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Bleak tourism THE OUTLOOK for tourism next year remains bleak, with the Philippines struggling to contain a coronavirus pandemic and travelers awaiting the development of a vaccine, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF), a global financial industry association. “We see the Philippines’ t o u r i s m r eve nu e i n f l ow s declining by 2.1% of GDP this year, as the government of the Philippines is still struggling to control the pandemic. The country has one of the most infections and most stringent lockdowns in the region,” Yuanliu Hu, an economist at Washington, DC-based IIF, said in an e-mail last week. Tourism was among the hardest-hit sectors during the coronavirus pandemic due to travel bans and quarantines to slow the spread of the virus.

No price hike AS Christmas celebration approaches, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has assured consumers that there will be no price increase on Noche Buena products compared to their prices last year. On Tuesday, the DTI released the latest suggested retail price (SRP) list for these products which will be effective until a new SRP bulletin will be published next year. Noche Buena products included in DTI’s SRP list are ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, keso de bola, spaghetti pasta, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and creamer.

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OTH the regional offices of the S e c urity and E xchange C ommission (SEC) and the National Bureau Investigation (NBI) here have acknowledged that scammers have found more creative means to dupe their victims, prompting authorities to innovate and remain a step ahead of the criminals.

‘TIS THE SEASON. Workers attach decors to a giant Christmas tree on the capitol grounds in Malaybalay City, weeks ahead of the start of the holiday season. mindanews photo by h . marcos c . mordeno

SM opens 75th mall in Butuan City By MARK FRANCISCO, Reporter

SM Prime Holdings had just opened its 75th mall in Butuan City on Friday, Nov.13, marking another rmilestone in this bustling capital city in the Caraga

region. SM City Butuan is SM Prime's sixth in Mindanao with origami inspired facade, as well as great shopping, leisure, and entertainment

centers. Butuan is the commercial, industrial, and administrative center of the Caraga region, and a strategic trading hub in Northern Mindanao, with major roads connecting it to SEE FULL STORY/PAGE 12

Lawyer Chermene Nacua, NBI-Region 10 focal person, said Thursday investigation and law enforcement agencies are const ant ly trained, especially on cybercrimerelated cases, to respond to evolving threats involving high-tech criminals using the online space for fraudulent activities. "We have to innovate in government because the scammers are becoming innovative as well," Nacua said. With the help of other l aw e n forc e me nt u n it s

and agencies such as the police and military, Nacua said they are exchanging information to track and learn the modus operandi of suspected scammers. Jeshe Radaza, the local SEC Extension Office administrative officer, noted that even amid the coronavirus disease, investment scams remain active on social media, attracting vulnerable investors. Scammers are aware they are being watched, Radaza said, leading them to devise SCAMMERS/PAGE 11

Davao not reverting to ECQ due to economic implications By ANTONIO COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City — Even with the daily cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hitting re c ord h i g hs , t h e c it y

government maintained it was not keen on reverting to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to its

impact on the local economy. Dr. Ashley Lopez, focal person for COVID-19 of the Department of Health (DOH) in the city, said in a DAVAO/PAGE 11

SOUND OF MUSIC. A keyboardist plays his instrument while wearing a face mask and face shield inside a department store in Malaybalay City. mindanews photo by h . marcos c . mordeno

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DILG-10 urges support to LGUs' contact tracing mechanism

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY-With the various initiatives of the local government units (LGUs) to speed up contact tracing in the their areas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)10 urges the public to cooperate and show support to prevent and contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19. During the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, November 13, DILG Regional Director Arnel Agabe said among the contact tracing methods of LGUs is the use of the quick response (QR) code. "Ang atong mga LGUs naa'y mechanism, istratehiya para sa katong wala’y mga smart phone. Sa Cagayan de Oro, naa sila'y help desks kung asa muadto kung wala’y smart phone. Tabangan ka magregister ug i-print ang imong QR code," Agabe added. (Our LGUs have their own mechanism, strategy to handle those who do not have smart phones. In Cagayan de Oro, they have a help desk where these individuals could register and obtain a printout of their QR code) The printout is just the same with the QR

of medical personnel and other LGU personnel; Maintenance and repair of medical transport vehicle, food assistance for affected households, construction, repair or lease of spaces to handle COVID-19 patients, operation of COVID-19 testing, training of personnel in COVID-19 testing, and

During the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, November 13, DILG Regional Director Arnel Agabe says among the contact tracing methods of LGUs is the use of the quick response (QR) code. (DILG 10)

codes generated via smart phones. They can be detected by the QR scanners used by establishments and offices in the areas implementing the use of such contact tracing mechanism. "Magtinabangay ta sa pagkakaron given nga wala pa'y vaccine aron mas dali ang pag-conduct sa contact tracing. Mahibaw-an kung kinsa ang mga close contacts," Agabe said. (We have to help one another given that there is still no vaccine [for COVID-19] so we can speedily conduct the contact tracing. We can also identify the close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases) As for awarding of LGUs that implement effective measures to

contain the spread of COVID-19, Agabe said DILG still has no award system for such but it is being studied by the Central Office. They are also checking on how they can effectively conduct the evaluation and assessment of various awards program of the department. Realignment of LGU funds On the realignment of LGU funds due to COVID-19, Agabe said among the expenses allowed for such include the procurement of PPEs, equipment, reagents, and kits for COVID-19 testing, medicines, hospital equipment and supplies, disinfectants, food, transportation and accommodation expenses

other COVID-19-related PPAs. Also, DILG-10 prohibits the use of realigned LGU funds for cash assistance, personal services expenditures, administrative expenses, traveling expenses, registration or participation fees in training; Purchase of

administrative office’s furniture, purchase, maintenance of repair of vehicles, and other PPAs not related to COVID-19. As of November 13, there are a total of 5,728 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in northern Mindanao, wherein 4,363 have recovered, 153 expired, and 1,212 are recovering. (RTP/PIA10)

MinDA to craft master plan to address perennial flooding THE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is set to craft a master plan to address the perennial problem of flooding in Central Mindanao affecting the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat. Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Friday the agency will work with funding partners to craft the MinDA Water Master

Plan, seen to be completed in 2022. The master plan would include the status of deforestation and denudation of Mindanao mountain ranges, identification of watershed Areas and headwaters, mapping of creeks, rivers, gullies, and water conservation strategies. Piñol said MinDA would also assist in convening the Mindanao

River Basin Council (MRBC) on Nov. 27 to address the perennial problem of flooding in Central Mindanao affecting the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat. He said that MRBC, chaired by Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, will meet in the provincial capitol of North Cotabato FLOODING/PAGE 10

Smuggled cigarettes seized in Lanao Sur COTABATO City – Some 17 boxes of undocumented cigarettes worth P250,000 were seized by Marine and police troopers manning a checkpoint in Picong, Lanao del Sur, the military here said Wednesday. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division

and concurrent chief of the Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), said the smuggled items were intercepted by combined members of the 5th Marine Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 5, and the Picong police at a JTFC quarantine control checkpoint in Barangay Miculado. Uy said the troopers

were manning the checkpoint on Tuesday afternoon when a red Toyota Innova vehicle with plate number KGN399 passed by for an inspection. When checked, the vehicle showed smuggled cigarettes concealed in boxes underneath other goods. Withheld for questioning were vehicle driver Mantar Jamalodin Ali, 22, and his helper Manalocon Abdul Halim Ondi, 36, both of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. “The two disclosed that the illegal imports came from Dipolog City to be transported towards Marawi City,” Uy said. He said the two, the contraband, and the vehicle were under the custody of the Picong police for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges. (PNA)

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PAL losses widen as pandemic weighs down air travel PAL Holdings, Inc., operator of flag-carrier Philippine Airlines, saw its net loss for the third quarter widen to P7.92 billion, as the global health crisis continues to ravage the air-travel sector. The company incurred a net loss of P5.16 billion in the same period last year. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, PAL Holdings reported a 76.9% drop in its total revenues for the third quarter to P8.47 billion. The flag carrier operator saw its passenger revenues for the quarter go down by 80% to P6.30 billion. The company’s cargo revenues declined 23.5% to P1.84 billion, ancillary revenues dropped 87.5% to P338.25 million, and revenues from its other business segments decreased 52.1% to P2.05 million. These brought the company’s nine-month total revenues to P45.29 billion, down 61.6% from last year’s P117.85 billion. In the nine months through September, PAL Holdings’ net loss to parent equity holders hit P28.85 billion, or more than three times the P8.49 billion recorded a year ago. Passenger revenues

CorporateWorld

for the three quarters dropped 65.4% to P35.56 billion. Cargo revenues declined 12.2% to P6.05 billion. Ancillary revenues decreased 55.5% to P3.68 billion, while its other business segments generated P6.93 million, 76.9% lower than last year’s figure. “The group’s performance was severely affected by the economic condition of the country due to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic,” PAL Holdings said. The company said its total assets as of Sept. 30 this year went down 10.5% to P284.37 billion from P317.83 billion as of Dec. 31, 2019. “The decrease was primarily brought about by the reduction in cash and cash equivalents and property and equipment offset by the effect of remeasurement to fair value of outstanding fuel deals and increase in receivables,” PAL Holdings said. Its consolidated total liabilities decreased 1.4% or P4.43 billion from P312.93 billion as of Dec. 31, 2019 to P308.50 billion as of Sept. 30 this year. “This was due to LOSSES/PAGE 10

PEZA registers P73-B projects in Jan-Oct '20

HILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito Plaza said Friday that the registered projects with the investment promotion agency in the first 10 months of the year have reached P72.6 billion. In her speech during the fourth-quarter general membership meeting (GMM) of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI),

Plaza said PEZA’s investment approval in January to October 2020 was 27 percent lower than the P99.3 billion approved projects in the same period in 2019. These came from 248 projects registered for the period, down by 45 percent from 454 projects last year. On the other hand, export revenues in the economic zones slightly increased by 0.63 percent to $40.8 billion from January to September 2020

from $40.5 billion in the previous year. “Despite the pandemic, PEZA continuously received expansions and new investments,” Plaza said. “Same with the semiconductor and electronics, which still continue to contribute the biggest export income on commodities and goods.” Investments from the semiconductor and electronics industry in PEZA reached P8.8 billion from January to October 2020, declining by 24.7

percent from its P11.8billion investments in the same period in 2019. Exports of PEZAregistered semiconductor and electronics firms also slowed down by 8.2 percent at end-September 2020 to $16.7 billion from $18.2 billion in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, data from SEIPI show that total electronics industry exports in September 2020 alone reached $3.9 billion, an improvement of 14 PEZA/PAGE 10

Japan firm to build P15-B cement plant – DTI JAPANESE company Taiheiyo Cement Group will build a new P15-billion production line in Cebu to expand its local output capacity. Its local subsidiary Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. will build the new production line and expand shipping bases to Luzon, Iloilo, and Davao, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in a press release on Wednesday.

Taiheiyo will also install a two-kilometer marine belt conveyor and expand its Cebu port. The company’s infrastructure expansion project was part of a letter of intent signed with the Trade department during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s 2017 Tokyo visit. The expansion will increase the company’s cement production capacity by 50% in the short term, and 150% in the medium

term, the DTI said. The company plans to increase its Philippine market share to 10% from seven percent. According to DTI, Taiheiyo’s executives based in Japan have reported that the expansion is underway. “The project promises to adhere to green economy requirements via the introduction of energyefficient operations, which will bring about a reduction by 10% of carbon dioxide emissions from energy

use in clinker production from the old line’s energy efficiency rates,” DTI said. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said that the Board of Investments is reviewing the project’s new technologies, in case they are eligible for incentives. The Philippines is the third-largest cement importer in the world, after the US and China, as it imported $543.9 million of the product in 2019.

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Courageous compassion Think a minute… In 2007 an amazing woman was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but sadly then died at the age of 98. Her name was Irena Sendler from Warsaw, Poland. During World War II Irena worked as a plumbing and sewer specialist in the Jewish ghetto of Warsaw. But her real purpose and mission was to try to save as many Jews as possible from the Nazis who were starting to mass murder thousands, and ultimately six million, Jews in the Holocaust. Irena smuggled babies out of the ghetto in the bottom of her toolbox; and for the larger kids she had a burlap sack in the back of her truck. By the end of the war Irena had smuggled out and saved approximately 2,500 babies and children! She also helped rescue 500 adults. When Irena was eventually caught by the Nazis, they broke both her legs and arms. But she wisely kept a record of the names of all the children she had saved in a glass jar which she buried in her back yard.

THINK A MINUTE

protocol, I was subjected lately to the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test or simply called ‘swab’ in plain language. First, I know how qu ard e d I w as w he n it comes to staying healthy. The isolation ordeal, thoug h shor t-lived had helped me curbed the stigma of fear, of anxiety, and the reassurance that life is precious, yet so fragile throughout this invisible pandemic. Verily, the wait was a bit ‘hellish’ in a sense that the coronavirus has impacted the world at large.

It has led to a dramatic loss of human lives worldwide — now in millions and still counting — and presents an unprecedented challenge to the global economy, public health, lifestyles and the world of work. Indeed, that isolation experience has created many things bizarre that came to mind — about depressing stories of those who had undergone quarantines. Discrimination. Quizzical look. And worse hate. Their quarantine blues were too heavy to carry on. To those who openly disregard health protocols,

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA these are the possible bad treats once quarantined. Stay safe, wear masks and f a c e sh i el d s . Ke e p the distance. Stay home. (ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo. com)

Rest in peace, Mila del Sol SPEAKING OUT

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EVEN when the swab result turned out negative (thanks, heaven!) COVID-19 testing can mean long hours of anxious waiting. The almost 30 hours of is olation was ner vewracking, and the waiting for the swab test result, was draining, and worse, de vastating, wondering about the ‘what-ifs’ of life’s beyond. What if the RT-PCR will turn out positive? Wi l l I s u r v i v e t h e required 14-day quarantine inside a designated isolation unit? As compliance to an en hance d of f ice he a lt h

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The wait is 'hell'

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IGNACIO BUNYE Mila del Sol, the grand lady in the golden age of the Philippine cinema, has died at the age of 97. This was announced by her grandson, former Parañaque Vice Mayor and later Representative Gus Tambunting. Mila del Sol (Clarita Villarba Rivera in real life) starred in over 40 films (including Ibong Adarna and Villa Hermosa), between 1939 and 1955, and co-starred with other movie greats like Fernando Poe, Sr., Leopoldo Salcedo, Rogelio de la Rosa and Jaime de la Rosa. She was the recipient of the Cinema’s Living Treasure Citation (1994), Natatanging Gawad Urian (2013) and a Congressional Citation “for her contributions to

the movie industr y that enriched Philippine culture and Philippine society in general (2014). When she retired from the movies, she founded Superior Maintenance Services (SMS), a hugely successful provider of janitorial and related services, whose business is now being run by her grandchildren. SMS directly employs over 100,000. Gus Tambunting described his “Lulay” as “a "loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother who lived a long, charmed life.” Mila del Sol is survived by her children Sonny Tambunting, actress Jeanne Young, Ancel Romero and Leo Romero. Auntie Mil was the younger sister of my mother, another pre-war actress whose screen name was Gloria Imperial. A younger brother was Duds Rivera who in the 70s was a top radio and TV news anchor. Auntie Mil’s daughter is Jeanne Young, popular tv host, movie actress and singer in the 80s. Her nephew Robert Rivera (former Press Undersecretar y and T V network executive) was once

been dubbed as the John Travolta of the Philippines. Her grandson is musician Ira Cruz. Her grand nephew is OneMig Bondoc, popular movie actor and teenage heartthrob in early 2000. Another colorful personality who passed away recently was Madam Auring. Aurea Sabalboro in real life, Madam Auring is said to have correctly predicted that Spain’s Amparo Muñoz would become Miss Universe during the contest held in Manila in 1974. Thus began her fame as a fortune teller. Soon movie and political celebrities started coming to her “office” to have their fortunes told. In time, she also started playing bit roles in movies and was a frequent guest in entertainment talk shows. In the course of my stint as Chair of the Metropolitan Manila Authority (forerunner of the MMDA) in 1991-1992, Madam Auring sent me an invitation to her forthcoming birthday party. When she called me by phone to confirm if I was coming, I replied: “Hulaan mo!” I heard hearty laughter at the other end of

the line. Virtual meeting, actual lunch On t wo cons e c ut ive days last week (just before Ulysses hit), I attended two important business meetings. Last Monday, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) board had its annual planning session. Unlike last year’s whole day meeting which was held at Fairmont Hotel, this year’s had to be done via virtual mode. But just like in inperson meetings, Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (JAZA) punctually started the session and expertly guided the discussions to remain within time limits. The discussions went smoothly (marred only by the spotty internet connection) as the bank’s senior management officials led by President Bong Consing gave their assessment of where the bank stands, given the pandemic, and the strategic initiatives moving forward. At 12 noon, JAZA called a lunch recess. Almost simultaneously, I heard, via intercom, the voice of our condo lobby REST/PAGE 11

Who should Biden believe? JHAN TIAFAU HURST After the war was over she tried to locate any parents who may have survived to reunite them with their children whom she had rescued. Of course, most of the parents had been murdered in the Nazi death camps; so Irena placed these orphan children into foster families who adopted them. Irena Sendler conquered evil with compassion and courage. Throughout her life she told people: “Keep bringing light to the world… and never stop repairing broken hearts and lives.” There are p eople all around us—in our workplace, school, neighborhood, village, or even in our own COMPASSION/PAGE 11

T H I S e a r l y, A m e r i c a n P re s i d e nt - e l e c t Jo s e p h Biden has articulated the Republican interventionist foreign policy that looks at other nations he describes as allies but treats them as the US vassal states. In his p ost-ele c t ion speech, Biden warned that America will only extend help to countries that promote demo crac y and human rights. In what sounded like a veiled threat he specifically mentioned Turkey, Hungary, and the Philippines as countries moving towards authoritarianism. Biden’s victory address foretells the US foreign policy under his term. This resurrects Barrack Obama’s mindset. Remember that tactless remark he made during the ASEAN forum where he publicly called t h e att e nt i on of P re s . Rodrigo Duterte on alleged

extrajudicial killings and human rights violations in the Philippines. Duterte who just assumed as President and was waging war against drug syndicates in the Philippines did not expect that brazen and insensitive rebuke from Obama. But Duterte was unnerved, he dished out a crisp repartee which defined in part his foreign policy that restored not only the dignity of the Philippines as a sovereign nation. This to the chagrin of western politicians who regarded the country as subservient to them. “I am a president of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony. I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody,” Duterte declared. “You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions. P_ _ _ _ g i_a, I will swear at you in

that forum.” “P_ _ _ _ g i _ a” is the Tagalog expletive for son of a bitch. If that did not bode well with the US that was music in the ears of Russia and China. Back home, proUS politicians and selfproclaimed foreign affairs gurus chided Duterte. A bacchanalian ex-president had the gall to say that “Duterte lacks finesse”. The majority however were deliriously happy they finally have a President who can stand eyeball-to-eyeball with mighty and condescending leaders. The next events saw Pres. Rodrigo Duterte walking on the red carpet side-by-side with China’s Pres. Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Duterte enjoys an u n p r e c e d e n t e d Tr u s t a n d Approv a l r at i n g from the Filipino people

LETTERS FROM DAVAO

JUN LEDESMA despite the orchestrated denigration conjured by the coterie of moribund political opposition, leftist organizations, and a phalanx of propagandists here and abroad. Their banal issues revolve around extra-judicial k i l l i ng s , hu man r i g ht s violations, and yes...the Republican line ...” veering towards authoritarianism”. But they did not stop there. In another display of sheer BELIEVE/PAGE 11

Banking&Finance 5 IMF cites need to amend PH bank secrecy law Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended the amendment of the Philippines bank secrecy law to further provide the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) “additional teeth” in regulating financial institutions. In its report on the financial sector assessment program, the lender said the central bank’s regulatory framework “is broadly effective for the size

and complexity of the Philippine banking system, but legislative gaps continue to hinder effective supervision of banks.” It, however, said bank secretary laws in the country “restrict the BSP’s ability to undertake effective supervision.” The IMF said bank deposits “are considered to be of an absolutely confidential nature” even the central bank is barred from looking into these “except in defined circumstances.”

“BSP should be granted unimpaired access to information on all customer accounts, and the ability, without constraints, to employ and share depositor information for any prudential purpose (e.g., funding concentrations from related parties, intra-group dependencies, cash flow analysis, related-party transactions (RPT) and off-site anti-money laundering (AML) data and analysis) in order to fulfill its

supervisory mandate to address safety and soundness concerns,” it said. The report said although the central bank’s regulatory oversight on financial institution’s anti-money laundering (AML) and combating financing terrorism (CFT) remains strong, “certain components of the regulatory framework need to be strengthened.” It said the BSP has ensured

to effectively use its contingent AML experts but it still needs to make sure that there are always adequate resources for this purpose. “Further, although BSP makes use of its enforcement tools (issuing directives, letters of commitment, etc.), it needs to ensure it is effectively utilizing its monetary penalty regime for AML/CFT non-compliance issues on a consistent basis,” it added. (PNA)

GSIS educational loan program Bank exec sees rise in NPLs extends 5-year payment leeway after Bayanihan 2 expires

GOVERNMENT employees who will avail of the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) study-now, pay-later loan program are given a five-year leeway in their payments. In an interview during the public briefing program aired over stateowned PTV4, GSIS executive vice president for corporate business sector lawyer Nora Malubay said the 10-year loan program is intended to help GSIS members send up to two of their beneficiaries to college. She said the state pension fund will cover up to PHP100,000 worth of tuition and miscellaneous expenses of the students per academic year, and collection of payments will only start on the sixth year of the loan. The loan has an annual interest of 8 percent and payable in five years. “What is good about this loan

program is it has redemption insurance. If anything happens either to the member-borrower or the student-beneficiary, such as disability or death, the loan would be assumed paid,” Malubay said in Filipino. GSIS members who are qualified for this loan are those who have been in service for 15 years, no leave of absence without pay, no pending administrative or criminal case, have updated service record, have a net take-home pay of at least PHP5,000, and their offices have an active line with the GSIS and are not suspended. Interested members may apply for the loan online through e-GSISMO or the agency’s website, or submit the application forms to the drop boxes placed in the various GSIS offices nationwide. (PNA)

AN executive of Philippine National Bank (PNB) expects the bank’s non-performing loans (NPLs) to increase after the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act expires on Dec. 19. In a virtual briefing Friday, PNB president and chief executive officer (CEO) Wick Veloso said they registered a big jump in NPLs after it merged with PNB Savings Bank last March, which resulted in "some technical past due" loans. He, however, said this is being addressed now. “So the real picture will come out after

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Bayanihan 2, which I estimate would be around (the) end of December. One thing is certain, after the law expires, NPLs will increase but I cannot provide you with a number as we continue to monitor how the situation will be,” he said. Under Bayanihan 2, borrowers are given a 60-day leeway on the payment of their loans. Borrowers that PNB officials are monitoring are those into restaurants, hotels, construction and transportation that are greatly affected by the

DANICA SUDARIA

pandemic. “Because if their businesses eventually will be able to survive, as long as the economy continues to grow, then we can continue to give support to these kinds of businesses,” Veloso added. As of end-September this year, the bank registered a gross NPL ratio of 6 percent. For PNB alone, the figure is 3.9 percent while it is 32.7 percent for PNB Savings. NPL coverage ratio of PNB stands at 79 percent, while it is 31 percent for PNB Savings. (PNA)

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Monday|November 16, 2020

Suzuki Invites You to the Second Leg of the Auto Festival Virtual Roadshow WITH fervor in providing their fans and enthusiasts with an enticing Suzuki experience, Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) proved that events that used to be mounted in public could be done virtually. With the success of the Suzuki Auto Festival Roadshow held last September 1920 this year, there is no stopping the country’s pioneer compact car distributor to once again ramp up their efforts in the second leg of their virtual Roadshow. Those who are into getting to know their favorite Suzuki vehicles more or eyeing their very own Suzuki cars would find everything they need in the Auto

Festival! Attendees are also sure to expect yet another funfilled experience with games and activities that the whole family would love, especially with some of the programs’ social media components via Facebook. Plus, there will be exclusive promo and prizes just for this 2-day activity! 2020 has been globally challenging, and for Suzuki Philippines, they took on the challenge of being able to adapt quickly with the changes in social gatherings, especially now that participants are encouraged to stay home. “The success of the previous Suzuki Auto Festival Roadshow is a humbling experience for all of us in Suzuki

Philippines and is a proud moment for us as well that we are able to stay true to our commitment in championing the Suzuki Way of Life! We are looking forward to seeing our customers, fans, and new members of the community, and most importantly, to connect with them through this opportunity that we are happy to have taken with delight and passion,” says Suzuki Philippines Vice President and Automobile Division General Manager Keiichi Suzuki. Like an on-ground Suzuki Auto Festival, the event will feature one of their dealerships who will be part of the 2-day event. This is to make sure that elements

like an actual dealership remains to be an important part of the annual program. Exciting shows will feature the All-New Suzuki XL7 and the All-New S-Presso along with the rest of Suzuki automobiles that have become favorites and recommended by customers to their peers. The second leg of the Suzuki Virtual Auto Festival is a two-day event, happening on November 21 to 22, 2020. Catch any of the four shows happening on both dates on Suzuki’s Facebook page (https://www. facebook.com/ SuzukiAutoPh) from 11:00 AM- 6:00 PM. Mark your calendars and don’t miss this enjoyable opportunity

brought to you by Suzuki Philippines! “It is with events like this that we realize how connection between ourselves in Suzuki Philippines and our customers should be strengthened. Resilience is what the Filipino community shows every day as we altogether brave the challenges we are faced. For us, through the Suzuki Auto Festival, we are able to encourage a community that sees hope even during these trying times. We are grateful for your continued support and we will remain relentless in seeking ways to find innovations not only in our products but also with our service.” ends Mr. Keiichi Suzuki.

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MONDAY|NOVEMBER 16, 2020

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An affair for Architects Monday|November 16, 2020

HERE are about 42,000 estimated Architects in the Philippines between environmental planners, urban planners, interior designers, landscape architects, conservation architects, industrial architects, green design architects, residential architects, or commercial architects. Most of them determine the design, the materials, and the building techniques used in their various projects, and all together play a big part in building the country in all aspects. How can international cooperation foster innovation in design and architecture in the Philippines? That was one of several interesting questions asked during an exciting digital event held on Friday, November 6. Part of the EU-Business-Avenues business mission in the Philippines and

in partnership with the Infrastructure and Construction Focus Group (ICFG) the event featured innovative solutions from European companies in an exchange with the Architects in the Philippines proudly represented by the United Architects of the Philippines and the Philippine Institute of Architects. As a cherry on the cake in the speaker's range, the most successful foreign architect in the Philippines, Italian architect, and entrepreneur Romolo Nati told his personal story on how he pushed for sustainable green design and succeeded in building a successful development company in the Philippines. One of the speakers, the former president of the Philippine Institute of Architects, Arch. Arnel Colcol, tackled the question of how to best collaborate with European entities for innovative products and how

these companies can penetrate the Philippine market. A well-discussed point by all the speakers during the event was the importance of CSR programs and how these could eventually become a tool for European companies to gain visibility in the market. The same point was raised by Architect Ramon Abiera, the former Executive Director of CIAP, the Construction Industry Authority of

the Philippines and now a Director of the Infrastructure and Construction Focus Group (ICFG) and UAP Committee Chair for Sustainability, Resilience, Innovation, and Intellectual Property. He recommended 3 strategies for better collaboration with the Philippine setting: participate in local exhibitions, participate in events like conferences and forums as well as educational

training that are being held by the various industry associations and groups. He underlined the importance of having a reliable partner and a go-to organization like ICFG to tackle local networking, market-entry, corporate promotions, and strategic market development. Having someone at your side that knows the right people, that can pull the strings and rub elbows with the industry stakeholders is simply essential. Collaborative efforts and relationship development are also a very important point for the President of UAP, Architect Renato Heray. He underlined the history and global scope of his organization that reaches several continents with their various foreign settings. UAP is a true example where CSR programs help the country to overcome the consequences of the many natural disasters and help rebuild homes, buildings, and damaged areas. As a raw model for any investor in the country Arch Romolo Nati, the Chairman & CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) gave his testimony on how he navigated through the various challenges in the Philippines until he

succeeded by listing his development company with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). His intuition to invest and focus on secondary cities in the provinces was history repeating itself and something he remembered very well from the way Italy developed as a country in the 70's and 80's. In fact, in the aftermath of Covid and with the push for the Balik Probinsya his vision came to fruition together with the idea to develop with nature and sustainability in mind. IDC is successfully building in Cagayan de Oro, Sto Tomas Batangas, and soon in other provinces in the Philippines. Various European companies presented their products to the architects during the event in a form of a one-minute corporate introduction. That part could have taken slightly longer also to please the curiosity of the participants about the various solutions that were showcased like special aluminum cladding, wooden flooring, intelligent louver solutions as well as cloudbased construction management applications. Good to know that such events with ICFG will soon become a monthly habit to be able to focus on various technical aspects of designing and building.

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MONDAY|NOVEMBER 16, 2020

RESORTS, HOTEL & RESTAURANTS DIRECTORIES

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

ALGEN’S DIVE RESORT (088) 3872015 APPLE TREE RESORT & HOTEL 735411 / 754525 Fax: 754497 0917-7144040 / 0923-3269366 / 0939-9076948 BAHAY BAKASYUNAN SA CAMIGUIN (088) 3871057 / 3870131 Fax: 3870278

Globe extends more offers, Libreng Tawag, Libreng Wifi and relief goods for Typhoon Ulysses victims Globe is supporting its customers especially those affected by Typhoon Ulysses with several assistance packages from free services to relief goods, all designed to help them cope with the aftermath of the typhoon. Globe Telecom is providing free calls, texts, and data service, as well

as billing suspension and reversals to its customers. The telco company is likewise sending meal packs to communities and deploying its Dyip Sagip Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging and Libreng WiFI in areas hit by the typhoon. Globe Business and Globe myBusiness

Postpaid mobile customers will be given credit extensions until Nov. 18 so they may continue enjoying mobile services regardless of the status of their accounts. The telco company is also extending free 5GB for 3 days for Globe At Home Postpaid and Prepaid WiFi customers, including

those with accounts under Globe Business and Globe myBusiness. Fixed Broadband Postpaid customers will likewise receive bill charge reversals for days with no service connection. Previously the company announced providing free unlimited texts to all OFFERS/PAGE 10

GSIS opens emergency loan for members hit by Ulysses, Rolly State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is offering emergency loan to its members and pensioners affected by Ulysses, Rolly and other typhoons that hit the country since October this year. “Marami sa ating mga miyembro at pensiyonado ang naapektuhan ng mga nagdaang bagyo at gusto naming bigyang ginhawa ang kanilang sitwasyon kaya naman inaalok namin sila ng emergency loan," GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said. "Members and pensioners may borrow Php20,000 under the GSIS Emergency Loan Program. The loan is payable in 36 equal monthly instalments at only 6% interest rate,” said Macasaet. Qualified to apply are members who are in active service and not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending administrative or criminal case; and have a net take-home pay of not lower than Php5,000 after all required monthly obligations have been deducted. Those that have due and demandable loan accounts (have arrears of over six months) are now allowed to renew their previous emergency loan from a different calamity (excluded under the COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program). Members with only

three months of paid premiums prior to application date instead of the previous six months may already apply. "Para sa GSIS members na nakapag-loan na sa COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program at hindi na kwalipikado sa emergency loan, pwede kayong manghiram sa Multi-

Purpose Loan Program kung kailangan ninyo pa ng pondo. The GSIS Multipurpose loan is a low-interest loan with a one-time waiver of surcharges of your other loan accounts," Macasaet said. Old-age and disability pensioners are qualified to apply for emergency

loan if their resulting net monthly take-home pension after loan availment is at least 25% of their basic monthly pension. To ensure public health and safety, members and pensioners must file their applications through contactless methods: LOAN/PAGE 10

The Department of Education has facing numbers of challenges By: EVA C. GUILARAN District In-Charge Claveria District II – Division of Misamis Oriental

The Department of E du c at i on h a s f a c i ng numbers of challenges on how to continue the basic education in this time of pandemic. One of these is the sustainability of parent’s cooperation and commitment to facilitate teaching-learning in their own spaces. The geographical location of the schools in the District of Claveria II contributed much to the challenge. Considering that of 27 schools in the district, only 8 are located in the mainland, 14 in the tabok side crossing Cabulig rivers and 5 schools in the far flung areas. These 5 schools can be reached passing Gingoog City and only 1 is passable by four-wheel vehicles while the other 4 schools by motorcycle. This makes Claveria II District a unique one among twenty-four

districts in the Division of Misamis Oriental. The said geographical location is the greatest factor the affect the Learning Delivery Modality which is the use of Print Modules. Parents tend to resist to receive another sets of modules because of the distance. The District In-charge named EVA CAMIGUIN GUILARAN never stop to find interventions to keep the parents cooperation sustained. Intervention like volunteered stakeholders to do the delivering of modules to those learners living with elderly, to those guardians who are not cooperative and others. Another is the installation of monitoring board outside the classroom so that in this way, parents in their ends know the flow or status of their effort in

receiving and returning of modules. They can track which modules received but not returned. In this way, it could give satisfaction for the effort they exerted. Thereby, awards system is employed to those parents with complete record based on the monitoring board. The awards are given every end of the quarter in terms of certificate of recognition and/or simple tokens. The inter ventions are done with the hope that education will never stop and that we keep the learners still in our record and prevent them from dropping out. At this time of crisis, we never expect much from them because everybody is suffering due to the covid-19 brought about and still wanting for the right adjustment that is appropriate for the new normal.

BASAMANGGAS RESORT 08822-760564 Fax: 760565 CAGAYAN RIVERVIEW INN 8584245 / 729039 Fax: 8584245 CASA CRYSTALLA 8561704 / 722465 Fax: 722480 CASA ISABELLA (088) 8564065 CASA AZUCENA 8563402 / 09236593973 CHALI BEACH RESORT 732840 / 8552108 Fax: 8555941 CHANANTHON BED & BREAKFAST 8568189 / 3093095 COUNTRY VILLAGE HOTEL 8583004-06 Fax: 8583006 D’BUDGETEL 8564200/726643 Fax: 8564300 DAHILAYAN FOREST PARK 8568562 to 63 DE LUXE HOTEL 8572144 / 724548 Fax: 724563 DISCOVERY HOTEL 727814 / 8563896 Fax: 8563897 DUKA BAY RESORT (088) 3312290 Fax: 725265 DYNASTY COURT HOTEL 8574802 Fax: 857900 GRAND CITY HOTEL 8571900 / 728469 Fax: 723718

PRYCE PLAZA HOTEL 8583131 Fax: 726687 PRAWN HOUSE (088) 3095992 Fax: 8519219 RIDGE VIEW CHALET 8588946 / 8587946 Fax: 8588946 SEDA CENTRIO HOTEL 3238888 / 0917-577-5910 SOUTHWINDS HOTEL 724803 / 8562036 Fax: 8562036 STARGATE DREAM VACATION RESORT 8515003 / 8509999 THE VIP HOTEL 726080 / 8562505 Fax: 726441 RED PLANET 8800888/8801306 TRAVELERS POD 8518988 UPTOWN CONDOTEL 8511800 VILLA PARAISO APARTELLE 3870419 Fax: 3870429 HONORARY MEMBERS: DEPT. OF TOURISM 723696/726394 / 8564048 Fax: 723696 RESTAURANTS: BIGBY’S CAFÉ 72-1071/857-5511/8575836 Fax: 711843 CAFÉ LAGUNA 8582999 Fax: 8567001 DM VILLARUY RESTAURANT 733790 GOLDEN AJIRANG I 856-5271 Fax: 727876 GRAND CAPRICE RESTAURANT 72-6955/856-2302 Fax: 72-4986

HOTEL CONCHITA 8563856 / 727355 Fax: 8563857

KAGAY-ANON RESTAURANT 728958 / 8563688 Fax: 8563843 / 729003

HOTEL KORESCO 8589749-50 Fax: 8589748

LA ILONGGA RESTAURANT 72-6183 / 857-3652 Fax: 72-4605

HOTEL SOGO 8520383 KINGSTON LODGE 8585696 Fax: 8585696

MISSY BON BON 8566852 / 09228606442 Fax: 8566852

MAPAWA NATURES PARK 8584402 Fax: 725265 MALLBERRY SUITES 8541999 / 7249999 Fax: 8544999 MAXANDREA HOTEL 8572244/729943 Fax: 724090 MIAMI INN 8581901 to 02 Fax: 725279/728486 N HOTEL (088) 8801924 PARAS BEACH RESORT 8568563 Fax: 8568563 PHILTOWN HOTEL 726295 / 8564402 Fax: 723104

SLERS HAM & CAFÉ 8551438 THAI ME UP 738424/3108424 Fax: 738424 BARKADAHAN GRILL 8551234 LA TEGOLA CUCINA ITALIANA 8585959 LIMKETKAI LUXE HOTEL 8800000 DEAR MANOK 8564914 / 8573413 LIMKETKAI LUXE HOTEL Landline: (088) 880-0000, Mobile: 0917-312-4563 Email: info@limketkailuxe.com

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MONDAY|NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Flooding... from page 2

in what could be its first meeting since 2017. “The meeting is expected to address issues of re-aligned funds and the absence of a driving force in pursuing a comprehensive plan to address the flooding which occurs almost every year destroying crops in low-lying areas surrounding the vast Liguasan Marsh,” he said. He said North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco, who will sponsor the MRBC meeting on Nov. 27, sought updates on the regularlyflooded river basin activities. “The MRBC meeting will be the first in a series of activities arranged by the MinDA as it prepares to craft a comprehensive Master Plan for the Mindanao Water Management, Conservation and Environmental Protection Program,” the MinDA chief said. (PNA)

Losses... from page 3

the decrease in total noncurrent liabilities by 10.2% or P21.49 billion partly offset by the increase in total current liabilities by 16.6% or P17.05 billion,” the company noted. PA L Holdings’ consolidated total equity went down by P29.03 billion from P4.90 billion as of Dec. 31, 2019 to capital deficiency of P24.13 billion as of Sept. 30 this year. The company attributed the decline to the “increase in deficit brought about by the total comprehensive loss for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2020.” “The disruption in the group’s operations due to the repercussions brought about by the COVID- 19 crisis had a negative impact on its equity position at the end of the period,” it added.

PEZA... from page 3

percent compared to its previous month. “The increase in exports a n d t h e r e q u i r e d r aw material imports were due to the gradual easing of the material supply chain disruption and the rampingup of operations amidst the ongoing pandemic,” SEIPI said in a statement Friday. SEIPI president Dan Lachica earlier said the group revised the industry growth forecast for 2020 from -15 percent to -5 percent. Lachica added 2021 will be a better year for the industry with a projected outlook of 7-percent growth. This will depend on the outcome of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) bill availability of the Covid-19 vaccine. SEIPI chairman Glenn Everest said there will be e m e rg i ng t e c h n ol o g i e s p o st - C ov i d, w h i ch t he Philippine semiconductor and electronics industry may look into. Everest, who is also the vice president and general manager of Continental Temic

Electronics (Phils.), Inc., said these emerging technologies include generative design, which is expected to grow by 20 percent by 2025; embedded metrology, seen to increase by 7 percent by 2025; high-speed sintering, with 24-percent growth outlook by 2023; nanotechnology, seen to grow by 17 percent by 2024; and light-based manufacturing, which is expected to increase by 11 percent by 2029. (PNA)

Offers... from page 9

networks and free calls for Globe Prepaid and TM customers for three days. For Globe Postpaid, credit action will be put on hold until the end of the week to give customers more time to pay their bills. Affected customers in the following areas will receive these offers: Albay, Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Cavite, Laguna, La Union (Southern portion), Masbate (Burias and Ticao Islands), Marinduque, Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya (Central and Southern portions), Occidental Mindoro (Northern portion), Oriental Mindoro (Northern portion), Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, S o r s o g o n , Ta r l a c , a n d Zambales. Globe’s Jeepney WiFi which provides Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging, and Libreng WiFi were deployed anew to serve typhoon-hit areas . As of today, five new sites were opened to provide free calls, mobile phone charging and free WiFi in Albay and Catanduanes. Globe w ill add more Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging, and Libreng WiFi sites as the need arises. Apart from Globe’s Dyip Sagip, the telco company, is providing meal boxes from Rise Against Hunger to 420 affected families in Baseco barangay hall through the assistance of Ayala Foundation, and 300 families in evacuation centers in Marik ina v ia Manila Water Foundation. Globe ensures the safety of both the volunteers and the public by strictly following government health protocols of observing social distancing and using face masks.

Loan... from page 9

via the pension fund's webbased facility, the Electronic G S I S Me m b e r O n l i n e (eGSISMO), through email or via dropboxes located in the lobbies of GSIS offices. To register in eGSISMO, members should initially sign up for their eGSISMO account by accessing http://egsismo.gsis.gov. ph/ and indicating their GSIS business partner (BP) number. BP numbers may be obtained from their office’s agency authorized officer or electronic remittance file handler; any GSIS office; or GSIS Contact Center (8-8474747). If borrowers would opt

Globe starts 4Q with strong momentum on site builds, fiber to homes in October

Globe continues to accelerate its expansion and modernization targets for the remainder of 2020. For October, the company completed the construction of at least 107 new cell towers in addition to the 593 cell sites it has built for the first nine months of the year. Despite existing quarantine protocols, travel restrictions and physical distancing, Globe’s current builds remain ahead of schedule and steadily increasing compared to last year. There are 39 new installations underway in Metro Manila, 19 in Cebu and at least one cell site in Rizal, Aklan, Bohol, Leyte, Bukidnon, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao, Misamis Oriental, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Albay, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Camarines Sur and Palawan. Globe has likewise increased its build rate for fiber to the homes (FTTH) from its average monthly pace in 2019 to at least 233% in the last three months. These improvement initiatives on wireless services last month include putting up broadband lines, more than half were FTTH, in various areas of Metro Manila such as Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Makati, Quezon City, Marikina, Las Pinas, Paranaque, Taguig, San Juan, Pasay, Navotas, Pateros and Muntinlupa; and in Bataan Bulacan, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales. La Union, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Sorsogon and Albay in Luzon. In Visayas, fiber installations were made in Cebu, Negros Occidental and Iloilo. For Mindanao, fiber lines were also set up in Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, Agusan Del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Davao Del Norte, Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga Del Sur and Davao Oriental. As of October, Globe rolled out 70.98% broadband

to use email in filing the application, they must email the requirements to the designated email addresses of branch offices covering the agencies of active members and place of residence of pensioners in https://www. gsis.gov.ph/advisory-on-thenew-email-addresses-of-gsisoffices/. The Emergency Loan application form may be downloaded from https://www.gsis.gov.ph/ downloadable-forms. Borrowers, except pensioners, may also opt to file their loan application through the GSIS Wireless Au t o m at e d P r o c e s s i n g System (GWAPS) kiosks located in all GSIS branches, Department of Education offices, provincial capitols, city halls, Robinsons Malls

lines more compared to the same period last year. The company’s FTTH builds likewise grew by 318% this year compared to 2019. “Fiberization is our way to complement and connect more Filipino homes where our cell towers can’t be installed yet due to various reasons. By laying out more fiber to homes especially in highly-urbanized areas and densely populated parts of the country, we are improving not only our network infrastructure but our capacity as well. In places we can’t immediately install our cell towers, our fiber lines will keep our customers connected, updated and better served,” said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group. Fiber optic lines are less prone to glitches compared to the old and traditional copper lines. They can withstand the impact of harsh weather and take minimal space. Moreover, fiber optic lines are considered “future proof ” which means it is flexible enough to be upgraded for better services in the future. Globe is eyeing to build at least 600 more cell towers, some of which are already in varying degrees of construction, and complete more than 10,017 site upgrades by year end. Globe has laid out a 3-pronged strategy for its network upgrades and expansion, which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/ LTE using many different frequencies; and fast tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide. Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UNSDG No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

and selected SM Supermalls. A l l e m e rge n c y l o an ap p l i c at i o n s o f a c t i v e members have to be approved by the agency authorized officers of the members’ employer. Once the loan is approved, the proceeds will be directly credited to the borrower’s Unified Multi-Purpose ID \ card or temporary eCard account. For further inquiries on emergency loan program, interested parties may visit the GSIS website, http:// w w w. g s i s . g ov. p h ; G SI S Facebook account, @gsis. ph; email gsiscares@gsis.gov. ph; or call the GSIS Contact Center at ‪8847-4747 (if in Metro Manila), 1-800-8847-4747 (for Globe and TM subscribers), and 1-800-10847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text subscribers).

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MONDAY|NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Compassion... from page 4

family—who are hurting and need our compassion and courage to help them. God has placed you there to be His heart and hands extended to them to help change their life—and to f i g ht ag ai nst i njust i c e, abuse, neglect, rejection and discouragement with His powerful weapons of grace and truth. Nothing can truly heal and change hearts except God’s real love and light which only Jesus Christ can give. Won’t you ask Him to take full charge of your heart, so He can begin filling you with His compassion and courage to comfort and help those you know are suffering? Just think a minute…

Rest... from page 4

receptionist announcing “the delivery of packed lunch from Mr. Consing”. Now, that's flawless timing and execution. Last Tuesday, I attended, a ls o v i a v ir tu a l mo de, t h e Ay a l a I n t e g r a t e d C or porate Governance, R i s k Man a ge m e nt an d Sustainability Summit. The summit is part of Ayala’s continuing education program and was attended by 460 directors and senior management officials from across the conglomerate. T h i s y e a r ’s s u m m i t u n d e r p i n s t h e Ay a l a group’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as well as to build better before and during the pandemic. As Solomon Hermosura, Ayala’s Chief Corporate Governance Officer, explained: “The collective pursuit across the Ayala group of ways to turn the pandemic into an opportunity to raise the standards of our governance, r i s k m an a ge m e nt , an d sustainability practice led us to our theme today.” Fernando Zobel de Ayala elaborated: “I strongly believe that the best way forward for businesses is to make their balance sheets future ready through an unwavering commitment to shared value and sustainability. As we move forward and design meaningful and effective ways to build back better, let us keep (our) stakeholder groups and our commitment to them at the center of our efforts even after the pandemic ends.” The resource speakers (in the main session and in the breakout sessions) included the following: Steve Howard, Co-Chair and Founder of We Mean Business; Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; Nina Arquint, Chief Risk Officer of Corporate Solutions; Rodney Irwin, Managing Director of World Business for Sustainable Development; Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco, Ayala CFO and Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer; Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO; Elisa Mallis of Asia Pacific Center for Creative

Leadership, James Wong and David Hill of Wills Towers Watson, Jane Drummond of AON, Ronald Chung of the Fung Group, Wouter Drinkwaard of Shell Global, Unanchern Loh of Black Sun, and Cherrie Atilano, Pre s i d e nt and C E O of AGREA. No packed lunch this time, for the simple reason that we started after lunch. Note: You may wish to share the foregoing via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Believe... from page 4

hubris, they had the temerity to order Duterte to release an indicted and detained Sen. Leila De Lima and to withdraw the case against Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa who had been convicted for libel. Ressa of course had labeled the Philippines “as worse than any war zone” and “where democracy is essentially dead”. And yet Ressa opted to reside in the country. Last week Washingtonbased Gallup Global Law and Order survey showed the Philippines in the same category as Australia and New Zealand as among the safest countries in the world. Comes next, Gulf News of the United Arab Emirates rating Duterte as the most famous leader in the world. Couple these with the Trust and Approval rating of 91% and you have a situation where President-elect Joe Biden’s uninformed or worse misinformed judgment that the Philippines as “moving towards authoritarianism” is totally incoherent. I hope Joe Biden takes a second look at America’s oldest ally in this part of the globe. I hope that he will realize that we are fighting a diabolical network of drug syndicates, the CPP/NPA, Abu Sayyaf, and Jemaah Islamiyah which the USA and the European countries had dubbed as terrorist organizations. Battling these forces is far from what is contemplated in extra-judicial killing. Biden should be able to distinguish who is a friend and who are the enemies.

Scammers... from page 1

ways not to get noticed by law enforcement entities. " We a r e d o i n g extraordinary improvements in detecting their schemes,"

Radaza said. In line with the SEC's Investors' Protection Week, Radaza is urging the public to always verif y claims and check on the entities and organizations offering investment opportunities to avoid falling victim to "Ponzi-like" scams. He said the red flags are usually the promise of high return of investment compared to the banks, and enticing potential investors through fake testimonies. "They (investment scammers) would pressure you to immediately invest in their company even when you are still verifying their legitimacy," he said, adding that more of these entities offer no products or services. Radaza sai Ponzi-based investment scams are bound t o e v e nt u a l l y c o l l ap s e once the saturation point for new recruits has been reached. "They are using the money of new investors (recruits) to pay back for those who invested earlier," he said. (PNA)

SM...

from page 12 on the other hand, has a retro-industrial style, an aesthetic trend in interior design that takes clues from old factories and industrial spaces converted to lofts and other living spaces. Components of industrial style include weathered wood, building systems, exposed brick, industrial lighting fixtures, and concrete. The SM Store and SM Supermarket are SM City Butuan's major anchors, along with SM mainstays like SM Appliance Center, ACE Hardware, Watsons, Surplus, Our Home, and Sports Central, Uniqlo, The Body Shop, Crocs and Miniso. It will also have fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, bookstores; as well as a Cyberzone and service and wellness outlets. E ating out options include well-loved local and international food chains, as well as specialty restaurants like Shakey's, Sunnies Café, Hukad, Bigby's, Samgyeopsal House, Wildwings, Ribshack, Choobi Choobi, and coffee and milk tea outlets like Bo's Coffee, Chatime, Macao Imperial Tea, and Gongcha. Butuan-based tenants like Verity, Fulcrum Café, Custodio Medical Clinic, Bella Mecanica Nail and Waxing Salon, and Alot

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Barbero Lokal have also found their home in the mall. SM City Butuan will also have four state of the art cinemas and the largest mallbased event center in the Caraga region. For customer convenience, it has a total of 734 parking slots including 543 for regular cars, 175 for motorcycles, eight for PWD vehicles and eight for senior citizens. It also has a helipad and a transport bay. SM City Butuan's project team includes DSGN Associates, design consultant; Jose Siao Ling and Associates, architect on record; Design Coordinates Inc., construction management; and Carwill Construction Inc., general contractor. With the health of its shoppers in mind, SM City Butuan is on the forefront of safe malling enforcing highstandard hygiene checks and health protocols in the city. These include mandatory face masks and shields and temperature checks and sanitation upon entry, as well as Trace Together a smart approach for contact tra0cing with a QR code. All of these are part of SM's commitment to continue ser ving and supporting communities by ensuring that everyone's safety is always a top priority.

Davao...

from page 1 virtual press conference over Zoom on Friday that the local government was considering all possible opt i ons t o c ont ro l t h e widespread transmission of the virus “When you try to deal with the quarantine status, you have to look for every possible consideration or factor. The surge is not t he on ly t hing t hat we are c ons i d e r i ng he re… because if we are going to impose ECQ, is that what you want? ECQ? There are also economic implications, a n d P re s i d e nt D ut e r t e keeps on repeating that the government does not have money… we have to borrow money,” he said. He said imposing ECQ EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE

or even modified ECQ will affect the business sector. T h e e nt i re c it y w a s placed under ECQ from April 4 to May 15, GCQ from May 16 until June 30, and mo dif ie d GC Q last July 1 until the end of November. Lopez said the city government, which derives its income from the business sector, could not sustain if it were to provide food assistance and other forms of subsidy to the affected persons for the duration of a stricter quarantine status. “In my point of view, there are economic c ons i d e r at i ons t hat we should think about when we try to impose something, especially MECQ or ECQ. It w i l l c omprom i s e s o many, and primarily it will affect the business sector… What will we sustain for the people? If you impose ECQ or MECQ, you have to provide for each and everyone,” he emphasized. He said local authorities have been in the thick of things on how to address the problem without resorting to ECQ or MECQ. “We have been talking about this every now and then… As much as possible, we don’t want to impose EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late VICTORIA T. TIRO who died on September 6, 1993 at Kolambugan Lanao del Norte that the said deceased died intestate, without Will or Testament and without any outstanding debts in favour of any person or entity; that the deceased left a parcel of land situated at Titunod Kolambugan Lanao del Norte with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-6896 situated in the Barrio of Titunod, Municipality of Kolambugan, province of Lanao Del Norte, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWENTY THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY TWO SQUARE METERS (23,532) more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of VICTORIA T. TIRO, per DOC #260; PAGE #53; BOOK #VI; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. CHRISTOPHER F. PASCO, CPA BWM: Nov. 9, 16 & 23, 2020

ECQ or MECQ for as long as the city can handle it. That’s why, we’re doing everything—all the resorts that we could think about,” he said. Asked to comment on the appeal of private do ctors for a re version to ECQ, Lopez said: “We re c e ive d a l e tte r… t h e mayor forwarded the letter to me this morning… We’re still trying to evaluate, and think about the request coming from the medical society.” He added the y are dealing with the pandemic from political, social and medical point of views. As of Nov. 12, Davao City reported 4,901 cases, comprising 69% of the 7,058 total COVID-19 cases in the region, according to DOHDavao. Of the total figure, 371 cases were recorded in Davao de Oro, 761 in Davao del Norte, 530 in Davao del Sur, 109 in Davao O ccident al, and 386 in Davao Oriental. Davao Region, considered the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in Mindanao, has 2,131 active cases, 4,680 recoveries, and 247 deaths, DOH-Davao said. DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ROSENDO C. TAPUYAO, who died on October 23, 2002 that the said deceased, died intestate, without Will or Testament and without any outstanding debts in favour of any person or entity; that the deceased left a House and Lot (FAMILY HOME) situated at Kolambugan Lanao del Norte with Transfer Certificate of Title No. P 11,091, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN SQUARE METERS (337 sqms.) and Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-34,385 situated in Barrio of Buruun Iligan City, containing an area of TWENTY THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN SQUARE METERS (23,214 sqms). and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of ROSENDO C. TAPUYAO, per DOC #261; PAGE #54; BOOK #VI; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. CHRISTOPHER F. PASCO, JR. BWM: Nov. 9, 16 & 23, 2020

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late RODULFO L. VIVERO who died on September 6, 1993 at Kolambugan Lanao del Norte, that said deceased left a House and Lot and a parcel of land with Original Certificate of Title no. P-11,119 situated at Austin Heights Kolambugan Lanao del Norte, containing an area TWO HUNDRED THIRTY (230) SQ meters and Original Certificate of Title P-11,120 situated at Austin Heights Kolambugan Lanao del Norte, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO (252) SQ meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of RODULFO L. VIVERO, per DOC #265; PAGE #54; BOOK #VI; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. CHRISTOPHER F. PASCO, CPA BWM: Nov. 9, 16 & 23, 2020

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SM opens 75th mall in Butuan City

M Prime Holdings had just opened its 75th mall in Butuan City on Friday, Nov.13, marking another rmilestone in this bustling capital city in the Caraga region. SM City Butuan is SM Prime's sixth in Mindanao with origami inspired facade, as well as great shopping, leisure, and entertainment centers. Butuan is the commercial, industrial, and administrative center of the Caraga region, and a strategic trading hub in Northern Mindanao, with major roads connecting it to other key cities in the island, including Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Malaybalay and Surigao. While Butuan today is highly urbanized, and ranked as the fourth most competitive city and the fifth richest in Mindanao, it also has a fascinating past captured in the

famous local expression "before the Philippines, there was Butuan." That is because Butuan was already a progressive city centuries before the arrival of the Spaniards. Historical records show that as early as the 10th century, local people were already engaged in trade and commerce with other nations and cultures like the Vietnamese and the Srivajaya people of Java, Indonesia. And today, Butuan makes history again as SM opens a new mall in the city during these challenging times. Located in a 37,233-square-meter property along JC Aquino Avenue, SM City Butuan will serve shoppers in Agusan del Norte, as well as those in the nearby provinces of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands. More than that, it will be a catalyst for

SM City Butuan Opens. Great shopping, leisure, and entertainment goes to Northeastern Mindanao with the opening of SM City Butuan in Agusan del Norte. The 48,278 sq. meter mall is SM Prime Holdings' 75th mall, the sixth in Mindanao and the first in the CARAGA region. It will serve shoppers in the nearby provinces of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and the Dinagat Islands. Photo shows Agusan Del Norte Governor Dale Corvera (2nd from right), Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada (3rd from left), Butuan City Vice Mayor Jose Aquino II (2nd from left), with SM Supermalls SVP for Operations Bien Mateo (left) and Vice President for Operations Oliver Tiu (right) with Reverend Fr. Chito Butardo (3rd from right).

employment and business opportunities in the area. The 48,278-squaremeter mall is Japanese origami inspired with

faรงade filled of paper stuff created using the art of paper folding. Innovative design concepts highlight the

interiors: the Cyberzone's biophilic theme is inspired by nature's tangible features that mimic plant vegetation's orientation,

the natural pattern of days and seasons, and "earthtones" of the environment. The mall's Cinema, SM/PAGE 11