BusinessWeek Mindanao (October 23, 2020)

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Volume XI, No. 60

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Friday|October 23, 2020

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Chinese investors bullish X X over Misor’s steel plant Briefly T Thank you for trusting us!

Market Indicators

AS OF 6:00 PM OCT. 22, 2020 (THURSDAY)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P 48.600

6, 344.63

1.50

66.04

cents

points

Hotel reopening

HOTELS in areas under general community quarantine and modified GCQ may soon open at full operational capacity, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Wednesday.

This, after the DOT was given the authority by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to determine the allowable operational capacity of up to 100 percent for hotels, including those catering for staycationers.

"The decision to open at 100-percent operational capacity will be subject to the hotel management’s decision and compliance with the safety guidelines,” Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

By MARK FRANCISCO, Reporter

AGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental— Officials of Chinese firm Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation paid a visit to the newly-appointed Administrator and Chief Executive Office of PHIVIDECIndustrial Authority Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña last October 20, 2020.

In 2 0 1 8 , P h i l ippi n e Sanjia Steel Corporation put up an P800 million steel manufacturing plant in Tagoloan.

“We choose to establish the steel plant in Tagoloan because of its strategic location. Transporation is ver y convenient and accessible because it is near the port. We can build our own wharf so that the

transport of materials will be easier,” said Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation manager Zhang Dangjian.

The company is engaged in production of steel products such as construction steels.

They are targetting domestic market for their products.

“PHIVIDEC-IA will assist the company so that they can start with their operation as STEEL/PAGE 7

TAMBAN. Fishermen take out freshly caught sardines (“tamban” in the vernacular) from fishnets in Del Carmen town in Siargao Island. The tamban sells for 70 pesos a kilo. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto

Durian export DAVAO City — Durian growers in the Davao Region, including small-scale farmers, are ready for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification that will be required by China for exports.

Emmanuel S. Belviz, president of the Davao City Durian Industry Council (DCDIC), said they were ready as early as April when representatives from the China Inspection and Quarantine were scheduled to visit.

“Before the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, nagkaroon kami ng (we held) training with some durian farmers and members of the durian council on the importance of making their farms GAP-certified,” Mr. Belviz said in an interview last week.

Davao’s tourism posts P1B loses during Kadayawan

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City – Revenue losses of tourism-related businesses in Davao City were estimated at P1 billion just for the entire month of August as the local government cancelled all physical

activities during the month-long Kadayawan Festival and restricted tourists from coming here to avoid mass gathering.

LOSES/PAGE 7

JTIP warns of more cigarette smuggling via backdoor during holiday season COMMUNAL FARM. An elderly member of the Consuelo Agri Farm Association in Brgy. Consuelo, General Luna, Siargao Island picks shoots of alugbati at their communal farm. The farm is one of the 35 communal gardens in Siargao Island under Hardin Ng Pagbabago, a community driven initiative. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto

JAPAN Tobacco International (JTI) has appealed to law enforcement agencies to intensify its anti-smuggling efforts in the country’s regions, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao, as more contraband cigarettes are expected to enter the country’s backdoor during the yuletide season.

JTI Philippines (JTIP) General Manager John Freda said key areas in Mindanao and Visayas have been traditional backdoor channels for illegal cigarettes and a series of seizures in the ports of Visayas and Mindanao over the past weeks are indicative that WARNS/PAGE 7

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 23, 2020

106-year-old patient oldest Covid-19 survivor in CDO

A

106-year-old male living in Barangay Lumbia in Cagayan de Oro City is the oldest recorded coronavirus disease (Covid-19) survivor in this city or even in the country, according to the City Health Office (CHO) on

Tuesday.

Dr. Teodulfo Joselito Retuya, the CHO resident epidemiologist, said that the patient might well be the oldest individual to have recovered from the virus in Northern Mindanao, if not the whole

country.

"We are glad that this was possible," Retuya said, noting that the patient managed to defeat the virus despite his age and the health risks while being transferred from one hospital to another.

Retuya said the patient's case was "rare" considering that current research showed that elderly people with health comorbidities are likely to die from Covid-19.

Retuya also credited the teamwork of the government

and private health sectors in the recovery of the patient.

"About two days ago, he was finally escorted back to his residence," he said.

As of Monday, the city had 847 recovered patients and 344 active cases. (PNA)

Camiguin rolls out pandemic response playbook

CAMIGUIN province launched on Wednesday its own "pandemic response playbook" as it is poised to gradually reopen its tourism industry amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

As one of the provinces with the least number of Covid-19 cases, Camiguin has been preparing for the reopening of its tourist destinations once the national government decides to allow the tourism industry to fully resume operations, said Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo.

Romualdo noted that the country’s tourism sector has been suffering from the imposition of quarantine protocols that resulted in the closure of resorts and other tourismrelated establishments all over the Philippines.

Before the pandemic, the governor recalled that Camiguin is one of the country's destinations that

enjoyed a high number of tourist traffic due to its diverse attractions.

As of October 20, Camiguin has only recorded a total of four Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began in March.

According to Romualdo, the provincial government has established “effective recovery protocols and

developed meaningful action plans that optimize a holistic approach in its recovery efforts, way ahead of any reopening plans”. “[Our] banner program on sustainable and responsible tourism proves most relevant today as we prepare to gradually reopen our doors to visitors in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic,”

Romualdo said.

The governor was referring to the 94page "Clean Camiguin Pandemic Response

Playbook 2020" --a compilation of essential health protocols to contain Covid-19.

The Clean Camiguin

is “a guidebook for a safe, responsive, adaptable, ready, responsible, and hopeful Camiguin,” RESPONSE/PAGE 6

Challenges in the ‘new normal’

By AIDA G. GALOPE, PhD Head Teacher III Dulong Elementary School Dulong,Libertad,Misamis Oriental

THE dreaded coronavirus pandemic wrecking havoc worldwide which already claimed millions of lives with no panacea still in sight has changed paradigms in all aspects of human existence.

With strict quarantine protocols enforced, we all are restricted in our movements and staying in our homes has become the new normal.

But the government has vowed that education has to take its course and that learning should never cease.

Different countries worldwide have introduced various answer during the pandemic to continue the education process – the introduction of distance learning.

These are online learning platforms such as google, TV broadcasts, guidelines, resources, video lectures and online channels were introduced (UNESCO, 2020).

Philippine schools reopened its doors to pursue their mission of implementing quality education to every student. As school is a public place where crowd is unavoidable and children are vulnerable, there is a need to strengthen policy in terms of the delivery of instruction - to provide opportunities for online learning platforms.

Numerous innovative programs have been implemented by the different learning sectors in the Philippines.

The Department of Education emphasized that it would not necessarily mean that teachers and learners will go to schools and learn inside the classrooms and devised various modalities to ensure that online learning a choice among all others in this new learning environment (DepEd, 2020). Similarly, in the higher education institutions, new normal would be virtual classrooms.

The Commission on Higher Education has strengthened online platforms and blended learning such as but not limited to google classroom, messenger, zoom,

edmodo, Facebook and YouTube (CHED, 2020). In addition, both adopted numerous learning delivery options such as but not limited to face-to-face, blended learnings, distance learnings, and home-schooling and other modes of delivery (CHED, 2020; DepEd, 2020).

However, the problem on limited internet access and lack of gadgets hinder the effectiveness of its implementation.

According to the report of Akamai (2017), the Philippines has the lowest internet connectivity in Asia.

Besides, such challenges would be equity gaps, students security and safety, quality of learning compromised and poor assessment results (Winthrop, 2020). Changes on the grading system, assessment and evaluation of student’s performance have been adopted to ensure better results.

In addition, laboratory activities in sciences and other subjects that require performance such as Physical Education and culture and arts have been limited to paper and pen test, unless schools will require students to be physically present to be assessed through performance tests.

In addition, extra-curricular activities in school such as scouting, proms, sports intramurals, contests and foundation day will be reduced and discontinued. In terms of teaching, teacher training to online instruction, blended learning and distance learning is also recommended in order to adjust to the new instructional format (Toquero, 2020).

Teacher competencies in both pedagogy and technology should be reinforced. This transition to the new normal, from the four corners of the classroom to the borders of virtual reality, every learning institution needs to study how successful online learning is in providing quality education and outcomes-based education to students (Basilaia & Kvavadze, 2020).

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 23, 2020

OPINION:

The new normal for commercial environments SINCE the announcement of this destructive pandemic and the consequent containment measures introduced by the government work for many has not been the same again. While there is hope that soon this nightmare may resolve with the introduction of a vaccine many are still working from home, in alternate shifts or in reduced and hyyper-protected office environments.

With the ongoing push for balik probinsya and the announcement by DTI of intersting incentives for companies willing to transfer out of the Metro Cities it would make sense for

If interested, contact:

many corporations to review the current set-up and take this opportunity to relocate, remodel and restart their operations from a new, upgraded and safe office environment.

Considering the monetary savings in rental cost and the lower salaries in the province there should be enough incentive to move to a better location. In the Northern Mindanao setting where modern and spacious office space is non-existent the choice inevitably leads to Uptown CdO with its Pueblo de Oro leading the way for providing an ideal location and spaces to set up offices and commercial spaces.

DANICA SUDARIA

It is not by accident that SM City Uptown and the business process outsourcing company Concentrix are located in this buzzling part of town.

The only project in all Cagayan de Oro offering really modern and corporate office space is Primavera City just beside SM City in Uptown. In phase 1 at the ground floor there are various commercial and retail spaces and above that two very spacious office floors that can be fitted to anyone's liking. This unique mixed use building developed

by Italpinas Development Corporation will certainly mark a new

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

era for CdO's office space.

Finally larger areas are available to accommodate the growing needs of banks, insurances, medical centers, business process outsourcing centers and many other public and private organisations.

Reservations for the rental of these exclusive spaces have already started and interest seems to be very high. In fact it is now that these corporate decisions need to be made to be ready for the 2021 budgets of the relevant companies.

Primavera City can be designed in a way to fit any company's needs and guarantee the safety of the

LORENS ZILLER

Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines

environment at the same time.

The presence of plenty of natural light in the two office floors is assured through the presence of huge external windows. On the ground floor a mix of commercial and retail spaces will allow its residents and office tenants to find all they need for their immediate needs. In fact a convenience store, laundry, a cafe', restaurants and other entities have already submitted their intent to set-up shop.

It is definitely going to be an exciting experience to hold office within this modern and exclusive environment designed by a company already known for its sustainable green architecture.

Especially now, with this post covid awareness of the importance of our living and office environment it is the choice for a better location that will also determine our overall success.

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Opinion

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

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Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

True friends say what's true Think a minute… The former U.S. president, Harry Truman, had a reputation for being an honest and loyal friend no matter what the cost.

One of Truman’s friends, Tom Pendergast, helped Truman win his first election to public office as a county judge. However, Truman did not always agree with his friend’s crooked way of doing business. One time a group of dishonest businessmen w a nt e d Pe n d e r g a s t t o influence his friend Judge Truman, but Pendergast replied: “Truman always stays true to his honest character and principles. There is nothing I can do to tempt or make Truman cheat or do anything dishonest.”

Eventually Pendergast was put in jail for the crime of tax evasion. Years later when Truman was vice-president of the U.S., Pendergast died.

Yet Truman still flew across America for the funeral.

He said: “Even though we disagreed, we were still friends.”

True friendship is not based on what a friend does for you, but on what he means to you, even if you disagree

THINK A MINUTE

alleged anomalies of his own turf after corruption claims coming this time f rom t h e v e r y n o s e of Malacanang.

It lamented how corruption marred DPWH’s projects.

The kickbacks has been there since time immemorial.

However, Malacanang quickly cleared Mark Villar of any wrongdoing, saying he was already rich even before joining the government.

The Villar Task Force against graft and corruption will probe anomalies in the agency based on valid complaints.

The Department Order was dated Oct. 17, 2020.

The Villar Task Force is

chaired by DPWH Assistant Secretary Meljohn Versoza, head of the agency’s Legal Ser vices and Special Concerns unit.

Internal Audit Service Director Gliricidia Tumaliuan-Ali will serve a s v i c e - c h a i r, w h i l e serving as members are Hu m an R e s ou rc e and Administrative Service Director Michael Vi l l a f r a n c a , O f f i c e ri n - C h a r g e D i r e c t o r, St a ke h o l d e r s R e l at i ons Ser vice Andro Santiago, and lawyer Ken Edward Sta. Rita.

The task force is expected to recommend to Villar’s office appropriate actions to be taken against e r r i ng DP W H of f i c i a l s and employees proven to

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA have taken part in illicit activities.

Felon to report a fellow felon? Mark Villar must be joking.(ruffy44_ph2000@ yahoo.com) Editor’s note: the writer is the Lead Convenor of the Crusade for Clean Government PH

Playing safe COVID-19 golf operation safety protocols NUTS & BOLTS

Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

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

MALACANANG plays a ‘doubting Thomas’ on the DPWH task force created

by Secretary Mark Villar saying it’s the same people investigating one another.

Villar earlier this week created a task force made up of five DPWH officials to probe fellow executives and employees after Malacanang issued a stern warning on corruption happ e n i ng f rom top to bottom.

To appoint an in-house Task Force to investigate alleged graft and corruption inside DPWH is nothing but a sham and an outright insult before the eyes of the general public.

Villar has turned a blind eye in ordering the creation of a task force to probe the

Cell No: 09352379999

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 23, 2020

Task Force Villar: Unbelievable

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

Layout Artist

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JEROME DE LA FUENTE Take extensive precautionary measures to protect your staff.

Distribute masks and gloves.

Make sanitizers and tissues available and placed in convenient locations. Staff with flu-like symptoms must be asked to go home.

Conduct frequent golf course staff meetings to keep everyone up to date with latest information, best practices and facility operations protocol.

Staff and customers must

practice 6-foot physical distancing at all times. Use colored tape on the ground, cones, or other visuals for easy reference.

Have all staff frequently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and dr y hands thoroughly, preferably using a disposable paper towel.

P r o h i b i t a ny g r o u p gatherings before or after rounds.

Require credit card and mobile payments only (no cash).

Reduce check-in interaction as much as possible– use some form of remote check-in process (iPad) or makeshift checkin window to avoid having golfers in the pro shop.

Consider closing the pro shop and moving check-in to the starter booth (often with starter behind glass or protective barrier).

If pro shop is open, keep

smaller merchandise items typically on counters out of reach of customers.

Limit the number of customers permitted inside clubhouse or pro shop, if open.

Have staff frequently sanitize and keep work areas and customer interaction areas and touchpoints clean.

In c re a s e nu mb e r of available hand sanitizer stations.

Create highly-visible signage to inform customers of golf course protocol.

Display signage in high-traffic areas throughout facility.

Provide and encourage online tee time scheduling and pre-payment if available.

Spread tee times to wider intervals: 12 to 20 minutes apart.

No more than four people per group and only one group at a time on any tee box.

Enforce a “One Golfer Per Cart” policy (exception

may be for immediate family members).

Encourage golfers to walk rather than ride.

If carts are permitted, perform extra cleaning and sanitization before and after each use.

No club rentals Prohibit any outside staff from handling customer golf bags or other belongings.

Remove pins from practice greens.

No shotgun starts, no group classes and no golf academy events.

Golf cups: cut and insert pool noodles or PVC pipe into cups, raise golf cups two to three inches above the ground, or insert cups upside down to eliminate the need for golfers to retrieve their golf balls.

Eliminate flagsticks and provide hole location sheets to golfers. If using flagsticks, clearly inform golfers on PROTOCOLS/PAGE 7

Win by losing

JHAN TIAFAU HURST with him and disapprove of his ways. True friends say what’s true—even if it hurts, because they care about what is right and best for your life.

“A true friend gets in your way, if you’re going down the wrong road.” A proverb says: “Faithful are the wounds from a friend.” Just like a doctor sometimes must cut you to heal and save your life.

“True friends stab you in the front”—because they want to save you from worse problems and pain. Love does not lie, because “Truths that are kept silent become poison.” We all have things in our character we need to change, so sooner or later confrontation is necessary. A FRIENDS/PAGE 7

THAT assertion certainly raises eyebrows. How on earth, in the commonest of common sense, can one win by losing? It’s just pure contradiction. If you win, you win. And if you lose, you lose.

Period. It’s as contradictory as white is to black, up is to down.

But, alas, Christ tells us so in so many words. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Mt 10, 39) Still in another instance, he says: “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Mt 19, 29) I am sure we are scratching our head as we read these words. Try as we might, we neither cannot just dismiss these words since they are spoken by no less than Christ himself. There must be something to them that our best intelligence just

cannot cope.

That’s right. These words simply have to be taken in faith, that supernatural gift given to us to which we also have to correspond not so much with our intelligence and understanding as with the obedience of faith.

Yes, we have to make an obedience of faith, that act of believing not because we understand things presented to us but more because they are spoken by someone who neither deceives nor be deceived. (cfr. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 143, 156) In other words, we believe that we can indeed win by losing on the authority of Christ who precisely won by losing when he willingly died on the cross but rose on the third day. In so doing, he guaranteed the salvation of man, although we also have to do our part of at least believing him.

We have to understand then that what is involved

here is not just a natural truth, but a supernatural one, a truth that does not necessarily go against our nature but rather transcends.

It’s a truth that partakes of the divine nature of God. That’s why Christ said that we can gain and win from what may appear to be a loss if we do things for “My sake.”

This truth of our Christian faith is very relevant these days as we go through a variety of privations and sacrifices and expressions and modes of loss and defeat.

Let’s hope that we come out of this pandemic not having a kind of survivor frame of mind, but rather that of a winner, a victor, a conqueror.

We should see to it that we come out of this crisis feeling enriched not impoverished, happy not sad. And the secret is because we go through this crisis by getting closer to Christ.

This means in concrete terms that we are growing more in love with God and

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA with others. We would be willing to make sacrifices. We would be more generous in our self-giving. The privations and sacrifices we are going through are the catalysts that would make love for God and others deeper and stronger.

This is how we win by losing. By growing more in love, which is another way of saying by becoming more and more like Christ who is God, who is love himself, we can win by losing in the sense that we follow the very example of Christ whose supreme love WIN/PAGE 7

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 23, 2020

Infidelity Issues Among Teachers

By: NELIA E. GRAFE Head Teacher-I,Calatcat ES, Alubijid District

Screen capture of the 2nd MPEX Virtual Consultation with AJIS Dive and Aquasports

Aboard Into New Horizons: Ajis Dive and Aquasports 2nd DOST MPEX Virtual Consultation Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ entails the adoption of new practices and activities, which are challenging for some micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

However, through the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program (MPEX) of the Department of Science and Technology - 10 (DOST-X), relevant science and technology interventions can be provided to select MSMEs in the manufacturing sector.

This program is in collaboration with technical experts and consultants from the academe. It aims to identify strategies and provide technical

recommendations that can help local entrepreneurs improve their overall operations and achieve higher productivity.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses many challenges in the conduct of face-to-face MPEX consultations, particularly due to travel restrictions imposed during the community quarantine. But the determination of the DOST-X to provide quality S&T services to local entrepreneurs is the top priority amid the pandemic.

With the adoption of modern information communication technologies, DOST Misamis Oriental hosted a virtual MPEX consultation

in collaboration with an expert consultant from Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.

The DOST MPEX second virtual consultation of Ajis Dive and Aquasports was conducted last October 8, 2020 via Google Meet. In this session, the technical expert and consultant, Engr. Ingrid Yvonne A. Madrial, presented an in-depth analysis of the operations of Ajis Dive and Aquasports, and came up with shortterm and long-term recommendations for the firm to implement. These recommendations gave insight to the Operations Manager, Mr. Alberto Anora, as to how the firm can improve its overall

operations and achieve a higher productivity.

Acclaimed as the sole manufacturer of fiberglass boats in the municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental, Ajis Dive and Aquasports enjoys these consultations as a beneficiary of the MPEX. The company manufactures fiberglass boats for diving, fishing, and leisure activities.

With the support and assistance of the DOST Misamis Oriental, through the MPEX Program, this innovative entrepreneur can go beyond horizons and can become locally and globally competitive. (Karen Grace A. Lacerna, DOST-Misamis Oriental)

Life in the hands of Mathematics: Thoughts to ponder CHARITO E. NAVALTA

Life is better when simple. Why complicate it with solving equations involving x and y or with proving equalities and inequalities, and to some extent, of extracting roots or getting the discriminants in quadratic equations?

With such thoughts, one cannot deny or hide the fact that most students see their reality with mathematics as challenges and problems. More so, they consider mathematics as hindrance, boredom, anxiety, and pain. With an inflexible stance, these students create self-fulfilling prophecies, specifically believing that they have no ability in mathematics because their parents were not good in their mathematics subjects during their school days or that they are sure to fail because their brothers or sisters had incurred failure in mathematics in their times.

Life in the hands of mathematics has erected walls which, in actuality, are not walls of computations but are walls of ideals, stereotypes, and mistaken ideas that induce fear and desolation among students and even among their parents. These walls reduce one’s space of the reality that

mathematics is not a threat to life but an opportunity to prevent confusion and establish order. A world without numbers would a world of chaos. It would be a world without time and life without time would be a life without the experience of change or a life of unending monotony and disorganization.

The realization that mathematics is important to life is a significant awareness. This opens the minds that mathematics is a vital tool for survival. It is vital determinant of living meaningfully and facing the responsibility of improving the quality of life. Furthermore, it promotes the treatment of illness and disorders, makes the maintenance of a safe and healthy life possible, and shapes peoples’ lives as they are lived today.

Mathematics is not a stranger to life.

It gives labels to human development.

A boy becomes a man with numbers as his age increases; a woman gets momentous experience as she counts the months towards motherhood. In addition, human careers are driven by mathematics. Entrepreneurship can

never depart from it; engineering is lost without it; Medical careers cannot move without it- in general, no career is tangible when mathematics is not used.

Life and mathematics are separate concepts; yet, the world takes them as inseparable. If mathematics is added to life, one attains a life insurance.

On the other hand, if mathematics is subtracted from life, one faces life disturbance. Life is uncertain when numbers are not maintained.

The point of bringing forward the foregoing matter is to campaign for parents and students to appreciatethe value of mathematics, for them to see that mathematics should not be feared or be taken as a stressor or a source of anxiety, but it should be embraced as a vital force for a person to grow and for a nation to progress. Solving for x and y, proving equalities and inequalities, extracting roots, and getting the discriminants in quadratic equations are not meaningless and useless, rather, they are ladders towards gaining relevant mathematical skills, pro-life skills.

“A teacher stands closer to God in position”. This saying highlights the important role of teachers in society.

We know that a teacher cannot become a prophet or a messenger by any means. However, he/she can reach closer to that lofty position by working hard and doing justice to their profession that has won the reverence of society. A teacher’s position in society is determined by his value and importance. As long as society believes that the teacher carries an important message he/ she will be in progressive line to reach that lofty position. At the same time we should understand that a teacher is not like a prophet who is protected from sins. He is a human being and will commit mistakes. Yes, the teacher is an employee but he/ she should know that his/her job is different from others as society holds that profession in high esteem.

People see teachers as persons with good values especially with married teachers. Yet, mistakes still committed like having an extramarital relationship which created an “Infidelity Issue”.

Infidelity (colloquially known as cheating) most commonly refers to a breach of the expectation of sexual exclusivity. It is defined as unfaithfulness by virtue of being unreliable and the cheating on a relationship partner that takes place despite a commitment to exclusiveness. Sexual infidelity by a marriage partner is commonly called philander, adultery or an affair. What constitutes an act of infidelity varies within cultures and depends on the type of relationship that exists between people. Even within an open relationship, infidelity may arise if a partner in the relationship acts outside of the understood boundaries of that relationship.

Infidelity is commonly interpreted as close to the greatest tragedy that could befall any relationship- and as the natural, inevitable prelude to the break-up of a union. It is viewed in such dark terms because, under the philosophy of Romanticism which has dominated our understanding of love since the middle of the eighteenth century, sex is understood to be, not principally a physical act, but the summation and central symbol of love. Before Romanticism, people had sex and fell in love but they did not always see these two acts as inextricably linked: one might love someone and not sleep with them. Or sleep with them and not love them. It was this dislocation that Romanticism refused to countenance. Sex was simply the crowning moment of love, the superlative way of expressing one’s devotion to someone, the ultimate proof of one’s sincerity.

What this philosophy unwittingly accomplished was to turn infidelity from a problem into a catastrophe.

Never again could sex be viewed as in any way divorced from intense emotion and a profound desire for commitment. It was no longer possible to say the sex meant ‘nothing’, in the sense of being a joyful, kind but emotionally-empty act devoid of any desire to care for or live with a new person in the long-term and in no way indicative of any drop in affection for the established partner. There, of course, many cases where infidelity means exactly what Romanticism takes it to mean: contempt for one’s relationship. But in a great many other cases, it may mean something really rather different: a passing, surface desire for erotic excitement that coexists with an ongoing sincere commitment to one’s life partner.

Even though our ideas about sex and sexuality have greatly advanced over the last half-century, our culture still holds a double

standard about infidelity. Men will still be men, after all- we still tend to pathologize women or shame them (or both) for having affairs. Far from being evidence of pathology or marital bankruptcy, a woman’s affair can be a way of expressing a desire for an entirely different self, either from the marriage altogether or still in it. An affair can be what I call “a can opener” for women unable to articulate for themselves why they’re unhappy in their marriages, much less empower themselves to leave or begin an honest conversation with their husbands about what they feel is wrong. In my workplace, I’ve heard my colleagues say. “I didn’t even know what I wanted until the affair was over and I realized that I really wanted to end my marriage,” or I had no idea that I used the affair as a way to wake up our relationship.”

Many infidelity issues today are treated based on the idea that the unfaithful spouse is a perpetrator, someone who wronged the other person. While the pain caused by infidelity can’t and shouldn’t be denied, it generally isn’t understood well enough that many women cheat because they struggle with their self-identity in their lives and lack of empowerment in their marriages. Sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings with someone outside your relationship/ marriage can be considered a betrayal. It is disrespectful to your partner and the relationship you have built over time. Such an action breaks a vital and intensely private link between partners in a marriage or committed relationship.

It also shuts the partner out of an incredibly important aspect of our human nature.

Teachers’ marital relationships are considered to be more vulnerable to problems in the workplace. This is likely due to the fact that for everybody “Teaching is the noblest profession” in the whole world. And that people make teachers as models for good moral values. With the emerging technologies, morale of teachers had declined. Research has shown that social network activities affect the quality of relationships and lead to relationship dissatisfaction.

Social network may make it easier for a relationship to nurture and stay connected, but they also make it easier to meet people and find romantic partners, which make cheating easier.

The rise of the Internet has influenced relationships due to reduced marital satisfaction, infidelity, and increased divorce.

Teachers can encounter many issues due to environments different from those found in civilian jobs. The nature of their work which is to always uphold the integrity of their profession at all times, in all places. In addition to individual problems, teachers who are married or cohabiting often confront some type of family problem which complicate family reintegration problems. Marriages of teachers are thought to be vulnerable than those of other married couples.

Teacher assignment especially in the hinterlands have been a major threat to marriages of teachers. The assignment and deployment of teachers have been shown to decrease marital quality while increasing infidelity and separation or divorce intent.

It has been suggested that the rate of separation and infidelity is higher in the teachers that that of the general population, but it is difficult to find sound research about infidelity, and prevalence rates for infidelity have been increasing in the Philippines in general, especially among women.

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 23, 2020

Andanar backs ISDB-T use for distance learning

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MPHASIZING the advantages of Integrated Services Digital Broadcast Terrestrial (ISDB-T), Presidential Communications Secretary and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS)-X Martin Andanar said

such could aid in enhancing teaching methods in the new normal.

During the CORDS-X Podcast, October 17, Andanar said he plans to meet with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-

Education amidst the pandemic: Rising up to the challenege

By IRISH KARYLLE D. MONTE, PhD.

A new breed of frontliners stood ground last October 5, 2020 as public schools finally opened after a 6-month hiatus. Keeping up with the promise that “education must continue”, educational leaders, school heads and teachers embarked on a journey to what is believed to be the most challenging Academic Year to date.

We live amidst the greatest threat in education around the world – a pandemic crisis brought about by the COVID-19 virus. This crisis has created the largest disruption in the education system to date, forcing schools to close not only in the Philippines but worldwide. Teachers and students are forced to stay at home for the remainder of the school year, full of uncertainties on how to carry on with the teaching and learning process. The Philippine Education System has undergone many changes and challenges through the years, but this crisis presented a whole new level of challenge that no one is ready or even trained for.

In just six short months since the pandemic was declared, abrupt changes have been made in policies, business, financial realignment, strategic plans, government operations, tourism, livelihood, and many others. The education system, holding the country’s biggest workforce, was expected to either adapt or skip the school year until a vaccine is available.

However, this pandemic is far from over and there is no way of knowing when this will end. Debates are leaning towards an “academic freeze”. However, the option to skip the school year poses a complete threat to students’ interest in learning and will cause a gap in the labor workforce.

This will eventually take its toll on the economy in the long run. The pandemic imposed a radical shift from classroom teaching to remote teaching and learning that many hoped would be temporary.

While this crisis deeply affected a lot of learners,

parents and educators alike, it also brought out the much-needed innovation, initiatives and creativity.

Fortunately, this pandemic allowed educators to explore various options to make sure “e duc at ion must continue”. These learning delivery modalities range f rom on l i ne d i st anc e learning, modular learning, radio-based instruction, and television-based instruction. These modalities ensure that every child is catered. There are a lot of controversies, debates and complaints surrounding these modes of learning delivery, such a s p are nt s’ d i f f i c u lt y over modular learning, shortage of paper supply to reproduce modules, teachers’ struggle in the distribution and retrieval of mo du les, le ar ners’ struggle on completion of modules, unstable internet connection for online classes, and so on.

The goal of all education systems is the same- to overcome this teaching and learning crisis we are facing today and continue to provide our learners with the education they deserve.

Our current modalities may be far from perfect, but it is our best possible option to ensure that no child is ahead or left behind. On the bright side, there is also a whole new level of respect and appreciation for educators who have constantly proven themselves to go above and beyond the call of duty. With the help of the parents and the community, teachers and learners are carrying on with their endeavors the best way they know how. We realize now more than ever how crucial the role of parents and teachers in rearing and educating children. Together, with much hope and faith, we can recover stronger and more resilient than ever.

10 and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)10 to discuss the use of ISDB-T in time of the approval of the Government Communications Academy.

Andanar said the academy will have television and radio stations, and classrooms to teach the information officers. “The ISDB-T could be a possible joint project with DICT so we can test the digital TV." NTC-10 Regional Director Engr. Teodoro Buenavista said in one frequency of ISDB-T, there can be 10 programs or channels produced and such is apt for supporting the education of learners who are not physically present in classrooms.

The modality can also reduce traffic congestion since students will no longer need to commute on a daily basis.

For her part, DICT10 RD Evamay Dela Rosa said, "ang DICT nag-embrace niining ISDB-T kay mas better ang reception ug quality. Maka-free up pud kini sa ubang frequency spectrum (DICT embraces the ISDB-T because it has better reception and quality. This could also free up other frequency spectrum)."

Dela Rosa added that even Japan uses the ISDB-T during emergencies to communicate to their people.

To gain support and with the help of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10, Buenavista

During the CORDS-X Podcast, October 17, Andanar says he plans to meet with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-10 and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)-10 to discuss the use of ISDB-T in time of the approval of the Government Communications Academy. (CORDS-X)

said they have requested funding for the ISDB-T, "Ato lang gihulat karon (We are just waiting for) the approval for the funding requirements to establish an ISDBT station."

For current television sets, Buenavista said most of the modern sets used in households today are ISDB-T ready. Thus, it is not difficult to use the station when it is already approved.

For sets which are not yet ISDB-T ready, a box receiver could be use such as those utilized by GMA and ABS-CBN. Aid to DepEd-10 Because of lack of telecommunications towers, DICT-10 released the Common Tower Policy, which seeks to widen the base of tower providers to fasttrack the deployment of Shared Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure (PTTIs) across all regions of the country, especially

in the unserved and underserved areas.

Such is also done since DICT has noted problems and difficulties on obtaining permits.

The department also streamlined guidelines to speed up release of permits once applications for towers are submitted.

For their part, Buenavista said after evaluation, about 465 out of the 2,022 barangays in the region have no access to the internet or 23 percent. "We initiated for the streamlining. We encouraged the LGUs through the RDC-10 to streamline the process since this is what we found out."

There are 398 live sites in Region 10 of which 140 are in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon (107), Misamis Occidental (63), Lanao del Norte (61), Camiguin (27).

Most of the sites are established in hospitals and rural health units with 130,

READ ALERT: Matangad National High School Innovative Reading Program S.Y. 2019-2020 By: MELENDE B. CATID PhD

The general concept for an academic growth in every school perches on the reading proficiency of its learners and the ability of the latter in grasping the application of what is read. This is a veracity of a school that works -a school that goes through the norm and lives up the pedagogical principle.

Wi t h t h i s n o t i o n , Matangad National High School has put into action what has been magnified by the Department of Education the essence of reading with Regional Memo No. 243 s. 2019. This signifies the Regional Program on Care for Normin Readers (CNR).

It is coupled with a package of 3B’s which goes “Bawat Bata Bumabasa”. Thus, came

up the school program with a title: READ ALERT PROGRAM (RAP) which is worked into two categories namely : A 2 0 Mi nute Reading Program intended for the identified students in Frustration, Instructional, and Independent levels respectively every 3:00-3:20 in the afternoon; and the special Reading Program being held in the Reading Clinic/Reading Chamber f rom 3:00-4:00 in t he afternoon daily.

In the 20-minute Reading Program, students are given a short reading selection followed with comprehension check being distributed to different reading skills such as: Noting Details, Predicting Outcome, Identifying the Main Idea,

Identifying the mood of the Speaker, and Vocabulary Skills. Results are being monitored by the in charge.

For special Class in Reading clinic, students are taught with the basic ph on e t i c appro a ch i n reading since most of them cannot identify letters in the alphabet. Part of this program is the involvement of parents on letting them sign a Letter of Commitment to monitor their students’ progress.

The School Reading Program is determined to be of good help to the reading problem among the identified students where enjoyment is the great feature to defy the inferiorities among the concerned learners.

state universities and colleges with 127, town plazas with 75, and LGU halls with 40. Only few sites were established in elementary schools.

Dela Rosa said aside from the 398 live WiFi sites, they are working on the 148 additional sites for this year and they are requesting for more than 1,500 sites for the provinces of the region for 2021.

This month, the Regional Development Network will install a fiber optic cable in Cagayan de Oro, providing fast internet connection to the government offices in the city by next year. (RTP/ PIA10)

Response... from page 2

Romualdo said.

He said the handbook aims to illustrate how the province intends “to manage tourism as it braves forward in these challenging times, short of any date to open its doors to tourists”.

The playbook consists of protocols on public safety, response actions to follow the national mandate to "test, trace, treat," adaptive measures and tourism new norms, as well as public access procedures.

It also contains guidelines for tourism-related establishments issued by the Department of Tourism, as well as a "roadmap to a clean, resilient and sustainable destination".

Romualdo said the playbook also aims to provide direction and guidance to host communities, business stakeholders, national and local government leaders, and tourists.

“We are carefully striking a balance between health, economic, and environmental concerns. This is to ensure that our transition into the New Normal becomes the heart of a long-term vision in keeping the island resilient towards global risks such as over-tourism, climate change, and health emergencies,” he added. (PNA)

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 23, 2020

Friends... from page 4

close, strong relationship only grows out of deep trust built on honest communication with each other. My friend needs to know I will always accept him, even if I do not approve of what he is doing.

But friendship is a twoway street and the truth cuts both ways. So we need to be willing to listen when a friend cares enough to confront us about something wrong in our life. One of the most important reasons God gave us friends is to help us grow and become more like Him in our character. Jesus is the best friend you will ever have. Won’t you ask Him to forgive you for your wrong ways of living, and to take full charge of your character and way of life? That is when He can start rebuilding you into the man or woman He made you to be. Just think a minute…

Win... from page 4

for us was shown by offering his life on the cross for our sins.

He does not mind the cost involved. His sense of justice is not the strict quidpro-quo type. It is a justice totally inspired by charity and mercy, completely gratuitous even if it is not reciprocated properly by us.

We need to be more familiar with this truth about winning by losing. Let’s live out what a proverb said: “Those who give generously receive more, but those who are stingy with what is appropriate will grow needy.”

Protocols... from page 4

the “no touch” protocol, including signs on the sticks themselves.

Eliminate ball-washers and bunker rakes. Encourage “foot raking” of bunkers and introduce a “preferred lie” local bunker rule.

Remove on-course scorecards, pencils, golf tees, ball markers, and divot tool dispensers.

Remove water coolers and trash receptacles. Inform golfers prior to their round of golf.

If in use, set up practice faci lity wit h minimum physical distancing requirements.

Sanitize all range balls between uses.

Space golf carts in staging area to accommodate physical distancing requirements.

Have staff frequently sanitize touchable surfaces, golf cars, pull/push carts, bathrooms, etc.

Steel... from page 1

soon as possible. They can tell their friends in China that with PHIVIDEC-IA, they can establish a successful business so that we can have more investors in the country,” said La Viña.

The company has completed the construction of their facilities and will soon be hiring residents from Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro

for employment.

“You should employ Filipinos and help Filipino families. And you should always treat them well,” added La Viña.

Aside from generating l o c a l e mpl oy me nt , t he company will also procure their raw materials from local sources. In a month, the company requires 50 to 60 metric tons of raw materials.

The plant has a land area of 22.7 hectares in Barangay Baluarte, which is within PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate.

Loses... from page 1

City Tour ism Of f ice h e a d G e n e ro s e Te c s on told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday that her office recorded only 24,633 domestic travelers last month, a reduction of 88.51 percent from 214,451 of the same period last year.

The city also recorded a 94.54-percent decrease in foreign travelers, reporting only 955 last month from 16,874 of the same period last year.

Most of the air travelers were authorized persons outside residence or those who come to the city for work since tourism travel h a s b e e n re s t r i c t e d t o control the transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), except for locals within the neighboring areas of the city, Tecson said.

No revenues were generated from tourism last month, she added.

“We don’t s e e much for the tourism industry, except for domestic. That’s it for now, well, number one, the state of public health emergency has been extended until next year so tourism is limited towards domestic tourism,” Tecson said.

Tecson said that the city noted a good reception of the locals to the digital Kadayawan celebration, with many of them participating in online activities initiated by the city government.

“You can s ee p eople really miss Kadayawan.

Although that’s not the number of people that we expected to participate but, at least, we got more than half of our target. That’s what gladdens our heart,” she said.

Although the tourism forecast remains gloomy by the end of the year, Tecson said she hopes that 2021 will be a better year for the city’s tourism industry.

“I wish I can say that everything is going to look bright and sunny for the tourism industry. but as long as the state of public health emergency is there, I don’t think there will be much changes,” she added.

O n l y 7 5 of t h e 2 3 6 accommodation facilities in Davao City reopened do ors early this month after the Department of To u r i s m ( D O T ) - D a v a o issued them with certificates to operate under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Warns... from page 1

smuggling syndicates are stocking up.

Fre d a n o t e d t h at i n recent weeks, a series of seizures and interceptions were made by the antismuggling team of Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the ports of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Davao.

In Cebu, the BOC hauled in a total of P148 million in illegal cigarettes during August alone followed by the interception of two containers filled with cigarette contraband worth P88.1 million in the first week of September.

For the entire month of S e p t e m b e r, B O C C e b u destroyed a total of P180 million worth of smuggled goods, 36% of which were illegal cigarettes.

Bacolod, Iloilo and Tacloban in the Visayas h av e a l s o e n c o u nt e r e d rising incidents of cigarette smuggling in the recent past.

In Mind anao, B O C teams intercepted some P96.6 million worth of illegally imported cigarettes in the port of Davao while destroying P50 million worth of illegal cigarettes in Cagayan de Oro, both happening in the first week of October.

Seizures were also recently conducted by law enforcement units in the port of Zamboanga where P1.5 billion of illegal cigarettes including raw materials were destroyed.

Freda nevertheless lauded the series of successful operations m a d e by t h e B O C a n d Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in recent months as s mu g g l i ng i nc i d e nt s became rampant amid the pandemic.

“I understand that for a countr y with so many islands like the Philippines, it is a huge challenge to control the problem, but the deterrents need to be stronger,” Freda said.

He said illegal tobacco trade is a growing problem i n t h e c o u n t r y, w h i c h

requires more government attention and “absolute vigilance.”

“Stiffer sanctions are required. We need to see people being caught and brought to justice in a way that deters others from being part of this criminal endeavor,” Freda said even as he reiterated his call for higher penalties and sanctions against tobacco smugglers to sharpen the deterrence.

He said more smuggling attempts are expected with increasing frequency during the yuletide months even with a quarantine in effect.

“Syndicates will surely tr y to cash in on this and compete with legal and tax-paying tobacco players as the pandemic drags on until Christmas and even beyond New Year,” Freda pointed out.

He s t r e s s e d c o a s t a l borders and port cities in the Visayas and Mindanao must be put under tighter watch to thwart smugglers taking advantage of the current situation.

Freda likewise cited a JTI global study, which s h ow e d t h at or g a n i z e d criminal groups around the world are capitalizing on the COVID-19 pandemic t o o p e r at e t h e i r i l l i c i t tobacco trade.

The JTI report, which covered 50 countries, also noted “a strong presence” of tobacco smugglers i n t h e P h i l ippi n e s . J T I

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSON WITH SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That late SAMSON PAGAOA died on July 6, 1991 at Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital, Tibanga, iligan City, died intestate leaving parcel of land more particularly bounded and described, to wit; A parcel of land with TCT No. T-6278, situated in the District of San Miguel, City of Iligan, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (325) SQUARE METERS, more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSON WITH SALE, filed by the heirs of SAMSON PAGAOA, per DOC #33; PAGE #14; BOOK #31; Series of 2020 under the Notarial registry of ATTY. ROWELL B. VALLEDOR. BWM: Oct. 23, 30 & Nov. 6, 2020

BWM: October 9, 16 & 23, 2020

markets in the Philippines cigarette brands Winston, C amel, Me vius, Mig hty and Mar vels.

According to the JTIP GM, illegal tobacco trade is considered a lucrative business for criminals who make huge prof its with ver y low risk of getting caught and “insignificant” penalties.

This deprives the government of collecting revenues, with both contraband and counterfeit cigarettes being smuggled without paying taxes.

According to the World Bank, the global trade in illegal tobacco is already worth an estimated $40 billion to $50 billion each year.

The gover nment has also been confronted with a diminished collection from tobacco excise tax since the pandemic hit in early March.

The latest preliminary D ep ar t ment of Finance (DOF) data showed that the excise tax take from tobacco, e-cigarettes and alcohol amounted to P140.1 billion as of endAugust, down 13 percent from P161.8 billion during the first eight months of last year.

From Januar y to Au g u st , tob a c c o e xc i s e tax collections dropped to P95.7 billion from P111.3 billion a year ago, while those from alcoholic beverages declined to P44.4 billion from P50.5

billion a year ago.

The stringent COVID-19 quarantine from mid-March to May affected both the supply of and demand for alcohol and tobacco products as factories stopped production for the local market while movement of nonessential goods was restricted, including liquor b ans i mp o s e d by s om e local government units to discourage social drinking.

At t he he i g ht of t he lockdown, illicit cigarette traders raked in as they took advantage of the dwindling availability of tax-paid cigarettes.

DEED OF SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: I, GASPAR D. BADELIC, Filipino, of legal age, married, and a resident of San Miguel Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, hereinafter referred to as VENDOR; that Vendor the owner of a motor vehicle with MAKE/SERIES: ISUZU ELF; TYPE OF BODY: FLAT BED;PLATE NUMBER:KBD456; ENGINE NUMBER: 4BEI309480; SERIAL/CHASSIS NUMBER:TLD54BOF20533;CR NUMBER:14248766-0 dated 5/24/2012; OR NUMBER: 177220595 dated 5/24/2012, and has been the subject of an DEED OF SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLE, in favor of SILVESTA M. PIQUERO, per DOC #247;PAGE #50;BOOK #122; Series of 2019 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MARIO N. C. ALBARECE, C.P.A. BWM: October 9, 16 & 23, 2020

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

Editor: GILBERT Y. CHAO

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Friday|October 23, 2020

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TOYOTA PH AFFIRMS POWER TO LEAD WITH UNVEILING OF NEW FORTUNER

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ONTINUING its streak of digital vehicle launches, leading mobility company Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has started the last quarter of 2020 with a highly-anticipated update on one of the most popular models in its lineup – the Toyota Fortuner.

The New Fortuner range is headlined by the new LTD variant in 4x4 and 4x2 which comes in an exclusive design, followed by Q and V variants in automatic transmission, and the G variant available in AT and MT. Starting at Php 1.63M for the G MT variant, TMP assures Filipinos of great value for money with Toyota’s signature quality, durability, and reliability embedded in the DNA of the country’s bestselling and well-loved Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

During the online launch of the New Fortuner, TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto recalled how the Fortuner changed the local automotive landscape at a time when entry level sedans and Asian utility vehicles were the affordable crowd favorite.

“The Fortuner captured the hearts of many Filipinos as proven by strong sales. It has an SUV body perfect for the Philippines’ f lood-prone streets, an array of variants including a fuel-efficient diesel engine, a macho look

that satisfies desires, and most of all, an affordable price – making it an achievable dream!” said Okamoto.

“The new Fortuner is SMARTER, STRONGER and SAFER than ever! With its refreshed line-up led by the top-of-the-line premium LTD grade, the country’s best-selling SUV just got better!” he added.

Since the Fortuner’s entry in the local market in 2005, TMP has already sold over 220,000 units of this highly-recognized SUV. In 2017, the Fortuner was crowned best-selling vehicle in the country. Just this August, the model dominated the midsized SUV category with over 30% market share.

With the 2020 update, the Fortuner gets more confident, prestigious, safe, further proving itself a formidable and reliable SUV, perfect for any city or off-road drive.

Embed video: https:// www.facebook.com/ ToyotaMotorPhilippines/ videos/2827349674162723/ Drive in style, drive to lead The New Fortuner LTD’s look is made more striking and more elegant coming in the 2-tone color black roof color lineup, a bolder and sportier front and rear bumper design, and machine-cut 18” alloy wheels. Split-type LED headlamps and LED front foglamps, sequential turn signal lamps, and the redesigned LED rear combination

lamps give the LTD variant a more dynamic design while maintaining visibility on the road.

The Q and V variants also get LED foglamps and redesigned LED rear combination lamps, as well as Bi-Beam LED Headlamps with LED Line Guide - Daytime Running Lights. G variants also now come with Bi-Beam LED Headlamps with LED DRL. Confidence, ease, and control Ingress is smooth and easy with Smart Entry and Push Start System for LTD, Q, and V grades. The LTD variant features an elegant interior in leather with maroon accents, as well as galaxy black trim and interior illumination which adds to the sophisticated interior look of the vehicle.

The Q variant also gets the classy black leather interior complemented by a dark wood trim.

The driver gets more control over the ride with various modes: Eco and Sport for LTD and Q variants, Eco and Power for V and G variants, and easy access to switches on the steering wheel and through the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto-compatible audio system across all variants. LTD, Q, and V variants feature 8” display audio.

Comfort and entertainment is guaranteed the whole journey for the driver and passengers as LTD and Q variants have 8-Way

Power Adjust front seats, and Front Seat Ventilation System for the LTD variant. Never lose power with the wireless charger and rear USB chargers available on LTD, Q, and V grades, and experience premium sound quality over the LTD variants’ 9-speaker JBL sound system.

Feel at ease throughout the ride with front and rear automatic control for V grades and up.

Made stronger and more efficient The New Fortuner LTD and Q variants are powered by the 1GD-FTV engine which gives 201 HP (204 Ps) max output and 500 Nm max torque, while the V and G variants have the 2GD-FTV engine which gives 147 HP (150Ps) max output and 400 Nm max torque.

The 2GD engine is improved for the New Fortuner V and G variants and enjoys 5% improvement in fuel efficiency versus the previous generation Fortuner.

Toyota Safety Sense now available in the New Fortuner With safety as Toyota’s utmost priority, the New Fortuner is the latest addition to the expanding Toyota Safety Sense (TSS)-equipped models in TMP’s official lineup. Made better and safer than ever, TSS settings previously featured in select Toyota models such as the Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control are now available for the Fortuner LTD

and Q. All variants come with SRS airbags (7 for the LTD variants), 3-pt. ELR seatbelts, Anti-Lock Brake System with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control, and Hill-Start Assist Control.

The 4x4 LTD variant also has Downhill Assist Control.

All variants also come with a total of 6 clearance and back sonars, in addition to the Panoramic View Monitor that comes with the LTD, Q, and V variants or reverse camera for the G variants.

Pricing The New Fortuner will be available in all of TMP’s 70 dealerships across the country

by October 19, 2020. The New Fortuner is also available for safely-distanced viewing in our virtual showroom. Get the full dealership experience online and check out the product highlights, view the interior and exterior in 3D, calculate payments, and submit inquiries direct to any preferred dealer via https://toyota.com.ph/ fortuner.

For more information on the New Fortuner, visit TMP’s official website at www. toyota.com.ph and follow the official social media pages at ToyotaMotorPhilippines (Facebook and Instagram), @ ToyotaMotorPH (Twitter), and Toyota PH (Viber and Telegram).