BusinessWeek Mindanao (June 10, 2020)

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Briefly Unemployment CLOSURE of businesses during the community quarantine is the reason for the spike to record-high Philippines unemployment rate last April, thus Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III believes the uptick in the number of unemployed persons is temporary.

Citing the recent statement of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno, Dominguez said the unemployment rate in the fourth month this year “is not due to any other reason other than the lockdown.”

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PH economy seen to shrink this year www.businessweekmindanao.com

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AMMERED by natural disasters and the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Philippine economy is projected to contract by 1.9 percent in 2020.

But there are good chances that the country can bounce back in the next two years, according to the World Bank’s latest Philippines Economic Update released Tuesday.

The eruption of Taal Volcano and most importantly, t he g lobal outbre ak of

Covid-19 including the strict containment measures ECONOMY/PAGE 6

Travel permits no longer needed within Davao

Covid loan THE PHILIPPINES has signed an agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank (AIIB) committing the multilateral lender to extend a loan of up to $750 million to support government efforts to suppress the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and augment the funds needed to address this health crisis.

This loan accord cements AIIB’s commitment to cofinance with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) the Philippines’ COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) program, a quick-disbursing budget support facility designed to fund the government’s efforts to combat COVID-19 and mitigate the adverse impact of the contagion on the economy.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and AIIB Acting Director General Rajat Misra signed the loan agreement last Friday (June 5).

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

By WARREN ELIJAH E. VALDEZ, MindaNews

DISINFECTING GROUND ZERO. Personnel from Barangay Carmen in Cagayan de Oro City spray disinfectant Monday evening along Dabatian Street where a 34-year-old female who died of COVID-19 resided. Health and police officials have cordoned two blocks in Dabatian Street and advised residents to quarantine themselves for 14 days. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

DAVAO City – Securing travel permits or travel authority for individuals travelling within Davao Region is no longer required, Mayor Sara Duterte said on Monday.

This, as the local government units in the region have agreed to no longer require travel authority (TA) for individuals travelling PERMITS/PAGE 5

Worm infestation in NorMin not alarming, says DA-10 THE Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10) has assured that the reported fall armyworm (FAW) infestation on corn plantations in some areas in Northern Mindanao

has not yet reached an alarming level, adding that measures have already been taken to contain the damage.

In a statement released Sunday, WORM/PAGE 6

Gov’t vows support to private media amid COVID-19 crisis THE national government is committed to support private media entities as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis takes

toll on employment and health concerns of journalists.

Presidential Communications MEDIA/PAGE 3

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. This would have been a perfect summer snapshot save for the face masks and shields that Cassy 6, and her sister Hallie, 2 are wearing, as they play at the Boulevard in Dipolog City. The facial protection measures betray a childhood rudely interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. photo by armand b. frasco

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2

Local

Dev't projects in Zambo, Jolo airports completed

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AMBOANGA City – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is a step closer in its pursuit of enhanced air connectivity throughout the country, with the completion of various development projects at the Zamboanga International Airport in Zamboanga City and at the Jolo Airport in Sulu province.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade lauded

the efforts of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for the completion of the two Mindanao airport projects, which are expected to greatly benefit the whole region.

He said these recent developments are just in time for the resumption of commercial operations of most airports, which have suspended operations during the enforcement of strict community quarantine

across the country, in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“With the work we are doing, especially with the work the CAAP is continuing with, the aviation sector will surely recover. Ito ‘hong mga proyektong ito ang paraan namin para sabihing (These projects are our way of saying) we will get back on our feet and we will do so by enhancing

our mobility and connectivity,” Tugade said.

Improvements made at the Zamboanga International Airport include the rehabilitation of its Passenger Terminal Building (PTB).

There is also continuing appropriations for the site acquisition of the New Zamboanga International Airport, to be located in the Mercedes–Talabaan area.

Improvements were also made at the Jolo Airport, which is the only gateway serving the province of Sulu. The completed improvements include the construction of the airport’s PTB. Meanwhile, ongoing projects for the Jolo Airport include the continuing construction of its perimeter fence, site acquisition for the runway extension, relocation/construction of fire station building, construction of an administration building, and correction of the runway strip width.

The newly-

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WEDNESDAY|JUNE 10, 2020

OPINION:

Swift and deadly COVID-19 had caused massive collapse of the global economy and swiftly changed the norms of people worldwide.

Thousands are already losing their jobs after thousands of businesses have ceased operations due to the impact of the pandemic.

To d ate hu nd re d s of companies worldwide have already declared permanent closure, redundanc y or retrenchment.

In fact, the world economy is expected to contract by 5.2 percent this year -- the worst recession in recent years.

The prolonged presence of Covid-19 is seen to push people further down to extreme poverty -- and the worst is yet to come until a cure will be out and massively available in drug counters worldwide.

developed Zamboanga International Airport is located close to Dipolog Airport, while the nearest gateways to the Jolo Airport are the Zamboanga International Airport, Sanga-Sanga Airport, Ipil Airport, and the Pagadian Airport.

CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco said the improvements in the Zamboanga and Jolo airports signify the readiness of the country’s aviation industry to build regional hubs as the industry transitions to the “new normal”

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA The impact of the crisis is likened to a global natural disaster — swift and deadly as it were.

With the exemption of New Zealand, now Covid-19 free, strict measures to halt the spread of the pandemic are still in effect worldwide— social distancing, wearing of face masks, washing hands and other health protocols. (ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo.com)

amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We may have been hit hard by this pandemic but we will always come up with strategic plans to help cushion its impact. Apart from our completed airport projects, we also have other ongoing projects expected to be operational soon. These will surely contribute to our smooth transition, especially that we are promoting the use of regional airports to decongest NAIA,” Sydiongco said. (DOTr PR)

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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3

CorporateWorld

Aboitiz hydro unit remits P20-M to host LGUs

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EDCOR, the run-of-river hydropower unit of Aboitiz Power Corp., has disbursed P20.1 million to local government units (LGUs) in Luzon and Mindanao where its projects are located.

Under the Energy Regulations 1-94 (ER 1-94) Program of the Department of Energy (DOE), host communities to energy generation projects are entitled to P0.01 per kilowatt-hour of the total electricity sales of the

company.

Their shares shall finance electrification, livelihood, and development projects.

But with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the DOE allowed the use of these funds for Covid-19 response.

“In accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, host LGUs can maximize ER 1-94 shares in mitigating the repercussions brought by the pandemic,” Hedcor Group Assistant Vice President Andy Faelnar

Media... from page 1

Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar underscored the role of private media in the country as a vital sector in reaching the grassroots and providing necessary information to the public such as government-led programs beneficial to the community.

“At the end of the day, when it comes to a crisis, the government is the last institution standing. Therefore, the government has the mindset to always help the Fourth Estate,” Andanar said.

The PCOO Secretary revealed he received reports of some private media firms that have laid off all of its employees, while some were forced to downsize its workforce due to the adverse impact of the pandemic.

“We’ve been to Manila, in Baguio City, and we saw that media workers are really struggling.

We cannot afford to lose the media because they help the government disseminate news,” Andanar shared as PCOO regularly checks the status of journalists in the provinces.

Total number of affected workers from the print and broadcast media firms affected by the downsizing due to COVID-19 is now being finalized by PCOO so the government can provide assistance accordingly.

He added that government media employees are instructed to double their efforts in producing information and press releases which the private media entities can use to increase their capacities for news production.

“You are still free to criticize, but what is important is you report balanced news. Policies and projects of the government, such as the ‘Balik Probinsya’ program, should be able to reach the provinces,” he affirmed to the Pampanga press.

The official also lauded broadcast media organizations, such as the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), for their consistent simulcast of PCOO’s ‘Laging Handa Public Briefing’ radio-television program, which goes live Mondays to Saturdays from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

“Majority of the areas that can’t be reached by government-owned radio and television stations are reached with the help of KBP and other non-members of KBP. It is a very big contribution. I reached out with KBP just this week, and I extended my gratitude for their unwavering support to the government,” he furthered.

Moreover, Andanar, who is a former broadcaster, expressed support for the immediate passage of the Media Workers’ Welfare Act, a legislative bill pending in the Congress.

Once passed into law, private media workers will be provided with comprehensive benefits at par with the current benefits by those in the labor force and safeguard them by adding more protection under law.

Andanar and other PCOO officials are continuously visiting provinces and cities in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen media relations and provide aid to journalists. (CLJD/MJSD-PIA 3)

said in a statement Monday.

According to Hedcor, over 12 barangays, four cities and municipalities, provinces of Davao del

Sur and Bukidnon, and Region 11 are among its beneficiaries for the ER 1-94 in Mindanao.

In Northern Luzon, the

ER 1-94 funds benefitted the host barangays in Benguet, Mt. Province, and Ilocos Sur. The Aboitiz subsidiary

added its remittances before 2018 are currently with DOE and are also being disbursed to LGUs of host communities.

“The assistance provided by these funds are supplement to Hedcor’s previous three-wave relief assistance, which was conducted in support over the government’s effort to flatten the Covid-19 curve, and prioritized the distribution of ready-toeat goods and medical supplies,” Hedcor said.

(PNA)

4

Opinion

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The essence of life is not just equated to one’s breathing. I breathe therefore I exist is only applicable in a consumerist and materialistic society but not in the value-based and spiritual life of human beings who are embodied spir its. The awakening process has begun, trailblazed by those protesting in the United States that is now increasingly echoed globally.

The call in the United States is racial justice triggered by the unjust killing of an AfricanAmerican named Mr. George Floyd by a law enforcer.

Indeed, equity and justice, be it racial or social seems to be the contemporaneous call of the times.

It is not difficult to understand racial injustice especially in the United States based on a false belief that the white race is more superior

Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Discipline dominates Think a minute… During a football game of Augsburg University in t he U.S., Augsburg was losing. Then late in the game, defensive tackle David Stevens was put in to play and sparked a comeback in his Augsburg teammates. He made two i mp or t a nt t a c k l e s a n d recovered a fumble to get the ball back for his team.

The crowd cheered as he held the ball up high to inspire his team.

David Stevens was born to a woman who had taken an anti-nausea drug for pregnant women in the early 1960’s. Tragically the drug ended up causing terrible birth defects, so David was born with no legs.

David’s mother consequently abandoned him, making his horrible young life seemingly hopeless! But then, David was adopted by Bill and Bee Stevens. David’s new father and mother loved him so much they never wanted to cripple their son’s confidence for success in life. They continually supported and encouraged David, as well as challenged him to reach his full potential in spite of

THINK A MINUTE

than the black’s. That kind of racial prejudice does not exist in the Philippines. The problem in our country is more of social injustice. Thus, before we can promote social justice, let us reflect for a while and know the horrible “faces” of social injustice in the life of the workers, farmers, indigenous peoples, fisherfolk and the common “tao” in a countr y that declares in the Fundamental Law (Art. II, Sec.10) that, “The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.”

The workers are producers of the wealth of the nation, yet, they live in dire poverty.

In fact, they are leaving in droves, as if jumping from a “sinking ship,” to find jobs in foreign lands, leaving their love ones behind at so much social cost.

Food comes from their farms but the dining tables of the farmers fall short of it, tilling lands not their own and if they do, tied-up to costly seeds and technologies that adhere to conventional agriculture which is beyond their control. They sell their products under the mercy of “compradors,” following an oppressive marketing system that makes their farming non-viable. Aptly described as the “unsung heroes” and the “backbone” of the country, yet, they wallow inside the vicious cycle of poverty.

How about our indigenous peoples? Well, they have become “squatters” in their own native land as the ancestral land which their forefathers had occupied for hundreds of years are now converted into massive plantations. These are the

KIM'S DREAM

ORLAN R. RAVANERA “bless e d lands” of our indigenous peoples and these are the choicest of land. According to a Study of the Development Academy of the Philippines, some 63% of Mindanao is now under the control of Trans-National Corporations (TNCs) and our IPs find themselves farming marginalized and highly steep mountainous areas. “Gamay lang nga tulod, ang kabaw EQUITY/PAGE 7

Stay at home HAVE MY SAY

Cell No: 09352379999

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WEDNESDAY|JUNE 10, 2020

Amidst the Pandemic: Social justice and equity is the call of the times

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

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KLAUS DORING During corona times ‘Stay at home’ is a simple message, but as countries (Philippines not yet!) open up with social distancing guidelines, there’s more room for interpretation – especially among friends.

When people in Europe (even in my home country Germany) were finally allowed to meet with up to 10 friends after eight weeks in lockdown, some couldn’t wait to gather over beers back at their favourite bar terrace, or host a dinner at

their apartment. But others were unsure about how to socialise, and some even found themselves judging the different behaviours of people in their network.

Some of my German friends, who are all in their 30s or early 40s, are nervous about how flippantly one member of their group has been taking the risks of the virus. They told me by emails that it felt “too annoying” to wear a mask in the supermarket despite these being mandatory in other European countries. It is a transition phase.... and, certainly, people are starting to look at each other with a bit more suspicion. How about in the Philippines?

Of course, some people have small parties and gettogethers where all guidelines have gone out the window.

So what's social distancing all about?

In my opinion, it's difficult

to talk to those who have broken guidelines, and ended up leaving sarcastic comments on one girl’s Snapchat, which caused her to remove him from her private story feed.

Although they weren’t close, I don’t think they’ll talk going forward.

Why do we have different boundaries?

Dr. Kate Hamilton-West, a health psychologist at the University of Kent in England, argues that whereas most people easily understood the message that “you must stay at home if that is possible” during lockdowns, it is “human nature” that more varied types of behaviours and responses will emerge if governments and institutions give people more choice.

This is partly because different personality types can be generally more or less risk-averse, or have contrasting value preferences.

“Protec ting ot hers, for

example, is something that people will value to different degrees... for some people, that might be less important to them than things like, for example, having autonomy over your own decisionmaking.”

In Sweden, which never had a lockdown, researchers from Lund University found that the strongest indicator of how likely people were to follow voluntary recommendations was their willingness to adapt their actions for the benefit of others. They measured this kind of responsible “prosocial” behaviour through surveys and game-based experiments, focused on how much they would put others at risk in order to win more money for themselves. Being pro-social was a predictor for following physical distancing and hygiene measures, buying a cloth face mask and seeking STAY/PAGE 7

Beware of elitism, tribalism, etc.

JHAN TIAFAU HURST having no legs. They wanted to teach him to do things for himself so they never put him in a wheelchair.

Instead, when David was three-years-old they had prosthetic or artificial legs made for him.

In school David became a student leader, made good g r a d e s , and h a d m any friends. In high school he not only played football, but also basketball, baseball, and hockey. He even became a champion wrestler. When he started driving a car the license bureau offered him handicap license plates, but he politely refused them saying: “Those are for people who really need them. I’m DISCIPLINE/PAGE 7

WE ARE supposed to love everyone. We are supposed to have a universal heart, meant to be concerned for all people, irrespective of how they are in themselves and how they are toward us. Yes, we have to love everyone, in spite of our unavoidable differences and conflicts.

So, we have to be most careful with our tendency to be concerned only for ourselves and for our own kind. While it’s true and commonsensical that we should take care of ourselves, those close to us and those who are like us, we should also see to it that we are not trapped in that world alone.

We have to find a way of how we can at least be thoughtful of everybody else.

We obviously have our own respective niches in the world, our own specialization, our own focus, but we should never forget that we are

not meant to be detached from everybody else. Our individuality, our uniqueness should not be an obstacle to the communion with everybody else that is meant for us.

Given our human condition that has certain limitations, we no doubt have to establish a certain order of priorities. But we should see to it that this sense of priorities does not tie us down and get us too attached to any level of collective life, starting with the family, but rather should facilitate our having a universal concern for everyone.

Our individuality and uniqueness should play a subsidiary role to the sense of solidarity that we all should have in pursuit of the common goal. These are the basic social principles that we all should live as best that we can.

Other wise, we would fall into the disorders of i nd iv i du a l is m , el it is m , tribalism, parochialism, s e c t ar i an i s m , p o l it i c a l partisanship, familiosis and the other forms of exclusivistic particularism.

We have to remember that we have a strong tendency to fall into these anomalies since they can be self-reinforcing.

If we believe that we are patterned after God who wants us to be his image and likeness, then we cannot fail to realize that we are meant to be with everybody else.

The intimate Trinitarian life of God should somehow be reflected in the lives of all of us. We are meant to enter into a relation of knowing and loving among ourselves.

This, of course, will re quire s ome t raining , since we need to develop the proper attitudes, skills, practices, habits and virtues

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA to attain this ideal of living in communion with God and with everybody else.

We have to examine ourselves, especially our thoughts and attitudes, to see if our affiliation to any grouping, starting with the family, hinders or fosters the universal outlook that we should have.

We cannot deny that there are many problems, issues and difficulties that can stand BEWARE/PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY|JUNE 10, 2020

Govt serious on plan to slap VAT on digital services THE Department of Finance (DOF) is studying how to collect value-added tax (VAT) from local and cross-border digital transactions parallel to its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

This, as the US is reportedly investigating the digital services tax of the European Union (EU), Britain, Turkey, Indonesia, and India as these are allegedly targeted against US firms, such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Netflix.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez told journalists in a Viber

message on Wednesday that they are aware that some countries have started to slap digital services tax despite the lack of agreement “on how to reallocate income taxation rights on cross-border digital transactions.”

“We are constantly monitoring developments on this matter. Once an international agreement is reached, we will immediately study and propose tax reforms to capture income tax on cross-border digital transactions,” Dominguez said.

VAT/PAGE 7

Permits...

in the region.

Signed by Alex Roldan, regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-XI), the advisory said that individuals do not need [TA] if they fall under the list of people identified as “Authorized Persons Outside of Residence” (APOR). Roldan also chairs the RIATF-MEID. “For workers, they need only [to] present company IDs or certificate of employment. For businesses, present business permits and shall indicate LGU-destinations,” the advisory said.

The advisory permits traveling within Davao Region without TA for “indispensable travels” (ITs), but would only require a presentation of medical certificate as well. These indispensable travels include family emergency, medical emergency, and those with humanitarian reasons.

However, TA is required for ITs and locally stranded individuals (LSIs) who would wish to travel outside of Davao Region.

LSIs refer to those stranded individuals in different areas which

from page 1

within Region 11 after the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force on Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF-MEID) – XI has convened the Regional Task Force on COVID-19 (RTF)XI and the different LGUs on Monday to discuss concerns on the movement of people while under the general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

“During the meeting with RIATF and IATF, everybody agreed that there is no longer a need for you to have a travel authority going anywhere [within the region],” Duterte said.

Duterte, who chairs the RTFXI, said, however, that travelling individuals must secure a medical clearance which is needed to be presented when crossing any of the Davao LGU border checkpoints.

On Monday, the RIATF-MEID issued an advisory to streamline the process of movement of people

5 PHL, WB sign $500-M loan pact on Covid-19 relief T

Banking&Finance HE Philippines has signed a $500-million loan accord with the World Bank that aims to support the government’s ongoing efforts to ease the social and economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak on poor households and workers of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the swift approval of this agreement for the Philippines’ Emergency Covid-19 Response Development Policy Loan (ECRDPL) "underlines the

strong confidence of the international community in the government’s capability to meet the massive funding needed to save lives and provide immediate relief to Filipinos most affected by the coronavirus-induced global health crisis."

“This is the third loan accord that we have signed with the World Bank that is designed to assist us in swiftly responding to the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 emergency. The World Bank has always been our reliable partner in strengthening our country’s economic

include workers, students, and tourists.

Meanwhile, the city government of Davao has set up a one-stop shop at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) along San Pedro Street to cater to individuals in need of travel permits and medical clearances, particularly for those who are going outside of Davao Region.

Duterte said this was in compliance with the national government’s directive as they (LGUs) were instructed to put up a one-stop shop for the issuance of travel permits.

“We created a one-stop shop at the Davao City Police Office. We also have the City Health Office (CHO) there and the police. Once you have submitted your requirements, CHO can immediately issue a medical clearance upon your check-up, and travel authority will immediately be issued,” the mayor said.

For stranded individuals who need travel authority from the police, they are required to have a duly filled-up form or request letter (form

is available at the DCPO Admin Building Lobby), a certification from the Barangay Chairman, and a Medical Clearance Certificate from CHO or any Department of Health accredited hospitals.

The RIATF-MEID advisory mandates that issuance of a travel authority requires a certification from the Barangay Chairman that the person who wants to travel “has not developed any COVID-19 symptoms at least 14 days before travel request,” and a Medical Clearance Certificate from the city or municipal health office. (Warren Elijah E. Valdez / MindaNews)

Positive effects of good parent-teacher relationship

By LINETH AMPONG Teacher I Jimenez Central School Jimenez, Misamis Occidental

I believe wholeheartedly that a child’s academic success is greatly enhanced when teachers and parents are partners in the process.

Make an introduction.

As with any other adult who plays a significant role in the life of your child, building a relationship is the key. Because there are misperceptions and can be mistrust between parents and teachers, don’t wait for a teacher to make contact.

Attend PTA meetings. Seek out your child’s teacher as soon as you are able.

Perhaps it can’t happen until the first day of school but on that day, hang out on the playground and make a point of meeting him or her. Shake hands, introduce yourself and our child. Offer your hopes for the school year and

set a positive tone to get started.

Us e t he enrol lment time to build a foundation.

This is the first time I meet my students and their parents/guardians.

Since first impressions are lasting impressions, I make sure my classroom is warm and welcoming. In addition to the paperwork, parents receive their child’s schedule and visit their classes. This is my chance to meet the parents and get email addresses, phone numbers and social media accounts.

Then on the first day of class, I send home student information sheets that ask for basic information: name of stu d e nt s and parents, address, numbers for home, workplace and emai l address es. S end

out parent surveys. This information helps me get to know each student as a person and learner. It’s also useful when planning l e s s o n s . Ev e n t h o u g h parents are just as busy as teachers, they eagerly take the time to write as much information about their child as they can.

As k a b o ut w ay s t o support learning at home.

Teachers do have a full set of responsibilities at the start of the year. And often, parents don’t know what a brand new teacher expects of them in suppor ting learning at home. Be sure and ask your teacher what her expectations and hopes are for you as a parent.

Every teacher is going to have a clear opinion about the most important ways you can contribute.

resilience,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez and Achim Fock, the World Bank acting country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand, signed the agreement on Wednesday for this new development policy loan.

“We once again thank the World Bank for its prompt action on this financial support package that will help us to promptly provide relief to poor and lowincome households and employees of MSMEs who lack the means to fend for themselves during the lockdowns implemented

nationwide to contain the spread of Covid-19,” he added.

Following the World Bank’s approval of the loan, Fock said “this new financing can help ensure the timely delivery of financial support for struggling families and communities while the country ramps up efforts to contain the pandemic and reduce its economic impact.”

Dominguez said the ECRDPL replaced the earlier proposed additional financing for a project that aims to support the government’s RELIEF/PAGE 7

6

Economy... from page 1

against the pandemic have led to severe disruptions in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, construction and trade, according to the report, titled Braving the New Normal.

Affecting millions of households nationwide as well as overseas Filipinos, the cumulative impact of these events on the economy has been broad-based, steep and deep, halting investment activity and leading to the lowest consumption growth in three decades.

Private consumption growth fell to 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020 from 6.2 percent last year. The hotel and restaurant industry suffered DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS Know all men by these presents: That the late FRANKLIN A. CORRALES passed away last November 14, 2019 in Calaanan, Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, the decedebt was registered owner of vehicle, more particularly described as follows Make: Mitsubishi, Montero Sports GLX, Engine No.: 4N15UCN7819, Plate: NCS 6317, the decedent died without any will and testament and left no debts, and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS, filed by the heirs of FRANKLIN A. CORRALES, per DOC #123; PAGE #25; BOOK #XXVIII; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ROBERT N. GUMALING, JR. BWM: June 10, 17 & 24, 2020

DEED EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE Know all men by these presents: That the late FRANCISCO A. SALCEDO died on July 21, 2017 in 7021 Arum st., Xavier Estate subd., Cagayan de Oro City and Janeta B. Salcedo died March 13, 2005 in 09 Corrales Extension, Cagayan de Oro City, the decedents were the conjugal owners of the properties more particularly described as follows, left a parcel of land with A. Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-62184 situated in the District of Macasandig, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY FOUR (274) SQUARE METERS, more or less, B. Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-8140 situated in the Dist. Of Macabalan, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED EIGHTEEN (218) SQUARE METERS, more or less, C. Tax Declaration No. 22000300129 situated in Linangkayan, Naawan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of 0.5178 Hectares, D. Tax De c larat i o n N o. G - 0 0 6 4 3 6 situated in 009 Int. Corrales Extn., Barangay 22, Cagayan de Oro City, Two Storey Residential Building, Type III-B, E. Tax Declaration No. G-006439, Situated in 0089 Int. Corrales Extn., Barangay 22, Cagayan de Oro City, Two Storey Residential Bulding, Type II-C, and has been the subject of DEED EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of FRANCISCO A. SALCEDO, per DOC #496; PAGE #100; BOOK #XXVIII; series of 2020, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ROBERT N. GUMALING, JR. BWM: June 10, 17 & 24, 2020

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the most, contracting by 15.4 percent.

The economic contraction in 2020 will likely cause an increase in poverty. Containment measures have cut off income streams from seasonal wage earners and those engaged in entrepreneurial activities in non-agricultural activities and low-end service jobs, which were the drivers of poverty reduction in recent years.

“During these difficult times, strengthening the capacity of the healthcare system to control the outbreak while protecting poor and vulnerable households remains an urgent task for the country,” said Achim Fock, World Bank Acting Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

“Similarly, financial support to affected firms, especially small and medium enterprises, to prevent job losses and bankruptcy, can help ensure that the recent shocks do not cause permanent damage to the country’s productive capacity and human capital.”

According to a rapid survey conducted by the government, 77 percent of micro and small firms and 62 percent of medium-sized firms had to close due to the enhanced community quarantines. Those that remained open suffered a

66.5 percent drop in sales.

The growth forecast for 2020 assumes that the containment measures will gradually ease in the second half of the year, and economic activities return in some sectors of the economy.

Given income losses and heightened uncertainty, household consumption and private investment are expected to remain weak.

However, economic growth prospects and poverty figures are expected to improve in succeeding years driven by a rebound in consumption, a stronger push in public investment, supportive fiscal and monetary policies, and the recovery of global growth.

Economic growth is projected to return to above 6 percent in 2021 and 7 percent in 2022.

Increased economic activity surrounding national elections will also boost growth in 2022.

The Philippines’ strong fundamentals, built over decades of structural reforms, has helped the economy to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Philippines has abundant external reserves and the lowest public external debt in the East Asia and the Pacific Region.

Also, the country has the highest reserve ratio in the region, indicating that monetary policy has plenty of room to inject liquidity into the economy

Advantages of eating peanuts

By LINETH AMPONG Teacher I Jimenez Central School Jimenez, Misamis Occidental

DAILY consumption of nuts such as pistachios, peanuts and walnuts may improve cognition, healing, learning, memory and other key brain functions, a study claims.

R e s e a rc h e r s f o u n d that some nuts stimulated several brain frequencies more than others.

Pistachios, for instance, produced the g re atest g amma w ave response, which is critical for enhancing cognitive processing, information retention, learning, perception and rapid eye movement during sleep, they said.

Peanuts, which are ac tua l ly legumes, but were still part of the study, pro duce d t he hig hest delta response, which is associated with healthy immunity, natural healing, and deep sleep.

R e s e a rc h e r s f o u n d variances between the six nut varieties tested, all of them were high in beneficial antioxidants, with walnuts containing the highest antioxidant concentrations of all.

Pr i or stu d i e s h ave demonstrated that nuts benefit the body in several significant ways: protecting the heart, fighting cancer, reducing inflammation and slowing the ageing process.

This study provides s i g n i f i c ant b e n e f i c i a l findings by demonstrating that nuts are as good for your brain as they are for

the rest of your body.

Future studies could reveal that they make other contributions to the brain and nervous system as well.

The team developed a pilot study using consenting subjects who consumed almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.

Electroencephalograms ( E E G ) we re t a ke n to measure the strength of brainwave signals. EEG wave band activity was then recorded from nine regions of the scalp associated with cerebral cortical function.

Eating more nuts and seeds may be good for the brain, as these foods contain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

A 2014 study found that a higher overall nut intake was linked to better brain function in older age.

Nuts and seeds are also rich sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which protects cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

As a person ages, their brain may be exposed to this form of oxidative stress, and vitamin E may therefore support brain health in older age.

A 2014 review found that vitamin E may also contribute to improved cognition and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Fully exploring vitamin E’s effects on the brain will require further research.

Kapitolyo, mitunol og 120 complete set PPE sa airport security ATOL sa online flag-raising ceremony sa kapitolyo probinsiyal sa Misamis Oriental niadtong Lunes, Hunyo 08, 2020, nakadawat og 120 complete sets sa personal protective equipment (PPE) ang personahe sa Aviation Security Unit – 10 sa Laguindingan airport sa Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

Didto sa turnover ceremony si Aviation Security Unit – 10 chief PCol. Raneil Valones, kinsa maoy midawat sa PPE gikan kang Gov. Bambi Emano ug Provincial Task Force for COVID-19 chief Dr. Jerie Calingasan. Kini, aron todo protektado sila batok sa pagtakboy sa coronavirus disease 2019

and help boost growth.

Rong Qian, World Bank senior economist, said the country’s digital infrastructure will play a critical role in its economic recovery.

“Measures that restrict mobility, regulate physical contact, and limit business activity have forced more businesses and families to use the internet for transactions,” said Qian. “This change in consumer behavior and firm operations is expected to continue even after quarantines end. To take full advantage of this situation and help the economy in recovering from the losses it has suffered due to the lockdown, the country must ramp up its efforts to accelerate the digitalization of the economy.”

The report highlights the need for the country to improve its digital infrastructure to ensure reliable and affordable internet service.

Among the recommendations of the report are creating an enabling policy environment for a competitive broadband market and enhanced access to affordable internet services throughout the country. (PNA)

Worm... from page 1

DA-10 said eight towns and a city in Bukidnon and the municipality of Claveria in Misamis Oriental have been hit by the FAW. Carlota Madriaga, DA-10 regional technical director for operations, said that as of Saturday (June 6) FAW has damaged 269.45 hectares of cornfields in Bukidnon, the largest crop producer in the region.

According to DA-10 data, Northern Mindanao has a total of 129,799 hectares of land planted with both white and yellow corn

hilabina sa pagdagsang sa overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) ug locally stranded individuals (LSIs) sa tugpahanan sa umalabot nga mga adlaw.

Gibutyag ni PCol. Valones nga insakto lamang ang 120 sets sa PPE alang sa iyang pwersa,

samtang daku na kaayo kini og tabang aron dili sila mataptan sa makamatay nga virus, lakip na usab ang ilang mga minahal sa kinabuhi.

Duna may kahadlok tungod sa pagsaka sa ihap sa nagpositibo sa COVID-19 sa dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro nga nahimutang sentro sa Misamis Oriental, apan kompiyansa si Gov. Bambi Emano ug Dr. Calingasan nga magpabiling zeroconfirmed case sa COVID-19 ang lalawigan, tungod kay gawas nga adunay kooperasyon ang matag Misamisnon, hugot pa gayud ang pagpatuman sa otoridad batok sa pagkaylap sa COVID-19.

varieties primarily produced for livestock feeds and human consumption.

Of these, Bukidnon has devoted 78,918 hectares for corn production; Lanao del Norte, 24,900; Misamis Oriental, 16,670; Misamis Occidental, 8,794; and Camiguin, 517.

Madriaga said they received reports of infestation as early as last year, although she noted it was “negligible” as the damage was still then minimal.

The sudden change in the weather was what contributed to the proliferation of the FAWs, Madriaga said, adding that the worms attack the corn plant from its early stage up to the time that it begins to bear fruit.

DA-10’s primary interventions, she said, is to provide affected corn farmers with pesticides and biological control agents in the form of microorganisms massproduced by the department’s Regional Crop Protection Center designed to combat the worms.

Madriaga said the agriculture department has also activated its quick response team tasked with monitoring the situation on the ground as well as in extending assistance to the affected farmers.

As of Monday (June 8), DA10 was not able to immediately give the initial worth of the crop damage as agency specialists are still validating the extent of the destruction.

Carlene Collado, DA-10 regional executive director, said he has instructed a team to conduct validation on the extent of the damage of the FAW infestation in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

Ready chemicals in DA-10's RCPC for the control of FAW infestation can cover 6,300 hectares, based on June 1 inventory.

“FAW is an invasive species causing damage to crops, mostly

corn. It is an invasive moth and prefers to eat maize, specifically the sweet corn and openpollinated (OPV) corn varieties,” said Collado.

In Claveria, where most of the corn production is located, the destruction brought by FAW is slowly being felt by the town’s farmers.

Corn growers affected by the FAW attack in Barangay Ane-I, Claveria has already informed their local officials of the worm infestation on their cornfields.

Pepe Yecyec, a corn specialist at the Claveria municipal agriculture office, said the town has around 10,000 hectares of its land planted with corn scattered in the municipality’s 24 barangays.

Yecyec said the FAW infestation in Claveria is not yet at the alarming stage since it damaged only about 5 percent of the total area.

He has urged other farmers to check their cornfields for any sign of FAW infestation since these worms only attack at night and start feeding on corn plants in the middle of the plantation making it harder for the growers to detect their presence.

Cresan Caabay, 39, said he was grateful he was able to detect the presence of FAW two weeks after planting corn on his 2.5-hectare farmland. He said his cornfield was the first to be attacked by the worms, but he was quick to deter further destruction through insecticide spraying.

Ismael Tion, 65, said he is worried that the damage caused by FAW would cut back his income. He said he expects the 10 hectares he planted corn with will only yield only half of what he projected.

“I hope I can recover from this so I can pay off the loan I have made for my capital,” he said. (PNA)

7

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WEDNESDAY|JUNE 10, 2020

Discipline... from page 4

not disabled.”

From the time he was young, David was taught never to think of himself a s d i s a d v ant a g e d or a cripple. Instead he learned to dis cipline and train himself so he was able to do much more than anyone ever thought possible.

Whatever disadvantage you might be facing, you too can rise above it to achieve your life’s goals and dreams. If you ask Jesus to take full charge of your heart and character daily, with His power you can discipline yourself to reach your potential and the great plan He has for you—no matter what challenges you face. Just think a minute…

Equity... from page 4

moligid na.”

The “blessed lands” have ceased to be so because these lands, where plantations have loomed, reek with poisons, having been bombarded for several decades with multifarious toxic chemicals, 8 of which are already i nter nat iona l ly b anne d (based on the examined samples of water, air and soil in Davao.) Certainly, these chemicals are carcinogenic, the reason why cancer has become a common disease of the Mindanawons.

As for our fisherfolk, they are the ones catching fish, yet their children are hungry as malnutrition is highest in the coastal communities. This is so because the grandeur of the Philippine bays is now fast disappearing as they undergo progressive state of impairment and with it, the marginalization of the coastal populace. Unlike before when fish would literally jump into their “banca,” fish now can hardly be caught.

Why? What are the fatal blows causing the death of the once mighty marine and fisher y ecosystem?

Well, the bays are treated as waste pits. First is industrial pollution. Chemical waste from industries and factories are dumped in the bays.

Other silent killers are the i nter nat iona l ly b anne d chemical fertilizers and i ns e c t i c i d e s w h i ch are heavily used in surrounding plantations.

Having narrated the many faces of social injustice, what looms is the imperative call for social transformation. But for those who have advocated, sacrificed, struggled 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 ingredients, systems and structure that perpetuate social injustice have been as formidable as ever. BUT NOT UNDER THE PRESENT DISPENSATION A S S O C IA L C HA N G E HAS COME THROUGH COOPERATIVISM! No less than the highest law of the land, the Constitution, has provided in Article 12, Section 15, “to promote the viability

and growth of cooperatives as instruments of social justice, equity and economic development.” This noble undertaking can only be done by harnessing the collective power of the people through cooperativism. We have now some 18,000 cooperatives with some 11 million memb ers w ho are now empowering the poor and the oppressed and drawing them into the mainstream of development processes.

Cooperativism is now the countervailing force against climate change and violent extremism.

Recently, some 15,000 MILF combatants in Camp Bilal, Munai, Lanao del Norte under the command of Kumander Bravo have been organized into cooperatives This was followed by MILF in the North Eastern Mindanao Front headed

by Sultan Abdul Amoran, commander of the 1,500 combatants of the Special Force Unit in Camp Arcam, Maguing, Lanao del Sur now organized into cooperative.

In Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, Arnold Acebedo known as Kumander Subang, the Over-all Chieftain of the 10,000-member Manobo Tribe surrendered and is now frontlining cooperativism for social transformation where social justice and equity is the order of the day.

Finally, a miracle of ending the second longest war in the world – the Mindanao War - is now in the offing. The Land of the Brave and the Free which is Mindanao is the richest on earth with regards to mega diversity. Based on the Study of the UN-FAO, Mindanao Is the richest ecologically per unit area as one can find in the 6,000-ha. Mr. Kitanglad more species of flora and fauna compared to those found in 1 billion ha. continent of North America.

But the ecological wealth is not just found above the ground; beneath is oozing with minerals, i.e., gold, silver, copper and what you.

It is paradoxical to note that based on the UNDP Study” that, “of the 25 poorest provinces, 14 are in Mindanao and are suffering from high poverty gap ratio” Who Profits? Who Decides?

Who Benefits? From all of these wealth?

Such paradox is now being rectified through people empowerment called COOPERATIVISM, the GREAT EQUALIZER!

Stay...

from page 4

out health information about Covid-19.

"People are acting like for them, the pandemic is over,” says Gravin Wolfe van Dernoot, a student in the US state of Colorado. And several political leaders and governments all over the world too ... ! +++ Email: dor ingklaus@ gmail.com or follow me i n Fa c eb o o k , Li n k e d i n or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines. b l o g p s o t . c o m o r w w w. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Beware...

from page 4 in the way of our having a universal outlook. We have our personal preferences and pet peeves, our different and even conflicting views and opinions, etc. Do we know how to handle these situations with the view of avoiding the danger of elitism, tribalism, etc.?

We certainly have to make the effort to develop the attitude of actively reaching out to others especially if they are different from us or if they have positions in conflict with ours. We need to be understanding, compassionate, friendly with everyone, always avoiding rash judgments, the bad habit of finding fault in others, comparing ourselves with them, etc.

In fact, St. Paul recommended that we regard others better than ourselves.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride,” he said. “But in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil 2, 3-4) This will definitely require a lot of effort and nothing less than the grace of God. Are we trying to meet these requirements?

Foundation... from page 8

Avenue branch head Janice Arapan. The facilities were graciously accepted by local health officials.

"Our patients benefit from the new areas constructed in the rural health unit--the senior citizens' area, kids' area, pharmacy, breastfeeding station and midwives' office, among many others," said

Republic of the Philippines Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality of Initao -oOoNOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CCE-0016-2020 R.A 10172

MAY 21, 2020

In Compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that RITCHEL Y. MADRIDANO has filed with this Office, a petition for change of First name from “ “to “ “ and correction of entry in sex from “MALE” to "FEMALE" or correction of entry in the date of birth from “ “ to “ “ in the certificate of live birth of RITCHEL P. YBAÑEZ at Initao, Misamis Oriental and whose parents are RICARDO N. YBAÑEZ and CONCEPTION T. PATLUNAG. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than June 11, 2020.

BWM: June 10 & 17, 2020

SGD. ISAIAS A. JARALES Municipal Civil Registrar

Calatrava municipal health officer Dr. Karl Bonifacio.

"Also, the expanded floor area of the laboratory can now qualify for Department of Hea lth accreditation.

On behalf of the people of Calatrava, I would like to thank BDO Foundation. Your support helps us improve the quality of our services especially for the poor and vulnerable members of our community," Dr. Bonifacio added.

Services... from page 3

hard copies of approved applications, and supplemental documents; releasing of certificates of incorporation or amendment, confirmation of payment, orders and petitions; and registration of stock and transfer/ membership book.

Applications processed prior to the implementation of the enhanced community qu ar ant i ne ( E C Q ) l a st March 17, 2020 shall be entertained for the release of documents for payment and for the issuance of payment assessment forms. (PR)

Relief... from page 5

goals of promoting competitiveness, enhancing fiscal sustainability, and strengthening financial resilience to natural disasters and climate change.

The ECRDPL will have the same terms and conditions as the initially proposed Promoting Competitiveness and Enhancing Resilience to Natural Disasters Subprogram 1, which it replaced.

“The change is in view of World Bank’s advice to specifically come up with a new development policy l o a n on t h e c ou nt r y ’s Covid-19 response instead of a supplemental financing package for the Promoting Competitiveness and Enhancing Resilience to Natural Disasters project,” Dominguez said.

The agreement for the ECRDPL will bank on the policy actions accomplished by t h e gove r n m e nt i n providing emergency subsidies to poor and other vulnerable households, and wage subsidies to workers in MSMEs affected by the EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ANDRES D. ABENOJA, who died on July 6, 2013 in Cagayan de Oro City and SIMEONA J. ABENOJA who died on August 6, 2004, without any debts and without any will; that the both deceased left a Parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. ET-6512 situated in the Barrio of Aglayan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon containing an area of 24, 033 square meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of ANDRES D. ABENOJA and SIMEONA J. ABENOJA, per DOC #145; PAGE #29; BOOK #63, Series of 2016 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. CHESTER C. CASTAÑOS. BWM: June 3, 10 & 17, 2020

strict quarantine measures imposed by the national and local governments to prevent Covid-19 spread, he said.

Dominguez added the $500-million loan covers a maturity period of 29 years, inclusive of a grace period of 10.5 years, and is targeted for accelerated disbursement by the third week of June.

L a s t Ap r i l 2 8 , t h e Phi lippines and World Bank signed a separate $100-million loan agreement for the Covid-19 Emergency Response Project (ERP) that aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to the threat posed by the pandemic and boost its national systems for public health preparedness.

The $100-million accord follows an earlier agreement signed between the Philippines and the Washington-based mu lt i l atera l lender for the $500-million Third Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Loan (DRM DPL3) that aims to augment the Philippine g o v e r n m e n t ’s u r g e n t financing requirements in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. (PR)

VAT... from page 5

He noted the y are currently concentrating on how to collect VAT from

both local and cross-border digital transactions, “which is similar to what the other Asean countries are doing.”

Both the DOF and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) “are currently crafting regulations and designing a system to effectively collect VAT on digital transactions to help the government raise revenues,” Dominguez said.

“In this regard, while we are now focusing on administrative regulations, we still welcome Congressman (Joey) Salceda's proposed bill on digital tax, specifically on his proposed amendments to our VAT law.”

He w a s re fe r r i ng to t h e p r o p o s a l o f A l b ay Rep. Joey Salceda to slap a t a x on su b s c r ipt i ons to video and music streaming applications, advertisements on social media sites, and sales through online sites to augment lost revenues from the proposed corporate i n c om e t a x ( C I T ) c ut s f rom 3 0 p e rc e nt to 2 5 p ercent targeted to aid small businesses hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

D omi ng ue z s ai d t he implementation of the CIT and the 12-percent VAT on these services would be a big help to the government’s revenue base. (PNA)

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FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|June 10, 2020

8

BDO Foundation targets 100 rehabilitated health centers in 2020

R

URAL health units all over the Philippines have become increasingly important now that hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases. The support of health centers and their medical frontliners has been instrumental in helping local government units conduct tests and provide patient care.

To help health workers in the fight to contain COVID-19, BDO Foundation has sustained its efforts to rehabilitate rural health units across the country. “Slowly but surely, the foundation is inching closer to a major milestone. In a matter of months, we are set to rehabilitate its 100th rural health unit as part of efforts to help improve the

healthcare delivery system in the Philippines,� BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank said.

The initiative which contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal no. 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of people of all ages is critical as the country comes to grips with the pandemic.

Since the rehabilitation program's inception in 2012, BDO Foundation has been renovating rural health units particularly in economically disadvantaged and disaster-affected communities. To date, 89 rural health units have been successfully rehabilitated and turned over. The undertaking was made possible with the support of BDO and BDO

BDO Foundation recently completed the rehabilitation of Calatrava Rural Health Unit and Birthing Facility in Negros Occidental.

Network Bank branches, whose officers recommend health centers that need support.

Most recently, the foundation completed the rehabilitation of two health centers: Magallanes Rural Health Unit in

Agusan del Norte and Calatrava Rural Health Unit and Birthing Facility in Negros Occidental.

Improvements included their layout and interior design, lobby and waiting areas, offices, clinics, consultation

rooms, treatment rooms, facilities and spaces for health workers and patients. Play areas for children complete with books and toys as well as waiting lounges for the comfortable use of the elderly were also

constructed.

With these projects completed, doctors, nurses and midwives are now better equipped to provide primary healthcare services more effectively to their constituents. The corporate citizenship initiative is expected to help improve the health and well-being of more than 104,000 people from the 48 barangays of Magallanes and Calatrava.

The newly renovated Magallanes Rural Health Unit and Calatrava Rural Health Unit were turned over to local government officials by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa, BDO Negros OccidentalSan Carlos branch head Karen Maypa and BDO Butuan-J.C. Aquino FOUNDATION/PAGE 7