BusinessWeek Mindanao (June 1, 2020)

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Volume X, No. 141

Market Indicators AS OF 6:00 PM MAY 29, 2020 (FRIDAY)

FOREX US$1 = P 50.610

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PHISIX 5,838.84

X X Briefly

cents

268.62 points

2Go ferries OFWs

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Business groups are calling for the immediate passage of Corporate Recover y and Tax Incentives for Enter pr ises Act (CREATE), the enhanced version of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (CITIRA), but also batted for longer sunset period in the availment of incentives, especially for locators in the economic zones in the country.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industr y (PCCI) President Ambassador Benedicto V. Yujuico said the enhanced tax incentives under the CREATE Bill will boost the recovery of firms reeling from the economic slowdown. PCCI is the largest umbrella of business organizations in the country representing an estimated 30,000 large, medium, small and micro-enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.

While the CREATE bill also gained the support of big businesses based in the country’s premier financial center, the Makati Business Club has called for longer sunset provisions before shifting to the new corporate income taxation regime.

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MinDA seeks US aid for M’danao power sector Monday|June 1, 2020

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By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

T

HE Mindanao De velopment Authority (MinDA) has sought the help of the United States government for evaluating the impact of the quarantine protocols on the power industry in Mindanao.

SHIPPING and logistics company, 2GO Group Inc. has increased its passenger service operations to support government’s directive to speed up the homecoming of over 24,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded in Metro Manila due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group, which operates the Philippines’ largest integrated supply chain, said it is “ready, willing, and capable”’ of safely transporting the locally stranded OFWs and other individuals to the Visayas and Mindanao regions. In fact, 2GO has been supporting the Balik Probinsiya program of the government since it started.

Last May 24, two of its vessels — the M/V St. Therese of Child Jesus and the M/V St. Leo the Great — left Manila with 1000 repatriated Filipinos on board who were finally on their way home after being held up in the capital while undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine since April. 2GO’s fleet of passenger ships has made numerous hassle-free trips between Manila to its 12 service ports in Visayas and Mindanao ranging from Bacolod down to Zamboanga.

CREATE bill

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

MinDA Deputy Executive Director Romeo M. Montenegro said Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, MinDA

chair, has submitte d a proposal to the United States Agency for International POWER/PAGE 11

Misor village chairman readies isolation unit for returning OFW

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Reporter

DRIED FISH. A woman sells dried fish along the Jasaan road which fetches her a considerable income amid the Covid-19 pandemic. A kilo of dried fish is sold at P50 per kilo. photo by gerry lee gorit

CDO okays extension of tax payment to June 25

A BARANGAY chairman in Misamis Oriental said the isolation unit is ready for use by a returning overseas

Filipino worker (OFW) after a post on social media generated controversy.

READIES/PAGE 11

By CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council here enacted an ordinance extending the payment of taxes, fees and charges for the second quarter on

June 25, 2020.

In the ordinance, the local legislative body amended Ordinance EXTENSION/PAGE 11

ADB OKs $400-M loan to back capital market dev’t THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400-million policybased loan to support the Philippine government’s efforts to strengthen

domestic capital markets and reach its development goals of high, sustained COASTAL FISHING. A resident goes fishing in the coastal waters of economic growth, and poverty Panguil Bay in Brgy. Pacita in Lala, Lanao del Norte.

CAPITAL/PAGE 11 mindanews photo by richel v . umel

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Soldiers airdrop COVID-19 info kits over Bukidnon’s serene countryside MALAYBALAY City -- Two helicopters of the Philippine Air Force airdropped some 5,500 info kits about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over far-flung, austere communities of Bukidnon.

Created and produced by the Department of Health, in partnership with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), the information materials drifted down the countryside were printed in dialects. Similarly, designed for distribution to out-of-the-way target areas, the info kits impart knowledge on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus and the ways

to stay safe and healthy.

Colonel Ferdinand T. Barandon, 403rd Brigade Commander, said “the government needs to intensify its information dissemination efforts to reach out to every Filipino and prepare them for the biggest COVID-19 battle.”

“People in far-flung areas rely for information mostly on AM and FM radio stations. Yet, not all of the hilly breadths of the communities can be reached by the airwaves and the war that we are fighting now requires every citizen to know our invisible enemy in order to survive,” Barandon said.

By that, the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” AIRDROP/PAGE 10

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Kadiwa store for coconut products opens in Butuan B UTUAN City – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) 13 (Caraga) launched on Thursday the Kadiwa store that will sell coconut-based products made by local farmers.

The coconut-based products store was set up at the ground floor of the PCA-13 office in Montilla Boulevard here.

“This is part of the call of Agriculture Secretary William Dar to provide affordable products to the people, especially during this time of the pandemic,” said PCA-13 manager Joel B. Oclarit, who led the opening of the Kadiwa

store.

“While the Department of Agriculture (DA) runs rolling stores for vegetables, meat, and fishes, we at PCA will concentrate on products made from coconut,” Oclarit added.

Available at the store – dubbed “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita" – are coconut cooking oil, virgin coconut oil (VCO), coco sugar, processed foods, coconutbased beauty products, vinegar, and coconut flour.

Supplies for the store will be provided by coconut farmer groups in the region who make various coconut-based products.

“This will also mean additional income (for) the coconut farmers in the area. This will become an additional market for their products,” Oclarit said.

Among the groups

that have already supplied the store with VCO, coco sugar, and coconut flour are farmers from Rosario in Agusan del Sur and the towns of Hinatuan and Madrid in Surigao del Sur. He said they were expecting the arrival of more coconut-based products next week from other farmers in the region.

Oclarit also reminded the public to observe the protocols when visiting the store by wearing a face mask and maintaining physical distancing.

PCA-13 personnel will also provide customers with sanitizers and measure their body temperature using a thermal scanner, he said.

(PNA)

DA NorMin gives out forage seeds to livestock farmers TO improve farmers’ livestock production amid the threat of COVID-19, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 continues to provide forage seeds thru its Livestock Program in Northern Mindanao.

Local government

units and walk-in clients received forage seeds such as Flemengia, Rensonii and Indigofera, known as good goat feeds.

Individual farmers may avail one packet each, good for one hectare, while farmerassociations may avail one pack of forage seeds containing 10 packets each which are produced by the agency’s research stations and funded by the Forage Development Program.

Livestock Program Coordinator Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco said the leguminous forage is rich in protein which is vital in the growth and production of livestock.

Interested clients may visit the DA-10 office to avail free forage seeds at a first come, first served basis. (DA10/PIA10)

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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How Vietnam managed to keep its coronavirus death toll at zero

By NECTAR GAN

W

HEN the world looked to Asia for successful examples in handling the novel coronavirus outbreak, much attention and plaudits were paid to South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

But there's one overlooked success story -- Vietnam. The country of 97 million people has not reported a single coronavirus-related death and on Saturday had just 328 confirmed cases, despite its long border with China and the millions of Chinese visitors it receives each year.

This is all the more remarkable considering Vietnam is a low-middle income country with a much less-advanced healthcare system than others in the region. It only has 8 doctors for every 10,000 people, a third of the ratio in South Korea, according to the World Bank.

After a three-week nationwide lockdown, Vietnam lifted social

distancing rules in late April. It hasn't reported any local infections for more than 40 days.

Businesses and schools have reopened, and life is gradually returning to normal.

To skeptics, Vietnam's official numbers may seem too good to be true.

But Guy Thwaites, an infectious disease doctor who works in one of the main hospitals designated by the Vietnamese government to treat Covid-19 patients, said the numbers matched the reality on the ground.

"I go to the wards every day, I know the cases, I know there has been no death," said Thwaites, who also heads the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Ho Chi Minh City.

"If you had unreported or uncontrolled community transmission, then we'll be seeing cases in our hospital, people coming in with chest infections perhaps not diagnosed -- that has never happened," he said.

So how has Vietnam seemingly bucked the

global trend and largely escaped the scourge of the coronavirus? The answer, according to public health experts, lies in a combination of factors, from the government's swift, early response to prevent its spread, to rigorous contacttracing and quarantining and effective public communication.

Acting early Vietnam started preparing for a coronavirus outbreak weeks before its first case

was detected.

At the time, the Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization had both maintained that there was no "clear evidence'' for human-tohuman transmission. But Vietnam was not taking any chances.

"We were not only waiting for guidelines from WHO. We used the data we gathered from outside and inside (the country to) decide to take action early," said Pham Quang Thai, deputy

head of the Infection Control Department at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi.

By early January, temperature screening was already in place for passengers arriving from Wuhan at Hanoi's international airport.

Travelers found with a fever were isolated and closely monitored, the country's national broadcaster reported at the time.

By mid-January,

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam was ordering government agencies to take "drastic measures" to prevent the disease from spreading into Vietnam, strengthening medical quarantine at border gates, airports and seaports.

On January 23, Vietnam confirmed its first two coronavirus cases -- a Chinese national living in Vietnam and his father, who had traveled from Wuhan to visit his son.

The next day, Vietnam's aviation authorities canceled all flights to and from Wuhan.

As the country celebrated the Lunar New Year holiday, its Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared war on the coronavirus. "Fighting this epidemic is like fighting the enemy," he said at an urgent Communist Party meeting on January 27.

Three days later, he set up a national steering committee on controlling the outbreak -- the same day the WHO declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern.

VIETNAM/PAGE 10

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ORLAN R. RAVANERA On October 13, 2019, a kindred spirit in the c o op e r at i v e m ov e m e nt who was so passionate in advocating to correct a social wrong perpetuated by socalled Electric Cooperative in Davao del Norte was mu rd e re d f or f i g ht i n g for what is right, what is true and what is just. Mr. Glenn Ordonio, the Finance Officer of the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative which is registered with the

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Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Your secret weapon Think a minute . . . Years ago a woman was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest honor an American civilian can receive. This was all the more amazing since she was not even an American! Mrs. Josefina Guerrero was from the Phi lippines, w here she became known simply as Joey.

Joey was a young, pretty and outgoing lady who was well-known in her home city of Manila, and her husband was a successful medical student. Everything seemed to be going her way. Then World War II started.

Joey and her friends offered to help the U.S. prisoners of war by bringing them food, clothing, medicine, and important messages. Later Joey even volunteered to serve as a spy and, in fact, became one of the most effective spies the Americans ever had. On her first mission she explored and drew maps of enemy camps. Her only weapons were paper and pencil which she used to record everything she saw behind enemy lines.

One of Joey’s nearly

THINK A MINUTE

Cooperative Development Authority had been brutally killed by cabal of vested i nt e r e s t w h i c h s e r v e d as a clear warning to his colleagues not to pursue anymore their advocacy to fight for social justice or else they too will be murdered – thus, DANECO did cease to exist. The overwhelming decision therefore of some 49,056 MCOs (memberconsumer-owners) in a referendum on May 2012 to be registered with CDA and to recognize the coownership of the members and really be a genuine cooperative bowed down to the 1,773 who voted for NEA. Perhaps the contention that the Philippines is a nation of coward people is worth contemplating.

In r e m e m b r a n c e o f a kindred who willingly gave-up his dear life for social justice, may I share

this simple poem, Veritas Liberabit Vos, as I firmly believe that Glenn is now in the loving embrace of the Unseen Being for serving the least of his brethren, the MCOs, sacrificing his very life so that their rights as co-owners of a multi-billion utility be recognized.

Veritas Liberabit Vos My name is Veritas So simple is my language Mankind runs after me because I am a precious possession But to the rule of the socalled Electric Cooperatives, I am a threat So I have to be imprisoned in the dungeon to silence me But there will always be lovers of truth who will seek for me because they cannot live without my presence Many have marched to their death especially Glenn because of me These ECs do not know

that in the silence of the dungeon, I gain strength One day I will burst out into the open and liberate the oppressed to unfetter them from diabolic mindset who cannot moderate their greed!.

Social injustice looms in so many ways in a highly skewed societal order. It is seen in the life of the peasantry tilling the land not their own, and if they own the land, they do not control the mode of production and marketing. This is the reason why everyone profits from farming except those who work under the excruciating heat of the sun – the farmers.

It is manifested in the life of the Filipinos who are victims of so many marketing layers as everything sold in this country, from needles to tractors, passes at least five marketing layers. A TRUTH/PAGE 11

Coping with COVID 19 in Muntinlupa City

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VERITAS LIBERABIT VOS (The truth shall set us free)

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IGNACIO BUNYE Credit it to intensified targeted mass testing, including contract tracing, isolation strategies, as well as treatment of confirmed and suspect individuals. That’s how Muntinlupa City Health Officer, Dr. Ma. Teresa “Tet” Tuliao explained it.

As of May 16, Muntinlupa City recorded a recovery rate of 56.85 percent, the highest in the National Capital Region. Dra. Tuliao reported to Mayor Jaime

R. Fresnedi that in view of the ongoing “express mass testing” (administered free to residents), the city health office has tested more than 2000 residents and frontliners. Residents to be tested are transp or ted by the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT) and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO). Confirmed patients are immediately re fe r re d to qu ar ant i ne f a c i l it i e s w h i l e c l o s e contacts and their families are isolated. Dra. Tuliao also acknowledged the valuable support of Filinvest Corporate City Foundation which donated 2,010 rapid test kits to the city government to augment its targeted mass testing efforts.

Another good news: the COVID transmission in Muntinlupa City has slowed down to 8 days, based on

“doubling time” data of confirmed cases over the past few days. “Doubling time” refers to the number of days for the local corona virus to double in number. The standard rate of transmission should be between 7 and 30 days, the more days the better, to be considered decelerating. Latest figures provided by the City Health Office showed that the city had 207 confirmed cases with 144 recoveries, 32 active cases, 31 reported deaths, 36 suspect cases and 192 probable cases.

“The improved figures, however, are no cause for the public to relax their vigilance,” Mayor Fresnedi said. He urged residents to continue to observe physical distancing, strict social hygiene, and other measures such as curfew, and quarantine pass system.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa

City proverbially killed two birds with one stone when it recently hired 164 displaced seamstresses to produce an estimated 2,400 complete Personal Protective Equipment for front-liners at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun). The PPEs included gowns, head covers, goggles and shoe covers. Under the program dubbed as Tulong Pangkabuhayan para sa Displaced Workers (TUPAD), seamstresses were paid P537 per day. The project was jointly undertaken

by Lingkod Muntinlupa Foundation (which provided t he f abr i c and s e w i ng materials); the Muntinlupa Gender and Development Office (GAD), headed by Trina Biazon; the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), headed by Glenda Aniñon; the Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction COPING/PAGE 11

A special department store JHAN TIAFAU HURST impossible missions took her on foot through 56 miles of enemy territory, including minefields and enemy camps. It was this kind of bravery and skill on her many missions that earned her great respect from the American soldiers who gave her the affectionate nickname, Joey.

What is most amazing is that during those three years of her highly successful career as a spy in enemy territory, Joey was never caught or even searched one time! But there was a special reason she was able to achieve such a remarkable record as a wartime spy who saved thousands of American WEAPON/PAGE 11

Once upon a time, I drifted back on my lifetime's way.

My niece told me: that's a matter of aging. I smiled.

Anyway, drifting back to old memories is not bad.

That's sometimes really helpful.

During my journey back, I suddenly saw a nameplate: Heavenly Depar tment Store. I came closer. The door opened itself wider and wider. A swar m of angels gathered together.

One of them presented a shopping basket to me.

"Enjoy your shopping, but do it carefully!" Everything what a Christian needs, could be bought in this department store. If one couldn't carry everything home, one could be back next day, get the last bit and buy even more.

At f i r s t , I b ou g ht PATIENCE, the quality of enduring with calmness.

LOVE, the human affection, was in the same shelve.

A l i t t l e b i t d e e p e r, I fou nd SYM PAT H Y, t he sharing of emotion, interest, and desire, and COMPREHENSION, the capacity of the mind to perceive and understand together with A P P R E C I AT I O N , t h e setting of a valued one.

I adde d p ackages of WISDOM, the knowledge and the capacity to make use of it and additional bags of FAITH, the belief especially in a revealed religion. I relaxed a couple of minutes and t hen, I looked for STRENGTH, the important power or v i gor an d br ave r y an d fearlessness. They should help me to continue my forward to future. I thought myself, that I shouldn't forget MERCY, the leniency shown to a guilty person,

and REDEMPTION, the deliverance from sin.

My basket was already stuffed and I started looking for the cashier. One the way there, I found the PRAYER. I needed it to avoid running dead straight into a sin. An angel advised me also never to forget PEACE AND JOY, hymn of praise and chant.

Now it was really time to pay all those things. But the angel smiled and told me, "Take everything with you, where ever you may go." I asked, "What do I owe you?" The angel answered, "Nothing, somebody paid already your bills long time ago. His name was Jesus!"

I found this fabulous and wonderful fantastic story in my published documents from September 1988, during my time in Abra while writing a column for the mission oriented TINIG NG BAYAN - a magazine

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING for Filipinos abroad. This here is a revised version, b ecaus e my opinion is, that, no matter, where we are living on this globe esp e ci a l ly no awd ays in 2020, we shou ld t r y to project this timeless legend on to our ver y personal daily life. You'll find out, that it helps to sur vive in our life struggles. It's important to realize that we must be able to administer STORE/PAGE 11

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OPINION:

My own Balik Probinsya

T

HE recent Balik Probinsya Program with the objective to depopulate Metro Manila announces to “provide hope for a better future to Filipinos through equity in resources throughout the country that will boost countryside development.” It aims to contribute to the “improvement of economies and quality of life in the provinces with the program’s long term plans on various investments in infrastructure, agriculture, business, transportation and access to a responsive healthcare system.”

This plan is very

welcome and will certainly accelerate the growth and development of secondary and tertiary cities in the Philippines bringing much needed employment opportunities. The reason why a lot of Filipinos migrated to the Metro Manila in first place was to look for better job and educational opportunities that the province was not able to give. Too often the consequences of this migration resulted in broken-up families with parents and children living far from each other. The “good life in Manila” had become in some cases a false myth and the sacrifices of those living in the city were and

still are enormous if we look at the poor availability of affordable housing, the horrible traffic with the need to commute for hours in over-crowded trains, buses and jeepneys.

Having lived in Metro Manila for. over 7 years I have experienced most of the issues that living in such an over-populated city brings with it. It certainly also has its positive perks as the city simply offers most things one could desire from malls, cinemas, products, services or exotic dining facilities. But what about breathable recreational spaces such as parks, beaches or other green areas?

Unhappily there is very little of that in the capital city and a walk in the park has been replaced by a walk in the mall. By too many this had been erroneously considered as a sign of great “lifestyle”.

Now that more employment opportunities are available also in the provinces and companies are expanding out of Metro Manila through local offices and remote work the opportunity is real to live with your family and relatives in a more breathable and green environment.

For this Uptown CdO is an ideal place and you can really feel that “this is where it is going to happen”.

Especially those who

LORENS ZILLER

Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines

have been living in Metro Manila or in highly developed countries such as the US or Europe, living here gives you a similar quality of life and everything is right at your doorstep including residential condominiums, among which also green a 'green' building, schools, malls, shops, restaurants and even the golf course.

More developments are under-way and will add very

useful facilities in the healthcare and lifestyle sectors. The vibrance of this city is accompanied by the friendliness of its people which plays a very important role in the overall picture.

In fact I chose Cagayan de Oro as I see it as the right combination between city-lifestyle and provincial living where I can see and enjoy the sea, the green mountains and everything is just a whisker away.

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Suzuki Dealerships Resume Operations the SMART Way as Quarantine Restrictions Eases

S

UZUKI Philippines Inc. (SPH), the pioneer compact car distributor in the country, has found the opportunity to reach and provide their customers with service through reopening some of its auto stores. And to take precautionary measures that will avoid the spread of the virus among its employees and customers, SPH made sure to set forth Dealership Reopening Guidelines.

Despite the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) being lifted in the communities where SPH has decided to reopen, the auto company takes into paramount consideration the safety of its employees and customers. Hence, to prioritize this, SPH introduced “New Normal” Business Operations with to-do’s that are easy to remember: S.M.A.R.T. Sanitize Thoroughly, Maintain Safe Distancing, Adhere Strictly, Reach People Online, and Think Positive. Those who are looking into visiting Suzuki dealerships are sure to expect that these guidelines will be followed and not only seen through signages, but in actuality.

Sanitizing Thoroughly will include requiring employees to sanitize areas in the store more often than usual particularly workplaces and customer lounges at least every two hours. Sanitation Stations will also be available in environments such as the reception, negotiation tables, cashier windows, and service areas. Vehicles will be sanitized in the shops as well upon arrival from their designated distributor, before and after release for test drives, and to customers who will purchase them.

Despite the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) being lifted in

the communities where SPH has decided to reopen, the auto company takes into paramount consideration the safety of its employees and customers. Hence, to prioritize this, SPH introduced “New Normal” Business Operations with to-do’s that are easy to remember: S.M.A.R.T. Sanitize Thoroughly, Maintain Safe Distancing, Adhere Strictly, Reach People Online, and Think Positive. Those who are looking into visiting Suzuki dealerships are sure to expect that these guidelines will be followed and not only seen through signages, but in actuality.

Sanitizing Thoroughly will include requiring employees to sanitize areas in the store more often than usual particularly workplaces and customer lounges at least every two hours. Sanitation Stations will also be available in environments such as the reception, negotiation tables, cashier windows, and service areas. Vehicles will be sanitized in the shops as well upon arrival from their designated distributor, before and after release for test drives, and to customers who will purchase them.

Exercising these guidelines is a leap towards prevention against COVID-19, but aside from a physical course of action, SPH understands that Thinking Positively is equally essential. Suzuki Philippines urges the community to distance ourselves from negativity, stay healthy and exercise regularly, and foster positive energy amid these challenging times. Suzuki Philippines believes that by staying S.M.A.R.T, we are able to experience the Suzuki Way of Life! despite being faced with obstacles and eventually overcoming them and rising above the situation.

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Monday|June 1, 2020

For the Human Race:

Before starting his delivery runs, Garcia wears a mask and gloves to protect himself and the people he helps.

Coca-Cola helps inspire renewed hope for a better tomorrow

M

ANILA – The human race is facing one of the biggest crises to happen this century; a health, social and economic calamity like we have rarely seen before. During this period, uncertainty and fear have gripped everyone—across nations, across faiths, and across cultures.

Yet, it is clear, that to navigate this crisis, one must keep an optimistic spirit. And to remember that while we are physically apart, we are also emotionally drawn together in this common fight, certain in the coming of a better tomorrow.

It is against this backdrop that Coca-Cola has launched “For the Human Race” a tribute to positivity, togetherness and the human spirit in these challenging times.

“The world today is in the midst of extraordinary and difficult times,” says Winn Everhart, CocaCola Philippines General Manager. “But we also acknowledge that this is a moment in which we need to come together and support each another anyway we can. This is a time for us to help uplift the spirit, bring needed encouragement, and inspire,” he said.

“For the Human Race” – a timely and powerful message and movement

A celebration of everyone that brings light into these dark times, this message and movement is a tribute to the men and women that truly go beyond. This includes non-government organization (NGO) volunteers involved in providing aid and relief to the marginalized; essential service staff such as drivers, food delivery riders, and store workers who continue to serve their communities despite the risks; and countless individuals who, in their own meaningful ways, are touching lives and inspiring others day-byday.

We see exemplary people like Neil DelgadoGarcia from Baguio.

Despite being a person with disability, he hops onto his motorcycle to make vital deliveries, including volunteering

8

Neil Delgado-Garcia, a delivery rider from Baguio, volunteers to bring vital goods, including food for frontliners, as his way of helping during these challenging times.

He is only one of many who bring hope to others as we navigate through this crisis.

to deliver food to frontliners. “Wala namang makakatulong sa atin kung hindi tayu-tayo din,” says Garcia.

Frontliners receive their much-needed sustenance donated by organizations, thanks to Garcia’s service as a delivery rider.

It was upon seeing a restaurant prepare church-donated food for frontliners that inspired him to reach out and volunteer as a delivery rider. As a further act of kindness, Garcia would set aside the tips he would collect to buy coffee for the soldiers and police stationed at the checkpoints. Never letting his physical condition get in his way, his is an inspiring story of hope and an indomitable spirit against the odds.

“Parang hindi tulong yung binibigay mo— saya. Sobrang ganda sa pakiramdam ‘yun,” he adds.

Garcia tells his complete story in the Coca-Cola Philippines #ForTheHumanRace video.

Coca-Cola’s longheld belief in universal togetherness, positivity

and hope is the foundation of the “For the Human Race” movement.

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to those who continue to keep us all safe through the crisis, particularly those people on the front lines,” Everhart says. “Every day, we are inspired and uplifted by countless acts of selflessness, kindness and courage from people across the Philippines and around the world. Please know that the good work you do serves to inspire us and that we are with you all the way in this fight.”

More stories of hope for the human race will be shared in the Coca-Cola Philippines YouTube page.

Supporting the community and responding collectively to the COVID-19 crisis INSPIRE/PAGE 11

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MONDAY|JUNE 1, 2020

MisOr, MGCQ na sugod Hunyo 1 SUGOD sa Hunyo 1, 2020, ipaubos na sa Modified General Community Quarantine ang entero Misamis Oriental. Kini, base sa mando sa National Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, pinaagi sa Resolution No. 40, series of 2020, pinetsahan Mayo 27, 2020, human gibutang sa low-risk area category ang entero Rehiyon 10 kung hain nahimutang ang Misamis Oriental.

Gikataho nga karong Mayo 31, 2020, maexpire na ang General Community Quarantine (GCQ) sa nasangpit nga rehiyon. Buot pasabot, medyo luagan na ang paglihok-lihok sa mga tawo ug negosyo, apan padayon pa gihapon ang pagsuot sa facemask, social distancing ug hugas sa kamot personal hygiene.

Lakip sa gitugotan ubos sa MGCQ ang social gatherings susama sa pagsimba, birthday ug uban pang silibrasyon, sa kondisyon nga 50 porsiyento lamang sa kapasidad sa isa ka tigumanan ang tugotan nga makasulod o makatambong. Wala pay mass gathering sa mga estudyante, susama sa pagtungha sa klase sa mga tulunghaan nga

gitugotan.

Bukas na usab ang sagad sa mga tindahan ning panahona, susama sa restaurant, hardware, hotel, bar, cafes, gym, spa, barber shop, ug salon sa kondisyon nga 50 porsiyento pa gihapon sa kapasidad ang makasulod. Lakip niini mga mall ug shopping center.

Gitugotan na usab ang sports enthusiasts

sa ilang fitness activities, apan limitado lamang sa non-contact events, susama sa tennis, badminton, skateboarding, equestrian, jogging, running, biking, golf, ug swimming.

Sugod usab sa Hunyo 1, gitugotan na mag-operate balik ang construction projects pribado man o gobyerno.

Bisan mga tourist

destination, travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service, karaoke bars, sinehan, libraries, museum, cultural centers, ug legal nga pasugalan.

Gitataw usab nga ubos sa MGCQ, mahimo nang mogawas sa ilang panimalay ang tanang tawo, lakip senior citizens, buros ug adunay gihambin nga respiratory problems.

THE NEW NORMAL for Special Education By: DEBRA A. MANUBAG SPED Teacher I Ozamiz City Central School

The COVID - 19 Pandemic affects significant areas of our life including education. As we still face this unforeseen public health crisis, the Department of Education is trying everything in their capacity to carry on so that basic education will still be available despite the crisis while ensuring safety of everyone. This gave birth to the idea of teaching learners in a “new normal” way with its Learning Continuity Plan (LCP).

This calls for the quick transition from the brick-and-mortar education to the virtual world as classes will be opening soon - sometime in August.

Although distance learning is not new in this modern era, public and private schools in the Philippines practiced the face to face teaching-

learning education up to this time.

Thus, online education is quite a huge leap and we may experience birth pains in this path since we are new to this.

This gruelling transition leaves special education teachers confused and troubled on how to teach children with special needs since these children have varied individual needs and most of them need physical prompts which can only be possible in a face to face setting.

However, despite these difficulties, teachers are trying to step up and find means to deliver education through screen, hoping for the best results.

Teachers are currently and constantly given Webinars with regards to various platforms and educational apps and

sites that learners can use when classes officially start. This includes (Google Classroom, Kotobee) This time, more than ever, the school needs parents’ cooperation in guiding their children with special needs to overcome this situation and achieve an equally effective outcome when they are in the classroom. This may require a huge sacrifice for parents as well since they need to be with their children to guide them while online classes are going on.

The new normal seem to be not normal at all. Scary and challenging at the same time. However, we just need to enjoy this bumpy ride and wait until we see the light at the end where we could all reap all the efforts that we sow in this new normal education.

Republic of the Philippines Region X Province of Lanao del Norte Municipality of Kapatagan

Republic of the Philippines Region X Province of Lanao del Norte Municipality of Kapatagan

Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar

Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar

R.A. 9048 (CFN)

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

R.A. 10172 (Gender)

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In Compliance with section 7 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that MARIA VICTORIA ESCOBER ABELLA LOPOZ has filed with this Office, a petition for Change of First Name from "VICTORIA" to "MARIA VICTORIA" in the Certificate of Live Birth of VICTORIA ESCOBER ABELLA who was born on NOVEMBER 8, 1964 at Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte and whose parents are SOCRATES ABELLA and VICTORIA ESCOBER.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 15 days.

In Compliance with section 7 of R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that JOVITH EMORICHA CLAMOTCHA has filed with this Office a petition for Correction of Clerical Error-Change of Gender from "FEMALE" to "MALE" in the Certificate of Live Birth of JOVITH EMORICHA CLAMOTCHA who was born on March 2, 1990 at Margos, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte and whose paretns are EDIMAR MACALIB-OG CLAMOTCHA and LOLITA SEBIONO EMORICHA.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 15 days.

BWM: May 25 & June 1, 2020

(SGD) IVY REYES TONGCO Municipal Civil Registrar

BWM: May 25 & June 1, 2020

(SGD) IVY REYES TONGCO Municipal Civil Registrar

EXTRAJUDICIAL DEED OF PARTITION KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late RUPERTA L. DELLOSA who died on March 16, 2011, at Cagayan de Oro and RUFINO N. DELLOSA who died on December 24, 1973, at Cagayan de Oro, RUFINO N. DELLOSA and RUPERTA L. DELLOSA died intestate, without Will or Testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; the said deceased left the following parcels of land more particularly described as follows: a. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-41288 situated in the Barrio of Kauswagan, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of Four Hundred Seven (407) Square Meters, more or less, b. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-41289 situated in the Barrio of Kauswagan, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of Four Hundred Seven (407) Square Meters, more or less, c. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-27919 situated in the Barrio of Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province on Misamis Oriental, Philippines, containing an area of One Thousand One Hundred Eighty Nine (1,189) Square Meters, more or less, d. A parcel of land with Original Certificate of Title No. P-5052 situated in the Barrio of Sungay, Municipality of Alubijid, Province of Misamis Oriental, containing an area of Eighty Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty Seven (82,937) Square Meters, more or less, e. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-31932 situated in the Barrio of Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Prov. Of Mis. Or. Island of Mindanao, containing an area of Nine Hundred Forty Nine (949) Square Meters, more or less, f. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-31036 situated in the Barrio of Poblacion Mun. of Laguindingan, Prov. Of Mis. Or. Island of Mindanao, containing an area of One Thousand Six Hundred Thirty Seven (1,637) Square Meters, more or less, g.

A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0001-00451, situated in the Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental, containing an area of 1.4950 hectares, h.

A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0004-02337 situated in the Kibaghot, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental, containing an area of 1.0000 hectares, i.

A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0004-02341 situated in the Kibaghot, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 1.1882 hectares, j. A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0010-05075, situated in the Sinai, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 1.4710 hectares, k. a parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0001-00469, situated in the Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental, Containing an area of 0.0200 hectares, l. A parcel of Land with Transfer Certificate Title No. T-27920 situated in the Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental, Philippines, containing an area of Seven Hundred Twenty Three (723) square meters, more or less, m. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-34006 situated in the Barrio of Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental, Philippines, containing an area of Five Hundred Seventy Five (575) square meters more or less, n. A parcel of land Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0001-10412 situated at Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 1.4598 hectares, o. A parcel of land Tax Declaration No. 08-180001-00869 situated at Poblacion , Municipality of laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 1.5000 hectares, p. A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0001-00773 situated at Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 1.5000 hectares, q.

A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0001-10408 situated at Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 2.0793 hectares, r. A parcel of land Tax Declaration No. 08-18-0001-10407 situated at Poblacion, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 1.3270 hectares agri & 0.0400 hectares Res., s. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-136-2017000006 situated in Poblacion, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, island of Mindanao containing an area of One Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty One (1,851) square meters more or less, t. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-42509 situated in the District of Dampas, City of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines, containing an area of Six Hundred Eighty Four (684) Square Meters, more or less, u. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-42514 situated in the District of Bool, City of Tagbilaran Bohol, Philippines, containing of an area of Seven Hundred Ninety Four (794) Square Meters, more or less, v. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-42515 situated in the District of Bool, City of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines containing an area of Seven Hundred Ninety Three (793) square meters, more or less, w. A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-42510 situated in the District of Dampas, City of Tagbilaran, Province of Bohol, Philippines Containing an area of Two Thousand One Hundred Seventy Two (2,172) Square Meters, more or less, x. A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-17-0005-02192 situated at Lagtang, Municipality of Alubijid, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 0.8504 hectares, y. A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 08-17-0005-02190 situated at Lagtang, Municipality of Alubijid, Province of Misamis Oriental containing an area of 1.3948 hectares, z. A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. G-004524 and the Building with Tax Declaration No. G-004525 situated at Capistrano st., Barangay 15, Cagayan de Oro City containing an area of 0.0110 hectares, aa. A parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 2008-4L-0013 and Property Identification No. 154-01-004-01-015 situated in the District of Bool, City of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines containing an area of 318 square meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL DEED OF PARTITION, filed by the heirs of Spouses Ruperta l. Dellosa and Rufino N. Dellosa, per DOC #180; PAGE #36; BOOK #27; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ROWELL B. VALLEDOR. BWM: May 25, June 1 & 8, 2020

10

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MONDAY|JUNE 1, 2020

Vietnam... from page 3

On February 1, Vietnam declared a national epidemic -- with just six confirmed cases recorded across the country. All flights between Vietnam and China were halted, followed by the suspension of visas to Chinese citizens the next day.

Over the course of the month, the travel restrictions, arrival quarantines and visa suspensions expanded in scope as the coronavirus spread beyond China to countries like South Korea, Iran and Italy. Vietnam eventually suspended entry to all foreigners in late March.

Vietnam was also quick to take proactive lockdown measures. On February 12, it locked down an entire rural community of 10,000 people north of Hanoi for 20 days over seven coronavirus cases -- the first large-scale lockdown known outside China. Schools and universities, which had been scheduled to reopen in February after the Lunar New Year holiday, were ordered to remain closed, and only reopened in May. Thwaites, the infectious disease expert in Ho Chi Minh City, said the speed of Vietnam's response was the main reason behind its success.

"Their actions in late January and early February were very much in advance of many other countries.

And that was enormously helpful ... for them to be able to retain control," he said.

Meticulous contact-tracing The decisive early actions effectively curbed community t r ans m i ss i on and ke pt Vietnam's confirmed cases at just 16 by February 13.

For three weeks, there were no new infections -- until the second wave hit in March, brought by Vietnamese returning from abroad.

Authorities rigorously traced down the contacts of confirmed coronavirus patients and placed them in a mandatory two-week quarantine.

"We have a very strong system: 63 provincial CDCs (centers for disease control), more than 700 district-level CDCs, and more than 11,000 commune health centers. All of them attribute to contact tracing," said doctor Pham with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

A confirmed coronavirus patient has to give health authorities an exhaustive list of all the people he or she has met in the past 14 days.

Announcements are placed in newspapers and aired on television to inform the public of where and when a coronavirus patient has been, calling on people to go to health authorities for testing if they have also been there at the same time, Pham said.

When the Bach Mai hospital in Hanoi, one of the biggest hospitals in Vietnam, became a coronavirus hotspot with dozens of cases in March, authorities imposed a lockdown on the facility and tracked down nearly

100,000 people related to the hospital, including medics, patients, visitors and their close contacts, according to Pham.

"Using contact-tracing, we located almost everyone, and asked them to stay home and self quarantine, (and that) if they have any symptoms, they can visit the health centers for free testing," he said.

Authorities also tested more than 15,000 people linked to the hospitals, including 1,000 health care workers.

Vietnam's contact-tracing effort was so meticulous that it goes after not only the direct contacts of an infected person, but also indirect contacts. "That's one of the unique parts of their response. I don't think any country has done quarantine to that level," Thwaites said.

All direct contacts were p l a c e d i n g ov e r n m e nt quarantine in health centers, hotels or military camps.

Some indirect contacts were ordered to self isolate at home, according to a study of Vietnam's Covid-19 control measures by about 20 public health experts in the country.

As of May 1, about 70,000 people had been quarantined in Vietnam's government facilities, while about 140,000 had undergone isolation at home or in hotels, the study said.

The study also found that of the country's first 270 Covid-19 patients, 43 percent were asymptomatic cases -which it said highlighted the value of strict contact-tracing and quarantine. If authorities had not proactively sought out people with infection risks, the virus could have quietly spread in communities days before being detected.

Public communication and propaganda From t he st ar t , t he Vietnamese government has communicated clearly with the public about the outbreak.

D e d i c at e d we b s it e s , telephone hotlines and phone apps were set up to update the public on the latest situations of the outbreak and medical advisories. The ministry of health also regularly sent out reminders to citizens via SMS messages.

Pham said on a busy day, the national hotlines alone could receive 20,000 calls, not to count the hundreds of provincial and district-level hotlines.

The country's massive propaganda apparatus was also mobilized, raising awareness of the outbreak through loudspeakers, street posters, the press and social media. In late February, the health ministry released a catchy music video based on a Vietnamese pop hit to teach people how to properly wash their hands and other hygiene measures during the outbreak. Known as the "hand-washing song," it immediately went viral, so far attracting more than 48 million views on Youtube.

Thwaites said Vietnam's rich experience in dealing with infectious disease outbreaks, such as the SARS epidemic from 2002 to 2003

and the following avian influenza, had helped the government and the public to better prepare for the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The population is much more respectful of infectious diseases than many perhaps more affluent countries or countries that don't see as much infectious disease -Europe, the UK and the US for example," he said.

"The country understands that these things need to be taken seriously and complies with guidance from the government on how to prevent the infection from spreading.

Airdrop... from page 2

Brigade (403Bde), in collaboration with the Police Regional Office and Tactical Operation Group of region 10, extended its reach to remote communities in the province to ensure widest dissemination of information.

Barandon said the DOHMEID, Army, Air Force, and the entire Coronavirus task force have been working on even more clever ways to disseminate information in mountainous terrains to ensure that communities not reached by television and radio are informed about the pandemic.

He s h a re d t h at t h e 403Bde with its five Infantry Battalions and a Task Force have engaged on massive information dissemination through social media; public address system (recorrida); barangay group discussions (Pulong-pulong); and radio program, among other IEC (information, education and communication) campaigns.

“As government agencies double their ef for ts in implementing strategies to combat COVID-19, the 403rd Brigade that covers Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro has crafted ways on how it can harmonize with other available communication pl at for ms t o ke e p t h e people informed of what the government is doing for them. And so, in order to beat this pandemic, we must do our share,” Barandon said.

(CMO, 403Bde, PA /PIA Bukidnon)

Extension... from page 1

No. 13586-2020 approved on April 2020, extending the deadline for the payment of second quarter business taxes from April 20, 2020

to May 20, 2020.

A city councilor said that the move was pursuant t o t h e D e p a r t m e nt o f Finance (DOF) order and in compliance with the Republic Act 11469, the “Bayanihan to Heal as Once Act” law.

The DOF circular was issued for local government u n it s f or t h e u n i f or m implementation of RA 11469 on moving the statutory deadlines for the filing of the payment of taxes, fees, and other charges required by law in order to ease the burden on individuals under community quarantine.

City Councilor George Goking, chair of the City Council Trade and Commerce, said that while no increase of taxes would be collected, the city would adopt the guidelines issued by the national government to be able to collect efficiently.

The city government approved a P 7.5 billion budget for the year 2020, but has expressed doubt on whether the targeted revenue could be achieved following the stoppage of business activity in this premier city with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Power... from page 1

Development (USAID) to “help in carrying out the impact study.”

“MinDA, as head of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC), would be making an assessment of the impact of the enhanced community quarantine to the island’s power sector in order to determine measures ne e de d to supp or t t he industry,” he said.

The MinDA official added that while the agency has noted the reduction of power demand in urban centers by about a third of normal usage due to the lockdown and suspension of operations of major establishments and industry, “the situation may be slightly different in the provinces” where electric cooperatives mainly serve residential consumers.

MinDA, through the MPMC, has worked with USAID for a program that pushed for the establishment of renewable energy projects as well as an online-based facilitation channel for these proposals.

Mindanao, which is not yet connected to the national grid, has a power capacity of about 2,500 megawatts (MW) with an 800-MW surplus.

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MONDAY|JUNE 1, 2020

Inspire... from page 8

Coca-Cola a nd t heir valued partners, including TOWNS Foundation, UP Medical Foundation, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Caritas Manila, M c D o n a l d ’s K i n d n e s s K it c he n , R i s e A g a i n s t Hunger-PH, Philippines Business for Social Progress, and Jollibee Foundation, have been supporting relief efforts since the start of the crisis in the Philippines.

This includes the company’s init ia l Php 150 mi l lion donation that translated into prov iding persona l protective equipment (PPEs), food packs, and beverages to medical workers and local communities.

To date, more than 50,000 medical workers have been provided with PPEs, critical protection they need in treating patients, a significant portion of which was coursed through the tireless efforts of UP Medical Foundation and the TOWNS Foundation.

Together with CaritasManila, R ise Against Hu nger a nd PB SP, t he distribution of food packs to 39,000 vulnerable families are ongoing, addressing t he u rgent need for nourishment and sustenance.

Additionally, over 500,000 liters of beverages have been distributed to 125 public and private hospitals, 99 loca l government units, 53 nationa l government a genc ie s , a nd 5 0 nongovernment organisations and foundations.

Coca-Cola continues to coordinate with partners, me d ic a l fac i l it ie s , a nd communities, and provide much-needed support.

Weapon... from page 4

lives. Joey had a weakness that she used as her secret weapon to help win the war: she had leprosy!

You may have what you think is a weakness, but God can help you find the way to use it for your success by helping others around you and making a difference in the world. Won’t you ask Him to take full charge of your life? Only He can truly lead you into the successful and satisfying life He has planned for you. Just think a minute .

Truth... from page 4

bag of Ammonium Sulfate fertilizer which is just bought in Ukraine at P100 per bag is sold in Mindanao at P1,500.

Lipitor bought in New Delhi at 30 centavos per pill is sold in the Philippine pharmacies at P50.

But the height of social injustice is perpetuated in the life of the 11 million memberconsumer- owners (MCOs) of so called Electric Cooperatives who until now are deprived of their fundamental right as shareholders of their respective multi-billion peso ECs. When computed, the total MCOs capital shares

will reach more than a trillion pesos which until now remains unrecognized!

Every time the MCOs will claim such right, they will just be told that they have only contributed P5 as membership fee. The truth is, in the unbundling of their monthly payment, it is shown that from the very beginning, each MCO has been paying two items as their patronage contributions which are: a) the total amortization cost which is about P0.36/kWh and b) the provision for Reinvestment which is about P0.11/kWh. This means a monthly capital contribution of about P94.54 based on the monthly consumption of about 200kWh per month or about P1,134.48 per year.

After all these years (about 65 years as MCOs), each one has a total patronage capital contribution of about P70,000. This is very categorically stated in the EC’s By-Laws under Sec. 1, Article 2, “the members are the joint owners of the Cooperative with their individual equity in its assets determined on the basis of their patronage.”

I was informed that the MCOs are not even notified of their respective patronage capital contribution which is contrary to the provision of the By-Laws under 2(b) Article VII, “. . . within a reasonable time after the close of the fiscal year notify each patron of the amount of capital so credited to his account.” There are about 119 ECs in the country and in region 10 alone, we have about eight, namely: Fibeco, Buseco, Moresco 1 and 2, Camelco, Moelci 1 and 2, Moresco 1 and 2, and Laneco and all these years, these so-called ECs have not recognized the MCOs’ patronage capital contribution. Such is the height of social injustice.

This is a contributing factor to why the people are still in the quagmire of poverty.

In the past Mindanaowide Cooperative Congress, the participants have the following Declaration: “We have w it ness e d hunger and poverty in an island oozing with 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 fast slipping through their fingers.

Even the millions of MCOs of electricity are being deprived to exercise their rights as owners because those running the affairs of the so called electric cooperatives (ECs), who through all these years have formed powerful 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 Supreme Court has ruled resoundingly on the EC’s non tax exemption for not b e i ng ge nu i ne cooperatives.

Howe ver, inste ad of registering with CDA, what

the ECs did was to “unleash formidable arsenal of lies, d e ce it , fe ar- monge r ing and cash-backed lobbying to ensure the continued proliferation and hold of private interest over electric co op erat ives. Memb erconsumers were enticed with bags of grocery items and other goodies to sway their mindset. Lies and deceits were employed to cast doubt on the economic viability of electric cooperative if it would be registered with CDA.” Let us serve notice 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 which is “to promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of equity, social justice and economic development.” Indeed, let justice be done till heavens fall.

Mr. Glenn Ordonio, when Veritas Liberabit Vos awakens the Filipino People to the Truth on Electric Cooperatives, you will be remembered as a hero.

Store... from page 4

wise our valuable treasure of vital life energy, instead of fritter away with it such as knick-knacks.

My dear readers: stay safe - as always... . +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me i n Fa c e b o o k , Li n k e d In or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Coping... from page 4

and Management Office (DRRMO), headed by Erwin Alfonso, and the Muntinlupa City Technical Institute-Tesda (MCTI-TESDA), headed by Engr. Francis A. Santella.

GAD, the City Nutrition Committee and the office of C ong re ss man Ru f f y Biazon also facilitated the distribution of NutriPan fortified with Iron, Vitamin A and Malunggay - to undernourished kids in the city to provide additional nutrition and to b o ost their immune systems. The program was supported by San Miguel Corporation.

As of Thursday last week, the city government has allowed 4,174 tricycles to operate in order to transport front-liners, workers of industries allowed to operate during MECQ, and heads of households buying essential goods. Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau Chief Danidon Nolasco said the accredited tricycles were allowed to operate from 5 a.m. to 12 nn, provided they observed proper social distancing and sanitation safeguards.

The Gotianun-family led Filinvest Development Corporation and its various foundations and subsidiaries

have pledged to donate P100million worth of Covid-19 test kits and PPEs for frontliners and hospital workers.

Josephine T. Gotianun-Yap, President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation, said the donation will go principally to The Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM). Another important c o nt r i b u t i o n m a d e by Filinvest was to sponsor and fast-track the creation of a COVID dashboard that one can now find in the DOH website. Another dashboard is being used by the IATF. It is a joint project with the DOH, the DOST and the data science company operating the machine. Ms. GotianunYap explained: “The decision makers need this data – cases, testing, hospital resources - in real time to plan out their strategy against COVID.” R e c e n t l y, F i l i n v e s t Development Corporation allowed the use of its events place in Alabang – Filinvest Tent – as a health care center to serve COVID-19 patients.

The fully air-conditioned and sufficiently-equipped quarantine facility can accommodate 108 persons.

Filinvest sponsored the construction materials, EEI provided the manpower while the Villar Group provided the hospital beds. The facility is being managed by the Office of Civil Defense and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Facilities like this have greatly helped ease the pressure from the hospital system.

Earlier, the Filinvestmanaged Palms Country Club in Alabang – with the full support of its shareholders - provided bed and shower facilities to medical frontliners working at the nearby Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

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Readies... from page 1

To m a s i t o G o m e z , Mambayaan barangay chairman, said a day care center was converted into a quarantine facility that could now accommodate residents who came from other places.

The controversy stemmed from a Facebook post of a certain Jhonriel Gamba, who worked in Saudi Arabia, and arrived at Mambayaan Wednesday night.

Gomez said they were not prepared for Gamba’s arrival as their isolation unit was not yet finished.

“I was not aware that one of the OFWs from our place is going home. I was informed by the municipal health office at around 8:30 in the evening that Gamba DE ORO wasCAGAYAN arriving.

WeMAIN didBRANCH not have P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., time toTel. prepare.

I have # (08822) 727-829 * to act # (088) 856-1947 quick,”Telefax Gomez.

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, He said Gamba arrived Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 at Mambayaan past 11 p.m.

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday.

DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty.Gomez said Bldg., the#61room, Erasmo B. Damasing Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 floor of located on the second LAPASAN BRANCH the Lapasan building where a covered Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 court and the barangay hall CARMEN BRANCH are Vamenta housed, used Blvd.,was Cagayan de Oroas Citythe Tel. # (088) 231-2011 village council session hall.

Gomez said he did not expect that Gamba would post his complaint on social media, adding that, in fact, he even checked on the OFW the following morning.

In an inter view with reporters, Gamba said he would not have complained if the room where he was brought was clean, and that he only complained out of stress and lack of sleep.

“I would prefer to finish my quarantine at home. I cannot be comfortable to stay at the isolation facility knowing that someone might harm me there,” he said, referring to his bashers and hate commenters on social media.

For his part, Balingasag Mayor Alexis Quina said the municipality has already put in place quarantine facilities.

“We have two types of quarantine facilities, barangay and municipal. OFWs are first brought the barangay facility upon arriving,” Quina said.

He said each of the town’s 30 barangays have their own isolation units, and that the municipal quarantine will only be used if the OFW has manifested symptoms similar to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Q uina s aid it t hos e symptoms will persist, it is only then that the patient will be brought to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, the region’s Covid-19 referral hospital.

Capital... from page 1

reduction.

“By developing domestic c apit a l marke t s , f u nds are generated to support higher levels of long-term investments and sustainable quality job creation. The program approved today will support the Philippine government’s development goals, including its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

ADB Vice-President Ahmed Saeed said in a statement Tuesday.

The Support to Capital Market-Generated Infrastructure Financing Program, subprogram 1, aims to address key constraints that have limited the growth of domestic capital markets, especially government and corporate bond markets.

It also focuses on building a vibrant domestic institutional investor base that will become a sustainable source of longtenor infrastructure finance.

By boosting infrastructure finance, the capital market development program will support higher public

infrastructure spending for years to come.

The government’s flagship “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) infrastructure development program targets an increase in public sp ending on infrastructure towards 7 percent of gross domestic product by 2022, up from 5.5 percent in 2018 and an average of 2.8 percent in the last three decades.

“Resilient and vibrant capital markets are key to achie ving e conomic development, growth, and poverty reduction as set out in the government’s long-term strategy AmBisyon Natin 2040,” Saeed said.

The capit al markets development program has supported various reforms in recent years, including the launch and implementation of the first government-led, comprehensive domestic bond market development plan.

The Philippines also has modernized its government debt trading infrastructure and provided a reliable yield curve to support the pricing of private sector debt instruments.

O t he r re for ms have helped build an enabling environment for private sector debt instruments.

These reforms will boost outstanding corporate bonds to an estimated 12 percent of gross domestic product by 2021, up from 7.5 percent in 2017.

The government also has upgraded the Personal Equity and Retirement Account system, which makes it easier for Filipinos to tap into the capital markets to save for the future.

This latest assistance builds on decades of ADB support to financial sector reforms in the Philippines, including strengthening governance and investor protection measures in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Since 2013, ADB has been supporting reforms in the domestic capital market, which aimed to build a more diversified institutional investor base to encourage the development of long-term finance for infrastructure.

This new loan brings ADB’s total lending to the Philippines to $2.1 billion so far this year.

ADB approved a $1.5-billion loan for the Covid-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Program on 23 April and $200 million in additional financing for the Social Protection Support Project on 27 April. (PR)

CDO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947

DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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MONDAY|JUNE 1, 2020