BusinessWeek Mindanao (October 18, 2019)

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume X, No. 57

Market Indicators

AS OF 6:00 PM OCT. 17, 2019 (THURSDAY)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P 51.595

7,915.30

X X Briefly

4.60

74.99

cents

points

More power plants THE Philippine government has adopted a technology-neutral policy to entice more generation companies to put up power plants and help ensure power sustainability and boost growth.

In his speech during the inauguration of the 500-megawatt capacity (MW) coal-fired power plant of San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co. (SBPL) in Mauban, Quezon on Tuesday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said energy has a crucial role on the continued expansion of the domestic economy.

“The country’s drive toward progress, prosperity, and global competitiveness is directly correlated to our rising energy requirements. Thus, part of our goal involves a long-term initiative geared towards a sustainable, diversified, and balanced energy mix that is responsive to the country’s growing energy needs -this is espoused in the Power Development Plan of the DOE,” he said.

Bracing for ‘Undas’ BUTUAN City – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga) said it has already laid down security preparations for the upcoming celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in November.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, PRO-13 said it has already started the security preparations to ensure the safety of residents in the region during the celebration of Undas 2019.

“Caraga region will be peaceful and orderly” during the celebration on November 1 and 2, the statement said.

PRO-13 Director, Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel Jr., has ordered ground commanders to start their coordination with local government units (LGUs), including officials in charge of transport terminals, cemeteries, and other facilities.

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P515-M corn plantation gets approval in BARMM Thank you for trusting us!

By EDWIN FERNANDEZ and NOEL PUNZALAN, PNA

C

OTABATO City – The setting up of a PHP515 million modern corn plantation in Datu Saudi Ampatuan (DSA), Maguindanao, has been given the green light by the Regional Board of Investments of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOIBARMM).

TANGLED. Fire fighters fix jumbled hoses even as volunteers went around distributing bottled water to those who participated in trying to put out the huge fire that broke out at the Gaisano Mall of General Santos City since the night before, shortly after the magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocked Mindanao on Wednesday evening. Authorities said the fire, which was declared out around 1 p.m. Thursday, damaged P2-billion worth of properties. mindanews photo by rommel g. rebollido

2 Agusan solons back proposed hike in Comelec workers salaries

“The corn plantation, expected to generate employment to the locals, (will) be established in Barangay Kabingi of the town,” Eshan Karl Mabang, executive director of RBOI-BARMM, said on Friday.

On the same day, the RBOIAPPROVAL/PAGE 11

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, Contributing Editor

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur--The two lawmakers of this province have co-authored House Bill 1669 filed by Rep. Luis Raymund “RLay” Favis Villafuerte Jr. of the 2nd District of Camarines Sur which seeks to

standardize the salaries of workers of the Commission on Election (Comelec).

Rep. Alfelito M. Bascug of the 1st District and Rep. Adolph Edward G. HIKE/PAGE 11

Modern PUVs serve Butuan commuters

By ALEXANDER LOPEZ, PNA

BUTUAN City -- A number of modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) have begun plying this city's major routes, in compliance with the government's PUV modernization program.

The Butuan City Information Office said on Wednesday that the initial batch of electric PUVs consist of six Solar E-jeeps, four Class-2 single tire, and five Class-3 double-tire modern MODERN/PAGE 11

MODERN VEHICLES. Modernized transport vehicles ply the major routes of Butuan City, offering commuters a comfortable ride. Ten solar-powered vehicles serve routes 12 and 13 as part of the implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program of the government. photo courtesy of butuan city information office

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2

Agri, fishery top industries in BARMM investment list COTABATO City -Investment officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are pointing to agriculture and fisheries as the top industries the region could offer to investors, both foreign and local.

Minister Abuamri Taddik of the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MITITBARMM) said the vast tracts of land and rich water resources make agri-fishery areas as viable investment destinations in the BARMM. Taddik made the remark at the first-ever BARMM Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) public consultation in this city on

Tuesday.

The just-concluded IPP event was the first to be implemented during the transition period from the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the BARMM after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in a two-part plebiscite held in January and February.

The BARMM’s Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) chair, lawyer Ishak Mastura, said that a series of IPP consultations would be organized region-wide as part of the agency’s effort to reach out to more people, the local TOP/PAGE 11

Local

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

4 dead as scores hurt in Mindanao quake K

IDAPAWAN City -- Four fatalities have so far been recorded while scores of others are being treated for injuries following the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that several parts of Mindanao Wednesday evening.

Three of the fatalities are from the Davao del Sur town of Magsaysay, consisting of a five-year old girl, a mother and her nine-month old son, according to Magsaysay information officer

By EDWIN FERNANDEZ, ALLEN ESTABILLO and CHE PALICTE, PNA

Anthony Allada.

The fourth fatality is a six-year-old girl in Datu Paglas town, Maguindanao, who died when the concrete wall inside her home fell on him when the temblor struck at 7:37 p.m., said Tim Ambolodto of the Maguindanao Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC).

Maguindanao Datu Paglas town is adjacent to Tulunan town in North Cotabato, the epicenter of the tectonic quake that also shook the Davao region and parts of Northern Mindanao.

Ambolodto said emergency responders rushed the child to a hospital in Tulunan but he

was pronounced dead on arrival.

Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu directed the provincial disaster management office Thursday to extend financial aid to the victim’s family.

Mangudadatu also suspended classes in all levels, both private and public schools, in the province so that school authorities can conduct a damage assessment.

GenSan fire In General Santos City, nearly half of the sprawling Gaisano Mall here was gutted down by a fire that broke out following an aftershock minutes after the earthquake and was only put out at 1 p.m.

Thursday.

Dr. Agripino Dacera Jr., head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said firefighters spent more than 12 hours since it reportedly erupted following a strong aftershock around 8 p.m.

Wednesday.

Dacera said there were no reported casualties as of Thursday morning as mall-goers and employees were already evacuated due to the earthquake when the fire started.

Citing accounts from mall personnel, he said the fire reportedly originated at the kitchenware, furniture and plastic ware sections at the ground level.

It eventually reached the second level and rapidly spread to the other sections, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Region 12 director, Chief Supt. Louie Puracan, to declare a general alarm before midnight Wednesday.

Davao City In Davao City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said seven persons were injured during the magnitude 6.3 quake that hit several Mindanao areas.

One house also caught QUAKE/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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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

3

Motoring

The Great Toyota Sale extended until October 17-21 Get ready for another weekend of big savings as Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) extends its inventory clear-out sale of ten (10) participating models!

This will be the last

chance for everyone to avail discounts up to PHP 230,000 on select variants of the Vios, Innova, Fortuner, Hilux, Hiace, Avanza, Wigo, Corolla Altis, RAV4, and Yaris.

No special requirements

are needed to reserve the remaining units. Interested customers are highly encouraged to visit any of Toyota’s 70 dealerships nationwide this weekend, October 17-21.

4

Opinion

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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

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

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Never worry Think a minute…Did you know there are 2 days you never need to worry about?

The first day is yesterday. It’s simply impossible to change the past. Yesterday is gone… forever. There is nothing any of us can do to bring it back, especially by worrying about it. So whatever mistakes, problems, or hurts we had yesterday, we’ve got to stop worrying about them. We cannot undo what’s already done, nor take back what we’ve already said, only ask forgiveness. Hopefully we learn our lessons from yesterday’s mistakes. But then, let it go! Life goes on, so we’d better go with it.

The other day we never need to worr y about is tomorrow. None of us can control or know everything that might happen tomorrow.

We don’t even know whether or not we’ll still be here!

What’s going to happen will happen whether we worry about it or not.

So we’re left with only one day that we can actually do anything about: today.

As the saying goes: “The past is history, tomorrow’s a mystery, so today is all we

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST have. It’s a GIFT, that’s why it’s called the PRESENT.” All we have is right now, and today has enough problems, responsibilities, and worries of its own. The last thing we need is to pile up yesterday’s and tomorrow’s problems on top of today’s! No wonder some people are stressed out wit h e ven physical problems and sicknesses.

Remember, if you don’t bur y your worries, they could bury you!

This is why Jesus Christ taught us not to worry about yesterday or tomorrow.

Jesus said: “Who can add a single hour to his life by worrying! Don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day WORRY/PAGE 11

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

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA

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

Not only love is in the air HAVE MY SAY

Cell No: 09352379999

MANILA OFFICE: 9th Floor, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino Cor. Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City Tel. # : 5555392,Cell No.: 0977-152-8860 LANI VALLIDO-Marketing Manager

FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

Bank of the Philippine Islands' (BPI) green finance framework

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

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KLAUS DORING While I was staying in Manila for a couple of days, I experienced it 24/7.

Getting into a traffic jam is every driver's nightmare.

Endless minutes (or worse: hours) in which nothing's moving forward can turn what should be a short car-ride into a seemingly never-ending odyssey. But congested streets aren't just annoying for commuters — they have far-reaching consequences.

But not only in Manila.

Europe's environmental

watchdog has warned that city dwellers in Europe are at risk of life-threatening air pollution. The report recommends EU countries take rapid action such as decreasing the number of cars in cities.

Poor air quality caused 412,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2016, the most recent year data is available, according to an EU report released on Wednesday.

Meanwhile is it 2019.

Sixteen of the EU's 28 member states reported at least one case of unacceptable levels of nitrogen dioxide that surpass legal EU limits.

Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain were all found to have unsafe levels of the gas that's among the major vehicle emissions.

The report recommends European countries reduce the number of cars to lower nitrogen dioxide levels — and therefore air pollution.

An air quality expert at the European Environmental Agency and author of the study, Alberto Gonzales O r t i z , w ar ne d t hat ai r p ol lut i on i s " c u r re nt ly the most important e nv i r o n m e nt a l r i s k t o human health."

The report referred to World Health Organization (WHO) figures that found heart disease and stroke were the most common re a s on s f or pre m at u re death due to air pollution, followed by lung disease and lung cancer.

The study also found that certain groups including c h i l d r e n , t h e e l d e r l y, pregnant women and people living close to roads and industrial areas were more vulnerable to its effects.

While the level of d ange rou s p ar t i cl e s i n European cities was dropping, Ortiz said it was not falling fast enough. In line with EU law, member

s t at e s a r e r e q u i r e d t o examine the level of a range of pollutants and take action if pollutants, such as ozone matter, exceed healthy levels.

As we all know: cities across the whole world pledge air pollution changes, but are they ready? Over 30 mayors f rom across the globe have pledged to deliver clean air for the 140 million people living in their cities. Delivering clean air on such a scale will take both ambitious targets and concrete action.

Believed to cause 7 million premature deaths every year, air pollution is increasingly recognized as a silent public health emergency.

Quoting British journalist Holly Young, "It's perhaps the most explicit illustration of how closely intertwined our health is to the state of our environment. Its particles have been found in human hearts and brains. It AIR/PAGE 11

My final target is to take control Billionaire Shin Dong-joo emphatically dished out this statement in one of his interviews after he was unceremoniously booted out by his younger brother Shin Dong-bin, the current C hair man of t he L otte Group. “My brother and the current management d e st roye d L otte’s go o d corporate culture.”

Dong-joo is the eldest son of Shin Kyuk-ho, the founder of the Lotte empire, whose 2016 revenues of US$90 Billion equaled that of Google Inc. sales. Kyukho started the business more than 70 years ago selling chewing gum and built a business empire with dominating presence in many countries in Asia.

The group has diverse interests in hotels, construction, confectioner y, shopping centers, petrochemicals, property and investments.

To those unfamiliar with Lotte’s business interest, one of their best-selling snack

food is “Pepero,” a cookie stick dipped in chocolate.

According to a Bloomberg article written by Sohee Kim, the battle at Lotte is “among the fiercest corporate power struggles in Asia -- rivaling t h e br aw l r a g i n g at op India’s Tata Group -- as some of the region’s biggest dynasties undergo a oncein-a-generation leadership change.”

Bloomberg further stated that Dong-joo has reason to be bitter. In the past couple of years, he’s been suspended by his father, fired by his younger brother and indicted on charges of embezzlement by South Korean prosecutors. Sibling rivalry has become very disruptive and has created incalculable damage to the conglomerate.

According to Wikipedia, sibling rivalry is defined as “a type of competition or animosity among siblings, whether blood related or not. The sibling bond is of te n c ompl i c ate d and

is influenced by factors such as parental treatment, birth order, personality, and people and experiences outside the family. The rivalr y is particularly intense when children are very close in age and of the same gender and/or where one or both children are intellectually gifted.”

Knowingly or u n k n o w i n g l y, s i b l i n g s could be competing in many ways. It is not unusual to see siblings tangle, but in the interest of family and bu s i n e ss h ar m ony, t h e habit of quarrelling should stop as there are more pressing issues at stake.

Family business legacy and stewardship should always remain as the overarching goals of family members.

And only through Family and Corporate Governance can the enterprise achieve its full potential.

Critically, sibling rivalries can cause serious damage to the family business’ ownership structure. When

FAMILY BUSINESS COACH

PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO they fight for control, the company’s growth plans for the future is completely halted. And when these petty, unresolved issues spill over to the business space, expect a disruptive and destructive environment.

In the case of the Lotte Group, the trouble started when the patriarch, fired his eldest son Dongjoo in Januar y 2015 for mismanagement. Dong-joo immediately ask for his father’s forgiveness and it was granted. The founder then asked the board led by TARGET/PAGE 11

CorporateWorld 5 Vehicle sales climb in Sept.

PLDT, Smart eye bigger as demand recovers customer base with Davao converged stores Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

VEHICLE SALES recovered in September after last month’s decline, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported on Tuesday.

Data jointly released by the groups yesterday showed overall sales in September grew 2.3% to 31,820 units from 31,116 in the same month last year, and by 7.5% from 29,599 in August.

CAMPI president Rommel R. Gutierrez said in a statement that the group expected recovery coming into the last quarter of the year.

“September is traditionally the start of an upward trend in sales as the public begin to spend for the upcoming holiday season,” he said.

“Indeed, we welcome this positive growth as this is a good indicator of the increasing and widening demand for vehicles that has been the trademark of our industry. We are optimistic that the industry is wellpositioned and prepared to progressively get back on track towards strong positive growth in the coming months.”

Car sales in September last year saw a 9.7% year-on-year drop as the industry slumped from higher excise taxes that took effect early in 2018.

CAMPI said it remains positive that the automotive sector will post “continuous positive growth” in sales for the rest of the year.

Broken down, September sales of commercial vehicles this year — which account for 69.45% of the market — went up by two percent to 22,099 from 21,675 in the same month last year. Asian utility vehicle (AUV) sales grew by 14.2% to 3,341 from 2,926 while light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales declined by 0.8% to 17,488 from 17,626.

In turn, passenger vehicle sales grew three percent to 9,721 from 9,441 last year.

Year-to-date, the passenger car segment saw sales drop by 1.1% to 80,317 from 81,182 sold in the same nine months last year, while commercial vehicle sales climbed 3.9% to 187,047 from 179,979.

Meanwhile, AUV sales dropped by 31% to 26,348 from 38,181, while LCV sales rose 14.9% to 150,436 SALES/PAGE 11

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

D

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.

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 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 PLDTSmart store in Davao, located at the SM Lanang Premier, is operated in partnership with local firm 8telcom, Inc. As for the opening of PLDT-Smart Converged Stores in other parts of Mindanao, Mr. Caeg said they still need to fully BIGGER/PAGE 11

PAL to introduce Zambo-Tawi-Tawi route Dec. 15 FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is adding Zamboanga-TawiTawi route along with two other domestic destinations it would launch on December 15, spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said Wednesday.

At present, only Cebu Pacific services the said route. PAL will have daily

flights between these two points.

Last week, PAL announced launching Cebu-Dipolog and CebuZamboanga routes by December 15, and DavaoIloilo-Davao by January 3. "(Launching these new routes) aims to increase intra-domestic

connectivity. These are routes that would serve as additional links between Visayas and Mindanao," Villaluna earlier said.

Meanwhile, Villaluna said in anticipation of the increased demand this holiday season, PAL is increasing the frequency of the following existing routes:

Cebu-Legazpi-Cebu (from three to 10 times weekly) Cebu-Busuanga-Cebu (from 14 to 21) Cebu-Butuan-Cebu (from 14 to 21) Cebu-Tacloban-Cebu (from 14 to 17) Davao-Siargao-Davao (from seven to 11).

(PNA)

6

Environment

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

1 Chinese, 2 others nabbed over P2.5-million worth of agarwood A

CHINESE national was arrested for illegal possession of some 14 kilos of agarwood valued at P2.5 million in Quezon City.

Qing Nan Lin was collared on October 11 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) after

a nine-kilometer pursuit operation that ended outside a Chinese temple at 81 P. Tuazon Street in Quezon City from the corner of Banawe and Calamba streets.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu lauded this move as he reiterated his call on the public to sustain the effort with the information they provide against illegal wildlife trade, adding that tips from concerned citizens

quality indicators.

He said the results are being fast tracked “to enable us to determine what measures to undertake to mitigate adverse impacts over other marine life in the area.”

“We are also doing this because we want to make sure that the fish kill incident will not cause any delay to the ongoing Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts,” Cimatu added.

DENR-NCR Regional

Executive Director Jacqueline Caancan said the water test results will be out “in the next few days.”

The results, she said, would complement studies being done by experts from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture and the city governments of Las Piñas and Paranaque.

ENSURE/PAGE 9

Cimatu: DENR working to ensure fish kill won’t affect Manila Bay rehab THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has assured that appropriate measures will be undertaken to make sure the recent fish kill in the Las Piñas-Paranaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) will not affect the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in Manila Bay. DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said the agency is “looking deeply” into the cause of the fish kill in the

protected wetland area situated within the Manila Bay region.

“The DENR is now gathering more information on the extent and the cause of the fish kill in LPPWP,” the environment chief said.

Cimatu said the Environmental Management BureauNational Capital Region (EMB-NCR) had already conducted tests in LPPWP for several key water

are instrumental to the success of Task Force POGI’s operations.

“We can only go from strength to strength for as long as we can rely on increasing public vigilance against environmental

crimes as shown by this recent arrest,” Cimatu said.

The contraband is now in the custody of the office of Task Force POGI in the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) in Quezon NABBED/PAGE 9

Isolated rain showers to prevail on Friday

By MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA, PNA

MANILA -- Most parts of the country will experience isolated rain showers on Friday, the weather bureau said.

Batanes and Cagayan will have cloudy skies with light rains caused by the northeasterly surface windflow, while Visayas, Z amboanga Peninsula and Palawan will have scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the Intertropical Convergence Z on e , t h e P h i l ippi n e Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain

showers will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country caused by localized thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, tropical depression "Perla" was last eyed at 840 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, heading north northwest at 15 kph.

It has a maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Moderate to strong winds will blow over Luzon and Visayas, where coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Over Mindanao, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said. (PNA)

(Satellite image taken from DOST-PAGASA website)

2 weather systems to bring scattered rain showers over PH

By MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA, PNA

Two weather systems would bring scattered rain showers over most parts of the country, likely until Thursday, the weather bureau said.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the northeasterly surface wind f low prevailing over Luzon would bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Bicol Region, Batanes, Cagayan, and Quezon.

The same weather would prevail over Mindanao and Eastern Visayas due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), it added.

Localized thunderstorms, on the other hand, would cause partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Meanwhile, tropical depression "Perla" was last seen 990 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, or

1,005 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

"Perla" has maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. It is heading westnorthwest at 25 kph.

Moderate to strong winds will blow over Luzon and the Visayas.

Coastal areas along these islands will be moderate to rough.

Over Mindanao, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said. (PNA)

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

Banking&Finance

SEC orders 12 more online lenders to stop operations T HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has enjoined another batch of online lending operators from further engaging in lending activities for their failure to secure the necessary licenses.

The Commission en banc on Oct. 10 issued a cease and desist order against A&V Lending Mobile, A&V Lending Investor, A.V. Lending Corporation, Cashaku, Cashaso, CashEnergy,

Happy Loan, Peso Pagasa, Vito Lending Corp., Phily Kredit, Rainbow-Cash and Rainbowcash.Ph Lending Corp.

“Considering that the online lending operators are not incorporated entities or have no Certificate of Authority to Operate as Lending Companies or Financing Companies, the lending activities and transaction are illegal and have to be stopped immediately by this Commission,” the cease and desist order

read.

“Moreover, the abusive collection practices engaged in by unlicensed online lending companies constitute unfair debt collection practices which the Commission expressly prohibits under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019 (Prohibition on Unfair Debt Collection Practices of Financing Companies and Lending Companies) which took effect recently,” it said.

The SEC urged the

7 Bangko Sentral set to circulate new P20, ‘enhanced’ P5 coins

owners and operators of the online lending applications, their agents, representatives and promoters, the owners of their hosting sites and all persons acting for and on their behalf to immediately cease and desist, under pain of contempt, from engaging in, promoting and facilitating unauthorized lending activities.

The Commission also ordered the online lending operators to cease from LENDERS/PAGE 11

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is set to circulate a new version of the five peso coin to address confusion with other New Generation Currency (NGC) coins as well as a new P20 coin.

In a statement on Monday, the central bank said the “enhanced” P5 coin will “make it more distinct from other denominations in the NGC Coin Series” released last year.

“The changes were based on studies on the design, security features, and specifications of the new coins,” it said.

The BSP will also

circulate a P20 coin in 2020 following a ceremonial launch scheduled in December.

“A study conducted by the University of the Philippines reveals that the 20-Piso banknote is the most-used denomination for payments across the country. Because of this, the 20-piso banknote is easily rendered unfit for circulation and returned to the BSP for replacement,” the central bank said.

“As such, the issuance of a coin in lieu of a banknote is more cost efficient in terms of currency production in the CIRCULATE/PAGE 11

uplift their livelihood is an important mission for DBP as part of our thrust toward financial inclusion for every Filipino," DBP President and CEO Emmanuel Herbosa said.

"By employing digital means to deliver crucial financial services to them, we are able to help boost their productivity, increase their yields, improve their lives, and contribute to the growth of the economy as a whole,” he said.

Orlando Vea, founder and CEO of PayMaya, said

this financial inclusion serves "the needs of one of the most underserved sectors of our society -our farmers."

"This project brings important digital financial services to the agriculture sector, serving as building blocks toward the growth of our economy,” he added.

Empowering farmers in Isabela The initial implementation of the project will be targeting rice and tobacco farmers in Isabela province, with

the provincial government of Isabela and the Nagkaisang Magsasaka ng Isabela Agricultural Cooperative (NMIAC) as program partners.

Dubbed as the Isabela Prosperity Program, the pilot will cover two sets of farmer beneficiaries -- tobacco farmers covered by the Isabela Province Tobacco Farmers Proceeds, and rice farmer members of NMIAC who will benefit fromthe loan with DBP, selling their CAHSLESS/PAGE 9

DBP taps PayMaya for cashless disbursements to farmers IN line with the government's call to boost financial inclusion in the country and for more efficient delivery of public services to citizen beneficiaries, the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has chosen PayMaya as the digital financial services partner for its assistance program which aims to help farmers improve their livelihood and productivity.

Under the program, farmer beneficiaries

will be able to receive payments for produce as well as disbursements from cash assistance from DBPpartner local governments and organizations through their PayMaya-powered ID cards.

PayMaya will also be providing the cashless disbursement platform to the partner organizations.

To complete the digital financial ecosystem, PayMaya will enable more businesses, especially in retail, food, fuel and utility industries that cater to

farmers and their families to accept emerging cashless payment options, including PayMaya QR (Quick Response).

It will also mobilize its Smart Padala by PayMaya nation-widest partner branch network to serve as "digital outposts" in the communities so farmers and their families can conveniently add or cashout funds even in areas without ATMs. “Giving our farmers much-needed access to financial products to help

Feature 8 Shelon Paradise Sking Care and Angel Touch Beauty Products Combine Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

By ERCEL MAANDIG

An authentic personal hygience and beauty product," Angel Touch" has now its new home....at Shelon Paradise Spa and Skin Care Clinic who just open this month located at Tiano-Hayes Street near Dynasty Court Hotel and Lourdes College with business hour from 8:30 in the morning until 8:00 O'clock in the evening.

ANGEL TOP OF THE LINE BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Manage by a loving and caring Mother and Daughter tandem as shown in photo,family oriented Kagay-anon will surely patronize Angel Touch Product and the services of Shelon Paradise Spa and Skin Care Clinic. (Photo by Ercel Maandig)

-B e aut y pr o du c t s f r om s o a p t o m a k e -up, s k i n whitening,rejuvinating solutions,moisturizing,soathing to name a few.

-Sulfur Soap like "Kasoy Soap" that removes skin deseases.

-Kasoy Oil for Warts removal and Skin deseases.

-Citronella Lotion and Spray -Haplas Liniment for muscle pain and relaxation.

For inquiries a nd reser vation,Contact: 0955-002-5932,owned and Managed by Ariel and Shelon Alaba.

Shelon Alaba, the owner shows us her authentic Kasoy Oil and Soap (Photo by Ercel Maandig)

Miss Earth 2019 bets visit Misor

A R A R E opor t u n it y t hat Misamis Oriental Provincial G over n ment ho s te d suc h k i nd of e vent when M is s Earth candidates had a visit to the 2 famous Eco-Tourism destination of the province werein the 14 candidates will never forget the hospitality of the host province lead by Governor Yevgeny Vincente

"Bambi"Emano and Provincial Tourism Department Head Atty.Jeffrey Saclot.

T h e 14 c a n d i d a t e s are:Melanie Gassner (Austria), Maria Batistela (Brazil), Hu Wentian (China), Nera Nikolic (Croatia), Tejaswini Manogna (India), Letizia Percoco (Italy), Susan Kirui (Kenya), Georgia Bemah (Liberia), Alexia Tabone

A personalized touch of class coming from beauty experts will be indulge by beauty caring Kagay-anon from their Lash artist,Nail artist,Facial expert and Well trained Massage Therapist in a combination of Swedish and Siatsu.

On Focus

By ERCEL MAANDIG

It was totally Fun and excitement after Oro Graphics and Samsung bring Movie Actor/Model Daniel Matsunaga in Cagayan de Oro City at Ayala Centrio Mall to launched and endorsed Samsung Galaxy A50s to the Northern Mindanao dealers and to the public.There were Music,games and dances before Daniel Matsunaga appears in the stage while Samsung/Oro Graphic Regional Group Sales Manager for VisMin Mr.Tom Dignos renders his welcome message to the dealers and the entusiastic audience as well.The event was happened on October 12,e019 that also graces by Samsung International Product Manager Haein Lee. (Text and Photo by Ercel Maandig)

(Malta), Jociani Daysi Repossi (Paraguay), Nellys Pimentel (Puerto R ico), Anais Payet (Reunion Island), Titania Tiara Monic Matekuolava (Tonga) and Hoang Thi Hanh (Vietnam).

They are Miss Ear t h 2019 candidates belonging to the Water Group that visited the province last week for a twoday Eco Tour.

T he ca nd idates g raced the weekly f lag raising and convocat ion of Misa mis Oriental Provincial Government and then local Media meet t he ca nd idates i n a Press Conference held at Misamis Oriental Training Center.In the afternoon of the same day,the Miss Earth 2019 candidates did a Mini Fashion Show at Ayala Centrio Mall's Event Center featuring Bia Bianca Collection.

O n O c t o b e r 8 , t h e 14 beaut ies went to Tubajon Aqua Ma r i ne Pa rk i n t he town of Laguindingan for a Mangrove Planting activity and proceed after to InitaoLibertad Protected Seascape and Landscape.

Tubajon Aqua Marine Park is a 22 hectares Mangrove Plantation with bamboo cottages and bridges that connecting

every other destinations of t he pa rk a nd adjudged as t he Clea nest coa st l i ne i n 2017 and 2018 awarded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources(BFAR) in their Malinis at Masaganang K a ra gat a n(M M K) Awa rd s while the 1,425 hectares Initao Libertad Protected Seascape and Landscape was endowed with a large array of Flora and Fauna in both its terretial and marine ecosystems.It also consists of a reef area where various species of corals,fishes,and seaweeds thrive as well as caves,which is a favorite among visitors.(Photo and Text by Ercel Maandig) Miss Earth 2019 Feature was Sponsored by: *Mis.Or. Board Member Atty. Michelle Anayron,Sr. *Mis.Or. Board Member Erick Khu *Mis.Or. Board Member Wayne Melitante *Mis.Or. Board Member Nancy Madjos Special Thanks to Atty.

Je f f re y C . S a c lot-M i s a m i s Oriental Provincial Tourism Department Head and to the Provincial Press Office for ta k ing care t he Tour w it h attending Media.

9

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

Cashless... from page 7

palay at a premium price under the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance of the Rice C ompetitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCARCEF).

DBP and PayMaya are partnering with the provincial government of Isabela to efficiently disburse the proceeds of the province’s share in the excise tax collections on burley and n at i v e t o b a c c o a m on g farmers in the region through PayMaya-powered ID cards.

Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III, in a statement, said this initiative "will help boost not just the productivity but also the competitiveness of farmers in Isabela, as they will be provided with crucial financial services that can help with their farm livelihoods, powered by technology."

"We thank our partners at DBP and PayMaya for choosing Isabela as the pilot site for this innovative collaboration,” he said. (PNA)

Ensure... from page 6

“While agriculturists initially assessed that the state of some of the fishes indicate dynamite fishing, our parameter tests on the water quality in the area could pinpoint other factors that may have contributed to the fish kill,” Caancan said.

The DENR-EMB tested the LPPWP waters for dissolved oxygen, pH level, nitrates, phosphates, fecal coliform and cyanide. The results could show whether the fish died through toxic means, or through oxygen saturation that is determined by the level of dissolved oxygen in the water, which is essential to sustain aquatic life.

As of the morning of O c tob e r 11, p ers onnel from the DENR, the local governments of Las Piñas and Paranaque, and the so-called “bakawan warriors” assigned to LPPWP had already cleared the shore of dead fish, which was causing a heavy stench in the area.

They were able to gather more than 200 sacks and over 5,000 kilograms of different marine species, such as fish, shrimps and crabs. “ The cleanup was necessary to reduce hazards to both human and environmental health,” Caancan said. “We must remove the dead fish before the tide brings them back to the sea and further affect the water quality in the area.”

Pending the results of the water tests, Caancan advised the public against bathing in the area to avoid ingesting through the skin or by accidental swallowing of chemicals which may be present in the water.

Cyanide, one of the test parameters, could cause headache, rapid heart rate, dizziness and vomiting when ingested in small amounts. Exposure to larger amounts could result in loss of consciousness, lung

injury, birth defects when exposed during pregnancy, and respiratory failure that could lead to death.

The public is also advised to heed announcements from health officials on the safety of consuming fish gathered from the fish kill.

Around noontime on October 9, residents near the LPPWP saw a portion of the waters surrounding the wetland turning “milky white” in color. Fish then gradually appeared along the shore, with some displaying an erratic “jumping” behavior.

The large fish kill appeared the next morning, with tons of various marine species c rowd e d a l ong a ha l f kilometer stretch of LPPWP’s Long Island, and about halfton spread out over Freedom Island.

Personnel from the EMBNCR, BFAR, Philippine National Police-Maritime Group and the Las Piñas and Paranaque agriculture and environment offices immediately conducted an on - s it e i ns p e c t i on , identifying at least 33 marine species, including tilapia, talakitok, sapsap, lapu-lapu, eel, malakapas, crabs and shrimp.

In 2013, the LPPWP, formerly known as the Las Piñas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, was recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention because of the critical role it plays in the survival of various migratory bird species.

LPPWP is one of only two protected areas in the highly urbanized Metro Manila, the other being the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.

Nabbed... from page 6

City.

BMB senior ecosystems m an age m e nt sp e c i a l i st Rogelio Demellestes, Jr. said initial investigations point to the forests of Samar or Leyte as the sources of the of the rare wood.

“Reports also indicate that tree poachers operating in the forests of Surigao and Butuan are also sources of this priceless wood product,” Demellestes said. He added that the quality of the seized agarwood could be sold at P180,000 a kilo, at the least.

Also arrested in the sting operation were Jonathan Guzman and a cer t ain Roberto Intes, both Filipinos.

“Our partners in the NBI-ECD are now checking their database to validate the identity of Intes who we

suspect to be an Indonesian,” Demellestes said.

The three have been charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, and Presidential Decree (PD) 705, as amended, or the Revised Philippine Forestry Code.

They are presently detained at the Detention Facility of the National Bureau of Investigation awaiting court proceedings.

“The trafficking of agarwood has spawned the indiscriminate cutting of Lanete (Wrightialaniti) and Lapnisan (Aquilariamalaccensis) trees,” Demelletes said, noting that high-grade agarwood could even fetch as much as P300,000 to P350,000 a kilo.

Lanete and Lapnisan are included in the national list of threatened Philippine plants and the list of wildlife species p er DENR Depar tment Administrative Order 200701.

Agarwood is a resin that is valued for its distinctive fragrance. It is formed when the host tree becomes infected with a mold called Phialophoraparasitica. The mold infection makes the tree produce a dark aromatic resin called aloes or aga in its heartwood.

The fragrant resin is used to make incense, perfume and medicinal products particularly in the Middle East and Asia.

Also seized in the operation is a brand new black Toyota Super Grandia Luxury van, with conduction sticker A5-C161, which Qing used in transporting the contraband.

An improvised registration plate with number NA-8659 was also found inside the van.

Executive Order No. 277 authorizes the DENR to confiscate "all conveyances used either by land, water or air in the commission of the offense and to dispose of the same in accordance with pertinent laws, regulations or policies on the matter.”

The latest apprehension f o l l o w s t h e o p e r at i o n conducted by Task Force POGI on October 10 where a certain Rommel dela Cruz was caught illegally selling five ball pythons and 13 tarantulas worth P106, 000 in Marikina City.

Task Force POGI is a composite team of wildlife law enforcers from various agencies including t he D E N R’s B i o d i v e r s i t y Management Bureau (BMB) and the National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crime Division (NBI-ECD).

CDOTC models Ayrille Dableo, Decca Omosura, Hannah Alexandria Borces, Helika Estelle Tan, Mcniel Villa, Mekaila Marie Nogoy and Samantha Margaret Marquez strut the floor during the opening of Cagayan de Oro Talent Center's 17th anniversary last October 13 at Limketkai Rotunda. photos by sluggo reyes

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Regional Trail Court of Misamis Oriental 10th Judicial Region Branch 44 Initao, Misamis Oriental 1st NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SALE EJF File No. D-2019-389 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 filed by Lorenzo Tan Multi-purpose Cooperative, a cooperative organized under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, represented by its Branch Manager Jonjie Endrina, against NENITA L. NALDO, of legal age, Filipino, married, and a resident of Tubajon, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which, as of August 31, 2017 amounts to ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY THREE PESOS (Php 1,671,453.00), Philippine currency, plus the stipulated interest and penalty accruing thereafter, and attorney's fees, the undersigned or his duly authorized deputy will sell at public auction on December 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the office of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 44, Initao, Misamis Oriental to the highest bidder, for cash and in Philippine currency, the following property with all their improvements, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-35378 Beginning at a point marked "1" on plan, being N. 59 deg.

32'E., 79.85 m. from BLLM No. 29, Cad-237, Cagayan Cadastre: THENCE

1-2 N. 2-3 N. 3-4 S. 4-1 s.

64 deg. 57'W., 33 deg. 18'E., 64 deg. 57'E., 37 deg. 10'W.,

30.00 m.

19.76 m.

31.36 m.

20.00 m.

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the title hereinabove-described and encumbrance thereon, if any there be.

In the event that the auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held immediately on the next working day without further notice.

October 2, 2019 at Initao, Misamis Oriental, Philippines.

BWM: Oct. 18, 25 & Nov. 1, 2019

(SGD) JAY FRANCIS C. RATUNIL Sheriff IV

10

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

11

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 18, 2019

Approval...

Hike...

BARMM approved t h e appl i c at i on of t h e Maguindanao Corn De velopment (MCD) – DSA I Corp., an agri-based company, to register with RBOI. As a new investment, the MCD can avail of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives from the government under Executive Order 226, otherwise known as the Omnibus Investment Code of 1987.

Mabang said the MCDDSA I Corp, a 100-percent Filipino-owned company, will be the first to modernize corn production in the BARMM by using total farming solutions through efficient management and the use of precision planting technology.

“Aside from the farmers e ar ning f rom t he cor n produce, they will also benefit from the transfer of technologies and technical know-how, particularly the precision farming protocol,” he said.

“Most of MCD’s farming methods will be mechanized and technologically advanced,” he added.

The initial phase of the corn production project will be 2,000 hectares per module, which are estimated to produce about 32,000 metric tons of yellow corn with two croppings per annum.

Its initial operation is expected to generate 280 jobs, which will increase as the project expands to 20,000 hectares in five years.

Lamsan, Inc., a corn wet-milling company based in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, will buy 100 percent of MCD’s corn produce on a pre-agreed price. “ This will address Lamsan’s increasing demand for corn,” Mabang said.

Apart from additional economic activities that would be created from the latest BARMM investment, such as the establishment of micro and small businesses in the area, the MCD, with its operational principle of “shared growth”, will also implement corporate social responsibility activities, such as reforestation, in support of environmental programs.

The firm will also assist farmers not covered by the mechanized farming scheme by providing them with farm inputs -- such as seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals -- at bulk acquisition price, training, and a corn buy-back arrangement at a favorable price.

Sukarno Baraguir, RBOI governor, said the presence of the project in a less-developed area, particularly in DSA, will be a good opportunity to expose the host communities to modern and sustainable farming.

“Aside from stimulating g row t h , t h i s w i l l a l s o empower our farmers and help sustain (the) peace and development programs of the government,” Baraguir said. (PNA)

Plaza of the province’s 2nd District separately signed the manifest of support of the proposed bill , “An Act Reorganizing the Comelec Offices” at their respective congressional offices at the Provincial Capitol on October 15.

When HB 1669 becomes a law, all Comelec workers n at i o nw i d e w i l l e nj oy standard salary grades at par with fellow government workers in the Department o f Int e r i o r a n d L o c a l Government, Department of Justice and Commission on Audit.

P r e s e n t l y, C o m e l e c workers in the municipal level are still receiving salaries six steps behind from the salary grades of these other government agencies.

Both Rep. Bascug and Rep. Plaza agreed that the Comelec workers deserve the long overdue increase of their salaries and benefits being the stewards to exercise of democracy by way of performing their poll duties.

Gov. Santiago B. Cane, Jr. witnessed the ceremonial signing of the manifest of support to HB 1669 together with officers and staff of the Provincial Comelec Office.

Lawyer Raquel B. Limbaco, Provincial Election Supervisor III and Frederico A. Blanco, Election Officer IV who is also ASCEA-EU President thanked the two congressmen of the province for standing as co-auhors of the proposed law to standardize the salaries of Comelec workers.

from page 1

from page 1

Modern... from page 1

vehicles.

Each of the modernized jeeps cost P2.1 million, the information office added.

The modernization program is being implemented by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) with the support of the city government of Butuan.

The modern PUVs are serving this city's routes 12 and 13, with the same fare of PHP8 as those being operated by traditional public utility jeepneys.

May Diez, Butuan City Information Office chief, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that t r ansp or t c o op e r at ive s Balangay Transport Service Cooperative (Baltransco) and Diamond Transport Service Cooperative (Datsco) are operating the modern PUVs in the city.

Baltransco is operating route 12 while Datsco plies route 13, Diez added.

“The people of Butuan welcome the arrival and operation of the modern vehicles,” she said, adding that commuters find the new jeeps more comfortable.

In a separate interview, Councilor Gemma P. Tabada, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Butuan, welcomed the arrival and operation of the modernized vehicles and regarded it

as a big leap for the city’s development.

“We cannot stay with the old technology. We need to adopt and go with the flow of the new technologies in order to advance our development,” Tabada said.

She also told PNA that the League of Barangays is pushing for the approval of franchise for taxi operations in Butuan City and the nearby provinces in the Caraga region.

Tabada pointed out that tourists, both foreign and domestic, frequent Butuan City and the tourist spots around the entire region every year. “ These tourists need the services of taxis for comfortable and fast travel to their destinations,” she said.

R e c e nt ly, LT F R B - 1 3 announced the approval of 75 new vehicles acquired by the Datsco group that are certified as modernized and compliant.

LTFRB-13 said 15 of the new units will soon ply the routes from Butuan to Nasipit, Agusan del Norte; 15 units for the Banza-Langihan Butuan intracity route; 15 units for Dapa-General Luna in Siargao Island; 15 units for Dapa-Pilar in Siargao Island; and 15 for Dapa-Sta. Monica, also in Siargao Island. (PNA)

Top...

from page 2

gove r n m e nt u n it s , t h e business sector, investors, and other stakeholders.

“We encourage them to participate and help us identify investment priority areas to be incorporated in the BARMM IPP List,” Mastura added.

The BARMM IPP is a list of economic activities that serve as the basis for g r ant i ng i n c e nt ive s to qualified companies that would invest in the region.

“The inputs and recommendations of the participants are vital in coming up with a relevant BARMM List that will lure more investors to come and do business in the region,” Mastura said.

Eshan Karl Mabang, RBOIBARMM executive director, said the BARMM IPP List is anchored on the 12-point agenda of the Bangsamoro government, headed by Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim, and aligned with the Philippine Development Plan of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

(PNA)

Quake... from page 2

fire at Farland, Dacoville Subdivision in Barangay Dumoy.

The CDRRMO said at least three establishments also suffered “significant damages”. These are SM Ecoland, SM Lanang, and Abreeza, which manifested wall cracks.

Residents who fled their villages over misleading information on a tsunami already went home.

Jefr y Tupas, the City Information Officer, said

building inspections in schools were ongoing.

Davao del Sur In Davao del Sur, the Disaster Management Office said in a statement that officials are still conducting building inspections but said that among those that suffered major damages were the main building of Cor Jesu College in Digos City and Gaisano Mall, also in the said city.

The number of injuries had not been consolidated yet but more than 20 have already been reported in Magsaysay town and Digos City.

Christopher Tan, the DMO provincial chief, said people also panicked during the quake and evacuated to areas far from the coastlines.

“They have returned home as of 7 a.m. today (Thursday),” he added.

Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas has already ordered the suspension of work and classes in all levels, both public and private, due to the earthquake, said provincial information officer Hiru Gustavo Undalok.

Undalok said Gov. Cagas has already instructed the provincial engineers for the inspection of structures a n d h a s c a l l e d on a l l establishments to report damages to the province's incident command center.

Davao Occidental In Davao Occidental, Harry Camoro said the coastal towns of Malita and Don Marcelino have practically become ghost towns minutes after the quake.

“We have oriented people living in the coastal areas to evacuate in the event of a strong quake. However, the situation was quite chaotic because people were in panic as they evacuated to higher grounds,” Camoro said, adding that there had been no injuries though.

He said one house, which was still being constructed collapsed in Sitio Relocation in Barangay Poblacion in Malita.

“We are also inspecting some school buildings, such as the four-storey building at the Mariano Peralta National High School in Malita for any damage,” he added. (This story will be updated as more reports from the field come in) (PNA)

in the same month last year.

At fourth place in terms of market share for the month was Suzuki Philippines, Inc. as it sold 6.83% of the total, with sales growing 25.8% to 2,174 units from 1,728 a year ago. Ford Motor Company Philippines Inc. came next with a 5.13% market share, reporting a 5.4% decline in sales to 1,632 units from 1,725 in the same month last year.

Bigger... from page 5

assess customer profiles and determine where the services would be viable. “ There is always a plan to open (converged stores) in other key cities in Mindanao, but we are open to partnership (such as i n SM L anang ) and whether there is a growth area for postpaid service particularly for (PLDT) Home,” he added.

Lenders...

from page 7 offering and advertising their lending business through the internet and to delete or remove promotional presentations and offerings of such lending business from the internet, including the lending applications that they operate.

Furthermore, the SEC directed any and all persons and entities carrying out, abetting or promoting lending business or similar activities without the requisite license to immediately cease and desist from engaging in such lending activities until they have incorporated and have secured the requisite cer tif icate of authority to operate as lending or financing companies.

Section 4 of Republic Act 9474, or the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007, requires that a lending company be established only as a corporation.

It further provides that “no lending company shall conduct business unless granted an authority to operate by the SEC.” Any person who shall engage in the business of lending without a validly subsisting authority to operate from the SEC may face a fine ranging from P10,000 to P50,000, or imprisonment of six months to 10 years

or both, under Section 12 of the Lending Company Regulation Act. Based on the findings of t h e SE C C or p or at e Governance and Finance Department (CGFD), the online lending applications and their operators are not registered as a corporation or partnership and/or have not been issued certificates of authority to operate as lending or financing companies. (PR)

Circulate...

from page 7 long run,” the BSP added.

BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno earlier said the decision to issue a P20 coin was in consideration of production costs.

“Very expensive ‘yung P20 kasi after six months wala na eh. Papalitan mo na agad.

‘Yun ang pinakamaraming pap er bills actually na pini-print (The P20 bill is expensive because they are usually unfit for circulation after six months. You have to phase them out already.

This is the bill that we print the most),” Mr. Diokno said at an event last month.

The BSP chief said coins last “at least five times longer” than banknotes.

The BSP said official photographs and specifications of the P20 coin will be presented by BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno during its December launch.

“Nevertheless, the latest addition to the NGC Coin Series shall retain major elements of the 20-Piso banknote. The design and features of the new 20-Piso coin shall make it easily distinguishable from the rest of the denominations in the NGC Coin Series,” it said.

The central bank said the P20 coin will co-exist with its bill version as legal tender.

“The 20-Piso banknote shall be gradually removed from circulation through natural attrition,” the BSP added.

Sales... from page 5

from 130,977.

Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. (TMP) retained its top spot in terms of vehicle market share at 42.3%, selling 13,460 units during the month or 6.1% more than a year ago, the CAMPI-TMA report showed.

This was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. which had a 15.63% market share in September, even with its sales for the month dropping 21.1% to 4,973 units from 6,305 last year.

Nissan Philippines followed with a 14.98% market share as its vehicle sales went up 21.8% to 4,768 units in September from 3,916

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FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

Friday|October 18, 2019

12

Xavier Ateneo welcomes new group of marine life advocates

C

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — First-year Biology and Marine Biology students of Xavier Ateneo successfully completed the first phase of the Information, Education, and Communication Student Development Advocates (ISDA) curriculum under the National Service Training Program

(NSTP) of the College of Arts and Sciences.

McKeough Marine Center (MMC), the unit-in-charge of the ISDA Program, uses the ISDA module to teach students basic marine ecology, marine life forms, processes, and sustainability of these resources.

The program is divided into two phases: learning and teaching.

In the learning phase (1st semester),

YOUNG ADVOCATES. Xavier Ateneo NSTP- ISDA Program students SY 2019-2020 take a fun group shot after the discussions. supplied photo

the NSTP students are taught basic marine science concepts and ecology by Biology, Marine Biology and MMC resource speakers.

In this phase, the students also learned to present their learning through project making, reporting, and participating in class COASTAL ZONE. Pictured here is the diorama of the discussions. coastal zone made by the students of the ISDA Program.

The teaching phase supplied photo

(2nd semester), on the other hand, allowed the students to go to their designated coastal communities or to the public schools to teach the pupils on what they’ve learned about marine ecology and resources.

The Xavier Ateneo students have become "young teachers" helping other young

people understand the importance of taking care and protecting marine life and other resources in the seas.

When they teach they also become advocates for marine life and the environment.

MMC and NSTP expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the following resource speakers and

facilitators for being part of the program: Clive Abellanosa, Cleo Cutas, Necca Caranzo, Norman Macababayao, Janell Sihay, Nadine Vivares, Sean Betonio, Hanna Gallardo, all Marine Biology and Biology alumni; and Rex Abao and Gertrude Garcia, faculty members of the XU Biology Department.