BusinessWeek Mindanao (May 12-13, 2021)

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume XI, No. 140

Market Indicators AS OF 6:00 PM MAY 11, 2021 (TUESDAY)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P 47.51

6,326.83

X X Briefly

5.510

9.42

cents

points

Rural electrification THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) said that it has brought electricity to 362 rural villages under its Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) in the four months to April, the majority of which were in Mindanao.

“Of which, 200 sitios were in Mindanao, 106 sitios in the Visayas, and 56 sitios in Luzon. These sitios’ (electrification was) funded by previous years’ General Appropriations Act[s] (GAA),” the NEA’s communications office said.

The overall number of rural villages that were energized stood at 125,581 or 84.46% of the total that are within the coverage areas of 121 electric cooperatives, as of Feb. 28.

Rice inventory THE rice inventory as of March 1 fell 4.5% year on year to 2.08 million metric tons (MT), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

In its rice and corn stocks inventory report, the PSA said rice stocks held by households rose 25.4% year on year to 1.23 million MT, while inventory in commercial warehouses fell 18.3% to 584.66 thousand MT. Rice stored in National Food Authority (NFA) depositories fell 44.9% to 265.32 thousand MT.

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Family planning seen as key to poverty reduction T Thank you for trusting us!

HE Commission on Population and Development in Region 10 (Popcom 10) said the government's intensified family planning (FP) services for women and couples have helped reduce the number of poor families in some Nor thern Mind anao provinces.

CRIMSON SKIES. Crimson skies reflect on the waters in General Luna, Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto

In a statement Tuesday, Popcom-10 cited data from the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) showing poverty incidence among families in Bukidnon "drastically dropped" to more than half from 47 percent in 2015 to 22.2 percent in 2018.

Popcom-10 noted that data also showed the poverty incidence among the population decreased from 53.6 percent in 2015 to 27.5 percent in POVERTY/PAGE 6

Malaya plant buyer NMMC steps up Covid response, is battery storage to 'slow down' other services investor in Zambo

By ERCEL MAANDIG, Reporter

By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

FORT Pilar Energy Inc., which is the winning buyer of the 650-megawatt Malaya thermal power facility, is a new company that currently has investment of P5.0 billion for 100-megawatt hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Zamboanga Peninsula, according to asset-seller Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation.

Fort Pilar Energy’s win in the negotiated divestment of the Malaya plant on May 7 this year came as a major surprise in the power sector, because it had beaten more entrenched player AC Energy Corporation (ACEN) of the Ayala group in that privatization exercise of the

government.

The new company, which was incorporated in 2019, tendered a purchase price of P3.123 billion versus Ayala’s P2.22 billion bid – and both offers have been way above the minimum offer price of P1.845 billion that was set for the Malaya plant by the PSALM Board chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. In a statement to the media, Fort Pilar Energy Inc President Joseph Omar A. Castillo noted that “the Malaya plant further bolsters the growing energy asset portfolio of Fort Pilar Energy.”

He a d d e d t h a t t h e company envisions “a modern energy facility in the site INVESTOR/PAGE 6

NORTHERN Mindanao's biggest government-run hospital is set to "slow down" various medical services to devote most of its resources to the coronavirus disease

(Covid-19) response, following the resurgence of cases in the region.

Dr. Julius Bernard Rocha, liaison officer, of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center

(NMMC) said Monday that hospital operations will not stop but instead, the physical movements would be reduced so that health workers can focus on the rising Covid-19 cases.

RESPONSE/PAGE 6

FISHING VILLAGE. The fishing village of Milbuk in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat is home to the town’s Christian population. mindanews photo by bong s. sarmiento

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2

SinoVac vials for senior citizens arrived in CDO

By CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor

CAGAYAN DE ORO CIT Y: About 83,000 SinoVac vials for distribution to various provinces and cities in Northern Mindanao arrived here Tuesday.

Officials at the Department of Health (DOH) regional office said that 12,000 of the anti-COVID-19 vaccines would be allocated for Cagayan De Oro City.

The DOH regional office said that 7,000 SinoVac vials would be sent to Iligan City while the remaining 64,000 anti-COVID -19 vials would to distributed to other cities and provinces in Northern Mindanao.

Cagayan de Oro City Health Officer Lorraine J. Ner y, said that 9,000 SinoVac vials were for the seniors' first dose

starting Wednesday while the remaining 3,000 vials were for the health workers' second dose.

A team of policemen escorted the transportation of the highly fragile COVID -19 vials upon it’s arrival at the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental Tuesday toward the DOH regional storage in Cagayan De Oro City.

Pol. Lt. Col. Lemuel Gonda, the deputy police chief for safety operations in Cagayan de Oro City, said that “the police have to secure the anti-COVID-19 vaccines from possible saboteurs.”

The SinoVac vials arrived safely at the DOH regional storage, Gonda said.

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DSWD-10 extends help to 17 ex-NPA rebels in Bukidnon MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon-The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)10 in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and various government line

agencies welcomed to the folds of the law 17 New People"s Army (NPA) rebels who turned in with their eight high-powered and three-low powered firearms in Barangay Mampayag here.

“We committed not

Social Support. The DSWD-10 has opted to provide them with 34 family food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, kitchen kits, sacks of rice, and P10,000 each for their fresh start in addition to the whole-of-nation assistance from the local government unit of Bukidnon, AFP, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)10, and more. (VPSB/PIA10)

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

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

only our presence but to also our services because this is another opportunity for DSWD to help you, as mandated by President Rodrigo Duterte, to bring the services of the government closer to those who need them,” said DSWD-10 Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga.

DSWD-10 has provided them with 34 family food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, kitchen kits, sacks of rice and P10,000 each for their fresh start in addition to the assistance extended by the local government unit (LGU) of Bukidnon, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 and others.

“Alias Gydjon,” one of those who surrendered welcomed the assistance, saying “Gusto namo pasalamatan ang DSWD nga andam mo-suporta ilabina kanamong former rebels (FRs). Dako na kaayo ni nga tabang sa

amo ug sa among mga pamilya sa pagbalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno (We would like to thank the DSWD that is always ready to support us, the former rebels. It is already a big help to our families, as we return to the government)."

“Alias Gydjon" told the DSWD that they are really broke, making them "socially vulnerable."

In response, the DSWD offered the former rebels its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan– Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHICIDSS) to assist in their transition from being former rebels to productive members of society.

“I just want to express to each one of you that we are all here, we are ready to accept you, dili mo namo pasagdan (we will not leave you),” Dollaga assured. (VPSB/PIA10)

Bukidnon gets biggest ELCAC budget with P1.4-B funding

By ERCEL MAANDIG, Reporter

BUKIDNON province received the highest allocation in Region 10 for its Barangay Development Programs (BDP) with P1.4 billion in total funding this year.

The BDP is an initiative of the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) to provide crucial infrastructure and other development projects in barangays ravaged by violent communist insurgency.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Enrique Carmelo B. Libot on Monday said Bukidnon has 70 villages identified as conflict-prone areas, at least 80 percent of which are now cleared of insurgency.

Of the total funding, Libot said some P20 million has already released to 14 of the 70 villages to fund various projects and development programs.

All over the country, at least 822 villages have been identified by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as conflict-prone areas.

Of the PHP19 billion total budget of the NTF-ELCAC, P16 billion is allotted for the development of 822 barangays cleared of insurgency.

"The proposal from senators defunding NTFELCAC can demoralize the mission of the government in ending the local communist armed conflict" Libot noted.

Support for ex-rebels Meanwhile, the FUNDING/PAGE 6

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3

CorporateWorld

Vehicle sales up amid pandemic

V

EHICLE sales from January to April this year increased by 36.3 percent to 88,155 units from 64,675 units in the same period in 2020, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association reported Tuesday.

Both passenger car and commercial vehicle segments grew doubledigit during the period.

Sales of passenger cars went up by 54 percent in the first four months of the year to 27,425 units from 17,812 units in the same

period last year.

Growth of commercial vehicle sales was slower at 29.6 percent, selling 60,730 units in January to April this year from 46,863 units in 2020.

Compared to April 2020, joint sales reports of the industry groups improved by a whopping 13,315.8 percent from 133 units to 17,843 units last month.

To recall, the entire Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the most stringent lockdown measure, in April 2020.

However, month-onmonth sales recorded a

The Journey of Mr. Module By: LYNETTE A. MAGHUYOP

As the pandemic started in the Philippines and some areas where force to lockdown specifically during the 1st quarter of 2020. Later, Mr. Module became known to the life of educators, parents and students with less internet connection. Mr. Module’s life was so hectic that he travelled every week to educate learners. He has different recipe of knowledge and wisdom to share and he is a modified

to teach different subject.

Students is given time to be with Mr. Module especially to the highlands students where commuting is so rare.

Mr. Module is so important.

Now! When will the journey of Mr. Module end? Would it end if were going back to normal or would Mr. Module continues to visit the new set of students in the coming years? Hope we would love and handle Mr. Module with care and save his mother, Mrs. Earth.

13.8-percent drop from 20,702 units in March 2020.

CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez attributed the decline in sales to lower demand amid the reimposition of stricter quarantine measures in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal “Additionally, tighter

bank lending continues to dampen the demand for consumer spending especially for big-ticket items like auto amid the pandemic,” he said.

Gutierrez added the provisional safeguard measure on imported vehicles imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continued to impact prices and

demand for automotive vehicles.

The provisional 200-day safeguard duties started on Jan. 20 this year, and it is on its 111th day.

The trade remedy was imposed after an investigation of DTI showed that the increasing number of imported vehicles in the country has injured the local industry.

The government slaps an additional P70,000 per unit for imported passenger cars and P110,000 per unit of outsourced commercial vehicles.

“The additional deposit due to safeguard measures is burdensome in itself to consumers and industry alike,” Gutierrez added.

(PNA)

Victorias Milling logs growth amid Covid-19 pandemic BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental-based sugar producer Victorias Milling Company (VMC) has reported growth amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis with the implementation of sustainability

programs that increased performance levels in its various business segments.

VMC chairman Wilson Young said in a statement on Friday that there has never been a more challenging period for the firm than during the

pandemic.

“Keeping the business running as we face health and economic risks – and while we put in place our sustainability programs and actions – is definitely one of the highlights of the previous year. For one

thing, we have proven that it can be done and that cooperation allowed us to achieve our targets,” Young added.

Turning 102 this year, the sugar firm, which mainly operates in MILLING/PAGE 7

Infra firm supports gov’t as PH recovering from pandemic METRO Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) has continued to extend its full support to the government amid the challenges caused by the pandemic as it ramps up expansion and enables economic growth from infrastructure development.

“This meant keeping the lights on, delivering

clean water supply, enabling mobility and transportation, and providing excellent healthcare, all down to the commitment and skills of our workforce,” the company said in a statement Wednesday.

MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said his group mobilized all its available resources and

personnel to support the government’s fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to ensure the health, safety and continued livelihood of its employees, prioritize service continuity, and help uplift communities through various positive impact programs.

“There is still much work that needs to be

done to help our country recover so we will continue to proactively partner with the government and offer our hand wherever needed –from the handling and storage of vaccines, to increasing Covid-19 bed capacity in our hospitals, and the conversion of our facilities into quarantine centers– we are now SUPPORTS/PAGE 6

4

Opinion

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COVID-19 vaccines finally are headed for more kids as U.S. regulators on Monday expanded use of Pfizer’s shot to those as young as 12, sparking a race to protect middle and high school students before they head back to class in the fall.

Shots could begin as soon as a federal vaccine advisory committee issues recommendations for using the two-dose vaccine in 12to 15-year-olds, expected Wednesday.

Vaccinating children of all ages will be critical to a return to normalcy.

Most COVID-19 vaccines rolling out worldwide have been authorized for adults.

Pfizer’s vaccine is being used in multiple countries for teens as young as 16, and Canada recently became the first to expand use to 12 and up. Parents, school administrators and public health officials elsewhere

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Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Master plan Thin k a minute… B en Banneker was a respected African-American scholar who became a brilliant mathematician, designer and engineer. In fact, Ben was appointed by the U.S. S ecretar y of State to a top team of engineers to design the master plan for a modern city. The group of international engineers was led by French architect Charles L’Enfant, whose grand plan was to be used for this modern masterpiece that included both artistic beauty and the latest technology i n t r a n s p o r t at i o n a n d communication.

Unfortunately, for this genius architect L’Enfant, he soon was accused of trying to control the plan for his own purposes. So before the land had even been surveyed, the chief engineer and architect returned to France, taking the government’s plans with him.

With their city plans n o w g o n e , t h e U. S .

Secretary of State called an emergency meeting of all the city commissioners and engineers, including Ben Banneker. In the meeting,

THINK A MINUTE

are anxiously awaiting the shot to become available to more kids. “ This is a watershed moment in our ability to fight back the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to Dr. Bill Gruber, a Pfizer senior vice president who’s also a pediatrician.

The Food and Dr ug Administration declared the Pfizer vaccine is safe and offers strong protection for younger teens based on testing of more than 2,000 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15. The study found no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among kids given dummy shots. More intriguing, researchers found the kids developed higher levels of virus-fighting antibodies than earlier studies measured in young adults.

The younger teens received the same vaccine dosage as adults and had

the same side effects, mostly sore arms and flu-like fever, chills or aches that signal a revved-up immune system, especially after the second dose.

P f i z e r ’s t e s t i n g i n adolescents “met our rigorous standards,” said FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks.

“Having a vaccine authorized for a younger population is a critical step in continuing to lessen the immense public health burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Pfizer and its German p a r t n e r B i o N Te c h recently requested similar authorization in the European Union, with other countries to follow.

The latest news is welcome for U.S. families struggling to decide what activities are safe to resume when only the youngest family members remain unvaccinated.

Pfizer isn’t the only company seeking to lower

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

the age limit for its vaccine.

Mo der na re cent ly s aid preliminary results from its study in 12- to 17-year-olds show strong protection and no serious side effects. Another U.S. company, Novavax, has a COVID-19 vaccine in late-stage development and just began a study in 12- to 17-year-olds as well.

Next up is testing whether the vaccine works for even younger children. Both Pfizer and Moderna have begun CHILDREN/PAGE 7

Real friends, real foes in time of crisis LETTERS FROM DAVAO

MANILA OFFICE: 9th Floor, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino Cor. Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City Tel. # : 5555392,Cell Nos.: 0955-366-5968 | 0918-527-5898 CECILIA FRESNIDO-HONRADE - New Marketing Manager

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Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to US children as young as 12

Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

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JUN LEDESMA THE horror of the grotesque specter of nearly half a million people getting severely ill and thousands dying each day in India is, to say the l e a s t , f r i g ht e n i n g a n d nightmarish. If we trace back the cause of the meteoric rise of COVID-19 infections it indubitably points to the unbridled celebrations of religious events and social gatherings and utter disregard of the basic health protocols.

It is a sad commentary in a time of mourning but it is

important that we reveal the facts against the backdrop of Filipinos penchant for religious rituals, fiestas, rallies, and cockfights ...to name a few.

The people of the United States of America are not keen on festivals except for Mardi Gras but they are prone to hold protest rallies for some insane reasons. In most instances, protesters are even armed with deadly weapons.

They think that they are the invinsible human beings living on this planet and to prove that they demonstrate in state capitals ignoring every bit of cautions and health protocols. As I write this piece, 33.23-millions Americans contacted Covid-19 plus 39-thousand plus daily cases. Almost 592-thousand perished as 400 new deaths on average are recorded daily.

Brazil predilection for religious and events festivities

ranked it second to the US of A. with 15-million positive cases with 36,000 new cases are reported daily. There are now 408-thousands who perished as they average about 1,000 cases in their daily tally.

India, despite its 1.3-billion population, was never on the radar screen of morbid cases of Covid 19. Early on some quarters speculate that the Indian diet may have played a significant role in their immunity. But that turns out to be a myth. The celebration of a Hindu festival, Kumbh Mela, in several days in April was to be the start of India’s paralyzing nightmare.

Thousands of pilgrims all over India flocked to the Ganges river for the traditional ritual bath. They came and, like the Americans, disregarded all the basic protocols as they wade through the Ganges for the holy bath.

The holy festivities became

the most horrible super spreader of coronavirus we see in the world today. India was prepared to battle the unseen enemy but it did not anticipate that tens of thousands will be infected on a daily basis and had gone out of hand. COVID infections had soared and reached a momentum of over 350-thousand positive cases per day!

The health system in India is overwhelmed. The government is almost down to its knees assuming it is not yet. While indeed India is the biggest vaccine producer in the world, the components are mostly from the western countries, and with those countries in dire need of vaccines themselves, the production line has come to a halt. The death toll has not.

Ev e n t h e s upp l y of medical oxygen had run CRISIS/PAGE 7

As in a race JHAN TIAFAU HURST Ben shocked them all by assuring them that he had thoroughly studied L’Enfant’s maps and plans and Ben was quite certain he could remember every detail.

At first, the committee did not believe that anyone could keep in their mind all the complex designs and drawings of an entire large city! To memorize the architectural details of just one building would be amazing enough. But Ben began to precisely draw all of the original plans he still had in his mind… and that beautiful modern city was built entirely from Ben’s memory, which Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who PLAN/PAGE 7

THERE are some verses in St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians that, I believe, are worth giving more serious attention. They talk to uus about the need for self-discipline, the serious and consistent pursuit of a goal - things that we usually take lightly because, truth to tell, we do not like to be very serious in our life. We want it the easy way. If we could be totally carefree, that would be much more preferable.

Or we just like to take chances in our life and hope that some luck would fall on us. We fail to realize that while we are free to view our life in any way we want, there is actually an objective way of living of our life here on earth as set by its Creator which we are not free to change.

The Pauline verses are the following: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. “ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

(9,24-27) We need to inculcate in ourselves this mind-frame of an athlete, a racer, a sportsman out to win a race or a game. We cannot deny

that one of the ways we can describe our life is that it is like a race or a sports, since we have a goal to achieve, a finish line to reach.

Again, our life has a meaning and a purpose that is set not by us but by the Creator of our life.

God wants to make us his image and likeness, sharers in his divine life. We need to be clear about this real and ultimate meaning and purpose of our life, so we would avoid going about our life without the proper sense of purpose and direction.

We have to develop the proper attitude and skills with regard to this most basic aspect of our life. First of all, we should really ask the ultimate questions of where we come from and where we are supposed to go. Definitely, we just did

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA not come from our parents.

We just are not meant to achieve some earthly and temporal goals that by their nature are perishable.

That’s because in our heart of hearts, we have that desire for a happiness that never ends. This is already an indication that we are meant for a life that goes beyond the limits of space RACE/PAGE 7

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By JOEL CALAMBA ESCOL

One of the best apps now, if you want to earn money online, is by using the Lyka App. It is a social media platform which allows people from around the world to connect, share interests and discover new things with other individuals using the app.

The Lyka App also allows people to share photos and do engagements with Lyka users such as liking photos of other people and connecting to them.

In an interviw with CNN to Lyka CEO Ryan Baird, he said that Lyka is the newest platform in the internet where people can earn rewards of their original content and used them to make purchases.

Baird said the target audience of Lyka is

everyone using the social media.

"So, we're really trying to target evryone who enjoys social media and we want them to now take back their data ownership. You know a lot of other social media apps, people spend a lot of time and efforts to make their content really, really nice BUT they don't really get to monetize their content.

That's how we're very different from other platforms," Baird said.

He also said Lyka is different from other emerging social media plarforms because they compensate users just for doing engagements and interaction inside the Lyka App. A lot of these

platforms people will only get compensated if they are very popular.

21st Century Teaching Strategy JESSELLE MARTINEZ MADERA Teacher 3 – Hinaplanan Elementary School

The development of competencies known as 21st century skills are garnering increasing attention as a means of improving teacher instructional quality. However, a key challenge in bringing about desired improvements lies in the lack of contextspecific understanding of teaching practices and meaningful ways of supporting teacher professional development.

The 21st century skillset is generally understood to encompass a range of competencies, including critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, meta-cognition, communication and digital and technological literacy. The 21st century has seen much advancement in many fields. The education sector is undergoing changes by leaps and bounds.

Teachers have donned the mantle of facilitators. No longer are we infallible or ‘the be all and end all’ of education. Instead, we teachers, currently, have become students,

lifelong learners who are accompanying our students on a journey of exploration and reflection. And the students who take the lead in classroom learning.

Active learning is quite the need of the hour and the norm in many schools nationwide. And when such a radical change has been initiated in the classrooms, it goes without saying that newer pedagogical methodologies have come to existence and are being implemented to provide learners with simulations of real-life situations and problems which they have to grapple with and resolve.

Active learning is indeed the need of the hour. Even something simple as asking a question becomes important. Asking open-ended questions is crucial. Active learning is not about students running and jumping around but it is actually all about this part of your body being stimulated and active the brain.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) in DEPED MARYBETH P. CULTURA

Pov e r t y h a s b e e n a n issue that is prevalent throughout society. The Philippine government has made several solutions to eradicate this issue.

Included in the solutions is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s). This program was implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DEPED), and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) covering almost 75% of our country’s population reaching a total of 20 million Filipinos belonging to 4.4 million households. It was started in 2007 and expanded in December 2016.

Despite its vision for betterment still, onlookers doubt progress, through this method, be attained.

It has been a widespread topic of gossip throughout the nation. Questioning on

the beneficiaries’ honesty towards the usage of the FUND. The government through its Republic Act No. 11310, an act that institutionalized Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, answers this speculation.

Rule IX. Case management and Non-compliance with Conditions discuss the plan of action they will act on when a beneficiary does not comply and/or follow the agreements of the program.

Therefore, stated in section 17, “The responsible person of a reported qualified hous ehold b enef iciar y who fails to comply with all the conditions shall at first be notified in writing.”.

Section 18 also states, “After 4 consecutive months of willful non-compliance, the household beneficiary shall be subject to intensive case management.” Given this many actions for noncompliance, it is clear that naming the 4P’s as a dole-out is not a credible argument

for the onlookers to push on the abolition of the 4P’s, which have helped out many family’s escapes from the clutches of poverty.

Not only do es this prove the honesty of the b e n e f i c i ar i e s an d t h e assurance of the funds going to the good hands but it also projects the success of the program in attaining its targeted goals.

Due to the 4P’s enrollment rate of elementary school children has increased by 5% which is 9 million of the population and 7% from secondary education which is about 1.9 million of the population. More babies have been delivered to hospitals which lessens the risk of newborn deaths, and poverty reduction led to 1.4% points per year or 1.5 million fewer poor Filipinos. The 4P’s is a bridge for a brighter future for these beneficiaries (https://nro13.neda.gov.ph/ understanding-safety-netscase-4ps/).

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LYKA GEM SYSTEM - You can earn the so-called LYKA GEMs by active social LYKA/PAGE 6

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY Regional Office X 2/F SEJOLIM Bldg., Gmelina St., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. No. (088) 856-9105 / Telefax No. (088) 856-8410 / Email: mro10@marina.gov.ph

IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE (CPC) FROR THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS ONLY PURSUANT TO R.A 9295 AND THE 2014 AMENDMENTS TO THE REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9295

CASES NO.: MRO X 21-086 CPC

FRANCISCO, RUFY P.

Applicants. x--------------------------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF HEARING

Before us is an application for the issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of the above-named applicants, to operate the vessels for the carriage of passengers only, on a daily deregulated sailing schedule, during daytime navigation only, in the following route: Vessel Names

Routes

MBca “RN LINER”

MUNICIPAL WATERS OF ALUBIJID, MISAMIS ORIENTAL

Notice is hereby given that the said application will be heard by this Authority on 19 May 2021, 2:00 P.M. at the Conference Room, 2nd Floor, SEJOLIM Bldg., Gmelina st., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

The Applicant shall publish this Notice of Hearing once in a newspaper of regional circulation at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled date of hearing.

Parties opposed to the grant of the application may file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date, furnishing a copy of the same to the Applicant, and may, if they so desire, appear on said date and time.

The applicant shall submit a written Formal Offer of Exhibits (FOE) during the hearing or five (5) days thereafter.

All parties are enjoined to observe strictly appropriate health protocols mandated by competent authorities.

WITNESS, the Honorable Administrator, VADM ROBERT A. EMPEDRAD AFP this 6TH day of May 2021 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

By Authority of the Administrator (Per A.O. No. 11-14 dated 22 August 2014)

(SGD) FELISA N. ORONGAN Regional Director

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Supports... from page 3

studying how we can be instrumental in the development of our own vaccines and help better equip our nation for a crisis such as this,” he said.

MPIC reported a 2 6 - p e r c e nt d e c l i n e i n consolidated core net income for the first quarter of 2021 to P2.5 billion, driven largely by economic contraction amid the Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in reduced toll road traffic, light rail services, and commercial and industrial demand for water and power.

The first-quarter earnings decline of 26 percent contrasts with the 34-percent fullyear drop in 2020, indicating a gradual improvement in performance despite the continued imposition of varying levels of quarantine across the country.

“Although first quarter core e ar nings are st i l l down year-over-year, we are expecting to benefit from the country’s gradual economic recovery towards the latter part of the year driven by the government’s vaccination program and the impact of the CREATE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises) law. This outlook serves as the foundation of our core income guidance of at least P12 billion for full year 2021,” Pangilinan added.

The re cent ly sig ne d CREATE law aided the

company’s first-quarter performance with its lowering of income tax rates from 30 percent to 25 percent. This is retroactive from July 1, 2020 “ This l aw e as es t he company’s future tax liabilities and consequently allows reallocation of resources to further improve operational efficiencies,” it said. (PR)

Funding... from page 2

Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 10 (DSWD1 0 ) re c e nt l y p a r t n e re d with the AFP and various government line agencies to reach out to at least 17 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

The former rebels turned in 11 firearms in Barangay Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, according to DSWD-10. “ We c o m m i t t e d n o t only our presence but also our ser vices because this i s an ot h e r opp or tu n it y for DSWD to help you, as mandated by President Rodrigo Duterte, to bring the ser vices of the government closer to t ho s e w ho ne e d t he m ,” DSWD-10 Director MariFlor Dollaga said.

DSWD-10 said it provided the surrenderers with food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, kitchen k its , s a ck s of r i c e, and P10,000 cash each. (PNA)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING & REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No.10, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING & REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No.10, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

JISON C. ALSOLA CASE NO. R10-NC-PA-TH Applicant/Petitioner. 2021-05-1758

JOSE REY AMAGA CASE NO. R10-EV-UV Applicant/Petitioner. 2021-04-1646

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

APPLICANT/ PETITIONER request the authority to extend the Validity of the Certificate of Public Convenience to operate TRUCK FOR HIRE (TH) SERVICE on the route: FROM CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY TO ANY POINT IN REGION 10 AND VICE VERSA and with the use of TWO (02) unit/s.

This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on May 17, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at this Board on which date Applicant/Petitioner shall formally submit his/her/its evidence.

The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least Five (05) Days prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of general/ local circulation.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/its written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ its oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 11th day of May 2021 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

APPLICANT/ PETITIONER requests the authority to extend the Validity of the Certificate of Public Convenience to operate UV SERVICE on the route: CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- LAGUINDINGAN AIRPORT AND VICE VERSA and with the use of ONE (01) unit/s.

This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on May 17, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at this Board on which date Applicant/Petitioner shall formally submit his/her/its evidence.

The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least Five (05) Days prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of general/ local circulation.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/its written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ its oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 11th day of May 2021 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

(Sgd.) ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING HEARING OFFICER

(Sgd.) ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING HEARING OFFICER

BWM: May 12, 2021

BWM: May 12, 2021

Poverty... from page 1

the same year.

In the same period, the agency said figures from the Popcom's Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS) showed a "leaps and bounds increase" in modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) in the area from 48.8 percent in 2016 to 63.5 percent in 2018.

"With many couples able to prevent unplanned pregnancies, they are also able to provide for the need of their children and increase savings for other investments," it said.

The FHSIS data also showed the mCPR in Misamis Oriental province increasing to 87.6 percent in 2019 from 84.7 percent in 2016.

Since then, the poverty incidence among the p opulation declined to 20.7 percent in 2018 from 23.4 percent in 2012. This translated to an estimated 100,000 people lifted from poverty, based on average data from Popcom-10 and PSA. In March t his ye ar, the two provinces signed a partnership agreement with Popcom-10 for the full localization of the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP).

PPMP acknowledges the devolved powers of the local government units (LGUs), where poverty and population problems are best resolved, Popcom-10 said.

The agreement carries with it a grant of PHP1 million for both provinces, to be used to implement the three program components of PPMP such as responsible parenthood and family planning (RPFP), adolescent health and development (AHD), and the population and development (PopDev) integration.

Pop com-10 Direc tor Nei l Aldr in G. Omega underscored the importance of implementing the p opulation program to reap "social and economic benefits." " Un d e r s t a n d i n g t h e interrelationship of population and development would enable LGUs to design development interventions that would benefit its people," Omega said.

Along with the financial g rant, Pop com-10 a ls o provides technical assistance to LGUs in the areas of capacity building and family

planning outreach activities in geographically isolated and displaced areas. (PNA)

Response... from page 1

Rocha said the "specialty services" of the hospital may be reduced to 20 percent and that those who seek regular medical check-ups that are not related to Covid-19 would be redirected to "telekonsulta" or telephonebased consultation.

"Based on our recent m e e t i n g ( w it h N M M C administration), for the next two weeks we have to slow down for the meantime, and increase our response on Covid-19," he said.

Dr. Lorraine Nery, acting City Health Office chief, reported Monday that the city had 128 new active cases, bringing the total active cases to 749 as of the weekend.

Nery said at least 219 patients currently admitted to NMMC's dedicated Covid-19 facilities as well as in the patient care centers of the local government and the Department of Health.

Nery said the resurgence of cases prompted them to reactivate partnerships with NMMC and private hospitals to prevent exhausting the city's healthcare utilization rate.

Meanwhile, City Mayor Oscar Moreno called on re s i d e nt s to c o op e r ate by limiting travel only to necessities and to fully comply with the minimum public health standards.

"My appeal to the people of Cagayan de Oro City is this: let’s not allow ourselves to be infected, nor infect others; City Hall cannot do this alone. If the people don’t do their part, we’ll only end up blaming each other for the unabated rise in cases, blaming each other for our inadequacies and not fully doing our part," Moreno said.

Re cent ly, t he O CTA Research Group flagged three cities outside the National Capital Region and nearby provinces as "areas of concern" due to the spike in Covid-19 cases in their vicinities--including the city.

Data analyzed by the independent research group showed that for the past week, Puerto Princesa logged a 78 percent increase in coronavirus infections, this city listed a 75 percent spike, while Bacolod recorded a 19 percent increase in new cases. (PNA)

Investor... from page 1

to strengthen the power situation in Luzon.”

Prior to its sale, the Malaya plant was being depended upon as “must run unit” or the power generating facility that the system operator can call for dispatch when there would be sudden tightening of supply in the country’s biggest power grid.

The buyer will already have the sole discretion on what it wants to utilize the plant for – and one prospect seen is for it to serve the ancillary services needs of Luzon grid.

On Fort Pilar Energy’s BESS facility, which will cater to the ancillary services or power reserve needs of Zamboanga, this is targeted for commercial operation date (COD) by first quarter of 2022, according to Castillo.

The Fort Pilar Energy chief executive similarly st ate d t hat t he f ir m is planning to put up “modern multi-fuel power generators running on high efficiency and low emission (HELE) technologies that will further improve power stability in Mindanao.”

Documents submitted with the Department of Energ y (DOE) on the company’s energy projects

showed that Fort Pilar Energy Inc. was formerly called Hill Trench Power Inc. and it has set on blueprint projects on BESS installations as well as power plant facilities.

It was in Novemb er 2 0 1 9 w h e n Fo r t P i l a r Energy was endorsed by the energy department to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on its targeted ventures into power generation, distribution as well as the supply and retail segments of the restructured electricity sector.

The company then had authorized capital stock of P1.0 billion, divided into 10 million shares with a par value of P100 per share.

Lyka... from page 5

engagements, ratings, and posting.

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G ROU P C H AT S You can create a secured group chat with friends, c o -wor k e r s , e ve n w it h celebrities and inf luencers using the app.

SEND & R ECEIVE GEMS - You can send and receive LYKA Gems easily and securely with the new pin system and QR code.

7

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Plan... from page 4

later became the president, had trusted. In fact, you may have even visited this city. For the plans that Ben Banneker carried in his mind were for Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.

Did you know that your Maker has a brilliant and beautiful master plan for your life? He’s just been waiting for you to come home to Him, so with His help you can start thinking and living His way every day. Once and for all, won’t you ask Jesus to take full charge and begin changing your mind and heart? Then, you can start living the true, good life and plan that He custom designed for you.

Just think a minute.

Children... from page 4

U.S. studies in children ages 6 months to 11 years. Those studies explore whether babies, pre-schoolers and elementary-age kids will need different doses than teens and adults. Gruber said Pfizer expects its first results sometime in the fall.

Outside of the U.S., AstraZeneca is studying its vaccine among 6- to 17-yearolds in Britain. And in China, Sinovac recently announced it has submitted preliminary DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late BENNY S. PABILONA and EDITHA G. PABILONA of Macasandig Cagayan de Oro City, who died on November 22, 2013 and June 25, 2016 at Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City, at the time of his death left a parcel of land with portion of lot 2939-L, Psd-10-015354 situated in the Barrio of Macasandig, city of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED (100) square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH SALE filed by the heirs of BENNY S. PABILONA and EDITHA G. PABILONA, in favor of JASMINE L. CHING, per DOC #460; PAGE #91; BOOK #50; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EDGARDO Y. RAAGAS. BWM: May 5, 12 & 19, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS OF TEOFILO INIEGO (DECEASED) and GLORIA C. INIEGO KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late TEOFILO MINIAMIN INIEGO who died on September 13, 2020 at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, the decedents left the following parcels of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-68440 situated in the Barrio of Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FIFTEEN THOUSAND (15,000.00) square meters, more or less, Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-100423 situated in the Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, containing an area of THIRTY THOUSAND (30,000) Square meters, and Original Certificate of Title No. P-32909 situated in the Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, containing an area of FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY EIGHT (558) square meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS OF TEOFILO INIEGO (DECEASED) and GLORIA C. INIEGO, filed by the heirs of TEOFILO MINIAMIN INIEGO, per DOC #261; PAGE #55; BOOK #50; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. PERSEVERANDO I. ARAÑA, JR. BWM: Apr. 28, May 5 & 12, 2021

data to Chinese regulators showing its vaccine is safe in children as young as 3.

Children are far less likely than adults to get seriously ill from COVID-19 yet they still have been hardhit by the pandemic. They represent nearly 14% of the nation’s coronavirus cases.

At least 296 have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. alone and more than 15,000 have been hospitalized, according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

That’s not counting the toll of family members becoming ill or dying -- or the disruption to school, sports and other activities so crucial to children’s overall well-being.

Children right now are struggling the need as many people in the country who have the potential to transmit the virus to be protected.

Experts say children must get the shots if the country is to vaccinate the 70% to 85% of the population necessary to reach what’s called herd immunity.

In the meantime, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says unvaccinated people -- including children -should continue taking precautions such as wearing masks indoors and keeping their distance from other unvaccinated people outside of their households.

Crisis... from page 4

out. Covid patients who are to be resuscitated and aided to breathe need oxygen otherwise they will be gasping for breath and gasping die.

The crematories can no longer handle as many as 3,000 deaths per day thus the remains of the victims have to be burned in pyres on EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late GUINDO M. BUSARA who died on November 4, 2011 at Barangay Marinaut, Marawi City, the deceased at the time of their death left a parcel of land with TCT No. T-59401 Situated in the District of Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED (200) square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY, filed by the heirs of GUINDO M. BUSARA, per DOC #200; PAGE #41; BOOK #14; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. OWEN S. MARCIAL. BWM: May 5, 12 & 19, 2021

the pavements in cities and towns all over India.

While we stare at India in disbelief, but we too are astounded with how its misery invites sympathy and of all incredulity saw China, its arch adversary for decades over their border disputes come to succor the enemy.

They have fought little wars and lost a few men in these conflicts. Beijing could have taken advantage of a crippled enemy but no, it extended its hand to India and came to its aid and comfort instead.

President Xi Jinping called on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and assured him of help. Quickly the first batch of 25,000 oxygen concentrators pledged by China arrived in the country.

Another 5,000 ventilators and 21,000 oxygen generators were also dispatched. Later more than 15,000 sets of monitors and nearly 3,800 tons of medical supplies and medication s were also shipped to India.

While this mercy mission is ongoing we still have to hear what the Western countries can offer. It seems for now that India will have to rely heavily on China. Of late we heard that outside of what government can offer the Chinese people through nongovernment organizations and China’s National Red Cross will be sending their help too.

The grim scenario in India impacts the Philippines in that our penchant for fiestas, religious events, cockfighting (legal and illegal), and rallies is almost legendary and oftentimes b orders on fanat icism.

Amidst the constant threats of infection, we are not wanting in bull-head individuals and groups doing exactly what’s happening in India and the US, goaded by their individual insensitivity and sadly by crazy political agenda. Groups who ejaculate seeing the statistics rising and blame it on the government but are at the forefront of the queues to demand from the government NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Intestate Estate of the Late ROBERTO SANCHEZ MONTILLA who died intestate on February 29, 2020 at Butuan City is the Subject of the ExtraJudicial Partition of Estate located at Buenavista, Agusan del Norte and Cagayan de Oro City by and among the heirs as per Doc. No. 354, Page No. 71, Book No. 34, Series of 2021 of Notarial Public Oscar P, Musni, Roll of Attorneys No. 30311.

BWM: May 5, 12 & 19, 2021

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immediate attention and sustenance.

Like India, the only country that comes to help us in the battle against Covid-19 is China. Like India, we have our own conflict with China over the islands in the West Philippine Sea which, as we do, are claimed and occupied by other countries. We lost Scarborough by the sheer idiocy of former Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario and his bosses and now by the same act of madness ex-Justice who wants to be President, Antonio Carpio, is pushing Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to go to war against China.

The multi-lateral claims will always be there. While Carpio and Del Rosario escalate the conflict thinking their Uncle Sam will come to succor Philippines, other countries like Vietnam are working to normalize relations with China. In the middle of this crisis India and China talk of complete disengagements in disputed borders. Duterte made a diplomatic inroads with China the moment he engaged President Xi in a bilateral talk. While today we see only over a million doses of vaccines donated by China and billions worth of bridges and roads plus cheap loans we overlooked the fact that China has opened its market to anything we can sell to that biggest consumer population in the world. And thank goodness, despite the brazen foolishness of Carpio and Del Rosario China, so far, is the only vaccine-producing country that has delivered to our shores millions of doses of vaccines with more to come.

We are a family of nations in this part of the globe. Like in any family there will always be disputes and irritants but at the end of the day whenever calamities and pandemics strike we only have each other to turn to. When this crippling health crisis shall be over, hopefully, we shall have realized who our true friends are and our foes.

Postscript: Joel Locsin, Media Relations Officer of Sen. Ping Lacson, wrote a rejoinder to the recent piece I wrote, to say that the Senator will never be part of the legal front of any armed warfare

against the state. That’s good, clear, and well taken. But sadly this Locsin seemed to have a convoluted concept of what propaganda is in warfare especially in counterinsurgency. The hundreds of NPA combatants and their mass base had given up and had returned to the folds of the law and significantly much of these had been achieved without a single shot. That, Mr. Locsin is a product of ingenious propaganda unless you are not aware of what is happening outside the comfort of the Senate hall.

Race... from page 4

and time, of matter and our biological nature. There is something spiritual in us that opens itself to the world of the supernatural, the world of God. It is our Christian faith that gives us the answers to these questions. And if we go by this faith, then we ought to see to it that we arrange everything in our life so that that ultimate goal of entering into the eternal life of God in full bliss be achieved.

Everyday, with the mind of an athlete, we should make plans and strategies to pursue this goal through the things we handle in our earthly life Email: roycimagala@ gmail.com

Milling... from page 3

Victorias City in northern Negros, continues to adapt to great changes in doing business amid the worldwide health crisis with measures to keep employees and partners moving forward.

“The crisis is not yet over and the pandemic still looms above us like a dark cloud.

But as we have done in the past year, we will continue to push forward this 2021 despite the challenges and I am again looking forward to a new period of cooperation to attain our goals,” Young said, citing VMC’s track record of surmounting all the challenges it has faced since 1919.

VMC president Minnie Chua said one of the programs they have implemented w as t he V MC C l o s e d Loop Production System, an integrated sugar-based

business sustainability model maximizing the use of all input materials with very few waste products.

“Using this business sustainability model, we have seen rapid growth across our areas of business with increased sugar, alcohol, and power production and efficiency of our operations,” she said.

Chua explained that in this set-up, VMC not only produces granulated brown and refined sugar, but also a set of downstream products, i n clu d i ng h i g h - qu a l it y ethanol from molasses used to make bioethanol fuel and rubbing alcohol.

Wastewater released from sugar production is treated and recycled back to the factory, thereby reducing the reliance on external water sources, while organic byproducts are returned to the field for use as fertilizer, she added.

After infusing more t han P 1 0 0 m i l l i on for environmental measures last year, Chua said the VMC will continue to “prioritize invest ment to improve operational efficiencies and environmental protection”.

During the high demand for disinfectants last year, VMC increased its alcohol production and donated large volumes of rubbing alcohol as well as germicidal bleach to local governments, public institutions, and health facilities in Negros, Panay, and parts of Luzon.

ERRATUM In connection with the publication of DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE published April 21, 28, & May 5, 2021 the correct name of the heir should be TOMASINO IRENIO D. PADLA, not as published.

OUR APOLOGY BWM: May 12, 2021

8

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WED-THU|MAY 12-13, 2021

SM and Pasay LGU to build one of the biggest vaccination centers in the Philippines

SM and Pasay City government join hands for ‘Vacc to the Future’ vaccination program.

S

M, together with National University, and the local government of Pasay City have partnered for ‘Vacc to the Future’ program to build one of the biggest vaccination centers in the country which will accommodate around 2,000 individuals per day.

"We are very happy to partner with the Pasay local government unit for this project," said SM Supermalls president Steven Tan. "With the vaccine center, this will greatly help in doubling efforts to hasten the vaccination of our community members, especially the medical frontliners, the elderly, and those who have comorbidities."

Pasay Mayor Emi

Happy 10 th Year Anniversary

Calixto-Rubiano said that the partnership with SM Supermalls is a win for the city as they work hard to accommodate as many people as they can for COVID-19 vaccinations with this milestone project.

"We hope that our partnership with SM will encourage more people to sign up and get the vaccine so that we can slowly return to our normal lives. We all want to live safely and connect with our families and friends in person. We would like to thank SM Supermalls for making this possible," said CalixtoRubiano.

The facility is also fitted with an airconditioning system and will soon feature a drive-through section for vaccination.

SM, in partnership with various LGUs, has rolled out multi-mall vaccination program

with over 30 SM malls nationwide which were identified as partner vaccination sites. SM has ongoing vaccination activities in over 10 malls but will activate more and resume others once vaccines in some areas have arrived and become available.

Since the start of the pandemic, SM Supermalls has been at the forefront of helping Filipinos. Many SM malls have served as COVID-19 testing sites in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross.

The company has also donated beds, linens, and pillows to schools, such as Ateneo de Manila, University of the Philippines, and other institutions who turned some of the classrooms and dormitories into COVID-19 facility wards.

For more information, visit www. smsupermalls.com.

Greet ings from:

Preparations are underway for the giga vaccination hub at the Galeon in MOA Complex, Pasay City.