BusinessWeek Mindanao (May 20, 2020)

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Volume X, No. 137

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Cashless fares TO c o n t r o l t h e s p r e a d o f the coronavirus disease 2 0 1 9 ( C ov i d - 1 9 ) i n a r e a s where public transpor tation has been allowed, the Land Transpor tation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday called for the use of cashless payment in public transportation.

In a #LagingHanda network briefing, LTFRB Chair Martin Delgra III said the LTFRB, cashless payment providers and transport network companies (TNC) met on Sunday to discuss the use of digital payment platforms to avoid transmission of the coronavirus disease 2 0 1 9 ( C ov i d - 1 9 ) i n p u bl i c transportation.

“Nandun po yung mga GCash, PayMaya, nandun din po yung mga cashless payment providers na gumagamit ng card kagaya ng Beep. So pinagpulong po natin yan kahapon (GCash, PayMaya, cashless providers using cards such as Beep were there as well. We met with them yesterday) so that we’d be able to push (for) cashless transaction,” Delgra said.

IN-DEPTH

Normin has enough local rice stock: NFA www.businessweekmindanao.com

Market Indicators

Wednesday|May 20, 2020

P15.00

T

HE rice currently in stock at the National Food Authority in Region 10 (NFA-10) warehouses all come from grains producers in the region, the agency said Sunday.

On its Facebook page, NFA-10 said “80 percent of the total rice buffer stock of NFA Northern Mindanao is sourced from local farmers

in Bukidnon” and the rest from other provinces in the region.

Next to Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte contributes 16

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percent to the NFA stock; Mis amis O cci d e nt a l, 3 p e r c e nt ; a n d M i s a m i s Oriental, 1 percent.

According to the NFA10, from March 19 to May 14, it has released some 122,417 50-kilo bags of rice to local government, public officials, and government agencies mostly in the region RICE/PAGE 7

Virus to shrink global tourism 60%-80% this year, says UN DEPENDING on the speed of containment, the duration of travel restrictions, and the shutdown of borders, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) projects international tourism to decline by 58 percent to 78 percent year on year in 2020.

This places millions

2nd tranche OVER 20 million low-income families are expected to receive the second tranche of cash aid under the government's Social Amelioration Program (SAP), Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said some 20.3 million poor families will receive financial assistance, higher than the original 18 million households identified under Bayanihan to Heal as One law, or Republic Act No. 11469.

“Mas marami pa sa 20 million ang mabibigyan ng ayuda (More than 20 million will be given cash aid),” he said in a virtual presser.

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of livelihoods at risk and threatens to roll back progress made in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN tourism body said on Thursday.

As tourism is one of the most labor-intensive sectors of the economy, the TOURISM/PAGE 7

TRANQUIL SEA. A fisherman in Pilar town, Siargao Island goes out to fish in the town's tranquil seawater at dusk on. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto

Region 10 to start own Covid testing on May 21

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

BARRING any delays, the laboratory of the governmentowned Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) will

start processing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests this Thursday, May 21.

However, Dr. Joselito

Retuya, epidemiologist at the Cagayan de Oro Health office, said the testing will be limited to persons afflicted with acute respiratory illness (ARI) and TESTING/PAGE 7

RAINBOW OVER RIVER. A rainbow provides a beautiful backdrop for fisherfolk navigating the river in Asinan, Pilar, Siargao Island on Saturday, May 16. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto

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2

Local

DA-10 releases P32.7-M cash subsidy to ease MisOcc rice farmers' cropping season

J

IMENEZ, Misamis Occidental --The Department of Agriculture -Regional Field Office (DA RFO)-10 kicked off second wave of the Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) distribution in Misamis Occidental, May 13, as 1,187 rice farmers in the towns of Aloran and Jimenez each gets P5,000 cash aid.

The FSRF is a special subsidy granted by DA to small rice farmers tilling one hectare rice field or less in the provinces not covered by the Rice Farmers Financial

Assistance (RFFA) program of DA. Misamis Occidental registered a total of 6,544 FSRF-eligible rice farmers who will be duly subsidized P32.7 million worth of financial assistance.

This initiative is set to augment the small farmers' capacity as they are gearing up for May-June planting season, amid pandemic drawbacks.

"Our rice farmers in Jimenez are extremely delighted with the FSRF. Like many, they are affected by the COVID-19 crisis. To them, this help from DA is so timely especially most

of them have now started planting," said Vima M. Bolanio, Jimenez Municipal Agricultural Officer.

"Surely our farmers' yield will increase since they now have added means to suffice their farming needs, aside from seeds and fertilizers assistance from DA-10," Bolanio added.

DA's farmerbeneficiaries will receive the subsidy in cash through Landbank's payout system.

Rosafe B. Quiñon, Landbank Account Officer of Ozamiz Satellite Office, said serving the farmers is an all-time mandate of

Landbank. Personally, she is glad to be part of the cause helping the farmers in this trying times.

"It is fulfilling to serve our farmers. They are our [COVID-19] frontliners in food production. Without them the entire country will go hungry," Quiñon said, recognizing the farmers' contribution in the battle against the pandemic.

DA-10 is now fasttracking the FSRF distribution in Misamis Occidental.

Other 5,357 qualified rice farmers from the towns of Baliangao, Calamba, Plaridel, Lopez Jaena, Oroquieta City, Panaon, Clarin, Ozamis City, Sinacaban, Tudela, Bonifacio and Tangub City, are due to receive the FSRF cash aid this week. (DA10/ PIA10)

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One of the 1,187 rice farmers in the towns of Aloran and Jimenez shows receipt of cash grant from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10. (DA 10)

7 farmer cooperatives in Marawi receive tractors MARAWI City -- To improve the farm productivity in this city, seven (7) farmer cooperatives received one farm tractor each from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR BARMM) Lanao del Sur, City Government of Marawi and Task Force

Bangon Marawi (TFBM).

The cooperatives which received the said assistance are from barangays Sagonsongan, Mipaga, Dulay Proper, Guimba, Timbangalan, East Basak Malutlut and Sugod.

MAFAR-BARMM’s deputy minister and focal person for Bangon Marawi program, Ammal D. Solaiman explained that the project was turned over to them by the Department of Agriculture Region 10.

Solaiman also shared that they strived to fast track the distribution of the farm mechanization to the farmers. She also underscored the importance of agriculture in times of crisis in coronavirus disease (COVID 19).

“Paiigtingin ang monitoring nito, para maassure na magamit in the right way at makabenefit TRACTORS/PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY|MAY 20, 2020

3

CorporateWorld

Filinvest Land nets P6.3-B profit in 2019

F

ILINVEST Land, Inc. (FLI), the publiclylisted property arm of Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), reported a 7-percent increase in profit in 2019, driven by growth in revenues from its rental and residential businesses.

In a statement on Monday, the company said net income reached P6.28 billion in 2019 from P5.89 billion the previous year.

Its gross revenues rose by 16 percent to P25.67 billion on the increase in rental and residential revenues.

Residential revenue growth of 18 percent

is attributable to the high sales take-up levels in 2018, as well as the completion of mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings in 2019.

FLI’s residential projects continue to address the needs of the end-user affordable and middle-income markets, which remain to be stable and underserved.

In 2019, FLI launched residential projects in greater Metro Manila such as Valenzuela City, Taguig City, Manila, Cainta and Muntinlupa, as well as in the provinces of Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu and Davao.

“We are satisfied with our 2019 performance as both our residential

sales and recurring income businesses reflected growth,” FLI chief executive officer and president Josephine Gotianun-Yap said.

However, GotianunYap said the first quarter of 2020 has been challenging for the country with notable calamities such as earthquakes in Mindanao, the Taal Volcano eruption and the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a global health crisis.

“We have revised our project line up and have moved some launches originally scheduled for the second half of 2020 to 2021. As a result, our capex (capital expenditure) is expected

to reach PHP16 billion for the year. We will, however, go ahead with residential projects in new geographies within the country. We have also allocated a significant amount of this year’s resources for the completion of additional office buildings, the innovation park, as well as the development of our townships. All of these signify our confidence that our company and the country will be able to hurdle the challenges ahead of us,” she said.

Meanwhile, rental revenue growth of 25 percent was on the back of the completion of two new office buildings that brought FLI’s total to 30

Del Monte raises $1.3B to boost balance sheet THE American unit of Del Monte Pacific Ltd. has raised $1.3 billion from bond issuances to trim loan facilities and recapitalize its balance sheet.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday, Del Monte said its subsidiary Del Monte Foods, Inc. (DMFI) was able to generate new financing to reduce its total loan facilities to $950

million from $1.4 billion.

The new financing is composed of $500 million from a five-year bond issuance, $450 million from a new three-year asset-based loan (ABL), and $378 million from selling equity to parent firm Del Monte.

As DMFI issued the five-year senior secured notes and signed a three-year ABL, it took a $150-million investment in

new equity from its parent firm Del Monte, and converted $228 million of its second lien repurchase loans into common equity in DMFI. The completion of these transactions resulted in a recapitalization of the company’s balance sheet, allowing it to lay out new plans for Del Monte’s future growth.

“This transaction is an important milestone

for DMFI and the (Del Monte Group),” Del Monte Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Joselito D. Campos, Jr. said in the statement.

“In this new market environment, Del Monte has seen significantly increased demand for its healthy, shelf-stable products across all product lines. Today’s recapitalization and BOOST/PAGE 7

office buildings equivalent to 524,00 square meters of gross leasable area (GLA).

FLI’s target is to reach 2.1 million square meters GLA by 2024 for its recurring income business which include its office, retail, logistics/innovation and dormitel investment properties.

To further boost its

rental business, FLI has also ventured into the logistics space through the launch of the Filinvest Innovation Park at New Clark City in mid-2019.

The company is seeing a demand for big land parcels and ready built factories to address the needs of the growing PROFIT/PAGE 7

Phoenix unit to start selling US-made gensets A UNIT of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. will start selling gaspowered generator set (genset) units, targeting companies in hospitality and manufacturing sectors.

In a statement, Phoenix Pilipinas Gas and Power, Inc. (Phoenix Gas) said it will bring the first batch of the gas-powered gensets to the country in June.

The gensets are manufactured by USbased Mesa Natural Gas Solutions, LLC., and will be distributed by Phoenix Gas in the Philippines.

The three gensets each have a 350-kilowatt maximum capacity. It will use liquified natural gas (LPG) to be supplied by Phoenix LPG Philippines, Inc.

The company said the gensets are designed to enable remote performance monitoring on a real-time basis, sporting also on-site troubleshooting features.

“We are happy to share that amid the ongoing crisis, Phoenix Gas and Mesa have finished developing our gaspowered gensets, which are now en route to the Philippines for utilization.

We are optimistic about the future of these types of gensets in the country, and we hope that this will signal the revolution towards a cleaner and more reliable power source,” Phoenix Gas President Henry Albert Fadullon said in the statement.

4

Opinion

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ORLAN R. RAVANERA In a world that is giving so much veneration to the profit motive and the denigration of values and spirituality continues without let-up, there is a new consciousness rising like the bursting of light amidst the dark. Indeed, when we passed by the dark leeway and pathway of the mind, we come at the core of our being. In the core of our being is the principle, an intelligence that generates, organizes and dispenses the

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Battling boredom Think a minute . . . Are you bored? It is a sad life when we “outlive our enthusiasm” for it. That is why “Our big challenge is not to add years to our life, but life to our years.” That way “Our spirit will not grow gray before our hair does.”

Did you e ver re a l ly want something such as a promotion or new job, a good education, or a nice house?

But after you got it, it lost its excitement and did not give you the lasting satisfaction you expected. Then you we re l e f t st i l l w ant i ng something more. And you wonder: “Is this as good as it gets? Is this basically all I can expect in life?”

A successful businessman said: “I climbed all the way to the top and found there’s nothing there!” Even after he achieved everything he wanted, he was still empty and unhappy.

When you are bored and unsatisfied, nothing in life is really worth your full energy and time. You don’t have a real passion and purpose for living. Well, guess what? You’re normal!

We humans were made for

THINK A MINUTE

actions of the mind and body. In the core of our being is the love, kindness and compassion.

The cooperatives in this country have come to the core of their Being amidst the darkness brought about by the corona virus pandemic.

That is a truism that is rooted in its raizon d’etre.

When capitalism was being propelled by the capitalists to greater heights in Europe through industrial revolution in the 19th century, Rochdale Pioneers of cooperativism l o om e d i n E ng l an d to counter gross inequities and poverty. As globalization concentrated the wealth of the world to just one percent of the population, even bringing about the horrors of climate change and violent extremism, c o o p e r at i v i s m b e c a m e the alternative paradigm a dvo c at i ng su st ai n abl e

development that frontlines social equity and ecological integrity.

Indeed, the Rochdale Pioneers are regarded as the prototype of the modern cooperative society who advocated for social justice and equity. We must not lose sight of this truism: cooperativism is one to correct social and ecological wrongs as there are plethora of records of cooperatives that started as small grassroots organizations in Western Europe, North America and Japan bringing about people empowerment to rectify social flaws.

No less than our cooperative champion and hero, the late Sen. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel bannered that in the 1987 Constitution, “to promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of social justice, equity and economic

development,” in a highly skewed Philippine society controlled then by just 200 oligarchs and tycoons.

Yes, four out of five rural people are now migrating to the cities as farming has become economically non-viable. How do you decongest cities as the urban centers have become the refuge of poor people who are opting to become drivers, janitors and laborers so that they can free themselves and their families from hunger.

The cooperatives are trailblazing the empowering path in the countryside through paradigm shift in agriculture – from conventional to sustainable agriculture.

When the farmers will have control over the mode of production and marketing, then, farming will prosper and people will migrate back to the rural areas.

SHINES/PAGE 7

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Amidst the darkness of COVID-19, cooperativism shines through (Part 2)

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KLAUS DORING When tragedy strikes, it's easy to harden our hearts and cry out, "God, why did you let this happen?" Maybe then, we started praying.

Before, when everything goes smooth, we would not even think a minute about praying... .

In times like now, while dealing with the corona virus and all the related circumstances, many of us might starting praying again.

Each of us has concerns to

fight with. Financial and natural health problems worries about our future - our businesses, education etc. etc. pp.

"To be a Christian without prayer, "said protestant Martin Luther, "is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Prayer is the only way of becoming what God wants us to be.

This is the reason, why Jesus spent many hours in praying.

Unquestionable, our daily needs bring us to a place of prayer. Confronted with danger, natural disasters or other tragedies, as I mentioned earlier, we look for God's help. Difficult times always cause the hearts of men to turn to God into prayer.

Let me ask you: How long has it been since your're brought your burdens to God? Since when did you ask His forgiveness for your

shortcomings?

During my home office time, I spent a lot for hours in my library. I found a very interesting book: "People in Prayer". The author Dr. John White reminds us that prayer is a divine-human interaction and it is always God who takes the initiative.

White write: "God speaks and we respond. God is always speaking. To hear his voice is not usually a mystical experience. It consists merely of a willingness to pay heed to God who lays a claim to our lives."

Yes, God always speaks.

It is up to us whether we will listen and respond to Him. Many think we are the ones who initiate prayer. But prayers begin and end with God. There was a time, I wasn't in the mood to pray any more. It seemed that God didn't listen my prayer any

more. I didn't get what I prayed for. Of course, not... ! That's not the meaning of praying to God. All my wishes will be granted?

Heaven forbid!

Sometimes, after we have prayed, God's answers may puzzle us. But as time times goes by and as events unfold we see God's purpose in his answers. We might get a larger vision, what HE likes.

Not what WE like...

Think about it for a moment: How does the idea that prayer begins and ends with God affect me now? Do I have the habit of listening to god? How do I respond to Him? How do I usually pray?

I confess that long time ago I have been trying to persuade God to change other people in my surroundings or circumstances. Nothing changed. Of course not, BOOK/PAGE 7

Test of the heart JHAN TIAFAU HURST such a high level of living and productivity that it is easy for us to get bored. And no one knows it better than our own Maker. That is why He gives us expectations and challenges to push us to reach our full potential. Animals can be satisfied just to eat, sleep, play a little and call that successful living. But we humans were made for much more than that!

This is why Jesus says the only way we can have a full, satisfying life is when we spend our time and talents loving Him and others. We were created to give and make a difference in the world with our own unique abilities and personality.

BOREDOM/PAGE 7

A meme that entertained people in social media for a time says, “Two things will define you. Your patience/ determination when you have nothing. And your attitude when you have everything.”

Though I mostly take memes with a grain salt, I cannot deny they also contain some grains of truth that are helpful and insightful. We just cannot dismiss them entirely. And this one is especially relevant these days, when with all this stayhome dispensation, we all of a sudden find ourselves with a lot of time.

While before, we seem to be always running out of time, often testing our patience and stretching our determination to the limit, now we are having a surfeit of it. Many of us are now wondering what we can do with so much time in our hands.

Would we just luxuriate in doing nothing, lazing around, going into all sorts of inanities just to fill up the time, or do we still find ways to occupy ourselves fruitfully and, more importantly, with love?

This abundance of time during these days can bring to the surface where our heart truly tilts. Does it tilt towards God or does it simply tilt towards ourselves and everything else in this world? Does it still throb with love, filling us with drive and creativity, or is it quite empty, prone to brooding and boredom?

We cannot deny that human as we are, we all have our own share of weaknesses that can disturb us precisely when we have so much time in our hands. We have to do something about it. In fact, we have to do something drastic.

It may even require that we do some emergenc y measures to keep our heart throbbing with love. And the secret again is for us to pray. That’s because when we pray, it is presumed that we humble ourselves to acknowledge that we are nothing without God. Therefore, when we pray we affirm that we need God which is the most objective need of our human condition in this life.

The problem we often are beset with is that we ignore God, especially in moments when there seems to be no immediate danger and we appear to be enjoying ourselves in a very relaxed mode. We have to overcome this deadly tendency.

It’s only with God in Christ through the Holy Spirit that we can manage to be truly in love. God is love himself. Without him,

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA we are left without love. And without love, we would just end up bumming around, doing things aimlessly, even if we appear to be busy with something.

Indeed the excess of time we are having these days is a good test to determine where our heart tilts and of what and whom it throbs for. It’s this love that knows how to find ways of expressing itself to be productive and TEST/PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY|MAY 20, 2020

ADB funding commitments for PHL among region’s largest

T

HE ASIAN Development Bank’s (ADB) funding commitments for the Philippines reached $4.57 billion in 2019, second highest among the bank’s developing member countries (DMCs) in Asia and the Pacific.

According to ADB’s Annual Report 2019 published Monday, ADB’s commitments to the country last year was the second largest across the region, following the $5.68 billion for India and ahead of Pakistan’s $3.192 billion.

Broken down, ADB’s loans, grants and other financing approved for the Philippines totaled $2.553 billion, technical assistance stood at $2.3 million, project cofinancing amounted to $2.011 billion while technical assistance cofinancing was at $3 million.

The ADB has said it is planning to extend $2.5 to $3 billion to the Philippines until 2022.

The multilateral lender in April said its $3 billion pre-existing lending program for the country this year will push through on top of the $1.5 billion it approved last month to support the government’s response efforts for

coronavirus pandemic.

In Asia and the Pacific, in 2019, the Manilabased multilateral lender had a total of $33.74 billion worth of funding commitments to its DMCs, lower than the $35.464 billion it approved in 2018.

Of the total commitments last year, the bulk or $21.64 billion were loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees from the bank’s own resources, with disbursements, “a key indicator of successful project implementation,” hit a record $16.47 billion.

Some $11.86 billion were cofinanced, including trust funds, while the remaining $237 million involve other technical assistance.

“ADB’s private sector operations in 2019 reached the $3-billion mark for the second consecutive year, reflecting plans to expand private sector investments into new sectors and frontier markets,” the ADB said in a statement yesterday.

By region, the Manilabased multilateral lender extended 31% of its commitments to its member countries in South Asia, 30% to Southeast Asia, 24% to Central and West Asia,

12% in East Asia, two percent in the Pacific region, while the rest were labelled regional.

Some 35% of the total commitments last year went to transport projects, 14% to fund public sector management programs, 12% to energy, 10% to agriculture, natural resources and rural development, 10% to finance, six percent to water and other urban infrastructure, five percent to education and three percent each to health; industry and trade; and information and communication technology sector.

“I am encouraged by our efforts in 2019. I am heartened by what we have achieved so far in 2020. We will build on these achievements to ensure we remain relevant and responsive to our members’ needs as they take action to combat and recover from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic,” ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa was quoted as saying.

Across Southeast Asia, ADB committed a total of $5.26 billion in 2019, disbursed $1.63 billion, cofinanced $2.88 billion worth of projects

and extended technical assistance worth $35.6 million.

Some 34% of the total commitments last year went to finance transport projects, 26% to fund public sector management programs, 14% for finance, nine percent for education sector and eight percent on agriculture and rural development.

“ADB is helping its DMCs in Southeast Asia reduce poverty, expand access to employment and other economic opportunities, and deliver the education and skills training needed to help the disadvantaged acquire better jobs,” it said.

The ADB noted that countries in the region should invest around $184 billion per year on infrastructure to “support inclusive and sustainable growth.”

“ADB devotes more than half of its portfolio for Southeast Asia to infrastructure development (transport, energy, water and urban services, and agriculture and natural resources). By doing so, it is providing significant support for improved economic productivity and resilience to climate change in the region’s DMCs.”

Expansion of PVB capital stock seen to service more veterans EXPANDING the capital stock of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) will allow it to service veterans beyond World War II and their immediate heirs, PVB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Roberto F. De Ocampo said.

Mr. De Ocampo said this during the virtual hearing of the House committee on banks and financial intermediaries on Tuesday to discuss House Bill (HB) 6375 which proposes amendments to the PVB charter.

“The intent really is to align the Veterans Bank capital stock with the rules and regulations of the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) with respect to how much capital stock a commercial bank ought to have. Right now, the old law only says P5 million, the BSP requires P10 million and therefore this draft bill thus provide an alignment with BSP rules and regulations,” he said.

“This opens the door for veterans beyond World War II and their immediate heirs to other veterans who have

5

Banking&Finance

served in other wars and for those retired military personnel. With the expansion of equity stock of the Veterans’ Bank, it would not only comply with the BSP, it would have the resources necessary in order to service an even wider universe of the heroes of our country,” Mr. De Ocampo added.

Section 6 of HB 6375 says the term “veteran”

includes any person who served during World War II and “whose services with such units are duly recognized by the Republic of the Philippines.”

He said the proposed amendment would not “diminish the priority” given to the original veterans of World War II. HB 6375 is principally authored by Tingog Sinirangan Partylist

Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Partylist Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza.

The House committee on banks and financial intermediaries committee decided to meet again on an unannounced date to discuss the bill.

Cleaning computers during the time of COVID-19

By Engr. GIOVANNI A. MANGAYAN Teacher II Molugan National High School

ALL computers, computer accessories, touchscreen devices and electronics in shared locations must be frequently cleaned and disinfected. When cleaning computers, computer accessories, touchscreen devices and electronics, it is important to follow the manufacturer recommendations for specific cleaning requirements.

Use a lint-free cloth such as a screen wipe or a cloth made from microfiber.

Avoid excessive wiping and submerging item in cleanser to avoid damage. Unplug all external power sources and cables. Do not use aerosol sprays, bleach or abrasive cleaners. Ensure moisture does not get into any openings. Never spray cleaner

directly on an item.

Using a Clorox disinfectant wipe or a wipe containing 70 percent alcohol, gently and carefully wipe the hard, nonporous surface of the time. This includes the display, keyboard, mouse and the exterior surface of the item. If you have concerns about the cleaning product being used, please refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations and warning label. When using a disinfectant wipe, it is important to follow the contact time found on the label. It may be necessary to use more than one wipe to keep the surface wet for the recommended contact time.

OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

AMANAH/ISLAMIC BANK V. Neri Street Carmen, Cdoc 858988/8587965 / 722274

METRO BANK- COGON Osmeña Hayes St. Cdoc | 726438/8572057

ASIA UNITED BANK Cor.Camp Alagar Road Lapasan, Cdoc 729678 / 8568893

METRO BANK- CARMEN Max Suniel St. Carmen, Cdoc 8581722/ 8585162

BDO – VELEZ Velez-Rn Abejuela Street, Cdoc 2314246/8572075

METRO BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW, Cdoc 724461/8561721

BDO – SM G/F SM City, Master Son’s Avenue Upper Carmen Cdoc | 8592623/8592637

METRO BANK- OSMEÑA Brgy Osmeña St. Cdoc | 722014 /8800924

BDO – XU XU Lib. Annex Corrales St. Cdoc 8574108 / 8573796

METRO BANK- CORRALES Corrales Avenue, Cdoc | 8572635/728731

BDO – CDO HAYES Trendline Bldg.,Hayes Street, 8568151/727405

METRO BANK- GAISANO 8561720

BDO – COGON Sky hi Bldg JR Borja St. Cogon, Cdoc 8577963/ 725209/ 725203 BDO – OSMEÑA Osmeña corner Ramon Chavez St. Cdoc 724567/8563727 BDO – LAPASAN Lapasan Highway Cdoc 8563233 /8563234 / 725178 BDO – RN- PELAEZ George Town CyberMall Rn Pelaez Blvd Kauswagan Cdoc | 8562617/729052 BDO – CARMEN Maxsuniel cor.V Neri St. Carmen, .Cdoc 8584854 /8581133 BANK OF COMMERCE- VELEZ Akut- Velez St.Cdoc | 8564371 / 726880 BANK OF COMMERCE- LAPASAN

CM Recto Ave. Lapasan, Cdoc, 8563991/727731

BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK RER kauswagan,HW Cdoc 8573733 /722519 BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK Gaston Park Cdoc | 8801518 BPI – LAPASAN Cm Recto HW Lapasan Cdoc 724076/ 8524602 BPI- VELEZ Velez-JR Borja St.Cdoc 8564213/722406 BPI – CAPISTRANO Capistrano St. Cdoc 8574264/8574263 BPI- COGON Osmeña St. Cdoc 8571297/8571298 CHINA BANK –GAISANO 745887/745880 CHINA BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc 8572212/8573274 CHINA BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW Cdoc 8561325 /722240 CHINA BANK – CARMEN Max Suniel, Cor. Yakal St. Cdoc 8583903/723091 CHINA BANK – DIVISORIA RN Abejuela St. Divosoria Cdoc 8575759/722641 CITY SAVINGS BANK TS Fashion Ave.Justo Ramonal Corner St.Cdoc 2316060/ 2316059 CHINATRUST Suite U&5 G/LGateway Tower Lapasan Lkk Cdoc 8521846/8521844 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK HW. Lapasan Cdoc | 8564201/ 8564201 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK Vamenta Carmen Sts. Cdoc | 8585366 DBP – CORRALES Corrales Ave., St. Cdoc | 8572087/722649 DBP – CAPISTRANO JR Borja Capistrano St. Cdoc 8567776/722819

PBCOM Tiano-HayesSt. Cdoc | 726519/8571558 PLANTERS DEVELOPMENT BANK

Tiano Bros St. Cdoc | 727083 /727082 PHILTRUST BANK Ramonal OsmeñaSt. CDO 8807234/2316694/2316695 PNB- CORRALES Corrales Avenue Cdoc | 729500 / 729723

PNB- LKK MALL NORTH CONCOURSE

LKK Mall N.Concourse Cdoc 8574149/8575682

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.

#58 Tiano FernandezSt.CDO 727215/ 8563552 *805

SECURITY BANK- OSMEÑA Osmeña St. Cdoc | 8563965/ 723411/728774 SECURITY BANK- LKK Limketkai | 8801258/8801625

EAST WEST BANK #5 Juan Sia Bldg. Apolinar Velez St.Cdoc 8578801/720081

SECURITY BANK- VELEZ Velez Montalvan St., Cdoc | 728334/856632

EAST WEST BANK Cogon De Oro Constraction Bldg. LKK Drive 8500339/8500331

STERLING BANK OF ASIA Tiano Velez St. CDO | 8528171/8528168

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

UCPB BANK- LAPASAN Osmeña Corner Lkk Drive, Cdoc 85771842/ 725135 UCPB BANK- VELEZ Velez Corner C. Pacana St. CDO 8564474/8564527 UCPB BANK SAVINGS-CAPISTRANO

Capistrano Corner CruzTaal St. CDO 8524099/722695

UCPB BANK SAVINGS- OPOL Gf forever Books Bldg.Bulua National CDO 754519/8588063 UNION BANK Lapasan Cm.Recto Cdoc | 8566847/8563805 WEALTHBANK Velez Gomez St. Cdoc | 8568942/722174 1ST VALLEY BANK Vamenta Blvd. CornerLirio St. Carmen, Cdoc 8501871/ 8584146 OROBANKERS CLUB Inc. Pnb Carmen | 09151850242

6

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WEDNESDAY|MAY 20, 2020

OPINION:

Life in Uptown CdO during General Community Quarantine T HIS recent experience of general community quarantine has thought all of us a very important lesson. First of all the importance of living in a comfortable space and in a healthy environment. Then as second comes the location of your home. Now we know how important it is to be strategically located near a facility like a mall, a grocery or a supermarket.

Third is the internet connectivity.

What would we do without being online, visiting our facebook, reading our emails, watching

tiktok??

Forcefully staying at home with the “wrong” people or a nagging wife or mother in law is definitely not a pleasant experience but fortunately not all of us have to endure such a situation.

Undoubtedly it has taken a toll on all of us. Psychologically, emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. I have friends that are spending their quarantine in their 300sqm villas with giant pool and others who are locked up with wife and children in a 23sqm studio unit.

No matter how big the space of their

home prisons they all complain of the same symptoms and they are all looking forward to the monster celebrations, the outdoor grill and pool parties once this is all over. I am sure that some will definitely move out of their current unfriendly remote shoe boxes and choose to stay at a better location maybe even walking distance to all essential services.

We never know if something like this can repeat itself.

The most painful city ordinance for myself was the ban of jogging or leisure walking. For the rest it was like a “walk in the park”

as the Brits would say since you could easily walk from your condo or subdivision to the mall, to the grocery stores or the restaurants. So it was not so bad after all. I feel more sorry for the many children who must be crawling up the house walls and ranting like wild tigers for being locked up in their homes. And giving them electronic gadgets to keep them calm is working only to a certain point.

During this time there have been some people trying to push their apocalyptic world views onto our various administrators and so many 'unreasonable'

LORENS ZILLER

Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philipines

and unnecessary decisions have been made. Following rules is certainly very important but getting totally carried away by fearful behaviour is totally another story and seriously borders to harassment. What we have learned is that viruses don't thrive in open spaces with a lot of natural light. We have also learned that natural ventilation compared to aircons is equally important. Other than that, if we wear

a mask, stay clean, wash our hands and disinfect our homes we should be ok.

People die of various reasons every day and it is much more likely to die falling from the stairs than being killed by Covid-19. We will see the statistics and data only in several months to really establish if we did the right thing in strangling the economy or not. Let's stay positive and bounce back with even more energy.

7

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WEDNESDAY|MAY 20, 2020

Tractors... from page 2

lahat,” said Solaiman.

Pangalian A. Balindong Jr., the designated provincial head of MAFAR Lanao del Sur, also shared that their agency started distributing seeds to the residents to promote backyard gardening.

“Nagbibigay kami ng vegetable seeds para mapromote ang backyard gardening at hindi umasa sa relief goods,” said Balindong.

Me anw hi le, Palawan Tuminaman, chairman of Guimba Farmers Cooperative expressed his appreciation for the convergence of agencies who helped them avail of the farm tractor.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga nagtulung-tulongan na makakuha kami ng traktor.

Lahat ng farmers ay natutuwa na makita ang tulong ng gobyerno sa amin,” said Tuminaman.

TFBM Field Office Manager Asec. Felix Castro Jr. also said that the Task Force together with the Marawi City government and BARMM will continue to provide assistance to the affected residents of the siege.

The farm mechanization support was given under the Bangon Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program using National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund. (LELA/ PIA ICIC)

Rice... from page 1

for distribution to families affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Among the provinces in Northern Mindanao, Misamis Oriental obtained 42,934 bags of 50-kilo rice from the NFA; Bukidnon, 38,759 bags; Lanao del Norte, 20,899 bags; Misamis Occidental, 15,024; and Camiguin, 4,801 bags.

Those who availed of the NFA rice in Misamis Oriental are the Department of Social Welfare and Development-10, the city social welfare and development office, the provincial, municipal, and barangay governments.

The NFA-10 also listed the offices of Sen. Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares and Sen. Cynthia Villar as among those who purchased rice from them.

According to Poe’s office, the senator bought 10 sacks of NFA rice intended for the residents of Barangay Mandangoa, Misamis Oriental upon the request of a certain Anabelle Pamisa.

“Sen. Poe has purchased NFA rice from Iloilo, General Santos, Laguna, and Metro Manila, but so far there have been no complaints,” her office said, referring to allegations made by some lawmakers that the NFA rice has a foul odor.

The rice is being sold to government entities at PHP1,250 per 50-kilo bag, and are all freshly milled, it said.

Under the Rice Trade Liberalization Law or RA 11203, NFA is mandated to maintain sufficient rice

buffer stock to be sourced solely from local farmers and maintain its optimal level at all times strategically located across the country.

Meanwhile, in a recent statement, NFA said it is open to any investigation into reports that its rice stocks issued to some lawmakers for relief distribution allegedly have foul odor.

Judy Carol Dansal, the NFA administrator, has assured that the rice stocks they distribute are “fresh from the rice mills which we contracted to mill our palay stocks.”

Dansal said local governments and DSWD prefer the NFA rice because of its good quality, which she added is comparable to the commercial stocks being sold in the market and is cheaper.

“Since the start of rice distribution for relief, we have not received a single report or complaints on the NFA rice quality,” she said.

(PNA)

Tourism... from page 1

coronavirus crisis will put 100 million to 120 million direct tourism jobs at risk, the UNWTO said.

It projected that the crisis would lead to a loss of USD910 billion to USD1.2 trillion in export revenues from tourism this year.

Calling the crisis by far the worst that international tourism has faced since records began in 1950, the UNWTO said the impact would be felt in varying degrees in different global regions and at overlapping times, with Asia and the Pacific expected to rebound first.

Citing a UNWTO Panel of Experts survey, the report said domestic demand is expected to recover faster than international demand, with the majority expecting to see signs of recovery by the final quarter of 2020 but mostly in 2021.

Based on previous crises, leisure travel is expected to recover more quickly – particularly travel to see friends and relatives – than business travel.

The latest data from the organization shows international tourist arrivals slipped 22 percent in the first quarter of 2020, compared to the same quarter last year.

"Although Asia and the Pacific shows the highest imp ac t in relat ive and absolute terms (minus 33 million arrivals), the impact in Europe, though lower in percentage, is quite high in volume (minus 22 million)," it said.

The virus’ impact was felt in earnest this March with the widespread introduction of travel restrictions and the closure of airports and national borders, pushing tourism figure down 57 percent year on year.

This translates into a loss of 67 million international arrivals and about USD80 billion in receipts (exports from tourism), the UNWTO said. (Andolu)

Testing... from page 1

influenza-like illness (ILI) or suspected cases involving medical workers and other COVID-19 frontliners.

Retuya noted the Cagayan de Oro government and the Department of Health – Region 10 could not yet launch a mass testing even if the laboratory at the NMMC becomes operational.

He s aid t hat he a lt h personnel will continue to resort to testing targeted individuals until more Xpert Xpress processing machines can be installed at the NMMC laboratory.

“Patients and health care workers will be prioritized.

Those with co-morbidities and pregnant women will also be prioritized,” Retuya said.

T h e D e p a r t m e nt of Health-10 has targeted to conduct 400 to 500 tests a day in Northern Mindanao.

NMMC spokesperson Dr. Bernard Rocha said they are cautious not to over use the lone Xpert Xpress machine of the hospital.

Rocha said the NMMC is still awaiting the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction machine (RTPCR) promised by the city government.

A report from the Cagayan de Oro Information Office said the city government has lent two RT-PCR machines to DOH-10 to complement their Xpert Xpress machine and ordered a third RT-PCR machine for NMMC. “Once the three RT-PCR machines are operational, we can process 90 tests per hour daily,” Rocha said.

Rocha said the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine has sent 1,140 cartridges for the express testing machine, which the Philippine Air Force airlifted to Cagayan de Oro last Sunday.

Once operational, the NMMC laboratory will be the first medical facility capable of processing COVID-19 swab tests in Northern Mindanao.

Shines... from page 4

This is how the cooperatives are battling C O V I D - 1 9 . Ye s , t h e cooperatives in ever y region of the country have continued their outpourings of assistance – providing food, medicine, personnel protective equipment to the frontliners, extending help and assistance, not only to their eleven million members but to t heir resp e c t ive communities as well. We thank the Inter-Agenc y Task Force for allowing our cooperatives to continue their ser vices on credit especially on providing water and food security. All told, hundreds of millions of pesos, thousands of bags of rice, bananas and vegetables have been distributed including thousands of tons of fish and shrimps to those in need. Yes, there are amazing stories to share how the cooperatives have shown love, kindness

and compassion during these most trying times.

But the cooperatives are looking beyond the horizon.

They believe that COVID-19 is a wake-up call. Who is really the virus? Please ask GAIA (Mother Earth). Look what the homo sapiens have done to Her. She is now facing Her 6th extinction.

Feel Her pain. We are now in the 20th year of the 21st century but we do not know whether we will reach the 22nd century which is only 80 years from now.

Why? Because She has been sacrificed by humanity to the altar of greed and profit!

The collective insanity of the homo sapiens that killed its own kind of more than one hundred million earthlings in the last one hundred years and now is killing GAIA. That was how cruel man is. Corona Virus has only killed some three hundred thousand human beings worldwide. So who is the Virus?

offers the warm advice you get by growing up in a good family. It covers small questions as well as large: talking too much, visiting neighbors to often, being unbearable cheerful to early in the morning. Proverbs simply tells how life works most of the time.

I always love to quote proverbs, which express truth about life in an elegant, witty kernel. You should not hunt through it for proverbs you might like. You should study the whole book to get its overall point of view. This takes time, for Proverbs covers dozens of subjects in the subtle detail. +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me i n Fa c eb o o k , Li n k e d In or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines. b l o g s p o t . c o m o r w w w. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Boredom...

from page 4

Test...

And it is simply common sense that your Maker is the only One Who can show you what is worth your time and abilities and how to fill your place in the world.

Something that you know is making a difference in the lives of people around you.

Are you fully satisfied with your life? Do you love how you’re living? Won’t you ask Jesus to take full charge of your heart and way of life each and every day?

He is the only One Who can give you your true passion and purpose for living—so you will not have to battle boredom in your life again.

Just think a minute .

fruitful even when we appear to have a lot of time in our hands due to unavoidable circumstances.

True love that comes from God always throbs whether we are in good times or in bad. It knows how to unify what may seem to be different and even conflicting elements in our life. It has a proper sense of order, direction, and focus.

Let’s see if this is the kind of love that beats in our hearts these days. We have to be wary of our tendency to muffle this kind of love to give way to many other forms of love that actually are fake. These latter forms cannot pass the test of time, let alone life’s many trials.

Book...

Profit...

what a fatal attraction? I got confused because God never granted my requests.

Meanwhile I got Go d's answers to my prayers.

Maybe very simple: I was willing to let God change me... .This is how each one of us should start. Happy endings. Because I prayed according to His will... .

Talking about prayer, we also have to mention the probably most down-earth book in the bible which is Proverbs. Its education prepares you for the street and the marketplace, not the schoolroom The book

logistics and e-commerce industry.

Apart from lot leases, FLI is looking at constructing high specification structures for lease to customers. By the second half of 2020, the innovation Park can start receiving locators who may wish to immediately start their building and warehouse construction.

Meanwhile, planning and development of Phase 2 is programmed to commence by the fourth quarter of 2020.

The newly-completed government-built access road from the Subic-

from page 4

from page 4

from page 3

Republic of the Philippines Region X Province of Lanao del Norte Municipality of Kapatagan Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar R.A. 10172 (Gender)

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In Compliance with Rule 7 of R.A. 10172. A notice is hereby served to the public that JOSIE NABALONA TUBIO has filed with this Office a petition for Correction of Clerical Error-Change of Gender from "MALE" to "FEMALE" in the Certificate of Live Birth of JOSIE NABALONA TUBIO who was born on October 4, 1997 at BAG-ONG BADIAN, KAPATAGAN, LANAO DEL NORTE and whose parents are CHERLITO ETANG TUBIO and MARJORIE ROSARIO NABALONA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 15 days.

BWM: May 13 & 20, 2020

(SGD) IVY REYES TONGCO Municipal Civil Registrar

Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to New Clark City has substantially improved travel and transportation to and from the Filinvest Innovation Park. (PNA)

Boost... from page 3

de-levering position the company to take full advantage of these new market opportunities,” he added.

DMFI claims to be the leading producer, distributor and marketer of plant-based food products in the United States, owning brands such as Fruit Naturals, Orchard Select, SunFresh and Fruit Refreshers.

“We are tremendously gratified to see such enthusiasm for the Del Monte story among investors. We appreciate this recognition of the company’s recent performance, the success of our ass et-lig ht cost management initiatives, and our plans for growth and prof itability going forward,” DMFI President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Longstreet said in the statement.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ESPERIDION VIDA ROBLES JR. who died on August 07, 2019, at #359 Zone 9, Crossing Patag, Cagayan de Oro City; the deceased intestate, without will or testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity, the deceased was the depositor/owner of savings account with Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and more particularly described as follows: Savings Account No.: 31410195-70 Address: Carmen, CDOC Balance as of Dec. 17, 2018 P 86,539.15 And has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY, filed by the heirs of ESPERIDION VIDA ROBLES, JR, per DOC #34; PAGE #07; BOOK #IX; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. KATHLENE G. GONZALESJAPUZ. BWM: May 6, 13 & 20, 2020

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

Editor: GILBERT Y. CHAO

RELIABLE

FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|May 20, 2020

8

LRT2 allows Globe to build capacity at Megatren during MECQ T

O ENSURE better services and to elevate its passengers’ commuting experience when the new normal comes in, the Light Rail Transit Administration (LRTA) has given the go-signal for Globe to build its network capacity in LRT2 while Metro Manila is under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The collaboration between LRTA and Globe will allow the company to install several cell sites along the stretch of LRT2’s line from Santolan Station in Quezon City to Recto Station in Manila.

“This is the perfect opportunity for Globe to improve its services along our route. The ECQ has prevented us from operating, but as they say when a door gets shut, a window opens. Globe can build and expand its capacity while the trains are not allowed to transport passengers. We expect that when the ECQ is lifted and thousands of passengers go back to riding our trains, they will find comfort that they will have good and reliable service while they travel,” Retired Police General and LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya said.

The LRT 2 line or Megatren is a rapid transit line in Metro Manila that has 11

stations serving at least 180,000 to 240,000 commuters a day before the implementation of the ECQ. The Megatren covers at least 17 kilometers from Santolan to Recto with two more additional stations in the works -Masinag and Emerald -- for its expansion.

With Globe cell sites along the route, mobile service will be boosted for the commuting public and the surrounding areas. Commuters can expect better network coverage while they move from one station to another.

“The pandemic has impacted our lives in so many ways. While it has resulted in many challenges, we would like to dwell more on the opportunities for us to improve our services. With LRTA’s support and trust, we are doing our best to give our commuting public a better experience when they return and ride the Megatren once again,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. Aside from the LRT 2 line, Globe has aggressively pushed local government units and other public and private institutions to make full use of the community quarantine to improve connectivity and internet services especially in Metro Manila. Globe remains committed to its network improvement and expansion plans this year despite the large scale economic impact of Covid-19.