BusinessWeek Mindanao (May 8, 2020)

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Briefly Davao water project DAVAO City — Aboitiz-led Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. is finalizing a recovery plan to get back on track the completion of its P12-billion bulk water supply project in Davao City that has been affected by quarantine restrictions.

Apo Agua General Manager Cirilo C. Almario III, in an email interview Monday, said while they are assessing the delay on the project’s timeline, they are also working on new protocols when construction activities resume.

“We are ascertaining when we can resume full construction activities, while putting in place the appropriate health and safety protocols,” he said.

‘Under control’ MARIA Elinore A. Concha, chief training officer at the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC), said the most important consideration when lifting lockdowns is ensuring that potential COVID-19 transmissions are “under control.”

In a virtual briefing Tuesday, she explained that controlling the threat of transmission means having a system for early detection, isolation facilities for suspected cases, and managing the patients.

SPMC, located in Davao City, is the biggest government-run hospital in Mindanao and a designated COVID-19 referral center as well as one of the accredited COVID-19 testing laboratories.

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S logistical nightmares hound small and medium industries, the Department of Agriculture has vowed to assist hog raisers in Mndanao in transporting their products to market in Luzon and the Visayas.

“We are looking at an initial volume of 1,700 metric tons (MT) of pork from Davao and General Santos City that are available for immediate transport to Visayas and

Luzon,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.

The DA has assigned Undersecretary for High Value Crops and Rural Credit AID/PAGE 7

Davao tourism suffers ‘huge drop’ in revenues

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City — Davao City Tourism Office head Generose Tecson said the local government is anticipating that the erstwhile thriving

tourism here would suffer from major revenue losses due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

SUFFERS/PAGE 7

RELIEF CONVOY. A convoy of trucks loaded with relief goods to be distributed to various barangays in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. The local government headed

by Mayor Norbert B. Pagaspas and SB members chaired by VM Amy Pagaspas is already on their second wave of relief distribution to families affected by quarantine measures. photo courtesy of elmer maboloc

LTFRB-10 rationalizes Oro, Misor routes

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Reporter

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Region 10 (LTFRB-10) is now in the process of "rationalizing" the routes in the city and in Misamis Oriental.

LTFRB-10 Regional Director Aminoden Guro said that the route rationalization is

part of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program that will commence on June 30 this year.

Guro said that he has already met with Councilor Bong Lao, chair of the City ROUTES/PAGE 6

Siargao Island tourist operators worried as seaports reopen

By ROEL CATOTO, MindaNews

PASSENGERS’ SAFETY. A female conductor of an air-conditioned bus by Donsals Transport Corporation plying the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental route checks passengers to ensure that proper quarantine measures were observed. photo by gerry lee gorit

GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island -Tourist operators here have expressed fears that the island may eventually have positive cases of the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as Siargao reopened

for incoming passengers a few days ago, courtesy of an order from the governor of Surigao del Norte.

Gov. Francisco T. Matugas, in his WORRIED/PAGE 7

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Suspension of Ramadan mass assembly in BARMM stays

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OTABATO City – A ranking Muslim religious leader reminded the Islam faithful on Tuesday that the suspension of mass gatherings or congregational prayers in observance of the fasting month of Ramadan remains despite the shifting of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to general community quarantine (GCQ) mode.

Abuhuraira Udasan, grand mufti (highest religious leader) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim

Mindanao (BARMM), said that the decision of the Darul Ifta (Islamic House of Opinion) is primarily for the safety of everybody.

“What is important is we are taking preventive steps to ensure every Muslim observing Ramadan is safe,” Udasan said in a statement.

He issued the clarification after reports that some Muslim faithful started congregational prayers every 6 p.m. in small mosques across the region before breaking the fast.

“The suspension remains,” Udasan stressed.

“If we hold Taraweeh (special evening prayers) inside the mosque, social distancing is unavoidable.”

Fasting is sacrifice, Udasan said, and by not holding congregational prayer is a form of sacrifice.

“Much to our desire, the safety of everybody is our primordial concern,” he added.

Udasan instead appealed to all Muslims observing fasting to practice charity and extend aid, when capable, to help the needy and those who have nothing to eat due to coronavirus pandemic.

Abdullah Kasan, a Muslim faithful, described the absence of congregational prayers as something unusual but maintained strict protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)

are for everyone’s safety.

“I think we can hurdle this, this is a test to our faith to Allah,” he said in the vernacular.

Fasting commenced on April 23 and expected to end on May 22. During

this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Adults will have a meal just before dawn, and another after sunset. When the sun has gone down, RAMADAN/PAGE 7

IP leaders hit solon’s ‘absence’ amid pandemic BUTUAN City – Indigenous peoples’ (IPs) leaders in the Surigao del Sur towns of Lianga and Marihatag are dismayed over the alleged neglect of Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Eufemia Cullamat of the Manobo tribe amid the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.

“Eufemia Cullamat is homegrown and already in Congress but is selective in helping the IPs,” said Hawudon Jumar Bucales,

the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in Lianga town, in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Cullamat and Bucales belong to the Manobo tribe in the area.

Bucales issued the criticism on the same day the local government units (LGUs) of Lianga and Marihatag distributed some 200 food packs among the Manobo families in both towns

together with the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The distribution in Lianga was held at the Manobo community in Sitio Simuwao (Kilometer 9) in Barangay Diatagon, and in Sitio Lucnobon, Barangay Mahaba, in Marihatag.

Bucales accused Cullamat of playing favorites by prioritizing the members of MAPASU-a leftist IP organization-to the disadvantage of the majority of the Manobo tribe members in Surigao del Sur. MAPASU, or the Malahutayong Pakigbisug Alang sa Sumusunod, has long been accused by the military as being influenced and infiltrated by the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

Lianga's tribal chieftain, Datu Constancio ABSENCE/PAGE 7

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

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Nestlé joins Red Cross in COVID-19 efforts NESTLÉ Philippines, Inc. has turned over to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) P10 million to help the institution in the government’s efforts to provide for people in need of health care.

“The Nestlé purpose is enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.

Our first priority is the welfare of people, families, and communities. Therefore, it is only fitting for us to extend support to the Philippine Red Cross, as we have done time and again in the past,” said Kais Marzouki, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.

The company said the donation is

part of its program called Kasambuhay ng Pamilyang Pilipino to address COVID-19.

It said the program includes assisting one million families and thousands of frontline workers, as well as its own employees and those of its business partners.

The company quoted Sen. Richard J. Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, as saying: “The partnership with Nestle shows great corporate social responsibility at the height of our country’s fight against our invisible enemy, COVID-19.”

Citing Mr. Gordon, Nestlé Philippines EFFORTS/PAGE 7

Local carriers gear up to resume commercial flight operations

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

All local carriers have temporarily suspended international and domestic flights until May 15, in line with the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other select areas considered high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

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

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

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for Marketing and Customer Experience, said apart from encouraging passengers to check-in online, they will also hold their own boarding passes for the staff to scan the barcode.

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

As for the crew, they will be required to wear personal protective

SSS wage subsidies and loans can now be received via PayMaya Simply give your PayMaya mobile number to your employer for enrollment WITH the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and other provinces in Visayas and Mindanao still in place, many employees and workers have had their livelihoods affected, particularly those working in industries and businesses that were forced to suspend operations.

Thankfully, employees and workers affected can see if they qualify for the national government’s Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program through the Social Security System (SSS) or apply for other loans and have the funds disbursed safely and conveniently to their PayMaya account. The

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CorporateWorld

application period for this subsidy program has been extended to May 8, 2020.

PayMaya has partnered with SSS to be the only e-wallet that can receive SBWS funds from the government, allowing even those without a bank account to conveniently receive the subsidy by simply signing up for a PayMaya account using their mobile devices.

All you have to do is make sure to provide your PayMaya mobile number to your employer, who will then enroll your PayMaya account to be linked to SSS once they receive access to the SBWS application portal.

Easily receive your wage subsidy via PayMaya To get started, simply follow these steps to register for a PayMaya account: 1) Download the PayMaya app on your iOS or Android phone 2) Register for an account using your Mobile Number, Name, and Email Address 3) Enter the Verification Code that will be sent to the Mobile Number you registered with 4) Upgrade your account by accessing the menu and tapping "Upgrade Your Account" 5) Once your account

is set up and upgraded, give your PayMaya mobile number to your employer who will then enroll your account through the SSS online portal SSS/PAGE 7

equipment (PPE) and will also have to undergo rapid antibody test.

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

The two also noted the thorough disinfection of cabin, before and after flights. Both would make sanitizers available.

Meanwhile, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the resumption of commercial

flight operations would depend on the travel demand, the safety, as well as the travel restrictions imposed by various governments.

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

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

Globe income down 2% THE first-quarter net income of Globe Telecom, Inc. declined 2% to P6.6 billion from P6.73 billion in the same period last year due to sustained increase in depreciation charges and a bigger share in affiliates’ losses.

The Ayala-led telecommunications company said in a regulatory filing Tuesday its core net income for the first quarter, which excludes the impact of non-recurring charges, one-time gain, foreign exchange gains and markto-market charges, stood at P6.6 billion, a 3% decline from P6.73 billion in the

same period a year ago.

Consolidated service revenues rose 2% to P36.9 billion from P36 billion.

Globe said the increase was because of the “limited impact” of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on its operations.

Globe maintained its mobile data revenues at P26.8 billion while home broadband revenues grew 11% to P5.8 billion.

Corporate data added P3.3 billion or an increase of 4%. Globe said there were higher circuit count and revenues from information and communication INCOME/PAGE 7

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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

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BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO

VICENTE C. DELA VICTORIA Vice President for Operations JOE FELICILDA Vice President for Administration JOHN AARON M. DEL BANDO Vice President for Events and Promotions JOE PALABAO Vice President for Marketing ROSE MARIE D. SUDARIA Vice President for Finance MIKE BAÑOS Vice President for Digital

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

GILBERT Y. CHAO

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Legal Counsel

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Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

JOE PALABAO Layout Artist

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

Editorial departments of most publications are often in contact with public relations agencies or public relations departments. They are a crucial part of the media landscape as they provide a service that links brands and media outlets. The role of public relations (PR) is often defined as “The professional maintenance of a favourable public image by a company or other organization or a famous person.” In many

LETTERS FROM DAVAO

Cell No: 09352379999

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

Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Following the right map Think a minute . . . Have you ever been lost? If you travel to another country for the first time, getting lost can be frustrating and discouraging. Imagine you have just arrived in London, England and want to go to a certain place in that great city. A map of London would show you how to get there. But what if you had the wrong map? What if your map read London, but it was actually a map of Tokyo, Japan! Imagine your total frustration and futility in trying to get where you want to go in London, when all the time you’re following the map of Tokyo!

Yo u c o u l d w o r k o n your driving skills and concentration. Try harder and drive faster. But that would only take you to the wrong place faster. You might even change your attitude and think more positively. But you would still be lost. Being polite and kind to other drivers and pedestrians along the way would not get you there either. None of these things you do can change the fact that you’re following the

JUN LEDESMA LET'S set aside the COVID -19 pandemic first and talk about the shut down of ABS CBN. The emotional outbursts of some characters have breached a modicum of civility I cannot imagine that some avid oppositions and their minions would dub those identified with Pres.

Rodrigo Duterte as demonic

wrong map.

That’s the frustrating situation we all face in life.

We keep looking for success, satisfaction, and love in all the wrong places—because we don’t have the right map. We keep going down dead-end roads that lead us nowhere. We waste much of our life getting lost and making painful mistakes that cost us much—because we do not know how to get where we want to go. But the saddest thing of all is that the right map has been right in front of us all the time. We simply refused to use it. In fact, the Maker of the right map also came as our personal guide to show MAP/PAGE 7

editors would be biased in favour of those who support the media.

During my 4-year stint as the General Manager of the Limketkai Luxe I would ensure that those publication who gives press coverage are included in the hotel's advertising budget since they have continuously supported the hotel in getting full press coverage.

Amazingly, now people are starting to read my column and even with this time of the Enhanced Community Quarantine ( ECQ ) press releases continue to come thru my Facebook account .

And almost I never even met the public relations people except they are brands have NEVER spent a single cent on advertising with the newspaper. Many of those brands behind the releases have also never had time to allow us to introduce

myself . And none of the PR agencies that send out these releases have the budget or authority to place an ad to push things along. Without exception, when asked for a tiny contribution, with amazing payment terms mind you, to keep publications going during this time, there is no answer. Not one of these releases has made it out of my inbox.

Now everyone is singing the same song “We need to work together to make it through this.” While this is a very agreeable notion, so far, it seems that those brands coming out with press releases don’t seem to realise that it takes two to tango. A friend of mine was musing that he would have to have a very specific message for PR professionals after the lockdown as he may not have any media outlets left CRISIS/PAGE 7

or in their language “malademonyo”.

Protestations that use emotional blackmail are bereft of reasons. It cannot win an argument and neither can it restore the franchise of the giant network. Mr. Lopez had better look closely at the motive of politicians and the rabid critics of Duterte. Isn’t it puzzling that for years no legal remedies were pursued to get the franchise of ABS CBN approved? Why all these incendiary speeches aimed at stirring public condemnation against President Duterte?

Why were they so quiet during the time of ex-Pres.

Benigno Simeon Aquino III? Invoking press freedom w i l l n ot w a s h i n s t e a d that’s falling to the trap of

emotional blackmail that makes heroes and heroines of the salivating opposition out to attribute the cessation of ABS CBN operation to Duterte. In the first place, we in the media have an overdose of freedom. Licentious in fact. To blame the National Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission for not issuing a provisional authority to operate is off the mark. Those who are insisting that NTC can give provisional authority cannot even site a legal basis.

It’s nothing but incendiary oratories. Sadly not even the plight of 11,000 workers (DOLE state less than 4,000) can be made the basis for a grant. As the legal luminaries assert the law cannot be bent to the point of breakage.

Why did not the lawyers and political supporters of ABS CBN argue that the application for the Network’s renewal was made in 2014 and therefore it is a continuing undertaking so that even if the franchise technically expired, the right of ABS CBN was preserved by its timely application? I am not a lawyer but just like the other franchise that was given provisional authority to operate the legal team of the Network could have i nvoke d t he s ame and therefore legally can continue to operate, until congress acts on its application. ABS CBN cannot be faulted for the delay. Why the House of Representatives did not act OPTIONS/PAGE 7

To be credible

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

cases this is done through the dissemination of releases to the media for publication in their outlets.

Depending on where you stand, some publishers don’t publish anything unless there is an ad coming with it.

Others may heavily depend on the access to ready-made content in the shape of press releases.

Now that I write column regularly at the Mindanao Daily, based in Cagayan de Oro in a Mindanao-wide newspaper I would write what I think can contribute to the reader’s knowledge . If there is an advertising contract in place it might mean that the item may get a bit more exposure. Surely the publisher Dante Sudaria, would have some advertisers who seem to be happy with just the ad placement without ever having editorial support.

I think it is fair to say that

Of motives and options of ABS CBN

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Public relations agencies in a crisis - or why it could pay to have paid for ads

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I SUPPOSE that’s what everyone wants. We want to be credible when we speak, preach or teach. In all forms of communication, we want everyone to at least take us seriously. They may not believe everything that we say, but at least we are given some considerations.

That, at least, would show we are credible enough.

There may b e many and endless standards of credibility. For one, we have to have clear facts, those that at best should be beyond doubt. If we are not very certain about the facts, then we should be humble enough to say so even as we explain as convincingly as possible why we are citing them.

Yes, to be credible is about telling the truth which actually is not a walk in the park, since truth goes beyond objective realities and enters into the subjective world. This is where we are going to swim in some uncharted waters, full of mysteries and unknown factors. In the end, truth

is being with God who is Truth himself.

For us, that means that we have to be vitally united to Christ who said he is “the way, the truth and the life.”

It may be remembered that Christ was so credible in his preaching that practically everyone, except those who were bent not to believe him, “hung on his words.”

(Lk 19,48) As St. Mark noted in his gospel, he attracted so many people, that “when the people heard he was at home, they gathered in such large numbers that there was no more room, not even outside the door.”

(2,2) When we are vitally identified with Christ, we would know what, why and how to communicate. That is how credibility is developed and earned, even if we have to expect that not everyone would believe us. We should not be surprised by that disbelief of some people.

If Christ experienced that, we should somehow

expect the same to happen to us. In fact, we can say that the resistance and even hostility that some people may have toward us when we communicate, is a sign that we are actually telling the truth, and thus, are credible.

We should learn to be sport also in this department. Let’s not be oversensitive. This thing is part of the territory.

Ultimately, what should guide us in de veloping credibility is the duty to spread the truth of the gospel which we should learn to do “in season and out of season,” as St. Paul once said.

It might be good to remit here the pertinent text of St. Paul in his second Letter to Timothy: “Preach the word,” he said. “Be prepared in season and out of season.

Reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA their own desires…” (4,2-3) We should see to it that even if we are communicating very technical, mundane or secular matters, everything has to be done in the spirit of the gospel to be truly credible.

So, credibility is about preaching the truth of the gospel even as we try our best also to adapt our preaching and communication to the level of the people whom we are addressing. In this, we should make continuing effort to know the people well, so we would know how to approach and talk CREDIBLE/PAGE 7

Banking&Finance 5 Flat to slightly negative change seen for Q1 GDP Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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CONOMISTS of First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) forecast a “flat to slightly negative” change in the Philippines’ first quarter 2020 output as a result of the global pandemic.

In their joint publication called The Market Call for April, the economists said the pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) brought governments around the world to unchartered territory.

This, after governments implemented various levels of community lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus.

These lockdowns, the report said, “caused high unemployment, large cutbacks in production,

income and spending which in turn egged governments to engage in unprecedented deficit spending.”

It said producers were also burdened by supply chain disruptions.

Malacanang implemented a community quarantine for Metro Manila starting March 15, and an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for mainland Luzon beginning March 17 until April 12.

The quarantine has been extended from April 12 to May 15, 2020 as Covid-19 cases continue to rise and to give authorities

Internet: Is it Beneficial?

Or Harmful?

MARY JOY O. MAGHUYOP TEACHER I MAIKAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL TUDELA DISTRICT

Everything that a person needs is now at the tip of his fingertips. With just one click, one can access information around the world. People can now sell products easily, make purchases, do banking transactions, listen to latest music recordings, see photographs of different places and people- all in the privacy of their home.

Even students can do their homework without going to the library and finish their projects quickly. How are these things possible?

Through internet.

According to Bill Gates, “the internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow”. Today, people are all connected because of the internet, no matter where they live. The internet makes it possible for us to have knowledge about almost anything, anywhere at any time.

However, it can also give false information, steal a lot of time from other things, and harm one’s morality.

Ne ver assume t hat ever ything that is found on the internet is accurate. A huge amount of information- true and false, useful and worthless, harmless and dangerous- is now readily available. Its wise to be very selective about what to consider worthy of your attention.

“The naive person believes every word, but the shrewd ones ponders each step.”

(Proverbs 14:15) Hence, one must evaluate whether the information comes from a reliable source. Also, whether its true or not, its important to think if the

information is confidential or might damage someone’s reputation. Since anybody can publish ideas about any information and images on the internet, it is very important to be discerning and wise.

Another factor to consider about using the internet is the amount of time it consumes. For many, the internet has become a fascinating toy instead of a helpful tool. They spend excessive amount of time playing, shopping, chatting, posting, searching and surfing. Other important things involving family, friends, academic subjects and work were neglected.

Internet addiction even contributed to failing grades, broken marriages a n d l o s i n g a c a r e e r.

Worthless things can also be found on the internet.

Pornography has become ver y common. Some children were even sexually abused by pedophiles, who they used to chat with.

Thus, parents and educators should be alert and vigilant to give proper monitoring and guidance for children and teenagers to protect them from harm.

Internet can be beneficial or harmful depending on how we use it. It is a helpful tool for students, businessmen, employees and for all people who want convenience. But it could also disrupt our good thoughts and steal our precious time- if we are not careful. Just as riding a bicycle requires balance, it is also important to keep our balance in everything we do.

more time to assess the situation after the testing capacity has improved.

The report said Luzon accounted for 72.9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GPD) in 2018.

With the lockdown, the report projects a “flat to slightly negative movement in GDP in Q1 (first quarter) since the lockdown of Metro Manila (and two days later of the entire Luzon) took effect only in the last 16 days of Q1.”

“Agricultural and mineral product exports from Mindanao will contribute to this growth,”

it said.

The government is set to announce the gross domestic product (GDP) figure for the first quarter this year on Thursday.

Last year, first quarter growth slowed to 5.6 percent from year-ago’s 6.5 percent because of the impact of the delayed budget approval, which hampered the implementation of several infrastructure projects, among others.

The report forecasts inflation not to dip below 2 percent in the second quarter this year, from an average of 2.7 percent in the first quarter, because

of supply constraints.

It, however, said “neither do we see much upward pressure with weak aggregate demand and ultra-low crude oil prices with supply overhang despite an OPEC-Russia-US production cut agreement in April.”

It also discounts any cut in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates in the remaining months of the first half after the total of 125 basis points slash since the start of the year.

The report also forecasts additional 25-basis-point reduction in the key rates in the early part of the second half this year to end the year at 2.5 percent.

The BSP’s policymaking Monetary Board (MB) slashed the central bank’s key policy rates in

a bid to help lift domestic growth from the impact of the global pandemic.

Meanwhile, the report forecasts the government’s budget deficit to account for about 7 to 8 percent of domestic output, higher than the government’s 3.2-percent target, “as tax revenues suffer from lack of production due to the lockdown.”

“Nevertheless, the government still has the ability to borrow more from both domestic and foreign sources in order to boost its Covid-19 response program,” it said.

It projects government spending to rise “with subsidies and rebooting of infrastructure spending.”

“However, the debtto-GDP ratio will rise to a still reasonable level of 46-48 percent from 41.5 percent in 2019,” it added.

(PNA)

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

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

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

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

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

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

He said that although collections of taxes have been delayed due to

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

He added the government was able to receive record-high PHP120 billion dividends from GOCCs, and this will be a plus for the Covid-19 response program.

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

These include the loan pact with ADB that allows the Duterte government to access up to $1.5 billion in budgetary support for Covid-19 programs and the $100-million loan from the WB. Dominguez said they are also in discussions with the governments of Japan, Korea, China, and France for “project-based bilateral financing.”

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

“We are exactly where we want to be,” he added.

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

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

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

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

On Wednesday, Dominguez said they are “willing to look at it (CITIRA) and most likely cut it further more quickly than originally planned.”

(PNA)

“Anger Triggers”- Who Can Fight it?

MARILOU A. BALAGTAS TEACHER I CAMATING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL TUDELA DISTRICT

Stuck in the heavy traffic. Waiting in a long line at the store. Offensive coworkers. Loads of work to be done immediately. Family problems. How will you respond? How can you cope?

These “anger triggers” are very common today.

An anger trigger can be something that frustrates or annoys someone.

Feelings of anger could stir up due to injustice or unfairness, pressure, insult, disrespect or a threat of authority or reputation. However, reactions to these triggers vary from one person to another. Age, gender, family background and culture--are the factors that affect the response on these triggers. Some people seldom get angry and quickly get over, while others are easily provoked and may hold on to anger for days, weeks, months or longer.

Why do people’s response to “anger triggers” vary? One factor is the parent’s example. Parents have a profound influence on personality development throughout childhood and adolescence. The child’s development could be likened to a plant that has been nourished with tainted or contaminated water. The plant may grow but its development could be stunted and could perhaps suffer permanent damage. Likewise, anger is like the tainted water, and children who have been exposed to it are more inclined to respond to life’s problems with anger.

Another factor is the environment.

Crowded places often has a negative effect of the mental and physical being of a person. Air and noise pollution, financial instability, traffic, and crime caused an increase of stress which

provoke people to get frustrated, angry and lose patience easily.

We can be exposed to violence, brutality and aggression at any time today. How? Through the entertainment industry. Most youths who are frequently exposed to violent games on the internet or television did not grow up violent. But the entertainment media portrays anger as an acceptable way to deal with adversity, thus the new generation of “easily provoked” to anger children emerged.

Indeed, considering all these problems, pressures, and anxieties, we can understand why people become frustrated as they try to manage their day-to-day responsibilities. The urge to be angry may be powerful but knowing its roots and causes could help us to keep our anger under control.

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Routes... from page 1

Council committee on Public Utility, and discussed the rationalization of routes for Cagayan de Oro City.

The rationalization of routes, said Guro is one of the requirements set forth under the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) of the PUV modernization.

Aside from removing the overlapping of routes, the route rationalization is conducted to determine appropriate mode, quantity and service characteristics of the public transport service in each corridor which will make the routes more responsive to passenger demand and ensure that the hierarchy of roads and modes of transportation are followed.

Guro said the LTFRB is prepared to roll out the PUV modernization in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental and even in Northern Mindanao region.

He said dozens of transport cooperatives have already signified their intentions to operate modern public transport system.

Guro said that based on the latest pronouncement of Transportation Secretary A r t h u r Tu g a d e , t h e modernization program will push through as scheduled on June 30.

Modern jeepneys, UV Express or vans will start plying the streets of Cagayan de Oro City, said Guro.

He said buses and coaster buses will also ply the first and second districts of Misamis Oriental in June this year.

Dr. Jerie, dismayado sa CdeO human dunay nagpositibo GRABE na intawon nga pangugat. Dagan dire, dagan didto. Meeting dire, meeting didto, aron lang masiguro nga walay mahitabong local transmission dinhi sa Misamis Oriental. Apan, dismayado intawon si Provincial Task Force Chairperson ug Provincial health Officer Dr. Jerie Calingasan human mitala ang syudad sa Cagayan de Oro nga kompirmadong natakdan sa coronavirus disease 2019. Doble paningkamot intawon sila karon kay wala magpakabana ang pamunuan sa dakbayan.

“Now, what is very frustrating today, is that we have not heard any plans from our neighbors on what they will do after having confirmed cases of COVID-19 with no history of travel and still establishing a history of exposure,” sulti ni Dr. Calingasan.

Hilabihan uyamot nga paningkamot sa Misamis Oriental, ubos sa pamunuan ni Gov. Bambi Emano, samtang ang namunuan sa Cagayan de Oro daw buta ug bungol sa tinuod nga kahimtang sa katawhan sa siyudad nga sigurado madalahig ang katawhan sa Misamis Oriental sa ilang kapalpakan.

“Now, let me just

Failure is your Friend MARYJEAN P. GOSTO TEACHER III GANIBUNGAN PROPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL TUDELA DISTRICT

“Failure is not fatal”, says Sir Winston Churchill. Though it’s not fatal, it is a human inclination to feel down and low every time we fail. But can failure be our friend?

Definitely, yes! Nobody can be successful without experiencing failure.

How can we cope with failure and respond to it positively? One way is by seeing it as a learning opportunity. Failing on something is a painful way of learning but it is a springboard to success.

This helps us continuously aim for improvement. The road to success may not be simple and smooth, and failures are the roadblocks that we must surpass. But it could be an opportunity for growth.

In reality, accepting our failure might be challenging.

Failure can be difficult to appreciate, as emotions are often running high. This can cloud judgment and impair learning. But once the dust has settled, we could reflect on what can we change to do better next time or even ask ourselves if what can we

learn from the experience.

These are good starting points to use failure in a more positive way. Though unpleasant at the time, failures often provide a very strong boost to someone’s motivation levels. The results always depend on how we respond to the situation.

For optimists, setbacks will imprint on them, helping them drive themselves on to a higher level than previously experienced.

Developing compassion to other people is another benefit of failure. Those people who suffer more adversity show more compassion to others. By knowing how painful failure is through experiencing it, we are probably more likely to empathize with others when they experience setbacks. Also, on our darkest moments, we will meet those people who are true to us and will support us. This is one of the reasons why successful people often build a team around them.

Asking for help is frequently seen by many as a sign of weakness. But if we can

know how and when to ask for help, we will likely reap many of the benefits.

Experiencing lows can really help us appreciate our highs. As Sir Winston Churchill also said, ‘success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm’. Someone’s success at the end of their bumpy road makes all that enthusiasm worth it.

Like many Olympic gold medalists, they do not even get medal at their first Games. It takes years of experience, setbacks and training to achieve one's dreams. But when that success is reached, it feels all the sweeter because of it.

Of course, failure is not something to strive for; but it is something that can be learnt from and used effectively. By training ourselves on how to learn in every experience, hopefully we can develop skills that aid resilience, motivation and learning, and therefore reduce the chances of making the same mistakes again in the future.

while we are spending money to protect our people but some cities do not even work, do not even try to protect people,” matud ni Gov. Emano.

Subling naghangyo ang duha ka opisyal nga unta dili basta-bastahon ang maong sakit, sakit nga wala pay tambal, ug sakit nga makahunos sa kinabuhi kung pasagdan lang sa mga namunuan sa lokal nga pangagamhanan.

dinhi sa lalawigan.

Bisan ang gobernador nakasabot sa gibati ni Dr. Calingasan, kinsa 23 oras sulod sa pito ka adlaw nagtukaw aron lang mamahimong luwas ang katawhan batok sa makamatay nga sakit.

“Tataw kaayo ba, napalibutan nata nga adunay mga positibo. In fact, I think Doc Jerie is trying to tell us he is getting frustrated cause while we are working 24 hours, seven days a week,

remind everybody nga for all of you who have defied and violated the Executive Orders of the very good Governor of Misamis Oriental, Governor Bambi Emano.

The memorandums that he had executed please think for yourself today, whether you were right on violating and defied these orders,” dugang ni Dr. Calingasan, kinsa gitahasan ug gisaligan ni Gov. Emano nga mangulo pagbatok sa COVID-19

Nurturing Optimism JESSA A. LABAYO TEACHER I LOCSOON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL TUDELA DISTRICT

Do you have dreams in life that you want to fulfill? Do you really believe that you can achieve it? Reaching your goals in life can be possible with the right mental attitude. Having a positive outlook will make you happy, thus motivating you to do your tasks easily.

There’s no easy way to success. Roadblocks are always expected. If we already have a level of optimism since we were born, we can still learn and develop this way of thinking.

If we do this, we will not be discouraged and give up easily in accomplishing our goals. So, how can someone develop their optimistic thinking?

1. S ee setbacks as temporar y – Failure is always a part of success.

At some point, we fail, but this is not permanent.

If we are consistent and persistent of what we’re doing, we will be successful in the end. Thinking that failing is permanent leads to people disengaging from the task as they believe it doesn’t make a difference what they do. Experiencing failure may be a part of the learning curve. This will help us gain from the experience and come back better because of it.

2. Regain a sense of

control – Asking yourself ‘what can I do to improve the situation?’ helps people stop focusing on previous mistakes or dwelling on factors they can’t control.

T h i s l e a d s to a m ore solution-focused approach which promotes persistence.

3. D o n ’ t over generalize – After a setback, it is tempting and easy to over-generalize and think that everyone and everything is against you.

This is an unhelpful thought process. The ability to compartmentalize is key here. A setback in one aspect of your life does not make you a failure in others.

4. A c k n o w l e d g e your own contribution – A pessimistic mindset tends to attribute success down to luck or other people performing worse than them. You can help build your optimism and confidence by reflecting on what you did well and how you actively contributed to the success of the task.

5. Watch your words – How you talk to yourself has a big impact on how you think, feel and behave. Your self-talk is linked to your creativity, persistence, and ability to perform under pressure. Phrases to watch out for include “I will never”

and “This happens every time”. Instead, try phrases like “I might be able to” and “I could try this”.

6. Shift your focus - Researchers have found that by saying 'Stop' straight after a negative thought has helped people to manage f r u st r at i on , ove rc om e nerves, sleep better and stop dwelling on worst case scenarios. You may not be able to control the first thing that pops into your head, but you can control the second. Saying 'stop' is a good strategy that allows you to proceed with more helpful thoughts.

7. Take a balanced approach – even if you succeed or fail, there are always things that you did well and things you can do to improve. This means not getting too low after a defeat or too high after a win. Having a consistent debriefing process should help.

According to Gandhi, “Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning.” Yes, it all starts with having the proper mindset!

7

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FRIDAY|MAY 8, 2020

Efforts... from page 3

s ai d t he PRC has t wo COVID-19 operating laboratories, located in its national headquarters and its multi-purpose center in Mandaluyong City, and expects to have three more laboratories up and running within two to three weeks.

It said the capabilities of the PRC will make it possible to test 2% of Metro Manila’s population of 12 million.

Income... from page 3

te ch nol o g y du r i ng t he covered period.

Fixed line voice revenues declined 2% to P697 million in the first quarter from the previous year’s P710 million.

Glob e s aid its nonoperating charges as of endMarch, stood at P2.2 billion, or 3% higher than the P2.1 billion posted in the same period last year, “mainly on higher share in affiliate’s losses mainly from Mynt coupled with higher swap costs partly offset by net forex/MTM gains following forex appreciation and lower interest expense.”

The company said its capital expenditure guidance for the next quarter would likely be lower by at least P2 billion from the first quarter’s spending given the delays it is experiencing with its network rollout due to the enhanced community quarantine.

Globe said it was able to spend P10.7 billion in the first quarter, which was “22% higher than last year and representing 29% of gross service revenues.”

“B u l k of t h e c ap e x spending went to datarelated requirements, comprising 68%, as the company continued to invest in wonderful experiences for Filipino families and businesses,” Globe added.

Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest I. Cu said: “Globe is very well positioned to pull through this unprecedented time, with a strong balance sheet and an effective and efficient Business Continuity Plan in place. Outlook for the balance of the year will be assessed further as the impact is highly dependent on the duration of the community quarantine.”

SSS...

from page 3

Once enrol le d, lo an proceeds and wage subsidies can now be disbursed to your PayMaya account once the funds are available.

Wage subsidies and loan applications are subject to approval of SSS and based on eligibility of employees after application has been submitted by their respective employers.

To successfully receive your wage subsidies and loan proceeds via PayMaya, make sure that your PayMaya accounts are upgraded. For a faster and smoother upgrade process, uploading a Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) is recommended. Likewise, ensure that the information in your upgrade application

form is the same as the one reflected in your ID. For more information on how to upgrade your PayMaya account, visit www.paymaya. com/upgrade.

Once upgraded, you may encash the funds through the more than 30,000 Smart Padala centers nationwide or withdraw the funds at any Bancnet ATMs currently available using their physical PayMaya card.

To learn more about how to set up and use a PayMaya account, visit www.paymaya. com/quick-guide.

Aside f rom of fer ing c o nv e n i e n c e , u t i l i z i n g PayMaya for various digital transactions is also a safer way to pay as part of physical distancing and health measures. Using the PayMaya app, Filipinos can continue doing transactions such as paying their bills, settling government dues, buying airtime load for themselves or their friends, or sending money to loved ones in the provinces all at the safety of their own homes.

PayMaya is the leading digital financial services company in the country that offers end-to-end payment solutions with the widest on-ground branch network.

It is the first to give millions of Filipinos an e-wallet that allows them to pay cashless transactions at any time of the day, anywhere in the world, and from any device.

Tuesday, 1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan, 3SFBn civil-military operations officer, said Sitio Simuwao in Lianga and Sitio Lucnodon in Marihatag are some of IP communities that have openly rejected the NPA and its alleged front--the MAPASU. "As the IPs of Simuwao and Lucnobon stood their ground against the NPA, the government will not leave them especially during the time of the crisis brought about by the Covid-19," Punsalan added.

Brig. Gen. Allan Hambala, commander of the Army's 401st Infantry Brigade, vowed to continue holding relief efforts for the IP communities in Surigao del Sur. "We have to remember that we do not only address the Covid-19 virus but also the Communist NPA Terrorist virus that corrupted our society for years. We have to put an end to both viruses,” Hambala said. (PNA)

Map... from page 4

family and friends will get together for “Iftar” to break their fast.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and highlighted by charitable works and abstinence from worldly enjoyment. (PNA)

us what we’re looking for.

Jesus said: “I am the way to true life. Follow me and I will lead you where you need and want to go. I know this land and territory called life. I know how to protect you from going where you do not want to go. Just trust me. I guarantee that if you follow my way, you’ll find the lasting, good life and security you have been looking for.” So won’t you ask Jesus to start leading you today? Isn’t it finally time to stop going down those dead-end roads—and start following the right map of life? You will even have Jesus Christ as your own personal guide every day. Just think a minute .

from page 2

from page 4

Ramadan... from page 2

Absence...

Duhac, shared Bucales's view, saying Cullamat failed to allocate anything for the establishment of IP schools and farm-to-market roads in the area.

Duhac said the Bayan Muna solon has not been seen by the majority of the Manobos in Surigao del Sur for a long time, nor did they hear any help from the lawmaker amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It would be good to see if Eufemia Cullamat would work together with the members of ELCAC (Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict) to end to the ordeals of the IPs in the hands of the communist NPA terrorists,” Duhac said.

Bucales and Duhac expressed gratitude to the LGUs, national government agencies, and the Army for the "continued support" to the IP communities in the area.

The relief distribution to IP communities Tuesday was led by Mayor Novelita Sarmen of Lianga, Mayor Justine Marc Pelenio of Marihatag, Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan, 3SFBn commander, and Director Rey Cueva of TESDA-Surigao del Sur. In a separate statement

Crisis...

to place the releases as many publications are shutting down.

And then we have the releases or information coming from brands that have been supportive of media for a long time.

These are the ones that may now be benefiting from their longstanding relationship with media through advertising campaigns. I don’t think anyone would turn down the request to publish something now from a business partner that has for years paid for ads.

It simply pays, in times like these, to have supported the media with hard dollars and cents. It is important to have good content, but it does not pay the bills.

Editors, writers and publishers I have spoken to have the same question: How come brands can spend on the PR agencies, but ‘don’t have a budget’ to place ads in the mediums that they want to use to get their message out.

They want the medium to use their resources to help them make money while they are unwilling to return the favour.

While the PR agencies surely won’t work for free, even in times like this, the publisher will be left with bills to pay

while there is no income. It makes it clear to publishers where their loyalties have to be.

Once the dust settles, the publishing community will take stock of whom they could count on for support.

Publishers, editors and other media professionals will remember those who stood by them when they were most needed.

Credible...

from page 4 to them.

Indeed, to be able to read the mind and heart of the people, to know how to address them is a precious art and skill to have, and an even more precious gift to ask from God. Just the same, we can be truly credible when our life and preaching, our deeds and words are consistent.

This is when we would automatically generate a certain aura, or what some people call as charisma, that would act like a magnet attracting people to us.

That’s what credibility is all about—people seeing Christ in us!

while those in General Santos and Cagayan de Oro can ship 3,000 MT monthly,” Ms. Laviña said.

The DA has said that the national pork inventory is sufficient for the second and third quarters, despite supply issues caused by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Luzon.

Mr. Dar said that pork from Mindanao is safe for consumption and free from ASF. “Right now our pork sufficiency is 93%, as we forecast a deficit by the end of the year, at 31 days. In lieu of pork, we enjoin consumers to shift to other protein sources like chicken, as we have an abundant supply of up to 233 days or until August 2021,” Mr. Dar said.

Suffers... from page 1

from page 4 on its application during the Aquino administration and the present is quite puzzling and indeed could be a billionpeso question. If you get my drift.

Meanwhile, there had been clashes of legal opinions.

Senators, Congressmen, Justice Secretary, Solicitor General, NTC the network itself, and some crackpots who claimed that depriving ABS CBN the authority to operate will increase the cases of COVID infection in the country. If Lopez lawyers are worth their salt, they could have exploited the ambiguity of the law on franchise and seek relief from the Supreme Court and in the process ask for a Temporary Restraining Order or Injunction.

Instead of soliciting sympathy from the public A B S C B N c a n i nv o k e good faith since as early as 2014 it has applied for renewal. By the looks of it the laws and regulations on telecommunications, f ranchis ing , l e g isl at ive proceedings, are difficult to comprehend, even among lawyers. Isn’t it that difficult questions of law may be the basis of good faith? So stop the grandstanding and tearjerking contest. Seek legal remedies instead. I am sure the Supreme Court will grant the TRO. But whether I am right or wrong, for Pete’s sake HOR kindly tackle the ABS CBN franchise application bearing in mind the complaints of the independent cable operators against it.

“But I will really say that it’s going to be a huge drop. It’s worldwide. That’s what’s happening right now,” Tecson said during her live interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on Saturday.

She said her office has yet to quantify the estimated losses suffered so far by the tourism industry players due to COVID-19, which halted the operations of most business establishments worldwide.

Local tourism has been seeing promising arrivals over the past few years, attracting several international and domestic airlines to open new direct routes.

The city posted 2.57 million tourist arrivals last year, an increase of 7.55 percent from 2.39 million in 2018, according to the data released by the tourism office.

She said the city government is meeting with tourism leaders to draft a post-COVID-19 recovery plan.

“We are discussing the things that we should do in the future,” she said.

Mayor Sara Duterte, concurrent chair of Davao Region COVID-19 Task Force, banned land, sea, and air travels last March 19, resulting in the suspension of 21 domestic flights and four international flights.

The Cathay Dragon’s Davao-Hong Kong-Davao and XiamenAir’s DavaoQuanzhou-Davao flights were suspended last February while the four international flights such as Cebu Pacific’s DavaoSingapore-Davao, Garuda Indonesia’s Davao-ManadoD avao, Q at ar Air ways’ Davao-Qatar-Davao, and SilkAir’s Davao-SingaporeDavao were suspended in mid-March. The last inbound and outbound flight out was Silkair’s on March 18.

from page 1

from page 1

Options...

Aid...

Evelyn G. Laviña to organize hog raisers and logistics providers in Mindanao to bring the island’s surplus pork north.

“D av a o h o g r a i s e r s committed to ship surplus pork of 500 MT monthly,

Worried...

Memorandum Order 20130 dated May 1, lifted the no-sail policy for i nt e r- i s l a n d b o at s a n d vessels in Surigao del Norte travelling “to and from Siargao (including Bucas Grande Island) and

Dinagat Province.”

Siargao had been closed for passengers since sometime late March due to the COVID-19 threat until May 1.

The Siargao Island To u r i s m O p e r a t o r s Association (STOA) – in its appeal letter dated May 3 a d d re ss e d to Ag u s an del Norte Governor D a l e C or ve r a , ch ai r of t h e Int e r- A g e n c y Ta s k Force-Caraga – said the air p or t and seap or ts of the whole island should still be closed.

ST OA pre s i d e nt Ian Sermonia said he favors closure of the island from outsiders, citing health and security reasons.

So far, there has been no officially documented COVID-19 case in Siargao, but island residents are worried with the resumption of the passenger vessel trips.

The island can be accessed through an airport in Sayak in Del Carmen town but only a fe w swe ep er f lig hts for stranded passengers were allowed since March 18.

Si arg ao s e ap or t s are located in the towns of D ap a, D el C ar men and Santa Monica.

S ermonia said boat passengers should not be allowed yet until further safety nets, facilities, and testing kits are set up. “ Wi t h t h e o p e n i n g of ports, the threat that COVID-19 can enter the island becomes very real again,” he said.

Sermonia added that the people in Siargao have been practicing the spirit of bayanihan through i n it i at ive s l i ke h e lpi ng those in need, building community gardens and farms, and helping each other keep afloat during this tourism crisis.

“Many of the inhabitants sacrificed and abided by the Enhanced Community Q u a r a nt i n e g u i d e l i n e s by staying home to [help pre v e nt t h e ] s pre a d of the disease. Opening the ports without further preparation and planning could put all of these efforts to waste,” he stressed.

S ermonia noted that S i a r g a o d o e s n o t h av e the facilities to care for p at i e nt s w ho wou l d b e s i ck i n c as e t he y c atch the COVID-19 virus.

He a d d e d t h at n o t e s t kits have so far arrived in Siargao, thus making it difficult to monitor cases. Hospital facilities and protective personal equipment (PPE) are not c o mp l e t e , t o o, p u t t i n g health practitioners at risk.

“We are appealing for temporary reconsideration of the no-sail policy until we can further prepare for the eventuality should the dreaded virus come to the island. The reinstatement of the no-sail policy would buy some time to fortify the island’s defenses against t his uns e en t hre at t hat is devastating the whole world,” he said.

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Friday|May 8, 2020

Fraternitas Scintilla Legis donates hygiene kits to Oro trash collectors; Amaya View and Andreya's provide meals

By MARK FRANCISCO

A different kind of frontliner.

Count the garbage collectors as one of the frontliners of the COVID-19 crisis.

They may not be in hospitals tending to the sick but they have been diligently doing their job and exposed to public places since Day One of the pandemic so there will be no clogging of trash here in Cagayan de Oro. Here in our beloved city, the contracted garbage firm is IPM. Last Wednesday (May 5), Scintillas Legis Fraternitas donated a total of 100 hygiene kits to IPM garbage collectors

and for that, they were grateful.

“A big thank you to Scintilla Legis fraternity of Xavier University College of Law for sharing your blessings to us.

It is so heartwarming that you look up to us as one of the unsung heroes in this war against COVID,” IPM stated in its Facebook account.

The hygiene kits that IPM donated contain five kilos of rice, a bottle of vitamins, alcohol, rubberized gloves, soap and toothbrush.

“Sila bya ang exposed kaayo yet wala silay saktong na recognition from us. Grabi ni sila ka exposed sa

mga unwanted substances bisan basura from the hospital sila ghapon ni,” Scintilla Legis Fraternitas Xavier University chapter grand chancellor Jasper Alon said.

Amaya View and Andreya’s Restaurant also provided 100 meals to the recipients.

“Time and time again, our humanitarian capabilities our

tested. We in Fraternitas Scintilla Legis believes that this is the best time to give a little of what we have to a particular sector which is instrumental in these trying

times,” Alon said.

The Fraternitas Scintilla Legis, otherwise known as Scintilla Legis, or simply FSL, is a law schoolbased fraternity in the Philippines.

The name of the fraternity is derived from the Latin words scintilla which means spark, and legis which means law. It was founded in 1974 by seven students at the College of Law of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City. At present, the fraternity is composed of five chapters consisting of, Liceo de Cagayan, Silliman University, Bukidnon State University and Western Mindanao State University.