BusinessWeek Mindanao (July 3, 2020)

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Volume XI, No. 12

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Friday|July 3, 2020

Plastic ban DAVAO City – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao de Oro passed Wednesday an ordinance banning the use of single-use plastics.

Ordinance No. 61-2020 seeks to regulate the use of "single-use plastic products, expanded polystyrene, styrofoam, and other similar materials in all government offices, agencies and instrumentalities in the province of Davao de Oro and providing penalties for violation thereof.”

In a statement on Wednesday, the Davao de Oro provincial government said the prohibition of the use of plastics also covers the use of expanded polystyrene, styrofoam products during meetings, hearings, seminars, and other government activities.

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Temporary pay cuts seeks to preserve jobs: Neda chief Thank you for trusting us!

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CTING Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua on Thursday said negotiating temporary wage reduction is needed to preserve more jobs amid the pandemic downturn.

Gensan opens borders GENERAL Santos City – The city government is bracing for the influx of travelers from parts of Region 12 or Soccsksargen following the reopening of provincial and city borders on Wednesday.

Restituto Facurib, the city transport terminal administrator, said Thursday they expect passenger buses and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) to resume their operations in the coming days after securing proper permits from the concerned agencies.

Citing instructions from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, he said PUVs are now allowed to operate from the Bulaong main terminal to other routes within the region.

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

During the virtual hearing of the House Committee on Economic Affairs, Chua said the temporary cut in wages is among the immediate

steps toward the road to recovery to prevent layoffs and retrenchments as the country gradually reopens JOBS/PAGE 7

Underground economy

By JUN LEDESMA, PNA

LITTLE FIGHTER. A crow grimaces in pain as a Philippine pied fantail (known locally as “bangkiyod” or “Maria Capra”) attacks it in mid-air in Iligan City Tuesday afternoon (30 June 2020). The diminutive fantail is known to attack dogs and cats when they get too close to their nest, as well as crows when they steal their eggs or eat their young ones. mindanews photo by bobby timonera

D AVA O C i t y – T h e coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has impacted on the lives and lifestyles of every Filipino, rich or poor, young or old those living in gated subdivisions and in the ghettos, in palaces and shanties.

If anyone thinks it’s only

Entertainment venues may reopen but alcohol ban stays in Davao

the Filipinos who suffer and endure he or she is absolutely wrong. The major economies all over the world are down and barely surviving.

Millions have lost their jobs and means of livelihood.

In the Philippines, the government had spent and ECONOMY/PAGE 7

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City – Bars and other entertainment venues in the city may reopen but they are still prohibited from serving alcoholic beverages, Mayor Sara Duterte said on Wednesday.

Duterte made the announcement in an interview over Davao City Disaster R adio (D CDR 87.5) following the shift to a modified general community quarantine REOPEN/PAGE 7

Some passengers of Cebu-Davao flights test positive for virus

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City -- Some passengers who arrived in Davao City via commercial flights from Cebu have tested positive for Covid-19.

Cebu City, still on extended

enhanced community quarantine until July 15, is considered the focal point of the pandemic in the country.

POSITIVE/PAGE 6

HOME FOR RETURNING OFWs. A person sweeps a building being used by the city government of Gingoog City as one of its isolation units for returning locally stranded individuals and OFWs. photo by gerry lee gorit

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FRIDAY|JULY 3, 2020

DAR hands over hauling truck DA-13 launches corn model farm program to Agusan Sur farmers' coop

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UTUAN City -The Department of Agrarian Reform in Agusan del Sur (DAR-ADS) turned over a hauling truck to a farmers' cooperative to help sustain its rice business and ease the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis among its members.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Jamil P. Amatonding Jr. told Philippine News Agency Thursday that the PHP3.8 million hauler truck was turned over to the Southern Agusan Seed Producers Cooperative (SASEPCO) on Tuesday (June 30) in time for

the celebration of the 32nd anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in the country.

“This hauling truck will be used to transport palay and will give SASEPCO the opportunity to continue and sustain their enterprises in the midst of the threat of the pandemic,” Amatonding said.

SASEPCO is one of the DAR-assisted Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Agusan del Sur and a recipient of the PHP13 million multipass rice mill that is being constructed and scheduled to be

completed next month.

“The multi-pass rice mill project is supposed to be completed and turned over to them last April this year but because of the lockdowns, the completion of the project was delayed,” Amatonding said, adding the multi-pass rice mill and the hauling truck are under DAR's Project Converge.

“As we gear towards the full operation of our rice enterprise, we see to it that all that is needed is already in place because we always look up to our farmer-beneficiaries to be successful and selfsustaining entrepreneurs someday,” Amatonding said.

In an interview on Thursday, DAR Caraga Regional Director Leomides R. Villareal said the provision of the hauling truck reflects President Rodrigo R. Duterte's commitment to the government to continue serving the interests of farmers despite the threats of Covid-19.

“I value the heroism of our farmers. Despite the real threats posed by the Covid-19, they continue to nurture their farms for increased productivity and ensure the supply of our food,” Villareal said.

He also commended the ARBOs in Agusan del Sur and in the entire region for their unhampered enterprises and the continuing delivery of rice, vegetables, meat, and other food products to the market centers. (PNA)

BUTUAN City -- The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) launched its 2020 corn model farm program in support of the “Plant, Plant, Plant, Program” (Agri4Ps) of the agency Wednesday.

DA-13 Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said the corn model farm program is incorporated in the clustering approach strategy of DA-13 in the corn industry in the region, which aims to strengthen services of the agency to the corn farmers in the region.

Monteagudo said the program also aims to ensure increased farm productivity and the establishment of linkages to markets for clustered farmers’ organizations that are considered clustercooperators.

On Wednesday, Monteagudo, together with DA-13 Corn Program

Coordinator Melody Guimary, turned over PHP5 million worth of corn seeds and fertilizers to Mandamo Integrated Farmers Association of Butuan City and the Bunawan Agusan del Sur Corn Farmers Association.

The two farmers’ groups are the first clustercooperators that will engage in the development of their model farms consisting of 50 hectares each in their respective areas.

“Aside from strengthening support to our corn farmers in the region, the clustering approach will also ensure food security in the area,” Monteagudo said in a statement Thursday.

He said DA-13 is also set to deliver corn seeds and fertilizers to a cluster site in the town of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur with a total area of 50 hectares.

In an earlier statement sent to Philippine News Agency, Guimary said Caraga Region has an existing 18 corn clusters situated in different provinces covering around 6,326 hectares and involving 3,622 corn farmers.

DA-13 is currently evaluating 9 other areas that applied for clustering with total coverage of 2,759 hectares and 1,280 corn farmers.

Local government units (LGUs) in the region are also proposing additional

CORN/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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FRIDAY|JULY 3, 2020

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CorporateWorld

7-Eleven offers P711-M loan to franchisees

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HE listed licensor of 7-Eleven convenience stores, Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC), has allocated P711 million as loan to its franchisees to prevent the closure of stores due to mounting losses from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement late Tuesday, the listed firm said it had started disbursing funds on June 20 as part of a pandemic support program to 7-Eleven franchisees.

The loans are offered

interest-free and franchisees may borrow as needed and pay when able.

“We recognized immediately that the country’s (and the world’s) battle with COVID-19 would be long and painful, so the first thing we did was request our bankers for an increase in our credit lines.

Thankfully, they responded quickly and generously, and our next focus became how to deploy this access to capital strategically during the pandemic,” PSC President and CEO Jose Victor P. Paterno said

in the statement. “[W]e are in the same boat as our franchisees with regard to profitability challenges—just because you can borrow doesn’t mean you’ll make money, just that you’ll survive for longer until you do,” he added.

Through the loan program, PSC believes franchisees would not be out of pocket on a monthly basis. They may pay back when their situation improves, but if they decide to discontinue the franchise, all outstanding balances to PSC “will be forgiven.”

Earnings of PSC in the first quarter fell 7% to P103.82 million due to temporary store closures from the pandemicrelated lockdown. Because of the crisis, it said 22% of its 2,916 stores were closed as of end April, and 11% were closed as of end May. Aside from providing loans, Mr. Paterno said PSC is also calling on landlords to help franchisees in surviving the pandemic by “(sharing) the pain” in rent payments.

“We have a very long list of unprofitable stores right now,

Aboitiz donates solar panels for DA’s hydroponics push WEATHER Philippines Foundation, Inc., a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of listed conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., donated solar panels to the Department of Agriculture (DA) which will be used for the agency’s aquaponics and hydroponics push.

In a statement, the DA said it intends to optimize the use of renewable energy (RE) to grow food using aquaponics and hydroponics technologies.

This was after receiving for free as many as 19 units of 30-watt solar panels from Weather Philippines.

The solar panels will be used to power water systems for vegetable production.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the panels will be installed at the Bureau of Plant Industry’s (BPI) urban gardens in Malate, Manila.

“We are promoting in a big way renewable energy in agriculture as this is the key to level up food

production in the future,” Dar said.

According to him, the initiative would surely intensify the government’s move towards sustainable, strong, and climateresilient food production.

In his message during the turnover of the panels, he invited other corporations to partner with DA. “This will not only address food security and create income opportunities for our local farmers and fishers

in the rural areas, but it will also fast-track the agri-industrialization movement for the country,” Dar said.

For his part, BPI Director George Culaste welcomed the DA’s collaboration with Weather Philippines and Aboitiz Equity Ventures.

“We look forward to creating more partnerships with your group so that we can show the nation that if we work together, we can heal as one,” Culaste said.

ABOITIZ/PAGE 7

and we expect the situation to continue until December at the very least. If and when that happens, expect that space to be vacant for a very long time,” he said.

He added PSC was planning to open 400 new stores this year but such plan was suspended indefinitely because of the pandemic.

“Most of our 1,000+ franchisees have to pay rent, and we are doing our part to ensure they survive. We are now asking our landlords to do theirs,” Mr. Paterno said.

Vitarich turns profitable, earns P93M VITARICH CORP. turned profitable in the first quarter as the feed, farm and food company reported a net income of P93.1 million, reversing losses of P172.7 million in the same period last year.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday, the company registered revenues of P2.34 billion, up 25.8%. It posted a net income before tax amounting to P132.99 million, a turnaround from a pre-tax loss of P173.37

million a year ago.

Vitarich Chief Executive Officer and President Ricardo Manuel M. Sarmiento said the first quarter performance provided a cushion for the company against the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We continued our lifetime professional partnership with business partners providing the necessary support in VITARICH/PAGE 7

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Opinion

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How to crash your career Think a minute… It can take years to find the right job and career, but only days to lose it! Here are some negative character traits and attitudes that can crash your career and take away your job security and ability to provide for our family.

The #1 way to ruin your career is to have poor people skills. Most people prefer to work with someone who is less-skilled but kind and enjoyable to work with— rather than be stuck working every day with a highlyskilled “jerk.”

A second way to crash your career is to work only for yourself and your advantage rather than being a team player. Don’t keep trying to outshine your fellow workers, or simply use them to climb higher in your company.

Instead, try to help your boss and fellow workers do well also. Remember, this will also build your network of friendships, as well as a happier environment and experience every day.

A third way to ruin your job security and future is not to be reliable and responsible.

My friend’s father taught

THINK A MINUTE

FRIDAY|JULY 3, 2020

On the refusal to wear masks: 'Shame on you' THIS biting albeit insulting remark comes from one of the world's most famous Covid-19 survivors, Tom Hanks, for people who refuse to wear masks amid the pandemic that has kneeled us down —and out.

His unsolicitated words of warning came at a time when Covid-19 continue on salivating people of all races, wreaking havoc in almost all corners of the globe including mainland U.S., now the epicenter of the pandemic, where its citizens openly defy health protocols particularly the wearing of masks in public places.

And the number one

violator is their weird leader, President Donald Trump, who remained defiant as it were, wielding his usual tirades against China as the principal ‘creator’ of Covid-19.

The Tom Hanks harsh language ‘shame on you’ reflects his ill- feelings toward Trump who shuns wearing of face mask in public and to those millions of Americans who reject the wearing of masks.

Actor Tom Hanks and his wife, actress/singer Rita Wilson, were two of the first celebrities to announce they had contracted the virus.

"There are three things we can do in order to get

to tomorrow: Wear a mask, social distance, wash our hands," he was quoted as saying. “ Those things are so simple, so easy, if anybody cannot find it in themselves to practice those three very basic things -- I just think shame on you”, he says matter of factly.

The couple had recovered, and donated their plasma in the hope of helping others.

"It's very basic," he says " If you're driving a car, you don't go too fast, you use your turn signal and you avoid hitting pedestrians.

My Lord, it's common sense."

Hanks is now urging people around the world to

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA do their part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Wear your masks. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands.

Stay safe. Stay home. (ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo. com)

Right voting, right life: Go cooperatives KIM'S DREAM

JUN AYENSA

Motoring Editor

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ORLAN R. RAVANERA IF you vote is for a wrong leader whose vision of the future is only up to the next election, then you are voting to put society in disarray.

But voting is not just done during elections or in choosing who should lead us; in fact, you cast your vote every time you buy as you choose from different economic alternatives, i.e., local versus foreign, sustainable versus unsustainable, organic versus inorganic, the essentials versus junks.

Buying between local or foreign products, the latter has been winning in all fronts as Filipino consumers are overwhelmingly choosing foreign products. Truth is, when you buy products

from other countries, you are supporting the labor force and the economies of those countries where the products are coming from. That is the reason why our country has been consigned as dumping ground of finished products and as cheap source of the raw materials following an extractive economy. That is why there are 3,000 Filipino workers jumping in droves every month (like jumping from a “sinking ship”), leaving their love ones behind just to find jobs in other countries.

Yes, we are consuming what we are not producing.

T h at sp e a k s we l l of a captive mind, an offshoot of the bombardment of advertisements by global corporations. We have good nutritious dairy products from our dairy cooperatives, for example, yet many are still opting to buy milk from China even tainted with melamine Do you know that our country has been importing some 250 million bulbs yearly from China made partly of plastics and mercury which have to be replaced twice

a year when in fact we are manufacturing here in the Philippines bulbs which are climate change sensitive, ecologically-friendly without any plastic or mercury and do not heat up and with a life-span of more than five years? And these bulbs called RY TELIGHT are even cheaper in price and if used, your electric bill will be lowered by 60%? Most importantly, no mercury.

Beware of mercury. The presence of one teaspoonful of mercury in a bay will make the fish not eatable as it can cause cancer.

Let us be mindful of the fact that a country that is consuming what it is not producing will always be penalized by slow growth.

Buying between organic and inorganic, the latter wins hands down. Consumers do not know that these inorganic products come from the massive practice of Conventional Agriculture which tied up to the heavy usage of chemicals. This Dominant agriculture paradigm has robbed farming communities of

farming that is controlled by global corporations. That is the reason why everyone profits from farming like fertilizer dealers, HYVs agricorporations, compradors, usurers but not those who are doing the back-breaking job of farming – the poor farmers.

Buying organic means that we don’t have to import massively chemicals that have already done so much harm to the integrity of the ecosystems and deaths due to cancer. Buying organic means lowering production cost by way of our farmers trusting in the innate processes of nature and saving beneficial insects which are now nowhere to be found. It also means saving our water-tables from being polluted through the massive use of toxic nonbiodegradable chemicals.

Buy ing b et we en t he e ss e nt i a ls or t he non essentials or junks, again the latter is now the order of the day. Consumers cannot escape from the massive ads of corporations which are giving high adherence to the VOTING/PAGE 7

Songs from the heart

JHAN TIAFAU HURST him: “Son, always work hard and do your best so you are worth your wages and your boss does not want to lose you.” Ask yourself: “If I was my boss, should I trust me as a loyal, productive and honest worker?”

A fourth way you can ruin your career is to have no goals. You will not have a career to crash if you do not even want to get it off the ground! If you have no purpose or passion for your work, you will have to endure your unhappy career every day of your life.

A fifth and final way to hurt your successful career is if you are afraid of risk or failure. Remember, “The CRASH/PAGE 7

In good and in bad times - I used to read the bible. Here at the very center are songs, rising up like a tune from the heart. Cries from the heart - songs for sorrow as well as joy. I am talking about the psalms. They capture the innermost thoughts and prayers of the Old Testament people - and they will speak directly to our needs.

For every motion and mood, you can find a psalm to match. The psalms wrestle with the deepest sorrow and ask God the hardest questions about suffering and injustice.

Their voice is refreshingly spontaneous. They do not tip flowery compliments toward God: they cry out to Him, or shout for joy before Him. In almost every psalm

you find the presence of God, not as a philosophical principle, but as an active, strong, and loving ruler. Since reading the psalms, I found out that God really makes many differences in my life.

How did the psalms come together? They seem to have been compiled as hymnbooks for use in temple worship. Some psalms were written from an individual's experiences, but were adapted for congregational use.

Directions for musicians were added.

Living by faith is not always easy - especially in these times of the "new normality". These powerful poems of worship and praise offer no magical formulas to make troubles go away. Yet, while real life

questions, struggles, and discouragements have strong voices in these poems, more powerful still is the voice of joy and security in strength.

The best way to read the psalms is also the most common way: to make these ancient prayers your own and speak them directly to God. So many of the poems catch deep human feelings that you can't help being moved by them.

There are so many psalms.

It is indeed the longest book of the bible. The richest lessons from psalms may come from difficult poems you must read again and again until you understand them. They merely ask time and close attention. My suggestion: read and reread them. They grow

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING richer with careful study. +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit my www. germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

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FRIDAY|JULY 3, 2020

SMC comes to the rescue of stranded seafarers How should I talk to my student about COVID-19

BY RHONA MOLINA AGUSTIN, Teacher III Pulot National High School Pulot, Ozamiz City

CHILDREN may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19.

Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear.

Remain calm.

Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.

Reassure children that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.

Make yourself available

to listen and to talk. Let children know they can come to you when they have questions. Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.

Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online.

Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.

Provide information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child. Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be bas ed on r umors and inaccurate information.

Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.

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TARTING early this week, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has volunteered to provide hundreds of maritime workers camped out and locally stranded at the Manila North Harbor as they await clearance to return to their provinces - free meals three times a day

and financial assistance, from its feeding center and food bank in nearby Tondo.

SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said that since Monday, June 29, volunteers at its Better World Tondo had been preparing and delivering hot meals for breakfast,

lunch, and dinner, to the stranded seamen.

“When we learned of their plight, of having to stay and sleep at the seaport as they wait to return home, we immediately alerted our people at our Better World Tondo, our feeding and learning center there, which also operates as a

Maritime workers who are camping out at North Harbor in Manila and bound for their respective provinces receive regular meals and cash assistance from San Miguel Corporation after company president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang learned about their plight recently. As of Wednesday, over 1,500 meals were prepared for them at Better World Tondo.

food bank. We already serve daily meals and provide grocery packs to the local community, so helping out the seafarers was the natural thing to do,” Ang explained.

“We really empathize with them. Just like any Filipino, they would want to get home to their families during this time of crisis. However, there’s also the need to comply with restrictions and policies on travel. As they are caught in a tough situation, we figured the least we could do is ensure they are fed, healthy, and well,” he added.

As of Wednesday, BWT had prepared some 1,500 meals for the seafarers.

Those given the clearance to go home to their destinations were are also given financial assistance

by Ang, “just so they can bring something home to their families.”

Ang, himself a proud son of Tondo, opened the Better World Tondo community center in September 2019, to serve SMC/PAGE 7

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Positive... from page 1

Davao International Airport During her live interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Wednesday, Mayor Sara Duterte said the results were based on voluntary reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests on passengers Duterte said local health authorities have conducted random RT-PCR tests on arriving passengers onboard commercial flights to Davao starting last week, after dropping antibody-based rapid diagnostic tests for returning overseas Filipinos and locally stranded individuals.

BWM: June 26, July 3 & 10, 2020

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FRIDAY|JULY 3, 2020

The mayor, however, said the local government has decided to reinstate testing, this time using RT-PCR procedure, as part of the health screening for arriving passengers.

She said local health authorities would offer “free and voluntar y” random RT-PCR tests since the local government could not afford to test all passengers of commercial flights.

As of July 1, the Department of Health-Davao reported a total of 565 Covid-19 cases in the region: 435 in Davao City, 50 in Davao del Norte, 21 in Davao del Sur, 31 in Davao de Oro, 24 in Davao Oriental, and four in Davao Occidental.

Davao City is considered

the epicenter of the virus in Mindanao.

Duterte said the city sees more passengers arriving following the easing of restrictions with the shift to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) from July 1 to 15.

“If you want to ask if we got passengers who are positive, yes, from Cebu. We have detected positive cases onboard the airplane through RT-PCR testing upon arrival here at Davao International Airport,” she said.

She reminded Dabawenyos to keep a safe distance from returning residents to keep themselves protected from the infection, and encouraged those who are undergoing home quarantine to complete

14 days in isolation.

“But even random (testing), we were still able to get positive cases. Let me just remind everyone, if you have someone who has arrived from other areas, especially Luzon and Visayas, make sure that they go through strict home quarantine as advised upon arrival at our airport and make sure, as a precaution, you do not go near them because they can turn positive any time between day 1 and day 14,” she said.

Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro were placed under MGCQ and Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental under a low-risk MGCQ from July 1 to 15. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

Impact of Education in Its New Form ROGELITA M. SAGRADO TEACHER II LOCSOON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL

‘Eyes on the board!’ says the teacher as she was pointing the chalk in her fingertips to the board. And there was silence among the students as they try to listen to the discussion. Decades ago, students go to the libraries to research. They seek the help of the librarian, search for books and borrow them overnight to study. Heavy bags filled with books and notebooks were carried on the way home. These scenarios are all the typical life of a diligent student who dreams to succeed and acquire adequate knowledge to prepare him for the real world.

But things had changed drastically. Right now, teachers and students still use their fingertips, not to hold the chalk, but to click the screen—computer screen! With just a click, one can access information around the world. There’s no need to go to the library and stay there for hours, no need to carry heavy bags loaded of books because loads of information is now readily accessible through internet. Though it was a giant leap for education to be made easier, it has also its pros and cons.

While students before should diligently read the books to finish their research papers, right now, it’s just simply a copy and paste style. They tend to copy someone’s work, and not their own. Students try to make their lives easier, less hassle and less sacrifice. This resulted to laziness, impatience, and dependency. Life was hard back then, but all the sacrifices enabled them to cultivate good qualities such as discipline, passion in what they’re doing and resilience- not giving up so easily. The physical

change from books to virtual platforms is indeed beneficial but behind it, there were also changes of traits and behavior among the learners.

A n ot h e r f a c t or t o consider is the amount of time spent in using the internet. For many, the internet has become a fascinating toy instead of a helpful tool. Students spend excessive amount of time playing, shopping, chatting, posting, searching and surfing.

Other important things involving family, friends, academic subjects and work were neglected. Internet addiction even contributed to failing grades due to game addiction. Worthless things can also be found on the internet. Pornography has become very common.

Thus, parents and educators should be alert and vigilant to give proper monitoring and guidance for children and teenagers to protect them from harm.

It’s important to keep our balance in everything we do. The persistence, diligence and discipline of the students shown before the birth of internet can be copied. Incorporating these qualities with the new form of education, things can be done faster and efficiently. Yes, both are essential to achieve success- work smart and work hard!

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FRIDAY|JULY 3, 2020

Crash... from page 4

greatest risk is never taking one.” If you do not believe in yourself, no one else will!

Instead of saying, “I’ve never done that,” say, “I can learn how.” Always look for the opportunity to grow and learn from every situation and experience.

You were created to succeed. Won’t you ask your Maker to help you reach your potential by changing your wrong attitudes, habits and character traits? With Him in charge, He can daily lead you into the life of personal and professional success He created you to have and enjoy.

Just think a minute…

Voting... from page 4

neo-liberal capitalist system.

Buy this, buy that to be happy.

Creating so much want based on the money- must-grow principle; perpetuating a rotten economic system that use money to make more money but not to enhance the well-being of the people.

Yes, unbridled materialism and consumerism has characterized society’s way of life, even sacrificing Mother Earth that as if nature is inexhaustible.

Let us remember what Mahatma Gandhi had said several decades ago, “reduce your want and provide for your own needs,” and that “if mankind has to be saved from doom, development must be harmony with nature and not at its own expense.”

This time let us vote well: Buy Local, Buy what are essentials! And in doing so, you support the Filipino labor force, the Philippine economy and the livelihood of the poor.

Let us debunk the dominant development paradigm that is now collapsing.

But as its last hurrah, like a giant-off-balance, it has to run so as not to fall.

In doing so, that “giant” steps on communities and the eco-systems, leaving destructions on its path that impoverish the people and making ecological disasters the new normal.

Right voting and right life can only be pursued with a right development paradigm called cooperativism whose DNA is members-owned, value-based and sustainable.

Let us harness the collective power of the people against poverty, social injustice, climate change and against corona virus pandemic!

SMC... from page 5

as a learning and feeding center for children in Manila’s poorest communities.

At the same time, it also serves as a food bank, receiving donations of excess food products from companies and establishments. These are then prepared into meals by staff and community volunteers for the children and their families.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Better World Tondo has served as a hub for some of SMC’s food donation initiatives for poor

communities. Its food relief effort, which has reached P511.1 million as of June 25, is considered the largest in SMC history—and perhaps the country’s.

Since then, it has also operationalized a second sust ainable community project, Better World Edsa, which serves as a Covid-19 testing lab aimed at testing some 70,000 workers in SMC’s network nationwide, and boosting the country’s overall testing capacity.

It is planning to open a third site in Quezon City, aimed at helping farmers and the agriculture sector.

Aboitiz... from page 3

T h e DA h a s b e e n mainstreaming initiatives for urban agriculture as part of its Plant, Plant, Plant Program to address the food need of residents living in the metropolis and augment available food supply.

In May, DA assigned actor and record producer James Reid to be its ambassador for food security.

Reid is into hydroponics, a method of gardening and growing plants without soil and only with the help of mineral nutrient solutions.

Vitarich... from page 3

these difficult times. Our feeds sales stepped up by fulfilling requirements of customers whose previous supplier had to scale down or close. New sales channels for our products are being developed,” he said in the disclosure.

“Our strategy of focusing on efficiency and quality has been working despite the challenging chicken market.

Our shift towards hotel, restaurant and institutional clientele has been working well for us. Our profitability ratios increased,” he added.

He said that the company’s prof its dur ing t he last quarter of 2019 was carried over in January this year, which amounted to P69.39 million, and P46.43 million in February.

In March, Vitarich’s income fell to P17.16 million due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, according to Mr. Sarmiento.

He said Vitarich had made precautionary measures at its place of business and operations had continued despite the pandemic.

“None of our employees have been diagnosed as COVID-19 positive as of date. Vitarich is adapting to the new normal, while keeping the core values of quality and excellence at heart,” Mr. Sarmiento said.

Corn... from page 2

10 areas to be clustered this year with a total area of 2,249 hectares with 1,438 corn farmers.

“If all areas will be finally classified as clusters, Caraga Region will have a total of 37 corn clusters with 6,340 farmers and a total area of 11,334 hectares,” Guimary said.

Aside from the provision of seeds and fertilizers, Guimary said that DA-13 is now working for additional interventions to the different corn clusters in the region, including the provision of farm tractors, harvesters, dr yers, and training on updated technologies on corn farming.

“Organized farmers in our clusters can also easily access loan support from the government or private f i n an c i a l i ns t itut i ons ,” Guimary said. (PNA)

Jobs... from page 1

its economy.

"To keep as many jobs as much as possible and this temporary wage reduction that is consensual I think is the immediate step that we can take," he said.

"Over the long term or the medium term, we know the economy is changing and we cannot keep the same jobs if they are not going to be jobs that are the most efficient and compliant to the new normal so we will have to think about preserving employment and not a particular job," he added.

Chua said the government is considering other policy options like the portability of benefits and pension, active labor market, skills training, and unemployment insurance to help workers.

He also noted that the government is working hard to increase the testing capacity and providing a transport system that is more responsive as the country slowly transitions into the new normal amid the global health pandemic.

Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo, however, argued that wage reduction has a big impact on the country's poverty rate, adding that it should be the government’s last policy resort. " I k n ow t h e D O L E (Department of Labor and Employment) recently has issued a memo allowing wage reduction so long as it is consensual. The key is consent. That consent is going to be vitiated. [But] you don’t expect workers on a really good bargaining position,” she said.

The labor department has issued guidelines on how employers can protect jobs, and prevent layoffs and retrenchments. (PNA)

Economy... from page 1

is spending still, billions of pesos in social amelioration funds to feed the poor, to ferry home stranded OFWs and in setting up hundreds of infirmaries to augment what used to be the adequate number of hospital beds, in purchasing personal protective equipment and other gears including testing sets and masks.

It is true that Filipinos are resilient and are survivalists.

Not a few however are dependent on government dole-outs. For the industrious moreover, the crisis created new opportunities and added income.

In many sidestreets in Davao City, ambulant vendors had surfaced selling varieties of fruits and vegetables, fresh milk, shrimps, fish, lobsters and crabs.

Restaurants are maybe closed but then shifted to home delivery. Enterprising employees augment their income by selling all sorts of home-made products from an assortment of cakes, ready to eat food - name it you have it, kimchi, etcetera, etcetera.

Among those making a windfall, in terms of tips alone, are the delivery boys.

So brisk is the business that some individual producersellers, have bonded together in order to meet increasing demands.

ON+LINE ORDERS is a group, now numbering 122, organized by Jovito Cadigal, which is into fruits and vegetables. Individually and several they sell their products to all sorts of markets and clients online.

Where a member receives big volumes of pomelos, durians, and vegetables the y merely p ost their re qu i re m e nt s on t h e i r ON+LINE ORDERS site and voila the needs are met.

Call it an underground economy, but for a country, in a survival mode, this is less burden to the government.

A bank employee and to the members of O’LORD this is a decent means of income that they are proud of.

Besides, any which way you

look at it, they help not only themselves and their family but also the government.

(PNA)

Reopen...

from page 1 (MGCQ) which means an easing of restrictions on the movement and activities of people.

“How can we go to the bar without drinking alcohol?

Just try it first and let us see,” she said.

She added that more than alcohol, it is being in the company of friends that matters.

The mayor imposed a ban on liquor on April 6, to minimize the possibility of transmitting Covid-19 during drinking sessions.

The establishments are allowed to accept customers at “25 percent of the venue/ room capacity, with strict disinfection ever y after customer use,” according to the guidelines released by the city government.

It added the alcohol ban would be subject to review on July 15.

Duterte said facemasks must be worn at all times inside these establishments, e xc e pt w he n e at i ng or drinking.

The mayor said they have seen conflicting provisions in the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, updated as of June 25, with respect

GMRC revival in basic education

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

GO OD Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) is now back following the approval of the bill making it a core subject in the K-12 curriculum for both private and public schools here in the Philippines.

Actually, the subject was never dissolved even in SY 2019-20 because it is embedded in the existing Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao subject. Teaching values education has always been included in the curriculum.

GMRC refers to an old subject or course that was taught to students in the old curriculum but it is currently taught in EsP. In the new K-12 curriculum, age-appropriate values

education and lessons relevant and appropriate for learners are being taught.

This will allow the students to gain real life experiences in applying their values to difficult situations but in a controlled environment where experienced educators will help them process the lessons they learned in a constructive and nurturing way. In SY 1991-92, Character Education was included via a DepEd Department Order No. 90 s. 1991. It is noted as a subject with four major themes focused on acceptable norms of behavior as defined by Philippine society.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality of Manticao OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION Petition No. CFN-0022-2020

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that JOCELYN PATEÑO PACHECO has filed with this Office a petition for change of first name from LILANY to JOCELYN in the birth certificate of JOCELYN PATEÑO PACHECO who was born on MARCH 23, 1974 at MANTICAO, MISAMIS ORIENTAL and whose parents are TEODORO PATEÑO and EULITA ACABADO.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 20 JULY 2020.

BWM: July 3 & 10, 2020

(SGD) DOROTHEO O. LACBAIN, JR. Municipal Civil Registrar

to allowing establishments under category 4 to reopen at 50 percent capacity on the one hand and prohibiting “leisure, amusement or entertainment” activities on the other hand.

S h e , h o w e v e r, s a i d that the local government resolved in favor of business establishments by allowing them to reopen at least 25 percent of their seating capacity.

She said the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew is still in effect.

“These leisure and entertainment (establishments) usually operate at night because these are after work activities,” she said.

President Duterte placed Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao de Oro under MGCQ and Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental under a low-risk MGCQ from July 1 to 15.

As of Ju ly 1, t he Depar tment of HealthDavao reported a total of 565 Covid19 cases in the region: 435 in Davao City, 50 in Davao del Norte, 21 in Davao del Sur, 31 in Davao de Oro, 24 in Davao Oriental and four in Davao Occidental.

(Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews) AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION OF SOLE HEIR KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ERASMO MATIGA PATES (father) and CORAZON INFANTE PATES (mother) who died intestate in the City of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, on March 28, 2015 and on June 1, 2012, that said deceased left two (2) parcels of land measuring 100 square meters, located in Cagayan de Oro City, and evidenced by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-151448 and 148 square meters, located in Cagayan de Oro City and evidenced by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-172814 and has been the subject of an AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION OF SOLE HEIR, filed by the heirs of ERASMO MATIGA PATES and CORAZON INFANTE PATES, per DOC # 85; PAGE #17; BOOK #LXIII; Series of 2019, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. HENRY J. BACAL. BWM: June 26, July 3 & 10, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF ENECITAS T. LUCAGBO WITH SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ENECITAS T. LUCAGBO who passed away on ________ in Baluarte, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; the deceased ENECITAS T. LUCAGBO left a parcel of agricultural land located in Plaridel, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, identified as Lot No. 015, Block No. 08, Survey 178E, Pls 563, comprising an area of ELEVEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY FOUR (11,9747) SQUIARE METERS, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF ENECITAS T. LUCAGBO WITH SALE, filed by the heirs of ENECITAS T. LUCAGBO, in favor of YUJI BERADOR LUCAGBO, per DOC #38; PAGE #8; BOOK #126; series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. FELIX D. LACUBTAN. BWM: June 26, July 3 & 10, 2020

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FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

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Friday|July 3, 2020

Globe myBusiness teams up with international LMS providers to boost digital learning efforts in local schools THE global pandemic has encouraged many industries to adjust and find ways to thrive in the new normal.

In the education sector, institutions are expected to explore new ways of learning while maintaining social distancing guidelines.

Earlier this month, the national government announced that face-to-face classes will be postponed until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed. The Department of Education said that the while preparing schools for “a different setup” is a challenge, the Department is readying the resumption of school operations based on their Basic Education — Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) which would affect almost the entire education infrastructure in the country — from the DepEd Central Office down to the school level.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education shared

that they are working with the Department of Health to draft guidelines on health protocols when classes resume.

“With the threat of COVID-19, schools and universities are seeing additional pressure to develop and implement

technology that will support students’ learning. In some cases, it takes its toll on the system, leading to reliability issues that impact the overall educational experience,” says Mark Abalos, Education Segment Head for Globe myBusiness.

As response to this

pressing need, Globe myBusiness, Globe’s center of excellence in Education, has partnered with Learning Management Services (LMS) providers to ensure that schools are supported in deploying learning platforms to their students and teachers. Together with

D2L-BrightSpace, Edmodo, and Google Education, the telco giant makes sure that flexible learning options are accessible to institutions with various needs.

LMS is a software application that administers, documents, and tracks educational courses and training programs. Since it is accessible online, it serves as a viable alternative resource for institutions looking to offer lessons without holding physical classes.

“Our partnership with the world’s leading LMS providers is a promising solution to a challenge we are facing today. By using technology as a tool for education, we hope to recreate the way we learn amid these extraordinary times,” adds Abalos.

Globe has recently provided LMS services for partner institutions such as Indiana Aerospace University in Cebu, Top

Achievers Private School, Cebu Doctors University, Bukidnon Faith Christian School, Rosemont Hills Montessori, San Pablo Colleges and St. Peter College of Ormoc. They add to the roster of institutions already enjoying the benefits of Globe’s services, joining Emilio Aguinaldo College and the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila.

Through interactive, experiential, collaborative, and reflective means, Globe myBusiness pushes to maximize digital learning.

More so, parents, students, and educators can rely on Globe to be their trusted partner in making the most out of the ever-changing landscape of 21st century learning, especially in times of crisis.

Learn more about this story and other efforts by Globe myBusiness for digital learning via www.facebook. com/globemybusiness.