BusinessWeek Mindanao (May 21-22, 2021)

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Volume XI, No. 144

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Briefly Growth prospects COTABATO City – A keen observer of Southern Philippines development trends has recognized the capacities of Muslim Mindanao to ultimately overcome its backwater history to pursue longlasting stability and full progress.

Georgi Engelbrecht, senior analyst for Philippine affairs under the International Crisis Group (ICG), wrote in a recent paper that “the Bangsamoro has untapped economic potential that lies in stark contrast to the present reality of poverty.”

The ICG is a Brusselsbased think-tank and advocacy group with offices in seven countries.

Rice tariff cuts President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to lower the tariff rates on imported rice to address the 10-percent supply shortfall, Malacañang said on Thursday.

This, after several senators raised concern over Duterte’s decision to impose a temporary reduction of rice tariffs.

“Ang iniiwasan lang po natin, bagama’t meron po tayong napakataas na ani ng bigas ngayon, meron pa rin po tayong shortfall na mga 10 percent (Although we have ample harvest of rice, what we are avoiding is a shortfall which is about 10 percent),” Presidential Spok es pe rso n Ha rry Roque said in an online press briefing.

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New bus routes seen to stir Mindanao economy Thank you for trusting us!

T

HE opening of new bus routes in Mindanao will further reopen economic activities in the island’s regions, the chief of the L and Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-in Region 10 (LTFRB-10) said Wednesday.

Among the newest opened to the riding public was the Cagayan de Oro-Cotabato City route that passes through some parts of Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato, and Maguindanao, said Aminoden Guro, LTFRB-10 director. “ The opening of the new route and launching of PUBs will also contribute to

the gradual recovery of the economy in the region,” Guro said, adding that it also gives inter-regional access to public commuters in Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

LT F R B - 1 0 g r a n t e d a provisional authority supported with a special ROUTES/PAGE 11

Oca calls for 'self-discipline' amid Covid-19 surge

By ERCEL MAANDIG, Reporter

CAGAYAN de Oro Cit y Mayor Oscar S. Moreno reiterated his appea l Wednesday for the public to practice "self-discipline" as a crucial step to fight the rising cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) here.

Moreno wa rned t hat

local hospitals are nearing capacity limits, adding that health workers are weighed down by the rising number of Covid-19 cases.

“Our hospital system is being burdened with the rising number of admissions DISCIPLINE/PAGE 11

USED FACE MASKS. A Bantay Bukid Volunteer shows used face masks gathered from the Paningan-Tamugan Watershed in Davao City during a clean-up drive on 30 April 2021. Photo courtesy of Interface Development Interventions for Sustainability, Inc. (IDIS)

Cagayan de Oro student work program biggest in NorMin EVEN amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Cov id-19) pa ndem ic , C a gay a n de Oro City remains to have t he big ge s t nu mb er of Special Program for the

Employment of Students (SPE S) benef icia r ies i n Northern Mindanao region.

Kathleen Kate Sorilla, Public Employment Service Off ice (PESO) manager, at t r i but e d t h i s t o t h e allocation provided by the local government to sustain the program, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

While SPES is a DOLE program, the number of

beneficiaries depends on the counterpart allocation provided by local governments.

Sorilla said this year, at least 5,000 students stand to benefit from the summer work program from the initial 1,200 beneficiaries when the city started funding the initiative in 2013.

“Every year, they actually i ncrea se t he bud get i n PROGRAM/PAGE 11

1.3M tourists visit R-12 from January-March

By MINDANEWS

FROUGHT WITH DANGER. A 68-year old woman sells brooms made of coconut strands along a sidewalk in Cagayan de Oro City sans wearing the mandatory face mask.

The woman insiated she was forced to risk Covid infection to find livelihood as her family has not received any assistance from the government. photo by gerry l . gorit

GENERAL Santos City– Over 1.3 million domestic and foreign tourists visited parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) in the first quarter of the year as tourist destinations gradually reopened amid the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (Cov id-19) pandemic.

Shahlimar Hofer Tamano,

Depar tment of Tourism (DOT)-Region 12 director, said Wednesday the tourist arrivals during the period comprised a total of 1,220,884 s a me - d ay a nd 14 0 , 8 61 overnight visitors.

He said t his was based on data prov ided by loca l government TOURISTS/PAGE 11

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Local 2 BARMM sets special eligibility for Madaris teachers C Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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OTABATO City – Teachers in Madaris (Islamic schools) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) can hold permanent positions in the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical

Education (MBHTE) once they pass the ministry’s special eligibility examinations.

MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said Thursday this is one of the salient provisions of the recently approved Bangsamoro Education

Code (BEC) by the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the region‘s interim lawmaking body.

“This is a test of autonomy given to the BARMM on the issue of Mudarris (Islamic teachers) that we can

decide on our own,” said MBHTE Minister and Member of Parliament Mohagher Iqbal.

Iqbal said Section 104 of the BEC provides that the MBHTE shall develop and administer special qualifying examinations for permanent

‘Build, Build, Build’ projects in SoCot on track: Nograles KORONADAL City – The government is on track to complete various vital infrastructure projects in South Cotabato province and the neighboring areas before the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term in 2022.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles gave the assurance on Tuesday as he disclosed that more projects under the flagship “Build, Build, Build” program are fasttracked in parts of the area even

amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He said around P222 million worth of priority projects have been so far completed in the province under the program by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“These are intended to further build up our economic activities as we get back to the new normal,” he said at the fourth leg of the Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-

SONA (state-of-the-nation address) Series held at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center here.

Among those completed are the road widening and improvement of a 4.52-kilometer section of the road network connecting the municipalities of Surallah and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato with Maitum town in Sarangani.

He said the DPWH has also BUILD/PAGE 9

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

appointment to Mudarris positions in the ministry.

In coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for BARMM, he said the MBHTE will grant special licenses to those who passed the exam, provided that the granted eligibility shall only qualify the appointee to permanent appointment to Mudarris and shall not be considered as a substitute to second level eligibility unless authorized by the national CSC office.

Graduates with Latin honors from a recognized university or institution of higher learning in Arabic and/or Islamic studies, whether local or international, may be exempted from the special

qualifying exams and shall be deemed to have met the eligibility requirement for permanent appointment to Mudarris positions, subject to applicable civil service rules on granting honor graduate eligibility.

“Consultation with the CSC revealed the possibility of granting of special eligibility for as long as a law or legal basis is allowing it, thus the provision on the BEC,” Iqbal said.

He said the Mudarris is not one of the professions being regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and is not covered by Republic Act No. 1080 or the act declaring the bar and board examinations as ELIGIBILITY/PAGE 9

Camiguin social hygiene clinic offers free HIV test, treatment TARGETING to save more lives from the deadly human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here urged residents to avail the free services and treatment from their Social Hygiene Clinic.

"Kailangan nato mareach ang tanan; kita nga naa'y mga risgo. Kung ikaw usa ka sexually active, kinahanglan gyud ta magpatest (We have to

reach out to everybody especially those who are at risk. If you are sexually active, you really need the [HIV] test)," PHO Dr. Gretchen Cabalang said in a radio program, May 19.

For those who are hesitant or are afraid of the stigma, Rossel Socorro Malalay of the hygiene clinic said they could arrange a special test in a different venue through their hotline at 0977 061 0876.

Malalay added that they always ensure the confidentiality of the information as well as the person who will undergo the testing, screening or treatment.

For his part, Councilor Irvin Jubay Sabella, who also handles advocacy on HIV/AIDS, said aside from educating communities about the virus, they also try to win the community's support for the persons living with HIV (PLHIV) to eventually end the stigma or discrimination especially the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community.

"Sa tanan nakong mga kauban sa LGBT, sa mga straight, kanang mga posible nga pwedeng matakdan sa HIV, wala'y laing way nga mahibawan kung ikaw na'y HIV. Magpascreen, magpatest kay dako kaayo ang tabang sa gobyerno para masumpayan ang imong kinabuhi," he said.

(To my fellow LGBT, to the heterosexual, to those who can possibly be infected with HIV, there is no other way to know if you have an HIV. Have yourself screened, tested because the government can help you live longer) As of 2020, there are FREE/PAGE 9

CorporateWorld 3 2GO Group losses widen in first quarter Imported vehicle sales upbeat amid pandemic Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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2GO Group, Inc. reported a bigger quarterly loss on Wednesday, citing a slowdown in the economy due to the ongoing public health crisis.

The group’s attributable net loss reached P291.12 million in the first quarter of the year, compared with a net loss of P108.92 million in the same period in 2020.

The company saw its total revenues decrease 22.7% to P3.99 billion from P5.16 billion previously.

“Shipping revenue, which is comprised of sea freight and travel revenue, declined 51% year on year.

The decline was driven by reduced economic activity

brought about by the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, especially for travel, and planned maintenance to certain of 2GO’s ROPAX vessels, which resulted in 24% fewer roundtrips year on year,” the company said in its first-quarter report.

“Revenue from Logistics and other services increased 15% year on year due to growth from 2GO’s specialized reefer and isotank containers, international courier, and project logistics. Distribution revenue declined 22% year on year due to weaker consumer spending and changes to product mix,” it LOSSES/PAGE 9

LISTED oil company Petron Corp. said it is hoping to deliver a good financial showing this year as long as authorities do not impose a stringent lockdown, its top official said on Tuesday.

“We certainly believe it (Petron) will continue to deliver a good performance unless there is a strict lockdown again,” President and

Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting which was virtually held on Tuesday.

The firm was able to return to profitability by the second half of last year, as its net income from July to December hit P2.8 billion.

Petron’s Chief Finance Officer Emmanuel E.

A

N industry group said on Tuesday sales of imported vehicles in the country have recovered for the first four months of the year compared to 2020 sales when Luzon was under stringent community quarantine.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) reported that sales of imported vehicles from January to April this year rose by 40 percent to 20,353 units from 14,572 units in the same period a year ago.

Sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles both increased by double-digit at 16 percent and 44 percent, respectively.

Total passenger cars sold in the

January to April period reached 5,328 units this year from 4,574 units in 2020.

Light commercial vehicles sold 14,314 units this year from 9,906 units last year.

For April alone, the industry group’s sales reached 4,496 units.

Of the said number, 1,087 units were passenger cars, 3,116 units were light commercial vehicles, and 293 units were commercial vehicles.

“They say you cannot emerge from challenging times untransformed. With these encouraging figures, I say we at AVID have boldly transformed ourselves and have become even better at what we do, which is to

provide our customers an end-toend mobility experience that best suits the needs of the times,” AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.

On the other hand, the impact of provisional safeguard measures on imported vehicles and the reimposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the modified ECQ in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces were seen in the month-on-month performance of the industry.

AVID’s total sales in April 2021 compared to its previous month declined by 13 percent.

Passenger car segment sales dipped by 21 percent, while light commercial vehicle sales decreased by 15 percent. (PNA)

Petron vows to deliver financial gains in 2021 Eraña said during the event that this was a modest recovery from “huge losses” incurred the first half of 2020, which the firm earlier placed at P14.24 billion.

“The results from last two quarters of 2020 fueled our optimism as we entered 2021,” Mr. Eraña said, citing Petron’s firstquarter consolidated net income of P1.73 billion.

He added that the company’s refinery in Bataan served as the main import facility which ensured a stable and reliable supply of petroleum products during the global health emergency.

For Mr. Ang, Petron’s 180,000 barrels-perday refinery is “very competitive,” and the firm sees no reason in

shuttering the facility.

“In fact, we are set… to restart the refinery this coming June, unless there is a hard lockdown and the volume drops down tremendously,” he said, adding that the refinery remains a viable business.

Previously, Petron temporarily halted the operations in its Limay refinery in February to reduce losses due to weak

margins.

Sought for comment on the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Petron’s overall financial performance, Mr. Ang said that volume sales were affected.

“Pandemic has brought down the volume of Petron. Revenue-wise, we are down practically 44% PETRON/PAGE 11

4

Opinion

The BusinessWeek Mindanao is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Corporation every Monday to Friday with office address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Company Registration No. CS201531633 with BIR Certificate of Registration No. 2RC0000831068, TIN No. 463-826-272-000 – VAT. Reg., and with Business Permit No. 2020-04015. Tel. Nos.: (088)856-3344, (088) 810-100, 0923-432-0687, 0917-7121424 Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com

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

NELSON CONSTANTINO MIKE BAÑOS

How to Travel Sustainably and Responsibly Tourism Stakeholders are committed to enjoying and preserving our fragile planet, by ensuring environmental and cultural demands are kept as low as possible. Here are some simple, but effective, tips designed to help you support our objectives: Before you go Global Warming O n e of t h e bi g g e s t environmental costs when travelling is the carbon footprint created when you fly. For example, on a trip to India each passenger is responsible for releasing nearly two tonnes of the global-warming gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.

Many tour operators support carbon-balancing initiatives, whereby the

MIKE BAÑOS Contributing Editors

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Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Maximize yourself (Pt.2) Think a minute… “Everyone wants to succeed. Some are even willing to work for it.”

There simply is no substitute for work. But we must make sure our work is working for us. Today we will look at the final steps we need to take to climb the right ladder to real success.

Another important step is to work using your own abilities and personality. A wise man said: “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.” One of your greatest feelings and accomplishments will be when you discover what you do well and enjoy doing.

Your own special abilities are like power tools with which to build your life of success. An Olympic coach said: “You cannot put in what God left out.” So make the most of what your Maker has put in you. Do what you were specially designed to do. “Dogs cannot fly and fish cannot climb trees.”

But neither do they try!

They simply do what they were created to do naturally.

So learn your own special abilities and match them with your job and career.

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THINK A MINUTE

amount of CO2 generated on a flight is calculated and the traveller pays to offset these emissions by investing in projects which lower carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Examples include reforestation programs, providing lowenergy lightbulbs to poor households so they burn l e s s w o o d , d e v e l opi n g community-based hydroelectricity and backing the development of cleaner cooking fuels.

We encourage you to follow suit and fly 'climate neutral'. Ask your tour operator for details on their carbon-balancing scheme.

Language ‘Hello’, ‘Thank you’ and ‘Goodbye’. Learn the lingo!

Attempting to master a few words of the local language is a great way to bring down

barriers. It also shows cultural respect greeting, thanking and saying go o dbye to shopkeepers, waiters, drivers, clerks, etc, in their own language.

Local Customs Religious beliefs, customs and traditions vary enormously around the world and play a large part in daily life. It is important to f am i l i ar is e you rs el f with the local dress code, cultural etiquette and perhaps any p er t inent p olit ica l information too. The local concept of time may also be less hurried than your own. Remember: You are the visitor and by showing respect you will be respected and appreciated yourself.

Packing Keep your packing to a m i n i mu m and avoi d disposable goods. Waste-

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

disposal facilities can be limited in some destinations and recycling is often nonexistent in many parts of the world. Eco-friendly soap gets our thumbs-up!

Gifts and Presents You may make special friendships and experience generous hospitality when abro a d. Gi f t s t h at are evocative of your home GUIDELINES/PAGE 10

Vaccine it is!

JUN AYENSA

Regional Editor - Caraga

FRI-SAT|MAY 21-22, 2021

Sustainable tourism guidelines

Editor-in-Chief

Motoring Editor

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JAY LEDESMA FROM mere numbers and statistics last year, covid now has names and faces on it.

The last few weeks took covid closer to home as our own relatives and friends got infected. Most of them were blessed to have recovered but sadly 3 of them did not make it.

If only they were vaccinated, they probably had a better chance of beating the unseen enemy. They missed the vaccines for three different reasons: The first one got the virus just a few weeks after the vaccine was rolled out for the senior citizens. Our friend was already scheduled and

looking forward to getting the jab but the virus got to him first. If only he was scheduled much earlier, things might have been different. The second one was a friend who has comorbidity. She was already in the vaccine site when she hesitated and backed out at the last minute.

Had she taken it, she would have finished her 2nd dose already. Covid already got her by the time she felt ready.

The third was a relative who also had the chance to be vaccinated under the A2 category but refused because he was waiting for his preferred brand that they ordered thru the company of her daughter. A brand that has a higher efficacy rate and that which will be accepted in the US and Europe, as he loved to travel. Sadly, no vaccine brand is best for him now as brand covid got him first.

Three different stories, three different lives which could have been saved by the vaccine.

From the time we started the vaccination, around

1.5M Filipinos have been inoculated but only 500T+ had the complete dose. This represents only 0.74% of our immunity herd target. The good news is we recently received close to four million vaccines. Still far from the 70M target but that’s 4 million lives saved. The challenge is to administer all these at the soonest possible time. We are running against the risk of getting infected.

In our family, we are very clear with 3 things: The vaccine is our best defense against the virus.

While we personally observe the proper health protocols of social distancing, wearing of face mask and face shield, and washing our hands, we also realized that there are a lot of external factors that we cannot control but can put us at risk. One of our friends who got infected but eventually recovered follows the protocols to a tee. He does not even go out. The only time he went out was to celebrate the birthday of his wife. They went to eat out. A few days after, he was manifesting

some symptoms already. He tested positive. Turned out, the waiter who served them was asymptomatic.

We will get the vaccine the first chance we have.

All the senior citizens and those with comorbidity in our family have been vaccinated already. They took the chance as soon as the vaccines were available in their barangays.

Never mind if they have to queue for hours. No dillydallying. Five of them already completed the 2 doses of Sinovac. Imagine our peace of mind.

The best brand is the one available for us now. Brands may have different efficacy rates but they all prevent us from getting critical. Even with vaccines, we can still be infected but it will just either be mild or moderate.

We also don’t worry whether the brand we had will be accepted in the US or Europe.

What we should be worrying about is whether we will still be around to go to the US or anywhere else if covid strikes home.

VACCINE/PAGE 10

A Pentecost reminder JHAN TIAFAU HURST The final, most important step is to make sure you are pursuing the best opportunity that will give you the best life. Remember, success is not having money, it is having a high-quality life. That is real wealth. Just as we want to get the most value for our money, even more we need to get the most value for our time, since time is what life is made of !

When you run out of time, you run out of life. So make sure you don’t get “ripped off ” by spending your life’s time on things that do not give you real, lasting value in return. You only get one life to live, so get the best deal possible for what you MAXIMIZE/PAGE 10

We end t he wonder f u l liturgical season of Easter with the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost. We are reminded that what Christ promised about the coming of the Holy Spirit to keep the work of human redemption going has taken place.

We should feel good and happy with this truth of our faith that assures us that whatever happens in our life, the Holy Spirit continues to be with us and to help us achieve our true and ultimate purpose of our life.

Yes, we should feel good and happy that we are given a clear indication of what our true goal in life is and of how we can attain it. We should banish whatever fears and doubts we may have in this regard. We are never left alone by God. We are never orphaned by Christ

our Redeemer. God is alive and the redemptive work of Christ continues to take place because of the Holy Spirit.

We should give time to consider these truths of our faith more slowly and deeply, if only to help enable ourselves to do our part in this business of human redemption. Yes, we also have a big role to play in this, even if the main role belongs to God through Christ in the Holy Spirit.

It cannot be denied that we are God’s most special project, so to speak, since we have been given the dignity of being nothing less than God’s image and likeness, children of his and meant to share in his very own divine life.

These are tremendous truths of our faith that we should study well and assimilate as best that we

can. They truly can fill us with a most ineffable joy, though at times we may get skeptical about it, since we can regard them as being too good to be true. But that’s just how things are with us in our relation with God! We need to learn to be most attentive and discerning to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who continually intervenes in our life. He it is who will lead us to the whole truth and to things that are to come, as Christ himself assured us. (cfr. Jn 16,13) Can there ever be a greater deal than this that Christ has given us?

When we manage to perceive the abiding promptings of the Holy Spirit, we would see and understand things most objectively. We would know how to react to things. We would have a

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA better knowledge of our own selves and of others. Let’s never forget that even if we know a lot about ourselves and others, we all continue to remain a mystery to ourselves.

The Holy Spirit will help us cruise through that mystery.

May it be that discerning the interventions of the Holy Spirit in our daily life becomes an instinct in us as REMINDER/PAGE 11

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Banking&Finance

5

LandBank’s loans, grants for farmers hit P7.5B as of April

L

AND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has disbursed P7.5 billion in loans and cash grants to rice farmers since the signing of Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law in 2019.

In a statement on Wednesday, the state-led bank said it has lent P7.5 billion as of April 30, which benefited 962,126 rice farmers across the country.

Of the total, P1.03 billion in

cumulative loans were granted to 6,218 eligible borrowers under the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance (ERCA), which is part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

“Available until 2024, LANDBANK will lend up to P500 million in credit assistance annually under ERCA-RCEF to rice farmers in 38 rice-producing provinces at affordable interest rates, with minimum documentary

requirements,” it said.

LANDBANK also released P2.52 billion worth of loans to 165,963 small rice farmers under the survival and recovery assistance (SURE Aid) lending program, which provides P15,000 in credit assistance per borrower at zero interest and no collateral to rice farmers tilling one hectare of land and below.

The state-led bank added that it gave P1.27 billion in cash assistance to 253,826 farmers under the Rice Farmer Financial

Cebuana Lhuillier-FWD offers sachet insurance products CEBUANA LHUILLIER and FWD Life Insurance Corp. (FWD Insurance) have teamed up to offer sachet insurance products for Filipino households.

Through the partnership, the insurance products will be sold through Cebuana’s branches to be offered to its about 30 million customers nationwide.

“The plan will be implemented through pawnassurance, digital channels and solutions, fully digitized team of advisors, and a brand new sachet insurance concept that will cater to

specific needs of more Filipino households,” they said in a joint statement.

The offerings will include health, life, and investment-linked insurance products. Customers can buy through digital platforms or through face-to-face transactions.

“We’re always searching for innovative channels so we can reach more untapped customer segments. Cebuana Lhuillier can help us provide the right protection that fits the specific needs and budget of more Filipinos and SACHET/PAGE 11

Assistance (RFFA) program.

This involves a P3-billion unconditional cash transfer program that gives P5,000 each in financial assistance to farmers tilling 0.5 to two hectares of land.

Meanwhile, LANDBANK said it likewise released P2.68 billion in cash grants to 536,119 farmer-beneficiaries under the Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) program that offers P5,000 cash subsidy to those not covered by the RFFA

program and are tilling one hectare or less.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed the Rice Tariffication Law on Feb. 14, 2019, which lifted the quantitative restrictions on the country’s rice imports. The law also created the RCEF which has a P10billion annual budget sourced from the tariffs of rice imports that aims to help farmers increase their productivity and income amid the entry of imported rice.

Gov't financial inclusion bid key in bank's IT upgrade THE government’s financial inclusion bid is among the factors for a financial institution’s move to fully migrate its information technology (IT) system to cloud technology to provide service to those living in farflung areas.

In a virtual briefing Wednesday, Union Bank of the Philippines (Unionbank) chief information officer Dennis Omila said the bank

is committed to being the leading digital bank in the country thus the shift will further hasten its digital transformation and help in the government’s financial inclusion goal by bringing financial service even to remote areas.

“It’s not so much about the competition with other banks. I think, to me, it’s about really being able to serve the Filipinos better. The aspiration

is to help the Filipinos because if we’re getting more digital transactions, the way we look at it is they’re safer. They are not risking their lives going out, getting cash, going somewhere to pay their bills but they are doing it in the comfort of their homes,” he said.

Omila said they aim to register over a million digital account openings this year, UPGRADE/PAGE 11

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Potential bets start advertising on Facebook as 2022 campaign shifts to social media

P

By CHERRY SALAZAR Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

OTENTIAL candidates have started advertising on Facebook more than a year before the May 2022 elections, spending several thousand to a few million pesos since August 2020, data from the social media platform showed.

A significant shift to online campaigning is expected during the 2022 elections, especially with mobility restrictions imposed during the pandemic, although in-person activities will remain a staple of the campaign, according to Eric Alvia, secretary general of poll watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

“Less people now read newspapers, and with the shutdown of ABS-CBN, there are less media outlets covering the news. People are gravitating towards social media,” Alvia told the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has spent P4.5 million boosting more than 600 Facebook posts over the past eight months, while former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and his supporters spent more than P1 million to promote a total of 45 posts.

They are the two biggest ad spenders so far on the social media platform among potential national candidates. It’s an average of P562,250 in ad spending a month for Gatchalian and about P130,000 a month for Trillanes.

Gatchalian’s Facebook ads were mostly about his stand

on issues, particularly on the education and energy sectors. These were pushed through Gatchalian’s official Facebook page “Sen. Win Gatchalian,” which has more than two million likes and followers, as of this writing.

Trillanes advertised his page and his posts accusing President Duterte of corruption. One of the pages supporting the senator — “We support Trillanes 2022” — also showed bills he authored and sponsored. In some posts, both pages used the same graphics.

Other potential candidates have also started advertising on television and radio.

Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano ran an ad that called for the passage of House Bill No. 8597, which seeks to provide each family with P10,000 in cash assistance.

Several ground activities have also been arranged nationwide, including gatherings in support of the presidential candidacy of the survey frontrunner, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the president’s daughter. On Facebook, a few supporters paid for ads to promote her, too.

All these advertisements outside the official campaign period, which begins three months before the polls for national candidates, are not considered premature campaigning.

They are not covered by election rules limiting campaign spending based on a 2009 Supreme Court ruling on a petition that sought to ban these early advertisements.

Many local pols Other early advertisers on Facebook among potential national candidates included Antique Rep. and former senator Loren Legarda, who spent over P400,000; and Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, who spent more than P200,000 although his second term in the Senate will not end until 2025.

Supporters of Sen. Imee Marcos, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also paid for ads to promote themselves.

Marcos’s term also ends in 2025.

Among members of the House of Representatives, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, Jr. spent nearly P1 million and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza spent over P700,000.

The Digital 2021: Global Overview report showed that Filipinos spent more time than any country in the world on the internet, particularly on social media. The report was conducted by creative agency We Are Social and social media management platform Hostile.

The report also showed that Filipino netizens used social media more than four hours on average daily or nearly double the global daily average of two hours and 25 minutes.

More candidates will be relying on social media for advertising, said Rona Caritos, executive director of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente).

She noted how online campaigning, which was previously only used by CAMPAIGN/PAGE 9

- Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

Parallel and Non-Parallel Sessions (PNPS): Reinforcing MDL in Providing Much Better Learning Environment for Mathematics RICHARD M. OCO, T-III Alubijid National Comprehensive High School

This study aimed to investigate and explore the impact of MDLPN P S and Pl ai n M DL Strategies to students’ academic performance i n M a t h e m a t i c s . To facilitate such concern, Data mining on students’ grades for first quarter as well as pretest and posttest were used to gather dat a and infor mat ion.

Unstructured Interview to the respondents were done by the researcher to validate the gathered data.

Frequency, Percentage, Mean, Pearson Product

Moment C orrelation C o ef f icient and T-test were the statistical tools used in this research.

From the targeted 1 0 0 stu d e nt s , on ly 6 0 were considered actual respondents on this study through the use of simple random sampling method wherein 30 were used under MDL aided with PNPS Strategy while another set of 30 students were utilized for Plain MDL Strategy. The results showe d t hat stu d e nt s’ academic in MDL aided w it h P N P S a n d P l a i n

MDL strategies were both at p osit ive sig nif ic ant correlation. Overall, the academic performance of students on MDL aided with PNPS were at 100% at outstanding level, ver y satisfactor y level and satisfactory level while Plain MDL were at 84% at outstanding level, very satisfactory level and satisfactory level. Thus, Plain MDL Strategy was very effective while MDL aided with PNPS provided effective and better learning environment for Mathematics learning.

'Zumba, Best Workout to MNHS Teachers'

By ANICETA T. BATALLONES

In the present situation wherein pandemic exists,teachers need to do something for them not to be infected with the COVID19 Virus.It is right and fitting that aside from taking vitamins,wearing mask and face shields,teachers need to think of the best workout or exercise to keep them physically healthy all the time.

In Macab a lan Nat iona l Hig h School wherein there are more or less 60 teachers and being managed by the School Principal,Mrs.Maribeth T. Auman,teachers are doing zumba every Friday which is being led by the MAPEH Coordinator,Mrs.Darlene D. Daliva.It is a one hour activity wherein all teachers

are invited to join.It's the best workout that the school has offered for teachers.

In joining the activity,teachers' BP's and BMI's are being checked to see to it that the teachers are safe in doing the activity.It has been so exciting for the teachers because sweating a lot after zumba makes them feel so alive,alert and enthusiastic.

Doing the best that the teachers can do to protect them from COVID19 virus and other diseases is one of the top priorities in school.Therefore having Zumba every week in school can really be a big help in achieving one its top priorities.

7 AboitizPower expands share in RE space with second solar project Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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Inaugurated in 2016, the 59-megawatt-peak solar facility in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, operated by AboitizPower subsidiary San Carlos Sun Inc. (SacaSun), is the company’s maiden venture in the solar energy space.

A

BOITIZ Power Corporation (AboitizPower) is set to expand its share in the renewable energy space, particularly in the business of harnessing energy from the sun, with a 74-megawatt (MW) solar power facility

planned for Pangasinan this year.

The solar project, to be built in Cayanga in the town of Bugallon, about 13 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital of Lingayen, recently received board approval and is now in the development stage.

“We are very excited about this because this is another step towards achieving our 10-year strategy with regard to significantly increasing our RE capacity and aiming for a 50:50 balance between our Cleanergy and thermal portfolios,”

Understanding Cases on Alcohol Use and Smoking Among Students: Contributing Factors and Basis for Intervention KATHERYN V. VALLE, T-I Alubijid National Comprehensive High School

This study aimed to investigate and explore the cases of students that engaged in alcohol use and smoking cigarette. To facilitate such concern, a survey questionnaire was used to gather the needed d at a and i n for mat i on .

Frequenc y count and Percent age were t he statistical tools used in this research. From the tot a l of 1984 students from grade 7 to grade 12, only 350 were considered ac tu a l resp ondents on

this study through the u s e of s i mpl e r an d om sampling method. The results showed that 172 or 49% of the respondents engaged in either alcohol use or smoking cigarette.

Engagement in alcohol use were on top with 123 or 35% of the populace.

T h i s w a s f o l l ow e d by smoking cigarette with 42 or 12% of the students.

The age range of the stu d e nt s t h at e ng age d in these activities were from 15 years old to 17

years old. Friends from outside of school were the primary influence on student’s use of alcohol and smok ing cigarette as the students found it of more use in getting closer to friends. Overall, t he pre s e nc e of yout h engagement to alcohol use and smoking cigarette is obser vable but the students realized that it has no benefits in terms of being inspired to study and in improving family relationships.

21st Century Skills of a Teacher By: JEANY FEL M. YBAÑEZ Teacher I Balulang Elementary School

Our society is becoming faster and faster, and more and more demanding.

Wit h i n t hat , stu d e nt s seem to be every day less motivated to learn pure content and more in need of skills for building their life paths and professional careers.

The term 21st century skills refers to a broad set of knowledge, skills, work habits and character traits that are believed by educators, school reformers, college professors, employers and others to be critically important to success in today’s world. generally speaking, 21st centur y skills can be applied in all academic subject areas, and in all educational, career and

civic settings throughout a student’s life.

Changing social life and educational environment significantly affect the determination of teacher s k i l l s . In a d d it i on to pedagogical expectations, the intense feeling of the effect of technology on the learning environment has made it important for the educators to closely follow the technology and related changes.

In the 21st century, when it comes to the skills that a teacher should acquire, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, cooperation, creativity, l e a d e rsh ip are among the first-ranked skills, while some concepts such

as ef fe c t ive guid ance, character development and professional ethics come to the fore. Technological change, which is one of the determinants of 21st century learner characteristics, has also been considered important in terms of teacher skills.

It i s i mp o r t a nt t o underst and t hat most teachers assume a mix of all the roles of being an effective teacher. The way classroom function is tricky and it is the intelligence and wit of a teacher that makes a classroom exemplary. A good teacher is one who understands what role they should play to be an effective teacher to the 21st century learners.

AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said.

He added that AboitizPower hopes to

start project construction within the second half of 2021 and targets commercial operations by the fourth quarter of 2022, further reinforcing its renewable energy portfolio.

"Majority of the solar facility’s capacity will be contracted for retail electricity supply, which we hope can help bring more sustainable energy to homes and businesses in the country," Rubio added.

This will give contestable customers another option to go green, in line with AboitizPower’s commitment to being an effective partner for progress and driving change for the people today as well as for generations to come.

The Cayanga project will be the company’s second solar power

venture after its 59-MWpeak facility in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, which was inaugurated in 2016.

The Office of Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino III communicated that they fully support the proposed solar project as this reinforces the provincial government's thrust to transform Pangasinan into the best place to invest, work, live, and raise a family.

"Aboitiz has our full support. We are glad that they have chosen our province and the town of Bugallon as the site for this venture, which will definitely empower our mission of making Pangasinan number one," Gov. Espino expressed to the AboitizPower team EXPANDS/PAGE 9

Level of Problem-Solving Skills of Grade 9 SPA and RBEC Students: A Comparative Research Study REY N. VILLASTIQUE, T-I Alubijid National Comprehensive High School

This study aimed to determine the Level of Problem-Solving Skills among selected grade 9 SPA and RBEC Students at Alubijid Nat iona l C omprehensive High S chool. Specifically, it seeks to provide data on level of problem-solving skills based on pretest and posttest results with the aid of FAT strategies which were implemented in a span of 3 months. Pretest

and Posttest were applied to gather and validate data and information. Mean, Percentage, Pearson Product Moment C orrelation Coefficient, and t-test were utilized as statistical tools.

Study revealed that the inter ventions in Mathematics on Word Problem Solving Skills with the aid of FAT Strategies has significant strong positive correlation to the students’ level of achievement in

mathematics wherein from only 25% of the students who were able to reach the Outstanding Level and Very Satisfactory Level on problem solving skills in mathematics was increased to 67%. In the final analysis, the inter ventions have positive impact towards improving the students’ problem solving skills which is also pivotal in developing their critical thinking skills.

EN PASSANT: A SOLUTION TO MATHEMATICS HINDRANCES CLAUDE ELVIN G. JANUBAS, T-I Alubijid National Comprehensive High School

“Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.”

- Abigail Adams Learning in mathematics for Undergraduate and Master of Science levels are difficult in general. Blessed are those who conquered mathematics subjects with flying colors regardless of their beliefs. Of course, most of the people who gained such achievements worked harder than you can imagine.

These persons who dealt more adversities shall be tougher and will be given more merits considering that these persons are disciplined and are honest to themselves.

Success, just like mathematics, cannot be tampered with laziness and with foolish excuses. No one is to be blamed by your misery but only yourself.

En passant is a special rule that allows pawns to capture pawns on adjacent tiles under special circumstances (masterclass. com). It means that you cannot simply ignore the pawn of the opponent if it is inside the first line of defense. Of course, there are pros and cons of these cases but what I am trying to say is that there is no such thing as a universal technique in improving mathematics performance, but rather, a good attitude, as an approach

which is universal, and it includes the inculcation of wisdom in mathematics.

The greatest manifestations of a good attitude are discipline, diligence, honesty, and love.

En passant is a way to realize that mathematics is unavoidable in life. Just like in chess, en passant can be used as an advantage to win the game. The point of having en passant as a solution is simply to appreciate a huge step towards learning mathematics and make use of mathematics as an advantage on the decision-making in life. Mathematics exists not to torture, but to uplift living and to become blissful until the end of the story.

References: MasterClass Staff. What is en passant in chess? Learn about the special pawn capture and its uses. Retrieved from: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ what-is-en-passant-in-chess-learn-aboutthe-special-pawn-capture-and-its-uses Brainyquote.com. Retrieved from: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/ diligence-quotes

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The RPMC-10 team inspects the Cagayan de Oro City Civic/Convention Center at Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City. (NEDA 10)

Normin project monitoring cmte inspects high impact projects

THE Northern Mindanao Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC)10 together with the implementing agencies inspected high impact projects here and the Provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

During its second quarter 2021 field monitoring visits, May 10-12, the team represented by the regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) visited seven bypass and diversion roads, namely, the Malaybalay-Gingoog Road, Misamis Oriental-BukidnonAgusan del Norte Road, ClaveriaBalingoan Bypass Road; Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental connecting to the 3,000 hectare PHIVIDEC Industrial Estates, PuertoClaveria By-Pass Road, PHIVIDEC-Alae Road, and the Agora Road leading to the Cagayan de Oro Port.

Said roads are already passable with ongoing completion of gaps and missing links. The completion of these road networks will enhance mobility

Representatives observe the JRED Coffee Processing Facility based in Barangay Poblacion, Malitbog, Bukidnon. (NEDA 10)

of people, goods, and services in the region and its adjoining areas.

The team also monitored the Cagayan de Oro Civic/ Convention Center of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)10, Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Programs (SETUP) of the Department of Science and Technology-Regional Office (DOST)10 in Malitbog, Bukidnon, three infrastructure projects implemented by the University of Science and Technology of Southern PhilippinesClaveria Campus, and the Communal Irrigation System in Mat-i, Claveria, Misamis Oriental implemented by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)10.

The Cagayan de Oro Civic/Convention Center is the first ever world-class trade and

convention center in the region, which aims to accommodate international, national, and local trade exhibits, seminars, and events. It has a total area of 13,496 sq.m. with seating capacity of 7,700.

As of the first quarter 2021, the project was almost complete and currently undergoing minor improvement works as indicated in the DPWH-10 punch list report. It is expected to be completed by June 2021 and will be turned-over to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority for operation and management.

Two of the successful SETUP projects of the DOSTBukidnon Provincial Office visited were the JRED Coffee Processing Facility and Belinda’s Turmeric Products located in Barangays Poblacion

and Kiabo in Malitbog, Bukidnon, respectively. Both were assisted by the DOST-10 through technology transfer and equipment upgrading to improve the quality of their products, services, and operations. The coffee and turmeric products are currently distributed through various establishments in the region, such as grocery stores, malls, and pasalubong centers.

Meanwhile, the Cagayan de Oro Port Expansion Project by the Philippine Ports AuthorityPort Management Office (PPA-PMO) of Misamis Oriental/ Cagayan de Oro was likewise inspected.

The expansion project supports the region’s position as the transshipment hub linking northern Mindanao to the rest of the country.

(NEDA10/PIA10)

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Campaign... from page 6

national candidates during the 2016 polls, has been tapped by local candidates beginning the 2019 midterm polls. “[Political advertising] will no longer be concentrated at t he nat iona l level, especially as most Filipinos are scrolling down their Facebook feeds and are on their phone screens because of the pandemic,” she said.

I nd e e d , m a ny lo c a l politicians have paid for Facebook ads. Camarines Sur Gov. Migz Villafuerte spent nearly P1 million while Gatchalian’s brother, Mayor Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City, and Cebu Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia both spent less than P200,000.

Facebook Ad Library These are data available to t he pu bl ic t h rou g h Facebook ’s Ad Libra r y, a searchable database of ads across Facebook and Instagram. It shows the posts that were boosted on the social media platforms and who paid for them.

T here a re 4,0 0 0 ads in the Facebook database so far, although product placements such as those

by Chowking PH, the World Fo o d P rog r a m me , a nd

Spotify were included in the database.

Clare Amador, Head of Public Policy of Facebook Philippines, said the tool is intended to make advertisers accountable. (Q&A: Facebook tool to mitigate foreign interference, make 2022 polls transparent) It is also intended to mitigate foreign interference in elections. “We’ve been involved in more than 200 elections around the world since 2017. We know that every election is different, so we take this experience and work closely with local experts to learn what’s most usef u l to mitigate risks and prevent interference,” Amador told PCIJ. Facebook uses artificial intelligence to review all ads before they are shown on Facebook and Instagram.

“In certain cases, if an ad is already running and it’s about elections or politics, it can be flagged by automated systems or reported by our community. These ads will be reviewed again and if found to be violating our policy by missing a disclaimer, we will also take it down and require they complete authorizations to continue running it,” Amador said.

James Jimenez, Commission on Elections

Teachers’ challenges encountered in modular learning ARLIE SUA-AN LEONCIO Master Teacher I Langasihan Elementary School Langasihan, Managok, Malaybalay City

A M I D t he p and e m i c , p a r e nt s’ i nv o l v e m e nt in monitoring learners’ learning in modular learning modality.

COVID-19 affects all learners in both private and public schools regardless of race, gender and e c onom i c st atu s .

Schools have closed their premises and discontinued learning processes inside the classroom.

Teachers have developed and a d apte d t he ne w learning modality which teachers are not trained and used just to let learning happened. There is an urgent need of innovation and implement alternatives in the educational system modality used in our school – blended learning i.e. modular and radio-based instruction.

Problems in access to distance learning modalities, lacking education materials and poor state of school facilities unfit for the conduct of face to face classes still persist after the first half of SY 2020-21.

There is delayed production of and delivery of m o du l e s , s tu d e nt s struggle with self-study and parents lack of knowledge to academically guide their children. There is lack of time for planning, lots of paperwork, performance pre ssu re f rom s cho ol administrators and lack

of parents’ support.

Ninety five percent of teachers from NCR and 81 percent from other regions reported that their students continue to face problems with the cost of gadgets and Internet connectivity.

At least 30 percent of their students have difficulties financing the demands of distance learning.

Majority of students par tic ularly in public schools come from low income households or those most hit in the economic recession brought about by the pandemic.

Some belong in homes that house two to three families with only one or two gadgets shared by multiple learners. Many lost their sources of income.

The gover nment is essentially forcing these families to choose between putting food on the table and ensuring their children’s education as they reel from the various effects of a bungled pandemic handling.

Students are lagging behind in lessons. We’re still significantly short of the most basic requisite of distance learning – printed modules. This is a great disservice to millions of learners who are shortchanged in education and to teachers as well who have been exhausting their means to fill in these shortages.

spokesperson and director for education and information, welcomed the activation of the monitoring tool in the Philippines.

“It’s very important,” he told PCIJ. It will be useful i n mon itor i ng elec t ion advertising online and make sure candidates will follow spending limits, he said.

“It’s inescapable that Facebook will be a major factor [during the campaign], but hopefully it’s not the only social media platform that people will use,” said Jimenez.

Comelec Resolution No. 104888, detailing rules and regulations implementing t he Fa i r Elec t ions Ac t, provides rules to govern online campaign spending.

Candidates are mandated to register their web sites and social media pages, including those that endorse the candidates, and report how much they have spent on advertising. However, monitoring was impossible in previous elections and candidates did not report it, said Lente’s Caritos.

Jimenez said Comelec would release more guidelines for online ca mpaigning before the start of the official campaign period in February 2022. (Q&A: Comelec will enforce physical distancing, ban eating during campaign events) While the Facebook Ad Library shows how much the candidates spend on the social media platform, it is not clear yet how Comelec will treat the ads paid for by their supporters.

“That’s the challenge.

What happens if you are a supporter and you boost your blog post that’s promoting someone’s candidacy? We’re still making the rules for that,” Jimenez said.

Monitoring YouTube, too Beyond monitoring the candidates’ spending, Jimenez, Alvia, and Caritos expressed concerns about misinformation and disinformation spreading online during the campaign.

Other than Facebook, Caritos sees the need to also monitor YouTube as she expects candidates turning to the “largely unregulated” platform for unscrupulous activities.

Facebook is only next to

YouTube as the most popular social media platform among Filipino netizens.

“They will be uploading YouTube videos that spread disinformation, change the narrative, and show ‘alternate realities’. That’s something we will see,” Caritos said.

Na mf rel ’s A lv ia sa id even short video formats, like those on TikTok and Instagram, would likely be used in online campaigning to boost engagement and recall.

He said the 2022 campaign might particularly see a lot of discourse on Covid-19-related assistance from politicians, including, but not limited to, social amelioration, access to vaccines, and livelihood support.

“Social media is more accessible to a lot of people and the content is easier to digest but not necessarily c o r r e c t ,” A l v i a s a i d .

“Kanya-kanyang version ng katotohanan (People will be coming in with various stories of their own).” — PCIJ. org

Expands... from page 7

during a recent courtesy visit.

As the largest owner and op erator of RE in the Philippines in terms of installed capacity together with its partners, AboitizPower continues to invest in other renewable energ y projects such as geothermal, large hydro, and wind facilities across the Philippines.

AboitizPower is committed to supporting the government’s thrust to promote renewable energy in the country and its growth aspirations over the years as well as backing the global movement for clean energy.

Through this transition, the power company looks forward to driving change for a more sustainable future for the country.

Build... from page 2

finished the widening of the 6.87-kilometer section in Tantangan town of the Midsayap-Marbel road.

I n Ko r o n a d a l C i t y, three vital footbridges were constructed and improved while river control structures were installed in flood-prone

portions of the Topland and Marbel rivers.

He said the DPWH has also completed the widening of the Surallah-Lake Sebu road sections, which includes four bridges.

Among t he ongoing projects under the “Build, Build, Build” in the area is the P3.4 billion road network that connects General Santos City and the municipalities of Surallah and Tboli in South Cotabato province.

The DPWH aims to complete the remaining sections of the 66.69-kilometer bypass road before the end of the year.

Nograles said the projects are designed to contribute to the economic growth of the area, especially with the expected full completion later this year of the P959 mi l lion exp ansion and rehabilitation of the General Santos International airport.

Eligibility... from page 2

civil service examinations.

Iqbal further said that Section 18, Article 9 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law mandates the promulgation of qualification standards for Madaris teachers, and for this purpose, the MBHTE shall propose the qualification standard subject to the approval of the CSC. Moreover, MBHTE said all Madrasah schoolteachers in the Bangsamoro must have subject mastery and pedagogical competence and must possess good personality and social and interpersonal skills.

MBHTE also requires that teachers must also have the capacity to address the needs of learners with special needs. (PNA)

Free... from page 2

26 sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases recorded in the province of which 22 are male and 4 are female.

Cabalang added that about 36 percent of their total cases in 2019-2020 come from 15-19 age group. " Ma kont rol na nato ng a d i l i na mu d ag han [ang HIV/AIDS]. Kung pwede lang i-delay ang pakighilawas. Kung dili malikayan, kinahanglan naa'y proteksyon," Cabalang said.

(We have the power to control the spread of HIV/ AIDS. If possible [especially to the young people], delay sexual activities. If it can't be helped, please use protection) To further boost the HIV/ AIDS advocacy, PHO joins the country in the observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at Cong. PPR Tourism and Sports Complex. (RTP/ PIA10)

Losses... from page 3

added.

2GO Group’s costs of services and goods sold fell 20.7% to P3.86 billion from P4.87 billion.

Shipping accounted for 22% of total revenues in the first quarter of the year, while non-shipping accounted for 78%.

Shipping accounted for 34% of the total in the same period last year, while nonshipping accounted for 66%.

“All other costs and expenses were generally maintained or reduced due to improvements in efficiencies and continued focus on controlling costs,” the company said.

The group intends to expand and enhance its ser vice offerings to its customers and stakeholders this year.

“2GO plans to achieve this through more streamlined operations and collaboration within its business units, investment in warehousing and logistics information technology solutions for customers, and synergies and best practices from its new shareholders,” it said.

“Management is confident that 2GO will further its growth and become an even stronger logistics solutions provider going forward,” it added.

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

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

May 20, 2021 SGD. ALBERT E. GUTIB OIC - Regional Director

MDN: May 21, 2021

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Maximize...

Vaccine...

spend your life on.

Ask yourself: Is the extra money I’m getting from working extra hours worth every hour I spend away from my spouse and children?

Remember: “Overtime pays more because of what you’re missing.” Don’t get ripped off by working hard all your life just for money and then learn too late you did not get the quality of life and love you’ve always wanted and were created to have.

Following the priority groupings set by the government, I belong to the last group. I have accepted that fact. I have retired but not yet a senior citizen and luckily have no comorbidity. I often kid about it in our family, “I am so non-essential”! But I was blessed to be vaccinated a few days ago. It was the first day of the vaccine rollout in Davao City for the A2 category. I accompanied my husband to the vaccine site.

I was pleasantly surprised when they accommodated me even after learning that am neither in the 3 priority groups. It turned out, there were few senior citizens who showed up for the vaccines so they started accepting walk-ins so as not to spoil the vaccines that were already on the site. Lucky me! I was in the right place at the right time!

My relatives in Manila who were vaccinated much earlier were sharing how organized the vaccine process was in their Barangays.

I have to say that the one in SM Lanang, where we got our

from page 4

EXTRAJUDICIAL DEED OF SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ONOFRE DUMBRIQUE PASCUA, who died intestate on April 24, 2021; that the deceased left certain bank deposit with LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Velez Branch, BANCO DE ORO (BDO), S.M. City Branch, RIZAL COMMERCIAL BANKING CORPORATION (RCBC), Carmen Branch, METRO BANK, main Branch, and TREASURY ACCOUNT- LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, all located at Cagayan de Oro City, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL DEED OF SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of ONOFRE DUMBRIQUE PASCUA, per DOC #454; PAGE #46; BOOK #VI; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. RICO B. PAJO. BWM: May 21, 28 & June 4, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION/ SETTLEMENT OVER A PARCEL OF LAND AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE (PORTION ONLY)

from page 4

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED OF SPOUSES NORBERTO SR. ASINERO DALAPAG AND AMALIA VALDEHUESA DALAPAG

I got vaccinated, I also felt sad that I and the others who walked in got the jab because some senior citizens did not show up. Not sure what their reasons were, but they should have gotten themselves vaccinated.

The virus is still very much around but we have the vaccines. If we have family members and friends who belong to A1, A2, and A3 priority groups, let’s strongly encourage them to get vaccinated. Let’s link them to experts in case they have doubts or questions.

Let’s be mindful that it is our responsibility to get ourselves vaccinated for our own protection and those of our loved ones. And we help recover our economy.

Vaccine it is!

Guidelines... from page 4

country such as postcards and photographs make ideal presents. Check with your tour operator for any specific tips about the area you’re visiting.

On holiday Eat with the Locals Support local businesses and preserve traditional cuisine by dining in local restaurants, not just your hotel. It’s a great way to sample local specialities and local ingredients.

Souvenirs and Shopping

KNOW ALL MEN BY THES E PRESENTS:

That the late DANILO D. DABLIO, who died on October 3, 2018 at Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines, That the said deceased died intestate without leaving any known debt which has remained unpaid or unsettled up to the present, and all the obligations incurred during her death were all paid and/ or settled; at the time of his death left the following described parcel of land with TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-136-2020000982 situated Liberty, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY (2,350) SQUARE METERS, more or less, herein HEIRS/ VENDORS do hereby SELL, DISPOSE and CONVEY as they actually SOLD, DISPOSED and CONVEYED the PORTION of the above-mentioned PARCEL OF LAND with an area of THREE HUNDRED (300) SQUARE METERS, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION/SETTLEMENT OVER A PARCEL OF LAND AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE (PORTION ONLY), filed by the heirs of DANILO D. DABLIO, in favor of SHIELA MAE NERI CABUDOY, per DOC #376; PAGE #76; BOOK #50; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EDGARDO Y. RAAGAS.

That the late SPOUSES NORBERTO SR. ASINERO DALAPAG AND AMALIA VALDEHUESA DALAPAG, who died on June 6, 1997 and December 22, 2009, that said deceased at the time of his death left conjugal residential land with Lot 2278-M-2-E-5-B, situated at Bataluna Subdivision, Poblacion, South Cotabato with an Area of THREE HUNDRED FIFTY (350) SQUARE METERS, more or less, Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-43456 situated in the Barrio of Cannery, Municipality of Polomolok, Province of South Cotabato, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FIVE HUNDRED NINETY ONE (591) SQUARE METERS, more or less, Tax declaration No. G-026690 situated at Tin-ao, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 2.0335 hectares, Tax Declaration No. G-026691 situated at Tin-ao, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City,containing an area of 0.7070 hectares, Tax Declaration No. G-026692 containing an area of 05432 hectares, Tax Declaration No. G-27549 containing an area of 0.5200 hectares, Original Certificate of Title No. P-756 situated at Tin-ao, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED OF SPOUSES NORBERTO SR. ASINERO DALAPAG AND AMALIA VALDEHUESA DALAPAG, filed by the heirs of SPOUSES NORBERTO SR. ASINERO DALAPAG AND AMALIA VALDEHUESA DALAPAG, Per DOC #389; PAGE #78; BOOK #222; Series of 2019 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. RENE RUEL O. ALMERO.

BWM: May 21, 28 & June 4, 2021

BWM: May 7, 14 & 21, 2021

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

vaccines, was well organized as well. Social distancing was observed, the staff and front-liners were all courteous and helpful, guiding us every step of the way. It took us only a total of 45 minutes to finish the entire process, to already include the 15 mins observation period.

I wish to thank and commend all the men and women manning the different vaccine sites across the country. They spend at least 10 hours/day administering, comforting those who were nervous, keeping the smiles on their faces while explaining to those who are confused, and cheering each time one leaves the observation area sans any complications. And yes, they are also at risk of getting infected as some of those they are vaccinating may be positive. Your efforts and dedication are well appreciated.

We now wait 28 days for our second dose. Meanwhile, we continue to observe the health protocols.

We have around 4M vaccines ready for disposal.

Yesterday in the news, it was reported that among those in A1 (health frontlines), 24% has yet to be vaccinated while a very low 6% of our senior citizens have been inoculated.

While I was thankful that

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Vermadel Ologon has filed with the Department of Human Settlement & Urban Development a sworn registration statement for the sale of ONE (1) Residential lot located at Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City specifically identified as Lot 9-B, Psd-10-048488; that the registration statement and all papers attached thereto are available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon and upon proper application and payment of proper fee.

Any person with valid objection to the registration of the project may file his objection in writing with Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development not later than five (5) days from the last date of publication per Board Resolution No. 812, series of 2007.

Cagayan de Oro City, 12 May 2021

BWM: May 14 & 21, 2021

CHARITO A. RAAGAS Office In-Charge

Wherever possible buy your souvenirs from local shops. Haggling is often customary and can be fun, but stop once you’ve been offered a reasonable price: a few pence won’t make a huge difference to you, but it can mean everything to traders trying to make a living. Avoid buying souvenirs that exploit wildlife or threaten endangered species. Finally, items from ancient civilisations may still be found or bought in countries such as Peru and Turkey. Leave them: a country should keep its historic artifacts.

Plants and Shells One of the joys of travelling is the spectacular variety of wild plants and shells you will see. These should remain in their natural environment, so avoid picking or collecting any. It is also illegal to import some plant species.

Wildlife and Animal Welfare Avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging their natural habitat. Take care not to touch coral reefs and do not feed animals or fish. Stay quiet when viewing animals on safari.

Begging Don’t give out sweets or money, especially to children.

Giving will only teach them that begging is rewarding and can undermine parental authority. It is far better to interact with children. Cat’s cradle, frisbees or simply exchanging drawings or photos can be more fulfilling and fun for both you and the children.

Though begging is the sole source of income for many of the world’s poor, it’s far more constructive to give money to charities which often offer long-term help to a far greater number of people.

Litter To state the obvious, the EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late MODESTO M. JUMARITO, who died without leaving any will; that the deceased, at the time of his death, left a parcel of land with Original Certificate of Title No. P-15547 situated in the Barangay of Aposkahoy, Claveria, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FORTY THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN (43,127) square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of MODESTO M. JUMARITO, in favor of KRISTOPHERSON A. OGATIS and EVELYN MESIASOGATIS, per DOC #303; PAGE #61; BOOK #51; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EDGARDO Y. RAAGAS. BWM: May 21, 28 & June 4, 2021

world is full of it – don’t add to it! It’s up to you to decide how strongly you feel about other people littering: many walkers, for example, are happy to pick up rubbish along the trail.

It’s your call. Many countries do not have adequate litter collection or recycling, so the less you rubbish you leave behind, the better. Plastics, in particular, take a long time to decompose; consider taking a water bottle or filter and purifying your own water.

Photos: think before you click People in colourful local dress always make good subjects for photographs, but ask before you snap. Many people, for whatever reason, do not like being photographed and you should always gain permission before taking photographs.

Water: pollution and usage If it is necessary to wash in streams or rivers, do not use detergents or other chemicals – it may be someone’s drinking water further downstream. Use eco-friendly soaps instead and use water sparingly.

Back at home Continuing support You may have come across charitable projects, or been affected by humanitarian or conservation concerns on your holiday. Many tour operators support a wide variety of charitable initiatives, or can advise you where to direct your support, so you can ‘give something back’ to the destination of your choice.

Feedback If you have particular comments – positive or negative - about sustainable tourism issues on your tour, let your tour operator know!

We are continually striving to improve performance and your comments are vital in helping us ensure we act on the issues and operate in a responsible fashion.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late MODESTO M. JUMARITO, who died without leaving any will; that the deceased, at the time of his death, left a parcel of land with Original Certificate of Title No. P-10680 situated in the Barangay of Aposkahoy, Claveria, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FORTY NINE THOUSAND SIXTEEN (49,016) square meters, more or less, filed by the heirs of MODESTO M. JUMARITO, in favor of KRISTOPHERSON A. OGATIS and EVELYN MESIASOGATIS, per DOC #302; PAGE #61; BOOK #51; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EDGARDO Y. RAAGAS. BWM: May 21, 28 & June 4, 2021

11

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FRI-SAT|MAY 21-22, 2021

Reminder... from page 4

well as a working culture all over the world. I know that that may sound like a pipe dream, but we can always try to do something about it. We just have to start with our own selves.

We can ask ourselves, how are we dealing with the Holy Spirit? How can we be more aware of his presence and continuing promptings in our life? Do we realize that we need a daily plan and strategy so as to make ourselves most attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit?

Sachet... from page 5

empowers them to celebrate living,” FWD Insurance President and Chief Executive Officer Li Hao Zhuang was quoted as saying.

“In our venture to bring our business to digital space, building a strategic partnership with one of the fastest-growing insurers in the Philippines supports our commitment to make every Filipino financially included anytime, anywhere.

The strength of both our organizations allows us to seamlessly deliver quality products and services to our markets,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of PJ Lhuillier, Inc., the parent firm of Cebuana Lhuillier.

The deal between the two EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSON KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late DANILO S. GALVEZ who died on April 20, 2020, while on the Sea, at the time of his death left a portion parcel of land with OCT/ TCT: T-16391 situated at Barangay Mindulian, Bakid-bakid, Gingoog City, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of SEVEN HECTARES AND NINE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY SQUARE METERS (7.9880 HAS), more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSON, filed by the heirs of DANILO S. GALVEZ, per DOC #61; PAGE #12; BOOK #36; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ROWELL B. VALLEDOR. BWM: May 14, 21 & 28, 2021

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late FORTUNATO PAYAPAYA NACUA, JR., who died single without any children and died intestate on May 11, 2019 at Zone 1 Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, the said deceased left TWO (2) UNITS CONDOMINIUM covered

by Condominium Certificate of Title No. 137-2018000063 situated at Building 1, Fifth (5th) Floor Unit No. 1519, One Oasis, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City with an area of TWENTY EIGHT POINT FORTY TWO (28.42) Square Meters and Condominium Certificate of Title No. 088-2011003045 situated at TWENTY NINTH FLOOR OF SOHO CENTRAL CONDOMINIUM, Mandaluyong City with an area of THIRTY TWO POINT FORTY SEVEN (32.47) square meters and has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE, filed by the heirs of FORTUNATO PAYAPAYA NACUA, JR., in favor of CHRISTINE DEO SABINAY SESEH, per DOC #97; PAGE #20; BOOK #20; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ALMIRA B. VALDEZ. BWM: May 14, 21 & 28, 2021

firms was signed in April.

Through the partnership, the firms will train their employees and salespersons to equip them with additional knowledge and skills in financial planning and team collaboration.

FWD Insurance’s net premiums reached P13.64 billion last year, placing eighth among life insurers, based on data from the Insurance Commission.

Petron... from page 3

decline and volume drops by 27%,” he explained.

“Luckily, Petron’s balance sheet is very strong, and we have prepared the company to be able to weather this kind of storm. Rest assured that this company will survive and will make good return for everyone,” he added.

Petron’s attributable net income for the three months ending March stood at P1.4 billion, swinging from losses of P4.61 billion in the same period last year, even as the number of oil barrels sold declined and revenues decreased during the period.

Upgrade...

from page 5 b a n k i n g o n F i l i p i n o s’ recognition of the importance of digital transactions during the pandemic.

He said account openings before the pandemic averaged around 250 per day but it has risen to around 1,200 daily during the pandemic because of digital account openings.

Omila added they see the numbers rising further as the public experience the convenience of digital financial transactions.

He said digital financial transactions have risen since the start of the pandemic, with transactions using InstaPay DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late SPOUSES MERCURIA MADRIDANO and BERNARDO MADRIDANO who died intestate on May 5, 2015 and August 8, 2007 at Tubajon, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, during their lifetime, the Decedents acquired a certain parcel of land with Tax Declaration Nos. 0818-0011-05200 and 08-18-0011-05201 with a total area of 12.278 and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS, filed by the heirs of SPOUSES MERCURIA MADRIDANO and BERNARDO MADRIDANO, per DOC #345; PAGE #64; BOOK #II; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ROY I. MACUA. BWM: May 7, 14 & 21, 2021

and PESONet, surpassing those of using automated teller machines (ATMs).

InstaPay and PESONet are the two clearing houses under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ National Retail Payment System program that got a big boost since the start of the pandemic last year. (PNA)

Routes... from page 1

permit to Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) for 15 bus units to ply the new route, passing through Talakag town in Bukidnon, Wao town in Lanao del Sur, the municipalities of B anisilan, Alamada, Libungan, Pigcawayan in Cotabato; and Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao.

Guro said the LTFRB-10 can grant RTMI another permit for additional bus units that will ply the same route if there is a need, such as an increase in population.

“They can still file a petition for additional units if there is an increase in demand from the riding public,” he said.

Celer Estologa, Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC) legal and media relations manager, said this new route will not only benefit the riding public "but would also boost the economic activities and tourism of the local government unit”.

Estologa said the new route is three hours shorter than the usual Cagayan de Oro-Cotabato City via the Kabacan trail, which takes five to six hours of travel time. “ We l o o k f o r w a r d to the coming years of providing reliable and safe transportation to the riding public and our continuing commitment to improve the quality of life of our workforce as well as of the community,” he said. (PNA)

Discipline... from page 1

of Covid-19 patients. Selfdiscipline is t he key to suppress the surge of cases.

That is why don't spread the virus and don't get contracted by the virus," he said.

Currently, Moreno said at least 274 confirmed cases are admitted to the governmentrun Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) and other hospitals in the city, 220 of whom are Cagayan de Oro residents.

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, the City Health Office (CHO)

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recorded 103 more cases, bringing the city's active cases to 1,026.

CHO epidemiologist, Dr. Joey Retuya, said he expects cases to further increase if residents continue to ignore the minimum public health standards.

Retuya said the majority of the new cases have traveled outside the city, attended mass gatherings such as b i r t h d ay c e l e br a t i o n s , weddings, burials, wakes, and funerals in the last two months.

Meanwhile, Moreno said the city government spends between P7 million to P8 million a month for the daily meals of Covid-19 patients confined in the city´s isolation units (CIUs) and temporary t reat ment mon itor i ng facilities (TTMFs).

"I also apologize to those patients who complained about the food provided to them because that´s what the city can afford. I understand that a lot of these patients want to have cooked food delivered to them but if we allow that to happen, it would be catastrophic. The people who would deliver the food to these patients...the likelihood of infection is very high," Moreno said.

He sa id a ny food or essentials to be brought to the confined patients should be cleared by the City Health Insurance Office (CHIO), which serves as a "clearinghouse" for these items.

The CHIO requires that supplies be delivered at their office from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. so that these can be brought to the quarantined patients on the same day. (PNA)

Program...

from page 1 implementation of the Special Program for the Employment of Students,” she said. “It will depend on the budget of an LGU (local government unit), how much the LGU has budgeted for the program because that is what they will use within their locality,” Sorilla said.

To be qualified, applicants to the SPES school program should be 15 to 30 years old, no failing grade (recent grading or semester), a resident of Cagayan de Oro, and the parents' combined net income should not be

over P150,000.

Sorilla said city scholars are no longer qualified to join the SPES program to give chance to others.

The PESO manager also emphasized the continuity of SPES beneficiaries in order to see the success story until they finish their studies.

“The SPES beneficiaries in the first implementation are still the same in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 up to this year. So, if you are a SPES now, you cannot be removed and be replaced with another beneficiary,” Sorilla said.

(PNA)

Tourists...

from page 1 units (LGUs) and reports from tourist destinations and accommodation establishments in the region.

South Cotabato province posted the most number of same-day and overnight v i s i t o r s w i t h 4 0 0 , 4 6 7, followed by Sarangani with 340,125, North Cotabato with 216,182, Sultan Kudarat with 147,144, this city with 136,239, Koronadal with 77,893, Kidapawan wit h 26,967 and Tacurong with 16,728.

The of f icia l sa id t he same-day visitors included 86 foreigners while those who stayed overnight reached 125.

He said the number of visitors who stayed at least a day in any tourist destination increased by 54 percent when compared to last year that only reached 560,135 due to the onset of the pandemic. “(This was) despite the travel restrictions due to Covid-19,” Tamano said in a report.

But he said the overnight tourist arrival, which has slowed down since last year, decreased by 59 percent from last year’s 346,275.

He said this was due to decline of inbound travels, cancellation of flights, travel restrictions, strict border

lockdowns, and imposition of curfews by LGUs because of Covid-19.

The DOT-12 report said the number of meetings, i ncent ives, convent ions and exhibitions or MICE activities also decreased to 468 during the first quarter from the 563 in the same period last year.

The average occupancy rate i n accom modat ion establishments for stays of at least a night dropped to 20.13 percent from 29.37 last year.

To ease the impact of the pandemic on the tourism sector, DOT-12 partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment for the provision of one-time cash assistance of P5,000 each to the affected workers.

As of March this year, the agency said a total of P28.86 million in grants were already released to 7,156 workers from 238 tourism establishments and community-based tourism organizations in the region.

DOT-12 facilitated the granting of zero-interest loa ns to 12 tourism micro, small and medium enterprises amounting to P3.7 million through the “Cares for Travel” program, which is implemented by the agency in collaboration with the Small Business Corporation.

“DOT also heightened its monitoring and i nspec t ion ac t iv it ies of accredited tourism-related establishments in the region to ensu re t hat tou r ism establishments comply with the minimum health and safety protocols set by DOH (Department of Health),” it said.

The agency said the initiatives were complemented by capabilitybu i ld i ng t ra i ni ngs t hat focused on health and safety measures in the operation of tourism establishments.

(MindaNews)

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12

Cebu Pacific takes delivery of ninth brand-new eco-plane New Airbus A321neo added to one of the youngest fleets in the world

THE Philippines' leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), receives its ninth brand-new Airbus A321neo (New Engine Option) aircraft today, May 19, signifying its

continuous efforts to integrate eco-friendly initiatives in its operations.

CEB proudly operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average age of 5.75 years.

The Airbus 321neo is known to deliver 20% fuel cost savings, which would translate to even lower fares for everyJuan.

The transition to an allNEO fleet is part of CEB's

commitment to reduce its carbon emissions and contribute to the airline's sustainability goals. The A321neo is more fuel-efficient with nearly 50% reduction in

noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.

“We are happy to continue moving forward with our longterm fleet plan in line

with our commitment to keep providing safe and affordable travel for everyJuan. Now more than ever, ensuring our operations are as efficient and sustainable as possible is of top priority and we are glad to have started with this journey even before the pandemic,” said Alex Reyes, Chief Strategy Officer at Cebu Pacific.

CEB’s newest aircraft is set to enter into service within this month to fly to various Philippine destinations across CEB’s widest domestic network with 44 routes.

To date, the Cebu Pacific 75-strong fleet is comprised of nine (9) A321neo, 25 Airbus A320, seven (7) Airbus A321ceo, five (5) Airbus A320neo, seven (7) Airbus A330, six (6) ATR 72-500, and 13 ATR 72-600 aircraft. Its fleet also has two (2) ATR freighters on top of one (1) A330 freighter.