BusinessWeek Mindanao (May 11, 2020)

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Briefly Palay prices surge THE FARMGATE price of palay, or unmilled rice, rose 4.58% week-on-week to P18.28 per kilogram in the second week of April, with prices still down 2.19% on a year-on-year basis, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In its weekly update on palay, rice, and corn prices, the PSA said that the average wholesale price of well-milled rice (WMR) rose 1.5% week-onweek to P39.17 while the retail price rose 0.17% to P42.47.

The average wholesale price of regular-milled rice (RMR) rose 2.26% to P34.91 while the retail price rose 1.44% to P37.39.

Kadiwa stores THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Northern Mindanao converged to provide a wider array of agri-fishery products, basic necessities and other prime commodities thru the rollout of its Kadiwa at Diskwento Karavan (KDK), in DA-10’s parking area, here.

Integrating DA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita and DTI’s Diskwento Caravan, KDK is a beefed-up marketing initiative, which brings diverse and reasonably priced essential commodities closer to the abodes of Kagay-anons amid the COVID-19 pandemicprompted community quarantine.

“We have laid out this to help our consumers to have easier access to a one-stop shop offering much needed fresh produce and manufactured goods closer to their homes and decongest major public markets,” Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) regional technical director for operations said.

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MinDA to assess impact of ECQ on power sector

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By DIGNA BANZON, PNA

HE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said it will conduct an assessment on the power industry of the island vis-a-vis the current situation brought about by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro underscored Friday the need to take a look at how power

industry in Mindanao is keeping up with the current health crisis.

IMPACT/PAGE 9

A TOTAL of 50 barangay chairpersons allied with Mayor Oscar Moreno have shown their support for his stand not to place the city under an enhanced

c om mu n it y qu ar ant i ne (ECQ) as they appealed to other village leaders to unite in fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

UNITY/PAGE 9

CDO village execs call for unity amid petition for ECQ

SAFETY INSURANCE. A public utility jeepney in Cagayan de Oro has an ingenious way of ensuring social distancing among its passengers by installing temporary barriers made of cartoons in between seats. The usual 10-11 passengers in each side has been reduced to only 5 following the strict quarantine measures imposed by the city government. photo by gerry lee gorit

Wage rates, incentives, logistics key issues in ‘balik probinsya’

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

THE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) set off this week on a mission to start scouting for areas where

SIARGAO ROCKS. These rocks in Sinapyahan in Pilar town in Siargao Island offers a great sight for fishermen and anglers passing by. The limestone karst formation of the rocks tower the seascape of Pilar. In the far background between the two rocks is the famous Magpupungko Rock Formation frequented by tourists. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto

the national government’s new program called balik probinsya — literally means back to the province — could

be piloted.

Tw o p r o v i n c e s , Zamboanga del Norte and Lanao del Norte, immediately signed up.

ISSUES/PAGE 9

Marco Polo Davao to cease operation starting June 15

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

DAVAO City — Marco Polo Davao, one of the first international hotel brands

to operate in the city, will cease operations by June 15 CEASE/PAGE 11

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BARMM discloses breakdown of P1.9B funds for Covid crisis

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ARAWI City -- As part of the transparency advocacy of the Bangsamoro Government, the Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management (MFBM) disclosed the breakdown of some P1.9 billion worth of fund allocated by the regional government in response to the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

As of April 30, 2020, the MFBM has already released a total fund of P1,918,782,295 The fund was divided and distributed to three (3)

accountable ministries/ offices of the Bangsamoro Government namely: the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), and the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD).

Below is the breakdown of the P1.9billion allocated funds of the Bangsamoro Government to address Covid-19 pandemic: Regional Cabinet Secretary and Bangsamoro InterAgency Task Force (IATF) Spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun

said that the allocated funds of P1.9 billion were a combination of the regular and quick response funds of the ministries and offices of

BARMM. He further clarified that it does not entail that these funds have already been completely disbursed or utilized.

“Gusto lamang po nating i-emphasize na ‘yong P1.9 billion na allotment ng fund, hindi lahat ay nadisburse o nagamit na. Ibig sabihin

lamang po nito ay maaaring gamitin ang funds na ito for Covid-19 related activities or programs,” Pendatun stressed.

DepEd-10 chief: Education has to continue at all costs “WE make sure that education has to continue at all costs and in different modalities,” said Department of Education Regional Director Arturo B. Bayocot.

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced August 24 as the opening of classes for the next school year.

Bayocot said the opening may be face to face or online, depending on the local conditions of the area.

He said August 24 is still months away and they are hopeful that all will be back to normalcy.

However still, the director said the department is braced and ready to all possibilities.

Face to face classes could be conducted having basic measures that include social distancing which will reduce class population to 15 persons.

If face to face classes will be a remote possibility due to COVID-19 pandemic threat, the mode

of delivery of education will be made online.

He added that for students who lack access to the internet due to affordability of prepaid loads, poor signal, lack of gadgets since it would be hard for DepEd to provide gadgets to estimated 27 million students, and other hindrances, modular learning will be implemented.

This learning will be using printed modules and DepEd is starting to prepare these materials.

Moreover, in the manner of educating the children in this mode, the director said that there are certain conditions to be followed and participation of both school, teachers and parents are essential.

"Just like the pandemic, education is everybody's concern and dili lang ni amo, dili lang ni sa eskwelahan, kundi atu EDUCATION/PAGE 11

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IGNACIO BUNYE Regardless of when ECQ is lifted, we can not become BAU (business as usual) imme di ately. BAU w i l l be possible only when a vaccine against COVID-19 is discovered, tested and approved. Guesstimates of when that will happen range anywhere from 12 to 18 months. Then the vaccine will still have to be mass produced (another 6 months?) and then distributed. Recall that a premature return to BAU after the Spanish Flu of 1918 triggered a “second wave” and

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The sweat of success Think a minute . . . Former prime minister of England, Winston Churchill, became so famous for his speeches that he was called The Greatest Speaker of the 20th Century.

He was also famous for his quick wit. Yet amazingly, he was not a naturally gifted speaker. On the contrary, early in his life Churchill had such a bad speech problem that people mocked him and made fun of the way he talked.

Do you know how Churchill completely changed to become The Greatest Speaker of the 20th Century?

He studied and wrote his speeches word-for-word on paper. Then he practiced them countless hours in front of a mirror. He worked at saying each word just the right way with exactly the right facial expression. He also practiced pausing and pretending to struggle to find the correct word, although he knew exactly what he was going to say. So even though Winston Churchill was not a naturally good speaker, he disciplined and trained himself to become a great one.

You and I can never

KLAUS DORING IN TIMES of Covid-19 and ECQ or even GCQ, many of us are lucky working at home.

For me it's a double-edged sword. I love to stay at my home office - on the other side, I miss my teaching and meeting people. Working at home - does this productivity come naturally, or can you learn it?

succeed in life without discipline and hard work.

It takes sweat to succeed in our job and career, in school, in sports, in our marriage, and in family. Even if you are born into a rich family, or with an intelligent mind and natural talents, you still have to work hard to truly succeed by making the most of what you were given. Even after we get the best education and training possible, we still must continue to practice and improve our skills throughout our lifetime. If we don’t, we simply will not reach our potential, not to mention keep up with our competition.

Most importantly, it takes daily discipline to develop SWEAT/PAGE 11

Life after ECQ

a “third wave” which caused more fatalities than the “first wave”. So expect the “new normal” to be anything but normal. Physical distancing, proper respiratory etiquette and disinfection protocols must continue to be observed at all times.

Just imagine how physical distancing will affect the operations of public transports. Buses, jeepneys, trains, ships and airplanes will have to operate, carrying only 1/3 their normal capacities.

Operators will definitely lose and may probably opt not to operate at all unless they receive some form of subsidy.

Those riding the MRTs will probably have to wait in line 3x as long. The physical movement of people will definitely be strictly limited.

In the work place, the Department of Trade and the Department of Labor and Employment recently came out with interim guidelines on workplace prevention

an d c ont rol m e a su re s .

For instance, “(E)ating in communal areas are also discouraged, and if this is not possible, the employer shall ensure a one-workerper-table and one-meter distance per worker scheme.”

Under these circumstances, it may be wise for a worker to bring to work his/her own packed lunch. The guidelines further mandated. “Workers are also discouraged to engage in conversation, as well as prol onge d f a c e - to - f a c e interaction with workers and clients.”

Time and again, the Filipino has proven to be resilient. I am confident that these days of COVID 19 will not be an exception.

How is business preparing for a post ECQ scenario?

Without any doubt, most businesses – and the economy as well - have already taken huge hits because of COVID 19. Obviously, each business group will have its own way of

responding to the situation.

Let me just cite one possible response.

In this respect, allow me to re-play the message of Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (JAZA), Chairman of Ayala Corporation, to Ayala shareholders a few weeks ago. Ayala’s businesses span several industries – banking, telecommunications, real estate, power, infrastructure, manufacturing, health and education.

Here is JAZA in his own words: “It is very difficult to plan long term in an environment like this. We have always thought long term. We have always focused on the future but when you get a crisis like this that affects everyone, both nationally and globally, there is no existing playbook for this kind of situation. So we find ourselves in a situation where we’ve had to shorten our cycle of planning and really look LIFE/PAGE 11

For some, working from home is a gift – a remarkable opportunity to focus and be hyper-productive, all the while finding time to play with the dogs and even exercise in short pants. For others – well, the transition isn’t quite as seamless. Some find all they’ve done with their eight hours is answer two or three emails, dream about a having a drink or discover their ‘cheese hour’.

It’s true, what British writer Meredith Turits said: some people simply have dispositions and personality traits that enable them to better adjust to the new world of remote work than others.

However, it’s not so black and white. You’re not necessarily destined to be good or bad

at working remotely – some may just have to put in more effort than others.

Procrastination is never e asier t han w hen your superior isn’t looking over your shoulder. As long as the status light on your communication app is green, it’s easy to rush to the fridge and try to get something to eat or drink, or get into a YouTube hole, with no one any the wiser.

If it fe els e as i e r to procrastinate at home than in the office, it is for most: tele work is a “weak situation” with murkier expectations about behavior, says Timothy Pychyl, associate psychology professor at Carleton University in Ontario. In contrast, he points to a

common situation: “In an elevator, we all typically ‘act elevator’, for example avoid eye contact with others, and keep our distance as [much as] possible …. The office is more of a strong situation with expectations for many things such as dress codes, arrival and departure times [and] time spent on or off task.” Weaker cues and lower accountability may make procrastination more likely at home.

And without the strong situation of an office, it’s quite a bit easier to dismiss unpleasant tasks and meetings with not very much welcome people. . When there’s a task on your plate you don’t want to dive into, or you’re banging OFFICE/PAGE 11

“Are we in a recession?”

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

MONDAY|MAY 11, 2020

Home office

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DURING a recently held webinar in which I had the opportunity to be one of the speakers the title itself already contained an excruciating question: “Are we in a recession?” This question was actually answered by our BSP chief, Benjamin Diokno, who, in an interview published by the Inquirer on April 26 2020 predicts a recession of the Philippine economy for 2020 with a U shaped recovery by end of the year and a full recovery in 2021.

Diokno fortunately also noted that the peso remains steady despite the market turmoil, and has been the second strongest currency, after the Japanese yen, among 14 monitored Asian foreign currencies after the COVID-19 outbreak. So where are we currently heading? Is this going to impact all sectors across the board? I tried to ask the difficult questions but apparently nobody really wanted to answer them.

Resilient silence.

What I could take away from the presentations

of the other speakers like Alejandro Manalac, chairman of the National Real Estate Association, Romolo Nati, CEO of IDC and Joey Bondoc from Colliers International is that in real estate there are going to be some price adjustments in the high-end property segment and that despite the situation new opportunities may arise from struggling investors and from hardly hit economies like Spain and Italy. So I guess it could be time to go property shopping abroad for some Filipinos! Architect Nati believes that the Philippines will probably not be too much affected since the trend to migrate to the provinces and outskirts of Metro Cities is spreading the general growth to secondary cities and that the “work-from-home” agenda of many companies now will just accelerate this trend. On the other hand retail and tourism properties like guest houses and hotels have been severely affected so far and will take a while to recover. He also added that he is confident that the

economy will bounce back soon due to its underlying fundamentals and real estate, especially in the provinces will continue to grow even more where the location is right.

For the first time ever I heard the concept of the “new normal” from Joey Bondoc as he explained that commercial spaces will be more aware of social distancing and therefore restaurants will have a reduced seating capacity and stores will have to control the number of clients present in the store.

Colliers in fact predicts the growth of the demand for warehousing space due to the increased home-delivery activities and properties linked to the e-commerce sector as well as flexible workspace. In fact it is predicted that not only in Metro-Manila about 50% of the employees of companies will either work from home or in flexible workspaces.

Decentralization will therefore play a big role from here on especially in consideration also of the Balik-Provincia program of the government and the increased efforts to

facilitate transport to the outskirts of the capital city.

With his 30 years industry experience the last speaker was probably the most seasoned to weather economic downturns as he had already experienced two in the past. He advised real estate practitioners to tighten their belts and hang in there while reassuring their clients and stay connected to their industry peers. As for developers and agencies he recommended to keep the sales force and their best agents financially happy and loyal. Ultimately he concluded that seen this situation people have realised that their best protection is their home and their home is their best asset.

It was a really interesting round of presentations and stories and the conclusion of the webinar was that real estate remains resilient and a good investment. We may now look at property with new eyes considering the experience of the lockdown and the importance of the home environment.

Lorenz Ziller

CorporateWorld 5 Toyota resumes DAR-assisted coops in in 19 outlets Caraga earn over P37-M

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TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) dealer networks have restarted operations for 19 outlets in areas under general community quarantine, changing showroom layouts to ensure physical distancing measures.

The company in a press release on Thursday said that it is applying health measures in line with the health department and the World Health Organization as it reopens stores.

Business operations to repair motor vehicles and motorcycles are allowed in areas under general community quarantine.

TMP said dealers will have regular temperature checks for employees and customers, and will have regular facility disinfections, especially for common areas.

The dealers changed the layout of their showrooms and service reception areas, and will limit the number of people allowed inside the facilities at any given time.

TMP dealers will only accommodate confirmed service appointments booked on their recently launched online service

booking mobile app MyToyota PH. Dealers that have reopened in Luzon include La Union, Isabela, Tuguegarao, Calapan, Puerto Princesa, and Camarines Sur. Reopened Visayas locations include Roxas, Negros Occidental, Tagbilaran. Tacloban, Calbayog, Dumaguete, and Aklan, while Mindanao locations include Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Valencia, General Santos, Kidapawan, and Butuan.

“While we are facing challenging times, this also presents an opportunity to come back better and stronger, to review our current processes and find improvements, to constantly provide ever better products and services, and to make our team members’, customers’, and partners’ lives safer and more convenient,” TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto said.

“We are working hard to prepare our dealerships and ensuring that everyone will be safe upon their visit. We look forward to serving our valued customers again.”

Toyota Financial TOYOTA/PAGE 11

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UTUAN City – The 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis did not deter the will of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Caraga Region to pursue their economic activities.

Armed with quarantine passes issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform Caraga Region (DAR-13), 92 ARBOs through their cooperatives managed to deliver wellmilled rice, vegetables, root crops, and other items to market centers from March 16 to April 29

this year.

“Our ARBOs saw the need to deliver their agricultural produce in the market as the demands increased due to the effects of the ECQ,” DAR-13 Director Leomides Villareal told Philippine News Agency.

Villareal also expressed gratitude to DAR regional and provincial offices for the support of the ARBOs despite the "great risk posed by the pandemic".

“With the collaborations, they succeeded in bringing their produce to market centers and in return

afforded them enough income to sustain their organizations and cooperatives,” Villareal said.

Data provided by DAR-13 said that during the period, the ARBOs through their cooperatives earned over P37.2 million.

Of the 92 ARBOs, data showed that at least 9,034 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) were involved not only in marketing but also in harvesting, preparations, and processing.

Within the same period, DA-13 said the ARBOS in Agusan del

Norte earned over P11.2 million; Agusan del Sur, P23.9 million; Surigao del Norte, P1.2 million; and Surigao del Sur, P694,064.

“Our ARBs through their ARBOs and cooperatives are also front-liners during the lockdowns as they flooded our markets with the needed food for our people,” Villareal said.

He also thanked the other line agencies of the government that provided support to the ARBOs, especially in the process of transporting their produce to the markets.

(PNA)

LOCAL carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) on Tuesday announced their preparations as they anticipate resumption of flight operations, as well as the safety measures they would implement for the benefit of both the staff

and the passengers.

All local carriers have temporarily suspended international and domestic flights until May 15, in line with the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other select areas considered high risk for

coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a statement CEB said it will cater to a limited number of domestic routes once flight operations resume.

Passengers may expect a "new normal", or what CEB calls a "contactless

flights".

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for Marketing and Customer Experience, said apart from encouraging passengers to check-in online, they will also hold their own boarding passes for the RESUME/PAGE 11

Local carriers gear up to resume commercial flight operations

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Suzuki Dealerships Resume Operations Under 'New Normal' Guidelines

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

As of May 4, out of 79 SPH dealerships located in different parts of the Philippines,17 dealerships resumed operations. The following dealerships are: Bohol, Cagayan De Oro, Calbayog, Dumaguete, General Santos, SM General Santos, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela,

Kalibo, La Union, Naga, Ormoc, Ozamiz, Palawan, Roxas, and Tacloban.

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

include requiring employees to sanitize areas in the store more often than usual particularly workplaces and customer lounges at least every two hours. Sanitation Stations will also be available in environments such as the reception, negotiation tables, cashier windows, and service areas.

Vehicles will be sanitized in the shops as well upon arrival from their designated distributor, before and after release for test drives, and to customers who will purchase them.

Despite the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) being lifted in the communities where SPH has decided to reopen, the auto company takes into paramount consideration the safety of its employees and customers. Hence, to prioritize this, SPH introduced “New Normal” Business Operations with

to-do’s that are easy to remember: S.M.A.R.T. Sanitize Thoroughly, Maintain Safe Distancing, Adhere Strictly, Reach People Online, and Think Positive. Those who are looking into visiting Suzuki dealerships are sure to expect that these guidelines will be followed and not only seen through signages, but in actuality. Sanitizing Thoroughly will include requiring employees to sanitize areas in the store more often than usual particularly workplaces and

customer lounges at least every two hours. Sanitation Stations will also be available in environments such as the reception, negotiation tables, cashier windows, and service areas.

Vehicles will be sanitized in the shops as well upon arrival from their designated distributor, before and after release for test drives, and to customers who will purchase them.

Exercising these guidelines is a leap towards prevention against COVID-19, but aside from a

physical course of action, SPH understands that Thinking Positively is equally essential.

Suzuki Philippines urges the community to distance ourselves from negativity, stay healthy and exercise regularly, and foster positive energy amid these challenging times. Suzuki Philippines believes that by staying S.M.A.R.T, we are able to experience the Suzuki Way of Life! despite being faced with obstacles and eventually overcoming them and rising above the situation.

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Banking&Finance

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PNB- CARMEN Elipe Bldg.Carmen, Cdoc | 8583158/ 8584203 PNB- LKK LKK Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564347/722872 PNB CDO– DIVISORIA Tiano Bros.Cruz Taal St., Cdoc 722861 /722816 PNB CDO– LAPASAN LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564732 / 723992 PNB CDO– COGON LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc 8571991/ 723992 PHILIPPINE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK, INC. bels_domingo@yahoo.com.ph Rizal Chavez Cdoc 8572194/725438 PS BANK Velez Corner A. Mabini St., Cdoc 8574183/725184 PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK Tiano-Abejuela St. Cdoc 722644/8573386 QUEEN CITY DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC. Sacred Heart Mont. Cm RectoAve., Cdoc 8562390 RCBC- VELEZ Velez-Borja St. Cdoc | 8564982/8568888 RCBC- COGON Simplex Bldg. Osmeña St. Cdoc 8562888/725863/8521329 RCBC- LAPASAN Cm. Recto Lapasan HW. Cdoc 8561888/722449 RCBC- LKK Gateway, Tower 1 LkkCenter, Cdoc 8563707/722449 RCBC SAVINGS- CARMEN Walingwaling St.,Carmen St. Cdoc 8585793/ 8586248 RCBC SAVINGS- VELEZ Velez St. Cdoc | 729083/8562460 RCBC SAVINGS- AGORA 8807891/8807892 RURAL BANK OF CABADBARAN, Inc.

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ENTERPRISE BANK INC. Centro Mariano Bldg Osmeña St. Cdoc 723869/ 3093395 FIRST CONSOLIDATED BANK CM Recto Ave., Cor.Agudo Road Cdoc 8565360/2316678 LBP – CAPISTRANO Capsitrano St. Cdoc | 8565515/727678 LBP – VELEZ LunaVelez St. | 723549/8563198 LBP – PUERTO Puerto Cdoc | 8558858 MAYBANK JR Borja Tiano Cor. Bldg. Cdoc 8574439/726060 METRO BANK- DIVISORIA Pabayo Abejuela St. Divisoria Park, Cdoc 724783/8576999 METRO BANK- VELEZ A. Velez St. Cdoc | 8561724/726054 METRO BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc | 8572999/724415

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EFORMS instituted in the past serve as buffers for the Philippine banking system vis-à-vis the impact of the global pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said.

In a briefing aired over the central bank’s Facebook page Thursday, Diokno said the domestic banking system and the Philippine economy in general is facing the pandemic “from a position of strength.”

He said the domestic financial system is the country’s first line of defense against the pandemic, and the banking industry is up for this

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task since it remains adequately capitalized with total banking assets accounting for 81.7 percent of the financial system’s resources as of last February.

“Reforms have been put in place to maintain sufficient buffers in times of crisis and ensure business continuity to serve financial consumers and to keep the economy going,” he said.

The sector’s overall loan quality “was satisfactory”, with a nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio of 2.1 percent, he said.

Deposits remain the banks’ main funding source with a share of 85.2 percent of the total.

Capital adequacy ratio (CAR), a gauge of banks’ financial strength,

of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), stood at 15.4 percent on a solo basis, and 16 percent on consolidated basis as of end-2019.

These are higher than BSP’s 10-percent minimum threshold and Bank of International Settlements’ (BIS) 8-percent minimum requirement.

Total portfolio grew by 10.2 percent year-on-year as of last February.

“I believe the banking system is now benefiting from prudential reforms carried out during the last 20 years. Moving forward, the BSP will continue to pursue proactive measures aimed at further strengthening the banking system,” Diokno said. (PNA)

'20 deficit to be around P1-T: DOF chief GOVERNMENT expenditures for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is expected to increase the budget deficit to around P1 trillion this 2020.

This was disclosed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III Wednesday but assured the public that the government was in a good financial position even before the pandemic hit.

The inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) has set a 3.2-percent budget deficit cap for this year amounting to P677.6 billion.

Dominguez said there are lots of numbers that economic managers are currently looking at, but cited “the first number you have to figure out (is) what exactly is going to be our deficit for the year.”

“And our estimate is about a trillion pesos, around a trillion,” he said.

Dominguez said the government’s four-pillar Covid-19 response is being funded by the tax collections, the dividends from governmentowned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and loans, among others.

He said that although

collections of taxes have been delayed due to postponement of filing of income tax returns (ITR) and other related documents because of the quarantine period, the government will still be able to collect these.

He added the government was able to receive record-high P120 billion dividends from GOCCs, and this will be a plus for the Covid-19 response program.

The government has signed several loan agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB), among others.

These include the loan pact with ADB that allows the Duterte government to access up to USD1.5 billion in budgetary support for Covid-19 programs and the $100-million loan from the WB. Dominguez said they

are also in discussions with the governments of Japan, Korea, China, and France for “project-based bilateral financing.”

He declined to give specifics on where the government’s Covid-19 response financing currently is since they are still awaiting the reports until end-April, but vowed to disclose this once the data is available.

“We are exactly where DEFICIT/PAGE 11

Deadlines for tax amnesty, ITR extended anew DEPARTMENT of Finance (DOF) has issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 112020 further extending to June or July the deadlines on the filing or submission of necessary documents and/or payment of taxes required under the Tax Code of 1997, as amended.

Such deadlines were extended following President Rodrigo Duterte’s extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period in Metro Manila and other major provinces until May 15.

RR No. 10-2020 amended RR No. 7-2020

on the extension of deadlines for the filing of various tax returns as provided for by Republic Act 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act. The RR applies throughout the Philippines and shall generally apply during the “quarantine” period, whether community quarantine, enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified community quarantine or general community quarantine (GCQ).

The extended deadlines include the filing and

payment of annual income tax returns (ITRs) for individuals and corporations -- June 14; submission of required hard copies of audited financial statements and other attachments to the annual ITRs -June 30; quarterly ITRs for individuals and corporations for the quarter ending March -- June 14 and June 29, respectively; monthly VAT returns for March and April -- June 4 and June 19, respectively; quarterly VAT returns for the quarter ending March DEADLINES/PAGE 11

How remote education has evolved in the current crisis

By MARGEN M.LANZADO Teacher I Colambotan Bajo Elementary School Division of Misamis Occidental Tudela District

Capistrano Corner CruzTaal St. CDO 8524099/722695

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PH banking system resilient vs. impact of health crisis R

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OVER the last decade, online education has grown significantly, especially for adult learners who want to earn a degree or certificate while working full-time. Within the last few years, high schools have also started exploring ways to add remote learning options. Although the majority of these courses were offered solely on the high school campus, recent research noted growth in online options.

Fast forward to today, and suddenly online education is no longer optional.

In fact, all schools at all levels must immediately migrate to some type of remote education format. Although some schools had already begun the digital migration, the majority of institutions weren't ready. But when faced with the task of making a quick change, online education became a mandated reality.

Our new reality may help push

remote education even farther forward. Thanks to the urgency of the situation, technology has stepped up to show educators, students and parents what remote education might soon look like.

Learning management systems create a seamless digital learning environment with all the tools necessary for remote learning. These platforms house front-end areas used by students and parents.

9

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Impact... from page 1

Montenegro noted that the island’s distinct power structure is slightly different from the interconnected network of Visayas and Luzon.

In particular, he said MinDA--the lead agency of the Mindanao Power Monitor ing C ommitte e (MPMC)--will be making an assessment of the impact of the enhanced community quarantine on the island’s power sector in order to determine measures needed to support the industry.

He said the monitoring currently being undertaken

by MinDA includes the possible impact of the current situation on the power sector in Mindanao.

"This is anchored on the fact that Mindanao has a power structure that is slightly different from Luzon, with most of the electric distribution being done by electric cooperatives especially in rural areas," he said.

While MinDA has noted a reduction of power demand by around 35 percent in urban centers due to the lockdown and suspension of operations of major establishments and industries, the agency said the situation may be slightly different in the provinces.

Montenegro said households account for the majority of load users’ profiles in most areas served by electric cooperatives, and with the current stay-at-home mode, there’s a possibility for consumption increase especially with extended use of electric-powered household.

"MinDA Chair Secretary Emmanuel Pinol has submitted a proposal to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeking its assistance in carrying out the impact study," he said. (PNA)

Unity... from page 1

Moreno’s allies were reacting to the petition submitted and signed by 26 of their colleagues, who called on the mayor to declare an ECQ due to fears for the wellbeing of their constituents after the city registered seven Covid-19 cases.

Barangay Gusa chairman Marlo Tabac said in an interview on Friday that while they respect the concern of the other barangays, they have maintained their support for Moreno.

Tabac, vice president of the city’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), said they also want the health authorities to implement measures to combat the virus, noting however that they were not keen on placing the entire Cagayan de Oro City on ECQ. He provided reporters a copy of their manifesto, which was signed by 50 members of the local ABC chapter.

The city has 80 ABC members representing each rural and urban barangay.

“With ECQ, there are so

Shaping the future of education

By MARGEN M. LANZADO Teacher I Colambotan Bajo Elementary School Division of Misamis Occidental Tudela District

FIRSTLY, students and teachers have realised how exhausting it is to be on screens all day long. Remote learning has reminded us that powerful learning can only happen when we are engaged, energetic and focussed. If it becomes a question of filling in hours then we are missing the point.

This is why good practice during this remote learning experience has been to reduce screen time and

modify the curriculum accordingly. Online sessions between 15 to 30 minutes are most effective. This must cause some reflection on how effective current models of education are where students are in classrooms for hours upon hours with few breaks.

Second, schools have understood that this is not just remote learning, it is learning during a pandemic.

Anxiety, uncertainty, fear and isolation have become more

prevalent. Checking in with students to make sure that they are coping has become extremely important, as has a l lowing students opportunities to connect with one another in chats or video conferences during remote lessons. Keeping the ritual of schooling, with its registrations and moments of social interaction and students staying in contact with their peers and friends is important psychologically during this crisis.

many guidelines to follow but not everything in it is applicable to the barangays,” Tabac said, adding that the ABC would meet so the village chiefs could come up with a collective decision regarding their stand on the issue.

The manifesto said the function of the village chairpersons is not easy as enforcers of new Covid1 9 - rel ate d gove r n me nt policies, such as those on social distancing, staying at home, and house-to-house health surveillance in their localities.

“As front-liners, we are risking our lives to make sure that the virus will not spread,” it said.

Because of the important role the barangays play in the fight against Covid-19, the majority of the ABC members agreed that all village officials must unite to defeat the public health crisis. (PNA)

regional development, and unequal distribution of wealth.

Mr. Piñol said following the Presidential order, MinDA will take the next step of holding workshops to prepare the localities “for the first returnees.”

But as these “model” pocket sites get off the ground, the success of a larger scale and sustainable balik probinsya scheme would need higher wage rates, incentives for investors, and an improved logistical system.

“Personally, I see this discriminatory wage rates (whose constitutionality could be challenged) as one of the reasons why many job seekers flock to the urban centers,” Mr. Piñol said.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry President John Carlo B. Tria said any proposal “to raise wage rates can be studied further” while the concern on incentives can be addressed more quickly with the passage of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA).

Under CITIRA, which is still under congressional discussion, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board’s (FIRB) coverage will include private businesses apart from government-owned and controlled corporations.

With the FIRB’s expanded authority, Mr. Tria said, “incentives can be developed to achieve the intended purpose of bringing industry to regions other than existing industrial centers.”

“This is because, I believe current incentives such as those provided by PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) are generally applied to export oriented industries,” he added.

The business leader also said setting up key infrastructure facilities like cold storage and the improvement of seaports and airports are necessary complement production.

“These can all create the local employment that can drive the Balik Probinsya,” he said.

MinDA will present on Friday to the BPBP Council, chaired by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, several models for resettlement.

Among these are agriculturebased communities with irrigation and market linkage support from government, and processing centers with private investors tapping local workers and raw materials for the production of value-added commodities.

BILL In a related development, Bohol Rep. Kristine Alexie B. Tutor, a member of the House of Representatives’ housing and urban development committee, filed on Wednesday a bill seeking to decongest the metropolitan areas.

“I have filed House Bill 6674 to directly respond to the urgent need for a Balik Probinsya program for the urban poor, especially those in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao. HB 6674 complements and dovetails with Executive Order (EO) 114 of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also about Balik Probinsya,” she said in a statement Thursday.

HB 6674, if passed, will be known as the Balik Probinsya Public Housing and Relocation Act. Under the proposed law, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will be mandated to design and conduct surveys of urban poor households residing in informal settlements to gather “economic, social, and personal data necessary for implementing economic and social policies.”

The bill also tasks the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to identify and designate Balik Probinsya Public Housing relocation sites to host migrating communities.

“The bill lays down the mandate to have ready employment for the beneficiaries, public housing, and the essential components of a functioning, thriving community. Jobs, education, electricity, water, and health services are mandated,” Ms. Tutor said.

For economic sustainability of the public housing communities, Ms. Tutor said the bill includes “mandates for ecozones and tourism enterprise zones as components of the commercial areas of the communities.”

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Balik Probinsya Public Housing Communities will exempted from value-added taxes in their first three years of operation.

“The Balik Probinsya program is a medium term solution to the urban congestion and population density of Manila, Cebu, and Davao. I am hopeful that by Year 2022, the first Balik Probinsya public housing communities would have its first batches of residents settled in,” Ms. Tutor said.

Issues... from page 1

MinDA Chair Emmanuel F. Piñol, in a post on his Facebook page where he journals the agency’s travels, said Zamboanga del Norte Governor Roberto Y. Uy committed an available land of at least 50 hectares where a resettlement area with agri-fisheries potential can be set up for local “families who are now among the informal urban dwellers in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.”

In Lanao del Norte, local officials said the town of Kauswagan is “ready to accept the first 200 families who would like to come home… in a 5-hectare housing-withlivelihood activity.”

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed on May 6 an executive order formalizing and setting out guidelines for the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pagasa (BPBP) program, which was prompted by the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, with most cases centered in the country’s highly-urbanized areas, especially the National Capital Region.

The program’s aim is to “reverse migration” by boosting economic opportunities in less urbanized and rural areas. “(T)he uncontrolled upsurge of population in the NCR brings to the fore longstanding issues on the lack of viable and sustainable employment opportunities in the countryside, unbalanced

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Monday|May 11, 2020

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Rosemin's Ice Cream Making A Name in CDO Interview by MARK FRANCISCO

1) When did you start Rosemin's?

The business started during the height of the stay at home measures driven by the global pandemic during which we took the opportunity to turn the gloomy situation into a sweet one. It was also timely that we got to introduce our product during the summer seasons to help the Kagayanons deal with the summer heat. Don’t get mistaken though, our ice cream is an all season favorite!

2) Where does the name Rosemin's come from?

It’s from the owner’s first name.

3) Your homemade ice cream has seven flavors. Why did you choose those flavors?

The flavors were chosen based on common favorites.

We started off with cookies n cream and mango, then took people's suggestions on what to make next.

Thus, we added durian, avocado, strawberry, ube, and chocolate on the menu.

4) Are your products for pickup or delivery only or both? If both, how much is your delivery charge? Up to how far and how many minutes away?

Within a certain proximity, you can choose to have it delivered subject to a minimum purchase. We also have pick-up options for those living in the uptown area. They can message our Facebook page for more details.

5) Do you have competitors here in CDO? If so, why should we choose Rosemin's?

There will always be options especially for desert products in the city. However, what we bring to the table is that blend of creamy homemade goodness that’s not too sweet for the palate. Couple that with one of the 7 distinct flavors and you’ll surely get more than your money’s worth!

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: Mike Datayan STYLING: Nicole Abas - Datayan

SMC’s “nutribuns” are saving lives, fighting hunger in the age of COVID-19, production reaches 600,000 In the 1970s, it was the solution to malnutrition among young public school children. Today, as the country battles the Covid-19 global pandemic—which has put the economy and people’s lives on hold—the humble “nutribun” is back and is

helping fight hunger in the poorest communities.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC), which decided to revive and produce the nutritious bread to solely donate it to vulnerable sectors of society, reported that total production has breached

600,000 pieces —more than double its previous production of 284,171 during the closing weeks of April.

“While our food donations consisting of rice and San Miguel food products continue, there are still many who have

limited or no access to sufficient nutrition--the most disadvantaged in our society, especially children. That is why we continue to work to increase production of our ‘nutribun’, so we can distribute them for free and provide essential

San Miguel Corporation is fighting hunger with its “nutribuns,” energy-filled breads which it started producing for the sole purpose of making food available to the hardest-hit communities in the country due to COVID-19. It has, so far, distributed 600,000 pieces and continues to produce at 29,000 buns per day.

nutrition for them,” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang. Health benefits The new iteration of “nutribun”, like its predecessor, is packed with many health benefits, especially for young people.

Made with San Miguel Mills’ King Hard Wheat Flour and its Star Margarine, the reformulated Nutribun was developed by the company’s flour technology team.

Unlike the normal pandesal, usually made of 30 grams of dough, SMC’s nutribun is denser, with 85 grams of dough.

Each bun has 250 calories and is also high in dietary fiber and is a good source of iron and iodine.

“It is really designed to provide energy and essential nutrients, so that our disadvantaged youth can avoid hunger and

hopefully maintain good overall health during this pandemic,” Ang said.

Children, the most vulnerable “The quarantine is still far from over, and while we worry about the spread of the virus, we also cannot disregard its impact to families already saddled with poverty, whose children are the most vulnerable."

Data from “The State of the World’s Children 2019” released by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reveal that one out of three children under the age of five are stunted in growth as many children in poor families are threatened with undernutrition and hunger.

Given the pause in economic activity and lack of income sources for most poor families, this figure NUTRIBUNS/PAGE 11

11

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Excellence... from page 12

as a sewage treatment plant, rainwater collection system, natural ventilation, and a skygarden for added ventilation and heat protection. The cafeteria can comfortably a c c om mo d ate t he SH S population.

The campus is set to be finished in May 2020 and be used for SY 2020-2021 this coming June. However, with the uncertainty and recent developments of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), school administrators have yet to declare the admission process.

In a memo by Fr Roberto “Bobby” Yap SJ, Xavier Ateneo is strengthening its online learning method in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experience Excellence As the first university in Mindanao and first Jesuit university in the country, Xavier Ateneo has a long history of forming ‘men and women for others’. With its highly-accredited academic and formation programs, X a v i e r At e n e o m o l d s students with the hallmarks of Jesuit education - Christcenteredness, competence, conscience, commitment and compassion.

Senior High School is a testament of Xavier Ateneo’s commitment to providing quality education. It serves to give students the proper environment and training to hone their skills for higher education and employment.

Join us and be part of the Xavier Ateneo community!

(XU Comms)

Sweat... from page 4

our heart and character to become the very best person we can be. We must learn to change our way of thinking and living every day. It’s not easy to quickly forgive someone who hurts us. It’s not easy to always put the needs and feelings of our spouse and children first before our own. It’s not easy to always be honest no matter what we can get away with or how much it will cost us.

That is why we desperately need help.

Today you can start getting all the help you will ever need—by asking Jesus to take full charge of your heart and character. Remember: “God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself, but He will not do for you what you can do.” So with His power and help, plus your work and sweat, you can start making the changes you need to fully become the human being He created you in His likeness to be. Just think a minute.

Life...

from page 4

at the situation from a much shorter point of view.

“Let me just divide our new planning mode into three segments. The first phase of this much shorter oriented planning cycle is really preparing for the re-entry of the work force. The safety and health of our employees has been a primary concern,

both pre ECQ and post ECQ, and the same will be as well for re-entry. We are worrying a great deal and thinking through how do we get our employee force back to be productive but at the same time healthy and safe in this new environment. That is something very much at the top of our thinking in this next period.

“Phas e 2 would b e ensuring our resiliency over the few months after the ECQ and really figuring out how to remain productive at a time like this. There is no playbook and we will be spending a lot of time readjusting to a new work environment as the ECQ lifts. We will be monitoring consumer behavior, market behavior, industry and regulatory shifts during this period of time and just make an assessment of how the world has changed for us and how we will need to work in this environment.

“There will be so many changes that will take place.

One that is clear to all of us is the renewed role of technology in this new world where we can not move as freely as we can and as we wanted to.

“And finally, Phase 3 (Q3-Q4) of our planning will involve what we call the “new normal”, as we start to understand the situation a little better and then adjust our work force and our market tactics to this new reality.

In the case of employees we will have to see how we balance their well being and productivity, keeping them safe and productive as well. We need to figure how to retain our customers over the long term in this new environment and how to handle our operations and financial stability in a productive, innovative and intelligent way as we move along.”

Note: You may wish to share the foregoing via FB, Twitter or Linked-In.

Office... from page 4

your head against a wall with a tech problem, you’re testing your ‘frustration tolerance’, says Pychyl. Those who have a lower frustration tolerance are much more likely to procrastinate – they’re the people who get up from their desk and find a distraction.

I don't know how you my dear readers "survive" these times. Anyway, my very best wishes at the end: stay safe and healthy. +++ Email: dor ingklaus@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin or visit my www. germanexpatinthephilippines. b l o g s p o t . c o m o r w w w. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Education... from page 2

ning tanan (not just of us in DepEd but all of us - school, community and parents),” he said, implying that 27 million human resources is at stake and has to be addressed.

“Education is everyone's concern and as a matter of

fact, it already takes an entire village to educate a child,” he said.

Director Bayocot also answered queries regarding the possibility of staging graduation rites. He explained that again, they are not closing doors and are hopeful that all will be back to normalcy, though some schools were able to conduct graduation ceremonies on time.

He said if conditions will allow, local government will support and the Department of Health will certify to safe to stage graduation, then it will be conducted. (IJBD/ PIA10)

Toyota... from page 5

Services Philippines had also extended its payment terms, as well as the expiring policies under the Toyota Insure and warranty coverages, until after the enhanced community quarantine is lifted. Toyota veh i cl e s s che du l e d for periodic maintenance services are also under a grace period until the end of the quarantine.

Resume... from page 5

staff to scan the barcode.

Physical distancing will be observed in queues and boarding, she added.

As for the crew, they will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and will also have to undergo rapid antibody test.

Both CEB and PAL would require passengers to wear face masks all throughout the flights.

The two also noted the thorough disinfection of cabin, before and after flights.

Both would make sanitizers available.

M e a n w h i l e , PA L spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the resumption of commercial flight operations would depend on the travel demand, the safety, as well as the travel restrictions imposed by various governments.

Since the implementation of the ECQ, both PAL and CEB have been mounting allcargo flights to carry essential medical supplies.

Further, PAL mounted several sweeper flights to ferry stranded nationals out of the country. (PNA)

Deficit... from page 8

we want to be,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dominguez said Finance officials “are willing to look” at the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA) that Senators plan to pass to help companies recover from the economic impact of the global pandemic.

CITIRA is part of the government’s tax reform program that aims to correct the country’s tax system.

Dominguez earlier said Senate Bill No. 1357, or the CITIRA, targets to make incentives given to companies more targeted, which will allow the country to be more competitive in the region.

If this bill is approved this year, the special tax

rate on gross income will be increased immediately this year from the present five percent to eight percent then to nine percent next year, and to 10 percent by 2022.

O n We d n e s d a y, Dominguez said they are “willing to look at it (CITIRA) and most likely cut it further more quickly than originally planned.” (PNA)

Deadlines... from page 8

-- June 9; and quarterly percentage tax return for the quarter ending March -- June 9.

Ta x r e t u r n s a n d p ay me nt s for one - t i me transactions (ONET T) whose deadlines fall within the quarantine period are extended for 30 days from the date of the lifting of the quarantine.

Likewise, the RR provides that the deadline for the filing of position papers, protest letters and other correspondences with due dates falling during the quarantine period shall be 30 days from the lifting of the quarantine.

The running of the statute of limitations shall also be suspended during the said period.

Also, taxpayers wishing to avail of the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies (TAD) under RA 11213 and implemented by RR 4-2019, as amended, can do so until June 22, 2020. The deadline was previously set to June 8.

This extension intends to give taxpayers ample t ime to s ett le t heir t ax delinquencies while a l lowing t he Bure au of Internal Revenue (BIR) to increase its collection from the tax amnesty program.

All other reportorial requirements not s p e c i f i c a l l y m e nt i on e d in the RR whose date of submission falls within the quarantine period from March 16, 2020 has an extended deadline of 30 days from the date of the lifting of the quarantine.

In case of any further quarantine extension, the extended deadlines shall be further extended for 15 calendar days.

Finally, the DOF and the BIR reminded the taxpaying public that they may still opt to file and pay their taxes before the extended deadline.

Taxpayers who file their t a x re tu r ns w it h i n t h e original deadline or before the extended deadline may still amend their tax returns at any time on or before the extended due date.

If the amendment results in additional tax payments, such will not be subject to surcharge, interest and compromise penalties.

If the amendment results in an overpayment of taxes paid, the taxpayer may opt to either file for a refund or carry over the overpaid tax as credit against the tax due for the same tax type in the succeeding periods’ tax returns. (PR)

Nutribuns... from page 10

is expected to increase and should be addressed.

Donation through organizations SMC’s nutribun donations have already reached some 85 communities, as well as the homeless, through its partnerships with non-profit groups.

These include institutions like Communities Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA), Caritas, Puso ng Ama, Jesuit missions, other NGOs, as well as through military and police i nst a l l at i ons , p ar ishe s , convents, barangays, and local health offices.

Ang said the company is able to produce some 29,000 nutribuns daily at its food business San Miguel Foods Inc.’s new ready-to-eat food manufacturing facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and its Flour Development Center in Ugong, Pasig City.

Since the start of the i mpl e me nt at i on of t he enhanced community quarantine throughout Luzon, San Miguel Corporation has launched what has now become the largest food donation drive in the company’s history.

It has donated some P491.4 billion worth of food, including rice, canned meats, poultry and fresh meats, flour, dairy, coffee, and biscuits.

Its total contributions to the country’s anti-Covid-19 efforts--which also includes donations of life-saving medical equipment and supplies, free disinfecting alcohol manufactured from its reconfigured liquor plants, and free fuel and toll to transport medical front liners, among many others--have reached over P1.1 billion and is still growing.

Cease... from page 1

with severance pay already distributed to most of its employees.

Francis R . Ledesma, president of hotel owner

Halifax Hotel Davao Inc., said the decision to close is a matter of putting their workers’ welfare as priority given actual and projected losses due to restrictions relating to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

“We chose to first take care of our people… You cannot beat a pandemic,” he said in a phone interview Friday.

Retirement packages were given to those of retirable age, and separation benefits for the others.

Mr. Ledesma said there are no ongoing discussions about reopening because “we will not know what will happen next.”

But when reopening plans arise, he said laid-off employees will get priority for hiring.

The 245-room hotel, with a five-star classification based on the Department of Tourism rating system, still has a few foreign guests who have been stranded in the city and some business process outsourcing (BPO) employees.

Mr. Ledesma said the BPO clients are expected to leave as soon as the quarantine protocols, which are in effect until May 15, are eased “Living in a hotel (for BPO employees) is a big expense to the company,” he said.

Apart from the quarantine r u l e s , t h e D av a o C it y government has also declared a ban until end-2020 on all big events such as conventions and festivals.

Regina Rosa D. Tecson, chief of the City Tourism Operations Office, said they have yet to make an assessment of COVID-19’s impact on the local tourism industry as their “office has transitioned into several other functions as of the moment” in line with the COVID-19 response.

M s . Te c s on d i d s ay they have already received reports of other tourism establishments, including smaller accommodation facilities, having closed or downsized.

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Experience Excellence at Xavier University Senior High School

G

UIDED by the vision of becoming “A leading ASEAN university forming leaders of character by 2033”, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan offers Senior High School global standards in education.

Xavier University Senior High School Senior High School comprises the two years of education (Grades 11 and 12) immediately following four years of Junior High School (Grades 7 - 10) in the K-12 program.

Xavier Ateneo offers two tracks that junior high school graduates can choose from: Academic and Technical-Vocational.

Under the Academic track, students can choose from any of the four strands: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); ABM

(Accountancy, Business and Management); HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences); and, GA (General Academic) which prepare students for further studies in college.

Within the TechnicalVocational track, students can choose from TESDAaccredited programs (automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, among others), as well as non-TESDA vocational programs.

Located at the Manresa Complex in Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, the Andrew L Gotianun Center for Integrated Technologies (ALGCIT) offers specialized techvoc education to mold globally-competitive techvoc graduates.

A New ‘Clean and Green’ Campus

NEW HOME. A bird’s-eye view of the new Xavier University Senior High School campus in Pueblo de Oro. photo by project lupad

Due to the implementation of the K-12 program, Xavier Ateneo had no college

freshmen and sophomores for SY 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. Instead, senior high classes and activities

were hosted at the main campus along Corrales Avenue while a new senior high school campus was

constructed.

Completing the Basic Education in Pueblo de Oro, the new senior high school campus is located northwest facing the junior high school campus (formerly Xavier University High School).

Its construction started June 2018 and completed in May 2019.

The main building of the campus is divided into the North and South wings. These are to be used as buildings for classrooms and other offices. Connecting both wings are structures that will house administrative & maintenance offices.

In true Jesuit fashion, the center of the senior high school campus is a chapel.

The campus is complete with environmentfriendly features such EXCELLENCE/PAGE 11