BusinessWeek Mindanao (September 16, 2020)

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume XI, No. 44

Market Indicators AS OF 6:00 PM SEPT. 15, 2020 (TUESDAY)

FOREX US$1 = P 48.400

11

PHISIX 6,018.21

X X Briefly

cents

21.07 points

Shrinking economy THE Philippine economy is forecast to contract by 7.3 percent in 2020 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic before growth returns to 6.5 percent in 2021, according to a new report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released Tuesday.

The Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2020 Update projects a deeper decline in the Philippines’ economy than ADB’s April forecast of 3.8-percent contraction, with subdued private consumption and investment expected for the rest of the year and uncertainties about the global economic recovery.

The economy is expected to rebound in 2021 as the outbreak is contained, the economy further opened, and more government stimulus measures are implemented.

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RIVATE transmission firm National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is stepping up on the upgrade and modernization of its facilities – a move that is also reinforcing the digitalization of its operations which is crucially needed in this time of a pandemic.

The company apprised the media that in its operations, it equipped three of its helicopters “with high definition photo and video cameras with gimbal stabilizers, infrared scanning and UV detection equipment to monitor, inspect and evaluate the condition of transmission lines and equipment.”

NGCP said such modernization on its facilities is particularly beneficial in areas that are inaccessible “due to terrain and environmental restrictions.”

The transmission company’s facilities sweep through mountainous terrains and mostly hard-toreach domains; hence, the deployment of drones and other digital equipment could be a boost in UPGRADES/PAGE 7

LOCKDOWN IN ILIGAN. Two Maranao women wear their face masks and shields and appropriate color coded quarantine pass as they walk the streets of Tambacan, Iligan City. An armored vehicle of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade patrols the area to remind residents to follow health protocols as the city was placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine because of the surge of local COVID-19 transmission. mindanews photo by richel v . umel

Contingency fund THE Philippine and Japanese government on Tuesday signed a 50-billion yen (P22.93 billion) contingency fund to support the country's early recovery after natural and health-related disasters.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda signed and exchanged diplomatic notes on the Post Disaster Stand-by Loan Phase 2 (PDSL 2) at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday.

The DFA said the fund would help the Philippines better manage its vulnerability to natural disasters, to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, and to mitigate the adverse effects of these risks on the country’s economy.

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‘Surprise’ your departed loved ones with a visit ahead of Undas

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City -– Mayor Sara Duterte urged Dabawenyos to “surprise” their departed loved ones with a visit to cemeteries where they are laid to rest earlier, rather than join the crowd on November 1 to 2 and

risk contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In her program over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) last Friday, Duterte encouraged VISIT/PAGE 7

Urban gardening pushed to fight hunger, climate change EARLY VISIT. A mother holds her son as he lights a candle at the tomb of their departed loved ones at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Davao City on All Saints Day. mindanews photo

DAVAO CITY – The Rotary Club of East Davao and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) have seen the urban container gardening (UCG) as one of the best solutions to address hunger and climate change, especially as the country

faces a health crisis.

“Urban gardening is a practical and uncomplicated method of growing plant-based food that doesn’t require wide agricultural lands or even a backyard. You simply need to repurpose or GARDENING/PAGE 7

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Local Lanao del Sur town mayor 687-M aid disbursed to tests positive for Covid-19 Caraga 4Ps beneficiaries B

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UTUAN City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga (DSWD-13) on Tuesday said over PHP687 million have been released to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the region.

DSWD-13 information officer Marko Davey Reyes told Philippine News Agency that as of August 31, the agency has listed 188,561 4Ps beneficiaries in the region.

Reyes pointed out that the release of the social amelioration program (SAP) for the 4Ps beneficiaries is on time especially during the lockdowns amid the pandemic.

Of the total number, 157,255 or 83.4 percent are females while 31,306 or 16.6 percent are males.

Most numbers of the 4Ps beneficiaries listed are in Agusan del Sur with 60,357 followed by Surigao del Sur with 46,087, Agusan del Norte with 39,554, Surigao del Norte with 33,329, and Dinangat Islands with 9,234.

“The agency also made a listing on children of our 4Ps and we come up with a total of 286,611 children as of the same end period,” Reyes said.

Of the total number of children listed, 2,455 are aged 0 to 2-years-old, 4,416 are 3 to 5-years- old, 149,558 are 6-14-years-old, and 130,182 are 15 to 18-years-old.

Reyes added that the listing of 4Ps beneficiaries in the region is continuing.

“As of this month of September, the number of 4Ps beneficiaries who received their SAP has already surpassed the

number as of August 31,” Reyes said.

According to the latest DSWD-13 data, the total number of 4Ps beneficiaries served as of Sept. 14 has reached 189,890. The number is now over 1,398 compared to the August 31 list of 4Ps beneficiaries, Reyes said.

He said aside from the 4Ps beneficiaries, DSWD-13 is also communicating regularly with the local government units (LGUs) in the region to augment their needs in times of disasters and other emergency situations.

The DSWD-13 recently reported that as of last week, over PHP39 million worth of food and non-food assistance were released to the different LGUs in the region to cushion the effect of the coronavirus disease pandemic. (PNA)

COTABATO City – The municipal mayor of Malabang in Lanao del Sur has announced Monday that he tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Mayor Mohammad Yahya Macapodi of Malabang, Lanao del Sur (Photo courtesy of Malabang LGU FB page) COTABATO CITY – The municipal mayor of Malabang in Lanao del Sur has announced Monday that he tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Mayor Mohammad Yahya Macapodi, in an official statement, said he experienced mild symptoms and was advised to undergo a swab test.

"I was contacted and informed that my result came out positive for Covid-19," Macapodi said.

Contact tracing was

immediately conducted to contain the virus.

"I urge all who had direct contact with me for the past week to undergo a 14-day quarantine," he said.

On the same day, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal 'Bombit' Alonto Adiong Jr. announced that he also tested positive after being exposed to a positive patient.

Earlier, BARMM Health Minister Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan and Youth Commission Chairman Marjanie Macasalong also tested positive for Covid-19.

As of Monday, BARMM has recorded a total of 792 cases of Covid-19 with 213 active cases, 555 recoveries, and 24 deaths.

Out of the total number of cases, 419 are from Lanao del Sur. (PNA)

Camiguin LGUs step up livelihood, social programs amid pandemic CAMIGUIN--To counter effects of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 particularly in the disruption of livelihoods and agriculture here, the local government units (LGUs) of Camiguin sought ways to boost support to farmers, entrepreneurs and residents.

With the suspension of usual agricultural trade, farmers and households in

the island were supported through the release of P310,000 to 8 Plant Now, Pay Later Program beneficiaries, allocation of 400 packs of Pinakbet vegetables to 58 Barangays, and identification of 125 beneficiaries for the Survival and Recovery (SURE)-Aid program from the Department of Agriculture (DA)–10 to perpetuate agricultural activity on the island amid

the crisis.

In addition, the provincial government provided 5 kgs of assorted vegetable seeds to 75 beneficiaries and 100 bags of certified rice seeds (NSIC RC 222 variety), and conducted information education campaign on the “Plant Plant Plant” program during the Provincial and Municipal Agriculture and LIVELIHOOD/PAGE 7

Due to the suspension of usual agricultural trade, farmers and households in the island are supported through the release of P310,000 to 8 Plant Now Pay Later Program beneficiaries, allocation of 400 packs of Pinakbet vegetables to 58 Barangays, and identification of 125 beneficiaries for the Survival and Recovery (SURE)-Aid program from the Department of Agriculture (DA)–10 to perpetuate agricultural activity on the island amid the crisis. (DA RFO-X)

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

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CorporateWorld

Alsons issues P1-B debt papers for renewable plants

A

LSONS Consolidated Resources, Inc. issued on Monday P1 billion worth of commercial papers, the proceeds of which will be used to fund its upcoming renewable power projects.

The debt papers under the second series of the company’s debt service program were listed and traded on the Philippine Dealings and Exchange (PDEx), the Alcantara-led holding firm

told the stock exchange. The program started in 2018.

Early in the month, the company disclosed that the proceeds of the company notes will be used to fund eight runof-river renewable projects in the pipeline.

Clean power facilities will constitute the biggest share of Alsons’ power portfolio, said Alsons Chairman President Tomas I. Alcantara in a previous

disclosure.

Presently, one of the eight projects, the 14.5-megawatt (MW) hydropower plant in Maasim, Sarangani province, is under construction. It is targeted to run by 2022.

Another power generator, the 105-MW San Ramon Power, Inc. baseload coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga City, is also being developed and is expected to begin construction early next

year.

Alsons’ latest series of issuance was rated PRS A plus by the Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings), meaning the company has an aboveaverage capacity to meet its financial obligations. It was also given a stable outlook, thus the rating is likely to be maintained in the next 12 months.

The holding firm’s net income soared more than

four times to P1.39 billion in the first semester, while revenue jumped 70.6% to P5.29 billion. It attributed its financial performance to its fully operational 210-MW Sarangani Energy Corp. coal-fired baseload plant.

Alsons is engaged in both power production and real estate. It has four power generators with a combined capacity of 468 MW.

PEZA seeks to cut export AllHome reports sales growth amid pandemic threshold amid pandemic ALLHOME Corporation quarantine (GCQ) in most travel and non-essential normal of work from home THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has proposed to lower the export threshold to 50 percent for economic zone locators to help them survive as global demand remains low due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said in a joint bilateral chambers' webinar on Friday that increasing domestic market sales allowance for ecozone locators will also help the local economy.

“By the increasing the LSA (local sales allowance) for foreign locator companies from 30 percent to 50 percent, this will benefit not just the export producers with their expanded sales and increased access to the domestic market but also the local economy through the ecozone’s enhanced forward and backward linkages, and local consumers’ access to quality export products,” Plaza said in her EXPORT/PAGE 7

saw growth in sales in home appliances and essential items amid the pandemic, as consumers resumed home improvement projects and select businesses started reopening.

In a statement, AllHome vice chairman Camille Villar said the company’s wide range of products contributed significantly to sales growth despite the imposition of a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and general community

of its areas of operation.

“During the second quarter of this year, appliances contributed 40 percent of our sales, generated by our tactical pop-up stores placed near All Day Supermarkets. We recognized and capitalized on our AllValue retail ecosystem, of which AllHome is an integral part,” she said.

The company said as consumers are spending more time at home due to the pandemic, their respective incomes were diverted from

entertainment to renovations and passion projects.

“This time presented opportunities to continue and start DIY (do it yourself ) home improvement projects, while others bought new kitchen appliances to further culinary hobbies and refrigerator and freezers to assist their business ventures,” it said.

AllHome said it also saw an increase in sales of furniture and equipment for home office and virtual classes with the new

arrangements and online classes.

“These shifts in shopper behavior cushioned somehow the disruption caused by the pandemic such as closure of stores and stoppage of construction activities during the ECQ,” it added.

As reported in the shopper survey commissioned by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the uppermiddle economic class priority levels on home furnishing remained the SALES/PAGE 6

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Opinion

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From Russia with love Think a minute...This is a true Russian love story.

Nadya von Meck was the wealthiest woman in Moscow.

But all of her money and fortune could not comfort her after her husband died.

She then escaped inside her luxurious home and tried to heal her broken heart by playing the music she loved on her piano.

At the same time in the city of Moscow was a 36-year-old composer named Peter Tchaikovsky. He had no idea that his music had begun to restore hope and love to the heart of this lonely widow. Nadya felt that he understood her pain and feelings, and had masterfully turned them into the most soothing and stirring music she had ever heard.

But Nadya’s infatuation with Peter’s music was also attracting her to him personally. She learned from his friends about his interests, and later paid Tchaikovsky to write more music. Nadya, in fact, became his #1 supporter.

Over time she also became his closest confidant and companion who inspired him

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST to create some of history’s most romantic music. For 14 years they found love in each other. In fact, Tchaikovsky’s passionate music was written for none other than his Nadya, the love of his life.

T h e n o n e d ay t h e y suddenly ended their relationship, and no one knows for certain why. After that, neither of them lived long without the other.

Nadya quickly lost her health and Peter died speaking her name. Yet their secrets live on in their love letters to each other. That is all we know of them. For 14 years they expressed their feelings for each other in l etters . Ama z i ng ly, t he LOVE/PAGE 7

WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Clashes marks return of French 'yellow vest' protests

France's "yellow vest" protesters is back on the streets of Paris , while most other demonstrations passed off peacefully, but the movement's hopes for a mass September comeback failed to materialise.

Protesters gathered for two separate marches in Paris, with police firing tear gas into a group that set off from Place du Wagram in the city's northwest after they left their planned route.

The protesters burnt dustbins and set fire to several vehicles.

Police also used tear gas at demonstrations at Lyon and Toulouse, but other marches passed off peacefully.

Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin said some 8,500 people had rallied across the country, 2,500 of them in Par is. He s aid most demonstrations had passed off peacefully.

This was significantly l owe r t h an p o l i c e h a d anticipated.

The protest organisers normally dismiss the official figures, but some demonstrators at least felt that the low turn-out spelt the end of the movement.

At the height of the movement's popularity in late 2018, tens of thousands rallied under the yellow vests' banner, denouncing what they said was President Emmanuel Macron's prioritisation of business and the rich over struggling ordinary families.

T h e d e m ons t r at i ons sometimes descended into violence and looting that drew harsh police responses, which were in turn criticised in France and beyond.

In Paris on Saturday, prot e s t e r s at a s e c on d march starting from Place de la Bourse in the city centre brandished signs with modest demands like "being able to fill your fridge properly".

Elsewhere in France, several hundred yellow vests gathered in southwestern

city Toulouse defying a ban the authorities had imposed, citing coronavirus infection risks.

Police there and in the southeast city of Lyon, fired tear gas to disperse them.

Yellow vests protesters also gathered in Bordeaux and other cities.

In central Paris, hundreds of police officers deployed along the Champs-Elysees avenue where authorities had banned demonstrations.

Officers checked the identity cards of passers-by and searched their bags, while many storef ronts were boarded in case of a repeat of the looting that has happened during past yellow vest protests.

"We can't have destruction and chaos on the ChampsElysees," Paris police chief Didier Lallement said on Saturday morning, calling the avenue "a showcase for our country".

But later on Saturday, arou n d 3 0 ye l l ow ve s t protesters forced their way

NUTS & BOLTS

JEROME DE LA FUENTE

into the Paris headquarters of rolling news channel BFMTV. They confronted journalists and denounced the station's coverage of their protests before being evicted by the police.

A he ad of Saturd ay's protests, police had said they expected up to 5,000 people to rally in Paris, with 1,000 of them potentially violent.

Po l i c e a r r e s t e d 2 8 7 people, 275 of them in Paris, and the prosecutors office said 147 people were being CLASHES/PAGE 7

'Without you, Lord..'

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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Let’s count the endless sad possibilities we can fall into if we dare to simply be by ourselves instead of being with God always. This obsession of saying, “Without you…” need not only be expressed when thinking of missing a loved one or of being rejected by a beloved.

The most appropriate object of such expression is when it is directed to God himself.

Such gesture would certainly elicit the best results for us!

Without you, Lord, the only thing possible for us is to revert to nothing, and even less than nothing. You are everything to us, Lord.

You are actually at the very core of our being. May this

fundamental truth be seared indelibly in our mind and heart. May we be always conscious of it and moved to act on it properly.

Without you, Lord, the only thing we can think of would only be ourselves.

And who are we? Are we not your creatures, your most beloved creatures whom you have created to be you image and likeness, meant to share in your very own life? How can we dare to think only of ourselves?

But yes, Lord, help us to always feel a yearning for you.

Make us long for you with a passion, much like what is expressed in Psalm 41: “As the deer pants for streams of

water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Free us, Lord, from being deceived by our own selves, by our own ideas and desires.

No matter how fantastic they may appear in the eyes of men, if they are not inspired by you, Lord, we actually know that they are dangerous.

Help us to overcome our tendency for self-indulgence and strengthen in us the desire for you.

We know that you, Lord, have given us a certain freedom and autonomy in our actions. But help us to realize always that our freedom and autonomy are your gifts, are your ways of resembling us

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA to yourself, of allowing us to share in your life.

We should do nothing without referring our freedom and autonomy to you. Make us feel the need to offer everything we do to you, and to thank you always for LORD/PAGE 7

Assertions to bear We love to complain! Many times we don't have reasons at all to do so - but, we love to complain. Especially nowadays. Our world is full of mess - isn't it? Of course, somehow it is indeed if you look around. Illnesses, natural disasters, climate change, wars etc. etc.

We bring many more assertions to bear: first, in the past we have been thriftier and economical, more religious and devout, more patriotic, industrious, more hardworking, keen and obedient.

And, second, above everything and all: in the past we had more idealists. Third, nowadays we have (mostly?) material things in mind - what a disgrace.

Materialists or idealists?

Materialism or Idealism?

Whom or what do you love?

Love most?

I just quoted Vox Populi... . A "materialist" has indeed become a swear word. I don't mean with "material" the accumulated data out of which a writer creates a work of

literary, historical, or scientific value. A materialist is being easily described as someone with an attitude, who ignores spiritual values, compared with an idealist, who has the tendency to seek the highest spiritual perfection.

Id e a l is m me ans t he doctrine that appearance is purely the perception, the idea of subjects, and that the world is to be regarded as consisting of mind. The coquetry of higher philosophy makes it difficult to bear the ups and downs in our daily life.

Sure, we all know that "our last earthly dress has no pockets any more". Striving for earthly and terrestrial possession, property and estate might be the hit-man of idealism. That's how we have been taught. "Wine, women and song", having the unpleasant feeling of fullness, egoism and bragging as well as showing-off - are these the materialist's real attitudes?

Is the idealist, many times not able, stand on earth with

both feet, the only one who occupies himself with religion and virtuousness - so to speak, with celestial and heavenly things? Is that really so? Can we make such a distinction?

Sure, it's easy to do so: it's manageable and comfortable.

But well, why is the enjoyment of having a tasty meal BAD, and listening to a recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach BETTER? Why should art be better than roasted pork and a bottle of wine?

Value judgements and moral concepts... .

Owning a house and lot and a car - or even more then one - are earthly properties, as well as bank saving accounts, profitable insurances, and invest advantageously stocks.

Is a terrible underpaid nurse or a book author an idealist, because he or she doesn't work for the filthy lure but for higher values?

Ha s Je s u s b e e n a n idealist, because He accepted renunciation and died without terrestrial possession? Has

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING Jesus been a materialist, because He fed thousands of people on the breadline? Are we idealists, if we bequeath nothing to our families and might die without a single centavo, because earthly things are bad?

Worth to think about it ... . +++ Email: doringklaus@gmail. com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or visit my www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringscassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

5 HSMA launch September on Sales for leisure travel Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

H

OTEL Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA) Philippine chapter mounts its second nationwide tactical campaign September On Sales (SOS)with up to 70% since the start of the coronovirus pandemic for all their member hotels & resort.

The SOS campaign is a two-week online sale of 89 hotel accommodations and other offerings across the country to be held on Sept. 15 to 30, 2020 is supported

by Secretary Berna Romulo- Puyat of the Department of Tourism together with Anthonette Allones new appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB ).

HSMA is currently targeting corporate clients, health workers, event organizers, and even domestic tourists who would be traveling once tourism resumes in their respective

areas.

“Some of the promos are valid for up to a year while the others even have open-dated on their validity. For travelers, the SOS is both a limited-time offer that can help them save on their next trip and a chance to help the

Philippines’ tourism industry bounce back from COVID-19," said HSMA spokesperson Pearl Maclang.

The campaign offers packages from 89 hotels and resorts across eight key destinations: Manila, Pasay, Makati/ Bonifacio Global City,

the Ortigas Business Center, Quezon City, Northern Luzon, southern Luzon, Boracay, Visayas, and Palawan/Mindanao.

With Metro Manila and several areas still under the general community quarantine where leisure travel is not yet

THE Linggo ng Kabataan for 2020 was celebrated nationwide at an unprecedented virtual pace. Ditching the conventional fashion show, Sangguniang Kabataan officials in Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon opted for an online showdown instead with Renel Diayon and Kim Alon-alon emerging as the winners in the modeling competition. JESS LOMOLJO PHOTOGRAPHY/DICKLUM SK/MF

allowed, HSMA Chair Margie Munsayac said concerned hotels would be flexible on the validity of the e-vouchers.

"I know there is some apprehension about purchasing the vouchers because what if we do not transition to MGCQ

by October... hotels and resorts will be very flexible, they will be able to extend the validity a year after maybe when MGCQ will be implemented," she said in a virtual presser.

She assured that all properties featured in the event have passed stringent health and hygiene safety protocols.

“Most hotels and resorts are ready with all health, safety, sanitation protocols, and are well-prepared to welcome guests again.

Months of quarantine have enabled these properties to plan carefully and in detail all these protocols, as prescribed by the government, to ensure

the safety of guests as well as employees," she said.

The tourism and hospitality sector is among the hard-hit by the pandemic when leisurely travel came to a halt in March.

HSMA President Christine Ibarreta said the initiative offers hope for an estimated 5.7 million hospitality employees and workers.

“We have no illusions that life will be the same -- if and when restrictions are lifted. But the public’s patronage and advanced bookings from the sale gives us hope that things will get better. It will also enable us to plan ahead in terms of manpower and other operational requirements so that we will be able to hit the ground running when the pandemic scare is over,” she said.

The vouchers, valid from Oct. 1, 2020, through Sept.

30, 2021, could be purchased at www. hsma.org.ph.

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WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Learning in a Distance (The Philippine Educational Context amidst COVID-19 Pandemic) LOREN KRIS P. CATULONG, Teacher I Pulot National High School, Ozamiz City

Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones of the Department of Education said, “Education must continue amidst this COVID -19 p a n d e m i c ”. H o w e v e r, the pronouncement of P r e s i d e nt R o d r i g o R .

Duterte of “no vaccine, no school opening” may have brought debate and confusion to the stakeholders, but stressed that the department meant the same. The Secretary stressed that there’s no conflicting ideals because a non face –to-face school opening is eyed to happen.

What is considere d to b e t he ne w nor ma l in Philippine Basic Education is the so-called distance learning. A lot of qualms have been received by t he D e p ar t me nt of Education regarding this learning modality. Will it work? Will it be effective?

Is t h e D e p a r t m e nt of Education prepared for this?

Several researches have shown the positive effects of distance learning. In fact, this is not new to some learning institutions. They said t hat dist ance le ar ning can teach students skills and competencies of developing professional skills such as the skill of self-study, the ability to plan and organize, time management skills, the ability to solve problem, to take responsibility, to work under pressure and to be

creative. These are but the factors the Department (of Education) is holding an capitalizing on the move to push through with such modality. Allen (2006) analysed that distance education students s l i g ht ly outp e r for me d traditional students on exams and course grades.

PISA (2018) revealed that students in the Philippines exhibited poor performance in the field of Science and Math. Please take note, this was using face-toface learning. With the advent of COVID-19 p an d e m i c , n o won d e r citizens are posed with the same questions.

Given the rigid preparation of the Department to hit the timeline in mass production of modules for the opening of classes, the teachers' will to attend classes and webinars to update themselves with the necessar y skills to m atch w it h t h e n e e d s of the time in the new normal, the inner desire of the teachers to be of true service in line with their profession, the Department of Education is indeed ready to adapt, to evaluate, and to innovate.

Wit h t h e v i s i on t o provide “the hope of the nation” our learners, with quality learning the safest way possible, there is no stopping. Learning must continue!

DILG-10 needs 2,000 contact tracers to speed up COVID-19 containment

W

ITH the

and city or provincial health offices have more knowledge on where to assign the implementation contact tracers)," of Bayanihan 2 to Agabe added.

Heal as One Act in DILG-10 urges responding to the college graduates adverse effects of on allied medical or coronavirus disease criminology courses (COVID)-19, the to apply as contact Department of the tracers in the region Interior and Local with about P18,784 Government (DILG)10 targets to hire Department of the Interior and Local Government monthly salary.

2,000 contact tracers (DILG)-10 Regional Director Arnel Agabe says during the Interested NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, applicants may email in the region.

September 15 that the allocation of contact tracers per "Ang pag-allocate region will not only depend on the population but also their letter of intent, sa contact tracers kada on the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the personal data sheet, area. (DILG 10) National Bureau rehiyon depende dili of Investigation lang sa populasyon local government The 2,000 workers (NBI) clearance, and apil na pud ang units (LGUs) and will serve as an drug test result to kadaghanon sa health offices should augmentation to the nearest DILG COVID-19 confirmed the existing contact be observed at all provincial/city office cases sa lugar. Ang tracers deployed in the times.

2,000 nga i-hire five provinces and two "Kay ang mga local in their area.

Individuals with kadungagan sa contact highly urbanized cities government units skills on interviewing, tracers deployed in ug city or provincial in the region) health assessment the five provinces ug health offices mas Agabe reminded two highly urbanized kahibalo sila kung asa and public health contact tracers, who education are highly cities," Regional ibutang ang contact will be hired, that encouraged to apply.

Director Arnel Agabe though they are tracers (Because the said during the local government units (RTP/PIA10) already assigned NorMin COVID-19 in a specific area Response Task Force like Bukidnon, they more positive that online press conference, should also be able to shopping habits will from page 3 continue post ECQ. September 15. accommodate request The survey showed that same --both online and (The allocation for assistance from the purchase of appliances in-store. of contact tracers other areas.

Validating AllHome’s and furniture in the ABC per region will not He added that quick pivot to e-commerce d e m o g r aph i c re m ai n e d only depend on the close coordination d u r i n g t h e p a n d e m i c , unchanged by ECQ. population but also of the hired contact Nielsen Philippines online “ T h i s c o m m u n i t y on the number of tracers with the local sur vey Pandemic Impact l o c k d o w n h a s p u s h e d on Shopping B ehavior A l l Home to f i nd ne w COVID-19 confirmed epidemiological fielded in April 2020 at the c h a n n e l s t o b r i n g i t s cases in the area. surveillance unit of

Sales...

School Learning Continuity Plan: A Tool to Address Education in the New Normal By: CATALINA Q. OLIVEROS, PhD. ESP-I/FWMES

The world is experiencing health crisis brought by the Corona Virus or COVID 19. Many have been infected by the virus and succumb to death. There were patients who survived but never equalled to the death toll. To flatten the escalating number od cases of COVID positive, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) issued directives and memoranda and safety health protocols as preventive measures not to acquire the deadly virus. Everyone is at risk. However, individuals who are below 21 years old and 60 years old above including those who have pre-exixting ailments are the most vulnerable to the virus. Residents are restricted to go out in crowded places and enforced to stay at home to avoid local transmission of said virus.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared “NO Vacine, No Face to Face Teaching – Learning to happen in the classrooms. But despite of the pandemic crisis, education must continue. But how could this be done? How could we deliver education without putting the health and safety of our learners into risk?

As mandated in paragraph 2 , D.O No. 007, s. 2020, “ The Department of Education (DepEd) is committed to ensure educational continuity amidst the challenges. Education must continue to give hope and stability, contribute to the normalization of activities in the country, facilitate development of our learners and bring normalcy to their lives, but

health and safety of learners and school personnel are of utmost importance and must be protected at all times.”

The message is very clear. We will continue to deliver education in the new landscape. And to capture our preparations in a brief and comprehensive manner, each school is tasked to craft and present their School Learning Continutiy Plan (SLCP) with the collaboration of the School Planning Team (SPT) spearheaded by the School Principal or School Head.

The School Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) serves as the educational road map to ensure that every enrolled learners will learn in their own context and will be given appropriate interventions in various platforms. The LCP outlines the various modalities in delivering basic education for the school year. It also defines and identifies the learning materials; the student learning activities; assessment of learning outcomes; organization of classes and class schedule; and the health and safety protocols. It also clarifies and determines the agreed communication plan; support for teachers and learners; and the monitoring and evaluation.

Part of the DepEd’s endeavor on Learning Strategies and Modalities is compressing the K to 12 Curriculum to the Most Essential Learning Competencies.

In this manner, each Learning Area’s Competencies were configured by choosing only the most essential competencies to be taught to the learners. The competencies were taken from the Curriculum Guide

(CG) and extracted the most important objectives or topics that the learners must learn and increase achievement to sustain the national goal of producing learners with 21st century skills and become lifelong learners.

Our strategies are for the teachers and school heads to take the active role of monitoring learners’ progress. Teachers must always make themselves available to provide assistance, remediation, enhancement or enrichment activities.

Ensure that availability of parateachers at home and community, where possible.

Considerations were also given to the following physical conditions such as DepEd Computerization Program, Internet Connectivity and Stability, Teachers and Learners Readiness to Digital Learning. These factors are gradually addressed through our strong linkages and partnership with our education champion partners in the Local Government Units (LGU), non-government organizations, business and private sectors to have a smooth implementation of this transition from the old normal to the new one.

With this collabratively crafted and carefully thought off School Learning continutiy Plan, we in the school level with the unstinted and unwavering support from all our internal and external stakeholders specially to our super home-partners, the parents, we are confident that together with our united, renewed spirit of commitment, dedication, optimism and resiliency we can make it.

height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situation showed that ABC1 segments are

products and ser vices closer to its customers,” AllValue chairman Manuel Villar, Jr. said. (PR)

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WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Love...

Livelihood...

famous relationship of Peter Tchaikovsky and Nadya von Meck, which produced some of the world’s most romantic music, was from two lovers who never once met face to face!

But the fact is real love must be lived “up close and personal,” not just in romantic love songs and letters. That is why God became a real person: to show His love for us “up close and personal,” so we could know what He is really like, and learn to love Him for who He really is. There is nothing more He can do to show us how much He loves us, and how much He wants to share His life with us in a daily personal relationship. So once and for all, won’t you open your heart and ask Jesus to become the Lord and Love of your life?

Only then can His real love and power begin changing everything in your life. Just think a minute…

Fishery Council meetings to further supplement DA-10’s COVID-19 interventions and departmental goals.

As part of the agricultural rejuvenation campaign, the local government conducted an orientation on financial literac y at Camiguin Polytechnic State CollegeL an d b an k Fou n d at i on , and Plant Now Pay Later Program and “Plant Plant P l a nt” p r o g r a m t o 3 3 b arangays t hroug h t he Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in collaboration with the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO).

The province also distributed 24,096 family food packs to augment food commodities and hygiene kits to highly affected families, wherein 24 senior citizens aged 95 years old and above were given food supplies.

Door to door deliveries of family food packs and hyg iene k its were a ls o conducted for the persons with disability (PWDs) in Barangay Alangilan, Sagay, and house to house delivery of social amelioration grants worth P6,000 each to eligible families amidst COVID-19.

Minimum public health standards are strictly followed throughout the conduct of the said distributions.

For the upcoming harvest season of Lanzones fruit in the province, Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo said farmers are allowed to sell their produce outside the province but should be strictly guided by health protocols set by the Regional Task Force on COVID-19. (VPSB/PIA10)

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held in custody.

Minister Darmanin on Friday announced slightly tighter rules on police use of controversial rubber bullets and other crowd-control weapons.

Officers must now ask supervisors for permission to fire the projectiles, which have been responsible for injuries.

France was heavily criticised by rights groups at home and abroad after some protesters lost eyes or hands after being hit by rubber bullets or stun grenades during yellow vest protests.

Lord... from page 4

whatever comes out of our free human acts.

Make us realize more deeply and constantly that our human acts are supposed to be a participation of your continuing providence over all your creation. We should never think that there are things that we do where you are not involved, Lord.

Yes, even in our business and politics and in all our temporal affairs, you are there.

Without you, Lord, the only thing we can do is to sin. Without you, we would have no resistance t o t e mpt at i on , n o w ay to hand le prop erly our human we akness es and the different predicaments we will encounter in our earthly life. Without you, we will never know how e ve r y t h i ng i n ou r l i fe, including the bad things, can work out for the good.

We would easily be held hostage by fears, doubts, sadness, etc.

Without you, Lord, we will never know how to love as we ought. We would simply be trapped in our version of love that at best can never be true love, since true love can only come from you!

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Upgrades... from page 1

ensuring fast-moving as well as safe operations.

With its helicopters, NGCP said it would be able to “assess, immediately identify and deploy personnel and equipment.”

The company expounded “this is especially crucial during emergency power restoration activities after typho ons, ear thquakes, volcanic er uptions and other natural or man-made calamities.”

As narrated, its usage of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and remotely piloted aircraft or drone started last year, but this initiative has grown even more relevant this year given the movement restrictions being enforced on people – including those for critical jobs in the energy sector.

The company currently has three (3) drones; and it is targeting to roll out 45 more in the coming years.

The additional drones are currently under procurement.

Additionally, NGCP said it is preparing to introduce a c e nt r a l c o nt r o l a n d monitoring system (CCMS) “to remotely operate its substations.”

That system, it said, “will comprise of real-time monitoring software and hardware which will be used

for the acquisition, collection, monitoring and analysis of power data and equipment condition.”

Through the operation of the CCMS, NGCP noted this will enable it to pilot unmanned substations, that in turn could effectively “improve the operational performance of its facilities and provide greater flexibility for expansion.”

Such modernization of operations and digitalization of facilities, according to NGCP, are aligned with its goals “to bring the Philippine power grid to a world-class status in terms of operational resiliency while employing the latest technological advancements.”

Corollary to that, the transmission firm said it is in parallel enhancing the skill set of its workforce “to efficiently use and operate these new technologies.”

Visit...

from page 1 the public, especially families with vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens and minors, to plan their visit ahead of “Undas” to avoid the crowd visiting the cemeteries on those dates.

“Let’s not join the crowd.

Let’s visit this early our grandfather, grandmother, parents, spouses, and siblings, especially for those with children. We should start setting a schedule to visit them on weekends,” she said.

She said she wants the people to visit ahead because the local government does not know what the quarantine status of the city would be starting November 1, whether or not it would need to close the cemeteries to control mass gathering, to stop the transmission of the highly infectious disease.

The ent ire cit y was placed under community quarantine from March

16 until evening of April 4, enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from April 4 to May 15, general community quarantine from May 16 until June 30, and modified GCQ from July 1 until the end of September.

Duterte added that in the time of a pandemic, people need not follow the annual tradition of visiting their departed loved ones during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. “Just like God who is everywhere, we don’t need to visit every November 1 and 2 our departed loved ones.

In fact, it would be good, perhaps, to surprise them, just like visiting them without following the tradition,” to avoid transmission of COVID-19.

According to the Department of Health-Davao as of September 12, the region has 2,464 cases with 1,996 recoveries and 71 deaths.

Of the regional total, 1,569 cases were reported in Davao City, 197 in Davao de Oro, 286 in Davao del Norte, 141 in Davao del Sur, 42 in Davao Occidental, and 229 in Davao Oriental. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Gardening... from page 1

upcycle common household containers and utilize the space in your rooms, rooftops, or balconies. This method also ensures you that you’re eating clean, fresh, and organic produce,” Rossano Luga, president of Rotary Club of East Davao, said in an interview Sunday.

UCG is a technology of home farming used to grow food in limited spaces in the urban areas to serve as a nutrition garden of the household.

It is a household activity that utilizes containers in growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs for family consumption;

and the cheapest and healthiest way of food production as it utilizes bio-wastes as sources of fertilizers for gardening.

Luga also underscored a need to mitigate the environmental damage that is triggering climate change to overcome the long-term effects of the pandemic.

“Integrating clean and sustainable practices into our daily activities is a crucial step in the right direction as it ensures safe food consumption, promotes a healthy lifestyle, reduces our waste products, and reduces our individual carbon footprints,” he added.

The Rotary Club of East Davao and the PICPA, with other participating org an i z at i ons l i ke t h e Ame r i c an C hamb e r of Commerce of the PhilippinesMindanao Chapter, INCOME Davao Credit Cooperative, Rotary Club of Downtown Davao, and Rotary Club of Central Panabo recently conducted a free webinar on UCG. During the webinar, Perfecto Rom, the resource speaker, said UCG is an advocacy to democratize agriculture empowering families to participate in food production and ecological sanitation (ECOSAN) right in their backyards. (PNA)

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presentation.

She added that this is one of PEZA’s Covid-19 m a n a g e m e nt m e a s u r e s to help locators afloat as well as the economy amid the global health crisis.

L ower ing t he exp or t threshold from 70 p e rc e nt t o 5 0 p e rc e nt , to also increase local sales allowance from 30 percent to 50 percent for foreign companies, is a key amendment to the PEZA law which the agency is proposing. “ I n t h e C R E AT E bi l l, howe ve r, it f avors the increase in export threshold from 70 percent to 90 percent to benefit the locators with 90 percent plus export sales by way of exemption from the VAT refund system,” Plaza said.

She added that PEZA is looking into allowing locators to go beyond their annual local sales allowance threshold for three consecutive years.

In the last week of August, 85 percent or 2,633 locators within PEZA are operating and 76 percent or more than 1.17 million ecozone employees are still going to work. (PNA)

RA 9048 Form No. (LCRO) R.A. 10172 Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province: LANAO DEL NORTE City/Municipality: MAIGO NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A Act. No. 9048/Rule 7, R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that MARISA ROPEROS PLAZA has Filed with this Office a petition for CHANGE OF FIRST NAME from MARISA TO FELIPA and the _________ from __________ to in the Birth Certificate of MARISA ROPEROS PLAZA who was born on September 13, 1995 at Maigo, Lanao del Norte, whose parents are Eustaquio Plaza and Petra Roperos.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than ___________________________________.

(SGD) BRIZAH J. LIBARDOS Municipal Civil Registrar

BWM: Sept. 9 & 16, 2020

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY OF EL SALVADOR ) S.S. X--------------------------------------X EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG HEIRS WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This Extrajudicial Settlement among heirs is made and entered into by: We, LITO IGNACIO CANETE, LEE MICHAEL TAMBASACAN CANETE, LEILANI CANETE SAGIAHON, CHRISTOPHER TAMBASACAN CANETE and DANIEL TAMBASACAN CANETE – all of legal age, Filipino citizens, single and married, and a resident of Opol, Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, Philippines; WITNESSESTH:

That WE are the surviving heirs of the late FELIPA T. CANETE who died AUGUST 9, 2020 at Barangay San Juan, Madrid, Surigao del Sur which has his residence at the time of his demise, leaving a certain savings account with Landbank of the Philippines – Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental bearing account number 3141-0832-43;

That no real properties are involved in this Extra-Judicial Settlement of Estate;

That the best knowledge and information of the parties hereto, the said deceased left no debts in favor of any person or entity;

That pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. Of the Revised Rule of Court of the Philippines, the parties hereto, being with full civil capacity to contract, do hereby and by these presents agree to adjudicate and they hereby adjudicated among themselves the share of the decease with the above mentioned bank account pro-indiviso or equal shares.

WITNESSESTH FURTHER:

That we the above named HEIRS, do hereby NAME, CONSTITUTE, and APPOINT our father LITO IGNACIO CANETE, of legal age, Filipino, widower, with postal address at Opol, Misamis Oriental to be our true and lawful Attorney-In-Fact, for us and our name, place and stead, to do and perform any or all of the following acts and things, to wit:

a. To withdraw the abovementioned savings account;

b. To make, sign and execute any and all document that may be required in the execution/ transactions of this instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have hereto set their hands this _________ day of SEP 11, 2020, in El Salvador City, Philippines.

BWM: September 16, 23 & 30, 2020

BWM: September 2, 9 & 16, 2020

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