BusinessWeek Mindanao (January 8, 2021)

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Friday|January 8, 2021

DAVAO City — The city has extended the implementation of its 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew and 24/7 liquor ban until January 31.

Mayor Sara Duterte issued Executive Order 71, reiterating the implementation of the liquor ban to avoid transmission of the virus during drinking sessions and curfew in anticipation of a spike in COVID-19 cases resulting from the holidays.

The local government warned it will strictly enforce a “onestrike rule” and closure against restaurants, sari-sari stores and similar establishments that would be caught violating the liquor ban.

The Davao City Police Office and the Vices Regulation Unit have been tasked to continue to monitor and apprehend violators of the curfew and liquor ban.

Thank you for trusting us!

By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

I

N what could be an indication of rebound in electricity d emand, the Nati onal Electrification Administration (NEA) reported that the energy sales of electric cooperatives (ECs) had been up by 3.0-percent in the third quarter of 2020.

THE town of Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte has secured a P188million funding from the World Bank for the construction of a concrete road from Barangay New Visayas to Barangay Tulalian under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

“The New Visayas to Tulalian road has been an issue since then. And I am very happy to announce that the concreting of the road will eventually become a reality after working so hard to grab the funding from the World Bank thru PRDP,” Mayor Ernesto Evangelista said in a statement Wednesday.

He said the rehabilitation of the Barangay New VisayasTulalian farm-to-market road project has a bridge component amounting to P188.3 million and the funds for it would be available

by June 2021.

Davao curfew extended

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

LONELY ROAD, LOVELY VIEW. A Mist crowns the mountains in the background as two riders traverse the road to Barangay Kaatuan in Lantapan, Bukidnon. mindanews photo by h . marcos c . mordeno

Oroquieta City bans returning residents; CDO welcomes LSIs THE Oroquieta City government on Wednesday announced the ban on the entry of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) after it saw a rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

In an interview, Mayor Lemuel Acosta said the local inter-agency task force has decided to disallow LSIs from entering the city for 29 days starting BANS/PAGE 10

THE Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) launched on Wednesday the Cash and Food Subsidy for Marginal Farmers

and Fishers Program (CFSMFF), with its first batch of beneficiaries coming from Damulog, Bukidnon.

SUBSIDY/PAGE 10

The government-run agency noted that based on data gathered by its Information Technology and Communication Services Department (ITCSD), the July-September sales of the ECs hovered at 6,153 gigawatthours, which was higher than the 5,950 GWh sales posted in the same period the previous year.

Despite upward trend in sales though, NEA indicated that revenues in the third quarter declined by 4.0-percent to P54.128 billion as against P56.407 billion in the same third quarter timeframe in 2019.

If reckoned with the second quarter revenues in 2020 though at P54.074 billion, POWER/PAGE 11

Normin farmers receive cash aid, food subsidy READY TO GO. The wounded serpent eagle photographed at the residence of Jerome Piodos, who rescued it on New Year’s Day (1 January 2021) in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte and turned it over to authorities a few days later. mindanews photo by richel v . umel

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Local 2 NEDA-10 conducts staff training for stronger Internal Quality Audit C AGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10 conducted an online training course on Effective Internal Audit for ISO 9001:2015, December 28-29, 2020, to continually improve its operations and delivery

of services.

With more than 30 NEDA-10 and Regional Development Council–10 staff in attendance, the course aims to equip the staff with basic competencies on internal quality audit and prepare them to be internal auditors of the organization’s quality

management system (QMS).

The NEDA-X Management wants to ensure the availability of a pool of well-trained internal quality auditors of its QMS. The training conducted

by Infoadvance, Inc. enhanced the participants’ understanding of Internal

Audit as an essential component of any management system as it serves as a quality tool to check the effectiveness of processes in delivering intended results and trigger improvements.

Aurelio L. Ebita, lead auditor and trainer, underscored TRAINING/PAGE 11

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FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10 conducts an online training course on Effective Internal Audit for ISO 9001:2015, December 28-29, 2020, to continually improve its operations and delivery of services. (NEDA 10)

Over 1.5K agrarian reform beneficiaries get lands in Caraga BUTUAN City – The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic did not hamper the implementation of the 2020 programs and services of the Department of Agrarian Reform in the Caraga Region (DAR-13), as over 1,000 beneficiaries of the agrarian reform program of the

government received land titles from the agency.

While following established health protocols, DAR-13 employees in different provinces in Caraga handed over Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to 1,583 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

In an interview Thursday, DAR-13 director Leomides Villareal said in 2020, they achieved a 701-percent accomplishment rate in CLOA distribution with a total of 2,562 hectares of agricultural lands distributed from its 366-hectare target.

The agency also

gained an 829-percent accomplishment rate in the number of ARBs served with 1,583 ARBs who actually received lands, significantly surpassing the 191 target for 2020.

Topping the list in gains in CLOA distribution was the DAR provincial office in Surigao del Sur with 1,978.2260 hectares of

lands given to 1,147 ARBs; followed by Agusan del Sur with 396.8867 hectares to 297 ARBs; Agusan del Norte with 107.4241 hectares to 77 ARBs; and Surigao del Norte with 79.9395 hectares to 62 beneficiaries.

Villareal commended the whole workforce of DAR-13 for the high

accomplishment last year.

“We just moved on despite the threat of the pandemic. When the restrictions were implemented in April last year, I told our personnel to formulate strategies to reach out to our beneficiaries by not also breaching the established LANDS/PAGE 10

PSA cautions public vs. PhilSys sign up scam BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL National Highway Balingasag, Barangay 4, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Mobile Number/s: 0933-823-3161, 0933-823-3304 Tel. Number: 333-5161 CAGAYAN DE ORO P&J Lim Building, Tiano Kalambagohan St., Barangay 14, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel No. (08822) 727-829 / 231-6629 Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0933-823-3303 / 0943-708-7065 CAGAYAN DE ORO WAREHOUSE Warehouse 7, Bonbon Road, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Mobile No. 0917-825-4149 / 0943-708-7065 CARMEN, CAGAYAN DE ORO Vamenta Blvd., fronting CEPALCO, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 233-2011 Mobile No. 0933-823-3159 CORRALES, CDO Corrales Ave., Barangay 29, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 231-2055

DIVISORIA, CDO A. Velez St., Barangay 9, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0917-841-4000 / 0933-823-3164 GINGOOG CITY G/F Wyne Militante Bldg., Lugod St., Barangay 22, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 861-0104 Mobile No. 0933-823-3168 LAPASAN, CDO National Highway (FICCO Bldg.), Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 231-6739 Mobile No. 0933-823-3160 PUERTO, CDO Purok 6, Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 859-0574 Mobile No. 0943-708-7537 CAMIGUIN B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Telefax No. (088) 387-0491 Mobile No. 0943-708-7539

DAVAO City– The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has cautioned the public against unauthorized individuals issuing fake National IDs and are issuing false information about the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys. PSA is referring to a certain social media group claiming as “Philippine

National ID (News & Information) and an individual by the name of “Calvin Processings” who based on the information PSA has received, is processing a fake National ID with a corresponding fee.

A post on PSA Philippine Identification System Facebook Page on December 28 reads, “Warning to the public!

Be careful and avoid individuals or groups that are releasing FALSE information about PhilSys.” PSA said the social media group is posting false information about PhilSys on Facebook.

PSA reminded the public that PhilSys registration is free and the process of registration consists of three steps.

PSA warned the public especially those who are planning to scam PhilSys that unauthorized issuance of PhilID and its use is punishable of three to six years imprisonment and a fine of one million to three million pesos as provided under the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of R.A. No. 11055 or Philippine Identification System Act. PSA further reminded the public to be careful and to not fall prey to scammers who are giving false information about PhilSys. It encouraged the public to immediately report fake posts, pages or individuals doing illegal activities related to PhilSys by messaging m.me/PSAPhilSysOfficial Facebook page or call PhilSys hotline, 1388.

CAUTIONS/PAGE 10

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FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

OPINION:

Healthcare blessings in Uptown CdO

S

OME of the main factors when making important decisions like the place of an investment or the location to live and to raise your children are based on certain fears and necessities we humans have.

One of the leading drivers is for decision making is certainly the psychological necessity to be part of a community, to be near your family, to feel membership to a group, a trait especially important in a catholic society like in the Philippines.

The other most important factor is the feeling of safety and the preservation of life.

We all desire to live in a secure

and protected environment far from potential threats.

That’s why many choose to live in a condominium where security is monitored with CCTV cameras and armed guards at the entrance. As important as the just mentioned feeling of security is the one of perceived personal safety, health and well being especially important when we are growing older.

The vicinity to a healthcare facility for example gives us an added layer of perceived safety and security. We probably have all had the thought about “what if something happens” and analysed how far it would take to the nearest hospital.

That thought sprouts also when families discuss the options for childbirth and where this new creature should see the light.

The vicinity of the hospital and family become most often the crucial decision factor for many decisions we make. When discussing about the many benefits and advantages of living in Uptown Cagayan de Oro we always mention the beauty of the landscape, the amazing views, the lush tropical vegetation, the cooler climate, the golf course, the various indoor and outdoor dining facilities, the malls and shopping areas, the easy access to all parts of the city, the wide roads,

the conveniently located multipurpose buildings and condominiums, the various subdivisions but we rarely talk about the vicinity and availability of hospital facilities.

People in Uptown CdO have somehow come to terms with the fact that hospitals are located a little further in downtown and this fact is now fortunately going to change very soon when the new St. Francis Doctors Hospital and Medical Center will finally open its doors in 2021. This 8-storey private healthcare facility finally fills in a strategic void in Uptown CdO and will give its residents the needed sense

LORENS ZILLER

Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines

of personal safety and care they have been longing for.

This new medical facility will be located just on Masterson Avenue just in front of the main gate of Xavier Estates and less than 5 minutes from SM City and Primavera Residences and Primavera City in Uptown CdO. Strategically located in the poshest part of town it will cater to all residents of Cagayan de Oro as well as to patients from the surrounding areas of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte. In

fact many provincial businessmen, politicians and VIPs have their second family homes in Uptown CdO where most often their kids go to school and their parents and grand parents visit from time to time.

These very often have a need to stay in the city especially when there are certain medical conditions that require frequent doctors and hospital visits. So blessed be the presence of this upcoming hospital for the peace of mind of our residents.

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Opinion

The BusinessWeek Mindanao is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Corporation every Monday to Friday with office address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Company Registration No. CS201531633 with BIR Certificate of Registration No. 2RC0000831068, TIN No. 463-826-272-000 – VAT. Reg., and with Business Permit No. 2020-04015. Tel. Nos.: (088)856-3344, (088) 810-100, 0923-432-0687, 0917-7121424 Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com

BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO ALLAN MARIO MEDIANTE Vice President for Corporate Affairs RUFINO T. MAGBANUA Vice President for Business Development VICENTE C. DELA VICTORIA Vice President for Operations JOE FELICILDA Vice President for Administration JOHN AARON M. DEL BANDO Vice President for Events and Promotions JOE PALABAO Vice President for Marketing ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, PhD Vice President for Finance MIKE BAÑOS Vice President for Digital

Singapore's small economy is typically hit first by external shocks before ripples spread across the region Singapore's economy suf fered its worst ever annual contraction in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic hammered the city-state's vital trade and tourism sectors, official data showed yesterday.

But t he 5.8 p ercent decline was not as bad as feared -- official forecasts had predicted a fall of up to 6.5 percent -- as economic activity picked up with the easing of curbs.

The financial hub plunged into its first recession since the 2008 global financial crisis in the second quarter when the government closed

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Formula of failure Think a minute . . . None of us wants to fail. So we must make sure we are not following the formula for failure, which includes our wrong thinking, attitudes, actions and basic way of living. Don’t forget, “The cost of failure is higher than the price of success.”

The first rule for failing: Have no goals in your life.

Do only the minimum of what you absolutely must do. Don’t try to find a better way of doing things. Just do what is easy for you. But remember: “You’re not a failure until you’re satisfied with being one.” People who started with nothing and made themselves successful made a decision to change the way they were living. “If you don’t want more out of life, you’re guaranteed not to get more.”

Rule number two on how to fail: Put off until tomorrow what you can do today. If you ever feel motivated to make a good change in your life, just wait until the mood leaves you, then you will end up doing nothing. Research done at a leading university showed that what makes

THINK A MINUTE

most workplaces as part of drastic measures to contain infections.

One of the world's most open economies, Singapore is seen as a bellwether for the health of global trade, and its economy's dramatic deterioration rang alarm bells.

But curbs were eased in the second half of the year and key sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing, have begun to recover.

In the fourth quarter, the economy shrank 3.8 percent year-on-year, less than expected, according to preliminary growth data released by the trade ministry.

Song Seng Wun, a regional economist with CIMB Private Banking, was saying that the

contraction was not as bad as feared due to strong exports of some goods.

Song said he expects a "rebound of around six percent" this year.

"We are seeing businesses continuing to benefit from the further easing of restrictions and stronger global demand for (microchips) and medicines," he said.

Singapore's small economy is typically hit first by external shocks before ripples spread across the region. However, it usually also recovers quickly from any downturn.

The city-state won praise for keeping the pandemic in check in the early stages only for serious outbreaks to emerge later in crowded dormitories housing low-paid

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

migrant workers.

But its outbreak has slowed markedly in recent weeks, and only a handful of cases are being recorded a day.

Authorities last week began a coronavirus vaccination campaign, making it among the first Asian nations to roll out inoculations.

2020: The year that was

Editor-in-Chief

Motoring Editor

FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

Singapore's virus-hit economy suffers worst decline in 2020

NELSON CONSTANTINO GILBERT Y. CHAO

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EVERYONE is excited to end 2020! Just a few more days and finally we bid goodbye to the year that changed our lives and our perspectives of life. There is no argument that 2020 is a year that will forever be etched in our memories for both the good and the bad it brought us.

B e fore we of f ici a l ly draw the curtain of 2020, let’s look back at the events, personalities, and trends that made 2020 the year that was.

Events of the year Top on the list is the Covid-19 pandemic which impacted people worldwide.

Rich and poor, young and old, male and female, Covid-19 indiscriminately claimed lives and caused millions of people to get sick. As of this writing, the world is still fighting this virus, which is even said to have mutated to a more dangerous variant.

The Taal Volcano eruption literally ushered 2020 with a bang, when after 43 years of slumber, it woke up and

showed its might last Jan 12.

The eruption wreaked major damage to the lives of our countrymen in Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and some parts of Central Luzon.

Typho ons Rolly and Ulyss es were forces to reckon with. While the Philippines has its yearly date with typhoons, we did not expect that typhoons Rolly and Ulysses will bring so many rains and flooding and major destructions to our “kababayans” in Bicol, Cagayan/Isabela, and Marikina.

The shutdown of ABSCBN, the country’s biggest television network made national headlines and elicited varied reactions from the Filipinos. Some were saying that this was political in nature while others were citing the legal grounds b e h i n d t h e s hut d ow n .

Whatever the reason was, Filipinos realized that aside from having Kapamilya, we also have our Kapuso and

Kapatid to count on!

New normal Surviving and thriving amidst the pandemic introduced and required us to adopt and adapt to these new normal ways of going about our day to day living.

Wearing face masks and face shields and practicing social distancing when going out or when in the presence of others are now the basic protocols. It’s almost considered a crime not to observe these health standards.

With physical movements being highly restricted, the use of the Online platform is the new norm when doing almost all business and social transactions. Most products and services are sold and purchased online. Banks, insurance companies, and most government offices are now utilizing the digital space for their business operations.

Students are now attending online classes and the faithful are attending online masses.

MINDFUL

JAY LEDESMA Work from home which is, likewise, enabled by digitalization, is the new setup for almost all employees.

Reunions, meetups, and gettogethers are done virtually.

In the case of physical gatherings or celebrations, attendance is now limited to 10-20 people the most.

It’s toned down and more intimate.

2020 trends Among the social media apps, Tiktok is the most popular worldwide.

Though this video sharing platform, known for its actYEAR/PAGE 11

Life's paradoxes JHAN TIAFAU HURST us successful is more our attitude than our ability.

The evidence showed that 93% of our success comes because of our motivation, attitudes, and choices; but only 7% is because of our skills and knowledge.

The third rule for failing is to be negative. “Failure can go to your head.” When you keep thinking negative thoughts about yourself and reminding yourself of your past failures or how you might fail if you try something new, you guarantee your own failure! But the good news is, “Your past failures can also be signs that guide you to your future success. Some of the best lessons we ever FORMULA/PAGE 11

We have to be ready for the many paradoxes in life. Christ already warned us about this unavoidable condition in our life here on earth. And the secret is already shared with us.

And that is none other than to be with Christ, to be like Christ. In fact, we are supposed to be “another Christ,” if not “Christ himself,” to be able to deal with this very confusing condition of our life.

We are told to lose in order to win, to die in order to live, to give in order to receive, to be empty so we can be filled.

We are told to be detached from persons and things of this world to be attached only to who would truly matter to us, and that is God. Christ even made use of the word, “hate,” so we can follow him, so we can be his disciples.

Still more, he told us to be as simple as doves yet as astute as serpents.

To be sure, if we would only use our own faculties or our

own understanding of things, there is no way but really to be at a loss as to what to make out of all these contrasting qualities.

But precisely, we have to know the true character of a paradox to realize that these contrasting qualities are meant to highlight a higher truth.

That’s what a paradox does. It takes cognizance of the many different and competing values of our many different and competing parts and aspects of our life to attain a certain unity of life and gain our one ultimate goal.

Thus, we should not be surprised that we have to deal with these paradoxes.

We should just learn how to do it properly. And again, the secret is already given to us. It is to be with Christ, to be like him, to be “another Christ,” if not “Christ himself.”

And that ideal is possible because Christ has made himself available. He has left

us not only with his doctrine, his teaching, and example.

He has also given us his very own self in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist which we should try to receive as eagerly and as worthily as possible, knowing fully well what are involved when we receive him in sacrament.

Wi t h h i m , w h at i s impossible to us is made possible. All we have to do is to try our best to follow him, to make his teaching and example our very own life.

That prospect may appear to be incredible. And it surely is. But what is needed here is simply to activate our faith. We are supposed to believe more than to understand things even as we try our best to understand also.

It’s our faith, supported by hope and charity, which would enable us to do what we think is impossible for us to do. Remember that Christ many times faulted even those

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA who were close to him, the apostles, as having of little faith. We should just try to make it our constant prayer to him, “Lord, I believe but help my unbelief.” (Mk 9,24) Or, to echo the apostle’s plea, “Lord, increase our faith.” (Lk 17,5) Only then can we manage to see the beautiful truth of the contrasting qualities or conditions involved in our life’s paradoxes!

Email: roycimagala@ gmail.com

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FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

Misor kicks off 2021 Kuyamis Festival

T

HE provincial government of Misamis Oriental officially commences the virtual activities of the 8th Kuyamis Festival and 91st Founding Anniversary of the province.

During the flag raising rites, Governor Bambi Emano graces the ceremonial unveiling of this year’s festival.

One of the highlights of this year’s festivity is the 8th Kuyamis Photo and Handicraft Exhibit at Centrio Ayala Mall Event Center. Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Misamis Oriental made all the handicrafts with earnestness and passion highlighting the coconut-product as the main design.

Kuyamis Festival is staged every year as a Founding Anniversary of Misamis Oriental.

Kuyamis is derived from the coconut, locally called

“Kuyamis” which is plentiful all throughout the borders of Misamis Oriental.

This time, precautionary measures are highly

observed in all activities.

“We will continue with the 8th Kuyamis Festival, but we will also observe all the basic safety protocols to have a successful

If interested, contact:

celebration” Gov. Bambi exudes.

With optimism and high hopes, Governor Bambi Emano believes that the conduct of the 8th Kuyamis

DANICA SUDARIA

Festival would still be successful despite these tough times. MISAMIS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

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CorporateWorld Manufacturing index slides in December but biz confidence up

FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

RESORTS, HOTEL & RESTAURANTS DIRECTORIES

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

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HE country’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) shed in the last month of 2020, but business confidence was the highest in 10 months, IHS Markit reported Monday.

Philippines manufacturing PMI in December 2020 declined to 49.2 from 49.9 in November 2020.

“Firms registered a modest contraction in output volumes amid ongoing restrictions implemented to curb the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases,” IHS Markit said.

The survey attributed further deterioration of the local manufacturing sector to job shedding while new orders were

broadly unchanged.

Scores below 50 show deterioration of the sector while above the neutral score reflect improvement.

Ongoing lockdown restrictions and poor weather conditions contributed to output volume decline last month.

“Job shedding persisted at a strong rate which firms linked to restructuring efforts and voluntary resignations,” the IHS Markit survey added.

On the other hand, the report said demand for exports continued to expand, rising for four straight months in December 2020.

"That said, positives can be

drawn from the latest survey findings; new orders neared stability and sentiment recovered to levels seen before the start of the pandemic. At the same time, case numbers have moderated with expectations that restrictions will ease over the coming months,” IHS Markit economist Shreeya Praya said.

Business sentiments continue to improve in the last month of 2020, posting the highest confidence since February last year.

The survey said the improvement in business sentiments was fueled by higher hopes of manufacturers to see greater demand for this year.

(PNA)

DTI adjusts cement safeguard duty in 2021 THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is adjusting safeguard duty for imported cement this 2021 for the second year of the imposition of the trade remedy.

In an interview with reporters, DTI-Bureau of Import Services director Luis Catibayan said safeguard duty this year is being eyed at P9.80 per 40-kilogram to P9 per 40-kg bag.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez also told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that he already approved the new rate

of safeguard measure for cement imports.

This, as the local cement industry requested for higher safeguard duty due to the influx of imported cement even with the imposition of P10safeguard duty in the first year of the trade remedy.

In 2019, DTI imposed a definitive safeguard duty on imported cement for three years.

A P10-safeguard duty per 40-kg bag of imported cement was imposed in the first year

of the safeguard measure to redress serious injury in the domestic industry.

The safeguard duty was supposed to be P9 per 40-kg bag of cement for the second year and to P8 per 40-kg bag for the third year.

This recommendation, however, is subject to annual review.

“But under the WTO (World Trade Organization), under the law, we cannot increase the duty,” said Catibayan.

“There is a requirement to progressively liberalize the duty.”

He added that in order to heed the call of the domestic cement manufacturers without defying WTO rules, DTI eyes to decrease the safeguard duty by only 20 centavos from the P10-safeguard duty in the initial imposition of the trade remedy.

DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo also said that as the government is rolling out its infrastructure project, they would like to see local cement manufacturers fill in the domestic demand. (PNA)

DTI to impose stricter tax on auto vehicles THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will impose provisional safeguard duties on imported passenger cars and light commercial vehicles after its preliminary determination found that there was an influx of importation of automotive vehicles that caused serious injury to the domestic market.

In a statement Monday, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez announced the safeguard duties will amount to P70,000 per unit for imported passenger cars and P110,000 per unit for outsourced light commercial vehicles.

The imposition of the safeguard measures will be in the form of cash bond, DTI added, and will take effect for 200 days from the issuance of an order by the Customs Commissioner and while the case is under the formal investigation of the Tariff Commission.

The safeguard measure will start 15 days after publication Tuesday.

“The provisional safeguard measures will provide a breathing space to the domestic industry which has been facing a surge in importation of competing brands. To clarify, importation is

not being banned, and consumers will still have the options to choose, but imported vehicle models covered by the rule shall have safeguard import duties,” Lopez said.

The Philippine Metalworkers Alliance filed a petition for safeguard measures on imported passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, which made the DTI to launch an investigation.

“DTI’s findings show that imports of passenger cars have increased by an average of 35 percent during the period of investigation (POI) from 2014 to 2018 while the share of imports relative to production showed that imports exceeded domestic production from 295 percent in 2014 to 349 percent in 2018,” the DTI said.

Imports of light commercial vehicles, which include pickup trucks, significantly increased during the POI from 17,273 units in 2014 to 51,969 units in 2018, it said.

Its share of imports relative to domestic production also significantly increased from 645 percent in 2015 to 1,364 percent in 2018, it

added.

For passenger cars, the local manufacturers’ share in the domestic market only ranges from 22 to 25 percent while imported ones capture more than 70 percent of the market.

For light commercial vehicles, local industry’s share shrank from 18 percent in 2014 to 7 percent in 2018 while shares of imported light commercial vehicles in the Philippine market climbed from 82 percent in 2014 to 93 percent in 2018.

“Safeguards are imposed to protect local manufacturers and

producers and to prevent other companies from leaving the country. If we recall, the discontinuation of the production of Isuzu D-Max in July 2019 and the assembly plant closure of Honda Motors Philippines in the first quarter of 2020 affected local jobs and the Philippine economy.

It may also attract vehicle manufacturers to operate in the country and create more jobs,” Lopez added.

Formal investigation by the Tariff Commission, which includes public hearings, will commence in the next several weeks.

(PNA)

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FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

PayMaya leads the way to a ‘Cashless Philippines’ in 2020 and beyond A S FILIPINOS turn to cashless payments as part the New Normal, PayMaya leads the way in making a more inclusive and accessible cashless ecosystem for the Philippines a reality.

PayMaya is ending the year with more than 28 million customers across its platforms who can conveniently pay, add money, cash out, or remit in over 200,000 touchpoints nationwide.

As the country's only end-to-end digital payments platform provider, its platforms are used by consumers, businesses, communities, and government agencies.

On top of its popular PayMaya app and wallet, it also powers all kinds of enterprises for eCommerce and everyday transactions.

It has likewise expanded its Smart Padala network to over 33,000 agent touchpoints nationwide, allowing even those in the farthest reaches of the country to conduct transactions such as remittances, bills payments, mobile prepaid loading, and even QR payments.

As a result of this inclusive ecosystem approach, total digital payment transactions processed by PayMaya has tremendously grown as more sectors of society adopt cashless payments, making it the default for transactions.

“No other fintech company has built this inclusive ecosystem of products, services, and touchpoints that reach a vast majority of Filipinos nationwide. We have made it so easy for ordinary consumers to get a financial account and for merchants to accept a wide range of cashless payments, including PayMaya," said Shailesh Baidwan, PayMaya President.

“This radical shift to cashless for the Philippines will only continue accelerating in 2021 as we offer more services and forge more enterprise partnerships that are relevant for many consumers,” he added.

These initiatives are also in support of the goals of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to increase the share of digital payments to 50% of all retail transactions and expand financial inclusion to 70 percent of

As the Philippine economy re-opens on its way to recovery, cashless payments in stores and online have become part of merchants' and consumers' arsenal to protect themselves and mitigate the spread of the virus causing COVID-19. PayMaya is leading the way toward massive adoption of cashless payments through its end-toend digital financial services that are enabling consumers, merchants, enterprises, and government units nationwide. (Photo courtesy of Xavier Gonzalez Solis)

Filipino adults by 2023, as part of its recently released Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap 2020-2023.

E-Wallets take center stage With the whole country combatting the spread of COVID-19, Filipinos have turned to the PayMaya e-wallet for safer and more convenient everyday transactions, making cashless payments increasingly the preferred mode over cash.

According to the latest e-Conomy SEA 2020 report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company, the average number of cash transactions by consumers declined from 48% preCOVID-19 to 37% postCOVID-19.

On the other hand, the frequency of e-Wallets transactions rose from an average of 18% preCOVID-19 to 25% postCOVID-19, the study said.

Cashless transactions made by Filipinos through the PayMaya app, in fact, have consistently registered triple-digit growth rates throughout 2020, peaking sometime around May at the height of the enhanced community quarantine to register over 1000% yearon-year growth compared with the same month in 2019.

The top use cases among PayMaya users in 2020 were sending money to friends and family, paying bills, and purchasing mobile prepaid load, all of which

have formed part of their everyday financial transactions.

Enabling digital government services In the same vein, the government has also tapped PayMaya to help disburse financial aid through the various COVID-19 mitigating programs of the government, with over P4.5 billion in aid disbursed to PayMaya accounts of hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries nationwide.

These measures include the Social Amelioration Program under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Small Business Wage Subsidy Program of the Social Security System (SSS), as well as loan programs launched by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture.

At the start of the quarantine in March, the cities of Manila and Caloocan have also begun disbursing allowances and aid to their respective constituents to aid those affected by the lockdowns.

Since then, the cities of Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Las Pinas, and Pasig have followed suit and disbursed proceeds of their various aid programs to PayMaya accounts of residents.

“Now that many Filipinos have their

own PayMaya accounts, cashless payment technologies have become an essential part of the government’s arsenal toward economic recovery and building the better normal in the next few years,” Baidwan said.

Aside from receiving government aid via their accounts, consumers can also safely and seamlessly transact with government by paying their fees and dues to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, SSS, PAG-IBIG Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs, Land Transportation Office, Professional Regulation Commission, Bureau of Customs, and Department of Trade and Industry, among others, using their PayMaya app.

To date, over 60 government units both in the national and local levels have tapped PayMaya as their partner of choice in offering cashless payments via their online and branch channels. The growth of PayMaya's volume related to government payment acceptance is projected to reach by 1,200% growth by year-end as compared to 2019.

Merchants, businesses accelerate pivot to digital and cashless Businesses of all shapes and sizes can also settle their permits, social security contributions, and tax dues as agencies such as the Bureau of CASHLESS/PAGE 11

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FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

Critical transmission projects to face further delays due to new travel ban

A

S THE country puts in place a travel ban to prevent the entry of the new COVID-19 strain, power transmission operator NGCP raises concerns on further delays on the completion of critical projects meant for the improvement of the power grid.

The submarine cable laying activity for the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project, for example, faces new delays with the vessel carrying the said transmission equipment

unable to enter the country due to the travel ban.

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) earlier launched the MindanaoVisayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) in 2018 when it simultaneously broke ground on the project’s cable terminal stations in the Municipality of Santander, Cebu, and Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The cable terminal stations serve as the landing points of the two 92-kilometer submarine cables which will carry

around 450 megawatts (MW) of power from the Visayas and Mindanao, and vice versa.

The MVIP, provisionally approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission on 2017, is considered the biggest power infrastructure project in the history of the country. Apart from the submarine cables and cable terminal stations, the P52 billion-project also entails the installation of 526 circuit-kilometers of overhead transmission lines, high-voltage direct current converter stations, and various upgrades to substations in both regions.

In May 2018, the Department of Energy certified the MVIP as an Energy Project of National Significance, in order to streamline and expedite the needed documents for the construction and completion of the project.

Nexans’ cable laying

Nexans’ cable laying vessel, Nexans Skagerrak has been contracted to installl two lengths of 92 kilometer submarines cable to link the Visayas and Mindanao power grids. (4COffshore)

vessel, Nexans Skagerrak was earlier reportedly heading towards Philippines to install two lengths of 92-kilometer submarine cables to link the Visayas and Mindanao

grids.

To optimize the delivery of the submarine cabling system for the MVIP, Nexans will leverage on its global manufacturing footprint.

Common Issues With Online Classroom Management By: MARY ANN B. MANLA

THERE are many aspects that define the current state of online classes in the Philippines. This article will highlight some of these aspects and what you can do to improve the situation. The problem with online learning is that it is far removed from the t r a d it i on a l cl a ss ro om setting. This means that students are not learning the same type of skills and information that would be taught in a traditional classroom setting.

O n e of t h e t h i ng s that needs to be done to ensure that the current state of online classes in the Philippines is improved is to give students and teachers the ability to see each other while online. Traditional classrooms are often shared by more than one person. If one student leaves the room, the others can still continue to use the classroom session.

However, they are limited to seeing each other through a window or a peephole provided by the teacher.

If this can be fixed, then class times will be much faster and students can see each other more easily.

It is not uncommon for instructors to have trouble seeing their students. In some cases, the instructor

may be using a whiteboard rather than a traditional classroom. This makes it very difficult for the instructor to physically touch each student during their lesson.

Another common problem with online classes is that communication between classmates is virtually non-existent.

Students can chat with each other through instant messaging programs and they can post questions and comments on forums.

However, in traditional classrooms, classmates actually formed a classroom community.

The only way to ensure that a class is actually online is if the instructor provides feedback to his or her students immediately after class. In an instant messaging program, this is impossible because the text messages are automatically sent from the computer to your cell phone. There is no way to tell whether or not the student actually read what was written down or how he or she responded to the question posed. Therefore, in online classes, it is not unusual for questions to be left for the last meeting of the class to be mailed in an email.

NGCP managers pose with the local government of Dapitan during the groundbreaking ceremony of the company’s cable terminal station in Zamboanga del Norte on 2018.

(NGCP)

New variant COVID-19

By MARIA TERESA R. OBLIG Teacher III Bulua Central School

THE new variant of Covid-19 is "hugely" more transmissible than the virus's previous version, a study has found.

It concludes the new v ar i ant i nc re as e s t he Reproduction or R number by between 0.4 and 0.7.

The UK's latest R number has been estimated at between 1.1 and 1.3. It needs to be below 1.0 for the number of cases to start falling.

The differences between the viruses types was "quite extreme".

There is a huge difference in how easily the variant virus spreads. This is the most serious change in the virus since the epidemic began.

Cases of Covid-19 have begun to increase rapidly during the second spike.

In simpler terms, unless

we do something different the new virus strain is going to continue to spread, more infections, more hospitalisations and more deaths.

The R number is the average number of people an infected person infects.

If it is above 1 the epidemic is growing.

It is now more important than ever for people to follow social distancing guidelines, wear masks where required and to regularly wash their hands.

The new year brings with it hope of a more normal life in the next few months but also a new form of the virus that all of us will have to combat in the coming days and weeks.

The 350 kV high voltage direct current massimpregnated (MI) submarine cable will be manufactured in Nexans’ Nippon High Voltage Cable Corporation plant in Futtsu, Japan as well as in Nexans Norway plant in Halden. The installation and protection works at water depths up to 650 meters will be performed

by Nexans’ own specialized cable-laying vessel C/S Nexans Skagerrak.

The project was scheduled to complete by the end of November 2020 but now faces further delays due to the new travel ban imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Infectious Diseases.

At the completion of the proposed link, all three major Philippine islands would have been integrated as one grid and ensure the sharing of energy sources across the DELAYS/PAGE 10

The future of jobs and education PEDRITA R. JORDAN, PhD ESP-II Iponan Elementary School

The world of work has been changing for some time, with an end to the idea of jobs for life and the onset of the gig economy. But just as in every other field where digital transformation is ongoing, the events of 2020 have accelerated the pace of this change dramatically.

The International Labor Organization has estimated that almost 300 million jobs are at risk due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Of those that are lost, almost 40 percent will not come back. According to research by the University of Chicago, they will be replaced by automation to get work done more safely and efficiently.

But no occupation or profession is entirely future proof. Thanks to artificial i ntel l i ge nc e ( A I ) and machine learning (ML), even tasks previously reserved for highly trained doctors and lawyers – diagnosing illness from medical images, or reviewing legal case history, for example – can now be carried out by machines.

At the same time, the World Economic Forum, in its 2020 Future of Jobs report, finds that 94% of companies in the UK will accelerate the digitization of their operations as a result of the pandemic, and 91% are saying they will provide more flexibility around home or remote working.

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FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

AboitizPower stands firm in 2020, hopeful for 2021

ABOITIZPOWER had high hopes for 2020 as it anticipated the realization of its growth strategy over the next decade.

But three months into what AboitizPower thought would be a stellar year, the COVID-19 crisis brought about an unprecedented impact on the power company, forcing it to transition from significantly growing the business to keeping it afloat, and from expanding the organization to making necessary adjustments in its workforce.

Despite all this, AboitizPower remains committed to advancing business and communities by continuing to provide reliable, reasonably priced, and responsibly produced power solutions even in the new normal.

“The year 2020 may not have been what we expected, but it was the year that revealed how resilient we are as an organization, manifested by the group’s successes in spite of the challenges it faced in the last nine months,” AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said.

True to its mantra of

business with a purpose, the AboitizPower Group and the Department of Energy (DOE) successfully turned over around P650 million in direct remittances under the Energy Regulations No. (ER) 1-94 program to various host communities across the country as of Dec. 28, 2020.

The ER 1-94 program is a policy under the DOE stipulating that communities hosting power generation plants get a share of one centavo per kilowatt-hour generated by facilities operating in their area.

With a circular from Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi of the DOE covering ER 1-94 funds, host LGUs can also use these shares to help manage the effects of the new virus, in accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. This includes the facilitation of mass testing by providing and constructing facilities, as well as acquiring proper medical testing kits.

Among the other highlights of 2020 for AboitizPower was the renewal of its pact with First Bay Power Corp.

(FBPC) on the supply of

Cleanergy, the company’s brand for renewable energy, which will help power the livelihood and development of the municipality of Bauan, Batangas.

This renewed partnership between the two companies signals the start of the delivery of 10 MW of clean power to First Bay from AP Renewables, Inc.’s (APRI) MakBan geothermal facility. This further aligns with the thrust of the Aboitiz Group to grow its Cleanergy portfolio and position itself as a major player in the renewable energy space.

Beyond staying true to its commitment to growing its business and empowering its host communities, AboitizPower also remains steadfast in its drive for operational excellence in 2020. Despite the challenges this year has brought, the organization still bagged several awards and recognitions throughout the year.

AboitizPower won a Silver Stevie Award for its Integrated Response and Awareness towards COVID-19 Hazards (I-REACH) program under the Most Valuable Corporate Response

BEYOND THE HORIZON. Engineers at the baseload facility operated by AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc. (TSI) in Davao City look toward the horizon, an act symbolic of the AboitizPower Group’s forward-looking mindset in 2021.

category in the 2020 International Business Awards, underscoring the company’s proactive approach in dealing with the pandemic.

AboitizPower was also recognized for the third year in a row as a constituent company in the FTSE4Good Index Series, which measures the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and is used by a variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products.

On top of these, the holding company Aboitiz

Power Corporation also received ISO recertification from the standards body International Organization for Standardization, further demonstrating the organization’s commitment to operational excellence even amidst the global health crisis.

In the next 10 years, the company is still set on significantly expanding its portfolio of renewable energy power plants and by 2030, its capacity mix will have been transformed into an almost 50:50 Thermal to Cleanergy ratio.

“Our targets in the next decade remain the same. We will continue

to pursue a major shift in our energy mix by 2030, but while we remain focused on addressing the country’s energy trilemma of energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability, we will be shifting the balance from ensuring low-cost energy to providing energy from more sustainable sources,” Rubio added.

With its balanced mix strategy, AboitizPower is able to provide the country with a reliable and cost-efficient power supply, creating a greener and safer environment for the country and the rest of the world.

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FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

Bans... from page 1

January 3.

Acosta said the temporary suspension of entry of LSIs was to “enable the local government to pre vent the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the city and prepare its quarantine facilities for more arrivals.”

The latest data showed that Oroquieta has a total of 65 active coronavirus cases, with new cases caused by local transmission.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno said he will not turn away returning residents as he has instructed the city health office (CHO) to facilitate the arriving LSIs if village officials will not allow their entry.

“If the barangay officials won’t accept the arrivals in their areas, our [CHO] will send teams to extract and confine the arrivals in the city’s isolation units. We are considering to admit only arrivals that have Covid-19 symptoms as well as close contacts and new index cases,” Moreno said.

Since the national government has declared the Philippines under a state of national health emergency, Moreno has been consistent i n a l l ow i n g r e t u r n i n g individuals, whether they are residents or not, to enter or pass through the city.

This year, though, he said Cagayan de Oro City will no longer bring returning residents straight to the city isolation facilities if they do not agree to it.

However, returning residents manifesting symptoms would be required to undergo isolation.

This came as Moreno said there a fewer Covid-19 cases in the city involving arriving individuals for the past months.

In limiting admissions to arriving symptomatic individuals and local cases in the city’s isolation units, Moreno said they hope to EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF HENRY A. SORIANO K N O W A LL M E N B Y T H E S E PRESENT:

That the late HENRY A. SORIANO who died without any will on August 29, 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines; that, said deceased at the time of his death, left the following properties with TCT No. 135199 situated at Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, TD. G-163109 situated at iponan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Motor Vehicle: 1997 MAZADA V2500 with Plate No. LMB880 and with OR No. 1760603283/CR No. 38425151, valued at Php50,000.00, Fire Arm: Pistol, SWSN, .99 mm, TBT9480, valued at Php10,000.00, PNB Account No. 410970002586, joint account with HELEN M. SORIANO, and with a remaining balance of more or less Php53,954.17; and PNB Account No. 410910072215, joint account with JOSEY REX M. SORIANO, and with a remaining balance of more or less Php31,326.82, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF HENRY A. SORIANO, filed by the heirs of HENRY A. SORIANO, per DOC #77; PAGE #16; BOOK #4; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ARMEN RASHID O. MALAWANI. BWM: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2021

conserve enough funds to acquire vaccines as the city’s counterpart to the national government’s allocation.

“Un l i ke b e fore , t h e passengers and the people manning the airports, the seaports and bus terminals are more careful in complying with health protocols,” he added. (PNA)

Amelioration Programs from other government agencies.

Corn farmers from the 17 barangays of Damulog, a fourth-class municipality, will benefit from the program. “ The assistance will definitely help us with our needs, especially in this time of pandemic,” corn farmer Erlina B. Bosquit said. (PNA)

from page 1

from page 2

Subsidy...

DA- 1 0 prov i n c i a l operations chief for Bukidnon, Dr. Janet D. Lopez, who represented executive director Carlene C. Collado, said the program aims to help farmers recover from the effects brought about by the pandemic.

In Region 10, around 29,426 corn farmers will benefit from the cash and food subsidy at P5,000 each -P3,000 cash and P2,000 worth of food items comprising of 25 kilos of rice (P1,000), 4.5 kilos of chicken (P600), and two trays of eggs (P400).

In Damulog, Bukidnon alone, 1,813 qualified corn farmer-beneficiaries will receive said subsidy with a total of PHP9 million.

With allocation from the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), the agency seeks to provide direct food and financial assistance, highlighting the theme “Biyayang pangagrikultura, hatid sa gitna ng pandemya.”

Implementing agencies include DA under its Corn Program, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Res ources (BFAR), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

For DA, criteria for the selection of corn farmerbeneficiaries include having one hectare and below landholding and must be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System (FFRS); farmers from cities under 5th to 6th income classification or municipalities under the 4th to 6th income classification; and farmers who are not covered by other Social EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS WITH DONATION K N O W A LL M E N B Y T H E S E PRESENTS:

That the late GLICERIA AGAD BONGO who died on August 30, 2014 in Zone 1, Centro, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, without any will; that the said deceased at the time of her death left her separate and exclusive properties consisting of two parcels of land with Tax Declaration No. 02-007127 (2002) situated in Ulaliman, El Salavador, Misamis Oriental containing an area of 2,783 square meters, more or less and Tax Declaration No. 02-007128 (2002) situated in Ulaliman, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of 2,783 square meters, more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS WITH DONATION, filed by the heirs of GLICERIA AGAD BONGO, in favor of JHUNIVER A. BONGO (Donee), per DOC #102; PAGE #21; BOOK #73; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ALMA W. ERMINO. BWM: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2021

Cautions...

S i g n e d i nt o l aw by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.

The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts.

It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to pres ent one ID during transactions. (PNA)

Lands... from page 2

health protocols,” Villareal said.

He attributed the highperformance rate of the agency to the efforts of all DAR-13 personnel.

“We are setting-up our targets for this year and we would like to assure our farmers here in Caraga that DAR will continue to perform its mandate despite the prevailing situations,” Villareal said.

He a d d e d t h a t t h e agency is now looking at the distribution of agricultural lands to agriculture graduates in the region.

“Our agriculture graduates are the future of the agriculture sector as we observed that most of the young generation now prefer to venture into other fields than farming,” Villareal said.

Meanwhile, the agency a ls o hit a 100-p ercent accomplishment in its CLOA Registration program last year.

“C LOA R e g ist r at i on covers new lands covered by the agrarian reform program in the region last year,” Loida Jones, DAR-13 chief of operations said.

Jones said new lands

covered and registered in 2020 covered up to 802.5860 hectares which is above the target of 802 hectares last year.

The target for new lands only covered three provinces in 2020, to include Agusan del Norte with 157.7502 hectares, Agusan del Sur with 182.1426 hectares, and Surigao del Sur with 462.6932.

Jones said 397 ARBs also benefited from the registration of new lands last year.

The prioritization of agriculture graduates, he added, will be in line with the issuance of Executive Order No. 75 issued by President Rodrigo R .

Duterte in February 2019 that directed all agencies of the government to identify government-owned lands that can be distributed through the land reform program of the government. (PNA)

Delays... from page 8

network.

NGCP is seeking the government’s consideration to allow its suppliers, as well as shipments of e s s e nt i a l t r a n s m i s s i o n equipment, to enter the country, while observing all safety protocols and strict compliance to health standards.

“NG C P u n d e r s t an d s the need to control the virus and prevent the new strain from affecting our p e opl e, but t he re must also be creative ways in place to balance health concerns with the need to keep the economy afloat.

NGCP’s critical projects cannot face any further delays as this may have an implication on the stability and reliability of power transmission ser vices, especially with the growing d e m an d for p owe r. We hope this will also be taken into consideration,” said NGCP. NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of op erat ing, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority s h a r e h o l d e r s a n d Vi c e Chairman of the B oard Henry Sy, Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr. (with reports from 4C Offshore & Transmission and Distribution World).

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE K NOW A LL ME N B Y THE S E PRESENTS: That the late SPOUSES FORTUNATO AND ALITA SAMANTE who died on 1-8-2020 and 12-252011, respectively in Cagayan de Oro City, the deceased spouses left a parcel of residential house and lot with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-154159 situated in the Barrio of Kuaswagan, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of 61 square meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE, filed by the heirs of SPOUSES FORTUNATO AND ALITA SAMANTE, in favor of JELLO MAY PALASOL HENDY, per DOC #152; PAGE #31; BOOK #125; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. FELIX D. LACUBTAN. BWM: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2021

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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FRIDAY|JANUARY 8, 2021

Formula... from page 4

learn are from our mistakes.”

If you want to change your life, you must first change your way of thinking about yourself and the kind of life you want. If you get the right picture of yourself in your head, then your character, attitudes, and behavior can start to match that right picture.

Since you only live once, why not make it the right, best life you were designed to have and enjoy? Ask your Maker to help you stop your wrong thinking and habits that cause your life to fail. Then ask Him to start changing your heart, so you can start learning to think and live His way—since it is the only way you can be truly successful both personally and professionally. Just think a minute . . .

Year... from page 4

out memes backed by music and other sound clips, was introduced in China in 2016, Titok reached its popularity during the pandemic.

Famous celebrities and even political personalities were not able to escape the Tiktok phenomenon.

Whether you have the green thumb or not, it’s almost certain that you got bitten by the gardening mania. Pandemic gave birth to the plantitas and plantitos.

Every inch of the ground is transformed into a garden.

Those with none used readymade pots of various sizes, colors, and designs to grow all kinds of plants from succulents, to vegetables to florals.

Kitchens are the busiest part of the house this year, wit h many dis cover ing the chefs/cooks in them.

From cookies, cakes, pasta, to baked sushi, name it, someone is cooking it. Most used their culinary skills and passion as a source of income while for some it’s their way to help the needy.

Ne t f l i x a n d Kore a n telenovelas are heavensent to the binge-watchers du r i ng t h i s p an d e m i c .

K-Novelas such as CLOY, Descendants of the Sun, World of Marriage, and Start Up were the trending subjects of social media chat-box.

2020 buzz words The Covid-19 has added words to our daily vocabulary, words that we were not commonly used before.

The medical terms l i ke v i r us , qu ar ant i ne, pandemic, asymptomatic, isolation facility, incubation period, swab test, and PPEs are usually heard of in apocalypse-themed movies.

But now, we speak them as part of our daily lives.

We n o w m a k e u s e of phras es li ke “s o ci a l distancing”, “total or partial lockdown”, “contact tracing”, “flatten the curve”, “essential and non-essential businesses”, Food and Medicine Pass”.

These phrases further enriched our vocabulary as we now reference them

in our daily conversations.

Other most popular words include Ayuda (dole out from the government), Plantita (plant parent), Zooming (use of videoconferencing), Bayanihan Acts (economic stimulus package from the government), and WFH (work from home).

Personalities of 2020 Taking the top spot is our FRONT-LINERS who since the onset of the pandemic were already out there bravely doing their jobs so we may continue to be safe and secure at the comforts of our homes.

They are our medical and health workers, they are our military/armed personnel, they are the hospital janitors, grocery cashiers, and baggers and garbage collectors. These men and women risked contracting the virus (a number of them did) in the line of duty. Our big thanks to all our front-liners!

I cannot imagine how we would have managed the quarantines and lockdowns without our RIDERS. Rain or shine, near or far, day or night, these riders are on call to serve our delivery requirements. These men in pink, green, black, or red are our modern-day “knights in shining motorcycles”!

Wit h on l i n e cl a ss as the new norm in our e du c at i on s y s t e m , ou r teachers (specifically, the public school teachers) found themselves in an unfamiliar and unfriendly environment. Most of them did not only have to learn the digital platform, but they even have to pay for their own internet connections or climb to higher grounds (and trees) just so they can get connected. While for those offline, some of them have to shoulder the printing of the learning modules and travel to far-flung areas to personally deliver the modules to their students.

These sacrifices show their great love for their work and for their students. Our salute to our beloved teachers!

Indeed, so many things happened, and learned in 2020! While the big part of it was unpleasant, let’s be mindful that we should still be thankful for the many blessings that we received!

We’re still blessed with life, good health, jobs, and protection from the virus.

We still have our friends and our families to welcome and celebrate the New Year with!

Goodbye, 2020! Cheers to a better and safer 2021!

Cafe...

Cashless...

go to for a good cup of coffee you could pair with a comforting plate of food, and a clean and noise-free ambiance that is conducive not only to the universitygoers but also to people who want to enjoy the company of their friends or those who find solace in being alone.

Wh e n t h e y s t a r t e d , their target market was mainly students, hence the affordable price point and the location. But as they continued operations despite the pandemic and opened up deliveries, their market grew. There were also those who are under the WFH category and consider the area conducive to working, yuppies in between office breaks, couples going on a date, families, and young ones tagging their parents along. Even the delivery riders would once in a while sit down and order a drink of their own.

Besides the usual Americanos, Lattes and Cappuccinos that are staples in every café, each offering on their menu is unique in its kind. Their bestsellers are Caramel Sweet Cream and Salted Cream Cappuccino.

From the signature coffee variants, there’s also Hongdae Cream Coffee, Mocha Glazed Espresso and Brown Sugar Macchiato. Their quirky take on the latte are the Earl Grey latte and the Black Vanilla latte. For the milk variants, there's Malay Milk, Cha Yen, Black Sesame Milk, and Matcha milk. Their Spicy Tuna Fettuccine is the only pasta in the menu- a family recipe and a dish that the owner has been selling from home and upon request since 2014. The latest offering is the Seoul Street Toastinspired by the sandwiches sold in the alleys in Seoul and the sandwich that has kept their counter the busiest. So much so that because of the volume of orders they get of this sandwich, they had to renovate and re-do the layout of their kitchen. The couple’s favorite midnight snack are also bestsellers: the Grilled Egg and Cheese and on rainy days: the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. For curbside pick-ups, customers may call 088-8824041. Deliveries may be booked through the Grab and Maxim app. Other information may be found on their social media pages: @ beanparkcafe.

Interna l Revenue (BIR), Securities and Exchange C om m i s sion (SEC), Department of Trade and I ndu st r y (DT I), S oc ia l Security System (SSS), and PAG-IBIG Fund are now offering cashless payment options via card and PayMaya through their respective online and branch channels.

To recover f rom t he effects of the pandemic to the economy, many merchants have also shifted their focus to delivering products and services online by utilizing chat apps, social media, or even their own dedicated online store.

Bec ause of t h is, t he number of new merchants onboarded and using various PayMaya digital payment acceptance solutions have increased by over 1,500% year-on-year in November, signifying an exponential shift in the way merchants are conducting their business amid the pandemic.

Apps such as PayMaya Negosyo and tools such as Payment Links, Digital QR, as well as the PayMaya Checkout payment gateway allow these businesses—many of them Micro, Small, and Mediumsized Enterprises (MSMEs)— to quick ly offer cashless payment acceptance and even generate new income streams from services such as bills payment and mobile prepaid reloading.

Meanwhile, large enterprises in the restaurant, g r o c e r i e s , p h a r m a c y, transportation, and petroleum industries, among others, have accelerated their adoption of cashless pay ments accepta nce using PayMaya QR and the PayMaya One terminal in support of the “Ingat Angat Tayong Lahat” campaign to inspire consumer confidence amid moves to safely re-open the economy.

“Our broadest range of relevant digital payment solutions for businesses of all sizes, coupled with fast and seamless onboarding, means it's easier than ever for businesses to accept cashless payments within minutes,” Baidwan added.

PayMaya is the only endto-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in

from page 12

Kagay-an Festival 1st Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion

for Orders, Contact Yoyong:

09354145759 09169249371

from page 7

t he Phi lippines w it h plat for ms a nd ser v ices that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants as well as government agencies and units.

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to f inancial ser vices. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 20 0,0 0 0 digita l touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya net work of over 33,0 0 0 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved w it h a c c e s s t o d i g it a l ser vices. To k now more about PayMaya's products and services, visit w w w.

PayMaya.com or fol low @PayMayaOf f icia l on Facebook, Tw it ter, a nd Instagram.

Power... from page 1

the results in July to September had been slightly up; and if compared with first quarter’s P49.672 billion, third quarter revenues had been higher by 9.0-percent.

Further, NEA emphasized that volume sales outcome in the third quarter had escalated by a parallel 3.0-percent visà-vis results in the second quarter with 5,988 GWh of electricity sold.

The electrification agency nevertheless indicated that energy usage of the residential sector was still at a dip of 59-percent; although that had already gone leaner versus 62-percent logged in the second quarter.

Conversely, the demand of the commercial sector picked up by 18-percent within the July-September stretch compared to a growth of 16-percent in a prior quarter; while for industrial users, this went up slightly to 17-percent as against 16-percent in the second quarter.

Roderick Padua, manager of NEA-ITCSD, pointed out that “the energy consumption

level registered in the third quarter was gearing towards the normal level prior to the coronavirus disease pandemic.”

It is worth noting that when lockdowns were enforced in the country – primarily in the March-May period, electricity consumption plummeted by 30 to 40-percent mainly due to stalled economic activities.

For most parts of the country, demand rise shifted to the residential end-users because most Filipinos were restrained at home – be it for work-from-home arrangements or the online learning platform for students – all because of the niggling health crisis.

Industry players in the power sector are doing the spadework for anticipated rise in electricity demand for 2021, given prospects of wider economic re-opening especially if the country gets access to the Covid-19 vaccine.

Training... from page 2

t hat t he overa l l intent of inter na l audit is to achieve conformity and effectiveness and not to find nonconformities. Should a nonconformity arise, it is raised against a process and not against a person, for improvement.

On December 23, 2020, the SOCOTEC Certification International issued a new Certificate of Registration for ISO 9001:2015 to NEDA-X which will expire September 21, 2023, covering the processes of Socioeconomic and Physical P l a n n i n g a n d P o l i c y, Technical and Advisory, Investment Programming, Monitoring and Evaluation and Support Services. The first certification was issued September 21, 2017 and expired September 21, 2020.

(NEDA10/PIA10)

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12

Bean Park Cafe and its take on the local cafe culture C

By MARK FRANCISCO

AFES and milk tea shops are sprouting all over the city. But nothing beats where almost every ingredient on the menu is homemade. This is where Bean Park Cafe comes in. According to owner Sittie Aina Munder-Gandamra, every component that makes up every drink in their menu is made from scratch. The spreads and sauces used in their sandwiches are homemade. And this is what has made Bean Park Cafe click to their patrons from the start despite the existence of their neighboring competitors in Divisoria, this city.

Aina - then a junior law student at Xavier

University, together with her husband, Camid, also a law student in the same school - has long dreamed to open a coffee shop of their own. Making caffeinated drinks started as a hobby when they needed something to get through long nights when their first child was born.

Later on, brewing coffee at home became a necessity to survive law school but their love for coffee and cafés grew when they started traveling in their days-off in school. What influenced them most was the sprawling local café scene that dotted Hongdae, Seoul’s well-known student hub and university belt.

In Cagayan de Oro then, there were only a handful

of local cafes you could go to, each one catering to a specific market. Of course, there is Starbucks and Coffee Bean, the famous coffee shops that even the owners frequent.

But in Divisoria, also known as the heart of the City, and the place most

accessible to students, they thought that only a few of the hodge-podge of many local establishments there catered to “coffee breaks.” So when a spot in Divisoria finally opened up, they knew it would be the perfect place to open up a coffee shop. Being

students themselves, they knew what they wanted in a café: a spot where you can come in and not feel intimidated about the prices, your choice of drink, or how long you want to stay. The catch was since ingredients are homemade, they could

control both the price and quality of the food and drinks. This is what kept customers coming back. Asked what sets them apart from the other establishments, she answers that their goal is to be the place you could CAFE/PAGE 11