BusinessWeek Mindanao (March 1-2, 2021)

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Coke’s expansion COCA-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) has announced that it is investing USD63 million (about PHP3.06 billion) in the country in 2021 to upgrade its factories.

“The USD63 million investment will primarily go to continuing to increase our capacity, specifically this time in Luzon. Last year, we invested heavily in Mindanao because we saw lots of growth potential in Mindanao. For 2021, we’re going to invest in more production capacity primarily in our Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant,” CCBPI president and chief executive officer Gareth McGeown said in a virtual media roundtable on Tuesday.

McGeown added that the investment is the “first tranche for 2021” as CCBPI is committed to continuing its investments to ramp up its production capacity in manufacturing, upgrading facilities and logistics.

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HE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said the construction start for the Mindanao Railway project is waiting on the completion of negotiations for a Chinese loan.

It said the loan from China can only be secured if the project is bid out first to Chinese contractors.

The DoTr’s timeline for the start of construction was the first quarter of 2021.

“Ito ay magsisimu la k ap a g n a - n e got i ate n a po ang loan natin. Then, magkakaroon po ‘yan ng detailed engineering design.

After that, magsisimula na right away ang actual construction (It will start when the loan is negotiated, followed by the detailed engineering design contract, and then immediately after comes actual construction),” Transportation Assistant Secretar y for Project Implementation-Mindanao DERAILS/PAGE 7

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno (right) Sen.Manny Pacquiao (2nd from right, seated) watch a video presentation showing the senator's programs to help the poor and less privileged Filipinos during his visit to Barangay Tablon on Friday, Feb. 26, where he handed out P1,000 in cash and food packs consisting of 5 kilos of rice and dressed chicken to residents, especially those affected by the African Swine Fever. photo by gerry lee gorit

Vivant expands in Mindanao with buyout of Zubiri’s plant

Local coops DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has reiterated the agency’s support to local cooperatives as it helps the agriculture sector and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) survive amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

At the launch of the Agricultural Cooperative Development Agenda (ACDA) Wednesday, Lopez underscored the role of cooperatives in bringing inclusive growth at the grassroots level and their crucial part in helping the government in dealing with economic challenges brought by the pandemic.

“We reiterate our commitment to fully support our cooperatives who have been integral to the government’s efforts to deal with the economic and health challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

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For bridge across Panguil Bay. Thirty-seven units of steel pipes for the Panguil Bay Bridge project arrive at the Baseport of Iligan City on Wednesday last week. The 3.7-kilometer 2-lane bridge will connect Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and Tubod town in Lanao del Norte. photo courtesy of philippine ports authority

By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

GARCIA-led Vivant Energy Corporation has expanded its power investments in Mindanao, and this was

Dakeol Forest, home to Philippine eagles, declared as critical habitat

By BONG S. SARMIENTO, MindaNews

MAITUM, Sarangani — The municipal government of Maitum, Sarangani has declared the Dakeol Forest, which spans 3,000 hectares of diverse flora and fauna, as a critical habitat to protect its rich biodiversity, officials said.

Mayor Alexander Bryan Reganit said the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) has designated Dakeol Forest in Barangay Batian as a critical habitat in line with Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.

EAGLES/PAGE 7

concretized via an equity acquisition in power generation facility owned by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Vivant stated that, in tandem with its subsidiary firm Amberdust Holding Corporation (AHC), they will be acquiring 90-percent of the outstanding shares of the

Bukidnon Power Corporation (BPC) and North Bukidnon Power Corporation.

The majority shares purchase will require Vivant to pay P205,539,482.54 to seller BPC; and another P228,282,140.96 for the shareholdings of North Bukidnon Power. The two firms are owned by the lawmaker, whose family and vast properties are in EXPANDS/PAGE 7

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Local DILG-10: Harmonized regulations eases travels in the country T O harmonize, standardize and obtain uniform travel requirements to give ease of travel to locals, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) created a technical working group for the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) to come up with the necessary resolution for local government units (LGUs).

The TWG targets to streamline local regulations for domestic travel as well as recommend best options to encourage domestic travel for leisure to revive the heavily-hit travel and tourism sector and related industries while managing the risks of COVID-19 transmission.

“Hopefully this (travel

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regulations) will come out soon para dili na malibog ang atong gabyahe (so travelers won't be confused) at the same time this is also part of the efforts for us to recover from the adverse effects of COVID-19,” DILG10 Regional Director Arnel Agabe said during the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force Press Conference, February 26.

DILG further added that placing the entire country under one quarantine classification would allow the department to harmonize the fragmented travel regulations across the country.

To ensure a standardized travel regulation, Agabe said the department also conducted a survey to determine travel requirements necessary to contain the spread of

COVID-19.

The department also saw the urgent need to remove redundancy in domestic tourist travel requirements and impose less stringent requirements through managing the health risks using other means.

Agabe said they have coordinated with the LGUs through the local leagues in coming up with the travel regulations citing that there is a need to help the economy recover from the losses that come with implementing quarantine restrictions.

Based on the reports of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), since March 2020, there is already a total income loss of P1.04 trillion in the country. (RTP/PIA10)

BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL National Highway Balingasag, Barangay 4, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Mobile Number/s: 0933-823-3161, 0933-823-3304 Tel. Number: 333-5161 CAGAYAN DE ORO P&J Lim Building, Tiano Kalambagohan St., Barangay 14, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel No. (08822) 727-829 / 231-6629 Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0933-823-3303 / 0943-708-7065 CAGAYAN DE ORO WAREHOUSE Warehouse 7, Bonbon Road, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Mobile No. 0917-825-4149 / 0943-708-7065 CARMEN, CAGAYAN DE ORO Vamenta Blvd., fronting CEPALCO, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 233-2011 Mobile No. 0933-823-3159 CORRALES, CDO Corrales Ave., Barangay 29, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 231-2055

DIVISORIA, CDO A. Velez St., Barangay 9, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0917-841-4000 / 0933-823-3164 GINGOOG CITY G/F Wyne Militante Bldg., Lugod St., Barangay 22, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 861-0104 Mobile No. 0933-823-3168 LAPASAN, CDO National Highway (FICCO Bldg.), Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 231-6739 Mobile No. 0933-823-3160 PUERTO, CDO Purok 6, Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 859-0574 Mobile No. 0943-708-7537 CAMIGUIN B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Telefax No. (088) 387-0491 Mobile No. 0943-708-7539

DILG-10 Regional Director Arnel Agabe says during the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force Press Conference, February 26, that DILG created a technical working group for the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) to come up with the necessary resolution for local government units (LGUs). (DILG 10)

Marawi rehab on track, IDPs get permanent houses TASK Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) on Thursday handed over permanent housing units to some 109 families affected by the May 2017 siege in Marawi City.

In his ground visit, TFBM chairperson Secretary Eduardo del Rosario led the distribution of "permanent house ownership certificates" of the Marawi Resettlement Site and Permanent Houses (Phase 1) in Barangay West Dulay.

Each two-story house, built on a 100-squaremeter lot, has a floor area

of 42 square meters and is equipped with a toilet and bathroom, a kitchen, basic lighting, and outlets as well as a sewage piping system.

The task force assured the subdivision-like resettlement is with electric and water supplies.

Del Rosario, also the country's housing czar, said the turnover activity of permanent housing units to internally displaced persons (IDPs) symbolizes the government's commitment to pushing Marawi's full recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

"The government, through the TFBM, remains steadfast in helping our Maranao brothers and sisters affected by the 2017 siege rebuild their lives in coordination with the implementing agencies and partner-organizations like UN-Habitat," he said.

He said the housing units would also secure the IDPs' health safety amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

According to the TFBM, the permanent shelters were constructed on a 1.8-hectare land provided and developed

by Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).

In collaboration with the task force's 56 implementing agencies, the permanent housing project was built under United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) through its Community-Driven Shelter and Livelihood Project with a $10-million grant from the Japanese government.

"Having a house that the IDPs can now call their own is part of our commitment to ensuring Marawi’s overall REHAB/PAGE 7

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BFAR suspends all balsa operations in MisOr T

By MARK FRANCISCO

HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 10 has suspended the operations of all floating cottages in Misamis Oriental, commonly called as balsa.

In a recent press conference, BFAR 10 director Teodoro Bacolod reported that most of the 50 balsas anchored off

Laguindingan and Alubijid have caused significant damage to the corals there.

"Major problems encountered were the deployment of mooring systems on coral reef areas and the utilization of corals as an alternative anchor of floating cottages," Bacolod said.

To balance the ecological and human well-being

Global Filipino Schools

By SAM MANLANTAO

GLOBAL Filipino Schools is a hear twarming and w e l c o m e i n i t i at i v e by Mitsubishi Corporation, Ay a l a Fou n d at i on an d Globe. Together, the three organizations renovate an existing classroom in public elementary schools all over the country and convert it into an airconditioned laborator y complete with more than a dozen computers all connected to high-speed Internet for elementary students to use.

For Mitsubishi C or p or at i on e nv i s i ons the creation of a model ICT school or a center of excellence which features a balanced mix of capacity building, infrastructure and replicability. At the end of the day, a Global Filipino School intends to

showcase what education merged with apt technology can do to ultimately uplift the community. So why will the community benefit from this? It’s because the students who come from a Global Filipino School will become our leaders 20 years from now. Hence, the community will benefit with this initiative by Mitsubishi Corporation.

At t h i s e a r l y, t h e community will also be encouraged to sustain quality in its educational system – whether at the local, regional or even national level. It w i l l e n g a g e e du c at i on stakeholders from both private and government sectors and make them more responsible in improving the quality of education all over the country.

through good governance, the bureau is advising the local government unit (LGU) to temporarily suspend the operations of floating cottages "balsa" in their respective area of jurisdictions.

Bacolod noted that the Laguindingan seascape has been named the cleanest coastline in the Philippines

by BFAR itself only last year and it must be kept that way.

"In order to resume the operations of floating cottages, you must secure a letter of no objection from BFAR. However, an assessment is needed to be done by the bureau prior to the issuance of

the letter in areas where the float cottages have damaged coral reefs or seagrass beds, a thorough assessment will be done to determine the damage and recommendation of an appropriate location," Bacolod added.

The move however is expected to be a big blow to local tourism, already fragile from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The operations of floating cottages became one of the rising local tourist atractions in Region 10 late last year, only months after BFAR's Malinis at Masaganang Awards winners were announced.

BFAR 10 director Teodoro Bacolod Jr. (pictured at left) reports in a press conference today that the balsa businesses in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental have caused significant damage to the corals there. At right is regional fisheries laboratory chief Rey Eduardo Hojas. photo by mark francisco

PhilHealth has already liquidated P744-M of alleged missing fund in R10

By MARK FRANCISCO

Newly installed PhilHealth regional vice president Orlando Iñigo speaks during the Talakayan sa PIA last week at SM City Cagayan de Oro. philippine information agency photo

THE state-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has already liquidated 96 percent or P744 million here in Northern Mindanao from the total P15-billion fund nationwide that was allegedly missing from government coffers.

In a recent Talakayan sa PIA last week, newly

installed PhilHealth regional vice president Orlando Iñigo reported that this is just one of his priorities upon assuming office.

Another is reimbursing expenses incurred by local government units (LGUs) in admitting COVID-19 patients into their isolation facilities.

FUND/PAGE 7

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Best policy Think a minute . . . A survey was given to thousands of people: 91% said they regularly tell lies and 50% call in to their jobs saying they are sick when they’re not. In fact, over half of all stealing from stores and businesses is done by their own employees. One survey question was: “What are you willing to do for $10 million?” 25% of the people said they would leave their spouse and children, and 7% said they would murder a stranger for $10 million. So in a crowd of 1000 people, there are 70 people who would kill you for $10 million. Think about it!

I asked myself: How much like those average people am I? Have I lied to my family or friends?

Stolen from my workplace?

Have I cheated in school or on my taxes? Broken any of my promises? If I was guaranteed I could get away with anything I wanted, what would I do?

A famous writer said: “Honesty is like art: you have to draw the line somewhere.”

The problem is who draws the line? Do I decide to

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST draw it myself wherever I want? Does the line change with each situation I’m in? Unfortunately, lying, cheating, even stealing, come rather naturally to us. We do whatever it takes to sur vive and succeed, because we believe the lie that this is the only way to get ahead. That is how confused and wrong we have become. “Honesty is the best policy—but sadly there are few policyholders.”

We think it’s just a small white lie or cheap thing that we stole; but soon being dishonest b e comes our way of doing things. Yet no matter how much money and status we gain, we end POLICY/PAGE 7

under the sun. Politically, I have generally held back.

Why? Why should I meddle in things I don't understand?

Hold on! Don't get me w rong! I have my ow n opinion regarding - as I said earlier - anything under the sun. In this time, many writers and dear columnist friends overturn themselves with different opinions.

Pe o p l e h a v e c h a n g e d .

Accepting others' opinions is almost impossible. Many times, socalled "shitstorms" followed. Fortunately, I have been spared this until now.

It is also not my intention

to start any war with my opinion.

But, it hurts me ver y much how p eople have changed so negatively no matter where on ear th.

One thing is as clear as the Amen following every single prayer in church.

This pandemic has changed all of us and maybe I'll be one of them.

While I am writing my biography, I keep diving b ack into t he world of yesterday. If not, how could I write about my past. Was really ever ything much better than it is today? I

leave the answer to you my dear readers. Because one thing is certain: we're all in the same boat. It is up to each and every one of us how to cope with the present time.

I have at f i rst G o d.

Secondly, my family in the Philippines. And you? +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin or take a look at www. germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Muntinlupa City @ 26

JOE PALABAO Vice President for Marketing ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, PhD Vice President for Finance

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A columnist in pandemic times

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IGNACIO BUNYE Muntinlupa City which is turning 26 today will mark the milestone event with subdued ceremony where Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi is expected to lay down plans for the recovery of the city.

March 1, 1995 marked the day when President Fidel V. Ramos signed the city charter conferring on the former 5th class municipality the status of a highly urbanized city. This writer became Muntinlupa’s first city mayor while Fresnedi became its first city vice mayor. The early period of cityhood was marked by rapid strides in city governance, health, education and welfare programs but was tempered by several

tumultuous attempts by rebels to unseat the Cory Aquino government.

As o f t h i s w r i t i n g , Fresnedi is expected to roll out Muntinlupa’s recovery plan which is anchored on vaccination, economy, education and infrastucture.

We learned that the city government has already ordered 400,000 vaccine doses from Aztra Zeneca which is a little bit more than the 383,000 which the City Health Office is targeting to immunize. The lower figure is 70 per cent of the city’s population, the minimum target to achieve “herd immunity”.

In order to implement the vaccination program, the city has identified 6,758 medical front-liners from barangay health centers, emergency responders, the Ospital ng Muntinlupa and 6 private hospitals, including Asian Hospital, who can inject the vaccines. They will be organized into 82 vaccinations teams and deployed in 35 vaccination posts. They have the capability of vaccinating

8,200 individuals per day.

Fresnedi is confident that the COVID vaccine is safe. To encourage more vaccinations, he and the members of the city council, led by Vice Mayor Temy Simundac, are willing to be the very first to be vaccinated.

Simundac told this writer in jest, however, that he prefers to be vaccinated in private, because he will receive his shot in the butt.

Programs to help the most badly affected

by COVID are in place, Fresnedi said. These include continuous distribution of relief packs, zero interest loan assistance, Deliver to Recover Program Kasama ang Grab, Community Mart (in coordination with the Office of Vice President Robredo, and job fairs.

There is also TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa mga Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers - a DOLE project) in coordination with GAD (Gender and Development Office) , DRRMO (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office) and

the Office of Congressman Ruffy Biazon. Merkado sa Muntinlupa – a street market open Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help MSMEs was also launched just last week.

The city government has also distributed mobile tablets for students and laptops for public school teachers. 72,628 city scholars continued to receive their allowances.

Just ahead of Muntinlupa C i t y D a y, F r e s n e d i inaugurated the Extension of the Muntinlupa Student Center for Life Skills in Laguerta, a covered court at the Muntinlupa National High School Tunasan Annex, the Phase 1 Development of the Alabang Viaduct, and later today the Cupang Health Center.

A few days ago, Fresnedi led the inauguration ceremony of Phase 1 of the Development of Alabang Viaduct, an initiative of the National Government through its “Green, Green, Green” program.

Fresnedi thanked the D e p ar t me nt of Bu d ge t MUNTINLUPA/PAGE 7

How did the Davao IP kids get to Cebu?

THE so-called Human Rights watchdogs are smarting over the rescue of the minor children of the indigenous tribes who were traced by welfare authorities in the San Carlos University Talamban campus. In Cebu.

The 19 indigenous people (IP) children, all in their teens, are very impressionable.

How they were able to travel to Cebu and herded in an unlikely territory for indigenous children is a whodunit quest.

T h i s m ay l o o k l i ke something odd to Western countries that are ignorant of the ethnic culture of our indigenous tribes and therefore will be inveigled to send donations to panhandling non-government organizations who parade as champions of rights of the down-trodden. It is simply incomprehensible and unimaginable for a minor, a child of an Ata-Manobo family from the remote mountain town of Talaingod, Davao del Norte, to travel by land and sea and find their way in the university campus in Cebu.

Really? Will the HRW of Cebu and its phalanx of legal advisers file charges against the government authorities who rescued them from what appears to be an indoctrination camp?

If I know Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. he’d say, “bring it on”.

The C ebu camp is no different from other religious-run quarters in Davao City called HARAN. Because it is operated by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and allied churches the government maintained a hands-off policy.

Haran, is likened to biblical accounts as a place serving as a temporary shelter. The modern-day Haran, however, is fraught with mystery and suspicion.

UCCP and a human rights front called Pasaka had herded hundreds of indigenous peoples in the center. They came from Davao del Norte, Agusan, Cotabato and Bukidnon.

Their statement released to foreign media alleged that the indigenous people fled their ancestral domain because of

“militarization”, harassment and violence.

But why herd them in Davao City? If they have gripes, why don’t they ait these in their respective local governments? There is only one plausible answer. Davao City is not only the trading and commercial center in Mindanao, it is also the communications center. Here you have television, radio, and newspaper establishments. If your purpose is propaganda and other covert agenda, do it in Davao City and you get ample coverage aired domestically and internationally.

We have s e en t hes e innocent people participating i n l e f t - i nspi re d r a l l i e s parading in the main streets of Davao City. They are carrying the usual anti-government propaganda - placards a d steamers in flaming red. They were mostly kids. You see the innocence in their faces as they look in awe and wonder at tall buildings. At times they smile in glee and laugh at each other showing their beetle-nut tinted teeth and ignorant of the fact that they

LETTERS FROM DAVAO

JUN LEDESMA are used as props. Their faces and the screaming placards later would later be seen in photos and videos that would land in media outlets worldwide, and, who knows some feasibility studies are later crafted and sent to donor foundations in Europe, the USA, and Canada for funding.

The UCCP Haran in Davao was later ordered closed when IP leaders from various provinces learned that their children and kin were herded in the center and sought their respective local government authorities to rescue them. In the probe that followed, the kids revealed that they had been wanting to go home to their parents KIDS/PAGE 7

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Yumminess meets style at Uptown Frappe and Milktea

By MARK FRANCISCO

Developments in IT education cascade to high school students

By SAM MANLANTAO

AS a TLE teacher, I am happy of the developments of the ICT industry in our country.

I am confident that many of our junior high school students in our school will opt the tech-voc track once they get to senior high this June.

The two-year tech-voc track will ultimately entice students to 1) go on working in the ICT industry, 2) get an NC II certification first before working or 3) go to college and take an ICTrelated course. In Cagayan de Oro City, there are two techvoc institutions and there are seven universities and colleges offering ICT courses.

The tech-voc institutions are Informatics and Vineyard Polytechnic College while the

institutions of higher learning of fer ing ICT programs are COC-Phinma, Xavier University, Liceo de Cagayan University, Capitol University, SPC, MUST and STI. There is a big attraction right now for employers in the ICT industry to gobble up our fresh graduates. The challenge now is for the industry and the academe to match their respective expectations.

The graduates will be better equipped and their skills and talents enhanced once they receive training which is what exactly what the industry needs. The ICT industry is a very flexible one wherever you go. That is why academic syllabuses must be flexible too.

RESIDENTS at Vista Verde, Xavier Heights and nearby villages can now rejoice even more with the opening of the aptly named Uptown Frappe and Milktea.

Located along Masterson Avenue just in front of Vista Verde in uptown Cagayan de Oro, Uptown Frappe and Milktea has a wide range of milktea choices from strawberry and wintermelon to black sugar and cream cheese milktea, matcha, rock salt

and cheese, cookies & cream, Oreomate cheese as well as banana and mango smoothies.

Pair these drinks with cheesy poutine with gravy and other yummy delights.

Uptown Frappe and Milktea is the brainchild of Miss Silka Northern Mindanao 2018 Ma. Reshia Mae Go who has decided to ride on the milktea craze but with a twist.

Her offerings are more delicious and affordable than other competitors. (I MILKTEA/PAGE 6

Holcim Philippines announces new President and CEO Leading cement maker, Holcim Philippines has announced today the appointment of Mr. Horia Adrian, as the new President and CEO of Holcim Philippines effective March 1, 2021.

Horia Adrian is formerly the CEO of Romania and Market Head Emerging Europe. He joined LafargeHolcim in 2000 and has successfully held various management roles, including CEO roles for Russia, Eastern Europe & CIS and Middle

East. He also managed the LafargeHolcim Group’s Business Transformation.

He succeeds John Stull who, following a remarkable performance as the CEO of Holcim Philippines for three years will be pursuing another role within the LafargeHolcim Group.

Horia Adrian said: “It is an honor to be appointed as the new President and CEO of Holcim Philippines. The business in the Philippines HOLCIM/PAGE 6

Effectiveness of assessment in modular distance learning modality

By REYNALDO MAGAN Principal Lagonglong Central School Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental

IN the opening of classes, the printing of modules, the distribution of modules and retrieval of modules are all done by parents or guardians.

Thus, they are the facilitators of learning of their respective children. So when you assess the performance of learners, it heavily depends on the capacity of the parents.

Thus, monitoring how their children fare must be strictly implemented by DepEd. Already, there is a massive dropout rate among learners.

And even though learners have not formally dropped out of class, they rarely show up in online classes or submit their class requirements. For me, it is an alarming scenario having a high proportion of learners who are unprepared for the next schooling level. If this becomes the case, an entire

school year will end up being a waste of time and resources.

This is where assessment plays a crucial role which must also identify areas where learners struggle so they can be targeted in remedial programs. Already, there is a rollout of assessment tests covering Filipino, English and Mathematics which can be administered to learners in Grades 2 to 6. The tests aim to help educators and local school boards determine weaknesses and competencies that learners develop. We need assessment tools to determine in which aspect we must help the students.

Filipino learners are already struggling even before the coronavirus pandemic based on three global assessments: the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment, the

Southeast Asia Primar y Learning Metrics 2019 and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2019.

All three studies showed Filipino learners are struggling to master basic competencies and lagging behind their global peers.

One advantage of the new normal is that students can learn in different platforms.

There is a need to assess the effectiveness of the alternative learning modalities being used which include modular distance learning, online learning and television and radio-based instruction.

This, as teachers, students and their parents continue to worry about the health and safety as well as equitable access and quality of education under distance learning.

If interested, contact:

DANICA SUDARIA

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

6

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Eagles... from page 1

“Dakeol Forest is home to our national bird, the mighty Philippine eagle, and other plant and animal species that need to be protected,” the official said.

Vice Mayor Tito Balazon, Sr., SB presiding officer, said the Dakeol Forest plays a vital role for the local environment, which prompted the local legislators to declare it as a critical habitat to ensure the safety of flora and fauna found in its environs.

According to Balazon, the Dakeol Forest serves as home to several species such as the red lauan, wild orchids, ferns, insects, bats, monkeys and birds, including the endangered Philippine eagle.

Balazon said the municipal council officially declared Dakeol Forest as a critical habitat in December, a copy of which was obtained by MindaNews this week.

The municipal government already endorsed to the Department of Environment and Natural Res ources (DENR) the declaration of Daekol Forest as a critical habitat.

The DENR needs to issue a Department Administrative Order (DAO) that will formally recognize Dakeol Forest as critical habitat.

As of this month, there are nine declared critical habitats across the country issued with a DENR-DAO, data from the agency showed.

In a statement, Environment S ecret ar y Roy Cimatu said the DAO will help the DENR work hand-in-hand with the local government, communities and other stakeholders involved in accomplishing the locally-driven ecosystems management approach.

Last November, DENR’s Community Environment and Natural Res ources Office (CENRO) stationed in nearby Kiamba town reported the sighting of a juvenile Philippine eagle in Sitio Angko, Barangay Batian.

An assessment by the Davao City-based Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) showed that the juvenile raptor was 10 months to a year old and believed to be the offspring of Sarangani Pride, a Philippine eagle that was rescued in Barangay Batian and released back to the wild in 2017.

Conservationists monitor the movements of Sarangani Pride through a harnessed solar-powered Global Positioning SystemGlobal System for Mobile Communications or GPSGSM transmitter.

Last month, another Philippine eagle was rescued in Maitum’s Barangay Ticulab

after it was trapped in rattan vines after preying on a monkey.

Eaglet “Sarangani Pride” in Maitum, Sarangani.

Photo courtesy of Edgardo Calderon of CENRO Kiamba for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE Edgar Calderon, team leader and park maintenance foreman of the CENROKiamba, said that together with personnel from the PEF and the Maitum local government, they scoured Dakeol Forest last year to monitor the raptor’s nesting sites in the area.

Weighing as much as eight kilograms, the Philippine eagle is considered the top predator of the country’s tropical rainforest.

The eagle “plays an important role in keeping the ecosystem in balance and provides an umbrella of protection to all other life forms in its territory,” Jayson Ibañez, PEF research and conservation director, explained earlier.

Only an estimated 400 pairs of Philippine eagles remain in the wild, landing the raptor on the “critically endangered” list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Dakeol Forest is also home to Philippine serpent eagles (Spilornis holospilus), whose population trend is classified as “decreasing.”

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Upt ow n Fr app e an d Milktea is also available on delivery via its Facebook or Instagram pages. Or you can call 09750852746.

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is a significant contributor to the LafargeHolcim Group and it is truly exciting to continue the remarkable work done under John’s leadership.”

John Stull said: “It has been a privilege to have worked with the men and women of Holcim Philippines

from page 5

ICT key in Philippine education progress

By SAM MANLANTAO

THE relationship between education and ICT is unmistakable. Information and communication technology can contribute to universal access to education, equity in education, the delivery of quality learning and te aching, te achers’ professional development and more efficient education management, governance and administration.

In fact, ICT can help s t r e n g t h e n d e m o c r at i c and transparent education planning and management.

Communications

Parents as Facilitators in Modular Learning JAY-ANN BAWA-CARACOL Teacher 1 Cauyonan Integrated School

Mo d u l a r l e a r n i n g m o d a l i t y i s competency-based then detailed and there are parts or activities for the children to read and answer.

If your child/children learned independently prior to the pandemic, this is ideal because there is a lot of reading and activities to do.

Parents supervision is needed because there are 10 subjects in each grade level.

But under a modular setup, there are only two subjects are given per day.

Modular learning modality is effective

because parents can focus more on their kids. Modular approach to teaching enables the learner to have control over his/her learning and accepts greater responsibility for learning. It demands greater maturity on the part of the learner.

The modules are more appropriate for more mature students.

This refers to a learning delivery modality where learning takes place between the teacher and the learners who are geographically remote from each other during instruction. This

modality has three types: Modular Distance Learning (MDL), Online Distance Learning (ODL), and TV/ Radio-Based Instruction.

Involves individualized instruction that allows learners to use self-learning modules (SLMs) in print or digital format/electronic copy, whichever is applicable in the context of the learner, and other learning resources like Learner’s Materials, textbooks, activity sheets, study guides and other study materials.

Developing Life-Long Learners in the New Normal VICENTE LUMAYNO VILLARIN, JR. Jugan Elementary School Jugan, Consolacion, Cebu

The far-ranging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been felt across different fields of the society. Normal course of business becomes momentarily inapplicable as new stringent measures such as minimum health protocols like social distancing and wearing of face masks are put in place to curb the possible transmission of the deadly new corona virus. People are advised to stay away from activities which would invite congregation of crowd so as to reduce the number of infections recorded each day. The previous way of life that we have been used to was gone and it was replaced by what they call as new normal.

The education sector, like any other field, is neither impervious nor immune to the threat of the global pandemic and the changes posed by the new normal. The normal mode of delivery of instruction which is the in- person learning commonly known as face to face learning needs to be altered due to the danger of having the learners contract the virus while attending classes. Although academic freeze was advocated by some groups before, it was also discarded as it is counterproductive in the sense that it will deprive continuity of learning to the learners.

The Department of Education, being

the constitutionally mandated agency, that is tasked to manage the public school system of the country, looks for alternative ways to continue its services to the people. Through the consultation with the various stakeholders and experts in the field of education, the Department of Education comes up with the implementation of distance learning delivery modalities through blended learning. Caroline Lawless defines blended learning as the combination of different learning delivery modalities such as online learning, digital modular learning, printed modular learning, the television-based instruction (TVi) and the radio-based instruction (RBi).

Before the roll-out of the blended learning, parents are consulted on the preferred mode of delivery of instruction and majority of the parents choose modular printed learning as compared to other learning modalities. Online learning was the least preferred of all modalities considering the fact that not all parents are able to provide the necessary gadgets on top of the woes of our internet infrastructure which as of the moment is not yet really conducive for such activity.

When the enrolment was opened, the Department of Education recorded 27.

2 million students from kindergarten to

from page 5

that showed resilience and ded icat ion to g row t he company amid the challenges.

I am truly grateful for the support given. The focus on Health, Cash and Cost strengthens the company’s position to ensure a strong comeback and capture the growth and opportunities ahead. I wish Horia and the organization all the best.”

senior high school are enrolled whose parents have expressed their desire to participate in the academic activities of the Department of Education. Majority of these enrollees comes from the public schools with 22.8 million students and 4.4 million students coming from the private schools. Our desire to bequeath the precious gift of education to our learners had paved the way for the fulfillment of one of the mission of the Department of Education which states that “family, community and other stakeholders are actively engage and share responsibility in developing life-long learners." Life-long learners can only be attained if our parents serving as home-tutors will remain steadfast to the crucial roles they are performing now. They should only guide what the students need to accomplish, and not take the matter into their hands by accomplishing the learning tasks by themselves for doing so is tantamount to depriving their children with the golden opportunity to learn. Educators should also ensure that necessary support system are in place, like providing efficient feedback mechanism for the updates of learners performance and the necessary educational supplementary materials which are essential for effective learning to happen.

technologies can expand access to learning, improve quality and ensure inclusion.

Where resources are scarce, judicious us e of op ensource materials through technologies can provide the means to bypass the b ott l e ne ck of te x t b o ok production, distribution and updating.

The dissemination and use of ICT in schools nationwide, both in the public and private sectors, has come to be seen by education policymakers as a significant opportunity.

They are attracted to the

prospect that ICT can improve student achievement, extend access to schooling, increase efficiencies and reduce costs, prepare students for lifelong learning and train them for a globally competitive workforce.

It must be emphasized that ICT plays an important role in reaching these goals.

On the other hand, over six billion people have access to a connected mobile device and for every one person who accesses the Internet from a computer to do so from a mobile device.

'Strengthening Community Partnership To Improve Parents’ Participation In The New Normal' IMELDA B. MANDAPITAN TII/SIC Cauyonan Integrated School District of Opol

Present Education system has encountered challenges delivering basic education c au s e d by C OV I D 1 9 pandemic, the whole country is holding its classes in school is compromised due to prohibitions following the implementation of the Proclamation of Health E me rge nc y and S afe t y Protocols are required to lessen the virus transmission.

It is of this context that parents/guardians play a vital role in administering t he i r ch i l d re n for t he fruitful outcome of this endeavor. Under the new normal, school personnel, parents, and stakeholder must work together for the learners to acquire the best quality education that they deserve(rac/PIA7-Siquijor).

This study is conducted to improve the parents’ participation of the module’s distribution and retrieval.

The Distance Learning delivery modality creating a problem to parent resulting to poor parents’ participation in school activity in terms of distribution and retrieval of Cauyonan Integrated School.

According to Founder and CEO Alejandro Gac-Artigas, “The COVID 19 pandemic raises awareness of lots of inequities that existed before this global crisis.

And Schools have to move mountains to ensure that students are still receiving access to education and to the

devices and connectivity they need to engage in this new normal. Despite the harsh reality of the Pandemic we are experiencing right now, we Filipinos have a unique way of finding means to survive and look at it with a different perspective. However, the Department of Education has been firm on its stand that “Learning must continue”.

Different learning modalities have been considered and make sure each will be best fit for students needs and interests in continuous learning. Due to this changes, several concerns have been raised such as “what kind of instruction will be done at home?”and “how will parents be able to manage to help their kids learn while looking for ways to earn?”

While parents are open to adjusting with the new normal setup, their concerns are valid, but parents’ have nothing to worry about because the teachers will still be facilitating the learners’ learning by being the learning consultants and ever ready to supply technical assistance to their parents’ needs in terms of modules concerns. The whole country is under the new normalcy of learning delivery modalities – the Printed Modules. The Teacher take responsibility of monitoring the progress of learners.(https://www. teacherph.com/depedlearning-delivery-modality)

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Policy... from page 4

up the biggest loser. That is why “Total honesty in little things is a really big thing.”

Don’t forget, sooner or later every one of us is going to pay for our dishonesty in life. It is impossible to es cap e! E xcept for one way. The only way to be set free from the painful penalty of your wrongs is to wholeheartedly ask Jesus to forgive you for your dishonest heart and way of living. Then, He can help you start changing to become the person of honesty, integrity and truthful character He created you to be. Just think a minute . . .

Kids... from page 4

but were “persuaded” to stay.

Pasaka and the church leaders claimed they were teaching the children in what they call “bakwit” school inside the Haran. The Regional Peace EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late CARMELO MABUGNON, who died on April 8, 2002 in Cagayan de Oro City without any will; that the said Carmelo Mabugnon at the time of his death bleft a certain real property with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-111261 situated in the Barrio of Bulua, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FOUR (104) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of CARMELO MABUGNON, in favor of CARMELA M. SALVADOR, per DOC #86; PAGE #18; BOOK #08; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ISIDRO Q. LICO. BWM: March 1, 8 & 15, 2021

DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late BENJAMIN EDUAVE BELISARIO, JR. , who died intestate on January 5, 2015 at Cagayan de Oro City, at the time of his death left a parcel of land with Tax Dec. No. G-126405 situated Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 120 square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an DEED OF ECTREA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE, and has been the subject of an DEED OF ECTREAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF SHARE, per DOC #449; PAGE #90; BOOK #45; Series of 2021, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ADONIS ARC P. GUMAHAD. BWM: Feb. 22, Mar. 1 & 8, 2021

EXTAR JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

and Order Council though did not buy their story.

We thought that Davao Haran was all there is to it until the Cebu Haran-like center was exposed.

We saw the IP kids from Cebu on Facebook when they finally boarded a plane to Davao. Their innocent faces show how eager and happy they are to be reunited with their families.

As I write this piece, I am still is askance as to how the children of the indigenous people in Talaingod, Davao del Norte found their way to Cebu. Maybe General Parlade can unravel the puzzle and the mystery. Did the kids hiked nearly 200 kilometers and swam the hostile water from Mindanao to Cebu to study at San Carlos University?

Muntinlupa...

from page 4 Management for selecting Muntinlupa as one of the recipients of the “green fund” amounting to P17.29 million. Fresnedi said the beautification of the area is a welcome development to the city’s green space and park improvement efforts.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) launched the "Green, Green, Green” program which aims to make the country's 145 cities more livable and sustainable through the development of public open spaces.

The newly constructed open space in Alabang Viaduct showcases an iconic sculpture resembling a water lily which is commonly seen near the shore of Laguna de Bay and local tributaries that empty to the lake.

Muntinlupa City Architect Don Causapin, designer of the architectural and interior design of the urban space, said the park’s center pie ce symb olizes Mu nt i n l u p a r e s i d e nt s’ strength, resourcefulness, and perseverance as water lilies are characterized as resilient plants and able to thrive and bloom no matter the extreme conditions.

Causapin hopes that the open space will uplift the spirit of the residents who will visit the area as they find beauty in the elements found within their hometown.

Muntinlupa City is among local government units in the country championing sustainability and building of open spaces as part of climate change mitigation.

In 2020, Muntinlupa represented the countr y

as one of the finalists in the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) One Planet City Challenge (OPCC). The WWF-OPCC is a global competition that recognizes cities with effective climate change action plans.

WWF lauded the city’s action plan to combat the urban heat island effect.

The organization highlights the city’s holistic approach towards sustainability including gardening initiatives, first aid trainings to equip city employees in assisting the public during particularly hot periods, climate responsive agriculture training for urban farmers, aquaponics, vertical farming, mulching and mushroom culture.

Note: You may wish to share the foregoing article via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Derails... from page 1

Cluster Eymard D. Eje said at an online briefing Wednesday.

Mr. Eje acknowledged that the start of the project is delayed.

“Masakit man pong tanggapin ay totoo pong nagkaroon ng delay (It pains me to say that we have encountered a delay),” he said.

He said the Chinese government has yet to submit its shortlist of bidders for the design-and-build package.

In January, the department said three short-listed Chinese groups had submitted bids for the consultancy contract: the China Railways Design Corp. and Guangzhou Wanan Construction Supervision Co., Ltd. Consortium; China Railway Liuyuan Group Co., Ltd.; and CCCC Railway Consultants Group Co., Ltd. “All three submitted on time, but one appeared to fail in one of the requirements indicated in the terms of reference,” Mr. Eje told BusinessWorld.

He said the company could still file a request for reconsideration.

The first phase of the Mindanao Railway project is composed of Tagum Station and Depot, Carmen Station, Panabo Station, Mudiang Station, Davao Station and Sub-depot, Toril Station, Santa Cruz Station, and Digos Station.

Mr. Eje said the department still hopes to complete a section that will allow it to claim partial operability — Carmen and Panabo stations — by March 2022.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late PRUDENCIA L. EMPALARAN, died intestate on January 3, 1994 at Lumba-Bayabas, Lanao Del Sur leaving an estate with Tax Declaration No. 0812001004455 situated at Claveria, Misamis Oriental, and has been the subject of an EXTAR JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY, filed by the heirs of PRUDENCIA L. EMPALARAN, in favor of SILVERITA M. FLORENTINO, per DOC #108; PAGE #22; BOOK #38; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. REYNALDO A. VITORILLO. BWM: Feb. 15, 22 & Mar. 1, 2021

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Expands...

Rehab...

Fund...

Bukidnon.

T h e s h a re s a l e a n d purchase agreements (SSPAs) had been sealed and signed between and among Vivant Energy, AHC, Bukidnon Power Corporation and North Bukidnon Power Corporation on February 19 this year.

As emphasized, 90-percent of the shares will be acquired by Vivant Energy; while the balance o f 1 0 - p e r c e nt w i l l b e purchased by its wholly owned subsidiary AHC. “The acquisition will contribute to the continued expansion of the business a c t i v it i e s of Vi v a nt Corporation in the Mindanao region,” the company said.

Emil Andre M. Garcia, executive vice president and COO of Vivant Energy, indicated that their foray into that Mindanao venture is being anchored on “recovery and growth of the Philippine economy, and Mindanao will play a more significant role in it.”

He added t hat t he portended economic growth in Mindanao “will require a stable and reliable power supply, which we are committed to provide.”

The North Bukidnon Power faci lity supplies 5.0-megawatt of peaking power as required in the franchise area of Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative – and that is being wheeled f rom it s bu n ke r- d i e s el generating facility in Lantapan, Bukidnon.

Vivant stress ed “the investment aims to further ensure stability and reliability of the power supply in Bukidnon province, particularly during peak hours.”

Zubiri, for his part, noted that “the acquisition and the subsequent partnership with Vivant Energy would greatly boost the efficiency of energy production for our province and the region.” Vivant said it has been pursuing strategic investment expansions, which are a good mix of brownfield and greenfield renewable energy projects; and also a combination of b ot h rene wable and conventional technologies.

rehabilitation,” said del Rosario.

The 109 IDP-families are the first batch among the Marawi residents to receive permanent shelters.

TFBM said more than 3,000 permanent shelters are now in various phases of construction.

Del Rosario's ground visit to Marawi City is part of the task force's monitoring efforts to ensure the progress of rehabilitation processes.

Amid the pandemic, del Rosario pointed out the massive rehabilitation works in Marawi City remain unhampered.

He s a i d T F B M h a s implemented double-shift measures and hiring of more workers to fast-track the completion of various infrastructure projects in the war-torn city.

Del Rosario also inspected other ongoing infrastructure projec ts, including the repair of Marawi City Jail, construction of permanent housing sites in Barangay Gadungan and Barangay Kilala as well as the construction of Datu Naga barangay hall complex, the Grand Padian Market, and the Marawi museum.

The TFBM chair reiterated t hat t he t arget proj e c t completion for Marawi rehabilitation remains on track within the scheduled timeline which is December this year. (PNA)

As of Fe br u a r y 2 3 , PhilHealth has already reimbursed P4.9 million to Region 10-based LGUs for the purpose.

Iñigo admitted that the amount is small since other LGUs opted not to adopt the 14-day mandatory isolation for admitted patients if they cleared the virus earlier.

Iñigo said they differ from Department of Health (DOH) policy which allows patients to go home once they tested negative of the coronavirus.

"It is still the LGUs' option to release their patients early. But for purposes of reimbursement, we abide by our 14-day policy," Iñigo said.

At the national level, PhilHealth reported that it will complete its liquidation of the alleged missing P15billion fund within the month.

from page 1

from page 2

from page 3

Education and industry matching

By SAM MANLANTAO

FOR any countr y, it is important that industry and education must match each other’s expectations. That is why in Cagayan de Oro, the local ICT council of the city government initiated a gettogether between the academe and leaders of the IT industry here, most notably but not limited to the BPO sector.

The BPO representatives want colleges and those offering technical courses here to allow their students to have their practicum in the industry while they are still studying. This is to make sure that students will be oriented early in real

workplaces which are not necessarily the environment they are experiencing while in the classroom and even in the field and laboratories.

The BPO sector is likewise suggesting that teachers and instructors in colleges and T VET institutions must undergo immersion in the industry so they can be updated on the trending IT events of our time which have not been introduced in the classrooms yet. Remember that IT is the most evolving sector today and a few lessons that have been imparted last semester may not anymore be relevant the next month.

8

Feature

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A Filipino inspired food cart now in Cebu

F

OR almost 6 years living a simple life in Los Angeles California-Betsy Alano, a young bubbly and smart woman, known to be the Jack of All trade both in Local & National Showbiz Scene as Co-Managing Celebrities , Directing & Doing Event Concerts on The side & PR for Local & National Politicians, has indeed proven a

marked on her field.

She was diagnosed with meningioma last 2019, a brain tumor on her left skull which affects her vision, that she is to avoid long exposure on artificial lights, and long exposure to direct sunlight, but she is slowly getting better, everything should be done moderately on her day to day life. Betsy admitted that a lot has changed on

her dynamics, after the surgery, and being more forgetful was one of the side effects, that she is needed to be reminded all of the time with her appointments & day to day to do’s. Looking back, She shared everything is different since she decided to migrate together with her daughter “Bessie” who is known to be diagnosed with severe learning disability, that in one point of betsy’s life, she never put her daughter to the lime light and has kept her personal life private.

6 years, how time flies so fast, and a lot has changed, turned Behavioral Therapist in the field of mental health she had dwelt with different clients, from pediatric to adults, from mild to severe cases.

On the other hand, Betsy together with

her partner Stephanie Payao, a local from Cebu, has influenced betsy to learned to love the Culture, Dialect and Food, and when we speak of Food, both ventured to their baby food cart business in the area of Talisay. Known as “Baba’s”-basta Baba’s Yummy sa Tummy” the hmm food cart serves a to go meals such as Bessie’s Silogs( which capture a new twist), Bochie’s Buffalo Wings( with Stephanie’s secret home style recipe)has turned to be one of the fast selling, and the Street Grilled Food which was Cebu known for, a touch of 2 of a kind woman, who both have children with special needs was indeed a Destiny. According to Betsy it’s SERENDIPITY. See and Visit Baba’s @ Deca Home 2, fronting Jopay’s Corner.