BusinessWeek Mindanao (January 8, 2020)

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume X, No. 86

Market Indicators AS OF 6:00 PM JAN. 7, 2020 (TUESDAY)

FOREX US$1 = P 50.760

PHISIX 7,840.70

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42.83

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Airport rehab THE mothballed airport in M’lang, Cotabato will need at least P2.6 billion to rehabilitate and put into operation, according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MiNDA), citing an assessment from the Department of Transportation.

In a statement last week, MinDA chairman Emmanuel F. Piñol, who was Cotabato governor when construction of the Central Mindanao Airport Development Project was started in 2004, said the facility will provide a logistical boost to the agriculture sector in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region, which covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani, and General Santos City.

“The airport, which has capability for commercial flights, is primarily intended to support transport of agricultural products from the region,” Mr. Piñol said.

Sorghum program DAVAO City — A sorghum program will be launched in Mindanao next year, starting with indigenous people (IP) communities and parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) announced last week.

The program will be jumpstarted by the 25 metric tons of sorghum seeds donated

by American firm Scotts Seeds Co., which is expected to arrive in Davao City by February.

In a statement, Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, MinDA chair, said the propagation of “sorghum in Mindanao, a grains crop and very rich in protein, is expected to boost the livestock and poultry sector, including Halal meat and poultry production.”

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Wednesday|January 8, 2020

Thank you for trusting us!

By JIGGER JERUSALEM, PNA

ORE than P3 million from the proceeds of a power generator, which was shared to the Misamis Oriental provincial government, will be spent to build a tourism destination site in Claveria town.

Lawyer Jeffrey Saclot, provincial tourism officer, said the construction of the Misamis Oriental Agriculture and Tourism Complex will start in the first quarter this year after the bidding process has been completed.

The facility will stand in the area of Flight 387 Memorial Shrine, a patch of land dedicated to those who perished when a Cebu Pacific airplane crashed on the slopes of Mount Sumagaya in Gingoog City on Feb. 2, 1998.

Families and friends of those who died in the crash frequent the memorial shrine and not long after people started visiting the site making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the province.

Saclot said the complex will house a flower farm, camping site, fruit stand, a bridge, coffee shop, function rooms and other amenities, which is expected to attract more visitors to Misamis Oriental.

LANDMARK/PAGE 10

CLOSED. Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen, Siargao, Surigao del Norte, is closed from January 10 to February 10, 2020 for annual maintenance and rehab work. mindanews file photo by roel n . catoto

MisOr adds motorshows in Kuyamis Festival 2020

By JIGGER JERUSALEM and ERCEL MAANDIG, PNA

EVENTS for car enthusiasts will be the new attractions during the seventh Kuyamis Festival which will kick off

Monday, the provincial tourism office said over the weekend.

P r o v i n c i a l To u r i s m

O f f i c e r l aw y e r Je f f re y Saclot on Saturday said festival spectators will be treated to an autocross and car show at the Provincial KUYAMIS/PAGE 10

2 mayors deny non-compliance of road clearing operations

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Reporter

SILHOUETTE . Silhouette of Children playing against the backdrop of a colorful sky right after a sunset in a seawall in Sagay town, Camiguin, on Monday. photo by gerry lee gorit

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, — Two town mayors in this province yesterday denied allegations that they did not comply with President Duterte’s order to clear roads of obstruction.

Mayors Joseph Uayan of Sagay and Mayor Helenio Abecia of Guinsiliban were among an initial list of 10 mayors facing administrative charges for gross neglect of DENY/PAGE 10

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Local 2 CDO now 2 Camiguin mayors face raps for ready to process business road-clearing non-compliance permit renewals

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WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

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By JIGGER JERUSALEM, PNA

AMBAJAO, Camiguin – Two town mayors of this province maintained they did not violate the road-clearing policy of the national government after they were included in the list of local officials charged by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for non-compliance.

The DILG has charged Mayors Helenio Abecia of Guinsiliban town and Joseph Uayan of Sagay in the administrative

charges it filed against 10 other municipal mayors in the country.

In a statement on Sunday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the local officials committed gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct for failing to comply with the government’s directive to clear roads of illegal structures and other obstructions in their jurisdiction within 60 days.

However, Abecia and Uayan insisted that they should not be charged as

they have followed the order.

“We have not violated the order. We have implemented it. That’s why I was wondering why we have been charged by the DILG,” said Abecia in an interview Monday (Jan. 6) He denied the presence of illegal vendors or structure on the town’s streets, noting that Guinsiliban is a small municipality with a population of 6,000 residents living in seven barangays.

The only obstruction they removed was a

basketball post and board that was placed on the side of the street, the mayor said.

Uayan, for his part, said they had conducted road-clearing operations after receiving the order from the DILG provincial office.

The road-clearing campaign, he said, included the trimming of tree branches that have encroached the town’s roads, the towing of a parked car, and the relocation of a house built on a sidewalk.

Sagay is a fifth-class town with a population of 12,386 people residing in nine villages.

At first, Uayan said, there was no specific guidelines on what to do when they started the operation, and it was only a few days later that the DILG provincial

office instructed them to draft a municipal road-clearing ordinance, rehabilitation plan, inventory of roads with obstruction, and displacement plan as requisites.

He said those requisites were handed to them by the DILG after they were given a show cause order on the last week of November last year.

“The DILG gave us a template containing the requisites on what we need to comply, and we followed them all.

We submitted the filledout template, and the DILG provincial office approved it,” he added.

Both Abecia and Uayan said they are ready to answer the charges once they receive a copy of the complaint from the Ombudsman. (PNA)

THE Cagayan de Oro City Finance Department is now ready to accept applications for the annual business permit renewal.

Acting Assistant City Treasurer for Operations Engr. Leonil Mistula said, “Kung wala’y mga kakulangon sa ilang mga papeles, dili ra abtan og usa ka oras ang proseso ug makuha gilayon ang business permit (If they don’t lack any requirement, they can get their business permit in less than an hour).”

City officials now call out to entrepreneurs in the city to have their business permits renewed since the deadline of the renewal is on January 20, 2020.

Entrepreneurs will just have to have their fees assessed in the hall’s kiosk or they can have it through the local government’s online billing system which can be accessed at www. cagayandeoro.gov.ph.

After the assessment, entrepreneurs can directly pay to the cashiers or through the online payment system using a Visa card.

After payment, entrepreneurs will have to proceed to the City Tourism Hall so the Business Permit Licensing Division, City Health Office, and Bureau of Fire Protection can process the permit.

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WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

3

CorporateWorld

Fruitas buys new brand, expanding in Mindanao

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EADING food and beverage kiosk operator Fruitas Holdings, Inc. (Fruitas) is gearing up for expansion, particularly in Mindanao, while adding more brands to its food portfolio.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Fruitas said it has recently acquired a property in Sasa, Davao City, initially to be

used as office and warehouse space, in preparation for faster growth in Mindanao.

The company has increased the number of stores in Mindanao as a percentage of total locations by 20 percent from the middle of 2019.

Fruitas said it has completed the acquisition of the assets of Heat Stroke Grill, with two outlets located in the Fruitas food parks in Quezon

City.

“This acquisition is in line with the strategy of Fruitas for its food parks, viewing them as incubators for new concepts,” the firm said.

Fruitas said it anticipates making Heat Stroke Grill an anchor locator in the food parks or foodcourts it may operate in the future.

The recent acquisition is a key addition to its food

portfolio and will complement Sabroso Lechon and its rice meals concepts.

Fruitas intends to replicate the success of its past acquisitions, Sabroso Lechon and De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop and Juice Bar. The firm said its vision is to be ubiquitous in Filipinos’ lives and grilled food is an integral part of Filipinos’ daily diet, as evidenced by the

proliferation of grilled food offerings in key commercial establishments.

It estimates that the top 3 players in this segment have more than 200 branches.

Fruitas currently has 1,068 stores and targets to grow its network to 2,000 stores by 2023. It plans to make 2020 a year of ever-increasing corporate and shareholder value.

Petron starts fuel marking in refinery, import facility AirAsia PH adds 8 local had in “close coordination” that all fuel products in the our firm commitment to PETRON CORP., the routes in first quarter with the Department country’s largest oil refiner, market will be legitimately support the government said on Friday that it had rolled out fuel marking at its refinery in Bataan and its import facility in Misamis Oriental to support the government’s efforts to curb smuggling.

“We are optimistic that the fuel marking program will significantly address fuel smuggling, which has been a constant deterrent to the continued growth of our economy.

Consumers also stand to gain once everyone gets on board as it will ensure

sourced,” said Ramon S. Ang, Petron president and chief executive officer, in a statement.

Fuel marking involves the use of low concentrations of markers or dyes to be blended with the fuel, to mark the stages undergone by a particular batch of product, determining whether shipments have gone through legal import channels.

“These developments in our facilities testify to

in their fight against smuggling. We also continue to work with their fuel marking team for the installation of the Automatic Injection System (AIS) in our refinery,” Mr. Ang said.

Petron’s refinery in Bataan has a maximum capacity of 180,000 barrelper-day, making it the country’s largest supplying nearly a third of total fuel demand. It started fuel marking on Dec. 23, 2019.

The company said it

of Finance, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Bureau of Customs on the initiative since 2018.

It said it had consistently expressed its support for the fuel marking program provided that it is enforced on a level playing field.

Petron’s move came after the Philippine Institute of Petroleum (PIP) said in July last year that its members, which includes the country’s biggest oil companies, PETRON/PAGE 11

AIRASIA Philippines on Friday announced an increase in the flight frequencies of eight routes in the first quarter of 2020.

Beginning January, the carrier confirmed it has already increased the frequencies of the following flights: Clark-Iloilo; IloiloClark -- from three times a week to daily; and CebuKuala Lumpur; Kuala Lumpur-Cebu -- from three times a week to four times a week.

Starting March 29, on the other hand, four more routes will increase frequencies: Clark-Tacloban; Tacloban-Clark -- from three times to four times a week; and Cebu-Puerto Princesa; Puerto PrincesaCebu -- from three times a week to daily.

In a statement, the carrier noted the high demand for these routes.

"Our adjustments are well guided by data, and I ROUTES/PAGE 10

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Opinion

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The juggler Think a minute…There was a young man who moved from his home in Italy to live in America. He studied juggling and soon became famous all over the world.

Later in his life, after years of success as a juggler and p e r for m e r, h e d e c i d e d to return home to Italy and retire. He sold almost everything he owned and bought a big, expensive diamond. Then he boarded the ship for his home in Italy.

One day he was showing a boy on the ship how he could juggle several apples at one time. Soon a crowd of the passengers gathered around to watch. Then the old juggler got more and more carried away with himself, wanting to impress the crowd. He ran to his room and got his precious diamond. He showed it to the people and explained how the diamond represented his whole life’s work and savings.

Then, to the people’s sho ck and ama z e me nt , he star ted juggling the diamond! At first, he was careful; but each time he threw the diamond higher

THINK A MINUTE

WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

Banner year for Huili Investment Fund SANS red tape, 2020 is seen to be a banner year for Huili Investment Fund Management Co. Ltd (Huili Fund), prime mover of the country’s first fully integrated steel plant worth $4 billion.

It can be recalled that 2019 was a dismal year for this project to take off, thanks but no thanks to the booby traps in business transactions.

Be that as it may, Huili Investment Fund Philippines President Jun Hou may have that upbeat feel to consider 2020 as banner year for the project.

The same bright prospects may be in the mind of President and CEO Robertino Pizarro of Simple Homes Corporation, Philippine partner of Huili Investment Fund.

Situated in a 350 hectare pr i me prop e r t y at t he

Phividec Industrial Estate in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, the pet project of President Duterte is projected to change the economic landscape of Northern Mindanao.

Huilli Fund’s largest investment in the country is targetted to generate about 10,000 jobs from the region.

Adde d to t hat, an estimated 50,000 jobs could be generated from the upstream and downstream industries that will grow alongside with the development of the steel project.

The 350-hectare Phividec prop e r t y w as for me rly occupied by Hanjin, but for political reason, or otherwise, this Korean shipbuilding conglomerate packed up their bags early on, leaving a ray of disappointments in both the business and labor sectors.

Last year’s delay was

perhaps due to the rules that keep changing in the middle of the game.

More over, t his ste el project, believed to hit a corporate snag early on had not lost its balance. In fact, key players of this project had remained upbeat and bullish as it were.

Late last year, a MOA signing was forged between Huili Fund Philippines President Jun Hou; Phividec Administrator Atty. Franklin Quijano; Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano ; and Simple Homes CEO and President Robertino Pizarro for the lease with option to purchase the 350-hectare property at Phividec.

Hu i l i B a ow u C I SDI Integrated Steel Mill (HBCIS) is formed by China’s three leading companies –

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA Huili Fund, Baowu Steel Group Corporation Ltd (China Baowu), and China Mettalurgical Group Corporation’s subsidiary, CISDI Group Co Ltd. (CISDI).

It was reported that China Baowu, the new technical partner to operate the steel mill, currently ranks first in China and second in the world as the largest steel producer FUND/PAGE 11

Best management practices in agritourism NUTS & BOLTS

Cell No: 09352379999

MANILA OFFICE: 9th Floor, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino Cor. Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City Tel. # : 5555392,Cell No.: 0977-152-8860 LANI VALLIDO-Marketing Manager

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JEROME DE LA FUENTE

Best Management Practices for an agritourism business include: 1) providing an authentic farm or ranch experience, 2) providing an educational experience, 3) providing excellent customer ser vice, 4) providing adequate public facilities, 5) maintaining a safe and accessible environment, 6) creating good community relations, and 7) planning for your financial future.

When starting an agritourism business or ass essing your existing op e r at i on , c on s u lt t h e available resources and

consider the following best management practices: • Authentic Farm or R anch Experience - An agritourism business can be defined as any person, farm, or corporation actively engaged in the operation, management, or promotion of an agriculturally-related tourism business open to the public. This business provides visitors with an e duc at iona l exp er ience aside from one that is solely commercial. It is important to keep in mind that your farm/ranch is often the “face of farming and ranching” in your community, region, or province . A product you offer to visitors may be the experience of farm or ranch living. It is also important to understand what aspects of agriculture your local associations (agricultural, tourism, and marketing) emphasize in your region so that you can develop your own niche in coordination with other farms and attractions nearby.

• Educational Experience - Farms and ranches can of fer an agriculturallyoriented educational exp er ience suit able for different ages. Food and f i b e r pro du c t i on , l an d stewardship, and history of agriculture are common topics that visitors enjoy learning about. Another way to diversify your operation and educate guests maybe on-property recreational activities (e.g., fishing, hunting, trail riding, or hiking).

• Customer Service - This should be an integral part of your business planning.

Tr a i n i n g y ou r s t a f f t o interact with customers in an appropriate way will ensure a safe and high quality experience for customers. It also ensures these customers will return and tell other potential customers about your business.

• Adequate Public Faci lit ies - Your far m/ ranch needs to have sufficient capacity (staff

a n d i n f r a s t r u c t u re ) t o provide basic services such as parking, transportation, signage, customer assistance, education, and roads. In order to maintain a safe and customer friendly business, provision of services and facilities like restrooms becomes necessary.

• Safe and Accessible Environment - You should ensure that your property and facilities are maintained and in compliance with zoning, health, food safety, and environmental regulations.

It is useful as well to create a risk management plan for your farm/ranch. In addition, depending on your type of business, consider compliance with the Filipinos with Disabilities Act, which mandates equal customer access to certain facilities (entrances, exits, and bathrooms).

• Community Relations - To create good community relations, it is important to regularly provide PRACTICES/PAGE 11

Mental case or demonic possession?

JHAN TIAFAU HURST and higher. Finally, he told his audience that he would throw the diamond one last time so high that it would disappear for a few seconds. The people begged the old man not to do it, but he wouldn’t listen. So with the confidence of all his years of experience, the juggler threw the diamond so high into the air that it actually did disappear, before it started falling back down, shining and sparkling in the sunlight. Then, just as he was about to catch the diamond, a huge wave suddenly caused the ship to move and lurch forward, causing the juggler not to catch his diamond, which JUGGLER/PAGE 11

THERE seems to be a sharp surge of disturbed people around these days. As a result, we can see more people who are clearly mentally ill, with very erratic behavior. And if they are not withdrawn from the world, alienating themselves and rotting away in their own universe, they get overly aggressive, violently aggressive, in fact. Some commit suicide.

This is a problem we have to learn how to cope and to tr y to solve. Of course, it’s a phenomenon that can easily be attributed to the complications and pressures of the times, which in themselves are admittedly no mean things. But there must also be other factors and causes deeper than the toxic complications and pressures of the times that give rise to this world predicament.

More and more people are of the thinking that these

disturbed persons are more than just mental cases, to be treated only with psychiatry, some medicine and therapy which are no mean help.

They now talk of the strong possibility that some demonic interference is involved, even demonic oppression and possession. And they cite instances where the persons concerned act in ways that are considered already beyond human possibility.

We need to have a good grip on this rapidly emerging me nace. And t he f irst thing to do is to entertain the possibility that indeed these disturbed people are both mentally sick and demonically bothered.

Yes, while it’s true that the predicament can be an eitheror proposition, we should not dismiss the possibility that it can also be a both-and one. Not just disjunctive, but also conjunctive. Let’s

remember that the devil is always around. It’s not paranoia to be always alerted of the devil’s existence and constant efforts to destroy us, usually in very sweet ways.

It would be good if we level up in our knowledge of psychology. This field of science is getting to be more and more relevant these days.

It cannot anymore be the exclusive interest of some people. Everyone should know at least the basics of psychology and from there start accumulating relevant helpful information.

But we should never forget that the psychological and mental mechanism of a person is steeped in his spiritual dimension that can lead him either to the supernatural or infranatural world. It cannot be studied from the point of view of empirical science alone. It has to input the truths of faith

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA to enable it to cope with the full range of its possibilities.

This is a point that should be taken more seriously these days. The complicated challenges of our times that have brought about many good things and also many bad things cannot but make this kind of demand. We have to take our faith more seriously, assimilating it in our system and making it the guide and shaper of our MENTAL/PAGE 11

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Banking&Finance HSBC exec eyes 2020 GDP at 6.4% WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

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N official of banking giant HSBC forecasts better output for the Philippine economy this and next year, with output seen at 6.4 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, making the country among the best in the world.

In a briefing on Tuesday, HSBC managing director and chief market strategist for Asia Cheuk Wan Fan said they expect domestic growth to recover from the expected 5.8 percent output in 2019.

“According to our assessment, we expect the Philippine economy to outperform the regional as well as global peers as we anticipate the growth acceleration path for the next two years,” she said.

Growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), averaged at 5.8 percent in the first three quarters last year, below the

government’s 6-6.5-percent growth target.

Fan expects growth this year to be driven by the resilient domestic consumption and strong rebound of fixed investment, among others.

“The Philippines is another showcase of the strong consumption story in the region.

We expect private consumption growth to stay,” she said.

HSBC’s growth forecast for the Philippines this year alone is short of the government’s 6.5-7.5 percent band for 2020-2022, which Fan attributed to the impact of external developments.

“It’s quite close to the government target because we still maintain a relatively cautious on the external demand because the global economic slowdown will continue to remain a headwind for the Philippine economy,” she told the PNA in an interview.

With growth seen to improve, Fan expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to further slash key policy rates by 50 basis points at 25 basis points each in the first and second quarters this year.

She said central bank rate cuts will be a regular thing in the region this year, and will “underpin a relatively favorable investment environment in Asia because central bank easing actions will improve the outlook for bonds.”

She also forecasts a total of 200 basis points reduction in banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) each this year and 2021 after a total of 400 basis points cut in 2018.

She said the projected RRR and BSP policy rate cuts “will reduce the relatively high carry buffer of the Philippine peso”, with the latter seen to weaken to 53-level against the greenback from the 51-level to date. (PNA)

Inflation rises in December, 2019 average within target INCREASES in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages and transport further accelerated the country’s headline inflation to 2.5 percent in December, bringing the full-year figure to 2.5 percent.

Last year’s inflation settled within the government’s target of 2 to 4 percent for 2019.

In a press briefing Tuesday, Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista attributed

the upward trend in December 2019 mainly to increment recorded in the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index, particularly fish, vegetables, and meat.

Bautista said the supply of vegetables was affected by the onslaught of Typhoons Tisoy and Ursula, while rice prices have been decreasing for eight months until last month.

“It’s because of the effect of the weight of food in the (consumer price index) basket. If

we look at the weight of food, it is 38.34 percent, whereas transport is 8.06 percent. If you look at specifically petroleum, its weight is 2.02 percent,” she said.

The increment in transport index and alcoholic beverages and tobacco also pushed up the overall inflation in December, she added.

Bautista said a slower annual markup was noted in health index, while other five commodity groups retained their rates --

clothing and footwear, communication, recreation and culture, education, and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services.

Inflation rose further in the National Capital Region and areas outside the National Capital Region last month, she said.

Bautista said Bicol Region recorded the highest inflation among the regions, attributing the higher food prices to the impact of Typhoon Tisoy. (PNA)

Former officials of closed rural banks convicted OFFICIALS of closed rural banks in Visayas have been convicted on charges filed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Former bankers from the defunct Rural Bank of Badiangan (Iloilo), Inc (RBBI). and Rural Bank of Sebaste (Antique), Inc. (RB Sebaste) have been found guilty of fraudulent bank transactions.

“The cases stemmed from a criminal complaint filed by the BSP’s Office

of Special Investigation against the three RB Sebaste officers for their participation in the creation of fictitious loans aggregating to about P63 million as of March 2007,” the BSP said in a statement on Friday.

The BSP found that the said bogus loans were included in the lender’s financial statements and reports, making it look as if the bank was in sound financial state.

“The bank, however, was actually incurring huge operational losses and was unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the normal course of business. The bank also had insufficient assets to meet its liabilities,” the central bank said.

A decision by the Regional Trial Court of Culasi, Antique dated July 9 found former RB Sebaste chairman and president Eugene T. Estrella guilty

on eight counts for violating the General Banking Law of 2000 due to fraudulent transactions.

Because of this, he was sentenced to two years of imprisonment for each count.

Moreover, Mr. Estrella, together with RB Sebaste’s former director Luis T. Estrella, Jr., were also found guilty by the Municipal Trial Court of Kalibo, Aklan on seven, BANKS/PAGE 11

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

METRO BANK- GAISANO 8561720

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 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

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.

#58 Tiano FernandezSt.CDO 727215/ 8563552 *805

SECURITY BANK- OSMEÑA Osmeña St. Cdoc | 8563965/ 723411/728774 SECURITY BANK- LKK Limketkai | 8801258/8801625

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

The barangay council of Tablon in Cagayan de Oro City led by barangay chairman Billy Kid Auza presents Miss Tablon 2020 in connection with their annual fiesta this January. They had their swimsuit competition this afternoon at a private resort here. Coronation will be this January 17. jhun rey nale photography

PBCOM Tiano-HayesSt. Cdoc | 726519/8571558

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

Capistrano Corner CruzTaal St. CDO 8524099/722695

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

6

Environment Plastics to worsen waste, health problems

I

F THE current trend continues and 1 billion tons of plastic are produced annually by 2050, very serious health and waste problem may occur globally, according to an expert on plastic waste.

"We could see more plastic in the sea than fish.

Land could be filled with abandoned mountains of plastic garbage," Sedat Gundogdu, an expert on sea waste and microplastics at Turkey's Cukurova University, told Anadolu Agency.

Noting that plastics are divided into macroplastics, microplastics, and nanoplastics, he said nanoplastics, in particular, are extremely difficult to identify and can affect people through contamination of the food chain.

"Macroplastics are also the main source of micro- and nanoplastics.

While [entanglement by] macroplastics could lead to amputation among many forms of wildlife, and marine species, for example, can suffocate and die from plastic

EDC vows to continue reforestation of Mt. Talinis this 2020

By MARY JUDALINE PARTLOW

Anadulo photo

ingestion, micro- and nanoplastics are threats to all living creatures, including the smallest species," he added.

Classifying plastics by their chemical structure, Gundogdu said polystyrene rigid, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are serious threats after becoming waste, which is the main reason many countries want to send plastic waste to other

countries.

"Despite the fact that plastic makes human life easier, its dangerous properties are ignored.

There is no other material that has entered almost the entire sphere of our lives and carries so much risk," he said, adding plastic is a toxic chemical cocktail.

Touching on the dangers of plastics to animal species, Gundogdu said many turtles can suffer serious injuries

that lead to amputation of limbs because they become entangled in plastic waste while some can suffocate and die from plastic ingestion.

"For example, 300 endangered sea turtles were found dead off the coast of Mexico [in 2018] because they were caught in an abandoned [plastic] fishing net. Similarly, many large whale species are dying due to plastics in seas," he added.

PLASTICS/PAGE 11

containing paints used for industrial applications.

Under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2013-24, or the Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds, manufacturers of leadcontaining paints for industrial uses were directed to phase out such paints by December 31, 2019. Lead-containing architectural, household and decorative paints were phased out at an earlier time on December 31, 2016.

Lead paints are paints or other similar surface

coatings containing lead compounds in excess of 90 parts per million (ppm).

“The conclusion of the phase-out period for lead-added industrial paints wraps up a positive process of replacing lead-based additives, particularly pigments, with non-lead raw materials for all paint formulations,” said Ely Kenneth Ong Sue, President, PAPM. “The industry-wide shift to lead-free paint manufacturing is a superb way to usher in 2020. It’s a milestone made possible by unique government, industry and civil society collaboration,” he added.

For his part, Johnson Ongking, VicePresident, Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc. and former PAPM President, said: “Our fruitful experience in the Philippines in eliminating lead paints and coatings clearly shows that any developing country paint manufacturers can create colorful and commercially viable products without poisonous lead-containing pigment, drying accelerator or rust and corrosion protector. Our paint makers have gained competitive advantage by complying with the COMPLETES/PAGE 11

Shutdown of coal-fired plants in US saves lives THE decommissioning of coal-fired power plants in the continental United States has reduced nearby pollution and its negative impacts on human health and crop yields, according to a new University of California San Diego study.

The findings published this week in Nature Sustainability use the U.S. transition in recent years from coal towards natural

WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

REFORESTATION. Geothermal power leader Energy Development Corporation continues its reforestation efforts at Mt. Talinis in Negros Oriental. Just recently, a team of EDC employees and volunteers from partner groups planted more than 100 native tree seedlings of the Nato (Palaquium luzoniense) species in a portion of the mountain range. (Photo contributed by EDC)

Philippines Successfully Completes Phase-Out of All Lead-Containing Paints THE phase-out of all types of lead-containing paints in the Philippines is an excellent example of a successful chemical policy directive aimed at preventing and reducing children’s exposure to lead, a highly toxic substance, from paints.

The EcoWaste Coalition and the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers (PAPM) marked the historic transition of the country’s paint and coating industry to full non-lead production effective January 1, 2020 with the completion of the phase-out period for lead-

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gas for electric power generation to study the local impacts of coal-fired unit shutdowns. While the shift from coal to natural gas has reduced carbon dioxide emissions overall, it has also changed local pollution levels at hundreds of areas around the country. In particular, the burning of coal creates particulate matter and ozone in the lower atmosphere -- often

experienced as "smog" -which can affect humans, plants and regional climate. These pollutants (aerosols, ozone and other compounds) from coal burning can wreak havoc on human health when inhaled, and also have damaging effects on plant life. They also alter local climate by blocking incoming sunlight.

The author, Jennifer Burney,

associate professor of environmental science at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, combined data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on electric power generation with satellite and surface measurements from the EPA as well as NASA to gauge changes in local pollution before and after coal-fired SAVES/PAGE 11

GEOTHERMAL power leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has vowed to continue to reforest Mt. Talinis in Negros Oriental as part of its massive greening efforts of the entire Negros Island.

Last year, EDC personnel planted native trees in the Mt. Talinis range and hopes to continue the activity in 2020, said Norreen Bautista, head of EDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility in Negros Island and Mt. Apo in Mindanao on Monday.

Mt. Talinis, which is known as the highest peak in Cuernos de Negros and has one of the few remaining old-growth forests in Negros Oriental, is one of EDC’s treegrowing sites, she said.

She added that more than 30 EDC employeevolunteers recently climbed Mt. Talinis to plant more than 100 native trees.

Lawyer Allan V. Barcena, EDC’s assistant vice president and head of Corporate Social Responsibility-Public Relations and Bautista headed the group, with assistance from the Valencia Eco-Guide Association and other partner groups.

The team planted Nato (Palaquium luzoniense) seedlings, one of the 96 native tree species that EDC “aims to bring back to abundance through its BINHI forest restoration program”.

“Our team of climbers from our CSR and other departments bond together with other residents of our partner communities in Valencia, Negros Oriental as we plant and grow native trees in Mt. Talinis even if we do not have any operation in the area,” Bautista said.

“Each tree growing activity brings out the participants’ bayanihan spirit,” she added.

The EDC team first planted some 100 premium endangered native trees

in the Mt. Talinis range during the celebration of Earth Day in 2018, followed by last year’s planting activity.

Bautista stressed that lush forests will help geothermal energy recharge its reservoir, as trees will hold and release water deep into the earth.

“Otherwise, geothermal steam fields will dry up and will not be able to produce enough steam to run its power plants,” she said.

EDC has been planting and maintaining forests in Negros Oriental where it has been generating clean, renewable, and reliable geothermal facilities for over 36 years, an EDC media release said over the weekend.

From 2009-2019, the company has planted and grown almost 3 million Philippine native trees in the entire Negros Island with the help of its over 30 partners under its flagship BINHI forest restoration program.

BINHI aims to bridge forest gaps and bring back to abundance 96 Philippine native trees mostly in its geothermal reservation areas.

In recognition of EDC’s greening efforts through BINHI, the company is also the first Philippine partner to be tapped by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International as a tree assessor under its Global Tree Assessment (GTA) program, EDC said.

The GTA program aims to gather information for 800 Philippine native tree species that lack data to determine their conservation status.

EDC is the country’s premier renewable energy company and one of the world’s largest geothermal producers. Its geothermal facilities in Valencia, Negros Oriental has been providing clean, renewable, reliable power 24/7 to Negros Island and other parts of the Visayas region for over 36 years.

(PNA)

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WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

'Kantahan sa Tagum' out, 'Awitang Tagumpay' in THE local government of Tagum City, touted as the Music Capital of the South, has rebranded its singing competition from "Kantahan sa Tagum" to "Awitang Tagumpay," a singing tilt made bigger and grander.

Awitang Tagumpay was launched January 5 at the Tagum City Cultural and Trade Center Pavilion with Mayor Allan L. Rellon leading the ceremony.

The night was filled with vibrant music as former champions and resident judges of the singing contest, as well as voice students of the Music Makers program of the city government showcased various song renditions.

Awitang Tagumpay holds much larger cash

prizes at stake for its weekly competitions; P2,000, P1,500, and P1,000 is guaranteed to the weekly champion, 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively - an impressive upgrade from its last edition's P800, P600 and P400 weekly prizes. Consolation prizes worth P300 is also granted to all non-winners.

This newest edition of the competition features eight contenders per week and will run only in January and February this year as Grand Finals is slated on March 8 - in time for the celebration of the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival.

The competition, which is also open to non-Tagumenyo residents and features Children and Adult categories,

Former champions and resident judges of the singing contest, as well as voice students of the Music Makers program of the city government presents various song renditions. leo timogan/cio tagum

will be held every Sunday starting on January 12, with all weekly champions competing in the grand finals.

Awitang Tagumpay is brought by the City Government of Tagum through the initiative of the City Music Management Office that is under the City Historical and Cultural Center Management Division.

Drex Rafols/CIO Tagum

7

Mayor Allan L. Rellon leads the launching ceremony of the Awitang Tagumpay last January 5, 2020. leo timogan/cio tagum

Twenty-two year-old Dolly Ceballos-Cruz bathes in confetti as she is crowned Miss Malaybalay 2019 last December 27. captured moments studio as provided

8

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WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

Hundreds arrested for deliberately starting Australian bushfires

C

ANBERRA -- Hundreds of Australians have been arrested for allegedly deliberately lighting Australian bushfires in only a matter of months.

Australia is currently enduring one of the worst bushfire crises in the nation's history, with at least 25 people having been killed since September.

The Australian reported on Tuesday that 183 people have been arrested for lighting bushfires in New South Wales (NSW), Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

In NSW alone 183 people have been charged or cautioned for bushfire-related offences since November, with 24 arrested for deliberately starting bushfires. While in Victoria 43 were charged in 2019.

In Queensland, where the fires were worst in November, 101 people have been arrested for deliberately starting fires, almost 70 percent of whom were juveniles.

According to James Ogloff, the director of the Forensic Behavioral Science at Swinburne University, approximately 50 percent of Australia's bushfires are started by ARRESTED/PAGE 10

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi parliament on Sunday decided to expel American troops from the country.

In an extraordinary session, the parliament unanimously decided to send the US and foreign

troops out of the country.

In a statement, the parliament said the implementation of the decision is within the government’s obligation.

The move came after Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's

BUSHFIRES. Photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019 shows fire trucks working at Lexton bushfire site in western Victoria, Australia. The Australian government launched the National Bushfire Recovery Agency which would be funded with an initial two billion Australian dollars (USD1.38 billion) on Monday. (Wayne Riggs/CFA/Handout via Xinhua)

US targets 52 Iranian sites if Tehran attacks: Trump

Iraqi parliament decides to expel US troops

IRAQI PARLIAMENT. Members of the Iraqi parliament pose after it unanimously voted to expel the US troops from Iraq on Sunday (Jan. 5, 2020). The decision came after Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds force, was killed in a US drone airstrike in Iraq on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Anadulo)

Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds force, was killed in a US drone airstrike in Iraq on Friday.

His death marked a dramatic escalation in tensions between the US and Iran, which have often been at a fever pitch since Trump chose in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw Washington from a 2015 nuclear pact world powers struck with Tehran.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who gave Soleimani the country's highest honor last year, vowed "severe retaliation" in response to his killing.

The Pentagon accused Soleimani of plotting the embassy attack and planning to carry out additional attacks on US diplomats and service members in Iraq and the region. (Anadolu)

#OnePioneer launched THE Pioneer group of companies will be launching “One Pioneer” on January 8, 2020 in Cagayan de Oro City.

"One Pioneer" enables their agents to create

more value for their clients. Beyond life insurance products, agents can now also offer motor, travel, health and fire insurance.

A motorcade activity

and kick-off rally will bring together associates, managers, and financial planners of the Pioneer group to officially open the new fiscal year 2020 in high spirits.

Scholars to tackle precolonial roots of Sinulog dance

A TAUSUG Islamic scholar and a Cebu historian will discuss the origins of the Sinulog in a free admission event, “Retracing Sinulog (A forum on the precolonial roots of the Sinulog dance)” on January 14, 2020 from 2:00PM5:00PM at Palm Grass Hotel’s Hawanan Tres de Abril.

Prof. Darwin Absari of the University of the Philippines-Diliman Institute of Islamic Studies will discuss highlights of the Sulu Empire in the 1400s and the Tausug influence in the arts, culture and indigenous spirituality in the islands.

University of San Carlos Professor, Dr. Jobers Bersales, for his part, will talk on “Precolonial Cebuanos’ religious beliefs and the origin of the Sinulog dance”.

Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel ventures into tracing Sinulog roots as National Artist Dr. Resil Mojares mentions in his books that before the

20th century, Sinulog referred to Sulu: the Sulu current, the traditional Muslim war dance in Sulu and to the 17th-century dress of the Sulu women.

A short video on this topic will also be screened. The video is created by Hong Kong-based Social Communications Asia content creator and communications specialist Prospero Laput.

A video and live performance of an interpretation of the Precolonial Sinulog Dance by Bag-ong Teatro Junquera will also be shown.

Palm Grass, as a heritage hotel and hotel-museum, vigorously promotes Cebu cultural heritage by featuring more activities in the coming months such as performances of Bag-ong Teatro Junquera and Junquera St. Children’s Choir, releasing a duet by Cebu young music artists, and launching of a children’s storybook on Cebu hero Leon Kilat.

WASHINGTON DC -- US President Donald Trump threatened Saturday to hit Iranian targets for any attacks on Americans or the US in the wake of the killing of top Iranian general by an American airstrike.

"Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we

have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!" Trump said on Twitter.

He said Tehran was "talking very boldly about targeting certain

USA assets as revenge" for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' elite Quds Force, adding that the general was responsible for the deaths of an American and hundreds of Iranian protesters.

Soleimani was killed Friday in a strike outside of Baghdad's airport.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior commander TARGETS/PAGE 10

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL SUR 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 10 Hall of Justice, Marawi City IN THE MATTER OF CORRECTION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF HAYBONISH WAPERI ABDULLAH under LCR Registry No. 98-576

SPEC.PRO.NO.ML-724-2019

HYBONISH WAPERI ABDULLAH, Petitioner - Versus – THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MARAWI CITY, LANAO DEL SUR and THE ADMINISTRATOR and CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, Respondents.

X----------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

Before this court is a verified petition for Correction of certificate of Live birth of Hybonisah Waperi Abdullah dated October 29, 2019 and which read in part: 1.

Petitioner is of legal age, Filipino, married, and resident of resident of 048 Dayawan, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur where she may served with notice and other court processes;

2.

Respondent Civil Registrar of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, is the custodian of all records of birth in Marawi City, where he/she may served with summons and other court processes;

3.

Respondent Civil Registrar General and Administrator of Philippine Statics Authority is the central custodian of all records of birth in the country and may be served with orders and other court processes at the NSO bulding, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City;

4.

Petitioner was born on 12 April 1986 at Dayawan, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, and consistently using and reflecting 12 April 1986 as her date of birth and HAYABONISAH as her first name, as evidenced by petitioner’s College Transcript of Records ( T.O.R), NBI Clearance, MSU Alumni I.D., and Voter’s I.D.,copies are attached as Annexes “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “E”, respectively;

5.

When the petitioner secured a Security Paper (Secpa) of her Certificate of Love Birth from the Philippine Statics Authority (PSA), she discovered that her date of birth was erroneously written as 12 April 1998 instead of 12 April 1986 and her first name as HAYBONISA instead of HAYBONISAH a copy of said Certificate of Life Birth under Registry No. 98-576 is attached as Annex “F”;

6.

It is impossible for the petitioner to have been born on April 1998 because she graduated in elementary in the year 2003, high school in 2007, and college in 2013, which is impossible because she would only be 5 years old, 9 years old and 15 years old, respectively, in those times;

7.

This petition is filed without any slightest intention to defraud or prejudice the government or any person, its ultimate purpose is to rectify erroneous entries in the public records of the Civil Registry of Marawi City, specifically under Registry No. 98-576;

8.

Petitioner submit that nobody will be prejudiced by granting this petition nor is there a pending case filed against her;

Finding the aforesaid petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it is hereby Ordered that the same be set for hearing before this court on January 30, 2020 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning.

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in Lanao del Sur or Marawi City or iligan for three (3) consecutive weeks.

The Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City and the Philippine Statics Authority, or any person who has interest in the petition, may file his/her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition or this petition or from the last day of publication of this Order.

Further, let this Order be posted for fifteen (15) days prior to the date of hearing in the bulletin Board of Civil Registrar of Marawi City and Bulletin Board of this Court, at the expense of the petitioner.

The petitioner is directed to notify this court of the publication of this Order not later than three (3) days before January 30, 2020.

Furnish copies of this Order, together with the copies of the petition to the local civil registrar of Marawi City, the Hon. Solicitor General, Makati City, and the Hon. Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA), Sta. Mesa, Manila.

SO ORDERED Marawi City. December 17, 2019.

BWM: January 8, 15 & 22, 2020

WENIDA B.M PAPANDAYAN Presiding Judge

9

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WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

GOV BAMBI NGADTO SA MGA EMPLEYADO: "We were all paid to work in this government"

HUPONG sa mga bonuses ug uban pa nga mga benipisyo niadtong bulan sa Disyembre ang tanan empleyado sa Kapitolyo butang nga gipaabot ni Governor Bambi Emano nga nga angayan lang madawat sa angayan ug nagtrabaho og insakto nga mga trabahante sa Kapitolyo Probinsyal.

Matud sa gobernador nga maayo kaayo nga tuig ug

angayan nga mapadayon labina ang kaikag sa mga empleyado nga motrabaho ning bag ong tuig. "I hope that for those people who are working with us is still continue to work with us," matud sa gobernador ug nipaabot nga adunay gihapon mga 10 porsiyento sa mga trabahante ang wala nisalig ug nagtoo sa iyang liderato apan iya kining

gidawat kay daw matag dawog sa lubi adunay makasahi."10 porsiyento sa inyo dinhi gihapon motoo nga maayo ang atong lakaw sa probinsya nga matag dawog sa lubi naa gyod alang alang nga usa, we can never please everybody," dugang sa gobernador nga dunay pipila nga gatira patalikod kay dili siya bout nga molampos. "Kadtong atong kauban nga toa sa likod ang ilang pagbugbog pangtalikod man ang atoa kini ang ila patalikod because they dont want us to succeed in fact the culture they were able to change, some until now couldn't accept and do not like me because I am strict.

I don't care. Some of you do not like me because I forced all of you to work. I don't care you should work because we were all paid to work in this government," kini ang pahimangno ni Gob Bambi ngadto sa iyang mga empleyado.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL SUR 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 10 Hall of Justice, Marawi City IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE FIRST ISSUED CERTIFICATION OF LIVE BIRTH OF MOUMINA SHERYNE L. DOMADALUG WITH LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY NO.87-58 on her first name (From “MoominaAslia II” to “MouminaSheryne”, First name of her father (from ‘Alinor to Alinoor”), Middle name of her father (from “Domadalug” to “Ampian”), and last name of his father (from “Ampuan” To Damadalug”),

SPEC.PRO.NO.ML-730-2019

AND IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CANCELLATION OF THE SECOND CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH MOUMINA SHERYNE L. DOMADALUG WITH LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY NO. 2002-1823, MOUMINA SHERYNE DOMADALUG, PETITIONER, -VersusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MARAWI CITY;PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY;AND ALL PERSONS/ENTITIES WHO/WHICH MAYBE AFFECTED THEREBY,, Respondent. x---------------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER

Before this court is a verified petition for Correction of Certificate of Life Birth and Cancellation of Second Certificate of Live Birth of Moumina Sheryne L. Dumadalug dated November 6, 2019 and which read in part: 1.

Petitioner is a legal age, married to Mohammad Rayan M. Abdullah, Filipino Citizen, a lawyer by profession and a resident of Brgy. Sta. Elena, Iligan City whereas respondent Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City (“LCR-Marawi City” for brevity) is a public officer in-charge of the registration and cancellation/correction of entries on the civil registrar where the facts of birth of petitioner was registered which registrar is located at Marawi City while respondent Philippine Statics Office (“PSA” for Brevity) serves as the central respository of all registered vital documents with office address at Philippine Authority, East Avenue,Quezon City, Metro Manila;

Petitioner may be served with summons, notices and other process of the Honorable Court in her office address at MACAAN & PARTNERS LAW OFFICE, 3/F Dream Star Building, Badelles St. corner Actub st., Poblacion, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippine while respondents may be served with court order and other court processes at their above indicated address;

2.

Petitioner was born on January 22, 1987 at Marawi City and was issued upon late registration in 2002 by her deceased grandmother Hadja Sahara Ampuan, a certificate of live birth by herein respondent LCR-Marawi under Local Civil Registry No. 2002-1823.Due to clerical error on the first name of petition therein (“Moumina Siteryne” instead of “ Moumina Sheryne”) a petition for correction was filed by her in the LCR- Marawi City sometime in October 2013 which petition is still pending up this date;

Attached is a photocopy of certificate of live birth with Local Civil Registry No. 2002-1823 mark as “A” to form an integral part hereof;

3.

In December 7, 2018, petitioner got married to Mohammand Rayan M. Abdullah, an OFW in the State of Kuwait. Since petitioner – upon request if her husband – decide to follow the latter to Kuwait for vacation and go on Hajj ( Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia), petitioner went to the LCR-Marawi City to inquire about her petition so that she can process her application for passport and visa but she was told that for some reasons (allegedly an internal conflict), the records of the LCR-Marawi City in 2013 in unavailable and they cannot verified whether her petition has been granted or whether the same has indeed been forwarded to the PSA. Petitioner was then advised to secure a SECPA at PSA-Iligan City to see if there is already an annotation of correction;

4.

When petitioner requested for a SECPA of her Certificate of Live Birth, she was told that there is no longer a Certificate of Live Birth in the PSA database issued to one “Moumina Sheryne Lucman Domadalug” or one “MouminaSiteryne L. Domadalug”.

Petitioner told the personal in PSA office in Iligan City that in the past, she was able to secure a copy of her SECPA with the erroneous entry. She was advised to request for a copy online whice petitioner did;

5.

To her surprise, petitioner received a copy of a Certificate of Live Birth with Local Civil Registry No. 87-58 issued to one “MouminaAsliaLucmanAmpuan II” with practically the same details in the other entries as with the Certificate of Live Birth she was using except the following erroneous entries:

Entry No. 1 First Name: Moumina Aslia II Instead of “Moumina Sheryne” Last Name: Ampuan Instead of “Domadalug”

Entry No. 9 Father’s Middle Name: Domadalug Instead of “Ampuan”

Father’s last name: Ampuan Instead of “Domadalug”

7th Kuyamis Festival Booth competition, gisugdan na; P200k premyo naghulat sa mananaug SUSAMA sa milabay nga unom ka tuig, lakip sa kasaulogan sa 7th Kuyamis Festival 2020 dinhi sa lalawigan sa Misamis Oriental ang Kuyamis Booth competition, kung diin naghulat sa mga partisipante ang P200,000 nga premyo alang sa motumaw nga mananaug.

Mikabat sa 19 ka entry alang sa nasangpit nga kompetisyon nga anaa karon nahimutang sa Capitol Grounds (Capitol Park). Kini naglangkob sa Lungsod sa Jasaan, Balingoan, Sugbongcogon,

Lagonglong; dakbayan sa Gingoog, Manticao, Tagoloan, Balingasag, Binuangan, Talisayan, Villanueva; dakbayan sa El Salvador; Lugait, Medina, Laguindingan, Naawan, Magsaysay, Libertad, ug Initao.

Si Atty. Jeffrey Saclot, ang Provincial Tourism Officer, nagkanayon gikan sa 9 ka partisipante sa Kuyamis Booth competition, misaka na kini sa 19, timailhan sa malampuson nga pagsaulog sa kapistahan nga halad kang Sr.

Nazareno.

Ang Booth competition, naga-display sa nagkadaiyang produkto sa matag Lungsod sa Misamis Oriental, dugang atraksiyon sa Kuyamis Festival, alang sa lokal ug langyawng turista. "fact, I take on the pride nga maskin 7 years palang ma feel nato ang success sa Kuyamis Festival from 9 booth nga pag sugod nato we already have 19 ka booths, 19 LGU's from 7 contingents sa atong pag sugod sa street dancing competition naa nata karong 15 kabuok nga ni apil," sulti ni Atty. Saclot.

Lakip sa criteria for judging Ang Booth nga gama sa coconut products.

Gisugdan na ang partial judgment sa mga booth.

Ang final judgment niini karong petsa 11 sa Enero, atol sa pagtak-op sa 7th Kuyamis Festival 2020.

Lakip sa premyo ang balor P1 milyong pundo alang sa proyekto sa Lungsod nga ilang gi-representahan.

6.

Petitioner called her father who resided in Magalang, Pampanga as to why she has another birth certificate and the latter said he did not know about the prior Certificate of Live Birth that is why he asked his mother who was, at that time, residing in Marawi City to apply for petitioner’s late Registration of Live Birth which registration was duly registered as Certificate of Live Birth with Local Civil Registry No. 2002-1823;

Unbeknownst to both petitioner and her parents, a prior Certificate of Live Birth with Local Civil Registry No. 87-57 has already been issued to her prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Live Birth she has been using in her scholastic and employment records;

7.

Petitioner inquired again with the LCR-Marawi about the case and was told that the Certificate of Live Birth she has been using may have already been deleted. She was further advised that she inquire personally at the PSA central office about the matter;

8.

Sometime in January 2018, petitioner went to the Central Office in Metro Manila and there, she was told by the personnel in-charge that indeed, her second Certificate of Live Birth may have already been deleted and that her remedy is to bring the necessary petition in the proper Court to judiciary correct the erroneous entries in the first Certificate of Live Birth issued to her and the cancellation of the second one, if not yet cancelled. Hence, the instant petition;

9.

Petitioner has been publicly known in her community by the name MOUMINA SHERYNE LUCMAN DOMADALUG using the same in all her personal and professional transactions. However, her first name MOUMINA SHERYNE was erroneously entered MOOMINA ASLIA II, while her name was erroneously entered AMPUAN, her paternal grandmother’s maiden surname, instead of DOMADALUG;

Copies of petitioner’s DIPLOMA in high school, her TRANSCRIPT OF RECORDS in her undergraduate degree as well as in law school, her CERTIFCATE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE PHILIPPINE BAR, and her MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE, is hereto attached as Annexes “C”, “D”, “E”, “F” and “G” all form as an integral part hereof

10.

Petitioner is the second child of ALINOOR AMPUAN DUMADALUG. The name ALINOOR AMPUAN DUMADALUG (as appearing in the second issued Certificate of Live Birth of petitioner) is one and same ALINOR DOMADALUG AMPUAN erroneously stated in the entry no. 9 of petitioner’s first issued Certificate of Live Birth. Due to simple inadvertence, petitioner’s father first name “ALINOOR” was erroneously entered “ALINOR” while “AMPUAN”, his middle name was entered in the space for last name and his last name “DUMADALUG” was erroneously entered as his middle name.

Hereto attached is the AFFIDAVIT OF ONENESS OF PERSONALITY executed by ALINOR A. DUMADALUG mark as Annex “H” to “H-8” to attest that the entries in Entry No. 9 has been erroneously entered as ALINOR DOMADALUG AMPUAN instead of ALINOOR AMPUAN DUMADALUG;

11.

Due to erroneous entries in the first Certificate of Live Birth of petitioner and the alleged cancellation of her second Certificate of Live Birth, petitioner has been deprived of several scholarship opportunities abroad and international seminars beneficial to her career as a lawyer. Most importantly, she has been unable to go on Hajj or Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca by reason of her lack of necessary requirements specifically a Certificate of Live Birth to process her Passport and Visa Application;

12.

In order to correct the aforementioned erroneous entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner MOUMINA SHERYNE LUCMAN DOMADALUG under Local Civil Registry No. 78-58 the instant petition is being filed to correct substantial error pursuant to rule 108 of the Revised Rules of Court;

Finding the aforesaid petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it is hereby ordered that the same be set for hearing before this court on January 30, 2020 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning.

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a news paper of general circulation in Lanao del Sur or Marawi City or Iligan City for three (3) consecutive weeks.

The Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City and the Philippine Statistics Authority, or any person who has interest in the petition, may file his/her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition or from the last day of publication of this Order.

Further, let this Order be posted for fifteen (15) days prior to date of hearing in the Bulletin Board of the Civil Registrar of Marawi City and Bulletin Board of this Court, at the expense of the petitioner.

The petitioner is directed to notify this Court of the publication of this Order not later than three (3) days before January 30, 2019.

Furnish copies of this Order, together with the copies of the petition to the Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City, the Hon. Solicitor General, Makati City, and the Hon. Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Sta. Mesa, Manila.

SO ORDERED.

Marawi City. December 17, 2019

BWM: January 8, 15 & 22, 2020

WENIDA B.M. PAPANDAYAN Presiding Judge

10

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WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

Routes...

Kuyamis...

am very optimistic about the tourism boost this will bring to our country in the summer months," AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Ricardo Isla said.

Isla added that welcoming the new year with additional flights was the local carrier's way of providing more options to guests, helping them tick off more destinations in their bucket list.

The carrier operates more than 500 weekly domestic and international flights from Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Kalibo. (PNA)

Capitol grounds as part of the festival’s highlights.

Four-wheeled vehicles of d i f fe re nt t y p e s and varieties will be the stars of the autocross and car show which will be held on Jan. 11, Saclot said.

A group of 4x4 vehicle riders will also be exploring the mountains of the western part of Misamis Oriental during the three-day overland expedition which will start on January 10.

“For the overland expedition, 4x4 enthusiasts from all over Mindanao and even from the Visayas will be exploring the mountains of the province,” he said.

The proceeds of the expedition’s registration will be used to purchase materials that will be donated to a tribal community in Initao, he added.

Saclot said the provincial government has already coordinated with the tribal chieftain in Initao to ensure that the donation will be appropriated for the community’s needs.

On their first night, Saclot said the riders will spend the night camping at Mt. Salumayagon in Alubijid town, one of the emerging tourist destinations in the province.

On t he p e a k of t he mountain, one can see the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, as well as the Macajalar Bay, he said.

“From the top of Mt. Salumayagon, you can see the breathtaking and spectacular view of the two cities,” he added.

The usual festival events will also be held like the opening of booths, farmers’ market starting Jan. 6 and street dancing on January 8.

An exhibit showcasing the creations and crafts of the province’s various municipalities will be held for the entire week at the Centrio Mall.

There will also be a concert at the De Lara Park every afternoon until the evening on certain days, and other events outside the Provincial Capitol grounds.

Saclot said the park will be opened to the public during the festival but with designated entrance and exit points to regulate the flow of people coming in and out of the venue.

One of the major highlights in the festivity is the Miss Kuyamis 2020, of which the coronation will be held on January 10.

Saclot said the number of candidates representing cities and municipalities of the province has increased from 16 in 2018 to 21 this year.

He said the pageant became a training ground for the candidates who would later join bigger competitions, including Berjaneth Chee who was crowned Miss Philippines Water in 2018; Ana Monica Tan who was crowned as Miss Philippines Air in 2019; and the reigning Miss Kuyamis 2019 Sheila

from page 3

Landmark... from page 1

“ This will have a huge impact on the local tourism,” Saclot said in an interview Saturday, adding that the memorial shrine alone has already attracted thousands of tourists.

“Once completed, more people will come to visit it,” he added.

The fund used to c o n s t r u c t t h e c o mp l e x mostly came from the share of German company Steag State Power’s profits from its power generation, and was given to the prov i n c i a l g ov e r n m e nt in the amount of PHP3.54 million.

Dur ing t he tur nover of the PHP3.54 million check last Dec. 23, Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano s ai d h e wou l d s h ow t o t h e S t e a g m a n a g e m e nt “that the money that you entrusted to the provincial g ov e r n m e nt w i l l n e v e r g o t o w a s t e . We w i l l implement it properly.”

I n a s t a t e m e n t , D r.

Carsten Evers, Steag p o w e r p l a n t m a n a g e r, said the fund is part of the PHP17.8 million that the provincial government has received this year representing its share in the electricity sales of the company pursuant to the ER 1-94 program of the D e p a r t m e nt o f E n e r g y (DOE).

DOE said the ER 1-94 provides for the financial benefits to host communities where the energy provider is located.

“We are happy to be part of the provincial g o v e r n m e n t ’s t o u r i s m a d v o c a c y by u s i n g t h e funds for the development of the Provincial Botanical and Tourism Complex in Claveria,” he said.

About five years ago, Ste ag prov id e d PH P 6. 6 million to the province for the establishment of the Agutayan watch tower i n Ja s a a n t ow n , w h i c h s er ves not on ly for t he marine protection efforts but also for the ecotourism campaign of the provincial government.

“We congratulate Gov. Bambi Emano for his l e a d e r s h i p t h at h e l p e d position the province as a major tourism and i nve st m e nt d e st i n at i on in Mindanao,” Evers said.

(PNA)

from page 1

Falconer as Finalist of Miss Millennial Philippines 2019.

For two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019, Miss Kuyamis title holders got the "Best in National Costume" Awards in Miss Philippines Earth.

"Kuyamis" is an orangecolored young coconut which is abundant in Misamis Oriental. Its coco sugar and fresh coconut juice are being exported to different countries.

The Kuyamis Festival was conceptualized by Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano in 2013, starting with only the booths and street dancing competitions. (PNA)

Deny... from page 1

duty and grave misconduct before the Office of the Ombudsman, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Sunday.

T h e D e p a r t m e nt of t he Inter ior and L o cal Government (DILG) issued Memorandum Circular 2019121 in July last year, which gave local government units 60 days to reclaim public roads from private use.

Uayan said road clearing operations were conducted in his town.

He said they trimmed trees along the road, towed parked cars and relocated a house built on the sidewalk.

Uay a n s a i d h e w a s surprised to be included on the list of mayors facing charges, noting that they complied with the requirements set by the DILG. Abecia said the municipal government of Guinsilban also complied with the DILG order.

He said they cleared streets of illegal vendors and removed a basketball court.

Abecia and Uayan said they are ready to answer the complaints filed against them.

Año said the mayors failed to give satisfactory answers to show cause orders from the DILG after the local governments registered the lowest validation scores du r i ng e v a lu at i on and monitoring.

He urged the ombudsman to immediately act on the complaints and suspend concerned local chief executives.

The DILG is preparing for another round of road clearing operations for 75 days, Año said.

Arrested... from page 8

arsonists.

"They're interested in seeing fire, interested in

setting fire and quite often the information around how fires burn and accelerate excites them," he told News Corp.

T he Un iver sit y of M e l b o u r n e 's a s s o c i a t e professor Janet Stanley said that arsonists, or "firebugs", were typically young males aged either 12 to 24 or 60 and older.

"There is no one profile, but generally they seem to have a background of disadvantage, a traumatic upbringing and often have endured neglect and abuse as a child," she said.

Brendon S ok a lu k , a former volunteer firefighter, was sentenced to 17 years and nine months in jail for starting a 2009 bushfire in Victoria that killed 10 people on Black Saturday, one of Australia's worst bushfire events. (Xinhua)

Targets... from page 8

of Iraq's Popu lar Mobilization Units (PMU) was also killed.

"He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations," Trump wrote.

S o l e i m a n i 's s l a y i n g marks a dramatic escalation in tensions bet ween t he US and Iran, which have often been at a fever pitch si nce President Dona ld Trump decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw the US from the nuclear pact world powers struck with Tehran.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who gave Soleimani t he countr y’s highest honor last year, vowed “severe retaliation” in response to his killing as Trump struck a hawkish tone of defiance.

Following the death of an American contractor in rocket attacks on a US base in Iraq, Washington carried out a series of strikes Sunday that led to the deaths of at least 25 fighters from t he Ira n-backed Kata ib Hezbollah militia group.

The strikes were the first major attack by the US on an Iran-linked group since the withdrawal of troops from Iraq in 2011.

T he US E mb a s s y i n Baghdad was then attacked by a large crowd of protesters Tuesday, leading to a twoday standoff between US forces and protesters.

The Pentagon accused Soleimani of plotting the embassy attack and planning to c a r r y out add it iona l attacks on US diplomats and service members in Iraq and the region. (Anadolu)

11

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WEDNESDAY|JANUARY 8, 2020

Fund... from page 4

in the world measured by crude steel output.

China Baowu is poised to apply its state-of-art, green and intelligent technology in this steel project.

With high hopes hanging in the air, this mega project will hit the ground running early this year. (ruffy44_ ph2000@yahoo.com)

Juggler... from page 4

fell into the ocean and sunk, lost forever.

What a sad story. To risk and lose ever ything you own and have worked for all your life. Yet some of us are just like that juggler.

We’re very confident in our own strengths and abilities.

We want to be in control and live life our own way, even though our Maker has clearly shown us that the only way to really live successfully is His way. The only way to stay satisfied and safe is the way Jesus Christ showed us. Yet, we keep juggling with our own priceless life just one more day.

B ut w e n e v e r k n ow when our life will suddenly end—and we will have lost our eternal life and suffer forever. Friend, for your own sake and happiness, why not ask Jesus to forgive you for all your wrongs and living your own way? Then ask Him to give you His power so you can start changing to live His way every day of your life—before it’s too late. Just Think a Minute …

Practices... from page 4

opportunities for organized groups and individuals in your community to visit your property (e.g., schools and business associations).

• Pl an n ing for your Financial Future - Regularly review your business plan a n d appropr i at e l y a d d value (price) to all farm/ ranch services, products, and experiences in order to provide for the longterm sustainability of your business.

Mental... from page 4

lives.

Wi t h o u r f a i t h , w e have the answer to all the questions, the solution to all our problems, even if the answers and solutions it offers may not be the ones we want. But they are the answers and solutions that God himself gives, and not just us.

Faith is the great healer, the constant pacifier, because it brings Christ into our lives, Christ who heals and who constantly tells us, “Do not be afraid…” We should bring our faith to bear on our sciences and on our other sources of knowledge.

With respect to this phenomenon of rising cases of disturbed people, our faith can detect whether a particular case is just a pure mental or psychological

problem, or s omething where evil spiritual forces are involved.

To be sure, the workings of the demons will always manifest themselves in some mental, psychological or emotional predicaments.

But if a person is a man of deep faith, he most likely will have a very good mental or psychological health, and would know how to deal with evil spirits.

Plastics...

from page 6 He went on to say that the fact that plastic contains many other chemicals and pollutants makes it a "Trojan horse.”

"In other words, while plastics make human life easier, they can also darken the lives of many living things."

'Where isn't there plastic?'

Tu r n i n g t o t h e relationship bet ween plastics and climate change, Gundogdu highlighted that from production to recycling, plastic contributes to the climate crisis as it is made from oil, which is one of the main sources of greenhouse gasses.

"The amount of greenhouse gas emitted from plastic production and burning was estimated at over 850 million tons in 2019, equivalent to the emissions from around 189 coal-fired power plants," he said.

He added t hat t he est i mated a mou nt of greenhouse gas emissions from plastics will increase to 2.8 billion tons by 2050.

“Plastic pollution may be having a less direct but ultimately greater role in climate change t hrough its impact on the species that form the foundation of oceanic food chains and provide the biological carbon pump that sequesters carbon in the deep oceans,” said a report released last May by the Center for International Environmental Law. Reiterating the dangers of plastics to public health, the environment and the climate, Gundogdu said the "easy, fast lifestyle" should be given up.

"Apart from the necessary areas, we should stop using plastic intensively and we shou ld turn to product designs suitable for re-use and need to implement the deposit-refund system and the prohibition of single-use plastics.

"Plastic is everywhere, and I think the question shou ld now be ' W here isn't there plastic?’ We are only at the beginning of our understanding of the problems associated with this issue," Rebecca PrinceRuiz, founder and executive director of the Plastic Free Foundation, told Anadolu Agency.

Mentioning the plastic threat in the seas, Ruiz said 8 million tons of plastic enter oceans each year, more than 270 ma r i ne species a re affected by marine debris, and it is estimated that 99 percent of seabirds will have ingested plastic in the next

30 years.

"As a material, plastic has its advantages...Plastics have enabled us to transport food and other goods across the other side of the world and have led to situations whereby people in Europe drink water in plastic bottles that has come from Fiji," she said.

Despite the advantages to daily life, however, she thinks that people should be aiming for a world without plastic waste.

"We need to significantly reduce our use of single-use plastics, and where it is used there have to be systems in place to collect and reuse that material," Ruiz said, adding plastics are inherently linked to the rise in consumption of resources and modern consumer culture.

Touching on the Plastic Free July campaign, which she founded, she said an estimated 230 million people globally took part in the "challenge" last year and chose to refuse at least one single-use plastic.

Plastic Free July, led by the independent non-profit Plastic Free Foundation and celebrated annually by communities around the world, is a campaign for a world without plastic waste.

"This record shows that many people worldwide are concerned and want to take action -- and lots of small steps add up to make an impact," she added.

The UN estimates that 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the early 1950s. (Anadolu)

Completes... from page 6

comprehensive ban on lead paints and by offering quality lead-safe products.”

“The complete phase-out of lead-containing paints is very significant for our children’s health and our nation’s future as childhood lead exposure can cause reduced intellectual development, limit educational attainment as well as hinder socioeconomic advancement," noted Eileen Sison, President of the EcoWaste Coalition, an active member of the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), which is campaigning for a global ban on lead paint. "We recognize our partners in the public and private sectors for this collective feat that will redound to a lead-safe environment, especially for young children, pregnant women and workers,” she said.

"With the national ban on lead-added paints for all product lines in effect, we urge paint dealers to take old non-compliant paints off the shelves and to stock up on lead-safe paints. To assure paint consumers that a product conforms with the maximum 90 ppm total lead content limit, we encourage more paint companies to participate in the third-party Lead Safe Paint® certification program," said Jeiel Guarino, Global Lead Paint Elimination Campaigner, IPEN. The DENR, PAPM, Pacific

Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc., EcoWaste Coalition and IPEN are partners of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (a voluntar y partnership formed by the UN Environment and the World Health Organization) whose overall goal is “to prevent children’s exposure to lead from paints and to minimize occupational exposures to lead paint.”

According to the UN E nv i ron m e nt , “ l e a d i s a multisystem toxicant for which no safe level of exposure has been identified.”

“Lead exposure can cause chronic and debilitating health impacts in all age groups, but it is particularly harmful to young children. This is because their developing ner vous systems can be damaged by lead, resulting in reduced cognitive abilities, poor educational attainment, attention deficit disorder and anti-social behavior.

In adults, lead exposure can cause hypertension, renal impairment and damage to the reproductive organs,” the agency said.

To promote the mandatory use of lead-safe paints in the Philippines, national and local authorities, including the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Quezon City Government, have adopted policies in support of DENR AO 201324.

Recognizing there is still much work to be done, the EcoWaste Coalition and the PAPM last year wrote to the Environmental Management Bureau proposing for a review of how DENR AO 2013-24 is implemented in order to identify successes, determine gaps, and pinpoint further steps to improve its implementation.

Saves... from page 6

unit shut-downs. She also studied changes in countylevel mortality rates and crop yields using data from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Burney found t hat between 2005 and 2016, the shutdown of coal-fired units saved an estimated 26,610 lives and 570 million bushels of corn, soybeans and wheat in their immediate v ic i n it ie s . T he i nvers e calculation, estimating the damages caused by coal plants lef t in operation over that same time period, suggests they contributed to 329,417 premature deaths and the loss of 10.2 billion bushels of crops, roughly equivalent to half of year's typical production in the U.S. "The unique contribution of this study is its scope and the ability to connect discrete technology changes -- like an electric power unit being shut down -- to local health, agriculture and regional climate impacts," Burney said. "We hear a lot about the overall greenhouse gas and economic impacts of

the transition the U.S. has undergone in shifting from coal towards natural gas, but the smaller-scale decisions that make up this larger trend have really important local consequences. The analysis provides a framework for c o m mu n i t i e s t o m o r e thoroughly and accurately assess the costs and benefits of local investments in energy infrastructure."

Burney added t hat although there are considerable benef its of decom m ission i ng older coal-fired units, the newer natural gas units are not entirely benign. Natural gas units are associated with increased pollution levels; although different than the pollutant mix from coal-fired units, and more research is required to fully understand their impacts.

Burney concludes that "policymakers often think about g reen house gas emissions as a separate problem from air pollution, but the same processes that cause climate change also produce these aerosols, ozone, and other compounds that cause important damages.

This study provides a more robust accounting for the f u l l su ite of em issions associated w it h electric power production. If we understand the real costs of things like coal better, and who is bearing those costs, it could potentially lead to more effective mitigation and formation of new coalitions of beneficiaries across sectors."

(Story Source: Materials provided by University of Califor nia - San Diego.

Original written by Christine Clark. Note: Content may be edited for style and length./ www.sciencedaily.com)

Banks... from page 5

four, and two counts of f a l s i f i c at i on of pu b l i c documents, respectively.

The Kalibo court also sentenced the three bank officials to minimum imprisonment of six months and one day to a maximum of two years, four months, and one day. They were also slammed with fines of P1,000 for each count.

Meanwhile, three officers from RBBI were convicted by the Regional Trial Court

of Iloilo City for 20 counts of violation of the General Banking Law of 2000 also on the grounds of fraudulent transactions.

In its decision dated Sept.

18, the court sentenced RBBI’s former chairman, president and manager Bella A. Buscar, as well as Cynthia A. Taconloy and Leni A. Abordaje, who were loans and savings clerks, to imprisonment of two to four years for each count.

It was in 2016 when the BSP filed a criminal complaint against the three persons for defrauding clients by soliciting deposits but willfully omitting said transactions in the books of the bank.

“Investigations revealed that high interest rates were offered to entice the public to make such deposits,” the central bank said.

In Aug. 24, 2007, the Monetar y B oard placed the RB Sebaste under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit and Insurance Corp.

The same fate happened to RBBI on July 5, 2012.

“In line with its mandate to promote financial stability, the BSP continues to foster high standards of governance and risk management among institutions it supervises,” the central bank said.

Petron... from page 3

were backing the fuel marking program of the government as a mechanism against smuggling and revenue leakages.

PIP, a business group operating in the country’s downstream oil industry, said its members include Petron, Chevron Philippines Inc., Isla LPG Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., PTT Philippines Corp., and Total Philippines Corp.

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FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|January 8, 2020

12

Resorts World Manila Receives Sports Tourism Award

T

HE Run with Me charity fun run of Resorts World Manila was recently awarded the Charity Event of the Year Award at the prestigious 3rd Philippine Sports Tourism Awards.

Resorts World Manila’s ‘Run with Me’ fun run is a celebrityled charity that fosters camaraderie and sportsmanship among its participants all while raising funds for various charities. A good complement to other sporting events that focus on personal merits and recognition, the 2018 Run with Me fun run garnered almost 5,000 runners and collected a total of 3.5 million pesos which were distributed to 6 foundations namely the HERO Foundation, YESPinoy Foundation, ERDA Tech Foundation, Right Start Community

Development Inc., EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation of the Philippines, and Empowering Brilliant Minds Foundation.

In receiving the award on behalf of Resort World Manila, Mr. Joee Guilas, the Director for corporate communications defined the award to be close to the hearts of everyone involved in the project. "We are honored to be recognized by the PSTA for this charity program and we shall continue to help our beneficiaries in every way we can."

Organized by Selrahco PR and Primetime Plan Bravo, the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards, now in its 3rd year, sought to recognize and celebrate the movers and shakers of sports as a major pillar of Philippine tourism.

Different institutions

(Mr. Joee Guilas, the director for corporate communications of Resorts World Manila receives the award for Charity Event of the Year for RWM’s ‘Run With Me’ fun run which raised a total of 3.5 million pesos which were later granted to 6 partner charities.

Joining him onstage is DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., PSTA Founder Charles Lim, and Primetime CEO Pauland Dumlao.)

which were awarded the prestigious PSTA trophies varied from governments, private companies, venues,

conventions, and more.

A total of 14 awards were presented in the Grand Bar & Lounge of Resorts World Manila,

Pasay City.

Other winners of PSTA 2018 were Sunrise Events, Inc. (Event Organizer of

the Year – Private), City of Dumaguete (Event Organizer of the Year – Government), Subic Bay – Ironman (Event of the Year – International), Ceres – Negros FC (Sports Association of the Year), City of Davao (Destination Marketing of the Year – Ironman), Sunlife Financial (Event Sponsorship of the Year), Philippine Airlines (Airline of the Year), AA Philippines (MICE Event of the Year), Marco Polo Plaza Hotel (Hotel of the Year), Cebu Pacific – Juan for Fun (Adventure Event of the Year), Philippine Sports Commission/ Philippine National Games (Event of the Year – Domestic), Panaad Park & Sports Complex, Bacolod City (Sports Venue of the Year) & Clark Freeport (Sports Destination of the Year).

Italpinas green developer gets P440-M loan from DBP MANILA, Philippines - It seems all systems go now for green developer Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) as the government-run Development Bank of the Philippines has given IDC a green light to have a bank loan of Four Hundred Forty Million Pesos (P440 -M).

The said multimillion loan will partially finance Italpinas new projects especially the Citta Bella, the second phase development for Primavera City green complex.

The complex, report said, will be

completed in Year 2020.

It can be recalled that the 1st phase of the Citta Bella Green Complex was also funded by the said government financial institution. It will be ready for occupancy during the first quarter of 2022.

The International Property Award Asia Contest from 2017-2018 has awarded Primavera City as Best in Mixed-used b building. It will be a green project certified by EDGE, a member of World Bank's International Finance Corp.

In photo are (from L) Jennylyn Encinares, DBP account office; Jose Leviste III, IDC President; Jeanne Adamos, DBP Vice President; Romolo Nati, IDC Chairman and CEO; and Harold Dacumos, IDC Senior Vice President. Photo taken after the formal signing of the P400 Million loan facility.