BusinessWeek Mindanao (October 25, 2019)

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Truce THE CONFLICT surrounding roads in the Floirendo-run banana farms in Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Davao del Norte has been settled with an agreement signed by the parties. Under the deal, the existing biosecurity facilities at entry points will not be demolished, but the requirement of a gate pass for public access will be removed. The agreement also provides for the creation of a joint monitoring committee composed of two representatives each from the parties involved: the provincial government of Davao del Norte, the Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. (TADECO), and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), which owns the land. TADECO and BuCor have a joint venture agreement for the banana plantations.

Cash aid IN view of the declining palay prices since the rice tariffication law took effect in March, the government will be giving P5,000 cash assistance to affected farmers tilling one hectare and below. Agriculture Secretary William Dar, on the sidelines of the ongoing Philippines-India Trade Consultations held at Shangri-la Makati on Friday, said the cash assistance is a one-time cash-out and this will be taken from the tariff being collected out of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). Around P3 billion will be needed for the 600,000 rice farmer-beneficiaries in the country.

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Japan urged to lower tariffs on PH bananas www.businessweekmindanao.com

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GRICULTURE Secretary William Dar has reiterated his request to Japan Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Shinya Fujiki to lower the tariffs imposed on Philippine bananas.

“I would like to request your support for the preferential tariff rate of zero percent for Philippine bananas in Japan, which

currently imposes an 18-percent tariff during the winter season and 8 percent during the summer,” Dar said TARIFFS/PAGE 9

Developer to complete industrial zone in 2 years By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

LAST VIEWING. Soldiers carry the casket containing the remains of late Senator Nene Pimentel to the Cagayan de Oro City Tourism hall after it arrived from Manila last Wednesday evening. He will flown back to Heritage Memorial Park Manila early today, Friday (Oct. 25). photo by gerry lee gorit

US Embassy holds training for Mindanao peace advocates

DAVAO City — Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) is aiming to complete the development of the 63-hectare Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) economic zone within the

next two years and is now fast-tracking the construction of additional facilities. “It’s hard to woo investors when you sell only a plan. INDUSTRIAL/PAGE 9

By MARK FRANCISCO, Reporter

THE United States Embassy of the Philippines conducted a three-day training for Mi nd ana o - b as e d p e a c e advocates from October 22

to 24 this year at Apple Tree Resort and Hotel in Opol, Misamis Oriental. According to project TRAINING/PAGE 9

Banana planters group fears spread of Panama disease By DIGNA BANZON, PNA

D AVA O C i t y - - T h e Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) is fearing for the possible spread of Fusarium wilt in banana plantations in

Davao del Norte if biosecurity installations are removed. In a press statement on Tuesday, PBGEA Executive Director Stephen Antig PLANTERS/PAGE 9

PASSIG ISLET RESORT. Once a small sandbar in Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, residents slowly built it into a roughly 3,000 square-meter islet resort by buffering the perimeter with used tires filled with sand. The resort is now a popular destination in the province. photos by jules l. benitez

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Local

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 25, 2019

Consumers warned against counterfeit products online

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AVAO City -The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) warned the public on Wednesday against the proliferation of fake and counterfeit products sold online. Lawyer Teodoro Pascua, IPOPHL deputy director-general, said the agency is set to create the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) to crack down on the online selling and distribution

of counterfeit and pirated goods as government regulatory agencies close in on unfettered selling of contraband goods. Pascua said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also scheduled to gather various agencies to dialogue with online sellers such as Lazada, Zalora, Shopee, among others. “They will be asked about their intellectual property policy as well as the assurance that the

products they are selling are genuine,” he said, adding DTI will soon impose a registration system for online sellers for proper accreditation. “Buyers should be aware that branded products sold online with much lower prices are not genuine,” Pascua added. He also encouraged the public to be cautious of the proliferation of fake products. “Let us join hands to run them out of business,” he said.

Data from IPOPHL revealed that a total of PHP23.5 billion worth of counterfeited items were seized by authorities in 2018; for this year, the figure so far is around PHP1.8 billion. Chester Arturo Cinco, Intellectual Property Rights division chief, said the reason for the decrease is due to the nonsubmission of reports from the concerned agencies. Cinco said the top five counterfeited products or pirated goods confiscated are cigarettes and alcohol; pharmaceuticals and personal care products; handbags and wallets; optical media; and footwear. Seven convictions were reported by the Department of Justice

(DOJ) in 2018; 18 from January to October this year. Pascua said the government is losing billions in revenues as most of the online dealers are non-taxpayers. He said consumers should consider a product to be counterfeit if it is sold at a lower price than the original item. “Beware of those

cosmetics with foreign language. The manufacturer should provide translation if it will be sold in our country,” Pascua said. He added that the Korean Embassy has requested IPOPHL to stop the selling of counterfeit cosmetics that are made to appear as if the products are from South Korea. (PNA)

BARMM parliament seeks passage of 7 priority bills By NOEL PUNZALAN, PNA

COTABATO City -- Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) are working on the passage

of seven regional bills to outline the setting up of the fledging regional bureaucracy. Lawyer Lanang Ali Jr., majority floor leader of the BTA - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said that priority legislations include the administrative code, Indigenous Peoples code, internal revenue code, civil service code, education, local government, creation of offices, and electoral code. “These priority bills would shape up the course of the region during its infancy stage,” Ali said during a press conference PASSAGE/PAGE 9

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 25, 2019

Summit Hotel Tacloban celebrates the 75th Leyte Gulf Landing Anniversary with a Special Promo

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UMMIT Hotel Tacloban, one of many Robinsons Hotels & Resorts property is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landing in Palo by offering special rates to their guests in this auspicious month. At a special rate of Php3, 200net for an overnight stay on their Deluxe Twin or King rooms, the promo is also inclusive of breakfast for two (2) at Patron Casual Dining. Summit Hotel Tacloban has 138 rooms and is situated beside the sprawling

Robinsons Place – Tacloban’s premiere mall. The hotel boasts of a ballroom that could sit 500 guests and smaller meeting rooms for small conferences and seminar. The seven floor hotel also has a swimming pool, event space, and a work station for your productivity. The promo’s booking period started on September 8, 2019, with the stay period starting on October 16, 2019. The hotel’s promo was supposed to run until October 21, 2019, only. However, for those who were not able to avail

Picture shows a delightful team of Summit Hotel Tacloban frontliners, led by Cindy Gidal, Hotel Manager (center) welcoming guests on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landing.

of this promo, there’s no need to fret. Summit Hotel Tacloban has since extended this promo until October 31, 2019. Apart from

Tacloban, Summit Hotels are also found in Metro Manila, specifically, Summit Hotel in Greenhills and Summit Hotel Magnolia. You can

also find them away from the bustling city like their Summit Ridge Tagaytay in Cavite. Lastly, find them in the Queen City of the South, the

Summit Circle and Summit Galleria in Cebu City. For more information, please visit www. summithotels.ph or call 0998-840-7356.

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Opinion

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Prepare for landing Think a minute…There’s a book entitled The 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said. This is one of those stupid things that was actually said. “If you bought our course on ‘How To Fly An Airplane In Six Easy Lessons,’ we apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused you by our failing to include the last chapter, ‘How To Land Your Plane Safely.’ Send us your name and address and we will immediately send you this last chapter on how to land your airplane safely.” Can you imagine a pilot taking off in an airplane not knowing how to land it? Yet some of us ‘fly’ through life without ever thinking about how we are going to ‘land.’ Pilots are never even allowed to take off without a flight plan: knowing where they’re going and how they’ll get there. But many of us are like the university student who said: “I don’t like to think about things until they happen. Death is still a long way away.” My grandmother used to tease my grandfather when he would leave the house to

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST go for walks. She’d say to him: “Now dear, don’t go so far you can’t get back!” You know, that’s exactly what happens to us when we die. We’ve gotten so far we can’t get back. Each of us gets only one chance to live and then we have to die. We only get one chance to ‘fly’ before we have to ‘land.’ “What goes up, must come down.” Ready or not, we’re going down! So we need to prepare for landing while we’ve still got time. How about you? Do you know where you would ‘land’—if your life ended today? You see, we cannot know what’s going to happen to us tomorrow so we must LANDING/PAGE 11

FRIDAY|OCTOBER 25, 2019

Leading international medical centers and clinics in the medical tourism program The following providers are a brief roster of Patients Beyond B ord e r s re c om m e n d e d international hospitals and clinics. It is by no means exhaustive. Listed facilities must meet the following criteria: CARIBBEAN • Barbados Fertility Center • Crossroads C entre Antigua COSTA RICA • Hospital Clinica Biblica • Prisma Dental CZECH REPUBLIC • Elite Dental • Esthé Clinic • Prague Proton Therapy Center HUNGARY • Evergreen Dental • Kreativ Dental Clinic

• MDental Clinic Hungary • Oxygen Medical • Tr i D e nt Bu d ap e s t Cosmetic & Family Dentistry INDIA • Fortis Hospital Bangalore • Fortis Escorts Heart Institute • Max Healthcare and Super-Specialty Hospitals • Narayana Health • National Institute of Ophthalmology • Sri Ramakrishna MultiSpecialty Hospital MALAYSIA • G l e n e a g l e s Ku a l a Lumpur • Imperial Dental Specialist Centre • International Specialist Eye Center Malaysia • Ramsay Sime Darby

Subang Jaya Medical Center • Ramsay Sime Darby Ara Damansara Medical Center MEXICO • Bokanova Dental Clinic • Cancun Dental Specialists • CODET Vision Institute • COSMED • Galenia Hospital • Hospital San José Tec de Monterrey • Ocean Dental Cancun • Médica Sur Mexico City • Sani Dental Group • Tijuana Clinic for Cosmetic Dentistry SINGAPORE • Gleneagles Hospital Singapore • Johns Hopkins Singapore Int'l Medical Center • Mount Elizabeth Novena

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE Hospital • National Cancer Centre Singapore • Singapore National Eye Center SOUTH KOREA • Asan Medical Center MEDICAL/PAGE 11

Wealth can destroy your family FAMILY BUSINESS COACH

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

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PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO All business owners, meaning anyone who owns anything of value that will be passed on to the next generation have the potential to destroy their families through poorly planned and unclear succession and wealth transition process. And it is never enough to seal family harmony when you require your children to regularly troop to your home ever y Sunday for lunch or dinner together with their spouses, regale you w it h t heir stor ies,

while you playfully amuse yourself listening to your grandchildren’s out of tune song and dance number. Despite this entire founder initiated-gatherings meant to instill sibling unity, no family is immune to the dangers that wealth can generate. As a family governance advisor doing the rounds in Asia, I still get a front row seat when of f spr i ng rel at i onsh ip s erupt into a bitter fight after the death of their parents with the added benefit of lawyers fanning the flames in disputes over poorly and hastily crafted succession arrangements left by the parents. I w ant to sh are t he unfortunate story of the Chadha brothers of India. A n i n c i d e nt h app e n e d sometime in November 2012 pitting two brothers who were embroiled in a bitter property dispute after their father, Kulwant Chadha

died without clarif ying ownership and succession issues amongst the children. Accompanied by their bodyguards, the siblings led by liquor baron, property magnate and eldest son Ponty was seen arguing with younger brother Hardeep over t heir in her it ance. Both were obsessed about a par tic ular farmhous e that their father had left to Hardeep. Ponty had contributed hugely to the family business and believed he deserved the property. Hardeep felt that he had not only been bequeathed the farmhouse by h is f at he r, but t hat the overall deal on his father’s estate was unfairly distributed, giving him less than what he believed was his rightful share. A source said that Hardeep had phone d a media friend earlier that morning and told him that “he was going to finally

settle the dispute with Ponty today”. Cops claimed that both sides had “planned in advance to settle scores.’’ The confrontation ended with Ponty dying in a hail of bullets at the hands of his own brother Hardeep. This led to an exchange of gunfire between the two sides with Hardeep subsequently killed by one of Ponty’s police escort. For a family reported to have assets worth more than US$10 Billion, it would be hard to imagine that Ponty and Hardeep’s father had ever dreamed that his sons would die in a gun battle over an irrelevant asset one day. Beyond the subject asset in dispute, the conflict emanated f rom unclear distribution of ownership, poorly crafted transfer of power, sibling rivalry, past hurts, betrayal and perceived unfair inheritance. It was apparent that the father DESTROY/PAGE 11

Where he's coming from A popular consideration that many people nowadays make when they tr y to understand someone who has a different view from theirs is to try to figure out “where that person is coming from.” I hear that expression very often these days. It’s a laudable gesture that is meant to keep a meaningful dialog with others. Of course, the expression, “where he’s coming from,” is a reminder of the basic principle that a person sees, understands and reacts to things according to the way he is. An old Latin adage already expresses this phenomenon. “Operare s e q u i t u r e s s e .” Ac t i o n follows being. One behaves the way he is. If that person is male or female, rich or poor, a socialite or a farm worker, a liberal or a conservative, a r a c i st or a fe m i n i st , etc., these conditions are somehow reflected in his v i e w s an d h i s ove r- a l l

actuations. In other words, we all have our biases and preferences. Some can be valid and legitimate. But others may not. It is the latter that we have to be most careful about. To see where one is coming from is, of course, a very logical consideration to make. But then again, we do not work by logic alone, since we can also be very logical in our error. Logic does not go the distance. We need to go metaphysical, considering t hings way b e yond t he many conditionings that describe person. We have to go to the original and the ultimate objective truth about ourselves and about where we come from before the conditionings add their trappings on it. And this original and ultimate truth about where we come from is that we all come from God. All creatures, of course, come from God, but in our case, we come from him in a very

intimate way since we are created in his image and likeness, meant to share the very life of God. We just did not come from our parents. We are not merely biological creatures. We are not simply products of our social and historicocultural environment. We also are spiritual creatures who are ver y intimately linked to our Creator God. We are not merely the image and likeness of our parents. We, first of all, are the image and likeness of God. While it’s true and correct to consider the personal, social, cultural background, etc. of a person to know where he is coming from when he expresses his views, we should not neglect the most basic consideration of the truth that we all come from God. We are supposed to be God’s image and likeness, reflecting in ourselves as much as possible God’s go o dness, love, merc y, wisdom, etc. In our

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA dealings with others, in our discussions and exchanges, we should not forget that we all are children of God, we all are brothers and sisters, meant to love one another as Christ has loved us. (cfr. Jn 13,34) As a consequence, we have to learn how to see the image and likeness of God in everyone, no matter how unlovable a person is to us. And also, we have to remind ourselves, that in spite of our personal idiosyncracies and peculiarities, we are also the image and likeness CIMAGALA/PAGE 11

CorporateWorld 5 AirAsia PH sees P29-B HMI Land to open new revenue in 2019 Acacia Hotel in Davao Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

FRIDAY|OCTOBER 25, 2019

AN official of AirAsia Philippines on Wednesday said the carrier sees 2019 as its banner year. "We project P29 billion revenue by the end of the year, or 39 percent growth from revenue in 2018," AirAsia Philippines vice chair Sheila Romero said during the launch of the carrier's new office. Romero said the management projects a 90 percent load factor by the end of the year, or having flown a total of 10 million passengers by yearend. AirAsia Philippines' capacity growth in second quarter of 2019 was up by 19 percent compared to the same period last year. Passengers carried for the second quarter was recorded at 12.8 million, an 18 percent growth year-on-year, resulting in a load factor of 85 percent. More planes and routes await the customers, as Romero said the local carrier is committed to provide comfort, convenience at affordable ticket prices to the Filipinos. In 2019 alone, the carrier has already launched new routes such as flights between Kalibo and Kunming,

Macao and Chengdu; Clark-Kaohsiung; CebuKaohsiung; ManilaOsaka; and ManilaBacolod. The carrier, in terms of punctuality, has improved based on the on-time performance (OTP). The OTP is being measured by number of departures and arrivals that take place in less than 15 minutes after scheduled departure and arrival times, including cancellations. AirAsia Philippines chief operations officer Dexter Comendador said the OTP improvement can be attributed to the carrier's reserved cabin crew and planes, as well as its fast turn-around. "We have reserved pilots, so that if a pilot stumbles, for example, there is someone to fly the aircraft. We have reserved planes that are already there, which we could use if in case a plane encounters technical problems," he said. Comendador added the carrier's cabin crew are used to doing a 25-minute turn-around time. "These make us sustain improvements in our OTP," he said. (PNA)

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AVAO City — CHMI Land, Inc., the real estate arm of Corporate Holdings Management Inc., is opening its Acacia Hotel Davao by December, the third in its chain after Alabang and Bacolod. The 260-room Acacia Hotel Davao — renovated from a facility built about five years ago and bought in 2017 by Cosco Capital, Inc.’s Lucio L. Co — is located in the city’s business center and is about 20 minutes away from the Davao International Airport. “Acacia Hotel Davao is ideally

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) found probable cause to criminally charge KapaCommunity Ministry International, Inc. (KAPA) for operating an investment scam. Corporate regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said in a statement yesterday a Sept. 25 resolution by the DoJ saw violations by KAPA of the Securities and Regulation Code (SRC). The violations were on Section 8 (8.1), which requires securities to be

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

the opening of new hotels such as Acacia are an added “promotional material” for attracting more leisure and business visitors. “New facilities are most welcome because they become part of our marketing strategy,” said Ms. Tecson. The tourism office is projecting three million visitors this year and local industry players are working together to push the city as a major meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination. — with a report from Carmelito Q. Francisco

Criminal charges vs KAPA pushed

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Regional Trail Court of Misamis Oriental 10th Judicial Region Branch 44 Initao, Misamis Oriental

situated in the midst of Davao City’s hustle and bustle, the center of the city’s business hub which is recognized as a booming location for both local and international tourism,” the hotel management said in a statement on Oct. 9. The hotel’s amenities include the Club Lounge for guests staying in the premier rooms and suites, a cafe and Chinese restaurant, gym and swimming pool with a bar, a ballroom for up to 350 persons, and nine smaller event venues. Davao City Tourism Office head Regina Rosa D. Tecson said that

(SGD) JAY FRANCIS C. RATUNIL Sheriff IV

registered in the SEC to be sold; Section 26.1, which prohibits the use of schemes to defraud; and Section 28, which requires brokers and dealers to be registered with the SEC to buy and sell securities. The resolution identified KAPA founder and president Joel A. Apolinario, trustee Margie A. Danao and corporate secretary Reyna L. Apolinario as among those that may be charged for violating the law. It also named Marisol M. Diaz, Adelfa Fernandico, Moises

Mopia and Reniones Catubigan, whom it said were engaged in the illegal selling of securities by KAPA. In a separate statement, DoJ Undersecretary Markk L. Perete said the scheme KAPA employed is a “classic Ponzi scheme considering the impossibly high yields of return promised to investors.” “(The Panel) rejected respondents’ argument that such investments were in the nature of religious donations, pointing out that the

promise of return negates the giver’s liberality that is the hallmark of every donation,” he added. SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino noted the indictment of KAPA and the people behind it “is an affirmation of our unwavering commitment to championing investors and tackling abuses in the corporate sector.” The SEC filed a criminal complaint against KAPA with the DoJ in June, which trailed a history of its KAPA/PAGE 9

Environment 6 DENR: Dead fish in Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park due to natural causes N

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 25, 2019

ATURAL causes appear to be the reason for the deaths of thousands of fish in the Las PiñasParañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) last October 10. Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the initial water quality test results revealed that the fish kill resulted from low concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water. “Fish, like all other complex life forms, need oxygen to survive. They get theirs in the form of oxygen gas dissolved in the water,” Cimatu said. The DENR Secretary said the results of the laboratory tests conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) on October 10 showed that the DO for three out of four stations in LPPWP did not conform with the water quality guideline (WQG) for Class “SB” waters, which is 6 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Dissolved oxygen is the volume of oxygen that is contained in the water and is vital in supporting aquatic life, while Class SB water classification means that the water is “suitable for commercial propagation of shellfish and intended as spawning areas for milkfish.” According to EMB-

National Capital Region Director Domingo Clemente, the low levels of DO “may have resulted from the recent heavy rains that caused the flushing of decomposed organic matter from the surface run-offs and inland water tributaries eventually polluting the open seas.” Based on the results, the DO for Station 1 (Long Island, approximately 30 meters from shoreline) was 3.3 mg/L; Station 2 (Long Island, approx. 20 meters from shoreline in front of Pier Area), 3.4 mg/L; Station 3 (boundary of Long Island and Freedom Island, approx. 30 meters from shoreline), 5.9 mg/L; and Station 4 (Freedom Island, approx. 30m from shoreline), 9.8 mg/L. All four stations also exceeded the WQG for fecal coliform, which is 100 most probable number per 100 milliliters (MPN/100ml). Station 2 recorded the highest concentration of fecal coliform at 350,000 MPN/100ml, while the levels in the three other stations ranged from 23,000 to 24,000 MPN/100ml. Traces of cyanide—a chemical that is lethal to most fish species and invertebrates as it blocks the absorption of oxygen

by cells and causes the species to suffocate and die—were also found in all four stations, exceeding the WQG of 0.02 mg/L for Class SB waters. Cimatu, however, said the water pollution measures showed improvement during the follow-up tests conducted on October 14 or just four days after the fish kill occurred. He said the DO concentrations increased

and the fecal coliform levels went down significantly. “Based on the results of the follow-up tests, significant increase in the DO was observed in Stations 1, 2 and 3, and all stations passed the WQG,” Cimatu said. He added: “Also, the results of the fecal coliform count decreased, which now range from 540 to 1,600 MPN/100ml from a high of 350,000

MPN/100ml on October 10.” Cimatu said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will continue to monitor the water quality levels in LPPWP to ensure it would not affect the rehabilitation efforts in Manila Bay. Last October 11, personnel from the DENR, city governments of Las Piñas and Parañaque, and

the “bakawan warriors” assigned to LPPWP cleared the shore of dead fish, which were causing a heavy stench in the area. They were able to gather more than 200 sacks weighing over 5,000 kilos of different marine species, such as fish, shrimps and crabs. The dead fish were hauled out and brought to the Las Piñas Transfer Station, and not buried at LPPWP as earlier reported. On October 17, the EMB-NCR and the LPPWP management inspected the area and interviewed some fishermen who claimed the fish kill was brought about by a phenomenon they called “alig.” “The fisherfolk said that it was due to alig, a natural phenomenon wherein the freshwater and salt water mix, in addition to continuous rains and rising water temperature,” Clemente said. “Also, the concentration of the death of mussels was only in the outskirts of Barangay Longos and Barangay Sineguelasan,” he added. During the inspection, Clemente said they noticed the ongoing harvesting of mussels in the area, which indicates that fishing business there “is back to normal.”

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2019: Poor water conditions How cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability drive invasive THE Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has today decided to award the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe and Gregg L. Semenza for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. Animals need oxygen for the conversion of food into useful energy. The

fundamental importance of oxygen has been understood for centuries, but how cells adapt to changes in levels of oxygen has long been unknown. William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe and Gregg L. Semenza discovered how cells can sense and adapt to changing oxygen availability. They identified molecular machinery that regulates

the activity of genes in response to varying levels of oxygen. The seminal discoveries by this year's Nobel Laureates revealed the mechanism for one of life's most essential adaptive processes. They established the basis for our understanding of how oxygen levels affect cellular metabolism and physiological function. Their discoveries have

Marathon runners (stock image). Credit: © babaroga/ Adobe Stock

also paved the way for promising new strategies to fight anemia, cancer and many other diseases. Oxygen at center stage Oxygen, with the formula O2, makes up about one fifth of Earth's atmosphere. Oxygen is essential for animal life: it is used by the mitochondria present in virtually all animal cells in order to convert food into useful energy. Otto Warburg, the recipient of the 1931 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, revealed that this conversion is an enzymatic process. During evolution, mechanisms developed to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen to tissues and cells. The carotid body, adjacent to large blood vessels on both sides of the neck, contains specialized cells that sense the blood's oxygen levels. The 1938 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Corneille Heymans awarded discoveries showing how blood oxygen sensing via the carotid body controls our respiratory rate by NOBEL/PAGE 11

snakeheads onto land

The largest fish to walk on land, the voracious northern snakehead, will flee water that is too acidic, salty or high in carbon dioxide -important information for future management of this invasive species. Snakeheads eat native species of fish, frogs and crayfish, destroying the food web in some habitats. They can survive on land for up to 20 hours if conditions are moist. In a new study published Oct. 21 in the peer-reviewed journal Integrative Organismal Biology, Wake Forest researcher Noah Bressman reported for the first time the water conditions that could drive snakeheads onto land. Earlier this month, wildlife resources officials in Georgia advised anglers to kill the fish on sight after one was caught in a Gwinnett County pond, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission confirmed that a 28inch northern snakehead was caught in the

Monongahela River in Pittsburgh. Bressman also observed the fish moving in a way no other amphibious fish do: It makes near-simultaneous rowing movements with its pectoral fins while wriggling its axial fin back and forth. These combined motions could help the snakehead travel across uneven surfaces such as grass. "Snakeheads move more quickly and erratically than once believed," said Bressman, a Ph.D. candidate and the corresponding author of Emersion and terrestrial locomotion of the northern snakehead on multiple substrates. "The fish we studied moved super quickly on rough surfaces such as grass, and we think they use their pectoral fins to push off these three-dimensional surfaces." Native to Asia, the northern snakehead was first found in the United States in 2002, in WATER/PAGE 11

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 25, 2019

7

Feature

LANZONES FESTIVAL 2019 OPENING, A BIG BANG

O

By ERCEL MAANDIG

ne of the grandest festivals in Mindanao started to sizzle last Sunday (October 20) with beauties, street dances, exhibit, music, foods and the traditional Lanzones Eat All You Can. Yes, you heard it right because the island province of Camiguin kicked off its celebration of the weeklong Lanzones Festival with the theme Kinaiyahan atong ampingan,kalamboan alang sa tanan (Let's protect our environment for the benifits of everyone). The opening sa lvo started with a marathon in the morning while at 1:00 in the afternoon was the Ag

Sadya Ki Raw Festival, an arch grand parade adorned with indigenous materials that also paraded the first appearance of Mutya sa Buahanan beauty pageant candidates. T he a g ro -i ndu s t r i a l tourism trade fair features the best products and tourism of Camiguin also formally opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Governor Jurdin Jesus "JJ" Romualdo, Ma mbajao tow n Mayor

Ynigo Jesus D.Romualdo and Camiguin Congressman XJ D.Romualdo. The whole day affair was graced by Department of Tourism (DoT) Region 10 director Marie Elaine S. Unchuan. Cocoy Bajuyo's Treasure Ca mig uin took pa r t of the celebration by having an exhibit of his sea glass jewelry and artworks dubbed Kamigingnon Art Gallery. Other events include Ag Sadya Kiraw Kabog and Music Showdown and Daos Ki Lechon with Atsara. But the most awaited part of the event is the Lanzones Fruit Eat All You Can held at Bahay Kubo Ugmad Site. Camiguin Island is the

home of the sweetest lanzones in the country and dubbed as the island born of fire due to volcanic eruptions that shaped the province. On Friday and Saturday (October 25 and 26) is the highlight of the feastivity wherein this year's Mutya ng Buahanan will be crowned Friday night while the Lanzones Festival streetdancing and tableau competition will take part on Saturday morning until afternoon where the awarding of winners from the agro-industrial tourism fair to the streetdancing will be announced.Yet another spectacular highlight of the weeklong celebration will be expected by visiting public.

Globe Digital Thumbprint Program helps keep schoolchildren safe from online sexual exposure With many schoolchildren being able to access the i nte r ne t w it hout a du lt super vision, they are inadvertently exposed to indecent photos and videos which may not be limited to just actual search anymore. Online sites have found creative ways to lure the youth into checking out sexuallycharged materials through

keywords that may seem harmless, spam emails, or unrelated topics, to expose them involuntarily to sexual activities. Much worse is that friends and even strangers are able to force children to share naked photos or videos of them engaging in sexual activities. This situation was

highlighted in the recent National Baseline Survey – Violence Against Children (NBS-VAC) which stated that about 2.9% of children have their own nude body or own sexual activities shown via the internet or mobile phone, 28% have been presented images of sexual activities of other people, and 35.4% have received sexually

charged, negative, foul words or messages. On the other hand, the Department of Justice’s Office of Cybercrime (OCC) reported receiving 37,715 cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in 2016 which grew to 45,645 in 2017, while the Department of Social

Steve's Barbeque celebrated its 42nd anniversary last October 18, 2019 with a 3-day promo where we met personally the owner at their JR Borja Extension Branch, Crisilda I.Carson, that gave her message of thanks to all the valued customers who throughout the year patronized their product from 1977 until today. Steve's Barbeque in SM CDO Downtown Premier branch will be celebrating its 2nd year anniversary on November 29, 2019 with a promo. Steve's also introduced its new product last year that also is now one of its top sellers in SM CDO Downtown Premier, which is the tuna belly.

Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported 172 cases of child pornography in 2017, up from 62 cases the previous year. In view of the alarming statistics and its commitment to child protection, the Department of Education (DepEd) is adopting Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) as part of the K-to-12 Values Education subject to create a safer online environment for the younger members of society (https://

youtu.be/8RczUUX46bE). DTP was designed to mold children into becoming responsible online citizens through learning modules and workshops that take a closer look at their online behavior and help boost their knowledge regarding digital citizenship and cyber safety for a more enjoyable and protected internet experience. “While the internet helps children search information and communicate with their PROGRAM/PAGE 9

On Focus

By ERCEL MAANDIG

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Gov. Jurdin Jesus "JJ" Romualdo

In the 7th Regional Competitiveness Summit on October 24(Thursday), Camiguin is named the fourth Most Competitive Province in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index Awards held today at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). From: BusinessWeek Mindanao and On Focus page

8

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 25, 2019

Proyektong dalan sa Kinoguitan, gitunol na

Gusa barangay chairman Marlo Taboc reacts during the 17th edition of the Gusa recyclable fashion show held at Limketkai Rotunda in Cagayan de Oro City last Friday. The annual gathering is spearheaded by the Gusa barangay council to spread environmental awareness. The other photo shows one of the participants, Jaiyanna Panaraag of Bugo Central School. photos by mark francisco

BWM: October 11, 18 & 25, 2019

GITUNOL na ngadto sa lungsod sa Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental, ang balor P14 milyones nga proyektong pagsemento sa dalan niadtong Oktubre 15, 2019, human ma-kompleto ang trabaho niini ug nagamit na sa publiko alang sa kaharuhay ug hayahay nga kahimtang sa ilang inadlaw-adlaw nga panikaysikay. Mahimo nang maggamit ang Calubo-Napusilan-Kidampas Provincial Road sa Kinoguitan, alang sa benepisyo sa molupyo sa lugar hilabina mag-uuma alang sa sayon nga pagdala sa ilang abot ngadto sa merkado. Dakung pasalamat ni Kapitan Celestino Cena sa Brgy. Panabol, Kinoguitan, tungod sa gipatuman nga proyekto ni Gobernador Bambi Emano sa ilang lugar nga nakabenepisyo direkta ang iyang katawhan. Mokabat sa 0.88 kilometros kon 880 metros nga gitas-on sa maong proyekto. "Daku kini og ikatabang sa mga mag uuma tungod kay mahemo nang madali pag deliver ang ilang abot sa kaumahan gikan bukid padulong sa kamerkaduhan. Saksi ako sa kahasol nga nasinati sa katawhan sa mga lumalabay nga katuigan. Karon, hapsay na ang among pamahon-pahon," sigun pa ni Kapitan Cena inagurasyon sa nasangpit nga proyekto. Sa iyang kabahin, hilabihan ang pasalamat ni Gobernador Bambi Emano ngadto kang Department of Interior and Local Government – Misamis Oreintal ug Provincial Engineering Office sa ilang pagtambayayongay nga mahuman gayud ang proyekto alang sa benepisyo sa kinabag-an. “Ang natabang ni (DILGMisOr) Provincial Director Marisia Nay be, kung naa kami kakulangon, siya dayon

ang mutabang sa pag-followup namo…grabe ang iyang pagpangga sa Mis. Or. Moingon siya, ‘Gov., kulang og isa ka papel.’ ‘Gov., kulang og certificate.’ ‘Gov, kulang og isa ka pirma. And, tungod sa iyang persistence, kana bitaw makanunayong pag duot sa amu nga kulang ang papel, mao na dayun ni na tawo ang CMGP (Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces),” sulti pa sa gobernador. Ang CMGP programa sa DILG alang sa pagtuman sa mga damgo’ng dagkung proyekto sa

lokal nga pangagamhanan. Dili lamang haruhay nga kahimtang sa kinabag-an ang tuyo ug tumong ni Gobernador Bambi Emano sa pagpatuman sa mga proyektong pagsemento sa kadalanan sa kabukiran ug kadaplinan dinhi sa Misamis Oriental, apan tukma pa gayud kini sa panlantaw ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte mao ang pagkabot sa hingpit nga kahusay ug kalinaw sa matag lungsod ug dakbayan nga moresulta sa kalamboan nga maangkon sa katawhan.

MISSING PERSON Name: BALTAZAR BALDONADO Address: Saray, Iligan City (1996)

Kung naa pa siya'y mga anak palihug kontaka kini nga numero 0949-488-1271 ug pangitaa si Samuel Genovia o di ba si Aida Bullen. BWM: October 23, 25 & 29, 2019

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 25, 2019

Passage... from page 2

Tuesday referring to the new BARMM entity established earlier this year. He s aid appropr iate p arli ament committe es should be set up for the purpose before the end of this year pending the release of the estimated PHP70billion block grant allotted for the region in 2020. “The BTA is also hurrying up the passage of the Regional Appropriations Act that would set up the allotment for the BARMM offices,” Ali said. Asked on what is least prioritized among the bills, the official said that would be the election code. “Elections are still very far. There are more important matters to attend to at present,” he said. Ali s aid a technical work i ng g roup is a ls o working double- time for the smooth turnover of 63 North Cotabato villages to the BARMM jurisdiction. T he 6 3 v i l l age s , a l l Muslim-majority areas in six North Cotabato towns, voted for inclusion to the BARMM during the plebiscite in February this year. “We are just waiting for the official turnover ceremony schedule that is being discussed by BARMM with the office of Department of the Interior and Local G ov e r n m e nt S e c re t a r y Eduardo Año,” he said. E arl i e r, he s ai d t he 80-member BTA thumbed down a bill filed by BARMM parliament member Romeo S ema suggesting that Cotabato City be the official seat of BARMM, citing that no official turnover of the city to the new region has taken place yet. “Not yet until an official turnover of the city takes place. Timing is necessary,” he said. Residents of this city also opted to join BARMM in January this year as a segment of the two-part plebiscite held on Jan. 21 and Feb. 6 for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity. Other parts of BARMM comprise areas under the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that are the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, TawiTawi, Basilan and Lanao del Sur. (PNA)

KAPA... from page 5

own investigations on the organization’s investment schemes. It first issued an advisory against KAPA in March 2017, until the issue grew bigger over the two years that followed, leading to a cease and desist order in February and a revocation of its certificate of incorporation in April. “This should also serve as a stern warning against other groups engaging in unlawful investment-taking activities and other predatory

practices to the detriment of the investing public,” Mr. Aquino added. The SEC said KAPA op e r at e s by c ol l e c t i ng investments of at least P10,000, which it guises as “donations,” in exchange for a 30% “blessing” or “love gift” every month, for life. This happens even as the investors have to do nothing but wait for the returns. The SEC flagged this as an investment contract, as defined in the SRC, therefore a separate registration should have been obtained from the Commission to legalize the activity. Violation of the SRC is subject to a penalty of a maximum P5-million fine or imprisonment of seven to 21 years, or both. K A PA w a s s o u g h t for comment through its Facebook page on the DoJ resolution, but did not respond as of press time. Last month, the SEC warned the public that KAPA is returning to operations as KAPA Worldwide Ministry Association. At the time, KAPA is alleged to have collected about P50 billion — based on its supposed 5 million members and the minimum investment of P10,000 per head.

Tariffs... from page 1

in a statement. Japan used to be the largest importer of Philippine bananas for nearly three decades (1991-2017) until China took the spot, buying more than 1.1 million tons in 2018. This redounds to a 56-percent increase from 2017 banana imports. Currently, Japan is one of the countries where imported bananas from the Philippines are taxed heavily. It is due to this concern that Dar requested a zero tariff on the banana. MAFF Vice Minister Fujiki wished to discuss the matter in the context of the ongoing review of the PhilippinesJapan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA). O t h e r m at t e r s t h at D ar t abl e d du r i ng t he bilateral meeting included the Philippines’ request for updates on the market access for Hass avocados and the accreditation of the Philippines as foot-andmouth disease (FMD)-free country. Meanwhile, among the issues that Vice Minister Fujiki raised include the elimination of tariffs on Japanese rice and marke t a c c e ss for Japanese strawberries in the Philippines. Both countries agreed to fast track the submission of necessar y documents to expedite the process to enhance trade for both sides. (PNA)

Industrial... from page 1

Showing concrete progress in the site is a big advantage for AIE (Corp.) to close the deals with the investors,” Ricardo F. Lagdameo, DLI first vice president, said in an email interview.

T h e n e x t ph a s e s of development for the ecozone, which broke ground in Feb. 2016, include cold storage facilities, more warehouses, and another commercial building. The AIE is adjacent to the Davao International Container Terminal, which is also owned by Anflo Management and Investment Corp., the parent company of DLI. “There is enough interest in the market for industrial lots,” he said, citing inquiries f rom f ore i g n bu s i n e s s delegations such as from Taiwan, China and Japan. “We would like to see a good mix of investors,” Mr. Lagdameo said, noting that their focus is manufacturing and other light industries, particularly those related to the agro-industrial sector. Last Oct. 4, a group of Japanese investors, organized by the Office of the Consul General of Japan and the Ja p a n e s e C h a m b e r o f Commerce-Mindanao, visited the economic zone located in Panabo City, Davao del Norte to assess the possibility of expanding their business in the Davao Region. The visit followed the holding of the Japanese Business Seminar in Davao City as part of the commemoration of the 100th year of Japanese presence in this part of the country. Japanese Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa said during the business forum that there is serious interest among Japanese investors, particularly in the manufacturing sector. “We just have to create a strategy,” said Mr. Miwa. Among the companies currently setting up operations in the economic zone is Japanese firm Packwell, Inc., which manufactures paper-based packaging and containers. Other companies that have located in AIE include Del Monte Fresh Produce Philippines, First Panabo Tropi c a l Fo o d s C or p. , Phildutch Polymer Inc., Davao Packaging Corp., CAMECO Realty Development, PMR Pallet Ltd. Co., Fermon Corp., Southern Harvest, and Lane Holdings, Inc.

Training... from page 1

director Dr. Edralin Manla, more than 50 imams, student leaders and peace advocates from the cities of Cotabato, Marawi, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro converged in the conf lict transformation seminar. After the seminar, the participants are expected to replicate what they have learned in their respective communities back home. Manla said the project is being supported by the US Embassy in Manila. Three US representatives – assistant cultural affairs officer Nina Lewis, American Islamic Congress co-founder Z a i n a b A l - Su w a i j a n d Fulbright scholar Margaret MacWeeney – were among the resource persons during the seminar.

They tackled such topics as origins of civilian targeting and women’s inclusion in maintaining post-conflict peace, localized conflict transformation network, lived realites of Muslim women in the Philippines, among others. Other speakers included scholars Emraida Ali and Yasmira Moner. The US Embassy is actively pursuing anti-extremism measures in Mindanao in the past five years or so through various information caravans and other community-based methods, partnering with local groups such as Equal Access International and Naawan H.E.L.P.S, among many others.

Planters...

from page 1 pointed out that the provincial government of Davao del Norte, which is seeking to clear all road obstructions, may "inadvertently help destroy the same industry that is paying huge amounts of taxes that pay for the services provided to their constituents". Antig said "cooler heads" should intervene in what the industry sees as "coercion" by local politicians "who may be unaware of the danger of their actions". In an earlier statement, Governor Edwin Jubahib made it clear the provincial government only wants to remove road barriers on government roads within the banana plantations to allow people to freely use them. Recently, the provincial government tried to remove the road barriers installed by the Tagum Agricultural Development Co. (Tadeco) in Barangay Tanglaw, Dujali; El Canto Road in Barangay Balagunan; and Bugtong Lubi Road in Barangay Bobongan, Santo Tomas town. However, Tadeco insists that entry barriers help guide the public to go through “tire dips” and insecticide sprays for passing vehicles, and “footbaths” for pedestrians entering the plantation. Tadeco said the road barriers are part of the biosecurity facilities that are crucial in preventing the spread of the Panama disease or fusarium wilt. Antig pointed out that Panama disease has affected banana plantations in Davao del Norte barangays where there are no biosecurity facilities. About 2,402 hectares of banana plantations are reported to have been affected by the disease in Davao del Norte alone. "The provincial and local governments should, in fact, promote the industry since the banana companies are top taxpayers in their respective areas of operation," Antig said. (PNA)

Program... from page 7

peers, it also comes with a price. Now, there is a higher danger of children t a l k i ng w it h s t r ange rs especially in social media platforms, forums, and online

games. There are also more opportunities for them to be exposed to lewd materials, deliberately or accidentally. However, keeping them away from computers and mobile phones is not the answer. Children must be taught how to protect themselves from these threats,” said Miguel Bermundo, Globe Head for Citizenship. Globe, being a leader in digital transformation, has always been a strong advocate of digital literacy, especially in public schools. In 2016, Globe introduced DTP which contributes in creating a safer online environment for the younger members of society.

There are four modules under DTP, which include “Digital Insight,” with activities that help students discern proper online behavior to secure their information better; “Digital Impact” tackles issues on technology’s impact on students’ social activities; “Digital Ambition” equips them with skills on using technology to help achieve their life goals; and “Digital Discernment” teaches the youth how to spot false information online. For more information about DTP, visit https:// www.globe.com.ph/about-us/ sustainability/digital-nation/ digital-thumbprint.html

GREAT VALUE PAWNSHOP V. Castro St., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF AUCTION Starting November 8, 2019 (Friday) at 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since June 8, 2019. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts. MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO Sa Nobyembre 8, 2019 ang (Byernes) sa may 8:30 A.M., sa buntag paingon sa alas 5:00 sa hapon, ang tanan nga penirenda nga wala ma lukat sa bulan sa Hunyo 8, 2019 maapil sa subasta. Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo. ANG TAGDUMALA BWM: Oct 25, 2019 NEW LIGHT PAWNSHOP Main: Gen. Capistrano Neri St., Cagayan de Oro City Branch: Don S. Osmeña St., Fronting Public Market, Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF AUCTION Starting November 8, 2019 (Friday) at 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since June 8, 2019. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts. MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO Sa Nobyembre 8, 2019 ang (Byernes) sa may 8:30 A.M. sa buntag paingon sa alas 5:00 sa hapon, ang tanan nga penirenda nga wala ma lukat sa bulan sa Hunyo 8, 2019 maapil sa subasta. Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo. ANG TAGDUMALA BWM: Oct 25, 2019

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FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

Friday|October 25, 2019

10

Recuerdos de Ayer:

The salad days of Nene Pimentel, Journalist

Nene Pimental at 34 years old as Dean of the Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) Law School in 1967 (source Xavier University Yearbook 1967) Mrs. Bing Pimentel and co-teachers at Xavier University Grade School (Front Row L-R); Consuelo H. Villarino, Milagros R. Pineda, Anita Quirit, Remedios J. Pamaong, Isidra S. Nery, Lourdes Ll. Pimentel, Providencia S. Tan. (2nd rom L-R); Jaime J. Gamo, Manuel E. Tandoc, Ramon T. Lim, Richard Young, Antonio I. Rodriguez, Jr., Jesus B. Apape (principal), and Crispiniano P. Tagapulot. (source: XU Crusader Yearbook 1963) By MIKE BAÑOS

(We are bringing back this vignette on Cagayan de Oro’s beloved statesman first published in Business World back in 2006 as our tribute to his heritage to us journalists in the Cagayan de Oro Press Club where he was a member for life.) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Even before he was cutting his teeth as a lawyer and teacher, Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., without question one of this City of Golden Friendship's Golden Boys, started out as a cub reporter for the Mindanao Star, then the No. 1 weekly newspaper in the city. The late Manuel Quisumbing, Sr., who was fondly known as Mr. Q, was editor-in-chief and the future Senator of the Philippines was in the company of an illustrious band of writers and journalists who represented the cream of Cagayan de Oro's men and women of letters at the time: Sarah Velez, Ronulfo Sabanal, Pureza Ramos, Eustaquio Gonzales. "The newspapers of that time tended to be more tame and sedate than those we have today. News which used to be relegated to the tabloids then are now making headlines in the broadsheets." Eventually, Nene became Legal Counsel for the Cagayan de Oro Press Club when he finished law school and passed the bar. He was also appointed in the same capacity for the Mindanao Press Club in 1963, when Mr. Q became president of that

organization. Later, when Nene was elected as the Cagayan de Oro delegate to the Constitutional Convention of the 70's, he rejoined the media as a columnist for Mindanao Star. He also wrote a column for The Manila Times for a year in 1994. We asked, “Is there a basis for government's criticism of today's media as overly critical of the present administration to the point of overlooking its good points and accomplishments?” “There is a basis for the criticism. Negatives are emphasized more than the positives. Crime, sex and violence are sensationalized. However, overall, we are beginning to get responsible reporting. The Philippine Daily Inquirer's battle with the windmills of inf luence in this country is good for the nation. The Philippine Star is also fast gaining the same reputation.” “However, the print media in Cagayan de Oro today tends to be abrasive and condemnatory of public officials without convincing evidence of their allegations, thus maligning people in the process. Sources are not always verified and grave abuse has been committed

in a number of cases. I hope our journalists could be a little more concerned about people even if they are in public office and the basis for complaints regarding the public service should be properly verified.” “On a scale of 1-10, the local print media is 7 on the average, with a lot of room left for improvement. In contrast, newspapermen of Mr. Q's heyday in the Mindanao Star were first and foremost trained to be accurate in their reporting. Mr. Q was a veteran newspaperman who was also an instructor for the journalism course then offered by Xavier University, and his writing, as well as those of the reporters working under him, were founded on accuracy." The former senator has also authored four legal tomes to date: “The Local Government Code of 1991: The Key to National Development and Barangays” and “The Local Government Code,” both published by Rex Book Store; “Cooperatives: Theory and Practice” and “Primer on Cooperatives,” both published by Cacho Hermanos. However, he is in the process of writing a totally

different book entitled “Politics and Religion,” started while he was still in the Senate and which he personally works on a little at a time. The book is based on his experience in politics and ref lects his desire “to stress the fact it is time to imbue our political process with a spiritual dimension which should permeate the whole political spectrum.” “We have the spirit of renewal in the hearts of our people as the only Christian nation in the Far East. New generations actively handling political power should not forget we can start renewing only when you go back to the fundamentals of your religion, as long as he believes in God to use his talent and make religion relevant to his life as a citizen.” “The Ten Commandments tell us “Thou shall not steal,” yet politicians steal all the time. It likewise tells us “Thou shall not kill,” yet politicians are probably responsible for more deaths than any other professions.” At present, Nene writes a column for Teddy Berbano's “MoneyAsia” and Oscar Jornacion's “California Express,” a FilipinoAmerican newspaper based in the US.

Xavier ‘67 Yearbook cover The 1967 edition of the Xavier University Yearbook edited by Rico Nazario was dedicated to outstanding XU graduates, among them Nene Pimentel. Nene was XU High School Class 1952 and became dean of the XU Law School in 1967. The tribute to Nene on the 1967 Yearbook reads: “From the class ’52, Aquilino Pimentel Jr. has risen to occupy the seat of the Dean of the College of Law of Xavier University.” “Commenting on his profession, he stated that the practice of law is interesting and challenging. Interesting, because there never is a dull moment in the study and

trial of a case. Challenging, because one’s convictions are often put to the test whenever a case is accepted and tried in the courts of law.” Thanks to Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz, XUGS Class 1967 for reconstituting Nene’s picture from this yearbook. Monching is the CEO and President of MUSE Books and Media Wise Communications, publishers of a series of award winning books on the Jesuits and the Ateneos including the latest multi-awarded and internationally recognized On the March: The Jesuits in the Philippines since the Restoration and Jesuits in Mindanao: The Mission.

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FRIDAY|OCTOBER 25, 2019

Nobel... from page 6

communicating directly with the brain. HIF enters the scene In addit ion to t he carotid body-control led rapid adaptation to low oxygen levels (hy poxia), there are other fundamental physiological adaptations. A key physiological response to hypoxia is the rise in levels of the hormone erythropoietin (E P O), w h ic h le ad s to increased production of red blood cells (erythropoiesis). The importance of hormonal control of erythropoiesis was already known at the b e g i n n i ng of t he 2 0 t h century, but how this process was itself controlled by O2 remained a mystery. Gregg Semenza studied the EPO gene and how it is reg u lated by var y ing oxygen levels. By using genemodified mice, specific DNA segments located next to the EPO gene were shown to mediate the response to hypoxia. Sir Peter Ratcliffe also studied O2-dependent regulation of the EPO gene, and both research groups found that the oxygen sensing mechanism was present in virtually all tissues, not only in the kidney cells where EPO is normally produced. These were important findings showing that the mechanism was general and functional in many different cell types. Semenza w ished to ident if y t he cel lu la r components mediating this response. In cultured liver cells he discovered a protein complex that binds to the identified DNA segment in an oxygen-dependent manner. He called this complex the hy poxia-inducible factor (HIF) . Extensive efforts to purify the HIF complex began, and in 1995, Semenza was able to publish some of his key findings, including identification of the genes encoding HIF. HIF was found to consist of two different DNA-binding proteins, so called transcription factors, now named HIF-1α and ARNT. Now the researchers could begin solving the puzzle, allowing them to understand which additional components were involved and how the machiner y works. VHL: an unexpected partner When oxygen levels are high, cells contain very little HIF-1α. However, when oxygen levels are low, the amount of HIF-1α increases so that it can bind to and thus regulate the EPO gene as well as other genes with HIF-binding DNA segments. Severa l research groups showed that HIF-1α, which is normally rapidly degraded, is protected from degradation in hypoxia. At normal oxygen levels, a cellular machine c a l led t he protea some, recognized by t he 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko and Irwin Rose, degrades HIF-1α. Under such conditions a small peptide, ubiquitin, is added to the HIF-1α protein. Ubiquitin

functions as a tag for proteins destined for degradation in the proteasome. How ubiquitin binds to HIF-1α in an oxygen-dependent manner remained a central question. The answer came from an unexpected direction. At about the same time as Semenza and Ratcliffe were exploring the regulation of the EPO gene, cancer researcher William Kaelin, Jr. wa s re se a rch i ng a n inherited syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau's disease (VHL disease). This genetic disease leads to dramatically increased risk of certain cancers in families with inherited VHL mutations. Kaelin showed t hat t he VHL gene encodes a protein that prevents the onset of cancer. Kaelin also showed that cancer cells lacking a functional VHL gene express abnormally high levels of hypoxia-regulated genes; but t hat when t he VHL gene was reintroduced into cancer cells, normal levels were restored. This was an important clue showing that VHL was somehow involved in controlling responses to hy pox ia . Add it iona l clues came from several research groups showing that VHL is part of a complex that labels proteins with ubiquitin, marking them for deg r ad at ion i n t he proteasome. Ratcliffe and his research group then made a key discovery: demonstrating that VHL can physically interact with HIF-1α and is required for its degradation at normal oxygen levels. This conclusively linked VHL to HIF-1α. Oxygen sHIFts the balance Many pieces had fallen into place, but what was still lacking was an understanding of how O2 levels regulate the interaction between VHL and HIF-1α. The search focused on a specific portion of the HIF-1α protein known to be impor ta nt for V HLdependent deg radat ion, and bot h Kaelin and Ratcliffe suspected that the key to O2-sensing resided somewhere in this protein domain. In 2001, in two simultaneously published articles they showed that under normal oxygen levels, hydroxyl groups are added at two specific positions in HIF-1α. This protein modification, called prolyl hydroxylation, allows VHL to recognize and bind to HIF1α and thus explained how normal oxygen levels control rapid HIF-1α degradation with the help of oxygens ensit ive en z y me s (s o called prolyl hydroxylases). Fur t her research by Ratclif fe and ot hers identified the responsible prolyl hydroxylases. It was also shown that the gene activating function of HIF-1α was regulated by oxygendependent hydroxylation. The Nobel Laureates had now elucidated the oxygen sensing mechanism and had shown how it works. Oxygen shapes physiology and pathology Thanks to the

groundbreaking work of these Nobel Laureates, we k now much more about how different oxygen levels reg u late f u nda menta l physiologica l processes. Oxygen sensing allows cells to adapt their metabolism to low oxygen levels: for example, in our muscles during intense exercise. Other examples of adaptive processes controlled by oxygen sensing include the generation of new blood vessels and the production of red blood cel ls. Our immune system and many other physiological functions are also fine-tuned by the O2-sensi ng mach i ner y. Oxygen sensing has even been shown to be essential during fetal development for controlling normal blood vessel formation and placenta development. Oxygen sensing is central to a large number of diseases. For example, patients with chronic renal failure often suffer from severe anemia due to decreased EPO expression. EPO is produced by cells in the kidney and is essential for controlling the formation of red blood cells, as explained above. Moreover, the oxygenregulated machinery has an important role in cancer. In tumors, t he ox ygenreg u lated mach i ner y is utilized to stimulate blood vessel formation and reshape metabolism for effective proliferation of cancer cells. Intense ongoing efforts in academic laboratories and pharmaceutical companies a re now focused on developing drugs that can inter fere w it h d if ferent disease states by eit her activating, or blocking, the oxygen-sensing machinery. William G. Kaelin, Jr. was born in 1957 in New York. He obtained an M.D. from Duke University, Durham. He did his specialist training in internal medicine and oncology at Johns Hopkins Un i ve r s it y, B a lt i m or e , and at t he Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston. He established his ow n research lab at the DanaFarber Cancer Institute and became a full professor at Harvard Medical School in 2002. He is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since 1998. Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe was born in 1954 in Lancashire, United Kingdom. He studied medicine at Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge Un iversit y a nd d id h is specialist training in nephrology at Oxford. He established an independent research group at Oxford University and became a full professor in 1996. He is the Director of Clinical Research at Francis Crick Institute, London, Director for Target Discovery Institute in Oxford and Member of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Gregg L. Semenza was born in 1956 in New York. He obtained his B.A. in Biology from Harvard University, Boston. He received a n MD/PhD degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia in 1984 and

trained as a specialist in pediatrics at Duke University, Durham. He did postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore where he a l s o e st abl i she d a n independent research group. He became a full professor at the Johns Hopkins University in 1999 and since 2003 is the Director of the Vascular Research Program at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Cell Engineering. (Story Source: Materials provided by Nobel Foundation / www.sciencedaily.com)

Water... from page 6

a Maryland pond. Since then, the fish have been discovered in the Potomac River, Florida, New York City, Philadelphia, Massachusetts, California and North Carolina. Bressman studied snakehead populations in Maryland, where the fish is considered a threat to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Maryland Department of Natura l Resources collected sna keheads by electrofishing in tributaries of the Potomac River and adjacent drainage ditches. The fish, which ranged in size from about 1 inch to 27 inches, were subjected to poor water conditions including high salinity, high acidity, stagnation, crowding, high temperatures, pollution and low light. The fish tolerated all conditions but high salinity and acidity, and stagnant water with too much carbon dioxide. Although it is unclear how often snakeheads leave water voluntarily and cross over land to invade other waterways, Bressman said these findings can inform how n at u r a l re s ou rc e s agencies plan to contain the fish. "When snakeheads were discovered on land, it caused a lot of fear because not much was known about them," he said. "Sure, they can move fairly quickly on land, and they have sharp teeth. But you can easily outrun them, and they won't hurt you, your children or your pets. "But hav ing a bet ter u nd e r s t a nd i n g of how amphibious they are can help us better manage their population." B r e s s m a n's c u r r e n t research focuses on invasive walking catfish in Florida. (Story Source: Materials provided by Wake Forest University / www.sciencedaily. com)

Destroy... from page 4

failed to address the brewing issues of the children that led to the bloody conflict. The Chadha brothers’ senseless death could have been avoided if the father prepared a thorough s u c c e s s i on a n d w e a lt h transition plan covering 3 to 5 years earlier. There is no doubt that families of the warring Chadha branches and the relationships in the succeeding generations have been shattered. L i ke most founders,

owners have the tendency to focus more on wealth generation over preservation an d s e t a s i d e su b du e d emotional issues of family members. This apathetic m i n d s e t by t h e f at h e r exacerbated the already volatile relationship amongst the Chadha siblings and his death effectively ignited the flames. Ominously, it was a disaster waiting to happen. As one relative said, “Is it God’s Will? Both brothers had an amazing life but suddenly everything fell like a house of cards.”

Landing... from page 4

be smart and sure we’re ready today! Just ask Jesus Christ to forgive you for your past wrongs and to take charge of your life every day. That’s the way you can live with total peace of mind that whenever your life ends, 5 years from now or 5 days from now, you know you’re ready for a safe landing. Just Think a Minute…

Medical... from page 4

• Inha University Hospital • Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine • Kyung Hee University East-West Neo Medical Center • Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Medical Center • Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System • Sun Dental Hospital TAIWAN • Chang Gung Memorial Hospital • N a t i o n a l Ta i w a n University Hospital • Taipei Medical University Wan Fang Hospital • Taipei Nobel Eyes Clinic THAILAND • B ang kok Ho spit a l Medical Center • Bangkok International Dental Center • Bumrungrad International Hospital • Dental Design Center Pattaya • Ivory Dental Clinic Bangkok • Patong Smile Dental Clinic • Phuket Dental Signature • Phuket International Dental Center • Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital

• Thantakit International Dental Center • TRSC International LASIK Center • Yanhee International Hospital TURKEY • Acibadem Healthcare Group • Anadolu Medical Center • CTG Dentalcare • Dentart Istanbul • Dünyagöz Eye Hospitals Group • Kent Hospital • Tanfer Dental Clinic UNITED STATES • Baptist Health South Florida • C ance r Tre at me nt Centers of America • Cleveland Clinic • Hospital for Special Surgery • Mayo Clinic • MD Anderson Cancer Center (University of Texas) • University of Chicago Medicine • Anne and Robert J Lurie Children’s Hospitals of Chicago OTHER • Roomchang Dental Hospital (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) • St Catherine Hospital (Zagreb, Croatia) • BIMC Hospital Dental Center (Bali, Indonesia) • Hospital da Luz (Lisbon, Portugal) • Rose Dental Clinic (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

Cimagala...

from page 4 of God who are meant to see, understand and react to things the way God sees, understands and reacts to them. For t his, we have to look closely at the teaching an d e x amp l e of C h r i s t who is the fullness of the revelation of God. He is “the way, the truth and the life” for us. We are patterned after him and we have to follow him to be what we ought to be. And Christ makes himself alive in us through his word and the sacraments. Thus we cannot overemphasize the need to study the gospel, the catechism, etc., and to have recourse to the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, to figure o ut w h e re e v e r y on e i s coming from.

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Friday|October 25, 2019

12

AboitizPower solar and geo units earn, maintain ISO certifications

A

boitizPower subsidiary San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. (SacaSun) has earned certifications for its compliance to international standards in quality management, environmental management, as well as occupational health and safety management systems.

This development came three years after SacaSun, the operator of the 59-MWp utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plant located in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental began supplying clean and renewable energy to the grid. SacaSun passed the external integrated management system

(IMS) surveillance audit conducted by TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc. on October 14 to 16, 2019. “The organization was able to materialize and continuously provide projects to the community as part of community service relations such as Brigada Eskwela, Community-based DRRM Training and Equipment

Donation, and Back-to-School Support for Elementary Schools Project 2019,” Lionell Aala, auditor for SacaSun, said. Since 2016, SacaSun has been fulfilling its commitment to co-creating safe, empowered, and sustainable communities through its various corporate social responsibility programs,

AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI), one of the leading geothermal energy producers in the country, delivers clean and renewable baseload power with the two facilities that it operates in Tiwi, Albay; Bay and Calauan, Laguna; and Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

community sponsorships, and ER 1-94 projects. Meanwhile, AboitizPower’s geothermal unit AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI) maintained the validity of its certificates for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) for its corporate center in Taguig City and its power facilities in MakBan, Laguna and Tiwi, Albay. The two power facilities also maintained their ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS) certificate and upgraded their Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) certificate to the latest version, which is ISO 45001:2018. All three sites registered zero non-conformity in the last four years. “By implementing IMS in our internal process, we are able to achieve operational and service excellence while providing consistent employee

development, reducing occupational health and safety risks, and creating a conducive working environment for our people and partners,” said Alexander B. Coo, president and chief operating officer of AboitizPower’s geothermal and solar business units. TUV Rheinland Philippines lead auditor Eufronio Alonzo cited the internal IMS audit process of APRI as one of the best practices in the AboitizPower group. “Quarterly 5S audits also resulted in an excellent state of housekeeping at different sites,” he added. 5S is a system for organizing spaces so work can be performed efficiently, effectively, and safely. TUV external auditors noted a total of 23 positive findings for both APRI and SacaSun, reinforcing the companies’ commitment to advancing business and communities.