BusinessWeek Mindanao (July 1, 2020)

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Volume XI, No. 11

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Purchase limit up FROM two bottles of disinfecting alcohol and five pieces of face masks per transaction, consumers can now buy up to five bottles of alcohol and one box of face masks in supermarkets as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) eases the purchase limit on essential goods.

The DTI released Memorandum Circular (MC) No.20-36 amending the MC 20-07 and 20-10 that sets a limit in buying food and non-food products to avoid hoarding and panic buying.

Under the latest MC, DTI lifted the purchase limit of essential goods, except for some non-food products.

Harvest festival COTABATO City – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) spearheaded Sunday the opening of a harvest festival at a 150-hectare model farm in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The event, featured in Barangay Sapalan of the town, showcased the importance of community-based technology on hybrid rice production for the model farm.

“This is to accustom farmers in the region on hybrid rice production and its positive economic impact,” MAFAR-BARMM minister Dr. Mohammad Yacob said.

We strive for Excellence!

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

IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|July 1, 2020

P15.00

P200m mining taxes lost during lockdowns: MGB Thank you for trusting us!

B

U T UA N C i t y – T h e g over n m ent h a s l o st between P150 million to P200 million in taxes from mining companies in Caraga Region alone, following the lockdown imposed beginning March 15 to May 1 this year to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“These mining firms temporarily halted their mining operations when the community quarantines were imposed in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur,” said Mines and Geosciences Bureau-13 Director Glenn Marcelo Noble in a press conference here Monday.

Of the 19 mining firms, Noble said only five to six companies were able to continue their mining operations from March 15 to May 1, affecting the government's excise and royalty tax collections.

Noble said a few large-scale mining firms--mostly engaged in nickel extraction-in Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Islands TAXES/PAGE 7

PEDAL POWER. A woman parks her bicycle at the bike rack in Abreeza Mall, Davao City. Bicycles have become one of the main modes of tranportation in the city during this time of COVID-19 pandemic. mindanews photo

DSWD-10 still finalizing SAP list for 2nd tranche THE Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 10 (DSWD-10) is still in the process of ridding double entries in its list of social amelioration

program (SAP) beneficiaries.

DSWD-10 information officer Oliver Inodeo said the agency is currently “deLIST/PAGE 7

Food hub, trading post for farm products to open in Gensan

By MINDANEWS

BOUNTIFUL HARVEST. A laborer weighs the eggplant harvested at the farm of Enrique Valenzuela in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. mindanews photo by bong s . sarmiento

GENERAL Santos City -- A food hub and community-based trading post for various farm products will open soon in

MINDANAO DAILY

a village here through the convergence of various government agencies.

TRADING/PAGE 7

RADYO SERBISYO | 106.3 FM CDO Editorial and advertising email : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com • Cell Number : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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WEDNESDAY|JULY 1, 2020

Marawi opens new patient care center I

By DIVINA SUSON, Correspondent

LIGAN City – The local government unit (LGU) of Marawi City opened a new quarantine and treatment facility over the weekend.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra said the new facility which was opened on Saturday would help decongest the provincial screening and quarantine facility in Barangay Sagonsongan.

The facility is a converted PHP30-million Siyapen Center, the first community-based drug rehabilitation center which was funded by the Ayala Foundation and turned over to the local government unit in January 2018. "Siyapen" is named after the Maranao

word for “care”.

It has a 60-bed capacity and will house locally stranded individuals (LSIs) who are tested positive for Covid-19 but asymptomatic.

At present, all returning LSIs are screened through rapid testing at the Sagonsongan facility. If found reactive of antibodies and show no flu-like symptoms, they are isolated at the 100-bed facility managed by the Lanao del Sur provincial government.

"On the previous setup, those LSIs who were reactive (in the rapid test), we quarantine them at the Sagonsongan facility if their houses are not ideal for isolation.

Covid-19 positive LSIs are increasing that is why we opened Siyapen," Gandamra said.

Only Marawi residents will be quarantined in Siyapen, he added. Those who are going home to their province but reactive of the rapid test will either stay at the facility in Sagonsongan or fetched by their local disaster risk reduction and management team for quarantine at their LGU's facilities.

Covid-19 update As of June 28, Marawi City recorded 19 coronavirus cases who are all LSIs that started going home in June.

Eleven of them have recovered and were allowed to go home but are still being monitored

by the Barangay Health Emergency team (BHERT).

Meanwhile, 11 others are still waiting for the results of the reverse

transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.

Some 664 LSIs returned home to Marawi since the start of the “Hatid

Probinsya” program -497 of them are in home quarantine, 26 at the quarantine facility, and 141 have completed their 14-day quarantine. (PNA)

Power firm constructs another day care center in Bukidnon A PRIVATELY-owned power firm has finished constructing a day care center in Barangay Santiago, Manolo Fortich town, Bukidnon province as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Engerly Balutic, Hedcor powerplant's Community Relations representative, said on Monday that the school facility for children was a refurbished container van which was used to haul power plant parts such as turbines, during the construction of Hedcor’s 73.3-megawatt (MW) Manolo Fortich Hydros in Bukidnon.

“The students used to hold classes in their sitio’s community hall. With the day care center, they will have a more appropriate venue to learn and play,” she said.

The day care costs around P700,000-worth of refurbishment work and P40,000 worth of learning materials like educational toys, books, and tables and chairs. The container van is reconstructed to become a learning-conducive day care center.

In 2019, Hedcor similarly turned over a container van day care center to Sitio Sabangan,

in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Hedcor’s Community Relations head Andy Faelnar also emphasized the importance of reinforcing early childhood education in its CSR activities.

“Quality education among children is vital for cognitive and academic development. Recognizing this, Hedcor ensures that it is able to provide the resources needed for a holistic quality learning among the children of its host communities," he said.

However, due to the remoteness of the area, weak signal and the lack of computers, online classes may not be an option while the state of public health emergency is still in effect. That is why the center here will be aligning with the national mandates.

School officials said they are looking to adopt the blended learning scheme which involves mostly modular instruction and face-toface learning with no more CONSTRUCTS/PAGE 7

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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WEDNESDAY|JULY 1, 2020

OPINION:

A serviced pleasure of living

MOVING home has always been one very big headand heartache for anyone who has experienced it. The most difficult part is not the days or even weeks spent packing and preparing innumerable boxes with all your furniture, lightings, appliances, housewares, kitchenware, paintings, ornaments, books, clothes, shoes, personal belongings and whatever you have accumulated over the years and that now fills up boxes of space. A lot of useless stuff we have amassed over time will end up in a special box with the tag “get rid of � or 'give away'.

Ironically, parting ways with things which once you

valued and deemed necessary and now you want to let go, is actually in a kind of rediscovering parts of yourself and of your own personality.

The most difficult thing in all of this is to see these various handlers carelessly carrying around your own things, your very personal and private stuff to which you are emotionally attached and I have always felt deep anxiety and the fear that something would get missing or some furniture would be damaged.

And ultimately it always happens.

Furniture gets broken and things will get missing and the most ridiculous part in all of this is that you will even get graciously billed for all this. So what is the solution

that many, including me, have chosen to overcome all this burden? In the past decade a very positive trend has come into the shortterm and mid-term rental market all over the world. It is the development of serviced apartments and condotel units.

So what is a serviced apartment? It is an apartment where everything is already installed and ready to be used. Furniture, appliances, ornaments, television, internet connection and even pots and plates are already there. The idea and comfort to move into a fully furnished home where everything is already in place is just an unbeatable relief. Its like moving into a hotel room

and all you have to bring is your clothes and your most personal belongings.

Its like a plug and play experience and it has made my life so much easier and it ultimately saves you a lot of time and money. This trend is also happening here in Cagayan de Oro where especially in condominium buildings there is now a fair share of serviced apartments and condotel units.

One of the first in Uptown in CdO was Uptown Condotel and also Kinston Lodge compound before Primavera Residences was built and Damiani Hospitality has brought the serviced apartments and condotel living experience to a totally new level.

LORENS ZILLER

Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines

Lead by Antonio Damiani, an Italian hospitality veteran, the group professionally manages condominium units in a certified green building for their owners who simply enrol their properties in a shortterm and mid-term rental scheme. Once the new project Primavera City gets completed just besides SM City in Uptown CdO there will be hundreds of units for Damiani to

manage and this will also be an exciting opportunity for new jobs. Living in a nice and stylish serviced apartment that is both fully furnished and is located in a green building with all possible luxury amenities like gym, pool, outdoor orchard and even a jogging path is probably the ultimate lifestyle experience which enhances happiness as well as the pleasure and standard of living.

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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 MARIE D. SUDARIA Vice President for Finance

AT FIRST, there was this sharp reduction of print days downsized into few pages, followed by furloughs and finally, it’s all over, ending the long journey with a sad note of writing ‘30’.

This was the story of a local newspaper that said goodbye permanently last week under the weight of the coronavirus.

The devastating sweep of Covid-19 is the biggest story in a generation.

Ye t i t s i m p a c t o n businesses including the newspaper industr y was not a walk in the park.

And for most community newspapers, the virus had spelled the end of their story.

Editor-in-Chief

GILBERT Y. CHAO

Regional Editor - Caraga

MIKE BAÑOS Contributing Editors

ATTY. ANTONIO S. SORIANO

Feature Editor

2f, ICS Building Tel.No.: 881-0176 Tiano cor. Montalvan sts.

Legal Counsel

CLIFFORD SANTILLAN

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Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

JOE PALABAO Layout Artist

Cell No: 09352379999

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LETTERS FROM DAVAO

JUN AYENSA

Motoring Editor

DAVAO MARKETING OFFICE Door 223, Doña Segunda Bldg., CM Recto Ave., Davao City Telephone #: (082) 298-8815 Regional Mktg Manager-JOE PALABAO- 0926-8430152 Circulation-JOHN PAUL AQUINO, 0907-331-5640

Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Open-door policy Think a minute… This is a true story about a 19-yearold girl who rebelled against her parents and ran away from home. Soon she found out that life was not easy on her own. She could not find a job, and her friends grew tired of her living off them so they kicked her out. She finally became so desperate she started making money by working on the street as a prostitute.

Years passed. Her father died. Her mother grew older.

All the while the daughter’s life grew even worse. But she still would not write or go home to see her mother.

One day the mother heard that her daughter had been seen in a certain part of town, so she went looking for her.

The mother went to every cheap hotel asking to put a picture on their walls. It was a picture of herself, now an old, gray-haired mother.

Beside her picture she wrote: “I still love you! Please come home!”

Months went by and nothing happened. Then one day the daughter, who was now extremely skinny and sick, could not believe

THINK A MINUTE

WEDNESDAY|JULY 1, 2020

End of story

N o t a b l y, t h e r e w a s a re c ord i n t he d rop of adver t i s ement s t h at t r ig gered t he econom ic s lowdow n i n t he pr i nt industry.

The decrease in advertising was swift, as businesses had tightened their spending and operational cost, hence the result was a pain in the neck for publishers and owners of the print industry.

An extinction-level had hit hard for communit y newspapers as the coronavirus continue on unleasing its fury on a global scale.

Ju s t l i k e a ny o t h e r busi nesses, t he pr i nt

industry is in a precarious position, with more smaller news outlets in the country are into the verge of closing down permanently.

A l ready about 1, 8 0 0 newspapers had closed down perma nent ly worldw ide following the number of people buying print editions had dropped significantly.

As t he journa lism industry attempts to adapt to the new normal, peoples now get their news online, social media being the easiest and most convenient source of information these days of pandemic lockdowns.

Wit h no solut ion i n sight, newspapers might not survive the contagion

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA of coronavirus.

The fight for survival i s re a l for c om mu n it y newspapers to stay af loat amid the pandemic. Stay safe. Stay home. (ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo. com)

Beware of bitcoin scam

MIKE BAÑOS Vice President for Digital

NELSON CONSTANTINO

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JUN LEDESMA AMIDST the global Covid-19 pandemic unscrupulous individuals and organizations are feeding on the gullibility of people. This after hundreds of thousands were victimized by Ponzi scammers. The racket was hatched in Bislig, Surigao but when it was heading into trouble, the brain behind the scam surreptitiously moved south to General Santos City.

Joel Apolinario, an alleged pastor part-timing as a radio announcer, improved on his strategy while letting t he he at simmer down and then relaunched his Kapa Community Ministry International. This time he established his base in Tagum City in Davao del Norte and drafted a phalanx of radio

commentators to promote his get-rich-quick investment scheme.

Davao del Norte was a fertile spawning ground for Kapa. Not a few people made a lot of money peddling their votes in the just concluded elections then. As with any Ponzi racket where the early bird catches the early worm, words got around very quickly, with the big help of radio, about how a simple push cart laborer and other lowly wage earner hit the jackpot on Kapa.

Before President Rodrigo Duterte got wind of the shady Kapa operations following the warning of the Securities & Exchange Corporation and the Department of Finance, an estimated 5-million people had placed their money on Kapa. By then, in Tagum City alone, no less than five clones of Kapa surfaced. When finally Duterte ordered the closure of Kapa and its variants in the special segment of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, similar Ponzi investment schemes operated with impunity in General Santos City and South Cotabato.

The fallout was incalculable. Some victims had to mor t g age t he i r properties to cash in on Kapa big-time payout, retirees withdrew their deposits and made their bets, government employees applied for loans from GSIS, and invested on Kapa and other clones.

When finally summons and arrest orders against people behind the racket, ang r y and d e sp ond e nt i nve stors stor me d and looted the office of the investment scam operators taking with them anything they can lay their hands on. A number of characters who were managing and soliciting investors were mysteriously murdered.

Government operatives were able to retrieve a huge sum of cash and properties and other assets in the name of Apolinario couple. As I write this though, I have yet to know what happened to Joel Apolinario.

That was Kapa. It used the Ponzi scheme to prey on the poor.

This time a new and more opiating get-rich-quick

investment placement is out and excessively brazen in luring would-be victims to its trap. People behind the scam use names of Finance, Treasury officials to promote what Sec. Sonny Dominguez describes as “a fake cryptocurrency autotrading platform called Bitcoin Revolution.”

I touched base with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez the other day after seeing his picture of Facebook alongside Vic Sotto with an accompanying narrative that alleged he was interviewed by the comedian on “Eat Bulaga” and where he was quoted as saying that he made a lot of money on his investments on cryptocurrency. Secretary Dominguez sent me a brief that bared that similar investment ploys using the names of prominent Finance and Treasury officials in other countries are also being used in an attempt to dupe the public into falling for the scam.

“We warn those behind these unscrupulous and unauthorized investment BITCOIN/PAGE 7

WTTC unveils extended Safe Travel scope

JHAN TIAFAU HURST her eyes when she saw her mother’s picture on the wall of that dirty, cheap hotel! As she read her mother’s message to her she began to cry.

That night she started walking the many miles back to her home. It was early in the morning when she finally arrived at her mother’s house and knocked on the door. To her surprise, the door was open! Afraid that someone had broken into the house, she ran inside and woke up her sleeping mother to tell her she had finally come home. Mother and daughter cried as they hugged each other. The daughter said: “I thought someone had broken the door open!” The mother POLICY/PAGE 7

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its third phase of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk and encourage the return of Safe Travels.

The latest proto cols focus on measures to ensure the reopening of global attractions, drive business to car hire companies and enable short-term rentals to welcome guests.

WTTC, which represents t h e g l o b a l Tr a v e l & Tourism private sector, held detailed discussions with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation.

The measures help to set clear expectations of what travellers can experience in the ‘new normal’ which offer safe environments as travel restrictions are eased.

Backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO),

the WTTC protocols also take into account guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognises those destinations, countries, businesses and governments worldwide which have adopted them.

The Safe Travel protocols a ls o t a ke into account guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognises those destinations, countries, businesses and governments worl dw i d e w h i ch have adopted them.

WTTC president and CEO, Gloria Guevara said: “Worldwide attractions, car hire and short-term rentals, all represent key components of many family holidays, so it’s vital we establish measures which allow safe travels to take place for holidaymakers and travellers.

“Consumer confidence is crucial to create a climate in

which Travel & Tourism can resume. We know travellers will want to explore and engage with the world around them once more and their return will also help power the world’s much-needed economic recovery.

“We would like to pay tribute to all those companies in the global private sector who have stepped forward an d r a l l i e d arou n d t o support WTTC Safe Travels protocols. They create the consistency needed to allow a re-invigorated Travel & Tourism sector to reopen for business. “ The expertise from businesses large and small has contributed to defining the new experience for travellers, and these robust global measures have been embraced around the world.”

WTTC’s comprehensive Safe Travels protocols avoid the emergence of multiple standards, which would only confuse the consumer and

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

delay the sector’s recovery.

The measures increase the focus on health, safety and physical distancing standards for venues such as amusement parks, aquariums, family entertainment centres, museums, science centres, theme parks, water parks, zoos and other entertainment and cultural attractions.

Car hire has become an essential provider of transport and mobility during normal times for anyone who needs to travel, and in the postUNVEILS/PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY|JULY 1, 2020

St. Luke’s Medical Center, first to use state-of-the-art convalescent plasma machine in PH S t. Luke's Medical Center (SLMC) has recently upgraded its equipment for convalescent plasma therapy with the two Scinomed Plasma Collection Machines (iPCM) from Getz Healthcare Philippines.

“St. Luke’s Medical Center is one of the first hospitals in the country to conduct convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 patients. We are very grateful to Getz Healthcare Philippines for their donation since these machines will greatly help us extend the best treatment for

our patients,” said Dr. Arturo De La Peña, SLMC President and CEO. With the donation of the Scinomed Plasma Collection Machines, SLMC can significantly increase the amount of plasma collection and in turn, the number of patients who can benefit from this treatment. With these machines, collection of donor plasma can be completed in 40 minutes instead of the current 1.2 to 1.5 hours.

This provides greater efficiency, increased donor comfort and

St. Luke’s Medical Center is the first in the country to use Scinomed Plasma Collection Machines which are built specifically for the collection of plasma. Two machines were donated by Getz Healthcare Philippines to the hospital.

safety, and increased plasma collection given the same timeframe.

In addition, the machines can collect up to 1,000ml instead of the current 500ml.

This increased volume of plasma can be easily transferred to

smaller bags, providing treatment to two to three patients, instead of the current one patient.

“St. Luke’s Medical Center will be the first in the country to use a state-of-the-art machine built specifically for the collection of

plasma, increasing collection speed and donor comfort,” said Ian Grist, General Manager of Getz Healthcare Philippines.

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, convalescent plasma collection has

become an urgent and important requirement in hospitals. Currently, over 100 Scinomed iPCMs have been deployed in the United Kingdom and across Europe to collect convalescent plasma successfully.

St. Luke’s Medical Center receives two Scinomed Plasma Collection Machines from Getz Healthcare Philippines (from L to R) Dr. Benjamin S.A. Campomanes, Jr., SLMC Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; Pete D. Miranda, Jr., Getz Healthcare Philippines Vice President for Sales and Marketing; Ian Frederick Grist, Getz Healthcare Philippines General Manager; Dr. Francisco F. Lopez, SLMC-Global City Head of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Service; Dr. Carmella A. Bingcang, SLMC-Quezon City Head of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Service; Dr. Rodelio D. Lim, SLMC Head of the Institute of Pathology; Dr. Ernesto V. Datu, SLMC Section Chief of the Apheresis Unit

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WEDNESDAY|JULY 1, 2020

Those Wonder Years

By GLENN D. CABATUAN, School Principal I Sario D. Roda Elementary School Lala North District, Division of Lanao del Norte

I miss my childhood! It was a happy one. I had no idea of the word "problem".

I was a child in the late 70’s and early 80’s, and a teenager in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

I grew up in Maikay, a t ypic a l b arangay in the hinterlands of the Municipality of Tudela in the Province of Misamis Occidental. We were not rich. My parents were ordinary school teachers.

We l i v e d s i mp l y b u t happily. I was the eldest of the four sons in the family, no girls. Our home was built of light native materials, mostly out of coconut lumber, bamboo and palm leaves. Life was so simple in that remote rural area. Most of the folks made their living by farming. The main product was copra out of coconut fruits.

My childhood buddies and I used to take a 3-kilometer hike in going to and from our school. During those days, motorcycles for hire (habal-habal) were not yet available in our barangay. I can still recall some names of my friends and school mates. In my mind, I can still picture their cute, filthy and innocent faces.

We loved to chase one another during those hikes while clutching our net bags containing our books, notebooks and similar school materials. But the best content of which was our lunch (baon): cooked rice and brined an c h ov i e s ( g i n amu s ) , wrapped in banana leaves.

Our laughter and giggles e c h o e d i n t h e s i l e nt road beneath the shades of coconut palms and assorted green vegetation.

Funny but the best parts of those hikes happened on rainy days! We would run, glide through the slippery muds, and plunge into the yellowish but clean rain waters that flowed in the road canals. We were so carefree!

In the evenings, the older folks would gather in the shed beneath the St ar Appl e ( Kai m ito ) tree, chatting merrily and singing along with the strums of a guitar while drinking coconut wine (tuba). We, the kids, would play hide and seek and other kiddie games under the moonlight. After that, we would go home. But before going to sleep, we practice reading under the light that emanated from “moron” or “suga”, a kerosene lamp which was locally made out of spare bottles and worn out clothes. I can still name a couple of those very simple reading materials we used: “Henny Penny” and “Pepe and Pilar”. Nevertheless, we were able to learn to

read quickly. Oh, life was so beautiful then.

During summers, we would run into the open under the sun, tagging our kites made of coconut midribs, bamboo, paper and cellophane. Then we would crawl under t he t hick gu ava t re es and pick some fruits for snacks. The mornings on weekends were spent by most neighborhood in the river where we washed our clothes and caught fish with our dogs. The rolling hill to the river was a jolly spot because it served as our sliding rink.

We would slide aboard c o c onut p a l ms . O u r shabby pants would really get dusty and filthy in the seemingly unending noisy race, until our mothers would come to fetch us, beckoning us with those scary sticks – the most convincing gesture to make us to quit and go home.

Fiesta times were the mer r iest! Our fat her and s ome men in the neighborhood would cook "lechon" (roasted pig on a bamboo pole). It was so delicious! Many friends and relatives would come and visit us starting on the day before the fiesta.

They normally left on the day after the fiesta.

Memories keep flashing back in my memory bank.

The sweetest of which is the velvet smile of the pretty girl who was my favorite partner during social night dances (Bayle) when I became a teenager.

I loved the bewitching fragrance of her perfume.

It burnt me nicely. The enticing sensation I felt every time I held her hips sent a blissful electric current through my veins.

Her eyes were like the stars and her hair was a picture of grace, like a waterfall. I loved watching her move.

She was an angel to behold.

She was my girlfriend.

Oh, I wonder where she is now.

I miss those wonder years - those innocent years! I wish I was a child again. I can hardly find a clone of my young self in the little children of today.

Almost all of them are isolated from one another, sitting in a corner, silent and stooping on their cellphones and similar gadgets. I wish they knew the childhood that I had.

Talakag, Bukidnon Mayor Vergito Factura (right) receives from a staff of Sen. Cynthia Villar a truckload of recycled school chairs to be distributed to public schools in the municipality. The senator - through her Villar Sipag Foundation - maintains a waste recycling factory, the products of which are distributed to needy schools nationwide. One school chair needs 20 kilos of soft plastics such as food wrappers to produce. A chair has a life span of 20 years. photo by mark francisco

Security Bank Peso Bond Offering Sees Strong Investor Demand MAKATI CITY – Security Bank’s (PSE: SECB) offering of fixed rate bonds (Bonds) which started on June 23, 2020 has been met with strong demand from investors.

The 2-year Bonds carry a fixed rate of 3.125% per annum. Minimum denominations have been set for PHP1,000,000 and increments of PHP100,000 thereafter.

“We appreciate the overwhelming support that our investors and clients have been giving our bond offer. In view of the strong demand we have received so far, we are shortening the offer period to end on July 03, 2020, from the initial target end of offer period of July 15, 2020,” said SECB EVP and Treasurer Raul Martin Pedro.

The Bonds will be issued out of the Bank’s PHP100bn Peso Bond and Commercial Paper

Program (Program). The Program was initially established in December 2018 with an aggregate amount totaling PHP50bn and had been subsequently increased to PHP100bn as approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.

SECB has mandated Philippine Commercial Capital, Inc. (PCCI) as Sole Bookrunner, and PCCI and SB Capital Investment Corporation as Joint Lead Arrangers and Selling Agents for this issuance.

About Security Bank Security Bank is among the six largest private domestic universal banks in the Philippines by total assets (at Php 784.4 billion) as of March 31,

Scientific jargon turns readers off

By JOCELYN C. APIAG Teacher III Sinonoc National High School Sinonoc, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental

DISCHARGE petition.

Laparoscopy. Vigilance decrement. Neuroplasticity.

Political and scientific jargon like these are often quite hard to understand in articles and discussions.

An Ohio State University study finds that not only is specialized terminology difficult to understand, it makes people lose interest in science.

In the study, researchers had participants read one of two versions of a science article – one full of jargon and the other using more colloquial language. People who read the jargon-filled version reported feeling less informed about the topic

and less qualified to discuss it. Even if the difficult lingo was defined in the article, readers ultimately felt less interested in science.

The authors suggests confusing terms jump right off the page for some readers and push them to quit before really giving the article a chance. The use of difficult, specialized words are a signal that tells people that they don’t belong. You can tell them what the terms mean but it doesn’t matter. They already feel like that this message isn’t for them.

It had no effect on how difficult they thought the reading was.

2020. The Bank has been operating for 69 years since it was established in 1951. Security Bank has a total of 309 branches and 839 ATMs as of March 31, 2020.

Security Bank’s major awards received in 2019 are: The Best Retail Bank in the Philippines for 2019 by The Asian Banker and Deposit Product of the Year – “All Access Account” by The Asian Banker; Automobile Lending Product of the Year by The Asian Banker (Philippines Awards 2019) and Deposit Product of the Year by The Asian Banker (Philippine Awards 2019); Best Bank in the Philippines in 2019 by Alpha Southeast Asia and Best SME Bank in the Philippines in 2019 by Alpha Southeast Asia; and Best Bank for SMEs in the Philippines in 2019 by Asiamoney.

Major awards received in 2018 were: Bank of the Year – Philippines 2018 by The Banker; Best Bank in the Philippines 2018 by Global Finance; The Best Retail Bank in the Philippines for 2018

by The Asian Banker; Best Retail Bank in the Philippines 2018 by Alpha

Southeast Asia; and People Program of the Year Award for Security Bank’s Total Wellness Program

by People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).

Among Security Bank’s major awards in 2017 were: Best Bank in the Philippines by Alpha Southeast Asia; Best Bank for SMEs–Philippines

by Asiamoney; Best Digital Bank–Philippines

by Capital Finance International; Deposit Product of the Year (All Access Account) by The Asian Banker (Future of Finance in Philippines Awards); Top Bank for Government Bonds, Top Bank for Corporate Bonds, and Top Investment House

by The Asset Benchmark Research Awards; Best Regional Specialist (Public Sector), Philippines, and Best in Treasury and Working Capital (Public Sector), Philippines by The Asset Triple A Awards 2017; and Special Citation on Industrial Peace and Harmony from KAPATID 2017 Awards of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

More information is available on our website: www.securitybank.com.

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WEDNESDAY|JULY 1, 2020

Policy... from page 4

shook her head and said: “My dear, since the day you left, that door has always been open.”

Remember, it does not matter what wrong things we have done or how badly we have lived, our heavenly Father’s door is always open— for us to come home. Even though we have rebelled against Him and chosen not to live His way, the moment you decide to ask His forgiveness, Jesus will forgive and accept you just the way you are. That is when He can help you start a new life—but this time daily living His right, true way in a loving relationship with Him. Today He wants you to know He’s waiting… and His door is still open.

Just think a minute…

Unveils... from page 4

Covid-19 world could be vital for those who provide critical services, including healthcare professionals, emergency services and utilities.

The proposed ShortTe r m R e nt a l proto cols were designed for owners and operators who rent out lodging premises through inter me diar ies such as Airbnb. Leading companies and associations in the ShortTerm Rental industry were consulted closely by WTTC. Many partnered with trusted experts in public health and governments to support the safe, healthy, and responsible reopening of this type of accommodation to travellers.

WTTC divided the new guidance into four pillars, including operational and staff preparedness; delivering a safe experience; rebuilding trust and confidence, and implement ing enabling policies.

Bitcoin... from page 4

schemes that the government is monitoring the public space for such schemes, and will take appropriate legal and regulatory action,” the DOF said in a statement.

The DOF advisory urged the public “to report this and other similarly suspicious investment schemes to the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with telephone number (02) 88185704.

This is not the first time that the Finance Department came out with a warning.

On May 19, the DOF had warned the public about the proliferation of fake news and malicious misinformation alleging that the Philippines is creating “a platform for the citizens of the Philippines to start generating income with cryptocurrency.”

Those behind the fake news even have the gall to say that the government has created a platform called “Bitcoin Lifesty le” and that President Duterte “is urging all citizens of the Philippines to learn about Bitcoin Lifestyle quickly to get involved.”

It’s a l l pre v ar i c ate d stor y and opiate-coated propaganda. But, like the more than 5-million victims of Kapa, it is not farfetched that this so-called Bitcoin Revolution could victimize a gullible few who want to get rich quick without the sweat.

Taxes... from page 1

(PDI), managed to operate albeit on a limited scale, including those in Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur. Local governments in these areas, he said, imposed stringent protocols, prompting the mining firms to make adjustments on the number of personnel in their mine sites and slowed down their operations.

“The LGUs, during the lockdowns, required the mining companies that continued their operations t o s e t - up d i s i n f e c t i on facilities for the safety of their employees. Strict health protocols were also observed inside the working premises of the companies,” Noble noted.

During the initial period of the community quarantine, Noble said mining firms in the region had laid off around 6,500 workers.

D e s pit e t h e l i m it e d o p e r at i on s , t h e M G B 13 director said mining companies in the region managed to sur vive the pandemic, and even made hefty contributions to the government's C ovid-19 response.

Aside from using their corporate social responsibility funds, Noble said MGB also asked mining firms in the region to realign their Annual Social Development Fund to help ease the impact of Covid-19 on poor families in the region.

As of Monday, MGB-13 said it allowed the realignment of some P147 million from the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) funds of mining companies to assist local government units (LGUs) in their Covid-19 response and provide food and other basic necessities to thousands of families.

“In the last 12 weeks, a total of P125 million were already spent from the total amount of the realigned social development funds of 19 mining companies in the region,” Noble said.

The realigned SDMP funds were earmarked for livelihood projects, distribution of provision of food packs, and the purchase of personal protective equipment for Covid-19 front-liners in the Caraga Region, he added.

He also pointed out that several mining firms in the region pooled their SDMP funds amounting to P18 million to establish the first molecular test laboratory for Covid-19 in the region.

“The P18 million funding for the laboratory was already handed over to the Philippine Red Cross last June 11 this year,” Noble said.

Collaborative efforts Also during Monday's

press conference, DENR13 OIC Regional Executive Director Hadja Didaw PiangBrahim underscored the importance of sustaining collaboration with the other stakeholders, including the media to protect the environment in Caraga Region.

Piang-Brahim, who assumed her post early this month, also presented the agency's 10 priority areas that include Forest Protection; Biodiversity Management; Land Management; National Greening Program (NGP); Clean Air; Clean Water; Solid Waste Management; Climate Change; Geohazard Assessment, Groundwater Assessment and Responsible Mining; and Ecosystems Research and Development.

“Despite the pandemic we are facing, DENR-13 is committed to continue to implement the 10 priority programs set by DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu,” PiangBrahim said. (PNA)

List...

from page 1

duplicating” or getting rid of double entries in the list of recipients.

Once the DSWD-10’s list has been finalized, it will then be submitted to the national office as a requirement for the second release of SAP funds, he said.

Inodeo said the distribution will take place after the DSWD-10 has submitted the final list of beneficiaries to the central office, adding those who will be given the subsidy are the “waitlisted” beneficiaries or those who have not received the SAP aid during the first wave.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and L o cal Government (DILG-10) has recently a n n o u n c e d t h at s e v e n barangay officials in the region will be facing charges for their alleged failure to comply with health protocols during the distribution of the government’s financial subsidy.

According to DILG-10 Director Arnel Agabe, the village officials are from Cogon, Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental; Tibanga, Iligan City; Bulua, Cagayan de Oro; Lapinig, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Ampinikan, Salay, Misamis Oriental; Mabunga, Baungon town, Bukidnon; and Bañader, Ozamiz City.

It was not immediately known what position those officials are holding in their barangays, although in Bulua here, the respondent was a zone president.

Agabe said the officials involved allegedly did not implement minimum health standards such as requiring SAP recipients to wear face masks and ensure physical distancing during the distribution.

“Our barangay officials should be the ones to lead the implementation and ensure that all minimum public health standards are observed based on the administrative order of the [Department of

Health],” Agabe was quoted as saying during an online press conference on Friday (June 26).

He said documented non-compliance with the minimum health standards during the SAP distribution will be become a basis for the filing of administrative charges against the local officials. (PNA)

Trading...

from page 1 R afael Abrogar II, Te c h n i c a l E d u c a t i o n and Skills Development Aut hor it y ( T E SDA ) Region 12 director, said the preparations are underway for the development of a pilot food hub as part of the implementation of the newly-launched Indigenous Pe o p l e E m p o w e r e d a s Agripreneurs towards a Collective End (IPEACE).

He said it will b e established in Purok Sto. Niño, Barangay San Jose, which was among the program’s four pilot areas in Region 12 or Soccsksargen.

The other sites are Barangay Alegria, Alabel town in Sarangani; Barangay Datalblao in C olumbio, Su l t a n Ku d a r at ; a n d Barangay Manobo in Magpet, North Cotabato.

Und e r t he pro g r am , which is supported by the city government, members of the Blaan tribe in Barangay San Jose will be organized and trained on agricultural production, entrepreneurship and other related aspects.

A production area and food terminal or trading post will be set up in the village to link farmers with direct buyers and retailers and help sustain the project, which was initiated by the TESDA Director General, S ec. Isidro L apeña, the cabinet officer for regional development and security of Soccsksargen.

Abrogar s aid in a statement the project aims t o prov i d e s u s t a i n a b l e livelihood for members of indigenous peoples’ (IP) communities here and help them become productive and self-reliant.

He said it also seeks to contribute to the food security programs of the government and prevent the IPs from being lured into joining the New People’s Army.

“This will help address the problem of poverty in our communities, which

is among the root causes of communist insurgency,” he said, quoting Lapeña.

TESDA launched IPEACE in parts of the region last week to complement with the convergence initiatives of local government units and national government agencies in line with the i mpl e m e nt at i on of t h e “whole-of-nation” approach of President Rodrigo Duterte in addressing internal insurgency.

The strategy was provided for in the President’s Executive Order No. 70, which paved the way for the establishment of the local task forces to end local communist armed conflict.

For the development of the food hub here, at least 40 members of the Blaan tribe will undergo intensive skills training in agriculture, entrepreneur, marketing and financing to sustain their livelihood initiative.

C e zar io Jo el Esp ej o, Department of S ocial Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Region 12 director, said the beneficiaries were covered by the f lagship Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. He s ai d of f i c i a l s of Barangay San Jose have a l l o t t e d a o n e - h e c t a re farm that will be used by recipients as production site for vegetables and other agricultural products.

DSWD-12 will assist beneficiaries in terms of c om mu n it y or g a n i z i n g and mobilization, he said.

(MindaNews)

Constructs... from page 2

than 20 pupils. All these are to be carried out with utmost precaution.

With this possible learning setup, the Hedcor said that the refurbished day care center will come in useful especially because it is located within the community and is spacious enough to practice physical distancing. It is also equipped with a comfort room and a handwashing area where the students can constantly disinfect themselves.

Hedcor’s turnover has been non-ceremonial due to the threat of Covid-19.

The power plant is a runof-river hydropower arm of AboitizPower. It currently operates 22 hydropower facilities with a total installed capacity of 277-MW of clean energy. (PNA)

Republic of the Philippines AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO Province of Lanao del Sur MUNICIPALITY OF MASIU OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with the section 5 of R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that SORAIDA BANTOG RANGIRIS has filed with this office a petition to the clerical error in the entry of the child Date of birth from MARCH 14, 1990 TO DECEMBER 14, 1990 in the certificate of live birth of SORAIDA BANTOG RANGIRIS who was born in DECEMBER 14, 1990 in Masiu, Lanao del Sur and whose parent are MINDAMOAO DIPORGUN BANTOG AND H. ACMAD DITANGGONGUN TAWADA RANGIRIS. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than _______ 2020.

BWM: July 1 & 8, 2020

AMRON D. MACABANGKIT Municipal Civil Registrar

Davao Oro allots P7-M to support DepEd's 'blended learning'

By CHE PALICTE, PNA

DAVAO CITY – Davao de Oro's Provincial Local Schools Board has allotted some PHP7-million funds for the Department of Education's use in the shift to a blended learning approach this coming school year.

In a statement on Tuesday, Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy said the move is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's order that there would be no faceto-face classes until a vaccine has been made available.

“The aforementioned amount will be used to buy essential tools for public schools such as external drives, Wi-Fi modems, video cameras, transistor radios, learning materials and workbooks for school levels kindergarten to senior high school,” Uy said.

Dr. Eufemia Gamutin, the school’s division superintendent of Davao de Oro proposed the purchase of items to the school board.

Uy encouraged the public to support DepEd’s shift to blended learning as well as join Brigada Eskwela, an initiative that mobilizes volunteers from all sectors in preparation for the school opening.

“This year’s opening of classes fall under extraordinary times, and that helping our schools brave through this crisis is of utmost importance. We are all duty-bound to support our students. As they always say, it takes a village to educate a child. Let us be that village,” Uy added.

Earlier, Uy signed a partnership agreement with the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the United Nations Development Program to install free Wi-Fi stations in the province’s schools.

As an alternative mode of instruction, Z Radio will allot a four-hour schedule every day to help DepEd in the shift to blended learning. (PNA) EXTRA-KUDICIAL PARTITION AMONG HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF GERTRUDES ALAVANZA KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late SPS. GERTRUDES ALAVANZA who died on June 28, 2017 and MOISES T. TABOCLAON who died on July 29, 1996 both died at SAN PEDRO, INITAO, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, LEFT NO LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT and LEFT NO KNOWN DEBTS TO ANY PERSON, FIRM OR ENTITY; that the said deceased at the time of their death, left a certain property situated in Jampason, Initao, Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao and more particularly described as follows; with TAX DECLARATION NO. : 21-000201144 Lot No. 2513 classifies as Agricultural land containing an area of 0.5510 and Residential Land containing an area of 500 and has been the subject of an EXTRA-KUDICIAL PARTITION AMONG HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF GERTRUDES ALAVANZA, filed by the heirs of GERTRUDES ALAVANZA and MOISES T. TABOCLAON, per DOC #231; PAGE #46; BOOK #XV; Series of 2018 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EMELITO J. MARQUIÑO. BWM: June 24, July 1 & 8, 2020

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WEDNESDAY|JULY 1, 2020

CENRO Talakag shares food packs to COVID-affected communities

Osio

T

ALAKAG, Bukidnon – Residents and clients of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Talakag, Bukidnon wreer recipients of food packs after the declaration of the general community quarantine.

CENRO Talakag officer Arnulfo Osio

Bukidnon, was also adversely affected by the lockdown.

“We basically lived here in our offices for the duration of the lockdown, sharing our food and other resources. When MGCQ was declared, we immediately assessed the situation and acted with compassion and dispatch,” added Osio.

Osio said that their services continued although some of them adapted the said that despite work from home the coronavirus pandemic, he and his strategy but most of them worked and staff did not think lived from their twice in helping out people’s organizations offices.

Osio also reported by donating and that in celebration of delivering food June as Environment relief to more than a Month, CENRO thousand persons in Talakag observed their area.

Arbor Day by CENRO Talakag, harnessing people’s which covers the organizations in their municipalities of tree planting projects.

Talakag, Baungon (Mark Francisco) and Libona in