BusinessWeek Mindanao (November 18, 2020)

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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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Wednesday|November 18, 2020

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NorMin observes food safety awareness amid pandemic Thank you for trusting us!

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AGAYAN DE ORO CITY--In observance with Food Safety Awareness Week, the Department of Health (DOH)-10 and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–10 carried out the food safety act of 2013 or RA 10611 to the forefront of conversation and discuss the importance of sanitary food handling and consumption amid the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic.

“Food safety awareness week was observed during the last week of October but it should not only be limited there, food safety is something we should practice daily to be able to get healthy and safe meals,” Vector Borne Diseases Head under the Infectious Diseases Cluster of DOH-10 Dr. Wella Brito said, emphasizing the need of adhering to proper food

Iligan EOC reminds public to stay safe during holidays

ILIGAN CIT Y - The E me rge nc y O p e r at i ons Center (EOC) advised the public to be cautious during the holiday season due to the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Dr. Belinda Lim, EOC Health Cluster manager, said in a virtual presser preventive measures must still be observed to ensure the safety and health of Iliganons participating in REMINDS/PAGE 7

handling protocols for the safety of the general public.

From the start of the meat slaughter up until the consumption of the meal, RA 10611 or the food safety act serves as a mechanism for coordination and accountability in the implementation of food sanitation regulations to guard the general public from AWARENESS/PAGE 7

HANDWASHING VS COVID-19. The Maguindanao Integrated Provincial Health Office and the Islamic Relief Worldwide-Philippines conduct handwashing campaign as basic Infection Prevention Control (IPC) strategy versus the spread of COVID-19 in selected villages in Maguindanao. Photo taken on Tuesday (10 November 2020) in barangay Tuayan Mother, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan municipality. L-R: Mye Tahir, IR Community Development Officer; Abdulmuin Ampatuan, punong barangay; Bai Erisha Sinsuar, public health nurse; and Joy Daman, IR Livelihood Development Officer. mindanews photo by jules l. benitez

Seeds provision to farmercoop strengthens DA’s food security advocacy

Diomedes O. Tapulgo (right), president of Maribojoc Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MACOFARCO), receives a total of 100 packets of vegetable seeds, comprising of radish, lettuce, tomato, carrot, and okra from DA-10 ARD Carlota Madriaga (left), November 4. (DA 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY-The provision of free assorted vegetable seeds is eyed to boost the Department of Agriculture–Regional Field O f f i c e ( DA- R F O ) - 1 0 ’s advocacy on food security.

On November 4, Diomedes O. Tapulgo, president of Maribojoc Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MACOFARCO), received a total of 100 packets of vegetable seeds, comprising of radish, lettuce, tomato, carrot, and okra from the department.

Tapulgo said they will be distributing these to their 70 active members to plant their own food.

“Tungod sa COVID-19, nakatuon ang katawhan sa pagtanom aron adunay makaon. Pinaagi sa buhatan sa DA naka-avail mi ug libreng vegetable seeds nga mas nahatagan ug importansiya ug kasigurohan nga adunay pagkaon,” he said.

(With COVID-19, the people learned to plant their own food. Through DA, we SEEDS/PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY|NOVEMBER 18, 2020

116 4Ps, IP members get P1.7-M livelihood assistance from DSWD

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ZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental— Over 116 members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Indigenous People (IPs) of Barangay Stimson Abordo, here received at least P1.7 million worth of livelihood assistance from the Department

of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The assistance covered agricultural livestock feeds, and supplies, and community sari-sari store goods.

"The program aims to help the barangay or area that needs assistance by the national government

through DSWD," DSWD Provincial Coordinator Richard Tener said.

He added that the beneficiaries will be closely monitored by the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) to ensure sustainability.

“Ang maong programa aduna'y kalahian kung itandi kaniadto nga inig abot sa duha ka tuig i-uli sa matag asosasyon ngadto sa gobyerno ang hinatag nga puhunan apan karon inig abot sa duha ka tuig dili na kini kuhaon apan palambuon na lamang sa mga benepisyaryo,” he said.

(The said program is different from the previous ones where every association

About 116 Indigenous People and 4Ps members receive an investment worth P450,000 per association. (Ozamiz City LGU)

and would only need the beneficiaries to develop their businesses) For her part, Vice Mayor Simplicia “Bebie” Neri said, "We hope that with this cash assistance you could start with your business and eventually improve your livelihood."

The DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) is a capabilitybuilding program for poor, vulnerable and marginalized households and communities to

will need to return the capital to the government. This program does not require such return

BWM: Nov. 11, 18 & 25, 2020

improve their socioeconomic conditions through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods.

Neri, representing Ozamiz City Mayor Sancho Fernando Oaminal, together with DSWD, presidents of the four associations, and barangay officials headed by Captain Ruel Paran led the turned over ceremony and grand opening of the newly built community stores.

(SMRN/PIA Misamis Occidental)

How to educate Basic Education students early in business MR. DANTE G. SISTO ESP-II SACRED HEART VILLAGE ELEM. SCHOOL

Even before there was a global pandemic, higher education was changing to meet the needs of the modern consumer — the student. Increased focus on career readiness and the availability of online coursework has shifted the way we think about highered and our expectations for the experience of earning a university degree (and its outcomes).

First, we need to understand the catalysts for change that are underway.

Technology is changing rapidly. This, coupled with process and service innovations, is changing how people consume education and what they expect from it.

Demographics are shifting from rural to urban and from domestic to international.

People are living longer and typically have a longer duration of working age. We are in a constantly changing workplace climate.

The way education is

consumed is not just regional but national and international.

Geopolitics plays a real role in education, as institutions of higher learning and our students must compete globally.

Technology, demographics and globalization create a trifecta that redefines how we deliver and consume education. It is no longer viable for a university to say to a student, “You must take these 10 or 20 courses and we’ll give you credentials.”

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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WEDNESDAY|NOVEMBER 18, 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 BASAMANGGAS RESORT 08822-760564 Fax: 760565 As climate change triggers stronger calamities, the Ayala Group of Companies helps in various rescue and relief operations in the hardest-hit communities affected by recent typhoons across the country. Ayala chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said, “We have to start thinking creatively about how to prepare ourselves for potential climate change risks. I think we should be contributors of resilience and help minimize the contributions we make in worsening the situation.” The Ayala Sustainability Blueprint seals its commitment to pivot its businesses to build a more resilient future for Filipinos.

Ayala group commits to a climate-resilient future via sustainable businesses

AYALA Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala stressed during the group’s first virtual Integrated Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and Sustainability Summit that climate change is the "biggest and probably the most important threat to humanity."

Now more than ever, he said, everyone must play a role in building resilience and mitigating risks as more devastating calamities arise in the future. “We have to start thinking creatively about how to prepare ourselves for potential climate change risks. I think we should be contributors of resilience and help minimize the contributions we make in worsening the situation,” Zobel noted.

In recent weeks, Ayala is among the first and most active private business groups to deliver muchneeded relief to provinces torn and submerged by a series of typhoons.

The group marshalled support to Batangas, Rizal, Quezon Province, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Catanduanes for victims of Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni). Currently, the group and partners are conducting relief operations in Cagayan, Isabela, Greater Manila Area including Marikina and Baseco Compound in Manila as well as other areas affected by Typhoon Ulysses (international name Vamco).

However, relief distribution is only a short-term response. Zobel said the country needs to embrace a proactive rather than a reactive approach to climate change. To address various environmental and social issues, the group created the Ayala

Sustainability Blueprint (https://ayala.com.ph/ sustainability/), where a specific objective aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is assigned to each business unit. Sustainability units within the Ayala group also conduct various initiatives to increase people’s climate change awareness through information campaigns and interactive programs.

Here are some of the group’s accomplishments in relation with the UN SDGs: * SDG 13 (Climate Action): Project Kasibulan, Ayala Corporation’s main reforestation effort, has planted 6,929 seedlings and engaged 297 volunteers from across the group.

GCash also rolled out a feature called GForest, where users can earn points using the platform, which they can eventually convert into a physical tree donation that will be planted in Manila’s critical watershed. * SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): AC Energy has 1,300MW of renewable energy capacity and is at 26% of its 5GW target. * SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): AC Infrastructure’s rail business reached a 10% reduction in its energy and fuel consumption and 50% reduction on paper, nonhazardous, and hazardous wastes per year. * SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Ayala Land has made a commitment to be carbon neutral in the next few years, and they are adopting new technologies and techniques to minimize carbon emissions. * SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation): Manila Water continues to increase access to clean, safe, affordable water as it expands to Calasiao, Obando, Bulacan, and Tagum. It also rolls out

state of-the-art technologies to ensure that wastewater can be properly treated and reused in estates and commercial establishments.

Award-winning, Sustainable Businesses At the closing of trading hours at New York Stock Exchange last Friday, Ayala Corporation was hailed as an index component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for its outstanding corporate sustainability performance. Ayala Corporation is the first Philippine conglomerate to be included in the DJSI Emerging Market Index.

Ayala Land is also the only real-estate company from the Philippines that made it to the index under the real estate category.

Earlier this year, Ayala Corporation has been reconfirmed – for the fourth time – as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index series.

Ayala Land and Globe Telecom were also included in the Index series for the fifth and fourth time, respectively. This year, too, Institutional Shareholder Services granted Ayala Corporation the “Prime” badge for its ESG performance and initiatives.

With a a decile rank of 2 under the Financials/ Multi-Sector Holdings, Ayala Corporation landed at the industry’s top 20%.

Meanwhile, CDP, a notfor-profit organization that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts, hailed Ayala Corporation as among companies with most improved performance in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia. The Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) awards also recognized Ayala Corporation as one of the Top Sustainability

Advocates in Asia. In 2016, ACES hailed Ayala Corporation as one of the Top CSR Advocates in Asia.

“Ayala Corporation believes that long term value is created when you focus on sustainable businesses that benefit all stakeholders,” said Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer TG Limcaoco.

“We are thankful for the substantial recognition we have received from local and international rating agencies. We will continue our commitment to pivoting our businesses towards a more resilient future for Filipinos.”

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late RAUL O. VILLARIN, who died on December 06, 2018 at NMMC, Capitol Cmpd., Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, without any will, that the said deceased RAUL O. VILLARIN died intestate without leaving any known debt which has remained unpaid or unsettled up to the present, and all the obligations incurred during his death were all paid and/or settled; that the said deceased at the time of his death, left a parcel of land situated at Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City and more particularly described as follows, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-175938 situated at Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FIFTY FOUR (54) SQUARE METERS, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of RAUL O. VILLARIN, in favor EDITA GENEROL GABUT, per DOC #444; PAGE #89; BOOK #CXV; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry ATTY. JORGE B. MAGDAONG, JR. BWM: Nov. 4, 11 & 18, 2020

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

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Workplace checkup (Pt. 1) Think a minute… Do you like your workplace? Is it a peaceful and productive place to work every day? Just as we need to get a checkup on our body to see if we are healthy, today and tomorrow let’s get a checkup on our workplace, since we spend so much of our lives there.

The first symptom of an unhealthy workplace is frequent complaining.

Employees criticize and trash-talk their company, their fellow workers, managers, customers, or their products and services.

They also tell their family, friends and others outside the company how bad things are.

A second symptom of an unhealthy workplace is when the employees feel overwhelmed, even hopeless, because no matter how hard and fast they work they can never finish all the tasks they are expected to do each day.

So they must choose either not to do everything, or just rush to get it all finished but not do it well.

Another symptom is jealous competition and conflict between fellow-

THINK A MINUTE

to astronomical heights all over the world. Strategies against darkness? "Why am I so sad? What am I so troubled about?" (Psalm 42,11).

If it's becoming dark, we usually turn on our lights.

But, it's still daylight. It's a magnificent and wonderful day! The sun shines with might in the sky. The flowers are ablaze with amazing colors; the birds are chirping cheerfully. - "Yet, why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled?"

We experience feelings, as if darkness lies onto our souls, and light cannot get through any more. Yes, we make head or tail of it, because some really bad things happened

since a couple of months in many of our life and surroundings: Several good friends passed away unforeseen; a wish, carried with us in our hearts never became true; all doors seem to be locked forever; financial problems because of Covid-19 bother us and don't allow the chance for three daily meals; and arduous illness seems to become incurable.

Why are we so sad?

Why are we so troubled?

The psalm's poet voices out innermost feelings and emotions during those times.

A very good friend ( a really very good one!) asked

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING the following question: "How can you praise and worship this God, who allowed me always to get into a neverending darkness?" Is my friend a dyed-in-the-woolDARKNESS/PAGE 7

Cooperativism: The Awakening & Liberating Force

Unprecedented crime against life & humanity KIM'S DREAM

Cell No: 09352379999

CHAINCERLIE SUMALPONG Advertising

When I was still hosting my radio shows with classical music in different radio stations, I really got surprised how many people tried to come in touch with me after listening to not only the (wonderful?) classical music as well as my inspirational thoughts in between. Yes, I really felt glad and honored to be on air and getting the chance to share my passion of classical music with a really great listener ship.

Once upon a time - already several years ago.

In total darkness are many people right now because of the pandemic and the number of cases increasing

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WEDNESDAY|NOVEMBER 18, 2020

In total darkness

2f, ICS Building Tel.No.: 881-0176 Tiano cor. Montalvan sts.

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ORLAN R. RAVANERA His Excellency President Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte is correct when he said that the Northern Countries, i.e. USA, is responsible for the damages brought about by climate change and must therefore allocate compensation to countries greatly affected especially our country which is the 3rd hardly hit country in the world by the ecological turbulence. The USA while just having 5% of the world’s population, is responsible for 40% of the CO2 global emissions because of a flawed development paradigm that is heavily dependent on fossil fuel and coal. The 19 USAbased fossil companies led

by ExxonMobil are earning 10 trillion dollars every year or 15 million dollars every minute! Such gargantuan rakings are used to finance candidacy of politicians and the mainstream media to hide the horrors of climate change which has been described as an unprecedented crime against life and humanity.

Apparent is the moral collapse as exemplified by religious groups!

P r o f e s s o r L aw r e n c e Torcello of the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York specializes in moral and political philosophy. In April 2019 he wrote that “there can be no greater crime against humanity than the foreseeable and methodical destruction of conditions that make human life possible,” adding that “If any nation we re to e nac t p ol ici e s calculated to systemically destroy cultural lands and displace native people, as climate change will, it would rightly raise international debates over genocide. It makes no difference to p opu l at ions force d of f

their homelands whether the resource exploitation responsible in West Virginia or Philippines. The climate p ol i c i e s of t he Tr u mp administration, backed by many Republican leaders, are rooted in culpable ignorance and transparent corruption.

And they place us all at risk on a scale that previous crimes against humanity never have.”

How far has climate change put the earth in the state of cataclysmic emergency? A global estimate was supplied by an independent report commissioned by 20 countries in 2012 to study the human and economic costs of climate change. The DARA study wrote that it: “linked 400,000 deaths worldwide to climate change each year, projecting deaths to increase to over 600,000 per year by 2030…

Heat waves kill many, to be sure, but global warming also devastates food security, nutrition, and water safety.

Since mosquitoes and other pests thrive in hot, humid weather, scientists expect diseases like malaria and dengue fever to rise. Floods

threaten to contaminate drinking water with bacteria and pollution. When the report looks at the added health consequences from burning fossil fuels – aside from climate change – the number of deaths jumps from 400,000 to almost 5 million per year. Carbon-intensive economies see deaths linked to outdoor air pollution, indoor smoke from poor ventilation, occupational hazards and skin cancer.”

Despite such truism, climate change denialism remains rampant. We must now advocate attention to the “web of denial,” a network of think tanks and from groups that had execute “a colossal political scheme” to deceive the public about climate change, and to halt climate action. That insane ideology called corporate globalization that has put the earth in the state of planetary emergency and conniving with the mainstream media and religious groups to hide the truth must now be debunked if we have to stop CRIME/PAGE 7

South Korea fines people without masks in public South Korea has reported its

While this has allowed high-

could pay up to 3 million won

cases in 70 days as the government began fining people on Friday who fail to wear masks in public.

The 191 cases added to the country’s caseload represented the sixth consecutive day of over 100 and the highest daily increase since September 4 when authorities reported 198 new infections.

More than 120 of the cases were from the Seoul metropolitan area, where the coronavirus has spread in a variety of places, including hospitals, nursing homes, churches, schools, restaurants and offices.

The steady spread of the virus has alarmed government officials, who eased social distancing measures to the lowest level since October to soften the pandemic’s shock on the economy.

karaoke bears to reopen, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a virus meeting on Friday that the viral spread could force the government to “seriously consider” tightening social distancing again.

“We are at a precarious situation,” he said, pleading for citizen vigilance and for labor unionists and civic groups to cancel planned rallies.

From Friday, officials started to impose fines of up to 100,000 won ( PHP 4,400 ) for people who fail to properly wear masks in public transport and a wide range of venues, including hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, nightclubs, karaoke bars, religious and sports facilities and at gatherings of more than 500 people.

Operators of those places

People will also be required to wear masks at restaurants and cafes when they are not eating or drinking.

In the capital Seoul, city employees were deployed at subway stations and bus stops to monitor commuters. There were no immediate reports of major disruption.

The strengthening of the policy comes as authorities also expanded mandatory mask usage earlier this month to 23 new types of places, including spas, wedding halls and department stores.

More than half of the country's infections in the past two weeks were from the densely populated metropolitan Seoul area, according to health authorities.

The new cases brought the

JHAN TIAFAU HURST biggest daily jump in Covid-19 risk venues like nightclubs and (PHP131,000 ) in fines workers. This gossiping, back-stabbing and bullying is called “lateral violence,” which sadly is a problem in many workplaces.

A fourth symptom of an unhealthy workplace is one in which employees do not feel appreciated and recognized for their work. The #1 complaint of employees is: “I can do 100 things right and not hear anything about it, but if I do just one thing wrong, they quickly criticize me and make me feel like a failure.” Studies show that most employees are looking for more than just a paycheck, they want to feel good about the work they do and that they are CHECKUP/PAGE 7

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

total number of cases in South Korea to 28,133 as of Thursday midnight with Covid-19 deaths reaching 488, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

The government is in final talks with global drugmakers over potential vaccines as it seeks to secure supplies to cover 60 percent of its population this year.

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SMC sends immediate food aid to typhoon victims, RSA vows no let-up in flood mitigation projects

F

OLLOWING the onslaught of super typhoons including “Rolly” and “Ulysses” which battered Luzon within a week, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) said its efforts to deliver food donations to thousands of families in some 22 provinces and cities continues, with total donations reaching P15 million to date and rising.

“We continue to get appeals for help from

so many people affected by the typhoon. It’s a challenge to reach many areas, but with help of our employees, partners, and local government units, we’ve been able to send out our assistance,” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang. “Our efforts are still ongoing in various affected areas. We want our kababayans to know that we stand with them, and we will do everything we can to help,” Ang added.

Ang said the company’s food donations have reached Cagayan, Isabela, Bulacan, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, and Romblon.

It has also sent food donations to Malabon, Manila, Marikina, and Navotas in the National

Capital Region (NCR).

A larger amount of food donations have gone out to the hardest-hit provinces where more families have been affected and displaced, Ang said.

As of this writing, these include Catanduanes, Cagayan, and Quezon province.

SMC’s relief efforts began in the aftermath of typhoon “Quinta” which hit central Philippines, and super typhoon

If interested, contact:

“Rolly” (international name: Goni), dubbed the strongest tropical cyclone in the world for 2020, which hit Catanduanes and the rest of the Bicol and Quezon regions and also impacted Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Just over a week later, on November 11, Typhoon “Ulysses” (international name: Vamco) made landfall in Quezon and brought heavy rains to nearby provinces, Metro

DANICA SUDARIA

Manila, and much of Central Luzon. The heavy rains caused dams to reach their spilling points, triggering a release of waters, which caused more widespread flooding, especially in the Cagayan and Isabela provinces.

Apart from launching a massive food donation effort, Ang also expressed SMC’s commitment to continue proactively pursuing and expanding AID/PAGE 7

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

6

Reminds... from page 1

holiday celebration activities.

According to Lim, the D e p a r t m e n t o f He a l t h has earlier released guidelines for safer holiday celebrations and activities which include limiting the number of people in social gatherings and activities. " Ku n g pw e d e k at o rang membro sa inyong household, kamo ra pud magcelebrate sa pasko," the EOC manager said.

[If possible, celebrate Christmas only with members of your household.]

She also reiterated the Health department's

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reminder to keep the activity as short as possible a n d o b s e r v e m i n i mu m health standards such as wearing a face mask and keeping a distance of at least 1 meter. " Av o i d t o u c h i n g surfaces and ensure the cleanliness of the surroundings. Always sanitize your hands," she added.

She further suggested t h at v e nu e s s h o u l d b e properly ventilated adding that it is better to celebrate in op en sp aces t han in closed or contained spaces.

Lim also advised individuals who are vulnerable to diseases such as senior citizens and those with pre-existing disease

to limit their participation in large social gatherings and risky activities.

"When sick, please stay home and call immediately your BHERTs or family doctor for a consultation so that you will be monitored. If ever you will be assessed with C OVID-like symptoms, then you will be extended a free RT PCR testing," the EOC manager added.

To date, the Iligan City Health Office has recorded 896 confirmed COVID-19 positive, 818 of which have re covere d. Of t he tot a l confirmed positive, 30 are active cases of which 20 are admitted and 10 are quarantined in isolation facilities. (APB/PIA-ICIC)

DA-NFA NorMin, PLGU LDN push for competitive palay buying price

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY-In Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) are pushing for competitive palay buying price following reports of dipping farmgate prices.

Due to peak harvest season, palay prices plunged to as low as P12 per kilo for fresh weight in October, based on DA-10’s palay price monitoring report in the different provinces in Region 10.

The provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte sell dry palay while Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin

sell fresh palay.

As the price lowers, NFA-10 assures rice farmers in the region of its continuing effort to purchase their palay at a higher, profitable price.

"We are buying dried and clean palay at P19 per kilo. The price is set based on a standard P12 per kilo for production capital. Minus all postharvest costs, the farmers can earn an estimated P6 per kilo net income if they sell their palay to us," said NFA 10 Regional Director Engr.

John Robert R. Hermano.

He added that since October they have procured roughly 300,000 sacks of palay regionwide.

By the end of November, they anticipated the figure to be at 500,000 sacks.

Currently, NFA allocates an average of P48 million weekly funds to procure palay in the region depending on the agency's DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL PROPERTY WITH ABSOLUTE SALE K NOW A LL ME N B Y THE S E PRESENTS: That the late LUZ O. SALVADOR, who died on 12 February 2020 in Cagayan de Oro City, died without any will or testament and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; at the time of her death, left a certain real property with Transfer Certificate Title (TCT) No. T-36461 situated in Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED THIRTEEN (213) square meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL PROPERTY WITH ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of LUZ O. SALVADOR, in favor of GENENA LILOC JACOT, per DOC #91; PAGE #20; BOOK #III; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ROBERT B. MANTO. BWM: Nov. 18, 25 & Dec. 2, 2020

target procurement per week.

NFA can absorb 8-10 percent of the region's palay production, which is equivalent to 560,000 to 700,000 bags, considering the region is producing 7 million bags of palay per production cycle.

"We have no problems with funds. We can always accommodate farmers that intend to sell their palay to us," he added.

Aside from regular palay farmgate price monitoring, NFA deployed mobile procurement teams to penetrate far-flung rice areas and non-traditional palay sources in the region.

The agency's effort is highly concentrated on areas where palay prices are low.

"One of the reasons why our farmers cannot sell their palay at a higher price is because we are short of drying facilities. Wet palay is sold cheaper. That is why we are proposing for the establishment of two more drying facilities in Lanao del Norte and another two in Bukidnon," Hermano said.

In the meantime, NFA welcomes farmers who wish to use their drying pavements to dry their produce.

He said every farmer who will seek NFA’s assistance will be accommodated and treated fairly.

"We highly encourage our farmers to sell their palay to us. Not only their palay will be bought at a higher price, but they can also contribute to the region's food security, as well," Hermano remarked.

NFAisguidedbyitsminimum palay buying specifications of 14 percent moisture content, 13 percent discolored and damaged kernel, and 90percent purity, in assessing farmers' palay quality.

Internet Connectivity – A Big Challenge in Claveria II By: EVA C. GUILARAN District In-Charge Claveria District II – Division of Misamis Oriental

BWM: Nov. 4, 11 & 18, 2020

Everybody in the education department is searching for the right menu to answer the challenges that the department is facing. The strict compliance for No Face to Face Interaction in dealing with the learners makes Claveria II District in the division of Misamis Oriental a big challenge.

No Face to Face Interaction requires a lot of means on how to reach out our learners, teachers and other DepEd Officials. It requires internet connectivity that is not only strong but available always in the workplace.

Different f latforms in conducting an online seminar are somewhat inconvenient for everybody that considered necessity this time. The use of Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom are among them that teachers have to select depending on their choice.

It is for the reason the Claveria II District

could not attend to all required webinar due to the problem of internet connectivity. Only 6 among 27 schools have access and that teachers of these 21 schools travel to a place where there is strong signal whenever there is webinar.

The opportunity of hav i ng atte nd i ng t he webinars makes the teachers familiarize, thereby appreciate the contribution of technology this time of crisis. The time of uncertainty makes everybody realize that there are things that cannot be satisfied by technology alone but the usual activities supposed to be done by people affected in teachinglearning process. The learners who are always wanting to go to school, the teachers who missed their pupils and the teachers who want to have face to face interaction with their co-teachers.

7

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Checkup... from page 4

at least once in a while for their reliable, quality work.

If y o u re a l i z e y o u r workplace has some of these unhealthy symptoms, why not ask God to help you do what you can to help change it into a healthier, happier place for everyone? Ask Jesus to take charge of your heart and attitude, and He will give you His wisdom, kindness and strength every day to make a difference where you work. Just think a minute…

Darkness... from page 4

atheist", who underpinned his opinion with even the Psalm: "Day and night I cry and tears are my only food; all the time my enemies ask me, "Where is YOUR "God"?""

I was trained how to survive such periods of life.

Even this pandemic situation.

Be patient and pray. Yes, pray! Or: "Quarrel with your soul!" No, it's not nonsense, it really works.

"Don't make such a fuss; get out of your dump and be happy!"

Or, read Psalm 103: "The Love of God". +++ Comments, suggestions or questions? Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin or log on to www. germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Crime... from page 4

our accelerating drive towards the earth’s 6th extinction.

The coronavirus pandemic is a wake-up call but no one seems to care.

And am not surprise!

Humanity is s o deeply buried in consumerism and materialism. The profit motive based on monetary growth ideology has already captured the mindset of all governments, all institutions, all universities and all religious groups. There is so much denigration of spirituality based on the fundamental principle of the oneness and inter-connectedness of all of God’s creation. Billions of species that have been created by God even before the homo sapiens came into being have already become extinct having been sacrificed to the altar of greed and profit!

T h e h o m o s ap i e n s , the most flawed of God’s creation have been captured by the diabolic ego-ic mind as now being exemplified by the ousted narcistic US President Donald Trump.

A paradigm shift to effect social transformation is now the call of the times.

Cooperativism which is value-based and philosophy & spiritually-driven is now the liberating force to awaken and unfetter humanity from diabolic captivity. That awakening process toward a new Consciousness is now unfolding – which in fact, is the most awaited Second Coming of Christ

that will give birth to a new earth and a new heaven!

CHRIST has in fact come through that SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS! The new spirituality based on that looming C ONSCIOUSNESS w i l l connect us to the SUPREME BEING that is deep within all of us. Indeed, “what would profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his soul!” Feel and connect with that eternal and deathless Being deep inside to realize the divine purpose of the universe now unfolding through you!

That’s how important you are!

Remember you are more spirit than body! As spiritual being, you are deathless and eternal!

That consciousness has been taken away through the egoic mind controlled by Satan that has polluted our inner being. That inner reality is manifested though the external world that has gone berserk, as the homo sapiens killed its own kind, more than one hundred million lives in the last 100 years and massacred all life forms and now killing the earth itself.

With that new consciousness, you will cease to be homo sapiens but be transformed into homo pacem or spiritual luminous!

When that happ ens, t h e C O O P E R AT I V E S WILL BECOME T R A N S F O R M AT I V E FOR PEOPLE, PLANET, PROSPERITY AND PEACE!!!! You are indeed a transformative leader not transactional!

Aid...

from page 5

its major river dredging projects and other floodmitigation initiatives.

Having launched a water sustainability initiative in 2017—to cut SMC Group-wide utility use of water by 50% by 2025, and also discontinuing its plastic bottled water business the same year to demonstrate its seriousness in addressing solid waste pollution particularly in bodies of water—SMC this year launched several major flood-mitigation initiatives.

“More than just providing assistance whenever calamities happen, we at San Miguel sincerely want to help government and our people address the problem of flooding for the long term.

Flooding is a multi-faceted problem and requires multiple approaches. It’s also not just the concern of government or those provinces who are always affected by it. It’s a concern of all of us Filipinos, and we can all contribute to solving it,” Ang said.

“These recent calamities that caused so much grief and loss to so many of our countrymen has strengthened our resolve to continue doing our part and going beyond doing CSR and really investing effort, time, money, and manpower into coming up with solutions that are longterm,” Ang said.

SMC is undertaking a P1billion initiative to dredge, clean up, and deepen the entirety of the 27-kilometer Tullahan-Tinajeros River

system over the next five years, to help solve perennial flooding in Metro Manila, Navotas, Malabon, and parts of Bulacan province. As of mid-to-late October, Ang said that the company had taken out some 48,000 metric tons of garbage and silt from the river, with 600 tons being removed per day.

Recently, it also bared plans to dredge major rivers in Bulacan, to mitigate flooding in the province and, by extension, Metro Manila, by helping ensure that excess waters from Angat dam can flow back to the Manila Bay. Among these is the Marilao-MeycauayanObando river system, one of the top 30 most polluted rivers in the world.

To help mitigate tidal flooding, the company has also started planting the first 10,000 mangroves it intends to plant in Hagonoy, Bulacan, as part of a larger plan to plant and grow almost 200,000 mangroves over 76 hectares of coastal area throughout Bulacan and Central Luzon.

In September, Ang also bared plans to dredge the historic Pasig River, under a P95.4 billion proposed project to clean up the long-dead river and improve the flow of water, as part of the development of the Pasig River Expressway project.

Awareness... from page 1

food-borne and water-borne illnesses that can be spread through food.

“Cleanliness is everything when it comes to food especially since we take it inside our bodies, we need to make sure that food establishments should be accredited, we as consumers should be aware of the risk when we take in food that might be contaminated,” Brito shared.

She further clarified that individuals can catch diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, acute bloody diarrhea, hepatitis A, and worms if consuming contaminated food.

The food safety act of 2013 or RA 10611 also ensures multi-s ec torial regulation to in food safety and enhance industry and consumer confidence in the food regulatory system in the nation.

To upgrade the capability of farmers, fisherfolk, industries, consumers and entrepreneurs in ensuring food safety in Northern Mindanao, DOST10 conducts various skill training activities.

“DOST has been giving food safety webinars especially with the region’s

online sellers ever since the start of the pandemic, this has been our very ‘suki’ (frequent) webinar. In our upcoming national science and technology week this coming November 23 to 29, our weeklong celebration will have farm to fork food safety webinar not just for the sellers but also for the consumer as well to educate both sides” D OST -10 Information Officer Julie Anne Baculio said.

She said the purpose of the webinar is to provide consumer confidence by empowering and informing consumers to the safety of their food especially in the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside their invited participants composed of the DA-10 to talk about “Oh my Gulay,” NMIS-10 to discuss “Karneng Baboy,” BFAR-10 to highlight “Something’s Fishy,” and FDA-10 to tackle “Sana all FDA-Registered.”

"In our current health crisis, it is very important that we are healthy, food intake has a great factor in our health, we are what we eat," Brito said. (VPSB/PIA10)

He added that aside from vegetable gardening for daily consumption, they will sell the surplus of their harvests to the local market as an additional source of income.

Carlota S. Madriaga, DA10 regional technical director for operations, said, “With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has confronted challenges on food security and sufficiency, and to curb these, we have been pushing to accelerate food production to ensure its sufficient supply through the Agri 4Ps (Plant, Plant, Plant Program).”

Otherwise known as the “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) laban sa COVID-19, the Agri-4Ps is the flagship program by DA to ensure the country’s food sufficiency, availability, accessibility, and affordability level during this health emergency situation trigged by the pandemic.

(DA10/PIA10)

Seeds...

from page 1 were able to avail of free vegetable seeds, giving more importance to food security)

R.A. 10172 Form No. (LCRO) NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 7 of R.A. Act. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that JUANITA G. TABIOS has filed with this Office a petition for Correction of Clerical Error in the Certificate of Live Birth from JUANA to JUANITA who was born on MAY 16, 1964 at Gitagum, Misamis Oriental whose parents are FELIX L. GAID and RUFINA B. MILA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than _________________.

Kagay-an Festival 1st Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion

for Orders, Contact Yoyong:

09354145759 09169249371

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BWM: November 11 & 18, 2020

Disaster Preparedness JERLY H. ELUNA

With the proliferating occurrences of disaster in the year 2020, it is a necessity for School Heads to emanate measures to prepare, reduce the risks and effects (if not to fully prevent the disaster), and even mitigate the impact of any tragedy that our school may experience.

Subsequently, one of my main goal in disaster preparedness is to avoid losses from hazard and to assure a safe and harmless environment not just for the students but also for everyone present in school. It is on this ground that I had requested the Office of

our City Mayor, in the person of the very active and education - oriented Mayor Oscar S. Moreno to provide East Gusa National High School with a slope protection fence to shelter our schoolchildren from accidental landslides. Since the school is located on a flattened hill, there are areas in the school where the frontiers are slopes.

Without a second thought, the mayor allocated php 5,000, 000.

00 for the realization of the said slope protection fence. The said infrastructure was on its full swing

on the second week of November 2020. It is 100% complete and will soon be turned over to the school administrators this coming December.

Students would then be very happy to see the new infrastructure.

To fully equipped the people in East Gusa from disastrous and calamitous event in the future I had organized a Disaster Coordinating Team which will aid me in keeping the EGNHS family safe during a natural disaster.

This team was trained to enable them to collectively address various disasters that may occur in the future.

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An affair for Architects Wednesday|November 18, 2020

T

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.