Issuu

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume XI, No. 24

Market Indicators

AS OF 6:00 PM JULY 30, 2020 (THURSDAY)

FOREX US$1 = P 49.190

PHISIX 5,966.27

X X Briefly

unchanged

39.16 points

Rosy outlook

BUSINESSES in Mindanao and North Luzon are optimistic about recovery due to continued operations in the agriculture, outsourcing, and mining industries in their areas, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said. The Philippines’ largest business organization announced the findings of its meetings with chapter organizations. It also found that half of the member companies are not operating due to the lockdown, while employment among those partially operating is down 25-30%. The chamber has said that extended lockdowns would force many companies to permanently close.

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China, Euro-led steel plants in frenzy start www.businessweekmindanao.com

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NEDA 10 director expresses support for steel mill revival

Electrification THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) has reduced its target for rural villages it plans to deliver power to this year to 635 sitios after the loss of funding that was diverted to the pandemic containment effort. In a virtual briefing Tuesday, the agency said it had to revise its target for the Sitio Electrification Program from original 964. Apart from lost funding, it also blamed project delays on the quarantine. “(The) implementation of the remaining sitio targets for the year may not be met due to the remittance of P1.26-billion unutilized subsidy funds to the Bureau of Treasury, as requested by the Department of Finance,” NEA Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong said.

IN-DEPTH

Big Chinese and European conglomerates are racing against each other to start the operation of the two steel mills in Northern Mindanao.

By MARK FRANCISCO, Reporter

HE race of who will hit the ground running first is on. Out from the business limelight for over a decade, Dr. Walter Brown, chair of A Brown Group made a surprise announcement by saying that the partnership deal with China’s Huili Fund to build the country’s first integrated steel mill at Phividec Industrial Estate in Tagoloan, MisOr has been inked amid the threat of coronavirus. On the other side of the fence, a European-led investment conglomerate is now on its final stretch in the preparation of the technical plan to revive the bankrupt National Steel Corporation

in Iligan City. Huili is a private equity fund based in Beijing, China with interests in real estate, finance and industries. In a stock exchange filing, subsidiary Simple Homes Development Inc. (SHDI) headed by Robert Pizarro, FRENZY/PAGE 11

Cariño

LGU requirements factor in slow cell site construction: NTC-10 THE requirements imposed by local governments are one of the factors why telecommunication companies have been slow to put up cellular network towers or cell sites, the chief of the National Telecommunications

Commission in Region 10 (NTC-10) said Wednesday. Engr. Teodoro Buenavista, Jr., NTC-10 director, said that one requirement--the social acceptance FACTOR/PAGE 10

Marawi rehabilitation works go full blast THE Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) on Monday announced that the rehabilitation programs are now on "full blast" for the benefit of displaced families affected by the 2017 terror siege. In a statement, the Task Force

vowed to finish key infrastructure and housing developments that will benefit both the local government and its residents. TFBM said it plans to finish the Marawi Maritime Outpost through MARAWI/PAGE 10

ENTERPRISING BOY. This boy sells vegetables from their farm all day long. He helps his family earn while there's no definite day yet as to when will the school opens. photo by chris panganiban

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DavNor town eyed Agusan Norte IPs expand abaca as ’coffee corridor’ production amid pandemic

DAVAO CIity -- The provincial government of Davao del Norte is eyeing Talaingod town to become a "coffee corridor" in Region 11 due to its vast land suitable for coffee production. In a statement Wednesday, Governor Edwin Jubahib said the town is being given focus under the provincial government's "‘Yield Growth in Agriculture," which aims to increase agricultural production and address the high poverty incidence in the area. Jubahib said the provincial government has already prepared seedlings through the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO) to be

used for coffee production in Talaingod. The governor said PAGRO has about 10,000 seedlings of Arabica and Robusta varieties, which will be given to the coffee growers for free. Bernie Pliego, PAGRO focal person for coffee, said: "We prioritize those who are interested because it is a waste of inputs if they have availed from it but will only put it aside. Let’s not talk about how many acres do we have. Let’s start small, and once we managed it, then that’s the time to expand, ” he said. Ludovico Ramirez, Jr., the technical coordinator of Agricultural Cooperative Development COFFEE/PAGE 10

UTUAN CITY – Some 40 members of Indigenous Peoples (IP) community in Kitcharao town, Agusan del Norte, have started land preparations for the planting of around 20,000 abaca suckers in the area. Annelyn Chan, the project coordinator of Project Converge of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Agusan del Norte (DAR-ADN), said the Zapanta MamanwaManobo Association (ZAMMA) in Barangay Bangayan, Kitcharao, is one of the organizations being assisted by the agency in the province. Barangay Bangayan

is nestled in the area of Zapanta Valley, one of the conflict-affected areas in Agusan del Norte where government interventions are being focused to end the local communist armed conflict in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order 70 (EO 70). EO 70 seeks to institutionalize the "whole-of-government" approach in ending the communist rebellion in the countryside. “The members of ZAMMA recently completed their refresher training on abaca production technology and now they are ready to venture into abaca production,” Chan told Philippine News Agency Wednesday. Chan said ZAMMA was organized late 2018, particularly when the Mamanwa tribe evacuated

from their communities in the hinterlands of Barangay Bangayan due to the presence of the communist New People’s Army rebels. While inside the evacuation center for almost a month, the intervention of DAR-ADN started in collaboration with the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Army. Among the interventions include an orientation on government services to communities that led to the formation of their livelihood group. When they returned to their communities, ZAMMA members started to develop their abaca plants for bigger production. “We made other interventions to ZAMMA in the middle of 2019 to help them improve

their living conditions. It was in the latter part of 2019 that DAR-ADN, through its Project Converge, trained the members of ZAMMA into abaca production technology,” Andre Atega, the Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer of DAR-ADN said on Wednesday. Atega said that a 1.5-hectare communal abaca production farm was developed by ZAMMA in the last quarter of 2019 that was provided with PHP100,000 financial aid by DAR-ADN. Atega said ZAMMA was not able to expand its abaca production especially during the first quarter of 2020 due to the threats of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). “Products from the 1.5-hectare abaca plantation were sold by ZAMMA to other DARassisted cooperatives in the area. They wanted to expand their area and increase the production but the risks of the pandemic hindered the delivery of the support during the first quarter of this year,” Atega said. With the recent loosening of quarantine restrictions in the area, DAR-ADN and other line agencies such as the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), along EXPAND/PAGE 11

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ORLAN R. RAVANERA President Ro dr igo Roa Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA)is so amazing when he mentioned that enough is enough of the oligarchs’ control of water and electricity. Indeed, just like food and air, water and electricity are means to life and these should not be put under the control of the oligarchs for profit motive and massive rakings. How much is an oligarch’s corporation earning by controlling the distribution

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Buzzards and bees Think a minute… Buzzards and bees are very different in their eating habits. Buzzards fly circling above looking for animals that are either hurt or dead. Then they swoop down to tear and feast on it until it is gone. But honeybees are the exact opposite. Honeybees only look for the good, sweet nectar as they fly from flower to flower. Buzzards produce fear, pain, and death in their feeding. But bees produce honeycombs full of sweet, nourishing honey that gives health and enjoyment to others. I n t e r e s t i n g l y, b o t h buzzards and bees always find what they’re looking for! Just like a wife can usually find what she’s looking for in her husband. She sees what she wants to see: the good or the bad. So if she focuses on her husband’s faults and mistakes, she will find them. But when her husband feels that she does not respect him, maybe even sees him as a failure, guess who is the last person in the world he wants to be with? Since he feels he can never be good enough for her.

THINK A MINUTE

of water in Metro Manila? Well, as mentioned in the SONA – billions of pesos! Former Secretary Jericho Petilla of the Department of Energy told me before that the monthly salary of a senior official of MERALCO is Six Million Pesos. If that be the case, you can just imagine the gargantuan rakings of MERALCO p er month. When he was questioning the improprieties of what that multi-billion Corporation is doing against consumers of electricity, well-known legislators (apparently the Corporation’s allies) told him to report to Congress for some questioning. Thus, he opted to resign. This time, enough is enough! We have a leader who is very courageous to question these oligarchs because of his love for his people to liberate them from poverty from the stranglehold

of a few oppressive oligarchs. Don’t you know that when former President Estrada did that, he was ousted? The acts of some legislators supporting the oligarchs and even have the guts to attack the President should stop. Indeed, when economic dictatorship of the oligarchs is grafted unto representative electoral democracy, a toxic growth of religious fundamentalism and right wing extremism is the result. Thus, oligarchical control leads not just to the death of democracy, but to the democracy of death. Who profits? Who decides? Who benefits? Don’t you know that in 2012, only 50 oligarchical families pocketed 70% of the country’s gross domestic products (GDPs)? That only 200 families control the Philippine economy? That includes the control of electricity. Perhaps it is about time

that the 13 million memberconsumer-owners (MCOs) must report to our beloved President on the Position Paper that they have crafted on the so-called Electric Cooperatives (ECs), as they declared: “We have w it ness e d hunger and p over ty in a count r y o ozing wit h ecological wealth. We are well aware that the cause of economic deprivation is rooted in the powerlessness of the people to have access and control over their resources and over their utilities which are under the strangled hold of the oligarchs. Even the millions of the MCOs of electricity are being deprived to exercise their rights as owners because those running the affairs of the so called electric cooperatives, who through all these years h ave for m e d p owe r f u l LIFE/PAGE 11

How being isolated have altered us

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No to Oligarchical Control Water & Electricity are Means to Life

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KLAUS DORING Did our personalities are shaped by our experiences and social interactions? Being isolated from friends, family, and colleagues is indeed strong tobacco for all of us. There wasn’t just one lockdown – we all had our own experience. Some people - including me and my family - were forced into months of unbroken solitude, others trapped for weeks on end with an estranged spouse. Some saw it as a positive experience – a

welcome opportunity to slow down, go for walks and relax with a loving partner, or enjoy quality time with the children. Wh i che ve r w ay t he lockdown played out, there has been one near-universal aspect to the past months – it abruptly disrupted our daily routines and living arrangements in ways that would not normally occur. Nothing new. And we don't know how long this will last. The Senior editor at Aeon+Psyche Christian Jarrett asks interesting questions: Will this strange time have left its mark on us, not just superficially, but deep down? As we venture out tentatively, do we do so with our personalities somehow altered? And if so, how will our new selves cope as we begin to mix and travel once again? I strongly agree with his answers. For much of psychology’s history, personality – the set of enduring habits of

behavior, emotion, and thought that form each person’s unique identity – was considered set in stone, at least beyond early adulthood. Research over the last few decades, however, has led to a consensus that, while personality traits are relatively stable, they are not completely fixed. Instead, they continue to evolve through life and in response to major life events. In other words, from a theoretical perspective, there is every possibility that at least some of us will have been left changed by the lockdown. Honestly, I have problems getting along without the usual daily face-to-face contact with friends, family, and colleagues. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest the same. Although conscious that I’ve been more fortunate than many in my experience of the pandemic so far, I also know that I’ve been feeling less stressed due to less rushing around, but also more

withdrawn and introverted. Friends of mine (also not too adversely affected) agree they feel different – more reflective, perhaps, but also less sociable. In one of my previous write-ups at this corner, I praised my status at the home office. Maybe you still remember it? The many months of changes to our routines may have led to changes in our behavior that will stick long after the pandemic has finished. It “may lead to new norms, which may over time also shape our personalities,” says Wiebke Bleidorn at the Personality Change Laboratory at the University of California, Davis. I am sure, she is so very true. +++ Email: doringklaus@gmail. com or follow me on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit my www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Singapore set aside SGD45 million to boost domestic tourism JHAN TIAFAU HURST But if she lo oks for the good qualities in her husband, she can grow to respect and admire him. Then, her husband will enjoy being with her and want to be a better man for her. A wise person said: “To your husband’s good qualities be very kind, but to his faults and mistakes a little blind.” Remember: “Running down your husband is bad for your heart, and his.” The fact is: “You can do more for him by correcting your own faults than by trying to correct his… If you spend most of your time improving yourself, you will have little time left to criticize your husband.” BEES/PAGE 11

The Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have jointly an n ou n c e d t h e l au n ch of Singap oRedis covers, a n i n e - m ont h , S G D 4 5 million (USD32.5 million) campaign to drive local spend on tourism and lifestyle offerings. Beginning at the end of July, the campaign focuses on partnering local communities to help locals d is cove r hid d e n ge ms , curating attractively-priced Singapoliday staycation packages to create authentic experiences for locals, and collaborating with hotels, tour operators, attractions and precincts to develop quality experiences and attractive promotions. For a start, around 40 businesses have come on board to offer some 80 promotions. The offers will be housed

on the VisitSingapore app and the newly-launched SingapoRediscovers microsite. Starting from August, consumers can enjoy upcoming virtual events such as Singapore Food Festival. Various F&B campaigns and promotions will also be launched to drive footfall and attract more diners to outlets in different parts of the country. The campaign will spread its budget across direct marketing for attractions, grants under schemes such as the Marketing Partnership Programme and the SG Stories Content Fund, and partnerships with industry partners, such as airlines, e-commerce platform and online travel agencies. Myanmar Reveals Plans to Boost Domestic Tourism Deputy Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, U Tin Latt, is planning to boost domestic

tourism in Myanmar as the nation has closed its international borders until 31 July 2020. The plans include lifting all quarantine measures between states and regions, gradually opening tourism destinations in the country with safe distancing measures, establishing destination management organisations to enforce the measures, launching domestic travel campaigns with the media, requesting for funds from the COVID-19 Economic Mitigation Committee to launch incentive programs offering travel coupons to healthcare personnel and volunteers, and providing tax rebates and reliefs to tourism operators. Aside from the short-term plans, according to U Myint Sein, Deputy Director at the Directorate of Hotel and Tourism (Magwe), an ecotourism zone on 60 acres of land one mile away

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JEROME DE LA FUENTE

from Man Shwe Settaw Pagoda near Hlay Tin Bridge is being developed by the Magwe Region government. The project is expected to cost K2 billion, and upon approval, the development will commence in 2021 and take two years to complete. Another initiative to boost domestic tourism is by Myanmar National Airlines. The national flag carrier is offering a 20% discount TOURISM/PAGE 11

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BSP implements measures to aid economic recovery: Diokno B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said the worst is over for the Philippine economy vis-à-vis the impact of the pandemic, however, the BSP remains committed to implementing measures to support recovery. “The worst is over. But while we’re not out of the woods yet, we have to look beyond this crisis.

Bangko Sentral enhances banknote security features

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to enhance the security features of new generation currency (NGC) banknotes even as it pushes for digital payments. “We are promoting digital payments as it is essential to financial inclusion. While we’re doing this, we also want to look after the broader segment of the population that uses cash,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said during the virtual launch of the NGCs with enhanced security features Wednesday. Diokno said the enhanced security features also make the paper bills less prone to counterfeiting. Among the added security features for the P100, P200, P500, and P1,000 notes are windowed security threads (WST) that run vertically across the notes and will show the movement of designs and color when the paper bills are viewed at different angles. The P500 note also has a stylized Philippine flag design on the left corner of the obverse side that changes color when viewed at different angles. The P1,000 note has an embossed 1000 denominational value at the lower right corner of the obverse side, and the said characters will change color from green to magenta when viewed at different angles. SECURITY/PAGE 11

Dominguez asks DOJ's help vs. fake cryptocurrency traders DEPARTMENT of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to run after the people behind the fake cryptocurrency trading that are using names of government officials and celebrities. In a letter sent to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, which was received at the DOJ on July 28, 2020 based on the copy of the letter shared by Dominguez to journalists, the DOF chief said there have been several Facebook posts that illegally use his name “to promote a fake cryptocurrency auto-trading platform called ‘bitcoin revolution’.” “Similar investment ploys using the names of some Finance and Treasury officials in other countries as well as Filipino celebrities is likewise used in an attempt to dupe the public into falling for the scam,” he said. Dominguez said they have reported these posts to Facebook “to prevent the spread of these hoaxes.” He, however, said the “perpetrator of such acts may still continue to find other avenues to pursue their malicious activities.” “Thus, we request the assistance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Cybercrime Office to track, identify and prosecute those responsible for these posts,” he said. Dominguez said he has yet to receive any feedback from DOJ on his request. (PNA)

What else can we do to make the Philippines more robust and resilient? How do we prepare for the next crisis?” he said in his speech during The Manila Times virtual forum Tuesday. Growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), contracted by 0.2 percent in the first quarter of this year and it is projected to register a deeper decline in the

second quarter after Luzon, which accounts for about 70 percent of the country’s annual output, was placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 17 to May 15, 2020. This quarantine level was extended for Metro Manila until the end of May 2020 to counter the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases. Economic managers

have revised their growth forecast for the domestic economy this year from 6.5 to 7.5 percent to a 2 to 3.4-percent contraction. The economy is expected to recover next year, with the growth figures set between 8-9 percent. Diokno reiterated the Philippines entered the pandemic in a position of strength because of the RECOVERY/PAGE 11

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Three Gingoog students make alcohol dispenser out of recyclables By MARK FRANCISCO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reiterates “No to face-to-face classes” By: RANDOLF J. MONTECLARO Teacher I Initao National Comprehensive High School Initao District, DepEd, Misamis Oriental

D at e d Ju l y 2 7 , 2 0 2 0 , President Rodrigo Roa Duterte successfully stressed his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) wherein education is one of his main agenda. He reiterated that face-to-face classes for the S.Y. 2020-2021 will not be allowed until a vaccine of today’s global pandemic may become available. With his desire to continue the educational services of our country, he pledged that all public schools will be equipped for online learning before he steps down. Moreover, to date, the online learning modality was conceptualized and implemented by the Department of Education to uphol d it s rol e i n delivering quality education for every Filipino learners while safeguarding our teachers and learners from the current global health crises known as pandemic COVID-19. The said delivery of online learning is called DepEd Commons, an online platform for public school teachers to support distance learning modalities. It was successfully designed as an answer to give full access to online learning materials

during classes suspensions and other related inevitable tragedies. This initiative is a practical intervention to pursue learning in a time where face-to-face learning is impossible to happen because of the new normal policies. Indeed, the Department of Education has all the go o d intent ions up on implementing such initiative to continuously improve itself too better ser ve its stakeholders. Finally, it is noted from the declaration of our DepEd Officials that the school opening for S.Y. 2020-2021 will not certainly mean traditional face-to-face learning intervention. It is further means that physical opening will greatly depend on the risk classification of a certain locality pursuant to guidelines from the Department of Health and the Office of the President.

HREE college students from Gingoog City have invented an automatic alcohol dispenser made of recycled materials. The three – identified as Jaime Torayno, Mary Ann Bernolirao and Bebie John Atol, who are all taking up BS Information Technology at Gingoog City Colleges – presented their work in public via a courtesy call last Monday before Mayor Erick Cañosa. According to Torayno, the automatic alcohol dispenser was made all out of recyclable materials such as plywood, stick glue and water bottle. The Information Technology students then inputted a sensor and a USB-based backup power into the system. The total cost of making the project was only P800. The invention stemmed from the trio’s summer Electronics subject which was conducted in the middle of the pandemic last month under instructor Dexter Rautraut. Torayno said that the health crisis that has gripped the world was what inspired them to produce

Gingoog City Mayor Erick Cañosa with the three students. photo courtesy of gingoog city information office

something relevant and practical for the people to use. Torayno said their invention is an alternative to the more expensive automatic alcohol dispensers that are available commercially and is ideal to be installed in strategic public places such as bus terminals, shopping malls and public markets. No less than Mayor Erick Cañosa was impressed with the

students’ work. “I am so proud of them because first of all, they are Gingoognons. And as young Gingoognons, they have applied what they have learned into something practical and coupled that with the value of caring towards others. Amidst this crisis that we are facing right now, I am happy to know that the youth are among those who are taking the lead in sincere concern,” Cañosa

said. (“Usa ka dakong pasidungog sa atong Dakbayan nga aduna kitay mga potensiyal nga mga estudyante nga nakahatag og usa ka dakong tabang unsaon nga mabatukan ang pagkuyanap sa COVID -19 virus sa ilang ginagmay nga pamaagi.”) With that, Cañosa is planning to order five of the units to be installed in City Hall and other key public places in Gingoog City.

FDC Misamis supports #ProjectFlexiReading, #ProjectTAMBAL Villanueva, Misamis Oriental - To further demonstrate its dedication in nurturing young minds, FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis) supported its neighboring schools in their online reading programs. The power company participated in Balacanas Elementary School's (BES) Project Flexi Reading (For Learners’ Excellent Innovation in Reading) and Tambobong Balacanas National High School's Project TAMBAL (The Avenues of Reading; Maximizing and Building Resources, All for Learners). Project Flexi Reading is part of the BES' Brigada Pagbasa initiative. With the theme Reading in a CoViD (Convenient and Virtually Developed) Way, the program aims to seal the reading gap of every Batang Balacanas in the grade school level amid the pandemic through the conduct of virtual reading tutorials, online reading lessons, and the establishment of alternative community libraries. Project TAMBAL is also an online tutorial but for high school students. FDC Misamis, being a neighbor of choice, mobilized its employees to allot time and effort in facilitating virtual reading tutorials with students from both schools. Seen above are employee-volunteers during sessions with incoming Grade 3 and Grade 7-8 pupils. The schools expressed heartfelt appreciation to FDC Misamis for its unwavering commitment to helping create a community of readers. FDC Misamis is a subsidiary of FDC Utilities, Inc., the power arm of the Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corporation. It is the owner and operator of a 3x135MW circulating fluidized bed coal thermal plant situated within the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate.

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91 Indonesian endangered animals repatriated

AFTER more than a year under the care of Davao Crocodile Park, 91 Indonesian Endangered Animals were successfully repatriated to Indonesia. The repatriation is in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Indonesia, Embassy of IndonesiaManila, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City, Ministry of Environment & Forestry-

Indonesia, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XI, Biodiversity Management Bureau-Manila and Davao Crocodile Park. These animals originated in Indonesia are composed of palm cockatoo, sulphur-crested cockatoo, lory, northern cassowary, wallaby, papuan hornbill, skink, eclectus parrot and more which were apprehended by a joint operation

of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource XI and other enforcement agencies last April 8, 2019 at Sitio Manggihay, Barangay Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental. Aboard Indonesian sea vessel Gloria 28, the animals will travel an estimated of 30 hours of voyage with route Davao City – Bitung City, Indonesia escorted by a Team from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry-Indonesia consists of animal keepers, forest ranger and a senior officer with expertise in the field of birds and mammals. Consul General Dicky Fabrian expressed his overwhelming gratitude to the Philippine government especially DENR XI in ensuring that these wildlife animals will be back to their fauna

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING & REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No.10, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

MEDINA GINGOOG OPERATOR DRIVER AND TRANSPORT COOP. (MOFGINTRANSCO) CASE NO. R10-EV-PUJ Rep. by: JENELIE G. ARNOZA 2020-07-1967

MEDINA GINGOOG OPERATOR DRIVER AND TRANSPORT COOP. (MOFGINTRANSCO) CASE NO. R10-EV-PUJ Rep. by: JENELIE G. ARNOZA 2020-07-1969

MEDINA GINGOOG OPERATOR DRIVER AND TRANSPORT COOP. (MOFGINTRANSCO) CASE NO. R10-EV-PUJ Rep. by: JENELIE G. ARNOZA 2020-07-1968

(2018-10-948)

(2003-10-2708)

NOTICE OF HEARING

(2020-01-027 et. al)

NOTICE OF HEARING

APPLICANT(s)/ PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to Extend the Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Consolidation of Cases to operate PUJ SERVICE on the line: BALINGOAN TO JASA-AN (MISAMIS ORIENTAL) and vice versa with the use of ELEVEN (11) unit/s. This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on August 10, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at this board on which date Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/their evidence. The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation. Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/their written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ their oral testimony(s). N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN THE DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION/PETITION. WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 29th day of July 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

APPLICANT(s)/ PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to Extend the Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate PUJ SERVICE on the line: PUERTO TO JASAAN and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit/s. This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on August 10, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at this board on which date Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/their evidence. The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation. Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/their written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ their oral testimony(s). N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN THE DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION/PETITION. WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 8th day of July 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

APPLICANT(s)/ PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to Extend the Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate PUJ SERVICE on the line: CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY TO GINGOOG CITY and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit/s. This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on August 10, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at this board on which date Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/their evidence. The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation. Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/their written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ their oral testimony(s). N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN THE DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION/PETITION. WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 29th day of July 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

(Sgd.) ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING HEARING OFFICER BWM: July 31, 2020

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING & REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No.10, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

ELDIE MACARANDAN CASE NO. R10-EV-PUJ 2020-07-1903

MARTIN TUBAL CASE NO. R10-EV-PUJ 2020-07-1901

(2015-10-891)

(2015-10-1583)

NOTICE OF HEARING

MEDINA GINGOOG OPERATOR DRIVER AND TRANSPORT COOP. (MOFGINTRANSCO) CASE NO. R10-EV-PUJ Rep. by: JENELIE G. ARNOZA 2020-07-1970

APPLICANT(s)/PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to Extend the Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate PUJ SERVICE on the line: ILIGAN CITY PROPER TO BRGY. SAN MIGUEL - ST. MARY and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit/s. This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on August 12, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at this board on whice date Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/their evidence. The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation. Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/their written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ their oral testimony(s). N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN THE DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION/PETITION. WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 29th day of July 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

APPLICANT(s)/PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to Extend the Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate PUJ SERVICE on the line: ILIGAN CITY PROPER TO NSCHIGHWAY - TOMAS CABILI and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit/s. This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on August 12, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at this board on whice date Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/their evidence. The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation. Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/their written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ their oral testimony(s). N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN THE DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION/PETITION. WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 29th day of July 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

(Sgd.) ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING HEARING OFFICER

BWM: July 31, 2020

(2014-10-1372)

NOTICE OF HEARING APPLICANT(s)/ PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to Extend the Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Consolidation of Cases to operate PUJ SERVICE on the line: GINGOOG CITY TO BALINGOAN (MISAMIS ORIENTAL) and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit/s. This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on August 10, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at this board on which date Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/their evidence. The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation. Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/their written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ their oral testimony(s). N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN THE DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION/PETITION. WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 8th day of July 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. (Sgd.) ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING HEARING OFFICER BWM: July 31, 2020

and flora in Indonesia. Both Indonesia and Philippines are members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). He also acknowledges Davao Crocodile Park (DCP) to all their efforts, commitment and assistance especially in keeping the animals healthy and in good condition from the time it was rescued until the repatriation process. DCP is the main partner of DENR XI in conservation and perpetuation of wildlife animals being rescued in the region. The

advocacy of DCP is to inspire people to respect, appreciate nature, share their knowledge and enthusiasm to others. ConGen Dicky said “one of the strategic routes that is often used

to smuggle illegal wildlife from Indonesia especially from the eastern region; for that we continue to establish good relations and increase support from the Philippine government ANIMALS/PAGE 10

8 I

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FRIDAY|JULY 31, 2020

Eidul Adha: A Celebration of Sacrifice By: NANANG SUMANANG

n Islam, there are two Prophets we must follow in his footsteps, because they are good role models for us Muslims. The first is the Prophet Muhammad (al-Ahzab: 21) and the second is the Prophet Abraham Alaihi Salam (Peace be Upon Him) (Qur’an 60 : 4-6). The pilgrimage that will be celebrated by Muslims worldwide is essentially tread a piece of the journey of the struggle of the prophet Ibrahim Alaihi Salam. Whereas we are asked to take lessons from the journey of the life of the prophet Abraham when he left his wife, Hagar, and Ismail in the city of Mecca (Qur’an 16 : 123). Hajj is held in the Dzulhijjah this year and is still in a covid-19 pandemic atmosphere, where several countries have confirmed that they will not send

pilgrims this year such as Indonesia and the Philippines. This year's Hajj insha Allah (if God Willing) will fall on July 31, 2020 according to Gregorian’s Calendar, previously passed by the month of Ramadan and the month of Shawwal. Ramadhan is a month where Muslims are required to fast, where the essence of fasting is to draw closer to Allah SWT by fasting, obligatory prayers, as well as reading alQur'an. This is expected to be able to cleanse the heart, it is also expected to be able to develop our love for the poor, and later it is also expected that real action by sharing happiness with them by paying zakat (giving charity to the poor people) fitrah and zakat maal. In the month of Shawwal (Eidul Fitr) we are asked to forgive one another and pray

for one another, which is then followed by the six-day sunnah fasting in Shawwal as a way to maintain purity of heart. After this heart is clean, grows and develops our love and concern for the poor, then Allah calls us to come to his house (Baitullah) in Mecca alMukaromah to perform Hajj. The cleanliness of the heart and the sacred intention to perform the pilgrimage is symbolized by the use of ihram, which is a piece of white cloth that has no stitches when going for Hajj. The meaning of the symbol of white clothes that are without stitches is that we must leave our worldliness, rank, position, social status, ethnicity, race and so on which have no meaning in the eyes of God, except that we are brought to face God. Other services for Hajj are Tawaf; the pilgrim circle the Kaaba seven times counter

clockwise. Tawaf symbolizes human efforts to continue to move in search of the ultimate truth, even though humans will never reach it. Tawaf is a human effort to always move together with nature to perfection. This is what Abraham Alaihisalam (PbUH) did who kept thinking and moving to find the true God .. Sa'i, comes from the word sa'a which means to try, move and endeavor. Sa'I is traveling seven times between the Marwah and Safah hills. This commemorates the search for water in the desert by the Prophet Ibrahim's wife, Hagar, after she was left alone with the baby, Ismail. Sa'i, which starts from the hill of Safa which means clean, choice and holy and ends, and ends on the hill of Marwa which means self-respect, honor, and personal glory.

Stakeholders’ Challenges in Blended Learning By: AISA T. BADANA

Under the Department of Education’s Learning Continuity Plan (LCP), there are five learning modalities that teachers can use in the delivery of instruction: face-toface, blended learning, remote/ distance learning, homeschooling, and apprenticeship (for SHS). DepEd’s LCP clearly mentioned that face-to-face learning shall only be allowed when the local risk severity grading permits and subject to compliance with minimum health standards. Given this, it is safe to conclude that blended learning will primarily be the mode of delivery in the new normal. What is blended learning? Blended learning is an approach to education which combines face-toface learning and online instruction (Graham 2013). In the Algorithm for Learning Delivery Modalities designed by DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Diosdado San Antonio, blended learning can be a combination of face-to-face and distance or remote learning learning. Distance or remote learning can be online learning (synchronous and asynchronous), digital learning (no internet access) or with the use of printed modules for learners’ home-based instruction. Due to the challenges of technology such as the unavailability of learning devices and internet access for both teachers and learners, DepEd will most likely combine face-to-face learning with home-based instruction using the printed modules. For so long a time, school heads, teachers, learners, and parents were used to the traditional face-to-face learning. However, because of the ongoing threats of COVID-19, the school system has to shift from this traditional way of learning to blended learning. It is expected that there will be birth pains that will occur in the process of embracing blended learning and major adjustments will

have to be done by all concerned stakeholders in order to realize this learning continuity. So what are these challenges that our learners, teachers, parents, school heads, and education leaders may encounter in the process of adapting blended learning as a modality? Let me share with you three major challenges that will likely to be encountered by each stakeholder concerned. First is the learners. One major challenge will be their home environment. As teachers, we know that not all our learners have homes that are conducive to learning. Another challenge is their parental support. What if the learner cannot gain support from his/her own parents/guardian? Lastly, the learners’ motivation to engage into this kind of learning modality. Teachers are also challenged in the adaption of blended learning. First and foremost, not all teachers have the relevant training required for a successful application of blended learning in instruction. They are also challenged in terms of their instructional design such as methods and strategies that will be used in teaching and the assessment practices. Teachers are also challenged to ensure and sustain learners’ motivation especially now that face-to-face learning is limited. When it comes to encouraging parents to send their children to school this year, it is always a question of willingness. We cannot force parents to do this but we can educate them so they make informed decisions. For parents who want to send their children to school this year, their challenge includes their capacity to teach/supervise children at home especially if they consider themselves uneducated. In case of parents who are both working, there will be no adult to supervise their children during homeschooling. They are also challenged to motivate

their children to learn despite the learning arrangement. As school heads, their major challenge is to ensure that the school is ready to accommodate learners in the face-to-face learning and to ensure that the health and safety measures in school and in the classrooms are in place. Moreover, school heads have to ensure that funds are available for the purchase of the necessary materials, equipment, facilities, and others to address the threats of the virus. Moreover, school heads have to ensure that funds are available for reproduction of modules, purchase of printers and photocopying machines, and other necessary purchases relative to production of learning materials. They are also challenged to manage teachers who find adjustment difficult in these trying times. On a larger scale, the Department of Education is challenged to ensure the health and safety of both the learners and school personnel from this move to continue education. We are challenged of our capacity to provide quality education to our learners given the learning modalities we provide. We are challenged to listen to what our stakeholders have to say about the policies we are implementing in the field and to respond with empathy and grace. The question now is that “Are these challenges difficult to address?” “Can these challenges be addressed?” If your answer is yes it is difficult to address but no it cannot be addressed, then we might as well stop all these endeavors to continue our learners’ education because it would seem all our labor would be in vain. However, if your answer is yes it is difficult to address and yes it can be address, then together let’s concretize our plan of action and make this learning continuity happen all for the sake of our beloved Filipino learners! Together we can!

Philosophically, Sa’i teaches us that we keep trying to begin with good intentions, good ways, so as to achieve our personal honor. Wukuf at Arafat. Wukuf means to stop and ‘Arafat means to know. Actually wukuf at Arafat is the peak and beginning of the pilgrimage. This worship only takes about six hours of silence in the Arafat area. Arafat was the place of contemplation of Adam and Eve when they returned after coming out of heaven to prepare themselves and their descendants to be caliphs on earth. Arafat was also the reflection of Abraham Alaihi salam when he was given the command to sacrifice Ismail, his beloved son. Then staying at Arafat is a symbol for us so that we often have to reflect and introspect ourselves, whether it is in accordance with Islamic values and truth in living the life ahead. Throwing Jamrah. Jamrah (plural form of the word ‘jamara't’) means gravel or pebbles. When Abraham was ordered to sacrifice his

son Ismael, then satan disturbed Abraham to deny the command of Allah SWT. But Abraham, Ismael, and Hagar agreed to fight Satan and crush him with gravel. Ritual throwing jumrah teaches us that to fight for the truth, and to carry out God's commands despite of the many challenges, obstacles and temptations from Satan, both Satan within us, and Satan outside of us. All challenges, temptations, and obstacles we must fight with all our strength as exemplified by Abraham, Ismael, and Hagar. Finally, for those who do not perform the pilgrimage to Mecca, they are obliged to sacrifice for those who are able, by cutting livestock; like goats, cows, and camels, as an expression of our gratitude for all the great pleasure that God has given us. Sacrifice is also a symbol to kill the animalistic passions that are in us, also to share with those who are unable. Happy Eidul Adha 2020!

The Process of PLI Loan Verification By: CHRISTAL MAE M. GONZALES

“DepEd Order No. 49, s. 2017 entitled Revised Guidelines on Accreditation/ Re-Accreditation of Private Lending Institutions (PLIs) u n d e r t h e Aut om at i c Payroll Deduction System (APDS) Program, DepEd Memorandum No. 489, s. 2009 entitled Revised Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS) Guidelines o n Ac c r e d i t at i o n / R e Accreditation of Insurance Companies, Mutual Benefits Associations, Cooperatives/ Associations and Other Organizations Authorized by Law, and all earlier DepEd issuances on the same subject are hereby repealed. As reiterated, the APDS program aims to eliminate illegal, unauthorized and over deductions on DepEd teachers and personnel’s loan, or code sharing by institutions or by individuals not allowed in the present system”. In line with its continued thrust to protect its personnel from private lenders charging excessive rates on loans and engaging in unscrupulous practices, the Department of Education (DepEd) hereby issues the enclosed Revised Guidelines on Accreditation and Re-Accreditation of Private Lending Institutions (PLIs) under the Automatic

Payroll Deduction System (APDS) Program. The following are the procedures on how and what are the prerequisite to c ompl e te t he l o an application; It is a first come, first served basis. The verifier will act on all e-mailed requests for net take-home pay (NTHP) verification received from the various accredited lenders. DepEd email address is required in all of the APDS loan applications. The employee must at least have rendered 1 year in service at DepEd in able for the request to be accommodated. The DepEd email password must should not be given to anyone as mandated by the Central Office. The loan request should be sent via email once. The employee and the credit institution will be notified through email if the loan application has been verified. They have to wait until his/her request will be verified. Also, the institution is given 7 days to release the loan proceeds; application is deemed cancelled if not released within 7 days. Remember to keep the original pay slip with you. Lastly, teachers and other employees does not need to visit the Verifier/Division Office for the purpose of loan verification.

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FRIDAY|JULY 31, 2020

Globe at Home Postpaid introduces new innovative promo plans

Recreate the world right at home with faster speeds, unli data and free devices

WHILE the country has shifted to more relaxed quarantine guidelines, many still choose to stay at home, opting to use the internet to work, study, and entertain themselves. Globe at Home is empowering families across the country to recreate the world right at home with its new postpaid plans, bundled with exciting freebies and complimentary services. Bring the cinema right at home With Plan 1899, customers can experience speeds of up to 30 Mbps with unlimited data. The cinema is right at home as new customers get three months free access to iWant and Amazon Prime Video plus a free Android TV box. The Android TV box transforms any TV into a Smart TV with thousands of videos, movies, and games from the Google Play Store, YouTube, and other apps-making every night a movie night. Set up the office right at home With the increasing demand for home connection for the entire family, there’s no better time to upgrade to 100 Mbps speed with unlimited data for only P2899. This plan comes with two TP Link Deco M5 WiFi Mesh devices, which expand the WiFi coverage to more areas at home. With these, users can seamlessly move from room to room with a stable connection. Plan 2899 is perfect for big families, especially with

parents who need to work and grow their businesses at home. Moreover, they get exclusive access to the VIP Tech Squad hotline, a specialized customer service team that provides endto-end support for WiFi connectivity and installation of devices such as the TPLink WiFi mesh system that enables enhanced online security for all users in the family. Secure a plan fit with your budget Families can choose from a wide range of postpaid plans depending on their budget. Globe at Home’s starter pack is Plan 1299, with speeds of up to 10 Mbps and 500GB of data allocation per month. Unlimited plans start at Plan

1699 and come with varying speeds ranging from up to 15 Mbps to a maximum of up to 1 Gbps with Plan 9499. New and existing Globe at Home customers can apply for or can upgrade their plans using the Globe at Home app which can be downloaded for FREE via Google Playstore or the App Store. All of these plans come with three months of free access to iWant and Amazon Prime Video, and a free landline unit with unlimited calls to Globe and TM subscribers for 24 months. Learn more via the official Globe at Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/globeathome/ or send a message via the Globe At Home FB messenger.

DepEd Iligan conducts Virtual Graduation By: ANA MARIA S. TIMOGAN, JD

The Department of Education, Iligan Division in partnership with Philippine Elementar y Schools Association (PESPA) Iligan Chapter conducted the first ever Virtual Graduation Ceremony for School Year 2019-2020. The series of broadcast is done via Facebook Livestream which started last July 23-July 30, 2020. It comprised the following districts of East I, East II, City Central District, North I, North II, South I, South II, West I and West II. All eighty-five (85) schools are included in the aforementioned districts. Amidst covid19 p a n d e m i c , “S t u d e nt s , parents and teachers deserve this celebration not only to culminate their efforts from the past school year, but to prepare them for next level of education and what comes next. This is the first Virtual Graduation and we are proud to have provided precedence for other schools and divisions in the country to follow”, said Roy Angelo E. Gazo, schools Division Superintendent. Straight from the heart, Dr. Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO

III, DepEd Region X Director exclaimed,”the covid 19 pandemic has prevented us from celebrating momentous events like graduation, but this virtual graduation c o nt i nu e s t o p rov i d e learners their achievement as full-fledged graduates, one truth that covid19 cannot take away from Class 2019-2020. The Department of Education especially for Northern Mindanao will continue to deliver quality education under this Sulong Edukalidad Program even amidst threats of this covid19.” The Secretar y of Education, Eleanor Magtolis Briones in her message expressed that Graduation day is one of the momentous events in the educational journey of a learner, happiness of parents and accomplishments of the academic year for the teachers and administrators. This Batch of 2019-2020 is ver y special since graduates finished amidst the worldwide crisis of corona virus threat. Tisha Yvon G. Maglinte, with Highest Honors of Tomas C abi l i C e nt r a l

School stated that “that our dreams will continue to soar high. This year’s Graduation theme,”Sulong Edukalidad: Championing the Nation’s Future”. Our Virtual Graduation today proves that we can paddle triumphantly through the storm”. F r o m a p a r e n t ’s perspective, Mam Maglinte, “Graduation ceremony usually uplift my morale and dignity as parent of graduating daughter. In this pandemic time where gatherings are not allowed, I and my graduating daughter would feel sad since the graduation we expect most will not happen. But the joy and excitement we expect is made possible with this Virtual Graduation.” “PESPA Iligan Chapter is happy to spearhead the achievements and hard work of this educational journey of the learners among the stated elementary schools in Iligan Division. I am excited to see more schools to initiate these new platform of activity broadcast,” exclaimed by PESPA President, Enerio E. Ebisa, PhD.

BWM: July 17, 24 & 31, 2020

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FRIDAY|JULY 31, 2020

Factor... from page 1

e nd ors e me nt f rom t he communities where the cell tower would be constructed-takes around eig ht to 12 months before it gets approval. Bu e n av i st a s ai d t he situation calls for a review to amend certain local ordinances. The City Council here l e d by C ou nc i l or E r i c Salcedo, chairperson of the Environment Committee, has formed a technical working group (TWG) to review provisions of City Ordinance 2114-2004, which governs the establishment of cell sites within the city's jurisdiction. The aim of the TWG, of

which Buenavista is the vicechairperson, is to recommend the simplified process of telecommunications companies in applying for permits to construct cell sites. "I have made a position paper of the need to fast-track the construction of additional cell sites. The TWG also made recommendations on the amendments in the existing ordinance that will put up a 'one-stop-shop' in processing the requirements of cell site construction," Buenavista said. He added that the problem is common among all local government units in the country. He clarified, however, that amending existing local laws and regulations relating to the establishment of cell sites

How teachers cope up stress in these pandemic times By RENELDA J. PACALDO SST-III Bugo National High School Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City

EVEN in the most normal of school years, teachers’ work-life balance can be tenuous. It’s no secret that teachers often bring piles of work home and spend their weekend hours answering emails or grading papers. But when the coronavirus pandemic forced schools to close their doors and pivot to remote learning, things got more exciting. Teachers say they had to scramble to retrofit their lessons to be delivered remotely, make sure they were meeting their students’ emotional needs during an anxietyinducing time, manage their own children’s learning and combat Zoom fatigue. At the same time, there was no barrier between

BWM: July 31, Aug. 7 & 14, 2020

the classroom and the living room anymore. Teachers found themselves troubleshooting technology and answering messages from parents and students at all hours. For many te achers across the country, working from home will start next month. Here are some tips on managing stress. Have some self-compassion. First, become aware of your distress and acknowledge how tough the situation is. Then, remind yourself that you are not alone in feeling this way. Finally, be kind and tender to yourself – possibly even putting your hand on your heart to physical express your care.

should not sacrifice the need for regulating environmental and safety issues. The amendments, he said, should aim to speed up processes, and remove redundant regulations that cause unnecessary delays for telecommunications companies to put up cell sites. For instance, Buenavista said local government units m ay i mp o s e m i n i mu m requirements and conduct a review on a telco's compliances on a four-year basis. Buenavista said that at least 100 cell sites requested by major telecommunications companies to be put up in the city are currently pending. He said each cell site is worth PHP15 million. The NTC-10 chief also shared President Rodrigo Duterte's sentiment during his State-of-the-Nation Address that major telcos must improve their services, especially that connectivity is crucial for people and institutions to adapt to the "new normal". (PNA)

Marawi... from page 1

the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Grand Padian Central Market, School of Living Tradition, Peace Memorial Park, Marawi Museum, five barangay halls with health centers, and madrasah schools, in partnership with the local government. The projects are funded under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management – Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (NDRRM-MRRP). O n Tu e s d a y , t h e D e p a r t m e nt o f S o c i a l Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it will continue to distribute the Transitory Family Support Package to every family, amounting to PHP14,400. Meanwhile, the Army's 55th Engineering Brigade, together with 12 homeowners’ associations in Marawi City, will continue with the construction and site development of the promised 50 permanent shelters in Barangay Kilala. The housing project was supported by the UN-Habitat through the support of the Japanese government. The property was bought by the National Housing Authority, which is a member-agency of TFBM. A l s o on Mon d ay, a "ceremonial switch-on" was held at the Sectors 1 and 2 of Marawi City's "Most Affected Area" (MAA) as a symbol of regaining power lines and power supply in the areas. The activity is part of the energization program under the Road Networks with Underground Facilities, which was also funded through NDRRM-MRRP. TFBM said it also plans to reconstruct and renovate 31 mosques within the Islamic City’s MAA or “ground zero." TFBM chairman Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, who also heads the Department of Hu man S e tt l e me nt s

and Urban Development (DHSUD), said in earlier interviews that the order to speed up the rehabilitation works came from President Rodrigo Duterte himself. “We already have an inventory which of these sites that need total reconstruction and thos e that require retrofitting and repairs,” del Rosario said.

Coffee... from page 2

International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI-VOCA), note d t he p otent i a l of Talaingod town as the region's "coffee corridor". "Talaingod has great potentials to become a Coffee Corridor in the next five years. The beauty is that the provincial government is very supportive of boosting the coffee industry in Davao del Norte,” Ramirez said. For the project to prosper, Jubahib said the provincial government has opened various barangay roads so that the Ata-Manobo farmers will be able to deliver their products to neighboring communities. (PNA)

Animals... from page 7

to be able to disclose illegal circulation activities of Indonesian animals as an effort to protect Indonesia's biological wealth, of course we all hope and continue to strive to eradicate illegal wildlife trade and increase public awareness”. According to DENR XI, this is the first animal repatriation happened in the Philippines which has a very big impact on the bilateral relations of Indonesia and the Philippines. It strengthens the security cooperation to end the illegal activities in all border areas in the region. The send-off ceremony was conducted at the Sta. Ana Port-Davao attended by officials from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XI, Bureau of Animal & Industry and Davao Crocodile Park. As per commitment to the Philippine government, all expenses were shouldered by the government of Indonesia.

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FRIDAY|JULY 31, 2020

Bees... from page 4

Don’t forget, there is a big difference between us and buzzards and bees. Animals cannot choose their instincts and behavior, but we humans are able to choose what we think, say, and do. So if you have not been the encouraging, loving wife your husband needs, won’t you ask Jesus, and your husband, to forgive you? Then ask the Lord to take complete control of your heart, words and ways of treating your husband, so you can start changing into the woman and wife He created you to be. He will help you start seeing the good in your husband, who will then truly enjoy being with you and want to come home to you every day. Just think a minute…

Life...

from page 4

cabal of vested interest, are stubbornly insisting that these ECs are cooperatives despite the fact that they do not adhere to time honored and universally-accepted cooperative principles and practices and notwithstanding the fact that the Supreme Court has ruled resoundingly on their being cooperatives in name only. Howe ver, inste ad of registering with the CDA, what these ECs did was to unleash formidable arsenal of lies, deceit, fear mongering and cash-back lobbying to ensure the continued proliferation and hold of private interest over electric cooperatives. Lies and deceits were employed to cast doubts on the economic viability of electric cooperatives if they would be registered with CDA.” Don’t you know that all the 13 million MCOs have already paid capital shares to their respective ECs of more than fifty thousand pesos each that when consolidated will reach more than one trillion pesos. These capital shares are actually included in their monthly billings in the past sixty years on two items: amortization of loans and reinvestment. All these years, such truism has been hidden from the members. W hy a r e t h e s e n o t recognized? Because the oligarchical firms want to buy these ECs and many cooperative leaders who have been opposing have already been murdered. I can cite several painful stories, one of these was the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO) where about nine have already been killed during those painful years of the struggle to really become a genuine cooperative. Mr. President, the 13 million MCOs with a critical mass of some 60 million Filipinos are appealing to you, our beloved President, to correct this social wrong and gross social injustice. All the more than 11 million cooperative members throughout the land are with you. YES, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. NEVER

SHALL WE ALLOW THE OLIGARCHS T0 CONTINUE THEIR MASSIVE RAKINGS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PO OR AND THE OPPRESSED! For those who have dreamt, struggled, sacrificed and even died for its, social change has been so elusive all these years despite 14 years of martial law and two-people powered revolutions. The systems and structures breeding poverty are still as formidable as ever. BUT NOT ANYMORE UNDER THE PRESENT DISPENSATION UNDER P R E S I D E N T M AY O R RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE. SOCIAL TRANSORMATION HAS COME TO UNFETTER THE PEOPLE FROM THE OPPRESSIVE PROFIT MOTIVE OF THE OLIGARCHS AND CARTEL! Let notice be served to one and all that the only countervailing force against s o c i a l i nju s t i c e w h i c h is legal and peaceful is COOPERATIVISM! This is well stated in the 1987 Constitution, Chapter 15, Article 12: “To promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of social justice, equity and economic development.”

Tourism... from page 4

on local flight tickets in celebration of the company’s 70th anniversary this year. Thailand Launched “We Travel Together” Stimulus Package to Drive Domestic Tourism To boost domestic travel, Thailand launched “We Travel Together” campaign, and it has generated over 3.6 million in hotel room bookings. Participants of the campaign must be a Thai citizen who will travel outside of their hometown province. For accommodations, the government will subsidise 40% of the standard room rate or up to THB3,000 per night for a maximum of five nights. On 21 July, the government has extended the campaign to the unlicensed hotels to provide tourists with more options. The government will loosen restrictions on three groups including hotels in the process of obtaining a licence, hotels whose licenses expired less than one year ago and small boutique hotels that do not meet the hotel license criteria. The campaign also covers other trip-related expenses, including food and transportations. The government will subsidise 40% of the expenses or up to THB600 per day. Domestic airfare can be subsidised for 40% of the ticket price or up to THB1,000, with a cap of 2 million seats. All the transaction from the government will be done through “Pao Tang” application. India Forms ‘Air Bubbles’ with the US, France and Germany India has established special bilateral arrangement or ‘air bubbles’ with the US, France and Germany as it gradually resumes scheduled international flights for the first time since they were

stopped in March 2020. Similar arrangements with the UK and other countries are expected to be announced soon. Travel under these air bubbles will be regulated as per the entry requirements of each country, including India. As of now, entry is restricted to Indian nationals, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders and some foreigners such as diplomats.

Security... from page 5

Tactile marks are also printed at the extreme left and right sides of the notes to help the elderly and visually-impaired identify the denomination of the notes. Monetary authorities said the BSP-issued paper bills are printed on security paper, have embossed prints, and have tactile marks. Watermarks, security fiber, asymmetrical serial number, and see-through marks can be easily seen and security thread, concealed numerical value, optically variable ink for the P500 and P1,000 notes, optically variable device patch for the P1,000, and enhanced value panel for the P500 and P1,000 notes can be checked if the notes are tilted. Diokno said “there is no significant difference in the cost of producing the enhanced banknotes” since the increase is only about 1 percent. Earlier, monetary officials said the cost of producing the P20 bill alone is about P2 a piece. Meanwhile, Diokno said a technical working group (T WG) is now studying the feasibility and policy implications of issuing digital currency. “We will first look into the findings of the group before making any decision on this regard,” he said, adding the TWG is expected to submit its report by August. Diokno said c r y p t o c u r re n c y i s n o t expected to significantly affect demand for physical currency. “Digital currency, for us, has always been beyond the asset itself but more on the blockchain technology,” he added. (PNA)

Recovery... from page 5

reforms in the past years. “The result of this process provided (a) steady anchor for the country’s economic resilience. Our economy has weathered different economic crises, political changes, and natural calamities,” he said. Diokno said the pandemic caused by Covid-19 “is a crisis like no other” because it “has morphed into a full-blown global economic crisis.” “Yet, the Philippines has had strong economic f u n d a m e nt a l s s u c h a s robust growth, good fiscal performance, and strong external and financial sector positions –which provided relative stability in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added. To counter the effect of

the pandemic, the central bank has implemented several measures that include the total of 175 basis points reduction in the BSP’s key rates; 200 basis points cut in universal and commercial banks (U/ KBs) reserve requirements; implemented relief measures for banks to support lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and slashed reserve requirements of thrift banks (TBs), rural banks and cooperative banks (RCBs) by 100 basis points. Diokno said the country is well-situated to restart its economic growth and development process, adding “the decision to unwind Covid-19 policy response will be gradual, prudent, and evidence-based.” “A wel l - t hou g ht - out disengagement strategy is necessary,” he said. Diokno said the central bank remains committed to implementing additional policy measures and reforms “to help the Philippine economy recover from the Covid-19 crisis and to build its resilience against future crises.” (PNA)

Frenzy... from page 1

Dr Walter Brown’s brother in law signed a 25-year lease agreement with the Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA) over a 400-hectare of prime land in MIsamis Oriental. The lease deal is renewable for another 25 years with an option to purchase land. On the other hand, City Mayor Celso Regencia has earlier acknowledged the intent of a foreign-funded consortium in the amount of 4-B euros for the rebirth of the new National Steel Corporation. This development came as a big surprise after a series of failed investment proposals — mostly from Chinese groups — were presented before the pandemic to Mayor Regencia for the plan to rebuild the defunct NSC. Regencia expressed optimism the latest investment proposal would push through as it were considering the seriousness of the consortium to proceed amid the growing threat of Covid-19. “We are bullish with the development to re-construct the mothballed NSC as this would place Iligan City once again in the country’s industrial map”, he po said. The 400-hectare property of the old NSC is now owned by the city government of Iligan after undergoing a series of legal battles with bank liquidators. Settlement for the buyout of the property is now in the last ditch of negotiations with the consortium group. As a driver of economic growth, the new NSC is expected to generate thousands of jobs to the people of Iligan and the rest of the region. Meanwhile, the regional director of the National Economic and Development Aut hor it y ( N E DA ) has

expressed optimism on reports that a group of Europ ean investors are eyeing to revive the National Steel Corporation (NSC) plant in Iligan City. NEDA 10 director Mylah Faye Cariño said that this development will cause the creation of new jobs – jobs which the region needs at this point when certain business es have clos e d down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Aside from the jobs that will be created due to the direct operations of the steel mill, jobs will also be created during the construction phase,” Cariño said. The regional head of the agency in charge of the country’s economic direction further said that the steel mill will spur creation and operation of ancillary or downstream companies. Cariño said she is bullish that this health crisis that we are facing is just passing and ultimately, confidence by foreign investors in the Philippines will come pouring. It can be recalled that prior to the pandemic, NEDA has commissioned a research entitled Competitiveness Analysis of Northern Mindanao as a Potential Location for the Establishment of an Integrated Steel Mill in the Philippines. For his part, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar More n o w e l c om e d t h e development, saying the proximity of the old NSC’s l o c at i o n t o t h e Ma r i a Cristina hydropower plant is already an advantage. “Steel business is powerintensive. It is a ls o an advantage on the investors’ part that the Maria Cristina hydropower plant is not covered by the EPIRA law and therefore, keeping the power rates down,” he said. Moreno added that the cost of modernizing the new steel plant is already mit igate d b e c aus e “t he foundations of the plant are already there.”

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with the Army's 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB), managed to deliver the needed services for the members of ZAMMA to pursue the expansion of their abaca plantation. “The refresher training we conducted with PhilFIDA and 29IB last July 27 to 28 was on-site as the members of ZAMMA actually made the land preparations in the 10-hectare plantation area,” Chan said. She added that DAR-ADN provided the organization with 20,000 abaca suckers ready for planting with organic fertilizers, ammonium sulfate, herbicide, and fungicide during the actual training and land preparations. “We are optimistic the Mamanwa tribe in Zapanta Va l l e y, p a r t i c u l a r l y i n Barangay Bangayan will be able to sustain the project and free themselves from poverty,” Atega said. Abaca production, he added, is suitable in the area and a promising agricultural venture for the Mamanwa because of its good price in the market. “In this time of the pandemic, abaca fiber is one of the important material in making masks and other protective gears. Abaca is in demand in markets,” Atega said. He said DAR's Project C onve rge i s e ye i ng t o establish around 100 hectares of ab a c a pl ant at i on i n Zapanta Valley this year, with the help of the tribes in the area. (PNA) EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF AMONG HEIRS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late DOLORES BACAL DEMILLO, who died on November 30, 2005 in Cagayan de Oro City and Crisologo Cadigal Demillo who died on September 16, 2011 in Cagayan de Oro City, that to the best of our knowledge and information the deceased left no will and no known debts which remain unpaid whatsoever; that the deceased at the time of their death left a parcel of land, described below; TC NO. T-175043 situated at Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 10,383 square meters and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL STATEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY, filed by the heirs of DOLORES BACAL DEMILLO, per DOC #180; PAGE #36; BOOK #CXVI; Series of 2020, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. NOEL G. BACAL.

That the late SPOUSES ROY M. YACAPIN and Ma. CELIA J. YACAPIN, who died on December 1, 2018 at Cagayan de Oro City and January 16, 2002 at Cagayan de Oro City, that the above-mentioned Spouses Yacapin, both at the time of their death left several properties, to wit: 1. A parcel of land with TCT No. T-30326 bearing Tax Declaration No. G-062692 situated in the Barrio of Lapasan, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED (200) SQUARE METERS, more or less, 2. A parcel of land with TCT No. T30327 bearing Tax Declaration No. G-062690 situated in the Barrio of Lapasan, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED (300) SQAURE METERS, more or less, 3. A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. G-062691, building only located at #2210 Yapo Avenue, Camamanan, Cagayan de Oro City, 4. Metrobank Savings Account No. 3-20935049-2 with a deposit in the amount of Forty Thousand Ninety-one Pesos and Fifty Six Centavos (Php40,091.56) or more, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF AMONG HEIRS, filed by the heirs of SPOUSES ROY M. YACAPIN and Ma. CELIA J. YACAPIN, per DOC #479; PAGE #76; BOOK #XIII; Series of 2019, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ADONIS ARC P. GUMAHAD.

BWM: July 31, Aug. 7 & 14, 2020

BWM: July 24, 31 & Aug. 7, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL STATEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

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2020 TAYO Awards opens digital search for youth groups with COVID-19 response programs

HE Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards Foundation, together with its partner, Coca-Cola Foundation, is calling for entries to the special digital edition of its annual TAYO awards particularly recognizing youth groups that mobilized in response to COVID-19. This year, instead of accepting nominations for multiple categories, the 18th TAYO Awards will have one distinct category in honor and recognition of the bayanihan spirit of youth organizations whose programs and projects have responded to the pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine. Interested clubs, groups, organizations and societies may accomplish the online registration form for the TAYO 18: Bayanihan Run and submit their digital entries on or before August 18, 2020. This year’s screening and selection processes will also be done online in keeping with social distancing measures and quarantine protocols. The TAYO Awards is open to formal and

non-formal youth organizations which consists of at least 5 members under 30 years old and has been active since April 2020. Application is free and organizations can submit multiple entries so long as they are of different projects or programs. For the past 18 years, the TAYO Awards has recognized and supported youth organizations that go beyond empowering communities. Its awardees and finalists receive P50,000 and P20,000 seed grants, respectively, to help fund their ongoing projects or start new ones. In partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, the TAYO Awards Foundation also bestows the Coke Barkada Award to youth groups whose projects are geared towards environmental and educational stewardship. A beacon of the Company’s vision of building a better shared future, this year’s Coke Barkada Award recipient will get an additional P30,000 grant to be used for sustainable project implementation. To learn more about the 2020 TAYO awards, visit https://spark.adobe.com/page/ aXB2TwU1nK5W3/.