BusinessWeek Mindanao (October 16, 2019)

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume X, No. 56

Market Indicators AS OF 6:00 PM OCT. 15, 2019 (TUESDAY)

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Ring-of-way woe DAVAO City — Aboitizcontrolled Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (AAII) is seeking the support of government agencies in obtaining right-of-way and in managing road traffic associated with the construction of its P12.6-billion bulk water supply project, which is due for completion in 2021.

“Apo Agua deserves to be assisted and helped in terms of moral support, understanding, especially on some challenges on the road right-of way and traffic,” Councilor Danilo C. D ayanghirang sa i d i n an interview during a site visit at the Tamugan River Monday.

AAII General Manager Cirilo C. Almario III said the contractor needs multi-agency assistance particularly for the pipe-laying work to enable raw water transmission, which has started.

Mati airport LOCAL OFFICIALS, together with representatives of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), have decided to expand the development plan for the airport in Mati City, Davao Oriental to include a runway for bigger aircraft.

In a meeting last week, the parties also agreed to push through with construction work using the approved P200 million rehabilitation fund for this year, according to a statement from the provincial government.

The initial plan was to rehabilitate the airport and develop its system for Class 3C operations, which would allow for turbo-propelled aircraft operations.

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Growers say politics affects banana export Wednesday|October 16, 2019

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By LILYBETH ISON, PNA

HE country’s banana producers on Monday denounced the recent move of the Davao del Norte government to destroy the biosecurity installations used to protect farms from a virus feared worldwide that could cause the eradication of Cavendish bananas.

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) wants “cooler heads” to intervene in what the industry sees as "coercion" by local politicians who may be unaware of the danger their actions bear on the future of the country’s top agricultural export earner.

In a statement, PBGEA Executive Director Stephen Antig said the provincial government of Davao del Norte, "in its zeal to clear all road obstructions, may

inadvertently help destroy the same industry that is paying huge amounts of taxes that pay for the services provided to their constituents."

Target of the road clearing operation allegedly ordered

by Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib are the gates to the plantation managed

by Tagum Agric ultural Development Co. (Tadeco) in Barangay Tanglaw, Dujali; El Canto Road in Barangay Balagunan; and Bugtong Lubi EXPORT/PAGE 11

KONTRA POLIO. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III administers an oral polio vaccine to a child in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur on Monday, October 14, during the launch of Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (Synchronized Polio Vaccination), a campaign to ensure children under five will be vaccinated against polio, a disease that was supposed to have been eradicated in the country19 years ago but made a comeback this year with the first confirmed case of polio coming from Lanao del Sur. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

Foreign funds out to finance devt projects in BARMM

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

VARIOUS FOREIGN agencies have committed about P408 million to fund development projects in Mindanao, particularly in the Bangsamoro

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) FINANCE/PAGE 9

DA-Davao warns vs invasive pest from South America

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

RITUALS AND MOBILE PHONES. Talaandig elder carries a chicken that had just been sacrificed during a ritual while a younger member plays with his mobile phone in Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon on Saturday. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

DAVAO City -- The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao Region has expressed fears a species of a

pest attacking some tropical and subtropical parts of South America INVASIVE/PAGE 11

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Local

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WEDNESDAY|OCTOBER 16, 2019

Media groups condemn slay try on Davao Norte broadcaster

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By CHE PALICTE, PNA

AVAO City -- Media organizations have condemned the attempted killing of radio broadcaster Pat Lucero Pacquiao in Tagum City on Friday morning.

Pacquiao, the station manager and owner of RPFM Ang Radyo sa Masa in Tagum City and also the Davao del Norte provincial government information officer, survived an ambush by unidentified men after his morning program.

Police said Pacquiao

was driving home on Friday morning when an assailant pumped bullets on him. He sustained a wound on his back and is being treated at a local hospital.

In a statement sent to the media on Saturday, the Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC)

condemned "in the strongest sense of the word the attempt on the life of Pat Lucero Pacquiao."

"We reiterate that harming any member of the press for any adverse commentary is a dastardly act not worth of a civilized society.

Should any member of the media profession go out of bounds in his or her commentary, the legal remedies remain the best option to exact accountability," the MIPC said.

The MIPC also reminded media

practitioners that freedom of expression "has its limits, and there is no substitute for fair, objective commentary."

The group also demanded that authorities leave no stone unturned in the investigation of the incident.

"We also appeal to the authorities to provide Mr. Pacquiao adequate security. We will continue to monitor this incident and will assist in any way we can to help prevent any such violent act against Mr. Pacquiao and any other members of the

press, for that matter," the MIPC said.

Alfonso Tabas Jr., owner of Radyo de Oro, also denounced the murder attempt on Pacquiao.

"I believe the media is not an adversarial press.

CONDEMN/PAGE 11

Staging of 25th Siargao Int'l Surfing Cup peaceful, orderly

By ALEXANDER LOPEZ, PNA

BUTUAN City -- The Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PROCaraga) has declared the recently-concluded 25th Siargao International Surfing Cup peaceful and orderly.

The annual

international watersport competition, sanctioned by the World Surf League (WSF), was held from October 5 to 9 in the town of General Luna on Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

According to the

assessment released to the media on Monday, PRO-Caraga said more than 200 police personnel were deployed during the weeklong competition to provide security to the professional surfers, as well as the local and foreign tourists who watched the international event.

Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel Jr., PRO-Caraga director, personally visited Siargao Island to oversee the security operations, the PRO-Caraga statement said.

Esquivel attributed the success of the event to the unified effort of the police, the military, and the local government units in the area.

Esquivel also recognized the assistance of other partner SURFING/PAGE 11

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|OCTOBER 16, 2019

SM Lifestyle, Inc. is a venue partner of the 30th SEA Games

S

M Lifestyle Inc., the lifestyle and entertainment arm of SM Prime Holdings, is now an official venue partner of the upcoming 30th SEA Games this November 30 to December 11.

“We’re excited to be part of the 30th SEA Games this year, and can’t wait to see all the athletes in action inside our venues,” says Mr. Herman Medina-Cue, Chief Operations Officer of SM Lifestyle, Inc. It is an honor for our group to contribute to the endeavors of PHISGOC in hosting the games in our country and bring Filipino pride by showcasing our world-class venues.”

The Mall of Asia Arena was announced as the final venue for the 5-on-5 Basketball games, one of the much-awaited events in the lineup of competitions.

The games at the Arena will run from December 4 to 10, with the Philippine team defending their title as champions for the Men’s Division.

For Ice Sports, SM Skating Mall of Asia will be the official venue for Ice Hockey happening on December 1 to 8; and SM Skating Megamall will hold the competitions of Figure Skating from November 29 to December 1 and Short Track on December 3 &

4. Despite being a tropical country, the Philippines has proven to excel in these sports, with the Philippine Ice Hockey team defending their title as champions of the region, coming from their gold medal finish in Kuala Lumpur last 2017.

This will be the 4th time the Philippines will be hosting the SEA Games, with 2005 being the last year the country hosted the games. With over 56 sports to be played and more than 10,000 athletes participating, the 30thSEA Games this 2019 is set to be one of the biggest events in the region this year.

SM Tickets will be providing its full-service online ticketing system and their dedicated customer care hotline for the 30thSEA Games.

As the largest ticketing service in the country, all tickets to the 30th SEA Games will be available across all SM Tickets outlets nationwide located at the Mall of Asia Arena Box Office, and SM Malls through its Business Centers inside The SM Store and ticket booths located at SM Bowling, SM Skating, and SM Cinemas. Tickets may also be purchased online through www. smtickets.com or through the onsite ticket booths at select games and events.

3 SM-30TH SEA GAMES PARTNERSHIP. SM Lifestyle, Inc., the lifestyle and entertainment arm of SM Prime Holdings, is now an official venue partner of the upcoming 30th SEA Games this November 30 to December 11. The Mall of Asia Arena was announced as the final venue for the 5-on-5 Basketball games; while for Ice Sports, the SM Skating Rink will be the official venue for the Ice Hockey competition, and the SM Megamall Rink will hold competitions for figure skating, and Short Track. SM Tickets will likewise be providing its full-service online ticketing system and their dedicated customer care hotline for the games.

In photo, SM Lifestyle COO, Herman Medina-Cue shakes hands during the signing ceremony with Ramon Suzara, COO of PHISGOC to signify SM Lifestyle's support for the upcoming 30th SEA Games

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Opinion

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Terrible thing to waste Think a minute…Have you heard this expression, “It’s raining cats and dogs?” It was started in Europe in the 1500’s when many European houses had thatched roofs made from straw. At night time the animals would climb up on the roof to stay warm, including cats, dogs, and other small animals.

But when it rained hard, the straw became slippery and sometimes the animals slipped and fell off the roof.

So they started the saying, “It’s raining cats and dogs.”

It’s i nt e re s t i n g h ow many of us go through life saying and doing things that often we don’t even know why we do them. Like superstitions which don’t make any sense, yet many of us still believe them. But as we grow and learn more about life, we slowly begin to understand and change some of our incorrect beliefs and thinking. We realize that some things we used to think and believe actually are not true, such as superstitions and racial prejudice.

It’s so important that we always keep learning, b e c aus e our m i nd is a

THINK A MINUTE

WEDNESDAY|OCTOBER 16, 2019

Bank of the Philippine Islands' (BPI) green finance framework BPI Capital Corporation President Rhoda “Chiqui” Huang was ecstatic as she reported to her board late last month.

BPI Capital, a whollyowned subsidiary of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), had acted as Joint Bookrunner and as Sole Global Coordinator for two recent consecutive issues spaced five days apart – of the BPI Green Bonds.

The first was denominated in Swiss Francs (CHF) and the second in US dollars.

In late 2018, Credit Suisse and Union Bank of Switzerland pitched CHF Bonds as an alternative funding source to BPI. Last June, BPI management

visited investors in Zurich and Geneva to engage CHF investors in a potential inaugural transaction and to introduce BPI, which is attempting to diversify its investor base.

O n Au g u s t 2 9 , B P I launched its CHF 100 million two-year green bond issuance, achieving several firsts: 1) first CHF-denominated bond from the Philippines 2) first offshore ASEAN Green Bond offering by a Philippine Bank 3) first negative-yielding bond to be issued out of the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Huang reported that investor response to BPI’s first CHF bond was a pleasant surprise. The CHF bond

was oversubscribed just 90 minutes after the opening of the market.

The CHF 100 million 2-year Green Bond s u c c e s s f u l l y p r i c e d at MS+96.8 bps (-0.02% YTM), inside the tight end of the initial price guidance.

Similarly, BPI has been monitoring the international bond markets for an opportune window following the reestablishment of its Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) program. BPI decided to proceed with the US Dollar bond deal to take advantage of the tightest credit spreads.

On September 3, just 5 days after the successful CHF issue, BPI raised US Dollar 300 million, 5 years, via an

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE

ASEAN Green Bond Issuance.

BPI successfully priced the dollar bond at T+120 bps.

“This represents a negative new issue premium of -6 bps, which is unprecedented,” Huang enthused.

“This represents the first new issue discount from FINANCE/PAGE 9

Uncommon, odd, unaccustomed HAVE MY SAY

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KLAUS DORING Our globe and its population bear innumerable strange facts. Following many people's opinion, this world shows mostly worried characteristics and symptoms nowadays. No wonder. Just try to consume and digest today's headlines and news from all around the globe. Yes, I'm experiencing very strange feelings while watching and reading the daily news.

On the other hand: It is a world with quickly bridged distances - our Mother earth is becoming smaller and

smaller. Any tourist, even with little time and with only a small budget, can travel to other faraway cultures.

But joining them as well as different races and religious communities requires first of all, great care, tact, instinctive feelings, empathy, and logical ideas.

The stranger whom we meet for the first time during a business meeting, for example, maybe an uncommon, odd and extraordinary guy. He may be someone from a foreign country, who speaks another language and whose skin is of another color. He may be a migrant, a restless hiker or the expatriate in our neighborhood.

The foreigner beside you and me can become a provocation or a challenge.

Strangeness can become exoticism. Maybe, that's why my family and I decided to move to the Philippines.

On the other hand - going abroad can open other and

even better horizons. We must not feel as "a stranger in paradise". By the way, I never did!

However, a migrant bears a juxtaposition of optimism (even calculated optimism!), confused feelings, nostalgia, and homesickness. Yes guys, during the first years of my expat's life here in the Philippines, the round trip ticket was always in my mind, because no one among us can escape his native roots.

But, I am really a lucky guy. I experienced an amazing tolerance in the Philippines.

A real practicing tolerance.

Until now! Already, during my first business meetings, I met supportive, forbearing and broad minded people.

A wonderful mix of different cultures without giving up own identities... .

The following quotation remains always in my mind: "I have nothing to offer but blood, sweat and tears!" - The British statesman and former

Prime Minister Sir Winston L. Churchill (1874-1965) said this in 1940 - certainly, in a sad interrelation during World War II. Anyway, I like that remark. Blood, sweat and tears. Because of new challenges and changes also as an expatriate in the Philippines doing business here.

Every new challenge in a strange country means a change. Changes in life are necessary and important. Let's alter or make a difference; let's put one thing for another; let's shift; let's quit one state for another; let's take fresh clothing. Let's burn the "lock fat" away. Blood, sweat and tears - and remember: nothing comes from anything. +++ Email: doringklaus@gmail. com or follow me in Linkedin, Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Compare your business and a 1,428 year-old enterprise

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

"If the family is in good shape, then the company picks up.

If the company is in good shape, then the family picks up. So it's like two wheels going together." Masakazu Kongo, the 40th Generation Successor, Kongo Gumi (578-2006)

terrible thing to waste!

Someone said: “You should always keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out!” In other words, we need to use our mind and conscience God gave us to sort through what’s true and what isn’t.

We’re responsible to think and find out the truth for ourselves. That way we won’t let others rent space in our heads! As a professor of mine used to say: “If you don’t know for yourself, you’ll get hustled and fooled all your life.”

This is why Jesus Christ came: to explain and show us the true way we were made to enjoy the life He THING/PAGE 9

This is a continuation of the last article entitled, "Will Your Family Business survive for Generations?" but with a twist. I decided to make a case study of family owned businesses that are going through periods of internal strife happening among family members, where battle lines have been set and relationships scarred for life in an other wise predictable and preventable disagreement.

I am citing a particular case study sourced from the collection of ICMR that focuses on Kongo Gumi Co., an Osaka, Japan-based c o n s t r u c t i o n c o mp a ny regaled and revered as the world's oldest continuously

operating family-owned business until the end of 2005. The business, run by the Kongo family since 578 had been engaged in the construction of Buddhist temples since its inception.

In recent times, it had diversified into general construction works as well.

However, factors such as risking its resources by over-extending its financial resources during the economic downturn and failure to effectively respond to social changes led to the company's ultimate demise.

As the case study highlighted, in January 2006, Kongo Gumi was liquidated and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takamatsu Construction Group Co. With this acquisition, the unbelievable run of Kongo Gumi as a family-owned business, spread across 39 generations ended. at 1,428 years old, it has done what 99.9999% of family owned businesses in the world failed to achieve...extend

the life of the business for as long as it takes.

Family owned businesses must change to survive What lessons can we learn from Kongo Gumi?

We can just narrow it down to value-based management and succession planning practices. As added learning, it pays to understand and compare the most pervasive and unacceptable pratices currently affecting family relationships. After collaborating with leading family business learning institute ExC ed Group, we have observed that the most common causes of conflict stems from old practices and traditions that are usually started by its founder and inherited by the next generation successor. * Family first. There is a huge difference between f am i ly and non - f am i ly run businesses. In family c ont rol l e d e nte r pr is e s , family comes first. Family members especially business l e a d e r s f o l l ow c e r t a i n

FAMILY BUSINESS COACH

PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO altruistic behaviours to keep family members happy regardless of his or he r c ont r ibut i on to the business. In typical patriarchal fashion, the owner stubbornly coddles the offspring and looked the other way despite the adult child being the least capable amongst siblings.

This creates natural sibling rivalries and can escalate to real infighting when the next generation members assume leadership. * The penchant to blindly fo l l ow t r a d it i on . Mo s t COMPARE/PAGE 9

CorporateWorld 5 PH low-cost carriers to launch new destinations PLDT, Smart eye bigger customer base with Davao converged stores Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|OCTOBER 16, 2019

CEBU Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia Philippines, two of the country's budget carriers, are set to launch new domestic routes in the remaining months of 2019 including international destinations soon.

CEB spokesperson Charo Lagamon said all is set for their CebuBusuanga services on October 27 and ClarkPuerto Princesa route on November 17.

"It has always been the mission of CEB to enable Filipinos to fly and connect more of the Philippines. It's opportune to connect Palawan with the rest of Luzon and the Visayas," Lagamon told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.

She said there is a strong interest for leisure travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) in Palawan, which is known as "the last frontier".

AirAsia Philippines will also launch a twice-daily flight between Manila and Bacolod this month.

The budget carrier would launch services to Zamboanga, Narita in Japan, AirAsia vice chair Sheila Romero announced in a press conference on Wednesday (Oct. 9).

“These routes would be possible as more planes would arrive,” she added.

The company recently launched a ManilaOsaka route, which has now 84 percent load factor, according to chief executive officer Ricardo Isla.

"We are expecting this (load factor) to increase to 90 percent by December," he added.

Isla also said the carrier is now studying to offer services to other parts of Japan such as Tokyo and Narita, since these are proven profitable to other AirAsia companies.

Philippine branch's major shareholders, Representative Mikee Romero and wife Sheila, said introducing new routes would mean more tourists to the Philippines.

The Romeros recently bought Antonio Cojuangco's 15.6 percent shares in AirAsia Philippines, making the couple the majority shareholders with a total of 60 percent stake in the company.

PAL to boost domestic routes Meanwhile, flag carrier Philippine Airlines will also launch four new domestic routes to

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

D

PLDT-Smart Senior Vice-President and Head of Consumer Business Customer Development Alex O. Caeg, speaking at the combined hub’s opening in GMall of

Davao Friday, said they will “push the postpaid businesses both for home and wireless.”

“We want to elevate the kind of customer experience, especially

for the Smart postpaid customers… we also can do some cross-selling,” Mr. Caeg said.

For Smart, he said their current customer base ratio for prepaid and postpaid is 9:1, which gives a lot of room for attracting more postpaid subscribers.

The postpaid service, he said, provides wider and priority access to services.

He explained, for example, that in an area where there is a “high level

AN official of AirAsia Philippines on Wednesday said the carrier sees 2019 as its banner year.

"We project P29 billion revenue by the end of the year, or 39 percent growth from revenue in 2018," AirAsia Philippines vice chair Sheila Romero said during the launch of the carrier's new office.

Romero said the management projects a 90

percent load factor by the end of the year, or having flown a total of 10 million passengers by yearend.

AirAsia Philippines' capacity growth in second quarter of 2019 was up by 19 percent compared to the same period last year. Passengers carried for the second quarter was recorded at 12.8 million, an 18 percent growth yearon-year, resulting in a load

factor of 85 percent.

More planes and routes await the customers, as Romero said the local carrier is committed to provide comfort, convenience at affordable ticket prices to the Filipinos.

In 2019 alone, the carrier has already launched new routes such as flights between Kalibo and Kunming,

AVAO City— PLDT, Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. have opened two converged stores here with an aim to grow their respective customer base, especially in the postpaid segment.

of customer convergence,” postpaid customers get priority in line access through the Smart Signature.

For PLDT, Mr. Caeg said their initial target is to convince fixed-line customers who are not yet connected to the fiber optic network to shift to the service.

The other PLDT-Smart store in Davao, located at the SM Lanang Premier, is operated in partnership

Macao and Chengdu; Clark-Kaohsiung; CebuKaohsiung; Manila-Osaka; and Manila-Bacolod.

The carrier, in terms of punctuality, has improved based on the on-time performance (OTP).

The OTP is being measured by number of departures and arrivals that take place in less than 15 minutes after

AirAsia sees P29-B revenue in 2019

6

Environment

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WEDNESDAY|OCTOBER 16, 2019

Canada-bound IT specialist nabbed for illegal wildlife trade

A

n information technology specialist, who is scheduled to leave for Canada next month, has been arrested for illegal possession and sale of live tarantulas and pythons worth at least P106,000 in Marikina City.

Rommel dela Cruz, 38, was apprehended last October 9 following a raid at his residence in Barangay Tumana by operatives of the Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade or Task Force POGI under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Task Force POGI is a composite team of wildlife law enforcers from various agencies, including the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) and the National Bureau of InvestigationEnvironmental Crime Division (NBI-ECD).

Dela Cruz was arrested after receiving the marked money from NBI-ECD agents who posed as buyers of a pair of tarantulas he was selling.

After searching the residence, the task

force found in Dela Cruz’s possession 11 more tarantulas of different breeds— Brazilian Whiteknee (Acanthoscurria geniculata), Mexican Golden Redrump (Brachypelma albiceps), Mexican Pink (Brachypelma Klaasi), Mexican Redleg (Brachypelma emilia), Chilean Rose (Grammostola rosea) and Bolivian Redrump (Acanthoscurria chacoana).

According to BMB senior ecosystems management specialist Rogelio Demellentes Jr., Dela Cruz was already set to leave for Canada to start a job with a monthly salary of P170,000, a far cry from P35,000 he was getting from his present work at a local publishing firm.

“He was selling off all the tarantulas at a discounted price of P20,000 so he could buy his plane ticket,” Demellentes said, adding that each tarantula could sell at P1,500 in the black market.

The task force also recovered from Dela Cruz

five ball pythons (Python reguis), which he was selling at a wholesale price of P86,000.

Ball python, also known as the royal python, is named for its habit of curling itself up into a tight ball. It is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or simply CITES, in an effort to regulate trade in the species to protect them from becoming threatened or extinct.

NBI-ECD chief Czar Eric Nuqui said Dela Cruz was unable to present any permit or document proving that he was authorized to possess and trade wildlife species.

He said Dela Cruz could be held liable for violating Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, which defines and penalizes illegal possession and trading of wildlife species.

Under the law, violators could face a jail term of up to 12 years and a fine of not more than P1 million.

Meanwhile, NBI-

ECD senior agent Abner Tecson revealed that the smuggling of tarantulas happens when these highly-regulated species are shipped from other countries through courier delivery service as spiderlings, which are then fed “until they are matured

enough to be sold in the black market.”

“Detection and apprehension of people engaged in this illicit trade is really challenging and the arrests are done when perpetrators are already active in the black market,” Tecson said.

At the same time, Tecson warned that the illegal trade of exotic tarantulas poses a threat to local species through cross-breeding and if left unchecked, they can upset the balance in the country’s wildlife species in the spider population.

DENR cuts more than half its case backlog in one year

Woolly mammoth illustration (stock image).

credit :

©

daniel

/

adobe stock

The last mammoths died on a remote island

THE last woolly mammoths lived on Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean; they died out 4,000 years ago within a very short time. An international research team from the Universities of Helsinki and Tübingen and the Russian Academy of Sciences has now reconstructed the scenario that could have led to the mammoths' extinction.

The researchers believe a combination of isolated habitat and extreme weather events, and even the spread of prehistoric man may have sealed the ancient giants' fate. The study has been published in the latest edition of Quaternary Science Reviews.

During the last ice age -- some 100,000 to 15,000 years ago -- mammoths

were widespread in the northern hemisphere from Spain to Alaska. Due to the global warming that began 15,000 years ago, their habitat in Northern Siberia and Alaska shrank.

On Wrangel Island, some mammoths were cut off from the mainland by rising sea levels; that population survived another 7000 years.

MAMMOTHS/PAGE 9

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has reduced its backlog of cases by 62 percent over the course of one year, according to its Legal Affairs Service (LAS).

In its inventory report submitted to DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, LASDirector NorlitoEnerandisclosed that the agency’s case backlog went down to 559 in January 2019 from a high of 1,482 in January 2018.

“The days of long, drawn-out cases are finally numbered,” Cimatu said, adding that progress in eliminating undue delays in the resolution of cases are now being felt as gaps and flaws in the process that had allowed delays to thrive in the past are now being addressed.

Atty. Eneransaid the gains came after the DENR started a program to eliminate the backlog and adopt alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in resolving cases lodged with the agency.

Eneran said the cases, mostly land disputes, are farmed out to the four offices under LAS, including the Zero Backlog Task Force, which Cimatu

created in January 2018 to identify cases that can easily be removed from the dockets “moto proprio” or without the need to hear the parties.

“Almost 90 percent of our cases in the DENR are land cases and the parties involved in many of these are either relatives or neighbors,” Eneran said, noting that ADR proved to be effective in resolving cases of such nature.

ADR, he said, fosters win-win solutions to the parties through a neutral third party, including restoration of strained relationships.

Eneran said that ADR is being implemented in the DENR at the community and provincial levels, pursuant to Republic Act 9285 or the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004 and Executive Order 523 entitled Instituting the Use of ADR in the Executive Department of the Government.

He said the DENR has rolled out a number of ADR training activities nationwide and nonlawyer personnel of the agency have been encouraged to become Alternative Dispute Resolution Officers or

ADROs. ADROs are “mediators” who help both parties find or tailor solutions to specific needs of both parties outside of the litigation process.

Eneran said that a total of 157 ADROs have been accredited after passing rigorous trainings and 64 more are expected to be added after completion of their training programs this month.

ADR became fully operational at the DENR in December 2016with the issuance of DENR Administrative Order 2016-30 calling for the establishment of mechanisms and tools for ADR in the disposition of land claims and conflicts, the organization of a pool of ADROs, and the creation of a committee and secretariat tasked to implement the ADR process.

“These efforts have translated into fewer cases elevated to the DENR Central Office for appeal,” Eneran pointed out.

Of the 559 cases, 193 are with the Legal Research and Opinion Division; 127 with the Claims and Conflicts Division; 97 with the BACKLOG/PAGE 11

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WEDNESDAY|OCTOBER 16, 2019

7

Banking&Finance

WB cuts PH growth outlook; sees recovery in 2020-21

T

HE World Bank (WB) has revised its Philippine economic growth forecast for 2019 amid the sharp deceleration in investment growth and the impact of global developments, but expecting a recovery over the next two years.

The WB now sees the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growing 5.8 percent from its April forecast of 6.4 percent, according to the Philippines Economic Update (PEU) it released on Thursday.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, WB senior

economist for the Philippines Rong Qian said GDP growth slowed down from 6.3 percent in the first half of 2018 to 5.5 percent this year, driven by a contraction in public investment due to the delayed passage of the 2019 national budget and the spending ban on new projects before the May election.

Qian also cited the continuous deceleration of export activities in the first half of 2019 given the unstable global policy environment caused by the trade dispute between the United States and China and the sustained weakness in global

demand.

But she said the Philippine economy is expected to recover to 6.1 percent in 2020 and 6.2 percent in 2021.

“Economic growth is expected to surpass 6 percent in 2020-21 as the impact of the budget delay dissipates, assuming timely passage of new budgets, private consumption growth remains robust, and that uncertainties around the passage of tax reform program dissipate soon,” she said.

Qian noted that public investment is among the main economic growth drivers in the

next two years. “… Because the infrastructure gap is still there and (it) is still the government priority to do more infrastructures spending in the rest (remaining years) of the administration. But also private investments should pick up once the uncertainty around the corporate tax reform is resolved, (and) that the private investment that was on hold should start coming again,” she added.

Qian said monetary policy is also expected to be “accommodative” as inflation pressure diminishes.

The PEU report added strong private consumption due to lower inflation, higher employment rates, robust remittances, and rising wages, and a recovery in public investment spending will keep the economy buoyant.

The country’s inflation declined steadily in 2019 reaching 1.7 percent in August, driven by stabilizing food and energy prices.

The services sector will also drive growth fueled by the continuing expansion of financial services and tourism.

(PNA)

Exec eyes growth for HSBC financial service DBP exec optimistic for CONTINUOUS growth of the Philippine economy made a ranking HSBC official forecast a robust expansion for the bank’s personalized financial service called Premier.

In a briefing Thursday, HSBC head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management Peter Faulhaber said Premier was launched in the country in March 2000 but it was re-launched last July.

“Since we re-launched

in July, we've seen a significant increase in the number of new Premier customers we've acquired over the last three months than what we have over the previous six months,” he said.

The financial service caters to people, who can put a minimum placement called total relationship balance (TRB) of P3 million, those who have a home loan amounting to at least P6 million, or those

who have monthly salary of P300,000, which will be deposited as part of their TRB on a monthly basis.

Among the perks of being an HSBC Premier client include recognition of the said status in all countries with HSBC instantaneously, fee-free international online fund transfers between HSBC accounts, international account opening before the client arrives in his destination, access

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12th Judicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF Tubod, Lanao del Norte NOTICE OF EXTRA – JUDICIAL SALE (EJF No. 223-07-2019) Upon the Extra Judicial Petition for Sale under Act 3135/1508, as amended, filed by the 1st VALLEY BANK, A DEVELOPMENT BANK, Baroy, Lanao del Norte against LITA GOMOS PEPITO, of legal age, a resident of Tubaran, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, to satisfy the indebtedness which as of March 27, 2019, amounting to ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P120,000.00) excluding penalties, charges, attorney’s fee and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will sell at Public Auction on 15th day of October, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 07, Provincial Capitol of Lanao del Norte, Pigcarangan, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s check and in Philippine Currency, the following property with all its improvements, to wit: LIST OF MORTGAGED PROPERTIES TCT No. 149-2016000178 Lot No. A-2-C, CSD-123522-005753 “A parcel of land situated at Pigcarangan, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, containing and area of THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR (384) SQUARE METERS, more and less, including all the improvements found thereon and more particularly described and bounded as follows; Bounded on the N., along line 2-3 by Lot No. A-2-B, CSD-123522-005753; on the NE., along line 3-4 by Lot No. A-2-Q, CSD-123522-005753; on the SE., along line 4-5-6 by Lot no. A-2-K, CSD-123522-005753; on the NW., along line 6-1-2 by National Highway.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and time.

In the event that the Public Auction cannot take place on the said date, it shall be held on November 19, 2019 without further notice.

Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, this September 5, 2019.

BWM: October 2, 9 & 16, 2019

(SGD) ROY B. MADRONA Sheriff IV

to HSBC Premier International Centers, and access to emergency cash from HSBC Premier Centers in about 65 countries and territories.

Faulhaber said this service will be beneficial to, among others, parents who send their kids to study overseas.

Citing results of the bank’s annual overseas education 2019 survey, the HSBC official said their HSBC/PAGE 11

sustainability bond sale A ranking Development Bank of the Philippines’ (DBP) official is optimistic about a strong uptick for the bank’s P5-billion, 2-year sustainability bond as more people realize the value of investing for nation-building.

Offer period will be from October 21-30, 2019 and issuance is targeted to be on November 11, 2019.

Pricing guidance was

initially set at 4.25 percent per annum and targeted to be finalized by October 18.

DBP First Vice President and head of Corporate Finance Group Francis Nicolas M. Chua, in an interview after the institutional investors briefing Monday, said sustainability bonds are not simple corporate paper since its proceeds OPTIMISTIC/PAGE 11

8

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WEDNESDAY|OCTOBER 16, 2019

Kingad, Belingon seek redemption for Team Lakay at One: Century in Tokyo, Japan

F

OR Danny “The King” Kingad and Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, the trip to Tokyo, Japan is the most crucial juncture in their illustrious careers so far. The two Team Lakay mainstays and Globe Ambassadors hope that when they return to the Philippines next week, they will bring home two ONE World Titles.

But to do this The King and The Silencer must hurdle highly-favored opponents at ONE: Century, the biggest event in martial arts history.

The massive two-part card takes place at the iconic Ryogoku Sumo Hall on October 13.

Kingad will battle Demetrious “The Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship Final, while Belingon faces rival Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil for the fourth time with the ONE Bantamweight World Championship on the line.

Against Johnson, Kingad will have his hands full against the wily and highly-respected 12time American flyweight mixed martial arts world champion. Johnson is considered by many to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.

At ONE: Dawn of Heroes last August, Johnson hammered home a unanimous decision victory over Tatsumitsu Wada in the tournament semifinals. Kingad, on the other hand, narrowly edged out Reece McLaren via split decision.

Ahead of the biggest bout of his young career thus far, Kingad is laser focused on attaining victory.

“A win in ONE: Century is very important for me. I always prepare in all and any event because my end goal is to become a champion. This is my time to showcase my new skills that I have been working so hard on for the last few weeks. We put much effort in our training because we don’t want the recent results in Manila to happen again,” Kingad says.

Just like Kingad, Belingon knows the importance of a victory against his Brazilian rival.

A win over Fernandes will allow Belingon to regain the title he lost to The Flash last March in Tokyo.

It will also reestablish Team Lakay’s place among the best martial arts teams in the world after a challenging run this year.

“For me, a win is very important for this match because it will bring me

back to the position as a bantamweight champion.

We trained hard to win this match and there is no pressure for me going to this match. We will just focus on our game plan in order to show the best of our performance,” Belingon explains.

Fernandes currently enjoys a 2-1 edge over Belingon in their heated rivalry. Both Kingad and Belingon ask their fans to support them once again this coming Sunday.

“To our fans and viewers, we thank you for your prayers. We hope you will continue to support us,” Kingad adds.

Aside from Kingad and Belingon, three other Filipino mixed martial arts athletes will also see action at ONE: Century, a card which features multiple world title bouts and Grand Prix Championship Finals.

ONE Heavyweight World Champion and mixed martial arts veteran Brandon “The Truth” Vera will face fellow world champion Aung La N Sang for the Burmese Python’s ONE Light Heavyweight World Title in the main event of the evening card.

Team Lakay veteran Honorio “The Rock” Banario will take on his biggest challenge yet in former ONE Lightweight World Champion and Japanese legend Shinya Aoki, while teammate Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang will try to impress in his ONE Championship main roster debut opposite the dangerous Senzo Ikeda of Japan in a strawweight clash.

ONE: Century is the single biggest world

Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon

championship martial arts event in history with 28 World Champions featured across various martial arts.

No other organization in history has ever attempted to throw two full-scale world championship events on the same day. It is the first time in history. ONE: Century is the single greatest martial arts event in the last 100 years.

The first part is headlined by reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee as she defends her title against ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The

Utilization of technology in classroom instruction

By JANITA L. AMINAO Teacher III Solana Elementary School Jasaan District

Ako ang Paglaom Ni: MAILYN P. MADRIGAL Teacher-I Sinaloc Elementary School

Sa kangitngit sa taliwala ako nahimugso, Sa kahayag sa bulan ako nanlimbasog.

Ako usa ka bata nga walay gigikanan Apan ako mibarog niining kalibutan.

Kahadlok, kasakit akong gipuy-an Apan kalipay sa kanunay akong gihuptan.

Kadako sa kalibutan nga akong nabarugan, Ka abunda sa mga tawong wala ko nangailhan.

Apan, apan anaay maanindot nga panagway nga akong nakita, Kahayag sa adlaw nga nisidlak sa iyang likuran.

Anaay usa ka anino sa tawo, Ug siya malipayon gayod kaayo.

Wala ako masayod kung kinsa siya Apan nailhan ko diay kining tawhana.

Siya mao diay ako sa umaabot.

THE integration of information technology with K-12 is by no means trivial and is not simply a matter of training the instructor and the students in the use of computers. Effective use and integration of computers in the classroom requires a dep ar ture f rom t he traditional instructional mode so that technologymediated communication in the classroom becomes pedagogically superior to the alternative modes of instruction. Research i s n e e d e d t o prov i d e information and insight into the impact of emerging information technology on the learning process.

With the declining cost of computer hardware and software and the subsequent increase in prevalence

of computer-equipp ed classrooms, computermediated collaborative l e a r n i n g p r ov i d e s a n opportunity for enhancing the educational process through the application of information technology. It is believed that the positive e du c at i ona l outc ome s of computer-mediated col lab orat ive le ar ning make for high returns on investment of instructor time and effort.

The concept of this technology came into being with the appearance of sound cards, then compact discs, then came the use of digital camera then the video which made computer an essential educational tool. Nowadays, multimedia expands to become a field on its own.

Danny “The King” Kingad

Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China. The second part is headlined by a World Champion versus World Champion super bout when Aung La N Sang takes on Brandon Vera.

Also to see action is newly-crowned ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon of Thailand who will defend his title for the first time against Walter Goncalves of

Brazil, while Italian legend Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan faces Samy “AK47” Sana of France in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final.

Globe subscribers can enjoy ONE: CENTURY Part I & II and all the forthcoming ONE Championship events, updates, highlights and action via the ONE Super App (https://glbe.co/ ONESuperApp).

CAGAYAN de Oro City — The Social Security System (SSS) on Wednesday nabs a business owner of a noncompliant establishment during its SSS Oplan Tokhang operations in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The SSS-PNP team served a warrant of arrest to Bienvenido D. Macaraeg Jr., proprietor of Sunny Farm located at 1719 JR Borja St., Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City due to violation of Republic Act 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018).

“SSS Oplan Tokhang is a continuing program of the SSS which was launched in 2017 to further intensify its collection campaign against delinquent employers. We salute our PNP partners for conducting rigorous investigation and strict police surveillance in order to arrest this delinquent employer,” SSS

Department Manager III for Mindanao North Legal Department Raul P. Cinco said.

Macaraeg was arrested due to non-remittance of more than P1.2 million worth of SSS contributions and penalties.

“I hope that this will serve as an important lesson not only to Mr. Macaraeg but also to all employers in CDO to collect and remit religiously the monthly SSS contributions of their employees to SSS,” added Cinco.

However, the SSSPNP Team failed to serve warrants of arrest to two other employers identified as Roy A. Bustamante, proprietor of RAB Innovative Engineering and Leah Lourdes S. Perez of St. Ignatius Learning Center. But, follow-up operations on the two other accused and a series of manhunt on others nationwide in a list SSS/PAGE 9

SSS, PNP nabs delinquent employer in Cagayan de Oro City

9

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WEDNESDAY|OCTOBER 16, 2019

Misamis Oriental, sulod sa top 16 isip 2019 Most Business Friendly Awards sa tibuok Pinas L A I NG p a g p am atu o d n a u s ab sa maayong pamunuan ang pangagamhanang lokal sa Misamis Oriental karong panahona human gipasidunggan sa Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) isip usa sa mga probinsya nga nakasulod sa top 16 most businessfriendly local government unit sa province category niadtong Oktubre 3, 2019, sa PCCI Board Room, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Sa 81 ka probinsiya sa tibuok Pilipinas, kombate ang Misamis Oriental nga nakasulod sa top 16.

Mismong si Gob. Bambi Emano ang

Finance... from page 1

announced last week.

MinDA, in a statement, said it will collaborate with the donors in conducting capacity-building initiatives in BARMM. “These initiatives from our development partners will, in the end, help us realize and achieve our vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and poverty-free Mindanao,” Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, MinDA chair, said.

The fund is coming from the Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, World Food P r o g r a m m e , Eu r o p e a n Union, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit.

During a meeting with the donor agencies last Oct. 8, the agencies appraised MinDA on their current initiatives in Mindanao focusing on the economy, infrastructure, social, governance, and environment.

Mr. Piñol said he wants s t r o n g e r c o o r d i n at i o n between the government, both local and national, and the donor agencies in the implementation of programs through the use of the resultsbased reporting system.

He said coordination with local government units could be coursed through the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors Leagues of Mindanao (CONFEDMindanao).

“In this way, we get feedback on the updates as project status is reported,” he said.

BARMM, which replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is a result of the peace agreement

midawat sa maong ganti kauban sila ni Mr. Stanley Uriarte, ang Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC); Ms. Ivalyn Iducos sa Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO); Engr.

Jun Balo, ang ulo sa Management Information System (MIS); Capitol consultant Ms. Eliza Pabillore; ug Provincial Governor’s Office chief of staff Ms. Jonafe Gutierrez Tapulgo.

Malaumon usab si Gobernador Bambi nga makasulod ngadto sa top 3 ang Misamis Oriental nga ipahibalo karung umalabot Oktubre 17, 2019 sa Rizal Park Hotel, Manila, nga

between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Mammoths... from page 6

The team of researchers from Finland, Germany and Russia examined the isotope compositions of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and strontium from a large set of ma m mot h bones and teeth from Northern Siberia, Alaska, the Yukon, and Wrangel Island, ranging from 40,000 to 4,000 years in age. The aim was to document possible changes in the diet of the mammoths and their habitat and find evidence of a disturbance in their environment. The results showed that Wrangel Island mammoths' collagen carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions did not shift as the climate warmed up some 10,000 years ago. The values remained unchanged until the mammoths disappeared, seemingly from the midst of stable, favorable living conditions.

This resu lt contrasts w it h t he f indings on woolly mammoths from the Ukrainian-Russian plains, which died out 15,000 years ago, and on the mammoths of St. Paul Island in Alaska, who d isappea red 5,6 0 0 years ago. In both cases, the last representatives of these populations showed si g n i f ic a nt c h a nge s i n their isotopic composition, indicating changes in their environment shortly before they became locally extinct.

Earlier aDNA studies indicate that the Wrangel Island mammoths suffered mutations affecting their fat metabolism. In t his s t udy, t he te a m fou nd an intriguing difference between the Wrangel Island mammoths and their ice age Siberian predecessors: the

adunay tema: "Enabling Business in a Digital Economy".

Ang Philippine Chamb er of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) nagapahigayon sa tinuig nga Search for Most Business-Friendly Local Government Units sa tibuok Pilipinas, sa tumong nga mahibaloan ug mapalanog ang transparensiya ug katarong sa gobernadores ug mayores sa ilang pangatungdanan; ug usab mahimong ehemplo ngadto sa uban nga naghatag epektibong serbisyo sa katawhan ug mga reporma sa pagatiman sa tanang adunay transaksiyon sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka balay-lungsod.

carbonate carbon isotope values indicated a difference in the fats and carbohydrates in the populations' diets.

"We t hin k t his ref lects the tendency of Siberian mammoths to rely on their reserves of fat to survive t h rou g h t he e x t remely ha r sh ic e a ge w i nter s , while Wrangel mammoths, living in milder conditions, simply didn't need to," says Dr. Laura Arppe from the Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus, University of Helsinki, who led the team of researchers. The bones also contained levels of sulfur and strontium that suggested the weathering of bedrock intensified toward the end of the mammoth population's existence. This may have affected the quality of the mammoths' drinking water.

Why then did the last woolly mammoths disappear so suddenly? The researchers suspect that they died out due to short-term events. Extreme weather such as a rain-onsnow, i.e. an icing event could have covered the ground in a thick layer of ice, preventing the animals from finding enough food. That could have led to a dramatic population decline and eventually to ex tinction. "It's easy to imagine that the population, perhaps already weakened by genetic deterioration and drinking water quality issues could have succumbed after something like an extreme weather event," says professor Hervé Bocherens from the Senckenberg Center for Hu m a n Evolut ion a nd Palaeoenvironment at the University of Tübingen, a co-author of the study.

Another possible factor could have been the spread of humans. The earliest archaeological evidence of humans on Wrangel Island dates to just a few hundred

years after the most recent mammoth bone. The chance of finding evidence that humans hunted Wrangel Island mammoths is very small. Yet a human contribution to the extinction cannot be ruled out.

The study shows how isolated small populations of l a r ge m a m m a l s a re pa r t ic u l a rly at r i s k of extinction due to extreme environmental inf luences and human behavior. An important takeaway from this is that we can help preserve species by protecting the populations that are not isolated from one another.

(Story Source: Materials provided by University of Helsinki / www.sciencedaily. com)

SSS...

from page 8

provided by SSS to PNP under a MOU signed in 2017 will be pursued.

“We are calling out to the public, especially to the affected employees of the said employers to inform our SSS branch or the nearest police station regarding any information of their whereabouts.

Unfair labor practices should be stopped and we advise our private sector workers to be vigilant and assertive of their rights as SSS members,” said Cinco.

SSS has already conducted Tokhang operations in Laguna, Makati, Quezon City, Iloilo, Isabela, Alabang, Manila, Malabon, Taguig, Bacolod, and Cagayan de Oro with a total collection of P10.04 million.

Aside from Oplan Tokhang, SSS is also conducting Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaigns in several cities and provinces to remind delinquent employers of their statutory obligations under the SS Law. Moreover, SSS has already posted show cause orders to 217 business establishments nationwide and has collected P7.10 million from these accounts.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

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IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|October 16, 2019

10

Nissan Cagayan de Oro hosts Patrol Royale night N

By MARK FRANCISCO Photos by MIKE BAÑOS

ISSAN Cagayan de Oro under president Jefferson Rolida brought to Cagayan de Oro last October 11 top executives of Nissan Philippines led by president and managing director Atsushi Najima for the Nissan Patrol Royale night.

The event at Grand Caprice Restaurant was meant to introduce to the public in Cagayan de Oro City and nearby areas the new 2019 Nissan Patrol Royale which is the latest iteration of the Patrol line.

Along this line, exclusive discounts and financing schemes were offered on the day of the event only and to entice the public, a 50” LED smart television set and five action cameras were raff led off to the participants.

Nissan Philippines also brought to the venue the winners of the recently concluded Miss Asia Pacific International 2019 – grand winner Chaiyenne Husiman, first runner-up Eonna Constanza, second runner-up Jessica Cianchino and fourth runner-up Fiorella Cortez Arbenz to spice up the event.

The new 2019 Nissan Patrol Royale is part of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility series.

“We’re using new technologies to transform cars from mere driving machines into partners. Together, the journey is more confident, connected

and exciting. It’s a future already taking shape in the Nissan you drive today,” remarked Najima.

The new 2019 Nissan Patrol Royale is made with more power.

Dominate your drive with a maximum power of 400 hp/5,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 560 Nm/4,000 rpm.

Control your drive with a seven-speed transmission that can shift to a manual shift mode. Relax inside the luxurious cabin with interior trims and premium leather seats, now with a tan option.

Enjoy your ride with the 8” multisource entertainment system equipped with BOSE premium audio and smartphone connectivity.

Using a virtual 360-degree bird’s eye view that provides a full perspective while parking, the onboard cameras give you visual and audible alerts when the system detects movement around your vehicle. In reverse, the display helps you see what’s directly behind you while the overhead view helps with smaller objects that may be hidden below your window. The side is a great help for seeing how close you are to the curb. With a front and overhead view, you know just how far to pull up without going too far. This is Intelligent Mobility at work.

Nissan Cagayan de Oro is located at Elipe Park, Rodolfo N. Pelaez Blvd., this city.

Nissan Cagayan de Oro Jeff Rolida welcomes guests to Patrol Royale Night CDO.

Nissan Philippines President and Managing Director Atsushima Najima presents the new Nissan Patrol Royale.

It is available in Gun Metallic Gray, Black Obsidian, Pearl White and Topaz Brown

Rear view perspective showing new sheet metal, a more chiseled and defined bumper and updated spoiler.

The new Nissan Patrol Royale features a powerful 5.6 liter Gasoline DOHC V8 with Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL) & Direct Injection churning out a massive 400HP@5,800 rpm and max torque of 560 Nm@4,000 rpm

In adverse conditions, you can drive with confidence with its Helical Limited Slip Differential (LSD), Locking Rear Differential and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) to maintain momentum and traction with its massive 20 inch allow wheels.

Miss Asia Pacific International 2019 Chaiyenne Husiman and her court with the four winners of the raffle prizes for the evening.

Nissan Philippines General Manager Rollie Navarro details the nights special offering for Patrol Royale buyers and for those who would purchase one in the next 3 months.

The revised grille features a new pair of LED projector headlamps with unique LED DRLs and round fog lamps

Officers and staff of Nissan Philippines and Nissan CDO pose for posterity with Ms Asia Pacific International and her court.

11

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WEDNESDAY|OCTOBER 16, 2019

Surfing... from page 2

agencies and community stakeholders who “collaboratively worked to ensure the safe, peaceful and orderly conduct of the international event.”

Esquivel, together with the PRO-Caraga staff and Col. Adolph C. Almeda, the police provincial director of Surigao del Norte, conducted field visits and inspection in General Luna on October 7, 2019.

T h e f o l l o w i n g d a y, Esquivel visited the other police stations on the island, particularly in the towns of Burgos, Sta. Monica, and San Benito. (PNA)

Condemn... from page 2

We are just watchdogs who also need protection," Tabas said.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Investigative Journalists Alliance Inc. (MIJIA) also expressed condemnation of the incident.

Possible motives The MIPC cited that based on media interviews with Pacquiao, the radioman said he had commented on several hot-button issues in his radio program before the incident.

"We cannot, therefore, rule out the possibility that the attack may have been related to his radio commentary," the media organization said.

In a video inter view posted by Mindanet Balita on its Facebook Page on Friday, Pacquiao admitted that he has a feud with a coemployee, Davao del Norte provincial administrator Josie Jean Rabanos.

He also said the Tagum Agricultural Development Corporation (Tadeco) was the subject of his commentary on his radio program.

"I don't know if she [Rabanos] has the capacity to kill me," he added.

Asked to comment about the allegation, Rabanos replied: “Me? How can I? We are working in one roof and I take his attacks and comments as constructive criticism.”

Me a n w h i l e , Ta d e c o assistant vice president for Human Resource Zeaus Vadil in an interview said: “Why link that to the controversy at hand (to Tadeco)? We work professionally and we do not do that, that’s too much.”

Vadil was referring to Tadeco's conflict with the provincial government, which has attempted to close the road barriers erected by the company on its banana plantations.

Pacquiao was appointed by first-termer Davao del Norte Governor Edwin I. Jubahib as the provincial information officer in July.

(PNA)

HSBC... from page 7

clients noted issues of transferring funds abroad, difficultly to open a bank account in the country of destination, and getting a credit card as among the reasons parents face when

sending their kids to study overseas.

He said these issues are what Premier wants to address to help their affluent clients.

Another feature of the personalized financial service is the extension of Premier’s benefits to the primary client’s kids.

For kids aged seven to 17 years, the product is called HSBC Premier Junior Pack while it is the HSBC Premier NextGen for children between 18-28 years of age.

“I think one of the key driving factors around the Premier Junior Pack and also the NextGen is in this day and age, regardless whether you’re in the Philippines or in the US, financial literacy and people understanding how money works is extraordinarily important,” Faulhaber added. (PNA)

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will be used for specific infrastructure projects.

He explained that its issuance is in line with the bank’s sustainability framework, which extends l o ans t o proj e c t s t h at support the environment and economic expansion.

Among t he proj e c ts for financing under this framework are renewable energy and energy sufficiencyrelated infrastructure as well as the construction of hospitals and schools by both the government and the private sector.

Chua said they have received positive feedback f rom t h e i n s t itut i on a l investors and indicated a willingness to upsize the issuance if needed.

“We can also do a followup but it depends on the need of the bank because as mentioned earlier we have to make sure that the proceeds will be used for the projects,” he said, pointing out that “we have to also identify projects in the pipeline so that we can allocate the funds.”

“We have to also identify projects in the pipeline so that we can allocate the funds,” he added.

The DBP official said primary risk to the issuance to date is rate volatility but stressed that issuing the debt paper by next month is way better than doing it six months back.

This, since the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has slashed its key policy rates by about 75 basis points to date as domestic inflation continues to decelerate and domestic growth, despite a slip in the first half of the year, is seen to recover in the second half and hit the government’s 6-7 percent growth.

Chua also noted that while the domestic appetite for sustainability bonds remains low in the domestic market compared overseas it “is still evolving.”

“But we’re hoping that the more we come up with these kinds of bonds the more the market and the population gets informed about it and can make informed decisions,”

he said.

“Right now, there’s no difference in pricing so it’s really a preference of investors,” he added. (PNA)

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Road in Barangay Bobongan in the said province.

The provincial government allegedly wanted to remove the biosecurity features, such as temporary entry barriers, that help guide the public to go through “tire dips” and insecticide sprays for passing vehicles and “footbaths” for pedestrians entering the plantation.

The biosecurity facilities are crucial in preventing the spread of the Panama disease or fusarium wilt.

PBGEA chairman Alberto Bacani pointed out that biosecurity facilities, as a matter of national concern, should not be seen as traffic obstruction.

“These should be seen as a protective measure which helps the community in its income generation,” Bacani said in a statement.

“If you remove these facilities, you destroy the people’s source of income,” he noted.

In areas where there are no biosecurity facilities, Bacani said, Panama disease has already affected banana plantations in barangays of Kimamon, La Libertad, Salvacion, Talomo, Lungaog, Casig-ang, Balagunan, Tibal-og and Kinamayan, all in Davao del Norte.

About 2,402 hectares of banana plantations were reported to have been affected by the disease and packing houses covering 300 hectares had already shut down.

Antig pointed out this could have been prevented had the local governmentimposed biosecurity facilities in the villages traversed by the plantation roads.

Vi c t or Me rc a d o Jr. , president of PBGEA, said this incident should help the public appreciate the role and distinction of the local government against national policies on food safety and biosecurity.

Last Oct. 9, the Panabo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted Tadeco for the issuance of a 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) against the removal of the firm’s biosecurity facility.

For his part, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairman Emmanuel Piñol said his office is preparing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Tadeco and the Davao del Norte government. “(It will be a) compromise agreement where Tadeco will agree that people as well as vehicles will be allowed to pass through (the road) provided that they will undergo quarantine procedures,” Piñol said in an interview with the media.

The Bureau of Plant Indust r y (BPI) Sp e ci a l Quarantine Administrative Order 01-2012 has declared the province of Davao del Norte as infected with Panama disease and placed the entire

area under quarantine.

Under the order, banana plantations are obliged to implement quarantine and border control measures, such as checkpoints and installation of wheel and foot baths.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año clarified the issuance of Memorandum Circular 121-2019, which states that all local officials are enjoined to exercise their powers essential to reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends and in the process, rid them of illegal structures and constructions.

Local governments are also to cause rehabilitation of all recovered public roads by placing street names and street lights, among others.

They are likewise encouraged to develop and implement strategies that will address the displacement issues caused by the implementation of this order.

Año stressed the order should only be used for road clearing of public roads and not for purposes other than intended, including demolishing structures in private lots without notice and just compensation.

The Bureau of Corrections’ D avao Pena l C olony (Dapecol) is the owner of the contested land which is being planted to Cavendish bananas by Tadeco under a joint-venture agreement.

Dapecol has already issued a letter to the Davao del Norte provincial government explaining that the farm roads where the biosecurity structures are located are privately owned.

Tadeco fears that they may face penalties if the biosecurity facilities are removed since these installations were mandated not only by a special quarantine order from BPI, but also by a Davao del Norte provincial ordinance issued in 2012.

Antig noted the provincial and local governments should in fact promote the industry since the banana companies are top taxpayers in their respective areas of operation.

“Their constituents are largely dependent on the banana industry for their livelihood. They should help the banana growers, and not interfere in their operations,” he said. (PNA)

on the lar vae recovered from those two areas are 95% similar to the larvae of the Fall Armyworm (FAW), among them light-colored band on the lower lateral, pale dorsal line, darker lateral band, smaller spots arranged in trapezoid pattern in most dorsal segment, large spots on the second last segment, head color varies from orange, brown or black.

Infante said shipping vessels likely brought FAW, an alien pest from South America, to Davao.

A briefer released by DADavao said the FAW is a pest that can feed on more than 80 crop species and may cause significant yield reduction on major cultivated cereals such as maize, rice, sorghum, and also to legumes, vegetables crops and cotton.

Infante urged farmers to report any sighting of the FAW to the DA-Davao so that they can take the necessary measures to prevent a full-blown infestation on cash crops as the pest is considered as a “strong migratory flyer” that can fly across 100 kilometers to neighboring areas.

She said the presence of FAW poses threats to the food security in Mindanao as the female pest, which can live for 10 days up to 21 days, can lay around 50 to 200 eggs. According to her, the FAW larvae enter the pupa stage after 14 to 22 days and hatch into an adult insect after eight to 30 days.

She s ai d t he i n it i a l sightings were observed in corn plantations of Baguio District in Davao City and Malalag municipality in Davao del Sur. The DA immediately distributed “green label” pesticides to farmers to mitigate the possible spread to other parts. It also planned to use biological control agents to prevent the infestation.

“We have industries that rely on corn production since we have to support our hog and poultry, our corn should not be compromised,” she said.

She said the initial steps taken by the agency included a blanket spraying to ensure the areas where the larva had been found are sufficiently covered.

She said it is necessary

to prevent its spread as the hog and poultry industries would heavily suffer as they dependent on corn for feed production.

On May 9, 2019, George Culaste, OIC Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry issue d a memorandum on “Pest Advisory on Fall Armyworm” to all Regional Executive Directors in the country, BPI Center Chiefs, the National Plant Quarantine Services Division, the National Seed Quality Control Services Division Crop Research and Production Support Division.

Culaste said that in view of the “continuous and rapid spread” of FAW “in our neighboring countries and since the Philippine climatic condition is conducive to the preference of the devastating pest, you are hereby advise to alert your staff to engage in pest surveillance.”

“You are also advise to closely monitor the pest by conducting detection survey in your respected regions to determine its presence for immediate management,” Culaste said.

Att ached to t he memorandum were “pertinent information and possible manage me nt st r ate g i e s for your information and immediate action.”

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Litigation and Prosecution Division; and 9 with the Investigation and Arbitration Division.

Another 133 pending cases are with the Zero Backlog Task Force whose duty is to dispose of cases filed in or before 1999 and to resolve those where parties can be considered to have abandoned their claims for failure to submit the required pleadings or non-payment of fees.

The task force used to handle 871 cases that were either for dismissal, archiving or mediation. The bulk of these cases were appeals on land dispute rulings by DENR regional directors.

Invasive...

from page 1 and Asia have reached the Davao region after agriculturists recovered some lar vae resembling that of a Fall Armyworm ((Spodoptera frugiperda) in Baguio District, Davao City, and Malalag in Davao del Sur. Marilou Infante, chief of the Regional Crop Protection Center of the DA-Davao Region told the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday that they immediately transported samples to the Bureau of Plant and Industry for confirmatory tests.

A lt hou g h re su lt s of the tests are have yet to be released this week, Infante said the physical appearance, especially the markings found

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LIFESTYLE IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|October 16, 2019

12

Notofthisworld – your local source of inspirational apparel E

By MARK FRANCISCO

VER feeling down and there’s no one immediate person to talk to. Why not literally wearing something that can make your minds at peace?

A locally-branded apparel from Cagayan de Oro makes exactly like that – expression shirts,

hoodies, sweaters, caps and printed with Bible verses and other words of inspiration.

Entrepreneur Chinny Fuentes, the woman behind Notofthisworld, said that selling wardrobe with inspiring messages is her own contribution of being a Christian spreading good vibes and inspiring people.

In fact, Notofthisworld’s apparel isn’t just sold here but has already reached the shores of Cebu, New

Jersey, New Zealand and even Canada both through word of mouth and social media.

There are 15 designs to choose from – the cotton shirts are printed with such words as “Be Still – Psalm 16:10” “Let God” “Saved” and lots more.

There are also 15 colors to choose from in all sizes available – small, medium, large, extra

large and XXL. There are even shirts and hoodies for kids too. The colors available are red, white, black, yellow, mustard, pink, maroon, orange, forest green, olive green, gray, navy blue and royal blue.

Notofthisworld – yes these exact characters – can be ordered online via Facebook and Instagram.

Fuentes decided to venture into ready-to-

wear online retailing because of the trend of consumers nowadays to choose everything online.

And so Notofthisworld was created in October 2018.

With her growing number of clients, Fuentes expanded her line to include caps and tote bags too – all with those distinctive Christian-inspired designs.