BusinessWeek Mindanao (March 22-23, 2021)

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Unemployment benefits THE Social Security System (SSS) released P31.69 billion in calamity loans to 2.12 million memberborrowers, and P1.71 billion in unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) to 136,000 claimants last year in support of government efforts to mitigate the economic shock of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on wage earners. In its report to Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission (SSC) Chairman Carlos Dominguez III, the SSS said it also released P30.47 billion in salary loans to 1.28 million members, and extended pension loans totaling P3.4 billion to 74,799 borrowers in 2020. The SSS said it saw a marked increase in the number of borrowers under its Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of calamity nationwide as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

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Don’t rush Bangsa peace transition, traders urge D Thank you for trusting us!

By NIKKI RIVERA GOMEZ, MindaNews

AVAO City — A senior executive from Mindanao’s private sector has expressed support for the extension of the transition deadline of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), saying that such additional legroom “will further contribute to economic stability in the region.”

Antonio Peralta, chair of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP)-Southern Mindanao Business Council acknowledged in a statement that the reason stakeholders have been clamoring for an extension of the transition period is to “help lay down the best foundation for governance.” Supporters of the extension of the Bangsamoro transition period for another three years stage a rally outside the

Philippine Senate in Pasay City where the Committee on Local Government was holding its first hearing on Senate Bills 2019 and 2025, which propose the rescheduling of the first election of the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Parliament from May 2022 to May 2025. Photo courtesy of Mindanao Peoples Caucus. He admitted that “the time given for this to happen is unrealistically short,” and TRADERS/PAGE 11

BUYOBOD. A buyer weighs Japanese rubyfish locally known as “buyobod” in Mabua, a fishing village in Surigao City. Buyobod sells at 200 pesos a kilo. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto

BARMM advisory council deems COVID-19 vaccination as halal By BONG S. SARMIENTO, MindaNews

Cooperativism DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said cooperatives have been a staunch partner of the agency in helping micro and small entrepreneurs grow their businesses. At the 31st anniversary of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Wednesday, Lopez said even before CDA was not yet an attached agency of DTI, it has been a partner in delivering government services to smallscale businesses, particularly in the rural areas. He added the DTI partners with cooperatives to reach micro and small enterprises for them to avail the department’s microfinancing program and shared service facility (SSF) program.

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

TABO. A familiar scene during "tabo" (market day) in Malaybalay City. photo by h. marcos c. mordeno/mindanews

KORONADAL City — The Islamic advisory council or the Darul-Ifta in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has deemed the government’s coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination drive as permissible to Islamic believers. Grand mufti (Islamic jurist) Abulhuraira Udasan,

executive director of the BARMM Darul-Ifta, issued t he religious guideline backing the government’s inoculation campaign.

“The vaccine for healing and preventive measure, in general, is lawful (halal),” he said in the guideline dated March 6. However, he noted that HALAL/PAGE 11

Power coops top 14-M customer-connections By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

DESPITE funding shortfall precipitated by the pandemic, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported that the country’s electric cooperatives (ECs) still surpassed its targeted 14 million customerconnections as of end-December last year. The government-run agency said the customer-connections had been higher by

62,905 versus target, with new EC subscribers reaching 522,905, or 14 percent more visà-vis the programmed electrification of 460,000 customers. That achievement, according to NEA Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong, “reflects the hard work and commitment of POWER/PAGE 11

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Local

Support snowballs for peace transition in Muslim Mindanao

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OTABATO City – More voices and actions have emerged in support of efforts to extend the transition deadline of the newly-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from 2022 to 2025, buoying hopes of an orderly segue into peace and prosperity in a land rent with over six decades of hostilities. Thousands of people from Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte joined a long procession over the weekend in what reports described as “the longest peace caravan in Marawi City.” The convoy – an unprecedented 9,404 vehicles strong – was organized by civil society groups calling themselves the Ranaw Confederation for Peace, One

Bangsamoro Movement, Moro Ako, and the Coalition of Moro Youth Movement. It began its route in Marawi City and then proceeded to Camp Overton in Iligan City; Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte; Malabang, Ganassi, and Masui in Lanao del Sur; and back to Marawi City. A smaller, but no less impassioned “peace caravan and rally” was earlier held in Jolo, Sulu. Online reports quote BARMM parliament deputy speaker Omar Sema as saying that the extension would “grant both parties (the BARMM and the national government) to comply with their obligations under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro particularly in the

process of normalization.” Musa Sanguila, regional coordinator of the United Religions Initiative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said such a three-year reprieve will enable concerned parties enough leeway “to (prepare to) join mainstream society.” For his part, Archie Buaya, a member of the pro-extension group Insider Mediators and an advocate for indigenous peoples, said his support reflects his concern for the various sectors within the BARMM. Last week, noted Islamic scholar Moner Bajunaid said, “2025 is only fair considering the short time it requires them to accomplish (their tasks) including the question of normalization.” The former Chancellor of the SUPPORT/PAGE 11

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

NEDA chief calls on Filipinos to register with PhilSys DAVAO City – Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua has called on the general public to register with the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys to avail of the benefits of the National ID. “I would like to take this opportunity to invite everybody to join PhilSys so that we all can avail (of ) the benefits if we have a National ID,“ Chua said in his speech during the online ceremonial kickoff event of PhilSys on Friday. He said the event showed how easy and safe it is to register with PhilSys. Chua, however, reminded the registrants to observe the minimum health protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) when they arrive at the registration centers. He said the more than 10 million registrants

who had completed the first step of the PhilSys registration last year, based on the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), were positive signs that more Filipinos embrace the initiative. Aside from Filipinos, resident aliens living in the country for good are also qualified to register with PhilSys. “One of the objectives of the National ID is gaining access to financial assistance from the government. Many of the low-income families could not access the financial assistance due to lack of a valid ID,“ Chua said. About 90 percent of the more than 10 million registrants claimed they have no bank accounts. He thanked Land Bank for making their presence available in the various registration centers to REGISTER/PAGE 11

Restoring Campus Journalism in school By: MARIAN G. SUGANOB – Teacher III Mangga ES 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

Campus journalism is a very good avenue for our pupils, for our young learners to hone their skills in writing and in journalism. This is where we develop young talents to be better watchdogs of the government soon. And yes! Campus journalism can bring a lot of advantages to every learner. Everyone can be a campus journalist. It doesn’t mean

that when you are not good in English or Filipino, then you cannot be a journalist. As long as you can write your ideas and thoughts and then you are duly guided by the journalism adviser, you can be. While some skills may seem specific to the world of journalism. It is also possible that they apply to a variety of fields. Communication, leadership, organization, time- management, accountability and ethics are just a few of the foundational concepts that students learn when involved with a student publication. The voices of the young campus journalist are of mu c h i mp o r t a n c e a n d s i g n i f i c anc e. T he y c an voice out their suggestions through editorial and feature page or opinions. And yes, they can be better considered as partners in school development and growth. Additionally, it helps and trains students to become responsible. It is said that “good leaders are good followers”. As a campus journalist, they have to lead by example. While they are able to write inspiring stories of cooperation, they have to practice what they write. To e mp o w e r p u p i l s into opinionated growing individua ls, cap able of sound decision making and a firm stand on issues they can understand at their young age, we may just see a generation of leaders who are committed to good governance and transparency. As the voice of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal suggests that “The youth is the hope of the fatherland”. And since this line, he has been right all these years.

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

NGCP reinforces smart grid journey with new central monitoring system TRANSMISSION firm National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is reinforcing its smart grid journey with its newly launched Central Control and Monitoring System (CCMS), that will enable it to remotely monitor incidents as well as the operational functions of the country’s power grid networks. The transmission company said CCMS is a technology used “to automate certain functions of the power transmission grid,” particularly at its substations. The operations kickoff of NGCP’s CCMS has been at its Cagayan de Oro and Cebu substations; and the wider aim is to expand it to the company’s other 21 substations all over

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CorporateWorld

the country until 2025. That recent development and project completion in its two main substations, according to NGCP, is “part of ongoing efforts to improve power transmission capabilities and bring the country closer to running on a smart grid.” As explained, the CCMS consists of real-time monitoring software and hardware “to be used for the acquisition, collection, centralized monitoring and analysis of power data and equipment condition.” NGCP emphasized that through the new control and monitoring system, it will be able to “remotely operate unmanned substations,” that in turn could result in improved operational NGCP/PAGE 11

Alsons posts sizeable income climb in 2020

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LCANTARAled firm Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR) was among the very few companies that financially flourished last year despite the economic assault of the Covid-19 pandemic – with the company practically doubling its full year net-income to P1.87 billion from a leaner P974 million in 2019. The scale of earnings attributable to parent firm was also thriving at P325 million as against P148 million in the previous year.

The Alcantara firm mainly attributed its significant income growth to “the full operation of its power plants,” – primarily the second unit of 105-megawatt capacity of its 210MW Sarangani coal-fired power plant in Mindanao that reached full commercial operation in the latter part of 2019. On the top line, ACR further stated that its consolidated revenues had escalated to P9.47 billion last year from a relatively weaker outcome of P6.80 billion in 2019. As emphasized by ACR Executive Vice President

Tirso G. Santillan, “our power facilities have continued to dispatch power to our customers in order to ensure that the people of Mindanao have access to reliable and steady supply of electricity in these difficult times.” Given the strapping financial performance it delivered last year, the ACR executive emphasized that the company will be in a good position to pursue its expansion projects, which will then underpin its targeted investment portfolio growth. “This year will see us continuing to pursue

our new power projects in Sarangani province, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte and Negros Occidental,” Santillan stressed, in reference to the array of thermal and hydropower projects that the firm will be advancing to implementation phases. “This is our own contribution to the economic recovery of our country by helping create new jobs and stimulate the local economies in these areas,” he stressed. Alsons Power is already at the construction stage of INCOME/PAGE 10

PH fintech allots P3-B revolving credit for MSMEs FIRST Circle, a Philippine-based financial technology (fintech) firm, is allotting PHP3 billion as revolving credit for small-scale businesses, a company official said on Thursday. In a statement, First Circle vice president for external relations Benedict Carandang said they target to help at least 10,000 micro, small, and medium

enterprises (MSMEs) access its revolving credit offer, which was only available before to large companies. This works like a credit card, wherein a user can borrow up to the set credit limit. The company said MSMEs who were previously underserved by financial institutions can now avail a credit limit of up to PHP5

million and can draw down from anytime for a term of up to six months. “This challenge in financial inclusion inspired and pushed the team to innovate and find ways to deliver financial inclusion to those who need it the most using technology,” Carandang said. First Circle said it recognizes the challenge for MSMEs to access

loans from banks as most of them cannot provide formal documentation and collateral requirements. In 2018, First Circle partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry to provide loans for MSMEs. To date, the fintech firm has provided PHP4.5 billion worth of loans to 6,000 small and medium enterprises. (PNA)

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Opinion

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BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO ALLAN MARIO MEDIANTE Vice President for Corporate Affairs RUFINO T. MAGBANUA Vice President for Business Development VICENTE C. DELA VICTORIA Vice President for Operations JOE FELICILDA Vice President for Administration JOE PALABAO Vice President for Marketing ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, PhD Vice President for Finance MIKE BAÑOS Vice President for Digital

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CLIFFORD SANTILLAN

THE recent alarming upsurge of COVID 19 in the country, the very slow arrival of approved vaccines and the consequent delay in the implementation of the vaccination program have left many Filipinos clutching at straws in search of speedy relief. News reports indicate that the Philippines may see 8,000 new COVID 19 cases daily by end of March with “serious surge” noted in NCR, and “very high” attack rates in Pasay, Makati, Navotas, and Santiago, Isabela. Worse, at the current pace, former DOH chief Esperanza Cabral estimates it will take 12 years to inoculate 70 million Filipinos! The speedy arrival of the vaccines will no doubt ease the concern of citizens. So, Senator Panfilo Lacson is asking: With all the loans that the country has obtained to purchase them, where are the vaccines?

LETTERS FROM DAVAO

Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

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Castaway Think a minute . . . You may have heard the famous true story of the Mutiny on the Bounty. English sailors rebelled against their captain, William Bligh, in the South Pacific. They took control of his ship and put him and his few loyal men adrift on a small row boat out in the middle of the vast Pacific. These rebel sailors knew that they had committed one of the worst crimes possible with the punishment of death. So they escaped to a lonely island named Pitcairn. There they sank their own ship to hide from the world for the rest of their lives. Less than 20 years later only one of those rebel sailors was still alive. Their little island paradise had become a living hell. They had fought so much among themselves that they killed each other one-by-one. When the last Bounty mutineer was finally discovered he had completely changed. Instead of the alcoholic thief and murderer he had been, he was now a gentle, loving father. The British government was so impressed by the change in this old rebel sailor that

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST instead of executing him they pardoned him for his horrible crimes. What happened to completely change the heart and character of that drunken rebel and criminal? He had become so depressed and miserable from all the fighting and killing of his former shipmates that he became a hopeless alcoholic. Finally, one day he was prepared to kill himself when he came across Captain Bligh’s old Bible. He began to read about God’s mercy and love for him, so he asked Jesus to forgive Him and help him start changing. From that day forward he was a different man. CASTAWAY/PAGE 11

The desperation of many Filipinos is reflected in the ongoing “debate” in my Viber Group, consisting of my former Ateneo classmates. The issue is whether alternative remedies should be explored. The debate centers on the use of Ivermectin. Ivermectin is a drug under the Essential Medicines List of both the Philippine FDA and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, it must be emphasized that it was approved as an anti-parasitic VETERINARY medicine. The use of NONV E T E R I NA RY grade Ivermectin, according to the PRO GROUP, has been endorsed by the British Ivermectin Recommendation Development (BIRD) panel. BIRD reportedly recommends Iv e r m e c t i n “t o re du c e morbidity and mortality associated with COVID 19 infection and to prevent

COVID 19 infection among those at higher risk.” The PRO Group also cites the experiment of Dr. Allan Landrito, a fellow Muntinlupeño and relative, who is a front-liner in the City Health Department of Muntinlupa. Dr. Landrito reportedly has given it since May 2020 to approximately 8,000 patients and “nobody has died yet.” Nothing to lose and everything to gain, said a member of the Viber Group, who was among 25 per cent who have already placed orders for Ivermectin. Moreover, the vaccine is already available in the Philippines on a prescription basis. Another classmate whose family owns a medical laborator y said: “ The inventor of Ivermectin was given a Nobel Prize for medicine. Ivermectin is in the Top 3 best drugs ever invented, after penicillin and

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE aspirin.” Doctors in our Viber group, however, are more cautious. Check first with your personal physician before taking Ivermectin. And so I did. My p hy s i c i a n , D r a . Lourdes Dorian-Diaz, has previously cleared me and members of my family to avail of Astra Zeneca or Moderna which are included in the Ayala Vaccine Immunization Plan (AVIP). Dra. Diaz, who is the OPTION/PAGE 10

Beware of elixir of fame, Pacman

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

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JUN LEDESMA SENATOR Manny Pacquiao has been going around recently in what he asserts as a way to help those in need. There is nothing wrong with that. Manny, the legendary boxing hero is known to be generous to his friends. His sudden and recent act of charity, however, is tainted with politics. He has been named acting president of PDP-LABAN and is making the rounds of the country which fuels speculations he

is vying to run for President in 2022. Boxing is one thing, running a country is another. I think the Pacman has enough gray matters between his ears that could trigger him to think that the Presidency is not his cup of tea. He thinks that governing a country is nothing different from running a barangay. It’s like thinking if he wins eight different boxing titles why can’t he win as President. In real life, Manny won several local government elective posts including his incumbency as Senator. He forgot, moreover, that those posts are so small to return a debt of local and national gratitude for bringing honors to the country as a victorious pugilist. But the Presidency? My mother-in-law would tell him: “Ano ka hilo (Are you dizzy)?”

Does he want more than being President of PDPLaban which has yet to be confirmed by the ruling party in a Convention? Did not somebody advise him that being President of the party does not mean he is going to be the standard-bearer of the party too? Aside from the Korean noodle cups as his way of demonstrating his affection for the poor, several billboards endorsing him as President have sprouted overnight. And then quietly, too , Pacquiao unceremoniously replaced Manny Lumanao the Regional Chairman of PDP-Laban in Caraga with Johnny Pimentel. Does Manny Pacquiao have the authority to do so? My gosh, he is like a bull rampaging in a china shop! What is the boxing icon up to? Was there something

in his subconscious that suddenly perked him up to think that “pang-Presdente na siya?” Recall that some time ago in November 2016, fresh from his successful bid to regain the welterweight belt, he proceeded to Malacanang to pay a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte. The moment they came faceto-face, Duterte raised his hands and to humor, the Pacman said, “Pang Presidente na ito ah”. I admire Manny Pacquiao, his life story, his virtues. Like all Filipinos, we all put him on a pedestal of fame as the greatest Filipino icon in the world of boxing. The Presidency? It’s entirely another story. Beware of the elixir that may come with your quest for a higher post. As in the tales of yore, it might come from the wily enemy.

10 ways to get the most out of your doctor's appointment Every patient's experience is unique. And no two visits to a doctor's office are the same. That said, taking a few steps ahead of time will make your visit as stress free and productive as possible. Whether you're going in for a yearly physical at one of our primary care clinics or meeting with a new specialist to treat a complex condition, here's how to make the most of your appointment. 1. Follow any sp e cific instructions you receive. Your doctor or clinic may give you specific instructions about how to prepare for your appointment, what to provide ahead of time and what to bring. For some visits, you may need to bring medical records, family histor y materials or test results. Read any instructions carefully, and if you receive them over the phone or face to face, take notes. You can always contact the clinic directly to confirm that

everything is in order for your upcoming visit. 2. Bring your insurance card and a photo ID. We may need to confirm your health coverage at the appointment. 3. Make a list. The actual time in a doctor's office can go quickly, and unless you're prepared, it's easy to overlook things you were hoping to cover. So, spend a little time beforehand considering what you want to get out of your appointment. Think about the questions you want to ask your doctor. Think about your health goals. Think about information you want to be sure your doctor knows. Write these things down, and bring the list with you. Keep in mind: A concise list is more helpful than a very long list of your priorities. 4. Bring your medications and supplements. On your list should be the medications and supplements

you take, including exact names and doses – but it's probably simpler to bring the bottles with you. Be sure to account for everything you take, even over-the-counter drugs and supplements. That means vitamins, painkillers, antacids and so on. Your medical provider needs to know about these because many substances can alter the effectiveness of medications a doctor might prescribe. 5. Ask a friend or family member to join you. We don't all have someone who can accompany us to appointments, but if you do, consider the benefits. A friend or family member can listen, take notes and advocate for you (if that's something you want). 6. Arrive early. Whether you come by car or take public transportation, traffic can be tough. Also, you may need to complete paperwork when you arrive

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

at the clinic. Expect delays, and allow plenty of time to get here and get settled. 7. Expect to have some free time. Even if you're not anticipating a long day, it's worthwhile to prepare for one. Depending on the reason for your visit, you may need to see more than one health care provider, or you may need to go for tests and wait for results. So, pack snacks, bring a book and load up your WAYS/PAGE 10

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

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Banking&Finance

BSP hikes BOP surplus forecast to $6.2-B

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XPECTATIONS for an economic recovery, buoyed by optimism on the Philippines’ coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination program, made monetary authorities revise further the balance of payment (BOP) surplus projection this year. As of the first quarter of this year, BSP’s BOP surplus projection for this year amounts to USD6.2 billion, higher than the USD3.3-billion surplus projection last December but lower than the USD16billion surplus in endDecember 2020.

“This is consistent with the expected higher current account surplus and lower anticipated outflows in the financial account,” BSP Department of Economic Research managing director Zeno Ronald Abenoja said during a virtual briefing aired over the central bank’s Facebook page Friday. BOP is a measure of a country’s total monetary transactions with the rest of the world in a certain period. BSP’s latest current account (CA) forecast is USD9.1 billion, higher than the USD6.1 percent

last December. Last year, the CA posted a USD13-billion surplus, the highest since 2013 according to monetary authorities. Abenoja attributed the upward revision in the CA projection to a broadbased recovery in exports and imports. To date, goods exports are expected to grow by 8 percent, higher than the 5-percent forecast earlier. Goods imports growth projection was revised to 12 percent from 8 percent last December. On the other hand, the financial account is projected to post a lower

surplus of USD4 billion from USD4.4 billion last December. The end-2020 figure was a deficit of USD5.8 billion. The remittance growth forecast was kept at 4 percent for this year

STATES-owned Landbank of the Philippines (Landbank) has allocated PHP15 billion for lending to hog raisers to help address supply issues partly caused by the

By: RISSA A. TAPE Teacher I Ignacio Tan Memorial Integrated School

Due to the incredible resilience and determination, educators were quick to adapt to the new normal. Instructors and educators have had to upskill themselves almost overnight to adjust to the new models of teaching and be innovative, ensuring that learning remains accessible to students even in the current circumstances. Educators need to design assessment and grading system and think on their purposes and priorities. Encouraging student learning in the best and not just let students be

account at USD5.2 billion surplus; and the financial account, USD2.5-billion surplus. Exports are expected to also post a lower growth of 6 percent and imports by 10 percent. (PNA)

Landbank keen on hiking fund for SWINE loan program

Importance of Innovative Teaching in the New Normal As educators gear with the “new normal” set-up in this coronavirus pandemic, this is the appropriate time to use the discomfort to forge new paradigm. This is now the time for schools to ensure that teachers do not just translate what they do inside the classroom into their online teaching. Teachers should be innovative to teach this new normal. But being not only an issuer of educational content but a master curator of learning resources and students should be up for an exciting learning process.

but gross international reserves (GIR) projection was hiked to USD114 billion from USD106 billion earlier. For 2022, BOP is seen to post a lower surplus of USD3.8 billion, the current

accountable for their own learning. Mentors must think that in times of remote learning, continuous feedback from students on their learning can help them reflect on their strength. As teaching and learning become more personalized, educators need to come up with innovative teaching methodologies on a case-to-case basis to suit learner’s requirements. Because of the pandemic, it makes the education adopt digitalization and think beyond classroom teaching to provide universal access to quality education.

If interested, contact:

African swine fever, but the funds may be increased once needs arise. In a briefing after the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing between Landbank and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the Special Window and Interim Support to Nurture Hog Enterprises (SWINE) lending program on Wednesday, Landbank president and chief executive officer Cecilia Borromeo said they are closely coordinating with DA for this lending program. “Kung sasabihin sa amin ng DA na itong farm na ito, itong kumpanyang ito ay kailangan tulungan, then we can allocate additional resources. (If the DA says we need to help this farm, this company, then we

DANICA SUDARIA

can allocate additional resources),” she said. The SWINE lending program will be extended to commercial hog raisers that are registered as cooperatives or farmers’ association, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and large enterprises or corporations. Borrowers may apply for up to 80 percent of their total project cost, with a fixed annual interest rate of 3 percent for three years, with repricing after the succeeding years. The minimum loan term is one year while term loans for loans approved as working capital are payable up to five years. Landbank said loans extended for the acquisition of fixed assets SWINE/PAGE 10

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

Iligan’s Mandulog Bridge 1 set to open on March 22

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LIGAN CITY, March 18 – After more than nine years of construction, the Mandulog Bridge 1 project is finally completed and is

set to open to the motoring public on March 22 (Monday). This was announced to members of the media by District Engineer Alykhan Ali

of DPWH-Lanao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office. The project delay was primarily due to right-of-way issues that hounded the project up

to very last month of implementation. “The final agreement between DPWH, the contractor, the local PNP, and the last 3 affected families proved crucial to the completion of this project. It has been a long and hard-fought battle to implement this bridge project but finally we made it to the finish line”, expressed DPWH10 Project Engineer Rasmia Ma-amor. The Mandulog bridge 1 project was initiated by national government last 2012 after the old

Hinaplanon bridge collapsed during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Sendong. However, construction came to a halt last 2016 after landowners of the affected properties in Brgy. San Roque rejected DPWH’s settlement offer. “With the opening of this bridge we expect to see more economic activities here in Iligan and ultimately this will result to a more progressive city”, said District Engineer Ali. The opening of Mandulog Bridge 1 is expected to significantly lessen the

volume of traffic in the city center of Iligan. Motorists from Marawi City, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte can use Mandulog Bridge 1 and the C3 road network to bypass the city center and avoid heavy traffic. “With more and more motorists using the C-3 road, areas along this road network will soon see new businesses spring up bringing employment opportunities and development to Iligan”, predicted District Engineer Alykhan Ali. (VNL/DPWH-PIO)

How the pandemic has reshaped education MA. RHODA B. TUMANDA Teacher 1 Agusan National High School

THE coronavirus pandemic up ended almost e ver y aspect of school at once. It was not just the move from classrooms to computer screens. It tested basic ideas about instruction, attendance, testing, funding, the role of technology and the human connections that hold it all together. A year later, a rethinking is underway, with a growing sense that some changes

may last. After one year of pandemic learning, should school systems make it a goal to get back to how things were before COVID-19? Don’t get us wrong — COVID-19 has generally made being a teacher or a student or a parent in the K-12 system way harder. But when schools first shut their doors last year, some educators were also hopeful

that the sudden pivot might be a chance to reimagine what school could look like post-pandemic. So, has that happened? I think there are so many things we could have done with the system. I think we could have blown the system up and just done some amazing things to change education, to reach all children. But I'm not as optimistic as I was before.

Teenage Mother QUIMBERLY G. BASPIN Teacher III Cogon National High School

TEENAGE pregnancy is pregnancy in a woman 19 years of age or younger. A woman can get pregnant if she has vaginal sex with a man at any age after she’s begun having regular monthly periods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017, around 194,000 babies were born to American girls between the ages of 15 to 19. While the number of teenage pregnancies in the Philippines has been in decline, it still remains higher than in other industrialized countries. You’ll probably first realize you’re pregnant when you skip a regular period. But if you get a very light period around the time you expect it, don’t assume you’re not pregnant. It’s possible to have very light bleeding in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Teens are at a higher risk for pregnancyrelated high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and its complications than average age mothers. Risks for the baby include premature birth and low birth weight. Preeclampsia can also harm the kidneys or even be fatal for mother or baby. Pregnant teens also have a higher chance

of becoming anemic. Anemia is a reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs). This can make you feel weak and tired and can affect your baby’s development. Giving birth in the Philippines is safer than ever, but it’s still more dangerous for a teen than for a woman 20 or older. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), complications during pregnancy or childbirth are the leading cause of death globally for girls ages 15 to 19. If you get pregnant as a teen, you might feel frightened and worried about telling your family and friends. Not talking to someone and not getting the help and support you need, can make you feel more isolated and depressed. This can lead to problems in home and at school. Many pregnant teens drop out of school, and some never complete their education. That means a lot of mothers who get pregnant as teenagers live in poverty. Women who first got pregnant as teens are more likely to have more than one child. About one in fiveTrusted Source births to a teen mother is a repeat birth. A woman with little education and multiple children to care for will find it very difficult to earn a living.

The long-awaited opening of Mandulog Bridge 1 project will finally happen on March 22 (Monday) bringing more employment opportunities and development to Iligan City.

THE VACCINE HUMAN CHALLENGE VICTORIO C. MARIGOMEN, JR Administrative Officer II Department of Education Division of Misamis Occidental

Vaccines are now available to combat the global outbreak caused by this novel strain of coronavirus. Vaccines are intended to kill microorganism to human body to prevent and generate an immune response to the diseases. Thus, shots will start rolling within the coming days. Our government mandates compulsory vaccination exercising the police power to achieve herd immunity. The existing health protocols that our government has implemented like social distancing, hand washing, and wearing of masks cannot cope with the pandemic but believing that the best way to stop the virus spread is to develop enough immunity through vaccination. Trusting that this will save the lives of many and lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which kills hundreds and thousands of people. According to President Rodrigo R. Duterte on his talk to the nation address that the first to receive the vaccine are the front liners, police, army, and those who belong in the low-income households or the 4Ps beneficiaries.7 These people feel a bit risky, they are reluctant to get

immunized despite of the government’s protective measures knowing of what it could really bring to the body because report reveals of its side effects. Many are reluctant to have them immunize due to the safety of the vaccines. The universal program which mandates our government to provide vaccine to all the Filipino give some insights that might result to inhuman or degrading treatment that will deprive the liberty. Ending this pandemic depends upon it. Applying its authority in the context of public health regulation, these vaccine mandates have been actively supported by the Filipinos for its first-time experience. Though risky but fostering the hope could end the situation we are facing right now. The big real evidence is that our local governments are willing and ready to get the jabs and will support people’s need. The successful roll-out of novel COVID-19 vaccines will require time. Thus, right of equal protection has exercised in the “No Filipino No Left Behind Covid-19 Vaccines.

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

DIRECTORY

Shopee Offers Bigger, Better Deals at 4.4 Mega Shopping Day, the Region’s First Mega Sale of the Year Riding on the growing trend of late night shopping, Shopee will hold a two-hour Midnight Mega Sale on April 4

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HOPEE, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, steps up its efforts to deliver value and variety to users all year round with its inaugural 4.4 Mega Shopping Day. Coming on the heels of Shopee’s successful year-end campaigns and the 3.3-4.4 Mega Shopping Sale, its first mega sale of the year in the Philippines, this big regional sale offers even better deals, discounts, and rewards. To cater to the growing interest for late-night shopping, especially during shopping festivals, the finale of 4.4 Mega Shopping Day on April 4 will feature a twohour Midnight Mega Sale with unbeatable deals on thousands of products. Users can also tune in to the Shopee app every day till April 4 for special in-app entertainment, as well as bigger and better deals from the largest array of sellers and brands. Shopee also unveiled globally acclaimed K-Pop girl group Mamamoo as its regional 4.4 Mega Celebrity. The award-winning group, best known for their legendary vocals, will be presenting their top hits exclusively on Shopee Live this April 4. Shopee users also stand a chance to win

exclusive Mamamoo albums by commenting photos of their Shopee x Mamamoo-inspired outfits on Shopee’s official Facebook page. Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines said, “The Shopee 4.4 Mega Shopping Day brings the excitement of the year-end shopping festivals earlier into the year. As part of our goal to provide Filipinos with more meaningful and entertaining shopping experiences, we’ve introduced some of today's biggest local and international celebrities as ambassadors and performers. We unveiled Willie Revillame as our newest brand ambassador during our successful 3.3 Mega Shopping Sale, and now we're thrilled to close the extended sale with a bang as Mamamoo joins our 4.4 celebrations across the region." Bigger deals and better rewards at 4.4 Mega Shopping Day 4.4 Mega Shopping Day will feature massive deals across a wide assortment of products, with the biggest selection of brands and sellers across the region. Shopee will also introduce new ways for shoppers to enjoy more savings: Midnight Mega Sale: On April 4, from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM, users can shop during

the Midnight Mega Sale, which features unbeatable limited-time deals up to 90% off on thousands of Shopeeexclusive products. Enhanced Loyalty Programs: Shopee also gives users more ways to earn rewards and save at 4.4 Mega Shopping Day and beyond. Users can now earn special vouchers and rewards every month via the new in-app loyalty program Shopee Loyalty. Highlights of 4.4 Mega Shopping Day in the Philippines 4.4 Mega Shopping Day will also be packed with bigger and better shopping experiences for all users, powered by enhanced in-app features including Shopee Live and Shopee Prizes: Co-streaming on Shopee Live: Shopee creates new ways for users to interact firsthand with their favorite brands, sellers, and hosts with its new co-streaming feature on Shopee Live. Now, brands and sellers can invite viewers, fans, and even celebrities to stream at the same time on Shopee Live, offering a new layer of real-time engagement. Upsized rewards on Shopee Prizes: Shopee’s in-app games, including hot favorites like Shopee Farm and Shopee Bubble, will offer users more

rewards and Shopee coins across 4.4 Mega Shopping Day. 4.4 TV Segment: This April 4, users can tune in to All Out Sundays on GMA 7 and Shopee Live from 1:00 to 1:20 PM for special performances and a chance to win up to P200,000 during Shopee Shake. Big discounts from Shopee Mall: Shoppers can enjoy big discounts on top brands from Shopee Mall such as Havaianas, Huggies, Realme, P&G Beauty, Pampers, Olay, Garnier, and Xiaomi. Leading up to April 4, users can look forward to three weeks of non-stop promotions at 4.4 Mega Shopping Day. Highlights include free shipping with no minimum spend, 20% cashback, and P1 ShopeePay deals. Yu closed, “4.4 Mega Shopping Day is packed with an exciting range of promotions and entertainment specially designed for Shopee users. I look forward to an amazing first 4.4 Mega Shopping Day as we celebrate another milestone with everyone in the region.” For more information about Shopee 4.4 Mega Shopping Day, visit https://shopee.ph/m/44. Download Shopee for free on App Store or Google Play Store.

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

DA-10 aids in boosting cattle industry in Lopez Jaena, MisOcc

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AGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10 under its Cattle Fattening Feedlot Program (CFFP) has delivered 50 heads of cattle to Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental. Said distribution completes the P3.5 million worth cattle dispersal project, comprising of 100 heads to the local government of Lopez Jaena. Of which, half of the municipal’s total allocation has already been delivered, early February, of this year. Still part of the CFFP, DA-RFO 10 Livestock Program Coordinator Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco said P100,000 worth of drugs and biologics

such as electrolytes, antibacterial, levamisole, minerals injectable, vitamin AD3 and wound spray were likewise handed over to said town. Additionally, the livestock coordinator reported, P1.4 million will also be downloaded to said local government for the procurement of cattle feeds and to defray for other miscellaneous expenses. Lopez Jaena Mayor Michael P. Gutierrez said they will ensure that the cattle will be nourished in their designated feedlot, and in a couple of months will be artificially inseminated before its dispersal to qualified beneficiaries. Target recipients are those listed under the Registry System for Basic

DA thru CFFP recently delivers 50 heads of cattle to Lopez Jaena, completing their P3.5 M worth of cattle dispersal project, comprising of 100 heads.

Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and are deemed capable of rearing the cattle and have already

grown forage plants in their area. He added every farmer-beneficiary will

TURN – OVER OF BOOKS DONATION FROM GROLIER TO GUSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL By: RODELIE P. MOTLOG

As far as Kate DiCamillo’s saying goes, “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift.” It is wonderful to see children reading books out of their own without the heavyheart. The way they grab the gift of knowledge as every page unfolds is a pleasing scene to see. As such, Thursday, March 18, 2021, Grolier Philippines visited Gusa Elementary School to conduct a turn-over of books donation from Grolier to the school. The event was joined by Mr. Roniel Macalinga, Grolier Representative; Ms. Annabelle J. Lariba – Principal; hosted by Ms. Annabelle Magallano; and teachers

from all the levels. The program was conducted at the school’s ICT room. The program consisted of several presentations of Grolier’s products. The main focus was their Grolier Amazing English that according to them is a 20+1 book set aimed to help your children to express themselves and communicate in English. The product also came with a Grolier Pen that has several useful features such as read-aloud audio allowing children to boost their learning capability in English language. With the learning set, children could learn on their own pace while also having fun. Along the program was also

Resilience amidst Pandemic By LADY VYNN UBAUB GODINEZ

“Resilience isn’t a single skill. It’s a variety of skills and coping mechanisms. To bounce back from bumps in the road as well as failures, you should focus on emphasizing the positive.” –Jean Chatzky Resilience is pivotal to cope with stress and vital to stay in balance during the current coronavirus pandemic. The need to overcome stress ors is essential in order to lessen the anxieties and depression brought by COVID-19. Augmenting our focus on resilience can ameliorate our mental health and outlook in life. The following are some ways to build resilience despite the virus outbreak: First, incorporate faith to become resilient in life. Faith is the antidote of overcoming uncertainties and building resilience to adopt positivity in l i fe. G o d w i l l u nve i l

greater promotions in every circumstances we encounter. Next, open to new learning experiences and innovate what’s available to be productive. Discover new habits and skills. There are skills that were developed during quarantine. Most people used their entrepreneurial skills and sell goods to provide the needs of their family. L a s t l y, o v e r c o m e st ress ors by enj oy ing the process of engaging into vigorous activities to divert attention and to have healthier mental health. Go for a walk or hike with friends and families but always follow safety protocols. In this activity, the nature will be therapeutic to the soul. It will invigorate the eagerness to be optimistic in life. Indeed, our will to be resilient amidst pandemic will show how strong and persevere Filipinos can be.

a donation effort by the Grolier Philippines which was warmly accepted by the school. Books that are donated could be helpful as soon as the pandemic ends and the situation in the school improve. The donated books target young children to have fun while learning. The time calls for learners. The world currently needs brilliant people due to the current global pandemic and its impact will surely last for few generations to come. There is no other way to make brilliant minds than to nourish them while they’re young because according to Kofi Annan, “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”

Education: Embracing the New Normal By: CARMY V. MACUA

Due to COVID19, we have been thrust into a world of online learning, remote working, and socially distance living. For many of us, the transition to online teaching and remote working happen in a matter of days. It just like the blink of eye and then we wake up into this new normal we need to live in together with the pandemic we are facing. The coronavirus pandemic has forced schools and teachers to change how they educate students. Our country is dealing with the same problem now. Many teachers, parents and learners are having doubts on how will learning continue this academic year. This challenging time we need the flexibility and creativity in embracing the new normal and successfully get through this crisis and lessen the impact on our

educational system. The education we used to know became new to us. It really changes the moment we know it and we can’t stop it. All we can do is to embrace it and live with it. We need to be more knowledgeable in e ve r y t hing t hat is happening. Teachers of this trying t i me s worke d cl o s ely with their professional learning community team members and performed as volunteers to fight against the spread of virus and still doing their jobs to help student learn in many ways as they can and as how the student best learn. Teachers embracing the new normal in education b e i n g i n n ov at e d a n d c r e at e d s e l f - l e a r n i n g modules or even online tools and resources in order student would be up for an exciting learning process.

be provided with three heads of cattle; and for each cattle, one offspring has to be given back to LGU-Lopez Jaena to be nourished and be passed on to another recipient. He emphasized said project is beneficial to the marginalized farmers, especially during this difficult time. "Kung mudaghan na ang mga baka sa mga farmers, mahimo na sila makapamaligya niini. Dakong tabang sa ila ang

baka tungod kay mas dali kini ibaligya panahon sa mga emerhensiya," Gutierrez stated. (As soon as the cattle are multiplied, farmers can sell them to earn some income. It will be helpful for them since cattle are easier to sell in times of emergency) Municipal Agriculturist Godofredo R. Pacana, Jr. added that the sustainability of said project is likely high since BOOSTING/PAGE 10

Five Phases of Professional Development By: LOURDINO A. SUGANOB – TEACHER III Mabini ES

Professional development is the of tools, resources, and training sessions for e ducators to improve their teaching quality and effectives. These resources allows instructors to further their knowledge in their subject area and allows for mentorship and the opportunity to learn new teaching techniques. Those who take part in workshops or leadership sessions d e vel op and e n hanc e specialized skills including technical, quantitative and analytical skills. In practice, the five phases overlap, repeat, and often occur simultaneously: 1. B u i l d i n g a Know ledge B as e. The purpose of this phase is to acquire new knowledge and information and to build a conceptual understanding of it. Activities in this phase might include goal setting, assessing needs, participating in interactive workshops, and forming a study group. 2. Observing Models and Examples. The purpose of this phase is to study instructional examples in order to develop a practical und e rst and i ng of t he research. In this phase, one might participate in activities such as school

and classroom visitations, peer observation, using instructional artifacts, coplanning, and listening to or watching audio and video examples. 3. Reflecting on Your Practice. The purpose of this phase is to analyze your instructional practice on the basis of new knowledge. Activities in this phase might include the use of journals or teacherauthored cases for collegial discussion and reflection. 4. Changing Your Practice. The purpose of this phase is to translate your new knowledge into individual and collaborative plans and actions for curricular and instructional change. Activities might include action research, peer-coaching, support groups, and curriculum development. 5. G a i n i n g a n d Sharing Expertise. The purpose of this phase is to continue to refine your instructional practice, learning with and from colleagues while also sharing your practical wisdom with your peers. Activities in this phase might include team planning, mentoring or partnering with a colleague, and participating in a network.

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

896 former rebels in Bukidnon receive P8.9-M cash aid

SOME 896 former rebels (FRs) in Bukidnon received a total of P8.9 million financial assistance from the government recently held at Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon.

Organized by the local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) with support from the Office of Senator Bong Go, the FRs received P10,000 cash

Growing a Community Learners in the Classroom ANGELITA D. PUTOL Teacher III

Students need a classroom environment that is safe, where they are willing to take risks and struggle. Students and teachers must work together towards common collective goals. Students must be willing to work with and assist other students in class. Struggle should be acceptable and encourage as a part of learning process. The exp eriences of working to solve problems in both play and projects creates opportunities for children to learn important cooperation skills. A strong classroom community is one which student feel empowered and valued, and one in which children will ultimately thrive. Learning new things gives the feeling of accomplishments which, in turn, boost the confidence and their own capabilities, they will feel more ready to take on challenges and explore new venture in life. As each student grows in appreciation for their

personal community their sense of responsibility will also grow with it and they will always be compelled to find ways to improve so everyone will benefit as a result. Community learners are actually a lifelong learner. The key in teaching children social and emotional skills is creating a classroom culture build c o m m u n i t y. S t r o n g communities have members who have shared goals and experiences, who feel empowered to contribute, who trust in one another, and who feel understood and capable as individuals. These attributes enable team work, cooperation, a willingness to negotiate, and the ability to draw on one another’s skills. By this, it will grow a community of learners where students will be responsible every day and will treasure the learning they have and will live to it.

each. In a video message, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said, “Dako ang akong pasalamat sa inyong pagtambong karong adlawa. Kini usa lamang ka gamay nga hinabang para kaninyo labi na gyud karong panahon sa pandemya pinaagi sa programa sa atong gobyerno ubos sa pagmando sa atong Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Daghang salamat kaninyong tanan. Unta magpadayon ang inyong pagsuporta sa atong

gobyerno para sa kalamboan." (I am very grateful for your presence today. This small help comes from the government as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. I hope this would help you especially this time of pandemic. Once again thank you. I hope you will continue your support of the government’s peace and development efforts) The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 10 and the local government

of Impasugong for the Enhanced KADIWA project also highlighted the event. Impasugong Mayor Anthony Uy explained that the DA’s KADIWA assistance program aims to give farmers additional capital, through farmers’ cooperatives and associations, to buy the farm inputs and equipment that could help them sell their produce directly to consumers. This may include packing equipment, vegetable crates, a delivery truck, and a revolving

fund as assemblers or consolidators of fresh produce. On the same occasion graced by the Provincial Governor, DTI, TESDA, DA, DOLE, and DSWD, the FRs also received family food packs and livelihood kits. In a speech, Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. said the beneficiaries are those regular members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and ‘Militia ng Bayan’ operating in Bukidnon who surrendered from the year 2016 to date. AID/PAGE 10

CSO receives veggie seeds from DA-Normin CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -With the aim of reaching farming communities in the hinterland areas, the Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10 turned over packets of vegetable seeds to the Alternative Bridge to Community Development (ab2cd, Inc.), a civil society organization, March 18 at the agency compound. A total of 520 packets, worth P67,000 of 5-in1 Sinigang vegetable seeds (Kangkong, Okra, SEEDS/PAGE 10

Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10 turns over packets of vegetable seeds to the Alternative Bridge to Community Development (ab2cd, Inc.), a civil society organization, March 18 at the agency compound. (DA 10)

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

Income... from page 3

DIRECTORY

its 14.5MW Siguil run-ofriver hydropower project, the first in the line-up of hydropower installations that it will be concretizing in the next few years. The Siguil hydro project is due to reach commercial operations by early part of next year. The subsequent hydropower ventures of the company will be the proposed 22MW Silayan facility in Zamboanga del Norte; then the 42MW Bago project in Negros Occidental. On the sphere of thermal power development, the Alcantara firm is pushing ahead with the construction of its P16 billion San Ramon Power Inc. coal-fired facility that will yield additional 105MW for Mindanao grid, and will primarily cater to the added electricity needs of its host community in Zamboanga City.

Ways... from page 4

streaming queue. 8. Be open with your doctor. Clear communication b etwe en you and your doctor is vital for your health. Be honest, even it feels embarrassing. Don't hold back information about your health, symptoms and things in your life that could affect your well-being. Your doctor is there to help. If you do feel uncomfortable at any point during your appointment, say so. And if you're having a hard time following the discussion, ask your doctor to slow down and clarify EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OVER A PARCELS OF LAND AMONG HEIRS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESES PRESENTS:

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

That the late JEREMIAS L. EGUIA who died on December 27, 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, and died without any will at the time of his death left a certain parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. 136-2015000309 situated in Poblacion, Opol, Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTEEN (817) SQUARE METERS, more or less, 2) Transfer Certificate of Title No. 136-2015000308 situated in Poblacion, opol, Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED SIXTY SEVEN (267) SQUARE METERS, more or less, 3) Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-55722 situated in Brgy. Igpit, Municipality of Opol, Province of Misamis Oriental, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED THIRTY THREE (233) SQUARE METERS, more or less, 4) Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-26835 situated in the Barrio of Lapasan, City of Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT (398) SQUARE METERS, more or less, 5) Transfer Certificate of Title No. C-9804 situated at Panabol, Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE (2,635) SQUARE METERS, more or less, 6) Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-188495 situated in the Barrio of Gusa, City of Cagayan de Oro City, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY NINE (829) SQUARE METERS, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OVER A PARCELS OF LAND AMONG HEIRS, filed by the heirs of JEREMIAS L. EGUIA, per DOC #137; PAGE #27; BOOK #51; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EDGARDO Y. RAAGAS. BWM: Mar. 22, 29 & Apr.5, 2021

points – or even to speak more slowly and clearly, if that would help. 9. Ask questions. If you made a list, you'll come to the appointment with a few specific questions to ask. Keep an eye on your list to make sure you're covering everything you wanted to. New questions may arise during the conversation. Ask away. There are no bad questions here. 10. Take notes. Bring a pen and paper or digital device for notetaking. Notes can help you keep track of the conversation and return to the main points later, when your memory of the visit might have become fuzzy. If a friend or family member comes with you, ask them to take the notes. If you’re alone, just do your best. Don't worry if you can't capture everything.

Option... from page 4

Chairman of the Therapeutics and Me d i c at i on S afe t y Committee of the Makati Medical Center, however, has this to say re Ivermectin. 1. FDA has not approved Ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID 19 in humans. Ivermectin is not an anti-viral (a drug for treating viruses). 2. Taking large doses of this drug is dangerous and can cause serious harm. 3. I f y o u h a v e a prescription for Ivermectin for an FDA-approved use, get it from a legitimate source and take it exactly as prescribed. 4. Never use medication intended for animals on yourself. Ivermectin preparations for animals are very different from those approved for humans. A third group suggests a traditional option. “Here in Bohol, we have many “espiritistas” and talented “native doctors”. They can easily deal with COVID 19, regardless of the variant. If US vaccines, Indian Ivermectin, Sinovac, Sputnik or the Israel medicine are not available, just give me a call. Here in Bohol, COVID 19 is peanuts.” MIRA and Other Essays My book - MIRA and Other Essays - will be out EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late QUINTINO BACULIO ABELLANOSA, who died intestate on March 8, 2021, that the deceased at the time of his death left certain personal properties particularly Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (MetroBank), Cogon, Cagayan de Oro city, 2) Parcel of land with Original Certificate of Title No. E-977 situated Igpit, Opol, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of TWENTY THOUSAND EIGHTY TWO (20,082) SQUARE METERS MORE OR LESS, 3) Parcel of land with Original Certificate of Title No. P-13943 situated at Awang, Opol, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of FIVE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FIFTY EIGHT (45,258) SQUARE METERS MORE OR LESS, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of QUINTINO BACULIO ABELLANOSA, per DOC #232; PAGE #47; BOOK #XLIII; Series of 2021, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JAYFRANCIS D. BAGO. BWM: Mar. 22, 29 & Apr.5, 2021

soon - both electronically and in print. It is a biographical collection of essays and articles written by me and others about me, my family, my work and about people and institutions who have touched my life. As this will not be available in book stores, just Let me know if you are interested to obtain a copy in either or both forms. Email me at totingbunye2000@gmail. com. It will be P350/copy (for the hard copy) plus a delivery charge of P200. A special discount is available for teachers and students. Note: You may wish to share the foregoing via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Swine... from page 5

are payable based on the borrowers’ cash flow or payback period of the project, with a grace period on the principal and interest. This lending program will be available until Dec. 31, 2026 in line with DA’s hog repopulation plan. Borromeo said the funds’ utilization rate will depend on how fast borrowers submit all the necessary requirements but added applications of existing Landbank borrowers may be processed faster because the bank already has the debtors’ details. She said application processing and evaluation will be done within 10 working days. “We know the gravity of the problem. We know the urgency of the interventions needed by the sector so we will work very hard to also process their applications in a very efficient manner,” she added. (PNA)

Boosting... from page 8

beneficiaries are properly screened according to their capacity; thereby paving way for more farmers to benefit from it. CFFP is a P5 million project of DA-National Livestock Program, funded under the Bayanihan Act II, which aims to intensify cattle feedlot farming among smallhold farmers, maximizing the use of abundant farm by-products in the rural areas. (DA10/ PIA10)

Seeds... from page 9

Pole Sitao, Tomato and Radish) was handed by DA-10 High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Focal Person Kersten S. Pagalan to ab2cd, Inc. thru Chairperson Bernardo R. Roa, IV. He e x pre ss e d, t h e i r

organization is thankful to the DA for accommodating their request, as they will b e shar i ng it to ot he r beneficiaries. “This will greatly help those in the hinterlands, especially since they have limited access to resources like these,” he said. Roa also said the vegetable seeds will be distributed to farmers in the hinterland areas of Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon while teaching them to engage in valueadding activities for their s ou rc e of i n c om e an d livelihood. (DA10/PIA10)

Aid...

from page 9

“Sa mga mahal nakong katawhan dinhi sa Bukidnon labi na kaninyo nga kaniadto nahisalaag sa inyong mga d a l a n . N i a s a i ny o n g atubangan karon ang mga ahensiya nga naghi-usa aron matabangan kamo sa inyong pagbalik sa atong gobyerno. Akong panawagan sa mga kaigso-onan ko nga naa pa sa kabukiran nga pagmata na kamo sa kamatuoran nga dunay tinuod nga gobyerno nga andam motabang kaninyo,” the governor said. (To my dear people here in Bukidnon—especially those who have strayed from the right paths—could realize that the government wants everybody to live a peaceful, happy, and comfortable life. Hence, I call on my brothers and sisters who are still in the mountains to return to the fold of the law because the government cares for you) Brigadier General Ferdinand T. Barandon, 403rd Infantry Brigade commander also thanked the former rebels for cooperating with the government’s peace efforts. "Ito na po ang resulta ng pagpapatupad ng Executive Order No. 70 na pinirmahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte noong 2018 na kung saan nakasaad ang pagtutulungan ng ibat-ibang ahensya para sa isang layunin na makamtan natin ang tunay na kapayapaan. Ako po’y muling nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kasamahan sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran pati na sa ating Governor Jose Maria Zubiri dahil sa kanilang kooperasyon,” BGen. Barandon said. (Our hard work pays off as President Rodrigo Duterte’s EO No. 70 comes to fruition. Once again, I thank our colleagues for the full cooperation and support in achieving our aspirations. I am also grateful to Gov. Jose Maria R. Zubiri for his support to meet the FRs’ needs). (CMO, 8IB, 403rd Bde, PA/PIA Bukidnon)

11

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

Traders... from page 1

that “building the capability to effectively (steer the region towards growth) takes time.” The date after which the new BARMM will become a permanent peacetime entity after decades of conflict was originally set by law on June 30, 2022, when the 80 members of Parliament, elected on May 9, 2022, shall have taken their oath of office. But both Muslim and Christian business and political leaders have called to stretch the extension to 2025 and seven bills have been filed in Congress – five in the House of Representatives and two in the Senate – supporting extension by postponing the first BARMM election to May 12, 20225. Per a lt a s aid he w as keen on seeing a business environment in the BARMM that is “more absorptive of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late GUALBERTO PIMENTEL and NORMA PAGALINGPIMENTAL who died on July 12, 2015 and August 3, 1989 at Zone 6 Pamalihi, Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, the decedent left the following parcel of land with TAX DECLARATION NO. G-215097 situated Zone 6, Pamalihi, Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of FIFTEEN THOUSAND SQ.M., and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS, filed by the heirs of GUALBERTO PIMENTEL and NORMA PAGALING-PIMENTAL, per DOC #216; PAGE #44; BOOK #50; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. PERSEVERANDO L. ARAÑA, JR. BWM: Mar. 8, 15 & 22, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION AMONG HEIRS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late REYNOR VILLANEA CABALLERO, who died intestate on February 5, 2021 at Cagayan de Oro Medical Center, Cagayan de Oro City; that the deceased at the time of his death left no debts whatsoever; has an existing savings account at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Bank at Velez Branch, Cagayan de Oro City with Accounting No. 000750102372008 and has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION AMONG HEIRS, filed by the heirs of REYNOR VILLANEA CABALLERO, per DOC #486; PAGE #98; BOOK #35; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MELANIE D. ORTIZ-ROSETE. BWM: Mar. 8, 15 & 22, 2021

DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH SALE OF PARCEL OF LAND KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late FELIPE LAPLANA and EUFRECINA LABIAL who died intestate without will last September 27, 2012 and July 8, 2000 at Cagayan de Oro City and IRMA L. ACAYLAR who died intestate without will last May 11, 2006 at Cagayan de Oro City, at the time of his death left a parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-6900 situated in the Barrio of Carmen and Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED NINE (309) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS, filed by the heirs of FELIPE LAPLANA and EUFRECINA LABIAL, in favor of TANYA HANNAH MAY C. JAPITANA and JULIUS J. JAPITANA, per DOC #366; PAGE #74; BOOK #LIV; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. TEOFREDO C. ROJAS. BWM: March 15, 22 & 29, 2021

new capital and responsive to opportunities.” He said this impetus can happen and be sustained “only if an extension is granted, thereby providing the region enough room to flex and opt i m i z e it s e c on om i c potentials.” The ECCP has brokered at least six agricultural deals between the BARMM and private agribusiness companies. These formal agreements dwell on food production, research and d e vel opme nt , r i c e and vegetable farming, and the establishment of demo farms and laboratories. T h i s i s ou r m o d e st contribution to government’s steadfast efforts to bring lasting peace in Mindanao,” Peralta further said. (Nikki Rivera Gomez / MindaNews contributor)

Halal...

from page 1 health authorities have the final decision whether or not it is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Bangsamoro region received an initial 4,200 doses of CoronaVac, the vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical Sinovac Biotech, on March 4. The Indonesian Ulema Council, the country’s top Islamic body, has deemed the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine as halal or permissible. From the initial COVID-19 vaccines, at least 2,100 health personnel in the BARMM would be vaccinated twice at four weeks interval from the first shot, said Dr. Amirel Usman, the region’s acting health minister. Maguindanao was allocated 1,400 doses, 972 in Lanao del Sur, 278 in Basilan, 1032 in Sulu and 518 in Tawi-tawi, Usman said. Cotabato City, which voted inclusion to the BARMM during the plebiscite in 2019, was allocated 2,138 Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines by the Department of Health in Region 12 (DOH-12). The DOH-12 received its initial allocation of CoronaVac doses from the national government last Friday, March 5. Usman, who was the first to have been inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine in the BARMM during the vaccine rollout in Maguindanao, said the Ministry of Health is targeting to inoculate 70 percent of the population of the Bangsamoro region with COVID-19 vaccines to

achieve herd immunity. The Bangsamoro region has a population of almost 3.8 million based on the 2015 census. On Wednesday, March 10, 10,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines and an additional 4,200 doses of CoronaVac arrived for the Bangsamoro region. The doses, given by the national government, are allocated for frontline healthcare workers, and other priority groups that include uniformed personnel, senior citizens, and indigent persons. As of Wednesday, BARMM recorded 4,130 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with seven new cases, data from the Bangsamoro Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 showed. Of the total cases, 3,881 have recovered, 93 are active and 156 have died, it added. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

Power... from page 1

the NEA and the 121 electric cooperatives to provide and extend electricity services to Filipinos living in rural areas even though faced with challenges by the pandemic.” With the added customer-connections l a s t y e a r, t h e N E A Information Technology and Communication Services Department (NEA-ITCSD) noted that overall customerconnections served by the ECs already hovered at 14,253,053. Based on breakdown provided by the state-run agency, the lion’s share of customer-connections are in Luzon with 47-percent fraction in the pie or 6.682 million followed by Visayas with 27-percent share for 3.788 million connections, and Mindanao with 26-percent share for 3.783 million energized customers. Given that recent milestone on energization in various parts of the country, NEA expounded that the ‘unserved customers’ in the rural areas had so far been pared to 1,550,510 endusers. O n l a s t y e a r ’s electrification feat, it was shown that the bulk of the connections at 341,252 customers had been in the franchise area of Batangas II Electric Cooperative Inc. (BATELEC II) followed by South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO

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II) for 274,239 connections. The other ECs that turned in significant customerconnections were Albay Electric Cooperative Inc. (ALECO) for 273,668 endusers; Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative Inc. (CENPELCO) with 268,830 connections; and Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. for 247,744 connections. The joint electrification triumph of the ECs and NEA earned recognition from Cabinet Secretar y Karlo Nograles, who conveyed to them during the recent NEA-EC Communicators’ Conference, that “for the past five decades, NEA has been vital in improving the lives of our people by providing total electrification in our rural areas.” The Cabinet secretary also said hopes are being raised that with the electric cooperatives as the agency’s implementing arm in the mandated mission of rural electrification, even in economically unviable areas, the country’s “Sitio” electrif ication program could also be reinforced further. Nograles similarly cited the massive efforts being undertaken by the ECs in restoring electricity services every time their facilities are adversely affected or downed by natural calamities.

Master... from page 12

of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. It is an annual event in the Philippines celebrated as a highlight and concluding rite of the Philippine Arts Festival. Maestro Tiro is the second Liceo Conservatory faculty to receive the prestigious award following Maestro Cipriano Zip de Guzman in 2018 and 2019. It recognized his international achievement in Music w it h t he 250 piano pieces for Beethoven International Composition Project 2019, which brought pride and honor to the Philippines. Interested parties c a n c o nt a c t t h e L i c e o Conservatory for more information through mobile phones 09155675965/09393238488, email music@liceo.edu.ph, or their social media page. (with Klaus Doring)

Support... from page 2

Mindanao State University in Gen. Santos City added that with the shift of the former Muslim combatants “f rom a re v o lut i on a r y group to a new democratic leadership, the group needs an (ample) period for the transformation.” Many other supporters of t h e e x t e n s i on h av e included society’s Who’s Who, including governors, legislators, even a Catholic prelate, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, who had issued a statement endorsing the extension. At least five separate bills calling for the transition period’s extension have been filed in Congress. The proponents include Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Richard Gordon; and Reps. Loren Legarda, Esmael Mangudadatu, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, and Isidro Ungab. Some 15,000 signatures were solicited during the Marawi caravan in support of the transition’s extension. A similar petition that began on February 10 is likewise circulating online and has breached the 1,000,000-mark. (PR)

Register... from page 2

facilitate the opening of bank accounts for the registrants. With a bank account, registrants could easily access financial assistance and fasttrack their transactions with the government. Chua also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for supporting the National ID Program and the PSA and its partners for ensuring an orderly and safe registration process amid the pandemic. “PSA registration officers w i l l m a ke s u re h e a lt h protocols will be followed and hope this commitment would encourage everybody to support and register (with) the first-ever National ID System,” he said. S i g n e d i nt o l aw by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens. The national ID shall

be a valid proof of identity that shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and the opening of bank accounts. It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to pres ent one ID during transactions. (PNA)

NGCP... from page 3

performance of transmission facilities. It pointed out that while the CCMS is just one of the major components of the transmission system, this is a key accomplishment relative to the firm’s commitment toward introducing smart grid technology in Philippine grid operations. “NGCP is pleased with this development as it works to keep pace with the rising standards of power utility practices around the globe – as part of its commitment to realize a smarter, more efficient power transmission grid,” the company stressed. With the aid of digital technologies to intelligently automate the power system, it was noted that this could g r e at l y “ i mp r ov e g r i d security and information management.” At the same time, smart grid paves the way for “efficient integration of the connection between generators and lo ad c ustomers,” w hi le also enabling “effective response to the needs of the transmission network, greater reliability and quality of power transmitted by the grid.”

Castaway... from page 4

Maybe you also have rebelled and lived your own sinful way. You might even feel like a castaway, rejected by certain people, and especially by God. But the truth is that you can never become too bad and sinful for God to love, forgive and accept you. He will never cast you away and reject you—no matter what you have done! Right now, Jesus is waiting for you to ask Him to forgive you and to start completely changing your heart—because only then can you start enjoying your new life that He died to give you. Why wait? Just think a minute.

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Arts&Culture

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MON-TUE|MARCH 22-23, 2021

Prof. Thomas Schüle

German Master helms Professional Music Management at Liceo Conservatory

T

HE Liceo Conservatory of Music, Theatre and Dance has began offering a Music Management Course, the only institution in the Philippines currently offering such a course. The only similarly named course offered in Southeast Asia can be availed of in Singapore. According to Prof. Horst-Hans Bäcker, associate dean at the Liceo

Conservatory, the new course will be headed by Prof. Thomas Schüle, an internationally renowned music manager. “He was already on tour in the Philippines with a piano virtuoso in 2010, and at the invitation of Liceo Conservatory Dean Prof. Rudolf Golez, also performed at the Liceo Rodelsa Hall for a concert.” Ten years later, Prof. Schüle has been accepted

into the Liceo Conservatory faculty as a professor. A qualified Master of Musicology, Prof. Schüle has worked as a music manager around the world for 35 years. He was mentored by Fritz Rau, the renowned Godfather of Music Management (as Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones once called him.) He has toured with orchestras and choirs, organized music festivals, TV and CD productions, and arranged concerts with world stars from pop and classical music. As the head of organization of the 2nd CHOIR OLYMPICS held October 19-27, 2002 in Busan, South Korea, and a large open-air concert with Sir Elton John at the MerckStadion am Böllenfalltor in Darmstadt, Germany in 2003, he may be considered a veteran in the Champions League of international music management. Career paths in Music Management The globalization and digitization of the media have brought a breath of fresh air to the music market in recent years, causing radical change. There is no question that the demand for professional music managers is booming. The Liceo Conservatory Music Management curriculum stresses great emphasis on basic classical music training. “In order to sharpen the senses for quality in music, it is necessary to know the history of music and understand the basics of ear training and musical composition,” notes Prof. Schüle. Liceo Conservatory Graduates with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Management acquire all the qualifications necessary to manage projects, productions, concerts, artists, and bands professionally and successfully. They learn to think conceptually and act operationally in order to make the right decisions at the right moment.

“As a qualified Music Manager, you promote talented talents and established bands, orchestras and choirs, plan concerts, festivals and tours, negotiate record contracts and manage exploitation rights. Whether as label, artist agency, concert organizer or venue manager: the Bachelor's Degree in Music Management at the Liceo Conservatory of Music, Theatre and Dance in Cagayan de Oro lays the foundation for a career in the colorful world of the music industry. Because behind every successful concert festival or artist there is always an intelligent management!” Prof. Schüle stresses. Liceo Conservatory Faculty The Conservatory of Music, Theatre and Dance of the Liceo de Cagayan University in Cagayan de Oro City has been distinguishing itself both in the Philippine and international arenas. Through his international connections, Dean and Professor Rudolf Golez has succeeded time and again by integrating internationally renowned experts in creating and expanding the profile and attractiveness of the conservatory. A few years ago, HorstHans Bäcker, a wellknown German musician who studied with stars like Nikolaus Harnoncourt in Salzburg, was won over as professor for conducting and composition. With Tullio Vidmar he was then joined by a veritable Italian professional violinist who, as a professor, oversees the string department at the conservatory. Most recently, Piano/ Composition Music Faculty Niño Cesar Borromeo Tiro was awarded an Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) Award during the event’s 13th edition given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, an agency under the Office MASTER/PAGE 11

Prof. Thomas Schüle (left) with Fritz Rau, the Godfather of Music Management.