immediate and adequate benefits and other forms of assistance to all Filipino war veterans and retired military personnel, including their family members, “in recognition of the patriotic services in times of war and peace for the cause of freedom and democracy.”

Republic Act (RA) 11597, which amends RA 3518 or the law creating

the Philippine Veterans Bank, was signed by Mr. Duterte on Dec. 10, 2021.

Under the law, the state must execute a viable plan to foster the socio-economic security and general well-being of veterans by extending support for their livelihood and implementing incomegenerating projects through the Philippine Veterans Bank.

The bank’s place of business is now in Legaspi Village, Makati City from Manila City previously.

CHARTER/PAGE 7

Banks leave rediscount facility untouched in December LENDERS did not tap the central bank’s rediscount facility in December as loan growth remained relatively slow.

“For the period 01 January to 31 December 2021, total availments of banks against their rediscount loans remain unchanged at P6.12 million for loans under the peso rediscount facility,” the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a statement on Friday.

Banks also left the Exporters’ Dollar and Yen

Rediscount Facility (EDYRF) untouched.

The BSP’s rediscount window gives banks access to additional money supply by posting their collectibles from clients as collateral.

Banks may then use the cash — in peso, dollar or yen denominations — to grant loans to corporate or retail clients and service unexpected withdrawals.

In 2021, banks only tapped the central bank’s rediscount facility in June, July, and September.

Bank lending has been

relatively slow in recent months, which reduced the need to tap the BSP’s rediscount window, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

“Banks also have other options for funding such as the interbank market and the capital markets, in view of the increase in fundraising/investment banking activities in recent months, thereby also reducing the need for banks to tap the BSP rediscounting facility,” he

said.

Outstanding loans issued by big banks went up 4% year on year to P9.349 trillion in November 2021, quicker than the 3.5% expansion in October 2021 and marking the fourth straight month of annual growth in lending.

Meanwhile, for January, the central bank said peso rediscount loans are priced at 2.5%, regardless of maturity.

On the other hand, the rates for dollar and yen rediscount loans, regardless of maturity, are 2.20913% and 1.924%, respectively.

3 Evils Hounding Budget to End Under Lacson Presidency "Unused," "misused," and "abused." These three evils that have hounded our national budget and robbed Filipinos of basic government services such as health and education will finally be stopped under a Lacson presidency.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson vowed this Saturday after noting that the poor implementation of items in the budget - whether through incompetence or corruption - had wasted hundreds of billions of pesos that could have gone to livelihood and social services.

This is in line with his commitments of "Uubusin ang Magnanakaw" (getting rid of thieves) and "Aayusin ang Gobyerno" (fixing the ills of government).

"Ito ang dapat i-correct. Kung maiayos ang ating kaban ng bayan, ang laking magagawa sana para sa health needs and education (Three evils have hounded the budget and these should be corrected. Once we use our budget properly, imagine how much funds we will have to address needs such as health and education)," Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, said in an interview on DWIZ. "Yan ang talagang sisiguraduhin namin ni SP. Ako 18 taon pinagaralan ang budget, alam namin ano ang gagawin diyan (SP Sotto and I will make sure those three evils will not happen under our watch. I scrutinized the budget for 18 years. We know what to do)," he added, referring

to his Vice Presidential candidate Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto, who is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Lacson, who earned a reputation as an eagleeyed watchdog of the national budget during his three six-year terms in the Senate, noted that from 2011 to 2020, an average of P328 billion had gone unused.

A second evil hounding the budget involves misuse, where projects do not undergo proper planning and consultation.

This includes the insertion of funds for "pet" projects of legislators in the budget bill without consulting with the implementing agencies as a result, the agencies have no idea how to

implement the projects.

But the worst evil is the abuse of the budget - such as transferring the funds of the Department of Health to the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service to enter into disadvantageous supply contracts with dubious suppliers such as Pharmally Corp.

"Ang pinakamalala sa Pharmally, inabuso ang paggamit, binulsa (The worst by far is the case involving Pharmally. This was a clear case of abuse of public funds because taxpayers' money went to the pockets of some crooked individuals)," Lacson lamented.

"Nakagawian natin ang national budget di sineseryoso (For so long we have not taken the budget seriously)," he

added.

Lacson said he is capable of stopping these three evils in the budget, having stopped corruption when he rid the Philippine National Police of the "kotong" culture when he headed it from 1999 to 2001; and repeatedly exposing corruption cases as senator.

"Sa tinagal-tagal ko sa serbisyo, sa militar, sa pulis, sa lehislatura, ni minsan di ako tumanggap ng suhol. Importante ang track record (I have been so long in the service - in the military, police and legislature. I have never accepted any bribe. It is important to consider track record)," he said.

Education Beyond the New Normal: Stance on Online Learning by: MA. ROMILA D. UY, HT III ALUBIJID NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCCHOOL

Almost two years, since the first lockdown was announced in the country due to a novel coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic forced every offices, institutions, shops, malls, restaurants, schools, and colleges has shut down. Everyone suffered losses in one way or another, be it the loss in monetary terms or life loss. Education system losses during this pandemic , the system of education change just to cope the years and the damages done .

The pandemic turned the whole education system into online mode.

Before the year of 2020, did we ever imagine not going to school or college and still be able to study or give exams from the comfort of our homes?

For almost two years, the whole system of education has changed, that we never even imagined that this will happen. Online education in these difficult times saved the loss of education. Also, online learning saved the jobs of people in the profession of teaching. This big change from offline education to online education was difficult for students, as well as to the teachers, who tries to cope the situation of what has been heard, witness, experience during the pandemic.

But still, in these time of tribulations, online learning proved itself as an alternative tool to reach and continue education and life.

In this new normal education there is still in-depth and the problems faced by students and teachers adapting to this new normal. As the coronavirus keeps on fluctuating, online learning is the only way to help the students save their precious years of education in schools. Online learning retained education to it’s limelight with the help of the hardworking teachers, who painstakingly, and willingly offered extra services to the learners. Department of Education, excellently planned and coped time to cover the new normal education and able to offer help to the teachers and to the learners as well, the institution perhaps provided gadgets like Tablets and others just to adhere the needs of the learners. The old system of education has changed drastically. Today, the students was not cultured/learned in the classrooms but in the comfort of their homes. The use of technology was always increasing and was benefitting a lot of various sectors but since the last year of 2020,

upgraded technology has been a savior to everybody. The use of the internet made all this online learning possible. When the coronavirus pandemic started last year, everyone was worried about how the students will continue to study? Will this pandemic make millions of students deprived of the basic fundamental rights to education? The schools and colleges decided to shift to online classes to help the students complete their academic years. In these covid times, it became difficult for the parents, balancing their work life, house chores and facilitating the lessons of their kids. Teachers on the other hand were able to keep up their job and had helped the learners to continue education.

Initially, the Department of

Education adopted online learning and other modalities of learning as temporar y measures. The Department of Education was not ready for online education at all.

The schools and the teachers faced many problems in conducting all these online classes. Online learning came as a saviour but with many issues. In the Division of Misamis Oriental alone, if schools are in urban areas face difficulty balancing studies and accessing on online learning, just think about what rural areas are going through? In the areas where mere electricity and internet connectivity is hard to get, how will a person be able to get a secure internet connection?

“Am I audible? Am I visible?

Can you see the screen I shared?

I cannot attend or take the class today because of bad connectivity issues.” These are the common dialogues now, on which our whole academic career is dependent. The challenges all the stakeholders of the Department of Education battled while conducting online classes are numerous and these challenges overshadow the benefits of online learning sometimes. For the people who have been using mobile phones and laptops daily,

it is no task for them to take online classes and understand all these new features. But many people do even have access to smartphones and for them to use these new applications to take classes while managing to secure a good network is difficult.

But, Regions and different divisions made sure that other learning modalities will be offered to the learners who cannot afford to have an access to online learning.

Everyone hoped that things would return to normal after a while, like maybe after a month or so. The old normal of going to schools and colleges. But little did anyone know that returning to classrooms to study and to interact with teachers personally is not gonna happen for a while now and we still do not know.

Due to the pandemic students as well as the teachers are scattered across different places. Returning to classrooms in these distressed times seems like a challenge to the people who are not even living in the respective places. Online education is a key to education that helps students to engage in their studies by staying safe at their homes. God Bless the Learners! Teachers! And the Department of Education.

6

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BARMM... from page 1

Mastura said that with investors pouring their capital in Cotabato City, it could be the potential game changer in the investment profile of the Bangsamoro region, particularly if foreign banks and other financial institution focus on Islamic banking and use the city as their gateway to the Philippines.

The newly registered PKC, which is investing some P100.2 million, is a “onestop shop” company serving Cotabato City and nearby provinces. It is engaged in hotel and tourism, with a halal certified restaurant, mini-grocery store, laundry shop, among others, in its premises, the RBOI said.

A report issued by the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) said KPC “will establish a tourism type of hotel and restaurants using container vans to attract more tourists or visitors to the city.”

“Our purpose of expanding our hotels and restaurants in a new innovative design is to cope with the increasing demand of our visitors on accommodations and food,” lawyer Anwar Malang, who owns the company, said.

Malang was also aiming to promote their halal native food and delicacies in the city to boost tourism-related industries in the area, the BIO reported.

According to the RBOI, the HCEC will provide bulk

water supply and treatment facility for Cotabato City and nearby municipalities.

The project is worth P96. 3 and will generate 83 jobs.

Engr. Samim Yusoph, HCEC coordinator, said they were contracted by the Metro Cotabato Water District (MCWD) to build a bulk source of potable water system in the city using its modified water equipment or technology.

“As agreed in the contract, the MCWD will not pay any single centavo for the use of our water technology or equipment but the volume of water to be pumped out going to the residences in Cotabato City of around 7,000 cubic meters daily will be payable by them monthly once it is operated,” the BIO quoted him as saying.

In 2021, the Bangsamoro region approved investments worth P2.8 billion, up from P14 million in 2020, RBOI records show.

Traslacion... from page 1

fill the streets of Cagayan de Oro during the “Traslacion” or procession of the Black Nazarene until the COVID-19 pandemic started two years ago.

It is the only one of its kind in Mindanao and a much tamer version of that of Quiapo in Manila. Devotees who cannot afford the cost of traveling to Manila would instead flock here.

The procession on Sunday morning will mark the third

Technology bridges education

By PHOEBE MARIE G. ENGUITO

THE Internet has led to a fairer education while technologies make learning easier and happier. With a cable, a computer and the Internet, online courses can be accessed from any corner of the world. Online education is being used to address the problem of inequality in education between rural and urban areas and between different economic groups and regions but developing technology or applications alone is far from enough.

The core solution is in the equal distribution of education resources and teacher training. In fact, we have abundant learning resources and amazing teachers here in the Philippines. However, the distribution of such

resources is not yet wellbalanced and most of the time not easily accessed by the most needy.

Te c h n o l o g y m e a n s efficiency and flexibility in learning and teaching.

The Internet allows people to study anytime and anywhere. Online courses are open to learners from entirely different academic backgrounds and of all ages.

Learning opportunities for ever yone are widening across the board and lifelong l e ar ni ng is b e c omi ng a reality. Furthermore, accessibility to a fairer education on a larger scale has been made possible by the Internet which facilitates the spread of knowledge and information, allowing people to learn and grow online.

time that the life-sized replica or the “Callejeron” of the Black Nazarene is brought out of the Nazareno church.

Last year, the religious icon was placed on the back of a truck and paraded around the city during its feast day. On Good Friday, the image was again paraded for those who got sick of the coronavirus.

Nick Jabagat, head of the Cagayan de Oro Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said they would put up steel barriers around the church to prevent crowds from touching the image.

“Touching or wiping the image with handkerchiefs would be prohibited,” Jabagat said.

He said they would ensure only 20 vehicles will join the motorcade on Sunday morning.

He said the Nazareno church would only hold 50 percent of its capacity to ensure social distancing.

He, however, said they would not require devotees to show their vaccination cards or QR codes upon entering the church.

The slight uptick in COVID-19 cases was reported in Cagayan de Oro prompting officials to strictly implement health protocols.

Tagged... from page 1

facility in Cebu City and was clinically cleared on December 30 when he headed back to his residence in Iligan City," she said.

The second case was a 20-year-old college student who came from the United States and is currently in isolation in a facility in Manila.

Dr. Jasper Kent Ola, RESDRU-10 chief, said the tagging of the two patients was based on the place of their residence.

"While the patient in Iligan City already recovered, we will be conducting reswabbing for confirmatory tests," he said.

Llacuna also reiterated the importance of getting the vaccine as a basic protection for the new Covid-19 variants.

(PNA)

Seized... from page 2

for proper disposition.

On Wednesday, a joint team of policemen and BOC personnel arrested four persons and seized some P1.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Barangay White Beach, Pagadian City, the

KaHULOGan ng Kalusugan ni: KLAUDINE IXIE OCO-ASUNCION TEACHER III EL SALVADOR CITY CENTRAL SCHOOL

Ayon sa kabihasnan, “Ang kalusugan ay kayamanan.”

Sa ating kultura, ang mga bagay na sinasabi nating “kayamanan” ay ating pinag iingatan.

Sab ay s a ga l aw ng mu n d o, m ar am i - r am i narin sa ating paligid ang patuloy na nagbabago.

Sa buhay, sa mga bagay, sa trabaho – kailangang makipagsabayan upang hindi mapag-iiwanan.

Sa bilis ng daloy ng panahon, ang tanging nasa isip na lamang ay ang pagnanais na makasabay at maka-ahon. Kaya’t kung saan at ano ang “convenient” doon susuong.

Kung mapapansin natin, ang lahat ay mabilisan na. Ang araw-araw na pamumuhay ay tila ba arawaraw na pagpapaligsahan.

Lumiliit ang oras sa bahay at sa sarili. Ang pagpapahinga ay nabibilang na sa “optional.”

Na g l i p a n a n a d i n ang mga masasarap na pagkain—madali at mabilis

mabili. Syempre, sa isang taong nagmamadali, mas madali, mas maigi.

Ip an ap a h ay ag ng Department of Health na, hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ang nagiging dahilan ng kamatayan ng maraming Pilipino ay sakit sa puso.

Maging babae man ito o lalaki. Hindi pa ba natin nakikita ang sanhi ng ating sariling katapusan? Pinagiingatan pa ba natin ang isang kayamanang bigay sa atin? O tayo’y nahuHULOG n a s a i s a n g bit a g s a kagustohang makasabay at maka-ahon?

Isa itong kayamanang dapat nating pagingatan.

Sapagkat ang kalusugan ay hindi natin kayang palitan.

capital of Zamboanga del Sur. Col. Diomarie Albarico, Zamboanga del Sur police director, identified the arrested suspects as Joseph Salem Hammaji, 29, driver; and truck helpers Guldam Wahid Ahaddi, 39; Alkaizer Karah Uddin, 35; and Fahad Juraid, 29.

Albarico said the joint team of policemen and BOC-Dipolog Satellite Office personnel was conducting a checkpoint when they flagged

down a dropside cargo truck with suspicious cargo.

“Upon inspection, the truck was found loaded with 73 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes worth PHP1,825,000,” he said.

He said Hammaji and his three companions failed to present pertinent documents that led to their arrest and the seizure of the cargo truck.

All arrested suspects and their truck was turned over to the custody of the BOC for the filing of cases. (PNA)

Online Learning in New Normal Education By: CHARLEMAGNE B. MONFORTE Teacher I EL SALVADOR CITY CENTRAL SCHOOL Division of El Salvador City

As the coronavirus c ont i nu e s f lu c tu at i ng online learning is one of the solution to enable learners save their precious years of education in schools. This type of online learning has become the new standard.

The system of traditional s cho oling has a ltere d considerably. Now the learners do not learn in the classrooms but in the comfort of their homes.

The usage of technology was always developing and benefiting a wide range of activities and has been a lifesaver to the teachers and learners.

The use of the internet m a d e a l l t h i s on l i n e learning possible. Everyone was concerned about how learners would continue to study when the coronavirus outbreak began. Will this pandemic make millions of students deprived of the core fundamental right to education? To help students finish their academic years, schools and universities opted to switch to online education. Initially, the education institutions utilized online learning as a stopgap remedy.

O n l i ne l e ar n i ng is engaging because of online classes that happen regularly. The concept of an online class timetable enables educational

sectors to complete their curriculum on time bearing in mind that it is necessary for a student to take classes daily for their better understanding and to keep them engaged in the academic pursuits.

Online classes are held using applications such as Zoom and Google Meet.

This online learning system allowed children to learn while remaining secure at home and adhering to school routines.

Learners are now so used to online learning that they like learning when it is convenient for them.

Teachers, on the other hand, were able to continue working because to online schooling. In these difficult circumstances, teachers offered all of the notes to learners online. After a year now, learners and teachers both have adapted to this new normal.

7

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Tongue... from page 4

our real pride, insecurity, envy or greed inside.

Obviously you cannot get clean water out of a dirty cup, so “Clean words can only come from a pure heart,” since they must consistently come from a clean source. Our problem is that we often are blind to our own character faults and unclean heart inside.

The good news is Jesus can help us see clearly what we truly are. But then most importantly He also can start cleaning us from the inside out and give us the power to start changing in our heart.

Right now, won’t you ask Him to forgive you for your wrong way of living and start changing your heart with His love and truth? Then, the words that come out of your mouth will start becoming truly pure, honest and kind.

Just think a minute.

Ledesma... from page 4

are not yet being rectified.

But as the Ecclesiastes would say, “there will always be a time for every season under Heaven.” This time, there is a great breakthrough to liberate the most oppressed Indigenous Peoples from the quagmire of extreme poverty, thanks to His Eminence Arch. Tony Ledesma, in championing the cause of the Manobo-Pulangiyon Tribal Community who for five years now, more than 1,000 tribal families have been living under shattered tents along 4-lane hi-way in Butong, Quezon, eating only “kamote” once a day or nothing at all and all the children are sickly and malnourished and have to be tied-up as three have already been hit by running cars.

G l a r i n g l y, a s w e l l analyzed, “Indigenous lands have become battlegrounds of conflict pitting communities DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This Deed of Absolute Sale made and entered into by and between:

ANDRESITA ITUM TALO, of legal age, Filipino, married, and a resident of Cagayan de Oro City, hereinafter referred to as the VENDOR; -and MA. CRISTINA A. BARANDA, of legal age, Filipino, married to JOHN EURENE I. BARANDA, and a resident of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, hereinafter referred to as the VENDEE; The Vendor is the absolute owner of three (3) parcels of land with 1. Transfer Certificate of Title No. 36677 situated at Poblacion, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental containing an area of THREE HUNDRED THIRTY SIX (336) sq. meters more or less, 2. Transfer Certificate of Title No. 36666 situated at Poblacion, tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE (281) sq. meters more or less, 3.

Transfer Certificate of Title No. 36676 situated at Poblacion, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED TWENTY (320) sq. meters more or less, and has been the subject of an DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, in favor of JOHN EURENE I. BARANDA, per DOC #424; PAGE #85; BOOK #119; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JAMES KUINISALA JUDITH-II. BWM: January 10, 17 & 24, 2022

against powerful forces that aim to grab these lands and resources to advance the political and economic interest in support of agenda that is driven by corporate greed. Dispossession and displacement of IP communities from their own ancestral lands continue unabated despite t h e re c o g n i t i o n o f I P rights in national as well as international human rights laws..” Because of the amazing intervention of Arch Tony Ledesma in mobilizing the lawyers and agencies of government to uphold the rights of the Indigenous Peoples, a Certificate has been issued by the National Commission of the Indigenous People that finally, after long struggle and sacrifice, has now recognized that the 1,111 hectares that has been transformed into vast plantation owned and managed by the incumbent mayor of Quezon, Pablo Lorenzo, is the ancestral domain of the Tribe. Finally, the biblical line taught to us by then Father Tony Ledesma, S.J. being our teacher before in Xavier University is indeed absolutely true. Veritas Liberabit Vos! What is so amazing Your Eminence is that you have exemplified that Jesus-like compassion to help the “least of our brethren” as you had always told us, “to be men and women for others” – that is the spirit of a true Atenean!

Omicron... from page 4

based on health models are seen to receive vaccination within this year.

Let us pray that these numbers are not just plain and simple guesswork.

As to how many people c an get vaccinate d and how willing they are to take risk is another thing to ponder.

After all, we have yet to find ways as to how fast vaccines can get through in the four corners of the archipelago.

We are making progress in that direction, yet the effort is still peanuts.

Vaccines come in trickles.

We need more in millions of vials.

This is our wish for everyone to get vaccinated soonest possible time, regardless of the brand, be it moderna, sinovac, sputnik or astraZeneca.

As the song goes: Let’s get it on! (ruffy44_ ph2000yahoo.com)

Bunye... from page 4

Commission, apprised of the situation, advised me to take legal steps to immediately rescind the contract. The municipal council, after public hearings, enacted Kapasyahan 45, formally rescinding the contract and authorizing the takeover of the market facilities by the local government.

Up to now, I am wondering what law textbooks the Sandiganbayan justices read for them to conclude that we conspired to revoke a valid lease contract, that our takeover was forcible, that we acted clearly in evident bad faith, if not with gross inexcusable negligence, that we caused undue injury to the cooperative and its members, and that we deserved to go to prison.

Section 149, paragraph (3) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 337, the law in force at the time of the execution of the subject contract, provides: “When any ferry, market, or slaughterhouse belonging to a municipality is to be leased to a private party, it shall be awarded to the highest bidder for a period of not less than one year but not exceeding five years. The lease may be reviewed for a period not exceeding the original lease and under such terms as the sangguniang bayan may impose.”

We a p p e a l e d o u r conviction to the Supreme Court. During the pendency of our appeal, we continued to hold office (except during the 90-day preventive suspension period). But our movement became restricted. We needed to get clearance from the Sandiganbayan if we had to travel abroad even on official business.

Fortunately, the Supreme Court had a much better appreciation of the action that we took to protect the interest of the municipality. On May 5, 1999, voting 5-0, Associate Justices Fidel Purisima (the ponente), Flerida RuthRomero, Minerva GonzagaReyes, Jose Vitug and Artemio Panganiban, reversed the Sandiganbayan.

St rangely, a le ading broadsheet blacked out the news of our acquittal whereas it proclaimed in bold letters our conviction four years earlier. All the other papers reported our acquittal.

I voiced my sentimiento to the paper’s editor-in-chief when I called on her years later upon my appointment

Kagay-an Festival 1st Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion

for Orders, Contact Yoyong:

09354145759 09169249371

as Press Secretary.

Atty. Simeon Marcelo, who later on became Solicitor General and subsequently Ombudsman, led a team that handled our case on appeal.

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

Assures... from page 3

sector.

During the meeting, Lopez said the high level of vaccination rate and the medical treatment already available have led to easing some protocols for vaccinated instead of implementing a total lockdown.

He added that the “no vax, no labas (going out)” policy could be expanded nationwide.

The IATF may also allow the use of home antigen testing to add another layer of protection as the asymptomatic can detect if they are positive for the virus. (PNA)

Charter... from page 5

The capital stock of the bank is now set at P10 billion from P100 million under the old law. This is divided into P75 million common shares and P25 million preferred shares with a par value of P100 each.

Veterans provided benefits include those who served in the regularly constituted air, land, or naval services or arms, or in such nonregularly organized military units in the country during World War II. The share of each beneficiary — war veteran, widow, orphan, or compulsory heir of a deceased veteran — will have equal ownership of shares.

Under the law, the bank is allowed to grant loans, advances, or other credit accommodations for the establishment, rehabilitation, expansion, or development of any agricultural, commercial, or industrial enterprise, or personal service, including public utilities.

It can also invest in stocks or other investment instr uments, and issue bonds or other certificates of indebtedness in accordance with the law.

All government offices and representatives are likewise now allowed to make and

maintain deposits of any state or corporate funds with PVB as it is now an official government depository.

At the end of each year, 20% of PVB’s net profit will accrue to the reserve account.

Also, 80% of the bank’s net profit after deducting guaranteed earnings of the preferred shares and the 10% dividends on common shares or P30 million, whichever is

lower, will be paid in cash to the Board of Trustees of World War II for “grantsin-aid” to veterans, their widows, orphans or heirs for educational, social, charitable, and rehabilitation purposes.

Any violations of the provisions of the Act will be penalized by a fine of up to P100,000 or imprisonment for a maximum of five years, or both.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-10 holds the Talakayan sa PIA with the Philippine National Police (PNP)-10 and Department of Health (DOH)-10 to highlight the campaign against illegal firecrackers, January 6 at SM CDO. (PIA-10)

PNP-10: Campaign vs firecracker injuries 'successful'

CAGAYAN DE ORO --The Ligtas Paskuhan campaign against firecracker injuries was successfully carried out in Northern Mindanao, an official from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office (PRO)-10 said during Talakayan sa PIA, January 6.

The nationwide campaign ran from December 16, 2021 and concluded January 6, 2022.

PRO-10 Spokesperson PLtCol Michelle S. Olaivar said there were only four incidents of firecrackerrelated injuries reported during the holiday season. In terms of stray bullet incidents, the PNP recorded two in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro. “Overall, atong celebration was generally peaceful.

Wala ta’y nalathala o nareport nga significant incident that disrupted our observance of the holiday season,” she said.

(Overall, our celebration was generally peaceful. We did not receive or report any significant incident that disrupted our observance of the holiday season) Pursuant to Ligtas Paskuhan, Olaivar said the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU)-10 were able to confiscate a total of 15,000 firecrackers illegally sold from the provinces of Lanao and Bukidnon.

PRO-10 also commends the support of local government units (LGUs) in ensuring that the campaign was properly implemented in northern Mindanao cities and towns. Barangays also regulated the sale and use of firecrackers, pyrotechnics in their areas.

“Kung naging successful man ang ating Iwas Paputok campaign this year, it’s because of the active participation and support sa atoang mga respective local government units,” Olaivar said.

(The success of our ‘Iwas Paputok’ campaign this year is because of the active participation and support of our respective local government units) In 2022, PRO-10 will maintain its role in the national COVID-19 response, and simultaneously make the necessary preparations for the upcoming elections.

(GDA/PIA-10)

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8

Therma Visayas deploys relief ops for typhoon-affected Toledo City residents IN RESPONSE to the devastation wreaked by super typhoon Odette (international name Rai) on its host community, AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) mobilized a relief operation that has already helped ease the lives of 2,250 affected families in Toledo City, Cebu as of Dec. 30, 2021.

TVI kicked off its program on Dec. 24 with an allocation of P1.7 million to provide families with relief packs containing easy-tocook food, rice, and drinking water, among others, in an effort to aid them in getting by as the midwestern Cebu town recovers. The beneficiary barangays include Bato, Cabitoonan, and Awihao.

The power generation firm also deployed three water filtration units to

support the local water district’s utility restoration efforts. TVI is also planning to procure and donate 15 additional water filtration units to the local government of Toledo.

“Finding clean water to drink is really difficult in the aftermath of the typhoon.

If you’re lucky enough to find a store that has bottled water, the price is very steep.

We are really thankful to TVI for looking out for the community,” said motherof-two Katrina Bayotas, a community resident.

TVI also opened its doors to provide charging stations to residents as electric power restoration around the island is still ongoing. The ReConnect Center aims to help aid the worries of each family and contact their loved ones.

Furthermore, AboitizPower is also starting

A HELPING HAND. A Therma Visayas team member unloads relief boxes for distribution in Toledo City, Cebu on Dec. 26, 2021.

recovery operations through the “Yero Para Sa Toledo” program, through which identified families will be given light construction

materials to help them rebuild their homes.

“Thank you Therma Visayas for not forsaking Toledo City during these

hard times. Trust me that this support will go to typhoon-affected Toledonhons," Toledo City Mayor Marjorie Perales said.

AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas, Inc., is the operator of the 340-megawatt Toledo Baseload Power Plant located in Brgy. Bato, Toledo City, Cebu.

Upholding the standard of conducting sustainable business operations, TVI is certified in three ISO standards namely, Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management (ISO 14001:2015), and Occupational Health and Safety Management (ISO 45001:2018). The facility is an 80-20 joint venture between Aboitiz Power Corporation and Vivant, Corp. respectively. Together with Therma Luzon, Inc. (TLI) and Therma South, Inc (TSI)., the three primarily compose the Coal Business Unit of AboitizPower.