BusinessWeek Mindanao (March 26-27, 2021)

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Volume XI, No. 122

Market Indicators

AS OF 6:00 PM MAR. 25, 2021 (THURSDAY)

FOREX US$1 = P 48.580

PHISIX 6,581.00

X X Briefly

8.50

83.99

cents

points

Agri trade down AGRICULTURAL trade fell 6.8% year on year to $4.66 billion in the fourth quarter, reflecting a decline in both exports and imports, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

The PSA said agricultural exports fell 10.4% to $1.47 billion in the three months to December. The category accounted for an 8.2% share of the country’s exports during the quarter.

Edible fruits and nuts and peel of citrus fruits and melons accounted for $485.64 million or 33.1% of total agricultural exports.

Tariff on pork A FARM industry association, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), has proposed an increase in tariffs for imported pork to the Tariff Commission.

SINAG Chairman Rosendo O. So said in a letter to the commission that tariffs for pork imports within the minimum access volume (MAV) quota should rise to 40%, and the rate charged for out-of-quota imports set at 44%.

Currently, pork imports within the MAV are charged with 30%, while out-of-quota imports pay 40%.

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Oro village gets new water system www.businessweekmindanao.com

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N about a year’s time, Barangay Indahag will finally have its own Level III water system delivering potable water straight to the homes of its long-suffering residents.

JE Hydro & Bio-Energy Corporation broke ground at the site of its proposed water treatment plant Thursday morning led by Luis Ramon P. Lorenzo, Jr., chairman of the LLJ Water Resources Corporation, one of three firms undertaking the project.

“It’s wonderful to see how we’ve all come togetherBayanihan spirit. Four presidents told me if there’s one lesson you learned if you serve in government is you cook it like the bibingka-from one top, from below, from WATER/PAGE 10

Lake Sebu waterfall eyed for hydro power

By MINDANEWS

GENERAL Santos City – The provincial government of South Cotabato is pushing for a partnership with a renewable energy company for the development of a t h r e e - m e g aw at t ( M W ) hydropower plant in one of

the waterfalls of Lake Sebu town, an official said.

Siegfred Flaviano, head of the Provincial Environment Management Office, said the local government is in advanced negotiations with POWER/PAGE 11

Time Capsule Laying for Indahag Level III Water Supply Project: (left to right) Jimmy P. Arco, Ruben A. Vegafria, Jocelyn N. Dahino, Cito Lorenzo, Joel A. Baldelovar and Ian Mark Nacaya. (JEHBEC)

Alsons posts substantial income climb to P1.87-B in 2020

By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

A LC A N TA R A- l e d f i r m Alsons Consolidated R e s o u r c e s In c . ( AC R ) 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 netincome 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 ALSONS/PAGE 11

SCENIC TERRAIN. A farmer negotiates the hilly terrain all the way from Brgy. Tawin Tawin in General Luna, Siargao Island to the town proper to get supplies. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto

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BARMM bill filed to tap potentials of Liguasan marsh

C

OTABATO City – A member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the lawmaking body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), has filed a bill to develop the potentials of the Liguasan marshland in Maguindanao.

“The marsh is just there sitting untapped. It (marsh) is reportedly rich in natural gas deposits,” BTA Member Ali B. Sangki, the author of the bill, said on Thursday.

The 220,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh, the biggest wetland in the

country, borders the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat in Central Mindanao.

Sangki filed before the BARMM parliament BTA Bill No. 82 also known as "Liguasan Marsh Management Commission (LMMC)” which seeks to provide the overall direction for the management, development, and conservation of natural and cultural resources of the marsh.

The bill, co-authored by colleagues Mudjib C. Abu and Abdullah A. Ahang, was created under Section

9, Article 13 of R.A. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

The particular BOL provision states that “the management and protection of natural reserves and aquatic parks, forest, watersheds and reservation and other protected areas in the territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro that have already been defined by and under the authority of the National Government shall be transferred to the Bangsamoro Government”.

Once formed, the LMMC will function under the Office of BARMM

Chief Minister (OCM) Ahod B. Ebrahim.

“The OCM will ensure that local communities will continue to benefit from the resources on a longterm basis, and will also formulate plans to enhance the communities,” Sangki said.

It will also operationalize a management framework delineating appropriate and viable management zones for various parts of the marsh to create an area growth center, he added.

Under the bill, the LMMC shall be composed of the Ministry of

Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) as chairman and the provincial governor of Maguindanao as the vicechair.

Its members will include the region’s Ministry of Finance, Budget and Management (MFBM); the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism; the Ministry of Interior and Local Government; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform; the Ministry of Public Works (MPW); and the director-general of the commission, among others.

(PNA)

Pilar town in Siargao reopens tourist sites 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

BUTUAN City – After months of closure due to threats of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the town of Pilar in Siargao Island is reopening its tourist destination sites and activities Thursday.

In its announcement, the local government unit of Pilar reminded visitors to book two days before the visit to any destination.

Among the sites that will accept visitors is the famous Magpupungko Rock Formation and Tidal Pools.

The other sites and tourism activities to open include the Tayangban Cave and Eba Overview, the Maasin River, surfing at the Salvacion Surf Break and Lukod Surfing Site, Canoeing, San Roque Rock Diving, the site visits to Paghungawan Marsh and Papangon Hanging Garden.

Two of the town's popular beach resorts -- the Bito and Caridad Beach Resorts -- are also open.

Visitors must present the requirements. Pilar residents should show a valid identification card and e-health pass while other residents in Siargao would need to present their bookings to destinations.

Surigao del Norte residents from outside Siargao Island, aside from the IDs, e-health pass, and bookings, are required to present a negative result of antigen test.

Tourists who are non-residents of Surigao del Norte have to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test or saliva test.

The town of Pilar is known for hosting the annual Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament, participated by anglers and game fishing enthusiasts from the country and other parts of the world.

Last year, the game fishing tournament was canceled due to the threat of Covid-19. There is no announcement yet if the annual game fishing tourney will resume this year. (PNA)

3 Puregold posts nearly 19% net income growth PLDT, Smart assure customers of continued services in 'NCR Plus' B Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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LISTED grocery operator Puregold Price Club, Inc. reported an unaudited consolidated net income of P8.05 billion in 2020, which is an 18.9% increase from its 2019 net income of P6.77 billion.

“Our company has [achieved] a record breaking year in 2020 despite [a] lot of challenges due to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic,” Puregold Chairman Lucio L. Co said in a statement on Wednesday.

The company’s unaudited consolidated net sales also inched up to P168.63 billion in 2020, up by 9.2% from P154.49 billion seen in the previous

CorporateWorld

year.

Puregold Stores network accounted for 73% of the company’s total revenues, while 27% were contributed by S&R Membership warehouse clubs and S&R New York Style Pizza stores. The company did not disclose specific figures.

The company’s unaudited consolidated income from operations grew by 17.3% to P13.4 billion from P11.4 billion in the same period last year.

Without disclosing figures, the company reported that Puregold Stores posted a same store sales growth (SSSG) of INCOME/PAGE 10

OTH home and mobile users of PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (PLDT-Smart) in areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ) bubble are assured that the telecommunications services of both companies will continue despite new restrictions.

In a statement on Thursday, PLDT-Smart said both its network operations and customer support facilities are in “normal service with adequate staffing and resources” despite restrictions in effect over Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal known as 'NCR Plus'.

Jane Basas, head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart, encouraged customers to use digital

from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and France. “(T)he nature and quality of investments from European companies and business partnerships formed with our companies have helped move the Philippines up the value chain. In particular, we’ve advanced with regard to innovationbased manufacturing and high value technology-

based services,” he said.

The DTI chief urged European companies to look into opportunities in the Philippines particularly in five key sectors —aerospace, automotive, copper, information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), and electronics sectors.

These sectors are the priority industries in DTI’s

payment channels and online billing services to “save them time, money and at the same time, protect them from possible exposure to Covid-19".

“The health and safety of our customers is our priority. By using online payment channels, our customers do not have to physically go to our stores to pay their bills,” Basas said.

As of February, PLDT-Smart said over 2.91 million customers have shifted to paperless billing, noting that all PLDT-Smart customers can pay their bills through several online or alternative means.

Enhanced safety measures for front-line personnel Meanwhile, it said workers who do installations or repairs are

provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and are regularly tested for the safety of customers.

“Alternatively, subscribers can also head to PLDT Home’s website for information on how to troubleshoot their own connection at home,” PLDT-Smart said.

For customers who need to visit one of PLDT-Smart’s stores, it said safety protocols are also in place in such establishments, one of which is a bookings appointment tool for both in-store or virtual meetings.

“Stores also undergo regular sanitation, while field personnel are equipped with protective gear and are also subjected to periodic testing to ensure the safety of all,” PLDTSmart said.

SERVICES/PAGE 10

Euro firms invest over P23-B in PH in 2020 EUROPEAN companies have invested EUR406.5 million (around PHP23.43 billion) in the Philippines last year, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Tuesday.

In a virtual investment roadshow for European businesses, Lopez said top investments from Europe that the country received last year were

Make It Happen in the Philippines campaign.

He added the government is pursuing a more investor-friendly business climate in the country with the passing of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, which lowers corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent.

“As the Philippine economy recovers, we are confident of achieving our pre-pandemic growth rates and beyond. To this end, we are facilitating greater trade and investment by continuously pursuing reforms to foster a better business environment,” Lopez said.

DTI Undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) managing head

Ceferino Rodolfo said European companies investing in the Philippines have good market access to other nations with the trade agreements that the country signed into.

Rodolfo said the country is benefiting from the generalized system of preferences (GSP) of the United States, and the European Union.

INVEST/PAGE 10

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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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t h at 8 5 % of c ou nt r i e s that participated in the assessments have developed national vaccination plans and 68% have safety measures in place, including systems for reporting adverse reactions.

However, only 30% have developed plans to train the large number of vaccinators who will be needed and only 27% have created social mobilization and public engagement strategies to encourage people to get vaccinated. Given worrying vaccine hesitancy, strategies to generate confidence, acceptance and demand for vaccines are urgently needed. Countries affected by conflict and fragility (37 out of 128) scored lower than other countries on almost all indicators.

“Many developing countries are in the midst of preparing aggressive

COVID19 vaccine delivery plans,” said Mamta Murthi, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank. “While most countries are well enough prepared to begin inoculating their populations, there are still important gaps that must urgently be addressed for wide, large scale vaccination rollouts to succeed.”

T h e Wor l d B an k i s providing $12 billion for developing countries to purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments and s t re ng t h e n h e a lt h an d vaccination systems to ensure that vaccines get to those who need them. Our vaccination programs will reach over 40 countries in the near-term, amounting to $3 billion out of the $12 billion available.

The readiness assessments will inform our projects

and help governments and healthcare professionals b e tte r u nd e rst and and manage the complex task of vaccinating large adult populations in a very short time frame.

The assessments also show that: • Although countries have gaps in readiness, most have prepared well enough across most essential areas to begin GAPS/PAGE 11

LETTERS FROM DAVAO

the “1SAMBAYAN” coalition, the X-justice hurled an initial salvo attack against Duterte and mincing no words calls him authoritarian, which is another word for ‘dictator’ and charge the President for abetting extra-judicial killings. Duterte has been inured to that oft-repeated tirade by his political enemies who had been salivating for power. Moreover, the unkindest cut of all is when the former magistrate took a stab at Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte whom she described as “not qualified under their coalition”.

Inday Sara had been busy supervising the enforcement of health protocols and strategic restrictions in Davao. It never occurred to her that a sneak assault from a person she must have least expected will come from

happened. After all, she is married to Manases “Mans” Carpio, who like her is a lawyer, but as the husband of the much-talked-about up-coming political figure in the country, is admirably low profile. Mans is a nephew of Conchita Carpio-Morales who is a cousin of the former ombudsman. Strange indeed While there has been a frenzy of activities all over the country urging her to run the lady mayor is out of the radar screen. She had issued a statement as early as December that she is not running while her father, the President, had counseled her not to run.

I did manage to get a crisp response from Mayor Inday Sara when I told her about the context of the tirade of the ex-Justice Carpio. Always a polite lady she said: “Yes sir,

di ko alam bakit sila biglang mangatake. Puede naman sila magsabi ng diretso we want to run (Yes sir, I cannot understand why the sudden attack. They could have just said directly that they want to run)." For his part, Attorney Mans posted on Facebook, “I cannot choose my relatives”.

The convenor of 1Sambayan is a former Aquino Education Sec. Armin Luistro and assisted by a Jesuit Bert Alejo who was made famous by Bikoy. Carpio presented in his gallery of candidates the failed Otso Deretso senatorial bets, VP Leni Robredo, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Antonio Trillanes, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. X-Justice Carpio and Luistro appeared on primetime T V probably wishing their show of force CONSPIRACY/PAGE 11

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DAVAO MARKETING OFFICE Door 223, Doña Segunda Bldg., CM Recto Ave., Davao City Telephone #: (082) 298-8815 Regional Mktg Manager-JOE PALABAO- 0926-8430152 Circulation-JOHN PAUL AQUINO, 0907-331-5640

Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Managing Marriage Think a minute… Someone said: “Marriage is like getting a phone call at midnight: first you get a ring, then you wake up!” One man said that his wife “went from hard-toget, to hard-to-handle, to hard-to-take.” Yet a woman observed: “A husband expects his wife to be perfect, but to understand why he is not.”

Our problem is that when marriage does not give us total happiness like we expected, many of us blame our mate, or even marriage itself. But if you are not a happy person before you get married, you will not be happy afterwards either.

In marriage, two people bring together not only their good qualities, but also their problems and weaknesses; so married life can become double trouble if we come into it with wrong, unrealistic expectations. But when we learn how to blend our two personalities and pasts, our love and joy together is more than doubled. Remember: “In the word wedding, the ‘we’ comes before the ‘I’.”

Our big mistake is thinking that if we change our mate or outward circumstances, it will solve our marriage

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST problem, along with our other problems. So we get a better job, more money, a nicer house, even move to another city. But the problem is, “Wherever you go—there you are.” Even if we get a different wife or husband, the person we are inside is still the same; so until we stop blaming our wife or husband, or our outward circumstances, and we ourselves change, our marriage and life cannot change either.

A wise man put it this way: “No clever arrangement of bad eggs ever made a good omelet.” A good omelet only comes from good eggs! And a good, satisfying marriage MARRIAGE/PAGE 11

NUTS & BOLTS

Assessments by World Bank and partners provide insights into more than 120 countries’ readiness to safely distribute vaccines As countries undertake the largest vaccination campaign in history, the World Bank has worked with governments, WHO, UNICEF, the Global Fund and GAVI on assessing countries’ readiness to safely deploy COVID-19 vaccines in 128 low- and middleincome countries. The results indicate that income level and other economic indicators correlate weakly with vaccine preparedness.

The report focuses on ten key indicators, including cold chain & logistics, population prioritization, bu d ge t i ng , t r ai n i ng of healthcare personnel, and safety surveillance, among others.

Initial findings show

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Gaps remain in countries' readiness to deploy COVID-19 vaccines

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

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JUN LEDESMA IT is now obvious X-Justice Antonio Carpio has been consumed with a burning desire to oust Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte. And there is more to it than politics. It can all be about Scarborough and what is beneath the bowels of that atoll and that power grab and the only means to achieve these of course is to mount a coalition for 2022 elections.

During the launching of

A decadent conspiracy

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

Sadness makes the devil happy THIS should be made clear to all of us. We are meant to be happy, not only from time to time, but all time.

Impossible? Of course, it will be impossible if we rely mainly if not solely on our own powers. But that'ts not supposed to be.

We are meant to be with God and to rely mainly on his powers. That way, we can always manage to be at peace and happy, which is what is ideal for all of us.

Sadness is the ally of our enemy. It makes the devil happy. It’s when we are sad, beset with worries and fears, when we become most vulnerable to our own personal weaknesses and to the wiles of the devil. We have to learn to overcome our sadness by learning how to be tough when the life becomes tough.

And toughness can mean that we just abandon ourselves in the hands of God when we seem to be helpless in a given situation or predicament. We may

call it a holy kind of indifference or insensitivity that is necessary for all of us to have.

Yes, we are supposed to be responsible for our life, able to take charge of everything. We should do our best to solve all our problems, But we should not forget that our powers can only go so far.

Others may do more than us, can manage things better than us, can b e more successf ul in handling things than us, but everyone has his limits.

We shou l d not b el ab or the obvious fact that we cannot handle everything, nor solve all our problems, nor resolve all our issues.

Rather, if we live by our Christian faith, we know that we precisely can make use of our difficulties as a strong reason to get closer to God who can do what is impossible for us to do.

We would have no problem doing that, since we know that God is our Father who

takes care of everything for us. With such attitude, we can manage to have peace, and even joy.

It’s important that no matter how our day would go, we should end it without anything weighing heavily in our mind and heart. This attitude is not some kind of self-deceiving trick we play on ourselves. It has basis on our Christian faith as articulated, for example,

by St. Paul when he said, “For when I am weak that I am strong.” (2 Cor 12,10) Allowing ourselves to keep worries and fears would simply be a manifestation of our lack of f ait h i n G o d, i n h is abiding providence. It can also mean that we are so dominated by pride that we cannot realize anymore that we are not expected to solve everything in our life, and that it is only God who can do that, as articulated again by St. Paul who said: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA completion.” (Phil 1,6) Definitely, to be able to live by our Christian faith when we are assailed with problems and difficulties, w i l l re qu i re e f for t and training. And so we should just have our daily practice, since, anyway, each day br i n g s w it h it it s ow n l o a d of ch a l l e nge s an d difficulties. Let’s consider them as opportunities to learn how to be peaceful and happy even in the midst of the negative things in our life.

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Gov’t banks urged to continue providing loans to MSMEs

G

OVERNMENT banks are encouraged to continue providing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to keep their businesses afloat as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) expanded quarantine protocols.

During the online Tapatan sa Aristocrat Monday, University of the Philippines School of Economics Alumni Association president Jeffrey Ng said it is crucial that MSMEs survive amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic as they account for the bulk of employment in the country.

The IATF placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under a stricter general community quarantine (GCQ) due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.

Covid-19 cases in the country

hit nearly 8,000 cases daily in the past two days, with National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions 3 and 4A leading the number of new infections.

“It would be best for the government to continue providing credit access to these micro, small and medium enterprises. Let say Landbank, DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines), and Small Business Corporation should be able to lend more to these struggling companies because once they closed, they will have a difficult time reviving their operations,” Ng said.

He added private banks are more conservative in their lending policies as they are also being challenged by the pandemic.

“I think it’s only the government that can infuse needed liquidity and credit to these thousands of small entrepreneurs all over the country,” Ng said. “They are the ones who have

to take on risk on lending on these struggling MSMEs.” Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. vice president Cecilio Pedro said they are looking forward to economic recovery by the second half of this year.

Pedro said once the Covid-19 immunization program for the general public starts, the government “will rush in and put all their resources to help the economy and bring back the economy to a preCovid level”.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been rolling out its Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) program since the middle of last year.

The CARES program, implemented by DTI’s financing arm SB Corp., provides zero-interest loans to MSMEs. (PNA)

Term deposit rates rise anew

RATES of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term deposit facility (TDF) rose further Wednesday, still on investors’ demand for yields amid the elevated inflation rate.

Data released by the central bank showed that the average rate of the seven-day facility increased to 1.8432

percent, and the 14-day facility to 1.8898 percent.

These were at 1.8049 percent for the one-week TDF, and 1.8839 percent for the two-week TDF during the auction last March 17.

The BSP still offered the seven-day facility for P140 billion, and tenders amounted to P261.363 billion.

Tenders for the 14-day TDF reached P408.046 billion, more than the P340-billion offer, which is also the same as last week’s offer volume.

Both tenors were fully awarded.

In a statement, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said “auction results show that, amid ample financial

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 07 Tubod, Lanao del Norte IN RE: PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF VICKY JOY QUABO ALVIA UNDER THE FIRST NAME FROM VICKY QUABO ALVIA to VICKY JOY QUABO ALVIA and CORRECTION OF ENTRY UNDER HUSBAND’S SURNAME OF THE CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE FROM MARTOLO TO MORTOLO. VICKY JOY Q. ALVIA-MORTOLA,

- versus –

SPL. PROC. NO. 352-07-2020 - for Change of Name

ORDER Filed before this Court is a Petition for Change of Name of VICKY QUABO ALVIA otherwise known as VICKY JOY QUABO ALVIA from VICKY QUABO ALVIA to VICKY JOY QUABO ALVIA filed by the herein Petitioner praying among others that upon due notice, publication and hearing, judgment be issued granting the petition.

Petitioner alleges that she is of legal age, married and a resident of Lower Sagadan, Baroy, Lanao del Norte.

Respondent is sued in her official capacity as such. The Petitioner was born to spouses VIRGILIO R. ALVIA and FERNANDA R. QUABO at Poblacion, Baroy, Lanao del Norte. That unknown to the petitioner, her father registered the First Name as VICKY instead of VICKY JOY as it can be gleaned in all her documents of importance, hence, this instant petition for correction of entry of the First/Given Name of Petitioner from VICKY TO VICKY JOY. There is also entry of the Husband’s Surname in the Certificate of Marriage, MARTOLA instead of MORTOLA as reflected in the Birth Certificate of her husband issued by the Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar of Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, Certificate of Baptism issued by the Parish of the Holy Cross, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte and Confirmation Certificate of San Isidro Labrador Church, Maigo, Lanao del Norte. She attached to the petition the documents to support her petition. That the petition is filed in good faith and is not intended to conceal the commission of a crime and/or defeat the investigation and prosecution of the same but with the sole intention to straighten the records of the petitioner.

Set the initial hearing of this petition to July 1, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning before the sala of this Court. Any person interested to the said petition may come to Court on said date and time to show cause why said petition should not be granted.

Furnish copy of this Order to the Office of the Solicitor General in Makati City, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Baroy, Lanao del Norte, Atty. Dorothea SaliganBasalo of Poblacion, Tubod, Lanao del Norte and to the petitioner herself of Lower Sagadan, Baroy, Lanao del Norte.

Let copy of the Order containing the petition be published in a newspaper of general circulation for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner. Another copy be posted at the Bulletin Board of this Court.

SO ORDERED. Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

January 18, 2021

BWM: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 & 9, 2021

system liquidity, market yields continue to rise as the Easter holidays and tax season approach.”

“Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to be guided by its assessment of the latest liquidity condition and market developments in the conduct of its monetary operations,” he added.

(PNA)

DBP breaches trillion-peso asset mark; loans rise 19%

STATE-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) joined the elite ranks of trillion-peso banks in the country, as its total assets reached P1.04 trillion at end2020, up by a whopping 37 percent from the P761.24 billion recorded the previous year, a top official said.

In a statement Thursday, DBP president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Herbosa said higher total assets was buoyed largely by the hefty increases in deposits which grew by 47.6 percent to P817.9 billion from P554.18 billion in 2019, and the 26-percent hike in investments to P260.1 billion from P206.57 billion the previous year.

“DBP’s latest milestone manifests the public’s continued confidence in DBP as a strong, stable and reliable financial institution,” Herbosa said. “We are emboldened by the fact that the bank was able to achieve this feat two years earlier than our projected timeline and despite the constraints

of the prevailing public health crisis.”

DBP is the sixthlargest bank in the country in terms of assets and has been designated as the country’s Infrastructure Bank by the national government. It has a network of 129 fullservice branch offices, including 11 branch lite units situated mostly in underserved and far-flung areas of the country.

Herbosa said total loans to borrowers as of Dec. 31, 2020 reached P423.32 billion, up 19 percent from the P356.75 billion outstanding principal balance (OPB) as of December 2019, with the majority of the credit assistance channeled to critical sectors and industries that were severely affected by the current economic downturn.

He said the bulk of the loan OPB as of December 2020 went to infrastructure and logistics which accounted for nearly 53.4 percent or P225.9 billion; followed by loans to social services DBP/PAGE 11

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12TH Judicial Region BRANCH 07 Tubod, Lanao del Norte IN THE MATTER OF CANCELLATION/CANCELLATION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF MINOR KRYSZHA WEAVE ATAY CARMELO.

SPL. PROC. NO. 354-07-2021

METZIE ATAY CARMELO, Represented by PLACIDA ATAY CARMELO,

Petitioner,

- versus OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE,

Respondent. x------------------------------ ----------/ ORDER

Petitioner,

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF BAROY, LANAO DEL NORTE, Respondent. x------------------- -----------/

5

Banking&Finance

(Sgd) RICHIE GAY T. MENDOZA Presiding Judge

Filed before this Court is a Petition for CANCELLATION/CORRECTION of entry in the Certificate of Live Birth of minor KRYSZHA WEAVE ATAY CARMELO filed by the herein Petitioner praying among others that upon due notice, publication and hearing, judgment be issued granting the petition.

Petitioner alleges that she is of legal age, Filipino, single and a resident of Purok- 4, San Antonio, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. She is represented in this case by her mother. PLACIDA ATAY CARMELO, also of legal age, Filipino, and likewise a resident of Purok-4, San Antonio, Tubod, Lanao del Norte by virtue of a Special Power of Attorney. The Respondent is sued in her official capacity as such. Petitioner is the biological mother of the minor child, KRYSZHA WEAVE ATAY CARMELO, who was born out-of-wedlock on August 2, 2005 at San Antonio, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. The child, KRYSZHA WEAVE ATAY CARMELO was registered in such name under Registry No. 2005-650 in the Municipal Civil Registrar of Tubod, Lanao del Norte with the Midde name, “ATAY”. In it, the entry in the “FATHER” portion was either reflected as “UNKNOWN” OR “NOT APPLICABLE”. The middle name of the minor child as “ATAY” was just copied from the middle name of petitioner, her biological mother. That the name minor child of petitioner was born an illegitimate child with the name of her father not indicated. It is further an error that petitioner’s minor child will carry the middle name as same with her, as indicated, considering that the subject minor is not petitioner’s sibling, and was never acknowledged by her biological father as well.

That in the case of REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES vs. TRINIDAD R.A. CAPOTE, G.R. No. 157043, February 2, 2007, it was held that;

“Our ruling in the recent case In Re: Petition for Change of Name and/or Correction of Entry in Civil Registry of Julian Lin Carulasan Wang is enlightening: Our laws of the use of surnames state that legitimate and legitimated children shall principally use the surname of the father. The Family Code gives legitimate children the right to bear the surname of the father and the mother, while illegitimate children shall use the surname of their mother, unless their father recognizes their filiation, in which case they may bear the father’s surname.

Applying these laws, an illegitimate child whose filiation is not recognized by the father bears only a given name and his mother’s surname, and does not have a middle name. The name of the unrecognized illegitimate child therefore identifies him as such.” (underlining ours).

That the Highest Court enumerated valid grounds or reasons to validly ask the Court for a change of name. It is enshrined in Republic of the Philippines vs. Coseteng, G.R. No. 189476, February 2, 2011, to wit:

A person can effect a change of name under Rule 103 (CHANGE OF NAME) using valid and meritorious grounds including (a) when the name is ridiculous, dishonourable or extremely difficult to write or pronounce; (b) when the change results as legal consequences such as legitimation; (c) when the change will avoid confusion; (d) when one has continuously used and been known since childhood by a Filipino name, and was unaware of alien parentage; (e) a sincere desire to adopt a Filipino name to erase signs of former alienage, all in good faith and without prejudicing anybody; and (f) when the surname causes embarrassment and there is no showing that the desired change of name was for a fraudulent purpose or that the change of name would prejudice public interest.

That from all the foregoing, petitioner prayed that the name of her minor child be corrected/changed from KRYSZHA WEAVE ATAY CARMELO to simply KRYSZHA WEAVE CARMELO, bearing her GIVEN FIRST NAME and the LAST NAME of petitioner only.

Set the initial hearing of this petition to May 27, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning before the sala of this Court. Any person interested to the said petition may come to Court on said date and time to show cause why said petition should not be granted.

Furnish copy of this Order to the Office of the Solicitor General in Makati City, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Atty. Glenice Joy Jornales of Poblacion, Tubod, Lanao del Norte and to the petitioner herself through her mother, Placida Atay Carmelo of P-4, San Antonio, Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

Let copy of the Order containing the petition be published in a newspaper of general circulation for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner. Another copy be posted at the Bulletin Board of this Court.

SO ORDERED.

March 16, 2021

Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

(Sgd) RICHIE GAY T. MENDOZA Presiding Judge BWM: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 & 9, 2021

6

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'The Vaxplainer' features efficacy and safety of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine

T

HE Presidential Communications Operations Office – Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs (PCOO-OGMPA) is releasing its third episode of "The VAXplainer," which focuses on the efficacy of the CoronaVac of Sinovac Biotech – the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines that arrived in the Philippines on February 28, 2021, through the generosity of the Chinese government.

“This episode will provide components and specifics of the CoronaVac as a safe and effective vaccine for our medical frontliners and fellow Filipinos against COVID-19 as cited by our medical and health experts,” PCOO Sec. Martin M. Andanar said.

He also mentioned that this episode of ‘The VAXplainer’ gives deeper insights and ideas to the public to help them understand everything about CoronaVac. The PCOO-OGMPA will also produce

explainer content videos for AstraZeneca and other vaccines to be soon available in the country.

This episode of "The VAXplainer" also features interviews with two Filipino experts on epidemiology and public health. Dr. Maria Consorcia “Conky” LimQuizon, a member of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), said that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for medical professionals who are at the frontlines since the start of the pandemic.

On the other hand, Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana, Director of Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology - UP Manila and a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Technical Working Group on COVID-19 Variants, cited that the COVID-19 vaccine is modified from the original

SARS outbreak, which was 17 years ago.

“These vaccines have been in development for the last 17 years. They just swap out 'yung SARS to SARSCOV-2. The science is there naman to be seen,” Dr. Salvana said during an interview.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) DirectorGeneral Eric Domingo explained the emergency use authorization

How pandemic affects education QUIMBERLY G. BASPIN Teacher III Cogon National High School

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced uncertainty into maj or asp e c ts of national and global society, including for schools. For example, there is uncertainty about how school closures last spring impacted student achievement, as well as how the rapid conversion of most instruction to an online platform this academic year will continue to affect achievement. Without data on how the virus impacts student learning, making informed decisions about whether and when to return to in-person instruction remains difficult. Even now, education leaders must grapple with seemingly impossible choices that balance health risks associated with inperson learning against the educational needs of children, which may be better served when kids are in their physical schools.

Amidst all this u n c e r t a i n t y, t h e r e i s

growing consensus that school closures in spring 2020 likely had negative effects on student learning.

Based on historical learning trends and prior res e arch on how outof-s cho ol-t ime af fe c ts learning, we estimated that students would potentially begin fall 2020 with roughly 70% of the learning gains in reading relative to a typical school year. In mathematics, students were predicted to show e ve n s ma l l e r learning gains from the previous year, returning with less than 50% of typical gains. While these and other similar forecasts presented a grim portrait of the challenges facing students and educators this fall, they were nonetheless projections. The question remained: What would learning trends in actual data from the 2020-21 school year really look like?

With fall 2020 data now in hand, we can move

beyond forecasting and begin to describe what did happen. While the closures last spring left most schools without assessment data from that time, thousands of schools began testing this fall, making it possible to compare learning gains in a typical, pre-COVID-19 year to those same gains during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When comparing students’ median percentile rank for fall 2020 to those for fall 2019, there is good news to share: Students in grades 3-8 performed similarly in reading to same-grade students in fall 2019. While the reason for the stability of these achievement results cannot be easily pinned down, possible explanations are that students read more on their own, and parents are better equipped to support learning in reading compared to other subjects that require more formal instruction.

(EUA) was granted to Sinovac on February 21, 2021 after intensive and meticulous assessment on the Chinese-made vaccine.

On February 28, 2021, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte witnessed the arrival of the first 600,000 doses of CoronaVac as part of China's commitment to

supporting the national vaccination rollout.

Sinovac's CoronaVac is the third COVID-19 vaccine brand granted an emergency use authorization by the country's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after PfizerBioNTech and AstraZeneca. EUA was also recently

granted to Gamaleya’s Sputnik V, the first Russian-made vaccine against COVID-19.

The "VAXplainer” will be aired on PTV and IBC-13. It will also be livestreamed on the PCOO, NTF COVID-19, and Department of Health’s Facebook pages, as well as other government-affiliated social media pages.

Standards in Mathematics Education

By ANGELITA D. PUTOL Teacher III

Standards for mathematics education, historically speaking, were set locally, by individual schools or teachers, that depended on the levels of achievement t hat were rele vant to, realistic for, and considered socially appropriate for their pupils.

In modern times, there has been a move towards regional or national standards, usually under the umbrella of a wider standard school curriculum.

Many other countries have centralized ministries which set national standards or curricula, and sometimes even textbooks.

R e s e arc h b a s e d on nationwide data, showed that students with higher scores on standardized mathematics tests had taken more mathematics courses in high school. This led some states to require three years of mathematics instead of two. But because this requirement was often met by taking another lowerlevel mathematics course, the additional courses had a “diluted” effect in raising achievement levels.

At different times and in different cultures and

countries, mathematics education has attempted to achieve a variety of different objectives. These objectives have included: Teaching and learning of basic numeracy skills to all pupils; teaching of practical mathematics (arithmetic, elementary algebra, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry) to most pupils, to equip them to follow a trade or craft; the teaching of abst rac t mat hemat ica l concepts (such as set and function) at an early age; the teaching of selected areas of mathematics (such as Euclidean geometry) as an example of an axiomatic system and a model of deductive reasoning; the teaching of selected are a s of m at h e m at i c s (such as calculus) as an example of the intellectual achievements of the modern world; the teaching of advanced mathematics to those pupils who wish to follow a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields; Mathematics and its applications per vade all aspects of life in the

m o d e r n w o r l d . Ma ny of the developments and decisions made in industry and commerce, the provision of social and community services as well as government policy and planning etc., rely on the use of mathematics.

Mathematics a powerful me ans for d e vel opi ng v ar i ou s abi l it i e s i n a technology-oriented and information-rich society; a p ow e r f u l m e a n s o f communication; a tool for studying other disciplines; (d) an intellectual endeavour and a mode of thinking; and; a discipline, through which students can develop their ability to appreciate t he b e aut y of natu re, manage uncertainty and make sound judgements.

Mathematics education plays an active role in STEM education, and supports the learning of other subjects.

It contributes significantly to the whole-person development of students in primary and secondary schools, prepares them for multiple pathways to postsecondary education and future careers, and hence plays an important role in the school curriculum.

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7

Faster, cheaper internet eyed

DICT strategy to fast track national broadband rollout

S

By MIKE BAÑOS

HOULD things go as planned, the Philippines would soon have cheaper and faster internet services that would be at par with the best other Southeast Asian nations have to offer.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is partnering with local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to make this happen by expediting the completion of the National Broadband Network.

“The National Grid (NGCP) per se is not a resilient line. It is not a ring, which is the most topologically resilient network,” said Emmanuel Rey R. Caintic, DICT Undersecretary for Digital Philippines & Operations, in a zoom conference with the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) on March 15.

“A ring when it is cut off will simply flow to the other side of the circle. That’s why DICT is shifting its strategy into rings,” he added.

The Oro Chamber requested the meeting with DICT to seek ways to harmonize the National Broadband Plan (NBP) with the Master Plan for Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development in Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro (SUID Metro CDO) being implemented by the National Economic Development Authority

through its Region X office.

Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro As presented by Engr.

Mezlaine Jay S. Pacana, NEDA -X SUID Metro Cagayan de Oro Project focal person, Metro CDO covers the 2 cities of Cagayan de Oro and El Salvador, and the municipalities of Alubijid, Claveria, Gitagum, Initao, Jasaan, Laguindingan, Libertad, Opol, Tagoloan, Villanueva, Manolo Fortich, and six more candidate LGUs under consideration (Balingasag, Baungon, Libona, Malitbog, Sumilao, Talakag).

Metro CDO had a population of 1,219,005 as of 2015 and covers a total land area of 227,935.49 hectares.

The National Broadband “DICT requested P18Billion to build a fiber backbone covering the whole archipelago, but the NGCP line does not offer redundancy as it is built,” Caintic said.

“Initially, National Broadband was planned to be routed through NGCP lines. But this is not reflective of the national backbone, this is just one of its lines. This will take some time to reach Cagayan de Oro,” he noted.

Without waiting for

Oro Chamber officials and other ICT stakeholders meet with DICT Usec Emmanuel Rey Caintic (2nd from left, 2nd row) on March 15. (Oro Chamber photo)

further developments for the NBP, DICT has proceeded with what was possible within its allocated budget.

Under the strategy adopted by the agency, the DICT is seeking active partnerships with LGUs and the private sector through telecommunications companies, internet service providers and value added services (VAS) providers to help expedite the construction of the national fiber optic backbone.

To build a resilient fiber backbone, DICT

plans to purchase a fiber backbone ring, which it is encouraging the cities to do, and lease existing or planned fiber networks of telcos.

“Instead of relying solely on building the backbone through NGCP’s line, DICT will lease all excess capacities of players and run the national backbone through them,” Caintic explained. “Local players could then build their provincial broadband networks emanating from this national fiber backbone. Building the National Broadband would take very long without the help of the provincial telcos.”

“What we urgently need for the NBP is a national highway,” Caintic noted. “By partnering with LGUs, DICT aims to expand the Middle and Last Mile.”

LGUs which have so far signed MOUs with DICT to help build the national fiber and provincial networks include Bataan, Baguio City, Tarlac, Zambales, Pangasinan, Cavite, Rizal and Batangas.

“The Free WiFi for All Program will be DICT’s

means through which it can assist provincial telcos build their provincial/ city broadbands,” Caintic said. “DICT will pay for the internet at endpoints which becomes the telcos revenue driver. As the anchor tenant/client, DICT would help finance the broadband and/or help extend the broadband to reach further, especially to underserved/unserved areas.”

“Leasing the telcos broadband networks instead of purchasing it would help telcos better sustain and expand the networks over the long run. The Last Mile revenues would be exclusively for the local telcos.”

Multiple internet sourcing would further bring down the cost of the internet and expand the market to those not currently using it or have no access to it.

Harmonizing SUID Metro CDO The meeting with DICT was requested by the Oro Chamber Permanent Standing Committee for Public Utilities and Infrastructure, particularly

to see how the national broadband dovetails with the SUID Metro CDO Master Plan Connectivity System – Transportation and Information and Communications Technology component.

In particular, ICT component of the Connectivity System seeks to establish the fundamental ICT components for smart city initiatives, building on the policy environment and digital infrastructure, achieving widespread use of ICT in government operations, and expanding ICT. With a projected ICT demand of 2.6 million mbps (million bytes per second) by 2025, among the identified strategies for ICT in the SUID Metro CDO Master Plan are partnerships with stakeholders to reduce construction costs and spur investment in fiberoptic corridors; and the synchronization of data cabling with public road works projects between DWPH, DICT, and LGUs, already salient features of the DICT’s present BROADBAND/PAGE 10

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Stop Selective Ban On Vaccine Purchases - Imee

By ALY ABELLANA

E

NTIRE industries are being blocked by the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force (NTF) from procuring Covid-19 vaccines, Senator Imee Marcos revealed Saturday.

Marcos got hold of a draft administrative order, about to be passed on for President Duterte’s signature, that will prevent the country’s largest manufacturers of tobacco, milk, sugar, soda, and alcohol, as well as multinational firms based in the Philippines from assisting the government’s national vaccination program.

“That means the entire San Miguel group, the whole Lucio Tan group, Puregold, Nestle, Destileria Limtuaco, all soft drinks producers, Tanduay, Ginebra, White Castle, et cetera,” Marcos pointed out.

“Kapag di makabili ng mga bakuna itong mga malahiganteng kumpanyang ito, na 50 percent idodonate sa publiko dahil walang pera ang gubyerno, paano pa tayo makakadagdag ng bakuna?,” Marcos added.

(If these giant companies cannot buy vaccines, 50% of which will be donated to the public because the government lacks funding, how else will we acquire more vaccines?)

Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, explained that the administrative order will not only slow down the vaccination of the targeted 70% of Filipinos to achieve herd immunity this year but also diminish the government’s ability to generate much needed

revenue to fund its national vaccination program.

“We are about to see a total wipeout of the 50-percent donation of vaccines by these large companies, donations which are stipulated in each tripartite agreement among private entities, vaccine manufacturers and the government,” Marcos said.

“These companies are the biggest contributors to the government coffers through excise taxes. How ironic that this administrative order was conceived

amid a shocking spike in Covid-19 cases and just weeks away from the tax payment deadline in

April,” Marcos added.

Section 5 of the administrative order states that the NTF and the DOH shall review all requests of private entities to procure vaccines “to ensure that private entities who will be part of the agreement are not in any way related to the tobacco industry, products covered under EO 51 series of 1986 or the “National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Breastmilk Supplement and Other Related Products” or other products in conflict with public health.”

Marcos cited Binondo-based Chinese newspapers reporting that NTF chief Carlito Galvez Jr. disapproved the vaccine importation requests of members of

the three largest FilipinoChinese chambers of commerce.

The reports echoed Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s lament via Twitter that the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FCCCII) was being blocked from importing 500,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac after a deal had already been signed.

“The administrative order totally contradicts the “shared responsibility” and collaboration the government has sought from the private sector and other organizations through its Philippine National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for Covid-19,” Marcos said.

DA-10, CDO to build P20-M cold storage for agri productivity ENABLING farmers to increase productivity and profitability, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro through the Agricultural Productivity Operations Office (APOO) led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P20 million Monolithic Dome Cold Storage and Packing Facility, March 25.

"The construction of this dome type storage and packing facility is one of a kind in the region that requires advanced engineering or construction technology.

This facility will extend the shelf life of highly-perishable commodities and reduce post-harvest losses of the farmers in Cagayan de Oro City and northern

Mindanao as a whole," DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene Collado said.

To be built at the City Engineering's Compound, Kauswagan, here, the 350 MT capacity facility is funded through the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) under High Value Crops Development Program.

"Today we are breaking ground itong magandang project (this beautiful project). We are honored and certainly we will take care of it. Alam namin na malaking tulong ito (We know that this is a big help) not just in Cagayan de Oro but also in the whole of northern Mindanao," Mayor Oscar Moreno said.

STORAGE/PAGE 11

Changes that students, parents and school authorities may face in Post COVID-19 MANUEL L. LINCARO PRINCIPAL I

BWM: Mar. 12, 19 & 26, 2021

As vaccines are now being used to it after a while. So, rolled out, talks have started the teachers and support about reopening the schools, staff will have to be extra which were shut down vigilant during the first few because of the Covid-19 days. p a n d e m i c . H o w e v e r, Mental Health concerns. nationwide debates and It cannot be denied that the discussions have abound Covid-19 pandemic and concerning the changes the subsequent community that may be made in the lockdowns have taken its education system to counter toll on the students’ mental the ill-effects of Covid-19. health. Upon reopening, Schools will have a schools must place emphasis significant responsibility on mental as well as physical on their shoulders when they health. Communication re-open. They will they be hotlines must be in place expected to provide quality where students can call their education to the students, teachers any time, and but they would also need share their problems, and to ensure the safety of each get sound advice.

Blended Learning. student.

T h e n e w s t a n d a r d To prevent the school may bring about changes premises from becoming via observance of health overcrowded, the schools protocols such as physical will resort to blended distancing. Children will learning. It means half be meeting friends and the students will receive classmates after a long time, the education online, and and they may want to hug the other half will learn in or shake hands. Thus, chool classrooms. Then they will authorities will have to switch places after a certain ensure that proper physical period, and the cycle will distancing is followed at all continue. Thus, education times. It might be difficult would be a “blend” of offline for the students during the and online learning. early days, but they will get School faculty training.

The school staff will have to undergo a training program to implement the changes. The training may focus also on maintaining proper hygiene and sanitary standards. Schools will spend heavily on sanitary equipment and facilities and items such as free sanitizer, and hands-free water dispensers.

Overhaul Education System. There is a need to completely overhaul the education system. Such as, instead of focusing on preparing students for the examinations, the schools must focus on preparing them for life. There is a need for more education on critical thinking and life skills. Several pedagogical changes will also come into effect, and the students will be taught concepts through project work. It will make education more interactive and give the students opportunities to collaborate. It will help them develop as team players and critical thinkers – two skills that are highly sought after by employers these days.

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Gov’t to distribute 47M face masks to poor communities

By KRIS CRISMUNDO, PNA

THE government is targeting to distribute over 47 million pieces of free face masks under its “Mask para sa Masa” project, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

In his report to President Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday, Lopez said 12.6 million cloth face masks were already distributed to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in areas with high coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

Nearly 6.7 million of the face masks were given to poor communities in Metro Manila, 3.1 million pieces in Region 4-A, 1.1 million pieces in Region 7, 852,330 masks each in Region 6 and Region 11, and 10,000 face masks in Region 3.

The “Mask para sa Masa” is a joint project of the Office of the President with the Inter-Agency Task

If interested, contact:

Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, DTI, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Health, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Lopez said 13.67 million face masks were already produced by local community sewers and local manufacturers.

Some 16.1 million cloth face masks are for delivery and 17.2 million pieces are ongoing production, procurement, and post qualification.

He added that aside from providing free face masks, the project provides a source of income to jobless individuals in the communities.

“This is a double purpose —they have livelihood, and whatever they produce is given to poor communities.

This also helps our local manufacturers to increase their production volume.

It’s creating jobs when it’s

DANICA SUDARIA

locally made,” Lopez said in mixed English and Filipino.

The DTI chief said 17.17 million reusable face masks will be distributed to poor communities in the next one to two weeks, bringing the total face masks that have been distributed to 30 million. (PNA)

FREE FACE MASKS. The government targets to distribute over 47 million pieces of face masks to poor families under its “Mask para sa Masa” project. The project also provides a source of income to jobless individuals in the communities. (Screenshot from DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez's presentation)

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. 10 5F and 6F Trinidad Building, Corner Capistrano-Yacapin Streets, Cagayan de Oro City

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT If you have any information / objection to mentioned applications, Please communicate with the Regional Director.

March 25, 2021 SGD. ALBERT E. GUTIB OIC - Regional Director

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

MDN: March 26, 2021

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Broadband... from page 7

national backbone rollout strategy.

Also listed among the ICT Programs/Projects/Activities identified in the SUID Metro CDO Master Plan are the Free WiFi for All Project and Digital Transformation Centers, likewise included in the DICT’s strategy.

Ways Forward Engr. Elpidio Paras, president of Promote Normin and CEO of Parasat Cable TV (Cable 21), a Cagayan de Orobased ISP and VAS provider, lauded the DICT plan which dovetails nicely with the resilient ring networks telcos and VAS providers have been laying throughout Mindanao.

“Our ring broadband network in Metro Cagayan de Oro is almost complete and is now entering Manolo Fortich, and have also been already laid out in Balingasag, Gingoog, and up to Initao.

This provincial network may be completed within the year, and ready to service the needs of DICT,” he reported.

To further set the longterm direction of the national broadband network in Metro EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF THE LATE SPOUSES JUSTO MALAYA AND FLOREFIZ B. MALAYA KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late SPOUSES JUSTO AND FLOREFIZ B. MALAYA, who respectively died on February 26, 1986 in Barra Opol, Misamis Oriental and November 27, 2004 in Cagayan de Oro City, without any will, that upon their death said deceased left the following parcels of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-34887 situated in the Barangay of Barra, Mun. of Opol, Prov. Of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of THREE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY NINE (3,999) SQUARE METERS, more or less, Parcel 2- A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. 7920 situated in Kitam-is, Lonocan, Manolo Fortich, Province of Bukidnon, containing an area of FORTY TWO THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE (42,835) SQUARE METERS, Parcel 3- A parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. ET_1084 situated in the Barangay of Lunokan, Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of THIRTY THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY (30,780) SQUARE METERS, more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF THE LATE SPOUSES JUSTO MALAYA AND FLOREFIZ B. MALAYA, filed by the heirs of SPOUSES JUSTO AND FLOREFIZ B. MALAYA, per DOC #55; PAGE #6; BOOK #XVI; Series of 2019 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. BERNA GIFT C. GONZAGA-DIMACALING BWM: Mar. 19, 26 & Apr. 2, 2021

C D O, Par a s s u g ge s t e d NEDA-X to commission a study soonest on how to i mpl e me nt t he IC T Infrastructure as described

by Usec. Caintic for the SUID Metro CDO Master Plan.

“NEDA will be entering another planning cycle by 2022 and we can recommend this as one of the studies to be undertaken through the Project Development & Other Related Studies ( P R D S ) t o up d at e t h e Regional Development Plan, for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act of 2022,” Engr. Pacana responded.

Karma Yasmin B. Ortiz, S ector C oordinator for ICT of the S ecretariat, RDC-X Infrastructure & Development Committee, added that the policy brief to strengthen the resiliency of fiber optic networks (FONs) is now being reviewed for dissemination to key stakeholders for review and further inputs. “ T h e O ro C h a m b e r is willing to host a focus group/technical working group discussion not only on these issues, but basically to determine ways forward on how the deployment of the national, provincial and city broadband networks can be expedited in partnership with the LGUs and private s e c tor, to re a l i z e t he establishment of a robust, fast and resilient national broadband network in Metro CDO and its adjacent areas,” volunteered Oro Chamber President Ruben A. Vegafria.

Besides DICT, the Oro Chamber, and NEDA-X, the meeting was also attended by other Metro CDO ICT st a kehol d e rs i nclu d i ng P r o m o t e No r m i n , t h e Philippine Chamb er of DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH SALE OF PARCEL OF LAND KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late SALVADOR M. SOLERIA, who died intestate without will on April 12, 1997 at Poblacion, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, at the time of his death left a parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. G-307916 sitauted at Mambuaya, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTEEN (8,713) square meters, and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH SALE OF PARCEL OF LAND, filed by the heirs of SALVADOR M. SOLERIA, in favor of SPS. ROQUE MARBAN AND MYRNA C. MARBAN, per DOC #166; PAGE #34; BOOK #LII; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. TEOFREDO C. ROJAS. BWM: Mar. 19, 26 & Apr. 2, 2021

Commerce Region X and Mindanao offices, NTC-10, the Oro Trade & Investment Promotion Center (TIPC), and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.

Income... from page 3

2.4% in 2020, while S&R grocers recorded an SSSG of 8.7%.

Puregold has a total of 470 stores nationwide as of December 2020, including 403 Puregold stores, 20 S&R membership shopping grocers, and 46 S&R New York Style Pizza shops.

“We are committed to drive sustainable growth in 2021 [through] continued store expansions and innovations in grocery retailing.” Mr. Co said.

Invest... from page 3

Even with Brexit, the country maintains the GSP+ benefits in the UK, he added.

As part of Asean, the Philippines also has better market access in participating countries in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Lopez said the country is also negotiating with South Korea for a bilateral free trade deal, as well as preferential trade agreements with India, Chile, Pakistan, and Turkey.

The DTI is also reexploring the opportunities of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

(PNA)

Services... from page 3

It s store s a ls o have protection barriers to protect both store personnel and customers, visible physical distancing guidelines, and other safety measures in compliance with the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the local government.

“Stores inside malls will also be shortened to give employees time to reach their homes before the curfew,” PLDT-Smart said.

For barangays or other areas under a granular l o ckd ow n , it prov i d e d “community loading stations” in assigned areas to ensure that both retailers and subscribers have access to mobile services.

A l e x C a e g , he a d of C onsumer Sales Group

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL MUNICIPALITY OF INITAO -o0oNOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CFN-0001-2021

at PLDT-Smart, said the companies also address customer issues online and via their hotline beyond store hours.

“At the end of the day, it’s about fulfilling our commitment to Filipinos that PLDT and Smart are here to serve you amid this crisis,” Caeg said. (PNA)

Water... from page 1

the side, so that everything is fresh,” the former agriculture secretary noted. “ It t o o k t i m e a n d perseverance which is why I am pleasantly and happily surprised It is time to really understand that the future of Mindanao is precisely because we are working together. I am happy to be part of the team for our beloved Mayor Oca of Cagayan de Oro, and everyone who’s represented here.”

Joining Lorenzo during the ceremony was Indahag Punong Barangay Jocelyn N. Dahino, City Councilor & Majority Floor Leader Ian Mark Q. Nacaya representing Mayor Oscar S. Moreno, Land Bank of the Philippines AVP/CDO Lending Center Head Jimmy P. Arco, and Joel A. Baldelovar, Director for Business Development of JE Hydro.

Also present to show their support for the project were City Councilors Roger D. Abaday, Maria Lourdes S, Gaane, and Jay Roa Pascual.

Indahag officials led by Punong Barangay Dahino were also present, with SB members Renejane D. Babia, Bruno C. Exequil, Dolly B. Bete, Fe C. Nambatac, C armelito R . Damo, Silvestrito J. Reyes and Kristoffer John M. Rivera, with SB Secretary Cesar D. Bautista.

Barangay Indahag Level III Water Supply Project JE Hydro will construct a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with a capacity to deliver 5 million liters daily (MLD) of clean and safe potable water at no cost to the barangay. The project will be funded by the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The WTP will source surface water from Bubunawan River in Barangay Pualas, Baungon, Bukidnon with water rights secured from the National Water Rights Board (NWRB) for 10MLD, to provide for future expansion.

JE Hydro has a proven track record of construction

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL MUNICIPALITY OF INITAO -o0oMarch 22, 2021

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CFN-0002-2021

March 23, 2021

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that JOSEPHINE S. SALAS has filed with this Office, a petition for change of first name from “JOSEFA” to “JOSEPHINE” and correction of entry in sex from “ “ to “ “ or correction of entry in the date of birth from “ “ to “ “ in the certificate of live birth of JOSEFA D. SOFOCADO at Initao, Misamis Oriental and whose parents are VICTOR S. SOFOCADO and RAMONA L. DEALCA.

Any person adversely by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than April 15, 2021.

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that PAULINO B. JAMIS has filed with this Office, a petition for change of first name from “NICIAS” to “PAULINO” and correction of entry in sex from “ “ to “ “ or correction of entry in the date of birth from “ “ to “ “ in the certificate of live birth of NICIAS B. JAMIS at Initao, Misamis Oriental and whose parents are MACARIO JAMIS and CESARIA BUNA.

Any person adversely by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than April 15, 2021.

BWM: March 26 & April 2, 2021

(SGD) ISAIAS A. JARALES Municipality Civil Registrar

BWM: March 26 & April 2, 2021

(SGD) ISAIAS A. JARALES Municipality Civil Registrar

of Water Treatment Plants as well as operation and management of water distribution. The Indahag WTP and distribution system will be undertaken by LPL Contractor Richard Mercado.

A Series of Miracles “It is fortunate that we find ourselves this morning trying to produce water, which is basic to life. And we must make sure that this model becomes a symbol, and becomes an example of many more to come.

Our population is growing despite covid, our economy will bounce back and will grow, and water is basic to everything,” Lorenzo said.

“Today’s a special day, I’m a Catholic, today is the feast of the Annunciation,” Lorenza said. “If you look at the story behind the Annunciation, it was a series of miracles that led to our belief that a wonderful simple lady became the mother of God.” “That’s why when you look at the miracles happening around us, don’t forget we can never accomplish what we are trying to do today without the blessings from the Almighty, and without thanking him for all the graces we have received.”

“We are all recipients of his blessings, but we give back by being stewards of what he gives us.”

Councilor Nacaya similarly expressed his appreciation at the significance of the event. “ To d a y m a r k s a significant day to not only to barangay Indahag, but to all Kagay-anons, as well.

The groundbreaking of the water production facility signals new leap of progress in the city. I am very happy that JE Hydro Corp and its partners are endeavoring to design, construct and supply water, from source to the household faucets.”

“Water is not only a necessity to a person’s daily living, but it is life itself - that without it, human race cannot survive. Potable water is also of the same sphere, yet we are not able to provide our people with this basic need,” he stressed.

“The groundbreaking ceremony this morning sig nif ies l arger t han a project for the people in Indahag, but it magnifies growth and development in this community and nearby areas. While it provides water and secures a healthy community, yet, it also boosts the economy of the small businesses and trigger the entry of new investments.”

The Cagayan de Oro City Council unanimously approved earlier without objection during its regular session Monday, March 1, 2021, Resolution No. 2021-47 endorsing and/or imposing no objection to the application of the JE Hydro & Bio-Energy Corporation to develop, build and maintain a Level-3 Water Supply and Distribution System in Barangay Indahag, this city with the intent to supply and distribute a safe drinking water to households and establishments in said barangay.

Wi t h a p o p u l a t i o n

of 16,179 per the 2015 Census representing 2.4% of the city’s population, the upland barangay in the second congressional district may soon be one of its fastest growing. Lately barangay officials estimate its population has risen to approximately 21, 000.

During an earlier committee hearing, Indahag Kag. Carmelito Damo said Indahag’s population has been expanding due to the city’s Sendong relocation projects ( Habitat Phase1 and 2, over 1,000 HH ; Caritas Village, over 100 HH) and private subdivisions such as Mersville del Mondo which has not yet been occupied, and Villa Vita with over 1,800 units, but only has about 50 occupied because of the lack of water supply.

“Nalipay mi kay almost 26 years wala mi tubig gikan sa kagamhanan tungod kay layo kaayo among barangay ug dili makasaka ang tubig sa water district,” Damo, himself a former Indahag Punong Barangay stressed.

“Our general assembly of almost 1,000 residents unanimously agreed to accept the project tungod kay barato ra P7 kada drum. Affordable kaayo sa amo. Naghangyo mi sa JE Hydro nga dalian kay nadaghan na mga residente tungod sa nga relocation sites.”

To further emphasize the urgency of the situation, Barangay Indahag passed Barangay Resolution No. 0172021 during its 5th regular session held March 1, 2021 requesting JE Hydro & BioEnergy Corp. to fast track its Level-3 Water Supply Network to service Bgy. Indahag and its adjacent communities.

The res olution r ued how Bgy. Indahag had been suffering from insufficient supply of safe and potable water for decades, stressing how the barangay has not yet been served the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD), and they have just been making do with water delivered by water tankers and unreliable deep wells, further putting the health and well-being of residents at risk during this time of the global pandemic.

“If we already have water in Indahag, Cagayan de Oro will not be so congested. We are flood-free. This will also help develop our barangay,” he added.

Despite already having a reservoir constructed 12 years ago during the term of former city mayor Constantino G. Jaraula, the barangay has remained waterless for want of a viable water supply.

“Knowing the masterplan of the owners and officers of this hydro company, I can see better years ahead for our fellow Kagay-anons in the elevated barangays, such as Balubal, Lumbia and the hinterland communities,” Nacaya stressed. “We express our sincerest gratitude to JE Hydro and partners for this worthwhile projects in the City. More years of partnership in the City of Golden Friendship!”

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Marriage... from page 4

can only come from two people who love, accept and care as much about the other person’s needs as their own.

“A marriage can be made in heaven, but the maintenance work is done on earth.”

I cannot change my mate’s personality and character, and neither can you! But if you ask Jesus to start changing you first, then after your wife or husband sees you growing better as a person and partner, they will likely want to start changing and growing with you. Won’t you be the first one in your marriage to pray this life-changing prayer and fully mean it: “Lord, please start changing my marriage into the close, happy one I know you created it to be— and start by changing me.”

Just think a minute

Gaps... from page 4

their immunization drives as soon as they receive vaccines.

• Existence of wellfunctioning child immunizat ion nat iona l delivery systems is not a strong predictor of country readiness to deliver vaccines for adults, such as COVID-19 vaccines.

• A weak correlation between GDP and readiness indicates that countries with more developed economies are not necessarily better prepared for massive vaccination programs.

• The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is an opportunity to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly cold chain that could be of use well beyond the current crisis.

Fair, broad, and fast access to ef fective and safe COVID-19 vaccines, especially in poor countries, is vital to save lives and strengthen global economic recovery. Only once the pandemic is contained in all countries will each country be safe from a resurgence and able to focus all efforts on overcoming the deepest global recession in eight decades.

Conspiracy... from page 4

will start rolling and gather momentum. But as it turned out, it was nothing but a whimper.

Well, well it looks like 1 S a m b ay a n s t a r t e d t o disintegrate faster than the sound and fury of the x-justice and the sermon of Brother Luistro. Mayor Isko expressed surprise why his name was on the list. Later he issued a statement that he would prefer Davao City Mayor in whatever position she runs. Then came Trillanes who said he will run for President if Leni will not.

Trillanes has always been out sync as Stephen Sakur of BBC described him but then where X-Justice Carpio and x-DFA Sec. Albert Del Rosario and the Scarborough issue surface the chief negotiator Trillanes is not far away. Add the hard loser Jejomar Binay who from his retirement managed with

a sepulchral voice to criticize Duterte and X-Justice Caprio’s attempt to either be the king or king-maker is a classic failure.

X - J u s t i c e C a r p i o’s ambition to become President was extinguished before it can even flutter. What he merely accomplished was to assembled with loose nuts and bolts some pieces of political junks. It’s the same faces that made up the discordant and decadent conspiracy to oust Duterte.

But I would give credit to the X-Justice for having the courage to crack a whip at a quiet lioness from the South.

Vaccination... from page 12

AC Health also continues to respond to the recent COVID surge by leveraging its network that has established testing sites, COVID-19 referral hospitals, and digital platforms over the past year.

L a s t Nove mb e r, AC Health expanded QualiMed Hospital – Sta. Rosa’s COVIDdedicated bed capacity to 75 beds, and QualiMed Hospital – San Jose Del Monte’s to 30 beds, effectively doubling the total bed capacity for COVID patients since the facilities were initially upgraded last year. Healthway’s Family and Multi- Specialty clinics also remained open to serve as extended frontline care.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, AC Health’s n e t w o r k o f Q u a l i Me d hospitals and Healthway clinics has triaged over 500,000 patients.

On testing sites, the Ayala Group, led by AC Health, engaged with private sector partners to build 4 Biosafety Level 2 modular laboratories in QualiMed hospitals across the country.

This consortium was formed as part of the Ayala Group’s initiative to contribute an additional capacity of 5,500 confirmatory RT-PCR tests per day in support of the Department of Health’s and the Inter-agency Task Force’s Project T3 (Test, Trace, Treat).

As of today, the laboratories have already conducted over 150,000 tests.

A C H e a l t h’s Vi g o s Ve n t u r e s a n d G l o b e’s 917Ventures, also launched HealthNow, an all-in-one healthcare app that offers telemedicine consultations, online medicine ordering and delivery, and clinic and diagnostic testing booking. To date, HealthNow has recorded

over 160,000 app installs and more than 400 onboarded doctors.

Storage... from page 8

The mayor extended his gratitude to DA noting that even with the current situation where the revenues are going down and the economy is affected, a stimulus project like the cold storage is being funded.

Moreno then urged the beneficiaries to take care of the facility emphasizing t h at s t i mu lu s proj e c t s should produce results and "it's a one-way street kung hindi makapag-produce (if beneficiaries will not be able to produce) and the government may not have funds anymore" to suffice the needs of the farmers.

The dome will serve as the region's storage and packing facility with two loading docks, pre-cooling room, with areas for washing/rinsing, sorting, palletizing and office with a total area of 500 square meters, said Collado.

"The whole facility has an area of 1,300 square meters which is the counterpart of CLGU Cagayan de Oro, of which I am thankful to Mayor Moreno for facilitating and responding to this partnership," the regional executive director added.

DA- 1 0 a l s o t u r n e d over P1,915,315 worth of various agri-interventions that include vegetable seeds, all purpose shredder, hand tractor, molasses, effective m i c ro org an is ms , w ate r drums, knapsack sprayer, and fertilizer during the said event.

For their part, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic R e s o u r c e s ( B FA R ) - 1 0 provided P5,750,000 cash and food subsidy for 1,100 farmers and fisherfolk, and 1 Fisherfolk Association in the city. (RTP/PIA10)

DBP... from page 5

and community development, P78.9 billion; environmental projects, P44.8 billion; and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), P32.8 billion.

“We remain committed to the collective and purposive ef for ts of t he nat iona l gove r n me nt to b ol ste r resiliency and carve a steady path to recovery and growth especially of our traditional customer segments,” Herbosa said.

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president for corporate ser vices and concurrent head of operations Marietta Fondevilla said DBP’s net income for year-end 2020 decreased by 30.4 percent to P3.9 billion from P5.60 billion in 2019 due to higher loan loss provisioning and increase in operating expenses.

She said DBP’s gross margin from Januar y to December 2020 grew by 5 percent to P20.91 billion from the P19.9 billion earned for the same period in 2019.

“DBP’s financial standing mirrors the general trend in the industry as (the) majority of the banks amplified actions in ensuring ample reserves to cover probable losses as a result of dwindling economic activity,” Fondevilla said. “We remain focused on delivering on our mandated role and mobilizing resources to spawn productive economic opportunities for our countrymen.” (PR)

Alsons... from page 1

power plant in Mindanao that reached full commercial operation in the latter part of 2019.

On the top line, ACR f u r t he r st ate d t hat it s 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 t he 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 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.

Power... from page 1

proponent Euro Hydro Power (Asia) Holdings Inc. for the rollout of its hydropower project through PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP).

He said the proposed hydropower plant will be established in one of the famed seven waterfalls of Lake Sebu.

“We’re currently working on the details of the PPP arrangement, including the sharing agreement,” he told reporters.

Flaviano said Euro Hydro is working on building the hydropower power plant on the same site of its original 15MW project, which was shelved several years ago due to opposition from the provincial government and other local stakeholders.

The initial prop osal involved the building of a dam to generate power, a move spurned by local officials and environment personnel due to the potential destruction that it will bring to the site, which is part of a declared protected area.

The official said the company has since scaled down the project to just 3MW and revised the development plan for the project site, specifically at waterfall

number three.

“It will no longer construct a dam and will just utilize waterfall’s runoff or surface water to generate power,” Flaviano said.

He said Euro Hydro already obtained an environmental compliance certificate for the project from the Environmental Management Bureau and clearance from the Protected Area Management Board of the Allah Valley Protected Landscape.

The company, through its website, described the Lake Sebu hydropower project as a “run-of-the-river” type and will be operated by two sets of Horizontal Axis Francis runner turbines at 1.5MW each.

Based on its planned 3MW capacity, the plant is projected to generate an estimated 21 million kilowatt-hour of power annually.

In their negotiations, Flaviano said the local government is pushing for an 80-20 sharing arrangement with Euro Hydro.

He said the company will shoulder all the necessary investments, which has yet to be disclosed, while the provincial government will have the land and aggregates as counterpart.

“The PPP scheme will ensure that the province will be involved in the management of the project, especially in the protection of the environment, and will have a reasonable share from its income as well,” he added.

(MindaNews) ERRATUM

In Connection for the Publication EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OFESTATE AMONG HEIRS of published on March 8, 15 & 22, 2021 the correct name of the deceased is GUALBERTO PIMENTEL and NORMA PAGALING-PIMENTEL, not as published.

OUR APOLOGY BWM: March 26, 2021

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AC Health, QualiMed ramp up vaccination program, equip facilities to address COVID surge

On March 19, the QualiMed Health Network shared its progress of vaccinating over 1,400 of its healthcare worker population. The QualiMed Health Network, with hospitals in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, Tanauan, Batangas, and Iloilo City,

Iloilo, are among the first to receive the doses of AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines from the DOHIATF, in collaboration with respective local government units.

“The QualiMed team is extremely grateful to the DOH and IATF for providing vaccine doses

for our frontline healthcare workers. This week, nearly 90% of our team have reported that they are willing to be vaccinated which is encouraging not only for us, but also for other Filipinos. As we continue to ramp up our vaccination program, we also hope to address

QualiMed Hospital – Sta. Rosa, Laguna with COVID-19 Holding Area and BSL-2 Testing Laboratory

vaccine hesitancy in the country and emphasize its crucial role in providing safer and more reliable healthcare to our patients,” said Jimmy Ysmael, President and CEO of the QualiMed Health Network.

“The AC Health network renews its commitment to support the government in the fight against the pandemic.

With the surge of COVID cases, we are gearing up our testing sites, facilities, and digital platforms to continue providing accessible healthcare to Filipinos. Moving forward, we are preparing to contribute to the country’s vaccination efforts as we gear up for large-scale administration. We have identified and are setting up nearly 20 mega-sites nationwide with a goal

Mr. Ramon Abadilla, COO of QualiMed San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, receives first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine in program launch

to administer 1,000,000 doses by 2021,” said Paolo Borromeo, President and CEO of AC Health.

Recently, the Ayala Group, led by Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc (AC Health), has collaborated with ICTSI and Moderna to reach a supply deal for 13 million

vaccine doses for the Philippines. The group aims to launch its COVID vaccination program for employees and partners in June, pending the delivery of procured vaccines from manufacturers and the allocation of vaccines by the national government.

VACCINATION/PAGE 11